China, U.S. should lengthen list of cooperation, shorten list of problems: Chinese vice premier Xinhua) 08:05, December 10, 2025 Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Craig Allen, Senior Counselor at the Cohen Group, in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized on Tuesday that China and the United States should continuously lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems between the two sides. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Craig Allen, Senior Counselor at the Cohen Group, in Beijing. Since the beginning of this year, the heads of state of China and the United States have held multiple phone conversations and successfully met in Busan, Republic of Korea, reaching important common understandings, said He. He emphasized that both sides should maintain the momentum of cooperation under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. As China is about to embark on its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the country will keep expanding high-standard opening up. He welcomed more U.S. enterprises to invest and operate in China, to promote the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations. For his part, Allen conveyed his willingness to serve as a bridge for further enhancing U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Eldercare robots tackle challenges of aging population People's Daily Online) 13:12, December 10, 2025 A senior resident plays chess with a robot at Shenzhen Nursing Home in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, March 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu) In many places, eldercare robots have quietly become part of seniors' daily lives, acting as tech companions that assist them around the clock. At a nursing home in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, there are over 100 eldercare robots of various sizes. The facility accommodates more than 460 elderly people, with each caregiver responsible for at least three residents on average. With robot assistants, the staff's workload is significantly reduced. A small, round, palm-sized robot serves as a "trainee" in the facility, monitoring residents' daily activities and acting as an "electronic extension" of the caregivers. The company behind it has developed specialized solutions for elderly care. In an emergency, the robot can instantly detect the situation and send alerts, allowing staff to respond without delay. By the end of 2024, Shenzhen had 1.58 million residents aged 60 and above, and this number is expected to rise to 2.58 million by 2029. Though a young and fast-growing city, Shenzhen is gradually aging. But in this hub of innovation, technology is already used for elderly care. Ninety-three-year-old Liang Caitang spends most of her day in a wheelchair. Her nursing home houses 96 seniors, with an average age over 86. 97 percent of residents have moderate to severe disabilities or dementia, and most are unable to stand or walk. Recently, the facility introduced a lower-limb exoskeleton. Once Liang's legs and feet are secured and the motorized seat lifts her, she can "walk" along the corridor with the robot's assistance. Even seniors who rely entirely on wheelchairs are experiencing improved mobility. This year, another company launched an all-terrain embodied mobility robot that combines robotics technology with wheelchair design. By the end of 2024, China had 310.31 million residents aged 60 and above, 22 percent of the country's total population. Roughly 45 million of them had disabilities or dementia. At a Shenzhen nursing home, long-term bedridden residents with severe disabilities are now being cared for by a smart incontinence-care robot, reducing their dependence on human caregivers. When a resident uses it, the robot quickly detects waste and automatically begins a cleaning cycle, processing, washing, drying, and deodorizing. The entire process takes just two to three minutes, effectively keeping odors at bay. Smart eldercare and tech-driven solutions are increasingly the focus of research institutions. Zhao Guoru and his team at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, are developing more capable eldercare robots that address seniors' most pressing needs. Their research focuses include fall prevention, muscle loss and strengthening, rehabilitation, and intelligent nursing. Over the past five years, the team has developed more than 10 projects, including instability warning devices and gait stabilizing robots designed to prevent falls. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) December 10, 2025: New details have been released about the Ukrainian Operation Spiderweb. This was the daring June 2024 Ukrainian attack on Russian airfields deep inside the country. SBU/Ukrainian Security Service recently revealed more details on this operation but withheld some details involving items that might be used again. Spiderweb was mostly about solving logistical problems. The drivers of the trucks were Russians who never knew they were working for the Ukrainians. The drivers simply delivered the crates containing the drones to specified locations and left. The operation was delayed a month because the drivers went on binge over Easter and were unavailable for the original operation dates. The Russian FSB/secret police eventually discovered where the Russian drivers lived, arrested them and tortured the drivers for information the drivers never had. In fact, the drivers did nothing illegal. They drove cargoes of sealed crates to specified locations and left them there. The drivers didnt learn wh The final staging area for the truck drivers was in Chelyabinsk, which is 2,100 kilometers from Ukraine. The trucks were stored in a garage one block from the FSB headquarters in Chelyabinsk. Since the trucks were Russian, as were the drivers, and the cargo was just wooden crates, the FSB never suspected a thing. Another detail the Ukrainians revealed was that the warheads of those drones were armed with Shaped Charge devices. Normally these are used to penetrate armor. These shaped charges were used to penetrate the bomber's metal skin and penetrate deeply enough to hit a fuel line or tank and ignite whatever fuel was in the aircraft. This way the bombers supplied the flammable liquids needed to destroy or seriously damage them. Another revelation was that the SBU had made plans to keep the drones in the crates warm if the attacks were made during the winter. The SBU spent nearly two years planning Spiderweb and it worked. Ukraine was able to launch a surprise drone attack on five Russian air bases located all over Russia. The farthest target was about 9,600 kilometers from Ukraine. One base was at Murmansk in northwestern Russia while another was in Amur Oblast near the Pacific coast. Two more, Ryazan and Ivanovo were near Ukraine while Irkutsk was in central Siberia near the Mongolian border. The attacks destroyed 41 aircraft, nearly 35 percent of the Russian long-range bomber fleet. Several other bombers were damaged but repairable. Most were Tu-95 and Tu-22M strategic bombers. Ukraine estimated the destroyed aircraft were worth $7 billion. Actually, these bombers are priceless because none of the destroyed bombers are manufactured anymore. Even making repairs is difficult because few of the aircraft components are still being made. Ukraine called this operation Spider's Web because it involved smuggling 117 drones worth about half a million dollars. The drones were transported on several tractor-trailer trucks hauling standard cargo containers. These containers were modified so that the tops would be raised by remote control and the drones inside launched. The drones were First Person View/FPV models and the controllers were in Ukraine. There was not a lot of control to do because the drones had targeting systems that sought images of specific aircraft and landed on or near the aircraft fuel tanks before detonating. The remaining fuel in those tanks did most of the damage. Two or three drones were assigned to each target, The Russian heavy bombers carried up to eight Kh-101 missiles each. These missiles are like the 1983 American Tomahawk but did not enter service until 2010. Tomahawks have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers while the Kh-101 can travel as far as 5,500 kilometers. For the Ukraine War most of these missiles carried less fuel and larger 800 kg warheads. The missiles were usually launched about a thousand kilometers from the Ukrainian border to avoid being shot down by Ukrainian aircraft or Patriot missiles. While somewhat stealthy, they travel at subsonic speed and Ukrainian air defenses soon became quite proficient at shooting them down, usually with Patriot or other missiles. Ukrainian aircraft carrying long-range anti-aircraft missiles have also accounted for a lot of Kh-101s. In response Russia is using more inexpensive drones while developing high-speed Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Kinzhal is more likely to reach its target but costs five times as much as Kh-101 and entered service in 2018. Ukrainians air defense experts found ways to intercept Kinzhal, but not as frequently as Kh-101s. New geophysical data identifies parallel target near El Campo, opening up a second prospective trend New Rare Earths Target Adjacent to Mountain Pass Perth, Dec 10, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Limited ( ASX:LKY ) ( X5L:FRA ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) announced that data processing of the recently completed high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric survey across the Mojave Project has been finalised. HIGHLIGHTS - High-resolution heli-magnetic and radiometric survey has identified a pronounced Thorium anomaly in the North Block claims, a key indicator for potential Rare Earth Element (REE) mineralisation - The new anomalies are located in the same geological district as the Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine, the only operating REE mine in the U.S., which is also defined by a strong Thorium signature - A second Thorium anomaly has been delineated trending parallel and 700m east of the high-grade El Campo Prospect, providing potential for parallel mineralisation - High-resolution magnetics (40m line spacing) have revealed complex faulting and distinct magnetic domains, providing a detailed structural map to guide target generation - Immediate field validation is underway, with mapping and sampling to groundtruth these new targets The survey, flown at a low altitude of 35 metres with tight 40-metre line spacing, has delivered a step-change in data quality compared to historical regional data. This precision has allowed the Company to identify discrete, high-priority targets for further investigation. Radiometric Data and REE Targeting The radiometric data have identified a pronounced Thorium anomaly in the northeast extents of the Mojave Project North Block claims (Figure 1*), with a notable weathering feature which correlates with the regional drainage. In addition, a second new Thorium anomaly has been delineated which trends parallel and 700m east of the El Campo Prospect (which also has an elevated Thorium anomaly). Notably, the northern Thorium anomaly coincides with a broad zone of diffuse magnetic response, which may be indicative of alteration or lithology. Technical Note on Radiometrics: It is important to note that a radiometric sensor detects gamma rays emitted during the decay of radioactive isotopes, each with a specific and unique signature. - Shallow Detection: The signals are derived from the upper 20-30 centimetres of the Earth's surface, reflecting shallow lithological compositions rather than deeper stratigraphy - Surface Expression: Such anomalies may represent surface expressions of alteration, leached zones, or weathered outcrops that could be spatially related to REE mineralisation - Blind Deposits: For this reason, blind deposits will not be directly detected, and even small surface expressions and anomalies warrant field investigation to ascertain if they are associated with a larger surface alteration or REE mineralisation which could represent the tip of a larger buried target Additional more discrete anomalies are also evident in the data, and the Company continues to assess and rank these secondary targets. The newly identified Thorium anomalies are considered significant given their proximity to the Mountain Pass mine rare earth element deposit, located to the west, which is spatially associated with a large Thorium anomaly. It is important to note that the large anomalyevident at Mountain Pass is due to the mining activity which has occurred and distributed the mined rock across the active mine area. The pre-mining anomaly would likely have been much more discrete. Magnetic Interpretation and Targeting The newly acquired magnetic data has significantly increased the resolution which in turn has advanced the Company's geological interpretation. The new magnetic data (Figure 2*) is currently being interpreted and to date has delineated multiple orientations of complex faulting, along with distinct magnetic domains, providing valuable insights into the structural framework, potential zones of alteration, and unmapped lithologies. Structural interpretation and field mapping is underway to support the preliminary interpretations. A key benefit of the magnetic data is to provide information to support the detailed structural framework which is being developed. The magnetic data does not directly detect primary mineralisation being targeted by the Company but does highlight the structures which act as conduits or pathways for mineralisation. Combined with surface mapping, rock chip sampling and stream sediment sampling, the data will support additional target identification for future drill testing. Kerrie Matthews, Managing Director & CEO, commented: "The results from this high-resolution geophysical survey are a game-changer for our targeting at Mojave. Moving from broad legacy geophysical data to this level of detail is like turning on the lights in a dark room. We can now see clearly defined structural corridors and Thorium anomalies that look geologically similar to the systems, known in the district. The identification of a potential parallel system near El Campo is particularly exciting and will be a priority for our field teams." Next Steps: Structural interpretation is ongoing, with field teams currently deployed to verify these new anomalies. This ground truthing involving mapping and rock chip sampling is the first step ahead of defining new drill targets for 2026. *To view tables and figures, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/86CRH1E5 About Locksley Resources Limited Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region. Mojave Project Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security. Tottenham Project Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region. Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations. Related Companies by Austin Bay December 10, 2025 Thank goodness the Trump administration and technology-savvy congressional leaders (in both parties) agree on one very key strategic issue vis-a-vis Communist China: America must close the rare earth gap. The 17 rare earth minerals -- also called rare earth elements (REEs) -- are fundamental to digital modernity. REEs possess irreplaceable catalytic, magnetic, conduction and luminescent properties vital to manufacturing digital-age essentials such as smartphones, computers, medical imaging equipment, advanced batteries, etc. The Cold War had its bomber gap, followed by the missile gap -- "gaps" in the number of strategic offensive weapons possessed by the East and West. In the early 1950s, Washington believed the Soviet Union had the advantage in deployed long-range, jet-powered, nuclear-capable bombers. Eventually, aerial recon imagery revealed Russia had no edge. However, the 1957 Sputnik satellite launch provided a strong indication that Moscow had a big advantage in long-range, large-payload ballistic missiles -- the missile gap. The U.S. caught up -- by manufacturing and fielding superior systems. However, it's the 21st century. Today, manufacturing virtually all high-tech military weapons and communications systems requires REEs, from vital strategic sensors (e.g., satellites and radars detecting enemy missiles) to the command and guidance systems on offensive weapons. Unfortunately, the U.S. is once again playing a serious game of catch-up. Communist China has become a rare earth monopolist. Well, not quite a monopolist, but China is definitely the overwhelmingly dominant political actor in the mining, refining and distribution of rare earth minerals essential to modern digital and electronic tech. How did it happen? Washington let it. The Epoch Times recently noted that, until 1991, the U.S. "was a leading producer of rare earth minerals ..." But environmentalist objections led to the closure of major mines. China stepped in. Fair question worth investigating: Did Chinese strategists encourage and perhaps fund U.S. environmental and climate extremists? Cold War Moscow's intelligence agencies used Western peace and disarmament activists to try and shake Western resolve. Beijing has also targeted some not-so-modern military essentials. China has gained production and/or market control of other critical minerals, including trisulfide, a type of antimony used in manufacturing bullet cartridge primers -- as in the ignition of a simple rifle bullet. Reuters recently reported that the U.S. had not domestically manufactured trisulfide since the 1960s. I credit this to Red China's deep strategy, which I summarize as this: Beijing does not want to risk a shooting war with the U.S. ("kinetic war" in Pentagonese). Goodness, the U.S. is China's biggest market. Post-Tiananmen Square, the communist dictatorship's deal with the Chinese people is they can have smartphones and MacBooks and American pork -- the goodies of modernity -- as long as they shut up and let the Politburo rule. Trading high explosives with your biggest market is bad for business. However, Beijing has a deep case of ethnic Han Chinese Middle Kingdom imperialism. Emperor Xi really wants to become the world's superpower. So, Beijing plays a long game: Surpass the U.S. as the world's leading manufacturer, and gain control of essential minerals to the point it can deny modern manufacturing essentials. On the dirty side, China wages disintegrative warfare against the U.S. by supplying drug cartels with fentanyl and encouraging open U.S. borders. Another fair question: Has Beijing helped fund the "defund the police" and "no cash bail" movements? How does America respond? The Trump administration has reached mineral deals with several nations, including Australia, Malaysia and Japan. Reopening domestic "mothballed" REE mines has to happen. How long will that take? Likely a decade or more. Cost? Probably hundreds of millions. But reshoring REE production is a must. Brilliant research may have opened a readily accessible domestic mine that's an interim solution: graveyards of old electronic and digital equipment. The Epoch Times reported that Rice University chemist and nanotechnologist James Tour "has pioneered a way to quickly extract rare earth metals" from "electronic waste" (discarded electronics). He uses a process called "flash Joule heating," rapidly heating the valuable junk "to thousands of degrees to vaporize the metals ..." A chemical process then extracts individual REEs. Tour claims a flash Joule heating facility can be up and running for "a few tens of millions of dollars." I'll donate a very dead Compaq Deskpro to the cause. Patrick Bilbo Source: Metropolitan Detention Center Prosecutors have filed a motion to keep an Albuquerque Public School bus attendant behind bars after he was accused of possessing videos of children being raped. Patrick Bilbo, 32, who worked as a special needs bus attendant for APS, was arrested and charged with one count of possessing child pornography and two counts of distributing child pornography. He was arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Friday. Although the defendant has no sexual offenses, the defendants actions show (a) proclivity towards children and that he has a sexual interest in a child under the age of 16, according to a pretrial detention motion. Bilbo does not yet have an attorney and his family declined to comment. We are deeply disturbed by the charges brought against Patrick Bilbo, APS spokesman Martin Salazar said in an email to the Journal. We became aware of the criminal case against him Friday and immediately began the process of placing him on administrative leave. He was taken into custody by authorities at our west side transportation center Friday morning. Bilbo was hired as a bus attendant in September 2024, at which time he underwent and passed a background check, Salazar said. Bus attendants accompany bus drivers and assist with loading and unloading passengers and securing wheelchairs, among other duties. They do not drive buses. APS did not receive any reports of inappropriate behavior involving Bilbo while he worked as a bus attendant, Salazar said. The New Mexico Department of Justice began investigating Bilbo in April after receiving multiple CyberTips indicating the possible possession of child sexual abuse material associated with accounts operating on the Kik messaging platform, according to a news release from the NMDOJ. According to the initial report received by the NMDOJ, Bilbo had a 1-minute-long video on Kik of a child being raped. All pedophiles should rape kids, was watermarked at the top of the video and #pedopride was at the bottom, the complaint states. The messaging app reported Bilbos IP address, and NMDOJ agents issued a warrant to find out where the address was linked to. Multiple email addresses and Kik accounts associated with the address were found, the complaint states. NMDOJ was sent four additional tips, dated between August 2024 and March 2025, from the same IP address. Roughly six months later, NMDOJ was again sent seven reports of Bilbo sharing sexually explicit videos of children, according to the complaint. Kik reported that Bilbo had shared the videos on the app, the complaint states. In total, Bilbo had over 72 child sexual abuse videos between his accounts. NMDOJ obtained a search warrant for Bilbos home and his personal devices and Bilbo was arrested at the APS bus depot on the West Side of Albuquerque. Bilbo confirmed that the two emails belonged to him, according to the complaint. When agents asked if he had ever used Kik, Bilbo declined and requested to speak with a lawyer. The sponsoring company of the Comet Pension Scheme is part of European leader in the omnichannel retail of consumer electronics and domestic appliances, culture and leisure products group Fnac Darty. The Scheme was first formed in 2004 following the de-merger of Comet from Kingfisher and subsequently became part of Fnac Darty in 2016. LCP was appointed by the sponsoring company as lead risk transfer adviser and broker on the deal, working closely with XPS as risk transfer adviser to the Trustee. The parties collaborated with Canada Life to deliver a buy-in solution suiting the needs of the Scheme and its sponsor. XPS is the Schemes actuary and administrator. Eversheds Sutherland provided legal advice to the Trustee while Macfarlanes provided legal advice to Fnac Darty. Canada Lifes legal adviser was CMS. Shreyas Sridhar, Managing Director, Bulk Purchase Annuities at Canada Life UK, commented: I am delighted that Canada Life UK has been selected by the Comet Pension Scheme Trustees and Fnac Darty as the Schemes pensions derisking partner, and I thank them for the full confidence they have in the strength and expertise of Canada Life UK and our global parent Great West-Lifeco to deliver a gold standard customer experience for their members. This transaction is a great demonstration of what can be achieved through collaboration, and how focused planning by all the parties involved can deliver positive long-term benefits for scheme members. Ian Edwards, Chair of the Scheme Trustees, said: The Trustee is pleased to have concluded a collaborative process with our sponsor and Fnac Darty, that has enabled us to take advantage of our improved funding level to complete this successful buy-in transaction with Canada Life, which will provide long term security for our members benefits. Jean-Brieuc Le-Tinier, Chief Financial Officer of Fnac Darty, said: This agreement with the UK pension Trustee represents a significant step in our long-term strategy. Working closely with the Trustee, we have covered this risk without impacting the Group's cash position and secured members benefits with a leading insurer. We are pleased to have completed this transaction in favourable market conditions. Charlie Finch, Partner at LCP and lead risk transfer adviser, said: I am pleased to have helped the Scheme reach this major milestone providing cost certainty for Fnac Darty and long-term security for the former employees of Comet. This was a highly competitive broking process a consistent pattern we have seen in the run-up to the year end and we expect to continue into next year offering opportunities for sponsors to de-risk their DB pension schemes. With self-employment on the rise and more people choosing to work for themselves, new analysis from Fidelity Internationals (Fidelity) No Boss, No Pension campaign reveals that too few are preparing financially for the future, leaving billions of pounds in pension tax relief unclaimed each year. This comes at a time when the Autumn Budget has tightened finances for many self-employed workers, making tax-efficient saving even more important. The hidden cost of under-saving: four extra years of work for the self-employed The UKs self-employed workforce has grown by almost a million over the past 20 years, rising around 1% a year on average. Yet while employees benefit from automatic enrolment, the self-employed must set up and manage pensions themselves, - and most dont. With self-employed pension participation falling from around one in three (30%) to one in five (20%) over the past decade, analysis from Fidelity highlights the growing self-employment pensions gap. Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that the average employee aged 4554 has a pension pot worth 70,800, compared with just 3,300 for a self-employed worker of the same age. Fidelity calculates that this imbalance could force the self-employed to work for four years longer than employees to achieve the same income in retirement4. A 50-year-old employee with 70,800 in their pension could retire at the state pension age of 67 with a pot worth around 235,000. This assumes an annual income of 40,000, with 8% contributed to a pension each year until retirement. With the full state pension, this could provide an annual income of around 25,000, lasting to age 100. However, for a 50-year-old self-employed worker starting with 3,300 and contributing the same 8% of income, the outcome is far less comfortable. By age 67, their pension pot would reach only around 75,000. Even allowing for the state pension, this shortfall means that they would likely need to work an additional four years - until age 71 - to build a pot large enough to sustain the same 25,000-a-year retirement income without running out of money. Marianna Hunt, Personal Finance Specialist at Fidelity International, comments: Britains entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, but when it comes to preparing for retirement, many are missing out on billions in free money from the government. Pension tax relief is one of the most generous incentives available, yet many of the self-employed are missing out on the opportunity to receive it. While the Budget introduced changes that affect how some business owners pay themselves, the core incentives for personal pension contributions remain untouched. For many self-employed workers, these will continue to be the most reliable and tax-efficient way to build long-term financial security. Unlike employees, the self-employed dont have auto-enrolment prompting them to save, and irregular income can make it harder to commit. But the impact is stark. Our analysis shows a self-employed worker may need to work four years longer than an employee to achieve the same retirement income. Billions left on the table This under-saving also means entrepreneurs are missing out on one of the biggest benefits available to UK savers: pension tax relief. Fidelitys analysis of data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) shows that in the 2023/24 tax year, self-employed workers claimed just 1 billion of the 49.8 billion in total income tax relief on pension contributions5. That means self-employed savers are receiving only 2p of every 1 of pension tax relief, despite making up around one in eight UK workers (13%)6. However, even modest, regular contributions by entrepreneurs to their pensions will be generously topped up by the government, helping to build long-term financial security. Marianna Hunt continues: The good news is that even small steps can make a huge difference. Our No Boss, No Pension campaign highlights the ways in which entrepreneurs can plan - giving themselves the freedom to dial down on work how and when they want in later life. Starting to save now, taking advantage of tax relief, and increasing contributions gradually can help self-employed savers close that gap and build long-term financial security without having to give up the independence they value. Its easy to think my business is my pension and Im investing in my business, but not having formal pension savings could leave entrepreneurs vulnerable to financial shocks, especially if illness stops them from working or they find their business is not easy to sell later on. Fred Hicks, Senior Policy Advisor at IPSE, the self-employed trade body, said: These are stark findings for the self-employed and proof that getting to grips with your pension today not tomorrow can save you years of time. When youre focused on your business, it can feel tricky to dedicate the time to thinking about retirement, especially when its a long way off. But this campaign shows that there are actually small things the self-employed can do to start changing that and get in the habit of checking in on your pension. Fidelity says it is never too late for the self-employed to build a more secure financial future. A few simple steps can make a significant difference. Open a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP): A SIPP allows self-employed workers to make flexible contributions and choose how their money is invested. Every contribution automatically receives 20% tax relief, with higher-rate taxpayers able to reclaim up to 40% through self-assessment. Even small, regular payments can grow substantially over time. Use the carry forward rule: If you havent used your full pension allowance in previous years, you may be able to contribute unused amounts from the past three tax years. Contribute through your business: If you operate as a limited company, employer pension contributions can be offset against corporation tax, making them highly efficient for retirement saving. Make contributions regular and manageable: Setting up a monthly direct debit helps maintain consistency, even when income varies. Regular investing also smooths out market volatility over time. Consolidate and review: Bringing old pensions into a single SIPP can reduce fees and make it easier to track progress. Review your investments annually to ensure they match your goals and risk tolerance. For more information, visit: www.fidelity.co.uk/self-employed-pensions The University of Oklahoma has removed two instructors from their classrooms in what has become a cascading scandal involving religious discrimination, viewpoint bias, and campus protest double standards that conservative advocates say exemplifies the hostile environment facing right-leaning students at American universities. The controversy began when teaching assistant William "Mel" Curth, who uses she/they pronouns, gave Christian student Samantha Fulnecky a zero out of 25 on an essay assignment where she cited the Bible and called modern gender ideology "demonic and severely harmful to American youth." But the situation escalated dramatically when a second instructor, assistant teaching professor Kelli Alvarez, allegedly offered excused absences to students who wished to protest in support of Curth's reinstatement while initially denying the same accommodation to students planning to counter-protesta double standard the university characterized as unacceptable viewpoint discrimination. Both instructors are now on administrative leave pending investigations, with the University of Oklahoma issuing statements emphasizing that classrooms "exist to teach students how to think, not what to think" and that viewpoint-based preferential treatment violates fundamental principles of academic freedom. The Original Essay: 'Demonic and Severely Harmful' The initial incident occurred in late November in a lifespan development class at OU. Fulnecky, a junior, was assigned to read a scholarly paper summarizing research on gender norms among middle schoolers and write a response essay. The assignment, worth 25 points, provided a grading rubric with three criteria: Does the paper show a clear tie-in to the assigned article? (10 points) Does the paper present a thoughtful reaction or response to the article, rather than a summary? (10 points) Is the paper clearly written? (5 points) Notably, the rubric did not require empirical evidence, scholarly citations, or any particular viewpointonly that students engage thoughtfully with the article and clearly express their reactions. Fulnecky responded by supporting traditional gender norms and citing her Christian faith. Her essay stated that God created men and women as distinct, that gender norms should not be dismissed as mere stereotypes, and that contemporary efforts to promote multiple genders and fluid identities are harmful to children. "Society [is] pushing the lie that there are multiple genders and everyone should be whatever they want to be is demonic and severely harms American youth," Fulnecky wrote. "I do not want kids to be teased or bullied in school. However, pushing the lie that everyone has their own truth and everyone can do whatever they want and be whoever they want is not biblical whatsoever." The Zero Grade and Scathing Response Curth gave Fulnecky a zeronot a C or D for disagreement with the argument, but complete failure despite the essay meeting the rubric's stated requirements. The teaching assistant's written response was lengthy and pointed: "Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point [sic] for you 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," Curth wrote. The TA then lectured Fulnecky on gender ideology: "You may personally disagree with this, but that doesn't change the fact that every major psychological, medical, pediatric, and psychiatric association in the United States acknowledges that, biologically and psychologically, sex and gender is neither binary nor fixed." Critics immediately noted several problems with Curth's grading: Rubric Violation: The grading criteria never mentioned empirical evidence as a requirement. Fulnecky was asked for her reaction and opinion, which she provided. Viewpoint Discrimination: Curth's statement that the essay was "at times offensive" suggested the zero grade stemmed from disagreement with Fulnecky's Christian perspective rather than academic deficiencies. Contradiction: Curth claimed not to be deducting points for Fulnecky's beliefs while simultaneously criticizing those beliefs as the basis for the failing grade. Academic Overreach: A teaching assistant was essentially telling a student that her religious views were factually wrong and that she must adopt the TA's preferred ideology on gender to pass the assignment. "I was asked to read an article and give my opinion on the article," Fulnecky told Fox News Digital. "So I did this assignment the same as I would any other in that class, gave my opinion on gender binary and gender stereotypes and that, naturally my views are from the Bible and my Christian kind of worldview. And so that's what I wrote about and I didn't think anything of it." She said she was "shocked" by the zero grade and believed it was "punitive." University Response: TA Removed As Fulnecky's story spread through conservative media and campus advocacy groups, the University of Oklahoma faced mounting pressure to address the apparent religious discrimination. Last week, the university confirmed that Curth had been removed from the classroom, though it initially provided few details about the decision or whether further disciplinary action would follow. The removal of a teaching assistant for grading decisions is relatively rare in higher education, suggesting university administrators concluded Curth's actions represented serious violations of academic freedom and student rights. Conservative groups celebrated the decision as vindication that the zero grade was indeed discriminatory, though some questioned why it took media attention and external pressure for the university to act rather than addressing the issue immediately when Fulnecky complained. The Protest and the Double Standard The controversy might have ended there, but a second incident involving another instructor transformed a single grading dispute into a broader case study of viewpoint discrimination at OU. Following Curth's removal from the classroom, some students organized a protest advocating for the teaching assistant's reinstatement. The demonstration was scheduled during class time, and some students wanted to attend rather than go to their classes. This is where assistant teaching professor Kelli Alvarez allegedly created a double standard that the university would ultimately characterize as unacceptable viewpoint discrimination. According to Turning Point USA's Oklahoma chapter president Kalib Magana and Republican State Senator Shane David Jett, Alvarezwho taught Magana's English Composition II classoffered excused absences to students who wished to attend the pro-Curth protest. However, when Magana requested an excused absence to attend a counter-protest opposing Curth's reinstatement, Alvarez allegedly denied his request unless he could organize a "documented group" of counter-protesters and provide confirmation that others would attend. "Kalib should not be marked absent for showing up as a counter-protester while those in favor are excused," Turning Point USA posted on social media. "That is discriminatory." The group elaborated: "The professor expected Kalib to organize an entire counter-protest with people confirming they would attend, instead of allowing him to show up on his own like everyone else. His freedom of speech and his ability to receive an excused absence were made dependent on others agreeing to participate in his counter-protest and share his beliefs. This is incredibly anti-free speech and discriminatory toward an opposing viewpoint." The allegation suggested Alvarez was willing to facilitate student participation in protests supporting progressive causes (reinstating a TA who penalized Christian views) while imposing additional burdens on students wishing to express conservative viewpoints (opposing that reinstatement). Swift Second Removal The University of Oklahoma responded swiftly and definitively once the second allegation emerged. On Friday evening, the university posted a statement on social media confirming the viewpoint discrimination claim and announcing immediate action: "On Wednesday, a lecturer allegedly demonstrated viewpoint discrimination by excusing students who intended to miss class to attend a protest on campus, but not extending the same benefit to students who intended to miss class to express a counter-viewpoint," the statement read. A director "immediately responded" and told students in class and by email that "the lecturer's actions were inappropriate and wrong, and that the university classroom exists to teach students how to think, not what to think." The director announced 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 university emphasized it "unequivocally supports" the director's decision to remove Alvarez from teaching. Alvarez was also placed on administrative leave pending further investigationthe second instructor removed in connection with what began as a single essay grading dispute. The Broader Statement on Academic Freedom The university's statements about both removals emphasized core principles of academic freedom and viewpoint neutrality: "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 school stated. The language was significant. Universities often defend faculty members' right to express controversial views or make controversial grading decisions under academic freedom principles. But OU's statement emphasized that academic freedom also includes obligationsparticularly the obligation not to use classroom authority to discriminate based on students' political or religious viewpoints. The university declined to provide additional details about the investigations, citing personnel matters. Alvarez did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. Conservative Reaction: Vindication and Warning Conservative student groups and media figures portrayed the dual removals as vindication that campus discrimination against right-leaning students is real and systemic, though they noted it typically takes external pressure to force accountability. "This shows what many conservative students experience every day," one Turning Point USA representative said. "You get penalized for your beliefs, and then when you try to speak out, you face additional discrimination. We're glad OU ultimately did the right thing, but students shouldn't have to go viral on social media to get fair treatment." Republican State Senator Shane Jett, who publicly identified Alvarez and called for accountability, framed the incident as part of a broader pattern in higher education. The Oklahoma College Republicans praised the university's decisive action while noting the incident revealed deeper problems: "Two instructors had to be removed in the same scandal. How many more are out there discriminating against conservative students without getting caught?" The Academic Freedom Debate The OU incidents have reignited debates about academic freedom, viewpoint diversity, and the boundaries of acceptable instructor behavior in politically charged times. From the Conservative Perspective: The incidents exemplify systemic bias in higher education, where progressive ideology is promoted and enforced while conservative and religious perspectives face penalties. Students with traditional Christian beliefs face hostility from instructors who use grading power to punish dissent. Curth's zero grade for a biblical essay and Alvarez's protest double standard represent the tip of an icebergmost discrimination goes unreported because students fear retaliation. From the Progressive Perspective: (Though neither removed instructor provided public statements, progressive faculty members at other institutions have argued similar cases differently.) Academic standards require evidence-based reasoning. Personal religious beliefs shouldn't override scientific consensus in academic settings. Gender identity is medically recognized; students can't simply dismiss established science with religious assertions. However, even progressive defenders of academic rigor generally acknowledge that if the rubric didn't require empirical evidence, Fulnecky shouldn't have been penalized for not providing it. The Institutional Balance: Universities face an impossible balancing act. They must protect academic freedom for faculty to teach according to their expertise and conscience. But they also must protect students from viewpoint discrimination and ensure fair, rubric-based grading. When instructors use classroom authority to penalize students for political or religious viewsas OU concluded both Curth and Alvarez didthey've crossed from academic freedom into abuse of power. Looking Ahead: Investigations and Implications Both Curth and Alvarez remain on administrative leave while investigations continue. Possible outcomes range from formal reprimands to termination, depending on what investigators determine about intent, previous conduct, and policy violations. For Fulnecky, the university reportedly changed her zero grade after reviewing the situation, though she told media the experience left her questioning whether conservative students can succeed at OU without hiding their beliefs. "I would just really encourage everyone to stand up for your beliefs and push back when they're being questioned and push back when you feel that your voice is trying to be silenced," Fulnecky said, encouraging other students facing similar situations to speak up. The broader question is whether OU's decisive action represents an outlier or a trend. Will other universities take similar stands against viewpoint discrimination, or was OU's response driven primarily by the incidents' high media profile and political pressure from conservative state legislators? For now, the University of Oklahoma has sent a clear message: instructors who use classroom authority to discriminate based on students' political or religious viewpoints will face consequences. Whether that message resonates beyond Norman, Oklahoma, remains to be seen. As one student affairs administrator at another institution noted: "OU did what they had to do when the evidence was clear. The challenge is addressing the thousands of smaller instances of viewpoint bias that never make headlines but create hostile environments for students every day." For a brief, shining moment in 1945, the United States stood astride the world like a colossus. In four years, we had built the greatest military machine in human history, liberated half the planet, and dropped the sun itself on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to prove the point. Nazi Germany, fascist Italy, and imperial Japan (three empires that had terrorized the globe) lay in smoking ruins. The message was unmistakable: try America on the battlefield and you will be annihilated. Advertisement Our enemies learned the lesson. They have not seriously attempted a direct military confrontation since. Instead, they (and the ideological heirs of the totalitarians we defeated) chose a slower, more insidious strategy: death by a thousand cuts from the inside. What we are living through in 2025 is not a series of unrelated crises; it is the culmination of an eighty-year campaign to hollow out the greatest republic the world has ever known. The blueprint was simple and brilliant in its evil. If you cannot invade America, infiltrate her. Capture her universities and turn them into indoctrination camps. Capture her media and make truth itself subjective. Capture her culture and convince her children to despise the very civilization that gave them freedom. Capture her institutions (the FBI, the CIA, the State Department, the Pentagon) and bend them toward the destruction of the country they once served. And above all, capture her borders, her currency, and her sense of herself as a sovereign nation. Advertisement Look around and tell me it hasnt worked. The same intellectual descendants of the Marxist-Leninist movements we spent the Cold War containing now openly run university departments, teachers unions, and human-resource divisions in every Fortune 500 company. They do not fly the hammer and sickle anymore; they fly the rainbow flag and preach equity, but the goal is identical: the abolition of the traditional family, the Christian church, private property, and the nation-state itself. Critical theory, cultural Marxism, wokeism (call it whatever you like) is just communism with better marketing and tenure. Advertisement The corporate media, once a proud Fourth Estate, now functions as the propaganda arm of a permanent bureaucratic class that hates the historic American nation. When a genuine populist movement arises (think Tea Party, think MAGA), the combined forces of Big Tech, Big Media, and Big Government mobilize with a coordination that would have made the NKVD blush. Elections are fortified, dissenters are debanked and deplatformed, and parents who complain at school boards are treated as domestic terrorists. Our southern border is not merely porous; it has been deliberately erased. More than ten million illegal entrants since 2021 (many of them military-age males from countries that hate us) are not sending their best. This is not incompetence. It is demographic replacement dressed up as compassion, a modern-day population transfer designed to dilute the political power of the people who built and sustained this country for 250 years. Advertisement Our financial system has been captured too. The Federal Reserve, unaccountable to any voter, prints money without limit, deliberately eroding the savings of the working and middle classes. The national debt now exceeds $36 trillion (an amount so large it can only be understood as a weapon). Every dollar debased is a tax on every American who believes in hard work and thrift. The same globalist elites who lecture us about climate change from their private jets while they ship our factories to China, the same totalitarian state we once contained and now fund with our own consumer dollars. And the institutions that once protected us? The FBI spends more time hunting down January 6 grandmas than cartel killers. The Department of Justice prosecutes pro-life grandmothers while ignoring Antifa firebombings. The Pentagon obsesses over white rage and proper pronoun usage while China builds a navy to rival ours and Iran races toward a nuclear bomb. Advertisement This is not paranoia. This is pattern recognition. The tragedy is that most Americans still dont see the war because it isnt fought with tanks rolling down Main Street. It is fought in classrooms where children are taught to hate their country, in boardrooms where CEOs impose racial quotas, in newsrooms where stories are killed if they threaten the narrative, and in courts where unequal justice has become the new normal. Advertisement But here is the good news: the American patriots are waking up in numbers not seen since 1776. Skyrocketing homeschooling, the rise of parallel economies, and the election of outsiders who refuse to bow to the regime tell me the enemy has overplayed its hand. When you push a free people too far, they push back twice as hard. We defeated the Axis powers in four years. We contained Soviet communism for forty-five. We can defeat this fifth-column insurgency too (but only if we name it for what it is: a deliberate, decades-long attempt to finish the job that Hitler, Tojo, and Stalin could not). The America that turned the tide at Midway and Normandy is still in us. The spirit that said nuts to the Germans at Bastogne still lives. The question is whether we will recognize the enemy within before it is too late, or whether we will allow the greatest experiment in human freedom to die not with a bang, but with a whimper of tolerance and diversity. The hour is late, but it is not over. Not yet. M. Ray Evans, a U.S. Navy veteran who served his time, lives in Florida, with his wife, Grace. Recently retired after decades as a senior executive in international real estate development, working across more than ten countries, mostly in East Asia, where he built a solid track record over the years. A conservative and patriot by conviction. Image generated by ChatGPT. Over the past months, prominent political figures have attempted to convince Americans that those illegally in the country have not committed any crime. By their argument, immigration violations are civil offenses, not criminal offenses. Sure, laws were broken -- but no crime has been committed. By this reasoning, those illegally in the country have not committed any crime; therefore, removing them is wrong. Advertisement Its an odd assertion: to suggest that breaking laws is not a crime. The Founders envisioned a nation governed by laws that were clear and impartially enforced, but our nation of laws is eroding. The idea of a nation with liberty and justice for all is being destroyed by those who capriciously choose which laws to enforce and which to ignore, and by judges who decide who gets punished and who walks free. Our nation of laws is becoming lawless -- and Americans see it. Police stand down while buildings burn and businesses are looted. Victims who try to defend themselves risk being arrested, while their attackers are released without consequence. The price is paid not by the guilty, but by the innocent. Advertisement Large cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, have adjusted the way they report violent crime to fool voters into believing crime rates are lower. Felonies are downgraded to misdemeanors. In some jurisdictions, law enforcement officers are urged to report serious offenses, such as aggravated assault, as minor incidents or not to file reports at all. In the midst of this chaos, Democrats across the nation are calling to defund the police. Like a dystopian Mad Max sequel, a segment of America is promoting criminal anarchy. It is as if we are part of a dystopian nightmare masterminded by an evil villain salivating at the prospect of watching the impending violence and bloodshed. Advertisement City streets are given over to vagrants and substance abusers, who take over parks and defecate on sidewalks. Allowing people to sleep on the streets is branded as compassion, but there is no dignity in living on the streets. Nor is there dignity in using the sidewalks for a toilet, like a dog. In many cities, it is common to see addicts frozen in time like Lots wife, bent in a posture known as the fentanyl fold. No person of conscience believes it is compassionate to enable people to destroy themselves. Laws used to protect people from the menace of vagrancy, loitering, and public intoxication. In California, drug use and shoplifting have been decriminalized. Burglary and retail theft fund the lifestyles of crime rings and addicts. Retail customers find empty shelves or the products they need locked up behind glass. Those charged with theft are released to offend again -- and again. It isnt a victimless crime. Retailers close their doors. Customers lose their pharmacies and grocers. Advertisement It isnt just the worst elements of society enjoying this criminal free-for-all. Reports of corruption are commonplace, from the smallest municipalities to the federal government. Money laundering, embezzlement, fraud, and pay-to-play kickbacks are routinely uncovered, yet indictments rarely follow. Recent reports of fraud in the Somali population of Minnesota suggest federal programs were used to bilk taxpayers out of at least a billion dollars. Worse are allegations that elected officials, including Minnesota governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, not only knew of the grift but may have benefited from it. Advertisement Part of the blame goes to voters who elect candidates whose personal histories should be disqualifying: Angela Walker, a recently elected council member in Bangor, Maine, spent eight years in prison after being convicted of beating a man, then suffocating him with sand. Newly elected District Attorney Jay Jones sent texts fantasizing about shooting a political adversary and wishing to see the mans wife hold her dying children. This is who Virginia chose as their so-called top cop. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was under federal indictment for money laundering and accepting bribes in exchange for advocating on behalf of Azerbaijan and a Mexican bank, but was allowed to remain in office. Advertisement He is only one of many who have taken money from nations hostile to America or gotten cozy with spies -- think Linda Sun or Eric Swalwell. Despite the allegations, there are rarely consequences. In fact, despite having been involved with a Chinese spy, Eric Swalwell is still in Congress, and plans to run for governor of California. Is it any wonder Americans distrust the government? Without the rule of law, every citizen is vulnerable to the whims of those for whom justice is optional. Prosecutors -- often Ivy League Marxists -- twist the law to serve their own ideology, and the courts offer no remedy. Gone is the judiciousness of the bench. Many of todays judges are gussied-up versions of Boss Hogg, hiding behind the legal authority of black robes. Under the banner of restorative justice, race becomes a get-out-of-jail-free card, and prosecutors offer flimsy rationales to convince the public that crimes committed by some people shouldnt be punished. In the eyes of the law, all defendants are equal, but through the eyes of the courts, some are more equal than others. Then there are the crimes committed by those illegally in the country. Every week, headlines report assaults, rapes, or murders committed by people who should never have been allowed here. Even when they are guilty of crimes or have a history of criminal behavior, efforts to deport them are portrayed as a cruel injustice. When the guilty go unpunished, the laws do not protect the innocent; they protect wrongdoers. The American ideal of justice for all has become meaningless. Under her blindfold, Lady Justice surely has a black eye. Image: Pixabay Renewable energy really means anti-establishment energy, or politically correct energy. The energy is usually electricity that is distributed via the electric grid. The source of energy has to be natural. Advertisement Solar and wind are the most popular types of renewable energy. Hydroelectric energy derived from a big dam on a river might seem ideal, except that the promoters of renewable energy dont like dams. If you can figure out how to generate hydroelectricity without a dam, you can call it renewable. Nuclear energy might seem like a good candidate except that nuclear energy is too scary and too good a fundraising tool to accept as renewable. Solar energy costs about seven times as much as electricity from coal or natural gas. Most of the cost is hidden in subsidies. If that truth were not obscured by massive propaganda, hardly anyone would build solar energy or wind energy farms. Advertisement The renewable energy promoters are politically successful. About half the U.S. states have renewable portfolio laws that mandate the amount of renewable electricity they use. For example, California requires that 60% of its electricity be renewable by 2030. That has increased and will increase the cost of electricity in California. Many electric customers pay more than 50 cents per kilowatt-hour. According to the promoters of renewable energy, it is well-suited for solving a multitude of imaginary problems. The number-one imaginary problem is global warming, rechristened climate change when the globe failed to warm. Advertisement The Sierra Club is a leading promoter of renewable energy. This is the pitch on one of their websites promoting renewable energy: We are facing monumental threats to our planets future. We are fighting back with every tool at our disposal but to face these challenges, we need your support. Make your gift today. Advertisement Even the New York Times has become critical of the Sierra Club, for reasons described in this video. Solar and wind are erratically intermittent sources of electricity. Solar quits at night and whenever a cloud obscures the sun. Wind quits when the wind slows or stops. Advertisement When solar or wind electricity is introduced, it is supplementary to the existing electric infrastructure. Solar or wind cannot replace existing generating plants because solar and wind are intermittent sources of electricity. The existing grid generating plants must be retained so they can supply electricity when solar or wind fails. In order to compare the cost of solar and wind with the traditional fossil fuels, we need only to compare expenditure when the traditional plants are powering the grid with the expenditure when solar or wind is engaged. When solar or wind is working backup, coal and gas plants are idling. Every megawatt-hour of electricity not produced by a coal or gas plant reduces the cost of fuel by about $20. Every megawatt-hour of electricity produced by a solar plant costs about $150, mostly amortization of the original cost of the plant. The cost for wind is similar. A spreadsheet showing a detailed calculation of the cost of solar energy can be downloaded here. Advertisement An investment advisory company, Lazard, produces periodic analyses of the cost of various forms of energy. Lazard uses the measure levelized cost of energy (LCOE) to compare the cost of fossil fuel electricity with solar or wind electricity. Nearly every apologist for wind or solar uses LCOE. LCOE estimates the cost of electricity from a new generating plant to have two major components: the amortization of the construction cost assigned to each megawatt-hour of electricity produced and the ongoing expenses, such as the cost of fuel and maintenance. When wind or solar is added to an existing electric grid, the major cost saving is reduced fuel consumption in existing generating plants when solar or wind is working. The amortization of the cost of an existing coal or gas generating plant is not affected. The existing plant was already built, and the construction cost cannot be changed retroactively. The only saving from the addition of renewable energy is a reduction in fuel consumption of about $20 per megawatt-hour for coal or natural gas. Legal mandates requiring the use of renewable energy increase demand for renewable energy. An increase in demand for a product normally causes the price of the product to rise. But the opposite is true for wind or solar electricity. Without the mandates, the market for solar or wind would be very small. Wind and solar are too expensive compared to the alternatives. But a small market is not no market. For example, remote communities dependent on diesel generators might build supplementary solar or wind to reduce consumption of diesel fuel. Electricity from diesel generators is extremely expensive due to fuel cost and the inefficient nature of small diesel engines. Companies that build utility-scale solar or wind usually retain ownership of the facility and sell the electricity to the utility customer. When the market is small, the providers must have a substantial return on investment about 12 percent to stay in business. When many states pass renewable energy mandates, the market for solar and wind greatly expands. The renewable energy providers enjoy economies of scale. Their market power increases because electric utilities are forced to develop sources of renewable energy. The handful of companies able to build large-scale renewable energy facilities bid against one another to win long-term contracts, often for 20 years, to build and operate wind or solar farms and sell the electricity to the utilities at a fixed price. The mandates create a new market that is very lucrative for the energy developers. They no longer need a 12-percent return on investment; 8 percent is enough. That lowers the cost of electricity by one third as almost all the cost of solar or wind is amortization of the original investment. Society pays for the subsidy by being forced to subsidize exorbitantly expensive electricity. The wind or solar farms with 20-year guaranteed contracts backed by financially sound utilities become liquid properties, salable to infrastructure investors. Renewable portfolio laws are not the only subsidy. There are extensive additional federal subsidies for wind and solar. The promoters of renewable energy were able to get renewable mandates adopted by systematically lying about the benefits and cost of renewable energy while exaggerating the dangers of coal and natural gas generation. If the mandates were removed, the solar and wind industries would collapse. Norman Rogers writes often on renewable energy topics. He has a website: solarshame.com. Image: max_gloin via Pixabay, Pixabay License. Pithy social critic David Burge said it best: Journalism is about covering important stories with a pillow, until they stop moving. Advertisement One of the important stories that journalists are covering up today is the Trump administrations increasingly successful efforts to combat violent crime. At the end of July, the Department of Homeland Security released a report showing that violent crime rates had dropped significantly during the first six months of President Trumps second term. Homicides were down 17%; gun assaults were down 21%; aggravated assaults were down 10%; sexual assaults were down 10%; and carjackings were down 24%. These reductions appear to have continued through the end of the year. Assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin was blunt in her assessment of the administrations success: Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, our law enforcement is working at lightning speed to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the U.S. Every single day we are arresting gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and violent predators. Seventy percent of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens who have been convicted or charged with a crime. These arrests and deportations of criminal illegal aliens are having real impact on public safety. Advertisement It turns out that going after criminals whose transgressions against the American public include having illegally entered the country is an effective strategy for reducing violent crimes. This seems like common sense. Foreign nationals who do not respect Americas immigration laws should not be expected to respect other laws once they are here. The Trump administration has given Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents the money and support to go after hardened criminals who never should have been allowed access to the American homeland. In addition, the White House has ordered FBI agents, National Guard troops, and law enforcement officers from numerous federal agencies to act as an additional layer of support in Washington, D.C. and other crime-ridden cities. Advertisement As John R. Lott, Jr. wrote about these policies a few months back, this isnt rocket science. The research is clear that if you want to reduce crime, you need to make it risky for criminals to commit crime. Higher arrest and conviction rates as well as longer prison terms matter. Just as making it possible for people to defend themselves also makes a difference. A reasonable observer could be forgiven for assuming that the Trump administrations successful efforts to combat violent crime would be celebrated across the political spectrum. That has not been the case. Democrat politicians continue to call ICE agents Nazis and Trumps Gestapo. Democrat governors and legislators continue to claim that President Trump will use National Guard troops to cancel elections and even murder American citizens. Democrat judges continue to make it as difficult as possible for the Trump administration to deport criminal illegal aliens. Democrat-sponsored pop-up mobs continue to riot outside ICE offices in defense of foreign nationals who have inflicted serious harm on Americans. Advertisement Federal authorities recently arrested a Somali national residing in Minneapolis, Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, for allegedly kidnapping and raping a woman after a Democrat prosecutor and a lenient judge had given the already convicted rapist a slap on the wrist for prior horrific crimes. Mohamed was connected to numerous kidnappings and rapes including against minors when Democrat officials gave the Minnesota Man probation and carte blanche to continue hunting and raping women. Attorney General Pamela Bondi says the case illustrates how left-wing soft-on-crime policies and vetting failures put innocent people at dire risk. Still, Minnesota Democrats continue to defend the rapist as someone who just hasnt had enough time to adjust properly to the niceties of American culture. Is it really too much for Americans to insist that rapists be barred from entry into the United States? Advertisement In another recent incident of violent crime, a previously deported illegal alien allegedly stabbed a North Carolina man on the same public transit system on which Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska was barbarically murdered in August. The twice-deported illegal alien from Honduras has a lengthy criminal record in the U.S. but still managed to find refuge in a part of Democrat-controlled North Carolina where suicidal empathy for illegal aliens enables new cases of attempted murder. In response to the unnecessary attack on Americans, Republican Congressman Mark Harris did not mince words: While families beg for safety and police call for backup, the Left is too busy protesting ICE for daring to remove illegal aliens from our streets. This latest senseless stabbing proves what they desperately want to hide: Democrat policies protect criminals and abandon victims. Disgusted with local Democrats pro-crime policies, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy angrily concluded, Apparently, the death of Iryna Zarutska wasnt enough. Advertisement Violent crime is a symptom of a diseased society. It is also a sign of a broken legal system. For too many decades, law-abiding Americans have watched helplessly as Democrat lawmakers, prosecutors, judges, and governors treat criminals as victims and forget real victims altogether. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson recently argued that imprisoning violent criminals is racist, immoral, and unholy. Chicagos deeply unpopular leader told members of the press, We cannot incarcerate our way out of violence. New York Citys communist mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, has expressed the same sentiment and recently produced a video encouraging New Yorkers to help illegal aliens stand up to ICE. Minnesota governor Tim Walz, who allowed Minneapolis to burn during the George Floyd riots, is now implicated in a multi-billion-dollar fraud scheme involving his states large Somali population. Democrats ignore crime, aid and abet crime, or directly orchestrate crime. When crime is a source of income and criminals are a loyal constituency, Democrats have no incentive to protect American citizens from ongoing criminal activities. What the Trump administration understands is that a small number of criminals inside the United States perpetrate most violent crimes. Just 2% of counties across America are responsible for half the nations homicides. Criminology research amply demonstrates that less than a tenth of any population commits more than half of all crimes. And one seminal study shows that 1% of the population accounts for 63% of all violent crime convictions. When ICE agents are empowered to remove criminal illegal aliens from American society, law enforcement officers are empowered to go after known criminals, and prosecutors are empowered to put those criminals in prison for lengthy sentences, violent crime rates drop precipitously. But this kind of commonsense solution requires that local, state, and federal officials actually back the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect civilians from violent felons. When Democrat mayors and governors add their voices to the loony leftists calling to defund the police, violent crime rates go up. When Democrat politicians call cops murderers, Klan members, slave-catchers, and racists, violent crime rates go up. When Democrat race-baiters glorify lifetime criminals as victims and insist that police officers be prosecuted for doing their jobs, violent crime rates go up. Basically, when Democrat mayors, governors, prosecutors, lawmakers, and judges hold power over any jurisdiction, violent crime rates go up. Democrat politicians make all kinds of excuses for their failures to prevent violent crime. They claim to believe in rehabilitation, restoration, and equitable justice. They think preventing, deterring, or punishing crime is inherently racist, patriarchal, and white supremacist. A simpler explanation might be this: Before Democrats can fundamentally transform the United States into a Marxist-socialist hellhole, they must first burn the country to the ground. Revolutionaries prefer to build their totalitarian Utopias on the ashes of tradition, social cohesion, and the rule of law. From Democrats point of view, criminals provide a valuable service by destroying civic peace. President Trump and his administration understand the stakes: Either Americans win, or the criminals do. Image via Pxfuel. Bonnie Blue, a British adult-content creator, now faces the prospect of up to 15 years behind bars in Indonesia; a maximum sentence that on paper appears longer than the four-year, two-month jail term given to Sean 'Diddy' Combs in New York. The headline figures 15 years versus just over four are striking when placed side by side. But legal systems, charges, evidentiary standards and the real-world likelihood of imprisonment differ sharply between a criminal investigation under Indonesia's anti-pornography and information-technology laws and a high-profile federal prosecution in the United States that resulted in a mixed verdict and a defined sentence. The Bali Case Bonnie Blue, whose legal name is Tia Emma Billinger, was detained after a police raid in Pererenan, Badung, Bali, on Dec. 5, 2025, during what Indonesian authorities describe as a suspected 'obscene video studio' operation associated with her so-called 'BangBus' activities. Local police say officers detained 18 foreign nationals for questioning and have identified four people, including Billinger, as suspects while seizing filming equipment and other items as evidence. Police have said the operation followed public complaints. Under Indonesia's Pornography Law (UU No. 44/2008) and related provisions of the Information and Electronic Transactions Law (ITE), production and dissemination of pornographic material can attract heavy penalties. Indonesian reporting and international coverage put the statutory maximum at up to 15 years' imprisonment and a fine in the region of 270,000 ($360,000). But legal analysts and local practitioners told reporters that, in practice, many foreign nationals in such cases are detained, investigated, and then deported or given administrative sanctions, rather than serving full custodial terms. Badung police statements reported by local media emphasised that the probe remains ongoing and that some foreign nationals have already been released pending further investigation. The Indonesian authorities' public posture has been to stress the enforcement of morality laws that have recently been used with renewed vigour. That posture produces high statutory maxima on paper, but considerable discretion in charging, plea handling, and immigration enforcement in practice. The Combs Case Sean 'Diddy' Combs was tried in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and in July 2025 was convicted on two counts of transporting people for prostitution under the Mann Act, while acquitted of racketeering and sex-trafficking charges. The case produced substantial courtroom testimony alleging long-running abuse; the jury's split left prosecutors with a narrower set of convictions than they had sought. On Oct. 3, 2025, Judge Arun Subramanian sentenced Combs to four years and two months, ordered 371,000 ($500,000) in fines, and imposed five years' supervised release. The federal case shows how a lengthy trial and serious allegations can still result in a sentence that is modest against statutory maximums: Combs faced potential penalties far higher than the term he received, but the jury's mixed verdict and the judge's discretion produced a defined custodial sentence. Apples and Oranges Comparing a statutory maximum in Indonesia with an actual sentence in a US federal court risks misleading readers. The 15-year figure attached to Indonesia's pornography offences is a statutory cap; it does not mean every person charged will receive that sentence. Indonesian practice in cases involving foreign nationals frequently tilts toward administrative action (deportation, visa cancellation) or negotiated outcomes, particularly where public order, rather than organised trafficking, is alleged. Local prosecutors must still prove elements of the crime under Indonesian law, and courts exercise discretion. Conversely, Combs's conviction followed an eight-week trial in which the jury found guilt on specific Mann Act counts but acquitted on racketeering and sex-trafficking charges that would have carried far heavier penalties. The sentence he received reflects the narrower convictions, the U.S. federal sentencing regime, and judicial weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors recorded in the court's opinion. A statutory maximum does not equate to an inevitable custodial term. On paper, Indonesia's maximum penalty for pornography offences (up to 15 years) looks harsher than the sentence imposed on Sean 'Diddy' Combs (four years, two months). In practice, however, statutory maxima and actual sentences are shaped by different legal systems, evidentiary outcomes and prosecutorial choices. The sensible conclusion is that headline comparisons mislead unless anchored to the legal specifics, likely prosecutorial pathways and the factual proofs each state must establish. Originally published on IBTimes UK Educational institutions try to hire sane, responsible, ethical teachers, not only because when they dont the quality of teaching suffers badly, but because they tend to embarrass the institutions that didnt pay sufficient attention, or who hired idiots on purpose. Such a place is the University of Oklahoma, which raises a pertinent question: isnt Oklahoma supposed to be a, you know, conservative state? Advertisement The issue at hand involves an assigned psychology class essay. According to The College Fix an essay by Junior Psychology student Samantha Fulnecky was given a failing gradeno credit. The assignment asked students to react to an article about gender stereotypes, including why you feel the topic is important and worthy of study (or not) and how the study applies to your own experiences. Advertisement According to media reports, the assignment did not require citations or independent research, nor was student response limited in any way. Fulnecky answered from a Biblical perspective: Advertisement Graphic: X Post The article discussed peers using teasing as a way to enforce gender norms. I do not necessarily see this as a problem. God made male and female and made us differently from each other on purpose and for a purpose. God is very intentional with what He makes, and I believe trying to change that would only do more harm, Fulnecky wrote. Overall, reading articles such as this one encourage [sic] me to one day raise my children knowing that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them and cherishes them deeply and that having their identity firmly rooted in who He is will give them the satisfaction and acceptance that the world can never provide for them. Advertisement The trans graduate teaching assistant instructor, one Mel Curth, wasnt particularly diverse or inclusive: Please note that I am not deducting points because you have certain beliefs, but instead I am deducting point [sic] for you 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, Curth wrote in response to Fulnecky. Advertisement While you are entitled to your own personal beliefs, there is an appropriate time or place to implement them in your reflections. I encourage all students to question or challenge the course material with other empirical findings or testable hypotheses, but using your own personal beliefs to argue against the findings of not only this article, but the findings of countless articles across psychology, biology, sociology, etc., is not best practice. Fulnecky filed a discrimination complaint with the university, Curth was removed from the classroom, and the case went virally national. State legislators are threatening to cut funding to the University, and University officials responded as one might expect: Advertisement Graphic: University of Oklahoma. Public Domain. Notice the University wrote the response, not an actual human being who might be held accountable. What happened to Fulnecky isnt an isolated incident either. The senator [Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin] brought up a situation a few months ago when an Oklahoma State University student government representative tried to intimidate a student out of wearing a TPUSA hat given to him by Charlie Kirk. Legislators from the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus are reminding Oklahomas universities they have the power of the purse and are working to force change on anti-Christian bias, DEI and other concerns. The caucus also is calling for a legislative audit of ideological bias in curriculum, grading practices, and hiring at state higher education institutions. This is not only an issue of apparent leftist bias, but its also a matter of professional teaching practice. Professionals carefully construct their assignments and the grading criteria for each one. They do not allow their personal feelings or politics to invade the classroom, and they certainly never base their grading on those factors. If theyre true professionals, their students know nothing about their politics or their sexual proclivities. On the first day of each new class I told my students I could be their friend, but their adult friend obligated to look out for their best interests, which included appropriate discipline and the highest academic standards. I was not ever going to be their middle-aged homey. Sadly, that kind of professionalism is largely gone from higher education, a malady that apparently extends even to Oklahoma. Samantha Fulnecky has given anonymous University of Oklahoma management the opportunity to once again embrace professionalism. The threat of losing money may also serve to encourage them. I doubt, however, Fulnecky is holding her breath. I'm not. 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. Early in my commentary career, I found myself debating the meaning of one of my articles in an online chat with a woman whod read the piece. Advertisement Why the argument? Well, I was mischievous, Ill confess, and, having a little fun, didnt tell her I was the author. Towards our interactions conclusion, she told me, quite confidently, that I didnt understand what the writer was trying to say! (I lack self-knowledge, I guess.) Advertisement At least, though, inherent in the exchange was the idea that original intent matters. I mention this because people today often behave as if its irrelevant. Just consider, for instance, the birthright citizenship issue, currently before the Supreme Court. Do you know that Sen. Jacob Howard of Michigan, a man who coauthored the Citizenship Clause in 1866, clearly explained what were all now arguing about? Read on. Advertisement For more than 100 years, the 14th Amendments Citizenship Clause has been (mis)interpreted to mean that anyone born on U.S. soil even an illegal alien is automatically a U.S. citizen. Its such an insane standard, and leads to such nation-rending mischief, that we could wonder how the provisions framers could have legislated such destructiveness. Advertisement Well, they didnt. In a documented conversation in the U.S. Senate, Howard first explained that he considered the 14th Amendment to simply be Advertisement declaratory of what I regard as the law of the land already, that every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. In other words, it wasnt meant to alter, just clarify. And then he clarified, saying that his provision Advertisement will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It doesnt get much clearer than that. For even more perspective, however, consider that the 14th Amendment was proposed in 1866, the year after the War Between the States conclusion. The timing was no coincidence: The Citizenship Clause was meant to guarantee citizenship to ex-slaves and their descendants. Moreover, the man who introduced it, coauthor and Ohio Sen. Benjamin Wade, originally formulated it to read that it would apply to persons born in the United States or naturalized by the laws thereof. As the Federalist pointed out Monday, too, Such language may have lent slightly more credence to the lefts claim that anyone born here is a citizen. And to avoid such misunderstandings is apparently why Sen. Howard altered the text, adding the subject to the jurisdiction thereof caveat. It thenceforth read: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. This version, not Wades, is the one that made it into the Constitution, and Howards elaboration upon the exceptions explains why. It clarifies what subject to the jurisdiction thereof means, that illegal aliens are not, as the radical immigrationists claim, thus subject. Given this, how can anyone argue for a different interpretation? The answer lies in dishonesty and sometimes in a currently popular legal philosophy called textualism. Advocated by figures such as Justice Neil Gorsuch, it states that constitutional provisions should be interpreted via a plain reading of the text. Sounds good, I know. The problem is that textualists believe this should be done even when it yields a result contrary to original (to the authors/framers) intent. Why, commentator Bill OReilly himself has expressed this notion. He claims theres nothing we can do about birthright citizenship for all because thats what the Constitution says, and that changing it would require a constitutional Amendment (impossible to pass). So Im going to leave you with some relevant food for thought. An analogy: One day a couples little daughter comes crying to the father, saying, Tommy hit me! So the dad summons his boy, gives him a tongue lashing and says, Now, if you hit your sister again, youre going to be sorrier than you can imagine! So everything is O.K. for a few hours. But then the girl comes bawling again. Tommy kicked me! she wails to dad. So, livid, the father grabs the boy and says, Thats it! Youre finished now! You know what I told you just this morning! No, no, dad, interjects Tommy, unfazed. You said not to hit Sarah. You didnt say anything about not kicking her! Now, what if the father then replied, Well, ya got me there, kiddo! Thats some good lawyering! I shouldve phrased that more clearly!? Heres your allowance. Ridiculous? Insane? Yes, but its also something else. Textualism. The fathers ruling ignoring his laws true meaning in favor of wording and denying his daughter justice was absurd. But its no more so than thinking a slavery-inspired, 1866 constitutional provision should be used to justify anchor-baby artifice by third Millennium third worlders. In other words, even if subject to the jurisdiction thereof could somehow be interpreted to cover illegals, it matters that the lines author himself specified otherwise. It wouldnt matter, though, to textualists; their reading trumps a framers meaning in their minds. Its crazy. For just as how its said that the Constitution is not a suicide pact, constitutional interpretation is not supposed to be a stupidity pact. Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on X (formerly Twitter), Truth Social, MeWe, Gettr, Tumblr, Instagram or Substack or log on to SelwynDuke.com. Image: Pixnio // public domain Miamis mayoral election has been framed as a political earthquake, but those sweeping claims dont hold water. They do, however, evince the ignorance of all too many, across party lines, about the actual power structure in the city, Miami-Dade County, and Florida. Advertisement What happened in the mayoral runoff deserves attention, but it is hardly the warning siren some Democrat operatives want it to be, nor is it a reason for Republicans to panic. Miami politics simply dont function the way national narratives assume. Lets start with what this race actually was. The nonpartisan mayor of Miami holds a largely ceremonial role. Real executive authority rests with the city manager, who can only serve with the approval of the five-member city commission. That nonpartisan commission currently has a stable 3-2 Republican majority. Advertisement The mayor may nominate a manager, but the commission decides who ultimately runs the city. Power isnt shifting in some theatrical way. Beyond that, the partisan landscape inside the city is very different from the broader county. Miami voters lean blue by registration, with over 61,000 Democrats to roughly 53,000 Republicans. That imbalance has kept the city competitive for Democrats even as Republicans increasingly dominate Miami-Dade County itself. Advertisement Donald Trump won Miami-Dade by double-digits in 2024, taking over 55 percent of the vote. Yet he narrowly lost the municipality of Miami, a reminder that the Magic Citys elections sit on different political terrain. Those differences matter because they show that a Democrat winning the Miami mayors race isnt a shocking anomaly. It reflects the citys registration edge and its habit of splitting from its surrounding communities. That environment helped Eileen Higgins secure 60 percent in the runoff. It ended a long GOP streak in a ceremonial office, but it didnt alter the countys political center of gravity. Advertisement Republicans still hold a plurality countywide, with roughly 448,732 registered GOP voters versus about 407,343 Democrats as of November 30. Looking at what happened just one year earlier underscores how strong Republicans remain in Miami-Dade. In 2024, the GOP swept every partisan countywide office: sheriff, clerk of courts, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and tax collector. These victories mirrored Trumps concurrent 55.2 percent countywide performance. Advertisement Voters clearly separated administrative roles from the county mayors seat, which is a muscular chief executive office. Democrat Daniella Levine Cava was resoundingly reelected in August 2024. Her near-60 percent victory, in a nonpartisan contest, obviously didnt help Democrats win during November. The blue team celebrated an earlier municipal victory in Jacksonville, Floridas largest city, when Donna Deegan flipped the partisan mayoralty with 52 percent in 2023. But Duval County, which is basically Jacksonville, gave Trump a majority in 2024, years after he lost it to Joe Biden. Advertisement Local races in Florida typically revolve around hometown issues and personalities. However, nationalized partisanship is rapidly becoming commonplace. Its what almost all of these races are headed for. Republicans keep strengthening their statewide position. Florida now has roughly 5.5 million registered Republicans compared to about 4.1 million Democrats, an advantage of more than 1.4 million voters. Trump still holds a 51 percent approval rating among Florida voters. GOP momentum in local elections hasnt slowed. In November 2025, Republicans won municipal races across the state, from Hialeah to Lakeland to Homestead, Winter Haven, and Punta Gorda. The GOP faced mostly dire fortunes elsewhere. Even the Miami-Dade County government keeps edging rightward. When Higgins vacated her commission seat to run for mayor, state Rep. Vicki Lopez was placed in the position, giving the GOP its first commission majority since 2018. The new Republican-led board promptly clarified the county charter so a recall effort against Cava could proceed. Meanwhile, the states fastest-growing metro area, which is also Americas, remains deeply Republican. In Ocala, just days after Charlie Kirks assassination, Ben Marciano won reelection as mayor with an overwhelming 84 percent. Miami Beach reelected Steven Meiner, an Independent with strong GOP backing, last month. This reflected strong public support for law-and-order governance and prosperity-driven economic policies. All of these items help explain why the Miami mayoral outcome, though notable, isnt a clear sign of the GOP losing its footing. It is a localized result in a city that routinely thinks and votes differently from the county that surrounds it. Republicans continue to dominate most offices that wield real power, maintaining a decisive lead in voter registration, while winning competitive races throughout the state. The Miami result most certainly energizes Democrat messaging, but in terms of genuine electoral influence, the fundamentals remain squarely in Republican hands. The map hasnt changed. The power structure hasnt changed. And the future of Florida politics still hinges on the same forces that have shaped its transformation for decades: security, affordability, accountability, and a growing electorate that rewards leaders who deliver tangible results rather than talking points. Dr. Joseph Ford Cotto is the creator, host, and producer of News Sight, delivering sharp insights on the key events that shape our lives. He publishes Dr. Cotto's Digest, sharing how business and the economy really impact us all. During the 2024 presidential race, he developed the Five-Point Forecast, which accurately predicted Donald Trumps national victory and correctly called every swing state. Cotto holds a doctorate in business administration and is a Lean Six Sigma Certified Black Belt. Image generated by ChatGPT. At first it seems paradoxical to believe indifference leads to intolerance. How can apathy lead to a purposeful spite? It can, if that agnostic coldness is only superficial and instead seeks to oppress. This is what parts of the West exhibit when it comes to free speech. They talk the talk but simply ignore the walk. An example is the recent debate around Canadian hate-speech laws. Advertisement The political party Bloc Quebecois recently planned to propose an elimination of the religious exemption to Canadas hate speech laws. The current law allows for exemptions from criminal charges "if, in good faith, the person 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 current exemption may seem like a nice state-issued grace. But what one considers an opinion or not is a dangerous slippery slope for criminal wrongdoing, particularly when debating the divine. The proposed change to the law also would define hatred as an emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than disdain or dislike. Do we really trust government to know what is stronger than disdain but just the right amount of vilification? It seems that speech laws are not always the best prosecutorial taste tests. According to a CBC article, the proposed amendment is now in question. We hope opposing voices are being heard. The Canadian Conservative Party argues that it lowers the legal standard for hatred, threatening free speech and targeting legitimate expression. Sadly, it should be of little surprise that this radical proposal originates with the Bloc Quebecois. It follows a recent plan in Quebec to eliminate public prayer. Montreal Archbishop Christian Lepine said to forbid public prayer would be somewhat like forbidding thought itself. That seems to be the unspoken point. Advertisement The Left attacks free speech through religion, one of its favorite bugaboos. It sees faiths power in contrast to the state. If faith was only considered in the utilitarian sense, as a fungible idea no different than another part of a culture, perhaps a shrugged indifference would be expected. But because it is at the center of peoples souls and consciences, it is much more and progressives know it. Faith is an animating eternal truth which defines peoples existence and their daily living. Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas said it well in his opinion in Mahmoud v. Taylor when he referred to the enduring nature of religion -- and the Constitutions respect for it. Canada plainly disrespects religion and by this proposal seeks to make the enduring fleeting. Not being able to speak about the very precepts of your faith would perhaps be liberalisms crowning achievement. For example, if a Canadian in his persuasive conviction cannot quote Christs direction I am the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6), then what can one say there? Advertisement The orator and lawyer Robert G. Ingersoll wrote that The Agnostic does not simply say, I do not know [if God exists]. He goes another step, and he says, with great emphasis, that you do not know... It seems it is not enough to just agree to disagree in Canada. Progressives say they believe in robust free speech. But casually saying you believe in something does not make it so. Maybe that is why the Left says it so easily, because worthwhile speech ultimately means very little to them. Alan Loncar is an attorney in Macomb County, Michigan. Advertisement Image: AT via Magic Studio In the Classic Mel Brooks comedy Blazing Saddles, the corrupt attorney General is vetting criminals qualifications as he forms a posse. One comical thug brags: cattle rustling, murder, raperape. You said rape twice, notes the AG. I like rape, replied the thug. Advertisement Hennepin CountysMinneapolis--Prosecutors Office apparently also likes rape. Thats just a part of the burgeoning story of Minnesota corruption. Its a story I mentioned in Minnesota is Raping Itself, but there are additional dimensions that compel another look at rapist Adbimahat Bille Mohamed. A brief history of his justice system misadventures: Advertisement Graphic TikTok Post *12-12-17: Mohamed and others kidnapped a 15-year-old, and at gunpoint, forced her to perform fellatio and gang-raped her. Advertisement *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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Consider that the sentencing guidelines suggest a presumptive 144-month prison commitment for a single 1st degree CSC conviction with no criminal history. Upon Mohameds most recent arrest, the federal DOJ took over: In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi blamed Minnesotas left-wing soft-on-crime policies for putting innocent people at risk from a Somali national. In response, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the Justice Department news release is a clear attempt to politicize a sexual assault prosecution to inflict further harm on our entire Somali community. Right. I wonder what the women Mohamed and his pals kidnapped and raped would have to say about that? Wheres Moriartys concern for the kidnapping and rape victim community? Moriarty made clear her political priorities: The current federal administration is more adept at pardons for violent insurrectionists and drug traffickers than prosecutions, Moriarty added. If they intend to start caring about public safety and victims, we recommend they end their coverup of pedophiles and those who protect them. The invaluable Mark Steyn provides an international perspective: We generally report such stories [rampant Muslim gang rape in England] under the headline "The Shame of England". For a decade, the overwhelming reaction of our American readers and viewers has been along the lines of "This would never happen in America, Steyn", augmented by a few random observations on Euro-pussies more generally. Well, it turns out it is happening in America, or at least in Minnesota: exactly the same collision and collusion between progressive "anti-racist" pieties and the sacrifice of your womenfolk to certain "communities" (dread word). Concerning Mohameds propensity to bring along his pals, Steyn noted: Just hold it there for a moment - and let me ask you as one man of the world to another: when you're at home of an evening and thinking you'd rather go out for a gang-rape than a meatball sub, do you take along your brother? or your cousin? or your uncle? Or would that make conversation round the Thanksgiving table a little icky? Not if youre Somali, obviously. Steyn ends with this: For the last thirteen months, the United States has demonstrated the central aspect of the thesis of America Alone [Steyns classic book] that in critical aspects it remains different from the more obviously suicidal parts of the west. The real question is whether it is sufficiently different to affect the ultimate outcome. As I have said, absent severe course-correction, we are in the last fifteen years of anything remotely recognisable as the western world. No country other than Somalia - or the breakaway Somaliland - needs a single Somali other than Ayaan Hirsi Ali. And yet there is the Hennepin County Attorney loosing them on Minneapolis in order that its maidenhood should grow accustomed to the progressivism of gang-rape. Minnesota voted for this; theyre getting it good and hardor at least Minnesota women are. 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. One of the big fights coming this January is how to reform the failing Obamacare program, aka, the Unaffordable Care Act. Without massive COVID-era subsidies, users will pay a lot more in 2026. The program itself has so many problems, beginning with the fact that many well-off people qualify, and so much money goes to directly fund insurance companies, no questions asked. It is more than past time to just let this whole mess disappear. Advertisement But many working people who dont qualify for Medicaid need some options. Sen. Rand Paul has perhaps the simplest and most effective answer, one that builds on the already existing ERISA plans big companies can currently offer their employees across state lines. Many ERISA plans are cheap to run because they are largely free of costly state mandates for coverage on expensive things like mental health and drug addiction therapy; items most families dont need anyway. Advertisement Pauls idea is to expand ERISA to offer simple Health Savings Accounts (HSA) plans via a host of non-profit membership groups most people already have access to: Credit unions, buying clubs, professional organizations, churches, etc. Take the small tax credits we already give HSA plans and raise them. This would be a great deal for most families and save the taxpayers a lot of money. Sadly, this idea is making little headway in Congress. Partially because big insurance companies dont see much benefit to them. But also, because of Paul personally. He has offered this type of legislation for years without success. I am afraid he has few friends and allies in the Senate. This summer, he was the most vocal Republican opponent of Pres. Trump's BBB, the Big, Beautiful Bill. Advertisement Sen. Paul made the perfect enemy of the pretty good. He insisted he would not vote for all the promised Republican tax cuts, nor the budget cuts to NPR and PBS, nor the expiration of the Obamacare subsidies, unless he got even more budget cuts elsewhere. Something most in Congress would not do. If the senator had understood that legislation is a team sport, he might have gotten much of what he is proposing in his Health Marketplace and Savings Accounts for All Act. Senators in a narrow majority have a lot of individual clout in appropriations bills. Paul might have traded his yes vote to leadership for big chunks of his health care program the last several years; and then seen it up and running by now. Instead, he got nothing. None of the big budget cuts he sought took place while his HSA ideas went nowhere. Ironically, it was Pres. Trumps BBB, the one Sen. Paul opposed, that contained the most recent HSA expansion. Advertisement And worst of all, in all his media appearances, you hear nothing from Sen. Paul about his important HSA legislation. Instead, he will bloviate like his father, Ron Paul, did for so long, with an obtuse understanding of Article 1 war powers. In their view, the U.S. military cannot be used without an explicit declaration of war. The problem for them is, thats never been how the U.S. Constitution has been understood. Starting with our first three presidents, Washington (the Indian Wars), Adams (the Quasi War with France), and Jefferson (The Barbary Coast Wars), all made war without declarations. Congress supported and limited these efforts with funding and various custom resolutions. Thats how its been done several hundred times throughout our history and the Supreme Court since 1800 has said that is completely okay. In our current situation, if the Congress does not like how Pres. Trump is using the U.S. Navy against drug cartels in Latin America, they are free to place restrictions on him. Just as Congress limited Presidents Nixon and Ford in the Vietnam War. Advertisement I would like to think that when Congress comes back to work in January, Sen. Paul could finally buckle down and do the hard work and horse trading necessary to pass his excellent Health Marketplace Act. I suspect, though, he and most of his colleagues will just continue to chase the shiny objects, like the Epstein files and whatever comes after that. Frank Friday is an attorney in Louisville, KY. Advertisement Image: AT via Magic Studio The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, Woe to you who call evil good, and good evil. Were seeing this played out in Democrat-run cities across America. The left has always championed sanctuary policies and criminal leniency, but recent events show just how far theyre willing to go in sacrificing public safety for ideological purity. Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that Governor J.B. Pritzkers sanctuary policies have led to the release of over 1,700 criminal illegal aliens since January 2025. These werent just people who ran red lights these were people whose crimes included 5 homicides, 141 assaults, 23 burglaries, 4 robberies, 24 dangerous drugs offenses, 15 weapons offenses, and 10 sexual predatory offenses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) begged Illinois to honor detainers for more than 4,000 additional criminal aliens in custody, but the state is ignoring federal requests. By refusing to cooperate with ICE, Illinois has effectively chosen to protect predators over its own citizens. Weve heard Democrats claim that most illegals have no criminal past. Other than being in the country illegally, that is. But Pritzkers record shows the results of shielding those who committed crimes from deportation, as well as justice, and the consequences are tragically clear. In Chicago, a doctor was brutally beaten in a hospital elevator by a man who had been arrested 12 times in 2025 alone. Mayor Brandon Johnson has argued that imprisoning violent criminals is racist and immoral. This warped ideology leaves law-abiding citizens defenseless while emboldening repeat offenders. Advertisement It gets worse. Islamo-fascist/communist Democrat socialist mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appointed Mysonne Linen, a convicted armed robber, to his criminal justice transition team. Linen served seven years in prison for violent robberies of taxi drivers, yet the left now celebrates him as a community activist qualified to shape public safety policy. Perhaps he can advise the taxi companies and Uber drivers on safety issues. Corrections officers and police unions have condemned the appointment as dangerous and insulting, but Mamdanis decision reflects the lefts worldview: criminals are victims, and the innocent are obstacles to their narrative. This is the glorification of criminality. Democrats are signaling that crime is not something to be punished, but something to be rewarded with political influence. Advertisement The Biden administration also played a part in undermining public safety. A Venezuelan gang member, suspected of belonging to the Tren de Aragua cartel, was released into the U.S. and even granted Temporary Protected Status. Later, he attacked an ICE officer in Illinois, ramming a vehicle into a tree, and inciting violent protests against law enforcement. Assaults on ICE officers have skyrocketed over 1,000% in the past year, ignited by Democrat rhetoric that encourages resistance to immigration enforcement. Mamdani has gone so far as to publicly advise illegals how to evade ICE. This escapade did not go unnoticed by Kristi Noem, who stated, If he were mayor, [he] could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to evade law enforcement and how to get away with breaking the law. Taken together, these stories reveal a disturbing pattern. The Democrat party consistently sides with criminals over citizens. Their ideology demands leniency, compassion, and sanctuary even when it means sacrificing the safety of ordinary Americans. Advertisement This is straight-up dereliction of duty. The Democrats have, as Isaiah warned, inverted morality, treating criminals as heroes and law-abiding citizens as expendable, collateral damage. Far from accidental, this is a deliberate choice rooted in radical ideology. Democrats are systematically dismantling law and order, undermining federal enforcement, and endangering the very people they claim to represent. Its long past time for our leaders to prioritize law-abiding Americans over criminals. It is to be hoped that enough people come to their senses in these jurisdictions to enable that to happen. Advertisement Image: Free image, Pixabay license. The Winooski School District, located in western Vermont, recently raised a Somali flag above its grounds. Advertisement According to the New York Post: A Vermont school district has sparked national outrage after district leaders raised the flag of Somalia on campus. Advertisement The Winooski School District located just outside Burlington, where roughly 9% of students are Somali raised the light-blue flag on Monday to honor the Somali youth and families in Winooski and Vermont. The district has three flagpoles, and chose to raise the Somali flag on one, along with the U.S. flag and the states flag. Advertisement After systemic, massive, and historic fraud has been uncovered directly involving the Somali community in Minnesota. And as similar fraud is being uncovered in Ohio, Maine, and Vermont itself. To call this amazing chutzpah would be an understatement. It is a middle finger, hoisted and held high, and directed at law-abiding American citizens and taxpayers. Advertisement The district said, via a Dec. 5 Facebook post, "We are raising the Somali flag this week in honor of our Somali youth and families in Winooski and Vermont. On Monday, we will be gathering to celebrate together and to learn more about our civil rights." Whose civil rights? Those of the Somali immigrants or of the native taxpayers? Advertisement In response to the understandably controversial move, the Winooski School District commented thusly on its original post: "The Somali flag is being flown for one week as a gesture of support for our Somali students and families. Winooski is a proudly diverse community, and we are committed to recognizing and uplifting all of the cultures that make our district stronger." Make the district stronger or poorer? More united or more at odds? Proudly diverse in terms of who is on the government dole? Advertisement This is akin to the rallies on college campuses in support of Hamas and Gaza after Oct. 7. While not as disgusting, it is tone deaf, deliberately provocative, and a further sign of Americas long surrender to those who hold views antithetical to the founders and the founding. A surrender that can only lead to chaos, destitution -- and a near total loss of liberty and the concept of inherent and inalienable rights granted to us by our Creator. The unprecedented fraud even now being uncovered in Minnesota may explain why the state replaced its old flag a few years ago with one that bore a striking resemblance to the Somali flag. That a school in Vermont chose this time to raise the Somali flag is troubling at best. Image: Grok, AI-generated picture Ads for prostate supplements and home testing kits have been banned over concerns they could mislead vulnerable people or steer them away from appropriate medical advice. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned ads for four supplement brands Nutrisslim, Nutreance, Muxue Trade and Impact Herbs for making claims that their products could treat medical issues such as enlarged prostate, urinary flow problems or prostate inflammation. None of the products were authorised medicines and advertising rules state that food products, including supplements, cannot make medicinal claims. Nutreance, trading as Top 5 Supplements, said its ads did not state or imply that its product treated, cured or prevented any disease or medical symptoms, and the ads made no references to diseases, diagnoses, pathological conditions or clinical outcomes. The Natures Finest by Nutrisslim ad banned by the ASA (ASA/PA) Nutrisslim, trading as Natures Finest by Nutrisslim, said the claims used in its ads related to botanical ingredients, which it understood could be used in advertising. It said visual materials featuring a doctor and any related references had been removed from its website, including a reference to the product being doctor-formulated. Impact Herbs, trading as Impact Supps, and Muxue did not respond to the ASA. The ASA also banned ads from two home testing kit companies Self Check and Lifelab Testing for claiming that Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) tests could diagnose or rule out prostate cancer. Self Check said its products were CE certified for self testing in line with UK legislation. It further said that every product page contained a disclaimer that informed consumers that because the tests were not 100% at diagnosing a specific medical condition, they may wish to speak to their NHS GP first, who could arrange a test if needed. It also said that it had removed the word cancer in the headings and descriptions of the Google ads for the product. Lifelab also said it held the correct CE markings for an in-vitro diagnostic device, and that the product was suitable for sale in the UK. It also said the ads had been removed and would not be used again. A PSA test alone cannot do either, and in both cases the ads failed to make clear that these tests had limitations. The Lifelab ad banned by the ASA (ASA/PA) The ASA came across the ads during a sweep of healthcare claims using its AI-powered Active Ad Monitoring system. The ASA said many of the claims it had seen in the latest investigations were unacceptable, and had not only broken a number of its rules but risked misleading vulnerable people, or steering those who needed it away from appropriate medical advice. It said this was especially worrying when it comes to mens health, adding that prostate symptoms could be worrying and, for some, difficult to talk about, meaning that ads promising quick fixes or simple answers can seem even more appealing. However, misleading claims could give false reassurance or make it harder for people to know when to speak to a doctor, which is why its so important that information about prostate health is accurate and responsible, the ASA said. Jess Tye, regulatory projects manager at the ASA, said: When it comes to health, people deserve honesty. Misleading ads about prostate supplements or tests can cause real harm, and todays rulings hold advertisers to account. Were continuing to monitor this sector closely, using our AI tools to spot problem ads early on. And if someone does have a concern about an ad theyve seen, wed encourage them to get in touch. Joseph Burt, head of diagnostics and general medical devices at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: The MHRA welcomes the ASAs action to tackle misleading claims about PSA home-testing kits. At-home or over-the-counter PSA tests help members of the public monitor their prostate health, but are not a definitive test for prostate cancer. These tests must not claim to detect prostate cancer, and consumers should carefully check the labelling and read the instructions for use. The MHRA has recognised the expansion of over-the-counter tests, including PSA tests. As part of our surveillance of medical devices, we continue to monitor the safety of these devices. Manufacturers of these tests have an important role in ensuring information about direct-to-consumer tests are put into context for the general public who use these tests as well as monitoring the use of the tests. Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: We are very pleased to see the ASA getting proactive in identifying and banning these dangerous and misleading adverts. There is no evidence that supplements can treat, cure or prevent prostate problems, and they should not be used in place of speaking to a doctor about your risk of prostate cancer, or more general concerns about your prostate health. While there are a range of at-home PSA self-test kits on the market currently, the accuracy and safety of these tests is not proven, and so we only recommend getting a PSA blood test from a healthcare professional. Its important to remember that prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its earlier, more treatable stages, so its crucial for a man to understand his own risk and not to wait for potential signs or symptoms. Any men worried about their risk of prostate cancer or looking to find out more about testing can take Prostate Cancer UKs 30-second online Risk Checker. Consumers can check the registration status of PSA tests via the MHRAs Public Access Registrations Database. Anyone concerned about the quality or safety of a PSA test should report it to the MHRA via the Yellow Card scheme. A friend of Amy Winehouse has said she believes the singers father is suing her to hurt me in any way he can, the High Court has been told. Mitch Winehouse, acting as the administrator of his daughters estate, is bringing legal action against her stylist, Naomi Parry, and friend, Catriona Gourlay, for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mr Winehouse claims that the pair profited from selling dozens of items at auctions in the United States in 2021 and 2023 that they did not have the right to sell, with his lawyers telling a trial in London that they deliberately concealed doing so. Ms Parry and Ms Gourlay are defending the claim, with their barristers saying that the items were either gifted by Ms Winehouse or were already owned by them. In a witness statement, Ms Parry, who began giving evidence on Wednesday, said that Ms Winehouse was a friend who was like a sister to me, but that Mr Winehouse was volatile. But Ms Parry said: Mitch is the grieving father of a woman I loved like a sister. I have tried hard not to be unfeeling. But it is very difficult at this point in time not to believe that he is using these proceedings to hurt me in any way he can. Ms Parry said, in her statement, that she met Ms Winehouse in a bar in Soho, London, in 2005 and the pair hit it off immediately, before she later met Ms Gourlay. She began working as the singers stylist the following year, before Ms Winehouses death aged 27 from alcohol poisoning in July 2011. Mitch Winehouse with his daughter at the Q Awards in 2006 (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok) Ms Parry told the court that Ms Winehouse was extremely generous and would regularly give away items to her friends and family, particularly when she didnt like something or was bored of it. She said: Between me, Amy and Catriona, generosity worked both ways. Amy would make gifts to us of things, but we would also do the same. She continued: As a group of tight-knit friends, the three of us would frequently swap and gift items of clothing, make-up and accessories and other things if we needed something or if we no longer wanted something. Lawyers for Mr Winehouse have previously told the court that he believed that all the 834 items in the 2021 auction catalogue were owned by the estate, but that the two women were asserting ownership of over 150. The items auctioned by the estate raised about 1.4 million dollars (1.05 million), with 30% of the proceeds going to the Amy Winehouse Foundation. One item sold by Ms Parry included a silk mini-dress worn by Ms Winehouse in her final performance in Belgrade, Serbia, which was auctioned for 243,200 dollars (182,656). Both Ms Parry and Ms Gourlay then sold further items at the second auction in 2023. In his evidence, Mr Winehouse denied a suggestion by Ms Parrys barrister, Beth Grossman, that he was bringing proceedings against the pair out of petty jealousy. On Tuesday, Ms Grossman asked Mr Winehouse whether it was his case that her client and Ms Gourlay, who were living pretty much hand to mouth, were putting items into the auction to benefit him and the foundation. Yes, that is what we assumed, Mr Winehouse said. He also told the court that he believed everything in the auction catalogue belonged to us. But Ms Parry said in her statement that she believed that the Winehouse family knew I was auctioning items, and that Mr Winehouse was made aware of this at a meeting in October 2018. She added that she believed, and still very much believe, that Amy would have wanted me and Catriona to be financially secure, and said the sums sought by Mr Winehouse were inflated. The trial before Sarah Clarke KC, sitting as a High Court judge, is due to conclude on Friday before resuming in January. The National Audit Office also found that there was no information on how many asylum seekers do not claim benefits or the amount of people who had absconded after their claims were rejected. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images (Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Shabana Mahmoods radical plans to overhaul the asylum system could cause unintended consequences such as increased homelessness among people seeking refuge and growing case backlogs, Whitehalls spending watchdog has concluded. The head of the National Audit Office said that the home secretarys policies, which are meant to accelerate case decisions and reduce appeals, would require effective action on the bottlenecks if they were to succeed. A report by the independent body that was released on Wednesday found that information such as how many asylum seekers do not claim benefits or how many rejected claimants have absconded remains unknown to the civil service. Auditors also found that short-term, reactive measures have shifted pressures within the asylum system over many years, creating new backlogs and leaving many claims unresolved for years. More than half of people who applied for asylum almost three years ago are still waiting for an outcome, the report said. The findings emerged weeks after Mahmoods radical package of changes, which were modelled on Denmarks tough immigration rules, led to a backlash from Labour MPs and peers. Anger was directed towards Mahmood and Keir Starmer, the prime minister, over plans to allow the deportation of children alongside their parents and the quadrupling of the waiting period for refugees to get permanent residence in the UK from five to 20 years. The report said the governments proposals to accelerate decisions and removals could relieve pressure on the asylum system, but were complex and must be based on how people and casework moved through the system. Otherwise, there is a risk of unintended consequences for already stretched systems, as well as for wider government priorities such as homelessness, the report said. Gareth Davies, the leader of the NAO, said the efforts of successive governments to improve the efficiency of the asylum system had often been short term and narrowly focused. Successfully implementing the new asylum model recently announced by the home secretary will require effective action on the bottlenecks in the current system using better-quality data and streamlined decision-making, he said. Government departments have failed to collect asylum data that would help its systems work more efficiently, auditors found. They found that the Home Office was unable to provide data on the number of people in the asylum system who were not receiving any form of state support or statefunded accommodation. It also did not hold complete data on the number of people who had absconded from the asylum system, nor the total number of people who are subject to some form of enforcement action, nor on all unsuccessful removals and their causes. The Ministry of Justice could not provide data on the total number of cases received by the upper immigration tribunal or on the level of repeated appeals. The report estimated the total spending on the asylum system in 2024-25 to be 4.9bn, 3.4bn of which was on accommodation and support. The NAO has recommended that by the end of 2026, the government should present to parliament a strategic plan for implementing the proposed new asylum model and create and publish a set of system indicators for people seeking asylum, taxpayers, and citizens. Officials should also develop a long-term data blueprint to address poor data quality, and ensure interventions have an evidence base, cost-benefit analysis, and evaluation plan, the report said. Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the asylum system is simply not functioning if people wait months or even years for a decision, local councils are under-resourced, and costs keep rising. The NAOs finding that more than half of people who applied for asylum almost three years ago still dont have an outcome is shocking. He added: The NAO is right that only a whole-system approach with timely, quality decisions and proper data and capacity will fix the chaos. The government must focus on getting decisions right first time and supporting people to integrate and contribute to their new communities to restore order and confidence in the system. A Home Office spokesperson said: The home secretary recently announced the most sweeping changes to the asylum system in a generation to deal with the problems outlined in this report. We are already making progress with nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here removed, a 63% rise in illegal working arrests and over 21,000 small boat crossing attempts prevented so far this year. Our new reforms will restore order and control, remove the incentives which draw people to come to the UK illegally and increase removals of those with no right to be here. Sir Keir Starmer said his MPs are very proud Sir Keir Starmers own MPs believe that he is a caretaker Prime Minister, Kemi Badenoch has claimed. Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, the Leader of the Opposition said Labour MPs were trying to replace Sir Keir because he had lost control of his party. It is increasingly rumoured that leadership rivals are laying the groundwork to succeed Sir Keir if he is ousted from No 10. Mrs Badenoch asked in the Commons: Can the right honourable gentleman tell the House why his own MPs are describing him as a caretaker Prime Minister? Sir Keir said: My own MPs are very proud. Weve just passed a Budget which protected our public services, our NHS. Not austerity, which brought our NHS to the ground. We created the conditions for economic stability with the headroom we need. Were concentrated on the single most important issue for families up and down the country, which is the cost of living. Mrs Badenoch replied: Let me answer the question for the Prime Minister. Hes being called a caretaker, because everyone can see that hes lost control of his party. Theyre all so busy trying to replace him. Labour and the Prime Minister face dire poll ratings. On Monday, it was reported that Labour Together, a think tank linked to Morgan McSweeney, Downing Streets chief of staff, had asked party members to name the politicians they believed were most likely to lead the party into a second general election victory. Eight Labour politicians were said to have been named in the letter alongside Sir Keir, including Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Andy Burham. Mr Burnham on Monday said he would not rule out standing in a future contest if the call came, but claimed briefings linking him to a bid had nothing to do with me. On Friday, The Telegraph revealed that Mr Streetings allies were pressing Ms Rayner to sign up to a joint ticket for the Labour leadership. Under the proposals, Ms Rayner would be promised a Cabinet role perhaps returning as deputy prime minister if she backed a future Streeting leadership run. Also in PMQs, Sir Keir came under fire for the Governments family farm tax and David Lammys proposals to scrap some jury trials. Karl Turner, Labour MP for Kingston upon Hull East, said: There is no denying that this Government inherited a crisis in our criminal courts, with the number of cases waiting to be tried growing every single day. So if the Justice Secretary plans to do away with jury trials in some cases, is really about addressing the backlog and getting the position to something manageable, then why isnt there a sunset clause? And why has that been ruled out? Sir Keir replied by pointing to a risk of total collapse of the criminal justice system. 01:07pm Thank you for joining That concludes our live coverage of Prime Ministers Questions. You can follow all the latest politics news from The Telegraph here. 12:58pm Labour backbencher criticises Government over jury trials policy A Labour backbencher has criticised the Government over their policy to scrap jury trials for a number of serious crimes. Karl Turner, MP for Kingston upon Hull East, said: There is no denying that this Government inherited a crisis in our criminal courts, with the number of cases waiting to be tried growing every single day. So if the Justice Secretary plans to do away with jury trials in some cases is really about addressing the backlog, and getting the position to something manageable, then why isnt there a sunset clause? And why has that been ruled out? Sir Keir replied by pointing to a risk of total collapse of the criminal justice system. 12:53pm Family farm tax unfair, says Tory MP A Tory MP has called on Labour to reverse the tractor tax. Sarah Bool said: This Government is always talking about the fair choices that it has made. But is it a fair choice to balloon the benefits bill? Is it a fair choice to introduce an unfunded and unwanted digital ID that will cost the public billions? Is it a fair choice to increase taxes on working people when the promise was not to? The answer, Mr. Speaker, is no. Can I ask the Prime Minister to consider one final fair choice, thinking of food security, and to avoid devastation for families across the country, and reverse the family farm tax? Sir Keir responded by claiming that welfare ballooned under the previous Government. 12:48pm Starmer mocked for spending so much time abroad A Conservative MP has mocked the prime minister by suggesting his tax rises are the reason he spends so much time out of the country. Dr Luke Evans said: I feel for the prime minister. It must be tough wherever he goes in the UK because of his policies, a pub, higher taxes, a restaurant, higher taxes, a cafe, higher taxes, a farm, higher taxes, a care home, higher taxes, a hospice, higher taxes. So Mr. Speaker, is this the reason the prime minister chooses to spend so much time out of this country? Sir Keir dismissed the claims as a load of nonsense. 12:43pm Labour MP describes Reforms Doge strategy as deluded Labour MP Jim Dickson has criticised Reform UKs Doge policy used by Kent county council. He said: Before Mays election, Reform in Kent promised that they would improve services and cut taxes. Instead vital services to older people and those with a mental health condition provided by great organisations are to be cut. Would the prime minister agree with me on two things, that given the additional money for the county through the fair funding review, it is beyond belief that Kent are cutting services that vulnerable people rely on, and that their so called Doge unit, which we were told would eliminate waste, actually stands for deluded, overconfident, gormless, and embarrassing? Sir Keir claimed that Reform has created chaos in local government across the country. He said: Well, he sums up very well how his community have been utterly let down by Reform. Whilst the Member for Clacton is making excuses about his behaviour at school, look at what his party are doing across the country. Chaos in Kent. In Hampshire, their mayoral candidate says the deputy prime minister, a black British man born in this country, should go back to the Caribbean. In Staffordshire, Reforms leader has been exposed as a white supremacist. It follows The Telegraphs exclusive that Chris Parry, a former senior Royal Navy officer and Reform mayoral candidate for Hampshire and the Solent, had called for David Lammy to go where his loyalties lie. Read the full story here. 12:33pm Analysis Analysis: Davey punches a Labour bruise b' ' Sir Ed Davey has punched the bruise of yesterdays Labour rebellion, and said out loud what some Labour strategists fear in private. If he continues opposing a customs union, in 12 months time, he will not be standing there, Sir Ed says. Sir Keirs standard reply, that the customs union is a red line for his Government and that he is working on a closer relationship with Brussels, produced a far more muted reply from chuntering backbenchers than his earlier ripostes. 12:32pm UK must rejoin customs union, says Davey The leader of the Liberal Democrats continued: If we stand up to president Trump, we do need to strengthen our ties with Europe, not just on defence, but on the economy too. And the truth is this government will not succeed unless it gets our economy growing strongly again, and the best way to do that is a customs union with Europe. The Prime Ministers chief economic adviser knows it. The deputy prime minister knows it. And yesterday, the Labour chair of the trade select committee showed she knows it too, when she backed our bill. Does the Prime Minister fear that if he keeps opposing a customs union in 12 months time, he will not be standing there? Sir Keir said: We have got a closer relationship with the EU throughout reset earlier this year. Yes, I do want a closer relationship than what weve got at the moment. We are moving towards that. We do have manifesto commitments on issues such as single market, customs union and freedom of movement, but I would gently point this out that having now done significant trade deals with other countries, including the US and India. 12:29pm Ed Davey: Trumps strategy in Ukraine deeply alarming Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has described Donald Trumps approach to foreign policy as deeply alarming. He said: President Trumps new national security strategy is a deeply alarming document, quite apart from the irony of President Trump accusing others of trampling on basic principles, He repeats far right tropes of civilisational erasure and threatens that the US government will cultivate resistance in Europe. No wonder Vladimir Putin has welcomed that strategy. So will the prime minister pick up the phone and make it clear to president Trump that any attempts to interfere with our democracy are totally unacceptable? Sir Keir said: What I see is a strong Europe, united behind Ukraine and united behind our long standing values of freedom and democracy, and it will always stand up for those values and those freedoms. Sir Ed responded: I didnt hear anything about standing up to president Trump. 12:24pm Labour wouldnt know truth if it punched them in the face Kemi Badenoch joked that the Government would not know the truth if it punched them in the face and referenced former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. The leader of the opposition said: How many appointments have been lost to strike action? He doesnt know. Let me tell him, we have lost 93,000 appointments to strikes since the health secretary gave doctors a massive pay rise. It is the truth. I know they wouldnt know the truth if it punched them in the face, but Im telling them the truth. It is no wonder that we read this morning that the former deputy prime minister has said about the Health Secretary, shed rather stick pins in her eyes than be on his golden ticket. She added that Labour isnt working. The prime minister suggested that Ms Badenoch had absolutely no substance in her questions. 12:21pm Prime minister wrong again, says Badenoch The leader of the opposition has employed the same tactic by labelling the prime minster as wrong. Ms Badenoch said: Wrong again, I asked him how many police officers there are now, 1300 fewer officers than at the election. Mr. Speaker. I dont know if the Home Secretary wants his job, but I do read that shes having conversations with Tony Blair because hes already given up on the prime minister. Why dont we talk about the health secretary? Lets see how hes doing. We do know he definitely wants the job. He said hed end the doctor strikes. So can the Prime Minister tell the house how many appointments have been lost to strike action since last July. Sir Keir responded: They left the NHS an absolute mess with the highest waiting lists on record and the lowest confidence in the NHS ever. The Health Secretary said he would do two million extra appointments. He hasnt done two or three or four. Hes done five million extra appointments. That is because we invested in the NHS. 12:18pm Analysis Analysis: Badenoch delivering stronger responses b' ' Five questions later, Kemi Badenoch has turned a weak start into something a bit more tangible, having attacked Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood and Bridget Phillipson for failing to deliver on their promises to recruit more police and teachers, and to reduce strike-related NHS cancellations. She said Labour isnt working and that the Tories delivered more effectively on each of these priorities. The Labour backbenchers still seem happy with the PMs performance although many of them are, as she points out, already plotting against him. 12:18pm Badenoch: Prime minister doesnt know anything about whats going on The leader of the opposition continued by responding simply: Wrong. She added: There are now 400 fewer teachers since since she came into office, shes shaking her head. Its on the DfE (Department for Education) website. I can understand that the right honourable lady is angry. Were all angry at the mess shes making. The prime minister doesnt know whats going on with energy. He doesnt know whats going on in education. Does he know anything about whats going on? Last year, the prime minister promised to recruit 13,000 more police officers. Hows that going? Sir Keir said: They left the home office, the criminal justice system is utterly broken. 12:15pm Badenoch accuses Starmer of blowing hot air The leader of the opposition has criticised the prime minister for blowing hot air in his answers. She said: Mr. Speaker, I asked him about energy bills. He could power the national grid on all of that hot air, he promised to cut energy bills by 300. Energy bills have risen by 187. But lets look at someone else whos making a mess. Lets look at the education secretary. Oh, there she is. Labour pledge to recruit 6,500 more teachers. So can the prime minister tell the House how many extra teachers are there since she became Education Secretary? Sir Keir replied: They left our schools in a mess. They left our economy absolutely broken. They should be utterly ashamed of their record in service. 12:12pm Analysis: Sir Keir bats off first two questions. b' ' Well now we have the answer. Kemi Badenoch uses the first two of her five questions to ask about Sir Keir Starmers leadership, claiming that Labour MPs are calling him a caretaker prime minister, while Ed Miliband wants to recycle himself and return to lead Labour. Its hard to see how this strategy could put Sir Keir in too difficult a position. He bats off the questions and returns fire with an attack on the Tories. Labour MPs seem in high spirits this afternoon. 12:11pm Badenoch challenges Starmer on being a caretaker again Kemi Badenoch has repeated her question asking about the prime minister being a caretaker prime minister. The Conservative leader said: Let me answer the question for the prime minister. Hes being called a caretaker, because everyone can see that hes lost control of his party. Theyre all so busy trying to replace him. Lets start with the Energy Secretary, who wants to recycle himself as leader. He said he cut families energy bills by 300. Can the Prime Minister tell the house how much have energy bills fallen by since the election? Sir Keir replied: We dont need the pantomime auditions any more, please. 12:08pm Badenoch: Starmers own MPs call him a caretaker prime minister The leader of the opposition has described Sir Keir Starmer as a caretaker prime minister. Ms Badenoch asked: Can the right honourable gentleman tell the house why his own MPs are describing him as a caretaker Prime Minister? Sir Keir replied: My own MPs are very proud. Weve just passed a budget which protected our public services, our NHS. Not austerity, which brought our NHS to the ground. We created the conditions for economic stability with the headroom we need. Were concentrated on the single most important issue for families up and down the country, which is the cost of living. By taking 150 of their energy bills. Thats in addition to the 150 for the six million of the poorest households. Were concentrating on what matters to the country. Shes trying to save her job. 12:01pm Starmer and Badenoch enter the chamber Both Sir Keir Starmer and leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch have now entered the House of Commons. Prime Ministers Questions should be underway imminently. 11:59am Analysis What will Kemi Badenoch use to attack Sir Keir Starmer today? b' ' The Tory leader has not yet turned up in the Chamber for Prime Ministers Questions, but she has several good options open to her. Last nights rebellion of 13 MPs on the customs union would be an obvious choice, although the Liberal Democrats, who tabled the motion, will probably choose that. Some MPs are keen for Mrs Badenoch to continue attacking the Government on the economy, which is thought to be her strongest suit against Labour. Then again, the Tories have a habit of choosing unusual subjects at PMQs, even when there are obvious pressure points for Sir Keir... 11:55am Starmer leaves Downing Street for PMQs Sir Keir Stamer makes his way to the Houses of Parliament for the start of Prime Ministers Questions - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire 11:48am Labour ministers defend Khan after criticism from Trump Two Cabinet ministers have rallied around Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump labelled him a disaster and a disgusting mayor. The US president ramped up his feud with the Mayor of London this week by claiming that he was only elected because of support from an influx of migrants to the capital. In an interview with Politico, he said: I think hes done a terrible job. Londons a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen. Lisa Nandy and Yvette Cooper have now rushed to Sir Sadiqs defence, insisting he is doing a really good job and has an excellent record in City Hall. Continue reading the full story here 11:36am Starmer under pressure as Burnham fails to rule out return Andy Burnham has said he would consider a bid for the Labour leadership if the call came - Hollie Adams/Bloomberg Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure as Andy Burnham again failed to rule out a return to Government. The Mayor of Greater Manchester said that if the call came he would not turn down the opportunity to return to national politics, but claimed briefings linking him to any bid had nothing to do with me. On Monday, it emerged that Labour Together, a think tank linked to Morgan McSweeney, Downing Streets chief of staff, had asked party members to name the politicians they believed were most likely to lead the party into a second general election victory. Potential candidates included Mr Burnham along with other likely contenders such as Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister. Mr Burnham previously held roles as Culture Secretary and Health Secretary under Gordon Brown. Read the full story here 11:30am Starmer to face Badenoch at PMQs Sir Keir Starmer will face questions from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch in the Commons today. The Prime Minister last night suffered a fresh Labour rebellion - this time over Brexit. A total of 13 MPs voted in favour of rejoining the EU customs union in a motion tabled by the Liberal Democrats on Tuesday. The result of their support was a tie of 100 votes in favour to 100 against, giving the Deputy Speaker the casting vote to pass the motion, as is convention. Sir Keir has previously rejected calls to rejoin the customs union, despite deputy prime minister David Lammy stating that Brexit had damaged the economy. The Suffolk Constabulary. The number of forces covering local areas could be reduced from 43 to as low as the mid teens in planned reforms to policing. Photograph: Stephen Barnes/Law and Order/Alamy (Photograph: Stephen Barnes/Law and Order/Alamy) The home secretarys ambitions for the biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s are being threatened by a lack of money, with plans being considered for the creation of Britains FBI and slashing the number of forces. Shabana Mahmood believes a radical reshaping of policing in England and Wales is needed, with the number of forces covering local areas being reduced from 43 to as low as the mid teens over time. She has also told police chiefs, multiple sources said, that a planned new national operations centre for policing needs to contain the ability to boost the fight against the most serious crimes. Previous plans under her predecessor, Yvette Cooper, were heading towards streamlining back office functions such as buying IT systems, and equipment, in the hope of saving money, with more ambitious plans looking to be delayed because the hundreds of millions of pounds needed to launch them could not be found. Sources say Mahmood has described her approach in private to police reform as: We go large, or we go home. A white paper on police reform which the government said was due before Christmas will now not be ready before January at the earliest. What will be in it is changing all the time. One version of the plans would see a national police operations centre launch and take over functions for the buying of equipment and technology for all 43 forces, most of whom currently make their own decisions, and take in the National Police Air Service, which provides forces with helicopters. The hope would be to save money by gaining efficiencies, but much less than Labour hoped at the time of their 2024 election manifesto. Then in the next stage, counter-terrorism policing network would move to national centre, probably about the time of the next election, followed by the agency leading the fight against serious and organised crime, the National Crime Agency. Merging counter-terrorism policing with the NCA would give Britain its own version of Americas FBI. Plans are also up in the air about the number of local forces the white paper will say is needed in England and Wales. Police leaders met last week for their regular council meeting, where multiple sources said the Home Office had no final figure of forces they wanted to see, other than setting a strategic intent that the number should be reduced. Plans a fortnight ago saw an ambition for the number of forces over time to fall to the mid teens, but mergers tend to involve upfront costs with savings coming later a difficult ask from cash-strapped Treasury that raised taxes in last months budget. Last month Mahmood told the police chiefs conference: The structure of our police forces is, if we are honest, irrational. We have loaded critical functions like the National Police Air Service and vetting on to local forces, drawing attention away from neighbourhood policing. We have 43 forces tackling criminal gangs who cross borders, and the disparities in performance in forces across the country have grown far too wide, giving truth to the old story that policing in this country is a postcode lottery. An aide said afterwards that government was unlikely to mandate mergers, which under the last Labour government failed, but would support them if there was demand. For instance the Norfolk and Suffolk forces are seen as prime candidates, but they already collaborate and savings may be in the low millions. Forces covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are seen as possible early merger candidates, where collaboration is less and thus the eventual savings could be larger. The Home Office since Labour returned to power in July 2024 has largely bought the prescription set out for reforming policing as outlined by Gavin Stephens, the chair of the National Police Chiefs Council. The proposals are being drawn up by a working group called the joint reform team, which includes the NPCC, which represents police leaders across the UK, sitting alongside senior civil servants as well as His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary, and the College of Policing. In July the Guardian reported that police chiefs had told government forces should be cut to a few as 12. Then Stephens told the Guardian: A smaller number of police forces, supported by a national policing organisation, would enable us to make decisions far quicker and maximise funding to invest in technology and our workforce. Making improvements to our service once and for all, instead of in 43 different ways, would help to end the postcode lottery victims face when reporting crime. British tourists face having years of social media history screened before they are allowed to enter the United States. Under new plans being considered by the countrys border force, Donald Trumps administration is set to require foreign tourists to hand over the past five years of their online history. The drastic move is the latest attempt by Trump to scrutinise foreign visitors after an immigration freeze from 19 countries was announced last week. At the moment, Britons are among those who can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. They just have to obtain an electronic travel authorisation, known as an ESTA, for $40 (30). With the World Cup and Olympics headed to the United States in 2026 and 2028, respectively, there will be hundreds of thousands of travellers entering America. US President Donald Trump pictured on Tuesday night (AFP via Getty Images) The potential social media mandate being proposed by Customs and Border Protection would apply to anyone visiting, whether they require a visa or not. According to a notice published in Americas federal register on Tuesday, foreign tourists would need to provide their social media from the last five years. It will be mandatory to hand over the information, and other details - including email addresses and telephone numbers used in the last five years, as well as the names, addresses, numbers, and birthdays of family members. Currently, as part of the ESTA application process, a tourist from Britain would have to provide an email address, home address, phone number, and emergency contact details. If approved, the ESTA lasts for two years. CBP is proposing that moving forward, ESTA applications would require a selfie. It further wants to collect biometrics - face, fingerprints DNA and iris - as part of the ESTA application. It currently only records face and fingerprints upon arrival at the US border. Passengers check in at Los Angeles International Airport (AFP via Getty Images) The proposed changes are open for public consultation for 60 days. The policy changes follow others recently implemented since the start of the Trump administration including social media vetting and the most recent addition of assessing applicants seeking naturalization for good moral character. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services said officers will now consider whether an applicant for benefits, such as residency, work and visa applications, endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused anti-American, terrorist or antisemitic views. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in a statement the right to live and work in the United States remains a privilege, not a right, adding: If you hate America, dont try to live in America. Its that simple. It isnt specified what constitutes anti-Americanism but there have been several reports of travellers already having been denied entry into the US over social media posts and messages found on their personal devices since Trump took office in January. A French scientist was turned away at the US border in March after messages that reflect hatred toward Trump and can be described as terrorism were found on his phone. Homelessness is fixable, says Andy Burnham, adding that more effort is needed from Labour - Geoff Pugh Andy Burnham has criticised Sir Keir Starmers record on homelessness as the Government prepared to launch a new plan to deal with the problem. The Greater Manchester Mayor, seen as a potential leadership challenger to the Prime Minister, called on Labour to be more radical in tackling the issue. He also criticised Rachel Reevess decision to freeze housing benefits, saying it was pushing people into homelessness. Mr Burnham has repeatedly refused to rule out a bid to lead Labour and said earlier this week that he would return to government if asked. Other potential challengers to Sir Keir are Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister. Labour is struggling in the polls and has been far behind Reform UK for months. b' ' On Thursday, the Government will launch its homelessness strategy, which aims to halve rough sleeping in the next five years and reduce the number of people living in B&Bs. As part of a focus on prevention, the National Plan To End Homelessness includes a target to halve the number of former prisoners who become homeless on their first night out of jail and ensure that no eligible person is discharged to the street after a hospital stay. The measures are aimed at ensuring that no one becomes homeless on leaving a public institution, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said. But Mr Burnham told ITV News the Government should do as much to tackle homelessness as during the pandemic, when everyone was offered a bed. He said: What I am saying is homelessness is fixable it requires something more radical if you really want to fix it. If you go for that housing first approach everyone in, a bed every night, those type of approaches in the end, in my view, you save money. And thats what I would encourage them to do. So Im not saying they havent done lots of good things. They have done lots of really important things. But from here, lets get into a more radical approach. b' ' The timing of Mr Burnhams criticisms will be greeted with anger in Downing Street. The mayor blamed ministers for policies that actually create homelessness. He singled out the Chancellors decision to freeze housing benefit levels and the Home Offices policy of evicting asylum seekers from accommodation once they are given status to remain, with nowhere to go. Mr Burnham said: It does feel that we are having to work around some of the problems created for us by the Westminster system. And Id say it to any government of any colour. Im going to be honest and say the task that we have faced has not been made any easier by the actions of the Home Office in recent times, and often the Home Office will take decisions with no reference to what it means for councils. Evicting people with very, very short notice. People, whove been given settled status, but then are just literally evicted the next day and, unsurprisingly, they havent got anywhere to go. That has been really frustrating. It began under the last government and this government has made some moves to stop that, but its still a difficult, difficult situation. Mr Burnham also attacked the decision by the Labour Government to freeze local housing allowance, which sets the amount renters receive in housing benefit, until at least 2026. Private rents are rising, but freezing housing allowance means more and more properties will become unaffordable. Mr Burnham said: The Westminster world, because sometimes they pose as tough on benefits, [says] Lets freeze local housing allowance. All that means is families in private rented accommodation see a growing gap between the rent that being has to pay and the level of support theyre getting from the system, and it gets bigger to the point where theyre made homeless and they have to present to the council. They end up in temporary accommodation, which is terrible for those kids, terrible for those families, but also creates a bill that the councils havent got a budget for, and it doesnt make any sense. It does feel to me, Westminster, I dont think they are always really getting underneath the reality of what causes homelessness, what actually would put people on a path away from it into recovery, and stop bringing through policies that actually create it, such as those changes in the benefit system, and particularly the repeated freeze on local housing allowance. In September, Mr Burnham told The Telegraph that MPs had urged him to run for the leadership. Last month, Labour MP Clive Lewis became the first to say publicly that he would like him to take over. But the Manchester mayor is no longer an MP and would have to fight a by-election in the Commons if he were to challenge Sir Keir. He would then need the support of 20 per cent of Labour MPs. A top Cambodian official has accused Thailand of breaching international trust as a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire broke down and hostilities intensified on the border of the two Southeast Asian nations. With the violence on the verge of spilling into a third day, a senior advisor to Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet told The Independent that Thailand has failed to respect international law by launching air strikes on a disputed territory. Suos Yara, head of the Cambodian National Assemblys Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information, added: They have chosen the gun instead of dialogue and diplomacy. At least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have been killed since fighting broke out on 8 December following a longstanding territorial dispute. Tens of thousands more on both sides have been forced to flee their homes over the past two days of clashes. The hostilities are rooted in a longstanding dispute that dates back to the early 20th century, largely stemming from a 1907 map drawn when Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand has argued is inaccurate. Many Thais are still angered by a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice, which awarded sovereignty of disputed land to Cambodia a decision reaffirmed in 2013. The disagreement fuelled several armed clashes between 2008 and 2011. Abbot Phut Analayo, right, and other monks and residents who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, take shelter in Surin province, Thailand, 26 July 2025 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The two countries have relayed conflicting versions of how this weeks violence started, with the Thai army accusing Cambodia of launching fire across the border at around 3am local time on Monday. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) said its own airstrikes were targeted on weapon depots, command centres and logistical routes assessed as direct threats, not civilians. It added: Cambodia had mobilised heavy weaponry, repositioned combat units and prepared fire-support elements activities that could escalate military operations and pose a threat to the Thai border area. Cambodia has insisted that Thailand acted as the aggressor, with the army alleging that Thai forces launched an attack at around 5.04am local time. It added that the attack happened after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days. Displaced people queue for food at a temporary shelter amid deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Buriram province, Thailand, 9 December 2025 (REUTERS) In doing so, Mr Yara claimed the country had violated international trust following the agreements the two nations had signed up to over the past two decades. Mr Yara said Cambodia had waited 24 hours before retaliating when Thailand refused to deescalate. There no signs either side would step back immediately, despite both pledging their commitment to peace. Fighting broke out in new locations on Tuesday along the 817km (508mile) border, stretching from the forested hills bordering Laos to picturesque coastal areas, where the Thai military said navy-led operations were ongoing to expel Cambodian soldiers. It said Cambodia had used bomb-dropping drones and had unleashed an onslaught of artillery and rockets. Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out dialogue and said the military had a mission it must complete. "We can't stop now. We've already given our commitment to the armed forces that they can fully carry out the planned operations," Mr Anutin told reporters. FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, right, and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, left, react during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26 Oct 2025 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The violence follows a peace deal brokered by president Donald Trump in October at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, which now appears to be on the brink of collapse. Mr Yara praised Donald Trump for working "tirelessly" to bring peace to the region, but said it was up to the two Southeast Asian nations to adhere to the terms. Cambodias former prime minister and current president of the Senate Hun Sen has vowed a "fierce fight" against Thailand in response to air strikes, outlining a strategy to "weaken and destroy enemy forces through counterattacks". In a Facebook post, he said: The red line for responding has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to educate all officers and soldiers accordingly. Displaced people gather inside a temporary shelter amid deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Buriram province, Thailand, 9 December 2025 (REUTERS) Mr Yara insisted that Cambodia only wants peace and is determined to do what it takes to halt the fighting. He told The Independent: Every moment that we speak blood is being spilled. We have to stop now. US secretary of state Marco Rubio in a statement called for an immediate halt to hostilities and for a resumption of de-escalatory measures agreed at an October summit in the presence of Mr Trump. Cameron Antwi netted a stoppage-time equaliser to earn 10-man Newport a 2-2 draw at Crewe in League Two. Emre Tezgel nudged the Railwaymen ahead in the 11th minute but the Exiles were back on terms when Antwis effort flew in via a deflection from James Connolly soon after the break. Courtney Baker-Richardsons 64th-minute dismissal left the visitors up against it and substitute Josh March restored Crewes lead in the 78th minute, only for Davies to strike in the third minute of added time. Tezgel showed sharp reactions when latching onto a through ball and clipping the opener over Jordan Wright, who then did well to beat away a strike from Owen Lunt. Newport were level three minutes into the second half when Tom Booth could only parry Ben Lloyds shot and Antwis follow-up beat the keeper via a big deflection off defender Connolly. Connolly was then elbowed by Baker-Richardson as both players tussled for the ball with the latter departing after picking up his second yellow card. Crewe piled on the pressure and Wright turned Tommi OReillys strike onto a post and saved a March header. It was March who was lurking to fire in at the far post for what looked like a winner until Antwi found the bottom corner in the closing stages. Sonic Pioneer could return to scene of his ultra-impressive hurdling bow, as Martin Keighley eyes an outing over the Christmas with Harry Redknapps exciting juvenile. A dual winner on the Flat with Jack Morland, the talented prospect dazzled with a 14-length Kempton romp last month and could now reappear at the Sunbury venue on December 27 or head to Newbury two days later having come out of his first jumping assignment in rude health. Keighley said: Theres an introductory juvenile hurdle race at Kempton on December 27 where you can only have run in one hurdle race which looks ideal. Then at Newbury on December 29 there is an introductory hurdle which is open to older horses, but again you can only have run in one hurdle race and hell get a 15lb allowance in that with being a three-year-old. Ill stick him in at Kempton and Newbury, see which one looks best and hes definitely set to run over Christmas. Hes come out of his debut fresh and well, the juvenile race at Cheltenham on Saturday we felt comes just that little bit too soon, but those options over Christmas look ideal. Sonic Pioneers presence at Kempton would make it a huge two days at the London venue for owner Redknapp, with the former West Ham and Tottenham boss having King George VI Chase ambitions with his star performer, Ben Paulings The Jukebox Man. Keighley added: Itll give him a bit more experience and if he was to go and win I probably wouldnt run him again until the Triumph Hurdle. Its great to have such a lovely horse and were looking forward to him. Sonic Pioneer is a 25-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle with Paddy Power, a market which is headed by Nicky Hendersons yet to be seen Manlaga and Gordon Elliotts Mange Tout. Higgins held a commanding lead over her Republican opponent by approximately 19 percentage points. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Democrat Eileen Higgins has secured a significant victory in the Miami mayoral race, ending her partys nearly three-decade losing streak and providing a crucial boost for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. She triumphed over a Republican candidate who had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Higgins, 61, is set to become the first woman to lead the city of Miami. Throughout her campaign in the Hispanic-majority city, she frequently addressed Trumps immigration crackdown, highlighting concerns from many Miami residents about family members facing detention. Despite the race officially being nonpartisan, she campaigned openly as a proud Democrat, ultimately defeating Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who has since called Higgins to offer his congratulations. Following her victory speech, Higgins told The Associated Press: We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. With almost all votes tallied on Tuesday, Higgins held a commanding lead over her Republican opponent by approximately 19 percentage points. Despite the race officially being nonpartisan, she campaigned openly as a proud Democrat, ultimately defeating Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez. (AP) The local race is not predictive of what may happen at the polls next year. But it drew attention from the two major national political parties and their leaders. The victory provides Democrats with some momentum heading into a high-stakes midterm election when the GOP is looking to keep its grip in Florida, including in a Hispanic-majority district in Miami-Dade County. The area has shifted increasingly rightward politically in recent years, and the city may become the home of Trumps presidential library. Tonights result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs, said Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, in a statement. Some nationally recognized Democrats supported Higgins, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel traveled to Miami on Sunday and Monday to rally voters for the Democrat who served as a Miami-Dade county commissioner for seven years. Higgins, who speaks Spanish, represented a district that leans conservative and includes the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana. When she first entered politics in 2018, she chose to present herself to voters as La Gringa, a term Spanish speakers use for white Americans, because many people did not known how to pronounce her name. It just helps people understand who I am, and you know what? I am a gringa, so, what am I going to do, deny it? she told the AP. Republicans in Florida have found strong support from voters with heritage from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, because they likened some members of the Democratic partys progressive wing with politicians from the governments they fled. Trump and other GOP members have tapped into those sentiments over the past eight years. However, some local Republicans are growing increasingly frustrated since Novembers elections when Democrats scored wins in New Jersey and Virginia, where both winning gubernatorial candidates performed strongly with nonwhite voters. The results from those races were perceived as a reflection of concerns over rising prices and the Trump administrations aggressive immigration policies. U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican whose district is being targeted by Democrats and includes the city of Miami, called the elections elsewhere a wake-up call. She said Hispanics also want a secure border and a healthy economy but some relief for those who have been here for years and do not have a criminal record. The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed, Salazar said in a video posted on X last month. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP. David Jolly, who is running to represent Democrats in the Florida governor's race next year, said the mayoral election was good news for Democrats in what used to be a battleground state. Change is here. It's sweeping the nation, and it's sweeping Florida, Jolly said. The mayoral position in Miami is more ceremonial, but Higgins promised to execute it like a full-time job. The city is part of Miami-Dade County, which Trump flipped last year, a dramatic improvement from his 30 percentage point loss to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. As Floridas second-largest city, Miami is considered the gateway to Latin America and attracts millions of tourists. Its global prominence gives Higgins a significant stage as mayor. Her pitch to voters included finding city-owned land that could be turned into affordable housing and cutting unnecessary spending. Republicans anxiety growsMiami mayor-elect gains national platform Democratic Senator fears Trump is sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela to take its oil Democratic Senator Chris Coons is afraid President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will drag the U.S. into an unpopular war with Venezuela for the purpose of stealing its vast oil and rare-earth mineral resources. Coons made the comments on MS NOWs Deadline: White House show on Tuesday. He told the host that earlier that day he was shown footage of the double tap boat strike in the Caribbean by the U.S. military. It also comes as U.S. military fighter jets conducted a flight over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking what appears to be the closest American warplanes have approached the South American nation's airspace since the Trump administration initiated its pressure campaign. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office. Democratic Senator Chris Coons says he fears the Trump administration is working to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to get access to the countrys resources (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A Washington Post report alleges that Hegseth gave troops an order to kill everybody on an alleged smuggling boat. After the initial strike, Navy Admiral Frank Bradley allegedly gave the orderreportedly with Hegseth's blessingto strike the wreckage a second time, killing two survivors. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth has claimed to CNN that the strike was a war crime, and Coons told MS NOW that theres been no proof that the boat was actually a drug-smuggling vessel. In the wake of the strike, Coons has called for more transparency from the Trump administration concerning its military actions against Venezuela. He said he is afraid that Trump is not simply trying to thwart alleged drug smugglers, but instead trying to spark a war with Venezuela. Senator Chris Coons said he was concerned that President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth were sleepwalking the U.S. into a war with Venezuela for the purposes of obtaining the nations oil and rare-earth mineral resources (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Im afraid that Secretary Hegseth and President Trump are sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela, and that regime change and access to the critical mineral resources and oil and gas of Venezuela is the real purpose and real goal here, Coons said. Its not just Democrats concerned about Trumps aggressive actions toward Venezuela. Republican Senator Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee and sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Fox News John Roberts that he felt Trump was ignoring the Constitution to provoke a war with Venezuela. Roberts asked Paul if Trump going to war with Venezuela or launching some kind of invasion is in the cards. You know, Im kind of old-fashioned. I kind of like to obey this thing called the Constitution. The Constitution says that war only occurs when its declared by Congress, Paul said. The president doesnt have the power to take the country to war. Now, if he does, he wouldnt be the first president to disobey the Constitution. But I think we should obey the Constitution because I think it makes war less likely. He continued, saying that if Trump wants war with Venezuela, he should come and ask for permission from Congress the way it was intended. Roberts responded, noting that several past presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, have approved significant military action without seeking congressional approval for war. Senator Rand Paul spoke out against the Trump administration's 'extrajudicial' strikes against alleged Venezuela drug-trafficking boats (X - Fox News Sunday) He listed the presidents who launched military operations without congressional authority, citing Truman in the Korean War; Johnson in the Vietnam War; Reaganthe Grenada invasionas well as Libya; President Clintonthe Kosovo War, where we were bombing Serbia; ObamaLibya and ISIS; President Trumps Syria airstrikes and the Soleimani strike. Paul was not swayed by the precedent of presidents acting without congressional approval. Im reminded of what my mother would tell me when I was a kid: 10 wrongs dont make a right. So the fact that 10 presidents have done it incorrectly doesnt make it right, Paul said, adding that the Founding Fathers had made it clear through the Constitution that they wanted presidents to seek congressional approval before going to war. Paul said he hopes that Trump will stay consistent with his track record of not engaging in violent regime change. It is very hard to stop a president hell-bent on war. But you know, what I liked most about President Trump was his idea that he didnt believe in regime-change war, Paul said. He was against the Iraq War, he was against the war in Libya. So I hope that his instincts will prevail. Doctors strike could be called off as Streeting makes last-minute offer Health secretary Wes Streeting has accused the doctors union of playing games with patients lives by delaying a decision on whether to call off resident doctors strikes after he made the union a fresh offer to settle. And he warned that a resident doctors strike over Christmas would have a much different degree of risk than previous strikes. The British Medical Association (BMA) says it will survey members online about whether the deal is enough to call off planned walkouts next week. Resident doctors, formerly called junior doctors, are due to walk out for five days from next Wednesday in a long-running row over pay and concerns over training places. Resident doctors make up around half the medical workforce in the NHS (James Manning/PA) The online poll will close on Monday, just two days before the strike is set to start. Mr Streeting told MPs he could not think of a single other trade union in this country that would behave this way. Concerns have been raised that the planned strike coincides with a tidal wave of illness sweeping the UK, including a particularly debilitating strain of flu. Two hospital trusts in the Midlands declared critical incidents this week due to the pressures they face. The need for care is so high that thousands of patients are being treated in corridors, waiting rooms, doubled-up cubicles and ambulances. During the five-day resident doctors strike in August, thousands of patients had their NHS appointments cancelled. The BMA, which is the doctors union, said the new offer included: new legislation to ensure homegrown doctors have priority for speciality training roles; an increase in speciality training posts over the next three years, with 1,000 of them to start next year; and the funding of mandatory examination and Royal College membership fees for resident doctors. The union, which has been organising junior doctors strikes since 2023, said it would consult members on the governments new deal to end the jobs crisis for doctors in England. Mr Streeting said he offered to allow the BMA to reschedule strike action for later in January if members rejected his deal, but that the union had refused to do that, so strikes still loomed. NHS leaders are going to have to start cancelling other doctors leave now to cover potential strikes, and patients will also experience unnecessary and avoidable disruption through some cancelled appointments and operations. Thats on the BMA. They didnt have to do that, they have chosen to do that, I think thats hugely irresponsible given the level of disruption that this will inflict at one of the busiest times of year for the NHS. The union is calling for a 29 per cent pay rise (PA Archive) He added: While Im frustrated with the BMA, and I think theyre playing games now with patients lives and the lives of other doctors who will be forced to cover strikes, that doesnt alter the fact that what weve put forward is a good deal for doctors. He issued an appeal to doctors to work with the government. Mr Streeting told the Commons about a gap between what the BMA is demanding and what the country can afford. Resident doctors had already received a 28.9 per cent pay rise, the highest in the public sector, he said. But the union is calling for a further 29 per cent pay rise to address what it says is a 22 per cent decrease in real terms pay since 2008. A tidal wave of illness is sweeping the UK (PA) BMA resident doctors committee chairman Jack Fletcher said: If members believe this is enough to call off strike action, then we will hold a referendum to end the dispute. But if they give us a clear message that it is not, the government will have to go further to end industrial action. Rory Deighton, acute and community care director at the NHS Confederation, said the strikes would come at the worst possible time, with rapidly rising flu levels putting huge strain on hospitals. And despite NHS leaders working incredibly hard to prepare, we are concerned it could put patient safety at risk, he said. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said strikes had been disruptive and distressing for patients and divisive for staff and come at a huge cost to the NHS. We urge BMA members to seize the moment and bring this damaging dispute to an end, he said. In the Commons, Mr Streeting accused his Conservative predecessors of creating training bottlenecks, as numbers of applicants for each training place surged. He added: It used to be the case that UK graduates competed among themselves for speciality roles. Now they are competing against the worlds doctors. That is a direct result of the visa and immigration changes made by the previous Conservative government post-Brexit. The limiting factor on palliative care is not medical science, but how the service is planned, delivered and paid for. Photograph: Westend61 GmbH/Alamy (Photograph: Westend61 GmbH/Alamy) The opinion piece by Dave Sowry, a board member of My Death, My Decision, highlights the risks of treating autonomy as an ethical principle in isolation (I accompanied my wife to Dignitas. The Lords filibustering is an insult to all like her who have suffered, 3 December). While it is sad that he was widowed early, he and his wife were able to travel and make choices choices shaped principally by fear. That does not mean the law should be altered. What his account overlooks are the thousands of patients in the UK denied genuine choice because they lack access to palliative care. The House of Lords is rightly undertaking linebyline scrutiny of the proposals, and expert testimony has raised serious concerns and widespread opposition. The current law already affords dignity and protection to vulnerable, elderly and disabled people. What we lack is sufficient palliative care and hospice provision, as repeatedly shown by Hospice UK and National Audit Office reports. Mr Sowry refers to differing moral frameworks, yet does not grasp the consequences of elevating autonomy above all other ethical principles. Healthcare staff cannot be detached from patients or the process; nor can families remain unaffected by a loved ones decision to seek assisted suicide. To leave poor and vulnerable people unsupported, and potentially pressured into an assisted death, would be a grave injustice. If the bill is to proceed, it should be removed from the health service assisted suicide is not a medical treatment. Only by recognising the social context in which decisions are made can we understand why this legislation is so deeply flawed. Dr Sarah Davies Consultant physician, Old Colwyn, Conwy Dave Sowry writes: Watching the House of Lords debate, it would be easy to forget who the bill is about. Terminally ill people should be the focus of all the deliberations. Mr Sowry is entitled to represent his own situation, but legislators have an obligation to consider the second-order effects of laws that are going to affect everyone. This is a classic individual v collective dilemma. Individuals with terminal illnesses who are very clear in their own mind that they want to die are disadvantaged by our current laws but in a compassionate society oriented around trying to prevent suicide, legalising assisted suicide for terminally ill people undermines all suicide-prevention efforts. Five per cent of all deaths in Canada are now attributable to assisted suicide. Countries with state-assisted suicide programmes have seen their overall suicide rate increase. It would become a nonsense to have suicide-prevention programmes if this bill were passed into law. Assisted suicide is not legislation that can be passed in principle and the details worked out later, when every tweak means unnecessary deaths. If supporters of the assisted dying bill are frustrated by its progress, they should have crafted a better bill. Sarah McCulloch Borehamwood, Hertfordshire Like Dave Sowrys wife, my sister-in-law also died with the help of Dignitas. She was in the final stages of untreatable mesothelioma, and had access to the best possible palliative care, but knew that even with that, the process of dying would be frightening as she gasped for breath. Gordon Brown (It is not too late to put the brakes on assisted dying, and focus on what is really needed, 2 December) is right to argue for more funding for hospices to make them more accessible, but that still doesnt address the issue that people want a change in the law to allow people to make a choice about the manner and timing of their death. I am sure I am not alone in opposing the lords use of their unelected privilege to subvert the expressed will of those who wish to see this bill passed. We are capable of managing the risks. I have tried to convey my concerns about the lords obfuscation through their 1,000-plus amendments to the Speaker of the House of Lords without success. Jean Farrer Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire The data cited by Gordon Brown in his argument against assisted dying make for grim reading. But its the people behind the data that matter most. A gentleman we recently spoke to said hed have gladly accepted an assisted death while in his local hospital. For all the efforts of the staff, his pain was unmanaged. He wanted to die. Once in the care of his local hospice, though, he changed his view. He enjoyed several more weeks with family and friends close by. That same hospice, like most, regularly turns patients away. It cant afford to run services in line with demand. This same heartbreaking decision is happening thousands of times each year. And so while there is a legitimate discussion about the clinical limitations of palliation, we should be clear that the limiting factor on palliative care in this country is not medical science, but how the service is planned, delivered and paid for. Hospices are collectively neutral on whether assisted dying should be an available choice. But the question which parliamentarians must reckon with, is how to guarantee, as close to practically possible, that no one makes that choice because of a fear of not getting the care they need. Charlie King Director of External Affairs, Hospice UK Have an opinion on anything youve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section. Jessika Roswall, the environment and water commissioner, said the proposed package was not a dilution of our environmental rules. Photograph: Olivier Matthys/EPA (Photograph: Olivier Matthys/EPA) Datacentres, AI gigafactories and affordable housing may be exempt from mandatory environmental impact assessments in the EU under a proposal that advances the European Commissions rollback of green rules. The latest in a series of packages to cut red tape calls for permitting processes for critical projects to be sped up and reducing the scope of environmental reporting rules for businesses. The proposed overhaul would expand the list of strategic sectors to count datacentres, in line with the EUs ambitions to become a global leader in AI, and affordable housing, to improve labour mobility. Member states would be free to decide whether such projects should be subject to environmental impact assessments. Other parts of the simplification plan include repealing a hazardous chemical database that lists substances of concern in products; removing requirements on EU polluters to have authorised representatives in member states where they sell their products; and pushing the need for environmental management systems in farms and industry from the level of plants to that of companies. Jessika Roswall, the environment and water commissioner, said: Make no mistake: this is not a dilution of our environmental rules. However, we must adapt to a rapidly changing world. The commission estimates its proposals, which were not accompanied by a formal impact assessment, will save companies 1bn a year. Green groups described the plans as part of a broader pattern of attack that is dismantling European environmental policy and undermining democratic accountability, and warned of its indirect costs to human health and nature. A study conducted for the commission in April put the costs of not implementing existing EU environmental law at 180bn a year. Sabien Leemans, a biodiversity campaigner at the European branch of WWF, siad: Todays proposal marks yet another sad milestone in the deregulation madness. Its like watching a car crash in slow motion on repeat. The commission proposes minor changes, completely loses control and we end up with MEPs and member states ripping apart entire environmental laws. The environmental package was announced alongside a proposal to expand and modernise the EUs electricity grid as it moves from burning fossil fuels in power plants to generating electricity mainly from wind turbines and solar panels. Overnight, lawmakers and member states agreed on a climate target to reduce planet-heating pollution by 90% compared with 1990 levels, with loopholes allowing for 5% of the total cuts to come from foreign carbon credits. Ottmar Edenhofer, the chair of the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, said it was an important milestone to keep the EU on a feasible path towards climate neutrality by 2050. However, some of the flexibilities introduced by policymakers such as the possible use of international carbon credits risk weakening domestic emissions reductions by 2040 and therefore jeopardising the EUs long-term climate-neutrality goal, he added. If international carbon credits are to play any role, they must meet the highest standards of environmental integrity to avoid undermining the EUs domestic transition. On Tuesday, EU governments and lawmakers also reached a deal to scale back its corporate sustainability laws. The agreement, which came after heavy pressure from within the EU as well as from the US, limits the number of companies covered, delays the deadline for compliance with one of the directives until 2029 and scraps a requirement for companies to adopt climate change transition plans. The deal was welcomed by business lobby groups, who had campaigned to reduce the scope of the rules. Markus Beyrer, the director general of BusinessEurope, said: It is encouraging to see the more realistic rules on conducting due diligence which recognises that not all risks or business partners in chains of activities need to be mapped. We also welcome refocusing of the rules to core diligence rather than transition plans, which risked duplication and clashes with other EU rules. Olympic Swimming silver medallist Sharron Davies and the boss of the supermarket giant Iceland have been named among dozens of new people nominated for peerages by Sir Keir Starmer. The prime minister has put forward 25 new members for the House of Lords, including his former director of communications Matthew Doyle and Rachel Reevess ex-chief of staff Katie Martin. After being nominated, the prospective peers need to be vetted by the House of Lords Appointments Commission before they are appointed, usually a formality. The list of potential new Lords follows staunch opposition from peers to Labours flagship Employment Rights Bill. A Labour source said: The Tories stuffed the House of Lords, creating a serious imbalance that has allowed them to frustrate our plans to make working families better off. This needs to be corrected to deliver on our mandate from the British people. Sharron Davies delivers a speech during the Conservative Party Conference (PA Wire) Womens rights activist Sharron Davies was nominated by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, alongside ex-Tory cabinet minister John Redwood and journalist and historian Simon Heffer. Another Labour aide Carol Linforth, seen on stage removing Sir Keirs jacket when he was glitter-bombed during his 2023 Labour conference speech, is also on the list, as well as Sir Michael Barber, who served in No 10 during Sir Tony Blairs premiership. Last year, he was appointed an adviser to Sir Keir to help him drive forward the delivery of his five missions. Iceland boss Richard Walker abandoned the Tories for Labour before the last election. At the weekend, a Labour source said he was a committed champion for families dealing with the cost of living from campaigning to make infant formula more affordable to helping customers avoid loan sharks. He will be a strong voice in parliament and we are delighted to welcome him. All the new peers have been given a job for life in the House of Lords (PA) Mr Walker previously donated to the Conservatives and looked at standing for parliament for the party, but quit in 2023 before backing Labour. At the time, he said the Tories had moved away from him, while Labour had moved towards the centrist pragmatic views that Ive long held. In 2019, Ms Davies was accused of fuelling hate after saying that transgender women should not be allowed to compete in female sport. The swimmer, who won a silver medal at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and two Commonwealth golds, denied that her comments were transphobic and claimed she had spoken to many other female athletes who feel the same way. I have nothing against anyone who wishes 2be transgender [sic], Davies wrote on Twitter, now X. However, I believe there is a fundamental difference between the binary sex u r born with & the gender u may identify as. To protect womens sport those with a male sex advantage should not be able 2compete in womens sport. Keir Starmer with Richard Walker, who has been appointed to the House of Lords (PA) Earlier this year, she appeared on a panel at the Tory party conference. The Liberal Democrats made a total of five nominations, including former MP and coalition government minister, Sarah Teather. Two of the Lib Dem nominations, Lord Addington and Earl Russell, currently sit in the upper chamber as hereditary peers. There were no peers from Reform. Popular conservative podcaster Brett Cooper went out of her way to avoid criticizing notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes in a recent interview with NPR, saying that while she did not agree with Nick Fuentes on everything she still doesnt think I need to sit here and condemn anyone either way. Coopers repeated deflections when asked if Fuentes antisemitic and racist views should be condemned comes a month after she accused Texas Senator Ted Cruz of hypocrisy for calling Fuentes a Nazi, prompting the Republican senator to fire back and call Cooper an angry lady. Cooper, a former Daily Wire star who recently joined Fox News as a paid contributor, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with NPRs Steve Inskeep this week that saw her express her disagreements with President Donald Trump while insisting that she makes up her own mind when it comes to her viewpoints. For instance, she disagreed with the president recently saying that the United States needed high-skilled immigrants because Americans lacked certain talents. I think my disappointment and concern was shared by my audience and people who are like me, the 24-year-old YouTuber told NPR. This is like the worst thing for a president to say. She also knocked Trump for repeatedly calling the affordability crisis a Democratic hoax and dismissing Americans concerns about rising costs, pointing out that she uses her show to reflect what younger people are thinking. Right-wing YouTuber Brett Cooper said that it wasn't her place to condemn the hateful and racist rhetoric of Nick Fuentes, saying that Americans have the right to listen to whoever they want. (YouTube) I want my audience to know that if you're coming to watch the Brett Cooper Show, she doesn't have a senator in her ear saying, Hey, these are my opinions, could you share them? she stated. But if I see what's going on X, Ted Cruz saying something, I want to talk about it. Eventually, Inskeep brought up the growing rift within the American conservative movement over the rising influence of Fuentes, which exploded and sparked a MAGA civil war after former Fox News star Tucker Carlson gave the leader of the Groyper Army an extremely chummy interview. In the aftermath of Carlsons warm embrace of Fuentes, which saw the hard-right provocateur rage about the organized Jewry controlling America, the prominent conservative think tank Heritage Foundation was thrust into turmoil after its president defended Carlsons platforming of Fuentes. Cruz, meanwhile, has sought to use the split within the right over Fuentes who just this week declared that Adolf Hitler is f***ing cool to launch a prospective 2028 presidential bid. Amid the conservative uproar over the Carlson/Fuentes sitdown, Cooper took aim at Cruzs fiery reaction, which included him decrying the ex-Fox star while calling Fuentes a Nazi. Youre doing this out of blind rage because youre so angry that the conservative bases attitudes are rapidly changing, that Nick Fuentes is getting national attention, Cooper reacted on her show last month, claiming Cruz was a hypocrite since hed previously bashed liberals for accusing conservatives of being Nazis. Fuentes, who had previously been a critic of Cooper when she was at the Daily Wire, immediately celebrated her response to the Texas senator. She took a break from the celebrity gossip to take the mask off and go full redpill. I admire her, he declared, claiming that shed also gone groyper from the top rope when she urged another GOP lawmaker to move to Israel. Fuentes recently cheered Cooper for bashing Senator Ted Cruz and other pro-Israel GOP lawmakers, saying she went groyper from the top rope. (Rumble) During her interview with Inskeep, Cooper defended her position on Fuentes, saying that everyone has a right to say whatever they want and that conservatives going out of their way to criticize the far-right extremist were guilty of the Streisand effect and merely drawing more attention to him. For Gen Z, what people on both sides of the aisle need to realize is, the more that you tell my generation not to watch something, not to look into something, not to listen to something, that something is bad, or censor somebody, we're going to go look for that content, Cooper insisted. However, when further pressed on whether she agrees with what Fuentes says and promotes, Cooper appeared to demur. You know, I dont agree with Nick Fuentes on everything. I dont agree with anybody on everything, she asserted. I think what older generations need to learn about Nick Fuentes is, and hes said it himself, hes an edgelord. He says things that are intentionally inflammatory. He knows that a lot of people arent going to agree with him and honestly, I dont pay much attention to it. Inskeep, meanwhile, pressed Cooper on Fuentes recent claim that Jewish gangsters are running the country, wondering if she agreed with that notion. No, not really, she replied, before adding: I am concerned about the impact of Israel in our country. I think a lot of young people are. Asked why Fuentes had gained such a massive following, Cooper went on to quote a Zionist friend of hers who purportedly told her that Fuentes was funny, adding that the Holocaust-denying podcaster had become a meme for younger Americans. In the end, when confronted with Cruzs call to choose between condemning Fuentes or being complicit in his hateful rhetoric, Cooper said it wasnt her place to tell Americans who they should listen to. I don't think I need to sit here and condemn anyone either way, she concluded. There are things that Nick says that I dont agree with. There are things that Ted Cruz says that I dont agree with. Im not going to sit here and condemn either of them. Panic and confusion has gripped hundreds of US H-1B visa applicants in India after the Trump administration rolled out new rules requiring them to submit their social media for vetting. Applicants have received abrupt emails from American consulates informing that their interviews stood scrapped or pushed likely into next year. The new rules mark the latest setback for Indian H-1B visa holders, who constitute over 70 per cent of all recipients. Mr Trump previously imposed a series of stringent restrictions on the H-1B programme as part of his America First agenda. The changes, introduced gradually over the past year, disproportionately hit Indian migrants who formed the largest cohort of skilled workers entering the North American on H-1B visas. The latest directive requires all H-1B and H-4 applicants to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public. This will enable the State Department to use all available information to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible, or who may pose a threat to US national security or public safety, the notification states. Every visa adjudication is a national security decision, it declares. The new rules come into effect on 15 December. (The Independent/Getty) The US embassy in India said that anyone who arrived for an interview on a previously scheduled date would be denied entry as it urged applicants to book fresh slots. If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date, it said. The move unleashed chaos across US consulates in the South Asian country. Appointments set for mid-to-late December particularly in high-volume centres such as Hyderabad and Chennai were cancelled en masse, with officials citing operational constraints and the need for expanded background checks. The sudden policy shift triggered widespread panic among thousands of Indian H-1B workers currently in the country. Many had returned for holidays, weddings or family emergencies, expecting to complete routine visa-stamping interviews and get to the US in time. File. Jaspal Singh, 36, an Indian immigrant deported from the US talks to relatives upon his return to Amritsar, India, on 6 February 2025 (AP) The American embassys social media posts were inundated with anxious comments. One applicant, Amol Borkar, said he was scheduled for an interview on 23 December and had hoped to return to the US by early January. How do I head back to US now? he asked. Need help as I was here for vacation and the visa extension interview. Another applicant, Paridhi Gulati, said her appointment had been pushed to June 2026 while her husbands remained unchanged. I have an 11-month-old daughter. Well have to stay separated for six months, she wrote. The child needs both parents. Please allow us to reschedule earlier this is really stressful. Others described getting caught out by Indias ongoing air travel disruptions. One X user said he missed his interview after being stranded by IndiGos flight cancellation crisis last week and was now unable to reschedule because of the new rules. H1B is a complete mess. Many people who booked their appointments months in advance for H1B are now stranded in the middle of trip since their appointment is cancelled. The lack of clarity around immigration strategy is causing chaos and suffering for everyone rn. https://t.co/N5I4Kz8RuJ Atal Agarwal (@atalovesyou) December 9, 2025 Immigration lawyer Ellen Freeman said the US consulate in Hyderabad was now mass rescheduling H-1B appointments. H-1B workers will lose their jobs now that they are stuck in India, Mr Freeman said on LinkedIn. We have to plead with employers to let them either work from India or take prolonged leave of absence for as many as 5 months. She said it would mean layoffs of workers who were unable to return on time as many employers would not be able to wait. People left their apartment leases, utility bills, car payments in the US. The prolonged delay in these visa cancelations will have a devastating effect on our communities and economy, she said. There are human stories behind each visa cancelation and its harsh impact on our colleagues, clients, friends, relatives. She said the information technology hubs of India, Chennai and Hyderabad, were the worst affected by the policy shift. The latest policy spells further trouble for H-1B visa holders already reeling from stricter rules enforced earlier. The Trump administration earlier this year hiked H-1B visa fees to $100,000 for new applicants. This came after the US deported hundreds of Indians, living illegally in the country or with expired visas, as part of Mr Trumps crackdown on illegal migration. Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar told the parliament last week that Washington had deported 3,258 Indian nationals since January. Glasses maker Inspecs has agreed to be bought by an investment vehicle led by hospitality entrepreneur Luke Johnson and property mogul Ian Livingstone for 85 million. The London-listed business, which is based in Bath, Somerset, accepted the offer and turned down an alternative bid from a rival manufacturer. Shareholders have been offered 84p per Inspecs share under the deal. The buyers said they believe that taking the company off the public markets and into private hands was the most effective environment to unlock Inspecs full potential. Mr Johnson is a renowned entrepreneur in the retail and hospitality industry having been the chairman of Pizza Express in the 1990s, Giraffe Restaurants and Patisserie Valerie prior to its collapse into administration. He is also an investor in fast-growing bakery chain Gails and chairs Revolution Bar owner The Revel Collective. Mr Livingstone is a property investor with a portfolio of assets worth more than 10 billion, and was previously the chairman of a retail chain behind optician stores including Sunglass Hut. The investors said Inspecs, which sells its products in about 75,000 retailers, was grappling with tougher conditions in the market. This includes facing weak consumer demand in Europe and turbulence in the US market due to Donald Trumps tariff hikes. The company recently blamed tariffs for increasing product costs, in turn leading to some of its retail customers putting purchasing decisions on hold. Inspecs rejected an alternative bid from Italian glasses maker Safilo which it said undervalues the business. Shares in Inspecs jumped by more than 13% following the announcement. Japan and South Korea scramble fighter jets in response to China and Russias joint patrols Japan and South Korea separately scrambled warplanes after Russian and Chinese jets conducted joint patrols in the skies near the two countries amid intensifying tensions in the region. Chinese and Russian militaries flew bombers and fighters over the East China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean to conduct their 10th joint strategic air patrol exercises on Tuesday, the Chinese defence ministry said. The exercises, part of an annual cooperation plan between the countries since 2019, lasted for about eight hours, Russian news agencies reported, citing the defence ministry. In response, the Japanese defence ministry said the show of force against Tokyo was a serious concern for our national security after the country sent its own jets to monitor the Russian and Chinese warplanes. The airshow between Russia and China added to regional tensions as a diplomatic rift continued to deepen between Tokyo and Beijing. Japans prime minister Sanae Takaichi warned last month that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan that also threatened Japan's security. On Sunday, the two traded accusations after an allegation that Chinese fighter jets trained their fire-control radar on Japanese military aircraft. Illuminating aircraft with a radar signals a potential attack that may force targeted planes to take evasive action. The Chinese embassy denied Tokyo's claims, saying Japanese aircraft had endangered flight safety by approaching China's Liaoning aircraft carrier as it trained with three missile-destroyer escorts. Following the incident, a hotline between Japanese and Chinese defence authorities is reportedly not working. Two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers flew from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea to meet two Chinese H-6 bombers, and together they carried out a long-distance joint flight over the Pacific, the Chinese defence ministry said. Four Chinese J-16 fighter jets joined the bombers as they made a round-trip flight between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako islands, it added. The Miyako Strait between the two islands is classified as international waters. Japans defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the countrys fighter jets "strictly implemented air defence identification measures. South Koreas military said it deployed its aircraft after seven Russian warplanes and two Chinese aircraft entered its air identification zone (KAIDZ) above waters off the Korean peninsulas eastern and southern coasts. However, they did not violate South Koreas territorial airspace. Our military detected the Chinese and Russian aircraft before they entered KADIZ and deployed Air Force fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies, South Koreas military said in a statement. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson dodged the question about whether Beijing did not answer Japan's "hotline call". Ms Takaichi's comments prompted Beijing to advise citizens not to travel to Japan. It also paused a restart of seafood imports suspended after Japan released treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. China claims democratically governed Taiwan and has ramped up military and political pressure against the island, whose government rejects Beijing's territorial claims. John Smyth, a barrister who ran Christian summer camps, is considered the most prolific abuser linked to the Church of England. The publication of a damning report into a cover-up of his crimes by the Church led the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to resign last year. The independent Makin Review concluded that Mr Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. After Mr Welbys resignation, Mr Smyths victims have since called for more senior clergy members involved in the scandal to resign. The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Here is a timeline of what Mr Welby knew of the abuse and when, according to the Makin Review. 1970s In 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 Justin Welby attends summer Christian Iwerne camps. John Smyth abused children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps, during the same years Mr Welby attended. 1978 Mr Welby lodges with the Rev Mark Ruston and is overheard having a grave conversation with him about Smyth. Mr Welby has since said that he does not recall this exchange and that he was not aware of the abuse by Smyth at this time. 1981 Around Easter that year, Smyth takes four victims on a ski trip to Switzerland, visiting St Michaels Church in Paris on the way there and the way back. Mr Welby is not ordained at this time but worshipped at the church while working for an oil company based in Paris. The church rector, the Rev Peter Sertin, later warns Mr Welby about Smyth, saying: One of the boys had a chat with me, and advises him to stay away from Smyth. Mr Welby told the review that Mr Sertins warning was vague and that he had described Smyth as Not a nice man, really not a nice man. 1982 The first report into Smyths abuse, known as the Ruston Report, is written and shown to a small group of people only. Mr Welby is not among them. 1991 Mr Welby is ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. March 21 2013 Mr Welby is installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in a service at Canterbury Cathedral. His appointment was announced in late 2012. July 2013 A victim contacts the Bishop of Elys safeguarding adviser with details of the abuse he has suffered at the hands of Smyth. This information is emailed to the archbishops personal chaplain, the Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, who responds saying she will inform the Archbishop of Canterbury, noting that Mr Welby may know Smyth personally from their involvement with the camps. August 2013 Mr Welby is made aware of the allegations of abuse against Smyth, in his capacity as Archbishop of Canterbury. It is likely that other staff members there will have been told at the same time, the review found. The archbishop is told that police have been informed of the allegations. He was also advised that the local authority had been informed. Neither of these proved to be the case, but the review found it was reasonable to conclude that Mr Welby had been assured that these steps had been taken. Mr Welby was also told via his personal chaplain that the South African Church had been alerted. The former archbishop later said that he had personally written to the Primate in Cape Town, but he had not done so, and he, later again, said that he had got confused and had misremembered what had actually happened at the time. August 8 2013 Mr Welby confirms he knew Smyth in the 1970s and requests contact be made with the Iwerne Trust regarding who is running the camps now. February 2017 An investigative 30-minute documentary aired on Channel 4 makes Smyths abuse public. Mr Welby issues a statement and appears on LBC radio shortly after, stating his intention is for victims interests to come forward and confirming his knowledge of the abuse since 2013. After the documentary airs, survivors of Smyth seek a meeting with Mr Welby. August 11 2018 Smyth dies aged 75 in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Police had been planning on questioning Smyth over allegations that he beat children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps. Officers in Hampshire had passed a preliminary file to the Crown Prosecution Service and were preparing to ask him to return voluntarily to the UK for questioning. April 2021 Mr Welby meets with survivors, four years after the Channel 4 documentary first aired. November 7 2024 The Makin Review is published, concluding that Smyths abhorrent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for years. The report also concludes that Smyth may have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally alerted authorities in 2013. While some 30 boys and young men are known to have been directly physically and psychologically abused in the UK and around 85 boys and young men physically abused in African countries, including Zimbabwe the total likely runs much higher, the report says. Mr Welby says he is deeply sorry that this abuse happened and repeats an apology for failing to meet with survivors of Smyths abuse quick enough. He recognises the reports conclusion that he failed to ensure the abuse was energetically investigated after being made aware of it in 2013. In an interview with Channel 4 News on the day of the reports release, Mr Welby says he had given resigning a lot of thought but says he will not step down. In the week following the reports publication, a range of people, from the Bishop of Newcastle to abuse victims and members of the General Synod, insist that Mr Welbys position has become untenable. November 12 2024 A petition calling for Mr Welby to quit his role as Archbishop of Canterbury over his failure to alert authorities regarding Smyths abuse hits more than 11,500 signatures. The petition was started by three members of the General Synod, the churchs parliament. Screen grab taken from the X account of the Archbishop of Canterbury showing his resignation letter to the King (Archbishop of Canterbury/PA) (PA Media) Later that day, Mr Welby announces he will resign, saying he is stepping aside in the best interests of the Church of England in a statement issued by Lambeth Palace. In the statement, Mr Welby says he believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow when he had first been informed of the abuse in 2013 and that police had been notified. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024, he said. The King approved the resignation. People protest against extreme wealth in London. The report found that in almost every region, the top 1% was wealthier than the bottom 90% combined. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images (Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing/Getty Images) Fewer than 60,000 people 0.001% of the worlds population control three times as much wealth as the entire bottom half of humanity, according to a report that argues global inequality has reached such extremes that urgent action has become essential. The authoritative World Inequality Report 2026, based on data compiled by 200 researchers, also found that the top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90% combined, while the poorest half captures less than 10% of total global earnings. Wealth the value of peoples assets was even more concentrated than income, or earnings from work and investments, the report found, with the richest 10% of the worlds population owning 75% of wealth and the bottom half just 2%. In almost every region, the top 1% was wealthier than the bottom 90% combined, the report found, with wealth inequality increasing rapidly around the world. The result is a world in which a tiny minority commands unprecedented financial power, while billions remain excluded from even basic economic stability, the authors, led by Ricardo Gomez-Carrera of the Paris School of Economics, wrote. The share of global wealth held by the top 0.001% has grown from almost 4% in 1995 to more than 6%, the report said, while the wealth of multimillionaires had increased by about 8% annually since the 1990s nearly twice the rate of the bottom 50%. The authors, one of whom is the influential French economist Thomas Piketty, said that while inequality had long been a defining feature of the global economy, by 2025 it had reached levels that demand urgent attention. Reducing inequality was not only about fairness, but essential for the resilience of economies, the stability of democracies, and the viability of our planet. They said such extreme divides are no longer sustainable for societies or ecosystems. Produced every four years in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, the report draws on the biggest open-access database on global economic inequality and is widely considered to shape international public debate on the issue. In a preface, the Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz repeated a call for an international panel comparable to the UNs IPCC on climate change, to track inequality worldwide and provide objective, evidence-based recommendations. Looking beyond strict economic inequality, it found that inequality of opportunity fuels inequality of outcomes, with education spending per child in Europe and North America, for example, more than 40 times that in sub-Saharan Africa a gap roughly three times greater than GDP per capita. Such disparities entrench a geography of opportunity, it said, adding that a 3% global tax on fewer than 100,000 centimillionaires and billionaires would raise $750bn a year the education budget of low and middle-income countries. Inequality was also fuelled by the global financial system, which is rigged in favour of rich countries, the report said, with advanced economies able to borrow cheaply and invest abroad at higher returns, allowing them to act as financial rentiers. About 1% of global GDP flows from poorer to richer countries each year through net income transfers associated with high yields and low interest payments on rich-country liabilities, it said almost three times the amount of global development aid. On gender inequality, the report said a gender pay gap persists across all regions. Excluding unpaid work, women earn on average only 61% of what men earn per working hour. Including unpaid labour, that figure falls to just 32%, it added. The report also highlighted the critical role played by capital ownership in the inequality of climate-changing carbon emissions. Wealthy individuals fuel the climate crisis through their investments even more than their consumption and lifestyles, it said. Global data shows the poorest half of the global population accounts for only 3% of carbon emissions associated with private capital ownership, the report calculated, while the wealthiest 10% account for about 77% of emissions. Related: The patriarchy runs deep: women still getting a raw deal in the workplace as equality remains a dream This disparity is about vulnerability, it said. Those who emit the least, largely populations in low-income countries, are also those most exposed to climate shocks. Those who emit the most are more insulated against the impacts of climate change. The evidence shows that inequalities can be reduced, particularly by public investment in education and health and by effective taxation and redistribution programmes. It notes that in many countries, the ultra-rich escape taxation. Effective income tax rates climb steadily for most of the population, but then fall sharply for billionaires and centimillionaires, the report said. Proportionately, these elites pay less than most of the households that earn much lower incomes. Reducing inequality is a political choice made more difficult by fragmented electorates, under-representation of workers, and the outsized influence of wealth, it concluded. The tools exist. The challenge is political will. Labour committed in its manifesto to reforming the House of Lords. Photograph: PA Images/Alamy (Photograph: PA Images/Alamy) Keir Starmer has appointed 25 Labour peers including a number of former senior government and party aides in an attempt to strengthen his hand in the House of Lords. Matthew Doyle, a former No 10 director of communications, and Katie Martin, a former chief of staff to Rachel Reeves, will be among those appointed to the upper house in a move first reported by the Guardian. Carol Linforth, a former Labour party chief of staff for operations, and Richard Walker, the executive chair of Iceland who switched from supporting the Conservatives before the 2024 election, will also receive peerages. Others on Labours list include Michael Barber, a Whitehall veteran who led Tony Blairs delivery unit and now advises Starmer, and Len Duvall, the chair of the London assembly. The move brings the number of peers appointed by Starmer to 62. This includes a tranche of 30 peers announced last December, and seven who have been created so that they can take up ministerial roles. The decision is likely to draw criticism from electoral reform campaigners who argue that the appointment process is undemocratic and used by prime ministers to reward their allies. Labour committed in its manifesto to modernising the Lords by reforming the appointments process, introducing a mandatory retirement age of 80, and ultimately replacing the Lords with an alternative second chamber that is more representative of the regions and nations. Party figures argue that the composition of the Lords needs to be rebalanced in its favour so that the government can push ahead with implementing its legislative agenda. A Labour source said: The Tories stuffed the House of Lords, creating a serious imbalance that has allowed them to frustrate our plans to make working families better off. This needs to be corrected to deliver on our mandate from the British people. We will continue to progress our programme of reform, which includes removing the right of hereditary peers to sit and vote in the Lords. The Lords has been accused of blocking progress in a number of areas in recent months, including government legislation to strengthen renters rights, workers rights and abolish hereditary peers. The Conservatives appointed three new peers the former Conservative MP and head of Margaret Thatchers policy unit John Redwood, the gender-critical campaigner and Olympic swimming silver medallist Sharron Davies, and the historian Simon Heffer. The Liberal Democrats appointed five, including the hereditary peers Dominic Hubbard and John Russell, who had faced removal from the upper chamber as their seats were being abolished. The others are Sarah Teather, who served as childrens minister between 2010 and 2012, Rhiannon Leaman, who has been Ed Daveys chief of staff since 2019, and Mike Dixon, the partys chief executive. Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said his partys appointments would work to deliver the change our country desperately needs, including reform of the House of Lords. Reform UK did not appoint any peers, despite writing to Starmer requesting to do so in August. As of Wednesday the Conservatives have 282 peers, compared with Labours 209 and the Liberal Democrats 75. There are 177 cross-benchers and 40 non-affiliated peers. Darren Hughes, the chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society, said: It is absurd for the Lords, which at more than 800 peers is already the second-largest legislative chamber after Chinas National Peoples Congress, to be getting even more members. It is also patently ridiculous that the government has now added more peers into the Lords than the 92 hereditary peers it is in the process of removing. David Cameron created 245 peers during his time in office, 120 of them in his first 18 months, according to the Lords library. Tony Blair created 374, more than any other prime minister, with 101 in his first 18 months. Boris Johnson created 87 peers despite pledging to shrink the Lords. Theresa May created 43, Rishi Sunak created 51 and Liz Truss, who held power for just 49 days, created 29. Legislation to remove 91 hereditary peers from the upper chamber is going through parliament. The bill is in the final stages of parliamentary scrutiny, known as ping-pong, where it is batted back and forth between the Commons and Lords. Should it become law, it will remove 44 hereditary Tory peers from the red benches, but will still leave the opposition party with a majority over Labour. Angela Smith, Labours House of Lords leader, is due to begin the next stage in a series of changes to the upper chamber at the start of 2026. This article was amended on 11 December 2025. An earlier version said that Richard Walker was a Labour donor. However, he has never donated to the Labour party. Kopek Des Bordes, who is vying for favouritism for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March, will miss an outing at Leopardstown over Christmas after meeting with a small hiccup in his preparation. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Supreme Novices Hurdle at last seasons Festival and made the perfect start over fences at Navan last month. But owner Charlie McCarthy told the Press Association on Wednesday: Willie rang me today, I knew hed had a floating chip in his knee for some time and Willie got it removed and we thought he would be fine for Christmas, but he just needs an extra week. Willie has said the horse is perfect, but he just felt he wouldnt have had the proper preparation for Christmas and because of how good a horse he is and how Willie felt, were classing it as a minor setback and there is nothing seriously wrong. Were quite happy and the horse is in perfect health. It is just his preparation would just not be up to the standard Willie wanted. Kopek Des Bordes now appears set to make a delayed Leopardstown appearance in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival in early February. However, a run at Naas to bank further experience in January is also a possibility, with McCarthy adding: Im happy with the situation and the boys are happy and he will definitely run at the Dublin Racing Festival, and he could have one more run before then. The DRF would be the plan, but there is also a Grade Two at Naas and Willie will make those decisions. Hes filled my heart with joy and we just want to make punters and supporters know there is nothing major, it is just he needs an extra week. We want everyone who loves and follows horse racing to know he is in perfect order, its just a small hiccup. Donald Trump has said Sir Sadiq Khan is doing a terrible job as the Mayor of London - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Sir Keir Starmer believes Donald Trumps criticisms of Sir Sadiq Khan are wrong, Downing Street has said. The US president ramped up his feud with the Mayor of London earlier this week by calling him disgusting and a disaster. Mr Trump also claimed Sir Sadiq was only elected because of support from an influx of migrants to the capital. On Wednesday, the Prime Ministers press secretary told reporters: Those comments are wrong. The Mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up Londons air with the worlds largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses. The Prime Minister is hugely proud of the Mayor of Londons record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend. In an interview with Politico, Mr Trump said: I think hes done a terrible job. Londons a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen. Earlier on Wednesday, two Cabinet ministers came to Sir Sadiqs defence, insisting he was doing a really good job and had an excellent record in City Hall. In an interview with Sky News, Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, said: I strongly disagree with those comments. I think Sadiq is doing a really good job. On Tuesday, Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, told reporters: When it comes to the Mayor of London, you will not be surprised that I, of course, take a strongly different view. I think the Mayor is doing an excellent job for all of London. Credit: PA The US president launched an attack on Sir Sadiq in his interview with Politico, calling him a horrible mayor and accusing him of making London a different place because of mass migration. It was the latest salvo in an ongoing spat between the two politicians that has previously forced Sir Keir to come to Sir Sadiqs defence. Mr Trump told Politico: Hes a disaster. Hes a disaster. Hes got a totally different ideology to what hes supposed to have. And he gets elected because so many people have come in. They vote for him now because you know, its like ... its one of those things. Straight out the autocrats playbook Mr Trump also said that London and Paris were a much different place because politically correct leaders in Europe dont want to send them back to where they came from. Mr Trump added: If you take a look at London, you have a mayor named Khan. Hes a horrible mayor. Hes an incompetent mayor, but hes a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. He did not elaborate on Sir Sadiqs ideology, although he previously claimed the mayor wanted to go to sharia law. A spokesman for the Mayor of London said at the time: We are not going to dignify his appalling and bigoted comments with a response. Sir Sadiq has suggested that London should accept more immigrants and believes that higher migration numbers boost economic growth. In September, Sir Sadiq accused Mr Trump of fuelling divisive, far-Right politics and said his actions in the White House were straight out of the autocrats playbook. On the eve of Mr Trumps return to power in January, he warned of resurgent fascism and suggested the presidents second term carried echoes of 1930s Germany. Yvette Cooper has said Sir Sadiq Khan is doing an excellent job for all of London - Jonathan Brady/PA Wire Ms Cooper addressed Mr Trumps latest comments following a speech to mark 100 years since the Locarno Pact, a series of peace treaties signed after the First World War. Asked about Mr Trumps description of European nations as decaying and weak, Ms Cooper said: What I see in Europe is strength. The strength and commitment to ... support Ukraine, and also to step up to the plate and to ensure that we are increasing our investment in defence, and also ensure that we are doing our bit through the coalition of the willing, as well as through investment in military support and the energy infrastructure support that Ukraine needs. In his Politico interview, Mr Trump accused Europe of a failure to control immigration or end the Ukraine war and suggested some would not be viable countries any longer without changes to their border policy. The US leaders remarks echo rhetoric included in the USs new national security strategy, which questioned whether some European nations could remain reliable allies. It comes at a fragile moment in the war in Ukraine as sticking points remain in US-led efforts to broker a truce. On Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, reiterated his opposition to ceding any territory, resisting US pressure for a compromise with Russia as he continues to rally European support for Kyiv. In his interview, Mr Trump again suggested the Ukrainian leader accept the American proposal to hand over land to Russia and argued Moscow retained the upper hand. Ms Cooper insisted that her meeting with Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, on Monday had made Washingtons commitment to Nato incredibly clear. Asked whether the UK was still confident that the US would come to Europes defence if Russia launched an attack against one of its allies, she said: The discussions that I had with secretary of state Rubio yesterday were incredibly clear about the strength of the US commitment to Nato. That has always been, that is at the heart of our transatlantic partnership, and continues to be the case, and I think will continue to be so for the future as well. Laura Loomer predicts the midterm elections will be a bloodbath for Republicans after Miami mayoral upset MAGA activist Laura Loomer predicted Republicans will take a shellacking in next years midterms following Miamis mayoral election last night, which saw a Democrat claim victory for the first time in nearly 30 years. A bright red city in a bright red state just went blue tonight, Loomer wrote on X on Tuesday night. Midterms will be a bloodbath. She described Miamis mayoral-elect, Eileen Higgins, as a socialist, adding, President Trumps Presidential library will now be constructed under the control of a rabidly anti-Trump Democrat who supports soft on crime policies. Higgins, an ex-county commissioner, defeated Republican Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager endorsed by Trump, in a run-off election. With nearly all the ballots counted on Tuesday, she led him by a comfortable margin of about 19 percentage points. She will be the first woman ever to lead the city, the largest in the state where Trumps resides. A Spanish speaker, Higgins presented herself to voters as La Gringa, a term to describe white Americans. She largely focused her campaign on immigration, positioning the election as a referendum on Trumps hardline policies. MAGA activist Laura Loomer predicted the midterms will be a bloodbath for Republicans following Miamis mayoral election. (AP) [Trump] and I have very different points of view on how we should treat our residents, many of whom are immigrants, Higgins told El Pais in an interview this week. That is the strength of this community. We are an immigrant-based place. Thats our uniqueness. Thats what makes us special. Higgins also hammered the issue of affordability, promising to build thousands of new affordable housing units and invest in small businesses. Loomer, a close ally of Trumps, previously called on Miami residents to vote for Gonzalez, writing on X, Dont let the radical left take over Miami, Florida. Last night also saw another Democratic victory in neighboring Georgia, with affordability proving to be a key issue again. In an upset, Democrat Eric Gisler won a special election in a historically Republican state House district, narrowly beating Republican candidate Mack Dutch Guest by around 200 votes. I think we had the right message for the time, Gisler told The Associated Press. A lot of what I would call traditional conservatives held their nose and voted Republican last year on the promise of low prices and whatever else they were sellingBut they hadnt received that. Donald Trump and Laura Loomer pose at LIV golf event in August 2023 (Laura Loomer / X) The twin Democratic victories add to the partys string of successes across the U.S. in recent months including in Virginia, New Jersey and New York City. In these races, Democrats largely focused on affordability amidst growing economic anxiety. The trend has caused consternation among some Republicans ahead of next years midterm elections, which historically see the presidents party lose seats in Congress. Currently, the GOP holds a razor-thin majority in both chambers. Last week, veteran GOP strategist Karl Rove warned that the Republican Party could be in deep trouble in 2026. In an interview with Fox News, Rove claimed that the damage caused by the government shutdown and muted benefits of the Big, Beautiful Bill have left Congressional Republicans scared to death of the midterm election. Republicans are concerned, and they need to have an agenda going into the 2026 midterms, he added. And they dont have a forward-looking agenda at this moment. Michael DuHaime, a former Republican National Committee official, echoed this sentiment following Democratic victories in November. There is no sugarcoating these results. Theyre really bad for the party, DuHaime told The Wall Street Journal. He added: Republicans would be smart to heed the warning signs of this election. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, downplayed the recent GOP losses, telling reporters in November that Off-year elections are not indicative of whats to come. The crescent of sand on Banana Beach in Principe (Alamy/PA) The enduring appeal of freshly baked bread transcends cultural boundaries, offering a universal comfort. Seeking shelter from a tropical downpour, a small bakery in a Principe fishing village provided an unexpected haven. Inside, flames flickered captivatingly within a large clay oven. Fortuitously, the day's first batch of bread was emerging. Tearing into the hot, steaming dough offered a timeless pleasure, a simple act that perfectly encapsulates the unassuming charm of this remote Gulf of Guinea island. Together with Sao Tome, it forms one of West Africa's smallest nations. More tranquil and relaxed than the mainland, it resembles a Caribbean escape, boasting equally stunning sandy, unspoiled beaches. Yet, unlike popular winter sun destinations, Principe remains largely undiscovered. There are no major chains, no advertising billboards, and only a few basic shops in the sleepy main town of Santo Antonio. Baking bread on Principe Read more: The bustling African city four hours from London hoping to break records Built during Portuguese colonisation, when the islands served as a base for trading slaves, the ruins of sugar cane and cocoa plantations have since been reclaimed by the jungle. Residents have admirably chosen to reject palm oil cultivation projects in favour of ecotourism, guided by the pioneering sustainable tourism enterprise HBD, which manages three properties on Principe and recently acquired the only other hotel in operation. The backstory for HBD (Here Be Dragons) is an unusual one. Making history by being the first African to enter space in 2002, entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth had an epiphany while staring down at our tiny blue planet. By the time hed landed back on Earth, he was determined to do whatever he could to protect it. Initially, he looked at Principe as a private island investment but soon realised the population the true custodians of the wild environment would benefit from tourism. His intention was to create jobs by opening the destination up to the rest of the world, without disrupting the natural beauty at its core. A bridge leading to an islet at Bom Bom where a new bar will be built (Alamy/PA) Set on a remote peninsula at the northern tip of the island, Bom Bom, a former fishing lodge, was the first hotel to open. A smart but unassuming collection of bungalows with two beachfronts for sunset and sunrise its since achieved accidental cult status. Closed for three years since the pandemic, its recently reopened and Im one of the first guests. Mapped: Principe By 6am, its already light as I walk along my empty beachfront. Boys in wooden pirogue boats are silhouetted on the distant horizon. Western reef herons forage along the shoreline, while brightly plumed malachite kingfishers add flashes of colour to the tangle of emerald forest which covers most of the island. But even their shimmering turquoise wings arent a match for the rich jade hues of an ocean so clear, I can see 15 metres to the bottom. Although there have been several enhancements to Bom Bom, including a recently opened restaurant and a beach bar in the pipeline, growth is still refreshingly slow. Even getting here is a journey, requiring a flight via Lisbon and Sao Tome. On the beach at Bom Bom (Sarah Marshall/PA) But distance and difficulty are in part responsible for preserving this time-frozen patch of paradise. Pristine rainforests In 2012, thanks partly to the efforts of HBD and rallying from members of the local community, the entire island and its islets were declared a Unesco World Biosphere. More than half of the mountainous volcanic island is a protected natural park, home to a high number of endemic species living in a rainforest estimated to be 31 million years old. Rich marine life Waters fringing the island are also teeming with marine creatures. Humpback whales can be seen between July and October, while five species of turtles loggerhead, olive ridley, green, hawksbill and leatherback nest on beaches from November to March. Ruins at Roca Sunday (Sarah Marshall/PA) Delicious chocolate During the years of Portuguese rule, a cocoa industry thrived on the island. HBD has revived production on a small scale at heritage property Roca Sundy, a former plantation open to guests. A small shop sells edible and cosmetic products. Heavenly hiking Beyond the beach, the mountainous interior is well suited to hikes. One of the most popular routes is to the top of Pico do Papagaio (Parrot Peak), one of several phonolitic towers. A new tourism model HBD is in the process of launching a new Natural Dividend project which will financially reward islanders for their efforts in protecting ecosystems and biodiversity. Mark Shuttleworth hopes the model can one day be replicated across Africa. Rainbow Tours hosted Sarah Marshall for this article. How to do it Rainbow Tours offers a stay at Bom Bom as part of a nine-night trip to Sao Tome and Principe. From 3,550pp (two sharing), including half-board accommodation and flights. Visit rainbowtours.co.uk This article was first published on 1 March 2025 and has been updated. Jet washers, hedge trimmers, inflatable kayaks, hammocks, canoes, slushie machines, egg steamers, ski suits, life jackets, and mini golf sets. These and more have been found in Lidl supermarkets over the years. The brand alongside German rival Aldi has become famous for its middle aisle, which in larger stores is always a vaguely mysterious and nonsensical collection of items. Now croissant-scented perfume is the latest bizarre move by the budget retailer, a scent inspired by the French bakery classic. Lidl bit smelly: the scent is a limited edition item (Lidl) Lidls new 15ml, croissant-shaped bottle was created by the British perfumer Sarah McCartney. Saltburn-born, she joined the cosmetics brand Lush when it had just four stores (it now has 700 worldwide) before going it alone and launching 4160 Tuesdays, a specialist cosmetics shop. Her Eau de Croissant is a limited-edition creation that supposedly smells just like the buttery flavour of a traditional French breakfast. The aim is to transport wearers and those around them to the boulangerie, to a warm sheet pan golden with crescentic pastry. Another silly stunt from a company with too much money? Absolutely. Getting your hands on a bottle will require entering a prize drawer (tedious) between December 4-18. It was announced in the US. Theres also no way of testing to see whether the perfume even smells any good. Croissants do, but does such a fragrance translate? Were in Lidl socks territory here, a world of irony and men called Hugo wearing Birkenstocks to the gym. Its silly, its frivolous, and its not even an original idea: Greggs launched its "Eau de Sausage in 2024 as a means to market its products without requiring the services of an expensive agency. Still, we suspect there are a few people who wouldnt mind getting their hands on a croissant-shaped trophy in brown-tinted glass, this filled with 15ml of rich, pastry-inspired scent. Wheres Scrooge when you need him? The father of Madeleine McCann has said parts of the UK media made him feel like he was being suffocated and buried after the disappearance of his daughter, as he called for greater scrutiny of the press. Gerry McCann said his family were subjected to monstering by sections of the press and are lucky to have survived. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the headlines, hounding and abuse at the hands of the media can damage peoples lives. He said the press interest into Madeleines disappearance in 2007 took a huge toll on his family, adding: And obviously we had sustained interest and misleading headlines for 15 months or more that forced us, forced us to take legal action to stop it. But no-one, no-one wants to go to court. Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three from Praia da Luz in Portugals Algarve in 2007 (PA) (PA) He added: We had tremendous support. But I can promise you, there were times where I felt like I was drowning, and it was the media, primarily. It was what was happening and the way things were being portrayed, where you were being suffocated and buried, and it felt like there wasnt a way out. Mr McCann said the press repeatedly interfered with the investigation into Madeleines disappearance. He said that for months afterwards, his family had journalists coming to his house and photographers literally ramming their cameras against our car window, which would terrify the couples two-year-old twins. Published material which should have been confidential, should be passed on to the police, witness statements, many other things that have gone out, he added. So if you were the perpetrator, you knew a lot more than you should have done and as a victim, as a parent, its absolutely dismaying. Mr McCann was asked about Polish national Julia Wandelt, who faced a trial earlier this year after she claimed to be Madeline McCann. At Leicester Crown Court, Wandelt was found guilty of harassing Kate and Gerry McCann. She was found not guilty of stalking. Mr McCann said he didnt want to speak too much about Wandelt, as he does not know her personally. He continued: But, you know, I think there was an element of exploitation. A lot of media channels exploited her early on, putting her on front pages. When asked whether he thought they had egged her on, he responded: I think there was a large element of that, and other people were benefiting by one means or another, some financially, some possibly with other motives. Mr McCann said that more than a year on from Labour coming into power, press regulation is no longer a priority. He hopes for a resumption of the cancelled second phase of the Lord Leveson Inquiry, which would have looked into unlawful action taken by the media as well as relationships between journalists and politicians and the police. Gerry McCann to @Keir_Starmer "We understand that you recently had time to meet News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch. We hope you will now meet with some of the British citizens whose lives have been upended by the illegal practices and abuses associated with his company. It's pic.twitter.com/D7xwdtkErN Hacked Off (@hackinginquiry) December 10, 2025 The McCanns are among more than 30 people who have signed a letter being sent to Sir Keir Starmer, in which they are calling on him to reverse the decision not to hold the second phase of the inquiry. Mr McCann said he is extremely disappointed that Labour politicians had not committed to implementing some of the recommendations made in the first part of the Leveson Inquiry, which they had committed to in the run-up to the election. He said: Were over a year into the government, and there havent been any changes. Its not acceptable to me now, more than a year on, that Leveson and press regulation is no longer a priority. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said a second phase of the inquiry had been ruled out and that the media landscape was now very different. She told BBC Breakfast: Its a really difficult thing to get right, because weve got to balance the rights and needs of victims and survivors with the need for a free press. But I do recognise that action is needed in this area, and Id be really happy to meet Mr McCann to discuss it. Lisa Nandy said a second phase of the inquiry had been ruled out (Gareth Fuller/PA) (Gareth Fuller) Madeleine McCanns disappearance at the age of three from Praia da Luz in Portugals Algarve when her family was on holiday in 2007 remains unsolved. Mr McCann said: Madeleines been missing for 18 years, and the bottom line is, we still dont know whats happened to her. He said that there is no evidence, adding: I dont even mean convincing evidence there is no evidence to say shes dead. Now we fully understand she may be dead, it may even be probable, but we dont know that. Mr McCann was asked whether he still holds out hope that he will find his missing daughter. In response, he said: Well, obviously, the hope is slim, but its not extinguished. But we need to find out whats happened to her. Id love to find her alive, but we need to find out what happened and bring whoevers responsible to justice, and other children and people are at risk while that perpetrator is free. Shabana Mahmood could cut the number of police forces by three quarters, to between 12 and 15 squads - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing Shabana Mahmood is coming under increasing pressure to cut the number of police forces to as few as 12 or 15 to save money and improve crime fighting. The Home Secretary has delayed plans to unveil her blueprint for policing reform until the New Year as police chiefs and No 10 advisers push for a more radical approach. There are currently 43 forces in England and Wales, but senior police chiefs argue that financial pressures mean some of the smaller constabularies will become unsustainable. Senior police chiefs including Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), and Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, have argued that consolidating the forces will be more cost effective and efficient. They say that bigger forces could improve crime fighting by bringing together expertise and resources in a similar way that regional squads have been created to tackle serious and organised crime. Ms Mahmood said that disparities within the large number of forces have created a postcode lottery for policing - Andy Taylor Harvey Redgrave, Sir Keir Starmers senior adviser on home affairs, is also a supporter of reducing the number of forces. He has argued that the current structure is irrelevant to modern crime threats. Ms Mahmood hinted at her willingness to consider more radical reform at a policing conference last month when she described the structure of police forces in England and Wales as irrational and causing inconsistencies. She said: We have 43 forces tackling criminal gangs who cross borders, and the disparities in performance in forces across the country have grown far too wide, giving truth to the old saw that policing in this country is a postcode lottery. Home Office sources played down suggestions that any decisions were taken, dismissing claims that Ms Mahmood was preparing to slash the number of forces by three quarters as speculation and guesswork. Ministers will have to take account of the potential risk that big structural change could distract forces from delivering on Labours key pledges to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls within a decade. They would also likely face local campaigns against attempts to scrap smaller forces that have been established since the last big shake up in the 1960s, when the number of forces was reduced from 117. Police leaders have, however, told Ms Mahmood that they are in agreement about the need for the change. Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, said the current structure of policing is incompatible with tackling organised crime and violence against women and girls - Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg One source said any changes could start with smaller forces merging or being abolished. In the West of England, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire could merge. In the Midlands, Warwickshire could join with the West Mercia force or be absorbed by the much bigger West Midlands force. In the east, the Norfolk and Suffolk forces could be consolidated. The West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and South Yorkshire forces could also merge. Mr Stephens, the NPCC chair, said: Police reform is about restructuring policing so that it can keep up with modern criminality, retaining the bedrock of community policing whilst modernising our workforce to deal with national threats such as organised crime and violence against women and girls. Our current model of 43 different police forces in England and Wales has a wide range of geographical size, workforce size and operational capabilities. There is also real variation in financial resilience and the ability to invest, which means policing operates in subtly different ways with often incompatible technology, which leads to inefficiencies and inconsistency. A smaller number of police forces, supported by a national policing organisation, would enable us to make decisions far quicker and maximise funding to invest in technology and our workforce. Making improvements to our service once and for all, instead of in 43 different ways, would help to end the postcode lottery victims face when reporting crime. Ms Mahmood has already announced the scrapping of police and crime commissioners, who have been seen as an impediment to any bigger structural reform. The Government is also setting up a national centre for policing to centralise support services. What is a megaquake? Japan issues first official warning for disaster that could kills tens of thousands Japans weather agency has issued a megaquake warning, the highest level of earthquake alert, hours after a 7.5 magnitude tremor struck the country. Residents living near the Pacific coast have been urged by authorities to remain vigilant throughout the coming week and prepare evacuation plans in case they need to flee their homes. At least 33 people were injured in the earthquake on Monday night, with waves reaching up to 70cm seen in several coastal communities. Follow the latest update on the earthquake in Japan here. Authorities have warned that an even stronger earthquake could strike Japan (AP) Tsunami alerts from Mondays earthquake have been lifted, but a megaquake notice revives the threat of large and devastating tsunamis along Japans Pacific coast, authorities warned. Tuesdays announcement was the first time this top-tier alert has been issued since the early warning system was launched in 2022. What is a megaquake? A megaquake, also known as a megathrust earthquake, is an extremely powerful earthquake with a magnitude above 8.0 on the Richter scale, according to Japans Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion. They can occur as a result of plate subduction, when one tectonic plate slides beneath another and sinks into the Earths mantle. A megaquake could cause a fault rupture of up to 1,000km. If it takes place in a shallow area beneath the seabed, it will almost always produce a large tsunami, the organisation says. A fire broke out after the earthquake in Aomori City (JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images) Months ago, the Japanese cabinet office released a major update to its long-feared megaquake scenario, projecting that any massive offshore rupture could kill around 300,000 people and cause damage equivalent to half of the countrys GDP. But Morikubo Tsukasa, director of disaster management at the cabinet office, told reporters that global earthquake data indicates a possibility, not a prediction, of a larger tremor. Japans deadliest earthquake on record was in the Kanto region in 1923. The megathrust earthquake measured 8.0 on the Richter scale and was estimated to have killed between 105,000 and 140,000 people. Why is Japan vulnerable? Japan is positioned along the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire, where four tectonic plates the Pacific, North American, Eurasian and Filipino converge in a region which is teeming with tectonic activity. Constant shifting of these plates leads to frequent earthquakes in the country, some of which can have a devastating impact on the country. Japan, however, is relatively robust when it faces earthquakes of high magnitudes compared to other countries, such as Turkey and Syria, which suffered sheer devastation and a catastrophic loss of life in 2023. The Japan Meteorological Agency is currently reviewing whether to issue the HokkaidoSanriku Offshore Subsequent Earthquake Advisory, which would mean the likelihood of a megaquake in Northern Japan is higher than normal, with this quake possibly acting as a precursor. pic.twitter.com/0qbYNObeGd Arin Yuni (@Arin_Yumi) December 8, 2025 The country is regarded as having world-leading earthquake preparedness with resilient building structures adhering to strict regulations, along with regular earthquake drills practised in schools. The current warning is in place along the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench, covering coastal areas from the northern island of Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. Are megaquakes common in Japan? The Kanto earthquake in 1923 killed more than 100,000 people (Kyodo News via AP) The most notable recent example of a mega earthquake is the 2011 Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.0-9.1. Known in Japan as the Great East Japan Earthquake, it lasted approximately six minutes and caused a huge tsunami. It was the most powerful earthquake Japan has ever suffered, and the fourth greatest recorded in the world. Nearly 20,000 people died, with the great majority believed to have been as a result of the overwhelming tsunami waves striking the east coast. Other megaquakes in Japan in the 20th and 21st century, include 1933, 1944, 1946, 1952 and 2003. Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a member of the British armed forces who has been killed in Ukraine. The prime minister expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence. The ministry said: It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9. He was injured in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines. The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time. A statement from the Ministry of Defence. pic.twitter.com/ChouhKNZSl Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) December 9, 2025 The UK has previously acknowledged that a small number of military personnel are in Ukraine, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces. The government has never said how many that is. Sir Keir wrote on social media: My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our armed forces who sadly lost their life today. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Defence secretary John Healey said in a social media post: Devastated by the death of a UK service person in Ukraine. My thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues as they grieve for a loved one. Our hearts go out to them. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: I am deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that a member of the UK armed forces died this morning in Ukraine. My sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. The British armed forces have a five-week intensive programme in the UK that trains Ukrainian troops to become battle-ready. The death is not being put down to hostile fire, the Press Association understands. Maccabi Tel Aviv players line up in front of an empty away section at the Europa League match against Aston Villa - Nick Potts/PA Wire The Chief Constable of West Midlands Police has been summoned back to Parliament to explain how the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Villa Park was made. The ban was imposed ahead of the Europa League match against Aston Villa in September after the force raised concerns about potential trouble from fans. The decision was condemned by the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary and Craig Guildford, the Chief Constable, was called before the Commons home affairs committee last Monday. But MPs have demanded he return in the new year because they still have a number of questions about the forces actions. The decision to bar supporters from the Nov 6 match was made after West Midlands Police raised concerns to Birmingham city councils Safety Advisory Group. The ban was imposed after the force raised concerns about potential trouble from fans - Hannah McKay/REUTERS Chief Constable Guildford admitted that police inaccurately cited a fictitious match between West Ham and Maccabi Tel Aviv in their report after some social media scraping was done. He also told the committee hearing how the forces chief inspector had spoken with three Dutch police commanders following violence around Maccabis Europa League match against Ajax in Amsterdam last year. In a letter to Chief Constable Guildford, Dame Karen Bradley, who chairs the committee, said: In the light of subsequent developments, we have a number of questions relating to the actions of West Midlands Police in respect of this fixture. It is therefore our strong expectation that you will return to give further oral evidence to the committee in the new year. The committee has also demanded documents related to the decision-making process, including a copy of emails between West Midlands Police and Dutch police. Chief Constable Guildford admitted that police inaccurately cited a fictitious match between West Ham and Maccabi Tel Aviv in their report - House of Commons/PA Wire Nick Timothy, a Conservative MP, said the call back to the committee was an unprecedented move and called on Chief Constable Guildford to resign if he could not justify his actions. Lord Austin, a former Labour MP and UK trade envoy to Israel, said it showed that the so-called evidence West Midlands Police used to ban Israeli fans from Birmingham and then presented to Parliament has completely unravelled. He added: It is absolutely shocking for this to happen to a Chief Constable, and it is very difficult how he can now keep his job. A forces assistant chief constable previously apologised to members of the Jewish community after wrongly telling MPs they had not wanted Maccabi fans to attend the match. Mike OHara, had claimed to MPs that representatives of the Jewish community were consulted on the ban. In a letter to members of the Jewish community, seen by The Telegraph, he apologised if his comments had suggested members of the Jewish community had expressed support for the ban. A spokesman for the West Midlands Police said: We have received the letter from the home affairs committee and will be responding in due course. Former OnlyFans creator Bonnie Blue has been detained in Indonesia for allegedly producing pornographic content in violation of the Muslim-majority countrys morality laws. Ms Blue, 26, a British adult content creator whose real name is Tia Billinger, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of about 270,000 if convicted. The creator, known for organising controversial sex challenges with large groups of young men, was arrested during a police raid on a rental studio in Bali on Thursday. The raid followed public complaints that she had hired a bus to travel around the resort island to film explicit material during schoolies week, a post-high-school celebration similar to Freshers Week in the UK, with more than a dozen men. The controversial adult content star was arrested during a police raid on a rental studio in Bali on Thursday (Instagram/@bonnie_blue_xox) Her group included at least 17 male tourists aged 19 to 40, of British and Australian nationalities, police said. The police released 14 of them, all Australians, without charge, but held an Australian man and two Britons in custody a little longer. Ms Blue was also released, but her passport remained seized, and she was transferred to immigration authorities for further interrogation over the next 48 hours. Police said Ms Blues group were allegedly creating content containing pornographic or immoral elements. Indonesia has strict laws banning the production, distribution and public display of pornographic material, with harsher penalties for offences involving minors. Authorities said they seized school Bonnie Blue outfits, cameras, condoms, flash drives, lubricant, pink necklaces, and two sheets of Viagra pills from the studio. It is suspected that the place was used by the alleged perpetrator to produce pornographic videos, Badung police chief M Arif Batubara told reporters. Ms Blue was visiting Indonesia for the first time, according to intelligence and immigration enforcement office chief Raja Ulul Azmi, as reported by DetikBali. He said Ms Blue and her group had obtained visas on arrival in Bali, a facility available to foreigners travelling to Indonesia for tourism. Ms Blue, one Australian man and two Britons were due to be questioned further on Wednesday, he added. Mr Raja Ulul said officials were deciding how to proceed with the case that was being handled by the immigration department as well as the Bali police. Ms Blue had announced her Bali visit on social media, writing: Hey boys, those thatre going to Schoolies and to those who are barely legal, cannot wait to meet you and Im in Bali, so you know exactly what that means. Ms Blue is known for performing controversial stunts, and was banned from OnlyFans earlier this year after making headlines for reportedly sleeping with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. The stunt, if verified, would surpass the record set in 2004 by Lisa Sparxxx, who had sex with 919 men in 24 hours. Last week, Green leader Zack Polanski took a break from Twitter doomscrolling to appear on BBC Question Time. Talking about migrant care workers, he said: I dont know about you, but I dont want to wipe someones bum. His comments were dripping with snobbery - and are completely ignorant of the enormous and varied contribution that care workers make across our city and country. Its not the job of migrants to fill in if Zack Polanski thinks something is beneath him. I am a proud Londoner. As the daughter of refugees, I know that migration has shaped the city we live in, and that migrants still make a fantastic contribution to modern Britain, from the arts to business, and from our health service to academia. So, I challenged his demeaning language. As Stratford and Bows Labour MP, I represent hundreds of care workers in Parliament- and thousands of people who, like me, have first-hand experience of just how important their work is. Green Party leader Zack Polanski (PA Wire) They dont deserve to see the leader of a major UK political party, especially not one that claims to be progressive, sneer at them. What was Zack Polanskis response? It wasnt to admit that he got it wrong. It wasnt to apologise. It wasnt to promise that hed do better. It was to batten down the hatches, refuse to apologise, and try and whip up a social media frenzy to distract from his snobbery. Any black or brown woman in politics can attest to social media being an absolute cesspit of racist and misogynistic abuse. I have spent my time as an MP standing up against the far-right- and batting away the vile racism, the death threats, the rape threats that come with that. Polanski knows that. Yet this weekend, to deflect from his gaffe on television, he didnt hesitate to fan the flames of misinformation and online extremism. Polanski follows the same playbook as his fellow populist, Nigel Farage. Because they crave online adulation, they offer simple solutions to complex problems. And, when they get caught out, or on this occasion, expose themselves, they pretend it never happened. That we- not them- are the problem. Polanski and the Greens see politics as performance. You might be inclined to believe his recent Damascene conversion, from austerity-era Liberal Democrat to socialism- but every time the facade cracks, his tone switches. Labours Uma Kumaran officially takes her seat in the House of Commons Polanski dresses up a fundamentally unpleasant politics in the language of progressivism. He doesnt engage in debate, but attempts to intimidate and silence, refusing to engage with the hard graft of policymaking. He looks comfortable in his natural habitat of protests, rallies, or at the head of any crowd willing to hand him a microphone. He is so enamoured by his recent discovery of progressive politics, that he has now become the self-declared champion of the working class. He conveniently forgets that when it suited his own personal ambitions, he supported the Tory/Lib Dem coalition government. I spent 14 years of my political career fighting against Tory austerity, imposed on working people. Zack Polanski started his by telling working people that it was exactly what they needed. If he ever cared to go out into the real world, Zack Polanski would realise that the lives of ordinary Londoners are complex. The Greens solutions are not- they are thought up on a whim, based on nothing but their Twitter echo chamber. The gaps in this strategy widen the moment that reality intrude. Polanskis recent appearance on the Rest is Politics podcast made that plain. Once he was in an environment not on his own terms- when he was being asked to grapple with economics, with the challenges that working people face on a daily basis- he crumbled and turned to Twitter for reparation. In his fame-obsessed mind, working people are a caricature, a rhetorical device, a reference point when convenient, and nothing more. The Greens talk endlessly about the housing crisis, but object to development in every borough. Any black or brown woman in politics can attest to social media being an absolute cesspit of racist and misogynistic abuse Uma Kumaran They talk about green energy but do everything in their power to block clean energy infrastructure, and the jobs that come with it. Their latest disguise is the party of workers- yet Greens in the House of Lords tried to block the Employment Rights Bill, which protects millions of workers up and down the country. When Labour delivered pay rises to two hundred and forty thousand of the lowest paid workers in London- the Greens criticised it. In my constituency, more than half of children are growing up in poverty. When Labour put in place policy to lift 250,000 children out of poverty in London, Polanski fell shockingly quiet. They present a mystical wealth tax as the solution to every woe in modern Britain- yet when Labour put up capital gains tax for the very wealthiest, equalised inheritance tax for large estates, hiked tax on private jets, Zack Polanski must have lost his Twitter password. Before coming into politics, I worked in climate diplomacy. I dedicated years of my life pushing for radical action on the climate crisis. There are good, honourable people in the Green Party who are allies in that fight. There are people within the Green Party that want it to be a serious force- a party rooted in principle, even if we dont agree on everything. Today, under Polanski, they have been captured by cynical, self-described populists who slice communities into tribes. They stir resentment to build influence. In the boroughs I represent - Newham and Tower Hamlets - they have shown themselves willing to ally with anyone at any time, if it suits them. Green Party leader Zack Polanski said membership is surging (PA Wire) If you judge the Greens by results, not by rhetoric, you see a party that blocks, blames and postures. A party that is content for families to wake up in hostels, for children to go to bed hungry, and for workers to have their rights stripped away, so long as they get their moment of online fame. I am proud to serve Stratford and Bow. I am proud that I can knock on a door and explain exactly what Labour has done for our community. From lifting thousands of children out of poverty, to raising wages for the lowest paid, and from fighting for homes that people can actually live in, to strengthening workers rights. That is politics grounded in reality. That is service, not self-promotion. Zack Polanski can keep chasing fame. His party can keep mistaking protest for progress. No matter how radical their rhetoric, not a single life will be changed by populist attention-seeking. I will stay focussed on the families who sent me to Parliament. They need security, dignity and opportunity. My constituents dont need theatrics. They need results. That is why I am Labour. It is what I am here to deliver. * Uma Kumaran is Labour MP for Stratford and Bow A drone view shows an area flooded by the Snoqualmie River in Fall City, Washington, on Tuesday. Photograph: David Ryder/Reuters (Photograph: David Ryder/Reuters) A series of powerful storms hit the Pacific north-west, dumping heavy rain, swelling rivers, closing roads and prompting high-water rescues in several states. An unusually strong storm system called an atmospheric river is passing through the region, bringing heavy rainfall across western Washington and north-western Oregon and more than a foot of snow in the northern Rockies and north-western Wyoming. Residents grappled with power outages, flooding and school closures, while drivers navigated debris slides and water that closed roads and submerged vehicles. Related: What are atmospheric rivers? Fire officials north-east of Seattle said crews conducted several rescues, using inflatable kayaks to pull people from stranded cars and carrying another person about a mile (1.6km) to safety after they were trapped in a wooded area by rising water. Forecasters warned that the worst was still to come, with some major rivers expected to crest later in the week. Were starting to see a lot of rivers begin to rise and move very rapidly with lots of runoff with the rain, said Harrison Rademacher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Services Seattle office. Rademacher described the atmospheric river soaking the region as a jet stream of moisture stretching all the way across the Pacific Ocean with the nozzle pushing right along the coast of Oregon and Washington. Another storm system is expected to bring rain to the region starting Sunday, Rademacher said. The pattern looks pretty unsettled going up to the holidays, he said. Related: New England warming faster than most places on Earth, study finds Further north, an arctic blast is affecting parts of south-east Alaska, with wind chills possibly hitting as low as -50F (-45.6C) in Skagway, -25F (-31.6C) in Haines and -15F (-26C) in Alaskas capital city, Juneau, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, a fast-moving storm moving eastward across the upper midwest was forecast to bring a range of wintry weather there too, including freezing rain, high winds and heavy snow. This is definitely one of those messy winter weather events that were going to be having come through, depending on where you are in the northern plains here, said Ryan Dunleavy, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Minnesotas Twin Cities. North Dakota was experiencing rain and freezing rain, and much of the state was under a no-travel advisory due to freezing rain and slippery roads. Some schools closed or moved to virtual lessons due to the weather conditions. Most of Montana and the Dakotas were under a high wind warning. Wintry weather was also expected to affect the evening commute in Minnesota and north-west Wisconsin, while parts of central and northern Minnesota and north-west Wisconsin could expect heavy snow. It has already been observed that something akin to a pensioners intifada is afoot in the pro-Palestine movement - Brook Mitchell/Getty Images One of my fondest, most sensory memories of childhood is of my long-late grandmothers handbag. A soft black leather pouch with a good-sized strap and dull-metal buckle, it contained multitudes, a bit like Mary Poppinss. I loved going through it. Wed sit together while I took out every object, knowing that once the lipsticks and perfume samples, coin purse, local business cards and other bits of paper were unearthed, there would come real treasure: a packet of wine gums. My generation grew up with this model of what an old lady ought to be and very often was. She was a neatly attired woman who had cooked nightly for decades for a family of five or six, and who now had private pursuits and hobbies. In my grandmothers case, these involved reading the features and special interest sections of the newspapers every single day (bah, womens stuff, said my grandfather), doing the crossword, reading middlebrow fiction, making silver jewellery in the attic, and reliably producing heavily frosted and decorated chocolate cakes for each extended family members birthday. Sure, the grannies of old might have had the hidden edge of a Miss Marple, but they were figures that commanded affection and respect in equal measure, with a subtle and private, not public and brash, politics to match. What has happened to this stalwart of the British cultural portfolio? Did she fizzle out with the ultimate neatly attired, handbag-sporting pensioner, Margaret Thatcher? Perhaps. They certainly seem to be out on the streets constantly, yelling and waving vile slogans around, harrying police and bystanders, hissing and bellowing their support for causes ranging from green lunacy to the non-existent national entity of Palestine. I was struck by an image this week of one Debs Newman, 60, of the group Stop the Chop, protesting the felling of three mature limes in the Cornish town of Falmouth. The protest got so heated that the police ended up in physical clashes with the tree-lovers. But it was the sight of Newman, bedraggled grey hair messily pulled back from her head, chunks of it akimbo, her straining red face crinkled into yells of fury, that struck the dissonant chord for me. The image, I thought, was more evocative of the phrase banshee from hell than hell hath no fury, and its subject seemed to represent the sea change in society, with its cascade into incivility Gen-Z and oldsters alike. It has already been observed that something akin to a pensioners intifada is afoot in the pro-Palestine movement, with more than its fair share of grey-heads turning up puce in the face at Palestine Action protests to hail replacing the Jewish-majority patch between the river and the sea known as Israel with Palestine. And to think many of these evangelists for Jew-murdering terrorist organisations lived through the Second World War. Nor could one miss the presence of the elderly especially elderly women in Extinction Rebellion. There were certainly more bedraggled grey ponytails than there were carefully coiffed curls attached to voluminous, sweet-filled handbags. My theory is that the women who are most prominent in these protests are long-time Corbyn fangirls, either in spirit or letter. After all, Jezza was a big deal in Leftist causes in Islington in the 1970s. Many of his collaborators went on to lead the charge in Womens Liberation, which, by the 1980s, became thoroughly mired in the most toxic swamps of anti-Zionist anti-Semitism, anti-racism, green internationalism and what was called third worldism all of which have a through-line to todays Lefty activism. I think that many of these now-old lasses find themselves wondering what to do with themselves and decide itd be fun to rekindle the old shrewish, police-bedevilling flames. There may have been a place for this sort of thing when civility generally reigned among the older cohort of the fairer sex. No longer. Instead of nice leather handbags, its red faces and shouting as far as the eye can see. Is it safe to travel to Japan after recent earthquakes? Aftershocks have been felt across Japan after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the country on Monday. The quake has left at least 51 people injured, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warning that powerful tremors could continue. On Tuesday, the weather agency issued its highest-level alert, covering approximately 800 miles from Japans northeastern coast from Chiba, just east of Tokyo, to Hokkaido. After the earthquake, train services were temporarily suspended, traffic jams were reported, and flights were cancelled at New Chitose Airport. Here is the latest travel advice and what you need to know following the large earthquake in Japan. Where in Japan has been affected? A 7.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Pacific Ocean 50 miles off the coast of Aomori on Monday, 8 December at about 11.15pm local time. The prefecture of Aomori is found at the northern tip of Honshu, Japans main island, known for its heavy snowfall in the winter months. (Japan Meterological Agency/USGS/The Independent) East Japan Railway suspended some services following the quake, while two Shinkansen Expressway trains made emergency stops. Traffic jams and car accidents also occurred after panicked people tried to flee the city of Hanchinohe in Aomori. A series of aftershocks have followed every day since the earthquake struck, including near the coast of Honshu and in the Hokkaido region, all with smaller magnitudes than the initial tremor, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre. Japanese authorities have said that there has been no significant damage to major infrastructure and that nuclear power plant facilities were also unscathed after Mondays earthquake. Where in Japan is still under alert? "There is a possibility that further powerful and stronger earthquakes could occur over the next several days," a JMA official said at a briefing shortly after Mondays quake. When a 7-magnitude earthquake or higher is recorded in Japan or the Chishima Trench, the possibility of another earthquake is considered to be relatively higher than normal, JMA said. In such cases, JMA issues a megaquake advisory as a precaution, rather than a prediction, officially called the Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory, even though the probability of one happening is only around one per cent. These alerts were created after Japan suffered one of its deadliest earthquakes in 2011, which led to a tsunami and subsequent natural disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The alert covers the coastal areas from Hokkaido down to the Chiba Prefecture. Authorities in the country have urged residents to remind themselves of evacuation routes, secure furniture, and prepare emergency supplies, including food, water and portable toilets. The weather agency added on Tuesday, 9 December, that the areas that have already experienced tremors need to be aware of the increased risk of house collapses and landslides. It added that in the areas where shaking was strong, people should stay prepared for at least a week after the earthquake. Even though the megaquake advisory remains in place and citizens have been urged to stay vigilant, there is currently no need for citizens to evacuate. What is the UK government's advice? The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has released an earthquake and tsunami advisory. All tsunami advisories have been lifted following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off Aomori prefecture on 8 December, the FCDO wrote. However, the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of the possibility of another follow-up large-scale earthquake over the next 7 days. Follow the advice of local authorities. For further information, read the NHK website. NHK is a Japanese public media organisation. Are flights cancelled? The earthquake caused 200 passengers to be stranded overnight at New Chitose Airport, one of Japans largest airports, in Hokkaido, after flights were disrupted after the quake. Passengers were stranded due to flight cancellations, delays, and safety inspections. A few flights continued to be delayed or cancelled at the airport on Tuesday, however, operations seem to be largely back to normal, according to FlightRadar. Will my holiday be cancelled? As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Japan, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund. The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone. There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes. If you do have travel insurance, some policies include natural disaster cover for an event that prevents you from reaching your holiday destination. Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand. Read more: Is it safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia? Sperm from a donor who unknowingly carried a gene that raises the risk of cancer was used to conceive almost 200 children across Europe. A major investigation revealed the sperm was not sold to UK clinics, but some families did use the sperm while having fertility treatment in Denmark. Some children have already died and many more with the gene will go on to develop cancer in their lifetimes. Denmarks European Sperm Bank has admitted the sperm was used to make too many babies and sent their deepest sympathy to families affected. It is understood that the women have all been informed. The investigation has been conducted by 14 public service broadcasters, including the BBC, as part of the European Broadcasting Unions Investigative Journalism Network. Some children fathered by the donor have already died and many more with the gene will go on to develop cancer in their lifetimes (PA) The BBC reported that the man was paid to donate sperm as a student and that his sperm was used for around 17 years. Although he was healthy and passed all the screening checks he had changes in his DNA, meaning the TP53 gene which has the crucial role of preventing the bodys cells from turning cancerous was damaged. The affected gene is not in every part of the donors body, but it is in 20 per cent of his sperm. That means the children he has fathered will have the mutated gene throughout their body a condition known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome. People with this syndrome have up to 90 per cent increased risk of developing cancer before they turn 60. This includes breast cancer, brain tumours, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcomas and childhood cancers. Li-Fraumeni is a rare syndrome, according to an article from the National Institutes of Health in the US, adding that there are likely more than 1,000 multi-generational families with the syndrome around the world. Affected people have regular monitoring to look for tumours. The European Sperm Bank said the mutation can not be detected in screening and said it immediately blocked the donor once the problem was discovered. Doctors raised the alarm at the European Society of Human Genetics this year. They found 23 children with the variant out of 67 children known at the time. Ten had already been diagnosed with cancer. The BBC reported that at least 197 children are affected, but explained that data has not been obtained from all countries, so the figure may be higher. The sperm was used by 67 fertility clinics in 14 countries. In the UK, a donors sperm can only be used to create children in up to 10 families. But in different countries, the limits are different. The HFEA confirmed that the sperm was not distributed to licensed UK clinics. Peter Thompson, chief executive of the HFEA, said: We can confirm that the Danish Patient Safety Authority has informed us that a very small number of UK women have been treated in Danish Fertility clinics with this sperm donor. We understand that they have been told about the donor by the Danish clinic at which they were treated. As the UK regulator, we only collect or hold information about treatment which takes place in the UK. As the treatment took place at Danish clinics, further enquiries should be directed to the competent authority in Denmark. North Forsyth High School will be closed Wednesday. (Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP) A stabbing at a high school in central North Carolina on Tuesday left one student dead and another injured, authorities said. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough reported that officers at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem called for assistance shortly after 11 a.m. We responded to an altercation between two students, Kimbrough said at a news conference, noting that there was a loss of life. In an email to families and staff, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Don Phipps confirmed that one student had died and another had been injured. No information about potential charges was discussed. (Walt Unks/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP) Kimbrough did not take questions at the news conference, citing the ongoing investigation. No information about potential charges was discussed. Sheriff's office spokesperson Krista Karcher said later that a stabbing had occurred and that the injured person was treated at a hospital and released. Gov. Josh Stein, in a message on the social platform X, called what happened shocking and horrible and said he was praying for all students and their loved ones. Phipps, who started in his post just last week, said at the news conference that it was the worst nightmare of any educator. We hurt when our students hurt, and this is the ultimate hurt that we can possibly feel. North Forsyth High School will be closed Wednesday, he said, and a crisis team will be in place for staff and when students return. Sir Keir Starmer has belatedly defended Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump branded the London mayor horrible, vicious, disgusting. In an attack which reignited his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq, the US president also called him a disaster and suggested he has done a terrible job. In an interview with Politico, President Trump said: Hes a horrible mayor. Hes an incompetent mayor, but hes a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think hes done a terrible job. Londons a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen. And he claimed of Sir Sadiq, the citys first Muslim mayor, whose parents came from Pakistan, gets elected because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now. A spokesperson for the prime minister described the comments as wrong 24 hours after No 10 failed to defend the mayor. The US president also called the London mayor a disaster and suggested he has done a terrible job (PA) On Tuesday, Downing Street would only say the PM had a strong relationship with both men. But a day later, the PMs press secretary told reporters: Those comments are wrong. The mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up Londons air with the worlds largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses. The prime minister is hugely proud of the mayor of Londons record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend. Earlier, Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, hit back at Mr Trump and defended the mayor. She told Sky News: I strongly disagree with those comments. I think Sadiq is doing a really good job ... Im sure that if you asked the prime minister if he was sitting in this studio today, he would say what Ive said. On Tuesday, Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, said of Mr Trumps attack: When it comes to the mayor of London, you will not be surprised that I, of course, take a strongly different view. I think the mayor is doing an excellent job for all of London. Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked Sir Sadiq since 2015, when the Labour politician condemned the then presidential hopefuls suggestion of a Muslim travel ban to the US. In September, he described Sir Sadiq as one of the worst mayors in the world and claimed that London wants to go to sharia law. The London mayor hit back at the president, accusing him of being racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic. In July, Mr Trump targeted Sir Sadiq again, describing him as a nasty person, prompting Sir Keir to jump in to defend him. He told the US president: Hes a friend of mine, actually. People at Gravelines, France prepare to make a Channel crossing. The Council of Europes commissioner for human rights says conflating migration and crime doesnt correspond with reality. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images (Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images) Keir Starmer and Europes hardline governments risk creating a hierarchy of people as they seek to address migration by curbing fundamental rights, Europes most senior human rights official has said. Michael OFlaherty, the Council of Europes commissioner for human rights, said that middle-of-the-road politicians are playing into the hands of the populist right. Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, he pointed to the lazy correlation of migration and crime as an example. This doesnt correspond with reality, he said. For every inch yielded, theres going to be another inch demanded, he said. Where does it stop? For example, the focus right now is on migrants, in large part. But who is it going to be about next time around? OFlaherty said it is very important that politicians point out the significance of the ECHRs core principles, such as that people are equal in terms of the universality of human rights. The idea that we would create or foster the impression of a hierarchy of people, some more deserving than others, is a very, very worrying one indeed, he said. His comments come after some of Europes hardline governments including the UK moved a step closer to constraining human rights laws to allow Rwanda-style migration deals with third countries and more foreign criminals to be deported. Twenty-seven of the 46 Council of Europe members including the UK, Hungary and Italy signed an unofficial statement that also urges a new framework for the European convention of human rights, which will narrow the definition of inhuman and degrading treatment. The statement follows a meeting of the council in Strasbourg on Wednesday as part of a push to change the way the laws apply in migration cases. Signed by 27 countries, the statement said that article 3 of the convention, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment, should be constrained to the most serious issues in a manner which does not prevent states parties from taking proportionate decisions on the expulsion of foreign criminals including in cases raising issues concerning healthcare and prison conditions. It also argues that article 8 should be adjusted in relation to criminals so that more weight is put on the nature and seriousness of the offence committed and less on a criminals ties with the host country. Related: Can weakening human rights ever protect them? Labours gamble raises fears on the left The council has resolved to reconvene in May to make a declaration a political statement reaffirming commitments or guiding principles, carrying significant political weight but not legally binding in itself. Declarations from the council are intended to have an effect on case law and on European court rulings. However, it may be possible for a two-thirds majority, or 31 members, to force through a decision that would give their views of interpretations of articles 3 and 8, sources have said. Senior Labour figures have expressed concern at the plans. Lord Alf Dubs, the Labour peer who came to the UK on the Kindertransport in 1939, said: Im worried it will be the thin edge of the wedge and just about taking human rights away from people. Obviously a lot of this will be in the detail and how its interpreted, but Im alarmed and concerned that 27 countries are ganging up to do this in Europe to their citizens. Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, a human rights barrister, said: To reinterpret or justify inhuman and degrading treatment is to strike at the very heart of postwar rights and freedoms. Veronika Fikfak, a professor of international law at University College London, said the proposed changes to article 3 will be of concern for people who are arrested for protesting or held in detention in dire conditions. To be allowed to expel a handful of criminals, states are today embarking on a path that will reduce human rights protections for all of Europe. This reinterpretation will not primarily affect migrants, but those who need medical attention and those who find themselves in harsh prison conditions. The move seems to be disproportionate and set us on a dangerous path, she said. Akiko Hart, director of the human rights organisation Liberty, warned the government risks taking us down a road of no return by jeopardising the legal framework that protects us all. These discussions must be rooted in facts and evidence, not exaggerated narratives and the demonisation of our communities, she said. Others have offered their support for the proposals. The former Labour cabinet minister Lord Hain said: Id be opposed to pulling out of the ECHR, that would leave Britain deeply isolated and discredited, but finding a way of curbing the excesses of the Strasbourg court in a sensible fashion which is quite feasible within the treaty and the act is a much more creative way to do that. It also emerged on Wednesday that a senior government minister has declined to rule out pushing back small boats in the Channel. In an interview with Politico, Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, was asked if the government would consider taking up an offer by Jordan Bardella, the leader of Frances far-right National Rally, to conduct pushbacks of migrant boats in the Channel if his party wins power. When asked if pushback was not totally off the table, Cooper who was until recently home secretary replied: We will look at any mechanism that can work effectively and also can work safely. Labour, unlike the Tories and Reform UK, is committed to remaining within the ECHR, which was drawn up in the aftermath of the second world war. Labours poll ratings have plummeted since the general election, with the rise of Nigel Farages Reform UK partly attributed to concerns about the impact of immigration both authorised and through small boat crossings of the Channel. A joint statement by 27 governments called for curbs on how the treaty is applied to migrants and foreign criminals - FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP Attempts to reform the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to make it easier to deport foreign criminals and agree offshore migrant deals are doomed to fail, Robert Jenrick has claimed. In an article for The Telegraph, the shadow justice secretary said the demands for change, agreed by 27 of the 46 members on Wednesday, were no more likely to succeed than David Camerons failed attempts to reform the EU. A joint statement by the 27 governments, including Britain, called for curbs on how the treaty is applied to migrants and foreign criminals. It recommended that the ECHR must not stop countries from striking Rwanda-style deals for offshore migrant processing centres. The European Court of Human Rights, the ultimate arbiter of the convention, granted a last-minute injunction to suspend the UKs Rwanda deportation scheme in 2022. The shadow justice secretary said the demands were no more likely to succeed than David Camerons failed attempts to reform the EU - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The statement said the ECHR should not stop nations deporting foreign criminals even if they had established a family in that state and should introduce constraints on foreign offenders blocking their removals on the grounds that it would lead to inhuman or degrading treatment in their home countries. However, Mr Jenrick said the attempts to reform the ECHR were a political trick because they required all 46 member states to agree, yet only 27 had signed the statement. As today showed, a huge number of member countries simply arent interested, including major players like France and Germany, he said. Even in the unlikely scenario they did all agree, the reforms proposed today are little more than technical tweaks about the interpretation of the convention. However, the problem is with the text itself, which is so broad that it will always be subject to expansion. Whats more, these minor efforts only address interpretation around immigration cases. But increasingly, the Strasbourg Court interferes in democratic politics, including energy policy, leasehold reform, and the rights of terrorists in prison. Migration pressures The Tories have committed to quitting the ECHR. Attempts to reform it would instead mean years of haggling and batting away the bad faith actors at the Council of Europe responsible for overseeing the convention, said Mr Jenrick. Conclusions from a summit of justice ministers from the Council of Europes 46 members did not reference specific changes to offshore processing or criminal deportations, promising only further discussions on possible reforms. Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, warned ministers that the European Court was under pressure and must not be weaponised neither against governments or by them. Asked by The Telegraph whether he could temper calls from Conservatives and Reform UK to quit the 75-year-old ECHR, he said Europe must adapt to modern migration pressures and find solutions together. David Lammy, the Deputy Prime Minister, said in Strasbourg that he had spoken with well over 20 member states about concerns over how human rights law was interpreted domestically. Leaving the ECHR, he said, would be a fake solution. He told ministers: We must strike a careful balance between individual rights and the publics interest, otherwise, we risk a loss of confidence in the convention, and in human rights themselves. He insisted countries must be able to remove foreign criminals and that rights such as family life and protection from inhuman and degrading treatment should not be stretched to block deportations. Mr Lammy was accompanied by Lord Hermer, the Attorney General. They held talks with Mr Berset on Tuesday night before the summit of justice ministers. It is understood that rather than attempting to rewrite the ECHR, Britain is focusing on preventing it from being interpreted in a way that can block deportations. The convention underpins the UKs Human Rights Act. The Government is expected to bring forward legislation to change how Article 8, which protects the right to family life, is interpreted in UK courts. It is also considering examining the threshold for Article 3 rights, which protect from torture. David Lammy says there is a careful balance to be struck between individual rights and the public interest - Shutterstock The summit conclusions call for recommendations on tackling migrant trafficking, a new committee on migration challenges, and a declaration affirming members commitment to the rights of migrants including foreign offenders. It is expected to be signed in Moldova in May. The 27 countries joint declaration to the summit said: A state party should not be prevented from entering into cooperation with third countries regarding asylum and return procedures, once the human rights of irregular migrants are preserved. It said a clear starting point for the reforms was that a member state could expel foreigners convicted of serious crimes even if they had family ties in the host country. Article 8 of the convention, which protects the right to a family life, needed to be adjusted so that more weight is put on the nature and seriousness of the offence committed and less weight is put on the foreign criminals social, cultural and family ties. Article 3, which protects from torture, should be constrained to the most serious issues so as not to prevent deportations and extraditions, including in cases raising issues with prison conditions and healthcare. A member state should also not be prevented from making timely decisions on deportations. Our governments have a duty to guarantee our populations human rights and fundamental freedoms, the joint statement said. Protecting borders and countering smuggling networks were vital to protect the right to live in peace, freedom and security and to preserve the values of our societies. Failing to recognise and respond to these challenges, we risk undermining the very fundamental rights and freedoms that the convention protects, it said, adding: A right balance has to be found between the migrants individual rights and interests and the weighty public interests of defending freedom and security in our societies. The joint statement also warned against hostile governments funnelling migrants to borders to heap pressure on member states. Currently, Italy has an agreement with Albania to process migrants, which has faced legal difficulties. Denmark has a deal with Rwanda, which it has shelved until legal barriers are removed. EU governments this week agreed on legislation to allow offshore detention centres for failed asylum seekers. Michael OFlaherty, the human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe, warned ministers they were on an extremely consequential pathway in terms of the well-being of Europes human rights protection system. He urged them to be assiduously evidence-based and said the facts supporting their decisions had to be impeccable. Mr OFlaherty said claims that the ECHR undermined national security were inaccurate and added that illegal pushback was unacceptable. He said any suggestion that changing the ECHR would alter migration flows on the ground was not grounded in fact, and blamed disinformation and clever political messaging for peoples anger at the convention and migrants. Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls by the Conservatives and Reform UK to quit the convention over concerns that it would prevent the UK from striking agreements with signatory countries to tackle illegal migration. In a joint article with Mette Frederiksen, his Danish counterpart, the Prime Minister said the ECHR must be modernised as part of a tougher approach to migration to prevent voters from turning to the forces that seek to divide us. After the summit, Mr Berset insisted that the debate in Britain over leaving the convention was different to Brexit and defended the agreement to prepare a political declaration and recommendation. He said all 46 members had reaffirmed their deep and abiding commitment to both the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights. He added: First, it will reaffirm our obligation to ensure the effective enjoyment of the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the convention to everyone within our jurisdiction. And second, it will recognise governments fundamental responsibility to our national vital interests such as security and public safety. He added that it was up to the court to interpret the convention on human rights, adding: You know, those judges in the European Court of Human Rights, like other courts, they are not living on Mars. They are here. Asked if he feared the UK would do a Brexit from the ECHR under a Tory or Reform-led government, Mr Berset said: The first element is to do the best possible job seeing that we have with the convention, a very strong instrument that delivered a lot in the last 75 years. We dont want just to have statements and to deliver nothing. It is exactly what we dont want to have. We need to have some progress. I think that the debates that we will have in this context based on those elements, is not really to compare with what we witnessed in the last years about Brexit. Thousands of travellers woke up on Wednesday morning where they did not intend to be as Storm Bram continues its sweep across the UK. Met Office yellow weather warnings are in place for all of Scotland apart from the far south in the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. All Caledonian MacBrayne sailings in the Western Isles are affected, with some routes cancelled for the day. Ferries linking Oban with Barra, Islay and South Uist will all stay in port. The 7am and 2pm sailings from Stornoway in Lewis to Ullapool are both cancelled, as is the 10.30am sailing out from the mainland to Lewis with the 5.30pm in doubt. Other CalMac ferries are subject to delay and rescheduling. Northlink ferries between Scrabster and Stromness in Orkney are being rescheduled on Wednesday morning and cancelled during the afternoon, when winds will be at their highest. The overnight sailing from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland tonight could be two hours late. ScotRail trains on the West Highland line connecting Mallaig, Oban and Fort William with Glasgow are subject to disruption, with many earlier services cancelled. ScotRail passengers have been told that tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday can be used up to Thursday 11 December. In southwest England, the Great Western line from Truro to Penzance is disrupted because of flooding. No trains can run between St Erth and Penzance. The line is expected to reopen on Wednesday afternoon. Floods have also closed the link between the main line at Par and Newquay for the morning. Lines in central and north Wales are also subject to disruption, with Blaenau Ffestiniog station closed. The first three British Airways flights from Edinburgh to London City airport are all cancelled, which appears to be a hangover from Tuesdays disruption. On Tuesday, Aer Lingus and its sister airline, British Airways, cancelled dozens of flights, with some aircraft diverting or returning to their starting points because of the high winds. The Met Office has put in place a series of yellow weather warnings for wind and rain, continuing into Wednesday. On Tuesday Belfast City was the worst affected UK airport, with 27 cancellations plus a BA flight from Heathrow that went on a 2h15m flight to nowhere. After holding and making a missed approach, it returned to its starting point. Circle game: Flightpath of Aer Lingus service from Manchester to Belfast City, which took nearly two hours longer than normal (Flightradar24) One flight that did touch down eventually was an Aer Lingus Regional service from Manchester. The ATR72 aircraft circled for half an hour above the Irish Sea, made one approach that was aborted and flew a holding pattern for a further hour before landing successfully two-and-a-half hours after leaving Manchester. The 171-mile journey normally takes 45 minutes. Glasgow passengers also endured a difficult day, with half a dozen diversions during the afternoon and evening. Ryanair flights from Krakow and Alicante landed in Manchester, as did a Jet2 service from Lanzarote. Three flights from the London area to Glasgow were affected: easyJet from Luton and British Airways from Heathrow ended up in Newcastle, while a BA service from London City flew back to where it started. Ferries on the Irish Sea mostly stayed in port. P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries and Stena Line cancelled their daytime crossings linking Ireland and Northern Ireland with Wales and Scotland. Read more: Windy weather to continue on Wednesday as Storm Bram lingers A teen's search for his missing cat went horribly wrong when the only hairy critter he found was a false widow spider - that bit him and left him with a rotting hole in his leg. Virva Saniola and her son Robert Saniola-Burlton were out searching for the family's cat Rusty, who'd gone missing at the end of June. The 54-year-old said both she and Robert, 16, were rifling through bushes and branches in a nearby park trying to locate the two-year-old puss on July 3rd. But when they returned home, college student Robert noticed a large lump bubble on his right knee. Virva, who works as a hairdresser, initially believed the swelling may have been a wasp or bee sting, until the lump began forming painful blisters. Robert Saniola-Burlton (KennedyNews/VirvaSaniola) This soon developed into one larger blister before popping and oozing a mixture of blood and pus. The mother-of-two became worried when Robert's knee became so swollen he began limping, complaining that his whole leg felt like it was on fire. A doctor confirmed Robert had been bitten by a false widow spider, whose bites produce necrosis of the flesh, and that his leg was infected. After multiple visits to a walk-in centre, the doctor removed a layer of dead skin from the wound due to the worsening infection and dished out a course of antibiotics. Fortunately, Robert made a full recovery after two weeks of antibiotics but will be scarred for life after his brush with one of the UK's most venomous spiders. Robert, who lives in Sittingbourne, Kent, said: "I didn't feel the bite, just when I got back I saw the lump. "I was a bit shocked, I thought it was a bee sting or something. I thought it would go down but then it started getting blisters. Robert with his mother (KennedyNews/VirvaSaniola) "I was struggling to walk at one point, I was like a donkey. I didn't think spider bites were that common in the UK. "I've been left with a scar that doesn't look that nice. It's definitely made me a lot more aware of spiders." The pair went on nightly hunts to try and bring their beloved pet home, only realising he'd been bitten when they returned home empty-handed that evening. Virvia said: "We were looking for our missing cat Rusty outside, he just went and never returned. "We were out there every night looking for this cat. "We went to the park with torches looking for him, we were in the bushes and branches. "Robert was wearing his jeans and we think what happened was that when we were in the bushes, the spider crawled up his leg and bit him on the knee. Rusty the cat (KennedyNews/VirvaSaniola) "When Robert took his jeans off that night, he noticed he had a big lump the size of half an egg on his knee. "I first thought it could've been a wasp or bee bite, then it started developing these blisters filled with fluid. "He said his leg was burning from the inside, I marked it with a pen and it just got bigger and bigger and developed into a massive blister." As Robert's leg became more swollen, concerned Virva took her son to a walk-in centre where doctors confirmed he had been bitten by a false widow spider. Robert returned every three days to have the bite mark cleaned before having a layer of dead skin removed from the wound due to the infection. Virva said: "The doctors thought it was a spider bite immediately. They thought it was a false widow straight away and that it was infected. "His leg was so swollen, he was limping. He said his whole leg felt like it was on fire. "I thought 'this is dangerous, it could be sepsis or something'. It was a mix of blood and pus. "The third time we went to the doctors, they took some of the dead skin out with a scalpel. "The doctors were shocked. If I hadn't taken him [to the walk-in centre] it could've turned into sepsis or got even worse. "He's been left with a 1 size scar that will never go away. "I'm terrified of spiders so this has made me even more petrified. I've now got spider repellent sprays for the house. "I'd tell other people to be vigilant. Even if it's a small spider, it could be a false widow spider." The supermarket has had to recall the product after finding it had traces of milk in it (PA Wire) Tesco has issued an urgent recall of its popular home after discovering it posed a risk to customers with dairy allergies. The Tesco 6 Aubergine Katsu Bao Buns have been found to contain milk, which is not listed on the label. According to the Food Standards Agency, this means the product may pose a health risk for anyone with milk allergies or intolerances, as well as those allergic to milk constituents. The supermarket chain said on its website: If you have bought the above product and have an allergy or intolerance to milk, do not eat it. Allergy Alert Tesco recalls 6 Aubergine Katsu Bao Buns (258g) may contain milk not listed on the label. Use by: up to 13 Dec 2025. If allergic/intolerant to milk: dont eat. Return to Tesco for a full refund. Details: https://t.co/YpAucXo0ST pic.twitter.com/kp1YaRZPwD Trading Standards (@Bucks_SurreyTS) December 9, 2025 It is urging customers to return the product, so long as they have a use-by date code of up to and including December 13. Customers will be issued with a full refund on return of the product and will not be asked to provide a receipt. The FCA confirmed that Tesco has issued a recall of the item to customers and has notified the relevant allergy support organisations, who will also alert customers to the recall. The recall was issued on Monday, and the product is now listed as out of stock on the Tesco website. The supermarket has shared a letter to customers in which it has said that the possible presence of milk makes the product potentially unsafe for any customers who have an intolerance or allergy to milk or milk constituents. The chain reportedly apologised for any inconvenience caused and added that no other products would be affected by this recall. Last month, Tesco also had to recall its Tesco Celery, Fruit and Nut Salad over an allergen risk, on the basis that the products mayonnaise may contain traces of mustard, which was also not listed on the label. Nigel Farage wearing a Union Flag mask promoted by the boxer Derek Chisora, who sold War Chisora masks during the Covid crisis The Tories have accused Nigel Farage of hypocrisy after he claimed he had never worn a mask during the Covid pandemic. Earlier this week, the Reform UK leader told the Telegraph: I didnt wear them last time, and I wont wear them this time. But the Conservatives have uncovered two photographs of him wearing masks during the lockdown period. Reform accused the Tories of desperate smears and pointed out that Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, had supported the mask rules while in government. Mr Farage made his comments after an NHS boss suggested people wear masks on public transport and in offices amid rising flu cases. On Wednesday, the Conservative X account posted a link to his comments in The Telegraph and said: The post included a picture of Mr Farage leaving the Boisdale restaurant, in central London, in 2020, early in the pandemic. The party also posted another one of him wearing a Union Flag mask promoted by the boxer Derek Chisora, who sold War Chisora masks during the Covid crisis. A Reform source said: This is typical from the Tories they cant beat us in local elections every week, or the polls, so they try desperate smears. Nigel fought against lockdowns whilst Kemi sat cosy as a minister supporting them. We will finish the Tories off as a national party in May. Ms Badenoch was in the Boris Johnson government that supported lockdowns and masks, and Reform pointed out that she had worn a mask when sitting on the government benches in the Commons. Mr Farage was also photographed wearing a mask as he received his Covid-19 vaccine - Nigel Farage On Tuesday, the Tory leader rejected calls for masks to be worn in public as flu cases rise, telling Sky News: Im still slightly traumatised by all the mask-wearing that we had to do during Covid. Lets bring some common sense into this. I personally think that face coverings can be a barrier to social interaction, social cohesion, and I do worry about a mask mandate. I dont think the Government should be mandating anything. I think people can make up their own minds. If you are really sick, you should be in bed, not on public transport. I think thats more of a problem. But the truth is, many people are contagious before they realise that theyre even ill. So Im not sure that it would work. I think its a surprising announcement. Im not quite sure why theyve done that. She spoke after Daniel Elkeles, the chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, urged people to get back into the habit of mask-wearing in the office or on public transport, as they did during Covid. Downing Street also encouraged people to wear masks in public to combat a tidal wave of flu. Multiple schools have gone into lockdown to combat flu cases. Government officials then ordered schools not to do so except in extreme circumstances after being concerned that decisions taken by some headteachers are reminiscent of those taken during the pandemic. Donald Trump mocked Hillary Clinton as he gave remarks at JD Vance's holiday reception on Tuesday, 9 December. Speaking at the festive event in Washington DC, before heading to Pennsylvania to deliver a speech on the economy, the president said: "Someday we'll have a woman break the glass ceiling. Hillary Clinton was going to do that." It comes as Trump is set to hold a rally and give remarks on his economic agenda, with a positive, economic-focused speech planned according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. In a Politico interview published earlier Tuesday, the president said he would grade his economy an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus. Displaced residents rest inside a temple after they evacuated following clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border, in Siem Reap province on 9 December, 2025. Photograph: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP/Getty Images) US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will make a call regarding reignited hostilities on the Thai-Cambodia border, where fighting has resumed less than two months after a ceasefire he brokered between the two nations collapsed. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, the US president reiterated his global peacemaking skills, proclaiming that in ten months I ended eight wars, before listing hostilities between Kosovo and Serbia, Pakistan and India, and Israel and Iran. Acknowledging that clashes have again erupted in the disputed border region in south-east Asia, Trump suggested he would again step in to calm tensions. I hate to say this one, named Cambodia-Thailand, and it started up today and tomorrow Ill have to make a phone call, he told the crowd. Who else could say, Im going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia. Theyre going at it again. Fatal clashes escalated along the disputed border this week as both sides have sought to cast blame on the other for the fighting and vowed to defend their territories. More than 500,000 people have fled their homes to safety in Thailand and Cambodia since the start of the reignited conflict. Both sides have accused each other of violating a US-backed ceasefire deal brokered by Trump in July and signed in his presence six weeks ago. Tensions have simmered since Thailand suspended de-escalation measures in November after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine that Bangkok said was newly laid by Cambodia, a claim that Cambodia denies. Related: Whats behind the Thailand-Cambodia clashes explained in 30 seconds In a sign that neither side was willing to back down, Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday that Cambodia had not yet contacted Thailand about possible negotiations and the fighting would continue. Weve got to do what weve got to do, he said. The government will support all kinds of military operations as planned earlier. Earlier this week he said that military action was necessary to safeguard the nations sovereignty and ensure public safety. In a statement posted to Facebook and Telegram, Cambodias senate president and former longtime prime minister Hun Sen claimed that his country had refrained from retaliating Monday, but overnight began to fire back at Thai forces. Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory, Hun Sen wrote. As of Tuesday night, Cambodias defence ministry said nine civilians had been killed since Monday and 20 seriously injured, while Thai officials said four soldiers had been killed and 68 had been injured. With Reuters and Associated Press Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, at a meeting with the National Economic Council in Caracas. Photograph: Marcelo Garcia/Venezuelan Presidency/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Marcelo Garcia/Venezuelan Presidency/AFP/Getty Images) Two US fighter jets circled the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, in what appeared to be an escalation of the Trump administrations ongoing hostilities toward the South American country and its leftist leader, Nicolas Maduro. Venezuelans and South American media followed the flights in real time using websites like FlightRadar24, which showed a pair of F/A-18 Super Hornets flying together into the narrow Gulf of Venezuela for about 40 minutes. The jets flew just north of Maracaibo, Venezuelas most populous city. FlightRadar24 described the flights as the sites most watched in a tweet. A pair of Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets also flew just north of the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, according to the War Zone. Venezuela claims the gulf as part of its national territory. But the United States has historically challenged Venezuelas definitions of its boundaries, saying they butt into international waters and airspace. The Pentagon played down the development in a statement to the Guardian. The Department conducts routine, lawful operations in international airspace, including over the Gulf of Venezuela, a Pentagon official wrote. We will continue to fly safely, professionally, and in accordance with international law to protect the homeland, monitor illicit activity, and support stability across the Americas. The reported flights come amid rising tensions between the two countries over the Trump administrations rebranding of drug traffickers as enemy combatants. Trumps military campaign against accused international drug smugglers has so far killed some 87 people off the coasts of Latin American countries. Critics view those military operations as illegal, amounting to little more than extrajudicial killings. A recent follow-up strike that killed two survivors of a US attack on a suspected narcovessel has led several members of Congress to denounce the defense secretary Pete Hegseth, contending that attacking defenseless targets who present no threat may constitute a war crime. Trump said Maduros days are numbered, in an interview with Politico published Tuesday. He also repeated his vow to extend the military campaign against drug traffickers into Venezuelan territory, saying were gonna hit em on land very soon. US fighter jets fly over Gulf of Venezuela in closest approach since Trumps pressure campaign U.S. military fighter jets conducted a flight over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking what appears to be the closest American warplanes have approached the South American nation's airspace since the Trump administration initiated its pressure campaign. Public flight tracking websites observed a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets traversing the Gulf a body of water bordered by Venezuela and approximately 150 miles at its widest point for over 30 minutes. A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of military operations, confirmed the routine training flight. The official stated the jets remained in international airspace throughout, though could not confirm if they were armed. They likened the exercise to previous demonstrations of U.S. aerial reach, emphasizing the maneuver was not meant to be provocative. Public flight tracking websites observed a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets traversing the Gulf. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) The military has previously sent B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers to the region, but those planes flew up to and along the coast of Venezuela. There was no indication that those aircraft ever flew as close to the countrys territory as the F/A-18 fighter jets on Tuesday. The flights are the latest action the U.S. military has taken as it has built up its largest presence in the region in decades and launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. President Donald Trump says land attacks are coming soon but has not offered any details on location. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes since early September, including a follow-up strike that killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit. Lawmakers are demanding to get unedited video from the strikes, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders Tuesday he was still weighing whether to release it. Hegseth provided a classified briefing for congressional leaders alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials. The same day, Adm. Alvin Holsey, who will be retiring from U.S. Southern Command in this week, spoke separately with the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels. Flightradar24, one of the websites that allowed the public to see the jets flying in real time, said the planes were the most tracked flights on its site at the time. Venezuela has claimed that the body of water is part of the country's national territory, but those claims have been challenged by U.S. legal scholars and the military for decades. Venezuela has accused the US of "piracy" after an oil tanker was seized off the country's coast. Donald Trump announced the operation had taken place during a meeting of business leaders at the White House, telling reporters: "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually." Attorney General Pam Bondi shared a video of the operation, revealing the FBI, Homeland Security, US Coast Guard, and Department of Defence were involved. She said the US forces "executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran". Venezuela's government said the seizure "constitutes a blatant theft and an act of international piracy." Ms Bondi said the seized vessel - believed to be a tanker named Skipper - has been sanctioned by the US for many years "due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organisations". She did not name the vessel, what flag it sailed under, or exactly where the incident took place. UK maritime risk management group Vanguard said that the tanker Skipper - which the US sanctioned for alleged involvement in Iranian oil trading under the name Adisa - was believed to be the target. According to satellite information analysed by TankerTrackers.com and internal data from Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, the Skipper left Venezuela's main oil port of Jose between 4 and 5 December after loading some 1.8 million barrels of Venezuela's Merey heavy crude oil. It then, while near Curacao, transferred about 200,000 barrels of oil to the Panama-flagged Neptune 6 bound for Cuba. Sky News analysis has identified the location it was seized as being about 28 miles (44 km) south-southeast of Grenada. Marine Traffic shows the location of the Adisa/Skipper as being between Grenada and Trinidad at about 11pm UK time last night, but it is known that the ship's location tracking data has been unreliable in recent months. The site shows it currently heading north, northeast of Grenada and southeast of Saint Vincent. Trump offers ominous commentary Without giving additional information on the operation, Mr Trump added during the White House meeting that "other things are happening". Later, Mr Trump said the tanker was "seized for a very good reason", and when asked what will happen to the oil on board, he added: "Well, we keep it, I suppose." How did we get here? It marks another escalation from the US after months of pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The White House accuses Mr Maduro of presiding over a narcotrafficking operation in Venezuela, which he denies. The US has escalated military deployments against the Latin American country over the last few months, with the president suggesting American forces could launch a land attack. Speaking to Politico on Tuesday, Mr Trump declined to comment on whether US troops would enter Venezuela, but warned Mr Maduro's "days are numbered". On 2 September, the White House posted on X that it had conducted a strike against so-called "narco-terrorists" shipping fentanyl to the US, without providing direct evidence of the alleged crime. Sky News has verified that in the past four months, 23 boats have been targeted in 22 strikes, killing 87 people. Read more: The US-Venezuela crisis explained Is this what the beginning of a war looks like? Venezuela: 'It has always been about our oil' The Maduro government describes America's actions as a grab for Venezuela's oil reserves, which are among the biggest in the world. At a rally before a ruling-party-organised demonstration in Caracas on Wednesday, Mr Maduro did not address the seizure but told supporters Venezuela is "prepared to break the teeth of the North American empire if necessary". Flanked by senior officials, he said that only the ruling party can "guarantee peace, stability, and the harmonious development of Venezuela, South America and the Caribbean". His government did issue a statement, accusing the US of "piracy" and "imperial abuses". Of the US campaign, it said: "It has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people." Read more on Venezuela: Hegseth cites 'fog of war' defence US aircraft carrier close to Venezuela Is military confrontation possible? Geoffrey Corn, director of the Centre for Military Law at Texas Tech University, told Sky's Mark Austin on The World that Mr Trump's remarks on land strikes "ostensibly" refer to drug cartel members. Formerly a senior adviser to the US army on warfare law, Mr Corn added: "That could very easily provide the pretext for some confrontation between Venezuelan armed forces and US armed forces. "And then that would open the door to a broader campaign to basically negate the power of the Venezuelan military." Cooperation and development highlighted at the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum Xinhua) 14:23, December 10, 2025 GUANGZHOU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian president who is now nearly ninety years old, vividly recalls his first visit to China in the 1980s. At that time, he felt that China was just at the starting point of its development. During subsequent visits to China, he witnessed China's change at a phenomenal speed. Even a simple village, upon his return decades later, has completely transformed. With these long-term observations, Obasanjo returned to China to attend the 2025 Imperial Springs International Forum held in Guangzhou last week. More than 200 guests attended, including over 30 former heads of state, government leaders, and heads of international organizations from around the world, as well as over 100 well-known scholars and business leaders from both China and abroad. PLATFORM FOR UNDERSTANDING The Imperial Springs International Forum was founded in 2014 and is jointly hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia-China Friendship and Exchange Association, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid. The forum invites senior international political figures, distinguished scholars, and business leaders from both China and abroad to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as multilateralism, global governance, and China's development. It has gradually become an important platform for the international community to observe China, understand the world, and build consensus. Themed "For Global Cooperation and Solidarity," this year's forum covered topics such as global security, global governance, artificial intelligence and green development. Seychelles consists of 115 islands of varying sizes. Despite being the smallest country in Africa by land area, it ranks among the top in Africa in terms of the human development index, with tourism as the backbone of its economy. Seychelles' former president, Danny Faure, who attended the forum for the first time, told Xinhua that over the past 31 years, he has visited China multiple times in his roles as minister for education, minister for finance, vice president, and president. "There has been a huge development in China. And I'm really impressed with the development of your country." "I think the spirit of dialogue that China believes in is very important. China believes in cooperation. Seychelles also believes in cooperation and solidarity," said Faure, adding that there's a lot the two countries can do in terms of climate change. "China is a true friend of Africa, and is a true friend of the Seychelles," he added. Leo Varadkar, Ireland's former prime minister, said this was his second visit to China, following his first, as a minister, over a decade ago. "I think we are going into a world that is going to be a much more multipolar one, in which China is going to be influential. And I think there are opportunities for China as well, and to have a stronger global presence," he said. "The dialogue is crucial." For Stefan Lofven, former prime minister of Sweden, this forum offers a valuable opportunity for former prime ministers and presidents to meet with their Chinese friends and exchange ideas. Yves Leterme, former prime minister of Belgium, said the participants, based on their experience and wisdom, enrich each other's perspectives and express their own views in constructive, critical ways. Leterme added that the Imperial Springs International Forum is one of the platforms that the world needs to facilitate understanding and to make understanding possible. Nathalie de Gaulle, great-granddaughter of former French president Charles de Gaulle, said this forum allows former leaders to think in broader historical arcs and to share hard-won wisdom about what actually works, rather than abstract ideas without foundation. According to Chau Chak Wing, founding president of the Australia-China Friendship and Exchange Association and chair of the Asia-Pacific Region of World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, since the forum was established in 2014, its circle of friends has continued to expand and it has now become an important platform for China's people-to-people diplomacy in the new era. NEW PLAN GIVING HOPE At this year's forum, the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) was a frequently mentioned keyword. Many regarded China's development blueprint for the next five years as an important window for understanding China's future and the evolving global landscape. "I always believe that when China is strong, the world is strong. When China is modern, when China is innovating, the world is getting to be a better place," said former Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, adding that he followed the execution of the 14th Five-Year Plan and admired the new plan. Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and the Hainan Free Trade Port all left a deep impression on him. "The new Five-Year Plan is giving us the hope that China is not only going to modernize internally but to be leading globally in certain strategic areas of the economy, and everybody will benefit from that," said Plevneliev. "In the world, planning was seen as not being sufficiently effective. And there was a lot of reliance on the free market," said Danilo Turk, former president of Slovenia and the current president of the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid. However, China has demonstrated that this is not necessarily the case, he said. "If you have a really powerful engineering capacity, you can develop technology in a way that makes planning much more effective," he added. Speaking of China's development path, Kim Campbell, former Canadian prime minister, used the word "remarkable." "The dramatic economic transformation of China is one of the most satisfying things I have seen in my life, because it means that a lot of wonderful people are having more opportunities, a better life, and a better quality of life, and that's a good thing for the world," said Campbell. PROMOTING WIN-WIN BUT NO DIVISIONS Volkan Bozkir, president of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly and former minister of European Union Affairs of Turkiye, noted that the Belt and Road Initiative is not just a construction project but a visionary project. Bozkir said China will invest in vehicle production in Turkiye, and that China has contributed to the construction of many airports, bridges, and highways there. Chinese banks have also opened branches. "We are benefiting from the Chinese technology, economic power, and also friendship," said Bozkir. In 2015, when Plevneliev was president, Bulgaria became one of the earliest Central and Eastern European countries to sign cooperation documents related to the Belt and Road initiative. In his view, China advocates for integration and win-win cooperation, in contrast to the divisions and confrontations pursued by certain other powers. Regarding distortions in perceptions of China in recent years, Plevneliev strongly believed that China's success is being used by some politicians as a convenient excuse to shift attention away from addressing their own domestic problems. Plevneliev noted his desire to see a European Union that, grounded in multilateralism, WTO rules, competitiveness, etc., makes its own way with China to boost trade and production. "I definitely think what I will bring back to Europe and to Ireland is that Europe and China need to speak more because both of us are looking for a stable outlook as to what the world looks like," said Varadkar, adding he always believed in multilateralism in countries working together, trying to find win-wins, and also respecting differences. For Campbell, China is not only an important competitor but also an important partner. "I don't think China is a threat to Western countries. I don't see China wanting to take over the rule. I think that China has a great deal to be proud of in terms of what it has accomplished," she said. Leterme said that we are living through an era of geopolitical rebalancing, when China is reentering and taking up its rightful place, in terms of economic growth and as an impressive example of spreading progress nationwide. "And what I find very positive over time is that China has this tremendous development of the Chinese nation. It is known as an attitude of responsibility for the whole of the globe," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A picture of the Nobel peace prize laureate, Maria Corina Machado, hangs in Oslo city hall as dignitaries gathered for the ceremony. Photograph: Ole Berg-Rusten/EPA (Photograph: Ole Berg-Rusten/EPA) Venezuelas most prominent opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has vowed to continue her struggle to free the country from years of obscene corruption, brutal dictatorship and despair as she was awarded the Nobel peace prize at a ceremony in Norways capital, Oslo. The 58-year-old conservative has lived in hiding in Venezuela since its authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro, was accused of stealing the 2024 presidential election from her political movement. Despite fevered speculation that she would make a dramatic appearance at Wednesdays event, having somehow slipped out of Venezuela, Machado was not present, although she was expected to arrive in Oslo in the coming hours. In a lecture delivered by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, the former congresswoman and veteran pro-democracy campaigner pledged to continue leading Venezuela on its long march to freedom. Venezuela will breathe again, said Machado, who has lived underground since Maduro launched a wave of repression after refusing to accept he had lost last years vote, despite compelling proof. We will open prison doors and watch thousands who were unjustly detained step into the warm sun, embraced at last by those who never stopped fighting for them We will hug again. Fall in love again. Hear our streets fill with laughter and music, added Machado, who some call Venezuelas Iron Lady. Opening Wednesdays ceremony, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, Jrgen Watne Frydnes, said Machado was safe and will be here with us in Oslo after a journey in a situation of extreme danger, although not in time for the event. In an audio message released by her team, the activist thanked those who had risked their lives to get her out of Venezuela and confirmed: Im on my way Ill see you very soon. It was not immediately clear how Machado had managed to escape Venezuela but the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that she had secretly travelled by boat to the Caribbean island of Curacao on Tuesday. Latin America leaders and celebrities including the rightwing presidents of Argentina, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay Javier Milei, Daniel Noboa, Jose Raul Mulino and Santiago Pena travelled to Oslo to offer Machado their support as her movement continued its crusade to force Maduro from power. Also present was Edmundo Gonzalez, the 76-year-old diplomat who filled Machados shoes in last years election after she was banned from running and is widely believed to have won. Gonzalez was forced into exile in Spain by Maduros post-election crackdown. The Venezuelan pianist and activist Gabriela Montero flew to Norway to perform at Wednesdays ceremony inside the redbrick Oslo city hall. Montero said Machado had asked her to play Mi Querencia (My Haven), a song by the Venezuelan composer Simon Diaz that the pianist believed spoke to the exodus of more than eight million people who have fled economic hardship and repression in Venezuela since Maduro took power in 2013. The song is about coming home, Montero said before the ceremony. That has been [Maria Corinas] mantra all these years: that we will all be able to return home and that families will come together and the country will rebuild with that enormous diaspora that has spread through the world for so many years. Montero paid tribute to a politician she called the most courageous, resilient woman that I know. Maria Corina never abandoned the fight despite her enormous personal sacrifices She always kept the goal in sight: which has been to liberate a country that she loves and that she has given her life up for, the musician said. Addressing the audience, Frydnes celebrated Machados tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a peaceful and just transition from dictatorship to democracy. Standing next to a portrait of Machado, Frydnes sent a direct message to Maduro: You should accept the election results and step down because that is the will of the Venezuelan people Let a new age dawn. Soon after the ceremony, Colombias leftwing president, Gustavo Petro, also turned up the heat on Maduro, tweeting it was time for an inclusive transitional government, an end to repression and an amnesty in Venezuela. The Nobel ceremony coincides with one of the most dramatic and uncertain moments in Venezuelas turbulent recent history. Since August, Donald Trump has ordered a massive naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea and a series of deadly strikes on alleged narco boats off Venezuelas northern coast. On Tuesday, two US fighter jets flew within less than 80km of Venezuelas second biggest city, Maracaibo, in a show of force. While the official justification for the military buildup is Trumps war on drugs, most analysts and diplomats believe his fundamental goal is to topple Maduro by sparking a military uprising. Trump tried but failed to remove Maduro during his first term in the White House with a maximum pressure campaign of sanctions and military threats. His days are numbered, Trump told Politico this week although allies, including the now secretary of state Marco Rubio, made almost identical claims during the 2019 attempt to unseat Maduro, and were wrong. Speaking to Politico, Trump refused to rule out a ground invasion of Venezuela, although given his non-interventionist policy few expect that to happen. Still, some observers fear bloodshed if Trump intensifies his military campaign, possibly by launching strikes against land targets within Venezuela. Celso Amorim, the chief foreign policy adviser to Brazils leftwing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, told the Guardian that a US attack could create a Vietnam-style war zone. Other observers remember the chaos unleashed by the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein or the 2011 Nato airstrikes that helped bring down Muammar Gaddafi. Montero rejected such comparisons. They try to compare it to other regime changes in history and its nothing like anything else that we have ever seen, the pianist said. We have marched, we have voted, we have protested [against Maduro] Weve done everything to free ourselves of this terrible, terrible chapter of our history and its very frustrating when we encounter public opinion that doesnt understand what has happened to us and what we are up against. In her lecture, Machado said Venezuela had once been the most stable [democracy] in Latin America but had been plunged into economic ruin and authoritarian rule in the years after the 1998 election of Maduros mentor, Hugo Chavez, as the countrys oil wealth was frittered away and stolen. From 1999 onward, the regime dismantled our democracy, she said. [We have spent] almost three decades fighting against a brutal dictatorship. The Norwegian Nobel Institutes decision to honour Machado is not without controversy. While the committee celebrated her dogged struggle against Venezuelas brutal, authoritarian state, critics pointed to Machados past support for military intervention to unseat the countrys dictator. Others have criticised her failure to condemn Trumps deadly strikes in the Caribbean or his treatment of Venezuelan migrants deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador. After her Nobel prize was announced in October, Machado dedicated the award to Trump for his decisive support of our cause and called the US president one of our main allies to achieve freedom and democracy. Dozens of protesters took to the streets of Oslo on the eve of the ceremony to denounce the award. A peace prize must be awarded to actors who genuinely work for peace, dialogue, and justice. When the prize is given to a politician who supports military interference and actions contrary to international law, it breaks with the very purpose of the Nobel peace prize, Gro Standnes, an activist and member of the Norwegian Peace Council said in a statement. Luigi Mangione wrote pluck eyebrows on a to-do list after allegedly assassinating a US healthcare chief executive, prosecutors claim. Evidence shared with a Manhattan court on Tuesday included a note dated Dec 5, 2024 the day after Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot dead with bullet points apparently detailing how the Ivy League graduate planned to change his appearance. Police arrested Mr Mangione in a McDonalds restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, following a tip-off from a customer who recognised him by his bushy eyebrows. Bodycam footage of the moment the 27-year-old was apprehended by 30 officers and asked to remove his face mask was also entered into evidence by prosecutors. In the clip, Mr Mangione can be seen giving police the name Mark Rosario and a fake New Jersey ID. Lawyers for Mr Mangione are pushing for a dismissal of the proceedings, contending that the full-length bodycam video shows police interrogating him before he was read his Miranda rights. Luigi Mangione and his attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo appeared for a suppression of evidence hearing - Curtis Means/Pool They have argued it will create a substantial probability that the 27-year-old will not have a fair trial, claiming he was questioned for more than 20 minutes beforehand. Although Mr Mangiones lawyers have not disputed the authenticity of the evidence seized, they claim it is inadmissible because the arresting officers did not have a warrant to search his backpack. Police maintain the search was valid because they were looking for a bomb and eventually obtained a warrant. Officers searched his backpack and found a to-do list and travel plans along with a hand-drawn map of his escape route, according to prosecutors, and alleged tactics for avoiding capture, the court heard. One note presented in court said: keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, as well as check reports for current situation. Another listed several tasks, including change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows. Buy black shoes (white stripes too distinctive), read another note with a star drawn next to it. A sandwich, a loaded gun magazine wrapped in a pair of wet underwear, a 9mm handgun, a silencer and a bag of sliced bread were also found by police in his backpack, the court heard. Mr Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder, as well as in a separate federal trial where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. In winter, Americans continue to be drawn to culturally rich capitals with festive markets and iconic holiday traditions (elxeneize - stock.adobe.com) Competition for the American tourist dollar is always fierce among European cities, but this winter its the UK capital that emerges as the outright winner, according to a study. A review of more than 165,000 travel itineraries across the peak holiday travel period from November 26, 2025, to January 6, 2026 reveals London as the most popular European destination for American travelers this winter. As it did in 2024, the city tops the annual 20-strong European Holiday Destination Index by travel insurer Allianz Partners, with Paris, France, in second place. Rome, Italy (No. 3), Madrid, Spain (No. 4), and Dublin, Ireland (No. 5) round out the top five, underscoring Americans continued draw to culturally rich capitals with festive markets and iconic holiday traditions, said Allianz. London is the most popular European destination for American travelers this winter, according to a study (elxeneize - stock.adobe.com) The remainder of the top 10 features Amsterdam, Netherlands (No. 6); Frankfurt, Germany (No. 7); Barcelona, Spain (No. 8); Munich, Germany (No. 9); and Lisbon, Portugal (No. 10) a mix of classic city breaks and warmer Mediterranean escapes. Perennial favorites Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy, rank 11th and 12th, respectively, indicating consistent interest in fashion-forward city stays and access to the Alps. Rounding out the list are several destinations that shifted positions this year, which Allianz said reflects evolving traveler interests across Europe. The firm noted that Athens, Greece (No. 13), and Edinburgh, Scotland (No. 14), traded places on the index, commenting that Americans are weighing the allure of mild Mediterranean weather and ancient history against Edinburgh's storybook holiday charm and rich seasonal traditions. Vienna, Austria famed for its ornate architecture and festive Christmas markets climbed five spots to No. 15, with Copenhagen, Denmark, joining the list at No. 16, no doubt in part thanks to its inviting hygge spirit. Paris is the second-most popular European city for Americans this winter (rh2010 - stock.adobe.com) Manchester, England, drops two places to No. 17, with Geneva, Switzerland, at No. 18 and romantic Venice, Italy, dropping a single place to No. 19. Closing out the top 20 is Brussels, Belgium (No. 20), which has slipped from last year's 16th place. However, it continues to attract travelers with its dazzling Winter Wonders festival and its irresistible culinary traditions, including waffles and chocolate. Allianz Partners said in a statement: Together, these destinations underscore Americans' growing appetite for variety in their European travels, from snow-covered markets to temperate escapes, as the continent continues to offer something for every type of winter traveler. According to aviation data firm OAG, the U.S. remains the worlds largest international air-travel market, with overseas flight capacity up 3% this winter. Trinity College Dublin, shown here, is among the many attractions luring American tourists to the Irish capital (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Holiday travel to Europe: Top 20 destinations How we work has changed dramatically over the last few years. After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a huge uptick in hybrid and remote working but more recently, employers have been pushing for a return to the office. The use of AI at work has accelerated, nearly doubling in two years. Were also seeing a gradual shift towards better worker rights, with reforms planned through the new Employment Rights Bill set to take place in 2026. So what changes and trends can we expect to see emerging over the next year, and how will they affect our work? Paternity leave and unpaid parental leave Paternity leave and ordinary parental leave are expected to become day-one rights, meaning you will be able to give notice to take leave from your first day in a new job. In other words, new starters will no longer need to have worked a minimum length of service to qualify. This is already the case for maternity leave, but you have to have worked 26 weeks for paternity leave and one year for unpaid parental leave. At the moment, employees lose their entitlement to paternity leave and pay if they opt to take shared parental leave first. This restriction is expected to be removed next year, enabling employees to take paternity leave and pay even after they have taken shared parental leave and pay. The primary workplace changes planned for next year are new day-one rights, including flexible working and parental leave, statutory sick pay reforms, strengthened protections for parents and carers, and greater predictability for zero-hours workers, says Richard Alderson, founder of Careershifters. Read more: Two-week paternity leave has left women paying the price with their health These changes will likely come as a double-edged sword for both workers and employers, Alderson says. Workers stand to benefit from improved rights, but some employers may respond by creating fewer opportunities. In July, the government launched a wider 18-month review of parental leave and pay, but any concrete plans arent expected until 2027. Shift from traditional role hierarchies Louise Webster, founder of Beyond the School Run, a platform connecting mothers to opportunities, says many workplaces will continue to move away from traditional role structures. Instead of viewing careers through the lens of job titles and organisational layers, the future will be about skills, talents and contribution, wherever they fit best, she says. Roles will become more fluid, allowing people to move to where their strengths add the most value. This shift benefits both workers and employers, adds Webster. People feel more fulfilled, and organisations gain access to far greater creativity, innovation and capability. The old business models, built on strict structures and control, simply wont serve the workplace of the future. Female business owner speaking to office workers in modern conference room (MoMo Productions via Getty Images) Sick pay changes and fire and rehire restrictions From April 2026, statutory sick pay will be payable from the first day of absence. Currently, an employee must wait for three days before they can be paid. The earnings threshold will also be scrapped, meaning low-paid and part-time workers will qualify. Additionally, towards the end of next year, employers will find it much harder to change staff contracts by dismissing and re-engaging on new terms. In most cases, this will count as unfair dismissal. Under the new bill, zero-hours contracts will become more regulated to end one-sided flexibility, but this change likely wont come into force until 2027. According to a Work Foundation at Lancaster University study published earlier this year, millions of workers could benefit from better job security with better day-one rights. Had the reforms been in place in 2023, their analysis found 1.2 million fewer people would have experienced severe insecurity at work and the proportion of the UK workforce in secure jobs would have risen by 3.9 million workers to 17.8 million workers. Sexual harassment whistleblowing changes Under the Employment Rights Bill, sexual harassment is expected to become a qualifying disclosure under whistleblowing law. This means workers will be explicitly protected from retaliation and unfair dismissal for raising concerns about sexual harassment. Read more: How to spot subtle pregnancy discrimination in a job interview Previously, protection depended on whether the harassment fell under existing categories like criminal offences or health and safety risks. The bill will also strengthen employer duties by requiring "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment, and it will void certain non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent reporting harassment. According to a study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), 22% of surveyed employers use NDAs when dealing with allegations of sexual harassment. More than 435,000 mothers in the UK are estimated to have been gagged by NDAs following discrimination, bullying and harassment at work. AI integration concerns Many headlines have warned that AI and automation will replace workers, but the impact hasnt been as dramatic as expected at least not yet. A 2025 analysis from Yales Budget Lab found no discernible disruption in the wider labour market since ChatGPTs release. What is clear, however, is that more employees are using AI to support their work, raising broader questions about how increased reliance on these tools may affect the quality and accuracy of output. Read more: How to recover from a bad career decision And the nature of work itself will continue to evolve. Research by LiveCareer suggests that nearly a million jobs in London could be reshaped by AI, including more than 200,000 telemarketing roles, 150,000 bookkeeping jobs and over 95,000 data entry positions. Rise of maternity returnships There is growing momentum behind maternity returnship programmes, which are proving important in helping mothers return to the workforce with structure, confidence and support, says Webster. These give working mothers a chance to brush up on skills and ease back into a full-time job without having to start afresh. One company offering returnships is the software firm Asana (ASAN), which helps parents and caregivers get their careers back on track with mentorship, training and support. If we embrace flexibility, talent-driven structures, and purpose-led cultures, the transformation well see in 2026 and beyond could be incredible, adds Webster. Read more: Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Billionaire king How is the Royal family making more money than ever? asks David Dimbleby, in his new BBC documentary on the monarchy. And are they worth it? The programme claims that for the first time, the British monarch has private wealth exceeding 1bn, citing estimates by the Guardian that King Charless personal assets are worth around 1.8bn. Such claims surfacing in a Left-wing newspaper, as they did two years ago, is one thing. That they have now been given prominence and apparent credence by Britains public service broadcaster, conveyed to the nation by one of the corporations most respected presenters, is quite another. Its telling, at a time of declining support for the monarchy, that republicans immediately seized on Dimblebys remarks, conscious that wealth is increasingly becoming a dirty concept among the young in particular. On Wednesday, Narinder Kaur, the television presenter, delighted in objecting to a picture showing the sinful double whammy of the King knighting Jeremy Hunt, the Conservative former health secretary. Rewarded for making Britain poorer by a king who is now a billionaire, she said. Proper kick in the teeth for the working class of Britain. Rewarded for making Britain poorer by a king who is now a billionaire. Proper kick in the teeth for the working class of Britain. pic.twitter.com/RWuyuLk7tS Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) December 10, 2025 I think the current 1.8bn for Charless wealth is an underestimate, says Norman Baker, the anti-monarchy former Lib Dem minister and author of Royal Mint, National Debt: The Shocking Truth About the Royals Finances. Id put it somewhere closer to 2.5bn because we dont know the extent of his investment income. Theres no question Charles is a billionaire. Republicans have identified Charless wealth as a promising target for attacks, with the Royal family recently wounded by scandals surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, and public support for the monarchy having dropped from 75 per cent in 2012 to 62 per cent now. Now, theyve been given a helping hand from a surprising corner. The King, said Dimbleby, inherited more wealth than any monarch for generations. It is true that over the course of his mothers life, the Windsor monarchy was able to accumulate wealth through property, private collections, investments and the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which control vast amounts of land and property. Coupled with these assets and revenues, the monarchys exemption from inheritance tax and other tax arrangements meant that when Charles took his place on the throne, he became Britains first private billionaire monarch, according to the Guardian data cited by Dimbleby. King Charles entered the record books when he was crowned in 2023, according to data cited in David Dimblebys new documentary - Alastair Grant/WPA Pool/Getty The Kings personal wealth is accumulating with businesses run for private gain, says Ed Owens, a historian of the modern monarchy. He and his family collect priceless gifts, racehorses and art and the question is always, does this belong to an individual or the nation? We are living in an increasingly divided country. Among the younger generation who view extremes of wealth negatively, being a billionaire is a problem for the King. The Guardian investigation cited in the second episode of the documentary series Whats The Monarchy For? presented by Dimbleby was an attempt to assess the Kings private wealth by assigning price tags to assets and properties and estimating values in cases where there is insufficient detail in the public domain. At the time of the Guardian investigation, King Charless spokesman said: While we do not comment on private finances, your figures are a highly creative mix of speculation, assumption and inaccuracy. The abiding theme of the BBCs discussion about the Kings wealth concerns the monarchys institutional opacity when it comes to money. Elizabeth II, says Owens, did all she could to protect the nature of her finances in a veil of secrecy now that is being punctured and very difficult questions are being asked. The monarchy has paid income tax since 1993, when John Major reached a deal with the late Queen in the wake of the fire at Windsor Castle, which sparked a debate about how much the public should pay for the 36.5m restoration. However, the monarch remains exempt from inheritance tax. Given what the documentary claims about the value of Queen Elizabeths assets and what Charles was bequeathed including two huge private estates with properties and enormously valuable private collections that appears an effective, though unknown, saving of many millions of pounds in itself. The King pays income tax voluntarily but does not pay corporation tax. Property accounts for a significant proportion of the Guardian figure cited by the BBC, although it also covers art, jewellery and even cars accumulated over many years. Private property Estimated value 330m Balmoral is the larger of the monarchs private estates - iStock Editorial The main two estates held privately by the monarch (as opposed to Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace, which are state owned) are Sandringham, which spans 20,000 acres and includes villages and tenant farmers, and Balmoral, which covers 50,000 acres. Jewellery Estimated value 533m Queen Mary, wearing her triple rope of pearls, diamond collarette and earrings - Bettmann Leaving aside the incalculable value of the Crown Jewels, which are the property of the nation, the monarchy has privately accumulated a vast collection of valuable jewellery, much of it thanks to the collecting habits of Queen Mary, the wife of George V and the Kings great-grandmother. The face value of the monarchys jewellery collection is enormous, but the fact that it has been worn by countless royals inflates that by anyones guess, and in the case of the BBCs documentary at least tenfold. Stamps Estimated value 100m The latest estimate for the monarchs privately owned examples of philately is based not only on individual values, but on the fact that together it constitutes the greatest collection in the world Horses Estimated value 27m The King and Queen with their horse Desert Hero after its victory in the King George V handicap at Royal Ascot in 2023 - Justin Tallis/AFP The late Queen built up and maintained a stable of livestock about 100 horses which were all bequeathed to King Charles. These are all privately owned, with any winnings from competitions, or funds accrued from sales, remaining in private hands. Art Estimated value 24m Not only is it not entirely clear which paintings in royal residences belong to the public and which are privately owned, assessing the value of paintings by great masters is notoriously inexact, given the wild fluctuations in the market. It is likely that any estimation would be conservative, given the number of extremely wealthy collectors around the world who would be prepared to pay over the market value to acquire masterpieces by Monet such as Study of Rocks; Creuse: Le Bloc, bought by the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 1945 Dali or Van Dyck held by the British monarch. The documentary complains that there is no publicly available list of artworks privately owned by King Charles. Theres never been a proper audit of what belongs to the nation and what belongs to the family, says Owens. Cars Estimated value 6.3m The Kings prized Aston Martin DB6 Volante - Chris Jackson/Getty Charles is known to own several extremely valuable cars including an Aston Martin DB6 and a Volante. While some royal cars are clearly designated as state vehicles, the ownership status of others, such as the Aston Martins, remains unknown. Buckingham Palace declined the invitation of the Guardian to clarify which of the Kings cars were private and which not. Shares and investments Estimated value 142m This remains the least known aspect of the monarchs wealth given that much of this is assumed to be held by shell companies. The Guardians guesstimates were based on a 22-year-old investigation by the Times, from which a very conservative figure was reached based on how those known funds were expected to perform in subsequent decades. There are very complex financial arrangements with the use of different funding models to disguise how all the wealth moves around, says Owens. The Duchy of Lancaster Estimated value 653m The Duchy is a land and property estate that provides annual payments of 20m a year to the monarch. Although the King voluntarily pays capital gains tax on profits from investments, he is exempt from this tax on holdings and businesses that come under the auspices of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy of Cornwall, which was passed to the Prince of Wales after the death of the late Queen, benefits from a similar arrangement. The Duchy of Lancaster is arguably the most contentious asset of the monarchy, given that it passed to the monarch as a benefit of his or her status as head of state but is run like a private business, for private income. Now, says Owens, pressure is likely to grow for the Palace to fill in the gaps left by the Guardian and the BBC. Its going to become harder and harder for the monarchy to be so opaque about its finances, says Owens. That has been accelerated by whats happened with Prince Andrew and we are witnessing a genuine sea change that will require more transparency from the Royal family. Children should be given flu vaccinations to protect their grandparents at Christmas, health chiefs have said. Flu rates are currently more than three times higher among children than pensioners and there are fears that the virus will spread to older generations during the festive season. Despite warnings that this flu season could be the worst on record and peak at Christmas, fewer than half of children aged five to 14 have been vaccinated, the latest figures show. Health chiefs warned that while children were much more likely to get flu, older people were far more likely to be taken to hospital if they caught it. Caroline Temmink, the NHS director of vaccinations, said: As families gear up for festive celebrations together, its now or never to get protected against flu in time for Christmas. Children are super-spreaders and with flu infections rising fast in younger age groups, getting kids vaccinated is one of the best ways to prevent serious illness, especially for grandparents and loved ones who are vulnerable. Latest data show that the daily percentage of tests positive for flu is 46.9 among those aged 5 to 14, against rates of between 12.5 and 14.5 in those aged 65 and over. Last week, figures showed a tidal wave of flu had already left 10 times as many patients in hospital compared with two years ago. Admissions among patients over the age of 85 doubled in a week, with fears that up to 8,000 beds could soon be filled by flu patients. Meanwhile, 43 per cent of children aged five to 14 have been vaccinated against flu, up from 41 per cent this time last year. Health officials said children who have not had flu vaccines at school could get them at pop-up clinics across the country. Children aged from two to 17 are eligible for free flu vaccination on the NHS, usually in the form of a nasal spray, with GPs offering them for those aged two and three. The NHS will roll out pop-up clinics in shopping centres, churches and leisure centres in a scramble to vaccinate more children in time ahead of Christmas. Firebreak school closures Schools across the country have resorted to Covid-style lockdown measures to contain the spread. Headteachers have ordered firebreak school closures and cancelled singing in assemblies. Three schools shut for several days in recent weeks while several introduced measures to tackle the spread, including cancelling nativity plays. However, Government officials have now ordered schools not to do so except in extreme circumstances. The particularly infectious flu spreading is thought to be a mutated version of the influenza A (H3N2) strain dubbed subclade K. At least six hospitals have declared critical incidents in recent days, after becoming overwhelmed. Rising flu cases have led to critical incidents being declared at at least six hospitals in the West Midlands this week, including Birmingham, Solihull, Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for Queen Elizabeth, Heathlands and Good Hope Hospitals along with nearby Solihull Hospital, issued an alert due to extreme pressures. University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) trust is urging people to only use A&E in a serious or life-threatening emergency. The announcement covers both Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital, Stafford. Health chiefs provoked a row this week by saying that people must wear a mask in public spaces if they had a cough or sneeze. The comments from Daniel Elkeles, the head of NHS Providers, were backed by Downing Street, which said face masks were something people can consider. But Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said she was traumatised by the memory of face mask mandates during the Covid pandemic and said the Government should not be telling people to wear them to combat flu. The agency asked students to design the cover of its Christmas card GCHQ has released its annual Christmas challenge, featuring designs from schoolchildren as well as spies for the first time. The Cheltenham-based cyber spy agency has set seven fiendish brainteasers to test a range of problem-solving skills, including intuitive reasoning and creativity. The annual quiz is intended to inspire youngsters with an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), to consider future careers in cybersecurity and intelligence. To mark a decade of festive puzzles, the agency asked students to design the cover of its Christmas card, posing the question: What do you think GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day? They were asked to include hidden codes, puzzles, and to use their imagination. More than 500 schoolchildren took part in the competition and three winning designs were selected from different age groups. GCHQs chief puzzler, known only as Colin, said: Weve designed the puzzles to suit different skill sets. Some will suit analytical minds; others require creative leaps of perseverance. Thats entirely intentional we want groups of classmates, families and friends working together, combining their different strengths to reveal the final festive message. Anne Keast-Butler, the director of GCHQ, said: Puzzles are at the heart of GCHQs work to keep the country safe from hostile states, terrorists and criminals; challenging our teams to think creatively and analytically every day. The three winning designs were by Year 8 student Haoran at Wilsons School in London, Mariia, a Year 10 student at the Henry Beaufort School in Winchester and Amelie, who is in Year 12 at South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury. As with previous years, the card has several smaller puzzles pointing to one over-arching answer. Weve found the answers below, but can you decode the final phrase? b' GCHQ Christmas Card 2025 - Crosshead 1 ' b' GCHQ Christmas Card 2025 Answers - 2 ' b' GCHQ Christmas Card 2025 - Crosshead 5 ' b' GCHQ Christmas Card 2025 - Crosshead 6 'b' GCHQ Christmas Card 2025 Answers - 6 ' One researcher said humans desire polygamy but are constrained into a grudging form of monogamy by social or religious threat. Photograph: Cultura Creative RF/Alamy (Photograph: Cultura Creative RF/Alamy) Humans are playing in the premier league of monogamous mammals, according to a new ranking of animals by their reproductive habits, but we may need a new manager to beat the beavers. In the study from University of Cambridge, humans ranked 7th out of 35 species on the monogamy scale, pipping white-handed gibbons and meerkats, but lagging behind moustached tamarins and Eurasian beavers. Dr Mark Dyble, an evolutionary anthropologist at Cambridge, said humans sit comfortably in the top flight for monogamous species, but the vast majority of mammals take a far more promiscuous approach to mating. Animals in the lower ranks include feral cats, bottlenose dolphins and our close genetic relatives, chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. Scotlands Soay sheep is at the bottom due to each ewe mating with several rams. Scientists have reported rates of monogamy for human and animal populations before, but Dyble wanted to know where humans sat relative to other mammals. To do this, he analysed genetic data from animal and human studies and calculated the proportions of full versus half-siblings for each. Societies and animals with higher levels of monogamy tend to produce more siblings that share the same parents, while those with more promiscuous mating habits are likely to have a higher proportion of half-siblings. Dyble found that levels of monogamy varied substantially across more than 100 human populations he assessed. The lowest rate was seen at an Early Neolithic site in the Cotswolds where 26% of siblings were full siblings. Meanwhile, in four Neolithic populations in northern France, 100% were full siblings. He then ranked humans and 34 other mammal species by the average proportion of full siblings. The top 11, led by the California deermouse, are all considered to be monogamous, while the bottom 24 are regarded as non-monogamous species. Humans had a 66% rate of full siblings, meaning full siblings outnumbered half-siblings two-to-one. Beavers were ahead at 72% with meerkats just behind at 60%. Mountain gorillas came in at 6%, with chimpanzees and dolphins at 4%. As anthropologists, were interested in understanding the variation across human societies, but this is taking a step back from that and saying, OK, if we were any other species of mammal, wed be broadly content with characterising ourselves as a monogamous species, Dyble said. Details are published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Though chimps and gorillas are close genetic relatives of humans, their societies are structured in very different ways. Chimps are largely promiscuous, with many males mating with many females. Gorillas have a polygynous system where a silverback male mates with half a dozen or so females. Based on the mating patterns of chimps and gorillas, human monogamy probably evolved in a highly unusual transition away from non-monogamous group living. Why it evolved is unclear, but monogamous mating is strongly linked to the evolution of paternal care across the animal world. Robin Dunbar, professor of evolutionary psychology at the University of Oxford, said previous work has put humans right on the cusp between monogamous and polygamous species. While some animals pair up for life, humans are often kept together by religious proscriptions and other social pressures, he added. If these religions lose their force, serial monogamy, or polygamy by any other name, quickly emerges, he said. Theres a risk here of confusing desire with reality: humans desire polygamy but are constrained into a grudging form of monogamy by social or religious threat. Dr Kit Opie, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Bristol, said the interesting question was how humans became monogamous in the first place. Our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos have an entirely different mating system. I would argue that both the promiscuity of chimpanzees and bonobos and monogamy in humans are counterstrategies to male infanticide, which is acute in large-brained primate species, he said. Females either try to confuse paternity, through promiscuity, so that all males in the group might be the father of the offspring, or provide paternity certainty, more or less, so that a single male is invested in the offspring and protects them, he added. Top 10 (percentage of siblings that are full siblings) California deermouse (100) African wild dog (85) Damaraland mole-rat (79.5) Moustached Tamarin (77.6) Ethiopian wolf (76.5) Eurasian beaver (72.9) Humans (66) White-handed gibbon (63.5) Meerkat (59.9) Grey wolf (46.2) Red fox (45.2) Kate Winslet says most actors find watching their own films an excruciating experience Kate Winslet has revealed that she never watches The Holiday. The actress, who starred as Iris Simpkins in the 2006 romantic comedy, said the cult favourite film has not been part of her household festive watching for years. We havent seen The Holiday for years, the mother-of-two told the BBC, adding that her family dont sit down and watch films Im in I barely do. The romcom depicts Winslet and Cameron Diaz as two broken-hearted women arranging a transatlantic house-swap over Christmas. Winslet starred opposite Jack Black as her love interest in Los Angeles, while Diazs character fell for Winslets on-screen brother, played by Jude Law, in the Cotswolds. It has become a popular movie for millions of families to watch over the festive period alongside other cult titles such as Love Actually and Home Alone. The Oscar, Emmy and Grammy winning actress, 50, said that she watches almost everything she has starred in just once. When you watch the finished product, for most actors, thats an excruciating experience. Its something you kind of have to go through, she explained. Kate Winslet said that her children growing up has allowed her to take on a directing role - Kimberley French/Netflix Winslet also discussed her upcoming directorial debut, Goodbye June, in which she stars in her first Christmas movie for almost 20 years. The film, written by her son Joe Anders, portrays fractured siblings navigating messy family dynamics after their mother undergoes palliative care during the holiday period. The screenplay was inspired by the death of Anderss grandmother and Winslets mother, Sally, who died from ovarian cancer in 2017. Its not actually a film about dying, Winslet said about the film, which will be released on Netflix on Christmas Eve. She said: Its a film about living more than anything. People have been finding it very, very uplifting. In it, the actress stars alongside Dame Helen Mirren, 80, as well as Australian actress Toni Collette, musician Johnny Flynn, Oblivion star Andrea Riseborough and Bafta TV award winner Timothy Spall. Goodbye June is not actually a film about dying, says Winslet - Kimberley French/Netflix Winslets debut as a director follows the actress considering the move for a decade. Explaining why she waited to go behind the camera, she said: Now is a time when Ive felt that my children are grown up enough that I can be that little more absent, just mentally absent. She continued: I just dont think I would have honestly had the time before now, because Ive been a mum since I was 25 and thats obviously been my priority alongside acting, and that was already a bit of a juggle. She previously claimed that actresses have a harder time getting into film directing than men, saying that they face more judgment and scrutiny in the role. She told Fearne Cottons Happy Place podcast: I felt proud of myself, as a woman, at this time of my life. I had just turned 50 and to be doing something that I watched so many men do before, and seeing male actors transition into directing and have done really successfully largely without any judgment or scrutiny. Its just not the same for girls. It feels like for you personally, not only is this an amazing challenge for you to make that switch, but also youre doing it on behalf of women, to help this cultural shift in the very male-dominated Hollywood directing scene. Jaqueline Plascencia/Instagram Jaqueline Plascencia's kids meet the Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood. NEED TO KNOW Two kids visiting Universal Studios Hollywood were surprised when the Grinch meet-and-greet character started speaking Spanish During the sweet interaction, the character performer asked for the kids' names, where they were from and if they brought him any onions The adorable moment has gone He might be as cuddly as a cactus, but the Grinch had a pleasant surprise for a young Spanish-speaking visitor, who arrived for a meet and greet at Universal Studios Hollywood. The iconic Christmas grump, who has become a seasonal favorite at Universal theme parks for his lack of holiday spirit and acerbic banter, initially greeted the little girl in his signature gruff delivery. Look at you, you look fantastic, the Grinch says to 4-year-old Lia, who is dressed in her own Grinch onesie, in a Dec. 7 Instagram reel. You were waiting all your life for this, werent you? After not getting a reply right away, she gives him a small but cheerful, "Hola." "Oh!" he exclaims, "No hablas Ingles" ("You don't speak English"). He immediately starts chatting with her in fluent Spanish as she lights up, clearly delighted. The heartwarming video has gone viral on Instagram, garnering 247,000 likes and more than 200 comments in two days. While the little girl might not have been waiting her whole life to meet the Grinch, as he implies, she was definitely brimming with excitement ahead of the meet-and-greet, her mom explains in an email interview shared with PEOPLE. Ana Jaqueline Martinez Plascencia, 32; her husband Josue, 39; and their kids, Eithan, 11, and Lia, recently visited the Universal theme park in California to celebrate Lia's birthday, which is on Dec. 10. They were both super excited, they didnt take off their costumes for a single minute, even though it was hot, Plascencia shares in an email translated from Spanish. We waited in line for more than four hours. We had to eat in line so we wouldnt lose our place, but the time passed very quickly. She adds: My children got more and more excited as we moved forward. Universal Studios Hollywood A Grinch character performer at Universal Studios Hollywood The family, visiting from Guadalajara, Mexico, had seen videos online of the Grinch speaking Spanish prior to their trip. In turn, it made the kids even more excited to interact with the character in their own language. Plascencia says her daughter only communicates in Spanish, while her son is currently studying English and speaks and understands it a little. My daughter told me the whole way there that when she spoke to him, she would call him Ugly, Plascencia jokes. In the video of the interaction, which has amassed more than 1.9 million views on Instagram, the kids tell the Grinch their names, where they are from and if they brought him any onions (his favorite). Nada! No me traen nada, feos, the Grinch exclaims, which translates to, Nothing! They bring me nothing, uglies. At the start of their interaction, Plascencia says, she felt bad for the kids who didn't understand, "but as soon as he spoke [in Spanish], they started smiling, Plascencia says. When we finished talking to him, my children repeated every single word he said to us. He called me ugly and my husband bald. They laughed all day and watched the videos many times. According to a source familiar with the parks, Universal Studios Hollywood has hired bilingual performers for years to play the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who and other Whos during Grinchmas. Some know Spanish, Japanese and even American Sign Language, though its often a surprise for guests as the park does not market these specific meet and greet options. 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. It was a wonderful day, Plascencia adds. We got home and theyre already planning how to save up to visit him again. Theyre already planning what theyre going to say to him the next time they see him. And Im the happiest mom to be able to share this experience with them. And going viral makes the experience all the better: Every comment I read makes me smile. This empathy with Spanish speakers is incredible," she says of the people leaving messages from all over the world. Read the original article on People Wenne Alton Davis Instagram/wenne_alton_davis Actress Wenne Alton Davis was killed after being struck by a car in Midtown Manhattan. The 60-year-old Davis was crossing Broadway near West 53rd Street just before 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, when a Cadillac XT6 SUV made a left turn and hit her, according to the New York Daily News. The news of Davis death has left many in the local theater and television community shocked and saddened. The driver, 61, remained at the scene, and Davis friend told the Daily News that they had the right of way at the time of the crash, the outlet said. Emergency responders found Davis with severe head and body injuries. She was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died that night. Police have not filed charges, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Wenne Alton Davis, who was born Wendy Davis, lived in Forest Hills, Queens, and was in Manhattan for dinner plans when the accident happened, the Daily News said. Davis was best known for a recent appearance as a police officer in a 2023 episode of the final season of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," alongside Rachel Brosnahan. Their other TV credits included roles in "Girls5eva," "New Amsterdam," "Blindspot," "American Odyssey," and "Rescue Me." Friends and neighbors described Davis as a vibrant and kind person who brought energy and warmth to every role and interaction. No arrests or charges have been made as of Wednesday, Dec. 10. The investigation by NYPD is ongoing. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chinese firms are expanding in Vietnam, leading investment inflows and sending record shipments to Hanoi in defiance of U.S. calls for decoupling, as the Communist neighbours beef up ties. Recent steps that Hanoi had long resisted on security grounds include sensitive tech contracts for Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and ZTE; approval of Chinese loans for high-speed rail links; and Chinese-made COMAC planes cleared by regulators for a leading airline. Hanoi's overtures to Beijing may reflect its long-standing policy of balancing foreign ties after pledges made to Washington in trade talks, said Alexander Vuving of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. But if the trend continues, Vietnam "may become a 'torn country' rather than a 'swing state'," he added, citing risks to Western relations. While the Southeast Asian nation opened its economy to U.S. multinationals and technology after Washington lifted its embargo in the 1990s, it stayed cautious over China, after their 1979 war and disputes over South China Sea boundaries. Now Beijing's influence is rising and U.S. ties are strained by tariffs. Chinese firms make pledges to transfer technology, rare until now, and increasingly view Vietnam as a consumer market rather than just an assembly base, a Reuters review of data and industry interviews showed. The shift has been turbocharged by tariffs of 20% imposed by Washington, said Phan Xuan Dung, a researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "Vietnamese officials were displeased by what they saw as punitive U.S. measures, and this pushed them to hedge by leaning economically further into China," he added. Vietnam's foreign ministry and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said economic cooperation benefits both countries. RECORD IMPORTS FROM CHINA Despite U.S. pressure to curb reliance on Chinese technology and components, imports from China stood at about $168 billion through November, up nearly 30% on the year and already well above all of 2024, itself a record year, Vietnamese data shows. Nearly one-third are electronic parts, often re-exported in goods bound for the United States. Consumer imports, including vegetables and cars, are also climbing. Fading anti-China sentiment among younger Vietnamese is helping drive the surge, dovetailing with Beijing's push to find new markets amid U.S. tariffs, and emboldening Chinese companies to take on domestic champions. E-scooter maker Yadea sold more than 36,000 units in Vietnam in the year's first 10 months, ranking fourth nationwide, according to non-public registration data obtained by Reuters. Though far behind domestic EV leader VinFast, Yadea is its main rival in the fast-growing electric market, while internal combustion engine leaders Honda and Yamaha lose ground as Vietnam phases out petrol vehicles. EV giant BYD, which is expanding dealerships and charging stations nationwide, also keeps sales figures confidential. Yadea and BYD did not respond to requests for comment. Chinese retailers and tech giants are also advancing. "One notable highlight of the HCMC retail market since late 2024 has been the entry and expansion of Chinese brands," real estate agency CBRE said in August, citing the spread of chains such as KKV in Ho Chi Minh City, with a similar trend in Hanoi. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is Vietnam's top social platform for shopping, an October survey by market research firm Q&Me showed. Lazada, part of Alibaba, ranks among leading e-commerce sites, while Tencent is an indirect investor in Shopee and Tiki, Vietnam's other two top online retailers. A NEW BREED OF INVESTORS Chinese investment in Vietnam has been growing for years, as suppliers relocated to avoid U.S. tariffs. Now joint ventures with Vietnamese partners are becoming more common, at times involving transfers of technology, said Steve Bui, chairman of the Vietnam China Business Council. Apart from confidential deals, 12 Chinese members of the council have transferred, or plan to transfer, technology to Vietnamese partners this year, versus none in 2024, he said, in a sign of long-term commitments. Among them is CNTE, backed by battery maker CATL, which produces battery energy storage systems (BESS). CNTE has partnered with Delta E&C, a firm headed by Bui, to build a factory in northern Vietnam aiming to export 250 containers a year from October 2026, Bui said. CNTE said it was providing "technical support". From January through November, Chinese and Hong Kong firms pledged more than $6.7 billion, making them Vietnam's largest investors, official data shows. At the DEEP C industrial park, one of Northern Vietnams largest clusters, Chinese manufacturers make up a quarter of tenants, up from 10% in 2019, said sales director Koen Soenens. What began as tariff hedging is now "as much about insurance as growth," said Dan Martin of consultancy Dezan Shira. The scale and diversity of Chinese projects "is reshaping Vietnam's industrial landscape", he added. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Phuong Nguyen and Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Ethan Wang in Beijing, Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) FILE - New York City Comptroller Brad Lander speaks during a press conference outside outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File) Brad Lander, the chief fiscal officer of New York City, announced Wednesday that he is challenging U.S. Rep Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary for a liberal district covering lower Manhattan and parts of brownstone Brooklyn. A longtime fixture of the citys progressive wing, Lander launched his bid with endorsements from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, promising courageous leadership in the face of Donald Trumps attacks on New Yorkers. While the oligarchy drives the affordability crisis, they shouldnt be able to buy a seat in Congress, Lander said in a campaign video, an apparent reference to Goldman, who is an heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune. He then touted his relationship with Mamdani, whom Goldman had declined to endorse in the mayors race, in part because of differences in their views toward Israel. Our mayor can have an ally in Washington instead of an adversary in his own backyard, Lander said. Im running for Congress because the challenges we face cant be solved with strongly worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers, and not by doing AIPACs bidding." Mamdani's endorsement of Lander marked the mayor-elect's most high-profile incursion into national politics since his stunning victory. It comes as other progressives are hoping to capitalize on that momentum with a spate of challenges to moderate Democrats in 2026. Brads unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader, Mamdani said. He has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and Im proud to support him as I know hell continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most." Landers term as city comptroller ends on Dec. 31 after he decided not to seek reelection. Lander and Mamdani endorsed one another during the mayoral primary in an effort, under the citys ranked choice voting system, to join forces against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who at the time was the front-runner. The partnership appeared to help them both. Mamdanis support boosted Lander among the progressive base, while the backing of a high-profile Jewish candidate helped Mamdani as he faced attacks over his criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. Lander, who is also a former city council member, has been eyeing a challenge to Goldman since losing the Democratic mayoral primary to Mamdani this summer. Both Lander and Goldman have been vocal critics of the federal government's deportation agenda, appearing at a high-profile immigration court in Manhattan to observe proceedings over the last several months. Lander was arrested there twice and faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge stemming from one of the incidents. Goldman, a two-term congressman, is a former federal prosecutor who was lead counsel for Trumps first impeachment. While in Congress, Goldman has supported raising taxes on wealthy people as well as the Green New Deal climate change proposal. He is a supporter of Israel but has been heavily critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has condemned settler violence. Maddy Rosen, a spokesperson for Goldman's campaign, said Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what theyre doing to immigrant families in his district right now. Hes proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year." In his campaign video, Lander also evoked the late childrens TV host Fred Rogers, singing Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Wont you be my neighbor? I know its corny, but I love the idea that democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better, he said. ___ Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report. Allrecipes / Helene Rosenthal / Getty Images In the hours between elementary school pick up and dinner, my mother and I frequently drove around Cincinnati in her bright yellow Chevy Caprice, dropping in on her friends. This was the 1970s; it never occurred to me to complain or ask to go to my best friends house instead. As my mom and her friends spoke in hushed voices, I was usually relegated to the basement with a bag of junk food I was normally prohibited from having and explicit instructions to behave. I dreaded these afternoons unless we were going to Hanna Lewins house. Hanna was my moms fancy friend. Whenever she opened the door and saw it was us, it was as if she had won the lottery. She clapped her hands, pulled us inside, and took our coats. And then said my three favorite words, Are you hungry? Every time we stopped by on one of our unannounced visits, Hanna was dressed as my mother would say, to the nines. I cant recall ever seeing her without pearls around her neck or in her ears. Her short hair was perfectly arranged, not a flyaway in sight. She wore floral dresses that fell just below the knee and high heels that belied her petite stature. It never failed: Hanna would have just pulled some of her apricot strudelthat famed Viennese dessert known for its paper-thin doughout of the oven. The whole house smelled of butter and fresh marmalade. We sat in the kitchen near the oven, at a round table set with a lace tablecloth and linen napkins. Hanna poured coffee from a stove-top percolator for my mother and her, and milk out of a sterling silver pitcher for me. She didnt use mismatched mugs like we did at our house, but cups and saucers with elaborate designs. In the middle of the table, a three-tier serving platter displayed her baking handiwork: mandel breada biscotti-like cookie made with slivered almonds, cinnamon, and orange juicealmond cookies, and, of course, strudel. "The only inelegant thing about Hanna was the numbers tattooed on her forearm that revealed themselves every time she poured another cup of coffee or replenished my milk." Hannas strudel was almost too beautiful to eat. She sprinkled it generously with powdered sugar and cut it on a bias to reveal the desserts delicate layers of dough interspersed with apricots, nuts, and wafers. Light as air, these oblong bites were dangerously easy to pop in your mouth, which I did at such a clip that my mother repeatedly admonished me to slow down. The only inelegant thing about Hanna was the numbers tattooed on her forearm that revealed themselves every time she poured another cup of coffee or replenished my milk. We never talked about her eight months shuffled between Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, and Salzwedelcamps run by the Nazisbut I learned the grim outcome over time. Hanna lost her entire family in the camps, except for a brother who died from starvation prior to being taken. As a child, I was shielded from much of Hannas story. But in a 1991 interview with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Hanna recounted the harrowing details of her life under Nazi rule, including the last conversation she had with her mother. They had just arrived at Auschwitz and were waiting to be sorted into two lines. As Hannas mother went one way and Hanna another, her mother turned to her and said, Take care of yourself. Hanna never saw her again. She was 18 years old. She had grown up in Lodz, Poland, the daughter of a successful businessman and mother who busied herself keeping an Orthodox home while raising seven children. Every Friday night after religious services, the family sat down to a Sabbath dinner, often inviting friends and relatives to join them. Then, her childhood was only marred by the neighborhood Polish kids who regularly called Hanna and her siblings dirty Jews." "Its no wonder that Hanna treated every afternoon at her kitchen table as if it were a special occasion. She, more than anyone, knew that it always was. " After the war, Hanna met Karl, another survivor. They married, had one daughter in Germany, then emigrated to Cincinnati, where they had two more girls. Karl found work as an electrician, where he met my father, who ran a construction company. It didnt take long for their wives to meet and become fast friends, though my mom was nine years younger. Its no wonder that Hanna treated every afternoon at her kitchen table as if it were a special occasion. She, more than anyone, knew that it always was. Hanna loved being American. People born in the United States didnt understand how lucky they were, she said in her 1991 interview, noting then that Europe still wrestled with antisemitism. That said, when it came to desserts, she was loyal to the Eastern European ones. Perhaps it was the way they reminded her of her years in Poland when her family was still alive. I imagine now, looking back, that every sheet pan of strudel she pulled from the oven was like a visit from her mother. Or maybe after years of surviving on bread crusts and watered-down soup, she was still hungry for something that truly nourished. Hanna died in 2017 at the age of 91. She was the only person I ever knew who lived through the horrors of Nazi Germany. She didnt like talking about those years; perhaps that wasnt how she wanted to be remembered. So I bake her strudel, set my kitchen table, pull out some of my fancy dishes, and enjoy the moment. Its always a gift. That is Hannas legacy. Allrecipes / Julia Hartbeck Hannas Apricot Strudel Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sour cream 1 cup butter, softened 12 ounces apricot preserves 6 vanilla wafers, crushed 1 cup chopped walnuts Confectioners sugar, for sprinkling Directions: Place flour, sour cream, and butter in a bowl. Stir until combined, then knead with clean hands in the bowl until you have a smooth dough. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Divide dough in half; wrap and return 1 portion to the refrigerator. Lightly flour a work surface, and roll one dough portion into a 15x8-inch rectangle. Stir apricot preserves, vanilla wafers, and walnuts together in a bowl. Spread half the mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border on all sides. Dampen the border with a water using your finger or a pastry brush. Roll strudel up, beginning on a long edge, from bottom to top, pulling the dough gently with every roll, to form a tight, long log. Pinch dough to seal on all sides. Place strudel on ungreased sheet pan with rolled edge down. Score the top with a knife, cutting 1/3 of the way down. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove strudel to cool on a rack. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar before serving. Read the original article on Allrecipes Key Points Alphabet has many tech-driven businesses and a vast moat in its search engine traffic. Nu is adding new locations to its platform. Taiwan Semiconductor makes the chips that drive nearly every kind of technology. 10 stocks we like better than Alphabet With less than three weeks left in the year, the S&P 500 is thriving, up nearly 17%. Will it be able to manage a fourth year of double-digit gains in 2026? There's no way to know. What investors should be focused on instead is making sure their portfolios are well diversified with growth stocks to benefit from strong gains and solid value stocks to fortify their positions if there's market volatility. With that in mind, Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG), Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU), and Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM) are three stocks that offer strong growth opportunities in 2026 and beyond. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue 2025 turning into 2026. Image source: Getty Images. 1. Alphabet: Multiple businesses, including AI Alphabet is a lot more than the Google search engine today. It has a varied list of products and services that are driving growth for the company, and it has tailwinds in artificial intelligence (AI) development. Although it trades at a premium to the S&P 500 average and its own recent averages, it's still fairly cheap for a growth stock, trading at a P/E ratio of 32. Although the company is more than a search engine, Google Search is by far the most-used internet search engine, with around 90% of the market. That gives the company a tremendous edge in a space used by millions of users daily. Alphabet has developed the powerful Gemini large-language model (LLM) to generate valuable content for searchers, and it also provides Gemini, along with many other generative AI tools, to its cloud services clients. Although Google Cloud comes in at No. 3 in global cloud services behind Amazon's AWS and Microsoft's Azure, it's growing on par with Microsoft and faster than AWS on a percentage basis. Alphabet has many more segments, including hardware like phones and autonomous vehicles. These are the kinds of varied business streams Warren Buffett loves, and Buffett's holdings company, Berkshire Hathaway, took a position in Alphabet in the third quarter. AI or not, Alphabet has a stable and growing business that can keep growing in 2026 and the long term. 2. Nu: Expanding into new regions Nu is a former Buffett stock, and it continues to be an incredible investment for shareholders today, up 61% in 2025. The company, which operates an all-digital financial services business, has loads of tailwinds, and it's an exciting time to be a part of the story. Right now, it serves more than 60% of the population in its headquarters in Brazil, but management thinks there's still tons of potential in monetizing this base through cross-selling and upselling. It's also just getting started in Mexico and Colombia, which, with Brazil, make up the three largest countries in Latin America. That leaves a long-term growth runway as it captures more of the population and monetizes them down the line, a la the trajectory in Brazil. But it also has major ambitions in opening up in new geographic locations, including the U.S. Like Alphabet, it trades at only 32 times trailing-12-month earnings, which is a great price considering its growth and long-term prospects. Look for Nu to keep launching new products in new places in 2026 and for its stock to reflect its growth. 3. Taiwan Semiconductor: Powering all kinds of technology Taiwan Semiconductor is a fabulous stock for almost any investor, offering tremendous growth prospects and a solid, established model that can benefit from diverse trends. It manufactures semiconductors designed by companies like Nvidia and Alphabet, and it's enjoying robust AI tailwinds, but it also makes the chips that power smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and other technologies. That protects its business in the event that one technology type is overtaken by something new. In fact, it's likely to benefit from any new type of technology, so it's well positioned to keep churning out strong growth, whatever happens with AI. It's also extremely profitable, with a 50.6% operating margin in the third quarter of 2025 and a 39% increase in earnings per share (EPS). Like the other stocks on this list, Taiwan Semiconductor stock isn't expensive; it's actually the cheapest of the three, with a P/E ratio of 30. That gives the stock even more room to run next year. Should you invest $1,000 in Alphabet right now? Before you buy stock in Alphabet, 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 Alphabet 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 $521,550!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,904!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 981% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 194% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of December 8, 2025 Jennifer Saibil has positions in Nu Holdings and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Berkshire Hathaway, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool recommends Nu Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Courtesy of Air France As the boarding line backs up inside the gangway for my Air France flight to Paris, cellphones begin to pop up from the crowd, communal filming and palpable excitement arise. As I inch forward, I see 1988 F&W Best New Chef Daniel Boulud and Servair Corporate Chef Francois Adamski greeting each passenger as they board the aircraft. It is a surprise-and-delight scene Ive never seen I capture the moment on video, too. Im very, very proud and Im very happy to be working with Air France, Boulud told me moments before in Air Frances JFK lounge, saying hes collaborated with other airlines and always admired his French colleagues work with the airline of his homeland. Inspired by French sauces, technique, seasonality, and regionality, Bouluds introduction on the menu begins with a Provencal-style poulet (chicken) served with potatoes, roasted fennel, and olives, and a confit echine de porc (pork shoulder) with mustard jus, mashed potatoes, kale, and caramelized apples. The dishes complement Dominique Crenns seafood and vegetarian options, which were added to the menu in February 2024, and Boulud has 30 more on the way when the menu changes every two months in 2026. Courtesy of Air France Provencal-style chicken with potatoes, roasted fennel, and olives Courtesy of Air France Confit pork shoulder with mustard jus, mashed potatoes, kale, and caramelized apples Courtesy of Air France Servair Corporate Chef Francois Adamski The commitment of Air France is really first that the cuisine has to be French in the DNA and not have any foreign flavor that takes away the Frenchiness of it, Boulud explained of the yearlong process narrowing 60 dishes down to 32. He and his team met with catering partners for each of Air Frances 18 direct flights from the U.S. to Paris, testing and tasting the dishes to execute consistent preparation. Its going to be nice light, tasty, delicious, he said. For me, when I fly, I want comfort food. I want food that makes me relaxed and comfortable. Air Frances Business class, where the menu is available, is unquestionably comfortable with lie-flat seats, privacy thanks to a sliding door, and a new Sofitel MY BED mattress pad. I settle in with the amenities, pairing a glass of bubbly with the signature cheese crackers, Gavottes Crepes Fourrees, as the journey begins. Boulud comes over the loud speaker saying, I am proud to be serving you tonight onboard, wishing passengers a wonderful sleep, and ending with a Bon appetit! Then the meal cart arrives, delivering a tray decked out with two salads, a roast beef fillet with mustard sauce, a plate of three cheeses, and a raspberry and Montelimar nougat dessert from pastry chef Laurent le Daniel. The condiments are an added treat: olive oil and balsamic vinegar from A l'Olivier in Paris and Isigny Sainte-Mere butter from Normandy. Related: The Top 10 International Airlines for Food and Drink, According to the Experts Once I finish my salads and bread, the chef comes down the aisle to hand-deliver the chicken dish, indeed beaming with pride. Here I am! he says as we both laugh at the novelty of this exchange. How many times in your life have you had a chef serving you on a plane? This is my first, Im happy to say. Yeah, me too. Its my first, Boulud agrees, as tickled as anyone at his own participation in the meal service. He sets down a dish of browned chicken slices, studded with bright tomatoes and soft potato wedges, covered in jus. Its rich, warm, and comforting heartier than most in-flight entrees but not heavy. The textures are tender and the tomatoes offer pops of flavor. Head sommelier Xavier Thuizat curates the in-flight wine pairings from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Hes been the head sommelier at the Hotel de Crillon for a decade, where I go on to have exceptional dining in Paris. The meal is memorable a feat for any flight, especially before landing in an iconic food city and days later I am charmed to get a tiny baguette on my return flight, more surprise and delight, even if a chef didnt serve me. Air France menus feature French chefs from the regions it flies to on its various routes. See more about Business class meals here. Read the original article on Food & Wine Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen holds a doorstep after the question time in the Parliament at Christiansborg in Copenhagen, Denmark, December 9, 2025. Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen via REUTERS COPENHAGEN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Denmark's government said on Wednesday it had reached an agreement in parliament to provide individual compensation to Greenlandic women who were victims of a decades-long involuntary birth control campaign. The case is one of several that have emerged in recent years concerning allegations of misconduct by Danish authorities against the people of Greenland, now a semi-autonomous Danish territory. The birth control campaign came to light in 2022 when records showed that thousands of women and girls as young as 13 had been fitted with intrauterine devices without their knowledge or consent between 1966 and 1991, the year Greenland was given authority over its healthcare system. "Now women are getting the compensation we have been fighting for for many years," Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament who voted for the political agreement, said in a post on Instagram. Under the agreement, eligible women will receive 300,000 Danish crowns ($46,750) each through a reconciliation fund, the health ministry said in a statement. Eligible women must have lived in Greenland or attended boarding school in Denmark during the period and would have to substantiate their accounts. "For too long we turned a blind eye to the injustice that was committed against them ... We cannot change what has happened. But we can take responsibility," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a written comment. In September, Frederiksen apologised in person to some of the women who were victims. This marked another step in Denmark's accelerated efforts to repair ties with Greenland since U.S. President Donald Trump began vowing to take control of the vast, resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons. Applications will open in April 2026 with approximately 4,500 women potentially eligible and first payments are expected in the autumn of 2026, the ministry said. ($1 = 6.4170 Danish crowns) (Reporting by Stine Jacobsen and Soren Jeppesen in Copenhagen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Toby Chopra) Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks in Pittsburgh, Sept. 16, 2025. Photo: Commonwealth Media Services / Used with Permission (The Center Square) - Intense polarization and the alarming rise of partisan political violence has left many Americans wondering about the nations trajectory. Thats why Gov. Josh Shapiro and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined journalist Savannah Guthrie for a discussion on the topic at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Tuesday evening. Cox said the two made each others acquaintance within the National Governors Association. He found support from Shapiro in the wake of Charlie Kirks assassination in Utah. The Pennsylvania governor, the victim of arson and an assassination attempt in April, has been thrust into expertise on the subject of political violence. He gave Cox the same advice hes frequently called upon national leaders to adopt, to act with moral clarity. Before the governors took the floor, a panel including Dr. Yuval Levin, director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute; Melody Barnes, founding executive director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy at the University of Virginia; and Heather Gerken, the 11th president of the Ford Foundation joined Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith. The group discussed strategies to promote citizenship, political discourse, and civic engagement. The panelists pointed out that the U.S. has a long history of political violence, contrary to the cooperation required for democracy to function. It's a substitute for arguing with each other, a dangerous substitute rather than an extension of it, said Levin. We should not imagine that the problem is that we disagree too much. And in fact, in some ways, the problem is that we disagree too rarely, that instead of disagreeing with each other, engaging with each other, we cocoon ourselves away with people we agree with and talk about people we disagree with as if they're caricatures that we hold of them is all there is to them, as if there's nothing to hear, to listen to in what they have to say. The governors were asked who, if anyone, bears responsibility for the normalization of violent rhetoric. Shapiro addressed the elephant in the room, a president whose social media posts have frequently defied the norms of accepted political speech, directly. All leaders must condemn all political violence, not cherry pick which violence to condemn and which to accept, said Shapiro. When youre a governor, when youre a president of the United States, you are looked to for that moral clarity, and we have a president of the United States right now that fails that test on a daily basis. Shapiro pointed to Cox, a Republican, as an example of someone who has spoken out against violence from all sides. I think if President Trump were here right now, he would tell you this isnt his thing, and he would be very honest about that said Cox, indicating the conversation being had. He added that he had spoken with the president on the topic and that, violent rhetoric aside, the president has indicated support for nonviolent approaches to political differences. Cox highlighted, however, that it would be citizens and not leaders who need to change the tone of things. We the people have to decide that this is not who we are, said Cox, saying there is an exhausted majority. Cox and Shapiro were both comfortable laying the blame on members of both parties but also acknowledged another responsible party social media companies. The internet has become a hotbed for both misinformation and radicalization, algorithms that amount to Americans being groomed for rage as Guthrie put it. Cox has called for a federal ban for children under the age of 16, following suit with Australia who enacted such a prohibition Wednesday. Shapiro said he would not support a ban but advocated for "digital literacy" education, which has been panned as critics as ripe for manipulation. Guthrie used the opportunity to demonstrate a civil debate between disagreeing parties. The conversation was briefly interrupted at least four times by protesters whose words were unclear as they bounced through the echoing cathedral. Guthrie indicated that security would handle the matter while the trio continued to speak over the shouts. Guthrie closed the conversation by asking if either governor plans to run for president in 2028. Cox responded, One of us is not. Shapiro, who has been widely rumored to be gearing up for a bid, simply smiled. Mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins points as she thanks her staff and supporters on the night of the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Credit - Carl Juste/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service Getty Images Eileen Higgins has been elected as Miamis newest mayor, becoming the first Democrat to win the seat in 30 years, as Republicans continue to suffer in off-season elections during President Donald Trumps second term. Higgins, who will also be the first woman to lead the city, secured a nearly 20-point advantage against Trump-endorsed Emilio Gonzalez, signaling a potential shakeup for the 2026 midterm elections. Miami chose a new direction, Higgins said during her victory speech. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses, and a city government that finally works for you. Read More: How Democrats Plan to Capitalize on This Weeks Blue Sweep in the 2026 Midterms Miami mayoral elections are technically nonpartisan, but this years race was steeped in national party politics as Gonzalez also secured endorsements from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Higgins was endorsed by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson and joined by Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona at local polling sites this past weekend. Historically, the presidents political party loses seats or power during the midterm elections. But Republicans are particularly worried about holding onto their narrow control of the House, where they currently have 220 of the 435 seats. Many Republicans, including Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Elise Stefanik, Troy Nehls, and Jodey Arrington, among others, have announced that they will not seek re-election. Heres what to know about Higgins and what her victory means for the Democratic Party and the country. Who is Eileen Higgins? Higgins has a history of public service, most recently serving as Miami-Dades county commissioner for District 5 since 2018. The 61-year-old is an engineer by trade, earning a mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Mexico before getting her MBA at Cornell in the late 80s, according to her LinkedIn. Later, Higgins worked as a Peace Corps director in Belize before becoming a foreign service officer at the State Department from 2009 to 2012, serving as a staff aide to the ambassador to Mexico, and economic and energy officer for South Africa and Namibia. How did Higgins win? Miamis mayoral candidates have both commented on the nonpartisanship of the race and said they dont see it as a referendum on the president, according to the New York Times. But both parties poured significant funds and organizing efforts into the race. In November, the Democratic National Committeewhich typically does not get involved in local mayoral racessaid that it would host a virtual phone bank and recruit bilingual volunteers to support Higgins after Trump endorsed Gonzalez. Between now and Election Day, the DNC is all-in to elect Eileen Higgins and ensure Miami families have a champion who is fighting for them, not Donald Trump, said DNC Chairman Ken Martin. Throughout her campaign, Higgins highlighted her efforts to build affordable housing units, expand transit, and create green spaces for the city. She also committed to investing millions to help small businesses and restoring trust in city hall after numerous city officials were embroiled in corruption and potential internal misuse of power scandals. She relied on the support of campaign manager Christian Ulvert, who helped Democrat Levine Cava similarly win his 2020 race for county mayor against a Republican, according to the Miami Herald. Higgins also responded to Miami voters concerns about the Trump Administrations increasingly unpopular immigration crackdown. Higgins told the Times that residents of Miamia Hispanic-majority city made up of immigrants from Cuba, Colombia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, to name a fewhave told her that they are worried about immigration enforcement impacting their families or tariffs hitting the bottom line of their businesses. Theres a level of fear, and I have never experienced that before, Higgins said. Trump promised to launch the largest deportation campaign in the countrys history, vowing to go after the worst of the worst. But an analysis of recent ICE data shows that more than half of the immigration arrests made in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Massachusetts were of immigrants with no criminal record. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration moved to revoke the parole status of more than 530,000 immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The move was contested in court, though the U.S. Supreme Court later overturned a lower court order that would have prevented the Department of Homeland Security from terminating benefits for parolees. What does this mean for Democrats nationwide? The win is promising for Democrats who have struggled to win races in Florida in particular, where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 1.4 million registered voters. Tonights victory shows that the pendulum is swinging in our favor and that when we commit to relentless, year-round organizing and invest in a long-term strategic field program, we can, in fact, win, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried told Politico in a statement. The President won Miami-Dade County by 11 points during the 2024 presidential election. His popularity in Miami itself is much narrower, earning 49% of the vote last year. There are more than 61,000 registered Democrats in the city compared to 53,000 Republicans, per data from the Miami-Dade Elections Department. Another 55,000 people are unaffiliated voters. Higgins 20-point margin of victory suggests a significant swing towards Democrats, even if the race is officially non-partisan, a pattern seen across the country. Democrats secured a wave of wins this year in the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races, as well as in other smaller races for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and Georgias public utility regulator, outperforming in races where Trump won last year. Miami has a mixed history regarding the mayor's party identity. Former Miami Mayor Manuel Manny Diaz, who ran as an independent but was a registered Democrat before and after his term, and went on to serve as the partys state chairman, served a two-term tenure from 2001 to 2009. Contact us at letters@time.com. GettyImages-2249834630 (Photo by Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images) State policies are a monumental factor in electricity costs, and Democrat-led states have driven prices upward through pushing aggressive mandates and choking reliable power supply, according to a new report by the Institute for Energy Research (IER). The new report, first provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation, found that blue states generally have higher electricity costs than red states. Titled Blue States, High Rates. Electricity Prices: Elections Have Consequences, IERs report notes that all but one of the top 10 most expensive states for energy measured by cost per kilowatt hour are governed by Democrats. In contrast, 80% of the states with the most affordable electricity costs per kilowatt hour are reliably red, according to IER. Twenty of the 25 states with the lowest electricity prices are red states, while only four are blue, and one is purple, the report states. Always on Energy Research partnered with IER on the report. This is a blue state problem, IER President Tom Pyle told the DCNF, arguing that prescribing any blame to President Donald Trump for soaring electricity costs is misplaced. [America needs to] put an emphasis on providing dispatchable electricity generation, namely by keeping coal plants open, even building new coal plants, nuclear and particularly natural gas. I think the administration is doing everything they can in spite of what the blue states have been doing over the years. Other words, Trumps trying to save them from themselves. (RELATED: Heres Why Your Electricity Bill May Skyrocket This Holiday Season) Blue States, High Rates Long Final by audreystreb IER drew data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) as well as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to compare state electricity prices and evaluate how policy decisions might have influenced costs. Several states, which are generally Democrat-led, have set strict ideological mandates, according to IER, to phase out coal and rig their power grids to reflect specific emissions goals. More than almost any other product, electricity prices are a direct result of state energy policies because states have the exclusive power to decide which resources supply their grids, the report states. Electricity prices are especially high in traditionally liberal areas of the country. In total, 86% of states with electricity prices above the national average in the continental U.S. are reliably blue, having voted for the Democratic nominee for president in the 2020 and 2024 elections. IER notes that the Lawrence Berkeley National Labs report confirmed that each of the top five most expensive states for electricity have mandates requiring 100% of their power to come from renewable or carbon-free sources, making their electricity unnecessarily more expensive. The report points to these emissions goals, the premature retirement of coal and nuclear plants, natural gas restrictions and other mandates like net metering requirements as price-inflating factors. Affordability has become a major Democrat talking point and appeared to be a winning message in the November New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections. As Democrats continue to hammer the affordability angle, IER notes in the report that Democrat-led states are devastating for affordability when it comes to energy policy. Americans pay dramatically different electric bills depending on which party controls their state capitol. High electricity prices are not an inevitability; they are a choice, the report states. And in state after state, they are a choice made by left-wing policymakers who have prioritized climate symbolism over working families budgets. Outliers like Alaska and New Mexico one a red state with high rates, the other a blue state with low rates illustrate that some other factors also contribute to electricity costs, according to Pyle. Alaskas isolated terrain and dispersed communities drive up transmission costs, whereas New Mexicos plentiful natural gas resources help keep prices low, Pyle said. The report highlights some example states to illustrate how policies impact the local energy market and affect affordability, which include New York, California, Florida, Louisiana and Kentucky. New York IER states in the report that New Yorks electricity prices are 58% higher than the national average. New York has set several stringent green energy mandates, with New Yorks Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act requiring the state to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2040. Notably, New York is also a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro recently moved to exit. New York also decommissioned the Indian Point nuclear power plant in 2021 under former Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, which had provided 25% of New York Citys electricity, according to a local news outlet. Environmental activists championed the move, though Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul is now exploring nuclear power expansion in her state in the name of reliability and affordability. IER noted that the state also suffers from natural gas supply issues due to its decision to ban hydraulic fracturing. California IER identifies Californias policies that have deliberately sidelined reliable, conventional fuels as driving its steep electricity costs. Californias electricity costs are the second-highest in the nation, behind Hawaii, and its ratepayers pay twice the national average for electricity, according to the report. The Golden State has set a whole host of green energy mandates as it prioritizes emissions reduction over affordability, the report states. While wildfires play into Californias utility bills, Pyle told the DCNF that Florida also faces intense weather seasons and the state does not have exorbitant energy costs. (RELATED: Gavin Newsom Tries To Own Trump By Bragging About Absurd California Energy Polices) US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are greeted by California Governor Gavin Newsom upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, on January 24, 2025, to visit the region devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Florida and Louisiana The report shows that red states like Florida and Louisiana are not burdened with exorbitant electricity costs. Americans struggling with utility bills need the same thing Florida and Louisiana residents already have: state leaders willing to put affordability and reliability ahead of ideological mandates, the report states, warning that until more states follow the red-state model, millions of households and businesses will continue to pay the price for expensive electricity as a deliberate political choice. Florida keeps rates below the national average despite near-universal air conditioning demand and frequent hurricanes, the report continues. Louisiana enjoys the third-lowest rates in the nation while utilizing its abundant natural gas resources. Both states have done so under sustained Republican governance that has largely rejected the renewable mandate model. Kentucky Kentuckys electricity rates are 21% lower than the national average, the report states. The reasons are straightforward 67% of Kentuckys electricity is generated by coal and 26% by natural gas, IER notes in the report. Unlike states such as California or New York, Kentucky has not burdened ratepayers with the carbon dioxide reduction mandates or renewable energy requirements that inflate electricity costs. All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporters byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. A photo released by the FBI is believed to show Ryan Wedding in Mexico during the summer. (FBI) (FBI) Federal authorities released a new photo of Ryan Wedding, the former Olympic snowboarder who allegedly runs a violent drug-trafficking organization. The FBIs Los Angeles field office said in a post on X that the image is believed to have been taken in Mexico over the summer. Wedding is wanted by the FBI for allegedly running a transnational drug trafficking organization responsible for importing about 60 metric tons of cocaine a year into Los Angeles via semitrucks from Mexico, Attorney General Pam Bondi said at a news conference last month. The State Department is offering a $15 million reward for information that leads to his arrest and/or conviction. Wedding is on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Canada's Ryan Wedding competes in a snowboarding event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. (Tony Marshall - EMPICS / PA Images via Getty Images) (Tony Marshall - EMPICS) He controls one of the most prolific and violent drug-trafficking organizations in this world, Bondi said. He is currently the largest distributor of cocaine in Canada. Wedding was charged in a September 2024 superseding indictment with attempted murder and other counts. In November, a grand jury indictment was unsealed charging him in the death of a federal witness who was supposed to testify against him. Authorities said Wedding placed a bounty on the witness head in the erroneous belief that the victims death would result in the dismissal of criminal charges against him and his international drug trafficking ring. He is alleged to have used a Canadian website to post images of the witness and his wife to locate him, law enforcement said. The witness was fatally shot at a restaurant before he could testify. Wedding, who represented Canada in the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, is believed to be hiding in Mexico. Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles field office, said he is most likely being protected by the cartel and others in Mexico. caption TK Syeda Khaula Saad This summer, I traveled to Portugal for a three-day music festival. I loved the music, but felt disappointed that I didn't actually get to see Portugal. The experience made me feel like I couldn't really check the country off my travel bucket list. Tourism in Portugal has reached record numbers over the past two years, with over 31 million visitors in 2024. Although the coastal wonders of the Algarve region and the historic castles of Sintra are often a selling point for tourists, I took the seven-hour trip for reasons unrelated to wanderlust. Portimao, Portugal, is the home of Afro Nation, the biggest annual Afrobeats festival in the world and this summer, I was one of the 40,000 festival-goers in attendance. Though dancing on the stunning beaches of Portugal to the sounds of Burna Boy and Tems live was definitely a bucket-list experience that I wouldn't have traded for the world, I'm not sure it's one I would repeat. Don't get me wrong: This realization had nothing to do with a lackluster experience. There is nothing dull about being serenaded by a shirtless Damini, and there was nothing disappointing about Portugal, either. Instead, I left feeling like I hadn't visited Portugal at all, but rather that I attended an event that just happened to be there. I feel like I missed an opportunity to actually explore a new country If I were to return to Afro Nation, I'd make sure to bake in time to explore Portugal. Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld/Getty Images Somewhere between day two and day three, it hit me: I was in Portugal, but I wasn't really seeing the country. My days weren't spent wandering tiled alleyways or eating salted cod by the water. Instead, I spent all my downtime resting at my resort, ordering food, getting dressed, and then heading back onto the beach not for a swim, but for another 12 hours of music. The experience wasn't exactly cheap, either. Aside from the nearly $600 I spent on the festival tickets, food and drinks were expensive at the venue, and rideshare trips cost more than I'd planned on spending, probably due to the crowds. I don't regret what I spent on the experience, but I did find myself thinking about what it would have been like to spend that money at a Lisbon flea market or on a cooking class, learning how to make pastel de nata from a local. By the last day of the festival, I had a realization: This wasn't the trip I thought I signed up for. I was in Portugal, sure, but I could've been anywhere. The beach could've been in Miami. The resort could've been in Cancun. The only Portuguese thing about my trip was the exchange rate. I did have two days after the festival ended to explore Lisbon, but it wasn't nearly enough time. I was exhausted after three days of standing on my feet and singing along, and after all of the rideshares we had purchased, both my feet and my wallet needed a break. Once I got home, I noticed that my Instagram feed was flooded with other people's Portugal trips: sunsets on sailboats in Portimao, wine in Porto, mist hanging over Sintra's castles. I felt like they'd gotten to see Portugal. I'd gotten to see a festival that happened to be hosted there. The experience taught me a lesson about how I'll travel in the future I don't regret my trip Afro Nation itself was unforgettable. I loved the music, the chaos, the feeling of being surrounded by a global community all singing Burna Boy under the same sky. In an ideal world, I'd be able to go back to Afro Nation with an extra three or four days to actually roam. However, extra days meant extra costs for food, accommodations, and the experiences I was so desperate to have and unfortunately, I didn't have unlimited PTO. I learned that my idea of a perfect trip doesn't center on an international festival or specific experience. I don't want to cross an ocean just to stand in a crowd. My version of travel definitely includes sun, sand, and bottomless drinks, but also curiosity. I want to wander, learn, and actually see where I am. I'd say that Portugal is still on my travel bucket list though I went, I barely touched it. Next time, I'm not going for a stage on the beach. I'm going for the country. Read the original article on Business Insider FILE - Clouds hover over the entrance of the Florida State Prison in Starke, Fla., Aug. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Curt Anderson, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) STARKE, Fla. (AP) A man convicted of fatally stabbing a woman during a home invasion decades ago was executed Tuesday evening in Florida. Mark Allen Geralds, 58, was pronounced dead at 6:15 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison for the February 1989 murder of Tressa Pettibone. The execution was the 18th in Florida this year, further extending the state record for total executions in a single year with one more planned next week. Asked if he had any last words, Geralds addressed someone by name, but the name was inaudible. He said, I'm sorry that I missed you. He then added, I loved you every day. Once the drugs began flowing, he took about a dozen deep breaths. His body then quivered and twitched, his mouth opening and closing. Within three or four minutes, Geralds became still. After the execution was carried out, a victim advocate from the state attorney's office read a statement on behalf of the Pettibone family. It said the family has endured so much as this long legal journey has seemed unending at times. Tomorrow, when we wake up, it will be the first time in nearly 37 years that we don't have to worry about another appeal being filed or another law changing that could potentially thwart the justice we have been fighting so hard for for so long, the family said. Florida Department of Corrections spokesperson Jordan Kirkland said eight people associated with Pettibone were at the prison for the execution, but it was not clear how many of them were in the room as witnesses. None of them directly addressed reporters. Pettibone was attacked in her Panama City home on Feb. 1, 1989. Later that day, her 8-year-old son arrived home from school and found his mother fatally stabbed on the kitchen floor, according to court records. Geralds was a carpenter who had previously done remodeling work at the home about a year before. About a week before the killing, Geralds ran into Pettibone and her two children at a shopping mall, and Pettibone mentioned that her husband was away on business. Later Geralds approached Pettibone's son at the video arcade and asked when the boy's father would return and what time he and his sister left for and returned from school each day, according to the records. Investigators found that Geralds had subsequently pawned jewelry with traces of Pettibones blood on it, and plastic ties used to bind Pettibone matched ties found in Geralds car, the records showed. Geralds was convicted of murder, armed robbery and other charges and sentenced to death in 1990. The Florida Supreme Court later vacated the sentence but affirmed the conviction, and Geralds was resentenced to death in 1992. After a death warrant was signed last month and his execution date set, Geralds told a judge he did not wish to pursue any further appeals. The judge signed off on that decision. Pettibone's family described her in their statement as a faithful wife, loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt and dedicated friend. Her family was her world, and everything she did centered around them. They recalled her love for the holiday season, describing her as a Christmas nut who decorated the house with lights, multiple trees and ornate Santa Clauses and reindeer and baked cookies, bread, cakes and pies. She enjoyed making gifts, and her family said they still display her handmade crafts every year. Pettibone "was a wonderful person with a family and many friends who loved her dearly, the statement said. Today we crossed the finish line for her, and we close this very painful chapter in our lives. Including Tuesday's execution, a total of 45 men have died by court-ordered execution so far this year in the U.S., with a handful of executions scheduled in what remains of the year. Since the U.S. Supreme Court restored the death penalty in 1976, the last highest previous annual total of Florida executions was eight in 2014. Florida has executed more people than any other state this year. Another execution is planned next week in the state under death warrants signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Frank Athen Walls, 58, is scheduled for Floridas 19th execution this year on Dec. 18. He was convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during a home invasion robbery and later confessing to three other killings. Florida executions are by lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the state Department of Corrections. ____ Associated Press writer David Fischer in Miami contributed reporting. Govs. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and Spencer Cox of Utah decried the state of the political discourse in the country and talked of leaning on each other after high-profile cases of political violence in a wide-ranging interview with "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie on Tuesday. Both have been at the forefront of handling political crises in their states. Cox, a Republican, was widely praised for his handling of the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk in Utah in September, an event that inflamed political divides. Shapiro, a Democrat, has dealt with political violence repeatedly in his state, including the attempt on President Donald Trump's life at a rally in Butler last year and the politically motivated firebombing of his own home this year. I just need to tell you when that very dark day happened in my state, the first call I got was from this guy, from Gov. Shapiro, and he gave me some advice that changed what I was going to say when I stepped in front of that camera for the first time, Cox said, speaking alongside Shapiro at the National Cathedral in Washington. He told me to speak with moral clarity and to speak from the heart. ... I dont care what color his politics are, in that moment we were two Americans who were deeply saddened and struggling, and Im grateful that theres somebody I can trust, even though we disagree on a lot of things, he added. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. (AP) (AP) Shapiro had similarly received plaudits from both sides of the aisle for his handling of the aftermath of the attempt on Trump's life. In a speech about political violence days after Kirk was assassinated, Shapiro criticized the "selective condemnation" of such attacks. "I never looked to myself to being any sort of expert on political violence or, frankly, needing to engage in a national conversation about political violence, until I saw Spencer Cox, in the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk, handle that matter in the way that he did," Shapiro said Tuesday. "I saw him lift up not just Utahns but create an opportunity for a dialog I think we sorely need in this country to try and lift everyone up and get us out of the darkness of political violence that has fallen upon us." Shapiro and Cox have built a friendship across party lines through their work with the National Governors Association. The event Tuesday was billed as a bipartisan conversation to address the growing spate of violent, politically motivated attacks across the country. Cox, citing research on political violence, said the U.S. is on a long-term path that could lead to civil war. A recent NBC News poll found that more than 6 in 10 registered voters including majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents said they think extreme political rhetoric was an important contributor to Kirk's killing in September. "I hate even using that phrase," Cox said. "But if we dont make a course correction, thats where this leads." The event was interrupted at multiple points by protesters, who were shouting down both Shapiro and Cox, though it was unclear what they were protesting. Shapiro repeatedly talked up condemning political violence originating from right- or left-wing actors, saying Trump has failed to condemn political violence when it originates on the right. "It should not be hard to see the [former] Minnesota speaker of the House gunned down and mourn her loss," he said. "It should not be hard to follow the beautiful eulogy of Erika Kirk with an 'amen' instead of saying, 'I cant do that, I hate my enemies,' as the president did." Cox responded to Shapiro by noting that, in private, Trump had praised him for expressing the need for Americans to come together. "Im not trying to play down his divisive rhetoric at all," Cox said. "Im not going to do that. But Im going to say this: If we think that a president of the United States or a governor is going to change where we are right now, were fooling ourselves. I truly believe that the people of our country are the ones who are going to have to change this." Both governors talked about the role they believe social media algorithms play in the country's ever-growing political divides. "If you want to be angry at someone, be angry at the social media companies," Cox said, adding, "These are the wealthiest and most powerful companies in the history of the world, and theyre profiting off of destroying our kids and destroying our country, and they know it, and its very intentional." "Even though they have trillion-dollar market caps, its still not enough," he continued. The governors were divided, however, over whether they believe states should pass bans on social media accounts for kids under 16, which is set to take effect in Australia on Wednesday. Cox said he was "100%" supportive of such a ban, while Shapiro said, "I don't know that I'd support that." "The approach that weve tried to take in Pennsylvania, led by our first lady, has been ensuring that digital literacy is taught in our classrooms, that our teachers are empowered to understand how to do it and that our students are in a position to receive that information and understand these powerful phones and computers that they have," Shapiro said. "They can be used for good, but they also have to be used in a way that folks understand fact from fiction, that they understand how addictive these platforms are and how they can learn how to use them in moderation. "We are working with our school districts to figure out the best policy on phone usage and what can be used," he added. "I think it is important that young people learn about these tools, they are empowered to use them responsibly, while at the same time, those of us in positions of authority, hold these companies accountable." Cox said he understood Shapiro's position but countered that "the damage is just too great on our kids right now." "These are the opioid companies of the of the early 2000s," Cox said. "There is no difference. ... Its addictive, and its addictive by design. All we tried to do was to make them remove the most addictive features on their products for kids, thats it. And they wouldnt even do that. So it just, theyre bad-faith actors, and they no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt." At the conclusion of the discussion, Guthrie asked the governors whether either is running for president in 2028. Shapiro is widely seen as a 2028 Democratic presidential contender. "One of us is not," Cox said. Shapiro did not answer. Hawaiis shelter system has been stretched for years, and one small idea meant to ease the pressure has grown into something visitors now look forward to. Local organizations were already juggling overflowing kennels, so a day-rental program that lets dogs get out for a few hours quickly became a bright spot for both animals and tourists. On Oahu, the Hawaiian Humane Society is built for roughly 750 to 850 animals, yet the daily count often passes 1,000. Staff see around 40 surrendered pets come through the doors each day. Even the second campus that opened in 2023 filled almost as soon as it launched. With numbers rising, shelters started focusing on anything that could lift the dogs morale while they waited for a real home. A Day Out Helps Hawaiis Shelters View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kauai Humane Society (@kauaihumanesociety) The Kauai Humane Society gained recognition for this concept years ago when it introduced its Field Trips for Shelter Dogs program. Visitors sign up, head to the shelter, and borrow a dog for an outing. It sounds like a casual adventure, but it plays a real role in a system under pressure. Many of the dogs Kauai sees come from a long history of hunting culture. When owners stop using them for hunting, some end up on their own. Shelters race to take them in, which strains space and resources. Letting a dog enjoy a field trip helps with two major issues. First, it gets the dog moving and socializing. Second, it turns the outing into free advertising. A dog in an adopt me harness tends to create conversations, and those conversations lead to real interest. Kauai staff report that these day trips result in about five adoptions per week, sometimes by visitors who return home with more than a sunburn. What Tourists Can Expect Each island operates a little differently, but the concept stays the same. Visitors stop by the shelter in the morning, sign the paperwork, and head out with a backpack filled with supplies. Kauai provides water, treats, poop bags, a bowl, toys, and a towel. Mauis Beach Buddies program selects dogs that match the planned activity. Staff members select dogs that walk well on leashes, interact with people with ease, and remain comfortable in cars. If the plan includes beach time, they choose dogs that actually like splashing around. These trips last several hours, and tourists return the dog before the afternoon deadline. Along the way, they explore dog-friendly spots such as coastal paths, scenic lookouts, or short hikes. Some hikers take their borrowed buddy up Sleeping Giant on Kauai, while others choose mellow walks or patio dining. Many participants notice how often people stop to ask about the dog, which fits the whole point. The more eyes on a shelter pet, the better the chance that someone follows through on adoption. Housing Plays A Big Part Image via Getty Images/skynesher Hawaiis surrender numbers rise because pet-friendly rentals are scarce. In parts of Maui, reports show roughly 94 percent of rentals prohibit dogs. Families struggle to find housing that allows pets, and when they lose a rental, they often have no alternative. Maui Humane Society holds more than 120 dogs at a time, and its 40 on-site kennels usually stay double-up. The situation led lawmakers to consider bills aimed at making pets more welcome in public housing projects, though these efforts stalled. Until new laws pass, shelters search for ways to help dogs stay hopeful, which is why these field trip programs gained traction. The programs work because they create a win-win. Travelers enjoy a standout memory, and shelters gather details about each dogs behavior outside the kennel. Staff members use those notes to guide adopters toward a strong match. Some visitors even return the next day, asking for the same dog again. Others end up adopting. And the dogs get hours of fresh air, attention, and exposure that improve their chances of finding a lasting home. Yellow police tape marks off a crime scene. Photo: kat wilcox / Pexels CBP officer indicted A United States Customs and Border Protection officer has pleading not guilty to charges of sexually assaulting and robbing women in Schaumburg and Naperville three years ago. Luis Uribe, 44, of Pingree Grove was arrested Tuesday morning. He faces 10 counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Prosecutors say Uribe performed both customs and immigration duties for CBP in the Chicago area. Pritzker unopposed in Democrat Primary The ballot for Illinois March 17 primary election is coming into focus after Tuesdays State Board of Elections hearing. Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be unopposed on the Democratic Party side after the board voted to remove challenger Patricia Tillman due to a lack of signatures. In the states U.S. Senate race, voters pulling a Democratic ballot will have ten choices and Republican voters will have seven. EV charging station funds announced The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the third official notice of funding opportunity through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which will provide approximately $65.6 million in public funds for the construction of charging stations across the state. Applications must be received by Feb. 13. (NewsNation) A Maine lawmaker is calling for an investigation into the director of a health services company accused of defrauding the states Medicaid program while running for office in Somalia. Abdullahi Ali, in an interview with Kenyan media, openly discussed contributing money back to Somalia and paramilitary forces. In the interview, first reported by The Maine Wire in March, said: When I was away and abroad, the financial contributions I was sending back were being used to support the forces for buying bullets, ammunition and food, Ali posted to his own presidential media page. Judge allows Ghislaine Maxwell evidence unsealed State Sen. Matt Harrington, R, has demanded an investigation from Gov. Janet Mills. To add insult to injury, the founder of Gateway Community Services has openly said that he has funneled money into Somali elections and paramilitary groups, Harrington told NewsNation. And its just an absolute slap in the face to every Maine taxpayer that these funds that could be used to help Maine people, Maine veterans, Maine senior citizens, Maine families who are struggling are being funneled to Somalia directly. Christopher Bernardini, who describes himself as a former billing guru of Gateway Community Services, a health services contractor that he says defrauded Maines Medicaid program. Bernardini worked for Gateway from May 2018 until April 2025 as a program coordinator. Bernardini alleges Gateway oversaw a system in which false records were filed about client visits. He alleges an electronic monitoring system designed to track movements was manipulated to make it seem like field staff were visiting low-income and disabled clients, when in reality they did not come within miles of the clients homes. They then charged taxpayers for providing services that were never performed, according to Bernardini. Hegseth to brief top Congressional members on Venezuela strikes I learned that he was running for president of Jubaland, which is like a small country inside of Somalia, and that he had admitted to funding the militia groups over there, Bernardini told NewsNation. After NewsNations investigation, Bernardini had a call Tuesday with the Oversight Committee about his experience at Gateway. Ali posted a statement on X late last week to respond to coverage of the story on conservative news outlets NewsMax and Maine Wire, the latter of which has covered the story extensively. I make no apologies for building a successful business in Maine, working hard to earn a living, earning my PhD, giving back to my Maine community, and running for office in Jubaland, Ali wrote. I am proud to contribute my hard-earned $ to support my people back home. America is a nation of laws you cannot change facts by fabricating false stories. I am a proud Somali American. Nativity scenes around Chicagoland opt for political theme during holiday season NewsNation has reached out to Ali for comment multiple times, even going personally to Gateway in an attempt to speak with him. NewsNation has reached out to Gov. Janet Mills, the head of Maines Health and Human Services, for comment. The three Democratic Somali-Americans in the states House of Representatives have also so far declined to comment. Another former Gateway employee, who asked to remain anonymous because they continue to work in Maine social services, also told NewsNation they saw records being manipulated. I saw many things happening that shouldnt have been, this second source said. Timecards being manipulated to show services being provided they were not and times also being manipulated. House oversight chair wants whistleblowers to expose fraud in state welfare programs House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer said Tuesday alleged Medicaid fraud schemes appear to be part of a very organized operation spanning multiple states as his committee interviews whistleblowers about similar cases nationwide. The Kentucky Republican praised NewsNations investigative reporting on allegations in Maine. It does appear that this is a very organized scheme in multiple states with groups of Somalis, Comer said. I would go out on a limb and say that I would say this is happening in other states, with other social programs, with other groups. Comer said the committee welcomes more whistleblowers and will grant them confidentiality. He called for tighter oversight of social programs, including SNAP, housing assistance and Medicaid, saying massive fraud exists throughout the system. Theres massive amounts of fraud in our social programs, Comer said. We dont have the funds in Washington to continue to throw money at these social programs and not provide the oversight. The chairman said Congress must tighten the guardrails and require recertification for people receiving government benefits to ensure they remain eligible. 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. Peter Aliprantis, US head of private wealth for EQT EQT AB EQT is the world's second-largest private equity firm, but it's not a household name in the US. Peter Aliprantis, EQT's US private wealth head, aims to change that and attract affluent investors. He walked BI through the firm's plans to win over retail investors and why it's grown so much. EQT is one of the largest private equity investors in the world yet most wealthy Americans have barely heard of it. That's the uphill battle facing Peter Aliprantis, the Swedish firm's head of private wealth in the Americas, as EQT tries to pitch in a market dominated by Wall Street brands with plenty of CNBC airtime. "Most people in the United States are not familiar with us, and the way we say it, we're the best-kept secret," Aliprantis told Business Insider. Private Equity International ranked the firm as the second-largest private equity firm, with $312 billion of assets under management. It raised more than $113 billion in third-party private equity capital from 2020 to the end of 2024, putting it ahead of Blackstone, and just behind KKR so far this decade. Like many of its competitors, it's turning to private wealth as the newest source of growth. The industry's change of fundraising focus comes as private equity firms are slow to return cash to investors, and over-allocation among institutional investors means that institutional funding is slowing. But the same reasons that the firm isn't as well-known in America are actually an advantage, Aliprantis said. In a world where debt-heavy buyouts are proving more difficult and an increasingly concentrated American private market is pushing some to invest internationally, a global industrialist approach can be attractive. EQT has returned capital at a normal pace, with $23 billion in distributions for the year ending June 2025. The firm has also been building a private wealth business for the past four years, which accounts for 10% of its current assets. The firm has a goal to reach between 15-20% during its current $100 billion fundraising cycle, according to its second-quarter report. Aliprantis walked Business Insider through the firm's pitch to financial advisors and private wealth distribution networks, explaining why its global reach is a significant advantage in 2025. The key for EQT, Aliprantis said, is for the firm to offer individual investors the "exact same deals" it gives institutional investors. EQT's industrialist, international advantage EQT was founded in 1994 as a spin-off from industrial holding company Investor AB, but the firm's history stretches back to Sweden's Wallenberg family. The Wallenbergs, called the "Rockefellers of Europe," have created an empire of business holdings including massive stakes in Sweden's biggest firms, like ABB, AstraZeneca, or Saab. "The Wallenberg family has a 160-year heritage of owning and developing companies," Aliprantis said. "We're not financial engineers. We don't add a lot of leverage to what we do, and we're very, very different from what a lot of our peers on Wall Street are doing." Aliprantis's comments echo a larger change in the industry, which is running out of easy money-making deals and cheap financing and now has to extract returns by actually building stronger companies. But the firm's biggest advantage, Aliprantis said, is its global nature. Only 35% of its assets are based in North America, and the firm has 26 global offices where its deal teams invest in local private equity, infrastructure, and real estate deals. "A lot of our colleagues based in New York will fly deal team partners over to different places around the world to do the deal and then get on a plan and fly home," Aliprantis said. "Our deal teams are pretty much based in the locations where they do deals." This means the firm "gets the call" when local companies are looking to sell, and keeps them from larger "bake-offs" where the price might be bid-up. This has also meant the firm can continue to provide distributions to its clients even if the market is slow in one locale. "If you're a US-based domicile private markets firm that has 70 to 80% of your assets in the US, guess what? If the US IPO market is slowing, you're going to have a problem exiting," Aliprantis said. "Here in the US, it's always been too much money chasing too few deals. You know what? That's a US thing," Aliprantis said." If you go to Europe and you go to Asia, it's the opposite." For example, Bain estimates there's about $480 billion in dry powder for European private funds, including venture capital, compared to Pitchbook's $914.5 billion for US-focused private equity firms, not including VC. Apollo's Marc Rowan also recently told the Wall Street Journal that as an industry, they find themselves short ideas rather than capital. Aliprantis said investors' biggest reason to diversify away from the US market is its concentrated bet on AI. "Their concern is that the Mag Seven is roughly 37% of the S&P right now, and valuations are stretched," Aliprantis said. "Is AI really going to work? Is it not? How additive is it going to be to the bottom line? We don't know." How to keep retail investors happy Across the spectrum, Aliprantis said, the "biggest concern" is that retail investors are getting a set of less attractive deals, while institutional investors are getting a "separate set of deals." Aliprantis said that the firm's six evergreen vehicles are composed of the "exact same deals" that its institutional clients invest in. The key to doing that, and to being a responsible investor or retail capital, is "size and scale," Aliprantis said. Size also helps with the balance sheet necessary to launch a private wealth business. It can cost millions of dollars to hire the necessary staff to start selling to financial advisors and other wealth management channels before any revenue is returned to investors. EQT was able to use its balance sheet, as a public company in Sweden, to build its private wealth team and now has 70 private wealth professionals globally, with 20 based in the US. That's not to say that smaller funds won't succeed, but it will be much harder, Aliprantis said. With so many investors competing for retail capital, consolidation is inevitable. "The race is on in the industry right now," Aliprantis said. Read the original article on Business Insider The U.S. military knew the identities of the 11 men killed in a Sept. 2 boat strike in the Caribbean and approved the hit because the crewmembers apparently had loose ties to a drug cartel, the military commander who led the operation told lawmakers last week, according to two people with knowledge of the briefing. In a Dec. 4 classified briefing with a select group of lawmakers, Adm. Frank "Mitch" Bradley, who has been on the hot seat for weeks due to his role in the attack, said the military deemed the people on board legitimate targets because some had contact with members of drug cartels the Trump administration has declared foreign terrorist organizations, the two people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Bradley did not provide lawmakers with documentation that the boat carried drugs. He also stated that follow-up strikes sank the wreckage of the bombed boat, destroying possible evidence of drug trafficking, the people said. US military conducts deadly boat strikes against alleged drug traffickers Sept. 15, 2025: The U.S. military killed three people in a strike on a boat allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean Sea. NBC previously reported that the 11 men were on an internal list of "narco-terrorists" who were cleared to be targeted. Survivors couldn't radio for help Bradley, the commander of Special Operations Command, has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after the Trump administration confirmed that he ordered a second strike on the wreckage of the boat roughly 40 minutes later, killing two people who had survived the first attack. The Washington Post first reported the strike on the survivors. In previous briefings with lawmakers, Pentagon officials rationalized that the second strike was necessary because the two men clinging to their demolished ship were trying to radio for backup, or for another vessel to collect the drugs, CNN and other outlets have reported. However, Bradley revealed during the Dec. 4 briefing that the survivors did not have the means to radio for help, one of the people with knowledge of the briefing confirmed. More: Who is the US killing in its boat attacks? Hegseth won't say, and lawmakers want answers The Sept. 2 strike was the first of at least 22 known strikes by the Trump administration on boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean that have killed at least 87 people. It marked the beginning of a new policy of killing suspected drug traffickers that has come under fire from critics who say it is illegal and needlessly inhumane. Critics say the Trump administration cannot carry out such strikes without formally declaring war. The strikes have not been approved by Congress. The boats hit were thousands of miles from trafficking routes for fentanyl, which flows into the U.S. from Mexico. Bradley told lawmakers that the vessel struck Sept. 2 was headed to Suriname on South America's east coast, according to news reports. "Since the Department of War began striking these vessels, we have consistently said that our intelligence did indeed confirm these boats were trafficking narcotics destined for America," Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement to USA TODAY. "That same intelligence also confirms that the individuals involved in these drug operations were narco-terrorists, and we stand by that assessment." Adm. Frank 'Mitch' Bradley, the commander of Special Operations Command, briefed lawmakers on Dec. 4. "Every Presidentially directed strike conducted against these Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs) is taken in defense of vital U.S. national interests and to protect the American homeland from narco-terrorism. These strikes send (a clear) message directly to the narco-terrorists: you will find no safe harbor if you continue to poison our people with deadly drugs." Boat crews were low-level 'foot soldiers' In decades past, the U.S. treated drug trafficking as a law enforcement issue, and the Coast Guard was assigned to interdict boats carrying drugs, issuing arrests and seizing contraband. James Saenz, who served as the Pentagon's deputy assistant secretary for counternarcotics and stabilization during the Biden administration, said that during his tenure, the department did not have the intelligence network in place to pick up a detailed profile of the people aboard drug boats like those targeted in recent months. "If we wanted to know the crew identities, it would take significant effort and a lot of time before we would be able to develop that much information with confidence," he said. "Leaders (of drug cartels) and people with unique skills are not the ones riding these boats," he said. "Its traditionally low-level foot soldiers" on board. More: Trump says Venezuela sends US lethal drugs, but data tells different story The Trump administration has painted its campaign of killing suspected drug traffickers as a new War on Terror, comparing the toll of deadly drugs to the threat posed by terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. President Donald Trump designated eight Latin American cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in February. Experts have told USA TODAY that designation is primarily an economic tool and does not give the administration additional authority to target affiliated people with military force. The U.S. has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean. The Pentagon said in a notice to some lawmakers this fall that the president determined the U.S. is in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels, whose actions are an "armed attack" against the country. Critics, including lawyers and former military officials, have said that the comparison does not hold water. "This is summary execution," said Wes Bryant, a former senior Pentagon adviser on mitigating civilian harm during military operations. "Somewhere in the chain, someone knows that this is either blatantly illegal or somewhere near illegal." Bryant formerly served as a branch chief at the Pentagon's Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which worked to improve the militarys procedures for minimizing and reporting civilian casualties. The Trump administration dismantled it in the spring. When the Trump administration launched its bombing campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen soon after, it became clear that the Pentagon's threshold of tolerance for civilian deaths had been drastically raised, Bryant said. At least 238 civilians, including 24 children, were killed in the less-than-two-month operation, according to the Yemen Data Project. "Everything that the U.S. had been working towards I had been working towards in hand with special operations command, a lot of that was thrown out the window," Bryant said. Bryant, a retired Air Force master sergeant who worked with special operations on counterterrorism missions during the War on Terror, said the boat strikes had further entrenched the administration's disregard of civilian life. It would be hard to confirm the identity of a couple of individuals, let alone 11 people on a boat, he said. "This is so severe (that) at this point, the Trump administration needs to release the names of every single person," he said. Building a 'pattern of life' Mark McCurley, a retired Air Force pilot who flew many drone missions in the Middle East, said the military is likely observing boats traversing the Caribbean or Eastern Pacific using satellites or aircraft to build a "pattern of life." Common routes and travel times for boats that are believed to be carrying drugs could be compiled to "build that picture," he said. The military may be using aircraft to surveil boats as soon as they leave the harbor and then firing on them once they enter international waters, he added. Establishing a "pattern of life" was essential to building a case that a target was legally justified, said McCurley, who also flew surveillance missions of counternarcotics operations in Latin America in the 1990s. During the War on Terror, he said, the military would invest significant effort in verifying the "identity and intent" of a potential target. "The justification is pretty thin," he said. "How is a boat carrying a product to Suriname a direct action against the U.S. or a direct threat to our existence?" This article has been updated to correct the titles of James Saenz and Wes Bryant. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 11 killed in boat strike had loose cartel ties, official told leaders Imagine you land in a dreamy European city after a long flight, yawning and ready to collapse into your temporary home. In the age of easy travel, many of us have grown used to unlocking a rental with a keypad or grabbing keys from a lock-box tucked out of sight. But a recent decision by Milan threatens to close that chapter. Starting January 2026, the city will outlaw self-check-in key-boxes for short-term rentals. That means no more sneaking in with a code after midnight or showing up without coordinating direct contact. For travelers, especially those drawn to the spontaneity and ease of modern accommodation platforms, this represents a shift. The convenience of arriving whenever you want, hopping in via code and starting the adventure, is giving way to a model where timing, coordination, and human connection (or at least a pre-arranged greeting) re-enters the equation. The ban reflects broader tensions in many European cities, involving concerns about over tourism, rising rents, local community disruption, and security issues tied to anonymous check-ins. The aim is to preserve public spaces, quiet streets, and the integrity of neighborhoods that have been reshaped by the rental boom. Subscribe to our newsletter and get awesome stories like this delivered straight to your inbox! Photo by Michael Heise on Unsplash (Photo by Michael Heise on Unsplash) What changed in Milan and why it matters Under the new regulation, any key-box or coded lock mounted on public-facing structures must be removed. The fine for non-compliance is between 100 and 400, plus the cost of removal. This is more than an aesthetic protest against ugly lockboxes. Officials also frame the change as a security measure. Without face-to-face guest verification at check-in, theres a risk that anonymous renters could include individuals whose identities can't be properly tracked, which is viewed as a public-safety concern, especially with large events and surging tourism. The crackdown echoes similar moves in other historic and popular tourist cities across Italy. This signals a wider shift for how short-term rentals will operate in Europes travel hotspots. For travelers, that means staying on top of local rules, communicating with hosts proactively, and expecting check-in to be a bit more old-school. Related: Vacationing woman discovers Airbnb has hidden cameras: Here's how to be on alert Cities tightening the screws on short-term rentals Paris, France: limits and heavy fines for illegal rentals In one of Europes most visited capitals, Paris has moved to dramatically curb short-term rentals. Under new regulations, owners of short-term rentals in Paris must register with the city and properties not properly licensed may face fines as high as 100,000. In addition, rental nights for primary residences are capped. Short-term lets are now limited to 90 nights per year (down from 120), aligning the city with other strict-rental markets. For travelers, this means fewer casual Airbnb-style places available, especially in the heart of Paris, and a higher chance youll end up in registered guesthouses or hotels instead. Amsterdam, Netherlands: tight licensing, night limits, and stricter enforcement Amsterdam has rolled out one of the toughest regulatory regimes for short-term rentals. The city now enforces a 30-night annual limit per property, plus restrictions on guest numbers and mandatory registration for hosts, especially in high-demand neighborhoods. In some districts, entire-home rentals for tourists are banned outright and hosts risk punitive fines if they violate the rules. For anyone hoping to stay in a charming canal-side flat or a cozy apartment near the citys artsy quarters, options are getting tighter. Booking early and ensuring listings are officially registered will become far more important. Berlin & parts of Germany: stricter permits, investor-rental limits, and controlled short-term stays Germany in general has been tightening its approach to tourist rentals. Regulations now limit short-term rentals in investor-owned apartments, curbing what the city refers to as investor-driven tourism flats. Many areas restrict short-term rental to owner-occupied homes, or cap the number of days a unit may be rented out. In other cases, getting a permit is mandatory for short stays, and enforcement has become much stricter. Expect fewer flashy Airbnb flats and more legally registered apartments plus a shift toward hotels and guesthouses as short-term rentals become harder to access. What travelers should do when visiting Milan or similar cities Confirm check-in details before booking If youre planning a trip to Milan (or other cities enforcing similar rules), treat self-check-in listings as a potential red flag. Before you click book, message the host: ask how youll get in, what time check-in is, and whether theyre available to meet you (or provide a verified remote check-in). If they cant guarantee credentials and a way to get you inside, maybe consider booking a hotel instead, at least for your first night. Plan arrival times and backup options Your flight landing at 11:30 PM doesnt guarantee a key somewhere in a box. With this ban, late arrivals mean coordinating with a person, which could be tricky outside normal waking hours. Hotels, or rentals that offer verified smart-lock solutions or in-building access not visible from the street, might be safer options for unpredictable arrival times. Expect more face-to-face, less anonymity As the new regulation takes hold, travelers may rediscover the old-fashioned check-in, including exchanging IDs, meeting hosts, and actually connecting. It might mean a five-minute extra chat, or a quick document scan, but also a little more security, accountability, and clarity about where youre staying and whos responsible for what. Related: City named the most 'stress-free' getaway in Europe isn't on your travel radar What this change tells us about travels evolving story The ban speaks to a broader reevaluation of how tourism intersects with local life. Cities like Milan are pushing back against a version of travel that treats homes like commodities; rentable, anonymous, and disposable. Theyre saying theres a cost to convenience. Theres a balance to strike between welcoming visitors and preserving the heartbeat of our neighborhoods. For travelers who love to wander with ease, the new rules may feel like a complication. But for those who also care about the long-term health of destinations, who hope that historic streets remain lived-in, residents dont get displaced, and communities stay vibrant, it might just be a welcome nudge toward more responsible travel. Get the latest travel inspiration and news delivered straight to your inbox. This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 9, 2025, where it first appeared in the Hotels section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Maps feel simple at first glance, but every now and then one forces you to pause and look again. The maps in this list play with scale, shift vantage points, or pull certain details forward so the familiar suddenly looks different. They dont shout for attention, yet they quietly remind you that a lot of what we assume about the world comes from habit. One small change on a map can unsettle the whole picture. Half the World Fits in This Circle Credit: Instagram The area inside this circle, centered near Yuxi, China, holds over 4.3 billion people. Thats more than half the global population packed into a small region. The circle covers parts of China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Japan, and a few others. Its a sharp reminder of how uneven population distribution really is. A Map That Proves the Saying Credit: Reddit This map shows travel routes that all point to one place: Rome. And no, its not just a cute saying. Ancient Roman engineers built over 250,000 miles of roads. Centuries later, the structure still shapes the way people move around the continent. The phrase stuck for a reason. Where Breathing Gets Risky Credit: Instagram This heat map tracks global air pollution based on PM2.5 levels, which are the tiny particles that sneak deep into your lungs. The darker red zones show the worst air, with India, parts of China, and northern Africa lighting up the most. Romes Spare Change Ended Up Everywhere Credit: Reddit Roman coins appear to have been scattered across half of Europe. From Britain to Syria, these little copper and silver discs traveled far beyond the empires borders. Some were used for trade, others lost in battle, or buried for safekeeping and forgotten. Europe Really Got Around Credit: Reddit This proves just how far European empires reached. Nearly the entire globe shows signs of colonization, control, or influence. Only a handful of countrieslike Japan, Thailand, and Liberiaavoided full European takeover. At its peak, the British Empire alone ruled nearly a quarter of Earths population. If Fish Made the Map Credit: X Land turns into scattered islands and the Pacific becomes the main stage. It isnt incorrect, just unfamiliar. Over 70 percent of Earth is ocean, yet most maps treat it like background. This layout works for showing migration or underwater claims, and it reminds you that land isnt the default for every species. It's a Small World, After All Credit: Instagram This map lines countries up by their real land area instead of the stretched outlines we usually see. The Mercator projection is the culprit, since it makes places near the poles look much bigger. Putting everything side by side restores the scale and offers an easy geography refresher for anyone who glances at it. Two Maps, Two Kinds of Trouble Credit: Instagram The top map shows the countries that Russia has labeled as unfriendly, primarily based on sanctions and political tensions. Below it is a totally different kind of filter. Both maps light up with similar regions, but for wildly different reasons. Either way, if youre traveling, both lists are probably worth a glance. Where Trains Rule the Map Credit: Wikimedia Commons This global railway map looks like someone scribbled all over Europe and thats kind of what happened. Germany, France, and India are especially thick with train lines. Meanwhile, huge areas like Africa, Canada, and Australia are nearly blank. The U.S. has plenty of rails, too, but most are built for freight, not people. Japan Outranges Korea in Every Direction Credit: Wikimedia Commons It doesnt look obvious at first glance, but Japan edges out Korea in every directionnorth, south, east, and west. The map makes it clear once you line up the farthest points. Japans island chain covers more ground than most people realize, curving wide across the Pacific while Korea stays compact. A healthcare worker prepares a syringe with a vaccine dose at a medical station. Photo: Steven Cornfield / Unsplash (The Center Square) The University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine will pay $10.3 million to settle claims from 18 plaintiffs who said they were unlawfully denied religious exemptions from the schools COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The plaintiffs, represented anonymously by the Thomas More Society, included former and current employees and students, physicians, medical students, nurses and medical professionals, among others. After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled that Chancellor Donald Elliman and other defendants violated the plaintiffs clearly established First Amendment rights, the university agreed to pay damages, tuition and attorneys fees to all 18 individuals. No amount of compensation or course-correction can make up for the life-altering damage Chancellor Elliman and Anschutz inflicted on the plaintiffs and so many others throughout this case, who felt forced to succumb to a manifestly irrational mandate, Michael McHale, senior counsel at Thomas More Society, said in a statement following the settlement. The Anschutz School of Medicine defended its original policy, stating in an email to The Center Square that the vaccination requirement was implemented to protect students and faculty and to comply with federal regulations tied to federal funding. The requirement was rescinded once the federal mandate was lifted. This policy was grounded in science, public health guidance, and our obligation to safeguard lives during an unprecedented global crisis, the university said. While some chose to challenge the policy, the evidence remains clear: Vaccination was essential to protecting the vulnerable, keeping hospitals open, and sustaining education and research. According to the Thomas More Society, this marks the first case in the nation in which plaintiffs have recovered monetary damages under the First Amendment related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates. These are kind, compassionate medical professionals who entered their field to serve and care for others, yet they were treated with shocking disregard for their rights and scoffed at for their deeply held beliefs, said Peter Breen, executive vice president at Thomas More Society. Because they had the courage to say no when their religious freedoms were trampled, people of faith across the country now enjoy stronger protections. Following the settlement, the University of Colorado has agreed to now allow students to request religious accommodations on the same terms as employees and will evaluate requests for religious exemptions with the same consideration as medical exemptions, contrary to the universitys actions in this case. We stand by the decisions made in that moment and remain deeply grateful to the healthcare professionals, faculty, staff and students whose courage and commitment protected our community and advanced our mission when it mattered most, the university added. GoFundMe Locklynn Rose McGuire NEED TO KNOW A mother and father are facing upgraded charges after their 2-year-old daughter was mauled to death by a dog in their home Darci Lambert, 24, and Jorden McGuire, 34, have been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of animal cruelty Authorities said the girl, identified by loved ones as Locklynn Rose McGuire, was found dead in the family home after being attacked by a dog on Nov. 18 A mother and father from Oklahoma are facing upgraded murder charges after their 2-year-old daughter was mauled to death by a dog in their home. Darci Lambert, 24, and Jorden McGuire, 34, have been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of animal cruelty in connection with the girl's death, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday, Dec. 8. The couple was previously charged with second-degree murder, PEOPLE reported at the time. It's unclear if they have entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf. On Nov. 18, Oklahoma City police responded to the family home after receiving a report of a child not breathing. Once inside, officers found the girl dead with "horrific injuries" believed to have been from an animal attack, per the district attorney's office. At the scene, four dogs three of which were allegedly malnourished were removed by Oklahoma City Animal Welfare, prosecutors said. Two bearded dragons were also removed from the home. Oklahoma City Police Staff Sgt. Dillon Quirk previously told PEOPLE that detectives learned that the child was left in that room with the animal for a substantial period of time before she was discovered deceased." He added that "ultimately a murder arrest came from that investigation." Oklahoma County Detention Center Darci Lambert; Jorden McGuire The child was identified by loved ones as 2-year-old Locklynn Rose McGuire in a GoFundMe campaign created to help with memorial expenses. "Locklynn was pure light," the fundraiser reads. "She was curious, gentle, and full of joy the kind of little girl whose smile could brighten even the hardest day. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. Losing her in such a heartbreaking and unexpected way has left our entire family shattered." Authorities allege that Lambert and McGuire "maliciously failed to protect their child and permitted her to remain in the presence of a dangerous, malnourished dog, fully aware of the serious risk of harm," per the district attorney's office. 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. Investigators claim evidence shows the child had previously been attacked by the same dog, suffering serious injuries. Prosecutors said the charges were upgraded after they reviewed the "horrendous details of the case." If convicted of first-degree murder, the suspects could face life in prison, prosecutors said. Lambert and McGuire remain in custody on a $1 million bond. Read the original article on People One of the best things about wine is the conversations it can spark. On a recent trip to Abruzzo, Italy, the local Cerasuolo dAbruzzo was a topic of debate at every table. With its bright acidity, pronounced minerality, and fruit-fueled notes of strawberry and cherry, at first blush it could be a dark rose. Yet its vivid deep-cherry color, lush body, fine structure, and versatility make you rethink that assessment and wonder if this shape-shifting wine is actually a light red. In the last 20 years, weve categorized Cerasuolo as a rose, and this has penalized it, says Federico De Cerchio, fourth-generation winemaker and owner of Famiglia De Cerchio. To change that, we are working to push Cerasuolo as an alternative to classic summer red wines. I believe this is a game-changer for Cerasuolo, making it a very versatile wine, able to compete in any international market. One thing is certain: no matter if you fall in the rose or red camp, this gastronomic gem has flown under the radar for far too long. A quick Cerasuolo primer The Italian region of Abruzzo is located just two hours east of Rome. But somehow, this lush green area, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, has somehow remained off the international tourist trek. With rolling hills, charming hilltop towns, and more than 250 wineries, Abruzzo has Tuscan charm, authenticity, and a wine scene waiting for oenophiles to discover. Courtesy of Torre Zambra Winery The region is most known for its inky red Montepulciano dAbruzzo, but its Cerasuolo that captures hearts. Cerasuolo dAbruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape, which must represent at least 85% of the wine. The wine is made using a direct-press method and usually fermented in stainless steel or concrete. In 2010, the appellation was promoted to its own Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC), the first in Italy exclusively for a rosato style wine. Finished Cerasuolos are released no earlier than January 1 after harvest and have a minimum alcohol content of 12%, while Cerasuolo Superiore wines are released no earlier than March 1 and contain at least 12.5% alcohol by volume (abv). Related: 16 Italian Wine Values Under $30 Youll Want to Stock Up On A perfect pairing Food and wine are meant to interplay and elevate your gastronomic experience, but too often one ends up outshining the other. In Abruzzo, Cerasuolo is enjoyed alongside pizza, white fish, pasta with red sauce, and a variety of cheeses. Surprisingly, it pairs well with each. My favorite pairings with Cerasuolo reflect its full-bodied profile, phenolic grip, high acidity, and overall complexity, which make it incredibly versatile at the table, says Riccardo Brighigna, winemaker for Feudo Antico. Its structure and freshness open up a wide range of culinary possibilities, making it a true gastronomes wine. For Italian food lovers, Cerasuolo is a dream because it pairs exceptionally well with tomatoes, a staple of the cuisine. Tomatoes are hard to pair in general, but Cerasuolo works well with them, says Jason Hedges, director of Beverage for LT Hospitality. Its a no-brainer for me. Hedges has some of Abruzzos most well-regarded Cerasuolos, including those from Valentini and Emidio Pepe, on the wine list at New Yorks LAmico restaurant. Courtesy of Cantina Tollo Deivai The red versus rose debate Officially, Cerasuolo is classified as a rose, but its a wine that proves labels can be deceiving. Listen to the wine rather than the category Cerasuolo can sit anywhere along the spectrum from vivid rose to pale, savory red, says Brighigna. In general, Cerasuolo is characterized by a bright red color, with aromas of red fruit, herbal undertones, and notes of wildflowers. On the palate, the red berries burst, sometimes accompanied by a minerality or spiciness. The signature color is achieved by keeping the skin in contact with the must for up to a day. As a rose, Cerasuolo perhaps best compares to Tavel from the Rhone Valley of France; as a light red, its an alternative to Gamay or Pinot Noir. If we place it within the rose category, with over 9 million bottles sold, its among the most recognized and appreciated, says Davide Acerra, marketing manager of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini dAbruzzo. Yet it truly deserves a category of its own a light red to be served chilled, for instance. Its an utterly contemporary wine: it combines the freshness of a white with the structure of a red. Courtesy of Torre Zambra Winery A new day for Cerasuolo As if defining Cerasuolo wasnt already a conundrum, Podere Castorani introduced a new Cerasuolo style in the late 2000s. We love preserving the beautiful tale of the traditional Cerasuolo, which represents generations of regional history, says Castorani winemaker Angelo Molisani. We are equally proud to have taken the first step in our region toward a new, clearer rose version of Montepulciano. Castoranis Amorino Cerasuolo looks like the pale, Provence-style pink wine we often associate with rose today. To achieve its clarity and hue, Molisani picks the grapes up to a month before harvesting for their traditional Cerasuolo and ensures that maceration is quick. This Cerasuolo unlocks the unbelievable versatility of the Montepulciano grape, says Molisani. It yields a world-class, single-varietal rose not a blend that we confidently rank among the finest in Europe. To drink it after four or five years of aging is, quite simply, stunning. Related: Montepulciano A Guide to the Basics As wine lovers, especially younger drinkers, yearn to try more unique wines that reflect the story of where they come from, no matter the color, Cerasuolo is perfectly positioned to put Abruzzo on the map. Whether you call it a rose or a light red, its easy to agree that Cerasuolo is an extremely adaptable wine that can take you from an aperitif through the main course. Its a crowd-pleasing bottle that is a foodies dream. Cerasuolo is so unique in its essence and color intensity that it can be seen as a fifth color of wine, alongside red, white, rose, and orange, says Acerra. For us, it is the contemporary, gastronomic, and versatile wine that tells the story of Abruzzo with authenticity yet speaks, today more than ever, the language of the world. Five Cerasuolo to try Cerasuolo dAbruzzo can be a challenge to find, but these are a few of our favorite labels that are imported to the United States. Food & Wine / Tenuta I Fauri Pecorino Tenuta I Fauri Baldovino In Italy, the Gambero Rosso Vini dItalia is the definitive wine guide, so winning the 2026 Best Rose of the Year is quite an accomplishment for this Cerasuolo from Tenuta I Fauri. The wine is an intoxicating mix of salty, citrusy, savory notes, with traditional red-fruit tones throughout. Food & Wine / Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Emidio Pepe Emidio Pepe Cerasuolo dAbruzzo This legendary producer showcases the warmth and light of the 2024 vintage in its latest release. Its made from 100% Montepulciano dAbruzzo, with notes of red fruits and flowers. Food & Wine / De Fermo De Fermo Le Cince Named for the local cinciallegra bird, known for its loud chirping, Le Cince from De Fermo does its own talking with an intermingling of herbal and smoky notes mixed amongst the red fruit core. Food & Wine / Cataldi Madonna Cataldi Madonna Malandrino Produced by a small, family winery in the interior of Abruzzo near LAquila, this Cerasuolo has an intense nose of red fruits and almonds. Its made exclusively with Montepulciano grapes from vines over 50 years old. Food & Wine / Passo Sacro Torre Zambra Passo Sacro This wine from Famiglia De Cerchio flirts with summer memories an aroma of rhubarb, watermelon Jolly Rancher candy, strawberry and cherry. Produced in the highly sought-after Villamagna wine region, red fruits and nuttiness dance on the tongue. Read the original article on Food & Wine U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio enters a meeting with members of Congress on the Caribbean boat strikes, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor Antony Blinken's decision to adopt Calibri a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters. The department under Blinken in early January 2023 had switched to Calibri, a modern sans-serif font, saying this was a more accessible font for people with disabilities because it did not have the decorative angular features and was the default in Microsoft products. A cable dated December 9 sent to all U.S. diplomatic posts said that typography shapes the professionalism of an official document and Calibri is informal compared to serif typefaces. "To restore decorum and professionalism to the Departments written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program, the Department is returning to Times New Roman as its standard typeface," the cable said. "This formatting standard aligns with the Presidents One Voice for Americas Foreign Relations directive, underscoring the Departments responsibility to present a unified, professional voice in all communications," it added. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some studies suggest that sans-serif fonts, such as Calibri, are easier to read for those with certain visual disabilities. Trump, a Republican, moved quickly after taking office in January to eradicate federal DEI programs and discourage them in the private sector and education, including by directing the firing of diversity officers at federal agencies and pulling grant funding for a wide range of programs. DEI policies became more widespread after nationwide protests in 2020 against police killings of unarmed Black people, spurring a conservative backlash. Trump and other critics of diversity initiatives say they are discriminatory against white people and men and have eroded merit-based decision making. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Don Durfee and Lisa Shumaker) andreswd - Getty Images An experimental oral drug claims to do the work of medications like GLP-1s without losing muscle mass. The medication just went through phase 1 clinical trials. Doctors explain the new medication and what consumers can expect. Its no secret that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Wegovy and Ozempic have been game-changers when it comes to blood sugar and weight management. But a common issue with these medications is that people lose muscle mass along with weight (like Ozempic face, Ozempic butt, and other anecdotal side effects), potentially raising the risk of frailty, balance issues, and a slower-than-usual metabolism, among other things. Now, scientists say they have developed a new medication that helps patients lose weight and manage blood sugars, while maintaining muscle mass. Meet the experts: Mir Ali, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA; Jamie K. Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Tore Bengtsson, Ph.D., study co-author and professor at the Department of Molecular Bioscience, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University; Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health The medication is taken by mouth, too, which is a big perk over most popular GLP-1 medications, which are injectables. This medication is still undergoing clinical trials, so its not ready for the masses just yet. But its already getting plenty of buzz due to early data thats just come out. Heres what you need to know. What is this medication and how does it work? The new medication goes by the name ATR-258, and its in a class of drugs called beta-2 agonists. This class of medications includes the asthma medication albuterol and bronchodilator clenbuterol. This new compound goes to work by activating receptors in the smooth muscles, which are found throughout the body. It supports muscle mass without overstimulating the heart, which is also a muscle. So far, its been through animal trials and a phase 1 clinical trial. The results of these were recently published in the journal Cell. In animal studies, the medication improved blood sugar levels without sacrificing muscle mass. A phase 1 clinical trial (performed in humans), followed 48 healthy participants and 25 participants with type 2 diabetes, and found that the drug was well-tolerated in people. How is this different from a GLP-1 receptor agonist? Its actually very different from a GLP-1 receptor agonist. These work on two different receptors, says Mir Ali, M.D., medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA. This new medication is also an oral drug, while many GLP-1s are injectables. GLP-1 medicines, like Ozempic and others, mainly work through the gutbrain axis: They reduce appetite, make people feel full earlier, and slow stomach emptying. People eat less and lose weight, but a substantial part of that weight loss can be from muscle, and many patients experience gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea," explains Tore Bengtsson, Ph.D., study co-author and professor at the Department of Molecular Bioscience, Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University. But Bengtsson says ATR-258 works in a completely different way. In preclinical models, it acts a bit like exercise in a pill, he says. It switches on pathways in muscle that increase glucose uptake and fat burning and support muscle growth and function. Still, Dr. Ali points this out: The research is still fairly early. Its going to take time to compare the two. What are the potential side effects? Again, theres not a ton of data right now on humans, and were only looking at the impact of the drug on a handful of people at this point. The study found that the medication was well tolerated in people and demonstrates efficacy without adverse effects. The study doesnt go into details about what side effects people experienced, but says that at the point of publicatio, the medication doesnt cause any blood abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances, or cardiac issues. Any side effects people had were mild to moderate and went away after people stopped taking the medication, per the study. The most common are a fine hand tremor and a short-lived increase in heart rate shortly after taking the drug, particularly at higher doses, Bengtsson says. These effects tended to lessen or disappear over time. We did not see concerning heart rhythm changes or serious treatment-related safety signals in these early studies. Why is something like this needed? GLP-1 receptor agonists can be game-changers for people with type 2 diabetes or obesity, but people tend to lose muscle mass when they take them, points out Jamie K. Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University. (Dr. Ali notes that the same thing is a concern with other treatments that cause rapid weight loss, like bariatric surgery.) Anything that helps preserve muscle is helpful, Dr. Ali says. Muscle is important to maintain normal function, along with strength and overall health. Losing muscle mass can have a big impact on your overall health and even your lifespan, says Kelly Johnson-Arbor, M.D., a toxicologist at MedStar Health. Although many people desire to lose fat mass during their weight loss journeys, skeletal muscle mass can also decrease during intentional weight loss, she says. Skeletal muscle is a marker of metabolic health, and excessive skeletal muscle mass loss is linked to an increase in overall mortality, a higher risk of death from heart disease, and a poorer quality of life. Alan agrees that maintaining muscle mass is crucial. At a minimum, we need our muscles for activities of daily living, and remember, our heart is a muscle, she says. A decrease in muscle mass may also result in a slower overall metabolism, increased fatigue, and potentially increased inflammation. Currently, the main way people on these medications maintain muscle mass is to take in a lot of protein, Dr. Ali says. Regular exercise, especially weight-bearing and resistance exercise, also helps to build and preserve muscles, he says. So, when might this new drug be on the market? Its going to be a while. To date, this has only been used in animals and a small phase 1 human trial. It still needs to go through more clinical trials before it can be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval, but Bengtsson says his research team is working on it. This is very early work, Dr. Ali says. You Might Also Like The Swedish royal family stepped out in full formal style for this years Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet in Stockholm, an event known for elegant evening gowns, glittering tiaras, and time-honored traditions. Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, and Princess Madeleine attended, continuing the royals long association with the annual gathering. The Nobel Prizes have been awarded on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobels death, since 1901. In keeping with Nobels will, the prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature are presented in Stockholm, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. Princess Ingrid Alexandra made her debut at the Norwegian sides event earlier on Wednesday, marking a notable milestone in her preparation as the countrys future monarch. During the Stockholm ceremony, each laureate is introduced with an address describing their work before King Carl XVI Gustaf presents the laureate with a diploma and medal. The evening then moves to a banquet at Stockholm City Hall, a tradition dating back to 1930. More than 1,300 people usually attend, including hundreds of students. Members of the Swedish royal family, led by the King and Queen, serve as guests of honor at both the ceremony and the banquet. Below, see the standout moments and finest jewels worn by the Swedish royals at the special event: Queen Silvia Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Queen Silvia wore a tiara that goes by many names, although it is most commonly known as Queen Sofias (or Sophias) Tiara. It is also known as the Nine Prong Tiara given the number of diamond prong elements pointing outward. The diadem is named for its original owner, Queen Sofia, the German-born Queen consort of King Oscar II, who was the monarch of Sweden from 1872 until his death in 1907 and Norway from 1872 to 1905. Queen Silvia has frequently worn this tiara, including at the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in 2018 and 2023. Crown Princess Victoria Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Crown Princess Victoria wore one of her favorite tiaras, the Baden Fringe Tiara. The sparkler originally belonged to another princess of the same name, Princess Viktoria of Baden. As noted by The Royal Watcher , the future Queen of Sweden (who lived from 1862 to 1930), contributed a significant number of jewels to the Swedish royal familys coffers, when she married the future King Gustav V of Sweden in 1881. Princess Viktoria received this headpiece as a wedding present from her parents, Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden and Princess Louise of Prussia, and the design was inspired by the kokoshniks (traditional Russian headdresses) seen in the Russian royal court. Many ladies of the Swedish royal family have worn this number in recent years, including Queen Silvia and even King Carl Gustavs sister, Princess Christina. Crown Princess Victoria has been wearing the Baden Fringe Tiara since she was a teenager, but its most famous appearance perhaps is in her 2010 engagement photo to her now-husband, Prince Daniel. Princess Madeleine Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Much like Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Madeleine loves an aquamarine tiara. The Princess has turned to the Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara many, many times over the years. Similar to the Baden Fringe Tiara, this sparkler also takes inspiration from Russian headdresses dating as far back as the 17th century, although People notes it was likely custom-made during the second half of the 19th century by German court jewelers, Robert and Louis Koch. The diamond and aquamarine gemstones form a distinctive half-moon or kokoshnik shape, and it also has a matching brooch. Princess Madeleine also wore this tiara to the Nobel Prizes in 2018 and 2019, and Crown Princess Victoria wore it to the 2017 Nobel Prize Awards. You Might Also Like Tennessee is set to execute a serial rapist, dubbed the "red-headed stranger," for the brutal murder of one of his victims, a promising young college student attacked in her bed. Harold Wayne Nichols, 64, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, Dec. 11, for the 1988 rape and murder of 20-year-old Karen Pulley, who was bludgeoned, raped, and left for dead. Nichols was living a double life in Chattanooga at the time of his capture. By all appearances, he was a loving husband whose wife adored and doted on him by day. By night, he was a serial predator who ruthlessly attacked women at their most vulnerable, including on his own wedding anniversary. Nichols confessed to his crimes, saying that he got a "strange energized feeling" when he attacked women, according to an archived Associated Press story. One of his surviving victims says the execution is a long time coming almost 40 years after his crimes terrorized a community, devastated Pulley's family and left at least a dozen women traumatized for life. She told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network: "I hope he gets everything he has coming." The Tennessean did not name her because she is the victim of a sexual crime. Harold Wayne Nichols, pictured Nov. 11, 2025, is an inmate on Tennessee's death row for the death of 21-year-old Karen Pulley in Chattanooga in 1988. When and where is Harold Wayne Nichols' execution? Harold Wayne Nichols is set to be executed at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. It will be the third execution in the state this year and the 46th in the U.S., a number not reached since 2010. Death penalty experts attribute the uptick to the political climate under pro-death penalty President Donald Trump and a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court. What was Harold Wayne Nichols convicted of? On Sept. 30, 1988, 20-year-old Karen Pulley was in bed when Nichols climbed through a bathroom window and attacked her with a 2-by-4-inch piece of wood, hitting her over the head and then raping her. "Afterwards, Nichols hit her in the head several more times with the 2-by-4, crushing her skull, and left her on the floor, bleeding and unconscious," a federal appeal opinion said. Pulley's roommate found her the next morning lying in a pool of blood but still alive. She died later that day at a nearby hospital. It was the first of at least a dozen attacks attributed to Nichols in Chattanooga between September 1988 to the beginning of 1989. Police say Nichols targeted and stalked women who were single or simply home alone. A photo of a hooded criminal in silhouette. About a month after Pulley's murder, Nichols struck again, attacking a 23-year-old woman who had left a door unlocked for her husband at night. Nichols came in, hit her over the head with a candlestick and raped her. On Nov. 1, 1988, which was his second wedding anniversary with his wife, Nichols attacked another woman, raping her at knifepoint after forcing her to wear an outfit he had picked out. On Jan. 3, 1989, he raped three separate women including two single mothers whose children he threatened and tried to rape a fourth woman, all within four hours of each other, court records say. Prosecutors indicted Nichols on charges of murder, rape, burglary and assault. He was sentenced to death for killing Pulley and 200 years for his other crimes. Killer's wife says she he had no idea about attacks Nichols' wife said that she was "smitten" with her husband up until his arrest, according to court records. She said that Nichols, an assistant manager at Godfather's Pizza, began staying out all night during the summer of 1988 and that she suspected an affair. When police questioned her, she at first said that Nichols couldn't have committed a rape on their anniversary because they had been together. "But later she realized that he had left in the middle of the night," according to a federal appeal opinion. Court records show that Nichols gave his wife varying excuses for his absences, including once telling her he was leaving to go get hamburgers. His wife testified for the defense and said that Nichols eventually confessed his crimes to her. He admitted to her he was dangerous and "should not be out on the streets," according to a court record. Nichols testified that he knew the rapes were wrong, but he felt compelled. "On cross-examination," a federal judge wrote, Nichols "conceded that if he had not been arrested, he would have continued prowling at night and raping women." Who was Karen Pulley? Karen Pulley, 20, was beaten and raped in her Chattanooga area home Sept. 30, 1988, before she died the next day as a result of her injuries. Karen Pulley's older sister, Lisette Monroe, told The Tennessean that the last 37 years have been filed with grief for her, Pulley's last living immediate relative. The girls' father died in February 1995 and their mother died on Christmas Day in 2012. Monroe was 23 and living in Colorado with her husband, Jeff, when her sister was murdered. The couple was planning a trip to Chattanooga so they could introduce their 18-month-old daughter to her aunt. She was a young, innocent, good Christian woman, Monroe said. A young girl who never hurt anyone." Monroe recalls how as girls, the sisters would have fights over makeup or a hairbrush but that they were always close. As adults they traded dozens of handwritten letters while as Monroe and Jeff were stationed in the Philippines in the Air Force. Pulley would discuss a boy she was dating or the beginning stages of her paralegal studies at Chattanooga State Community College. If she could write one more letter to her sister, she said she'd start with "I love you." "And I miss you more than I know how to express" she continued. "I wish that you had been here to see your nieces grow up and what beautiful, strong women theyve become, in her footsteps." The process to bring Nichols to justice has been slow with a slew of appeals over the decades, Monroe said, adding that the execution will help heal a deep wound. Weve been trying to heal for 37 years, and there is no healing. There is no moving past it ever," said Monroe, who now lives in Washington. The interruptions to our lives, the revictimizing every single time it comes up, that will stop and there will be healing in that aspect." Then, she said, the family can "focus on our memories of Karen and the love that we have for her." Karen Pulley, left, pictured with her sister, Lisette Monroe, before Pulley was killed in September 1988. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: He attacked women alone at night. Now he's being executed in Tennessee Matt Holyoak/Apple Stanley Tucci photographed in Milan, Italy. Want to dive deeper into the next destination you visit? Stanley Tucci recommends going to a local market. A market tells you how important food is or isnt to the people there. It exposes the soul of a place, Tucci said in a recent interview with Travel + Leisure. Farmers markets in particular are a way of understanding the people who live in any given place. Not only the produce or products that are sold, but how fresh are they, and where are those products from? Are the majority locally sourced or imported? What are the vendors like that are selling them? Who is shopping there? Matt Holyoak/Apple Stanley and a group of Italian nonnas cooking together in upcoming collaboration with Apple. Whether youre scrolling through his Instagram, where Tucci posts cooking videos and farmers market hauls, or watching his culinary-focused travel shows, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy and Tucci in Italy, its clear that he is passionate about food and its ability to build community. And thats exactly the premise of a video the actor shared today on social media in collaboration with Apple Pay. The post shows Tucci bringing a group of Italian nonnas together for a meal he sourced the ingredients for from local shops, using Apple Pay along the way. I use Apple Pay constantly. It has made my life so much simpler, and I rely on Apple Pay when I shop at so many vendors when traveling and at home," said Tucci. Apple Stanley using his Apple Pay to buy parmesan cheese. Best tip for avoiding jet lag? Exercise before and after a flight. Most unusual thing you always pack? None of your business. A place that you havent been to yet that you really want to visit? Japan. Favorite romantic getaway? Paris and Lake Como. Favorite food city in the world? Impossible to answer. But Paris, London, and Milan. I have not traveled extensively in Asia or been to South America or Africa, so my knowledge is only of Europe for the most part. One dish worth traveling for? The pasta with butter and cheese at Trippa in Milan. The Devil Wears Prada and Conclave actor is certainly at home in Italy, having explored so much of the European nation in an effort to understand its distinct regional cuisines. Italy is an incredibly complex country historically, politically, ethnically, and geographically, which makes it the perfect culinary melting pot. Spending so much time there over the years has allowed me to better understand who I am and who my relatives were and are, Tucci shared. Having spent so much time traveling through Italys buzzy metropolises and charming small towns, Tucci has a few recommendations for first-time visitors to the country, starting with where to go. For travelers hoping to get a true taste of Italian cuisine and culture, Tucci recommends Milan for its progressiveness and elegance and proximity to the lakes and mountains, as well as its risotto, osso buco, polenta, and the like. Rome without question for its grandeur and for the four ubiquitous pastasalla matriciana, cacio pepe, carbonara, and alla gricianot to mention the artichokes. He also suggests Palermo and Naples for the madness of them both, the pizza, eggplant parmigiana, and the seafood. [And] Florence for the cultural richness of the city and the simplicity of the food, like the bistecca fiorentina and ribollita. Of course, these must-visit destinations can get very busy, so Tucci suggests, Do your best to go off-season to avoid the crowds, especially in Venice, Florence, and Rome. And eat where the locals eat! Ratnakorn Piyasirisorost/Getty Images Scenic view of Val Gardena, a famous Dolomite valley in the Alto Adige part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region. And while Italy is packed with incredible food destinationsTucci also loves the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige for its stunning landscapes and amazing food, an amalgam of Italian, Austrian, with a hint of Hungarianthere are a handful of other standout destinations in Europe that combine delicious eats with great views. When asked about other top food destinations, Tucci mentioned Paris and the South of France for their beauty and food. [And] Iceland for its stunning topography and its food (which is great by the way) and the openness of the people." Read the original article on Travel & Leisure This is a locator map for Sudan with its capital, Khartoum. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) CAIRO (AP) A Sudanese military aircraft crashed while attempting to land in the east of the country and killed all the crew members on board in the latest plane crash in the war-torn African nation, military officials said. The Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane experienced technical failure while attempting to land Tuesday in the Osman Digna Air Base in the coastal city of Port Sudan, two officials said Wednesday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to brief the media, did not disclose how many personnel were on board. Among the dead was military pilot Omran Mirghani, according to his uncle, prominent Sudanese journalist Osman Mirghani, who mourned his nephew's death on social media. The military didnt comment on the crash. Plane crashes are not uncommon in Sudan, which has a poor aviation safety record. In February, at least 46 people, including women and children, were killed when a military aircraft crashed in a densely populated area in Omdurman, the sister city of the capital, Khartoum. The crash came as the miliary has suffered multiple setbacks in its war against a notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The miliary lost el-Fasher, its last stronghold in the sprawling region of Darfur in October, and earlier this week was forced to pull out from the countrys largest oil processing facility in the central region of Kordofan. The RSF has been accused of committing atrocities in el-Fasher including summary executions, rape and other crimes, according to the United Nations and international rights groups. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said Wednesday that war crimes and potentially crimes against humanity were committed in the city, which the RSF seized in late October. We are talking about very serious atrocity crimes war crimes for sure (and) potentially also crimes against humanity, he told journalists in Geneva. We have an extremely serious situation. Turk warned atrocities also could happen in the central region of Kordofan where the RSF has intensified its attacks in recent months. We cannot allow a repeat of this absolutely horrific situation in Kordofan, he said, calling for a ceasefire in the country. The war in Sudan began in April 2023 over a power struggle between the miliary and the RSF. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people, a figure rights groups consider a significant undercount. The fighting has wrecked urban areas and has been marked by atrocities, including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings, that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in the western region of Darfur, according to the United Nations and international rights groups. The war has also created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis and pushed parts of the country into famine. ___ Jamey Keaten contributed from Geneva. The Supreme Court on Wednesday grappled with where the line should be drawn on intellectual disability when the death penalty is on the table in a case that could make it harder for convicted killers to avoid execution if their IQ falls short of certain standards. A majority of the justices seemed eager to clarify how multiple IQ scores should be evaluated in capital cases, though unsure about exactly what that standard should be. If theres a safe harbor, in the sense that a person sentenced to death whos claiming intellectual disability has to meet some concrete standard before the case can go on, will there not be greater consistency and predictability? Justice Samuel Alito asked. And is that not one of the lodestars of the courts death penalty jurisprudence, as opposed to a situation where everything is up for grabs in every case? he continued. The question came to the justices in Alabamas appeal of lower court rulings tossing out Joseph Clifton Smiths capital murder conviction for the 1997 death of Durk Van Dam, who was beaten and killed with a hammer during a robbery. Smith has taken five IQ tests, four of which placed his IQ in the low- to mid-70s. An IQ of 70 or lower is generally when a person is considered intellectually disabled, which would exempt them from execution, alongside children, under the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the Supreme Court previously ruled. Alabama law defines intellectual disability as an IQ score of at or below 70 significant subaverage general intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that were onset in developmental years. At issue in Smiths case is what happens when a person scores several times just above that threshold. The state believes Smith should be executed. In what a federal judge called a close case, Smiths death sentence was vacated in 2021 after the judge determined the error range of his lowest test could place his actual IQ below 70. The U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the judges ruling in 2023. The lower court changed the rules, Robert Overing, Alabamas principal deputy solicitor general, argued Wednesday. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, two of the courts liberals, were sharply skeptical that the lower courts erred, instead suggesting that Alabamas argument amounted to the law it wished it had. It seems to me that you are actually changing the standard, Jackson said to the Alabama lawyer. Youre making something wholesale up, Sotomayor later added. Several justices seemed interested in defining what Alito termed a floor, meaning the lowest a persons IQ score could be without running afoul of the Eighth Amendment. The conservative justice suggested a conundrum exists from the discretion the Supreme Court inherently left to the states about how to define intellectual disability following its decision barring execution for intellectually disabled people, leading to vastly different applications. Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked whether a federal floor might allow states to set their own floors higher, which Justice Neil Gorsuch chimed in could mean state laws would be challenged, but an Eighth Amendment violation would be out of the picture. Seth Waxman, solicitor general under former President Clinton, who represented Smith, asserted his understanding of the states argument is that, without an actual score of 70, all other evidence of intellectual disability would be precluded. He urged the justices not to make that binding on all states. I think thatd be setting a floor, not binding the other states, Justice Brett Kavanaugh pushed back. They could always go above. The Trump administration took Alabamas side in the debate, but before the justices, differentiated its position slightly. Harry Graver, who argued for the government, said states do have discretion to define intellectual disability. He also said evidence outside of IQ scores should sometimes be allowed. But thats not the problem in this case, he contended. Instead, he argued that the lower courts misunderstood the standard to evaluate Smiths claim and failed to return to the IQ scores when making their decisions based on all the evidence they received. Justice Elena Kagan, one of the courts three liberals, appeared particularly swayed by the administrations position in Smiths case. Im wondering if we disagree at all, she began her inquiry, positing that the courts precedent shows that when theres a score at 70 or below, defendants have a chance to present evidence about adaptive functioning, though the court could still return to those scores and rule against them. Graver concluded they agreed on 95 percent, or at least with one or two asterisks, attributing their differences to how a single low score would play in the context of other higher scores. Kavanaugh pointed out the governments position is different from the states, saying thats not a bad thing, but it leaves the court with much to parse. Smiths case previously landed at the Supreme Court, after the 11th Circuit affirmed the dismissal of his capital conviction. However, the justices declined last year to take up the issue head-on and instead directed the lower court to clarify its reasoning. The high court said at the time that the appeals courts ruling left room for two interpretations: one that gives greater weight to the lowest IQ score an offender receives, and another that takes a more holistic approach, weighing the scores together. Days later, the lower court again affirmed Smiths intellectual disability and, thus, ineligibility for capital punishment. The Supreme Court took it up again earlier this year. Alabamas appeal implicates two previous Supreme Court cases, one establishing that death penalty offenders with IQ scores slightly above 70 must receive the opportunity to present evidence of his intellectual disability and another establishing that IQ tests fall within a range. A decision is expected by next summer. 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. Two experienced sailors were discovered deceased aboard their yacht in the Mozambique Channel last week after issuing a distress call, according to The Guardian. Australian sailor Deirdre Cookie Sibly, 67, and her French companion, Pascal Mahe, were found dead under mysterious circumstances as their vessel drifted near Madagascar, approximately 200 miles northeast of Beira, Mozambique. The pair had been traveling from Reunion Island toward Durban, South Africa, as part of what family members described as a dream voyage when tragedy struck. Authorities responded after a nearby cargo ship picked up a distress signal transmitted from the yacht. Despite attempts to make contact with those on board, there was no response, raising immediate concerns about the crews welfare. When officials eventually boarded the vessel, they discovered both sailors had perished, prompting an international investigation and fears of possible piracy in a region with a history of maritime crime. Details Of The Maritime Tragedy Sibly, known to friends and family as Cookie, was described by her sister Sue Good as an adventurous, outdoor soul who had been having the time of her life on her journey. According to Good, the plan was for Sibly to reach Durban and potentially continue to Cape Town before flying home to Australia. Good told reporters, It isnt a very safe place in the world to be sailing. She knew that, referring to the waters between Mozambique and Madagascar, where the incident occurred. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Siblys family but declined to comment further on the ongoing investigation. DFAT stated: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian missing in the Mozambique channel. Our thoughts are with the family at this distressing time. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment. What Travelers Should Know About Pirate Attack Risks And Maritime Safety Maritime security experts emphasize several critical steps for vessels traveling through high-risk waters. According to the Offshore Injury Firm, vigilance is one of the best ways to protect against pirate attacks. Pirates typically approach and attack at dawn and dusk to avoid detection, making these times particularly dangerous. Vessel owners should implement comprehensive security measures, including: Registering with maritime security organizations before entering known piracy areas Maintaining continuous communication with international naval security centers Implementing physical deterrents such as anti-boarding measures (razor wire, electric fences) Installing secure communication systems for emergency distress calls Utilizing surveillance and monitoring systems to detect suspicious activities Traveling in convoys when possible through high-risk areas If a pirate attack becomes imminent, maritime safety protocols recommend several steps: Issue an immediate MAYDAY call and contact relevant maritime authorities Increase the ships speed to maximum if possible Employ aggressive maneuvering to create disruptive waves Deploy non-lethal deterrents such as water hoses or sonic devices Have the crew retreat to a predetermined safe room if boarding begins The Offshore Injury Firm advises compliance with pirates demands if boarded, as resistance can escalate violence. They recommend that sailors remain calm, cooperate, and refrain from using firearms or other weapons, even if they are available. The post Suspected Pirate Attack In The Mozambique Channel Leaves Two Sailors Dead On Adventure Of A Lifetime Voyage appeared first on Travel Noire. Michael Campanella/Getty; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Princess Sofia of Sweden; Jeffrey Epstein NEED TO KNOW The Swedish Royal Court confirmed that Princess Sofia met Jeffrey Epstein after an outlet published emails connecting them Although the palace said she was introduced to Epstein around 2005, she hasn't had contact with him in 20 years Sofia, a former reality TV star and model, skipped the Nobel Prize ceremony with the Swedish royals one day after the report The Swedish Royal Court confirmed that Princess Sofia met Jeffrey Epstein after emails connecting them were revealed. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Swedish outlet Dagens Nyheter published emails between Epstein and financier Barbro Ehnbom, who has been described as a mentor to Sofia and attended her 2015 wedding to Prince Carl Philip, the son of Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. According to a translation, Ehnbom reportedly wrote in a December 2005 email featuring a photo, "This is Sofia, an aspiring actress who just arrived in New York. She's the girl I told you about before I left, who I thought you might like to meet. Maybe we can visit before you go on holiday?" Epstein reportedly replied, "I'm in the Caribbean. Does she want to come for a couple of days? I'll send a ticket." The Swedish Royal Court confirmed to the outlet that Princess Sofia "has been introduced to the person in question on a few occasions around 2005," before Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution, including with a minor, in 2008, and later faced federal sex trafficking charges in 2019. According to the court, Princess Sofia, now 41, did not accept the invitation to join Epstein in the Caribbean, where he is suspected of committing sexual assaults against multiple girls and women. "The princess has not had any contact with the person in question for 20 years," the court told Dagens Nyheter. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Princess Sofia attends the Nobel Prize Banquet on Dec. 10, 2024 The outlet also published a 2006 email from Epstein's assistant to Ehnbom: "Jeffrey wonders what really happened with Camilla. Did you tell her she has a ticket to New York anytime she wants?" Ehnbom replied, "I think he means Sofia, the little beautiful dark-haired girl who had her friend Camilla with her," adding that Epstein offered both women spots at an acting school, but there were issues with their visas. PEOPLE has reached out to the Swedish Royal Court for comment. Iwi Onodera/WireImage Princess Sofia with her children and Prince Carl Philip on June 13, 2025 Before marrying into the Swedish royal family and welcoming four children with Prince Carl Philip, Sofia Hellqvist stepped into the public eye as a model. Her racy photo shoot for Swedish magazine Slitz, for which she wore just a bikini bottom and a boa constrictor, landed her a spot on the reality show Paradise Hotel. In 2010, the Swedish Royal Court confirmed that Prince Carl Philip and Sofia were dating, an announcement that made her the target of online harassment. Princess Sofia explained in a 2018 interview with Swedens TV4, "I was met with an enormous hate storm from people who had opinions about me as a person, about my relationship. I was surprised, and it definitely affected me. I didnt understand that people had such need to express how badly they felt about me. It was very tough." The royal couple turned her negative experience into a force for good, using the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation to combat hate speech and online bullying. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine at the Nobel Prize Awards ceremony on Dec. 10, 2025 The news of Princess Sofia's ties to Epstein came as the Swedish royal family stepped out for a staple on their annual calendar: the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm. Although Princess Sofia has regularly attended the event, including last year while pregnant with daughter Princess Ines, she was absent on Dec. 10. Prince Carl Philip, 46, attended with his parents and two sisters, Crown Princess Victoria and Princess Madeleine. 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! Henrik Montgomery/TT / TT News Agency / AFP via Getty King Carl Gustaf, Prince Daniel, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria at the Nobel Prize ceremony on Dec. 10, 2025 Princess Sofia is not the first royal to be connected to Epstein, who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges in 2019. In October, King Charles announced that he was stripping his brother, the former Prince Andrew, of his royal titles and honors amid renewed interest in his ties to Epstein. Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein. Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of his military titles and patronages in early 2022 after a judge rejected Andrew's attempt to have Virginia Giuffres sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. He later settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum. Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty The former Prince Andrew; Jeffrey Epstein Andrew continued to join the royals at family events, but there was renewed scrutiny of the former prince in recent months. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, claimed in a memoir published posthumously that Andrew believed having sex with me was his birthright, describing three occasions Epstein allegedly arranged for her to meet him beginning at age 17. In addition, recently leaked emails showed that Andrew was in touch with Epstein after he had claimed to end contact. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Read the original article on People Emmy Award-winning journalist Tony Dokoupil has been named anchor of the "CBS Evening News," the network announced Wednesday. He begins his new role on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, ushering in an ambitious new era for America's longest-running nightly newscast, airing weekdays at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. In his first month, Dokoupil will get out from behind the anchor desk and meet with viewers in cities and towns across America. His cross-country tour builds on two decades of journalism spanning the globe and on the instinct that has defined his coverage: to go where the story is. "We live in a time in which many people have lost trust in the media. Tony Dokoupil is the person to win it back. That's because he believes in old-school journalistic values: asking the hard questions, following the facts wherever they lead and holding power to account. Americans hungry for fairness will see that on display night after night," said Bari Weiss, CBS News' editor-in-chief. "Tony is what everyone wants in an evening-news anchor authentic, compassionate, unafraid," said Tom Cibrowski, president of CBS News. "He connects instantly, whether he's talking with world leaders or with families navigating difficult news in their own backyards." Tony Dokoupil / Credit: CBS News Dokoupil joins the "CBS Evening News" from "CBS Mornings," where he has co-hosted alongside Gayle King and Nate Burleson since 2019. During his tenure at "CBS Mornings," Dokoupil anchored the broadcast from the scene of major news events around the world. Dokoupil reported from Israel on the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack and hostage release deal; Rome for the papal conclave; Uvalde, Texas, after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School; Maui and California during wildfires; and from Capitol Hill after the Jan. 6 insurrection. He provided crucial on-the-ground coverage following the start of the war in Ukraine, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and anchored coverage of the 2024 Democratic and Republican National Conventions, among many other stories. "After 20 years in journalism, traveling through all 50 states and talking with people in hundreds of far-flung American places, I realize why a country this big needs a show this ambitious," Dokoupil said. "The strength of our nation is that we benefit from fair reporting and the open discussion of all ideas. For more than 60 years, the 'Evening News' has been a bedrock of that process. I'm honored to join a fearless team at this important moment, and with what I can promise is a commitment to trust and the plain truth." Fair. Fearless. A New @CBSEveningNews with @tonydokoupil . Live from your cities and towns. Be there, only on CBS. pic.twitter.com/T4mDMKsa5T CBS News (@CBSNews) December 10, 2025 "Tony's superpower is listening to people. We want to serve Americans in the best way possible by meeting them where they are every night and we'll do that with this cross-country kick-off tour," said Kim Harvey, executive producer of the "CBS Evening News." "Tony knows what makes this country great and what challenges we face. I look forward to partnering with him to share America's story every night." Since joining CBS News in 2016, Dokoupil has interviewed a wide range of influential figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, members of Congress, Bill Gates, Bill Belichick, Steve Martin, Dolly Parton, Harry Styles, Jennifer Lopez, Greta Gerwig, Janelle Monae, and Ben Stiller, among others. Man who died on cruise ship served 33 alcoholic drinks "in a matter of hours," lawsuit alleges Eileen Higgins wins Miami mayoral race, first Democrat in nearly 30 years U.S. fighter jets fly near Venezuela coast as military costs add up for taxpayers The Department of Education has moved to terminate one of former President Joe Biden's most popular student loan forgiveness plans -- impacting millions of Americans -- through a proposed joint settlement with the state of Missouri on Tuesday. The pending agreement ends the Saving on a Valuable Education or "SAVE" plan, which is home to over 7 million student loan borrowers. It marks a major victory for the Trump administration's efforts to claw back Biden-era policies, including Biden's numerous efforts to implement student loan debt cancellation. Officials in the Trump administration's Education Department, who've decried those policies for months, suggested that the administration is righting a wrong by ending the "deceptive scheme" of student loan forgiveness. How is Linda McMahon making good on Trumps promise to close the Department of Education? The Biden administration touted the plan for including $0 payments for anyone making $16 an hour or less, lowering monthly payments for millions of borrowers, and protecting borrowers from runaway interest if they are making their monthly payments. "The law is clear: if you take out a loan, you must pay it back," Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a release from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon's department on Tuesday. "Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies." Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington. The Biden administration launched the SAVE Plan, which it dubbed the most affordable payment plan ever, after the Supreme Court struck down Biden's previous signature debt relief program in 2023. SAVE was one of several income driven repayment (IDR) plans, which calculate payment size based on income and family size, aimed at easing the repayment process as a pandemic-era pause ended. Several Republican-led states, including Missouri, sued the Biden administration over the plan, and a federal appeals court blocked the program in 2024. The announcement on Tuesday would mark an end to those lawsuits. Education Department to begin transferring offices to other agencies in move toward dismantling it McMahon, a vocal critic of student loan forgiveness, has said the administration will no longer allow American taxpayers to take on debts that are not their own. "The Biden Administration's illegal SAVE Plan would have cost taxpayers, many of whom did not attend college or already repaid their student loans, more than $342 billion over ten years," McMahon wrote in a post on X . "We won't tolerate it." Her agency's already saddled Federal Student Aid (FSA) Office will provide support to borrowers currently enrolled in selecting a new, "legal repayment plan," the department said. The department said borrowers will have a limited time to find a new payment plan. However, FSA's Loan Simulator tool will estimate monthly payments, determine repayment eligibility and select a new plan that best fits those borrowers' needs and goals, the department said. Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock - PHOTO: Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington, November 19, 2025. Some student loan advocates worry the proposed agreement unleashes chaos on borrowers. "The 7+ million borrowers enrolled in SAVE will face higher monthly loan payments -- and may lose out on months of progress toward loan forgiveness," Michele Zampini, associate vice president of federal policy & advocacy at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) wrote in a statement. Protect Borrowers Deputy Executive Director and Managing Counsel Persis Yu said the move strips borrowers of the most affordable repayment plan that would help millions to stay on track with their loans while keeping a roof over their head. "This settlement is pure capitulation--it goes much further than the suit or the 8th Circuit order requires," Yu wrote in a statement to ABC News. "The real story here is the unrelenting, right-wing push to jack up costs on working people with student debt." The news of the settlement comes as Trump's signature domestic policy agenda, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act , included a provision to terminate all current student loan repayment plans -- such as SAVE and other income-driven repayment plans -- for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026. Under that bill, the plans will be replaced with two separate repayment plans: a standard repayment plan and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), a new income-based repayment plan coming July 1, 2026. GettyImages-2248985868 (Photo by Alexander KAZAKOV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) A Ukrainian national has been charged for collaborating with two Russia-linked criminal groups responsible for carrying cyberattacks worldwide and against the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced late Tuesday. The EPA, the FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California announced Tuesday that indictments against Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova were unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The Ukrainian national was indicted with one count of conspiracy to damage protected computers and tamper with public water systems, according to the EPA. The defendants illegal actions to tamper with the nations public water systems put communities and the nations drinking water resources at risk, EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Craig Pritzlaff said in a statement. These criminal charges serve as an unequivocal warning to malicious cyber actors in the U.S. and abroad: EPAs Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate threats to our nations water infrastructure and will pursue justice against those who endanger the American public. EPA is unwavering in its commitment to clean, safe water for all Americans. (RELATED: Rogue Devices Capable Of Triggering Blackouts Reportedly Found In Chinese Solar Panels) U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Andrew Harnik via Getty Images) The EPA released resources on helping protect American water systems from cyberthreats on Oct. 23, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has listed access to clean and safe water for every American as a major pillar of his agency. Dubranova was extradited to America earlier this year for her actions supporting the CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR) and was arraigned on a second indictment for her collaboration with the Russian-linked hacking group known as NoName, though she pleaded not guilty, according to the EPA and the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to the indictment, NoName claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks against victims worldwide in support of Russias geopolitical interests. NoName regularly posted on Telegram claiming credit for its attacks and published proof of victim websites being taken offline, according to the DOJ. NoNames victims included government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure, such as public railways and ports. EPAs Criminal Investigation Division, FBIs Los Angeles Field Office and the Department of Commerces Bureau of Industry and Security conducted the investigation into CARR. The Justice Departments Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance, according to the EPA and the DOJ. Politically-motivated hacktivist groups, whether state-sponsored like CARR or state-sanctioned like, pose a serious threat to our national security, particularly when foreign intelligence services use civilians to obfuscate their malicious cyber activity targeting American critical infrastructure as well as attacking proponents of NATO and U.S. interests abroad, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill for the Central District of California said in a statement. The charges announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating global threats to cybersecurity and pursuing malicious cyber actors working on behalf of adversarial foreign interests. Dubranova could face a statutory maximum sentence of 27 years in federal prison if convicted of the charges, according to the EPA and the DOJ. Other charges included one count of damaging protected computers, one count of access device fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft, according to the federal agencies. An indictment is merely an allegation, the release states. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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. Surin, Thailand Renewed border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs of abating Wednesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people in both countries living in strained conditions as more flooded into temporary shelters. Remarks from leaders in both countries suggest little immediate momentum for a new halt to the violence, though President Trump says he will make a phone call to stop the fighting. Associated Press reporters on the Thai side of the border heard sounds of outgoing, indirect fire Wednesday. About 400,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Thailand and around 700 schools closed while fighting was ongoing in four border provinces, Thai military spokesperson Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday. People set up shelters at a temporary camp after they evacuated amid clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border in Cambodia's Siem Reap province, Dec. 10, 2025. / Credit: TANG CHHIN Sothy/AFP/Getty Cambodia evacuated more than 127,000 villagers and hundreds of schools closed, the defense ministry said. Thailand's military announced that casualties this week include five soldiers killed and dozens wounded. Cambodia said seven civilians died and 20 others were wounded, though it did not update those figures on Wednesday. There is not yet a clear path to peace as Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to continue to fight and Cambodia's powerful Senate President Hun Sen promised a fierce response. A knock-on effect of the fighting and bad blood between the nations was Cambodia's withdrawal of its entire team from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, which began Tuesday in Thailand. A Wednesday announcement from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia said it regretted the action but the families of competitors were concerned about their safety. Trump says he'll "make a phone call" to stop the fighting The new, widespread fighting followed a skirmish Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire pushed by President Trump that had ended armed combat in July. Mr. Trump has repeatedly included the conflict among those he says he has ended. From left, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim applauds as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and President Trump hold up documents during the ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct. 26, 2025. / Credit: Mohd Rasfan/Pool/REUTERS The five days of fighting over territorial disputes left dozens dead on both sides and forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians. The ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Mr. Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges from the two nations unless they agreed. Late Tuesday at a Pennsylvania political event, Mr. Trump said he would use his sway to end the renewed combat. "Tomorrow I'll have to make a phone call," he said. "Who else could say, 'I'm going to make a phone call and stop a war between two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia?'" Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier called on the two sides to live up to the commitments made at an October meeting in Malaysia that reaffirmed the July ceasefire and called for removing heavy weapons from the border, coordinating removal of land mines and other steps. Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Wednesday that there had not yet been any contact with the United States on the matter. He added that Thailand will not likely accept if another third party proposes to mediate since "the line has been crossed." The ceasefire was fragile from the start as both nations carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor incidents of cross-border violence continued. Thailand deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodia's most fearsome weapons are BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of 19-25 miles. They are capable of firing salvos of 40 rockets at a time and, mounted on trucks, they are less vulnerable to attack. A Thai army statement said Cambodia on Tuesday launched approximately 125 salvos from BM-21 launchers totaling about 5,000 rockets and that some had hit civilian areas, though no casualties were reported. Thai evacuees stuck in shelters and anxious about what comes next Away from the battlefronts, anxious evacuees are the most visible sign of the crisis. In a gymnasium in the northeastern Thai city of Surin, around 550 people are waiting out the combat, many having hurriedly fled after the first shots were fired Sunday. Displaced residents evacuate with their belongings during clashes along the Cambodia-Thailand border, in Cambodia's Siem Reap province, Dec. 10, 2025. / Credit: TANG CHHIN Sothy/AFP/Getty (TANG CHHIN Sothy/AFP/Getty) Officials have provided food and diversions for children. The cooler, winter temperatures have kept the situation in the shelter bearable, but there is inevitable boredom and concern about what they left behind, including homes, valuables and animals. Thidarat Homhual, a 37-year-old farmer in the shelter with her family, said her mind is on cows, ducks, four dogs and nine cats left to fend for themselves. "We are behind the front line. We can live like this. It's okay," she said. "But I want it to be over. I miss my pets. I really miss my pets, all the animals at home. I can't really put it into words." Republican and Democratic strategists react to Marjorie Taylor Greene's comments on Trump Man who died on cruise ship served 33 alcoholic drinks "in a matter of hours," lawsuit alleges U.S. fighter jets fly near Venezuela coast as military costs add up for taxpayers A U.S. soldier who went missing during World War II has been accounted for more than eight decades after he disappeared, federal officials said Wednesday. Willibald Bianchi, a former U.S. Army captain from New Ulm, Minnesota, earned a Medal of Honor for his wartime conduct, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or DPAA, a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense that is in charge of finding and identifying missing American military personnel. In 1942, while serving as a battalion commander on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, Bianchi volunteered to help clear machine gun nests that belonged to Japanese armed forces and continued to lead the effort even after he was wounded, said DPAA. For those actions, he received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest honor a U.S. soldier can receive for "valor in combat," according to the Army. Just a few months later, Bianchi was captured by the Japanese military and held as a prisoner of war in the Philippines until 1944, when Japan relocated prisoners using the transport ship Oryoku Maru, DPAA said. After that ship was sunk by U.S. aircraft pilots who did not know it was carrying prisoners of war, Bianchi was transferred to a different Japanese ship headed for modern-day Taiwan. That ship was also attacked and sunk by U.S. forces, and Japanese officials subsequently reported that Bianchi was among those killed on board. Bianchi was 29 at the time of his death, according to DPAA. His remains were originally found in 1946 in a mass grave on a beach in Taiwan, although the American Graves Registration Command, which was tasked with recovering missing U.S. personnel, could not identify them at the time. The remains were declared "unidentifiable" and buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii. DPAA disinterred unknown remains tied to the sunken Japanese transport ship from the Punchbowl between October 2022 and July 2023, according to the organization. "To identify Bianchi's remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence," DPAA said, adding that additional scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner system conducted a variety of DNA tests, too, in order to confirm Bianchi's identity. Bianchi's name remains on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, alongside the names of other soldiers missing from WWII, said DPAA. He will be buried in his hometown in Minnesota in May, according to the organization. Man who died on cruise ship served 33 alcoholic drinks "in a matter of hours," lawsuit alleges U.S. fighter jets fly near Venezuela coast as military costs add up for taxpayers Miami Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on Trump and her campaign U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer outside the White House on Oct. 30. (Aaron Schwartz / Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Aaron Schwartz) U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Tuesday that a previously released timeline for China to meet its commitment to buy American soybeans had been extended from the end of this year to the end of the "growing season." The apparent shift came to light during Greer's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee in Washington, when Deb Fischer, R-Neb., asked him to "walk me through how you are monitoring China's purchases." "What is the timeline for the 12 million-metric-ton purchases?" she asked. "Is that timeline not by the end of this calendar year?" Greer replied, "It is for this growing season." The Agriculture Departments website says most soybeans in the United States are planted in May and June and harvested in September and October. The trade representatives office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thank you for highlighting that," Greer said to Fischer. "Weve heard from a couple of farmers they want to know about that discrepancy. And it is a discrepancy. Greer's "discrepancy" is between the timeline he gave and what the White House announced in a news release Nov. 1, shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump met. China will purchase at least 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans during the last two months of 2025," read the statement, which was still posted on the White House website late Tuesday. Beijing will also purchase at least 25 MMT of U.S. soybeans in each of 2026, 2027, and 2028, said the fact sheet, which was titled President Donald J. Trump Strikes Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China. On Monday, Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers, which included $11 billion in direct payments. The same day, the Agriculture Department announced that a fresh batch of U.S. soybeans was destined for China. During the depths of the U.S.-China trade war, farmers across the country said their businesses were pushed to the brink of bankruptcy when China halted all purchases of American soybeans. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at Gimhae Air Base in South Korea on Oct. 30. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images) (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds) Since Trump and Xi met in late October, China has resumed buying U.S. soybeans, with at least 10 waves of purchases in varying amounts. As of Tuesday, China had purchased a total of around 2.85 million metric tons since October, according to data compiled by NBC News. The Agriculture Department said Monday that private exporters had informed it that 132,000 more metric tons of soybeans were booked for delivery to China. In recent comments, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also referred to the "growing season" as China's buying deadline. Bessent said last Wednesday that China was "in a perfect cadence to complete" purchasing the goal of 12 million metric tons. As for the timeline to completion, I think thatll be Feb. 28, he said. Venezuela has accused the U.S. of engaging in an international act of piracy after one of its oil tankers was seized by the U.S. military. Under these circumstances, the true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed It has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people, the Venezuelan government said in a statement. The seizure marks the latest escalation in President Donald Trumps targeting of Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening. The president didnt supply additional information, but said that the vessel was interdicted for a very good reason. When asked what would happen to the ship, he said, We keep it, I guess. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the seizure on X/Twitter on Wednesday night, calling the ship a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran (US Attorney General Pam Bondis X account) Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the seizure on X/Twitter on Wednesday evening, calling the ship a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations, Bondi wrote. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues. Caracas responded to the seizure on Wednesday evening, calling it an international act of piracy (US Attorney General Pam Bondis X account) The DHS X account gloated about the seizure in a post. KNOCKOUT. If you threaten our nation, or break the law, there is no place on land or sea where we wont find you. Thank you to the brave service members from @USCG, @ICEGOV, @FBI, @DeptofWar, and @TheJusticeDept, the agency wrote. Two unnamed officials told Reuters that the operation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. They didnt provide the name of the vessel or where exactly the operation took place. The intercepted tanker had been sanctioned by the U.S. government, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News. The seizure could make it more difficult for the oil-rich nation to conduct trade, as shippers may be wary of handling its cargo. The majority of Venezuelan oil is sent to China. After the maneuver was revealed, oil prices rose, according to CNBC. Brent crude futures ticked up 27 cents, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased 21 cents. U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the latest escalation in Trumps targeting of the Latin American nation (Reuters) Spokespeople for the White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent. The naval operation comes as the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on President Maduro, whom it accuses of facilitating illegal drug trafficking. Since September, the Pentagon has launched around two dozen strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 87 people. At the same time, the U.S. has amassed a fleet of warships near Venezuela, marking the largest naval buildup in the region in decades. And, in October, the Republican president authorized the CIA to undertake covert action inside Venezuela. I think youre going to find that this is war, Trump said last week. And very soon were going to start doing it on land too, referring to the naval strikes. Maduro has denied that his country is involved in the illegal drug trade and has accused the Trump administration of fabricating a new eternal war. Hes also said the real motivation behind Trumps actions is to force him out of office and take control of Venezuelas vast oil reserves. In response, hes called on the nations citizens to unite against American aggression and deployed troops, aircraft and ships to the coast. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. of fabricating a new eternal war (AP) The administrations actions in the region have prompted a wave of criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine described the Pentagons strikes in the Caribbean as illegal and warned that they risk dragging a conflict-weary nation into yet another foreign war. The American people have no interest in stumbling into an illegal new war that would place the lives of our servicemembers at risk, he said in late November. A handful of Republicans, too, have expressed opposition. Last week, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who has faced heightened scrutiny over a September 2 attack to testify under oath about the boat strikes. I think that Congress, if they had any kind of gumption at all, would not be allowing this administration to summarily execute people that are suspected of a crime, he told The Independent. Many Republicans, though, have stood in lockstep with the administration. In November, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said Trump is protecting the United States by being very proactive. Public opinion on Trumps military maneuvers is mixed. Most Americans, 53 percent, approve of using military force to attack vessels suspected of trafficking drugs into the U.S., according to a November CBS News survey. At the same time, 70 percent said they would oppose taking military action in Venezuela. A bronze seal for the Department of the Treasury is shown at the U.S. Treasury building in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque Ana Corina Sosa (R), daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, receives the Nobel Peace Prize for her mother from the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Jorgen Watne Frydnes (L) at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado for her efforts to bring democracy to Venezuela, challenging the iron-fisted rule of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who has been president since 2013. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images) - Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado arrived in Oslo overnight after more than a year in hiding, hours after her daughter accepted this years Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Machado waved to supporters from the balcony of the Grand Hotel in the Norwegian capital in the early hours of Thursday, and later walked among them in a square outside. The Nobel laureate had been expected to attend Wednesdays acceptance ceremony, in defiance of a decade-long travel ban placed on her. She went into hiding after the Venezuelan government moved to crush dissent following last years disputed election, resurfacing only briefly at a protest in January against President Nicolas Maduro being sworn in for another term. Organisers of the Nobel ceremony on Wednesday said Machado had done everything in her power to attend todays ceremony but that her journey involved extreme danger. Maduros government has warned she would be considered a fugitive by authorities should she leave Venezuela. In an audio recording released by the Norwegian Nobel Institute before the ceremony, Machado, 58, thanked those who had risked their lives for her to travel to Norway. Machado is scheduled to hold a press conference in Oslo on Thursday alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, according to organizers. Before that, she is due to visit the Norwegian parliament building, where she will meet with lawmakers. Machados trip comes as the United States is escalating pressure on Maduros regime, seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the tanker has been sanctioned by the US for multiple years due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations, including Venezuela and Iran. The Venezuelan government has strongly denounced the seizure, describing it as an act of international piracy. Ana Corina Sosa Machado delivers a speech at the award ceremony in Oslo. - Odd Andersen/AFP/Getty Images Machado received the peace prize in October for tirelessly promoting democratic rights in Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said. But Venezuelas government condemned the move, accusing her of encouraging violence and collaborating with foreign powers. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, 34, said the prize carried profound meaning, reminding the world that democracy is essential to peace. She spoke of her hope that Venezuela would make an orderly transition to democracy. We will see grandmothers settle children on their laps to tell them stories not of distant forefathers, but of their own parents courage. And more than anything, what we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey: that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom, she said. The ceremony was held on the same day that thousands of Venezuelans marched in Caracas to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Ines in 1859 and to show support for the Venezuelan government. Maduro, who attended the rally, was asked by CNN whether he cared about the Nobel Peace Prize. He replied: What matters to us is the life of the people, health, work, housing, the prosperity of our homeland, the new economy. One has to be concerned as president with the truth of the people, with the issues of the people, and not want to govern the world. Venezuelan free-to-air TV channels did not show the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Instead, several networks aligned with the government carried a statement from Maduro from Tuesday night in which he thanked the people of Oslo for protesting the award and for standing with Venezuela. Ballots over bullets Machado has described her lifes work as promoting ballots over bullets. Born in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in 1967, she trained as an industrial engineer before getting involved in politics. In 2002, she founded Sumate, a volunteer group that promotes political rights and monitors elections. She gained widespread attention in 2004 after participating in a failed effort to recall Venezuelas then-President Hugo Chavez. Machado was voted into the National Assembly in 2010 and was among opposition figures in 2014 calling for a wave of protests against Maduro, who became president after Chavezs death. In March of that year, Machado spoke at the Organization of American States to denounce the government for allegedly committing human rights violations during the protests. In response, the ruling party removed her from the National Assembly, accusing her of treason and later of plotting assassinations, which she denied. Last year, she attempted to run against Maduro in the countrys presidential election, but her candidacy was voided by the regime. She then switched her support to the party of fellow opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia. When authorities declared Maduro the winner, Venezuelas opposition forces cried foul, saying they had evidence to prove Gonzalez had won. Pushing back against Maduro US President Donald Trump has launched a major pressure campaign against Maduro, amassing more than a dozen warships and thousands of troops off Venezuelas Caribbean shores. The Pentagon says its part of a mission to disrupt drug trafficking from Latin America, but the Venezuelan government claims it is aimed at driving Maduro out of power. Machado welcomed the US pressure and has tried to build on it by rallying national and international support. Last month, she published what she described as a freedom manifesto, in which she outlined her vision of a new Venezuela without Maduro. This story has been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Vice President JD Vance Visits Fort Campbell To Celebrate Thanksgiving With Troops (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Pennsylvania a week after President Donald Trump visited the state to push the administrations affordability message, two sources familiar with plans told the Daily Caller. Trump visited Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, kicking off his year-long tour to push his economic policy. Vance will give remarks near Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, Dec. 16, and he is expected to emphasize how much the administration is focused on affordability, a spokesperson for the Vice President told the Caller. (RELATED: Trump Answers His Supporters Calls, Will Hit The Road Again On Countrywide Tour) President Trump has made enormous strides in reversing the affordability crisis left behind by Democrats. From the historic working families tax cuts to over $18 trillion worth of investment in America, the benefits of the Trump economic agenda have only begun to kick in and there is more work to be done in the new year, the spokesperson said. Expect Vice President Vance to emphasize the fact that making America affordable again is the number one priority of the Trump administration, the spokesperson added. Trump spoke for more than 90 minutes on Tuesday, telling his supporters that the economy has improved. The president said consumers should feel relief because prices have come down, especially regarding food and eggs. The president also repeated his frequent talking point that affordability is a Democrat hoax, arguing that their focus on the issue is fake because they were the ones who created the poor economy. (RELATED: Trump Calls The Word Affordability A Democrat Scam) Vance is expected to echo Trumps message on the economy and the cost of living, a spokesperson told the Caller. Following the November elections, in which Democrats notched key wins while campaigning on affordability, the GOP has strategized on how to address the issue. According to a Politico poll published Thursday, 46% of Americans said the cost of living in the U.S. is the worst they can ever remember. Of 2024 Trump voters, 37% agree with this assessment of the economy. The poll surveyed 2098 adults from Nov. 14-17. The margin of error was 2%. Former President Joe Biden also toured the country during his term to tout his economic agenda, which he called Bidenomics. As Americans feelings towards the economy soured, Biden and his White House abandoned the term after failing to convince the voters that things were better than what they thought. (RELATED: White House, Media Elites Think Americans Are Too Stupid To See How Good Bidens Economy Is) They said, Sir, were going to buy plastic eggs this year. Plastic eggs. We dont have enough eggs to go around. I said, Youre going to buy regular eggs. And by the time Easter comes, were going to have so many eggs youre not going to know what to do, Trump said on Tuesday. Youre not buying plastic. And we didnt. Brooke Rollins, our Secretary of Agriculture, did an incredible job, and eggs dropped like a rock. We ended up buying a lot of eggs, but the price of eggs is down now, 80% since March. Member of the Salvadorian army stands guard outside of maximum security penitentiary CECOT (Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism) on April 4, 2025 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador. - Alex Pena/Getty Images The Trump administration is escalating efforts to crack down on gangs that move illicit drugs into the United States, with deadly military strikes at sea and measures to toughen up borders taking center stage. But as the US doubles down on overt interventions, experts warn policymakers may be overlooking a key battlefield: prisons across the region. Several of Latin Americas most powerful criminal organizations were not forged in borderlands, the streets, or jungle hideouts but inside the regions prisons. Overcrowded, under-resourced, and often effectively self-governed, these facilities have long served as incubators where armed groups recruit, reorganize, and expand their influence. Across the region, at least ten organizations were either created or strengthened behind bars. From Tocoron to Sao Paulo That is the case for Tren de Aragua, cited by the Trump administration as the target of recent strikes on suspected drug boats that escalated tensions with Venezuelas leader Nicolas Maduro, although there was no strong evidence of a connection between the boats and the criminal group. Founded inside Tocoron prison in Aragua state in the early 2010s, the group initially sought to impose internal order to secure better living conditions, according to a report by Transparency Venezuela. There was a social frustration behind it resentment at how the state treated prisoners, Ronna Risquez, Venezuelan journalist and author of El Tren de Aragua, told CNN. The inhumane conditions and lack of state support directly contributed to the rise of the pranes. A member of the Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Group (CONAS) stands guard as confiscated weapons and ammunition are displayed during a press conference after authorities seized control of the prison in Tocoron, Aragua State, Venezuela, on September 21, 2023. - Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images The pranes an acronym for Preso Rematado Asesino Nato (a hardened inmate, born killer) eventually became the de facto rulers of many Venezuelan prisons. They had total control. The National Guard and prison directors obeyed their orders, Risquez said. They taxed inmates, controlled contraband flows, and even ran external extortion and kidnapping operations. The government raided Tocoron prison in 2023 and claims the criminal group was disbanded, although its leaders, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias Nino Guerrero, and Johan Petric, are still at large. This same dynamic has been seen across the region. In Brazil, organized crime groups such as Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) emerged inside prisons in the late 1970s and 1990s as inmates rebelled against overcrowding, abuse, and the precarious living conditions. Gregorio Fernandes de Andrade, a criminal attorney who spent 16 years in the system for homicide, said cells were so packed that inmates often piled up in improvised hammocks hung in the ceilings for lack of space. I was often in a 4x4 (meters) cell with 40 inmates, he said. We had to take turns sleeping. According to federal data, Brazils prisons operate at 140% occupancy, with more than 700,000 inmates in facilities built for less than 500,000 a common reality in Latin American countries. Demand turned into a business for members of organized groups, who sell inmates anything from hygiene items to food, physical safety, and legal help. Andrade, who shared cells with Roni Peixoto, one of the leaders of Comando Vermelho, and inmates linked to the PCC, says joining is rarely about coercion. There isnt a gun to your head, he said. People fight to join out of necessity. These factions welcome you more than the state ever did. CNN has reached out to the Brazilian government for comment. By the mid-2000s, PCC dominated Sao Paulos prisons. Theyre present in about 90% of state units, and homicides are practically zero the system has been pacified by PCC for nearly 20 years, sociologist and Federal University of ABC professor Camila Caldeira Nunes Dias said. PCC also runs one of South Americas most powerful cocaine export networks, supplying European markets through Brazils ports, while CV dominates trafficking corridors from Peru through the Amazon, according to InSight Crime, a group that studies organized crime in the Americas. Experts say the work done inside prisons was crucial to gangs establishment in the outside world. Gang leaders order drug purchases, territorial expansion, and killings from behind bars. We call prisons the business back rooms, International Crisis Group senior analyst Elizabeth Dickinson told CNN. Many leaders prefer operating from inside because theyre safer there. But the disputes over achieving such control of the cells and the inmates inside them can be deadly especially in facilities where multiple factions coexist. The dispute for cell keys Across Latin America, prison massacres over territorial control have become a recurring reality. In Venezuelas Uribana prison, a dispute between gang bosses in 2013 led to the deaths of at least 61 people. In Brazil, a similar dispute triggered the infamous 1992 Carandiru prison massacre in Sao Paulo, killing 111 inmates and helping spur the rise of the PCC. In this January 26, 2013 file photo, Venezuelan police officers stand guard outside the morgue where the bodies of prisoners killed in a riot were taken, in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. - Misael Castro/El Informador/AP/File In Ecuador, that dynamic has become even more explosive. Because of its strategic role in global cocaine exports, areas like Guayaquil allowed foreign actors Mexican cartels, Colombian dissidents to embed themselves in local gangs. When their leaders were jailed, the fight for control migrated directly into penitentiaries. Daniel Ponton, dean of the School of Security and Defense at Ecuadors Instituto de Altos Estudios Nacionales (IAEN), says Ecuadorian prisons are often structured in cellblocks controlled by different groups, which incites conflict. Each block had its own economy and leadership everything privatized and controlled by the gang, he says. If I have a dispute with a criminal leader, I go after his block, kill him, and take over his criminal structure. That reality was harshly exposed after the 2020 assassination of Jorge Luis Zambrano, alias Rasquina, longtime leader of Los Choneros. His death shattered the balance he maintained among rival factions. Los Lobos, Los Tiguerones and others splintered and began battling for dominance, triggering massacres that killed more than 400 inmates across multiple provinces in less than three years, according to InSight Crime. To gang leaders, the bloodshed is justified by profits. Ecuadors prison markets are now worth over $200 million annually more than double the federal operating budget for SNAI, the organ overseeing the prison system, which was roughly $99 million in 2021. And the prisons have become key nodes in the global cocaine chain, offering storage, logistics, and protection for traffickers moving shipments through Guayaquils ports. CNN has reached out to Ecuadorian government for comment. Mano dura Across Latin America, hardline mano dura (strong hand) campaigns have become a political focal point, with politicians running on promises of harsher sentences, mass arrests, and expanded military roles. In 2024, Ecuadorian voters approved military involvement in policing and longer sentences after a wave of assassinations and prison massacres. On November 18, lawmakers in Brazil voted to approve legislation to label groups such as PCC and CV as terrorist organizations, aiming at significantly extending prison sentences for those convicted under the statute. Brazils executive branch, however, has rejected the idea of classifying PCC and CV as terrorist groups. During a high-level security dialogue in Washington in March 2024, Brazilian representatives told their US counterparts that PCC and CV are profit-driven criminal organizations rather than ideological groups and therefore do not meet Brazils legal criteria for terrorism. Members of the Salvadorian army stand guard at maximum security penitentiary CECOT (Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism) on April 4, 2025 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador. - Alex Pena/Getty Images South America/Getty Images In that vein, El Salvadors Bukele model built on mass detentions and the opening of CECOT, a mega-prison with capacity for 40,000 inmates that puts it among the worlds largest has become the political reference point, especially for right-wing leaders in Latin America. Ecuadors Daniel Noboa to Paraguays Santiago Pena and Argentinas Javier Milei have vowed to replicate the Salvadoran model. Several countries in the region are similarly investing in a new wave of prison construction. In Ecuador, the government began operating El Encuentro, a US$52 million maximum-security facility in Santa Elena built to house around 800 high-risk inmates and equipped with biometric controls, signal jammers, and reinforced surveillance systems but violence remains. In 2024, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced a mega-prison with a capacity for 20,000 people, as part of a broader gang crackdown including increased arrests, designation of gang activity as terrorism, and expanded role for military and police forces. A hidden front line Human rights groups and security analysts warn that President Nayib Bukeles mass incarceration approach in El Salvador is not easily transferable, especially in countries with fragmented criminal markets and weaker state institutions. When you have an overcrowded prison, and theres disorder and lack of resources, you create an opportunity for criminal groups to manage that, said Dickinson of the Crisis Group. What ends up happening is that many individuals, especially low-level offenders, become victims of this extractive economy. Many end up allying with a faction just to get through the experience. Andrade, who was 22 when he was arrested, argues that the answer lies in breaking the cycle. I had many more opportunities to join crime than to make an honest living, he said. Its easier for a kid to get a bag of drugs and a gun than a book and a pen. There are good, smart people in there who cant even fathom a second chance at society because they were never even allowed a first one, said Andrade, who eventually earned a masters degree and became a criminal attorney. If we keep brutalizing people inside, eventually they become the soldiers of crime outside. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An 86-year-old woman lost everything to a sophisticated scam and now shes taking two of Americas biggest banks to court. The fraud started in August 2023 as fear dressed up as urgency. Pop-up warnings began flashing across 86-year-old Nina Mortellitos computer screen, claiming her bank accounts had been hacked. What followed was a months-long tale of manipulation that ultimately drained her of $700,000 her entire life savings. According to a lawsuit filed against Merrill Lynch in Manhattan Supreme Court, the Upper East Side resident who suffers from age-related memory loss was persuaded to make a series of withdrawals over nine months, framed as an act of safekeeping. Must Read It was uncharacteristic of Mortellito to withdraw so much at once. For over 30 years, her withdrawals never exceeded $5,000. Her niece had even been added as a co-trustee in 2022 to provide oversight and financial safeguards. Even though the withdrawals were out of character for Mortellito, the banks never raised a red flag. We are extremely disappointed the banks have not acted according to reasonable professional standards, Mortellitos nephew-in-law, Stephen Kuhn, told The New York Post. (1) We are left with no choice but to bring this lawsuit, which we hope will bring real change to the banks policies and procedures, lessening the chances this will happen to others. But whos really at fault? What happened? According to court documents, Mortellito was tricked into believing her savings were at risk and that the only way to protect them was to convert everything into gold bullion. Over several months, she withdrew about $275,000 from her Merrill Lynch accounts and wired another $150,000 from her TD Bank account to a gold dealer in Texas. The sophisticated scam doesnt just stop there. She also mailed a $30,000 check and took out more than $100,000 from her Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) accounts at the scammers direction, according to the lawsuit. These werent just withdrawals they were acts of trust for someone who alleges they have our best interests in mind. Thats the power of an imposter scam. A criminal pretends to be someone theyre not, just long enough to make you feel safe. Then they take everything. And business is booming. A report from the Federal Trade Commission shows impersonation scams are now four times more likely to happen than before. (2) And older Americans are paying the price. The FBI reports seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, a record-breaking sum that reflects a new, digital breed of con artist. (3) 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 Protecting your loved ones It wasnt just Mortellitos money that disappeared. It was the freedom her savings gave her: the theater tickets, the travel, the dinners with friends that made her feel alive. Losing her nest egg meant losing those luxuries that add up to a life well-lived. Now, her lawyers are suing the banks for negligence, arguing they failed to protect her when all the signs of fraud were present. They also appeared on News Nation with Chris Cuomo to raise further awareness. (4) The banks need to take reasonable steps to protect their customers, especially the elderly, who are uniquely susceptible to online scammers, lawyer Robert Georges of Konta Georges & Buza PC told The New York Post. Here, the banks repeatedly failed to exercise due diligence, which caused [Mortellito] to lose her life savings. As heartbreaking as Mortellitos story is, its also preventable. Most scams thrive in silence, but talking about them early can make all the difference. When broaching the subject, it helps to take directly from the headlines: I just read about these scams targeting retirees. Want me to show you what they look like? A little openness and empathy can help in dismantling the shame that often keeps victims quiet. It also helps to learn the warning signs. Scammers often use panic as a tool, claiming your account has been compromised, your grandchild is in trouble or your money is at risk. And if someone asks for payment in gift cards, wire transfers or crypto, thats a scam. (5) A few small safeguards can make a difference. Set up text alerts for large transactions, and turn on two-factor authentication so you can create a moment of pause before moving large sums of money. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) recommends that families create a fraud check system where one member is the designated safeguard who approves all transactions. Protecting your loved ones isnt just about being there when something goes wrong. Its about being there before it does. (6) 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. New York Post (1); Federal Trade Commission (2); Federal Bureau of Investigation (3); (4); WGME (5); AARP (6). This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. On Monday, President Trump announced via Truth Social that he will approve the sale of Nvidias (NVDA) H200 chips to certain companies in China and other countries. The move is a positive for Nvidia, which has been lobbying for the administration to approve the sale of more powerful chips to the country for months. But the response from investors and Wall Street more broadly has been rather muted. Thats because, as Deepwater Asset Management managing partner Gene Munster put it, this all feels a bit like deja vu. In April, the US banned the sale of Nvidias H20 chips to China, before approving exports of the processors in July. But instead of buying them up, China balked, claiming that the chips could pose a security risk to local firms. The general thinking is that the maneuver was meant to push the Trump administration to let Nvidia and its rivals ship newer, non-downgraded chips. And theres no guarantee the country wont do the same thing in an attempt to get Nvidias current top-of-the-line systems the H200 is two generations behind the current Blackwell-based B300. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang presents a Grace Blackwell NVLink72 as he delivers a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 6, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images) Theres similarly no telling whether the US would halt sales of the chips as a means of retaliation against China if the countries ongoing trade negotiations go south. Even if [an agreement gets] approval, it's been clear that this has been a bargaining job, and it could get turned off anytime soon, Munster explained. That's like 101 of investing you want to sleep well at night. And this is the exact opposite. You're checking the time every hour here because you just don't know if we're on again, off again. And then theres the question of whether members of Congress will attempt to block shipments of H200s and other high-end chips. Critics have long argued that China could use US chips to train AI systems for military uses. Will they, wont they? The battle to get back into China is well worth it for Nvidia from a financial perspective. CEO Jensen Huang has said the country represents a total addressable market of some $50 billion. And those projections were based on the companys reduced chips. More powerful GPUs could net a larger chunk of AI sales. The only downside for Nvidia? Trump says the AI giant, and rivals, will have to pay the administration a 25% cut on the sale of chips destined for China. Thats up from Trumps originally planned 15%. Still, even with that 25% haircut, sales to China would benefit Nvidia. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks on how AI infrastructure and AI factories that generate intelligence at scale are powering a new industrial revolution, at Washington Convention Center, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) They're going from zero at this point, so anything above zero is positive, TECHnalysis founder and chief analyst Bob ODonnell told Yahoo Finance. Selling any chip in any quantity is a step up. Beyond immediate revenue, Nvidia would also benefit from shipping its chips into China by getting more AI researchers and developers to use its CUDA software platform, William Blair analyst Sebastien Naji wrote in a note to investors Monday evening. CUDA allows customers to take full advantage of Nvidias chips for various AI processing needs, which also helps keep developers hooked on Nvidias products. That, Naji writes, could help offset some of the increased competition from Chinas homegrown chip companies, including Huawei. Thats all if China allows the sales to move forward. In his Truth Social post, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping responded positively to the news about the H200 chip, but there are still too many unknowns about whether the sales will come to pass and, if they do, how long theyll continue. Xi has been pressing Chinese tech companies to use domestic chips for their AI needs to ensure they dont become dependent on US technologies. But experts say Chinas chips are still behind Nvidias latest and greatest in terms of performance. I'm just surprised China's being positive about it, because they were just saying no only use China-made chips. And it seemed like they were going to really stick to that, ODonnell said. And so it seems odd that they will all of a sudden not stick to it. So its a little confusing. Even if all goes well between the Trump administration and China, members of Congress could still seek to stop chip shipments to the country. A number of lawmakers have raised concerns that selling advanced GPUs to China could give the country a leg up militarily by helping it develop new, more powerful AI algorithms. According to the Wall Street Journal, new chips shipped to China will have to be routed from Taiwan, where theyre manufactured, to the US for a national security review before being sent to their final destination. Its unclear, though, if that will be enough to win over wary legislators. Ultimately, investors may not begin to feel certain about Nvidias fate in China until several months after the first chips land in the country. If theyre ever shipped. Sign up for Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter. (yahoofinance) Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance. Princess Ingrid Alexandra made her debut at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday, marking a notable milestone in her preparation for future duties as Norways monarch. OLE BERG-RUSTEN - Getty Images The Princess, who is currently studying at the University of Sydney, has gradually taken on a larger public role in the last few years. She joined her grandparents, King Harald and Queen Sonja, as well as her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, at Oslo City Hall for the annual event. Princess Ingrid Alexandra and her mother also attended a traditional celebration hosted by the global nonprofit Save the Children held at the Nobel Peace Centre before the main ceremony. OLE BERG-RUSTEN - Getty Images Per Ole Hagen - Getty Images This years Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Maria Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition leader recognized for her advocacy for democracy in her home country. According to the Nobel Peace Center, Machados selection ignited strong reactions around the world, with many viewing her as a symbol of the broader struggle for democratic values in an time when authoritarianism appears to be on the rise. This years Nobel Peace Prize reminds us how important it is to stand up for democracy, what we risk losing if we dont, and how bad things can get when authoritarian leaders seize power, said the Centers director, Kjersti Flgstad, in a statement. ODD ANDERSEN - Getty Images The Nobel Prizes have been awarded on December 10 since 1901, the anniversary of Alfred Nobels death. In keeping with Nobels will, the prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature are presented in Stockholm, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. The Sweden event will commence later on Wednesday followed by a banquet at Stockholm City Hall. Members of the Swedish royal family, led by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, are guests of honor at both the ceremony and the banquet. You Might Also Like McDonald's removed an AI-generated Christmas commercial from YouTube after complaints from viewers. (Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press) People arent lovin it. McDonalds was forced to pull down an AI-generated Christmas commercial from YouTube after some consumers said the AI-slop-filled tongue-in-cheek take on the holidays was distasteful. The ad, titled "It's the most terrible time of the year, was a satirical take on holiday realities. It showed a series of short, chaotic clips of people braving the winter, tripping while carrying overloaded gift bags, getting stuck in tangled lights, burning homemade cookies or starting an unexpected cooking fire during a family gathering. The ad agency TBWA\NEBOKO collaborated with film production company Sweetshop to create the 45-second ad for McDonald's Netherlands. The AI ad ends with a call to ditch the madness and hide out in McDonalds till January. The ad, meant to spread cheer, irked viewers. Even without all the ai slop this ad feels incredibly odd," said one comment on the commercial posted on YouTube. "Ditch your family and hide in mcdonalds because christmas sucks??? Some said the ad was a sloppy move by one of the world's largest advertisers. The McDonalds ad emphasizes all that is negative about the holiday season, and the suggestion that McDonald's is a respite from such negative experiences is not credible, said David Stewart, emeritus professor of marketing at Loyola Marymount University. It is likely that a very unhappy human came up with the idea of denigrating the holiday experience, even if AI was used to create part of the ad. After the McDonalds backlash, the Sweetshop said it used AI as a tool for the commercial but a lot of human effort went into it as well. We generated what felt like dailies thousands of takes then shaped them in the edit just as we would on any high-craft production," the company said in a statement . "This wasn't an AI trick." Still, McDonald's Netherlands pulled the ad. McDonalds Netherlands has decided to remove our AI-generated Christmas advert. It was intended to reflect the stressful moments that can occur during the holidays in the Netherlands, but we recognize that for many of our guests, the season is most wonderful time of the year, McDonalds Netherlands said in a statement. We respect that and remain committed to creating experiences that offer Good Times and Good Food for everyone. Though the initial release said that Los Angeles-based directing duo Mark Potoka and Matt Spicer shot the film, the duo said in an email that they had resigned after being cut out of the production process. With lack of creative oversight and not being able to speak to or see what was made or able to effect the work as directors we ethically felt it was right to resign from the project and production company at large, they said. The Sweetshop website has removed any mention of the directing duo, and its CEO also deleted a LinkedIn post that mentioned their association. Mainstream brands are gradually embracing AI-generated ads. Last month, Coca-Cola released a holiday ad in which a Coca-Cola truck drives through snow and forests, awakening animals and lighting up trees, then pulls up to a town square. This is the second year in a row Coca-Cola has dropped an AI holiday ad despite widespread artist pushback. AI is gaining traction for the creation of ads because it is viewed as a way to save costs, Stewart said. More brands, including Google , Toys R Us and Under Armour, have produced synthetic ads. Proponents of AI ads see them as a change from traditional advertising. Whether we like the ad itself, McDonald's is making a statement with this campaign: AI has changed the playbook. As one of the largest consumer brands on the planet, McDonald's is reading the tea leaves of whats to come for brand marketing and is aggressively indexing its brand for the new generative decision funnel, said Justin Inman, chief executive of Emberos, a platform that monitors how brands appear inside major AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Gemini. AI-powered search could influence $750 billion in revenue by 2028, and half of consumers now use chatbots to discover brands, according to McKinsey & Co. Such an association with AI may even boost McDonalds visibility inside chatbots, surfacing its brand name ahead of others. Love it or hate it, expect to see more of it, Inman said. McDonald's getting thousands of people to prompt McDonald's + AI will greatly benefit their overall brand visibility." Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Kiara Diaz, a 29-year-old emergency room nurse from Worcester, enjoying her vacation in Costa Rica. But that trip turned into a horror show last week after a 15-foot fall left her paralyzed and unable to return home. Her family is asking for help. GoFundMe An emergency room nurse from Worcester is facing life-changing injuries after a 15-foot fall during a vacation in Costa Rica. Her family says they are desperate to bring her home, but doctors say her injuries are too severe for travel. Kiara Diaz, 29, was hiking with two close friends when she fell and fractured her shoulder and T1 and T2 vertebrae, leaving her paralyzed. The friends, also nurses, rushed to help her as she lay injured. They spent two hours on the floor, just taking turns stabilizing her spine, because they didnt want her to move in any sort of way, because they didnt know the extent of her injuries at that point, her brother, Gindember Diaz, told NBC Boston. Diazs brother, speaking from outside a Costa Rican hospital, said the family is struggling as they wait for answers. Its hard to eat, its hard to sleep. Were very anxious through all this time, Gindember Diaz told NBC Boston. Were paralyzed in a foreign country. Samantha Cruz, a friend of Diaz's, created a GoFundMe to keep her loved ones informed and to help raise money to bring her home. So far, the news has been worrying. "At her current hospital, she has received very limited medical care," Cruz posted. "She has been lying in the hallway without monitoring or surgical intervention since she arrived." Being seriously injured in another country has made an already overwhelming situation even harder. Kiara is far from home, her family, her medical support system, and the comfort of familiar surroundings. The immediate goal is to arrange a medical flight to bring her back to the United States safely, where she can continue treatment and begin rehabilitation closer to her loved ones. Cruz hopes to raise $100,000 to cover her medical costs, her bills back home, as well as help her family reach her. More than 200 people have donated over $17,000 as of Tuesday, Dec. 9. Kiara Diaz was scheduled to undergo spinal surgery on Tuesday, but Cruz has not issued an update on how well the procedure went. Currently, doctors in Costa Rica say Diaz cannot fly home because of her spinal fractures. Her family is hopeful doctors there can stabilize her enough so she can get help back home. "Kiara has spent her career caring for others," Cruz posted. "As an ER nurse, she has devoted herself to helping people heal and feel safe at their worst. Now she needs that same care and support in return." Click here for more information on the GoFundMe. "ICE was here" Nativity Scene (Rev. St. Josoma) A Roman Catholic priest in Dedham, Massachusetts, has taken a stand against the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda by replacing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph with a sign that reads "I.C.E. was here" in the church's Nativity scene. An additional sign states, "The Holy Family is safe in The Sanctuary of our ChurchIf You see I.C.E. Please Call LUCE At 617-370-5023." The priest has defied calls from both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Archdiocese of Boston to remove the signs. Rev. Stephen Josoma of St. Susanna Parish told WBUR that the scene is meant to focus the Christmas story on the plight of immigrants, citing conversations with refugee families living in fear of deportation after coming to the U.S. from countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, and Afghanistan. "These are folks who carry a lot of scars with them. Some of them are physical scars, but most are emotional," he told WBUR. "They've seen their folks killed in front of them." "You feed the hungry, you take care of the homeless, you clothe the naked, you take care of people and their needs," Josoma told The Boston Globe. "[ICE raids] are the complete antithesis of that on so many levels." The scene has drawn criticism from both church and state. Terry Donilon, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Boston, said in a statement to MassLive.com that the "divisive political messaging" should be removed, while pointing to statements by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that call for the humane treatment of immigrants. Meanwhile, both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have condemned the church's speech. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons called for the removal of the Nativity scene in a statement to Fox News, saying, "The actions of the activist reverend, Stephen Josoma, are absolutely abhorrent and add to a dangerous narrative responsible for a more than 1,150% increase in assaults on ICE officers." Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, told MassLive.com, "Not only is this 'nativity' scene offensive to Christians, but it is also depicting something thatdespite what Rev. Josoma saysNEVER happens. ICE does not separate families.Get a grip and seek help." Despite McLaughlin's insistence, the agency has, in fact, separated immigrant families. In October, a case of a 13-year-old Massachusetts boy from Brazil made headlines after he was detained by ICE rather than being released to his mother following his arrest by the Everett Police Department. The boy was subsequently transported to a Virginia detention center over 500 miles away without his family's or his attorney's knowledge. More cases have come to light, including a 6-year-old boy in Queens who was detained by ICE and separated from his Chinese father. And a recent report from ProPublica found that ICE has sent about 600 immigrant children to detention this yeara number higher than the previous four years combinedsuggesting more families have also been separated. Regardless of any disagreement that ICE or the DHS may have with Josoma over his church's Nativity sceneshould he choose to keep itthis kind of speech is firmly protected under the First Amendment. Between the Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses, both private religious speech and expressive religious activities are protected from government infringement, particularly when the speech concerns important civic discussionslike controversial immigration enforcement policies. Any decision to remove the scene should be left up to the church. Despite all the pushback, Josoma and about 10 other St. Susanna parishioners gathered on Monday to defend the display, according to MassLive.com. Josoma said the scene has been received positively, and he is waiting to speak with the archbishop of Boston, Richard Henning, before removing the scene. "The church has a right to speak out," Josoma told Fox News. "And we should be talking about issues. We're supposed to take care of people." The post Massachusetts Church's 'ICE Was Here' Nativity Scene Is Protected Speech, Even if ICE Doesn't Like It appeared first on Reason.com. At Least 4 Dead After Shooting And Fire At LDS Church In Grand Blanc, Michigan (Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images) *not an actual image from the scene of this crash Grammy-nominated musician Roderick MacLeod was killed Saturday after police say a driver with more than 100 prior arrests veered off a Rhode Island road and hit him while he walked his dog. Officers responded around 7:21 a.m. to a crash on Spring Street in Hope Valley, the Hopkinton Police Department wrote in a Facebook post. The pedestrian, later identified as MacLeod, was found after a single-vehicle collision involving a car driven by 41-year-old Shannon Godbout. (RELATED: When God Tells Me To: Conner Smith Leaves His Career In The Hands Of The Lord After Fatal Accident) Police said Godbout was heading east on Spring Street when she left her lane, struck two telephone poles and then hit MacLeod, who was walking along the shoulder. Police said MacLeod was taken to Rhode Island Hospital by ambulance and later died from his injuries. Investigators said Godbout was found with numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution and was arrested at the scene before being taken to a hospital for evaluation. Godbout faces preliminary counts of driving so as to endanger resulting in death and possession of Schedule I/II narcotics with intent to distribute, the statement says. She is expected to appear before a Justice of the Peace and will be referred to the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office as a criminal violator because of earlier cases tied to suspended sentences and probation. Police said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible. Godbouts record includes more than 100 arrests, eight of them in Hopkinton. She has been the subject of 82 court warrants and has received 40 traffic citations, including seven issued locally, according to police. MacLeods dog survived the crash and ran home, police said. MacLeod was a Grammy-nominated bassist and a 2012 inductee into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame with Roomful of Blues. His longtime friend and fellow musician Doug James told WJAR hell remember MacLeod for his upbeat and cheerful spirit. He really worked hard at all the stuff he did, but it never looked like that, it always just came very easily it appeared to come easily, James said. He was always great to be around and he was always great to play with. A hundred percent of the people that know him would say exactly the same thing, he said. MacLeod was 70. NBN Co has joined forces with RMIT University to establish an exploratory laboratory through a three-year project collaboration. Under the Advancing STEM, Technology, Research, Innovation and Deployment (ASTRID) agreement, the pair will create the R-NEX Lab to provide the National Broadband Network (NBN) builder with access to academic staff, students, and postdoctoral researchers. This marks the second Australian university to join ASTRID, with the first being the University of Technology Sydney which entered the agreement in August 2023. NBN Co and RMIT are close collaborative partners, and weve achieved some great research outcomes so far, said NBN Co CTO Guy Scott. Through this exciting new ASTRID agreement, we expect to take things to a whole new level. Our focus will be the development of innovative technological advancement, with a common aim of advancing broadband technologies for households, businesses and communities across Australia. Opportunities to be explored by the lab include the development of a digital twin capacity to model the NBN work for scenario planning and options analysis, as well as NBN Cos AI and robotics programs. Among the charges are practising worship and promoting religious activities such as baptisms, communions and Christmas celebrations. At least four of them will have to serve sentences of at least 10 years. Article18 director: Clear signs of lack of due process in a context of growing repression. Tehran (AsiaNews) - Christmas in prison for a group of Iranian Christians: in recent days, a court in the Islamic Republic sentenced five believers to a total of over 50 years in prison. According to activists from Article18, a website specialising in documenting abuses, the charges include worship and ordinary religious activities such as prayer, administration of sacraments including baptism, communion and celebrating the birth of Jesus. Among those who ended up in prison are two former prisoners of conscience - Iranian-Armenian pastor Joseph Shahbazian and Christian convert Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh - who were re-arrested in February after having already spent a total of six years behind bars on charges related to their involvement in so-called house churches. The other three Christians convicted are women: Lida, Joseph's wife, Aida Najaflou, a Christian convert who recently fractured her spine after falling from a bunk bed in Evin Prison, and a third whose name has not been made public. The details of the sentence have not yet been published, but the activist website has been able to confirm that at least four of the Christians - except Lida - have been sentenced to 10 years under the infamous amended Article 500 of the Iranian Penal Code. At least two of them received an additional five years for the second charge of gathering and collusion. Aida also received an additional two-year sentence for propaganda in relation to social media posts, while Lida was sentenced to eight years. Aida, who is 44 and suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, was recently hospitalised for the second time after a wound caused by spinal surgery became infected in prison. In recent days, her lawyer posted on X expressing concern for her client's long-term health, fearing damage to her spinal cord if her condition was not properly managed. The sentences were handed down by Judge Abolqasem Salavati - known for his numerous convictions - after a second hearing held on 21 October at the 15th Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, but were only communicated verbally in the last two weeks. The Christians have 20 days to appeal and are reportedly planning to do so. In addition to their prison sentences, their personal belongings, including Bibles and other Christian literature, have been confiscated by the state for research purposes by the Ministry of Intelligence. This case is similar to that of two other Christians who were sentenced to 12 years in prison in early 2025 for smuggling Bibles into Iran. Mansour Borji, director of Article 18, reports clear signs of a lack of due process. In this regard, he cites the long detention of Christians - Joseph, Aida and Nasser were imprisoned for seven months before being brought before a court - and the extremely high bail demands. In Joseph's case, despite misleading communications to his family, no bail was ever officially set, while Aida and Nasser's families could not afford to pay the sums: 0,000 for Aida and nearly 0,000 for Nasser, which is by far the highest ever requested for the temporary release of an Iranian Christian from prison. Nasser's first imprisonment, which ended with his pardon in October 2022 after nearly five years in Evin Prison, attracted international attention, including his adoption by British MPs and the #FreeNasserNavard campaign, which was also relaunched in a lengthy BBC report. In March, Nasser suffered a stroke after going on hunger strike to protest against his re-arrest, while Joseph has already suffered from health problems. Furthermore, the June indictment began with a quote from the infamous speech delivered in October 2010 by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in which he identified the spread of house churches in Iran as one of the critical threats facing the Islamic Republic. In my view, Khamenei's hate speech in 2010 can therefore be considered directly responsible for the violence suffered by these and many other Christians, Borji said. The prosecutor, he explains, goes on to suggest that Protestantism and Zionist Christianity are one and the same, demonstrating how Iranian intelligence agencies distort reality to secure convictions. Finally, the activist recalls how Tehran mistakenly considers Iranian Christian expatriate organisations abroad and their members to be agents of foreign intelligence agencies, without providing any evidence. All this, he warns, is to justify and rationalise judicial violence. These examples, Borji concludes, clearly demonstrate how Iranian Christians, including Joseph, Nasser, Aida, Lida and the fifth Christian, were convicted for no other reason than their normal religious activities, including their desire to share their beliefs with others and offer them the opportunity to read the sacred texts. A growing spiral of repression, while officially the Islamic Republic of Iran claims to guarantee its citizens religious freedom, when it is clear that such freedom of choice does not exist. 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. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry protested against the EUs pledge to continue helping ethnic Armenian refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh as well as its support for the release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan and the Armenian governments position on transport links between the two South Caucasus countries. The new Strategic Agenda for the EU-Armenia Partnership was signed in Brussels last week. It is meant to build upon the Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed by Brussels and Yerevan in 2017. The 64-page agenda stresses, in particular, the importance of addressing the needs and supporting the socio-economic inclusion of Karabakh Armenians displaced following Azerbaijans military operation in September 2023 that forced Karabakhs entire population to flee to Armenia. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry in Baku claimed that the Karabakh Armenians willingly relocated to Armenia. It said calling them refugees or displaced persons is a manifestation of biased attitude towards Azerbaijan. The statement went on to object to the EUs and Armenias pledge to work together to effectively execute the judgments of the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. There is no doubt that they are talking about the lawsuits filed by Armenia against Azerbaijan, it said. Other provisions of the strategic agenda resented by Baku back the continued presence of EU monitors along Armenias border with Azerbaijan and reaffirm EU support for the Armenian governments Crossroads of Peace project relating to a transit corridor to Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pledged to give the United States exclusive rights to the corridor during talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington in August. The transit arrangement will be named the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry complained that the EU-Armenia document makes no reference to the TRIPP. The Armenian government did not immediately react to the criticism. The Anti-Corruption Center (ACC) affiliated with Transparency International also decried the governments crackdowns on its critics and widespread abuse of administrative resources. It said these lingering problems with the rule of law are calling into question the freedom and fairness of next years Armenian parliamentary elections. According to data published in early 2025, Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) score for Armenia in 2024 remained unchanged compared to 2023 -- at 47 points -- indicating that no progress has been recorded in the fight against corruption over the past year, the ACC said in a statement issued on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day. Armenia ranked, together with Croatia, 63rd out of 180 countries and territories evaluated in the Berlin-based watchdogs global survey cited by the ACC. The Armenian government had pledged in 2019 to have the countrys CPI score, measured on a 100-point scale, gradually raised to 55 within three years. On the one hand, it can be said that nothing has been done to make progress [in the fight against corruption,] and on the other, fortunately, we are not regressing, said Varuzhan Hoktanian, the ACCs programs director. Pashinian has repeatedly claimed to have eliminated systemic corruption since coming to power in 2018. However, members of his entourage are increasingly accused by Armenian media of using their positions to enrich themselves, their families or cronies. None of them is known to have been prosecuted on relevant charges. The authorities have cracked down instead on former government officials and wealthy individuals linked to them, using a Western-backed law on asset forfeiture which critics view as unconstitutional. Hoktanian described this as one of the manifestations of selective justice denounced by the ACC statement. Of course, we welcome the confiscation of illegally acquired property of former officials, but there must also be a similar attitude towards current officials, he said. Pashinian also vowed to separate business from politics when he swept to power during the 2018 velvet revolution. He has failed to honor that pledge, according to the ACC. The Western-funded watchdog warned that the intertwining of business and politics, coupled with widespread and unpunished abuses of administrative resources and selective enforcement of the law against political opponents, is putting at risk the legality of the elections due in June 2026. Today we are witnessing a gross violation of Armenias constitution, the principle of the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedoms, the independence of the judicial system as well as the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church protected by the constitution of and international conventions, read a joint statement released by the mostly Western-funded groups. Representatives of the executive and legislative bodies of Armenia continue to interfere with the autonomy and freedom of the Church's activities, violating Armenias constitution and Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, international norms on freedom of religion or belief, and precedent-setting decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), they said, demanding an immediate end to those actions. They also deplored the selective application of instruments of justice against three archbishops and one bishop arrested since Pashinian began pressuring Garegin to step down in June. The clerics highly critical of the premier are facing different criminal charges rejected by them as politically motivated. Pashinian has sought to step up the pressure in recent weeks, visiting various churches and attending Sunday masses there led by renegade priests who agreed to avoid uttering Garegins name during those services in breach of a centuries-old ecclesiastic rule. Pashinian admitted last week ordering the National Security Service (NSS), the former Armenian branch of the Soviet KGB secret police, try to have liturgies censored this way. The civic groups, among them the Yerevan Press Club and four human rights watchdogs, strongly condemned the NSS pressure on clergy, saying that it constitutes abuse of power. They also described as illegal government attempts to interfere in the formation of the churchs governing bodies and its internal decision-making. Armenian opposition leaders and other critics of the government have likewise accused Pashinian of violating a constitutional provision that guarantees the churchs separation from the state. The premier and his political allies deny that. Pashinian said until this month that the main reason why he is trying to oust Garegin and other top clerics at odds with him is that they have had secret sex affairs in breach of their vows of celibacy. He gave a different reason for his campaign in the Armenian parliament on December 3, effectively accusing the supreme head of the church of spying for a foreign intelligence service. He did not offer any proof of the allegation. Pashinians detractors maintain his campaign is aimed at pleasing Azerbaijan and/or neutralizing a key source of opposition to his unilateral concessions to Armenias arch-foe. Pashinian began attacking the top clergy in late May right after Garegin accused Azerbaijan of committing ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, destroying the regions Armenian churches and illegally occupying Armenian border areas during an international conference in Switzerland. 10 December 2025 14:23 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Baku is set to become the focal point of AzerbaijanTurkiye economic collaboration as the II AzerbaijanTurkiye Investment Forum prepares to kick off on December 23. The event, supported by the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Trade of Turkiye, and jointly organized by AZPROMO and TUIB, promises to showcase the growing synergy between the two countries business communities. Ahead of the forum, a press conference on December 10 offered media representatives a glimpse into the agenda, highlighting the forums ambition to connect senior officials, top business leaders, and industry associations. With more than 500 attendees expected, the event aims to open doors to new investment opportunities, deepen bilateral cooperation, and set the stage for long-term economic integration. Against this backdrop, Huseyin Buyukfrat, President of the Public Union of Turkish-Azerbaijani Businessmen and Industrialists, shared his perspectives exclusively with Azernews: - How do you assess the current situation regarding the investment environment in Garabagh? What are the new investment opportunities and the expected employment capacity? - Our aim is not only to attract new investments but also to ensure that existing investments continue to strengthen. Some tasks need to be done in this regard: coordination with relevant institutions, providing investors with accurate information, and accelerating necessary processes. We are currently working on comprehensive and highly impactful projects concerning Karabakh. Providing employment for people who have returned to the region after many yearsor are preparing to returnis a major priority. In this context, discussions are underway on investments that will create between 5,000 and 10,000 jobs, and some of these projects will likely be announced at the Forum. The incentives provided by Azerbaijan, the opening of roads, the revitalization of the Middle Corridor, and the strengthening of Silk Road connections have turned the region into a serious investment alternative. Due to shrinking markets in some sectors in Turkiye, our companies have been turning to countries like Africa and Egypt. However, we especially want to emphasize that Garabagh is also a strong, emerging alternative. Together with our trade attache and all relevant state institutions, we are working to strengthen the investment environment. Our main goal is to properly explain the existing opportunities in Azerbaijan not only to Turkiye but also to third countries. Investors naturally have questions about incentives and support. Thanks to this Forum, all institutions and ministries are gathered under one roof, and investors questions are answered directly. This eliminates many misconceptions and leads to more transparent communication. - Is there a plan to integrate the Organization of Turkic States into these investment forums in the future, or to involve member countries more comprehensively in the process? - The steps taken in the Turkic world in recent years are a source of pride for all of us. One of the areas where this unity will be felt most strongly is trade, and significant progress is being made in this direction. We believe that our forum will continue even more strongly in its second, third, and subsequent years. As the process advances, the interest of different regions and members of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) will naturally increase, and they will become more involved in this platform. We already invited all these countries to our forum. Promotion is very important here; both you and I have responsibilities in this regard. A participant from Cyprus asked a similar question earlier. On this occasion, we also call upon businesspeople from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus: We want them to join this forum. It is very valuable for us to see them here. The same applies to the other Turkic Republics as well. - Does TUIB have any studies or special programs aimed at opening up the Turkish market for small and medium-sized enterprises operating in Azerbaijan? - TUIB is not a company or holding; it is an association that brings together a broad business communityfrom major holding companies in Turkiye and Azerbaijan to small and medium-sized enterprises. Our association includes major organizations such as Azersun Holding, Pasa Holding, Mr. Fix, Ziraat Bankas, Anadolu Group, Coca-Cola, and Koc Group. You are familiar with the significant work these groups are doing in Azerbaijan, such as opening factories and establishing production facilities. Our doors are open to all businesspeople. We are constantly holding meetings to support SMEs in Azerbaijan in accessing the Turkish market. We assist anyone who has questions, is seeking cooperation, or wishes to establish commercial connections. Together with our state institutions and trade attaches, we strive to provide all possible support. Within this structure, we also conduct regular SME-focused work. We meet almost every month; we listen to the companies' issues and the challenges they face. We convey these matters to state institutions in Azerbaijan, as well as to ministries and relevant institutions in Turkiye. We act as a constant bridge between the two countries, doing our best to remove obstacles to bilateral trade. This cooperation platform is continuously updated with new initiatives and programs, and it is possible that some new steps will be announced at the Forum. - What are the main investment trends and sectors that Turkish and Azerbaijani companies are currently showing the most interest in? - It would not be accurate to highlight only one sector, as interest spans a broad range of fieldsliterally hundreds. However, as reflected in the Forums panel topics, green energy, technology, and technoparks, sustainable development fields, industrial zones, and next-generation infrastructure projects are among the most prominent areas. We believe Azerbaijan has entered a new era. In the post-victory period, we aim to draw the attention of international investors to this country. It is our duty to promote all existing and upcoming opportunities in Azerbaijan, not only in Turkiye but also in third countries. Therefore, investment trends are not limited to specific sectors. There is increasing interest across a wide spectrumfrom energy to technology, from industry to logistics. Our role is to ensure that this growing interest transforms into concrete investments through accurate information and effective guidance. 10 December 2025 12:42 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more At the Asset Integrity & Corrosion and Coatings Conference, a panel discussion on Next-generation Coating Solutions for Harsh Oil and Gas Environments brought together experts representing different parts of the value chain, Azernews reports. Participants included Nurida Mammadova, Lead Project Engineer at SOCAR Upstream Management International LLC; Paul Gielen, Director of TRAST B.V. Branch in Azerbaijan; and Kanan Atakishiyev, Chief Commercial Officer at WESA. The session highlighted the combined perspectives of asset owners, technical specialists, and commercial leadersreflecting how each plays a key role in advancing coating technologies in complex oil and gas environments. Speaking about the adoption of online coating technologies for high-temperature pipelines that cannot be shut down, Nurida Mammadova noted that SOCAR, now operating on an international scale, remains open to innovative solutions. She explained that online coating technologies can be effective under high-temperature conditions where shutdowns are not feasible, but she emphasized that such applications are more suitable for temporary rather than permanent use. Paul Gielen underscored the importance of surface preparation in ensuring coating performance. He stated that even the most advanced and expensive coating system will fail if the surface preparation is inadequate. In contrast, a mediocre coating applied to a properly prepared surface is far more likely to perform successfully. According to him, surface preparation remains the foundation of any durable coating system. From a commercial and industry-development viewpoint, Kanan Atakishiyev addressed the ongoing challenge of clients relying on coating specifications developed decades ago. He noted that conditions 2030 years ago were very differentdigitalization was limited, expectations around efficiency were lower, and environmental regulations were far less strict. Despite this, many companies continue to adhere to outdated standards due to comfort and familiarity with older technologies. Atakishiyev emphasized that while resistance to change exists, it also creates opportunities for companies that can demonstrate next-generation solutions through pilot applications or rapid performance testing. Such efforts, he said, allow clients to adopt new technologies without taking on unnecessary risk. Reflecting on whether this mindset is shifting, Atakishiyev explained that resistance to new technologies is likely to persist across the industry. However, he believes EPC contractors have a responsibility to champion innovation and guide clients toward more advanced solutions. Being among the first to introduce new technologies, he added, can help companies strengthen their competitive position. Paul Gielen concluded by noting that manufacturers are actively developing new coating technologies and are eager to introduce them to major operators such as SOCAR, bp, and TotalEnergies. While large operators may sometimes be cautious, he highlighted that collaboration between EPC contractors and manufacturers can accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions across the industry. 9 December 2025 19:50 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), a part of AZCON Holding, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking the launch of the ESG Operationalization Technical Assistance Project and deepening cooperation in the field of sustainability. The project aims to ensure the systematic integration of sustainable development principles into the airlines environmental, corporate governance, and operational processes, enhance business value, and expand sustainable investment opportunities. The MoU was signed by Samir Rzayev, President of AZAL CJSC, and Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, ADB Country Director for Azerbaijan. The ceremony was attended by Enrico Pinali, ADB Regional Director, along with representatives of AZAL and ADB. The launch of the ADB-financed Technical Assistance Project and the signing of the MoU are dedicated to International Civil Aviation Day, celebrated on 7 December. Within the one-year of ESG Operationalization Project, ESG principles will be integrated into the airlines key management and operational processes. The project will support ESG integration, sustainable financing tools, green aviation initiatives, biodiversity-focused projects, capacity-building, and the development of an enhanced reporting framework. This cooperation with ADB marks an important milestone in implementing our sustainable development strategy. AZAL places particular emphasis on adopting ESG practices, expanding investment opportunities, and strengthening partnerships with financial institutions. By aligning our operations with Azerbaijans national development goals and global challenges, we are committed to contributing to the sustainable transformation of the aviation sector. We are confident that this joint project will further advance financial initiatives and provide new momentum for the development of sustainable aviation in Azerbaijan and the wider region, said Samir Rzayev, President of AZAL CJSC. The Asian Development Bank is delighted to expand its partnership with Azerbaijan Airlines by providing technical assistance to advance sustainability in the aviation sector through. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to integrating environment, social and governance- principles into core business operations, to foster resilient growth of AZAL. Together, we aim to drive meaningful progress in green and smart aviation for sustainable development of Azerbaijan, said Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, ADB Country Director for Azerbaijan. Additionally, ADB and AZAL are exploring further areas of cooperation, including low-carbon initiatives, emission offset programs, green financing instruments, and biodiversity projects. This new partnership offers long-term prospects for implementing AZALs ESG strategy and its Net/Near Zero Emissions Plan. The airline also aims to strengthen its position by enhancing regional connectivity, developing new partnerships, analysing ESG-related data, integrating climate risks into investment projects, advancing the application of international standards, and improving transparency and accountability. 10 December 2025 16:39 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan and Libya continue to strengthen their partnership by expanding cooperation in the field of culture, Azernews reports. A bilateral meeting took place at the Baku Congress Center between Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli and the Libya's Minister of Culture and Cognitive Development, Mabroukah Osman Toghi to discuss ways to deepen cultural ties between the two countries. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the OIC Culture Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025. The Azerbaijan Culture Minister expressed gratitude to the Libyan side for its high-level representation at the international festival. Adil Karimli noted that Azerbaijan and Libya successfully cooperate within the framework of the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. He emphasized that the festival provides a good opportunity to discuss cultural collaboration between the two countries. Highlighting Libya's intention to establish close cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of culture, Mabroukah Osman Toghi expressed confidence that joint efforts would yield effective results in expanding cultural relations between the two countries. During the meeting, the prospects of cultural cooperation were discussed, and an agreement was reached to continue contacts in this direction in the future. 10 December 2025 17:17 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli has addressed the scientific-practical forum "Culture and Law: Modern Challenges" held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azernews reports. In his speech, he stressed that the conceptual connection between culture and law is deeper and more intertwined than one might imagine. The Culture Minister added that, in order to discuss the contemporary challenges in the relationship between culture and law, it is first necessary to reanalyze and reconsider these concepts: "The conceptual connection between culture and law is deeper and more intertwined than one might imagine. If we want to discuss the contemporary challenges in the relationship between culture and law, it would be appropriate to first reanalyze and reconsider these concepts." Adil Karimli emphasized that, in a broad sense, culture is an understanding that encompasses the system of thoughts, values, behaviors, and rules that exist in relation to a nation, giving it a unique identity, balancing internal societal unity, distinguishing it from other nations, and forming consistently over a certain period of time. The Culture Minister noted that, in a positive sense, law is a set of rules created and implemented by state institutions to formalize and regulate individual freedoms, behaviors, and social relations. He added that, as a crossroads of diverse and rich cultures, Azerbaijan has formed a national culture that incorporates multicultural traditions and is based on values such as respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, and national identity throughout its centuries-old history. Adil Karimli noted that Azerbaijani culture has historically been a key factor in fostering national unity and integrity, as well as in building a strong and modern state in the contemporary era. He stressed that the historic victory achieved during the 44-day Patriotic War further underscores the vital role of Azerbaijan's national culture. Organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, "Culture and Law: Modern Challenges" scientific-practical forum aims to examine contemporary challenges in Azerbaijan's legal and cultural sectors and to discuss recent developments in these areas. Organized for the first time, the Culture and Law Forum provides a key platform for in-depth discussions on the new challenges facing the country's cultural and legal fields, as well as the relevant legal regulations. During the forum, participants will discuss topics including "Culture and Law," "The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Our Cultural Values," and "The Role of Culture in the System of International Relations." Experts and representatives of state institutions will engage in discussions on the preservation and development of Azerbaijan's cultural heritage, including ways to strengthen the legal framework supporting the country's cultural sector. The forum also aims to enhance cooperation among various institutions involved in the legal regulation of cultural policy. Developing collaboration in the fields of culture and law is seen as a crucial step toward protecting Azerbaijan's cultural values, raising its international recognition, and promoting a more effective representation of the country's culture on the global stage. Representatives from various state bodies, as well as specialists in law and culture, are participating in the forum. 10 December 2025 14:42 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijan Culture Ministry is committed to enhancing cultural cooperation with Islamic countries and seeks to use the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025 as a platform to strengthen dialogue and partnerships, Azernews reports. The festival is designed to encourage collaboration in heritage, culture, and the creative industries. In line with this vision, numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings were held on the sidelines of the event. Following the official opening ceremony at the Baku Congress Center, Azerbaijan Culture Minister, Adil Karimli, held a bilateral meeting with Tarig Ali Bakheet, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs and Special Envoy of the OIC Secretary General on Afghanistan Adil Karimli expressed his gratitude to the OIC leadership for supporting the hosting of such a significant event in Azerbaijan. He pointed out that Azerbaijan's relations with the OIC carry strategic importance. Highlighting the significance of the festival, the Minister noted that the project serves as an important platform to promote cultural cooperation within the Islamic world, strengthen cultural ties, and support creative initiatives. Tarig Ali Bakheet, in turn, thanked the Azerbaijani side for the successful organization of the festival and the hospitality extended to the delegations. He stressed that Azerbaijan has made valuable contributions to solidarity, cooperation, and cultural exchange within the Islamic world. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. At the conclusion, a commemorative gift was presented to the guest, and a joint photo was taken. Azerbaijan is hosting OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025 for the first time. The large-scale event is jointly organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in partnership with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. In connection with this prestigious event, more than 300 guests, including official representatives, experts in science, culture, and the creative industries have arrived in Azerbaijan from nearly 50 countries. The festival focuses on the development of intercultural dialogue and the promotion of Islamic valuestolerance, peace, and respect for diversity. The promotion of joint projects in the fields of economy, education, science, and tourism, as well as the establishment of sustainable partnerships between member states and the strengthening of the integration of creative industries into the global economy, are also among the main goals. OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025 features high-level meetings of OIC member states' ministers of culture, the "Cultural and Creative Industries Forum" (MYFORUM), the "Creative Village: Cultural and Creative Industries Exhibition" (MYEXPO), the "Baku Cinema Breeze 2025" international film program, the "Eastern Fashion Show" presentations by young and renowned designers from OIC countries, the International Summit on Gaming Technologies (G-HUB), as well as various cultural projects related to theater, music, dance, and animation. 10 December 2025 18:16 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more "In the era of social networks, making films has become very difficult," said renowned Iranian actress and director Niki Karimi, who arrived in Baku to participate in the 16th Baku International Film Festival, organized by the Young Filmmakers Center with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan Film Agency, Azernews reports. This year, the festival is held within the framework of the international cinema program Baku Cinema Breeze 2025, which is part of the OIC Cultural Festival: Baku Creative Week 2025. Speaking about contemporary challenges in cinema, she shared her experience with young directors: "Cinema is a multi-layered sphere. For example, in Hollywood, a huge number of films are produced every year, but one should think about how many of them actually succeed. We live in an era when filmmaking has become accessible to everyone. Today, anyone can shoot something on a mobile phone and present it as a short film. On the one hand, the process has become so simple, but on the other hand, cinema continues to retain its complexity. One example of such a contradiction is social networks. I believe that with their emergence, making films has become more difficult. In the past, a person could calmly write and shoot whatever they wanted. Today, the greatest difficulty for young people is that it is very hard to concentrate on their work. The feelings and thoughts of a creative person must be original, but now it is becoming increasingly difficult to preserve emotional originality. I think young directors should treat this issue with particular sensitivity." It should be noted that Niki Karimi joined the international jury of the festival. Niki Karimi (born November 10, 1971, Tehran) is one of the most famous actresses, screenwriters, and female directors of contemporary Iranian cinema. She began her career in the late 1980s and gained worldwide recognition after the film Sara (1993), for which she received prestigious awards, including the Best Actress prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Since the early 2000s, she has been actively working as a director. Among her notable works are One Night (2005), Always (2014), and Veranda (2018). Her films have repeatedly participated in Cannes, Berlin, Locarno, and other festivals. Karimi is also engaged in producing, photography, and social projects, paying special attention to womens and youth rights in art. She is considered one of the most influential Iranian women in the global film industry. Media partners of the event Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 10 December 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The second day of the Asset Integrity & Corrosion and Coatings Conference, dedicated to Azerbaijans oil and gas sector, has commenced in Baku. Trend reports that the conference has brought together leading industry experts, company executives, and technology providers. As on the first day, todays agenda is also considered quite extensive. Throughout the event, discussions will focus on the current situation and innovations in asset integrity protection, corrosion prevention, and protective coating technologies. At the same time, the conference will present participants with the industrys existing risks, technical solutions, and international best practices. It should be noted that the event is attended by more than 500 delegates from over 20 countries. More than 50 speakers are delivering presentations at the conference, and over 25 companies are showcasing their technological solutions. In total, the program includes more than 50 technical sessions, several panel discussions, and various networking activities. 10 December 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev held a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretaries of Commerce William Kimmitt and Jeffrey Kessler, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. It was reported that the meeting discussed prospects for cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that Azerbaijan offers a favorable environment for investment. In addition, the development of the Middle Corridor and the Zangezur Corridor, as well as the prompt commissioning of the "TRIPP" project, were discussed. Opportunities for cooperation in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity were also explored. The U.S. side expressed its readiness to support the removal of existing obstacles to the export of U.S.-produced digital products to Azerbaijan. 10 December 2025 16:24 (UTC+04:00) The Institute for Development and Diplomacy (IDD) at ADA University is pleased to announce the publication of the Fall 2025 edition of Baku Dialogues, its flagship English-language quarterly policy journal, Azernews reports. This issue brings together a series of analytical essays exploring shifting geopolitical rivalries, regional security dynamics, and evolving energy strategies across the Silk Road region. The issue opens with an in-depth essay by the U.S. Naval War College`s professor Nikolas K. Gvosdev, titled Trumps Business Diplomacy in the Caucasus, which examines the strategic logic behind the United States emerging business-driven diplomatic model and its implications for the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, regional connectivity, and the TRIPP framework. A second major article, The 3Bs Framework: Brussels-Baku-Beijing, authored by IDD`s Senior Research Fellow Nargiz Azizova, presents a conceptual mapping of three distinct power poles shaping the Silk Road region. The article analyzes how geoeconomic interactions between the European Union, Azerbaijan, and China are shaping a new language of power in the Silk Road region. The edition also features Chingiz Mammadov's article "Will the Chinese Dragon Outfly the American Eagle?", dedicated to the possible directions of competition between great powers. The article analyzes the new realities and risks created by the China-US competition for the Silk Road region. The increasing multilateralism and balancing approach in Azerbaijan's foreign policy is extensively analyzed in the article "Azerbaijan's Active Non-Alignment" by Farid Shukurlu and Joseph Shumunov. Energy geoeconomics remains central to this issue. Azerbaijans All-of-the-Above Energy Strategy article, authored by Artem Krashakov, examines the countrys diversified approach to energy security. Fuzuli Aliyev, in Bakus Green Finance Policy, analyzes the rise of green finance as a driver of sustainable economic transformation. Additionally, Samuel Furfaris The Evolution of the EUs Regulatory Role in Energy explains the EUs energy governance and its broader geopolitical significance. To read or download the full issue, please visit bakudialogues.ada.edu.az. 10 December 2025 15:43 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijans Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met on December 10 with the delegation led by Viktor Mahmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, and Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, Uzbekistans Minister of Defence, who are on an official visit to Baku. Azernews reports that the Ministry of Defence, the visit began with the delegation laying wreaths at the Alley of Honor, paying tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. The guests then visited the Victory Park, where they placed a wreath at the Victory Monument. A formal welcoming ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence, during which the delegation reviewed the guard of honor. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed, and the Book of Honor was signed in accordance with protocol. During the meeting between the two sides, Colonel General Hasanov emphasized that the bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is founded on strong ties of friendship and brotherhood. The heads of the Uzbek delegation noted that cooperation in the military sphere contributes significantly to the development and strengthening of both countries armed forces. The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including cooperation in military, military-technical, and military education fields, as well as other matters of mutual interest in the defense sector. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministries of Defence of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed the bilateral military cooperation plan for the year 2026. As part of the official visit, the Uzbek delegation also visited the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, familiarizing themselves with the main areas of activity of subordinate departments. The visitors questions were addressed during the briefing. 10 December 2025 19:12 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has expressed his gratitude to President of the United States Donald Trump. In his letter, President Ilham Aliyev stated: I express my deep gratitude to you for your kind letter. I highly value your sincere words and acknowledgment of our efforts for peace and stability. Your continued commitment to resolving conflicts, your personal involvement in advancing dialogue, and your contributions to reducing tensions in various parts of the world, in my firm belief, fully merit the highest international recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize. Your leadership, guided by determination and responsibility, is a true example of service in the promotion of global peace. I am confident that, through sustained dialogue and cooperation, our partnership will continue to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, and prosperity in our countries and beyond. Please accept my sincere appreciation for the spirit of mutual respect and the attention expressed in your letter. 10 December 2025 20:18 (UTC+04:00) On December 10, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the margins of the international conference titled The Role of Women in Modern Society: Promoting International Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Turkmenistan. The meeting emphasized that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Zamin International Public Foundation, contribute to the development of high-level ties between the two countries. The sides underlined the importance of the international conference in Turkmenistan in promoting the active involvement of women in political and economic life, as well as expanding multilateral dialogue and partnerships. The discussion also highlighted the significance of strengthening the role of women across various sectors, including education and healthcare, to ensure sustainable development. 10 December 2025 18:37 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A fresh chapter in AzerbaijanHungary energy cooperation has opened following a high-level meeting between SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and MVM Group CEO Karoly Matrai on December 10, 2025, Azernews reports. SOCAR released a statement noting that the sides reviewed ongoing cooperation across various segments of the energy sector and exchanged views on current projects, emerging priorities, and long-term partnership opportunities. The discussions touched on the expansion of collaboration in gas supply, infrastructure development, sustainable energy solutions, and broader regional energy initiatives areas that have steadily gained strategic significance for both countries. During the meeting, SOCAR and MVM ONEnergy signed a new natural gas supply agreement that will take effect on January 1, 2026. This renewed arrangement builds on the foundations of their previous cooperation, which has been marked by reliability and mutual benefit over the past years. According to SOCAR, the continuity of the agreement demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening long-term energy cooperation and contributing to regional energy security. The new deal further institutionalizes the growing energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary, reinforcing Bakus position as a dependable supplier in Central Europe and reflecting Budapests increasing engagement with Azerbaijan as part of its diversified energy strategy. 10 December 2025 22:22 (UTC+04:00) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Wednesday that his country's intelligence services have noted an intensification of China's military cooperation with Russia in the military industry, citing a report by the head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleg Ivashchenko, Azernews reports. "We note the strengthening of the de facto de-sovereignty of part of the Russian territory in favor of China. This is primarily about the use of resource-rich lands and the sale of scarce resources to China," Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. "Global security should not lose out due to the fact that Russia's appetite for aggression is not decreasing," he added. The Ukrainian president also said that Ivashchenko instructed the intelligence service to monitor China and Russia's collaboration more objectively, paying attention to all aspects related to the national interests of Ukraine, as well as Europe and the United States. 11 December 2025 00:29 (UTC+04:00) A new wave of anti-government protests began in central Sofia on Wednesday evening, with organisers aiming to replicate the mass demonstration held on December 1, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported. The rally, held under the slogan Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power, is centred on Independence Square the area known as the Power Triangle, home to the National Assembly, the Presidency, and the Council of Ministers. The opposition coalition Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) is leading the protest. The demonstration targets MRFNew Beginning leader Delyan Peevski and GERB leader Boyko Borissov. Parallel protests are being held in major Bulgarian cities and across European capitals with sizeable Bulgarian communities. Healthcare workers without medical degrees and student groups, who staged earlier demonstrations on Wednesday, have announced they will join the larger rally. A heavy police presence has been deployed, with officers conducting luggage checks as people approach the protest site. The protest movement initially erupted over the governments draft budget, which featured higher taxes, increased social security contributions and additional government borrowing. Demands have since expanded to include the governments full resignation. Sofia police reported extensive security measures, including 19 access control points and the deployment of around 150 stewards provided by organisers. Authorities also plan to use a mobile public-address system to guide crowds and remove provocateurs. After the December 1 mass rally, the government withdrew the controversial 2026 draft budget, though it had previously resisted doing so. Despite the climbdown, CC-DB has filed a motion of no confidence, scheduled for a vote on Thursday. The government maintains it will not step down. GERB leader Borissov said earlier on Wednesday that any discussion of resignation would only be possible after January 1, when Bulgaria joins the eurozone. Meanwhile, Peevskis MRFNew Beginning organised nationwide rallies in support of the government. AIB staff who work in the Republic of Ireland but live in Northern Ireland have been told their contract could be terminated if they work remotely. In an internal communication issued to the banks employees, staffers were advised that they must come into work five days a week from January. The correspondence said working from home is not permitted for Northern Irish residents and they will not cover travel costs for commuters. "Any failure to comply with these conditions will represent a serious breach of both this policy and the Code of Conduct, and will lead to referral under the Disciplinary Policy which may result in disciplinary sanctions up to and including the termination of your employment," the policy document states, according to RTE. The decision is centred upon tax obligations for AIB to comply with as part of recent amendments to the banks hybrid working policy. A spokesperson for AIB told the Belfast Telegraph: There is an onus on AIB to remain tax compliant. We have clear rules on the working location for employees of our Republic of Ireland business who live in Northern Ireland. Employees of our Republic of Ireland business who live in Northern Ireland must work in our Republic of Ireland locations. "In order to comply with our tax obligations under current tax laws we are not in a position to facilitate them in working from their home in Northern Ireland." AIB said the move stems from "tax obligations" News Catch Up - Wednesday 10 December It comes after Ireland-based staff were told they would have to work a minimum of three days in the office from the New Year. However, members of Irelands Financial Services Union voted overwhelmingly against the conditions and the issue was referred to the Workplace Relations Commission for conciliation. Hybrid working in Northern Ireland has also faced opposition after seeing a resurgence of staff being asked to return to the office. In September, a new policy from Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) required its 24,000 strong labour force to begin working on site more. Employees must now commit to spending at least 40% of their contractual working hours each week" on company grounds, which is a minimum of two days of a five-day working week. The move, that was fully enforced in October, saw backlash from trade unions who called the move disappointing. Deputy general secretary of NIPSA Maria Morgan said the union has "consistently opposed the introduction of a mandatory 40% office attendance requirement. "We maintain that the current hybrid arrangements are working well and meeting business needs while supporting staff flexibility, she said. An evidence session held by the Assemblys Committee for Finance discussed the new requirements in May. Sharon Smyth, deputy secretary for construction and procurement delivery in the Department of Finance, told committee members a direction on back-to-the-office was likely after a review of the hybrid-working policy. According to a survey conducted by recruitment agency Hays, almost half of professionals in the UK said they would consider stepping away from their current role if they forced to work in the office full-time. The research, based on answers from 8,000 respondents, found 77% of the workforce are currently working in a hybrid fashion. Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, and Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland Lidl Northern Ireland has unveiled plans to invest 31m in the Derry City and Strabane District over the next five years, proposing three new stores and more than 100 in-store jobs, along with over 500 construction roles. The retailer, which currently operates 44 stores across NI, intends to open new sites in the Waterside and Creggan areas of Derry, and a third in Castlederg. The announcement was made at a business breakfast in the Guildhall on Wednesday, attended by local councillors, MLAs and community representatives. Robert Ryan, CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, and Regional Managing Director Gordon Cruikshanks said that the investment can only proceed if planning approvals are secured. They highlighted lengthy delays in the planning system, pointing to Lidls proposed 8m store at Crescent Link Retail Park, which has been in process for more than six years, despite council approval and subsequent departmental review. Mr Cruikshanks added: Our ongoing pursuit of planning permission to build a new 8 million store at Crescent Link has been in the planning system for more than six years 355 weeks having been approved by Derry City and Strabane District Council but called in for review by the Department for Infrastructure in October 2021. This is particularly frustrating, given that our sole existing store in the city at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road records the highest footfall of our entire store estate in Northern Ireland pointing to exceptionally strong customer demand for our proposition in Derry-Londonderry. The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for further comment. Consumer research carried out for Lidl in November of this year found that 93% of 555 respondents, believed the city should have more than one Lidl store, and 95% said they would shop at a Lidl closer to home. The discount supermarket chains new announcement follows the release of its latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, which showed that Lidl reportedly spent 557m with Northern Ireland suppliers in the last financial year a 27m increase. Gordon Cruikshanks, Lidl Northern Ireland regional managing director Lidl Northern Ireland also reported a turnover of 523m, much of which the brand says has been reinvested in new and refurbished stores across the region. Marking its 25th anniversary last year, Lidl also said it contributed 360m to the local economy and supports almost 7,000 jobs. Foyle DUP MLA Gary Middleton said he shared Lidls frustration over the stalled Crescent Link proposal, arguing that Northern Irelands lengthy planning process is the single biggest turn-off for investors. Speaking to the BBCs 20 Minutes with Mark Patterson programme, he added: We really have to unlock the delay in the planning system, it is not serving anybody at this time. SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin said the situation highlighted the urgent need to unlock the delays in the planning system. When companies are ready to invest at this scale, the process must support, not hinder, progress, she told the same radio show. I will be working to ensure these projects move through planning at pace so families and workers can feel the benefits sooner. Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, and Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland News Catch Up - Wednesday 10 December Last week, planning approval was granted for a new Lidl store at Sprucefield, creating in the region of 30 jobs working in the store. The development of the new store is part of the companys wider 150m investment strategy to expand and modernise its network across Northern Ireland. As part of the development, Lidl Northern Ireland said more than 150 construction jobs will also be supported alongside an average 8m investment in the local area, they said. The site is in Sprucefield Park, located beside the M1 motorway near Lisburn City with access to the A1 commuter belt and towns including Hillsborough, Dromore and Moira. The beer mats being made available to licensed premises across Derry City & Strabane District. Around 15,000 beer mats featuring anti drink driving messages will be distributed across bars in Londonderry and Strabane as part of a new police initiative. It means people out enjoying a festive drink will likely set their pint on one of the mats, with police hoping the message will help encourage people to think before they get behind the wheel. The specially-designed mats feature the wording 'never ever drink and drive', and urge people to adhere to the polices Fatal Five, which include slowing down, not using phones while driving, wearing a seatbelt and not driving carelessly. PSNI Chief Inspector Cherith Craig said: "Drink driving is one of the Fatal Five - these are the main reasons people are dying on our roads. "We know, worryingly, people are still taking the risk of getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, which is really disturbing. He hopes the beer mats will work to deter people from drink driving. "The aim of this simple, practical initiative is to raise awareness of the risks of drink-driving and stop people from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol, Chief Inspector Craig added. "We hope when people are out socialising, whether they're at a bar or sitting having a meal at a restaurant, they take a moment to look at the beer mats and consider the consequences of drink-driving. They're more than just something to set your drink on - they're a reminder to make the right choice in how to get home and to never drink and drive. Sarah Simpson, owner of The Blackbird; Vanessa Russell, Derry & Strabane PCSP Manager; Chief Inspector Cherith Craig and Chris Sherrard, North West Road Safety Partnership. Keith Kerrigan, chair of Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership, said the organisation is proud to support the campaign. Our role is to work in partnership to make our communities safer, and these beer mats are a simple but effective way to keep road safety at the forefront of people's minds, he said. "We're urging everyone to plan ahead - whether that's arranging a designated driver, booking a taxi, or using public transport. A few moments of planning can save lives. Meanwhile, Kieran Kennedy, Chair of Strabane BID said: "The business community in Strabane is fully behind this campaign. "We want people to come into town, enjoy our hospitality venues, and have a great time - but we also want everyone to get home safely. "Local pubs and restaurants play a vital role in promoting responsible behaviour, and we're delighted to work with the PSNI and PCSP to ensure this message reaches people when they're making decisions about their journey home. "Our town centre should be a place where people can celebrate safely and responsibly." The festive beer mat initiative is also supported by The North West Road Safety Partnership, which aims to promote safer road practices, reduce the number of road traffic collisions in the region and provide education and awareness for all road users. Sandy Arthur, chair of the North West Road Safety Partnership added his support to the initiative. "The North West Road Safety Partnership welcomes this proactive approach to tackling drink-driving in our region. "Every year, particularly during the festive period, we see a tragic spike in road casualties linked to alcohol consumption. The beer mats being made available to licensed premises across Derry City & Strabane District. Watch: Flooding in Carrickfergus as Storm Bram hits NI "This beer mat campaign puts a crucial message directly in front of people at the point when they need to hear it most. We know that one drink-drive collision can devastate multiple families and entire communities. The estimated damage to 5G masts from January 2023 now sits in the region of 5m CCTV cameras have been installed on some 5G masts in west Belfast in an attempt to deter further attacks following several arson incidents linked to conspiracy theorists in recent months. Two CCTV units have been fitted to a 5G mast close to the Stewartstown Road, a structure that has been torched twice in two years. Owners of the mast are understood to have introduced the surveillance measures after repeated warnings from police about an organised campaign of sabotage. CCTV installed on a 5G mast close to the Stewartstown Road on December 10th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) The move comes just weeks after a 5G mast was torched on the outskirts of north Belfast. Emergency services were called to reports of a mast well alight on the Doagh Road in Newtownabbey on November 11th. Detective Sergeant Ash condemned the attack as extremely reckless, saying arsonists were putting both themselves and the public at risk. A major Sinn Fein survey in March this year, published by the Andersonstown News, confirmed the scale of signal problems being experienced by thousands of residents. West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said the findings drawn from more than 2,600 responses clearly illustrate the issues communities face with signal across west Belfast, and the need for action. The survey revealed that 87% of people rated their phone signal as poor or very poor, while only 3% described it as good or excellent. A staggering 83% of respondents reported frequent dropped calls. The worst-affected areas were Glen Road, Turf Lodge, and Andersonstown, which made up more than 55% of all submissions. West Belfast mobile users left dataless as 5G masts keep getting burned Mr Maskey said vandalism of masts in recent years had deeply affected healthcare access, work, education and personal safety, echoing police concerns that the arson campaign is putting lives at risk. He added that Sinn Fein is working with agencies on repairing damaged equipment and has raised the need for improved signal with mobile operators in London. The survey included harrowing accounts from residents whose health, safety, and livelihoods have been disrupted. One NHS cardiology worker said: Ive missed emergency updates and had to rely on text messages. Another respondent recovering from cardiac arrest said missed calls from specialists and GPs were putting my health at serious risk. Others described distressing personal experiences: an elderly resident who cant even ring my family, a youth worker whose high-risk clients lose trust when calls cut out, and a mother forced to sit in car parks for hours waiting for doctors calls after giving birth due to having no signal at home. Police say 24 incidents have been reported since 2023, with one in the past month. Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast (Kevin Scott) Detectives believe a small network of individuals, motivated by conspiracy theories about 5G technology, is coordinating online to damage infrastructure. In court hearings earlier this year, police detectives said the financial cost, previously estimated at 4m, is now thought to be much higher. Michael Clarke (45), of Monagh Road, was refused bail in connection with two attacks in June 2023. His brother Darren Clarke (44), of no fixed abode, remains in custody following a separate incident on the Whiterock Road in September. Emergency services deal with a 5G mast fire on the Whiterock Road in west Belfast on September 7th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Detectives alleged that footage retrieved from seized phones includes multiple videos of burning masts and evidence of planning. Police have repeatedly stressed that the campaign is having a severe social and economic impact. Disrupted phone signals have caused difficulties accessing healthcare, problems for businesses reliant on card payments, and challenges for those working from home. Concerns have also been raised about risks to life if emergency calls cannot be made. Telecoms companies are looking to expand the use of CCTV and other protective measures across high-risk sites that still lie damaged in the west Belfast area. Police have appealed for anyone with information about recent incidents to come forward. Larne Leisure Centre was closed for several months following the attack in June (Liam McBurney/PA) A man has been charged to court over an arson attack at a Co Antrim leisure centre during rioting in the summer. Race-related anti-immigration violence flared in Ballymena in June before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland in subsequent days. During the disorder, a leisure centre in Larne that had been temporarily used to house migrants whose homes had been targeted in Ballymena, was attacked. 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 The centre was extensively damaged in the arson attack and remained closed for several months. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had now charged a man with offences related to the incident. The 25-year-old is charged with arson, riotous behaviour and criminal damage. He has also been reported to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to endanger life. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court on December 18. Police said a 32-year-old man, who was also arrested and released on bail in June, has been reported to the PPS for conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to endanger life, riotous behaviour and assisting offenders. Police revealed last month they have made 100 arrests since the serious rioting erupted. The violence began in June after two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with the attempted rape of a young girl in Ballymena. Violence spread to several parts of Northern Ireland in June (Brian Lawless/PA) A peaceful protest in the Co Antrim town was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, described by police at the time as racist thuggery. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. The PPS revealed last month that the charges against the two boys were being withdrawn because of significant evidential developments in the case. PSNI slammed for refusing to meet west Belfast widower without armed back-up I explained my fathers street is full of retired, professional octogenarians and shed be under no threat at all. Dessie Carabine in his street in west Belfast. Steven Moore Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 09:26 The PSNI have insulted a grieving husband trying to get justice for his late wife by saying they could only speak to him at his west Belfast house if they brought tanks. Culinary adventure in the Greater Bay Area: An Italian Gen Z's first taste of Cantonese cuisine People's Daily Online) 14:33, December 10, 2025 Sofia Sebastianelli, a Gen Z traveler from Italy raised on traditional pizza and pasta, traveled to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) at the end of last July to explore a region equally committed to culinary excellence. Over the course of seven days, her journey from legendary delicacies to street food sparked a cross-cultural dialogue that reshaped her perception of what is "delicious." Her adventure included tasting the "stone fish," where she met a legendary chef famous for turning potential toxins into delicacies. She also visited a Chaoshan hot pot restaurant to witness the "six-hour rule" in action seeing beef meticulously sliced to perfection just hours after leaving the pasture. "Vibrant, dazzling, delicious, challenging, surprising" those are the words Sofia used to sum up her journey. "Here, I see more than just cooking; it's a form of cultural expression and emotional connection," she said. How amazing is GBA cuisine? Join Sofia as she explores the region's authentic flavors in this episode of "Touching the Greater Bay Area." (Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang) Independent councillor Paul McCusker in Belfast city centre where he heads up the Peoples Kitchen charity which is involved with homeless people around the city. Photo Stephen Hamilton The shocking death of a man known to homeless services in Belfast has prompted fresh calls for action amid warnings of the dangers facing those sleeping on the streets. Police confirmed that officers attended Custom House Square in the city on Wednesday morning following the sudden death of a man. A spokesperson said a post-mortem will take place in due course, but added that the death is not being treated as suspicious at this time. Paul McCusker, programme coordinator at the Peoples Kitchen, said this was the second death in months and called for urgent action to ensure adequate access to emergency accommodation in Belfast. The death came after Northern Ireland was hit by Storm Bram on Tuesday. The Met Office issued amber and yellow weather warnings for wind, with the amber alert lasting until 8pm. The yellow warning remained in place until 10pm. The Housing Executive (NIHE) said the severe weather emergency protocol was activated on Tuesday to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers. Independent councillor Paul McCusker in Belfast city centre where he heads up the Peoples Kitchen charity which is involved with homeless people around the city. Photo Stephen Hamilton Mr McCusker told this newspaper: "[The man] was well known to homeless services and all the services today are really devastated to hear the news of his death this morning. Any death is very difficult to come to terms with, but a death on the streets, particularly someone who has been left on their own on the streets, is really sad news. "Our thoughts are with his family and close friends, and everyone who knew him. I imagine its going to be a really tough few days for the people who knew him as they come to terms with everything. The independent councillor for Oldpark added that services are at breaking point after being under pressure in recent years. Every night, volunteers from the Peoples Kitchen go on to the streets of Belfast offering support to those sleeping rough. As well as providing supplies, they also direct people to support organisations. "We've lost count of how many people we've lost on our streets over the years and it's totally unacceptable in 2025 that this is still happening, Mr McCusker added. "We need an urgent response and urgent support from the NIHE and statutory agencies to deal with this. We're dealing with vulnerable people every day and night who are desperately asking for support Shelter for people sleeping rough is provided through a network of hostels and crash beds run by charities and the NIHE. These are operated mainly on a first-come, first-served basis and according to assessed need. Mr McCusker said it's become a daily challenge to try to increase bed spaces. The number of people presenting for beds at night outweighs what is available and its pushing people to the street, he said. "We're dealing with vulnerable people every day and night who are desperately asking for support. He said that, on an average night, there can be up to 50 referrals between 5pm and 9pm, but only 16 beds available. "We have to do more in terms of more provision, more support for people who have no alternative but to sleep on the streets. No one in 2025 should be on the streets. Mr McCusker said the current situation is beyond crisis, adding that the risk for people sleeping rough increases during the winter months. These people who we're working with are human beings and deserve to be treated with dignity and provided the support they desperately need. "Outreach teams every night are just struggling to keep people alive out on the streets that's how severe the problem has got. We need an urgent response and we need it now. Independent councillor Paul McCusker in Belfast city centre where he heads up the Peoples Kitchen charity which is involved with homeless people around the city. Photo Stephen Hamilton News Catch Up - Wednesday 10 December He added that the current system is not working and we now need an urgent review and response to prevent more deaths on our streets. "It sends a real fear among the homeless community that people are still dying. We have to do more to stop this happening. "There are people frightened currently on the streets of Belfast. They fear theyre not going to wake up the next morning. That is the sad reality." Jennifer Hawthorne, director of housing services at NIHE, said: We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of someone that we, along with other partner organisations, had been providing assistance to. We extend our most sincere condolences to their family and friends. Given conditions yesterday, a severe weather emergency protocol was in place. Overnight accommodation was available to anyone in Belfast who was experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping. A Bill to introduce stricter regulations of dog breeders is something people want to see action on, the Dail has been told. Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore, who proposed the draft law, said most people can understand the need and urgency for it. The Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025 was debated in the Dail on Wednesday, where TDs raised concerns about animal cruelty and how some dog breeders exploit families in the run up to Christmas. The government, which initially said it would delay the Bill by 12 months, by the end of the debate agreed to a nine-month delay, which was accepted by the Social Democrats. This is something that people want to see action on, and it doesnt matter what party they support, she said. The legislation, drafted in consultation with representatives of Dog Law Ireland, contains measures including a cap on the number of breeding females at 30 per site, a minimum age of 10 weeks for pup separation and the outlawing of surgical artificial insemination. For breeding dogs, it also introduces a 16-month minimum age for breeding and eight-year maximum ag, a maximum of one litter per year per breeding female, and a maximum of four litters per breeding female during her lifetime. Ms Whitmore has described Ireland as being the puppy farm capital of Europe, as 30,000 dogs are exported annually to illegal markets in the UK and Europe. She said the number of dogs taken into Irish pounds was because of weak regulation under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. It means females as young as four months can be bred, with no maximum age, and they can have up to six litters in their lifetimes, she said. During the Dail debate, TDs criticised that surgical artificial insemination remained legal under statute despite the Irish Veterinary Council banning it under its code of practice. TDs said that the current dog breeding system allowed cruelty behind closed doors and said the debate on introducing stricter rules should not be reduced to a city versus country culture war. Green Party leader Roderic OGorman criticised the governments move to delay the Bill, and said it should be passed within the lifetime of the government. Its always been my experience that the vast majority of Irish people, rural and urban alike, want a humane regulatory system in place that seeks to put the welfare of animals at its heart. But every time, when it comes to actually making even small changes, the political fight is entrenched, its vitriolic. Those proposing changes are attacked, and its escalated into some sort of perverse city-versus-country culture war and that is done as a very deliberate tactic. Independent TD Richard ODonoghue said that the majority of dog breeders are doing it right and said that resources for proper animal welfare enforcement had never been provided. TDs including Aontu TD Paul Lawless and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins raised the issue of sheep worrying by dogs during the debate. Mr Collins also warned of families being exploited by some dog breeders coming up to the Christmas period. Leading organisations across Ireland have issued strong warnings about buying dogs from breeders during the festival period, the ISPCA has highlighted that puppy farmers exploit the Christmas rush, producing litters in poor conditions without proper care, vaccinations or microchipping. Towards the end of the debate, Social Democrat TD Rory Hearne disclosed to the Dail that he is a cat owner, but said he believed other cat owners and his own cat approved of the legislation. I was sitting this morning with my cat listening to Deputy Whitmore on Morning Ireland, and the cat meowed at me, and I think she meowed in approval though Im not quite sure, he said. The PSNI investigation is being carried out in conjunction with the Garda in the Republic of Ireland (PA) Three people have been arrested in Northern Ireland as part of a cross-border police investigation into violent right-wing extremism. Two men were detained in Co Down and a woman was detained in Co Armagh. One of the men, aged 38, was arrested in Ballynahinch while the other man, aged 48, was arrested in Kilkeel. The 40-year-old woman was arrested in Lurgan. The arrests were made following previous searches carried out in Co Down. All three were detained under the Terrorism Act. They have been taken to the Police Service of Northern Irelands Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Street in Belfast. The PSNI investigation into right-wing extremism is being carried out in conjunction with the Garda in the Republic of Ireland. It is understood the arrests are not linked to recent threats made to elected representatives in Newry, Mourne and Down. Left to right, Volodymyr Zelensky, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz outside 10 Downing Street (Jonathan Brady/PA) Sir Keir Starmer and European allies have spoken to Donald Trump about Ukraine as intensive work continued on a peace plan. The Prime Minister, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke to Mr Trump, as the US relationship with Europe faces severe strain. Downing Street said all the leaders agreed it was a critical moment for the future of Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security. A Downing Street spokesman said: The leaders discussed the latest on the ongoing US-led peace talks, welcoming their efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, and to see an end to the killing. 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 Intensive work on the peace plan is continuing and will continue in the coming days. They agreed that this was a critical moment for Ukraine, its people, and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region. The three European leaders met Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday in Downing Street for talks on proposals to end the war amid concerns Washingtons initial plan drew heavily on Russian war aims. Mr Zelenskys team is due to hand its latest peace proposals to United States negotiators, while a meeting of the coalition of the willing the countries led by the UK and France prepared to support Ukraine and deter Russia if there is a ceasefire will take place on Thursday. Mr Trump has been critical of Ukraines European allies, denigrating them as weak leaders of decaying nations failing to produce anything as the war just keeps going on and on. The US national security strategy, published earlier this month, said the Trump Administration finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition. Mr Zelensky said Ukraine would hold talks with the US on plans for post-war reconstruction and economic development. Ukraine is also working on a 20-point document that could define the parameters for ending the war. Along with Thursdays coalition of the willing talks, Mr Zelensky said: This week may bring news for all of us and for bringing the bloodshed to an end. The daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado accepts the award on behalf of her mother during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony (Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB Scanpix via AP) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machados daughter has accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her mothers behalf, saying in a speech written by Ms Machado that her country shows the world we must be willing to fight for freedom. Ms Machado has been in hiding and has not been seen in public since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters at a protest in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the award ceremony that Maria Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today a journey in a situation of extreme danger. Although she will not be able to reach this ceremony and todays events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe, and that she will be with us here in Oslo, he said to applause. 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 Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prize in her place. She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose, she said. That is why we all know, and I know, that she will be back in Venezuela very soon. Ms Machado said in an audio recording of a phone call published on the Nobel website that many people had risked their lives for her to arrive in Oslo. I am very grateful to them, and this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people, she said before indicating she was about to board a plane. 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 Ms Machado said that since this is a prize for all Venezuelans, I believe that it will be received by them. And as soon as I arrive, I will be able to embrace all my family and my children that Ive have not seen for two years and so many Venezuelans, Norwegians that I know that share our struggle and our fight. Prominent Latin American figures attended the event in a signal of solidarity with Ms Machado, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa, Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. The 58-year-olds win for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in her South American nation was announced on October 10. Mr Watne Frydnes said that Venezuela has evolved into a brutal authoritarian state, and he described Ms Machado as one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in recent Latin American history. Ana Corina Sosa, the daughter of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, accepts the award on behalf of her mother (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix, Pool via AP) Ms Machado won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge President Nicolas Maduro in last years presidential election, but the government barred her from running for office. Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez took her place. The lead-up to the election on July 28 2024 saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. That increased after the countrys National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent the winner. Mr Gonzalez, who sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest, attended Wednesdays ceremony, which was overlooked by a large portrait of Ms Machado. UN human rights officials and many independent rights groups have expressed concerns about the situation in Venezuela, and called for Mr Maduro to be held accountable for the crackdown on dissent. Maria Corina Machado was unable to make the ceremony (AP) More than anything, what we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom, Ms Sosa said as she delivered the lecture written for the occasion by her mother. The speech did not refer to the current tensions between Washington and Caracas, as US President Donald Trump continues a military operation in the Caribbean that has killed Venezuelans in international waters and threatens to strike Venezuela. Ms Machado has consistently endorsed Mr Trumps strategy towards Venezuela. Among many heroes of this journey honoured in the lecture, Ms Sosa mentioned the leaders around the world who joined us and defended our cause, but did not elaborate. Mr Watne Frydnes said of authoritarian leaders such as Mr Maduro that your power is not permanent. Your violence will not prevail over people who rise and resist. Mr Maduro, accept the election result and step down, he added. Ukraine is expected to hand its latest peace proposals to United States negotiators later, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. It would come a day ahead of his urgent talks with leaders and officials from about 30 other countries supporting Kyivs effort to end the war with Russia on acceptable terms. An improvised memorial to fallen soldiers killed in the Russia-Ukraine war in Kyiv (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) As tension builds around US President Donald Trumps push for a settlement and his calls for an election in Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said his country would be ready for such a vote within three months if partners can guarantee safe balloting during wartime and if its electoral law can be altered. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to President Trump by phone on Wednesday, according to officials. Negotiations are at a critical moment, the European leaders said in official statements. Meanwhile, Mr Trump said Mr Zelensky has to be realistic about the war and that European leaders would like a meeting this coming weekend with both the US and Ukraine. Well make a determination depending on what they come back with, the president told reporters during a question-and-answer session at the White House. Washingtons goal of a swift compromise to stop the fighting that followed Russias all-out invasion in February 2022 is reducing Kyivs room for manoeuvre. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Mr Zelensky is walking a tightrope between defending Ukrainian interests and showing Mr Trump he is willing to make some compromises, even as Moscow shows no public sign of budging from its demands. Ukraines European allies are backing Mr Zelenskys efforts to ensure that any settlement is fair and deters future Russian attacks, as well as accommodating Europes defence interests. The French government said Ukraines allies dubbed the Coalition of the Willing will discuss the negotiations on Thursday via video. Mr Zelensky said it would include those countries leaders. We need to bring together 30 colleagues very quickly. And its not easy, but nevertheless we will do it, he said. Mr Merz said in Berlin that we are currently witnessing considerable diplomatic momentum in peace efforts. Mr Zelensky said discussions with the US were scheduled later Wednesday to focus on a document detailing plans for Ukraines post-war reconstruction and economic development. Also, Ukraine is finalising work on a separate, 20-point framework for ending the war. Mr Zelensky said Kyiv expects to submit that document to Washington in the near future. Mr Zelenskys openness to an election was a response to comments by Mr Trump in which he questioned Ukraines democracy and suggested the Ukrainian leader was using the war as an excuse not to stand before voters. Those comments echo similar remarks often made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mr Zelensky told reporters that he is ready for an election but would need help from the US and possibly Europe to ensure its security. He suggested that Ukraine could be ready to hold balloting in 60 to 90 days if that proviso is met. To hold elections, two issues must be addressed: primarily, security how to conduct them, how to do it under strikes, under missile attacks; and a question regarding our military how they would vote, Mr Zelensky said. And the second issue is the legislative framework required to ensure the legitimacy of elections. Volodymyr Zelensky met Italian premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Previously, Mr Zelensky had pointed out that a ballot cannot legally take place while martial law imposed due to Russias invasion nearly four years ago is in place. He has also asked how a vote could happen when civilian areas of Ukraine are being bombarded by Russia and almost 20% of the country is under Russian occupation. Mr Zelensky said he has asked politicians from his party in parliament to draw up legislative proposals that would allow elections while Ukraine is under martial law. Ukrainians have on the whole supported Mr Zelenskys arguments, and there has been no clamour in Ukraine for an election. Under the Ukrainian law that is in force, Mr Zelenskys rule is legitimate. Mr Putin has repeatedly complained that Mr Zelensky cannot legitimately negotiate a peace settlement because his five-year term in office that began in 2019 has expired. A new US national security strategy released last Friday made it clear that Mr Trump wants to improve Americas relationship with Moscow and re-establish strategic stability with Russia. The document also portrays European allies as weak. 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 Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday praised Mr Trumps role in the Ukraine peace effort, saying in a speech at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russias parliament, that Moscow appreciates his commitment to dialogue. Mr Lavrov said Mr Trump is the only western leader who shows an understanding of the reasons that made war in Ukraine inevitable. Mr Trumps peace efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv. The initial US peace proposal was heavily slanted towards Russias demands. To counter that, Mr Zelensky has turned to his European supporters. In recent days, Mr Zelensky met the leaders of Britain, Germany and France in London, and the heads of Nato and the European Union in Brussels, before travelling on to Rome for talks with the Italian prime minister and Pope Leo XIV. 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 Europes support is uneven, however, and that has meant a drop-off in military aid since the Trump administration this year cut off supplies to Kyiv unless they were paid for by other Nato countries. Foreign military help for Ukraine fell sharply over the summer, and that trend continued through September and October, a German body that tracks international help for Ukraine said on Wednesday. Average annual aid, mostly provided by the US and Europe, was around 41.6 billion euros between 20222024. But so far this year Ukraine has received just 32.5 billion euros, the Kiel Institute said. It said that if this slower pace continues in the remaining months (of the year), 2025 will become the year with the lowest level of new aid allocations since the war began. This year, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have substantially increased their help for Ukraine, while Germany nearly tripled its average monthly allocations and France and the UK both more than doubled their contributions, according to the Kiel Institute. On the other hand, it said, Spain recorded no new military aid for Kyiv in 2025 while Italy reduced its low contributions by 15% compared with 20222024. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. This years grantee selections were shaped by what we heard directly from young people in Bennington, through both surveys and conversations. Our review committee is made up of area residents who work closely with youth in the region, said Jennifer Barrett, director of grants at the Vermont Community Foundation. Eagle Archives, Jan. 29, 1977: Ida Hall, proprietor of the New England Food Store in East Otis, raised the price of her coffee for the first time in 40 years, from 10 to 15 cents a cup, due to rising costs from international coffee markets. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home LEE With construction of the upland disposal facility intended to hold PCB-contaminated sediments due to begin in 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric Co. are hoping that open communication will ease residents' apprehension. To that end, representatives from both groups staffed an open house last week at Lee Middle and High School aimed at informing the public of the steps being taken to erect the 13-acre landfill. Site clearing for the project began early last month, with the entire cleanup currently projected to last until 2038. Residents and members of Lees PCB Advisory Committee arrived Dec. 3 to learn more about the process of constructing the landfill, stopping by a series of stations that covered everything from dredging and water treatments to truck routes and construction timelines. Representatives at the event said they hoped attendees would leave the open house with a greater understanding of the landfill, a controversial project that residents of Lee and neighboring communities often call by a less flattering name: the dump. I find it helpful because it allows people to spend as much time as they like with subject matter experts, said Bill Callen, a community involvement representative for General Electric. He added that the open house format allowed for residents to ask questions without the need to stand up in front of a crowd, a process that some might find intimidating. And if residents still have lingering questions after the event? Theyre being encouraged to submit questions directly to EPA through the organizations dedicated online portal or to reach out directly to a representative. Were making a commitment to respond in three business days, Callen said. Jo Anne Kittrell, a spokeswoman for the EPA, emphasized that residents can reach out at any time for more information outside of in-person events. You dont have to wait, she said. The move toward increased transparency comes as General Electric continues the long-term project of addressing the PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, it disposed of in the Housatonic River for years during manufacturing. PCBs are considered a probable cause of cancer in humans. Site clearing for the project began in early November, a process expected to wrap up in January. The construction plan for the landfill itself is expected to be released in February. Once completed, the landfill will have the capacity to hold 1.3 million cubic yards of sediments. It will also have a final design elevation of 1,099 feet above sea level, about 44 feet higher than the existing highest point on the land set aside for the project. Mike Lucia, a Lenox resident, came to the open house to learn more about how cleaning out PCB contaminants from the Housatonic River and its floodplains would impact Woods Pond. He was disappointed that representatives couldnt tell him how many years the materials designed to create a barrier between the landfill and the surrounding soil would last in the environment before potentially disintegrating. They didnt have the number, which I thought was surprising, he said. This is a very expensive project. Matt Calacone, a project manager for General Electric, said that performance standards only call for two liners to be installed to separate the contaminated sediments from ground soil. However, General Electric will be using five protective layers. Were electing to double it at our own cost, he said, adding that public scrutiny of the project has led General Electric to approach its construction with extra caution. Samples of the different types of lining that will be used for the project were available for residents to examine. There were also examples of the equipment currently being used to monitor air quality and noise levels as the site clearing continues, data that is available on the official Housatonic River cleanup website. Peter Bluhm, a member of the PCB Advisory Committee, said he learned new facts about the process of constructing the landfill, which he hadnt known before, including how weather events may impact river dredging. Im glad they did it, he said. I appreciate the effort that went into preparing an informational session for the town of Lee. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Jeff Robbins, a part-time resident of Stockbridge, is a former U.S. delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council and a former assistant U.S. attorney and chief counsel for the Democrats on the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Reach him at Jeffrey.Robbins@saul.com. When life feels overwhelming or you land in a crisis, do you find it hard to pray? Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in those moments through wordless groans. That comforts me when my brain stalls. But I also appreciate the prayers recorded in Scripture. They help me articulate what my anxiety makes hard to express. Here are some biblical prayers that strengthen my soul when life feels shaky and uncertain. 1. When You Feel Trapped with No Escape In 2 Kings 19, King Hezekiah, who reigned over Judah during the time of the prophet Isaiah, faced a terrifying threat from the Assyrians fierce army known for its cruel brutality. Terrified, he quickly sought the Lord. Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. It is true, Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God (2 Kings 19:15-19). Notice his example. He acknowledged Gods power and sovereignty. This brought comforting perspective. Yes, Assyria possessed a vicious, 185,000-plus man force (Isaiah 37:36), but the so-called gods they relied upon were merely inanimate, man-made objects. Meanwhile, Hezekiah and his people belonged to the Lord Almighty, Yahweh tsaba in the original Hebrew the God of Heavens Armies. Unlike the lifeless idols of their enemies, Judahs God and protector held limitless power and reigned supreme over all. With his fearful heart now anchored in truth, the king asked the Lord to rescue them, for their sakes and His glory. God heard their prayer and rescued Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from King Sennacherib of Assyria and from all the others who threatened them. So there was peace throughout the land (2 Chronicles 32:22). This provides an easy and effective example for us to follow when we feel threatened: Begin with praise. This re-centers our souls on Christs power, presence and provision. Acknowledge the threat. Doing so honors our emotions and increases our faith once we experience the Lords protection and defense. Recognize and trust in Gods power. The Almighty remains greater than anything that comes against us (Romans 8:31; Jeremiah 32:7). 2. When You Cant See the Path Ahead Prior to taking the throne, David, ancient Israels second king, spent over a decade as a fugitive, in fear of his life. Relentlessly pursued from every side, he needed Gods guidance to stay alive. He prayed: I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, Lord; I say, You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living (Psalm 142). At this point in his story, David was hiding in a dark, damp cave. He felt exhausted and abandoned. He honestly expressed his emotions, including the catastrophic thinking (v. 4) that often comes during times of pain and crisis. Though he still had supporters, his hardship made him feel utterly alone. Have you been there so flooded with anxiety that you cant think straight? When David reached this place, he turned to the One Whos never distressed, panicked, or surprised. Regardless of how limited his perspective, David trusted that God knew and saw all and would lovingly lead him to safety. In Isaiah 30:21, the Lord made us the same promise, stating: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it. When we feel lost and paralyzed with uncertainty, we can follow Davids example and pray, Father, I feel vulnerable and inundated with racing thoughts. Please comfort and guide me in my overwhelm. Lead me to safety by Your perfect wisdom and love. When our thoughts become jumbled and the path ahead unclear, Davids heartfelt pleas encourage us to: Approach God with bold honesty. He invites us to express our feelings and concerns unfiltered. Naming our emotions helps reduce their intensity and our sense of isolation. Seek His guidance with a heart determined to follow however He leads. We dont need to rely on our limited wisdom and faulty perceptions. We have constant access to the Holy Spirit, residing within, who teaches, comforts, and strengthens us and reminds us of the truths we already know. Find refuge in Christ (Ps. 142:5), assured that He faithfully watches over and cares for His own. 3. When Our Burden Feels Too Heavy to Bear In Exodus we meet Moses, a prince turned fugitive whom God called to liberate His people from 400 years of slavery and oppression by the most powerful nation at the time. Initially reluctant, he eventually obeyed. This was far from an easy assignment. The people, whod experienced a lifetime of trauma that severely challenged their ability to remain calm in times of stress, grumbled, complained and repeatedly accused the Lord, their rescuer, of harm. At one point, the entire camp wailed all night! in distress. Exasperated, Moses cried out: Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? I cant carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery! (Numbers 11:11-15). In response, God told him to choose 70 wise and respected elders to help them lead the people. I used to find this confusing. Why did God become angry with the ancient Israelites complaints and supportive with Moses? Now, however, I see an important difference between Moses and the people. Whereas they grumbled to one another, essentially exacerbating each others fears, Moses brought his worries to God. God can handle our intensity, confusion, and raw emotions. He already knows our thoughts and welcomes our honesty. He invites us close, comforts us in our overwhelm, and speaks truth to our fears. Mosess anguished cry invites us to: Seek Gods presence when we feel weak and panicked. When we want to go numb, hide, or react in anger, grace gently calls us to the One who knows us completely, loves us fiercely, and meets us right where we hurt. Honor our capacity. Our culture, which idolizes independence and external success, teaches us to deny our limits. But Scripture teaches that our weakness, when acknowledged and yielded to Christ, leads to supernatural strength (2 Cor. 12:9). Permit ourselves to voice our inner struggle. God wont punish our honesty or react to our cries with frustration. He meets us in our pain and responds with the compassion of a protective Father attending to His beloved child. 4. When Fear Overpowers Our Faith Imagine watching someone you care deeply for disconnect from reality and engage in self-destructive behavior. Maybe they become suicidal, destitute from addiction, refuse necessary mental health treatment, or remain chained to an abusive relationship. Perhaps thats your experience now. Youve prayed for your loved one for so long, doubt invades your soul. If so, youll resonate with the father in Mark 9. According to Scripture, a demon possessed his child, robbed him of speech, seized and threw him to the ground, and often tried to kill him (Mark 9:17-22). The father initially sought help from the disciples, but they failed. By the time Jesus arrives, the man seemed more discouraged than ever. Do you sense the hesitation in his words: But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us (Mark 9:22b). This occurred well into Christs ministry, and therefore this man must have heard about all the miracles the Lord performed. He was known for casting out demons, healing lepers, and brought sight to the blind and speech to the mute. But in his anguish, panic took hold fear that likely intensified when Christ said: If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23). He responded with a guttural cry and desperate plea: I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief! (v. 24). Jesus granted the mans request by healing his son. This account encourages us to: Come to Jesus in our weakness and with our doubts. While we dont know how much disappointment he carried into this situation, the Bible reveals his soul-crushing letdown, experienced mere moments before the Lords arrival. He couldve walked away, defeated. Instead, despite his faltering faith, he turned to the Lord. Persevere in our request. According to Scripture, the boy had suffered from childhood. The father had probably begged God for help for years. He couldve deemed the situation hopeless and found ways to numb his pain. Instead, he refused to give up. His love for the boy drove him to Jesus, who accepted the mans timid faith and restored his son. Ask for increased faith. Unfortunately, doubts plague us all. None of us possess unshakable faith, nor can we create this ourselves. Belief comes from the Holy Spirit. He alone ignites our passion, reveals Gods heart, and steadies our souls in His promises. Our requests for increased faith dont frustrate Him; they please Him and move Him to action. When fear spikes and words fail, biblical prayers offer language for our overwhelm. Their raw vulnerability encourages us to bring our whole selves to the God who accepts us as we are, meets us with compassion, and always leads us toward His best. Photo credit: Getty Images/Jacob Wackerhausen Jennifer Slattery is a writer and speaker who co-hosts the Faith Over Fear podcast and, along with a team of 6, the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. Shes addressed womens groups, Bible studies, and taught at writers conferences across the nation. Shes the author of Building a Family and numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog at JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLou d.com . Shes passionate about helping people experience Christs freedom in all areas of their lives. Visit her online to learn more about her speaking or to book her for your next womens event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletter HERE and make sure to connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and GodTube. Scientists at Bose Institute create glowing protein to monitor gene editing December 10, 2025 | Wednesday | News GloCas9is highly stable and maintains its structure and activity even at higher temperatures compared to conventional enzymes image credit- shutterstock Scientists at the Bose Institute in Kolkata have created a CRISPR protein that can help scientists observe molecular scissors called the Cas9 enzyme as it enables them to edit the genome using the CRISPR Cas9system for the treatment of genetic diseases, including cancer. CRISPR-Cas9 was designed to cut and correct DNA with precision. Scientists have not been able to observe Cas9 in real time in living cells, however. Traditional detection methods rely on connecting or breaking open cells, making this process impossible to track. In the new study, the researchers have combined Cas9 with a split nano-luciferase enzyme derived from a deep-sea shrimp protein to create a bio-luminous version of Cas9 called GloCas9, which glows inside cells. By combining gene editing with light emission, GlockaS9 is leading the way in the emerging field of theratracking, a unique example of looking at molecular gene therapy in a moving state. This invention brings us closer to a future where scientists will not only be able to fine-tune genes but also witness the process of treatment firsthand. 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 The father of Madeleine McCann has said parts of the UK media made him feel like he was being suffocated and buried after the disappearance of his daughter, as he called for greater scrutiny of the press. Gerry McCann said his family were subjected to monstering by sections of the press and are lucky to have survived. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the headlines, hounding and abuse at the hands of the media can damage peoples lives. He said the press interest into Madeleines disappearance in 2007 took a huge toll on his family, adding: And obviously we had sustained interest and misleading headlines for 15 months or more that forced us, forced us to take legal action to stop it. But no one, no one wants to go to court. Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three from Praia da Luz in Portugals Algarve in 2007. Photo: PA. He added: We had tremendous support. But I can promise you, there were times where I felt like I was drowning, and it was the media, primarily. Advertisement It was what was happening and the way things were being portrayed, where you were being suffocated and buried, and it felt like there wasnt a way out. Mr McCann said the press repeatedly interfered with the investigation into Madeleines disappearance. He said that for months afterwards, his family had journalists coming to his house and photographers literally ramming their cameras against our car window, which would terrify the couples two-year-old twins. Published material which should have been confidential, should be passed on to the police, witness statements, many other things that have gone out, he added. So if you were the perpetrator, you knew a lot more than you should have done and as a victim, as a parent, its absolutely dismaying. Mr McCann said that more than a year on from Labour coming into power, press regulation is no longer a priority. He hopes for a resumption of the cancelled second phase of the Lord Leveson Inquiry, which would have looked into unlawful action taken by the media as well as relationships between journalists and politicians and the police. Gerry McCann to @Keir_Starmer "We understand that you recently had time to meet News Corp chairman Lachlan Murdoch. We hope you will now meet with some of the British citizens whose lives have been upended by the illegal practices and abuses associated with his company. It's pic.twitter.com/D7xwdtkErN Hacked Off (@hackinginquiry) December 10, 2025 The McCanns are among more than 30 people who have signed a letter being sent to Sir Keir Starmer, in which they are calling on him to reverse the decision not to hold the second phase of the inquiry. Mr McCann said he is extremely disappointed that Labour politicians had not committed to implementing some of the recommendations made in the first part of the Leveson Inquiry, which they had committed to in the run-up to the election. Advertisement He said: Were over a year into the government, and there havent been any changes. Its not acceptable to me now, more than a year on, that Leveson and press regulation is no longer a priority. Madeleine McCanns disappearance at the age of three from Praia da Luz in Portugals Algarve when her family was on holiday in 2007 remains unsolved. Entertainment Hug me tight Sharon Osbourne shares Ozzys final words to her Read more Mr McCann said: Madeleines been missing for 18 years, and the bottom line is, we still dont know whats happened to her. He said that there is no evidence, adding: I dont even mean convincing evidence there is no evidence to say shes dead. Now we fully understand she may be dead, it may even be probable, but we dont know that. A Dublin man who threatened his former partner has been jailed for one year. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the man called his ex-partner and made the threat to kill her several hours after being told a serious allegation had been made about him. Defence counsel Colm Hennessy BL said his client was very upset about the nature of the allegation, which he told the court was of a sexual nature towards a child. Paul Carroll SC, prosecuting, told the court that a disclosure had been made, but that case was later withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a clarification. The 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to sending a message of a menacing character by telephone in November 2022. Evidence was heard that the man was arrested in early November 2022 on foot of outstanding warrants, and at this point, he became aware of the allegation. Advertisement He was brought to the Criminal Courts of Justice and was granted bail. Several hours after he became aware of the allegation, the man made the call threatening his former partner. The woman told gardai that the man said he was going to kill you, and your junkie boyfriend and slice your face. He used his brother's girlfriend's phone and made the call as he was leaving the courts building. His phone had been seized by gardai, the court was told. The call lasted one minute and six seconds. The woman felt scared for herself and her family. She and the couple's child also went to stay with relatives. The man initially denied making the call. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she is constantly afraid and suffers with anxiety. She said she still believes every word the man said. She said she has not had a new relationship since breaking up with the man and does not intend to, as she remains frightened for my life. The man has nine previous convictions, including drugs offences, assault causing harm, and obstruction. He has not come to garda attention since this incident, has had no contact with the woman and complied with all bail conditions. The man is working full-time and in a new relationship. Mr Hennessy submitted to the court that his client was under considerable stress at the time he made the threat and the red mist descended. He said his client accepts responsibility for his wrongdoing and asked the court to consider dealing with the case in a non-custodial manner. Advertisement Imposing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Martin Nolan noted there were difficulties between the parties arising from the allegation. He said the court took into account to some degree the context of the offending, along with the mitigation and the man's circumstances. You cannot be threatening people that you are going to kill them or cause them serious harm, Judge Nolan said, before handing the man a one-year sentence. The judge directed the man should be given credit for any time served on this matter. The Government has been urged to restrict toxic social media algorithms over potential harms being done to children. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the European Commission was already investigating social media algorithms and Ireland would run a large pilot of a digital wallet next year that would be used to verify users ages. The issue was raised by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who quoted a High Court judge who likened children using the internet unhindered to them playing with matches. Ms Cairns acknowledged that regulating sites online was a hugely complex issue that governments around the world were grappling with, referencing Australia launching a social media ban for children aged under 16 this week. She said she had issues with such a ban, including the fact that current age restrictions online are not enforced. Advertisement Delaying access to social media sites does nothing about the recommender algorithms that are feeding children toxic content, she said. She quoted from studies that found social media platforms show young teenagers content about self-harm and suicide, and bombarded teenage boys with misogynistic content. Ms Cairns said: Social media platforms now routinely show graphic, violent or racist videos to people who are not looking for that content. This isnt just having a hugely damaging impact on children; it is massively corrosive for society. It is spreading misinformation and hate through communities like wildfire. She asked if the Government would regulate algorithms that direct harmful and extremist content to people. We will be examining all aspects of this, including the impacts and the use of algorithms to direct people to certain areas and that clearly is an issue Taoiseach Micheal Martin Mr Martin said there needed to be co-ordinated, robust and rights respecting responses to social media, and that the response should span education, parental supports and age-verification controls. He said a culture of strong self-esteem and self-respect should be created through the education system so that children can withstand, be resilient in the face of whatever comes at you in life. Were also developing a secure, privacy-focused approach to age verification and were working to include age verification functionality in Irelands digital wallet under the EU project. Thats about giving parents and young people robust, government-backed mechanism to protect privacy, and a large-scale pilot is planned for early next year. He said they had also reduced phone distractions in classrooms and that 462 schools had drawn down six million euro worth of funding with the aim of reducing phone use in classrooms through purchasing material such as phone pouches. He said the US believes the EU is over-regulating the digital space, to which Mr Martin said I dont think we are. He added: We will be examining all aspects of this, including the impacts and the use of algorithms to direct people to certain areas and that clearly is an issue. The European Commission has launched investigations into these powerful algorithm influences, and especially young users online, so the European Commission is already working on that aspect. A jury has viewed CCTV footage of the moment a father of four fatally stabbed a man outside his home in what he later told gardai was an act in defence of his family and his property. The trial also heard on Wednesday that the accused man, Patrick Murphy, seemed "slightly nervous" when gardai knocked on his door within hours of the death of 20-year-old Jordan Ronan and "muttered" under his breath, saying: "This is a load of bol****s." Mr Murphy (37), of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, has accepted that he stabbed Mr Ronan, causing his death, but has pleaded not guilty to his murder. Patricia McLaughlin SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that Mr Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest in the early hours of the morning on July 26th, 2024. Advertisement In her opening speech last week, Ms McLaughlin said Mr Murphy later told gardai that he was acting in defence of his family and his property. On Wednesday, Gda Dara Kelly told Ms McLaughlin that he compiled CCTV footage taken from three houses on Drumcairn Avenue and a Ring doorbell attached to Mr Murphy's house. Gda Kelly identified the accused and deceased in the footage between 3.07am and shortly before 3.13am. Gda Kelly agreed with Ronan Kennedy SC, for the defence, that prior to arriving at Mr Murphy's house, Mr Ronan could be seen walking up a driveway where he tried the door of a car before leaving. On arrival at Mr Murphy's house, Mr Ronan entered the driveway, activating "convenience lights" in Mr Murphy's van, the witness said. Gda Kelly agreed that from 3.08am, the footage showed a light flickering and movement inside Mr Murphy's van before Mr Ronan moved to a BMW 2-Series belonging to Mr Murphy's partner. At 3.12am, Gda Kelly said Mr Murphy appeared at the front door of his house and nine seconds later - the "altercation" with Mr Ronan already having happened - Mr Murphy could be seen standing back away from the car. Under reexamination, Gda Kelly told Ms McLaughlin that the footage shows Mr Murphy running from his house to the BMW and pulling open the door. Gda James Cullen told Ms McLaughlin that he arrived at the Drumcairn area at 2.58am that morning and found members of Dublin Fire Brigade attempting CPR on a male, who the garda recognised immediately as Jordan Ronan. Advertisement A fire brigade member handed Gda Cullen a Revolut Card registered to Patrick Murphy, which had been found on the deceased. Gda Cullen said he was not aware of any association between Mr Murphy and Mr Ronan. Later that morning, Gda Cullen went to Mr Murphy's house on Drumcairn Parade and asked him to make a statement about the theft of his Revolut card. While taking the statement, Gda Cullen heard Mr Murphy "mutter under his breath", saying: "This is a load of boll***s." Gda Cullen said the accused's leg was shaking and he seemed "slightly nervous". Mr Murphy told Gda Cullen that he was going for a job interview that morning and said it was "ridiculous" that he was still up and that it felt like he had done something wrong. Gda Cullen agreed with Mr Kennedy that Mr Murphy was polite and courteous at all times. Inspector Barry Houlihan arrived at Mr Murphy's house before Gda Cullen. He noted a white Transit Van in the drive and found the slide door on the side was unlocked. When Insp Houlihan knocked on the front door, Mr Murphy's partner answered and said that Mr Murphy was in bed. Ireland Man (24) who sexually assaulted friends underage sister over an 18-month period is jailed Read more When Mr Murphy came outside, he confirmed he had left his Revolut card in the Transit van and agreed to allow gardai to carry out a technical examination. Det Inspector Houlihan noted that Mr Murphy appeared nervous and didn't seem like someone who had just woken up. His hair was neatly combed with a fresh parting, he said, and he was "fresh looking and fresh smelling". Insp Houlihan agreed with Mr Kennedy that Mr Murphy had four children, including an infant in the house at the time. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury of five women and seven men. A man has been jailed for eight years for his role in an aggravated burglary during which a woman was attacked with a wrench in the bedroom of her home. William Doyle (24) of Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary on November 20th, 2021. His co-accused, who was responsible for the attack on the woman and a second attack on her husband, has previously been jailed for 12 years. It was accepted in court that while Doyle was in the house during the burglary, he did not expect that his accomplice would attack the homeowners in the manner he did. He was 19 years old at the time of the burglary and had initially denied the offences and elected for trial. He then fled to the UK and was arrested and extradited back to Ireland in July this year. Advertisement Garda Stephen Daly told Simon Matthews BL, prosecuting, that the woman woke to an intruder in her bedroom just before midnight that night. There was a baby in a cot beside her bed. She initially thought it was someone else who lived in the house coming into her room, but the man shouted, get the f**king keys, give me the keys of the car before he launched an attack on her, hitting her about the head and face with a wrench. She later required stitches to a cut around her left eye and to the back of her head. The burglar also attacked her husband that night, who had been in the sitting room watching television. He was struck on the head with the wrench about seven times, and again the keys were demanded from him. It was the man who heard Doyle also in the house. He said this other burglar said, come on, lets go, before both men left the house. The man later told gardai that it was the most terrifying incident he had ever experienced, and he thought he was going to die that night. Gda Daly said neighbours witnessed the men leaving the house and were able to provide gardai with details of the vehicle they drove off in. That was later tracked down to Tyrconnell Road, Dublin 8 and followed, but the burglars escaped before the gardai could catch them. The van was abandoned, and gardai recovered a blood-covered wrench from the vehicle. Advertisement Doyle was ultimately nominated as a suspect. Gardai also later secured CCTV footage of Doyle and his accomplice buying gloves, two hammers, a scissors and the wrench. Doyle was arrested in April 2021. He was interviewed, and later a trial date was fixed, but he failed to show up to court. He has 20 previous convictions, 11 from Ireland and the rest from the UK. He has convictions for road traffic offences and attempted fraud. A victim impact statement from the man said he considers himself lucky because he could be dead. I got smashed into the head so many times, he said, describing blood getting into his eyes and being unable to defend himself. He was left with cuts on his head and face. His wife said she suffers flashbacks and gets afraid that someone will come through her bedroom door. I can still feel the fear of him hitting me in bed, she said before she added that they were left shocked, powerless and very vulnerable. Gda Daly agreed with Pieter Le Vert BL, defending that Doyle called the co-accused a scumbag when gardai reminded him what had happened during the raid. Mr Le Vert said Doyle fled the country because he was just terrified of what could happen to him. Ireland Man who had brain bleed days after hospital discharge settles High Court case for 1 million Read more He said he became drug-free in the UK and got engaged. Doyle offered his heartfelt apologies, and Mr Le Vert said he is appalled having any role in this whatsoever. Judge Martin Nolan said the couple were savagely attacked by the other man and noted the graphic photograph of the womans injuries. I dont think he (Doyle) expected him to attack in a savage way, but he must take responsibility as he was there, Judge Nolan continued before he added that Doyle deserves a serious term of imprisonment. He said the couples peace of mind has been greatly impacted before he imposed a nine-year sentence. He suspended the final year of that term. A man who was arrested in connection with cattle stolen in Co Cork has been charged. 18 cattle were stolen from the Lakelands area of Skibbereen, Co. Cork, overnight on November 18th. The 18 cattle were found on Monday by gardai and the Department of Agriculture following a search operation in the Ballydehob area of West Cork. A male in his 30s was arrested and conveyed to a Garda Station in Co. Cork. He has since been charged and will appear before Macroom District Court on Wednesday morning. Gardai say investigations are ongoing. A Dublin man had a history of non-compliance with taking his medication and told gardai he had killed his girlfriend, referring to "the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer," a Central Criminal Court jury has heard. Brendan Grehan SC said a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the State will say that although the accused was suffering from a mental disorder, its severity was such "to entitle a jury to consider a verdict of diminished responsibility" but not "a full finding of insanity". Austin Mangan (53), with a previous address at Hollybank Road in Drumcondra but more recently of the Beaumont area of Dublin, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Maud Coffey (41) at the Horizon Building in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15, on January 13th, 2023. Advertisement Opening the prosecutions case on Wednesday, Mr Grehan told the 12 jurors that this trial will be slightly different to what they might expect in terms of a murder case and that the issues are "much more net and focused". Counsel told the panel that gardai had received a report on the morning of January 13th, 2023, that a male was on a bus within the Royal Canal Park complex and was behaving in an aggressive and unpleasant way. The prosecution barrister went on to tell the court that gardai responded quickly to the scene and found the accused Mr Mangan on the upper deck of the parked bus. "They fairly immediately had concerns about his mental health and safety because of the way he was behaving; it was aggressive and somewhat irrational". There will be evidence, Mr Grehan said, that Garda John McGowan had used powers under section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2021 to detain Mr Mangan for his own safety and the safety of others. The accused was then conveyed to Finglas Garda Station. When Gda McGowan was dealing with the accused, the lawyer said Mr Mangan was talking to him and that some of what he was saying did not make a lot of sense. "One of the things he did say was that he killed his girlfriend or killed Maud and had referred to the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer," said Mr Grehan. In these circumstances, the barrister said, gardai had legitimate concerns that somebody else might have suffered injuries at the hands of Mr Mangan and began investigating where that might be. Advertisement Other gardai had been contacted by Mr Mangan's sister, Suzanne Mangan, who said the accused had telephoned her that morning and told her he had killed his girlfriend Maud. "Acting in a responsible manner she [Suzanne Mangan] immediately rang gardai," he said. Mr Grehan said Garda Joseph Green went to an apartment in the Horizon Building and found the door unlocked. When the garda entered, he found the body of a woman, later identified as Ms Coffey, with obvious fatal injuries. The barrister further stated that a pathologist had carried out an examination on Ms Coffey and concluded she had died from asphyxia. "A flex from a cleaner of some kind had been put around her neck and she also had sharp force trauma knife injuries to the neck and other trauma to the head and neck. She died as a result of all these various injuries she suffered," said Mr Grehan. Evidence will be that Mr Mangan had seen a number of doctors in the garda station and was ultimately released from the provisions of section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2021. Mr Grehan said the accused was then immediately arrested by Garda Mark Reilly at 4.51pm that afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Ms Coffey. Mr Grehan said the accused had admitted killing Ms Coffey in his garda interviews. In the fifth interview, he said, the accused had provided a very descriptive and detailed account of how he had done that. The barrister said the investigation subsequently discovered that the accused had been diagnosed with a variety of different mental health problems from a young age. "At one stage, a doctor suggested bipolar, later schizoaffective disorder and paranoia". Advertisement There will be evidence, Mr Grehan said, that the accused had undergone various therapies and medication. He said Mr Mangan was on various medications but had a history of non-compliance with taking his medications. In the context of his own mental health problems, Mr Grehan said the accused had met Ms Coffey a number of years prior to this. He said Ms Coffey had previously worked in childcare but had developed significant mental health issues of her own. "In the time just before her death she had spent two weeks in a specialist wing of Connolly Memorial Hospital and discharged herself two days before her death on January 11th, 2023". It won't be an issue at all, but that Mr Mangan had caused the death of Ms Coffey, he continued. Mr Grehan said the accused's mental health will be in focus in the trial. He said the jury would hear from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney, whose opinion is that Mr Mangan satisfies the criteria to qualify "for consideration of not guilty by reason of insanity". Counsel said the Director of Public Prosecutions had arranged for consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Richard Church to prepare a report on behalf of the prosecution. Mr Grehan said Dr Church agreed that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder at the time he killed Ms Coffey but in terms of the severity of that disorder, his view is it is such "to entitle a jury to consider a verdict of diminished responsibility; it is not a full finding of insanity". Advertisement Ireland Man (24) jailed for eight years for aggravated burglary in which woman suffered wrench attack Read more In summary, counsel said both doctors agreed the accused had a mental disorder but there was "some dispute" between them as to the severity of the disorder. "Effectively that will be the net issue you'll be asked to consider in the case," he added. Patrick Gageby SC, defending, made formal admissions to the court today on behalf of his client, including that Mr Mangan admits killing Ms Coffey. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of seven men and five women. The media minister has said he is annoyed that the EU cannot agree on how to take action on children accessing inappropriate material online. Patrick ODonovan said allowing young children on social media is the public health issue of our generation, and that governments have a duty of care to protect children. He compared allowing children uncontrolled access to the internet to giving them a gin and tonic at a bar or handing them a box of cigarettes and matches. The Government is planning the rollout of a digital wallet which would include age-verification controls. Mr ODonovan said the wallet would be available as an app and allow the government to send alerts and information out. He said a large pilot would commence early next year, involving around 2,000 people aged over and under 18. Advertisement The development of the digital wallet is being led by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, while Mr ODonovans department is working with the office on providing an age verification tool as part of the wallet. Mr ODonovan said they would be able to restrict in legislation the level of information being transferred from the digital wallet to social media platforms. Ireland is moving ahead with its own plans as the EU has not reached a consensus on the issue. You wouldnt allow a child into a bar to sit up at the counter and drink gin and tonic, Mr ODonovan said at Government Buildings in Dublin on Wednesday. Were allowing children access, in an uncontrolled manner, to some of the most heinous material online. We will be examining all aspects of this, including the impacts and the use of algorithms to direct people to certain areas and that clearly is an issue Taoiseach Micheal Martin As a parent and as a teacher, but more importantly, in this role as minister with responsibility for it, it disappoints me that were in a situation where we have to act on our own over the last number of years, that we havent got to consensus in Europe with regard to how we move forward on this. I hope to use, as the chair of the European Council of communications ministers next year, the opportunity to push this really to the fore and the theme of our department will be protecting the child online. He said he was annoyed that the European Union had not yet acted on this issue, and said the failure of its institutions to act as one voice is to our collective shame. Advertisement He added: From a public health point of view, and I think this is the public health policy issue of our generation, and no more than the smoking ban was back in the late 90s or early 00s, this is akin to that. Mr ODonovan was asked about concerns that children could get around age-related restrictions, to which he replied, we have to try. He said: And if at first we dont succeed, were going to try it again. He added: Were not talking about removing children from technology and sending them on a one-way ticket back into the Stone Age, and what we are doing is talking about protecting their innocence. He was also asked about whether Ireland would follow Australias lead at some point and implement a social media ban for children aged under 16. Theres no point in me coming out here and saying were going to close the internet or do something cracked, because well wind up inside court and its not going to get anywhere. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns spoke to the media about the issue (PA) Earlier, the Government was urged by the opposition to restrict toxic social media algorithms over potential harms being done to children. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the European Commission was already investigating social media algorithms and outlined measures taken by government to protect children online. The issue was raised by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, who quoted a High Court judge who likened children using the internet unhindered to them playing with matches. Advertisement Ms Cairns acknowledged that regulating sites online was a hugely complex issue that governments around the world were grappling with, referencing Australias social media ban for children. She said she had issues with such a ban, including the fact that current age restrictions online are not enforced. Delaying access to social media sites does nothing about the recommender algorithms that are feeding children toxic content, she said. She quoted from studies that found social media platforms show young teenagers content about self-harm and suicide, and bombarded teenage boys with misogynistic content. Ms Cairns said: Social media platforms now routinely show graphic, violent or racist videos to people who are not looking for that content. This isnt just having a hugely damaging impact on children; it is massively corrosive for society. It is spreading misinformation and hate through communities like wildfire. She asked if the Government would regulate algorithms that direct harmful and extremist content to people. Mr Martin said there needed to be coordinated, robust and rights-respecting responses to social media, and that the response should span education, parental supports and age-verification controls. He said a culture of strong self-esteem and self-respect should be created through the education system so that children can withstand, be resilient in the face of whatever comes at you in life. Were also developing a secure, privacy-focused approach to age verification and were working to include age verification functionality in Irelands digital wallet under the EU project, he said. Thats about giving parents and young people a robust, government-backed mechanism to protect privacy, and a large-scale pilot is planned for early next year. Advertisement He said they had also reduced phone distractions in classrooms and that 462 schools had drawn down 6 million worth of funding with the aim of reducing phone use in classrooms through purchasing material such as phone pouches. He acknowledged that the US believes the EU is over-regulating the digital space, but said I dont think we are. He added: We will be examining all aspects of this, including the impacts and the use of algorithms to direct people to certain areas and that clearly is an issue. The European Commission has launched investigations into these powerful algorithm influences, and especially young users online, so the European Commission is already working on that aspect. A Spanish judge has decided there is enough evidence to charge Gerry The Monk Hutch - and asked public prosecutors if they want to formally accuse him of money laundering. Well-placed sources said last month, after it emerged the alleged crime boss planned to run as a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, that the long-running criminal probe he has been the focus of following his arrest in Lanzarote in October 2024 was nearing its end. The 62-year-old spent nearly a fortnight on remand in prison on the holiday island, along with another suspect who was among nine people held as part of a money laundering investigation. Today, the Canary Islands High Court confirmed public prosecutors had been asked by the investigating judge heading the case whether they intended to indict Hutch. Advertisement Officials said in a statement: The Investigating Court Two of Arrecife, Lanzarote, has converted the preliminary proceedings initiated against an Irish citizen investigated as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang for alleged money laundering into summary proceedings. The suspect was held in preventive detention between 25 October and 4 November and is currently on provisional release on bail. A total of 10 people are under investigation in the case. The proceedings have been referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office for it to report on whether or not to proceed to trial and, if so, to issue a provisional indictment. The identities of the persons under investigation are protected by the Organic Law on Data Protection. In response to questions from Irish and British journalists in recent weeks, the criminal proceedings are in no way affected by the fact that the main suspect has announced or confirmed that he is standing for election in his country. Preliminary proceedings become summary proceedings when the magistrate or investigating judge, after examining all the evidence deemed relevant, considers that there is reasonable evidence of criminality to bring criminal proceedings against the persons under investigation. In cases where the sentence that could be requested in abstract terms is less than nine years' imprisonment, summary proceedings are chosen. If the request could exceed this, a preliminary investigation would be initiated. By court order, the ruling is not being made public. Any trial, if it ends up going ahead, would be unlikely to take place before the by-election, Hutchs second attempt to take a seat in the Dail following his previous bid last year, when he used his political aspirations to secure bail after a month in Lanzarotes tough Tahiche Prison. Advertisement But the timing of the end of the long-running investigation at a court in the Lanzarote capital Arrecife, could mean that when it comes round to poll day, public prosecutors will have already released their indictment calling for prison time for Hutch on conviction if he is ordered to stand trial. A secrecy order, preventing the Irishmans defence team from accessing full case files and public officials from making any detailed comment about the money laundering and criminal gang allegations he was facing, was in place for several months at the start of the court investigation. The Canary Islands High Court confirmed last month: The investigation led by Arrecifes Court of Instruction is still in its preliminary phase, in which the investigating magistrate is still probing whether crimes have been committed and if so who should answer for those offences. But the secrecy order that was in place has now been lifted. A well-placed insider who has been involved in the case said at the time: The investigation is nearing its end. Hutch could find out in a matter of weeks if there is a criminal case with formal charges laid. Another source added: A trial if charges are forthcoming wont happen any time soon, but if as expected, the judge rules in the run-up to Christmas or early in the New Year, public prosecutors will react very soon afterwards. If the judge recommends charges and trial, Hutch could well be going into the Dublin by-election with the real threat of prison hanging over his head. Advertisement Hutch, beaten in last Novembers General Election, Labours Marie Sherlock in the race for the four-seater Dublin Central constituency after she received a few thousand transfers from both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in the last two counts to keep him out, has yet to make any official comment about his new Dail bid. But his associates have reactivated once-dormant Instagram and TikTok accounts used during his previous campaign. One of the main arguments accepted by public prosecutors and the investigating judge probing Hutch over alleged money laundering offences, who let him out of prison following his October 23 2024, arrest and incarceration and attached no travel ban to his release, was that it would harm his election chances. Hutch had to pay a 100,000 bail bond before he was allowed out of jail on November 4 last year. The Irishman was one of nine people accused of belonging to a 'criminal money-laundering gang' arrested during raids by police in Lanzarote and mainland Spain. One of the properties searched was Hutchs 450,000 penthouse in the popular Costa del Sol holiday resort of Fuengirola, where the Irishman was spotted the same day he was released after flying to Malaga from his Canaries home. A judge remanded Gerry and an alleged right-hand man to prison following behind-closed-doors court appearances, but released the other seven suspects on bail. In a statement the day of Hutchs release, court officials said: The Irish citizen remanded in custody in Lanzarote on October 25th as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang has been provisionally released on bail of EUROS 100,000 this morning, November 4th, after Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife upheld his appeal against the imprisonment order. The investigating magistrate took this decision after receiving a report from the Public Prosecutor's Office, which was favourable to the appeal. Advertisement The Irish citizen is being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence committed in the context of a criminal organisation. The Lanzarote court ruling follows claims from Garda sources earlier this week that they expected the case against Gerry Hutch to be dropped very soon. A well-placed source in Lanzarote said today: The investigating judges decision shows quite the opposite. The ball is now in the court of Spanish public prosecutors, and they will have to say whether they intend indicting Hutch. But the fact they are being asked and the judge clearly considers there is enough evidence to bring criminal proceedings against the people who have been investigated demonstrates things haven't gone cold or even lukewarm." A woman who made a false allegation that she had been sexually assaulted by a prison officer escorting her on a hospital visit has been jailed for 21 months. Nicole Chambers (29) alleged the prison officer had assaulted her in a hospital cubicle. CCTV from the hospital showed the male prison officer had never entered Chambers cubicle and remained outside as is protocol. His female colleague on the escort and medical staff also verified that he had been outside the cubicle the entire time. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Chambers has a complex psychiatric background and is currently in a wheelchair due to a functional neurological disorder. There is no service or facility in Ireland which can address her complex needs. Her defence counsel told the court there are no suitable services available in Ireland to assist her. Advertisement Chambers of Snee, Carragh, Coolaney, Sligo, pleaded guilty to making a false criminal complaint on August 15th, 2020. She has 34 previous convictions and previously served a one-and-a-half-year sentence for making false reports imposed in 2021. After hearing evidence in the case last month, Judge Martin Nolan had adjourned the case overnight to consider his sentence. He said these were serious allegations which had a profound effect on the victim, and had there not been a camera, he may have ended up on trial. He noted she had a background of making false allegations and had served a custodial sentence, but it appeared the punitive nature of that had not addressed her issues. When the case was called later that week, counsel for Chambers told the court she was not present and asked the court to adjourn the case to the following Monday. A bench warrant was later issued after Chambers failed to appear on that date. That warrant was executed on Wednesday before Judge Nolan. Judge Nolan said that Chambers allegation was malicious and self-serving. It was a terrible allegation to make. I hope she is sorry for what she did, he said. He accepted that she had a complicated history and certainly has a lot of challenges. She has endured a lot of trauma and distress, he said. But I have no doubt that she knows the difference between right and wrong and knew the allegation should cause him difficulty. Thankfully, the footage proved that he had done no wrong, Judge Nolan continued, before he jailed Chambers for 21 months. Advertisement Jennifer Jackson BL, defending, handed in reports and letters for the Judge to consider, which were not read in open court. She outlined Chambers has mental health issues, including an unstable personality disorder, and has self-harmed and self-mutilated. She has a functional neurological disorder and is currently in a wheelchair, as she has an inability to walk due to this disorder. Ms Jackson said it appeared that there was no service or facility in Ireland which was able to address Chambers' complex needs at present. She has had multiple psychiatric admissions. She said Chambers is currently living in Sligo under the care of a multidisciplinary team and appears to be doing well. She has a support worker and is attending therapy. Counsel said Chambers has written a letter of apology and greatly regrets her actions. Ireland Court interpreter in overturned female genital mutilation case worked on 240 other cases, RTE finds Read more If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. Alternatively, the contact information for a range of mental health supports is available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support. In the case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 999/112. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machados daughter has accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her mothers behalf, saying in a speech written by Ms Machado that her country shows the world we must be willing to fight for freedom. Ms Machado has been in hiding and has not been seen in public since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters at a protest in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the award ceremony that Maria Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here today a journey in a situation of extreme danger. Although she will not be able to reach this ceremony and todays events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe, and that she will be with us here in Oslo, he said to applause. WATCH LIVE: The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony from Oslo. Where are you watching from? Production: NRK (Norsk Rikskringkasting AS)https://t.co/TjKYQm2Zne The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) December 10, 2025 Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa, accepted the prize in her place. She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose, she said. That is why we all know, and I know, that she will be back in Venezuela very soon. Advertisement Ms Machado said in an audio recording of a phone call published on the Nobel website that many people had risked their lives for her to arrive in Oslo. I am very grateful to them, and this is a measure of what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people, she said before indicating she was about to board a plane. "Freedom is not something we wait for, but something we become. It is a deliberate, personal choice, and the sum of those choices forms the civic ethos that must be renewed every day." Maria Corina Machado's words were delivered today in Oslo by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa pic.twitter.com/xmEMDbWiqO The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) December 10, 2025 Ms Machado said that since this is a prize for all Venezuelans, I believe that it will be received by them. And as soon as I arrive, I will be able to embrace all my family and my children that Ive have not seen for two years and so many Venezuelans, Norwegians that I know that share our struggle and our fight. Prominent Latin American figures attended the event in a signal of solidarity with Ms Machado, including Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa, Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. The 58-year-olds win for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in her South American nation was announced on October 10. Mr Watne Frydnes said that Venezuela has evolved into a brutal authoritarian state, and he described Ms Machado as one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in recent Latin American history. Ana Corina Sosa, the daughter of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, accepts the award on behalf of her mother (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix, Pool via AP) Ms Machado won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge President Nicolas Maduro in last years presidential election, but the government barred her from running for office. Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez took her place. The lead-up to the election on July 28 2024 saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. That increased after the countrys National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent the winner. Advertisement Mr Gonzalez, who sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest, attended Wednesdays ceremony, which was overlooked by a large portrait of Ms Machado. UN human rights officials and many independent rights groups have expressed concerns about the situation in Venezuela, and called for Mr Maduro to be held accountable for the crackdown on dissent. Maria Corina Machado was unable to make the ceremony (AP) More than anything, what we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom, Ms Sosa said as she delivered the lecture written for the occasion by her mother. The speech did not refer to the current tensions between Washington and Caracas, as US President Donald Trump continues a military operation in the Caribbean that has killed Venezuelans in international waters and threatens to strike Venezuela. Ms Machado has consistently endorsed Mr Trumps strategy towards Venezuela. Among many heroes of this journey honoured in the lecture, Ms Sosa mentioned the leaders around the world who joined us and defended our cause, but did not elaborate. Mr Watne Frydnes said of authoritarian leaders such as Mr Maduro that your power is not permanent. Your violence will not prevail over people who rise and resist. Mr Maduro, accept the election result and step down, he added. Lithuania on Tuesday declared a state of emergency and asked parliament to authorise military support for police and border guards after a wave of smuggler balloons from Belarus repeatedly disrupted air traffic in recent months. Vilnius airport has been closed several times due to the weather balloons, which Lithuania says are sent by smugglers transporting cigarettes and constitute a "hybrid attack" by Belarus, a close ally of Russia. "The state of emergency is announced not only due to civil aviation disruptions but also due to interests of national security," Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic told a government meeting broadcast live on Tuesday. Belarus has denied responsibility for the balloons and accused Lithuania of provocations, including sending a drone to drop "extremist material", which Lithuania denies. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Lithuania was exaggerating incidents with smuggler balloons and that Minsk did not want a war with its neighbours. Advertisement "What the Lithuanians are saying today is impossible and unrealistic," Lukashenko said in a speech broadcast by state-run news agency Belta. "The issue is being exaggerated and politicised," he said. Extended army powers The Lithuanian government asked parliament to grant the military powers to act in concert with police, border guards and security forces during the state of emergency, as well as on its own, Kondratovic said. If parliament agrees, the army will be given permission to limit access to a territory, to stop and search vehicles, to perform checks on people, their documents and their belongings, and to detain those resisting or suspected of crimes. The military would be permitted to use force for these functions, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said. The emergency measures will last until the government calls them off. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on December 1 that the situation at the border was worsening, and called the balloon incursions a "hybrid attack" by Belarus that was "completely unacceptable". Lithuania also imposed a state of emergency in 2021 in the Belarus border region over what it said was a campaign by Minsk to send migrants across the border illegally. The following year Vilnius announced a state of emergency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, over fears that Lithuania could also become a target. Several parents welcomed the return of their children who were abducted last month when gunmen stormed their school in Nigeria. The abductions, which saw more than 300 students and staff taken from St Marys Catholic school in Papiri on November 21, was the latest in a string of mass abductions that have rocked Nigeria in the past decade. Days earlier, 25 students were also abducted in nearby Kebbi state. People react after seeing recently freed students of St Marys Catholic School in Papiri, Nigeria (Afolabi Sotunde/AP) Luka Illaya, one of the parents, told The Associated Press late on Tuesday: It has not been easy for me. But today, in fact, I have a little bit of joy, especially because there is still one abducted. But I am now happy with this one that I have gotten. Advertisement One of his sons was released, while another remains with the abductors. His son, who hugged him tightly, is one of the 100 students released over the weekend. The fate of 150 children and staff still in captivity is unknown (Afolabi Sotunde/AP) The government did not release any details about the released Papiri students and the fate of at least 150 other children and staff who remain in captivity. Fifty of the students escaped in the hours following the abductions. Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang, the principal of the school, said: We thank all the security agencies that helped in the rescue of our children. We are pleading that God should give them more strength to be able to rescue the remaining children. Fifty of the students escaped in the hours following the abductions (Afolabi Sotunde/AP) No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions. Analysts say school children are a target for armed groups seeking a high ransom from the government and communities. Such abductions have often commanded national and international attention, with the pope last month calling for the release of the Papiri students in a Sunday address from the Vatican. Since 2014, when Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from Chibok, there have been at least a dozen mass school abductions with at least 1,799 students kidnapped, according to an AP tally. Freed students of St Marys Catholic School are reunited with their parents (Afolabi Sotunde/AP) Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on X earlier this week called on security agencies and governors to do more to protect children from falling into the hands of abductors, saying students should no longer be sitting ducks. Renewed border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs of abating, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people in both countries living in strained conditions as more flooded into temporary shelters. Associated Press reporters on the Thai side of the border heard sounds of outgoing, indirect fire on Wednesday. About 400,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Thailand and around 700 schools closed while fighting was ongoing in four border provinces, Thai military spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri said on Wednesday. A wounded Thai soldier is carried to be transferred to a hospital, in Surin province, Thailand (Sakchai Lalit/AP) Cambodia evacuated more than 127,000 villagers and hundreds of schools closed, the defence ministry said. Thailands military announced that casualties this week include five soldiers killed and dozens wounded. Advertisement Cambodia said seven civilians died and 20 others were wounded, though it did not update those figures on Wednesday. There is not yet a clear path to peace as Thailands Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed to continue to fight and Cambodias powerful senate President Hun Sen promised a fierce response. A knock-on effect of the fighting and bad blood between the nations was Cambodias withdrawal of its entire team from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, which began on Tuesday in Thailand. A Wednesday announcement from the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia said it regretted the action but the families of competitors were concerned about their safety. Thai residents who fled following clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers head to a shelter in Surin province, Thailand (Wason Wanichakorn/AP) The new, widespread fighting followed a skirmish Sunday that wounded two Thai soldiers and derailed a ceasefire pushed by US President Donald Trump that ended armed combat in July. The five days of fighting over territorial disputes left dozens dead on both sides and forced the evacuation of thousands of civilians. The ceasefire was brokered by Malaysia and pushed through by pressure from Mr Trump, who threatened to withhold trade privileges from the two nations unless they agreed. Late on Tuesday at a Pennsylvania political event, Mr Trump said he would use his sway to end the renewed combat. Tomorrow Ill have to make a phone call, Mr Trump said. Who else could say, Im going to make a phone call and stop a war between two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia? A wounded Thai soldier is carried to be transferred to a hospital in Surin province, Thailand (Sakchai Lalit/AP) US secretary of state Marco Rubio earlier called on the two sides to live up to the commitments made at an October meeting in Malaysia that reaffirmed the July ceasefire and called for removing heavy weapons from the border, co-ordinating removal of land mines and other steps. Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Wednesday that had not yet been any contact with the US on the matter. Advertisement He added that Thailand will not likely accept if another third party proposes to mediate since the line has been crossed. The ceasefire was fragile from the start as both nations carried on a bitter propaganda war and minor incidents of cross-border violence continued. Thailand deployed jet fighters to carry out airstrikes on what it says are military targets, while Cambodias most fearsome weapons are BM-21 rocket launchers with a range of roughly 30-40 kilometres (19-25 miles). They are capable of firing salvos of 40 rockets at a time and mounted on trucks, making them less vulnerable to attack. A Thai army statement said Cambodia on Tuesday launched approximately 125 salvos from BM-21 launchers totalling about 5,000 rockets and that some had hit civilian areas, though no casualties were reported. Some UK women who were treated in Danish Fertility clinics have been affected by a European sperm donor with a rare cancer-causing mutation. The Irish Times reports that the sperm donor has a genetic mutation which increases the risk of cancer by up to 90 per cent, and has fathered at least 197 children across Europe. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the UK's independent regulator of fertility treatment, confirmed that the Danish Patient Safety Authority informed it of a small number of UK women having been treated in Danish Fertility clinics with this sperm donor. The BBC reported that the man was paid to donate sperm as a student and that his sperm was used for about 17 years. According to RTE, the sperm was sold to Ireland but no children in Ireland were born from it. Advertisement The man, who has not been named, passed donor screening tests. Chief Executive of the HFEA, Peter Thompson, said: We can confirm that the Danish Patient Safety Authority has informed us that a very small number of UK women have been treated in Danish Fertility clinics with this sperm donor. "We understand that they have been told about the donor by the Danish clinic at which they were treated. "As the UK regulator, we only collect or hold information about treatment which takes place in the UK. As the treatment took place at Danish clinics, further enquiries should be directed to the competent authority in Denmark. The BBC reported that 20 per cent of the man's sperm carry a genetic mutation of the TP53 gene. According to The Irish Times, the TP53 gene protects from cancer by controlling the growth of cells. People with a change in the TP53 gene have Li-Fraumeni syndrome. And people with this syndrome have up to 90 per cent increased risk of developing cancer before they turn 60. This includes breast cancer; brain tumours; osteosarcoma; soft tissue sarcomas and childhood cancers. Ukraine is expected to hand its latest peace proposals to United States negotiators later, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said. It would come a day ahead of his urgent talks with leaders and officials from about 30 other countries supporting Kyivs effort to end the war with Russia on acceptable terms. An improvised memorial to fallen soldiers killed in the Russia-Ukraine war in Kyiv (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) As tension builds around US President Donald Trumps push for a settlement and his calls for an election in Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said his country would be ready for such a vote within three months if partners can guarantee safe balloting during wartime and if its electoral law can be altered. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to President Trump by phone on Wednesday, according to officials. Advertisement Negotiations are at a critical moment, the European leaders said in official statements. Meanwhile, Mr Trump said Mr Zelensky has to be realistic about the war and that European leaders would like a meeting this coming weekend with both the US and Ukraine. Well make a determination depending on what they come back with, the president told reporters during a question-and-answer session at the White House. Washingtons goal of a swift compromise to stop the fighting that followed Russias all-out invasion in February 2022 is reducing Kyivs room for manoeuvre. We continue to communicate with all our partners on a daily basis, virtually 24/7, to identify doable and realistic steps to bring the war to an end. Everything must be reliable and dignified for Ukraine. Todays schedule includes a conversation with the U.S. side regarding a Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 10, 2025 Mr Zelensky is walking a tightrope between defending Ukrainian interests and showing Mr Trump he is willing to make some compromises, even as Moscow shows no public sign of budging from its demands. Ukraines European allies are backing Mr Zelenskys efforts to ensure that any settlement is fair and deters future Russian attacks, as well as accommodating Europes defence interests. The French government said Ukraines allies dubbed the Coalition of the Willing will discuss the negotiations on Thursday via video. Mr Zelensky said it would include those countries leaders. We need to bring together 30 colleagues very quickly. And its not easy, but nevertheless we will do it, he said. Mr Merz said in Berlin that we are currently witnessing considerable diplomatic momentum in peace efforts. Mr Zelensky said discussions with the US were scheduled later Wednesday to focus on a document detailing plans for Ukraines post-war reconstruction and economic development. To hold elections, two issues must be addressed: primarily, security - how to conduct them, how to do it under strikes, under missile attacks President Volodymyr Zelensky Also, Ukraine is finalising work on a separate, 20-point framework for ending the war. Mr Zelensky said Kyiv expects to submit that document to Washington in the near future. Mr Zelenskys openness to an election was a response to comments by Mr Trump in which he questioned Ukraines democracy and suggested the Ukrainian leader was using the war as an excuse not to stand before voters. Those comments echo similar remarks often made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Mr Zelensky told reporters that he is ready for an election but would need help from the US and possibly Europe to ensure its security. He suggested that Ukraine could be ready to hold balloting in 60 to 90 days if that proviso is met. To hold elections, two issues must be addressed: primarily, security how to conduct them, how to do it under strikes, under missile attacks; and a question regarding our military how they would vote, Mr Zelensky said. And the second issue is the legislative framework required to ensure the legitimacy of elections. Volodymyr Zelensky met Italian premier Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday (Gregorio Borgia/AP) Previously, Mr Zelensky had pointed out that a ballot cannot legally take place while martial law imposed due to Russias invasion nearly four years ago is in place. He has also asked how a vote could happen when civilian areas of Ukraine are being bombarded by Russia and almost 20% of the country is under Russian occupation. Mr Zelensky said he has asked politicians from his party in parliament to draw up legislative proposals that would allow elections while Ukraine is under martial law. Ukrainians have on the whole supported Mr Zelenskys arguments, and there has been no clamour in Ukraine for an election. Under the Ukrainian law that is in force, Mr Zelenskys rule is legitimate. Advertisement Mr Putin has repeatedly complained that Mr Zelensky cannot legitimately negotiate a peace settlement because his five-year term in office that began in 2019 has expired. A new US national security strategy released last Friday made it clear that Mr Trump wants to improve Americas relationship with Moscow and re-establish strategic stability with Russia. The document also portrays European allies as weak. Ukraine deeply appreciates all the support of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex and the Holy See the ongoing humanitarian assistance and the readiness to expand humanitarian missions. During todays audience with His Holiness, I thanked him for his constant prayers for pic.twitter.com/J2iPAdArQn Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 9, 2025 Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday praised Mr Trumps role in the Ukraine peace effort, saying in a speech at the Federation Council, the upper house of Russias parliament, that Moscow appreciates his commitment to dialogue. Mr Lavrov said Mr Trump is the only western leader who shows an understanding of the reasons that made war in Ukraine inevitable. Mr Trumps peace efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv. The initial US peace proposal was heavily slanted towards Russias demands. To counter that, Mr Zelensky has turned to his European supporters. In recent days, Mr Zelensky met the leaders of Britain, Germany and France in London, and the heads of Nato and the European Union in Brussels, before travelling on to Rome for talks with the Italian prime minister and Pope Leo XIV. Over these days and weeks, we have been maintaining virtually round-the-clock communication with our partners. I am grateful for this level of attention and full engagement. Today in London, together with Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer, we held a joint call with partners. There was Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) December 8, 2025 Europes support is uneven, however, and that has meant a drop-off in military aid since the Trump administration this year cut off supplies to Kyiv unless they were paid for by other Nato countries. Foreign military help for Ukraine fell sharply over the summer, and that trend continued through September and October, a German body that tracks international help for Ukraine said on Wednesday. Advertisement Average annual aid, mostly provided by the US and Europe, was around 41.6 billion euros between 20222024. But so far this year Ukraine has received just 32.5 billion euros, the Kiel Institute said. It said that if this slower pace continues in the remaining months (of the year), 2025 will become the year with the lowest level of new aid allocations since the war began. This year, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have substantially increased their help for Ukraine, while Germany nearly tripled its average monthly allocations and France and the UK both more than doubled their contributions, according to the Kiel Institute. On the other hand, it said, Spain recorded no new military aid for Kyiv in 2025 while Italy reduced its low contributions by 15% compared with 20222024. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Lindian Resources Limited has taken full control of its Kangankunde rare earths project in the African nation of Malawi after making an early payment of the final US$10 million (A$15M) tranche to acquire the remaining 33 per cent interest in the project from Malawian vendor Rift Valley Resource Developments Limited (RVRD). The transaction now takes the company to 100% ownership of the project, well ahead of the original July 2026 final payment deadline. Removing the last external interest in the project has also simplified governance as Lindian accelerates toward first production. Lindian Resources modern project camp is currently under construction at its giant Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi The project acquisition, which was originally struck in August 2022, is now complete and brings the total cash consideration for Kangankunde to US$30 million (A$45M), paid in four tranches. The latest payment was originally contingent on Lindian beginning commercial production, with the company holding the right, but not the obligation, to bring it forward. The decision to do so would therefore seem to highlight the companys financial strength and confidence in the imminent development timeline. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Strickland boosts Serbian play with maiden 1.2Moz Gradina gold resource Brought to you by Bulls N Bears December 10, 2025 4:08pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Strickland Metals has added another serious string to its bow in Serbia, unveiling an impressive maiden gold resource of 1.2 million ounces at the companys Gradina deposit. The new resource weighs in at a hefty 12 million tonnes grading 3 grams per tonne (g/t), which hikes the companys aggregate resource inventory across its Rogozna gold and base metals project by 16 per cent to a chunky 8.6 million ounces of gold equivalent. Strickland Metals drilling crew with managing director Paul LHerpiniere (Middle) and non-executive chairman Anthony McClure (Right) at the companys Gradina gold deposit in Serbia. The company says the new ounces not only boost the overall project scale but also materially upgrade the quality of the entire inventory, with its 3g/t average gold grade really jumping off the page. At an overall discovery cost of only US$10 (A$15) per ounce, Gradinas impressive maiden resource represents a solid return on exploration investment. Advertisement Delivering a maiden Resource of 1.2Moz Au for the Gradina Depositis an outstanding result. Strickland Metals managing director Paul LHerpiniere Strickland Metals managing director Paul LHerpiniere said: Delivering a maiden Resource of 1.2Moz Au for the Gradina Deposit, with an average grade of 3.0g/t Au, is an outstanding result which reinforces the quality and scale of the Rogozna project. Recent drilling at Gradina has delivered some exceptional intercepts of high-grade, gold-dominant mineralisation across the length of the deposit, underpinning a substantial maiden MRE at a discovery cost of just $US10/oz. With its impressive 3100 ounces of gold per vertical metre, the deposit is perfectly oriented for long-hole open stoping. This low-cost mining method typically involves drilling long holes upwards into the orebody from lower mine levels, blasting the rock in stages and allowing the broken ore to fall to lower levels, effectively using gravity to drop the mined ore to a single collection point. The resource has already been optimised employing an underground mining model that assumes a US$2500 (A$3775) per ounce gold price at a 1.5g/t gold cut-off grade, which yields ample profit margin, especially in light of the current booming gold price of more than US$4200 (A$6300) per ounce. Advertisement Potential access for mining from adits horizontal drives to intersect ore zones at various depths, entered from the eastern side of a hill flanking the project could also simplify the long-hole open stope approach and direct ore haulage away from the mine. Mineralisation at this stage remains open in all directions. Strickland says several new areas will be the focus of exploration drilling in the new year, including an untested or only thinly tested 10m to 23m-wide gap zone between the two major resource blocks. Other areas considered for additional work include extensions to both the north and south from known mineralisation and also at depth, where mineralisation remains open below the limits of current drilling for about 800m along strike. Drilling is ongoing at Rogozna, with two rigs already boring the tantalising gap zone and three more exploring further afield within the project area. Next steps for the company include a resource update for the companys flagship Shanac deposit, slated for delivery early in the new year. Advertisement Strickland remains well-funded to continue its exploration and resource development drilling and further evaluations into the new year, with combined cash and liquid assets at the end of September sitting at a very handy $41.8 million. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears True North sharpens copper exploration strategy in Queensland Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Andrew Todd December 10, 2025 4:08pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A True North Copper has identified a bevy of big iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) targets across its Chumvale province in northwest Queensland, bolstering its long-term discovery plan in one of Australias most copper-fertile regions. The company say the 50-square-kilometre project is now a standout part of its Discover pillar within its broader DEVELOP, GROW, DISCOVER strategy to chase significant standalone copper discoveries in Cloncurry as it develops into a producing Australian copper play nearby. Historic workings and small open pits at True North Coppers Marimo project within its expanded Chumvale exploration region, near Cloncurry in Queensland. The consolidated Chumvale region now includes the Rocklands and Orphan Shear corridors, six kilometres west of True Norths Great Australia mine. The company says the ground shows compelling copper indicators from coincident magnetic and electromagnetic geophysics, along with copper whiffs at surface and hints of IOCG mineralisation. In short, the signatures appear to mirror those of nearby deposits such as Mt Colin and Rocklands. Advertisement Additional key geological features, including host rocks such as Mitakoodi quartzite, the Corella formation, and overhanging jasperlite seem to underpin the prospectivity. The same units host some 11.3 million tonnes of copper mineralisation at Rocklands. Crustal-scale north-south and northwest cross-cutting structures, plus areas of magnetic disturbance or depletion have also signalled high-temperature alteration typical of these copper-gold systems. Chumvale has all the hallmarks of a district-scale setting. True North Copper managing director Andrew Mooney With historic soil sampling across much of Chumvale revealing an extensive 3km-long copper anomaly up to 600 metres wide at surface, the target matches almost perfectly with the footprint of copper mineralisation from the companys southern Tiger prospect, linking up all the way to Rocklands in the north. True North says shallow historical drilling also hit sniffs of copper-gold along the corridor at its Chumvale South, Big Oak, Gum Creek and Marimo prospects, where the best intercepts was a 12m hit running 0.63 per cent copper and 0.08 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 18m. Advertisement At Marimo to the south, the geology features a north-northwest crustal-scale fault corridor that hosts a cluster of prospects, similar to copper ore finds from shallow workings and open pits. Sparse past drilling at Marimo shows strong sulphide copper potential, with holes at the companys Poseidon prospect returning a promising 16m at 1.98 per cent copper from surface and a 4m hit at 1.02 per cent copper with 0.16g/t gold from 94m. Northwest faults truncate the zone, boosting the odds for Rocklands-style copper-gold discovery. Management believes the multiple targets and recent reviews outline a robust pipeline of exploration prospects, underscoring its district-scale setup at Cloncurry. True North has now earmarked a rock-chip sampling program to kick off the new year at Marimo and Chumvale to advance the assets alongside new magnetic data and 3D geological models. This work will then pave the way for a reverse circulation drilling program, echoing the approach that unlocked the companys recent Aquila discovery at its Mt Oxide project nearby. Advertisement True North Copper managing director Andrew Mooney said: Chumvale has all the hallmarks of a district-scale setting, and consolidating the ground across its key corridors gives TNC a meaningful footprint in one of the regions most compelling IOCG search spaces. It represents the type of disciplined pursuit that underpins our long-term strategy; the pursuit of large, stand-alone IOCG systems that could, if present, rival the scale of Ernest Henry or Rocklands. Moving forward, the company says its development plan for Cloncurry will be focused on near-term cash flow to expand its Mt Oxide resources through drilling. At the same time, it will actively explore its tier-one regional targets at Chumvale, Marimo and the Salebury iron-oxide-copper-gold system. Chumvale sits in a storied district, with the broader Cloncurry area home to a plethora of old copper operations, many of which are approaching the end of their mine lives. True North says that much of its tenement package has seen little modern exploration, leaving ample untapped potential for discovery in a perfect copper-gold commodity mix. At its quickly expanding Mt Oxide project, the company believes there are three defined trends of copper-cobalt mineralisation across its Aquila, Apollo and Acanthis deposits. Advertisement Notably, it says Apollo and Acanthis each display comparable or stronger geophysical anomalies to those at its recently uncovered Aquila copper-cobalt discovery. Aquila is almost within a slingshot of the companys Vero copper-silver-cobalt resource at Mt Oxide, which boasts 15.03 million tonnes grading an impressive 1.46 per cent copper for 220,000t of the red metal and 10.59g/t silver, totalling more than 5 million silver equivalent ounces. It also has a handy 9.15Mt cobalt resource at a grade of 0.23 per cent attached. True North is gearing up for a busy 2026, with fresh exploration programs locked in at the Chumvale, Marimo and Salebury targets. The company believes it can deliver the next big Queensland copper hit as it works toward self-funding itself in a record-high copper market. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Sharemarket Shares Advertisement EnvironmentClimate changeGas Faced with looming shortfalls, Victoria opens the way for new gas Bianca Hall and Kieran Rooney December 10, 2025 2:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The Allan government has approved exploration licences for two new gas projects in the Otway and Gippsland basins, inviting the private sector to tender to develop new onshore and offshore reserves. It will prioritise applications by companies willing to rely on existing seismic data, and which do not intend to conduct fresh seismic blasting. Seaspray Beach in Gippsland. Getty Images The announcement was welcomed by energy producers advocating for more gas to prevent looming shortfalls, but met with dismay from environment groups and locals who fought a long-running campaign against the bid by Lakes Oil (now Lakes Blue Energy) to drill for oil near Seaspray. That campaign concluded when the Victorian government permanently banned fracking in 2017. Advertisement The Gippsland Basin onshore exploration permit area is next to Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park, covering a 199-square-kilometre area between Woodside and Seaspray. Environment Victoria senior climate and energy adviser Dr Kat Lucas-Healey questioned whether the projects would not rely upon seismic testing, and said they would undermine Victorias emissions reduction targets. Seaspray locals create a human sign declaring their opposition to gas exploration in 2013. Cameron Cope The government has completely ignored community concerns about seismic blasting and risks to Gippslands groundwater in opening up these tenders. These are serious, lasting impacts and for what? For the last dregs of Victorian gas, Lucas-Healey said. Victoria is the biggest consumer of gas in the country, with an estimated 2 million homes and businesses connected to the fossil fuel. Gas accounts for about 17 per cent of the states emissions. Advertisement The government has identified the transition from gas as a key priority. It says home and small business consumption of gas fell by 13.5 per cent between 2022 and 2023, and by another 4.5 per cent in 2024. However, a recent report on the community consultation undertaken on the gas exploration licences justified the new projects, arguing that transitioning away from fossil gas requires a coordinated approach to ensure an orderly transition. The government has identified moving away from gas as a priority. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a looming domestic gas shortfall, with the Albanese government expected to make an announcement within days on a national reservation that would secure more domestic supply from exports. Such a move will be supported by the Victorian government, which in September urged the Commonwealth to intervene, alleging the states supplies had been drained after supplying the east coast with gas for decades. Advertisement But the risk of ongoing shortfalls, and the fact gas will be used more frequently in electricity generation to supplement gaps in renewables, has also prompted governments to look at other measures to prevent price increases. Related Article Opinion Gas crisis Energy producers want to reserve gas for Australia but it must come from new supplies Samantha McCulloch Australian Energy Producers CEO Victorias exploration licences are the latest example of the state adjusting its rhetoric on gas to acknowledge these issues. Grattan Institute energy and climate change director Alison Reeve said while Victoria had a road map in place for transitioning from gas, the transition wasnt happening fast enough compared with the decline of existing gas fields. You dont know how fast the demand is going to decline, particularly because that rate of decline is in some ways in the governments hands, she said. Advertisement A Victorian government spokesperson said the release was a response to industry requests. Weve always said gas is part of our energy transition but legacy supplies from Victorias Bass Strait are dwindling and prices are going up. Thats why were reducing demand for gas and saving Victorians money on their energy bills through electrification and working to bring online new supply, they said. Companies are encouraged to reduce the impact of their exploration activities using existing data and reduce the need for seismic surveys where possible. Australian Energy Producers, which lobbies for gas and oil companies, welcomed the decision to release exploration permits and said it was the first release since 2018. Victorian director Peter Kos said shortfalls could occur as soon as 2027 and said the permits were an essential first step in unlocking new domestic supplies. Advertisement Related Article Electricity Renewables delays drive electricity cost blow out Natural gas from the Bass Strait has reliably powered Victorian homes and industry since the 1960s, but those legacy fields are now in decline. New discoveries are essential to replace that supply and ensure the states energy security, he said. Kos said the government should commit to regular releases of exploration permits to encourage confidence in investment. Ursula Alquier was the Victorian coordinator for the Lock the Gate Alliance who led the successful campaign against fracking and unconventional gas drilling a decade ago. She said there were only tight and unconventional gas reserves in the Seaspray region, and that these could only be accessed by fracking. Advertisement Coal-seam gas, which is present in that area of Gippsland, can only be accessed by fracturing the coal seam. There is no social licence for this to happen in either of these regions. The offshore Otway Basin reserve is next to the ecologically sensitive Bay of Islands Coastal Park, and covers an area of 54 square kilometres between Warrnambool and Port Campbell. Stanley Woodhouse, offshore fossil gas campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said the community response to the governments consultation on exploration permits had been swift and damning. Victorians made it clear they do not want new gas exploration and drilling in our delicate ecosystems, he said. Regardless, the Allan government is putting the permits out to tender. Once again Labor has ignored the community and bowed to industry pressure, using the falsehood of the East Coast gas crisis to strong-arm communities into accepting unwanted, unnecessary fossil fuel projects. Advertisement Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said further gas exploration was welcome, but the Victorian government had failed to secure supply over the decade that Labor had been in power. It is no surprise that after 11 years in government, were running short of gas, he said. Freja Leonard, methane and fossil fuels campaigner with the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the two communities directly affected by the potential gas exploration sites had both made it clear that they dont want new gas projects in their areas. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. 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 Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Queenslands top cop has been taken to the Industrial Relations Commission over claims a police union was not properly consulted on the creation of a new senior job in his office. The Queensland Police Commissioned Officers Union lodged its complaint against Commissioner Steve Gollschewski with the QIRC on December 8. The dispute is centred on the creation of a new chief superintendent role. The union argues it was not consulted effectively, as required under its industrial agreement. Queensland Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski (right). Julius Dennis In recent times, we as a union of the commissioned officers have become concerned with how positions are being created, why they are being created, union president Kerry Johnson said in a statement via lawyer Calvin Gnech. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Police have charged a teenager with murder in relation to the fatal stabbing of a man in Melbournes inner north-west on Sunday. A 40-year-old man died in hospital after being found with stab wounds near the intersection of Maribyrnong and Union roads in Ascot Vale on Sunday afternoon. Police earlier charged an 18-year-old man, but on Wednesday, they arrested a 16-year-old boy in Carlton. A fatal stabbing on Sunday shocked the shopping strip in Melbournes north-west. The Age The 16-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment for a pre-existing hand injury, and later interviewed. On Wednesday night, police confirmed they had charged the teen with one count of murder, and he will appear in court at a later date. It comes after officers charged an 18-year-old man, Alambs Mohmmed, of no fixed address, on Monday over the fatal stabbing. He has been charged with intentionally causing injury, affray, escaping custody and theft. Australias love affair with mid-century modernism has come full circle. Weary of competing for the few remaining originals to restore, a new generation of vintage-loving home owners is choosing to build their own retro homes from scratch. Across coastal regions like Victorias Mornington Peninsula and NSWs Byron Bay, these homes are quietly multiplying: square-edged silhouettes framed by palms, floor-to-ceiling glass that draws the outdoors in and breezy interiors that recall the glamour of the 1970s combined with the ease of a Sunday morning. 1960s Palm Springs, or 2020s Mornington Peninsula? Credit: Lisa Cohen Designer Kate Walker, founder of KWD, says the reason for this revival is simple: design, like fashion, is cyclical. Theres a certain inevitability to the resurgence of mid-century and 1970s styles, as enough time has passed for a new generation to embrace them afresh, she says. What once seemed passe, like the orange tiles of our childhood bathrooms, now feels compelling and chic. Advertisement WorldOceaniaSocial media Parents need help: US Republicans back Australias social media ban as tech groups attack Michael Koziol Updated December 10, 2025 5:00pm ,first published December 10, 2025 9:51am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points Republican senator Josh Hawley strongly backs an Australia-style ban, believing American parents would welcome the age restriction for social media. Potential Democratic presidential contender Rahm Emanuel also supported the world-first move, arguing adults, not algorithms, should raise children. However, technology lobby groups in the US are actively fighting the policy, claiming it will severely disadvantage US-based companies and is intrusive. Washington: Australias ban on social media for children has galvanised advocates for change in the United States, including a key Republican senator and potential Democratic presidential candidate who have backed the policy for adoption in the US. At the same time, technology lobby groups have gone on the attack. One circulated a briefing paper that says the policy will severely disadvantage US-based companies and disproportionately isolate marginalised young people, including regional and LGBTQ teenagers. Australia has become the worlds first country to enact a ban on social media for under-16s. Getty Images Republican senator Josh Hawley, who sits on the Senate judiciary committee and is an advocate for harsher restrictions on social media, told this masthead American parents would welcome an Australia-style ban. I like it. Ive supported age limits here in the US for kids on social media, he said. I say this as a parent Parents need help, and they feel like theyre swimming upstream when everybody else has social media. Advertisement My kids dont have it, but they go over to somebodys house and they have it its difficult. An age limit for when kids can use social media would work. I think parents would welcome it. Hawley, who wrote a book called The Tyranny of Big Tech while in office, said he had been in contact with Australian stakeholders about the ban, but declined to say whom. Republican senator Josh Hawley says he would support a social media ban for children in the United States. Bloomberg Barack Obamas former chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel, a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, also threw his support behind the Australian world-first move, comparing it to banning phones in schools or regulations to reduce teen smoking. No child under the age of 16 should have access to social media, Emanuel wrote on X. When it comes to our adolescents, its either going to be adults or the algorithms that raise our kids. Advertisement TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and others are too powerful, too addictive, too alluring and too often target our young kids. Parents cannot fight Big Tech alone. Emanuel who is a former mayor of Chicago and was until this year the US ambassador to Japan has said he is in training for a potential 2028 presidential run. Senator Bernie Sanders says Australia is brave to enact the social media ban. Bloomberg Veteran independent senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, told this masthead: I applaud Australia for having the courage to understand the impact that social media is having on children. But asked if it was something he would support for American families, Sanders said: Thats something Id have to think about. Advertisement Other Democrats were also uncertain about the idea. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who also sits on the Senate judiciary committee and participated in a hearing on online safety on Wednesday (AEDT), said age verification doesnt really work without really intrusive and strict methods of collecting information and then storing it which could be problematic. Republican senator Ted Cruz pointed this masthead to an existing bill he is backing, the Kids Off Social Media Act, which would prohibit children under 13 from creating accounts. He said that was a more appropriate age cut-off. Photo: Matt Golding Members of Congress are exploring measures to protect children from online harm, including from social media, and can expect to come under intense lobbying to push them away from an Australia-style ban. On Wednesday, the Computer and Communications Industry Association circulated a briefing paper that said Australias policy deployed structurally over-broad tools that carried serious consequences for privacy, free speech, competition and global digital trade. Advertisement Because the Acts model is already spreading internationally, the US has a strategic interest in shaping implementation and promoting evidence-based, trade-facilitating alternatives, the briefing paper said. Without careful engagement, the [ban] may become a global precedent for discriminatory regulation of US digital services. Loading The lobby groups briefing note highlights that Australia is actively promoting its model abroad, including Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses speech to the United Nations, and says several other countries are considering a version of the policy. This heightens the risk that minimum-age bans become a standard regulatory lever used to target foreign businesses, condition market access, or compel proprietary disclosures under the guise of online safety, the group tells lawmakers. Advertisement The warning about discriminatory treatment of US companies comes as the Trump administration condemns policies it views as targeting American tech giants, including numerous Australian government initiatives. Related Article Social media Australia social media ban as it happened: PM lauds decision as children under 16 barred from social media in world-first; Wells says more than 200,000 TikTok accounts deactivated The Australian Financial Review reported last month that US State Department deputy secretary Christopher Landau and the US Trade Representative had contacted Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd to complain about new laws requiring streaming services to invest a certain percentage of earnings or spending on local content, among other matters. The Australian ban is also shaping a debate in the British parliament about whether to copy the changes across the UK, after a former British schools minister revealed plans to put the same kind of law to parliament in Westminster. John Nash, who was a Conservative minister from 2013 to 2017, said Britain should adopt the Australian model. Advertisement Today, Australia is making a brave stand, banning children under 16 from social media, he wrote in The Times of London. He noted that several European countries were also aiming to do the same, and that the European Parliament backed the idea. His conclusion: Britain is being left behind. Related Article Social media I tried making new social media accounts as an under-16. Things are still messy The stumbling block for Nash is Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is showing no signs of picking up the policy from his friend Albanese. There is a chance, however, that support will build among backbench MPs in Westminster, just as it did in Australia. With David Crowe More social media ban stories Follow our live blog: All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. Your questions answered: How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. A family talks the ban: Tech bros have stolen my family v Dad sits in bed on it watching Youtube. A family has a very honest conversation about the impact of social media on their lives. An annotated version of the image of 3I/ATLAS captured by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows the trajectory of the interstellar comet along with a scale bar. The image was captured by the spacecrafts High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on Oct. 2, 2025.. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona) An interstellar comet making a brief passage through the solar system has triggered one of the largest coordinated astronomical observation efforts in recent memory. Comet 3I/ATLAS, only the third confirmed object to visit from another star system, has been photographed by missions across the United States, Europe and Mars as it continues its trajectory toward the outer solar system. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the European Space Agency's Juice spacecraft released new images last week showing the comet's glowing coma and what may be two distinct tails. The comet was first detected in July by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System in Rio Hurtado, Chile. At discovery, it was more than 420 million miles from Earth, but its unusual hyperbolic path immediately signaled that it originated beyond the solar system. Only two previous interstellar objects have been documented: the elongated 'Oumuamua in 2017 and Comet 2I/Borisov in 2019. The new images underscore why the scientific community has mobilized so aggressively. Juice, currently en route to Jupiter, captured photographs shortly before its Nov. 4 flyby at roughly 41 million miles. The spacecraft recorded a bright coma and differentiated a "plasma tail," made of electrically charged gas, from a broader "dust tail" of solid particles. Hubble's observations, taken late last month from a distance of approximately 178 million miles, showed the fast-moving comet as a sharp point of light against star trails. Efforts to identify the object's chemistry accelerated in August when NASA's SPHEREx mission spent eight days analyzing the comet's atmosphere from about 290 million miles away. SPHEREx detected water ice and carbon dioxide in the coma, a chemical mix that mirrors that of comets formed in the solar system. The findings challenge assumptions that interstellar objects should display significantly different compositions. As the comet approached the sun in late summer, ground-based observatories documented rising activity. The Gemini South telescope in Chile released September images showing an elongated tail and increasingly energized coma. NASA and ESA missions-including SOHO, PUNCH, Lucy, MAVEN and the Perseverance rover-added additional tracking data as the comet brightened during its late-October perihelion. ESA's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter also contributed to the international campaign, spending a full week observing the comet beginning Oct. 1 from a distance of about 18.6 million miles. The orbiter recorded the comet's motion as a faint white blur crossing deep space, data that helped refine models of its trajectory. 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest point to Earth on Dec. 19, though at a safe distance of about 170 million miles. The interstellar object is expected to fade from view in the coming months as it sweeps back toward interstellar space. ESA said additional Juice data will be downlinked in February, providing higher-resolution imaging and compositional measurements from the spacecraft's scientific instruments. CARLOW shoppers have raised more than 5900 for Family Carers Ireland as part of Lidls annual Trolley Dash festive fundraiser. In total, 272,060 was raised across the country for Family Carers Ireland through the sale of raffle tickets, with a winner from each of the 190 Lidl stores nationwide getting the chance to complete a two-minute supermarket sweep-style dash to fill their trolley ahead of the festive period. Corporate Affairs director at Lidl Ireland, Eimear OSullivan thanked everyone who purchased a ticket for the raffle and said the amount of money raised was incredible. We are absolutely delighted by the overwhelming generosity of our customers this year. The Lidl Trolley Dash is a much-loved festive tradition, and to see a total of 272,060 raised is simply incredible, she said. 100% of these crucial funds will directly support the vital work of Family Carers Ireland, making a tangible difference to carers and their families right across the country. On behalf of Lidl, I want to thank everyone who purchased a ticket and supported this essential campaign, she added. Kasia Kornas (Right) of Lidl Carlow and Trolley Dash winner Carmen Soimu following the Trolley Dash. Photo: Michael O'Rourke Carmen Soimu, pictured above, was one of three people in Carlow with a winning raffle ticket, and she managed to grab over 290 worth of food and treats to enjoy over the festive season during her sweep in Lidls Carlow Town shop. The proceeds from the Trolley Dash will be allocated immediately to Family Carers Ireland, which will allow the organisation to continue to provide the essential services and support for family carers in every community across the country. Commenting on the initiative, head of communications and policy at Family Carers Ireland, Catherine Cox, said, The support from Lidl customers through the Trolley Dash has been phenomenal. is more than just a number; it will help deliver vital supports and services to family carers across Ireland who give so much in caring for their loved ones. She added: These funds will allow us to expand our vital practical and emotional supports and services, ensuring that the incredible work done by family carers is supported and valued. For more information about Lidl Irelands Trolley Dash initiative, visit www.lidl.ie MINISTER for enterprise, tourism, and employment Peter Burke has announced that an 8 million regional innovation and enterprise hub for the South-East is to be set up in Carlow and will create 350 jobs over 15 years. The minister launched the Catalyst HQ project in Enterprise House on OBrien Road in Carlow town on 4 December, alongside representatives from Carlow County Council. Under the plan, two buildings are to be built on OBrien Road by 2028, with construction due to start in the spring of next year. One of the buildings will be a 915 square-metre single-storey light industrial building, while the other will be a 1,369 square-metre two-storey office building. The aim of the project is to provide integrated support for manufacturing, export-focused enterprises and technology-driven businesses based in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford. Carlow businessman David Walsh, who led an entrepreneurial advisory panel for the project, said the initiative is a game-changer for the South-East. He added: This investment on OBrien Road by Carlow Local Authorities, supported by Enterprise Ireland, will accelerate entrepreneurship, drive innovation and support meaningful job creation across the region. It will feature a community of experienced entrepreneurs willing to support the next generation, and an ecosystem of professional services essential for starting and scaling successful businesses. The project will aim to help businesses with less than ten staff to scale up, while also helping larger businesses to develop further. Micro-businesses with a staff of ten or fewer are the largest employment group in the South-East, said Kieran Comerford, Carlow County Councils head of enterprise and economic development. However, in Carlow, just 17% transition to small businesses, which is below the 28% regional average. Catalyst HQ has been designed as a transformative regional asset that will empower businesses at every stage of their growth journey, he added. Funding for the project has been secured through Enterprise Ireland and the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme. South-East Catalyst Innovation Company CLG (trading as Catalyst HQ) will lead the project development, in collaboration with Carlow County Council, Carlow Chamber, Propellor BIC, SETU, Carlow County Development Partnership and a specialist panel of enterprise advisors. Over the first 15 years of the project, 175 direct and an additional 175 indirect jobs will be created. Advertisement Nigeria has transformed from a major cement importer into one of Africas leading producers, thanks to sustained investments by Dangote, Lafarge Africa and BUA Cement. Their large-scale local plants have strengthened domestic supply and reduced reliance on imports. However, despite a combined installed capacity of about 65.6Mta, actual output often lags behind demand due to operational constraints and weak infrastructure. With the countrys housing deficit estimated at 17m urban units, experts say Nigeria needs up to US$5bn in new investments and more well-governed entrants to close the supply gap. Ebonyi States proposal to establish a new cement plant, reviving the legacy of the defunct NIGERCEM, offers a strategic opportunity. The state holds abundant limestone, gypsum and clay, positioning it to help correct regional supply imbalances and offer specialised cement products, including premix and low-carbon options. Such a venture aligns with Nigerias broader shift from oil dependence to non-oil industrialisation. Beyond national impact, a cement plant could be transformative for Ebonyi itself. The state faces severe poverty, with an estimated 79.8 per cent of residents living below the poverty line and widespread multidimensional deprivation. Despite a reported unemployment rate of 3.7 per cent in 2023, underemployment and informal work dominate. A locally anchored industrial project could provide jobs, boost incomes and support long-term economic resilience. Advertisement Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico amounted to 9.990Mt in July, up 7.1 per cent YoY from the 9.328Mt recorded in July 2024. Excluding for sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, cement consumption in the US rose 7.3 per cent YoY in July, coming in at 9.866Mt, compared to 9.192Mt a year earlier. The key producing states for Portland and blended cement were, in descending order, Texas, Missouri, California, Florida and Alabama. The key consuming states were, in descending order, Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and North Carolina. Blended cement shipments amounted to 6.676Mt in July, up 14 per cent YoY from 5.857Mt a year earlier, with Florida the leading consumer. Masonry cement shipments amounted to 200,451t, up 1.7 per cent YoY from 197,171t a year earlier, with Florida the leading consumer. Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, was unchanged from a year ago at 6.644Mt. Imports of cement and clinker amounted to 2.489Mt in July, up from 2.475Mt in July 2024. Imported clinker amounted to 217,270t, down from 296,515t in July 2024. January-July 2025 Total shipments of Portland and blended cement, including imports, in the US and Puerto Rico amounted to 57.021Mt in 7M25, down 3.3 per cent YoY from the 58.962Mt recorded in the same period of 2024. Excluding for sales to Puerto Rico and overseas territories, cement consumption in the US was 3.2 per cent lower YtD, coming in at 56.217Mt, compared to 58.104t a year earlier. Blended cement shipments amounted to 36.351Mt in 7M25, up five per cent YoY from 33.122Mt in 7M24. Masonry cement shipments amounted to 1.248Mt in 7M25, down five per cent YoY from 1.313Mt in 7M24. Clinker production, excluding Puerto Rico, saw a 6.9 per cent YoY decline to 37.455Mt from 40.237Mt. Imports of cement and clinker amounted to 14.909Mt in 7M25, down 1.4 per cent YoY from 15.118Mt in the same period of 2024. Turkey accounted for a third of imports, followed by Vietnam with a fifth and Canada with 17 per cent. Imported clinker amounted to 486,802t, down 15.1 per cent YoY from 573,415t in 7M24. Turkey accounted for 45 per cent of imports, followed by Canada with 38 per cent. China calls for efforts to establish sustainable European security architecture Xinhua) 15:09, December 10, 2025 UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for collective efforts to establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture in the context of the Ukraine crisis. Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on Ukraine. The Ukraine issue has now entered a critical phase. Discussions at the international level are increasingly converging on negotiation and moving closer to peace. China welcomes such progress, supports all efforts toward peace, and hopes that the international community will work together to achieve an early political settlement of the crisis, he said. Sun called on the parties concerned to seize on the positive momentum and strive for a just, lasting, and binding peace agreement as soon as possible. "While the parties concerned had reached the Minsk Agreements, the Ukraine crisis still erupted, the underlying reason being the failure to properly address their respective security concerns and tackle the root causes of the conflict," said Sun. "Any new peace agreement must draw on this lesson." China calls on all parties to adequately address the root causes of the conflict; to establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture; and to bear in mind the principle of indivisible security, he said. Sun also called for the protection of civilians. He said China will continue to play a constructive role in advancing a political resolution of the crisis. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Greg Callaham Graphic Design, a Chattanooga advertising design firm, recently announced it has earned five American Graphic Design Awards in national recognition for creative excellence. The awards were bestowed by Graphic Design USA, a nationwide trade publication, for Callahams work on behalf of Visual Outdoor Advertising, Vector Media, Busy Bee Lawn Care, and the Knox County Republican Party. The award-winning artwork appeared across the United States as billboards, transit advertising, and logo designs. This marks the sixteenth consecutive year Callaham has earned the prestigious American Graphic Design Awards. Ive got to be one of the luckiest people on the face of the earth. Ive loved advertising my whole life and God gave me a talent for art. Not surprisingly, I wanted to grow up to be Darren Stephens from Bewitched. Im blessed to have clients who challenge me and trust me to bring their messages to life with impact. The four decades Ive been in advertising and marketing have flown by, but working on each project energizes me and drives me to keep improving, said Callaham. The editors of Graphic Design USA, honor the outstanding work of creative professionals in the graphic arts community each year. To win an American Graphic Design Award means the entry is recognized as some of the best and brightest among thousands of entries from graphic design firms, advertising agencies, in-house corporate and institutional designers, publishers and other media across the United States, in over 20 categories from print and packaging to internet and interactive design. Of approximately 10,000 entries, only a highly selective 10% receive recognition for creative excellence. This year marks the 62nd American Graphic Design Awards competition. Greg Callaham is the owner of Greg Callaham Graphic Design, a full service graphic design firm delivering outstanding creative for digital and print advertising including billboards, bus wraps and shelters, catalogs and product brochures, logo design and corporate identity packages, web ads, package design, and a wide range of other advertising and marketing materials to the global marketplace. A van going the wrong way on I-24 East near the Tennessee-Georgia line struck a semi-truck early Wednesday morning. The driver of the van was killed. The accident left the eastbound lanes blocked and traffic backed up to Nickajack Lake and beyond. It was the second such local freeway fatal wrong way wreck in a week. Three people were killed near Dalton on I-75 when a person trying to elude police struck another semi-truck. A man who had murder charges dismissed in connection with a violent home invasion in 2020 in East Brainerd has now entered guilty pleas on other charges he had faced. Travien Cenar Reddick pled guilty to robbery and received a three-year sentence to serve. He also pled guilty to aggravated assault and received a suspended six-year sentence consecutive to the three-year term. The remaining charges were dismissed. One of the intruders was shot 10 times by the homeowner and killed. The homeowner was not charged, but another intruder was. Reddick was charged in the death of his fellow intruder, though he did not fire the shots. Prosecutors said a ruling of the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals required them to dismiss the murder charge against Reddick. Prosecutor Andrew Coyle said Reddick "was originally charged with felony murder. The charge arose from the victim in this case shooting and killing the defendant's co-defendant during the incident. In Tennessee felony murder is a killing committed during the perpetration of an enumerated felony. The most easily understandable example is if two robbers choose to rob a bank, one goes in and the other stays int he car as a getaway driver. If the shooter kills a bank employee, then both the shooter and driver are guilty of felony murder. "Here, however, the killing was of a co-defendant and/or co-conspirator. Tennessee law does not extend the felony murder statute to a killing committed collaterally to the underlying felony. The appellate courts have determined that a killing in this instance is not covered under our felony murder statute - although it would be in numerous other states. Therefore, because of that the felony murder charge had to be dismissed because it was not legally supported." Prosecutor Coyle said, "There were numerous considerations taken into account in deciding upon this disposition. ADA Andrew Childress handled this matter and pushed hard to achieve the best disposition possible given the odd facts and circumstances of the case, the difficulty with witnesses and the legal constraints present in the matter." The hail of bullets in the home invasion included multiple shots that went into a house across Standifer Gap Road occupied by a woman and her 14-year-old daughter. One shot went just above the pillow where the woman had been sleeping before she and her daughter hit the floor. Investigators built a case against Reddick of Jackson, Tn., who is now 24, and he was arrested by state troopers. Sheriff Detective Jason Maucere earlier said the incident involved three members of a violent West Tennessee gang coming to Chattanooga for a robbery where a former gang member was living with his cousin. The cousin, Travist Patrick, killed one of the intruders, Antoine Allen, inside his home, and he engaged in a gunbattle with the other two invaders before firing multiple shots at their vehicle as they sped off. On Oct. 28, 2020, a 911 caller who was in a panic, said, "I need the police at 8500 Standifer Gap Road. . somebody's shooting!" A female could be heard saying someone came in the house and started shooting at Patrick and "he's laying right here." Patrick told the dispatcher, "He's on the floor. . . We don't need the ambulance. . . dude dead. We need the police ASAP." The woman across the street then called, saying, "Shots were fired through my window. I'm too afraid to look outside, but the glass is broken, and several shots were fired through my window." Detectives spoke with a man on Gable Brook Drive - in the direction the fleeing car was going. A resident said a black male wearing a navy shirt and dark pants knocked on his door and asked to use the phone. He said his name was "Trey" and he was trying to reach someone named "Zay." He tried to call, but did not get an answer. Arriving deputies at 8500 Standifer Gap Road found a man dead in the kitchen. They detained Patrick, who said he had shot the man in self-defense. He said he had fired at two others - one who left on foot and the other in a car. Detectives found numerous firearms in plain view in the master bedroom and saw a large number of spent shell casings in the driveway of the residence, the hallway and the master bedroom. Outside the residence was a gray 2020 Dodge Charger with a cell phone on top of the rear trunk and another on the roof of the vehicle. Inside the Charger, detectives found four large metal packaging containers filled with large bags of marijuana. Inside the residence a Romarm Mini-Draco AK-47 pistol that had been used by Antoine Allen was found inside the bedroom. Detectives also observed a .40 caliber Glock 23C handgun with its slide locked back (indicating it had been fired and had run out of ammunition). Also found was a 9mm CZ Scorpion carbine rifle on the bed of the master bedroom. There was a blood pool leading from the bedroom to the kitchen. On Nov. 2, 2020, there was a narcotics search at 8500 Standifer Gap Road where Patrick was living with five others. Seized were 270 pounds of high grade THC vapes valued at $300,000. Authorities said Patrick initially was not cooperative, but they said he agreed to tell the full story at a meeting at his attorney's office. He acknowledged he was in the business of selling illegal drugs and cell phones. He said on the evening of the shooting he had agreed to meet a person at the Tiger Market gas station on Jenkins Road. He was to sell a "zip of weed" and an Apple iPhone. He said the meeting was arranged via Snapchat and he was to meet Antoine Allen. Patrick said he drove to the Tiger Market in his girlfriend's white Lincoln MKZ. He said when an older-model maroon Chevrolet Malibu pulled up that Allen got out armed with an AK-47 pistol. He said a second person wearing a ski mask exited the Malibu armed with a black Glock handgun. He said a third person, who was also wearing a ski mask, was driving the Malibu. He said Allen got in the front passenger seat of his vehicle and put the AK-47 to his head, while the second person got in the back seat and put the Glock to his head. He was forced to drive back to his residence with the Malibu following. Patrick said when they arrived back that Allen forced him into the house to rob him, while the second man followed. He said when they got to his bedroom that Allen told him, "Give us everything you have or we're going to kill everyone in the house." Patrick said Allen was momentarily distracted admiring all the guns in the bedroom, and he used the occasion to grab a loaded Glock from his bed and begin firing at Allen, who fled into the kitchen. Patrick said he engaged the second person in a firefight at the front door, and he afterward fired multiple times at the fleeing car. No charges were brought against Patrick on grounds of self-defense. Sgt. Maucere was notified by an officer of the Alamo, Tn., Police Department of a shooting that occurred there, which he said he believed was retailiation for the killing of Allen. He said he believed both incidents were gang-related. He said Antoine Allen had been part of a criminal gang at Crokett County known as the GetBack Gang. The shooting there was on Christmas Day and involved numerous bullets being fired into a house belonging to a man who is the father of the cousin who left the gang and went to live with Patrick in Chattanooga. Alamo Police said the GetBack Gang had numerous violent YouTube videos depicting Allen and other members. One video, made after the Chattanooga shooting, memorialized Allen and made threats against those involved in his death. A Chevrolet Malibu matching the description of the one used by the home invaders was seized in Crockett County. It belonged to Reddick, identified as a member of the GetBack Gang. It had bullet damage consistent with shots fired by Patrick at it. The Bradley County Jail has once again earned Tier 1 Accreditation from the Tennessee Corrections Institute, having first achieved this status in 2024. This recognition follows a comprehensive audit conducted by the Tennessee Corrections Institute, evaluating the facility against rigorous standards for operations, safety and inmate care, officials said."During the Tennessee Corrections Institute board meeting on Dc. 3, the Board of Control voted to approve the renewal of accreditation and congratulated the Bradley County Jail on attaining this level of professionalism within the organization," officials said.Sheriff Steve Lawson said, We are proud of our team for their dedication and hard work in achieving this important recognition once again.This accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to professionalism, accountability, and excellence in corrections. Run For a Blessing, which is raising funds for the North Georgia Community YMCA program, Backpack Blessings, is in its final stretch. Volunteers will come together to pack Backpack Blessings meals for students to take home over Christmas Break. Immediately following, a celebration will recognize participants achievements and progress toward their collective goal of 7,100 miles.The celebration includes: Finish line photos; Awards for top male and female in each age division; Announcement of total miles completed; and Recognition of participant impact and Backpack Blessings support of local students.The event will take place on Tuesday, Dec.16, with Meal Packing at 4 p.m. and Celebration + Awards from 5-5:30 p.m. at Walker Advancing Education Center, 925 Osburn Road in Chickamauga.For more information, visit https://www.ymcachattanooga.org/events/run-blessing. Dr. Heidi Popham, president of Georgia Northwestern Technical College, has been selected to serve on the board of trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.SACSCOC is the accrediting body for degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and Latin America and certain other international sites approved by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees that award associate, baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degrees.Its mission is to "assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions; the organizations core values are integrity, continuous quality improvement, peer review/self-regulation, accountability, student learning and transparency."Dr. Popham was elected to serve as part of Georgias SACSCOC delegation during the 2025 SACSCOC Annual Meeting, held Dec. 6-9 in Nashville. Her three-year term will begin Jan. 1, 2026.I am honored to have been elected to serve as a trustee and am eager to support the commissions continued work in ensuring quality, integrity and accountability across our member institutions, said Dr. Popham.The SACSCOC College Delegate Assembly includes one voting representative, the chief executive officer, from each accredited institution and elects 77 members to the SACSCOC board of trustees. The board of trustees guides the organizations work and implements the accreditation process.GNTC earned reaffirmation of the colleges SACSCOC accreditation in 2023, reflecting GNTCs commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvements in teaching, officials said.Dr. Popham, who was named GNTCs president in 2019, began her educational career at GNTC in 1995 as executive assistant to the president. In 2007, she became the director of Institutional Effectiveness and was soon promoted to vice president of Institutional Effectiveness in 2009. In the latter role, she coordinated the development of GNTCs strategic plan, program goals, objectives and standards. Dr. Popham also served as GNTCs accreditation liaison.In 2016, Dr. Popham was promoted to executive vice president of GNTC. As executive vice president, Dr. Popham was responsible for Academic Affairs, Adult Education, Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs and Student Success.She serves on various boards and advisory committees, which include several of the northwest Georgia regions College and Career Academies.Dr. Popham earned a bachelors degree in organizational management from Covenant College located in Lookout Mountain, a masters degree from the University of Georgia and a doctoral degree from the University of Georgia. Thursday night, two local leaders are raising a glass together. And youre invited.Oddstory Brewing Co. and Lookout Mountain Conservancy are partying together on Thursday as the local brewery selected LMC as its nonprofit of the month.On Thursday at 5 p.m., Oddstory is hosting LMC for its Give Back Night. At the brewerys Central Avenue location, the LMC team will mingle and share stories and info about its transformational conservation work.Plus, throughout December, all tab round-ups at Oddstory will support LMCs work in conserving and protecting regional land.Were thrilled and honored, said Dr.Robyn Carlton, LMCs CEO and president. Were not your ordinary land trust and Oddstory is not your ordinary brewery, either. Were a perfect match. Both of us care deeply about the community and have plenty of stories to tell.Officials said, "Oddstory Brewing Co. is a Chattanooga craft brewery that produces some of the finest and most beloved local beers in town. Its Central Avenue location offers 19 beers on tap, including the Monkeys Heart IPA and Woven Stone Vienna Lager along with the adventurous and bold Sunken Cemetery Mexican Hot Chocolate Stout. Next year, it will celebrate its 10th anniversary."Lookout Mountain Conservancy is one of the oldest accredited land trusts in Tennessee. It manages and protects 1500 acres of regional land and is known nationally for its pioneering Howard School Intern Program. Next year, it will celebrate its 35th anniversary."Since 2012, students from The Howard School have stewarded and maintained some of our citys most cherished outdoor places, like the Guild-Hardy Trail and the bouldering park at Rockmont Park. Interns become conservationists while gaining steady income, college tuition help, powerful community and valuable fellowship."They saw something in me that I didnt even see in myself, said one intern.Join the LMC team, including one of its intern leaders, at Oddstory on Thursday at 1604 Central Ave. The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the defendants in a legal malpractice and fraud action were not entitled to dismissal of the lawsuits under the Tennessee Public Participation Act because the lawsuits were not filed in response to the defendants exercise of the right to petition. Jerry and Justin Mitchell represented Alan Cartwright in a series of lawsuits against Alice and Alan Garner, Cartwrights sister and brother-in-law, related to the Garners administration of a family trust. The lawsuits were eventually resolved in favor of the Garners. Cartwright later sued the Mitchells for legal malpractice and fraudulent concealment, alleging that the Mitchells knew the claims against the Garners were non-meritorious and had wrongfully proceeded with the claims anyway. The Garners separately sued the Mitchells under the tort-of-another doctrine. Both lawsuits also named the Mitchells law firms as defendants under a theory of vicarious liability. The defendants sought to dismiss the lawsuits under the TPPA, Tennessees version of an anti-SLAPP statute. The TPPA allows a party to seek dismissal of a lawsuit filed in response to that partys exercise of the right to free speech, right to petition, or right of association. Tenn. Code Ann. 20-17-105(a). The defendants argued that both lawsuits were filed in response to Mitchells exercise of the right to petition. The trial court declined to dismiss the lawsuits, but the Court of Appeals reversed. The Tennessee Supreme Court granted Cartwright and the Garners permission to appeal. In Cartwrights appeal, the Tennessee Supreme Court held that the defendants were not entitled to dismissal under the TPPA. The Court held that a lawyer who files a lawsuit on behalf of a client is not personally exercising the right to petition, but at most, only facilitating his clients exercise of that right. The defendants therefore could not show that Cartwrights claims were filed in response to the Mitchells exercise of the right to petition. The Court issued a separate opinion in the Garners appeal reaching the same conclusion. The Court reversed the judgments of the Court of Appeals and remanded for further proceedings. To read the Supreme Courts unanimous opinions in Cartwright v. Thomason Hendrix, P.C. and Garner v. Thomason, Hendrix, Harvey, Johnson & Mitchell, PLLC, authored by Justice Sarah K. Campbell, please visit the opinions section of TNCourts.gov. Justices Dwight Tarwater and Mary Wagner did not participate. J. Ross Dyer and Jeffrey Usman participated as Special Justices. Lee students explore a variety of industries and connect with professionals at the universitys career fair, discovering opportunities and gaining insights into different career paths. The event was hosted by the schools Center for Calling and Career. Lee students explore a variety of industries and connect with professionals at the universitys career fair, discovering opportunities and gaining insights into different career paths. The event was hosted by the schools Center for Calling and Career. Lee students explore a variety of industries and connect with professionals at the universitys career fair, discovering opportunities and gaining insights into different career paths. The event was hosted by the schools Center for Calling and Career. Lee students explore a variety of industries and connect with professionals at the universitys career fair, discovering opportunities and gaining insights into different career paths. The event was hosted by the schools Center for Calling and Career. Previous Next Lee Universitys Center for Calling and Career hosted its biannual Career & Internship Expo for both students and the community. The event was a networking opportunity for participants to meet with community businesses and regional organizations, with professional headshots available, as well. This event marks the culmination of our semester-long work in the Center, said Jennifer Turner, director of the Center for Calling and Career. Weve guided students in discovering their Clifton Strengths, exploring majors and career paths, and preparing for professional opportunities through mock interviews and resume reviews. Today, we celebrate their readiness to step into the workforce and live out their callingimpacting the world for Christ through their vocations. The event lasted four hours with many of the employers utilizing the time to allow students to apply for internships and jobs, reviewing applicants' resumes, and conducting interviews. "The career fair was an incredible experience, giving me the chance to explore a wide range of professions and industries, said junior accounting major Layla Colwell. As an accounting student, I particularly enjoyed learning how accounting is applied across the various fields represented. I also value Lees dedication to connecting students with professionals in their areas of interest. The 28 businesses represented included Chattanooga Lookouts, Christ in Youth, Colonial Life Sales, Covenant Logistics, Eagle Sky Camp, Emerald Youth Foundation, Elic, Family Resource Agency, Hearth Hospice, Home Instead Care, Horton Haven Camp, Memphis Teacher Residency, New York Life Insurance, Reliance Partners, Rolling Hills Community Church, Sedlock Insurance Agency, Silverdale Baptist Academy, SL World, Southern Champion Tray, Tennessee Department of Children Services, Tennessee Valley Credit Union, Triple R Ranch, Unum Insurance, U.S. Army, Wears Valley Ranch, and Willowbend Farms. These employers are seeking out Lee students because of the well-rounded nature of their education, said Ms. Turner. They all mentioned how well spoken, kind, and professional our students were throughout the day. The Center for Calling & Career will host another Career & Internship Expo in the spring for both students and the community. For more information about the Center for Calling & Career or other career fairs, contact Ms. Turner at jturner@leeuniversity.edu or visit leeuniversity.edu/calling-career/. Both the defense and prosecution agreed at a sentencing hearing on Tuesday that a woman charged in the malnutrition death of her stepson is a victim herself. Prosecutor Paul Moyle and defense attorney Dan Ripper said Jacqueline Hoover was abused by her adoptive parents, then abused by her husband, John Hoover, over a lengthy period. Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson agreed as well, sentencing Ms. Hoover to a three-year sentence that will allow her to be released on Wednesday morning. The sentencing range was 3-6 years. She has served three years, five months and eight days. Ms. Hoover earlier pleaded guilty to the felony charge of aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult. Her husband, John Dennis Hoover, earlier went to trial and was found guilty of reckless homicide and aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult. He got four years on the homicide and six years on the neglect case. Ms. Hoover testified against him at his sentencing hearing. Ms. Hoover on Tuesday said she was adopted in India as a young child and taken to America. She said her adoptive mother called her "ugly and stupid" and made her do the chores around the house. She said the adoptive mother kicked her out as soon as she reached 18. She said she met Hoover when he was a custodian at her high school in Hackensack, N.J. She said he was 31 years older than her and, when he flirted with her, she found it "weird." But she said she had nowhere else to live and moved in with Hoover. They had twin sons and a daughter. Ms. Hoover, who is now 41, said the family moved to Red Bank to take care of Hoover's ailing mother. When she died, the care of her special needs son fell to them (John and Jacqueline Hoover). Ms. Hoover said, from the start, Hoover mentally and sexually abused her. She said he told her repeatedly that if she left him he would find her and kill her. She said when the stepson came to live with them she was forbidden to give him food, but she sometimes slipped it to him. Prosecutor Moyle said the condition of the stepson grew more critical and he died at a time when Ms. Hoover had blood poisoning that led to her losing a kidney and being mainly confined to bed for two months. Wastewater from washing machines is considered a major source of microplastics tiny plastic particles that are suspected of harming human and animal health. Researchers at the University of Bonn now have developed a filter to curb this problem. Their filter was inspired by the gill arch system in fish. In initial tests, the now patent-pending filter was able to remove over 99 percent of plastic fibers from washing machine wastewater. The results now have been published in the journal npj Emerging Contaminants. Wastewater from a washing machine in a four-person household produces up to 500 grams of microplastics each year, mainly caused by textile abrasion. The household appliances are thus one of the most important sources of the tiny particles. Microplastics currently make their way directly into the sewage sludge of wastewater treatment plants. As this sludge is often used as fertilizer, the fibers ultimately end up on the fields. Many manufacturers have thus been searching for ways to remove microplastics from washing water to prevent them from entering the environment. The filter systems available so far, however, have various disadvantages, explains Dr. Leandra Hamann from the Institute for Organismic Biology at the University of Bonn. Some of them quickly become clogged, others do not offer adequate filtration. Looking inside the mouths of fish The scientist, alongside her doctoral supervisor Dr. Alexander Blanke and colleagues, has thus turned to the animal kingdom in her search for possible solutions. The team focused on fish that can be considered true masters of filter technology and have evolved this filtration over hundreds of millions of years. Some fish feed by means of filtration; these include, for example, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. They swim through the water with their mouths open and sift out the plankton with their gill arch system. We took a closer look at the construction of this system and used it as the model for developing a filter that can be used in washing machines, says Blanke, who is a member of the transdisciplinary research areas Life & Health and Sustainable Futures at the University of Bonn. During their evolution these fish have developed a technique similar to cross-flow filtration. Their gill arch system is shaped like a funnel that is widest at the fishs mouth and tapers towards their gullet. The walls of the funnel are shaped by the branchial arches. These feature comb-like structures, the arches, which are themselves covered in small teeth. This creates a kind of mesh that is stretched by the branchial arches. Self-cleaning: plankton rolls towards the gullet During food intake, the water flows through the permeable funnel wall, is filtered, and the particle-free water is then released back into the environment via the gills, explains Blanke. However, the plankton is too big for this; it is held back by the natural sieve structure. Thanks to the funnel shape, it then rolls towards the gullet, where it is collected until the fish swallows, which empties and cleans the system. This principle prevents the filter from being blocked instead of hitting the filter head-on, the fibers roll along it towards the gullet. The process is also highly effective, as it removes almost all of the plankton from the water. Both are aspects that a microplastic filter must also be able to deliver. The researchers thus replicated the gill arch system. In doing so, they varied both the mesh size of the sieve structure and the opening angle of the funnel. A group of Christians at the National Christian Convention, held in New Delhi on November 29, 2025 | Photo credit: The Christian Post Around 2,000 Christians from across India gathered in New Delhi to protest what they describe as rising, sustained and systematic violence against their minority community. Representing more than 200 denominations, civil society organizations and legal advocacy groups, the participants assembled on Nov. 29 under the banner of the National Christian Convention, reaffirming their commitment to the Indian Constitution and calling for unity, justice and hope. According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), one of the events organizers, reported cases of violence against Christians have risen sharplyfrom 139 incidents in 2014 to 834 in 2024amounting to nearly 5,000 documented cases over the past decade. Speakers at the convention included Archbishop of Delhi Anil J. Couto, Dr. Michael Williams of UCF, Rev. Richard Howell of the Caleb Institute, activist Dr. John Dayal, Catholic priest and advocate Fr. Cedric Prakash, attorney Siju Thomas, Rev. Vijayesh Lal of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, and activist Arun Pannalal. Presenters reiterated warnings about a 500% increase in reported attacks since 2014, noting that most incidents occur with little to no accountability. Organizers announced plans to draft a national manifesto demanding protection for all Christians and ensuring justice for victims of persecution. The document will be submitted to the president, prime minister, chief justice of India and other key government leaders. Many participants described a hostile climate characterized by fear and impunity, highlighting UCF data indicating that 93% of attacks go unpunished due to police inaction and threats of retaliation. The denial of burial rights emerged as another major concern, particularly among tribal Christian communities who report being barred from cemeteries and in some cases forced to exhume the bodies of loved ones. Tribal Christians also expressed alarm over campaigns seeking to strip them of their tribal status if they convert to Christianity or Islaman action that could remove their eligibility for vital legal protections and affirmative action benefits. The demonstration further condemned the misuse of anti-conversion laws in at least 12 states, which protesters argue are applied to criminalize peaceful prayer services and charitable activities. Participants also criticized the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) as a tool to suppress Christian institutions. The law governs the receipt of foreign funds by individuals, organizations and nonprofits, ostensibly to prevent activities harmful to national interests. Between 2019 and 2023, more than 20,000 NGOsincluding 1,626 Christian organizationslost their FCRA registration. Groups such as World Vision India and the Evangelical Fellowship of India saw their licenses canceled after accusations of conducting indirect conversions. Protesters noted that the 2020 FCRA amendment requires all NGO office bearers to file affidavits asserting they have never been prosecuted for religious conversions. Critics argue that this rule, combined with aggressive enforcement of anti-conversion laws, enables authorities to revoke registrations without due process. Another significant issue raised at the rally was the continued exclusion of Dalit Christians from Scheduled Caste status under the 1950 Presidential Order, which currently applies only to Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits. Speakers also condemned the use of magic remedy laws to criminalize Christian prayer practices. In Assam, activists noted that a 2024 law has been used to target evangelists under vague definitions of healing fraud. Architectural Rendering of First Baptist Dallas Church. | Screenshot/ Youtube/ CBS TEXAS Hobby Lobby founder and CEO David Green has contributed $7 million toward the reconstruction of the sanctuary at First Baptist Dallas. Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress shared the news during Sunday morning worship at the downtown megachurch, where he leads one of the nations most prominent Southern Baptist congregations. The gift comes nearly 18 months after a four-alarm fire destroyed the 134-year-old sanctuary in July 2024, marking a significant milestone in First Baptist Dallas broader $95 million fundraising campaign to construct a new facility and expand ministries. Before beginning his sermon series, The Divine Defense: 6 Supernatural Weapons for Defeating Your Unseen Enemy, Jeffress reflected on how Greens initial proposal a matching grant of up to $7 million quickly evolved into an upfront donation. A couple of months ago, you remember David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, came to visit us, and he loves our church. He loves what our church stands for, Jeffress told the congregation. Jeffress explained that the Hobby Lobby Foundation typically directs its charitable giving toward international work rather than local churches, but Green made an exception in this case. David recognized First Baptist Church is not just any local congregation, he said. It has a worldwide ministry. According to Jeffress, Green expressed deep admiration for the churchs evangelistic mission: Pastor, your church is about winning people to Jesus. And that's what we love at Hobby Lobby. We want to win as many people to Jesus as quickly as we can. And that's what you're doing. And we want to play a part in the rebuilding of that historic sanctuary. Green originally offered a matching challenge of $7 million if First Baptist Dallas could raise an equal amount, making a combined total of $14 million. Jeffress recalled sharing the challenge with a dedicated family in the church, who responded the next morning by pledging to complete the entire match. The funding arrives at a pivotal time for First Baptist Dallas, a congregation founded in 1868 that now spans six city blocks and includes over 16,000 members. Although the July 2024 fire caused extensive destruction collapsing the roof of the historic sanctuary and damaging an adjacent chapel the church has pressed forward and was even voted best church in the DallasFort Worth metro area this past October. Looking ahead to a planned groundbreaking in early 2026, Jeffress described upcoming improvements, including a giant escalator and staircase connecting two levels of the Crystal Center. He estimated that the sanctuary reconstruction alone will cost around $27 million. Home News DOJ wants to defend Christian students punished for opposing girl in boys' locker room The U.S. Department of Justice is coming to the defense of two Virginia public high school students suspended earlier this year for speaking out against the presence of a female trans-identified student in the male locker room. The Justice Department filed a motion to intervene on Monday in the case of S.W. et al. v. Loudoun County School Board, which centers on two Christian male students reportedly suspended after they objected to a girl who identifies as a boy in their locker room. Loudoun County school officials "intentionally discriminated on the basis of religion in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment," the administration lawyers contend. "Because Plaintiffs and the United States both allege an Equal Protection claim regarding religious discrimination, the United States' claim shares common questions of law and fact with Plaintiffs' claims," stated the motion. "Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, in a statement released Monday. "Loudoun County's decision to advance and promote gender ideology tramples on the rights of religious students who cannot embrace ideas that deny biological reality." Under Loudoun County's Policy 8040, enacted in 2021, "staff shall allow gender-expansive or transgender students to use their chosen name and gender pronouns that reflect their consistently asserted gender identity without any substantiating evidence, regardless of the name and gender recorded in the student's permanent educational record." "LCPS staff shall allow gender-expansive and transgender students to participate in such activities in a manner consistent with the student's gender identity," continued the policy. "All students are entitled to have access to restrooms and locker rooms that are sanitary, safe, and adequate, so that they can comfortably and fully engage in their school programs and activities. Students shall be allowed to use the facility that corresponds to their consistently asserted gender identity." According to court documents, a female student recently entered the boys' locker room at Stone Bridge High School, taking advantage of the policy and recorded video of the boys there. Two Christian male students whose faith led them to use the biologically correct pronouns for people and to use sex-segregated facilities were among those who denounced the incident. In March, the Founding Freedoms Law Center announced that Loudoun County Public Schools was investigating three boys for allegedly engaging in "sexual harassment" over the incident, with the officials eventually imposing 10-day suspensions on two of the students. The parents of the students filed a lawsuit against Loudoun officials, with Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granting a preliminary injunction in October that blocks the school district from enforcing the suspensions. Loudoun County Public Schools made national headlines a few years ago when the Washington, D.C.-area school district was debating Policy 8040, permitting trans-identified students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their stated gender identity instead of their sex. The school district drew controversy in 2021 for suspending an elementary school teacher who spoke at a school board meeting against the policy, which had not yet been approved. The teacher sued school officials, and court injunctions were issued against the school district as the case was adjudicated. The two parties ultimately reached a settlement in which officials reversed the suspension and paid $20,000 in attorneys' fees in exchange for the teacher dropping the lawsuit. Home News Elon Musk affirms belief in Creator, says 'universe came from something' Billionaire Elon Musk reiterated his belief in the existence of a Creator during a recent podcast, claiming God is the figure he most admires and that the universe could not have created itself. Speaking during an episode of "The Katie Miller Podcast" that aired Tuesday, Musk spoke extensively about the effectively defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), AI, and other topics, but also briefly touched on his views about the divine. ???? JUST IN: Elon Musk is asked about whether he believes in God KATIE MILLER: Who do you look up to the most? ELON: The Creator. MILLER: What's your position on God? ELON: God is the Creator. MILLER: You don't believe in God though, do you? ELON: Well, I believe this pic.twitter.com/mY363X1Y00 Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 9, 2025 "Who do you look up to the most?" asked Miller, who is the wife of presidential advisor Stephen Miller and served as a spokesperson for DOGE from January through May of this year. "The Creator," Musk said, prompting Miller to ask what his present position on God is. "God is the Creator," he said. "You don't believe in God, though, do you?" Miller asked, to which Musk replied, "Well, I believe this universe came from something. People have different labels." The comments from the Tesla and SpaceX founder are the latest in his publicly evolving views on God and faith. Musk, who once quipped in 2022 that he is OK with going to Hell, encouraged his millions of X followers to attend church in the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination earlier this year. Musk also attended Kirk's memorial in Glendale, Arizona, in September, where he was pictured conversing with President Donald Trump despite their acrimonious falling-out in the spring. In response to a tweet from a user on X urging him to confess a Creator in May 2022, Musk wrote: "Thank you for the blessing, but Im OK with going to hell, if that is indeed my destination, since the vast majority of all humans ever born will be there." While he has stopped short of fully embracing Christianity, Musk has since identified himself as a "cultural Christian" in the manner of atheist Richard Dawkins, who in 2024 lamented the loss of Christian culture in the United Kingdom amid a surging Islam. "I would say I'm probably a cultural Christian," Musk told psychologist and author Jordan Peterson that year. "I was brought up as an Anglican, and I was baptized. Musk has also spoken highly of Christianity's cultural impact, warning last year that Western civilization is "absolutely screwed if it loses Christianity." Musk also appears to have been profoundly impacted by his son Xavier's struggle with gender identity. He told Peterson that his 21-year-old son, who now identifies as a female named Vivian Jenna Wilson, is effectively "dead" after medical professionals "tricked" him into authorizing his sons chemical transition by threatening suicide. Musk moved his companies X and SpaceX out of California that year in protest of Californias positions on the topic of transgender minors, citing a state law that prohibits school districts from requiring teachers to tell parents if their children identify as the opposite sex. Home News Episcopal priest charged with stealing $300K fights removal from priesthood An Episcopal priest who has been accused of stealing around $300,000 from a Texas church is appealing a ruling that removes him from the priesthood. Edward Monk, who was charged last year with allegedly stealing from St. John's Episcopal Church of Corsicana, has appealed his removal from ministry. A Court of Review is slated to hear arguments on Wednesday. An earlier diocesan hearing panel found Monk guilty of "conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy" over six financial infractions, reported Episcopal News Service. According to church court documents, Monk's appeal argues that the hearing was a "sham" and that he was not given sufficient opportunity to defend himself from the allegations. "This long train of abuses culminated in the sham hearing of May 27 from which the [hearing panel's] order issued," stated the appeal document, as quoted by ENS. "The hearing panel insisted on conducting the hearing in a manner that both deprived respondent of his right to effective counsel at the hearing and placed his canonical and constitutional rights in the criminal proceeding in grave jeopardy." In July 2024, Monk, who had served as rector of St. John's since 2003, became the subject of a police investigation after parishioners reported suspicious financial activity. Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson released a statement last December stating that his department worked with both local authorities and the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas on the matter. "The Corsicana police contacted the Navarro County District Attorney who promptly requested assistance from the Texas attorney general financial crimes division," stated Johnson. "The Corsicana police and District Attorney have been cooperating with the Episcopal Diocese, which has charged Monk with fraud and mismanagement of church funds. Bank records indicate a pattern of misappropriation of church funds spanning more than a decade." Monk was arrested last December and charged with stealing more than $300,000, fraudulently using an elderly individual's identity and credit card abuse of an elderly person. He was released on bail. The diocese put Monk on administrative leave in August 2024, and he was later charged with six counts of mismanagement of the local church's funds and fraud. In late May, a diocesan hearing panel concluded that Monk violated Episcopal Church disciplinary canons by allegedly defrauding his congregation and financial misconduct. Home News Kirk Cameron changes stance on doctrine of Hell, says he no longer believes in 'eternal conscious torment' Traditionalist view of damnation 'doesnt seem to fit' Old Testament, actor says Actor and podcaster Kirk Cameron stirred up a theological hornets nest after he revealed he no longer believes in a Hell that includes eternal conscious torment. Cameron, 55, shared his changing views during a Dec. 3 episode of the Kirk Cameron Show in which he and his son, James, explored biblical references to Sheol, Hades and Gehenna to examine whether Gods justice is compatible with endless suffering. Acknowledging the doctrine of Hell is an uncomfortable subject, Kirk said the topic is a popular point of contention for atheists who characterize it as the eternal barbecue for sinners. Jesus died so that we could have eternal life. But do the wicked have eternal life in Hell? And if they do, why does the Old Testament describe the fate of the wicked in the opposite terms? he asked, pointing to references using words like destroy, perish and death when describing the fate of the wicked. The soul that sins, it shall die, he said, quoting from the prophet Ezekiel. It will perish. It will be destroyed, which is like the ending of life, not the ongoing life forever in punishment. He also pointed to history and the rise and fall of nations as an illustration of what he believes happens to those who die apart from faith in Jesus Christ. When you look at Gods judgment upon individuals or on nations, cities, empires, He says theyre gone The symbolism is scorched earth, destroyed, gone, and their name is remembered no more, he said. ... And theyre not coming back. Its like forever. Which really is a better description of dying, of perishing. Not being granted eternal life so that you can be tormented forever. That doesnt seem to fit. Cameron bolstered his argument by citing Edward Fudge, author of the 1982 book, The Fire That Consumes: A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment, which argues in support of a conditionalist view, often called annihilationism. This view, Fudge contends, sees Hell as the fire that consumes rather than the traditionalist view of Hell as the fire that torments forever. In his podcast, which has over 218,000 subscribers on YouTube, Cameron signaled agreement with Fudges thesis that the immortality of the soul is not a biblical concept and that the notion of an eternal destiny in one of two places was actually a pagan notion adopted by early Christians. He says that that concept was imported by early Christians who would read the readings of ancient philosophers like Plato, who weren't Christians and talked about the soul being immortal, eternal, said Cameron. And so, you're going to go to one of two places forever. You're going to go to Heaven forever or you're going to go to the bad place, Hell, or you know, whatever it is, forever. And that they imported that and just considered it a given and then brought that into Christianity. Best known by the Christian community for his roles in films like the Left Behind series and Fireproof, Camerons previous work with evangelist Ray Comfort and the Way of the Master ministry made the traditionalist doctrine of Hell a cornerstone of their evangelistic efforts. In response to Camerons thoughts on annihilationism, Comfort said that while Kirk is no longer affiliated with his ministry, Living Waters, which doesnt hold to Kirk's position, he believes his former ministry partner is sincere in his belief. While we believe Kirk is sincere, we believe that conditional mortality and annihilationism are erroneous views, and that the Bible's clear teaching on Hell is known as 'eternal, conscious torment, Comfort told The Christian Post on Tuesday. We firmly believe this is the only correct biblical view. Despite their theological disagreement, however, Comfort reiterated that he still considers Cameron a good friend and a strong Christian. Kirk Cameron has been a dear friend of mine for decades, he said. I've known him to be a Godly man who loves the Lord, his family and the Church. In a world of phonies and make believe, especially in Hollywood, I think Kirk is the real deal. In addition to authoring articles like Friends Dont Let Friends Go to Hell and warning sinners that Gods place of punishment is called Hell, Cameron made a name for himself in the Christian community in part through Comfort's "Way of the Master" method, which involved a series of questions Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen anything? invoking the Ten Commandments and Gods just punishment for sin. Cameron, Comfort, and other evangelists would then ask the listener, So if you stood before Gods judgment seat, where would you go? Youd go to Hell, right? Comfort has previously shared the moment of his first interaction with Cameron when an associate gave Cameron a CD titled Hells Best Kept Secret, which would eventually lead him to partner with Comfort in ministry. In one 2015 video titled Firefighter Lets Family Burn Alive, Cameron recounts a legal case in which a firefighter willingly failed to rescue a family from a burning home. What do you think is a fitting punishment for this serious crime? Two years in prison? 20 years? A life sentence? Capital punishment? he asked the audience. In that same video, Cameron quotes from the epistle of James, saying, ... Here's the point: if you're not sharing your faith, if you're not seeking the lost and obeying the scriptures to save them with fear, pulling them out of the fire, if you don't have enough concern for them to do that, then you are that firefighter. Home News Lutheran group details ongoing work of leading Somali outreach in Minnesota As the Trump administration is reportedly preparing to deploy 100 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minnesota, home to an estimated 87,000 people with Somali ties, Lutheran church leaders are pushing back against federal immigration enforcement actions with evangelism. Last Tuesday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said ICE agents are being deployed to the Twin Cities to specifically target the Somali community, which has faced allegations of rampant fraud involving the states benefit system after federal prosecutors charged dozens of individuals with stealing over $300 million from the Federal Child Nutrition Program through Feeding Our Future, a Minnesota-based nonprofit. The state's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz conceded that the total amount stolen through these fraud schemes could be as much as $1 billion. An audit is expected to be released to the public in January 2026. The alleged fraud schemes drew controversial remarks from President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting last week, in which he referred to Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. who hails from Somalia and has referred to that country's leader as "my president" as "garbage" and suggested Somalians "come from Hell." Trump described Somalia in the Horn of Africa as "barely a country" and accused refugees in the Twin Cities of having "ripped off that state for billions of dollars, every year, and they contribute nothing." The president also threatened to strip temporary legal protections from Somalis living in Minnesota. In response to the president's remarks, some Christian denominations and organizations, including the left-leaning evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), condemned what one leader described as Trump's "anti-immigrant rhetoric." Others, including the more conservative Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF), encouraged forming relationships and sharing the Gospel with Somali neighbors while those doors are still open. The LHF, a registered service organization with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), is a mission organization dedicated to translating and publishing the foundational books of the Lutheran faith into nearly 190 languages, including Somalian. Dinku Bato, LHF regional director for Africa, is part of a group of Lutheran pastors and lay leaders working to figure out how best to share the Gospel with their Somali neighbors in the Twin Cities, home to the worlds largest Somali population outside the country of Somalia. LHF began translating Martin Luthers Small Catechism into Somali in the early 2000s, and since then, distribution has taken place cautiously within Somalia and more widely among Somali communities in neighboring African countries, Europe and North America, Bato said. While he wouldn't comment specifically on ICE's enforcement actions or Trumps comments about Somalia, Bato said he believes Lutherans have a duty to receive anyone as a neighbor. When immigrants, Somali or otherwise, arrive in our communities, we receive those opportunities with gratitude, he recently told The Christian Post. And the beauty of a book is that it travels with the reader. Even if someone must relocate, whether within the U.S. or internationally, that book continues teaching and proclaiming Christ wherever it goes. To date, LHF has published seven different books in the Somali language, with more than 100,000 copies printed. While Bato said LHF itself doesn't typically conduct one-on-one evangelism, they often provide books at no cost to missionaries, congregations and individuals at various events, including an LHF conference in July focused on Somali outreach. Following that event, Bato recommended that evangelists may want to avoid handing out the Bible or other books to Somalis because a book can be a problem for Somali people when they bring them into their homes. He even warned attendees against sharing the Gospel unless its an emergency and a person is dying. Instead, relate to them. Pour coffee, invite them to dinner. That is a good thing. When asked whether he believes the Gospel presentation is central to Somali outreach, Bato said, For many Somalis, if you begin a conversation by immediately presenting the Gospel, the discussion ends before it begins. The person may shut down or walk away because of fear, cultural pressure, or past experiences. The vast majority of foreign-born Somalis living in Minnesota are not only naturalized U.S. citizens, but also identify as Sunni Muslims. Since 2007, Minnesota has been home to the recruitment of young Somali men by the Islamic State and al-Shabaab terror networks. Is the Somali outreach done by Bato and others bearing fruit in Minnesota? Bato said there are no reliable statistics on the number of Somali Christians in the U.S., largely in part because of Somali culture. The primary reason is that most Somali believers do not worship publicly. Instead, they gather in small, informal home groups due to the social, economic and familial consequences they may face if their Christian faith becomes known, he said. Despite keeping a low profile, Bato says there are a few Somali Christian fellowships in Minneapolis and the Columbus, Ohio, area, along with scattered individual believers across the U.S. But when asked if he could provide any specifics on how many Somali Christian fellowships are located in Minnesota, Bato declined. These are people I stay in touch with, share resources with, and visit when possible, he said. But any broad numerical estimate would be speculative and potentially unsafe. Home News Pastors accuse PCA of 'demonizing' LGBTQ, sidelining women: 'Spiritually abusive' A petition written by a group of ethnic-minority pastors within the Presbyterian Church in America went viral this week after accusing the largest conservative Presbyterian denomination in the U.S. of being spiritually abusive, sidelining women and "demonizing" gay people, among other grievances. "We write as ethnic minority pastors and leaders within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) with hearts full of gratitude and grief," reads the petition titled "A Call to Prayer & Lament," the authenticity of which a knowledgeable PCA source confirmed to The Christian Post. 'A schismatic culture' While expressing gratitude for "the ways God has used this denomination to shape our faith, theology, and ministries," the petition laid out four scathing "laments" against the PCA: fostering "a schismatic culture," sidelining "minority and female leaders," supplanting "confessional generosity" with "theological rigidity," and allowing "denominational burden" to become "an obstacle to mission." Noting "a deepening culture of suspicion, gracelessness, self-righteousness, and relational dysfunction" that allegedly exhibits "racial microaggressions, unnecessary theological gatekeeping, and a pervasive mistrust that corrodes gospel ministry and healthy community," the petition also obliquely accused the PCA of spiritual abuse. "Some have described the denominational environment as emotionally or spiritually abusive, particularly toward leaders from marginalized and/or minority backgrounds. We long for a church culture marked by relational warmth, mutual trust, collegial deliberation, and grace," the petition said. Without providing specific examples, the petition further claimed the PCA has hindered the denomination's "mission in our cities," in part by having "demonized" the LGBT community and others. "The very neighbors we are seeking to love secular, progressive non-Christians, LGTBQ individuals, immigrants, people of color, and more are publicly belittled and demonized, if not by our words then by our legislative actions," the petition said. The petitioners claimed, among other things, to be "[longing] for an ecclesial home" where "those wrestling with complex identities and callings find safety, truth, and grace," and where "theological depth is held together with spiritual warmth and missional clarity." 'Baseless innuendo' The petition also alleged that "too often, faithful leaders in good standing are subjected to unchecked slander and baseless innuendo on social media," which it said "has begun to function as an unofficial court" of the denomination. Initial petition signatories included 12 PCA pastors, such as the Rev. Duke Kwon, who pastors GraceDC Meridian Hill in Washington, D.C., and the Rev. Irwyn Ince, who is also from the GraceDC church network and led the PCA's Mission to North America (MNA), its North American missions arm, from 2021 until he stepped down in September. Ince, who was involved earlier this year with controversial ethnic-based "affinity groups" in the PCA, resigned from the MNA after a viral X clip showed him formally blessing a pastor who announced his defection to the Roman Catholic Church from the pulpit. The petition, which at first allowed anyone else to sign without confirming their identities, suspended signing on Tuesday after being inundated with fake names such "Adoll Fitler," "Ima Victum," "Judas Iscariot," among other more vulgar and offensive names that have since been removed. "Unfortunately, due to incessant spam, we had to temporarily suspend submissions. We hope to have this feature active again soon," the petition said Tuesday. "For now, please continue to join us in prayer." As of Wednesday, a verification step had been added to the signature process that required users to "acknowledge my accountability before Him for the honesty of my statements." The PCA's administrative committee, which had no part in the petition, did not respond to The Christian Post's request for comment. The Rev. Zachary Groff, who pastors Antioch Presbyterian Church in Woodruff, South Carolina, and serves on the MNA's permanent committee, said in an X post that the views expressed in the petition did not reflect those of the denomination. "The recently published (and subsequently/predictably spammed into oblivion) 'Call to Prayer & Lament' does NOT represent any PCA entity, church, presbytery, agency, or institution. And that's a good thing," he tweeted. 'Embarrassingly lowbrow' The petition was met with mixed reactions on social media, with some characterizing the petition as a necessary step. Others were dismayed at what they described as evidence of encroaching "wokeness" and liberalism that assumes a left-wing worldview while calling good evil. "This is such an embarrassingly lowbrow Leftist frame that I honestly don't know how anyone who calls themselves a Christian could write these lines or put their names to it," said William Wolfe, who serves as executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership. "But right now, a liberal group in the PCA is doing just that. Another reminder that Woke won't 'be put away' in conservative Christian denominations unless the good guys PUT it away," he added. Wolfe also claimed "lament" has become "another one of those 'Christian and biblical words' that has been totally hijacked by the Woke in the American church (like empathy)." "The tent is too big," the Rev. Sean McGowan, who pastors Westminster Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, Florida, wrote in an apparent reference to the late Rev. Tim Keller's famous "big tent" paper that was presented at the 2010 PCA General Assembly. Keller's concept, which was widely applauded at the time, advocated for uniting diverse Reformed theological viewpoints in pursuit of a common cultural mission. "So glad my whiteness has been lamented in our denomination for the 800th time," wrote religion writer Zoe Miller, whose husband is a PCA pastor in Idaho. Miller's post prompted the Rev. George Sayour, a PCA minister in Florida, to reply: "Is [Miller], a woman, allowed to disagree with this [petition]? Am I, an Arab, allowed to? Maybe the issue is less around Culture and Color, and more around Philosophy and Theology." The Rev. Thomas Rickard, who pastors Seven Springs Presbyterian Church in Glade Spring, Virginia, and serves as stated clerk of the PCA's Westminster Presbytery throughout northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, penned a lengthy Medium post addressing some of the petition's claims. "If the claims in this letter accurately describe our denomination, that the PCA as a whole is marked by suspicion, gracelessness, partiality, unjust exclusion, or hostility toward our neighbors, then the PCA would indeed be drifting from the Westminster Standards and would stand in grave danger, for such sins have no place in Christs Church," he wrote in part. "Yet the conclusions offered seem to take the experiences or actions of individuals and extend them to the denomination as a whole, without citing the actions of the General Assembly or the courts of the Church," he continued. "The Westminster Confession requires truth, evidence, and due process in any public accusation, and it forbids rash judgments and unwarranted generalizations. Some claims appear misleading, for example, the PCA's complementarian commitment is grounded in Scripture and our Standards (Male-only ordination), not in cultural 'male-dominance.'" The Rev. Matt Kennedy, who serves as senior pastor at Church of the Good Shepherd, a conservative Anglican church in Binghamton, New York, pushed back especially against the petition's apparent assumption that homosexuality is an intrinsic part of one's identity. "They seem to be about 5 minutes away from becoming openly affirming. They've already jettisoned Genesis and adopted the Queer Theory frame for sexual 'identity,'" Kennedy wrote. "Also, they've become adept at that utterly ubiquitous tool of the leftist ideologue masquerading as the pious pilgrim: simultaneously exuding utter contempt and malice while playing the virtuous victim, 'confessing' the vaguely defined 'sin' of other people which, upon examination, turns out to be the rejection of leftist ideology," he added. Home News Turning Point USA launches chapters at over 500 high schools in Texas, governor says Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says hundreds of schools across the state are ready to host chapters of Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) high school program, which promotes conservative values for young people. At a news conference Monday at the Governor's Mansion, Abbott highlighted the need for programs like Club America, the high school arm of TPUSA, the conservative youth organization founded in 2012 by activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September during an event on a Utah college campus. Joined by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, TPUSA Senior Director Josh Thifault, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath and other officials, Abbott announced that more than 500 high schools in Texas already host Club America chapters, including dozens in North Texas, and touted the state as having the most such chapters nationwide. "There has been no moment in time during the course of this century when there was such an urgency and a need for an organization like TPUSA and Club America," said Abbott. "They have helped to restore moral clarity, constitutional principles, and our founding values. I am grateful for the young men and women behind me and their peers across the state for stepping up and identifying themselves as the future leaders of the Lone Star State." During the event, Abbott who formally announced his reelection campaign last month honored Kirk's legacy in building the conservative movement and reaching young people. The governor said he and his administration are committed to fostering an environment for Club America to "expand and flourish," while warning that schools obstructing student-led efforts to form chapters would face consequences. While clarifying there are no plans to mandate the creation of clubs, Abbott stressed student rights to organize them. "Let me be clear," he said. "Any school that stands in the way of a Club America program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency, where I expect meaningful disciplinary action to be taken place for any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas." Described on the organization's website as the "leading youth movement for freedom-loving American values," Club America boasts more than 1,200 high school chapters aimed at helping student leaders "promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government." Texas isn't the first state to launch partnerships with TPUSA to help establish chapters in schools statewide. In September, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and then-Oklahoma state Supt. Ryan Walters pledged to defend students who wished to start their own Club America chapters. Following his promise that "every high school will have a TPUSA Club America chapter" in Oklahoma, Walters resigned from his role in late September. Home News White House dismisses pro-lifers' calls to fire FDA commissioner over abortion pill review The White House says it has the "utmost confidence" in Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary as pro-life leaders call for him to be fired following a report that he delayed a safety review of the abortion drug mifepristone until after the 2026 midterms. Although Makary and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have promised lawmakers and state attorneys general that a safety review is underway, pro-life leaders expressed concern this week that the agency is stalling a safety review of the abortion drug following a Bloomberg report earlier this month that said Makary told agency officials to put it off until after the midterm elections. Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins declared in a Tuesday statement that Makary's duty is to protect Americans' health, "not shield a political agenda." "The FDA is stalling a crucial Chemical Abortion Pill safety study while women are harmed, abusers are empowered, and state laws are undermined," Hawkins wrote. "Makary, if you won't do the job, you're not the right person for it. Keep your promises and investigate these dangerous Chemical Abortion Pills NOW." In response to the allegations, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that Makary is "working diligently to ensure that Americans have the best possible, Gold Standard Science study of mifepristone." "The White House maintains the utmost confidence in Commissioner Makary, whose leadership at the FDA has delivered and continues to deliver one landmark victory for the American people after another, from cracking down on artificial ingredients in our food supply to conducting the first safety review of baby formula in decades," Desai told The Christian Post. "Uninformed attacks against Commissioner Makary from individuals outside the Administration will not change these facts," he added. A White House official told The Hill in a statement this week that the study of mifepristone is not being "slow-walked," claiming that a comprehensive review like this one takes time. During an interview with The Daily Signal, Makary said there are many rumors but insisted that the FDA is currently in the "data acquisition phase" of the review. "We do an ongoing review, but we're also engaging in a robust study that can serve to validate or not validate other numbers that have been put out there in the literature," he said. The grassroots anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America responded to Makary in a Wednesday tweet thread, calling on the FDA commissioner to reinstate the requirement that women visit a doctor in person before they can obtain abortion drugs. The pro-life group also highlighted Makary's promise earlier this year about the FDA conducting a safety review, which he said was underway in September. "Now, nearly a year into the Trump administration, @DrMakaryFDA's abortion drug safety review hasn't even passed the data-gathering phase, and there's no ETA. That's the definition of slow-walking," SBA Pro-Life America asserted. In a statement, SBA Pro-Life America noted that in the months since Makary promised a safety review, multiple women have come forward and said their significant other forcibly gave them abortion drugs after obtaining them online. Last month, the State Medical Board of Ohio suspended Dr. Hassan-James Abbas after he allegedly used his wife's information to order abortion drugs for his pregnant girlfriend. Abbas reportedly crushed the abortion drugs and held his girlfriend down as he attempted to force them into her mouth. "Enough is enough: FDA Commissioner Makary should be fired immediately," SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser declared. "The FDA is doing nothing while every single day abortion drugs take the lives of children, put women and girls at serious risk, empower abusers and trample state pro-life laws." "The FDA needs a new commissioner who will immediately reinstate in-person dispensing as it existed under President Trump's first term and immediately conduct a comprehensive study," Dannenfelser continued. "Commissioner Makary is severely undermining President Trump and Vice President Vance's pro-life credentials and their position that states should have the right to enact and enforce pro-life protections," the pro-life leader added. "Makary must go." According to a report published earlier this year by the Restoration of America Foundation, more than one in 10 women who use chemical abortion drugs experience an adverse event. The report also said that abortion drugs mailed to women are 22 times more dangerous than what the FDA discloses to patients. The study, which used insurance claims from the years 2017 to 2023, identified over 600,000 patients who obtained 865,727 chemical abortions, which suggests repeat abortions. "The dataset further shows an upward trend in serious adverse event rates in recent years," the study states. "In 2023 alone, 154,554 chemical abortions occurred with a serious adverse event rate of 11.2 percent." Other studies have reportedly found that abortion drugs were associated with higher rates of severe or critical emergency room visits compared to surgical abortions and live births. On Tuesday, the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs also condemned the FDA for approving a generic form of mifepristone when the agency promised to conduct a safety review. "No more empty promises. Our physicians remain committed to caring for women facing severe complications caused by the lack of safeguards," the AAPLOG stated. "But the FDA must do its job protecting women and girls not only from these dangerous drugs and from abusers who coerce and force their use." Home News A look at how worlds 5 Communist countries are cracking down on Christians: report Quick Summary AI Summary The world's five remaining Communist countries are intensifying control over Christian churches. China mandates church registration and financial audits, enforcing strict operational restrictions. Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam impose similar regulations, limiting religious activities and foreign funding. 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 Governments in the worlds five remaining Communist countries are intensifying control over Christian churches, according to an analysis by a persecution watchdog, which says churches are facing growing legal, financial and operational restrictions under regimes in China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea and Vietnam. Authorities in China require churches to register with the state and operate under a system called Sinicization, which mandates that sermons and practices incorporate Chinese cultural elements and Communist Party ideology, according to an analysis by the U.S.-based group International Christian Concern. Churches in China must also submit to financial audits by government officials and disclose all sources and uses of funding, it adds. A 2022 regulation known as the Measures for the Financial Management of Venues for Religious Activities empowers Chinese religious affairs departments to inspect and audit church assets, the report explains. Article 43 of the regulation states that relevant government departments may conduct inspections of religious activity sites, it points out. Church leaders must also pledge loyalty to the Communist Party and affirm socialist values to obtain or retain state approval. The analysis cites a 2022 report by The Evangelical Times, which states that churches registered with the government lost control over their finances and property, with decisions regarding their use transferred to local officials. In Cuba, religious groups are also legally required to register with the government, though new registrations are seldom granted, says the analysis. Individuals receiving foreign funding for church-related activities may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison under Cuban law, according to the analysis, citing a U.S. Department of State report. A 2025 report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said Cuban authorities regularly denied or ignored registration applications, then cited the lack of registration as justification for targeting churches. Churches unable to register were subject to harassment, closure or prosecution. Religious organizations in Laos must also register with the government and seek prior approval for nearly all activities, according to the analysis. A 2023 U.S. State Department report said churches must obtain permission for services, gatherings, travel of clergy, construction of worship spaces, and distribution of religious materials. The Laotian government also has the authority to halt any religious activity it deems threatening to public order or national stability. All religious texts or materials must be submitted for approval before they are imported, and their domestic distribution is tightly controlled. In North Korea, churches are allowed only as tightly regulated institutions that serve the regimes image abroad, says the analysis. A U.S. State Department report noted that a small number of officially registered religious institutions exist in Pyongyang but operate under strict state control and primarily serve as showpieces for foreign visitors. North Korean citizens are expected to report anyone found engaging in religious practices outside these state-run settings or in possession of Christian materials. Unauthorized religious activity is met with harsh penalties, including imprisonment or forced labor. Vietnam also enforces mandatory registration for religious groups and reserves the right to intervene in church finances and operations, according to the analysis. A 2024 law, known as Decree 95, grants the government authority to demand financial records from religious institutions and to suspend their activities without citing specific violations, according to Global Christian Relief. Authorities in Vietnam have detained individuals and restricted congregations that fail to comply with these requirements, notes the analysis. The regulation increases the states capacity to monitor church practices and impose penalties when noncompliance is alleged. Throughout these five countries, legal frameworks enable state agencies to impose fines, jail terms, or shutdown orders on Christian churches based on vague or politically defined infractions. Church leaders are often required to publicly affirm government loyalty and may lose operating rights if they refuse. The use of financial oversight as a mechanism of control has expanded across the regimes. In many cases, governments retain unilateral authority to audit, redirect, or seize church funds, thereby depriving churches of financial autonomy. Foreign donations are particularly targeted, with laws in multiple countries treating them as threats to national security. While each nation has its own legal and bureaucratic structures, common features include mandated loyalty to the ruling party, prior approval for religious activities, and oversight of church materials and finances. Churches operating outside the registered system are treated as illegal and may be raided or shut down. Official justification for these restrictions often hinges on claims of safeguarding national unity, peace or constitutional order. However, the cumulative effect is a narrowing of permissible Christian expression and the elevation of state authority over religious practice, states the analysis. Home Opinion Is skepticism even rational at this point? The Christian God has always been defined as timeless, immaterial, and who caused matter into existence. Skeptics continue to claim, however, that there isnt enough evidence to warrant reasonable belief in the existence of God. With modern science, I believe that denying the inferences to God can only be sustained by playing skeptical games. Let me explain why. I am reading the currently released English translation of an international bestseller, originally written in French (2021) by Michel-Yves Bollore and Olivier Bonnassies. The research is comprehensive. Their purpose is not to defend a particular religious belief. The authors unpack how in the history of science inferential indicators of God were often discouraged, but not for scientific reasons. In God, the Science, the Evidence: the Dawn of a Revolution, they explained: Our ability to accept a claim, scientific or otherwise, depends on more than rational evidence. . . The phenomenon is particularly acute when one broaches the subject of the existence of God, because what is at stake is not just some point of scientific data but the very meaning of our life... For many people, the desire to be free and autonomous ... takes precedence over everything else. Their inmost-self recoils from this idea of God: to defend itself, it mobilizes all its intellectual resources to oppose the search for truth and to protect its own perceived independence and freedom. [1] This phenomenon of defending skepticism when challenged by the subject of God was also critiqued by the authors saying, instead of stimulating thoughtful discussion, the subject often provokes reactions ranging from annoyed indifference to ridicule, contempt, and even violence.[2] I am being convinced that a skeptic is suppressing inferential knowledge of God for personal reasons. Furthermore, its not difficult to discern how the rhetorical games of skepticism are necessary to keep denials going. Observed phenomena are available to everyone, and a theist makes inference to God as the best possible explanation by what is measured. If a skeptic were to acknowledge, for example, that our exquisitely fine-tuned planet was perfectly intended to accommodate human habitation and thus a reasonable inference to a designer and not chance, it would be rationally verifiable. Conversely, a denial cannot be verified apart from skeptical rhetoric that the inference is unconvincing. The apparent game carries on with immeasurable speculations by insisting that a future explanation could arise, which sounds like anything but God rhetoric. I am not suggesting that skeptics are deliberately lying, but it seems that modern science is introducing a serious conversation about God and skepticism is desperately resorting to playing games. This game has incentives, however. The French researchers observed that skepticism mobilizes all its intellectual resources to oppose the search for truth and to protect its own perceived independence and freedom.[3] Accordingly, I believe that theism and, in particular, Christian faith are perceived as a threat to the skeptics independence and freedom. C. S. Lewis once commented that, The real trouble about fallen man is not the strength of his pleasures but the weakness of his reason.[4] Humankind has tasted sin, and reasons that Christian faith isnt as exciting. So any offer to discover the way, the truth, and the life is avoided because it implies the end of doing whatever pleases. Nevertheless, the message of sin and Gods grace has persisted for two thousand years and will never go away. Jesus said prophetically, my words will not pass away (Matt. 24:35). In our times, the conversation is becoming unavoidable. Online influencers are making a career of playing games with the Good News in order to escape the haunting accountability. Yet skepticism cannot even qualify itself. Even if it were to state exactly what it expects of Christian faith in order to be convinced, this necessary condition can never result in a conclusion that will satisfy a skeptic. To illustrate, lets suppose one expects pertinent particulars of the Resurrection event to be placed under a microscope and confirming data to emerge. Even if that were to somehow happen, a skeptic could remain unsatisfied by insisting that future information may arise and nullify the results. Pathetically, skeptical games even opt for philosophical inconsistency to support its unshakable and pre-determined commitment to avoid the rule of God. The not enough evidence rhetoric has become part of a necessary game. Nonetheless, countless skeptics have genuinely accepted the Christian faith. A skeptic reading this would say that Christians have also reneged. The difference, though, is that a skeptic has transitioned into a newly discovered worldview of grace that was previously unknown, whereas a believer reverts back to past behavior and embraces already known skeptical thinking. There is no special discovery in a believers turncoat. So, a skeptic accepts Christ and has the glorious eureka experience, but a recanting believer returns sadly to the same old. Its also a real conviction of mind and heart for the repentant skeptic, whereas a believers reversal was likely based on being influenced by skeptical games. Christians should continue to encourage the conversation, while being cognizant of skepticisms proclivity to play rhetorical games. Even so, trolling, ridiculing, and scoffing rhetoric should be ignored outright as it betrays a lack of intellectual rigor. Proponents of the Christian faith often ask skeptics, If you somehow knew that it was true, would you become a Christian? This question is raging as modern science is making materialism irrational, and demanding a serious answer. After all, The Lord is not ... wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance(2 Pet. 3:9). 1. Rebecca M. West and Christine Elizabeth Jones, trans. (Palomar: Luxembourg, 2025), 29-30. 2. Ibid., 30. 3. Ibid. 4. Wayne Martindale & Jerry Root, eds. The Quotable Lewis (Tyndale House: Wheaton, 1990), 212. Home Opinion To Speaker Mike Johnson: FACE Act needs a full repeal This week marks a significant turning point in the national debate over political violence, free speech and federal overreach. AFA Action joined by more than 50 pro-life, family-policy, and religious-liberty organizations sent a sweeping coalition letter to Speaker Mike Johnson urging immediate and full repeal of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. The FACE Act makes it a federal crime to use physical force, threat of physical force, or physical obstruction to interfere with anyone seeking an abortion, or exercising their First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship. The breadth of this coalition is itself newsworthy. It reflects a growing consensus across the conservative movement that this law is no longer a neutral safeguard but a deeply politicized weapon that undermines constitutional rights. For decades, critics of the FACE Act have warned that its vague language and broad prosecutorial powers make it ripe for abuse. But the coalition letter represents a new level of urgency. These 50+ organizations are not merely raising concerns they are sounding the alarm that the FACE Act has become a serious and escalating threat to peaceful citizens whose only crime is acting on their deeply held convictions. The assault on Charlie Kirk underscores the urgency The letter, spearheaded by AFA Action CEO Walker Wildmon, lays out a sobering pattern of selective enforcement: peaceful sidewalk counselors prosecuted as federal criminals, elderly citizens subjected to punishing sentences, and families terrorized by armed FBI raids. Meanwhile, clear threats and acts of political violence against conservatives routinely go unaddressed. While the weaponization of the law has been evident for years, Septembers shocking assault on Charlie Kirk intensified the urgency behind this weeks letter. The attack, which drew national attention, is part of a broader pattern of escalating hostility toward conservative individuals and organizations. Yet, we have not seen federal authorities apply to left-wing aggressors the same zeal they apply to peaceful pro-life advocates. That disparity is exactly what drives the coalitions concern. When the federal government selectively enforces the law, it emboldens extremists and fosters cynicism about the very institutions entrusted with ensuring public safety. Why the letter targets Speaker Johnson The coalition addressed its appeal directly to Speaker Mike Johnson for a reason. As former chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, Johnson previously investigated FACE Act abuses and raised serious concerns about its biased enforcement. The signers believe he is uniquely positioned and morally obligated to lead the repeal effort now. They urge him to bring forward Rep. Chip Roys H.R. 589, which would eliminate the FACE Act in its entirety. A turning point for the conservative movement This coalition letter is more than a policy request it is a strategic moment for the conservative movement. For years, warnings about federal overreach were dismissed as partisan exaggeration. But the sheer size and variety of groups now calling for repeal religious-liberty advocates, parental-rights organizations, family-policy groups and pro-life ministries reveals a broad, shared conviction: the FACE Act has outlived any legitimate usefulness it once had. Repealing it would not leave abortion facilities unprotected. It would simply return the responsibility for policing real violence to the states, where it belongs. It would also send a powerful message that Congress will no longer tolerate a two-tiered system of justice. The coalition has now done its part by speaking with one unified voice The question is whether Speaker Johnson and Congress are prepared to do theirs. Home Opinion Why we shouldn't set a date to finish the Great Commission When high-profile, Western-led ministries announce goals like reaching every person on earth by 2033 the 2,000-year anniversary of the resurrection and Pentecost it sounds bold and visionary in conference halls throughout America. Eastern missionaries in places like South Korea have expressed this goal as well. But for our Christian brothers and sisters who are already a tiny minority in their nations, and who often face tremendous persecution, these public declarations are a recipe for trouble. Every time a slogan like this goes viral, local churches face a new wave of attacks, from negative press and harassment to police raids and even dubious anti-conversion laws. We saw it in the late 1990s with the AD 2000 & Beyond Movement and the Joshua Project. The Joshua Project database was used as proof in the Indian Parliament of a foreign conspiracy to convert India by the year 2000. Politicians who feel threatened by the Gospel, and even those who dont hold a strong opinion about it, were handed ammunition on a platter. These date-specific, target-driven campaigns come straight out of a Manhattan-style management playbook featuring SMART goals, KPIs, dashboards, and countdown clocks. They are backed by the economic muscle of a few Christian-majority nations and networks. Evangelical Christians in relatively safe environments need to understand that this combination feels imperial, even when the intentions are sincere. Moreover, we all need to remember that Jesus never instructed us to operate like a project manager. In Matthew 28, Jesus tells us, Make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. He said the Gospel will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). He also made it clear that no one knows the day or hour of His second coming not the angels, not the Son, only the Father (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). Notice what Jesus did not say. He never told us to check unreached people groups off a list like a sales quota. He never said its enough that someone merely hears the name of Jesus. And he certainly never instructed wealthy, influential churches and organizations to announce global deadlines. Discipling anyone, even our own children, is a lifelong journey of love, grace, failure, and repentance. Nowhere in Scripture are we encouraged to set a date by which they must be reached or saved. Whats more, Western methods can overlook the nuances of each culture and even rob our neighbors who often already adhere to deep-seated, ancient religious traditions of dignity. Some of these same traditions have a values system and ethical guidelines that shame the materialism found in majority-Christian nations. Lingo like the unreached, finishing the task, or labeling an outreach event as a crusade, still carries unhelpful colonial baggage. It turns image-bearers of God into targets on a map. It assumes the West, the affluent, or even a wealthy Korean church, gets to define what reached even means. Given that context, its no wonder that governments react with anti-conversion laws. While freedom of religion is a genuine human right, the abuse of that freedom through heavily funded, deadline-driven campaigns is doing more harm than good. When the Majority World hears Western voices say we will finish the task by 2033, many dont hear the Great Commission; they hear the old colonial trumpet. What we need instead is humble, authentic, and contextual Christian witness living out the Sermon on the Mount in our own nations and neighborhoods first. Disciples are made when people see Jesus in our lives, not when we hand them a tract. Many of us in India and throughout the Global South do not subscribe to these 2033 declarations. We want to discern what the Holy Spirit is already doing in the hearts of friends and neighbors, and cooperate with Him quietly, respectfully, over a lifetime not import someone elses countdown clock. That is why we are deliberately building self-sustaining churches led by local Christians, which are not dependent on foreign funds, foreign jargon, and foreign campaigns. We believe God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, but He never turns His sons and daughters into statistics. People are not targets. The kingdom is not a project. And 2033 is not a biblical deadline. Stop the slogans and start living the Sermon on the Mount among the nations. That is the only task Jesus ever asked of us. Simplifai named Nils Thomas Lien and Noel Hamill to its board of directors. The company says the additions are intended to help guide Simplifais progression from an insurtech to an agentic artificial intelligence provider. Lien is an investor and board director with experience in business transformation, building growth, capital raising, scaling and restructuring. He is currently with Brdrene Jensen AS, where he oversees strategic investments and business development across technology, real estate and industrial sectors. At Simplifai, he will support financial governance and growth strategy. Hamill will guide the companys growth agenda, shape global positioning and support the expansion of Simplifais Agentic AI in the insurance claims market. Hamill has more than 20 years of experience in SaaS, branding, AI and go-to-market planning. Most recently he joined Expereo. Before that, he served as global chief marketing officer at parcelLab. His career includes senior branding and commercial roles at PG Forsta, Ladbrokes Coral, EE and Vodafone Hutchison. Recently, Simplifai appointed Ronald Kasteel as the board chairman. Artem Gonchakov, former board chairman, stepped down as CEO to focus his attention on the execution of operations and customer satisfaction. Simplifai is a provider of agentic AI for property/casualty insurance claims headquartered in Oslo, Norway. About 5 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2024, an employee at the Bio-Lab chemical warehouse outside Atlanta heard a popping sound, a tell-tale sign that stored chemicals had come in contact with water and were reacting. Within 90 minutes, the huge warehouse was ablaze, setting off explosions and the release of a black, toxic cloud that forced the evacuation of 17,000 people and the closure of hundreds of businesses in and around Conyers, Georgia. Verlan Fire Insurance Co., a subsidiary of Hanover Insurance Group, paid a $20 million claim brought by Diversitech, an air-conditioning manufacturer and supplier that had an operation about a mile from the Bio-Lab site and which was damaged by the soot and debris. Now, Verlan has filed a subrogation lawsuit in federal court against Bio-Lab and its parent company, seeking recovery of the paid indemnity and the HVAC firms $100,000 deductible. This type of fire, explosion, and toxic chemical plume does not occur without Defendants negligence, reads the Verlan complaint, filed in U.S. District Court in North Georgia. Bio-Lab and its parent and affiliated companies, KIK International and KIK Consumer Products, which produced swimming-pool chemicals, have not yet filed an answer to the suit, which is one of multiple civil actions filed by residents, businesses and by Rockdale County, Georgia, where the warehouse was built. The complaint, filed by Verlan attorneys with the Fox, Chandler, Hicks, McKinnon & Cassert law firm, paints a grim picture of Bio-Labs operations, storage practices, and alleged negligence in fire-suppression systems, and the suit may provide guideposts to other high-risk manufacturers and insurers on safe operations: The Conyers warehouse, built in 1973 with an addition in 2019, has a history of fires, including a 2004 fire that injured several people and sent a toxic plume over the area; a 2016 fire in a storage shed; a 2020 chemical reaction and fire that closed highways in the county; a trailer fire four days later that reportedly released toxins. Another Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, in 2020 caught fire when rain from Hurricane Laura reacted with chemicals, the suit alleges. The 275,000-square-foot facility stored chlorinating and sanitizing agents, including trichloroisocynuric acid (TCCA), compounds that are highly reactive when exposed to water. The reaction with a limited amount of water can cause fires and the release of toxic fumes, the lawsuit notes. The warehouse stored almost 14 million pounds of reactive oxiders twice as much as Bio-Lab had told authorities would be stored there, the suit contends. Almost 3 million pounds were kept outside a firewall-protected area, investigations found. Despite the huge quantities of water-reactive chemicals, the warehouse did not have an adequate fire-protection system, nor did it conform to hazardous materials standards. At all relevant times, Defendants knew of the amount of dangerous and toxic chemicals at the Conyers Plant and failed to take adequate precautions to ensure these chemicals were handled and stored safely and to prevent dangerous chemical reactions, the complaint reads. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration in April of this year fined the chemical firms $61,473 for serious safety violations related to the fire. An investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is continuing, but a preliminary final report can be seen here. Photo: The fire at the Bio-Lab facility in Conyers. (Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Related: Cleanup Begins After Chemical Plant Forced Evacuations Near Atlanta Georgia County to Sue Bio-Lab Over Fire Bio-Lab Decides Not to Rebuild Plant Renault will jointly develop small, cheaper electric vehicles for Ford for the European market and will also team up to produce commercial vans to cut costs and fend off rising competition from Chinese rivals, the companies said on Tuesday. We know were in a fight for our lives in our industry, Ford CEO Jim Farley told reporters in Paris on Monday ahead of the announcement, when describing Fords response to the threat posed by cheaper Chinese competition. There is no better example than here in Europe. Europes traditional automakers face an influx of Chinese rivals from BYD to Changan and Xpeng. Filling A Gap on The Lineup As part of the Ford-Renault partnership, the first of two planned small EVs to be produced at a Renault plant in northern France will reach European car showrooms in 2028. They will be smaller than any Ford plans for the U.S. market and fill a gap in the automakers lineup, Farley said. The two automakers will also jointly develop Renault and Ford brand vans for Europe. In a client note, Oddo-BHF analyst Michael Foundoukidis wrote that the deal allowed Renault to offset its fixed costs and generate revenue while offering a capital-efficient route to market for affordable EVs for Ford. More broadly, this partnership underscores the growing necessity for pragmatic cooperation, between traditional automakers to counter lower-cost Chinese competition, he wrote. A Powerhouse for Light Commercial Vehicles Together we can create a powerhouse of LCV in Europe that would be very difficult for the Chinese to compete with, Farley said. Although there are few Chinese brand vans on sale in Europe, Farley said the two companies compete with them directly every day in emerging markets. The Chinese will come soon and thats why I dont want to wait, said Renault CEO Francois Provost. The partnership was formed after a Renault team visited Fords Detroit headquarters in March. Both Farley and Provost said the two automakers do not plan to merge. Fords share of the European passenger car market has almost halved in Europe from 6.1% in 2019 to 3.3% in the first 10 months of this year as it has pulled back from passenger vehicle sales. As part of a series of restructurings, the company has cut jobs and this year closed its Saarlouis plant in Germany. Given the withdrawal of EV support from U.S. President Donald Trumps administration, the No. 2 U.S. automaker faces the dual expense of investing in combustion-engine models and expensive new EV technology. Using Renaults EV platforms with Ford designs should help the U.S. automaker to compete in Europes electric car market against traditional automakers such as Volkswagen VOWG.DE as well as the Chinese. Ford already produces two EV models in Europe on a Volkswagen platform and makes vans with the German automaker. Ford CEO Farley said the Renault partnership will complement its existing one with Volkswagen. The French automaker also develops vans with Nissan and Volvo Group. Europes Smallest Mainstream Automaker Renault is Europes smallest mainstream automaker and does not sell vehicles in China or the United States the worlds two biggest car markets so the Ford partnership boosts its manufacturing scale to lower costs. The French carmaker is actively seeking partnerships to make fuller use of its factories and reduce the burden of developing new EVs. In 2026, Renault will produce two vehicles using platforms from Chinas Geely in Brazil and is in talks with more automakers, including Chinas Chery 9973.HK, to jointly produce and sell cars. Our ambition is to show that in Europe we can produce EV cars in Europe as competitively as anyone, including the Chinese, Renaults Provost said. (Reporting by Carey; Editing by Barbara Lewis) The U.S. Transportation Department said Tuesday it will waive $16.7 million in fines issued to American Airlines under then President Joe Biden in 2024 as part of a settlement over the air carriers treatment of disabled passengers, including failing to provide some with adequate assistance and mishandling wheelchairs. USDOT said it will instead require American to spend $16.8 million to benefit passengers with disabilities, including requiring American to buy 119 additional wheelchair lifts at Miami, Philadelphia, and Chicago OHare airports as well as mobile devices and software enhancements that will allow American to track and record passenger wheelchairs point-by-point as they move through the transport process. This is a better solution than sending money to the U.S. Treasury because now real, tangible benefits will go to the traveling public, the department said. Under the original settlement in 2024, American agreed to pay $25 million in fines over three years and was credited with $25 million for investments to address the issues and goodwill compensation to impacted passengers, USDOT said last year. American said in a statement it is committed to supporting the independence of travelers with disabilities. With this agreement, instead of money simply going to the U.S. Treasury, American will invest millions more to further improve the travel experience for customers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, the airline said. In 2024, USDOT said the fine was 25 times larger than the previous highest airline penalty for disability protection violations, setting a new precedent for future enforcement. The department said it uncovered cases of unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users, in addition to repeated failures to provide prompt wheelchair assistance. American had also mishandled thousands of wheelchairs by damaging them or delaying their return, making it among the worst performers on that front among U.S. carriers, the department said. USDOT said American must complete purchases of wheelchair movers and lifts by December 2026 and implement the wheelchair tracking system by May 2027. Late on Friday, USDOT agreed to waive an $11 million fine imposed on Southwest Airlines LUV.N as part of a $140 million settlement over the carriers meltdown in December 2022 during a busy holiday travel period that stranded more than 2 million passengers. The department cited Southwests decision to invest over $1 billion in its operations in its decision to waive the remaining fine imposed during the Biden administration. (Reporting by Shepardson in Washington) PARMA, Ohio -- Most friends of Frank A. Herda, who died in 2023, had no idea he was a Vietnam War hero. Someone hoping to change that is State Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma), who, alongside Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-Berea), recently introduced House Bill 607 to designate a portion of Ohio 94 (State Road) in Parma as the Specialist Fourth Class Frank A. Herda, Medal of Honor Recipient, Memorial Highway. Frank Herda was a Parma guy who put his own life in danger to save some of the fellow soldiers back in the Vietnam War, said Brennan, who serves residents in Parma and Parma Heights, as well as parts of Old Brooklyn, Brooklyn Centre and Clark Fulton. He was subsequently given the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Nixon. When he was alive, he didnt want any type of notoriety. He was a very humble man and, quite frankly, I think he just wanted to kind of forget what he went through in Vietnam. On June 29, 1968, Specialist Herda, a 1966 Parma High School graduate, risked his life to save fellow soldiers by shielding them from an enemy grenade blast. While serving as a grenadier with Company A, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Herda was part of a night defensive perimeter when a large enemy force initiated an attack. He fired at the aggressors until they were within 10 feet of his position and one of their grenades landed in the foxhole. After firing one last round from his grenade launcher, hitting one of the enemy soldiers in the head, he immediately covered the blast of the grenade with his body. I contacted him because I wanted to do something in his honor while he was alive, and he just didnt want anything to do with it, said Brennan, who at the time was on Parma City Council. But now that hes gone, we cant let this hero who walked amongst us disappear into the ether. Herda didnt marry and as far as Brennan knows, doesnt have any remaining family. Doing something in honor of Mr. Herda has been in the back of my mind going back 20 years, he said. I thought he was very deserving while he was still alive, but I respected his wishes. If passed, the legislation allows the Ohio Department of Transportation to install suitable markers along the highway to commemorate Herdas legacy. Brennan is currently working with VFW Post 1974 and American Legion Post 572, with the marker expected to be located near the latter, as well as in Veterans Memorial Park. As a former history teacher, we cant forget our heroes, Brennan said. This guy risked his life for his fellow men and for our country. He should be remembered for that and honored constantly -- not just on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Every time somebody drives by those signs, theyll remember Frank Herda and know who he was and what he stood for. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post. Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno has inadvertently accomplished something rare in todays polarized political climate: uniting Democrats and Republican -- in rejecting his call to prohibit dual citizenship. Today in Ohio podcast hosts wonder whether the widespread rejection of his idea might explain his sudden interest in a new endeavor, helping people avoid giant leaps in their health insurance bills next month. They unequivocally, wholeheartedly reject this idea, Laura Johnston said of the dual citizenship proposal, describing the text messages sent in response to a Chris Quinn text message. Youve got 3,700 people who get your texts; 790 of them responded within a day. Like you said, the biggest youve gotten. And you said they were immediate, emotional and overwhelmingly one sided. The scale and intensity of the backlash surprised Quinn, who receives nearly 40,000 texts a year from readers. In a media landscape where Americans rarely agree on anything, Morenos proposal triggered what Quinn described as a blistering, blistering attack on his foolishness. This was universal. Republicans, Democrats, they are furious with him. This was not gentle. This was condemning and damning. And clearly Moreno has not thought this through, Quinn said. Suddenly, though, Moreno has a new idea hes pushing. He and Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine have introduced the Consumer Affordability and Responsibility Enhancement Act (CARE), which would extend Affordable Care Act tax credits for two more years. The credits expire at the end of this month, meaning countless Americans face dramatic spikes in their costs. The battle over extending the credits was central to the debate over ending the recent record-breaking federal government shutdown. Lisa Garvin noted that in pushing his healthcare plan, Moreno criticized Democrats for creating the healthcare situation where costs have risen so high, but he said Americans should not pay for that mistake. Thats why he proposed to extend the credits, with some conditions. Quinn said Morenos complaint about Democrats was hypocritical. He is part of the party that has the White House and both houses of Congress. If they have a better idea for health care, where is it? Because up to now, Obamacare is the only thing that works... Wheres his idea? Listen to the discussion here. Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston. In a Tuesday interview with CNBC's Jim Cramer, Marvell Technology CEO Matt Murphy dismissed reports suggesting his company lost business from high-profile customers. "I can tell you this, from Tuesday to Friday, nothing changed," Murphy said, referring to two reports that cropped up days after its earnings report. "We didn't lose any business." The semiconductor company beat the estimates last Tuesday and indicated demand for data center products will be strong over the next year. Marvell also announced plans to buy Celestial AI. The deal is worth at least $3.35 billion, and it could help Marvell scale its chip business. The quarter largely impressed Wall Street, and shares climbed over the next few days. But the stock gave back its gains this week after reports that Marvell had lost business from two hyperscalers engaged in massive data center buildout: Amazon and Microsoft . Marvel stock finished Tuesday down 3.37%. Marvell has "deep, key relationships with all the major U.S. hyperscalers," according to Murphy. He stressed that the company's business in the data center is "rock solid," reiterating the positive outlook shared in the quarter. "The silver lining is there's a massive opportunity right now to buy Marvell," Murphy told Cramer. "If you just look at where we trade today relative just to the semiconductor index, we're trading below the average multiple. We are not an average company." This holiday season, the world feels heavy. There's war, political division, and economic uncertainty converging to weigh us down on top of the emotional and financial stressors people often experience this time of year. One report found that 60% of Americans felt stressed heading into the holiday season. Forty-one percent of adults said they expected an increase in holiday stress compared with last year, according to data from the American Psychiatric Association. Another survey found that nearly seven in ten people feel pressure to appear happier than they really are. So much for happy holidays. It might feel tempting to lean into your inner Grinch, but there is a more realistic middle ground. The World Happiness Report consistently ranks Nordic countries like Finland and Denmark at the top of its list, not because people describe feeling ecstatic or euphoric, but because they report high life satisfaction rooted in stability, security, and low chronic stress. Instead of putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to feel extra happy during the holidays, work on finding "happyish." You can do that by practicing micro-actions like tiny mood resets that help interrupt stress patterns in the brain at a scale most people can manage. Here are 12 tiny but meaningful, research-backed micro-actions to help you feel happyish this holiday season: Label it. When you feel off or overwhelmed, pause and name the emotion. Even a simple label activates part of the brain that helps regulate stress, which in turn calms the threat response. It is a quick way to steady yourself before the feeling takes over. Appreciate people. Instead of listing stuff you're grateful for, like turkey and stuffing, or presents under the tree, direct gratitude toward a specific person. Feeling grateful for your neighbor who shoveled your sidewalk, for example, can help you feel a stronger sense of connection and trust. Notice the positive or neutral. The brain has a negativity bias, meaning it automatically scans for threat. This is why we tend to notice little annoyances like a driver refusing to let you merge. Try intentionally noticing something neutral or mildly positive to stay positive and reduce conflict. Replay one good thing. Before bed, call back a memory of one single good thing that happened that day. It can be simple like, "My coffee made me feel cozy." Or, "I had a good laugh with a friend today." This can help shift attention away from stressors, improve your emotional well-being, and remind you that whatever kind of day you had, you can still count on one good thing to happen. Take a break from comparing and despairing. Instagram's highlight reels make it easy to slip into feeling like our lives don't measure up. Labeled "upward social comparison," it can decrease self-esteem and increase negative emotions. Take breaks from your feed and remind yourself that everyone has good and bad days no one's life is perfect. Spend two minutes filling in these blanks: "I may not have [X], but thankfully I have [Y]." Tune in to your senses. Zeroing in on a smell, sound, taste, or texture can quickly bring you back to the present and reduce anxiety. This kind of sensory grounding is great for when you're in an overwhelming environment like a busy shopping center or a noisy holiday gathering. Offer silent gratitude. Emotions can run high at big, hectic family events. To counter the irritability, try expressing silent gratitude. Say to yourself, "I'm grateful she always shows up," or, "I can see he's really trying." Even unspoken appreciation activates the brain's social-bonding circuits linked to empathy and positive regard. Plan one tiny act of generosity. Small acts of kindness trigger a release of dopamine, the brain's reward and motivation chemical. Even simple gestures like dropping a warm drink off to a friend or sincerely thanking a retail worker can boost mood and increase feelings of social connection. Let go of one expectation today. For example, don't assume your run to the grocery store or mall will be quick. Instead, expect that it will be busy and slow. Then you'll feel neutral if that's how it goes, or pleasantly surprised when it's easier and faster than expected. Do something intentionally slow. Think of it as hitting your internal brake pedal. Slow movements steady your heart and nervous system. Over the holidays, try it while wrapping gifts, stirring something on the stove, or savoring your food. Slow your motion by half. It's a tiny reset that buffers against that constant holiday hurry. Do a 30-second "awe scan" outdoors. Step outside, look for one small thing that inspires a sense of wonder like the wind in the trees, a bright starry night, or the sparkle of holiday lights. Research on awe shows it reduces your focus on yourself, while increasing connection with others, a sense of meaning, and overall well-being. Celebrate small wins. When you complete even a tiny task, like making your bed in the morning, your brain logs it as progress and builds the expectation that you can take the next step. At the end of the day, congratulate yourself for sending out a card, picking up a gift, or checking one thing off your list. These micro-milestones create momentum, and in a season that feels overwhelming, motivators are key. These small practices won't eliminate holiday pressures, but they can help you feel steadier in a season that often demands extra from us. During the holidays, happyish can be enough. Honest moments and tiny gratitude practices beat layering on expectations and faking joy. You may find that this creates its own kind of merriment, one that feels real and lasting, and offers a healthier foundation for the year ahead. Jennifer Moss is an international speaker, award-winning journalist and author, workplace culture strategist, and cofounder of the Work Better Institute, a global workforce policy think tank. She is a former member of the Global Happiness Council, in partnership with Gallup and the UN, and contributor to their annual Global Happiness Policy Report. She is the author of three books, including "Unlocking Happiness at Work." Want to give your kids the ultimate advantage? Sign up for CNBC's new online course, How to Raise Financially Smart Kids. Learn how to build healthy financial habits today to set your children up for greater success in the future. Use coupon code EARLYBIRD for 30% off. Offer valid from Dec. 8 to Dec. 22, 2025. Terms apply. In this article RDDT SNAP Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT In this photo illustration, iPhone screens display various social media apps on the screens on February 9, 2025 in Bath, England. Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images Australia on Wednesday became the first country to formally bar users under the age of 16 from accessing major social media platforms, a move expected to be closely monitored by global tech companies and policymakers around the world. Canberra's ban, which came into effect from midnight local time, targets 10 major services, including Alphabet 's YouTube, Meta' s Instagram, ByteDance's TikTok, Reddit , Snapchat and Elon Musk's X. The controversial rule requires these platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent underage access, using age-verification methods such as inference from online activity, facial estimation via selfies, uploaded IDs, or linked bank details. All targeted platforms had agreed to comply with the policy to some extent. Elon Musk's X had been one of the last holdouts, but signaled on Wednesday that it would comply. The policy means millions of Australian children are expected to have lost access to their social accounts. However, the impact of the policy could be even wider, as it will set a benchmark for other governments considering teen social media bans, including Denmark, Norway, France, Spain, Malaysia and New Zealand. Get Morning Squawk directly in your inbox CNBC's Morning Squawk recaps the biggest stories investors should know before the stock market opens, every weekday morning. Subscribe here to get access today. Controversial rollout Ahead of the legislation's passage last year, a YouGov survey found that 77% of Australians backed the under-16 social media ban. Still, the rollout has faced some resistance since becoming law. Supporters of the bill have argued it safeguards children from social media-linked harms, including cyberbullying, mental health issues, and exposure to predators and pornography. Among those welcoming the official ban on Wednesday was Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, a 2024 best-selling book that linked a growing mental health crisis to smartphone and social media usage, especially for the young. watch now In a post on social media platform X, Haidt commended policymakers in Australia for "freeing kids under 16 from the social media trap." "There will surely be difficulties in the early months, but the world is rooting for your success, and many other nations will follow," he added. On the other hand, opponents contend that the ban infringes on freedoms of expression and access to information, raises privacy concerns through invasive age verification, and represents excessive government intervention that undermines parental responsibility. Those critics include groups like Amnesty Tech, which said in a statement Tuesday that the ban was an ineffective fix that ignored the rights and realities of younger generations. "The most effective way to protect children and young people online is by protecting all social media users through better regulation, stronger data protection laws and better platform design," said Amnesty Tech Programme Director Damini Satija. watch now Meanwhile, David Inserra, a fellow for free expression and technology at the Cato Institute, warned in a blog post that children would evade the new policy by shifting to new platforms, private apps like Telegram, or VPNs, driving them to "more isolated communities and platforms with fewer protections" where monitoring is harder. Tech companies like Google have also warned that the policy could be extremely difficult to enforce, while government-commissioned reports have pointed to inaccuracies in age-verification technology, such as selfie-based age-guessing software. Indeed, on Wednesday, local reports in Australia indicated that many children had already bypassed the ban, with age-assurance tools misclassifying users, and workarounds such as VPNs proving effective. However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had attempted to preempt these issues, acknowledging in an opinion piece on Sunday that the system would not work flawlessly from the start, likening it to liquor laws. "The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn't diminish the value of having a clear national standard," he added. Experts told CNBC that the rollout is expected to continue to face challenges and that regulators would need to take a trial-and-error approach. "There's a fair amount of teething problems around it. Many young people have been posting on TikTok that they successfully evaded the age limitations and that's to be expected," said Terry Flew, a professor of digital communication and culture at the University of Sydney. "You were never going to get 100% disappearance of every person under the age of 16 from every one of the designated platforms on day one," he added. Global implications Experts told CNBC that the policy rollout in Australia will be closely watched by tech firms and lawmakers worldwide, as other countries consider their own moves to ban or restrict teen social media usage. "Governments are responding to how public expectations have changed about the internet and social media, and the companies have not been particularly responsive to moral suasion," said Flew. "We see similar pressures are emerging, particularly, but not exclusively in Europe," he added. The European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution in November advocating a minimum age of 16 for social media access, allowing parental consent for 13 to 15-year-olds. The bloc has also proposed banning addictive features such as infinite scrolling and auto-play for minors, which could lead to EU-wide enforcement against non-compliant platforms. watch now When Avery Amstutz saw her neighbor selling a 1973 Airstream trailer on Facebook in November 2023, she knew she'd spotted her next business opportunity. She just wasn't sure what kind of business it would be. The Memphis, Tennessee-based serial entrepreneur bought the 50-year-old trailer using $6,000 from the profits of her other business ventures, she says. At the time, she was a destination wedding photographer who owned a photography studio available for rent, and the owner of a mobile cocktail trailer that could be hired for private parties. In July 2024, after a five-figure trailer renovation, Amstutz added a new venture to her portfolio: Byway Coffee, a mobile coffee shop that now pops up daily at locations throughout Memphis. Over the next year, and despite some growing pains, Byway brought in more than $500,000 in total revenue, including over $400,000 in net sales, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It. The business has been profitable "since Day 1," says Amstutz, 28. Byway's social media followers more than 38,000 of them on Instagram and TikTok combined receive updates on the trailer's rotating menu of pastries from local bakeries and unconventional drinks, including recent offerings like Bananas Foster Chai and Pistachio Cookie Matcha. DON'T MISS: The ultimate guide to starting a businesseverything you need to know to be your own boss Amstutz has worked roughly 60 hours per week on Byway over the past two years, she estimates. At first, she knew "absolutely nothing about coffee," she says. But she tracked the trajectories of two Memphis-area mobile coffee shops, and noticed that one had sold to a larger company and the other converted into a brick-and-mortar location. That told her it was a "desirable business" and there was "a gap in the market" she could potentially fill, she says. At Byway's one-year anniversary celebration, some customers waited over an hour in a line that topped 70 people at one point, Amstutz says. And after living off the profits of her other ventures reinvesting Byway's initial profits back into the company, and using them to pay off a startup loan from her uncle she started paying herself a salary from Byway in December, she says. Amstutz requested to keep her salary details private. She sold the cocktail trailer on Tuesday, and is stepping back from wedding photography, she says. "I expected much less than what I have gotten from this business," says Amstutz. Park Dae-jun, CEO of South Korean online retail giant Coupang has resigned, three weeks after the company became aware of a massive data breach that affected nearly 34 million customers. The CEO of South Korean online retail giant Coupang Corp. resigned Wednesday, three weeks after the company became aware of a massive data breach that affected nearly 34 million customers. Coupang said CEO Park Dae-jun resigned due to the data breach incident which was revealed on Nov. 18 according to a Google translation of the statement in Korean. "I am deeply sorry for disappointing the public with the recent personal information incident," Park said, adding, "I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the outbreak and the subsequent recovery process, and I have decided to step down from all positions." Following his resignation, parent company Coupang Inc . appointed Harold Rogers, the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, as interim CEO. Coupang said that Rogers plans to "focus on alleviating customer anxiety caused by the personal information leak" and to stabilize the organisation. Park, who joined the company in 2012, became Coupang's sole CEO in May, after the company transitioned away from a dual-CEO system. According to Coupang, he was responsible for the company's innovative new business and regional infrastructure development, and led projects to expand sales channels for small and medium enterprises, among others. South Korean companies are known for being "very, very cost-efficient," which may have led to neglecting areas like cybersecurity, Peter Kim, managing director at KB Securities, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" Wednesday. "I think the core issue here is that we've had a number of other breaches, not just Coupang, but previously, telecom companies in Korea," Kim added. "I understand some data companies consider Korea to be [the] top three or four most breached on a data, on an IT security basis in the world." The European Union has agreed to a legally binding climate target to cut emissions 90% by 2040, even as it pushes back a planned critical emissions trading scheme. The European Parliament and EU Member States came to a provisional agreement on the target and an amendment of the EU Climate Law on Tuesday night. "Today, the EU is showing our strong commitment to climate action and the Paris Agreement. One month after COP30, we have turned our words into action - with a legally binding target of 90% emissions reduction by 2040," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement announcing the deal on Wednesday. She added that the agreement represents a "pragmatic and flexible plan" to make the clean transition more competitive. "The fact that this new target is legally binding is commendable, as it cements the EU's ambition to achieve net zero by 2050," Hortense Bioy, who heads up sustainable investing research for Morningstar Sustainalytics, told CNBC. It is hot on the heels of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP), which saw world leaders gather at the edge of the Brazilian Amazon to decide on how to implement climate targets. Brazil's COP30 presidency pushed through a compromised deal to boost climate finance for developing nations but the text did not include references to fossil fuels. No official U.S. delegates attended COP30 marking an unprecedented absence of U.S. officials at the conference. It comes after Trump at the start of this year withdrew the country from the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. watch now "Today's news provides the long-term certainty that investors needed to continue deploying capital into net zero technology at scale, giving Europe the opportunity to become the global leader in the sector while others retreat," Louis Fearn, principal at Jaguar Land Rover's corporate venture capital arm InMotion Ventures, told CNBC. "The 2040 target will accelerate innovation across critical supply chains, from solutions for rare earth materials to next-generation energy storage, as businesses now have clear visibility on where regulation is heading. The combination of regulatory certainty and Europe's commitment to maintaining competitiveness through this transition provides the ideal backdrop for startups to thrive, especially those that cut emissions while delivering better performance at lower costs," he said. Bastian Gierull, the chief executive of renewables-focused utility Octopus Energy Germany, added it's important to "recognise that climate protection is not a burden, it is a strategic investment." Climate action is a driver of economic growth, independence, job creation and innovation, he said, noting the commitment "shows we can fight climate change while keeping Europe competitive." Emissions trading and credits The European Union's new deal includes a one-year delay to the application of the EU Emissions trading system for buildings, road transport as well as small industries (ETS2). The ETS2 is a fresh addition to the bloc's carbon markets, designed to incorporate industries not included by the existing scheme which was launched back in 2005. It was due to come into force in 2027 but will now be 2028, per the update. Monitoring and reporting requirements for ETS2 came into force this year and will be unaffected. Any delay of its implementation "would be a serious concern," according to Craig Douglas, partner at venture capital firm World Fund, which backs decarbonization technology startups. "This legislation is a foundational element for decarbonisation investment decisions are already being made on the assumption that it proceeds as planned. Any postponement or significant change risks undermining those decisions and could slow progress overall. Our priorities should be to keep cost of decarbonation as low as possible, moving between sectors and including offsets is a sensible approach," he told CNBC. Power companies caught the attention of Goldman Sachs analysts in November. Ceres Power , Vestas Wind Systems and SSE were among the top performers watched by the investment bank last month. The names come from the bank's "Conviction List - Directors' Cut," a monthly update on stocks it recommends to buy, which is chosen by a subcommittee. It also lists stocks what fared well in November and ones that didn't. Energy stocks dominated the well-performers. It also included pharma heavyweight AstraZeneca , based in the U.K., which is up 12.2% month-on-month, per the note. Here's who saw the biggest gains and why: The U.K.'s Ceres Power Ceres Power saw gains of 38.4% in November following a licensing agreement with Chinese engine and energy firm Weichai Power, which Goldman rates as Buy. Shares moved 20% higher on the day of the announcement, Goldman noted. The stock price increased as much as 50% over the month, but Ceres "gave some of this outperformance up on broader AI capex / datacentre concerns," the note said. Michele Della Vigna, a Goldman managing director, "continues to like the name as an underappreciated play on datacentres," the note added. Denmark's Vestas Wind Systems Vestas Wind Systems moved 16% higher in November, which was an outperformance following "a solid set of 3Q results," per Goldman. It beat on both profits, reported strong cash generation and announced a buyback scheme, the investment bank noted. The Danish firm's adjusted operating profit came in at 416 million euros ($485 million), up 77% year-on-year. Goldman's utilities and clean energy technology director, Ajay Patel, expects Vestas to see further growth as earlier uncertainties like U.S. tariffs and offshore energy costs fade. "He also expects continued buybacks, fueling the debate on the size of returns of value for the coming years," the note said. The U.K.'s SSE Energy infrastructure player SSE advanced 14.8% in November after the firm announced a 33 billion investment plan for the next five years. It includes 2 billion of equity, is fully funded, and, Goldman noted, sent stock soaring 17%. Patel said that the announcement provided visibility, "ending the funding debate and sees more regulatory clarity and scope to raise the leverage." However despite the strong performance, the investment bank took SSE off its Conviction List in December. The note didn't specifically address why, but highlighted that there are many reasons a stock could get removed from the list. A removal could happen when a stock is downgraded, hits the bank's target price, or the list's subcommittee thinks there are better opportunities elsewhere. "Importantly, inclusion on this list is not a stock rating and addition to or removal from this list does not necessarily represent a change in the analyst's investment rating for such stock," the note said. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella appears at an event with tech CEOs and senior officials, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the East Room of the White House in Washington on June 22, 2023. Microsoft on Tuesday announced it would invest $17.5 billion in India's cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, making it the U.S. tech giant's largest investment in Asia. The company said that the investments, aimed at expanding hyperscale infrastructure, embedding AI into national platforms, and advancing workforce readiness, will be spread over 4 years, building on its $3 billion pledge made in January. The announcement follows a meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which the two discussed India's AI ambitions. Modi met with other tech CEOs on Tuesday too including Intel 's Lip-Bu Tan. In a post on social media, Nadella thanked Modi and said that Microsoft's investments would "help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for India's AI first future." The move comes as India attempts to catch up on AI, with Modi emphasizing building a comprehensive tech ecosystem and AI sovereignty. The country has also recently attracted data center investment pledges of $15 billion from Google and $8 billion from Amazon Web Services. "The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet," Modi said in a post on X, referring to Microsoft's investment. Microsoft's investments give it a "firstmover advantage in GPUrich data centers while making Azure the preferred platform for India's AI workloads," said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research. This aligns with New Delhi's AI public infrastructure push, he added. Microsoft plans to use the funds to scale up its existing cloud and AI infrastructure to serve customers across regions in India. It now provides "Sovereign Public Cloud" and "Sovereign Private Cloud" services in several regions. The company added that it was doubling its January commitment to train 20 million Indians in AI by 2030, with hopes to grow and skill its more than 22,000 employees in the country. Microsoft also announced on Tuesday that it would be integrating its Azure AI capabilities into two key digital public platforms of India's Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Career Service. India's Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw called the investment a signal of India's rise as a reliable global technology partner, accelerating the shift from digital to AI public infrastructure. While India lags far behind global leaders in advanced technologies like chips and AI, the country's massive consumer market and public funding have attracted major tech players. Under its "India Semiconductor Mission," the country has approved 10 chip projects with total investments of over $18 billion. On Monday, American chip designer Intel signed a deal with Mumbai-based Tata Electronics aimed at collaborating on chip offerings in the country, including on products for AI applications. Nvidia on Wednesday responded to a report that the Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has been using smuggled Blackwell chips to develop its upcoming model. The U.S. has banned the export of Nvidia's Blackwell chips, which are considered the company's most advanced offerings, to China in an effort to stay ahead in the AI race. DeepSeek is reportedly using chips that were snuck into the country without authorization, according to The Information. "We haven't seen any substantiation or received tips of 'phantom data centers' constructed to deceive us and our [original equipment manufacturer] partners, then deconstructed, smuggled and reconstructed somewhere else," an Nvidia spokesperson said in a statement. "While such smuggling seems far-fetched, we pursue any tip we receive." BEIJING Supply chain diversification away from China is about to move from just talk to action. That's what Jens Eskelund, president, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, told reporters on Tuesday ahead of the launch of a report on supply chain risks, and as businesses look ahead to the new year after a tumultuous 2025. "Dependencies are being discussed in much more detail than they were before ... Are we even sure Europe can manufacture toothpaste without ingredients sourced in China?" Eskelund said. Reflecting continued global demand, China's trade surplus for the year through November reached a record $1 trillion, according to official figures released Monday. That means the country exported far more than it imported, despite U.S. tariffs. "The higher that production goes up, the higher the risk that countries will begin to react," Eskelund said. He pointed out China faced a record high of 198 World Trade Organization trade investigations last year, well over half of which were from developing countries. Other figures cited by the EU Chamber in its report Wednesday showed that China's share in containers shipped globally was creeping up at 37% for the first three quarters of this year, up from 36% at the end of 2024 and 31.7% before the pandemic in 2019. A weak Chinese currency and domestic overproduction contributed to that growth, the chamber said. It recommended members "eliminate single-source dependencies" on the U.S. and China, and called on EU policymakers to "accelerate plans to identify and eliminate critical dependencies." U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pose for a picture with European leaders following a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House on August 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. While it's been clear to Europe for some time that U.S. President Donald Trump is not the biggest fan of the region, the president's latest tirade against the continent's leadership will sting particularly as the bloc strives to show more decisiveness and authority. Trump has once again provoked outrage among his European allies, describing them as "weak" and leading a "decaying" region in an interview with Politico published Tuesday. Criticizing the region's response to immigration and the war in Ukraine, Trump said: "I think they don't know what to do." That comment will be jarring for Europe after its efforts in recent days, weeks and months to support Ukraine, be it militarily, diplomatically or financially efforts which Trump has frequently downplayed. Instead, Europe has had to watch on as U.S. officials have held talks with their Russian and Ukrainian counterparts on a draft peace plan for Ukraine, without a seat at the table. That's despite the fact that the resolution of the almost four-year war and what shape that takes is seen by analysts, and European leaders, as critical for the region's future security. Indeed, Trump's comments came just a day after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in London to meet European leaders to discuss joint efforts to end the war. The leaders stressed the need for security guarantees for Ukraine in any peace deal, and expressed their opposition to Ukraine having to cede territory to Russia as part of an agreement, as has been demanded by Russia. The trade deal between Indonesia and the U.S. is at risk of unravelling as Washington officials view that Jakarta is going back on the terms of the agreement, according to The Financial Times. The report, citing people familiar with matter, said on Tuesday that U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer believes Indonesia was "backtracking" on several commitments it had made. Indonesian officials reportedly are averse to agreeing to some binding commitments made in the deal and have communicated that to the USTR. Washington believes Indonesia is "backsliding" on removing non-tariff barriers to U.S. industrial and agricultural exports as well as its pledges on taking action on digital trade issues. Reuters reported on Wednesday that an Indonesian official told the agency that tariff negotiations were ongoing, with no specific issues have arisen during the talks. U.S. President Donald Trump U.S. had announced a deal with Indonesia in mid-July, slashing so-called "reciprocal" tariff rate on the Southeast Asian country to 19% from the 32% he had threatened in his "tariff letter" to the country earlier that month. Trump had said that Indonesia had "committed" to purchasing $15 billion of U.S. Energy, $4.5 billion in American agricultural products, and 50 Boeing jets as part of the deal. The U.S. president also said at the time that "U.S. Exports to Indonesia are to be Tariff and Non Tariff Barrier FREE." The USTR and Indonesia's trade ministry did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comments. The Swiss government said on Wednesday that a previously announced agreement to reduce U.S. tariffs on that country's imports to a ceiling of 15% will apply retroactively to Nov. 14. The deal reached last month slashed the 39% tariff on imports from Switzerland that President Donald Trump imposed in August. The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research said Wednesday that both countries can claim customs refunds from the effective date. "With the US tariff ceiling set at 15%, trade-weighted US tariffs on Switzerland will fall by around 10% on average, the department said in a statement. "This will significantly improve access to the US market for Swiss companies." The United States was the top destination for Swiss exports in 2024. Switzerland's government in October cut its economic forecast for the country, citing the U.S. tariff rate that was in effect until November's deal to slash it. People wait in the security check in line in Terminal 5 at JFK Airport on Aug. 29, 2025 in New York, New York. The U.S. is planning to impose social media inspections on some tourists as President Donald Trump continues to ramp up travel restrictions for foreign visitors. Tourists including those from Britain, Australia, France, and Japan will be mandated to provide five years of their social media history as part of their applications to visit the U.S., according to a notice posted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, on Wednesday. The proposal, which has been given a 60 day-notice with requests for comments from the public, is not final and may see some revisions. Tourists from nations that are included in the U.S.' Visa Waiver Program can apply to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, to visit the country for 90 days or less, with a fee of $40. The social media check will now form a "mandatory data element" as part of the ESTA application. The border force said it will also collect "several high value data fields," including applicants' email addresses from the past 10 years, their telephone numbers used in the past five years, and names and details of family members. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Dec. 10, 2025. U.S. forces on Wednesday seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said. "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela a large tanker, very large, the largest one ever seized actually," Trump said during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. The president declined to provide information on who owned the tanker or its destination, but said it was "seized for a very good reason." The tanker has been identified as the Skipper, according to Matt Smith, head U.S. analyst at energy consulting firm Kpler. Skipper is a Guyana-flagged "Very Large Crude Carrier," or VLCC, that was loaded covertly with 1.1 million barrels of oil in mid-November, Smith told CNBC. Smith said the ship appeared to be headed for Cuba, though it has been stopped offshore Venezuela since it was loaded. Attorney General Pam Bondi said later Wednesday that a seizure warrant for the crude oil tanker was executed by the FBI, the Homeland Security Department's investigations unit and the U.S. Coast Guard, with support from the Pentagon. Bondi, in an X post, shared apparent military drone footage showing soldiers boarding the vessel from a helicopter. The tanker, which transported oil from Venezuela and Iran, has been sanctioned by the U.S. for years "due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations," Bondi wrote on X. The seizure "was conducted safely and securely," she added, "and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues." U.S. crude oil was up 70 cents, or 1.2%, to $58.95 per barrel at 3:12 p.m. ET. Global benchmark Brent rose 71 cents, or 1.15%, to $62.65 a barrel. Trump has escalated pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in recent weeks. The president said Maduro's "days are numbered" in an interview with Politico published Tuesday. He would not rule out a ground invasion of the South American nation. "I don't want to rule in or out. I don't talk about it," Trump told Politico. The White House has undertaken a large military buildup in the Caribbean and launched controversial, deadly strikes against boats that it claims were trafficking drugs to the U.S. Venezuela is a founding member of OPEC and has the largest proven oil reserves in the world. It is exporting about 749,000 barrels per day this year with at least half that oil going to China, according to data from Kpler. Venezuela exports about 132,000 bpd to the U.S., according to Kpler. "Shippers will likely be much more cautious and hesitant about loading Venezuelan crude going forward," Smith said. CNBC's Lori Ann LaRocco contributed to this report. A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Walmart partnered with construction company Alquist 3D last year to build an almost 8,000-square-foot addition to its store in Athens, Tennessee, for online order pickup and delivery services. It is the largest 3D-printed commercial structure in the U.S. and, despite a bumpy start, a key proof of concept for the technology's commercial viability. Alquist, based in Greeley, Colorado, just announced it will now print more than a dozen new Walmart buildings, as well as buildings for other commercial retailers, in what is arguably the largest-scale commercial real estate deployment of this technology, which has mostly been used in residential construction so far. As part of that deal, Sika, one of the world's largest construction materials companies, with a heavy focus on sustainability, will provide materials to Alquist for all future 3D-printed projects and licensees. This will streamline Alquist's national pipeline, lower material and freight costs, and accelerate development of more sustainable mixes for large-scale 3D-printed construction including the commercial projects rolling out with Walmart, according to Alquist. "This collaboration positions Sika at the forefront of next-generation construction, opening new markets and creating long-term growth opportunities," said Noah Callantine, 3D concrete printing engineer and field service specialist with Sika. It is a clear turning point in CRE construction, which has been notoriously slow to modernize. The new technology has started to grow in the homebuilding market, but has been far slower in commercial construction, simply due to the size of the printers needed to create larger buildings. Alquist, which designs and builds the larger-scale printers, as well as develops the code and software to operate them, started in the residential sector. It is now partnering with a large equipment rental dealer and a full-service general contractor to scale the technology commercially nationwide. Doing so helps to lower the high cost of materials, as well as the labor, which needs to be both trained and local, according to Alquist. "The way to bring prices down [for] anything is to get volume, and as you get volume, you get the attention of suppliers. They see that it matters, and the more that they make, the cheaper that they can bring their supply chain down," said Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday, December 10, said that Indias negotiations for free trade agreements (FTA) with Oman and New Zealand are in their final stages and expected to be concluded soon. He was in Jaipur to participate in the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas when he made these remarks. Goyal expressed optimism that the agreements would be finalised shortly, marking a significant milestone in Indias trade engagements.He noted that New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay will visit New Delhi for the last round of discussions, which are set to significantly boost bilateral trade, currently around $1.5 billion, and enhance cooperation in agri-technology, science and innovation.Goyal also highlighted that talks with Chile are nearing completion, and that India and Israel have appointed chief negotiators after signing the Terms of Reference to formally launch FTA negotiations. Emphasising Indias growing appeal as a trade and investment destination, he added that several countries are keen to establish trade pacts with the country.India is poised to sign a free trade agreement with Chile, following constructive negotiations under the recently completed fourth round of talks. Key areas covered include market access, trade in goods and services, investment promotion, rules of origin, intellectual property rights and critical minerals.The pact is expected to secure Indias access to strategic minerals like lithium, copper and molybdenum, while providing Chile with better access to Indias growing market. India had offered tariff concessions on products including meat, fish, chemicals, leather, and industrial goods, while Chile offered preferences on agricultural products, textiles, footwear and industrial items.Officials expect the FTA to strengthen trade flows and long-term supply chain stability for both countries.Following the signing of Terms of Reference (ToR), India and Israel have appointed chief negotiators to commence the first phase of FTA discussions.The agreement aims to enhance economic engagement, enabling Indian and Israeli businesses to explore investment opportunities and deepen cooperation in infrastructure, manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.India is on the verge of finalising an FTA with Oman, which could significantly boost bilateral trade and investment flows. The negotiations for the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) began in November 2023, with high-level discussions on trade, investment, technology, food security and renewable energy.Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at approximately $10.5 billion in 2024-25, with India exporting goods worth $4 billion and importing around $6.54 billion from Oman. An official announcement is expected soon.India and New Zealand are in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressing optimism that it will be concluded shortly.Both nations are addressing remaining nuances in a spirit of accommodation. The FTA is expected to significantly enhance trade, currently at $1.5 billion, and foster collaboration in agri-technology, science, and innovation.New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay noted that trade could potentially expand to $20 billion with proper rules in place, highlighting opportunities for Indian businesses in New Zealand and vice versa.As part of his ongoing international engagements, Goyal is set to meet Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani in Mumbai tomorrow, December 11.Tajanis three-day visit to India, including talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi, aims to strengthen the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Alkem Laboratories told the exchanges on Wednesday, December 10, that the Malta Medicines Authority carried out a GMP inspection at its Daman manufacturing facility between December 5 and December 9.The inspection wrapped up on December 9, 2025, with no critical observations, three major observations and a few minor ones.The company said it will address these observations within the stipulated timeline for closure.Shares of Alkem Laboratories Ltd. are currently trading 0.071% lower on Wednesday at 5,663.50. The stock is up just 2% so far in 2025. IMF revises up China growth forecast for 2025 on policy support Xinhua) 16:21, December 10, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2025 to 5 percent year on year, up by 0.2 percentage points from its previous estimate in October. The upgrade followed the conclusion of the IMF's 2025 Article IV Consultation mission to China. An IMF team, led by Mission Chief for China Sonali Jain-Chandra, conducted visits to Beijing and Shanghai from Dec. 1 to 10, according to an IMF statement. The team held constructive discussions with senior officials from the government, the People's Bank of China, private sector representatives, and academics on economic developments, risks, and policy priorities, it said. "China's economy has shown notable resilience despite facing multiple shocks in recent years," said Jain-Chandra. She noted that the revised outlook partly reflects recent macroeconomic policy stimulus measures. The team also lifted its China growth projection for 2026 to 4.5 percent, an increase of 0.3 percentage points from the October forecast. It recognized China's recent moves to bolster consumption-led growth, including expansionary fiscal policies, monetary easing, and targeted steps to support consumption and the property sector. The statement added that a more forceful policy package would provide additional lift to China's GDP. China has set an annual growth target of around 5 percent for 2025. In the first three quarters of this year, the economy expanded 5.2 percent year on year. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) In todays threat landscape, its no longer enough to focus solely on malware signatures and IP addresses. Defenders must understand how adversaries think, organize and operate, because attacker intent and methodology are now just as critical as technical artifacts. Recent developments have provided rare visibility into the internal processes of modern threat groups, how they coordinate, communicate, exploit vulnerabilities and adapt their tooling in real time. This kind of behind-the-scenes insight is becoming indispensable as cyber threats grow more sophisticated, more specialized and more tightly aligned with financial or strategic objectives. Weve analyzed a series of recent real-world incidents to better understand evolving threat actor behavior. Lets take a closer look at what these cases reveal. The BlackBasta chat leak BlackBasta is often viewed as a tightly run ransomware operation, but internal leaks tell a very different story. The BlackBasta chat leak exposes the groups behind-the-scenes reality, revealing not a polished, corporate-style criminal enterprise but a fragmented ecosystem marked by hierarchy issues, operational stress, shifting loyalties and deep-seated mistrust among members. Blackfeet Community College is honored to announce that the college has received a transformational, unrestricted gift of $8 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This gift is the largest of its kind in BCCs 51-year history and will fuel the colleges investment in its students, employees, elders and the community. This transformative gift will provide more student scholarships, increase support for employees, enhance the campus infrastructure, expand current endowment, and sustain the colleges current strategic plan in the furtherance of fulfilling its mission. The historic donation builds on an earlier gift of $3 million to the university from Scott in 2020. The previous gift was used to establish a college endowment, which currently has grown to over $6 million. This new gift will allow the college to strengthen its position among Tribal Colleges and Universities receiving similar gifts and broaden the sharing of student successes. This gift is coming at the perfect time for the college, said President Brad Hall. MacKenzie Scotts gift is evidence of the continuous hard work of the college employees and Board of Trustees who every day intentionally seek to engage more with our community, connect student success-wellness, and work collectively to establish new programs that reflect the demonstrated needs of our Universal Community as we advance our vision to strengthen and enrich our Blackfeet Nation and universal community through quality education, integrating the Nii-tsi-ta-pi World of Knowledge. The colleges Board of Trustees extends its gratitude to MacKenzie Scott for her generosity. The Nov. 17, 2025 Cut Bank City Council Meeting was attended by Mayor Kim Winchell, Councilpersons Doug Vermulm, Maynard Nygaard, John Reynolds, and Kacie Fey. Also in attendance were City Attorney Whitney Bugni, City Superintendent John Damberger, and Police Chief Mike Schultz. Visitors were Vernon Thomas and Curtis Harper. In the Consent Agenda the minutes from the Nov. 3 and Nov. 6, 2025 meetings and the payroll summary for Nov. 6, 2025 in the amount of $105,600.97 were all approved. A Department Head report was given by Superintendent Damberger who is looking to buy a new truck at a decent price. In New Business an approval is sought for the Contract for Architectural/Engineering Services by Nelson Architects for City of Cut Bank Police Department Renovation and Garage Addition. City Attorney Bugni needs more time to review the contract. The motion to postpone the approval to a special meeting on Nov. 20, 2025, carried 4-0. Approval for Resolution #25-32 amending resolution #25-26 to levy a special assessment to defray the cost of the maintenance of all the streets, avenues, and alleys which carried 4-0. Approval for Resolution #25-33 amending resolution #25-27 levying a special assessment for the cost of maintenance and for furnishing electrical current for the lighting districts carried 4-0. In the work session Reviewing Ordinances was addressed. The Council plans to go through, prioritize, and modify ordinances; some examples are campers, tents, parking, and dog fees. Some clarity is necessary on living in campers. The books for the Tri-County Interlocal are coming to the City of Cut Bank next year. They are trying to get a meeting set up but as yet did not have a quorum. In Committee Reports the Chamber of Commerce is planning the Prime Rib Cookoff, the Parade of Lights will be Dec. 6, 2025, and the Festival of Trees will follow the parade. The Board of Health had a resignation on their board and will be looking for a member in the Browning area. The Cut Bank City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 1 and some of the items from the previous meeting were discussed a bit more thoroughly. All Council members, City Attorney Bugni, City Superintendent Damberger, Police Chief Schultz and City/Clerk/Treaurer Schultz were present. Visitors at this meeting included Vernon Thomas, Rod Cline, Lisa Cline, Rick Geiger, Tom Shock and Gary Quenzer. Rick Geiger gave public comment in regards to the airport. Currently they are in need of a new representative on their board since the departure of Jim Suta. The airport is also working on getting a mill levy request out as they are looking into some remodeling of the building this next year. He shared that in the past year they have fixed the beacon on the big hanger. He also advised the Council that they may not be able to put in the Custom office. Resident Gary Quenzer came to share he is 100 percent against allowing a marijuana dispensary within City limits. He feels that since there are four within walking/bike riding distance from town that is enough. Resident Tom Shock agreed with Quenzer, stating he also feels Cut Bank does not need any more dispensaries and encouraged the City Council to protect Cut Bank and say no. He stated that marijuana dispensaries are not beneficial for the citizens of Cut Bank, especially the children. Mayor Winchell stated that the dispensaries are here to stay, if they are located in town or not. She would like to allow them in town in appropriate places as it would help increase tax revenue and income for the City. She also stated that regulations could be put on where the marijuana dispensaries could be located, ensuring they are away from schools and not by the center of town. Police Chief Schultz stated that the main issue for the police department is alcohol, they have some issues with marijuana, but these incidents are less. He shared that alcohol has a licensing fee for people to sell it and these fees come back to the communities to help enforce the law. He also shared that the City is not benefiting from the revenue that they could be getting if they were located in town. At first it was thought the City would not be able to get federal grants if the dispensaries were in city limits, but this is not the case. It was then pointed out that by allowing the dispensaries to be in town there would be empty buildings being used and it would create revenue the City could benefit from. Councilperson Fey stated the dispensaries are here to stay and Chief Schultz stated that it is a revenue source and if the City could collect property taxes and the Council makes it legal in city limits this could open the door to put it to vote to collect taxes on the dispensaries from the County. Councilperson Vermulm stated it would be a good idea if there were designated areas where the dispensaries could be located and agreed it would help in reducing the number of empty buildings. Councilperson Fey advised the City should be progressive and take advantage of the revenue. Councilperson Reynolds stated the statements made are convincing but he needs to think it over. Councilperson Nygaard does not like the dispensaries coming to town. Lisa Cline spoke to the Council about placement of Wayfinding signs. The signs were part of the Main Street Montana Grant that was secured by herself, Kari Lewis and LeAnne Kavanagh. They have received 22 signs stating where the swimming pool, schools, library, dog park, etc. are located. Phase II of the signs are 4x4 signs that have a map of Cut Bank with a QR code providing an explanation on the murals around town. They would like to place the signs at the rest area at City Park, Albertsons, the mall and at Central Park. Cline stated she wanted to get permission to hang them on City property before ordering the signs. This will be included on the next City Council meeting agenda for voting by the Council. Campers, parking on Central and animal ordinances were also discussed during this meeting. There have been complaints of campers staying overnight in City-owned spaces. City Attorney Bugni stated that regulating campers on personal property is a tough one because the owners have personal property rights. The Council decided maybe to put up signs on City owned spaces that state no overnight parking. Attorney Bugni will look into regulations for a rest area and Chief Schultz stated it could be added in the language that no parking for eight hours or more in a given day. When it comes to parking on Central, Councilperson Vermulm said it would be nice if there were handicap spots in the center of the block on both sides of the street. Mayor Winchell stated there is an ordinance that states there is a two-hour parking limit on Central Ave. Chief Schultz stated this ordinance would be hard to enforce since there no other parking for business owners and workers anywhere but on Central. It would also be a problem distinguishing between owners and customers. Mayor Winchell questioned if this ordinance should be pulled off the books if its not enforceable. The Council decided to ponder the issue and Mayor Winchell will ask the City Superintendent to investigate the financial cost to create handicap spots. Gary Quenzer stated that the two vacant lots on Central are owned by Keith Larson and maybe Mr. Larson would be willing to make them into parking spots with handicap accessibility. In regards to the animal ordinances, Chief Schultz shared he would like to change the animal ordinances and fees. It was stated that this statute is a mess and City Attorney Bugni and Chief Schultz will work together to clean up the ordinance. Gary Quenzer stated he used to be the animal control officer and that the animal ordinances are a mess He suggested that if a dog was found guilty of being vicious then the ordinance should state that it is surrendered to the City so it doesnt go and kill someone outside City limits. Mr. Quenzer also stated the current animal control officer is doing a great job. Tom Shock wants the City to remind people of having too many dogs and the needed infrastructure to keep multiple dogs. He suggested having an informational post about regulations and to register your dog. The Council was advised during committee reports that the Port Authority finalized the grant process and will be opening up for quarterly grant applications. The Chamber of Commerce shared they have a couple of empty seats and are looking for board members. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2025, starting at 6:30 p.m. The Valier Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) has chosen Service as their focus and purpose this school year. Service is one of the four-fold purposes of the NHS along with scholarship, leadership, and character, and is a key component of a well-rounded individual. The Valier Chapter has two projects currently underway to help meet their mission. Christmas Toy Drive, organized by the Valier NHS members, will be open until Dec. 17, 2025 with drop-off locations in Valier. Chapter President Kristen Boumans explained, "We wanted to participate in Toys for Tots, but we wanted to make a local impact. We are collecting toys for local families in need and for local charities." New and unwrapped toys may be donated at DeVoe's Builders Service, Folklore Coffee Valier, Valier Civic Center, Valier Public Library and Valier Schools. Gift wrapped receptacles are provided at each location. Wrapping paper, tape, and cash are also welcomed donations, but toys are preferred. Items may be dropped off at any of these locations through Wednesday, Dec. 17 to allow distribution before Thursday, Dec. 19, 2025. To nominate a family in need or to receive gifts from the drive, please contact Roni Habel or Josh Reed at Valier Schools (406)279-3613. Additionally, The Valier Chapter of National Honor Society will be conducting a Door-to-Door Christmas Food Drive on Monday, Dec. 15 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. They will be collecting non-perishable and non-expired goods, so prepare to have a visit from some friendly students. "Valier High School National Honor Society students will be going door to door in the Valier community to gather goods to be donated for Christmas meal baskets and the local food pantry," offered Ms. Habel. "We appreciate your generosity and kindness." If you were missed or do not live in town and would like to donate, you may bring your items to the Valier High School or contact Rachel Stoltz or Roni Habel at (406)279-3613 to arrange a pick up. "Service isn't so much a requirement of honor society," Boumans continued, "as much as it is expected." The Valier community benefits in many ways from the service of NHS members. In addition to these seasonal projects, the Valier chapter also participated in the Veterans Day program and helped fill Thanksgiving baskets last month. "The group is growing," said Ms. Habel, "it's exciting to have this much participation." It's also exciting to have young people taking charge of service opportunities such as the Christmas Toy Drive and Door-to-Door Christmas Food Drive, both valuable projects in rural Montana. 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. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $259.8333. BR has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. DA Davidson reiterated a neutral rating and set a $240.00 target price on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. UBS Group dropped their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $280.00 to $250.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $261.00 to $256.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts: View Our Latest Report on BR Broadridge Financial Solutions Stock Down 1.1% Shares of NYSE BR opened at $225.02 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. Broadridge Financial Solutions has a 52 week low of $212.33 and a 52 week high of $271.91. The firms fifty day moving average is $228.17 and its 200 day moving average is $240.16. The company has a market cap of $26.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.81 and a beta of 0.99. Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, March 3rd. The business services provider reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 13.11% and a return on equity of 43.28%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Broadridge Financial Solutions will post 8.53 earnings per share for the current year. Broadridge Financial Solutions Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 5th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of $0.975 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. This represents a $3.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is currently 49.94%. Insider Transactions at Broadridge Financial Solutions In other news, President Christopher John Perry sold 3,984 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $226.00, for a total value of $900,384.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president owned 44,829 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,131,354. This represents a 8.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Thomas P. Carey sold 10,214 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $229.26, for a total value of $2,341,661.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 6,026 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,381,520.76. The trade was a 62.89% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BR. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new position in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 4th quarter worth about $580,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 1.4% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 694,631 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $168,420,000 after purchasing an additional 9,842 shares during the last quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC lifted its position in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 14.5% during the first quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 1,305 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $308,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the period. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 4.1% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 485,510 shares of the business services providers stock worth $117,717,000 after purchasing an additional 19,222 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 1st quarter worth approximately $342,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.03% of the companys stock. About Broadridge Financial Solutions (Get Free Report) Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Emergent Biosolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS Get Free Report) Director Ronald Richard sold 21,984 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.97, for a total transaction of $263,148.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 98,417 shares in the company, valued at $1,178,051.49. This represents a 18.26% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Emergent Biosolutions Price Performance NYSE:EBS traded down $0.25 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $11.63. 495,213 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,193,508. The firms fifty day moving average price is $10.21 and its 200 day moving average price is $8.37. Emergent Biosolutions Inc. has a 52-week low of $4.02 and a 52-week high of $13.41. The company has a market cap of $610.55 million, a P/E ratio of 8.94 and a beta of 2.32. The company has a current ratio of 5.76, a quick ratio of 3.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. Get Emergent Biosolutions alerts: Emergent Biosolutions (NYSE:EBS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 9th. The biopharmaceutical company reported ($1.27) earnings per share for the quarter. Emergent Biosolutions had a net margin of 9.62% and a return on equity of 20.85%. The firm had revenue of $222.50 million during the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Emergent Biosolutions Inc. will post -0.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently issued reports on EBS. HC Wainwright reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Emergent Biosolutions in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Zacks Research raised shares of Emergent Biosolutions to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Emergent Biosolutions from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Sunday, November 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Emergent Biosolutions in a report on Monday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EBS Institutional Trading of Emergent Biosolutions Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in EBS. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Emergent Biosolutions by 313.5% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 833,316 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,048,000 after purchasing an additional 631,794 shares during the last quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Emergent Biosolutions by 28.3% in the 2nd quarter. Wolverine Asset Management LLC now owns 174,933 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,116,000 after buying an additional 38,600 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its position in Emergent Biosolutions by 12.5% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,090,655 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $5,301,000 after buying an additional 121,583 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Emergent Biosolutions by 108.9% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,278,998 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $8,162,000 after buying an additional 666,708 shares during the period. Finally, Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC purchased a new position in Emergent Biosolutions during the second quarter worth about $227,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.40% of the companys stock. About Emergent Biosolutions (Get Free Report) Emergent BioSolutions Inc, a life sciences company, provides preparedness and response solutions for accidental, deliberate, and naturally occurring public health threats in the United States. The company offers NARCAN Nasal Spray for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose; Vaxchora vaccine for the prevention of cholera; Vivotif vaccine for oral administration for the prevention of typhoid fever; Anthrasil for the treatment of inhalational anthrax; BioThrax, an anthrax vaccine; CYFENDUS for post-exposure prophylaxis of disease following suspected or confirmed exposure to Bacillus anthracis; and Raxibacumab injection for the treatment and prophylaxis of inhalational anthrax. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Emergent Biosolutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Emergent Biosolutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TC Energy (NYSE:TRP Get Free Report) and Ameresco (NYSE:AMRC Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, earnings and dividends. Volatility & Risk TC Energy has a beta of 0.7, meaning that its stock price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ameresco has a beta of 2.51, meaning that its stock price is 151% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get TC Energy alerts: Profitability This table compares TC Energy and Amerescos net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets TC Energy 23.86% 10.61% 3.16% Ameresco 3.34% 6.97% 1.74% Insider & Institutional Ownership Earnings & Valuation 83.1% of TC Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 99.2% of Ameresco shares are held by institutional investors. 45.0% of Ameresco shares are held by company 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. This table compares TC Energy and Amerescos top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio TC Energy $10.05 billion 5.60 $3.43 billion $2.32 23.32 Ameresco $1.77 billion 0.96 $56.76 million $1.19 27.09 TC Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Ameresco. TC Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ameresco, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for TC Energy and Ameresco, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score TC Energy 0 4 6 2 2.83 Ameresco 0 4 7 1 2.75 TC Energy currently has a consensus price target of $84.00, indicating a potential upside of 55.25%. Ameresco has a consensus price target of $37.70, indicating a potential upside of 16.94%. Given TC Energys stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe TC Energy is more favorable than Ameresco. Summary TC Energy beats Ameresco on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About TC Energy (Get Free Report) TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through five segments: Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines; U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines; Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines; Liquids Pipelines; and Power and Energy Solutions. The company builds and operates a network of 93,600 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. It also has regulated natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 532 billion cubic feet. In addition, it has approximately 4,900 kilometers of liquids pipeline system that connects Alberta crude oil pipeline to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and the United States Gulf Coast. Further, the company owns or has interests in power generation facilities with approximately 4,600 megawatts; and owns and operates approximately 118 billion cubic feet of non-regulated natural gas storage facilities in in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. The company was formerly known as TransCanada Corporation and changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. TC Energy Corporation was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. About Ameresco (Get Free Report) Ameresco, Inc., a clean technology integrator, provides a portfolio of energy efficiency and renewable energy supply solutions in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. It operates through U.S. Regions, U.S. Federal, Canada, Europe, Alternative Fuels, and All Other segments. The company offers energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, energy security and resilience, asset sustainability, and renewable energy solutions for businesses and organizations. It designs, develops, engineers, and installs projects that reduce the energy, as well as operations and maintenance (O&M) costs of its customers' facilities; and projects primarily include various measures customized for the facility and designed to enhance the efficiency of building systems, such as heating, ventilation, cooling, and lighting systems. In addition, the company offers renewable energy solutions and services, such as the construction of small-scale plants that the company owns or develops for customers that produce electricity, gas, heat, or cooling from renewable sources of energy and O&M services; and electricity, processed renewable gas fuel, and heat or cooling produced from renewable sources of energy. Further, the company sells photovoltaic (PV) solar energy products and systems, as well as provides consulting, and enterprise energy management services; and operates wind farms. It serves the federal, state, local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, airports, public housing authorities and public universities, municipal utilities, and commercial and industrial customers. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned and operated 185 small-scale renewable energy plants and solar PV installations. Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 and is headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts. Receive News & Ratings for TC Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TC Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) EVP John Schultz sold 84,676 shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.15, for a total value of $1,960,249.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 338,685 shares in the company, valued at $7,840,557.75. This represents a 20.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Stock Up 3.8% Shares of NYSE HPE traded up $0.91 on Tuesday, reaching $24.77. 31,512,131 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 27,912,458. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $23.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $21.73. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company has a 12 month low of $11.97 and a 12 month high of $26.44. The company has a market cap of $32.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -412.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. Get Hewlett Packard Enterprise alerts: Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The technology company reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.03. Hewlett Packard Enterprise had a return on equity of 9.15% and a net margin of 0.17%.The firm had revenue of $9.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.91 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.58 EPS. Hewlett Packard Enterprises 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. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company will post 1.85 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Increases Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 19th will be paid a $0.1425 dividend. This is a boost from Hewlett Packard Enterprises previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 19th. This represents a $0.57 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.3%. Hewlett Packard Enterprises dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -866.67%. Several equities analysts recently weighed in on HPE shares. Piper Sandler began coverage on Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America lifted 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. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $26.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Sanford C. Bernstein began coverage on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. They set a market perform rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $25.25. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HPE Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hewlett Packard Enterprise Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bleakley Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Bleakley Financial Group LLC now owns 42,532 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,045,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 7.1% during the third quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 6,694 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $164,000 after purchasing an additional 445 shares in the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 11.1% during the second quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 4,902 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $100,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares during the last quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Western Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,253 shares of the technology companys stock worth $375,000 after buying an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Trust Co. of Vermont increased its holdings in shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise by 6.4% in the 3rd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 8,855 shares of the technology companys stock worth $217,000 after buying an additional 533 shares during the last quarter. 80.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. 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. See Also 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. Shares of Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Strong Sell from the six analysts that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and two have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$35.19. LB has been the topic of several research analyst reports. CIBC downgraded Laurentian Bank of Canada from a neutral rating to a tender rating and boosted their price objective for the company from C$35.00 to C$40.50 in a research report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Laurentian Bank of Canada from a strong sell rating to a hold rating and lifted their target price for the company from C$25.00 to C$40.00 in a research note on Monday. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$31.00 to C$40.50 in a report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Laurentian Bank of Canada from C$29.00 to C$31.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Finally, National Bankshares cut their price objective 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 report on Tuesday, September 2nd. Get Laurentian Bank of Canada alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LB Laurentian Bank of Canada Price Performance Shares of TSE LB opened at C$39.88 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of C$1.77 billion, a PE ratio of 13.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 1.44. Laurentian Bank of Canada has a 1 year low of C$24.37 and a 1 year high of C$40.01. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$33.64 and a 200-day moving average price of C$31.96. Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, December 5th. The company reported C$0.73 earnings per share for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$244.71 million for the quarter. Laurentian Bank of Canada had a negative net margin of 0.30% and a negative return on equity of 0.20%. On average, research analysts expect that Laurentian Bank of Canada will post 3.8414986 EPS for the current year. Laurentian Bank of Canada Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, November 1st. Investors of record on Saturday, November 1st were paid a dividend of $0.47 per share. This represents a $1.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 1st. Laurentian Bank of Canadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.64%. Laurentian Bank of Canada Company Profile (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. Read More 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. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. (NYSE:NCDL Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of Hold from the five brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $15.75. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on NCDL shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Zacks Research lowered Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $15.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Get Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending alerts: View Our Latest Report on Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Insider Transactions at Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Hedge Funds Weigh In On Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending In other news, CEO Kenneth J. Kencel acquired 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of $14.22 per share, with a total value of $284,400.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 48,117 shares in the company, valued at $684,223.74. This trade represents a 71.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, Director Kenneth M. Miranda acquired 2,000 shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $14.10 per share, for a total transaction of $28,200.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 27,000 shares in the company, valued at $380,700. This trade represents a 8.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have purchased 32,000 shares of company stock valued at $457,850. 0.62% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 190.2% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,400 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,573 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending by 33.0% during the 2nd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 4,511 shares of the companys stock worth $73,000 after purchasing an additional 1,118 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending during the 3rd quarter worth $80,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending during the third quarter valued at about $85,000. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Price Performance Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending stock opened at $14.85 on Friday. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending has a 12-month low of $13.16 and a 12-month high of $18.01. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $14.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $733.44 million, a PE ratio of 9.71 and a beta of 0.35. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (NYSE:NCDL Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.43 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $51.11 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $52.00 million. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending had a return on equity of 11.13% and a net margin of 36.83%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending will post 2.28 EPS for the current year. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 12.1%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lendings dividend payout ratio is currently 117.65%. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Company Profile (Get Free Report) Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. is a specialty finance company focused primarily on investing in senior secured loans to private equity-owned U.S. middle market companies. It has elected to be regulated as a business development company. Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. is based in NEW YORK. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Pacific North West Capital Corp. (OTCMKTS:NMTLF Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 1.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $0.2521 and last traded at $0.2521. Approximately 214,483 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 212% from the average daily volume of 68,712 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.2554. Pacific North West Capital Price Performance The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $0.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $0.21. Pacific North West Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) New Age Metals Inc, a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of platinum group metals (PGMs), and precious and base metal properties in Canada. The company explores for rhodium, palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, copper, and lithium deposits. It holds interests in the River Valley PGE project located in the Dana and Pardo townships of Northern Ontario; the Genesis PGE project located in south central Alaska; and lithium projects situated to the northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pacific North West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pacific North West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk (OTCMKTS:PBCRY Get Free Report) fell 2.7% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $12.05 and last traded at $12.06. 218,718 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 28% from the average session volume of 170,477 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.40. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Stock Down 2.7% The stock has a 50 day moving average of $12.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $12.72. PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Company Profile (Get Free Report) PT Bank Central Asia Tbk, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services to individual, corporate, and small and medium enterprise customers in Indonesia and internationally. It offers savings accounts; motorcycle financing and vehicle, housing, and personal loans; mutual funds and bonds; insurance, including property, life, accident, auto, health, education, retirement, travel, and heritage protection; electronic money services; credit cards; business collection services; and eBanking, remittance, and customer services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for PT Bank Central Asia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PT Bank Central Asia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Transdigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) Director Robert Small sold 90,953 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,335.72, for a total transaction of $121,487,741.16. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 68,139 shares in the company, valued at approximately $91,014,625.08. The trade was a 57.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Transdigm Group Price Performance TDG traded down $27.26 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $1,319.91. 199,991 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 284,474. Transdigm Group Incorporated has a 1-year low of $1,183.60 and a 1-year high of $1,623.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $74.34 billion, a PE ratio of 41.14, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.94. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $1,315.30 and its 200 day moving average price is $1,394.07. Get Transdigm Group alerts: Transdigm Group (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 12th. The aerospace company reported $10.82 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.33 by $0.49. Transdigm Group had a net margin of 21.69% and a negative return on equity of 31.91%. The business had revenue of $2.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.40 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $9.83 EPS. The companys revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. Transdigm Group has set its FY 2026 guidance at 36.490-38.530 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Transdigm Group Incorporated will post 35.13 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on Transdigm Group from $1,650.00 to $1,490.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,600.00 to $1,660.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on shares of Transdigm Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an outperform rating and a $1,775.00 price objective for the company. Susquehanna decreased their target price on shares of Transdigm Group from $1,500.00 to $1,450.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on Transdigm Group from $1,738.00 to $1,798.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, November 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Transdigm Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,576.29. Read Our Latest Stock Report on TDG Institutional Trading of Transdigm Group Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of Transdigm Group during the second quarter worth about $1,275,035,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Transdigm Group by 18.3% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,379,816 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,136,719,000 after buying an additional 367,756 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Transdigm Group by 5.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,693,889 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $10,178,995,000 after acquiring an additional 333,965 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Transdigm Group by 161.7% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 475,489 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $626,704,000 after acquiring an additional 293,821 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Capital International Investors grew its holdings in Transdigm Group by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 6,489,193 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $8,552,028,000 after acquiring an additional 254,750 shares in the last quarter. 95.78% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Transdigm Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. The Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Transdigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Transdigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) had its target price lifted by analysts at Bank of America from $88.00 to $91.00 in a report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an underperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Bank of Americas target price suggests a potential downside of 4.57% from the companys previous close. Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $129.00 to $134.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research downgraded Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Barclays raised their target price on Charles Schwab from $114.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $107.37. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on SCHW Charles Schwab Stock Up 1.3% Shares of SCHW traded up $1.20 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $95.36. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,302,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,629,846. The company has a market cap of $169.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a fifty day moving average of $93.65 and a two-hundred day moving average of $93.30. Charles Schwab has a twelve month low of $65.88 and a twelve month high of $99.59. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 35.93% and a return on equity of 21.02%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.71 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Charles Schwab will post 4.22 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity at Charles Schwab In other news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total transaction of $301,056.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,168,454. The trade was a 20.49% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Charles Schwab Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,889,858,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Charles Schwab by 595.7% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,488,777 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,212,461,000 after purchasing an additional 13,262,309 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 12.3% during the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 82,048,984 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,422,795,000 after purchasing an additional 8,954,248 shares during the period. Brown Advisory Inc. boosted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 88.4% during the second quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 12,162,260 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,109,687,000 after purchasing an additional 5,708,208 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Primecap Management Co. CA grew its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 35.9% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 19,034,806 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,736,736,000 after purchasing an additional 5,032,728 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $23.58 and last traded at $23.5290, with a volume of 925343 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $23.14. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on BCS. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Barclays in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Zacks Research cut shares of Barclays from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Barclays in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Barclays in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Barclays presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Barclays alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on BCS Barclays Stock Up 1.7% The stock has a market capitalization of $81.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.94, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 1.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $21.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $19.97. Barclays (NYSE:BCS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 30th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $9.21 billion for the quarter. Barclays had a return on equity of 8.19% and a net margin of 21.26%. On average, research analysts forecast that Barclays PLC will post 2 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barclays Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. increased its holdings in Barclays by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 42,600 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $881,000 after acquiring an additional 482 shares during the period. AMG National Trust Bank grew its position in shares of Barclays by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 105,707 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,965,000 after purchasing an additional 561 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Barclays by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 19,183 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 563 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of Barclays by 1.1% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 56,035 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,042,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the period. Finally, Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its position in shares of Barclays by 0.4% in the third quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 152,351 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,149,000 after buying an additional 633 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.39% of the companys stock. Barclays Company Profile (Get Free Report) Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. Featured Stories 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. Invesco (NYSE:IVZ Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by BMO Capital Markets from $28.00 to $30.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the asset managers stock. BMO Capital Markets price objective indicates a potential upside of 13.02% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Invesco in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America upped their target price on Invesco from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Wall Street Zen raised Invesco from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Invesco from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 5th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Invesco presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $23.77. Get Invesco alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on Invesco Invesco Stock Performance IVZ opened at $26.55 on Wednesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $23.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $20.70. The company has a market cap of $11.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Invesco has a 52-week low of $11.60 and a 52-week high of $26.63. 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 analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.17 billion. Invesco had a net margin of 14.15% and a return on equity of 9.11%. Invescos revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.44 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Invesco will post 1.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Activity In related news, Director Douglas J. Sharp sold 160,000 shares of Invesco stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $23.56, for a total value of $3,769,600.00. Following the sale, the director owned 192 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,523.52. This trade represents a 99.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 1.21% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Invesco Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IVZ. Jump Financial LLC grew its position in Invesco by 30.2% in the 1st quarter. Jump Financial LLC now owns 231,218 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $3,508,000 after acquiring an additional 53,608 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake 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. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS grew its holdings in shares of Invesco by 46.1% in the second quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS now owns 96,300 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $1,519,000 after purchasing an additional 30,400 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP purchased a new stake in Invesco during the 1st quarter worth approximately $418,000. Finally, 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 during the period. 66.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Invesco Company Profile (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. Further Reading 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. Shares of China Merchants Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Free Report) saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 65,766 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 137% from the previous sessions volume of 27,711 shares.The stock last traded at $33.15 and had previously closed at $33.78. China Merchants Bank Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $167.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.44 and a beta of 0.24. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $32.21 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.15. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Get China Merchants Bank alerts: China Merchants Bank (OTCMKTS:CIHKY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter. China Merchants Bank had a net margin of 32.06% and a return on equity of 12.04%. The company had revenue of $10.96 billion during the quarter. China Merchants Bank Company Profile China Merchants Bank Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services. It operates through Wholesale Finance Business, Retail Finance Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers current, demand, time, call, savings, notice, and renminbi accounts. Its loan products include personal commercial real estate, consumption, housing, and car loans; loans to finance for studying abroad; micro-business loans; mortgage loans for equipment; joint guarantee, special guarantee, and housing mortgage loan; bank acceptance, discount, liquid capital, and fixed asset loans; and loans for vessels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for China Merchants Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Merchants Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp reduced its holdings in Consolidated Edison Inc (NYSE:ED Free Report) by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 23,987,226 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 361,785 shares during the quarter. State Street Corp owned 6.65% of Consolidated Edison worth $2,407,118,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ED. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison during the first quarter valued at $33,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC lifted its holdings in Consolidated Edison by 53.2% in the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 314 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the period. Bogart Wealth LLC grew its position in Consolidated Edison by 886.5% in the 2nd quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 365 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its stake in Consolidated Edison by 1,677.3% during the 2nd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 391 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 369 shares during the period. Finally, HFM Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Consolidated Edison during the 1st quarter worth about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.29% of the companys stock. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently weighed in on ED shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Consolidated Edison to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 28th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Consolidated Edison in a report on Monday. Barclays cut their target price on Consolidated Edison from $105.00 to $101.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 10th. New Street Research set a $106.00 price target on Consolidated Edison in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $88.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Consolidated Edison presently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $104.58. Consolidated Edison Trading Up 0.4% Shares of NYSE:ED opened at $95.80 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.75, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.37. Consolidated Edison Inc has a 1-year low of $87.28 and a 1-year high of $114.87. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $99.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $100.26. Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The utilities provider reported $1.90 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.14. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.79% and a net margin of 12.27%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.68 earnings per share. Consolidated Edison has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.600-5.700 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Consolidated Edison Inc will post 5.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a $3.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 19th. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is currently 59.44%. About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amplify Energy (NYSE: AMPY) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 12/8/2025 Amplify Energy had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 12/1/2025 Amplify Energy had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/25/2025 Amplify Energy had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/19/2025 Amplify Energy had its sell (d+) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. 11/13/2025 Amplify Energy was downgraded by analysts at Weiss Ratings from a hold (c) rating to a sell (d+) rating. 10/30/2025 Amplify Energy had its hold (c) rating reaffirmed by analysts at Weiss Ratings. Amplify Energy Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, exploitation, and production of oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The companys properties consist of operated and non-operated working interests in producing and undeveloped leasehold acreage, as well as working interests in identified producing wells located in Oklahoma, the Rockies, federal waters offshore Southern California, East Texas/North Louisiana, and Eagle Ford. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Amplify Energy Corp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amplify Energy Corp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (NYSEARCA:EWC Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $53.50 and last traded at $53.65, with a volume of 867319 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $53.07. iShares MSCI Canada ETF Trading Up 1.2% The companys 50 day moving average price is $51.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $48.55. The company has a market capitalization of $3.59 billion, a PE ratio of 19.77 and a beta of 0.94. Get iShares MSCI Canada ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Canada ETF Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of EWC. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $23,355,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 4.8% in the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 80,593 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $3,284,000 after buying an additional 3,697 shares during the period. Cresset Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the first quarter valued at approximately $427,000. Korea Investment CORP grew its stake in iShares MSCI Canada ETF by 52.1% during the first quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 1,663,100 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $67,771,000 after buying an additional 569,707 shares during the period. Finally, RWA Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Canada ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $984,000. iShares MSCI Canada ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Canada ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Canada 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 publicly traded securities in the Canadian market, as measured by the MSCI Canada Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Canada ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Canada ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $58.49 and last traded at $58.36, with a volume of 1839011 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $57.69. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Trading Up 1.2% The firm has a market cap of $1.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.82 and a beta of 0.81. The companys 50-day moving average is $56.78 and its two-hundred day moving average is $55.47. Get iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the third quarter valued at about $44,000. MAI Capital Management lifted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 631.1% during the third quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 965 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $53,000 after purchasing an additional 833 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the second quarter valued at about $56,000. Institutional investors own 68.30% of the companys stock. About iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped 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 MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. JBT Marel Corporation (NYSE:JBTM Get Free Report) shot up 5% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $147.21 and last traded at $144.7360. 173,572 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 68% from the average session volume of 548,455 shares. The stock had previously closed at $137.81. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird set a $169.00 price target on shares of JBT Marel in a research report on Friday, October 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of JBT Marel in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of JBT Marel from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $150.00 to $180.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, JBT Marel presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $164.00. Get JBT Marel alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on JBTM JBT Marel Price Performance The stocks 50 day moving average price is $137.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $133.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.73 billion, a PE ratio of -66.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.01. JBT Marel (NYSE:JBTM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $936.75 million. JBT Marel had a negative net margin of 3.39% and a positive return on equity of 7.88%. The businesss revenue was up 120.6% compared to the same quarter last year. JBT Marel has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.100-6.400 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that JBT Marel Corporation will post 5.21 EPS for the current year. JBT Marel Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. JBT Marels dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -17.86%. Insider Buying and Selling at JBT Marel In other JBT Marel news, Director Olafur S. Gudmundsson sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.79, for a total value of $2,835,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 19,980 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,832,964.20. This represents a 50.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new stake in shares of JBT Marel during the third quarter valued at about $25,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in JBT Marel during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new stake in JBT Marel in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new position in JBT Marel in the second quarter worth $28,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of JBT Marel during the second quarter worth $28,000. 98.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. 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. Recommended Stories 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. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:JHMM Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $66.56 and last traded at $66.7830, with a volume of 142135 shares. The stock had previously closed at $65.59. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Stock Performance The businesss fifty day moving average price is $64.55 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $63.05. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.18 and a beta of 1.04. Get John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 248.3% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,574 shares of the companys stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 1,835 shares during the last quarter. Cambria Investment Management L.P. purchased a new position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $231,000. Advisory Services Network LLC grew its position in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 95.5% in the 3rd quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 14,531 shares of the companys stock valued at $940,000 after acquiring an additional 7,098 shares during the last quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF by 3.2% in the third quarter. Garrett Wealth Advisory Group LLC now owns 534,677 shares of the companys stock worth $34,588,000 after purchasing an additional 16,504 shares during the period. Finally, Keystone Financial Group bought a new stake in shares of John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF during the third quarter worth $160,000. John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Company Profile The John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF (JHMM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the John Hancock Dimensional Mid Cap index. The fund tracks an index of US firms ranked 200-950 by size, weighted by multiple factors relative to their sector peers. JHMM was launched on Sep 28, 2015 and is managed by John Hancock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for John Hancock Multifactor Mid Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Maven Securities LTD decreased its position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX Free Report) by 36.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 12,890 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 7,533 shares during the quarter. Maven Securities LTDs holdings in VanEck Gold Miners ETF were worth $671,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of GDX. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in VanEck Gold Miners ETF by 766.7% during the second quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,977,932 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $207,091,000 after buying an additional 4,574,598 shares during the last quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. raised its position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF by 7,098.1% in the 1st quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 2,080,392 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $94,731,000 after acquiring an additional 2,051,490 shares in the last quarter. CSM Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,656,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its position in shares of VanEck Gold Miners ETF by 99.1% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 1,306,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $67,990,000 after purchasing an additional 650,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. acquired a new stake in VanEck Gold Miners ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $31,236,000. Get VanEck Gold Miners ETF alerts: VanEck Gold Miners ETF Stock Performance Shares of GDX stock opened at $81.94 on Wednesday. VanEck Gold Miners ETF has a fifty-two week low of $33.42 and a fifty-two week high of $85.08. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $76.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $64.51. The company has a market cap of $24.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.70 and a beta of 0.55. About VanEck Gold Miners ETF The Fund seeks to match as closely as possible the price and yield performance of the AMEX Gold Miners Index. The Fund, utilizing a passive or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Index by investing in a portfolio of stocks that generally replicate the Index. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GDX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for VanEck Gold Miners ETF (NYSEARCA:GDX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for VanEck Gold Miners ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VanEck Gold Miners ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $29.08 and last traded at $28.9650, with a volume of 1952074 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $27.79. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have weighed in on MTG. Barclays increased their price target on MGIC Investment from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a cautious rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (a-) rating on shares of MGIC Investment in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $27.25. Get MGIC Investment alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MGIC Investment MGIC Investment Stock Up 4.2% The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.33. The company has a market cap of $6.48 billion, a PE ratio of 9.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.85. MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.72 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $304.51 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $308.16 million. MGIC Investment had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 61.96%.The businesss revenue was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.77 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that MGIC Investment Corporation will post 2.71 EPS for the current year. MGIC Investment Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 6th were given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 6th. MGIC Investments dividend payout ratio is 19.29%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Paula C. Maggio sold 20,000 shares of MGIC Investment stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.44, for a total value of $548,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 117,395 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,221,318.80. The trade was a 14.56% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Salvatore A. Miosi sold 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.52, for a total value of $825,600.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 159,401 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,386,715.52. This trade represents a 15.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 219,203 shares of company stock worth $5,989,909. Insiders own 1.41% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. WPG Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in MGIC Investment during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in MGIC Investment by 262.5% during the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 1,004 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 727 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new position in MGIC Investment during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in MGIC Investment during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in MGIC Investment by 3,067.6% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,077 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 1,043 shares during the last quarter. 95.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About MGIC Investment (Get Free Report) MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services to lenders and government sponsored entities in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary mortgage insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MGIC Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MGIC Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI.B Get Free Report) (NYSE:RCI) had its price objective boosted by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from C$46.00 to C$50.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Morgan Stanleys target price would indicate a potential upside of 1.01% from the stocks previous close. Several other brokerages also recently commented on RCI.B. Barclays lifted their price target on Rogers Communications from C$46.00 to C$50.00 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Rogers Communications from C$59.00 to C$62.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, October 28th. CIBC raised their price target on shares of Rogers Communications from C$58.00 to C$60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday. National Bankshares upped their price objective on shares of Rogers Communications from C$59.00 to C$60.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, TD Securities increased their target price on shares of Rogers Communications from C$62.00 to C$64.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$57.06. Get Rogers Communications alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Rogers Communications Rogers Communications Stock Performance About Rogers Communications Rogers Communications stock traded down C$1.19 on Wednesday, reaching C$49.50. 859,081 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,945,329. The company has a current ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 436.50. Rogers Communications has a twelve month low of C$32.42 and a twelve month high of C$56.15. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of C$52.77 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$47.52. The stock has a market cap of C$26.74 billion, a PE ratio of 3.97, a PEG ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 0.88. (Get Free Report) Rogers is the largest wireless service provider in Canada, with its more than 10 million subscribers equating to one third of the total Canadian market. Rogers wireless business accounted for 60% of the companys total sales in 2021 and has increasingly provided a bigger portion of total company sales over the last several years. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prologis, Inc. (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $130.56 and last traded at $129.8580, with a volume of 1926723 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $127.45. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on Prologis from $113.00 to $116.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Prologis from $119.00 to $118.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 15th. UBS Group set a $138.00 target price on Prologis in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Bank of America upgraded Prologis from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $118.00 to $130.00 in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their price objective on shares of Prologis from $127.00 to $133.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $126.78. Get Prologis alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Prologis Prologis Trading Up 1.9% The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $123.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $114.23. The company has a market cap of $120.62 billion, a PE ratio of 37.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 1.39. Prologis (NYSE:PLD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 15th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.03 billion. Prologis had a return on equity of 5.55% and a net margin of 36.71%.The companys revenue was up 8.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. Prologis has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.780-5.810 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Prologis, Inc. will post 5.73 EPS for the current fiscal year. Prologis Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 16th. This represents a $4.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.1%. Prologiss dividend payout ratio is 117.78%. Insider Activity at Prologis In related news, Director Cristina Gabriela Bita sold 621 shares of Prologis stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.60, for a total value of $79,239.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 8,208 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,047,340.80. The trade was a 7.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold a total of 1,621 shares of company stock valued at $198,655 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.57% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prologis Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its holdings in Prologis by 0.5% in the third quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 16,583 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,941,000 after purchasing an additional 82 shares during the period. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 8,232 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $943,000 after buying an additional 83 shares during the period. Cornerstone Advisory LLC boosted its stake in shares of Prologis by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 3,535 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $405,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the period. Cadence Bank grew its position in shares of Prologis by 2.1% during the third quarter. Cadence Bank now owns 4,209 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 87 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clear Investment Research LLC increased its stake in shares of Prologis by 34.5% during the third quarter. Clear Investment Research LLC now owns 343 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.50% of the companys stock. Prologis Company Profile (Get Free Report) Prologis, Inc is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. At March 31, 2024, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 1.2 billion square feet (115 million square meters) in 19 countries. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Prologis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prologis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Quantum Minerals (TSE:FM Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by equities researchers at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$35.00 to C$40.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target would suggest a potential upside of 21.32% from the stocks previous close. Several other research analysts have also recently weighed in on FM. Citigroup increased their price objective on First Quantum Minerals from C$26.00 to C$39.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered First Quantum Minerals from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the company from C$35.00 to C$33.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of First Quantum Minerals from C$33.00 to C$38.00 in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Barclays increased their target price on First Quantum Minerals from C$27.30 to C$38.00 in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of First Quantum Minerals from C$34.00 to C$35.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$34.41. Get First Quantum Minerals alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on First Quantum Minerals First Quantum Minerals Stock Performance First Quantum Minerals stock traded up C$0.72 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting C$32.97. The stock had a trading volume of 593,998 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,362,944. The company has a market cap of C$27.50 billion, a PE ratio of 549.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of -1.28 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 1.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.41. First Quantum Minerals has a fifty-two week low of C$14.41 and a fifty-two week high of C$33.88. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$30.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$26.19. First Quantum Minerals (TSE:FM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported C($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$1.87 billion during the quarter. First Quantum Minerals had a negative net margin of 32.41% and a negative return on equity of 14.05%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that First Quantum Minerals will post 0.55872 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other First Quantum Minerals news, Director Charles Kevin Mcarthur acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$29.06 per share, for a total transaction of C$290,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 35,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at C$1,017,100. This trade represents a 40.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. Insiders have acquired a total of 10,474 shares of company stock valued at $304,575 in the last quarter. Insiders own 19.35% of the companys stock. First Quantum Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) First Quantum Minerals Ltd is a diversified mining company. The companys principal activities include mineral exploration, mine engineering and construction, and development and mining operations. The firm produces copper in concentrate, copper anode, copper cathode, nickel, gold, zinc, silver, acid, and pyrite. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for First Quantum Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Quantum Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Osisko Development (CVE:ODV Get Free Report) had its price target raised by Royal Bank Of Canada from C$7.00 to C$9.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 76.82% from the companys previous close. Osisko Development Stock Down 0.2% Shares of CVE ODV traded down C$0.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting C$5.09. The company had a trading volume of 40,955 shares, compared to its average volume of 103,999. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 2.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.38. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$4.69 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$3.86. The company has a market capitalization of C$1.30 billion, a PE ratio of -3.14 and a beta of 1.94. Osisko Development has a one year low of C$1.64 and a one year high of C$5.44. Get Osisko Development alerts: Osisko Development Company Profile (Get Free Report) See Also Osisko Development Corp. acquires, explores, and develops mineral properties in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It explores for gold; and precious and base metals. The company's flagship asset is the Cariboo Gold Project covering an area of approximately 155,000 hectares consisting of 415 mineral titles located in British Columbia, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Osisko Development Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Osisko Development and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransAlta (TSE:TA Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC) had its target price lifted by TD Securities from C$26.00 to C$27.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the stock. TD Securities price target suggests a potential upside of 35.41% from the companys previous close. A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Desjardins boosted their price objective on TransAlta from C$16.50 to C$21.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. ATB Capital upped their price objective on TransAlta from C$26.00 to C$27.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on TransAlta from C$20.00 to C$24.00 in a report on Monday, November 10th. CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of TransAlta from C$20.00 to C$26.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their target price on shares of TransAlta from C$18.00 to C$22.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$24.78. Get TransAlta alerts: View Our Latest Report on TransAlta TransAlta Stock Performance TransAlta stock traded down C$0.31 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching C$19.94. 402,189 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,724,435. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is C$21.61 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$18.11. The firm has a market cap of C$5.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -31.16, a P/E/G ratio of -0.07 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 229.66, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.74. TransAlta has a 52 week low of C$11.16 and a 52 week high of C$25.03. TransAlta (TSE:TA Get Free Report) (NYSE:TAC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported C($0.02) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$674.00 million for the quarter. TransAlta had a return on equity of 12.03% and a net margin of 7.49%. About TransAlta (Get Free Report) TransAlta is an independent power producer based in Alberta, Canada. The company operates a diverse and growing fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia consisting of hydro, wind, solar, battery storage, gas and energy transition facilities. The majority of the companys revenues are derived from the sale of generation capacity, electricity, thermal energy, environmental attributes, and byproducts of power generation. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TransAlta Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransAlta and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. United States Oil Fund LP (NYSEARCA:USO Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Wednesday. Traders acquired 74,913 call options on the company. This represents an increase of 67% compared to the average daily volume of 44,931 call options. United States Oil Fund Trading Up 1.0% Shares of United States Oil Fund stock traded up $0.68 on Wednesday, reaching $70.54. 7,694,143 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,447,632. The company has a market capitalization of $925.48 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.22 and a beta of 0.40. United States Oil Fund has a one year low of $60.67 and a one year high of $84.58. The company has a 50-day moving average of $70.99 and a 200 day moving average of $73.35. Get United States Oil Fund alerts: Institutional Trading of United States Oil Fund Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Advisory Services Network LLC bought a new position in shares of United States Oil Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $57,000. XTX Topco Ltd lifted its position in shares of United States Oil Fund by 90.1% in the third quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 9,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $674,000 after buying an additional 4,333 shares during the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of United States Oil Fund in the third quarter valued at approximately $442,000. Mariner LLC boosted its stake in shares of United States Oil Fund by 4.0% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 8,844 shares of the companys stock worth $652,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the period. Finally, Flow Traders U.S. LLC acquired a new position in shares of United States Oil Fund during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,062,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.47% of the companys stock. About United States Oil Fund United States Oil Fund, LP (USO) is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (shares) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc (the NYSE Arca). The investment objective of USO is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares per share net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, as measured by the daily changes in the price of the futures contract for light, sweet crude oil traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within over two weeks of expiration, in which case it will be measured by the futures contract that is the next month contract to expire, less USOs expenses. Read More Receive News & Ratings for United States Oil Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United States Oil Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valiant Capital Management L.P. increased its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 151.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,926 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 31,300 shares during the period. Eli Lilly and Company comprises about 2.2% of Valiant Capital Management L.P.s portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Valiant Capital Management L.P.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $40,478,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. boosted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.5% during the second quarter. Braun Bostich & Associates Inc. now owns 527 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the period. Rise Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.8% during the second quarter. Rise Advisors LLC now owns 732 shares of the companys stock worth $571,000 after purchasing an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 0.7% during the 2nd quarter. Occidental Asset Management LLC now owns 1,966 shares of the companys stock worth $1,533,000 after buying an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. New Insight Wealth Advisors now owns 394 shares of the companys stock valued at $307,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dash Acquisitions Inc. increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the second quarter. Dash Acquisitions Inc. now owns 485 shares of the companys stock valued at $387,000 after acquiring an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. 82.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. BMO Capital Markets set a $1,200.00 price target on Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,050.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a moderate sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 27th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,038.00 to $1,182.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Finally, DZ Bank raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $1,104.48. Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $981.89 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $928.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.37. The businesss 50 day moving average is $928.62 and its 200-day moving average is $814.21. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $623.78 and a 1-year high of $1,111.99. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 109.52% and a net margin of 30.99%.The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.09 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.18 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 53.9% on a year-over-year basis. Eli Lilly and Company has set its FY 2025 guidance at 23.000-23.700 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $1.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $6.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is presently 29.35%. About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Warby Parker (NYSE:WRBY Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Citizens Jmp from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The brokerage presently has a $30.00 price objective on the stock. Citizens Jmps price objective would indicate a potential upside of 7.41% from the stocks current price. Other equities analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Telsey Advisory Group restated an outperform rating and set a $24.00 price target on shares of Warby Parker in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Warby Parker from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Warby Parker from $27.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research raised Warby Parker from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, September 4th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on Warby Parker from $23.00 to $20.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Ten 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 stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $24.88. Get Warby Parker alerts: View Our Latest Report on Warby Parker Warby Parker Price Performance WRBY traded up $4.71 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $27.93. 8,609,085 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,320,211. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $20.44 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.86. The company has a market cap of $2.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,785.00 and a beta of 2.06. Warby Parker has a fifty-two week low of $13.63 and a fifty-two week high of $29.73. Warby Parker (NYSE:WRBY Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $221.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $224.49 million. Warby Parker had a return on equity of 1.96% and a net margin of 0.08%.Warby Parkers revenue for the quarter was up 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.03) earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Warby Parker will post -0.12 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In related news, CEO Neil Harris Blumenthal sold 41,084 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.53, for a total value of $1,131,042.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 32,733 shares in the company, valued at $901,139.49. This trade represents a 55.66% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold a total of 50,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,376,411 over the last quarter. 18.24% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Warby Parker A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Warby Parker by 259.3% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,193 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 861 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Warby Parker by 400.3% during the 2nd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,601 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 1,281 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its stake in Warby Parker by 111.0% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,675 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 881 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in Warby Parker in the 1st quarter worth $58,000. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Warby Parker by 56.7% in the 3rd quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,350 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 850 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.24% of the companys stock. About Warby Parker (Get Free Report) Warby Parker Inc provides eyewear products in the United States and Canada. The company offers eyeglasses, sunglasses, light-responsive lenses, blue-light-filtering lenses, non-prescription lenses, and contact lenses. It also provides accessories, such as cases, lenses kit with anti-fog spray, pouches, and anti-fog lens spray through its retail stores, website, and mobile apps. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Warby Parker Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Warby Parker and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. XTX Topco Ltd lessened its stake in shares of Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ Free Report) (TSE:CCO) by 90.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,091 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 29,221 shares during the quarter. XTX Topco Ltds holdings in Cameco were worth $229,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dagco Inc. bought a new stake in Cameco during the first quarter worth about $28,000. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Cameco during the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Trust Co. of Vermont raised its position in Cameco by 1,029.4% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 384 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new position in Cameco in the second quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Atticus Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cameco during the second quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.21% of the companys stock. Get Cameco alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Raymond James Financial lifted their price target on Cameco to $150.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an outperform rating on shares of Cameco in a report on Friday, August 29th. National Bankshares reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Cameco in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wall Street Zen lowered Cameco from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Cameco in a research note on Monday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $117.25. Cameco Trading Up 2.7% Shares of NYSE CCJ opened at $93.36 on Wednesday. Cameco Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $35.00 and a fifty-two week high of $110.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 108.55 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.99 and a quick ratio of 1.85. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $89.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $79.61. Cameco (NYSE:CCJ Get Free Report) (TSE:CCO) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.22 by ($0.17). Cameco had a net margin of 15.24% and a return on equity of 8.58%. The business had revenue of $313.74 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $531.72 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.01) EPS. The businesss revenue was down 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that Cameco Corporation will post 1.27 EPS for the current year. Cameco Increases Dividend The business also recently announced an annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be paid a $0.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This is a positive change from Camecos previous annual dividend of $0.12. This represents a yield of 27.0%. Camecos payout ratio is currently 19.77%. About Cameco (Free Report) Cameco Corporation provides uranium for the generation of electricity. It operates through Uranium, Fuel Services, Westinghouse segments. The Uranium segment is involved in the exploration for, mining, and milling, purchase, and sale of uranium concentrate. The Fuel Services segment engages in the refining, conversion, and fabrication of uranium concentrate, as well as the purchase and sale of conversion services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Cameco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cameco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A global bank wanted its software developers to write high-quality code faster. Like all major banks, it faced continuous demand for new customized software on ever-accelerated release cycles. And the stakes seemed higher than in many other industriesin digital banking, downtime faces serious scrutiny; bugs can make headlines. But no matter how quickly developers may write code, no digital banking offering hits the market from a lone genius hammering away at a keyboard in a closed room. Each new offering and update takes a web of product owners, architects, developers, and quality assurance engineers to guide the software development life cycle (SDLC) from requirements gathering all the way to rigorous user acceptance testing. Really, the bank didnt need its software developers just writing code faster. It needed its whole digital banking team working smarter, together. Across each digital banking departmentand from team to team within the same departmentdifferent technology tools, subvariants of tools, SDLC processes, and subprocesses abounded. Add on a large network of external software suppliers, and the bank lacked any kind of common dialog across the SDLC. Because of this, teams spent significant time and energy translating between different working styles, scheduling meetings, volleying questions back and forth, whiteboarding, drawing diagrams, double checking on this user story or that requirements framework. At the same time the banks line of business (LOB) owners were considering these challenges, buzz around Generative AI (GenAI) was growing and crowding in on all sides. The LOB owners each saw clear potential, but a less clear path to harnessing that potential. They decided to put new GenAI-assisted SDLC processes to the test in their own environments to find out if their teams could fundamentally transform how they delivered software. Lidl Northern Ireland (Lidl NI) is moving forward with a significant investment of 31 million to expand its presence in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. The new investment will see the addition of three new stores, creating more than 100 new in-store jobs and sustaining more than 500 jobs during their construction phases. With 44 stores currently in Northern Ireland including stores in Strabane and at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road in Derry Lidls plans include two new stores in the Waterside and Creggan areas of the city, and a third in Castlederg. Lidl made the announcement this morning at a business breakfast at the Guildhall, attended by local business and community stakeholders, and elected representatives including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane, and MLAs Padraig Delargy, Ciara Ferguson and Maoliosa McHugh. Guests heard from Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, and Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, who stressed that the realisation of the retailers ambitions for the area is contingent entirely on the Planning system. This morning, we have reaffirmed our long-term commitment to the Derry City and Strabane District and have been very clear about our ambition to expand here, underpinned by a secured investment of 31 million, said Mr Cruikshanks. However, our ability to realise the important impact of this major investment from local job creation to the wider significant social and economic benefit it will bring for local people and communities is entirely contingent on the Planning system. We understand the complexities of the Planning system at both a central and local government level in Northern Ireland and welcome ongoing efforts to address these through the Planning Improvement Programme. However, the pace at which these improvements are being made, and the resultant impact on our business and our customers in the meantime, is of serious concern for Lidl Northern Ireland and our wider global business. Mr Cruikshanks described major delays in securing planning permission for Lidls proposed second store in the city of Derry at Crescent Link Retail Park. Our ongoing pursuit of planning permission to build a new 8 million store at Crescent Link has been in the Planning system for more than six years, (355 weeks), having been approved by Derry City and Strabane District Council but called in for review by the Department for Infrastructure in October 2021, he said. This is particularly frustrating, given that our sole existing store in the city at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road records the highest footfall of our entire store estate in Northern Ireland pointing to exceptionally strong customer demand for our proposition in Derry. A strong appetite for additional Lidl stores in the area is overwhelmingly affirmed by the findings of recent consumer research in Derry commissioned by the retailer. The survey undertaken by Customer Perceptions in the city centre in November 2025 revealed that 93% of respondents agreed that a city the size of Derry should have more than one Lidl store. Of the 555 respondents, 90% already shop at Lidls current store at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road, with 95.2% agreeing they would shop at a Lidl store closer to their home were it available (82.2% very likely, 13% somewhat likely). Mr. Cruikshanks concluded: It is clear that Lidls ambition for the Derry area is matched by strong customer demand for our offering. As such, we remain committed to engaging proactively with elected representatives, officers and departmental officials to realise our full social and economic impact in the area. Lidl recently released its Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, which revealed that it procured more than half-a-billion pounds (557 million) from local suppliers and business partners across Northern Ireland last year (FY24/25, ending February) a year-on-year increase of 27 million (or 6%) in additional investment in the region. The Impact Report launch coincided with the publication of Lidl Northern Irelands financial results for the FY 24/25 period which recorded turnover of 523 million. Much of this has been reinvested locally to support Lidls ambitious expansion plans including newly constructed and refurbished state-of-the-art stores opened in 2025 in Coleraine, Newcastle, Cookstown and Ballysillan. In 2024, the retailer marked its 25th anniversary in the region and commissioned a major economic report which revealed that it contributed a record 360 million into the local economy in 2023 doubling its annual economic contribution over the past five years and supporting almost 7,000 jobs right across the region. Lidl Northern Ireland has powered through almost a quarter of a century with its high-quality, low-price proposition, and has firmly embedded itself as a local brand committed to supplying fresh, home-grown produce at outstanding quality and value. For more information, please visit lidl-ni.co.uk. A man who left another man with serious head injuries after a one-punch attack in Buncrana has avoided going to prison after paying 5,000 to a head injury charity. Sean Breen was charged with a brutal assault on Damian McFadden outside the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana in 2019. Last December at Donegal Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer gave Breen, of Marianus Park, Hazelbank, Derry, an opportunity to come up with the sum, to be given to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. If the 31-year-old made the contribution, Judge Aylmer said he would impose a two-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence. Breen had pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr McFadden and causing him harm in the attack, on August 9, 2019. Mr McFadden was seen by an eye witness who described him as being out for the count with blood coming out of his mouth. CCTV footage was previously shown in court in which Breen could be seen delivering a punch with his left hand to Mr McFaddens face. The victim was knocked unconscious in the incident and was taken to hospital. Mr McFadden discharged himself from hospital at 1.20am on August 10, 2019. However, the court was told that the following day he was not feeling well and had pains in his head and was being sick. He was rushed back to Letterkenny University Hospital but was sent to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital where he spent almost two weeks getting treatment for a serious head injury before being released on August 22, 2019. After reviewing footage, local Detective Garda Jason Conroy made a positive identification of Breen at the scene. Breen was arrested and interviewed and admitted assaulting Mr McFadden following a disagreement over a person they both knew. Garda Rafferty said that Breen has a number of previous convictions in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police but had no convictions in this jurisdiction. Barrister for the accused, Mr Shane Costelloe SC, said the evidence suggested that the brain injury was not as a result of the punch but as a result of the fall from which Mr McFadden had banged his head. Mr Costelloe said that his client consumed a lot of alcohol and that he felt threatened during the encounter. Mr Costelloe quoted his client as saying: "I felt threatened and I was just defending myself." The barrister said Breen has not come before any court since 2014 and that on the night in question, his client was 24 year old, was drunk and had just broken up with his then girlfriend. Mr Costelloe said that while it was no excuse, he wanted to point out that this was very much a one punch attack and it was not followed up by any "savagery" such as kicks to the head. Judge Aylmer noted that Mr McFadden passed away in 2022, but there was no suggestion that this was anything to do with the injuries suffered as a consequence of the punch. Referring to the injuries sustained by the victim, Judge Aylmer said he placed the incident in the mid-range for such offending and it merited a sentence of three-and-a-half years before mitigation is considered. He said Breen made admissions, entered an early plea and has not come to any adverse attention since the incident. Judge Aylmer said Breen has a good work record as a landscaper and was before the court with the benefit of positive references. He said previous convictions, which were recorded in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police, occurred when he was aged 18-20 in the years from 2012-14. Judge Aylmer said it was opened to him that the incident occurred after Breen went through a breakup of a relationship and was going through a two-month period of alcohol and drug abuse. Judge Aylmer said the mitigation merited a reduction in the sentence to one of two-and-a-half years imprisonment. Given that Breen is now what he called a hard-working man now in a settled relationship with a young child and had the benefit of a probation report, he said he would give him a chance. Judge Aylmer said that he would adjourn the matter for one year to allow Breen put together 5,000. At this week's sitting, barrister Ciaran O'Rourke BL said he had a receipt in court for a sum of 5,000 which was paid to the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland charity. Judge Aylmer suspended the sentence in full for two and a half years and also bound Breen to the peace for two and a half years. Guarantees would be needed that the naming of the Armys top spy in the IRA during the Troubles would not impact on current security operations, the shadow Northern Ireland Secretary has said. However, Alex Burghart said there may be reasons for the Government to go further than its policy of Neither Confirm Nor Deny (NCND) in regard to officially confirming the identity of the agent Stakeknife as it was an extreme and unusual case. The Tory MP said there were people within MI5 and the Army who absolutely crossed the line in their handling of the agent, who has been linked to at least 14 murders and 15 abductions. Pressure is growing on the Government to name Stakeknife after the publication of the final report from Operation Kenova on Tuesday into the activities of the Army agent within the Provisional IRAs internal security unit. He was widely believed to be west Belfast man Freddie Scappaticci, who was 77 when he died in 2023. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told the Commons on Tuesday that he would respond to the head of Kenova Sir Iain Livingstones call for Stakeknife to be named at the conclusion of an ongoing case in the Supreme Court which, he said, had implications for NCND. Mr Benn added: The Governments first duty is, of course, to protect national security and identifying agents risks jeopardising this. Mr Burghart told the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme: He promised he would come back to the Commons when that case was resolved and give us a final answer on the case of Stakeknife. I see this as something in progress. I support Neither Confirm Nor Deny because people need to know if they are doing sensitive security jobs for the UK they need to know their identity will be protected. I think in this particular incident there may be reasons to go further because it is a very extreme and unusual case. He added: I think it is still difficult because what you are effectively saying to anyone who is on such a security job at the moment, there may be circumstances in the future where your identity will be revealed. I would need some very real guarantees that it wouldnt have an effect on current operations. The Operation Kenova report said that MI5s initial failure to disclose all it knew about Stakeknife to investigators was a significant failure. It also said that MI5 had earlier and greater knowledge of Stakeknife than it had at first stated. Mr Burghart responded: It is certainly fair to say there were people within MI5 and some people within the Army who absolutely crossed the line in a way that wasnt acceptable. That needs to be set alongside the fact that this was an incredibly difficult time and ultimately the legitimate actions of the security forces were one of the things that undermined the paramilitary movement and helped speed up the peace process. One of the purposes of having reports like this is to be clear-eyed and honest about what went on, but to set that in the context that the report found there was no collusion at a political or strategic level and that there was no evidence that the RUC at an organisational level was engaged in collusion. Where it is found that agents of the British state did things that were wrong, ultimately the Government has to take responsibility for that. Mr Burghart said murders carried out by Stakeknife would have been signed off by the IRA Army Council. He said: If one is going to start pointing fingers, the first finger should be pointed in that direction. A man has been charged to court over an arson attack at a Co Antrim leisure centre during rioting in the summer. Race-related anti-immigration violence flared in Ballymena in June before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland in subsequent days. During the disorder, a leisure centre in Larne that had been temporarily used to house migrants whose homes had been targeted in Ballymena, was attacked. Man charged to court following arson at Larne Leisure Centre. Details here: https://t.co/eG3Ls5jkGT pic.twitter.com/mR8DFumd9U Police Mid and East Antrim (@PSNIMEADistrict) December 10, 2025 The centre was extensively damaged in the arson attack and remained closed for several months. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it had now charged a man with offences related to the incident. The 25-year-old is charged with arson, riotous behaviour and criminal damage. He has also been reported to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) for conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to endanger life. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court on December 18. Police said a 32-year-old man, who was also arrested and released on bail in June, has been reported to the PPS for conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to endanger life, riotous behaviour and assisting offenders. Police revealed last month they have made 100 arrests since the serious rioting erupted. The violence began in June after two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, were charged with the attempted rape of a young girl in Ballymena. A peaceful protest in the Co Antrim town was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities, described by police at the time as racist thuggery. The disturbances lasted for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. The PPS revealed last month that the charges against the two boys were being withdrawn because of significant evidential developments in the case. The Kenyan government has reportedly imposed conditions on the sale of a 15% stake in Safaricom to South Africa-based Vodacom Group aimed to making sure Safaricom retains its local identity. Vodacom struck a deal last week to boost its stake in Safaricom from 35% to 55% by acquiring a 15% stake from the Kenyan government as well as a further 5% stake from Vodafone. The total deal is valued at $2.1 billion (R36 billion). The Kenyan government will still retain a 20% stake in Safaricom when the deal is finalised. According to a report from ITWeb Africa on Tuesday, the Kenyan government issued a statement stipulating that Safaricom's chairman and CEO must always be Kenyan citizens. The government also said that Vodacom cant change Safaricoms corporate brand in any way without its consent, and that any restructuring of the business wont result in employee layoffs other than in the ordinary course of business, the report said. Vodacom will also be prohibited from making any changes to Safaricoms existing supplier ecosystem for at least three years, and must consult the government regarding any plans to extend Safaricoms footprint outside of Kenya, although it wont need the governments approval to do so. Vodacom is keen to take control of Safaricom as part of its Vision2030 strategy, which is focused on strengthening the groups leadership in Africas high-growth markets and scaling its diversified portfolio. Safaricom itself has been a star performer, with strong financials and growth in telecoms, technology services and fintech especially its highly successful flagship M-Pesa platform. Thai market leader AIS (Advanced Info Service) has tapped Netcracker for what the companies describe as the largest cloud deployment in Thailand. In a bid to strengthen its converged mobile and broadband business and market share, AIS has deployed Netcrackers Cloud-Native Revenue Management solution from its Digital BSS suite. The cloud-native platform will allow AIS to support innovative 5G business models, including enterprise 5G and IoT services, as the operator anticipates future expansion and evolving market requirements. The platform supports B2C and B2B quad-play subscribers, offering flexible billing options with monthly, quarterly and annual subscription periods. It also provides AIS with improved scalability, allowing it to adapt to fluctuating business requirements and market demands, as well as cost optimisation to enable greater operational efficiencies. This in turn should improve time-to-market and in turn profitability. The successful end-to-end delivery of the new cloud-native revenue management platform within very challenging timelines has already proven its stability and scalability by supporting major launches and events such as the latest iPhone release without disruption, said Mr. Bharat Alva, Chief Information Officer at AIS. Apples first foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026, is set to shake up the foldable smartphone market, according to a new report. IDC reports that the long-anticipated iPhone Fold will take more than 22 percent of foldable smartphone shipments and account for 34 percent of the markets value in its debut year. The high impact is largely due to the iPhone Folds expected starting price of around $2,400. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Currently, the foldable smartphone market is mainly led by Samsung and Google. IDC believes Apples entry will change that, boosting interest in foldable devices and bringing the category closer to mainstream attention. Also read: Apple Noida store opens tomorrow: Rent details revealed The launch of Apples first foldable iPhone will mark a turning point for the foldable segment, said Francisco Jeronimo, vice president of client devices at IDC. This move is likely to boost category awareness and drive consumer interest. Apple tends to be a catalyst for mainstream adoption of new categories. Although foldables will continue to be a niche segment from a volume perspective, it will become a relevant value driver for most vendors offering foldables, as average selling prices will be 3 times higher than a standard smartphone. IDC expects the overall foldable smartphone market to grow by 30 percent in 2026 with Apples entry in the category. Samsung is also expected to contribute to this growth with its Galaxy Z Trifold. Also read: Apple chip chief Johny Srouji shuts down exit speculation, says he has no plans to leave Rumours suggest Apple will reveal its first foldable iPhone alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in the fall of 2026. The device is expected to have a book-like design, folding horizontally to reveal a larger, iPad mini-sized screen. When folded, the iPhone Fold is said to measure around 5.5 inches, and when opened, it will likely expand to roughly 7.8 inches. Apple has reportedly focused on eliminating the crease in the display. Also read: Google Pixel 10 Pro price drops by over Rs 12,300 on Amazon: How to grab this deal Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Irish tourists planning to visit the US may soon have to undergo social media screenings to enter the country. The move comes as the Trump administration has started to put heavy scrutiny on travellers looking to visit the US. READ NEXT: 'Live cockroaches, filthy kitchens' - 14 food businesses in Ireland forced to close in November Under a new proposal filed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week, all travellers looking to enter the country would be subject to submit five years of their social media history for review. CBP said in a notice, "In order to comply with the January 2025 Executive Order 14161 (Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats), CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) application. "The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years." The proposal is now open for consultation for the next 60 days. The Esta application costs 40 and lasts for two years, enabling citizens from participating countries to travel to the US for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they meet certain conditions. READ NEXT: 'Live cockroaches, filthy kitchens' - 14 food businesses in Ireland forced to close in November CBP also said that it plans to ask Esta applicants for personal data including phone numbers from the last five years, email addresses from the last 10 years, and names, addresses and dates of birth of family members. The US State Department also plans to expand the requirement for travellers "online presence", including H-1B visa applicants and their dependents where they would be "instructed to adjust the provacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'," adding that "A US Visa is a privilege, not a right". This month, the US State Department said it would expand the requirement for online presence reviews for all H-1B visa applicants and their dependents, in addition to students and exchange visitors already subject to the review. Advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland states, "The US authorities may ask to search your electronic devices, such as your phones, computers, or tablets, when you are entering the United States. READ NEXT: 'What is the urgency?' - Irish shoppers urged to stay away from shops on St Stephen's Day "They may request your passwords and they are not required to provide a reason for doing so. If you refuse, they may deny you entry into the United States. "Furthermore, the US authorities have indicated that they may consider activity on social media when making decisions about your immigration status." The sister of a man secretly killed and buried by the agent Stakeknifes IRA unit has queried how many people knew about him, and asked if it went as high as former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Eugene Simons was disappeared in 1981. His body was found by chance in a shallow grave in Louth. His sister Moira Todd recalled her family walking the streets of Dublin and Dundalk for years trying to find him, all while she said the state authorities knew what had happened to him. She said the word was put out that he was a tout (informer), and it had been an internal IRA murder, adding her family was spat at. They took him on January 1, they murdered him on January 11, so he had 11 days of probably unspeakable horror that the authorities knew about, and totally ignored it, she said, speaking at a press conference organised by Belfast solicitor Kevin Winter of KRW Law in Belfast following the publication of the Kenova Report. They know he was dead. They didnt tell us. My father hunted high and low, my brother walked the streets of Dundalk, of Dublin, hoping to bump into him, and all the while, the authorities knew that he wasnt coming back, he was gone. She said there was only interest in his murder after the Operation Kenova investigation started, and he was connected with Armys top agent in the IRA, Stakeknife. I just want someone to take me into a room and tell me the truth, if they want a non-disclosure agreement, Ill sign it. I just want to know the truth, she said. Its 45 years ago, almost to the day since my brother was taken and tortured by Stakeknife. He was murdered after. The authorities had all the details. Forty-five years on, Im sitting here, really none the wiser, and hearing about the truth being suppressed, and the government avoiding accountability, and its just totally frustrating. She added: Its what he did (we want to know), how he was allowed to do it, and how high up did it go? How far up the British Government? Did it go to Margaret Thatcher, did she approve anything? Those are the things we need to know. Claire Dignam, whose husband John was killed by the IRA in 1992, said she also believes the authorities knew he was dead. I hid for years because I believed my husband was an informer, she said. I had a baby in my belly while he was lying in a grave. The shame, the guilt, the trying to fit in. Now I feel alive and I am not going to hide again. My husband was Johnny Dignam, and I dont care what anyone said about him in the past. My husband was innocent. Paul Wilson, whose father Thomas Emmanuel Wilson was also killed by the IRAs internal security unit in 1987, questioned the lack of the key detail of naming Stakeknife. You cant investigate the agent known as Stakeknife, spend all the money, and then not find out who he is that seems like a gaping own goal, he said. Kenova are doing the investigation but it never feels like theyre in complete control of the investigation. It always feels like when they get so far, its no more, stop. However, he said he family have learned most of what they know about their fathers murder from Kenova, and paid tribute to the first ever police who took us seriously. That was great, but 90% just isnt enough. Its the last piece that we need for this to be settled and put to bed so we can finally move forward, he said. Read Next: Former Dundalk couple who carried out prolonged hammer attack on grandmother lose appeal They were asked about comments by MI5 director general Sir Ken McCallum offering sympathies to the victims and families of those who were tortured or killed by the Provisional IRAs internal security unit during the Troubles. Ms Todd said: The ISU (IRAs internal security unit) was run by one of their agents. Theyre still covering up wheres the truth? Mr Wilson said if they were really sorry, they would have helped Operation Kenova from the start. It was only meant to last a few years. It went to near 10 and thats because of MI5, he said. Mr Winters said the apology would have so much more substance if there was a departure from this ridiculous NCND the apology is completely hollow and irrelevant, in my view. 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. St Oliver Plunkett Community Unit in Dundalk has received a highly positive assessment from HIQA following an unannounced inspection carried out on 1 October 2025. The centre, which is operated by the HSE and located on the grounds of Louth County Hospital, was found to be fully compliant in every regulation assessed. The outcome was described by inspectors as evidence of strong governance, safe practices, and a consistently high standard of care. The inspection focused particularly on adult safeguarding and the measures in place to protect residents from all forms of abuse. Inspectors reported that safeguarding was embedded into all aspects of care delivery, ensuring residents lived in a secure environment where their rights and dignity were protected at all times. During the visit, inspectors spoke with residents and relatives, all of whom expressed confidence in the care provided. Staff were praised for their kindness, compassion, and attentiveness. Residents reported feeling safe, respected, and supported, with one describing the food as first class. Daily life at the centre was also shown to be engaging. On the morning of inspection, a group of residents attended a rosary in the chapel and those spoken with said they enjoyed it very much. Some of the male residents told the inspector how they liked attending the mens club every week. Another resident said that they looked forward to the various outings, including a trip to the local beach. The centre, which accommodates up to 63 residents across two units, was described as spacious, clean, and well-maintained. The inspector observed that staff endeavoured to keep residents safe, by providing supervision to them when in the communal living areas and in the dining rooms. Read Next: WATCH: Flooding at Dundalk pub the Spirit Store HIQA highlighted strong management structures, noting effective oversight by the person-in-charge, the Assistant Director of Nursing, and a dedicated Safeguarding Officer. Staff training records demonstrated full compliance with mandatory requirements, including safeguarding training, while ongoing education in dementia care and human rights was encouraged. All eight regulations inspected, including staffing, governance, protection, residents rights, and care planning, were found to be fully compliant. Person-centred care planning was another area of strength, according to the report. Care plans were completed promptly on admission, reviewed regularly, and tailored to each residents preferences. Staff were knowledgeable about residents individual needs, including those who experience responsive behaviours, and used de-escalation techniques appropriately. HIQA also noted the centres commitment to maintaining a restraint-free environment in line with national policy. Louth Fine Gael TD, Paula Butterly, has welcomed the announcement by Tanaiste Simon Harris, that a Government Scheme aimed at tackling dereliction will be expanded Dundalk and Drogheda by June. The Living City Initiative aims to breathe new life into the centre of urban areas, and is currently in place in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. The Tanaiste and Minister for Finance announced on Tuesday that Dundalk and Drogheda will be part of the expansion in the coming months. The scheme, which provides targeted tax incentives to encourage investment and bring vacant or underused buildings back into use, has been extended until 2030. It has also been expanded to cover properties built before 1975 and it will now also support the conversion of "over-the-shop" premises for residential use, helping to revitalise older urban areas. Read also: Dundalk receives worldwide attention through St Patricks Cemetery website The expansion of the scheme is being introduced as part of the Finance Bill, which the Tanaiste is currently bringing through the Oireachtas. The Tanaiste told the Dail on Tuesday evening: The first step is to engage with the local authorities and I will write to them all this week or early next week. We will set a deadline of the end of January to revert to us with their proposals a map - of where in the town should be covered. We will then engage directly with them and have that process concluded by end of Quarter 1 and open to applications as soon as possible after. The Living City Initiative is a real opportunity to try and encourage people to come back into the towns and live in our towns. Welcoming the news, Deputy Butterly said: Tackling dereliction and breathing new life into our cities and towns is a vital approach in terms of us unlocking homes and increasing housing supply. I therefore want to strongly welcome this announcement by the Tanaiste, which will benefit our communities in both Drogheda and Dundalk. I will keep residents and businesses owners fully up to date with progress in rolling out this scheme in our county, which I believe will make a hugely positive difference to peoples lives. Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth is introducing new training programmes to help local business owners start 2026 with energy and momentum. Designed to boost operational, financial, and digital skills, the new schedule delivers practical, actionable learning for both start up and established businesses. The year begins with the three-part HR for Non-HR: Get Your HR Essentials programme on Thursday 15, 22 and 29 January (9.30am1pm). Tailored for owners, managers, and team leaders, it provides essential guidance on HR responsibilities and the latest in Irish employment law. On Tuesday 20 January (10am1pm), Bookkeeping for Small Businesses will give participants the knowledge and confidence to manage day-to-day financial records more effectively. To improve branding and communications, the Canva for Business Beginners training on Thursday 29 January (10am1pm) will equip participants with the skills to create effective and engaging visual content. Read also: Dundalk Rugby Club set to have the Quid Game fundraiser to redevelop their pitch In February, the programme shifts towards artificial intelligence. Leveraging ChatGPT for Business runs on Thursday 12 February (10am1pm), and AI for Social Media Marketing on Wednesday 25 February (10am1pm) - both of which are designed to help SMEs unlock new efficiencies and digital opportunities. The next Start Your Own Business course begins on 13 January, providing practical support on self-employment, market research, taxation, finance, marketing, sales, legal considerations and business planning. Niall Gallagher, Senior Enterprise Development Officer at Local Enterprise Office Louth, explains Training programmes are available throughout the year with subjects like Tax and VAT, Digitalising your Business, Digital Marketing courses and much more. Check www.localenterprise.ie/louth and LEO Louth social media channels for updates. He continues: Local Enterprise Office Louth also offers Management Development Programmes in topics such as Leadership & Business Strategy, Financial Management, Succession Planning with specialist sector specific programmes for Food, Retail, Craft, Hospitality & Tourism. Niall concludes: Whether youre a start-up or well established, these programmes are practical, relevant, and designed to give your businesses a strong start in 2026. We are urging business owners to register now and make full use of the supports available through your Local Enterprise Office all year round. To book, visit ww.localenterprise.ie/Louth A Cork TD has welcomed updates on several medical developments across East Cork following a briefing delivered to TDs by the HSE. Community hospitals, primary care centres and mental health services in Midleton, Youghal, and Fermoy are progressing, with some set to be complete in the coming weeks. A new 50-bed community nursing unit (CNU) at Midleton Community Hospital, consisting of two 25 bed Residential Households is almost ready, the HSE said at the briefing, adding that they are actively engaging with the public-private partnership company to achieve completion of the Midleton unit before the end of the year. The building will then be made available to the service for equipping, commissioning and Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) registration, prior to welcoming patients into the new facility. The HSE said the unit will require significant preparation prior to becoming operational, but once the building is officially registered by Hiqa, transfer of services to the new unit will take place as soon as possible, they said. Additionally, refurbishment works at Fermoy Community Hospital are nearing completion, with regulatory process to commence subsequently. A new community nursing unit is also being developed for Youghal which will provide 60 beds for the town and surrounding community. This new unit will replace and merge the services currently provided by Cois Abhainn and Youghal Community Hospital. In relation to the existing Youghal Community Hospital site, the space requirements and needs of the service in the area are currently being reviewed by HSE estates Cork/Kerry. Once completed this will inform a development control plan. Once this has been finalised, a capital funding must then be sanctioned for same. The TDs were also given updates on primary care centres. Planning was granted in July 2025 for the Midleton primary care centre, and final design plans are currently with stakeholders for review and signoff. Construction commenced in October for the Youghal primary care centre, with a projected delivery date of Q2, 2027 for both. Meanwhile the HSE South West Mental Health service is currently developing a new 10-bed rehabilitative residential unit on the site of the current Owenacurra facility in Midleton town with construction commencing in summer of 2025. The delay in commencing the new build was primarily caused by the fact that the facility had to be fully redesigned following the major flooding event which occurred in Midleton in October 2023. Two community residences were purchased in Midleton to accommodate six of the remaining former residents, one of the properties (Lauriston) currently accommodates three residents and is staffed on a 24/7 basis while the second property based on ODwyers Road is currently undergoing refurbishment to meet the needs of the residents. It is anticipated that the remaining residents will move to their new home this month. Social DemocratS TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide, told The Echo that he welcomed the progress being made on several key developments in the region. Service developments for Cork East outlined by the HSE in their briefing to Oireachtas members were very promising. The Midleton Primary Care Centre will be a game-changer for the town and its surrounds and its good to see progress being steadily made on site with the construction of Youghal Primary Care Centre. I look forward to the completion of works on Fermoy Community Hospital. I did query what sounds like a very ambitious delivery date projection for Midleton primary care centre. I expect that may take significantly longer to materialise. Prolonged delays with the opening of the community nursing unit for Midleton and with the Owenacurra Centre rebuild have been frustrating, but there is commitment on the HSEs part to see these projects through. The National Transport Authority (NTA) will consider reducing the bus network in Cork city if Bus Eireanns performance does not improve by next month, even as the bus company said it now has a full driver complement in Cork. Bus Eireann struggled with recruitment and retention last year, which led to frequency reductions on a number of city routes. These measures were aimed at improving reliability, but The Echo has previously reported that punctuality on these routes fell by almost 16% while the reduced timetables were in place. Cork Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould has now expressed concern that the NTA may privatise certain bus routes in the city. Mr Gould recently asked Bus Eireann and the NTA for an urgent meeting on what he termed the escalating crisis in the citys bus service. While Bus Eireann had suggested next week, the NTA suggested a meeting in January. In correspondence with Mr Gould, an NTA representative said that they were fully aware of the issues, and that they arise from Bus Eireann having insufficient drivers to operate the required level of services. The bus operator ended its earlier route restrictions and announced that the driver shortage was resolved last February. It was reported at the time that the operator had 512 drivers, plus 15 in training, which was more than the 489 needed to run the services. The NTA representative said this week: While Bus Eireann has already undertaken several initiatives to increase driver recruitment, they are now undertaking an in-person recruitment process in South Africa, with a view to recruiting additional drivers who will relocate to Ireland. While we note Bus Eireanns offer to meet on the week of December 15, given the steps that are currently underway, we suggest that such a meeting is postponed until January, when we will have a clearer idea of the outcome of the current recruitment initiatives. This week, Bus Eireann said that, following a concerted recruitment effort, it now has a full driver complement in the Cork area, and that newly-recruited staff are currently undergoing essential training. As a result, the bus operator said it expects to be in a position to deliver all contracted services from early 2026. Referring to the January meeting, the NTA representative said: In the event that Bus Eireann have not resolved their driver issues by then, the NTA will have to take additional steps which may include reducing the size of the bus network operated by Bus Eireann, in order to match the network to the number of drivers. Bus Eireann was fined nearly 5m last year by the NTA for the performance of its buses across Ireland, with the fines increasing eighteen-fold since 2020. The performance-related deductions are applied by the NTA on metrics including punctuality, with Mr Gould previously saying that drivers are skipping stops in order to make up time and avoid fines. He also suggested the fines are performative as the body which fines the operator is also responsible for funding it. Mr Gould told The Echo that mid-January is far too late for this meeting. He said: More worryingly, threatening to remove or reduce the network supplied by Bus Eireann in Cork city is not the solution. This was always the clear aim of Government underfund and overwork Bus Eireann so that privatisation seems like the only solution. We have seen in England what privatising public transport does it is not efficient and it does not improve things for ordinary people looking to travel around their cities. He added that Sinn Fein have outlined potential solutions to this crisis, such as turning some routes in the city centre, revising timetables, changing the fine system, and improving driver conditions. Last year, they hired enough drivers and thought all of the problems had gone away, he said. The bus service still wasnt functioning properly. This isnt too much to ask people in a city, in a State awash with money, should be able to trust their bus will turn up. A Bus Eireann spokesperson told The Echo that, like many sectors, Bus Eireann has experienced significant recruitment and retention challenges in the Cork area in recent months, which has affected service delivery but it now hoped with the new drivers on board, it would be able to fulfill all contracted routes. Cork City Council chief executive Valerie OSullivan said this week that the council is very proud of Bishop Lucey Park, which was reopened recently after a 7m revamp, and Ms OSullivan added that only a minority of people do not like it, and that she had now delivered her final word on it. The park, just off Grand Parade in the city centre, was officially re-opened in mid-November, after a two-year closure for an overhaul, but many visitors have shared their disappointment with the new project, particularly the removal of grass. Addressing recent criticism of the park in the media and online at Monday nights Cork City Council meeting, Ms OSullivan reminded councillors that they had voted in favour of the plans. Ms OSullivan said: Bishop Lucey Park happened with the unanimous support of this council on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, with only two abstentions, from two members who are no longer sitting on this council. There was a report brought to that meeting, outlining exactly how the park would work, by then-city architect Tony Duggan. All the concerns and criticisms that have been raised in the press, including by people who are in this chamber, albeit a minority, were all addressed at that meeting when councillors unanimously voted in favour of the project in 2021, she told them. Ms OSullivan continued: Despite what anybody gives airspace to in the press, the performance of the park, the surrounding public realm and the bridge, is speaking for itself for its usability and popularity. People who support it do not generally go to the press. The minority who dont, do. Thats my final word on it. It was a team effort by this council and the executive of the day (Ann Doherty). Its our park that we delivered together with your approval." A record spend of 30m during 2025 for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) will provide a major boost for rural communities, a Cork TD has said. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities, but are vital to the lives of many who live or travel these roads daily. Since the re-establishment of the scheme in 2017, the Government has invested 184m nationwide, enabling improvement works on 5,000 rural roads. Under the 2025 scheme, Cork County Council received 2.33m, bringing its total LIS funding since 2017 to 14.15m the second-highest allocation to any local authority in the country. Once the annual allocations are set on a county-by-county basis, individual local authorities then have full discretion to decide which roads and laneways are prioritised for improvement each year. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea said: The spend for 2025 of 30m the highest annual LIS investment to date reflects the Governments strong commitment to supporting rural communities. Many families, farmers, and rural dwellers rely on these smaller local roads every single day, and for too long they fell outside normal council maintenance schedules. The investment made since 2017 has already transformed thousands of rural roads, and the 2.33m allocated to Cork for 2025 has allowed further progress. His party colleague, Mallow councillor Tony OShea, added: Across North Cork, I can see how important this scheme is to rural residents. Roads and laneways that were in very poor condition for years are now being upgraded, making them safer and far more accessible for the people who depend on them daily. The annual Delany brothers and Sean ODonoghue commemoration takes place on Sunday, December 14, at 1pm. People are invited to assemble at the Memorial Monument on Dublin Hill, Cork city. Every December we remember the Delany brothers, Con and Jeremiah, shot dead in their beds at the family homestead on Dublin Hill without trial or mercy by British crown forces, said Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould. This cruel act came on an intense day in Cork following an ambush by the IRA in Dillons Cross which saw the infamous British auxiliaries seeking revenge for that incident and, still smarting after their reversal at Kilmichael, they carried out a widescale burning of Cork city centre. The funeral of volunteer Jeremiah Delany passes through Patrick Street on the morning of December 12, 1920, on its way to St Finbarr's Cemetery, shortly after the burning of Cork overnight on December 11, events brought vividly to life in a new free exhibition hosted in St Peter's, North Main Street, Cork. Picture: Irish Examiner Archives We remember with pride the Delany brothers for their contribution to the struggle for Irish freedom and ultimate sacrifice. We also remember their friend and comrade Commandant Sean ODonoghue. Sean was shot dead by Free State troops in a raid on the Delany homestead in September 1922. All are welcome to attend the event. Cork Airport has announced a new partnership with Cork University Foundation, supporting the UCC Access Plus programme for students from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. The new four-year partnership will fund bursaries for students wishing to further and enhance their education at UCC. Speaking of the new partnership, Cork Airports managing director Niall MacCarthy said: Cork Airport sets out to be a positive force for good throughout the South of Ireland. We create and support thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly, in the airport, in our supply base and in tourism and hospitality businesses through inbound tourism. In addition, we are proud supporters of local arts, culture, tourism and education in the region. In this regard, we have undertaken new partnerships for social good with third-level institutions in Cork. On that basis, our team here could not be prouder of our partnership with UCC. This Access Plus programme offers comprehensive academic, financial and social supports assisting Higher Education Access Route (Hear) scheme students to fully engage in student life to achieve their full potential. In working closely with Deis secondary schools, the UCC access, Plus Programme also supports secondary education students through motivational and educational guidance enabling them to progress to third-level opportunities. Several schools and further education colleges in the region are connected to the programme, and a dedicated support officer helps the students transition to university life; offers tailored in-person orientation on campus, and financial assistance. Thanking Cork Airport for its support, Professor UCC president John OHalloran said: Philanthropy has the power to change lives. This support will directly widen access to education ensuring every individual can reach their full potential, irrespective of background. The Department of Housing has deleted a controversial video from its social media pages. The video featured tips for young people on how to move back in with their parents during the housing crisis. It was widely mocked by the opposition who said it was a perfect example of how out of touch the Government was. Taoiseach Micheal Martin had previously defended the video, saying it highlighted the broader issues facing young people in the housing market. Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said during Leaders' Questions on Tuesday that the video, created by the SpunOut youth organisation and shared by the Department of Housing, was patronising. "Demeaning, hurtful, insulting and a two-fingered salute to an entire generation. These are the words people are using to describe the decision by the Ministers Government to share a video advising people how to cope with moving back into the family home. Mr Doherty said people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are being forced to move back in with their parents because of Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels mess on housing policy. Mr Doherty said the hard reality is that two-thirds of 18-34 year olds are still living with their parents and the number of young people forced to live with their family is increasing at a faster rate than any country in Europe. Speaking during Leaders Questions, he said: Demeaning, hurtful, insulting and a two-fingered salute to an entire generation. These are the words people are using to describe the decision by the Ministers Government to share a video advising people how to cope with moving back into the family home. Representing the Government, Fianna Fail deputy leader and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said the video was not a direct campaign by the Department of Housing. He said it was created by SpunOut and added: It was developed by young people and it is based on their experiences. Mr Chambers said he recognised the Government needs to do everything it can to improve the availability and delivery of social and affordable homes right across our country. He said he accepted that rents were still too expensive for many young people and this is why the Government had extended rent pressure zones and the rent tax credit. It comes after Sinn Feins housing spokesperson Eoin O Broin admitted that he thought the video was "tone deaf" and satirical, and had been posted by Waterford Whispers. The video features two young people offering tips such as setting house rules, paying rent, doing chores, and managing potential conflicts while living at home. Mr O Broin previously told RTE Radios Morning Ireland: The number of young people moving back home has doubled over the last decade to its highest level in some time is because the government's housing policy is pushing up house prices, pushing up rents, pushing up homelessness, while at the same time failing to deliver social affordable homes. So the idea that the very people who are responsible for the rising levels of young adults, not just in their 20s but into their 30s, being forced to live at home, would then give people advice about doing household chores and setting boundaries, I think is just going to anger people." Rory Hearne, the Social Democrats housing spokesperson, also criticised the Department of Housing for sharing the video saying it was normalising something that should not be normalised". Sarah Slater A light aircraft has crashed in south Kilkenny with two people on board. The incident occurred near Carrigeen, Mooncoin, close to Waterford city. Emergency services are currently at the scene, which is preserved pending an investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU). In a statement, Atlantic Flight Training Academy said that there were no injuries to either the instructor or the student on board and neither required hospital treatment, contrary to earlier reports. The Cessna 172 aircraft was en route back on a routine training flight towards Waterford when the pilot experienced a rough-running engine. The statement added: The pilot informed Air Traffic Control in Waterford and advised that he had identified a suitable landing site in close proximity. The pilot positioned the aircraft for landing and carried out a precautionary landing in a suitable grass field, in accordance with standard operation procedures, north of Waterford Airport. It is the second crash of a light aircraft in the area in just over two weeks. Last month, a father of two was killed when his light aircraft crashed during an emergency landing in Waterford. Bircan Dokuzlar (48), who was originally from Turkey, died when he attempted to land the aircraft in a field close to Waterford Airport last Thursday at around 12:50pm. The aircraft had taken off from Sligo and was heading for Beziers in France. Emergency service units, including Coast Guard Rescue 117, attended the scene. Air accident investigators are continuing to examine what may have caused the crash. It is understood that Mr Dokuzlar turned the plane around off the south coast of Ireland and headed back towards Waterford Airport as he attempted an emergency landing. It is understood the aircraft had been stored for several months in Sligo. The privately-owned Vulcanair P68C did not have a cockpit voice recorder due to its size. There is an ongoing investigation into the crash, and aircraft investigators believe that weather conditions were not a factor. Vivienne Clarke and PA RTE has reduced its headcount by approximately 95 this year, through 65 voluntary exits and around 30 resignations and retirements. The broadcaster had set a target to reduce its headcount by 400 over five years. RTEs director general, Kevin Bakhurst, told the Oireachtas Media Committee on Wednesday that there had been 308 applications for voluntary redundancy and 107 offers had been made. He said 65 of those offers had been accepted and three remain outstanding, leaving an acceptance rate of over 60 per cent. In addition, RTE has suppressed 30 roles through resignations and retirements. Mr Bakhurst said the organisation remained hopeful of reaching 100 exits by the end of the year. The savings from those voluntary exits so far will be 6.2 million per annum. So over a five-year strategy, thats around 30 million. Obviously, the savings from the suppressions will be, so far, 2.4 million per annum. So obviously thats upwards of 10 million over the five-year strategy. Minister for arts culture and media, Patrick ODonovan has said that RTE was clearly too big". The taxpayers and the license payers of Ireland deserve an awful lot better than what they got, and we deserve to see the progress that has been made in RTE continued, he told RTE radios News at One. And some people might call that hollowing out, I call it rationalisation. The organisation is clearly too big, it needs to be made smaller, it needs to be made more fit for purpose, it needs to be modernised, and it needs to have a greater level of energy attached to the modernisation project, because to be quite honest about it, there is no plan B. "If this doesn't work, there is no other crock of gold at the end of the RTE rainbow. Meanwhile, RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst has said he has not applied for the top job at the BBC. BBC director-general Tim Davie announced in November that he would be stepping down. Asked on Wednesday if he would be applying for the job, Mr Bakhurst said: I dont think I can leave because Marty Morrissey has told me Im not allowed to. Later pressed on whether he would commit to staying at RTE for the duration of his contract, Mr Bakhurst said: Look, I havent applied and Im very happy doing this job, thats all I can say. He joked again in reference to his friendship with RTE commentator Mr Morrissey: But Martys (view) is obviously more important than my view on it. Alison O'Riordan A Dublin man had a history of non-compliance with taking his medication and told gardai he had killed his girlfriend, referring to "the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer," a Central Criminal Court jury has heard. Brendan Grehan SC said a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the State will say that although the accused was suffering from a mental disorder, its severity was such "to entitle a jury to consider a verdict of diminished responsibility" but not "a full finding of insanity". Austin Mangan (53), with a previous address at Hollybank Road in Drumcondra but more recently of the Beaumont area of Dublin, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Maud Coffey (41) at the Horizon Building in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15, on January 13th, 2023. Opening the prosecutions case on Wednesday, Mr Grehan told the 12 jurors that this trial will be slightly different to what they might expect in terms of a murder case and that the issues are "much more net and focused". Counsel told the panel that gardai had received a report on the morning of January 13th, 2023, that a male was on a bus within the Royal Canal Park complex and was behaving in an aggressive and unpleasant way. The prosecution barrister went on to tell the court that gardai responded quickly to the scene and found the accused Mr Mangan on the upper deck of the parked bus. "They fairly immediately had concerns about his mental health and safety because of the way he was behaving; it was aggressive and somewhat irrational". There will be evidence, Mr Grehan said, that Garda John McGowan had used powers under section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2021 to detain Mr Mangan for his own safety and the safety of others. The accused was then conveyed to Finglas Garda Station. When Gda McGowan was dealing with the accused, the lawyer said Mr Mangan was talking to him and that some of what he was saying did not make a lot of sense. "One of the things he did say was that he killed his girlfriend or killed Maud and had referred to the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer," said Mr Grehan. In these circumstances, the barrister said, gardai had legitimate concerns that somebody else might have suffered injuries at the hands of Mr Mangan and began investigating where that might be. Other gardai had been contacted by Mr Mangan's sister, Suzanne Mangan, who said the accused had telephoned her that morning and told her he had killed his girlfriend Maud. "Acting in a responsible manner she [Suzanne Mangan] immediately rang gardai," he said. Mr Grehan said Garda Joseph Green went to an apartment in the Horizon Building and found the door unlocked. When the garda entered, he found the body of a woman, later identified as Ms Coffey, with obvious fatal injuries. The barrister further stated that a pathologist had carried out an examination on Ms Coffey and concluded she had died from asphyxia. "A flex from a cleaner of some kind had been put around her neck and she also had sharp force trauma knife injuries to the neck and other trauma to the head and neck. She died as a result of all these various injuries she suffered," said Mr Grehan. Evidence will be that Mr Mangan had seen a number of doctors in the garda station and was ultimately released from the provisions of section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2021. Mr Grehan said the accused was then immediately arrested by Garda Mark Reilly at 4.51pm that afternoon on suspicion of the murder of Ms Coffey. Mr Grehan said the accused had admitted killing Ms Coffey in his garda interviews. In the fifth interview, he said, the accused had provided a very descriptive and detailed account of how he had done that. The barrister said the investigation subsequently discovered that the accused had been diagnosed with a variety of different mental health problems from a young age. "At one stage, a doctor suggested bipolar, later schizoaffective disorder and paranoia". There will be evidence, Mr Grehan said, that the accused had undergone various therapies and medication. He said Mr Mangan was on various medications but had a history of non-compliance with taking his medications. In the context of his own mental health problems, Mr Grehan said the accused had met Ms Coffey a number of years prior to this. He said Ms Coffey had previously worked in childcare but had developed significant mental health issues of her own. "In the time just before her death she had spent two weeks in a specialist wing of Connolly Memorial Hospital and discharged herself two days before her death on January 11th, 2023". It won't be an issue at all, but that Mr Mangan had caused the death of Ms Coffey, he continued. Mr Grehan said the accused's mental health will be in focus in the trial. He said the jury would hear from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney, whose opinion is that Mr Mangan satisfies the criteria to qualify "for consideration of not guilty by reason of insanity". Counsel said the Director of Public Prosecutions had arranged for consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Richard Church to prepare a report on behalf of the prosecution. Mr Grehan said Dr Church agreed that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder at the time he killed Ms Coffey but in terms of the severity of that disorder, his view is it is such "to entitle a jury to consider a verdict of diminished responsibility; it is not a full finding of insanity". In summary, counsel said both doctors agreed the accused had a mental disorder but there was "some dispute" between them as to the severity of the disorder. "Effectively that will be the net issue you'll be asked to consider in the case," he added. Patrick Gageby SC, defending, made formal admissions to the court today on behalf of his client, including that Mr Mangan admits killing Ms Coffey. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of seven men and five women. Eva Osborne Belfast rap trio Kneecap have collaborated with Micil Distillery in Galway to release their own poitin. There are only 1,200 units of the poitin being sold, with a price of 32 per naggin. In a post on Instagram, Kneecap said: "We sent Provai off to the guys @MicilDistillery in Connemara to make some Poitin. Some job he did and all. "Weve taken their Connemara poitin and rested it in empty oak casks seasoned with Kneecaps favourite tonic wine made by monks. "This limited edition naggin celebrates the Irish language, cross-cultural creativity, and a shared love of acting the boll*x." Micil Distillery said its collaboration with the group is one "you didn't know you wanted, with the product you didn't know you needed". The poitin is "as bold and unapologetic as the spirit of the people behind it", the distillery said, adding that the product is "bottled small but deadly". The 1,200 naggins of poitin will go on sale on Friday, December 12th, at 1pm on micildistillery.com. When Diane Higgins was embarking on her career, she wishes she had access to a support group like Network Ireland Cork. I wish I had gotten involved with networking sooner. It has been instrumental for me building my confidence, she said. Thats why Diane, the new president of Network Ireland Cork, is now extending an invite to the next generation of women to join the group and avail of the support both professional and personal thats on offer in abundance. The earlier you have access to supports like this, the better in terms of confidence building, said the mum-of-three whose theme for the year is better together. Diane is a graphic designer who runs Diane Higgins Design and is a part-time lecturer in the Marketing and International Business Department in MTU. She joined Network Ireland Cork in 2020, during covid. I started my business in 2017 so my initial reason for joining was to increase my clientele. I always felt that networking was something that I should be doing so I bit the bullet and joined up. But its nothing to do with exchanging business cards and handshakes its a much softer and friendlier network, she said. Diane, who lives with her family in Cork city, discovered this when she was organising a bake sale in aid of Childrens Health Foundation. Incoming president of Network Ireland Cork Branch Diane Higgins with board members in Cork City Hall at the Network Cork AGM.Picture: Darragh Kane Things were just starting to open up after lockdown and I posted on Network Corks Facebook page, asking if anyone knew of a venue to hold the bake sale. It all spiralled from there from something small to a big event with many members either baking, donating or giving prizes. I had honestly expected to raise around 50 and that first year in 2021 we raised 6,500! she said. Since then Diane and her family have gone on to raise an incredible 33,000 for the charity. That first year I hadnt even met most of the members in-person and it really illustrated to me the pillars of Network Ireland which are leadership, collaboration and support, which is how I came to decide my theme for the year. But its not just the younger generation or business owners to whom Diane extends the invitation to join Network Ireland Cork. Network Ireland means so many different things to so many people who join for different reasons you can be employed, self-employed, un-employed, but the idea is that were all better together. Its also about cultures, businesses, or generations coming together to share knowledge, ideas or support each other. Thats what the bake sale showed me, that its an all-encompassing group, that were greater than the sum of our parts. To me that was where better together came from. Having experienced so many benefits herself, she wants to pay this forward. I really want to bring the next generation along with us, and show them what we have to offer as, regardless of your goals, its never too early to start building relationships and being part of the wider professional community. "When I first joined, I never imagined leading the organisation," said Diane. Picture: Darragh Kane Shes excited about the year ahead, but emphasises its not about her. I couldnt do it without the support of the Network committee. Theres a group of 20-odd people behind me and thats how the work gets done. Its all voluntary too which is even more remarkable as the events the group runs are of such a professional standard that you often forget that. I also have the backing of my husband Kevin and my family. Funnily enough, better together was the name of our first dance at our wedding. We celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this yea r- the same day as the Network Ireland awards deadline! In another nice twist, the Network turns 43 this year and so does Diane. I can look back and reflect what Ive done in my 43 years, and in the same way, what Network Cork has done. This Network holds so much wisdom between us, and the past presidents are always there to help guide and advise along the way. And while theres lots done, theres also a lot more to do in terms of the gender gap and Im looking forward to getting stuck in for 2026. She added: I am proud to have come from a long line of strong women, and to be raising the next generation in my own daughters. Putting myself forward as a leader will hopefully serve as a role model for both of my daughters and my son. This is a new kind of leadership role for me, and thats something that is great about our Network, anyone can become the president. When I first joined, I never imagined leading the organisation, but with the confidence that being a member has brought, I put myself forward for the role. It truly is an honour to lead an organisation that has given me so much, both personally and professionally since I first became a member. Name: Elaine Duggan Age: 48 Lives: Crosshaven Job title: Digital Media and CRM Coordinator with See Her Elected. SHE is a programme under Longford Womens Link (a social enterprise in County Longford). We support women in rural Ireland to become county councillors, or support another womans campaign to run for local election. SHE operates in person and also online, meaning we have a presence in every county in Ireland - including Cork. The programme is fully funded by the Irish Governments Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Salary: The role is a part-time one, 21 hours a week, and the pay is in line with the sector. Education background: BA in English and Sociology from UCC, Masters in Journalism from NUI Galway, a Digital Marketing Cert from MTU. Hobbies: Walking our dog Charlie, enjoying the beautiful coastline around our village, crafting (many unfinished projects!), binging on TV series. Describe your job in five words: Helping women become county councillors. Describe yourself in five words: Professional, diligent, hardworking, loyal, creative. Personality needed for this kind of work? Friendly, approachable, organised. How long are you doing this job? Six months. How did you get this job? I worked as a journalist for almost 25 years. I started out as a reporter with The Echo, moved onto the newsdesk as assistant news editor, then deputy news editor. Ten years ago, I moved to the features department, as deputy features editor, which included editing this supplement - Women on Wednesday (WoW!) which was my favourite part of the role. I left my role at The Echo back in November, 2024, due to family commitments, unsure of what was next. I was sad to leave, but really proud of all that I had achieved over the years and it was particularly touching that I was presented with the Network Ireland Presidents Award that same year, honouring the work I had done over the past decade, advocating for the women of Cork through sharing their stories in WoW! The timing of that honour really meant the world to me. After a few months at home, I knew I wanted to return to the workplace, albeit with a different work/life balance. I signed up to the Rejuvenate course at UCC, hosted by Ingrid Seim and Angela Smiddy - which I would highly recommend for anyone who is unemployed, or looking for a career pivot, or someone who is interested in re-entering the workforce after taking time out. The support, encouragement and work that they did with us, as well as the great camaraderie among the other women doing the course, was wonderful. When I spotted the role with See Her Elected advertised, I jumped at the opportunity. I had upskilled in the field of Digital Media, I was looking to work with a social enterprise/NGO/charity, it was part-time, which worked with family life, I had also been aware of the amazing work they did - it seemed like my dream role. I started the job back in May and I am loving it. It has been a big learning curve, but I am once again blessed with the most amazing, inspiring, helpful colleagues, who have supported me as I found my feet in the new role. Do you need particular qualifications or experience? Having knowledge of the local authority system in Ireland is important - but I am still learning every day. I would have covered council meetings in Cork City and Cork County Councils as a young reporter, and worked on the newsdesk during a number of local and national elections, so all that has been useful. I have been getting to grips with our new CRM system, which is an amazing tool and will be so useful for us as we head towards local elections 2029. Digital media skills are also a core part of my job. As social media platforms are forever changing, it is important to keep up to date. That is why I am looking forward to keeping up-to-date with different courses through the Digital Marketing School run by The Digital Marketing Crowd. I love the concept of life-long learning and its something that I think we should all embrace. Describe a day at work: On a typical day working from home, I log on around 9am, once the kids are gone to school. I check emails, make a to-do-list for the day. We usually have an online meeting early in the morning for an hour, to catch up on what we are all working on - it could be planning an online or in-person workshops, or meeting with stakeholders, doing reach out to individuals who have signed up to SHE. Elaine Duggan, Digital Media and CRM Coordinator See Her Elected. Picture: Darragh Kane We recently launched our Guide to Running in the 2029 Local Elections. We are also preparing to host our 2026 Election Workshop series, starting in January, which I am really excited about. So we are putting those together on our SHE Academy, promoting them, and encouraging women to sign up. If you can see yourself as a candidate or in a campaign team for the 2029 local elections, then why not take part, for more see www.seeherelected.ie. We host the workshops around womens lives, so hosting sessions at 7am, 10am, 1pm and 8pm on different days. These workshops are all hosted online through our SHE Academy. So the job has a huge variety! The days go pretty quickly and I usually finish up at 4.30pm - just in time to start making the dinner, and helping with homework! How many hours do you work a week? 21 hours a week. Monday to Wednesday. Is your industry male or female dominated? SHE is a three-person, all female team - there is myself, Programme Manager Dr Michelle Maher, and Communications and Development Manager Megan Flynn Dixon. And, of course, those who take part in See Her Elected activities, are also all female - women looking to find out more about local politics, women who want to run for election, or women who wish to support another womans campaign. Does this affect you in any particular way? Not at all. It is wonderful to work with an amazing supportive duo on the SHE team and also women who want to get involved in political life, for the betterment of their local communities and society. Just 27% of our local councillors are female - we need more! SHE is working to increase this. Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10: Having worked for a daily newspaper for so long, stress has always been part of work life, as any journalist will attest to - working to deadlines, in a busy newsroom. However in my new role, working a three-day week gives me a really nice balance. While we are a small, but very busy team, there are only very rare occasions where one might feel stressed - but that rarely happens, with such great support from colleagues. Do you work with others or on your own? Myself and my two colleagues all work remotely, but we try to meet up at least once a month, somewhere between where we all live - we travel from Cork, Galway and Mullingar - so the role has taken me to Longford, Offaly and Tipperary, as well as Dublin so far! I really love the days we get to meet in person and always head home feeling inspired! When do you plan to retire or give up working? I turned 48 this year, but the prospect of retiring still seems a long way off still. Best bits: Getting to work with a great team. When you pick up the phone to chat to a woman who tells you they are seriously thinking about running in 2029. Or when you ring someone who is so glad to hear your voice on the other side of the phone, telling them all about the great supports SHE can offer them, if they plan on being a candidate or want to help another woman run. Worst bits: Realising that there is still a long way to go, especially in some counties, in increasing female representation in our county councils. Also, SHE is funded annually, so it would be great if we had more security, or were funded through an entire election cycle, of five years, rather than every 12 months. Advice to those who want your job? You cant have it! Im hoping the SHE team will want to hang onto me for a bit longer! Im only six months in the role, so hoping this is only the beginning. Any other comments? If you are interested in politics, would love to run for the local council in Cork, or indeed anywhere in the country, or support a womans campaign, drop us a line. You will find out more information on our website www.seeherelected.ie To her family, Anna OLeary will always be Anna, but to everyone else she is The Flour Patch Girl. In June, Anna opened a cutesy cake shed built out of her childhood playhouse at the end of the lane at the farm she shares with her boyfriend, Conor, in Castlefreke, West Cork. It was an instant hit, grabbing attention, followers and customers, with her regular TikTok and Instagram videos showing the freshly baked breads, tarts and treats, along with farm fresh vegetables, honey and jams from her parents farm in Kilmichael - all on an honesty system. In the six months since first opening, The Flour Patch has grown into the kind of success Anna could only have dreamed about, with two locations in Castlefreke and Kilmichael regularly selling out of everything within hours of opening. Not only that, but in November Anna graduated from MTU with a degree in Culinary Arts. It has been quite the year! Before you think this is just another TikTok craze, there is more to Anna than baking delicious things. She is on a mission to spread her message about knowing where food comes from - farm to fork. It all began on the OLeary family farm in Kilmichael where Anna and her carpenter brother Barra grew up fully immersed in every aspect of farming life. Anna OLeary of the The Flour Patch with some of her wares. Pictures: Dan Linehan Were majority beef farmers, but we also keep sheep. Sometimes we have goats and hens, we used to have turkeys and broilers as well when I was younger. We have a polytunnel and we also set potatoes. We were self-sufficient, says Anna. As well as growing their own food, home cooking was at the heart of family life and Anna could be found in the kitchen beside her mom baking and cooking meals. When wed sit down for dinner, dad and mom would always make a point of telling us that everything on the plate came from outside the back door. That stuck with me, and it made me really appreciate it. We were involved in every aspect of our food. We were brought down to the abattoir with dad when he dropped off an animal and again when he picked it up. Thats where my love and my appreciation for food grew, says Anna. The idea for The Flour Patch came when Anna was looking for a way she could sell her baking and farm produce without opening a cafe. A farmers market wouldve taken too much time out of my week when I could be baking, but then I started seeing these little cake sheds in the UK and thought I could do that, but on a bigger scale. It wasnt just about me selling my baking, I wanted people to know about the ingredients I was using in the baking. Annas brother Barra built the first honesty hut at the Castlefreke location out of an old playhouse they shared as kids where they played cafes and kitchens. I opened on Fathers Day and sold out on the first day I opened - I couldnt believe it! Anna continued to sell out every weekend within a few hours of opening for 14 weeks in a row, spurring her to open a second location at her parents farm in Kilmichael. I had a customer base in Kilmichael from when I first started baking cakes, opened there at the end of August and thats also doing really well, too, says Anna. The second Flour Patch opened as the last shop in the village closed for good. It was bittersweet because the elderly community would go there every Saturday and Sunday for their bread and scones. Im only a stones throw from where that shop was, so people are delighted theres still something here for them without going into town for bare essentials, says Anna. These little honesty huts have both become part of the community and created a community around them, reaching people Anna thought would never be interested. I meet people every single weekend, Anna says. Some come on a Saturday and a Sunday and might get one thing or a bag of baking. People have really made it part of their regular routine, which is amazing. Ive often noticed the same car could be parked at the end of the lane for half an hour or more and its just people meeting each other. Its reached all demographics. I really thought it would be moms, older people or girls my age that see it as an idealised thing to do on a weekend, but I hear the boy racers pulling up or farmers stopping in tractors. It appeals to everyone. I got a lovely anonymous note one weekend saying The Flour Patch had brought a lovely sense of community to the area, and in a world that can be so dark at times, its a bright little place. I couldnt get over it, and that made me realise this is not just about buying bread or a cake, its for people coming here, meeting people; people stopping at the end of the lane and chatting. Its such a lovely sense of community around both locations. When I first started, I only lived here for three months, and I did worry I didnt know the community very well. It wasnt my community at the time, but now I feel like it is, Anna says. Before I opened The Flour Patch, I didnt know how to make friends on my own because Im not involved in sport or anything like that. Now, I could walk into the local pub and people dont know my name, but theyll says, Oh, youre The Flour Patch Girl! Anna says the honesty huts have become part of the community. Picture: Dan Linehan. I couldnt have imagined this ever doing this well. I was always waiting for the slump to hit, for it to level out, but its still going; still selling out, so, Im delighted. As well as creating a community in real life, Anna has used TikTok and Instagram to create an online community where she promotes her traditional bakes and shares her passion for local food. It wasnt until secondary school that Anna realised not everyone had the same experiences growing up around food and farming. The cluelessness of where food comes from shocked me, to be honest. It made me realise not everyone knows where even their milk, never mind their meat, is coming from, says Anna. I did a poll on my Instagram last year asking if people knew where their food comes from, and the amount of people that said no frightened me. Im not sure whether its from the point of not caring or just purely just not knowing. I took it for granted when I was younger. I thought it was normal. Now I realise how lucky I was to grow up with that, to have that at home. What we were exposed to makes me appreciate what I have now. At the heart of The Flour Patch is Annas commitment to showcasing why local food is important, and to encourage young people like her to engage more with the food they eat. My idea for The Flour Patch was to prove you can cut out the middleman, and I try to do that as much as possible with my ingredients; the eggs, milk and butter I use is all local. Thats very important to me. Theres no point harping on about supporting local just at Christmas when we should be supporting local all year round. I hope I can inspire people to try and go back to their roots, relearn older habits and traditions that their grandparents or great-grandparents had. You can live in an apartment and still grow some herbs. It starts as small as that. You dont need a hundred acre farm to produce something, but if you dont want to do that, find someone that is. There are people in every corner of Ireland producing food and trying to make money from it. The dream is to one day open a farm shop and cafe to showcase all her passions for local food. Thats the only downside of The Flour Patch, that I genuinely miss not getting to meet everyone that calls, unless Im down there stocking the box. Thats why Id love a shop; to meet my customers, offer more things from my farm, and expand my menu because I love cooking for people - its my love language! But the right spot will have to come up first. Im still young, Im not going anywhere! Its been a whirlwind year for Anna, and I wonder what she has learned about herself after all her success at a young age. I have learned not to have a negative mindset from the get-go. Im an overthinker; I make up scenarios in my head that I know will never happen, so just to believe in myself is one of the biggest things Ive learned. I could never have imagined The Flour Patch would get to this level when I started out, and Im proud of myself because it has worked and Ive kept it going. I havent got my head around hearing people talk about it - its still so surreal. Ive learned not to doubt myself because others will be doubting you already, so you might as well get on your own side first. Annas popularity online has unexpectedly put her in the position of mentor to others who love what she is doing and want to follow in her footsteps. I love seeing people start their own cake shed or honesty box because its not an easy thing to start out. Youre relying on your community to support you, and it wont work in every community, so dont try and be like someone else, says Anna. Instead pick your own niche and put your own stamp on it. People will always value that over a carbon copy of something else, and you wont get enjoyment out of it if youre chasing what someone else is doing. Theres plenty space for other people doing what Im doing. Ill always be different to someone else, the same as someone else will always be different to me. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Women outside the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem. Thousands of Palestinian Christians and Muslims gathered in Bethlehem's Manger Square, in front of the Church of the Nativity at the weekend for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony - the first one in three years. There were hymns and prayers for peace in the Dec. 6 two hour ceremony, Independent Catholic News reported. An unyielding economic crisis has lashed Bethlehem and the entire West Bank in recent years. First, there was the drain on tourists and pilgrims during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the austere restrictions imposed by Israel more recently forced many established shops and hotels to close. The city is hoping that the return of the Christmas lights will signal to the world that Bethlehem is making a comeback. During the Gaza War, ignited on Oct 7, 2023, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem due to restrictions in the occupied West Bank where Christians believe Jesus was born, BBC reported. But after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year the festivities would return as symbolised by the lighting of its traditional, giant Christmas tree in front of the historic Nativity Church. "It's been a bad two years of silence; no Christmas, no jobs, no work," Bethlehem Mayor Maher Canawati told the BBC. "We're all living here from tourism and tourism was down to zero." The mayor said that the idea of resuming celebrations could be controversial, as suffering continues in Gaza including for those in its tiny Christian community, many of whom have relatives in Bethlehem. "Some may say it's not appropriate, and others say it's appropriate," Canawati said. "But deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because Christmas should never be stopped or cancelled. This is the light of hope for us." He added: "Some may say it's not appropriate and others say it's appropriate, but deep inside my heart, I felt that this was the right thing to do because Christmas should never be stopped or canceled. This is the light of hope for us." Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, two neighbouring towns, will also have Christmas tree lightings in the coming days. Hotels are also receiving more bookings from tourists as well as Palestinian citizens of Israel. Beit Jala and Beit Sahour, two neighboring towns, will also have Christmas tree lightings in the coming days. Hotels are also receiving more bookings from tourists as well as Palestinian citizens of Israel. Despite the ceasefire in Gaza, acts of war continue in the area. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the priest at Holy Family Church in Gaza, the only Catholic church in the area, shared on X that on the same day of the Bethlehem tree lighting a bomb went off some 200 meters (650 feet) from his parish. No one was injured. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors' "Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference" at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the US Federal Reserve Board of Governors' "Integrated Review of the Capital Framework for Large Banks Conference" at the Federal Reserve in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) (MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images) OpenAI is in a far less commanding position than it was following the public release of ChatGPT a few short years ago. Back in 2022, the sudden popularity of ChatGPT sent Google into a panic. The company was so worried about the possibility of the upstart chatbot disrupting its Search business, executives sounded a "code red" alert inside of the company and called Sergey Brin and Larry Page out of retirement to help it formulate a response to OpenAI. It then rushed out Bard, announcing its first commercial chatbot on February 6, 2023. Google's stock tanked days later when the AI incorrectly answered a question about NASA's James Webb Space Telescope during a public demo. But it wasn't just Google that wanted a piece of OpenAI, while the search giant sought to compete with it, others including Microsoft and Apple made deals with the company to bring its technology to their products and services, all the promise that AI would eventually revolutionize every facet of the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Since then, OpenAI has seen its lead against Google and much of the AI industry evaporate, culminating in a series of successive blows throughout 2025. On January 20, the same day Altman was busy rubbing shoulders with other tech oligarchs at Donald Trumps inauguration, Chinas DeepSeek quietly released its R1 chain-of-thought model. A week later, the startup's chatbot surpassed ChatGPT as the most-downloaded free app on the US App Store. The overnight success of DeepSeek eliminated $1 trillion worth of stock market value, and almost certainly left OpenAI blindsided. In response, the company showed a newfound urgency. In one week, for instance, OpenAI released both o3-mini and Deep Research. It even went so far as to announce the latter on a Sunday evening. But for all its new urgency, OpenAI's biggest, most important release of the year was a miss. It's safe to say GPT-5 hasn't lived up to anyone's expectations, including OpenAI's own. The company touted the system as smarter, faster and better than all of its previous models, but after users got their hands on it, they complained of a chatbot that made surprisingly dumb mistakes and didn't have much of a personality. For many, GPT-5 felt like a downgrade compared to the older, simpler GPT-4o. That's a position no AI company wants to be in, let alone one that has taken on as much investment as OpenAI. Anthropic was quick to take advantage of the weakness, signing a deal with Microsoft to bring its Claude models to Copilot 365. Previously, Microsoft depended exclusively on OpenAI for partner models in Copilot. Before the company announced the integration, reporting from The Information said Microsoft made the decision based on the strength of Anthropic's Sonnet 4.0 model, judging it "perform[ed] better in subtle but important ways" relative to OpenAI's offerings. Advertisement Advertisement However, what will likely go down as the defining moment occurred a few short weeks after OpenAI announced the conclusion of its restructuring. On November 18, Google released Gemini 3 Pro, and immediately the new model leap-frogged the competition, including GPT-5. As of the writing of this article, Google's new model is at the top of LMArena, the site where humans compare outputs from different AI systems and vote on the best one. GPT-5, by contrast, is currently ranked sixth overall, behind models from Anthropic and Elon Musk's xAI. According to a December 2 report from The Wall Street Journal, Sam Altman sent a companywide memo following the release of Gemini 3 Pro. Echoing the words Google used to describe the situation it found itself against OpenAI in 2023, he called for a "code red" effort to improve ChatGPT. Altman reportedly told employees there would be temporary reassignments and that the company would delay some products, all in an effort to catch up to Google and Anthropic. The few numbers these companies are willing to share don't paint a promising picture for OpenAI. Each month, about 800 million people use ChatGPT. On paper, that's impressive, but Google is catching up there too. In October, the company said the Gemini app had 650 million users, up from 450 million just a few months earlier in July, thanks to the popularity of its Nano Banana Pro image generator. More importantly, OpenAI has an inherent disadvantage against Google. For the search giant, AI may touch everything the company does now, but Gemini is just one product in an extensive portfolio that includes many other popular services. Google can fund its AI advancements with money it makes elsewhere. OpenAI cannot say the same. The company is constantly raising money to stay afloat, and according to a financial roadmap obtained by The Journal, it will need its revenue to grow to about $200 billion annually to become profitable by 2030. In November, Altman said on X the company was on track to hit above $20 billion in annualized revenue this year. Advertisement Advertisement In an effort to grow revenue, Altman and company have adopted an incredibly risky strategy. In recent months, OpenAI has signed more than $1.4 trillion worth of infrastructure deals in a bid to outscale the competition that is already beating it. Many of those agreements can only be described as circular, and I think the fears about a financial bubble are real. In the first half of 2025, investment in data centers accounted for nearly all of US GDP growth. Even if there's not a repeat of the 2008 housing market crisis or the dot-com crash, the AI boom is at the very least poised to make everyday electronics (and utilities) more expensive for regular people in the short term. Since late October, demand for server-grade computer components, including memory and storage, has sent the price of consumer PC parts skyrocketing as manufacturers devote more of their production capacity and wafers to high-margin customers like OpenAI and Google. Since late October, the cost of most RAM kits has doubled and tripled. In November, the price of some SSDs went up by as much as 60 percent. Next year, the cost of LPDDR5X memory, which is used in both smartphones and NVIDIA servers, is expected to climb as well. "Be it carmakers, smartphones or consumer electronics, everyone that uses memory is facing pressure from price hikes and supply constraints in the coming year," Zhao Haijun, the co-CEO of memory manufacturer SMIC told analysts, per Bloomberg. Gita Gopinath, former chief economist for the International Monetary Fund, recently estimated that if the AI bubble were to burst, it would wipe out $20 trillion in wealth held by American households. The Great Recession, considered the worst financial meltdown since the Great Depression, reduced US household net worth by $11.5 trillion, and it took years before for American families to rebuild their wealth to pre-recession levels. The modern AI bubble may have been started by ChatGPT, but given the crowded field of chatbots and LLMs, it won't necessarily pop should OpenAI go bust. With novelty and technical prowess no longer on its side though, it's now on Altman to prove in short order why his company still deserves such unprecedented levels of investment. Petco has accidentally exposed a whole lot of customer data and personal information, according to a report by TechCrunch . This is thanks to a security lapse involving its Vetco clinics website, forcing the company to take a portion of that site offline. Petco has confirmed the leak and TechCrunch noted that the security lapse allowed anyone to download customer records without login information. The exposed data includes customer names, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and even financial information. It also includes customer records from visits to Vetco, like medical histories, pet names, vaccination records and other stuff like that. This was due to an incorrect software setting that made a number of files accessible online, according to a notice filed by Californias attorney general and reported on by Mashable . The company has since corrected the setting, removed the exposed files and implemented security measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Petco hasn't said if any data was actually extracted during the security lapse or if it even has the means to suss out that kind of thing. Vetco customers should probably perform some due diligence to shore up personal security. The company is offering credit and identity monitoring services to impacted customers, but only in some states. We recommend giving Petco a call to discuss options. Ever since reporting earlier this year on how easy it is to trick an agentic browser, I've been following the intersections between modern AI and old-school scams. Now, there's a new convergence on the horizon: hackers are apparently using AI prompts to seed Google search results with dangerous commands. When executed by unknowing users, these commands prompt computers to give the hackers the access they need to install malware. The warning comes by way of a recent report from detection-and-response firm Huntress. Here's how it works. First, the threat actor has a conversation with an AI assistant about a common search term, during which they prompt the AI to suggest pasting a certain command into a computer's terminal. They make the chat publicly visible and pay to boost it on Google. From then on, whenever someone searches for the term, the malicious instructions will show up high on the first page of results. Huntress ran tests on both ChatGPT and Grok after discovering that a Mac-targeting data exfiltration attack called AMOS had originated from a simple Google search. The user of the infected device had searched "clear disk space on Mac," clicked a sponsored ChatGPT link and lacking the training to see that the advice was hostile executed the command. This let the attackers install the AMOS malware. The testers discovered that both chatbots replicated the attack vector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Huntress points out, the evil genius of this attack is that it bypasses almost all the traditional red flags we've been taught to look for. The victim doesn't have to download a file, install a suspicious executable or even click a shady link. The only things they have to trust are Google and ChatGPT, which they've either used before or heard about nonstop for the last several years. They're primed to trust what those sources tell them. Even worse, while the link to the ChatGPT conversation has since been taken off Google, it was up for at least half a day after Huntress published their blog post. This news comes at a time that's already fraught for both AIs. Grok has been getting dunked on for sucking up to Elon Musk in despicable ways, while ChatGPT creator OpenAI has been falling behind the competition. It's not yet clear if the attack can be replicated with other chatbots, but for now, I strongly recommend using caution. Alongside your other common-sense cybersecurity steps, make sure to never paste anything into your command terminal or your browser URL bar if you aren't certain of what it will do. The European Union has provisionally agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent (based on 1990 levels) by 2040, the EU parliament announced in a press release. That goes beyond the goals of most other major economies, including China, but falls short of the original one recommended by the EU's climate science advisors. "The target delivers on the need for climate action while safeguarding our competitiveness and security," said Denmark's minister Lars Aagaard, who helped negotiate the deal. The new accord a vital step in the bloc's long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 was a political compromise months in the making. On one hand, countries like Poland and Hungary argued that deeper cuts would be too onerous for industries already facing high energy costs. And on the other, members including Spain and Sweden said action was needed to help blunt extreme weather events and allow the EU to catch up with China in green tech manufacturing. To achieve the target, European industries will need to reduce emissions by 85 percent and sell carbon credits to developing nations to make up the balance. The EU also agreed on an option to use additional international carbon credits (up to five percent) to soften the impact on industry and to delay a carbon tax for fuel by a year to 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the reduced targets Europe is more committed than all other major polluters, having already cut emissions 37 percent from 1990 levels. During the same period, the US has only managed a reduction of about 7 percent, according to Statista. And under the Trump administration, the US has once again pulled out of the Paris climate accord, scrubbed references to climate change from government sites and promoted polluting energy sectors like coal and gas. The deal must still be ratified by the EU parliament and individual countries to become law. Normally, though, that's a formality for such pre-agreed deals. Wendy Williams may soon regain control of her life after her lawyer said she has been cleared of dementia and is expected to leave her conservatorship by the end of the year. Her attorney, Joe Tacopina, shared the update during an interview with ABC's "Nightline," explaining that new medical findings changed the entire situation. Tacopina said doctors recently confirmed that Williams does not have frontotemporal dementia, a diagnosis she was given two years ago. "That should be game, set, match," he said, adding that guardianship attorneys have told Williams she should be free from the court order before year's end. According to AOL, he said the legal team is "watching and waiting," but they are confident that the process is finally moving in her favor. The new test results came from a top neurologist who examined Williams in New York City. According to reports, the findings did not match earlier tests that suggested she had the serious brain disease, which affects personality, behavior, and language. Her legal team received the updated results in late October, and Tacopina said he plans to ask for a jury trial to officially end the conservatorship. Wendy Williams conservatorship could be terminated before the end of the year https://t.co/2Aqp393f04 pic.twitter.com/7Lyee75pTc Page Six (@PageSix) December 9, 2025 Wendy Williams Says She Felt 'In Prison' Williams, 61, was first placed under court-ordered guardianship in 2022. The move began when Wells Fargo contacted a judge, saying they believed she was a "victim of undue influence and financial exploitation." After that, Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, and she was moved into an undisclosed treatment center. Her family later said they were unable to reach her during that time. The situation grew more complicated when her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed a $250 million lawsuit claiming she was being "confined against her will" with limited access to her phone, friends, and family, PageSix reported. Hunter also accused her guardians of abuse and neglect. Williams herself was not involved in the lawsuit and later said she had "no idea" he filed it. She dismissed his motives, saying, "He's a money-grubber." A judge threw out the case in October. Williams has also been open about feeling isolated during her conservatorship. In a past interview, she said she felt like she was "in prison" while living on a memory floor in a care facility. She explained she rarely connected with other residents and felt separated from her normal life. Actor and director Justin Baldoni is staying strong as he faces a high-profile legal battle with co-star Blake Lively, according to his attorney Bryan Freedman. After attending a hearing in New York City on Tuesday, Freedman told reporters that Baldoni is doing "as well as he can" and is remaining focused on the legal process ahead. Freedman said Baldoni is "hopeful and looks forward to a positive resolution in the case," adding that the actor's family has also stayed supportive during the ongoing stress, PrimeTimer reported. He described Baldoni as a "wonderful" and "meaningful" person and said that once the case is resolved, "he'll be back to the great man that he was." The case began in 2024 when Lively filed a lawsuit accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment and retaliation. Baldoni has denied the claims from the start. He later filed a countersuit for $400 million, accusing Lively of extortion and defamation, but that claim was dismissed. Lively is now seeking $160 million in damages. As much as it pains me to share anything that has to do with TMZ here is a small update on Justin Baldoni. Notice the word vindicated coming out of Freedman also what else was decided today, I must know!! #justinbaldoni #BlakeLively pic.twitter.com/gcNxfGzsvR TV & Movie Addict (@TVMovieAddict) December 9, 2025 Judge Delays Baldoni-Lively Trial for Criminal Cases During Tuesday's post-discovery hearing, Judge Lewis J. Liman announced that the civil trialoriginally planned to begin in Marchwill be pushed to May. The judge explained that two criminal trials scheduled for the same time must take priority. "As important as this case is... criminal trials take precedence," he said. The judge also instructed both sides to contact a magistrate judge to discuss a possible settlement. Sources told TMZ that this next step was directly ordered in hopes of finding a resolution before the trial begins. Even with the delay, Freedman said the schedule change does not affect his legal strategy. Baldoni's studio, Wayfarer Studios, also commented on the update, stating, "This has no bearing on the pleadings themselves." The studio said that the judge's decision on summary judgmentexpected after a January 22 hearingwill help determine the next steps. Lively's attorney, Michael Gottlieb, noted that he already has another trial scheduled for the same day as the new May 18 start date but will try to make himself available for this case. Prince Harry's security arrangements in the United Kingdom are under fresh review, a development that could not only affect the duke's personal safety but also potentially open the door for a reunion with his family, royal experts say. According to BBC, the Home Office is examining evidence from police, government officials, and Harry's representatives to determine whether he and his family are entitled to taxpayer-funded protection during visits to the U.K. This follows a legal setback earlier this year when Harry lost a bid to restore automatic police protection, a ruling he described as an "establishment stitch-up." If the officials give the go-ahead for the reestablishment, it would be a big change of direction for the 41-year-old Duke who, together with his wife Meghan Markle, stepped back from their royal engagements in 2020. It would be also be possible that by having a new security detail, Prince Harry would be able to accompany his children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, to the U.K. without any safety concerns. It is said that the decision on the review will be made next month. Jennie Bond, former BBC royal correspondent, said that Harry is justified in requesting police protection. "Security is offered to a former prime minister who served barely any longer than a lettuce takes to wilt, then surely the son of the King deserves the same," she wrote in The I Paper. She added that Harry's request for Metropolitan Police coverage for himself and his family on occasional visits "does not seem an unreasonable request. He cannot change the fact that he is the King's son." Bond also highlighted that the security dispute has been central to Harry's estrangement from his father, King Charles. In a May interview following his latest court loss, Harry said disagreements over protection had long been "the sticking point in any reconciliation with his father," Bond explained. American taxpayers have paid over $20M & counting in security for Prince Harry & Meghan Markle since they defected to California In April 2024, documents filed to Companies House listed the US as the country where Harry is a resident, instead of the UK. The change was dated 29 pic.twitter.com/qiIeZPag2b MeghansMole (@MeghansMole) September 7, 2024 Hopes for Family Reconciliation Royal commentators say reinstating security could pave the way for renewed family ties. Bond noted that if Harry's security were restored, it could provide an opportunity for King Charles to see his grandchildren and for the duke to feel safe bringing them to the U.K. "There's no doubt that our elderly King would love to see his grandchildren. And, for all the bitterness of recent years, he still loves his youngest son, his 'darling boy,'" she wrote. Bond emphasized Harry's desire for connection with his family. "For his part, I think the Prince is sincere when he talks about wanting his children to know and understand their heritage. And he has said publicly that he wants his father and his brother back in his life." She went on, "That may still be some way off particularly where William is concerned but if he can at least feel he can bring his family here safely, there has to be some hope of reconciliation." 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. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. Janet Babb was born in Marion, Indiana on June 4, 1947 to parents Cecil and Dorothy Flowers. Her early years were spent in Marion, before the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1955. In 1958, the family relocated again to a town 75 miles east of Memphis; Jackson, Tennessee. In Jackson, Janet attended Oakfield Elementary School and was slated to graduate in 1965 from Northside High School, but Janet left school to marry Thomas Morgan, another Northside student. Now an Air Force wife, Janet and Thomas moved to stations in Alabama and then to San Antonio, Texas. Janets first-born was Dwayne, followed by Grant. With her husband stationed in Thailand, Janet took care of the home, taking advantage of Texas life by learning how to cook real Mexican food (No Cheddar Cheese!). She and Thomas later divorced. Janet returned to Tennessee for a period of time, then made her way back to Texas. While there, she worked laying sod and worked at a small-town newspaper. She also earned her GED and then started college at Sam Houston State University. She would go on to earn her Masters Degree in Social Work, at the University of Texas at Arlington, being the first member of the family to earn a college degree. While in Texas, Janet ran her own company that worked with the courts to assess persons charged with crimes. She later worked for a contractor with the Federal government as a counselor at Holloman Air Force Base. Next, her work took her to Fort Hood Texas. Janet left the Texas behind to make one more move, this time to the New England community of Hebron, Connecticut. In Connecticut, Janet worked at the Connecticut VA Healthcare System, starting on February 6, 2006. At Hebron, Janet settled in and purchased a home. Now, having a place to call her own, she outfitted her kitchen with an old gas stove, which she had rebuilt. The stove was so heavy that it took a team of men to get it in the house! She, like her mom, loved baking. In Connecticut, Janet married Will Babb, and this was to be her last marriage. Will passed away several years ago. Janet retired from the Veterans Administration but continued to enjoy her neighbors and former colleagues. About a year ago Janet traveled back to Tennessee to spend some time with her grandson and his family. She always wanted to travel to Fairfield, Montana to visit her little brother, as she liked to call her younger brother, Darryl. She would never make the trip west to Montana. On the afternoon of Saturday, November 29, 2025, Janet was found by her neighbors who had become concerned about her after seeing her dog outside. She was found, on her deck, where she had been all night after falling and suffering a head injury. Janet had also been suffering from the effects dementia. Despite the efforts of her neighbors, the ambulance team, and the physicians at the hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, Janet passed away a few hours after she had been found. Preceding Janet in death were her parents, Cecil and Dorothy Flowers, of Jackson, Tennessee; her maternal grandparents, Tinsley and Freddie Spicer and her paternal grandparents, Carlos and Mildred Flowers. Janet was also preceded in death by both her sons, Dwayne Morgan, who passed away a few years ago at his home in Jackson, Tennessee; more recently, her younger son, Grant Morgan, of Henderson, Tennessee passed away. She is survived by a grandson in Tennessee and a granddaughter in Ohio. She is also survived by her brother, Darryl L. Flowers of Fairfield, Montana and cousins Dale and Galen Rector in Byrdstown, Tennessee. After a memorial, tentatively planned for spring 2026 in Connecticut, Janets ashes will be left in Tennessee, Connecticut and in Montana, fulfilling her wish to visit the state. SALEM, Ohio The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it will pay $12 billion to farmers struggling as a result of trade disruptions and rising production costs, meant as an economic bridge to the next planting season. The one-time payments are intended to hold producers over until major funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act comes through in 2026, including increases in reference prices for key commodities like soybeans, corn and wheat, which take effect on Oct. 1 of next year. President Donald Trump unveiled the program Dec. 8 during a White House roundtable with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers and farmers. We looked at how they were hurt, to what extent they were hurt, Trump said, explaining how the administration came up with the size of the package. Trump said the money for the program will come from tariff revenue. The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program will immediately use $11 billion to provide relief to American row crop farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflower. The remaining $1 billion will be reserved for commodities not covered in the program, like specialty crops, though details, including timelines for those payments, are still under development. I want to stress that this program is simple, proportional and fair with no complicated factors, no carving out producers by crop or region, Richard Fordyce, undersecretary for the Farm Production and Conservation Mission Area said in a call with media on Dec. 8. If you plant an eligible crop and youve taken a hit, then youll receive support. The farmer bridge payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency. Farmers who qualify for the program can expect payments to be released by Feb. 28. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. Dec. 19. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of the month. To submit questions or to request a meeting on farmer bridge aid, producers can reach out to farmerbridge@usda.gov. President Trump will not let our farmers be left behind, so he directed our team to build a bridge program to see quick relief while the presidents dozens of new trade deals and new market access take effect, said Secretary Brooke Rollins in a statement. National farm groups chimed in with a swelling chorus of support for the program, including the American Soybean Association which noted soybean farmers have faced a perfect storm of low crop prices, high production costs and loss of markets. We appreciate the administrations attention to the challenges farmers continue to face in todays market, said ASA President Caleb Ragland. While we await additional details, we believe the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is a positive first step to restore certainty as soybean farmers market this years crop and plan for the 2026 planting season. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said in a statement that across the country, farmers are confronting the combined pressures of disrupted trade, rising input costs and depressed commodity markets. The program, he said, is a lifeline. This relief will provide near-term support for many farmers working hard just to stay afloat, he said. But he called one-term payments a first step. What we truly need are long-term structural fixes that restore viability and stability to family farms and ranches for generations to come, he said. The BBC has issued a formal clarification after a widely shared podcast clip about the size of UK pig farms was found to contain incorrect claims, raising fresh concern within the farming sector about how agriculture is portrayed in the media. The disputed comments appeared on an earlier episode of Radical with Amol Rajan, in which Lake District farmer and author James Rebanks claimed that 100,000 pigs isnt a big pig farm anymore and suggested that four or five farms produced most of the UKs pork. The clip, viewed hundreds of thousands of times across BBC social media channels, remained online as industry representatives challenged the accuracy of the remarks. Mr Rebanks later acknowledged he had misspoken, insisting he wasnt trying to denigrate pig farmers or mislead. He said he had used the word farms when he meant producer/processors, adding: Im sorry. His clarification did little to ease industry frustration as the clip continued to circulate, prompting the National Pig Association (NPA) to write formally to the BBC requesting its removal. NPA public affairs manager Tom Haynes said it was simply erroneous to suggest there are any farms in the UK anywhere close to having 100,000s of pigs on them. Citing government data, he said the average UK pig unit has 476 pigs, or 938 when holdings with fewer than 10 pigs are excluded. To put the scale in context, the association also highlighted the extensive regulation governing pig and poultry farms, noting that units with 2,000 places for production pigs or 750 sow places must hold an environmental permit from the Environment Agency. Industry groups warn that misleading claims about livestock numbers risk distorting public understanding of modern farming and influencing policy debates around livestock production. In its formal response to the NPA, the BBC said: We acknowledge that what James Rebanks said about the numbers of pigs on individual UK pig farms was incorrect, as he has himself. The broadcaster confirmed the inaccurate section had been removed from the episode on BBC Sounds and iPlayer, with a note added to the description and related social media posts taken down. The NPA said it welcomed the correction and would continue working with broadcasters to ensure future coverage of British farming remains accurate and grounded in evidence. Northern Ireland livestock exporters have been handed a major reprieve as the government confirms the reopening of key GB markets, bringing relief after weeks of disruption caused by strict bluetongue controls. The decision to allow the movement of certain cattle and sheep from Northern Ireland to Great Britain for slaughter, markets, breeding and production marks the first significant easing of restrictions since the emergence of BTV-3 in County Down triggered an immediate suspension of the regions BTV-free status. The change is expected to ease severe pressures across the livestock sector, where farmers, processors and pedigree breeders have faced blocked trade routes, falling confidence and growing backlogs of animals ready for sale. Export-dependent businesses were particularly exposed, with the overnight ban halting the movement of both breeding stock and animals destined for the food chain. Industry figures had warned that unless access to GB was restored quickly, markets would be compromised, lamb throughput would overwhelm local plants, and seasonal sales could be jeopardised. The Department of Agriculture (DAERA) confirmed that the easing of rules follows updated scientific advice, ongoing surveillance results and detailed engagement with GB authorities. Livestock movements from farms outside the temporary control zones can now proceed immediately under standard export requirements, and exporters are advised to liaise with their vets to arrange certification. Farmers within the designated control zones remain under stricter limitations and may only move animals off farm for licensed direct slaughter. Movements into the 20km control zones are permitted under a DAERA licence available online. It is against this backdrop that DUP Agriculture spokesperson Carla Lockhart MP welcomed the decision, saying it offers long-awaited relief for herd and flock owners who have faced mounting uncertainty since the first BTV-3 case was confirmed. She said the changes were grounded in veterinary evidence and the result of continued engagement between DAERA and GB officials. Ms Lockhart said the suspension of Northern Irelands BTV-free status had an immediate and far-reaching impact, with farmers both inside and outside the control zones suffering significant disruption. Sheep producers were among the first to raise concerns as the ban prevented them sending cull ewes and lambs direct to GB slaughter plants. Pedigree breeders also faced the prospect of missing the key February sales in Carlisle and Stirling. The Upper Bann MP said she has been pressing DAERA and Northern Irelands Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, for action and cited several cases illustrating the scale of the problem, including a farmer with 1,500 lambs ready for slaughter and no route to a GB abattoir. She said Mr Dooher understood the urgency and had assured her that officials were working at pace to reopen essential markets. While she described the announcement as a significant step forward, Ms Lockhart stressed that farmers within the control zones remain in a difficult position. She said the BTV-3 incursion had been an unexpected and devastating blow, and called for a clear timeline for lifting restrictions as well as support measures for affected producers. After years of being squeezed by uneven contracts and opaque pricing, Britains arable farmers may finally gain stronger protections as ministers launch a review targeting deep-rooted supply chain imbalances, aiming to deliver clearer contracts and fairer treatment for growers across the crops sector. The eight-week consultation, launched on Wednesday (10 December), will gather views on standards, sampling and testing procedures, supply volumes, data sharing and dispute resolution. It follows long-standing concerns from growers about opaque pricing and uneven bargaining power. Government officials say the findings will shape proposals to guarantee farmers transparent pricing and clearly defined contract terms, helping to address imbalances that have persisted for years. Crucially, the review could lead to enforceable rules on pricing transparency, more consistent testing requirements and clearer obligations for buyers measures aimed at reducing disputes and giving growers firmer footing when planning crops and investments. The government argues that improving fairness across the supply chain is central to food security and the resilience of domestic production. Dame Angela Eagle said farmers should have confidence that the contracts they sign are fair and transparent and work as they should. She added that the consultation gives growers a key opportunity to highlight where change is most needed. By improving clarity and ensuring fair and transparent contracts, she said, the government is backing British producers through its Plan for Change and helping secure a resilient future for the sector. The initiative builds on Fair Dealing rules already in place for dairy and pigs, with similar work progressing for eggs and fresh produce. The rules, enforced through the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator, aim to tackle contractual unfairness wherever it occurs. The consultation also aligns with wider work to protect farmers in trade agreements, strengthen supply chain resilience, ease pressures on consumers and support an innovative food sector under the Good Food Cycle. The NFU said the review represents a long-overdue chance to correct years of imbalance between growers and buyers. Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows said that for too long, there has been an imbalance of power within the combinable crops supply chain, with growers being treated unfairly and shouldering the largest burden of risk. He argued that stronger protections and fairer terms are essential if growers are to secure a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce. Burrows pointed to the NFUs Harvesting Growth strategy, stressing that clear, reliable contracts would give farmers the confidence to plan and invest for the long term. He said he is confident the consultation can help build a sector where fairness and trust are paramount and ensure UK growers can continue producing sustainable food for 70 million people. The NFU will gather farmers' views for its submission and is urging arable farmers to complete the survey and encourage others to do the same. Northern Irelands farming and land management sector is set to benefit from nearly 1m of new investment, as the government funds nature recovery projects that will help restore habitats, strengthen biodiversity and support more sustainable use of rural landscapes. The funding, provided through the Environment Fund (EF) Strategic Strand, will support 13 projects delivering work that affects the farmed environment from invasive species control and catchment restoration to wildfire management, habitat improvements and farmer-focused engagement on nature-based solutions. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he was pleased to provide additional investment of almost 1 million through the Environment Funds Multi-Year Strategic Strand, adding that EF-backed projects were already delivering nature recovery across Northern Ireland. He said urgent and sustained action is needed to halt and reverse biodiversity decline, describing the funding as a much-needed boost for our natural environment. Among the key initiatives is RSPBs extension of the LIFE Raft programme on Rathlin Island, where the eradication of invasive rats is expected to improve conditions for ground-nesting birds and wider wildlife connected to surrounding farmland. Several land management and habitat projects will also go ahead through the National Trust, including work within the Forever Lough Neagh programme and enhanced biosecurity measures on Sheep Island both areas with strong links to farming, water quality and protected species. Practical on-the-ground activity will be carried out by The Conservation Volunteers, including freshwater habitat training, vegetation management and the removal of invasive Sitka spruce at upland sites. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful will expand its Adopt A Spot scheme, supporting community-led stewardship of rural areas. Mourne Heritage Trust will deliver erosion control on Slieve Binnian, additional wildfire recovery work, and enhanced tree nursery capacity at Dunnywater and Silent Valley actions directly linked to landscape resilience, grazing management and soil stability. Ulster Wildlife will continue species recovery work, including Black Guillemot nesting measures, while Northern Ireland Environment Link will use its grant to deepen engagement with farmers and the wider agri-sector on practical nature-based solutions and land-use innovation. The Lough Neagh Partnership will progress agricultural consultations and contribute expertise to curlew survey and tracking efforts a key species of concern for farmland biodiversity. The River Blackwater Trust will extend a part-time role to support catchment enhancement, an area of growing importance for farms located along waterways. The investment represents a significant uplift in support for environmental groups working directly on landscapes farmed and managed across Northern Ireland. With increasing pressure to strengthen soils, improve water quality, manage wildfire and reverse biodiversity decline, the Minister said the funding will help maintain momentum behind nature projects that underpin the long-term sustainability of the rural economy. UK farming unions have issued a stark warning to milk processors, urging responsible conduct and full transparency as the dairy sector heads into what could be one of its most testing periods in years. Falling milk prices, rising production costs, global dairy market pressures and increasing volatility have created mounting strain across the industry, prompting the unions to issue a joint open letter calling for steadier supply chain behaviour. In the letter, the chairs of each unions dairy boards stress that processors must uphold fair dealing regulations, maintain open dialogue with farmer suppliers and ensure decisions are properly explained. They also encourage farmers to engage proactively with their milk buyers to make sure production aligns with market needs. Together, the organisations say processors must show fairness, clarity and leadership if the sector is to withstand the downturn. They warn that without responsible conduct, the market could face further destabilisation, damaging confidence and deepening financial pressure on producers already working to tight margins. Across the UK, union representatives voiced similar concerns about the months ahead. NFU Cymru Dairy Board Chair Jonathan Wilkinson said Welsh farmers were facing a difficult winter and stressed that it was of the upmost importance that the dairy supply chain functions in a fair and transparent way. Building on this, NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins said the sector in England was now encountering the first real test of the new contract regulations, which introduce an Adjudicator to oversee compliance. He noted that farmers are now entitled to request an explanation of how their milk price is calculated, ensuring that any changes adhere to the terms of their contract, adding that it was essential for farmers to engage with their buyers and with the new regulatory framework as the market tightens. In Northern Ireland, Ulster Farmers Union Dairy Chairman Cyril Orr warned that producers were entering a period of significant market uncertainty and pressure on farm gate prices. He said trust between farmers and processors would be crucial and called for greater openness, transparency and genuine collaboration within milk pools to safeguard the sectors long-term sustainability. In Scotland, NFU Scotland Milk Committee Chair Bruce Mackie highlighted the speed of the downturn, warning that milk prices were tumbling at an alarming rate while production costs continued to rise. He said the industry faced a very difficult few months and emphasised that transparency, consistent communication and fair play between buyers and suppliers would be vital for maintaining resilience across the supply chain. With farmers confronting tightening margins, heightened global competition and deepening uncertainty, union leaders say processor behaviour in the months ahead will be decisive in determining whether the UK dairy sector can endure the downturn and safeguard its long-term viability. Slip away from the clamour of popular peaks, away from places at which eager crowds clamour for the perfect snapshot, from destinations where the air echoes with chatter. You could be a solitary figure reaching a little-known ridge at first light, with only the faint tracks of wild ibex beside the mark of your footsteps. These 10 almost-secret mountain trails are known only to true explorers, but they deliver pulse-quickening climbs, pristine views, and restorative tranquility. In This Article 1. Lone Star Hiking Trail, Texas, The USA Image: Instagram/hannahwagleyjones This 155-kilometre path goes straight through the Sam Houston National Forest, allowing you to enjoy tall trees, flowers, and calm lakes in the shade of pines. The trail promises easy upward climbs, good camping spots, and sightings of rare animals in fact, a great escape from the cities. Choose to do it in cool weather rather than in the heat of summer. 2. Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh, India Image: Instagram/hamptapasstrek.in Ranging over four days, this 26-kilometre trip in Himachal Pradesh goes from green Kullu Valley to dry Spiti over 4,270-metre-high snowy passes. Expect to see big changes in the landscape, beautiful floral cover, and ice camps, and to have conversations with herders. This one is free from the crowds and great for walkers new to the Himalayas. 3. Lares Trek, Peru Image: Instagram/enigmaperu This 34-kilometre path from Lares to Huaran goes up 4,400 metres over Andean passes over three days, allowing you to come in contact with local villages, hot springs, and groups of llamas. This one is less touristy than the Inca Trail, and showcases real Quechua life in the holy valleys as you encounter people, homestays, farms and fields. 4. Langtang Valley Hidden Trails, Nepal 5. Cloud Peak Wilderness, Wyoming, The USA Going off the main paths in the, thesego through small villages, forests of flowers, and grasslands ontoand big mountain views. After the earthquakes that have hit Nepal, visitors are fewer, which means you are likely to encounter, flags flying in the wind, and tea stops where the warm locals will give you true. Hidden in the Bighorn Mountains, these little-peopled trails promise top camping spots, valleys with deer, and rock towers. This one is less known than Yellowstone, and they let you camp over days with access to dramatic waterfalls, fields of flowers, and clean lakes. This big-sky trek is good for a trip on your own. 6. Accursed Mountains Trek, Albania 7. High Sierra Trail, California, The USA 8. Yubeng Village Trek, China Part of thecrossing into Kosovo and Montenegro, this is ain the Balkans where thewinds through high pastures, sharp cliffs, and past quiet mountain villages. This trek blendswithand is perfect for backpackers seekingwithout tourists.Thiswithin theclimbspast green fields, clear streams, and big trees to. The slow rise gives skilled walkers great. This trail shows the so make sure you useas you enjoy the starry skies above you. Image: Instagram/minyvin Nestled in Yunnans Himalayas, this trail takes you through sacred Tibetan landscapes around the Meili Snow Mountain. Youll encounter spiritual monasteries, ancient forests, and hot springs on this trek that is less known than the Tiger Leaping Gorge one nearby. Great for newbie hikers who want to explore Asias mystic side, it showcases valleys enrobed in mist, glimpses of glaciers, and a peaceful Buddhist vibe. 9. Undiscovered Atlas Trek, Morocco Image: Instagram/dusankukla This five-day trail deep in the Anti-Atlas Mountains climbs to Jebel Aklim (2,531 metres above sea level) past remote Berber villages such as Tagdicht and Amal. Far from the High Atlas crowds, this trek promises starry desert nights, terraced valleys, and volcanic vistas. Suitable for those craving the hidden highland authenticity of North Africa, this is a rugged escape with cultural stops. 10. Seven Lakes Basin, Olympic National Park, Washington, The USA Image: Instagram/ryannakaphotography This is a short loop that beats the busier Washington trails, taking trekkers past many high lakes, grass fields, ice views, and old trees. Sparse crowds mean youll have better views, more animal sightings, and solitary misty mornings. Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) Q. What makes these trails hidden? A. These trails are lesser-known routes. They promise quieter paths, fewer visitors, and a stronger sense of discovery. Q. Are any of these trails beginner-friendly ? A. Beginners (with guides) can try the Seven Lakes Basin, the Yubeng Village Trek, and the Hampta Pass Trek. Q. Can I do these hikes solo? A. To ensure safety and cultural insights, it is strongly recommended that you hire a guide for hikes in the remoter regions of Morocco, Albania, Peru, and Nepal. Q. Whats the best time of year to attempt these trails? A. Most of these treks are best attempted in late spring to early autumn. Q. How can I hike these trails responsibly? A. Make sure you follow the leave-no-trace principles stick to the marked paths, respect wildlife, carry out all waste, and support local communities. All content for information only. Femina cannot be held liable for any mishap arising thereof. Main image: Unsplash/Frances Gunn Also Read: 9 Mouth-Watering Street Foods From Across India You Have To Try The JAC OLIVOL Femina Achievers 2025 West Bengal event was nothing short of an extravaganza that honoured trailblazing women who have rewritten rules and redefined excellence! In its second edition, it brought together the creme de la creme of Tollywood and the music industry, among several esteemed dignitaries. Held on November 30, 2025, at ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata, the prestigious event was a splendid mix of glitz and power. Making their presence felt were our special guests for the evening Madhu Neotia, Advisor Ambuja Neotia Groups Hospitality & Healthcare Ventures; Rajarshi Das, Managing Director JAC OLIVOL GROUP; actor Yash Daasguptaa; Marc Boudin, Director Alliance Francaise du Bengale; Ammaor Sanganeria, Founder & CEO, Packman - Bespoke Home Furnishings; Kevin Goh, Deputy Director, Australian Consulate - General Kolkata; Major General (Retd.) V.N. Chaturvedi, Secretary General Vidya Mandir Society; Joydeep Sah, Co-Founder & Chairman, Morning Bells Academy High School, Shyamnagar; K. Sunil Kumar, General Manager - Corporate Communications & PR, JIS Group; and Rekha Pandey, Femina Miss India 2024 - 1st Runner-up. The evening was enhanced by their presence as they performed the traditional lamplighting and conferred the trophies on the awardees. Meet the inspiring women who have dared to dream big and achieved greatness in their respective fields! One of Bollywood's most-loved onscreen pairs, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, treated their fans with not one but three unforgettable reunion moments that reminded us why their chemistry remains timeless. The magic reignited first at the 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 With Gujarat Tourism, where the duo took over the stage with an electrifying performance on Yeh Ladka Hai Deewana and Suraj Hua Maddham from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham respectively. It instantly transported audiences back to their golden era of romance and timeless charm.Next came The Ba***ads of Bollywood screening. Aryan Khan's directorial series received major appreciation from the Devgn family, as Kajol and Ajay turned up to support the Khans. The actress shared photos and videos from the event, where she was seen posing with Suhana Khan, Gauri Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan. She also shared the clicks, stating, "With the Ba***ds of Bollywood ;) congrats @__aryan__ .. only thing more awesome I'm sure will be ur show! Too excited .."The years most historic moment arrived in London, as Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan unveiled a bronze statue of their iconic DDLJ pose at Leicester Square, marking 30 years of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. In a first for Indian cinema, the tribute honoured the film that became the longest-running movie in Indian theatrical history. SRK was seen in an all-black ensemble while Kajol posed wearing a sky-blue saree with a full sleeved blouse.They recently appeared at a BBC interview together. Shah Rukh also opened up about Kajol's new talk show, Two Much With Kajol and Twinkle and revealed why he couldn't attend it. "Im doing a film right now, so I told her, and I think I was injured too, I had broken my shoulder. I felt really bad, I would have loved to have come on it... But except for the food-eating part, theres just so much food to eat there. Really too much," he shared. Tamil cinema is set to welcome a fresh on screen pairing as Arjun Das and Anna Ben come together for a new film directed by debutant Harish Durairaj. The project, described as a family entertainer with a distinctive flavour, was officially launched on Wednesday with a traditional pooja ceremony. Backed by Power House Pictures in their first production outing along with M and M Movie Makers and Klout Studios, the film signals an exciting collaboration across talent from both Tamil and Malayalam industries. The makers have promised a narrative that blends relatability with a refreshing tonal approach. They have hinted at a story rooted in everyday emotion but set within a backdrop that allows for a unique plot progression. With Arjun Das known for his intense screen presence and Anna Ben celebrated for her grounded performances, the film aims to create a dynamic that appeals to a wide spectrum of viewers. Joining the pair is a strong supporting cast that includes Yogi Babu, who brings his trademark timing and charm, and veteran actor Vadivukarasi, whose presence often anchors family dramas with authenticity. Their addition suggests that the film will lean into heartwarming moments while maintaining a lively comedic rhythm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Power House Pictures (@powerhousepictures) A multi-city shoot with a strong creative team Following the launch, the makers are gearing up for a single stretch of filming that will take the team across Chennai, Mangaluru, and Mumbai. This choice of locations indicates a story that unfolds across contrasting urban landscapes, blending the coastal quiet of Mangaluru with the bustle of Chennai and the fast-paced energy of Mumbai. The film brings together an impressive technical crew. Sean Roldan will compose the music, a decision that hints at a soundtrack likely to span playful melodies, heartfelt themes, and high-spirited ensemble moments. Cinematographer Aravind Viswanathan takes charge of the visual language, while editor Arulmoses A and art director Raj Kamal round out the creative backbone of the project. Although details about the plot are being kept under wraps, the producers have emphasised that the story has been crafted to resonate with audiences of all ages. The teams early statements suggest an emotional arc that balances humour with family conflicts, along with situational storytelling that is anchored in relatable cultural textures. Arjun Das and Anna Ben expand their growing filmographies For Arjun Das, this film continues an active phase in his career. He was last seen in Kumki 2, directed by Prabu Solomon, where he stepped into a rugged narrative that demanded emotional grit. He has an assortment of projects lined up, including Superhero, where he shares the lead with Sandy under the direction of newcomer Vignesh Venugopal. He also awaits the release of Once More, in which he appears alongside Aditi Shankar, directed by Vignesh Karthik. On the streaming front, he is part of the Tamil series Love, helmed by Balaji Mohan. Anna Ben, one of the most acclaimed young actors from Malayalam cinema, continues her steady expansion into Tamil films. She was last seen in Kottukkaali, a critically celebrated film directed by PS Vinothraj, where she starred opposite Soori. Known for films like Kumbalangi Nights and Helen, Anna has consistently balanced experimental work with emotionally rich roles. She also has another Tamil film underway with director Kishore Rajkumar, known for Naai Sekar. The new project with Harish Durairaj marks her first collaboration with Arjun Das and opens up exciting possibilities for fans curious about how their contrasting screen energies will play off each other. With an eclectic cast, a promising debut director, and an expansive shoot plan, the untitled film is shaping up to be a warm and lively addition to the upcoming Tamil slate. The makers are expected to reveal the title and first look in the coming weeks as production picks up momentum. Also Read: Trailer of Arjun Das Starrer Bomb Unveiled A day after Madras High Court cleared all hurdles for Akhanda 2 to release on December 12, 2025, the buzz about the film resurfaced. The Balakrishna-starrer picked up momentum and the makers are planning to release a promo featuring the new release. The booking for Akhanda 2 in the USA is garnering a lot of curiosity and the excitement among the fans has shot up. This isnt a release its a phenomenon. 7200+ tickets sold in the USA in under 6 hours.#Akhanda2 is booking like a box-office surgical strike.#Akhanda2USA Grand USA Premieres on Dec 11th #Akhanda2Thaandavam USA release by @MokshaMovies, @CineGalaxyUSA & Sree pic.twitter.com/gPKOQ1SINu MokshaMovies (@MokshaMovies) December 10, 2025 Balakrishnas star power According to North America film distributor Moksha Movies, Akhanda 2 has got off to a blazing start. No sooner had the booking for overseas release and premieres (December 11) opened, the pre-sales tickets for the film were magnificent. Around 7200+ tickets were sold out within six hours from the time of announcement. Trade overseas describe this as a phenomenon given Balakrishnas star power and his earlier track record. Fans too overseas have been waiting for Balayya to unleash his acting chops on the silver screen. The expectations on Akhanda 2 have been sky high after the first instalment became a blockbuster. Others films postponed The delay in the release of Akhanda 2 from December 5 to December 12 prompted makers of other films to also push their films. Two small films Mowgli and Psych Siddhartha were forced to postpone their release dates. While Mowgli will hit the screens on December 13 (and not on 12th) Psych Siddhartha will release on January 1, 2026. Many other films too suffered after Akhanda 2 was postponed prompting distributors to revisit their release plans. The fiasco of Akhanda 2 came like an eye-opener for many filmmakers. The encounter reinforced them to make sure that the film is free from all legalities for a smooth release. Although the postponement of its release cost filmmakers dear, they still exude confidence that the devotional action thriller will strike a chord with fans and audiences. Trade is betting big on Balakrishna and director Boyapati Srinu combination. After receiving an overwhelming response from viewers, Perfect Family is officially returning with Season 2. The digital series, which marked Pankaj Tripathis debut as a producer, has earned impressive viewership on YouTube and sparked meaningful conversation around mental health. Encouraged by this success, the makers have now begun preparing for the next chapter. Producer Ajay Rai shared his appreciation for the love the show continues to receive. He said, We are truly happy to see the reaction from viewers. The acceptance of the subject of mental health, and the way audiences have connected with it, is incredibly encouraging. This response has pushed us to move ahead with the second season. While its too early to reveal the exact plan of action, we are definitely gearing up for whats next. Co-producer and actor Pankaj Tripathi, who took his first step into production with Perfect Family, expressed how special the shows success has been for him. He said, The phenomenal response to Perfect Family has been heartwarming. As this was my debut production, seeing the audience embrace the story and its message means a lot. I am happy to extend my support for the next season as well. The love and encouragement from viewers have motivated us to plan Season 2, and we look forward to bringing an even more impactful chapter to them. A significantly enhanced design built on the successes of the VX4 prototype test programme A flexible, premium cabin for up to 6 passengers with class-leading luggage capacity Engineered to meet the highest certification standards, targeting approval in 2028 before entering service with Vertical's airline and operator customers First full-scale reveal today in Canary Wharf, signaling the UK's return to aircraft manufacturing leadership Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) ("Vertical" or "the Company"), a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, today revealed Valo, its new commercial eVTOL aircraft that will enter into service following regulatory approval. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209050960/en/ Valo, unveiled in London on 10 December Valo is the aircraft that succeeds Vertical's VX4 prototype with a new, more advanced design shaped by extensive insights from the Company's piloted test programme and direct feedback from airline and operator customers. Developed in collaboration with leading aerospace partners, including Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, Valo introduces a more aerodynamic airframe, an under-floor battery system, redesigned wing and propeller architecture, upgraded materials, and full certifiable redundancy to meet the world's most rigorous safety standards. Designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph with zero operating emissions, Valo is targeting airliner-level safety certification in 2028 ahead of entering service with our airline and operator customers. Early commercial routes are expected to include airport-to-city centre connections. Premium cabin and largest luggage capacity Valo's premium cabin will launch with four seats, offering panoramic windows, generous personal space, and a cockpit divider for enhanced safety and privacy. The aircraft's flexible design enables expansion to six seats, with the potential to improve operator economics and lower fares for passengers. Valo's platform also supports emergency medical services, cargo missions and, in the future, defence, hybrid and autonomous variants. Crucially, Valo features the largest cargo hold within its class, developed in response to airline feedback. With room for six cabin bags and six checked bags, passengers can travel without compromise a major advantage on airport-to-city services. From prototype to product Vertical is now close to completing full piloted transition flight with its full-scale prototype the defining manoeuvre of electric aviation in which the aircraft shifts from vertical lift to forward flight. Earlier test phases validated hover, thrustborne and wingborne performance, generating thousands of data points that directly shaped Valo's certifiable design. Vertical will now build seven certification aircraft in the UK to support final testing with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ahead of targeted Type Certification in 2028. After certification, Valo will enter commercial service. Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: "With the launch of Valo, Vertical moves from prototype developer to aerospace manufacturer. Valo is the aircraft that turns electric flight into a commercial reality clean, quiet, fast and engineered for everyday service. It marks a new dawn in transport, one that will connect people in minutes, not hours." Domhnal Slattery, Chair, Vertical Aerospace, said: "Valo sets a new standard bigger, safer and more capable than anything in the sector. It's a breakthrough for aviation and a clear sign of the UK's leadership in aerospace. Valo embodies the best of Vertical precision engineering, passenger-first design and deep collaboration with global aerospace partners creating an aircraft with the most compelling operator economics." A major boost for UK aerospace and economy The introduction of Valo will mark the UK's return to designing and manufacturing new whole commercial aircraft for the first time in over 30 years and a significant opportunity for the national economy. According to an independent report published last week by Frontier Economics, Vertical is expected to create over 2,000 high-skilled UK jobs and contribute 3 billion annually to the economy by 2035. Public open house today Vertical is hosting a public open house from 10:00-14:00 GMT at The Pelligon, Canary Wharf, where visitors can see Valo at full scale. Notes to Editor Valo Key Target Technical Specifications Range Speed: Up to 100 miles at up to 150 mph, with zero operating emissions and quiet performance (<50 dBA in cruise). Up to 100 miles at up to 150 mph, with zero operating emissions and quiet performance (<50 dBA in cruise). Battery power: Eight liquid-cooled under-floor battery packs; ~12-minute short-mission recharge; architecture designed to accommodate future battery advances. Eight liquid-cooled under-floor battery packs; ~12-minute short-mission recharge; architecture designed to accommodate future battery advances. Safety: Designed to meet airliner-level safety standards (UK/EU 10??; CAA/EASA, SC-VTOL Category Enhanced), enabling truly global portability. Designed to meet airliner-level safety standards (UK/EU 10??; CAA/EASA, SC-VTOL Category Enhanced), enabling truly global portability. Redundancy: Eight electric motors (EPUs), each powered by multiple electrically isolated power lanes to ensure maximum safety. Eight electric motors (EPUs), each powered by multiple electrically isolated power lanes to ensure maximum safety. Cabin Payload: Largest cabin in its class; seating for up to six passengers plus observer seat; 550 kg 1,200 lbs total payload at entry into service; space for six cabin bags and six checked bags; cockpit divider for safety and privacy. Largest cabin in its class; seating for up to six passengers plus observer seat; 550 kg 1,200 lbs total payload at entry into service; space for six cabin bags and six checked bags; cockpit divider for safety and privacy. Versatility: Supports EMS, cargo, and future defence, hybrid and autonomous variants. About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market. Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the introduction of the Valo aircraft, the certification and the commercialization of Valo and the timing thereof, the final design and manufacture of Valo, the features and capabilities of Valo, the build of certification aircraft and timelines for that, Vertical's business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including capital expenditure requirements, which may be higher than anticipated; our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations; the completion of the piloted test programme phases including transition flight on the intended timeline or at all; the assumptions underlying the Company's goals; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; our plans for capital expenditures, as well as statements that include the words goals," "targets," "objectives," "plan," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: we may not be able to raise funding through equity securities on acceptable terms, or at all; if we are unable to raise additional capital when we need or want them or generate sufficient cash flows, we may not be able to compete successfully or may need to scale back investments, which could materially impact our certification timeline, which would harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition; our limited operating history without manufactured non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft customer order; certain underlying agreements relating to the initial production facilities are non-binding and may be subject to change or termination. The goal targets, expectations and estimates included in this press release were prepared by the Company's management team based on information available at the time such information was developed and reflects numerous assumptions, including those related to general business, economic, market, and financial conditions, as well as other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company believes the assumptions underlying such goals, targets, expectations and estimates were reasonable at the time such information was prepared. However, important factors that may affect actual results and cause the results reflected in such goals, targets, expectations and estimates not to be achieved including, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business, industry performance, the regulatory environment, and general business and economic conditions, as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209050960/en/ Contacts: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904 Planned new routes to cut multi-hour road journeys to minutes by air, targeting Canary Wharf-Heathrow in 12 Minutes Targeting Q1 2029 launch, collaboration unites aircraft, infrastructure and operating expertise a blueprint for scalable urban air mobility globally a blueprint for scalable urban air mobility globally Proposed network unveiled today alongside Vertical's new aircraft, Valo, in Canary Wharf, London Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL), today announced plans with Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) and Bristow Group (NYSE: VTOL), to launch the UK's first electric air-taxi routes between Canary Wharf and major transport hubs. Proposed routes to and from Canary Wharf at launch would include Heathrow, Gatwick, Cambridge and Oxford. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209296219/en/ Vertical's plans for an electric air-taxi network, launched with Skyports Infrastructure and Bristow By combining Vertical's category-leading aircraft, Skyports' London Heliport, Bicester Vertiport and future UK skyport network, and Bristow's global operational expertise and UK Air Operator Certificates (AOCs), this partnership brings together the full ecosystem needed for real, scalable eVTOL services. The first phase, planned from Q1 2029, will focus on the UK's highest-value mobility corridors. The proposed routes, operated by Bristow, would dramatically cut journey times compared with traditional ground travel for example, cutting a typical Canary Wharf-to-Heathrow transfer from 60-90 minutes on the ground to 12 minutes in the air. Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: "Electric flight will transform how cities move, and London is one of the best places in the world to prove it. With Skyports and Bristow, we have the aircraft, infrastructure and operational strength to lead this market. These plans show the commercial potential of services we aim to see operating following regulatory approval in 2028 and we look forward to bringing them to life with our partners." Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure, said: "We're excited to build on our long-standing relationship with Vertical. Our Skyports London Heliport and Bicester skyport, combined with our global infrastructure expertise, make us ideally positioned to support early eVTOL services in the UK. With Bristow's operational strength, we can accelerate plans for electric air taxi routes across the region, with the plan to create a UK-wide network." Chris Bradshaw, President CEO, Bristow, said: "Bristow's role in Advanced Air Mobility is to leverage our 75+ years of leading vertical flight operations to bring real-world operational discipline to promising new aircraft and infrastructure concepts. Working with Vertical and Skyports on early eVTOL services in the UK allows us to apply our proven expertise in safe, reliable, and complex aviation operations to an important emerging market. This collaboration is a meaningful step as we progress a portfolio of advanced aircraft and explore how they can be deployed responsibly at scale. Building on proven partnerships This collaboration builds on long-standing relationships: "OxCam AAM Corridor" demonstrator, which is bringing together the expertise of Skyports, Bristow Helicopters, NATS, Vertical Aerospace and Oxfordshire County Council, with the aim to accelerate the transition of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) from trials to commercially viable, regional operations within the UK. The project will culminate in planned test flights by Vertical Aerospace's prototype aircraft. Earlier this year, Bristow and Vertical also announced a Ready-to-Fly model providing turnkey access to aircraft, pilots, maintenance and insurance, alongside Bristow's pre-order for up to 50 Valo aircraft, with options to purchase up to 50 more. A major step for UK advanced air mobility (AAM) Today's announcement, made as Vertical unveils its new aircraft, Valo, at The Pelligon in Canary Wharf, demonstrates how eVTOL aircraft, vertiport infrastructure and experienced operators can deliver a clean, fast, high-performance transport network for the UK. Valo will fly up to 100 miles at up to 150 mph, produce zero operating emissions, and through certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) is targeting to achieve the same safety standards as modern commercial airliners. Vertical targets producing 175 aircraft by 2030, ramping to 225+ annually by Q4 2030. About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market. Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow, GOL and Japan Airlines. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. About Bristow Group Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. Our aviation services include personnel transportation, search and rescue ("SAR"), medevac, fixed wing transportation, unmanned systems and ad-hoc helicopter services. Our business is comprised of three operating segments: Offshore Energy Services, Government Services and Other Services. Our energy customers charter our helicopters primarily to transport personnel to, from and between onshore bases and offshore production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. Our government customers primarily outsource SAR activities whereby we operate specialized helicopters and provide highly trained personnel. Our other services include fixed wing transportation services through a regional airline in Australia and dry-leasing aircraft to third-party operators in support of other industries and geographic markets. Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, Ireland, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (U.S.). About Skyports Infrastructure Skyports Infrastructure is a global leader in the design, build, and operation of heliports and skyports for helicopters and eVTOLs. With live operational assets in the UK and US, and projects under construction across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Skyports delivers the ground infrastructure needed for safe, efficient, and scalable vertical lift operations. The company is driving the future of urban air mobility, bringing next-generation aviation to cities around the world. Find out more at: www.skyports.net Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the partnership with Skyports and Bristow and ability to launch the UK's first electric air-taxi networks, including the projected routes and expected journey times; the introduction of the Valo aircraft; the certification and the commercialization of the Valo aircraft and the timing thereof; the design and manufacture of the Valo aircraft; the features and capabilities of the Valo aircraft; the completion of the piloted test programme phases including transition flight on the intended timeline or at all; the business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including capital expenditure requirements, which may be higher than anticipated; our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations; the assumptions underlying the Company's goals, including Flightpath 2030; the differential strategy compared to our peer group; expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments; our plans for capital expenditures, as well as statements that include the words goals," "targets," "objectives," "plan," "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are not a guarantee of future performance. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, among other things, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business, industry performance, the regulatory environment, and general business and economic conditions, as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209296219/en/ Contacts: For more information: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904 Partnership will bring quiet, zero-emission electric flight to passengers in the Cote d'Azur Agreement follows today's global unveiling of Valo, Vertical's new and enhanced aircraft Vertical Aerospace ("Vertical" or "Company") [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace and technology company that is pioneering electric aviation, and Heli Air Monaco, the founding helicopter operator in the French Riviera, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the pre-order of Vertical's Valo aircraft, opening a new chapter for sustainable air mobility along the Cote d'Azur. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209232172/en/ Heli Air Monaco will operate Valo across its network Valo unveiled today in London and offering a premium cabin experience is targeting concurrent regulatory certification with the European Union and UK aviation regulators in 2028. Heli Air Monaco will operate Valo across its network, connecting destinations such as Monaco, Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez through quiet, comfortable, zero-operating emission flights. A new era of sustainable flight for the French Riviera This partnership signals an important step toward decarbonised aviation in Europe, enabling electric, quiet operations on some of the world's busiest air taxi routes around Nice airport. The deployment of Valo will help preserve the Riviera's environment while elevating the region's premium hospitality and travel offering. Heli Air Monaco will integrate Valo into its high-end mobility services, offering seamless transfers between airports and heliports. Valo's premium, spacious cabin expects to initially seat four and later six passengers, with panoramic windows, generous personal space, and capacity for six cabin bags and six check-in bags setting a new standard of comfort for the region. Valo is designed to be certified to Europe's 10-9 safety standard, reflecting the highest levels of commercial aviation safety globally. The partnership is being supported by Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur and Monaco Heliport, to develop the infrastructure adaptations required for Valo's future operations. Stuart Simpson, CEO, Vertical Aerospace, said: "Vertical and Heli Air Monaco share a vision for cleaner, quieter and more efficient travel across one of the world's most iconic coastlines. This partnership builds on today's launch of Valo, our new aircraft, and accelerates our momentum toward bringing electric flight to market. Together, we will redefine air mobility across the Cote d'Azur." Jacques Crovetto, CEO of Heli Air Monaco, added: "With Valo, we are reimagining the future of travel across the Riviera. By decarbonising our fleet of helicopters and dramatically reducing our noise footprint, we will be delivering a flight experience for our passengers that respects our neighbours, our environment, and shapes a sustainable future." Franck Goldnadel, Chairman of the Management Board of Aeroports de la Cote d'Azur, said: "The arrival of electric vertical take-off aircraft extends our efforts in transforming and decarbonizing air mobility, particularly over short distances. Our region offers a unique opportunity to fly over the sea to directly connect the main economic, cultural, or tourist destinations. As an alternative to the helicopter, the eVTOL has its place in the air transport offering and can provide a new short distance mobility solution in the future, including toward the hinterland. The airports of the Cote d'Azur, a laboratory for the airport of tomorrow, with the second largest platform in France and the gateway in and out of a landlocked region, must support these new decarbonized modes of mobility." Jerome Journet, Director of Civil Aviation in the Principality of Monaco, said: "We welcome the announcement of this new generation of aircraft, which promises a major step forward toward a decarbonized, quieter, and more environmentally-friendly aviation. The expertise developed in urban and regional air mobility places our region in a favorable position to support the emergence of more sustainable air transport solutions." About Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace is a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation. Vertical is creating a safer, cleaner, and quieter way to travel. Valo is a piloted, four-passenger, Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric variant, offering increased range and mission flexibility to meet the evolving needs of the advanced air mobility market. Vertical combines partnerships with leading aerospace companies, including GKN, Honeywell, and Aciturri, with its own proprietary battery and propeller technology to develop the world's most advanced and safest eVTOL. Vertical has c.1,500 pre-orders of Valo, with customers across four continents, including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. Certain customer obligations are expected to be fulfilled via third-party agreements. Headquartered in Bristol, UK, Vertical's experienced leadership team comes from top-tier aerospace and automotive companies such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, GM, and Leonardo. Together, they have previously certified and supported over 30 different civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that relate to our current expectations and views of future events. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Memorandum of Understanding and pre-orders from Heli Air Monaco, which are not legally binding, conditional and may be terminated without penalty at any time by either party; the planned flight routes in the along the Cote d'Azur, the design and manufacture of the Valo aircraft, the features and capabilities of the Valo aircraft and the hybrid- electric Valo aircraft variant, completion of the piloted test programme phases on the intended timeline or at all, certification and the commercialization of the both the Valo aircraft and the hybrid-electric Valo aircraft variant and our ability to achieve regulatory certification of our aircraft product on any particular timeline or at all, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including our ability and plans to raise additional capital to fund our operations, the differential strategy compared to our peer group, expectations surrounding pre-orders and commitments, the transition towards a net-zero emissions economy, as well as statements that include the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "forecast," "estimate," "may," "should," "anticipate," "will," "aim," "potential," "continue," "are likely to" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation, the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 11, 2025, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209232172/en/ Contacts: Justin Bates, Head of Communications justin.bates@vertical-aerospace.com +44 7878 357 463 Samuel Emden, Head of Investor Affairs samuel.emden@vertical-aerospace.com +447816 459 904 2026 startet mit einem Paukenschlag: Der DAX outperformt den US-Markt, Nachzugler holen auf. Ein erstes Signal, dass der Bullenmarkt an Breite gewinnt. Wahrend viele Anleger weiter auf die groen Tech-Namen setzen, hat sich im Hintergrund langst ein Umschwung vollzogen. Der Fokus verschiebt sich weg von uberteuerten KI-Highflyern hin zu soliden Qualitatswerten aus der zweiten Reihe. Anleger, die jetzt clever agieren, setzen nicht auf das, was war, sondern auf das, was kommt. Unternehmen mit gesunder Bilanz, unterschatztem Potenzial und begrenztem Abwartsrisiko konnten 2026 zu den groen Gewinnern zahlen. Die Gefahr einer scharferen Korrektur bleibt real, gerade fur passiv aufgestellte Investoren. In unserem neuen Spezialreport stellen wir funf Aktien vor, die genau jetzt das Potenzial fur uberdurchschnittliche Renditen bieten. Stark, gunstig und bislang kaum im Fokus. Jetzt kostenlosen Report herunterladen bevor es andere tun! Dieses exklusive PDF ist nur fur kurze Zeit gratis verfugbar. Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2025) - Mytelligent today announced ORAION, a screen-less, voice-activated AI wearable that is magnetically attached to clothing, designed to reduce screen time while keeping users connected. ORAION will be available for pre-order on Indiegogo starting January 8, 2026. ORAION enables users to stay present, engaged, and connected by minimizing technological interference. ORAION connects to smartphones via Bluetooth-no SIM card or subscription required. Mytelligent Introduces ORAION: The All-in-One AI Personal Assistant That Redefines Human-Technology Interaction To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/277418_963c358c84333862_002full.jpg In an age of digital distraction, ORAION offers ambient AI assistance. "We asked: What if technology could improve lives without pulling people away? What if it could provide intelligence, assistance, and connection... seamlessly?" says Dor Lin, Founder and CEO of Mytelligent. "ORAION is our answer, enabling true presence by being there when needed, and blending in when not." Mytelligent OS: The OS for an AI-Driven World The technology behind ORAION is Mytelligent OS, the intelligent core built specifically for ambient, AI-powered interactions. This proprietary operating system is powered by a hybrid AI system. With a Local AI Engine for offline responsiveness and privacy and secure cloud intelligence when online and needed, ORAION is designed to deliver seamless, intelligent interactions. Seamless Interaction, Hands-Free by Design ORAION features a minimalist, screen-less design. It eliminates the need to pull out a phone, resting discreetly and securely on clothing via a magnetic Anchor. This shifts interaction from visual absorption to intuitive, hands-free engagement. Key Capabilities of ORAION: Information Retrieval : Instantly access facts and data without breaking focus. Effortless Communication: Send messages and make phone calls with voice commands. Object Recognition: Understand surroundings, identify objects and gain insights. Live Language Translation: Break down barriers with real-time understanding across languages. Advanced Media Capture: Effortlessly record high-quality videos and photos hands-free. Instant Note Taking: Transform spoken thoughts into instant text. Real-time Navigation: Receive hands-free guidance, keeping eyes on the world, not a screen. Future capabilities include the innovative Vision Assistant, designed to aid visually impaired users in navigating their environment safely and independently, with more features under development. From capturing candid moments hands-free to getting real-time translations while traveling, ORAION keeps eyes on the world, not a screen. Design, Comfort and Power ORAION is sleek, circular, and lightweight-just 60mm in diameter, 17mm thin, and 45g in weight. The Anchor is just 3mm thin-designed for all-day wear. The charging case provides up to 5 full charges, ensuring all-day reliability. The Mytelligent App: The Control Center Complementing the hardware, the Mytelligent App on smartphones serves as ORAION's intuitive dashboard. Here, users can name their ORAION, manage settings, track location, review interactions and media, and set privacy controls, putting full control at their fingertips. ORAION includes LED indicators and simple controls for the camera and audio, so people nearby know when it's active. Availability ORAION will launch for pre-order on Indiegogo on January 8, 2026. Shipping is anticipated to begin by Q2 2026. Mytelligent Plus benefits include Extended Warranty, Accidental Damage Coverage, Battery Care, and other exclusive perks. About Mytelligent Founded in 2024 by Dor Lin, a cybersecurity expert and serial entrepreneur, Mytelligent is at the forefront of redefining human-technology interaction. Guided by its core vision of empowering users with intelligent technology that enables them to live in the moment, Mytelligent is dedicated to creating solutions that not only address today's needs but also anticipate tomorrow's challenges-helping individuals live more present, connected, and informed lives. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277418 SOURCE: Plentisoft BEIJING, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A conference leveraging Hainan's large reservoir of talents to better build its free trade port (FTP) was convened in Haikou, capital of the southern China island province from December 6 to 7. Seven years ago, Hainan launched its action plan for one million talents to enter Hainan and now, the tropical province has turned words into deeds, pooling in total 1.03 million talents there. With a complete policy regime for talents across local industrial chains and related one-stop service platforms, a talent clustering effect is taking shape in Hainan, resulting in continuous improvements in local talent structure and ecology. To unleash more potential of the vibrant local talent reservoir, the province launched another campaign during the conference calling for the one million talents to vigorously develop Hainan. Under the campaign, Hainan will develop more competitive systems of talent policies and platforms to deepen integration of the local talent, innovation and industrial chains. During the conference, four thematic sessions focusing on young talent development, talent cooperation between Hainan and other Chinese localities including Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, industry-talent integration for seed industry and aviation talent cultivation by universities and businesses debuted to better match resources. Multiple cooperation programs were held during the event, such as seven international agricultural technology cooperation projects, the talent-cultivation partnership between the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province and the University of International Business and Economics, etc. At the main venue of the conference, a widely-lauded recruitment activity kicked off alongside the opening of the conference. 337 entities provided 10,018 available job positions, of which nearly a half are ones with 100,000-plus yuan of annual salaries. Through a "cloud recruitment" platform, online resume delivery and position-talent matching have been available around the clock, linking effectively talent demand with supply in the province. Exquisitely decorated exhibition zones were also set for 18 local cities and counties at the main venue, not to mention the 12 functional zones well presenting opportunities, policy dividends and characteristic resources there. As a high-end event, the Second China (Hainan) International Talent Exchange Conference drew many professionals such as Chan Un Tong, director of Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region government to share insights on embracing high-quality development of Hainan FTP with better talent policies and services. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348699.html Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842268/photo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-conference-to-bolster-role-of-talents-held-in-south-china-ftp-302637336.html EQS Newswire / 10/12/2025 / 10:16 UTC+8 LEEDS, UK - December 10, 2025 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Pharaoh Capital , a Leeds-based renewable energy investment group, has introduced a new zero-capital commercial solar deployment model through its subsidiaries INICIO and Solar4Business, enabling British enterprises to install large-scale rooftop solar systems without upfront expenditure. By fully funding, managing, and delivering installations on behalf of clients, Pharaoh Capital is removing one of the primary barriers to renewable energy adoption across the UK's industrial, commercial, and real estate sectors. Founded in 2022 by Grant Nicholson, Pharaoh Capital operates on a fundamentally different premise than established market players. Rather than requiring businesses to finance solar installations upfront, the group's subsidiaries INICIO and Solar4Business assume all capital risk, project management, and installation responsibilities. Clients sign long-term Power Purchase Agreements at fixed rates that immediately undercut existing electricity bills, delivering energy cost reductions of 30 to 40 percent with zero balance sheet impact. "The sector is full of cowboys or corporates so slow they move like treacle," Nicholson explains. "Through INICIO and Solar4Business, we deliver enterprise-grade projects with SME-level speed, turning around installations in under eight weeks from site assessment to switch-on." The subsidiaries target solar installations between 250,000 and 5 million per site, funded entirely through private capital managed by the Pharaoh Capital holding company. Clients including CBRE, Yodel, and the NHS have benefited from the streamlined approach delivered by INICIO and Solar4Business, avoiding maintenance burdens and asset ownership complexities while securing predictable energy pricing. Nicholson's entrepreneurial achievements have garnered industry recognition, including the European Entrepreneur of the Year designation from Aspioneer Magazine in 2024 and the Institute of Directors' Young Director of the Year award for Yorkshire and North East in 2020. Pharaoh Capital now targets deploying 100 million in debt financing through its operational subsidiaries directly into revenue-generating, long-term agreements that simultaneously reduce client costs and strengthen the group's profit-and-loss statement through predictable cash flows. For UK industrial operators, landlords, and commercial real estate leaders seeking to reduce energy expenditure while advancing ESG objectives, Pharaoh Capital and its subsidiaries INICIO and Solar4Business represent a pragmatic alternative to traditional energy providers. About Pharaoh Capital Limited Established in 2022 and headquartered in Leeds, Pharaoh Capital Limited operates as a specialist investment and holding company targeting the UK energy and renewables sector. Through its operational subsidiaries INICIO and Solar4Business, the group has built a substantial commercial solar portfolio by funding and managing installations that deliver immediate client savings while generating reliable investor returns. Pharaoh Capital's subsidiaries have served 175 commercial clients without requiring government subsidies or external equity financing. Grant Nicholson, the group's founder, previously won the Institute of Directors Yorkshire Young Director Award and has been recognized for his contributions to sustainable business energy solutions. The parent company's revenue milestone represents approximately 25% progress toward Nicholson's ambitious 100 million deployment target for scaling renewable energy infrastructure across the UK through INICIO and Solar4Business. Contact Information Brand: Pharaoh Capital Contact: Grant Nicholson Email: gn@pharaoh-capital.com Website: https://www.pharaoh-capital.com Road Town, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2025) - LBank Exchange will list Nova X Utility (NOX), the utility and governance token powering the Nova X ecosystem. Trading for the NOX/USDT pair will open at 9:00 UTC on December 11, 2025. Users will be able to access the trading pair at: https://www.lbank.com/trade/nox_usdt NOX Listing Banner To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8831/277449_e28b75baa4fea989_001full.jpg About NOX NOX represents the core digital asset of Nova X, a user-owned super platform designed to transform activity, commerce, and data into measurable economic value. According to the project's whitepaper, Nova X is built around the idea that digital value should return to the people who create it. The platform will tokenize user participation, merchant transactions, and ecosystem interactions, allowing these activities to become transferable and reward-generating assets. NOX will function as the central currency linking all layers of the Nova X economy, including community engagement, merchant alliances, and data-driven intelligence systems. The project will enable users to earn, spend, and stake NOX in a transparent, reward-based environment where data and activity become recognized economic units. Its architecture prioritizes real-world asset anchoring, on-chain transparency, and sustainable participation incentives, positioning NOX as a key asset in a deflationary, productivity-backed digital economy. Core Features NOX will introduce data tokenization at scale, converting user and merchant activity into measurable economic value through a structured on-chain pipeline. The whitepaper outlines that Nova X will capture and validate data, assign real-world economic worth, and convert it into tokenized value units integrated into the platform's RWA-backed reserve system. The token will support a multi-layer ecosystem where players, merchants, and partners share value creation. Users will earn through gameplay, referrals, and participation, while merchants will gain access to traffic, community interaction, and transaction flow. NOX will operate across this entire economy as a currency for rewards, payments, governance, and staking. A core deflationary mechanic, known as the Burn to 10 Protocol, will continuously reduce circulating supply as network activity scales. The ecosystem will also integrate AI-assisted analytics, decentralized governance stages, and RWA-strengthened reserves to create sustainable economic growth. Tokenomics According to the project documentation, NOX will launch as a BEP-20 token on BNB Chain with a total supply of 1,000,000,000 NOX and a long-term target supply of 100,000,000 NOX after systematic burns. The token will serve both utility and governance roles within the Nova X platform, covering merchant transactions, staking mechanisms, gameplay rewards, referral incentives, and DAO participation. The ecosystem will follow a deflationary model where NOX supply will decrease through automated burn events tied to economic activity. Real-world asset backing and tokenized data reserves will further reinforce long-term stability. The whitepaper additionally outlines structured allocations for community rewards, merchant incentives, liquidity, strategic partnerships, team commitments, and ecosystem development. Roadmap Highlights Nova X will roll out its ecosystem in defined phases targeting sustainable global expansion. Early phases will focus on establishing the community and merchant foundation required to stabilize transactional flow. Subsequent phases will introduce advanced data convergence, AI-driven analytics, and progressive decentralization of governance. The platform will then expand internationally while transitioning to a community-driven DAO. In its final vision, Nova X aims to achieve full data tokenization with real-world asset backing, completing its deflationary model with a stable long-term NOX supply. These phases collectively outline a path toward a user-owned, data-anchored economy where shared value becomes the core driver of growth. Learn More about Nova X Utility token Website: https://noxcoin.io X: https://x.com/nova_xofficial About LBank Founded in 2015, LBank is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 20 million registered users in 160 countries and regions. With a daily trading volume exceeding $10.5 billion and 10 years of safety with zero security incidents, LBank is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and user-friendly trading experience. Through innovative trading solutions, the platform has enabled users to achieve average returns of over 130% on newly listed assets. As the ultimate 100x Gems Hub, LBank has listed over 300 mainstream coins and more than 50 high-potential gems. Ranked No. 1 in 100x Gems, Highest Gains, and Meme Share, LBank leads the market with the fastest altcoin listings, unmatched liquidity, and industry-first trading guarantees, making it the go-to platform for crypto investors worldwide. Follow LBank for Updates Website: https://www.lbank.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LBank_Exchange Telegram: https://t.me/LBank_en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbank_exchange LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lbank For media requests, please contact: To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277449 SOURCE: LBank Palm Harbor, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2025) - BILD & Co, a senior living sales and marketing consulting firm, today announced an expansion of its advisory and operational support services for senior housing operators across the United States. The company reported increased demand throughout 2025 from operators seeking structured sales systems, improved lead management processes, and enhanced revenue performance strategies. BILD & Co Announces Expansion of Senior Living Sales and Marketing Consulting Operations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11704/277035_bild1.jpg Consulting Expansion to Strengthen Operator Performance BILD & Co stated that its 2026 expansion includes: Increased deployment of sales performance tech integration Expanded digital marketing operations ecosystem support Enhanced revenue analytics and reporting infrastructure Additional training programs for on-site sales teams According to the company, these enhancements are intended to support senior living operators navigating evolving occupancy and admissions challenges. Growth in Client Engagement During 2025 The company noted a rise in consulting engagements across independent living and assisted living portfolios this year, with operators seeking standardized systems to improve response times, lead handling, and internal conversion performance. Consulting work in 2025 focused on: Standardized sales workflows Lead tracking and follow-up processes Digital admissions funnel optimization Performance benchmarking and reporting The creation of a modernized sales and marketing ecosystem Operational Emphasis on Systems and Sales Structure BILD & Co reported that its consulting methodology centers on building repeatable sales processes, reinforced accountability structures, and measurable performance indicators. The company confirmed that its service expansion was supported by internal operational investment and staff growth. "Demand for structured sales execution and revenue operations support increased during 2025," said Traci Bild, Founder of BILD & Co. "Our expansion is a direct response to the operational needs of senior living providers seeking stronger systems and more consistent performance outcomes." Ongoing Industry Support Services BILD & Co continues to provide consulting services that include: Sales team training Marketing performance alignment Lead qualification frameworks Occupancy performance strategies Revenue operations consulting The company stated it will continue scaling its advisory operations into 2026 to support growing demand from senior housing providers. About BILD & Co BILD & Co is a Florida-based senior living sales and marketing consulting firm providing performance systems, revenue operations support, and admissions strategy consulting to independent living and assisted living operators across the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277035 SOURCE: FG Newswire Key News Highlights: Mowilex's fourth consecutive recognition as Indonesia's Best Managed Companies elevated it as a Gold Standard winner, reinforcing its commitment to best-in-class management and performance, aligning strong leadership with innovation and long-term value creation. Mowilex views this recognition as a constant reminder to continue striving for excellence, and as an achievement to be shared with everyone who has been a part of Mowilex's journey. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Mowilex Indonesia has once again been honored by Deloitte as one of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving this recognition. This also means that Mowilex has now been elevated to a Gold Standard winner, underscoring its enduring commitment to best-in-class management and performance. In Indonesia, only three companies were conferred with the Gold Standard recognition this year, and Mowilex is proud to be among them. The Best Managed Companies program is widely regarded as a benchmark of organizational excellence for leading companies around the world. "As a Best Managed Companies award winner, PT Mowilex Indonesia has demonstrated itself as a leading private enterprise in Indonesia-driving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and delivering meaningful impact for its customers and employees. This recognition is a testament to excellence, underscoring PT Mowilex Indonesia's leadership and strategic vision. We look forward to witnessing their continued success and growth in Indonesia and on the global stage," said DIONISIUS Damijanto, Best Managed Companies Leader, Deloitte Indonesia. Mowilex emphasized that this recognition serves as a reminder to stay grounded and continue striving for excellence. "We are an independent challenger in an industry dominated by large multinationals and a handful of very well-run local players. Each year, Deloitte's process challenges us with rigorous reviews and tough questions. Rather than taking this recognition as validation, we treat it as a test - asking whether our strategies and tactics would still hold up under such scrutiny," said Mowilex CEO, Niko Safavi. Winners are assessed against a comprehensive framework with four pillars shaped by more than 30 years of Deloitte's global benchmarking, namely: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, governance and financials. This framework encourages companies to align strong leadership with innovation and long-term value creation. Mowilex also highlighted that the recognition is not about individual leadership alone. "This is a management award that belongs to our managers and employees. It's their discipline, innovation, and everyday decisions that shape PT Mowilex Indonesia into what it is today. We proudly share this Gold Standard achievement with everyone who has been part of our journey," said Niko Safavi. About PT Mowilex Indonesia PT Mowilex Indonesia , a subsidiary of Asia Coatings Enterprises, Pte. Ltd., is a leading producer of premium paints and coatings with a reputation for quality and strong brand loyalty. The company is Indonesia's only certified carbon neutral paint manufacturer, maintaining that status for six consecutive years, and offers a wide range of low- and zero-VOC products. In 2025, Mowilex was recognized by Deloitte as one of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies for the fourth consecutive year, becoming a Gold Standard winner. About Best Managed Companies Best Managed Companies is a global awards program that recognises privately held companies for their organisational excellence, business success, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program offers a robust framework for management teams to evaluate their strategies, strengthen operations, and benchmark themselves against the top-performing private companies worldwide. Established in Canada in 1993, Best Managed Companies has since expanded to more than 45 countries across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, with plans to launch in Africa. Today, its global network comprises over 1,700 outstanding companies that come together as a community to build alliances, exchange knowledge, and share best practices. In 2025, the Best Managed Companies awards program marks five years in Southeast Asia, with a community of winners in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. For more information on the awards program, visit the Indonesia's Best Managed Companies website. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842305/Picture_1___Paint_Manufacturer_Mowilex_Earns_Fourth_Deloitte__Best_Managed_Company__Recognition.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842306/Picture_2___Paint_Manufacturer_Mowilex_Earns_Fourth_Deloitte__Best_Managed_Company__Recognition.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/paint-manufacturer-mowilex-earns-fourth-deloitte-best-managed-company-recognition-achieving-gold-standard-302637401.html Dubai-based serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alexander Rugaev introduces boutique advisory focused on small-cap and micro-cap IPOs and direct listings for AI, robotics and fintech founders. DUBAI, AE / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 / AR Ventures today announced the launch of a new IPO consulting practice that helps fast-growing technology startups access public markets through small-cap IPOs, micro-cap IPOs and direct listings of shares - without surrendering control to late-stage venture capital. Founded by serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alexander Rugaev, AR Ventures works with revenue-generating startups across AI, robotics, fintech and SaaS that are ready to scale globally but are too small - or too independent - for billion-dollar VC funds. The new service is designed to show founders that "go public" is no longer a distant endgame, but a realistic financing option at much earlier stages. "Founders are told the only path is round after round of VC and a distant exit," said Alexander Rugaev, founder of AR Ventures. "That story is outdated. In many cases, a small-cap IPO or micro-cap IPO can deliver more capital, better valuation and real liquidity - while the founder keeps the steering wheel of the company." More information about AR Ventures is available at https://arventures.io and about Alexander Rugaev at https://rugaev.com. Solving the "stuck between VC rounds" problem Many startups with solid revenue, real customers and proven products still struggle to raise growth capital. They are too advanced for seed funds, not big enough for late-stage megafunds, and often unwilling to accept the heavy dilution and aggressive governance that comes with another private round. AR Ventures' small-cap IPO consulting service focuses on this underserved segment: B2B or B2C tech companies with repeatable revenue Typically $5-100 million in annual revenue and strong growth Operating in regulated, high-trust sectors such as AI, robotics, fintech, infrastructure and industrial tech Ready to enter or expand in global markets, but constrained by private funding options For these founders, a small-cap or micro-cap listing on exchanges such as NYSE American or similar global small-cap markets can be a powerful alternative to another dilutive financing round. What the new IPO advisory service includes AR Ventures provides end-to-end guidance on how to take a startup public at a smaller scale: IPO vs VC diagnostic - Independent assessment of whether a small-cap IPO, micro-cap IPO, direct listing or another structure creates more value than a traditional equity round. Corporate and cap table structuring - Optimizing jurisdiction, share classes and voting structure so founders can raise capital while preserving 60-80% voting control, where feasible under local rules. Exchange and listing strategy - Evaluating small-cap and micro-cap boards, minimum requirements, auditor standards and realistic valuation ranges. Equity story and investor materials - Crafting the IPO narrative, investor deck, financial model and prospectus-ready story that resonate with public-market investors. Deal team coordination - Working alongside underwriters, legal counsel, auditors and investor relations partners throughout the listing process. Post-IPO support - Helping founders navigate life as a public company: disclosure discipline, investor communication, and using listed shares as currency for M&A. "Our niche is translating Wall Street into founder language," Rugaev added. "We sit on the founder's side of the table and show them exactly what it takes to do a small-cap IPO or direct listing - the costs, the timelines, the realistic outcomes - so they can make an informed decision instead of blindly following the VC playbook." Why small-cap IPOs and direct listings are back on the agenda Public markets have evolved. Today, micro-cap and small-cap IPOs can: Provide earlier liquidity to founders and early investors Unlock higher valuation multiples than late-stage private rounds in many tech verticals Open doors to institutional, family-office and sovereign investors who rarely participate in small private deals Strengthen brand credibility with enterprise and government customers who prefer public, transparent counterparties At the same time, improved electronic trading, research platforms and global investor access make it easier for well-positioned small issuers to reach their audience. AR Ventures' thesis is that a growing number of "real economy" AI, robotics and fintech startups are now better served by public capital markets than by another dilutive round from traditional venture capital. Founder-first philosophy Rugaev built the practice around a simple principle: control is an asset. "I've seen too many great companies lose their original vision because control slowly slipped away through multiple rounds," he said. "Our goal with IPO consulting for small-cap and micro-cap listings is to give founders a third option: raise serious capital, become a public company, but stay in charge of the mission." AR Ventures typically works with founders from MENA, Europe and Asia, but the firm also supports cross-border listings and dual-jurisdiction strategies where they make sense. Call to action Founders and investors interested in exploring a small-cap IPO, micro-cap IPO or direct listing of shares can learn more and request an initial consultation at: AR Ventures - https://arventures.io Alexander Rugaev - https://rugaev.com LinkedIn (contact and updates) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrugaev/ About AR Ventures AR Ventures is a Dubai-based advisory firm focused on IPO consulting, capital markets strategy and growth advisory for technology companies. The firm specializes in helping AI, robotics, fintech and SaaS startups access global capital markets through small-cap and micro-cap IPOs, direct listings and innovative financing structures. AR Ventures acts as a founder-side advisor, working alongside leading law firms, auditors, underwriters and investor-relations partners to design and execute efficient go-public strategies. Learn more at https://arventures.io. About Alexander Rugaev Alexander Rugaev is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist with deep experience in startups, AI, robotics and public markets. Based in Dubai, he advises founders on IPO readiness, capital raising and global expansion, with a strong focus on minimizing dilution and preserving founder control. Rugaev is also an active commentator on the future of AI, robotics and capital markets, sharing insights via his website https://rugaev.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrugaev/. Media Contact Vera Muller Email: info@arventures.io SOURCE: AR Ventures View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/ar-ventures-launches-small-cap-ipo-consulting-to-help-startups-go-pu-1116221 Polpharma Biologics, a leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and manufacturing of biosimilars, is thrilled to announce the signing of a landmark licensing agreement with the Brazilian company Libbs Farmaceutica! Through this strategic partnership, Libbs Farmaceutica will gain exclusive rights to commercialize a cutting-edge biosimilar for autoimmune diseases in the rapidly growing Brazilian market. Polpharma Biologics retains full responsibility for the development and manufacturing of the biosimilar. Libbs Farmaceutica will hold an exclusive license for the commercialization, marketing and distribution of the biosimilar in Brazil. This collaboration opens up exciting new opportunities and demonstrates the shared commitment of both companies to delivering innovative and accessible therapies to patients. "Entering the Brazilian market with a biosimilar is a significant step for Polpharma Biologics and reflects our ongoing mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable biological treatments worldwide," said Anjan Selz, CEO of Polpharma Biologics. "Our collaboration with Libbs Farmaceutica, a company with deep knowledge of the Brazilian market, provides us with strong commercial expertise. Combined with our development and manufacturing capabilities, this partnership will significantly increase access to biological therapies for people in Brazil who are living with autoimmune diseases." "We currently treat more than 15 million patients with our products. This partnership with Polpharma Biologics is fully aligned with Libbs' strategy of investing in a diversified portfolio of medicines with potential to further expand the Brazilian population's access to healthcare," says Alcebiades de Mendonca Athayde Junior, CEO of Libbs This modern therapy offers an effective and well-tolerated option for patients living with autoimmune conditions. The biosimilar medicine is still under development and is expected to be submitted to Anvisa for approval within three years. About Polpharma Biologics Polpharma Biologics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars for global markets. Our Swiss-based biosimilars-focused entity manages the entire value chain: from product selection and investment allocation to program execution to asset monetization. This ensures rapid progress from concept to launch in close collaboration with our global partners. Polpharma Biologics' biosimilar portfolio includes a range of high-value programs spanning early development to commercial stages. Our international team of senior experts has extensive experience in program leadership, regulatory strategy, CMC integration, device development, clinical oversight, and quality assurance. By working with trusted CDMOs, we provide end-to-end biosimilars, from cell line development to finished products, across a variety of major therapeutic areas. Our commercial partners help ensure that patients worldwide gain access to these medicines. Our mission is to accelerate access to biologics. To achieve this, we maintain a robust and expanding pipeline of biosimilars in development. More information: https://polpharmabiologics.com/ About Libbs Libbs is a 100% Brazilian pharmaceutical company with the purpose of transforming knowledge into health. To offer high-quality products and solutions, we work collaboratively in a process of continuous improvement and invest in research and innovation. With 67 years of history and 4,000 employees, we have been, for the eighth consecutive year, among the best companies to work for in Brazil, according to GPTW (Great Place to Work). Our specialties include cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, hematology, oncology, central nervous system, and respiratory system. In 2024, we brought healthcare to more than 15 million people through a portfolio comprising 97 product brands in over 200 presentations, across reference, similar, chemotherapeutic, and biosimilar (monoclonal antibodies) categories. Our Biotec is the first industrial-scale monoclonal antibody plant in Brazil, and, in 2024, it gained a Pilot Plant dedicated to the development of biomolecules, scaling up bioprocesses, and producing clinical material for studies through partnerships or as a CDMO. We invest approximately 10% of our revenue in R&D and maintain initiatives such as the Research Incentive Program (PIP), which supports independent clinical studies. We support causes and campaigns that guide the population regarding prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. We are always open to developing new partnership projects. More information can be found at www.libbs.com.br. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209073657/en/ Contacts: Rupert Birkett-Eyles Rupert.birketteyles@ruderfinn.com +44(0) 7876163218 "Advancing the South Korea-UAE '100-Year Partnership' Through Finance," says CGO in Opening Address Unveils Vision for Building a Next-Generation Global Financial Ecosystem with Abu Dhabi Highlights Future Agendas Including Co-Investments and Digital Asset Platform Development SEOUL, South Korea and ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dong-Won Kim, Chief Global Officer (CGO) at Hanwha Life, delivered the opening address at the Global Markets Summit during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, highlighting the importance of South Korea-UAE cooperation and the role of finance in strengthening bilateral ties. The Global Markets Summit, an official session of ADFW 2025, brings together global financial leaders to examine structural changes in capital markets and discuss the future direction of international capital networks. In his remarks, the CGO noted that "since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1980, South Korea and the UAE have continuously expanded the scope of cooperation", adding that Hanwha Finance will take the lead in carrying forward a "100-year partnership" between the two nations. Mr. Kim emphasised that South Korea and the UAE "share a common DNA - one that transforms crises into opportunities, embraces change with courage, and values trust-based, long-term partnerships". He added that finance plays a critical role in building a sustainable financial partnership between the two countries, calling it: "The catalyst that transforms the will to cooperate into feasible opportunities. It is the vital force that sustains industry and fuels innovation." He also highlighted the importance of practical and sustainable cooperation with Abu Dhabi. "Together, with Abu Dhabi's sophisticated market infrastructure, we aim to create a new financial ecosystem," he said, projecting that future cooperation between the two countries will expand across key financial areas, including co-investments in real-world assets, supply-chain finance and cross-border payment infrastructure, and development of digital-asset platforms. "It is our aspiration that the journey we embark upon together will become a global reference for the next generation of finance," the CGO added, reaffirming Hanwha Finance's commitment to working closely with the UAE as a core partner in future financial transformation. The four financial affiliates of Hanwha Finance - Hanwha Life, Hanwha General Insurance, Hanwha Asset Management, and Hanwha Investment & Securities - participated in ADFW 2025 as a Premier Partner. Hosted by ADGM, ADFW is the Middle East's largest financial event, serving as a platform for global financial leaders to discuss key agendas and collaborative opportunities that shape the future of finance. ADFW 2025, the fourth edition of the event, is held under the theme "Engineering the Capital Network", focusing on redesigning global capital flows and building a financial operating system that integrates traditional and digital finance. Key agenda items include on-chain finance and the development of digital financial infrastructure backed by real-world assets. About Hanwha Finance Hanwha Finance is a trusted financial partner that empowers individuals and communities with lifelong personal finance solutions. By integrating AI into its digital financial offerings and tailoring them to diverse lifestyles, Hanwha Finance enables people to achieve financial well-being and supports societies in pursuing sustainable growth. With $130 billion in assets under management (AUM), Hanwha Finance provides seamless digital experiences and drives sustainable growth through AI and big data technologies. Expanding beyond digital finance, Web3, and wealth management, the company is broadening its presence across comprehensive financial sectors and forming strategic partnerships to drive global financial innovation. By continuously incorporating the latest advances in digital finance, Hanwha Finance aims to make asset management even smarter and more convenient for investors worldwide. For more information, visit: https://www.hanwha.com/industries/finance.do About Hanwha Life Established in 1946, Hanwha Life is not only a leading South Korean life insurance company but also the first and oldest in the nation. For the past 78 years, Hanwha Life has played a critical role in developing the industry and expanding the country's economic growth. In 2023, Hanwha Life reported total assets of $113.77 billion, demonstrating its sound structure and firm commitment to adding innovative products and services that meet a wide range of customer needs. For more information, visit: https://www.hanwhalife.com/static/company/english/EN_0000000_P10000.htm Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2841673/Hanwha_Life.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hanwha-life-cgo-dong-won-kim-reaffirms-commitment-to-strengthening-south-korea-uae-financial-cooperation-at-adfw-2025-302636972.html Guangdong, China--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - On December 7, the 2025 Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum was successfully held in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. Themed "Renewal of the Maritime Silk Road in the Intelligent Media Era", the forum was attended by nearly 300 representatives from domestic and foreign media organizations, international organizations, cultural and tech innovation enterprises, as well as experts and scholars in related fields, from 20 countries and regions. The 2025 Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_001full.jpg Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_002full.jpg Huang Kunming, secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, attended the opening ceremony and jointly launched the forum with Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and president of China Media Group (CMG); Joseph Maina Muiruri, chairman of the Media Council of Kenya; Feng Zhonghua, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee; Hu Jinjun, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee; Zhou Zhenhong, member of the editorial board of CMG; and David Makubyane, General Manager of the South African Broadcasting Corporation. Shen Haixiong, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and president of CMG To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_003full.jpg In his address, Shen Haixiong noted that President Xi Jinping emphasized that the BRI pursues development, promotes win-win outcomes, and inspires hope. In recent years, evolved from the physical connectivity of infrastructure and the institutional connectivity of rules and standards, the BRI is yielding fruitful results in the people-to-people connectivity, with the path growing ever wider. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC made important arrangements for expanding higher-standard opening up and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. As a pacesetter, pioneering pilot and experimental zone of reform and opening up, Guangdong is actively participating in the development of the BRI in accordance with strategic blueprint drawn by President Xi Jinping, continuously achieving new progress in modernization. Shen also emphasized that amid global uncertainties, there is a need to uphold the Silk Road spirit of "peace and cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit" more than ever before, vowing CMG's commitment to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with friends from all countries to advancing the "Four Global Initiatives," sharing the new opportunities of Chinese modernization, and bringing greater certainty to this world of uncertainties with wisdom and strength. According to him, CMG will deepen cooperation and strengthen friendships along the Silk Road to write a new chapter of exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. By learning from and collaborating with friends from all around the world, it aims to pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Hu Jinjun, member of the Standing Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_004full.jpg Hu Jinjun stated that President Xi Jinping delivered a series of important speeches when he conducted inspections in Guangdong Province and took part in the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games. Setting the direction to implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC and stride forward on the path of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, his speeches have also made clear requirements for Guangdong Province to deepen its integration into the development of the BRI. Hu noted that the timing of this forum themed "Renewal of the Maritime Silk Road in the Intelligent Media Era" cannot be more appropriate. Currently, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Chinese modernization teems with prosperity, and Guangdong Province brims with dynamism and opportunities. Standing at the new starting point of the 15th Five-Year Plan, Guangdong is ready to work with media friends from all countries and regions to promote the Silk Road spirit and jointly write a new chapter of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. He encouraged all of participants of the forum to gain a deeper understanding of China and engage in dialogue about the future through Guangdong by forging warm and enduring people-to-people ties for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. He invited global partners to leverage Guangdong's opportunities, strengthen cultural exchanges, and jointly write a new chapter of win-win cooperation. Ahmed Nadeem, secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU); Abdul Rahim Suleiman, Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU); and Gregoire Ndjaka, CEO of the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), attended the forum via video link and delivered speeches. According to them, the Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum provides a reliable and ideal platform for cooperation, stimulates meaningful in-depth collaboration, and contributes to building a future-oriented media ecology. Joseph Maina Muiruri, chairman of the Media Council of Kenya To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_005full.jpg In his speech, Joseph Maina Muiruri stated that digital technology is reshaping the way information is produced, spread, and received. He expressed his expectation on linking Africa's vibrant markets with China's technological prowess in the framework of the BRI so as to co-create content pipelines that amplify diverse voices and bridge cultural divides, and forge a media community that informs, inspires, and unites. Lu Yixian, secretary of the CPC Yangjiang Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of Yangjiang Municipal People's Congress To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_006full.jpg Lu Yixian, secretary of the CPC Yangjiang Municipal Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of Yangjiang Municipal People's Congress, presented the "Meet Yangjiang: Mutual Learning and International Cultural Exchange Events". The events invited representatives from overseas media organizations and prominent influencers from many countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Iraq to explore the Maritime Silk Road culture, intangible cultural heritage, and achievements in urban and rural development of Yangjiang City. As a key node along the Maritime Silk Road, Yangjiang actively integrates into the BRI, inherits and promotes the Maritime Silk Road culture to showcase its unique charm as a Capital of Green Energy and Renowned Hub of the Maritime Silk Road. Jiang Haiqing, chairwoman of China International Television Corporation (CITVC) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_007full.jpg Jiang Haiqing, chairwoman of China International Television Corporation (CITVC), released the Community's annual work report and the community's annual report and the "Yangjiang Initiative for International Media Cooperation: Silk Road Links Oceans, Wisdom Creates Future." The report reviewed the community's work over the past year, highlighting the fruitful results achieved by members under the community framework, guided by a spirit of openness and innovation. The Initiative calls for telling compelling stories of the Maritime Silk Road, strengthening tech-enabled media cooperation, promoting green development, building an intelligent media ecosystem, and showcasing the integration of civilizations along the Silk Road, so as to embark on a new journey to intensify media connection with the Maritime Silk Road and write a new chapter of intelligent future characterized by integration of digital media technology. "Connectivity of the Maritime Silk Road and Creation of a Smart Future" Yangiiang Initiative on International Media Cooperation To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11580/277408_6ab638d4a43ff870_008full.jpg During the main forum and panel discussions, representatives from government departments, media organizations, research institutions, and related industries focused on international media cooperation, cultural exchanges, and industrial applications of AI-generated content. Several projects were launched, including international communication campaigns of "Charming Guangdong" and "A Roar across the World: International Gathering of Lion Dancers," the international co-produced micro-documentary "Yangjiang City: On the Wave of the Maritime Silk Road in the New Era," and the launch of multilingual translations of FAST TV programs, and the premiere broadcast of CGTN Spanish in Latin America. Founded in 2016, the Belt and Road Television Community is the world's first global all-media alliance themed on the Silk Road, initiated by China International Television Corporation (CITVC) under CMG's guidance. It now boasts 149 member institutions from 64 countries and regions, serving as a key platform for cross-border exchanges and cooperation in terms of film and television industry. The 2025 Belt and Road Media Community Summit Forum was hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and co-organized by China International Television Corporation (CITVC), the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, and the CPC Yangjiang Municipal Committee and Yangjiang Municipal People's Government. The forum was also attended by Cui Chaoyang, executive deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee; Zhang Shijin, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Hubei Provincial Committee; and Yu Jinfu, deputy secretary of the CPC Yangjiang Municipal Committee and mayor of Yangjiang City. Representatives from CMG and its affiliated enterprises, the Publicity Department of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, publicity departments of various municipal committees in the province, relevant departments of Yangjiang Municipal People's Government, as well as representatives from media organizations and enterprises of multiple countries, including France, Italy, Russia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Uruguay, Singapore, Malaysia, and Nepal, participated in the forum. (Photos: Sun Nan, Zhou Yin) To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277408 SOURCE: Kinfoome Presswire Key findings from the 2026 report include: Identity breaches surge, driving escalating costs Help desk hijacks emerge as a major threat AI optimism is high, but passwordless progress stalls A new global report from RSA, the security-first identity leader, reveals that identity caused both more frequent and more expensive data breaches this year than last. The 2026 RSA ID IQ Report reveals critical insights from more than 2,100 cybersecurity, identity and access management (IAM), and IT professionals on how frequently identity failed organisations, the financial impacts their organisations suffered when it did, attitudes on AI's cybersecurity potential, the factors limiting the growth of passwordless authentication, and more. The report also details key differences that set British organisations apart from the rest of the world. Key findings include: Identity breach frequency surged : 69% of global organisations experienced an identity-related breach in the last three years, a 27-percentage-point increase year-over-year. That 64% relative increase suggests either a surge in successful identity attacks, better detection or reporting, or both. In either case, the report shows that the identity risk environment has become even more dangerous. : 69% of global organisations experienced an identity-related breach in the last three years, a 27-percentage-point increase year-over-year. That 64% relative increase suggests either a surge in successful identity attacks, better detection or reporting, or both. In either case, the report shows that the identity risk environment has become even more dangerous. The UK reported the most significant harm resulting from identity-related breaches , with 47% of British respondents saying identity breaches caused their organisation major harm. , with 47% of British respondents saying identity breaches caused their organisation major harm. Identity breach costs escalated: 45% of global organisations said that the cost of an identity-related breach exceeded the typical cost of a breach as defined by IBM. Notably, 24% of organisations said costs exceeded $10M, a three-percentage-point year-over-year increase since the previous year's survey. 45% of global organisations said that the cost of an identity-related breach exceeded the typical cost of a breach as defined by IBM. Notably, 24% of organisations said costs exceeded $10M, a three-percentage-point year-over-year increase since the previous year's survey. IT Help Desk bypass and social engineering attacks are a top threat : Following high-profile breaches at Marks Spencer, Co-Op, MGM Resorts, and others that originated at organisations' IT help desks, 65% of organisations are seriously concerned about a similar attack, and 51% consider service desk bypass attacks their most significant risk. Compared with the rest of the world, British respondents reported the highest degree of concern that their organisation's help desk would fail to stop a social engineering attack : Following high-profile breaches at Marks Spencer, Co-Op, MGM Resorts, and others that originated at organisations' IT help desks, 65% of organisations are seriously concerned about a similar attack, and 51% consider service desk bypass attacks their most significant risk. Compared with the rest of the world, British respondents reported the highest degree of concern that their organisation's help desk would fail to stop a social engineering attack Passwordless adoption faces hurdles : 90% of organisations globally reported challenges in moving toward passwordless authentication. This struggle is reflected in user behaviour, as 57% still don't use passwordless as their primary authentication method. British organisations reported some of the slowest progress in implementing passwordless, with 72% saying their users had to rely on passwords to authenticate most of the time, : 90% of organisations globally reported challenges in moving toward passwordless authentication. This struggle is reflected in user behaviour, as 57% still don't use passwordless as their primary authentication method. British organisations reported some of the slowest progress in implementing passwordless, with 72% saying their users had to rely on passwords to authenticate most of the time, Cybersecurity's AI optimism adoption: The cybersecurity sector is largely optimistic about AI, with 83% expecting it to benefit cybersecurity more than it will benefit cybercrime in the next three years. This optimism translates into action: 91% of organisations plan to implement AI in their tech stack this year, marking a 12-percentage-point increase year-over-year. "The 2026 RSA ID IQ Report underscores that identity simply fails too many organisations too often," said RSA CEO Greg Nelson. "The likelihood of a breach-and the cost of inaction-are too high for leaders to tolerate the status quo. Instead, these new findings should urge organisations to act quickly to keep themselves secure." "Identity-related breaches exploded in 2026, jumping from impacting 42% of organisations to 69% in just one year, with help desk social engineering emerging as a major new attack vector," said RSA Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Laura Marx. "It's urgent that leaders use this data to assess their identity capabilities and prioritize the actions to stay safe." "The 2026 RSA ID IQ Report demonstrates that the UK faces unique cybersecurity challenges and growing concern that our IT help desks will put organisations here at risk," said Ben Tuckwell, Regional Director, EMEA West. "British security leaders should download the report to learn the global trends shaping identity security and the pronounced local risks that set the UK apart." Resources: Download the 2026 RSA ID IQ Report Download the 2026 RSA ID IQ Report Infographic About RSA RSA provides mission-critical cybersecurity solutions that protect the world's most security-sensitive organisations. The RSA Unified Identity Platform provides true passwordless identity security, risk-based access, automated identity intelligence, and comprehensive identity governance across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments. More than 9,000 high-security organisations trust RSA to manage more than 60 million identities, detect threats, secure access, and enable compliance. For additional information, visit our website to contact sales, find a partner, or learn more about RSA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209469666/en/ Contacts: teamrsa@axicom.com WARSAW, Poland, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Workai, a leader in digital workplace solutions, announces a new standard for the future of work with the introduction of "AI for Work" - a strategic shift that places artificial intelligence at the core of the digital employee experience. This transformation reshapes how modern organizations approach internal communication, knowledge sharing, learning, and everyday tasks within AI-first work revolution. By embedding AI into the heart of its platform, Workai introduces intelligent capabilities that assist employees daily - not by replacing them, but by simplifying routines, accelerating access to knowledge, and reducing friction across the employee journey. Workai Intelligence: an AI layer across the entire employee experience platform At the core of Workai Intelligence is an enterprise-grade AI layer that enhances workflows and brings intelligent support to employees at every level - from headquarters to frontline and field teams: Workai Buddy - personal AI assistant for every employee - personal AI assistant for every employee AI Search - smart, context-aware answers to any question - smart, context-aware answers to any question AI Insights - proactive, data-driven recommendations for managers - proactive, data-driven recommendations for managers AI CMS - AI-powered content generation, transformation, and translation - AI-powered content generation, transformation, and translation AI Discovery - summaries of updates, discussions, and meetings - summaries of updates, discussions, and meetings AI Governance - automated detection and blocking of inappropriate content - automated detection and blocking of inappropriate content AI for Enterprise - secure, scalable, customizable AI operating within the company's protected environment For 10 years, Workai has helped innovative organizations connect, engage, train, and empower their employees. The next step is AI that is not another tool people need to learn, but a natural companion supporting every employee in their work. "AI for Work is about giving employees the space to work more effectively and creatively. We are shifting the focus from manual content management, time-consuming search, and routine administration to an AI operating layer." - Lukasz Sklodowski CEO & cofounder of Workai Workai, a complete employee experience platform for modern communication, empowers employees with personalized digital experiences that drive productivity and connection. With modules such as Intranet, Knowledge, Connections, Mobile, Forms, Spaces, Learning, and Analytics, Workai helps organizations - from finance and healthcare to energy, retail, and government - keep their people informed, engaged, and aligned. Workai combines AI with enterprise-grade security, scalability and the consumer-grade simplicity people expect. With seamless integrations, AI, and analytics, Workai enables companies to deliver employee experiences that are intuitive, measurable, and built to scale. Learn more: www.workai.com/ai-for-work. Media Contact: Greg Ciwoniuk greg@workai.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=614vhlZoGJk Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839629/Workai.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2839628/Workai_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/workai-introduces-ai-for-work-the-ai-native-approach-to-employee-experience-302636843.html ? Nota AI's model compression and optimization technology enables device-level deployment of the high-performance LLM, EXAONE ? Partnership leverages Nota AI's solution portfolio to expand EXAONE adoption and unlock new joint commercial opportunities SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nota AI, a company specializing in AI model compression and optimization technologies, announced today that it has signed a partnership agreement with LG AI Research to support the commercialization of EXAONE, a large language model (LLM). Under this partnership, the two companies will collaborate to integrate Nota AI's compression and optimization technology into EXAONE and to pursue joint business opportunities by leveraging Nota AI's solution portfolio across industries. This collaboration will strengthen the companies' competitiveness and accelerate the expansion of LLM applications in the market. With the agreement in place, Nota AI and LG AI Research have established a concrete cooperation framework that enhances their ability to scale EXAONE across diverse industries. LG AI Research will use Nota AI's solutions to improve technical support efficiency and broaden EXAONE's applicability in real-world environments. For Nota AI, the partnership enables the company to bring EXAONE to a wider range of devices and incorporate the model into its transportation, industrial safety, and other solution offerings-creating new commercial opportunities. EXAONE is a next-generation large language model designed to process diverse data such as text and images. It offers advanced natural language understanding and generation capabilities and is built for scalable deployment from cloud environments to on-device systems. Nota AI's model compression and optimization technology reduces computational overhead and memory usage, enabling large AI models like EXAONE to operate efficiently across a variety of semiconductor platforms. Core techniques such as pruning-which removes redundant computations-and quantization-which optimizes weight precision-allow EXAONE to run effectively in device-constrained environments. Through the partnership, Nota AI will support EXAONE's deployment across diverse hardware and industries, promoting wider adoption among customers in transportation, industrial safety, and beyond. "Myungsu Chae, CEO of Nota AI, said, 'This partnership creates a meaningful win-win structure that strengthens our competitiveness in the AI solutions market. We are committed to supporting the deployment of LG AI Research's high-performance EXAONE model across a wide range of industries.'" Hwayoung Lee, Executive Director leading AI Business Development at LG AI Research, remarked, "Our partnership with Nota AI presents an important opportunity to extend the impact of EXAONE into more industrial domains. We expect it to play a significant role in generating tangible business value." The two companies plan to continue collaborating on research, development, and business expansion to advance EXAONE's adoption in industry-focused AI applications. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2841517/Nota_AI__Press_release_Cover.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nota-ai-signs-exaone-commercialization-partnership-with-lg-ai-research-to-accelerate-llm-adoption-through-ai-model-compression-technology-302637334.html Mission-aligned investors back platform enabling personalized, cross-brand cooking experiences DUBLIN, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresco, the platform powering smart cooking experiences for the world's leading appliance brands, today announced the closing of its Series C funding round of 15 million, backed by a group of investors committed to reshaping the future of food, home cooking, and connectivity. The round includes new investment from Samuel Dennigan (Strong Roots), Barry Napier (Cubic3), and Tyler Hu (Arda), alongside follow-on participation from existing investors Middleby, ACT Venture Capital, AE Ventures, Morpheus Ventures, and Alsop Louie Partners. The global smart kitchen appliances market is projected to reach approximately USD 60 billion by 2030; however, most appliance brands still lack a way to deliver personalized cooking experiences at scale, a gap that Fresco solves. The funding will accelerate the evolution of its AI Cooking Companion, a personalized, appliance-aware sous chef that suggests recipes, guides home cooks in real time, and intelligently controls and syncs appliances so meals turn out perfectly, whether through screens, voice, or seamlessly across both. The investment will enable Fresco to scale this experience globally through partnerships with the biggest appliance brands. The round follows a wave of industry adoption, including new OEM partnerships with E.G.O. and Arda, who manufacture appliances and components for hundreds of global brands. By integrating at this layer, Fresco has the potential to be distributed across every appliance built by these OEMs, enabling onboarding in days rather than months and rapidly extending the reach of Fresco's cross-brand platform, KitchenOS, and the AI Cooking Companion. "Almost every part of daily life has been transformed by technology except the kitchen, where the opportunity to help people is arguably the biggest," said Ben Harris, CEO and co-founder of Fresco. "Fresco already connects all the pieces, positioning us to make AI genuinely useful in the kitchen, personalizing every cooking experience to make it effortless to cook a delicious, healthy meal. And as more partners join the ecosystem, the experience gets better and smarter for everyone." Fresco already powers cooking experiences across appliances from global brands, including Panasonic, Instant Pot Brands, Viking, Kenwood, and more, enabling home cooks to enjoy intuitive, guided cooking that works with the devices they own. With this next phase of growth, Fresco is evolving from powering connected appliances to driving intelligent, personalized cooking at scale. "As someone who has spent years helping people make better everyday food choices, Fresco feels like the next step. Not just changing what we eat, but how we cook, using technology to make it easier, more personal and more sustainable," said Samuel Dennigan, who scaled Strong Roots into one of Europe's leading consumer food brands. "Fresco is delivering the scale and simplicity this industry has been waiting for-making intelligence in the kitchen invisible, effortless, and deeply personal. It's the only ecosystem capable of harmonizing hardware, connectivity, and AI to truly transform how we cook," said Barry Napier, CEO of Cubic3, who led the company through its global automotive connectivity expansion and acquisition. About Fresco Fresco is the smart kitchen platform trusted by the world's leading appliance brands to launch faster, deliver better customer experiences, and accelerate digital transformation. Powered by KitchenOS and the Fresco AI Cooking Companion, the platform connects any appliance across any brand and supports rapid onboarding, global scalability, and 15+ languages. Fresco works with partners including Panasonic, Middleby, Kenwood, Instant Pot Brands, Bosch, GE Appliances, LG, and more, and operates globally from offices in Dublin and Madrid. To learn more, visit frescocooks.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fresco-raises-15m-series-c-to-power-the-future-of-ai-driven-cooking-and-the-connected-kitchen-ecosystem-302637264.html New regional hub strengthens customer proximity, expands local expertise, and supports accelerated growth across LATAM Castles Technology, leader in Android payment acceptance solutions, today announced the opening of its new office in Mexico City. This expansion strengthens the company's presence in Latin America and enhances its ability to support customers with greater proximity, flexibility, and regional expertise. The new office represents one of Castles Technology's largest team bases, reflecting the strong momentum and long term growth opportunities across the region. The opening of the Mexico office follows the company's recent expansion in Australia and reinforces Castles Technology's strategy to establish strong regional hubs that provide responsive local service and direct access to global expertise. The new Mexico City office will host an initial team of sales, technical support, project management, and operations. The space has been designed to scale as the company's footprint grows, and as the demand for secure, reliable, and future-ready payment solutions continues to rise across Latin America. Jean Philippe Niedergang, Chief Commercial Officer and CEO for EMEA Pacific LATAM at Castles Technology, said: "Opening our office in Mexico City is a significant milestone in Castles Technology's global expansion. Latin America is a dynamic and rapidly evolving payments market, and having a permanent local presence allows us to support our customers with greater agility, innovation, and confidence. This investment demonstrates our long term commitment to the region and strengthens our ability to deliver trusted, future ready technology to partners across Latin America." Bruno Pirtouscheg, Senior Vice President for LATAM at Castles Technology, added: "This new office enhances our ability to serve customers in Mexico and throughout Latin America. With a dedicated and growing local team, we are better positioned to deliver personalized support, faster deployments, and flexible solutions tailored to the needs of banks, acquirers, fintechs, ISVs, and merchants. We are proud to deepen our presence in the region and to help advance payment technology across Latin America." Castles Technology has more than 30 years of global payments experience, operates in over 150 countries, and has deployed millions of payment devices worldwide. The company is known for its secure, durable, and innovative Android and Linux based payment terminals and its partner driven approach, built on values that include agility, trust, innovation, respect, and teamwork. The Mexico City office marks an important step in Castles Technology's continued growth and reinforces its commitment to building strong relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders throughout the region. To learn more, visit: https://www.castlestech.com/ About Castles Technology Castles Technology is a global leader in payment acceptance solutions, providing cutting-edge terminals, innovative solutions, and exceptional services to empower the payment ecosystem. Castles Technology partners with over thousands of customers including banks, merchants, FinTechs, acquirers, ISVs, and PSPs, deploying millions of POS terminals worldwide for retailers of all sizes. As the foremost Android payment acceptance, Castles Technology offers secure, reliable, and seamless solutions with global and local reach. With over 30 years of experience, the company's dedicated community of experts is committed to anticipating and shaping the future of commerce worldwide, while their powerful devices, secure payment solutions, and top-notch services ensure unparalleled quality and performance. The company believes in the importance of innovation and sustainability and is committed to making a positive impact on the world through our products, services, and operations. Website: https://www.castlestech.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209762495/en/ Contacts: Scott Girling-Heathcote, SkyParlour for Castles Technology scott@skyparlour.com +44 (0)330 043 1315 A survey commissioned by UK for UNHCR explores how music brings people together across cultures, inspired by recent historical research led by Royal College of Music Research Fellow Norbert Meyn. The survey reveals fascinating insights into music's role in helping to form social bonds, build community and develop understanding across cultures in the UK. The study forms part of the 'Hope on Repeat' campaign, launched by the UN Refugee Agency's UK charity partner, to raise awareness of the hardship facing people forced to flee their homes in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine this winter. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210148651/en/ Hope on Repeat guests and Refugee Storytellers, Mariia, Maysa and Smajo (from left to right) meeting for the first time to discuss their chosen Hope Hits. Music connects us all Questioned on music's role in UK society, 73% of respondents see music as a way to build better relationships between people from different backgrounds1. The survey revealed: Over a third (36%) cite music as a universal language 30% see music as a source of unity More than a quarter (26%) think music breaks down social barriers 26% value music's ability to start conversations The survey also reports that 60% of people in the UK believe that listening to music from different parts of the world builds connection and understanding with people from different cultures 2? six times the number who disagree. As well as making people feel closer to others, it's clear that music helps respondents to feel more positive: well over half (57%) state that they have go-to songs that lift their spirits, make them feel hopeful and inspired; and close to half (49%) turn to music to help them through difficult times. Music as a safe space The results of the survey underline music's role in building communities and solidarity with others. Royal College of Music Research Fellow, Norbert Meyn, whose research inspired the survey said, "Music travels easily across borders and does not need a passport. When people move, music moves with them, and music can also travel through sheet music and recordings. UK for UNHCR's survey findings show that we not only turn to music as a source of hope and identity for ourselves, but we also see it as a way to actively connect with others. When shared, music can help us feel emotional warmth and human connection. Music drives a sense of community and togetherness like few other mediums." Streaming and social media broaden perspectives Responses also show that the ways we now access music, across platforms such as Spotify, TikTok and YouTube help to broaden perspectives. 70% of respondents aged 18-34 believe that streaming and social media have introduced them to music from cultures they might not have heard before. Vote for your Hope Hit UK for UNHCR's survey supports its 'Hope on Repeat' winter campaign. Hope on Repeat uses the medium of music to raise awareness of the hardship facing people forcibly displaced from their homes in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine at the coldest time of the year. Everyone in the UK is invited to vote for their HopeHit; the songs that bring joy, hope and inspire a sense of community. Nominations are building the UK's definitive Hope on Repeat Playlist, a soundtrack of solidarity with the UK's favourite HopeHit announced in January 2026. The Hope on Repeat Podcast also hears from people who have been forced to flee their homes, with the stories and soundtracks of their inspiring lives. You can vote for your Hope Hit and listen to Hope on Repeat at https://unrefugees.org.uk/hope Hope on Repeat guest, Syrian human rights advocate and dancer, Maysa, said, "As a dancer, I see the power of music to connect and unite every day. In a world that seems to be so divided, the UK's belief in the power of music to unite is a real reason for hope." About the survey UK for UNHCR commissioned the research conducted by Censuswide, who questioned over 2,000 people from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in November this year. The data was collected between 17.11.2025 19.11.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council. Responses form a snapshot of UK attitudes to music's role in building better cultural understanding and strengthening communities in 2025. About UK for UNHCR UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency's national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR's work. unrefugees.org.uk UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers lifesaving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415). 1 Combining responses 'Yes because music is a universal language', 'Yes because shared music creates a sense of unity', 'Yes because it breaks down social barriers', 'Yes because it encourages conversation', and 'Yes other, please specify' 2 Combining responses 'Strongly agree' and 'Somewhat agree' View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210148651/en/ Contacts: For media enquiries, please contact: Sanjiv Winayak sanjiv@milkandhoneypr.com +44 (0)777 336 270 Seasoned finance leader to drive company's next phase of growth and innovation ZURICH, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Matrixport Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dominik Oggenfuss as Chief Executive Officer of Matrixport Asset Management AG, effective today. Dominik was previously a partner at Welsbach Holdings, bringing extensive experience in strategic advisory, venture and alternative investments. His expertise in business development and investor relations is complemented by executive education programs at Harvard Business School. With over 25 years of experience in the finance sector in Asia, Middle East and Europe, Dominik will lead the company's strategic growth initiatives in Switzerland, oversee investment operations, and drive innovation across the rapidly evolving digital asset and traditional finance landscape. "With our Swiss asset management platform in place, Matrixport Asset Management is entering its next phase focused on scaling an institution-grade business across Europe. Dominik's appointment reflects our priorities in strengthening investment capabilities and building a long-term presence in key European markets." said John Ge, CEO of Matrixport Group. "I am honored to join Matrixport Asset Management AG as CEO and I look forward to working with the talented team. Being part of Matrixport Group, a global digital asset player in Asia, I am convinced we can deliver innovative investment solutions, strengthen client relationships, and expand Matrixport Group's presence in both traditional and digital asset markets in Switzerland and beyond." said Dominik Oggenfuss. Other Key Personnel Appointments Friedrich Herzog will be appointed Chief Investment Officer. Previously serving as Head of Research and Senior Portfolio Manager, Friedrich brings over a decade of expertise in managing both quantitative and discretionary strategies across multiple asset classes, complemented by strong technical and cross-asset experience. He has held positions at leading firms including Goldman Sachs and Omers Capital in New York, US. In his new role, Friedrich will continue to lead portfolio management and investment research, further advancing the company's standing in the sector. Hui Wang will assume responsibility as Chief Operating Officer in addition to her current position as Chief Compliance Officer. Hui will oversee operations, technology, risk and compliance. Joined Matrixport Group in 2019, Hui previously worked as Senior Compliance Officer at UBS, Credit Suisse, and Bank Julius Baer, brings extensive experience in operational leadership and regulatory compliance. Recent Strategic Milestone: Expansion into Europe In 2024, Matrixport expanded into the European crypto asset management market through its 100% acquisition of licensed Swiss manager Crypto Finance (Asset Management) AG. Following the all-cash acquisition, the firm was renamed Matrixport Asset Management AG, providing the Group with institutional-grade capabilities, FINMA-authorized asset management, and enhanced reach into key European markets under applicable regulatory regimes. About Matrixport Asset Management AG Matrixport Asset Management AG is a FINMA-authorized Manager of Collective Investment, bridging traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem. The firm offers a comprehensive suite of regulated products, including funds, ETPs, AMCs, and discretionary asset management, providing institutional-grade security and compliant products for its clients. About Matrixport Founded in 2019, Matrixport is a global leading one-stop digital asset financial services platform that bridges traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem through technology and regulatory compliance. The company has grown into a unicorn with a valuation exceeding US$1 billion and has established a licensed and regulated presence across major financial centres, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. With seven offices worldwide, Matrixport manages more than US$7 billion in assets, facilitates monthly trading volumes exceeding US$7 billion, with cumulative interest payments surpassing US$2 billion. Its platform offers a comprehensive range of digital financial services including custody, wealth and yield management, structured products, and trading solutions for global clients. Guided by the principles of compliance, resilience, technology-driven innovation, and security, Matrixport has built a robust global compliance framework and a multi-layered risk management and security infrastructure, supported by a worldwide licensing footprint. As a Group, and through its local subsidiaries, Matrixport holds a Hong Kong Trust Company License and Money Lender License, a U.S. Money Services Business (MSB) registration, a Swiss FINMA asset management license, and a Financial Services Licence (FSL) in Bhutan. It is also an FCA-authorised appointed representative in the United Kingdom and a member of Switzerland's FINMA-recognised SRO-VFQ, while its subsidiary, Fly Wing, is licensed as a Major Payment Institution in Singapore. Upholding its mission to "make global assets safer and more accessible," Matrixport continues to advance the global development of digital financial infrastructure and has been recognised on the Hurun "2024 Global Unicorn Index" and the "2025 Singapore FinTech Unicorn List." Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2529911/Matrixport_2024_2025_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/matrixport-appoints-dominik-oggenfuss-as-chief-executive-officer-of-matrixport-asset-management-ag-302637395.html EQS Newswire / 10/12/2025 / 16:39 UTC+8 On 25 November 2025, ActusRayPartners won two prestigious awards at the HFM European Performance Awards 2025: 1) "European equity", and 2) "Market-neutral". These two accolades recognize the outstanding performance of the ActusRayPartners European Alpha Fund from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025. ActusRayPartners is a quantitatively oriented but ultimately discretionary hedge fund manager seeded and supported by Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners, the funds management platform of Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited ("SHK & Co.", SEHK: 86). Established in 2019, ActusRayPartners has achieved significant growth, with its assets under management (AUM) increasing over 100 times to surpass US$2 billion as of 30 November 2025. As equity markets advanced over the performance assessment period, it is a significant achievement that ActusRayPartners' equity market-neutral work (which carries near-zero beta) was strong enough to win against both equity long-short (which often carries approximately 50% beta) and equity market-neutral peers in the same evaluation window. Since the "Market-neutral" category was introduced at the HFM European Performance Awards, no other hedge fund manager has won both best equity long-short and best equity market-neutral in the same year. Additionally, no other Asia-based manager has won either of these two categories for, at least, the past decade+. "As a Hong Kong-headquartered asset management company, we are proud that our European strategy has been consistently recognised since its inception in March 2021, including winning an award in each of the past three years. We believe these awards reflect the strength of our Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process and the dedication of our team," said the Co-Founders of ActusRayPartners. Tony Edwards, Executive Director and Deputy CEO of SHK & Co., commented: "Congratulations to the ActusRayPartners team on their remarkable double win at the HFM Performance Awards! To win in both the Equity Market-Neutral and Equity Long-Short categories is a significant achievement and a testament to their expertise and disciplined strategy. As a long-term seeding partner, we take great pride in their tremendous growth since our collaboration began five years ago. At SHK & Co., we remain dedicated to support and empower specialist emerging asset managers across Asia, helping them thrive in dynamic markets. ActusRayPartners exemplifies this partnership and commitment." The HFM European Performance Awards is highly regarded in the hedge fund industry, honouring excellence in various categories such as fund performance, operational capabilities, and service providers. Organized by HFM Global, a leading source of hedge fund intelligence, these awards have a long history of celebrating firms that demonstrate exceptional performance and innovation. - End - About ActusRayPartners ActusRayPartners is a Hong Kong-headquartered asset management company equally co-founded by Andrew Alexander, Raymond Chan, and Patrick Cheung in 2019. Several members of the team previously worked together in the Quantitative Hedge Funds division of Macquarie Group. Today, ActusRayPartners comprises 36 members across Hong Kong and Sydney, managing over US$2 billion (as of 30 November 2025) across Europe and Asia. ActusRayPartners employs a Discretionary Probabilistic Investing process which is a synthesis of: (1) a quantitative base, and (2) discretionary adjustments to address quantitative deficiencies. The quantitative base uses fundamental, sentiment, technical and alternative data, and employs advanced statistics, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence techniques. The discretionary work focuses on addressing challenges with purely systematic processes and is not fundamental, macro or flow driven. ActusRayPartners is licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (Type 4 "Advising on Securities" and Type 9 "Asset Management" license) and is a Registered Investment Adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and has not yet made an application to be licensed in any other jurisdiction. About Sun Hung Kai & Co. and Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners Sun Hung Kai & Co. Limited (SEHK: 86) ("SHK & Co." / the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is a leading Hong Kong-based financial institution recognised for its expertise in alternative investments and wealth management. Since 1969, the Company has built a diversified investment portfolio across public markets, credit and alternatives strategies including real estate and private equity, delivering long-term risk-adjusted returns. Leveraging on its deep-rooted Asian heritage, SHK & Co. supports and nurtures specialist emerging asset managers in the region, empowering them to excel. SHK & Co. also utilises its long-standing investment expertise and resources in providing tailored investment solutions to like-minded partners and ultra-high-net-worth investors through its Family Office Solutions. As at 30 June 2025, the Group held about HK$37.7 billion in total assets. For more information, please visit: www.shkco.com / follow SHK & Co. on LinkedIn . Founded in 2020, Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners Limited ("SHKCP") is a Hong Kong SFC regulated subsidiary of SHK & Co., with Type 1, 4 and 9 licenses. For more information, please visit: www.shkcapital.com / follow SHKCP on LinkedIn . For media enquiries, please contact: Burson Sidney Leng +852 5443 4320 Caleb Leung +852 9190 1969 Joyce Zhan +852 9142 2528 Email: SHKCo@hkstrategies.com Australian biotech All G has raised over A$10 million in a convertible note round ahead of its Series B raise, injecting additional capital for commercial-scale production of its first bovine lactoferrin product due to launch in Q1 2026. In parallel, All G and French global bioactives leader Armor Proteines have established a joint venture (JV) to produce and commercialise human and bovine lactoferrin. One of the most powerful functional milk proteins, lactoferrin's antimicrobial properties and ability to support iron absorption have led to applications across infant nutrition, nutraceuticals, personal care, and therapeutics. The JV will combine All G's world-leading precision fermentation platform and deep scientific capabilities, with Armor Proteines' expertise in high-value, bioactive functional milk proteins, to transform how lactoferrin is made, purchased and consumed. The inclusion of human lactoferrin in the JV represents a pathway to creating infant formulas that more closely reflect the protein profile of breast milk. A new way to meet global lactoferrin demand Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein found in both human and cow's milk. It offers health benefits across the lifespan, playing critical roles in immune function, iron homeostasis, and gastrointestinal and dermatological health. Lactoferrin is traditionally extracted from cow's milk, requiring thousands of litres of milk to yield just one kilogram of lactoferrin. As a result, lactoferrin remains one of the most expensive functional ingredients and is used only in a limited proportion of infant formula products, primarily in premium and super premium formulations. The development of recombinant lactoferrin as an alternative to animal-based production has long been constrained by technical barriers notably replicating native glycosylation patterns and achieving yields sufficient for commercial viability. All G has overcome these hurdles, enabling the production of lactoferrin with high purity, consistent quality, scalable production, and ultimately greater global accessibility. Bringing human milk proteins to market All G's human lactoferrin will be bio-equivalent to the native form with greater than 95% purity. As the company's first recombinant human milk protein, it marks a step toward improving early life nutrition, bringing infant formula closer to the composition of human milk. Armor Proteines' deep expertise in bioactives, large-scale ingredient manufacturing and commercialization of infant formula ingredients, and long-standing relationships with world-leading nutrition companies position the JV to scale human lactoferrin production rapidly and reliably across global nutrition markets. Progressing quickly to commercial launch Pilot-scale production of All G's recombinant bovine lactoferrin is already complete. The company has already self-affirmed GRAS status for adult nutrition sales in the US and approval for personal care sales in China, with further filings underway. About All G All G is an Australian biotech developing next-generation human and bovine milk proteins using precision fermentation technology. Focusing on high-value recombinant proteins, the company has filed multiple patents covering its proprietary compositions and processes, including micelle assembly, scalable manufacture, and applications in human milk compositions. All G's first product, a bovine lactoferrin powder, will launch in late 2025 and will be followed by human lactoferrin in early 2026. About Armor Proteines Armor Proteines, a subsidiary of Savencia Fromage Dairy, is a global producer of lactoferrin, supplying high-purity proteins to the infant formula, adult nutrition, and health supplement industries for over 30 years. Armor Proteines' long-standing customer relationships, scientific expertise and deep experience in distribution make it a preferred partner for next-generation nutrition ingredients. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209182972/en/ Contacts: ALL G CO PTY LIMITED 723-725 ELIZABETH ST WATERLOO NSW AUSTRALIA 2017 shae@allg.com SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dreame Technology is entering the global mini LED TV market with its Dreame TV series through Shenzhen Televi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., a technology enterprise under Dreame. After its debut at IFA Berlin and ELLE POP - UP in Hungary, it will also be exhibited at CES. Having been launched in Singapore and other countries, the series is planned for release in the United Arab Emirates in December, and Malaysia is also incorporated into the release scheme. The Dreame TV S100 and V3000 series showcased the Aura Mini LED technology at the 138th Canton Fair, which was recently inaugurated. The S100 exhibited in November at Budapest's premier ELLE POP-UP exhibition. S100 features Aura Mini LED backlight with full-array local dimming, delivering precise light control and deep blacks. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits and QLED+ technology producing over 1.07 billion colors, every detail is sharp and every shade true to life. Powered by the custom Dreamind Pro AI Processor, 2K content is intelligently upscaled close to 4K, with adaptive color and clarity tuning for natural, vivid frames. At the same time, the S100 is integrated with the Dreame 4.1.2ch Master Sound System, equipped with 11 sound units covering high, mid, and low frequency ranges, delivering a more complete sound layer. The peak power reaches 70W, far higher than the typical 40W output of mainstream TVs, providing more ample soundstage energy. With 270 physical sound coverage, it creates an audio field that nearly envelops the entire space. The S100 features a fully integrated soundbar system, making the purchase of this television functionally equivalent to acquiring both a standalone TV and a separate soundbar. Dreame's global flagship V3000 features a "Black Crystal True Color Screen" with just 1.8% reflectivity, eliminating glare in bright environments. Its Aura Mini LED Premium Display combines QLED and Mini LED technologies, delivering 1 billion colors, 98% DCI-P3 coverage, ?E0.7 color accuracy, and 2800 nits peak brightness. Gaming performance excels with a 300Hz refresh rate, 5.3ms input lag, and support for VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. The integrated Dreame Master Sound System 2.1.2ch with Dolby Atmos is equipped with a dedicated subwoofer and a dual - horn design. It generates a 270 physical sound coverage, as opposed to the ordinary 360 - degree surround sound adjusted by algorithms. We eagerly anticipate the launch of the V3000 in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Indonesia. Dreame TV has showcased its projectors and audio systems at IFA, with plans to exhibit at CES. The product line includes the T2 laser projector, offering 120-inch Full HD images with auto-correction and a battery-powered design, and the T3 ultra-short-throw model for large screens from a minimal distance. Shenzhen Televi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. is a technology enterprise under Dreame, dedicated to advancing innovation in home audio-visual and display technologies. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dreame-tvs-international-blitz-next-gen-mini-led-technology-storms-global-stage-302637728.html Award-winning Iris datalink service is paving the way to trajectory-based operations, which can cut emissions and enhance efficiency for European airlines ROME, Dec. 10, 2025, a global leader in satellite communications, today announced that ITA Airways, Italy's reference carrier, is taking to the sky equipped with Iris technology. The award-winning European Space Agency (ESA) Iris programme, within ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications, is led by Viasat and takes advantage of next-generation satellite technologies to help modernize Air Traffic Management (ATM). The service is underpinned by Iris Service Provider and key project partner ESSP, who holds the EASA certification for Iris services provision and has onboarded 19 leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) for the Pre-commercial Flights phase, a crucial validation period ahead of deployment. This phase will conclude by the end of 2025. Starting in 2026, the commercial phase will begin with the goal of onboarding 28 'Single Europan Sky (SES) 2+' ANSPs by 2032, supporting operations of more than 1,100 Iris-capable aircraft flying in Europe. The Iris programme puts the Single European Sky initiative, which aims to reform ATM in Europe, into action, with ITA Airways one of several airlines leading the way. The Iris capability will initially be rolled out on four ITA Airways Airbus A320neo aircraft. Iris will enable ITA Airways to unlock increased operational efficiencies, achieving improvements in fuel burn and reductions in emissions, as well as contributing to improved airspace modernization across Europe. This is critical in the industry's continued path towards net zero and 4D trajectory-based operations. Offered as a fully developed and certified capability by Airbus on the A320 and A330 series aircraft, Iris enables initial 4D trajectory-based operations to share trajectory and intent-based operational information. This enables airlines to avoid holding patterns, calculate the shortest available routes, cruise at optimum altitudes, and benefit from continuous climb and descent pathways. It also paves the way for multilink data link communications using both VDL2 and Iris SATCOM methods, which is critical to modernizing ATM. Iris is powered by Viasat's SwiftBroadband-Safety(SB-S) connectivity platform. ITA Airways will operate Iris enabled flights on routes from Milan and Rome to destinations across Europe. Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said "The introduction of Iris technology on our aircraft represents a significant step forward in enhancing operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. "At ITA Airways, we are deeply committed to supporting the modernization of European airspace as part of the roadmap toward the Single European Sky, and to playing an active role in the advancement of Air Traffic Management. Through this partnership with Viasat, ESA, and ESSP, we will improve flight punctuality, optimize fuel consumption, and further reduce emissions. "This initiative perfectly complements our ongoing fleet renewal programme, which already comprises 69% of new-generation aircraft - delivering greater value to our passengers and contributing to a more sustainable future for air travel in Italy and across Europe." Joel Klooster, SVP, Flight Safety and Advanced Air Mobility at Viasat, said: "We're thrilled to see Iris taking to the skies on ITA Airways' flights across Europe. ITA has been committed to the goals of the Single European Skies initiative for a long time. It's been fantastic to work so closely with them, as well as our partners ESA and ESSP, to bring the benefits of Iris' next-generation technology to more flights and passengers across Europe. We look forward to seeing success with these flights: and to rolling out the programme across more routes and airlines soon." Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA's Connectivity and Secure Communications, said: "With the addition of ITA Airways to the Iris service, another milestone has been achieved in supporting the European Commission's Single European Sky vision for an efficient and environmentally friendly European airspace. The adoption of Iris is a key space-based solution for European Air Traffic Management, which will - in turn - pave the way for global use. By supporting Iris through an ESA public-private partnership, we are delighted to combine our expertise with those of leading aviation actors across the continent and beyond it." Charlotte Neyret, CEO at ESSP, said: "We are thrilled that ITA Airways is now using the Iris Service, marking a major step forward expanding operations across Europe. This is a strategic milestone that highlights the increasing pace of adoption and the growing relevance of Iris in European aviation. Having an additional leading European airline onboard strengthens the network, extends Iris usage across more airspace, and confirms the growing trust in the service's reliability and impact. It's a win that reflects both progress and potential, opening new doors for growth throughout the region." In recent years, the Iris programme has been developing globally. The Iris SATCOM Global Solution will focus on the technologies and certification required to share the fuel, CO 2 , and congestion-saving benefits. Iris is now ready to be assessed and expanded for use in other global regions such as Asia and the Americas. By 2028, Iris will be well placed to enable flight optimisation across the globe, making flights greener and more efficient. About ITA Airways ITA Airways is the Italian reference carrier. The Company is 59% owned by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and 41% by Deutsche Lufthansa AG. ITA Airways operates both passenger and cargo air transport services, providing Italy with high-quality connectivity to international destinations, supporting tourism and foreign trade, as well as domestic connectivity within the country, also leveraging integrated mobility. Through strong digitization of processes to ensure the best possible experience and personalized services, ITA Airways places customer service at the core of its strategy. This is combined with a commitment to sustainability, which encompasses environmental aspects (such as a young, technologically advanced fleet to reduce environmental impact), social aspects (a strong focus on its employees and the communities in which it operates), and governance aspects (integrating sustainability into internal strategies and processes). For press information : Pietro Caldaroni, Chief Communication Officer Mail: media@ita-airways.com About Viasat Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives anywhere they are-on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com , the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn , X , Instagram , Facebook , Bluesky , Threads , and YouTube . Copyright 2025 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. Viasat, Inc. Contacts: Scott Goryl, External Communications, Corporate & Commercial Services, Scott.Goryl@viasat.com Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, IR@viasat.com About ESSP ESSP SAS (European Satellite Services Provider) is a company that provides space-based Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services to different sectors, and in particular for aviation to enhance the safety and efficiency of the Air Traffic Management. ESSP is owned by 7 keys European ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers). As a multi-service CNS provider, ESSP operates complex space-based systems and delivers critical services under strict regulation conditions. ESSP, is a private company certified by EASA in Navigation and Communication satellite-based service provision. Our mission is to boost the potential of space-based technologies in critical operations, offering safe and secure services for greener and more connected worlds. We enable satellite technologies to power today's transport solutions around the world, providing essential 24/7 services to air navigation service providers and airspace users. ESSP offers specific engineering expertise including performance and network management of the latest space-based technologies such as but not limited to: GNSS for Navigation Datalink for Communications Technology in Surveillance Learn more at www.essp-sas.euor follow us on LinkedIn, X, Blueskyor YouTube. About the European Space Agency The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe's gateway to space. ESA is an intergovernmental organization, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA has 23 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members. ESA has now established formal cooperation agreements with all Member States of the European Union that are not ESA members. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. SUZHOU, China, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), has received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Liverpool. The award recognises his success in leading XJTLU - an innovative partnership between the University of Liverpool in the UK and Xi'an Jiaotong University in China - and his significant contributions to improving global higher education. The honour also marks the upcoming 20th anniversary of the joint venture. The Fellowship was conferred on 9 December during graduation ceremonies at Liverpool, where 2,500 graduates celebrated their achievements. During his visit, Professor Xi met students on the flagship 2+2 programme, which enables learners to study at both XJTLU and the University of Liverpool. He toured the Liverpool School of Architecture's new extension, and reunited with University of Liverpool colleagues who played an integral role in the establishment of XJTLU, including former Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Drummond Bone, Professor Kelvin Everest, and Professor Michael Fang. Professor Xi said: "Receiving this Honorary Fellowship is deeply meaningful to me, both personally and professionally. It represents the work we've done at XJTLU and symbolises the enduring partnership and shared vision between our two great institutions. "Seeing how our graduates are making their mark in the world with confidence and purpose fills me with pride. While in Liverpool, I was also able to reconnect with colleagues who stood with us at the very beginning of XJTLU's journey. "Celebrating XJTLU's 20th anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far we've come and, more importantly, to look forward to where we're heading. As we enter our third decade, I'm confident that XJTLU will continue to shape the future with wisdom and courage, staying true to our motto of 'Light and Wings'." University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said: "2026 marks 20 years since the foundation of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. Under Professor Xi's guidance, XJTLU has grown into an institution with a strong reputation for excellence in both education and research and, as we approach this milestone, we are delighted to recognise his achievements. "Professor Xi exemplifies distinguished leadership, international distinction, and a strong commitment to the University of Liverpool's mission and reputation. This honour reflects his pivotal role in building a globally respected institution that embodies the mission and ambitions of both universities." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842526/Professor_Youmin_Xi__left__Professor_Tim_Jones_ceremony.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/professor-youmin-xi-honoured-with-university-of-liverpool-fellowship-302637776.html ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At the world's largest media and creativity gathering, the BRIDGE Summit, China's embodied AI unicorn AI Robotics unveiled its next-generation general-purpose robot AlphaBot 2-marking its first public appearance in the UAE. On this global stage connecting media, technology, and the creative industries, AlphaBot 2 delivered two world-first demonstrations: fully autonomous coffee-making and a live drum performance. Both were executed on the same hardware and the same model, with no scripts, tele-operation, or pre-programmed motion libraries. This year's BRIDGE Summit gathered more than 60,000 participants from 132 countries, including 1,200 CEOs and 5,000 media professionals, positioning the event as a global "bridge" between creativity and technology. Against this backdrop, AI Robotics has quickly become one of the most discussed innovators from China. Notably, BRIDGE Summit also named AI Robotics its strategic robotics partner, formalized through an MoU signed by H.E. Dr. Jamal Mohammed Obaid Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of BRIDGE, and Dr. Yandong Guo, Founder and CEO of AI Robotics. The partnership aims to accelerate the UAE's adoption of general-purpose robots, deepen tech exchange, and support deployments aligned with the nation's AI strategy. During live demos, AlphaBot 2 smoothly shifted from full coffee-making to a high-tempo drum performance-despite complex lighting, dense crowds, and unstable networks. It maintained stability through fully on-device inference. Its general-purpose capability comes from GOVLA, the world's first Global & Omni-body Vision-Language-Action model, enabling 360 perception, whole-body control, and long-horizon task reasoning. Dr. Guo was invited to deliver a keynote outlining China's pathway in embodied intelligence. He emphasized that general-purpose robots are emerging as the next revolutionary intelligent terminal, enabled by the convergence of AI Hardware Real Scenarios. As he noted: "Without AI, it's just metal. Without hardware, it's just code. Without scenarios, it's just a demo." He summarized AI Robotics' engineering philosophy as: "Aim for the stars, stay grounded on earth." The company is advancing physical-world AGI while deploying mass-producible robots that learn from real-world use. AlphaBot 2 is already deployed across manufacturing, biotech, semiconductors, and public services in China, continuously feeding back real-world data to advance GOVLA. Dr. Guo concluded: "Everyone will one day have their own general-purpose robot." Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842528/image_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842529/Image_2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ai-robotics-debuts-govla-powered-alphabot-2-at-bridge-summit-redefining-general-purpose-robotics-302637783.html SINGAPORE, SG / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Ryde Group Ltd (NYSE American:RYDE) ("Ryde" or the "Company"), a leading technology platform for mobility and quick commerce in Singapore, today announced a bold strategic initiative to expand into the electric vehicle ("EV") rental market. This milestone accelerates Ryde's ambitions in sustainable mobility and positions the Company to capture the surging demand for eco-friendly transportation in Singapore, fuelled by supportive government policies, corporate ESG priorities and rapid consumer adoption of EVs. Ryde will ensure full compliance with LTA guidelines and EV charging safety standards, proactively addressing regulatory and safety considerations as it scales its EV rental operations. Advancing Sustainable Mobility and Unlocking New Growth Ryde's entry into EV rentals marks a significant step forward in strengthening its clean-transport ecosystem.. By tapping into its established driver base and robust operational infrastructure, including proven processes for fleet allocation and maintenance, the Company will diversify revenue streams, elevate rider and driver experience, and enhance its ESG leadership. Through this initiative, Ryde aims to build a highly engaged and sustainability-focused community, expanding touchpoints across its platform and creating new opportunities for strategic partnerships. Strategic Partnerships Secured for Scalable EV Fleet Growth To deliver on this initiative, Ryde is partnering with Guan Chao Holdings Ltd ("GCHL") and Singapore Electric Vehicles Pte Ltd ("SEV") to secure a fleet of up to 400 EVs over the next six months under a structured Call Option Agreement. This collaboration provides Ryde with priority access to EV supply, fleet-level pricing advantages and flexible financing structures, ensuring a scalable and capital-efficient rollout. Positioned to Capitalize on Singapore's Accelerating EV Shift "This strategic expansion into the EV rental market demonstrates Ryde's commitment to sustainable growth and innovation," said Terence Zou, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ryde. "As EV adoption accelerates in Singapore, Ryde is uniquely positioned to shape this transformation. Expanding access to EVs not only lowers operating costs for our drivers and enhances the user experience, but also provides predictable operating costs and a lower cost per km, offering clear economic benefits to our driver community, while opening new avenues for long-term value creation for our shareholders." Strengthening Ryde's Long-Term ESG and Market Leadership Vision The EV rental program complements Ryde's broader sustainability and product innovation roadmap, forming a strong foundation for long-term expansion in the clean mobility sector. As Singapore's EV ecosystem rapidly matures, Ryde's early move into this space positions the Company to capture emerging demand and reinforce its commitment to delivering economic, environmental and social value. About Ryde Group Ltd Ryde, a homegrown super mobility app founded in Singapore, is the world's FIRST on-demand carpooling app since 2014. As a publicly listed company on the NYSE American, we are reimagining the way people and goods move around. We offer a full suite of services, including carpooling, private hire, taxi, and delivery, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to empower our private-hire and taxi partners. We take 0% commission, ensuring that more of every hard-earned dollar goes to drivers on our platform. For more information, please visit https://rydesharing.com/ . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time, we or our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the information currently available to us. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including: our financial performance and projections; our growth in revenue and earnings; and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including: our ability to change the direction of the Company; our ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives, may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this press release and other statements made from time to time by us or our representatives might not occur. Contacts For Media Relations: Media Team Ryde Group Ltd Email: media@rydesharing.com For Investor Relations: Investor Relations Team Ryde Group Ltd Email: investor@rydesharing.com SOURCE: Ryde Group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/ryde-accelerates-growth-with-strategic-expansion-into-electric-ve-1116209 Featuring senior sustainability leaders from the European Space Agency, NVIDIA, Schneider Electric, Virgin Media O2, Odfjell and the Met Office LONDON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit will return to London on 4-5 March 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster. The esteemed event is part of BizClik's global sustainability portfolio and focuses on accelerating net-zero strategy, decarbonisation, and sustainable transformation across enterprise and public-sector organisations. The net-zero summit will run alongside its sister event, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit , reinforcing the critical connection between sustainability, responsible procurement and supply-chain decarbonisation. Why This Summit Matters Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 will feature: 50+ speakers across sustainability, energy, procurement, supply chain, climate tech and ESG across sustainability, energy, procurement, supply chain, climate tech and ESG 10 themed content tracks , covering the most urgent net-zero and decarbonisation challenges , covering the most urgent net-zero and decarbonisation challenges 4 executive workshops , designed for leaders shaping net-zero strategy , designed for leaders shaping net-zero strategy 1,000+ in-person attendees, from global enterprises, NGOs, governments and consultancies The summit brings together sustainability executives responsible for delivering net-zero goals, sustainability reporting, emissions reduction, corporate climate commitments and organisational transformation. Speaker for 2026 The 2026 agenda will feature senior leaders shaping global climate action, including: Chief Sustainability Officer, European Space Agency Head of Sustainability, NVIDIA Global Head of Sustainability, Schneider Electric Chief AI Officer, Met Office Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2 Chief Sustainability Officer, Odfjell These executives will share how they are responding to regulatory pressure, scaling decarbonisation initiatives, and advancing climate innovation across complex global operations. What Attendees Will Gain Strategic insight on how to meet net-zero targets and manage ESG risk across operations and value chains. Access to digital and physical networking opportunities with peers, industry leaders and climate-tech innovators. Exposure to best practice case studies, thought leadership and actionable tools for sustainable transformation. Get tickets here. A Global Platform for Executive Insight The event will bring together Chief Sustainability Officers and other senior sustainability leaders to show how they are shaping the future and what more can be done. Event sessions and workshops will be curated to deliver practical value, ensuring insights are shared, key topics are explored, and sector challenges are addressed. Business leaders responsible for long-term climate strategy will leave with clear actions they can take forward. The summit will also provide a platform for companies and technology partners to demonstrate solutions that support net zero commitments across operations, transport, energy systems and supply chains. Driving Decarbonisation Throughout 2026 With net zero deadlines approaching and regulatory pressure increasing, organisations are seeking credible pathways to reduce emissions. Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit will deliver practical content, expert analysis and real case studies to help accelerate decarbonisation efforts The summit forms part of BizClik's wider Sustainability LIVE global events programme, which provides year-round insight for the industry. Events take place across London, New York, Chicago, and more. About Sustainability LIVE Sustainability LIVE is BizClik's international event series focused on sustainability, ESG, climate action and responsible business transformation. The portfolio connects global leaders with the technologies, data, and strategies shaping a more sustainable future. About BizClik BizClik is a global digital media and events company producing sector-specific content across sustainability, technology, procurement, fintech, supply chain, AI and more. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, research and world-class events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with executive audiences to drive strategic business engagement. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2837785/SUS_LIVE_NetZero_Summit_2026_header.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sustainability-live-the-net-zero-summit-2026--returns-to-london-march-2026-302632302.html This major milestone reinforces both companies' long-term commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance energy storage solutions across North America FREMONT, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trina Storage, a global leader in energy storage, announced its expanding strategic partnership with Lightshift Energy (Lightshift), a leading U.S. developer, owner, and operator of energy storage systems. This partnership will deliver a portfolio greater than 1 GWh of energy storage projects across the United States. The portfolio will utilize Trina Storage's Elementa 2.0 & 2.5 energy storage solution, which is engineered for high efficiency, intrinsic safety, and dependable performance under diverse operating conditions. These installations will support utilities and local communities through enhanced grid stability, peak load management, and flexible capacity as increased power demand and extreme weather threaten grid stability nationwide. The partnership will strengthen Lightshift's unique position deploying fleets of distribution-connected batteries, enabling fast, scalable delivery and direct support for load growth while improving reliability and generating significant savings for Lightshift's customers. Trina Storage and Lightshift have previously demonstrated successful collaboration and strong execution, including four projects in Groton, Holden, and Paxton, Massachusetts in 2024. During a Northeast heatwave, Trina Storage commissioned two sites ahead of schedule, providing critical capacity to local utilities during periods of elevated demand. These results highlighted the effectiveness of coordinated planning, responsive delivery, and consistent system performance in the field. The continuing partnership and large GWh portfolio highlights Trina Storage's expertise in U.S. energy storage project engineering, certification, commissioning, and operations. Supported by regional teams and partners, the company delivers local system integration, EMS coordination, grid testing, and onsite commissioning, ensuring efficient project execution and reliable performance. "We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Lightshift through this significant milestone," said Doug Alderton, Head of Sales, Trina Storage North America. "Our earlier joint projects demonstrate what our strong partnership can accomplish under demanding conditions. Trina Storage is dedicated to delivering more reliable, flexible energy storage to communities across the U.S. and we look forward to supporting Lightshift in making our shared vision a reality." "Lightshift is committed to scaling high-value storage assets that support the reliability and evolution of the U.S. power system," said Mike Herbert, Managing Partner at Lightshift Energy. "We are proud to continue our work alongside Trina Storage on projects that advance our strategy and reflect our continued focus on delivering solutions that strengthen grid resilience, address load growth, and provide consistent, high-quality performance for the customers and communities we serve." As Trina Storage further grows its presence in North America, this expanded partnership highlights the company's long-term commitment to supporting secure, efficient, and resilient energy infrastructure for the future. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842503/Lightshift_Trina_Storage_Paxton_MA_Battery.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/trina-storage-and-lightshift-energy-strengthen-strategic-partnership-through-planned-deployment-of-1-gwh-of-grid-scale-energy-storage-systems-302637758.html TEL AVIV, Israel, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bendit Technologies is proud to announce that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for the Bendit17 Microcatheter, the smallest steerable microcatheter on the market. This milestone marks a significant step forward in advancing precision and accessibility in neurovascular and peripheral endovascular interventions. The FDA clearance enables Bendit to bring its innovative technology to physicians and patients across the United States. The company is in the final stages of production and preparing to initiate its first U.S. commercial clinical procedures beginning in January 2026. In parallel, Bendit is actively pursuing additional regulatory clearances in other global territories. Oz Cabiri, CEO of Bendit Technologies, commented: "FDA clearance of the Bendit17 is a major milestone for our team and a meaningful advancement for clinicians seeking greater control and navigational precision in complex vascular procedures. The device's capability to navigate with or without a guidewire represents a significant technological leap forward. Our mission is to push the boundaries of what is possible in endovascular care, and the Bendit17 embodies that vision. We look forward to bringing this technology available to physicians in the U.S. and supporting improved care for patients worldwide." The Bendit17 Microcatheter introduces a new level of steerability and precision, enabling controlled navigation through complex anatomies while maintaining stability, control, and ease of use. Its unique capabilities are designed to support clinicians across a broad range of intricate vascular procedures. About Bendit Technologies Bendit Technologies is a medical device company developing advanced steerable microcatheters designed to enhance accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency in minimally invasive endovascular procedures. The company's proprietary technology enables real-time 3D steering and improved navigability through complex anatomies, helping empower clinicians and improve patient outcomes. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842527/Bendit_Technologies_Microcatheter.jpg Contact Details Oz Cabiri CEO, Bendit Technologies Email: info@bendittech.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bendit-announces-fda-clearance-for-the-bendit17-steerable-microcatheter-302637745.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has been granted three new exploration licenses for polymetallic metals including gold, in the Brittany Peninsula of northwestern France through a wholly-owned French subsidiary of the Company. President and CEO, Dr. Keith Barron commented, "The French government's decision to grant us these permits is an excellent opportunity for Brittany and the Pays de la Loire to gain a deeper understanding of their subsurface resources and for France to find new sources of metals to secure the country's supplies through exploration to be conducted by Company. It also marks a new opportunity for Aurania in a jurisdiction where institutional stability and high-quality infrastructure make exploration safe and more efficient than other areas in the world. The initial mining inventory studies conducted by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) confirmed the presence of gold associated with strategic metals over more than 150 km along the shear zone, and in some cases at exceptional grades. This demonstrates the strength of the hydrothermal activity that occurred in the region." Aurania announced the filing of an exploration permit named Epona back in 2023 (see press release dated July 24, 2023). Subsequently, in October 2023, the Company submitted two additional applications, Taranis and Belenos, covering areas of 359.5 km and 440.9 km respectively. These areas are located in southern Brittany and northern Pays de la Loire in France (see map in Figure 1 below). Since antiquity, Brittany has been an important producer of metals in Europe - supplying tin and gold to the Roman Empire, then base metals and silver during the Middle Ages, and later tin, antimony, and uranium during the Industrial Revolution. Despite this long history, no exploration has been conducted in the region since the 1980s, leaving its significant potential largely unexplored. With more than four decades of advances in exploration technologies, the application of modern exploration techniques potentially positions the Brittany Peninsula as a highly prospective area that can be considered a greenfield district. The purpose of these permits is to explore the South Armorican Shear Zone, a major crustal fault where mineralization of antimony, tungsten, tin, zinc, and copper - accompanied by gold - and other metals have been deposited as indicated by the BRGM. Figure 1: Location of Aurania's permits in France. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2477/277568_30acfbe12489a98a_001full.jpg Potential for polymetallic strategic metals With geology comparable to the Iberian Peninsula, the Bohemian Massif, Newfoundland and other Variscan terranes, the Armorican Massif stands out as a possible candidate to help meet Europe's growing demand for strategic metals in a market environment largely dominated by China. The European Union launched the European Critical Raw Materials Act, a plan that aims to secure 10% of its metal supply from within Europe by 2030. Support for the mining industry was first expressed by the French government in 2022 after receiving the Varin Report and was later reinforced through the launch of a new national mineral inventory1. The areas selected by Aurania align with this plan, and show strong potential for strategic metals such as antimony, tungsten, and tin, as well as zinc and silver, with by-products of indium (see Figure 2).1 Figure 2: Geology of the permit areas and main commodities. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2477/277568_30acfbe12489a98a_002full.jpg Potential for gold An advantage of the Armorican Massif is its potential richness in gold associated with the aforementioned metals, which enhances the likelihood of an economic discovery. In this respect, the area can be compared to the district currently being explored by New Found Gold in Newfoundland, Canada, where a similar dispersion of gold is observed along a shear zone within a comparable Cambrian to Ordovician geological environment. Figure 3: Comparison on the same scale between the geology and gold showings at the Queensway permit (New Found Gold) located in Canada and the area of Aurania's permits in France (modified from the map published in the 43-101 report, January 2023 Exploration Update: New Found Gold Corp.'s Queensway Gold Project, NL, Figure 7.17). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2477/277568_30acfbe12489a98a_003full.jpg Next steps Aurania will proceed with stakeholder engagement, including outreach and dialogue with local landowners, while advancing preparations for an airborne geophysical survey and subsequent field activities. Qualified Person The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc., Vice-President Exploration of the Company. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. 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. 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-. For further information, please contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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 that the Company's exploration activities may be an excellent opportunity for Brittany and the Pays de la Loire to gain a deeper understanding of their subsurface resources, the purpose of obtaining the permits being to explore the South Armorican Shear Zone, that the Armorican Massif stands out as a possible candidate to help meet Europe's growing demand for strategic metals, that an advantage of the Armorican Massif is its potential richness in gold associated with the aforementioned metals, which enhances the likelihood of an economic discovery, the Company's next steps with respect to the permits and exploration activities conducted thereof, Aurania's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation's portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the commencement of any drill program 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: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; 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. 1 In September 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a major update to France's national mineral inventory, known as the Inventaire des Ressources Minerales (IRM). This initiative was designed to identify subsurface areas with potential mineral resources, reduce import dependence, and support re-industrialization efforts. The inventory is being led by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) and aligns with the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act. https://www.brgm.fr/en/news/feature-article/mineral-resources-inventory-answers-questions-faq To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277568 SOURCE: Aurania Resources Ltd. VIENNA, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Crypto Rankings 2025 report, released by Bybit and DL Research , reveals that Lithuania, Estonia, and Ireland have become the most agile digital economies driving crypto adoption across Europe. While larger economies such as France and Germany advance through integration with mainstream finance, the smaller markets are outperforming them by better efficiency and agility in leveraging clear regulation and licensing regimes. The report compares adoption across four pillars (user penetration, transactional use, institutional readiness, cultural penetration) to shed light on how crypto is becoming embedded in everyday life across the world. Small European states prove that agility trumps scale With comprehensive and progressive regulatory frameworks, rising institutional acceptance, and innovative ecosystems, European economies punch above their weight in global crypto adoption. Lithuania ranks third worldwide, only behind Singapore (1) and the US (2), thanks to its role as an EU gateway under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). Its performance is fuelled by forward-looking regulation, an open financial system, and a digitally fluent population that actively engages with crypto platforms. Most of the firms licensed in Lithuania operate globally rather than focusing on the local market. Ireland (#6) and Estonia (#12) also rank within the global top 15. Ireland has established itself as a European tech and fintech hub, hosting firms such as Stripe alongside blockchain startups. Estonia, on the other hand, benefits from advanced digital governance and its early embrace of blockchain infrastructure. Austria ranks #15 through a strong combination of cultural leadership, academic engagement, and regulatory alignment with the EU's MiCAR framework. Its cultural penetration score of 0.69 exceeds the global average, supported by active participation from universities, think tanks, and an informed public. Vienna's historical role as a financial hub for Central Europe, combined with the dynamic of Vienna's growing crypto scene, positions Austria as an attractive jurisdiction for regulated digital asset activity. While institutional adoption and user penetration remain modest compared to top-tier markets, Austria's solid regulatory foundation and rising academic involvement suggest significant upside potential as Europe's crypto landscape matures. "These rankings confirm Europe's unique strength. By uniting regulatory certainty with technological agility, the EU is rightfully claiming its place among the centers for the global industry," said Georg Harer, Co-CEO of Bybit EU. These countries confirm that small states can leverage regulatory agility to become nodes of influence within the global crypto economy. The modest populations of Lithuania, Estonia, and Ireland mean domestic transaction volumes are limited, yet their frameworks attract exchanges and fintech companies serving much larger markets. Western Europe was built for longevity, not hype cycles Western Europe integrates crypto into established financial systems through policy, infrastructure, and innovation. The region reflects a strong alignment between public interest, institutional trust, and policy preparedness, with larger economies such as Germany and France showing signs of alignment. According to the report, Switzerland stands out as the most structurally complete crypto adopter in Western Europe. It boasts an elite infrastructure, a strong regulatory framework independent of the EEA, and unmatched cultural legitimacy, combined with a global respected financial system. Besides Switzerland, the Netherlands exemplifies institution-led hubs, leveraging regulatory sophistication and high public awareness. The Netherlands has the highest public curiosity in the world, supported by a digitally savvy consumer base and progressive payment providers. MiCAR's full rollout in 2026 will consolidate Europe's position as a global regulatory standard-setter, further empowering compliant hubs and clarifying pathways for institutional investment. The full analysis is available in the Bybit x DL Research World Crypto Rankings Report . This WCR is produced by DL Research with full editorial and research independence. The information is compiled from publicly available sources and may be subject to change without notice. This report and rankings are provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, trading, or legal advice. Readers and traders should conduct their own research, consult qualified advisors, and ensure compliance with applicable laws before making any decisions. Bybit / CryptoArk / IMakeIt / WCR2025 About Bybit EU Bybit EU GmbH is an Austrian company that serves customers across the entire European Economic Area (EEA*) - with the exception of Malta - via the platform Bybit.eu . Operated by Bybit EU GmbH, a licensed Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), Bybit EU delivers fully regulated services, including crypto custody, exchange, and rewards products and more, in full compliance with European regulations for investor protection and market integrity. Bybit EU GmbH is a licensed Crypto-Asset-Service Provider under the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR), authorized to offer the following services to residents of the European Economic Area (except Malta): providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients; exchange of crypto-assets for funds; exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets; placing of crypto-assets; and providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients. Bybit EU GmbH is neither the operator of a trading platform for crypto-assets nor provides investment advice. Media Contact: press@bybit.com www.bybit.eu Disclaimer: This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or an offer to buy or sell digital assets. The products and services mentioned herein are subject to applicable laws and regulations in the relevant jurisdictions and may not be available in certain regions. About DL Research DL Research is the research arm of DL News and sister company of DefiLlama, providing clients with bespoke reports, research, deep-dives and promotional campaigns covering the digital assets industry. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842548/Bybit_x_DL_Research_World_Crypto_Rankings_Europe_s_Small_States.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2723256/5665016/Bybit_Europe_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-x-dl-research-world-crypto-rankings-europes-small-states-lead-adoption-as-mica-reshapes-the-region-302637847.html With the global functional mushroom industry projected to surge past $22.3 billion by 2030, fueled by a 9.3%+ CAGR, FBCD's strategic acquisition positions the company at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing wellness sectors in America - especially as Oregon leads the nation in legalized therapeutic mushroom innovation. SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / FBC Holding, Inc. (OTCID:FBCD) is thrilled to announce the acquisition of Mushroom Madness, a rapidly expanding wellness brand specializing in vegan, adaptogen-infused mushroom formulations. The acquisition was completed through a stock-based transaction, allowing both organizations to align long-term value and accelerate market growth together. This acquisition marks a pivotal advancement in FBCD's expansion into high-growth consumer wellness markets that are seeing unprecedented demand from health-driven consumers, athletes, creatives, and professionals striving for natural performance solutions. Building on this momentum, the company is actively evaluating strategic entry into the psychedelic mushroom sector, a market widely projected to become one of the most transformative wellness categories of the decade. Mushroom Madness, located online at http://mushroommadness.shop , produces a full suite of vegan, premium-grade, adaptogenic mushroom products designed for daily energy, cognitive focus, stress relief, and immune support. Every product is formulated with high-quality natural ingredients, aligning with FBCD's broader mission of delivering science-backed wellness solutions with mass-market potential. A Perfect Match in a Booming Legal Landscape FBCD's expansion into mushrooms is particularly strategic given that the company is incorporated in Oregon - one of the nation's only states where therapeutic mushrooms have been legalized and regulated. This regulatory foundation provides a powerful runway for product innovation, wholesale licensing, clinical collaborations, and potentially even experiential wellness offerings as state-level frameworks evolve. Industry analysts expect legal and functional mushroom categories combined to exceed: $34+ billion in annual global revenue by 2033 A projected U.S. market share increase of 400% from 2025-2030 A surge in consumer demand for nootropics and adaptogens, rising 14% annually This acquisition situates FBCD at the center of a market experiencing exponential growth with low competition and massive runway. CEO Statement "Acquiring Mushroom Madness is a transformational moment for FBCD," said CEO Lisa Nelson. "The mushroom wellness category is not only expanding rapidly, but it aligns perfectly with consumer demand for clean, vegan, plant-powered products. With Oregon leading the nation in therapeutic innovation, we are now positioned to develop revenue streams that most companies in our space cannot touch. This acquisition accelerates our mission and opens the door to something much bigger than supplements-it opens the door to an entirely new era for FBCD." New Revenue Opportunities Ahead The acquisition opens a robust set of avenues for immediate and long-term monetization, including: Retail & wholesale distribution into wellness stores, gyms, spas, coffee shops, and health boutiques Subscription-based recurring revenue models (a core driver in consumer wellness valuations) Co-branded product collaborations within FBCD's expanding brand ecosystem Future therapeutic applications made possible through Oregon's regulatory framework National online expansion leveraging FBCD's strong digital marketing infrastructure FBCD also plans to scale Mushroom Madness' manufacturing volume, launch new SKUs, and strategically target the booming adaptogen space with competitive pricing, advanced formulations, and high-margin product lines. About Mushroom Madness Mushroom Madness produces premium functional mushroom supplements using only vegan, cruelty-free, high-quality adaptogens aimed at improving mental clarity, reducing stress, boosting natural energy, and supporting immune health. Products are available at http://mushroommadness.shop . About FBC Holding, Inc. (FBCD) FBC Holding, Inc. is a diversified holding company focused on developing consumer brands, wellness products, and high-growth retail concepts. With strategic positioning in Oregon and operational presence in Arizona, the company is expanding rapidly across multiple emerging markets including wellness, adaptogens, supplements, and consumer lifestyle products. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See CBD Life Sciences, Inc's, Inc.'s filings with OTC Markets, which may identify specific factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Safe Harbor Statement This release includes forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and reflects management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify and develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Lisa Nelson Email: lisa@formrunnerapparel.com Phone 480-516-3394 SOURCE: FBC Holding, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/fbc-holding-inc.-fbcd-acquires-mushroom-madness-to-accelerate-entry-in-1116035 HIGHLIGHTS Assays confirm uranium mineralization across the Mineralized RIB Corridor ("MRC") at RIB South, East and West Discoveries, where results from twelve drillholes intersected uranium mineralization (Figures 2 & 3). These results are in addition to the previously announced RIB North Discovery, where the maiden drillhole, RIBN-DD-001, returned assays with 34.7 m of total composite uranium mineralization1, including 13.6 m grading 0.53% U3O8, 1.1 m grading 4.81% U3O8, and grades up to 8.16% U3O8 over 0.5 m (See November 20th, 2025, RIB North Assay Release); RIB East Discovery Located on the 4.5 km long Eastern Limb of the MRC, ~1.4 km south of the significant RIB North Discovery (Figures 2 & 3); Currently defined by eight diamond drillholes over a 750 m strike length that remains open in all directions, with drilling highlighted by: RIBE-DD-003 assays returned total composite uranium mineralization 1 of 8.6 m encompassing four zones from 101.4 m to 374.1 m (Figure 4), including a high-grade intersection 2 from 276.2 m to 277.3 m with 2.69% U3O8 over 1.1 m, including 5.55% U3O8 over 0.5 m; RIBE-DD-007 assays returned total composite uranium mineralization 1 of 8.7 m encompassing six zones from 174.0 m to 215.3 m (Figure 5), including a higher-grade intersection from 207.2 m to 211.3 m with 0.236% U3O8 over 4.1 m, including 1.15% U3O8 over 0.5 m; RIB West Discovery Located on the 4.0 km long Western Limb of the MRC, ~1.8 km southwest of the significant RIB North Discovery (Figures 2 & 3); Currently defined by three diamond drillholes over a 2.2 km strike length that remains open in all directions, with drilling highlighted by: RIBW-DD-001 assays returned total composite uranium mineralization 1 of 1.7 m from 393.5 m to 395.2 m (Figure 6) with an average grade of 0.78% U3O8, including a high-grade intersection 2 with 1.36% U3O8 over 0.6 m; RIBW-DD-003 assays returned total composite uranium mineralization 1 of 2.0 m from 234.2 m to 236.2 m (Figure 7) with an average grade of 0.291% U3O8, including a high-grade intersection 2 of 1.07% U3O8 over 0.5 m; RIB South Discovery Located on the 4.5 km long Eastern Limb of the MRC, ~2.25 km south of the RIB East Discovery (Figures 2 & 3); Currently defined by one diamond drillhole, with prospective strike length open and untested in all directions along the MRC, with drilling highlighted by: RIBS-DD-001 assays returned total composite uranium mineralization 1 of 2.0 m encompassing two zones from 158.5 m to 252.1 m (Figure 8), including 1.5 m from 250.6 m to 252.1 m with an average grade of 0.11% U3O8; Mineralized RIB Corridor Mineralized RIB Corridor - 12 km corridor containing stacked graphitic shear zones, identified using 3D EM Inversion modeling. During the 2025 Angilak Exploration Program these EM anomalies were drill tested, resulting in a 100% success rate of intersecting uranium mineralization associated with graphitic shear zones, and the discovery of four new mineralized areas: RIB East, West, North and South, in addition to the historic RIB Discovery 3 (Figures 2 & 3); Uranium mineralization discovered along the MRC consists of Athabasca styles of mineralization including basement, sandstone, and unconformity hosted mineralization; The MRC remains open within all discovery areas and is currently constrained only by a lack of additional MMT survey data south of the Historic RIB Discovery. Additional MMT surveys paired with 3D EM Inversion modeling is planned for 2026, designed to unlock and define the true scale and significance of the MRC and the entirety of the Angikuni Basin; Additional drill core samples from the KU Discovery, Mushroom Lake, and the Lac 50 Deposit area have been submitted to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratory for analysis. The Company anticipates disclosing all remaining assay results in the coming weeks. Troy Boisjoli, CEO commented: "Since acquiring the Angilak Uranium Project in 2024 ATHA has completed two successful drill campaigns comprising 46 holes across the Lac 50 Deposit and RIB-Nine Iron trends - 45 of those holes have intersected uranium mineralization. The 2024 Angilak Exploration Program focused on the Lac 50 Deposit Trend, testing the envelop of mineralization with large step outs, culminating in release of an Exploration Target for the Lac 50 Deposit area - which remains completely open and unconstrained. During the 2025 Program, our goal was to start to unlock the regional potential of Angilak. Testing new targets which had been derisked through our systematic exploration approach, utilizing all the tools at our disposal to drill test in the most cost-effective means possible. The assay results from the Mineralized RIB Corridor, hitting uranium mineralization on 100% of the holes drilled along the 12-km MRC speaks for itself. The success we've had at RIB demonstrates to us that the scale of the MRC is something truly special, and may represent one of the most significant emerging uranium regions in Canada." Cliff Revering, VP Exploration added: "The Mineralized RIB Corridor continues to deliver compelling results, supported by the latest confirmation assays from the 2025 exploration program. Uranium mineralization encountered to date, spanning a 12 km structural corridor and anchored by the RIB North Discovery, demonstrates both scale and high-grade potential. Combined with the positive geological and geochemical signatures emerging from our 2025 work, the data increasingly points to a large mineralizing system. Since acquiring the Angilak Project in 2024, ATHA's disciplined exploration strategy has consistently advanced discovery within the Angikuni Basin, leveraging targeted exploration tools that enhance efficiency and reduce risk of discovery. The delineation of the Mineralized RIB Corridor within the larger RIB-Nine Iron regional trend represents a significant new development and highlights just one of several high-upside targets across the basin. As we look ahead to 2026, ATHA is well-positioned to build on this momentum. Our objective remains clear: to continue unlocking the value of this emerging uranium district and to demonstrate the long-term growth potential of the Angikuni Basin." VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / ATHA Energy Corp. (TSX.V:SASK)(FRA:X5U)(OTCQB:SASKF) ("ATHA" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce assay results from the remaining twelve holes drilled along the Mineralized RIB Corridor ("MRC"), completed as part of the 2025 Angilak Exploration Program at its 100%-owned Angilak Uranium Project in Nunavut, Canada (Figure 1). Assay results confirm uranium mineralization was intersected in all drillholes along the 12 km MRC, including the RIB East, West, and South Discoveries, in addition to the previously announced RIB North Discovery. At the RIB East Discovery, a total of eight diamond drillholes were completed across a total strike length of 750 m and the area remains open in all directions. Drilling at RIB East is highlighted by RIBE-DD-003, assays returned total composite uranium mineralization1 of 8.6 m encompassing four zones from 101.4 m to 374.1 m (Figure 4). This includes a high-grade2 intersection from 276.2 m to 277.3 m with results returning an average grade of 2.69% U3O8 over 1.1 m, including 5.55% U3O8 over 0.5 m. At the RIB West Discovery, a total of three diamond drillholes were completed across a 2.2 km strike length, with the area remains open in all directions. Drilling at RIB West is highlighted by RIBW-DD-001 which returned total composite uranium mineralization1 of 1.7 m from 393.5 m to 395.2 m (Figure 6) with an average grade of 0.78% U3O8, including a high-grade2 intersection of 1.36% U3O8 over 0.6 m. RIB South is currently defined by one diamond drillhole, located ~ 2.25 km to the south of the RIB East Discovery. RIBS-DD-001 intersected total composite uranium mineralization1 of 2.0 m encompassing two zones from 158.5 m to 252.1 m (Figure 8), including 1.5 m from 250.6 m to 252.1 m with an average grade of 0.11% U3O8. The Mineralized RIB Corridor is a 12 km long corridor containing stacked graphitic shear zones, identified using 3D EM Inversion modeling. During the 2025 Angilak Exploration Program these EM anomalies were drill tested, resulting in a 100% success rate of intersecting uranium mineralization associated with the graphitic shear zones, and the discovery of four new mineralized areas: RIB East, West, North and South, in addition to the historic RIB Discovery3 (Figures 2 & 3). Uranium mineralization discovered along the MRC consists of Athabasca style mineralization including basement, sandstone, and unconformity hosted. The MRC remains open in all directions within the discovery areas with additional prospective strike length constrained only by a lack of additional MMT survey data south of the Historic RIB Discovery. Additional MMT surveys paired with 3D EM Inversion modeling is planned for 2026, designed to unlock and define the true scale and significance of the MRC and the entirety of the Angikuni Basin. Detailed lithologic striplogs, including assay results tables, for all twelve holes can viewed in the Supplementary Release on ATHA Energy's website (Striplog Data). Figure 1: Angilak Project Area - 2025 Exploration Target Area (Black Rectangles), Mineralized RIB Corridor (Red Rectangle), & Mapped Historic Mineralized Showings Figure 2: 2025 Angilak Exploration Program - EM Inversion Model & Drill Collar Locations from MRC, along the RIB-Nine Iron Trend. Figure 3: 2025 Angilak Exploration Program - Isometric schematic of the MRC, displaying EM Inversion model and 2025 drilling. Table 1: 2025 Angilak Exploration Program Drill Collar Information Hole ID Trend Zone Azimuth () Dip () Easting (mE) Northing (mN) Elevation (m) Final Depth (m) *KU-DD-001 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 70 515830 6936190 256.5 599 *J4R-DD-091 Lac 50 J4/Ray 25 57 522295 6938558 218 650 *RIBE-DD-001 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 145 -55 497928 6929449 270 443 *RIBE-DD-002 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 145 -55 497766 6929322 271 345 *RIBE-DD-003 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 145 -63 497524 6929337 271 398 *RIBE-DD-004 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 145 -60 497404 6920180 271 428 *RIBE-DD-005 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 155 -65 497530 6929401 270 472 *RIBE-DD-006 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 145 -60 497670 6929501 273 491 *RIBE-DD-007 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 325 -50 497798 6929101 274 467 *RIBE-DD-008 RIB-Nine Iron RIB East 325 -55 498284 6929287 264 464 *RIBW-DD-001 RIB-Nine Iron RIB West 150 -50 495831 6929490 274 503 *RIBW-DD-002 RIB-Nine Iron RIB West 145 -55 497766 6929322 271 380 *RIBW-DD-003 RIB-Nine Iron RIB West 325 -55 497645 6930031 275 347 *RIBN-DD-001 RIB-Nine Iron RIB North 300 -65 499574 6929887 261 623 *RIBS-DD-001 RIB-Nine Iron RIB South 150 -50 495747 6927640 277.5 377 *KU-DD-002 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 -70 515525 6936210 251 616 *KU-DD-003 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 -70 515758 6936059 268.5 56 *KU-DD-003A RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 -68 515758 6936059 268.5 605 *KU-DD-004 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 -60 515757 695641 255 602 *KU-DD-005 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 210 -70 515980 6935734 256 302 *KU-DD-006 RIB-Nine Iron KU Target 30 -70 514794 6935805 275 647 *ML-DD-013 Lac 50 ML Target 25 -50 523968 6939404 215 551 *ML-DD-014 Lac 50 ML Target 25 -50 524869 6939109 206 407 *Previously released drillholes from 2025 Angilak Exploration Program Figure 4: Striplog RIBE-DD-003 showing mineralized interval with composite uranium mineralization1 with average grades - derived from assay samples. Figure 5: Striplog RIBE-DD-007 showing mineralized interval with composite uranium mineralization1 with average grades - derived from assay samples. Figure 6: Striplog RIBW-DD-001 showing mineralized interval with composite uranium mineralization1 with average grades - derived from assay samples. Figure 7: Striplog RIBW-DD-003 showing mineralized interval with composite uranium mineralization1 with average grades - derived from assay samples. Figure 8: Striplog RIBS-DD-001 showing mineralized interval with composite uranium mineralization1 with average grades - derived from assay samples. Assay Samples 1.Composite mineralization is calculated using a 0.01% U3O8 cutoff with a maximum internal dilution of 1.5 m. 2The Company considers high-grade mineralization to be any interval over 1% U3O8. All drill intercepts are core width and true thickness is yet to be determined. Core samples are submitted to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon. The SRC facility is ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (scope of accreditation #537). The samples are analyzed for a multi-element suite using partial and total digestion inductively coupled plasma methods, for boron by Na2O2 fusion, and for uranium by fluorimetry. References for Historic Diamond Drilling Results and Surficial Sampling 3For additional information regarding ATHA's Angilak Project please refer to the Technical Report entitled "Technical Report on the Angilak Property, Nunavut, Canada" with an effective date of October 14, 2025, prepared by Matt Batty, MSc, P. Geo, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101, available under ATHA's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Cliff Revering, P.Eng., Vice President, Exploration of ATHA, who is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About ATHA ATHA is a Canadian mineral company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of uranium assets in the pursuit of a clean energy future. With a strategically balanced portfolio including three 100%-owned post discovery uranium projects (the Angilak Project located in Nunavut, and CMB Discoveries in Labrador, and the newly discovered basement hosted GMZ high-grade uranium discovery located in the Athabasca Basin). In addition, the Company holds the largest cumulative prospective exploration land package (>7 million acres) in two of the world's most prominent basins for uranium discoveries - ATHA is well positioned to drive value. ATHA also holds a 10% carried interest in key Athabasca Basin exploration projects operated by NexGen Energy Ltd. and IsoEnergy Ltd. For more information visit www.athaenergy.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Troy Boisjoli, CEO, ATHA Energy Corp Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For more information, please contact: Troy Boisjoli Chief Executive Officer Email: info@athaenergy.com Website: www.athaenergy.com Phone: 1-(236)-521-0526 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements or information may relate to ATHA's proposed exploration program, including statements with respect to the expected benefits of ATHA's proposed exploration program, any results that may be derived from ATHA's proposed exploration program, the timing, scope, nature, breadth and other information related to ATHA's proposed exploration program, any results that may be derived from the diversification of ATHA's portfolio, the prospects of ATHA's projects, including mineral resources estimates and mineralization of each project, the prospects of ATHA's business plans and any expectations with respect to defining mineral resources or mineral reserves on any of ATHA's projects, and any expectation with respect to any permitting, development or other work that may be required to bring any of the projects into development or production. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that the anticipated benefits of ATHA's proposed exploration program will be realized, that no additional permit or licenses will be required in connection with ATHA's exploration programs, the ability of ATHA to complete its exploration activities as currently expected and on the current anticipated timelines, including ATHA's proposed exploration program, that ATHA will be able to execute on its current plans, that ATHA's proposed explorations will yield results as expected, and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although ATHA has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such statements represent the current view of ATHA with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by ATHA, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: inability of ATHA to realize the benefits anticipated from the exploration and drilling targets described herein or elsewhere; in ability of ATHA to complete current exploration plans as presently anticipated or at all; inability for ATHA to economically realize on the benefits, if any, derived from the exploration program; failure to complete business plans as it currently anticipated; overdiversification of ATHA's portfolio; failure to realize on benefits, if any, of a diversified portfolio; unanticipated changes in market price for ATHA shares; changes to ATHA's current and future business and exploration plans and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of the business of ATHA; and the ability to advance the Company projects and its proposed exploration program; risks inherent in mineral exploration including risks related worker safety, weather and other natural occurrences, accidents, availability of personnel and equipment, and other factors; aboriginal title; failure to obtain regulatory and permitting approvals; no known mineral resources/reserves; reliance on key management and other personnel; competition; changes in laws and regulations; uninsurable risks; delays in governmental and other approvals, community relations; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in Canada, Australia and other jurisdictions where ATHA conducts business. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the filings of ATHA with the Canadian securities regulators which are available on ATHA's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. ATHA does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: ATHA Energy Corp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/atha-energy-confirms-multiple-high-grade-discoveries-along-the-mineralized-rib-co-1116235 London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Digital Science today announced the first of its next-generation AI capabilities in Overleaf, the leading collaborative cloud-based writing and editing platform for LaTeX. The new AI assistant - initially available in a closed beta to Overleaf Labs users - fully integrates the capabilities of multiple Digital Science products directly within the Overleaf editor, to provide specialized agents and AI capabilities made for researchers. Overleaf Labs users who choose to explore the new features are asked to provide feedback to help shape future development, in line with Digital Science's responsible development of AI features. This release marks Digital Science's next development phase of AI-based solutions, bringing together major capabilities in one dedicated, context-aware AI panel within Overleaf: a research-focused writing assistant, and a first-of-its-kind citation reviewer powered by Dimensions, the world's largest interconnected global research database with more than 160 million research articles, pre-prints, books, chapters, conference proceedings and seminars. A research-ready writing assistant, built for LaTeX Unlike generic AI tools, Overleaf's new assistant is deeply aware of both the document and its LaTeX structure. It helps users move from idea to polished output with far less friction: LaTeX-aware writing and code generation: Create or refine tables, figures, equations, and other LaTeX elements using natural prompts-without juggling syntax. Create or refine tables, figures, equations, and other LaTeX elements using natural prompts-without juggling syntax. Contextual explanations and troubleshooting: Get clear, immediate guidance on LaTeX errors or confusing commands, right when and where it is needed. Get clear, immediate guidance on LaTeX errors or confusing commands, right when and where it is needed. Seamless in-editor workflow: Because the assistant works within the Overleaf project, every suggestion fits the document's structure and version history-no copying, pasting, or switching tools. Integrated citation reviewer: helping researchers produce publisher-ready manuscripts The new citation reviewer is designed to support one of the most time-intensive parts of academic writing: ensuring that every claim is properly supported before submission. Acting almost like an early, automated layer of peer review, it helps authors catch missing citations and strengthen the integrity of their work. Identifies where citations may be missing: The reviewer scans the user's Overleaf project to highlight statements that may require a reference, helping authors ensure their manuscript meets the expectations of reviewers and publishers. The reviewer scans the user's Overleaf project to highlight statements that may require a reference, helping authors ensure their manuscript meets the expectations of reviewers and publishers. Suggests appropriate references using Dimensions: Powered by Digital Science's Dimensions-the world's largest linked research database-the citation reviewer uses a specially developed algorithm to suggest relevant, high-quality references that align with the surrounding text. Powered by Digital Science's Dimensions-the world's largest linked research database-the citation reviewer uses a specially developed algorithm to suggest relevant, high-quality references that align with the surrounding text. Inserts citations effortlessly: With a single click, authors can add both the in-text citation and the correct bibliography entry, ensuring consistency and accuracy throughout the manuscript. "Digital Science has always pioneered responsible AI solutions with the needs of the research community in mind," said Digital Science CEO Dr Daniel Hook. "We have had a vision to introduce this functionality and have been working in this direction for some years, but this is the first time that we think the technology is satisfying enough for a user to have a really good experience. Overleaf, with its community of over 20 million users, was the natural choice to see if we're right! We know that whether someone is a novice or expert at LaTeX, these new features will allow them to spend more time on research and innovation, rather than on time-intensive tasks." By combining advanced AI capabilities with Overleaf's intuitive editor, the new assistant helps researchers spend less time coding and troubleshooting and more time producing high-quality work. Discover more at Overleaf Labs About Overleaf Overleaf is the market-leading scientific and technical writing platform from Digital Science. It's a LaTeX editor that's easy enough for beginners and powerful enough for experts. Loved by over 20 million users, it's trusted by top research institutions and Fortune 500 companies around the world. Users can collaborate easily with colleagues, track changes in real-time, write in LaTeX code or a visual editor, and work in the cloud or on-premises. With Overleaf, anyone can write smarter-creating complex, beautifully formatted documents with ease. Visit overleaf.com and follow Overleaf on X, or on LinkedIn. About Dimensions Part of Digital Science, Dimensions hosts the largest collection of interconnected global research data, re-imagining research discovery with access to grants, publications, clinical trials, patents and policy documents all in one place. Follow Dimensions on Bluesky, X and LinkedIn. About Digital Science Digital Science is an AI-focused technology company providing innovative solutions to complex challenges faced by researchers, universities, funders, industry, and publishers. We work in partnership to advance global research for the benefit of society. Through our brands - Altmetric, Dimensions, Figshare, IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, metaphacts, Overleaf, ReadCube, Symplectic, and Writefull - we believe when we solve problems together, we drive progress for all. Visit digital-science.com and follow Digital Science on Bluesky, on X or on LinkedIn. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277432 SOURCE: Digital Science Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Vizsla Royalties Corp. (TSXV: VROY) (OTCQX: VROYF) ("Vizsla Royalties" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has graduated to trade on the OTCQX Best Market ("OTCQX") under the same ticker symbol VROYF. Vizsla Royalties continues to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VROY. "Graduating to OTCQX is an important milestone for the Company," stated Michael Pettingell, CEO of Vizsla Royalties. "This achievement reflects the continued growth in our asset base and the strength of our team in delivering both investment and capital markets success. Moving up to OTCQX broadens our visibility, supports greater trading liquidity, and makes it easier for United States based investors to participate in our Company. We remain focused on creating long term value for our shareholders as we continue to strengthen our royalty portfolio and expand our presence in the capital markets." Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. About Vizsla Royalties Corp. Vizsla Royalties Corp. is a precious metals focused royalty company. The Company's principal asset is a net smelter returns royalty on Vizsla Silver's (TSX: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) flagship Panuco Project located in Mexico. Panuco is a world-class silver and gold development project actively advancing towards production. A Feasibility Study for Panuco was announced November 12th, 2025, which highlights 17.4 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 9.4-year mine life, an after-tax NPV(5%) of US$1.8B, 111% IRR and a 7-month payback at US$35.5/oz Ag and US$3,100/oz Au. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Vizsla Royalties to control or predict, that may cause Vizsla Royalties' actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: risks associated with the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which Vizsla Royalties will purchase precious metals or from which it will receive stream or royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined; problems related to the ability to market precious metals or other metals; industry conditions, including commodity price fluctuations, interest and exchange rate fluctuations; interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws; regulatory, political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Vizsla Royalties holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held; risks related to the operators of the properties in which Vizsla Royalties holds a royalty or stream or other interest, including changes in the ownership and control of such operators; risks related to global pandemics and the spread of other viruses or pathogens; influence of macroeconomic developments; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by Vizsla Royalties; reduced access to debt and equity capital; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Vizsla Royalties holds a royalty, stream or other interest; the volatility of the stock market; competition; future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities; use of proceeds; dividend policy and future payment of dividends; liquidity; market for securities; enforcement of civil judgments; and risks relating to Vizsla Royalties potentially being a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in documents filed with or submitted to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca Although Vizsla Royalties has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Vizsla Royalties undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements or information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277479 SOURCE: Vizsla Royalties Corp. Mustard-derived organic TerraSante TM focuses on crop yields, soil and soil microbiome health, and nutrient/water use efficiencies; Large scale field trial showed 2 ton per acre yield increase with larger size potatoes and less culls equating to approximately US$5,000 increase in value per acre; and Significant soil health benefit when applied in combination with the current grower standard program. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTCQB: MGROF) (FSE: 0C0) (the "Company" or "MustGrow"), a leading provider of biological and regenerative agriculture solutions, is pleased to announce outstanding performance metrics on its organic TerraSanteTM biofertility product applied to potato farming acres in Washington State and Idaho, based on customer performance data. In its use by a Washington State farming customer, TerraSanteTM demonstrated a consistent and substantial potato yield, size, and quality increase at a dose rate of 11 lbs/acre. This customer performance data was generated on a large-scale commercial potato field. With the increase in size, quality and yield, the farmer estimated an approximate US$5,000 increase in value per acre at a cost of only US$180 per acre for TerraSanteTM. Work done in fields in Idaho has also shown significant benefits to the soil and health of the potato crops when used within a currently established grower production program. These large-scale field trial results are consistent with small plot results that MustGrow has completed in the U.S. with TerraSanteTM, as outlined in the following table: Treatment TerraSanteTM Application Total Yield (lbs/ac) Total Yield (ton/ac) Increase vs. Untreated (lbs) Increase vs Untreated (ton) % Increase Untreated (Check) n/a 34,836 15.80 - - - TerraSanteTM 15 lbs/ac 44,468 20.16 9,632 4.37 t 27.6% TerraSanteTM 20 lbs/ac 43,838 19.88 9,002 4.08 t 25.8% TerraSanteTM 50 lbs/ac 48,497 22.00 13,661 6.20 t 39.2% The following figures illustrate TerraSanteTM 'wet-able' powder being mixed into liquid format and applied through typical spray equipment. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7108/277510_b03538808441cb34_001full.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7108/277510_b03538808441cb34_002full.jpg MustGrow's mustard-derived TerraSanteTM organic biofertilizer is a soluble mixable form containing nutritious plant proteins and carbohydrates that feed the soil and soil microbes. TerraSanteTM is currently registered and approved for sale in California, Florida, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington State, under Organic OMRI Listed certification and California's Organic Input Material (OIM) Program. In 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported 927,000 potato acres harvested for US$4.6 billion of value sold.(1) TerraSanteTM for Soil and Ecological Health MustGrow's biofertility program focuses on soil and soil microbiome health, nutrient and water use efficiencies, and plant yields. Soil is a farmer's most valuable asset, and MustGrow's mustard plant-based technologies are being applied with the intention to improve not only the health of the soil, but also the surrounding ecological environment. TerraSanteTM, an organic biofertilizer in soluble mixable form, contains nutritious plant proteins and carbohydrates that feed the soil and soil microbes, potentially improving beneficial microbial activity and ensuring long-term sustainable soil health. These targeted micro-communities have been shown to work to improve nutrient availability, which can potentially increase plant vigor and yields, while reducing plant stress. TerraSanteTM has the potential to improve crop nutrient uptake and, hence, overall crop performance. There are no artificial additives or preservatives used during its manufacturing. To learn more about TerraSanteTM, visit TerraSanteTM - MustGrow. Notes : 1) Potatoes 2024 Summary 09/26/2025 About MustGrow MustGrow Biologics Corp. is a fully integrated provider of innovative biological and regenerative agriculture solutions designed to support sustainable farming. The Company's proprietary and third-party product lines offer eco-friendly alternatives to restricted or banned synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. In North America, MustGrow offers a portfolio of third-party crop nutrition solutions, including micronutrients, nitrogen stabilizers, biostimulants, adjuvants and foliar products. These products are synergistically distributed alongside MustGrow's wholly-owned proprietary products and technologies that are derived from mustard and developed into organic biocontrol and biofertility products to help replace banned or restricted synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Outside of North America, MustGrow is focused on collaborating with agriculture companies, such as Bayer AG in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, to commercialize MustGrow's wholly-owned proprietary products and technologies. The Company is dedicated to driving shareholder value through the commercialization and expansion of its intellectual property portfolio of approximately 110 patents that are currently issued and pending, and the sales and distribution of its proprietary and third-party product lines through NexusBioAg. MustGrow is a publicly traded company (TSXV-MGRO) and has approximately 58.9 million common shares issued and outstanding and 69.1 million shares fully diluted. For further details, please visit www.mustgrow.ca. MustGrow's Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect the results, performance or achievements of MustGrow. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements in this news release, including statements about: the impact and significance of customer performance data and field testing, the increase in value of yields and the costs of such increase in value, if any, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of MustGrow to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, MustGrow. Important factors that could cause MustGrow's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include: those risks described in more detail in MustGrow's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other continuous disclosure documents filed by MustGrow with the applicable securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are referred to such documents for more detailed information about MustGrow, which is subject to the qualifications, assumptions and notes set forth therein. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), nor the OTC Markets has approved the contents of this release or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 2025 MustGrow Biologics Corp. All rights reserved. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277510 SOURCE: MustGrow Biologics Corp. New regional hub expands support for partners across the Pacific and reflects strong business growth in Australia and New Zealand Castles Technology, leader in Android payment acceptance solutions, today announced the opening of its new office in Melbourne. The office will serve as the company's Pacific headquarters and reflects significant business growth across Australia and New Zealand, as well as rising demand for secure, flexible, and future ready Android based payment solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210265199/en/ The S1F4 PRO is a portable Android-based SmartPOS terminal with built-in printer and full connectivity that lets merchants accept secure card, contactless, and QR payments anywhere. Ideal for retail, hospitality, and on-the-go commerce. The opening of the Melbourne office follows the company's recent expansion in Mexico and reinforces Castles Technology's strategy to establish strong regional hubs that bring the company closer to customers and partners around the world. The new Melbourne headquarters provides a dedicated base for sales, technical support, partnerships, and business development across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The office includes a product experience area showcasing Castles Technology's latest payment terminals and has capacity to support future team expansion as the company continues to grow its presence in the region. Jean Philippe Niedergang, Chief Commercial Officer and CEO for EMEA Pacific LATAM at Castles Technology, said: "Opening our Pacific headquarters in Melbourne represents an important milestone in our global expansion. Australia is one of the most advanced and fast moving payments markets in the world, and having a local hub allows us to support our customers with greater agility, innovation, and trust. This investment reinforces our long term commitment to the region and strengthens our ability to deliver secure, reliable, and future ready payment solutions." Jay Whitmore, Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Castles Technology, added: "Establishing a local headquarters allows us to support customers and partners more effectively across the Pacific. It gives us the ability to respond faster, collaborate more closely, and provide a dedicated space to showcase our technology. The growth we are seeing in Australia and New Zealand is significant, and this office will help us continue to meet the evolving needs of acquirers, fintechs, ISVs, and retailers." Castles Technology has more than 30 years of global payments experience, operates in over 150 countries, and has deployed millions of payment devices worldwide. The company is known for its secure, durable, and innovative Android and Linux based payment terminals and its partner led approach, built on values that include agility, trust, innovation, respect, and teamwork. The Melbourne headquarters marks a significant step in Castles Technology's continued expansion across the Pacific and reinforces its commitment to delivering exceptional service, local expertise, and trusted technology solutions to customers and partners throughout the region. To learn more, visit: https://www.castlestech.com/. About Castles Technology Castles Technology is a global leader in payment acceptance solutions, providing cutting-edge terminals, innovative solutions, and exceptional services to empower the payment ecosystem. Castles Technology partners with over thousands of customers including banks, merchants, FinTech's, acquirers, ISVs, and PSPs, deploying millions of POS terminals worldwide for retailers of all sizes. As the foremost Android payment acceptance, Castles Technology offers secure, reliable, and seamless solutions with global and local reach. With over 30 years of experience, the company's dedicated community of experts is committed to anticipating and shaping the future of commerce worldwide, while their powerful devices, secure payment solutions, and top-notch services ensure unparalleled quality and performance. The company believes in the importance of innovation and sustainability and is committed to making a positive impact on the world through our products, services, and operations. Website: https://www.castlestech.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210265199/en/ Contacts: Scott Girling-Heathcote, SkyParlour for Castles Technology scott@skyparlour.com +44 (0)330 043 1315 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / CANEX Metals Inc. ("CANEX" or the "Company") (TSX.V:CANX) is pleased to announce a C$3 million financing (the "Financing") led by a strategic investment from Mr. N. Eric Fier. Mr. Fier is a mining industry leader with a track record of significant discoveries, project development, financing's, and mine constructions with subsequent successful production (both open pit and underground). He along with his team have, over the last 10 years, generated approximately C$2.5 billion of shareholder equity value including two successful takeover deals. The Financing is intended to remove financial risk around the Company's Offer (the "Offer") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gold Basin Resources Corporation ("Gold Basin") (TSX.V:GXX) and demonstrate the Company's ability to fund expedited exploration and development of a consolidated oxide gold district in Northern Arizona. The Company will extend the Offer to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 9, 2026 to allow for the completion of the Financing and provide the shareholders of Gold Basin an additional opportunity to fully evaluate the Offer in light of the Financing. Highlights: Mr. Eric Fier is a lead order in the Financing and will become an insider of CANEX, bringing his ownership above 9.9% of the Company CANEX will issue up to 20,000,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 The Financing is intended to remove financial risk related to the Company's Offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Gold Basin, and demonstrate the Company's access to capital on favourable terms, and the ability to fund exploration and development of a consolidated oxide gold district in Northern Arizona The Offer deadline will be extended to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 9, 2026 to allow for the closing of the Financing and provide the shareholders of Gold Basin an additional opportunity to fully evaluate the Offer in light of the Financing The Financing price represents a significant implied premium of 97% for Gold Basin shareholders compared to the last closing price of Gold Basin shares prior to the British Columbia Securities Commission imposing a cease-trade order on May 6, 2025 (the "Cease-Trade Order"). The CANEX Offer is the only path before Gold Basin Shareholders that offers certain liquidity and value. The board and management of Gold Basin have collapsed, and no attempt has been made to put forward a plan and timeline to regain regulatory compliance. CANEX has released a new video presentation outlining its projects, the advantages of consolidating the Arizona district, and highlighting superior value for Gold Basin shareholders in the CANEX Offer relative to current alternatives < Video Presentation link > Shane Ebert, President of CANEX and a member of the Company's board, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Eric as a major shareholder and financial backer of CANEX. This is a strong endorsement of our efforts to consolidate the Arizona oxide gold district and an important new milestone for our company. This investment highlights and underscores the opportunity for shareholders of both CANEX and Gold Basin to attract quality interest from mining professionals who have achieved great success in our industry, and develop a compelling new oxide gold project that has both premium grades and scale." Mr. Eric Fier commented: "I have been personally involved in CANEX since 2020 and followed the success of exploration at its Gold Range Project. The team has been diligent in identifying a large gold mineralized system across their property and beyond. I believe my support and investment can help the Company move forward and I am particularly excited to contribute to the Company's vision of consolidating with Gold Basin and advancing the district which shows strong potential to host a large-scale bulk tonnage oxide gold deposit". N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng Mr. Fier is a Certified Professional Geologist (USA) and Engineer (Canada) that has achieved great success in the mining sector and has extensive experience in discovery, development, exploration, mine finance, and "on time on budget" construction and production in a career that spans over 35 years. Mr. Fier served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of SilverCrest Metals Inc. until Coeur Mining Inc.'s acquisition of SilverCrest, including the high-grade silver and gold Las Chispas Mine, in February 2025 for approximately US$1.7 billion. From 2002 to 2015, Mr. Fier was CEO and Director of SilverCrest Mines Inc. which delineated the Santa Elena silver and gold mine in Mexico and subsequently sold the company in 2015 to First Majestic Silver Corp. for an estimated C$154 million or approximately 25% shareholder ownership in First Majestic. He is currently a Director of Coeur Mining, Inc. and Chairman of Mako Mining Corp. Terms of Financing CANEX is pleased to announce a non-brokered Financing of up to 20,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.15 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000. The shares will be offered on a non-brokered basis by way of private placement to accredited investors and any securities issued will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of closing. The Financing is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. The Company has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the subject matter of the Financing does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101. In connection with the Offering, finder's fees might be paid to certain eligible arm's-length finders. Proceeds of the Financing will be used to advance the district consolidation opportunity, for exploration at the Company's Gold Range and Louise projects, and for general working capital. Message to Gold Basin Shareholders The endorsement of CANEX by another investor with an impressive track record in Mr. Fier and his strong financial backing derisks our proposal to consolidate the Arizona district and exposes CANEX to new high-quality investors and new financial opportunities which can increase our ability to fast-track development. The Financing price represents an implied premium of 97% to the last closing price of Gold Basin shares prior to the imposition of the Cease-Trade Order. The substantial premium offered by CANEX is even higher when considering the ongoing value destruction at Gold Basin since the Cease-Trade Order, the high level of debt accumulated, and the multiple legal actions faced by Gold Basin that cannot be reflected with the cease trade order in place. We strongly advise Gold Basin shareholders to support our Offer which is the only sure path to liquidity and solvency, and an opportunity to become part of a large consolidated district with a very bright future. A video presentation highlighting the advantages of consolidating the Arizona district and showing the superior value CANEX is offering to Gold Basin shareholders relative to other alternatives is available on our website ( Video Presentation link ). Gold Basin shareholders with question or who need assistance tendering their shares should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by calling 1-877-452-7184 (toll-free in Canada and the United States), or 1-416-304-0211 (collect call outside of Canada and the United States), by texting "INFO" to either number, or by email at assistance@laurelhill.com. Extension of the Offer The Offer will be extended to 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 9, 2026 to allow CANEX to complete the Financing and provide the shareholders of Gold Basin an additional opportunity to fully evaluate the Offer in light of the Financing. An advertisement with respect to the extension of the Offer will appear in the Thursday, December 11, 2025 edition of The National Post. A notice of variation, change and extension (the "Notice of Variation and Change") with respect to the Offer will be mailed to the securityholders of Gold Basin in the coming days. The Notice of Variation and Change will also be available under Gold Basin's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on CANEX's website at www.canexmetals.ca and will be filed with the applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States. In addition to the extension of the Offer, the Notice of Variation and Change will include updates to the information set forth in CANEX's original offer and accompanying take-over bid circular dated August 28, 2025 (the "Original Offer and Circular"). Copies of the Original Offer and Circular are, and copies of the Notice of Variation and Change will be, available without charge from Laurel Hill Advisory Group, acting as the information agent for the Offer. Advisors CANEX has retained Borden Ladner Gervais LLP as its legal advisor and Laurel Hill Advisory Group as its information agent. About CANEX Metals CANEX Metals (TSX.V:CANX) is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing its 100% owned Gold Range Project in Northern Arizona. With several near surface bulk tonnage gold discoveries made to date across a 4 km gold mineralized trend, the Gold Range Project is a compelling early-stage opportunity for investors. CANEX is also advancing the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in British Columbia. Louise contains a large historic copper-gold resource that has seen very little deep or lateral exploration, offering investors copper and gold discovery potential. CANEX is led by an experienced management team which has made three notable porphyry and bulk tonnage discoveries in North America and is sponsored by Altius Minerals (TSX:ALS), a large shareholder of the Company. Dr. Shane Ebert P.Geo., is the Qualified Person for CANEX and has verified the data disclosed in this news release against historical and current data sources and has approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. "Shane Ebert" Shane Ebert, President/Director For Further Information Contact: Shane Ebert at 1.250.964.2699 or Jean Pierre Jutras at 1.403.233.2636 Web: http://www.canexmetals.ca Gold Basin Shareholders : Laurel Hill Advisory Group North American Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184 Outside North America: 1-416-304-0211 Email: assistance@laurelhill.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. U.S. Notice This Offer is being made for the securities of a foreign company. The Offer is subject to disclosure requirements of a foreign country that are different from those of the United States. Financial statements included in the Offer materials, if any, have been prepared in accordance with foreign accounting standards that may not be comparable to the financial statements of United States companies. It may be difficult for you to enforce your rights and any claim you may have arising under the federal securities laws, since the issuer is located in a foreign country, and some or all of its officers and directors may be residents of a foreign country. You may not be able to sue a foreign company or its officers or directors in a foreign court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. It may be difficult to compel a foreign company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment. You should be aware that the issuer may purchase securities otherwise than under the Offer, such as in open market or privately negotiated purchases, in accordance with applicable law. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in the Offer or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the Offer materials. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "potential", "believe", "intended", "risk", "opportunity" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents management of CANEX Metals Inc.'s internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things: the terms of the Financing and the use of proceeds of the Financing; TSX Venture Exchange and regulatory approval of the Financing; whether finder's fees will be paid in connection with the Financing; the Offer; Gold Basin shareholders' support for the Offer; the anticipated successful completion of the Offer; the anticipated effect of the Offer; CANEX's plans for Gold Basin if the Offer is successful; the expected benefits to Gold Basin shareholders of tendering their Shares to the Offer; whether Gold Basin will regain regulatory compliance; the Company's ability to fund exploration and development of a consolidated oxide gold district in Northern Arizona; and future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of CANEX. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause CANEX's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the risk that the transactions contemplated by the Offer will not be consummated; the risk that the conditions of the Offer will not be met or met or a timely basis; and those risks described in CANEX's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of CANEX Shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. CANEX disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements. SOURCE: CANEX Metals Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/canex-metals-announces-3-million-strategic-financing-with-eric-fier-as-lead-inves-1116237 TEL AVIV, IL / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Shelfie-Tech Ltd. (CSE:SHLF)(OTCQB:$SHLFF) ("ShelfieTech", or the "Company") a technology innovator in retail automation and AI-driven in-store intelligence solutions, is pleased to release a corporate update highlighting the Company's achievements in 2025. Successful Financing Rounds and Market-Ready Robotic Retail Shelf Monitoring System ShelfieTech announces the completion of a $1.7 million private placement ("Private Placement"), which, in addition to the Comp any's $1.7 million financing in April 2025 (prior to public listing on the CSE), significantly strengthens the Company's balance sheet. Proceeds from the Private Placement will be directed toward advancing the Company's research and development, potential synergetic acquisitions and working capital. The Company is also pleased to announce the completion of its dual-listing process on the CSE (symbol: SHLF) and OTCQB (Symbol: SHLFF). The Company has finalized the first stage of research and development for its Robotic Retail Shelf Monitoring System. With this foundational milestone achieved, ShelfieTech plans to initiate beta installations in supermarkets, marking the final stage before commercial launch. Advancing AI-Driven Store-Management Solutions As the robotic platform enters its beta phase, ShelfieTech has commenced the second stage of its technology roadmap. This phase focuses on accelerating development of: Advanced AI-powered logistics Sophisticated AI Powered inventory analytics Intelligent store-management and operational decision-support systems By leveraging both data generated from platform deployments and ongoing AI research, ShelfieTech aims to significantly expand its AI capabilities and deliver deeper insights and automation tools across the retail value chain. This strategic evolution positions ShelfieTech to transition from primarily a hardware-focused enterprise into a software-centric retail technology provider with diversified revenue opportunities. About ShelfieTech: ShelfieTech is a technology company focused on providing shelf inventory management technological solutions for the retail industry, in particular for large grocery stores and supermarkets. Using patent-pending technology, ShelfieTech's technological solution includes a robotic retail shelf monitoring system which uses its self developed proprietary software that utilizes machine learning and image processing algorithms to automatically optimize shelf inventory management. For more information on ShelfieTech Ltd., please visit our website: https://shelfietech.com/ or visit us on social media: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelfie-tech Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shelfietech Contacts: Gadi Levin VP Finance Gadi@shelfietech.com +972 54-642-0352 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements: The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will be issued as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will be issued in a form that will be advantageous to us. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time at sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites. SOURCE: ShelfieTech View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/shelfietech-provides-corporate-update-1116244 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX: ABRA) (OTCQX: ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new assay results from three drill holes from the ongoing Phase V exploration program at its wholly-owned Diablillos project in Argentina (the "Project"). DDH 25-085 at Oculto East intersected a broad 274.0 metre ("m") interval grading 0.60 g/t gold including a higher-grade 23.0m grading 2.83 g/t gold, together with copper and molybdenum mineralization at depth. This intercept reinforces the scale, strength, and multi-phase nature of the Diablillos mineralizing system. Drilling continues to extend oxide-hosted gold mineralization well beyond the current conceptual open pit and provides further support for a significant porphyry system underlying Oculto. Highlight Drill Results - Widths are reported as drilled; true widths are not yet known. Oculto East: DDH 25-085 is the deepest drill hole completed to date at Oculto. The hole successfully tested a major structural-intrusive corridor extending beneath Oculto East, intersecting pervasive silicification, brecciation, and advanced argillic-silicic alteration interpreted to be related to a larger intrusive at depth. These features are consistent with the upper levels of well-developed porphyry systems. Results include: 274.0 m grading 0.60 g/t gold (from 251 m), including: 23.0 m grading 2.83 g/t gold (from 306 m); The hole also intersected significant copper and molybdenum values in multiple deeper sulphide zones, an important vector toward a porphyry center. DDH 25-083 encountered additional gold mineralization in a transitional oxide-sulphide zone, along the broad Oculto East structural corridor: 26.0 m grading 0.74 g/t gold (from 203 m); DDH 25-082 tested the extension of the Oculto East structural corridor and returned: 12.0 m grading 0.44 g/t gold (from 275 m). John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, "Hole DDH 25-085 marks an important milestone and underscores the remarkable scale of the Diablillos system. The wide 274-metre gold interval, coupled with copper and molybdenum intercepts at depth, indicates strong potential well beyond the limits of our current oxide Mineral Resources. These results reinforce our view that Oculto forms part of a much larger precious- and base-metal system with substantial additional growth potential." Dave O'Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, "DDH 25-085 demonstrates mineralization to more than one kilometre depth and provides clear geological evidence of a vertically extensive system. The deeper copper-molybdenum-gold mineralization is characteristic of fertile porphyry environments, and the alteration we encountered is consistent with the upper portions of a significant intrusive center. These results enhance our geological model and highlight substantial additional exploration potential across the property." Table 1 - Summary of Key Drill Intercepts: Oculto East Intercepts greater than 25 gram-metres gold shown in bolded text: Drill Hole Area From (m) To (m) Type Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Mo ppm DDH-25-082 Oculto East 275.0 287.0 Oxides 12.0 1.1 0.44 - - 303.0 305.0 Oxides 2.0 3.4 0.38 - - DDH-25-083 Oculto East 172.0 177.0 Oxides 5.0 55.2 0.48 - - 203.0 229.0 Transition 26.0 14.1 0.74 0.18 - DDH-25-085 Oculto East 251.0 525.0 Transition 274.0 2.5 0.60 0.06 19 Including 306.0 329.0 Transition 23.0 9.2 2.83 - - 552.0 572.0 Sulphides 20.0 - 0.16 0.18 101 883.0 891.0 Sulphides 8.0 - 0.53 - 88 1,007.0 1,011.0 Sulphides 4.0 - 0.50 - 157 Note: All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut & undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 1 - Plan View of Drill Results To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11792/277490_c9e8f654f47b981d_001full.jpg Additional Details on Drill Results - Oculto East Drilling at Oculto East continues to confirm a broad, cohesive mineralized corridor extending beyond the eastern limit of the current Mineral Resource open pit shell. The high-grade interval in DDH 25-085 (23 m at 2.83 g/t Au) lies on the same structural trend as hole DDH 25-024, which previously returned 31.0 m grading 9.96 g/t gold and 16.2 g/t silver, highlighting the strong continuity of high-grade gold mineralization at Oculto East. Figure 2 - Section Through Latest Drill Holes at Oculto East To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11792/277490_c9e8f654f47b981d_002full.jpg Note: Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 3 below is the standard model of alteration related to a porphyry intrusive system as presented by Dr. Richard Sillitoe1. Hole DDH 25-085 terminated in chlorite-sericite alteration, which indicates that the potentially higher grade potassic zone is being approached. The several porphyritic dacite dykes intersected in the drill hole are probably related to the progenitor porphyry intrusion. Figure 3 - Alteration Zones Associated with a Porphyry Intrusive System To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11792/277490_c9e8f654f47b981d_003full.jpg Exploration Update The Phase V drill program remains on track for completion before year-end. To date, 60 holes have been drilled as part of the program and the final six holes will be completed before year-end. The Company plans to commence a Phase VI drill program totaling approximately 15,000 metres in January 2026, focusing on Mineral Resource expansion, select deeper porphyry-related targets, and continued step-outs across the Oculto-JAC mineralized cluster. Further details will be provided early in the New Year. An updated Mineral Resource estimate, incorporating all Phase V drilling, remains scheduled for H1/2026. This estimate will be used for an updated Mineral Reserve and mine plan that will underpin the ongoing DFS that will be completed in the same time frame. A deep drill hole was recently completed at the Cerro Viejo porphyry target, located approximately 4 kilometres northeast of Oculto. Assay results are expected shortly. Collar Data Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) Area DDH 25-082 721271 7199288 4,595 110 -65 338 Oculto East DDH 25-083 721041 7200088 4,306 180 -60 245 Oculto East DDH 25-085 720923 7199790 4,346 180 -60 1,025 Oculto East About Diablillos The Diablillos property is located within the Puna region of Argentina, in the southern part of Salta Province along the border with Catamarca Province, approximately 160 km southwest of the city of Salta and 375 km northwest of the city of Catamarca. AbraSilver acquired the property in 2016, which comprises 15 contiguous and overlapping mineral concessions with excellent year-round road access. Exploration to date has outlined multiple occurrences of silver-gold oxide mineralization at Oculto, JAC, Laderas, and Fantasma, located within a 500 m to 1.5 km distance surrounding the Oculto/JAC epicentre. To date, over 150,000 metres have been drilled on the property, which continues to demonstrate the strong growth potential of shallow, oxide-hosted silver and gold resources. In addition, a large porphyry complex is centered approximately 4 km northeast of Oculto which includes outcropping porphyry intrusions within a major zone of alteration and associated gold rich epithermal mineralization. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: La Coipa (Chile); Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina). The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos is shown in Table 2: Table 2 - Diablillos Mineral Resource Estimate - As of July 21, 2025 Zone Category Tonnes (000 t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) AgEq (g/t) Contained Ag (000 Oz Ag) Contained Au (000 Oz Ag) Contained AgEq (000 Oz Ag) Tank Leach Oxides Measured 26,545 119 0.71 183 101,564 604 156,487 Indicated 46,584 56 0.63 114 84,430 948 170,592 Measured & 73,129 79 0.66 139 185,994 1,553 327,078 Indicated Inferred 9,693 34 0.57 86 10,616 176 26,647 Heap Leach Oxides Measured 6,673 16 0.14 25 3,486 30 5,342 Indicated 24,102 12 0.17 23 9,163 133 17,506 Measured & 30,774 13 0.16 23 12,649 162 22,848 Indicated Inferred 10,024 9 0.20 21 2,811 64 6,850 Total Oxides Measured 33,218 98 0.59 152 105,050 634 161,829 Indicated 70,686 41 0.48 83 93,593 1,081 188,098 Measured & 103,904 59 0.51 105 198,643 1,715 349,927 Indicated Inferred 19,628 21 0.38 53 13,427 241 33,496 Footnotes for Tank Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 83% process recovery for Ag, and 87% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used were US $1.94/t mining cost, US $22.96/t processing cost, US $3.32/t G&A cost, and average 51-degree open pit slopes. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] The Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit and tank leach processing methods. In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. Footnotes for Heap Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 80% process recovery for Ag, and 58% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used and overall operational cost of US $11.31/t. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Mr. Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Company's geologists in accordance with industry best practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals at site; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to assess sampling precision and reproducibility. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory. All samples are received by the ASA (Alex Stewart Argentina) preparation laboratory in Salta, where they are prepared, then the pulp sachet is directly dispatched to its facility in Mendoza, Argentina, where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four-acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are re-analyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish. Qualified Persons David O'Connor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About AbraSilver AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos (tank leach-only) consists of 73.1 Mt grading 79 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au, containing approximately 186Moz of silver and 1.6Moz of gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders. In addition, the Company has an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Teck on the La Coipita project, located in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABRA" and in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "ABBRF." For further information please visit the AbraSilver Resource website at www.abrasilver.com, our LinkedIn page at AbraSilver Resource Corp., and follow us on X at www.x.com/abrasilver. Cautionary Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. 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. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release 1https://pyrite.utah.edu/fieldtrips/SEGFperu-2012/Readings/Sillitoe%202010.pdf To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277490 SOURCE: AbraSilver Resource Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: GPGCF) (FSE: V3H) ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") announces results from its expanded Phase 1 diamond drill program at its flagship Wild Dog Project ("Wild Dog" or the "Project"), located on the island of New Britain, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea ("PNG"). The Phase 1 program is focused on the Sinivit target, a portion of the 15 km Wild Dog epithermal structural corridor. Key Highlights: WDG-14 intercepted: 9.5 m @ 13.8 g/t AuEq from 200.77 m (12.61 g/t Au, 0.62% Cu, 14.63 g/t Ag); including: 3.9 m @ 32.16 g/t AuEq from 204.3 m (29.62 g/t Au, 1.39% Cu, 31.25 g/t Ag). Second drill rig scheduled to arrive in late January, enabling expanded drilling coverage across the 15 km Wild Dog structural corridor. Camp expansion and new site infrastructure is nearing completion, positioning GPAC for a significant ramp-up in drilling activity in 2026. "Our geological confidence continues to strengthen as each drill hole refines the plunge, geometry, and true width of the northern sulphide zone. WDG-14 has delivered one of the most coherent and strongly mineralized intervals drilled at Wild Dog to date. The textures, sulphide intensity, and grade profile align exceptionally well with our growing model for a large, well-endowed epithermal system. Since commencing drilling in May, we have built a full exploration team, established critical infrastructure, and developed strong community support. With a second rig arriving in late January 2026 and several high-priority targets ready for testing, Wild Dog is positioned for an exciting and transformative year in 2026," stated Callum Spink, VP Exploration. Wild Dog Phase 1 Diamond Drill Program The Phase 1 program commenced in May 2025 and is designed to test the Sinivit target, a 1.5 km strike length within the 15 km Wild Dog epithermal vein structural corridor (Figure 1). The high-grade nature of the system has already been confirmed by multiple strong intercepts. In addition, MobileMT geophysical data has highlighted the exceptional scale of the epithermal system and the potential for a major porphyry copper-gold system adjacent to the veins - a setting analogous to the Wafi-Golpu deposit in PNG (mineralization at Wafi-Golpu is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at Wild Dog). The expanded program now totals 28 diamond drill holes and is expected to continue into early 2026. A second drill rig is in the process of being mobilized to site. Figure 1: Long section through the Sinivit target area showing drilling completed to date with key intervals. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_002full.jpg Results Since commencing in May 2025, GPAC has completed 14 drill holes at Sinivit with hole 15 in progress. Details of the drilling are shown in Table 1, with key assay results received to date shown in Table 2. Table 1: Wild Dog Drill Hole Details (PNG94 UTM Zone 56 coordinates). Hole ID Easting Northing RL Dip Azi Max Depth (m) Status WDG-01 394358.3 9488853.5 945 -50 115 40.1 Abandoned WDG-02 394426.0 9489024.2 900 -53 050 124.6 Completed WDG-03 394384.9 9488926.5 924 -50 053 127.6 Completed WDG-04 394384.8 9488926.5 924 -50 75 120.6 Completed WDG-05 394384.8 9488926.5 924 -50 116 105.9 Completed WDG-06 394428.6 9488923.1 911 -50 352 69.0 Completed WDG-07 394457.5 9489375.0 993 -61 114 201.3 Completed WDG-08 394455.5 9489373.0 993 -57 127 224 Completed WDG-09 394459.5 9489374.0 993 -58 85 203 Completed WDG-10 394475.1 9489484.0 965 -58 111 220.1 Completed WDG-10A 394476.1 9489484.0 965 -57 114 200.4 Completed WDG-11 394474.1 9489484 965 -68 114 253.4 Completed WDG-12 394413.7 9489301.5 982 -52 113 235.2 Completed WDG-13 394408.5 9489301.2 983 -63 102 261.3 Completed WDG-14 394389.2 9489995.9 1002 -55 103 258.3 Completed WDG-15 394385.7 9489385.6 1003 -60 115 tbd In progress Table 2: Wild Dog Drill Hole Key Assay Results (WDG-02 to WDG-12 results previously announced). Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval1 (m) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Copper (%) Gold Eq.2 (g/t) WDG-02 65.00 72.00 7.00 5.49 68.84 2.96 10.93 including 65.00 67.00 2.00 10.73 114.64 2.23 15.55 WDG-03 102.00 104.30 2.30 1.68 6.48 0.12 1.94 including 103.55 104.30 0.75 4.05 10.90 0.17 4.45 WDG-04 62.00 68.00 6.00 8.31 27.56 1.15 10.43 including 64.00 68.00 4.00 12.25 36.76 1.63 15.22 including 64.00 66.40 2.40 19.76 57.75 2.59 24.48 WDG-05 72.00 77.00 5.00 1.32 11.71 0.25 1.85 including 72.00 75.00 3.00 1.97 15.36 0.31 2.64 WDG-06 12.00 15.50 3.50 4.61 48.36 4.86 12.79 including 13.70 14.30 0.60 7.44 73.40 10.42 24.61 WDG-07 153.00 163.00 10.00 2.99 10.92 0.32 3.61 including 153.00 158.10 5.10 4.77 14.54 0.54 5.79 WDG-07 172.00 173.20 1.20 7.30 93.50 1.14 10.17 including 172.50 173.20 0.70 12.00 157.00 1.94 16.86 WDG-08 154.00 162.40 8.40 46.46 59.63 1.90 50.12 including 154.00 157.80 3.80 93.31 128.72 4.08 101.19 including 157.00 157.80 0.80 322.00 84.50 12.89 343.17 WDG-08 180.00 188.00 8.00 1.95 4.19 0.13 2.20 including 180.00 184.00 4.00 3.32 3.71 0.16 3.62 WDG-09 169.00 174.00 5.00 4.49 7.98 0.22 4.93 including 169.00 171.00 2.00 10.31 15.35 0.42 11.14 WDG-09 182.40 185.00 2.60 2.74 43.86 2.04 6.45 including 182.80 184.30 1.50 4.17 54.13 2.51 8.72 WDG-10 173.60 175.60 2.00 1.73 28.12 0.63 3.04 WDG-10 184.50 185.20 0.30 4.20 100.00 0.99 6.90 WDG-12 123.20 129.10 5.90 13.96 12.41 0.18 14.38 including 126.60 129.10 2.50 31.29 24.68 0.28 32.02 WDG-12 177.00 182.80 5.80 5.12 15.29 0.59 6.23 including 179.00 182.00 3.00 9.06 28.41 1.06 11.05 WDG-13 134.50 139.60 5.10 3.38 8.20 0.23 3.83 WDG-14 200.77 210.22 9.45 12.61 14.63 0.62 13.75 including 204.30 208.20 3.90 29.62 31.25 1.39 32.16 Notes: Drill highlights presented above are core lengths (true widths are not known at this time). Gold equivalent (AuEq) exploration results are calculated using longer-term commodity prices with a copper price of US$4.50/lb, a silver price of US$27.50/oz and a gold price of US$2,000/oz. No metallurgical testing has been carried out on Wild Dog mineralized samples. For AuEq calculations, recovery assumptions of Au 92.6%, Ag 78.0%, and Cu 94.0% were used based on K92 Mining's stated recovery results in an Updated Definitive Feasibility Study for the Kainantu mine. WDG-13 Overview WDG-13 tested the south-western strike extension of the Wild Dog epithermal vein system. The hole intersected two distinct quartz-sulphide vein and breccia zones, confirming structural continuity and extending mineralization along the projected corridor. Zone 1 intercepted 5.10 m @ 3.38 g/t Au, 8.20 g/t Ag, 0.23 % Cu (3.83g/t AuEq) from 134.50-139.60 m, and featured: Fractured to brecciated quartz-sulphide veining Crack-seal banding indicating repeated hydrothermal pulses Fine sulphide selvages with local chalcopyrite Zone 2 (201.9 m to 204.6 m) was a narrower interval with strong brittle deformation and reflects the distal edge of the deeper mineralized shoot. WDG-14 Overview Hole WDG-14 was drilled as a deeper down-plunge step-out beneath WDG-08 to test the projected continuation of the high-grade shoot within the northern sulphide zone. The hole intersected the structure at the anticipated depth and orientation, returning one of the strongest mineralized intervals recorded at Wild Dog to date. WDG-14 Main Vein Intercept: Thick quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization Hydrothermal brecciation with sulphide-rich matrix Local bornite and chalcopyrite veinlets indicating strong fluid flow Figure 2: WDG-14 core from 201.58-205.33 m showing the onset of the main breccia and sulphide rich zone with quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite veining developed along the shear contact. (Au, g/t; yellow) and notable copper grades (Cu, %; purple) indicated. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_003full.jpg Figure 3: WDG-14 core from 205.33-208.90 m displaying hydrothermal breccias with pervasive disseminated sulphides and multiple vein events. (Au, g/t; yellow) and notable copper grades (Cu, %; purple) indicated. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_004full.jpg Figure 4: WDG-14 core fragment at 204.4 m showing semi-massive sulphide-rich breccia with strong chalcopyrite around angular quartz fragments (97.7g/t Au, 7.07% Cu and 98 g/t Ag). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_005full.jpg Figure 5: Highly mineralized interval in WDG-14 at 204.48 m, displaying chalcopyrite-rich hydrothermal breccia. (97.7g/t Au, 7.07% Cu and 98 g/t Ag). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_006full.jpg Figure 6: WDG-14 at 205.05 m showing matrix-supported hydrothermal breccia and dark sulphidic silica matrix. (138g/t Au, 3.80% Cu and 129 g/t Ag). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_007full.jpg Figure 7: Hydrothermal breccia vein in WDG-14 at 208.25 m with large vugs, angular clasts, chalcopyrite-pyrite infill and sulphidic silica (1.01g/t Au, 1.13% Cu and 25 g/t Ag). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11018/277546_7e1590bc843edbaa_008full.jpg Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Callum Spink, the Company's Vice President, Exploration, who is a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, MAIG, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Spink is responsible for the technical content of this news release. Mr. Spink is not independent of the Company. Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) The Company adheres to industry best practices for Quality Assurance and Quality Control. Drill core samples were sawed into equal halves and the selected one-half core was submitted to Intertek Minerals Ltd. in Lae, Papua New Guinea, an ISO 9001-certified laboratory. Samples were securely sealed in poly-weave bags with single-use tie-locks to maintain chain of custody. Analytical testing is completed using fire assay for gold, preliminary copper and silver assays are reported from results generated by aqua regia digestion and atomic absorption (AA) copper determination. The results are updated with assay results using MS48 (multi-element 4-acid digestion ICP/AA). Diamond drill hole WDG-02 was drilled using a combination of HQ and PQ diameter core, while the holes WDG-03 to WDG-09 were drilled with PQ. Holes WDG-10 onwards were drilled with HQ diameter core. Certified reference materials (standards) and blanks were inserted into the sample stream in accordance with industry-standard protocols. Blanks were routinely inserted after high-grade intervals, and certified standards were included at a frequency of at least 5%. All assay batches received to date have passed QAQC review and fall within acceptable tolerance limits. Core recoveries for all holes were within acceptable ranges, with sampling procedures carefully managed in intervals where ground conditions were variable or fragile. About Great Pacific Gold Great Pacific Gold's vision is to become the leading gold-copper development company in Papua New Guinea ("PNG"). The Company has a portfolio of exploration-stage projects in PNG, as follows: Wild Dog Project: the Company's flagship project is located in the East New Britain province of PNG. The project consists of a large-scale epithermal target, the Wild Dog structural corridor, stretching 15 km in strike length and potentially over 1,000 metres deep based on a recent MobileMT geophysics survey. The survey also highlighted the Magiabe porphyry target, adjacent to the epithermal target and potentially 1,000 metres in diameter and over 2,000 metres deep. Drilling of the epithermal structure on the Sinivit target has yielded high-grade results, including WDG-08 which intercepted 8.4 metres at 50 g/t AuEq from 154 metres. The current drilling program will extend into 2026 with second drill rig expecting to be operational in late January 2026. Kesar Project: located in the Eastern Highlands province of PNG and contiguous with the mine tenements of K92 Mining Inc. ("K92"), the Kesar Project is a greenfield exploration project with several high-priority targets in close proximity to the property boundary with K92. Multiple epithermal veins at Kesar are on strike and have the same orientation as key K92 deposits, such as Kora. Exploration work to date by the Company at the Kesar Project has shown that these veins have high grades of gold present in outcrop and very elevated gold in soil grades, coincident with aeromagnetic highs. The Company conducted a diamond drill program on key target areas at the Kesar Project from November 2024 to May 2025 and have developed a follow-up Phase 2 program for 2026. Arau Project: also located in the Eastern Highlands province of PNG, the Arau Project is south of and contiguous to the mine tenements of K92. Arau contains the highly prospective Mt. Victor exploration target with potential for a high sulphidation epithermal gold-base metal deposit. A Phase 1 Reverse Circulation drilling program was completed at Mt. Victor in August 2024, with encouraging results. The Arau Project includes the Elandora licence, which also contains various epithermal and copper-gold porphyry targets. The Company also holds the Tinga Valley Project in PNG. Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, most of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Mineralization at the properties held by K92 Mining Inc. and at the Wafi-Golpu deposit is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Wild Dog Project. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277546 SOURCE: Great Pacific Gold Corp. ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Open Stable Network (OSN) and the Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi (ADBC) today announced the signing of a strategic partnership at Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), making a milestone collaboration to advance compliant digital asset and stablecoin infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The partnership unites ADBC's deep regulatory and ecosystem expertise with OSN's leading technology and operational resilience to accelerate the development of digital financial infrastructure in the UAE. OSN is a stablecoin FX exchange infrastructure that enables seamless global money movement between stablecoins and fiat currencies, while ADBC serves as a center for blockchain and Web3 innovation, investment and collaboration in the region. Through this collaboration, OSN and ADBC will jointly establish OSN Abu Dhabi, a UAE-based digital asset platform designed to deliver scalable and interoperable stablecoin settlement solutions. The platform is set to empower institutions to adopt digital assets at scale while contributing to the UAE's vision of a diversified, innovation driven economy. "Together with ADBC, we are charting a new chapter for digital finance in one of the world's most forward-thinking markets," said Lawrence Chu, Co-Founder of OSN. "Our shared vision is to make stablecoin infrastructure as seamless and trusted as traditional financial network, fueling new possibilities for cross-border payments and digital asset adoption from the UAE to the world." "The UAE has become a global hub for financial innovation, and our partnership with OSN leverages this momentum," said Abdulla AI Dhaheri, CEO of ADBC. "By combining our regulatory expertise with OSN's state-of-the-art technology and operational resilience, we are building a digital infrastructure that will help shape the global future of compliant and connected finance." -End- About Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi (ADBC) The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi is a leading regional hub dedicated to accelerating blockchain innovation and enterprise adoption across the Middle East. Supporting the UAE's vision for a digitally advanced economy, The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, and ecosystem development to government bodies, industry partners, and emerging technology companies. Focused on enabling real world implementation of blockchain and Web3 technologies, the Center convenes global innovators, facilitates cross sector collaboration, and drives research backed initiatives that strengthen the region's digital infrastructure. Through its commitment to innovation, regulatory alignment, and industry advancement, The Blockchain Center Abu Dhabi plays a key role in positioning the UAE as a global leader in blockchain technologies. Learn more: https://theblockchaincenter.ae About Open Stable Network (OSN) OSN, Open Stable Network, is a global on-chain FX settlement infrastructure enabling seamless cross-border money movement. Through robust APIs, we connect local currency stablecoins across jurisdictions, empowering banks, payment providers, and enterprises to move value instantly and securely. Built on Web3 infrastructure, our mission is to create a trusted, resilient network for global settlements, bridging stablecoin and fiat rails to make digital payments truly borderless. Connect Globally. Move Money Freely. Exchange On-Demand. Learn more: www.OSNetwork.com / LinkedIn / X Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842549/Screenshot_2025_12_10_at_6_09_58_PM.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842493/IDA_OSN_Verticle_Black_4x_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/osn-and-the-blockchain-center-abu-dhabi-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-digital-asset-and-stablecoin-infrastructure-in-the-uae-302637896.html Results support the potential of PMN310 to improve outcomes by selectively targeting oligomers and avoiding binding to monomer and plaque ProMIS on track to complete enrollment in PRECISE-AD trial in Alzheimer's disease by end of 2025 with planned Q2 2026 interim readout Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dec. 10, 2025. Amyloid beta (A) is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of AD, and certain approved and marketed A-directed antibodies have achieved slowing of cognitive decline in AD. The results and analysis from the study announced today highlight the importance of targeting soluble toxic A aggregates as supported by the observed retrospective correlation between selectivity for soluble toxic oligomers and reported clinical efficacy and the potential for attenuation of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), an adverse side effect of current anti-amyloid antibody therapies. "This new publication reinforces the critical importance of selectively targeting toxic A oligomers, believed to be the hallmark drivers of Alzheimer's pathology," said Neil Warma, Chief Executive Officer of ProMIS Neurosciences. "We believe PMN310 has the potential to deliver a meaningful advance in both clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients and caregivers, and with our 6-month interim readout from our ongoing PRECISE-AD clinical trial expected in Q2 2026 and top-line results expected in Q4 2026, we look forward to providing clinical data evaluating our approach next year." In this study, a side-by-side comparison of the binding profile of various A-targeted antibodies to A species, including monomers, low- and high-molecular-weight AD brain oligomers, and plaque was conducted and compared with known clinical outcomes. 1. Key Findings and Implications for PMN310: Antibody Specificity for Toxic Oligomers May Provide Greater Potency In the studies conducted, clinical efficacy across A antibodies correlated strongly with the ability to bind toxic oligomers even in the presence of overwhelming monomer concentrations, which otherwise divert antibody activity away from pathogenic species. PMN310 showed the highest resistance to monomer competition among all antibodies tested, preserving oligomer binding while pan-A antibodies lost activity in in vitro models. This suggests that a higher proportion of each dose of PMN310 could be available to reach the relevant toxic targets, which could potentially translate into clinical benefit in patients. In AD mouse studies, this oligomer selectivity translated into complete protection of spatial memory, restoring performance to normal wild-type levels, reinforcing the mechanistic rationale. 2. PMN310's Lack of Plaque or Vascular Deposit Binding Suggests a Possible Lower Risk of ARIA ARIA is strongly associated with antibody binding to insoluble plaque and vascular amyloid deposits. Antibodies such as donanemab, aducanumab, and lecanemab showed significant plaque binding and correspondingly increased ARIA rates. In contrast, PMN310 exhibited no detectable plaque binding across concentrations tested, aligning with its engineered specificity for misfolded, soluble oligomers, not fibrils. Consistent with this mechanism, high-dose chronic administration of PMN310 in plaque-bearing mice (800 mg/kg for 26 weeks) produced no microhemorrhages on microscopic examination of brain tissue. Together, these findings provide preclinical evidence supporting a possible reduced ARIA risk. 3. PMN310 Is Positioned to Test the Oligomer Hypothesis Without Confounding Cross-Reactivity All other antibodies tested in the study appeared to bind monomers and/or plaque to varying degrees. PMN310 was the only antibody in the study showing strict specificity for toxic soluble oligomers while avoiding monomers and plaque. This positions the ongoing PRECISE-AD study to potentially become the first clinical test of oligomer-only targeting, which may clarify the relative contributions of oligomers vs plaque to cognitive decline, an important scientific inflection point for the field. "This publication provides further evidence, supported experimentally and clinically, that selective targeting of toxic A oligomers has the potential to increase efficacy by focusing the dose of antibody on the most relevant toxic A species and improve safety by reducing the risk of ARIA associated with plaque binding which has been a significant side effect of current A-directed antibodies," said Johanne Kaplan, PhD, Chief Development Officer of ProMIS Neurosciences. About ProMIS Neurosciences Inc. ProMIS Neurosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines selective for toxic oligomers associated with the development and progression of neurodegenerative and other misfolded protein diseases. The Company's proprietary target discovery engine, EpiSelect, has been shown to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative and other misfolded protein diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and Parkinson's Disease (PD). ProMIS has offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA) and Toronto, Ontario (CAN). About PMN310 and the PRECISE-AD Trial for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) PMN310, the Company's lead product candidate for the treatment of AD, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that has been designed to selectively target only the toxic oligomers, avoiding plaque, thereby potentially reducing or eliminating amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) liability. In addition, because PMN310 may not be limited by off-target binding or side effects, PMN310 could potentially offer an improved efficacy profile over other amyloid-directed antibody therapeutics. PMN310 was granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2025. Based on the encouraging results from the Phase 1a trial) of PMN310, ProMIS initiated PRECISE-AD, a Phase 1b clinical trial in AD patients with targeted enrollment of 128 AD patients. PRECISE-AD) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of multiple ascending doses (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) of intravenous PMN310 in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment due to AD and mild AD (Stage 3 and Stage 4 AD). PRECISE-AD will be the first study to examine the effects of a monoclonal antibody directed solely against toxic amyloid-beta oligomers on biomarkers associated with AD pathology and clinical outcomes. Safety will be a primary outcome of the study with particular emphasis on assessing whether, as a non-plaque binder, PMN310 may have a reduced risk of ARIA. The study is powered to provide 95% confidence for detection of ARIA. The study has been designed with a sample size intended to provide sufficient power to provide meaningful insight into effects of PMN310 on biomarkers and clinical outcomes. A blinded 6-month interim analysis is expected in Q2 2026 with final top line data expected in Q4 2026. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, ??"forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the ?use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "pleased to", "look forward to", "potential to", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "excited about", "an opportunity exists", ??"is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and ?phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be ?achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or ?circumstances contain forward-looking information. Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the Company's preclinical data and retrospective clinical analysis, the Company's progress and expectations for its Phase 1b clinical trial in AD patients, including planned timing for completion and anticipated data readout of interim results in the second quarter of 2026, the potential for such studies to provide the first proof-of-concept data for PMN310, the potential for PMN310 to positively benefit patients with AD and to be a more effective and well-tolerated option, the targeting of toxic misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative diseases that the Company believes may directly address fundamental AD pathology (including the belief and understanding that toxic amyloid-beta oligomers are a major driver of AD) and have greater therapeutic potential due to reduction of off-target activity. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's current ?expectations, estimates and projections regarding the future of our business, future plans, strategies, projections, anticipated events ?and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to ?known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, ?performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, the risk that preclinical and retrospective clinical analyses described in the Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions publication will not be predictive of clinical results for PMN310, the risk that enrollment may not continue at the current rate, that clinical results or early results may not be indicative of future results, the Company's ability to retain and recognize the incentives conferred by Fast Track Designation for PMN310, the Company's ability to fund its operations and continue as a going concern, its accumulated deficit and the expectation for continued losses and future financial results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking information include, among others, the factors discussed throughout the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in its subsequent filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking information, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. For further information: Visit us at www.promisneurosciences.com Please submit media inquiries to info@promisneurosciences.com Deposit Remains Open - Further Assays Pending VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce additional assay results from the 2025 JOY District drill program. The completed 2025 drill program was primarily focused on continuing to define the full extent of the AuRORA Deposit discovered later in 2024. The AuRORA Deposit hosts high grade near surface, copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") mineralization with exceptional vertical and lateral continuity (see Amarc releases January 17, 20 and February 28, 2025) and remains open to further expansion to the north, east and west. Amarc believes the rare contribution of grade, geometry and emerging scale of AuRORA indicates it has the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making. Twenty-four core holes (9,687 m) were completed at the AuRORA Deposit in 2025; 23 of these are expansion step-out holes drilled over an area measuring some 1 km by 1 km. Host rocks, alteration and mineralization remain consistent with that encountered in the 2024 AuRORA discovery drill holes. Results announced in November from six holes completed on Sections 8000N and 8100N successfully expanded AuRORA +200 m to the north (see Amarc release October 22, 2025). Today, we are announcing two drill holes (JP25103, JP25109) located on Section 8200N, which have expanded AuRORA a further +100 m to the north (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Tables 1 and 2). In addition, assay results are also being released for two new holes completed on Section 7900N (JP25093 and JP25107) which expand the deposit approximately 200 m to the east (Figures 1 and 5, and Tables 1 and 2). Today's results also include the balance of hole JP25098 on Section 7600N (partially announced in September) that expanded the deposit approximately 300 m to the southeast (see Figures 1 and 6 and Tables 1 and 2). Assay results from four 2025 step-out holes on this section are still pending. Highlights from Drill Holes Located on Sections 7900N and 8200N at AuRORA Include: 201 m of 1.40 g/t Au, 0.28% Cu and 2.6 g/t Ag including 32 m of 1.65 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu and 2.0 g/t Ag and 94 m of 2.08 g/t Au, 0.41% Cu and 3.4 g/t Ag 201 m of 1.38 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag including 135 m of 1.90 g/t Au, 0.30% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag and 111 m of 2.24 g/t Au, 0.34% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag 47 m of 1.50 g/t Au, 0.44% Cu and 5.4 g/t Ag "We are very excited by the significant expansion potential of the AuRORA Deposit which stands out as it includes some of the highest porphyry grades ever intercepted in the Province," said Amarc's President and CEO, Dr. Diane Nicolson. "We believe that the AuRORA discovery with substantial Freeport funding has the potential to unlock the emergence of a world class porphyry copper-gold district in the Toodoggone region that has many geological similarities to British Columbia's renowned Golden Triangle. With the recent TWINS and Canyon Discoveries, further potential at PINE and Brenda historical deposits and emerging new deposit targets yet to be fully explored across the entire 630 km2 JOY District, there is clearly a lot more to come." AuRORA drilling in 2024-2025 now totals 45 drillholes (17,586 m). Assay results from the total 35 holes drilled (15,381 m) across the JOY District in 2025 are being received and planned to be released in batches going forward. An overview of AuRORA Deposit is one of the highlights of Amarc's updated website, recently launched at www.amarcresources.com. Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion Figure 2 (Section 8200N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization Figure 3: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8100N Figure 4: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8000N Figure 5: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7900N Figure 6: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7600N Table 1: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Expansion Drilling Sections 8200N, 7900N and 7600N Section Drill Hole Incl. From (m) To (m) Int.1,2,3 (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) 8200N JP25103 42.00 43.80 1.80 0.03 0.45 999.0 329.00 376.28 47.28 1.50 0.44 5.4 JP25109 220.00 420.95 200.95 1.38 0.27 1.6 4 Incl. 286.00 420.95 134.95 1.90 0.30 1.6 and 286.00 397.00 111.00 2.24 0.34 1.6 7900N JP25093 84.00 204.00 120.00 0.28 0.30 5 3.5 Incl. 102.00 204.00 102.00 0.31 0.30 3.6 238.00 249.00 11.00 0.44 0.30 4.0 JP25107 21.00 222.00 201.00 1.40 0.28 2.6 Incl. 30.00 62.06 32.06 1.65 0.27 2.0 Incl. 70.85 165.00 94.15 2.08 0.41 3.4 7600N JP25098 202.00 440.10 238.1 0.40 0.25 4.3 Incl. 253.00 412.00 159.00 0.43 0.33 5.1 and 356.65 412.00 55.35 0.54 0.35 4.7 and 356.65 375.00 18.35 0.58 0.43 6.2 Notes to Table 1: Widths reported are drill widths, such that true thicknesses are unknown. All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. Some figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. Values rounded to one decimal place; underlying results for Ag (g/t) are 1.57, 1.58, and 1.61, respectively. Values rounded to two decimal places; underlying results for Cu (%) are 0.300, 0.305 and 0.297, respectively. About Amarc Resources Ltd. Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets. Amarc is advancing the JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of northern, central and southern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail. Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of CAD $110 million and CAD $90 million, respectively. Together, this provides Amarc with potentially up to CAD $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc completed self-funded drilling at its Empress Cu-Au Deposit in the IKE District in 2024. Amarc is the operator at the DUKE and IKE Districts. The CAD $16+ million JOY exploration program expenditures in 2025 are being 100% funded by Freeport. As previously announced (Amarc May 29, 2025 and September 4, 2025 releases), Freeport completed Stage 1 requirements under the May 2021 JOY agreement, earning a 60% interest by spending CAD $35 million, and has elected to proceed to Stage 2to earn a further 10% interest by spending an additional CAD $75 million within 5 years at a rate of no less than CAD $10 million per year. While Freeport is now the Operator of JOY, Aurora Minerals Ltd., the joint venture company with shares are currently owned by Freeport (60%) and Amarc (40%), has appointed Amarc as the primary contractor to continue to manage the JOY exploration programs under a separate Services Agreement. Amarc's exploration is led by an internationally successful team of experienced geologists specializing in porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Members of this team have been involved in and have tracked porphyry Cu-Au exploration advancements in the Toodoggone region since 1990. Their experience and early recognition of the porphyry potential at the NWG Target in terms of a shallowly overburden covered and underexplored transitional epithermal-porphyry geological setting, led to the discovery of the Au-rich AuRORA porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit. Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery, development and transaction success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, PINE, IKE, DUKE and AuRORA. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects. Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance. Qualified Person Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng., a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program Amarc drilled HQ (63.5mm) and NQ (47.6mm) size core in 2025 at the JOY project. All drill core was logged, photographed, and cut in half with a diamond saw. Half core samples from the JOY AuRORA drilling were sent to ALS Canada Ltd., Kamloops, Canada, for preparation and to North Vancouver, Canada for analysis. Both facilities are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. At the laboratory, samples were dried, crushed to 70% passing -2mm, and 1,000 g split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay fusion of a 30 g sub-sample with an ICP-AES finish, for Cu by single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES, for oxidized Cu by quick sulphuric acid / ferric sulphate leach AAS, for soluble Cu by sulphuric acid leach AAS, and for 60 elements including Cu, Mo and Ag by a four-acid digestion, multi-element ICP-MS package. Samples with Ag results > 100 ppm were reanalyzed by a single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES method for Ag. As part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QAQC") program, Amarc control samples were inserted in each analytical batch of the core samples at the following rates: standards one in 20 regular samples, duplicate sets (half core, coarse reject, and pulp split) one in 20 regular samples and one coarse blank in 20 regular samples. The control sample results were then checked to ensure proper QAQC. For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD. Dr. Diane Nicolson President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation including the effects of land use plans that may impact activities on or access to properties, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Table 2: Announced Drill Hole Information Drill Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azim () Dip () EOH (m) JP25103 622888 6348204 1454 270 -81 429.9 JP25109 622683 6348203 1362 270 -60 441.0 JP25093 623054 6347901 1427 89 -60 327.4 JP25098 623199 6347600 1420 89 -61 449.5 JP25107 622855 6347910 1377 94 -81 309.0 Note: Collar locations are in UTM NAD83, Zone 9N coordinates. Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion Figure 2 (Section 8200N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization Figure 3: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8100N Figure 4: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8000N Figure 5: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7900N Figure 6: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7600N SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/amarc-and-freeport-continue-expanding-high-grade-aurora-copper-gold-silver-deposi-1116191 The new Stockholm hub brings WODE Intelligence's behavioral-AI expertise to accelerate proactive and connected care worldwide The Health Impact Alliance (HIA) today announced the establishment of Health Impact Alliance Life.Studio Sweden, following the full integration of Stockholm-based WODE Intelligence into the HIA group. The new Life.Studio will serve as HIA's global center for software development, integration, and certification across the organization's connected-health ecosystem. Founded in Stockholm, WODE Intelligence brings deep expertise in behavioral-data analysis and AI algorithms designed to detect, predict, and prevent common age-related health challenges. Now part of HIA's Life.Studio, this experience strengthens the Alliance's mission to drive predictive, proactive, data-driven, evidence-based healthy aging solutions that helps seniors live longer, more independent lives. With roots in evidence-based research and years of applied innovation in AI-driven healthy aging, Wode's legacy continues as Life.Studio Sweden-bringing scientific depth and real-world insights into HIA's expanding ecosystem. As the Software Development and Integration arm of HIA, Life.Studio Sweden will oversee all software and algorithm partnerships, ensuring predictive technologies are designed, tested, and deployed to medical-grade standards. The team will also manage certification of software and services onto HIA's LifeLog Health Bank Platform under the Sliverline Certified Program, validating performance and compliance across HIA's global network. Life.Studio Sweden builds on Wode's proven record in predictive advanced health-monitoring innovation, including a mature fall-detection library with demonstrated real-world accuracy, behavioral tendency analytics, and the proprietary Constant Feedback Loop (CFL) framework for continuous performance optimization. "Wode's team in Sweden has repeatedly demonstrated a rare combination of scientific rigor and real-world integration expertise," said Craig Smith, Executive Director of the Health Impact Alliance. "By transforming Wode into Life.Studio Sweden, we're establishing a center of excellence for software, algorithms, and certification that ensures every HIA solution meets the highest global standards of reliability, safety, and predictive intelligence." "Joining the Health Impact Alliance marks the next evolution of our mission," said Daniella Lojdahl, Co-founder of Wode Intelligence. "Our team has spent years advancing behavioral analytics and predictive AI to support older adults in living longer, healthier, and more independent lives. Becoming Life.Studio Sweden allows us to bring that experience to a global platform dedicated to reimagining Healthy Aging." Connect America will integrate Life.Studio Sweden's enhanced software and predictive capabilities across its Lifeline Connect platform, which powers Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and connected home-health solutions across North America. Reducing false-positive notifications-one of the greatest challenges in the PERS industry-is a shared priority. By applying Life.Studio's proprietary CFL framework, Connect America, HIA, and Life.Studio are driving new levels of accuracy, reliability, and trust across connected-care systems. "This is a major step forward for the entire connected-care ecosystem," said Todd Levin, Chief Revenue Officer of Connect America. "Embedding Life.Studio Sweden's algorithms and certification processes into our Lifeline Connect solutions helps ensure seniors can confidently stay in the community longer by identifying health issues earlier and more accurately." The rebranding of Wode Intelligence to Health Impact Alliance Life.Studio Sweden takes effect immediately, with the Stockholm office serving as the primary hub for software integration, certification, and AI development. Together, the Health Impact Alliance and Life.Studio mark a new chapter in Healthy Aging-transforming care from reactive response to proactive intelligence, empowering seniors to live better, longer, and more independently. About Health Impact Alliance The Health Impact Alliance (HIA) unites leading technology companies and healthcare partners to help seniors live independently at home longer. Through clinical-grade health monitoring, family connectivity platforms, and predictive health insights, the HIA creates comprehensive ecosystems that transform aging in place. Its mission: empower one million seniors to thrive at home three or more years longer with caring technology that honors independence while keeping families connected. About Wode Intelligence Wode Intelligence is a Stockholm-based developer of AI-powered health-monitoring algorithms specializing in fall detection, activity analysis, and predictive clinical validation for senior care. With deep expertise in machine learning and sensor-data processing, Wode enables safer, more independent living for seniors while improving efficiency across the healthcare continuum. About Connect America Connect America is a leading provider of connected health solutions, trusted by hundreds of healthcare organisations for more than 50 years. The Lifeline brand has been America's most trusted emergency response service for five decades. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210777169/en/ Contacts: Media Contact dorit.baxter@healthimpactalliance.com JERICHO, N.Y., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm J.S. Held proudly commemorates numerous industry and expert recognitions. Across J.S. Held, a curated collection of financial, technical, and scientific experts -- entrepreneurs with an unrivaled understanding of both tangible and intangible assets -- have been recognized by leading industry publications for expertise in the following categories, including: Arbitration Expert Witnesses, Thought Leaders, and Future Leaders Asset Recovery Experts Asset-based Finance (ABF) Leaders & Legends Commercial Litigation Expert Witnesses, Thought Leaders Construction and Engineering - Litigation Support Construction Expert Witnesses, Thought Leaders, and Future Leaders Construction Quantum Delay & Technical Thought Leaders and Future Leaders Crisis & Risk Management - ESG Crisis & Risk Management - Investigative Due Diligence Crisis & Risk Management - Political Risk Data Experts ENR Top 200 Environmental Consulting Firm Enterprise Risk Management Consulting Financial Advisory and Valuation - Quantum of Damages Forensic Accountants Forensics & Complex Investigations - Compliance Forensics & Complex Investigations - Litigation Support Global Women to Watch - Accounting IAM Patent 1000 - World's Leading Patent Professionals IAM Strategy 300 - World's Leading Intellectual Property (IP) Strategists Intellectual Property Thought Leaders Investigations - Forensic Accountants Leadership Development Litigation Support - Asset Tracing & Recovery Litigation Support - Business Intelligence & Investigations Litigation Support - Forensic Accounting Outstanding Turnaround Firm Transport Experts, Thought Leaders J.S. Held Expertise Recognized by Global News Outlets, Ratings Agencies, and Research Firms The company and expert recognition by notable organizations, such as Asset-based Finance (ABF) Journal, Chambers and Partners, Consultancy, IAM, Leader's League, Lexology Index, and Verdantix, serves as a further testament to J.S. Held's solution-forward consulting and advisory to clients across the globe, no matter the scope or complexity of a project. Learn more about J.S. Held's areas of expertise, visit: https://www.jsheld.com/areas-of-expertise. J.S. Held Applies Financial, Technical, and Scientific Rigor Across Client Engagements J.S. Held's expertise is built upon five decades of experience in the most rigorous venues - state, federal, and international courts and tribunals - spanning more than 150 different industry segments. The depth and breadth of the firm's work in the insurance market provides a strong foundation in risk assessment, data analysis, global awareness, regulatory compliance, technological adaptability, and risk mitigation. Collectively, these skills better equip J.S. Held experts to address high-stakes disputes/litigation and assess business risk across diverse markets, geographies, geopolitical landscapes, compliance frameworks, and digital advancements. "In a world where uncertainty is the only constant, there is a need for something solid you can hold onto," observes J.S. Held Chief Executive Officer Lee Spirer. "Our name is our promise," he adds. "Our role as a trusted advisor is emblematic of this promise, even in the face of the most daunting risks, clients have the expertise and guidance to act with confidence." Celebrating the Team of Experts Expert recognition by notable organizations serves as a further testament to J.S. Held's agile, collaborative, creative, and client-centric team, reflecting the trusted advisor role the firm has earned over the last 50 years. Chief Executive Officer at J.S. Held, Lee Spirer, adds, "I am so proud of our team. These recognitions presented by leading outlets reflect input by clients and colleagues across multiple industries, underscoring our commitment to delivering expertise and innovative solutions in the complex world. It reflects not just the individual excellence of our experts, but our collective dedication to transforming the industries in which we work through precise analysis, reliable insights, and unwavering integrity." To explore the expertise recognized by these awards, visit: https://www.jsheld.com/about-us/news/j-s-held-and-experts-recognized-as-industry-leaders-in-2025 About J.S. Held J.S. Held is a global consulting firm that combines technical, scientific, financial, and strategic expertise to advise clients seeking to realize value and mitigate risk. Our professionals serve as trusted advisors to organizations facing high stakes matters demanding urgent attention, staunch integrity, proven experience, clear-cut analysis, and an understanding of both tangible and intangible assets. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of services, products, and data that enable clients to navigate complex, contentious, and often catastrophic situations. More than 1,500 professionals serve organizations across six continents, including 84% of the Global 200 Law Firms, 75% of the Forbes Top 20 Insurance Companies (90% of the NAIC Top 50 Property & Casualty Insurers), and 71% of Fortune 100 Companies. J.S. Held, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not certified public accounting firm(s) and do not provide audit, attest, or any other public accounting services. J.S. Held is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Securities offered through PM Securities, LLC, d/b/a Phoenix IB or Ocean Tomo Investments, a part of J.S. Held, member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved. Media Contact Kristi L. Stathis, J.S. Held, +1 786 833 4864, Kristi.Stathis@JSHeld.com, JSHeld.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1824221/JS_Held_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/js-held-and-experts-recognized-as-industry-leaders-in-2025-302637379.html Alexander von Schirmeister appointed as CEO, succeeding Jukka Sallinen; Rick Medlock continues as Chairman of the Board. HELSINKI, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nomentia, Europe's leading provider of treasury and cash management solutions, today announced a significant leadership transition. Alexander von Schirmeister will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Jukka Sallinen, who has successfully led the company through a period of strong growth and transformation. Alexander brings extensive experience in scaling businesses internationally and driving operational excellence. In his most recent role as Managing Director at Xero, he led growth across the UK and emerging markets. "I am delighted to join Nomentia as CEO at such an exciting time in the company's journey, and I sincerely thank Jukka for the incredible company he has built. Nomentia has established an exceptional reputation on their mission to support treasury and finance professionals across Europe, and I am passionate about continuing this momentum. I look forward to working alongside our talented team and our valued customers to further our purpose of freeing every business from financial surprises, while exploring new opportunities to expand the impact we make together." "The Board is thrilled to welcome Alexander as Nomentia's next CEO and begin a new chapter of growth and industry leadership," said Rick Medlock, Chairman of the Board. "Alexander is a seasoned and decisive leader with a unique set of experiences and a proven track record of scaling businesses. He is the right leader to guide Nomentia's next phase of customer focus and financial growth." Rick Medlock continued: "Jukka Sallinen has been a transformative leader for Nomentia. After 19 years with the business, and the company being well positioned to take the next step, we have agreed that now is the right time for a CEO transition. On behalf of the entire Board, we thank Jukka for his outstanding service to all Nomentia's stakeholders." Jukka Sallinen, Outgoing CEO, ads: "It has been an incredible journey. Over the last five years as a CEO, we transformed Nomentia from a local specialist to a European innovator in the TMS space. We expanded into new markets both organically and through acquisitions, quadrupling our team, revenue, and profitability. While I'm stepping down from the CEO role, I look forward to continuing to support Nomentia in a non-executive capacity. I have been very privileged to lead such a fantastic team of 300 professionals and thus I have full confidence that the company is well-positioned for its next phase." Closing Paragraph: Nomentia remains dedicated to delivering smart payment, liquidity, and treasury solutions for treasury and finance professionals. With Alexander von Schirmeister at the helm, the company is poised to continue its growth trajectory and reinforce its position as a trusted partner for businesses across Europe. Media contact: Jan Willem Doornbos Chief Marketing Officer janwillem.doornbos@nomentia.com 0031 611846330 www.nomentia.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/nomentia-oy/r/nomentia-announces-leadership-transition-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth,c4279844 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/nomentia-oy/i/jukka-sallinen,c3494989 jukka-sallinen https://news.cision.com/nomentia-oy/i/parsmedia-xero-alex-16122021-18,c3494991 ParsMedia Xero Alex 16122021 18 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nomentia-announces-leadership-transition-to-drive-next-phase-of-growth-302637937.html Giredestrant is the only oral SERD to show superior invasive disease-free survival in the adjuvant setting, marking the first significant endocrine therapy advance in over 20 years 1-3 Transformational results support the potential of giredestrant to become a new standard-of-care for early-stage disease 1 ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases, and up to a third experience recurrence on or after adjuvant endocrine therapy treatment 4-7 Data will be featured in an oral presentation at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and included in the official press programme Basel, 10 December 2025 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today positive data from the phase III lidERA Breast Cancer study evaluating investigational giredestrant as an adjuvant endocrine treatment for people with oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, early-stage breast cancer.1 At the pre-specified interim analysis, adjuvant giredestrant significantly reduced the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 30% (invasive disease-free survival [iDFS]) compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy (SoC ET) (hazard ratio [HR]=0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57-0.87, p=0.0014).1 The lidERA results are being presented at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and are included in the official press programme. "In early ER-positive breast cancer, challenges with disease recurrence and treatment adherence mean there is an urgent need for more effective, tolerable endocrine therapies," said Aditya Bardia, M.D., M.P.H, Director, Breast Oncology Program, Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Director of Translational Research Integration at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and lidERA principal investigator. "After almost 25 years, a new medicine - giredestrant - has demonstrated superiority over existing endocrine therapies in the curative setting, highlighting its potential as a new standard-of-care endocrine therapy for patients with breast cancer." "The substantial efficacy observed with giredestrant in the lidERA trial underscores its potential to become a new standard-of-care endocrine therapy in ER-positive early-stage breast cancer, where the chance for cure is highest," said Levi Garraway, MD, PhD, Roche's Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Product Development. "We look forward to sharing these results with health authorities around the world with the aim of bringing this new treatment option to patients as soon as possible." At three years, 92.4% of patients in the giredestrant arm were alive and free of invasive disease versus 89.6% in the SoC ET arm.1 The iDFS benefit was consistent across all clinically relevant subgroups.1 Overall survival (OS) data were immature at the time of this analysis, but a clear positive trend was observed.1 Follow-up for OS will continue to the next analysis. Giredestrant also demonstrated a 31% risk reduction of distant recurrence-free interval (HR=0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.89) - another key secondary endpoint.1 Giredestrant was well tolerated; adverse events were manageable and consistent with its known safety profile.1 ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases, and the majority are diagnosed in the early-stage.4,5 Currently, up to a third of people eventually experience recurrence on or after adjuvant endocrine therapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer.5-7 Additionally, many have to interrupt or stop treatment early due to safety or tolerability issues, thereby increasing the risk of death.8,9 These limitations underscore the need for more effective and better-tolerated options that can enhance adherence and prevent or delay disease recurrence. Giredestrant is the first and only oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) to show superior iDFS in the adjuvant setting and lidERA is the second positive phase III readout for giredestrant following the evERA Breast Cancer results in the metastatic setting.1,10 The scientific rationale for lidERA was supported by prior results in the neoadjuvant setting, including the coopERA trial showing that giredestrant was superior to an aromatase inhibitor in reducing malignant cell division (Ki67 levels).11 This growing body of evidence supports the potential of giredestrant to meaningfully improve outcomes compared with standard-of-care endocrine therapy across ER-positive early-stage and advanced breast cancer.1,10,11 Roche's extensive giredestrant clinical development programme spans multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy, reflecting our commitment to deliver innovative medicines to as many people with ER-positive breast cancer as possible. About the lidERA Breast Cancer study lidERA Breast Cancer [NCT04961996] is a phase III, randomised, open-label, multicentre study evaluating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant giredestrant versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy in people with medium- or high-risk stage I-III oestrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.12 Over 4,100 patients were enrolled in the study.12 The primary endpoint is invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) excluding unrelated cancers in other organs (second primary non-breast cancers).12 Key secondary endpoints include overall survival, iDFS including second primary non-breast cancers, disease-free survival and safety.12 About giredestrant Giredestrant is an investigational, oral, potent next-generation selective oestrogen receptor degrader and full antagonist.13 Giredestrant is designed to block oestrogen from binding to the oestrogen receptor, triggering its breakdown (known as degradation) and stopping or slowing down the growth of cancer cells.14 Giredestrant has an extensive clinical development programme and is being investigated in five company-sponsored phase III clinical trials that span multiple treatment settings and lines of therapy to benefit as many people as possible: Giredestrant versus standard-of-care endocrine therapy (SoC ET) as adjuvant treatment in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative early-stage breast cancer (lidERA Breast Cancer; NCT04961996 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04961996?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=lidera&rank=1)) 1 2 Giredestrant plus everolimus versus SoC ET plus everolimus in ER-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (evERA Breast Cancer; NCT05306340 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05306340)) 1 5 Giredestrant plus palbociclib versus letrozole plus palbociclib in ER-positive, HER2-negative, endocrine-sensitive, recurrent locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (persevERA Breast Cancer; NCT04546009 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04546009?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=persevera&rank=1)) 1 6 Giredestrant plus investigator's choice of a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor versus fulvestrant plus a CDK4/6 inhibitor in ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer resistant to adjuvant endocrine therapy (pionERA Breast Cancer; NCT06065748 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06065748?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=pionera&rank=1)) 1 7 Giredestrant plus Phesgo (pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and hyaluronidase subcutaneous) versus Phesgo in ER-positive, HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (heredERA Breast Cancer; NCT05296798 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05296798?cond=Breast%20Cancer&intr=Giredestrant&term=heredera&rank=1))18 About oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer Globally, the burden of breast cancer continues to grow, with 2.3 million women diagnosed and 670,000 dying from the disease every year.19 Breast cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related deaths amongst women, and the second most common cancer type.20 ER-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of breast cancer cases.4A defining feature of ER-positive breast cancer is that its tumour cells have receptors that attach to oestrogen, which can contribute to tumour growth.21 Despite treatment advances, ER-positive breast cancer remains particularly challenging to treat due to its biological complexity.22 Patients often face the risk of disease progression, treatment side effects and resistance to endocrine therapy.5-9,22,23 There is an urgent need for more effective treatments that can delay clinical progression and reduce the burden of treatment on people's lives.5,8,22,23 About Roche in breast cancer Roche has been advancing breast cancer research for more than 30 years, and it continues to be a major focus of research and development. Our legacy began with the development of the first targeted therapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer, and we continue to push the boundaries of science to address the complexities of all breast cancer subtypes. By leveraging our dual expertise in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, we are dedicated to providing tailored treatment approaches and improving outcomes for every patient, from early to advanced stages of the disease. Together with our partners, we are relentlessly pursuing a cure, as we strive for a future where no one dies from breast cancer. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. References [1] Bardia A, et al. Giredestrant vs standard-of-care endocrine therapy as adjuvant treatment for patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer: Results from the global Phase III lidERA Breast Cancer trial. Presented at: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. [13] Martin M, et al. Giredestrant. [16] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Combined With Palbociclib Compared With Letrozole Combined With Palbociclib in Participants With Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2- Negative Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer. [17] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Compared With Fulvestrant. [18] ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant in Combination With Phesgo . [19] World Health Organization. Breast Cancer [Internet; cited 2025 December]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer. [20] World Health Organization. Cancer Today [Internet; cited 2025 December]. Available from: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/en/dataviz/bars?mode=cancer&types=1&group_populations=1&sexes=2&key=asr&age_end=14. [21] Cleveland Clinic. Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer. [22] Hanker A, et al. Overcoming Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer. Canc Cell. 2020;37(4):496-513. [23] Basaran G, et al. Ongoing unmet needs in treating estrogen receptor-positive/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2018;63:144-55. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Roche Investor Relations Dr Bruno Eschli Phone: +41 61 68-75284 e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber Phone: +41 61 68-88027 e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com (mailto:sabine.borngraeber@roche.com) Dr Birgit Masjost Phone: +41 61 68-84814 e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com Investor Relations North America Loren Kalm Phone: +1 650 225 3217 e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com Attachment Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - AnalytixInsight Inc. (TSXV: ALY) (OTC Pink: ATIXF) ("AnalytixInsight", or the "Company") announces that it has mutually agreed with Polymath Research Inc. ("Polymath") and 16737803 Canada Inc. ("SubCo") to terminate the amalgamation agreement dated March 3, 2025, as amended and restated on May 13, 2025, June 27, 2025, and September 25, 2025 (the "Amalgamation Agreement"). The Amalgamation Agreement was originally entered into as part of a proposed business combination whereby Polymath and SubCo, a wholly owned subsidiary of AnalytixInsight, were to amalgamate under the Canada Business Corporations Act, with the resulting issuer continuing under the name "Polymath Network Inc." and the Company's post-consolidation shares to be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The completion of the proposed business combination remained subject to conditions that were not successfully completed. As a result, the amalgamation agreement has now been terminated in accordance with its terms. AnalytixInsight continued to fulfill its regulatory, corporate, and disclosure obligations throughout the process. There are no break fees or penalties associated with the termination. As part of the unwind, AnalytixInsight will arrange repayment of the funds advanced by Polymath under the loan agreement dated March 3, 2025. Once repaid, all agreements relating to the proposed business combination will be of no further force or effect. The Company is actively engaging with the TSXV regarding this change in circumstances and the termination of the Amalgamation Agreement. AnalytixInsight has requested that the TSXV lift the current trading halt in its shares and will provide further updates as information becomes available or as required by applicable regulatory requirements. AnalytixInsight remains focused on advancing its existing operations and continuing to explore opportunities that support long-term value creation for shareholders. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Company also confirms that it continues to move forward with its previously announced annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting"), which is scheduled to be held on January 27, 2026. Additional details regarding the meeting, including voting instructions and access information, will be provided in the management information circular to be mailed to shareholders and filed on SEDAR+ in due course. ABOUT ANALYTIXINSIGHT AnalytixInsight is a data analytics and enterprise software solutions provider. AnalytixInsight develops and markets cloud-based platforms providing financial content, company analysis and stock research solutions to the financial services industry. AnalytixInsight holds a 49% interest in MarketWall S.R.L., a developer of fintech solutions for financial institutions in Italy. Neither The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the respective policies, regulations and rules under such laws ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "will" and similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the repayment of amounts advanced under the loan agreement, the termination of the Amalgamation Agreement, the proposed Meeting timeline, and the Company's ongoing business objectives and strategic focus. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release including, without limitation, general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the Company's technology and revenue generation; risks associated with operation in the technology sector; the Company's ability to successfully develop a go-forward strategy, raise capital, and extract value from MarketWall; foreign operations risks; the risk that funding options are not available to the Company, on reasonable terms or at all, to address its funding needs; the receipt of necessary regulatory, court, and corporate approvals to pursue funding options; the risk that the previously disclosed court-ordered inspector may uncover unexpected issues and/or the investigation may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, the risk that the issues to be addressed by the previously disclosed interim orders and the court-ordered inspector are not resolved in a timely manner or at all, and other risks inherent in the technology industry. Additionally, there are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary note. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277572 SOURCE: AnalytixInsight Inc. Marriott, Pernod Ricard, and Oriental Land led global consumer short interest, while Palo Alto Networks, IBM, and CrowdStrike topped U.S. Software Services activity Global markets posted mixed performance in November, marked by shifting supply chains, evolving investor sentiment toward AI and growth technology, and widening divergence between U.S. and non-U.S. equities. Against this backdrop, short sellers continued to concentrate on consumer names worldwide-particularly across EMEA-while Software Services also drew significant U.S. short-selling activity, according to Hazeltree, a leading provider of integrated treasury and liquidity management solutions for alternative asset managers. Based on Hazeltree's analysis of anonymized data from its community of more than 600 asset management firms, consumer securities accounted for 44% of global short positions in November-up 17% from September. Prominent names included Marriott, Pernod Ricard, and Oriental Land. In the U.S., short sellers also targeted Software Services, with Palo Alto Networks, IBM, and CrowdStrike ranking among the most crowded positions in Hazeltree November 2025 Shortside Crowdedness Report. The report identifies the ten most crowded short positions across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC-broken out by large-, mid-, and small-cap categories. Data is sourced from Hazeltree's proprietary securities-finance platform, which tracks approximately 15,000 global equities and aggregates anonymized position data from the firm's community. Each security receives a Hazeltree Crowdedness Score (1-99, with 99 indicating the highest level of shorting activity), reflecting key supply-and-demand dynamics in the securities-lending market. "Coinbase cracked the top 10 most crowded large-cap shorts for the first time, as the U.S.-based crypto exchange experienced a steady decline in its stock price from October 27 to November 20, with a notable 34.1% drop," said Tim Smith, Managing Director, Data Insights, Hazeltree. "It may well be that asset managers are shorting the stock as a hedge against underlying crypto exposure, while others are speculating on the potential end of the year's crypto rally. It's also worth noting that MicroStrategy, which has previously appeared in the top 10 large caps, saw a sharp price decline during the same period because it is generally held to be a proxy for Bitcoin due to its sizable holdings." Highlights from the November 2025 report include: AMERICAS In the large-cap category, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. continued as the most crowded security with a score of 99 for the second consecutive month, followed by Charter Communications, Inc. with a score of 87. Coinbase Global, Inc. debuted in the top 10 most crowded large caps for the first time with a score of 84. Charter Communications, Inc. had the highest institutional supply utilization figure for the second month (40.79%). In the mid-cap category, Hims Hers Health, Inc. emerged as the most crowded security with a Crowdedness Score of 99 and, for the second time in 2025, posted the highest institutional supply utilization (61.44%). In the small-cap category, Allegiant Travel Company held onto the top spot for a second straight month with a score of 99, while Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. dropped out of the top 10 most crowded securities. Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. had the highest institutional supply utilization (65.69%) for the second time this year. EMEA In the large-cap category, Alstom became the most crowded security with a score of 99. H&M Hennes Mauritz AB had the highest institutional supply utilization (89.34%) for the seventh time this year. In the mid-cap category, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. and Brunello Cucinelli S.p.A. topped with a score of 99 with Davide Campari returning for a third time this year. Barry Callebaut AG had the highest institutional supply utilization (87.26%) for the fourth time this year. In the small-cap category, Ocado Group PLC was the most crowded security with a score of 99. Redcare Pharmacy NV had the highest institutional supply utilization (95.32%). APAC In the large-cap category, Oriental Land Co., Ltd. topped with a score of 99 for the sixth straight month and seventh time this year. Lasertec Corporation had the highest institutional supply utilization (24.54%) for the second time this year. In the mid-cap category, J Front Retailing Co., Ltd. held a top spot for the fourth time this year and Kokusai Electric Corp. for the sixth, with both posting a score of 99. Mercari, Inc. recorded the highest institutional supply utilization for the first time this year (26.39%). In the small-cap category, Meiko Electronics Co., Ltd. was the most crowded security for the fourth consecutive month with a score of 99. Money Forward, Inc. had the highest institutional supply utilization (40.88%) for the first time this year. To view Hazeltree's November 2025 Shortside Crowdedness Report and past reports, click here. Note to editors: If you are a member of the media/press and would like to be included on the distribution list for this report, please contact btanner@hazeltree.com. Hazeltree Shortside Crowdedness Report Methodology The Shortside Crowdedness Report tracks shorting activity in three different metrics: Hazeltree Crowdedness Score: This score is a relative metric that normalizes the number of funds in Hazeltree's community shorting a given security within a pre-defined group. The score is a percentile rank with 99 representing the security that has the highest number of funds shorting. Institutional Supply Utilization: This figure represents the percentage of the institutional investors' supply of a particular security that is being lent out. The institutional supply utilization rate is an indicator of how "hot" a security is in terms of the supply-demand dynamic. It is possible to see 100% utilization of a security's availability, making it difficult to establish new short positions. Hazeltree Community Borrow Fee: This figure is the average unweighted fee for what funds in the Hazeltree community are paying to borrow a security. The fee is represented as the annualized cost calculated as a percentage of the price of the security. About Hazeltree Hazeltree is the leading provider of treasury and liquidity management and optimization solutions purpose-built for the alternative investment industry. Trusted by more than 600 investment firms managing over $4 trillion in assets, Hazeltree empowers hedge funds, private markets firms, and asset managers to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk, and unlock alpha. Hazeltree's cloud-based platform facilitates nearly $8 billion in daily transactions across more than 10,000 funds. By delivering seamless connectivity across counterparties and service providers, Hazeltree enables clients to optimize cash, credit facilities, margin, and fees-driving stronger returns and greater transparency across the investment lifecycle. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Bournemouth, and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.hazeltree.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210287267/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Ben Tanner Hazeltree btanner@hazeltree.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Temas Resources Corp. (ASX:TIO)(CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FRA:26P0) ("Temas" or the "Company"), advises that De Visser Gray LLP has resigned as auditor of the Company, and HLB Mann Judd has been appointed as auditor effective from today. The change follows a review of the Company's audit and reporting requirements in connection with its ASX listing and planned future reporting obligations. The Board determined that appointing an audit firm with experience in dual-listed entities and Australian reporting requirements would better support the Company's ongoing compliance and growth strategy. The Company would like to thank De Visser Gray LLP for their services and professional support during their tenure. - ENDS - Approved for Release by the Board of Directors For further information, contact: Tim Fernback President & CEO timf@temasresources.com Jane Morgan Investor & Media Relations jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au + 61 (0) 405 555 618 Or visit our website at www.temasresources.com About Temas Resources Revolutionising Metal Production Proprietary IP. Global Licensing. Titanium & Critical Minerals. Temas Resources Corp. (ASX:TIO)(CSE:TMAS)(OTCQB:TMASF)(FRA:26P0) is a technology-driven critical minerals company advancing a dual-business model built around proprietary processing innovation and strategic mineral ownership. The Company's patented Regenerative Chloride Leach (RCL) technology platform delivers significant operational cost reductions - validated at up to 65% lower than traditional processing - while dramatically reducing energy use and environmental impact. Temas' RCL process is the foundation of its technology licensing and partnership business, enabling global mining and materials companies to adopt sustainable, high-margin metal extraction methods across a range of critical minerals including titanium, vanadium, nickel, and rare earth elements.? Complementing its technology division, Temas also owns 100% of two advanced titanium-vanadium-iron projects in Quebec, Canada - La Blache and Lac Brule - which are strategically positioned to feed directly into the Company's proprietary processing platform, creating a fully integrated mine-to-market supply chain for Western metals. Through this combination of innovative IP commercialisation and resource ownership, Temas Resources is positioned to deliver scalable, low-carbon solutions that strengthen Western critical-mineral independence and create long-term value for shareholders. Follow us: https://temasresources.com/ https://x.com/TMASResources https://www.linkedin.com/company/temas-resources-corp/ SOURCE: Temas Resources Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/change-of-auditor-1116204 New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Kingswood U.S., a wealth management and financial services firm with approximately $18 billion in assets under management and over 300 registered individuals, today announced a significant expansion of its full-service investment banking and capital markets capabilities. This expansion is driven by acquiring an equity stake in ArcStone Securities, LLC ("ArcStone") subject to final closing conditions, whereby Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer will open a branch dedicated to the ArcStone relationship. With offices in New York and Miami, ArcStone is positioned to enhance corporate investment banking services for both public and private corporations. The transaction builds upon a successful two-year strategic collaboration between the firms, which has included establishing our flagship high-impact growth conference for two sequential years in Toronto. This transaction aims to distinguish ArcStone within the investment banking landscape by offering a broad equity distribution capability and cement our partnership. ArcStone's coverage includes global family offices and institutional and high net worth investors with a history of participation in public offerings, as well as public and private growth companies, providing curated and quality deal flow to investors. "We are committed to growing the investment banking franchise, and deepening our partnership will propel that forward," said Michael Nessim, CEO of Kingswood U.S. "Our firms share a culture that values hard work, results, steadfast advice, and a client-first mindset." ArcStone's team of senior managing directors will be led by veteran industry leaders, including Michael Astone with Ed Tsuker at the helm of the Kingswood / ArcStone branch, to drive coverage for corporate clients. Michael Astone, CEO of ArcStone Securities, LLC, is a licensed CPA and former Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald, brings 18 years of experience at large bank-owned investment banks and a track record of spearheading billions in equity financings. "We have a relentless focus on results," said Michael Astone. "The institutional desk and family office reach puts us in a weight class of our own. Few mid-market firms will have the reach our platform delivers. Viewing the competitive landscape, many investment banks operate in a US institutional-only capacity. With Kingswood having such a large retail wealth distribution force, we view the equity capital markets through a much broader lens." The firm intends to build out talent across core verticals, focusing on sectors such as biotechnology, aviation and defense, natural resources, cybersecurity, fintech, AI/ML, and other growth industries. Comprehensive Service Offering At The ArcStone Franchise The franchise is designed to originate mandates, structure financings, and position clients with a diverse mix of institutional investors, family offices, and retail wealth distribution through the Kingswood U.S. national advisor base combining the strengths of both platforms. Investment Banking services will include: Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Follow-on equity financing PIPE (Private Investment in Public Equity) Offerings At-the-market (ATM) financings Registered directs Up-listings and cross-listings Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) To further support corporate clients with a differentiated investment banking service offering, ArcStone plans to host multiple high impact conferences across the United States building on the success of its flagship Toronto conference. Steve Kann, Andre Peschong and Jack Bensimon of ArcStone Securities, LLC will serve as Senior Managing Directors in the branch and the team expects to grow the franchise by adding senior talent who share the same entrepreneurial, results driven and high performing culture as ArcStone does. "Our firms share a passion for getting deals done. Breadth and depth in the equity capital markets franchise is key to that. This franchise and partnership achieves that. It was a natural next step. Retail, Institutional, Family Office and North / South," says Michael Astone. About Arcstone Securities, LLC ArcStone Securities, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. About Kingswood U.S. Kingswood U.S. is a wealth management and financial services firm based in the United States. About Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC. Disclaimer: This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Investment banking services are offered through Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277550 SOURCE: ArcStone US Corp. Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Golden Rapture Mining Corporation (CSE: GLDR) is pleased to announce that it has staked an additional 7 claim units at its 100% owned Northern Queen Mine property located southeast of Dryden, Ontario. The Northern Queen Mine land package now consists of 45 contiguous claim units covering roughly 2,000 acres. The property lies along the southern boundary of the NexGold Goliath Gold Deposit, with the eastern section of the property being located on the border of the Dryden Gold claims. We are looking forward to exploring this underexplored property using modern methods and technologies. It has world-class infrastructure at our doorstep, including: Trans-Canada Highway, Ontario Provincial Hwy 72, CP Rail, Hydro and ready access to an experienced and available workforce in Dryden, Wabigoon and Sioux Lookout. Richard Rivet said, "We are proud to have assembled a strong portfolio of four high-grade projects, encompassing a total of 24 historical underexplored mine shafts, which are also located near gold producers. With gold prices hitting record highs this year, we're excited to explore our highly-promising properties in what continues to be a very favourable market environment for gold explorers." ABOUT GOLDEN RAPTURE MINING CORPORATION Golden Rapture Mining is a newly listed exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of high-potential projects. Golden Rapture became listed on March 14 of 2024 and presently has 37,469,390 shares issued. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various 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. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277556 SOURCE: Golden Rapture Mining Corporation NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR THE DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION, RELEASE OR PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Nano One Materials Corp. ("Nano One" or the "Company") (TSX:NANO)(OTCQB:NNOMF), is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced overnight marketed underwritten offering of 4,970,500 units, including 320,500 units ("Units") issued pursuant to partial exercise of the Over-Allotment Option (as defined below), at a price of C$1.40 per Unit (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$6,958,700 (the "Offering"). Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "Lead Underwriter") acted as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner under the Offering on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters including Roth Canada, Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (together with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire, upon payment of C$1.75 to the Company, one common share of the Company, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, until December 10, 2027. The net proceeds of the Offering are expected to be used for research and business development activities, expansion of the Company's Candiac facility, working capital and general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and in consideration of the Underwriters' services rendered in connection with the Offering, the Company paid to the Underwriters a cash fee equal to 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds in respect of the Offering, subject to a reduced fee of 3.0% of the gross proceeds for Units sold by the Underwriter to certain purchasers designated by the Company on the President's list (the "President's List") and issued to the Underwriters on the Closing Date such number of compensation warrants (each, a "Compensation Warrant") as is equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold pursuant to the Offering, subject to a reduced number of Compensation Warrants equal to 3.0% of the Units sold by the Underwriter to purchasers on the President's List. The characteristics of the Compensation Warrants are more particularly described in the Prospectus Supplement. The Units were offered in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to a short form prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") dated December 8, 2025 pursuant to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated April 26, 2024 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), and in the United States on a private placement basis by way of a confidential offering memorandum pursuant to certain exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and applicable state securities laws. The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment") exercisable, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the Underwriters, the details of which are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, and any Units, Common Shares or Warrants issued on exercise of the Over-Allotment would be qualified by the Prospectus Supplement and form part of the Offering. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Offering have been listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, and applicable U.S. state securities laws. About Nano One Nano One is a technology company changing how the world makes cathode active materials for lithium-ion batteries. Applications include stationary energy storage systems (ESS), portable electronics, and electric vehicles (EVs). The Company's patented One-Pot process reduces costs, is easier-to permit, lowers energy intensity, environmental footprint, and reliance on problematic supply chains. The Company is supporting the drive towards energy security, supply chain resilience, industrial competitiveness and increased performance through process innovation. Production is being piloted and demonstrated in Candiac, Quebec, drawing on the existing plant and decades of commercial lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) manufacturing experience. Strategic collaborations and partnerships with international companies like Sumitomo Metal Mining, Rio Tinto, and Worley are supporting a design-one-build-many licensing growth strategy-delivering cost-competitive, easier-to-permit, and faster-to-market battery materials production solutions worldwide. Nano One has received funding from the Government of Canada, the Government of the United States, the Government of Quebec, and the Government of British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.nanoOne.ca. Company Contact Paul Guedes info@nanoOne.ca (604) 420-2041 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the use of the net proceeds of the Offering and the Over-Allotment Option that remains exercisable at the sole discretion of the Underwriters. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Nano One's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Nano One and on assumptions we believe are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to assumptions regarding: the use of the net proceeds of the Offering; the need to cover any over-allotments under the Offering; any necessary re-allocation of proceeds from the Offering for prudent business reasons; changes to market conditions; changes to the regulatory climate; and such other factors and risks as disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement, Base Shelf Prospectus, the Company's most recent annual information form, management's discussion and analysis and other documents filed from time to time under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not limited to prevailing capital markets conditions, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, changes in legislation, and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Nano One Materials Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/nano-one-closes-6.96-million-overnight-marketed-offering-1116231 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Callagy has announced a new holiday initiative designed to provide meaningful relief and renewed hope to families facing hardship during the 2025 season. Through a message shared on his Instagram profile, Callagy revealed that he will personally provide five families with ten thousand dollars each to help them navigate challenges and experience a more supported holiday. Callagy, the founder of Callagy Law, Unblinded Mastery, and ACTi, shared his message in a compelling Instagram Reel that is gaining rapid traction across social media. In the video, he reflects on his life journey, including living with a degenerative eye condition that has limited his vision for decades. Despite that challenge, he explains that one form of sight has always remained clear. His ability to see the power of kindness. "I have lived most of my life without seeing the world the way other people do," Callagy said. "But what I have always seen clearly is the power of kindness. One act of generosity can change how someone feels about themselves and what is possible. So this Christmas, I want to help five families experience a holiday filled with hope and relief." The initiative aims to support families who may be struggling with financial pressures, medical bills, housing instability, or other unexpected hardships during the 2025 holiday season. The ten thousand dollar gift to each selected family can be used for whatever they need most. Callagy emphasized that this support is intended not just as financial assistance, but as an opportunity for families to feel dignity, comfort, and renewed possibility. Through his Instagram post, Callagy encouraged individuals who are facing difficulties or who know someone in need to participate by engaging with the announcement online. Individuals are invited to follow his Instagram, share the Reel, and tag three people who believe in generosity and the positive impact of giving. This initiative is one of several philanthropic efforts Callagy is leading this year. He is also participating in the Guinness recognized Trina's Kids 12th Annual World's Largest Toy Drive. At the Toy Drive events in Los Angeles on December 13, Las Vegas on December 15, and at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey on December 21, Callagy will volunteer on site to donate and distribute toys to thousands of children across the country. Callagy's leadership platform, Unblinded Mastery, promotes self mastery, process mastery, and influence mastery, grounded in the belief that integrity based human influence can improve lives in meaningful ways. His approach to philanthropy mirrors these values by demonstrating that leadership is expressed not only through achievement, but through service. As he concluded his announcement, Callagy shared a message of compassion and faith. "If you or someone you love is struggling this season, follow me, share the story below, and tag three people who believe in generosity and the power of giving. Merry Christmas and God bless you." Families interested in being considered for the initiative can find details directly through Sean Callagy's official Instagram page. Media Contact: Scott Popescu Scott.Popescu@UnblindedMastery.com Glazers Media Press@glazersmedia.com SOURCE: Unblinded Mastery View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/sean-callagy-announces-holiday-initiative-to-support-five-famili-1116226 Transaction values Quorum at approximately $60 million; Quorum shareholders receive $0.80 per share in cash MONTREAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Valsoft Corporation Inc. ("Valsoft"), a Montreal-based company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce the successful closing of the previously announced statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), pursuant to which 2745122 Alberta Inc. (the "Purchaser"), an affiliate of Valsoft, has acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Quorum Information Technologies Inc. ("Quorum") at a price of $0.80 per share in cash (the "Consideration"). The Arrangement was completed following approval by Quorum shareholders, Court approval, and satisfaction of all other customary closing conditions. The Arrangement is further described in the management information circular dated October 22, 2025, available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Quorum's issuer profile. Quorum is a leading North American SaaS provider delivering mission-critical enterprise solutions that automotive dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEMs") rely on to run their businesses. Quorum will continue to operate autonomously and will join TAG Software Group, one of Valsoft's decentralized operating entities. This model enables Quorum to benefit from shared expertise, operational support, and a long-term strategic vision-while preserving its commitment to innovation, reliability, and exceptional customer service for automotive retailers and OEM partners. Leadership Commentary "Quorum has built an impressive reputation as a trusted technology partner to automotive dealerships and OEMs across North America. Their strong product portfolio, commitment to customer success, and innovative culture align perfectly with Valsoft's long-term investment approach. We are pleased to welcome Quorum into the Valsoft family and look forward to supporting the company's next stage of growth," said Costa Tagalakis, Investment Partner at TAG Software Group. "Valsoft is the ideal partner for Quorum because they invest through long-term partnerships with management. This empowers our team to continue delivering for customers with the same dedication and expertise they expect. With Valsoft's support, we are positioned to accelerate innovation while creating new opportunities for our employees and customers," said Maury Marks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quorum. Delisting Quorum has applied to delist its common shares from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Delisting"). Following the Delisting, Quorum will apply to the securities regulators to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian securities laws. Transaction Highlights Cash Consideration: Quorum shareholders received $0.80 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 14% to the closing price on September 19, 2025, and 12% to the 10-day VWAP. Certainty of Value: Immediate liquidity and cash certainty for all Quorum shareholders. Fairness Opinion: TD Securities Inc. provided the Quorum board and its special committee with a fairness opinion confirming the Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders. Strong Shareholder Support: Officers, directors and certain shareholders holding approximately 50% of outstanding shares agreed to vote in favour of the Transaction. No Financing Condition: Valsoft's obligation to complete the Transaction was not subject to any financing condition. Advisors To Quorum: TD Securities Inc. (financial advisor); McLeod Law LLP (legal advisor) To Valsoft: Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (legal advisor) About Quorum Information Technologies Inc. Quorum is a North American SaaS software and services company providing essential enterprise solutions that automotive dealerships and OEMs rely on for their operations, including: Dealership Management System (DMS): Automates, integrates and streamlines dealership processes with emphasis on revenue generation and customer satisfaction. DealerMine CRM: A sales and service CRM and Business Development Centre solution that drives revenue in key dealership departments. Autovance: A modern retailing platform supporting digital retailing, desking and F&I menu solutions. Accessible Accessories: A digital retailing platform enabling franchised dealerships to efficiently grow accessories revenue. VINN Automotive: An automotive marketplace simplifying vehicle research and purchase while helping retailers sell more efficiently. Quorum Information Technologies Inc. was previously listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol QIS. Additional information is available at www.QuorumInformationSystems.com. About Valsoft Valsoft acquires and develops vertical market software companies that deliver mission-critical solutions. A core tenet of Valsoft's philosophy is to invest in established businesses and foster an entrepreneurial environment that helps them lead in their industries. Unlike private equity and venture capital firms, Valsoft has no predefined investment horizon, instead buying, holding, and creating value through long-term partnerships with management teams and customers. Learn more at www.valsoftcorp.com. Media Contact Thierry Tardif Head of Corporate Marketing & Communications Valsoft Corporation +1 514-799-6679 t.tardif@valsoftcorp.com SOURCE: Valsoft Corp. Acquisition_Quorum_FINAL_EN View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/valsoft-corporation-announces-closing-of-previously-announced-ac-1116280 By Tarun Anthony NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / As India undergoes rapid digital transformation, the opportunities are immense - but so are the risks. Cybercrime losses exceeded ?1,750 crore in the first four months of 2024 alone. [1] While India requires at least one million cybersecurity professionals, its current workforce is less than half that number. [2] This makes it paramount not only to equip citizens with knowledge on how to stay safe online, but also to train the cybersecurity workforce India urgently needs. This is the challenge that sits at the heart of the partnership between Cisco and the NIIT Foundation, an India-based nonprofit focused on education and skill development that helped us positively impact 50 million people in India. Since 2008, Cisco and NIIT Foundation have partnered on initiatives that bridge the digital divide, including various training programs for India's youth. Building on this strong foundation, in 2022, we launched a flagship initiative: Cyber Suraksha. A multipronged approach to cyber safety Aligned with Cisco's strategy to leverage technology and partnerships to tackle critical needs in education and economic development, the Cyber Suraksha program aims to build widespread knowledge on cyber safety while training young people for cybersecurity careers. The program - designed as a comprehensive response to India's escalating cybersecurity challenges - is structured around three key courses: Cyber Awareness: A 20-hour foundational program for ages 13+ covering personal online safety and protection against cyber threats like identity theft, cyber-bullying, and fraud. Cyber Smart: An advanced course for college students interested in cybersecurity and preparing for careers in the field. Cyber Workforce: A comprehensive, employability-focused program designed to train individuals for roles in the cybersecurity industry. Cyber Suraksha's impact by the numbers Over a three-year grant period (2022-2025), Cyber Suraksha pursued an ambitious vision: training one million individuals across India in cybersecurity skills and awareness. By March 2025, the program had surpassed that goal across its three courses, demonstrating the curriculum's effectiveness and the widespread demand for accessible digital safety training. The program's impact has been both wide-reaching and inclusive, spanning communities often left behind in tech education. With more than 40% female participation, the program is helping to reshape a field where women are often underrepresented globally. Furthermore, participants who found employment after completing the program saw their family incomes rise by an average of 39% over a three-year period, highlighting how digital skills and cybersecurity training can directly contribute to economic mobility. Real lives, real impact: Stories from the Cyber Suraksha program While the statistics tell a powerful story of scale, the true impact of Cyber Suraksha is best understood through the lives it has transformed. Rehana, a 31-year-old trans woman and community advocate from New Delhi, noticed that her community was particularly susceptible to cyber threats due to a lack of awareness. "The Cyber Suraksha initiative empowered me to recognize and respond to cyber threats," she explained. "I developed essential cybersecurity skills through mentorship and practical experience." Today, she's passionate about raising cyber awareness and works to help her community protect themselves online. Personal experiences with cyber fraud motivated both Apurba, a 25-year-old computer application graduate from rural West Bengal, and Anand, a 50-year-old yoga teacher from Delhi, to enroll in Cyber Suraksha. Both had been targeted by online scams, from unauthorized bank transactions to email breaches. "The courses provided me with advanced skills and a strong theoretical foundation," Apurba shared, crediting the program with preparing him for his career. For Anand, the training offered something equally valuable: "The Cyber Suraksha program greatly enhanced my understanding of fraud tactics and how to prevent them." Today, Apurba works in cybersecurity while Anand actively raises awareness about cyber safety in his community. The partnerships advancing cybersecurity in India Cyber Suraksha's success reflects the strength of the partnership between Cisco and NIIT Foundation. Together, we've reached underserved populations - from rural youth to older adults - equipping them with skills that open pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Achieving this scale required partnerships at every level: more than 500 colleges, 129 NGOs, and 3,000+ government schools across 27 states and five union territories provided grassroots access and local insight. Technology platforms for project management, impact tracking, and AI-driven learning enabled the program to adapt quickly and personalize content. NIIT Foundation's community networks combined with Cisco's technology infrastructure created a depth of impact that neither of us could have achieved alone. Looking ahead toward a digitally resilient future The journey doesn't end here. Building on Cyber Suraksha's success, Cisco and NIIT Foundation are launching Cyber Suraksha Plus to reach an additional 2.7 million people over the next three years. The initiative will maintain its focus on reaching all learners, aiming for 40% female participation, and will expand into artificial intelligence training alongside cybersecurity. Through multiple delivery channels - instructor-led sessions, train-the-trainer models, and self-paced platforms like the Learn@NIITFoundation app - the program will extend its reach into even more remote areas and vulnerable communities. Strengthened partnerships with government institutions, colleges, and grassroots organizations will enable sustainable, cost-effective delivery at scale. The stories of Rehana, Apurba, Anand, and one million others prove what's possible when technology, education, and partnership come together. As Cisco and NIIT Foundation continue this work, we're not just building cybersecurity skills - we're creating pathways to opportunity and contributing to a more secure digital future for all of India. Learn more about Cisco's Corporate Social Responsibility efforts in India. View original content here. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cisco Systems Inc. on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cisco Systems Inc. Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cisco-systems-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cisco Systems Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/cyber-resilience-for-all-how-cisco-and-niit-foundation-are-securing-in-1116281 CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / KeyBank has named Olivia Walters corporate responsibility officer for the Hudson Valley/Metro NY and Eastern Pennsylvania markets. In this position she will oversee KeyBank's philanthropic budget and investment strategies to meet community needs, as well as create and maintain relationships with community-based nonprofit organizations. Walters also will oversee KeyBank's Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) compliance goals throughout the region. Previously, Walters served as director of programs at All Star Code, leading national community engagement strategies to close the digital divide and increase access to technology and leadership development for young men of color. She has also worked as vice president of programs for The Steinman Foundation. "Olivia's dedication to community and passion for driving measurable impact make her an ideal fit for this position," said Mattie Jones Hollowell, regional corporate responsibility officer, KeyBank. "KeyBank is committed to responsible banking and investing in the communities we proudly call home. I am thrilled to have Olivia bring her significant expertise to lead and expand KeyBank's community outreach efforts." An active member of her community, Walters serves on the board of CHI Saint Joseph Children's Health, where she contributes to strategies that enhance health outcomes for children and families through community partnerships. Photo: Olivia Walters, Corporate Responsibility Officer for the Hudson Valley/Metro NY and Eastern Pennsylvania markets, KeyBank. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/keybank-names-walters-corporate-responsibility-officer-1116286 Enforcement signals the need for verified identity across the full Identity Integrity Chain MCLEAN, VIRGINIA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Numeracle, Inc. (Numeracle), the pioneer of Entity Identity Management (EIM) for communications, today addressed recent multistate Attorney General (AG) enforcement actions targeting high-volume illegal robocall activity by reaffirming the industry's need for end-to-end identity assurance as the foundation for stopping unlawful traffic and restoring trust in voice communications. The actions were issued by the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, a bipartisan coalition of all 50 state Attorneys General and the District of Columbia. In its notices, the Task Force highlights massive nationwide waves of brand and government impersonation campaigns, estimating billions of Amazon, Apple, Internal Revenue Service, and Social Security Administration scam calls reaching U.S. consumers over multiple years. The scale of these campaigns underscores how deeply impersonation fraud has embedded itself into the communications ecosystem. Illegal and nuisance callers continue to exploit network entry points, onboarding processes, and traffic gaps. Traditional fraud tools have largely focused on detecting and mitigating bad traffic after it has already entered the network. Regulators and enforcement agencies are increasingly signaling an expectation that providers demonstrate proactive controls designed to prevent abuse before it occurs. In this emerging enforcement environment, identity verification is becoming the first critical link in the call authentication and robocall mitigation chain. "The enforcement actions make clear that the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift: trust can no longer be assumed; it must be verified at every entry point into the communications ecosystem," said Rebekah Johnson, Founder & CEO of Numeracle. "Identity has become the core component that enables providers to prevent abuse before it enters the network rather than react to it after the call has been placed. Regulators are now signaling that policing entry points must be standard operating procedure. Establishing identity verification as core infrastructure-built into onboarding, carried through transmission, and reflected at display-is the path to a future where consumers no longer need to question who is on the other end of a call or message." This enforcement momentum closely aligns with the Federal Communications Commission's ongoing exploration of identity frameworks in its recent Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on caller identity. While the FNPRM remains in the proposed stage and subject to public input, it reinforces a broader regulatory and industry trend toward strengthening call authentication, identity verification, and consumer transparency across both IP and non-IP networks. To support this industry shift, Numeracle provides identity verification capabilities through its Entity Identity Management platform, including Know Your Customer as a Service (KYCaaS). These capabilities enable communications providers to establish a centralized, auditable enterprise identity layer that supports onboarding verification, ongoing due diligence, and policy-aligned identity and automation controls. This foundation helps support safer traffic, stronger carrier relationships, and the future delivery of enhanced identity display services. "We're moving toward a future where identity verification is not a compliance checkbox but rather is the backbone of trusted communication," Johnson added. "As we establish authenticity at scale, across entities, providers, and platforms, we unlock the next generation of the Identity Integrity Chain-Numeracle's end-to-end identity framework that is Verified at Onboarding, Protected in Transit, and Trusted at Display-enabling everything from Rich Business Messaging to enhanced Rich Call Data with verified purpose and provenance. When identity is authenticated and preserved throughout its journey, enterprises can communicate with clarity, carriers can deliver with assurance, and consumers can finally rely on the authenticity of every interaction." As enforcement accelerates and regulatory attention intensifies, identity is quickly becoming the defining infrastructure layer for the future of communications. Providers that invest now in establishing verified enterprise identity across the full lifecycle of a call will be best positioned to meet rising expectations, protect their networks, and restore lasting consumer trust. Learn more about Numeracle's approach to identity verification and trusted communications at: https://www.numeracle.com/resources/know-your-customer. About Numeracle Numeracle's Entity Identity Management (EIM) platform enables service and platform providers to manage the identity of end entities and implement Know Your Customer (KYC) policies to outbound communications. KYC identity vetting and verification is the cornerstone of the platform; developed in support of evolving federal regulations and telecom standards. Leveraging entity identity, EIM is used to associate Verified Identity to outbound communications, manage branded presentation across the wireless network, deliver blocking and labeling prevention and remediation, visibility to number reputation, and more, to support service and platform provider requirements to empower wanted communications while monitoring for and blocking the illegal. For more information, visit www.numeracle.com. Media Contact Molly Weis VP, Marketing & Communications visibility@numeracle.com +1(814) 380-1181 SOURCE: Numeracle View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/telecommunications/numeracle-responds-to-multistate-ag-anti-robocall-actions-with-a-call-for-end-to-1116289 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) ("AJN" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from its 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders, which was held on December 3, 2025. All resolutions presented to shareholders were approved. The number of directors was set at four, and Klaus Eckhof, Sheena Eckhof, Lap Kiu Jacky Chan and Patrick Flint were elected or re-elected to AJN's board of directors. Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was re-appointed as auditor of the Company. Klaus Eckhof continues as the Company's CEO & President and Philip Knowles continues as the Company's CFO. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 50 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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/277563 SOURCE: AJN Resources Inc. More than nine billion voice notes are now sent every day, meaning they've become a new global symbol of digital distraction They're getting longer, more one sided, and killing the art of conversation - some 76% of people globally says voice notes tend to be self-involved and over half even feel that they are replacing IRL connections In a new tech pilot, Heineken has created a WhatsApp bot in a bid to transform long voice note monologues into real-life chats has created a WhatsApp bot in a bid to transform long voice note monologues into real-life chats App users who receive voice notes lasting three minutes or longer can exchange them for a free beer - and it comes with a recommendation of local bars to try too AMSTERDAM, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We've all been sent voice notes that - instead of offering a quick update - turn into miniature podcasts lasting what seems like forever. In the increasingly digital world we live in, voice notes are turning into yet another distraction that encourages us to bury our heads in our smartphones rather than making real life connections. Now Heineken, the champion of IRL socialising, has launched new WhatsApp technology that offers an ingenious incentive to those who'd prefer to meet up and connect face-to-face, bringing back the art of in person conversation. The technology has been launched as a pilot in Brazil, where official data from META shows that Brazilians send four times as many voice notes than people in any other country. The tech was devised after global research polling 14,000 respondents showed that in just one year, the average person spends almost 150 hours a year sending and receiving voice notes. Not only are people spending a significant amount of time listening to voice notes, but they are impacting real-life social interactions too. Over half (52%) of those polled feel voice notes are replacing IRL interactions, rising to 60% amongst Gen Z. Nearly half (49%), meanwhile, admit to spending entire evenings sending voice notes to a friend instead of meeting in-person, even though 54% say they have their most fulfilling conversations face-to-face. Global data and business intelligence platform Statista reported, in groundbreaking new data, that 9.4 billion WhatsApp voice notes are now sent every day (equivalent to about 3.4 trillion over the full year). When compared to 2024, their frequency has increased by 7%, and in length by 8%. Stacy Jo Dixon, Social Media and Society Expert at Statista, said: "Our data suggests that voice notes are not just growing in frequency but also length. With nearly 9.5 billion voice notes sent daily on WhatsApp alone (compared to 7 billion in 2022), it's evident that voice messaging is reshaping the way we communicate across the globe and taking on a more prominent role alongside traditional in-person interactions." While many use voice notes as a 'catch up shortcut', people are barely engaged with them. Over half (55%) admit they often forget to listen to them, and even when they do listen, attention is low: 88% forget what was actually said in the message. Nabil Nasser, Global Head of Heineken?, said: "Just like we all know meetings that 'could have been an email', we're now seeing voice notes that 'Could have been a Heineken'. "Voice notes can feel more personal than reading a message, but what our research shows is that we need to make sure they don't turn into mini-podcasts, and that we're having two-way conversations rather than an extended monologue. "At Heineken, we want to make it easier for people to share moments of socialisation in real life. That's why we have launched the 'Could have been a Heineken' WhatsApp bot, incentivising people to swap long voice notes for a refreshing in-person catch up over a beer of course." The 'Could have been a Heineken' WhatsApp technology is currently being tested in Brazil, with further global markets set to follow. To redeem the offer, WhatsApp users over 18 must forward a voice note that they have received, which is longer than three minutes, to a private, encrypted bot. The user will then receive a message saying it 'Could have been a Heineken', alongside a voucher for a free beer and a recommendation of local bars to meet up with the friend in real life. Notes to editors Media contact: HeinekenBrazil@wearetheromans.com Research Credits: *Heineken commissioned a survey of 14,000 respondents across the United Kingdom, USA, Germany, India, Brazil, United Arab Emirates and Romania. Research conducted by OnePoll, November 2025. *Separately, Heineken commissioned Statista to supply the global data on voice note usage in 2024 and 2025 About Heineken HEINEKEN is the world's most international brewer. It is the leading developer and marketer of premium beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, the Group has a portfolio of more than 300 international, regional, local and specialty beers and ciders. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution and focused cost management. Through "Brewing a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We employ over 85,000 employees and operate breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Heineken N.V. and Heineken Holding N.V. shares trade on the Euronext in Amsterdam. Prices for the ordinary shares may be accessed on Bloomberg under the symbols HEIA NA and HEIO NA and on Reuters under HEIN.AS and HEIO.AS. HEINEKEN has two sponsored level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) programmes: Heineken N.V. (OTCQX: HEINY) and Heineken Holding N.V. (OTCQX: HKHHY) A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bd460a71-4e67-44c6-8b0c-cb1696242367 JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Propelus announced today it has won two prestigious Stevie Awards in the 22nd annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, recognizing its commitment to people-first leadership and driving business excellence. Stevie Awards 2025 The honors include: Gold Stevie Award for Best Female CEO of the Year , presented to Chief Executive Officer Julie Walker. The award recognizes Walker's transformative, values-driven leadership, which unified separate brands into one connected organization since July 2023, while delivering over 115% net revenue retention and welcoming nearly 50 new health systems. Bronze Stevie Award for Management Team of the Year at a Women-Owned or -Led Organization - More Than 10 Employees. This award celebrates the Propelus Leadership Team's focus on product-led growth, values, and culture, which has resulted in a 200% improvement in employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) to +56 and a 98 percent employee retention rate across 2024. The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor the achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run - worldwide. The Stevie Award has been hailed as the world's premier business award. More than 1,500 entries from 48 nations and territories were submitted this year across more than 100 categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 190 business professionals around the world across seven juries. Propelus was honored in two categories that spotlight leadership rooted in empathy, innovation, and shared purpose. "These honors represent a leadership approach that centers Propelus's values in every decision," said Jessica MacGregor, chief of staff at Propelus. "We believe that meaningful work happens when people feel trusted, supported, and connected to a larger purpose." Judges praised Propelus, noting that "Propelus demonstrates a rare balance of people-first leadership and technological innovation." They also highlighted that the management team's accomplishments - including the launch of its Propelus Data Solutions' Primary Source Verification API, a 200 percent improvement in eNPS, and a 98 percent retention rate - set the organization apart. "We accept these Stevie Awards with immense gratitude and a sense of shared accomplishment. They validate our core philosophy: that values-driven leadership and business excellence are inseparable-in fact, they fuel each other," said Julie Walker, CEO at Propelus. "We remain humbly focused on serving our clients, continuing to innovate, and earning the trust of our employees every single day as we thoughtfully lead Propelus into the future." Details about the Stevie Awards for Women in Business and the list of winners in all categories are available at Women.StevieAwards.com. About Propelus Propelus streamlines workforce compliance management for healthcare. Through market-leading solutions like Propelus CE Broker, Propelus EverCheck, Propelus Immuware, and Propelus Data Solutions, our innovative technology and strategic partnerships empower millions of professionals and their employers, regulators, and partners to work together, ensuring a better-connected and more efficient healthcare ecosystem. Learn more at propelus.com. About the Stevie Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more at StevieAwards.com. Persistent Systems sponsored the SheShapesAI categories in the 2025 competition. Contact Information Stephanie Pavol Sr. Marketing Director stephaniepavol@propelus.com Victoria Kinney Sr. Growth Marketing Manager victoriakinney@propelus.com SOURCE: Propelus View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/propelusr-wins-gold-and-bronze-stevier-awards-in-the-2025-stevie-1115854 Multi-Agent AI Solution Restores Voice, Presence, and Agency to Millions Launched at AI Summit New York VoXAI Video here NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scott-Morgan Foundation, in collaboration with D-ID, today announced the launch of SMF VoXAI, a multi-agentic AI-powered platform that restores the natural flow of conversation for people with severe communication disabilities. The launch marks the culmination of a five-year global experiment in ethical, human-centred AI led by the Scott-Morgan Foundation CEO LaVonne Roberts. The initiative unites disability advocates, universities, and a consortium of NVIDIA Inception AI companies, including D-ID, ElevenLabs, and Irisbond, alongside NVIDIA infrastructure and Lenovo, the global technology leader, whose partnership realizes founder Dr. Peter Scott-Morgan's vision that every device should include accessibility as standard. Students at partner Tecnologico de Monterrey each dedicated over 400 hours to developing and testing SMF VoXAI and conducting the first empirical research on how expressive avatars enhance communication. SMF VoXAI was developed by the Foundation's Chief Technologist, Bernard Muller, who is fully paralyzed by ALS and architected the entire system using only eye-tracking technology. The platform embodies the Foundation's principle of 'designing with, not for.' "Two years ago, this would have been impossible," says Scott-Morgan Foundation CEO LaVonne Roberts. "Today, a technologist who's lived with ALS for 15 years and mastered coding through eye-tracking alone has designed AI coordination that restores agency instead of replacing it, proving that when you design WITH the people who need solutions most, you build what Big Tech couldn't. This gives people back what they've been locked out of: their own voices, their presence, their lives." The platform was presented publicly for the first time on December 10th at the AI Summit New York, during the live session "Against Silence: How Extreme Constraint Built the Most Sophisticated Ambient AI in Production." Powered by D-ID's Real-Time Streaming API and advanced agentic AI capabilities, SMF VoXAI brings conversation to life through photorealistic, responsive digital avatars that convey users' words and emotions in real time. The ultra-low-latency system, driven by NVIDIA GPUs and incorporating voice and eye-gaze solutions by ElevenLabs and Irisbond, enables people who communicate via eye-tracking technology to engage in natural, face-to-face dialogue, turning delayed text into immediate presence and transforming passive interaction into dynamic human connection. Globally, more than 100 million people live with conditions that severely limit speech, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which affects over 340,000 people worldwide, as well as those recovering from stroke, living with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or non-verbal autism (WHO Foundation). SMF VoXAI is the first ambient AI communication system designed entirely by someone who depends on it. For many, even a short delay in communication can lead to isolation and emotional distress. SMF VoXAI helps close that gap, restoring not just speech, but the ability to participate fully in life's most human moments. Unlike traditional AAC devices costing $10,000-$15,000, the Foundation offers SMF VoXAI through a freemium model-free basic access worldwide, and $30/month for premium features-making this technology accessible to everyone who needs it. "This realizes what we learned supporting Stephen Hawking and Dr. Peter Scott-Morgan that technology should restore presence, not just provide function," said Thorsten Stremlau, Foundation CTO and NVIDIA Distinguished Engineer. "With D-ID's real-time video generation, users don't just speak, they're seen and felt in the moment. This realizes Peter's vision: technology that keeps people in their own lives, not watching from the sidelines." "SMF VoXAI represents the next evolution of human-machine collaboration," said Gil Perry, CEO and Co-Founder of D-ID. "By combining the empathy of human expression with the autonomy of agentic AI, we're making communication accessible, natural, and emotionally intelligent for everyone, no matter their physical limitations." "D-ID's avatars don't just make me visible, they make me present," said Bernard Muller, who architected SMF VoXAI using only eye-tracking technology. "When someone sees my avatar smile or shows concern, they're seeing me, not a disability. That changes everything about how I connect with my world." Experience SMF VoXAI at the demonstration booth at the AI Summit New York, Dec. 10th, 11th: SMF VoXAI, the real-time dialogue engine enabling spontaneous, responsive participation. D-ID's streaming avatars, the visual layer that gives every interaction a human face reflecting emotion and identity. Global Research & Pilot Program The Scott-Morgan Foundation and D-ID announced a two-year research collaboration tracking 20 participants across six countries. Led by Dr. Antonio Ortiz at Tecnologico de Monterrey, the research provides the first empirical evidence of how D-ID's expressive avatars and ElevenLabs' voice clones restore identity and improve communication quality, measuring not just speed, but emotional presence and participation outcomes. The accompanying two-year study across six countries will generate the first empirical data on how AI avatars affect quality of life for people with communication disabilities. About the Scott-Morgan Foundation: The Scott-Morgan Foundation is a UK-based charity dedicated to transforming the lives of people with extreme disabilities through advanced technology, research, and advocacy. Its mission is to ensure that cutting-edge innovation serves the most vulnerable communities, empowering people to live and love without limits. https://www.scottmorganfoundation.org About D-ID: D-ID is the world leader in generative AI for video and digital humans, enabling frictionless, real-time interaction through its Real-Time Streaming API. Its technology powers lifelike digital presenters, learning companions, and virtual assistants for Fortune 500 companies and mission-driven organizations alike. In September 2025, D-ID acquired simpleshow, the global pioneer in AI-based explainer video creation. Based in Berlin, simpleshow helps organizations in more than 70 countries simplify complex messages through smart, scalable, and human-centric video communication. Simpleshow, a D-ID Company. https://www.d-id.com PRESS CONTACT: Leah Stern, D-ID Press Office: press@d-id.com Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ykV4nRGKoQ View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/scott-morgan-foundation-and-d-id-introduce-smf-voxai-restoring-connection-to-those-silenced-by-disability-302637852.html HERZLIYA, Israel and CALGARY, AB, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innocan Pharma Corporation ("Innocan" or the "Company") (CSE: INNO) (FSE: IP4) (OTCQB: INNPF) is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of July 23, 2025, it has publicly filed an amendment to its registration statement on Form F-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to a proposed public offering of units (each, a "Unit" and collectively, the "Units") in the United States. The original registration statement was filed on July 23, 2025. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price and term in the context of the market. Innocan has applied to list its Common Shares and Warrants on NYSE American under the symbols "INNP" and "INNPW", respectively. ThinkEquity LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering. This proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Upon availability, copies of the preliminary prospectus related to the proposed offering may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website located at http://www.sec.gov. A registration statement relating to this offering has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication to the market shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Innocan Innocan is a pharmaceutical company that operates under two main segments: Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Wellness. In the Pharmaceuticals segment, Innocan focuses on developing innovative drug delivery platform technologies based on advanced cannabinoids science, to treat various conditions to improve patients' quality of life. This segment includes its primary drug delivery technology, LPT-CBD loaded liposome platform facilitating exact dosing and the prolonged and controlled release of CBD into the blood stream. The LPT delivery platform research is in the preclinical trial phase for two indications: pain management and epilepsy. In the Consumer Wellness segment, Innocan develops and markets a wide portfolio of innovative and high-performance self-care products to promote a healthier lifestyle. Under this segment, Innocan is a 60% shareholder in the joint venture company, BI Sky Global Ltd., which company focuses on advanced targeted online sales. https://innocanpharma.com/ For further information, please contact: For Innocan Pharma Corporation: Iris Bincovich, CEO +1-516-210-4025 +972-54-3012842 +442037699377 info@innocanpharma.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This press release includes certain statements and information that may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and/or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, without limitation, statements with respect to: statements relating to the public offering of the Company's Common Shares and Warrants; the expected timing of the public offering; the registration and listing of the Company's Common Shares and Warrants in the United States; the registration statement becoming effective; the SEC's review process; the sizing and pricing of the offering; the means by which the offering will be made; and the Company's business strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon, without limitation, the following estimates and assumptions: the Company carrying out its public offering; the Company successfully completing the SEC review process; obtaining requisite regulatory approvals; and general business, economic and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation, that the Company may not carry out its public offering or complete the SEC review process. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement or forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2570689/5665460/Innocan_Pharma_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/innocan-pharma-announces-public-filing-of-amended-registration-statement-for-proposed-us-public-offering-302638117.html Canyonleigh, New South Wales--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat is establishing itself as a new and much-needed rehabilitation service in one of New South Wales' most underserved regions, offering structured, evidence-based treatment in an idyllic semi-rural setting designed to support long-term recovery. Now 18 months into operation, the centre has rapidly become a key destination for individuals seeking private, clinically led addiction treatment within two hours of both Sydney and Canberra. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/277487_ab5d595bc48aaa0c_001full.jpg Under the leadership of Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Parer MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, DipRACOG, Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat delivers a residential program informed by world's best practice addiction treatment principles. Dr. Parer brings more than three decades of clinical experience, with special interests in mental health, addiction medicine, women's health and preventative care. She also serves as Medical Director of Gunnebah Addiction Retreat in Northern NSW and honorary adjunct associate professor at Bond University. Located on a 100-acre property in Canyonleigh, Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat's semi-remote environment provides distance from triggers and everyday pressures, while remaining accessible to essential services. The centre offers private ensuited rooms, access to natural bushland, and a therapeutic setting supported by a multidisciplinary team. Managing Director Warwick Parer emphasised the distinctiveness of the facility and the organisation's operational philosophy. "The facility itself is remarkable. It wasn't built as a rehab, but it's perfectly suited to a rehab: the sporting facilities, the environment, the animals, everything. I don't think it will ever be equaled in Australia," Parker said. "The difference between a good facility and a great facility is execution and culture. After nine years in the sector and supporting more than a thousand people through our programs, we're really proud of our culture." Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat's program is structured around four core pillars of wellness (physical health, mental health, spiritual health, and social wellbeing), ensuring that therapeutic, behavioural, educational and lifestyle components reinforce one another. Services include private rehab, executive rehab and veterans rehab, with programs including individual therapy, group therapy, educational seminars on the psychobiology of addiction, integrated family therapy as needed, and physical wellbeing practices such as exercise, yoga and mindfulness. Therapist Stuart Jamison-Pate described the centre's personalised model of care: "We take a flexible and personalized approach to therapy. We know that everybody's story is different and there's no one-size-fits-all. That's why we use a mixed or integrated approach that tries to match your needs and helps you to build a strong, lasting recovery." The retreat also incorporates supervised experiential activities, including bushwalking, horse riding, archery and team-based challenges, designed to help guests reconnect with enjoyment, purpose and confidence beyond addiction. As a new service in the rehabilitation sector, Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat is filling a longstanding gap in the Southern Highlands and surrounding regions, offering an accessible, private and clinically rigorous option for individuals seeking long-term recovery. To learn more about Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat, visit southernhighlandsrehab.com.au. About Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat Southern Highlands Addiction Retreat is a new private residential rehabilitation centre in Canyonleigh, NSW. Led by Dr. Jennifer Parer, a highly experienced general practitioner and addiction medicine specialist, the facility offers a holistic and evidence-based program across physical, mental, spiritual and social dimensions. Set on 100 acres of peaceful countryside less than two hours from Sydney or Canberra, the retreat provides private ensuited accommodation, therapeutic services, wellness activities and a supportive community environment. The centre is committed to delivering individualized care to help clients break the cycle of addiction and rebuild lasting health and well-being. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277487 SOURCE: GYT Safety Tech Market Value Exceeded $1 Billion in 2025, Demonstrating Significant Growth Since 2024 Today, Paladin Capital Group, a leading multi-stage investor in advanced cyber and AI technologies, released its third annual "International State of Safety Tech Report," which found that in 2025 alone, industry growth exceeded all prior years and raised more than $1 billion in funding. The 2025 report commissioned by Paladin Capital Group and completed by PUBLIC with the support of Perspective Economics and leading cyberpsychologist and Paladin's Chief Scientist Safety Tech, Dr. Mary Aiken finds that the safety tech industry is rapidly growing in scale, expanding in scope, and becoming increasingly relevant across both the digital and physical worlds. The first of their kind, these reports identify and analyze the providers of Safety Tech products the technologies and solutions creating safer and more secure human-technology interaction to increase awareness of the industry and support its growth. Whereas cybersecurity relates to protecting data, systems, and networks, Safety Tech protects the people who use technology something that's becoming increasingly important as AI use accelerates. "As the boundaries between the cyber and physical world blur and the risks to humanity quickly evolve, it's encouraging to see the Safety Tech industry match this moment and mature with the same speed and adaptability," said Dr. Mary Aiken, Paladin Chief Scientist Safety Tech and Member of its Strategic Advisory Group (SAG). "This is a defining moment for the industry. Technology has become more immersive, autonomous, and rooted in our daily lives than ever before, and it is essential that we make sure safety and trust is embedded into every tech interaction humans have." The evolution of Safety Tech is reflective of how digital products are changing, namely with the proliferation of Agentic AI systems that operate with little to no human oversight. These systems can both shadow employee workflows or act on people's behalf. Safety Tech is helping respond to this rise in automation by providing technical solutions for safer deployment of agentic systems. This year's report builds on prior reports, continuing to examine how this new and evolving industry is quickly expanding its customer base, technological scope, and market relevance. Drawing on expert interviews, research, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis, the report's findings highlight several key takeaways about the Safety Tech sector, including: Safety Tech has moved beyond promoting online safety alone . The industry was previously defined as, "technologies or solutions that facilitate safer online experiences and protect users from harmful content, contact, or conduct." But with the rise of dark AI threats created by autonomous, non-human agents operating beyond human control Safety Tech is now about more than creating safer online experiences. It's about addressing risks in immersive, autonomous, and physical environments, where digital and offline worlds converge. As a result, AI Safety, Security, and Assurance has emerged as the single largest investment category in the Safety Tech industry. . The industry was previously defined as, "technologies or solutions that facilitate safer online experiences and protect users from harmful content, contact, or conduct." But with the rise of dark AI threats created by autonomous, non-human agents operating beyond human control Safety Tech is now about more than creating safer online experiences. It's about addressing risks in immersive, autonomous, and physical environments, where digital and offline worlds converge. As a result, AI Safety, Security, and Assurance has emerged as the single largest investment category in the Safety Tech industry. 2025 is expected to exceed 2024 in fundraising, with $1.1 billion invested in the sector , compared to $792 million the previous year. AI Safety, Security and Assurance has emerged as the single largest investment opportunity for VCs, driving more than $927 million towards Safety Tech solutions that focus on generative AI risks, model security and alignment, as well as opportunities to build safer models with appropriate guardrails. , compared to $792 million the previous year. AI Safety, Security and Assurance has emerged as the single largest investment opportunity for VCs, driving more than $927 million towards Safety Tech solutions that focus on generative AI risks, model security and alignment, as well as opportunities to build safer models with appropriate guardrails. The Safety Tech sector grew to 847 Safety Tech providers worldwide in 2025 . According to the report, dedicated firms now make up 76% of the market (up from 68% in 2023). This indicates a shift towards specialization in Safety Tech as a core offering. . According to the report, dedicated firms now make up 76% of the market (up from 68% in 2023). This indicates a shift towards specialization in Safety Tech as a core offering. Employment in Safety Tech now exceeds 40,000 roles globally . While like-for-like growth among existing firms has been steady (+2% since 2024), expansion into areas such as digital identity, fraud, and AI Safety has brought new jobs and skills into the ecosystem. . While like-for-like growth among existing firms has been steady (+2% since 2024), expansion into areas such as digital identity, fraud, and AI Safety has brought new jobs and skills into the ecosystem. 2025 was the enforcement era of online safety . Regulators are moving from voluntary codes to binding laws, fines, and service restrictions, with age assurance emerging as a particularly central compliance requirement. In many regions, such as the UK, EU, Australia, and over 20 U.S. states, age assurance is mandatory by law a shift that has left a significant impact on the Safety Tech industry. In large part due to these laws, Identity and Age Assurance has become the third largest investment category in the Safety Tech sector. This regulatory pressure is accelerating the shift from human-led moderation to AI-enabled moderation and risk detection. 2025 saw 27.8 million content removals, most of which were automated and enforcement-driven. . Regulators are moving from voluntary codes to binding laws, fines, and service restrictions, with age assurance emerging as a particularly central compliance requirement. In many regions, such as the UK, EU, Australia, and over 20 U.S. states, age assurance is mandatory by law a shift that has left a significant impact on the Safety Tech industry. In large part due to these laws, Identity and Age Assurance has become the third largest investment category in the Safety Tech sector. Agentic AI, digital identity, cyber fraud protection solutions, and cyber-physical safety systems are the four technological frontiers set to shape Safety Tech's trajectory. These areas suggest a broadening of Safety Tech's remit from online harms to risks across both digital and physical environments. "Our research reveals that as the nature of human-to-technology interactions have changed -- and with that the threat vectors and harm types that impact those interactions so has the Safety Tech market," said Ryan Shea, Managing Director at PUBLIC. "Evolving against a complex global regulatory landscape, this market continues to grow and mature in exciting ways." "The rise of AI comes with immense benefits and risks, and the countries leading its development have a duty to ground the technology in safety and security," said Chris Inglis, Paladin's SAG member and former U.S. National Cyber Director. "Investing in Safety Tech tools that integrate into people's online and offline experiences could not be more vital." "Sustaining the growth of the Safety Tech sector depends on close cross-border collaboration and interoperability," said Chris Steed, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Paladin Capital Group. "The investor community has a unique opportunity to advance Safety Tech and mold it into a global industry that encourages innovation, yields strong investment returns, and keeps people everywhere safe." About Paladin Capital Group Paladin Capital Group was founded in 2001 and has offices in Washington DC, New York, London, Luxembourg, and Silicon Valley. As a multi-stage, dual-use investor, Paladin's core strength is identifying, supporting, and investing in innovative companies that develop promising, early-stage technologies to address the critical cyber, defense, and advanced technology needs of both commercial and government customers. Combining proven investment experience with deep expertise in global security, cyber technology, and cutting-edge research, Paladin has invested in more than 80 companies since 2008 and has been a trusted partner to investors, entrepreneurs, and governments for over two decades. For more on Paladin Capital Group, follow us on Twitter at @Paladincap and on LinkedIn or visit us at www.paladincapgroup.com. About PUBLIC PUBLIC is a digital transformation partner committed to helping the public sector turn innovative ideas into practical solutions. Combining expertise around government policy, delivery, and technology, PUBLIC aims to build a public sector that is powered by new technologies and innovative ways of working, achieving better outcomes for citizens. As one of Europe's leading advisory firms with a specialism in online safety, PUBLIC works closely with clients across central government, regulator bodies and industry to build safer online spaces, protect users and grow a responsible digital economy. For more on PUBLIC, follow us on Twitter at @PUBLIC_Team and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/public.io/ or visit us at https://www.public.io/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210934849/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: paladin@skdknick.com Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0) ("Hemostemix" or the "Company"), the leading autologous (patient's own) stem cell therapy company offering VesCell (ACP-01) to individuals suffering from vascular dementia, angina, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, pain, total body ischemia, peripheral arterial disease and chronic limb threatening ischemia, with ACP-01 at Doctors Hospital, Nassau, The Bahamas, is pleased to announce two major corporate developments: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled Hemostemix's basket protocol Pre-IND meeting for January 16, 2026; and Subject to TSXV approval, the Company announces a non-brokered private placement of up to $960,000. FDA Schedules Hemostemix Basket Protocol Pre-IND Meeting The FDA has scheduled Hemostemix's Pre-IND meeting for January 16, 2026 to review the Company's basket clinical trial protocol for the treatment of ischemia, including: Vascular dementia Ischemic cardiomyopathy Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) Generalized ischemia The basket protocol unifies these conditions under a single ischemia-based mechanism of action for ACP-01. Hemostemix will present its clinical rationale, manufacturing platform, and regulatory pathway, to advance toward FDA clearance of its Phase I basket clinical trial of ACP-01. Non-Brokered Private Placement (NBPP) The Company announces a non-brokered private placement of up to $960,000, consisting of the issuance of 8,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.12 per share, with no warrants. All securities issued will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies. The financing is subject to final TSXV approval. CEO Comment "The FDA Pre-IND meeting brings us closer to a unified ischemia-based clinical trial program," stated Thomas Smeenk, CEO. "It makes sense to address ischemia in multiple indications, given our success rate in these conditions as published in 11 peer reviewed articles. Why a Phase I clinical trial? First, Lantrida, an allogenic stem cell treatment, was approved on phase I only data. That is a precedent. Second, we can charge patients to be studied (treated) and followed. Third, we can publish the interim results and end points, comparing improvements in cognition (vascular dementia), LVEF% (ICM), wound healing (PAD), reduction of pain (general ischemia, ICM + PAD), and improvement in quality of life (all indications) for all participants. Plus, it generates a protocol for all patients who are treated, who do not meet inclusion criteria. Thus we study every patient treated with ACP-01 to generate the scientific basis for its approval," Smeenk said. Use of Proceeds Proceeds will be used to advance: FDA regulatory preparations and meeting execution Clinical operations expansion in Florida, The Bahamas and Canada General corporate working capital ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell (ACP-01). Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, clinically relevant and statistically significant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to the Phase I basket protocol clinical trial of ACP-01 as a treatment for multiple indications of ischemia including Vascular Dementia, and the treatment of pain in Florida related related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia with Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01) in furtherance of sales of VesCell (ACP-01), and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments under Florida SB 1768. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of any litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and, Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. Forward-looking information is Subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Hemostemix to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Hemostemix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277583 SOURCE: Hemostemix Inc. Strategic acquisition bolsters Azul's Java platform with complementary products, deep Java expertise and accelerated go-to-market capabilities Azul, the only company 100% focused on Java, today announced the acquisition of Payara, a global provider of enterprise-grade solutions for Jakarta EE (Java EE)-based applications and microservices for hybrid and cloud-native deployments. The combination of Azul and Payara addresses some of the most pressing challenges enterprises face today: accelerating application modernization, achieving cloud-native agility, and reducing dependencies on proprietary platforms. The integrated offering provides customers with a unified, enterprise-grade Java platform based on open-source that can support an organization's entire Java fleet from business-critical applications to IoT, microservices and modern Java frameworks. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210244394/en/ Azul Marketecture of Java Application Stack Complementary Products and Expertise This acquisition marks a pivotal moment in enterprise Java innovation and builds on nearly eight years of collaboration between Azul and Payara, which began with the introduction of Azul Platform Core embedded into Payara Server Enterprise in 2018. Payara adds deep engineering expertise and proven go-to-market experience in the Jakarta EE (Java EE) space, strengthening Azul's Java platform with complementary products and enhanced market reach. With this acquisition, Azul now provides commercially supported, open-source solutions across the Java application stack, delivering faster, more efficient, secure and cost-effective Java deployments compared to proprietary alternatives such as Oracle. In addition to their complementary technologies, both companies share a deep history working with and participating in open-source communities, including the OpenJDK and Eclipse Jakarta EE Platform projects. Driving Innovation and Value for Enterprise Java Customers "This strategic acquisition is further testament to Azul's commitment to support the needs of our global enterprise customer base," said Scott Sellers, co-founder and CEO of Azul. "Payara delivers proven products that are naturally synergistic with our existing offerings and brings additional deep technical expertise to the world's largest independent Java engineering team. Together, we will accelerate growth and innovation, expand our roadmap and deliver even greater value to our customers." "This is a major new chapter for Payara," said Steve Millidge, founder and CEO at Payara. "After a strong and long-standing partnership with Azul, combining forces is the natural next step and positions us for accelerated growth. Together, we will strengthen mission-critical solutions for enterprise Java customers and deliver greater performance, security and innovation across the Java ecosystem." Adding Payara's solutions to Azul's Java portfolio expands its offerings in the application server segment and adds an estimated $26 billion total addressable market (TAM) projected to grow at a CAGR of 11-14%1. This announcement follows Azul's recently completed majority investment from Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, alongside renewed minority investments from the company's existing private equity sponsors, Vitruvian Partners and Lead Edge Capital. "The acquisition of Payara accelerates Azul's growth and broadens the company's reach across the global enterprise Java market," said Adam Solomon, a partner at Thoma Bravo. "Azul's category-defining innovations create a significant opportunity for global enterprises to leverage innovative and cost-effective open-source solutions to modernize their Java application fleets and reduce dependencies on proprietary platforms." Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal advisor and debt financing for the transaction was provided by funds affiliated with Ares Management LLC. About Azul Systems ("Azul") Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Azul provides the Java platform for the modern cloud enterprise. Azul is the only company 100% focused on Java. Millions of Java developers, hundreds of millions of devices and the world's most highly regarded businesses trust Azul to power their applications with exceptional capabilities, performance, security, value, and success. Azul customers include 36% of the Fortune 100, 50% of Forbes top 10 World's Most Valuable Brands, 10 of the world's top 10 banks and leading brands like Avaya, Bazaarvoice, BMW, Deutsche Telekom, LG, Mastercard, Mizuho, Priceline, Salesforce, Software AG, and Workday. Learn more at azul.com and follow us @azulsystems. About Payara Payara is a global provider of enterprise-grade solutions for Jakarta EE (Java EE)-based applications and microservices for hybrid and cloud-native deployments. With expert support and no vendor lock-in, the company powers mission-critical systems in finance, healthcare, and more. Trusted worldwide by leading organizations such as BMW Group, Rakuten, Swisscom, and KCB Bank Group, Payara enables modernization, migration, and scale with cloud-native, cost-effective Java solutions. Learn more at payara.fish. 1 IMARC Group Application Server Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Type, Deployment, End Use and Region, 2025-2033 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210244394/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Matt Grant azul@treblepr.com In accordance with article L.233-8 of commercial law, Wavestone informs its shareholders that as of December 5, 2025, its capital was composed of 24,906,332 shares representing 42,119,381 voting rights according to article 223-11 of the AMF. The change in the number of voting rights as of December 5 reflects the allocation of double voting rights to the shares issued in December 2023 and delivered to Q_PERIOR shareholders, following the General Meeting that approved the combination between Wavestone and Q_PERIOR. About Wavestone Wavestone was founded amid the rise of new technologies and digital innovation, growing with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Expanding from France and Germany into Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and North America, Wavestone has become a leading consulting partner, supporting the world's largest companies in their most ambitious strategic transformations. Drawing on expertise at the intersection of technology and business, Wavestone's 6,000 employees deliver a 360 portfolio of high-value, tailored consulting services, from redesigning business models to implementing cutting-edge technologies, while helping clients advance sustainable transitions. Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris and has been certified as a Great Place to Work Wavestone Pascal Imbert CEO Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Benjamin Clement Financial Communication Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Actus Mathieu Omnes Investor and Analyst Relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 Deborah Schwartz Press relations Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35 ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: mpmbZJdmYZyUy21wlZuXaWhll2mWkmWdaWOdxGieZ5aYnHFmnZtibpidZnJmmmdo - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-95522-declaration-amf_251210-en.pdf Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (OTCQB: AGLDF) ("Austral" or the "Company"), an established gold producer, advises that it has released an updated corporate presentation summarising the Company's operations, growth strategy, and outlook for 2026 and beyond. The updated presentation is available under the Company's profile at www.asx.com.au, www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at australgold.com. About Austral Gold Austral Gold is a growing gold and silver mining producer building a portfolio of quality assets in the Americas based on three strategic pillars: production, exploration and equity investments. Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets. Under its equity investments pillar, Austral holds shares and options in ASX-listed Unico Silver, as previously disclosed in the September 2025 Quarterly Report. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.australgold.com. 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. Release approved on behalf of the Board by the Chief Executive Officer, Stabro Kasaneva. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections and statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statement in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Austral Gold's strategic focus on production, exploration and equity investments". All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, uncertainty of exploration programs, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral resources and reserves; and other risks and hazards related to the exploitation and development of mineral properties, as well as the availability of capital. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277593 SOURCE: Austral Gold Limited PRESS RELEASE Bloomberg (THEON:NA) / Reuters (THEON.AS) Contract Revision for a firm order of 100,000 NVGs for the German Bundeswehr Plus partial exercise of existing OCCAR option by the Belgian Armed Forces for 4,000 NVGs Immediate c.1 bn increase to backlog, providing significant visibility until 2029 Total backlog, including options, now c.2.4 bn more than 2x vs Year End 2024 10 December 2025 - Theon International Plcis pleased to announce the signing of a Contract Revision between OCCAR and THEON/Hensoldt consortium, for the supply of additional 100,000 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) to the German Bundeswehr and 4,000 NVGs to the Belgian Armed Forces, the latter converted into firm order from existing options. The Contract Revision, including the Facility of Services valued at c. 100 million as a gradual implementation option, has a total value of approximately 1 billion and represents the largest single procurement of NVGs in the history of a European NATO member. The Contract builds on previous orders through OCCAR of 66,000 NVGs for the German Bundeswehr and 8,000 for the Belgian Armed Forces, the majority of which have already been delivered. With this latest order, the total number of devices under the contract, including options, reaches c.200,000. THEON remains the largest supplier of Night Vision equipment in Europe, now having secured significant backlog visibility over the next 4 years until 2029. In line with the original contract and the previous amendments, this Contract requires deliveries of the Mikron binocular, powered by Exosens 16 mm tubes . THEON has recently secured the supply of more than 400,000 Image Intensifier Tubes). The LTCA more than allows Theon to fulfil all its existing requirements, with capacity to fulfill further new orders. Consistent with THEON's continuous local fulfillment strategy followed in previous orders, part of the assembly will take place in Germany, at the joint company Hensoldt Theon NightVision (HTN) facility, in Wetzlar, Hesse. In order to fulfill its part of the Contract, and support the ongoing anticipated growth in orders, HTN shall move into new much larger facilities in Q2 2026 with its number of employees to triple by the end of the coming year. Following this order, THEON's 2025 year-to-date order intake stands as 1.3 bn, and inclusive of new options attached to this order intake is c.2 bn. The total backlog as of today, inclusive of additional options of c.865 m, totals c.2.4 bn. Historically, options embedded in contracts and framework agreements have been fully exercised into firm orders. Christian Hadjiminas, Founder and CEO of THEON, stated: "This Contract Revision represents the largest single procurement of NVGs in the history of a European NATO member, if not the largest ever placed globally. The anticipated acceleration in order intake has already translated into long-term framework agreements announced in recent weeks. In anticipation of this, that is why we moved early to secure the image intensifier tube (IIT) supply chain through investing in Harder Digital and Exosens, in a market where global supply remains structurally below demand. We see accelerating demand as customers seek to equip increasing numbers of soldiers with night-vision capabilities and weapon-mounted systems. On top of the already announced orders in Europe, recent newsflow about APAC defense-spending increases confirms our outlook. Notably, order intake this year currently stands at more than 3x expected 2025 revenue, versus our guidance of c. 2x, rising to over 4x if including the attached new options. Once the announced Share Capital Increase concludes and regulatory constraints are lifted, we will be in a position to provide EBIT guidance for 2025 and 2026." Philippe Mennicken, Deputy CEO and Business Development Director of THEON, emphasizes: "We are pleased to remain a reliable partner in equipping the German Bundeswehr. Night Vision devices are not a luxury; they are essential on today's battlefield, as recent conflicts have clearly demonstrated. With this trend evident in Europe and increasingly visible across the APAC region, THEON expects to continue growing faster than the market in the man-portable segment. Our strategy focuses on cementing our position in Night Vision and expanding our addressable market, introducing new adjacent products for the soldiers." From the signing of the agreement (from left): Mr. Christian Hadjiminas, Founder and CEO of THEON, Mr. Joachim Sucker, OCCAR-EA Director, Ms. Christina Canitz, Head of Hensoldt Optronics, Mr. Michael Holzmann, Managing Director of Hensoldt Theon NightVision From the signing of the agreement: Representatives from OCCAR, German and Belgian MoD, THEON and Hensoldt Mikron Night Vision Goggle of THEON For inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations Nikos Malesiotis E-Mail: ir@theon.com Tel: +30 210 6772290 Media Contact Elli Michou E-Mail: press@theon.com Tel: +30 210 6728610 About THEON GROUP THEON GROUP of companies develops and manufactures cutting-edge night vision and thermal Imaging systems for Defense and Security applications with a global footprint. THEON GROUP started its operations in 1997 from Greece and today occupies a leading role in the sector thanks to its international presence through subsidiaries and production facilities in Greece, Cyprus, Germany, the Baltics, the United States, the Gulf States, Switzerland, Denmark, Belgium, Singapore and South Korea. THEON GROUP has more than 240,000 systems in service with Armed and Special Forces in 71 countries around the world, 26 of which are NATO countries. ????? ????RNATIONAL PLC has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam Attachments United First Partners ("UFP") is pleased to announce its role as Introducing Broker on Mayflower Acquisition Limited ("Mayflower"), which completed its IPO today, raising USD 500 million. The size of the capital raised places Mayflower among the largest London acquisition vehicles of recent years. The offering represents an important development for UFP's expanding capital markets platform and reflects the firm's increasing activity within Equity Capital Markets (ECM). About Mayflower Acquisition Limited Mayflower is a UK Listed Acquisition Vehicle, sponsored by TOMS Capital and JRJ Group, incorporated to unlock exits across a closely-held company universe, including long-held private equity assets and large family-owned businesses. Mayflower's structure provides guaranteed capital to asset owners, offering a flexible liquidity solution and higher potential for transaction success, and highly aligned economics to investors, with a significant Sponsor commitment of USD 75m. Mayflower was founded by Noam Gottesman, Sir Jeremy Isaacs CBE, and Roger Nagioff, who have a working relationship of over three decades and a strong track record of sourcing acquisition opportunities and building businesses both through organic growth and executing accretive M&A strategies that deliver shareholder value. UFP's Expanding Focus in ECM UFP's participation in the Mayflower IPO aligns with the firm's broader strategy to continue developing its ECM offering. Building on its established strengths in event-driven and special situations research and distribution, UFP is investing in capabilities across: IPO and SPAC origination and distribution Block trades and equity placements Equity-linked transactions Cross-border capital markets solutions "Our work on the Mayflower transaction illustrates the direction of our growing ECM platform," said Michael Hadjedj, Founder and CEO of UFP. "We aim to participate in transactions where our global reach and cross-market expertise can provide constructive support to clients." About United First Partners United First Partners ("UFP") is a global financial services organization specializing in event-driven advisory, special situations, and equity-derivatives execution. With offices across major financial hubs, UFP provides market intelligence, conflict-free advice, and institutional-grade execution to corporates, hedge funds, and asset managers worldwide. UFP operates through regulated entities including, in the US, United First Partners LLC is a registered broker/dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. In the UK Australia, "UFP London" and "United First Partners" are registered trading names of Mariana UFP LLP (FRN 551170) and Mariana UFP SAS (FRN 989397) which are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In France, "United First Partners" is a registered trading name of Mariana UFP SAS, authorized and regulated by the ACPR AMF (BIC Code 14483). In the UAE, Mariana UFP Capital Markets (DIFC) Limited is regulated by the DFSA (RN F002918) and is licensed to conduct broking activities. Registered as Limited Liability Company in the State of New York. USA United First Partners, LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210254196/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries: Harpreet Ghumaan 1-212-266-5644 harpreet.ghumaan@utdfirst.com ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The third day of Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) 2025, ADGM's flagship event, featured Fintech Abu Dhabi and RESOLVE, which brought together the world's most influential leaders in finance, technology, legal and dispute resolution. Under the overarching theme of 'Engineering the Capital of Capital', the day delivered a powerful combination of thought leadership, discussions on disruptive innovation and cutting-edge insights, showcasing Abu Dhabi's position as a future-focused financial hub and legal powerhouse. Opening the day, H.E. Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development Abu Dhabi & Chairman, ADGM Academy, said, "The future of finance will not be written by algorithms alone, but by people with vision, courage, and purpose. Through platforms like Fintech Abu Dhabi, we are not only anticipating what's next for the sector but actively building it. Today's insightful conversations reflect Abu Dhabi's ambition to become the launchpad for a new era of inclusive, intelligent, and resilient financial progress." Fintech Abu Dhabi: T he Next Chapter of Financial Innovation The ninth edition of Fintech Abu Dhabi, now the MENA region's largest and most influential fintech gathering, highlighted the seismic shifts that are impacting financial services - from tokenisation and AI to digital banking and stablecoins. The main stage hosted a series of powerful conversations and high-impact dialogues featuring some of the world's most influential financial leaders. The line-up included prominent figures from the global fintech ecosystem, such as Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase; Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle; Richard Teng, CEO of Binance; Jennifer Johnson, CEO of Franklin Templeton; Anthony Soohoo, CEO of MoneyGram; Ambareen Musa, CEO of GCC, Revolut; and many more. The sessions explored key topics including digital credit, regulatory innovation, digital assets, institutional adoption and next-gen banking, offering candid insights from fintech CEOs, investors and senior banking executives. The session with Tengexamined the volatility of crypto markets and posed the essential question: Can crypto ever mature into trusted infrastructure? Meanwhile, the CEOs of Revolut, Capital.com, Erebor Group and Lukka explored how fintech founders are prioritising speed, regulatory clarity, and trust as they scale in a climate that demands agility and resilience. Senior banking leaders from State Street, Al Hilal Bank and PiraeusGroup discussed how legacy institutions are evolving. From embracing AI to redefining the customer experience, the session provided a candid look at digitisation efforts inside the traditional banking architecture. Early-stage investment experts from FJ Labs and Standard Chartered Ventures unpacked their strategies for identifying billion-dollar startups before they become mainstream by focusing on pattern recognition, pricing discipline, and the emerging science of 'unicorn' discovery. RESOLVE Explores the Theme of ' Courage ' In parallel, the fourth edition of RESOLVE 2025 convened under the theme 'Courage', focused on international dispute resolution and how legal systems must evolve in the face of rapid digital and market transformation. The forum brought together global legal experts, regulators, business leaders, and policymakers for a dynamic day of keynotes and discussions on cross-border crypto regulation, AI-driven legal strategies, and the legal implications of global capital markets. H.E. Abdullah Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, UAE Minister of Justice, delivered a compelling keynote on "Justice with Courage", underscoring Abu Dhabi's leadership in setting progressive legal standards. ADGM Courts' Registrar & Chief Executive, Linda Fitz-Alan, opened the forum with a powerful message on navigating legal disruption with clarity and resolve. The day featured a high-calibre speaker lineup, including Matthew Lewis, Managing Director of Hintsa Performance, Netflix Co-Founder and Former CEO, Marc Randolph, and Professor Nancy Gleason of MBZUAI. Breakout Events , Newcomers, Major Collaborations and Announcements Running alongside the main events were other breakout events such as the AI Abu Dhabi Forum, Blockchain Abu Dhabi, Risk 4.0 Forum,Bloomberg's event on The AI Evolution: From Potential to Practicality, and Eastpoint Digital Assets Forum. Throughout the day, closed-door summits such as the Web3 Leaders Roundtable - Presented by ADGM Emerging Tech and Hashed and Stablecoin Dialogues were held with senior executives. The third day of ADFW witnessed announcements from Galaxy Digital and the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), which are setting up offices in ADGM. Another notable announcement for the day came from SAAS Properties, which officially unveiled its newest project - The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Al Maryah Island. A total of 24 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were announced during the third day of ADFW. Partnerships were signed between local and international entities such as Blackrock, Finstreet, Swiss Re, RIQ, Kitopi Global, Lulu Financial Group, Crypto.com, 42 Abu Dhabi, Hanwha and Kresus. ADFW continues for a final day with its featured event - Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum (ADSFF), and other key events will focus on sustainability and finance. For more details on ADFW, visit www.adfw.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2550581/5010772/ADGM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adfws-fintech-abu-dhabi-points-to-a-new-era-of-finance-fuelled-by-innovation-and-disruption-302638263.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - VirgoPAY today celebrates a monumental milestone in its young history as Coinstore, a leading global crypto exchange with over 10 million users worldwide, has officially integrated VirgoPAY as its on/off-ramp partner, offering its millions of users a fast, cost-efficient and secure way to connect with the web3 world. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12014/277501_coinstore_virgopay.jpg To date, VirgoPAY has since expanded to cover over 15 currencies and 20 countries across multiple continents. This expansion echoes the continuous commitment of VirgoPAY's mother company Virgo Group to offer world-class services in the digital assets and web3 industry to users around the world. In its current phase, VirgoPAY will focus on facilitating some of the world's leading digital asset institutions such as Coinstore as their on/off-ramp partner. Due to regulatory restrictions, many of them do not have local payment rails to offer direct-to-bank pay in/out solutions for their retail clients. By linking with local payment service providers to form a large network of payment rails, VirgoPAY acts as a centralised hub to process trades involving digital assets and local currencies for its institutional clients. Adds Virgo Group Founder and CEO Adam Cai, "The partnership with Coinstore is definitely exciting as VirgoPAY can now offer a fast and much affordable on/off-ramp solution for the millions of Coinstore users. This fuels us to further our development which we now focus on providing cross-border money remittance to an even broader audience." VirgoPAY has plans to expand its scope of service to cover the money remittance business, which enables users to transfer to their counterparties in a seamless, rapid, secure and affordable fashion with stablecoin as settlement method. This frictionless experience will ensure transactions are completed within the same day, while users only need to pay a fee that is lower than most conventional cross-border transfer methods. VirgoPAY expects that the money remittance service will be in service by Q2 2026, covering certain regions and gradually expand to cover rest of the world. About Virgo Global Holdings: Virgo Global Holdings ("Virgo", virgo.co) is a global digital asset services provider that covers three continents with multiple offerings under its structure, including two non-custodial trading platforms (VirgoCX & VirgoAU: Canada and Australia), premium OTC institutional trading service desks (Virgo Wealth: Canada, US, and Australia), a fully compliant digital asset management firm (Virgo Digital Asset Management), an incubated non-custodial wallet (Wallet V) and a stablecoin on/off ramp and money remittance platform (VirgoPAY) Virgo strives to offer the most professional services within the digital asset and Web3 industry with a focus on innovation, convenience and professionalism, making crypto great for all. About Coinstore Accessibility. Security. Equity. As a leading global platform for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Coinstore seeks to build an ecosystem that grants everyone access to digital assets and blockchain technology. With over 10 million users worldwide, Coinstore aims to become the preferred cryptocurrency trading platform and digital service provider worldwide. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277501 SOURCE: Virgo Global Holdings Overall response rate (ORR) of 55% and median progression-free survival of 14.5 months in patients without TP53 gene mutation Phase 2 results presented at 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium BOSTON, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carrick Therapeutics Inc., an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company discovering and developing highly differentiated therapies, today announced positive results from the Phase 2 SUMIT-BC clinical trial evaluating samuraciclib in combination with fulvestrant in patients with second-line advanced hormone receptor positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer who were previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy. The clinical trial results were presented today in a late-breaking poster presentation at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). Samuraciclib is an oral first-in-class CDK7 inhibitor (CDK7i). "These Phase 2 trial results show that samuraciclib in combination with fulvestrant provided a very notable and clinically meaningful benefit in a broad patient population with HR positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer whose disease progressed following treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Carrick now has positive efficacy and safety data from three independent clinical trials of samuraciclib in advanced breast cancer," said Tim Pearson, Chief Executive Officer of Carrick Therapeutics. "The best-in-class PFS and ORR of samuraciclib positions it to be a meaningful therapy that could transform how women with advanced breast cancer are treated following treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors. We have achieved clinical proof of concept and look forward to advancing samuraciclib into a Phase 3 clinical trial in 2026 to build on these promising results." Overall Response Rate (ORR) Clinical Benefit Rate at 24 weeks (CBR24) Median Progression- Free Survival (mPFS) Samuraciclib + Fulvestrant (360mg) All Patients 33 % 60 % 7.8 months TP53 mutation not detected (pre-specified stratification) 55 % 69 % 14.5 months Fulvestrant Alone - Control Arm All Patients 14 % 40 % 5.6 months TP53 mutation not detected 29 % 46 % 6.8 months Results among study participants without a TP53 gene mutation per baseline circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), a pre-specified stratification, indicated improved CBR, ORR and mPFS compared to those with the mutation. In the trial, the median PFS of samuraciclib combined with fulvestrant in this TP53wt population was 14.5 months versus 6.8 months with fulvestrant alone, an incremental improvement of 7.7 months. "Identifying the optimal treatment strategy for patients with HR positive, HER2 negative breast cancer following progression on CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy remains a significant clinical challenge," said Dr. Sonia Pernas, Breast Medical Oncologist at the Catalan Institute of Oncology, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona (Spain), and lead author of the SABCS poster. "The SUMIT-BC results indicate that the combination of samuraciclib and fulvestrant may offer a promising new therapeutic option, with the potential for particularly favorable outcomes in patients with TP53 wild-type tumors." "We are encouraged by the results of the SUMIT-BC trial of samuraciclib, which demonstrated strong efficacy and durable responses regardless of ESR1 or PI3K mutation status with a tolerable side effect profile," said Dr. Stuart McIntosh, Chief Medical Officer of Carrick Therapeutics. "SUMIT-BC is now the third study to demonstrate enhanced efficacy in the TP53wt patient population, which makes up 70% of patients in second line setting. The use of baseline ctDNA means this selection biomarker should be straightforward to integrate into clinical practice." The late-breaking poster presentation at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is available on the Posters & Publicationspage of Carrick Therapeutics' website. About the Phase 2b SUMIT-BC Trial SUMIT-BC is a randomized, multicenter Phase 2b clinical trial (NCT05963984) evaluating the efficacy and safety of oral samuraciclib (360mg or 240mg) in combination with fulvestrant, an intramuscularly injected selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), versus fulvestrant alone in 60 patients with HR+, HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who were previously treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor and aromatase therapy. The primary endpoint is clinical benefit rate, defined as the overall compete response (CR), partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) = 24-weeks according to RECIST version 1.1 from randomization until disease progression or death due to any cause. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival and safety. About Samuraciclib(CT7001) Samuraciclib is the most advanced cyclin dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) inhibitor in clinical development. Inhibiting CDK7 is a promising therapeutic strategy in cancer, as CDK7 regulates the transcription of cancer-causing genes, promotes uncontrolled cell cycle progression, and promotes resistance to anti-hormone therapy. Samuraciclib, an oral CDK7 inhibitor, has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in early clinical studies in HR+ breast cancer. CDK7 activity mechanistically suppresses the TP53 gene so when CDK7 is inhibited, the activity of p53 is restored thereby further adding to the suppression of tumors by CDK7 inhibition (Reference below). TP53 status is available using commercially available ctDNA tests. Because of its ability to inhibit CDK7, samuraciclib has the potential to treat prostate, pancreatic, small cell lung cancer, triple negative breast (TNBC), ovarian and colorectal cancers. Samuraciclib was discovered by scientists at Imperial College London, in work funded by Cancer Research UK and has been granted Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of CDK4/6i resistant HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer. About Carrick Therapeutics Carrick Therapeutics is an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing highly differentiated novel therapies that address significant unmet needs. The Company's lead program, samuraciclib, is a novel oral first-in-class inhibitor of CDK7 currently in multiple Phase 2 clinical trials for metastatic HR+ breast cancer. Additionally, Carrick is developing CT7439, a novel CDK12/13 inhibitor / Cyclin-K glue-degrader, which is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Reference: Wang, Y., Zhang, Z., Mi, X. et al. Elevation of effective p53 expression sensitizes wild-type p53 breast cancer cells to CDK7 inhibitor THZ1. Cell Commun Signal 20, 96 For more information about Carrick Therapeutics, please visit www.carricktherapeutics.com Carrick Contacts Carrick Therapeutics Jenny Horsfield, Chief Business Officer jenny.horsfield@carricktherapeutics.com Investors and Media Luke Heagle, Real Chemistry lheagle@realchemistry.com Criminals Are Launching Costly Attacks Across an Array of Methods - and Media CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / The APWG's new Phishing Activity Trends Report reveals that while numbers of spam email-based phishing campaigns are falling, cybercriminals are increasingly employing a wider array of resources to drive phishing scams-including SMS messaging, QR codes, free email accounts, and more. In the third quarter of 2025, APWG observed 892,494 phishing attacks, falling from 1,130,393 in Q2, the highest quarterly total in two years. Specialized attack instrumentation, however, has increasingly played central roles in phishing campaigns, as cybergangs and cybercrime-tech vendors' appreciation of their advantages in hooking victims. "Kits and AI tech provide efficiencies for gangs to deploy most any kind of phishing campaign on -- or across -- any number of media. The evolutionary step we need to monitor now, however, is AI casting attack orchestrations across media-with automation-in ways usually associated with hand-tooled spearphishing campaigns," said APWG Secretary General Peter Cassidy. "The advent of mass customization as a common attack architecture will require counter-cybercrime stakeholders to rethink their responses." BEC (business e-mail compromise) attacks became more frequent in Q3. These are attempts to trick employees into sending their company's money or passwords to a criminal, and often begin with a phishing message. The total number of wire transfer BEC attacks observed by APWG contributor Fortra in Q3 2025 increased by 57 percent compared to Q2. When criminals requested that companies send money to them via wire transfer, the average amount requested in Q3 2025 was $48,115, a 42 percent decrease from the prior quarter's average of $83,099. Phishers often used free email accounts to initiate contact with their potential victims. In Q3 2025, contributor Crane Authentication saw voice telephony phishing and SMS (text) phishing attempts (vishing and smishing) continue to rise. "Our SMS-based fraud detections have increased by nearly 35 percent in the last quarter" said Matthew Harris, Senior Product Manager, Fraud at Crane Authentication. Phishers also increased their use of QR codes to advertise phishing sites. During Q3 2025, Mimecast detected 716,306 unique malicious QR codes, up 13 percent from 635,672 in Q2. Over the 12 months from Q2 2024 through Q3 2025, Mimecast detected more than 3 million unique malicious QR codes. QR codes were used to attack the manufacturing sector most often. The full text of the report is available here: https://docs.apwg.org/reports/apwg_trends_report_q3_2025.pdf Contacts For media inquiries related to the APWG, please contact APWG Secretary General Peter Cassidy (pcassidy@apwg.org, +1.617.669.1123). Or for company-specific content related to this release, please contact: Stefanie Wood of Crane Authentication (stefanie.wood@craneauthentication.com); Jessica Ryan of Fortra (Agari and PhishLabs) (jessica.ryan@fortra.com); Tim Hamilton of Mimecast (thamilton@mimecast.com). SOURCE: ANTI-PHISHING WORKING GROUP View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/apwg-q3-report-phishing-and-electronic-scams-rising-in-different-1116358 AM Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a+" (Excellent) of Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG (Helvetia Insurance) (Switzerland), the main operating subsidiary of Helvetia Baloise Holding AG (Helvetia Baloise) (Switzerland). Helvetia Baloise is the result of the merger of Baloise Holding AG into Helvetia Holding AG, which was completed on 5 December 2025. The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Helvetia Baloise's consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, favourable business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings factor in Helvetia Insurance's strategic importance to Helvetia Baloise and its full integration within the group. Helvetia Baloise's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its consolidated risk-adjusted capitalisation, which AM Best expects to remain above the minimum required for the strongest assessment level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The assessment considers the group's strong regulatory solvency position, with a Swiss Solvency Test capital adequacy ratio estimated at above 240% at 1 January 2025, based on pro forma financial information (post merger) reported by the company, together with its excellent financial flexibility, with proven access to the debt and capital markets. Helvetia Baloise's operating performance is expected to be strong over the economic cycle, underpinned by income streams that are well-diversified by product and geography. Non-life underwriting profitability is expected to be solid and translate in sound combined ratios, while the life segment is expected to produce good results, with Helvetia Baloise's fee-related business providing an additional and stable source of income for the group. Performance should further benefit from Helvetia Baloise's enhanced scale following the merger, with the realisation of synergies impacting the expense ratio favourably. Helvetia Baloise's business profile benefits from good geographic and product diversification. The group has a strong market position in the Switzerland life and non-life segments, supported by a multichannel distribution strategy servicing a large customer base, and internationally, primarily across European highly competitive markets. The group is expected to generate business volumes translating into gross written premiums of approximately CHF 20 billion in 2025. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com Copyright 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210929362/en/ Contacts: Stanislav Stoev, ACCA, CFA Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0306 stanislav.stoev@ambest.com Ghislain Le Cam, CFA, FRM Senior Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0268 ghislain.lecam@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com On 8 September 2025, the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group convened a high-level meeting in the City of London with representatives from 37 nations, including all G7 members, alongside the European Commission, NATO, European ParliamentGlobal Banks, and Ratings Agencies to discuss the DSRB. A number of countries have now indicated their intention to begin the formal steps required to bring the DSRB into existence. This phased pattern of engagement is standard in the creation of international financial institutions, which typically begin with a core group of anchor nations and expand as additional members join through charter negotiations and subsequent capital rounds. The DSRB is designed to complement the European Union's SAFE initiative, offering a broader multilateral platform that brings together NATO and Indo-Pacific nations and mobilises global capital to build the balance-sheet capacity required to finance nations' defence spending and long-term resilience investments The initiative continues to advance with governments, and a clear pathway toward the next phase of work: founding-nation discussions, charter development, and capital formation. The DSRB remains committed to supporting a stronger and more resilient allied industrial base through long-term, scalable financing. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210467586/en/ Contacts: tharper@apcoworldwide.com Education Cannot Wait-supported Community-Based Learning Facilities, established by Save the Children, ensure Rohingya adolescent girls continue learning in Cox's Bazar COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The sun begins to rise over the refugee camp, casting a soft light across the maze of paths that separate thousands of temporary shelters on the hillside. Each morning, 14-year-old Sofaida* awakens in her family's small shelter and begins her morning routine. She is the seventh of ten children. When she first arrived in Bangladesh from Myanmar in 2017, Sofaida's physical disability made everyday activities - including attending classes - difficult. She couldn't walk independently and the road ahead was uncertain. Thanks to Community-Based Learning Facilities, established by Save the Children and partners Humanity & Inclusion and Young Power in Social Action, young people like her are receiving support to continue learning. These facilities - funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) - ensure that adolescent girls, including those with disabilities, can access the specialized support they need. In 2017, Rohingya refugees, including Sofaida, fled violence in Myanmar to seek safety in Bangladesh. Eight years later, life in the overcrowded camps remains difficult with fires, flooding and rising violence posing constant threats. Unable to work or access formal education opportunities, Rohingya families live in ongoing uncertainty. As a young child, Sofaida was unable to walk without assistance. After arriving in Cox's Bazar, her father carried her to a learning centre each day. But when she reached adolescence, her family stopped taking her due to cultural beliefs, and then COVID-19 paused activities completely. Sofaida was out of the classroom for years. Fortunately, in 2022, she enrolled in Save the Children's Community-Based Learning Facility. "I like coming here. After enrolling, I learned poetry, word making, my ABCs and many other things," says Sofaida. Unlike other learning centres - which serve both boys and girls and are farther from homes - the Community-Based Learning Facilities are only for girls and located within a few minutes' walk. Classes are led by female Bangladeshi and Rohingya teachers, reassuring families that their daughters can study safely. As a result, more adolescent girls across the camp are now learning and building vital skills. When Sofaida first enrolled, it was clear she could not walk to class on her own. Humanity & Inclusion staff visited to observe her needs and followed up with home visits, providing exercises and guidance to strengthen her mobility. Through determination - practicing morning and evening - Sofaida's mobility gradually improved. "After doing exercises, I can now walk reasonably well," says Sofaida. With this support, Sofaida has gained new independence. At 9 AM each morning, she is at the Learning Facility, immersed in her studies. She has discovered a love for poetry. "Since enrolling, I have studied Burmese, English, life skills, social studies, science, math and many other things. I especially enjoy reading poetry." Her teacher, Kulsoma, has seen Sofaida blossom. When she feels sad, isolated or struggles to concentrate, teachers respond with encouragement, helping her connect with peers. Sofaida says, "I have two very good friends here. I study and play with them and go to their house to play as well." Sofaida's parents have also noticed the change, Kulsoma says. "After seeing all these improvements, they expressed their sincere gratitude to Young Power in Social Action, ECW and Humanity & Inclusion, and thanked everyone." Kulsoma has witnessed the wider impact of the Learning Facilities. "In [the Rohingya] community, if girls leave the house and go somewhere far or talk to boys, they do not get married. This is the rule here. For this reason, fathers and mothers do not allow their daughters to go to the Learning Center or anywhere far to study. That's why Young Power in Social Action and ECW have created our Community-Based Learning Facilities right inside the Rohingya homes." With all-female teachers and close proximity, the facilities remove key barriers to education. Since the refugee influx began, ECW has supported learning opportunities for those left furthest behind in Bangladesh, working with donors, UN agencies, civil society and community leaders to create safe, holistic learning spaces. While Cox's Bazar offers safety for families fleeing Myanmar, refugees there still urgently need additional support. Many Rohingya girls and boys lack access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and safe water and sanitation. Sofaida's journey shows the tremendous potential within every child. With more resources, ECW and partners can expand learning spaces that allow children to dream, learn and grow. Sofaida is already writing her story - let's ensure more girls have the chance to do the same. *Name has been changed to protect identity Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842887/Sofaida_at_her_ECW_supported_Community_Based_Learning_Facility.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/two-steps-forward-sofaidas-story-302638446.html West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Solis Minerals Limited (ASX: SLM) (Company) advises that it has been registered as an Australian company effective from 8 December 2025 (Australian Continuance). The continuance from Canada to Australia was previously approved by the Company's shareholders at the Company's Annual General and Special Meeting held on 16 September 2025. ASX Timetable As part of the Australian Continuance, the Company's common shares (previously registered in Canada and listed on the TSX-V) will become fully paid ordinary shares (Shares) on a 1:1 basis. All shareholders will then hold Shares directly in the Company rather than through CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) and those Shares will be tradeable on ASX. Accordingly, all existing CDIs will be cancelled and new holding statements will be issued in support of the uncertificated shareholdings (in replacement for the existing CDI statements). The below table details the outstanding events in relation to the Australian Continuance. Event Date Last day for trading in Solis Minerals Ltd CDIs on ASX. ASX to change name from Solis Minerals Ltd to Solis Minerals Limited. 12 December 2025 Trading in Solis Minerals Limited shares on a deferred settlement basis. 15 December 2025 Last day for Company to register transfers of CDIs and shares as Solis Minerals Ltd. 16 December 2025 Closure of the Solis Minerals Ltd share register in Canada. 16 December 2025 ASX Settlement Pty Limited revokes its approval of the Solis Minerals Ltd CDIs. 17 December 2025 Revocation of trust by CHESS Depositary Nominees Pty Ltd in accordance with ASX Settlement Operating Rule 13.5A.1. 18 December 2025 Cancellation of the Solis Minerals Ltd CDIs. Registration of Solis Minerals Limited shares to the former Solis Minerals Ltd shareholders and CDIs holders. Deferred settlement trading ends. 23 December 2025 Despatch of holding statements to Solis Minerals Limited shareholders. 24 December 2025 Note: The above timetable is indicative only and subject to change. This announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Solis Minerals Limited. About Solis Minerals Limited Solis Minerals is an emerging exploration company, focused on unlocking the potential of its South American copper portfolio. The Company is led by a highly-credentialled and proven team with excellent experience across the mining lifecycle in South America. Solis Minerals is actively considering a range of copper opportunities. South America is a key player in the global export market for copper and Solis Minerals, under its leadership team, is strategically positioned to capitalise on growth the opportunities within this mineral-rich region. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277633 SOURCE: Solis Minerals Ltd. Highlights Cinto drilling permits have been granted by Peru's Ministry of Energy & Mines. The diamond drilling campaign will target coincident geochemical and geophysical targets, including three key areas identified from a recent induced polarisation ("IP") survey. Cinto is 15 kilometres from Southern Copper's Toquepala mine and 38 kilometres from Anglo American's Quellaveco mine, which produces > 300 ktpa of copper 1 . Cinto sits along the Incapuquio Fault Zone, which is associated with world-class porphyry deposits in the region. Mobilisation of the drill rig and pad preparation will commence during December 2025. West Leederville, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Solis Minerals Limited (ASX: SLM) ("Solis Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the receipt of drilling permits at its 100%-owned Cinto Copper Project in southern Peru, paving the way for commencement of much anticipated drilling in the coming weeks. Chief Executive Officer, Mitch Thomas, commented: "We are very happy to have received permits to drill at Cinto. Cinto has an excellent combination of an outcropping mineralised footprint, proximity to globally significant copper mines and regional infrastructure. We are very excited to bring shareholders along Cinto's exploration journey." Figure 1: Proximity of Cinto to Toquepala and Quellaveco operating mines. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/277630_77ca7e9f24fe8be5_001full.jpg Background The Cinto project resides in the Cenozoic Porphyry Belt, 15 kilometres south-southeast of the Toquepala Copper Mine (Southern Copper Corp) (Figure 1). The Toquepala mine and Cinto project are both located along the Incapuquio Fault Zone, which is associated with several large porphyry deposits, including Quellaveco (Anglo American 60%, Mitsubishi Corporation 40%), Cuajone (Southern Peru Copper Corp) and Cerro Verde (Freeport 53.5%), Sumitomo Metal Mining 21%, and Peruvian investors 25.5%). The Incapuquio Fault Zone is a major geological system in southern Peru, running parallel to the Andes volcanic arc and playing a significant role in the region's tectonic history. Previous work completed in support of drilling programme Solis Minerals has completed a comprehensive program of background work in support of identifying attractive drilling targets at Cinto: Magnetometry survey: a combined drone and ground magnetometry survey over Cinto has been completed2. The previously released survey shows magnetic anomalies south of an intrusive batholith contact with corresponding alteration detected from World View 3 remote sensing work. Areas of low magnetic response north-east of the batholith contact represent alteration that contains the area of visible copper mineralisation present at Cinto (Figure 2). Figure 2: Field magnetic data. High magnetic response in red. Low magnetic response in blue shows probable alteration zones. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/277630_solis_2.jpg Grab and channel sampling: previously released surface samples from Cinto reported assays up to 7.14% Cu with mineralisation mapped over a 200m x 100m area associated with significant alteration and structural deformation (Figure 4)3. Significant structures were evident with abundant copper mineralisation in historical artisanal workings. A channel sampling campaign was completed in 2025 that reported several high-grade assays4 (Figure 3). 23.4m @ 0.88% Cu (Channel 1) 16.8m @ 0.52% Cu (Channel 6) 26.5m @ 0.28% Cu (Channel 11), including 5.4m @1.0% Cu Figure 3: Cinto permitted drill pad locations, IP conductivity and historical geochemical sampling (grab and channel)5. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/277630_solis_3.jpg IP survey: was completed in July 2025 that identified three high-priority, large-scale untested drill targets6. The previously released survey provided a strong basis for a drilling in areas identified from magnetometry and surface sampling coinciding with chargeability and resistivity anomalies interpreted as prospective for copper mineralisation. The IP survey at Cinto comprised eight lines covering 16.2 kilometres in total, with data collected at 100 metre dipole spacing and 200 metre line spacing. Processing and 3D inversion of the data revealed: Chargeability anomalies: up to 4x background levels extending to depth, most notably to the northwest of the grid, indicative of relatively higher sulphide content (Figures 3). Resistivity contrasts: that align with NW-SE and E-W structures in the Incapuquio fault zone suggesting a structural control to the target zones. Figure 4: LHS: Cinto surface grab sample 17142 with visible copper oxides and silicification returned 7.14% Cu RHS: Grab sample 17181 (1.0 % Cu) with copper oxides and hyaline quartz from outcrop7. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/277630_solis_4.jpg Drilling programme Drilling will start by targeting coincident anomalies in Figure 3; specifically, the high-grade surface geochemistry / channel samples and priority IP targets depicted. The sequence of drillholes will be determined in consultation between Solis Minerals' exploration team and drilling contractor following a planned site visit in coming days. Seventeen drill pads have been permitted to allow flexibility to respond to results throughout the programme. The Company's water permit to support the drilling is expected to be approved by mid-December 2025. Approximately 2,500 metres has been budgeted (approximately 5 diamond drill holes) for this maiden drilling campaign. Additional news flow can be expected from drill holes results for Ilo Este and Chancho al Palo (both 100% Solis Minerals) which will be released in December 2025 following receipt of final assays (Figure 5). Activity levels remain elevated at Solis Minerals in support of its objective to "Discover copper-gold resources that can host large-scale mining in one of the world's leading copper-gold regions". Figure 5: Solis Minerals' portfolio of projects in Peru (blue boxes) with major mining operations and projects also identified. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1134/277630_solis_5.jpg ENDS This announcement is authorised for release by the Board of Solis Minerals Limited. About Solis Minerals Limited Solis Minerals is an emerging exploration company, focused on unlocking the potential of its South American copper portfolio. The Company is building a significant copper portfolio in the Coastal Belt of Peru. The Company is led by a highly-credentialled and proven team with excellent experience across the mining lifecycle in South America. Solis is actively considering a range of copper opportunities. South America is a key player in the global export market for copper and Solis, under its leadership team, is strategically positioned to capitalise on growth opportunities within this mineral-rich region. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that relate to future events or performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected, including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release was reviewed by Dr. Paul Pearson, a Fellow of the Australian institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101). Paul Pearson is the Head of Exploration of the Company. Competent Person Statement The information in this ASX release concerning Geological Information and Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Paul Pearson, a Competent Person who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Paul Pearson is Head of Exploration of Solis Minerals Ltd. and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the exploration activities undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the "Australian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves". Paul Pearson consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. Paul Pearson has provided his prior written consent regarding the form and context in which the Geological Information and Exploration Results and supporting information are presented in this Announcement. Disclaimer In relying on the cross-referenced ASX announcements and pursuant to ASX Listing Rule 5.23.2, the Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in those announcements. JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1 Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representativity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used. Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Being an early-stage exploration project, no sampling of drill-derived media has been possible on the Cinto project. For the surface geochemical sampling program a total of 737 bedrock samples were taken from trenches, or outcrops, and along profiles. Sampling standards such as representativeness, proportionality, homogeneity, and sample cleanliness were adhered to in all samples extracted. Individual continuous channel samples of 1-2 metres width (up to 4 kg weight) were taken along cut trenches, transverse to geological structure. Composite outcrop point samples consisted of 20-30 chips collected from an area of 1-3 m2 (up to 4 kg in weight). Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face- sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Being an early-stage exploration project, no drilling has yet been executed on the Cinto project. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed. Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples. Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drilling has yet been executed on the Cinto project. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies. Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography. The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drilling has yet been executed on the Cinto project. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken. If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry. For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique. Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representativity of samples. Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling. Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Being an early-stage exploration project, no sampling of drill-derived media has been possible on the Cinto project. For the surface geochemical sampling program of 737 samples taken from trenches, or outcrops, and along profiles, samples were simply bagged and sealed, and no splitting, sub-sampling or other related techniques were applied. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc. Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Being an early-stage exploration project, no analysis of drill-derived samples has been possible on the Cinto project. For the surface geochemical sampling program of 737 samples taken from trenches, or outcrops, and along profiles, samples were simply bagged and sealed, and no splitting, sub-sampling or other related techniques were applied. For the surface rock geochemistry sampling program samples were sent to the ALS CHEMEX PERU laboratory where they were prepared (PREP 31) and analyzed, using the Au-AA23 + ME-ICP61 (34 elements) methods. ALS CHEMEX is internationally renowned for its geochemical analysis used in the mining industry. The Company followed rigorous QC/QA procedures for the surface geochemical sampling program, including routine insertion of blanks (12), standards (4) and duplicates (15) inserted "blind" at regular intervals in the sample stream as an independent check. No issues relating to sample contamination, analytical accuracy, sampling error or repeatability were detected. Verification of Sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel. The use of twinned holes. Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Being an early-stage exploration project, no analysis of drill-derived samples has been possible on the Cinto project. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. Specification of the grid system used. Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drill holes yet exist on the Cinto project. Issues of location of drill holes are therefore not applicable. For field sample and observation stations, waypoints were located using a hand-held Garmin GPS unit in the WGS 1984 UTM, Zone 19S projection. Data spacing an distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. Whether sample compositing has been applied. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drill holes yet exist on the Cinto project. Issues of data spacing and distribution pertinent to establishing the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications are therefore not applicable. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type. If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drill holes yet exist on the Cinto project. Issues related to the orientation of sampling in achieving unbiased sampling of possible structures are therefore not applicable. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Surface geochemical samples were transported in sealed bags and sacks from the project by pickup truck, delivered to the to the bus station in the town of Tacna and transported to the ALS Peru laboratories in Lima. All precautions were taken to secure security of samples in an orderly chain of custody. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data have yet been conducted. Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section) Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings. The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Cinto project area is located in the district of Ilabaya, province of Jorge Basadre, department of Tacna. The project comprises seven granted exploration claims or "concessiones" - Solis02A (100 ha), Solis02 (200 ha), Solis03 (500 ha), Solis04 (400 ha), Solis05 (500 ha), Solis06 (1000 ha) and Solis07 (900 ha). The claims are held 100% by Westminster Per S.A.C., a 100% owned Peruvian subsidiary of Solis Minerals. The claims are fully granted and gazetted by the Peruvian state, being in good standing. In Peru, the rental or validity fee is a US$ 3.00 per hectare per year payment that holders of all mining concessions are obliged to make before June 30th of each year. Rental payments are currently up to date for the current fiscal year. Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. No documented or publicly available information is currently available of previous exploration on the project. Apart from minor artisanal workings located on copper oxide outcrops, no evidence for any access ways or historical drill platforms has been located on the project. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Cinto is hosted within the Cretaceous to Palaeocene-age Coastal Batholith of southern Peru. Cinto is located close to some of Peru's largest porphyry copper deposits of Palaeocene-Eocene age, including Toquepala (15kms to the NNW), Cuajone, Quellaveco. Los Calatos and Cerro Verde. A primary regional control of copper porphyry mineralisation is the Incapuquio Fault system, a regional NW-SE, multi-strand zone of fault that transects southern Peru. Mineralisation at Cinto is hosted in screens of volcano-sedimentary rocks and batholithic granitoids, with high level , structurally controlled, stockwork quartz veining and breccias featuring copper oxide staining at surface within the surficial oxide zone. This high level, low temperature mineralization possibly reflects distal manifestations of deeper porphyry-style mineralisation. An important local control on quartz veining, breccias and copper oxide mineralization appears to be broadly E-W second- and third-order fault systems. Drillhole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole hole length If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Being an early-stage exploration project, no drill holes yet exist on the Cinto project. Information relating to drilling results is therefore not yet available. Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Being an early-stage exploration project, no sampling or analysis of drill-derived media has been possible on the Cinto project. Issues of data aggregation methodologies are not currently applicable. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. 'down hole length, true width not known'). Being an early-stage exploration project, no sampling or analysis of drill-derived media has been possible on the Cinto project. Issues relating to mineralisation widths and intercept lengths are not currently applicable. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. Being an early-stage exploration project, preparation of maps or sections of drill-derived information is not yet possible for the Cinto project. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced avoiding misleading reporting of Exploration Results. Exploration data derived at Cinto by the company will be reported as it becomes available, and will be subject to due diligence and verification as part of the Company's evaluation process. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Real Eagle Explorations EIRL completed an airborne geophysical campaign on the Cinto project during August-September 2024, and consisted of a drone-borne magnetic survey. The magnetic survey was completed over twenty-six (26) E-W oriented lines, spaced 200 metres apart, for a total of 159.73 line-km. Processing and inversion modelling of the magnetic data was completed by Real Eagle during September-October 2024. Deep Sounding Geophysics SAC of Lima, Peru completed a ground geophysical campaign on the Cinto project during May 2025, and consisted of an Induced Polarization (IP). The IP survey was completed on eight (8) NE-SW oriented lines, spaced 200 metres apart,at a dipole spacing of 100 metres, for a total surveyed length of 16.2 line Km. A multi-dipole configuration was used. Processing and inversion modelling of the IP data was completed by Deep Sounding during May-June 2025. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. A staged approach for exploration is designed to de-risk the Cinto Project, with technical milestones and investment thresholds at each stage. Milestones and timelines have been established to ensure a disciplined, value-driven approach to project advancement: Surface work and permitting (completed). First round drilling (up to 5,000 metres). Two principal targets will be tested initially: Outcropping copper-rich silica breccias cutting volcano-sedimentary sequence and hosted by broadly E-W faults (possibly peripheral to a concealed porphyry). A deeper porphyry target indicated by elevated chargeability and resistivity, together with broad Mo geochemical halo. If successful, resource definition and initial economic studies. Second round drilling and Pre-feasibility studies. 1 Source: https://www.mining.com/anglo-american-reaches-1m-copper-milestone-at-quellaveco/ 2 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/474ff3d6-67d.pdf 3 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/8a5d2a26-1d0.pd 4 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/69e9f8a0-cf5.pdf 5 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/8a5d2a26-1d0.pdf 6 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/a6cb1fba-b82.pdf 7 Source: https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/slm/8a5d2a26-1d0.pdf To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277630 SOURCE: Solis Minerals Ltd. Rimouski, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Puma Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PUMA) (OTCQB: PUMXF) (the "Company" or "Puma") announces that it has closed a non-brokered placement (the "FT Private Placement") consisting of 6,000,000 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at $0.20 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of C$1,200,000. Each FT Unit comprises one flow-through share and one-half (1/2) common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.25 per share, until December 9, 2027. The Warrants are subject to an acceleration clause that entitles the Company to provide notice (the "Acceleration Notice") to holders that they will expire 30 days from the date the Company delivers the Acceleration Notice. The Company can only provide the Acceleration Notice if the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the TSXV is equal to or greater than $0.40 for 30 consecutive trading days. The Acceleration Notice can be provided at any time after the statutory hold period and before the expiry date of the warrants. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day pursuant to applicable securities laws. The net proceeds of the FT Units will be used to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses and flow-through mining expenditures, as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada), that will be renounced in favour of the purchasers, with an effective date of no later than Dec. 31, 2026. The funds will advance exploration of the McKenzie Gold Project and other company assets in northern New Brunswick. In connection with the closing of the private placement offerings, the Company paid aggregate cash finders' fees of $76,650 and issued 383,250 non-transferable finder warrants (the "Finder Warrants"). The Finder Warrants have the same terms as the Warrants and are exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at $0.25 per share, until December 9, 2027. Certain directors and other insiders of the Company participated in the FT Private Placement. They subscribed for 100,000 FT Units at an aggregate price of $20,000, an amount no greater than the maximum permissible under applicable securities laws and regulatory rules. Participation by the directors and other insiders in the private placement is considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61- 101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval in connection with the insiders' participation in the FT Private Placement in reliance on sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of any securities issued under the private placement (and the consideration paid to the Company therefor) to interested parties (as defined under MI 61-101) did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). Qualified Person The content of this press release was prepared by Marcel Robillard, President, who supervised the preparation of the information that forms part of this news release. About Puma's Assets in New Brunswick Puma has accumulated an impressive portfolio of prospective gold landholdings strategically located close to roads and infrastructure in Northern New Brunswick, including the Williams Brook Project and the McKenzie Gold Project. Both are located near the Rocky Brook Millstream Fault ("RBMF"), a major regional structure formed during the Appalachian Orogeny and a significant control for gold deposition in the region. Puma's work to date has focused on the Williams Brook property, but prospecting and surface exploration work on its other properties have confirmed their potential for significant gold mineralization. The Williams Brook Project was optioned to Kinross Gold in October 2024. About Puma Exploration Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on identifying and developing a pipeline of precious metals projects in New Brunswick, near Canada's Renowned Bathurst Mining Camp. Puma has a long history in Northern New Brunswick, having worked on regional projects for over 15 years. Puma's successful exploration methodology, which combines traditional prospecting methods with detailed trenching and cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, has been instrumental in understanding the region's geology and associated mineralized systems. Armed with geophysical surveys, geochemical data, and consultants' expertise, Puma has developed a cost-effective exploration tool to discover gold at shallow depths and maximize drilling results. Connect with us on Facebook / X / LinkedIn. Visit www.explorationpuma.com for more information or contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve several known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Puma to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. The quarterly and annual reports and the documents submitted to the securities administration describe these risks and uncertainties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277631 SOURCE: Puma Exploration Inc. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) (FSE: DTC) (OTCQB: DTCFF) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company advancing a proprietary intracellular delivery platform that enables more potent, safer, and more effective antibody-based and radiotherapeutic treatments, is pleased to announce that the Shareholders approved all matters presented at the Company's annual general meeting of the shareholders held today, as follows: Setting the number of directors at five Election of directors: Sebastien Plouffe Dr. Philippe Lefrancois Dr. Sarkis Meterissian Dr. Svetlana Selivanova Dr. Amie Phinney Sebastien Plouffe Dr. Philippe Lefrancois Dr. Sarkis Meterissian Dr. Svetlana Selivanova Dr. Amie Phinney Appointment of Crowe MacKay LLP as auditors 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Grant of Options Defence has granted a total of 800,000 stock options (the "Options") to certain directors, officers and employees pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Options, subject to the terms of the Plan, are exercisable at a price of $0.82 per Class A Common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") for a period of 10 years. Warrant Terms Amendments Defence also announces an amendment to the terms of a total of 967,000 Common Share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") originally issued as part of a private placement closed on January 30 and March 22, 2024 respectively. The expiry date will be extended by 12 months and the exercise price will be repriced at $1.00 per Common Share, as follows: Number of Warrants: Original Expiry Date of Warrants: New Expiry Date of Warrants: Original Exercise Price of Warrants: New Exercise Price of Warrants: 567,000 January 30, 2026 January 30, 2027 $2.00 $1.00 400,000 March 22, 2026 March 22, 2027 $2.00 $1.00 All other terms of the Warrants will remain unchanged. In accordance with the requirements of the CSE, the terms of any warrants issued as compensation warrants or as finder warrants are not eligible for amendment. Marketing Service Engagement On September 30, 2025, Defence entered into an online marketing agreement for a term of 2-month, which commenced on approximately November 3, 2025 (the "Agreement") with i2i Marketing Group, LLC ("i2i") for total cash consideration of USD$300,000 with $50,000 paid on the date of the Agreement and the remaining to be paid upon the completion of conditions set for in the Agreement. Thereafter, the Agreement continues on a month-to-month basis with supplemental expenditures agreed to by the parties for the services being rendered. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, i2i will provide certain marketing and distribution services, which includes content creation management, author sourcing, project management and media distribution. i2i is a private company headquartered in Key West, Florida, USA (www.issuer2investor.com, email: contact@i2illc.com; address 1107 Key Plaza #222, Key West FL 33040; phone: 240-7315-4665), dedicated to providing marketing services. The Company will not issue any securities to i2i as compensation. i2i and its principals are arm's length from the Company and do not have any interest, direct or indirect, in the Company or its securities nor do they have any right to acquire such an interest. About Defence: Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUM technology, which enables precision delivery of biologics in their intact form to target cells. As a result, efficacy and potency can be enhanced for biologics enabling expanded patient access and market opportunities. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277637 SOURCE: Defence Therapeutics Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - LQWD Technologies Corp. (TSXV: LQWD) (OTCQX: LQWDF) is pleased to provide an update on the Company's At-The-Market Equity Program (the "ATM Program") and voting results from its 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held today in Vancouver, Canada. At-The-Market Equity Program Update From the effective date of the ATM Program to the date of this release, the Company has not issued or sold any Common Shares under the ATM Program. Furthermore, the Company does not intend on issuing shares under the ATM Program which remains in effect until expiry on December 31, 2025. The ATM Program previously announced on July 15, 2025, allows the Company to issue and sell into the open market up to C$10,000,000 common shares from time-to-time through the TSX Venture Exchange or any other marketplace in Canada, at the Company's discretion. Fixing the Number and Election of Directors Shareholders fixed the number of directors at five (5), and all five (5) of the nominees listed in LQWD's management information circular dated November 14, 2025, that were proposed by management for election to the board of directors at the Meeting were duly elected. The directors will remain in office until the next annual meeting of the Company's shareholders or until their successors are elected or appointed. Appointment of Auditors Shareholders appointed Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP as auditor of the Company for the upcoming year and authorized the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration of the auditor. Approval of Stock Option Plan The Company's incentive stock option plan, which is a rolling stock option plan that permits the issuance of up to an aggregate of 10% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company from time to time, was approved by shareholders. About LQWD Technologies Corp. LQWD is a Canadian-domiciled public company with offices in Vancouver, Canada, and Lugano, Switzerland. The Company is audited and publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LQWD, and on the OTCQX Market in the United States under the symbol LQWDF. The Company is advancing Bitcoin adoption through the Lightning Network, a second-layer solution that enables instant, low-cost transactions at scale. As one of the first public companies dedicated to Lightning infrastructure, LQWD operates a network of enterprise-grade nodes designed to earn transaction fees and support network liquidity. For more information, please visit LQWD's website and connect with the Company's Lightning Network nodes in real time. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements relating to potential future sales under the ATM Program and the anticipated use of proceeds. Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations and assumptions, including statements with regard to the results of the Meeting, and the ATM Program. Although the Company believes, considering the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this release are made as of the date of this release, and the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances other than as required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277642 SOURCE: LQWD Technologies Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - TempraMed Technologies Ltd. (CSE: VIVI) ("TempraMed" or the "Company"), a medical technology innovator transforming how temperature-sensitive medications are stored and managed, today announced the appointment of Professor Dr. Lutz Heinemann, one of the world's foremost diabetes researchers, to its Scientific Advisory Board. His appointment further enhances TempraMed's scientific foundation as the Company expands its portfolio of next-generation thermal-stability technologies for temperature-sensitive medications. Prof. Heinemann is internationally recognized for pioneering work that bridges insulin pharmacology, diabetes technology, and drug-stability science. As co-founder of the Profil Institute for Metabolic Research and former Managing Editor of the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, he has played a central role in advancing insulin kinetics, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), artificial pancreas systems, and the clinical translation of new diabetes technologies. Beyond device innovation, Prof. Heinemann has published foundational research demonstrating the critical impact of temperature on insulin and other peptide-based medications, highlighting how improper storage outside the cold chain can degrade potency, reduce therapeutic effectiveness, and compromise patient safety. His dual expertise-deep scientific understanding paired with real-world medication-handling insights-positions him as a global authority on the clinical implications of thermal instability. "As a researcher who has spent decades investigating how temperature fluctuations impact the stability and safety of insulin and other injectable medications, I have seen firsthand how real-world storage conditions can jeopardize treatment outcomes. TempraMed's technologies offer a scientifically sound and practical solution to this long-standing challenge. I am pleased to join the advisory board and support their mission to improve medication safety and reliability for patients around the world," commented Prof. Dr. Lutz Heinemann. Ron Nagar, CEO, TempraMed, said: "We are privileged to welcome Prof. Heinemann to TempraMed's Scientific Advisory Board. His contributions to diabetes research have shaped global understanding of insulin behavior, technology innovation, and medication stability. Having his guidance is invaluable as we continue developing solutions that improve the daily lives of people managing chronic diseases by ensuring their medications remain safe, effective, and reliable-wherever life takes them. We look forward to working with Prof Heinemann, as his guidance and advice will be invaluable as we continue to advance our global offering." Strategic Significance for TempraMed Prof. Heinemann's extensive background enhances TempraMed's capabilities across several high-priority domains: Global partnerships: Strengthening TempraMed's engagement with potential partners; pharma, payors, clinical networks, digital-health platforms, and diabetes-technology leaders to drive collaborative innovation, scale distribution, and support broad market adoption. Strengthening TempraMed's engagement with potential partners; pharma, payors, clinical networks, digital-health platforms, and diabetes-technology leaders to drive collaborative innovation, scale distribution, and support broad market adoption. Market access and education: Helping shape medical-professional and patient-facing guidance about temperature-sensitive medication handling. Helping shape medical-professional and patient-facing guidance about temperature-sensitive medication handling. Clinical validation and evidence generation: Supporting TempraMed's scientific studies on medication stability, adherence, and clinical-use cases. Supporting TempraMed's scientific studies on medication stability, adherence, and clinical-use cases. Technology evaluation: Providing expert insight into device functionality, performance requirements, and integration with digital-health ecosystems. About TempraMed Technologies Ltd. TempraMed Technologies Ltd. is a global leader in innovative, temperature-controlled medication storage solutions. Founded with the mission to safeguard the effectiveness of life-saving medications, TempraMed develops patented, FDA-registered, space-grade thermal insulation devices that work 24/7 without batteries or external power. With a proven product line including VIVI Cap and VIVI Epi, and a smart technology platform on the horizon, TempraMed enables patients and healthcare providers to confidently manage temperature-sensitive medications anywhere, anytime. Headquartered in Israel with operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, TempraMed is advancing the future of medication protection and adherence. Cautionary Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements or information." Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: anticipate, intend, plan, goal, seek, believe, project, estimate, expect, strategy, future, likely, may, should, will and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include statements made regarding information about future plans, expectations and objectives of the Company overall. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings, the availability of future financing and/or credit, developments and changes in laws and regulations, consumer sentiment towards the Company's products, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, competition, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions, the impact of technology and social changes on the products and industry. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277598 SOURCE: TempraMed Technologies Ltd Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - IMAGINE LITHIUM INC. (TSXV: ILI) (OTCQB: ARXRF) (the "Company" or "Imagine") is pleased to announce a strategic land acquisition in the prolific Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field (GLPF), increasing its overall prolific exploration area by 45% at its 100%-owned Jackpot Lithium Project, located near Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The addition of the 'SPOD Lithium Option' of 8,449 ha brings the total land package held by Imagine to a total of 27,597 ha of prospective geology in the GLPF. The addition of the 'SPOD Option Claims' creates a continuous land position between the NI 43-101 compliant Jackpot deposit and Rock Tech Lithium's Nama Creek deposit to the north, representing a strategic land acquisition that strengthens Imagine's exploration footprint moving forward (Figure 1). Simone Suen, President of Imagine, stated: "We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a substantial land package for our Jackpot Project, consolidating significantly more prospective ground and positioning Imagine Lithium as the largest land holder in the Georgia Lake region. This expansion enhances synergies with Rock Tech Lithium's Nama Creek Project and strengthens Imagine's ability to advance our Mineral Resource inventory, currently at 3.1 Mt indicated and 5.3 Mt inferred (with grades of 0.85% and 0.91% Li2O, respectively). The outcome of the 2025 field season continue to refine our exploration model for the belt, underscoring the value of methodical exploration in identifying new deposits. Access to nearby infrastructure, ports, and a skilled workforce further supports the potential to bring Ontario's first lithium deposit into production." Under the terms of the agreement, effective December 5, 2025, Imagine Lithium agrees to purchase 100% undivided right, title and interest in the North Nipigon Lithium Property from Spod Lithium Corp, hereby called the 'Spod Lithium Option' (Figure 1). Upon execution of the agreement, the 18 multi-cell mineral claims will be purchased for an aggregate cash payment of CAD$30,000. The claims are subject to a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR) which will be held by Jadeite Capital Ltd. Figure 1. Jackpot Lithium Project map showing the Jackpot deposit, Nama Creek deposit and 'SPOD Lithium Option' boundary. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2962/277628_3940dd4004e64bec_001full.jpg The addition of this strategic land package compliments future exploration plans and highlights the discovery potential for multiple open-pit, hard-rock lithium deposits in the Georgia Lake Pegmatite Field. The previously announced mineral resource estimate (see September 3, 2024 News Release) on the Jackpot Project outlines two conceptual pit shells - Jackpot and Casino Royale - both exhibiting good grade continuity and strong potential for resource expansion. The resources remain open along strike and to depth. RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS - NI 43-101 MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE Indicated Resource: 3.1 Mt grading 0.85% Li2O (26,200 t contained Li2O) Inferred Resource: 5.3 Mt grading 0.91% Li2O (49,500 t contained Li2O) Cut-off Grade: 0.30% Li2O (pit-constrained) Recovery: 81.5% Li2O, based on SGS metallurgical testing Bulk Density: 2.69 t/m Estimation Method: Inverse distance squared (ID) on 2 2 2 m blocks Effective Date: September 3, 2024; prepared by P&E Mining Consultants Inc.; technical report filed October 18, 2024. METALLURGICAL TEST WORK The early metallurgical results demonstrate that Jackpot mineralization can yield a high-grade spodumene concentrate suitable for the lithium battery supply chain. Metallurgical testing was conducted by SGS Lakefield (2022-2023) on a 200 kg composite sample grading 1.72% Li2O and 0.29% Fe2O3. Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) produced a 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate with 81.5% Li2O recovery, and a concentrate iron content of 0.76% Fe2O3, without magnetic separation. Additional optimization through dense media separation (DMS) and flotation is expected to further enhance recovery and concentrate grade. The Company adopted the 81.5% recovery figure within the MRE cut-off assumptions. Grant of Options Imagine further announces that it has granted 7,200,000 options to an officer and director of the company exercisable at $0.05 for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. The options have been granted in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release was reviewed and approved by Jason Arnold, P.Geo., an Independent Qualified Person as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. About Imagine Lithium Inc. Imagine is a junior mining exploration company focused on seeking and acquiring world-class mineral projects. The company holds the Jackpot lithium property located in the Georgia Lake area about 140 km NNE of Thunder Bay, Ontario, is approximately 12 km by road from the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 11), and is in proximity to sources of power, railroads, and ports. The Jackpot Property consists of 297 mineral claims covering 18,800 hectares. The Property contains NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resources of 3.1 Mt grading 0.85% Li2O in the Indicated category and 5.3 Mt grading 0.91% Li2O in the Inferred category, as well as a number of other known pegmatite showings. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Simone Sze Man Suen" Simone Sze Man Suen, President Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277628 SOURCE: Imagine Lithium Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Grit Metals Corp. (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: K9T) ("Grit" or the "Company") announces further to its news release of November 25, 2025, the Company has received TSX Venture Exchange approval and has settled outstanding indebtedness totaling $75,000, owing to a certain arms-length creditor, through the issuance of 625,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.12 per common share. All securities issued in connection with the debt settlement are subject to restrictions on resale until April 10, 2026, in accordance with applicable securities laws. About Grit Metals Corp. Grit Metals Corp. is a junior mining company currently focused on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The company's exploration licenses are located within 1 kms of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in H2 2025. An estimated 600 million investment by Keliber's parent company Sibanye-Stillwater Limited in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi) is underway in the Kautinen Region and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com). Grit Metals Corp. is a junior exploration company focused on lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites in central Finland. The Company's exploration licences are located within 1 km of Keliber's mine and production complex, a 600 million investment by Sibanye-Stillwater Limited in partnership with Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi). The Keliber complex, which is currently in commissioning, will comprise open-pit and underground mining, a central spodumene concentrator and a lithium hydroxide plant at tidewater in Kokkola, creating a complete hard-rock lithium supply chain in the region (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com). Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information This new release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the costs of any anticipated work programs and the ability to fund such costs, required approvals in connection with any work programs and the ability to obtain such approvals, risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277608 SOURCE: Grit Metals Corp. Atlanta, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Atlanta Furniture Taxi, a leading provider of residential and commercial moving and storage services in Metro Atlanta, has been named a 2025 "Best of Georgia Moving Company (Honorable Mention Winner)" by the Georgia Business Journal for the fourth consecutive year. The honor highlights the company's continued commitment to professionalism, reliability, and outstanding customer care within Georgia's competitive moving industry. The complete feature can be viewed on the Georgia Business Journal website at GBJ.com. The Best of Georgia Awards celebrate top-rated businesses across the state, determined by community nominations, verified user votes, and editorial evaluation. Atlanta Furniture Taxi's repeat recognition - following wins in 2022, 2023, and 2024 - underscores its standing as one of Georgia's most trusted and customer-focused moving companies. Atlanta Furniture Taxi Wins "Best of Georgia Honorable Mention Winner" Award for Fourth Consecutive Year To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/277670_figure1.jpg "Earning this recognition for three straight years speaks volumes about the dedication of our team," said an Operations Manager from Atlanta Furniture Taxi. "Every move represents a family, a story, and a trust that our crew takes seriously. This award reflects the care and professionalism our movers show every single day." Founded more than a decade ago, Atlanta Furniture Taxi has grown into one of the state's most reputable Atlanta moving and storage companies. The firm's licensed and insured movers specialize in both local and long-distance relocation, offering residential and commercial solutions that emphasize safety, efficiency, and transparency. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and many professional recognitions, the company has built a loyal base of clients throughout Alpharetta, Marietta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and the greater Metro Atlanta area. Atlanta Furniture Taxi's local moving services remain a cornerstone of its success, supported by modern equipment, professional training, and a philosophy rooted in traditional southern courtesy. The company continues to invest in technology, staff development, and operational excellence as it expands its footprint across Georgia. The 2025 Best of Georgia award affirms Atlanta Furniture Taxi's long-standing reputation for dependable service and its ongoing commitment to raising industry standards. Media Contact To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/277670_figure2.png To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277670 SOURCE: GetFeatured Ajay Gupta, a co-owner of the Goa nightclub where a deadly blaze killed 25, was caught by the police. The Gurugram-based businessman was on the run and was finally traced to a hospital. He was admitted after he faked a spine issue As the Goa nightclub fire case unravels, police have detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane. This comes after the Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, the other owners wanted in the case, fled to Thailand after the blaze killed 25. Gupta was held at a private hospital in Delhis Lajpat Nagar. According to officials, his driver had driven him to the facility in an Innova car with an HR (Haryana) number plate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As quoted by news agency PTI, the Goa Police spokesperson confirmed, We have detained Ajay Gupta, one of the owners of the nightclub. He is the sixth person to be held in connection with the case. Heres what we know about Ajay Gupta. Ajay Gupta is a Gurugram-based businessman and one of the four co-owners of GS Hospitality Arpora LLP, the company that runs the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub. He is a close partner of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra. In his statement, Gupta has so far denied any role in mismanagement in safety arrangements at the nightclub. I am just a sleeping partner. I dont know anything, he said soon after being picked. Gupta was detained in Delhi by the Goa Police after a look-out circular (LOC) was issued in his name. According to reports, when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. He was held at a private hospital in Delhis Lajpat Nagar on Tuesday evening. Gupta has been taken into custody and will be produced in court before being taken to Goa. He tried to escape the police by getting himself hospitalised. He reportedly tried to fake a spinal issue and got himself admitted to the Institute of Brain and Spine. He told doctors at the hospital that he was suffering from a spinal issue. The plan was to hide at the institute for three to four days before he could find another way to escape. The police tried to track Gupta soon after the fire. But he was in hiding. By Monday, the LOC was issued, and the police started searching the premises he was linked to. According to the police, Gupta was constantly on the move, and his phone was switched off as he tried to evade authorities. Police sources told The Indian Express that Gupta is a businessman and is involved in real estate projects in Goa. Meanwhile, efforts are on to track the other owners, who are still at large. The Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice against the Luthra brothers, who fled to Thailand. Another owner of the nightclub, Surinder Kumar Khosla, also has an LOC in his name. The authorities confirmed that soon after the tragic incident Luthra brothers boarded the New DelhiPhuket IndiGo flight. Probe agencies in India are now in touch with authorities in Thailand to locate the duo and bring them back. The Luthra brothers have moved Delhis Rohini club seeking anticipatory bail. Meanwhile, Romeo Lane, another establishment owned by the Luthras, was also demolished by authorities in Goa after the deadly fire. Another club part of the Romeo Lane chain in Assagao is also sealed, news agency PTI reported. The investigators have taken five staff members into custody so far. They include Birch by Romeo Lanes chief general manager, Rajiv Modak; general manager, Vivek Singh; bar manager, Rajiv Singhania; gate manager, Riyanshu Thakur; and an employee, Bharat Kholi. An FIR filed by the Goa Police said that the fire at the nightclub could have been prevented had the owners and organisers complied with basic safety rules. The establishment held a fire show on Saturday without fire-safety equipment like extinguishers, alarms and suppression gear. With inputs from agencies Australias ban on social media platforms and websites, including TikTok and Instagram, comes into effect today (December 10). The death by suicide of 14-year-old Oliver Ollie Hughes after struggling with anorexia and online bullying pushed the Australian government to ban these platforms for children Australia's social media ban for teens will come into effect from December 10. Representational Image/Reuters Australias social media ban for children under 16 has kicked off today (December 10). The world-first legislation will see the country banning social media platforms and websites, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads and Reddit. The crackdown will lead to the accounts of more than one million (10 lakh) users under 16 being deactivated in Australia. Social media companies will face a fine of up to A$49.5 million (Rs 295.17 crore) if they fail to take reasonable steps to comply with the legislation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Australian government has said the move will reduce the negative impact of social medias design features that encourage [young people] to spend more time on screens, while also serving up content that can harm their health and wellbeing. The deaths of two teens triggered the Anthony Albanese-led government to take the landmark action. We take a look at the tragic stories. Battle with body dysmorphia Mia Bannisters world came crashing down in January when her 14-year-old son, Oliver Ollie Hughes, was found dead in his bedroom. The mother holds social media responsible for her sons battle with anorexia nervosa and his subsequent suicide. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that leads people to have very low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted self-image. There is no doubt in my mind that social media is responsible for taking Ollie down that path, Bannister, 51, told the Australian newspaper, The Courier Mail. We had all sorts of rules in place around screen time, and I would sometimes confiscate his phone, but it got to him anyway, she added. As per Bannister, an esteemed figure in Queensland property circles, her teenage son became obsessed with TikTok videos of males bulking up while he started hating his own body. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last February, Ollie weighed 74 kg, but by December, his weight had dropped below 50 kg. He was immediately hospitalised after being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Ollie used to love eating everything I cooked but then he wanted to only eat tinned tuna and rice, and began compulsively weighing his food before going to the bathroom and vomiting it up, the mother said. Mia Bannister, mother of the late 14-year-old Ollie Hughes, showing a tattoo dedicated to her son during an interview in Sydney on November 7, 2025. File Photo/AFP Bannister told AFP that when her son first got sick, he turned to social media. But apps like TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube reportedly showed him content that fuelled his eating disorder. Bannister said she had not imagined the impact social media would have on her child. I was a single parent, working full time, trying to keep a roof over our heads, not really understanding either what platforms hes on and how they work, she said. He was my world About a year before his death, a distressed Ollie came to his mothers bedroom, sobbing. Two of his so-called friends posted on Snapchat that he should go kill himself, Bannister, who took photos of the messages, told The Courier Mail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Boys say stupid things sometimes, and one of them apologised, but that kind of stuff stays with a kid, she added. Ollie was absent from school for 125 days due to his body dysmorphia. His mother believes this could have triggered the bullying. Another mate picked on the fact that he was a ginger (red head) and called him fat, but these smart arse comments can be dangerous, especially for teenagers trying to find where they fit in life. She said the hospital where her son was admitted did not consider him a suicide risk, and neither did she. Oliver started eating to get a one-week release from the hospital. However, at home, Bannister said he started harming himself to punish himself for eating. A week later, her son was no more. On the morning he died, Ollie ate breakfast with me and I could tell he was a bit off but he said hed check in with me later in the day; he never did, the grieving mother said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We had a very special bond and would talk about everything, but in the end it wasnt enough, Bannister lamented. Mia Bannister has got tattoos to honour her son. File Photo/AFP Speaking to AFP, she said her son was her best friend. The mother has gotten tattoos with an eulogy to Ollie. He was my world. Social media ban allows children to grow up Bannister blames social media for her sons deteriorating mental health and the extreme step he took. The pressure to look a certain way, the language he used including micro and macro nutrients, and even the means he used to kill himself, all this came off social media, she was quoted as saying by the Australian newspaper. It is their platforms and the unfiltered, unchecked content. She said when parents give their children a phone, we hand them the greatest weapon we could hand them. Emma Mason, who also lost her daughter Matilda Tilly Rosewarne to suicide, also blames social media. Her 15-year-old daughter died by suicide after she was bullied on social media, including the use of fake nude imagery. It destroyed my child, Mason told 7news. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She and Bannister were at the centre of the Australian governments decision to ban social media for kids under 16. PM Albanese had extensively consulted the two women and had them stand by him while making major announcements about the new law. A study commissioned by the government found that 96 per cent of children aged 10-15 used social media. Of these, seven out of 10 had been exposed to harmful content, including misogynistic and violent material, along with content promoting eating disorders and suicide. According to a survey cited by Australias eSafety Commissioner, 57 per cent of teens aged 13-15 were bullied online last year. The whole point of the legislation isnt to ban social media its to delay it, Mason said. Allowing children time to grow up. Because theyve been part of a social experiment that we didnt sign up for and we didnt know was going to destroy them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bannister wants the ban to even cover those under 18. Childrens brains are not yet formed but social media is destroying them, she said to The Courier Mail. The two mothers believe their campaigns for the new laws were motivated by both guilt and grief. The guilt stemmed from handing their children phones. The world is watching Australias social media ban, but its effectiveness remains in question. With inputs from agencies A collection of Suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022-27546669) Australia has officially barred all under-16s from social media. With major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, among others, now legally required to block young users, countries across Europe, Asia and the US are reassessing their own policies. Experts in India say the real solution may lie in education, awareness and behavioural reform People use their mobile phones, ahead of new law banning social media for users under 16 in Australia, at dusk in Brisbane, Australia, December 8, 2025. File Image/Reuters Numerous countries are watching as Australia enforces the worlds first across-the-board prohibition on social media usage for children under 16. The rule, which officially came into force on December 9, compels globally dominant platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook to prevent young users from accessing their services. Because of its severity and wide-reaching consequences, governments worldwide are now examining whether similar frameworks could or should be tried elsewhere and what the implications might be. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several countries have explored age-based systems, while others rely on parental approvals, national firewalls or broad censorship. Still others are considering new pathways, such as stricter app-store obligations or device-level controls. The motivation for such a firm policy in Australia stems from years of discussion about how digital ecosystems influence younger users. Lawmakers cited the impact of algorithms, compulsive engagement, and the risks of harassment or exploitation as key reasons for elevating protection levels. They also noted that simply depending on companies voluntary age-verification systems or parental settings has proved inadequate. Now several other governments are closely observing how the rollout unfolds, as many face similar social pressures at home. Early reactions suggest that Australias model may influence discussions in Europe, Asia and the United States, even if few countries are likely to replicate the framework exactly. How countries are exploring age thresholds, parental controls United Kingdom: The UKs Online Safety Act compels platforms to prevent minors from encountering harmful material and mandates new safety standards. The law, however, does not set a specific minimum age for accessing social networks. France: Under a national law passed in 2023, minors below 15 require parental permission to create digital accounts. But practical implementation has proved difficult because platforms must verify the age of the child as well as the identity of the guardian an area still fraught with technological issues. Germany: Teenagers aged 13 to 16 are allowed to use social networks only if their guardians agree. Even with that system in place, child-protection advocates in Germany argue that existing measures still fall short, with younger children able to bypass safeguards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Italy: Italian rules establish that children under 14 need parental approval before opening social media accounts, although users above that age can join freely. Norway: Authorities have proposed raising the digital age of consent to 15 from 13, with parents permitted to sign on behalf of younger teens. Discussions are underway to introduce a statutory minimum age of 15 for social media access, meaning the country could ultimately become one of the strictest in Europe. At the broader EU level, especially in Denmark, legislators recently adopted a resolution urging member states to implement a minimum access age of 16 for social networks, arguing that it would ensure more age-appropriate digital participation. The same resolution also suggested a harmonised minimum age of 13 for general digital services and video-sharing platforms. Although the guidance is non-binding, it highlights growing pressure across Europe for more rigorous age-based digital frameworks. Some Asian nations already have long-standing systems that deeply regulate digital activity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China: China has developed a heavily restricted internet environment over the past two decades through its Great Firewall, which blocks major international social networks altogether. Separate from the firewall, Chinese regulators have established a minor mode, which includes device-level settings and app rules limiting screen time for young users across various age brackets. Malaysia: Officials announced in November that Malaysia would introduce a blanket ban for users under 16 beginning next year, making it one of the few countries planning a rule similar in spirit to Australias. Afghanistan: Since the Taliban regained control, internet access and social networks have faced substantial monitoring and uneven availability. In some parts of the country, authorities have suspended broadband and WiFi services, citing moral or religious reasons. Iran: Iran uses a highly restrictive model, preventing access to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, X, Telegram and WhatsApp. Instagram, one of the last widely reachable services, was also blocked in 2022 after nationwide protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Although millions of Iranians depend on VPNs to reach global platforms, they risk penalties or service disruptions while doing so. North Korea: North Korea operates one of the worlds most isolated digital ecosystems. Citizens cannot access the global internet or foreign social networks, and rely on a state-controlled intranet called Kwangmyong. Any attempt to use external connections can result in harsh punishment. Myanmar: Since the 2021 coup, Myanmars military government has imposed recurring blocks on social media and messaging services Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram among them particularly during periods of public dissent. Authorities have also targeted VPNs to prevent people from bypassing blocks. The official justification is the prevention of misinformation; however, critics argue these bans are largely political. United States: In the United States, digital child safety is primarily regulated at the federal level through the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). COPPA prohibits any online service from gathering personal data from children under 13 without verifiable parental approval. However, COPPA does not regulate access to platforms, prompting states to take their own actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several American states have passed legislation requiring stronger protections: Nebraska : A new law demands age checks for all users, with platforms required to obtain parental permission before minors create accounts. This law will start being enforced in July 2026. Utah, Texas and Louisiana: These states have approved rules requiring app stores to verify users ages before they download or update certain apps. Tech companies such as Meta support assigning verification responsibilities to app stores, saying it centralises the burden. However, Apple and Google oppose such rules, arguing they would compel them to collect more information from adult users. This year, the US Supreme Court upheld a Texas requirement that pornographic websites verify users ages. Although the case involved adult content rather than social networks, the ruling indicated that the Court may not oppose all age-based measures. Major social media companies typically set 13 as the minimum age for joining their services. These policies are not legally mandated in most jurisdictions but are part of self-regulation efforts designed to align with COPPA in the US and global expectations around child safety. In practice, these systems rely heavily on users being honest about their age, which leaves significant gaps. Surveys conducted across multiple European countries show widespread non-compliance, with substantial numbers of children under 13 using platforms regardless of official rules. Child-safety advocates argue that without robust age-verification technologies something still hotly contested for privacy reasons these voluntary policies remain insufficient. What this means for India Australias decision has raised an important question for India: could a similar prohibition work here? Experts in the country remain divided, with many emphasising systemic and behavioural issues rather than legal ones. Efforts within India have already leaned toward community engagement and counselling-driven strategies. Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Kick, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Reddit, Threads and X applications are displayed on a mobile phone, in this picture illustration taken on December 9, 2025. File Image/Reuters Over recent months, thousands of parents have taken part in digital-awareness programmes designed to improve communication between adults and young people. Speaking to The Times of India (TOI), Dr Manoj Sharma, who leads the Service for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, highlighted the growing concern. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This parent support group that we run has taken place online in the past four months. We covered 5,000 parents in three months, and then 40 new parents from across the country joined in such discussions the next fortnight. He noted that many parents feel overwhelmed by technological habits in their households. Parents want to know the dos and donts for families and how to manage escalation. They too are feeling stressed out with professional and family pressures and want to keep their mental health intact. Another major concern for Indian policymakers is the real-world behavioural impact on very young users. Dr Monica Sudhir, a counselling psychologist who works directly with adolescents, described the severity of cases she encounters. I have seen really young children become extremely hyperactive and addicted in my clinic kids who are not able to leave their phones or have huge, violent anger tantrums if the devices are taken away, she told TOI, stressing that any purely legislative solution will address only part of the problem. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added that classroom dynamics also need renewal. We cannot stick to traditional methods of teaching in an era when attention spans and retention are declining. Students struggle to form coherent sentences with excessive use of technology, and it is a larger problem. We need to equip children with the ability to process information give them assignments in the classroom instead of allowing them to do it at home where they will use AI end-to-end. These expert views suggest that while India faces the same challenges as Australia screen addiction, exposure to harmful content, academic difficulty and declining attention spans the preferred response may be broader educational reform rather than a sweeping block on social platforms. Indias approach, at least for now, appears to lean toward education, awareness, and strengthening digital literacy, rather than adopting a strict prohibition. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies French First Lady Brigitte Macrons support for a comedian accused of rape has angered feminists. She sparked outrage after calling protesters at Ary Abittans standup as sales connes, which roughly translates to stupid b****es French First Lady Brigitte Macron faces heat over her remark against feminist activists. Reuters There was a time when Brigitte Macron was Frances most loved first lady. But today, like her husband, Emmanuel Macron, her approval rating has hit a low. It doesnt help that Mrs Macron is now facing the wrath of feminists in the country. It all started at a stand-up show, when the French first lady called feminist protesters sales connes, which roughly translates to stupid b****es. Heres what happened. Brigitte Macrons joke gone wrong On Sunday, Mrs Macron went to attend a stand-up show of Ary Abittan, a French actor and comic, at the Folies Bergere theatre in Paris, along with her daughter. She met Abittan before his performance, asking him how he was doing. In a video, he said that he feels scared. Abittan, who was accused of rape in 2021 (the charges were later dropped), faced protests the day before. Activists wearing masks of Ary Abittan interrupted his stand-up show on Saturday, as they shouted Abittan rapist. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If there are any stupid b****es, well kick them out, the French first lady joked as she appeared to assure the comic backstage. Especially masked bandits. French magazine Public published footage on Monday (December 8), in which Mrs Macron was candidly speaking to Abittan. The conversation was reportedly filmed by a bystander. The video went viral and has triggered a backlash online. Members of the feminist group Nous Toutes disrupted Abittans show, the first since judges decided not to charge him. After Mrs Macrons remarks, the French organisation that fights against violence towards women is receiving massive support online, as the anger against the first lady grows. The anger against Brigitte Macron Now, sales cones, the phrase uttered by the French first lady, is being used widely online by celebrities and feminists to register their anger. #Salesconnes has become popular online, reports the BBC. French actor Judith Godreche, who had accused a film director of historical rape, which he denies, wrote on social media, I too am a stupid b***h. Actor Nadege Beausson-Diagne also took to Instagram to back the feminist group. I too am a stupid bitch in summer, winter, spring and autumn. She also spoke in support of the courageous" woman who had accused Abittan of rape and went on to add that Nous Toutes will come back stronger to fight together against sexual violence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tagging Nous Toutes, actor Rachida Brakni also thanked the b****es. Politicians also slammed Mrs Macron, with former French President Francois Hollande saying, When it comes to women fighting against violence against women, we dont speak that way. Marine Tondelier, head of the Greens party, called the statement extremely grave. In an interview with BFM-TV she said, A first lady shouldnt say that. Its so inelegant, said Prisca Thevenot, a lawmaker from the presidents party and former government spokesperson. A Member of European Parliament (MEP) from the radical left-wing party La France Insoumise, Manon Aubry, wrote on X, We started with womens rights as the great cause of the five-year term, this ends by insulting them. Brigitte Macrons defence Despite massive backlash, the First Ladys office defended the remark by saying, Mrs Macrons sole intention was to reassure an artist, adding, In no way is she attacking a cause. Her team told news agency AFP that the words were intended to critique the radical method of the protest. Amelie de Montchalin, the minister for public accounts, said, I think we all use words that are part of everyday language, and we understand how, for an artist, being prevented from doing their job for reasons that have nothing to do with performing can lead to frustration and therefore, to comments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She didnt hold a press conference to say that; those were comments taken from a private space, she added in the defence of the first lady. When President Macron faced backlash for supporting Gerard Depardieu French President Emmanuel Macron has long presented the battle for womens equality as a key priority. In 2017, when he won the presidential race, he emphasised the fight for the complete elimination of violence against women. However, feminist groups still feel that not enough is done. France still has not sufficiently faced up to the #MeToo era, a feminist group was quoted as saying in the New York Times. Recently, Macron came under fire for supporting the actor Gerard Depardieu, who was also accused of sexual harassment and assault. The French president described him as someone who makes France proud. This came after new allegations against the actor surfaced in 2023. In May 2025, Depardieu was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in Paris and given a suspended jail term of 18 months. The 76-year-old actor was accused by the women of groping them while working on a film in 2021. He had denied the allegations against him. With inputs from agencies STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Diwali has officially been added to Unescos Intangible Cultural Heritage List, marking Indias 16th global cultural recognition. With this, India now has 16 recognised elements on the list, spanning rituals, festivals, performing arts, and traditional craftsmanship. The inscription highlights Indias commitment to safeguarding its diverse intangible heritage Devotees pray during the festival of Dev Diwali in Mumbai, India, November 5, 2025. File Image/Reuters Diwali, the festival of lights, has officially been added onto the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Announced at the 20th Unesco Intergovernmental Committee session at New Delhis Red Fort from December 8-13, 2025, this landmark decision marks a significant global recognition for one of Indias most cherished and widely celebrated traditions. Diwali, known as Deepavali, is celebrated across India and by the Indian diaspora worldwide. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has been a strong advocate for the recognition and preservation of diverse cultural expressions, and its consistent presence on the Unesco lists reflects the nations deep commitment to safeguarding its traditions. With Diwalis inclusion, India now boasts sixteen elements on the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These recognised traditions span a wide array of performing arts, social practices, rituals, festive events, and traditional craftsmanship, reflecting the subcontinents incredible diversity: 2025 - Deepavali (Diwali): The festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. 2023 - Garba of Gujarat: A ritualistic and devotional dance performed during the Navratri festival, honouring the feminine divine (Shakti). 2021 - Durga Puja in Kolkata: The annual festival celebrating the Hindu goddess Durga, renowned for its large-scale installations (pandals) and communal artistry. 2017 - Kumbh Mela: A massive religious pilgrimage held once every twelve years at four different river bank sites in India. 2016 - Yoga: The ancient practice encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines. 2016 - Nowruz: The Iranian/Persian New Year celebrated by various communities in Western and Central Asia, including India, marking the spring equinox. 2014 - Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab: A unique process of manufacturing traditional brass and copper utensils by hand. 2013 - Sankirtana, ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur: A performing art form involving ritual singing, drumming, and dancing performed to narrate the life and deeds of Krishna. 2012 - Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir, India: The recitation of sacred texts in monasteries and villages, embodying the philosophy and history of the Buddhist community. 2010 - Mudiyettu, ritual theatre and dance drama of Kerala: A ritual dance drama performed in Bhagavati temples, depicting the battle between the goddess Kali and the demon Darika. 2010 - Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan: Songs and dances performed by the Kalbelia community, historically nomadic snake charmers, primarily women, in vibrant costumes. 2010 - Chhau Dance: A semi-classical Indian dance form with martial, tribal, and folk origins, practiced in three styles in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. 2009 - Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas: An annual religious festival and ritual theatre performed in the Saloor-Dungra village of Uttarakhand to honour the local deity, Bhumiyal Devta. 2008 - Ramlila, the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana: A dramatic folk re-enactment of the life of Lord Rama, performed across North India during the autumn festival of Navratri. 2008 - Tradition of Vedic Chanting: The practice of reciting sacred texts and hymns of the Vedas, an ancient oral tradition. 2008 - Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre: One of Indias oldest living theatrical traditions, performed primarily in Kerala. With inputs from agencies Australias ban on social media for teenagers under 16 years comes into effect from today, forcing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to block more than a million accounts. Trade teams of India and the United States will begin three-day negotiations in New Delhi. Meanwhile, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers will meet DGCA officials following a show-cause notice A 13-year-old boy poses at his home as he looks at social media on his tablet in Sydney. Australia will ban young teenagers from social media on December 10, 2025, launching a world-first crackdown designed to unglue children from addictive scrolling on the likes of Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. AFP It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, the ban on social media for students under the age of 16 years will come into effect in Australia. Meanwhile, India and the United States will begin three-day trade negotiations in New Delhi today. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, along with top management, will meet officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today. The Nobel Prize ceremony will take place in Sweden today, where the prestigious awards will be announced. Nicolas Sarkozys new book, The Diary of a Prisoner, will be released today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres all that is set to take place throughout the day. Australias social media ban to come into effect Australia will implement the social media ban for teenagers from Wednesday (December 10), with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation. From midnight (1300 GMT), 10 of the biggest platforms will be required to block Australians aged under 16 or be fined up to A$49.5 million ($33 million). The law received harsh criticism from major technology companies and free speech advocates, but was praised by parents and child advocates. The rollout closes out a year of speculation about whether a country can block children from using technology that is built into modern life. And it begins a live experiment that will be studied globally by lawmakers who want to intervene directly because they are frustrated by what they say is a tech industry that has been too slow to implement effective harm-minimisation efforts. India, US trade team to start three-day talks India and the United States will commence three-day talks on the first phase of their proposed bilateral trade agreement here from today (December 10). The visit is crucial as India and the US are working to finalise the first tranche of the pact. The three-day talks will start on December 10. It will conclude on December 12, and it is not a formal round of talks, said one of the sources. The US team will be led by Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer. This visit of the US officials marks their second trip since the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff and an additional 25 per cent penalty on Indian goods entering the American market due to the purchase of Russian crude oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indigo CEO to meet DGCA officials IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers will meet officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) along with other IndiGo top management in Delhi today. This comes after a week of widespread flight disruptions. Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers addresses a media briefing in New Delhi. File image/AFP The meeting is part of the governments response to the operational crisis that has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays over the past few days. Earlier, DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the CEO and COO for failing to plan for new, stricter pilot rest rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations or FDTL) that came into effect on November 1, 2025. Earlier, Elbers has publicly apologised for the inconvenience and stated that operations are expected to fully normalise between December 10 and 15, 2025. Nobel Prize award ceremony to be announced The Nobel Prize award ceremony will take place today in Sweden. The event will take place at the Stockholm Concert Hall, Sweden. At the ceremony, the Nobel Prize in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and the prize in economic sciences were awarded to the Nobel Prize laureates. The awards are announced on December 10, which is the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel. The event will take place in two ceremonies - one in Stockholm and the other in Oslo, Norway. The prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Sciences will take place in Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in a separate ceremony at the Oslo City Hall in Norway. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Release of Nicolas Sarkozys book, The Diary of a Prisoner The Diary of a Prisoner by Nicholas Sarkozy will be released today. The former French President wrote the 216-page memoir detailing his 20 days of incarceration in a Paris prison. The book chronicles Sarkozys time in solitary confinement at La Sante prison in Paris, following his conviction in the Libyan campaign financing case. According to his publishers, he wrote the book in a continuous stream with a pen on a small plywood table, handing the pages to his lawyers to be typed up. Domestic air travel was introduced on December 10, 1958, in the United States. National Airlines operated the first domestic flight between New York and Miami, making travel within the country a comfortable and smooth experience. On this day in 2009, James Camerons Avatar premiered in London The introduction of a jet-powered passenger service in America changed the concept of speed, comfort, and the very idea of mobility. Wikimedia Commons Air travel is one of the most comfortable forms of travel today, but that was not always the case. At the time of its introduction, it was relatively slow, noisy, and an uncomfortable experience. But all of this changed with the introduction of domestic passenger jet flight on December 10, 1958. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The first domestic jet flight was operated in America by National Airlines between New York and Miami. The flight promised a profound revolution in American travel. On this day in 2009, the movie Avatar held its world premiere in London. Here is all that took place on this day across the world. First domestic passenger jet flight takes off The US aviation industry changed on December 10, 1958, when the first domestic passenger jet flight took to the skies. The introduction of a jet-powered passenger service in America changed the concept of speed, comfort, and the very idea of mobility. Unlike propeller planes, the jets engines promised smoother climbs, faster cruising speeds, and a level of quiet power that seemed almost unbelievable at the time. The inaugural domestic flight took off on National Airlines flagship route, connecting New York to Miami. To accomplish this historic feat and beat its rivals, National had to lease a Boeing 707 airliner (N710PA) from Pan American (Pan Am), which had only just introduced the jet for international service a few weeks earlier. National Airlines successfully beat its larger domestic competitors to the punch. While American Airlines launched its own transcontinental jet service the following month, in January 1959, from New York to Los Angeles, National secured its place in history as the first. The introduction of the jet in the domestic market ushered in an era of mass travel. It significantly lowered flight times and, over the next decade, led to cheaper fares, making air travel accessible to the general public and fundamentally changing American business and leisure habits. Avatars world premiere On December 10, 2009, London became the centre of the cinematic world as James Camerons Avatar premiered to enormous anticipation and global curiosity. The event was more than just a movie debut it felt like the unveiling of a technological milestone. Leicester Square buzzed with energy as fans, critics, and celebrities gathered, aware that they were witnessing something that promised to change filmmaking itself. From the moment the blue carpets were rolled out, the atmosphere was electric. Cameron, known for pushing the boundaries of visual effects, arrived with the films cast, who were greeted by flashing cameras and cheering crowds. Stars like Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver spoke about the years of motion-capture work, the physical demands of the roles, and the intense secrecy surrounding the project. Many in attendance admitted they werent entirely sure what the final product would look like, a testament to Camerons experimental filmmaking process. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cast members Zoe Saldana (left), Sigourney Weaver (centre) and Michelle Rodriguez (right) pose at the premiere of Avatar at the Manns Grauman Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California December 16, 2009. File image/Reuters Inside the theatre, the audience put on their 3D glasses, ready but unsure of what to expect. As the first scenes of Pandora unfolded, gasps filled the room. The worlds bioluminescent forests, floating mountains, and every detail of the Navi felt astonishingly real, unlike anything seen in cinema before. The blend of technology and emotional storytelling created a sense of immersion that left viewers stunned. It wasnt just a movie, it was an experience. The London premiere quickly sparked global excitement, setting the tone for the films massive cultural and box-office impact. Discussions afterward werent just about the plot but about how Avatar redefined what movies could be. Many attendees described leaving the theatre with the same feeling people had during the arrival of sound or colour in film the sense that a new era had begun. This day, That Year A treaty codifying the Law of the Sea was signed by 117 countries on this day in 1982. In 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1884, Mark Twains classic novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was first published. The Centre has told IndiGo to curtail its winter schedule of flights by 10 per cent, doubling the five per cent cut earlier imposed by Indias aviation watchdog. This could lead to the airline operating about 216 fewer flights daily. There are plans to redistribute IndiGos share among other airlines, including SpiceJet and Air India Travellers look at updates on flights, as they stand next to a screen displaying details of cancelled IndiGo airlines flights, at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, December 6, 2025. File Photo/Reuters IndiGo is facing government action after the airline cancelled thousands of flights last week, stranding several flyers across the country. The mass disruptions have continued this week, with more than 70 flights suspended today (December 10). After the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) slashed the Indian carriers winter schedule by five per cent, the Centre curtailed its flight operations by another five per cent. This could result in a reduction of about 216 IndiGo flights daily. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Which airline will fill this gap? We take a look. IndiGo flights cut by 10% The Centre has ordered IndiGo to cut 10 per cent of its winter schedule, doubling the 5 per cent cut earlier imposed by Indias aviation watchdog DGCA. The ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes, which will help in stabilising the airlines operations and lead to reduced cancellations. A curtailment of 10% has been ordered. While abiding with it, Indigo will continue to cover all its destinations as before, Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu posted on X Tuesday evening. During the last week, many passengers faced severe inconvenience due to Indigos internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and inadequate communication. While the enquiry and necessary actions are underway, another meeting with Indigos top management was held to pic.twitter.com/yw9jt3dtLR Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 9, 2025 This came after Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu met IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers following the recent travel disruption. IndiGo has cancelled more than 5,000 flights since November after it failed to prepare for new crew-rostering rules that give pilots and cabin crew more rest. IndiGo attributed the disruption to a compounding effect of multiple factors which coincided in lesser or greater measure in an unfortunate and unforeseeable confluence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The airline operates more than 2,300 domestic and international flights every day. Sources told Times of India (TOI) that IndiGo may fly about 1,800-1,900 fewer planes during its winter schedule, meaning a cut of about 500 daily flights, to stabilise operations. For the summer schedule, IndiGo was approved to operate 14,158 weekly domestic flights. For the winter schedule that began October 26, its weekly domestic flights were enhanced by six per cent to 15,014. The DGCA had earlier directed the Indian airline, which commands a 60 per cent market share, to reduce operations across sectors, especially on high-demand, high-frequency flights, and to avoid single-flight operations on a sector by IndiGo. Can airlines fill the gap? IndiGos 10 per cent curtailed flight operations would lead to over 200 fewer daily flights. This is the combined passenger strength of Akasa and SpiceJet. To fill this gap, IndiGos 10 per cent share will be divided among Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa and other reliable operators depending on their fleet strength and capacity, as per India Todays sources. While the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is keen on the redistribution being done quickly, officials do not want the reallocated flights being cancelled as well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hence, reallocation could be done as per resources available with these operators, the sources added. Amid IndiGos crisis, SpiceJet has announced plans to increase up to 100 daily flights in its winter schedule. However, the expansion depends on regulatory approval. The airline told Economic Times (ET) that the move shows strong and growing demand across key routes. SpiceJet added that the additions provide operational flexibility to deploy incremental capacity on high-demand routes and improve overall network resilience. Air India is hiring more pilots as IndiGo faces crew shortages. The Tata-owned airline has said it is seeking experienced A320 pilots in command (pilot qualified to be captain) with a minimum of 100 (PIC) hours on the A320 family aircraft. Preference shall be given to candidates who are available to join immediately, its advertisement stated. Air India Express has decided to add 20-24 aircraft to its fleet next year, as well as retrofit 50 of its Boeing 737-8 aircraft. As per ET sources, Air India Express has inducted 15 aircraft in the past six months, taking its fleet size to 115. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In October, Akasa Air had said it would enhance services on domestic and international routes, including introducing non-stop services to Abu Dhabi from Cochin and Chennai. The young carrier said its third operational base will be Delhi after Bengaluru and Mumbai, saying it will operate over 165 weekly departures from the national capital. For the most part this year, IndiGo controlled 63-65 per cent market share, followed by the Air India groups 26-27 per cent. Akasa held just over five per cent, while SpiceJet has about two per cent. Reports say that IndiGos market share will fall to around 55-57 per cent once the redistribution is complete. With inputs from agencies Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16. At the centre of this move is Julie Inman Grant, the countrys eSafety Commissioner. Shes the one responsible for enforcing the policy that aims to protect children online Australia has finally put its social media ban for children under 16 into action. From Wednesday, platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook have been asked to block access for young users. At the centre of this major move is Julie Inman Grant, the countrys eSafety Commissioner. Shes now the one responsible for enforcing the policy that aims to protect children online. While the tech industry moves backwards, we must move forwards, she said recently. We are seeking to create some friction [in the] system to protect children where previously there has been close to none We are treating big tech like the extractive industry it has become. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the order kicked in, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also shared a message calling it a day when families are taking back power. So, who is Julie Inman Grant? And what pushed her to back such a strict ban? Heres a closer look. Who is Julie Inman Grant? Julie Inman Grant grew up in Seattle, US, raised by her single mother from the time she was five. She often says those early years taught her to be independent and tough. Her mother worked for the City of Seattle, a workplace that, she once told TIME magazine, even had Ted Bundy as a colleague back in the day. Seattle is a tech hub, and after spending some time working in the 102nd US Congress, Grant eventually found her way into that world, too. She joined Microsoft, which has long been headquartered in the city and sits at the heart of its tech identity, alongside giants like Amazon. Microsoft later sent her to Australia. She married Australian businessman Nick Grant in the early 2000s, and by 2012, the family had fully settled in Australia. Over the next few years, she took on senior roles at Adobe and then Twitter. At Twitter, she built the companys policy, safety and philanthropy programmes for Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. But she left after two years. She has said she simply couldnt keep defending the platform when it wasnt doing enough to shield women and vulnerable users from targeted abuse. Julie Inman Grant has decades of experience in tech industry. File image/ AP She has also spoken about internal Meta documents that surfaced in US court discovery, materials that showed the companys own researchers knew children were being harmed by their platforms. I was shocked to see one document from Meta where they referred to tweens as having a herd mentality, she told The Guardian. Go target them, get them on while theyre early, and then theyll become adults someday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These arent just harmful and deceptive design features. There is a whole infrastructure and an ethos that is putting profits before child protections. To her, children never stand a fair chance against highly optimised social-media algorithms. Research from her office found that seven in 10 children aged 10 to 15 had come across harmful online content. For most, this included misogyny, violence, disordered eating or suicide-related material, usually seen on social media. She says she is now seeing similar red flags with the rapid rise of AI. Theyre behaving exactly the same way social media companies did 20 years ago: moving fast and breaking things, asking for forgiveness rather than permission, she told the Sydney Morning Herald. She has also said that new rules for AI chatbots and AI companions are on the way in March. The IDTA was launched in September at the Semicon India event organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Semiconductors and Electronics Ecosystem (Semi) in New Delhi. Reuters Her public role began in 2017, when she became Australias eSafety Commissioner under Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Four years later, she took charge of enforcing the Online Safety Act 2021, a first-of-its-kind law that allows her office to compel tech platforms to remove harmful content, including adult cyberbullying, within 24 hours. Its now being used to deal with new kinds of online risks, including those fuelled by AI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Her work has earned her national and global recognition. As per her website, she has been named one of Australias most influential women by the Australian Financial Review and listed as a leading Australian in foreign affairs by the Sydney Morning Herald. In 2020, the World Economic Forum and Apolitical included her in the #Agile50, a group of global leaders who are reshaping how governments respond to fast-changing technology. Challenges ahead for Grant The legal pressure around the new rules is starting to build. The Australian Financial Review reported that Reddit is preparing a High Court challenge to the ban, arguing it restricts teenagers implied right to freedom of political communication. The $67 billion platform has reportedly hired constitutional expert Perry Herzfeld, SC, along with law firm Thomson Geer, the same firm that has mounted several challenges to Grants rulings on behalf of Elon Musks X. But Grant says none of this surprises her. We know that some companies were briefing barristers, she said. Yes, I am prepared for that. Another challenge, brought by two teenagers and backed by the Digital Freedom Project, targets the legislation itself. Well see what happens, she said. If the court makes a decision, well abide by it. It may be that the Commonwealth wins. It may be that some changes need to be made to the policy. Who knows? Im just going to move forward, given there hasnt been any legal constraint placed on us, Grant said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She was also recently summoned to testify before the US Congress by Republicans, who accuse her of zealotry for global take-downs and claim she attempted to silence American speech by colluding with GARM to censor the platform then known as Twitter. However, she has declined to appear. With input from agencies Miami is witnessing a sweeping political change with the election of Eileen Higgins, the citys first woman mayor and its first Democrat in nearly three decades. Her decisive victory over GOP-backed Emilio Gonzalez highlighted shifting voter priorities on affordability, immigration and governance, and reverberates nationally ahead of the 2026 midterms Miami mayor-elect Eileen Higgins celebrates at a watch party after winning the Miami mayoral runoff election, December 9, 2025, in Miami, Florida, US. File Image/AP Eileen Higgins, a Democrat has overturned almost three decades of Republican leadership in Miamis top post. Her victory over GOP-backed Emilio Gonzalez has created ripples ahead of the 2026 United States midterm elections. Higgins, 61, now becomes the first woman to lead the city and the first Democrat to hold the office since the late 1990s. The contest that brought Higgins into office culminated in a runoff where she earned 59 per cent of the vote, well ahead of Gonzalezs nearly 41 per cent, according to the countys preliminary results. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The margin almost 19 percentage points highlighted the results clarity in a city accustomed to competitive political battles. Although turnout reached only about 21.3 per cent of registered voters, more than 37,000 ballots were cast in a closely watched race that began with 13 contenders before narrowing to its final two. More from Explainers After Miami, setback for Trump in Georgia: Democrats flip seat in district he had won The contest was officially nonpartisan, but few races in recent Miami history have carried such overt partisan undertones. Gonzalez had and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, while Democrats nationwide saw Higgins as a key opportunity to regain relevance in a city that has been inching rightward for years. High-profile Democratic figures such as Pete Buttigieg, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Rahm Emanuel travelled to Miami in the final days of the race to help energise voters. Higgins celebrated the outcome with supporters, telling them, Our city chose a new direction. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses and a city government that finally works for you. In remarks punctuated with applause, she added, Well, we did it! Looking ahead, she reminded attendees that the challenges awaiting the next administration remain substantial.This isnt just a celebration but also a promise because Miami is facing real challenges, and tonight marks the beginning of the work ahead. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She also publicly acknowledged her opponent, adding, I just spoke with my opponent Emilio Gonzalez, a good man that Ive known for many, many years and genuinely respect. He cares about our community; that is what unites us. The mayoral role in Miami is often described as largely ceremonial, with much of the regions significant policymaking falling under the jurisdiction of the Miami-Dade County government, led by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. However, the significance of Miamis mayoral title particularly for a city that functions as a cultural and commercial gateway to Latin America gives Higgins a prominent public platform. Her victory has placed her at the centre of political discussions both locally and nationally, especially as Democrats prepare for a critical midterm cycle. How Higgins connected with voters A major theme of Higgins campaign was her criticism of the federal governments immigration enforcement efforts, which she argued were creating fear in communities with deep family ties to Latin America. Miamis ethnic and linguistic diversity, shaped by generations of Cuban, Venezuelan, Nicaraguan and other diasporas, has made national immigration policy a local issue. Following her win, she told the Associated Press, We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This stance stood in stark contrast to the approach embraced by Trump and Florida Republicans, who have supported strict enforcement and linked Democrats progressive wing to political movements that some Latin American immigrants fled. Miami mayor candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager backed by US President Donald Trump, waves as he thanks supporters after conceding to Democrat Eileen Higgins in Miamis mayoral runoff election, at a watch party, December 9, 2025, in Miami, Florida, US. File Image/AP In fact, some Republican leaders now nervous after Democratic wins in New Jersey and Virginia have been publicly questioning whether their coalition is as durable as once believed. US Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, whose district includes parts of Miami and who has been a vocal Republican ally, cautioned her party in a video message, The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP. Beyond immigration, Higgins focused heavily on affordability, infrastructure strain and frustrations with the citys pace of development. She pledged to use municipal land for new housing geared toward working families, streamline the citys bureaucratic processes, and strengthen partnerships with police while expanding community involvement in public safety initiatives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In her speech, she promised, No more endless delays for families trying to fix a home or small business trying to open. We will cut red tape, repair whats broken and modernize City Hall. Environmental protection also featured prominently, consistent with Miamis recurring challenges with flooding and its vulnerability to sea-level rise. She assured voters that her administration will prioritize water quality efforts, saying, We will protect Biscayne Bay. She also advocated for regulatory updates to improve drainage such as adding permeable pavement options and broadening Miamis City Commission from five to nine members to address what she views as insufficient representation in a city of its size. How Higgins got from the US Southwest to Miami Born in Dayton, Ohio, and brought up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Higgins completed a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering at the University of New Mexico before pursuing an MBA at Cornell University. She spent years involved in international development efforts and consulting projects focused on transportation and infrastructure across various countries in Latin America. Her background gradually steered her toward positions in public service abroad. In 2006, she became the Peace Corps Country Director in Belize, a role that placed her in charge of coordinating development initiatives, volunteer deployment, and programme oversight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Following her work with the Peace Corps, she transitioned to the US State Department as a foreign service officer. Her responsibilities included assignments connected to Mexico as well as economic development efforts in South Africa, experiences that deepened her familiarity with cross-border issues, public-sector management, and the economic realities of developing regions. After she returned to the United States, Higgins entered the private sector, contributing to marketing operations for major companies including Pfizer and Jose Cuervo. How Higgins entered US politics Higgins relocated to Miami in the early 2000s, where she joined community advocacy networks and became a known figure in local civic circles. Her first major step into electoral politics came in June 2018, when she won a special election to the Miami-Dade County Commission after the departure of Bruno Barreiro. She established her political identity by focusing on issues central to Miamis daily life housing affordability, public transit expansion, environmental resilience and neighbourhood-level improvements. Her tenure included work on modernising Miamis transportation system, including contributing to the creation of the Better Bus Network, aimed at reconfiguring bus routes for greater efficiency, as well as supporting expansions of the Metrorail and city trolley services. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She also participated in securing resources for historic and community institutions. Her involvement in obtaining funding for the Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum and Library in Little Havana in October was aimed at highlighting her connection to the citys Cuban-American community. Her political career also included a brief period in which she announced a run for Floridas 27th congressional district in 2022. However, she ultimately withdrew only days later, explaining that she preferred to avoid an intraparty contest with Annette Taddeo. Over time, Higgins became one of the county commissions most experienced members. She was re-elected twice, in 2022 and again in 2024 without opposition. Her decision to run for mayor in 2025 required compliance with Floridas resign-to-run law, prompting her to submit her resignation to the county commission effective November 5, 2025. What next for Higgins Immediately after the election, Higgins spotlighted inclusivity and accountability as the cornerstones of her upcoming term. She told her supporters that her administration would champion a city, where seniors can stay, younger people can build a future, immigrants feel welcome and respected. From her perspective, the economic pressures burdening Miami families require structural reforms to how the city manages development, resources and oversight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Miamis status as one of Americas most globally recognised cities a hub for finance, tourism, arts, and Latin American cultural exchange the mayors office provides Higgins with a broad audience. Even though Miami-Dade County handles many regional priorities, the citys mayor remains an influential political voice capable of shaping conversations around inclusion, affordability, governance, and climate resilience. Analysts view Higgins win as an energising moment for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 cycle. The party has recently gained ground in various states and narrowed margins in Republican strongholds, contributing to renewed optimism. Her victory adds to this trend, particularly in a city that has recently leaned toward the GOP in national races. David Jolly, a Democrat running in next years Florida governors race, reflected that sentiment, saying, Change is here. Its sweeping the nation, and its sweeping Florida. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Pakistan witnessed violent clashes on the occasion of Sindh Culture Day (December 7), following which 45 people were arrested. The violence occurred when those participating in the rally raised demands for Sindhudesh, a separate homeland for the Sindhi people, whose population is around a million Theres a growing anger in Pakistan. And some of this anger erupted in violent protests in Karachi as supporters of a separate Sindhudesh clashed with the police. The violence erupted on Sunday (December 7) when Sindhudesh supporters came out on the streets of the Pakistani city, chanting slogans of Azadi (freedom) and Pakistan Murdabad. However, Karachi police diverted the rally, prompting anger from the supporters, which ended up with violence. But what exactly happened? And more importantly, what is this demand for Sindhudesh, which is at the centre of these protests? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sindhudesh rally turns violent; 45 arrested On the occasion of Sindh Culture Day (December 7), hundreds of people had come out on the streets for a rally, demanding for a separate Sindhudesh. According to South Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza, the problem began when authorities asked the rally participants to use the Lines Area route towards Saddar and subsequently the venue of the rally at Karachi Press Club (KPC), but they were bent upon using the main Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Bridge. Soon after, the situation deteriorated with the police claiming that the protesters began pelting stones at the security personnel and engaged in vandalism. This, in turn, prompted law enforcement authorities to tear gas them. Yesterday,Sindhi People protested in Karachi, demanding a new country Sindhudesh. pic.twitter.com/3lDuLpDuBk War & Gore (@Goreunit) December 8, 2025 Following the clashes, 45 demonstrators were arrested, said the South DIG, adding that 12 of the 45 arrested were released on the surety of the Karachi Bar Association president. Reacting to the incident, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar ordered immediate action against those involved, with his office saying that he had ordered those damaging police vehicles and citizens property should be arrested immediately. For the past few years, Sindh Culture Day rallies in Pakistan have devolved into violence, noted the senior police official. According to Raza, in 2023, during Sindh Cultural Day celebrations, there were violent confrontations between law enforcers and protesters. And similar scenes took place in 2024 a police van was damaged, and police personnel were manhandled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A call for Sindhudesh But what exactly is Sindhudesh that led to this flare-up? Plainly put, its a demand for a separate country Sindhudesh for the Sindhi population in Pakistan. Many Sindhis, who live in Pakistan and collected under the banner of Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), have been demanding for a different country for themselves, claiming they are sidelined and marginalised in Pakistan. Some even state that they have been political repressed and their human rights are violated time and again. Earlier in May, the president of JSMM issued a plea to the United Nations and other international communities, urging recognition of Sindhudesh as an independent nation. In a political manifesto, titled The Sindhudesh Global Freedom Charter, the JSMM argued that the Sindhi people are subject to a form of internal colonialism under Pakistans military and political establishment. In April too, the JSMM appealed to Prime Minister Modi for moral, political, and practical backing, stressing the historical and cultural connections between Sindh and India. The chairman of the JSMM, Shafi Burfat, also declared that Sindh is not Pakistan, alleging that the region was annexed without the consent of its people and has faced systemic cultural and political suppression by what he described as a Punjabi military establishment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The demand for Sindhudesh isnt new. Many Sindh nationalists argue that their land was illegitimately occupied by the British Empire and then delivered to the Islamic nation of Pakistan in 1947 against the wishes of its population. According to the memoirs of the 19th-century British traveller Richard Burton, Sindh province was one of the calmest regions of British India, with its own unique blends of faith. He described the province as a land characterised by many shrines of Sufi saints; which were attended in large numbers by both Muslim as well as Hindu natives of the region. Sindh lived in inherent peace and when Partition arrived, it was decided that Sindh would go to Pakistan. It was after the creation of Pakistan that the Sindhi people experienced an onslaught on their way of life their culture, language, and pluralistic values, were all threatened by the Pakistan establishment. Moreover, many Sindhis argue that theres widespread discrimination in the allocation of resources. Zafar Sahito, founder of the JSMM, told Eurasian Times, Sindh generates 63 per cent of the revenue, while all the power rests in a province of Punjab, which has a 65 per cent population in the army. Also, the language imposition of Urdu has happened, although we only speak Sindhi, which has resulted in our own languages fading out of our society. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sahito has also claimed that the girls of Sindh are in danger with many of them being abducted, raped and converted to Islam. Moreover, the demography of the region is being changed by forcing original inhabitants to flee their motherland. Sindh in the news again While the struggle for a separate Sindhudesh has been ongoing in Pakistan since the 1970s, it has gained attention internationally too recently, thanks to Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs recent comments. Speaking at the Sindhi Samaj Sammelan event in New Delhi in November, Rajnath said many Sindhi Hindus of his generation never fully accepted the 1947 decision that led to Sindh becoming part of Pakistan. Singh said that Sindhi Hindus, especially from the generation of leaders like LK Advani, have never accepted the separation of the Sindh region from India. Today, Sindh may not be a part of India, but civilisationally, Sindh will always be a part of India. As far as land is concerned, borders can change. Who knows, tomorrow Sindh may return to India again, Rajnath said then. Soon after, the JSMM welcomed Rajnath Singhs statement, saying it reflected rare wisdom, political maturity, and moral clarity, reaffirming a truth rooted in more than 5,000 years of shared cultural and spiritual heritage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Press Statement Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) In Response to the Statement of Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh The Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) warmly welcomes the recent remarks by the Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, who reaffirmed the deep Shafi Burfat (@shafiburfat) November 30, 2025 Will Sindhudesh become a reality? It remains unknown but it seems that the Sindh nationalists wont take no for an answer. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Indians to join the Your Money, Your Right campaign, which was launched by the Centre in October. Modi has said that Indian banks are holding Rs 78,000 crore of unclaimed money. But what about the other investment instruments? How can Indians reclaim this sum? Rs 75,000 crore has been transferred to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. PTI Thousands of crores of rupees belonging to Indians are lying idle. However, now you can reclaim it. This after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called attention to the Your Money, Your Right campaign. The scheme was launched by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in October in Gujarat. But how much is lying in banks, stocks and insurance companies? What do we know about the scheme? How can you reclaim this money? Lets take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How much is lying with banks, mutual fund firms, insurance companies According to Modi, Indian banks are holding Rs 78,000 crore of unclaimed money belonging to Indian citizens. Of this. Meanwhile, insurance companies have nearly Rs 14,000 crore lying unclaimed. Mutual fund companies also have around Rs 3,000 crore and dividends worth Rs 9,000 crore that have not been claimed. Modi, in a LinkedIn post, said these facts have startled a lot of people and that these assets represent the hard-earned savings and investments of countless families. He added that the idea behind this initiative is to help every citizen reclaim what is rightfully his or hers. What we know about the initiative This includes: The Department of Financial Services (DFS) Ministry of Finance RBI The Securities and Exchange Board of India The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority. It is also being aided by banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and pension funds. Sitharaman had ordered financial regulators to carry out a drive to help citizens collect their unclaimed deposits and claims across various financial sectors, including banks, shares, dividends, mutual funds and insurance. How you can reclaim your money According to the government, Rs 75,000 crore has been transferred to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Depositor Education and Awareness Fund. This scheme receives deposits from accounts inactive for 10 years or more. The Centre has held camps across 477 districts across India to guide citizens on how to reclaim their money. Around Rs 2,000 crore worth of funds have already been reclaimed by citizens in the first two months of the campaign. Modi has urged citizens to visit these facilitation camps set up in the district. Citizens can also visit their branches with KYC documents such as the Aadhaar card, photograph, PAN card and activate their dormant bank accounts. They can then close these accounts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Indians to join the Your Money, Your Right campaign. PTI Banks across India had been ordered by the RBI to help citizens get their unclaimed deposits. The updated guidelines ordered banks to put up unclaimed deposit details on their websites, including account holder information and a public search feature. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They had been told to verify the details submitted and process these applications. Once a customer has filled in the details, it will ensure that the concerned bank branch reaches out to the customer for additional verification if required, and transfers the amount to the verified account, a source told The Times of India. Citizens can also visit the following sites to reclaim their funds: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) UDGAM Portal for unclaimed bank deposits & balances: https://udgam.rbi.org.in/unclaimed-deposits/ Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) Bima Bharosa Portal for unclaimed insurance policy proceeds: https://bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in/ Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) MITRA Portal for unclaimed amounts in mutual funds: https://app.mfcentral.com/ Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IEPFA Portal for unpaid dividends & unclaimed shares: https://www.iepf.gov.in/ Modi urged citizens to act now to reclaim what is theirs and convert a forgotten financial asset into a new opportunity. Your money is yours. Let us make sure that it finds its way back to you. Together, let us build a transparent, financially empowered and inclusive India! the Prime Minister added. With inputs from agencies For centuries, mystery has surrounded the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi, or the three wise men, to the newborn Jesus. Now, a Nasa scientist says he believes he has found what the shining celestial object was. And it was actually not a star, but a comet The story of the three wise men, or Magi, following the Star of Bethlehem that takes them to the newborn Jesus is well known. However, a mystery has surrounded this celestial object for centuries, with astronomers, historians and theologians wracking their brains to find out what it is. Amid many existing theories, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientist has proposed another explanation of the origin of the Star of Bethlehem in the Bible. Earlier, theories have suggested that the shining celestial object was a close conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in 2 BC. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We take a look. Bibles Star of Bethlehem The Star of Bethlehem, also known as the Christmas Star, appears in the Bibles Gospel of Matthew. The Magi (wise people) travelled from the East to Jerusalem and asked: Where is the one who has been born king? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. The Star of Bethlehem guided the three wise men to baby Jesus. Wikimedia Commons The star is described as rising in the east, moving ahead of the travellers from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. It then appears to stand over the place where Jesus was born. Perturbed by the news, King Herod of Judea secretly sent the Magi to Bethlehem to search for the child and inform him. Matthew then continued: they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Is Star of Bethlehem a comet? The Star of Bethlehem is not present in the universe. This has puzzled astronomers as to what it could be. Mark Matney, a planetary scientist at Nasa, believes he has discovered an answer to this mystery. His research, published on December 3 in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association, says that a comet is mentioned in Chinese records from 5 BC. While there is debate about the actual date of Jesus birth, some historians place it between 6 BC and 5 BC. According to Matney, the comet from the mysterious Oort Cloud could have come extremely close to Earth. He suggests this could be the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magi to baby Jesus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If such a comet passes this close to Earth, it could appear as a starlike object rising in the daylit sky and then seem to stand still for a few hours. A comet could stay in one place if it was basically on a collision course with Earth, Matney was quoted as saying by the Scientific American magazine. Thats exactly what you would expect of an object thats going to pass very, very close to the Earth. For his research, Matney looked into Chinese records of a broom star, which has often been used to refer to comets due to its dynamic tail, that was witnessed in the spring of 5 BC. The Nasa scientist reconstructed possible orbits for the Chinese comet, with one modelling technique showing that the object passed unusually close to Earth. Due to this, for a brief period, its motion nearly neutralised Earths rotation. As per the Chinese records, this strange star continued to be in the same constellation for 70 days, too long for a comet. This led some astronomers to believe that the object was a bright nova with a rayed appearance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, not everyone is convinced by Matneys theory. Ralph Neuhauser, an astrophysicist at Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany, told the magazine that the Chinese record could be misleading. The older the record, in general, the less information is left, he said. What are the other theories? The comet theory for the Star of Bethlehem is not new. In fact, over centuries, there have been more than 400 scholarly interpretations of the Star of Bethlehem. According to the famed astronomer Johannes Kepler, the object was a rare conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BC. Such conjunctions would result in two planets coming very close in the night sky, appearing as an unusually bright dot or star. Another theory is that the star was actually a supernova, the powerful explosion of a big star. They can be very bright, because stars get tens of thousands brighter when they go supernovae, it can take a star thats not currently visible and make it visible. So something would literally appear in the sky when a supernova goes off," according to Dr Matt Bothwell, Public Astronomer at the University of Cambridge. With inputs from agencies The Trump administration is imposing a social media vetting policy for applicants seeking H1-B and H-4 visas. As the new rules come into force on December 15, the appointments at US consulates, including in Hyderabad and Chennai, scheduled for mid and late December have been postponed. Heres how this will impact Indians The United States new social media vetting policy has disrupted the processing of H-1B and H-4 visa applications, especially in India. This comes as the Donald Trump administration has enhanced its crackdown on illegal and even legal immigration. Now, appointments at US consulates for many H-1B visa applicants have been pushed to the next year. As the US tightens its visa rules for foreign workers, we take a look at how it will impact Indians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whats US new social media policy? The Trump administration has announced stringent social media vetting rules for foreign workers seeking H1-B visas. As per Times of India (TOI), the US Department of State has said that all H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents will have their social media accounts vetted from December 15. H-4 visas are allotted to the spouse and dependent children of the H-1B visa holder. Applicants have been mandated to set their account settings to public to enable vetting. An internal State Department memo, as reported by Reuters earlier this week, said that H1-B visa applications of highly skilled foreign workers involved in censorship of free speech can be rejected. The cable sent to all American missions on December 2 has directed US consular officers to review resumes or LinkedIn profiles of H-1B visa applicants and family members travelling with them. This is being done to find out whether these people were engaged in activities such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance and online safety, among others. If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible, under a specific article of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the cable said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US is already vetting social media accounts of international students and exchange visitors. Every visa adjudication is a national security decision, the State Department said. The department has defended the policy, saying it is being done to identify threats. A US visa is a privilege, not a right, it said, adding that vetting will help ensure entrants do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests. Impact of new rules on H1-B visa applicants The interview slots at US consulates for H1-B visa applicants have reported been disrupted due to the new social media vetting rules. The interviews scheduled for mid to late December are being pushed to March next year, as per Bloomberg. Many slots slated for this period have been cancelled, including at the Hyderabad and Chennai consulates, and postponed by several months, TOI reported, citing immigration attorneys. The consulates are planning to interview fewer applicants each day amid the social media vetting guidelines. This reduced capacity has been blamed for widespread cancellation of existing appointments, an immigration attorney told the newspaper. The US Embassy in India has also issued an advisory to the visa applicants. If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied admittance to the Embassy or Consulate, the embassy posted on X on Tuesday (December 9) night. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ATTENTION VISA APPLICANTS - If you have received an email advising that your visa appointment has been rescheduled, Mission India looks forward to assisting you on your new appointment date. Arriving on your previously scheduled appointment date will result in your being denied U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 9, 2025 Steven Brown, an attorney from a leading business immigration law firm, wrote on X, Mission India confirms what we have been hearing. They have cancelled a number of appointments in the coming weeks and rescheduled them for March to allow for the social media vetting. The move will have a major impact on Indians who account for more than 70 per cent of all H-1B visa approvals and almost 90 per cent of H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) holders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to TOI, immigration attorneys said the cancellation of appointments has stranded H1-B visa applicants who are starting new jobs. Some were on a brief visit to India and had to visit the US consulate for stamping, either to attend a wedding or to drop off their parents. With inputs from agencies A viral picture shows US Vice President JD Vance, in a plain white T-shirt, leaning forward with a stern expression, seated in what looks like a restaurant booth, and scolding his wife, Usha Vance. This comes amid speculation over the marriage. The 41-year-old VP has responded to the image with humour A fake viral photo claimed to show JD Vance scolding his wife, Usha Chilukuri, during a public outing. However, the vice president has dismissed the fabricated picture with humour. Image courtesy: X Vice President JD Vance has become the centre of yet another viral rumour, this time over a photo doing the rounds online that claims to show him in the middle of a tense argument with his wife, Usha. The undated and unverified picture shows Vance in a plain white T-shirt, leaning forward with a stern expression, seated in what looks like a restaurant booth. Across from him sits Usha, her head slightly bowed, her hand resting against her face, a posture that the internet quickly spun into a supposed public spat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But is any of this actually real? Heres a fact check. Did JD Vance fight with Usha in public? JD Vance has now addressed the viral photo that claims to show him scolding his wife, Usha Chilukuri, during a public outing. The 41-year-old vice president brushed off the growing speculation, saying the picture, which many online users suspected was AI-generated, didnt reflect any marital drama. I always wear an undershirt when I go out in public to have a fight loudly with my wife, Vance joked in a sarcastic post on X on Tuesday, shutting down the rumour with humour. I always wear an undershirt when I go out in public to have a fight loudly with my wife. https://t.co/LUivOsVv2u JD Vance (@JDVance) December 9, 2025 The image first gained traction over the weekend after influencer Thomas Clay Jr, who describes himself as someone who busts Republicans [sic] dumb aes on the daily, shared it on Facebook. His post pulled in thousands of likes and comments. Looks like things are not so good in Republicanistan, he wrote. Usha is a liberal. Always has been. Apparently they were having and [sic] argument loud enough to quiet the restaurant. Why is he wearing a tee shirt? As the picture spread across platforms, users debated whether it was real, and AI detection tools suggested it was likely fabricated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to the Daily Beast, Clay insisted he hadnt created the image himself. He also took a jab at Vance, saying, it is impossible to discern when the boy who cried wolf is lying and telling the truth. Vances marriage in the spotlight This isnt the first time JD Vance has had to address speculation about his marriage to Usha, whom he married in 2014. The couple has been the subject of online theories and rumours, especially after a few recent moments drew extra attention. In October, the vice president, who converted to Catholicism, faced criticism after publicly expressing that he hoped his Hindu wife might one day embrace his faith. Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way, he said. The second couple again faced gossip over the state of their marriage, after the VP embraced late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirks widow, Erika Kirk. The US VP kept his hands on Erikas waist, while she moved her fingers through his hair. The greeting had set the social media ablaze. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Not long after, Usha was photographed without her wedding ring, which only fuelled the chatter. But Vance dismissed the noise, saying the two are focused on their three young children, who are now three, five and eight. US Vice President JD Vance with his wife Usha Vance. AP I think that we kind of get a kick out of it, he told NBC News last week, explaining that Usha had simply forgotten to wear her ring in the rush to get to the White House. Vance has since spoken again about the rumours, saying the couple takes it all in stride. 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 said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With input from agencies A video of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry winking at a woman journalist during a press briefing has gone viral. The clip shows the journalist asking Chaudhry about former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Here is what happened Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry was appointed to the post of 22nd Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) by Asim Munir in 2022. Image courtesy: icbian.com A Pakistan Army spokesperson is being slammed for winking at a woman journalist. A video of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry winking at a woman journalist during a press briefing has gone viral. The clip shows the woman journalist asking Chaudhry about former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been in jail for the past few years. But what happened? Who is Chaudhry? What do we know about him? Lets take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What happened The woman journalist in the clip which has gone viral was asking Chaudhry about the allegations levelled against Imran. there are strong words being used that he is a national security threat, anti-state and playing at the hands of Delhi. How is it different from the past or should we expect any development in the future, she said. To which Chaudhry replied, And add a fourth point, he is also a zehni mareez (mental patient). Chaudhry then winked at the journalist. Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is facing backlash after a video showing him winking at a woman journalist during a press conference surfaced. pic.twitter.com/wg9xb5nY8C Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) December 10, 2025 Many on social media slammed Chaudhry for his behaviour, saying that the Pakistan Army had reached a new low. Ahmed (Not) Sharif Chaudhry, one person commented. A DG ISPR answering a woman journalist with a wink? Thats the burial of professionalism. Press conference tha ya sasta flirting? another asked. What we know about Chaudhry Chaudhry, a three-star general, is one of the Pakistan Armys top officers. He was appointed to the post of 22nd Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), which is the media wing of the Pakistan armed forces, by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir in 2022. He is the first-ever officer from the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Corps to lead ISPR. The job is usually done by those in the fighting branches. He has also served as the Director General of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DESTO), a key technical research and development establishment under the Pakistan Army responsible for defence science, technology, research, and related strategic systems. Chaudhry is an alumnus of the Islamabad College for Boys (ICB). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chaudhry is the son of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, a scientist and terrorist linked to ex-Taliban chief Osama bin Laden. Mahmood was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council for assisting Islamist outfits in getting their hands on nuclear know-how. Mahmood is said to have met bin Laden and given him crucial pointers on how terrorist groups can build a nuclear programme and how they could use such a weapon. Many on social media slammed Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry for his behaviour. Image courtesy: X Mahmood also reportedly raised funds for the Islamist group Ummah Tameer-e-Nau. Mahmood was placed on the list for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of, supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to or otherwise supporting acts or activities of Usama [Osama] bin Laden, Al-Qaida and the Taliban, according to the UNSCs sanctions committee. Mahmood also played a key role in setting up the Kahuta Enrichment Plant and Chashma Nuclear Project. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chaudhry came under the spotlight during Indias Operation Sindoor in May. He claimed Islamabad would never target civilians, and claimed that any future strikes by India would lead to a response. He also ran strategic messaging for Pakistans Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos in response to Indias Operation Sindoor. Chaudhry previously also threatened India over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty remarks which echoed threats made by terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Tum humara paani band kar doge, toh hum tumhara saans band kar denge, Chaudhry proclaimed. He also claimed that Pakistan had irrefutable evidence of Indias involvement in the targeted killings of various individuals within the country. The Pakistan Army is yet to release a statement addressing the controversy. With inputs from agencies Lawmakers from Marine Le Pens National Rally in France are pushing to reopen brothels. The far-right party has said it will soon submit a bill allowing sex workers to run their business. Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a member of the party as well as Frances National Assembly, has prepared a draft of the bill, which he says is backed by Le Pen. Heres what we know Europe is being engulfed in a controversy over brothels. Lawmakers from Marine Le Pens National Rally in France are pushing for brothels to be reopened. The far-right party has said it will soon submit a bill allowing prostitutes to run brothels. This comes after a similar debate is under way in other EU countries including Italy, where politicians from Giorgia Melonis coalition government have also come out in favour of reopening brothels and regulating prostitution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But what happened? What do we know? Lets take a closer look. National Rally to submit bill Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a member of Le Pens National Rally, has prepared a draft of the bill. Tanguy, an MP in Frances Assemblee Nationale (RN), who says he has backing from Le Pen, told the French media the bill will allow the prostitutes themselves to run the cooperatives, which means that there will be no pimps and that the control would be exclusively in the hands of workers. Prostitutes would be empresses in their kingdom, Tanguy was quoted as saying. Proponents say the idea behind this would be to provide a legal, regulated avenue for sex work rather than exploit the workers. They add that this would tamp down on illegal sex trade and potentially improve safety, hygiene, and workers rights. It will also bring the entire practice out of the shadows. Brothels, formerly known as maisons closes (locked houses), were banned in France in 1946 under the Marthe Richard law. Richard, a prostitute, an aircraft pilot, a spy and a politician, had pushed for the law during her time as a councillor in Paris 4th arrondissement. The law, formally entitled La loi du 13 avril 1946, shut down the around 1,400 brothels that had operated under state control since the 19th Century, including 195 in Paris. Though French law does not ban prostitutes from offering their services, it does punish clients with a 1,500 fine. This law was pushed by Frances Socialist Party and brought in by the Francois Hollande government in 2016. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD French far-right leader Marine Le Pen Le Pen previously called the 2016 law a stupid idea that would put sex workers in additional danger. Reuters When I was young, I was involved in the work of the Bus des Femmes (a sex worker aid association) in the Bois de Boulogne [Paris], Tanguy was quoted as saying by French media. I saw the precariousness, the suffering, the daily horror that these women experienced. He said the 2016 law makes things worse for workers. They get beaten up, sometimes have their throats slit, and no one talks about it. [The current system is] the height of bourgeois hypocrisy, he added. Meanwhile, Sebastien Chenu, another National Rally MP, said ensuring the safety of prostitutes has been Marines position for a very long time. Chenu pointed out that many sex workers support regulating the practice. Le Pen previously called the 2016 law a stupid idea that would put sex workers in additional danger. She said France ought to send these young women back to their countries of origin and to wage a fight to the death against foreign mafia networks that buy and sell women and operate illegal brothels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But some refuse to support the bill. Recreating places where human beings are locked up, just to satisfy the sexual needs of men that are considered irrepressible, no, thats unimaginable, said Delphine Jarraud, who works at sex worker help association Amicale du Nid, told Le Monde. There is no question of finding ourselves allied with the RN and those who want to drive out foreigners, Mylene Juste, a sex worker in Paris for over two decades, added. Other European nations France isnt the only European country debating whether or not to reopen brothels. In Italy, politicians from Giorgia Melonis governing coalition, particularly from the Lega and Forza Italia, have advocated in favour of doing so and regulating the enterprise. Prostitution is currently banned under the 1958 Merlin Law. Matteo Salvini, who heads up the Lega party, has said the country needs to end hypocrisy and consider regulated prostitution. Lamwkers from Georgia Melonis coalition are said to be in favour of reopening brothels. Reuters Meanwhile, some politicians from Forza Italia have called on the government to reopen state-controlled brothels, introduce worker health checks and safety protocols, and make the industry legal in order to tax it essentially following the German model. Meanwhile, Belgium, which completely decriminalised sex work for prostitutes and clients alike in 2022, is now offering labour protections to sex workers. This includes social insurance, paid sick leave, maternity leave, unemployment benefits and a pension. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We can no longer turn a blind eye and pretend that sex work does not exist, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Federal Economy and Employment Minister, said at the time. With inputs from agencies Pakistan is proposing a new regional platform that excludes India. The development comes as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) has remained dormant for nearly a decade. But what do we know about this alternative bloc? And why is it doomed without India? Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus (R) holds a bilateral meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the D-8 summit in Cairo, Egypt on December 19, 2024. Image/X-ChiefAdviserGoB The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) has been dormant for some time now. Though Bangladesh interim advisor Mohammad Yunus raised the idea of reviving the grouping some time ago, India wasnt too keen. Now, Pakistan is proposing a new regional platform that excludes India. The development comes months after the conflict between India and Pakistan. But what happened? What do we know about this new platform? Why is it bound to fail without Indias involvement? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans new pitch Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday called for Saarc to be revived. A statement by the Pakistan Prime Ministers Office extended greetings to all SAARC member states. When SAARC was established over four decades ago, it was meant to provide an essential platform to promote dialogue, foster cooperation and strengthen the bonds that bring our nations together, Sharif said in the statement. While these goals have, regrettably, remained elusive due to political considerations within the region, I commend the SAARC Secretariat for striving hard to provide its dedicated assistance as well as for its efforts to advance the organisations goals and create opportunities for meaningful collaboration among the member states, he added. We believe that genuine cooperation, guided by sovereign equality, mutual respect and constructive engagement, can unlock South Asias vast potential and ensure a better tomorrow for all, he said. However, Sharifs deputy is seemingly on another page. Last week, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar proposed a new grouping that could potentially replace Saarc. Dar said the grouping could include Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and other nations in the region. Dar said South Asia can no longer afford to remain trapped in zero-sum mindsets, political fragmentation and dysfunctional regional architecture. He claimed that Pakistan is looking towards open and inclusive regionalism. Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Image/X/@ChiefAdviserGoB Dar claimed that artificial obstacles needed to be removed and called for a time when connectivity replaces divisions, economies grow in synergy, disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international legitimacy, and where peace is maintained with dignity and honour. The development comes months after China, Pakistan and Bangladesh formally established a trilateral cooperation mechanism intended to deepen mutual collaboration across a range of issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Participants included Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladeshi Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, and Pakistani Additional Secretary (Asia-Pacific) Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Pakistans Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joined via video link. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the meeting emphasised cooperation guided by good-neighbourliness, equality and mutual trust, openness and inclusiveness, common development, and win-win cooperation. Dar said, This concept can be expanded and replicated. As I have said before, groups with variable geometry on issues from the economy to regional priorities cannot and should not be held hostage to anyones rigidity. This was an apparent reference to India. And you know where I am referring to, Dar added. Why it is bound to fail without India Rabia Akhtar, director at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Policy Research (CSSPR) at the University of Lahore, told Al Jazeera the plan is more aspirational than operational. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But it signals Pakistans intent to diversify and reimagine regional cooperation mechanisms at a time when SAARC remains paralysed, Akhtar added. She said its feasibility would depend on a couple of things. First, whether prospective states see functional value in smaller, issue-focused groupings at a moment when traditional architectures are stalled; and second, whether participation does not trigger political costs vis-a-vis India, Akhtar said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinas President Xi Jinping shake hands during the welcome ceremony of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin. File image/AFP Swaran Singh, a professor of international relations at New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, told SCMP Indias size works to its advantage. Singh said India is seven times more populated than Pakistan, its defence budget is five times bigger, and its economy 12 times larger. Indias foreign exchange reserves are nearly 50 times bigger than its neighbour. This should give us enough idea of the future of any South Asian regional cooperation initiatives that seek to keep India out of its formulation, Singh added. They also say that Saarc is unlikely to be revived. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the two countries [India and Pakistan] were able to identify even limited avenues for cooperation in the service of broader regional interests, SAARC could, in principle, be revived, analyst Farwa Aamer told Al Jazeera. However, given current political dynamics, such a breakthrough appears to be a distant prospect, Aamer, director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI), added. About Saarc The grouping was founded on 8 December 1985 via the signing of its charter in Dhaka. Its aims were: Promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improving their quality of life Improving economic growth, social progress and cultural development Increasing self-reliance among South Asian nations Creating mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one anothers problems Working with each other and helping each other in social, cultural, technical and scientific fields Cultivating cooperation with other developing countries Increasing cooperation among South Asian nations at international forums on matters of common interest Working with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka were the charter members. Afghanistan joined the bloc, which is based in Nepals Kathmandu, in 2007. Leaders of the bloc have not met since 2014. This is due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The grouping has remained suspended in the aftermath of the 2016 Uri attack by Pakistan, in which at least 17 soldiers were killed. That year, the Saarc summit was created to be held in Islamabad. However, India withdrew from the scheduled meeting followed by Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan all pulling out. Since then, not a single Saarc summit has been held. However, Nepal continues to hold informal meetings of Saarc foreign ministers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies. A seventh person has been cured of the HIV through a stem cell transplant. But the treatment can only be used for people with fatal cancers as it is very risky to be attempted in people without fatal diseases. Students make a formation in the shape of a heart and a red ribbon during a HIV/AIDS awareness campaign on Valentine's Day in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh February 14, 2012. (Photo: Ajay Verma/Reuters) A seventh person has been cured of the HIV from a stem cell transplant. Importantly, the person was only the second person to be cured from a stem cell transplant that did not have HIV-resistant genetic mutation. That the person was cured without the mutation gives us more options for curing HIV, Prof. Christian Gaebler of the Free University of Berlin told New Scientist. But such stem cell transplants cannot cure just any person with HIV. Such treatments can only be used for people with fatal diseases like cancers like a last resort as it is very risky to be attempted in people without fatal diseases. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the curing of the person with a stem cell transplant even without it having the HIV-resistant genetic mutation is promising, there are serious concerns about the feasibility as well as ethical concerns that mean that such a treatment would not be available to the broader population living with HIV. For them, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-led treatment regimen remains the staple. Since its introduction in the 1980s, the ART has been a gamechanger for persons with HIV and they can now have near-equal lifespan and quality of life. How a genetic mutation & transplants cure HIV Out of seven people who have been cured of HIV, five people were cured after they received stem cells from donors who had an HIV-resistant genetic mutation. The mutation, which is called CCR5-delta 32, occurs in the CCR5 gene, that removes the receptor from the cell surface. The lack of the receptor on the cell surface means the HIV cannot enter the cell. Essentially, the virus bounces off the cell and does not infect it. The mutation is named such because it includes a deletion of 32 base pairs of DNA from the gene. In theory, stem cell transplant from people with such mutation could cure a person of HIV, but this is not practical as only 1 per cent of the Northern European population has such a mutation. This means that finding donors is extremely difficult. In any case, such a treatment is so dangerous that it is only reserved for people who have a fatal disease along with HIV, such as aggressive cancers like leukemia. But this is not a universal cure The treatment regimen involving such transplants is so risky that it is estimated to have a mortality rate of 10-20 per cent. Under this treatment regimen, powerful chemotherapy completely destroys a persons existing immune system that also kills HIV-infected cells along with the cancer. Once the persons immune system has been removed, donors stem cells are transplanted that build a new immune system from scratch for the person. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the donor has the CCR5-delta 32 mutation, the person will be immune to HIV thanks to the new immune system. But the fact that this seventh patient was cured even without the CCR5-delta 32 mutation has added a new dimension to the understanding of HIVs cure. In this persons case, since a donor with the both the copies of CCR5-delta 32 mutation was not available, doctors in 2015 used stem cells from a donor that carried one regular and one mutated copy of the CCR5 gene. At the time of the transplant, the person was on ART. Three years after the transplant, the person stopped taking ART and, as per Gaebler of Free University of Berlin, HIV was not detected in his body. For seven years now, the person has remained free for HIV. Gaebler told New Scientist, Its amazing that 10 years ago his chances of dying of cancer were extremely high and now hes overcome this deadly diagnosis, a persistent viral infection and hes not taking any medications hes healthy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The case has upended the understanding about the cure of HIV. So far, scientists believed that, after chemotherapy, cures relied on any virus lurking in the recipients remaining immune cells being unable to infect the donor cells, Gaebler told New Scientist. But this case suggests that cures can be achieved as long as non-resistant donor cells are able to destroy any of the patients remaining original immune cells before the virus can spread to them, Gaebler said. Such immune reactions are often driven by differences in the proteins displayed on the two sets of cells as these make the donor cells recognise residual recipient cells as a threat to eliminate, Gaebler said. The findings suggest that a wider pool of stem cell transplants than original thought, including those without two copies of the CCR5 mutation, could potentially cure HIV, according to Gaebler. Nearly 25 per cent of doctors across OECD nations, which include the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, among others, were born abroad, while 20 per cent trained outside their destination countries. Now, Canada is opening 5,000 new residency nomination spots and notes that 13,000 internationally trained physicians are not working in their field. Australia may require 13,000 additional doctors by 2026 A person walks past images of National Health Service (NHS) workers displayed on hoardings outside a temporary field hospital at St George's Hospital in London, UK, January 8, 2022. File Image/Reuters Wealthy nations are increasingly relying on medical professionals trained outside their borders. Across North America, Western Europe, Australia, and other members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), foreign-born and foreign-educated doctors are becoming indispensable to sustaining national health systems. Their migration, however, often deepens shortages in countries that invested in their training and already face critical gaps in medical staffing. Recent data shows that nearly a quarter of all doctors practising in OECD countries were born abroad, and close to a fifth completed their education elsewhere. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And now high-income nations are not merely attracting foreign doctors they are increasingly structuring immigration and workforce policy around them. At the same time, developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, are witnessing a continuous departure of trained medical professionals they struggle to replace. How much the West depends on imported medical talent The share of foreign-trained and foreign-born doctors across OECD member states is substantial and continues to grow. United States: International medical graduates (IMGs) form roughly 25 per cent of the physician workforce. Of the nations 987,000 doctors, more than 262,000 are immigrants. India alone accounts for nearly 6 per cent of US doctors, making it the largest source country. Europe (WHO Region): Between 2014 and 2023, the number of foreign-trained doctors increased by 58 per cent. In 2023, 60 per cent of new entrants to the medical labour market had completed their education abroad. Australia, Ireland, New Zealand: These countries continue to have some of the highest proportions of foreign-trained doctors globally. The share reaches around 40 per cent in nations such as Ireland and New Zealand. Israel: Israel, meanwhile, sees nearly 60 per cent of its doctors trained overseas. Collectively, these figures expose the structural dependence of Western health systems on physicians who trained elsewhere frequently in lower- or middle-income countries. Canada launches ambitious initiative to retain foreign doctors Canada has become one of the clearest examples of how affluent nations are attempting to stabilise their health-care systems by prioritising foreign-trained physicians. Confronted with long wait times, inadequate primary care access and chronic staffing shortages, the federal government has announced new measures designed to keep international doctors already practising in Canada from leaving. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Canadian Immigration Minister Lena Diab unveiled a major policy change aimed at opening permanent residency routes for these physicians. Her announcement confirmed that 5,000 additional federal admission spots will be set aside for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors who hold job offers. This expansion does not replace existing immigration quotas but adds to them, signalling how urgently Canada seeks to reinforce its medical workforce. Many of these doctors are already treating patients in our communities. We cannot afford to lose them, stated Diab. From early 2026, a dedicated category will be created under the Express Entry immigration system for doctors who have accumulated at least one year of Canadian work experience within the previous three years. This category will include practitioners working in primary care as well as medical, surgical, clinical, and laboratory specialties. The government says physicians nominated through the programme will see their work permits processed in 14 days, allowing them to remain active during the period that their permanent residency forms are being handled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A federal statement outlining the move said, Were giving these doctors a clear pathway to permanent residence in Canada to fill critical health workforce gaps, while helping support reliable care and a stable health system for Canadians. The government has connected this initiative to troubling gaps in access to care. Nearly 17 per cent of adults and 11 per cent of children and adolescents have reported not having a regular primary care provider. These shortages have contributed to a reliance on internationally trained professionals, yet a significant portion of those already in the country remain underutilised. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) welcomed the policy update. Its president, Dr. Margot Burnell, stressed the scale of the issue, stating, Currently, more than 13,000 internationally trained physicians in Canada are not working in their field. OECD data highlights Canadas dependence on foreign-trained talent. The organisations International Migration Outlook for 2025 recorded 3,900 India-trained doctors in Canada based on earlier figures from 2021. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Broader estimates suggest that the total number of doctors of Indian origin present in the country may sit between 8,000 and 10,000. UK braces for exodus of international docs While Canada attempts to hold on to foreign-trained staff, the United Kingdom is grappling with a rising number of departures. The countrys health service is one of the most dependent in the world on overseas medical talent. About 42 per cent of the National Health Services (NHS) doctors were educated outside the UK, making international recruitment central to the systems functioning. Yet a major new report from the General Medical Council (GMC) shows troubling signs. In 2024, 4,880 foreign-trained doctors exited the NHS workforce, up sharply from 3,869 the year before a rise of 26%. This shift has deepened concerns that the UK could face serious staffing holes if departures continue at this pace. GMC chief executive Charlie Massey highlighted the seriousness of the situation, stating, Doctors represent a mobile workforce, whose skills are in high demand around the world. If we see even a small percentage increase in them leaving, our health services will end up with huge holes that theyll struggle to fill. Masseys warning comes amid a broader climate of tension within the NHS. Health leaders have raised concerns about frontline staff encountering discrimination and hostility. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several NHS trust executives have informed national bodies that the widespread presence of St Georges flags has created what some employees describe as no-go zones, affecting their ability to visit homes for patient care. A poll conducted by NHS Providers showed that 45 per cent of senior managers were extremely worried about discrimination directed towards staff, while 33 per cent were moderately concerned. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently noted that the system is severely oversubscribed with two-thirds of the 30,000 applicants for 10,000 available training positions are international medical graduates. The UK continues to rely heavily on recruitment from abroad despite global warnings. The World Health Organisation issued a red list in 2020 that identifies Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and 34 other African countries as facing workforce vulnerabilities, advising wealthier nations not to actively recruit from them. Yet, according to the UKs Nursing and Midwifery Council, more than 7,000 Nigerian nurses relocated to the UK between 2021 and 2022, highlighting how demand continues to supersede ethical considerations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Those foreign-trained doctors moving from the UK are preferring Australia as a potential destination for their new workplace. Australias heavy dependence on foreign docs Although Australia faces a severe shortage of medical staff, many internationally trained doctors residing there are unable to practise due to regulation and red tape. Projections suggest that Australia will require an additional 13,000 doctors by 2026 to meet growing healthcare demand. International medical graduates already make up 32 per cent of the nations medical workforce and constitute more than half of rural doctors, a level of dependence that shapes healthcare access in large parts of the country. Despite this, foreign-trained doctors regularly encounter long delays, unclear assessment requirements, multiple exams that duplicate earlier evaluations, and heavy financial burdens. Some spend years in temporary jobs outside medicine while awaiting approval from regulatory bodies. The federal parliament addressed these barriers more than a decade ago. In 2012, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing published the Lost in the Labyrinth report, identifying chronic problems and making 45 recommendations for reform. While there have been improvements in certain areas such as workplace-based assessments and additional training programmes implementation has remained inconsistent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Access to support differs substantially depending on location, with doctors in remote areas often facing isolation and discrimination. With inputs from agencies The cancellations left thousands of travellers stuck during a busy holiday period, caused largely by a severe crew shortage after the airline struggled to meet new pilot rest rules Luggage of passengers whose IndiGo flight was cancelled sits on trolleys at an airport in Pune, India. File image/Reuters Indias largest domestic airline, IndiGo, is facing the threat of an antitrust investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) following a chaotic period marked by over 5,000 flight cancellations in a single month. The cancellations, which stranded thousands of passengers during a peak travel period, stemmed from an acute crew shortage, primarily linked to the airlines inability to fully comply with new pilot rest regulations. IndiGo holds a dominant position in the domestic market, commanding approximately 65% of the sector. According to a senior government official quoted by the Times of India, the competition watchdog now has strong grounds to investigate whether the airline misused this dominant market standing. Specifically, the probe would seek to determine if IndiGo violated Section 4 of the Competition Act, which prohibits a dominant enterprise from restricting services or imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions on consumers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also read | Sell first, cancel later? IndiGos cut-price ticket blitz preceded massive flight wipeouts The crisis prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to issue a show-cause notice to IndiGos top executives, including CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras. The airlines management requested more time to provide a detailed explanation, citing the complex nature of its operations. VIDEO | J&K: Full refunds have been processed for all cancelled flights to ensure passengers do not face any financial inconvenience, says Jammu Airport Authority Director (AAD) Devender Yadav on IndiGo flight disruptions. (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/8iMGcS45lD Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 10, 2025 While the DGCA is spearheading the broader government investigation into the operational disruptions, the CCI is now monitoring the situation closely and is expected to decide soon whether to formally launch an inquiry within its antitrust jurisdiction. This adds significant regulatory pressure on IndiGo, which, despite having previously faced and been cleared of anti-competitive allegations in 2015 and 2016, must now defend its business conduct in light of mass service limitations affecting thousands of travellers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The deal aims to deepen naval cooperation as both countries look to boost long-term support for their Scorpene-class submarines India and Brazil have taken a major step forward in naval cooperation by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving the Indian Navy, the Brazilian Navy and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), reported ANI. The agreement, inked during the four-day official visit to Brazil of Indias Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, commits the three parties to exchange information and support the maintenance of their shared fleet of Scorpeneclass submarines and other naval vessels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics & training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies & industry of both nations. This means Indian and Brazilian naval forcesalongside their defence-industry partnerswill collaborate more closely on everything from routine upkeep to complex repairs and overall operational readiness. Experts expect this cooperation to deepen defence-R&D collaboration and spur technological innovation for sustaining submarines and other naval platforms. Admiral Tripathis visit comes against the backdrop of a broader effort to consolidate maritime partnership between the two countries, a pillar of their evolving strategic partnership. Earlier this year, PM Modi India went to Brazil and mapped out a long-term roadmap aimed at strengthening ties in multiple areas including defence and security. The leaders welcomed the growing defence cooperation, including participation in joint military exercises and the exchange of high-level defence delegations. They expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, which will enable deeper cooperation in various strategic areas." the Joint statement issued by the MEA on his visit read. Analysts say the agreement could mark a new chapter for submarine-maintenance cooperation globally. By combining Indias ship-building and maintenance capabilities (led by MDL) with Brazils operational experience, both navies stand to benefit from enhanced readiness and cost-efficiencies. With this MoU now signed, the coming months will be critical as technical teams from India and Brazil begin working out logistics, training schedules, and maintenance protocols. The Russian President has often praised Indias promise and its citizens, previously calling Indians talented and driven. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was impressed by Indias cultural and language diversity, reflecting on his recent visit. Speaking on the concept of national cohesion, President Putin spoke of India as a powerful example of unity in diversity, a characteristic he suggested is essential for the countrys continued rise on the global stage. During his address, the Russian leader delved into the countrys vast demographic reality, pointing out a key observation about its linguistic landscape. Around 1.5 billion people live there and not all speak Hindi, maybe 500600 million, and the rest of them speak different languages. Often time, they dont understand one another. So, this unity and diversity or rather unity in diversity, is something that we must preserve. Putin stated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Putin: For Massive Countries Like Russia & India, it is Important to Maintain Unity in Diversity pic.twitter.com/151n5Lh1JI RT_India (@RT_India_news) December 9, 2025 His remarks, made while talking about national unity and global influence, highlight how Indias Constitution has helped bring together different regions and languages. The Russian President has historically expressed admiration for Indias potential and its people. On previous occasions, he has described Indians as talented and driven, foreseeing the countrys achievement of outstanding results in terms of its development. These latest remarks, however, offered a more granular insight into what he perceives as the foundation of that potential: its ability to function as a unified entity despite profound linguistic and cultural fragmentation. Also read | What Putins Delhi visit and India-Russia 2.0 mean for China New DelhiMoscow 2030 roadmap In a demonstration of their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held their 23rd Annual Summit in New Delhi on December 5, culminating in the signing of 16 agreements spanning defence, energy, trade, and technology. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The central outcome was the finalisation of an Economic Cooperation Programme through 2030, which sets an ambitious goal of boosting annual bilateral trade to $100 billion. The leaders emphasised a commitment to energy security, with President Putin promising uninterrupted shipments of oil and gas to India, a statement seen as defiant toward Western pressure and US tariffs imposed over New Delhis Russian oil purchases. Discussions covered accelerating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). They also agreed to deepen collaboration in civil nuclear power, critical minerals, and defence co-production under Indias Make in India initiative. Additionally, PM Modi announced the launch of free e-visas for Russian tourists. Fire officials investigate at the scene where the fire broke out in north Goa's Arpora. PTI The owners of the ill-fated nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, the Luthra brothersSaurabh and Gauravhave raised serious allegations of a witch-hunt against them as the investigation into a devastating fire pushes on. Shocking Video Shows Chaos Just Before Deadly Goa Club Fire - Exclusive footage from Birch by Romeo Lane in Baga captures panic moments before midnight cylinder blast kills 25, mostly staff trapped in the basement due to safety fails. - Owner and manager arrested for pic.twitter.com/MWWlHJnvuO Voice Of Bharat (@Kunal_Mechrules) December 7, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What they told the court Their plea argued they werent the day-to-day operators of the club: The applicant and his partners operate from Delhi and do not run the day-to-day operations. The day-to-day operations are managed by the on-ground/restaurant managers, said their lawyer in court. Saurabhs health was cited as a reason for caution: This witch-hunting issue is something Im concerned about. There is a medical history with Saurabh. He [has] epilepsy, hypertension etc. Their lawyers also described the actions against themincluding the demolition of the clubs second outletas vindictive. The Rohini Court in Delhi turned down their request for immediate interim relief. It asked the Goa Police (and state government) to respond to their plea for transit anticipatory bail when they return to India. Meanwhile, the AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) and multiple agencies continue probing the fire that killed 25 people5 tourists and 20 staff memberswith the clubs lack of fire-safety certification, narrow exits and flammable decor flagged as major lapses. What the Luthras claimand whats next The brothers claim they went to Thailand for businessnot to fleebut court filings and police say the timing (hours after the fire) and their long-term absence point to evasion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They insist theyre victims of a targeted crackdown, but critics and victims families question whether this was a tragedy rooted in systemic negligencenot just a case of bad luck. As the legal battle unfolds, and with public outrage mounting, all eyes are on the courts upcoming decision on their bail plea and the deeper findings of the ongoing investigation. Unesco has recognised Diwali, the festival of lights, as a world heritage event. It has been added in the list of intangible cultural heritage on Wednesday. People light earthen lamps, on the occasion of the Diwali at Lal Chowk, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. PTI/Representational image Diwali, the festival of lights was announced as an addition to Unescos intangible cultural heritage list on Wednesday. The announcement sparked celebrations across the country as the luminous festival became a world heritage event. The United Nations cultural agency, meeting in the Indian capital New Delhi from Tuesday to Thursday, is examining dozens of nominations from as many as 78 countries. The Unescos list of cultural heritage aims to ignite the citizens and raise awareness about the diversity and tradition of various other cultures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Protecting the cultural traditions in future will foster efforts for the upcoming generations to focus on heritage and different historical sects of the society. The Delhi government is organising several events, including special illumination of buildings and decoration across major roads, along with a massive lamp-lighting ceremony. Diwali is considered as one of the significant festivals in Hinduism as millions of Indians get together to celebrate the festival of lights by decorating their homes, distributing sweets and lighting diyas as a part of the tradition. Triumph of good over evil The tradition has historical roots and connects with Hindu mythology Ramayana. People from every religious background celebrate this five-day festival which symbolises triumph of good over evil. Diwali is marked as the return of lord Ram to Ayodhya from exile after defeating the demon king Ravan. The addition of Diwali in Unescos Intangible Cultural Heritage list is a proud moment for every Indian as the festival is strongly associated with the worship of the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. A joyous moment as Deepavali, the festival of lights marking the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya, which is celebrated globally, is added to the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Indias foreign ministry said on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Prime Minister of India took to X and wrote, People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will https://t.co/JxKEDsv8fT Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025 The Delhi High Court demands answers from the Centre over IndiGos large-scale flight cancellations and the resulting disruption for passengers . The Delhi High Court on Wednesday addressed the widespread disruption caused by IndiGos recent flight cancellations, calling on the Centre to explain how the situation escalated to such an extent. Over the last nine days, the airline has cancelled more than 4600 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across airports and triggering significant operational and economic concerns. During the hearing, Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya questioned the governments role and accountability in the unfolding crisis. Question is why did such a situation precipitate? Who is responsible? It is not question of individual passengers are stranded at airports. Question is loss to the economy. What steps were taken, he remarked, as reported by LiveLaw. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Question also is, if there was a crisis how can other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35-39k? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen? Live Law quoted Justice Gedela saying. The additional solicitor general informed the court that a show-cause notice had already been issued to the airline, which replied with a profuse apology. He added that the roll-out of the FDTL scheme had been postponed since 2024 because the carrier repeatedly sought extensions and continued to give assurances before the single-judge bench. The bench then asked the government to clarify what measures had been taken to assist stranded travellers and prevent harassment at airports. If they failed, what action did you take? You allowed the situation to reach this point, it said. The bench further pressed the authorities to clarify whether any arrangements had been made to compensate affected travellers and whether IndiGo employees were being held to expected standards of conduct amid the ongoing disruptions. Questions over fare surge and quality of petition The court also noted that mass cancellations had led to a sharp rise in airfares charged by other airlines. The situation created in the past week has raised an alarm. The disruption has caused the passengers facing continued inconvenience. Such disruption has even resulted in an unreasonable surge in the fares being charged by the other airlines, the bench observed. Although the judges expressed dissatisfaction with the public interest litigation placed before themstating it lacked adequate research and evidence and statutory provisions to support prayerthey agreed to take cognisance of the matter owing to its public significance. The Centre has been instructed to file its response by December 20. The nature and scope of cooperation in various multilateral institutions, which often finds Russia and India pursuing the same causes and goals, are wide-ranging. The India-Russia partnership is truly multi-dimensional, covering bilateral, regional, and global facets of cooperation and diverse domains of human endeavour, ranging from commerce, culture, and science and technology to nuclear, space, defence, and energy cooperation. But the focus on the bilateral aspects of the relationship should go hand in hand with an awareness of what the two nations have been accomplishing in various multilateral organisations. This latter aspect adds to the significance of the decades-old collaboration between the worlds largest country by landmass (Russia) and the worlds most populous country (India). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The intergovernmental dialogue leading up to President Vladimir Putins visit to India (4-5 December) and his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day stay in New Delhi appeared to devote considerable time to issues of multilateral cooperation. The joint statement issued by the two leaders on 5 December asserted: Development of Russia-India relations across the entire spectrum is a foreign policy priority. This outcome document comprises 70 paragraphs, of which 17 (i.e., 24 per cent) are devoted exclusively to cooperation in the UN and multilateral fora. The nature and scope of cooperation in various multilateral institutions, which often finds Russia and India pursuing the same causes and goals, are wide-ranging. The United Nations For many decades after Indias independence, the country was placed in a paradoxical situation. It was widely hailed as a principal leader and champion of the UN, but in the context of the Security Councils work on the Jammu and Kashmir question, India found itself in the dock thanks to the unholy collaboration between the West and Pakistan. In that complex situation, leading up to the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 and thereafter, New Delhi banked confidently on Moscows solid support, which was crucial because the Soviet Union/Russia held the veto power as a permanent member of the Security Council. This alone earned enormous trust and appreciation in India for Soviet/Russian support, and there were, of course, other reasons as well. In the current situation, similarities in perceptions of the two countries on the UN still remain striking. Both are committed to reinvigorating multilateralism, with a central coordinating role played by the UN; both advocate comprehensive reform of the Security Council; and Russia expresses steadfast support for Indias permanent membership of a reformed and expanded Security Council. G20 In the wake of a serious controversy and public dispute that emerged between the US and South Africa as the latest G20 Summit ended in Johannesburg on 23 November, the adroitly crafted formulation in Paragraph 44 of the IndiaRussia joint statement deserves a close look. In two statements issued by the US president and the secretary of state, Washington listed reasons related to Pretorias internal policies and its handling of the G20 presidency to announce that South Africa would not be invited to next years summit, hosted by the US. The South African president rejected the US arguments while asserting that his country was still open to dialogue. The joint statement takes a principled position while keeping ample room for negotiating a reconciliation between the US and South Africa, if the two sides are willing to seek it. In two simple sentences, it makes three clear points. One, the G20 is the premier international economic forum meant for dialogue between emerging and developed economies on equal and mutually beneficial footing. Two, India and Russia stand for the continued and productive functioning of the G20. Three, the forum must continue to operate on the basis of consensus and focusing on its key mandate. Observers are now debating what happens next. The US is set to host the first G20 Sherpa meeting in Washington on 15-16 December. The South African sherpa has not been invited. Will the sherpas of the African Union, of the two members of IBSA (India and Brazil), and some BRICS members such as Russia and China, attend and go along with the US position, or will they, possibly with the assistance of the UK and South Korea, the presidency countries for 2027 and 2028 respectively, try to re-establish the unity of the G20? We shall know soon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD BRICS and SCO While BRICS rated only one paragraph, four paragraphs were devoted to the SCO. This perhaps indicates that the two countries are happy with their cooperation within BRICS, but they need to work harder to achieve greater convergence within it. This aligns with Indias perception of itself as an outlier in the SCO, where Russia, China, and the Central Asian states often hang together on a range of issues. The need to expand India-Russia cooperation within the SCO was explicitly stated in the joint statement: The Sides reiterate the importance of their joint work within the framework of SCO for further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between Russia and India. Another favourite Indian idea won Russian support, namely the necessity of promoting the modernisation of SCO in such fields as countering terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, cross-border organised crime, and information security threats. New Delhi has been keen on the acceptance of English as a working language within the SCO, but it failed to secure Russias public support for it during Putins visit. Other bodies and issues India and Russia also agreed to strengthen their cooperation in other regional fora, such as the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and Asia Defence Ministers Meeting Plus, without providing any specifics. References to other institutions, such as the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, the Convention on Biological Weapons, and the conventions on biological diversity, revealed the range of cooperation between the two nations. In addition, Russia has already adopted the framework agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance, at Indias initiative. Further, Indias suggestion to Russia to join the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is also receiving favourable consideration by the Russian side. Conclusion To deepen their cooperation in multilateral fora, the Indian and Russian leaders provided a strategic framework. They identified common themes and goals to be pursued in a coordinated, effective manner. The list of priorities includes reformed multilateralism; reform of international economic governance institutions, including multilateral development banks; relentless pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals; enhancing the sustainability and resilience of international supply chains, including critical minerals; free and fair trade; and climate change. It is indeed an ambitious agenda. Some success has been achieved, but more is needed. Persistence and sharp-eyed coordination and supervision from both ends Delhi and Moscow are essential for achieving what the leaders have set as key tasks before their diplomats, officials, and ministers. Finally, those who paint Russia as a junior partner to China and India as a middle power should take note that Russia and India perceive and project themselves as major powers. A concluding paragraph states: They stressed that Russia and India as major powers will continue to strive for global peace and stability in a multipolar world as well as a multipolar Asia. The last three words were meant especially for Beijing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (Rajiv Bhatia is a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House, with extensive diplomatic experience in regional and global groupings, and the author of three books on Indian foreign policy. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication.) Over recent years, Pakistani journalists, activists and commentators living abroad have described a troubling pattern: speak critically of Pakistans military or political establishment, and the retaliation begins. In this handout photograph taken and released by Pakistan's Prime Minister Office on April 26, 2025, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and country's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, review a passing out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul in Abbottabad. (Photo: Handout/ Pakistan's PMO/AFP) When more than forty members of the U.S. Congress publicly warn that Pakistan is targeting its critics abroad, the world should pay attention. Their letter has brought new urgency to a growing fear shared by many in the Pakistani diaspora: that speaking freelyeven in a democratic countrycan endanger not only oneself but also ones family back home. And increasingly, dissidents say the harassment does not stop at Pakistans borders. It follows them into Gulf countries, Europe, even North America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is not an abstract political concern. It is lived reality for many who dare to speak out. A pattern of intimidation that crosses oceans Over recent years, Pakistani journalists, activists and commentators living abroad have described a troubling pattern: speak critically of Pakistans military or political establishment, and the retaliation begins. Sometimes it starts with anonymous calls. Sometimes relatives are summoned by security agencies. And sometimes, the intimidation is far more direct. Human-rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented cases of Pakistani dissidents facing threats overseas. In 2021, the BBC reported that Muhammad Gohir Khan, a UK-based man, was sentenced to 13 years for plotting to murder Pakistani dissident Ahmad Waqass Goraya in Rotterdam. Prosecutors stated the murder plan was linked to individuals overseas, believed to be part of a network targeting critics of Pakistans military establishment. In May 2020, the Guardian reported that in Sweden, journalist Sajid Hussainwho reported on Baloch human-rights abuseswas found dead after previously seeking asylum due to threats; while Swedish authorities did not conclusively attribute responsibility, human-rights observers have long raised concerns about the dangers he faced. There are also reportsparticularly from the Gulfthat lesser-known dissidents face detention or deportation following criticism of Pakistans institutions. Rights monitors and free-speech advocates have noted that several Pakistani writers and poets working in Gulf countries have, over the past few years, reported being briefly detained, questioned, or approached by unidentified individuals after sharing politically sensitive material or reciting poetry critical of Pakistans powerful institutions. While the individual cases often remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, the pattern described by these advocates is consistent with the broader climate of pressure faced by overseas Pakistani dissidents. Prominent religious scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamidi left Pakistan years ago after receiving death threats linked to extremist groups, later saying he believed powerful elements within Pakistans state structure did little to protect him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political figure Tahir-ul-Qadri likewise relocated abroad during periods of tension, citing concerns for his safety. Their crime, if one could call it that, was merely challenging entrenched narratives. For ordinary critics with no public platform, the risks can be even greater. When the state crosses into foreign territory The situation becomes even more worrying when dissidents are targeted in countries with no direct stake in Pakistans internal politics. Many claim this occurs through cooperation between Pakistani intelligence operatives and local authoritiesespecially in the Gulf, where expatriate communities are large and political expression tightly regulated. I know this reality personally. Although I am not a Pakistani citizen, I spent a full year imprisoned in a Gulf country after posting tweets critical of Pakistans establishment and its political interference. According to what I was told by individuals familiar with the case, the arrest did not originate locally; it began with a tip-off allegedly passed along by Pakistani intelligence. Inside the detention facility, I met several Pakistani inmates whose stories mirrored the same troubling pattern. Their offenses were not crimes in any meaningful sense. Some had merely criticized Pakistans military online. Others had shared videos supporting Imran Khans PTI party. One man, Aboobaker, told me he was detained simply for waving a PTI flag during a small community gathering along the coast. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another detainee, Fouad Ahmed, said he had been picked up during a casual kite-flying event organized informally by PTI supporters near a popular seaside corniche. According to his account, local authorities acted after being alerted by individuals linked to Pakistans intelligence network. Whether every detail of these testimonies can be independently verified or not, the fear they reveal is unmistakable. Many expatriates genuinely believe that Pakistans political rivalriesand the institutions that enforce themnow reach into foreign jurisdictions where they live and work. These personal accounts reinforce the broader concerns raised by U.S. lawmakers: Pakistans security apparatus appears increasingly willing to monitor, pressure and silence its critics far beyond its own borders. Why Washington cannot look away For decades, the United States has tried to maintain a delicate balance with Pakistan. On one hand, it relies on Islamabad for counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability. On the other, it has long expressed concern about democratic backsliding and military overreach. But when a foreign government targets US residentsor influences foreign governments to punish critics abroadthe issue becomes one of American sovereignty and the safety of people living in democratic societies. That is why members of Congress are urging the State Department and Treasury to consider visa bans and asset freezes under the Global Magnitsky Act against Pakistani officials linked to such abuses. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These tools are not symbolic; they have been used against individuals from Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and others involved in transnational repression. Failing to act would send a dangerous message: that some allies can intimidate people on US soilor manipulate security systems in other countrieswithout consequence. Accountability strengthens democracy Some commentators argue that pressuring Pakistans establishment risks destabilising a nuclear-armed nation. But history suggests the opposite: it is the unchecked power of Pakistans security institutions that has repeatedly fuelled instability. Targeted sanctions do not punish ordinary Pakistanis. They do not hinder humanitarian or counterterror cooperation. They focus responsibility where it belongson individuals, not the nation as a whole. Crucially, they give hope to Pakistans own pro-democracy voices. Journalists, activists and ordinary citizens who have long been caught between political polarisation and military dominance need international support, not silence. A global test for freedom of speech The Congressional letter marks a rare moment when the concerns of Pakistani dissidentslong ignoredare finally being heard. But this debate is bigger than Pakistan. If countries learn they can silence critics abroad with impunity, then no democracy is truly safe. A world where dissidents can be threatened in New York, detained in Bahrain or imprisoned in Riyadh for criticising institutions in Islamabad is a world where borders no longer protect freedom. Pakistans establishment must recognise a simple truth: exporting repression signals weakness, not strength. A confident state does not fear poets, journalists or kite-fliers. As Washington weighs its next steps, it confronts a fundamental question: does it truly stand for the right to speak freelyeven when the violator is a partner? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The answer must be yes. Because defending free expression is not only a democratic valueit is a universal responsibility. (Zahack Tanvir is an Indian-origin activist and founder of The Milli Chronicle, a UK-based publication. With expertise in geopolitics and counter-extremism, he provides insights into global affairs. He holds certifications in Counterterrorism from the University of Leiden of the Netherlands, and Georgetown University of Washington DC. He tweets under @ZahackTanvir. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) A major breakthrough should not be expected in the immediate future, as the new tariff threats create a difficult environment for compromise. US President Donald Trump has threatened new tariffs on Indias rice exports, specifically accusing Delhi of dumping cheap rice into the American market, which hurts domestic farmers. During a White House meeting on December 9, 2025, where Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for American farmers, local producers voiced concerns that cheaper rice imports from India, Vietnam, and Thailand were depressing domestic prices. Trump responded to these concerns by questioning why India has no additional duties and stating he would take care of the alleged dumping, implying that new tariffs could be imposed on Indian rice imports. The comments were made as a US delegation is expected to visit India on December 10-11, 2025, for ongoing bilateral trade negotiations, which have been struggling to make significant progress. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps comments add to existing trade frictions and a general atmosphere of unpredictability. The recent imposition of a total of 50 per cent tariffs on most Indian goods has already created significant uncertainty, leading to a 28.5 per cent drop in Indias exports to the US within five months and impacting key labour-intensive sectors. This uncertainty is now heightened by Trumps comments regarding new tariffs on Indian rice amid ongoing trade negotiations that are already delicately balanced. This rhetoric makes reaching even a first tranche of the deal more challenging. The US has already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most Indian goods (implemented in August 2025 over other trade disputes and Indias purchases of Russian oil). A new tariff on rice would further inflate costs and create a significant competitive disadvantage for Indian exporters compared to rivals like Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. The US is not Indias primary rice export market (West Asia is). Indias basmati exports to the US were valued at over $337 million in FY 2024-25, representing less than 5 per cent of its total global basmati exports. However, the move is a major concern for the specific sector and Indian-American consumers. The potential new tariffs would further increase the price of Indian rice in the US market, making it less competitive compared to alternatives from countries like Pakistan, which faces a lower 19 per cent tariff. Donald Trumps explicit threat to impose new tariffs on Indian rice could become another sticking point that may further complicate and potentially stall the ongoing trade deal negotiations between the US and India. The two countries have been engaged in talks for a broader trade agreement, but disagreements over agricultural market access, including for rice and dairy products, have been a long-standing hurdle. Trumps public comments about dumping Indian rice and his intention to take care of the issue will increase pressure by the US delegation on India during the talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF) and other industry representatives argue that trade is based on demand and consumer preference, not price-based dumping. The IREF asserts that trade with the US is anchored in consumer preference and cultural food patterns, rather than price competition. India exported around 2.34 lakh tonnes of rice to the US in the 2024 fiscal year, which is less than 5 per cent of its total basmati exports globally, indicating the US is a niche market, not a dumping ground. The industry maintains it is resilient and globally competitive and not dependent on any single market. However, the continuous threat of new tariffs creates market uncertainty and would lead US buyers to seek alternative suppliers, potentially causing a decline in Indias basmati rice exports to the US. According to reports, the shares of Indian rice exporters like LT Foods, KRBL and GRM Overseas already came down by nearly 7 per cent on December 9 after Trump warned that he could impose additional tariffs on Indian rice. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has previously sought strong safeguards and assurances within any trade agreement that no additional, unilateral tariffs would be imposed after the deal is finalised. The latest threats underscore Indias need for such clauses, which the US has not guaranteed, making the finalisation of the deal more complex. Trumps continuous America First trade policy, driven by a desire to reduce trade deficits and address geopolitical issues (such as Indias oil trade with Russia), has led to a highly unpredictable environment for Indian exporters and policymakers. While high-level diplomatic talks continue, expectations for an immediate rollback of existing tariffs are low. India has generally maintained a cautious but firm approach, focusing on diplomatic engagement, market diversification, and potentially utilising the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, rather than immediate retaliation with tariffs of its own. India is seeking a broader trade arrangement that includes better access to the US market for its agricultural products like rice, spices, and marine goods, which are a significant part of its exports. New tariffs on a key export item directly contradict Indias objectives for a stable and fair trade relationship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Summing up, Donald Trumps recent indication that he may impose new tariffs on Indian rice has introduced fresh uncertainty and strain into India-US trade relations, significantly complicating the prospects of a bilateral trade deal. The potential tariffs on rice come on top of existing high duties and have dampened hopes for a swift resolution to ongoing trade negotiations. In essence, the possibility of new tariffs on Indian rice serves as a major setback. While both countries remain officially committed to the idea of a trade deal, the repeated use of tariffs as a bargaining chip by the US significantly lowers the prospects for a stable and predictable agreement in the near term. While high-level diplomatic talks continue, expectations for an immediate rollback of existing tariffs are low. Therefore, a major breakthrough should not be expected in the immediate future, as the new tariff threats create a difficult environment for compromise. (The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.) STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Buyers would likely have to undergo an approval process, submitting requests to purchase the chips and explaining why domestic suppliers could not meet their requirements Nvidia will now be able to sell its H200 chips to China. Reuters file China has set a limit on the imports of Nvidias H200 chips after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington would lift a ban on selling AI chips to Beijing. With this move, China aims to push self-sufficiency in achieving its tech goals. According to a report by the Financial Times, regulators in Beijing are looking at ways to limit access to the H200 chips, Nvidias second-best generation of artificial intelligence chips. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per Trump's announcement, Nvidia will now be able to sell its H200 chips to China. The H200 chips are way outdated than the companys latest Blackwell chip, which is considered the most advanced AI chip available anywhere. Although Trump has clarified that the US will not provide China with the Blackwell chip, the sale could be worth billions of dollars for Nvidia. The company has said it has more than $500 billion worth of orders for its best artificial intelligence chips to fulfil this year and next, and thats before any buyers in China are factored in. During the ban, China expanded its domestic AI chip market to push the manufacturing of similar products to Nvidias. How is China planning to limit access? Buyers would likely have to undergo an approval process, submitting requests to purchase the chips and explaining why domestic suppliers could not meet their requirements. Other moves include increasing customs checks of chip imports and offering energy subsidies to data centres using domestic chips. The two regulators leading Beijings years-long push for semiconductor self-sufficiency, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, may impose additional measures to bolster the competitiveness of domestic chips, the people said. These could include prohibiting Chinas public sector from purchasing the H200. Xi responded positively In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, I have informed President Xi, of China, that the United States will allow NVIDIA to ship its H200 products to approved customers in China, and other Countries, under conditions that allow for continued strong National Security. President Xi responded positively! The president added that other great American companies like Intel and AMD will also start selling their chips soon. Trump defended the move by saying that it will create more jobs in the US, strengthen manufacturing and be beneficial to taxpayers. A storm is brewing around Chinas AI upstart DeepSeek amid claims it used smuggled Nvidia Blackwell GPUs banned from export to China. Nvidia denies any evidence of wrongdoing but says it will investigate credible leads as scrutiny over global AI chip flows intensifies. A high-stakes row over whether Chinas fast-rising AI startup DeepSeek has obtained banned Nvidia Blackwell chips has put export controls, corporate oversight and the future of the global AI supply chain under intense scrutiny. Nvidia has refuted allegations of a clandestine smuggling operation, saying it has seen no substantiated evidence of phantom datacentres built to funnel Blackwell cards into China but the dispute has already intensified pressure on both regulators and industry to tighten tracking and enforcement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The controversy traces to a report that accused DeepSeek of using thousands of Nvidias most advanced Blackwell GPUs hardware that US export policy restricts from being sold directly into China. The allegation, if true, would imply a sophisticated circumvention: servers shipped to jurisdictions where Blackwell exports are permitted, stripped down after compliance checks and then covertly transported into China for reassembly and use. DeepSeeks meteoric rise earlier in the year, after it unveiled the R1 model at a fraction of typical training costs, amplified suspicion that it might be tapping illicit compute resources. Nvidia pushed back decisively. Company spokespeople quoted by CNBC as saying that they had not received credible tips or uncovered evidence of phantom data centres, describing the smuggling scenario as far-fetched but emphasising they would pursue any leads. Nvidia also highlighted a parallel technical response: a new optional location-verification capability designed to help data-centre operators monitor the health and inventory of GPU fleets and potentially to make it harder for advanced chips to be diverted to restricted locations undetected. That mixture of denial and defensive innovation frames the issue in two ways. First, Nvidias public rebuttal aims to protect the companys customers and its reputation at a moment when questions about chip provenance could spook investors and partners. Second, the company is signalling that it intends to harden controls technologically where policy cannot immediately close gaps in complex global supply chains. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The stakes go beyond a single startup. Blackwell-class GPUs represent a crucial competitive advantage in training large models; unauthorised access could materially accelerate capabilities in jurisdictions cut off from legal supply. For Washington, allegations of smuggling test the effectiveness of export restrictions as a tool to slow strategic rivals access to frontier compute. For Beijing and Chinese AI firms, the row spotlights the tension between national ambitions to develop indigenous stacks and the reality that cutting-edge silicon remains concentrated among a few suppliers. Crucial questions remain unanswered. Nvidias denial does not amount to an independent, public audit of DeepSeeks hardware inventory. DeepSeek has not publicly produced verifiable evidence that it uses only permitted chips. And export-control enforcement across multiple jurisdictions is notoriously difficult to police in real time. Even if no smuggling occurred, the episode is likely to hasten changes: more rigorous tracking features in chips, closer coordination between chipmakers and regulators, and heightened scrutiny of how AI compute moves through the global market. If smuggling did occur, authorities face the hard task of tracing shipments and proving intent across multiple legal systems. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For now, Nvidias message is cautious: the company says it will investigate credible tips and deploy new tools to make diversion harder. The industry and governments will be watching closely because whether or not DeepSeek used smuggled hardware, the case has already exposed real weaknesses in the architecture of global AI control. Gislers win marks a major upset, as President Trump carried the district by 12 points last year. Democrats had hoped for a breakthrough after outperforming expectations in a recent Tennessee special election Democrats on Tuesday flipped a state House seat in a traditionally red-leaning Georgia district, giving the party another significant boost ahead of next years midterms. Democrat Eric Gisler was projected to defeat Republican Mack Guest IV in the special election for Georgias House District 121, according to Decision Desk HQ. Gislers win marks a major upset, as President Trump carried the district by 12 points last year, DDHQ noted. Democrats had hoped for a breakthrough after outperforming expectations in a recent Tennessee special election. They also flipped two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission in November, sending shockwaves through the states political landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is the second such win for the after its candidate Eileen Higgins won the mayoral elections in Miami, defying the red wave after nearly three decades. The election results have put a Democrat in Miamis top post for the first time in nearly three decades. While Florida has always swung red, Miami has Democratic backers for being home to many immigrant communities. With Zohran Mamdanis win in New York and Higgins victory in Miami and several other blue gains in other states, Trumps Republican Party is entering murky waters ahead of the 2026 Midterm elections. Higgins, 61, will be the first woman to lead the city of Miami. She spoke frequently in the Hispanic-majority city about Trumps immigration crackdown, saying she has heard of many people in Miami who were worried about family members being detained. She campaigned as a proud Democrat despite the race being officially nonpartisan and beat Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who said he called Higgins to congratulate her. With the midterms approaching, Republicans aim to build on the momentum from 2024 and retain control of both chambers in Congress, while Democrats will be searching for any opportunities to challenge that majority. Even as Chinas trade surplus has surpassed $1 trillion, its factory deflation worsened in November and extended into 38th consecutive month reflecting falling industrial profits, consistently weak domestic demand, and risk of a recession. Despite strong exports, Chinas economic fundamentals remain concerning. Robotic arms assemble cars in the production line for Leapmotor's electric vehicles at a factory in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, China, April 26, 2023. (China Daily via Reuters/File Photo) China in November surpassed the $1 trillion-mark in trade surplus as its exports grew despite US President Donald Trumps tariff war, but the factory deflation did not just extend into 38th consecutive month but worsened reflecting the complex and concerning reality of the Chinese economy. Despite Trumps tariffs, Chinas exports in the January-November period rose 5.9 per cent year-on-year. While shipments to the United States fell by 29 per cent year-on-year, exports significantly rose to Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The decline of exports to the United States was offset to an extent by Chinese businesses strategy to move final assembly lines of many goods to Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Africa to bypass Trumps tariffs. But the worsening factory deflation that has entered the 38th consecutive month also reflects falling industrial profits, persisting weak domestic demand, and risk of a recession. Chinas economic fundamentals remain concerning despite export growth Chinas factory deflation extended into the 38th consecutive month in November and fell by 2.2 per cent month-on-month. The factory deflation refers to a sustained decline in the prices of goods leaving factories. Instead of what consumers pay (measured by consumer price index), it means what producers get for products shipped out of factories and is measured by producer price index (PPI). If factory deflation has extended into 38th month even as exports have risen consistently to an all-time high, it means that the domestic demand has remained persistently low and domestic consumers are not in a good shape. Persistent and worsening factory deflation means that industrial profits are constantly falling and factories are plagued by overcapacity and the domestic economy has excess supply. To make it worse, Chinas GDP deflator the broadest measure of prices is set to decline for the third consecutive year in 2025, the longest streak since China transitioned toward a market economy in the late 1970s, according to Bloomberg. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even for an export-oriented economy like China, such a scenario is very concerning and means that the fundamentals of the economy are concerning. For one, the share of exports in the GDP has consistently fallen in the past two decades falling to around 20 per cent from the peak of 35 per cent in 2006. If the situation persists in the coming months, factories could start closing as their profits are already squeezed and job losses could mount. In any case, squeezing profits would put a stop on industrial investment and that would further slow growth. Kateryna Lomova, 97, stood her ground as police rescuers and family members begged her to evacuate her ramshackle home in an area of eastern Ukraine battered by Russian artillery, bombs and drones fired from some 15 km (nine miles) away. As Russian forces press deeper into eastern Ukraine, an unexpected second battlefront has opened for Kyiv: persuading civilians to leave towns that have become increasingly uninhabitable. The struggle between evacuation teams and residents unwilling to abandon their homes is playing out even as Ukraine enters a critical phase of diplomatic manoeuvring, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy preparing fresh peace proposals for the United States and allies. In the battered Donetsk region, 97-year-old Kateryna Lomova embodies the dilemma facing Ukrainian authorities. Her home on the outskirts of Dobropillia is directly exposed to artillery, bombs and drones launched from barely 15 km away. Police rescuers from the White Angel evacuation unit pleaded with her to leave. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Family members called from Spain to reassure her she would be received safely abroad. Yet Lomova remained immovable. Maybe another time, but not now, she murmured, wrapped in layers of clothing as explosions echoed in the distance. Dobropillia and neighbouring settlements have endured years of Russian assaults, but the danger is increasing as Moscows troops push forward, seeking to fulfil President Vladimir Putins demand that Ukraine surrender the whole of the Donbas. The road out of the area is draped in netting to shield it from drones, the leading cause of civilian deaths near the front line. Burnt vehicles and shattered houses mark every kilometre. Despite the intensifying threat, crews like White Angel say some residents still refuse to evacuate, often because they are elderly, sick, or have nowhere else to go. In many cases, families who previously escaped have returned to damaged villages, sometimes with tragic consequences. Gennadii Yudin of the White Angel team said children have been injured or killed after families moved back. The parents dont fully understand what can happen, he said. Earlier this week, a family gathering water near Kostiantynivka was wounded in a strikean incident aid workers use to illustrate the increasing unpredictability of Russian attacks. Still, Lomova insisted on staying, even after her windows were blown out. Asked when she might be ready to leave, she replied simply: Who knows when? I dont want to leave my home. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This grassroots reluctance complicates Ukraines broader strategic challenges at a moment when diplomatic pressure is rising sharply. Zelenskyy is expected to deliver new peace proposals to US negotiators as Washington pushes for an expedited settlement, one influenced by President Donald Trumps desire for improved ties with Moscow. Trump has publicly questioned Ukraines democratic legitimacy and urged Kyiv to prepare for elections within months, despite ongoing missile strikes and occupation of nearly 20% of the country. Zelenskyy has signalled conditional openness to wartime elections, saying Ukraine could vote within 6090 days if partners ensure security and pass emergency legal changes. But Kyivs negotiating space is constricting, squeezed between Russias insistence on territorial concessions and US pressure for a quick end to the war. Europe is trying to reinforce Zelenskyys position. Leaders from Germany, France, the UK and others are coordinating via what Paris calls the Coalition of the Willing. Yet military aid is declining overall: foreign support for Ukraine has fallen to 32.5 billion so far this year, compared with annual averages above 41 billion earlier in the war, according to the Kiel Institute. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The gap between Ukraines mounting battlefield risks and shrinking international assistance underscores why every evacuation matters. As Russia grinds forward street by street, Kyiv is fighting not only to hold territory but also to convince its most vulnerable citizens that survival may depend on leaving the homes they cherish. With inputs from agencies China and Brazil have begun building a joint laboratory for space technologies, Chinese state-owned defence electronics firm CETC said, deepening scientific ties as the two countries push ahead with a major telescope project in South America Employees install a signage of the 54th Research Institute of CETC (China Electronic Technology Group Corporation), which takes the main responsibility of the research and development tasks of a massive radio telescope, at the foot of the telescope in Shanghai on October 28, 2012. Reuters File China and Brazil have begun building a joint laboratory for space technologies, Chinese state-owned defence electronics firm CETC said, deepening scientific ties as the two countries push ahead with a major telescope project in South America. The growing cooperation contrasts with recent US pressure on Latin American countries to cut or minimize ties with China, including in space. Two Chinese telescope projects in Chile and Argentina have been frozen since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House, as leaders in the region seek to curry favour and avoid punishing tariff rates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US officials have described these Chinese telescopes as tools that could be used by Beijing to increase its surveillance capabilities over American soil and Washingtons activities in a region it considers crucial for homeland defence. China has responded by accusing Washington of interference and politicising scientific cooperation. CETCs Network Communications Research Institute signed an agreement with Brazils Federal University of Campina Grande and the Federal University of Paraiba to establish the ChinaBrazil Joint Laboratory for Radio Astronomy Technology. CETC said on Tuesday the joint laboratory would support frontier research for astronomical observation and deep-space exploration. The laboratory initiative comes as China and Brazil make progress on the BINGO radio telescope, designed to help study the universes structure and dark energy. In June, CETC said the main structure of the telescope had been completed at a manufacturing site in China and shipped from the port of Tianjin to Brazil. The instrument, billed as South Americas largest radio telescope, is scheduled for completion in 2026. Beyond research, BINGO will also be capable of tracking satellites, meteoroids and other small bodies, CETC said, adding that the system could help identify potential threats from near-Earth objects. Powerful telescopes are used for space situational awareness. They could predict when US military satellites pass overhead and help coordinate the use of anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), according to a 2022 report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beijing has used Chinas rapidly improving space capabilities over the past two decades as a diplomatic tool to increase its influence in Asia, Africa, and South America, installing telescopes, building satellites, and training foreign personnel. Machado was due to receive the award in Oslo, in the presence of King Harald, in defiance of a decade-long travel ban imposed by authorities in her home country and after spending more than a year in hiding Ana Corina Sosa Machado, daughter of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, accepts the award on behalf of her mother, during the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony at Oslo City Hall, in Oslo, Norway, on Wednesday. Reuters Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado on Wednesday said that democracies must be ready to defend freedom in order to survive, in a speech delivered by her daughter during a ceremony Machado could not attend. The Venezuelan opposition leader said that the prize held profound significance, not only for her country but for the world. It reminds the world that democracy is essential to peace, Reuters quoted Machado as saying through her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, whose voice faltered as she spoke of her mother. And more than anything, what we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey: that to have a democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom, she added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A large portrait of a smiling Machado was displayed in Oslo City Hall to stand in for her, drawing cheers and applause from the audience when Norwegian Nobel Committee head Joergen Watne Frydnes announced during his speech that Machado would be arriving in Oslo. Referencing past laureates Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa, he said that champions of democracy are expected to pursue their aims with a moral purity their opponents never display. This is unrealistic. It is unfair, Reuters quoted Frydnes as saying. No democracy operates in ideal circumstances. Activist leaders must confront and resolve dilemmas that we onlookers are free to ignore. People living under the dictatorship often have to choose between the difficult and the impossible, Frydnes added. Machado fails to reach for ceremony The 58-year-old engineer was due to receive the award in Oslo, in the presence of King Harald, in defiance of a decade-long travel ban imposed by authorities in her home country and after spending more than a year in hiding. But she was unable to reach the Norwegian capital in time for the ceremony. I will be in Oslo, I am on my way to Oslo right now, Machado told Frydnes, in an audio recording released by the Norwegian Nobel Institute. It was unclear where she was calling from. We dont know exactly when she will land, but sometime in the course of the night, the institutes director, Kristian Berg Harpviken, told Reuters. A choice that must be renewed each day Freedom is a choice that must be renewed each day, measured by our willingness and our courage to defend it. For this reason, the cause of Venezuela transcends our borders, she said in her prepared speech. A people who choose freedom contribute not only to themselves, but to humanity. In 2024, Machado was prevented from running in the presidential election, despite winning the opposition primary by a wide margin. She went into hiding in August that year after authorities intensified arrests of opposition figures following the contested vote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the electoral authority and Supreme Court declared President Nicolas Maduro the winner, international observers and the opposition maintain that Machados candidate secured a clear victory, supported by ballot box-level tallies released by the opposition. Fragile democratic institutions In her speech, Machado said that Venezuelans failed to recognise in time that their country was sliding into what she called a dictatorship. Referring to the late president Hugo Chavez, who was elected in 1999 and remained in power until his death in 2013, Machado said: By the time we recognised how fragile our institutions had become, a man who had once led a military coup to overthrow democracy, was elected president. Many thought that charisma could substitute the rule of law. From 1999 onward, the regime dismantled our democracy. President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, claims that US President Donald Trump is attempting to overthrow him to gain control of Venezuelas vast oil reserves, asserting that Venezuelan citizens and armed forces would resist any such move. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to sources familiar with planning documents reviewed by Reuters, Venezuelas armed forces are preparing to mount guerrilla-style resistance or sow chaos in the event of a US air or ground attack. Dedicated to Trump When Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize in October, she dedicated it in part to Trump, who has said he himself deserved the honour. She has aligned herself with hawks close to Trump who argue that Maduro has links to criminal gangs that pose a direct threat to U.S. national security, despite doubts raised by the U.S. intelligence community. The Trump administration has ordered more than 20 military strikes in recent months against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and off Latin Americas Pacific coast. Human rights groups, some Democrats and several Latin American countries have condemned the attacks as unlawful extrajudicial killings of civilians. With inputs from agencies The FDA has launched a wide-ranging review into deaths potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines, intensifying concern within the medical community after President Trump appointed vaccine sceptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr as health secretary Amid growing unease within the medical community, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated an extensive review into deaths that may be connected to COVID-19 vaccines, a spokesperson for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said. The development follows President Donald Trumps decision to appoint Kennedy Jr, a long-time vaccine sceptic, as health secretary, a move that has already set off major shifts in US vaccine policy. Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the health and human services department, confirmed the ongoing inquiry. FDA is doing a thorough investigation across multiple age groups of deaths potentially related to COVID vaccines, he told AFP, after Bloomberg and the Washington Post reported on the probe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Scope widens following FDA memo According to reports, the review was initially expected to centre on possible child deaths but has since broadened. Controversy escalated in late November when an internal FDA document was leaked, with the memo claiming that COVID-19 vaccines were linked to at least 10 infant deaths, despite offering no accompanying data. Nixon declined to outline how the FDA is conducting the review, which information is being assessed or when results may be made public. Health authorities worldwide continue to reiterate that the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines have been extensively studied. While rare serious side effects have been identified, experts note that these instances do not outweigh the benefits for most people. Concerns mount over political influence in health policy The Trump administrations recent steps, including changes to the CDC advisory panel and a shift towards an anti-vaccine stance, have raised concerns that political considerations are beginning to overshadow scientific assessment. Medical experts have voiced apprehension over the direction of the FDA under Kennedys leadership. Kennedy has a lengthy history of promoting vaccine misinformation. In 2023, he labelled COVID-19 vaccines as deadly and made unsubstantiated claims that the virus was targeted to harm Black and White populations while sparing Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people. SpaceX is preparing for a landmark public offering that could raise more than 30 billion dollars and value the company at about 1.5 trillion dollars. The plan, which may come to fruition by late 2026, would make it the largest listing in history, surpassing Saudi Aramcos 2019 record. Elon Musks space enterprise, SpaceX, is preparing for one of the most anticipated financial events in recent memory. The company is reportedly moving ahead with plans for an initial public offering that could raise more than 30 billion dollars, establishing it as the largest listing the world has ever seen. People familiar with the discussions said the target valuation stands at around 1.5 trillion dollars, a figure comparable to the landmark public debut of Saudi Aramco in 2019, which raised 29 billion dollars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the timeline remains unchanged, SpaceX may head to public markets by the middle or end of 2026. However, sources caution that the plan could extend into 2027 depending on how market conditions evolve. The companys rapid growth has already stirred global investor interest and triggered excitement across the wider space industry. Growing investor enthusiasm Reports of SpaceXs plans immediately lifted the mood in the stock market. Shares of associated space companies began surging once news of the proposed offering circulated. EchoStar Corporation, which earlier agreed to sell spectrum licences to SpaceX, witnessed a sharp rise of nearly 12 percent during trading in New York, reaching a new record. Rocket Lab Corporation also enjoyed a boost in investor confidence, climbing by about 4 percent. The broader space and satellite communication sector, long regarded as a domain for high investment and slow returns, is now seen as a maturing field capable of generating sustainable profit. Analysts believe a SpaceX offering would bring enormous momentum to companies in related industries. Preparations for the historic listing Sources close to the company revealed that preparations are already in progress within SpaceXs management and advisory teams. Over recent weeks, key executives and board members have engaged in strategic meetings to shape the direction of the offering. Discussions included capital planning, fundraising priorities, and the selection of new senior appointees to guide the transition towards life as a public company. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One insider mentioned that senior advisers are closely assessing global financial conditions to determine the ideal timing. If the market remains favourable, a 2026 launch appears realistic, though the plan could shift if volatility persists. SpaceX representatives, when approached for an official comment, did not respond. Rapid growth led by Starlink and Starship The companys momentum is strongly supported by the success of its Starlink satellite internet service and the continued progress of its Starship rocket development. Starlink has become a transformative player in global communication, delivering internet access to markets previously beyond the reach of traditional providers. Sources estimate that SpaceX could generate nearly 15 billion dollars in revenue in 2025 and between 22 billion and 24 billion dollars in 2026, with the bulk coming from Starlink subscriptions. Meanwhile, the Starship programme, designed to carry humans and cargo to the Moon and Mars, remains a critical part of Musks long term strategy to make interplanetary travel feasible. Together, these two ventures strengthen SpaceXs foundation and bolster investor optimism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Use of funds and upcoming ventures Individuals familiar with the companys roadmap disclosed that part of the proceeds from the public listing would be invested in advanced data infrastructure located in orbit. These data centres, powered by high performance chips, would process and store vast amounts of satellite data closer to users, aiming to improve speed, reliability, and efficiency. Musk elaborated on this vision during a recent appearance at an event hosted by Baron Capital, where he outlined plans to create space based computing hubs capable of revolutionising communication and data processing capabilities across multiple sectors. Valuation process and share sales Before the official public offering, SpaceX launched a secondary share sale to determine its current market value. The company set a per share rate of around 420 dollars, lifting its estimated valuation beyond 800 billion dollars. Employees were given permission to sell up to 2 billion dollars worth of stock, while SpaceX itself agreed to repurchase a portion of those shares. Observers say this exercise aims to stabilise the companys fair market value ahead of its transition to public ownership. Musk, writing on his social media platform, explained that SpaceX has maintained positive cash flow for many years and conducts regular stock buybacks to provide liquidity for employees and early investors. He further stated that each valuation improvement reflects advancements in Starlink, Starship, and global mobile connectivity initiatives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Major backers and market implications SpaceX continues to enjoy strong support from leading investment firms. Among its largest shareholders are Peter Thiels Founders Fund, 137 Ventures led by Justin Fishner Wolfson, Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, and Google under Alphabet Incorporated. If the company proceeds to sell five percent of its total equity at the targeted valuation, it would raise about 40 billion dollars, thereby overtaking Saudi Aramcos record as the largest public listing in history. Market watchers predict the move will not only elevate SpaceX but also significantly increase funding flows into commercial space exploration and satellite communication ventures worldwide. Future of public investment in space Elon Musk has for years hinted at the possibility of taking SpaceX or its Starlink arm public, though he has often cautioned that such steps require perfect timing and long term stability. Earlier comments from company executives, including Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen, suggested that any separate public listing for Starlink might occur some years later. Now, with consistent profits, an expanding customer base, and support from the worlds most influential investors, SpaceX seems well positioned to enter the financial markets. Should the plan materialise, it will represent not only a triumph for the company but also a defining moment in the history of modern space commerce, a moment that could open a new era of global investment beyond Earth itself. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Greek farmers wage nationwide blockade to demand delayed subsidiesports, roads and airports grind to a halt as frustration boils over Farmers stand next to their tractors as they protest near Heraklion International Airport while police block the main access road in Heraklion, on the island of Crete, on December 8, 2025. (AFP) Farmers across Greece have ramped up a nationwide campaign of blockades, bringing port operations and major freight routes to a near-standstill. On Wednesday, dozens of tractors and trucks rolled into the port of Volos, where protestors briefly disrupted commercial activity as part of their ongoing demonstration. The farmers are demanding payment of more than 600 million ($698.47 million) in overdue subsidies and aidmoney they argue was delayed due to a corruption scandal and subsequent audits. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In some cases, the aid checks were held up after accusations surfaced that certain applicants, aided by state officials, had falsified land-ownership records to claim funds. Tensions rise in Greece as farmers attack police vehicles and demand faster subsidy payments. The government urges calm, promising major support funds will be delivered by years end, but protesters vow to intensify their actions. pic.twitter.com/B2HUcfT93g TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) December 8, 2025 The protestors say theyre also bearing the brunt of several crises all at once: a devastating outbreak of sheep pox has forced many to cull livestock, and the floods that hit the region of Thessaly in 2023 destroyed crops and farmlandlosses they argue havent been properly compensated. At the Port of Volos, riot police tried to block access to the terminal as farmers attempted to occupy unloading docks. Though some tractors were eventually pulled back, several protestors, including fishermen supporting the action, remained near the port entrance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Were not backing down. If they want to arrest the thousands of protesting people, let them come and arrest us, Costas Sefis, a farmer from the northern city of Malgara, told public broadcaster ERT. Farmers argue that with production costs soaring, delayed payments, and repeated disasters, they have little choice but to escalate protests until the government acts. Authorities have warned that blockades affecting critical infrastructure ports, highways and border crossings will not be tolerated. On Tuesday, the countrys top court ordered potential criminal prosecution for protesters who disrupt traffic or obstruct vital infrastructure. So far, the governmentled by Kyriakos Mitsotakishas acknowledged delays caused by audits and promised additional support, including releasing part of the withheld funds this month. Yet farmers say that partial measures arent enough and insist on timely and full compensation. For now, the tractors remain on roads, ports, and borders. The farmers have called for a nationwide meeting of protest leaders this weekend near Larissa to push for a unified set of demands and potentially escalate their actions further. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The UK economy may take a hit of up to 10.8 billion ($14.4 billion) over the next five years as a result of new restrictions on legal migration, according to a report, citing a Home Office impact assessment released this week The UK economy may take a hit of up to 10.8 billion ($14.4 billion) over the next five years as a result of new restrictions on legal migration, according to a Bloomberg report, citing a Home Office impact assessment released this week. The analysis estimates that the cumulative monetised cost of the governments planned changes first outlined in a May white paper will fall between 2.2 billion and 10.8 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The proposals include limiting Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas to graduate-level applicants, raising the salary threshold for visa eligibility, and banning the recruitment of overseas social care workers. Most of the measures came into force in July, following a surge in net migration, which reached nearly 1 million in the year to June 2023. The spike intensified public concerns about strain on housing and public services and helped boost support for Nigel Farages anti-immigration Reform UK party. However, the latest impact assessment, published more than six months after the government announced its clampdown on legal migration, is likely to fuel criticism that Prime Minister Keir Starmers crackdown on legal migration may have been rushed. Economists warn that while the policies aim to curb numbers, they could ultimately undermine the UKs long-term economic prospects, reported Bloomberg. The Home Office said the potential cost to the UK of the immigration system changes, estimated at a base case of 5.4 billion, would be balanced by potentially significant unquantifiable benefits. The measures set out in the white paper, part of which are enacted in these immigration rules, form part of a broader government policy to get people back into work, according to the impact assessment. It added that the rationale for these changes is to incentivize upskilling of the domestic workforce, and that if these changes have an impact on productivity this effect is very important and likely to outweigh many or most other impacts. Economic hit The projected economic hit includes up to 800 million in lost public sector revenue from lower visa fee and immigration health surcharge income, alongside an estimated 9.5 billion drop linked to reduced income tax receipts and added pressure on public services. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These figures portray a significant loss to the UKs workforce, with domestic workers somehow expected to fill in the gaps ASAP, Bloomberg quoted Dora Olivia Vicol, chief executive of the Work Rights Centre, which supports migrants and disadvantaged Britons with employment issues, as saying. She warned that losses are almost certain: older people and disabled people will find it harder to get care and that the government stands to forfeit billions in tax revenues. The UK initially loosened visa rules for social care workers in 2022, responding to severe staffing shortages following Covid-19 and Brexit. However, concerns over exploitation in the system later pushed Starmers government to ban most foreign care workers from entering the country. The Home Office acknowledged the shift could have an impact on specific households if care providers need to raise prices. Care companies are also likely to face significant strain, the assessment noted, as they may be forced to halt hiring or replace overseas staff with costlier domestic workers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The IDF official warned participants that Tehran is quickly restoring its missile manufacturing capacity, which reportedly suffered significant damage during Israeli strikes back in June A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army office on August 21, 2025, shows a rocket being launched during a military drill in an undisclosed location in southern Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army Media Office / AFP) / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / IRANIAN ARMY MEDIA OFFICE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === Iran has rapidly resumed large-scale production of ballistic missiles, approximately six months after its 12-day conflict with Israel, according to a senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) official. The official conveyed the urgent assessment during a closed-door briefing to lawmakers in the Knesset, as reported by the Israeli news outlet Ynet. The IDF official warned participants that Tehran is quickly restoring its missile manufacturing capacity, which reportedly suffered significant damage during Israeli strikes back in June. The official noted that Irans missile programme is recovering at a fast pace and remains a paramount strategic priority for the countrys military planners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This intelligence surfaces amid intensified Iranian military exercises across the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, involving extensive missile and drone testing. Last week, the commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, announced the testing of a new, domestically built missile with a range exceeding the 1,375-kilometre length of the Persian Gulf. He provided a specific detail about its capabilities, stating, The Persian Gulf is 1,375 kilometers long this missiles range is beyond that. Tangsiri also boasted that the weapon features very high precision and can be guided after launch. State media reports confirmed the recent drills included a barrage of ballistic and cruise missile fire, drone operations, and air defence manoeuvres near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran officially maintains that its existing missile arsenal, which has a declared range of up to 2,000 kilometers, is purely for deterrence and is sufficient to cover Israel. Tehran has consistently rejected demands from the United States and its allies to limit the range of its missile development. Even as consensus eludes the disarmament of Hamas and withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip, advancing to the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire has a new hurdle the funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli airstrike on a high-rise building in Gaza City, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, after the Israeli army issued a prior warning. - AP Even as consensus eludes key issues of Hamas disarmament and withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip, the progress to the second phase has hit a new hurdle the funding for the reconstruction of Gaza. In the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Hamas is supposed to be disarmed and Israeli soldiers are supposed to withdraw. These actions will make way for the reconstruction of Gaza, which has been battered from two years of airstrikes, ground combat, and demolition drives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even as US President Donald Trumps 20-point plan has mentioned Gazas reconstruction, it did not outline the specifics or announce any funding. As Qatar has announced it would not write a blank cheque and estimates have suggested huge sums required for reconstruction, the question is where such sums are going to come from. How much will it take to rebuild Gaza? The rebuilding of Gaza could take up to $70 billion and 32 years could be required to just clear the rubble and remove explosives buried in the rubble, according to a report by the United Nations (UN), World Bank, and the European Union (EU). A separate UN report previously found that the war has destroyed or damaged 92 per cent of all homes in Gaza. Even in the best-case scenario, simply removing rubble could take 22 years and clearing unexploded ordnance may take up to 10 years, according to Mutasim Elagraa, the coordinator of the UN Conference on Trade and Developments (UNCTD) Palestinian programme. In the most optimistic scenario where there is full access to reconstruction materials and funds, it will take decades for Gaza to regain the level of economic activity it had before the latest conflict, as per Elagraa. Who will pay for reconstruction? This is apparently one of the pressing questions stalling progress on the ceasefire agreement. Qatar, the principal mediator in the peace process, has said it would not foot the bill and indicated it expects Israel to fund the reconstruction. We are not the ones who are going to write the check to rebuild what others destroyed. When you are talking about Gaza. Israel flattened this land, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Abdulrahman Al Thani said on Sunday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Qatari government later said it would be open to join a larger body of donors to fund the reconstruction. So far, only the EU and China have pledged $1.87 billion $100 million respectively for the reconstruction. EU plans to bypass Hungary and fast-track a vote to freeze 210bn in Russian assets, aiming to boost leverage in Ukraine peace talks EU countries are rushing to make a decision to indefinitely freeze up to 210 billion ($244.38 billion) in Russian sovereign assets, aiming to sidestep Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban even before Europes leaders meet for a summit next week. The push to pass the legislation quicklyusing emergency powers that override national vetoes on sanctionsis intended to strengthen the EUs leverage in US-led peace talks over the war in Ukraine, officials familiar with the plans said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Diplomats handling the legislation believe acting swiftly could separate the contentious asset freeze from debates on funding Kyiv using the frozen Russian assets. That latter question, which involves raising loans for Ukraine, will be discussed by EU leaders next week. The plan to vote within the coming week, effectively bypassing the principle of unanimity on sanctions decisions, is expected to anger Hungary and other opposing countries. Previous instances of the EU outvoting members on major issuessuch as Poland and Hungary over migration policyhave left long-lasting tensions between capitals. Last week, the European Commission proposed using 210 billion of Russias assets frozen under EU sanctions to fund a loan to Kyiv. The initial plan envisions 90 billion ( approximately $104.71 billion) being disbursed over the next two years. For this to work, the assets need to be immobilised indefinitely, instead of the current six-month periods that require unanimous approval for renewal. Hungary, Europes most pro-Russian member state, has opposed further aid to Kyiv and routinely threatens to veto sanctions rollovers. EU officials worry Orban could follow through if, for instance, the Trump administration decided to unilaterally lift US sanctions on Russia. Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarys government spokesperson, said this week that the commissions loan proposal crosses every red line. To bypass potential vetoes, the European Commission has proposed invoking emergency powers reserved for economic crises under Article 122 of the EU treaties. This allows sanctions to be imposed with just a majority vote rather than requiring unanimity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Locking in the sanctions would also signal resistance to Washington. An initial Ukraine peace plan partly drafted by American officials had envisioned most of the frozen assets being channelled into two US-led investment funds. US officials have also tried to discourage EU capitals from using the assets before a peace plan is agreed. Belgium, home to central securities depository Euroclearwhich holds 185 billion ($215.19 billion) of the Russian assetshas expressed concerns over legal and financial risks. It fears being liable for claims from Russia should sanctions be lifted unexpectedly. Belgium has demanded guarantees that other member states would share liability for potential legal claims. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the commission has addressed almost all of Belgiums demands regarding the reparations loan. Officials say that so far this year, nearly 600 smuggling-related balloons and almost 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, repeatedly forcing the closure of Vilnius Airport A border officer inspects a balloon in a photo issued earlier this month. Lithuanias crisis management centre said tens of balloons were detected by radar on Friday. AP file The government in Lithuania has declared a nationwide emergency situation after weather balloons from neighbouring Belarus entered the country carrying smuggled cigarettes. Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene condemned the balloon incursions, saying that they pose a threat to the countrys national security and civil aviation. Officials say that so far this year, nearly 600 smuggling-related balloons and almost 200 drones have entered Lithuanian airspace, repeatedly forcing the closure of Vilnius Airport. Lithuanias emergency situation falls below a state of emergency, which was imposed in the country in 2022 following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Belarus denies responsibility Meanwhile, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has rejected his countrys involvement in the incursions, saying that Lithuania is politicising the issue. It is unrealistic. Even if balloons flew into there, even if they did, I have spoken to pilots and they say that they pose no problem. The question arises why? Do they want to fight us? We do not need war. I am convinced that the Lithuanian people do not need war either. Neither do Poles, Latvians and Estonians, Lukashenko said. Belaruss long-time leader is a close ally of Russias Vladimir Putin, and Lithuanias president, Gitanas Nauseda, has said there is ample evidence that the balloon activity is a deliberate action aimed at destabilising the situation in Lithuania. The latest threat forced Lithuania to shut two border checkpoints with Belarus in October, following which Minsk barred Lithuanian trucks from driving on its roads. We are talking about aviation security and international law, and about the fact that such actions could be recognised as terrorism, Ruginiene said last week. The weather balloons can reach altitudes of up to 10 km (6 miles), and Lithuanias interior ministry says they have forced Vilnius Airport to close for more than 60 hours since October. In October alone, around 30,000 passengers were affected. Hybrid war European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week said that Belarusian incursions into the Lithuanian airspace are hybrid attacks, as Belarus representative in Brussels was summoned. The situation at the border with Belarus is worsening, with the growing incursions of smuggling balloons into Lithuanias airspace, von der Leyen said, as she met Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. The EU is drawing up new sanctions against the Belarusian government. In turn, Belarus summoned a Lithuanian envoy for a dressing down over a drone crash, the latest in a swirl of diplomatic standoffs between the neighbouring post-Soviet states. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The election results have put a Democrat in Miamis top post for the first time in nearly three decades. While Florida has always swung red, Miami has Democratic backers for being home to many immigrant communities Miami mayor-elect Eileen Higgins celebrates at a watch party after winning the Miami mayoral runoff election, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Miami. AP Floridas Miami, which has been a red state for years, has chosen a Democratic candidate to run its mayoral office. Former County Commissioner Eileen Higgins has won the election, beating President Donald Trumps Republican candidate, Emilio Gonzalez. The election results have put a Democrat in Miamis top post for the first time in nearly three decades. While Florida has always swung red, Miami has Democratic backers for being home to many immigrant communities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Zohran Mamdanis win in New York and Higgins victory in Miami and several other blue gains in other states, Trumps Republican Party is entering murky waters ahead of the 2026 Midterm elections. Higgins gains historic win Higgins, 61, will be the first woman to lead the city of Miami. She spoke frequently in the Hispanic-majority city about Trumps immigration crackdown, saying she has heard of many people in Miami who were worried about family members being detained. She campaigned as a proud Democrat despite the race being officially nonpartisan and beat Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who said he called Higgins to congratulate her. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanising and cruel, especially against immigrant populations, Higgins told The Associated Press after her victory speech. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. With nearly all votes counted Tuesday, Higgins led the Republicans by about 19 percentage points. How it matters With the midterms approaching, Republicans aim to build on the momentum from 2024 and retain control of both chambers in Congress, while Democrats will be searching for any opportunities to challenge that majority. Miami is expected to remain a fiercely contested area. The city narrowly went to former Vice President Kamala Harris by just one point in 2024, even as Miami-Dade County swung red for Trump. As Floridas second-largest and highly diverse city, Democrats cannot afford to dismiss the mayoral race as they might in other regions, particularly given Trumps endorsement of Gonzalez. With inputs from agencies Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday called PM Modi and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Netanyahu also shared views on the situation in West Asia Prime Minister Narendra Modi listens as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during their meeting at the King David hotel in Jerusalem, on July 5, 2017. AP File Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. Netanyahu also shared views on the situation in West Asia. PM Modi reaffirmed Indias support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan, a statement from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said. The statement said that both leaders expressed satisfaction over the ongoing progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen these ties for mutual benefit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the statement added. It also noted that the two leaders agreed to stay in touch. The two leaders last spoke in October, when Netanyahu paused a cabinet meeting to take PM Modis call. PM Modi had reached out to congratulate Netanyahu on the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. Called my friend, Prime Minister Netanyahu, to congratulate him on the progress made under President Trumps Gaza peace plan. We welcome the agreement on the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. Reaffirmed that terrorism in any form or manifestation is unacceptable anywhere in the world, PM Modi had posted on X. PM Modi had also spoken with US President Donald Trump, praising his efforts to end hostilities in West Asia. The conversation followed the US announcement that Israel and Hamas, engaged in conflict for two years, had agreed on the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan. This initial phase includes a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. With inputs from agencies The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made the eighth arrest in Delhis Red Fort blast case. The accused has been identified as Dr Bilal Naseer Malla, a resident of Jammu and Kashmirs of Baramulla. A policeman stands guard as investigators examine the site of car explosion near the historic Red Fort, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo: AP) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested the eighth accused in Delhis Red Fort blast case. The NIA arrested Dr Bilal Naseer Malla, a native of Jammu and Kashmirs Baramulla, from Delhi, the agency said in a statement. A car blew up near Delhi's Red Fort on November 10, killing at least 15 persons and injuring around 20 people. The NIA and Delhi Police have named Umar Un Nabi as the bomber and dubbed the act of terror as suicide bombing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The NIA said that Malla was found to be involved in the conspiracy behind the terrorist attack. The agency said he also harboured Umar and provided him logistical support. The NIA has also accused Malla of destruction of evidence related to the terrorist attack. NIA is continuing with its investigation into the conspiracy behind the deadly terror act. The anti-terror agency is working closely with various central and state agencies to unravel all the threads of the conspiracy, the NIA further said. NIA Arrests Another Key Accused in Delhi Bomb Blast Case pic.twitter.com/VxrX8X05jo NIA India (@NIA_India) December 9, 2025 The NIA has so far arrested eight persons for conspiring and facilitating the attack. Umar and others who have been arrested have been linked to the trans-state 'white terror' module spanning from J&K to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh that was originally busted by the J&K Police. Just hours before the Red Fort blast, the J&K Police had announced arrests and seizure of weapons and explosives in the crackdown on the white terror module that included many doctors. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 8 persons arrested in Delhis Red Fort blast case The last person to be arrested in the case was Soyab, a resident of Haryanas Faridabad, for helping Umar. Sources told CNN-News 18 at the time that Muzammil Shakeel Ganai, whom investigators have named as one of the members of the white collar module, had kept a grinder and a portable furnace at Soyabs house, which are believed to have been used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and their components. Sources further said that Soyab is an employee of Al-Falah University, which has been linked to multiple accused in the case. In addition to Soyab, the NIA has arrested four persons who had been previously arrested by J&K Police in its investigation into the white collar module. These four persons were Muzammil; Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather of Anantnag, J&K; Dr Shaheen Saeed of Lucknow, UP; and Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay of Shopian, J&K. ALSO READ: With tech & new cash, Pakistan looks to train new jihadist gun at India Others arrested in the case were Amir Rashid Ali, in whose name the car used in the blast was registered, and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish, who had provided technical aid to Umar, according to NIA. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Among those arrested, Wagay has emerged as the mastermind behind the radicalisation and recruitment of the white-collar terror module, PTI has previously reported officials as saying. Wani has emerged as a key technical supporter of the module, according to The Times of India. Wani has been accused of working closely with Umar to plan Hamas-style drone attacks and develop small, crude rockets for coordinated blasts, as per ToI. Described as the technical backbone of the module, Wani is said to have modified drones, upgraded their batteries and camera systems, and attempted to integrate small explosive payloads designed for deployment in crowded public areas, the report said. Election results in Honduras remained stalled for more than 24 hours on Wednesday, as protests erupted in the capital amid calls from the president to annul the vote over alleged fraud, prolonging uncertainty in the country into its 11th day Supporters of Honduras' presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla of the Liberal Party react as they attend to listen to Nasralla address the media, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on December 9, 2025. Reuters File Election results in Honduras remained stalled for more than 24 hours on Wednesday, as protests erupted in the capital amid calls from the president to annul the vote over alleged fraud, prolonging uncertainty in the country into its 11th day. The most recent results, released Tuesday morning, showed Nasry Asfura of the National Party leading centrist rival Salvador Nasralla by roughly 40,000 votes, with over 99% of ballots counted. No further updates have been provided, leaving Hondurans in suspense, reported Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators wearing red the color of the ruling leftist LIBRE party blocked a bridge connecting Tegucigalpa to Comayaguela. Protesters demanded a re-run of the elections, which have been marred by chaotic reporting and external interventions, added the report. US President Donald Trump publicly urged voters not to support the ruling partys candidate, Rixi Moncada, and backed conservative candidate Asfura. Trump also issued a pardon for former President Juan Orlando Hernandez of the National Party, who had been serving a 45-year sentence in the US on drug trafficking and weapons charges. We dont want interference from Donald Trump. We dont want interference from the US embassy, we want justice, Reuters quoted a protester who identified himself as an employee of the state water company SANAA. We want these elections to be annulled and held again, he added. Honduran President Xiomara Castro of the LIBRE party denounced the situation as an electoral coup on Tuesday. Her husband and former President Manuel Zelaya called on supporters to protest outside the government office in Tegucigalpa where the tally sheets are being held. Zelaya also appeared to throw his support behind Nasralla, writing on social media on Tuesday night that according to his partys own national count of presidential tally sheets, sheet by sheet, the winner of the presidency is Salvador Nasralla. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nasralla has repeatedly denounced irregularities in the count and said he has won the election. The electoral mission of the Organization of American States called for speeding up the count and maximizing transparency. It is essential that the CNE can carry out its work without pressure, it said on Tuesday, referring to the Honduran electoral body. The OAS mission rejects any call to disturb public order that could compromise the remaining stages of the electoral process, the organization wrote on social media. Inconsistent tally sheets under review The most recent results showed Asfura with 40.52% of the vote, Nasralla with 39.20% and Moncada trailing far behind with 19.29%. Approximately 14.5% of the tally sheets showed inconsistencies and are to be reviewed in a special scrutiny that is expected to begin in the coming hours. These tally sheets could contain hundreds of thousands of votes, more than enough to change the outcome of the election. Honduras electoral body has until December 30 to declare the winner, who will then assume the presidency in January for the 2026-2030 term. The prolonged and chaotic process of reporting the election results has created mounting tension in the country, where previous contested elections, such as in 2017, have led to mass protests and deaths. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The November 30 vote proceeded calmly, according to independent electoral observers. However, the subsequent release of results has been chaotic, with delays that have intensified frustration over the tight race. CNE members have blamed the company behind the tabulation platform for the slow vote count. With inputs from agencies Kremlin seizes strategic advantage amid US criticism of European governments and Nato, fueling tensions over Ukraine US President Donald Trump walks to shake the hand of Russian President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. AP File Russian President Vladimir Putin has every reason to be satisfied as US President Donald Trump intensifies his feud with Europe, opening the door for Moscow to seize a new strategic advantage. Trumps envoys made little evident progress in Moscow last week during discussions on a potential Ukraine peace deal. Yet the Kremlin gained a different advantage: rapidly worsening tensions between Washington and its European allies. In an interview with Politico on Tuesday, Trump renewed his criticism of European governments, saying they were weak and decaying because of their immigration policies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also claimed Russia holds the upper hand in its war in Ukraine and argued it was time for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to start accepting things in negotiations. Hes going to have to get on the ball and start accepting things, you know, when youre losing, Politico quoted Trump as saying. He also called on Zelenskyy to hold elections in statements that spooked Kyiv and Europe. Trumps remarks followed last weeks release of a new US national security strategy that sharply criticised European leaders for their approach to the Ukraine conflict. The document faulted European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war for obstructing a peace deal, adding, 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. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded on Tuesday, saying at a news conference that some of it is comprehensible, some of it is understandable, and some of it is unacceptable to us from a European perspective, while stressing that Europe does not need US assistance to save democracy on the continent. Still, the Trump administrations framing of Europe as an anti-democratic barrier to stable relations with Russia has proved a political gift for Moscow, bolstering its efforts to portray Western unity as fractured. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Welcoming Trumps statements on Ukraine, the Kremlin on Wednesday said US President remarks align with Russias view. In many ways, on the subject of Nato membership, on the subject of territories, on the subjects of how Ukraine is losing land, it is in tune with our understanding, AFP quoted Peskov as saying on Wednesday. He called Trumps comments very important. Following Trumps interview, Zelenskyy said he was ready to hold new elections in Ukraine provided security would be assured. Moscows offensive - which prompted Kyiv to introduce martial law - has made holding elections in the country impossible under Ukrainian law. Russia has long called for Zelenskyys demise, calling him an illegitimate leader. We will see how the events will unfold, Peskov said of Zelenskyys announcement. Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and a central figure in recent diplomatic exchanges between Washington and the Kremlin, also moved quickly to capitalise on the moment. In a series of posts on X, Dmitriev praised Trumps broadside against European governments, highlighting the presidents warning that Europe has to be very careful and that it is going in some bad directions very bad for the people. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trumps comments came after he was asked about X receiving a $140 million fine from EU regulators on Friday for violating European online content rules. Elon Musk, the owner of X, responded by posting calls for the European Union to be abolished. Russian policy has long focused on eroding European support for Ukraine and casting doubt on the durability of the Nato alliance and the Trump administrations new National Security Strategy offers Moscow fresh material for an information campaign aimed at influencing public opinion in both the United States and Europe. The reaction across Europe to the strategy document mirrors the alarm felt earlier this year, after US Vice President JD Vances speech at the Munich Security Conference in February. During his speech, Vance downplayed traditional threats such as Russia and China and instead zeroed in on Europes democratic health. He urged leaders to heed populist concerns, defend free speech, and warned that suppressing dissent and pursuing thought crimes citing cases like a Swedish activist and people praying near clinics posed a greater danger than external adversaries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Vance said the Trump administration would protect open debate, even when views diverge, and challenged Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. He also offered cooperation on safeguarding free expression, highlighting a clear shift in US foreign policy under the new administration. The sense of triumph in Moscow over Washingtons latest rebukes of Europe also echoes the enthusiasm Russian officials displayed following Trump and Vances public scolding of Zelenskyy in the Oval Office later that month. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, has been on a high-profile tour of Europe this week, meeting leaders in Britain, France and Germany in London, and holding talks with Nato and European Union officials in Brussels in an effort to reinforce support for Ukraine. Russia escalates warnings At the same time, Russian messaging directed at Europe and warnings about its future has grown more pointed. In an interview on Russian state television, hardline political scientist Sergey Karaganov declared that Russia was at war with Europe, not with a miserable, pitiful, misled Ukraine. He added that he does not speak for Putin, allowing him to offer his blunt assessment: This war will not end until we smash Europe, morally and politically. Even if Karaganov was not acting as an official spokesperson, his remarks clearly reflected themes voiced by Putin himself. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the eve of his meeting in Moscow last week with Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, Putin issued a stark warning that Russia was ready right now for war with Europe despite not intending to initiate one. We are not planning to go to war with Europe. I have already spoken about this a hundred times, but if Europe suddenly wants to go to war with us and starts, we are ready right now, CNN quoted Putin as saying last Tuesday. The intended audience for this saber-rattling is unmistakable. The Kremlin wants Europeans to feel the shockwaves of rhetoric that is increasingly shaking the foundations of trans-Atlantic relations. With inputs from agencies The men, all in their early 20s and identified as Asghar Husinai, Jalil Yaqoobi, Ashore Akbari and Daud Rasa, became local sensations in the Jibrail township of Herat after photos and videos of them sporting flat caps, trench coats and vintage suits went viral on social media An Afghan Taliban fighter sits on a tank near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, following exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Afghanistan, on October 15, 2025. (Photo: Stringer/Reuters) Four young men in Herat, Afghanistan, have been detained by the Taliban after they were spotted walking around in outfits inspired by the British TV series Peaky Blindersa move the Taliban says amounts to promoting foreign culture. The men, all in their early 20s and identified as Asghar Husinai, Jalil Yaqoobi, Ashore Akbari and Daud Rasa, became local sensations in the Jibrail township of Herat after photos and videos of them sporting flat caps, trench coats and vintage suits went viral on social media, said Saif-ur-Islam Khyber, a spokesman for the Taliban. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture and values. Through numerous sacrifices, we have protected this country from the spread of harmful cultures, Khyber said in a social media post. He added that the clothing has no Afghan identity at all and does not match our culture, and criticised their imitation of foreign film actors. According to the Taliban, the four were initially arrested and placed in a so-called rehabilitation programme. But in a statement to CBS News, the Taliban later clarified that the men were only summoned, advised and released. In Afghanistan, even fashion has consequences. This week, four young men from Herat were arrested by the Taliban for the unforgivable crime of dressing like Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders. No weapons, no gang warfare. Only flat caps and long coats proving far too threatening pic.twitter.com/fBT4PK9oOu BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) December 10, 2025 One of the men, in an audio clip released by the Taliban, admitted regret, saying: Without realising it, I used to publish and spread things that were against Sharia. From today onward I will no longer engage in such sinful activities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prior to their detention, the four told CBS News they were inspired by the shows vintage style and had enjoyed the positive attention. As one of them put it: At first we were hesitant, but once we went outside, people liked our style, stopped us in the streets, and wanted to take photos with us. But under the hard-line dress codes enforced by the Taliban since 2021, their fashion choice was deemed unacceptable. The President argued that his plan to tax imported goods is bringing in hundreds of billions of dollars, pushing back against critics who oppose tariffs President Donald Trump listens during a roundtable on farm subsidies in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington. File image/AP During an economic speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump declared that the word "tariff" is his absolute favourite in the dictionary, arguing that his trade policy is a colossal financial success for the United States. The President claimed that his strategy of imposing taxes on imported goods is bringing us hundreds of billions of dollars, directly addressing critics who oppose the use of tariffs. Id say my favorite word is the word tariff. I love it more than any other word in the dictionary, Trump asserted, while dismissing opposing views from the media. His repeated push for tariffs shows theyre a key part of his economic agenda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Addressing a public rally in Pennsylvania, US President Donald Trump (@POTUS) says, "My favourite word is 'tariff'. It's making farmers rich, bringing us hundreds of billions of dollars, really trillions." (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/7LciWIGtoa Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 10, 2025 Separately, the President made a comment about a recent shooting in Washington carried out by an Afghan national that wounded two National Guard members, one of whom later died. Trump stated that medical personnel are fighting to save the life of the wounded attacker. He explained that this effort is being made so the individual can later be sentenced to the death penalty by the courts. He noted that the father of a wounded National Guard member also hopes the attacker survives to face trial, reinforcing a hardline stance on justice and retribution for the act of violence. The shooting is currently being investigated as an assault on a federal officer and terrorism, with the US Department of Justice confirming plans to seek the death penalty. Rubio called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords Thai military personnel walk near the forested disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia in the Chong Bok area in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. File image/Reuters The US State Department urged Cambodian and Thai forces to halt their clashes, warning that renewed fighting is jeopardising a ceasefire brokered earlier this year with support from President Trump. In a Monday press statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is concerned by the escalating violence. Hostilities resumed Sunday after an incident that left two Thai soldiers wounded, prompting tens of thousands of civilians to flee the border region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubio called for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, which were signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The agreement, reached with pressure from Trump, who threatened to suspend trade privileges for both nations, was also backed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, which have flared for centuries, spiked again in July over disputed territory. The five-day confrontation left dozens dead on both sides and forced more than 100,000 civilians to evacuate border areas. On Tuesday, Charnvirakul said his government will support all kinds of military operations as planned earlier, insisting such actions are necessary to defend Thailands sovereignty and security. Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, now Senate president and father of the current prime minister, said on Telegram that Cambodia firmly adheres to resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law. Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia spread to more parts of their contested border on Tuesday, forcing a mass exodus of civilians as the renewed hostilities derailed a US-brokered truce. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At least 10 soldiers and civilians have been killed on both sides in the latest spate of fighting, officials said, while more than 140,000 civilians have fled the areas near where jets, tanks and drones were waging battle. The Thai army said three soldiers have been killed and 29 wounded since Monday, while Cambodias defence ministry said seven of its civilians have been killed and about 20 wounded. As conflict along the ThailandCambodia border intensified once again, US President Donald Trump said he would personally intervene after a recent truce he co-signed collapsed within weeks. The renewed clashes have forced mass evacuations and drawn urgent calls from Washington for both sides to halt hostilities. Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump referred to the latest outbreak of violence while listing past conflicts he claimed to have halted. He remarked, It pains me to say this, but Cambodia and Thailand started today. Tomorrow I have to make a phone call Im going to stop a war between two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia, with just one phone call. We are creating peace through strength. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Washington urges return to truce amid rising pressure The US pressed for immediate calm on Tuesday, urging Thailand and Cambodia to abide by the peace agreement signed on October 26. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the deal. Trump stated that he would try again to halt the fighting, highlighting his role in securing a ceasefire on July 28 that ended five days of deadly clashes. The current surge in violence marks the most serious breach of the agreement that he presided over. Although both nations maintain working ties with the US and China, Thailand holds the status of a major non-Nato ally of the US, whereas Cambodia has grown particularly close to China and has granted Beijing access to a naval base in contested South China Sea waters. Clashes prompt large-scale evacuations The fighting, which reignited over the weekend, has displaced tens of thousands. The Thai government said on Wednesday that more than 180,000 people have been moved to safer areas since the border conflict resumed. By late Tuesday, 180,125 people had been evacuated from Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin and Buriram provinces, according to the public relations department. Trump spoke with UKs Starmer, Germanys Merz, and Frances Macron to advance peace efforts, while delegations from Ukraine and the US are scheduled to meet today to discuss plans for the countrys postwar reconstruction and economic development Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pose on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, following a meeting of the leaders inside. AP File US President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron in a joint phone call aimed at advancing peace in Ukraine, while delegations from Ukraine and the US are scheduled to meet today to discuss plans for the countrys postwar reconstruction and economic development. According to a CNN report, France, Germany and the UK confirmed the call in almost identical statements. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Germanys statement said the leaders discussed the state of talks on ending the Ukraine war and agreed that intensive work on the peace plan is to continue in the coming days. They also concurred that it was a crucial moment for Ukraine and for common security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The discussion comes amid increasingly strained USEurope relations after Trump labelled European leaders weak and decaying in an interview to Politico earlier this week. The three European leaders had met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London days earlier as proposals between Kyiv, Washington and Moscow continue to circulate. Frances Elysee Palace said the leaders welcomed US efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine, noting that coordination would continue. Downing Street echoed this, saying the leaders agreed that this was a critical moment for Ukraine, its people and for shared security across the Euro-Atlantic region. In his Politico interview on Monday, Trump urged Zelenskyy to get on the ball and start accepting things, accusing the Ukrainian president of not reading his multi-point peace plan. US-Ukraine talks on reconstruction Shortly after the leaders call with Trump, Zelenskyy announced that delegations from Ukraine and the United States would meet today to discuss plans for Ukraines reconstruction and economic development once the war with Russia ends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We continue to communicate with all our partners on a daily basis, virtually 24/7, to identify feasible and realistic steps to end the war, CNN quoted Zelenskyy as saying in a Telegram post. Everything must be reliable and dignified for Ukraine, he added. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is finalising 20 points of a fundamental document that could outline the parameters for ending the war. He expects the plan to be submitted to the US in the near future, after further joint work with American and European officials. He had earlier signalled the updated proposal could potentially be handed to Washington today. He added that the Coalition of the Willing a group of countries backing intensified efforts to end the war will meet tomorrow to continue discussions. This week may bring news for all of us and an end to the bloodshed, Zelenskyy said. We believe that there is no alternative to peace, and the key questions are how to force Russia to stop the killings and what specifically will deter Russia from a third invasion, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Among those sanctioned is Russian media outlet Rybar, whose Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages reaches millions worldwide, said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper Britain on Tuesday sanctioned entities it accused of distorting information in favour of Russia as well as two Chinese companies for alleged cyber activities against the United Kingdom and its allies. Across Europe, we are witnessing an escalation in hybrid threats from physical through to cyber and information warfare designed to destabilise our democracies, weaken our critical national infrastructure, and undermine our interests, all for the advantage of malign foreign states, said a Foreign Office policy paper released along with the list of new sanctions.Among those sanctioned is Russian media outlet Rybar, whose Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages reaches millions worldwide, said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. It used classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake investigations and AI driven content to shape narratives about global events in the Kremlins favour, she said. Masquerading as an independent body, Rybar is partially funded by Russias presidential administration, receives funding from state corporations and has worked with Russian intelligence, she said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also sanctioned is the Pravfond Foundation, which has been accused of being a front for Russian GRU foreign intelligence agency. Leaked reports suggest that Pravfond finances the promotion of Kremlin narratives to Western audiences as well as bankrolling legal defences for convicted Russian assassins and arms traffickers, Cooper said. Also hit was Alexander Dugin, a nationalist Russian philosopher widely thought to have influenced much of President Vladimir Putins thinking, and his think tank, the Centre for Geopolitical Expertise. Dugin has most notably championed neo-Eurasianism, a doctrine that says Russia must liberate the world from Western excesses by building an empire stretching from Europe to Asia. London also targeted Chinese-based i-Soon and Integrity Technology Group, for their vast and indiscriminate cyberactivities against the UK and its allies, Cooper said. Attacks like this impact our collective security and our public services, yet those responsible operate with little regard for who or what they target, she said. And so we are ensuring that such reckless activity does not go unchecked. The Trump administration has cancelled 85,000 visas since January as part of a sweeping expansion of national security vetting, including thousands of student visas revoked over safety and criminal concerns The Trump administrations sharpened focus on immigration control has resulted in a substantial surge in visa cancellations, with the US State Department confirming that 85,000 visas have been revoked since January. The move reflects a broader programme of tightened national-security screening and expanded vetting across multiple categories of visa holders. In a post on X, the department stated, 85,000 visa revocations since January. President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate, and they wont stop anytime soon, pairing the message with an image of Trump carrying the slogan Make America Safe Again. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 85,000 visa revocations since January. President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate, and they won't stop anytime soon pic.twitter.com/fbNYw9wj71 Department of State (@StateDept) December 9, 2025 A senior State Department official told CNN that more than 8,000 of the revoked visas were student visas, more than double last years figure. According to the official, DUIs, assaults, and theft accounted for nearly half of all cancellations, focusing on individuals regarded as a direct threat to our communities safety. Other causes included visa overstays, criminal concerns, and support for terrorism. Expanded vetting and paused immigration pathways The administration has widened continuous vetting to all 55 million visa holders, allowing authorities to revoke visas whenever new information emerges. It has also begun re-examining green card applications from countries of concern, paused asylum decisions, and halted visas for Afghans who assisted US forces. Machado, a prominent figure challenging the Venezuelan government, was named a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her commitment to democracy and human rights Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures at a protest ahead of the Friday inauguration of President Nicolas Maduro for his third term, in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 9, 2025. Reuters File Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is travelling to Oslo but will not be present at Wednesdays Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, organisers confirmed, as reported by AFP. Her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado, will receive the award on her behalf, and deliver her mothers prepared speech. Machado has been operating under conditions of extreme risk and often in hiding within Venezuela. The Norwegian Nobel Institute, which organises the prize, issued a statement expressing relief and satisfaction, despite her absence from the main event. Although she will not be able to reach the ceremony and todays events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe and that she will be with us in Oslo, the Institute stated, describing her travel as a journey in a situation of extreme danger. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The exact timing of her arrival remains uncertain. Erik Aasheim, a spokesman for the Institute, told AFP, Maria is coming to Oslo, but we do not know when. Machado, a prominent figure challenging the Venezuelan government, was named a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her commitment to democracy and human rights. Why Maria Corina Machado wont attend the Nobel Prize ceremony Machado has appeared in public only once since she went into hiding in August 2024 during an intense standoff with President Nicolas Maduro. According to The Guardian, Venezuelas attorney general warned that the 58-year-old opposition leader would be treated as a fugitive if she tried to leave the country to receive the prize. She has been absent from public view since January 9, following a brief detention after she participated in a protest with supporters in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. In a powerful display of international support and solidarity with Machado, several prominent Latin American heads of state planned to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony on Wednesday. The list of attendees, according to an AP report, included Argentine President Javier Milei, Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa, Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino, and Paraguayan President Santiago Pena. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With eyes on Pakistans critical minerals, the Donald Trump administration of the United States has announced $1.25 billion in funding for the Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan. The project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in export potential in the first year. US President Donald Trump meets Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on September 25, 2025, at White House. (Photo: White House) With eyes on Pakistans critical minerals, the Donald Trump administration of the United States on Wednesday announced $1.25 billion in funding for the Reko Diq mining project in the restive Balochistan province. In a statement, Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker announced that the US Export-Import Bank (Exim) has approved financing of $1.25 billion to support the mining of critical minerals at the Reco Diq project. She dubbed it as a win-win arrangement for both the countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the coming years, Exims project financing will bring in up to $2 billion in high quality US mining equipment and services needed to build and operate the Reco Diq mine along with creating an estimated 6,000 jobs in the US and 7,500 jobs in Baluchistan, Pakistan, said Baker. The Reco Diq mine is considered to potentially have one of the worlds largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits. Once operational, the Reco Dig project is expected to generate $2.8 billion in export potential in the first year, according to Arab News. With a new commitment of $1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the U.S.-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan. Watch Charge dAffaires Natalie Bakers message to hear how this financing will be a game-changer for U.S. businesses and local Pakistani pic.twitter.com/8EklYNLQpX U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) December 10, 2025 In Trumps second term, the US-Pakistan relationship has improved exponentially. He has joined hands with Pakistan for joint extraction of natural resources and made the country central to his policy in Asia. At the same time, he has plunged the relationship with India to the lowest point in decades. Trump administration looks at Reco Diq project as model The Trump administration wants to develop the Reco Diq project as a model for mining projects that will benefit US exporters as well as local Pakistani communities and partners, according to Baker. We look forward to seeing further agreements between US companies and their Pakistani counterparts in the critical minerals and mining sector, said Baker. The Reco Diq financing has been described as one of the largest US partnerships in Pakistans minerals sector, according to Arab News. While the Trump administration has announced the financing, the project itself is owned by Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold (50 per cent) along with the federal and provincial governments (25 per cent each). The total cost of the project is around $7 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Reco Diq project is central to Pakistans effort to expand exports, attract foreign investment, and open the countrys largely untapped critical minerals reserves, according to Arab News. Project Resource Operator/Partner Status Saindak Copper & Gold MCC (China) Active. Operational for decades; criticized for low local revenue share. Reko Diq Copper & Gold Barrick Gold (Canada) Development. Massive deal signed; aiming for production by 2028. Sui Natural Gas PPL (Pakistan state) Depleting. Historic field, now facing declining output. Pakistan has pushed for the projects operationalisation at a time when coppers demand is high across the world in several sectors, such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy products, and artificial intelligence (AI) hardware. Saudi Arabias Manara Minerals has also expressed intent to acquire a 15 per cent stake in the project, as per Arab News. Despite Balochistans abundance in natural resources, the region remains one of the least developed in Pakistan because of the decadeslong self-determination movement in the province. Groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) oppose the Pakistani regimes control and remain in conflict with it. Over the years, there have been frequent attacks on not just Pakistani state institutions and personnel in the province but also on foreign nationals and projects most notably Chinese personnel. Such security concerns have meant that projects have not taken off over the years. Zelenskyy said that he personally does not mind elections, but would require security from Ukraines allies for the polls to take place, and only then can the country hold them in the next three months Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris. X / @ZelenskyyUa/File image Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is ready to hold a wartime election within three months, as US President Donald Trump accused him of clinging to power. In a reply to Trumps comment on polls, Zelenskyy said, This is a question for the people of Ukraine, not people from other states, with all due respect to our partners. Since this question is raised today by the president of the United States of America, our partners, I will answer very briefly: look, I am ready for elections, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zelenskyy further said that he personally does not mind elections, but would require security from Ukraines allies for the polls to take place, and only then can the country hold them in the next three months. What did Trump say? In an interview with Politico, Trump said, They havent had an election in a long time. You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where its not a democracy any more. Zelenskyys five-year term expired last May, but the Ukrainian constitution bars elections during wartime. Even his political opponents have consistently acknowledged that current security and political conditions make holding an election impossible. Serhiy Rakhmanin, an MP from the opposition Holos party, said, It would only cause harm. Hes the commander-in-chief, and the country is in a position where we dont have that luxury, whatever issues we might have with him. It would only help the enemy. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been critical of Ukrainian democracy. Last month, Putin asserted that Ukraines current leadership lacks legitimacy and argued that there is no point in entering into any agreements with it. Zelenskyy seeks advice Zelenskyy said the main challenges to resolve are, first, the logistical problem of enabling soldiers, millions of displaced citizens, and people living under occupation to vote, and second, the legal question of how elections could be held while martial law remains in force. He sought advice from Ukraines allies on securing the elections and from MPs on how to amend the law to allow them. I am waiting for proposals from partners, I am waiting for proposals from our MPs, and I am ready to go to the elections, the president said. Microsoft on Tuesday announced its largest-ever investment in Asia, committing US$17.5 billion (Rs. 1.5 lakh crore approx.) over four years (20262029) to expand AI infrastructure, skilling, and operations in India. The announcement follows a meeting between Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the leaders discussed Indias AI roadmap and growth priorities. Investment Focus: Scale, Skills, and Sovereignty The investment builds on a previous US$3 billion commitment and will focus on three areas: cloud and AI infrastructure, workforce skilling, and digital sovereignty solutions. Microsoft aims to enable AI-driven services at population scale, supporting Indias transition from digital public infrastructure to AI public infrastructure. Microsoft employs more than 22,000 people across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurugram, Noida, and other cities. Teams contribute to AI development across Microsoft products and platforms, including Copilot Studio, Azure AI Search, AI agents, AI speech and translation services, and Azure Machine Learning. Expanding Indias AI Infrastructure A major priority is building secure, sovereign-ready hyperscale infrastructure. The India South Central cloud region in Hyderabad, scheduled to launch in mid-2026, will be Microsofts largest hyperscale region in India, spanning three availability zones. Existing data centers in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune will also expand, providing organizations with low-latency, resilient performance for enterprises, startups, and public institutions. AI at Population Scale Microsoft plans to integrate AI capabilities into the Ministry of Labour and Employments digital platforms, e-Shram and the National Career Service (NCS). This initiative targets over 310 million informal workers and offers features including multilingual AI-assisted job matching, predictive skill analytics, automated resume creation, and personalized pathways toward formal employment. e-Shram, built on Azures cloud, has expanded social protection coverage from 24% in 2019 to 64% in 2025, according to ILO estimates. The integration of AI tools is designed to strengthen digital public infrastructure and improve the accessibility of employment and welfare services. Building an AI-Ready Workforce Microsoft has doubled its commitment to train 20 million Indians in AI skills by 2030. Through the ADVANTA(I)GE India initiative, delivered by Microsoft Elevate, 5.6 million people have been trained since January 2025, creating over 125,000 employment or entrepreneurial opportunities. Sovereign Digital Solutions To meet compliance and governance requirements, Microsoft introduced Sovereign Public Cloud and Sovereign Private Cloud for Indian customers. These solutions allow organizations to deploy workloads locally with compliance guardrails, policy enforcement, and governance controls. Azure Local now provides high-performance environments with hundreds of nodes, external SAN storage, and NVIDIA GPUs. Microsoft 365 Local, running on Sovereign Private Cloud, is also available in India. By the end of 2025, Microsoft 365 Copilot will process data entirely within India, ensuring governance, compliance, and performance for sectors including government, BFSI, and healthcare. Prime Minister Modi Welcomes the Investment Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the announcement, emphasizing Indias role in global AI development. He stated: When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India! Had a very productive discussion with Mr. Satya Nadella. Happy to see India being the place where Microsoft will make its largest-ever investment in Asia. The youth of India will harness this opportunity to innovate and leverage the power of AI for a better planet. Speaking at the event, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, said, As AI reshapes the digital economy, India remains committed to innovation grounded in trust and sovereignty. Microsofts landmark investment signals Indias emergence as a reliable technology partner for the world. This partnership will set new benchmarks and drive the countrys leap from digital public infrastructure to AI public infrastructure. Commenting on the development, Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, said, Monday Night Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming cloudy with a mix of light rain and snow after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 30%. Israel conducting surveillance on US forces, allies at southern command center: Report Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 7:27 AM A recent report has revealed that Israeli operatives are conducting widespread surveillance of American troops and allies stationed at a new US command center in the southern part of the Israeli-occupied territories, with the US military and allied forces expressing concern over the activities. According to the British daily newspaper The Guardian, the Israeli military has been openly and covertly recording meetings and discussions at the so-called Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) in the industrial zone of Kiryat Gat, a nondescript town about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the border with Gaza. The scale of intelligence gathering prompted the US commander of the base, Lieutenant General Patrick Frank, to summon his Israeli counterpart for a meeting to tell him that "recording has to stop here," the paper cited unnamed sources briefed on disputes about the recordings. Staff and visitors from other countries - who were not identified in the report - have also raised concerns about Israel's recording inside the CMCC. The Guardian also reported that some have been told to avoid sharing sensitive information because of the risk it could be recorded and exploited. "The US military declined to comment when asked about Israeli surveillance activities. The Israeli military declined to comment on Frank's demand to halt recording and noted that conversations inside the CMCC are unclassified," the report went on to say. The Israeli military dismissed assertions that it is "gathering intelligence" on its partners, saying it was documenting and summarizing meetings through what it described as a "transparent and agreed-upon manner." The CMCC was set up in October to purportedly monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas through an operations room that allows staff to assess developments in Gaza in real time. US Central Command (CENTCOM) considers it to be the main coordination aid hub for Gaza. The center is also responsible for drawing up plans for Gaza's future. The CMCC is based at the former site of the now-debunked and controversial aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Fund, whose food distribution sites became death traps for hundreds of Palestinians. The center brings together military planners from the US, Israel and other allied countries, including the UK and the United Arab Emirates. Visitors to the CMCC include both diplomats and humanitarian aid workers who have been posted to the Israeli-occupied territories. There are no representatives of Palestinian civilian or humanitarian organizations, or the Palestinian Authority, stationed there. They have been excluded from discussions at the CMCC. Even efforts to bring Palestinians into talks through video calls were repeatedly cut off by Israeli officials. Diplomats and aid workers are deeply wary of work conducted at the CMCC as they are concerned that the center excludes Palestinians from being involved in planning discussions for Gaza's future, does not have an international mandate, could be breaking international law, and mixes military and humanitarian work. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For Dec. 9, 2025 NAVY Science Applications International Corp., Reston, Virginia, was awarded a $241,650,962 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quality contract for Propulsion Test Facility Complex operations and maintenance. This contract has a 60-month ordering period during which delivery and task orders will be issued. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy (85%) and the governments of Australia (2%), Brazil (2%), Canada (2%), Egypt (1%), India (2%), Japan (2%), Netherlands (2%), and Turkey (2%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Newport, Rhode Island (56%); Middletown, Rhode Island (38%); Keyport, Washington (3%); and Bedford, Indiana (3%), and is expected to be completed by November 2030. Service cost center funds in the amount of $5,000,000 will be obligated on the first task order immediately following award of the basic contract and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via SAM.gov, with one offer received. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, Rhode Island is the contracting activity (N66604-26-D-A600) (Awarded Oct. 22, 2025). Centurum Information Technology, Inc.,* Marlton, New Jersey (N66001-26-D-0023); Serco, Inc. Herndon, Virginia. (N66001-26-D-0024); Systems Engineering Support Company, Inc.,* San Diego, California (N66001-26-D-0025); and VT Milcom, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (N66001-26-D-0026) are each awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee/cost-only, indefinite-quantity/indefinite-delivery contract to provide production management, integration, fabrication, and system and component procurement for Network Integration Engineering Facility (NIEF) production services. Technical services include basic research, end-to-end system design, prototype development, systems engineering, integration, deployment, and life cycle support of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. The estimated value of each contract is $95,988,347. Throughout the duration of the awarded contracts, the total obligated amount on orders for all the awarded contracts combined will not exceed $95,988,347. Work will be performed in San Diego and is expected to be completed by December 2032. No funds will be obligated at the time of award however, a minimum guarantee task order of $10,000 will be issued under each contract immediately after contract award. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) and Fiscal 2026 research development test & evaluation (Navy) funding in the cumulative amount of $40,000 will be obligated. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the task order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with four offers received. Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific is the contracting activity. Fairlead Boatworks Inc.* Newport News, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0001); Colonna's Shipyard Inc.* Norfolk, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0002); East Coast Repair and Fabrication LLC* Portsmouth, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0003); Atlantic Fabrication and Boiler Services Inc.* Portsmouth, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0004); Tecnico Corporation* Chesapeake, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0005); Lyon Shipyard Inc.* Norfolk, Virginia (N50054-26-D-0006), are each being awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity, multiple award contract for the management, labor, supplies, and equipment deemed necessary to provide marine boatyard and industrial support which includes specific modifications, upgrades, service life extension and repairs to boats, craft, lighterage and service craft and/or their associated systems and periodic maintenance. Fairlead Boatworks Inc. is being awarded $13,722,950, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $79,238,437. Colonna's Shipyard Inc. is being awarded $10,769,630, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $61,896,432. East Coast Repair and Fabrication LLC is being awarded $10,279,571, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $58,790,737. Atlantic Fabrication and Boiler Services Inc. is being awarded $8,568,700, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $52,859,978. Tecnico Corporation is being awarded $9,017,032, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $52,223,540. Lyon Shipyard Inc. is being awarded $8,924,708, and if all options are exercised the total value will be $51,519,558. If all options are exercised, the shared ceiling amongst all awardees is $79,238,437. Work will be primarily performed within a 100-mile radius of Norfolk, Virginia. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 11, 2026, and if all options are exercised, work will continue until Dec. 10, 2030. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $30,000 ($5,000 per contract) will be obligated for the minimum guarantee and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This multiple award contract was procured as a small business set-aside via the System for Award Management website with fifteen offers received. Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is awarded a $49,200,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to convert, test, and deliver existing Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement Extra Long Wheelbase cargo armored vehicles into an equal number of Condition Code "A" Resupply Vehicles for the United States Marine Corps. All work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with an expected completion date of November 2030. The maximum dollar value, including all ordering years, is $49,200,000. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii). Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-26-D-0024). The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, is awarded a $31,664,536 modification (P00040) to a cost-plus-fixed fee order (N0001920F0647) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001916G0001). This modification exercises an option to procure three P-8A Increment 3 retrofit kit installations in support of the Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities upgrades for the Navy. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (79.6%); St. Louis, Missouri (10.9%); and Mesa, Arizona (9.5%), and is expected to be completed January 2027. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $31,664,536 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Northridge, California, was awarded a ceiling $ 100,000,000 cost-reimbursement/firm-fixed-rice, indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract for Stand-in Attack Weapon and Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range. This contract provides for efforts to support work that is aligned with the Stand-in Attack Weapon Middle Tier Acquisition and to support both production and research and development for Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range hardware design and development, systems engineering and integration, system modeling, qualification and testing as well as repair capability for delivered test assets. Work will be performed at Northridge, California and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2034. This contract was a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2025 research and development funds in the amount of $18,701 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. (FA865926DB002) ARMY BFBC LLC, Bozeman, Montana, was awarded a $78,926,000 firm-fixed-price contract for design-build construction services of approximately six miles of protective barrier fencing with a five-foot anti-climb plate, access gate installations and roadway improvements within the National Defense Area 1, Roosevelt Corridor near Antelope Wells, New Mexico. Work will be performed in Hachita, New Mexico, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2026. Fiscal 2023 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $78,926,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, is the contracting activity (W912PL-26-C-A002). Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for support of foreign military sales (FMS) customers with UH-60A/L/M helicopter. The amount of this action is $43,612,272. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2030. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity (W912CH-25-D-0063). Lockheed Martin, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $35,810,336.90 modification (P00023) to contract W58RGZ-21-C-0016 for performance-based logistics supporting depot-level maintenance of Apache Attack Helicopters (AH-64) Sensors components, specifically the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (MTADS/PNVS), including all obsolescence replacement configurations, upgrades and United States Government-approved components. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $363,776,446.58. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026. Fiscal 2026 Army working capital funds in the amount of $35,810,336.90 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. CTI Companies LLC,* Ogden, Utah, was awarded a $23,601,009.39 firm-fixed-price contract for the Defense Logistics Agency Warehouse Renovation Project in Tucson, Arizona. The total cumulative face value is $24,276,244.44. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 8, 2027. Fiscal 2022 sustainment, restoration and modernization funds, fiscal 2023 equipment funds, and fiscal 2024 capital funds in the combined amount of $23,601,009.39 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, is the contracting activity (W912DW-26-C-0002). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Bestwork Industries for the Blind Inc.,* Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $68,200,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for extreme cold weather sleeping bag system. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Dec. 8, 2030. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-B002). Seashore Fruit & Produce Co. Inc.,** Vineland, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $875,419,538 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruits and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with four responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is New York, with a Nov. 30, 2030, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Department of Agriculture. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2031 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE300-26-D-P448). (Awarded on December 3, 2025) SOCOM SOF Landing LLC, Sanford, N.C. was awarded a $11,799,905.00 (contract ceiling) Firm-Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract (Contract Number H9223926DE001) for medical training caprines in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command. The period of performance includes five 12-month ordering periods and five option periods. The combined periods begin Jan. 1, 2026 and end Dec. 31, 2035. $41,940.00 is being obligated at the time of award. U.S. Army Special Operations Command, headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity. *Small business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4355873/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spanish Government condemns entry into UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 123 Monday, December 8, 2025 The Spanish Government condemns the entry into the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem by Israeli security forces, in violation of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations agency. The Government urges respect for international law and the international obligations assumed by all Member States of the United Nations, and calls on Israel to allow UNRWA to continue to fulfil its mandate without limitations or obstacles. The Government reiterates its support for UNRWA, a fundamental and irreplaceable actor in the resolution of the conflict between Palestine and Israel, as well as in its efforts to alleviate the unbearable humanitarian crisis in Gaza. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on Cambodia-Thailand border Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 9 December 2025 Category: International relations The Australian Government is deeply concerned by the escalation of tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border and reports of civilian and military casualties. We call on both sides to abide by the 28 July ceasefire agreement, exercise maximum restraint and take urgent steps to de-escalate the situation. We ask both sides to implement their commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, facilitated by President Trump and Prime Minister Anwar as ASEAN Chair, rebuild trust and confidence, and pursue a peaceful and sustainable resolution to the border dispute. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President: Strategic Partnership between Bulgaria and the US Opens up Prospects for Achieving Specific Results in the Areas of Investment, Energy, and Defence President of the Republic of Bulgaria 9 December 2025 | 12:47 Head of State receives Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia at the US Department of State The strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the United States creates many opportunities for achieving concrete results in the areas of investment, energy, and defence through joint projects that will benefit both countries. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting with Christopher Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia at the US Department of State. The talk took place at the presidential institution during Christopher Smith's visit to Bulgaria to participate in the third session of the Strategic Dialogue between Bulgaria and the United States in Sofia on 9 December 2025. Rumen Radev and Christopher Smith shared the view that ensuring security and stability in the region is key to stimulating investment exchange, economic development, and prosperity for citizens. The Bulgarian head of state pointed out that maintaining the sustainable positive dynamics in the partnership with the US is a priority for our country. Bulgaria's strategic geographical location is a key factor for expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity, Radev said, adding that these areas create opportunities for joint projects with the participation of the US. In the field of energy, the President pointed out that in the context of the EU's stated intention to gradually phase out Russian gas imports, there are prospects for increasing supplies of liquefied natural gas from the US and other countries through terminals in Greece and Turkiye, to which our country has access. The President stated that this would contribute to strengthening energy diversification not only in our country but also in other countries in the region. The increasing demand for energy resources is also a prerequisite for joint requests for supplies to reduce natural gas prices, the head of state added. The strategic partnership on the modernisation of the Bulgarian army should be developed on the principle of deepening industrial cooperation with the US, in which the Bulgarian defence industry should also be actively involved, Radev said during the meeting. The president also noted the importance of bilateral partnership in the field of defence for the modernisation of military training models. The head of state expressed his expectation for increased US investment in the field of information and communication technologies, as well as artificial intelligence, in which Bulgaria has established itself as a factor in the region thanks to its well-trained and highly qualified specialists. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address December 9, 2025 Release The War Department Unleashes AI on New GenAI.mil Platform The War Department today announced the launch of Google Cloud's Gemini for Government as the first of several frontier AI capabilities to be housed on GenAI.mil, the Department's new bespoke AI platform. This initiative cultivates an "AI-first" workforce, leveraging generative AI capabilities to create a more efficient and battle-ready enterprise. Additional world-class AI models will be available to all civilians, contractors, and military personnel, delivering on the White House's AI Action Plan announced earlier this year. This past July, President Donald Trump instituted a mandate to achieve an unprecedented level of AI technological superiority. The War Department is delivering on this mandate, ensuring it is not just ink on paper. In response to this directive, AI capabilities have now reached all desktops in the Pentagon and in American military installations around the world. The first instance on GenAI.mil, Gemini for Government, empowers intelligent agentic workflows, unleashes experimentation, and ushers in an AI-driven culture change that will dominate the digital battlefield for years to come. Gemini for Government is the embodiment of American AI excellence, placing unmatched analytical and creative power directly into the hands of the world's most dominant fighting force. "There is no prize for second place in the global race for AI dominance," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "We are moving rapidly to deploy powerful AI capabilities like Gemini for Government directly to our workforce. AI is America's next Manifest Destiny, and we're ensuring that we dominate this new frontier." The launch of GenAI.mil stands as a testament to American ingenuity, driven by the AI Rapid Capabilities Cell within the War Department's Office of Research & Engineering. Their achievement directly embodies the Department's core tenets of reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding American military capabilities, and re-establishing deterrence through technological dominance and uncompromising grit. "We are pushing all of our chips in on artificial intelligence as a fighting force. The Department is tapping into America's commercial genius, and we're embedding generative AI into our daily battle rhythm." Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked, "AI tools present boundless opportunities to increase efficiency, and we are thrilled to witness AI's future positive impact across the War Department." The Department is providing no-cost training for GenAI.mil to all DoW employees. Training sessions are designed to build confidence in using AI and give personnel the education needed to realize its full potential. Security is paramount, and all tools on GenAI.mil are certified for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Impact Level 5 (IL5), making them secure for operational use. Gemini for Government provides an edge through natural language conversation, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and is web-grounded against Google Search to ensure outputs are reliable and dramatically reduces the risk of AI hallucinations. GenAI.mil is another building block in America's AI revolution. The War Department is unleashing a new era of operational dominance, where every warfighter wields frontier AI as a force multiplier. The release of GenAI.mil is an indispensable strategic imperative for our fighting force, further establishing the United States as the global leader in AI. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4354916/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas for the Extraordinary Meeting and Exchange of Views with the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs European External Action Service (EEAS) 09.12.2025 EEAS Press Team Dear Chair, Honourable Members of the Committee, It is good to be here with you to wrap up the year. When we met for the first time in November last year, we all knew it was going to be an extremely tough year. So I want first to thank you for your commitment to supporting Europe's role in the world in this tough year. And I'm hopeful it's going to be easier but I'm realistic, I don't think it's going to be easier next year. The tasks I mentioned - which we continue to face - are the greatest challenges of our time: A full-scale war on our continent; Actors actively seeking to change the rules-based international order; And shocks to the global system. But I also underlined the opportunities to expand our foreign policy footprint by: Supporting Ukraine building up our defence collectively, together with our closest allies; And working more closely with partners to strengthen regional stability and economic integration. In twelve months we have made substantial progress. Let me just give you three examples: First, strengthening Europe's security and defence. We secured record funding to support Ukraine's defence, as well as five major sanctions packages against Russia. These deprived Russia of the funds to fund its war machine, tens of billions of euro. But we now need to stick to our guns. The war in Ukraine drags on because Russia refuses to stop. Putin pretends that Europe is the obstacle to peace when nothing could be further away from the truth. This war is taking place on European soil. So how the war ends matters to Europeans. It is not in any of our interests that Russia comes back for more. The cost of supporting Ukraine today pales in comparison to what we would have to spend on a full-scale war in our European Union. Europe has the economic leverage to force a just end to this war. But a lever only works when you use it. That is why we have to work on the Reparations loan and put further sanctions in place. The IMF estimates that Ukraine will need 135 billion euro for 2026 and 2027. The Commission has proposed options to help cover this, including the Reparations Loan. These are decisions that need to be taken collectively, the European way. Giving Ukraine the resources it needs to defend itself does not prolong the war, it can help end it. In parallel, we set the stage for the biggest overhaul of European defence since the European Union's inception; from the White Paper and the Roadmap towards Readiness 2030, to the blueprints for strengthening military mobility. Europe is investing record levels on defence. These strategies will translate that money into capabilities that keep our citizens safe. We have also signed partnerships on Security and Defence with eight countries, including the United Kingdom. These partnerships are already bearing fruit. From European funding to Ukraine with Norway, to working with Japan under our EU military operation - EUNAVFOR Aspides - that protects freedom of navigation at sea. There is always safety in numbers. Only last month, EU and Indian warships for example successfully foiled a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia. This underlines how vital the EU's civilian and military missions and operations are. But I agree that we need to be more focused, with more focused missions and operations, with clearer objectives. Dear members, My second example is the work over the last year to defend multilateralism. Multilateralism means multiple voices around a table: the antidote of power politics. It means collective decision-making for collective challenges. It is a celebration of diversity. It is a conviction that incorporating different perspectives creates better policy all round. Although imperfect, it is the best international system we have. Some openly question it, but we should not. The European Union should instead step up its defence. And you can count on me to do this as well. I think about the Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting, where Syria joined for the first time after fourteen years. This meeting was also the first of its kind, bringing North African, Arab states and Israel together after the horrific Hamas attacks. Two single events I chaired this year brought over 100 delegations to Brussels and more than 70 Ministers to the city. One of those meetings was with the African Union. This focussed on greater collaboration in critical raw materials, to artificial intelligence, regional integration and mobility. Our Global Gateway projects continue to offer win-win opportunities across all of these areas, in Africa and across the globe. The other was the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum. This brought together 64 countries, from the east coast of Africa to the Pacific islands. Here, a major focus was on maritime security and the protection of our undersea infrastructure. Around the table I heard a strong commitment to work together to protect our data cables and increase our resilience against potential threats. We will now take this work forward. Dear members, My third example is the work we have done with our partners across the globe. Starting with our closest neighbours. The case for EU enlargement today is clear. The EU is a stronger player on the world stage when others join. The prospect of a European Union with more than 27 Member States by 2030 is now a realistic goal. There will be a leaders' discussion on enlargement already next week. I also want to mention the steady increase in the alignment of candidate countries with the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. This is not a box-ticking exercise. Rather, it underlines that these countries see the world the way we do and want to shape it with us. We should all welcome this. At the same time, we also see that the closer a country gets to the European Union, the greater the pressure from malign foreign influence. Russia and its proxies are ramping up disinformation campaigns, including in Armenia ahead of next year's election. Moldova was this year's primary target, but also the best proof that this challenge can be overcome. I want to thank this committee for keeping the fight against foreign interference high on the agenda and recognising the urgency of increased ambition and resources to fight it. On my side, we will keep mobilising the External Action Service assets we have created over the last decade while supporting civil society and free media. As we learnt from Moldova, countering foreign interference and defending the integrity of elections requires a 'whole-of-society' approach. Let me add here that I welcome our cooperation on election observation. The European Union has so much experience to offer across the globe in defence of democracy. I look forward to our mutual conference in spring on this important topic. Moving to our partners in the Gulf and Middle East, over the weekend I was in Qatar and Jordan. And in all my discussions, the desire to build a better future for the region, together, was palpable. Gaza's future is front and centre of this work. Yes, there are many challenges. But there are also many opportunities. The European Union is the biggest enabler of a two-state solution because we keep our focus on the practical requirements. For example, for Gaza to be governed by the Palestinians, the Palestinian Authority needs to function effectively and be able to manage the security of the strip. And this is why we are the biggest financial backers of the Palestinian Authority and a champion of reform. Our EUPOL COPPS mission is ready to be deployed to train the future Palestinian police. And the EU adds value by addressing the entire criminal justice chain. We can train prosecutors and judges, support the Palestinian Judicial Institute in Ramallah, and help harmonise Gaza's criminal code with the West Bank. Beyond Gaza, we are contributing to regional security. This includes military-to-military confidence-building measures in Lebanon, to dialogues with Syrian civil society. We were also the first ones to lift sanctions on Syria in an effort to support reconstruction in the country. So speaking of our partners, I want to address here a concern I think is on all our minds. The U.S. National Security Strategy sends a clear message that we should be more self-confident. When it comes to Russia, yes, but also China. And sometimes, regarding our allies, like the United States. But it is as a citizen who has lived under an autocratic regime I can tell you - and there are many of us who have lived under autocratic regimes -the European Union is the very essence of freedom. So any such criticism regarding liberties here, should be aimed in a different direction. Russia, perhaps, where dissent is banned, where free media is banned, where political opposition is banned, where 'X' is in fact also banned. The European Union is 27 countries who have voluntarily chosen to work together, and we have several more who want to join. That shows the quality of us. Dear Members, The EU has significant economic leverage in the world. We have more leverage towards China, for example, than we tend to think. Our new Economic Security Strategy spells out all the tools we have. If we use them proactively, we can protect our companies and European industry. At the same time, Europe's leverage does not come for free. If we want to increase it, we need to increase our resources and use them more strategically. As we enter negotiations on the next long-term budget, I know I can count on the Parliament's support for our Global Europe envelope and a strong administrative budget also to manage our 145 Delegations all across the world. I would also like to address the ongoing investigation here which prompted two resignations. I reiterate our full cooperation with the investigation and our complete transparency. I have full confidence in the authorities that due process is observed and that the presumption of innocence is maintained. I also have absolute confidence in the staff of the External Action Service who deliver every day for our Union and defend our interests all across the world. Let me very briefly conclude. We have to celebrate what we have achieved this year as a Union and considering that we have been under extreme pressure. But at the same time, we must acknowledge that we are only just beginning. I welcome your continued engagement on foreign policy and repeat my commitment to remain engaged with the European Parliament. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opening remarks by High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas at the 26th EU-NGO Human Rights Forum European External Action Service (EEAS) 09.12.2025 EEAS Press Team Dear Human Rights Defenders, This is the 26th time we hold the Human Rights Forum But 26 years on, we still have plenty of challenges before us. As this is my first time here, I will seize the opportunity to tell you how I see human rights as part of our foreign policy. One thing is what we do and another thing is how we do it. So I also want to talk today about the European Union's approach in defending human rights. The 'how' also has a lot to do with you, which is why it is good to be together today. Starting with the "what". I have three points. First, Human Rights are a strategic asset. That is especially true today, when the world is more geopolitical, contested and transactional than ever before. If we are to help shape this strange new world, we need to adjust. But it is a mistake to think that we must choose between our interests and values. Our values are also our interests. At the same time, our ability to lead on norms, quality and standard setting, including on human rights and democracy, depends on our being an economic powerhouse. For the EU to stay competitive and innovative means making complex choices and partnerships. Making policy is like making sausagesyou may like the result, but you don't necessarily want to know how and what goes into the sausage. The clearest example of the sausage machine today is a paradoxical one. While the EU was established as a peace project, we now find ourselves with an existential war raging on our doorstep for four years already. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine requires historic efforts from the European Union. But it has not stopped us from working to protect human rights and democracy. In fact, we have doubled down on our efforts to support both. The work we are doing to address accountability for war crimes and help the Ukrainian people to address horrendous breeches of human rights, is part of this. Ukraine is also pursuing remarkable reforms in an effort to join the European Union. But the accusations of double standards when it comes to the conflict in Gaza have not fallen on deaf ears. Let me underline that our approach is no different. The only difference is the division amongst Member States as to the policy we pursue which puts limits on what we can achieve. But our consistent support for the ceasefire, my personal intervention to get humanitarian aid in, our pushing for a sustainable peace based on international law, human rights and the two-state solution, is just as persistent. The EU's action to protect human rights is worldwide. And I am absolutely determined, together with our Member States and the European Parliament, to maintain a world-leading level of funding for human rights and democracy around the globe. Second, Human Rights and international law is the basis of the EU's foreign policy. The EU is committed to the international rules-based order. Because the ultimate power of the law is simple: it is always a chance for progress. That is why the European Union continues to support international law and multilateral institutions, norms and procedures. We were also instrumental in setting these up so we have to ensure our own compliance across the board. A commitment to human rights informs every aspect of our external policy, including ensuring commitments to human rights before granting Free Trade Agreements or trade preferences. We can then use these tools to promote and enforce international standards. The EU, with our Member States, is the largest provider of development and humanitarian cooperation in the world. The fact that we pursue a human rights-based approach for all EU external assistance, including in our premier investment strategy, Global Gateway, is no small feat. Third, Human Rights are the foundation for durable peace. This year we marked the ten-year anniversary of the EU's policy on transitional justice. At its core, this policy rests on the conviction that there can be no sustainable peace without justice, no reconciliation without truth and no lasting stability without the rule of law. These sound like lofty principles but our practice proves they're not: we support justice sector reform in the Central African Republic, including the country's Special Criminal Court. We are moving fast to get the Special Tribunal for Ukraine up and running. For 9 years already we have hosted a "Day of Dialogue" with Syrian civil society representatives, held for the first time this year in Damascus. Some weeks ago, the EU supported the decision by the UN Human Rights Council to set up an independent investigation to gather evidence on allegations of human rights violations in Afghanistan. Now, on the 'how'. Two more points. Number one: Protecting Human Rights start from home. If the EU wants to be credible in promoting and protecting human rights abroad, we need to fight inequality and promote non-discrimination right here in the European Union. We know that we have our own challenges. But we are not afraid to recognise our own imperfections. Awareness of a problem does not mean resigning to it. Rather, acknowledging and accepting a struggle is the first step toward working on it. And it is also an excellent starting point for dialogue with others on their own challenges. Moreover, standing up for human rights is a treaty obligation of the European Union. This is why we have a Charter of Fundamental Rights. This is also why the European Union funds a specialised independent body, the Fundamental Rights Agency, to provide research, surveys and give expert advice to policymakers. We actually invite constructive criticism because it pushes us to do better. Because if we cannot look in the mirror, we can hardly ask others to do so. And number two: defending Human Rights is a team sport. Individuals, groups, NGOs and civil society are part of our team fighting for, monitoring and alerting about human rights violations worldwide. There are many sceptics out there who question why the EU pays so much attention to human rights defenders and civil society representatives. The primary responsibility for protecting human rights lies with states. But you have the experience and skills we do not have ourselves: NGOs often have better access to sources, especially in the field. You know that victims are often more willing to speak to NGO representatives than to government officials. NGOs are persistent - if not to say stubborn!. They are staffed by people like you, driven by the strength of their convictions. They are often aided by volunteers passionate and fully dedicated to their causes. NGOs "stay on message" and provide continuity. This can be lacking where governments, especially foreign services, rotate people from one posting to the next. NGOs also stay with an issue for the long run, setting up monitoring mechanisms that give feedback quickly and with accuracy. And working closely with NGOs acts as a force multiplier. It is like having an extra department or two in your Foreign Ministry. This is why we are happy to support NGOs through our cooperation programmes. But because we place such importance on working with individuals like you, ten years ago we set up the Protect Defenders programme, together with 12 NGOs, to offer robust support when you come under pressure. We provide emergency support, temporary relocation, training and much more. For instance, we provided emergency relocation support for a journalist from Peru who disappeared following work on freedom of expression. When a defender in Myanmar faced imminent detention and legal action, we arranged their urgent relocation to safety. Or an organisation in Georgia was under cyberattack so we helped it boost its security setup. I could go on, because through this mechanism, we have supported some 94 thousand human rights defenders worldwide since the program started in 2015. Dear friends, Let me end with a personal reflection. Until I was a teenager, I had little understanding of what human rights meant in real life because I was living under occupation. Or that in 1948, the world community had agreed on a Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by a multinational committee that Eleanor Roosevelt of the United States chaired. And that this Universal Declaration codified five categories of rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural. Which were defined as being indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. My lived experience was totally different. It was that we could not vote in free and fair elections, write or speak as we wanted or count on an independent judiciary. We could not study what we wanted, work where we chose or celebrate our language and traditions. You get the picture. It was only when the opportunity arose to reinstate independence and the rule of law that I began to experience what human rights really meant in everyday life. And that is when civil society, as we know it, was able to function again in my country. It is because of this, that I remember a time without human rights that I value them so highly. And why I value your work so highly. Human rights defenders and independent civil society are the lifeblood of more equal and resilient societies. You raise awareness, you make noise, you give a voice to those who cannot speak. Thank you for doing this. And keep on doing what you do! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finnish Border Guard's powers related to preparedness to be strengthened Finnish Government Ministry of the Interior Publication date 9.12.2025 16.12 Type:Press release The Government proposes improvements to the Finnish Border Guard's preparedness and its ability to respond to the requirements of the changed security and operating environment. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a government proposal for an act amending the Border Guard Act and certain related acts. According to the proposal, the Finnish Border Guard's powers in normal conditions will be extended, especially at the internal borders of the Schengen area and in sea areas. "Rapid and long-lasting changes have taken place in Finland's security environment. It is essential to develop the powers of the Border Guard so that we can respond to the challenges of the changed security environment. We must ensure that border guards can operate efficiently and effectively at all borders in all situations," says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen. In future, the Finnish Border Guard could carry out checks at internal borders that are limited in time and area to maintain border security even if internal border controls have not been temporarily reinstated. The aim is to improve the situational awareness of the Border Guard at internal borders and to reduce the need for the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls. The Government proposes a new duty for the Finnish Border Guard to supervise critical undersea infrastructure and the related powers in Finland's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone. In accordance with the Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Border Guard would also have the right in the exclusive economic zone to board and inspect any vessel suspected of not flying a flag and any Finnish vessel flying a foreign flag or refusing to show its flag. The legislative proposal also includes amendments and clarifications to the provisions concerning, for example, technical surveillance and surveillance of the electromagnetic spectrum carried out by the Border Guard, as well as interception of the path of unmanned vehicles. The intention is also to clarify the legislation on the integration of border guard forces into the Finnish Defence Forces. According to the Government Programme, the powers of the Border Guard will be developed to meet the demands of the security environment. The Government will examine the need to increase the powers of the Border Guard at internal borders in accordance with the practices of other EU Member States and increase those powers as appropriate. The Government will also carry out an overall review of the regulation on incidents and crisis situations in all administrative branches. The project has taken into account the conclusions of previous preliminary studies and examined other needs for legislative amendments related to preparedness. The government proposal will be submitted to Parliament in spring 2026. The proposed acts are scheduled to enter into force on 1 August 2026 at the latest. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Minister Valtonen at the UN Security Council meeting Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 9.12.2025 Speeches Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, 8 December 2025. Madam President. Excellencies, Thank you for the opportunity to address the Security Council as Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE. Fifty years ago, in 1975, the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe gathered in Finland and adopted the Helsinki Final Act, laying the foundation for today's OSCE. Its principles mirror the UN Charter: sovereign equality, territorial integrity, inviolability of frontiers, refraining from the threat or use of force, and respect for human rights. For five decades, the OSCE has been the guardian of these principles, and held States accountable. It continues to do so. In the depths of the Cold War, what made the Helsinki spirit groundbreaking, was the recognition that security is not merely a matter of regulating behaviour between governments it is inseparable from the rights of individuals. Granting fundamental rights to their citizens is a duty for each participating state. In the years to come, the spirit of Helsinki helped ordinary people - suffering from oppression behind the Iron Curtain - to see hope and eventually "tear down that wall". That same spirit can still today be witnessed across the OSCE region. Again, the force for good lies with the people. And given the choice, the people choose freedom. That's what the Helsinki principles are all about. Madame President, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is the largest and longest war in Europe since the Second World War. In Ukraine, Russia is violating the UN Charter and each of the ten Helsinki principles. Supporting Ukraine and promoting accountability for violations of international law have been at the heart of the work of our Chairpersonship of the OSCE. I call on all to support Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace - as soon as possible. I am convinced that the way this war ends will decisively shape the future of peace and stability not only in Europe, but across the world. It will also highlight the extent to which the aggressor - a Permanent Member of this Council - will respect the UN Charter and the tenth Helsinki Principle, which requires that obligations under international law must be fulfilled in good faith. During our Chairpersonship we have taken steps to ensure that accountability follows from Russia's violations of international law, including the unlawful deportation of children. For instance, through the OSCE Support Program for Ukraine, we have helped register missing children and support their rehabilitation. Madame President, While Ukraine has been central to our work in the OSCE, I am happy to report that our engagement with the OSCE region has been broad, with peace mediation at the core of several efforts: In Moldova, we underlined Moldova's ownership of the Transnistrian settlement process as well as our support for revitalizing it. We remind Russia of its 1999 Istanbul Summit commitment to withdraw forces and equipment unconditionally and without delay. The OSCE and its Mission stand ready to dismantle the Cobasna arms depot in Transnistria, which also poses an environmental risk to the local population. In the South Caucasus, the world has witnessed positive developments in the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In August, we reached a consensus to close the Minsk Structures dealing with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicta vital step to support the peace process. In Georgia, we reaffirmed our commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. We addressed democratic backsliding and highlighted the role of civil society. It is for the people of Georgia to decide on their own future. In Central Asia, we shared best practices and experiences from close Nordic cooperation. The trilateral border agreement between Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan is a testament to what good regional cooperation can achieve. In Southeastern Europe, we supported Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitutional order, emphasized social dialogue in Serbia, and backed efforts to resolve Kosovo's political and institutional crisis. Moreover - and importantly - we also looked beyond our own region, and strengthened ties with the OSCE Partners for Cooperation, recognizing that Euro-Atlantic stability is interconnected with security and stability in other regions, such as the Indo-Pacific region. Madame President, There is no need to re-invent the European security order. Instead, there is a need to abide by the OSCE principles we have already agreed to, and respect international law and the UN Charter. There is also a need to utilize the OSCE fully, for what it was created for. The OSCE has great potential. Its comprehensive approach, autonomous institutions, and 12 field operations prevent conflicts and work to make the collective commitments of the 57 participating States a reality. As the same time, during our Chairpersonship Finland has introduced an agenda of reform on the future of the OSCE. The Helsinki+50 Discussions have generated broad support, reinforced ownership among participating States, and produced concrete reform proposals, some already under implementation. Like the UN, the OSCE needs efficiency, flexibility and the ability to deliver. To this end, the new Helsinki+50 Fund seeks to strengthen the operational capacity of the OSCE. Madame President, Multilateral cooperation based on international law can and must be the bedrock for international peace and security. This is also what countries and peoples around the world expect. Effective multilateralism requires a capable and relevant UN as well as effective and relevant regional organizations. While this Council bears primary responsibility for international peace and security, regional efforts can amplify its impact. Indeed, the UN Charter itself encourages the settlement of local disputes through regional organizations, before referring them to this Council. As Chair of the OSCE, Finland has advanced UN-OSCE cooperation under Chapter VIII (eight) of the UN Charter. The UN-OSCE partnership is essential for peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond. The UN, the OSCE and their staff continue to cooperate for common goals in various contexts. And being here in New York, I want to commend the UN and its staff for their important contribution. I am also pleased to report that we have integrated the Pact for the Future in the OSCE's activities. For instance, we have promoted the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions in the OSCE on both Women, Peace and Security as well as Youth, Peace and Security. Moreover, we have prioritized civic space and promoted civil society engagement, to ensure that their contributions are heard in shaping the future of security cooperation. Madame President, I would like to end where I began and return to the UN Charter and the Helsinki Principles. The world has changed a lot in the past decades. And let us not forget, most of the change has been for the better. The number of countries rated Free has nearly doubled since 1975, when the Helsinki final act was signed. In the OSCE, the absolute number of independent, democratic, free societies has increased by around 15 to over 40. Across the world, people live longer, are healthier and better educated. They are freer than ever to shape their own future. This is the enduring spirit of the Helsinki Final Act a spirit that is alive in the hands, hearts and minds of those who dare to believe that freedom is a right for everyone - not a privilege for the few. The power to tear down walls lies with the people. It always has, and it always will. I thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ('Ali Kushayb') Sentenced to 20 Years of Imprisonment International Criminal Court (ICC) / Cour penale internationale (CPI) Press Release: 9 December 2025 | Today, 9 December 2025, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "the Court") sentenced Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ('Ali Kushayb') to 20 years of imprisonment following the Trial Judgment in which the Chamber found him guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004. To determine this sentence, the Chamber considered the gravity of the crimes and the personal circumstances of the convicted person, and other factors, including the degree of participation, intent of the convicted person, and the harm caused to victims The Chamber also took into account some mitigating factors. The maximum penalty under the Rome Statute is 30 years of imprisonment, or life imprisonment when justified by the extreme gravity of the crime and the individual circumstances of the convicted person. The period of his detention since 9 June 2020 will be deducted from the total time of imprisonment imposed on Abd-Al-Rahman. Next Steps The Prosecution and the Defence may appeal the sentence within 30 days. The Chamber also issued an order for submissions on reparations with the relevant timeline and guidance for this process in this case. Appeal proceedings against the trial judgment are pending at the moment. Background On 6 October 2025, Trial Chamber I found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman ('Ali Kushayb') guilty of 27 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, in Darfur, Sudan, between August 2003 and April 2004. On 6 November 2025, the Defence filed its notice of appeal against the conviction. For further information on this case, please visit: https://www.icc-cpi.int/darfur/abd-al-rahman NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address International conference in Lublin, Poland, discusses security challenges in the Baltic Sea region Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 09.12.2025 On 8 December 2025, Raimonds Jansons, Latvian Ambassador to Poland, at the international scientific conference "Poland and Latvia in the 20th and 21st Centuries: Parallel Developments, Different Experiences. History - Politics and Security", introduced leading Latvian and Polish historians, political scientists, international relations experts, and security policy researchers to Latvia's priorities in the UN Security Council. The Ambassador also highlighted Latvia's opportunity to raise political issues at the international level that are particularly important for the security of the Baltic Sea region countries. The Ambassador stressed that Latvia and Poland are strategic partners and that close cooperation between the two countries is essential within the UN platform. Latvia's priorities are closely linked to the conference's chosen theme and the analysis of the historical development of Latvia and Poland presented therein. The shared historical experience of both countries serves as an important basis for understanding today's security challenges and is an essential element of cooperation in relations between the two countries. The conference is organized by Maria Curie-Skodowska University in cooperation with the University of Latvia and other research centres. Its aim is to analyse the historical cooperation between Latvia and Poland and contemporary security challenges. The event was organised as part of the diplomatic programme to support the implementation of Latvia's priorities during its participation in the UN Security Council and to promote Latvia's recognition. On 3 June 2025, Latvia was elected to the UN Security Council for the term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027. Serving as a non-permanent member of the Security Council will be an important tool for ensuring Latvia's foreign policy interests. The primary objective of Latvia's membership is to safeguard and strengthen an international environment that supports the security of Latvia while using and enhancing the opportunities provided by multilateral diplomacy. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys: EU enlargement - Europe's most important geopolitical instrument Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-12-09 On 9 December, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys met with the European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, who is visiting Lithuania. During the meeting, the Minister and the European Commissioner discussed the European Union's enlargement policy, with particular attention given to the prospects of Ukraine's and Moldova's EU membership. At the meeting, the Minister emphasized that the EU's enlargement is Europe's most important geopolitical instrument for ensuring peace and security on our continent. Budrys stressed that Ukraine and Moldova are at the forefront of the enlargement process today, and their progress towards EU membership must be clearly embedded in the community's decisions. "Ukraine's membership of the EU is a prerequisite for European security. It is also an element of security guarantees for Ukraine," said the Minister. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy emphasized the need for the EU to send clear, consistent signals on Ukraine's integration into the EU, which would allow Ukrainians to see the prospect of membership more clearly and encourage them to continue implementing the necessary reforms even more effectively. Budrys welcomed Moldova's progress in implementing the Commission's recommendations and reforms. The Minister underlined that the EU enlargement would be among the key priorities of Lithuania's Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2027. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President at a meeting with EU Commissioner: EU Enlargement - a Guarantee for Europe's Security President of the Republic of Lithuania December 09, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda met with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. The President emphasized that EU enlargement remains one of the Union's most important geopolitical instruments, helping to ensure peace, security and stability across the European continent. It is also one of Lithuania's priorities as the country prepares for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2027. According to the President, the enlargement process must remain consistent and merit-based, with each country's progress assessed individually. He noted that Ukraine and Moldova are maintaining a strong pace of reforms, and therefore the EU must make a clear political decision in December to open all negotiation clusters for both countries. The President also stressed that a target date of 2030 must be set for Ukraine's EU membership. During the meeting, the President stated that Ukraine's accession to the European Union has become a necessity. Lithuania therefore calls for an accelerated negotiation process, full use of all technical possibilities, and an immediate move toward political decisions. The President emphasized that Lithuania will not support attempts to separate Ukraine's and Moldova's accession processes, as doing so would undermine the consistency and credibility of the EU's enlargement policy. Speaking about the progress of other candidate countries, the President noted that Lithuania supports the European Commission's assessments regarding Montenegro and Albania, and also encourages North Macedonia to continue implementing its commitments. At the end of the meeting, the President stressed that Lithuania will continue to actively contribute to the implementation of an ambitious, consistent and unified EU enlargement agenda. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 major Chinese naval formations detected near PH EEZ Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno December 9, 2025, 6:10 pm MANILA -- The Philippine military has monitored two major Chinese naval formations near the eastern seaboard of Luzon and outside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an official said Tuesday. In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said a Chinese amphibious assault ship group was spotted along the country's eastern seaboard moving toward the direction of Palau and Australia, and a carrier battle group was monitored on the "northeastern part of Luzon close to Okinawa (Japan)." "The AFP is monitoring developments now on a regional basis," Trinidad said. Relations between China and Japan have soured in recent weeks after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaich Takaichi said Japan could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan if it also threatened Japan's security. Okinawa hosts the largest US military presence in the Asia-Pacific. Asked about the composition of these Chinese naval formations, Trinidad said the carrier battle group consisted of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, two escort ships and one replenishment vessel, while the amphibious group consisted of one amphibious assault ship, two escorts and one replenishment ship. Trinidad said these formations were detected "over the weekend and last week" amid the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) expanded "maritime domain awareness capability" (MDA) following its shift of focus from internal to external defense. "We have now shifted from ISO (internal security operation) monitoring without letting go of ISO. We are now expanding our monitoring to include the region," he said. Trinidad said that with its expanded MDA, the AFP "looks into all sorts of information." (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 20 Chinese coast guard, naval ships spotted in WPS early December Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno December 9, 2025, 3:55 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) has monitored 20 Chinese coast guard and naval ships in four critical areas of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) during the first week of December, most of them in Bajo de Masinloc and Ayungin Shoal. In a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo on Tuesday, PN spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said five Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels and two People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships were monitored in Bajo de Masinloc during the period. Seven Chinese ships six CCG and one PLAN were also monitored in Ayungin Shoal, he added. Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal, is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, while Ayungin Shoal, also known as Second Thomas Shoal, is located 105 nautical miles west of Palawan. Both are within the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "For Escoda (Shoal), two CCG and one PLAN, and for Pag-asa (Island), one CCG and two PLAN ships," Trinidad said. The PN official said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has reported seeing 101 Chinese maritime vessels in the WPS during its recent maritime awareness flight, but he quickly added that this is "normal" as the usual numbers are between 300 to 350 ships. "So, 101 is a normal number. It is not unusual to have this number in our different features in the WPS. Again, these are the (Chinese) maritime militia, not the CCG and the PLAN," Trinidad said. China is claiming virtually the entire South China Sea, including maritime territories and features within the WPS that are within the Philippine EEZ, despite a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidating its expansive claim. In refusing to honor the ruling, Chinese vessels continuously engage in laser-pointing, dangerous blocking maneuvers and ramming of Philippine vessels en route to Ayungin Shoal, actions Manila has denounced as violations of international law. The Marcos administration has taken a firmer stance in the WPS, expanding joint patrols, filing more diplomatic protests, and pushing transparency by publicly releasing videos of Chinese maneuvers against Philippine ships. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas rules out 2nd phase of Gaza ceasefire while Israeli violations continue Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 5:21 PM A senior Hamas official says continued Israeli "violations" of the Gaza ceasefire have left no ground to begin phase-two negotiations, warning that progress is impossible until mediators force Israel to fully comply with the first stage. "As long as the occupation continues its violations," there is no basis to move forward with the next phase of the ceasefire, Hamas political bureau member Husam Badran said on Tuesday. Badran further stated that Israel had failed to meet phase one commitments, citing the closure of the Rafah crossing, obstruction of shelter deliveries, reduced humanitarian aid, and continued killings and home demolitions inside the so-called yellow line. Pointing to comments by Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir, who claimed that the "yellow line" now serves as Gaza's new border, Badran said that the remarks "clearly reveal the criminal occupation's lack of commitment to the ceasefire agreement." Addressing Israeli troops inside the besieged strip on Sunday, Zamir openly described the so-called "yellow line", a north-south axis cutting through the Gaza Strip and marking the point of Israel's pullback, as "a new border line" with Gaza. Israeli forces withdrew to the "yellow line" in October as part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan with the Palestinian-based resistance movement Hamas. Israel and the Palestinian resistance group Hamas agreed in October to the truce intended to increase the flow of aid into the besieged strip, which has been devastated by nearly two years of Israel's genocidal war. Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli attacks have continued; at least 376 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks and airstrikes across Gaza since October 10. This comes as Israel still controls more than half of the blockaded Palestinian territory. Large parts of the besieged Palestinian territory remain inaccessible due to the continued presence of Israeli occupation forces. 'Gaza still facing genocide' Also on Tuesday, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem emphasized that Palestinians in Gaza "are still subjected to ongoing genocide through multiple tools, including the continued siege, the prevention of adequate shelter materials, the restriction of humanitarian aid, and the closure of crossings.'' Qassem strongly denounced the silence of the international community and world organizations towards Israeli crimes. "This places the international community before its urgent moral and political responsibilities toward the civilian population." The spokesperson warned of the repercussions of the new weather depression affecting the Gaza Strip. He highlighted that the current sheltering tents are unsuitable to withstand rain or winter cold, especially under the occupation's restrictions on the entry of fuel. Aid agencies continue to press for expanded access for humanitarian convoys, while Israel has rejected calls to allow relief shipments to enter through the Rafah crossing. Qassem added that the "catastrophic humanitarian conditions in Gaza necessitate launching an urgent relief operation and providing real, decent shelter centers by all concerned parties." He stressed the need to "compel the occupation to apply the humanitarian relief protocols stipulated in the January [ceasefire] agreement, which were reaffirmed in the October agreement." More than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023, when Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: 'Shockingly high' number of Gaza children still acutely malnourished despite ceasefire Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 4:03 PM The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has warned that thousands of children in Gaza are acutely malnourished, driven by Israel's ongoing restrictions on food and humanitarian supplies despite a ceasefire agreement that was supposed to allow aid to move freely. UNICEF said on Tuesday that roughly 9,300 children have been treated for acute malnutrition in Gaza since October, an alarming figure for a besieged population already pushed to its limits. Tess Ingram, UNICEF's communications manager for West Asia and North Africa, said the number is "shockingly high," noting that admissions are five times higher than they were in February. Speaking to reporters in Geneva via video link from Gaza, Ingram described meeting severely underweight infants, some barely reaching one kilogram at birth. She said many are fighting for their lives in hospitals that lack both electricity and basic medical supplies. According to Ingram, UNICEF could deliver far more assistance, but Israel continues to place "obstacles at every stage," from prolonged inspections and arbitrary cargo refusals to repeated closures of key routes. She urged Israel to open all available crossings without delay, stressing that commercial supplies are still far below what is needed. Even basic protein sources remain out of reach, with meat selling for around $20 a kilogram, a price most families cannot afford, conditions that UNICEF says are driving the persistently high rates of child malnutrition. In August, the UN-supported Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed that famine conditions were already gripping Gaza Governorate, affecting more than half a million people, about a quarter of the enclave's population. The IPC reported that after nearly two years of unrelenting bombardment and deprivation, Palestinians were facing "catastrophic conditions characterized by starvation, destitution, and death." The ceasefire between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and Israel, which took effect on October 10, 2025, obligated Israel to open border crossings and permit unrestricted entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian supplies. Yet Israel has ignored these commitments, keeping most crossings shut and allowing only limited shipments into a territory devastated by nearly two years of war and genocide. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that since Israel's genocidal assault began on October 7, 2023, at least 440 people, including more than 150 children, have died from hunger, deaths that Palestinian authorities and humanitarian groups say were entirely preventable. The Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territory in the past two years have killed at least 70,366 people. Since the ceasefire on October 10, the occupation forces have killed 377 Palestinians in ongoing attacks on the territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Honduras issues arrest warrant for ex-president recently pardoned by Trump Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 11:04 AM Honduras's top prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for former president Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was freed from US federal prison last week after being pardoned by President Donald Trump. Attorney General Johel Antonio Zelaya Alvarez said in a Spanish-language post on X that he had asked government agencies and global police agency Interpol to "to execute the international arrest warrant against former President Juan Orlando Hernandez." Zelaya stressed, "We have been lacerated by the tentacles of corruption and by criminal networks that have profoundly marked the life of our country." The top prosecutor's post included a photo of the Supreme Court's arrest order, which was dated November 28, the same day Trump announced his intention to pardon Hernandez -- a move that drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle in the US and Honduras. Hernandez 's wife, who insists he is innocent, said he will not return to Honduras immediately due to safety concerns and that he is currently in a "safe place" in the US. Hernandez, who served as president from 2014 until 2022, was convicted and sentenced last year to 45 years in federal prison and given an $8 million fine by a US judge for drug trafficking offenses. He has also been at the center of massive anti-corruption investigations known as Pandora II in his country, which have targeted current and former politicians suspected of diverting public money. In 2023, along with several former officials, he was charged with involvement in the misappropriation of more than $12m in state funds for his political campaign. Moreover, US prosecutors had accused Hernandez of conspiring with drug cartels during his tenure as president as they moved more than 400 tons of cocaine through Honduras toward the United States. In exchange, prosecutors said, Hernandez received millions of dollars in bribes that he used to fuel his political rise. The former president had insisted he was innocent, claiming his trial was "rigged" and that it relied on the accusations of criminals who sought revenge against him. Trump's clemency was rebuked by Republican and Democratic members of Congress, who questioned his decision to pardon someone with a drug trafficking conviction when his administration claims to be combating drug trafficking in Latin America by ramping up military activity and launching controversial strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'No evidence': UNIFIL chief refutes Israeli claims about Hezbollah rearming in south Lebanon Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 9:45 AM The commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says the multinational peacekeeping mission has not found any evidence of Hezbollah rebuilding its military capabilities, contradicting Israeli claims used as the pretext to strike southern Lebanon. Speaking in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 television channel on Monday, Diodato Abagnara said he had seen "no evidence" that the Lebanese resistance movement was rearming south of the Litani River. Abagnara, who took over as head of UNIFIL in June, also condemned continued Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds of people, as "blatantly violating the ceasefire agreement." He warned that the slightest mistake could lead to a major escalation, describing the security situation as "really fragile." Abagnara also noted that the presence of Israeli troops in five points along the Blue Line demarcating the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied territories constitutes a "flagrant" violation of UN Resolution 1701. The resolution, which brokered a ceasefire in the 33-day-long war Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on the occupying Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel and the Hezbollah resistance movement reached a ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27, 2024. Under the deal, Tel Aviv was required to withdraw fully from the Lebanese territory, but has kept forces stationed at five sites, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the terms of last November's agreement. Since the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel has violated the agreement multiple times through repeated assaults on the Lebanese territory. Lebanese authorities have warned that the Israeli regime's violations of the ceasefire threaten national stability. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's son-in-law part of Israeli-tied firm's bid for CNN's parent company Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 8:40 AM US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has emerged as one of the outside investors backing Paramount Skydance's hostile bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that could hand partial ownership of CNN to the Trump family. Paramount disclosed Monday that Kushner's private equity firm, Affinity Partners, is among the investors lined up to support the $40 billion cash component of the offer. The company said the primary backstop is coming from Larry Ellison, the billionaire Oracle founder and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, along with RedBird Capital Partners. The Ellison family has long maintained close political, business, and philanthropic ties to Israel, a relationship that has increasingly drawn attention amid debates over foreign influence in US media ownership. Under Ellison's leadership, Paramount has taken a strong stance against boycotts targeting Israeli films or filmmakers. When a pledge circulated in September, signed by figures such as Emma Stone and Javier Bardem, backing a boycott of Israeli cultural institutions, Paramount stood out as the first major studio to publicly denounce the initiative, calling it an attempt to "silence individual creative artists based on their nationality." One month later, following a legal notice from UK Lawyers for Israel, Warner Bros. Discovery also stated that any boycott of Israeli film organizations would violate its anti-discrimination policies. Meanwhile, Variety has reported that Paramount executives have barred certain artists they consider "overtly antisemitic," a term widely misused in the West to label those who criticize Israeli policies. Affinity Partners' involvement adds an unusual political dimension to the proposed takeover. Any acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery would require approval from the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly criticized CNN one of Warner Bros. Discovery's flagship assets raising concerns about impartiality in the review process. Over the weekend, Trump said he would be "involved" in the regulatory examination of a separate Netflix deal, a remark that surprised regulatory experts given the traditional independence of such reviews. Kushner founded Affinity Partners after Trump's first term and has faced scrutiny over the fund's substantial backing from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Affinity, which manages about $5.4 billion, has historically made smaller investments, including in Israel's Shlomo Group, a major car-leasing and financing company, and Dubizzle, a Dubai-based classifieds platform. More recently, the firm has taken part in larger transactions, including a joint effort with the P.I.F. and Silver Lake Partners to buy Electronic Arts for roughly $55 billion. Paramount's investor group for the Warner Bros. Discovery bid also includes sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The company said in regulatory filings that these foreign investors would forgo governance rights, including board representation, in an effort to mitigate national security concerns and smooth approval by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Despite those concessions, analysts say the deal could still face heavy scrutiny. "The only ways to know for sure that your transaction is not covered by CFIUS is, one, don't have foreign investors or, two, get a letter from CFIUS saying it's not covered," said Aaron Bartnick, a former CFIUS official under the Biden administration. If the acquisition proceeds, Larry Ellison and RedBird would emerge as the controlling shareholders of the restructured media company a notable shift given Ellison's long-standing influence in US-Israel political and technological cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tony Blair 'dropped' from Gaza 'Board of Peace' shortlist; Hamas welcomes move as 'step in right direction' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 7:50 AM Former UK prime minister Tony Blair has reportedly been removed from consideration for US President Donald Trump-proposed so-called Gaza "Board of Peace," a development Hamas has welcomed as a "step in the right direction." The Financial Times reported on Monday that Arab and Muslim nations had objected to Blair's involvement in the purported "transitional authority" that Trump has unveiled as part of his 20-point plan, which the US president claims is aimed at ending the Israeli regime's war of genocide on the Gaza Strip. The reported development came as the coastal sliver's Hamas resistance movement has confirmed it had urged mediators to exclude Blair over his "blatant bias towards the [Israeli] occupation." According to the FT, Blair, previously the only publicly identified candidate for the body, which Trump has said would personally chair, was quietly dropped after regional opposition, despite lobbying and behind-the-scenes efforts to secure a prominent role for him in the so-called board. His involvement had been linked to proposals drafted partly by the self-described Tony Blair Institute for Global Change alongside Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Blair's candidacy had drawn criticism across the Muslim world due to his legacy in the 2003 United States-led invasion of Iraq, which was later found to have simply conjured up accusations of harboring "weapons of mass destruction" by the Iraqi regime at the time in order to sell the invasion. His record as a member of the Middle East Quartet had also amassed criticism in light of the UK's widely-reported and verified strong favoritism benefiting the Israeli regime. Even Trump, himself, acknowledged in October that Blair was a "controversial figure," whose acceptability to all sides remained uncertain. Hamas' official Taher al-Nunu said reports of Blair's likely removal aligned with the movement's repeated calls on mediators to keep him out of any Gaza-related body. The FT report, however, suggested Blair could still play a less central role. Blair's office declined to comment. Al-Nunu reiterated that the movement remained "ready for a long-term truce" provided the Israeli regime upheld all terms of a full ceasefire, something that Tel Aviv has so far clearly avoided by repeatedly violating a ceasefire deal that was reached in early October. The Hamas official also stressed that any plan involving an international force tasked with forcibly disarming Palestinian resistance groups was "rejected and has never been discussed." He noted that Hamas had not received clarity on the mandate of any potential international presence in Gaza, and noted that the movement did not believe countries would agree to such a mission. On the political front, al-Nunu said Hamas was prepared to "immediately" transfer governance of Gaza to an independent national technocratic committee, something that the group agreed to help realize when signing the ceasefire deal. He reiterated Hamas's position that the resistance's weapons remained part of the Palestinians' national arsenal. Al-Nunu, meanwhile, warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ambitions "extend beyond the borders of Palestine and threaten the countries of the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli attacks continue in Gaza in violation of ceasefire; two more Palestinians killed Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 6:38 AM Two more Palestinian civilians have been killed and several others wounded as Israeli forces continue deadly aggression across the besieged Gaza Strip in violation of a recent ceasefire deal. The Israeli military forces killed two more Palestinian civilians in separate attacks across the war-ravaged Palestinian territory on Monday evening, the official Palestinian WAFA news agency reported. A Palestinian woman lost her life as she succumbed to wounds from an Israeli shelling that struck the al-Jarou family home west of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, while another woman was fatally shot by an Israeli drone in the Halawa camp in Jabalia al-Balad in the north, it said. Multiple other civilians were also injured when Israeli drones targeted tents sheltering displaced families near the al-Omala Market in Gaza City, the report added. These latest assaults come in violation of a US-brokered ceasefire between the Tel Aviv regime and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas that took effect on October 11. The overall death toll since the Israeli genocidal war in October 2023 has continued to climb, now reaching 70,365 Palestinians, most of whom women and children. Another 171,058 people have also been injured, while many victims remain trapped under rubble beyond the reach of rescuers. Medical sources told WAFA that in the past 24 hours alone, hospitals received five bodies, including two pulled from debris, and 11 wounded individuals. Since the ceasefire began, Israeli forces have killed 376 Palestinians and injured 981 more, while rescue teams have recovered at least 626 bodies, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis still unfolding across Gaza. International bodies, including the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and other rights groups, have concluded that the Israeli offensive in Gaza amounts to genocide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Key Takeaways As White House, Congress Push Foreign Policy Plans By Ray Furlong December 09, 2025 Summary The White House's new National Security Strategy (NSS) shifts to an "America First" approach, focusing on the Western Hemisphere and economic security over global commitments. The strategy softens public language on Russia, aiming for "strategic stability," while the US Congress's defense bill maintains strong military commitments in Europe and scrutiny of Russia-China ties. The NSS has provoked a strong reaction in the EU, with European Council President Antonio Costa accusing Washington of an unacceptable "threat to interfere in European politics." Two key documents released in Washington in recent days present differing foreign policy paths, giving US allies and adversaries alike plenty to chew over as they consider major strategic issues. The White House's 33-page National Security Strategy(NSS), released last week, grabbed headlines with an "America First" approach in which "the days of the United States propping up the entire world order are over." It criticized the European Union and spoke of restoring "strategic stability" with Russia -- drawing praise from Moscow. Meanwhile, a 3,086-page defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA), seeks to lock in spending on Washington's military commitments to Europe and focus intelligence on Russia's military cooperation with China and North Korea. "There are differing visions," Olivia Enos, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told RFE/RL, adding that the US Congress was pushing back on the NSS strategy. "But I think it's a long road to figure out whether or not appropriations actually fully get funded," she said. Trump's Priority: The Americas And China The NSS section on regional priorities starts with the Western Hemisphere before moving on through Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. "Trump's NSS is a much-needed corrective to decades of 'strategies' that...commit the United States to an overstretched conception of national strategy," wrote Alexander Gray, who served on the National Security Council (NSC) in the first Trump administration. In commentary for the Atlantic Council, he said the focus on the Western Hemisphere was "refreshingly frank about the essential objectives of the United States: securing the homeland." Other observers have also suggested the order of the list is a direct reflection of White House priorities. "The decision to place a high premium on foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere was no doubt going toward one of their primary domestic priorities, which is to counter immigration," said Enos. Enos said the NSS approach to China was also informed by domestic policy concerns. "It's all about reindustrialization. It's all about economic security," she said, noting a lack of comment on human rights abuses, for example. The NSS is unapologetic on this issue, stating, "We seek good relations and peaceful commercial relations with the nations of the world without imposing on them democratic or other social change." While the NSS aims to "rebalance" the economic relationship with China, the paper also makes no mention of Beijing's alliance with Moscow. By contrast, the NDAA calls for US spy agencies to provide "an assessment of the military cooperation between Russia and the People's Republic of China, including defense trade, joint military exercises, and the sharing of military intelligence." Both the NSS and the NDAA feature strong support for Taiwan. Europe The NSS has provoked controversy in Europe, which it says is threatened by "civilizational erasure." The paper refers to policies in Europe 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." That language recalls a speech made by Vice President JD Vance in Munich in February, when he blasted Romania for canceling the results of its presidential election and appears to underline US allegations that right-wing parties are not afforded democratic freedoms. The paper also condemns Europe for "censorship of free speech," possibly also a reference to EU moves against US social media companies. US officials have repeatedly raised these issues. Ahead of a NATO summit last week, Christopher Landau, US deputy secretary of state, issued an angry response to an EU fine levied against the social media network X. "The nations of Europe cannot look to the US for their own security at the same time they affirmatively undermine the security of the US itself through the (unelected, undemocratic, and unrepresentative) EU. This fine is just the tip of the iceberg," he wrote on X. "When these countries wear their NATO hats, they insist that Transatlantic cooperation is the cornerstone of our mutual security. But when these countries wear their EU hats, they pursue all sorts of agendas that are often utterly averse to US interests," he wrote later. The NSS paper continues to provoke strong reactions in Europe. On December 8, European Council President Antonio Costa accused Washington of an unacceptable "threat to interfere in European politics." "This strategy continues to talk about Europe as an ally. That's fine, but if we are allies, we must act as allies," he added. Sam Greene, a Russia analyst at Kings College London, told RFE/RL "this strategy marks the beginning of the end of the transatlantic alliance.... Europe cannot accept a relationship on the terms the US is offering: one in which the US determines both the contours of European security and the content of European domestic politics, all while demanding burden-sharing." Burden-sharing is a key element of the NSS, reflecting longstanding pressure from the Trump administration for European nations to hike their defense spending. US troop reductions in Europe have been expected for several months since it was announced the Pentagon would conduct a Global Force Posture Review, and in October it was announced that hundreds of US troops rotated out of Romania would not be replaced. The NDAA offers hope for anxious Europeans, demanding US troops remain at 76,000 and barring the withdrawal of equipment worth $500,000 or more. Russia, Ukraine The NDAA also foresees US support continuing to shore up the militaries of the Baltic States -- Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia -- to deter "aggression by the Russian Federation." Along with other elements, it adds to a clear sense of countering a Russian military threat in the bill, which has bipartisan support and also the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican. The NSS does not refer to Russia as a threat or adversary, unlike in previous versions of the strategy -- which has raised eyebrows. "If you need to have private conversations between Russia and the US about things in order to assuage (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or to stroke his ego, fine," Enos said. "But to publicly message what I would perceive as a softening...is very concerning. To me China, Russia, Iran, North Korea should all be kind of in the same bucket of adversaries." David Cattler, who held a series of senior roles at both NATO and US intelligence agencies, noted in an analysis that the White House strategy "suggests that Russia's behavior, while dangerous, is ultimately malleable through engagement." The NSS does note that Europe perceives Russia as a threat -- and emphasizes efforts to seek peace in Ukraine both as a means to "reestablish strategic stability with Russia" and enable Ukraine's "survival as a viable state." This echoes many positions taken during talks on ending Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent proposals envisaged lifting sanctions on Russia, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared the aim of a deal was Ukraine's "long-term prosperity." "The NSS brings several trends to convergence," wrote Cattler. "A softer US characterization of Russia, a preference for rapid stabilization in Ukraine, and unprecedented expectations of European self-reliance. None are entirely new, but together they accelerate a transition into a more fragmented international order." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-national-security- strategy-controversy-europe-russia/33617546.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 Wider Europe Briefing: Hitting Belarusian Balloons And Montenegro's EU Prospects By Rikard Jozwiak December 09, 2025 Briefing #1: Brussels Preparing Belarus Sanctions Over Balloon Incursions What You Need To Know: The European Union is finally moving closer to sanctioning Belarus for the release of weather balloons over Lithuania in recent months. These airspace violations have caused the EU member state to shut its largest airports several times, and in November it moved to temporarily seal its border with its southeastern neighbor. According to Lithuanian officials who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity, a total of 315 unauthorized balloons have entered the country from Belarus since June, peaking in October with 71 airspace incursions. Able to easily reach high altitudes, thereby making it harder for them to be spotted by radar, most of the balloons are used for smuggling knockoff Belarusian-made cigarettes. The balloons can also "double" as sabotage tools by forcing the closure of airports for safety reasons. Between October and December, the two biggest Lithuanian airports -- in the capital, Vilnius, and in the central city of Kaunas -- had to halt operations 15 times, affecting over 320 flights and more than 45,000 passengers. An incident involving one balloon resulted in Vilnius airport being shut down for nearly 12 hours in early December. Lithuania brought the issue to the attention of Brussels in late October, and the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, issued a statementcondemning Belarus's "persistent and provocative actions against the EU and its member states" Deep Background: No Brussels sanctions were issued immediately, notably as Vilnius didn't press the EU to go down that route at first. Instead, Lithuania attempted another move: shutting the 700-kilometer border with its neighbor. On October 29, all crossings to Belarus were essentially closed for regular traffic, with exemptions only for transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad as well as for diplomats, European Union and NATO citizens, and European haulers returning from Belarus to the EU. When the number of balloons decreased somewhat in November, Lithuania decided to re-open the border again on November 19. Lithuanian diplomats told RFE/RL off the record that this move was a "sign of goodwill" to see if Minsk would stop the balloons. It didn't really work as Vilnius airport has once again been forced to shut down twice a week on average since then. According to Lithuanian diplomats, the balloons now appear to be specifically targeting the country's main international airport and connection to the outside world. Drilling Down: On top of that, roughly 1,000 Lithuanian-registered trucks have been stranded on the Belarusian side of the border since its closure. Vilnius says that the trucks have been ordered to move to dedicated parking lots, with a daily charge of 120 euros ($140) per truck and any failure to pay resulting in their being confiscated. At the end of November, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys sent a letter to Kallas, seen by RFE/RL, asking the EU for help in getting these trucks back. The EU's power is rather limited as diplomatic relations with Minsk have been cut to a minimum since the crackdown that ensued following the Belarusian presidential election in 2020, which was widely condemned as being rigged. But Brussels has at least one tool and that will be used imminently: an expansion of the EU's sanctions regime on Belarus to include the possibility of targeting those who send balloons into Lithuania. The EU has long had sanctions in place against strongman Aleksandr Lukashensko's regime. However, these affect people and companies involved in human rights violations such as repression of the opposition and civil society, officials in Minsk who have backed Russia's war on Ukraine, or those involved in the "instrumentalization of migrants," whereby Belarus has been accused of moving African and Asian migrants to the European Union's borders to destabilize neighboring EU countries. The proposal, seen by RFE/RL, would allow the EU to sanction people and organizations that threaten "the sovereignty or independence of one or several of its Member States." It does so by covering anyone involved in "planning, directing, engaging in, directly or indirectly, supporting, or otherwise facilitating any actions targeted at the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activities or services of public interest." According to the draft text, such actions include "unauthorized entry into the territory of a Member State, including its airspace," as well as "the disruption of the functioning of critical infrastructure." Expected to be approved by all EU member states before Christmas, this measure would allow Lithuania (and others) to start blacklisting more Belarusians. But it is not the only response that the Baltic country has in mind. Vilnius has also shared other proposed restrictive measures with Brussels that it wants to impose on Minsk going forward. These include a full transaction ban on 10 Belarusian banks, targeting nitrogen fertilizers on top of already sanctioned Belarusian potash, and slapping an EU import ban on Belarusian rapeseed oil and salt. Briefing #2: EU Member States Have Their Say On Enlargement What You Need To Know: After the European Commission published its annual enlargement reporton November 4, giving thorough assessments of EU hopefuls Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine, it is now up to the 27 EU member states to have their say by adopting so-called EU enlargement conclusions on December 16. As this document needs to be adopted unanimously, it is often less critical than the commission equivalent -- and much shorter. An advanced draft, seen by RFE/RL, appears to follow the logic of the commission's conclusions: Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine are considered the current frontrunners, and the EU is looking to add at least one to its ranks before the end of the decade. Deep Background: The most obvious hint in the document relates to Montenegro and its progress toward membership. Not surprisingly two key points are in brackets, meaning EU member states haven't agreed on them yet. One states that the country "has advanced further in its accession negotiations and that 12 negotiating chapters now have been provisionally closed." The number 12 is still in brackets. This is because Podgorica has so far only managed to close seven of the 33 policy chapters needed to join the bloc. There is still hope in Brussels, however, that up to five more can be concluded before the Christmas holidays even though diplomats whom RFE/RL spoke to suggest the final number may be lower. The other hint in the document is that the small Western Balkan country is inching closer to becoming member state No. 28 rather soon. Another bracketed sentence states that "the Council decides that the Ad hoc Working Party on Drafting the Accession Treaty with Montenegro will be established in 2025." The council, where EU member states meet in Brussels, is full of various working groups in which diplomats deal with all sorts of policy matters from an early stage. The fact that a group tasked with drafting the accession treaty with Montenegro is about to be set up is a sign that things are getting serious. Drawing up such treaties follows immediately after the closure of all negotiation chapters and represents the final political act before actual membership. But it isn't all encouragement for the Balkan country. Some clear "homework" on what is needed to complete the "final stretch" to Brussels is also spelled out. The text states that Montenegro must improve its administrative capacity and electoral legislation, particularly insofar as it concerns adhering to EU standards on the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. The big issue, however, is corruption, with the document cautioning that "the number of final convictions in high-level corruption cases remains low." It also "stresses the need for Montenegro to improve its track record with respect to investigations and prosecutions in high-level corruption and organized crime cases, ensuring final convictions, dissuasive penalties, asset seizures and confiscations." Drilling Down: Not surprisingly, fighting corruption is the leitmotif for all of the front-runners. There is no direct mention of the recent Ukrainian scandal that forced President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's right-hand man and chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, to step down in late November . However, the work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which helped bring down Yermak, is applauded: The council positively notes the results delivered by the agencies in 2025, including a significant number of investigations, notably in high-level corruption cases. It strongly encourages Ukraine to pursue efforts to "further improve its track record and capacities in this domain." . However, the work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which helped bring down Yermak, is applauded: The council positively notes the results delivered by the agencies in 2025, including a significant number of investigations, notably in high-level corruption cases. It strongly encourages Ukraine to pursue efforts to "further improve its track record and capacities in this domain." The enlargement report also warns Ukrainian politicians not to try to undermine the two institutions, something Zelenskyy attempted over the summer before making a swift U-turn amid a public outcry. The document states Brussels "will remain vigilant on this matter and stresses the need to ensure that, in the future, no legal or political interference should impact the work of these institutions." amid a public outcry. The document states Brussels "will remain vigilant on this matter and stresses the need to ensure that, in the future, no legal or political interference should impact the work of these institutions." For Moldova, the text is complimentary about its fight against money-laundering and the push for what is known as "de-oligarchization." Neither Moldova nor Ukraine, however, will move forward on their EU membership path this year. Hungary has made it clear it won't green-light any opening of chapters with Kyiv, and Moldova is still not pushing to be separated from Ukraine. Instead, most EU capitals have resigned themselves to waiting until the Hungarian parliamentary elections in April for any change of stance from Budapest. The text offers very little in terms of what will happen next to both Kyiv and Chisinau, with the text simply stating that that the council looks forward to the opening of the fundamentals cluster with both candidates, "as soon as the conditions are met." For Albania, which recently managed to open all 33 chapters in 13 months (a record time for an EU candidate country), there is no indication as to when it can actually can start closing files, which is harder. While fighting corruption is also a key condition for Albania, the document also highlights the need to improve the media landscape in the country by increasing the transparency of media ownership, ensuring the decriminalization of defamation, and strengthening civil society in general. For the other EU hopefuls, the text is largely a mixed bag apart from Georgia, which has been thoroughly criticized for its "democratic backsliding" in recent years. While not calling the country "a candidate in name only" as the European Commission did in its report, the council says "the actions taken by the Georgian authorities fall short of the EU's expectations of a candidate country," and "Georgia's EU accession process has effectively come to a standstill until the authorities demonstrate resolute commitment to reverse course and return to the EU accession path." Looking Ahead European Affairs ministers from most EU member states are expected to convene in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on December 10-11 for an informal general affairs council. The idea is to show support for Ukraine and encourage the country to continue the reforms needed to one day become an EU member. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka will give a presentation on how Kyiv has been faring so far, notably in rule of law. But he is also expected to push his EU counterparts to be ready to begin proper accession talks in earnest next year. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak- belarus-balloons-montenegro-eu/33617574.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 USS Tripoli, USS Robert Smalls arrive in Da Nang, Vietnam Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet NEWS | Dec. 9, 2025 By Lt.Cmdr. John Mike, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 Public Affairs DA NANG, VIETNAM -- Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) with embarked elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 arrived in Da Nang, Dec. 8, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Their scheduled port visit underscores the two nations' commitment to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that spans political, security, economic and people-to-people ties. The previous U.S. port visit to Da Nang was in June 2023 by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and Robert Smalls. "We could not have asked for a warmer welcome from our Vietnamese partners," said Rear Adm. Tom Shultz, commander, Task Force 76, whose flagship is Tripoli. "Our visit highlights the strengthening relationship between our two nations and militaries, enables us to build operational understanding and trust, and reinforces our relationship on a personal level while advancing our shared goals of peace, prosperity, and economic security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific." Tripoli and Robert Smalls' visit brings nearly 2,300 Sailors and Marines to Da Nang where they will have an opportunity to meet the city's people and experience its unique culture. It also serves an important role in celebrating the 30th anniversary of U.S.-Vietnam relations. "The visit by USS Tripoli and USS Robert Smalls coming as we close out celebrations to mark 30 years of bilateral relations is proof that the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been better," said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper. "It is so heartening to see the warm welcome U.S. service members have received here in Da Nang, a city that holds a special place in the history of our bilateral relations and recently faced challenges following multiple typhoons. The United States has provided $1.75 million in disaster relief support in response to recent events, and our growing security cooperation, including through humanitarian assistance and disaster response trainings, has helped enhance Vietnam's response capacity in disaster prone areas and strengthened people-to-people ties." Within the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, CTF-76 is responsible for conducting expeditionary warfare operations with Navy and Marine Corps capabilities to support theater contingencies that range from crisis response to full combat operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized on Tuesday that China and the United States should continuously lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems between the two sides. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Craig Allen, Senior Counselor at the Cohen Group, in Beijing. Since the beginning of this year, the heads of state of China and the United States have held multiple phone conversations and successfully met in Busan, Republic of Korea, reaching important common understandings, said He. He emphasized that both sides should maintain the momentum of cooperation under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state. As China is about to embark on its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the country will keep expanding high-standard opening up. He welcomed more U.S. enterprises to invest and operate in China, to promote the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations. For his part, Allen conveyed his willingness to serve as a bridge for further enhancing U.S.-China economic and trade cooperation. Albares presents new Strategy for Asia-Pacific Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS RELEASE 155 The Council of Ministers approves the document that commits to increasing Spain's presence in the region 9 Dec 25 The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, today presented the new Strategy for Asia-Pacific to the Council of Ministers, the roadmap with which Spain will guide its action in the coming years towards a region that has become the true centre of gravity of international relations. Albares stressed that this Strategy aims to consolidate this vector of Spain's global projection between now and 2029. The main lines of action focus on deepening political relations and economic ties, with a diplomatic deployment commensurate with the weight of Asia-Pacific; working with partners in the region to achieve shared, sustainable and secure prosperity; contributing to Europe's strategic projection in Asia-Pacific, supporting new economic agreements and stable relationship frameworks; and continuing to strengthen cooperation through science, innovation, culture, public diplomacy and connections between societies, as an essential complement to the political and economic agenda. In the words of Minister Albares, this Strategy aims to 'articulate our strategic interests, objectives and actions with a region that is central to contemporary geopolitics and geo-economics'. The minister wanted to frame it at a time when 'Asia-Pacific is taking on an increasingly prominent role thanks to its demographic, economic and technological weight'. To meet the objectives of the Strategy, the document presents initiatives such as the creation of a mechanism for strategic dialogue with China at ministerial level, the Spain-India Dual Year 2026, the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a basis for cooperation with this important organisation, the creation of a ministerial commission on Asian affairs, and the strengthening of Spain's diplomatic presence in Asia-Pacific, which already has 15 embassies, 3 diplomatic offices and 9 consulates general. In line with the objective of deepening political and economic relations, various official trips and visits have been made in recent years, such as the State visits of the Chinese President in 2018 and Their Majesties the King and Queen to China in 2025, the first bilateral visits by a Spanish Prime Minister to Korea and Vietnam, and the first visit by a Spanish President to India in 17 years. Foreign ministers and ministers from other areas have travelled to China, Korea, the Philippines, India, Japan and Pakistan. Action plans and common objectives have also been adopted with strategic partners such as China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam. On 2 December, Albares presented the main lines of the Strategy to the Asian ambassadors, following a round of consultations carried out by the Minister during his visits to countries such as China, India and Pakistan and in bilateral contacts with counterparts in the region. Today, the Council of Ministers approved a Strategy for Asia-Pacific that develops, for that region, the guidelines set out in a higher-level instrument, the Foreign Action Strategy 2025-2028. NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Urges End to Cambodia-Thailand Fighting, Calls for Peace Accords Implementation - Rubio Sputnik News 20251209 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States is concerned by ongoing clashes and casualties along the Cambodia-Thailand border and urges an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to the de-escalation measures established in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on Tuesday. "The United States is concerned by continued fighting and casualties in multiple locations along the Cambodia-Thailand border," the statement read. "We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand and witnessed by President Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim." Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that there will be no ceasefire with Cambodia. "Thailand's direction remains status quo. No ceasefire," the prime minister said on social media. The Thai armed forces will continue military operations along the border with the Cambodian border until Cambodia changes its position, Thai military spokesman Surasan Kongsiri said. "Thailand's position and military actions will continue until Cambodia changes its position and returns to the path of peace," Surasan told a briefing. Hostilities along the Thailand-Cambodia border intensified over the weekend and continued into Tuesday, with both nations accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. The issue of preemptive strikes by Thailand was also raised during the briefing. "Regarding a preemptive strike, Thailand acted within the framework of its right to self-defense, subject to four conditions: the existence of an imminent threat, the absence of other possibilities, the proportionality of the retaliatory strike, and the targeting of strikes solely on military targets, with the aim of neutralizing the threat and minimizing harm to the civilian population," the spokesman said. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow sent an update to ASEAN member states, the UN secretary-general and the president of the UN Security Council, explaining Thailand's position on the conflict with Cambodia. "The foreign minister mentioned that he had sent official protest notes to Cambodia and had also distributed updates to ASEAN member states. He also communicated with the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council and instructed Thai embassies and consulates around the world to actively communicate Thailand's position on the border clashes to host governments, the media and relevant sectors, ensuring accurate, complete, and up-to-date information," Surasan said. On Monday, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was ready to take necessary measures to ensure the country's security and sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Defense Ministry urged the international community to condemn Thailand's violation of the peace agreement signed in the presence of US President Donald Trump. According to the latest data, about 400,000 people in Thailand and 54,550 people in Cambodia have been evacuated from the border areas. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thailand Strikes Cambodian City of Samraong Using F-16 Jets - Reports Sputnik News 20251209 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Thailand carried out an airstrike on Tuesday targeting the center of the Cambodian city of Samraong in Oddar Meanchey province using F-16 fighter jets, Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times reported. Shelling by the Thai armed forces involving F-16 fighter jets started at 3:30 GMT on Tuesday and eventually damaged several buildings and city's infrastructure, the report said. Footage from the site showed plumes of smoke rising from damaged buildings in the city. Hostilities along the Thailand-Cambodia border intensified over the weekend and continued into Monday, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. On Monday, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he was ready to take necessary measures to ensure the country's security and sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Defense Ministry urged the international community to condemn Thailand's violation of the peace agreement signed in the presence of US President Donald Trump. According to the latest data, about 400,000 residents of Thailand and 1,157 families from Cambodia have been evacuated from the border areas. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Army Claims Strikes on Hezbollah Military Targets in Southern Lebanon Sputnik News 20251209 The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had struck Hezbollah military targets in southern Lebanon. "A short while ago, the IDF struck infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in several areas in southern Lebanon," the IDF said on Telegram. It noted that the strikes targeted a training facility used by the Radwan special forces unit, as well as military facilities and a launch pad that were allegedly "intended for planning and executing terrorist activities" against Israeli military personnel and the State of Israel. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sanctioning a Transnational Network Fueling the Conflict in Sudan US Department of State Press Statement Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson December 9, 2025 On November 19, President Trump detailed the horrific atrocities occurring in Sudan. The United States will use its power and influence to halt them. Today, the U.S. government has sanctioned four individuals and four entities for their role in fueling the civil war in Sudan and its devastating consequences. These individuals and entities belong to a transnational network composed primarily of Colombian nationals and companies that recruits former Colombian military personnel to fight for the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and trains fighters, including children. Today's sanctions disrupt an important source of external support to the RSF, degrading its ability to use skilled Colombian fighters to prosecute violence against civilians. As President Trump has said, Sudan is suffering from the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Since the outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023, the RSF and its allied militias have attacked civilians, systematically killing men and boys even infants and have deliberately targeted women and girls with rape. The RSF, with the support of Colombian fighters, captured the North Darfur capital, El Fasher, on October 26 after laying siege to the city for 18 months, and then carried out mass killings of civilians, ethnically targeted torture, and sexual violence. Today's sanctions target the individuals and entities that have supported the RSF in perpetrating these atrocities, including those providing tactical and technical expertise and training. To prevent the civil war in Sudan from destabilizing the region and making the country a safe haven for those who threaten U.S. interests, the United States is committed to implementing the principles outlined in the September 12 Joint Statement on Restoring Peace and Security in Sudan. That statement calls for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transparent transition process aimed at establishing an independent, civilian-led government. The United States will coordinate with countries in the region to end these atrocities and stabilize Sudan and again calls on external actors to stop providing military and financial support to the belligerents. Today's action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Transnational Network Recruiting Colombians to Fight in Sudan's Civil War U.S. Department of the Treasury December 9, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on four individuals and four entities for their roles in fueling the civil war in Sudan, a conflict that has provoked the world's worst ongoing humanitarian crisis. This transnational networkprimarily composed of Colombian nationals and companiesrecruits former Colombian military personnel and trains soldiers, including children, to fight for the Sudanese paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). "Treasury is targeting a network that recruits fighters for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. "The RSF has shown again and again that it is willing to target civiliansincluding infants and young children. Its brutality has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region, creating the conditions for terrorist groups to grow." Since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023, the RSF and its allied militias have repeatedly targeted civilians, systematically killing men and boyseven infantsand deliberately assaulting women and girls through rape and other forms of sexual violence. The RSF and its affiliates have also attacked civilians and prevented them from accessing lifesaving humanitarian assistance. Despite recent attempts to downplay its misdeeds, the RSF continues to perpetrate these atrocities, most recently in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. Supported by Colombian fighters, the RSF captured El Fasher on October 26, 2025, after an 18-month siege, and subsequently engaged in mass killings of civilians, ethnically targeted torture, and sexual violence. On January 7, 2025, the Department of State announced its determination that members of the RSF committed genocide. The civil war in Sudan risks destabilizing the region and making the country a safe haven for those who threaten the United States. The United States remains committed to the principles outlined in the September 12, 2025, Joint Statement on Restoring Peace and Security in Sudan, which calls for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transparent transition process leading to an independent, civilian-led government. The United States again calls on external actors to cease providing financial and military support to the belligerents. OFAC's investigation of the individuals and entities designated today was carried out in partnership with the United States Customs and Border Protection, National Targeting Center. A COLOMBIAN-LED TRANSNATIONAL NETWORK Since September 2024, hundreds of former Colombian military personnel have traveled to Sudan to fight alongside the RSF. These Colombians provide the RSF with tactical and technical expertise, serving as infantry and artillerymen, drone pilots, vehicle operators, and instructors, with some even training children to fight in the RSF. The Colombian fighters have participated in numerous battles across Sudan, including in its capital, Khartoum, as well as Omdurman, Kordofan, and El Fasher. The presence of Colombian fighters in Sudan would not be possible without the assistance of numerous individuals and companies, mostly from Colombia. Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra (Quijano), a dual Colombian-Italian national, is a retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates who plays a central role in recruiting and deploying former Colombian military personnel to Sudan. Quijano, a former associate of the Colombia-based Notre del Valle Cartel, is supported by a network of associates and companies that specializes in recruiting fighters and facilitating the movement of funds related to their deployment. In Colombia, Bogota-based International Services Agency (A4SI), an employment agency that Quijano co-founded, is the main recruiting node, having engaged in campaigns via its website, group chats, and townhalls to fill positions, including drone operators, snipers, and translators. Quijano's wife, Colombian national Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero (Oliveros), is A4SI's owner and manager. A4SI relies on Panama-based Global Staffing S.A. (Global Staffing), now Talent Bridge, S.A., to minimize A4SI's legal exposure and obfuscate the links betweenA4SI and the company hiring the Colombian fighters. Specifically, Global Staffing signs contracts and receives funds on A4SI's behalf. However, Global Staffing's links to A4SI run deeper. Not only is Global Staffing's website identical to that of A4SI, but Oliveros, A4SI'sowner and manager,was until recentlyGlobal Staffing'spresident and treasurer, and is still affiliated with it as a company subscriber. Maine Global Corp S.A.S. (Maine Global Corp) is a Bogota, Colombia-based employment agency managed by dual Colombian-Spanish national Mateo Andres Duque Botero (Duque), who serves as the shareholder, president, director or manager of firms in Colombia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Maine Global Corp manages and disburses funds for Global Staffing and the company that hired the Colombians, with the support of U.S.-based firms associated with Duque. This includes processing payroll payments for the Colombian fighters and serving as a foreign exchange intermediary, converting euros and Colombian pesos to U.S. dollars. In 2024 and 2025, U.S.-based firms associated with Duque engaged in numerous wire transfers, totaling millions of U.S. dollars, with Maine Global Corp, Global Staffing, and the company hiring the Colombian fighters. Colombian national Monica Munoz Ucros, is Maine Global Corp's alternate manager and the manager of Bogota, Colombia-based Comercializadora San Bendito (San Bendito), which engaged in wire transfers with a U.S. company associated with Duque and directly with Duque. Quijano and A4SI are each being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, "Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition," for being a foreign person who is responsible for, or complicit in, or who has directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan. Oliveros is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of A4SI, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14098 relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors. Global Staffing is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is owned or controlled by, or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, A4SI, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14098. Maine Global Corp is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for is a foreign person who has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Global Staffing, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14098. Duque and Munoz are each being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of Maine Global Corp, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14098 relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors. San Bendito is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098 for being a foreign person who is owned or controlled by, or has acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Munoz, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to E.O. 14098. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List. Click here for more information on the persons designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK to boost peacebuilding efforts for Israel and Palestine Press release The UK will host a key peacebuilding conference next year to help establish an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Published 9 December 2025 Foreign Secretary to host Israeli and Palestinian civil society leaders in March next year to focus on delivering sustainable peace Meeting at Lancaster House will support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine UK to use peacebuilding expertise from Northern Ireland and ongoing Western Balkans work to support Middle East efforts The UK will host a key peacebuilding conference on 12 March next year to help establish an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. The conference at Lancaster House will bring together civil society leaders from across the region and delivers on the Prime Minister's pledge to host the event and set up a fund which can provide the long-term finance that is required for peacebuilding efforts to deliver genuine change. October's US-led ceasefire agreement - and President Trump's 20-Point Plan - have presented a critical opportunity to achieve lasting peace and security in the Middle East. All living hostages have since been released and the UK continues to push for the remaining deceased hostage to be returned. Gradually, more aid is getting into Gaza but much more needs to be done and the UK is pressing for all restrictions to be lifted so that humanitarian supplies can be delivered at the pace and volume required, especially with winter drawing in. Civil society organisations in Israel and Palestine have a vital role to play in reinforcing the forward momentum of recent months. Over the past year, the UK has been working with partners on the ground and internationally to ensure that civil society groups are ready to take the lead in advancing long-term stability, and driving progress towards a two-state solution, with peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: After two years of the most horrendous suffering, the US-led ceasefire agreement has now been in place for two months. But it remains highly fragile, and there is still a long journey ahead to implement the 20-point plan endorsed by the United Nations, and achieve a just and lasting peace. This conference will be a crucial step in that journey, bringing together representatives of Palestinian and Israeli civil society to build common ground between their communities, challenge entrenched divisions, and work towards a future where both states can live side-by-side in peace and security. With the UK's experience of the reconciliation process in Northern Ireland and our ongoing support for peacebuilding in Western Balkans, we are well placed to host and facilitate these talks, and the new International Peace Fund we are helping to create will provide the practical support to drive this work forward. The UK- hosted meeting will bring together international peacebuilding expertise and civil society organisations from the Middle East, to map existing peace-building work and support the establishment of an International Peace Fund for Israel and Palestine. Discussions will focus on the practical steps that the Peace Fund can best support, and the best practice that can be learned from other similar initiatives, including the International Fund for Ireland that helped support dialogue and reconciliation between unionist and nationalist communities more than a decade before the Good Friday Agreement. The fund will support activities that bring Israelis and Palestinians together to reduce violence, build trust, and create the conditions for a lasting and just peace. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Andrii Sybiha regarding the AP investigation about Russian atrocities in Mali Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 09 December 2025 12:04 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "What an absolutely horrific account of Russian atrocities in Mali. Rape, torture, looting, extrajudicial killings, and inhuman violence against ordinary people. All of the awful atrocities that the Russians are committing in Ukraine, they are also committing in Mali and other African states. The label may be differentWagner, Africa Corps, or just "Russian Army"but the essence is the same. Russia spreads violence, chaos, destabilization, plundering, and brutality wherever it sets its foot. In the wake of these revelations, Ukraine urges international community to react in the strongest terms. These beasts are not acting on their own. They are officially part of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Both these criminals and the Russian state as such must be held accountable. We are demanding international legal action, including arrest warrants and sanctions. We also insist on an international fact-finding missions and independent investigation, possibly under UN auspices, to establish the facts and the full scale of atrocities, which might be far larger. Last but not least, we caution all African governments against any cooperation with the Russians. Modern Russia has nothing to do with the Soviet Union's legacy in Africa it brings not liberation, but lawlessness, atrocities, and plundering. Do not undermine your security. We also call for greater international support for those African states that face unacceptable security risks because of the Russian military presence in their regions." 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 9 December 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Secretary-General Statement/Yemen Alright, good afternoon. I am going to start off with some updates on Yemen, including a statement from the Secretary-General. And I can tell you that the Secretary-General is gravely concerned about the continued arbitrary detention of 59 of our UN personnel, in addition to dozens of non-governmental organization (NGO), civil society and diplomatic mission personnel. He condemns the referral by the Houthi de facto authorities of United Nations personnel to their special criminal court. The United Nations personnel have been held incommunicado, some for many years, without any due process, in violation of international law. United Nations personnel, including those who are nationals of Yemen, are immune from legal process in respect of all acts performed by them in their official capacity. We call on the de facto authorities to rescind the referral and work in good faith toward the immediate release of all detained personnel of the United Nations, NGOs and diplomatic community. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the people of Yemen and delivering principled humanitarian assistance. That statement has been shared with you. ** Yemen Also on Yemen, I can tell you that following recent developments in Hadramout and Al-Mahra in the eastern region of the country, our Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, today highlighted the need for all actors to exercise restraint and de-escalate through dialogue. This came during meetings he held in Riyadh with the Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Zindani, the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed al-Zaabi. He also met with representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council in Saudi Arabia, as well as other diplomats. He noted that the eastern region of Yemen is a vital area, both politically and economically, and underscored the need to preserve the space where Yemeni parties can discuss in support of stability and in the interest of Yemeni people. Mr. Grundberg reaffirmed his continued engagement with Yemeni, regional and international actors to support de-escalation and advance prospects for a negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Yemen. ** Trip Announcement A trip announcement to share with you: Later today, the Secretary-General will be leaving New York for travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Oman. He will arrive in Riyadh on Wednesday, tomorrow. There he will hold bilateral meetings with the Saudi leadership, including His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to discuss a number of pressing regional issues. From Saudi Arabia, the Secretary-General will travel to Iraq on 13 December to mark the closure of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). The Secretary-General is expected to express his gratitude to the Mission's staff members and to the Government and people of Iraq for hosting UNAMI for 22 years. While in Baghdad, he will have bilateral meetings with the leaders of the Government of Iraq, including with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The Secretary-General will then return to Riyadh to participate in the eleventh Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations taking place on 14 and 15 December. The Forum, convened under the theme "Two decades of dialogue for humanity: Advancing a new era of mutual respect and understanding in a multipolar world", marks the twentieth anniversary of the Alliance of Civilizations. Prior to leaving the region, the Secretary-General is also scheduled to visit Muscat, the capital of Oman. There he will meet the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al Said, on 15 December to discuss regional issues, including the situation in Yemen. The Secretary-General is expected to be back in New York on 16 December. ** Central Emergency Response Fund The high-level pledging event for the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was flagged yesterday, is currently under way. Speaking at the event earlier this morning, the Secretary-General appealed for stepped-up commitments to our global emergency fund, all this to help reach the $1 billion target for CERF endorsed by the General Assembly, and to keep humanitarian funding predictable for the years ahead. This year alone, CERF as I mentioned to you yesterday has allocated some $110 million to neglected and underfunded emergencies, from Afghanistan to Somalia and beyond. Yet, the projected contributions this year are expected to be the lowest since 2015. The Secretary-General said that we are being asked to do more and more with less and less, and that is simply unsustainable. For his part, Tom Fletcher, our Emergency Relief Coordinator, warned that if CERF falters, then the world's emergency service will falter, and millions of people who rely on us will suffer. Our colleagues from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will provide you with the total funding announced at the conference as soon as we have them. ** Ukraine This morning, the Security Council held a briefing on Ukraine. Speaking on our behalf, Joyce Msuya, the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and she said that intense missile and drone attacks across Ukraine have continued to exact a worrying toll on civilians. These strikes, many conducted at night, during freezing temperatures, continue to kill and injure civilians, sever essential services and undermine the lifelines that civilians rely on. Humanitarian partners, as we've been telling you, are continuing to deliver emergency supplies whenever and wherever they are allowed, but access to some front-line areas remains extremely challenging due to the ongoing fighting. For her part, Kayoko Gotoh, the Officer-in-charge for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the Political and Peacebuilding Affairs [Department], said that, despite cautious optimism around resumed diplomatic efforts, 2025 has been one of the deadliest for the people of Ukraine, who have not only shown remarkable resilience to endure the horrible consequences of the war, but also determination to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for their country. She added that meeting their aspirations and ensuring the long-term stability of the region must remain our collective focus. ** Sudan Turning to Sudan, and specifically the plight of children that we have been highlighting over the recent days: The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) today called for urgent action to safeguard children and essential services. UNICEF estimates that 10 million people have been displaced in Sudan; half of those 10 million are children. This is the highest level of child displacement in the world. UNICEF reports that children trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, including in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, are especially vulnerable, where access to food, water and medical supplies remains practically cut off. Newly displaced children arrive exhausted, dehydrated and in urgent need of protection, nutrition and medical support. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, who is currently in Sudan, met with Government officials in Port Sudan, as well as with displaced women and children. As is too often the case, she underscored, women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, including horrific levels of sexual violence. They need protection, services and global solidarity. As you well know, famine has been declared in parts of Darfur and Kordofan regions, with the risk of that famine spreading. Despite severe access constraints, UNICEF is delivering assistance across the country wherever they can. We continue to call for an immediate end to the violence and for all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, and ensure the safety and dignity of every child and civilian in this horrific crisis. ** South Sudan Heading South to South Sudan: The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is encouraged by renewed efforts from the country's leaders to reinvigorate political dialogue. The Mission said today that meaningful progress towards sustainable peace and credible elections requires an immediate end to violence nationwide. The Mission remains deeply concerned by ongoing hostilities, such as aerial bombardments, armed confrontations and intercommunal clashes, that continue to cause loss of life, widespread displacement and the destruction of property, including critical humanitarian infrastructure. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory Turning to the situation in Gaza: OCHA tells us that we and our partners continue our efforts to scale up the humanitarian response, delivering life-saving assistance despite persistent impediments on the ground. Yesterday, the UN and its partners coordinated 10 humanitarian movements inside Gaza in coordination with the Israeli authorities. Eight were facilitated, allowing us to collect critical supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem and Zikim crossings that included fuel, blankets, tent toolkits, jerrycans and vaccines. One mission was denied and another one impeded. Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that a second batch of five medical freezers has been delivered to five hospitals including two stabilization centres for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition all of this to ensure the safe storage of therapeutic milk and foods for malnourished children. The agency added that, since August, it has provided 23 medical freezers to hospitals offering maternity and nutrition services in Gaza. These units help strengthen maternal health services and improve child and newborn care. With a severe storm expected this week, our partners providing shelter services report that since the ceasefire, they have distributed tents, tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothes and other critical items to help families cope. But, what has reached people remains a trickle compared with the needs. Our partners estimate that nearly 1.3 million people still require shelter ahead of winter. Past storms flooded displacement sites, contaminating living areas with sewage and solid waste. More than 760 sites hosting some 850,000 human beings are at risk of flooding. You will recall that a major impediment to shelter response is the restrictive NGO registration requirement. Many of our NGO partners remain blocked from bringing in relief, and nearly 4,000 pallets of shelter materials have been rejected by the Israeli authorities. Gaza urgently needs heavy machinery, tools and many more shelter items to prevent catastrophic flooding. Meanwhile, our partners leading efforts to restore education services report that as of yesterday, the number of temporary learning spaces across Gaza has risen to more than 390, up from just over 300 in October. These spaces now support nearly 221,000 students, taught by some 5,200 teachers. Despite this progress, our partners note that just over a third of Gaza's school-aged population in the 2025-2026 academic year were enrolled in these learning spaces, highlighting the continued gap in access to education in Gaza. The 2026 Flash Appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territory was launched yesterday, and it calls for just over $4 billion to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to 3.6 million people across the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. The appeal underscores dual humanitarian crises: catastrophic destruction and extreme deprivation in Gaza; and rising displacement, demolitions, settler violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank. The plan seeks to address priority needs, including food, water, shelter, health and nutrition services, sanitation and hygiene aid, cash assistance, protection, mental health support and the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure. OCHA warns that significant bureaucratic impediments, access restrictions and anti-UN rhetoric continues to constrain aid operations. Full implementation of the humanitarian response depends on a stable and enabling operating environment. ** Lebanon/Israel Just heading north to southern Lebanon. Our United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers tell us that repeated discoveries of unauthorized weapon caches and unexploded ordnance. Yesterday, in Sector East, peacekeepers discovered a rocket-launcher, cluster ammunition and submunitions. The day before, in Sector West, they found a rocket-launcher system hidden inside a pit covered with concrete blocks and earth. In keeping with their mandate, these findings were reported to the Lebanese Armed Forces. UNIFIL observed continued Israel Defense Forces military activities in our area of operations. Yesterday alone, more than 500 rounds of small-arms fire were recorded from south to north of the Blue Line in Sector East. Incidents of obstruction and aggressive behaviour directed at peacekeepers continue. Our blue helmets in southern Lebanon tell us that yesterday an Israel Defense Forces tank turned its turret directly towards a UNIFIL patrol vehicle in Sector East. On the same day, two green laser beams were pointed at a patrol, while a small drone hovered at an altitude of 50 metres near the patrol in Sector West. We continue to call on both parties to adhere to their commitments and obligations under Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). We also encourage the parties to safeguard the progress that has been made so far. ** Sustainable Transport A couple of things to flag to you. The launch of the first United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport (20262035) and its widely anticipated Implementation Plan will be launched tomorrow at our Headquarters. Outlining six focus areas and means of implementation, the Implementation Plan provides a road map to align policies, finance, technology and data with sustainable transport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ** Youth, Peace and Security Also, I wanted to flag that today marks the tenth anniversary of the youth, peace and security agenda, which was done through the adoption of Security Council resolution 2250 (2015). The resolution recognizes the vital role young people play in building and sustaining peace and urges countries to include youth at all levels of peace processes and decision-making. Next week, on Monday, 15 December, the Youth Peace and Security Secretariat, otherwise known as the Youth Office, the Department and Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) are organizing a high-level stocktaking event. This event will take place at 10 a.m. in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and will bring together Member States, UN entities, youth leaders and others, and you are welcome to attend. Later that day, the United Nations Youth Office will convene a peace circle as part of the campaign "Hear Us. Act Now for a Peaceful World". More information on the interweb. We are almost done. ** International Days Today is the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. In his message, the Secretary-General underscores that genocide is a horrendous crime, and that it is the solemn duty of all States to prevent and punish it. But prevention is also a shared responsibility. By standing united against genocide, we honour its victims and uphold the right of all people to live in safety, dignity and peace. Also today, don't try to give me any money, because today is International Anti-Corruption Day. Corruption weakens institutions, harms economies and fuels instability. With 1.9 billion young people worldwide, combating corruption is essential to protect their future. ** Financial Contribution We have money, we have a quiz. Somebody gave us money. It has nothing to do with the international day. This country is home to the longest railway in the world. [Trans-Siberian Railroad is 9,289 kilometres long and crosses eight time zones. It runs from Moscow to Vladivostok.] Who said Russia? Yes, it is the Russian Federation. We say thank you to the Russian Federation for their payment in full to the Regular Budget. We are now up to 146. We have a few days till 31 December; it is not too late to pay. Edie? ** Questions and Answers Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups on the Yemen detentions and the referral to this criminal court. First, have all of those detained including the dozens who work for NGOs and diplomatic, have they all been referred, or is it only the UN? Spokesman : What I can tell you that a number of the UN staff have been referred to the special criminal court, and that is of deep concern and worry for us. Question : So, it's just a number of the 50...? Spokesman : Of the UN. Yes. Exactly. Question : Of the 59? Spokesman : But, there were procedures going on in the court, I believe, today and all of this is very, very worrying to us. Question : And I assume that if they're referred to this court that there would be some kind of a trial? Spokesman : It's not our court. We don't want them to be in this court, and we want them to be released. Question : And of the 59, are they all Yemeni nationals? Spokesman : Yes. All Yemeni nationals. Michelle Nichols? Question : Thank you. Sorry. On serious note, are the Houthis engaging with the UN on discussions to try and release them? Spokesman : I mean, we are in constant discussions with the Houthis. Question : But, are they receptive to, sort of, your...? Spokesman : I don't want to characterize the discussions. They're ongoing, and as I said, they're frequent. But the situation remains that 59 of our colleagues remain detained. Question : And are any countries that may be perceived to have influence with the Houthis giving help? Spokesman : I mean, let's be honest, we've raised... the Secretary-General and others have raised this issue in discussions with Iran, with Oman, with Saudi Arabia and others. And I think all of these countries have been receptive and have played a role in helping us, and we're very much thankful for their engagement. As I said, the fact remains that 59 of our colleagues are continuing to be arbitrarily detained, which is unacceptable. Yes, madam? All the way in back. Question : Following up on the detainees, did you get in touch with them, the UN? Spokesman : We have not been able to speak to our colleagues directly. Question : Okay. Another question related to the escalating situation in Yemen, south Yemen. Okay. You have mentioned that there was meeting with the Emirati and Saudi ambassadors here. What's the outcome of this? Spokesman : No. All those meetings took place in Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. Question : Okay. What's the outcome of this? Spokesman : I mean, this is part of Mr. Grundberg's effort to de-escalate the situation. It's diplomacy. It's an ongoing conversation. As I said, it's an ongoing process. Yes, Pam, and then Stefano. Question : Thank you, Steph. In early September, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative. And this morning, the Group of Friends of Global Governance was formally launched here at United Nations. So, does SG has any comments on this group? Thank you. Spokesman : I mean, all I would say is I would refer you back to what the Secretary-General has already said about the plan. I have to check if there was Secretariat participation in that meeting. Stefano? Question : Yes. Thank you. Do you know when the Secretary-General met last time or talked the last time with Special Adviser for the Responsibility to Protect, Mo Bleeker? Spokesman : I don't have a record of all of his conversations with internal staff members. Question : But, like, say, in the last couple of months? Spokesman : I'm sure they've had conversations. As I said, we don't have that kind of data. Dezhi, and then we'll go back to Edie. Question : A couple questions. I should pay money to someone, I think. Is this working? Spokesman : Yes, it's working. I can hear right. Question : Okay, all right. So, sorry. Yesterday, I asked you about the situation in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia. Obviously, the tension escalated. Today, both sides accuse each other, fighting attack the civilian villages. Has the Secretary-General ever contacted anybody over this issue? And obviously, I think he's following the situation, and what is the latest response? Spokesman : Yeah. I mean, we continue to be worried about the escalation, the rhetoric, what is going on the ground. But, there was a framework that was signed in Kuala Lumpur. This is part of the efforts by the United States and by Malaysia to try to have a return to peace between the two neighbours. It is essential that both Cambodia and Thailand return to the letter and to the framework of that, to the letter and the intent of that framework. Question : Have they ever reached out for the Secretariat? Spokesman : No. As you know, we always stand ready for good offices, should both parties request it. Question : Alright. Another location, Gaza. It seems that there would be soon a discussion on phase two of the ceasefire. Has the UN had any role or had any discussion with any parties on ground? Spokesman : We continue to be very much engaged with the relevant parties. I mean, as you recall, the Secretary-General was in Doha not too long ago, had conversations with the Emir and the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister. We know the US Ambassador, Mike Waltz, was in Jerusalem. He met with Ramiz Alakbarov, our Deputy Special Coordinator. Mr. Fletcher has had contacts with the US. So, we continue to be in contact. But, we are not directly involved in the negotiations and discussions on the implementation of phase two. Question : And in the term of Gaza, a couple of days ago, it's been reported that IDF [Israel Defense Forces] Chief of the General Staff said that the Yellow Line, the Trump ceasefire plan, the Yellow Line is now the new border of Gaza. It's actually a large chunk of land outside the Yellow Line. Spokesman : I mean, first of all, that seems to me to go against the spirit and the letter of the Trump peace plan, and we firmly stand against any change of the borders of Gaza and Israel. Question : So, when we're talking about Gaza in this room, it's the Gaza, the original one, it's not the one within the Yellow Line? Spokesman : Definitely. Okay. Alex, I'll come back for a second round. Question : Thanks, Stephane. A quick follow-up on Russia's payment. How much did Russia pay? Spokesman : I can tell you. $71,781,915. Correspondent : Thank you so much. Spokesman : Okay. No cents. Edie, then Stefano. Question : Thanks, Steph. And you may have answered this while I was away, but does the United Nations have any comment on children under the age of 16 in Australia losing access to social media platforms? Spokesman : I did answer your question. I can't remember what I said, so I'll try to rephrase it. National governments are free through public policy and discussion to make up their own rules. I think it is clear and it's been clear for the Secretary-General that social media companies, tech companies have also a great responsibility on how their product is used, especially by young people, to ensure that they're not... that these platforms are not misused by nefarious actors to hurt young people. Vaccara. Ingeniere. Question : Ingeniere? Spokesman : Ingeniere. Why not? I'm giving you a promotion today. Correspondent : That's Okay. Maybe you answered already this question. I don't know. But, you know... Spokesman : Nobody should read the transcript. Just, you know... Correspondent : No, I did. I do actually. It's just sometimes... Spokesman : No. I know you do, Stefano. Question : Did the Secretary-General read the Trump new national security strategy, 33 pages? And if he did, what is his reaction? Spokesman : He's aware of it. I can tell you something that the Secretary-General's deep belief in multilateralism, in the need to uphold the ideals of the Charter, the need to uphold everything that has been built, especially since 1945, while needing reform, his deep belief in it continues. Question : A very quick follow-up. The Secretary-General is Secretary-General of United Nations, but he's also a European. So, any reaction on the way the national security strategy of United States thinks about Europe and its future? Spokesman : I mean, Stefano, I think if you want a European reaction, call the EU. On that note, enjoy the day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Born vulnerable: the toll of maternal malnutrition and stress in Gaza UNICEF Remarks This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Communication Manager Tess Ingram - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva 09 December 2025 THE GAZA STRIP, 9 December 2025 - "As you know, at least 165 children are reported to have died painful, preventable deaths related to malnutrition during the war. But far less reported has been the scale of malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the devastating domino effect that has had on thousands of newborns. "The pattern is clear - malnourished mothers, giving birth to underweight or premature babies, who die in Gaza's neonatal intensive care units or survive, only to face malnutrition themselves or potential lifelong medical complications. "Let me track back to 2022 in Gaza, before the horrors of the last two years, when an average of 250 babies per month - 5 per cent - were born with what doctors call low birth weight or weighing less than 2.5 kilograms at birth. This is according to the local Ministry of Health. "In the first half of 2025, even with fewer births, more babies were underweight; 10 per cent of all births or about 300 babies per month. "In the three months before the ceasefire, from July to September, this surged to an average of 460 babies every month, or 15 a day, almost double the pre-war average. "In Gaza's hospitals, I met several newborns who weighed less than 1 kilogram, their tiny chests heaving with the effort of staying alive. "Low birth weight infants are about 20 times more likely to die than infants of normal weight. They need special care, which many of the hospitals in Gaza have struggled to provide due to the destruction of the health system, the death and displacement of staff, and impediments by Israeli authorities that prevented some essential medical supplies from entering the Strip. "Data shows the number of babies who died on their first day of life increased 75 per cent - from an average of 27 babies per month in 2022 to 47 babies per month between July and September 2025. Not all of this can be traced back to preterm or low birth weight, but alongside rising congenital abnormalities, doctors tell me it is a common story. "Low birth weight is generally caused by poor maternal nutrition, increased maternal stress, and limited antenatal care. In Gaza, we witness all three, and the response is not moving fast enough nor at the scale required. "Between July and September, about 38 per cent of the pregnant women screened by UNICEF and partners were diagnosed with acute malnutrition. "And even now, we continue treating them in high numbers. In October alone, we admitted 8,300 pregnant and breastfeeding women for treatment for acute malnutrition - about 270 a day - in a place where there was no discernible malnutrition among this group before October 2023. "This pattern is a grave warning and will likely result in low birth weight babies being born in Gaza for months to come. "Two weeks ago, I met Fatma as she was visiting her baby Mohammed in a Gaza City neonatal intensive care unit. Mohammed was born premature and weighing only 1.5 kilograms. Fatma told me that unlike her first pregnancy, when she had access to antenatal checkups, vitamins and nutritious food, "this pregnancy has been full of displacement, lack of food, malnutrition, war and fear." She said she was malnourished for three months of the pregnancy, displaced three times, and her young daughter and husband were killed, two months apart, by airstrikes. "I have spent many months in Gaza over the past two years, and I see and hear the generational impacts of the conflict on mothers and their infants almost every day; in hospitals, nutrition clinics and family tents. It is less visible than blood or injury, but it is ubiquitous. It is everywhere. "I have lost count of the number of parents like Fatma who have sobbed while telling me what happened to them, wrecked by how powerless they are to protect their children in the face of indiscriminate destruction and deprivation. Generations of families, including those born into the ceasefire, have been forever altered by what was inflicted upon them. "UNICEF is responding. We are replacing the incubators, ventilators and other lifesaving equipment destroyed - UNICEF delivered 10 ventilators to Gaza in late September, and following the ceasefire, another 20 incubators, 20 ventilators and 15 patient monitors, among other equipment. Since the ceasefire, we have provided supplements, including micronutrient supplements, to over 45,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women to prevent malnutrition. We have screened over 150,000 under 5 years for acute malnutrition and enrolled over 14,00 in treatment. We are providing breastfeeding counseling for over 14,000 caregivers, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. "We are doing everything in our power to support families. But, to improve the response, more aid must enter the Gaza Strip, especially aid that strengthens the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women and equips hospitals with everything they need to save lives. This must be supplemented by commercial goods that restock local markets with enough nutritious foods, so the prices continue to fall. "And the fear must end. This ceasefire should offer families safety, not more loss. More than 70 children have been killed in the eight weeks since the ceasefire began. The ongoing attacks and the killing of children must stop immediately. "This domino effect - from mother to child - should have been prevented. No child should be scarred by war before they have taken their first breath. But in Gaza, this brutal reality was caused by the conflict and exacerbated by the aid restrictions, which depleted hospitals and starved and stressed mothers. So much suffering could have been prevented, if international humanitarian law had been respected." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Central Emergency Response Fund, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Central Emergency Response Fund UN hosts high-level pledging event for global emergency fund in 2026 At today's high-level pledging event for the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the UN appealed for stepped-up commitments to its global emergency fund, at a time when humanitarian needs are outstripping the resources on hand to meet them.* In his opening remarks at the event, which was co-hosted by Ireland and the Philippines, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that in creating CERF 20 years ago, the international community made a simple promise: When disaster strikes, help will come. He called on donors to renew that promise and contribute to "keep hope alive for millions of people who depend on us." The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, said that at a time "when we're needed at full strength, the warning lights are flashing," stressing that if CERF falters, then the world's emergency service will falter - "and the people who rely on us will suffer." He called on donors to help reach the Secretary-General's target of US$1 billion this year. Mr. Fletcher also announced an allocation of $100 million to support life-saving action in several of the world's most underfunded emergencies, including Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar and Syria. *Donations made to CERF through UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in need with urgent support. Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian community launches US$4 billion flash appeal for Gaza and the West Bank OCHA says that the UN and its partners continue their efforts to scale up the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, delivering life-saving assistance despite persistent impediments on the ground. Yesterday, the UN and its partners coordinated 10 humanitarian movements inside Gaza with the Israeli authorities. Eight were facilitated, allowing for the collection of critical supplies from the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings - including fuel, blankets, tent toolkits, jerrycans and vaccines. One mission was denied and another impeded. Today, the World Health Organization reported that a second batch of five medical freezers has been delivered to five hospitals - including two stabilization centres for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition - to ensure the safe storage of therapeutic milk and foods for malnourished children. The agency added that since August, it has provided 23 medical freezers to hospitals offering maternity and nutrition services in Gaza. These units help strengthen maternal health services and improve child and newborn care. With a severe storm expected this week, partners providing shelter services report that since the ceasefire, they have distributed with bilateral donors tents, tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothes and other critical items to help families cope. However, what has reached people in Gaza despite major impediments remains a trickle compared with the needs. Partners estimate that nearly 1.3 million people still require shelter ahead of winter. Past storms flooded displacement sites, contaminating living areas with sewage and solid waste. More than 760 displacement sites hosting some 850,000 people are at risk of flooding. A major impediment to the shelter response is the restrictive NGO registration requirement. Many NGO partners remain blocked from bringing in relief, and nearly 4,000 pallets of shelter materials have been rejected by the Israeli authorities. Gaza urgently needs heavy machinery, tools and many more shelter items to prevent catastrophic flooding. Meanwhile, partners leading efforts to restore education services report that as of yesterday, the number of temporary learning spaces across Gaza has risen to more than 390, up from just over 300 in October. These spaces now support nearly 221,000 students, taught by some 5,200 teachers. Despite this progress, partners note that just over a third of Gaza's school-aged population in the 2025-2026 academic year were enrolled in these learning spaces, highlighting the continued gap in access to education. Yesterday, the humanitarian community in the Occupied Palestinian Territory launched the 2026 Flash Appeal, calling for just over $4 billion to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to 3.6 million people across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The appeal underscores dual humanitarian crises: catastrophic destruction and extreme deprivation in Gaza; and rising displacement, demolitions, settler violence and movement restrictions in the West Bank. The plan seeks to address priority needs - including food, water, shelter, health and nutrition services, sanitation and hygiene aid, cash assistance, protection, mental health support, and the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure. OCHA warns that significant bureaucratic impediments, access restrictions and anti-UN rhetoric continue to constrain aid operations, stressing that full implementation of the humanitarian response depends on a stable and enabling operating environment. Ukraine UN Deputy Relief Chief calls on Security Council to prevent fourth winter of suffering Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, told the Security Council today that intense missile and drone attacks across Ukraine - many conducted at night, during freezing temperatures - have continued to exact a worrying toll on civilians. She noted that energy infrastructure has also been targeted in Ukraine and the Russian Federation, with winter sharply raising the stakes. "Each damaged sub-station, heating pipeline or pumping station risks cascading failures with grave repercussions for the well-being of civilians," Ms. Msuya said. The Assistant Secretary-General stressed that as winter deepens and access tightens, the humanitarian community's ability to provide support hinges on timely and efficient funding. "Underfunding has a human cost," she said. "Families face freezing temperatures without heating support; women and girls lose access to safe spaces; and older people in front-line communities are left without the means to evacuate." Ms. Msuya called on the Security Council to ensure that the rules of war are upheld to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, that safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need is facilitated, and that humanitarian action is funded in line with the scale of need. "Your actions in the coming weeks will influence whether this winter becomes another chapter of avoidable suffering, or a moment when the Council helped prevent it," she said. Posted on 9 December 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Navy Lays Keel for Future USS Barb US Navy 09 December 2025 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Senior Navy leaders and shipbuilders gathered at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) for the keel authentication of the future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Barb (SSN 804), Dec. 9. Keel laying authentication ceremonies signify a major construction milestone where the ship begins to transition from design to reality. The future USS Barb will be the 31st Virginia Class Submarine when commissioned. "Barb represents the cutting edge of Navy warfighting and the best in American shipbuilding," said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia-class program manager. "We're excited to authenticate Barb's ceremonial keel and ramp up the construction of another attack submarine to add to the Fleet." The ship's sponsor, Ms. Pamela Bove, will have her initials etched onto a steel plate that will be installed on the submarine. The bond symbolizes the enduring relationship between the sponsor and the ship's crew. As the spouse of the late Rear Adm. Eugene Bennett "Lucky" Fluckey's grandson, Ms. Bove is tied to the Barb legacy. Fluckey was commanding officer of the storied Barb (SS 220) in World War II. Under Fluckey's watch, USS Barb became one of the most highly decorated submarines in U.S. naval history, most known for sinking a record number of enemy ships and for a particularly daring mission that destroyed enemy shipping lines. Fluckey received the Medal of Honor for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." The ship earned four Presidential Unit Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation and eight Battle Stars for service in World War II and was decommissioned in 1954. The second Navy ship named Barb (SSN 596) was a Permit-class submarine that took part in special operations in Vietnam and, during the Cold War, served as a test platform for the Tomahawk cruise missile. SSN 596 earned two battle stars for service in the Vietnam combat zone. The sponsor for this nuclear submarine was Marjorie Fluckey, the admiral's wife. Virginia-class submarines are the most advanced attack submarines in the world, with superior stealth, firepower and maneuverability than previous classes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Europe split widens over tech fines, new U.S. security strategy People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:18, December 10, 2025 The EU's antitrust investigation against U.S. tech giants and the U.S. putting down the EU in its National Security Strategy expose a growing split in transatlantic relations. BRUSSELS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- From Europe's sweeping crackdown on American big tech to a hard-edged new U.S. national security strategy, transatlantic tensions are mounting. In the past week, the European Commission opened two antitrust investigations into U.S. tech giant Google and Meta, and fined Elon Musk's platform X 120 million euros (about 139.49 million U.S. dollars) in its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Simultaneously, the White House published a new National Security Strategy warning that Europe faces the "prospect of civilizational erasure." This has triggered an unusually sharp backlash from European leaders. Analysts say the rift between the United States and Europe is widening, a trend that is reinforcing Europe's drive for greater "strategic autonomy" and making the split increasingly difficult to reverse. DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE On Dec. 5, the European Commission issued its first non-compliance decision under the DSA, fining X 120 million euros for the deceptive design of its blue checkmark, a lack of transparency in its advertising repository, and failing to provide researchers with access to public data. X owner Elon Musk then blasted the European Union (EU) for the fine, warning that his response would target the officials responsible for the penalty. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned the fine as an attack on American companies and an act of censorship against Americans online. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau argued that the EU's regulatory stance could damage shared Western security and values. However, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen has insisted the law "has nothing to do with censorship." On Tuesday, the Commission opened a separate antitrust investigation into whether Google has breached EU anticompetitive rules. U.S. National Public Radio said that Europe has been striving to establish itself as the global authority for digital regulation. The Trump administration has pushed back against perceived curbs on U.S. companies' profits, highlighting a growing division over the concept of digital sovereignty, which has transformed long-standing allies into competitors. U.S. SECURITY STRATEGY RATTLES EUROPE While the tech battles have exposed an economic rift, the new U.S. National Security Strategy has raised the issues of identity and values. Several U.S. and European outlets have pointed out that in the 30-page document, barely two and a half pages are devoted to Europe, a level of neglect they say no previous U.S. strategy document has shown toward its European allies. Analysts believe the new Strategy underlines how Europe is being pushed down the list of U.S. priorities. "For Trump, however, Europe seems increasingly irrelevant or, on a bad day, even an adversary," said Leonard A. Schuette, an international security program fellow at the Belfer Center at the Harvard Kennedy School. Some experts also argue that the strategy extends the rift into the realm of the shared values that once underpinned the transatlantic security alliance. The Financial Times reported that the document "highlights the ideological gulf that has opened up between Washington and its traditional allies." The Strategy also calls on the U.S. to "cultivate resistance within European nations" to what it describes as Europe's current trajectory, and commends far-right "patriotic" parties across the continent. Liana Fix, a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, pointed out that the document frames Europe's problems in "civilizational" terms, which is radically different from any past administration's view of Europe. Fix concluded that it "marks the end of the transatlantic alliance based on liberal values." STRATEGIC AUTONOMY BECOMING MORE URGENT Europe's drive for strategic autonomy is looking more urgent than ever, faced with tariff threats, tech enforcement battles, and the new U.S. strategy document. From U.S. Vice President JD Vance's blunt criticism of Europe at the Munich Security Conference early this year, to the U.S. tendency to bypass European allies in negotiations on Ukraine, the pattern of "America First" decisions has pushed Europe toward strengthening its own strategic autonomy. In recent months, the EU has invoked its digital regulations to launch a series of enforcement actions against major U.S. tech firms. Analysts describe these moves as a direct response to the U.S. use of tariff threats to interfere with the bloc's digital regulatory agenda. At the same time, several European countries have begun raising defense budgets and expanding joint military cooperation in an effort to reduce long-standing dependence on the U.S. in security and defense. A recent paper published by the European Union Institute for Security Studies warns that Europe is not facing a "storm that will pass." It is a multi-round contest in which power, alliances, and resilience are built over time, the paper said. To prepare for what comes next, the paper urges Europe to "collect more cards and learn to play them smartly," including boosting defense capabilities, investing in strategic industries, and rebuilding Europe's economic security, so it can safeguard its own security and democratic future. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Global Crackdown On Media Deepens, Watchdog Warns By RFE/RL December 10, 2025 The past year was another bleak one for journalists, with dozens killed and hundreds more behind bars around the world, according to media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In its annual round-up for 2025, RSF says that 67 reporters had been killed, 503 detained, 135 missing, and 20 held hostage as of December 1. As in previous years, Russia was considered one of the worst places for journalists, ranking only behind China in the number of reporters it has incarcerated, with 48 journalists in detention. Belarus and Iran also remain among the world's top jailers, with 33 and 21 journalists imprisoned respectively, placing both inside RSF's global top 10. Russia, however, stands out not only for its numbers but for the increasing severity of its pressure on the press. Many reporters there have been imprisoned on controversial charges ranging from extremism to allegedly spreading false information about the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. For example, in what RSF described as a "sham" process and "the first collective trial of journalists in Vladimir Putin's Russia," Konstantin Gabov, Sergei Karelin, Antonina Favorskaya, and Artyom Kriger were each sentenced to five and a half years in prison in April for "collaborating with an extremist organization" due to their coverage of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who died in prison in February 2024. The worsening media situation in Russia has also forced many journalists into exile, and nearly 70 of them have been targeted by arrests or convictions in absentia in the past three years - 30 of them in 2025 alone, RSF reports. 'Choked By Censorship' Beyond Russia, Moscow has also contributed to Ukraine becoming one of the world's deadliest countries for media workers, with RSF saying "the Russian army continues to target reporters" there, resulting in fatalities from missile strikes, artillery fire, and occupation-related violence. In October 2025, French photojournalist Antoni Lallican and Ukrainian journalist Heorhiy Ivanchenko were targeted by Russian drones in eastern Ukraine. Lallican was killed instantly, while Ivanchenko lost a leg. That same month, reporters Alyona Hramova and Yevhen Karmazin were killed in a Russian drone strike that injured their colleague Oleksandr Kolychev. Elsewhere in RFE/RL's coverage area, the report outlines similarly severe pressures on independent journalism. RSF has documented the near-total dismantling of independent media under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, with women journalists being disproportionately targeted. Since August 2021, more than 165 media professionals have been arrested including 25 in 2025 and the media monitor says "journalism has been choked by relentless censorship." The RSF report also highlights how many governments have continued to weaponize courts, police, and security services against the press. In one high-profile case in Georgia, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli faced trial for supposedly resisting or using violence against a law enforcement officer. She was eventually sentenced to two years in prison in August, after what RSF called "an unfair trial characterized by numerous procedural irregularities." According to the media watchdog, Amaglobeli -- who jointly won this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- is the first woman journalist to be imprisoned in Georgia since independence due to "political motives," which RSF described as "a symptom of the serious shift towards authoritarianism in this former Soviet republic in the Caucasus." In neighboring Azerbaijan, RSF highlighted the case of Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor of the independent media outlet Abzas Media, who was sentenced along with six of her colleagues to nine years in prison after an "unfair and politically motivated trial based on trumped-up charges of 'smuggling foreign currency.'" According to the report, 25 journalists are currently behind bars in Azerbaijan, 20 of them arrested since 1 December 2024. 'Complete Impunity' Meanwhile, in the Balkans, RSF said 98 journalists were physically assaulted in Serbia while covering widespread anti-corruption protests. It said that around half of these attacks "were carried out by the police with complete impunity, in a climate shaped by President Aleksandar Vucic's verbal attacks against the press." Despite the deteriorating media landscape generally, RSF also pointed to some positive developments, including the release of nine Belarusian journalists, among them RFE/RL's Ihar Losik, as well as Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khylyuk, who was freed from Russian detention in August. Overall though, these were just a few bright spots in an otherwise grim state of affairs. Outside RFE/RL's coverage region, RSF notes that China continues to be the world's leading jailer of journalists with 121 reporters in prison, while in Burma the military junta has intensified its repression of independent media. In the Middle East, Gaza once again ranked among the world's deadliest environments for the press, with journalists killed in air strikes, artillery fire, and cross-border attacks. Taken together, the data underscores what RSF describes as a steadily worsening climate in which journalists "have gradually become collateral victims, inconvenient observers, bargaining chips, pawns in diplomatic games, men and women to be eliminated." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/rsf-2025-press-freedom- report-journalsits-jailed-killed-crackdown/33618493.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 The Iranian Border Is Increasingly Deadly For Afghans By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi December 10, 2025 For decades, millions of Afghans fleeing war, persecution, and poverty have sought refuge in neighboring Iran. But crossing the 921-kilometer-long border has become increasingly dangerous for many Afghans as the Iranian authorities violently crack down on illegal migrants. At least 10 Afghans were shot dead by Iranian border guards on December 1, according to Taliban officials, after they entered Iran illegally from western Afghanistan's Farah Province. It's the latest in a growing number of deadly incidents where Afghan refugees and migrants have been shot and killed after crossing into Iran. 'Dead Bodies' The bodies of the slain Afghans were handed over to their families on December 2. Taliban officials said the 10 Afghans were killed while trying to cross the border during the night. Two members of the group are still missing, they said. The deaths triggered angry protests in Herat, the largest city in western Afghanistan. Protestors, some of whom knew the victims, said they were young men who were seeking jobs in Iran to provide for their impoverished families back home. Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Taliban's governor for Herat, told local media that "protecting human life at border areas is a fundamental principle of good neighborly relations." Islamjar said the killings on the Iranian border "have sparked public outrage and are a serious concern" for the Taliban government and urged Tehran to "conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation." Iranian officials have not commented on the incident. Sayed Suleiman Agha Bahir, the Taliban's deputy governor in the neighboring southwestern province of Nimroz, said that the bodies of over 100 Afghans killed while crossing Iran have been handed over to them in recent months. "On some days we receive up to five dead bodies," he told local media last week. History Of Violence The shootings on December 1 were not an isolated incident. In November, seven Afghans were shot dead by border guards near the Iranian city of Saravan, according to the human rights group Haalvsh. It also reported the killing of at least six Afghans, including children, in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan Province, which borders Afghanistan, in September. In October 2024, the United Nations' mission in Afghanistan called for an investigation into reports that dozens of Afghan migrants had been shot and killed on the Afghanistan-Iran border. The shootings highlight the risks Afghans are willing to take to escape poverty and the dire economic situation in their country. The Taliban's seizure of power in 2021 worsened one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. Without international development assistance, the Afghan economy has further shrunk as joblessness and poverty rise. Meanwhile, the hard-line Islamist group has committed gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and torture, leading to an exodus to neighboring countries. The rugged and desolate Iranian border -- used by drug traffickers and human smugglers -- has long been dangerous. But the rising number of Afghans killed illegally crossing the border have coincided with Iran's renewed push to deport millions of Afghan refugees and migrants. In the first eight months of the year, Tehran deported 1.1 million Afghans, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. That's in addition to the around 1 million Afghans who were evicted from the country last year. Iran has set a deadline until the end of the year for all undocumented Afghans to leave the country. UNHCR estimates that some 4 million Afghans, most of them undocumented, live in Iran. Maher Mohmand, an Afghan human rights activist, said people are "leaving Afghanistan because of hunger and because of poverty." He said that international humanitarian conventions require Tehran to care for all Afghans arriving on its territory. "Instead of killing them, [Iran should] provide them with [economic] opportunities," Mohmand added. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-iran-afghan- refugees-migrants-border/33618370.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 Fentanyl War The historical echo between the Opium Wars of the mid-19th century and the contemporary fentanyl crisis confronting the United States in the 21st century presents a profound paradox. On the surface, both conflicts revolve around the catastrophic flow of narcotics from a foreign power, devastating the social fabric, economy, and public health of the recipient nation. Yet the sanctioned response to each could not be more divergent. The Opium Wars were unequivocally warsstate-on-state military conflicts fought with naval squadrons and infantry regiments, culminating in imposed treaties that reshaped global order. The "Fentanyl War," however, was not initially prosecuted as a war in the military sense, even half a century after the declaration of the War on Drugs. Although both military service members and police wear uniforms and carry guns, warfare and law enforcement are fundamentally different. The American criminal justice system is predicated on the belief that it is better for some who are guilty to go free than for the innocent to suffer. We know that in war, though combatants are obliged to minimize unnecessary suffering, the innocent suffer along with the culpable. The United States suffered casualties in the Fentanyl War that rivaled most of its armed conflicts, as many in one year as the total number killed in Korea and Vietnam combined. But for decades successive governments of both parties treated transnational criminal organizations not as combatants to be destroyed by military force, but as protected civilians subject only to the slow, procedurally bound mechanisms of the criminal justice system. This fundamental disconnect in response, despite analogous scales of national trauma, invites critical examination. Comparing the geopolitical, legal, and philosophical contexts of these two eras, and possibly using cinematic allegory as a lens for understanding divergent worldviews about power and legitimacy, may illuminate the evolution of sovereignty, the changing nature of conflict, and the formidable constraints that seemed to have bound modern liberal democracies when confronting asymmetric, non-state threats. The Opium Wars: State-on-State Conflict and Coercive Imperialism The Opium Warsthe first from 1839 to 1842 and the second from 1856 to 1860were classical imperial conflicts born from a toxic collision of economic ambition, cultural arrogance, and state power. The British East India Company, backed by the full might of the British state, cultivated opium in Bengal and smuggled it into China in defiance of Qing dynasty prohibitions. The trade reversed a crippling balance-of-payments deficit for Britain, financing its thirst for Chinese tea and silks. For the Chinese nation, the result was societal catastrophe: widespread addiction, silver drainage, and administrative corruption. By 1839, estimates suggest that between two and ten million Chinese had become addicted to opium, with the drug accounting for a substantial drain on China's silver reserves. The Qing state, as the government of the Chinese nation, acted through its legal and military instruments to suppress the trade, most famously with Commissioner Lin Zexu's seizure and destruction of approximately 1,420 tons of opium stocks in Canton in March 1839. Britain's response was to declare war, framing it as a matter of national honor, free trade, and the protection of British subjectsspecifically the drug traffickers. The conflict was a stark contest of sovereignty. The British state did not consider the opium merchants criminal non-state actors; it effectively nationalized their grievance and deployed state military power on their behalf. The Royal Navy's gunboats, including the formidable steam-powered HMS Nemesis, attacked coastal cities with overwhelming technological superiority, and British regiments engaged the Qing military in pitched battles where traditional Chinese weapons and wooden junks proved no match for modern artillery and steam power. By August 1842, British warships threatened Nanjing itself, forcing the Qing state to sue for peace. The outcome was not the arrest of drug smugglers but the forced signing of the Treaty of Nanjing in August 1842. This was the first of what came to be known as the "unequal treaties"instruments of supreme national humiliation that ceded Hong Kong Island to Britain, opened five treaty ports to foreign trade, imposed an indemnity of 21 million silver dollars to be paid over three years with 5 percent annual interest on delayed payments, and granted extraterritorial legal privileges to British citizens. The second war, triggered in 1856 by minor incidents that the British and French states used as pretexts, resulted in the even more punishing Treaties of Tientsin in 1858 and the Convention of Beijing in 1860. These later treaties legalized the opium trade explicitly, opened additional ports, granted foreigners the right to travel in China's interior, permitted Christian missionary activity, and required China to accept permanent foreign diplomatic representation in Beijing. The wars were blunt instruments of state policy, where military victory rewrote international law to suit the victor's economic and geopolitical desires. Sovereignty, for the Chinese nation, was rendered conditional and violable by superior force. The Fentanyl Crisis: Transnational Anarchy and Decades of Legal Constraint The fentanyl crisis of the 21st century presented a horrifyingly similar outcomemass addiction, hundreds of thousands of deaths, and vast social costsbut within a radically different geopolitical and legal architecture. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to fifty times stronger than heroin and one hundred times stronger than morphine, drove drug overdose deaths in the United States to catastrophic levels. Deaths rose from approximately 17,400 in 2000 to a peak of 112,582 in 2022, with synthetic opioids accounting for roughly 78 percent of all overdose deaths. The toll surpassed annual American combat deaths in any conflict since Vietnam, yet for decades the American state treated the crisis primarily as a law enforcement and public health challenge rather than as warfare. The primary source of fentanyl precursor chemicals was chemical manufacturers in the People's Republic of China operating in a complex gray zone between state oversight and private entrepreneurship. Evidence suggested that Chinese chemical companies provided over 80 percent of methamphetamine precursors and substantial quantities of fentanyl precursors to cartels. A 2024 investigation by the U.S. House Select Committee on Strategic Competition found that the Chinese Communist Party appeared to directly subsidize the manufacturing and export of illicit fentanyl materials through tax rebates and other financial benefits to exporting companies, though Chinese officials denied these allegations and the degree of direct state involvement remained contested. When the Chinese state banned the production of finished fentanyl in 2019, Chinese companies adapted by producing and selling fentanyl precursor chemicalsthe ingredients needed to manufacture the drugwhich could then be combined by criminal organizations into finished fentanyl. These precursor chemicals shipped primarily via container ships from Chinese ports to Mexico, where they arrived principally at ports like Lazaro Cardenas and Manzanillo. Mexican cartels, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, possessing the logistical sophistication of multinational corporations and the brutality of insurgent groups, synthesized the final product in clandestine laboratories and trafficked it across the U.S. southern border. These transnational criminal organizations maintained distribution hubs in various cities across the United States and controlled smuggling corridors into the country with remarkable efficiency. Chinese criminal networks also emerged as major players in the money-laundering systems that allowed Mexican cartels to move drug profits around the world, with investigations revealing complex schemes involving Chinese underground banking operations linked to cartel finances. The U.S. response through 2024, however, was emphatically not that of Imperial Britain. There was no mobilization of the Pacific Fleet to blockade Chinese ports or bombard Mexican processing sites. There were no ultimatums to the Chinese or Mexican states demanding indemnities and legalized trade arrangements. Instead, the primary tools were domestic law enforcementthe Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local policeinternational policing cooperation through agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Diplomatic Security, and diplomatic pressure. The traffickers were pursued as criminals subject to the criminal justice system. Cases were painstakingly built for extradition. Precursor chemicals were added to control lists through bilateral negotiations. Since 2021, the Justice Department extradited over 50 cartel members from Mexico to the United States and charged a dozen Chinese chemical companies and two dozen of their executives for shipping fentanyl precursor chemicals. The Pentagon's role was largely supportive, providing intelligence and surveillance, not direct kinetic action. The cartel bosses were indicted in federal district courts, not targeted as enemy combatants subject to lethal military force. This approach stemmed from a web of interconnected constraints. First, the legal-ideological framework of the post-World War II international order, which the United States championed and largely constructed, prohibited aggressive war and sanctified state sovereignty. A military incursion into Mexico would constitute an act of war against a friendly neighbor and trading partner, violating the United Nations Charter and core tenets of American foreign policy that the United States had spent eight decades promoting. Second, the domestic legal regime, including the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, deliberately separated the military from civilian law enforcement to prevent martial overreach and protect civil liberties. Third, there was a philosophical commitment within liberal democracies to the rule of law, even against adversaries. Treating cartel members as civilians entitled to due process, rather than as combatants subject to summary lethal force, was seen as a defense of the very civilizational values the state sought to protect. Finally, the practical military complexity of "destroying" decentralized, embedded criminal networks without causing massive civilian casualties and destabilizing an entire region bordering the United States appeared prohibitive. Cinematic Allegory: Divergent Philosophies of Power and Legitimacy The 1995 film Braveheart offered a useful, if problematic, allegorical framework for understanding these divergent approaches to power and legitimacy, though the film itself must be approached critically given its deliberate deployment of gender and sexuality as political metaphors. In a pivotal scene, King Edward I ("Longshanks") confronted his son Prince Edward about how to deal with William Wallace's rebellion. The prince proposed treating Wallace "like any common thief" by having "the local magistrate arrest him and punish him accordingly." Longshanks dismissed this as naive, pointing out that Wallace had already killed the magistrate and taken control of the town, rendering legal process meaningless against a force that had already overthrown local authority. The film constructed this exchange within a broader narrative framework that used masculinity and sexuality as visual shorthand for political legitimacy and effective power. Prince Edward was portrayed throughout the film with characteristics coded as weakness and ineffectualityrefined, aesthetically oriented, and notably involved in a same-sex relationship that the film presented not simply as a character trait but as symptomatic of political incapacity. The film's most notorious moment occurred when Longshanks threw Prince Edward's companion from a castle window, a scene staged not primarily as cruelty but as a corrective measure, a restoration of proper order through violence. This conflation of personal characteristics with political capabilitythe suggestion that refinement equals weakness and that certain forms of masculinity are prerequisites for effective governancerepresented the film's core ideological project. Braveheart employed what might be termed a "politics of embodiment," where physical characteristics and behaviors became direct metaphors for political philosophy. The English court was filmed in spaces of gleaming marble, ornate decoration, and perfumed refinement, while the Scottish rebels occupied muddy fields and rugged landscapes. This visual grammar constructed a moral universe in which "hardness"physical, emotional, and politicalequals authenticity and virtue, while "softness" in any form signals corruption and illegitimacy. The film's camera work and mise-en-scene persistently reinforced this binary: sweaty physicality versus aesthetic refinement, direct action versus procedural complexity, brutal clarity versus moral ambiguity. The defenestration scene functioned as the film's thesis in miniature, suggesting that civilization which tolerates what the film codes as weakness or deviation is doomed, and that the world must be purified by naked force. It presented a fantasy in which every problem has a muscular solution and every nuance is a symptom of decay. This represented not historical analysis but mythmakinga deliberate construction of the past to serve present ideological purposes. The film taught not history but a particular fantasy about power: that force, stripped to its barest form, is truth, and that the willingness to deploy violence is the ultimate measure of political seriousness. This cinematic rhetoric offered a portable grammar for discussing contemporary conflicts. The allegory mapped conveniently onto discourse about the fentanyl crisis: Prince Edward represented the modern, liberal, rule-of-law mindset that dominated American drug policy for decades. Faced with a threat that had effectively "killed the magistrate" by overwhelming normal law enforcement capacity, the instinct was still to process the threat through established bureaucratic and legal channelsbuild a case, secure indictments, request extradition, try perpetrators in court. It was a system designed for order and legitimacy under conditions where the state's monopoly on legitimate violence remained intact and unchallenged. King Longshanks represented the 19th-century imperialor realistperspective. He dismissed his son's approach as naive because the magistrate was dead and the local order destroyed. The threat was not merely a criminal act but a challenge to sovereign power itself. In such a scenario, the only language that mattered was overwhelming, brutal force to reassert dominance. His tactics, including deceit at the negotiation table and the deployment of heavy cavalry to crush rebellion, were the tactics of total war for political ends. This was Britain's approach to China: when the Qing state tried to enforce its law against British drug traffickers, Britain destroyed its capacity to do so and imposed a new legal framework favorable to itself. Comparative Analysis: Sovereignty, Accountability, and the Nature of the Enemy The core distinction between the two eras lay in the location of sovereign accountability and the nature of state involvement. In the Opium Wars, the narcotics flow was directly tied to a state actorBritainwhose state willfully deployed military force to protect and expand the drug trade as a matter of official policy. The chain of accountability was clear and unambiguous, and the conflict was therefore state-on-state in character. China could, and did, declare war on Britain as one sovereign state against another. The British state made no pretense that the opium merchants were operating against British interests; rather, it explicitly backed them with naval power and treated any interference with their trade as an act requiring military retaliation. In the fentanyl crisis, the Chinese state maintained plausible deniability, though the evidence suggested a more complex reality than simple non-involvement. While congressional investigations found evidence that the Chinese state subsidized the export of precursor chemicals and appeared to tolerate, if not actively support, this trade through tax rebates and regulatory forbearance, the Communist Party officially prohibited fentanyl trafficking and had, under diplomatic pressure, scheduled certain precursor chemicals. In August 2024, Chinese authorities added three key fentanyl precursor chemicals to their list of controlled substances, though experts remained skeptical about enforcement given the ease with which chemical manufacturers could adapt to produce alternative, unscheduled precursors. The geopolitical utility of fentanyl flowing into America was undeniable to any observer of great power competition, but the degree of intentional state policy versus opportunistic tolerance of criminal enterprise remained ambiguous. The Mexican state was emphatically not at war with the United States; it was a sovereign partner, albeit one struggling with profound corruption and capacity issues that limited its ability to control powerful criminal organizations operating within its territory. The enemy was a non-state network that exploited the seams between sovereignties, operating in jurisdictional gray zones where law enforcement authority was limited and international cooperation was complex and often incomplete. Declaring war on a network, rather than a state, presented a legal and strategic paradox that had bedeviled American policy since the "War on Terror" revealed the limitations of applying war paradigms to non-state actors. International law provided clear frameworks for declaring war on states, but no such framework existed for declaring war on distributed criminal enterprises that spanned multiple countries. Furthermore, the economic contexts differed starkly. British opium policy was a deliberate, state-sanctioned pillar of imperial economics, openly discussed in Parliament and defended by government ministers as essential to maintaining Britain's balance of trade with China. The opium trade was not an unfortunate byproduct or an activity occurring despite government efforts; it was state policy implemented with state resources. The fentanyl trade, in contrast, was a grotesque black-market perversion of globalized trade and chemistry. It was not a tool of Chinese state policy to weaken America in the explicit, openly acknowledged way that British opium policy targeted China, though its geopolitical effects served Chinese interests in ways that likely discouraged aggressive Chinese enforcement efforts. The moral narratives were also inverted in illuminating ways. Britain went to war under a hypocritical banner of "free trade" and diplomatic respect, with government ministers arguing that Britain had a right to sell opium and that Chinese efforts to prohibit it violated principles of free commerce, all while obscuring the obvious narcotic profiteering and human devastation involved. The United States through 2024 framed its fight in terms of public health, safety, and justicecharacterizing the crisis increasingly as a public health emergency requiring treatment and harm reduction rather than purely a law enforcement problem. The moral high ground America claimed was predicated on its adherence to legal processes and international norms, even when they proved ineffective at stopping the flow of drugs or protecting American lives. The Phase Transition: Trump and the Shift to War Framing As of late 2024 and into 2025, however, a fundamental phase transition appeared to be underway. The incoming Trump administration signaled a categorical shift from treating the fentanyl crisis primarily as a law enforcement and public health challenge to treating it explicitly as a war requiring military responses. This shift occurred at a moment of profound irony: just as the American state escalated toward military solutions, the crisis itself was receding through other means. Recent data through 2024 showed overdose deaths declining to approximately 87,000 annually, representing a reduction of roughly 24 percent from the 2022 peak. This decline was attributed to expanded naloxone distribution, improved addiction treatment access, and possibly changes in the street drug supplyprecisely the public health and harm reduction approaches that the new militarized posture seemed to discount. Military strikes on drug boats starting in September 2025 through the end of the year had not had a measurable impact on U.S. street prices, overall supply, or demand for illicit drugs. Drug policy experts and government officials indicated that such interdiction efforts generally have a negligible effect on the broader market. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office testified in November 2025 that he had no evidence that these types of heavy-handed interdiction strategies had any effect on drug availability or price in the United States. The illicit drug market proved vast and resilient. Experts noted that when one supply route is disrupted, affected criminal groups quickly recover or change their supply routes. There is an overproduction of drugs like cocaine in producing countries, ensuring ample supply. Cocaine prices in the U.S. have been hovering at historical lows for more than a decade, indicating a robust supply that has not been significantly impacted by interdiction efforts. The Caribbean, where the boat strikes occurred, was considered a minor route for fentanyl trafficking to the United States. Fentanyl primarily enters the United States from Mexico, mostly through official ports of entry. Drug trafficking organizations anticipate a certain percentage of their shipments will be lost to interdiction efforts and "bake in" these losses as a cost of doing business, meaning the losses do not deter them or impact the overall market. The timing was striking: the American state began climbing the escalation ladder toward military solutions precisely as the crisis was demonstrably improving through non-military means. This phase transition represented not a response to a worsening emergency but rather a categorical reframing of an ongoing challengefrom Prince Edward's paradigm to Longshanks' paradigm, from magistrate to monarch, from law enforcement to warfare. The shift raised profound questions about the relationship between policy tools and policy outcomes. If the crisis was receding through public health interventions and traditional law enforcement cooperation while military strikes showed no measurable impact, what justified the escalation? The answer appeared to lie not in instrumental effectiveness but in ideological positioninga determination to treat transnational criminal organizations as combatants regardless of whether doing so achieved better results than treating them as criminals. To adopt military tactics was to surrender the moral high ground that America had claimed through its adherence to legal processes, potentially becoming an international actor whose behavior echoed the 19th-century imperialists it had long condemned. Yet the very international order that had constrained American action through 2024 was one that America had largely constructed and defended as essential to global stability and its own long-term interests. Conclusion: Violence Ascending as Crisis Descends The comparison ultimately revealed not a failure of will, as some critics suggested, but a fundamental transformation in the nature of power, conflict, and ethical statecraft. The Opium Wars were a brutal demonstration of raw imperial power in a Westphalian world where might made right, sovereignty was a privilege of the strong, and the use of military force to advance commercial interests was considered legitimate state policy. The fentanyl crisis was the nightmare scenario of the liberal international ordera "wicked problem" that exploited the order's core structural weaknesses: the sanctity of borders, the separation of war and peace into distinct legal categories, the requirement for due process, and the commitment to sovereignty even for states that may be enabling harm against your citizens. The United States was frustrated in conducting the Fentanyl War as a military operation because the enemy was not a state, because the activity occurred within allied or neutral territories that could not be violated without violating the foundational rules it imposed on the world after 1945. This rules-based order specifically sought to prevent another era of Opium War-style predation and imperial aggression. America seemed trapped in what might be called Prince Edward's paradigm, forced to use a magistrate's tools against a Braveheart-scale threat, all while knowing the magistrate had been metaphorically killedthat is, the normal mechanisms of law enforcement were found wanting when confronting adversaries who operated outside legal constraints and across multiple jurisdictions. The solution may not be found in a reversion to 19th-century imperialism, neither legally feasible, politically sustainable, nor morally desirable, but in a painful, innovative recalibration of international cooperation, intelligence sharing, domestic public health policy, and perhaps a redefinition of how sovereign states collectively confront transnational criminal entities that wield power rivaling that of state militaries. The recent decline in overdose deathsfrom over 110,000 annually to approximately 87,000, a reduction attributed to expanded naloxone distribution, improved addiction treatment access, and possibly changes in the street drug supplydemonstrated that alternative approaches could achieve results, though the death toll remained catastrophically high by any historical standard. Additional counter-drug measures might involve expanded use of Treasury Department authorities to disrupt financial networks, more aggressive cyber operations against criminal infrastructure, enhanced intelligence cooperation with foreign partners, and possibly new international treaties establishing collective action frameworks against transnational criminal organizations that meet certain thresholds of harm and power. There was probably no prospect of "victory," but further improvement may require treating the transnational criminal organizations not purely as private civilian criminals subject only to law enforcement, but as novel, hybrid threats subject to new legal and operational frameworks that fall somewhere between traditional law enforcement and warfarea daunting challenge for a world order long built on a clear distinction between the two. Such frameworks would need to preserve essential protections against abuse while enabling more effective action against adversaries who deliberately exploit the gaps in current systems. The tragedy of the fentanyl era was that America appeared to have outlawed the kind of war that could physically destroy the supply through military force, but had not built a system fully capable of achieving the same end through alternative means. The nation was left fighting a ghost with a rulebook, mourning losses that exceeded those of many conventional wars, and searching for a 21st-century answer to Longshanks' brutal, clarifying lesson that force sometimes matters more than law. Whether such an answer could be found within the constraints of liberal legalism, or whether those constraints must themselves be partially reconceived to address threats the framers of the postwar order could not have anticipated, remained the central question. If Trump's new muscular approach was to become an enduring and effective policy rather than a transient flash of musculature, it would require a much more robust articulation of reasoning and rationale than had been forthcoming as of December 2025. Possibly the absence of rationale was part of the flex, a feature not a bug, as all patriotic Americans should applaud firepower as they applaud fireworks. Precedent strongly suggested that irrational exuberance has no more than passing influence on the world. An enduring and effective policy must be based on a more extensive rehearsal of how the world has changed and why new measures and means are needed. In a message to Congress in 1861, Abraham Lincoln argued that during an insurrection, the "paramount object" was the nation's survival. Suspending habeas corpus with the belief that the government must preserve itself to uphold the Constitution, Lincoln asked "Are all the laws but one to go unexecuted, and the government itself go to pieces lest that one be violated?" Refining the sentiment, in 1949 Justice Robert H. Jackson warned against those who would "convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact." What was certain was that the legacy law-enforcement approach, while possibly more morally defensible than brute force 19th-century imperialism, and increasingly showing signs of effectiveness, still left tens of thousands of Americans dead each yearcasualties of a war that dared not speak its name. The great irony of 2025 was that the American state finally decided to call it a war and deploy military force precisely at the moment when the casualties were declining through other means. Whether this represented belated wisdom or dangerous escalation remained to be seen. History would judge whether America had finally found a 21st-century answer to its narcotic catastrophe, or whether it had simply traded one set of constraints for a different kind of tragedy. Russo-Ukraine War - 09 December 2025 - Day 1385 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, 164 combat encounters have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki made 40 aviation strikes, dropping 109 controlled bombs. In addition, 3313 kamikaze drones were recruited to impress and carried out 2,994 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, one combat confrontation occurred. The Russian enemy launched an airstrike by dropping one controlled airstrike bomb and launching more than a hundred shells. Today, Russian forces attacked twice in the South-Slobozhansky direction in the Prylipki district and in the direction of Izbitsky. In the Kupians komu direction, the Russian opponent made two attacks towards Petropavlivka and Boguslavka. In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 assault actions in the areas of the settlements of Grekivka, Noviy Mir, Mirne and towards the settlements of Stavka, Drobisheve, two more clashes are ongoing so far. In the Slovak direction, the Russian enemy attacked 11 times in the areas of yampol, serebryanka, sivers ka, pereiznogo and fedorivka. One battle is going on. In the Kramators komu direction, there have been two Russian attacks in the area of Chasovoye Yar and in the direction of Bondarny. 18 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. The Russian enemy tried to storm the positions of Ukrainian units near Konstantinivka, Oleksandr-Shultinoy, Scherbinivka, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopil, Rusynoy Yar and towards Sofiyivka. Two confrontations are currently ongoing. In the Pokrovsky direction from the beginning of this day, the Russian opponent attacked 42 times in the areas of populated areas Shahove, Ivanivka, Chervony Lyman, Mirnograd, Grishine, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Dachne, Philia and towards Novopidgorodny and Novopavlivka. Ukrainian defenders are holding back the Russian pressure, in five locations the fights are still ongoing. Today in this direction, according to preliminary data, 122 Russian invaders, of which 87 - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed two cars, six motorcycles, two ground robotic complexes, seven unmanned aircraft, three units of special equipment, two personnel shelters, two units of automobile equipment and 13 shelters for the Russian enemy's personnel were also hit. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Zeleny Gai, Yalta, Vorone, Vyshneve, Rybne, Yegorivka, Privilne and in the direction of Danilivka. Two more clashes are currently ongoing. In the direction of Gulyaipil, 13 clashes took place in the areas of the settlements of Zatishya, Gulyaipole, Bilogiria and in the directions of Varvarivka and Dobropillya. Two more clashes are ongoing so far. In the orihivs komu direction at the moment boezitknen is not recorded. In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian opponent three times unsuccessfully carried out offensive actions in the area of the Antonivskogo Bridge. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. The units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on formations of one mechanised brigade, one jaeger brigade, one air assault brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, three territorial defence brigades, and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in the areas of Ryzhevka, Andreyevka, Varachino, Iskriskovshchina, and Ivolzhanskoye (Sumy region). In Kharkov direction, units of three mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Veterinarnoye, Staritsa, and Vilcha (Kharkov region). Up to 235 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, six field artillery guns, and five ammunition and materiel depots have been neutralised. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces continue to destroy an enemy group surrounded on the left bank of the Oskol River. Russian troops engaged manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Glushkovka, Kovsharovka, Podoly (Kharkov region) and Drobyshevo (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU lost more than 220 troops, one tank, seven armoured fighting vehicles, including one UK-made Spartan armoured personnel carrier, 20 motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and four ammunition depots. The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian troops hit three mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade near Seversk, Platonovka, Stepanovka, Minkovka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 135 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carrier, and one Canadian-made Senator armoured vehicle have been neutralised. In addition, 12 motor vehicles, two artillery guns, one electronic warfare station, and four ammunition and materiel depots were eliminated. The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. The Group's units inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of five mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one airmobile brigade, two air assault brigade, three assault regiments of the AFU, three marine brigades, one territorial defence brigade, and four national guard brigades close to Volnoye, Vodyanskoye, Belitskoye, Rodinskoye, Torskoye, Grishino, Sergeyevka, Novokrivorozhye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novopavlovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). In Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic), the assault detachments of the 51st Army continued to neutralise the enemy's encircled formations in the Vostochny and Zapadny microdistricts. The enemy lost more than 445 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, and one artillery gun. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces liberated the settlement of Ostapovskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, two assault brigades, two assault regiments of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Varvarovka, Kosovtsevo, Gulyaypole (Zaporozhye region) and Andreyevka (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 210 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, six motor vehicles, and one materiel depot. The Dnepr Group of Forces engaged formations of one mechanised brigade and one coastal defence brigade of the AFU close to Novoandreyevka, Lukyanovskoye (Zaporozhye region), and Nikolskoye (Kherson region). Up to 40 troops, 13 motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and two materiel depots have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on an Ukrainian defence industry enterprise, energy infrastructure facilities used in the interests of the AFU, assembly and storage facilities of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 157 areas. The Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one Su-27 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defence systems shot down one guided bomb, 13 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 280 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 669 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 101,411 unmanned aerial vehicles, 639 anti-aircraft missile systems, 26,467 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,627 MLRS combat vehicles, 31,815 field artillery guns and mortars, and 48,692 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Justice Department Announces Actions to Combat Two Russian State-Sponsored Cyber Criminal Hacking Groups Tuesday, December 9, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Ukrainian National Indicted and Rewards Announced for Co-Conspirators Relating to Destructive Cyberattacks Worldwide The Justice Department announced two indictments in the Central District of California charging Ukrainian national Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, 33, also known as Vika, Tory, and SovaSonya, for her role in conducting cyberattacks and computer intrusions against critical infrastructure and other victims around the world, in support of Russia's geopolitical interests. Dubranova was extradited to the United States earlier this year on an indictment charging her for her actions supporting CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR). Today, Dubranova was arraigned on a second indictment charging her for her actions supporting NoName057(16) (NoName). Dubranova pleaded not guilty in both cases, and is scheduled to begin trial in the NoName matter on Feb. 3, 2026 and in the CARR matter on April 7, 2026. As described in the indictments, the Russian government backed CARR and NoName by providing, among other things, financial support. CARR used this financial support to access various cybercriminal services, including subscriptions to distributed denial of service-for-hire services. NoName was a state-sanctioned project administered in part by an information technology organization established by order of the President of Russia in October 2018 that developed, along with other co-conspirators, NoName's proprietary distributed denial of service (DDoS) program. "Today's actions demonstrate the Department's commitment to disrupting malicious Russian cyber activity whether conducted directly by state actors or their criminal proxies aimed at furthering Russia's geopolitical interests," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "We remain steadfast in defending essential services, including food and water systems Americans rely on each day, and holding accountable those who seek to undermine them." "Politically motivated hacktivist groups, whether state-sponsored like CARR or state-sanctioned like NoName, pose a serious threat to our national security, particularly when foreign intelligence services use civilians to obfuscate their malicious cyber activity targeting American critical infrastructure as well as attacking proponents of NATO and U.S. interests abroad," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. "The charges announced today demonstrate our commitment to eradicating global threats to cybersecurity and pursuing malicious cyber actors working on behalf of adversarial foreign interests." "When pro-Russia hacktivist groups target our infrastructure, the FBI will use all available tools to expose their activity and hold them accountable," said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI Cyber Division. "Today's announcement demonstrates the FBI's commitment to disrupt Russian state-sponsored cyber threats, including reckless criminal groups supported by the GRU. The FBI doesn't just track cyber adversaries - we work with global partners to bring them to justice." "The defendant's illegal actions to tamper with the nation's public water systems put communities and the nation's drinking water resources at risk," said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator Craig Pritzlaff. "These criminal charges serve as an unequivocal warning to malicious cyber actors in the U.S. and abroad: EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate threats to our nation's water infrastructure and will pursue justice against those who endanger the American public. EPA is unwavering in its commitment to clean, safe water for all Americans." Cyber Army of Russia Reborn According to the indictment, CARR, also known as Z-Pentest, was founded, funded, and directed by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU). CARR claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks against victims worldwide, including attacks against critical infrastructure in the United States, in support of Russia's geopolitical interests. CARR regularly posted on Telegram claiming credit for its attacks and published photos and videos depicting its attacks. CARR primarily hacked industrial control facilities and conducted DDoS attacks. CARR's victims included public drinking water systems across several states in the U.S., resulting in damage to controls and the spilling of hundreds of thousands of gallons of drinking water. CARR also attacked a meat processing facility in Los Angeles in November 2024, spoiling thousands of pounds of meat and triggering an ammonia leak in the facility. CARR has attacked U.S. election infrastructure during U.S. elections, and websites for U.S. nuclear regulatory entities, among other sensitive targets. An individual operating as "Cyber_1ce_Killer," a moniker associated with at least one GRU officer instructed CARR leadership on what kinds of victims CARR should target, and his organization financed CARR's access to various cybercriminal services, including subscriptions to DDoS-for-hire services. At times, CARR had more than 100 members, including juveniles, and more than 75,000 followers on Telegram. The CARR indictment charges Dubranova with one count of conspiracy to damage protected computers and tamper with public water systems, one count of damaging protected computers, one count of access device fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted of these charges, Dubranova would face a statutory maximum penalty of 27 years in federal prison. NoName057(16) NoName was covert project whose membership included multiple employees of The Center for the Study and Network Monitoring of the Youth Environment (CISM), among other cyber actors. CISM was an information technology organization established by order of the President of Russia in October 2018 that purported to, among other things, monitor the safety of the internet for Russian youth. According to the indictment, NoName claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks against victims worldwide in support of Russia's geopolitical interests. NoName regularly posted on Telegram claiming credit for its attacks and published proof of victim websites being taken offline. The group primarily conducted DDoS cyberattacks using their own proprietary DDoS tool, DDoSia, which relied on network infrastructure around the world created by employees of CISM. NoName's victims included government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure, such as public railways and ports. NoName recruited volunteers from around the world to download DDoSia and used their computers to launch DDoS attacks on the victims that NoName leaders selected. NoName also published a daily leaderboard of volunteers who launched the most DDoS attacks on its Telegram channel and paid top-ranking volunteers in cryptocurrency for their attacks. The NoName indictment charges Dubranova with one count of conspiracy to damage protected computers. If convicted of this charge, Dubranova would face a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. *** Concurrent with today's actions, the U.S. Department of State has offered potential rewards for up to $2 million for information on individuals associated with CARR and up to $10 million for information on individuals associated with NoName. Additionally, today the FBI, CISA, NSA, DOE, EPA, and DC3 issued a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory assessing that pro-Russia hacktivist groups, like CARR and NoName, target minimally secured, internet-facing virtual network computing connections to infiltrate (or gain access to) operational technology control devices within critical infrastructure systems to execute attacks against critical infrastructure, resulting in varying degrees of impact, including physical damage. On July 19, 2024, U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting two CARR members, Yuliya Vladimirovna Pankratova and Denis Olegovich Degtyarenko, for their roles in cyber operations against U.S. critical infrastructure. These two individuals were the group's leader and a primary hacker, respectively. The FBI Los Angeles Field Office investigated the CARR and NoName cases as part of FBI's Operation Red Circus, an ongoing operation to disrupt Russian state-sponsored cyberthreats to U.S. critical infrastructure and interests abroad. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela Makabali and Alexander Gorin for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Greg Nicosia of the National Security Division's National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney James E. Dochterman for the Central District of California is handling the forfeiture cases. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance for both investigations. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topics: Cybercrime National Security Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - California, Central Press Release Number: 25-1158 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ESTABLISHMENT OF CYBER CRIME UNITS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Home Affairs Posted On: 09 DEC 2025 5:45PM by PIB Delhi 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The States/UTs are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes including establishment of cyber crime police stations to tackle the growing incidents of cyber offences through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs). The Central Government supplements the initiatives of the States/UTs through advisories and financial assistance under various schemes for capacity building of their LEAs. The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) compiles and publishes the statistical data on cyber cells and cyber crime police stations in its publication "Data on Police Organizations". The latest published report is for the year 2024. The details of the total number of Cyber Crime Police Stations in States/UTs for the last five years is at Annexure. To strengthen the coordination mechanism and uniformity to deal with cyber crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the Central Government has taken steps which, inter-alia, include the following: The Ministry of Home Affairs has set up the 'Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre' (I4C) as an attached office to deal with all types of cyber crimes in the country, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. The 'National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal' (NCRP) (https://cybercrime.gov.in) has been launched, as a part of the I4C, to enable public to report incidents pertaining to all types of cyber crimes, with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children. Cyber crime incidents reported on this portal, their conversion into FIRs and subsequent action thereon are handled by the State/UT Law Enforcement Agencies concerned as per the provisions of the law. The 'Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System' (CFCFRMS), under I4C, has been launched in year 2021 onboarding all States/UTs for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters. A toll-free Helpline number '1930' has been operationalized to get assistance in lodging online cyber complaints. A State of the Art, Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been established at I4C where representatives of major banks, Financial Intermediaries, Payment Aggregators, Telecom Service Providers, IT Intermediaries and representatives of States/UTs Law Enforcement Agency are working together for immediate action and seamless cooperation to tackle cybercrime. Seven Joint Cyber Coordination Teams (JCCTs) have been constituted for Mewat, Jamtara, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Vishakhapatnam, and Guwahati under I4C covering the whole country based upon cyber crime hotspots/ areas having multi jurisdictional issues by on boarding States/UTs to enhance the coordination framework among the Law Enforcement Agencies of the States/UTs. Samanvaya Platform which has been made operational to serve as an Management Information System(MIS) platform, data repository and a coordination platform for LEAs of all States/UTs for cybercrime data sharing and analytics. It provides analytics based interstate linkages of crimes and criminals, involved in cybercrime complaints in various States/UTs. The module 'Pratibimb' maps locations of criminals and crime infrastructure on a map to give visibility to jurisdictional officers. The module also facilitates seeking and receiving of techno- legal assistance by Law Enforcement Agencies from I4C and other SMEs. It has lead to arrest of 16,840 accused and 1,05,129 Cyber Investigation assistance request. States have been requested to establish State/Regional Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (S4C/R4C) in lines of I4C for seamless exchange of cybercrime intelligence/threat feed about cybercrime with I4C. Till date, S4Cs have been established in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. ***** ANNEXURE STATE/UT -WISE DETAILS OF CYBER CRIME POLICE STATIONS Sl.No. STATES/UTs Number of Cyber Crime Police Station As on 01.01.2020 As on 01.01.2021 As on 01.01.2022 As on 01.01.2023 As on 01.01.2024 1 Andhra Pradesh 1 3 3 3 3 2 Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 1 1 1 3 Assam 0 0 0 0 0 4 Bihar 1 0 1 0 44 5 Chhattisgarh 1 1 1 1 6 6 Goa 1 1 1 1 1 7 Gujarat 4 14 24 24 39 8 Haryana 2 3 8 29 29 9 Himachal Pradesh 1 1 1 1 4 10 Jharkhand 7 7 7 7 7 11 Karnataka 51 11 8 8 2 12 Kerala 4 19 19 19 20 13 Madhya Pradesh 1 1 1 1 1 14 Maharashtra 43 43 46 46 47 15 Manipur 1 1 1 1 1 16 Meghalaya 1 1 1 1 1 17 Mizoram 1 1 1 1 1 18 Nagaland 1 1 1 1 1 19 Odisha 4 4 15 15 15 20 Punjab 2 2 2 2 2 21 Rajasthan 2 2 2 33 34 22 Sikkim 0 0 0 0 0 23 Tamil Nadu 0 46 46 49 54 24 Telangana 3 3 3 4 13 25 Tripura 0 0 0 0 0 26 Uttar Pradesh 2 2 18 18 75 27 Uttarakhand 1 1 2 2 2 28 West Bengal 31 31 31 36 36 29 A & N Islands 0 0 0 0 1 30 Chandigarh 0 0 0 1 1 31 D & N Haveli and Daman & Diu 0 0 0 0 0 32 Delhi 0 0 15 15 15 33 Jammu and Kashmir 2 2 2 2 2 34 Ladakh 0 0 0 0 0 35 Lakshadweep 0 0 0 0 0 36 Puducherry 1 1 1 1 1 TOTAL 169 202 262 323 459 Source: BPR&D publication "Data on Police Organizations", 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Bandi Sanjay Kumar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. *** RK/RR/PR/PS (Release ID: 2200973) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address COUNTER-TERRORISM MEASURES India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Home Affairs Posted On: 09 DEC 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi During the last two years, the Government has undertaken various major counter-terrorism measures, focusing on intelligence enhancement, inter-agency coordination, addressing emerging threats through online radicalization & encrypted digital platforms and strengthening of border security, which have significantly strengthened the capacity of Central and State law enforcement agencies for mitigation of terror risks. Inter-agency coordination between Central Agencies and State Police has enabled successful joint operations against terror modules, which are involved in recruitment, financing of terrorism. Some of the measures undertaken are - The coordination has been strengthened through enhanced Multi- Agency Centre (MAC) connectivity up to the district level, thereby improving analytical and predictive functions of various MAC Focus Groups on- violent extremism, emerging security challenges, cryptocurrency, drug-trafficking, terror financing, bio-terrorism, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), cyber coordination etc. The MAC to Subsidiary-MAC (SMAC) network has been upgraded with the aim to enhance hardware and network speeds. It also provides for AI (Artificial Intelligence) & ML (Machine Learning) enabled software facilities for real-time analysis of inputs. The Central agencies, such as, National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and State Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), supported by the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) platform, are increasingly leveraging digital tools for seamless data sharing and analysis. The NIA's Handbook on investigation of the cases of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which has been circulated to all the States / UTs in 2024, has helped the States / UTs standardize terror investigations, and has significantly contributed in prosecution outcomes. The NIA has also established a National Terror Database Fusion and Analysis Centre (NTDFAC) with big-data analytical capability, supported by improved coordination with Directorate of Forensic Science Services (DFSS) for prioritized forensic analysis and scientific collection of evidence. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and State Police have been actively pursuing online radicalization cases, resulting in substantial arrests, charge-sheets and convictions. An Organized Crime Network Database (OCND) is being developed on NATGRID's IT platform to facilitate secure data sharing between NIA and State ATSs, while upgraded NATGRID tools, particularly 'GANDIVA', are supporting multi-source data collection and analysis. Regular multi-institutional capacity-building programs, joint counter- terrorism exercises, and coordination meetings have significantly strengthened real-time information sharing and operational synergy among agencies At the same time, priority has been placed on developing skilled forensic human resources and upgrading laboratory infrastructure, greatly enhancing the technical and analytical capabilities needed for effective investigations. Further, the National Security Guard (NSG) has strengthened inter- agency coordination with States / UTs through an expanded mandate for supporting multi-city, multi-target operations, validated through exercises, and has trained substantial number of personnel from various States / UTs under capacity-building initiatives. Besides, NSG has signed various MoUs on training of States' / UTs' Counter- Terrorist Forces for effective Counter-Terrorist operations. The NSG has conducted many joint mock exercises on counter- terror, counter-hijack, jungle hostage-rescue and metro / rail interventions, and has carried out counter-hijack drills in various cities during 2024-2025. To check online radicalization and misuse of encrypted digital platforms, large number of URLs, pertaining to extremist and radical have been blocked under Information Technology Act, 2000, alongside intensified cyber-patrolling and digital surveillance measures. The Border guarding Forces have been equipped with advanced surveillance technologies including drones, thermal imagers, night- vision devices, sensors and real-time radar / optical systems along key borders for strengthening border security. India has also enhanced intelligence sharing with the partner countries to counter cross-border terrorism. Under Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS), electronic surveillance, improved fencing, intensified patrolling and increased use of drones and sensors have strengthened security on sensitive borders. These measures have resulted in reduced infiltration attempts, higher drone interceptions, and large recoveries of arms, ammunition and narcotics. Multiple terror networks have been neutralized through coordinated operations. The Central Government has proposed and expanded several modernization and assistance programs for CAPFs, State Police, Central and State agencies, which are stated as under- During past few years, a focused mission has been taken up for modernization of forensics in the country, both for the Central government and state government schemes, which are worth more than 4,800 crore. Projects worth approximately 233 crore have been approved for 25 States and Union Territories for the modernization and upgradation of State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs). These initiatives have enabled States to procure advanced DNA testing machines, modern forensic equipment, and mobile forensic vans to facilitate faster, on-site investigations and enhance the efficiency of forensic response mechanisms. For strengthening of our Forensic investigation competencies, the Central Government has prioritized capacity building by establishing off-campuses of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) at 16 locations across the country, ensuring the availability of skilled human resources for forensic examinations. In addition to existing 7 CFSLs, 8 more CFSLs are being established. The Government has assessed the requirement of various Central sector schemes to provide the financial assistance for infrastructure development and other support for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other Central agencies time to time. Further, Government has earmarked the financial outlay of 21,710 crore from 2021 to 2025-26 under Police infrastructure schemes for CAPFs. The Government also provides financial support to various State Governments / UT Administrations under Centrally sponsored sub- schemes, known as 'India Reserve Battalion / Specialized India Reserve Battalion', wherein, financial outlay of 350 crore has been earmarked between 2021 to 2025. The CAPFs and State Police Forces are being modernized on a regular basis. This includes providing them with advanced technological equipment for improved operational communication, training, arming police units, surveillance and monitoring of extremist and radical groups, and inter-agency coordination for better dissemination of information. This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. *** RK/RR/PR/PS (Release ID: 2200966) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK clamps down on China-based companies for reckless and irresponsible activity in cyberspace News story Two tech companies based in China have been sanctioned for reckless and indiscriminate cyberattacks From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Published 9 December 2025 UK exposes two China-based companies that have carried out cyberattacks against the UK and its allies New sanctions clamp down on attempts to undermine UK security and prosperity Sanctioned businesses had launched global cyberattacks against over 80 government and private industry IT systems Two tech companies based in China have been sanctioned today [Tuesday 9 December] for reckless and indiscriminate cyberattacks: Sichuan Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd (known as i-Soon) for targeting over 80 government and private industry IT systems across the world, and for supporting others planning to carry out malicious cyber activity. Integrity Technology Group Incorporated (known as Integrity Tech) for controlling and managing a covert cyber network and providing technical assistance for others to carry out cyberattacks. Targets have included UK public sector IT systems. I-Soon and Integrity Tech are examples of the threat posed by the cyber industry in China, which includes information security companies, data brokers (that collect and sell personal data), and 'hackers for hire'. Some of these companies provide cyber services to the Chinese intelligence services. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assesses that it is almost certain that this 'ecosystem' or complex network of private sector actors, supports Chinese state-linked cyber operations. The announcement follows the August 2025 exposure by the UK and international partners of three China-based companies linked to the cyber-espionage campaign known as SALT TYPHOON. Combined, they highlight the vast scale of cyberattacks by China-based companies targeting governments, telecommunications, military institutions, and public services worldwide. These cyberattacks from unrestrained actors in China go against agreed UN cyber principles. The measures announced today are designed to reduce the risk of such threats to the UK's security and broader international stability. As the Prime Minister set out recently in a speech at the Guildhall, protecting our security is non-negotiable and the first duty of the government. The UK recognises that China poses a series of threats to UK national security. China is also a fellow permanent member of the UN Security Council, the world's second largest economy and a nuclear power which has delivered almost a third of global economic growth over the past decade. We challenge threats robustly, enabling us to pursue cooperation where it is in our interest. Notes to Editors In August 2025, the UK alongside 12 other countries co-sealed a cyber security advisory linking China-based technology companies to some of the activities associated with a China state-affiliated APT group (commonly known as SALT TYPHOON). These companies are: Sichuan Juxinhe Network Technology Co. Ltd, Beijing Huanyu Tianqiong Information Technology Co., and Sichuan Zhixin Ruije Network Technology Co. Ltd. This activity targeted governments, telecommunications, transportation, and military infrastructure globally, and sought to provide Chinese intelligence services with the capability to identify and track targets' communications and movements worldwide. Together with France, the UK continues to lead the Pall Mall Process, an international initiative which seeks to establish a framework for responsible behaviour for those involved in the rapidly growing market in commercial cyber intrusion capabilities. The UK has consistently promoted the UN normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace. The UK remains the first and only country to publish guidelines for its National Cyber Force detailing the principles that we adhere to. We firmly believe that states should use cyber capabilities in a responsible manner, whether commercial or otherwise. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Problems at Baikonur 31/6: A Launch Accident Is (Another) Headache For Russia's Space Program By Mike Eckel December 10, 2025 Summary A key launchpad at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan was damaged during a Soyuz rocket launch, threatening Russia's ability to send crews to the International Space Station. Experts warn repairs that could take months or even years, raising concerns over future Progress cargo missions, which help keep the station oriented. Russia's space program has faced years of setbacks from corruption, funding cuts, accidents, and sanctions that limit access to technology. For decades, Russia's manned space flight program was an engineering marvel, a low-tech, no-frills system that reliably and safely ferried scores of astronauts and cosmonauts into orbit. With the US space shuttle fleet grounded in 2011, Soyuz and Progress vehicles were the workhorses for the International Space Station (ISS), trucking supplies to the station and bringing men and women back to Earth, while also providing booster power to keep it in orbit and oriented. In recent years, however, Russia's overall space program has taken a series of hits, its reputation battered by corruption scandals, dwindling funding, not-insignificant accidents, and management accused of putting politics above science. The latest blow? As a Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American blasted off from the storied Baikonur complex last month, a major component of the launchpad -- called a maintenance or service cabin - failed to move out from under the blast of exhaust from the ascending rocket. It's not yet clear whether human error or a technical mishap was to blame, but the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, said repairs would be needed. The problem is that this specific site -- Launchpad 31/6 -- is the only one at Baikonur capable of carrying out manned Soyuz launches. Experts say best case scenario is repairs will take a few months; it's also possible it could take years. "If that thing is destroyed, it's going to take them time to be able to launch rockets again," said Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut and ISS commander who flew on a Soyuz launched from Baikonur, "and with all of their effort going into their war machine, I'm not sure if they will be able to launch anytime soon." "Although they are Russians and they tend to make do," he added. While US private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin can ship people -- including Russian cosmonauts -- -- and small cargos back and forth to the station, they can't handle the Russian-built Progress crafts, which are used to keep it properly oriented. Other non-Russian vehicles -- Northrop Grumman's Cygnus; the Japanese HTV-X; Boeing's Starliner - could make up some of the difference, said Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, in Washington. "Not likely to be a problem in the short term but could be a problem if there is a long gap in Progress missions," he said. "I've heard a range of estimates for the time to repair the site: ranging from an optimistic six months to a pessimistic two years." "We simply no longer have spaceports and launch complexes capable of carrying out manned launches," said Vadim Lukashevich, a space industry expert and former designer with the Sukhoi Design Bureau, a major aerospace manufacturer. "Russia has found itself in a situation where the weakest link is breaking, and everything has broken," he told BFM.ru, a Russian news portal. Better Days Baikonur has been synonymous with the Soviet and Russian space programs for nearly seven decades. The sprawling complex in the steppes of southern Kazakhstan has hurled hundreds of rockets -- and ballistic missiles - skyward, playing a part in some of history's greatest spaceflight achievements: Sputnik, the world's first satellite; Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. The complex outlived the Soviet collapse; Russia now leases the facility from Kazakhstan. In the years before private space companies began flying to the ISS, Baikonur was the only place that could handle getting people and cargo into orbit. The facility was home to reliable, low-cost launches for commercial satellites, netting Russia nearly $10 billion in revenue over the past 25 years, according to one estimate. After Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Western countries, including the United States, beganhitting Russian companies and top officials with sanctions. Still, NASA and Roscosmos continued to cooperate in operating the ISS. Roscosmos's reputation was dented by a series of mishaps, including a still-unexplained man-made hole found on a Russian-built module at the station; an emergency landing of crew members returning to Earth; and a scandal involving the demotion of a respected cosmonaut. For years, the agency was headed by Dmitry Rogozin, a bombastic nationalist former lawmaker. Under his watch, Roscosmos constructed a new facility to replace Baikonur -- the Vostochny cosmodrome, in the Far Eastern region of Amur. That project, however, was plagued by massive cost overruns and corruption investigations; construction workers walked off the job in 2017, some going on hunger strike in protest at unpaid wages. Last month, part of the Vostochny complex suffered blackouts after a local power provider cut off electricity due to unpaid bills. Rogozin made several eyebrow-raising comments during his tenure, including suggesting that the man-made hole found in the Russian capsule was drilled deliberately by an American astronaut. He allowed three cosmonauts on the station to pose with the flags of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, which drew an unusual public rebuke from NASA. Shortly after, he was pushed out of his job, replaced with a more technocratic former deputy prime minister. In a statement issued after the November 27 launch incident, NASA said it was "aware Roscosmos is inspecting" the facility but referred further questions to the Russian agency. "NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members," a spokesman said. 'It's Hard To Say How Realistic That Is' Punishing Western sanctions, imposed in response to Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, curtailed Roscosmos's ability to acquire technology and equipment to maintain its aging infrastructure. The technology on which the Soyuz and Progress vehicles are designed is largely homegrown, developed and manufactured by Russia's own industrial suppliers. To some degree, that insulates the space program from disruptions due to the separation from global markets. Authorities may try to scavenge parts and equipment from other facilities at Baikonur or otherwise, some experts said: Vostochny, for example, or a facility called Plesetsk, in Russia's far north, which handles satellite and missile launches. Roscosmos itself has ordered the repairs to be completed by April, a time frame that many experts are skeptical of. If the work proceeds quickly, they might still be able to complete it, said Nurlan Aselkan, editor in chief and publisher of the Kazakh journal Space Research and Technology. "It's hard to say how realistic that is," he said, though engineers may have already found a replacement to the damaged cabin, at an aerospace military base in Russia's Tambov region, and are now rushing to deliver it to Kazakhstan. The incident also served as a wake-up call for the beleaguered Russian agency to scale back its plans, Aselkan said. "I believe that, to a certain extent, this accident pushed Roscosmos toward realism, because it created a situation where these ambitions -- the creation of an entire new infrastructure, new rockets, new ships at the Far Eastern [Vostochny] cosmodrome -- were inconsistent with capabilities," he said. For all this, he said, "Baikonur will remain the main cosmodrome for Roscosmos for the foreseeable future." On December 9, a Soyuz capsule shepherding two Russians and one American back to Earth from the ISS banged down onto the Kazakh steppes - safely - as countless have done in years past. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/baikonur-launchpad-collapse- threatens-soyuz-flights/33618454.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 Operation Gateway in Malaysia strengthens regional security Issued by Defence Media 9 December 2025 Over one of the world's busiest maritime corridors, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon crews collaborated with their Malaysian counterparts to enhance maritime domain awareness through Operation Gateway. In late November, the RAAF deployed three P-8As to Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth near Penang, conducting missions over the northeast Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Across two weeks, the RAAF P-8A crews joined forces with RMAF personnel on mission planning, carried Malaysian Armed Forces personnel on surveillance missions, and shared maritime surveillance information. Operation Gateway is one of the Australian Defence Force's longest-running operations, having first commenced in 1981. Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN, Chief of Joint Operations Command, said Operation Gateway improved awareness of shipping and security risks in one of the world's busiest waterways. "Operation Gateway is a leading example of our long-standing commitment to working with partners to ensure security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," Vice Admiral Jones said. "The Indian Ocean is now the globe's busiest and most strategically significant shipping corridor, which includes half of the world's shipping container traffic and two thirds of oil shipments transiting the region. "Operation Gateway contributes maritime domain awareness in an area that is critical to Australia's security and sea lines of communication." Operation Gateway is a key part of the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program, with the recent deployment allowing for bilateral engagements between the RAAF and the Malaysian Armed Forces. This included sharing expertise and information, designed to strengthen interoperability and mutual understanding. Personnel from RAAF No. 92 Wing, based at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, regularly deploy to RMAF Base Butterworth as part of this long-standing mission. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Funding boost for Australian-made Ghost Bat The Hon Richard Marles MP Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Defence 9 December 2025 The Albanese Government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to advance collaborative air capabilities, transitioning the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war fighting asset for the Australian Defence Force. The Government today confirmed a major milestone: the Australian-designed and manufactured MQ-28A Ghost Bat - known as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) - has successfully engaged an aerial target with a live weapon. In a landmark test, the Ghost Bat deployed an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile against an Australian-made Phoenix Jet Uncrewed Aerial Target. Operating as a loyal wingman to a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, the MQ-28A Ghost Bat destroyed the airborne target during trials at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. This announcement of additional funding, coupled with the successful live-fire test, reinforces Australia's position at the forefront of CCA technology globally. The latest investment includes new contracts with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) for six operational Block 2 MQ-28A aircraft and the development of an enhanced Block 3 prototype. The delivery of these additional Ghost Bats will lay the foundation for an operational Air Combat Platform capability within the Royal Australian Air Force. The Albanese Government is investing more than $10 billion on drones over the next decade, including at least $4.3 billion on uncrewed aerial systems. Investment in uncrewed and autonomous systems is a key priority of the 2024 National Defence Strategy. Collaborative combat aircraft like the MQ-28A Ghost Bat deliver asymmetric surveillance and air combat capabilities, increasing the lethality and survivability of existing crewed platforms. The Ghost Bat program supports more than 440 high-skilled jobs nationwide, including roles at Boeing Defence Australia and across more than 200 Australian suppliers - 70 per cent of program expenditure is directed to Australian industry. Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP: "Australia is at the forefront of efforts to develop and field autonomous collaborative combat aircraft to provide asymmetric advantage and enhanced fighting depth for existing crewed platforms. "This landmark demonstration proves the MQ-28A Ghost Bat is a world-leading collaborative combat aircraft made and designed in Australia "The successful weapons demonstration underlines its growing potential to deliver an operational capability for the Royal Australian Air Force." Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP: "With Ghost Bat, the future of collaborative air combat is right here, right now. Today's announcement highlights that Australia is leading the world in the development of collaborative combat aircraft. "The Ghost Bat transforms a single fighter jet into a formidable teamcapable not only of surveillance but also of engaging adversaries. This delivers a vital layer of protection for our aviators who remain our most valuable asset. "The MQ-28A program is also building a stronger sovereign defence industry and increasing Australia's resilience with over 70 per cent of this investment remaining on our shores, providing high-tech, high-paying jobs for Australians." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Belarus Accused Of Sabotaging Lithuanian Airspace As EU Moves Toward New Sanctions By Rikard Jozwiak December 09, 2025 The European Union is finally moving closer to sanctioning Belarus for the release of weather balloons over Lithuania in recent months. These airspace violations have caused the EU member state to shut its largest airports several times, and in November it moved to temporarily seal its border with its southeastern neighbor. According to Lithuanian officials who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity, a total of 315 unauthorized balloons have entered the country from Belarus since June, peaking in October with 71 airspace incursions. Able to easily reach high altitudes and thereby making it harder for them to be spotted by radar, most of the balloons are used for smuggling knockoff Belarusian-made cigarettes. The balloons can also "double" as sabotage tools by forcing the closure of airports for safety reasons. Between October and December, the two biggest Lithuanian airports -- in the capital, Vilnius and in the central city of Kaunas -- had to temporarily shut down 15 times, affecting over 320 flights and more than 45,000 passengers. An incident involving one balloon resulted in Vilnius airport being shut down for nearly 12 hours in early December. Lithuania brought the issue to the attention of Brussels in late October, and the European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, issued a statement condemning Belarus's "persistent and provocative actions against the EU and its member states." But no Brussels sanctions were issued immediately, notably as Vilnius didn't press the EU to go down that route at first. Border Closure Instead, Lithuania attempted another move: shutting the 700-kilometer border with its neighbor. On October 29, all crossings to Belarus were essentially closed for regular traffic, with exemptions only for transit to the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad as well as for diplomats, European Union and NATO citizens, and European haulers returning from Belarus to the EU. When the number of balloons decreased somewhat in November, Lithuania decided to re-open the border again on November 19. Lithuanian diplomats told RFE/RL off the record that this move was a "sign of goodwill" to see if Minsk would stop the balloons. It didn't really work as Vilnius airport has once again been forced to shut down twice a week on average since then. According to Lithuanian diplomats, the balloons now appear to be specifically targeting the country's main international airport and connection to the outside world. On top of that, roughly 1,000 Lithuanian-registered trucks have been stranded on the Belarusian side of the border since its closure. Vilnius says the trucks have been ordered to move to dedicated parking lots, with a daily charge of 120 euros ($140) per truck and any failure to pay resulting in their being confiscated. At the end of November, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys sent a letter to Kallas, seen by RFE/RL, asking the EU for help in getting these trucks back. The EU's power is rather limited as diplomatic relations with Minsk have been cut to a minimum since the crackdown that ensued following the Belarusian presidential election in 2020, which was widely condemned as being rigged. Expanding Sanctions But Brussels has at least one tool and that will be used imminently: an expansion of the EU's sanctions regime on Belarus to include the possibility of targeting those who send balloons into Lithuania. The EU has long had sanctions in place against strongman Aleksandr Lukashensko's regime. However, these affect people and companies involved in human rights violations such as repression of the opposition and civil society, officials in Minsk who have backed Russia's war on Ukraine, or those involved in the "instrumentalization of migrants," whereby Belarus has been accused of moving African and Asian migrants to the EU's borders to destabilize neighboring countries. The proposal, seen by RFE/RL, would allow the EU to sanction people and organizations that threaten "the sovereignty or independence of one or several of its Member States." It does so by covering anyone involved in "planning, directing, engaging in, directly or indirectly, supporting, or otherwise facilitating any actions targeted at the functioning of democratic institutions, economic activities or services of public interest." According to the draft text, such actions include "unauthorized entry into the territory of a Member State, including its airspace," as well as "the disruption of the functioning of critical infrastructure." Expected to be approved by all EU member states before Christmas, this measure would allow Lithuania (and others) to start blacklisting more Belarusians. Speaking at Belarus's State Security Council in Minsk on December 9, Lukashenko called on Lithuania to "stop kicking up a fuss" and to engage in direct talks with Minsk instead. "There is no need to involve Americans, Russians, or Ukrainians. That trick won't work. This issue is solely a subject for our bilateral talks and relations," he said. Vilnius has also shared other proposed restrictive measures with Brussels that it wants to impose on Minsk going forward. These include a full transaction ban on 10 Belarusian banks, targeting nitrogen fertilizers on top of already sanctioned Belarusian potash, and slapping an EU import ban on Belarusian rapeseed oil and salt. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-lithuania- balloon-incursions-eu-sanctions/33617577.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM responds to Japan's claim that 'China didn't answer hotline' Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 09, 2025 04:44 PM The spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Navy has already made it clear on December 7 that the training airspace and waters were announced in advance. One may refer to the relevant Chinese authorities for further details, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Tuesday. The remarks were made in response to a question about Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's claim that Japan does not believe that it has been given flight and navigation information over sea and airspace related to China's navy training in advance, The Paper reported. The Chinese side's responses came amid consecutive hypes by Koizumi and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Sunday that the carrier-based aircraft of China's Liaoning formation directed radar at Japan Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets in open waters southeast of Okinawa Island. According to an Asahi Shimbun report that cited the Japanese defense ministry, two Japanese warplanes conducted "countermeasures for airspace violations." However, the Asahi Shimbun report then admitted that no Chinese aircraft actually violated Japanese airspace in the incident. When asked to comment on reports that China did not answer Japan's "hotline call" regarding the issue of the "radar illumination," Guo said: "As I've already addressed the related questions, the spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Navy made it clear on December 7 that the training airspace and waters were announced in advance. For specific details, we recommend that further inquiries be directed to the relevant Chinese authorities." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Russia hold 10th joint strategic air patrol over E.China Sea, western Pacific Ocean; simultaneous operation with carrier Liaoning possible: expert Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Dec 09, 2025 06:42 PM The Chinese and Russian militaries conducted their 10th joint strategic air patrol on Tuesday which involved bombers and fighter jets. A Chinese expert highlighted the enhanced pragmatic defense cooperation between the two countries, noting that the strategic patrol served to deter factors that undermines peace and stability amid 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. In accordance with the annual cooperation plan of the Chinese and Russian militaries, the two sides organized and conducted the 10th joint strategic air patrol in airspace over the East China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday. This is the 10th strategic air patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019, according to official information. Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol reaching its 10th edition in just six years reflects a high level of pragmatic cooperation that is constantly advancing. A video the Global Times obtained from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force shows that the Chinese side sent warplanes including the H-6K bomber, the J-11, Su-30 and J-16 fighter jets, as well as the KJ-500A early warning aircraft, while the Russian side sent the Tu-95 bomber. Song said that bombers and fighter jets are a perfect combination for long-distance patrol missions. The role of the bombers is to conduct strategic deterrence, but since bombers lack self-defense capabilities, they need fighter jets as an escort. While such joint patrols are not targeted at any third party or related to the current situation, it sends a clear strategic deterrent signal to anyone who seeks to undermine peace and stability, Song said. He noted that while this year marks the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Japanese side has been making provocative moves, including making erroneous remarks on China's Taiwan question. China and Russia, as responsible major countries and victorious nations in World War II, have the common need to join hands and safeguard the post-war international order, Song said. The joint patrol came at a time when China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation is holding far seas training in the Western Pacific. Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Tuesday that in terms of timing, the far seas training of the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation and the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol are coincidental. According to official announcements, the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol most likely flew over the Miyako Strait and relevant maritime and air spaces, where all countries enjoy the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law. Therefore, it is possible that the China-Russia air formation and the Liaoning aircraft carrier formation conduct simultaneous operations with each other by chance. "When defense operations require it, the combat effectiveness of joint air-sea operations will be even more powerful. The air force's strategic bombers, relying on their long-range strike capability and strong firepower, can closely cooperate with carrier-based aircraft and accompanying ships of the navy's aircraft carrier formation. Joint operations between the two will form a powerful integrated air-sea firepower, enabling precise and intense counterattacks against enemy warships, aircraft, and key land targets, effectively safeguarding national sovereignty and security," said Zhang. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former executive of Chinese financial firm Bai Tianhui lawfully executed for accepting bribes worth over 1.108 billion yuan Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 09, 2025 02:04 PM A former executive of a Chinese financial firm Bai Tianhui was lawfully executed by the Tianjin No.2 Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday morning, following approval by the Supreme People's Court, according to a statement released on the official WeChat account of the Tianjin High People's Court. On May 28, 2024, the Tianjin No.2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced defendant Bai to death for accepting bribes, deprived him of political rights for life, and ordered the confiscation of all his personal property. After Bai appealed, the Tianjin High People's Court, following a trial, rejected the appeal and upheld the original sentence on February 24, 2025, subsequently submitting the case to the Supreme People's Court for review and approval in accordance with the law. Following its review, the Supreme People's Court confirmed that from 2014 to 2018, the defendant Bai exploited his positions of authority including as head of the third business development department, general manager, and managing director of the investment banking department of Huarong (Hong Kong) International Holdings Co., Ltd., as well as capital operations director, assistant general manager, deputy general manager, and general manager of China Huarong International Holdings Co., Ltd.to seek benefits for relevant entities in matters such as project acquisitions and corporate financing. In return, he illegally accepted money and property, with the total value amounting to over 1.108 billion yuan ($152.8 million). The Supreme People's Court determined that the defendant Bai's actions constituted the crime of bribery. The amount of bribes involved was particularly huge, the circumstances of the crime were especially severe, the social impact was particularly egregious, and it caused especially significant losses to the interests of the state and the people. The crime was deemed extremely serious, warranting severe punishment in accordance with the law. The facts found in the first-instance verdict and the second-instance ruling of this case were clear, the evidence was reliable and sufficient, the conviction was accurate, and the sentencing was appropriate. The trial procedures were lawful. Accordingly, the Supreme People's Court approved the criminal ruling of the Tianjin High People's Court upholding the first-instance death sentence for Bai, the statement reads. Prior to the execution on Tuesday, Bai was allowed to meet with his close relatives. Bai was a close associate of Lai Xiaomin, the former chairman of Huarong. He served as a key accomplice in many of Lai's illegal activities, media reports said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on December 9, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: December 09, 2025 18:05 Shenzhen TV: We noted that recently neighboring countries including Russia vocally opposed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan. Pakistan, Laos, Cambodia and other countries openly reaffirmed their support to the one-China principle. Media outlets and academics from regional countries stated that the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during WWII inflicted untold sufferings on Asia and the world and that instead of deeply reflecting on Japan's war crimes, some political forces in Japan tried to deny, distort and even whitewash the history of aggression, and attempted to breach the pacifist constitution and "remilitarize" Japan. Such moves gravely hurt the sentiments of people from many countries and threaten regional peace. What's your comment? Guo Jiakun: Over the last century, under the pretext of "survival-threatening situation," Japanese militarists waged a war of aggression against China and other Asian countries, taking millions of lives and committing horrendous atrocities across the continent. During WWII, among the three mass killings of civilians committed by the Japanese military, over 300,000 were murdered in the Nanjing massacre, an estimated 100,000 Filipino civilians were killed in just one month in the Manila massacre, and the death toll of the massacre in Singapore was tens of thousands. It's documented in the International Military Tribunal for the Far East Judgment that the Japanese military created over 100 large-scale massacres in Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and other places. Prisoners of war (POWs) from Allied nations were treated cruelly by the Japanese military, among whom 27 percent were killed after capture. In the Bataan Death March, about 15,000 U.S. and Philippine POWs died under maltreatment. Hundreds of thousands of Southeast Asian people and Allied POWs who had been forced into slave labor by the Japanese military perished in building the Burma-Thailand Railway. Over four million Chinese workers forcibly recruited by the Japanese military died or injured because of overwork under brutal conditions. Women and girls from China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia, the Netherlands and other countries and regions were brutally forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military as "comfort women." Japan's war crimes must not be erased and the verdict on its history of aggression must not be changed. Any tolerance on the provocative words and deeds of Japanese right-wing forces will only revive the specter of militarism and once again put the Asian people in danger. Countries have the responsibility and obligation to join hands in thwarting any attempt to revive militarism and Fascism, defending the outcomes of WWII victory, upholding the post-war international order and safeguarding world peace and stability. China News Service: It was reported that on the night of December 5, Afghan and Pakistani forces exchanged fire along the border between Afghanistan's Kandahar province and Pakistan's Balochistan province, causing civilian casualties, although the two countries agreed on a ceasefire in mid October. What is China's comment? Guo Jiakun: China noted the reports. Pakistan and Afghanistan are both China's traditional friendly neighbors, and the two countries are and will always be neighbors of each other. China hopes that Pakistan and Afghanistan will continue resolving their disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation, deescalate the situation, and keep the region peaceful and stable. China is ready to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role for the improvement and development of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Bloomberg: I have a question about the Trump administration's decision to allow the sale of Nvidia H200 chips to China. Can you tell me if China will allow these H200 chips to be purchased and also whether and when did leaders of the two countries communicate the decision? Guo Jiakun: We have noticed the reports. China always advocates that China and the United States achieve mutual benefit through cooperation. Reuters: On the rare earths general licenses, several European leaders have visited China in recent days expressing concerns about the supply of rare earths from China to European countries. During these visits, did China make any commitments on ensuring the supply of rare earths to Europe or did it promise that it would provide any general licenses for rare earths? Second question, Japanese media reported that there have been delays in the exports of rare earths to Japan from China, potentially as a result of the diplomatic dispute between Beijing and Tokyo. What's China's comment on that? Guo Jiakun: Competent authorities of China have shared information on work regarding the export control on rare earth-related items more than once. China is handling relevant issues in accordance with the laws and regulations. Antara: The Governor of Aceh Province in Indonesia has said he is open to receiving foreign assistance to help residents affected by the severe flooding, and even now Aceh people already received support from a Chinese civil society organization who is evacuating bodies from the mud. Is the Chinese government planning to deploy additional assistance to the flood-affected areas in Indonesia? Guo Jiakun: China is closely following the deadly flooding in Sumatra, Indonesia. Chinese leaders have extended sympathies to the leaders of the government and the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia. China has and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected areas in light of the Indonesian government's need. We believe that under the leadership of the Indonesian government, the people in the disaster-affected areas will recover from the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date. Asahi Shimbun: On the issue of "radar illumination," Japan's Defense Minister said today Japan does not believe that it has been given information related to China's sea and air training zones in advance as claimed by China. Can the Foreign Ministry brief us on when and what has been announced by the Chinese side? Guo Jiakun: The spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Navy clearly said on December 7 that the training zones were announced in advance. For specifics, I'd refer you to competent authorities. Asahi Shimbun: The Japanese government today refuted what has been stated by China yesterday and said that "the intermittent illumination of radar beams is a dangerous act." Does the Foreign Ministry clearly deny the act of "intermittent radar illumination?" Guo Jiakun: The Chinese side has stated its serious position on the issue. The facts are very clear. China's exercise and training in relevant waters and airspace fully complies with the international law and international practice. Our maneuvers are professional, standard, and beyond reproach. To activate search radar during flight training is commonly done by carrier-based aircraft of all countries. It's also a normal measure to ensure flight safety. We'd suggest that you ask the Japanese side: Why did the Japanese Self Defense Force fighter jets come to those areas to create this dangerous incident which shouldn't have happened? Are they deliberately harassing China's normal exercise and training and creating tensions? Reuters: Dutch media reported that a Chinese language news website in Hungary published the names of Dutch spies who met with representatives from Taiwanese intelligence. Does China have any comment on this report? Guo Jiakun: I haven't seen the reports. Antara: Tensions have flared again on the Thailand-Cambodia border at the beginning of this week, and a Thai F-16 fighter jet has reportedly attacked Cambodian artillery positions yesterday. What's the Chinese Foreign Ministry's comment on this? Guo Jiakun: As a friend and close neighbor of Cambodia and Thailand, China sincerely hopes that both sides exercise restraint and work in the same direction to prevent further escalation of the situation. China will continue to play a constructive role for deescalation in its own way. Bloomberg: I just want to go back to the Japanese radar issue. There was a Nikkei report that the Chinese side did not answer the hotline in regard to the "radar illumination." Do you have any comment on that? Guo Jiakun: I've answered this question just now. The spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Navy clearly said on December 7 that the training zones were announced in advance. For specifics, I'd refer you to competent authorities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China lodges solemn representations with UK over 'illegal' sanctions against 2 Chinese entities: embassy spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 10, 2025 08:33 AM In response to the UK's announcement of sanctions against two Chinese companies over alleged cyberattacks against the UK and its allies, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement on Tuesday night that the UK, acting in collusion with the US, had deliberately smeared China and imposed illegal unilateral sanctions on Chinese entities. On Tuesday, the UK government announced sanctions against two Chinese companies, alleging that they carried out cyberattacks against the UK and its allies and that their actions were linked to the Chinese government. "Such actions are extremely egregious in nature. China firmly opposes this move and has lodged solemn representations with the UK," the spokesperson said. China has consistently taken action against all forms of malicious cyber activity in accordance with the law. At the same time, it firmly opposes the politicization of cybersecurity issues and the practice of making groundless accusations against other countries, the spokesperson stressed. China urges the UK to immediately correct its wrong approach, revoke the sanctions against the Chinese companies, and stop smearing and vilifying China. China will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Enlarged Meeting of 13th Plenary Meeting of Eighth Central Committee of WPK Convened Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, December 10 (KCNA) -- The Enlarged Meeting of the 13th Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) was convened on Dec. 9. Present there were members of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK, members and alternate members of the Political Bureau of the C.C., WPK and members and alternate members of the C.C., WPK. Present there as observers were officials of departments of the C.C., WPK, leading officials of ministries, national agencies and provincial-level guidance bodies, chief secretaries of the Party committees and chairpersons of the people's committees in cities and counties, leading Party and administrative officials of major industrial establishments and relevant commanding officers of the Korean People's Army. A presidium of the plenary meeting was elected. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un presided over the plenary meeting. The plenary meeting approved the discussion on five agenda items including the review of the implementation of the Party and state policies and the work of the Central Inspection Commission of the Party in 2025 and the major issues related to the preparations for the Ninth Congress of the WPK and entered into the discussion on relevant agenda items. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Egypt Foreign Minister Abdelatty US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson December 9, 2025 The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister continued discussions on the implementation of President Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Conflict in Gaza. The Secretary and Foreign Minister also discussed bilateral cooperation, as well as ongoing engagements to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Federal Chancellor Merz meets Belgian Prime Minister De Wever and European Commission President von der Leyen Germany - Federal Government The following statement has been issued by the Spokesperson of the Federal Government, Stefan Kornelius: Press release 335 Friday, 5 December 2025 Press and Information Office of the Federal Government (BPA) Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with the Belgian Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Friday evening for an exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine and the frozen Russian assets. They agreed that time is of the essence in the current geopolitical situation and underscored that providing financial assistance for Ukraine is crucial for Europe's security. The Federal Chancellor stated: "We had very constructive talks on this issue. There is no denying that Belgium is particularly affected by the question of using frozen Russian assets and this has to be addressed in any conceivable solution in such a way that all European countries bear the same risk." The Commission President and the two Heads of Government agreed to continue their exchange with the aim of reaching consensus on a solution at the European Council on 18 December. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inaugural meeting of India-Brunei Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation held in New Delhi to further strengthen bilateral ties India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 09 DEC 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi The inaugural meeting of India-Brunei Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation took place in New Delhi on December 09, 2025, marking a significant milestone in advancing the bilateral partnership between the two nations. Key areas that were discussed include expansion of military-to-military exchanges and joint training, maritime security collaboration, with focus on safety of sea lanes and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief, capacity building, opportunities for defence industry collaboration and technology cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Shri Amitabh Prasad and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Ms Poh Kui Choon. Prior to the meeting, the co-chairs signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the establishment of JWG on defence cooperation. The signing of the ToR marked the beginning of a new era of bilateral defence cooperation. The JWG serves as a constructive platform to review ongoing defence engagements and explore new avenues for cooperation. Both sides welcomed the growing momentum in the defence partnership and agreed to implement a structured roadmap for cooperation under the JWG mechanism. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. The visiting Deputy Permanent Secretary also called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, as part of his two-day visit. Ms Poh Kui Choon also visited DPSU Bhawan which is a new, state-of-the-art facility recently inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi as a central hub for all 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings to foster collaboration, innovation, and showcase India's defence manufacturing capabilities to the world. ***** SR/Savvy (Release ID: 2200880) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VISIT TO BRAZIL India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 09 DEC 2025 3:20PM by PIB Delhi Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Indian Navy, has proceeded on an official visit to Brazil from 09 to 12 Dec 2025. The visit aims to consolidate the robust and growing maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the Brazilian Navy, an important pillar of the broader India-Brazil Strategic Partnership. During the visit, the CNS will hold discussions with senior leadership of Brazil, including Mr. Jose Mucio, the Defence Minister of Brazil; Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces; and Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy. These interactions will provide an opportunity to review ongoing bilateral maritime cooperation, enhance operational-level linkages, and explore new avenues for collaboration between the two navies. The visit includes engagements with operational commands, visits to naval bases, and shipyards of the Brazilian Navy. Discussions will focus on shared maritime priorities, naval interoperability, capacity building, and collaboration within multilateral frameworks including the broader South-South collaboration. The visit by the Chief of the Naval Staff reaffirms the Indian Navy's commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Brazilian Navy in the areas of maritime security, professional exchanges, and capacity building, thereby contributing to stability in the global maritime commons. **** VM/SKS (Release ID: 2200829) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US copying of Iranian drone was an admission of Tehran's superiority: Cmdr. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson says Washington's replication of the Shahed-136 drone amounts to an acknowledgment of Tehran's superiority in unmanned aerial vehicle technology. "There is no greater honor than seeing those who claim to be global powers kneel before the Iranian Shahed-136 and attempt to copy it," said Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the cultural deputy of Iran's General Staff of the Armed Forces, on the sidelines of a visit to an IRGC aerospace exhibition on Tuesday. "Iran's armed forces - particularly the IRGC Aerospace Force - are a thorn in the side of the global hegemonic system," he said. Referring to a 12-day Israeli-imposed war on Iran in June, Shekarchi said the enemy was defeated "despite possessing the most advanced defense systems and full support from the United States," and had ultimately sought to end the war through "requests and messaging." He added that Iran has since addressed shortcomings, strengthened its capabilities, and is now "far more prepared than on the first day of the aggression." The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the Pentagon was deploying a new drone to the Middle East region that was copied from an Iranian version. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China reiterates support for efforts to strengthen Iran-Saudi ties IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Dec 9, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The People's Republic of China has expressed its readiness to continue supporting and encouraging efforts made by the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance their relations across various fields. The third meeting of the Trilateral Committee comprising Iran, Saudi Arabia, and China took place in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on Tuesday. The session was chaired by Majid Takht-Ravanchi, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, and attended by Waleed Al-Khuraiji, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Miao Deyu, the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister. The Iranian and Saudi sides reaffirmed their commitment to implementing all provisions of the Beijing Agreement and to continued efforts to strengthen neighborly relations through adherence to the UN Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and international law, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and the security of both parties. Iran and Saudi Arabia also welcomed the continued positive role of the People's Republic of China and emphasized the importance of Beijing's support for the implementation of the agreement. China expressed its readiness to continue backing and encouraging the steps taken by Iran and Saudi Arabia to enhance their relations across various fields. All three countries welcomed the progress made in Iran-Saudi relations and the emerging opportunities for direct interactions between the two sides at all levels and sectors. They emphasized the significance of reciprocal visits and contacts among senior officials, particularly in light of current regional tensions that threaten both regional and global security. The three parties also welcomed advancements in consular services between the two countries, which have facilitated the safe and smooth travel of more than 85,000 Iranian pilgrims for Hajj and over 210,000 Iranians for Umrah in 2025. The three sides further expressed satisfaction with progress in dialogue between Iranian and Saudi institutions and individuals in research, education, media, cultural, and academic fields, as well as the exchange of delegations and participation in related events. The three countries expressed their eagerness to expand cooperation in various areas, including diverse economic and political fields. They also emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among regional countries to enhance security, stability, peace, and economic development. Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia called for an immediate cessation of Israeli aggression against Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, condemning acts of aggression that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran also expressed appreciation for the clear positions taken by Saudi Arabia and China during the June attacks. Finally, the three countries reaffirmed their support for an inclusive political solution in Yemen based on internationally recognized principles and under the United Nations supervision. 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Replication of Shahed-136 by US shows Iran's drone superiority: Official Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 3:05 PM The spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces says the replication of Shahed-136 loitering munition attack drone by the United States validates the growing global recognition of the Islamic Republic's superiority in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran on Tuesday, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi stated that the decision by countries that portray themselves as frontrunners in military technology, particularly the United States, to reverse-engineer the Iranian kamikaze drone reflects the scale of the country's technological advances. "There is no greater source of pride and honor than seeing the self-proclaimed technological superpowers kneel before the Iranian drone and clone it," Shekarchi said. He described the measure as an attempt by enemies to fill their strategic vacuum in the military sphere, hailing the IRGC Aerospace Force as a prominent player in the global defense landscape that can counter long-standing systems of domination. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the US military was deploying a kamikaze drone to West Asia that was copied and reverse-engineered from the Iranian Shahed-136. US Central Command (CENTCOM) recently announced the creation of the Scorpion Strike Task Force (TFSS). TFSS is a squadron of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack Systems, LUCAS, one-way attack drones. The compact fuselage and low radar cross-section of the Shahed-136 drone make early detection and interception difficult, especially when deployed in large swarm attacks. Low production cost and ease of launch have made the Iranian-designed aircraft an effective tool for disabling and disrupting enemy air defense networks. The drone is often used alongside other offensive systems and serves as a first-wave platform to weaken air defenses before ballistic missile strikes or precision-guided munitions are launched. Elsewhere in his remarks on Tuesday, Shekarchi said Iran has emerged stronger in strategic arenas following the 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime and the US in June. Commenting on the major counter-terrorism drill involving various military units from member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan, Shekarchi said Iran shared its field experience with the Shanghai bloc during the five-day Sahand-2025 war game. The synergy among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states constituted "an independent and strong power against the Western hegemonic system," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press conference by Federal Chancellor Merz and Prime Minister Netanyahu on Merz's inaugural visit to Israel "The friendship between Germany and Israel is precious" Germany - Federal Government During his visit to Israel, Federal Chancellor Merz reaffirmed the unbreakable friendship between Israel and Germany and emphasised Germany's historical responsibility. Discussions centred on the peace plan for Gaza and the situation of the civilian population. Transcript of press conference Sunday, 7 December 2025 On his visit to Israel, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised the special importance of German-Israeli relations. Germany stands firmly behind Israel's right to exist and its security, he said, noting that: "That is part of the inalterable core of our relationship". At Yad Vashem, the Federal Chancellor remembered the six million Jews murdered and emphasised Germany's responsibility to keep alive the memory of the Nazis' crimes. He also referred to Germany's clear solidarity with Israel following the terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023. At the same time, the Federal Chancellor addressed the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza and explained the temporary suspension of certain arms exports that could be used in Gaza. Thanks to the ceasefire that took effect in Gaza through the mediation of US President Trump, lasting peace is now possible, he said. It was 60 years ago, on 12 May 1965, that Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations. The deep friendship that links the two countries today is a great gift for Germany, in full acknowledgement of the past. Since then, German-Israeli ties have extended far beyond diplomatic and political channels, and meanwhile a lively exchange has developed at the level of civil society, which has further deepened relations between the two countries and continues to this day. The most important points in brief: Implementation of the peace plan: It is essential to realise the second phase, Merz said, clarifying: "Germany will help." Germany will contribute to reconstruction and provide humanitarian support for the people of Gaza. "Above all, we will continue our diplomatic efforts to bring about peace," said the Federal Chancellor. It is essential to realise the second phase, Merz said, clarifying: "Germany will help." Germany will contribute to reconstruction and provide humanitarian support for the people of Gaza. "Above all, we will continue our diplomatic efforts to bring about peace," said the Federal Chancellor. Two-state solution: The Federal Chancellor emphasised once again that a two-state solution could only be achieved through negotiations. There should be no steps toward annexation in the West Bank, he said, adding that the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel opens up the best prospects for a future in which Israelis, Palestinians and Arab neighbours can live in lasting peace and security. The Federal Chancellor emphasised once again that a two-state solution could only be achieved through negotiations. There should be no steps toward annexation in the West Bank, he said, adding that the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel opens up the best prospects for a future in which Israelis, Palestinians and Arab neighbours can live in lasting peace and security. The fight against anti-Semitism: Referring to the current debate in Germany, the Federal Chancellor said: "Criticism of the Israeli government's policies must not be misused as a pretext for anti-Semitism, especially not in Germany." According to Merz, anyone who denies the State of Israel the right to exist is fundamentally contradicting Germany's political identity. The Federal Government will always oppose this with all its might. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address All countries have responsibility, obligation to join hands in resisting attempt to revive militaristic fascism: Chinese FM on regional countries opposing Takaichi's Taiwan remarks Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 09, 2025 04:40 PM Since modern times, Japanese militarism, under the pretext of so-called "survival-threatening situation", launched aggressive wars against China and other Asian neighbors, committing all manner of atrocities wherever it went, leaving behind horrifying blood debts, the Chinese FM spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday in response to a question about neighboring countries such as Russia have recently voiced opposition to the erroneous Taiwan-related remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and countries including Pakistan, Laos and Cambodia have publicly expressed support for the one-China principle, while media outlets and scholars from multiple countries in the region have stated that certain political forces in Japan have attempted to deny, distort and even glorify its history of aggression, and they have also sought to break through the constraints of the pacifist Constitution and pursue remilitarization, which gravely hurts the feelings of people of all countries and poses a threat to regional peace. Among the three major massacres of civilians committed by the Japanese army during WWII, the Nanjing Massacre alone resulted in more than 300,000 deaths. In the Manila massacre, about 100,000 Filipino civilians were killed within just one month, and the massacre in Singapore claimed tens of thousands of local lives, Guo said. According to the ruling records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, the Japanese military carried out more than 100 large-scale massacres in Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and elsewhere. The Japanese army brutally mistreated allied prisoners of war, with a POW mortality rate as high as 27 percent. During the Bataan Death March alone, around 15,000 American and Filipino POWs died. The Japanese military also carried out forced labor on a massive scale: tens of thousands of Southeast Asian laborers and allied POWs were abused to death during the construction of the Thai-Burma Railway, and more than four million Chinese laborers who were forcibly conscripted by the Japanese army suffered deaths and injuries from harsh conditions and extreme labor intensity. In addition, the Japanese army forced women from China, the Korean Peninsula, Southeast Asia, the Netherlands and other countries and regions into sexual slavery as "comfort women," committing appalling crimes against humanity. War crimes cannot be erased, and the history of aggression cannot be denied. Any indulgence or appeasement of Japanese right-wing provocations will only revive the specter of militarism and once again place the peoples of Asia in danger. All countries have the responsibility and obligation to join hands in resisting any attempt to revive militaristic fascism, to jointly safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, to defend the post-war international order, and to ensure world peace and stability, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan scrambles fighters to monitor Russia-China 'show-of-force' patrol amid Tokyo-Beijing tensions Iran Press TV Wednesday, 10 December 2025 8:00 AM Japan has scrambled fighter jets after Russian and Chinese aircraft conducted an extended joint patrol around its territory, heightening concerns over simmering tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. In a statement, Japan's defense ministry said it had launched warplanes to track a coordinated air operation involving Russian and Chinese forces near the airspace of the island country. The scrambling came after two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan to link up with a pair of Chinese H-6 bombers and carried out a long-range joint patrol over the Pacific, while four Chinese J-16 fighters escorted the formation on a round-trip flight passing between Okinawa and Miyako islands, a route that runs through the international Miyako Strait. The ministry also claimed that it had detected a concurrent Russian activity in the Sea of Japan, consisting of an A-50 early-warning aircraft and two Su-30 fighters. Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi condemned the joint flights on Wednesday, stressing that the operations were "clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security." He also emphasized that Japanese jets executed all required air-defense identification procedures. According to the Russian defense ministry, the joint patrol lasted eight hours. Separately, South Korea claimed that seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft also entered its air-defense zone on Tuesday, saying the move added to regional unease. The joint patrol came after Japan alleged on Sunday that Chinese carrier-based fighters had locked radar on Japanese aircraft, a claim Beijing rejected. China's heightened military operations come after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could respond if Chinese actions against Taiwan endangered Japan. This comes amid Russian-Chinese defense cooperation, which has included anti-missile training in Russia and live-fire naval drills in the South China Sea. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the upcoming elections European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Statements and remarks 9 December 2025 22:40 On today's International Human Rights Day, the European Union reiterates its steadfast support for the people of Myanmar in their aspiration to live in dignity, peace and freedom. We condemn continuing grave human rights violations including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as the persecution of civil society, human rights defenders, and journalists. These abuses persist alongside widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms and a climate of fear. The European Union is closely following developments surrounding the electoral process announced by the State Security and Peace Commission in Myanmar. While the Myanmar military regime presents these polls as a step in its political roadmap, the prevailing context makes clear that the essential conditions for free and fair elections, namely a credible, transparent, inclusive process, in line with international standards, are not in place, and that these elections are only pursuing bolstering legitimacy objectives for the junta. Widespread violence, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, mass detentions, and the exclusion of key political actors severely undermine the credibility of the process. Many areas of the country remain affected by active conflict, humanitarian needs continue to rise, forced internal displacements of people are intensifying, and civic space is tightly constrained. Large segments of the population and political spectrum including persons belonging to many minorities, or parties with significant popular support are prevented from participating in the elections. Despite the recent amnesty, many thousands of citizens remain arbitrarily detained. At the same time, new laws criminalising any criticism of the electoral process further erode the possibility of free expression. The environment in which electoral preparations are taking place is therefore neither conducive to public trust nor compatible with the international standards to which Myanmar has committed. The EU urges all stakeholders to prioritise an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence, an inclusive political dialogue, and unhindered humanitarian access. A sustainable political solution cannot be reached through a process that lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the population or that risks entrenching division. We emphasise that addressing the underlying discrimination and human rights violations faced by persons belonging to all ethnic minorities must be a part of a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar. In this context, the European Union, in support of ASEAN's Centrality, calls once again for the full and effective implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, which remains the adequate pathway to de-escalate the crisis and lay the groundwork for a peaceful and inclusive future for Myanmar. The EU stands ready to support genuine efforts that lead to a sustainable and just end of violence and an inclusive dialogue process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Visit of H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, to Pakistan (8-9 December 2025) - Joint Statement Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs At the invitation of H.E. Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, paid an official visit to Pakistan on 8-9 December 2025. During the visit, President Prabowo Subianto held delegation level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and met with H.E. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan. The Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also called on President Prabowo Subianto. During the visit, the President of Indonesia was conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan, Pakistan's highest civilian honor, by the President of Pakistan. The visit carried special significance, as Pakistan and Indonesia are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. It served as an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved over the decades and to reaffirm shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Acknowledging that bilateral relations predate the independence of both countries, the two sides expressed firm resolve to build on the historic foundation and expand cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in a forward-looking manner and explore pathways to further elevate bilateral engagement. During the visit, the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening brotherly ties between the two countries across all areas, including political and diplomatic, economic and trade, security and defence, cultural and education, science and technological, and health cooperation. During their discussions, the leaders emphasized the importance of enhancing high-level engagements, political dialogue, effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms, and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations. Affirming their shared commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, the two sides noted that while bilateral trade has doubled since 2014 and surpassed the US$ 4 billion-mark, considerable opportunities remain unexplored. It was agreed to hold a meeting of the Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC) at the earliest to elevate the existing IP-PTA to Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by 2027 through deeper concessions, removal of non-tariff barriers, as well as strengthening cooperation to fulfil the true potential of the bilateral agreement. Recognizing the importance of traditional trade commodities including agricultural and industrial goods, palm oil, surgical instruments, and pharmaceutical products for the bilateral trade, it was agreed to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation in the services sector as well including information technology, cyber-security, and fintech. The importance of cooperation in the halal food industry and Islamic finance was also underscored. Both sides also underscored the importance of strengthening mutual investments to diversify and expand economic cooperation. They agreed to explore measures to promote investment cooperation in diverse sectors including and not limited to agriculture, IT, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, digital infrastructure, connectivity and energy, including through engagement between Pakistan's Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Indonesia's Sovereign Wealth Fund (Danantara). Recognizing the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration through enhanced high-level military interactions, institutionalizing defence industrial cooperation, specialized training programs, and exchanges between military training institutions, in accordance with respective laws and regulations. The Indonesian side appreciated the ongoing defence education and training cooperation between the two countries. Both leaders agreed to explore further defence industry collaboration potentials, as well as maritime and aviation related trainings. The two sides reiterated their commitment to working together to address transnational security challenges, including through constructive cooperation in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, as well as preventing and countering illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substance, new psychoactive substance and their precursors, consistent with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Pakistan expressed appreciation for Indonesia's efforts in improving its national health sector. Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration through human health development, health care services, pharmaceutical and medical devices, health technology including digital health, health emergency including preparedness for diseases with pandemic potential including vaccine manufacturing, diseases prevention and control, women and child health, subject to respective domestic regulations. Recognizing the threats posed by climate change, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in disaster management and climate resilience through strengthened collaboration in knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and joint initiatives. Acknowledging the vast potential for collaboration in the tourism sector-anchored in shared history and culture, both sides reaffirmed their desire to deepen cooperation through knowledge sharing, joint sustainable tourism ventures, and coordinated promotional activities. Welcoming growing people-to-people linkages between Pakistan and Indonesia, both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen cooperation through academic collaboration, facilitating student exchanges, and supporting joint research initiatives between their educational institutions. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in technical, vocational, and religious education. The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. They emphasized the importance of upholding multilateralism, strengthening global governance, and ensuring that the United Nations remains central in addressing global challenges. Pakistan briefed the Indonesian side on developments related to the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Both sides emphasized the importance of peace, stability, and resolving outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue in line with relevant international principles and established bilateral processes between the parties. The leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestine. They reaffirmed their longstanding support for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace through the implementation of the Two-State Solution, in line with relevant UN resolutions and internationally agreed parameters, towards the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. Both sides welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan and appreciated their continued cooperation and diplomatic efforts in support of peace in Gaza. Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to deepening engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia welcomed Pakistan's interest in strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and encouraged continued constructive participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including through steady implementation of activities under the ASEAN-Pakistan Practical Cooperation Areas (PCA), as well as by exploring opportunities for closer interactions with ASEAN Member States (AMS). The two leaders noted with satisfaction the active cooperation within the framework of international organizations, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), of which Indonesia will assume the Chairmanship in 2026. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue supporting each other's initiatives and candidatures, consistent with respective priorities and procedures. Further building on the existing bilateral institutional mechanisms, the two sides signed following Agreements/MoUs during the visit: Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for Grant Program on "The Indonesian Aid Scholarships"; Agreement between the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Ministry of the Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Certificate and Degrees; MoU between SMESCO and SMEDA on Facilitation of Small and Medium Businesses; MoU between the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Archives of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Archives Cooperation; MoU between the National Narcotics Board, Government of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substance, New Psychoactive Substance and their Precursors; MoU between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Cooperation in the Field of Health; MoU between The Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency of the Republic of Indonesia and The Pakistan Halal Authority of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Pakistan on Cooperation in Halal Trade and Certification; and MoU between the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia and the National Library of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the Cooperation in the Field of Library and Information Management. 21. President Prabowo Subianto expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for brotherly gestures and warm hospitality extended to him. Islamabad December 9, 2025 370/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces called on President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Prabowo Subianto at Islamabad. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - December 09, 2025 No PR-404/2025-ISPR Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces called on President of the Republic of Indonesia, His Excellency Prabowo Subianto at Islamabad. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen existing ties between the armed forces of the two brotherly countries. The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged Pakistan's role in promoting regional peace and stability. The COAS & CDF reiterated that Pakistan values its longstanding relations with Indonesia and is committed to expanding defence collaboration in training, counter-terrorism, and capacity-building domains. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Presenting Gold Star medals to Heroes of Russia On Heroes of the Fatherland Day, the President presented Gold Star medals to Heroes of Russia. The ceremony took place in the Grand Kremlin Palace's St George Hall. December 9, 2025 14:05 The Kremlin, Moscow Over 200 military personnel and civilians who have displayed extraordinary courage and heroism have been invited to the Kremlin. The participants include Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, holders of the Order of St George, and recipients of three or more Orders of Courage. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrades, Today, on Heroes of the Fatherland Day, we honour the great sons and daughters of Russia for their exceptional service to our country. We pay tribute to all those whose military and labour achievements, dedication, and courage have set a lasting example of devotion to the Fatherland. Their names are enshrined in undying glory. Here in the Kremlin's St George Hall, upholding the traditions dating back to Catherine the Great, and paying homage to generations of heroes, we affirm the enduring continuity of our nation's thousand-year history. We are bound together by pride in our Motherland and in the achievements and victories of our forebears. Throughout the ages, they defended our state's sovereignty and our people's freedom. They fought for the right to determine our own future and strove tirelessly to keep the country strong, to propel it forward, to open new horizons of growth, and to face the future with confidence. We honour all those who have been recognised for their service with the titles of Hero of Russia or Hero of the Soviet Union, or who have been awarded the Order of St George or the Order of Glory. Combatants, soldiers and officers, members of the special services and law enforcement, pioneers, cosmonauts, pilots, polar explorers, doctors, and civilians who have performed heroic deeds - all are united by their readiness to place the interests of the homeland above everything. Their lives stand as a powerful testament to the character, spirit, and inexhaustible strength of our people. At this challenging time for our country, we see new evidence of the strength of our traditions of military glory, and the dignity with which our contemporaries keep them up, including very young people, the soldiers who are fighting on the front line. I know due to personal contacts that people on the front line feel much stronger spiritual and blood bonds to their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, and that they are aware of this continuity and their responsibility for our forefathers' legacy much more than ever before. Today, these decorations will be presented to our service personnel awarded the title of Hero of Russia. They have demonstrated exceptional courage and valour while fulfilling their tasks in the zone of the special military operation, high professionalism, unwavering determination, and the ability to take the lead in extremely complicated combat conditions, while doing everything to ensure the advance of our forces in the key areas. Thank you for your service. One of the gold stars will be presented posthumously to the family of Sergeant Nikita Afanasyev. Glory and eternal memory to our fallen comrades. Friends, Every act of heroism is rooted in the solid foundation of values, noble aspirations, unconquerable will and commitment to one's duty and principles. All these qualities are inherent in the people for whom risking life for the country's achievements is an integral part of their profession. Today, I will present decorations to the test pilots who dedicated their lives to testing new types of military and civilian aircraft. Serving the people, the Motherland and its present and future always adds special meaning to our deeds and actions. We can see this in the work of our engineers and scientists, who find breakthrough solutions to ensure national security, and in the selfless labour of personnel at defence plants and in many other spheres, who work every day to make Russia stronger and to contribute to its wellbeing and prosperity. All of us now stand united in our admiration for the heroes, awareness of our responsibility to the country, our involvement in its fate, and sincere love for our Motherland. This love and this historical truth are the essence of our strength and the earnest of our victories. Congratulations on Heroes of the Fatherland Day! <...> Vladimir Putin: Friends, Today is a special day, but we always remember those who make such occasions possible: the people here, the people in this hall, their parents, their wives; because everything is forged within the family; it is in the family that a person finds their footing, both physically and mentally. Everything is formed there. That is why our entire policy is centred around families. Some things turn out well, others better, others not as well, but the overarching goal, the general direction of our development, is focused on the family and on the Motherland, because the Motherland is our large, vast, close-knit family. I am grateful for the kind words: someone said to me, someone asked: how do you work? You know, everyone gives their all in their own role. And I, for my part, cannot imagine how pilots carry out their missions. Well, I can imagine it to some extent: I have been lucky enough, I have had the pleasure to come into contact with this profession. I have said it before, and I will say it again: especially when it comes to attack aircraft. I simply do not understand how people work there or how they fly. For those who have never flown, let me explain: only the arms and fingers are moving. How can you, under such conditions, climb, then descend, then climb and descend again, and on top of this, carry out strikes - and even descend to altitudes that are dangerous because of enemy air defence systems? It is simply incredible. So, what can we say about our soldiers who are now on the front line? In this new system of operating combat drones and other modern weapons, you can hardly lift your head, yet our guys are fighting. They are the true heroes. Happy holiday to you! Happy Heroes of the Fatherland Day! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky's address at the ceremonial event at the UN Information Centre on the Occasion of Human Rights Day, Moscow, December 9, 2025 9 December 2025 19:58 2049-09-12-2025 I would like to cordially welcome the organisers and participants of the meeting. Tomorrow, on December 10, the international community celebrates Human Rights Day established in honour of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948. The Universal Declaration is unique; it established a kind of "gold standard" for human rights, recognising their equal value. This document has had a decisive influence on the formation of the modern international legal framework for the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as on the development of international law more broadly. I would note that the Declaration places particular emphasis on the importance of promoting friendly relations among peoples. UN Member States endorsed the Declaration, driven by the desire to strengthen respect for human dignity and to reaffirm its value. This anniversary carries exceptional significance. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and World War II, as well as the founding of the United Nations (UN). Won at an enormous cost in human lives, the Great Victory was made possible by the unification of all peace-loving nations in the fight against Nazism, fascism, and militarism. It determined the subsequent course of world history, created the conditions for building a new architecture of international relations, and laid the foundations of contemporary international law. Humanity paid with tens of millions of lives for this tragic lesson: the ideology of racial superiority has no place in the civilised world. Although the Declaration was adopted 77 years ago, it remains relevant today. This is particularly evident against the backdrop of the creeping rehabilitation of Nazism in Europe and the general policy pursued by Western countries to revise the outcomes of World War II. Meanwhile, self-proclaimed developed democracies shamelessly invoke the provisions of the Declaration to justify interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, imposing neoliberal "values" as an allegedly universal foundation for life. The historical, cultural, and religious particularities of individual countries are disregarded. This instrumentalisation of human rights by the collective West takes place against the backdrop of gross human rights violations within these very states. The Russian Federation advocates building cooperation in the human rights sphere on the basis of universally recognised principles and international law, through constructive, equal, and respectful dialogue. Everything possible must be done to counter attempts to distort the meaning of fundamental UN documents in the interests of individual states. In conclusion, I would like to express my hope that human rights will become a unifying rather than a divisive factor in international relations and cooperation. Thank you for your attention. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov's interview with the magazine International Affairs, Moscow, December 8, 2025 9 December 2025 10:43 2043-09-12-2025 Russia and the United States: Searching for Way Forward Question: The New START Treaty expires on February 5, 2026. Is there a chance for its extension? Sergey Ryabkov: To begin with, the treaty stipulates one five-year extension, which was put into effect five years ago. In other words, this possibility has been used. This does not rule out other possibilities to extend the treaty beyond the designated deadline. But this should be a subject for separate discussions and separate far-reaching agreements. There are no prerequisites for this yet. We are not discussing this issue with the United States. We have pointed out on numerous occasions that even the resumption of discussions on the issue of strategic stability will only become possible for us after we become convinced of substantive and irreversible improvements in Washington's policy towards Russia. Although dialogue with Washington has not stopped, and although we have made progress on some tracks, this is not enough to say that prerequisites have been created for relaunching the dialogue on stability, including strategic arms reduction. Question: What will change in the sphere of global stability if Washington refuses to extend the treaty? Sergey Ryabkov: Washington has long been dismantling the key elements of the security architecture that existed for decades, namely arms control treaties and agreements. Sad but it's a fact. That is why I don't expect the US' stand on the New START Treaty to change overnight, indicating an understanding that it is better to save what we have instead of destroying or letting things drift. By and large, Washington has always wanted only one thing - to create maximally favourable security conditions for itself. It they thought that any treaty, including on arms control, hindered the achievement of that goal, they did not hesitate to discard it. We watched the United States successively dismantle the ABM Treaty, the INF Treaty and the Open Skies Treaty in the 2000s and 2010s. It was the American side that every time initiated the destruction and withdrawal from these agreements. The same is true of the Trump administration, which has demonstrated a fundamentally utilitarian approach to the US obligations in the field of international affairs. Question: The US side previously advocated the idea of holding trilateral talks on nuclear arms control between the United States, Russia and China. What do you think of that initiative, and what is Beijing's stand? Sergey Ryabkov: Proposals regarding this have been made during Donald Trump's first term. We have not received official proposals regarding this from the current US administration, possibly because the Americans have a good understanding of our position and logic. More precisely, we have very special relations with the People's Republic of China in terms of their depth and the level of mutual trust. We have no questions to China regarding arms control and strategic stability, and therefore we will not to try to steer China towards hypothetical trilateral efforts just to suit analysts, political scientists or even those who hold high positions across the ocean. This is not in our interests, and we won't do this. Following that logic, we can reiterate our stand, which we have put forth many times, including publicly, that a moment is approaching when any efforts in the sphere of arms control will have to become multilateral. We have always said, and we will continue to say that the first to join these efforts when the conditions are right should be the United States' closest allies - the United Kingdom and the French Republic, which are openly and cynically demonstrating their aggressive plans towards us. The thoroughly anti-Russia nature of their policy is obvious to everyone. And they make no secret of it. Question: At what stage are the discussions with the American side about a potential Russia-US leaders' summit? Could it take place in the short or medium term? Sergey Ryabkov: I would not rule anything out. The next contact between the leaders is high on the agenda. It is necessary to provide substantive content for such a contact. We cannot afford to step away from the framework agreed upon by the leaders in Anchorage. The Americans are fully aware of our approach. We have repeatedly clarified the logic behind it through various channels at all levels. Importantly, both sides keep looking for a path forward. We would certainly like to count on the US administration to make the efforts conducive to creating the prerequisites for the leaders' contact which simply cannot fail to be productive. Question: How susceptible is Donald Trump to influence from external players, particularly European politicians who insist on unconditional support for the Kiev regime? Sergey Ryabkov: The US administration demonstrates the ability to stick to its own agenda even when a significant number of other international actors, including US allies, are out of step with it. To add specifics to the issue we are discussing now, after Anchorage, we have witnessed an outright barrage of anti-Russian verbal attacks and an equally intense stream of actions by our opponents who are also in favour of continuing the war. There are many of them, especially in Western European capitals. All of that is done primarily to sway the Trump administration. Notably, the Trump administration is among the few of our Western dialogue partners, let's call them that, and opponents who acknowledge the validity of the importance to deal with the underlying causes of the conflict which cannot be ignored. The reckless policy of the previous White House administration - the Biden administration - to push NATO infrastructure ever closer to Russia's borders is the core cause. The ongoing grave crisis is also rooted in the Kiev regime's efforts to cancel the rights of the Russians and the Russian language, and to encroach on the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine. A sustainable settlement is impossible unless all these issues get resolved. Importantly, unlike many in Europe who, in their anti-Russian frenzy and blindness, deny obvious things, the Trump administration does not refuse to consider them. Question: How do the sanctions that the United States continues to impose on Russia fit into American peace efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine? Sergey Ryabkov: In principle, the current administration's policy shows a pattern of using a carrot and stick approach to those they find "unruly and disobedient." There's nothing new if you look at it from this perspective. No matter how many more sanctions, be they primary, secondary, tariff-related, or any others, are imposed, we will act solely in accordance with our national interests. The Russian economy has held up and will continue to grow. We see no grounds for changing anything in our fundamental approach to what is happening. It's imperative to be determined and firm when dealing with this matter. Question: What about progress in addressing bilateral issues following the Alaska summit? I mean reinstating contacts through diplomatic channels in full, returning our property, resuming visa issuance, economic cooperation, tourism, etc. Sergey Ryabkov: Contacts have not been interrupted. We keep working without interruption through established formats and channels. Not all of these channels are in plain sight or widely discussed; not all of them need to be publicly mentioned. But the fact remains: everything is functioning. To what extent this is effective? This is debatable, as some say. If we take Donald Trump's arrival in the White House as the baseline, the progress is significant. Please note that our leaders did not have a single contact during Biden's last three years in office. Now, we have an entirely different picture. The contacts are not just perfunctory contacts but productive contacts that set the trajectory for moving forward. A foundation is being created for addressing extremely challenging issues. Some things have been accomplished, such as getting a number of irritants out of the way. This includes the functioning of foreign missions, their financing, and official travel. The list goes on. However, these accomplishments pale in comparison with major issues that remain unresolved, such as resuming direct air travel, engaging in genuine dialogue about regional conflicts, and the imperative return of our diplomatic property that was seized under Obama. We must redouble our efforts. What are we doing in order to get there? We are looking for and locating resources to boost effectiveness. Formats may vary. We do continue traditional consultations on bilateral irritants, but we can and should use alternative vehicles, rely more on our embassies, and have designated officials make targeted trips to discuss complex matters. These are technicalities. The point is that we must keep moving forward. We cannot afford to see these issues stall. We will push forward our work with the Americans on the entire array of issues. Speaking of visas, some progress has been made but we've seen, quite literally, setbacks as well. We were deeply disappointed by the US decision to put a cap on the number of visa application points for Russian citizens wishing to obtain a tourist or other non-immigrant visas. Only two locations are left, Warsaw and Astana. This complicates matters, and there is a lot more to be addressed here. This shows that the situation is far from being straightforward, but rather multidimensional and multilayered, just like everything else in our relations. However, progress is there as well. Question: What about economic cooperation? Is it still at the freezing point? Sergey Ryabkov: There is a novel by Natan Dubovitsky titled "Near Zero." That's where things stand now. Question: There have been numerous comments following US President Donald Trump's statement on the potential resumption of nuclear testing. What is the position of the Russian Federation on this issue? Sergey Ryabkov: President Vladimir Putin has issued instructions on this matter. Naturally, we have been following them. I am confident that Washington, along with other capitals, has taken full and precise note of our stance. We have sought official clarification from the United States regarding the precise meaning of its statements. Was it referring to tests of delivery systems, or to subcritical experiments, which do not produce a nuclear chain reaction? Or does Washington genuinely envisage a return to full-scale nuclear weapons testing, even if as a demonstrative measure against those it perceives as adversaries? To date, we have received no response from the American side. Furthermore, we observe a degree of inconsistency in their position on this matter. This is compounded by a number of activities the US has undertaken in this sphere. Various developments could be seen as part of this pattern, not least the recent test launch of a Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile. In turn, we have tested our advanced delivery systems - the Poseidon and Burevestnik. I reiterate, the President of Russia has issued his directives. The Foreign Ministry, in coordination with other relevant agencies, is overseeing their implementation. This includes, specifically, the collection and analysis of information to assess the necessity of preparing our national infrastructure accordingly. Question: Following the US announcement regarding the possible resumption of nuclear testing, how should we interpret President Donald Trump's calls for the denuclearisation of all nuclear-armed states? Sergey Ryabkov: We have, of course, noted the repeated calls for "denuclearisation" emanating from the United States. While much could be said on this subject, it may be most pertinent to recall Article VI of the foundational Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). This article explicitly situates the goal of a nuclear-weapon-free world within the context of general and complete disarmament. The question then becomes: how close are we to achieving general and complete disarmament - this essential prerequisite for any meaningful "denuclearisation"? The United States leads a powerful and ideologically driven military bloc - the North Atlantic Alliance. This alliance has formally declared itself a nuclear one. Western leaders have repeatedly stated that it will remain nuclear for as long as nuclear weapons exist anywhere in the world. We are therefore witnessing not only systematic efforts by member states to modernise their nuclear arsenals but also, for instance, active discussions on the feasibility of creating a so-called "European nuclear umbrella." One cannot help but question how such an initiative aligns with President Trump's calls for "denuclearisation." Furthermore, we observe other concerning developments from the United States and its allies. Aggressively minded politicians within NATO and the EU are openly questioning whether to expand the geographic deployment of American tactical nuclear weapons across Europe. They are also persistently advocating for an expansion of so-called "joint nuclear missions." These missions, I must stress, constitute a flagrant violation of the fundamental tenets of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In short, there is a profound and growing contradiction between NATO's declarations and its practical actions. We are guided strictly by the facts, the practical policies, and the concrete actions of this aggressive group. Accordingly, we will take all necessary measures to guarantee Russia's security, relying not least on our strategic nuclear deterrent. Question: How dangerous is the situation in the Caribbean, where the United States has deployed a powerful naval and air force group? Sergey Ryabkov: Of course, it is yet another crisis and yet another region that can potentially become a hot spot under an absolutely far-fetched pretext. It is obvious that different methods should be sued to combat drug trafficking, and it is equally clear that Washington's complaints against the Venezuelan authorities are, by and large, groundless. A closer look at the documents on drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean, which have been published by the UN and the US Department of State, clearly shows that the subject of Venezuela and drug cartels, to which the Americans frequently refer, is either absent or is treated as a matter of secondary importance. In other words, the problem is being blown out of proportion to create a credible political background for the accumulation of military might in the region. This is a matter of concern for us. We condemn the build-up of tensions in that region. We want Latin America to remain a zone of peace. We have special partner relations with Venezuela. We have recently ratified the basic Treaty of Strategic Partnership and Cooperation with it. We are cooperating in all spheres, including within the framework of law enforcement and security. This is no secret either. In this extremely complicated situation, in this time of trial, we continue to stand together with our Venezuelan allies, and they are aware of this. Question: Will Russia provide assistance to Venezuela if the United States decides to launch a military operation against it? Sergey Ryabkov: Our American counterparts usually say regarding any hypothetical scenarios that they don't comment on what may or may not happen. I would like to add that it is not advisable to discuss the forms and algorithms of potential actions in case of such an acute and severe crisis as this one. It would be enough to reiterate our unshakeable solidarity with Venezuela. More importantly, we firmly and consistently call on the international community, primarily the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, to speak up so as to keep the Washington administration from the continued aggravation of the situation and to convince it to abandon its aggressive plans. Question: What is the BRICS countries' reaction to the US administration's tariff war against the world? Will they formulate a consolidated response? Sergey Ryabkov: Soon after Washington announced a dramatic rise in tariffs, we held a virtual BRICS summit where our leaders held a detailed and in-depth discussion of that situation. We are already responding, and I believe that each BRICS country has its own way and methods to counter these threats. In addition to responding to current developments, we should also focus on economic issues, which are an integral and extremely important part of the BRICS' activities. Brazil's successful BRICS Chairmanship this year has demonstrated a dynamic, energetic and creative approach to this work. I am confident that our Indian colleagues, who will take over [next year], will carry on in the same spirit. There is a series of projects and ideas which we will hopefully implement, thereby increasing the resistance of our interaction to negative external influence. We don't set ourselves against anyone. We don't try to eliminate or replace effective mechanisms with new structures. We are simply working calmly on a constructive agenda within BRICS so as to be able to continue using this perfectly legal, normal and logical form of cooperation, regardless of what non-BRICS countries may think of it. Question: Will the introduction of the single payment platform for cross-border transactions between BRICS countries become such a response? Sergey Ryabkov: It is one of the numerous options we are considering. Vital elements have been enshrined in the final declaration of the summit in Kazan in 2024. It is an impressive list of issues on which we must continue working. During their meeting in Rio de Janeiro, our leaders recorded progress in this sphere. We are also promoting a new investment platform, which all BRICS countries and partner states want. Which mechanisms can attract investments without fear of being hunted? We have a solution, and we should start implementing our ideas. I hope that the period ahead will show that all BRICS capitals have sufficient political will to do this. Question: What is your assessment of prospects for resuming US-Iran dialogue on the nuclear issue? Sergey Ryabkov: Prospects are there. We support our Iranian colleagues and friends in their quest for a negotiated solution. We took note that, in their political and geopolitical battles for influence, the Europeans have essentially turned things upside down. At this point, they are the main spoiler on the way to negotiated settlement. There's nothing new in it for us, since the EU bureaucracy and the EU countries, as well as the United Kingdom that has aligned with them, are playing an utterly negative role when it comes to the international relations system. Modern-day Brussels and the leading European capitals are the worst when it comes to being a source of ideas and approaches soaked in aggressive and destructive energy. This affects practically everything, and the Iranian nuclear programme is no exception. In Vienna, within the IAEA Board of Governors, the same group of European countries regularly pushes worthless and harmful anti-Iranian resolutions. This hinders normal work, but this crowd is impervious to sensible arguments. The Iranians, for their part, have not lost willingness to pursue a political negotiated solution despite the aggression of the United States and Israel during the 12-day war, and the legally void, politically meaningless, and counterproductive European snapback-related shenanigans in the UN Security Council. We support them in this matter. We believe this is the way forward given the circumstances. Question: Mr Ryabkov, here's a question posed by an expert from our journal, "Russia and the West want to return to the point in time when their influence was the greatest. Russia wants to go back to 1945, and the West to 1990. To accomplish that, Russia would have to change the outcome of the Cold War, while the West would like to adjust the outcomes of World War II in its favour. If this point is accurate, is there a point where these opposing geopolitical aspirations can meet?" Sergey Ryabkov: I would challenge the way the question is framed. First, returning to the past is impossible, and you cannot step into the same river twice. We are not fighting for influence; we are fighting for the guaranteed protection of our core national interests and the interests of all Russian-speaking people, including those who were deprived of their basic rights in the wake of the Kiev regime's criminal actions. Speaking of the West, most countries in that group have long remained captive to the illusion that the globalist agenda would eventually triumph worldwide, that their unchecked expansion in the geopolitical space according to their Western templates would continue indefinitely, and that Russia would eventually accept this. The opposite happened, and now they will have to come to terms with the fact that the historical West's global domination project has fallen apart. We are witnessing the formation of a multipolar world. This phase is extremely complex and comes with many conflicts, but its momentum is irreversible. The world is moving in this direction, and I am confident it will be a more just world. Question: What are the principal disagreements between Brussels and Washington? Sergey Ryabkov: I don't think there are ideological or conceptual disagreements. There are simply two sides of the same coin. On both sides of the Atlantic, those who make and shape policy are deeply convinced of the civilisational superiority of the Western model and the Western path. Occasional adjustments are possible, though. They may be substantial but always at the tactical level, never affecting the grand strategy. So, there's no point to exaggerate particular differences. We are dealing with a very serious adversary, an adversary of historic proportions. It is no coincidence that they have set out to "inflict a strategic defeat on Russia," essentially denying the obvious fact that a nuclear power cannot be defeated. They openly disregard our determination to act as energetically as necessary to defend our interests. But this is where they are making a strategic mistake. I assume it will eventually lead to them recognising the fact that they need a different basis for coexistence, something that is known in English as "contractual relationship." That is, engagement and even mutual understanding when possible and appropriate based on a strictly balanced approach and full consideration of Russia's interests. There may be no other foundation for our relations with the West in the foreseeable future. This is what our counterparts should be encouraged to recognise. Any differences they may have, and who says what in which capital are entirely their concern and are largely irrelevant to our outlook on the world. Question: Diplomacy is what's needed to resolve the Ukraine conflict. With that in mind, dialogue between President Putin and President Trump is an indispensable tool, and US Vice President JD Vance has made that clear. But reality suggests the opposite: instead of diplomacy, we see sanctions, border closures, and threats. Is it time to introduce new concepts that better reflect reality? For example, power diplomacy, which has become almost dominant in the West. Sergey Ryabkov: It has always been present in the collective West's policy; it had different names at different times. At one point, the term "gunboat diplomacy" was widely used. We are witnessing very clearly a new edition of this diplomacy in the southern Caribbean. Real-life diplomacy is indispensable at all times. There is no way to do without it. The use of force, despite the focus on it, especially at this point in time, cannot substitute for the search for solutions developed by politicians and diplomats. This fully applies to arms control. Sometimes it is simpler, more effective, and even cheaper to ensure national security through agreements rather than through building up military capabilities. Different stages require different solutions. Priorities vary as well, but I would not write off classical diplomacy. Nor can it be replaced by force or by artificial intelligence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HRH the Crown Prince Inaugurates New Facilities at King Salman Air Base Saudi Press Agency Tuesday 18/06/1447 Riyadh, December 09, 2025, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, inaugurated new facilities at King Salman Air Base in the Central Sector today as part of strategic projects aimed at enhancing the combat readiness of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF). Upon arrival, HRH the Crown Prince was greeted by Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and several high-ranking officials. HRH the Crown Prince toured the facilities and was briefed on the technical, administrative, and residential areas, all built to the highest international military standards. He received an overview of the construction phases and engineering components. These facilities are designed to enhance the combat readiness of the Air Force and support planning, command, control, supply, and joint operations for the Armed Forces. During the opening ceremony, a video presentation showcased the project's implementation stages, which began in Q3 2021 and took 38 months to complete. Designed in the Salmani architectural style, the project reflects Riyadh's identity and modern urban trends. It includes 115 buildings covering more than 126,000 square meters, with runways, aircraft parking aprons, helicopter pads, hangars, an air traffic control tower, and facilities for technical, administrative, residential, and security purposes. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Mayor of Riyadh Region Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, and senior civil and military officials. -- SPA 17:00 Local Time 14:00 GMT 0051 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 civilians injured as Israeli forces carry out ground incursion into southern Syria Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 7:12 PM At least three people have been wounded when Israeli military forces opened fire on them as they carried out a new ground incursion into Syria's southwestern province of Quneitra amid daily violations of Syrian sovereignty. The public al-Ikhbariyah Syria television news channel reported that Israeli occupation forces fired shots at the civilians in the town of Khan Arnabeh on Tuesday, inflicting injuries on them. It said Israeli forces had used several military vehicles and troop carriers. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said Israeli forces launched smoke grenades at civilians after setting up a checkpoint between Khan Arnabeh and the village of Ain Aisha in the northern Quneitra countryside. The injured civilians were transferred to Golan National Hospital for medical attention. The Israeli army said in a statement that during its "activity in the Quneitra area of southern Syria, a confrontation developed when several suspects approached the troops and posed a threat to them." Soldiers "fired warning shots into the air, and after the suspects failed to distance themselves, the troops responded and fired toward the lower bodies of two main inciters," the statement further claimed. Earlier in the day, a two-vehicle Israeli patrol advanced toward the village of Jabah and Khan Arnabeh and set up a military checkpoint on a road linking them. Israel has repeatedly conducted acts of aggression across Syrian territory since the collapse of former President Bashar al-Assad's government late last year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his forces to advance further into Syrian territory to capture multiple critical strategic positions in the area. Israel has extended its occupation in Syria by taking over the buffer zone that divides the occupied Golan Heights from the rest of the country, effectively violating the 1974 disengagement agreement. Analysts caution that the inaction of Syria's ruling HTS regime, combined with its steps toward normalizing relations with Tel Aviv, has encouraged the Israeli regime to intensify its territorial expansion in Syria and increase airstrikes in the area. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HRH the Crown Prince Speaks with Syrian President Saudi Press Agency Tuesday 18/06/1447 Riyadh, December 09, 2025, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today spoke by telephone with President Ahmed al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic. The two leaders reviewed aspects of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and opportunities to strengthen cooperation across several fields. They also discussed issues of mutual interest and the efforts aimed at promoting security and stability and supporting economic recovery in Syria. -- SPA 21:21 Local Time 18:21 GMT 0076 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Premier faces lawsuit, potential censure motion over revenue allocation law ROC Central News Agency 12/09/2025 09:05 PM Taipei, Dec. 9 (CNA) Taiwan's opposition parties on Tuesday ramped up pressure on Premier Cho Jung-tai () over his remark suggesting the Executive Yuan might ignore legislation on central-local government revenue allocation. A group of New Party members filed a lawsuit against Cho, accusing him of "negligence of duty" and "illegally withholding public funds" in defiance of the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures. "Law is the fundamental norm of a democracy. If the Executive Yuan refuses to enforce it simply because 'I am not happy' with it, Taiwan risks backsliding into authoritarianism and the rule of man," New Party Deputy Secretary-General You Chih-pin () told reporters at the Taipei District Prosecutors' Office You was referring to the amendments to the law passed by the opposition-controlled Legislature on Nov. 14, which the Executive Yuan said would further strain the central government's finances and push borrowing over the limit, following revisions to the same law also initiated by the opposition last December. According to the Ministry of Finance, amendments passed in December 2024, which took effect in March, mandate shifting NT$375.3 billion (US$12.05 billion) in tax revenue from the central government to local governments. More recent amendments to the law, passed in November but not yet in effect, establish a minimum threshold for the central government's annual budget allocation of project-based subsidies to local governments, which would increase the total amount by approximately NT$264.6 billion. Late last month, the Executive Yuan asked the Legislature to revisit the November amendments, calling them "unworkable," but the request was voted down by the opposition 59-50 last Friday, with votes to uphold the original version exceeding a majority of 57, meaning the Premier must accept the outcome. In response to the vote, however, Cho said the Executive Yuan was "under no pressure to implement any resolution that bypasses normal legislative procedures or violates parliamentary ethics," though he did not explicitly say that the Executive Yuan would refuse to follow the legislation. On Tuesday, several lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) announced plans to file a censure motion -- which is largely symbolic rather than legally binding -- against Cho if he refuses to draft budgets in line with the revised law. "No one is allowed to disregard the law for any reason or excuse, because doing so would push the constitutional order to the brink of collapse," Lin Pei-hsiang (), deputy caucus whip of the party, said at a press conference. Lin claimed that the real reason behind Cho's rejection of the legislation was his preference for keeping government revenues under central government control, rather than distributing them to local governments. Responding the opposition's moves, Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee () said the November amendments would be impossible to implement. Meeting the required increases in subsidies for local governments would force the central government to take out more loans, pushing the total budget's debt ratio to 17.1 percent, exceeding the 15 percent legal limit, she said. Lee added that it was also not feasible, this late in the process, to apply the November amendments to the draft 2026 government budget. "The budget was drafted in August, and the proposals are now under review by the Legislature and local councils. Rewriting them would stall government operations," she said. (By Lin Chang-shun, Lai Yu-chen, Liu Kuan-ting, Wang Yang-yu and Shih Hsiu-chuan) Enditem/cs NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Wang Yi: The Status of Taiwan Has Been "Sealed with Seven Locks" Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: December 09, 2025 02:55 On December 8, 2025, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister, set forth the historical facts and legal bases of the Taiwan question during talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Beijing. Wang Yi said that the Japanese leader's egregious remarks that Japan can deploy force in a "Taiwan contingency" grossly infringe China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, blatantly violate Japan's commitments to China, directly challenge the victory of WWII and the postwar international order, and pose serious risks to peace in Asia and the world at large. Wang emphasized that Taiwan has been part of China's territory since ancient times. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom in December 1943 explicitly demanded that all the territories Japan had stolen from the Chinese, including Taiwan, shall be restored to China after the end of WWII. The Potsdam Proclamation, jointly signed by China, the United States, and the United Kingdom in July 1945 and later joined by the Soviet Union, stipulated in its Article 8 that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On August 15, 1945, with Japan's defeat in the war, the Japanese Emperor undertook to carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith and announced Japan's unconditional surrender. On October 25, the Chinese government announced that it would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and held in Taipei a ceremony to accept Japanese surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China theater. In 1949, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China replaced the government of the Republic of China, became the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and thus naturally began to exercise sovereignty over all of China's territory, including Taiwan. In 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, deciding to restore all the rights of the PRC in the U.N., and expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan authorities from the organization. The U.N.'s official legal opinion affirmed Taiwan as a province of China. The 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement stated that the Japanese government recognizes the PRC government as the sole legal government of China, and fully understands and respects the stand of the Chinese government that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China. The Japanese government also undertook to firmly maintain its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. The 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan affirmed that the principles set out in the 1972 Joint Statement should be strictly observed. Wang noted that these irrefutable facts prove as a matter of policy and law that Taiwan is part of China, and the status of Taiwan has been "sealed with seven locks." Seeking "Taiwan independence" means splitting China's territory, and supporting "Taiwan independence" means interfering in China's internal affairs: such attempts violate both China's Constitution and international law. Wang said that in this 80th anniversary year of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Japan, as a defeated country, should repent for its war crimes and act with great prudence. Yet the leader of the country that had colonized Taiwan for 50 years and committed countless crimes against the Chinese people should have the audacity to make provocations over Taiwan and issue a threat of force against China. This is completely and utterly unacceptable! The Chinese people, together with all peace-loving people around the world, have a responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, and an obligation to thwart Japan's ambition to rearm itself and even revive militarism. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau 2025.12.09 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Date 6 a.m. Dec. 8 (Mon.) to 6 a.m. Dec. 9 (Tue.) (UTC+8) PLA activities 8 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 2 out of 8 sorties entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1141209_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1141209_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP authorities' ban of Xiaohongshu shows the DPP becomes 'People-Ban Party' that opposes ordinary people: mainland spokesperson Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 10, 2025 11:25 AM The DPP authorities feel ashamed and are furious, as Xiaohongshu enables Taiwan residents especially young people to learn about the real situation on the mainland and to interact with mainland users in a warm and friendly manner, which has caused the "information cocoon" deliberately created by the DPP authorities, as well as their smearing and vilification of the mainland, to collapse completely, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on Wednesday. The remarks were made in response to the Taiwan authorities' imposition of a one-year ban on the mainland social platform Xiaohongshu, citing alleged cybersecurity risks and numerous fraud cases. The so-called "cybersecurity" concerns they raise merely expose their own inner fear and sense of insecurity, said Chen. Last week, Taiwan region's so-called "internal affairs department" said it would restrict access to Xiaohongshu, known in English as RedNote, for one year, citing alleged cybersecurity risks and involvement in more than 1,700 fraud cases since 2024, according to multiple Taiwan local media outlets. In response to the ban, Chen cited a saying from "Zuo Zhuan," a Confucian masterpiece, that "An ordinary man is blameless, but owning a valuable makes him a target." Chen said that as everyone knows, Xiaohongshu is positioned as a lifestyle and interest community. With its rich and diverse everyday content, community atmosphere close to young people's interests, and convenient interaction methods, it is deeply loved by residents in Taiwan, especially the youth. As for the so-called "anti-fraud" excuse, Chen said that, according to Taiwan media reports, Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases on the island last year and has already exceeded 30,000 cases this year far more than the number the DPP authorities attribute to Xiaohongshu. The DPP authorities are using "anti-fraud" as a pretext while actually engaging in anti-democracy actions. Their high-handed behavior tramples on democracy, obstructs freedom, brutally deprives Taiwan residents especially young people of their right to information and their freedom to use social platforms, and seriously damages the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who make a living through Xiaohongshu, said Chen. From blocking mainland e-commerce and video platforms to now banning mainland social platforms, the DPP has truly become the "People-Ban Party" that opposes ordinary people: They ban what ordinary Taiwan residents commonly use and block what Taiwan's youth love, said Chen. Those who commit many injustices will bring about their own ruin. The DPP authorities' wanton and arbitrary actions will surely backfire. Their retrograde measures cannot stop the irresistible trend of Taiwan residents, especially the young people, who want to understand the mainland and build friendships with compatriots across the Straits, said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP authorities' collusion with external forces root cause of Straits tension, says mainland spokesperson regarding US security strategy mentioning Taiwan eight times Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 10, 2025 12:47 PM The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair; resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people and brooks no external interference. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' stubborn adherence to the "Taiwan independence" separatist stance and continued collusion with external forces to make provocations and seek "independence" are the root cause of tensions and instability in the Taiwan Straits, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a Wednesday's press conference when asked to comment on a new US national security strategy mentioning Taiwan region eight times. The recently released US 2025 National Security Strategy mentioned Taiwan eight times, including Taiwan's semiconductor industry and so-called strategic importance, and claimed to not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Straits. Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te "thanked" the US National Security Strategy for prioritizing deterring a conflict over Taiwan. Chen said that the US should strictly abide by the one China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, honor the serious political commitments made by US leaders, handle the Taiwan question with caution, stop condoning and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in "seeking independence through military buildup," and stop sending any wrong signals to them. Chen warned the DPP authorities that attempts to seek "independence by relying on external forces" or "independence through military buildup" are doomed to fail. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Shamelessness taken to extreme': mainland spokesperson slams Lai Ching-te's support for TSMC to move production to US, other places Global Times By Global Times Published: Dec 10, 2025 11:44 AM Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that the Lai Ching-te authorities are an outright "professional Taiwan-seller" and a shameless "fraud syndicate," in response to Lai's claim in a recent interview with US media that he supports TSMC or Taiwan's semiconductor sector to move production to the US, Japan and Europe to contribute to global progress and prosperity, and Hsiao Bi-khim's claim that TSMC's investment in the US is significant, which could not only expand Taiwan's global influence, but is also an excellent way to contribute to US manufacturing and other sectors. Asked to comment on the claims, Chen said that clearly, the precious assets accumulated through the hard work of generations of Taiwan compatriots are being plundered and hollowed out, yet they dress it up as "contributing to global prosperity and progress." Clearly, the interests of Taiwan's industries, businesses, and ordinary residents are being handed over and sacrificed, yet they take pride in "making a contribution to US manufacturing." To fawn over the US and sell out Taiwan while still trying to whitewash their actions - this is shamelessness taken to the extreme, Chen said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Foreign Secretary's Locarno Centenary Speech Speech To commemorate the centenary of the signing of the Locarno Treaties in London, the Foreign Secretary delivered a speech on the lessons from 100 years ago and the new threats we face today. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and The Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP Published 9 December 2025 Delivered on: 9 December 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you very much, your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me welcome you to the Foreign Office, as we commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Treaty-signing from which these great rooms derive their name. Je suis desole, que - contrairement a mon predecesseur - Austen Chamberlain, I am unable to preside over today's events in fluent French. But thank you to Dominique for that introduction and to the Swiss Mission in London for co-hosting today's event. And let me also welcome the Mayor of Locarno, here today to represent the 'City of Peace' where the Treaties were negotiated one hundred years ago. And I'm pleased to say that we are also joined by representatives of other countries that signed the Treaties in this room in 1925, as well as our friends from other nations who share a common interest in the search for peace on our continent, and a resolution to conflicts across the globe today. So this afternoon, I want to commemorate the signing of the Locarno Treaties, and to reflect on what the Spirit of Locarno can teach us about responding to the rapidly changing security challenges facing our world today. Looking back at the coverage of the Treaty-signing from 1925, I was struck by how modern some of the discussion felt. There was even what we would nowadays call a 'spin row.' It seems that exclusive filming rights for the ceremony were sold to the Gaumont Company and the British media were furious. And even worse, in an attempt to protect that exclusive deal - over-zealous Foreign Office officials called for police to remove press photographers from the courtyard below us. The result was that, in the three weeks after the ceremony, there were four separate debates in Parliament about the filming row - and just one about the military consequences of the Locarno Pact. But beyond all the noise, it's clear from every contemporary account of the Treaty ceremony that the unmistakable sense there was among all of those present about the weight and importance of what they were trying to achieve, and the duty that they owed to the peoples of Europe to succeed. Every delegate spoke about the cause of international unity. Seven years on from the end of the Great War, the memory of the millions lost and the debt of peace owed to them weighed heavily on all involved. Millions of people like Lieutenant Eric Henn, who - in the summer of 1914 - had come second in the entrance exams for a place here at the Foreign Office. But instead of starting his new job in this building, he volunteered to join the army. He shipped out to France in 1915, and was killed just a month later. All that potential, stolen too soon. And for his mother and father, their only child lost. In 1925 millions of parents were in that same situation, still mourning their lost sons and daughters. Which explained why men and women standing in this great room a hundred years ago openly wept when the French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand quoted a letter that he had received after the Locarno Conference. It said: "Allow the mother of a family to congratulate you. At last, I shall be able to look at my children without apprehension, and love them with security." King George V wrote in his diary that night: "I pray this may mean peace for many years. Why not forever?" Of course, forever was not to be. We could spend hours debating how far the flaws in the Treaties led to their demise - the weakness of the guarantees of Polish and Czech sovereignty, the limited institutional underpinnings, or lack of resilience within the signatory nations. But as contested as the letter of the Locarno Treaties still is, we should not forget that it was the spirit of the common endeavour that in 1925 was so striking and that matters still. And we should not forget how brave and radical it seemed at the time. As the award speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony stated the following year, and I quote, "If we are to appreciate fully what these statesmen accomplished, we must not overlook the violent nationalistic opposition in their own countries which several of them had to overcome to push through the peace programme." A group of political leaders choosing to pursue peace and unity, and recognising that partnerships with nations abroad made them stronger and more secure at home. And that is the spirit that matters just as much today, at a time of huge global instability, in a world where we face ever more complex hybrid security threats. The most acute of which for us right now lies in Russia's war against Ukraine. It has been nearly four years since Vladimir Putin led his illegal invasion into Ukraine. Unprovoked. Unjustifiable. And unforgivable. In the period since, Ukraine has been subjected to drone and missile strikes day-in, day-out targeting civilians. While Russia has embarked on an appalling campaign to abduct Ukrainian children and 're-educate' them to adopt pro-Russian views. But each time, the Russians have underestimated Ukraine and underestimated their friends. No one wants this war and the suffering and destruction it has wrought to continue. Least of all Ukraine. That is why the attempts by the US and President Trump to broker a ceasefire and pursue a sustainable end to this war are so important. It is why just over the road in 10 Downing Street yesterday, the Prime Minister hosted President Zelenskyy alongside E3 counterparts to talk about the prospects for peace. And yesterday, I met Secretary Rubio and others in Washington D.C. to discuss the negotiations and the path towards an agreement. An agreement which must be just. Which must be lasting. And which must deter Russia. Not give them simply a platform to come again. And it must be acceptable to Ukraine. But while we have two Presidents pursuing peace, the Russian President has continued to escalate the war with drones and bombs. Russia's aggression and security threats go far beyond Ukraine. We've seen sabotage in European cities. Reckless breaches of NATO airspace. Relentless cyber-attacks. A full spectrum campaign. To test us. To provoke us. And to destabilise us. And that is why the UK has so consistently supported Ukraine in its efforts to resist Russian aggression. Because this is the right thing to do. Morally, and strategically. For Ukraine yes, but also because it is our security that is at stake too. But while those ceasefire discussions for Ukraine continue, I want to just take a step back and reflect on how the current security challenges that we and partner nations face relate back to the principles established through the Locarno Treaty 100 years ago. And I want to offer two reflections - firstly, on the transformed nature of security threats compared to a century ago, and how that means we need to respond. But secondly, on the changing partnerships and the renewed multilateralism we need if we are to confront the full range of shared threats we face. So first on the threats. Armed conflict is of course the threat uppermost in our minds as we think of Ukraine. Other traditional security threats have not gone away - from border disputes through to terrorism and nuclear proliferation. But novel and hybrid threats to our collective security have emerged which would have been inconceivable a century ago. From tampering with undersea communications cables to using biotechnology and AI as new kinds of weapons of war, those threats come in many different forms, and from many different quarters. Some of these threats are flagrantly visible - the spy ships in our waters, or the acts of violence, terror or sabotage in our cities. Some have not always been recognised for the threats that they pose, in particular on issues of economic security, for example the over-reliance of European nations on imports of energy from Russia or also on China for the critical minerals that we need. And across Europe we are witnessing an escalation in hybrid threats - from physical through to cyber. Designed to weaken our critical national infrastructure, undermine our interests or destabilise our democracies, all for the advantage of malign foreign states. Some of these threats have echoes a hundred years ago. Two years before Locarno in 1923, the Soviet Union coined the expression 'Dezinformatsiya' and set up their first office to deploy disinformation. But the term disinformation does not begin to capture the industrial scale approach from some malign actors today. A hundred years ago, state-sponsored disrupters may have relied on expertly forged documents or carefully planted stories to manipulate public opinion. Today's technology gives them the ability to do that on steroids. And in 2024, evidence suggests that automated online traffic surpassed human activity for the first time, with some evidence of malicious bots accounting for more than a third of all messages. In the Moldovan elections, two months ago, we saw fake websites designed to be the spitting image of legitimate outlets fabricating policies for politicians they sought to discredit. Across Africa we see videos laundered through apparent news portals with false claims about the Ukrainian president and his wife, seeking to undermine support for Ukraine. And across Europe, we see Russian agencies responsible for vast malign online networks like Doppelganger that seek to flood social media with counterfeit documents and deepfake material in English, German, and French, to advance Russia's strategic aims. This isn't about legitimate debate on contentious issues. We have wide-ranging debates, with strong views on all sides, on many things. But this is about state-backed organisations who seek to do us harm pursuing malign aims. So we should call this out for what it is - Russian information warfare. And we are defending ourselves. That is why we have built world-class cyber security, expert law enforcement and intelligence capabilities. Why, since October 2024, this government has sanctioned 31 different organisations and individuals responsible for delivering Russia's information warfare. And why today I have gone further in exposing and sanctioning Russian media outlet Rybar, whose Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages reaches millions worldwide. Using classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake 'investigations' and AI driven content to shape narratives about global events in the Kremlin's favour. Masquerading as an independent body, Rybar is in fact partially coordinated by the Presidential Administration. And receiving funding from Russian state corporation Rostec and working with members of the Russian Intelligence Services. We have also sanctioned Pravfond, attributed by Estonia as a front for the GRU. Leaked reports suggest that Pravfond finances the promotion of Kremlin narratives to Western audiences as well as bankrolling legal defences for convicted Russian assassins and arms traffickers. And our new measures will also hit Moscow-based 'think tank', the Centre for Geopolitical Expertise, and its founder Aleksander Dugin, whose work closely informs Putin's calculations. And an organisation whose senior leaders are involved in Storm-1516, a malign influence network which produces content designed to create support for Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. But it isn't just Russia. Other countries are also enabling or ignoring this kind of undeclared action or cyber threats. And that is why today, with support from our international partners and allies, we are also sanctioning two of the most egregious China-based companies, i-Soon and Integrity Technology Group, for their vast and indiscriminate cyber activities against the UK and its allies. Attacks like this impact our collective security and our public services, yet those responsible operate with little regard for who or what they target. And so we are ensuring that such reckless activity does not go unchecked. And our message to those who would harm us is clear - we see you in the shadows; we know what you are doing, and we will defend ourselves and the international partnerships on which we depend. And it is those partnerships with our allies around the world that have enabled the steps we have taken today. The growing cooperation between teams in the UK, in France, Germany, Poland, Brussels and other countries that has led to these sanctions. Pooling expertise, understanding and evidence. And that's what takes me to my second reflection on the collective Locarno spirit, and why multilateral action matters more than ever, but why it needs to modernise and adapt. Because faced with growing global instability, there is a tendency to talk of two clashing perspectives. One - that the era of traditional multilateral partnerships or collective commitments is over. That, as we move into the second quarter of the twenty-first century, only great power politics matters. Or alternatively, that at a time of global turmoil, we need to revert solely to the multilateral architecture built up since the Second World War as the only safe refuge, and dare not risk stepping outside it or asking it to change. Neither are true as an account of the world or as an account of UK foreign policy and our national interests today. The first ignores the lessons of history; that we are stronger if we tackle shared threats together. But the second ignores the realities of today, where longstanding institutions, important as they may be, can be too constrained or too slow to respond What we need instead in today's world is to approach every challenge and tackle every threat by finding the most effective means of cooperation to get each job done. Creative diplomacy. Diplomatic entrepreneurialism. A new and reinvigorated and more agile form of multilateralism, adapting to the demands of the task. Drawing on our long-standing relationships and multilateral institutions but also adapting, reforming and building new partnerships too. That's the approach the UK is taking. But it also reflects what we also see around us. Just look at the range of new and old groupings that helped to create the conditions for peace in the Middle East and the ceasefire in Gaza. In the last few months, we have seen the world come together to support the US-led peace process in Gaza. The 20-point plan drawn up by President Trump, working with mediators from Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt. All following the commitments made by the whole of the Arab League to isolate Hamas, the recognition of Palestine by the UK and dozens more nations at the UN, and a Declaration then endorsed by 142 countries. And a ceasefire agreement supported by over 25 nations at Sharm El-Sheikh, followed weeks later by a UN Security Council resolution to support implementation on the ground and provide the mandate to move forward. So that was leadership by the US, with new and agile partnerships for peace coming together from across the globe but underpinned by multilateral institutional agreement. It's not multilateralism as we have always known it, but it is essential in today's world and must be matched by further work to reform and adapt. But look at other examples. The E3 cooperating on the nuclear threat from Iran, or the vital work now underway that we are supporting in the Quad and at the UN to seek to secure a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan. And the new deals that Britain has agreed with France on migration returns, and with Germany on tackling smuggling gangs, as pilots for broader cooperation in future. In each case, we see new partnerships of like-minded countries with the agency and will to secure rapid breakthroughs, supported by later, broader agreements, rather than having to wait for them. And nowhere does that matter more than on our collective response to that most immediate national security challenge that we face - that I have already talked about - on Russia and Ukraine. So there too, we have worked to strengthen and reinvigorate NATO - the cornerstone of European security. But we've also worked flexibly and creatively to bring likeminded countries together in Europe and beyond. Working with the US on the peace process. But also, thanks to the leadership the Prime Minister has shown, working with France to establish the Coalition of the Willing. More than 30 countries signing up - including all the original Locarno signatories - and not just in Europe, but beyond, because we all recognise the threat Russia poses. For too long, Europe has relied too heavily on US support to protect ourselves from the threats to Euro-Atlantic security. And we can do so no more. Europe must step up. Because it is fundamentally in our own interests. And because our continent, is, first and foremost, our responsibility. And because the Transatlantic partnership will be stronger and more durable if that burden is properly shared. And so earlier this year, the Prime Minister took the decision to boost defence spending up to 5% of GDP by 2035 - making difficult trade-offs in the meantime. But it's also why we are deepening cooperation and partnerships on security around the world, including for example, our Carrier Strike Group. Conducting operations with partners beyond NATO across the Indo-Pacific, but then placed directly under the command of NATO on its return leg, reflecting still that centrality of NATO in all that we do. That is how UK will operate - agile and pragmatic partnerships for the sake of our national security, our shared interests, and the principles we champion across the world. So yes, that's why I believe the centenary we mark today is so important. A vital reminder - that when we discuss the modern threats that we face, whether it be from information warfare to the shared risks to our economic security, to cyber security, border security and beyond - that the Locarno spirit is not a quaint relic of times long gone, but an essential lesson from history. A reminder that for us in the UK, the partnerships we build abroad make us stronger and more secure here at home. And to reinforce that, let me quote the words of German Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann, spoken in this great room one hundred years ago after he added his name to the Treaties. He said, "One fact has emerged, namely that we are bound to one another by a single and a common fate. If we go down, we go down together; if we are to reach the heights, we do so not by conflict but by common effort." And Doctor Stresemann's words are as vital and as powerful now as they were one hundred years ago. He reminds us of the duty we all have - every person, every leader and every nation - to work together in the pursuit of peace, security and democracy, and to stand together against anyone who threatens that goal. That is our task today as surely as it was 100 years ago, and that is the Locarno spirit which we must now keep alive. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Boost for defence businesses and European cooperation as UK joins defence exports treaty Press release The UK has joined a defence exports treaty with European allies which will make it easier for UK defence businesses to export From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP Published 9 December 2025 British defence companies to benefit from closer cooperation on exports with our European allies France, Germany and Spain. Agreement will make it easier for businesses to export to our allies and highlights the UK's role in supporting Europe's collective defence. Comes after huge export deals with Norway and Turkiye, securing thousands of jobs and making defence an engine for growth. Britain's defence industry will be strengthened as the UK joins a European defence export treaty alongside our NATO allies. The Agreement on Defence Export Controls, which the UK has joined alongside France, Germany and Spain, will make it easier to grant export licenses between our nations, reinforcing the UK's close cooperation with its European allies on developing the continent's defence industries. The UK is committed to reinforcing its leading role in NATO and defending Europe's security, including through boosting defence trade and industrial cooperation with our allies. This will reduce the administrative burden of granting export licenses, opening opportunities for UK businesses, helping boost economic growth and supporting high-skilled jobs across the country. Joining the Agreement will facilitate the UK's defence cooperation with some of our closest European partners and will ensure better coordination on defence exports to other countries. It will provide more certainty for British businesses and supply chains involved in multinational defence programmes, whilst preserving UK sovereignty over key military capabilities. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) outlined the ambition to see the UK become Europe's leading defence exporter, bolstering our prosperity and security. Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: The UK's defence industry is essential to ensuring that our Armed Forces can keep us secure at home and strong abroad. This agreement will strengthen our crucial defence businesses and make it easier to export to Germany, France and Spain. On the back of our frigate deal with Norway and Typhoon deal with Turkiye this new Treaty will make it easier for the UK to export our world class platforms. When the government said we would make defence an engine for growth we meant it, and this Treaty is yet more evidence of us delivering for British jobs and security. Since the SDR's publication, the UK has already signed agreements with our NATO allies to export Type 26 frigates to Norway for 10 billion and Typhoon fighter jets to Turkiye for up to 8 billion, both securing thousands of jobs across the UK. The government is making defence an engine for growth across the country including through the Defence Industrial Strategy's commitments to create a new Office for Defence Exports and boosting the help available to businesses through UK Export Finance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal outlined defense digitalization priorities at the Digital Defence Forum Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 8 December, 2025, 6:27 PM EET Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal addressed the Digital Defence Forum, outlining solutions that are shaping the course of the war and enhancing the strength and effectiveness of Ukraine's military. "The Ministry of Defence is firmly advancing three core priorities: people, weapons, and systems. In each, the digital component is essential to achieving objectives. At the same time, we are building a military IT vertical that includes over 7,000 officers responsible for digital transformation who will support implementation across every unit," he stated. According to First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, digitalization provides the Defence Forces with a tool to reach their battlefield objectives more effectively. "There are key trends that provide an edge over the enemy in a technological war: data-driven decision-making, effective feedback loops, and network-centric operations. That is why, together with the Ministry of Defence, we are developing eight priority areas of defense digitalization that enhance flexibility, efficiency, and reduce bureaucracy across the military," he said. Denys Shmyhal added that people are the Ministry of Defence's top priority. Accordingly, digital services are being introduced both for individuals liable for military service and for service members: In Reserve+, available services range from electronic referrals to military medical commissions to applying for deferments online. Within the Army+ ecosystem, more than 55,000 change-of-duty-station transfers between units have already been completed, and over 1.2 million electronic reports have been submitted. The second priority is weapons. According to the Minister of Defence, 144,000 units of equipment have already been supplied to the military through the DOT-Chain Defence marketplace. The marketplace is currently accessible to 184 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. The third priority is systems. "One of the most essential solutions is the DELTA combat system. Powered by AI technologies, it enables our warriors to strike over 2,000 enemy targets daily," Denys Shmyhal emphasized. In addition, the "Impulse" system has been created. It will operate in every military unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and, over time, will be integrated with Army+, as well as other systems. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland provides material assistance to Ukraine's rescue services Finnish Government Ministry of the Interior Publication date 9.12.2025 12.34 Type:Press release The Ministry of the Interior has procured 50,000 litres of foam suitable for extinguishing different types of fires for use by Ukraine's rescue services. The foam purchase is part of an emergency assistance package coordinated by the Ministry through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The package consists of donations from various sectors of society and targeted procurements. Firefighting foam is a vital resource for Ukraine's rescue services. In addition to normal firefighting tasks, rescue services need it to extinguish fires caused by Russian missile strikes and to manage the impact of attacks on energy infrastructure. Mixed with water, the 50 cubic metres of foam now supplied will produce more than 1.5 million litres of foam solution. Extinguishing a typical apartment fire requires a few hundred litres to just over a thousand litres of water. Ukraine's energy sector is under increasing attack In winter, Russian strikes particularly target power plants and other energy infrastructure. These attacks have wide-ranging effects on important functions of society. In addition to limiting the damage caused by strikes, Ukraine must repair the destruction and compensate for gaps in energy production and distribution. The need for assistance to the energy sector is therefore significant. Finland is an active provider of material assistance This year, rescue services have been Finland's largest single sector for assistance provided to Ukraine under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland has also delivered substantial material assistance to the energy sector and healthcare. Civilian material assistance continues to play an important role in maintaining and strengthening the operational capacity of Ukrainian authorities. The Ministry of the Interior coordinates Finland's state-provided civilian material assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition to targeted material procurements, assistance includes donations from various sectors of society. Several relief organisations in Finland also deliver assistance to Ukraine. For private individuals, the best way to help Ukraine is through these organisations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU leaders: time to decide on using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine President of the Republic of Lithuania December 09, 2025 President Gitanas Nauseda, together with the leaders of Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, and Sweden, sent a joint letter to the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressing their strong support for the swift implementation of the European Commission's proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. The leaders emphasize that since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Europe has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine, not only because it is the morally correct thing to do, but also because Russia's imperialistic ambitions threaten the entire continent. Considering the current scale and urgency of Ukraine's budgetary and military needs, the letter expresses strong support for the European Commission's proposal for a reparations loan to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets. This solution is described as the most financially feasible and politically realistic way to provide the necessary support, while also addressing the fundamental principle of Ukraine's right to compensation for damages caused by the aggression. According to the leaders, time is of the essence: "By reaching a decision on the reparations loan at the European Council in December we have the opportunity of putting Ukraine in a stronger position to defend itself and a better position to negotiate a just and lasting peace." The countries confirm that they stand ready to work constructively together to ensure that the decision on the reparations loan is taken as soon as possible. The full text of the letter is available here. The President's Communication Group NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky facing 'growing pressure' from US to accept Trump's plan to end Ukraine war: Report Iran Press TV Tuesday, 09 December 2025 8:14 AM The US administration has reportedly ramped up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to acquiesce to major territorial losses and other concessions stipulated in his American counterpart Donald Trump's so-called peace plan. Two unnamed Ukrainian officials were cited by the news website Axios as saying that Zelensky is facing "growing pressure" from Washington after a recent meeting between Trump's advisors and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the peace plan, which reportedly involved Ukraine's cession of the entire Donbas region in exchange for strong security guarantees from the US to prevent future Russian military operations. "The US offer had worsened, from Kiev's perspective, after Trump's advisers Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a five-hour meeting with Putin last week in the Kremlin," a Ukrainian official was quoted as saying by Axios. The official said Witkoff and Kushner seemed to want a clear "yes" from Zelensky when they discussed the plan with him in a two-hour call on Saturday. "It felt like the US was trying to sell us in different ways the Russian desire to take the whole of Donbas and that the Americans wanted Zelensky to accept all of it in the phone call," the Ukrainian official added. Another Ukrainian official told Axios that the US proposal included harsher terms than previous versions on issues like territory and control of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, and it left key questions on security guarantees unanswered . "There are major things about territory which need to be discussed more: who controls what, who stays where, who withdraws, and if Ukraine withdraws from the contact line, how to make sure that Russia does the same and [doesn't continue] with the fighting." The Ukrainian official underlined that the US side seemed to expect Zelensky to "simply agree over the phone." Moreover, Zelensky met in London on Monday with the leaders of the UK, France and Germany to project a joint position on Trump's plan. Axios cited American and Ukrainian officials as saying that the Trump administration saw Zelensky's meeting on Downing Street as an unhelpful attempt to buy time in the negotiations over the so-called peace plan. Ukrainian officials said they feel the US is trying to "peel Zelensky away from the European leaders" so they can pressure him more effectively. The officials said that while the Trump administration is pressing Zelensky to move fast, the Europeans are advising caution and patience. In a briefing with reporters, Zelensky said Ukraine and the European powers will give the US an updated counterproposal on Tuesday, adding, "Russia insists that we give up territory. We do not want to give anything up. That is exactly what we are fighting for. The Americans are currently looking for a compromise." For months, the Ukrainian president has publicly stated that Moscow would "derail" any diplomatic initiative. Yet the ongoing US pressure campaign, combined with Russia's continued military successes, suggests that Washington itself may have concluded the conflict could not be resolved on Ukraine's terms. Moscow maintains that it is open to authentic negotiations, but insists that any agreement has to address the security concerns that led to its 2022 military operation in Ukraine, which was launched after Kiev failed to implement previous Minsk accords and continued to pursue NATO integration. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Donbas And Beyond: The Territorial Barriers To Peace In Ukraine By Steve Gutterman December 09, 2025 Summary Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Kyiv has no legal or moral right to give up its land. Russia demands full control of the Donbas, which it has been unable to seize in its entirety in years of deadly fighting. A US peace proposal seen as favoring Russia has been revised, but details have not been released publicly. Amid a fast-paced flurry of diplomacy over a US push for a peace deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on December 8 that Kyiv has no legal or moral right to cede any of its land. "Of course, Russia insists that we give up territory. We certainly do not want to give anything up. That is what we are fighting for," said Zelenskyy, whose country has battled Russian military aggression since 2014 and a full-scale invasion by Moscow's forces since February 2022. Sounds straightforward. But in the same online chat with journalists, he said that negotiations with Washington involve "complex issues concerning territory" and that "no compromise has been found there yet." Here's a look at territorial control in Ukraine, one of the highest hurdles on the path to peace. The Donbas The objectives and obsessions that drove Russian President Vladimir Putin to launch theinvasion go far beyond a land grab, encompassing a desire to subjugate Ukraine, weaken the West, and roll back some of the results of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet empire. But control over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which make up the Donbas, is clearly a core aim. And along with dominion over Crimea and parts of the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions, it may be the least Putin believes he can accept, for the time being, without being seen at home as failing in a war he initially hoped would bring Ukraine to its knees within weeks. The problem, for Putin, is that his forces have been unable to seize the entirety of the Donbas. All but a few patches of land in the Luhansk region are Russian-occupied, part of the nearly one-fifth of Ukraine that Moscow controls. But Donetsk has proved harder: Russian troops control about 77 percent of the region after inching forward in a long and grueling offensive, but they have failed to definitively take the ruined city of Pokrovsk, and several other population centers remain under Kyiv's control. The massive cost in terms of Russian soldiers killed may have reinforced Putin's determination to complete the capture of the region, lest the bloodshed be seen as having taking place in vain. In any case, he has made full control over the Donbas a fundamental demand in any peace deal, saying last week that Russia would seize the remaining part by force if diplomatic efforts do not result in a Ukrainian withdrawal. For Ukraine, the portion of the Donbas that it still controls is just as crucial, if not more so. Any peace deal that cedes territory to Russia or solidifies Kremlin control over land it occupies would be seen widely in Kyiv and the West as rewarding Moscow for its aggression -- but a pact obliging Ukraine to retreat from land its forces have managed to defend, also at a huge human cost, would be even harder to swallow. It could have major political consequences for Ukraine and Zelenskyy, which is one reason why Putin wants it to happen. As Zelenskyy pointed out on December 8, there is also a firm legal hurdle to handing land over to another country: the Ukrainian Constitution, which states that any territorial alterations "are resolved exclusively" though a nationwide referendum. De Facto, De Jure Another complication, if only because Putin insists on making it one, is Moscow's claim -- unfounded in reality but enshrined in Russian law for over three years -- that the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson regions are part of Russia, not Ukraine. Putin seeks to drive this rhetorical point home by stating that Russia will "liberate" the remainder of the Donbas rather than saying it will seize or occupy Ukrainian territory. The seemingly irreconcilable conundrum of the Donbas was reflected in the 28-point US peace proposal that set off a whirlwind of diplomacy when it emerged last month. The draft was widely seen as highly favorable to Russia, and Ukraine has pushed back in talks with US officials as well as European leaders who have rallied to support Kyiv's efforts to avoid a lopsided deal. But the wording on the Donbas, which clearly caused ire in Ukraine, also seemed unlikely to please Russia. Along with Crimea, which Russia occupied in 2014, the draft proposal said the Donetsk and Luhansk regions would be "recognized as de facto Russian" -- not de jure, which is what Moscow wants. It also said that Ukraine would withdraw its forces from the part of the Donetsk region that it holds, and that this land would become a "neutral demilitarized buffer zone" that would be "internationally recognized" as belonging to Russia but that Russian forces would be barred from entering. Among other potential pitfalls, such as the question of who would monitor compliance in the Donbas, some analysts said that de facto recognition is a contradiction in terms: Recognition, particularly set out in a peace pact, suggests formal acknowledgement, while de facto implies informal acknowledgement of the facts on the ground. Zelenskyy said on December 8 that the US draft had been whittled down from 28 points to 20, with some of the sections least favorable to Ukraine removed. But it has not been released publicly, and how it deals with territory is unclear -- though from Zelenskyy's comments, it was clear that Kyiv was not satisfied on that score at that point. On December 9, Zelenskyy said Ukraine and European backers would be ready to send a "refined" proposal to the United States soon. Kherson And Zaporizhzhya Beyond Crimea and the Donbas, the Zaporizhzhya and Kherson regions also pose a challenge for would-be peacemakers. Russia holds part of each region, giving it a "land corridor" from the Russian border to the isthmus that links Russian-occupied Crimea to mainland Ukraine, as well as control over the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant -- which is the largest in Europe and another thorny issue in peace talks. But after Ukraine recaptured the city of Kherson in a major counteroffensive in the fall of 2022, Russia does not hold the capital of either region. Amid the US push for peace that began when Trump took office in January of this year, Moscow has at times seemed open to an agreement that would leave Ukraine in control of the land it holds, as the 28-point proposal stipulated. But Putin cast doubt on that notion in his bellicose comments last week, asserting that Russia would take not only the Donbas but "Novorossia" by force if Ukraine does not withdraw its troops, using a highly contentious term that harks back to imperial Russia's dominion over swaths of eastern and southern Ukraine. In addition to Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson, Russia controls much smaller amounts of territory in the Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. The 28-point plan said that "Russia will relinquish other agreed territories it controls outside the five regions," but it gave no details. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-peace-land-territory- donbas/33618338.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 Zelenskyy Rejects Land Concessions As Europe Reiterates 'Ironclad' Support For Ukraine By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 09, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Kyiv had "no moral right" to give up territory to Russia, while Washington is seeking compromises. "We have no legal right under Ukrainian law, our constitution, or international law. And we have no moral right, either," Zelenskyy said during an online briefing on December 8 when asked whether Kyiv was considering giving up territory. "Of course, Russia insists that we give up territory. We certainly do not want to give anything up. That is what we are fighting for," he added. Commenting on the US draft peace proposal, Zelenskyy said it was narrowed down to 20 points and the openly anti-Ukrainian points had been removed. "There were 28 points; now there are 20. The openly anti-Ukrainian points have been removed. The Americans are, in principle, in favor of finding a compromise. Of course, there are complex issues concerning territory. No compromise has been found there yet," said Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy wrote on X after his December 8 meeting in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that he had "briefed them on our contacts with the United States and the work on all the proposals currently on the table." "It is important that we work together on all documents, including the overall peace framework, security guarantees, and Ukraine's postwar recovery," he added. "Ukraine's fate is Europe's fate," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media. "No one should have any doubt: Our support will not falter." During his next stop in Brussels, Zelenskyy met with NATO chief Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa. "We discussed in detail our work with US partners on steps toward peace, security guarantees, and strengthening our resilience. We also touched on the PURL initiative and the reparations loan," Zelenskyy said in a post following the meeting in Brussels. The Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) is a NATO initiative under which European and other nations pay for US-sourced weapons to be supplied to Ukraine. Separately, European countries are debating a proposal to use tens of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets for a reparations loan to Ukraine. "As peace talks are ongoing, the EU remains ironclad in its support for Ukraine. Our financing proposals are on the table," von der Leyen stated after the meeting with the Ukrainian president. "The goal is a strong Ukraine, on the battlefield and at the negotiating table," she wrote on X. "Ukraine's sovereignty must be respected. Ukraine's security must be guaranteed, in the long term, as a first line of defense for our Union," she said. "Europe will keep contributing to all efforts for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine." As part of his European tour, Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on December 9 for meetings with Pope Leo XIV and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, his press service said, giving no further details. Meanwhile, Russian drones attacked the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy late on December 8, marking the second major attack there in 24 hours and causing a widespread power outage, the regional governor said. "In the space of half an hour, the Russians launched more than 10 drone strikes on the city," Governor Oleh Hryhorov wrote on Telegram. "There is no electricity in Sumy. Some critical infrastructure is operating on reserve power sources." With reporting from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine- zelenskyy-peace-plan/33617982.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 Russia to Bring Special Military Operation to Its Logical Conclusion - Putin Sputnik News 20251209 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will bring the special military operation to its logical conclusion, achieving its goals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday. "We will certainly bring this matter to its logical conclusion, achieving the goals of the special military operation," Putin said at a meeting of the Council for Civil Society and Human Rights. Putin also pledged that settlements liberated during the military operation will be fully rebuilt. "We must, of course, do everything to help these people rebuild their homes. I can say outright - everything will be restored," Putin stated. Russia has been conducting its special military operation since February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the operation aims to "protect people subjected to genocide by the Kiev regime." According to the president, the ultimate goal of the operation is to completely liberate Donbas and create conditions that guarantee Russia's security: Ukraine must undergo demilitarization and denazification. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Calls Zelensky 'Great Salesman' Once Again Sputnik News 20251209 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his view that Volodymyr Zelensky is a great salesman. "He [Zelensky] is a great salesman. I call him P.T. Barnum. One of the greatest on Earth. He could sell any product at any time," Trump said in an interview with Western media. Trump added that it was Zelensky's sales talent that enabled him to persuade former US President Joe Biden to provide $350 billion to Ukraine, adding that "about 25 percent of his country is missing" now. In May, the US president recalled his meeting with Zelensky in the White House, describing it as a "rough session" and saying he did not like what Zelensky said at the time. Trump said that Zelensky is "the greatest salesman in the world," but he "doesn't have the cards." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taking Control of Pokrovsk Marks Decisive Step In Donbass Liberation - General Staff Chief Sputnik News 20251209 Russia is advancing on nearly all fronts in the special military operation zone, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said. Gerasimov reviewed the progress of combat missions carried out by Tsentr battlegroup's forces on the Dnepropetrovsk axis in the special military operation zone, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. "The troops of the united group continue their offensive in almost all directions," Gerasimov said in a video posted by the ministry. After taking the city of Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the group's primary objective is eliminating the encircled Ukrainian military formations in the Dimitrov area, Gerasimov was quoted as saying, emphasizing that the destruction of the Ukrainian forces there continues. Additionally, more than 200 residents have been evacuated from Krasnoarmeysk to safer areas after Russian troops took control of the city, Gerasimov said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Turns Up Heat on Zelensky to Accept Trump's Peace Plan Report Sputnik News 20251209 The US position towards Ukraine's Zelensky has hardened, including on issues of territory and control of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, according to an Axios report. Zelensky is being pressured to accept serious territorial concessions as part of President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan, says the report, citing Ukrainian officials. Tensions reportedly rose after US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner held a five-hour meeting in Moscow with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, followed by two days of talks with Zelensky's team and a two-hour call with Zelensky himself on Saturday. The US expected Zelensky to give an immediate approval during the call. A degree of progress was reportedly made, but there were no breakthroughs on issues like territory or security guarantees. Key Sticking Points Russia insists on a full Ukrainian withdrawal from the entire Donbass region Ukraine is angling for enforceable security guarantees from the US The latest proposal still lacks a Senate-ratified security treaty Furthermore, the US is trying to "peel" Zelensky away from the European hawks so they can "pressure him more effectively," says the publication, adding that some in the White House see the Europeans as "a major obstacle to a deal." Trump said on Sunday that Zelensky's negotiators "love" the US planand admitted he was "a little disappointed" to learn Zelensky himself hadn't read it yet. Zelensky, who met with his the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany on Monday, claims they will present an updated counterproposal to the US. Russia has called Vladimir Putin's talks with Witkoff and Kushner in Moscow "useful, constructive, and substantive," adding there was no compromise on territory yet, although some US ideas looked "more or less acceptable." Both sides agreed to continue working through their envoys. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United Kingdom supports efforts, led by the US, to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine: UK statement at the UN Security Council Speech Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG Published 9 December 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 9 December 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Yesterday, my Prime Minister hosted President Zelenskyy, President Macron and Chancellor Merz in London for talks in which we recommitted our support to safeguarding Ukraine's long-term security, sovereignty, and prosperity. The United Kingdom supports efforts, led by the US, to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, including robust security guarantees, in line with the principles of the UN Charter. This is a war that President Putin started and could, if he wished, end at any time by ceasing his full-scale invasion. We continue to hope that Russia will engage seriously with peace talks. But, despite the genuine efforts of partners to mediate, Russia's campaign against Ukraine has only intensified in its brutality. The facts speak for themselves. Between 18 November and 4 December, Russia launched nearly 3,000 drones and over 110 missiles at Ukrainian cities. This is a repeated pattern of Russian behaviour, while President Putin claims he is engaging in good faith in peace talks. Since rejecting Ukraine's offer of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on 11 March, Russia has killed over 1,850 Ukrainian civilians. And since peace talks began in May, Russia has launched the largest air attacks of the entire war. These are not the actions of a country sincerely interested - as President Putin claimed in August - in paving a path towards peace. The UN has reported this year that an estimated 12.7 million people in Ukraine need humanitarian support. Russia's strikes not only directly kill civilians, but worsen a dire humanitarian crisis. Since the start of October, Russia has launched nine mass air attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, reducing Ukraine's energy production capacity by 40% and causing nationwide blackouts lasting up to 16 hours a day. This is a deliberate weaponisation of winter, plunging homes into freezing darkness and putting millions of vulnerable Ukrainian civilians at risk. We support President Trump and President Zelenskyy's efforts to secure a just and lasting peace. How many more civilians have to die before Russia accepts a ceasefire? NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andrii Sybiha had phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 09 December 2025 19:20 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha: "While taking part in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Italy, I had a conversation with my Italian counterpart and friend Antonio Tajani. I informed my colleague about peace efforts and the difficult battlefield and energy situation in the wake of intensified Russian attacks. We discussed the important role of Italy and other European partners in advancing peace efforts and supporting Ukraine on this path. We also spoke about urgent decisions to strengthen our country and increase pressure on the aggressor. It is important to finally enable the full use of frozen Russian assets, strengthen Ukraine as part of the SAFE program, and further increase contributions to the PURL initiative. We value our partnership with Italy and thank our Italian friends, all the Italian people, for their strong support, including the latest military assistance package. Together, we are defending our shared values and the security and peace in Europe". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Canada Discussed the Development of Steps Needed to End the War President of Ukraine 9 December 2025 - 19:22 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. The leaders discussed the development of steps necessary to end the war and diplomatic work with partners. The Head of State thanked Canada for its readiness to help. Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefed Mark Carney on the situation in Ukraine, on the front line, and on the efforts to ensure our country's resilience. The President expressed particular gratitude to Canada for its significant contribution to the PURL initiative, which enables the purchase of American weapons to protect Ukrainian lives, including air defenses. The leaders agreed to continue coordination. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defense and Energy Support for Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Giorgia Meloni in Rome President of Ukraine 9 December 2025 - 18:07 In Rome, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. The Head of State briefed her on the work of the Ukrainian negotiating team. For Ukraine, it is important to forge a unified European voice in support of a just peace and to obtain security guarantees to ensure that Russian aggression does not happen again. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni discussed all aspects of the current diplomatic framework. The President noted that Italy is among the active participants in generating practical ideas and defining steps forward, and Ukraine counts on its continued support. The leaders also addressed Ukraine's defense support, primarily strengthening air defense, as well as bolstering energy resilience in the face of ongoing Russian strikes on energy facilities. The Head of State expressed gratitude for a package of energy assistance, which includes essential equipment to support Ukrainian families in cities and communities that continue to endure constant Russian attacks. In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni focused on further financial support for Ukraine, including needs and potential ways to direct Russia's frozen assets toward protecting and rebuilding the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Had an Audience with Pope Leo XIV President of Ukraine 9 December 2025 - 13:15 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. The Head of State thanked His Holiness for his constant prayers for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, as well as for his calls for a just peace. The President briefed the Pope on diplomatic efforts with the United States aimed at achieving a dignified and guaranteed peace. Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged His Holiness to continue supporting coordinated peace efforts. The Head of State and the Pontiff also discussed further efforts by the Vatican to secure the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The President thanked His Holiness for supporting young Ukrainians and expressed gratitude to the Holy See for its ongoing humanitarian assistance and its readiness to expand humanitarian missions, including in frontline regions. Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the Pope to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine civilians face escalating attacks and mounting hardship, UN warns 9 December 2025 - Civilians in Ukraine are facing almost daily attacks and growing hardship as Russia's full-scale invasion approaches the four-year mark, UN human rights investigators said in a new report issued on Tuesday. "Our findings establish several worrying trends: rising civilian casualties in both frontline and urban areas, sustained attacks on energy infrastructure, and continued patterns of systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees," said Danielle Bell, head of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), Russia launched its so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and the report covers the period from 1 June to 30 November 2025. Surge in civilian casualties It reveals that civilian casualties surged in both frontline and urban areas, with July marking the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries since April 2022. A total of 1,420 civilians were killed and 6,545 injured during the reporting period - a 12 per cent increase over the same period a year earlier and a nearly 40 per cent increase over the prior six months. Casualties included 61 medical workers, 99 emergency service personnel, six media professionals, and 13 humanitarian workers. Western Ukraine also experienced its deadliest attack since the invasion began, when a large-scale combined drone-missile strike killed at least 36 civilians in Ternopil on 19 November. Deteriorating conditions on the frontlines Frontline regions have experienced a severe deterioration in living conditions, as short-range drones, aerial bombs, and other munitions caused extensive damage to residential buildings and other vital civilian infrastructure. Some areas were left uninhabitable, forcing residents to seek shelter elsewhere. Additionally, many hospitals and clinics in frontline towns were destroyed or forced to close, leaving residents without access to basic healthcare. This was compounded by disruption of water, heating, and electricity, which particularly impacted older people and persons with disabilities. Energy grid attacked During October and November, Russia launched eight large-scale, coordinated waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine's energy system, which caused emergency power outages and daily electricity cuts in multiple regions. Scheduled power cuts lasted up to 18 hours per day, with interruptions in water services and heating for many hours or days in some areas. Record prisoner exchange Ukraine and Russia also carried out the largest exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) since 2022, with the sides releasing more than 3,000 people. However, HRMMU observed no improvements in the treatment of those interned. "Systematic and widespread torture and ill-treatment of POWs is one of the most shocking and pervasive features of this war," Ms. Bell remarked. A Ukrainian POW spoke about how he was treated in a pre-trial detention facility in Russia. "During my whole time in the facility, we were beaten almost every day. The guards beat us almost every time we were leaving the cell for an inspection or to go to the medical unit or shower," he told investigators. "Several times I was beaten so badly that my body hurt for weeks." Limited care, extrajudicial executions Russia recently freed 187 Ukrainian POWs and "185 provided accounts of severe beatings, stress positions, electric shocks, suffocation, dog attacks and, in many cases, sexual violence," Ms. Bell said. "Interviewees also described harsh conditions of detention, limited medical care, and violence occurring during capture, transfer, admission to new facilities, and throughout internment," she added. Monitors also interviewed 137 POWs held by Ukraine, including 10 nationals of third countries. More than half provided accounts of torture and ill-treatment during interrogation or transfer, before arrival at official internment facilities. "I knew nothing, but they kept torturing me even more," a Russian POW said about his experience during interrogation in a transit place The report also documents a rise in extrajudicial executions of POWs. At least four incidents involving the killing of 10 Ukrainian servicepersons after capture by Russian forces were assessed as credible. Four executions of Russian POWs by Ukrainian armed forces were also recorded, alongside credible allegations of three additional incidents currently under review. Life under occupation Meanwhile, authorities in Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation continued to impose measures in violation of international humanitarian law, with worsening restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, religion, and access to independent information. In March, Russia issued a decree which set a 10 September deadline for Ukrainian citizens in these areas to get a Russian passport, residence permit or other document to "legalise" their stay or risk deportation. Patterns of arbitrary arrest, prosecutions for criticism of the "special military operation", the use of forced confessions, and the retroactive application of criminal laws. The report highlights the continued efforts of the Ukrainian authorities and humanitarians to support civilians, including large-scale evacuations, establishment of transit centres, and delivery of medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance. This is taking place despite extremely challenging and increasingly dangerous conditions, including attacks on humanitarians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Security Council briefing on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine by Joyce Msuya, ASG for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator on behalf of Tom Fletcher, USG for Humanitarian Affairs and ERC UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs New York, 9 December 2025 As delivered Madam President, Members of the Council, Thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council again on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. In the two-and-a-half weeks since our last update, intense missile and drone attacks across Ukraine have continued to exact a worrying toll on civilians. These strikes, many conducted at night, during freezing temperatures, continue to kill and injure civilians, sever essential services, and undermine the lifelines that civilians rely on. Madam President, Allow me to share what this means on the ground in humanitarian terms. In recent days, strikes have hit critical energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, Odesa and the Dnipro region. Repair teams cannot keep pace with the damage. In several oblasts, rolling blackouts of 12 to 18 hours are cutting heat and water to entire apartment blocks. In Odesa, a missile strike last week destroyed a sub-station supplying power to several neighbourhoods, including a displacement centre. Attacks last week also hit residential buildings in Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, killing and injuring civilians, including children, continuing the patterns documented in our previous briefings. Across Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, authorities and humanitarian partners have accelerated voluntary evacuations from communities where repeated shelling has made it impossible to guarantee even minimal services. In areas around Pokrovsk - already highlighted in our November briefing - winter has compounded needs. Older people, people with disabilities, and families with young children are increasingly seeking evacuation after days without heat, clean water or stable power. Some communities are facing sub-zero temperatures in damp shelters, many of which [were] damaged from previous strikes. In Lyman, where roughly 3,000 civilians were already out of reach of regular assistance, attacks have further restricted movement. Local volunteers told us last week that families are rationing humanitarian supplies. Madam President, Energy infrastructure has been targeted in Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and winter sharply raises the stakes. Each damaged sub-station, heating pipeline or pumping station risks cascading failures with grave repercussions for the well-being of civilians. In Kherson, a strike last week damaged a heating plant serving thousands of residents. A doctor from the nearby clinic shared with our team: "People can survive without electricity for a time, but not without heat. Without heat, our elderly patients decline within hours." WHO [World Health Organization] has verified hundreds of attacks on healthcare this year - attacks which kill, injure and cripple health services when illnesses, hypothermia risks and trauma cases surge. International humanitarian law is unequivocal: civilians and civilian objects, wherever they are, must be protected and constant care must be taken to spare them. Indiscriminate attacks, including attacks that cause disproportionate incidental death or injury to civilians or damage to civilian objects, are strictly prohibited. As the 22nd meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention concluded last week, it is timely to renew the UN's grave concern over States' intention to withdraw from this treaty and the concerning retreat from international humanitarian law this represents. Anti-personnel landmines protect no one. Madam President, Humanitarian partners continue to deliver assistance whenever and wherever access allows. Over recent weeks: Winter clothing, blankets and thermal supplies have been pre-positioned in front-line oblasts, and community points have been established to provide civilians with access to heat, electricity and basic services during outages. Collective centres have been expanded for families arriving through evacuation corridors. Mobile health teams are travelling to areas experiencing prolonged outages. Inter-agency convoys continue to deliver food, water purification tablets, medical supplies and shelter materials. So far this year, 44 convoys have reached 50,000 civilians in the hardest-to-reach communities along the front line. But access to some front-line areas remains extremely challenging. Active hostilities, damaged roads and security restrictions regularly delay or suspend humanitarian operations. Humanitarian personnel face rising dangers. In December so far, one aid worker was injured in Kherson region, with eight cases of damage to humanitarian offices, assets and aid distribution sites, according to OCHA's Access Monitoring and Reporting Framework. As noted in our last briefing, a clearly marked UN convoy in Kherson was struck in October while attempting to deliver aid - underscoring growing dangers to aid workers. International humanitarian law also demands that humanitarian personnel and assets be protected. Engaging in dialogue with the relevant parties is essential to ensure they do not recur. Beyond these challenges, significant portions of the country remain out of humanitarian reach. While the UN does not have humanitarian operations in parts of Ukraine under occupation by the Russian Federation, our position is clear: we stand ready to deliver assistance to all civilians in need wherever they are, prioritizing solely on the basis of humanitarian need. Madam President, As winter deepens and access tightens, our ability to respond hinges on timely and sufficient funding. Yet funding shortfalls continue to constrain winter operations. Only 65 per cent of the US$278 million required for the Winter Response Plan has been received, forcing cuts to the very services - cash assistance, heating support, mental health care, and protection for women and girls - that are most critical in winter. The Global Humanitarian Overview released yesterday underscores the scale of these needs: 10.8 million people need assistance in 2026, and $2.3 billion is needed to target 4.1 million of them. The regional refugee response also remains substantial. Given this magnitude, even a modest shortfall leaves tens of thousands without the support they need for survival. Underfunding has a human cost. Families face freezing temperatures without heating support; women and girls lose access to safe spaces; and older people in front-line communities are left without the means to evacuate. Madam President, Today, the humanitarian consequences are clear: attacks harming energy systems are pushing cities toward blackout; strikes in residential areas are uprooting families mid-winter; and humanitarian access constraints are depriving the most vulnerable where suffering is highest. I urge you, Members of the Council, to use the tools at your disposal: your voice, your influence, your unity where possible, to ensure three things: First, that the rules of war are upheld in practice, not only in principle, to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Your collective influence on the protection of civilians carries weight. Second, and equally a matter of compliance with the rules of war, that safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to civilians in need be facilitated. When assistance is endangered, blocked or delayed, the consequences are immediate and severe. Third, that humanitarian action is funded in line with the scale of need. Member State decisions will determine whether families face this winter with or without heat, medical care and shelter. Madam President, The people of Ukraine do not have the privilege of waiting for better conditions. They are enduring a fourth winter since the escalation of this war, under fire and in the dark. What they need from this Council is not only sympathy but concrete action to reduce harm and safeguard the humanitarian action that stands between survival and catastrophe. Your actions in the coming weeks will influence whether this winter becomes another chapter of avoidable suffering, or a moment when the Council helped prevent it. Thank you. 9 December 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As Ukrainian Civilians Battle Fourth Winter Under Siege, Ongoing Peace Talks Must Yield Results, Speakers Tell Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 10057th Meeting (AM) SC/16239 9 December 2025 As Ukrainian civilians begin to feel the bite of their fourth winter under siege, speakers in the Security Council today stressed that ongoing negotiations must yield results and that the organ must play its part to alleviate the suffering. "Despite cautious optimism around resumed diplomatic efforts, 2025 has been one of the deadliest for the people of Ukraine," reported Kayoko Gotoh, Director for Europe and Central Asia and Officer-in-Charge for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. To illustrate, she noted that civilian casualties between January and November 2025 were 24 per cent higher compared to the same period in 2024. Further, she detailed the Russian Federation's escalating aerial attacks targeting energy and transport infrastructure across Ukraine as temperatures drop. She also spotlighted several incidents that "represent yet another step in the current dangerous cycle of escalation", including repeated alleged violations of the airspace of several European countries, recent reported incidents involving shipping and port infrastructure in the Black Sea and ongoing attacks in the vicinity of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. She reported that, since the start of the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified that 14,775 Ukrainian civilians, including 755 children, have been killed; 39,322 more, including 2,416 children, have been injured. "Actual figures are likely significantly higher," she said. Expressing hope that ongoing diplomatic efforts led by the United States can help bring this war to a negotiated end, she urged all stakeholders to actively pursue a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. Safeguarding Humanitarian Effort Key to Protecting Over 10 Million People "The people of Ukraine do not have the privilege of waiting for better conditions," observed Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, as she stressed that they are enduring their fourth winter of war "under fire and in the dark". From the Council, she said, they need action to safeguard the humanitarian effort that "stands between survival and catastrophe". She added: "Your actions in the coming weeks will influence whether this winter becomes another chapter of avoidable suffering, or a moment when the Council helped prevent it." Council members, then, should use their influence to ensure three things, she said: that the rules of war are upheld, that humanitarian aid reaches people in need and that humanitarian operations receive the funding required. While humanitarians are responding to acute needs as winter magnifies the impacts of attacks on energy and health infrastructure, she said that funding gaps are increasingly forcing cuts. With 10.8 million people projected to need aid in 2026, underfunding will leave tens of thousands without life-saving support, she said. Minefields in the Sky Causing 'Grim New Chapter' in Mine Injuries Tomaz Lovrencic, Director of non-profit organization ITF Enhancing Human Security, then emphasized how landmines and explosive drones are creating "minefields in the sky" that leave civilians with long-term, life-altering injuries. For his part, he also urged the Council and the wider international community to prioritize three actions: scale-up humanitarian demining, treat victim assistance and prosthetic support as a "core pillar, not an afterthought" and insist that deliberate attacks on civilians must stop. Otherwise, Ukraine risks becoming a "tragic template for future conflicts", he underscored. He also recounted a recent visit to Ukraine, during which he met with survivors who suffered profound physical and psychological trauma. Stressing that drone-delivered explosives cause injuries often harder to treat than those inflicted by traditional mines, he stated: "What I witnessed in Ukraine marks a grim new chapter in the evolution of mine injuries." Recounting her own visit to Ukraine in November was Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia, Council President for December. Speaking in her national capacity, she recalled: "I witnessed a generation of young people whose lives will be forever marked by this invasion." The Council cannot "allow the value of human lives to decrease with each anniversary", and she underscored: "This war needs to end." Top Priority Must Be Ending War, Giving Ukraine 'Final Word' on Its Future For her part, the representative of the United States said that making that happen "remains a top priority" for her country's President. The United States is working to "try and bridge the divide between Moscow and Kyiv", as well as to move the parties towards ceasefire, she said, adding: "Both sides will need to make difficult choices to end the war." She said that her country's goal is "an end to the war and a mutually agreed peace deal that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity for real prosperity". Yet, the representative of Greece stressed that "Ukraine must have the final word for its future, equipped with credible security guarantees". Denmark's representative agreed "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" and also underscored the need to involve the region: "When European security is on the table, Europe has to be at the table." The representative of the United Kingdom, meanwhile, pointed out that Moscow has killed over 1,850 Ukrainian civilians since rejecting Ukraine's offer of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on 11 March. He asked: "How many more civilians have to die before Russia accepts the ceasefire?" France's representative noted that Moscow is "pushing against the front lines to annex more Ukrainian territory" despite increased diplomacy by the United States, Ukraine and Europe. Ukraine's 'European Backers' Manoeuvring for War with Russian Federation However, the representative of the Russian Federation stating that Ukrainian men are being sent to a "pointless, fratricidal meat grinder" while a "fairly realistic proposal for long-term lasting settlement of the Ukrainian conflict" is on the table asked what Ukraine's European sponsors are trying to achieve. Stressing that Ukraine's "European backers" are concerned neither about the country's fate nor its dignity, he said: "What London, Paris and Berlin seek is to win time to prepare for war with Russia." He then asked whether the European populace is ready to believe these "Russophobic scary stories" and to "walk down this suicidal path, which has led Europe to ruin at least thrice in the last 200 years". Military conflict between the Russian Federation and Europe which the latter is "doggedly" pursuing is unlikely to be a localized conflict, he said. Adding that "Washington now fully understands this", he expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the United States as they try to "make overexcited European brains get their heads around this obvious truth". Security Council Must Not Wait for Miracles to Act Ukraine's representative, noting his previous invocation of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, recalled that he implored the organ "not to wait for manna from heaven, for miracles, for better circumstances, for someone else to act". Instead, the Council must adopt a resolution mandating an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire. Then, rather than detailing casualty numbers often reduced to "desolate arithmetic", noted without consequence he asked why Moscow can continue its brutal war. "Russia earns all the money to fund its war by exporting its energy resources," he answered, pointing out that due to the absence of UN sanctions several importing States provide Moscow with the "financial oxygen that ignites the fire of war". He also underscored that, while his country is ready for peace, "our territory and our sovereignty are not for sale". And referencing another Beckett play Endgame, which teaches that "final defeat comes when we accept absurdity as normal" he urged those present to act "before history decides that this Council, too, has eventually reached its own endgame". Civilians Are Not Collateral Damage, Call for Just, Lasting Peace Many Council members also acknowledged this imperative. "Civilians are not collateral damage," declared Guyana's representative. A ceasefire, then, "cannot be postponed", stressed her counterpart from Panama. The representative of the Republic of Korea, concurring, observed: "Even if humanitarian conditions were to improve, such gains would be merely temporary without an end to the war." While similarly condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure, Sierra Leone's representative noted that opportunities exist for "good-faith negotiations". On that, Pakistan's representative called on the parties to engage towards a "a mutually acceptable settlement". The representative of Algeria called for renewed engagement to achieve a just and lasting peace that also takes into consideration the parties' legitimate security concerns. China's representative agreed on that latter point, also underlining the need for all sides to address the conflict's root causes. Somalia's representative expressed support for all diplomatic efforts towards a resolution that restores peace, security and stability. International Law Must Trump Brutality However, weighing in from the region, the representative of Poland stressed that "peace will only be real if it's based on international law". He also stressed that, despite ongoing United States diplomacy, Moscow issues "vicious threats" to take its war further into Europe. Providing an example, the representatives of Romania and the Republic of Moldova pointed to new drone intrusions into their airspace on 25 November. If the Russian Federation's aggression is rewarded, it will signal that "brutality trumps norms and rules", warned Norway's representative, also speaking for Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. "We cannot allow an aggressor State to attempt to change borders by force not in Ukraine, not anywhere," stressed the representative of the European Union, speaking in its capacity as observer. The representative of Estonia, also speaking for Latvia and Lithuania, echoed a point made by others from his continent: "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine; nothing about Europe without Europe. These principles are still very much valid." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskyy Open To Wartime Elections In Ukraine If US, Allies Can Guarantee Security By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 10, 2025 Summary Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready to hold elections if the United States and European partners can guarantee security. Ukraine's constitution bans elections during wartime, but Zelenskyy will ask parliament to make legislative changes if a cease-fire and safety measures are put in place. His comments come amid US-led peace talks with Russia, with major disputes over control of the eastern Donbas region and post-war security guarantees still to be resolved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he is ready to hold elections in his war-torn country if the United States and other partners can provide the security necessary to ensure the vote can be held safely. The White House has been pushing for Ukraine to hold elections -- US President Donald Trump told Politico in an interview published on December 9 "it's time"-- even though Ukraine's constitution doesn't allow for elections during wartime. In a shift from previous statements, Zelenskyy said he would push parliament to draft legislation allowing for elections during martial law. A vote could follow in 60 to 90 days if a ceasefire to halt the nearly four-year-old war with Russia and security guarantees ensuring the electoral process are in place. "I'm asking now, and stating this openly, for the US, perhaps with our European partners, to help me ensure the security needed to hold elections," Zelenskyy told reporters on December 9, noting he had yet to discuss the issue with Trump. "I personally have the will and readiness for this." The possibility of holding elections in Ukraine has been regularly dismissed with officials saying such an exercise would be impossible given the daily Russian air strikes across the country, thousands of soldiers battling on the front lines, and millions of Ukrainians displaced because of the war. Opinion polls in the country show most Ukrainians are against holding wartime elections though with the last elections held in 2019, some want changes in the government to bring in fresh ideas. Zelenskyy's comments come amid intense negotiations aimed at ending the war, sparked by Russia's full scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022. The Ukrainian leader was in Italy on December 9 as he tours Europe to ensure a US-led proposal to end Russia's war on Ukraine does not result in a lopsided deal that would reward Moscow for its aggression against its neighbor and leave Kyiv vulnerable to future attacks. He said in a post on social media that Ukraine and its European partners will soon present the US with "refined documents" on the peace plan. "The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the US," he wrote. "Together with the Americans, we expect to swiftly make the potential steps as doable as possible." Several sticking points are said to remain in finalizing a peace plan, including the formulation of a document that will be accepted by both Kyiv and Moscow. Zelenskyy told Bloomberg News on December 8 that US-led talks on a potential peace deal have yet to produce agreement on territorial control in the eastern region known as the Donbas, where Russia is demanding that Ukraine cede land it continues to hold despite years of attacks. On December 8, Zelenskyy held talks in London and Brussels on the peace proposal. Those discussions followed three days of meetings between Ukrainian and US officials near Miami as negotiators try to find agreement following the release of a US draft peace proposal last month. In the speech at UN Security Council on December 9, Ukraine's permanent representative to the United Nations, Andriy Melnyk, stated that Ukraine is not "for sale." "Our territory and our sovereignty are not for sale. We're not at the Christmas bazaar," he stated during an open briefing on Ukraine. "Russia wants Ukraine to capitulate, as we just heard. Russia wants us to surrender. But my reply to you would be: 'You'll get a bagel hole, not Ukraine,' said Melnyk, responding to the previous statement by Russian UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, who insisted that Russia would achieve its goals in Ukraine by any means necessary, whether military or diplomatic. Meanwhile, Ukraine's top military commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, stated that the defense of Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donbas region, continues and that Ukrainian troops control part of the city. "The defense of Pokrovsk continues, our forces control nearly 13 square kilometers in the northern part of the city. Myrnohrad is not encircled. In Kupyansk, our successful counter-sabotage operation is ongoing," he wrote on Facebook after his meeting with the representatives from major Ukrainian media outlets. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-wartime- elections-ukraine-us-guarantees-security/33618546.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 Final Short Form Prospectus is Accessible on SEDAR+ London, December 9, 2025 - Abitibi Metals Corp. (CSE: AMQ) (OTCQB: AMQFF) (FSE: FW0) ("Abitibi" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, in connection with its previously announced "bought-deal" offering (the "Offering") led by BMO Capital Markets, as sole bookrunner and lead underwriter (the "Lead Underwriter"), together with Haywood Securities Inc., as co-lead manager, ATB Securities Inc., Desjardins Securities Inc., Paradigm Capital Inc. and Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc. (collectively, with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters"), it has filed a final short form prospectus (the "Final Prospectus") in each of the provinces of Canada to qualify the distribution of: (i) 11,430,000 common shares of the Company (the "Offered Common Shares") at a price of $0.35 per Offered Common Share for gross proceeds of $4,000,500; and (ii) 17,550,000 common shares of the Company issued as "flow-through shares" (the "Flow-Through Shares" and, together with the Offered Common Shares, the "Offered Securities") at a price of $0.57 per Flow-Through Share for gross proceeds of $10,003,500, for total gross proceeds to the Company of $14,004,000. Closing of the Offering is expected to take place on or about December 16, 2025, or such other date as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Lead Underwriter, but in any event not later than 42 days following the date hereof (the "Closing Date"). Closing of the Offering is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals. The Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option"), exercisable in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of the Lead Underwriter, on behalf of the Underwriters, for a period of 30 days from and including the Closing Date, to purchase up to 4,347,000 additional Offered Common Shares and/or additional Flow-Through Shares at their respective offering prices, provided that the maximum number of additional Offered Securities issued pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option does not exceed 15% of the aggregate number of Offered Securities sold under the base Offering, solely to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Company understands that purchasers of Flow-Through Shares under the Offering intend to: (i) donate some or all of such Flow-Through Shares to registered charities, who may sell such Flow-Through Shares to purchasers arranged by the Underwriters, and/or (ii) sell some or all of such Flow-Through Shares to purchasers arranged by the Underwriters, in each case on the Closing Date or the closing date for the Over-Allotment Option, as applicable, and at a price of $0.35 per share (such Flow-Through Shares described in (i) and (ii), collectively, the "Redistributed Shares"). The Flow-Through Shares will only qualify as "flow-through shares" for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act (Quebec) for the original subscriber and will not qualify as "flow-through shares" for a registered charity or subsequent purchaser of the Redistributed Shares and consequently the Company will only renounce "Canadian exploration expenses" (as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act (Quebec)) to the original subscriber of the Flow-Through Shares. The Final Prospectus qualifies the distribution of the Flow-Through Shares as well as the subsequent distribution of the Redistributed Shares on the Closing Date or the closing date for the Over-Allotment Option, as applicable. Delivery of the Final Prospectus and any amendment will be satisfied in accordance with the "access equals delivery" provisions of applicable securities legislation. The Final Prospectus is accessible on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. An electronic or paper copy of the Final Prospectus and any amendment may be obtained, without charge, from BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., by mail at Brampton Distribution Centre c/o The Data Group of Companies, 9195 Torbram Road, Brampton, ON, L6S 6H2, by telephone at 905-791-3151 (ext. 4312) or by email at [email protected], by providing BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. with an email or address, as applicable. The Final Prospectus contains important, detailed information about the Company and the Offering. Prospective investors should read the Final Prospectus before making an investment decision. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall any sale of securities occur in any jurisdiction, including the United States, in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable securities laws of any state of the United States unless an exemption from such registration requirements is available. On behalf of the Board of Abitibi Metals Corp. "Jonathon Deluce" President & CEO, Director About Abitibi Metals Corp. Abitibi Metals Corp. is dedicated to acquiring and exploring mineral properties within Quebec, with a particular emphasis on high-quality base and precious metal assets that offer significant potential for growth and expansion. Cautionary Notes and Forward-Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will" and "expected" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the terms and completion of the Offering, the expected closing date of the Offering, the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the ability to obtain all approvals in connection with the Offering, the ability to incur and renounce eligible flow-through expenditures, the exploration and development potential of the Company's properties and the significance of previous exploration results. Although Abitibi believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from the forward-looking statements. The Company has based these forward-looking statements and information on the Company's current expectations and assumptions about future events. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in the Company's annual information form, for the year ended December 31, 2024 available at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's issuer profile. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and Abitibi does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277493 Q-Gold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: QGR; OTCQB: QGLDF; Borse Frankfurt: QX9G) ("QGold" or the "Company") announces today that it intends to complete a best efforts non-brokered private placement financing of up to 5,714,285 common shares of the Company (each, a "Flow-Through Share") issued on a "flow-through basis" for proceeds of up to approximately $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 19, 2025. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day. Completion of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including without limitation, receipt of TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with the policies of the TSXV consisting of a cash commission equal to up to 8% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and finder warrants ("Finder Warrants") in an amount equal to up to 8% of the number of Flow-Through Shares sold pursuant to the Offering. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.35 per share for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration expenses on its Mine Centre property located in Ontario. About Q-Gold Resources Ltd. Q-Gold Resources Ltd. (TSXV: QGR; OTCQB: QGLDF; Borse Frankfurt: QX9G) is a publicly traded North American-based mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing gold and silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions across North America. The Company's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "QGR", the OTCQB market in the United States under "QGLDF", and the Borse Frankfurt exchange under "QX9G". QGold is committed to progressing its portfolio of gold and silver assets toward production, with its primary focus on its flagship Quartz Mountain Gold Project in Oregon (USA) and the Mine Centre Gold Project in Ontario (Canada). QGold focuses on resource expansion through systematic exploration, disciplined project development backed by rigorous technical work, and responsible environmental stewardship in mining-friendly jurisdictions with established infrastructure. For further information, contact: Peter Tagliamonte Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Website: https://qgoldresources.com Cell: +1 (416) 564-2880 Cautionary Notes This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Offering, including the Company's intended use of proceeds, closing conditions and timing, and other matters relating thereto, as well as the Company's beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions for the Quartz Mountain Gold Project and Mine Centre Gold Project, including its plans to progress its portfolio of assets toward production. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future mineral prices and market demand; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; and other risks of the mining industry. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Vancouver - Bathurst Metals Corp. ("Bathurst" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a strategic expansion of its land position in the Turner-Gela Lake district with the acquisition, by staking, of the West Gold mineral claim. The new claim provides 100% ownership of a 388.873-hectare property hosting two known gold occurrences, strengthening Bathurst's regional footprint in one of Nunavut's most prospective emerging gold districts. The gold occurrences on the West Gold claim were first identified in a 1992 federal geological survey, which reported assays of up to 10.30 g/t gold, accompanied by elevated arsenic - a common pathfinder in lode-gold systems. No modern or systematic exploration has ever been completed, presenting a compelling greenfield opportunity with strong discovery potential. Because the Company is already active in the immediate area, exploration at West Gold can be carried out with minimal additional logistical cost, supporting efficient and scalable program planning. Bathurst's growing portfolio in the district now includes: Turner Lake, Au/Ag- 100% owned flagship project with multiple high-grade gold zones TEDAu/Ag - 100% owned, high-grade gold in iron formation Gela LakeCu/Ag/Au- under option to Quinto Resources West GoldAu-100% owned, newly acquired claim with documented gold occurrences Figure 1 (below) highlights historical gold results from Turner Lake that underscore the broader potential of the district and support Bathurst's strategy of consolidating and exploring the surrounding gold-bearing terrain. Northrock Resources assay results from October 20, 2009 Northrock Resources news release. Figure # 1 Click Image To View Full Size The West Gold claim is underlain by the same Archean amphibolite-facies geology that hosts mineralization at Turner Lake and lies near the 300 km-long regional Bathurst Fault, a major structural corridor favorable for gold deposition. The property is located 26 km north-northwest of Turner Lake and 10.6 km northwest of the Gela Lake project (Figure 2). Figure # 2 Click Image To View Full Size CEO Harold Forzley commented: "West Gold is a high-impact addition to our portfolio. With known high-grade occurrences and zero modern exploration, it gives us a genuine discovery opportunity we can advance quickly and cost-effectively. We see this district shaping up as a standout growth engine for Bathurst." Qualified Person Mr. Lorne Warner, P.Geo., President and Director of Bathurst Metals Corp., is the "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information within this release. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Harold Forzley" CEO Bathurst Metals Corp. For investor inquiries, please contact: Harold Forzley, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] 604-783-4273 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. About Bathurst Metals Corp. Bathurst Metals Corp. is an exploration-stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Nunavut and British Columbia, Canada. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Turner Lake, TED, McGregor Lake, Speers Lake, Gela Lake and McAvoy Lake Projects in Nunavut and the Peerless Property a gold /silver prospect in the historic Bralorne Camp in British Columbia. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. TSX-V: WLR Walker Lane Resources Ltd. (TSXV: WLR) (Frankfurt: 6YL) "Walker Lane") announces that it has engaged Stockhouse Publishing Limited, Marcus Brummell, and Baystreet.ca to conduct marketing and publishing services. The purpose of these marketing activities is to increase market awareness and visibility of Company activities, detail recent acquisitions, and generate a better understanding of the exploration potential of its gold and silver prospects in Nevada and Canada. The Company has entered into contracts dated August 15, 2025 and have been fully paid in cash. Both of these firms are arm's length service providers and are in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and applicable securities laws. Stockhouse Publishing Limited Stockhouse Publishing Limited ("Stockhouse") will complete marketing and advertising services designed to connect Walker Lane with North America's largest small cap investor community. Stockhouse's investor community includes investors from Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, China, Germany and the United Kingdom. The campaign is expected to commenced in October, 2025 and will continue for up to a 12-month period at an aggregate cost of $75,000 CAD. Marcus Brummell The Company engaged Marcus Brummell of Langley B.C. ("consultant") in a contract dated August 15, 2025 to conduct a marketing awareness campaign of Company activities. Mr. Brummell has considerable experience in creating and publishing marketing materials for the mining sector and implements projects aimed to increase market awareness levels. The consultant was fully paid in cash for a total of $10,000 CDN for a minimum of 38 days of services but is also continuing to promote activities of the Company beyond the initial contractual obligation as a goodwill gesture to continue efforts to improve market visibility of the Company activities as some planned activities had been delayed for reasons beyond the control of the Company. Baystreet.ca Baystreet.ca ("Baystreet") is one of the leading financial content providers in Canada and has been actively assisting a broad range of clientele including junior mining companies for the past 27 years. Baystreet have established contacts with over 100 tier one financial publications with tens of thousands of downstream partners in Canada and the United States. The company established a contract to Baystreet to provide marketing services for a three-month period with the campaign commencing in October 2025 and continuing through to the end of December, 2025, at an aggregate total cost of $66,000 CAD plus applicable taxes. However, after the initial month, the parties reached a mutual agreement to discontinue the marketing program and a refund of $44,000 plus GST for two months of services not completed will be provided to the Company by Baystreet.ca These consultants have no direct or indirect interest in the Company and do not intend to acquire an interest in the Company during the period of their contracts. The Consultants will be communicating directly with existing prospective investors. Any information distributions will be reviewed and approved by the Company prior to release. The services of these consultants are being provided in accordance with the policies and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and also align with the policies the BC Securities Commission. If anyone would like further details on the marketing plans of the Company you are asked to contact Kevin Brewer at the contact information below. About Walker Lane Resources Ltd. Walker Lane Resources Ltd. is a growth-stage exploration company focused on the exploration of high-grade gold, silver and polymetallic deposits in the Walker Lane Gold Trend District in Nevada and the Rancheria Silver District in Yukon/B.C. and other property assets in Yukon. The Company intends to initiate an aggressive exploration program to advance the Tule Canyon (Walker Lane, Nevada) and Amy (Rancheria Silver, B.C.) projects through an aggressive drilling program to resource definition stage in the near future. On behalf of the Board: "Kevin Brewer" Kevin Brewer, President, CEO and Director Walker Lane Resources Ltd. Cautionary and Forward Looking Statements This press release and related figures, contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plans", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "should", "believe" "targeted", "can", "anticipates", "intends", "likely", "should", "could" or grammatical variations thereof and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this presentation. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: our strategy and priorities including certain statements included in this presentation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the Tule Canyon, Cambridge, Silver Mountain, and Shamrock Properties in Nevada (USA), and its properties including Silverknife and Amy properties in British Columbia, the Silver Hart, Blue Heaven and Logjam properties in Yukon and the Bridal Veil property in Newfoundland and Labrador all of which now comprise the mineral property assets of WLR. WLR has assumed other assets of CMC Metals Ltd. including common share holdings of North Bay Resources Inc. (OTC-US: NBRI) and all conditions and agreements pertaining to the sale of the Bishop mill gold processing facility and remain subject to the condition of the option of the Silverknife property with Coeur Mining Inc. (TSX:CDE). These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. The Company has made various assumptions, including, among others, that: the historical information related to the Company's properties is reliable; the Company's operations are not disrupted or delayed by unusual geological or technical problems; the Company has the ability to explore the Company's properties; the Company will be able to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute its business plan; the Company's current corporate activities will proceed as expected; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and budgeted costs and expenditures are and will continue to be accurate. Actual results and developments may differ materially from results and developments discussed in the forward-looking statements as they are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, including: public health threats; fluctuations in metals prices, price of consumed commodities and currency markets; future profitability of mining operations; access to personnel; results of exploration and development activities, accuracy of technical information; risks related to ownership of properties; risks related to mining operations; risks related to mineral resource figures being estimates based on interpretations and assumptions which may result in less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently anticipated; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; changes in operating expenses; changes in general market and industry conditions; changes in legal or regulatory requirements; other risk factors set out in this presentation; and other risk factors set out in the Company's public disclosure documents. Although the Company has attempted to identify significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other risks that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the Company's control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or benefits to, or effect on, the Company. The information contained in this presentation is derived from management of the Company and otherwise from publicly available information and does not purport to contain all of the information that an investor may desire to have in evaluating the Company. The information has not been independently verified, may prove to be imprecise, and is subject to material updating, revision and further amendment. While management is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation and no responsibility or liability is accepted by any person for such information or opinions. The forward-looking statements and information in this presentation speak only as of the date of this presentation and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, prospective investors should not read forward-looking information as guarantees of future performance or results and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Nothing in this presentation is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the future. To the extent any forward-looking statement in this presentation constitutes "future-oriented financial information" or "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated market penetration and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above. The Company's actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management's current expectations and, as a result, the Company's revenue and expenses. The Company's financial projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of International Financial Reporting Standards and have not been examined, reviewed or compiled by the Company's accountants or auditors. The Company's financial projections represent management's estimates as of the dates indicated thereon. SOURCE Walker Lane Resources Ltd AJN Resources Inc. (CSE: AJN) (FSE: 5AT) ("AJN" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from its 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders, which was held on December 3, 2025. All resolutions presented to shareholders were approved. The number of directors was set at four, and Klaus Eckhof, Sheena Eckhof, Lap Kiu Jacky Chan and Patrick Flint were elected or re-elected to AJN's board of directors. Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, was re-appointed as auditor of the Company. Klaus Eckhof continues as the Company's CEO & President and Philip Knowles continues as the Company's CFO. About AJN Resources Inc. AJN is a junior exploration company. AJN's management and directors possess over 50 years of collective industry experience and have been very successful in the areas of exploration, financing and developing major mines throughout the world, with a focus on Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although AJN Resources Inc. believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, AJN Resources Inc. disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the imminent commencement of diamond drilling at the Company's Killero gold-copper project in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland. The Killero project is a former Anglo American plc project that was defined by significant gold-copper Base of Till ("BoT") anomalies but never drill tested. This current drill program will focus on the Killero E gold-copper target and is fully-funded as it forms part of the Tumad Definitive Agreement as announced on September 2, 2025. Highlights The Company's maiden diamond drilling program at the Killero E gold-copper target in northern Finland is now underway. This first-pass drill program is expected to consist of an initial 11 holes / 2,200 m of diamond drilling and will provide an initial test of approximately 1km strike extent of the Killero E anomaly (Figures 1 & 2). The Killero E target is part of a former Anglo American plc project that was defined by significant gold-copper BoT anomalies (with maximum BoT values up to 0.59% Cu and 145ppb Au, both of which are considered to be exceptional for the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt). Capella subsequently completed a high-resolution drone magnetic survey over the Killero area, which resulted in the definition of a clear NE-trending structural corridor which is broadly associated with the BoT gold-copper anomaly. Capella is also evaluating concurrent BoT drilling at the nearby Jolhikko and Seisunselka targets. Both Jolhikko and Seisunselka are interpreted by the Company to display geological features typical of Precambrian orogenic gold deposits, with BoT drilling now required to determine the distribution of precious metals within these areas. The Company expects a temporary shutdown of drilling to occur between December 22 and January 2 for the holiday season, with drilling then expected to be reinitiated on January 3, 2026. Eric Roth, Capella's President and CEO, commented: "I am extremely pleased to be announcing the commencement of core drilling at our Killero E gold-copper target in northern Finland. The Central Lapland Greenstone Belt contains some of the most prospective geology globally for the discovery of Precambrian orogenic gold and copper deposits, including the recent 3.5Moz Au Ikkari discovery1 which was first identified from a single Base of Till sample with 200ppb Au. I sincerely look forward to keeping all stakeholders updated as we move forward with drilling at Killero E". 1 Probable Mineral Reserve 52MT @ 2.1 g/t Au: Rupert Resources Pre-Feasibility Study 2025. Capella acquired its Central Lapland Greenstone Belt project interests - including at Killero - from ASX-listed Cullen Resources Ltd (ASX: CUL) through an earn-in agreement which was announced on August 24, 2021. Capella currently owns an 80% interest in the Killero project, and the project now forms part of the September 2, 2025 Tumad earn-in agreement. Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement The technical information in this news release relating to the Killero gold-copper project has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101, and approved by Eric Roth, the Company's President & CEO, a Director, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Roth holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Roth has 35 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation. On Behalf of the Board of Capella Minerals Ltd. "Eric Roth" ___________________________ Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM President & CEO About Capella Minerals Ltd Capella is a Canadian exploration and development company with a focus on generating gold-copper projects globally. Capella announced on September 2, 2025, the signing of a Definitive Agreement with Turkish mining company, Tumad Madencilik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. ("Tumad"), for a staged earn-in on the Company's portfolio of precious and base metal projects in Scandinavia. Tumad's minimum Year 1 investment commitment includes 12,000m of diamond drilling on the Company's gold-copper projects in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland (4,000m) and copper-cobalt-zinc VMS projects in central Norway (8,000m). Capella also retains a carried 10% interest through to production on the Lkken copper-cobalt-zinc VMS project of central Norway through a partnership with Teako Minerals Corp. ("Teako"). In addition, Capella holds Net Smelter Royalties on the Savant Gold Project in Ontario, Canada (BeMetals Corp.) and the Central Finland Lithium Projects (Grit Metals Corp.), as a result of the recent divestiture of non-core assets. For additional information you are cordially invited to visit the Capella Minerals Ltd website at www.capellaminerals.com, or to contact Karen Davies, VP Communications and Corporate Development, at Tel: +1.604.314.2662. Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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. SOURCE Capella Minerals Limited VANCOUVER, Dec. 10, 2025 - United Lithium Corp. ("United" or the "Company") (CSE: ULTH; OTCQX: ULTHF; FWB: 0UL) is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated October 17, 2025, it has entered into a definitive Share Exchange Agreement (the "Agreement") with Swedish Minerals AB ("SM"), an arm's length Swedish corporation, and the shareholders of SM, pursuant to which United will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of SM (the "Transaction"). Transaction Summary Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement: Acquisition: United will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares (each, a "SM Share") of SM. Consideration: In consideration for all of the SM Shares, the SM shareholders will receive an aggregate of 15,865,000 common shares (each, a "Share") in the capital of United (on a pre-consolidation basis) at a deemed price of $0.20 per Share, and $427,500 in cash, payable as a $50,000 non-refundable deposit upon execution of the letter of intent (Paid), an additional $50,000 deposit (Paid), and the remaining $327,500 at closing, all on a pro rata basis. All Shares issued will be subject to applicable resale restrictions and Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") approval. Leadership & Board: Upon Closing: (a) the board of directors of United will be reconstituted to comprise five members, with three directors nominated by United and two directors nominated by SM (the "United Board Reconstitution"); and (b) Jonathon Franklin will be appointed President of the Company (the "Management Appointment"). Royalty: Upon Closing, United will grant a 1.75% net smelter return royalty on all current SM properties to Scandinavian Resources AB, an arm's length party to United, on industry-standard terms, not subject to dilution or reduction. A transaction finder's fee will be payable to a third-party finder consisting of the lesser of 835,000 Shares (pre-consolidation) and the maximum number permitted under CSE policies, at a deemed price of $0.20 per Share, and $22,500 in cash, subject to completion of the Transaction and delivery of customary documentation. The finder is at arm's length to United and SM. Strategic Rationale The Transaction seeks to unite United's lithium development portfolio with SM's high-grade uranium and rare earth assets, spanning Finland and Sweden-two of Europe's most mining-friendly and energy-independent jurisdictions. The combined company will be positioned as a leading Nordic-based explorer supporting Europe's accelerating clean energy transition and nuclear power resurgence. SM's uranium division controls one of the largest privately held uranium portfolios in the EU, including: Riutta Project (Finland): A 100%-owned, 999-hectare exploration-stage property located in southeast-central Finland near the town of Eno, within an established mining region. The project benefits from road access, nearby infrastructure, and proximity to the Terrafame mining operation, providing a strategic location for future development. Duobblon Deposit (Sweden): A 100%-owned, 630-hectare exploration-stage property situated in Sweden's established Gold Line Belt near Sorsele. The property enjoys excellent access to road, power, and other regional infrastructure within a proven mining district, making it highly prospective for uranium and rare earth exploration. Norr Dottern Project (Sweden): A 100%-owned, 2,900-hectare exploration-stage property located near Arvidsjaur in north-central Sweden. The project lies within a well-known mineral belt and is accessible year-round by existing road and power infrastructure, offering significant exploration potential. Marrviken Project (Sweden): A 100%-owned, 2,710-hectare exploration-stage property near Ange in central Sweden. The project is supported by nearby road and power infrastructure and is located within a well-established mineral belt. Flistjarn Project (Sweden): A 100%-owned, 7,552-hectare exploration-stage property near Jarpen in west-central Sweden. The project comprises multiple mineral claims and is considered prospective for uranium and rare earth elements. Asento Project (Finland): A 100%-owned, 1,203-hectare exploration-stage property located near Ruonakoski in northern Finland, offering additional exploration upside. Kovela Project (Finland): A 100%-owned, 216-hectare exploration-stage property near Nummi in southern Finland. Kitka Project (Finland): A 100%-owned, 3,258-hectare exploration-stage property near Ruka in north-eastern Finland. Project H (Finland): A 100%-owned, 3,644-hectare exploration-stage property near Oulankajoki in north-eastern Finland. The properties are strategically located in regions with established infrastructure and mining activity, providing a strong foundation for future exploration and development. Closing Conditions The Transaction is subject to customary conditions, including satisfactory due diligence, board and management appointments, execution of the royalty agreement, and receipt of all necessary regulatory and CSE approvals. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all. On Behalf of The Board of Directors "Andrew Bowering" Interim Chief Executive Officer Telephone: +1-604-428-6128 About United Lithium United Lithium is an exploration & development company energized by the global demand for lithium. The Company is targeting lithium projects in politically safe jurisdictions with advanced infrastructure that allows for rapid and cost-effective exploration, development, and production opportunities. The Company's consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis are available on the Company's website at https://unitedlithium.com or under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward?Looking Statements: This news release contains forward?looking statements and forward?looking information (collectively, "forward?looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. Forward?looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. All statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward?looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future. Specifically, the forward-looking statements include: (i) that the Transaction will receive all necessary regulatory approvals, (iI) that the Transaction will receive final approval by the CSE, and (iii) that the Transaction will close. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable and reflect expectations of future developments and other factors which management believes to be reasonable and relevant, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In making the forward?looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will support the viability of critical mineral resource exploration, the availability of the financing required for the Company to carry out its planned future activities, the availability of and the ability to retain and attract qualified personnel, and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. Other factors may also adversely affect the future results or performance of the Company, including general economic, market or business conditions, future prices of minerals, changes in the financial markets and in the demand for minerals, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the mineral exploration industry, as well as the risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis and in other filings made by the Company with Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Ongoing labour shortages, inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, the global financial climate and the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine and surrounding regions are some additional factors that are affecting current economic conditions and increasing economic uncertainty, which may impact the Company's operating performance, financial position, and future prospects. Collectively, the potential impacts of this economic environment pose risks that are currently indescribable and immeasurable. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward?looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned that forward?looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward?looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward?looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Securing Ghanas seas: Call for maritime laws reform, protection of blue economy Benjamin Xornam Glover Opinion Dec - 10 - 2025 , 09:57 5 minutes read Ghanas maritime domain is more than a boundary; it is a lifeline that sustains trade, energy, nutrition, and national sovereignty. Yet this vital space is under increasing threat from piracy and maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea, a danger with far-reaching implications for Ghanas economy, environment, and national security. In a statement in Parliament on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, underscored the urgent legislative and institutional reforms to strengthen Ghanas maritime security framework. She warned that unless the country acts swiftly to align its laws and enhance maritime domain awareness, the rising wave of piracy and transnational maritime crime would continue to erode economic stability and public safety. The insecurity in our waters is quietly taxing every household in Ghana, she said, adding that elevated maritime insurance premiums, driven by piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, translate into higher prices for food, fuel, and essential goods. If we are serious about protecting our borders, we must be equally serious about securing our maritime domain. The year 2023 marked a decade since the signing of the Yaounde Code of Conduct, a regional framework developed to prevent and suppress illegal maritime activities in West and Central Africa. Ghana plays a leading role within Zone F, which also includes Cote dIvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Burkina Faso. The Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) for Zone F is based at the Christiansborg Castle in Osu, Accra, within the MPs constituency. Despite Ghanas strategic role, the MP noted that domestic legal and institutional systems remain inadequate to confront the scale and transnational nature of modern maritime threats. While regional coordination has improved, Ghanas national legislation, she said, lags behind international standards. Legal gaps A major concern was Ghanas failure to fully domesticate the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the global framework for maritime governance and security. Under current law, the definition of piracy in the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) does not conform to Article 101 of UNCLOS, a gap that has undermined Ghanas ability to successfully prosecute piracy and related crimes. Without harmonisation, Ghana remains vulnerable to the complex and transnational nature of maritime crime, she said. We must bring our laws up to international standards so that our courts, prosecutors, and enforcement agencies can act decisively. To address this, she called on the Minister for Transport to expedite the submission of a Maritime Offences Bill to Parliament. The bill would repeal outdated piracy provisions, align Ghanas laws with UNCLOS, and strengthen the countrys capacity to meet regional and global maritime obligations. Cost of insecurity Maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea is not only a security challenge but also a serious economic burden. The region remains one of the worlds most dangerous maritime zones, where piracy, armed robbery, illegal fishing, oil bunkering, and smuggling persist despite international attention. The financial impact was far-reaching as shipping companies faced higher insurance premiums and increased operating costs, which were passed on to consumers. Ghanaians ultimately pay more for imported goods such as fuel, machinery, food and medicine. Beyond trade, maritime insecurity undermines Ghanas blue economy, which encompasses fisheries, coastal tourism and offshore energy. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing alone drains the nation of hundreds of millions of dollars each year, threatening marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities. The MP stressed that maritime security cannot be achieved through law enforcement alone. She emphasised the need to connect national maritime policy with coastal communities, many of which remain unaware of the broader implications of illegal maritime activities. Maritime domain awareness must not be confined to the corridors of power, she said. It must extend to our fishing communities, who are both stakeholders and, at times, victims of these crimes. She proposed that coastal communities be integrated into Ghanas maritime security strategy through training programmes, community-based reporting systems, and livelihood initiatives for at-risk youth. Empowering local populations, she argued, would make them the first line of defence against illegal activities at sea. To ensure consistent financing for maritime protection, the MP proposed the establishment of a Maritime Security Fund, financed through a small portion of existing port charges. The fund would support enforcement operations, technological upgrades, inter-agency coordination, and coastal surveillance. This Fund will help us build the capacity we need to respond swiftly and effectively to maritime threats, she explained, adding that sustainable financing was key to protecting Ghanas maritime assets and ensuring operational readiness. Charting secure future The MP also urged the government to accelerate implementation of the National Integrated Maritime Strategy, a framework that promotes coordination among maritime agencies and strengthens ocean governance. She emphasised that maritime security was not merely a transport or defence issue, but a national priority tied to economic growth, food security and sovereignty. Our maritime domain is not merely a frontierit is a source of trade, energy, nutrition, and sovereignty, she concluded. If we are to secure Ghanas future, we must secure our seas. As Ghana deepens its role in regional maritime initiatives, the country faces a defining challenge to modernise its laws, strengthen institutions, and engage its people in protecting one of its most valuable assets. The call for reform was not just about deterring pirates; it is about safeguarding livelihoods, sustaining trade and securing Ghanas blue economy for generations to come. Dozens injured after magnitude 7.5 quake strikes northern Japan BBC International News Dec - 09 - 2025 , 14:14 3 minutes read At least 30 people were injured after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit north-eastern Japan on Monday night, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The quake occurred at 23:15 (14:15 GMT) at a depth of 50km (31mi), about 80km off the coast of the Aomori region, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. It prompted tsunami warnings which have now been lifted, while waves of 70cm (27in) were seen. Some train services have been suspended and thousands of homes have been left without power as a result. Authorities have also warned that a stronger tremor could occur in the coming days - urging the public to remain on high alert for at least a week, according to local media reports. Addressing citizens affected by the earthquake, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said: "Reconfirm your daily earthquake preparedness, such as ensuring that you secure furniture, and prepare to evacuate immediately if you feel shaking." Orders were issued for about 90,000 residents to evacuate, according to Reuters news agency. The Aomori prefectural government said around 2,700 homes have been left without power. East Japan Railway has also suspended some services along the north-eastern coast. The Japanese government has set up a response office within the prime minister's crisis management centre and convened an emergency team, chief cabinet secretary Minoru Kihara has said. "We are making every effort to assess the damage and implement emergency disaster response measures, including rescue and relief operations," he added. Following the tremors, Japanese electric company Tohoku Electric Power said no irregularities were reported at its Higashidori and Onagawa nuclear power plants as a result of the quake, Tohoku Electric Power said. None were detected either at the disabled Fukushima nuclear power station site, the Japanese authorities told the International Atomic Energy Agency. Fukushima was damaged when a magnitude 9.0 quake struck off the country's eastern coast on 11 March 2011. That quake, the most powerful ever recorded in Japan, triggered a tsunami which swept over the main island of Honshu, killing more than 18,000 people and wiping entire towns off the map. This home in Aomori prefecture was among those affected by the earthquake Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries. It sits on the Ring of Fire and, as a result, experiences about 1,500 earthquakes a year. Earlier this year, Japan's earthquake investigation panel said there was a 60-90% chance that a megaquake would occur in the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years, with worst-case scenarios suggesting it would cause trillions in damage, and potentially kill hundreds of thousands. Earthquakes along the Nankai Trough - an area of seismic activity which stretches along Japan's Pacific coast - have already been responsible for thousands of deaths. US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry Previous article: US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry Ouattara sworn in for 4th term Reuters International News Dec - 10 - 2025 , 13:32 1 minute read Cote d Ivoires incumbent President, Alassane Ouattara, was sworn on Monday, for a fourth term after taking over 89 per cent of the vote in an October election marked by low turnout and unrest. This vote is a choice for stability, peace and development, Ouattara said, after his government excluded main opposition figures from the election. Violence around the vote killed at least 11 people and over 1,650 people were arrested, according to official figures. We are not in the business of telling people how to run their country, Jacob Helberg, US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic affairs, told The Associated Press a day before the inauguration, adding that ultimately, we think the Cote dIvoire is a politically stable place that is growing quickly. Eleven African Presidents also attended yesterdays ceremony in the West African nation. Ouattara first came to power after winning a disputed election in 2010 against his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Ouattara oversaw a referendum that changed the Constitution in 2016 and in 2020, he said the amended Constitution reset his time in office to zero, which his opponents rejected. Supporters have credited Ouattara with restoring the economy in the worlds largest cocoa producer, while critics have accused him of tightening his grip on power. Bawku's lasting peace in sight? Asantehene to unveil roadmap to President on December 16 GraphicOnline Dec - 10 - 2025 , 07:16 4 minutes read The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will hand over his comprehensive report and recommendations on resolving the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict to President John Dramani Mahama next Tuesday, December 16, in a development hailed as a potential turning point for the violence-ravaged northern Ghanaian town. The presentation, set for 4pm at the Presidency in Accra, caps months of intensive mediation efforts led by the revered Ashanti king, who was tasked by President Mahama earlier this year to broker peace between the warring Kusasi and Mamprusi factions. The initiative, launched in April with initial meetings involving representatives from both sides, hit a brief snag before resuming in May, fostering a fragile calm that has allowed some normalcy to return to the area after years of bloodshed and disruption. Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament and spokesperson to the President, confirmed the upcoming handover in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 9, from the Office of the President. The document emphasised the significance of the Asantehene's role in steering the dialogue towards a sustainable outcome. The final round of talks, held behind closed doors at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi last week, unfolded under an ironclad security blanket, with military armoured vehicles and scores of police and soldiers deployed at key vantage points around the palace grounds to forestall any unrest. Leaders from the Kusasi and Mamprusi groups, flanked by their legal teams and supported by throngs of tribespeople both within and beyond the venue, engaged in roughly five hours of deliberations with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. As the session wrapped up, an air of cautious optimism permeated the atmosphere, evidenced by the exuberant celebrations that broke out among hundreds of attendees from each faction upon their departure. Supporters from both sides erupted in cheers, honking vehicle horns and revving motorbike engines, with many proclaiming their group's triumph in the process. In a striking display of thawing tensions, lawyers representing the rival parties mingled freely outside, exchanging smiles and handshakes in what observers described as the most promising indicator yet of a viable resolution. A source privy to the closed-door exchanges revealed that the Asantehene refrained from pronouncing a clear victor or vanquished, in keeping with the collaborative spirit of mediation rather than adversarial litigation. The insider noted that Otumfuo used the occasion to meticulously revisit every contention raised by the factions since the process began. "More importantly, the Asantehene announced that he would present his findings to President John Dramani Mahama for the next steps," the source stated. The report, expected to outline a clear roadmap for enduring peace, arrives at a critical juncture for Bawku, a once-thriving border municipality in the Upper East Region that has been scarred by intermittent clashes rooted in a long-simmering chieftaincy dispute. Since November 2021 alone, the violence has claimed more than 300 lives, inflicted widespread property damage, and left countless others maimed or displaced. The toll has extended far beyond the immediate human cost, transforming the community into a shadow of its former self and stalling economic activity across multiple fronts. Schools stand half-empty as terrified pupils and educators shun classes, healthcare centres operate at reduced capacity with nurses and doctors fleeing to safer districts, and local markets languish under the weight of fear-driven boycotts. Businesses have shuttered, investors have retreated, and essential services in trade, finance, and transport grind to a halt amid sporadic gunfire and killings. Curfews have become a grim routine, uprooting livelihoods and exacerbating poverty for thousands of residents caught in the crossfire of ethnic rivalries that date back decades. The Asantehene's intervention has been viewed as a beacon of hope in this bleak landscape, leveraging his stature as a custodian of traditional authority to facilitate talks that previous state-led attempts had struggled to sustain. While the mediation has not erased all friction, it has undeniably dialled down the intensity of confrontations, offering a glimmer of stability that Bawku's weary populace desperately craves. Yet the peace process teetered on the brink of derailment during Monday's events, when a spontaneous flare-up outside the Manhyia Palace nearly spiralled into outright violence. The incident was triggered as a bus ferrying Mamprusi participants pulled away from the main entrance, its occupants waving enthusiastically to kin gathered nearby in a burst of post-meeting elation. The gesture ignited fury among adjacent Kusasi supporters, whose mounting agitation threatened to boil over into a brawl as emotions ran high on both ends. Swift intervention by police and military units quelled the standoff, averting what could have been a disastrous coda to the day's progress. The episode, which lasted about 45 minutes, postponed the Kusasi delegation's exit until reinforcements had restored order, after which they departed to the acclaim of their own swelling crowd. With the report now bound for the President's desk, stakeholders express guarded optimism that its proposals could pave the way for an amicable settlement, potentially dismantling the structural grievances at the heart of the feud. As Ghana grapples with the broader implications of such ethnic divisions, the outcome of this royal-led endeavour could set a precedent for addressing similar flashpoints nationwide. Foreign Affairs Ministry summons Israeli envoy over traumatic treatment of Ghanaians GraphicOnline Dec - 10 - 2025 , 07:31 2 minutes read The government of Ghana has issued a strong protest to Israel after seven Ghanaian travellers were detained and subjected to what officials describe as inhumane and unjustifiable treatment at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. A press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, said the government was appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian nationals travelling to Israel and expressed deep concern that Ghanaian travellers had been deliberately targeted and subjected to inhumane and traumatic treatment since Sunday, December 7, 2025. According to the Ministry, seven Ghanaians, including four MPs attending the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv, were detained at the airport without cause. They were released only after more than five hours of strenuous diplomatic intervention. The statement added that the remaining three travellers were deported on the next available flight and have since returned to Ghana. The government described the actions of Israeli authorities as discriminatory and unacceptable. The Government of Ghana considers the actions of the Israeli authorities as unfairly targeting Ghanaian travellers and accordingly conveys its strong reservations against the humiliating treatment of our citizens at the Ben Gurion International Airport, the statement said. It further condemned the conduct of Israeli officials as extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent with our friendly historical relations, noting that the two countries have enjoyed cordial diplomatic ties and high volumes of unhindered travel for more than six decades. Israel has reportedly justified its actions by claiming non-cooperation from Ghanas Embassy in Tel Aviv regarding deportation processes. The Foreign Affairs Ministry rejected this explanation, describing it as totally untenable, adding that our mission in Tel Aviv has been responsive and compliant with international law. The Ministry will today summon officials of the Israeli Embassy in Accra to formally register Ghanas displeasure in the strongest possible terms. The statement also noted that government is considering appropriate reciprocal action. In a post on social media, Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa reinforced the governments position, writing: The Government of Ghana is appalled at the ill-treatment meted out to Ghanaian travellers by Israeli authorities. We strongly protest. Ghana is considering immediate reciprocal action. Mahama: I think it is premature to call for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Previous article: Mahama: I think it is premature to call for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Ghana deports 3 Israelis after ill-treatment of its citizens at Tel Aviv Airport GraphicOnline Dec - 10 - 2025 , 15:52 2 minutes read Ghana has deported three Israeli nationals in a swift reciprocal response to what it describes as the ill-treatment and unjustified deportation of three Ghanaians by Israeli authorities at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that the deportations were carried out after seven Ghanaian travellers were detained without cause on Sunday, December 7, 2025, including four Members of Parliament attending the Annual International Cybersecurity Conference in Tel Aviv. The remaining three Ghanaians were placed on the next available flight and have since arrived in Ghana. In an accompanying statement, the Ministry said: Following the ill-treatment and unjustified deportation of three Ghanaian nationals by Israeli authorities, the Government of Ghana has been compelled to retaliate by deporting three Israelis who arrived in Ghana earlier today. It added that the Charge dAffaires ad interim of the Israeli Embassy had been summoned, as the Ambassador was outside the jurisdiction, and that both countries had agreed to resolve the matter amicably. The government condemned the conduct of Israeli authorities at the entry port, stressing that it had observed with great concern a pattern of deliberate targeting and inhumane and traumatic treatment of Ghanaian travellers since December 7. According to the Ministry, the detained Ghanaian delegation was released only after more than five hours of strenuous diplomatic intervention. The Ministry rejected Israels reported justification that the deportations were linked to alleged non-cooperation by Ghanas Embassy in Tel Aviv concerning the removal of Ghanaians in Israeli custody. It described the claim as totally untenable, insisting that the mission has been responsive and compliant with international law. While reaffirming Ghanas commitment to longstanding diplomatic ties, the Ministry said the country would not tolerate disrespect towards its citizens. Ghana deeply values our relations with all friendly countries and expects our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect in much the same way as other governments expect Ghana to treat their nationals, the statement said. The Ministry reiterated that Ghana has enjoyed more than six decades of cordial relations with Israel, including substantial volumes of visa-free movement between both nations. It, however, described the recent actions by Israeli authorities as extremely provocative, unacceptable and inconsistent with our friendly historical relations. Although both governments have agreed to seek an amicable solution, the Ministry confirmed that Ghana is considering additional reciprocal measures should the situation persist. Interior Ministry launches online digital services portal to process citizenship applications and others Previous article: Interior Ministry launches online digital services portal to process citizenship applications and others Government to introduce national VAT reward scheme next year Mohammed Ali Dec - 10 - 2025 , 13:59 1 minute read The Ministry of Finance will next year introduce a National Value Added Tax Reward Scheme and deploy fiscal electronic devices as part of reforms aimed at improving tax compliance and reducing revenue leakages. The Finance Minister, Dr Ato Forson, announced the measures on December 10, 2025, after meeting officials of the Large Taxpayer Office at VAT House in Accra. A post on the Ministry of Finance's Facebook page stated that under the scheme, VAT receipts collected by compliant taxpayers will be entered into national draws, offering participants the chance to win rewards. Dr Ato Forson said the move is expected to encourage more Ghanaians to request receipts and reduce leakages in the VAT chain. He said the reward scheme forms part of broader tax administration changes planned for next year. These include a redesigned VAT system and the use of fiscal electronic devices to improve compliance, transparency and data accuracy. During the interaction at VAT House, Dr Ato Forson said he intended to strengthen the work of the Large Taxpayer Office and address challenges that slow revenue mobilisation. Parliament passed the Value Added Tax Bill 2025 on November 26, 2025. The bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, abolished the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy and reduced the effective VAT rate from 21.9 per cent to 20 per cent. Dr Ato Forson said the combined measures will support the governments drive for growth, jobs and economic transformation. Ghana deports 3 Israelis after ill-treatment of its citizens at Tel Aviv Airport Next article: Ghana deports 3 Israelis after ill-treatment of its citizens at Tel Aviv Airport Mahama: I think it is premature to call for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Mohammed Ali Dec - 10 - 2025 , 16:20 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has said calls for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) are premature, urging Ghanaians to allow the office more time to carry out its mandate. Speaking during a meeting with members of the National Peace Council at the Presidency on Wednesday [Dec 10, 2025], President Mahama said he does not support demands for the Office of the Special Prosecutor to be scrapped. He explained that the office occupies a distinct place in the countrys anti-corruption set-up because it has the authority to prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General. I think it is premature to call for the closure of that office, he said. The President said the office was created to address public mistrust in the Attorney Generals Department, noting that many Ghanaians believed an Attorney General who served in government would hesitate to prosecute officials from the same administration. People had mistrust for the Attorney General because the Attorney General normally is a member of the government and is a Minister of State. They believe the Attorney General would be reluctant to prosecute his own, he stated. He said an independent office with its own lawyers and security of tenure assured the public that wrongdoing would be pursued regardless of who is involved. I think we should give them a little time, he said. President Mahama said his administration intended to strengthen anti-corruption bodies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. That is why we are resourcing EOCO and the other anti-corruption institutions, including the Office of the Special Prosecutor, he noted. He said accountability remained important as Ghana worked to avoid the governance failures that had contributed to military takeovers in parts of West Africa. I do not enjoy prosecuting people. But the people of Ghana will not forgive us if people develop impunity in terms of abusing the trust placed in them, he added. 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 Mahama: I think it is premature to call for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Next article: Mahama: I think it is premature to call for the closure of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) Mahama signs Act to scrap COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy from January 2026 GraphicOnline Dec - 10 - 2025 , 16:32 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has officially repealed the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy after assenting to the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy Repeal Act 2025, fulfilling a major campaign pledge to abolish what he described as a burdensome and unjustified tax on Ghanaians. The repeal, signed on Wednesday, removes the one per cent charge that has been applied to goods, services and imports since 2021, when the levy was introduced at the height of the pandemic to support national recovery efforts. Parliament approved the repeal last month as part of the governments broader commitment to eliminate nuisance taxes and ease the rising cost of living. The original levy, enacted under the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy Act (Act 1068), was signed into law on 31 March 2021. It imposed an additional one per cent tax on the value of taxable supplies, including imports, on top of existing consumption taxes such as VAT, the National Health Insurance Levy and the GETFund levy. Although initially justified as a temporary measure, the levy remained in force years after the pandemic had subsided. With the Presidents assent, the repeal will take effect in January 2026, allowing businesses and consumers to benefit from the removal of the extra charge at the start of the new fiscal year. Speaking shortly before signing the Act, President Mahama said the tax had long outlived its purpose and had unfairly burdened households. This is the Covid Health Recovery Repeal Act 2025, and its my honour and privilege to sign to repeal the Covid levy. Promise made, promise delivered, and today is the 10th of December 2025, he said. He criticised the circumstances under which the levy was introduced, arguing that it contradicted earlier assurances by the previous administration. Purported to provide free water, free electricity, free food and a lot of things and then to the shock of Ghanaians, after the pandemic was over and after the elections were over, the government slapped Ghanaians with a 1% Value-Added Tax ostensibly to recover what its supposed to have spent on the Covid pandemic, he stated. President Mahama said Ghana remained one of the only countries where were being taxed for the pandemic that had passed, adding that the New Democratic Congress had pledged during the election campaign to repeal the levy. A lot of Ghanaians have disliked this tax, and today I am pleased that on the 10th of December 2025, Ive signed the repeal act to remove the 1% Covid levy, and I will present it to the Clerk of Parliament. The repeal is expected to bring modest relief to consumers and businesses, especially those in the retail and service sectors, where the levy had contributed to rising operating costs. It also forms part of the governments efforts to realign the tax regime, boost compliance and restore confidence among economic actors. The Ministry of Finance is expected to issue implementation guidelines in the coming weeks ahead of the January rollout. Supreme Court throws out NAM1s latest bid to stop his trial Justice Agbenorsi Dec - 10 - 2025 , 12:35 1 minute read The Supreme Court has dismissed an application seeking to halt the trial of the Chief Executive Officer of the defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, also known as NAM1, who has been accused of defrauding customers of the company. The application had earlier been dismissed by the High Court, where it was first filed, and again by the Court of Appeal before reaching the Supreme Court. NAM1 and two of his companies, Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult Ghana Limited, have been charged with 39 counts of selling gold without a licence, operating a deposit-taking business without a licence, inducement to invest, defrauding by false pretence, fraudulent breach of trust and money laundering. The allegations relate to customer losses of GH340,835,650 between 2016 and 2018. NAM1 has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He is on bail of GH500 million with four sureties. In 2024, the High Court ordered him to open his defence. After the ruling on the submission of no case, his lawyers filed an appeal seeking to overturn the directive and also applied for a stay of proceedings. The trial court dismissed the application for a stay of proceedings. His lawyers then turned to the Court of Appeal, which also rejected the request. Not satisfied with the Court of Appeals decision, they filed a fresh application at the Supreme Court, which has now been dismissed. Ultimate Sacrifice: President Mahama leads tributes for 54 deceased Police officers lost between 2023-2025 Kweku Zurek Dec - 10 - 2025 , 14:56 2 minutes read In a solemn national tribute, it has been revealed that 54 officers of the Ghana Police Service have lost their lives in the line of duty over the last three years. The fallen heroes, who died between 2023 and 2025, were commemorated during the 2025 Police Memorial Day ceremony held at the Police National Cenotaph in Accra. The service, attended by President John Dramani Mahama; the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohonu, honoured twenty officers who tragically lost their lives in separate incidents in 2025. Out of the twenty, six had their names engraved on the Police Wall of Honour, whilst the remaining fourteen were recorded in the Memorial Book of Honour. The wider roll of honour, however, paints a broader picture of sacrifice. A memorial list names 20 officers who fell in 2025, 23 in 2024, and 11 in 2023. The Service, in a statement, remembered "the men and women who, between 2023 and 2025, laid down their lives to safeguard our communities." "With solemn reverence and deep sorrow, the Ghana Police Service honours the heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to our nation," the statement read. "Their courage, dedication, and sacrifice form the foundation of our peace and security. Though they are no longer with us, their legacy of bravery lives on, forever cherished by a grateful nation." The ceremony featured the laying of wreaths, with President Mahama laying one on behalf of the government and IGP Yohonu laying another on behalf of the police administration. The event also included the lighting of the perpetual flame, a flag-raising ceremony, and prayers for the fallen, their families, and the nation. Police Memorial Day is observed annually to pay tribute to officers who gave their lives in service of the nation. The ceremony was first held in 2014 to recognise serving police officers who lost their lives while undertaking lawful duties within Ghana, on peacekeeping missions, or on international assignments. Election 2024: A year later Dr John Osae-Kwapong Politics Dec - 10 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read This past Sunday was December 7, exactly a year ago when Ghanaians went to the polls to decide whether to allow the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to Break the 8 by handing them another term in office or to vote the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), back into office. Today, we all know how the story of that election turned out. In retrospect, the result of that election offers us some very important food for thought. Lessons from the 2024 election First, is the Ghanaian voters use of the ballot box as a key accountability tool. The civic engagement habits of the ordinary Ghanaian, as captured by the Afrobarometer, leave much to be desired except when it comes to voting. This was clearly demonstrated in the mandate handed to the NDC both in terms of the vote margins in the presidential race and the number of seats in Parliament. In between elections, public officers may be able to escape the accountability efforts of citizens, but ultimately the ballot box becomes their undoing. We say this in 2016 and again, and to an even greater degree in 2024. Second, economic conditions matter and former President Kufuor and the NPP framed it best in the 2000 election when they forcefully argued that Ghanaians must examine their living conditions and then let that inform how they vote. The same was true in 2024. There is no denying that Ghanaians faced some major economic pinch points, which were attributed to the NPPs management of the economy. In response, the message of change and the promise of better management of the economy resonated well with enough voters for the NPP to be voted out of power. Third, perceptions of corruption cannot be overlooked.Between Afrobarometer Round 8 (2019) and Round 10 (2024), the percentage of Ghanaians saying corruption had increased a lot jumped from 38 per cent to 63 per cent. Over the same period, the percentage of Ghanaians rating the governments fight against corruption as fairly well/very well dropped from an already low of 39 per cent to 15 per cent. In my opinion, the rigid position of approaching the fight against corruption as a matter of due process alone, hurt the President and his party as it created the impression that it was not interested in dealing with corruption. Fourth, how a party governs has consequences. In 2016, I recall my mother saying to me that voting for the NDC, given everything Ghanaians has experienced especially with the economy and dumsor it will send a wrong signal that governing has no consequences. Her point was simply poor governance outcomes must not be rewarded with electoral victory. And in 2024, a dispassionate view of conditions in the country was enough to apply my mothers standard to what needed to happen in that election. Fifth, chairs of Electoral Commissions (ECs) do not guarantee electoral victory. In the lead-up to the 2016 election, the NPP did not hide its suspicion of the EC chair. The same was true in the 2024 election, looking back at the many issues the NDC raised about the EC chair. In both elections, neither of these returning officers had power over what Ghanaian voters were determined to do. Sure, the parties will argue that their protect the ballot strategies ensured there was no electoral manipulation. While their vigilance is helpful, the point remains that the Ghanaian voter is more powerful than any EC Chair. Sixth, policies alone cannot save a government that Ghanaians are dissatisfied with. It is instructive to note that, despite all the poor ratings in Afrobarometer Round 10 (2024) on matters such as trust, perceptions of corruption, central governance performance, etc, there was strong support for key policies of the NPP government Free SHS (86 per cent); One district One Factory (76 per cent); Planting for Food and Jobs (81 per cent); and One Village One Dam (63 per cent). The lesson here is that rolling out good policies is necessary. However, the results of such good policies, the state of the economy, and other matters of good governance are helpful to improve the electoral prospects of an incumbent party. Lessons for all incumbent parties What should incumbent political parties take away from the 2024 election? Ghanaian voters may have settled into an eight-year cycle for its two main political parties. But the 2016 and 2024 elections illustrate an important point - Ghanaians will not shy away from showing an incumbent party the door if dissatisfied with conditions in the country. Yes, an incumbent under favourable country conditions lost the 2008 election. But the closeness of that election should tell you what kind of fate awaits an incumbent when conditions in the country are extremely unfavourable. That is the biggest lesson I hope incumbent political parties will learn from what happened to the NPP in the 2024 election. The writer is Project Director, Democracy Project. Kpandai seat creates chaos in Parliament Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Dec - 10 - 2025 , 07:19 5 minutes read Parliament slumped into chaos yesterday as the Minority side rejected the declaration of the Kpandai Constituency seat vacant, and instead demanded the withdrawal of the statement issued by the House to that effect. It was a re-enactment from Parliaments recent playbook, with the Minority clad in black with matching nose masks resorting to noisy chants, including during a 15-minute submission by the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga. They sang, banged tables and refused to yield to the Houses normal procedures in frantic defiance of Parliaments own enduring rules and procedures. The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh, later declared that until the Kpandai controversy was resolved, government business would suffer. Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Mr Annor-Dompreh averred that the declaration made by the Speaker of Parliament the previous day, following a ruling by the High Court, was premature, given that an application for stay of execution was pending before the court. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nsawam-Adoagyiri further insisted that the declaration of the seat vacant was "inconsistent with binding procedural rules governing the effects of application for stay of execution". Mr Speaker, it is not right. When an application for stay of execution is pending for determination, any proceeding for execution of the judgment shall be stayed for the period, he said. Mr Annor-Dompreh affirmed that the Minority side do not agree to the letter submitted to the EC (Electoral Commission), and called for it to be withdrawn forthwith. He added that as a major pillar of democracy, Parliament must set a good example to society. Majoritys reaction But the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, defended the Clerk of Parliament's decision to notify the EC of the vacancy of the Kpandai Constituency seat. In a composed speech that travelled the path of history and precedents despite the noisy bangs and chants of the Minority, Mr Ayariga cited Article 112(5) of the Constitution, which states that the Clerk of Parliament shall notify the EC in writing within seven days after a vacancy occurs, and a by-election shall be held within 30 days after the vacancy occurs. He explained that the Clerk acted in accordance with the Constitution, as the statutory seven-day stay period prior to his writing ended on December 1, 2025, triggering the obligation to notify the EC. "The clerk was obliged constitutionally to notify the EC. On the 4th of December, the clerk wrote to the Electoral Commission indicating that there was a vacancy," Mr Ayariga said. He emphasised that the Clerk's action was in line with the Constitution and the Speaker's ruling, and urged the House to uphold the notification and proceed with arrangements for a by-election. Concern Mr Annoh-Dompreh had said that the Speaker's decision had generated concern among Minority Members of Parliament because it appeared to undermine the rule of law. The law does not bind or stiffen whether an NPP or NDC member stands before it. The impartial and consistent application of the severe rules is the bedrock of the rule of law and the credibility of this House. If Parliament begins to act as though legal rules are optional, binding on some days and dispensable on other days, then we risk sliding into a dangerous culture of political tit-for-tat, where each Majority and Minority merely waits for a time to get even, he said. The Minority Chief Whip warned that a lack of confidence in Parliament would threaten the stability of the countrys democratic order. He questioned the inconsistency in the position of the Speaker for declaring the Kpandai seat vacant, while during the eighth Parliament, he strongly maintained that Parliament must not act when there is an application for stay of execution. This same inconsistency was seen in the Honourable James Gyakye-Quayson matter during the eighth Parliament, where you strongly maintained that Parliament must not act while a stay of application is pending. Mr Speaker, with respect, the question that naturally arises is, why has the principle changed? What explains the abrupt departure from the binding reasoning you articulated on 24th November, 2025? Why does the stay rule apply in one circumstance, but not the other, particularly when the factual and procedural posture is virtually identical? The MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri said until the contention over the declaration of the Kpandai seat was resolved, the Minority caucus would not cooperate with the Majority in doing government business. We on this side will not cooperate with you. We have made and will continue to make this point; we are not obstructing government business. We believe that governance is a continuum, and we must continue with government business. You have conspired to twist our hands. I put it to you that government business will suffer. So, Mr Speaker, we are not doing any government business; we are not going to cooperate with you until the Kpandai (case) is resolved, he stated. Once Mr Annor-Dompreh concluded his submission, the Minority went into a disruptive mood, trying to drown the voice of Mr Ayariga. The Majority Leader, however, persevered throughout. Misinterpretation of ruling However, the Majority Leader said the argument advanced by the Minority Chief Whip did not reflect the intent of the Speakers ruling delivered on the vacancy of the seat last month. He indicated that the Speakers ruling citing provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules 1997, Constitutional Instrument (CI) 19, as amended in the Court of Appeal Rules of 2020, CI 132 Rule 27.3, did not mean the MP of Kpandai could continue to hold himself as an MP. The Speaker deferred ruling on the matter. Adjournment denied The Minority then requested that Parliament adjourn proceedings, but the Majority rejected the request. And when a voice vote went against them in addition to an unfavourable ruling on a request for a head count, the Minority raised the noise decibel as the Majority proceeded to pass various appropriations of the 2026 Budget. We will not be distracted: Majority defiant as opposition turns chamber into protest ground Kweku Zurek Politics Dec - 09 - 2025 , 21:25 2 minutes read Ghanas Parliament plunged into disorder on Tuesday when Minority MPs stormed the well of the House in protest against the Speakers decision to treat the Kpandai constituency seat as vacant, sparking a near-brawl that briefly brought proceedings to a standstill. Yet, the Majority still managed to ram through approval of the 2026 Budget allocation reports. Dressed in black as a mark of mourning for what they called parliamentary democracy, dozens of opposition lawmakers left their seats, surged to the centre of the chamber and began chanting loudly while waving placards. The sudden movement drew Majority MPs forward as well, turning the floor into a sea of shouting and finger-pointing figures until parliamentary marshals waded in to separate the two sides. Speaker Alban Bagbin had earlier deferred his formal ruling on the legality of the vacancy declaration but directed that the days business should continue after a voice vote. The Minority rejected the ruling and intensified their demonstration, making it almost impossible to hear anything from the chair. Even as the chaos unfolded, NDC members strategically positioned themselves at the table to read out the various winnowing committee reports on budget allocations for ministries, departments and agencies. The Majority quickly seconded each report and, taking advantage of their numerical strength, secured adoption by voice vote while opposition chants still echoed through the chamber. The root of the confrontation lies in a December 4, 2025, letter from the Clerk of Parliament to the Electoral Commission declaring the Kpandai seat vacant following a High Court order for an election rerun. The Minority lawmakers insist the process is sub judice, with appeals pending at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and accuse the Speaker of acting prematurely. The Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga remained defiant throughout the disturbance. We will not be distracted, he declared, accusing the opposition of pretending to be democrats and deliberately paralysing the House to stop rulings they dislike. The Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh countered that no government business would move forward until the Kpandai issue is settled, warning that the opposition was prepared to sustain its resistance. After the reports were controversially adopted, Speaker Bagbin abruptly adjourned the House, leaving the budget approval process hanging in the balance ahead of Wednesdays sitting. Speaking to reporters afterwards, the First Deputy Minority Whip Habib Iddrisu described the days events as shameful. As far as we are concerned, no government business took place today, he said, adding that the Minority would advise ourselves when Parliament reconvenes. Apple dominated the global best-selling smartphone list during Q3, but it wasnt the shiny new iPhone 17 models that held the lead for Cupertino. According to Counterpoint Research, the iPhone 16 was the worlds best-selling phone during the July-September months, commanding a 4% share of all shipments for the period. Apple iPhone 16 The iPhone 16 sold particularly well in India during the festive promotions and also showed some recovery in Japan. But it wasnt just the vanilla iPhone 16, as the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the best-selling list. This turn of events is not that different from last year when we saw the iPhone 15, 15 Pro and Pro Max occupy the top-three spots. Share of Global Top 10 Best-selling Smartphones, Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024 (Counterpoint Global Monthly Handset Model Sales Tracker ) Samsung was the only other brand to have devices in the top ten, with the entry-level Galaxy A16 5G and Galaxy A06 sitting in fifth and sixth place, respectively. They were followed by the midrange Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56, which slotted in at the seventh and eighth spots. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Samsung Galaxy A06 The Galaxy A16 was in ninth place while the iPhone 17 Pro Max rounded out the top-ten list despite limited availability, as it was available from the latter end of September. Source The murder retrial of Rudy Fegurgur Quinata, convicted in 2022 of killing former Humatak Mayor Daniel Sanchez, faces delays as defense attorneys await the complete record on appeal. Quinata appeared via Zoom from the Department of Corrections before Superior Court Judge Vernon Perez Tuesday. His attorney Thomas Fisher attended in person, along with prosecuting attorney John David Griffin. The next trial date is set for Jan. 13, 2026, pending resolution of the record. Quinata was convicted previously, but the Supreme Court of Guam ordered a new trial after Quinatas conviction was appealed in January 2024 His then-attorney, Peter J. Santos, had argued the conviction was flawed due to insufficient evidence and juror misconduct. While the justices upheld the trial courts ruling on the evidence, they found claims of juror misconduct to be a stronger case for a new trial. During Mondays hearing, Perez stressed that both defense and prosecution must have full access to records to move the trial forward. Fisher reminded the court that on Sept. 5, he had informed the court that the defense still required the complete record on appeal. Since that date, only a transcript has been received, which does not constitute the full record. Fisher said the record is needed to determine what matters remain for comment in the case. Fisher also reminded the court that during the Nov. 25 hearing, the defense had reported its intention to go to trial on Jan. 13, pending production of the record on appeal. Fisher added that motions had been filed and assumed they were resolved, emphasizing he did not want to waste the courts time on matters that may have already been decided. Perez said that while Fishers point was fair, the defense still needed to review the record to move the trial forward. Griffin told the court that defense counsel can obtain the record on appeal from the appellate court. However, Perez said he was not certain and acknowledged that accessing some records from the Supreme Court located upstairs of Superior Court has been challenging for all parties. We do not have direct access, he said. Fisher also raised questions about law enforcements procedures during the initial investigation. Im particularly interested in the way the police came into the house, and Im guessing the court may have already made a determination there, he said. Fisher said he was available to assist the government in ensuring the record on appeal was complete, noting that the record is defined by statute and the rules specify exactly what should be included. Well, that might help. Again, I want us to formally approach this so that we can move forward and get adjudicated, that is with a trial, if thats where were going. Perez suggested that both legal parties reconvene in about a week to ensure the record on appeal is complete and said that if the record had been promised, prosecution should provide it so the parties could proceed accordingly. The court scheduled the next meeting for Dec. 16 and directed both sides to appear to review the record and prepare for the upcoming trial. Roads will be temporarily closed on Chalan Santo Papa from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday for a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate Insular Force and Guam Combat Patrol Memorial Day. The inaugural legislative observance honors the extraordinary bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of the Insular Force Guard and the Guam Combat Patrollocal heroes who stood in defense of Guam and its people during some of the most challenging and defining moments in the islands history, a release from Speaker Frank Blas Jr.'s office said. Attendees will hear special remarks from descendants of the Insular Force Guard and the Guam Combat Patrol, who will share reflections on the service and legacy of their family members. Immediately following the indoor ceremony, Speaker Blas will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the Insular Force Guard Monument located at the Plaza de Espana in Hagatna, where the community will have an additional opportunity to pay tribute to these honored servicemembers. In order to accommodate expected pedestrian traffic for a wreath laying ceremony to be held at the Insular Force Guard monument at the Plaza de Espana in Hagatna it will be necessary to temporarily close the portion of Chalan Santo Papa in between the entrances to the Guam Congress Building and the Cathedral. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes during this time. The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands announced the death of Senior Judge Alex R. Munson, the courts second chief judge and a central figure in more than 40 years of judicial service across Micronesia. Munson died Dec. 5 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was 84 years old. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona said Munsons service shaped courts across the region for decades. Judge Alex Munsons judicial service to the people of the Marianas and all of Micronesia spanned over four decades, she said in the news release sent Wednesday night. He was always respectful to the people before him, as well as those who worked with him. She continued with a reflection on his enduring commitment After taking senior status in 2010, he was always willing to come back to the islands to render his assistance, she added. Our sincerest thank you, olomwaay, and si Yuus maase to Judge Munson for serving the court and our community with compassion and distinction. Munson led the District Court from 1988 to 2010, guiding its shift from an outpost of the federal judiciary to a fully modern district court as the Northern Mariana Islands underwent sweeping social and economic changes. His tenure coincided with the rise of an independent local judiciary and a jurisdictional realignment that brought the District Courts structure closer to that of federal courts in the states, the news release stated. Before and after his federal appointment, he served courts throughout the Pacific. He became a designated judge for the U.S. District Court of Guam in 1988 and later served as a part time associate justice for the Supreme Court of Palau and a temporary associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa. He remained active for years at Pacific Judicial Conferences. Reflecting on his 37 years of service to Guam, District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood offered a heartfelt tribute. He was a judge who carried both compassion and principle in equal measure, she said. When he traveled to Guam to help shoulder my caseload, he did more than handle sentencing and settle disputes, he brought a sense of calm, dignity, and genuine care to everyone who stood before him. She spoke about his character, saying, He was old fashioned in the best way steady, respectful, and unwavering in his integrity. Yet he was also warm and deeply human. He was my mentor when I was new to the federal bench, and I will carry his lessons, his example, and his friendship with immense gratitude. Dangkulu na si Yuus maase, Judge Munson. Munson was unanimously confirmed by the Senate and sworn in as chief judge on Nov. 18, 1988 after President Ronald Reagan nominated him. President William J. Clinton nominated him for a second ten-year term in 1998, and the Senate unanimously reconfirmed him that October. He took senior status in 2010 and later retired in 2025. His judicial career began in 1982, when he was appointed chief justice of the High Court of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. He heard more than 40 appeals and authored more than a dozen opinions during the territorys final years, as the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia became independent and the Covenant establishing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands took full effect in 1986. Staff members of the District Court described Munson as a gracious leader who treated employees and their families with consistent kindness. He was widely known for integrity, competence, civility, and commitment to the rule of law, as well as for his work on the Pacific Islands Committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Born in South Gate, California, on Sept. 25, 1941, Munson earned a B.A. in Education in 1964 and an M.A. in Education in 1965 from Long Beach State College. He received an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Southern California in 1970 and a J.D. from Loyola Marymount Universitys Loyola Law School in 1975. He taught in the Inglewood Unified School District before and after law school. He began practicing law in 1977 as an associate at Robert S. Talbert and Associates and joined Kirtland and Packard in 1978. Munson is survived by his wife, Kathy Munson, his in-laws, and nieces and nephews. Haiti - Justice : The fight against corruption, faced the regime of impunity On Tuesday, December 9, at the Karibe Hotel, Laurent Saint-Cyr, the interim President and Coordinator of the Transitional Council, participated in the official ceremony marking International Anti-Corruption Day. This ceremony, organized by Hans-Jacques Ludwig Joseph, Director General of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC), brought together various national and international figures, including members of the Cabinet of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Alfred Metellus; Sancho Coutinho, Head of Political Affairs and Good Governance at the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH); the Canadian Ambassador, Andre Francois Giroux; and other members of the diplomatic corps. Representatives of international organizations, senior government officials, and various delegations of students and engaged youth were also present. In his address, President Saint-Cyr reiterated that transparency is the foundation of public trust. He emphasized that young people can and must be both the actors and the inheritors of this fight, reaffirming that education remains the primary tool for promoting a culture of integrity and strengthening the collective rejection of corruption. He also stressed the need for effective collaboration among oversight institutions, essential for preventing abuses, ensuring the rigorous use of public resources, and consolidating the rule of law. President Saint-Cyr commended the crucial role of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) and all stakeholders in the national integrity system, whom he described as "Guardians of Transparency, Integrity, and Good Governance." Laurent Saint-Cyr reaffirmed the necessity for oversight bodies to carry out their missions freely and without interference, in strict compliance with the laws of the Republic, ensuring that justice is equal for all. He recalled that the Transitional Council had adopted, on April 16, 2025, the decree establishing specialized judicial hubs (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45376-haiti-justice-towards-the-establishment-of-specialized-judicial-centers.html), one of which is dedicated to the repression of complex financial crimes and offenses, and emphasized the need to work diligently and responsibly to make these hubs fully operational. Under his leadership, the coordinated action of the ULCC and other oversight institutions continues to strengthen the State's resolve to combat corruption with determination. However, despite significant investigative work by the ULCC, the number of convictions resulting from cases referred to the courts remains extremely low. Beyond political rhetoric, even though Mr. Joseph, under his administration, produced and submitted 68 investigative reports to the courts recommending prosecution, the follow-up and actual convictions remain very limited. It should be noted that of the 94 reports sent to the courts since 2004, the year the ULCC (Anti-Corruption Unit) was created, only two convictions have been handed down. One in 2024 was that of Roudel Ducherne, a former inspector at the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), and the other, on December 10, 2015, was that of Edric Leandre, former Director General of the Office of Third-Party Vehicle Insurance (OAVCT). Irrefutable proof, if any were needed, of a justice system where impunity reigns, particularly when it comes to corruption... HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre The interim evaluation, led by Marina Erhola , former deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, proposes structural reforms to the delivery of healthcare, social services, and emergency care. Finland should reduce its 21 wellbeing services counties to between 6 and 11, according to a government-commissioned report published on Wednesday. The expert group says the current system is financially unsustainable and administratively inefficient. The key recommendation is to re-evaluate the number of autonomous health regions, which the experts argue should range between 6 and 11, based on international benchmarks and population size. The panel includes researchers from multiple universities and institutes. Their findings suggest that most current regions are too small to independently provide comprehensive services and manage their finances. Only four regions exceed a population of 500,000, which the experts identify as a reasonable baseline for sustainable operations. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called the recommendation justified and said the report provides a strong basis for political debate. His party originally supported a five-region model before accepting the 21-county structure as a compromise in 2023. Three regions, Ita-Uusimaa, Central Finland and Lapland, are already under enhanced state supervision for financial reasons. The Ministry of Finance began assessment procedures earlier this year. Several other regions have been granted more time to stabilise their finances. The report proposes extending deficit correction deadlines to 2028, provided detailed recovery plans are approved. The panel warns that without significant structural changes, the current setup may lead to ad hoc mergers and inconsistent development. The report also reintroduces a previously shelved proposal to reorganise Finlands hospital and emergency care network. It recommends reviving the 2024 model, which would retain the five existing university hospitals, support 58 central hospitals with round-the-clock specialised services, and convert the remaining facilities into acute hospitals with more limited capabilities. That plan was politically rejected last year due to resistance from local politicians seeking to protect their regional hospitals. The report now suggests revisiting it before the 2027 parliamentary elections, when major health policy decisions are expected to be made. The report outlines three governance options: stronger regional autonomy, increased state control, or maintaining the current model. If Finland opts to enhance regional self-governance, the experts recommend granting wellbeing services counties the right to levy taxes. This would provide them with independent revenue streams but would also complicate the national tax system. Minister for Local and Regional Government Anna-Kaisa Ikonen immediately rejected the idea. She said taxation rights would increase the overall tax burden, reduce system transparency and require extensive equalisation payments between regions. Oversight of the regions is currently split between three ministries. The report suggests assigning full responsibility to a single authority to reduce fragmentation. HT The 33-page document, published on Friday, departs from the post-1945 international order. It marks the most aggressive shift in US global posture in decades. Europe, once the cornerstone of transatlantic cooperation, is portrayed as a failing continent, weakened by immigration, declining birthrates, and political systems that Trumps team says suppress opposition. The United States under Donald Trump has released a new National Security Strategy (NSS) that redefines American foreign policy and places its traditional European allies under harsh scrutiny, while drawing praise from Russia and avoiding criticism of China and other authoritarian regimes. In contrast, the strategy avoids labelling Russia as a threat and offers minimal mention of China beyond economic rivalry. The White House now defines its priorities as opposing immigration, targeting transnational governance, and supporting nationalist movements in Europe. The strategy calls for resistance within European nations and promotes alliances with far-right political parties that it describes as patriotic. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the NSS was largely consistent with Russias worldview and described it as a positive step. He praised the lack of adversarial language and welcomed Washingtons new focus on restoring strategic stability with Russia. The document identifies Europes loss of national identity and its embrace of multiculturalism as core problems. It claims that current migration trends and European Union policies have placed the continent on a path to civilisational erasure. In his interview with Politico, Trump accused Europe of becoming weak and stupid and said European governments were destroying themselves from within. He described US engagement with Europe as a sentimental holdover from past alliances, suggesting that the continent no longer serves American interests. The document includes a so-called Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the US will reassert dominance across the Western Hemisphere and retreat from entanglements in Africa, the Middle East, and large parts of Asia. The strategy distances itself from what it calls the naive idealism of past administrations. It dismisses decades of policy aimed at integrating China into a liberal economic order and criticises previous US leaders for enabling Chinas rise. Democratic members of Congress condemned the strategy. Representative Jason Crow of Colorado said the NSS was catastrophic to Americas standing in the world. European leaders have responded cautiously. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europe needs no external advice on managing its affairs and dismissed US concerns about freedom of expression in Germany. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed a post to American friends, calling Europe your closest ally, not your problem. He warned against ignoring shared threats. Others have expressed concern about the direction of US policy. Carl Bildt, former Swedish Prime Minister, said the strategy places the US to the right of the extreme right in Europe. The NSS marks a clear reversal from the 2017 strategy released during Trumps first term, which described Russia and China as primary geopolitical rivals. The current version omits both countries from the list of threats, instead warning about Europes anti-democratic practices. The administrations growing alignment with figures such as Hungarys Viktor Orban and Slovakias Robert Fico has deepened tensions within NATO and the EU. Trump officials have encouraged European states to increase military spending but suggested this should be done independently of the EU or NATO frameworks. Trumps Vice President JD Vance had earlier signalled this shift during the Munich Security Conference, accusing Europe of failing to defend its values and suggesting the US should stop treating the continent as a strategic priority. Those remarks now appear as an early preview of the NSS's direction. The strategys economic section also includes criticism of past US trade policies. It blames globalist elites for weakening Americas industrial base and pledges to expand access to critical minerals through bilateral agreements. The administration has also promised to continue its aggressive tariffs policy. In the Middle East, the NSS downplays long-term peace-building missions. This contradicts Trumps proposal to lead a new governing board for Gaza, raising questions about internal policy coherence. HT Suspect who socked officer and drove off in cruiser captured after multi-agency chase Ramae Cynquan Foster A suspect who allegedly struck a Brevard police officer in the face then drove off in her police cruiser was apprehended after a multi-agency chase that ended on I-26 near the Upward Road, the Henderson County Sheriffs Office said. Related Stories The Brevard officer sustained minor injuries after she was socked in the face by an individual she was attempting to detain after responding to a call near Burrell Avenue and Peace Drive. Brevard officers on the scene including the one who was hit in the face pursued the vehicle into Mills River before Henderson County Sheriffs deputies, the State Highway Patrol and Fletcher, Hendersonville and Asheville Airport police joined the pursuit. Deputies used a precision immobilization technique during the pursuit, which disabled the fleeing vehicle near exit 53. No one was injured as a result of the PIT maneuver, though Henderson County deputies encountered resistance from the 260-pound 6-1 suspect, who was subsequently arrested. Jailed in the Henderson County Detention Center under a $75,000 bond, Ramae Cynquan Foster is charged with fleeing to elude arrest, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger the public, resisting an officer, running a stoplight and wrong-way driving. All Brevard officers involved are expected to return to work soon, and the agency has verified that all equipment and weapons have been recovered from Brevards vehicle. The city of Brevard thanked the Transylvania, Buncombe and Henderson county sheriffs offices, Hendersonville and Fletcher police, the State Highway Patrol and Asheville Airport police for their rapid response and assistance. Sharper focus on expanding demand seen 08:31, December 10, 2025 By Li Jing ( China Daily Customers purchase goods at a Pangdonglai store in Xuchang, Central China's Henan province, April 15, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] China is expected to step up the efficiency of its proactive fiscal policy next year, sharpening its focus on expanding domestic demand and strengthening long-term innovation capacity priorities experts say will anchor China's economic strategy for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). In a recent signed article published in People's Daily, Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said fiscal authorities will "comprehensively expand domestic demand" and "support high-level technological self-reliance and self-strengthening", adding that active fiscal policy must be carried out "with greater strength and higher efficiency" to underpin the next stage of Chinese modernization. Analysts said Lan's piece offers one of the clearest signals of the priorities likely to be set during the upcoming annual Central Economic Work Conference. Lan wrote that fiscal measures will play a central role in unlocking consumption potential and increasing household income through tax, social security and transfer-payment measures, while cultivating new areas of consumer demand. He called for broader use of fiscal subsidies and interest-rate incentives to build new consumption scenarios, alongside special-purpose bonds and ultra-long term special treasury bonds for long-term structural investment. The minister underscored that public finance must remain "people-centered" and that more resources should be invested "in people and for people" by combining physical and social infrastructure to sustain long-term demand. This shift represents "a profound adjustment", said Qiao Baoyun, a professor at the China Academy of Public Finance and Policy at the Central University of Finance and Economics. "The article highlights a greater tilt of fiscal resources toward people and social welfare. It stresses that people are the goal and materials are the means." Experts expect the upcoming conference to outline more concrete steps to stabilize consumption and investment. Tian Lihui, university chair professor of finance at Nankai University, said domestic demand expansion and technological self-reliance will form "two wings of the same logic chain", supported by a more proactive fiscal stance and moderately accommodative monetary policy. "The policy approach combines 'more active fiscal policy' with 'moderately accommodative monetary policy', while introducing a consistency assessment across macro policies, bringing economic and noneconomic policies into a unified framework to enhance the foresight, precision and effectiveness of countercyclical measures. It forms a policy 'combo punch' that helps hedge against external uncertainties and strengthens institutional support for improving total factor productivity," Tian said. He added that coordinated measures, from income boosting for middle- and low-income groups to diversified consumption scenarios and equipment-upgrade initiatives, will help generate tangible progress and attract more private capital. Lan also called for stronger fiscal support for basic and applied research, national strategic science and technology tasks, and breakthroughs in key core technologies. Tools such as tax incentives, government procurement and investment funds will help upgrade traditional industries, nurture emerging and future industries, and promote deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation. Tian said the innovation push will evolve toward ecosystem building, with mechanisms such as "open competition for selecting leading teams" and "horse racing "parallel competition initiatives playing a larger role in frontier fields including artificial intelligence and biomedicine. One example is the recent financing by METiS TechBio, an AI-driven nanodelivery company, which secured funds from Beijing-based healthcare investment institutions to support platform building and technology translation, illustrating how fiscal and industrial policies jointly strengthen innovation capacity. International observers also expect China to maintain a supportive fiscal environment while managing risks. Alex Muscatelli, director of sovereign economics at Fitch Ratings, said China's fiscal stimulus was ramped up in the first half, not only through consumer-support measures such as trade-in programs, but also through infrastructure spending. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Emproy Hospitality LLP, for the development of Holiday Inn Resort Lonavala. Slated to open in 2027, the deal strengthens IHG's presence in the essentials category and underscores its continued expansion across India's fast-growing leisure destinations. Nestled in the lush, year-round greenery of Lonavala, the new Holiday Inn Resort will offer travelers a scenic getaway. Its prime location on the NH-48 Expressway ensures excellent visibility and access, positioning it as the corridor's next premier destination. Embodying the ethos of the trusted Holiday Inn brand, beloved for its consistent comfort and guest-focused innovation, Holiday Inn Resort Lonavala will feature 100 well-appointed rooms, three distinct dining options, and recreational facilities including a swimming pool, spa, and fitness center. IHG currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels,Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a strong pipeline of 72 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years. Hotel website Viceroy Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of Arash Azarbarzin as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in the brand's reimagined global expansion. A seasoned leader with more than 40 years of experience in luxury and lifestyle hospitality, Azarbarzin brings a visionary approach to growth, sustainability, and innovation across Viceroy's portfolio. As CEO of Viceroy, Azarbarzin will steer Viceroy's global brand evolution, championing its vision to redefine luxury through design, personalized service, and experiential storytelling that immerses guests in the culture, adventure, and natural beauty of each destination. His leadership will be pivotal as Viceroy expands its international footprint, refreshes its visual branding and digital platforms to capture each locale's essence, and revamps food, beverage, and wellness initiatives to reinforce the brand's ethos. Viceroy's latest expansion includes a partnership with African Bush Camps on three safari lodges in Botswana and Zambia, as well as the opening of Viceroy at Ombria Algarve in Portugal a highly anticipated resort designed to celebrate the region's natural beauty and cultural richness. In the U.S., a Viceroy Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho,slated to open in Summer 2026 will bring the brand's signature hospitality to one of the country's most iconic and exclusive mountain destinations. In addition, Viceroy is expanding into destinations such as Mexico's Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta, Waikiki Beach, Puerto Rico, New York City, and the Hudson Valleybroadening the brand's reach across both emerging and established luxury markets. Adding to Viceroy's already seasoned leadership team including Mark Keiser, President of Development; Thomas Medding, SVP of Operations; and Tony Machado, Head of Design, Azarbarzin has strengthened the brand's executive bench with a series of strategic new hires to guide its next phase of growth and transformation. The company proudly welcomes Patrick Pahlke, Chief Commercial Officer; Shel Buhler, Vice President of Food & Beverage; David Solis, Vice President of Global Luxury and Leisure Sales; and Megan Mulholland, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing & Wellness. Together, this accomplished team brings expertise across commercial strategy, brand storytelling, culinary/beverage innovation, wellness, and global partnerships, propelling Viceroy's rebrand and international expansion while reinforcing its position as a modern leader in experiential luxury. Destination AI (DAI) is thrilled to announce that its third annual hospitality summit will take place September 2930, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Following two years of rapid growth and industry-wide enthusiasm, the conference is expanding to a 1.5-day format to give attendees even more time to connect, collaborate, and explore how AI is reshaping the future of hospitality. The energy and growth we've seen over the past two years of DAI has been incredible and the feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors is that they want more ways to connect and discuss the unlimited growth opportunities that AI offers. With the expanded program were putting together, next year is going to be our best year yet. Nazpari Aydin, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Destination AI Forum What Makes DAI Different DAI is built around practical results rather than hype. Every session delivers real outcomes, proven use cases, and candid discussions about whats working and what isnt in AI adoption across hospitality. The event has cultivated a uniquely open and collaborative community where leaders share frontline learnings that accelerate transformation across the industry. This was an amazing one-day event, with a fantastic audience of thought leaders from across the hospitality space and sessions from so many top speakers. This was only its second year, but from a thought-leadership point of view, there is absolutely no better event anywhere in the world today for hotel technologists and operator. Douglas Rice, Founder & CEO Emeritus of HTNG Who Attends DAI attracts a highly strategic audience, with over 80% of attendees serving in senior roles guiding technology decisions and investment. The attendee mix reflects the conferences growing influence across the hospitality ecosystem and includes: Global hotel brands, management companies, and ownership groups Hospitality technology and AI providers Investors, VCs, and private equity firms Consulting firms and ecosystem partners Media and industry associations This powerful concentration of decision-makers creates an environment where ideas move quickly and where collaboration translates into action. As George Roukas, President of Gaipan, shared, Destination AI turned what if into let's go! It was the rare event where ideas, talent, and momentum all showed up in the same room. Further underscoring its impact, Gopu Menon, EVP of Revenue & Distribution at Highgate Hotels, said, I departed invigorated by the individuals I encountered, the insightful discussions we engaged in, and the practical strategies we brought back with us. Menon also added he is anticipating the upcoming conference to observe the significant advancements the industry will have implemented across hotels, accompanied by quantifiable outcomes with takeaways from the 2025 conference in D.C. What to Expect in 2026 DAI 2026 will introduce an expanded format, giving attendees more time to engage directly with speakers, partners, and peers who are driving AI adoption across hospitality. To give a sense of the flow: Day 1 Tuesday, September 29 The summit will open with afternoon programming, followed by an evening reception to continue conversations in a relaxed setting. Day 2 Wednesday, September 30 The second day will feature a full schedule of keynotes, panels, demos, and conversations offering a broad look at how AI is shaping the future of hospitality. Past speakers have represented major industry innovators including Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt, Microsoft, Oracle, and dozens of AI and travel-tech leaders. How to Participate Organizations can join DAI 2026 in several ways: Sponsorship & Exhibiting Reach hospitality leaders investing in AI Speaking Opportunities Present case studies and practical insights Industry & Media Partnerships Contribute to industry-wide AI learning For partnership and speaking opportunities, contact [email protected]. Register for DAI 2026 Registration is now open at www.destinationaiforum.com. Early-bird pricing runs through July 31, 2026. About Destination AI Forum Destination AI Forum is a nonprofit platform dedicated to advancing the adoption of artificial intelligence across the hospitality industry. Founded in 2024, DAI brings together hoteliers, technologists, investors, researchers, and innovators to share real-world applications and accelerate the future of AI in hospitality. Nazpari Aydin Co-Founder & Managing Director As we look toward 2026, the hospitality landscape is shifting from a period of digital adoption to one of digital refinement. The last few years were about acquiring tools; the next twelve months will be about making them speak to each other. For hoteliers, the goalpost has moved. It is no longer enough to simply have a booking engine or a chatbot. The winning strategy for 2026 lies in the seamless convergence of data, automation and human hospitality. Drawing on recent industry data and our own market insights, well explore three critical trends personalised experiences, AI evolution and the resolution of tech fragmentation that will define the year ahead. The era of anticipatory personalisation Personalisation has been a buzzword for a decade, but 2026 marks its graduation from reactive to anticipatory. In 2025, we saw a surge in mobile-first behaviours. Our data highlighted a significant 7% year-on-year increase in mobile bookings in key markets like the UK and Ireland, alongside a growing preference for last-minute, spontaneous travel. For 2026, this means the guest journey begins long before they step into the lobby it starts with a hyper-personalised digital handshake. Its about moving beyond generic "Dear Guest" emails to dynamic landing pages that adapt based on a visitor's location, device and past behaviour. If a guest is browsing from a mobile device in a local city for a same-day stay, the booking engine shouldn't just show them a room; it should serve them a tonight only rate with a streamlined, two-click checkout. This optimised path to purchase is central to driving direct bookings. We are seeing a shift where successful hotels are using their websites not just as brochures, but as intelligent sales platforms that mirror the intuitive experience of major e-commerce brands. In 2026, if your direct channel isn't offering a more personalised experience than an OTA, then chances are you have already lost the guest. AI and automation: the invisible concierge The narrative around AI is maturing. The fear of robots replacing humans has been replaced by the reality of robots liberating humans. In 2026, invisible automation is expected to rise, with technology working quietly in the background to remove friction. At Net Affinity, we are seeing this specifically in the payments and administrative space. By automating the payment collection and reconciliation process, hotels are reducing manual admin hours by double-digit percentages. This allows front-of-house teams to stop being data-entry clerks and start being hosts again. Furthermore, AI is becoming the engine of revenue management. 2026 will see wider adoption of AI-driven dynamic pricing that reacts in real-time not just to occupancy, but to competitor pricing, local events and even weather patterns. The result is a more robust bottom line where technology captures revenue that human analysis might miss. However, the human touch remains the premium product. The most successful tech implementations in 2026 will be those that are invisible to the guest but highly visible in their impact on staff availability. Solving the fragmentation headache Perhaps the most significant trend for 2026 is the industry's war on tech fragmentation. For years, hotels have accumulated tech stacks that look more like tech towers isolated silos of PMS, CRS, CRM and booking engines that refuse to talk to one another. This fragmentation is the silent killer of guest experience. It leads to data gaps where a guests preference for a quiet room is known to the booking engine but lost before it reaches the front desk. The industry solution is strategic partnerships and integration. We are entering a platform era where connectivity is king. A prime example of this shift is the strategic alignment between booking technology providers and property management systems. By creating a unified ecosystem, hotels can ensure that data flows unimpeded from the initial Google search right through to the post-stay review. We are already seeing this tech-first planning in new developments. Take, for instance, The Hawthorn by Galway Bay, set to open in Spring 2026. The property is a bellwether for the industry, placing an integrated technology stack at the centre of its planning phase rather than treating it as an afterthought. This integration-by-design approach ensures that every digital touchpoint reinforces the guest experience rather than interrupting it. The outlook for 2026 The hospitality industry in 2026 will be defined by connection. The successful hotelier will be the one who connects their systems to eliminate data silos, connects their staff to automation to reduce burnout, and connects their guests to the precise experience they desire before they even ask for it. Technology is no longer just about being online. Its about being aligned ensuring that your digital presence, your operational tech and your guest service delivery are all pulling in the exact same direction. Net Affinity is an Independent Digital Agency providing Revenue Generating Solutions for Hotels. Our services include Website Design, Digital Marketing and Booking Engine Technology. Our culture of award winning design and innovation together with a keen eye for emerging trends allows us to deliver services that directly impact on growing revenue for our clients. As experienced hoteliers we have a genuine and wholehearted passion in providing a complete customer centric service to our customers. We pride ourselves on the development of a relationship that allows us to nurture your business and ensure our success is your success. Talent shortages remain widespread throughout hospitality. The competition for dependable, motivated staff is fierce. Hotel owners, general managers and HR teams are still navigating the fallout of a post-Covid labor market shaped by economic pressure, shifting expectations and reduced mobility in key regions. In the latest episode of Matt Talks, Mews CEO Matt Welle sits down with Matthew Parker, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Mews, to explore what hotels can learn from modern recruitment practices. They offer a candid look at why hiring is so hard today, what hotels can do to attract stronger candidates and how culture, clarity and consistency can make or break your talent strategy. This article unpacks these ideas, translating the lessons from a high-volume tech hiring environment into actionable steps for hotels on the ground. Why hospitality hiring is uniquely challenging Hospitality is built on human interaction, and that requires the talent of an engaged, motivated workforce. But many workers who left hospitality during Covid simply never came back. Political volatility and cost of living pressures have made things more difficult. The result is a structural shortage that continues to impact operations. In contrast, Mews sees enormous interest from candidates. As Matt explains, in the past twelve months, weve had about fifty thousand applications for a couple hundred jobs. That volume has its own challenges, but it also provides a unique window into hiring trends, candidate expectations and practical ways to streamline selection. Hotels face a different reality. The average turnover at Mews ranges between 10-20%, but in the hospitality sector its closer to 70-80%. That churn costs tens or hundreds of thousands annually in backfilling roles, retraining staff and covering operational gaps. Its a business-critical issue rather than an HR inconvenience. Location adds further constraints. Hotels cant hire remotely for most roles. Staff must be on-site, on time and consistently guest-ready. In major cities, the cost of living creates even more pressure. The cost of hotel staff is going up, as well as there being fewer staff available. Hotels need a different level of strategic intent. Recruitment cant be a side activity. It must be a core part of business planning, because the quality of your team shapes every commercial outcome. Start with employer brand basics Employer branding isnt a marketing campaign or creative veneer. Its the feeling your current employees have about working for you, shared honestly with the world. The most effective employer brand assets are often simple. Employees talking about what they do on TikTok or Instagram. Short videos that feel real rather than polished. Stories that highlight pride, community and growth. These formats resonate because people want authentic insight into what a job feels like day to day. Hotels can adopt the same approach. Invite enthusiastic team members to share moments from their roles. Capture what makes your property unique. Give space for authenticity rather than corporate messaging. But as Matthew warns, Make sure you get your house in order before you start marketing your house. If culture issues, pay dissatisfaction or poor communication are unresolved, visibility will accelerate churn rather than reduce it. Nothing kills a business faster than good marketing of a bad product. Build recruitment into your business strategy Recruitment drives every performance metric, from occupancy to average rate to sales conversion. Without strong people, you cant deliver service, scale or maintain operational resilience. Hiring should sit inside your business strategy, not under it. Hotels that treat recruitment as a strategic function rather than a reactive one will move ahead. That starts by elevating HR from an administrative department to a people-focused team with clear ownership of talent development. When people teams are empowered, everything changes: faster hiring cycles, clearer role definitions, tighter performance management and a more consistent employee experience across departments. Pay transparency and philosophy matter Should hotels share salary ranges? According to Matthew, the answer is yes. Im a big advocate for pay transparency. It improves equity, filters candidates more effectively, and gives applicants a better experience. Transparency becomes even more relevant as EU directives push companies toward clearer compensation structures. Hotels will need to adapt sooner or later, so adopting a transparent philosophy now is a competitive advantage. But transparency brings responsibilities. If you publish salaries, the team you already have must be aligned if someone finds out theyre earning less than what youre hiring for an equivalent role, they wont feel valued. A pay strategy has to be holistic, not performative. Compensation is only one part of retention. Workers increasingly prioritize flexibility, predictable hours, commute support and the ability to occasionally stay on-site after late shifts. These factors contribute to a sense of care and stability, widening the value proposition beyond money alone. Rethink channels and reduce wasted spend Hotels often rely heavily on Indeed or LinkedIn to drive applications. But the hiring landscape is shifting. AI tools now enable one-click submissions, which has led to a 50% increase in job applications at Mews, many of them irrelevant. Every click on Indeed costs money. That means hotels are now paying more for less qualified talent entering the funnel. Explore social media as an alternative. Creative videos with a strong call to action on TikTok or Instagram can produce higher quality applicants at lower cost. For entry-level roles in reception or housekeeping, these platforms may be even more relevant than LinkedIn. Hospitality-specific job boards can still play a role, but broadening your recruitment mix can reduce dependence on high-cost channels and give you better control over targeting. Practical steps for hotels today Drawing from the discussion, here are nine clear actions hotels can start taking now: Treat hiring as a strategic priority tied to commercial outcomes Build a simple employer brand rooted in authentic employee voices Audit culture and workplace experience before amplifying it externally Develop a clear compensation philosophy and consider pay transparency Invest in flexibility and wellbeing benefits aligned to real staff needs Explore paid social as a recruitment channel for front-line roles Strengthen links with local schools and communities to spark early interest Make it easy for candidates to apply, with a clear and accessible CTA Track recruitment costs and churn to identify where spend should shift These steps wont solve the labor challenge overnight, but they help build a flywheel that gets stronger over time. Hotels should aim to hire great talent and also keep improving on that talent all the time. When you do that well, your people become the driving force of your hotels long-term success. Want more tips on how to beat staff shortages? Download our guide, 10 Ways to Manage Staff Shortages. Download the guide About Mews Mews is the operating system for hospitality, unifying workflows across revenue, operations and the guest journey so teams can automate the mundane and focus on memorable guest experiences. The Mews platform spans PMS, POS, RMS, Housekeeping and Payments, helping hoteliers move from property management to profit management. Powering 15,000 customers across 85 countries, the company was named Best PMS (2024, 2025, 2026), Best POS (2026) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech for six years running by Hotel Tech Report. www.mews.com Rendering of the Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro at Leblon - Image Credit Four Seasons Hotels Four Seasons and Catuai Asset have announced plans to open a Four Seasons Hotel in Rio de Janeiro's Leblon area by 2029. Four Seasons and Catuai Asset have announced plans to develop a new hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Four Seasons Hotel Rio de Janeiro at Leblon will be located on Leblon beach and is set to open in 2029. The property will occupy the tallest building in the area, previously known as Hotel Marina Palace, which will undergo a complete renovation before its reopening. The hotel will feature approximately 120 rooms and suites, offering views of the Atlantic Ocean. The renovation aims to transform the existing structure into a modern hotel, maintaining some of its architectural heritage while updating its facilities. The development is part of Four Seasons' strategic expansion in South America and marks the company's return to Brazil. The hotel will include multiple dining options, including a rooftop bar and pool and a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine. Additional amenities will include a spa and wellness center and a range of beachfront activities. The location is approximately a 30-minute drive from Galeao International Airport. This project adds to Four Seasons' presence in South America, which includes properties in Buenos Aires, Bogota, and an upcoming hotel and residences in Cartagena, scheduled to open in 2026. The development is part of ongoing investments in the Leblon area, which is seeing enhancements in lifestyle and leisure attractions. 2026: The Year Hotels Must Embrace AI or Fall Behind, Says Mews Report - Image Credit Mews The 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook report by Mews highlights critical transformations expected in the hotel industry. It emphasizes the need for hotels to prepare for AI-driven operations and guest services. Overview of the 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook The 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook, presented by Mews, forecasts significant changes in the hotel industry driven by artificial intelligence (AI). By 2035, most hotel interactions, from discovery to booking, are expected to be managed through AI, with a substantial portion of back-office tasks automated. The report stresses that 2026 will be a pivotal year for hotels to adapt their systems, data, and teams to meet evolving guest expectations and leverage AI effectively. Key Transformations Envisioned in the Hotel Industry The report outlines five major shifts expected to redefine the hotel business: 1. Discovery and Booking Go Conversational: AI will streamline the fragmented search and booking process into a continuous dialogue, making hotel visibility dependent less on advertising spend and more on structured content and connectivity. 2. Reclaiming the Guest Relationship: AI could either reinforce the dominance of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) or help hotels regain control through direct channels by utilizing connected systems and AI-ready content. 3. Agentic AI in Back-Office Operations: AI is set to take over routine tasks in areas like guest communications and housekeeping, improving efficiency and providing insights for hotel teams. 4. Evolution of Staff Roles: As transactional processes become automated, hotels will need to focus staff roles on areas requiring soft skills, such as empathy and brand storytelling. 5. 2026 as an Inflection Point: The upcoming year is seen as crucial for hotels to align their technology, clean up data, and start AI pilot projects to avoid being unprepared as guest expectations and AI capabilities advance. AI Readiness Checklist for Hotels To navigate these changes, the Outlook provides a four-step AI readiness checklist for hotels: 1. Assess Tech Stack and Data: Hotels should evaluate their core systems and identify opportunities for better data integration and AI readiness. 2. Get Content AI-Ready: Ensuring that content is clean, structured, and consistent is vital for AI-driven search and booking systems. 3. Run a Supervised AI Pilot: Hotels are encouraged to start with a specific, measurable AI use case to refine workflows and measure impact. 4. Build Governance and Team Buy-In: Establishing cross-functional teams and training staff on new AI-enhanced workflows is essential to maintain personalized service. Research Methodology and Expert Insights The 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook utilizes a Delphi-inspired research method, involving eighteen experts from various sectors who assessed future scenarios for their likelihood, impact, and desirability. This comprehensive approach helped identify consensus areas and provided a detailed view of upcoming trends in AI-driven hotel operations. Conclusion As AI continues to evolve, the hotel industry stands at a critical juncture. The 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook serves as a roadmap for hotels to prepare for the future, emphasizing the importance of adopting AI to enhance operational efficiency and guest experiences. Hotels that proactively embrace these changes will likely gain a competitive edge in the evolving hospitality landscape. Download the Mews 2026 Hospitality Industry Outlook report. The Green Mirror: How Digital Twins Are Powering the Sustainable Smart Hotel - By Prateksha Mohan - Image Credit HFTP Prateksha Mohan is the recipient of first place in the HFTP Fall 2025 Blog Competition. In her captivating article "The Green Mirror: How Digital Twins Are Powering the Sustainable Smart Hotel" Mohan dissects how Digital twins are transforming the hospitality industry by giving hotels the ability to visualize, predict, and optimize their environmental impact before a single guest even arrives. What is a Digital Twin? A digital twin is a dynamic, data-driven virtual replica of a physical space or system. Linked to IoT sensors and driven by AI, it continuously mirrors real-world performance - evaluating energy usage, equipment efficiency, and guest comfort in real time (Segura-Cedres et al., 2025). In the hospitality sector, digital twins are transforming properties into dynamic ecosystems that learn and adapt. They simulate how design choices, occupancy rates, or maintenance decisions impact a hotel's environmental footprint, enabling operators to anticipate problems and optimize sustainability well before challenges occur (Sarode & Ghosh, 2025; Ramnarayan et al., 2023). Designing Greener Hotels Before Construction Sustainability has traditionally been an afterthought in hotel development, but digital twins bring it to the forefront. Architects now utilize Building Information Modeling (BIM) and twin simulations to evaluate numerous eco-friendly scenarios prior to the start of construction. They have the ability to simulate solar exposure, air circulation, and insulation to minimize future energy consumption, or test materials to see how they impact long-term performance (Chan, 2025). For instance, turning a building's wing by fifteen degrees could decrease yearly energy use by 12%. These insights assist teams in creating hotels that are efficient from the start - minimizing waste, emissions, and expenses. By virtually experimenting with sustainable materials and designs, hotels can prevent costly renovations in the future. Digital twins transform sustainability from a reactive adjustment into a deliberate design strategy (Ramnarayan et al., 2023). Smarter Operations Through Real-Time Optimization After a hotel launches, its digital twin transforms into a continuous feedback system - a living control room that tracks and optimizes performance around the clock. IoT sensors deliver information on temperature, humidity, water flow, and occupancy to the twin. The system subsequently examines this data to identify inefficiencies and make real-time adjustments: Modifying HVAC according to real-time room occupancy to minimize waste. Identifying initial indicators of equipment malfunction to avoid expensive outages. Adjusting lighting and elevator operation based on occupancy variations. This constant loop of sensing and optimizing significantly reduce energy consumption, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce carbon emissions dramatically. The transparency of data it offers is also highly valuable. Digital twins can automatically produce comprehensive ESG performance reports - encompassing energy and water conservation, waste management, and air quality. Advancements in sustainability are no longer just a claim; they represent a validated flow of data observable to owners, investors, and guests (HospitalityTech, 2024). Turning Sustainability into Financial Advantage Digital twins make sustainability quantifiable - and quantifiable sustainability attracts capital. Predictive maintenance minimizes downtime and prolongs asset lifespan, while accurate data supports access to green financing and carbon credits (Chan, 2025). In 2023, a Hilton pilot project in the UK employed a digital twin model to replicate energy flow and achieved nearly a 30% reduction in consumption (Hilton & ei, n.d.). These findings bolstered its case for green bond financing - demonstrating how sustainability analytics can become a financial asset. For asset managers and hotel groups, portfolio-level twins facilitate benchmarking among properties, pinpointing inefficiencies, and modeling the ROI of sustainability upgrades prior to execution (Sarode & Ghosh, 2025). In a market increasingly influenced by ESG reporting, performance supported by data is not only responsible - its lucrative. Guests and the New Transparency Digital twins also bring sustainability closer to guests. Modern travelers seek transparency instead of assurances. A hotel might display real-time energy and water savings in the lobby or illustrate how towel reuse contributes to conservation targets via a mobile application. This involvement shifts sustainability from a behind-the-scenes initiative to a collective experience, enriching guests emotional ties to the brand. It transforms sustainability into a narrative - one based on real live data rather than marketing slogans. The Future: From Smart to Conscious Hotels In the coming decade, digital twins will progress from single-property tools to sustainability platforms that encompass entire portfolios. Hotel firms might utilize them to model regional climate effects, evaluate renewable energy integration, or predict carbon neutrality timelines. With the progress of artificial intelligence, these systems will shift to being prescriptive instead of reactive - recommending optimal measures and actions to achieve sustainability targets faster. Essentially, hotels will become conscious ecosystems that monitor and control their environmental impact in real time. In this day and age, what cannot be quantified cannot be controlled - and today, almost everything can be measured. The Hotel That Embodies Its Principles Digital twins go beyond being virtual replicas; they are reflections of how effectively a hotel functions. They bridge the gap between sustainability goals with execution translating purpose into quantifiable results. The hotels that will succeed in the next decade will not only provide stunning design or flawless service but will also operate in harmony with their digital counterparts - enhancing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, and reporting sustainability with precision. In the era of the Sustainable Smart Hotel, the greenest property may not be the one we can see - but the one weve built in data. This blog post was awarded First Place in the Fall 2025 HFTP/MS Global Hospitality Business Graduate Student Blog Competition presented by the HFTP Foundation. Participants are students participating in the Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business, a partnership between the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership at the University of Houston, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University and EHL. The blog posts that received the top scores will be published on HFTP Connect. Learn more at HFTP News. Prateksha Mohan is a graduate student in Global Hospitality Business with a focus on operations, marketing, and technology-driven solutions in the hospitality industry. She has conducted research on quality service management, guest experience optimization, and innovative membership programs for leading online travel platforms in Asia. Through internships and field projects across luxury hotels, hotel groups, and hospitality consulting firms, Prateksha explores how data-driven strategies and operational best practices can enhance efficiency, guest satisfaction, and overall business performance. She is passionate about bridging academic insights with real-world applications to drive innovation and excellence in hospitality management. References Chan, A. T. K. (2025). Digital twin for sustainable hospitality facilities. Cambridge Repository. Hilton, & ei. (n.d.). Hiltons AI-driven energy management case study: 30% emissions and waste reduction, 20% resource use reduction [Case study]. ei. HospitalityTech. (2024). Why hotel brands are turning to digital twins to solve their toughest operational challenges. NeuronCloud. (2024). Digital twin for hotels: Unlocking visual data to power sustainable hospitality. Ramnarayan, R., Singh, R., Gehlot, A., Joshi, K., Ibrahim, A. O., Abulfaraj, A. W., Binzagr, F., & Bharany, S. (2023). Imperative role of digital twin in the management of hospitality services. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 14(9), 529537. Sarode, A. V., & Ghosh, B. (2025). Digital twins in hospitality: A conceptual model for enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency. IIP Series. Segura-Cedres, M., Perez de la Rosa, J. O., Villalobos, J., & Martinez, S. (2025). An ontology proposal for implementing digital twins in hotel reception areas. Sensors, 25(14). Snapfix. (2024). Predictive maintenance using digital twins in hotels. 10minHotel. (2025). From kitchens to conference rooms: How digital twins are redefining operational efficiency in hospitality. World BI. (n.d.). The role of digital twins in hotel management. This article originally appeared on HFTP. Backroads announces 2026 trend outlook, including Unplugged acoustic non-e-bike trips. - Image Credit Backroads Backroads has unveiled its 2026 Adventure Travel Trends, highlighting a shift toward unplugged, wellness-oriented experiences. The trends emphasize demographic changes, with a notable increase in women and solo travelers, and a growing preference for authentic, local experiences over traditional tourism. Backroads has identified several key trends for 2026 based on extensive data and insights from its global network of travel experts. These trends reflect a broader shift in travel preferences toward more meaningful, wellness-focused adventures. Demographic Shifts and New Travel Preferences The travel landscape is witnessing significant demographic shifts. There is a surge in adventure travel among women, with bookings for Women's Adventures expected to double by 2026. Solo travel is also gaining popularity, particularly among women over 50, driven by the desire for empowerment and community. Family travel continues to evolve, with an emphasis on experiences that foster family bonds and reduce screen time. Emerging Destinations and Experiences Travelers are increasingly seeking out unique destinations that offer immersive cultural experiences. This includes lesser-known regions and activities that allow for deeper engagement with local communities and landscapes. For instance, the popularity of trips to the Cotswolds, the Canadian Rockies, and rugged archipelagos such as the Canary Islands and the Azores is on the rise. Human-Powered and Culinary Adventures There is a notable interest in human-powered travel, such as non-electric bike tours and hut-to-hut hiking, which allow travelers to connect more intimately with their environment. Additionally, culinary adventures that combine physical activity with local food experiences are becoming more popular, highlighting a desire to engage all senses while traveling. Accommodation Trends and Sustainable Practices Accommodation preferences are also shifting, with more bookings for mountain lodges and historic hideaways that offer a blend of comfort, authenticity, and sustainability. This trend is part of a larger movement towards more sustainable and meaningful travel practices. Future Outlook As we look toward 2026, Backroads anticipates growth of over 10%, nearly double its post-pandemic pace, as more travelers seek active, authentic, and environmentally conscious ways to explore the world. Conclusion The future of adventure travel is becoming more immersive and aligned with personal values and wellness. Backroads' insights for 2026 suggest that travelers will continue to seek out experiences that are not only physically engaging but also culturally enriching and community-oriented. Superintendent Aaron Dean presents the Superintendent's Certificate of Academic Excellence to Anna Thurston at Monday's School Committee meeting. Hoosac Valley Presents Academic Certificate, Talks Absenteeism Dean of Students JJ Choquette, left, high school Principal Colleen Byrd, middle school Principal Lisa Lesser and elementary Principal Chris Wenz explained their efforts to combat absenteeism. CHESHIRE, Mass. Senior Anna Thurston is this year's recipient of the Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence at Hoosac Valley High School. The award was presented at Monday's School Committee meeting by Superintendent Aaron Dean, who said she has been involved "in anything that brought student voice to the table." "She conducts herself in a professional way, but brings humor to the table. She's just really a joy to be around and a joy to work with," he said. "Congratulations on this great accomplishment and congratulations to your parents." Thurston is an honor roll student and a recipient of a John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. She's been a member of the Portrait of a Graduate committee, the Leo Club, the school's Student and Adult Advisory Board and the National Honor Society. She was on last year's first-place team in the General Dynamics STEM Competition and is a medal winner for figure skating in the Bay State Games. Principal Colleen Byrd read letters of endorsement from Thurston's teachers, who described her upbeat attitude, intelligence and confidence, her curiosity, and the positive, can-do energy she brings to all her efforts. One teacher spoke of how she joined the engineering class during her free period to support the only girl in that class. "Of course, she accepted instantly, soon became one of the strongest students in the class and paved the way for other young women to flourish," the teacher wrote. In other business, the committee heard about efforts to stop chronic absenteeism from Byrd, Principals Lisa Lesser and Chris Wenz, and Dean of Students for the middle and high school JJ Choquette. The pandemic had exacerbated absenteeism and the district is working to get the numbers back to normal, said Dean. "Last year, we made considerable improvement. We certainly weren't resting on our laurels, but it's a situation where we still have to continue to try to push and find ways to keep students engaged with school or re-engage students in school, which, whichever, whichever is appropriate for the situation." The district chronic absentee rate 18 or more unexcused absences is 25 percent compared to the state's 18.8 percent. The rate peaked in 2022 at 48 percent and dropped to 40 percent last year. The attendance rate is 92.2 percent with an average of 13 days missed. The highest numbers are with students of high needs, low income and disabilities; Black and mixed race children also have higher rates of absenteeism. The principals and dean outlined the process for identifying absenteeism and tactics to ameliorate it. This ranges from calls and letters and meeting with parents to determine obstacles to attending school to literally going to homes to wake children up or taking parents to court. Administrative staff that can include school adjustments counselors, nurse and school psychologist meet regularly discuss absent students and possible corrective actions. The principals credited Choquette with creating a "one-stop shopping" spreadsheet capture all the data at a glance. They said communication with parents and guardians is key, including how that communication is delivered. "We've done some work around the communication processes, a little bit to try to try to make it so people understand that our main goal is to make sure that the kid is all right and to get the kid to school so they can learn that's really the bottom line," Dean said. The principals agreed that the main excuses were sickness, family vacations, and transportation difficulties. But Byrd said older students are now thinking they can take a day off in the post-pandemic world and make it up online. "There's this kind of, 'I'm taking a day today, and I'm just going to, I'll do my work on my online classroom, and then everything will be fine,'" said Byrd. "And the reality is, a little bit of that is OK here and there, maybe five, you know, five, six times in the entire year. "But it starts to creep up, because you get into that, oh, I took a day here. I'll take a day next week. Next thing you know, you're in this pattern of, once a week I'm taking a day off." Dean said the high school has the most leverage in terms of getting students into the classroom because absences can mean no sports, no school activities. But that's missing for the younger students. Lesser said her kids get up and go to school because "that message is coming loud and clear from me." But, she added, not every parent has that appreciation of getting kids to school. "What would build that within our community? And do they understand that this is what will happen to their child if they are missing that much," she continued. "Some of our heavy-duty offenders are sitting at 20 to 30 absences. It's a lot of days." That led into a presentation on the district's multitiered support to engage and support children academically and behaviorally in all three schools. Dean went through the various programs available at each academic level. The committee also approved a field trip next spring to Nature's Classroom for Grade 6 and an update from the facilities subcommittee on preparing for winter. Committee member Fred Lora said there was also a discussion on the roof replacement on the non-renovated portion of the middle and high school and the membrane on a section of the elementary school. The window for application to the Massachusetts School Building Authority's accelerated repair program doesn't open until next year, he said. "The good news is that the elementary school, the reason why the middle portion of that building's roof has survived going on 35 years is because they did it right. ... "This one (at the high school) reached 25 years, and it's a serviceable life, but again, it's not something that we're going to be presenting to our communities next year or as part of this upcoming budget cycle." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UN human rights chief has expressed deep concerns over Hong Kongs alleged use of draconian security laws against people seeking an investigation into the deadly fire that killed over 160 people late last month. While the Chinese citys administration had launched criminal investigations, Volker Turk said on Wednesday, they had stopped short of forming a commission of inquiry with full investigative powers. A massive inferno ripped through the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Tai Po on 26 November, leaving at least 160 people dead and six unaccounted for. In the aftermath, police arrested 15 people, including construction firm executives and an engineer, on suspicion of manslaughter. Families devastated by the citys deadliest fire in decades were reportedly struggling to vent their anger after authorities warned against attempts to exploit the tragedy to "endanger national security" and proceeded to detain four people. They included a 71-year-old man accused of publishing online videos with seditious intention. The elderly mans was the only confirmed arrest by the national security police. The others were detained. open image in gallery Hong Kong student Miles Kwan, 24, who was part of a group that launched a petition seeking an independent investigation into possible corruption and review of construction oversight after the Wang Fuk Court complex fire, leaves a police station in Hong Kong ( Reuters ) In the first week after the disaster, police detained university student Miles Kwan for allegedly distributing flyers demanding accountability for the fire. He was accused of seditious intention, but later released on bail. Police didnt confirm his arrest, but said they would take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law. A former district councillor and a volunteer handling supplies for victims of the blaze were also arrested for allegedly inciting hatred of the government. open image in gallery Thick smoke and flames rise as a fire engulfs the Wang Fuk Court complex in Hong Kong's Tai Po district on 26 November 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) Im deeply concerned by reports that the territorys draconian security laws are being applied against individuals who have called publicly for a transparent and independent inquiry, a review of construction oversight, government accountability, and support for affected residents, among other things, Mr Turk said. He said the people of Hong Kong were right in demanding answers and accountability after a tragedy of such scale. At a tragic time like this, the space for discussion and debate on issues of major public interest and concern is more important than ever, he said, urging the citys authorities to drop these cases against those seeking accountability. open image in gallery Residents react as they return to their homes to collect belongings after the Wang Fuk Court fire ( AP ) When asked at a news conference last week why he deserved to keep his job following the catastrophic fire, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee sidestepped the question. He, however, pledged to take to task "anybody who dares to sabotage" the relief work. Chinas national security office had warned people against using the disaster to "plunge Hong Kong back into the chaos" of 2019, when massive pro-democracy protests challenged Beijing and triggered a political crisis. We sternly warn the anti-China disruptors who attempt to disrupt Hong Kong through disaster, the office said in a statement. "No matter what methods you use, you will certainly be held accountable and strictly punished. Hong Kongs security chief said that he had noticed that some people with malicious intent, aiming to harm Hong Kong and national security, have taken advantage of this painful moment for society. Therefore, we must take appropriate action, including enforcement measures," Chris Tang said. Following the fire, Mr Lee announced an independent committee to investigate its cause and review the building works system. He also ordered the removal of mesh netting and bamboo scaffolding from an under-construction building after it was found that the material did not meet flame retardant standards. 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 South Korea will require advertisers to label their ads made with artificial intelligence technologies from next year. The country aims to curb a surge of deceptive promotions featuring fabricated experts or deep-faked celebrities endorsing food or pharmaceutical products on social media. Following a policy meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Wednesday, officials said they will ramp up screening and removal of problematic AI-generated ads and impose punitive fines, citing growing risks to consumers especially older people who struggle to tell whether content is AI-made. Lee Dong-hoon, director of economic and financial policy at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said in a briefing that such ads are disrupting the market order, and that swift action is now essential. Anyone who creates, edits, and posts AI-generated photos or videos will be required to label them as AI-made, and the users of the platform will be prohibited from removing or tampering with those labels, he said. Officials plan to raise fines and also introduce punitive penalties next year to discourage the creation of such AI content (file photo) ( Getty Images ) AI-generated ads using digitally fabricated experts or deepfake videos and audios of celebrities, promoting everything from weight-loss pills and cosmetics to illegal gambling sites, have become staples across the South Korean spaces of YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms. The government will seek to revise the telecommunications act and other related laws so the AI-labeling requirement, along with strengthened monitoring and punitive measures, can take effect in early 2026. Companies operating the platforms will also be responsible for ensuring that advertisers comply with the labeling rules, Lee said. AI fuels surge in false ads Officials say its becoming increasingly difficult to monitor and detect the growing number of false ads fueled by AI. South Koreas Food and Drug Safety Ministry identified more than 97,600 illegal online ads of food and pharmaceutical products in 2024 and 68,950 through September this year, up from around 59,000 in 2023. The problem is also spreading into areas such as private education, cosmetics and illegal gambling services, leaving the Korea Consumer Agency and other watchdogs struggling to keep pace, the Government Policy Coordination Office said. Officials plan to raise fines and also introduce punitive penalties next year to discourage the creation of such AI content, saying those who knowingly distribute false or fabricated information online or through other telecommunications networks could be held liable for damages up to five times the losses incurred. Officials will also strengthen monitoring and faster takedown procedures, including enabling reviews within 24 hours and introducing an emergency process to block harmful ads even before deliberation is complete. They also plan to bolster the monitoring capabilities of the Food and Drug Safety Ministry and the Korea Consumer Agency using AI, of course. Despite risks, South Koreas love for AI grows Prime Minister Kim, Seouls No. 2 official behind President Lee Jae Myung, said during the policy meeting that its crucial to minimize the side effects of new technologies as the country embraces the AI era. The plans to label AI-generated ads were announced as Lee, in a separate meeting with business leaders, reiterated his governments ambitions for AI, pledging national efforts to strengthen South Koreas capabilities in advanced computer chips that power the global AI race. Government plans include more research and development spending on AI-specific chips and other advanced semiconductor products as well as expanding the countrys chip manufacturing hubs beyond metropolitan areas near the capital city of Seoul to the southern regions. South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, combined for more than 65% of the global memory chip market last year. The science and telecommunications ministry also said Wednesday it will require the countrys wireless carriers to transition to 5G standalone networks, which are seen as optimal for advanced AI applications because of their higher bandwidth and lower latency, as a condition for renewing their 3G and LTE licenses. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Indian government has ordered IndiGo to cut its winter schedule by 10 per cent afterthe countrys largest carrier cancelled more than 4,600 flights, causing days of disruption at almost all major airports. The government intervened after a week-long collapse of operations which authorities and the airline blamed on mismanaged crew rosters and an unprepared shift to stricter pilot rest-time rules. The regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation had initially announced a five per cent reduction but the civil aviation ministry raised the figure following a review with IndiGo chief executive Pieter Elbers. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes in order to restore stability, adding that the airline will continue to cover all its destinations as before. IndiGo, which controls over 60 per cent of the domestic market and operates around 2,200 flights each day, will need to cancel more than 200 daily services now. Industry analysts warn that the cut, introduced during Indias peak winter travel season, could deepen the pressure on an already stretched aviation network. Rival carriers, mainly Air India and SpiceJet, possess limited spare aircraft to backfill IndiGos routes. Aviation expert Sanat Kaul told the BBC that while the move might benefit travellers in the long term, it could drive fares higher in the short term. open image in gallery An IndiGo Airlines aircraft prepares to land at the Bengaluru airport on 9 December 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) The government has also directed IndiGo to cap ticket prices, process refunds swiftly, and speed up baggage handovers. The crisis has exposed the scale of IndiGos dominance. Of the roughly 1,200 domestic routes, IndiGo operates more than 950, according to the Indian Express. Aviation data examined by analyst and former airline network planner Ameya Joshi showed that some 600 of these were monopoly routes, around 63 per cent of its network, while roughly 200 were duopoly sectors where it faced only one competitor. The Delhi High Court, hearing a petition on Wednesday, questioned how the situation was allowed to spiral into what it called a national crisis, warning the fallout extended beyond the inconvenience and distress suffered by stranded passengers. open image in gallery Stranded passengers wait outside a departure gate at the Lal Bahadur Shastri airport in Varanasi on 6 December 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) A bench of chief justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and justice Tushar Rao Gedela asked the federal government why it had allowed the disruption to escalate before intervening and expressed concern over soaring fares charged by competitor airlines. A ticket that was available for Rs 5,000 (41) went up to Rs 30,000 (250) to Rs 35,000 (292). If there was a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go up to Rs 35,000 and Rs 39,000 (325)? PTI quoted the judges as asking. In spite of Mr Elbers claiming on Tuesday that IndiGo had fully stabilised operations, the ninth straight day of disruptions saw over 70 cancellations on Wednesday, largely affecting the Bengaluru airport. Flight cancellations had peaked at around 1,600 on Friday, followed by 850 on Saturday, 650 on Sunday, over 500 on Monday and more than 400 on Tuesday, according to the Hindustan Times. Delhi and Bengaluru were hit the hardest, with nearly 100 cancellations each on some days. Court filings and government statements suggested that IndiGos problems intensified after the second phase of the updated Flight Duty Time Limitations came into force on 1 November. The rules introduced to reduce pilot fatigue by mandating more rest and limiting overnight duties required airlines to either recruit more pilots or scale back their schedules. IndiGo reportedly told regulators it underestimated the number of crew needed and cancelled at least 755 flights in November due to the newly imposed constraints, the Indian Express reported. open image in gallery A ground staff member sorts luggage of stranded passengers at the Kempegowda airport in Bengaluru on 6 December 2025 ( AFP via Getty ) The regulator said the airline had admitted that misjudgement and planning gaps in implementing the new rules contributed to the crisis. IndiGo also cited a mix of additional pressures, such as winter schedule changes, weather disruptions, congestion across Indias busy airports and minor technical issues. In the wake of the crisis, the regulator temporarily relaxed some night-duty rules for IndiGos Airbus A320 pilots until 10 February to allow the airline to rebuild stability. Mr Naidu confirmed that the regulator had issued showcause notices to Mr Elbers and chief operating officer Isidre Porqueras and opened an inquiry. Depending on the outcome, strict and appropriate action as empowered under the aircraft rules and Act will be taken, he told parliament. The ministry earlier warned IndiGo of strong action over its handling of the crisis. Shares in IndiGos parent company have fallen 15 per cent since 1 December, reflecting investor concerns over rising operational costs and the prospect of further penalties. Passengers have continued to face long lines and overnight waits at major airports such as Delhi and Ahmedabad, with many forced to deboard delayed flights before they were cancelled. IndiGo said on Tuesday it had completed 100 per cent of refunds for flights affected till 6 December, with a directive to accelerate the remaining cases. Opposition MP Karti Chidambaram described the turmoil as a collective failure of the management of IndiGo, of the DGCA and the ministry, arguing that the airline had known for months about the new pilot rest rules and should have hired more crew. There was no monitoring by the DGCA, he told the ANI news agency, adding the regulators had cleared IndiGos request for 500 additional winter routes without asking them the crucial question whether they have the capacity. Close Moment 7.5-magnitude earthquake hits Japan 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 Japan was struck by a new 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Friday morning, hitting a similar area of the Pacific coast to Monday nights powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor. The new quake off Aomori prefecture triggered a fresh tsunami advisory from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which warned of the potential for 1 metre tsunami waves along much of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. That advisory was lifted around two hours later, but a number of communities along the coast were evacuated. The extent of damage or injuries from the new quake wasnt immediately clear. Japan had earlier warned of possible aftershocks following Mondays 7.5-magnitude tremor. Monday nights earthquake injured at least 51 people and triggered widespread tsunami warnings, with waves of up to 70cm reported in several coastal communities. On Tuesday, Japans weather agency issued its highest-level warning that a megaquake an earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher could follow Mondays powerful tremor. The notice, which remains in place until 16 December, was the first time this top-tier alert has been issued since the warning system was launched in 2022. 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 Japans weather agency has issued a megaquake warning, the highest level of earthquake alert, hours after a 7.5 magnitude tremor struck the country. Residents living near the Pacific coast have been urged by authorities to remain vigilant throughout the coming week and prepare evacuation plans in case they need to flee their homes. At least 33 people were injured in the earthquake on Monday night, with waves reaching up to 70cm seen in several coastal communities. Follow the latest update on the earthquake in Japan here. open image in gallery Authorities have warned that an even stronger earthquake could strike Japan ( AP ) Tsunami alerts from Mondays earthquake have been lifted, but a megaquake notice revives the threat of large and devastating tsunamis along Japans Pacific coast, authorities warned. Tuesdays announcement was the first time this top-tier alert has been issued since the early warning system was launched in 2022. What is a megaquake? A megaquake, also known as a megathrust earthquake, is an extremely powerful earthquake with a magnitude above 8.0 on the Richter scale, according to Japans Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion. They can occur as a result of plate subduction, when one tectonic plate slides beneath another and sinks into the Earths mantle. A megaquake could cause a fault rupture of up to 1,000km. If it takes place in a shallow area beneath the seabed, it will almost always produce a large tsunami, the organisation says. open image in gallery A fire broke out after the earthquake in Aomori City ( JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images ) Months ago, the Japanese cabinet office released a major update to its long-feared megaquake scenario, projecting that any massive offshore rupture could kill around 300,000 people and cause damage equivalent to half of the countrys GDP. But Morikubo Tsukasa, director of disaster management at the cabinet office, told reporters that global earthquake data indicates a possibility, not a prediction, of a larger tremor. Japans deadliest earthquake on record was in the Kanto region in 1923. The megathrust earthquake measured 8.0 on the Richter scale and was estimated to have killed between 105,000 and 140,000 people. Why is Japan vulnerable? Japan is positioned along the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire, where four tectonic plates the Pacific, North American, Eurasian and Filipino converge in a region which is teeming with tectonic activity. Constant shifting of these plates leads to frequent earthquakes in the country, some of which can have a devastating impact on the country. Japan, however, is relatively robust when it faces earthquakes of high magnitudes compared to other countries, such as Turkey and Syria, which suffered sheer devastation and a catastrophic loss of life in 2023. The country is regarded as having world-leading earthquake preparedness with resilient building structures adhering to strict regulations, along with regular earthquake drills practised in schools. The current warning is in place along the Japan Trench and Chishima Trench, covering coastal areas from the northern island of Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. Are megaquakes common in Japan? open image in gallery The Kanto earthquake in 1923 killed more than 100,000 people ( Kyodo News via AP ) The most notable recent example of a mega earthquake is the 2011 Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake, which had a magnitude of 9.0-9.1. Known in Japan as the Great East Japan Earthquake, it lasted approximately six minutes and caused a huge tsunami. It was the most powerful earthquake Japan has ever suffered, and the fourth greatest recorded in the world. Nearly 20,000 people died, with the great majority believed to have been as a result of the overwhelming tsunami waves striking the east coast. Other megaquakes in Japan in the 20th and 21st century, include 1933, 1944, 1946, 1952 and 2003. 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 Bonnie Blue has broken her silence with a five-word message following her arrest in Bali on suspicion of breaking local morality laws. The adult content creator, whose real name is Tia Billinger, was arrested during a police raid on a rental studio on the Indonesian island last Thursday. The 26 year-old Briton could face up to 15 years in jail or a 270,000 fine over alleged pornography offences. Ms Billinger has made her first comments since she was detained, while walking into the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Jimbaran, south of Kuta, the Mail Online reported. Asked whether she intended on making more explicit content in Bali, she responded: Subscribe and youll find out. open image in gallery Tia Billinger - aka Bonnie Blue - faces up to 15 years in prison ( Instagram/@bonnie_blue_xox ) The police raid followed public complaints that she had hired a bus to travel around the resort island to film explicit material during schoolies week, an Australian post-high-school celebration, along with at least 17 male tourists aged between 19 and 40, of British and Australian nationalities. The so-called bang bus is now over, Ms Billinger said in a video seen by the outlet. The police released 14 of the detainees without charge, but held an Australian man and two Britons in custody a little longer. Ms Billinger was also released but her passport has been seized. The group was allegedly creating content containing pornographic or immoral elements, police said, breaching strict Indonesian laws banning the production, distribution and public display of pornographic material. Authorities said they seized school Bonnie Blue outfits, along with cameras, condoms, flash drives, lubricant, pink necklaces, and two sheets of Viagra pills from the studio. The head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office said Ms Billinger was still being investigated and they wanted to 'follow up on several things that were found by police', the Mail reported. open image in gallery The performer featured in a Channel 4 documentary earlier this year, 1,000 Men and Me ( Rob Parfitt / Channel 4 ) The spokesperson said no charges had been made and refused to rule out deporting the performer. A fellow adult content creator, Australian Annie Knight, claims she had told Ms Billinger about the risks of performing in Bali. I did try to warn her of the consequences of filming pornographic content in Bali, she told the Mail. That being said, I hope shes okay as being arrested in another country must be a terrifying experience and I wouldnt wish it on anyone. Ms Billinger is known for controversial stunts, and was banned from OnlyFans earlier this year after making headlines for reportedly having sex with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. 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 top Cambodian official has accused Thailand of breaching international trust as a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire broke down and hostilities intensified on the border of the two Southeast Asian nations. With the violence on the verge of spilling into a third day, a senior advisor to Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet told The Independent that Thailand has failed to respect international law by launching air strikes on a disputed territory. Suos Yara, head of the Cambodian National Assemblys Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information, added: They have chosen the gun instead of dialogue and diplomacy. At least three Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have been killed since fighting broke out on 8 December following a longstanding territorial dispute. Tens of thousands more on both sides have been forced to flee their homes over the past two days of clashes. The hostilities are rooted in a longstanding dispute that dates back to the early 20th century, largely stemming from a 1907 map drawn when Cambodia was under French colonial rule, which Thailand has argued is inaccurate. Many Thais are still angered by a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice, which awarded sovereignty of disputed land to Cambodia a decision reaffirmed in 2013. The disagreement fuelled several armed clashes between 2008 and 2011. open image in gallery Abbot Phut Analayo, right, and other monks and residents who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, take shelter in Surin province, Thailand, 26 July 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The two countries have relayed conflicting versions of how this weeks violence started, with the Thai army accusing Cambodia of launching fire across the border at around 3am local time on Monday. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) said its own airstrikes were targeted on weapon depots, command centres and logistical routes assessed as direct threats, not civilians. It added: Cambodia had mobilised heavy weaponry, repositioned combat units and prepared fire-support elements activities that could escalate military operations and pose a threat to the Thai border area. Cambodia has insisted that Thailand acted as the aggressor, with the army alleging that Thai forces launched an attack at around 5.04am local time. It added that the attack happened after the Thai forces engaged in numerous provocative actions for many days. open image in gallery Displaced people queue for food at a temporary shelter amid deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Buriram province, Thailand, 9 December 2025 ( REUTERS ) In doing so, Mr Yara claimed the country had violated international trust following the agreements the two nations had signed up to over the past two decades. Mr Yara said Cambodia had waited 24 hours before retaliating when Thailand refused to deescalate. There no signs either side would step back immediately, despite both pledging their commitment to peace. Fighting broke out in new locations on Tuesday along the 817km (508mile) border, stretching from the forested hills bordering Laos to picturesque coastal areas, where the Thai military said navy-led operations were ongoing to expel Cambodian soldiers. It said Cambodia had used bomb-dropping drones and had unleashed an onslaught of artillery and rockets. Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out dialogue and said the military had a mission it must complete. "We can't stop now. We've already given our commitment to the armed forces that they can fully carry out the planned operations," Mr Anutin told reporters. open image in gallery FILE - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, right, and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, left, react during a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 26 Oct 2025 ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The violence follows a peace deal brokered by president Donald Trump in October at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, which now appears to be on the brink of collapse. Mr Yara praised Donald Trump for working "tirelessly" to bring peace to the region, but said it was up to the two Southeast Asian nations to adhere to the terms. Cambodias former prime minister and current president of the Senate Hun Sen has vowed a "fierce fight" against Thailand in response to air strikes, outlining a strategy to "weaken and destroy enemy forces through counterattacks". In a Facebook post, he said: The red line for responding has already been set. I urge commanders at all levels to educate all officers and soldiers accordingly. open image in gallery Displaced people gather inside a temporary shelter amid deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia along a disputed border area, in Buriram province, Thailand, 9 December 2025 ( REUTERS ) Mr Yara insisted that Cambodia only wants peace and is determined to do what it takes to halt the fighting. He told The Independent: Every moment that we speak blood is being spilled. We have to stop now. US secretary of state Marco Rubio in a statement called for an immediate halt to hostilities and for a resumption of de-escalatory measures agreed at an October summit in the presence of Mr Trump. 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 pensioner has been bitten to death by a wild monkey after it entered his home and launched a vicious attack. Chaiphum Sae-eung, 63, was found dead in his house in Yala province, southern Thailand, with dozens of bite marks and scratches, according to reports. The animal had been terrorising local residents in the run-up to the killing and had already bitten Mr Sae-eung on the shoulder ten days before its final attack. Villagers said the animal had been aggressively roaming the area while trailing a female monkey. Reports suggest one family had already been forced to flee their home because of its behaviour. Mr Sae-eungs body was found by his nephew Pipat Sae-eung, who discovered him slumped against a wall surrounded by a pool of blood and still holding the metal rod he had used to try to fend off the attack. The animal is thought to have repeatedly scratched him before biting off a chunk of his leg. The macaque is reported to have sat in the rafters of the home while police investigated. Macaque monkeys became more aggressive after the pandemic meant they missed out on food from tourists (file image) ( Getty Images ) Police major Jakkarin Laksana said a shoot-to-kill order has now been issued, according to The Sun. We speculate that he had been dead for around two to three days because his body was bloated and emitting a foul stench, he said. We sent his body to Betong Hospital for a post-mortem examination. We do not believe any people were involved in the death. The monkey will be killed if it is seen. The danger that it could attack more people is too high. Last year, the Thai town of Lopburi, rounded up and sterilised hundreds of monkeys after the animals had become too aggressive after the pandemic. The lockdown deprived the citys 3,000 or so macaques of food scraps they would get from tourists and they quickly became unruly, swarming buildings, stealing food, and sometimes attacking people. The Monkey City draws thousands of tourists every year and holds the Lopburi Monkey Banquet Festival every November. Under Thailands wildlife conservation law, macaques are classified as a protected species. Some 1,600 monkeys are reported to have been sterilised to reduce their numbers and aggression. 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 For 73-year-old Amnat Meephew, the recent resurgence of hostilities along the Thailand-Cambodia border has meant fleeing his home for the second time in just four months. Living mere miles from the disputed frontier, Mr Meephew is among hundreds of thousands forced to abandon their lives amidst renewed fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Visibly distressed, he shared his anguish: "Sometimes when I think about it, I tear up. Why are Thais and Cambodians, who are like siblings, fighting? Speaking about it makes me want to cry." The latest round of clashes erupted on Monday, effectively derailing a fragile ceasefire. This truce, pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, had previously ended earlier fighting in July, which tragically resulted in dozens of fatalities across both countries. Officials in Thailand said Wednesday that about 400,000 people have been evacuated, while Cambodia reported more than 127,000 displaced. open image in gallery Evacuated people, left, receive medical check up as they take refuge at Batthkoa primary school in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Unlike during the first round of fighting in July, many Thai evacuees in northeastern Surin province said they left before hearing the sound of fire following early evacuation warnings from local leaders, triggered by a brief skirmish at the Cambodian border on Sunday. I could only bring my clothes, Mr Meephew said. I even forgot to lock my doors when I left. Many took shelter in university halls, sitting or lying on thin mats, or in tents erected within their allotted space. Music played to help relieve stress. Health officials checked on evacuees, while volunteers organized activities to entertain children. Thidarat Homhual also received a warning on Sunday to leave her home about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border. She teared up as she spoke about her pets she had to leave behind. Her stay in a gymnasium with more than 500 others has been far from comfortable, but she said meals are provided, and support from officials and volunteers helped her cope. Maybe because this isnt the first time weve lived through something like this, I believe many of us can adapt. Although no one wants to adjust to living like this, Ill just go with the flow, otherwise it would be too stressful, she said. Cambodians take shelter in open fields Across the border in Cambodia, life for evacuees has taken on a rugged rhythm. Many said they left in a hurry after hearing shots on Monday, seeking refuge mostly in an open field. They erected tents or improvised shelters stitched together with tarps, anchored to the backs of trucks to shield themselves from the wind. People huddled for conversation, meals or sleep. Smoke drifted from small coal stoves where families cooked simple dishes, while others went fishing in a nearby pond to supplement their food. Loueng Soth arrived at a roadside area in the Cambodian town of Srei Snam with her seven family members. She said conditions have been difficult, and she prayed for the fighting to end as soon as possible. open image in gallery An wounded Thai soldier is carried to be transferred to a hospital, in Surin province, Thailand ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) I dont want to stay here and sleep on the ground as I do now, she said. I want the war to end so I can return to my home. With cool-season temperatures dropping, the chilling winds have made life in the same field even harder for Thai Chea, who on Monday fled his home just a few hundred meters (feet) from the battleground. At the shelter where he is staying, people donned sweaters and gathered around cooking stoves in the early morning to keep warm. But there is still no sign of when evacuees can return home, as leaders on neither side appear willing to back down. I want the war to end as soon as possible, so that I can go back to my home to do my farming work and take care of my dogs and chickens. They are at home with no one looking after them, he said. 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 Fast food chain Leon has confirmed it will shut a number of its restaurants and cut jobs after appointing administrators to lead a major restructuring. The company's boss criticised the hospitality industrys "unsustainable" tax burden, which he cited as a contributing factor. It is understood that the exact number of closures or affected workers has not yet been decided. The group has hired advisers from Quantuma after applying for an administration order. open image in gallery Leon co-founder John Vincent bought the business back from Asda in October this year, four years after it was sold ( Getty Images ) It said it will then form proposals for a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) restructuring plan in order to overhaul its operations to help secure the brands long-term future. Co-founder John Vincent bought the business back from Asda in October, four years after it was taken over by the billionaire Issa brothers. Leon was founded in 2004 by Mr Vincent, Henry Dimbleby and Allegra McEvedy. The chain runs 44 company-owned restaurants and has 22 franchised restaurants. 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 Police have launched a murder investigation after a 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Islington, north London, on Tuesday afternoon. Officers were called to reports of a stabbing on Westbourne Road at 1.02pm. Met Police officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance. A 15-year-old boy was treated by paramedics for a stab wound at the scene before being taken to hospital. He later died in hospital despite best efforts of medical staff. The teenagers family has been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart, who leads policing in the local area said: Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at the incredibly sad and difficult time. We understand this is incredibly concerning for the community, particularly considering the young age of the victim. open image in gallery A crime scene was in place on Atlas Mews and Westbourne Road ( Google ) Officers are in the area carrying out urgent enquiries and cordons remain in place. I would urge anyone who saw the incident or has any information, to please get in touch with us, or do so anonymously through Crimestoppers. Officers are investigating at the crime scene on Atlas Mews, Westbourne Road and Arundel Square. Anyone with information that may be useful to the police are asked to come forward and contact authorities on 101 quoting ref CAD 3568/09DEC. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 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 Thousands of asylum claims remain unresolved after three years, damning new analysis of Home Office data shows, as the government grapples to get the backlog down. The National Audit Office (NAO) found that almost half - 56 per cent - of the 5,000 people who made an initial asylum claim in January 2023 did not have a final outcome by September 2025. Some 2,812 people did not have a conclusion in their asylum claim, the report published on Wednesday said. Of those who did not have their case resolved, 1,369 were withdrawn, disqualified or suspended. Ruth Kelly, chief analyst at the NAO, said the watchdog had counted these cases as unresolved because the Home Office did not know what had happened to these asylum seekers or where they were. A quarter of the 5,000 cases were awaiting an appeal decision, and only nine per cent - 452- had been removed from the UK after their applications were unsuccessful. The NAO also criticised the Home Office for poor data records, leaving policymakers and the public in the dark on key issues. The Home Office has increased the number of initial asylum decisions that are made - with the number of cases awaiting a first assessment down 54 per cent on the peak of 134,046 in June 2023. However this has shifted a lot of the backlog to the appeals stage - where asylum seekers challenge the first decision at tribunal. It has also shifted housing pressures from asylum hotels onto local authority homelessness accommodation, with those evicted from hotels because of failed claims now seeking help from councils. open image in gallery A demonstrator holds a placard reading 'Refugees Welcome' during a counter protest to an anti-immigration protest outside the Sheraton Four Points hotel, believed to be housing asylum seekers, in Horley, south of London, on August 23, 2025. A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025 -- the highest number ever. ( AFP via Getty Images ) As a result, the first-tier immigration tribunal, which hears asylum appeals, is now under significant pressure. As of May 2025, the tribunals caseload included nearly 51,000 asylum appeal cases an increase of 88 per cent from March 2024, the NAO said. There were also nearly 22,000 cases based on Human Rights claims, such as arguing a right to family life in the UK, up 68 per cent from March 2024. Ms Kelly said a severe capacity shortage of judges to hear appeals and insufficient legal aid were causing delays, adding: Were seeing an increase in the number of asylum seekers who represent themselves at appeal and that causes delays and problems in the process. open image in gallery Protesters gather outside The Bell Hotel after the Court of Appeal overturned order to evict asylum seekers on August 29, 2025 in Epping, England. ( Getty Images ) Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: These findings mirror what we see every day in our frontline services: an asylum system that is simply not functioning, where people wait months or even years for a decision, local councils are under-resourced, and costs keep rising. He said that the finding that so many people are still waiting on an outcome of their asylum claim was shocking, adding: We support people who have fled untold horrors in places like Sudan and Afghanistan and want nothing more than to rebuild their lives, but the delays, bottlenecks and system failures push them into uncertainty, ill-health and too often, homelessness. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled radical reforms last month to restore order and control to the UKs asylum system, taking inspiration from Denmark. Under the plans, refugee status will become temporary and subject to review every 30 months -with refugees removed as soon as their home countries are deemed safe. The wait for permanent settlement will also be quadrupled to 20 years. Asylum seekers whose claims are denied will also be limited to make one appeal against their removal, instead of having the ability to make multiple challenges on different grounds. The Independent has previously revealed how thousands of asylum claims were being removed from the system for reasons including claimants failing to attend interviews or appointments, and not filling in new fast-track questionnaires. Applications could be withdrawn by the Home Office without the asylum seekers consent, official guidance seen by this newspaper said. Referring to the glaring data gaps, the NAO report said: The Home Office does not hold data on how many people linked to refused claims are living in the community and required to report regularly, nor on how many have absconded from the immigration system. It also does not know how many of these individuals continue to receive accommodation or other support. The watchdog estimated that the Home Office and Ministry of Justice had spent around 4.9bn on asylum in 2024/25, but that the cross-government spend was unclear. Dr Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory, said that the NAO report confirmed two challenges highlighted by the centres recent work failure to remove people who had had their claims refused and the persistent gaps in data that hobble system-wide planning. He added: "These structural issues contribute to rising caseloads, high accommodation costs, and long waits for decisions. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: Our analysis shows that the efforts of successive governments to improve the efficiency of the asylum system have often been short-term and narrowly focused, reacting to backlogs and rising costs. Successfully implementing the new asylum model recently announced by the home secretary will require effective action on the bottlenecks in the current system using better quality data and streamlined decision-making. A Home Office spokesperson said: The home secretary recently announced the most sweeping changes to the asylum system in a generation to deal with the problems outlined in this report. We are already making progress, with nearly 50,000 people with no right to be here removed and a 63 per cent rise in illegal working arrests. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A ban on social media for under-16s in Australia comes into effect on December 10 2025. Young people will see their accounts deactivated, with social media companies responsible for enacting the ban. In the UK, the government has committed to addressing young peoples use of the internet through the Online Safety Act rather than enforcing an outright ban. However, childrens use of devices is often limited. Bans on smartphones in schools, as well as parent pledges to delay their childrens smartphone use, have gained widespread traction in the UK. They are based on assumptions, including that smartphone use is addictive, distracting and leads to children doing worse in school. On the other hand, though, research suggests the cause and effect may not be so clear-cut. Studies have found that phone banning in schools does not significantly increase academic attainment or improve wellbeing. We are academics with decades of experience exploring young peoples use of digital media. Our ongoing research suggests that an outright ban on social media platforms for under-16s is problematic. It neglects young peoples rights and voice and penalises them rather than targeting social media platforms. Bans may deter children from talking to adults if they do see something harmful online ( AP ) Bans could erode trust between young people and the adults in their lives. Children may be put off telling adults about something harmful theyre not supposed to have seen. This could lead to them being less able to access support. Our ongoing study is exploring the implications of banning smartphones in schools in England. Survey data suggests that most schools in the UK do not allow phones to be used at all during the school day. Previous research by one of us (Jessica Ringrose) explored young peoples experiences with smartphones and social media at school. This research found that girls were being sent nude images by boys at their schools and were exposed to misogynistic messages originating from the manosphere. Nevertheless, our ongoing work shows widespread opposition to phone school bans among young people. Theres a generational divide: 75% of young people opposed school phone bans, while most parents (88%) and teachers (87%) supported them. A problem with strict bans in school settings is that issues and harms young people may encounter online, including those that originate from their classmates, are displaced from school. About the authors Jessica Ringrose is a Professor of the Sociology of Gender and Education at the Institute of Education, UCL. Rebecca Coleman is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. One of us (Jessica) has previously carried out research on the challenges of combating digital harms in schools that found schools lacked victim support and young people feared reporting online abuse. No phone policies may perpetuate this. Young people may be put off showing teachers something online that upset them when they know theyre not supposed to get out their phone. For parents, too, phone bans may be a way of pushing away a problem they dont feel equipped or supported to deal with. Interviews with mothers in the US who had signed pledges to delay giving young people smartphones revealed this uncertainty. Smartphone avoidance strategies delayed the need to engage in other, more nuanced, forms of parental mediation of digital devices. Simply deferring young peoples use of smartphones may not deal with the doubts and fears that parents feel around their childrens use of technology. Interviews with parents and carers from our ongoing study show they feel overwhelmed and unsupported when it comes to their childrens smartphone use. When youre a busy parent, making sure youre on top of monitoring what theyre doing seems like quite a hard task, one mother said. Theres just not enough guidance, another commented. What teens think Our ongoing work is focused on hearing what young people have to say about phone bans. It suggests that bans make young people feel a loss of autonomy and agency, and that they want guidance from adults on smartphone and social media use. This need for support is something that research has consistently found that young people want. They want to be able to talk to adults and to be listened to without judgement. We are not dismissing parents or teachers concerns, nor their hopes for safer smartphone futures. We are also not suggesting students use phones during lessons when it is not appropriate. Rather, we argue that listening to young peoples and families views about and hopes for tech is crucial. Research from the House of Lords shows an urgent need for critical thinking and analytical skills to access, evaluate, create and act on media, for both children and adults. Teachers have pointed to major gaps in media literacy education, especially around social media and AI. But without addressing this at school, online harms are not reduced. Instead, responsibility for them is shifted onto parents, who already feel ill-equipped to address childrens online lives. By focusing on media literacy in both policies and the curriculum, schools can address childrens experiences and views. This could include covering issues such as AI and social media business models, algorithms, misinformation, surveillance, privacy and consent in the use of technology. Its best if schools and parents are able to work together to address rapidly shifting technology concerns such as AI, instead of shifting responsibility back and forth. Parents and families need support to help children navigate responsible use of social media and issues including AI and consent. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to a member of the British armed forces who has been killed in Ukraine. The prime minister expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences for the services member, who died as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability, according to the Ministry of Defence. The ministry said: It is with deep regret that we must announce that a member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine this morning, Tuesday December 9. He was injured in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability away from the front lines. The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time. The UK has previously acknowledged that a small number of military personnel are in Ukraine, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces. The government has never said how many that is. Sir Keir wrote on social media: My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our armed forces who sadly lost their life today. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Defence secretary John Healey said in a social media post: Devastated by the death of a UK service person in Ukraine. My thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues as they grieve for a loved one. Our hearts go out to them. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: I am deeply saddened to hear the tragic news that a member of the UK armed forces died this morning in Ukraine. My sincere condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. The British armed forces have a five-week intensive programme in the UK that trains Ukrainian troops to become battle-ready. The death is not being put down to hostile fire, the Press Association understands. 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 family of a milk-allergic mum who was killed by a supposedly dairy free Pret a Manger sandwich have won a 1.25m compensation pay-out at the High Court. Dental nurse Celia Marsh, 42, collapsed and died after eating a Pret "vegan rainbow" flatbread sandwich while strolling around Bath on a post-Christmas shopping trip with her husband and three of her daughters in December 2017. Mrs Marsh, who was allergic to milk, thought the sandwich contained a safe coconut yoghurt alternative, but unbeknownst to her it was contaminated with milk protein. She began to feel unwell shortly after eating the sandwich and collapsed - and despite the help of a passing first aider, the mother-of-five died in hospital after being rushed there in an ambulance. Following an inquest into her death in 2022, the senior coroner for Avon, Maria Voisin, put the blame for her death on the contaminated sandwich, writing in her report: "A product which is marked 'dairy-free' should be free from dairy." Mrs Marsh's husband, Andy, who described her as his "best friend," then launched a High Court compensation claim on behalf of his family against the high street cafe chain and the product's manufacturer, Planet Coconut Ltd. open image in gallery The Celia Marsh Pret Store ( Supplied by Champion News ) Following out of court negotiations, Mr Marsh has now agreed to settle the claim, with lawyers yesterday revealing in court that the family will receive a total of 1.25m. Having been asked to approve one part of the settlement, the judge, Master Mark Gidden, was told that Pret will be responsible for 25 per cent of the payout, with Planet Coconut's insurers liable for the rest. Mother-of-five Mrs Marsh, of Melksham, Wilts, died after a catastrophic shopping trip with her husband Andy and three of her daughters in Bath at Christmas 2017. Her family said she had shopped around, looking for lunch which was safe for her milk allergy, before settling on a "vegan rainbow" flatbread from Pret, in Stall Street. She had "religiously avoided" dairy after a near-fatal experience months earlier, when she needed 15 shots of adrenaline after suffering an allergic reaction, the inquest heard. Mrs Marsh assumed her "vegan" lunch was safe, but disaster struck due to its contamination with the milk protein, said the coroner in her report following the inquest. "An investigation by the Bath and North East Somerset Trading Standards and indeed others traced the dairy to a product in the wrap, which was made by Planet Coconut and marketed as a dairy free coconut yoghurt alternative," she said. "The wrap contained a product which was marked as 'dairy free coconut yoghurt alternative,' but despite this it contained milk protein, which was the cause of Celias anaphylaxis. "The contamination arose because an ingredient in the yoghurt called HG1 had become cross-contaminated with milk protein during its manufacture. "The manufacturer of the dairy free yoghurt had in its possession documents which flagged this risk but this risk was not passed on to its customers." open image in gallery Family of Celia Marsh, (from left) daughters Kayleigh, Brenna, Ashleigh and Marshs husband Andy outside Avon Coroners Court in Bristol following the inquest into her death on 22 September 2022 ( PA ) Within 15 minutes, she had been hit with an acute allergic reaction and within half an hour, she had collapsed in the street, the inquest heard. Mrs Marsh gave herself an adrenaline shot with the EpiPen she always carried and a passing first aider tried to help, but although an ambulance rushed her to hospital she was dead by 4pm. Following the inquest, her eldest daughter, Ashleigh Grice, said her mum had lived in constant fear and religiously checked all food labelling - often triple checking. Mr Marsh sued Pret and Planet Coconut over his wife's death and after negotiations outside court, the parties yesterday had a settlement of the claim approved by the judge. Family barrister, Hannah Noyce, told the judge that Pret and Planet Coconut had agreed a split of the liability for the payment, which she said totals 1.25million. Both defendants initially agreed apportionment of liability on the basis of 75/25 in favour of Pret, but Pret wasnt prepared to agree terms that would make all defendants jointly and severally liable," she said. "They wanted specific sums to be agreed. It was agreed that Planet Coconuts insurers be made party to the agreement and that they should be jointly and severally liable for Planet Coconut's share." open image in gallery Celia Marsh, centre, with four of her five daughters, Brenne Grice, Ashleigh Grice, Kayleigh Grice and Shanaye Grice (Leigh Day/PA) ( PA Media ) The hearing, conducted via a video link at the High Court in London, was in order for Master Gidden to approve one specific part of the settlement, which he said he was "content" to do. Following Mrs Marsh's death, the coroner published a special "prevention of future deaths" report, calling for the establishment of a system of recording cases of severe allergic reactions to provide an "early warning" of "products with undeclared allergen content". The report also recommended a system of checks to ensure food is correctly labelled "free from" and "vegan," leading to the Food Standards Agency updating its labelling guidance. 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 Customers in England and Scotland are being urged to return some batches of Disaronno liqueur after it was discovered that some of the bottles may contain shards of glass. Italian distillery Illva Saronno S.p.A has apologised to customers following the recall of several batches of Disaronno Originale. The manufacturer said there had been an anomaly on a bottling line, which sparked fears that consuming the drink could pose a safety risk. The Food Standards Agency issued an alert on Thursday for the product, which is sold in supermarkets and stores across the UK. In a warning on its website, it said: If you have bought the above product, do not consume it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a refund or replacement. The Food Standards Agency has urged customers to return the product ( Getty Images ) The batch codes of the affected product are 25374, 25375, 25381, 25382, 25435, 25442, and 25444 of the 700ml bottle, which should be returned to the store of purchase. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that sell the product. The manufacturer has apologised and said the reason for the recall was the possible presence of foreign bodies (micro-fragments of glass) in some units, due to an anomaly on a bottling line. It added: We apologise for any inconvenience. Customer safety is our priority. Do not consume the product from the indicated batch and return it to the point of sale for a refund or replacement. The liqueur is sold in several stores across the UK, including Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsburys, which sell the one litre and 500ml bottles that were not affected. A spokesperson said: According to the investigation performed, the potential presence of glass micro-fragments affected only 0.17 per cent of the impacted 700ml bottles which have been withdrawn from the market. (It) took immediate action to resolve the anomaly, to ensure consumer safety in coordination with the UK food safety authorities and instructed all the impacted customers to immediately remove the stock affected. Customers seeking further information have been asked to contact Illva Saronno S.p.A. There is a delicious irony that one of the principal midwives of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), Sir David Maxwell Fyfe, was profoundly conservative, and later one of the most reactionary post-war Home Secretaries, leading opposition to the Wolfenden Inquirys proposal to decriminalise gay sex between consenting adults. Yet he played a central role in the fledgling Council of Europe, serving as rapporteur of the committee that drafted what became the ECHR, which came into force in 1953. The apparent contradiction in Fyfes positions is less striking than it seems. The Convention was designed as a restatement of core liberties the British believed they already enjoyed, albeit uncodified and inchoate. Few on the left or right would quarrel with the Conventions actual text. For many continental states, emerging from tyranny and occupation, its articles became a template for modern statements of rights. But the UK resisted incorporation for decades on a bipartisan basis. The argument was simple: we already had these rights, incorporation would be an unnecessary, continental import. In early 1987, a courageous Conservative MP, Sir Edward Gardner QC, who had been my head of chambers at the Bar, introduced a Private Members Bill to incorporate the Convention into domestic law. It died immediately, opposed by both front benches. It took the late John Smith and then Tony Blair to commit Labour to incorporation, and it fell to me, as Home Secretary, to work out how to do it. The result was the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA). Fortunately, it passed with cross-party consensus. Although the Conservatives opposed it at Second Reading, amendments addressing concerns of the opposition, churches and media ensured it passed its Third Reading unopposed. As the Conservative spokesman Sir Nicholas Lyell told the Commons: We now wish [the Bill] well. In the 25 years since, the British courts have used the HRA effectively and judiciously. The problem troubling politicians today does not arise from the HRA or the text of the Convention, but from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, tasked with applying the Convention across 46 member states. From the late 1970s, the Strasbourg Court began asserting an expansive, activist interpretation of the Convention, advancing the idea found nowhere in the Conventions text that it is a living instrument which must be interpreted in the light of present-day conditions. That is acceptable up to a point, but Strasbourg has gone far beyond the traditional principles of treaty interpretation in the 1969 Vienna Convention, which emphasises context, purpose and non-interference in states domestic affairs. Supporters note that by ratifying the Convention, states accepted that the Court could interfere in domestic matters. The outgoing British judge, Tim Eicke KC, made a spirited case for the living instrument approach in a recent valedictory speech, claiming the Convention had stepped in repeatedly when domestic courts failed to provide protections now taken for granted. He cited the abolition of birching, the thalidomide scandal, lifting the ban on gay personnel in the armed forces, and reopening the Hillsborough inquiry. But his list is overstated. Corporal punishment (including birching) was abolished in Great Britain in 1948 and in Northern Ireland in 1968; neither was triggered by Strasbourg. The judgment Eicke referred to concerned only the Isle of Man. The Court did prompt change regarding gay personnel in the forces. It did help thalidomide victims by lifting an injunction against the Sunday Times while litigation was pending, but few historians would credit Strasbourg as the main force behind the final settlement. As for Hillsborough, the reopening of the inquiry resulted from relentless campaigning on Merseyside and by MPs, including Andy Burnham. Wikipedias extensive pages on Hillsborough do not mention Strasbourg once. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has set out a number of asylum reforms (Jeff Overs/BBC) ( PA Media ) Strong supporters of Strasbourg sometimes appear to inhabit an alternative historical universe, assuming only their court stands between liberty and tyranny. That conceit has allowed the Court to sideline democratic will, undermining consent for its authority. The better view was articulated in the 1940s by US judge Learned Hand: Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no court, no law, no constitution can do much to help. The worst example of Strasbourg overreach was its 2005 decision in Hirst versus The United Kingdom, when prisoner John Hirst challenged the UKs longstanding rule that all convicted prisoners are banned from voting while in prison. The Strasbourg court held that the UKs ban on prisoners voting was unlawful. The judgment was factually inaccurate, its reasoning weak, and it ignored the fact that such issues lay far from those that inspired the Convention. Public and Parliament alike would never tolerate such gratuitous interference in domestic politics, and it took nine years of effort to persuade the judges to retreat. But it is on immigration and asylum that the Court has been most tone-deaf. Modern unlawful migration is a huge challenge for democracies across Europe, including the UK, yet Strasbourg presses on regardless. Mr Eicke noted that of 29 recent UK cases concerning removal of foreign nationals, sixteen were found to involve no breach of the law and could proceed. But what of the remaining thirteen? Why, given the rigorous process within the UK judicial system, should Strasbourg intervene at all? Its willingness to entertain applications creates delays and disrupts the entire system. In a normal domestic hierarchy, if a higher court makes a decision the public finds unacceptable, Parliament can amend the law. The objection to Strasbourgs expansive living instrument approach is that no such timely override exists. Where do we go from here? It is possible to amend the Convention if enough member states agree. The recent initiative by Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood is welcome. In October, sixteen Council of Europe members including France, Germany, Italy, Denmark and the UK met to discuss reforms preventing asylum seekers, including those with criminal records, from using Strasbourg to delay deportation. More states will need to join, and the process will take time. These changes are necessary. But for Strasbourg to regain consent, it must also change its mindset. Its justices do not seem fully aware of how fragile the Courts legitimacy has become. They need to restrict their whole notion of the Convention being living law. That concept, as I mentioned above, was the Courts own invention. Its good to see that the penny has dropped with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, who in a BBC interview [4 November] said that he was ready to see amendments to the Convention. But we now need to see those words translated into action. However, I dont propose that the UK should leave the Convention altogether. Id much rather see reform to the Convention and by the Court. Despite the excesses of the court in more recent times, the Convention itself has done much more good than harm, especially in the early decades after the war, when the articles had great moral force as continental countries sought to build their institutions with democratic norms. There are also practical complications from leaving. One is whether to do so would run foul of the UKs obligations under the Good Friday agreements. Many distinguished jurists say it would not, but the argument about this would nonetheless be intense and diverting. A second is that too much energy would be used up countering the (pretty thin) argument that the UK would be left isolated and would be joining Russia and Belarus, as outlaws from the Court. The survival of the Council of Europe and its court will depend primarily on the Court itself. If it continues to overreach, it will secure its own demise. Member states will ignore, or work round its decisions; fewer top-flight politicians will wish to be delegates to the Council of Europe, fewer top-flight jurists its judges. International institutions, and instruments are mortal. They have a life, then its over. Meanwhile, the British government could act domestically. The purpose of the HRA was to bring rights home and empower British courts to adjudicate alleged violations. The Act has worked. It codifies cherished rights with the reassurance, especially to conservatives, that one of their own Maxwell Fyfe had approved the original Convention. After 25 years experience, most of the Act has proved sound, particularly its balance between individual rights and parliamentary sovereignty. One area now needs amendment: section 2. Currently, it states that UK courts must take into account Strasbourg decisions. This meant exactly what it said. It did not require UK courts to follow Strasbourg; had Parliament intended that, it would have said so. Yet in the 2000s, the UK Supreme Court decided that take account effectively meant mirror Strasbourg. That approach was dismantled by former Supreme Court President Baroness Hale, who noted that it contradicted the original White Paper and does not make much sense. She pointed out that Strasbourg case law is not like [the English common law]. Strasbourg, she said, has no concepts of ratio decidendi [the legal reasoning behind a courts decision], and stare decisis [the concept of binding precedent]. Although the Supreme Court has since retreated from strict mirroring, the position remains confused and continues to give excessive authority to Strasbourg. Section 2 should be amended to say that UK courts may, or may not, take account of Strasbourg. Other consequential changes would be needed to decouple British law from Strasbourgs influence. Several European countries have long taken this approach. The Convention which David Maxwell Fyfe and cautious legal experts drafted in the late 40s was never intended to become an exercise in supranational power. Those at Strasbourg who care about their future need to row back, and fast. 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 head of an independent review into the pornography industry has called for extreme online content depicting incest and child sexual abuse scenarios, when played out by adults, to be outlawed. Conservative peer Baroness Bertin is leading efforts in Westminster to address legal loopholes that currently permit the widespread availability of digital material deemed too harmful for sale in physical shops. Speaking in Parliament, Lady Bertin described this disparity as "indefensible". She is advocating for a series of legislative amendments to implement proposals from her review, which was commissioned under Rishi Sunak and published in February. The Labour administration has yet to issue a formal response to these recommendations. While the government has moved to ban online pornography showing women being choked through the Crime and Policing Bill, Baroness Bertin argues that ministers must go further to tackle other harmful material. Lady Bertin said: The review I led for the government showed me corners of this world that you simply cannot unsee. Online pornography is now so extreme and pervasive that it does not just reflect sexual tastes, it shapes them. It normalises violence, distorts intimacy, grooms men and boys to perpetrate sexual violence and has driven child sexual abuse as well as child-on-child sexual abuse. open image in gallery Conservative peer Baroness Bertin is spearheading calls at Westminster for action aimed at closing legal loopholes that allow the proliferation of digital content that would be judged too harmful and banned from sale in shops ( House of Lords ) Measures she has put forward include prohibiting pornographic content where an adult mimics a child. Lady Bertin said: This material sexualises children, normalises them as objects of gratification and fosters a sexual interest in children. Pointing out online pornography fell outside regulations governing physical media such as DVDs, she said: As a result, content that would be refused classification (offline) depictions of torture, incest pornography, highly abusive misogynistic content, and material sexualising children, as previously described is freely available online. This disparity is indefensible. Proposing an amendment targeted at closing this glaring loophole, Lady Bertin said: It is about saying that material that is too harmful to sell in a shop should not be freely available on a smartphone. She also pressed for changes to the Bill to outlaw adults possessing so-called nudification software which can produce naked images of another person, and make it an offence to produce or share content that promoted child sexual abuse. In addition, she proposed placing a legal duty on pornography websites to verify the age and gain consent of everyone featured on the platform, with the facility for people to withdraw permission. Lady Bertin said: These amendments do not police private sexual behaviour, nor do they seek to ban porn. Instead, they aim to regulate an industry that has evaded scrutiny and is causing demonstrable harm normalising violence, sexualising children and enabling abuse. The law must evolve to meet these challenges and put proportionate guardrails back in place. open image in gallery Although the Government has moved in the Crime and Policing Bill to ban online pornography showing women being choked, she has argued ministers need to go further and crack down on other harmful material She was supported by former Playschool presenter Baroness Benjamin, who is vice-president of the childrens charity Barnardos. The Liberal Democrat peer said: If we fail to act, we risk legitimising a culture in which abuse is normalised and young people grow up with a distorted understanding of healthy relationships. Filmmaker and childrens rights campaigner Baroness Kidron stressed the need for parity between laws that regulate pornography online and offline. The independent crossbencher said: The laws that apply to the rest of our lives in society do not apply in the technological sphere, protected by tens of millions of lobbying dollars. Praising the work of Lady Bertin, justice minister Baroness Levitt said: This Government shares her determination to ensure that the online world is a safer place for everyone, and we are immensely grateful to her for her insights. She said the Government would review the criminal law relating to pornography which will give us a chance to look at the law holistically and consider whether it is fit for purpose in an ever-developing online world. The Labour frontbencher added: Importantly, the review I am announcing today will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to criminalising, among other things, harmful depictions of incest and any forms of pornography that encourage child sexual abuse. I know Lady Bertin is anxious that any review should not be used as a delaying tactic to avoid making any decisions. I hope she will take it from me that it is my wish to make sure that this takes place quickly. open image in gallery She also pressed for changes to the Bill to outlaw adults possessing so-called nudification software which can produce naked images of another person, and make it an offence to produce or share content that promoted child sexual abuse ( PA Archive ) Lady Levitt said she would continue to hold talks with the Tory peer. But responding, Lady Bertin pointed out she had already carried out a review and produced an oven-baked plan. She said: By all means review the law, but please come back by report (stage of the Bill). I worked at No 10 for many years, where I saw that reviews are just code for kicking something into the long grass. 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 Dressed in a black T-shirt, a black cap and a pair of black leather gloves, Ukip leader Nick Tenconi addresses the camera from a road in northern France. In a direct appeal to men in Britain, hes here to advertise a disturbing new trend, which he tells the camera could be the next big thing organised trips to northern France to harass small-boat migrants. Why arent we coming out here and making them feel incredibly unwelcome and creating a hostile environment? he asks. This year, far-right agitators have been making trips to Calais and Dunkirk to harass migrants waiting to attempt the perilous Channel crossing from France to the UK, and the charity workers who support them. Seemingly not satisfied with targeting asylum seekers in the UK, these men have travelled to northern France to film migrants sleeping rough, wake them up in the middle of the night with flashing lights, and tell them they are not wanted in Britain. open image in gallery A search and rescue vessel shadows a small boat carrying migrants in Gravelines, France, in August ( Getty ) In June, Mr Tenconi said that British men who want to curb migration to the UK have a duty to turn up in France and harass the destitute migrants. Since then, he has made several visits, and reports of groups of men harassing asylum seekers have become a regular occurrence for the NGOs that work in Calais. Though Ukip, which is a registered political party, claims to be spearheading the trips, other people have also been making the journey including a group called Raise the Colours, who were involved in putting up union jack and St Georges flags this summer. The Ukip visits are part of a new project called the Border Protection Mission, an initiative that has raised more than 21,000 so far, according to its online fundraising account. Charity workers who are supporting destitute migrants in Calais with their most basic needs are also under threat, with a recent UkipYouTube video focusing on the work of French NGO Utopia 56. On one recent visit, around 10 September, charity workers received messages from refugees who said they had been attacked by a group of English men, who had taken their blankets, personal items and lifejackets. open image in gallery Leader of Ukip Nick Tenconi films himself on a trip to confront migrants in Northern France ( Ukip/Youtube ) On 30 September, Ukip posted a video that showed men approaching groups of homeless migrants who were sleeping rough at night, and aggressively shining a flashing light on them until they woke up and fled from the crew. The video, uploaded to the partys X (Twitter) channel, showed men carrying the St Georges Cross, the union flag, and a banner saying that Islamist invaders were not welcome in Britain. The men appeared to be shouting You shall not pass at the sleeping refugees. Since becoming Ukip leader in February, Mr Tenconi has seemingly been to northern France four times; the first, in June, was apparently to scope out the area, and he then returned in July, September and November, when he directly confronted NGO workers and asylum seekers. In recent weeks, Ryan Bridge has also been in Northern France with a group of men under the banner of Raise the Colours. In a video posted to YouTube in mid-November, he filmed himself wading through water off the French coast towards a small boat while shouting: Youre not welcome in our country. open image in gallery Anti-migrant activists film themselves harassing destitute asylum seekers ( Ukip/YouTube ) Dressed in black and wearing GoPro cameras strapped around their chests, six other men stood on a beach, looking at the camera. Described by one of the participants as eight lads from Birmingham, they claimed to have managed to stop people from boarding boats to England. Were not going to stop doing this, were going to keep it up, he said. Since then, Mr Bridge has recruited Tommy Robinsons associate Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, who runs a YouTube account with 115,000 subscribers. Mr Bridge and Mr Thomas have been back to France recently, and claim to have destroyed a dinghy they found on the beach. Supporters are encouraged to fund Mr Thomass work by joining a membership channel on YouTube that costs between 4.99 and 17.99 a month. Mr Thomas also said that the adverts on his videos will help fund the next mission. The pair had launched a website for their campaign called Operation Overlord, but this no longer appears to be live. One charity worker who works for the charity Care4Calais, whose name has been withheld for safety reasons, said that they had added a section in the briefing for charity volunteers about the far rights visits to Dunkirk and Calais. open image in gallery Ryan Bridge, who gained prominence this summer with his Raise the Colours campaign, is now taking trips to France ( GB News ) We saw Ukip coming out in the summer, and since then weve had Raise the Colours come out a couple of times, they explained. They have been quite prevalent in the last couple of weeks. Weve seen videos of them digging up boats and slashing them. There have also been visits by other people, but its hard to know which organisations they are attached to. After the Ukip visits, for example, we had reports of a group of people going round the Dunkirk area in the early hours, harassing people and stealing their lifejackets. People would tell us about what had happened when we got on site. We get regular reports about English people being there, and that they are being abusive. The resurgence in visits and reports of harassment has made those working for the refugee charity Care4Calais even more vigilant and careful in their work. Risk assessments have been updated, and evacuation procedures have been reviewed. open image in gallery Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo, addresses his YouTube subscribers ( Danny Tommo/Youtube ) The uptick in hostility towards migrants in France has also been mirrored across the Channel in England, the Care4Calais worker explained, with asylum seekers or people of colour living near large sites being followed and filmed. A researcher from Hope Not Hate, who does not want to be named for fear of reprisal, explained that Ukip has evolved from a more traditional political party to one that is focused on a street style of politics. Under Mr Tenconi, the party has three main themes: Christian nationalism, fighting communism, and remigration. This is the intimidatory aspect which he [Tenconi] does lean into. He is encouraging British people to actively create a hostile environment. But he is very good at walking the side of legality. Ukip now has a very specific style. Tenconi is confrontational, aggressive; he is out to demonise. Particularly with NGO workers, it becomes a school bully style. He will approach people, calling them nasty little communists and domestic terrorists. In one incident, when one person shouts back, he tells them to calm down, mocking the pitch of her voice. What makes these trips to Calais dangerous is that it normalises harassing asylum seekers and it positions this harassment as a sort of public duty. Weve seen an uptick in racist attacks, racist graffiti, people being verbally harassed. And when youve got someone like Tenconi ... who culturally, within the far right, does have a decent amount of traction, telling people that they need to create a hostile environment that poses a danger. open image in gallery Tenconi addresses a rally at Marble Arch in central London following a march organised by Ukip in October ( PA ) It poses a danger to any non-white and non-Christian individual, because if someone is going to racially harass people, they will not stop to ask them how long theyve been here. Responding to queries from The Independent, a Ukip spokesperson said that activists had made several trips to Calais to report on the invasion of Britain by illegal migrants. They said that their team had been threatened with weapons, assaulted, and had our vehicles attacked by illegal migrants. They also claimed that Mr Tenconi had been spat at by NGO workers, had cannabis smoke blown in his face, and been subjected to severe verbal abuse by these so-called charity workers. They insisted that Ukip activists have broken no laws and have consistently engaged in a calm and peaceful manner and said that NGOs have lied to cover up the appalling behaviour of the migrants and also their volunteers. Mr Bridge and Mr Thomas did not respond to requests for comment. In a video posted in mid-November, filming after a night scouring a French beach, Mr Thomas speaks to the camera with Mr Bridge in the background. This way, if it is done correctly, you dont break any laws ... Were going to get the plan together. Get ready, because the call is coming, he tells the now 219,000 viewers of his video. 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 If you fancy yourself as a budding spy, GCHQs Christmas challenge will put your analytical skills to the test. The UK spy agency, which sets an annual quiz aimed at children aged between 11 and 18, has come up with seven brainteasers and worked with schoolchildren on designs for its Christmas card to mark a decade of its festive puzzles. More than 500 schoolchildren took part in a competition to design the cover of the card. They were asked: What do you think GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day?, with the additional task of including hidden codes and puzzles. Three winning designs were selected from Haoran, a year 8 student from Wilsons school in London, Mariia, year 10 at the Henry Beaufort School in Winchester, and year 12 pupil Amelie from South Wilts Grammar School in Salisbury. Alongside the schoolchildrens designs, GCHQs in-house puzzlers have created a new set of seven puzzles designed to test a range of problem-solving skills, including intuitive reasoning and creativity, for the back of the card. The puzzles test codebreaking, maths and analysis, and skills such as lateral thinking, ingenuity and perseverance. GCHQ said the brainteasers require different ways of thinking, and groups are encouraged to work together to reveal a final festive message using the front of the card. Anne Keast-Butler, director of GCHQ, said: Puzzles are at the heart of GCHQs work to keep the country safe from hostile states, terrorists and criminals; challenging our teams to think creatively and analytically every day. Im delighted that this year's Christmas challenge combines puzzles created by our own experts with brilliant designs from schoolchildren across the country. open image in gallery The winning designs from school children ( GCHQ ) It was a pleasure to judge the competition alongside Colin, GCHQs chief puzzler. The winning designs beautifully captured what they thought GCHQ looks like on Christmas Day and incorporated some clever codes and ciphers. I hope this challenge inspires the next generation to explore Stem subjects and consider the rewarding careers available in cybersecurity and intelligence. Who knows some of these talented schoolchildren might be solving our own puzzles in the future." GCHQs chief puzzler, known only as Colin, added: This years Christmas challenge features seven puzzles designed to test everything from codebreaking and mathematical analysis to lateral thinking and creativity the same blend of skills our teams use every day to keep the country safe. Weve designed the puzzles so that no one will find them all easy! Some will suit analytical minds, others require creative leaps or perseverance. Thats entirely intentional we want groups of classmates, families and friends working together, combining their different strengths to reveal the final festive message. This years Christmas card is available to download from GCHQ.gov.uk. The answers were released on Wednesday at 9pm, click here to find out more. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A British soldier killed on duty in Ukraine has been named by the Ministry of Defence. Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, died in a tragic accident while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability on Tuesday morning. Paying tribute at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said: Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability. His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine. The UK has previously acknowledged that a small number of military personnel are in the country, mainly providing security for the British diplomatic presence and supporting the Ukrainian armed forces. Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, has been named as the soldier killed in Ukraine ( PA ) A Ministry of Defence statement said: It is with sadness that we must confirm that the member of the UK Armed Forces who died in Ukraine on Tuesday 9th December is Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment. He was 28 years old. Our thoughts are with Lance Corporal Hooley's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. The Parachute Regiment is an airborne infantry regiment of the British Army, primarily based at Merville Barracks in Colchester. It has not been disclosed which battalion of the Parachute Regiment L/Cpl Hooley served in. The 1st Battalion is under the direction of special forces while other battalions are part of the British Armys rapid response formation. Defence secretary John Healey paid tribute, saying he served our country with distinction. Mr Healey visited Washington DC on Wednesday to discuss the Aukus nuclear submarine programme and his Australian and US counterparts also paid tribute to the British paratrooper. United States secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, said: Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, and to him and his family, and it is a reflection of the sacrifice and commitment that so many make around the world. Australias defence minister Richard Marles added: Let me start there and also pass on my condolences to George Hooleys family. We are all very much thinking of you at this moment. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Hans Rausing, one of the UKs foremost philanthropists, has been appointed a Knight Bachelor at an investiture ceremony hosted by the King at Windsor Castle. The Tetra Pak heir, who has given more than 500m to at least 2,000 organisations across the UK, was honoured with a knighthood in the Kings birthday honours list in June for services to the arts. During the pandemic, the Charity Survival Fund, which he set up with his late wife Julia, provided grants to 329 charities. The Julia Rausing Trust has donated 150m to the National Gallery to open a new wing that, for the first time, will include modern art. Sir Hans co-founded the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust in 2014 with his late wife, Julia Delves Broughton. open image in gallery Sir Hans said he was immensely proud ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Julia, Sir Hanss second wife, died with cancer in April last year, aged 63, and last year the trust was renamed the Julia Rausing Trust to honour her memory. The new trust has doubled its annual giving to 100m across the UK, including a 150,000 donation to The Independents Brick by Brick campaign to build a womens shelter last year. Sir Hans said of the investiture: I am immensely proud to receive this prestigious honour. This recognition would have meant a great deal to my late wife, Julia, whose vision led to the creation of our charitable trust in 2014. open image in gallery The Julia Rausing Trust supported The Independents Brick by Brick campaign to build a womens shelter ( Julia and Hans Rausing Trust ) Sir Hanss first wife, Eva, died in 2012. Friends credited Julia with bringing him happiness after Evas death, encouraging the extraordinary generosity of their charitable trust. His father, Hans Rausing senior, who died in 2019, is credited with turning Tetra Pak into a global business. At investiture ceremonies on Tuesday and Wednesday, television presenter Claudia Winkleman and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were made MBEs, and The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey received a knighthood. Sir Roger, 81, who launched and curated the Teenage Cancer Trust's Royal Albert Hall concerts from 2000 to 2025, was honoured for his for services to charity and to music. Others honoured at Windsor Castle included former chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt and former Commons leader Dame Penny Mordaunt. 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 John Smyth, a barrister who ran Christian summer camps, is considered the most prolific abuser linked to the Church of England. The publication of a damning report into a cover-up of his crimes by the Church led the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to resign last year. The independent Makin Review concluded that Mr Smyth might have been brought to justice had the archbishop formally alerted authorities in 2013. After Mr Welbys resignation, Mr Smyths victims have since called for more senior clergy members involved in the scandal to resign. open image in gallery The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Here is a timeline of what Mr Welby knew of the abuse and when, according to the Makin Review. 1970s In 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 Justin Welby attends summer Christian Iwerne camps. John Smyth abused children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps, during the same years Mr Welby attended. 1978 Mr Welby lodges with the Rev Mark Ruston and is overheard having a grave conversation with him about Smyth. Mr Welby has since said that he does not recall this exchange and that he was not aware of the abuse by Smyth at this time. 1981 Around Easter that year, Smyth takes four victims on a ski trip to Switzerland, visiting St Michaels Church in Paris on the way there and the way back. Mr Welby is not ordained at this time but worshipped at the church while working for an oil company based in Paris. The church rector, the Rev Peter Sertin, later warns Mr Welby about Smyth, saying: One of the boys had a chat with me, and advises him to stay away from Smyth. Mr Welby told the review that Mr Sertins warning was vague and that he had described Smyth as Not a nice man, really not a nice man. 1982 The first report into Smyths abuse, known as the Ruston Report, is written and shown to a small group of people only. Mr Welby is not among them. 1991 Mr Welby is ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. March 21 2013 Mr Welby is installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in a service at Canterbury Cathedral. His appointment was announced in late 2012. July 2013 A victim contacts the Bishop of Elys safeguarding adviser with details of the abuse he has suffered at the hands of Smyth. This information is emailed to the archbishops personal chaplain, the Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, who responds saying she will inform the Archbishop of Canterbury, noting that Mr Welby may know Smyth personally from their involvement with the camps. August 2013 Mr Welby is made aware of the allegations of abuse against Smyth, in his capacity as Archbishop of Canterbury. It is likely that other staff members there will have been told at the same time, the review found. The archbishop is told that police have been informed of the allegations. He was also advised that the local authority had been informed. Neither of these proved to be the case, but the review found it was reasonable to conclude that Mr Welby had been assured that these steps had been taken. Mr Welby was also told via his personal chaplain that the South African Church had been alerted. The former archbishop later said that he had personally written to the Primate in Cape Town, but he had not done so, and he, later again, said that he had got confused and had misremembered what had actually happened at the time. August 8 2013 Mr Welby confirms he knew Smyth in the 1970s and requests contact be made with the Iwerne Trust regarding who is running the camps now. February 2017 An investigative 30-minute documentary aired on Channel 4 makes Smyths abuse public. Mr Welby issues a statement and appears on LBC radio shortly after, stating his intention is for victims interests to come forward and confirming his knowledge of the abuse since 2013. After the documentary airs, survivors of Smyth seek a meeting with Mr Welby. August 11 2018 Smyth dies aged 75 in Cape Town while under investigation by Hampshire Police. Police had been planning on questioning Smyth over allegations that he beat children in the 1970s and 1980s while he was a leader at the Iwerne Trust camps. Officers in Hampshire had passed a preliminary file to the Crown Prosecution Service and were preparing to ask him to return voluntarily to the UK for questioning. April 2021 Mr Welby meets with survivors, four years after the Channel 4 documentary first aired. November 7 2024 The Makin Review is published, concluding that Smyths abhorrent abuse of more than 100 children and young men was covered up within the Church of England for years. The report also concludes that Smyth may have been brought to justice had Mr Welby formally alerted authorities in 2013. While some 30 boys and young men are known to have been directly physically and psychologically abused in the UK and around 85 boys and young men physically abused in African countries, including Zimbabwe the total likely runs much higher, the report says. Mr Welby says he is deeply sorry that this abuse happened and repeats an apology for failing to meet with survivors of Smyths abuse quick enough. He recognises the reports conclusion that he failed to ensure the abuse was energetically investigated after being made aware of it in 2013. In an interview with Channel 4 News on the day of the reports release, Mr Welby says he had given resigning a lot of thought but says he will not step down. In the week following the reports publication, a range of people, from the Bishop of Newcastle to abuse victims and members of the General Synod, insist that Mr Welbys position has become untenable. November 12 2024 A petition calling for Mr Welby to quit his role as Archbishop of Canterbury over his failure to alert authorities regarding Smyths abuse hits more than 11,500 signatures. The petition was started by three members of the General Synod, the churchs parliament. open image in gallery Screen grab taken from the X account of the Archbishop of Canterbury showing his resignation letter to the King (Archbishop of Canterbury/PA) ( PA Media ) Later that day, Mr Welby announces he will resign, saying he is stepping aside in the best interests of the Church of England in a statement issued by Lambeth Palace. In the statement, Mr Welby says he believed wrongly that an appropriate resolution would follow when he had first been informed of the abuse in 2013 and that police had been notified. It is very clear that I must take personal and institutional responsibility for the long and retraumatising period between 2013 and 2024, he said. The King approved the resignation. 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 Madeleine McCanns father has accused sections of the UK media of monstering his family in a call for greater scrutiny of the press. Gerry McCann told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the media repeatedly interfered with the investigation into his daughters disappearance in 2007, which he believes hindered the search for her. Mr McCann said in the rare interview that more than a year on from Labour coming into power, press regulation is no longer a priority and he was extremely disappointed in the government for not implementing certain recommendations made in the first part of the Leveson Inquiry, which they had committed to in the run-up to the election. open image in gallery Kate and Gerry McCann have signed a letter to Keir Starmer calling for the Leveson Inquiry to resume ( PA ) After his three-year-old daughter disappeared on a family holiday in Portugal, never to be found again, he said his family had journalists coming to the house, photographers literally ramming their cameras against our car window when we had two-year-old twins in the back who were terrified. We are lucky we survived. We had tremendous support but I can promise you, there were times where I felt like I was drowning. And it was the media, primarily, he told the BBC, as he reflected on what he called 15 months worth of sustained interest and misleading headlines. It was what was happening and the way things were being portrayed, where you were being suffocated and buried, and it felt like there wasnt a way out. He has called for the second phase of the inquiry, examining unlawful action by the media and journalists relationships with politicians and police, to resume. The second phase was scrapped by the Tories in 2018 as they claimed the world had changed since Lord Levesons 2012 report. The McCann family are among over 30 people who have signed a letter to the prime minister calling for him to resume the second phase of the Leveson Inquiry, alongside the mother of television presenter Caroline Flack and the families of the Hillsborough victims. open image in gallery McCann expressed his disappointment with the Labour government for failing to make press regulation a priority ( PA ) Mr McCann expressed his disappointment that the Labour government hadnt stood by their commitment to implement some of Levesons recommendations after a year in power. Were over a year into the government, and there havent been any changes, he said. Its not acceptable to me now, more than a year on, that Leveson and press regulation is no longer a priority. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said a second phase of the inquiry had been ruled out and that the media landscape was now very different. She told BBC Breakfast: Its a really difficult thing to get right, because weve got to balance the rights and needs of victims and survivors with the need for a free press. But I do recognise that action is needed in this area, and Id be really happy to meet Mr McCann to discuss it. 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 Duchess of Sussex has made contact with her estranged father, Thomas Markle, as hes in hospital via letter, her spokesperson has said. Meghans correspondence is said to be safely in the hands of her father, who continues to have a reporter by his bedside broadcasting each interaction, the spokesperson added. Mr Markle had his left leg amputated, according to reports, and told the Mail on Sunday that he doesnt want to die distanced from his daughter and wishes to meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, as well as her husband, the Duke of Sussex. In a statement, her spokesperson said: Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her fathers bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days. With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands. open image in gallery Meghans children Archie and Lilibet have not met Thomas Markle, their grandfather ( @meghan/Instagram ) Last Friday, the duchess spokesperson said she had reached out to her father, whom she has been estranged from since her 2018 wedding, when he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run-up to the day. He would later suffer from a heart attack. Meghan had reportedly contacted the Mail asking them to provide any means of contact with her father, as well as the name of the hospital where he is being treated, without any response. She rang around several hospitals in the Philippines but has been unsuccessful, according to a source, as she does not have her fathers phone number and believes he doesnt have a phone in his possession in hospital. She has previously tried to reach out to her father in the past, it is understood. A spokesperson for the Daily Mails parent company DMG Media said in a statement: Our journalist, Caroline Graham, has had a close relationship with Mr Markle since 2018. He contacted Ms Graham when he was taken ill and asked her to travel to the Philippines to be with him. Nothing has been published without his specific consent, and that of his son, the spokesperson continued. open image in gallery Thomas Markle did not attend Meghans wedding, where the then-Prince of Wales stepped in to walk Meghan up the aisle (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Archive ) Ms Graham has confirmed to the Duchess of Sussexs representative that Mr Markle does not have an active email address but that his phone number, which the duchess has previously used for him, remains unchanged. Ms Graham has made clear that if she can do anything to facilitate contact between Mr Markle and his daughter to have a conversation, then she would be happy to do so. That remains the case. Any suggestion we have puppeteered Mr Markle is entirely false and strongly denied. Mr Markle moved from Mexico to live in the Philippines and ended up in intensive care on Wednesday after a three-hour emergency operation, the Daily Mail reported. He was later said to have had his leg amputated below the knee after his foot turned black. Meghans father has repeatedly claimed to the media that his daughter has shunned him. He criticised the duchess but still said he wanted to reunite with her, and publicly pleaded to be able to see Archie and Lilibet, saying in 2023: She is not the person I knew as my daughter. The duchess won a High Court privacy and copyright claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over articles that reproduced parts of a personal and private handwritten letter she wrote to Mr Markle in a bid to get him to stop talking to the press. 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 government has been criticised for failing to uphold basic rights of protesters, migrant workers and disabled people. Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has written to ministers to urge them to ensure rights are protected across the nation. Dr Stephenson, who took up her post at the beginning of December, highlighted areas where key human rights are not being guaranteed for certain groups. She said: The government has made commitments to protect everyones fundamental human rights. While there has been progress in some areas, it is failing to uphold basic rights in others particularly by permitting heavy-handed responses to peaceful protests, failing to ensure disabled people can access healthcare on a level playing field with others, and allowing labour exploitation to go unchecked for certain workers. This failure to uphold key human rights is concerning for each and every one of us. Our everyday rights are not luxuries to be earned, but obligations governments must uphold. Thats why weve written to ministers to urge them to review our new report and implement outstanding recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review to ensure rights are protected across the nation. The watchdogs latest report follows a warning in August to government from the previous EHRC chairwoman, Baroness Kishwer Falkner, about heavy-handed policing which the regulator said risks a chilling effect on protest rights amid demonstrations earlier this year about the war in Gaza. A number of protests took place in Britain throughout the summer ( Getty Images ) Its report on Wednesday marking Human Rights Day again raised concerns about protest rights. The regulator said: Despite these limits going against international standards, the government has not yet repealed laws such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act and the Public Order Act 2023 which may disproportionately restrict peoples rights to association, peaceful protest and assembly. In October the government announced police would be given greater powers to restrict protests by allowing them to consider the cumulative impact of repeated demonstrations. Hundreds of people have been arrested at pro-Palestinian demonstrations this year. Elsewhere, the watchdog also stated there are substantial gaps in improving disabled peoples access to health services. It said while there have been various disability strategies and action plans, these had failed to focus on improving health services for disabled people, despite data showing they tend to face greater barriers to healthcare and are more often on NHS hospital waiting lists. The regulator also warned there had been persistent failings by the government to protect migrant workers from abuse and exploitation, despite access to safe and fair working conditions being a basic human right. It said there are concerning links between increased labour exploitation and certain sponsored work visa schemes for foreign nationals. A charity report published in September warned there were hundreds of people working in the UKs bars, restaurants, hotels and campsites who are suspected to be victims of modern slavery, some with debts as high as 30,000 after being lured by promises of a better life, according to a new report. Unseen said similar abuses evident in the care sector in recent years are now becoming apparent in the hospitality industry, with its helpline recording a sharp rise in potential victims linked to the skilled worker visa route. The latest report marks the halfway point in the governments five-year period during which it is expected to improve its human rights record with the next review due in 2027. The government has been contacted for comment. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Rolls-Royce was among a number of expensive cars towed away in a council crackdown against what it described as illegal parking outside a five-star hotel in London. Westminster council said it has stepped up enforcement action against supercars parked illegally in Mayfairs Grosvenor Square, saying it has been inundated with complaints from residents about the parking of guests on the pavement outside the Chancery Rosewood hotel, which is found on the site of the former US Embassy. The council dispatched a relocation vehicle to Grosvenor Square and picked up a blue Saudi-registered Rolls-Royce on Tuesday. The luxury car was moved to another location several streets away. Other cars parked on the pavement outside the hotel were moved voluntarily by their owners after the council attended, the local authority said. The Independent has contacted the Chancery Rosewood hotel for comment. Westminster council said it has stepped up its enforcement action against supercars parked illegally in Mayfair ( Westminster Council ) Westminster council said its usual approach of issuing penalty charge notices (PCNs) has proven to be ineffective. It said the cars were registered overseas, with a number having Saudi Arabian number plates. A council spokesperson said: The vehicles are foreign registered (the ones we photographed have Saudi number plates) so the chances of recovering the costs are virtually nil. And the owners of the vehicles, which include a Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, are so wealthy that fines barely register. Councillor Max Sullivan, cabinet member for streets, said: Those on foot shouldnt have to run a gauntlet of illegally and selfishly parked supercars when trying to walk around Westminster. Thats why weve used our relocation vehicle to physically move these cars out of the way. We will not tolerate dangerous pavement parking, whether it's a Lime bike or a Lamborghini. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice MPs have backed proposals to create a new UK-EU customs union, raising the question of whether a key Brexit pledge could soon be undone. In an historic parliamentary vote on Tuesday, the Customs Union (Duty to Negotiate) Bill was narrowly backed by the Commons, as 13 rebel Labour MPs voted in support. A surprise tie of 100 votes to 100 meant deputy speaker Caroline Noakes was given the casting vote which, in accordance with the precedent to allow further debate, she gave to the ayes. Tabled by the Liberal Democrats Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, the bill would require the government to begin negotiations on joining a bespoke customs union with the EU. Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said the symbolic vote was a historic victory against the economic nightmare of the Conservatives broken Brexit deal. What is a customs union? A customs union is a trading arrangement set up between member countries which removes tariffs on some or all goods they trade. It also establishes a common external tariff, which means all members apply the same tariff to the majority of imported goods. open image in gallery MPs have backed proposals to create a new UK-EU customs union could it happen? ( PA Archive ) There are currently 16 customs unions operating around the world, which are recognised by the World Trade Organisation. The EU customs union has 27 EU member states plus Monaco and the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia (located on Cyprus). This makes it the largest in the world. The UK left the EU customs union at the end of 2020 after the Brexit referendum four years prior saw voters opt to leave the European Union. This was ratified in the 2018 Withdrawal Agreement, where a trade agreement was negotiated which allows for tariff-free EU-UK trade, but only for products that originate in either. Estimates suggest there has been a drop of around 13 per cent in trade since then. Could the UK rejoin the EU customs union? It is unlikely that the UK could once again become a member of the EU customs union but the Lib Dems bill calls instead for the nation to form a new customs union with the bloc. open image in gallery Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said the symbolic vote was a historic victory ( House of Commons ) There is a precedent for this set by the EU-Turkey customs union, which has been in effect since 1995. This has seen Turkey align the majority of its technical goods regulations with the EU in order to simplify trade with certain exceptions, and lead to an estimated 55 to 65 per cent boost in trade between the two. Another model could follow the proposals put forward by Theresa May in 2018, but rejected by MPs, to create a customs territory between Great Britain and the EU to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. This would have meant no tariffs between the UK and EU, with the exception of fishery and aquaculture products. However, the UK would also have had to follow EU trade defence policies and remain aligned to its state aid rules, raising criticism that the deal threatened to overly restrict the nations independent trade policy. Will MPs pursue the proposals? Despite receiving support in the Commons, it is unlikely that the Lib Dems bill will continue to pass meaningfully through parliament and become law. Following Tuesdays vote, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer ruled out a EU-UK customs union, stressing it would not be sensible given the new deals with countries such as the US and India on trade. He also pointed to Labour manifesto commitments not to join the customs union or single market. While the majority of Labour MPs did not vote on the proposed bill at this stage, the partys huge majority mean that it is unlikely it could go further without government support. 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 Yvette Cooper has accused Russia of waging "information warfare" as she announced sanctions against several Moscow-linked organisations. The Foreign Secretary stated that Russian agencies are responsible for "vast malign online networks" disseminating disinformation across Europe. In a speech in the Foreign Office Ms Cooper said: This isnt about legitimate debate on contentious issues. We have wide-ranging debates with strong views on all sides on many things, but this is about state-backed organisations who seek to do us harm, pursuing malign aims. So we should call out this for what it is: Russian information warfare, and we are defending ourselves. She announced sanctions on media outlet Rybar and its co-owner Mikhail Sergeevich Zvinchuk, claiming its Telegram channel and network of affiliates in 28 languages reaches millions worldwide using classic Kremlin manipulation tactics, including fake investigations and AI-driven content. Masquerading as an independent body, Rybar is, in fact, partially co-ordinated by the presidential administration and receiving funding from the Russian state corporation, Rostec, and working with members of the Russian intelligence services. She also announced sanctions on Pravfond which Estonia has said is a front for the GRU intelligence agency Euromore and Golos. Leaked reports suggest Pravfond finances pushing Kremlin narratives to Western audiences as well as bankrolling legal defences for convicted Russian assassins and arms traffickers, Ms Cooper said. Yvette Cooper issued sanctions against Russian and Chinese-based firms ( Jaimi Joy/PA ) Pravfond is alleged to have funnelled money to Euromore and Golos, which the Foreign Office said were nominally independent news outlets which hid their connections to the Russian state and were spreading Kremlin propaganda targeting Ukraine. She also announced action against Moscow-based so-called think tank The Centre for Geopolitical Expertise and its founder Aleksandr Dugin whose work closely informs Putins calculations. The centres senior leaders are involved in Storm-1516 a malign influence network which produces content designed to create support for Russias illegal war in Ukraine. She also announced action against two of the most egregious China-based companies, i-Soon and the Integrity Technology Group, for advanced and indiscriminate cyber activities against the UK and its allies. Ms Cooper said: Our message to those who would seek to harm us is clear: we see you in the shadows, we know what you are doing and we will defend ourselves. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than a dozen Labour MPs have backed a Liberal Democrat bill calling for the government to open talks on a new EU-UK customs union. Supporters claimed a historic victory after the vote, which will increase pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to reconsider his Brexit policy. The prime minister has reportedly rejected calls from his chief economic adviser for the UK to rejoin the customs union in an attempt to improve faltering economic growth. Labour has also insisted it has no plans to re-enter the customs union or single market, both of which the UK exited after the vote to leave the EU. open image in gallery MPs have backed calls for a UK-EU customs union (Jonathan BradyPA) ( PA Archive ) But 13 Labour MPs voted to support the call for a customs union with the EU as the proposal was supported by MPs in the Commons. A so-called 10-minute rule bill, tabled by the Liberal Democrat Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton, ended in a tie of 100 votes to 100, giving the deputy speaker the casting vote. In response, deputy speaker Caroline Noakes voted aye to break the deadlock. Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, said the symbolic vote was a historic victory against the economic nightmare of the Conservatives broken Brexit deal. He added: Across the country, people are crying out for real change and a solution to the cost-of-living crisis. A customs union with the EU is the single biggest step the government could take to grow our economy, put money back into peoples pockets and generate billions for our public services. With more than 400 MPs Labour should have been able to defeat the motion but appeared to abstain, although four Labour MPs did vote against. open image in gallery Sir Keir is under pressure over Brexit ( AFP/Getty ) Earlier Mr Pinkerton declared Brexit a flop as he urged MPs to back a customs union deal. Brexit was economics by consolation prize and the country is paying the price, he said. Opposing the call Tory MP Simon Hoare, who voted Remain, told MPs he accepted the result of the referendum. He added that there were four reasons to reject the proposal. But the most important, he said, was that the EU does not want it and it is an enormous arrogance to think that they do. Ahead of the motion, Sir Ed wrote to the prime minister accusing the government of so far failing to take the steps necessary to begin, properly, the work of undoing the damage of the deal secured under the Tories. Last week, Sir Keir insisted Labour would stick to its manifesto, which included promises to strengthen the UKs relationship with Brussels without rejoining the customs union, single market or freedom of movement. The position that we are taking has been clearly set out in the manifesto and then weve been following it, he said. 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 Wes Streeting has expressed his genuine fears for the NHS if next weeks resident doctors strike goes ahead, warning that he could not guarantee the safety of patients during a severe rise in flu cases. The health secretary claimed flu is causing probably the worst pressure the NHS has faced since Covid, with the collapse of the health service at one minute to midnight. Mr Streeting warned the numbers could triple by the peak and described the scenes in hospital as inexcusable, stressing that the strike action could be the Jenga piece that collapses the tower. Despite new figures showing flu cases at a record level for this time of year after jumping 55 per cent in a week, the chair of the British Medical Association has denied that patients will be put at risk as a result of next weeks walkouts. BMA chief Dr Tom Dolphin told The Independent the NHS is facing a year-round crisis that is not isolated to the winter, insisting that senior doctors would be able to be drafted in to cover for the absent resident doctors to keep patients safe. open image in gallery Tom Dolphin, member of the BMA consultant committee ( Independent ) The strike is expected to take place from 7am on 17 December until 22 December, after the union accused the government of failing to make sufficient progress towards a viable deal on jobs and pay. But as flu cases surge in England, with an average of 2,660 flu patients in hospital each day last week, there are growing concerns over the health services ability to cope with the walkouts. Taking aim at the BMA, Mr Streeting criticised the trade union for choosing to strike in December as they know that this week will be most painful for the NHS. Describing the situation as pretty terrifying, he told LBC: So if youve got strikes and youve got flu and youve got all of these trolleys on corridors, and youve got demand going up rather than down, I just dont think there is a lever I can pull, I dont think theres an amount of money I can throw, that means I can sit on your programme and guarantee patient safety over the next week. Downing Street has called on the union to reverse its astounding plans to strike and inflict pain on patients, adding: Lets be clear about what this decision means: their NHS colleagues will have to cancel Christmas plans to cover shifts, patients will have operations cancelled, and the NHS will be preparing for the worst in the middle of an unprecedented flu season. Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, warned that the tidal wave of flu facing the NHS means the health service needs all-hands on deck to look after a huge number of patients. Meanwhile, Dr Jeanette Dickson, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) said she is concerned about the impact on patients of a further five days of industrial action at this critical time of year, with the organisation pointing out that there are 10 times more patients in hospital beds with flu than there were at the same time two years ago. But Dr Dolphin said: So the NHS is already struggling all the time We are strained, and thats been going on since the summer. So its not just a winter crisis, its genuinely year-round. open image in gallery Flu patients in hospital in England ( PA ) Addressing the winter flu crisis, he said: On strike days, the hospitals arrange for senior doctors to cover for the absent resident doctors. Sometimes theyll get people to come do that as extra shifts in their own time and sometimes theyll redeploy people from doing planned care care that can be postponed if the hospitals think that there is a need for extra staff So the same model that has worked for all the previous strikes to keep patients safe will apply. He added: They may need to do more of it, but the principle is still there, and it still keeps patients safe. Pressed on whether he thinks no extra patients will be put at risk at this time of year, he said: Yeah, I do, because the planning for that falls on the hospitals to decide where theyre going to use the staff that theyve got. But Mr Elkeles disagreed, telling The Independent he believes more patients will be put at risk. While he said the NHS will work its absolute hardest to continue operating as normal, he warned of the impact of this tidal wave of flu and the sheer pressure thats [its] putting on the emergency part of the NHS the moment. The volume of 999 calls, the number of patients being admitted to hospital is huge this feels like a moment you need all of your workforce pulling together, with all hands on deck to look after a huge number of patients, he said. It would seem likely that if a key part of the workforce decide to take industrial action next week, it makes looking after all these patients and delivering planned care a challenging ask. While Dr Dickson said the AOMRC would not comment on the rights or wrongs of the industrial action, the organisation urged the BMA to suspend its guidance, which states resident doctors do not need to inform their employers about whether they plan to strike or not as a result of the considerable additional pressure being caused by a particularly virulent flu virus taking hold. A spokesperson said: If managers were told which resident doctors are intending to take action it would at least allow them to plan safely for emergency cover and perhaps consolidate resources on a regional basis. In a last-ditch attempt to avoid the five-day strike, Mr Streeting offered the BMA a deal which proposes to tackle the bottleneck by prioritising UK medical graduates and doctors for speciality training an offer the union has agreed to put to members over the coming days. open image in gallery The health secretary has branded the proposed strike irresponsible ( PA ) Under the offer, 4,000 more speciality training places will be created, and their Royal College membership and exam fees will be reimbursed. But BMA fellow deputy chair Dr Shivam Sharma has cast doubt on the offer, saying he finds it difficult to see members accepting it, describing it as a mixed bag. There have been increasingly tense relations between the Labour government and the doctors union in recent months, with Mr Streeting accusing the BMA of juvenile delinquency for planning to walk out over five consecutive days in the run-up to Christmas. But Dr Dolphin expressed a degree of optimism when it comes to relations with Labour, saying the governments approach to labour relations has generally been a big step change from the previous government, adding that the Labour Party recognises the importance of trade unions. He added: Negotiations have been quite difficult because weve been quite far apart in our starting position, and some of the language used has been unfortunate, but we understand its a difficult conversation, so that's to be expected. I think as long as we can continue to have constructive conversations in negotiation meetings, rather than briefing about each other in the media, then thats going to have a better outcome. And I think the Labour Party is capable of doing that in a way that probably some other governments would not be. But he said the government must come forward with a decent offer that we can put to membership if they want to avert further walkouts next year. We need a resolution on it, he said. Weve been asking nicely for several years, and now were going to move into industrial dispute about it. 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 Sir Keir Starmer has belatedly defended Sir Sadiq Khan after Donald Trump branded the London mayor horrible, vicious, disgusting. In an attack which reignited his long-running feud with Sir Sadiq, the US president also called him a disaster and suggested he has done a terrible job. In an interview with Politico, President Trump said: Hes a horrible mayor. Hes an incompetent mayor, but hes a horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor. I think hes done a terrible job. Londons a different place. I love London. I love London. And I hate to see it happen. And he claimed of Sir Sadiq, the citys first Muslim mayor, whose parents came from Pakistan, gets elected because so many people have come in [to the UK]. They vote for him now. A spokesperson for the prime minister described the comments as wrong 24 hours after No 10 failed to defend the mayor. The US president also called the London mayor a disaster and suggested he has done a terrible job ( PA ) On Tuesday, Downing Street would only say the PM had a strong relationship with both men. But a day later, the PMs press secretary told reporters: Those comments are wrong. The mayor of London is doing an excellent job in London, delivering free school meals in primary schools, cleaning up Londons air with the worlds largest clean air zone and starting record numbers of council houses. The prime minister is hugely proud of the mayor of Londons record and proud to call him a colleague and a friend. Earlier, Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, hit back at Mr Trump and defended the mayor. She told Sky News: I strongly disagree with those comments. I think Sadiq is doing a really good job ... Im sure that if you asked the prime minister if he was sitting in this studio today, he would say what Ive said. On Tuesday, Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, said of Mr Trumps attack: When it comes to the mayor of London, you will not be surprised that I, of course, take a strongly different view. I think the mayor is doing an excellent job for all of London. Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked Sir Sadiq since 2015, when the Labour politician condemned the then presidential hopefuls suggestion of a Muslim travel ban to the US. In September, he described Sir Sadiq as one of the worst mayors in the world and claimed that London wants to go to sharia law. The London mayor hit back at the president, accusing him of being racist, sexist, misogynistic and Islamophobic. In July, Mr Trump targeted Sir Sadiq again, describing him as a nasty person, prompting Sir Keir to jump in to defend him. He told the US president: Hes a friend of mine, actually. 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 6-year-old Florida girl tragically killed in a go-kart crash over the weekend was remembered as someone full of life, love and light. Emma Riddle was riding in a go-kart with an adult at Urban Air Adventure Park in Port St. Lucie Saturday night when another kart slammed into them. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, she died the next day from her injuries, WPTV reported. Authorities have not provided any insight into what kind of injuries she sustained. The amusement park remains closed as state inspectors investigate. Emmas family remembered her as someone who was full of life, love, and light and touched every soul she met, according to a GoFundMe set up to support her funeral expenses. The family had been at the amusement park joyfully celebrating her sisters birthday when the horrific accident unfolded, the fundraiser read. open image in gallery Emma Riddle, 6, was killed in a go-karting crash over the weekend at a Florida amusement park, according to reports ( GoFundMe ) She was adored by all who knew her and loved God with all her heart. Her faith was strong, her spirit radiant, and her kindness unmatched, it continued. Though her time with us was far too short, Emma filled every moment with laughter, compassion and warmth. She will forever remain a precious daughter, sister, and a cherished gift from God, the family added. Over $9,000 had been donated to the fundraiser as of Wednesday morning. A state inspector with the Florida Department of Agriculture visited Urban Air on Monday, according to local reports. Authorities have not shared any additional information about what caused the fatal crash. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees amusement ride inspections, is investigating. open image in gallery The tragic incident occurred at Urban Air Adventure Park ( Google Street View ) Urban Air Adventure Park addressed the most recent incident in a statement to WFLX. We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at the Port St. Lucie, Florida park over the weekend. Our deepest sympathies go out to the childs family and loved ones, the park said. Our policies, procedures and equipment are designed to keep children and families safe, and the well-being of the children and families we serve is always our top priority. Our team responded immediately, and emergency personnel arrived onsite. We are working with state and local authorities as their investigation moves forward. The park added: Out of respect for the family, the park is closed while we focus on supporting the investigation and keeping everyone affected by this terrible tragedy in our thoughts. The deadly crash is the second serious safety incident involving an Urban Air franchise in Florida in recent years, according to WFLX. In 2019, a 10-year-old boy fell 20 feet from a zip line when his harness allegedly failed at one of the parks locations in Central Florida. He suffered broken ribs, a collapsed lung and brain injuries. Court records show the case was settled in 2022, according to the report. 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 Experts are warning that certain Chinese-made electronics used widely by U.S. power companies could be vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to a new report. New research has revealed that many U.S. power companies rely on Chinese-made inverters, The Washington Post reports, citing an analysis by Strider Technologies. But these devices could be vulnerable to hacking, leaving the U.S. open to attacks that could cause widespread blackouts, according to the outlet. Inverters are small electronic devices that enable solar power installations to convert the suns energy into a current that our energy grid can use. Theyre also found in everyday devices such as household appliances and electric vehicle chargers. About 85 percent of U.S. utilities surveyed by Strider Technologies use inverter devices assembled by companies tied to the Chinese government or military, according to the Post. Some researchers and cybersecurity experts are warning that these inverters could be accessed remotely, leaving solar power installations vulnerable to attacks that could leave regions in the dark, according to the Post. However, Chinese officials have said these warnings are unfounded, the outlet reported. open image in gallery Many solar power installations rely on Chinese-made inverters, which could leave them vulnerable to cyber attacks, according to a new report. ( Getty Images ) An unnamed U.S. official told the Post: You dont need to turn off the entire western area power [grid] to create societal panic. All you need to do is create some number of significant incidents that are widely reported to create the same effect. Thomas Fanning, chair of the executive committee of the Alliance for Critical Infrastructure, told the Post that these attacks could do more than cause blackouts. They could even potentially compromise other critical sector systems, including finance and communications, he said. This comes after Reuters reported in May that rogue communication devices were found in some Chinese-made solar power inverters used by U.S. companies. These devices could allow hackers to overcome firewalls and cause widespread blackouts, the outlet reported. "That effectively means there is a built-in way to physically destroy the grid, an unnamed source familiar with the matter told Reuters. Lawmakers are starting to voice their concerns about Chinese-made inverters, too. open image in gallery In addition to solar panels, the inverters are also found in devices such as household appliances and electric vehicle chargers. ( Getty Images ) More than 50 Republicans in the House of Representatives wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick last month, calling on his department to use its authority to block future imports of Chinese equipment used in critical infrastructure nationwide. The letter cited the Reuters investigation, and specifically pointed to utility-scale solar and battery inverters. Increasing our reliance on China for inverters and critical grid equipment is a mistake, especially as we have ample supply domestically and from allied nations that would not expose our national security to unacceptable risks, the letter reads. In a statement to The Independent, a spokesperson for the Energy Department said President Donald Trumps administration is working to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. While the Biden administration made our grid less secure and reliable, the Trump Administration is committed to reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and advancing affordable, reliable and secure energy access to the American people, the spokesperson said. DOE continually assesses risk associated with emerging technologies for the energy sector. It is critical for those procuring to have a full understanding of the capabilities of the products received. 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 Billionaire Elon Musk concedes that if he could do it again, he would not run the Department of Government Efficiency. Speaking to Katie Miller, a former advisor to Musk when he was running DOGE, Musk explained how challenging it was to run the department, which was shut down in November. Asked by Miller, who has now joined Musk in the private sector, whether he would start the department again if he had another chance, the owner of Tesla and X said it was unlikely. I mean no, I dont think so, he said. I mean the thing is, instead of doing DOGE, I wouldve basically worked on my companies, essentially, and they wouldnt have been burning the cars. open image in gallery Elon Musk during his interview with Katie Miller ( Katie Miller podcast ) While Musk was running DOGE at the beginning of President Donald Trumps second presidency, the billionaires role sparked mass protests, as people opposed the department's access to sensitive data and its proposed cuts to agencies such as the Social Security Administration. Many believed the SpaceX founders role in the White House was having a detrimental impact on his businesses. When Trump won the presidency, Teslas share price rose to $479 per share, but by March 2025, it had declined by 48 per cent. "What [the protesters are] trying to do is put massive pressure on me, and Tesla I guess, to you know, I don't know, stop doing this," Musk said in March this year. "My Tesla stock and the stock of everyone who holds Tesla has gone, went roughly in half. I mean it's a big deal. "Long term I think Tesla stock's going to do fine, so maybe it's a buying opportunity." Reflecting on this experience running DOGE, Musk told Miller that, while it was a challenge, there were still positive moments. We were somewhat successful, he said. I mean, we stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense. That was just entirely wasteful. "For example, there was probably $100, maybe $200 billion worth of zombie payments per year, which simply by enforcing that there be a payment code and an explanation for the payment, the payment would not go out." Beyond DOGE, Musk was also asked by Miller, Stephen Miller's wife, who has been the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and the homeland security advisor since 2025, whom he looks up to most. The creator, Musk said. open image in gallery Katie Miller pictured with Stephen Miller, a key Trump advisor considered by many to be leading the admins immigration policies ( Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images ) When asked what his thoughts were on God, Musk opened up about his faith. God is the creator, he said. In response, Miller asked: You don't believe in God, though? Musk replied: Well, I believe the universe came from something. People have different labels. Further, Musk criticised the way immigration was being handled in the United States, claiming that many newly elected representatives, notably Minnesota Democrat Ilhan Omar and Zohran Mamdani, who was recently elected New York Mayor, were voted in by people not born in the U.S. Let's look at Ilhan Omar, who was literally voted into Congress by a large group of people from Somalia, who are in Minnesota, which is really far from Somalia, or Mamdani, who was voted as mayor. But by a majority of people who are not born in America, he said. Or Mamdani, who was voted as to be mayor, but by a majority of people who are not born in America. 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 One student was killed and another was left critically wounded in a shooting at Kentucky State University, authorities have said. Police in Frankfort, the state's capital, said the campus was put into lockdown on Tuesday, with Governor Andy Beshear later confirming the incident. The shooting unfolded around 3:35 p.m. at Young Hall, a dorm on the campuss south side, Frankfort Assistant Chief of Police Scott Tracy told WDRB. Law enforcement agencies remain on the scene and have secured the campus, though a suspect has now been taken into custody. Information about a possible motive for the shooting were not immediately available though police confirmed later that the suspect was not a student. The injured student was taken to hospital in critical condition but is now stable, authorities said. open image in gallery At least one person has been killed and another left critically wounded in a shooting at Kentucky State University, authorities have said. A suspect has been taken into custody ( AP ) However, preliminary information indicated that the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute rather than a random act of violence, ABC reported, citing an official briefed on the situation. In a video address Tuesday evening, Beshear also said the incident did not appear to be random and was not a mass shooting. The shooting that took place today at Kentucky State University appears to be an isolated incident - not a mass shooting. The suspect has been arrested, and there is no ongoing threat. Two individuals were critically injured, and I am sad to share that one has now passed away, he said. And he added: Violence has no place in our commonwealth or country. Let's please pray for the families affected and for our KSU students. Lets also pray for a world where these things dont happen. Thank you to our brave law enforcement who acted quickly to protect our people. The Frankfort Police Department said it responded to calls "regarding an active aggressor." open image in gallery Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the schools creation in 1886 ( Google Maps ) Authorities are expected to provide further information on the incident at a press conference later Tuesday evening. Kentucky State University is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the schools creation in 1886. The incident on Tuesday comes after two other historically Black universities were targeted earlier, both taking place on homecoming weekends in October. A shooting near the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., injured five people, though no students, and a day later, at least one person was killed and six more were injured at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. 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 Maria Corina Machado, who has become a symbol of resistance in the face of growing authoritarianism in Venezuela, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The opposition leader was forced into hiding and banned from running for office by the administration of President Nicolas Maduro. But her fearless campaigns and rock-star appeal have made her an incredibly popular politician in her country and led her to beat US President Donald Trump in winning this years honour. When her win was announced in October, the activist was lauded for being a key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided an opposition that found common ground in the demand for free elections and representative government. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, added: In the past year, Miss Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist." open image in gallery Maria Corina Machado became a symbol of resistance in the face of growing authoritarianism in Venezuela ( AP ) Machados ally, Edmundo Gonzalez, who lives in exile in Spain, posted a video of himself speaking by phone with her after she received the news. I am in shock, Machado said. I cannot believe it. The award ceremony is due to take place on Wednesday, 10 December, but at the eleventh hour it was announced that Machado is not going to attend. What is Machados background? Machado, 58, was born in Caracas on 7 October 1967. Her father was a prominent businessman in Venezuelas steel industry, with her upper-class roots making her a target of criticism from the countrys governing socialist party. Now a mother of three children, Machado is an industrial engineer by training, studying engineering at university before she gained a masters degree in finance, and went on to have a short career in business. In 1992, she also started a foundation for orphaned children living on the streets of Caracas, the Atenea Foundation. But she went on to co-found the vote-monitoring organisation Sumate in 2002, which aims to promote free and fair elections, marking her official entry into politics. open image in gallery President Nicolas Maduros time in office has been marked by a deep economic and social crisis ( AP ) Banned from public office In 2010, Machado won a record number of votes to get elected to the National Assembly, where she served from 2011 until the regime expelled her from office in 2014. She later became the national coordinator of the liberal political party Vente Venezuela, which she co-founded in 2012 and currently leads. Five years later, she helped found the Soy Venezuela alliance, aimed at bringing together pro-democracy forces from across the political divide. Machado won a resounding victory in the opposition's primary election in 2023, and her rallies attracted large crowds. However, a ban from holding public office prevented her from running for president against Nicolas Maduro in an election in 2024, and she went into hiding. Mr Gonzalez took her place, having never run for office before. The lead-up to the election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations, with Maduro's government routinely targeting its real or perceived opponents. open image in gallery The Venezuelan opposition leader addresses supporters at a protest against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in January ( AP ) The crackdown on dissent only increased after the countrys National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared him the winner despite credible evidence to the contrary. The election results sparked protests across the country, to which the government responded with force and ended with more than 20 people dead. They also prompted an end to diplomatic relations between Venezuela and various foreign countries, including Argentina. Machado emerged from hiding in January to make a brief appearance during a protest before the inauguration of Maduro whose time in office has been marked by a deep economic and social crisis. She was briefly arrested and then freed. The 20th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize Gonzalez who has been granted asylum in Spain after a Venezuelan court issued an arrest warrant for him celebrated Machado's Nobel win in a post on X/Twitter, calling it a very well-deserved recognition for the long fight of a woman and of a whole people for our freedom and democracy. Last year, Machado and Gonzalez were awarded the European Union's top human rights honour, The Sakharov Prize. Machado now becomes the 20th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, of the 112 individuals who have been honoured. open image in gallery Machado and Gonzalez join hands during a protest against the result of the presidential election last year ( Getty ) She advocates for liberal economic reforms, including the privatisation of state-owned enterprises such as PDVSA, Venezuelas oil company. She also supports the creation of welfare programs aimed at aiding the country's poorest citizens. Her political activism has come at a cost, leaving her isolated as nearly all of her senior advisers have been detained or forced to leave the country. Machado herself has accused Maduro's administration of operating as a criminal mafia. Though sometimes criticised for being egotistical, even by her own mother, Machado rarely speaks about herself in public. Instead, she frames her campaign as a collective struggle for redemption and unity, aiming to inspire hope among Venezuelans weary of economic hardship and social decay. What happened to Machado attending the ceremony? Machado was due to receive the award in defiance of a decade-long travel ban imposed by authorities in her home country and after spending more than a year in hiding. Last seen in public 11 months ago, she had been due to hold a traditional news conference by the laureate the day before the formal award ceremony. But the lunchtime event was delayed without explanation, until the Norwegian Nobel Institute said three hours after the scheduled time that it will not take place today. On the day of the ceremony, the organisers confirmed she would not be attending and the award will be accepted by her daughter instead. She is unfortunately not in Norway and will not stand on stage at Oslo City Hall at 1 p.m. when the ceremony starts, Kristian Berg Harpviken, the director of the institute and the permanent secretary of the award body, told broadcaster NRK. Asked where she was, Harpviken said: I don't know. Last month Venezuelas attorney general said Machado would be considered a fugitive if she went to Norway to accept the prize. 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 daughter of 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado said her mother is determined to secure freedom in Venezuela as she accepted her mother's award. Ana Corina Sosa Machado collected the gold medal and diploma, and received a standing ovation after the Venezuelan opposition leader who has been forced to live in hiding for much of the year was unable to reach Oslo in time for the ceremony. It followed a chaotic 24 hours in which a press conference before the ceremony was cancelled without explanation and amid conflicting reports about whether Ms Machado would be able to attend in person. open image in gallery Ana Corina Sosa Machado collected the gold medal and diploma on behalf of her mother ( AP ) Kristian Berg Harpviken, the head of the Nobel Institute, said that security threats meant that Ms Machados life would be in danger on her journey to Oslo. She simply lives with a death threat from the regime. It extends beyond Venezuelas borders, from the regime and the regimes friends around the world, Mr Harpviken told Norways national broadcaster, NRK. Accepting the award, Ms Machados daughter read a speech written by her mother. We attain freedom only when we refuse to turn our backs on ourselves, when we confront the truth directly, no matter how painful, when love for what truly matters in life gives us the strength to persevere and to prevail, she said. open image in gallery Machado is in hiding after she was banned from public office and received death threats ( AFP via Getty ) Venezuela will breathe again, she continued. We will open prison doors and watch thousands who were unjustly detained step into the warm sun, embraced at last by those who never stopped fighting for them. We will see grandmothers settle children on their laps to tell them stories not of distant forefathers, but of their own parents courage. In the speech, she accused the Venezuelan government of state terrorism deployed to bury the will of the people. The 58-year-old politician and former engineer has been in hiding since a contentious election that saw socialist leader and president Nicolas Maduro declared the winner. Ms Machado was banned from public office shortly after the win. Venezuelas attorney general had warned that the leader would be considered a fugitive if she were to travel to Oslo to collect the prize. Maria Corina Machado has herself stated in interviews how challenging the journey to Oslo, Norway will be, the institute explained. open image in gallery Shortly after Nicolas Maduro was declared winner of the Venezuelan election, Machado was banned from public office ( AP ) The award comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions between Venezuela and the US, with Mr Trump reportedly issuing Mr Maduro an ultimatum to step down immediately in exchange for safe passage out of the country. The Trump administration has accused Mr Maduro of facilitating drug trafficking from his country, which he denies. The Venezuelan leader has in turn accused the US president of trying to oust him by piling on pressure with a show of force on his border. Military attacks on boats have been criticised as extrajudicial killings by some legal experts. Ms Machado previously dedicated her Nobel win to Mr Trump, who has made clear his hopes to win the prize himself. She thanked him for his decisive support in her countrys struggle for democracy. open image in gallery The daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Machado received a standing ovation when collecting the award ( Reuters ) The opposition leader was celebrated as someone who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness by the Nobel committee in an explanation of its choice. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, added: In the past year, Ms Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist. 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 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed her country's intention to increase water deliveries to the United States, though not immediately, despite threats from US President Donald Trump to impose a 5 per cent tariff hike on Mexican imports. Ms Sheinbaum announced on Tuesday that Mexico is proposing a water delivery this month, with further shipments planned for the coming years. This proposal is set to be discussed during a virtual meeting with U.S officials later today. Mexico currently lags behind on its water commitments to the United States from the Rio Grande River, a shortfall attributed by Ms Sheinbaum to severe drought conditions and limitations within the country's pipeline infrastructure. Under a 1944 treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.7 million acre-feet of water to the U.S from six tributaries every five years, equating to an average of 350,000 acre-feet annually. An acre-foot is defined as the volume of water required to cover one acre of land to a depth of one foot. Mexico currently lags behind on its water commitments to the United States from the Rio Grande River ( Getty Images ) Donald Trump took to social media on Monday to assert that Mexico has accumulated a significant water debt over the past five years, which he claimed is adversely affecting farmers in Texas. He stated that he has authorised a 5 per cent increase on tariffs against Mexico should the water not be released immediately. The U.S needs Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet of water before December 31st, and the rest must come soon after, Trump wrote. As of now, Mexico is not responding, and it is very unfair to our U.S. Farmers who deserve this much needed water. Trump first threatened tariffs over the water issue in April when he also threatened to impose 5% tariffs on Mexican imports and accused the country of continuing to violate the agreement. The two countries have reached agreements on the issue in the past and the Mexican president said she hoped they would again find an understanding. We have the best intention to deliver the amount of water that is owed from previous years, Sheinbaum said. 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 hiker in Utah who became trapped in quicksand was freed after a dramatic rescue mission this weekend. Austin Dirks was hiking Sunday in Arches National Park, eastern Utah, renowned for its hundreds of stunning sandstone arches. Dirks had hit the trail alone in the early morning, in an area called Courthouse Wash with incredible views and ancient rock art, when his left leg broke through what appeared to be solid ground. The experienced hiker quickly realized he was stuck in quicksand. I was able to pull it out, and then I shifted all my weight to my right foot and I sunk up to the knee, he told FOX13 Salt Lake City. It felt like I had stepped into concrete, and then it hardened around my leg. I couldnt even move a millimeter. open image in gallery It took up to two hours to find and rescue Austin Dirks who was stuck in quicksand ( Grand County Search and Rescue ) While movies often depict quicksand as deadly, it is virtually impossible to die by sinking into it because the sand is denser than the human body, meaning people are more buoyant. Typically, people do not sink below the waist or mid-chest. However when the sand grains can compact around peoples legs which is what traps them. This is what happened to Dirks. Before this trip, I honestly thought quicksand was more of a folklore or a legend, he told FOX13. How its depicted on TV is nothing like it is in real life. The human body is more buoyant than the quicksand, so youll never sink to above your head. The experienced hiker was carrying a GPS satellite messenger which allowed him to send out an alert signal. Authorities from the Grand County Search and Rescue sent up a drone which was able to locate Dirks. Drone footage showed him trapped in the quicksand, struggling to keep his knees above ground, beneath towering rocks. A ladder and traction board were used to extract Dirks, Grand County Search and Rescue incident commander John Marshall told NBC News. Marshall noted the temperature of 21 degrees meant conditions were below freezing. Where this person was, there was just no sun shining down in this canyon area, he said. I was just taken aback by just how cold the ambient temperature was. When Marshall was informed of Dirks situation, he admits he was in disbelief. The page went off and I kind of shook my head and said: Did I hear that correctly? Somebody is stuck in quicksand? Marshall said. Two hours later Dirks was released from the quicksand unscathed. He was pretty tired and stuck and ready to get out, the commander added. 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 federal judge has allowed a Tufts University student from Turkey to resume her academic work, following the revocation of her visa by the Trump administration, which led to six weeks of detention. Rumeysa Ozturk, a PhD student researching children's relationship with social media, was among the initial individuals targeted as the Trump administration began focusing on foreign-born students and activists involved in pro-Palestinian advocacy. Her arrest in March, captured on video outside her Somerville residence, saw immigration enforcement officers take her away in an unmarked vehicle. This occurred after she co-authored an op-ed criticizing her universitys response to Israel and the conflict in Gaza. Although Ozturk has been out of a Louisiana immigrant detention center since May and back on the Tufts campus, she has been unable to teach or participate in research. This was due to the termination of her record in the government's database for foreign students temporarily studying in the U.S. In her ruling on Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper stated that Ozturk is likely to succeed on claims that the termination was arbitrary and capricious, contrary to law and in violation of the First Amendment. Although Ozturk has been out of a Louisiana immigrant detention center since May and back on the Tufts campus, she has been unable to teach or participate in research. ( AP Photo/Leah Willingham ) Government argued that termination was legal The governments lawyers unsuccessfully argued that the Boston federal court lacked jurisdiction and that Ozturks Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record (SEVIS) record was terminated legally after her visa was revoked, making her eligible for removal proceedings. Theres no statute or regulation thats been violated by the termination of the SEVIS record in this case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Sauter said during a hearing last week. The Associated Press sent an email Tuesday seeking comment from Sauter on whether the government plans to appeal. In a statement, Ozturk, who plans to graduate next year, said while she is grateful for the court's decision, she feels a great deal of grief for the education she has been arbitrarily denied as a scholar and a woman in my final year of doctoral studies. I hope one day we can create a world where everyone uses education to learn, connect, civically engage and benefit others rather than criminalize and punish those whose opinions differ from our own, said Ozturk, who is still challenging her arrest and detention. The then-30-year-old was one of four students who wrote the opinion piece in the campus newspaper. It criticized the universitys response to student activists demanding that Tufts acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, disclose its investments and divest from companies with ties to Israel. Ozturk, who is Muslim, was meeting friends in March for iftar, a meal that breaks a fast at sunset during Ramadan, according to her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai. Her student visa had been revoked several days earlier, but she was not informed of that, her lawyers said. The government asserted that terminating her SEVIS record two hours after her arrest was a proper way of informing Tufts University about her visa revocation. A State Department memo said Ozturk's visa was revoked following an assessment that her actions may undermine U.S. foreign policy by creating a hostile environment for Jewish students and indicating support for a designated terrorist organization including co-authoring an op-ed that found common cause with an organization that was later temporarily banned from campus. Ozturk running out of time to pursue teaching, research goals Without her SEVIS status reinstated, Ozturk said she couldn't qualify as a paid research assistant and couldn't fully reintegrate into academic life at Tufts. We have a strange kind of legal gaslighting here, where the government claims its just a tinkering in a database, but this is really something that has a daily impact on Ms. Ozturks life, her attorney, Adriana Lafaille of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, said in court. We are running out of time to make this right. Each day that goes by is a day that she is being prevented from doing the work that she loves in the graduate program that she came here to be part of. Each day that this happens is a day that the government is allowed to continue to punish her for her protected speech. Ozturk, meanwhile, has maintained a full course load and fulfilled all requirements to maintain her lawful student status, which the government hasn't terminated, her lawyer said. Record created to collect information on international students SEVIS is mandated by Congress in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 and administered by the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to collect information relating to nonimmigrant foreign students and use such information to carry out the enforcement functions of ICE. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, when a SEVIS record is terminated, a student loses all on and/ or off-campus employment authorization and allows ICE agents to investigate to confirm the departure of the student. 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 U.S. military fighter jets conducted a flight over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking what appears to be the closest American warplanes have approached the South American nation's airspace since the Trump administration initiated its pressure campaign. Public flight tracking websites observed a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets traversing the Gulf a body of water bordered by Venezuela and approximately 150 miles at its widest point for over 30 minutes. A U.S. defense official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of military operations, confirmed the routine training flight. The official stated the jets remained in international airspace throughout, though could not confirm if they were armed. They likened the exercise to previous demonstrations of U.S. aerial reach, emphasizing the maneuver was not meant to be provocative. Public flight tracking websites observed a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter jets traversing the Gulf. ( AP Photo/Lee Jin-man ) The military has previously sent B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers to the region, but those planes flew up to and along the coast of Venezuela. There was no indication that those aircraft ever flew as close to the countrys territory as the F/A-18 fighter jets on Tuesday. The flights are the latest action the U.S. military has taken as it has built up its largest presence in the region in decades and launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. President Donald Trump says land attacks are coming soon but has not offered any details on location. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes since early September, including a follow-up strike that killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit. Lawmakers are demanding to get unedited video from the strikes, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders Tuesday he was still weighing whether to release it. Hegseth provided a classified briefing for congressional leaders alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top national security officials. The same day, Adm. Alvin Holsey, who will be retiring from U.S. Southern Command in this week, spoke separately with the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels. Flightradar24, one of the websites that allowed the public to see the jets flying in real time, said the planes were the most tracked flights on its site at the time. Venezuela has claimed that the body of water is part of the country's national territory, but those claims have been challenged by U.S. legal scholars and the military for decades. 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 It looks like Donald Trumps favorite reporter is going to Marjorie Taylor Greene in the increasingly bitter MAGA divorce. In a lengthy profile in the Washington Post on the weird month hes had amid the nasty public breakup between the president and Greene, who had been one of Trumps fiercest allies and defenders on Capitol Hill, Brian Glenn revealed that his loyalties ultimately lie with his girlfriend. Glenn, the chief White House correspondent for pro-Trump cable network Real Americas Voice, has been placed in a highly awkward position since the president lashed out at Greene and labeled her a traitor after the MAGA lawmaker split with Trump on several issues namely the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and extending health care subsidies. However, as Glenn told the Post, now that his partner has decided to leave Congress next month, he has decided to follow her to Georgia and give up his mantle as Trumps go-to White House reporter. Im not doing this fly-back-and-forth thing not doing it, its not worth it, he told the paper. open image in gallery Brian Glenn is leaving DC and his spot as Trumps favorite reporter after his girlfriend Marjorie Taylor Greene resigns from Congress. ( Getty Images ) Additionally, he claimed that Real Americas Voice is building him a studio near his and Greens home in Georgia, though he left it up in the air what role he would play at the MAGA channel going forward. Ill do whatever content from there either contribute to the network or do something else as well, another show or something, he stated. Elsewhere in his sitdown with the Washington Post, Glenn who has drawn headlines for his over-the-top pro-Trump questions appeared unapologetic about his role as a cheerleader for the president while ostensibly serving as a member of the White House press corps. Im so much more base than they are, he boasted, referencing other members of the conservative media ecosystem. And the administration knows that, too. Things began to change for Glenn, though, when Greene began speaking out against the administration and GOP leadership amid the government shutdown and the growing affordability concerns that propelled Democrats to sweeping victories in Novembers off-year elections. Eventually, beginning in mid-November, Trump began unleashing a series of social media rants in which he blasted Greene as Marjorie Traitor Brown, because Green turns to Brown where there is ROT involved, all while withdrawing his endorsement of her for next years midterms. That prompted Glenn to lie low for a while, which included him avoiding White House press briefings and presidential events. I didnt want to make any awkward spaces, Glenn told me, so I said, You know what? Let me just stay back this week. While he has since returned to attending the briefings and Trump pressers, Glenn was still left with a decision to make now that his girlfriend and possible future wife would be leaving town in the next few weeks. Im like the little divorced kid in the middle! Glenn exclaimed to the Post after the Georgia firebrand announced her resignation, noting that he really, really doesnt want to have to choose sides. open image in gallery Brian Glenn has become Donald Trumps go-to White House reporter due to the Real Americas Voice correspondents tendency to ask over-the-top pro-MAGA questions. ( Getty Images ) Still, when the president first began publicly bashing Greene from the White House, Glenn talked about the emotional impact that had on him. Im not going to lie to you, it hurt, he said, noting that he began receiving texts from friends about it as he wasnt in Washington that day. I never could have imagined how a nuclear bomb could go off over someones head the way it did that Friday, Glenn added about Trumps Truth Social tirade in which the president labeled Greene a traitor and pulled his endorsement. Speaking of loyalty what about the man in the middle? Who would get Glenn in the divorce? the Post wondered, prompting Glenn to respond: Well, I gotta go with Mom here. In the end, while Glenn said that wedding bells are definitely in the future for sure, he also wanted Trump to know that he will always have Trumps back. I will continue to support the president I want to make sure thats in the piece, he told the Post. A week after speaking to the paper, Glenn was on hand for an Oval Office event with automakers that saw the president go on a rambling monologue about how affordability was a Democratic con job. When Trump began taking questions, he called on Glenn first, who was ready to tee up the president with a predictably pro-MAGA softball, only for the president to interject and declare: We love you, Brian. Glenn replied: Oh, I love you too, Mr. President! Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A new poll on the popularity of prospective 2028 presidential candidates has found that only one Democrat scores highly with Black voters, with the rest performing less well than ex-KKK leader David Duke did in 2016. The new Fall 2025 Yale Youth Poll examined the favorability ratings of potential candidates through several lenses, including race, and found that Black voters favored only former vice president Kamala Harris in any meaningful way. The defeated 2024 nominee is picking up the support of 47 percent of respondents, who said they would vote for her if a primary were held today. Her theoretical rivals all scored poorly, from California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 12 percent to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at 9 percent, ex-U.S. transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg at 4 percent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at 1 percent, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at 0 percent. open image in gallery Kamala Harris was the only potential Democratic presidential candidate about whom Black voters were overwhelmingly positive ( Getty ) As was pointed out on X, Duke, the one-time Grand Wizard of the White supremacist hate group, scored a surprisingly high 14 percent approval rating among Black voters when he ran for the Louisiana Senate in 2016, according to a contemporary poll from the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center. At the time, that score also put the KKK man ahead of Donald Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee challenging Hillary Clinton, among Black voters, according to The Washington Post. Newsom led the Democratic field overall in the new poll with a 25 percent approval rating, scoring well among White, Hispanic, and Asian voters, followed by Harris, Ocasio-Cortez, and Buttigieg. Still, there was little obvious appetite for future campaigns from Walz or Shapiro. Exactly the same running order emerged when support for the candidates was divided by age, with Ocasio-Cortez scoring most impressively with younger voters aged 18 to 44, but seeing little support from people aged 45 or older. Newsom particularly distinguished himself with a 38 percent score from the over-65s. This demographic also took a shine to Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who chalked up an 18 percent rating. open image in gallery Former KKK leader David Duke scored better with Black votes when he ran for the Louisiana Senate in 2016 than many of the Democratic presidential contenders are doing now ( AP ) Among Republicans, Vice President JD Vance led the pack comfortably, with a 51 percent approval rating overall, scoring particularly well with White and Hispanic voters and well ahead of potential rivals Donald Trump Jr, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Marco Rubio, and Robert F Kennedy Jr. However, Vances commanding lead was shown to crumble in a hypothetical scenario in which President Trump were to make good on his threat to run for an unconstitutional third term, something he has repeatedly hinted at. If Trump were to run again, he would have the support of 50 percent of Republicans, according to the Yale survey, dumping Vance down to 19 percent still well ahead of all other comers. That said, the poll also found that voters of all ages overwhelmingly disapproved of the 47th president, with the young scoring an overall approval rating of 43 percent to 55 percent disapproval. The top five issues voters said they cared most about were the cost of living/affordability, 88 percent; democracy, 78 percent; Medicaid and Medicare, 73 percent; corruption, 72 percent; and election integrity, 72 percent, none of which are Trumps strong suits. open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance scored well with Republicans but they will only support him if President Donald Trump stays out of the race ( Reuters ) The poll appeared a day after the president delivered a rally-style address to his supporters in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, ostensibly to address their fears about affordability, during which he bragged about his supposed popularity among Black voters. Let me tell you Black people love Trump, he declared. I got the biggest vote. I got the biggest vote with Black people. They know a scam better than anybody! In July, a Decision Desk HQ average of polls found that 71.5 percent of African-Americans disapproved of his presidency so far, while just 24.1 percent approved. 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 Senator Chris Coons is afraid President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will drag the U.S. into an unpopular war with Venezuela for the purpose of stealing its vast oil and rare-earth mineral resources. Coons made the comments on MS NOWs Deadline: White House show on Tuesday. He told the host that earlier that day he was shown footage of the double tap boat strike in the Caribbean by the U.S. military. It also comes as U.S. military fighter jets conducted a flight over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking what appears to be the closest American warplanes have approached the South American nation's airspace since the Trump administration initiated its pressure campaign. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office. open image in gallery Democratic Senator Chris Coons says he fears the Trump administration is working to unseat Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to get access to the countrys resources ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) A Washington Post report alleges that Hegseth gave troops an order to kill everybody on an alleged smuggling boat. After the initial strike, Navy Admiral Frank Bradley allegedly gave the orderreportedly with Hegseth's blessingto strike the wreckage a second time, killing two survivors. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth has claimed to CNN that the strike was a war crime, and Coons told MS NOW that theres been no proof that the boat was actually a drug-smuggling vessel. In the wake of the strike, Coons has called for more transparency from the Trump administration concerning its military actions against Venezuela. He said he is afraid that Trump is not simply trying to thwart alleged drug smugglers, but instead trying to spark a war with Venezuela. open image in gallery Senator Chris Coons said he was concerned that President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth were sleepwalking the U.S. into a war with Venezuela for the purposes of obtaining the nations oil and rare-earth mineral resources ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Im afraid that Secretary Hegseth and President Trump are sleepwalking us into a war with Venezuela, and that regime change and access to the critical mineral resources and oil and gas of Venezuela is the real purpose and real goal here, Coons said. Its not just Democrats concerned about Trumps aggressive actions toward Venezuela. Republican Senator Rand Paul, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee and sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Fox News John Roberts that he felt Trump was ignoring the Constitution to provoke a war with Venezuela. Roberts asked Paul if Trump going to war with Venezuela or launching some kind of invasion is in the cards. You know, Im kind of old-fashioned. I kind of like to obey this thing called the Constitution. The Constitution says that war only occurs when its declared by Congress, Paul said. The president doesnt have the power to take the country to war. Now, if he does, he wouldnt be the first president to disobey the Constitution. But I think we should obey the Constitution because I think it makes war less likely. He continued, saying that if Trump wants war with Venezuela, he should come and ask for permission from Congress the way it was intended. Roberts responded, noting that several past presidents, both Democrats and Republicans, have approved significant military action without seeking congressional approval for war. open image in gallery Senator Rand Paul spoke out against the Trump administration's 'extrajudicial' strikes against alleged Venezuela drug-trafficking boats ( X - Fox News Sunday ) He listed the presidents who launched military operations without congressional authority, citing Truman in the Korean War; Johnson in the Vietnam War; Reaganthe Grenada invasionas well as Libya; President Clintonthe Kosovo War, where we were bombing Serbia; ObamaLibya and ISIS; President Trumps Syria airstrikes and the Soleimani strike. Paul was not swayed by the precedent of presidents acting without congressional approval. Im reminded of what my mother would tell me when I was a kid: 10 wrongs dont make a right. So the fact that 10 presidents have done it incorrectly doesnt make it right, Paul said, adding that the Founding Fathers had made it clear through the Constitution that they wanted presidents to seek congressional approval before going to war. Paul said he hopes that Trump will stay consistent with his track record of not engaging in violent regime change. It is very hard to stop a president hell-bent on war. But you know, what I liked most about President Trump was his idea that he didnt believe in regime-change war, Paul said. He was against the Iraq War, he was against the war in Libya. So I hope that his instincts will prevail. 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 Environmental Protection Agency, under the direction of the Trump administration, has removed some of its language noting that climate change is driven by human burning of fossil fuels. Information noting that humans are the drivers of climate change has been deleted from one of the agency's webpages titled Causes of Climate Change and from another tracking the impact of global warming in the U.S., according to a New York Times report. The deletions come amid the Trump administration's efforts to boost oil, gas, and coal in energy production. The burning of those fuel sources is the primary driver of climate change. President Donald Trump has been consistently dismissive of climate change, calling it a hoax and working to kill fossil fuel regulations while making renewable energy initiatives more difficult. Earlier this year, the president ended a tax credit that incentivized car buyers to purchase electric vehicles. Rachel Cleetus, the senior policy director for the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Times that the EPA is trying to bury the evidence on human-caused climate change and called the deletions part of an ongoing attack on science by the Trump administration. open image in gallery The Environmental Protection Agency has removed some information on its websites noting that the human burning of fossil fuels is a primary driver of climate change ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Currently, the EPA's website discussing the causes of climate change only includes natural phenomenalike the Earth's orbital changes and solar activityas drivers of climate change. Two previous sections of the site, Climate Change Indicators and Climate Change Impacts and Analysis, have been removed completely, according to E&E News. The Independent has requested comment from the EPA. An archived version of the EPA's website from October was clear in its messaging about humans and climate change. It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land, the website said in October. The current website acknowledges that recent climate changes cannot be explained by natural causes alone, but does not describe the other contributing factors. When questioned about the changes by E&E News, an EPA spokesperson gave a Trump-like response referencing the climate cult. open image in gallery The Warrick Power Plant, a coal-powered generating station, operates April 8, 2025, in Newburgh, Indiana. The Trump administration has eased regulations on coal power, which is a contributor to climate change ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Unlike the previous administration, the Trump EPA is focused on protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback, not left-wing political agendas, the spokesperson told the outlet. As such, this agency no longer takes marching orders from the climate cult. Not all of the references to human-induced climate change have been removed, however. In one section of the agency's site explaining the basics of climate science, there remains information noting that climate change since 1950 has largely been driven by human activity. Greenhouse gases come from a variety of human activities, including burning fossil fuels for heat and energy, clearing forests, fertilizing crops, storing waste in landfills, raising livestock, and producing some kinds of industrial products, the webpage said as of Monday. 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 Federal judges in New York and Florida have agreed to unseal grand jury documents tied to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, paving the way for the Department of Justice to release all the files in its possession as pressure builds to expose an alleged network of powerful figures who enabled the late sex offender. A federal judge on Wednesday ordered that grand jury records in the sex trafficking case against Epstein must be unsealed after Donald Trump signed a measure that compels his administration to publicly release them. Wednesdays order marks the third and final ruling to unseal grand jury materials in the three federal cases against Epstein and his associate. The Justice Department has until December 19 to make those materials and thousands of other documents surrounding Epstein publicly available. But its unclear whether any of the documents will shed new light on Epstein after the Justice Department called on the courts for permission to release them, an endeavor that one judge said would not add to public knowledge and another said amounts to only a hearsay snippet of Epsteins crimes. open image in gallery Judges have agreed to unseal grand jury materials tied to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, though judges and prosecutors have cautioned they might not lead to any new revelations. ( REUTERS ) The grand jury materials represent only a fraction of the documents in the Justice Departments possession. The government is preparing to release potentially tens of thousands of pages of documents, including FBI notes throughout the investigations, transcripts of witness interviews, videos and photographs, Epsteins autopsy report, and, of course, flight logs and passenger lists from Epsteins plane. Questions about the fate of those documents have dominated the presidents second term after he pledged during his campaign to release them. His administration released some documents to a group of far-right influencers earlier this year, though most of those documents were already public. In July, the Justice Department determined no further disclosure in the Epstein case would be appropriate or warranted, which only fueled scrutiny into the presidents relationship with Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of minors before he was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. Last month, after a mounting pressure campaign among members of Congress, including his one-time Republican allies, Trump reluctantly agreed to sign a measure that compels the Justice Department to release all investigative materials from the Epstein case in its possession. Florida grand jury investigation Transcripts of the grand jury proceedings from an abandoned federal case in Florida could reveal why, exactly, federal prosecutors decided against moving forward with a case against Epstein in 2007. The materials in Florida stem from an aborted effort to federally prosecute Epstein that resulted in what critics have called a sweetheart deal for state charges and a brief jail sentence. open image in gallery Grand jury materials likely include transcripts from people who testified to jurors who voted to indict Epstein and Maxwell ( AP ) A Palm Beach grand jury indicted Epstein on one state felony charge of solicitation of prostitution in 2006, a case that was then referred to the FBI. In 2007, an assistant U.S. attorney crafted a draft indictment outlining 60 criminal counts against Epstein, along with a memo of evidence against him. Then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta arranged a controversial agreement for Epstein to plead guilty to two state charges as well as a prison sentence and a requirement that he register as a sex offender in exchange for the federal case to be dropped. Epstein then pleaded guilty to state charges of solicitation of prostitution and of solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18. He was released after serving less than 13 months in state prison. Ghislaine Maxwells grand jury evidence Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for crimes associated with Epsteins decades-long scheme to recruit young women and girls. From 1994 to 2004, Maxwell and Epstein worked together to recruit young girls and entice them to travel to Epsteins properties, according to prosecutors. During a monthlong trial in 2021, survivors testified in Manhattan federal court that Maxwell had groomed them, taken their passports, and sexually abused them. open image in gallery The Justice Department has until December 19 to make the so-called Epstein files public following the passage of a transparency bill in Congress ( REUTERS ) The grand jury records are expected to include testimony from the FBI agent and a New York Police Department detective who gave evidence to jurors who indicted her. But New York District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer made clear that the materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor. They do not discuss or identify any client of Epsteins or Maxwells, he wrote. They do not reveal any heretofore unknown means or methods of Epsteins or Maxwells crimes. Epsteins trafficking case in New York The only witness to testify before the grand jury that indicted Epstein on trafficking charges before he killed himself while awaiting trial in 2019 was an FBI agent who had no direct knowledge of the facts of the case and whose testimony was mostly hearsay, according to New York District Judge Richard M. Berman. That agent testified over two days in 2019, while the rest of the grand jury presentation consisted of a PowerPoint slideshow and four pages of call logs. In Wednesdays order, Berman noted that the transparency law signed by Trump unequivocally intends to make public Epstein grand jury materials and discovery materials that were previously sealed. He also stressed that the safety and privacy of victims are paramount. 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 Popular conservative podcaster Brett Cooper went out of her way to avoid criticizing notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes in a recent interview with NPR, saying that while she did not agree with Nick Fuentes on everything she still doesnt think I need to sit here and condemn anyone either way. Coopers repeated deflections when asked if Fuentes antisemitic and racist views should be condemned comes a month after she accused Texas Senator Ted Cruz of hypocrisy for calling Fuentes a Nazi, prompting the Republican senator to fire back and call Cooper an angry lady. Cooper, a former Daily Wire star who recently joined Fox News as a paid contributor, sat down for a wide-ranging interview with NPRs Steve Inskeep this week that saw her express her disagreements with President Donald Trump while insisting that she makes up her own mind when it comes to her viewpoints. For instance, she disagreed with the president recently saying that the United States needed high-skilled immigrants because Americans lacked certain talents. I think my disappointment and concern was shared by my audience and people who are like me, the 24-year-old YouTuber told NPR. This is like the worst thing for a president to say. She also knocked Trump for repeatedly calling the affordability crisis a Democratic hoax and dismissing Americans concerns about rising costs, pointing out that she uses her show to reflect what younger people are thinking. open image in gallery Right-wing YouTuber Brett Cooper said that it wasn't her place to condemn the hateful and racist rhetoric of Nick Fuentes, saying that Americans have the right to listen to whoever they want. ( YouTube ) I want my audience to know that if you're coming to watch the Brett Cooper Show, she doesn't have a senator in her ear saying, Hey, these are my opinions, could you share them? she stated. But if I see what's going on X, Ted Cruz saying something, I want to talk about it. Eventually, Inskeep brought up the growing rift within the American conservative movement over the rising influence of Fuentes, which exploded and sparked a MAGA civil war after former Fox News star Tucker Carlson gave the leader of the Groyper Army an extremely chummy interview. In the aftermath of Carlsons warm embrace of Fuentes, which saw the hard-right provocateur rage about the organized Jewry controlling America, the prominent conservative think tank Heritage Foundation was thrust into turmoil after its president defended Carlsons platforming of Fuentes. Cruz, meanwhile, has sought to use the split within the right over Fuentes who just this week declared that Adolf Hitler is f***ing cool to launch a prospective 2028 presidential bid. Amid the conservative uproar over the Carlson/Fuentes sitdown, Cooper took aim at Cruzs fiery reaction, which included him decrying the ex-Fox star while calling Fuentes a Nazi. Youre doing this out of blind rage because youre so angry that the conservative bases attitudes are rapidly changing, that Nick Fuentes is getting national attention, Cooper reacted on her show last month, claiming Cruz was a hypocrite since hed previously bashed liberals for accusing conservatives of being Nazis. Fuentes, who had previously been a critic of Cooper when she was at the Daily Wire, immediately celebrated her response to the Texas senator. She took a break from the celebrity gossip to take the mask off and go full redpill. I admire her, he declared, claiming that shed also gone groyper from the top rope when she urged another GOP lawmaker to move to Israel. open image in gallery Fuentes recently cheered Cooper for bashing Senator Ted Cruz and other pro-Israel GOP lawmakers, saying she went groyper from the top rope. ( Rumble ) During her interview with Inskeep, Cooper defended her position on Fuentes, saying that everyone has a right to say whatever they want and that conservatives going out of their way to criticize the far-right extremist were guilty of the Streisand effect and merely drawing more attention to him. For Gen Z, what people on both sides of the aisle need to realize is, the more that you tell my generation not to watch something, not to look into something, not to listen to something, that something is bad, or censor somebody, we're going to go look for that content, Cooper insisted. However, when further pressed on whether she agrees with what Fuentes says and promotes, Cooper appeared to demur. You know, I dont agree with Nick Fuentes on everything. I dont agree with anybody on everything, she asserted. I think what older generations need to learn about Nick Fuentes is, and hes said it himself, hes an edgelord. He says things that are intentionally inflammatory. He knows that a lot of people arent going to agree with him and honestly, I dont pay much attention to it. Inskeep, meanwhile, pressed Cooper on Fuentes recent claim that Jewish gangsters are running the country, wondering if she agreed with that notion. No, not really, she replied, before adding: I am concerned about the impact of Israel in our country. I think a lot of young people are. Asked why Fuentes had gained such a massive following, Cooper went on to quote a Zionist friend of hers who purportedly told her that Fuentes was funny, adding that the Holocaust-denying podcaster had become a meme for younger Americans. In the end, when confronted with Cruzs call to choose between condemning Fuentes or being complicit in his hateful rhetoric, Cooper said it wasnt her place to tell Americans who they should listen to. I don't think I need to sit here and condemn anyone either way, she concluded. There are things that Nick says that I dont agree with. There are things that Ted Cruz says that I dont agree with. Im not going to sit here and condemn either of them. 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 Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has branded Donald Trump as a national embarrassment after he lectured a crowd of supporters last night about places he considers to be hellhole and s******e countries. In his speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, the president also attacked immigrants from Somalia, a country he called filthy and disgusting. I said, Why is it we only take people from s***hole countries, right? Why cant we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few, let us have a few. From Denmark, do you mind sending us a few people? Send us some nice people, do you mind? Trump told the crowd. But we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, riddled with crime. On X, the representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district fired back by blasting Trumps obsession with her as beyond weird. He needs serious help, she raged. Since he has no economic policies to tout, hes resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead. He continues to be a national embarrassment. open image in gallery Congresswoman Ilhan Omar claimed that the president was a national embarrassment ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Trump also took aim at Omar in his speech, pretending that he did not know how to pronounce her name. Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is, with her little turban. I love her, he said. Shortly after Trump claimed that Omar came to the U.S. illegally, the crowd started chanting send her back. The pair have often locked horns during Trumps second presidency. Their clashes have become more frequent in recent weeks, after Trump began ramping up his rhetoric about Somali immigrants living in Minnesota. open image in gallery Donald Trump claimed that Somalia was a s***hole country in a foul-mouthed rant in Pennsylvania ( Getty Images ) Last week, he claimed that refugees in Minnesota were roving the streets looking for prey and said that they had ripped off the state for billions of dollars. Meanwhile, a report from The New York Times suggested that ICE strike teams are expected to go after Somali residents with final deportation orders in the near future. This comes amid reports that citizens of Somali origin are carrying their passports in Minnesota. During his Mount Pocono speech, he attacked immigration into Minnesota for a second time, claiming that it was a scam which is headed up by Ilhan Omar, whom he branded as the crooked congresswoman. open image in gallery Trump also revived old conspiracy theories about Omar marrying her brother ( Alex Brandon/AP ) He even asked, Whatever happened to her brother, reigniting a widely debunked conspiracy theory that Omar married her brother. Omar has often been the target of racist abuse herself, with a 30-year-old man currently facing a half-decade prison sentence for posting violent threats about the congresswoman online. Myles M. McQuade allegedly claimed that he would decapitate Omar before murdering her children and eating them for protein, according to plea agreement papers seen by The Independent. He made the comments a day after Omar criticized Charlie Kirk while speaking to reporters, prompting him to demand that she go back to Somalia. 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 Republican Party allegedly promoted favorable polls about Representative Jasmine Crockett as part of a plan to goad the outspoken Democrat into running for the Senate. Crockett was reportedly the GOPs preferred opponent in the 2026 race in Texas, but had not been considered as a potential contender in the race by her fellow Democrats. That prompted Senate Republicans to disseminate a poll in July suggesting that she would be the frontrunner in the Democratic primary. When we saw the results, we were like, OK, we got to disseminate this far and wide, a source familiar with the plan told NOTUS. Shortly after that poll went viral, Crockett was included in successive surveys, many of which put her in first place in a hypothetical primary. Meanwhile, the GOP worked behind the scenes to amplify the polls, according to the source. open image in gallery Jasmine Crocketts chances at winning the 2026 Senate elections were allegedly promoted by the GOP ( AP ) The unnamed insider told NOTUS that the GOP helped orchestrate the pile on of these polling numbers to really drive that news cycle and that narrative that Jasmine Crockett was surging in Texas. The mammoth effort even included an AstroTurf recruitment process, which blitzed progressive digital spaces with the polls. Recruitment phone calls and text messages were also sent to voters, urging them to encourage Crockett to run. That was really a sustained effort that we orchestrated across the ecosystem for several months, the source said. Not only was it getting positive news coverage, but her office was directly having traffic driven to it in terms of phone calls urging her to run. Crockett has become a lightning rod for MAGA in the first year of Trumps second presidency, thanks to her regular criticisms of the administration. Her suggestion that Latino voters who cast their ballot for Trump hate themselves was particularly poorly received. "It almost reminds me of what people would talk about when they would talk about kind of like slave mentality and the hate that some slaves would have for themselves," she told Vanity Fair, before later walking back those remarks on CNN. open image in gallery John Cornyn said that he would try to wipe the smile off his face when he heard that Crockett was running ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) That meant her first-place position in the poll gave Republicans hope in an otherwise challenging election. Incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces a tough battle in the GOP primary, with challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Representative Wesley Hunt. Ultimately, the alleged GOP scheme proved successful, with Crockett confirming on Monday that she would be running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. When she revealed that she would launch a bid for the Senate, Cornyn joked that he would try to wipe the smile off my face. Meanwhile, Paxton mocked Crockett on NewsmaxsThe Chris Salcedo Show for supposedly running in the wrong state. During her announcement speech, Crockett even suggested that her stunning success in the polls had motivated her to run. The more I saw the poll results, I couldnt ignore the trends that were clear, she said. open image in gallery Crockett is a highly controversial figure in Republican circles ( REUTERS ) Her fiery announcement included a direct callout to the president, as she confidently told supporters that she planned to turn Texas blue. Trump, I know youre watching, so let me tell you directly, she said. Youre not entitled to a damn thing in Texas. You better get to work because Im coming for you. The insider, though, said that the GOPs covert plan is not yet complete, telling NOTUS that conservatives still need to steer Crockett through what could be a bruising primary. To support her primary campaign, the source claimed that the GOP has contacted outside entities to set up off-shoot brands and independent expenditure arms that are not overtly Republican. Instead, these groups would bolster Crocketts campaign and would allow them to run against someone they consider to be very vulnerable. The Independent has contacted the Texas GOP and Jasmine Crockett for comment. 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 Katie Miller, a conservative podcaster, former DOGE member and the wife of senior Trump administration official Stephen Miller, is reportedly facing pushback from the Arlington Police Department after calling authorities because she felt threatened by local protesters. In September, Miller, 34, reportedly called police after a group of protesters wrote messages in chalk outside of the couples home voicing opposition to her husband the White House deputy chief of staff for policy who is largely credited with being the architect of Trumps highly controversial immigration policies. One of the chalk messages read, Stephen Miller is destroying democracy. Another said, DEI enriches all. On Fox News, Miller described them as terroristic threats and doxxing. But law enforcement appears to have a different opinion, according to a police report obtained by Zeteo, claiming The messages were non-threatening and alluded to political issues such as immigration, transgender rights, DEI, and white supremacy. open image in gallery Katie and Stephen Miller moved out of their Arlington home earlier this year after facing consistent protests from neighbors ( REUTERS ) The chalk messages at the Millers appeared after the family had been facing months of protests from locals. A protester had reportedly distributed leaflets in the neighborhood that identified the home address of the Millers and condemned Stephens work. A group called the Arlington Neighbors United for Humanity had written Instagram posts denouncing Stephens work in the Trump administration and blaming them for hurting the community. The group, ANUFH, took responsibility for the chalking at the Millers on social media, claiming all the messages were thoughtful and peaceful and that at no point did they interact with the Millers. Since we were in their neighborhood, Stephen and Katie Miller's heavily armed security team greeted us and explicitly told us that we were legally allowed to chalk on the sidewalks, which we did, the group wrote on Instagram. We graciously obliged their request to not chalk directly in front of the Millers' home, despite it also being a public sidewalk. Yet, shortly after the chalk incident, the Millers moved out of their neighborhood. In October, the Millers put their $3.75 million house on the market and moved into taxpayer-subsidized military housing after the local protesters actions made it unsafe for the couples three young children. open image in gallery Chalk messages left by protesters outside Stephen Miller's home in Arlington, Virginia ( Katie Miller/X ) Unfortunately, its become pervasive in our society is that people cant look past politics, and all they do is, they see red, Katie told Fox Newss Ruthless podcast in November. Katie Miller said people began driving by the couples home, and that she and her husband had been sent death threats. It was no longer safe for our children to play in our front yard or backyard, Katie explained. A state and federal investigation has reportedly been opened into potential protesters, according to the New York Times. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson declined to comment on the investigation but told The Daily Beast, Theres been constant death threats against Stephen and his family as well as a highly sophisticated and organized doxxing campaign, tied with extremely violent and threatening rhetoric that is now the subject [of] ongoing state and federal inquiries. On social media, ANUFH responded to Katie Millers concerns of threatening behavior, saying, We understand that Katie, whose home was safely protected by dozens of heavily armed security and police, was terrified of our sidewalk chalk and messages terrifying messages such immigrants are people or protect the constitution. We believe in those statements deeply, in our peaceful activism, and the belief that every single human being here in Arlington deserves to be treated with the same dignity and respect that Katie and Stephen expect from us, ANUFH wrote. 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 Senator Mark Kelly said hes faced an onslaught of death threats and hired a private security detail after President Donald Trump lashed out at him for posting a video urging members of the U.S. military to disobey illegal orders. Kelly, an Arizona Democrat and former Navy pilot, revealed his heightened security situation in an interview with Vanity Fair published Wednesday. But, despite the dangerous circumstances, he said he remains unflappable. Trump is not gonna scare me, he said. Hes a wannabe authoritarian, and weve gotta make sure he doesnt get there. To this point, Kelly said people shouldnt dismiss the presidents provocative rhetoric as harmless bluster. [Trump] talks about sending the military to train on U.S. citizens, and people think, Oh, well, hes not going to do it. Its just Trump being Trump. Thats how we got here, he told the outlet. We know who Donald Trump is, right? We knew who he was even when he was running for office the first time. This is a guy who talked about killing killing women and children. He said we should have the military kill the family members of terrorists. You know, you cant put that sh** back in the donkey, he added. open image in gallery Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, revealed that he hired private security after facing death threats. It comes weeks after President Donald Trump attacked him for posting a video urging members of the military to disobey illegal orders. ( Getty Images ) The senator, who was first elected to the Senate in 2020, added that hes dealt with harder things than his recent dust-up with Trump. Top among them was the assassination attempt on his wife, former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords. While meeting with constituents in 2011, she was shot in the face at point blank range. I sat next to my wifes hospital bed for months, without any idea of how it was gonna turn out, Kelly told Vanity Fair. Most people dont survive that kind of wound. Upon her recovery, Giffords stepped down from office and became an advocate for gun violence prevention. The former NASA astronaut who was on former Vice President Kamala Harris shortlist to serve as her running mate in 2024 also said that his upbringing in northern New Jersey lends itself to dealing with difficult situations. I grew up in the town that the fictional Tony Soprano grew up in, Kelly, who now lives in Arizona, told Vanity Fair. When you grow up around mobsters, it makes you resilient to this sh**. Kellys comments several weeks after he became engulfed in a political firestorm, stemming from a video he and five other Democrats posted on social media in November. It was directed to members of the military. In the video, the six lawmakers all veterans or former intelligence community professionals said, The threats to our Constitution arent just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. Trump quickly responded on Truth Social, calling the Democrats behavior SEDITIOUS and punishable by DEATH! White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the presidents remarks, telling reporters on November 20, The sanctity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people getting killed. She added that the Democrats video sent a very, very dangerous messageand it perhaps is punishable by law. Days later, the Pentagon said it was opening an investigation into Kelly, noting that, unlike the five other Democrats, he remains subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Department of War has received serious allegations of misconduct against Captain Mark Kelly, USN (Ret.), the Pentagon said in a statement. A thorough review of these allegations has been initiated to determine further actions, which may include recall to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures. The FBIs counter terrorism division also reached out to schedule interviews with the six Democrats labeled Seditious Six by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. open image in gallery Kelly and his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, on stage at a campaign event for former Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024 ( AFP/Getty ) Kelly, and the other Democrats including Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin and Colorado Rep. Jason Crow have maintained that they did nothing wrong. I said something that was lawful, it was pretty simple, Kelly told MSnow this weekend. It was a message that I felt members of the military, at this time when you consider who this president is and who the secretary of defense is they needed to hear this pretty basic message. To be honest the presidents reaction and the use of the FBI against us is exactly why we made the video, Slotkin said in November. He believes in using the federal government against his perceived adversaries, and hes not afraid to use the arms of the government against people he disagrees with. He does not believe the law applies to him. On December 9, Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee also sent a letter to the secretary of the Navy, describing the Pentagons investigation as "an outright, brazen abuse of power. 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 Democrat Eileen Higgins has secured a significant victory in the Miami mayoral race, ending her partys nearly three-decade losing streak and providing a crucial boost for Democrats ahead of the 2026 midterms. She triumphed over a Republican candidate who had received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Higgins, 61, is set to become the first woman to lead the city of Miami. Throughout her campaign in the Hispanic-majority city, she frequently addressed Trumps immigration crackdown, highlighting concerns from many Miami residents about family members facing detention. Despite the race officially being nonpartisan, she campaigned openly as a proud Democrat, ultimately defeating Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who has since called Higgins to offer his congratulations. Following her victory speech, Higgins told The Associated Press: We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. With almost all votes tallied on Tuesday, Higgins held a commanding lead over her Republican opponent by approximately 19 percentage points. open image in gallery Despite the race officially being nonpartisan, she campaigned openly as a proud Democrat, ultimately defeating Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez. ( AP ) The local race is not predictive of what may happen at the polls next year. But it drew attention from the two major national political parties and their leaders. The victory provides Democrats with some momentum heading into a high-stakes midterm election when the GOP is looking to keep its grip in Florida, including in a Hispanic-majority district in Miami-Dade County. The area has shifted increasingly rightward politically in recent years, and the city may become the home of Trumps presidential library. Tonights result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs, said Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, in a statement. Some nationally recognized Democrats supported Higgins, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel traveled to Miami on Sunday and Monday to rally voters for the Democrat who served as a Miami-Dade county commissioner for seven years. Higgins, who speaks Spanish, represented a district that leans conservative and includes the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana. When she first entered politics in 2018, she chose to present herself to voters as La Gringa, a term Spanish speakers use for white Americans, because many people did not known how to pronounce her name. It just helps people understand who I am, and you know what? I am a gringa, so, what am I going to do, deny it? she told the AP. Republicans in Florida have found strong support from voters with heritage from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, because they likened some members of the Democratic partys progressive wing with politicians from the governments they fled. Trump and other GOP members have tapped into those sentiments over the past eight years. However, some local Republicans are growing increasingly frustrated since Novembers elections when Democrats scored wins in New Jersey and Virginia, where both winning gubernatorial candidates performed strongly with nonwhite voters. The results from those races were perceived as a reflection of concerns over rising prices and the Trump administrations aggressive immigration policies. U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican whose district is being targeted by Democrats and includes the city of Miami, called the elections elsewhere a wake-up call. She said Hispanics also want a secure border and a healthy economy but some relief for those who have been here for years and do not have a criminal record. The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed, Salazar said in a video posted on X last month. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP. David Jolly, who is running to represent Democrats in the Florida governor's race next year, said the mayoral election was good news for Democrats in what used to be a battleground state. Change is here. It's sweeping the nation, and it's sweeping Florida, Jolly said. The mayoral position in Miami is more ceremonial, but Higgins promised to execute it like a full-time job. The city is part of Miami-Dade County, which Trump flipped last year, a dramatic improvement from his 30 percentage point loss to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. As Floridas second-largest city, Miami is considered the gateway to Latin America and attracts millions of tourists. Its global prominence gives Higgins a significant stage as mayor. Her pitch to voters included finding city-owned land that could be turned into affordable housing and cutting unnecessary spending. Republicans anxiety growsMiami mayor-elect gains national platform 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 Congresswoman Nancy Mace is now claiming that police 100 percent falsified an investigation report documenting her recent meltdown at a South Carolina airport. During an encounter in October at the Charleston International Airport, Mace is accused of escalating a minor miscommunication with security into an expletive-heavy spectacle that left staff visibly upset, according to an airport police investigation report obtained by The Washington Post. The South Carolina lawmaker, who is currently running for governor, allegedly berated officers and TSA staff, telling them she was sick of your s***, calling them f***ing idiots, and accusing them of being f***ing incompetent, according to the report. Many airport staff were working without pay at the time due to the government shutdown. The Republican complained she was not receiving special treatment even though she was a f***ing representative, the report allegedly said. Mace was interviewed on CNN by Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday night and claimed that while she backs the blue, the airport security police report was 100 percent falsified. open image in gallery This security camera still shows Congresswoman Nancy Mace, right, allegedly berating a security worker at the Charleston International Airport in South Carolina in October 2025. Mace claims she never berated anyone and insists accusations that she did are a "political hit job" by her 2026 gubernatorial primary rival South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson ( Charleston Regional Aviation Authority ) The congresswoman said that audio and video captured on the day of the incident do not show her berating anyone. I've taken responsibility, yes, I was absolutely, 100 percent frustrated, Mace said, before Collins interjected to ask her if she had actually said the things included in the police report. Mace said she did not. The congresswoman maintains that she was frustrated, but she was only asking for help, not screaming expletives at workers. So you're saying that police officers are lying? Collins asked. Mace replied, no, I am saying that is, in part, false, and that is a falsified document. There are things in there most of what's quoted is not true, she said, adding that she has asked the police for audio and bodycam footage of the incident, but was told it did not exist. open image in gallery Congresswoman Nancy Mace claims police at the Charleston International Airport colluded with South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson her Republican gubernatorial primary rival to falsify an investigation report that accuses the lawmaker of using profanity to berate airport staff in October 2025 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Collins pressed Mace again, reading her quotes directly from the police report and asking Mace if she spoke those words. Mace insisted that she did not, and has never called a cop an idiot. I am absolutely saying that that report was falsified, 100 percent fictitious, falsified, Mace said. In no way, shape or form did I call any of them idiots ... I have never called someone an idiot. Soon after the interview, Mace corrected herself, noting in a post on X she had previously called Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Iran's useful idiot in a social media post from July 2024. open image in gallery Mace has accused her political rival Alan Wilson of a political hit job. The pair are running against each other in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary ( Getty/Republican Attorney General ) Mace said the report was such a political hit job, and later in the interview even called it a very effective political hit job. Collins asked Mace who was behind the hit job, and Mace said she believed it was South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Mace and Wilson are political rivals and are running against each other in the South Carolina Republican gubernatorial primary. She said she 100 percent believed that he conspired with airport police to drum up a fictitious account of her acting rude and entitled. Mace claimed that Wilson had a press release out condemning her just minutes after the initial incident report was released. The Independent requested comment from Wilson late Tuesday evening and did not receive an immediate response. When Collins asked her if she regretted how she acted on the day of the incident, Mace refused to give a straight answer. Last month, Mace posted online more than 100 times in defense of her alleged actions at South Carolinas Charleston Airport. At the time, Mace defiantly defended her behavior. I absolutely 100 percent confronted the airport employees who put my safety at risk, she said. Did I drop an F bomb? I hope I did. Did I call them incompetent? If I didn't, they absolutely earned it, she said in November. 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 Two federal appeals court judges appointed by Donald Trump are keeping in place a policy directed by the president to remove transgender service members from all branches of the U.S. military, an order that a dissenting judge called gratuitously demeaning and openly hostile to all trans Americans. Tuesdays ruling from the three-judge panel in Washington, D.C. dissolves a court order that blocked the policy while a legal challenge is ongoing. The case is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court, which has already allowed the ban to take effect while several court battles play out. Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao, both Trump appointees, argued that the district judge afforded insufficient deference to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his considered judgment. The Trump administrations policy to ban trans troops from serving reflects a considered judgment of military leaders and furthers legitimate military interests, the judges wrote Tuesday. open image in gallery Two federal appeals court judges appointed by Donald Trump are keeping in place a directive from the president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that bans transgender service members from all branches of the military ( Getty Images ) After taking office in January, the president issued an order declaring that the adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon leadership subsequently ordered military officials to identify all trans troops and to strip them of access to gender-affirming care. Pentagon guidance claims that the medical, surgical, and mental health constraints on individuals who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are incompatible with the high mental and physical standards necessary for military service. The memo provides for a case-by-case basis waiver that effectively tells trans service members they can continue to serve if they can prove they have never transitioned and have never lived as their sex at birth for a period of time. A lawsuit from a group of 20 active-duty trans service members argues that the orders are plainly discriminatory and fueled by animus towards trans people in violation of their 14th Amendment right to equal protection under the law. open image in gallery The order, which follows a long-running lawsuit from trans service members, will block a lower-court ruling that found the administrations order plainly discriminatory ( AFP via Getty Images ) The two Trump-appointed appellate court judges argued that because Hegseths policy advances legitimate military interests, the animus cases do not help the plaintiffs here even when statements from the defense secretary and other administration officials repeatedly denigrated trans people and made it clear that the policy is intended to explicitly deny them from serving. The Trump-appointed judges said a decision about the policy should only rely on text and sources informing it, not the extrinsic statements made about it. Appellate Judge Cornellia Pillard, who was appointed by Barack Obama, ripped into her colleagues decision and the Trump administrations directives, which are based on nothing more than negative attitudes about transgender identity. Trumps initial executive order to begin with is openly hostile to transgender people, and Hegseth adopted the Defense Departments policy after the president tagged all transgender service members as shameful, dishonest laggards too arrogant or selfish to serve, Pillard wrote. She went on to list several statements and social media posts from Hegseth himself, including his explicit admission that transgender service members are disqualified from service without an exemption and no more dudes in dresses, were done with that s***. Previous defense secretaries devoted months of study, with the help of experts, to understanding the facts and circumstances relevant to transgender service, Pillard noted. open image in gallery Outside of court, Hegseth has made a series of anti-trans remarks calling for the removal of trans people from the military, which Trump-appointed appellate court judges say shouldnt be taken into consideration when it comes to the constitutionality of Pentagon policy that does exactly that ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Hegseth, meanwhile, came up with his policy in just one month, rejecting the militarys own substantial and growing experience with trans service members that contradict his spurious claims, according to the judge. Trans service members are already suffering substantial and irreparable harm under Hegseths policy and his grave disruption of the status quo, Pillard wrote. The majoritys decision makes it all but inevitable that thousands of qualified servicemembers will lose careers they have built over decades, drawn up short by a policy that would repay their commitment and service to our nation with detriment and derision, she added. We should not accord deference to the military when the [Pentagon] itself carelessly relied on no more than blatant animus. Attorneys will return to federal court January 22 to argue against the administrations ban. District Judge Ana Reyes correctly found that this ban causes irreparable harm and is rooted not in facts, data, or reason but in animus, Shannon Minter, legal director with the National Center for LGBTQ Rights, which is representing the plaintiffs, told The Independent. Notably, all three judges on todays panel acknowledged that the ban is driven by animus, he said. The court still has the opportunity to protect our troops and their families by upholding Judge Reyess decision. 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 font of diplomacy has changed. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to ditch the Calibri typeface in official communications and return to Times New Roman, marking the latest battle in the administrations war on woke. To restore decorum and professionalism to the Departments written work products and abolish yet another wasteful DEIA program, the Department is returning to Times New Roman as its standard typeface, a cable sent to diplomats on Wednesday read, Reuters reported. In 2023, former President Joe Bidens Secretary of State Antony Blinken mandated a switch to Calibri, a modern typeface. He argued people with visual disabilities could read it more easily since it is more pared down, lacking decorative flourishes. Some studies have borne this out. Department staffers used Times New Roman between 2004 and 2023, according to The New York Times. Before that, Courier New described by the paper as the essence of modernity in the early 1960s was the required typeface. open image in gallery State Department staffers have been ordered to use Times New Roman typeface in official communications in an effort by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to root out wasteful diversity measures, according to a new report. ( Getty Images ) This formatting standard aligns with the Presidents One Voice for Americas Foreign Relations directive, underscoring the Departments responsibility to present a unified, professional voice in all communications, a state department spokesperson told The Independent. Serif typefaces remain the standard in courts, legislatures, and across federal agencies where the permanence and authority of the written record are paramount, the spokesperson said. Serif fonts a family of typefaces known for small, decorative lines have gained more popularity recently, cropping up not just in the public sector, but in private industry, according to The Wall Street Journal. The change, which went into effect on Wednesday, sparked a variety of reactions online. THANK GOODNESS, a former state department employee wrote on X. My last three years at the state department were filled with awful serif-less fonts. return to the superior font, times new roman. How in the hell is the Calibri font DEIA? another user wrote, labeling the move petty nonsense. Lucas de Groot the Dutch designer who created Calibri also expressed mixed feelings about his typeface being nixed. The decision to abandon Calibri on the grounds of it being a so-called wasteful diversity font is both hilarious and regrettable, de Groot told The Independent. Calibri was specifically designed to enhance readability on modern computer screens and was selected by Microsoft in 2007 to replace Times New Roman as the default font in the Office suite. There were sound reasons for moving away from Times: Calibri performs exceptionally well at small sizes and on standard office monitors, whereas serif fonts like Times New Roman tend to appear more distorted. Serif fonts are often perceived as more traditional, but they are also more demanding to use effectively, he added. While a skilled typographer can, in theory, produce excellent results with Times, using it in its default digital form is not considered professional practice. open image in gallery Times New Roman, on the left of the image, will return as official typeface of the State Department. Under the Biden administration, it became Calibri, on the right of the image. ( The Independent ) Since returning to office, Trump has pushed to eradicate woke and DEI policies from the federal government, describing them as pervasive and destructive of these ideologies. On January 20, his first day in office, the Republican president signed an executive order called Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, which mandated the shutdown of all federal DEI programs. The next day, he signed an order titled Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, which rescinded a previous order supporting affirmative action. 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 How will Rep. Jasmine Crocketts entrance into the Texas Senate race change the playing field for her partys ambitions of retaking the upper chamber? Among Republicans including the incumbent, Sen. John Cornyn the move is being publicly welcomed. Many are overtly gleeful that the brash, combative congresswoman who has clashed with their party in Congress as well as on a personal level with Donald Trump appears set to add a clear Washington-based focus to the race. She seemingly confirmed that latter dynamic would be a focus of her campaign on Tuesday in an announcement video in which Crockett slowly turns to the camera while Trumps criticism of her plays on audio in the background as well as at an announcement rally on Monday. Trump, I know youre watching, so let me tell you directly, Crockett said. Youre not entitled to a damn thing in Texas. You better get to work because Im coming for you. Among Democrats, the sentiments are far more nuanced. open image in gallery Jasmine Crocketts decision to run for Senate in Texas upended the race immediately, with Democrats split over whether it hurts their chances for 2026 ( AP ) Following the success of candidates who embraced messages centered around cost of living and combatting corporate power, Crocketts indication that she will make political battles with Trump and the MAGA GOP a focus of her campaign dismayed many. Still others grumbled about widening the primary field in a race where its clearly in the partys best interest to avoid a divisive primary battle that drives away some supporters of the defeated candidates. One candidate, Colin Allred, dropped out of the race citing a fear of that eventuality occurring on the day of Crocketts announcement. Some who chronicle the progressive left and the broader emergence of a new generation of Democrats in Washington are less quick to write off Crocketts comparative strength, however. At the same time, more and more polticos across the aisle are beginning to acknowledge that Republicans are in danger of a blowout loss in November if economic factors do not improve over 2026. Crockett, a handful of supporters argued this week, could be a dangerous foe in a general election should the wobbly incumbent, Cornyn, lose his own primary to his controversy-ridden rival, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Journalist Wesley Lowery, writing on Twitter, explained: [I] might write this might not: the political class conventional wisdom is far too dismissive of Jasmine Crocketts chances in Texas[...][it] really depends on who the GOP candidate is. [T]here is a very specific way Republicans lose senate seats theyre not supposed to loseand its possible here. Ben Rowen of Texas Monthly added that the political news media are too bearish on Crockett's chances in a general vis-a-vis [primary opponent James] Talarico's chances in a general, and somehow simultaneously are too bullish on her chances in a general. Two senators came to Crocketts defense in comments to HuffPost: Raphael Warnock and Ruben Gallego, both members with track records of winning tough general election battles. Warnock called her an important voice in Texas while his colleage from Arizona said that it was entirely possible Crockett could run a good campaign against Cornyn or one of his challengers, a possibly backhanded compliment. As Josh Cohen of the Ettingermentum newsletter wrote last week for his 2028 Democratic power rankings listing (where Crockett has sat for months): If she wants [the Senate nomination], she is almost certainly going to get it, regardless of what you or I or the Democratic elites who have nurtured her may want. open image in gallery James Talarico is now Crockett's only remaining prominent primary opponent after after the withdrawal of Colin Allred ( Getty Images ) From there, Cohen laid out Crocketts golden path: She becomes one of the single most famous people in the country, and a deeply blue national environment allows her to outperform Harriss 2024 numbers by enough to brag about. Then she runs for president and takes the primary field by storm as an exciting progressive woman of color that, by that point, is already someone liberals are used to rooting for. Or she could just win. The synopsis of the defenses of Crocketts candidacy: She clearly has national appeal and support from many in the Democratic base. And Democrats have a unique opportunity, given the serious chance that Paxton or Rep. Wesley Hunt, another Republican in the race, could dethrone Cornyn before next November. But even her defenders acknowledge that there are massive headwinds against her in Texas. Her detractors in the party made predictable but possibly prescient arguments for rallying behind Talarico, a 36-year-old former teacher, Presbyterian seminarian and member of the Texas state Senate instead of Crockett. Pointing to her announcement video and media appearances, they argued that Crocketts victory in the party would result in the kind of general election campaign that forces voters especially in the middle to pick a team, something that would run counter to efforts to win Trump supporters away from a Republican candidate at the center of corruption scandals and a messy divorce where multiple affairs are alleged. Some argued that while polls show Crockett is likely leading in support among primary voters as things stand now, the strength of Talaricos argument for being the nominee could be stronger and convince more voters than she could over the next few months. open image in gallery Crocketts clash with Marjorie Taylor Greene went viral, and vaulted the Democratic congresswoman to an even higher national profile ( Getty ) I still think James Talarico has a great chance at winning the primary. Democratic primary voters have been obsessed with electability since Trump won in 2016, and I think Talarico has a much stronger electability argument than Jasmine Crockett, wrote RacetotheWHs Logan Phillips. There were many across the Democratic political spectrum, centrists and progresives alike, who were openly derisive of Crocketts announcement. Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, a strong supporter of DSA-aligned candidates like Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, wrote on Tuesday: [S]he says she wants to activate low propensity voters which isn't wrong, but she's utterly devoid of left populist policy that could activate these people!! [H]er pro israel stance is a nonstarter. where's the support for medicare for all? He and others reacted with skepticism to the assertion from Crockett, who does not have strong ties to that wing, that she could win statewide in Texas without winning Trump voters during a CNN interview this week. Many commenters said the interview, in which Crockett rejected an assertion from a CNN anchor that she would need those voters, gave off Katie Porter vibes referring to a disastrous interview the latter Democrat gave to a news outlet in California where Porter, running for governor, was asked the same question. But Republicans seem certain that Crocketts candidacy is a boon for them. Sources familiar with the GOP Senate campaign arm leaked to NOTUS on Tuesday that the GOP had worked to amplify the very polling the congresswoman said drew her into the race, with one saying the NRSC was taking credit for helping orchestrate the pile on of these polling numbers to really drive that news cycle and that narrative that Jasmine Crockett was surging in Texas. Sen John Cornyn told The Independent on Wednesday that he hoped the story was true. I'm delighted she jumped she jumped in. Unfortunately, that's a she's symptomatic to what's happened to the Democratic Party. They've been taken over by the lunatics and crazies, said the incumbent, who added that he thought it solidified his own argument in the Republican primary. I mean, she said that if I'm the nominee, that no Democrat can win, yeah, which is pretty, pretty telling. And so I look forward to running against her. Eric Garcia contributed reporting Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps administration is scooping up six Boeing 737 planes to support the presidents mass deportation agenda, giving the Department of Homeland Security its own fleet of jetliners to speed up removals rather than rely on charter flights. Most removal flights are arranged under Immigration and Customs Enforcements Air Operations, which hires out private charter companies to transfer detained immigrants across the country or deport them elsewhere. But for the first time, ICE is buying its own deportation planes. The $140 million deal with the firm Daedalus Aviation saves government money by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told The Washington Post, which first reported the transaction. She said the deal is one of the cost-effective and innovative ways of delivering on the American peoples mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens. The Trump administration has set a goal of removing one million people from the country by the end of the presidents first year in office. ICE is on pace to deport more than 600,000 people by the end of the year, while nearly 70,000 people are in ICE custody in detention centers across the country. open image in gallery The Trump administration is buying six Boeing 737 jets to speed up mass deportations, Homeland Security confirmed. ( REUTERS ) The Boeing deal with Daedalus Aviation pulls cash from more than $170 billion earmarked for the presidents anti-immigration agenda inside a massive domestic spending bill that the president signed into law earlier this year. That massive infusion of taxpayer dollars has allowed Homeland Security to spend enormous sums on ICE operations, including a hiring spree to add thousands more removal officers to the ranks and expanding capacity for detention facilities to jail more people. The CEO of the Virginia-based company holds an identical role with Salus Worldwide Solutions, which received a nearly $1 billion contract from Homeland Security to support the governments self-deportation efforts. The administration's latest deal with Daedalus does not yet appear in government databases. open image in gallery The $140 million deal with a Virginia-based company is expected to ramp up removals as the Trump administration seeks to deport one million people within his first year in office ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) ICE has overseen more than 1,700 deportation flights to 77 countries since Trump took office, as of the end of October, according to immigrants rights advocacy group Human Rights First. But ICE also flies thousands of people internally, including moving immigrants from detention centers to staging facilities where they await their removal. Louisiana serves as the nations largest deportation hub, with one of its nine detention centers built next to an airport tarmac. Within the first seven months of Trumps second presidency, more than 40,000 people passed through the facility, either en route to another detention center or flown out of the country. Trump, meanwhile, has bought up roughly $6 million worth of corporate bonds in Boeing, even as his administration awards the company multi-billion dollar contracts. The president bought between $1 million and $5 million worth of Boeing bonds on August 28, and one month later purchased Boeing bonds worth between $500,000 and $1 million, according to financial disclosures. He appears to have bought at least $185 million worth of corporate and municipal bonds since the start of his presidency. Trumps Department of Justice has also dropped a criminal conspiracy case against Boeing after 356 people were killed in 737 Max jetliner crashes. 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 Trump administration is looking to recruit so-called deportation judges to carry out his aggressive immigration enforcement agenda after dozens of immigration judges have been fired or forced during the first ten months of his term. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice posted an ad on social media. The last administration left us with an immigration crisis. Help President Trump solve it! Become a Deportation Judge today, it read. The Justice Department which oversees the nations immigration court system included a link describing the positions, which are both in-person and remote. Judges will make decisions with generational consequences, the website states. They will also ensure that only aliens with legally meritorious claims are allowed to remain and that those seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in our immigration system are not successful. There are openings at 70 locations in the U.S., where judges can earn between $159,951 and $207,500 per year. The governments application portal lists the positions as immigration judges, not deportation judges. It notes that candidates must have J.D., LL.B or LL.M. degrees as well as adjudication experience. However, it does not specifically say this experience must be in the area of immigration law. open image in gallery The Department of Justice urged Americans to apply to become deportation judges, urging them to "help write the next chapter of America." ( AFP via Getty Images ) Its not the first time such an ad has been made. In late November, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to social media, writing: If you are a legal professional, the Trump Administration is calling on YOU to join @TheJusticeDept as a Deportation Judge to restore integrity and honor to our Nations Immigration Court system. Immigration judges serve a crucial role in overseeing the millions of migrants processed through the legal system. Asylum seekers and immigrants appear before them in order to plead their cases for protection or to protest removal to their native countries. Judges have recently become inundated with huge quantities of asylum claims, resulting in record-large backlogs, following a surge in border crossings under former President Joe Biden. The Trump administration which has vowed to undertake the largest deportation program in American history has purged the already small pool of immigration judges, dismissing or pushing out around 100 since January, The Independent previously reported. open image in gallery The DOJ's job posting states that applicants can earn up to $207,500 per year. ( DOJ ) On December 1, at least eight immigration judges in New York City were let go, according to a union that represents them. And last month, five judges were fired in San Francisco without any explanation. Dozens of others have resigned or retired. The flurry of exits has reduced the number of immigration judges from 715 to about 600, marking a 16 percent decrease in less than one year. A DOJ spokesperson told The Independent, 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. A Justice Department official noted that the agency does not target judges one way or the other based on personal criteria or a judges perceived views. open image in gallery Homeland Security officers speak with a federal agent as they patrol the halls of immigration court in October in New York City. ( Getty Images ) In order to help replenish the diminished bench, the administration has relaxed the criteria required for immigration judges. In September the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review authorized the hiring of any attorney to temporarily serve as an immigration judge even those lacking experience in this field, The Independent previously reported. In response, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved sending around 600 military lawyers to the Department of Justice to help fill courts across the U.S. The office has also instructed judges to grant motions from government attorneys to immediately dismiss immigrants cases, paving the way for them to face speedy deportations. These changes have resulted in immigrants requesting relief to be hauled off by federal agents immediately after their hearings. The White House has lauded the push for more immigration judges, with one official telling the Associated Press in September that the matter should be a priority that everyone including those waiting for adjudication can rally around. But some legal experts have pushed back against filling immigration courts with individuals lacking relevant experience. The work of immigration judges has been described as life and death decisions in traffic court conditions, Ben Johnson, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, previously told The Independent. Expecting fair decisions from judges unfamiliar with the law is absurd. A Justice Department official said that temporary immigration judges receive the same training as regular immigration judges. 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 Venezuela has accused the U.S. of engaging in an international act of piracy after one of its oil tankers was seized by the U.S. military. Under these circumstances, the true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed It has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people, the Venezuelan government said in a statement. The seizure marks the latest escalation in President Donald Trumps targeting of Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening. The president didnt supply additional information, but said that the vessel was interdicted for a very good reason. When asked what would happen to the ship, he said, We keep it, I guess. open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the seizure on X/Twitter on Wednesday night, calling the ship a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran ( US Attorney General Pam Bondis X account ) Attorney General Pam Bondi posted a video of the seizure on X/Twitter on Wednesday evening, calling the ship a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations, Bondi wrote. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues. open image in gallery Caracas responded to the seizure on Wednesday evening, calling it an international act of piracy ( US Attorney General Pam Bondis X account ) The DHS X account gloated about the seizure in a post. KNOCKOUT. If you threaten our nation, or break the law, there is no place on land or sea where we wont find you. Thank you to the brave service members from @USCG, @ICEGOV, @FBI, @DeptofWar, and @TheJusticeDept, the agency wrote. Two unnamed officials told Reuters that the operation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard. They didnt provide the name of the vessel or where exactly the operation took place. The intercepted tanker had been sanctioned by the U.S. government, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News. The seizure could make it more difficult for the oil-rich nation to conduct trade, as shippers may be wary of handling its cargo. The majority of Venezuelan oil is sent to China. After the maneuver was revealed, oil prices rose, according to CNBC. Brent crude futures ticked up 27 cents, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures increased 21 cents. open image in gallery U.S. forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the latest escalation in Trumps targeting of the Latin American nation ( Reuters ) Spokespeople for the White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent. The naval operation comes as the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on President Maduro, whom it accuses of facilitating illegal drug trafficking. Since September, the Pentagon has launched around two dozen strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 87 people. At the same time, the U.S. has amassed a fleet of warships near Venezuela, marking the largest naval buildup in the region in decades. And, in October, the Republican president authorized the CIA to undertake covert action inside Venezuela. I think youre going to find that this is war, Trump said last week. And very soon were going to start doing it on land too, referring to the naval strikes. Maduro has denied that his country is involved in the illegal drug trade and has accused the Trump administration of fabricating a new eternal war. Hes also said the real motivation behind Trumps actions is to force him out of office and take control of Venezuelas vast oil reserves. In response, hes called on the nations citizens to unite against American aggression and deployed troops, aircraft and ships to the coast. open image in gallery Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. of fabricating a new eternal war ( AP ) The administrations actions in the region have prompted a wave of criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine described the Pentagons strikes in the Caribbean as illegal and warned that they risk dragging a conflict-weary nation into yet another foreign war. The American people have no interest in stumbling into an illegal new war that would place the lives of our servicemembers at risk, he said in late November. A handful of Republicans, too, have expressed opposition. Last week, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who has faced heightened scrutiny over a September 2 attack to testify under oath about the boat strikes. I think that Congress, if they had any kind of gumption at all, would not be allowing this administration to summarily execute people that are suspected of a crime, he told The Independent. Many Republicans, though, have stood in lockstep with the administration. In November, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin said Trump is protecting the United States by being very proactive. Public opinion on Trumps military maneuvers is mixed. Most Americans, 53 percent, approve of using military force to attack vessels suspected of trafficking drugs into the U.S., according to a November CBS News survey. At the same time, 70 percent said they would oppose taking military action in Venezuela. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump raised eyebrows Tuesday with comments made about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts physical appearance. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, during a speech that was supposed to be about the economy, Trump gushed about Leavitts beautiful face and those lips that dont stop. We even brought our superstar today, Karoline, Trump said, drawing cheers from the crowd. Isnt she great? Is Karoline great? You know, when she goes on television, Fox, like, I mean, they dominate, they dominate when she gets up there with that beautiful face. And those lips that dont stop. Pop-pop-pop like a little machine gun, Trump continued. Shes got no fear, and you know why she has no fear? Because we have the right policy. Its not the first time Trump, 79, has commented on his 28-year-old press secretarys appearance or drawn backlash from social media critics for doing so. President Donald Trump made bizarre comments about his press secretarys lips during a speech in Pennsylvania Tuesday ( AFP via Getty Images ) And internet users were quick to pile on the president again for his comments made during Tuesdays rally. Who says *** like this about a female that works for him? Its beyond creepy and gross, one X user wrote. Fairly weird thing to say about your employee/subordinate, another added. Another simply put, Disgusting. Trumps speech was supposed to be about the economy buyt somehow its justa weird obsession with trans people, a racist word salad, and something about Karoline Leavitts lips?? a commentator wrote, later adding, Meanwhile prices arent getting any lower. Another user joked, Somebody come get grandpa hes getting creepy. Trump similarly gushed about Leavitts lips during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One in October. The president was speaking with reporters after his victory lap trip to Israel and Egypt, after signing his peace deal alongside Western and Arab leaders. Despite talking about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the presidet abruptly switched gears to comment on his press secretarys looks. Hows Karoline doing? Is she doing good? Trump asked reporters, seemingly unprompted. Should Karoline be replaced? he followed up. When a reporter replied, Thats up to you, sir, Trump noted, Itll never happen. That faceand those lips. They move like a machine gun, right? Trump made a similar comment about Leavitts facial features in August, telling Newsmax, Shes become a star. Its that face. Its that brain. Its those lips, the way they move. They move like shes a machine gun. 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 Trump administration is floating possible replacements for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, despite insistence from the White House that shes not going anywhere, according to a report. The former South Dakota governor has led President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda a flashpoint of his second term since January, and he has frequently showered her with praise. At a Cabinet meeting last week, Trump hailed Noem and other immigration officials: What you're doing is amazing. Yet, inside the Trump administration, a list of names to replace Noem is being discussed, including Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin and Fox News contributor and former Utah Republican lawmaker Jason Chaffetz, an administration official and two close to the administration told Politico. Im hearing from people that shes about to leave, one person close to the administration told the outlet, noting that Noem wouldnt be fired but would be departing for another opportunity. Both the White House and DHS have denied claims that shes leaving her post. open image in gallery The White House has denied that Kristi Noem will soon be exiting her role as DHS Secretary but a report claims several potential replacements are being discussed ( AP ) Everything about this is total Fake News. Secretary Noem is doing a great job implementing the Presidents agenda and making America safe again. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told The Independent. I cant speak for the President, but Ive seen more credible reporting on Big Foot, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said. However, speculation that shell soon exit her post has been swirling for weeks. On Monday, a White House official told MSNow that Noem is on very thin ice. Over the weekend, two former DHS officials told The Bulwark Trump is considering moving on from Noem, with the change potentially coming really soon. Last month, CNN reported that Noem could be one of several Cabinet members who could be replaced in a year-end shakeup. Jackson told MSNow that their story was total fake news. Similarly, in a statement to The Independent, she called The Bulwarks report FAKE NEWS! Some sources suggested Noems constant presence on TV has irritated some in the presidents circle, who perceive her as being focused on the 2028 presidential election, Politico reported. Shes not doing this so she can get a cushy job on Fox News when she leaves, the administration official said. Her best shot is to get out on the campaign trail now, start lining up endorsements from governors and then use that to negotiate a role in the next administration secretary of State, vice president. A second administration official said there is definitely a belief inside DHS that she plans to launch a 2028 bid, but made clear she has no plans to depart soon. Concerns have also mounted around how Noem is spending the funds from Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, which secured $165 billion in appropriations for DHS. Some have complained that shes moved too slowly to buy more planes for removal flights or deploy funds to expand detention space. Senate Democrats have even requested a formal investigation into DHSs $200 million advertising blitz promoting self-deportations following ProPublicas report claiming that Noem awarded contracts to companies with close ties to both her and other top DHS officials. McLaughlin told the outlet: We dont have visibility into why they were chosen. DHS added that it has no involvement with the selection of subcontractors. Theres definitely some fishy stuff going on with money, the first administration official told Politico. Whether or not its true even just a rumor optics are everything. open image in gallery The president has praised Noem publicly, calling her work at DHS amazing, as recently as last week ( REUTERS ) Politicos report also points to an alleged growing tensions between Noem and border czar Tom Homan. Her clashes with Tom Homan are a problem. The rivalry, neither wanting to be subordinate to the other, the first person close to the administration told the outlet. Their insistence on independence and on being the one running the show or at least the one perceived to be running the show. Jackson, the White House spokesperson, told Politico that President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Tom Homan are all on the same page when it comes to implementing the Presidents agenda and the results speak for themselves the border is secure and deportations continue to increase. The Independent has contacted representatives for Youngkin and Chaffetz for comment. Regarding Chaffetz, one source believed him to be uniquely confirmable. The policy implementation, numbers and communications arent where they should be at DHS. He knows that and has vast policy and oversight experience, not only on the central issue of immigration enforcement but also the complicated component agencies within the department, a person close to the administration told Politico. He covers a lot of bases for President Trump and senior officials. He enjoys close relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the Hill and is uniquely confirmable. I think thats why it makes a lot of sense that his name keeps popping up in discussions about filling a post, particularly DHS. 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 has announced a new agreement that would end the pause on student loan payments for millions of borrowers. The Education Department announced the settlement Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging former President Joe Bidens Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) loan repayment plan. The plan has been at the center of an ongoing legal battle since last year. The agreement would put an end to the SAVE plan, which means borrowers enrolled in the program will need to find a new, legal plan and start making payments again, according to the Education Department. The agreement will have to be approved in court before it takes effect, the agency said. Last year, borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan had their loans placed in forbearance, which means their payments have been on hold. President Donald Trump pictured with Education Secretary Linda McMahon. The Education Department has reached an agreement that would put an end to a student loan repayment plan, impacting millions of borrowers ( REUTERS ) If youre one of the 7.6 million borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE plan, heres what you need to know about the new agreement: What does this agreement mean for borrowers? If the agreement is approved in court, impacted borrowers will have a limited time to choose a new repayment plan and begin repaying their loans, the Education Department said. Borrowers can apply for a new income-driven repayment plan through the Federal Student Aid website. The process can be sped up if borrowers allow the Education Department to obtain their federal tax information from the Internal Revenue Service directly, according to the agency. This allows the Department to process borrowers IDR applications faster and eliminates the need for borrowers to manually upload their income information, the agency said in a press release. There is also a second option of fixed payment plans, according to NPR. When will these changes take effect? While the Education Department said borrowers will have a limited time to select a new plan once the agreement is approved, the exact timeline remains unclear. Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz told CNBC that borrowers will likely need to choose a new plan by early next year. The Education Department will also be reaching out to impacted borrowers in the coming weeks. The Department will begin direct outreach to impacted borrowers to provide guidance about how to repay their student loans in the coming weeks, the agency said. What is the SAVE plan, and why was it challenged in court? The SAVE plan, which was set to go into full effect under the Biden administration in 2024, had lower monthly payments than any other available plan. Several GOP-led states challenged it in court last year, arguing the Biden administration overextended its authority when it implemented the plan. An appeals court ruled in the states favor and blocked the plan in February. Then, in July, the Education Department told borrowers enrolled in the plan that their loans would start to accrue interest again on August 1. This months agreement will dismiss the litigation in exchange for the Department agreeing not to enroll any new borrowers in the illegal SAVE Plan, to deny any pending applications, and to move all SAVE borrowers into legal repayment plans, according to the Education Department. 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 and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he doesn't have a ton of confidence in FBI Director Kash Patel and the agency he runs. Patel's tenure at the head of the FBI has been plagued by controversy. A group of fired FBI agents is suing Patel and the Department of Justice, alleging that they were terminated in an act of unlawful retaliation after they knelt at a George Floyd protest in 2020. A recent report from an FBI source also claims that Patel refused to leave his jet after the Charlie Kirk assassination because he didn't have an FBI jacket to wear. An internal report from an alliance of retired and active-duty FBI agents, released in December, found that under Patel's leadership, the FBI has become internally paralyzed by fear and that morale was low, hampering the agency's ability to conduct its law enforcement mission in the U.S. It is against that backdrop that Carlson made his comments casting doubt on Patel's abilities during a recent appearance on conservative-leaning Theo Von's podcast. open image in gallery Right-wing podcaster Tucker Carlson said during a recent Theo Von podcast episode that he did not have a ton of confidence in the FBI or its director, Kash Patel ( AFP via Getty Images ) I just dont have a ton of confidence in the FBI or the men who run it, Carlson said on Tuesday. And Im not saying that out of ignorance at all. He noted Patel's X comments shortly after Kirk was shot, in which he incorrectly claimed that a shooter had been apprehended. Patel had to walk the comments back less than two hours later after local officials denied that the shooter had been caught. This dumb Twitter [X] s**t, Carlson said. Leaders of the FBI on Twitter, like what? Patel has also doubled down following claims that he used government jets for personal joyrides with his girlfriend, arguing that his travel has actually saved taxpayer money, while maintaining that hes entitled to a personal life. Ive also used the airplane less than my prior two predecessors, he said last week. And, yes, Im entitled to a personal life just like my other agency counterparts with their partners. Do I support my girlfriend? Absolutely. And I do take trips with her? Absolutely. open image in gallery Patel has also doubled down following claims that he used government jets for personal joyrides with his girlfriend, arguing that his travel has actually saved taxpayer money ( Getty Images ) White House sources reportedly told Reuters that Patel's online presence is "unprofessional" and added that his performance is really not acceptable to the White House or the American public. Both Von and Carlson agreed that it was Patel's handling of the investigation and the messaging around it that allowed conspiracy theories surrounding Kirk's death to flourish online, and said the FBI director should shoulder the blame. open image in gallery FBI Director Kash Patel in an FBI raid jacket in October 2025 ( Getty ) The people with the authority are the ones responsible, and theyre the ones who should be held responsible when theres a failure, Carlson said. Not some podcaster, not me, not you, not Candace [Owens]. Owens has been peddling a number of conspiracy theories about Kirks death, including suggestions that he was murdered by Israeli agents and that the U.S. military was involved in his death. None of those rumors have been substantiated by evidence. There have been rumors that President Donald Trump is considering replacing Patel as the head of the FBI, but the White House has denied the claims. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the rumors "fake news" and "completely made-up" in November. 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 years-long FBI investigation into a Belarusian woman accused of smuggling American aviation equipment and electronics into Russia is at risk of collapsing thanks to the Trump administrations simultaneous attempts to deport her. Federal prosecutors spent more than a year trying to extradite Yana Leonova to the United States to face a raft of criminal charges, including fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. But immigration officials abruptly issued an order for her detention and removal soon after she was flown into the country last month, catching prosecutors by surprise in what a federal judge called another Kafkaesque case tangled up in Immigration and Customs Enforcements vast mass deportation campaign. Indeed, it is both preposterous and offensive for the government to bring someone into the United States against their will and then turn around and seek ICE detention because that person is here illegally, Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui wrote last week. The government needs to decide what its priorities are: ginning up deportation stats or prosecuting alleged criminals, he said. open image in gallery ICE intends to re-arrest and deport a Belarusian woman accused of fraud, money laundering and conspiracy in a long-running criminal case brought by U.S. authorities. ( AP ) Donald Trumps administration intends to take Leonova into custody and begin deportation proceedings if she is released from pretrial detention, an arrangement that the judge questioned why the government would expend countless resources to bring her into the country when the other arm would then seek to mindlessly deport her. But government attorneys are asking Homeland Security to give her temporary legal authorization to stay in the country while facing criminal charges that were unsealed last year. She was extradited to the United States from France in November. That request is still pending. The government cannot back door its way into a finding of flight risk because of deportation proceedings the government is initiating, Faruqui wrote last week. Indeed, there is an easy way to mitigate this flight risk: do not deport pending criminal prosecution. open image in gallery The years-long investigation and extradition of Yana Leonova to the United States could fall apart thanks to mass deportation efforts under the agency led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. ( REUTERS ) Leonova was arrested in September 2024 after her arrival in France, where she spent several weeks in jail and roughly one year in home detention. She has been detained inside a jail in Washington, D.C., since her extradition to the United States last month. A federal indictment alleges that Leonova procured and illicitly exported aviation equipment from the United States into Russia, where the items were used on private aircraft for her employer during Russias war in Ukraine, according to prosecutors. Leonova and her co-conspirators allegedly bought the components from U.S.-based distributors, then shipped the components to Russia through intermediary destinations without the knowledge or approval of the Department of Commerce. The FBI has made it a top priority to keep U.S. technology from making its way into our adversaries hands, and we ask all our private sector partners to remember the critical role they play in safeguarding our national security by reporting violations, FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the Counterintelligence Division said in a statement at the time of the indictment. And to anyone considering helping a hostile nation-state obtain export-controlled technology, let todays charges serve as a warning to you: the FBI and our partners will find you, no matter where you are, and bring you to justice, he said. Faruqui has called Leonov a prime candidate for release while awaiting trial, noting that she does not have any prior criminal record and has an exemplary record of court-ordered conditions, including her long stay in home detention in France. But if Leonova were moved into a court-approved home in New Jersey, which the judge has found credible, immigration officials have suggested detaining her within 48 hours of her release, according to The Washington Post, which first reported her case. If that were to happen, prosecutors would not only be battling her case in federal court but seeking her release from immigration court, which operates under the Department of Justice and direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi. Federal prosecutors would also have little, if any, chance of getting her back to face criminal charges, if she is deported to her home country. Belarus and Russia do not have extradition agreements with the United States. In a statement to The Independent, Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Leonova will not be released onto the streets. open image in gallery Neither Russia nor Belarus have extradition agreements with the US, making it virtually impossible for federal prosecutors to get Yana Leonova back to the country if she is deported. ( AP ) The case echoes the similarly byzantine saga of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who immigration authorities reluctantly agreed to return to the United States from a brutal prison in El Salvador despite several court rulings ordering his return. He was brought back only to immediately face newly introduced criminal charges, but Homeland Security is simultaneously trying to deport him before he can face trial. Leonova's case is also far from being the only Trump-era immigration case drawing comparisons from a judge to a surreal Franz Kafka story. Earlier this year, a judge overseeing a case involving the removal of dozens of Venezuelan men to the Salvadoron prison similarly compared the legal battle to Kafkas The Trial, in which protagonist Josef K. is arrested and prosecuted without knowing by whom or for what reason. More than 60,000 people are in ICE custody in facilities across the country, a record high, as the Trump administration is on pace to deport more than 600,000 people from the country within the first year of the presidents second term in office. Immigration arrests have exploded, fueled by high-profile operations in Democratic-led cities with large immigrant populations, swift arrests of immigrants leaving their court hearings, and a recent Supreme Court decision that has allowed federal agents to racially profile people suspected of living in the country illegally, paving the way for street-level sweeps. 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 Self-driving Waymo taxis have recently gone viral for negative reasons, including the death of a beloved San Francisco cat and an illegal U-turn in front of police who could not issue a ticket. This week, however, the autonomous vehicles are the bearer of happier news after a San Francisco woman gave birth inside a Waymo. The mother was on her way to the University of California, San Francisco medical center on Monday when she delivered inside the robotaxi, a Waymo spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday. The company stated its rider support team detected "unusual activity" inside the vehicle and called to check on the rider, as well as alert 911. Waymo, which is owned by Googles parent company Alphabet, declined to elaborate on how the vehicle knew something was amiss. The taxi and its passengers arrived safely at the hospital ahead of emergency services. Jess Berthold, a UCSF spokesperson, confirmed the mother and child were brought to the hospital. While still rare, this was not the first baby delivered in one of its taxis, the company said ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) She said the mother was not available for interviews. Waymo said the vehicle was taken out of service for cleaning after the ride. While still rare, this was not the first baby delivered in one of its taxis, the company said. "Were proud to be a trusted ride for moments big and small, serving riders from just seconds old to many years young," the company said. The driverless taxis have surged in popularity even as they court higher scrutiny. Riders can take them on motorways and interstates around San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Phoenix. This positive story contrasts with recent negative headlines. In September, a Waymo pulled a U-turn in front of a sign telling drivers not to do that, and social media users dumped on the San Bruno Police because state law prohibited officers from ticketing the car. In October, a popular tabby cat named Kit Kat, known to pad around its Mission District neighbourhood, was crushed to death by a Waymo. 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 North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a high-level meeting to prepare for the ruling Workers' Party's first full congress in five years, state media reported. This significant gathering takes place as both the United States and South Korea seek to resume talks with Pyongyang. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated that Mr Kim presided over a plenary session of the Workers' Party's Central Committee on Tuesday. During the meeting, participants reportedly began discussing unspecified key issues related to the upcoming party congress and reviewed this year's state policies. While KCNA provided no further details, observers anticipate the plenary meeting will likely last several days, setting the official agenda for the congress, which is expected to be held in January or February. The congress, which serves as the Workers Partys top decision-making body, was revived by Mr Kim in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus. Experts suggest this move was part of efforts to solidify his grip on power by increasing the partys authority. International attention on the congress will focus on whether Mr Kim signals any response to Washington and Seouls ongoing attempts to improve diplomatic ties. The congress, the top decision-making organ of the Workers Party, was revived by Kim Jong Un in 2016 after a 36-year hiatus ( Reuters ) North Korea has steadfastly rebuffed the US and South Korea's calls to resume talks since Kim's high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019, but some experts say Kim could return to talk with the US next year. In an apparent response to Trump's repeated outreach, Kim suggested in September that he could return to talks if the US drops its delusional obsession with denuclearization of North Korea. Meanwhile, South Korea's military said North Korea fired several artillery rounds off the North's west coast on Tuesday. Observers say the artillery launches were likely part of the North Korean military's wintertime training. Last year, Kim declared that his country was abandoning its long-standing goal of peaceful unification with South Korea and ordered the rewriting of the Norths constitution to mark the South as a permanent enemy. 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 One year after the government banned cellphones from schools to help students focus and reduce distractions in class, were beginning to see how it has been implemented and how successful its been. As part of that process, our new research asked young people about the ban. Unsurprisingly, they had a lot to say. Schools around the world, including in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, China and parts of the United States, have implemented similar bans. The guiding principle everywhere has been to help students do better in school. When New Zealands ban came into effect in April 2024, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was time to cut the distractions so kids could learn and achieve. But studies have shown these bans often dont work as planned. For example, recent research from the UK involving over 1,200 students found no significant difference in academic grades or wellbeing between schools with strict phone bans and those with more relaxed policies. With so many questions at the time of the ban about how it would be enforced, we wanted to hear what was going on in schools and what young people really thought. We spoke to 77 young people aged 12 to 18 from 25 schools around the country. Some liked the bans, some didnt and some werent sure. open image in gallery New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ( AP ) Mixed feelings Many students had mixed feelings about the bans. Some admitted the bans helped reduce distractions and gave them a break from using their phones. As one explained: otherwise, well be on our phone all day, all afternoon, all night, and it wont be healthy for our minds. But other students said the ban had created new problems. First, some students felt stressed and anxious when they couldnt contact their parents or caregivers during the day. Second, they said the rules werent always clear or fair. Some teachers were strict, others werent. And sometimes, teachers used their phones in class, but students couldnt. That perceived double standard where teachers can use phones but students cant left many of our respondents feeling frustrated and unfairly treated. In some cases, it even made them more secretive about their phone use. One student said: Even though were not allowed to use our phones, everyone is sneaky and uses it anyway. About the authors Cara Swit is an Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences at University of Canterbury. Aaron Hapuku is a Lecturer in School of Health Sciences at University of Canterbury. Helena Cook is a Lecturer in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at University of Canterbury. Jennifer Smith is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Canterbury. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. A lack of consultation A lot of students said they werent asked what they thought before the bans were introduced. They felt as if adults made the rules without asking them or listening to them. One of our interviewees said: It feels like they just ban everything, thinking it will fix the problem. Many didnt understand the purpose of the ban, especially since they still have to use laptops and other technology in class. Recent research found more than 80 per cent of students in Aotearoa New Zealand say technology in class is distracting not just phones. Already, some students have found clever ways around the phone ban. At one Auckland school, students started using walkie-talkies instead of phones to stay connected with their peers. Examples like this show bans dont always change behaviour the way theyre intended to. It can simply make students feel as though adults underestimate how tech-savvy they really are. open image in gallery Debate continues over whether mobile phones should be banned in schools in England ( PA Wire ) Young people as active problem solvers The young people in our research offered some alternatives to the ban. Many suggested allowing phones at break and lunch times. That way, they could stay connected without interrupting class. They also said adults needed to model healthy digital habits, not just set the rules. Based on student responses, it does appear that learning and teaching how to use phones in healthy ways would be more helpful than banning them altogether. Research from the Digital Wellness Lab supports this balanced approach, emphasising skill building over restriction. But for this to work, adults need support too. Teachers and parents need training and resources to help guide young people and should also be surveyed on how they feel about the ban. Banning phones doesnt fix the bigger issue of helping young people to use technology safely and responsibly. If schools really want to support students, they need to move beyond one-size-fits-all rules. Our research shows young people arent just passive users of technology. Theyre active problem solvers. They want to be part of the conversation and part of the solution. This would involve replacing top-down bans with meaningful conversations involving young people and adults to build fair and practical digital guidelines, where everyone benefits. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The European Unions enlargement chief said Wednesday she is confident Hungary will not derail Ukraines path to membership, which she described as "inevitable. Im not worried, Commissioner Marta Kos told reporters while visiting a thermal power plant in Western Ukraine that was badly damaged by Russias campaign against civilian infrastructure. I would be worried if there were real concerns. On EU membership of Ukraine which is inevitable I see this as a political anchor of security guarantees, she said, noting that There has never been a war on the territory of the European Union. Ukraine hopes to join the bloc by the end of the decade and remains frustrated that its path to NATO membership looks uncertain. Kyiv applied for EU membership in 2022 shortly after Russias full-scale invasion. Now, Commissioner Kos is convening an informal meeting of European affairs ministers Thursday to prepare for the next stage of accession talks. Kos hinted that the process could move even faster, saying The quicker the reforms which are needed will be done, the quicker the process can be. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has opposed launching membership talks while the war continues. Yet, Kos dismissed his objections saying We do not need Orban to do the reforms which are necessary for Ukraine to become a member of the EU." The Slovenian diplomat toured the heavily damaged power plant, where heavy machinery was blackened, control panels melted and a giant hole gaped in the roof of one of the main buildings. Andrii, a turbine operator on duty during a recent attack, described the chaos that followed. The first thing you feel is a huge rush of adrenaline. Theres heavy smoke, loud noise, pressure you cant hear your colleagues, he said. Damaged equipment means escaping steam and high-temperature feedwater. At first its very difficult to orient yourself in the smoke. Company officials asked that the plants location and the full names of employees not be published for security reasons. The thermal power plant is one of six operated by private utility DTEK that have sustained major damage from relentless Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks. Kos praised the resilience of power workers and Ukrainians in general. There is no other more resistant nation in the world which I know than the Ukrainians, she said, recalling Russian President Vladimir Putins expectation of a quick victory. Putin said it would take one week. But here we are and its been nearly four years, so you are already the winners." ___ Andriy Popovych contributed. Its official. Europe is decaying and run by a cabal of weak leaders, according to a blistering attack by Donald Trump. The reason for this is simple: Europes disastrous policy on immigration means the people coming in have a totally different ideology which is fatally weakening the continent. His outburst follows a new US international policy stance which argues that Europe faces civilization erasure and is already indulging in the censorship of free speech and the suppression of opposition. These are not the latest social media post from a crank in the White House. This is the assessment of its finest minds who have just produced the 2025 National Security Strategy. This is the written version of how all in the White House must see the world and the means by which they intend to get the rest of us to view the planet. Over the long term, it is more than plausible that within a few decades at the latest, certain Nato members will become majority non-European, it says. This is rubbish. There is no mainstream population analysis that shows that any European nation will ever become a majority non-European. The Trump administration is getting its demographic guidance on Europe from the so-called Great Replacement Theory a term coined by French conspiracy theorist Renaud Camus, in which he argues that a global elite is colluding against the white population of Europe to replace them with non-European peoples. It has a powerful following among far-right groups, QAnon fanatics and Maga supporters. And now it is the official long-term view of America itself. A view that underpins the US relationship with the West and the Anglosphere from now on. open image in gallery Donald Trump gestures at the Institute of Peace in Washington DC ( Reuters ) So concerned is the US that it is going to lean in and force a change of direction on Europe by supporting groups which align closely with American policies and undermining those which do not. We will oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere, and the rest of the democratic world, especially among our allies, the document says. The Trump administration is fighting Europes Digital Services Act, which requires internet companies, mostly US-based like Meta, Apple and Google, to moderate content, remove illegal or harmful content, and regulate disinformation. The White House has made allegations of censorship against European countries for their efforts to regulate companies that generate huge profits but are anxious that new regulations would be costly to police for them. Vice-president JD Vance is likely to have held the pen in creating the new doctrine from the White House. Its contents closely reflect his startling attacks on Nato and European democracy at his first trip in office to the continent in February. He also threw his weight behind far-right groups and parties then. America encourages its political allies in Europe to promote this revival of spirit, and the growing influence of patriotic European parties indeed gives cause for great optimism, the new document says. The other influence on the document is likely to have been Vladimir Putin. His regime has become a beacon to many on the far right and Christian evangelicals who support Trump. His unashamed claims to represent traditional white Christian values are catnip to conspiracy fans of the Great Replacement Theory. Trump has backed Russia at every stage since returning to office. He has set his face against Europes support for Kyiv and for arguments that show Ukraine can eject Russian forces if it gets the support it needs. open image in gallery Trump shakes hands with Russian president Vladimir Putin, as they meet to negotiate for an end to the war in Ukraine in Anchorage, Alaska, in August ( Reuters ) Trump has cut all aid except for intelligence support to Ukraine while demanding enormous 50 per cent shares in future profits for the US and American companies in any future Ukrainian peace deal. Key to Putins long-term strategy is to undermine Western diplomatic alliances and cohesion. Brexit was a major step in that direction so was the re-election of Trump. He, like Trump, seeks to amplify disinformation and doubt in Western civil society by claiming that governments, like Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in Ukraine, are illegitimate and undemocratic. Zelensky was elected by a landslide in 2019. The new US foreign policy blueprint for the future claims that when it comes to Ukraine, A large European majority wants peace, yet that desire is not translated into policy, in large measure because of those governments subversion of democratic processes. Democracy has been eviscerated in America with attacks on every branch of the federal administration, the media, academia and the military. Loyalty to the Oval Office now trumps any oath to uphold the constitution as a condition of employment among officials across the US. While that persists and Trump writes outright lies into copper-plated national policy, it is no longer possible to see America as an ally, or even a frenemy. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Israeli military has given unprecedented access to the sprawling maze of tunnels underneath Gaza where Hamas held hostages and top commanders for months during the war. Unsettling footage newly shared by the IDF shows the maze of dimly lit tunnels where captives were held, running some 80ft beneath the surface. Oxygen is scarce at that depth, and heat becomes trapped in the narrow corridors lined with bottled water and discarded rubbish. A makeshift bathroom lays bare the filthy, improvised conditions where Hamas held out for months as the war raged on overhead. Bottles can be seen piled up on the bathroom floor, with a small waste bin overflowing with toilet paper. A sink, disconnected from running water, is filled with more bottles and drips into a bucket below. open image in gallery Narrow tunnels are clogged with heat and deprived of oxygen under Rafah ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press All rights reserved ) What we see right here is a perfect example of what Hamas did with all the money and the equipment that was brought into Gaza throughout the years, Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani told reporters given rare access this week. Hamas took it and built an incredible city underground for the purposes of terror and holding bodies of hostages. The army says the tunnel is more than 7 kilometers (4 miles) long and up to 25 meters (82 feet) deep and was used for storing weapons as well as long-term stays. It said top Hamas commanders were there during the war, including Mohammed Sinwar, who was believed to have run Hamas' armed wing and was the younger brother of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. open image in gallery Grisly conditions inside a Hamas tunnel under Gaza ( IDF ) The tunnels are part of a wider network of tunnels running for 450 miles to a maximum depth of 230ft, The Sun reports. Israel invited reporters into the now vacant tunnels under Rafah two months after a US-brokered armistice to end the war and return the hostages took effect on 10 October. Israeli airstrikes and shootings in Gaza have killed at least 376 Palestinians since the ceasefire began, according to Palestinian health officials. The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas of breaching the terms of the ceasefire. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in clashes with about Hamas militants still said to be hiding out underground in areas Hamas says it can no longer reach. open image in gallery Israeli soldiers at the entrance of a tunnel where the IDF says Hamas kept hostages and its top commanders ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press All rights reserved ) Israel has banned foreign journalists from entering Gaza since the war began in late 2023, except for rare, brief visits supervised by the military. Soldiers escorted journalists inside a tunnel, which they said was one of Hamas' most significant and complex underground routes, connecting cities in the embattled territory and used by top Hamas commanders. Journalists picked their way around dangling cables and uneven concrete slabs covered in sand. Israel said Hamas had kept the body of a hostage in the underground passage: Hadar Goldin, a 23-year-old soldier who was killed in Gaza more than a decade ago and whose remains had been held there. open image in gallery Hadar Goldin was a 23-year-old soldier who was killed in Gaza more than a decade ago ( IDF ) Hamas returned Goldin's body last month as part of the ceasefire agreement. Israel and Hamas are on the cusp of finishing the first phase of the truce, which mandated the return of all hostages, living and dead, in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel. The body of just one more hostage remains to be returned. The army hasn't decided what to do with the tunnel. It could seal it with concrete, explode it or hold it for intelligence purposes among other options. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington this month to discuss next steps in the ceasefire with US president Donald Trump. Victoria Beckham made a surprise cameo in Lily Collins TikTok, in which the Emily in Paris actor lip-synced to an iconic Spice Girls hit. On Tuesday (9 December), the 36-year-old made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where she was left speechless when her idol Posh Spice walked out on stage. Backstage, the 51-year-old made a hilarious guest appearance, walking past Collins as the actor mimed the words to Wannabe for a TikTok skit. How could you not tell me she was behind me? she joked, before adding, Oh my god, thats so embarrassing. Republican Congressman Tim Burchett has revealed why he hosts just a 15-minute Christmas party every year. The Tennessee Representative took to social media to explain that he keeps the festive get-together short to avoid getting stuck talking to boring party-goers. Burchett explained, you go to a dadgum Christmas party and what happens? You get cornered by somebody whos half-lit and they got wine breath, and theyre cornering you in the corner over there and for 15 minutes, and thats about all you can take. So, Im thinking, 15 minutes is all you need for a dadgum Christmas party. Australia implemented a world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 on Wednesday (December 10). The countrys Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, hailed the ban as a way for Australian families to take back power from big tech companies. In the UK, ministers have said they will be keeping a close eye on Australias ban; Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, told BBC Breakfast the government would certainly consider a ban not only if it worked, but if young people believe that it was working and trusted that that was a solution. The Independent asked the public whether they think a similar policy should be introduced in the UK. DAA boss Kenny Jacobs will attend Oireachtas committee hearing Airport boss and DAA board invited to attend next month to address governance concerns Departing DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs. Photo: Gerry Mooney John Mulligan Tue 9 Dec 2025 at 15:41 Kenny Jacobs, the chief executive of the DAA, has said he will attend a meeting of the Oireachtas transport committee next month as it queries governance issues at the state-owned airport operator amid a boardroom bust-up. Elon Musks social-media platform X has now launched five judicial reviews against the Irish media regulator, with a sixth expected before Christmas. The latest case has been taken in the name of Musk himself, as he tries to stop an investigation into how X deals with appeals from the public about content moderation decisions. Financial adviser was mocked in chat group after RTE documentary The cause of the action is not known, but it is likely to be linked to comments made in a work chat group by some staff at the bank regarding RTEs recent documentary on the tracker mortgage scandal. The Minister said ongoing discussions with end users in the market would be crucial to ensuring growers ultimately benefit from the measurement and verification of sustainability credentials at farm level.. Picture Denis Boyle A new Pilot Sustainability Assurance Scheme for Irish grain, aligned with Origin Green and designed to help farmers secure premium market returns, is being developed with dedicated government funding to ensure there is no additional cost to growers, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced. He highlighted the significant progress made on the pilot scheme at a meeting of the Food Vision Tillage Group, describing it as a key step in giving growers greater recognition for the sustainability of Irish grain. The initiative is being developed collaboratively between the Department of Agriculture, Bord Bia, the Cereals Association of Ireland, Cropsure and the Malting Company of Ireland. I want to acknowledge the very positive engagement between my own Department, Bord Bia, the Cereals Association of Ireland who own the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme, Cropsure and the Malting Company of Ireland who are working collaboratively on the development of this Pilot Scheme, Minister Heydon said. I have secured funding to support this initiative to ensure that there is no additional cost to growers. He said ongoing discussions with end users in the market would be crucial to ensuring growers ultimately benefit from the measurement and verification of sustainability credentials at farm level. The Minister also pointed to strong progress on AgNav, describing it as the next generation of sustainability tools that will allow tillage farmers to accurately measure and demonstrate the carbon footprint of their grain. Together, he said, these initiatives would help the sector showcase the low-carbon credentials of Irish grain, improving market differentiation and supporting access to premium, value-added markets. The meeting also reviewed the broader challenges faced by the tillage sector, with Minister Heydon noting the difficult market conditions and downward international price pressures seen this year. He reiterated the Governments commitment to supporting growers, highlighting the new Tillage Support Scheme coming in 2026 alongside the Protein Aid Scheme and the Straw Incorporation Measure. Combined, these supports will provide 50 million in targeted funding, including 30 million secured in Budget 2026. Further innovation is underway through investment in pilot-scale production facilities for brewing, distilling and plant-based ingredients, designed to support product development and open new value-added opportunities for farmers. Department-funded feasibility studies into oilseed processing and organic feed milling are also progressing and may identify additional opportunities for domestic processing. Minister Heydon also welcomed the provisional EU agreement on New Genomic Techniques earlier this month, saying it would help deliver improved crop traits more quickly, boosting resilience and environmental performance. Coast guard helicopter crews threatened with disciplinary action if 24-hour shifts logged as working for 24 hours, TDs told Bristow Ireland, holder of the contract for the Irish Coast Guard, told the Oireachtas transport committee they believed they were compliant with all legislation A coast guard helicopter (Niall Carson/PA) Lorna Siggins Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 18:12 Oireachtas transport committee members have expressed shock at a claim that Irish Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) helicopter crews were threatened with disciplinary action if they logged 24 hours shifts as working for 24 hours. Woman falsely accused prison officer of sexual assault during escorted hospital visit It was a terrible allegation to make. I hope she is sorry for what she did, the judge said. Nicole Chambers , 29yrs, of Snee, Carragh, Coolaney, Sligo pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for a court appearance. - she was jailed for 21months pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Fiona Ferguson Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 18:54 A woman who made a false allegation that she had been sexually assaulted by a prison officer escorting her on a hospital visit has been jailed for 21 months. Spanish officials believe there is enough evidence to charge Gerry Hutch with money laundering Plans by The Monk to run in upcoming Dail by-election wont affect criminal proceedings, authorities say Gerry Hutch arriving back from Lanzarote to Dublin Airport last year. Photo: Steve Humphreys Robin Schiller Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 14:34 Spanish officials now believe they have enough evidence to bring criminal charges against Gerry Hutch over a money-laundering investigation in the Canary Islands. Irish citizens who were part of a flotilla that tried to bring aid to Gaza when they were detained by Israeli authorities have urged politicians to ensure they hold Israel accountable MI5s initial failure to disclose all it knew about the Armys top spy in the Provisional IRA during the Troubles was a significant failure, an independent report into the activities of Stakeknife has said. Taoiseach Micheal Martin dismisses Russian ambassadors denial over drones Europe has full confidence in Ireland ensuring the security of EU heads of state when they visit as part of the presidency of the European Council next year, despite suspected Russian drone activity in Irish skies last week. LATEST | Storm Bram: Status Yellow wind warning to come into effect overnight for three counties, as 2,500 remain without power Some 2,500 homes and businesses still without power Around 90 flights cancelled or delayed across all Irish airports yesterday, while all ferries were suspended during the storm Status Orange wind alerts lifted from all areas last night as clean-up operation got into gear Storm Bram causes disruption, damage and power cuts across the country Ralph Riegel and Adrianna Wrona Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 18:05 Forecasters have issued a fresh wind warning for three counties as the Storm Bram recovery and clean-up continues. US plans to ask all tourists including from Ireland to share five years of social media history Under the plans, travellers would also be asked for email addresses used in the last ten years Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. Photo: Getty Pol O Conghaile Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 11:26 All tourists, whether they require a visa or not, may have to undergo social media screenings to enter the US. The scene on Talbot Street on the day of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Tempting though it is to avoid looking into the abyss, there are times when it is unforgivable not to. Two new reports have attempted to shed some light into the black hole of the Troubles dirty war. The findings of Operation Denton, investigating the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings the single deadliest atrocity in the history of the conflict have been revealed. And the final part of the report from Operation Kenova, the 45m probe into the activities of Stakeknife, the British armys top double agent in the North, has also been released. Both leave many damning questions still hanging in the air. Both also carry an eerie reverberating echo from the past, to remind us why there can be no going back to the darkness. Perhaps, unsurprisingly given the passage of time, the Denton report says no evidence of collusion between the British state and loyalist paramilitaries has been found in connection with bombings, but it cannot be categorically excluded. As the scientist Carl Sagan once noted: Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. The report also notes disquietingly that legitimate questions have been raised around the lack of information and intelligence recoveredand the poor investigative response following the attacks. That no one will be brought to justice or held to account is a deep, indelible ethical stain Considering the enormity of the loss of life, and the right of the bereaved to know who was behind the carnage, the findings must seem entirely unsatisfactory. That no one will be brought to justice or held to account is a deep, indelible ethical stain. That three car bombs exploded in Dublin during the evening rush hour, and a fourth in Monaghan, and yet the scales of justice will never be tilted one way or another, remains an affront to the principles of accountability. There is much to unsettle in the last Operation Kenova instalment too. Questions of collusion, impunity, extrajudicial killing and the complicity of the British security services once again abound. An interim report, in 2024, had already concluded that more lives were lost than were saved as a result of the undercover work of Stakeknife. The agent was widely believed to be Belfast IRA member Freddie Scappaticci. The report has asked that he now be formally identified. Among the many revelations are that the army was to hold a farewell dinner for him. He was also twice taken on holiday by his handlers, at a time when they knew he was wanted by the RUC for conspiracy to murder. He was paid five- and six-figure sums. And yet it is believed he was personally linked to 14 murders and 15 abductions. That a state-sponsored serial killer could be at large, as the report suggests, should give pause for thought. It also says protecting the agent was seen as more important than protecting those who could have been saved. Violence allows governments to assume cloaks of invisibility, negating the need for responsibility. While we can never close the book on the past, we must take even greater care never to repeat it. This is a good day for the Irish dairy sector, said Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher after the European Nitrates Committee voted to extend Irelands nitrates derogation for a further three years. On Tuesday, December 9 the Nitrates Committee voted in favour of the European Commissions recommendation to extend the derogation for an additional three years subject to certain conditions. The Cork based MEP said the news is a positive step. It will give certainty to farmers currently in derogation and to the wider agri-food sector which employs thousands of people in rural Ireland. Of course, the conditionality attached to this extension will be difficult for some, but the alternative was an end to the derogation for everyone. Mr Kelleher continued: This extension gives certainty to dairy farmers for the next three years and ultimately, gives us the space and time to implement additional mitigation measures to reduce nitrate usage and seepage into our water courses. The Government must provide funding for on-farm measures such as additional slurry storage capacity and Low-Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment. National funding should also be urgently made available for the roll out of a systematic Anaerobic Digestion (AD) programme across the country, he added. While not a silver bullet to the issue of nitrogen emissions from the dairy and beef sector, it is a part of the solution. AD is not a new technology - it is a proven method of reducing emissions and should be urgently rolled out across the country. Securing the extension of the derogation has been a national effort - from government to MEPs and to farm lobby organisations. This is a good day for Ireland and for our agri-food sector, added Mr Kelleher. Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central Colm Burke welcomed the announcement that Ireland has secured the continued availability of the nitrates derogation. Im delighted to see that agreement was reached with the Commission on a three-year implementing decision providing for the derogation. The implementing decision sets out the conditions for the derogation, including the need to show compliance with the Habitats Directive. The family farm model, based on animals being outdoors, is the cornerstone of our sustainability, acknowledged Deputy Burke. Improving water quality is a critical part of continued access to the nitrates derogation. Irish farmers take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and are on a journey of continuous improvement. This objective is shared by all of industry, stakeholders and farmers. We will continue to work with farmers on this journey, on the task of improving water quality and ensuring continued availability of the derogation beyond the current decision. This must be our priority now as we chart our way forward, added the Cork TD. A Cork court has heard that a man, caught by gardai removing marijuana from a ditch near Millstreet, has issues with depression following the death of both his parents. Mariusz Mrugala, with an address in Millstreet, appeared in court with the help of a Polish interpreter, and pleaded guilty through his solicitor David OMeara to possession of drugs at Mallow District Court. Presenting Garda Sergeant Majella OSullivan said that on 27 May 2025, Mr Mrugala was spotted by gardai removing an object from a ditch. He was stopped by gardai, where cannabis was found in a jar in his possession and in a backpack. The suspected drugs were sent to Forensic Science Ireland, which confirmed the sample as marijuana, with a total value of 1,000. Mr OMeara told the court that his client suffered two physical difficulties, and suffers from significant depression. Mr Mrugala lives alone in Ireland, said Mr OMeara, and that his mother and father had died in Poland, while his sister has terminal cancer. Mr Mrugala has no family in Ireland, the court heard, and has addiction issues. Judge Colm Roberts ordered a probation welfare report, including his suitability for community service, ahead of giving any penalty. He seems to have an issue with addiction, and with depression, he might come to the conclusion that the two are connected, said the Judge. The case was adjourned until February 26 of next year to allow for the preparation of the report ahead of a penalty. Opinion Simon Bourke: 17 hours online, robot families, and the generation of men who cant put their phones away how the Internet is slowly driving us all mad Its one of the most delicious parts of my day, that last 1015-minute scroll before bed. I have fulfilled all my duties, resisted the urge to commit several violent crimes, and made it to the end unscathed: I have earned this scroll, earned my The playground has been without equipment for several years. Picture: Michelle McGoldrick Dublin councillors labelled the continued inaction on Belmaynes playground area, which has been without equipment for years, as a travesty. Speaking at the Dublin City Council (DCC) North Central Area Committee on Monday, Sinn Fein councillor Micheal MacDonncha said he was not happy with the lack of communication and action on the park to date. The playground area, which is not owned by DCC, was cleared of its equipment several years ago due to health and safety concerns, but the reinstatement of the facility has been pushed back repeatedly. Its gone on and on and on, local Fianna Fail councillor Daryl Barron told the Irish Independent. Its a bit like a soap opera in the sense that, delays ordering equipment, delays tendering. Theres a lot of this red tape, pure crap to be honest, thrown at you. He said DCC had an agreement with the management company to finance and install new equipment and take the area in charge, but the delays meant residents were losing faith in the council. The playground has been without equipment for several years. Picture: Michelle McGoldrick News in 90 Seconds - 10 December 2025 At the meeting, Fergus OCarroll, DCC Senior Executive Parks Superintendent, assured councillors that the assigned contractor would be on site at the end of Q1 or the beginning of Q2 next year. The new equipment, he said, has been ordered. Mr OCarroll said he couldnt offer a more specific date because the weather has a major influence on work schedules. "Freezing weather conditions dont allow for the glue to be used, he said, so its a bit of a moving feast over the winter months. Mr MacDonncha said he didnt understand how, if the works are weather dependent, it would take another three months for shovels to get in the ground. "I think we need a thorough review of how this has been handled, because its not just that its a small space, he said. "It was also something that we had hoped could be a small gain at an early stage as a sign of what can be done in the bigger plan that we have for Belmayne and Clongriffin. So, it doesnt augur well when this has dragged on so long. Mr Barron agreed with the call for an investigation into the timeline of events, and said it should have been dealt with this year rather than next. "We havent been very clear to the community. This is something that has to be done in early 2026, he said. We cannot afford to see this moving into Q2 of 2026. Itll be very, very poor that we get to that point that the summer of 2026 before we actually see a playground here will be a travesty. Social Democrats councillor Paddy Monahan said: "It breaks my heart that because of various different agencies involved, various different public state-run agencies and private agencies, a postage stamp of a playground still hasnt been filled in. This is what happens when we allow private entities to take over the running of what should be for the public good. Its a playground for toddlers and its kind of embarrassing at this stage, he said. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme The former theatre and auction house was originally built in 1871 A vacant council-owned former theatre, 114-116 Capel Street, has been floated for artists space in the wake of arts venue The Complex receiving an urgent notice to quit. The multidisciplinary arts space, which has occupied its current premises on Arran Street East in Dublin 7 since 2019, was issued with a notice to leave their current building by the middle of next month. If funding to purchase the building is not forthcoming and an alternative venue is not found, the dozens of artists it supports will have nowhere to go. But in a Dublin City Council (DCC) emergency motion passed yesterday, Green Party councillor Janet Horner suggested the historic Capel Street buildings, last used as an auction house, as an ideal location for artists in the city. Speaking to the council chamber, she said spaces like The Complex were increasingly rare and that the city had lost many of them in recent years. Ms Horner said the priority should be to keep The Complexs artists in their existing location, but that the buildings on Capel Street vacant for several years would be a perfect site for artists studios. "To my mind, it is a travesty that artists are being evicted from studios around the corner and we are not looking for every possible solution including our own stock of buildings, she said. Michelle Robinson, DCC executive manager for the area, said council arts officer Ray Yeates and David Dinnigan, executive manager of recreation, were currently in discussions about the future of the site and whether it has potential for the arts. "There will be further updates on that, she said, but refused to be drawn on timelines or specifics. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Ms Horner said 114-116 Capel Street was originally acquired by the council for its adaptive reuse scheme, which aims to convert vacant buildings into housing. However, council chiefs slashed funding for adaptive reuse earlier this year in favour of new-build housing schemes, leaving the future of the site in limbo. "In the long run, it should still have a housing aspect, but theres no point in leaving buildings without any plan for the time being, she said. While she wanted to see more artist spaces created through the conversion of the building on Capel Street, she said Plan A was still to keep The Complex in their current location. The Complex arts venue They put years of work into that, people are established on site and we dont want to lose spaces, she said. But I do think that having a venue that is already such a perfect space for the arts, in council ownership right around the corner, means that we should also be exploring that. Ms Horner said she also had been in touch with The Complexs artistic director Vanessa Fielding, who supports the proposal for more artist space, but remains determined to keep their existing location. "Theyre going to fight to the last breath to keep that, and I respect that and am supportive of that. I just also want to make sure we dont miss the opportunity to do something worthwhile with the other venue, said Ms Horner. A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: 114-116 Capel Street is currently being considered for cultural use by Dublin City Council. This requires technical study of its condition, repairs or alteration and important issues such as Fire Safety and Planning Works to bring this building to the standard required even for temporary use are estimated to take at least twelve to eighteen months. The City Arts Office is communicating with the Complex as it considers alternative spaces and representatives of the Complex will view the building in coming days. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme FRS Recruitment team with the overall Large Agency Award: Sheryl Pace Briffa, Laura Guiney, Stefan Moro, Lynne McCormack, Mark Valentine, Colin Donnery, Niamh Kavanagh, Gwen Leyden, Darragh OBrien and Niall OConnor. FRS Recruitment, which has an office in Castleisland, was recognised with two awards at the 2025 Employment and Recruitment Federation Awards. The agency, which serves clients across various sectors, retained its award for Best in Practice: IT, Telecoms & Technology for demonstrating exceptional expertise and success in the sector. This was before being announced as the overall Large Agency of the Year winner. Lynne McCormack, general manager of FRS Recruitment, said being named Large Recruitment Agency of the Year is a powerful endorsement of her companys work. Its a proud moment for everyone in FRS Recruitment and across the wider FRS Co-Op, Ms McCormack said. The awards were decided upon by a panel of 10 expert judges including Paul Muldoon, James Osborne, Prof Colette DArcy and Gavin Duffy. The panel highlighted FRS Recruitments excellence as a trusted partner for clients across multiple sectors looking to fill permanent, contract, and temporary roles. They also noted the companys demand staffing app WrkWrk, which offers flexible temporary jobs to candidates. The judges praised the companys commitment to quality of service. In particular, the judges noted FRS Recruitments focus on innovation, including the growth of its recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) option for clients. FRS Recruitment provides RPO solutions to a number of clients seeking to outsource their hiring process. The annual ERF Awards were held at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on Friday, November 28. The Awards recognise the leading Irish recruitment agencies and firms with 50 or more staff which can demonstrate expertise and success in the sector. Two brothers responded violently when asked to pay bill A man has been sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting a woman who tried to stop him from leaving a Chinese restaurant without paying in a small town in north Kerry. A man, identified as his younger brother, who rushed over and threatened to beat the woman with a stick, was also convicted. Martin Mongan (47) of 88 Clancy Park, Ennis, Co Clare, appeared at Tralee District Court on a charge of non-fatal assault. His brother, Patrick Mongan (20), of the same address, entered a plea for production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. The court heard that Martin Mongan was asked to pay for his meal at Mochi Chinese Restaurant on Church Street, Tarbert on December 6, 2023. He failed to do so, said Sergeant Chris Manton. He was leaving when the female proprietor tried to stop him. It was alleged he struck the female proprietor in the face. In court, Patrick Mongan smiled as allegations against his elder brother were read out. Judge David Waters reacted with shock. You struck a nearly 60-year-old woman because you wanted to leave a restaurant without paying for food? he asked. There was bruising underneath her cheekbone, the court heard. Patrick Mongans, who was in a car outside, subsequently ran across the road, produced a meter long stick said Sgt Manton. He began to strike and threaten the woman, the court heard. The judge convicted. The elder brother had 49 previous convictions, including one for an assault in Ennis from September 2023 for which he received a custodial sentence. So, hed only been just out of prison? asked Judge Waters. The younger brother had seven previous convictions. The attack was an absolute disgrace said the judge. How can a man who is just out of prison for assaultavoid a prison sentence? he asked. Solicitor Padraig OConnell acknowledged, It was one blow and it should never have been struck. Its fully accepted that she did suffer. He noted Mr Mongan had a young family and the absence of their father at this time of year would be a considerable punishment. Patrick Mongan, he said, had saved 1,500 as a token of remorse for the victim, of which 1,000 was already paid and 500 could be paid in future. This woman was only trying to make a living for herself, said the judge. He sentenced Martin Mongan to six months. And even that is light, said the judge, noting he would have refused jurisdiction had he known the full circumstances. In the younger brothers sentencing, the judge observed most people would try to stop the assault. Instead, he decides to make matters worse and jump in, he said. He was given a five-month sentence, suspended for two years. If he comes before me for any offence related to violence assault or public order, Ill have no difficulty to unsuspend that sentence, warned the judge. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme All smiles ahead of Santa and Ernie the elf's visit to school. Tralees beloved giant elf, Ernie, first introduced during Christmas in Tralee 2022, officially embarked on his festive journey across the Kingdom bringing smiles, wonder, and Christmas spirit to children throughout Kerry. This week, Ernie kicked off his Christmas tour with surprise school visits to Scoil Ide, Curranes National School (Castleisland), and Coolard National School, Listowel. The special visit in Coolard was attended by Cllr Michael Foley, Mayor of Kerry County Council, who joined students in welcoming Ernie back to Kerry. Delivered in partnership with An Garda Siochana and Garveys SuperValu, the tour ensures Ernie reaches each school safely as he spreads joy across communities in north and west Kerry. Over the coming days, Ernie will continue appearing unannounced at schools across the Kingdom, adding excitement and anticipation as Christmas approaches. A huge thank you is extended to Listowel Business and Community Alliance and Castleisland Chamber Alliance, who joined forces to bring Christmas magic to boys and girls across the Kingdom. Having set off from the North Pole earlier this month, Ernies mission is simple: to sprinkle festive cheer and remind families that some of the biggest Christmas celebrations in Kerry are just around the corner. Were thrilled to see Ernie back on tour. His visits bring huge joy to children and help build excitement for all the wonderful events taking place in Tralee this December, said Colette OConnor, CEO Tralee Chamber. As Ernie continues his magical journey, the public is encouraged to keep a lookout, you never know where he might appear next! Emergency services, including the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117 were called to the scene. Stock image. A light aircraft carrying two people has crash landed in south Kilkenny this afternoon while en-route to Waterford. The incident involving a Cessna 172 aircraft happened in Carrigeen near Mooncoin in Co Kilkenny at around 12.40pm this afternoon. The plane was routing back on a routine training flight towards Waterford when the incident occurred. "A Cessna 172 was routing back on a routine training flight towards Waterford when the pilot experienced a rough-running engine, said a spokesperson from Atlantic Flight Training Academy. He informed Air Traffic Control in Waterford and advised that he had identified a suitable landing site in close proximity. "The pilot positioned the aircraft for landing and carried out a precautionary landing in a suitable grass field, in accordance with standard operation procedures, north of Waterford Airport. There were no injuries to either the instructor or the student. We can confirm neither attended hospital. Both were assessed and cleared on site and have safely returned to Waterford Airport Base, concluded the spokesperson. Emergency services, including the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 117, were called to the scene. In a statement to the Irish Independent, a garda spokesperson said the scene of the incident has been preserved to allow for an investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Unit. "Gardai and emergency services are currently at the scene of an emergency landing involving a light aircraft at Carrigeen, Co Kilkenny which occurred at approximately 12.40pm this afternoon, Wednesday, December 10, said the spokesperson. No injuries have been reported. The scene is preserved pending an investigation by the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU). Today's incident is the second time a light aircraft has crashed landed in the South East in recent weeks. On November 20, a light aircraft lost power or control before crashing while making an emergency landing in Waterford, killing one person. The incident occurred when an Italian-built twin engined light aircraft went down in a field as it attempted to make an emergency landing, falling just short of the runway at Waterford Airport. Reports indicated the pilot had declared an emergency off the Waterford coast in the minutes prior to the crash landing. A major incident was declared with almost 30 members of the gardai, paramedics, Coast Guard and Waterford Fire Brigade personnel deploying to the site at Lisselan between Tramore and Dunmore. The incident occurred in a field near the R685 road which was immediately closed by gardai to facilitate the work of the emergency services. The plane involved was a high-wing, twin-engined Partenavia-Vulcanair P68 aircraft. It was on a flight from Sligo to Bezier in France and had taken off less than an hour before the incident unfolded. The pilot declared an emergency off the Waterford coast just before 1pm and immediately turned towards Waterford Airport in a bid to make an emergency landing. Three separate motions discussed the cost of living crisis and in particular the energy costs that are amongst the highest in Europe Three separate motions before the December meeting of Sligo County Council addressed the issue of energy costs with calls made to ensure there are no further electricity price rises and to consider reintroducing the energy credits that had been in place in recent winters. Cllr Arthur Gibbons motion called for urgent action to be taken to prevent any further electricity price hikes. Addressing the Council Chamber, Cllr Gibbons said, It is an absolute disgrace, it is not something the government were not aware of. Were paying the highest prices for electricity in Europe. Cllr Gibbons stated, The regulator is not fit for purpose, adding, The amount of profit oil companies are making is phenomenal. 308,000 people are in debt on their electricity bills at the moment. Cllr Gibbons said it was of little consolation to people to be told their Electricity wont be cut off but the debt is mounting and mounting. "The government needs to take action and step in. It is unfair to be asking people to pay exorbitant prices. Id like to see the cabinet step into the shoes and spend Christmas living on the same means. In her motion before the monthly meeting, Cllr Marie Casserly asked, Given the fact that Irish wholesale electricity prices have decreased significantly, dropping over 75% from their 2022 peak, can all relevant stakeholders and the Department be questioned as to why consumers are not seeing the reduction in electricity bills? Addressing the meeting, Cllr Casserly said, I meet families every week who are struggling. Families deserve transparency and fairness. Cllr Michael Clarke also tabled a motion in relation to the cost of energy and the impact it is having. Cllr Clarkes motion called on Sligo County Council to write to the Taoiseach, Micheal Martin to reconsider the governments position on energy credits for so many families that are in food and heat poverty. Pointing to a 150% jump in grocery bills and Electricity bills that are out of touch for so many, Cllr Clarke said he is hearing first hand the impact the cost of living crisis is having. "People are contacting me at their wits end. I never witnessed anything like their testimony. People working seven days a week are still facing difficulty. It is a disgrace for this government to stand over such a policy. Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. There is a great deal of sadness and grief in Wexford this week following the sad passing of four year old Laura Flynn of Killanne who passed away surrounded by her loving parents on Monday, December 8. Having battled cancer bravely and inspiring strength in all those who were lucky to meet her, Laura had become a shining light in various aspects of the communities, including national childrens cancer organisations and charities. Oscar's Kids Ireland, a paediatric cancer charity that supports children and their families with cancer, paid tribute to Laura online. "We are so deeply saddened to share that beautiful Laura, who was just four years old, died last night. This tiny but mighty girl from Wexford lived bravely with cancer and was surrounded by love every moment from her adoring parents Olivia and Mick and her wider family. We send them every ounce of love and strength we have now and we hold this beautiful girl in our hearts, they wrote. Childhood Cancer Ireland shared a picture of a candle on their socials to honour her passing, alongside a few words about her strength. It is just devastating to share another candle for a beautiful little girl who gained her wings this week. We send all our love to her heartbroken parents, grandparents and all of her family and community. They have lost their shining light and we hope that they are wrapped in love and support as they prepare to say goodbye. A precious little girl who will be forever loved, missed, and remembered, they said. Aoibheanns Pink Tie also posted a photo of a candle along with the words; There is a light that never goes out. Sleep now sweetheart. A number of Wexford musical societies also took to their social media pages to give little Laura a fond farewell, describing her as an inspiration to many people. "We at Rathnure Pantomime Society are heartbroken and saddened at the passing of little angel, Laura Flynn. In Lauras short time on earth, she was a determined, excitable, and adoring little girl who fought her illness with bravery, courage, and determination. Her love of art and being surrounded by her loving family were the most important things in her life, and her short time with us, made such an impact on everyones life, a representative of the Rathnure Pantomime Society said. "We sincerely send all of our love and prayers to her parents Olivia and Mick, and we will surround the Flynn, Reilly, and Binions families, who are the heartbeat of our society with loving care at this most difficult time, they added. The New Ross Musical Society also spoke about the devastating impact the loss has had on the community. "Our heartfelt condolences go to our committee member and friend Nicky, and to his entire family on the heart-breaking loss of his young niece, Laura. We are thinking of you all during this incredibly difficult time. May you find strength in the support of those around you, and may Lauras memory bring comfort in the days ahead, they said. Laura also made an undeniable impact on the shops and cafes she frequented with her family, with Hen House Coffee describing her as their one of our best little customers and a beautiful little princess. Her funeral will take place on Thursday, December 11 in St Annes Church, Rathnure at 11 a.m. The cherished daughter of Mick and Olivia, adored granddaughter of Brian and Mag Binions and Jim and Marian Flynn, and loved great-granddaughter of Nancy, Laura will always be remembered and loved by her heartbroken family and friends. Before threading into the music scene, Seana Redmond of Caim, has been reviving traditional forms of Irish dancing in Enniscorthy by establishing a Sean Nos dance group. During her time in the Connemara Gaeltacht learning Irish, Seana developed a love for Sean-Nos dancing, a type of dance which was popular in early twentieth century Ireland. Now, she is eagerly preparing for the launch of her debut album by releasing the single Caoineadh Sheain Ui Cheallaigh | A Lament for John Kelly the Boy from Killanne, which is rooted in local Wexford history. "It consists of a poem I wrote, followed by a lament I composed on the uilleann pipes in memory of the late John Kelly of Killanne who was a leader in the 1798 Rebellion in Wexford. I wrote this piece while living in Galway city and working with the Irish language, music and Sean Nos dance, Seana explained. "This composition is the first track on my debut solo album Outlaw which was recorded in the heart of the Burren, Co. Clare at The Dreams Loft Studio and was released in November. The album includes solo uilleann pipes, tin whistle, singing accompanied with guitar, original poetry and Sean Nos dance beats, she added. Her music can be streamed on her official website and on YouTube. CBS Cheque Presentation to The Hope Cancer Support Centre. Pictured is Principal Brendan O Sullivan, Becky Shortall, Liz Fitzgerald, Denise McDonald, Luke Ryan and Students from the CBS. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench A group of hardworking and dedicated Wexford students took time out of their studies to organise and host a tractor run in aid of the Hope Cancer Support centre. This is the third year that St Marys CBS Enniscorthy have hosted the event and they are thrilled to have had more tractors than ever participate. Student Luke Ryan said it was a tremendous show of community supports across a variety of organisations. "We had 75 tractors take part this year and thanks to the incredible support from students, families, local farmers, and the whole Enniscorthy community, we raised over 5,500 for the Hope Cancer Support Centre. This includes the funds from the run itself, a teacher contribution, and our non-school uniform day, he said. "This is my third year helping run the event, and it just keeps getting bigger. Seeing all the vehicles lined up was fantastic, an excellent show of community spirit and support for the Hope Cancer Support Centre, who do amazing work for people and families affected by cancer, he added. Co-organiser Noel Asple-James added: I was delighted with the day. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and we had loads of volunteers helping out, which made everything run smoothly. Seeing people of all ages out and about was brilliant. On behalf of the school, he extended thanks to all the drivers who took part, the local businesses who donated prizes and sponsored the event, the volunteers who kept everything running smoothly, Enniscorthy WFC Mart, and everyone who came out to support on the day. "Already looking forward to next years run, he added. The committee members, Luke Ryan, Noel Asple-James, Ben Kinsella, Aaron Lacey, Oisin Reck, Bobby Quinsey, Sean Lacey, Ben Murphy, James Breen, Jack Dempsey and Cathal Mernagh, a mix of TY, 5th-year, 6th-year and LCA students, were thanked for the huge effort they put into organising the fundraiser. To mark the achievement, the school treated the group to a small pizza party. A group of 1st and 2nd year students in wrapped in their sleeping bags and blankets on the floor of the school gym, with their teacher Maime O'Neill. A group students in Wexford have raised money in aid of homelessness after organising a demonstration giving an inside look into the experience of sleeping rough in the school sports hall. In October, a dedicated group of Bunclody Community College students, led by their teacher Brian Byrne, took part in a sponsored sleep-out on school grounds to raise vital funds for Focus Ireland. Their efforts resulted in an impressive 1,350 being donated to the charity, which works to combat homelessness across the country. Teacher Paul Cahill explained that the large group of students were determined to complete the demonstration with the help of the staff who gave them moral support throughout the night. "The sleep-out, designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness, saw students spend a night in the school with only basic comforts. Throughout the evening, staff supported the students with a range of activities to keep spirits high. Pizza, games, and a movie helped create a sense of community and made the night both meaningful and memorable, he said. Teacher Brian Byrne praised the students for their commitment and compassion, noting that their willingness to step outside their comfort zones made a real impact. The school community is incredibly proud of the groups achievement and their contribution to such an important cause. "Bunclody Community College extends a warm thank-you to everyone who sponsored the students and supported the event. Their generosity will help Focus Ireland continue its crucial work supporting individuals and families in need, Mr Cahill added. Rosemary ONiell, Kathleen Walsh and Patsy Flood OConnor at the H&H Art Group exhibition in the Horse & Hound, Ballinaboola. Photo: Patrick Browne Tidy Towns AGM Our AGM will be held on the Monday 15th December in Ballycullane Parish Hall at 7.30pm. Hope to see new faces on the night. All are welcome to attend. Tintern Review We hope that the arrival of the 15th edition of the Tintern Review will be welcomed by all who enjoy its mixture of articles and old and new photos about the local and surrounding areas. Perhaps as you are browsing through it, you might think of some interesting topics for next years issue, that you could bring to the attention of any of the committee members. It is on sale now in Ballycullane Post Office, John Joe Murphys shop Taylorstown, Daybreak Ballycullane, Costcutters Wellingtonbridge, Tirlan and Harts shop Campile and Foulksmills Stores. Tractor Run The Christmas Road Run in aid of St. Louis Daycare Centre will start in Campile at 5pm, on Sunday 14th December. It will travel through the villages of Campile, Dunmain, Ballycullane, Fethard-on-Sea, Ramsgrange and Arthurstown. Food served afterwards in the Kings Bay Inn, Arthurstown. Registration is 20 at 4pm. Parking available. Enquiries 087 2028450. Campile Hall Christmas Craft Fair The annual Christmas Craft Fair will be held in Campile Hall on Sunday 14th December from 10am to 4pm. With a great selection of crafts from all over Wexford, this is the perfect opportunity to get some unique and locally made Christmas presents. On the day of the craft fair we will also have tickets available for our upcoming Michael English Concert with special guest Louise Morrissey, to be held in Campile hall on Sunday 29th March 2026. Bannow-Ballymitty Christmas Swim The Cullenstown Mermaids will hold their annual swim in Cullenstown at 11am Christmas morning in aid of the RNLI, Kilmore. All are welcome! Nollaig Le Ciara Nollaig Le Ciara is a Christmas Concert series featuring Soprano Ciara Breen with Jim Murry renowned Irish Guitarist, Domonic Lucian on Violin and Ivan Sherednichenko Carrillo on Cello. Nollaig Le Ciara will be perfomed on Sunday 14th December at Grantstown Church, 8.30pm start. Tickets 25 available from Costcutters, Wellingtonbridge. Social Dancing Dancing continues in Carrig Community centre with the following band for December: Thursday 11th Pat Daly (note change of night for one week only), Wednesday 17th Christmas party dance with Philip English, Wednesday 31st New Years Eve dance with Tom and Niamh Murphy. Dances 911.30 .Refreshments served. Split the pot Split the pot winner last week was Sam and Seanie winning 220. Skittles Indoor Skittles tournament changed to Monday night in Tir na nOg last weeks winners were Timmy Barnwell and Charlie Collins. Carrig Community Centre Yoga every Monday evening at 7pm and Thursday morning at 9.30am and chair yoga at 11am just come along and enjoy, pay as you go. Bridge is played every Tuesday night. Slimming world is every Wednesday 5.30 till 7.30pm Dance Fit classes every Thursday night. Bingo every Saturday night from 8pm all welcome. Ballymitty Hall events Monday Night Bingo Ballymitty Drive-in Bingo continues on Monday nights at 8pm, Ballymitty Church Carpark. Womens Shed We meet Monday mornings from 10am to 12pm. All welcome to come join. Taekwondo Chos tae kwon do classes on Wednesdays, onwards 6 years of age and up for both kids and adults class every Wednesday from 7pm to 8pm contact John Phillips on 086 3893382 for any info. Public Library Services Wexford Mobile Library will be at Grantstown Daycare Centre on Wednesday 31st December, from 2.30pm to 3.15pm. If you would like to join, membership is free. It is not just books you can borrow from Wexford Library, you can also borrow e-books and e-audiobooks. If you are already a library member, you can collect a reserved book from the mobile library. Grantstown Daycare Centre Would you like to get out of the house, meet people of all ages and have a bit of fun? Then why not pop in to Grantstown Daycare Centre and see for yourself what is happening on a day-to-day basis. Each day has something different whether its music, games, arts and crafts, movies, quizzes, trips out or just chatting or reading a magazine. If you have a craft or skill that you would like to share with the group we can arrange for you to do a demonstration. We also have holistic practitioners who are qualified in Sonas and Imagination Gym and a nurse in the centre. Our clients vary in age from mid-thirties to over ninety. If you dont have your own transport we can possibly collect you in the morning in one of our buses and drop you home in the afternoon. Please phone 051 561016 or e-mail info@grantstownpriory.com for more information. Date for your Diary - Monday 15th December at 7.30pm: flower arranging with Marian OHanlon. Meals On Wheels Would you like to have Delicious and Nutritious meals delivered to your door? Grantstown Daycare Centre operates a Meals On Wheels service delivered every Tuesday & Thursdayfor a small fee. Why not give us a call on 051 561016 for more details. Free sample available to prospective new customers. Camross Camross Hall news Our next dance will be held at Camross Hall (Y35 YY89) on Friday 2nd January, featuring the fabulous Stacey Breen. Admission is 10 and includes tea. The event commences at 9pm and will continue through the evening. This event provides an opportunity for social dancing in a welcoming setting. All welcome Check out Camross Halls Facebook Page for further details on all upcoming events or contact kaynolandoyle@gmail.com. Camross Drama Group Camross Drama Group are delighted to announce that they will be performing the John B Keane classic Sive in March and April 2026 which will be Directed by Michael Stafford. Any queries Michael Stafford 087-2759813 or Philip Howlin 087-7742337. Check out our Facebook page for current events. Taghmon/Caroreigh & Trinity Parish news Weekend Mass Schedule - Saturday: Cleariestown 6pm (please note new mass time from now on), Caroreigh 7.30pm. Sunday: Trinity 9am, Taghmon 10.15am, Rathangan 11.30am Weekday Mass Schedule - Tuesday: Cleariestown 9.30am. Wednesday: Caroreigh 9.30am. Thursday: Rathangan 9.30am. Friday: Taghmon 10am School Mass Adoration Times - Duncormick: Monday 2-8pm New Adorers always welcome. Taghmon: Tuesday 11am-12 noon New Members welcome. Cleariestown: Thursday 11am-5pm. Caroreigh: Monday 1-8pm, except Bank Holiday Mondays and the months of June & July. Taghmon History Society Join our Committee - Individuals interested in contributing to the Taghmon History Society are cordially invited to consider joining our committee. Your participation will be instrumental in advancing the societys ongoing projects. Contact Kay Doyle for upcoming meeting dates Wedding Album - Looking ahead to 2026, the Taghmon History Society is preparing to compile its inaugural Parish Wedding Album following the success of The Photo Book publication. We invite submissions of wedding photographs from various years, including couple portraits and group images. Given the extensive nature of this project, we kindly encourage early contributions. Please submit photographs along with the names of those depicted and the collection name to any committee member; all originals will be carefully copied and promptly returned. Digital images should have a minimum resolution of 600 dpi. For further details, please reach out to Kay Doyle, Secretary, at 087-2680273. Subscriptions - Subscription to the Taghmon History Society is available for 30, covering the years 2026 and 2027. You will receive a free Journal in 2027. Current subscribers may receive updates by providing an email address. New subscribers are most welcome; for more information, please contact Kay Doyle at 087-2680273 or kaynolandoyle@gmail.com. For additional information or queries, please refer to our Facebook page, or contact us via email at kaynolandoyle@gmail.com or telephone at 087-2680273. Clongeen Contacts & Deadlines If anyone has notes to be published, please send the information via email. The normal deadline is 9am on Mondays prior to the Wednesday publication but on a Bank Holiday weekend, the deadline is earlierits midday on the Friday. Either way, the email to use is: grooney@hotmail.comthanks. The Rosebuds Ladies Group Join our vibrant ladies group for a delightful morning of connection and fun! Every Tuesday from 10.30am until 12.30pm in Clongeen Hall. Women from 18yrs old and over gather for a refreshing cuppa and lively chat. We engage in various entertaining activities and occasionally explore local tourist gems together. Its the perfect opportunity to make new friends, share experiences and enjoy a break from your routine. All this for just 5 per session ! Come and be a part of our warm, welcoming community and add a spark of joy to your week. For more information feel free to call Vero on 086 1034878. Split the Pot This weeks winner of Split the Pot was Sue Cardiff and the seller of the winning entry was Breda Barry. So well to both Sue & Breda and remember that for next weeks Christmas Draw, all the money collected will be paid out and split amongst 3 lucky winners, so dont forget to get your entry for this special draw, best to luck and thanks for supporting the draw, both buyers and sellers. Christmas Lights Road Run The Campile Christmas Lights Road Run takes place thus Sunday 14th December and all the proceed of the event are in aid of the St. Louis Day-care Centre in Ramsgrange. Registration starts from 4pm at a cost of 20 per entry and the run is scheduled to leave Campile at 5pm. From Campile, the route heads to Dunmain and then on to Ballycullane, heading down to Saltmills, then on to Fethard-on-sea, around via Templetown, into Ramsgrange and then finishing in Arthurstown, estimated to be arriving there at approx. 7pm. Food will be served compliments of the Kings Bay Inn in Arthurstown. Your support for this very worthy cause would be greatly appreciated. Tintern Review We hope that the arrival of the 15th edition of the Tintern Review will be welcomed by all who enjoy its mixture of articles and old and new photos about the local and surrounding areas. Perhaps as you are browsing through it, you might think of some interesting topics for next years issue, that you could bring to the attention of any of the committee members. The 40th anniversary of the Foulksmills Duck Race features prominently in this years edition. It is on sale now in Foulksmills Stores, Ballycullane Post Office, John Joe Murphys shop in Taylorstown, Daybreak in Ballycullane, Costcutters in Wellingtonbridge and in Campile at both Tirlan and Harts shop. Cllr Lisa McDonald speaking with the residents spokesperson Terry Murphy at Gusserane's protest against the proposed solar development pictured outside the Wexford County Council on Monday. Pic: Jim Campbell A small Wexford community has said it will not back down as it continues to fight a proposal to have a 300 acre solar farm developed in its locality. With a proliferation of solar farms already installed in their area, the Gusserane Community Action Group (GCAG) is opposing a project from Gen7 Renewable Energy Limited to develop the Shelburne Energy Farm in the townland of Cloonagh. A planning application was submitted by Gen7 to Wexford County Council (WCC) for the solar farm in September of this year and the local authority has requested further information before it decides whether to grant or refuse planning. However, given its track record, the GCAG says it fully expects WCC to approve the application. An independent analysis reviewing solar farm applications across all 31 local authorities, found that WCC received 62 such applications since 2015, of which 55 were approved and 7 refused an 88.3 pc approval rate, said a spokesperson for the group. While those in favour of solar farms will argue they are a clean energy source, the GCAG says the farms are being built in the wrong places and are, in effect, decommissioning some of Co Wexfords most fertile agricultural lands. Much of the land now targeted for large-scale solar is productive agricultural land, the spokesperson continued. This contradicts the aims of Wexfords County Development Plan and undermines food security, rural enterprise and landscape character. These developments risk accelerating rural decline by undermining the viability, attractiveness and safety of rural communities. Residents from Gusserane protesting against the proposed solar development pictured outside the Wexford County Council on Monday. Pic: Jim Campbell News in 90 Seconds - 10 December 2025 And although those living within a certain radius of solar farms can avail of specific community benefit schemes, the GCAG says these grants are no substitute for the long-term impacts on landscape, farming, education, heritage and health. "No payment can compensate for the permanent industrialisation of rural life. The cumulative loss of peace, visual amenity, recreation, biodiversity and heritage has not been meaningfully addressed. The Community Benefit Fund is repeatedly presented as mitigation, but in reality it divides communities and offers token short-term gestures while long-term impacts fall entirely on residents. The group also cited a number of alleged shortfalls in Gen7s planning application which it says raises serious and unresolved public-safety and environmental concerns. Residents from Gusserane protesting against the proposed solar development pictured outside the Wexford County Council on Monday. Pic: Jim Campbell The Gusserane Community Action Group (GCAG) gathered outside Wexford County Hall on Monday afternoon in advance of the monthly council meeting and addressed many councillors making their way into the building. During that council meeting the issue of solar farms, and the proposed development in Cloonagh, was near the top of the agenda. Councillor Marty Murphy, who farms lands similar to those being acquired by solar farm developers in the county, said his 200 acres directly or indirectly employs 115 people in his local area. From Arthurstown to Campile, Gusserane to Cushinstown, and Old Ross to Clonroche, theres been thousands of acres taken up with solar farms. Its a national shame that this high production land is being taken out of use, he began. I farm some of the best land not just in Wexford but in Ireland, and Im privileged to do so. The milk I produce is collected by McDonnell Brothers which has seven employees, then into Wexford Creamery which has 60 employees, then into Tirlan in Campile which has another eight employees. "Theres the hardware store, the agricultural contractors, the company which maintains the milking equipment; I directly employ two people myself and I rent land off two people, theres approximately 115 people who are employed directly or indirectly through my farm. If you put solar panels on that farm would it be capable of supporting even one job? We need to take a serious look at ourselves, were taking out some of the most productive land in the country and installing solar farms on it to support green-washing for multinationals. Cllr Murphy received the unequivocal support of his colleagues with Cllr Michael Sheehan accusing central government of doing anything to be at the top of the class for its European counterparts. Meanwhile, Cllr John Fleming said more solar farms would result in the further disintegration of rural communities in Co Wexford. The whole area will be turned into a glass house, thats what the future holds, we cant let this happen, he said. The population in our rural areas is already declining, there was an U14 match held recently and five schools had to come together to field a team. Continuing this theme, Cllr Vicky Barron said that land used for solar farms was reclassified as being for business use which drove prices up elsewhere and impacted young farmers hoping to purchase land in their areas. She also dismissed the notion that farmers were solely responsible for increases in emissions. Cllr Lisa McDonald speaking with the residents spokesperson Terry Murphy at Gusserane's protest against the proposed solar development pictured outside the Wexford County Council on Monday. Pic: Jim Campbell In the 1800s there were 60 million cows in the world and there was no issues with climate change, there are still 60 million cows in the world and the agricultural sector is not causing the problem. Originally from a farming background himself, Cllr Jim Codd said tillage farmers in Co Wexford had been crippled this year due to rising costs and that another solar farm would make life even more difficult for them. If you take huge swathes of agricultural land away you drive the price of the remaining land up further, he added. There were also concerns regarding food production and an impending crisis which could have far-reaching effects. This land can used for the production of food and, as we know, were on the brink of a food crisis, were already in a food crisis, said Cllr Lisa McDonald. It makes no sense, this development is too big for a community of this size. Rather than promote sustainability, another solar farm would result in Irish supermarkets having to import food which could be produced locally argued Cllr John Dwyer. Multinationals are coming in and setting up supermarkets, theyre having to import food which could be produced on this land, he said. Foulkmills is already destroyed and the profit will come through the exporting of electricity produced here, other countries are not prepared to have their land used for this but are willing to pay a premium price to have Irish land used for it. Cllr Pip Breen suggested Co Wexford was a victim of its own reputation and was being targeted due to its favourable geography. This is happening because were the sunny south east and also because we have good, flat land; why dont they go to Spain? Its not producing anything only sunshine. While everyone commended the Gusserane community, Cllr Aoife Rose OBrien said it was concerning that the people living in the area hadnt been fully consulted prior to the planning application being submitted. The people have invested a lot of time and energy into this and the lack of consultation is really concerning, were here to deliver for our communities, that should be our primary goal, she said. With the debate going round the houses and little in the way of a solution or a plan being uncovered, Cllr Ger Carthy said there were limited options available to either the GCAG or the elected representatives. Theres no impediment to the plan being granted. And theres very little we can do here bar the advise the community to take the case to An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP), then to a judicial review, and into the courts, he said. These solar farms are a blight on society and there should be a material contravention put in the county development plan to prevent them from being approved, we have a responsibility as elected members to put a stop to this nonsense, I have no objection to solar farms being put in appropriate areas but not where the land is being worked. As the planning application is currently live, there was only so much the council officials could say without prejudicing the case. But ultimately, any approval would have to be signed off by chief executive Eddie Taaffe. Thats my role as chief executive, he said. I have a duty of care to the local authority and if I dont follow the processes correctly it could incur significant legal costs. I have to answer to the taxpayer if I get it wrong and theres a 100,000 High Court bill the members will be in here asking me how were going to pay for it. Residents from Gusserane protesting against the proposed solar development pictured outside the Wexford County Council on Monday. Pic: Jim Campbell There was one other avenue available to the councillors, though: independent legal advice. Informed that, as cathaoirleach, he can take advice on behalf of the 34 elected councillors, Cllr Joe Sullivan said he would seek legal counsel with regards to the next steps available and return with further information at the next county meeting. After the meeting, Cllr Bridin Murphy said there remained very real anger in Gusserane over the scale of the solar farm proposals. "A rural community is being expected to shoulder an industrial-level development with little regard for the people who actually live there, she said. I support renewable energy, but this is not balance its overreach. You cannot force a project of this size onto a community without genuine engagement or a honest assessment of the impact on homes, farmland and local roads. In my view, this is the wrong development in the wrong place, and the people of Gusserane deserve better. Also, after the meeting, the spokesperson for the GCAG, who had been in the gallery while the solar farm was discussed, said it was encouraging to receive so much support from the councillors. Were not going to back down on this, its too important, they insisted. Theres a proliferation of these solar farms in our area, 4.5km down the road from us theres another application gone in. Were already on track to meet our renewable targets for 2027 with existing projects and those that are approved so what is the reason for these additional ones? "Communities are being torn apart over this. One of the proposed access points is 20m from the school entrance, and theres a convergence of small country roads at that school; youre talking about hundreds of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) going through roads where two cars cant even pass one another. Even though the development has yet to be approved, the spokesperson said the possibility of another solar farm in the area was dissuading locals from applying for planning permission to build houses. People wanting to build in these areas rely on getting a site from a farmer or landowner, that land is being taken away and no-one wants to live beside an energy farm there are people holding off applying for planning until they see how this goes. I know of young couples living abroad who want to come home but theyre deliberating, theres nothing here for them. You can have all these community buyback schemes offering a new pitch, even a swimming pool, but if theres no-one to go into it then its not much use. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. SETU delivers 1 billion economic and social impact report Minister James Lawless TD, pictured with Prof. Veronica Campbell, SETU, Dr Karina Daly, Chief Executive of WWETB, Prof. Patrick Prendergast, Chair of SETU's Governing Body, and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council alongside representatives from across Wexford County Council, SETU, and WWETB. Photo credit: Brownes Photography. Minister James Lawless TD, pictured with Prof. Veronica Campbell, SETU, Dr Karina Daly, Chief Executive of WWETB, Prof. Patrick Prendergast, Chair of SETU's Governing Body, and Cllr Joe Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council alongside representatives from across Wexford County Council, SETU, and WWETB. Photo credit: Brownes Photography. James Lawless TD, minister for further and higher education, research, innovation, and science, Prof. Veronica Campbell, president of SETU, Prof. Patrick Prendergast, Chair of SETU governing body, Mary Butler TD, and John Cummins TD, pictured with SETU representatives in Waterford at the site of a new SETU development, Glassworks. Photograph: Patrick Browne James Lawless TD, minister for further and higher education, research, innovation, and science, Prof. Veronica Campbell, president of SETU, Prof. Patrick Prendergast, chair of SETU governing body, Mary Butler TD, and John Cummins TD, pictured with SETU representatives in Waterford at the site of a new SETU development, Glassworks. Photograph: Patrick Browne South East Technological University (SETU) has welcomed progress on two significant developments for the university in Waterford and Wexford, following a visit by Further Education Minister James Lawless TD. Minister Lawless announced during a site visit to Wexford on Friday, December 5, that SETU and Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) are to explore opportunities associated with the development of a new contemporary tertiary campus on Wexford County Council owned lands at Ballynagee, Co Wexford. Later that afternoon, the Minister confirmed that SETUs proposal under the technological sector strategic projects fund (TSSPF) for the first academic building at Glassworks in Waterford city is moving to the next stage of development. Minister Lawless said: I am really pleased to announce two landmark educational projects for Wexford and Waterford, initiatives that will strengthen the regions tertiary education infrastructure. By investing in modern tertiary facilities and resources, these projects aim to expand opportunities for students, foster innovation, and position the region as a hub of academic excellence and economic growth. President of SETU Professor Veronica Campbell, said the Ministers announcement represents a defining moment for the universitys future development. As part of its strategic plan, SETU is committed to expanding its footprint across the south east. Both developments, in Waterford and Wexford signal the scale of our ambition and the confidence we place in the regions potential, said Professor Campbell. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the transformative Glassworks 37-acre site, 20 acres of which are owned by the University. The aim is to strengthen collaboration between academia and enterprise. Professor Campbell noted that the regional economy is increasingly driven by innovation-led industries, particularly in the biopharma, agri-food and environmental sectors, which depend on a strong talent pipeline and robust research partnerships. The Glassworks Campus where the 10,000sqm One Health building will be situated, will position SETU as a leading provider of education and research in biopharma, agri-food and eco-innovation, working closely with partners across the South East region and beyond. The building will include modern laboratories, and advanced teaching spaces dedicated to One Health academic and research activities. Aligned with SETUs strategic plan, it will also incorporate high environmental standards, including low and zero-carbon technologies, high-performance materials, biodiversity features and inclusive design principles. Professor Campbell said she acknowledged the vital support of the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in enabling the project. During a site visit to lands recently acquired by Wexford County Council at Ballynagee, Minister Lawless outlined the intent for SETU and WWETB to develop a proposal for a collaborative tertiary campus on part of the site. Professor Campbell said the announcement reflects SETUs commitment to delivering third-level tertiary infrastructure in Wexford as part of its strategic vision. Work on shaping the academic and development vision for SETU has been ongoing through extensive engagement with staff and stakeholders to develop a proposal that blends new activity in areas such as renewable energy, the blue economy and ancillary themes, with existing strengths in Wexford and across the wider University. The proposed new development at Ballynagee in Wexford will make a wider regional impact while bringing significant benefits to Wexford town and its surrounding area. "It will build on SETUs current strengths in Wexford and expand the Universitys offerings into new areas. We look forward to working with WWETB to deliver tertiary education as well as supporting research and innovation activities that are relevant to Wexford and the broader region, said Professor Campbell. SETU's Economic and Social Impact report published recently reveals the universitys total impact on the Irish economy stands at 1.05 billion.Pictured the official launch were keynote speakers: Dr Colm OReardon, Secretary General at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Alan Gray, Managing Partner of Indecon, and Chairman of London Economics, with Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, and Professor Patrick Prendergast, Chairperson of SETUs Governing Body. Photo Patrick Browne 1.05 billion impact Meanwhile, SETUs total impact on the Irish economy has been valued at 1.05 billion, according to the universitys economic and social impact report published on Wednesday, November 26. The report, commissioned by SETU and prepared by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants, was officially launched at SETUs Cork Road Campus in Waterford. The study represents the most comprehensive assessment to date of SETUs economic and social contribution, independently examining its operations and employment outcomes, social impact, employment prospects and lifetime earnings of its graduates, and the far-reaching effects of its research and innovation activity. Among the students surveyed by Indecon, 16pc said they would have been unlikely or very unlikely to pursue higher education without SETU. A further 10pc indicated they would have studied outside Ireland had SETU not existed. SETU is playing a key role in retaining its graduates with employment patterns showing 37pc of graduates remain in the region to work. With SETUs current 18,000 student population forecast to grow significantly by 2040, the report emphasises the universitys role in widening educational access and anchoring talent in the south east. Welcoming the guestto the launch, Professor Patrick Prendergast, chairperson of SETUs governing body said the study captures, in clear and objective terms, the scale of SETUs contribution to the south east and to Ireland as a whole since its establishment three years ago. Noting that Indecons findings recognise that SETU delivers major educational, economic, and social benefits, Professor Prendergast said: The total estimated economic impact of the University stands at an extraordinary 1.05 billion. Rebecca Kinsella, Elizabeth McGinn, Catherine McCarthy and Paddy Demery at the Bray Lions Christmas Auction at The Wild Goose, Bray. Photo: Leigh Anderson Christ Church COI Services of Worship for this Sunday The Third Sunday of Advent: 8.30am Holy Communion; 11amMorning Prayer One. Parish Office: The Parish Office is open Monday to Thursday from 9.30 am to 1.30pm. Email: info@christchurchbray.ie; tel. 01 286 2968; Parish website: christchurchbray.ie; or see facebook.com/christchurchbray. Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at: braytrefoilguild@gmail.com. Bray Methodist Church Worship for this Sunday: 10amSunday Worship with Creche and Sunday School. Bray Presbyterian Church Worship for this Sunday: 11.30am Sunday Worship. Christian Assembly Church Worship for this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship. Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study. Monthly Ladies Meeting: For details see: www.christianassemblybray.com Cornerstone Church Cornerstone Church at the Well Church Building, Church Terrace, Main Street, Bray. Looking for friendship, faith, or simply a welcoming place to connect with others? At Cornerstone Church, we believe everyone is valued and welcome whether youre exploring faith, new to the area, or just looking for community. Come as you are, meet friendly faces, and share in a warm atmosphere of encouragement, hope, and belonging. Weekly Activities: Mens Bible Study Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm; Womens Bible Study Tuesdays from 10.45am to 12.30pm; Prayer Meeting Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12pm; Mens Indoor Bowls Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm; Ukrainian Christian Film Night Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm; Ukrainian Bible Study Fridays from 6.30pm to 8.30pm; Games Evening Fridays from 7pm to 9.30pm; Friday Coffee & Chat at The Well Church Building, Church Terrace, Main Street, Bray. Drop in any Friday for a friendly cuppa and conversation no need to book! For more information contact Kyle Holland, Pastor, on 086 405 139. Sunday Services are 9am and 11am, followed by tea, coffee, and fellowshipstay, chat, and connect! Bray Christian Outreach Free hot meals, clothes, sleeping bags, toiletries etc, are available in Bray Methodist Church from 3pm to 4pm on Sundays. Holy Redeemer Parish Mass Times: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12Noon. To book a Mass, please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses. Music at Mass on Sundays: 10.30amFolk Group; 12pmGaudium Choir (Mainly Latin Church Music) on the 1st Sunday of the Month; 12pm on other Sundays of the Month: Parish Choir (Mainly English Church Music). Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie. St Peters Parish St Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9am (Irish Mass), 11.30am. Holy Days: 11am. 1st Friday: 11am. Gluten Free Hosts available: If you would like to receive the Eucharist, but have gluten intolerance, we have gluten free hosts available. Come to the sacristy before Mass and we will be happy to accommodate you. Car Park Hours: These are from 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, for parish business, and at weekends during church ceremonies. The Cemetery is accessible via the laneway for pedestrians. St. Peters Cemetery: There is a strict policy of No Dumping Allowed in any area of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are requested to take home all forms of rubbish with them in order to keep the cemetery tidy. Your co-operation is appreciated. St Fergals Parish Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7pm Vigil Mass; Sunday: 8am and 10.30am. Confessions: These are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass. Baptism: Baptisms take place on the first and third Saturday of each Month at 12Noon. Bookings can be made through the Parish Office Only. The Preparation meeting takes place on the Monday before the 1st Saturday of the month. Please call into the Parish Office three weeks in advance of the Baptism to complete the Baptism Form and to confirm the date. Join the Fergals Gospel Choir and let your voice shine: If you would like to join the choir please come to St. Fergals Church on Mondays from 8pm. The choir usually sings at two masses per month and we welcome everyone who loves to sing. St. Claires Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul: Messages for the St. Vincent de Paul should be sent to St. Clairs Centre, Ballymorris, Killarney Road, Bray call 01-2745325 and leave your message, or Mobile 087-1738 235. Our Lady Queen of Peace Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays. Church Opening Hours: The Church closes at 4.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Eucharistic Adoration: Eucharistic Adoration takes place from 11am to 10pm on Mondays only in this Church. QOP youth club Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Clubs last function of the year will be the members Christmas Party on Friday December 12. The club will open again early in January. During the break the leaders and committee will be busy preparing the programme for 2026. Anyone with ideas may put same as soon as possible to any of the committee members. Diving club At the Bray Divers Sub-aqua Club Annual Dinner in the Royal Park Restaurant in Greystones on Saturday night Siobhan Corcoran was presented with the well-earned diver of the year award by the diving officer Albert Kerr. The club is now recruiting for training courses which will commence in January. Call 087 6756439 for details. Bray Library Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday until 8.30pm. Bray Library can be emailed at braylib@wicklococo.ie to book a place for library events or make inquiries about them. English Conversation Classes take place in the library every Monday (except Bank Holiday Mondays) from 11am to 12pm. Ciorcal Comhra Irish Language Conversation Group, meets every second Tuesday from 7pm to 8pm in the library. On Saturday James Scannell will recall Christmas 1957 in Bray at 12pm in Ballywaltrim Library, Boghall Road, Bray. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Next Monday Ukrainian-language Christmas Storytelling for ages 7 to 12 takes place at 3pm. Ballywaltrim Library Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday. The library can be contacted at 01-2723205 or by email at: ballywatrimlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie. Adult Scrabble takes place every Monday from 3pm to 4.30pm no booking is required. Tummy-Time for Babies takes place every Monday from 10 am to 12pm no booking required. On Saturday James Scannell will recall Christmas 1957 in Bray at 12pm in this Library. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Bray Cualann Historical Society There is no meeting of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, this month (December) but this Saturday James Scannell, PRO of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, will recall Christmas 1957 in Bray at 12Noon in Ballywaltrim Library, Bray. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Meetings of the Bray Cualann Historical Society resume in the Royal Hotel at 8 p.m. on Thursday January 15th 2026 when the Bray Cualann Historical Society Research Team will present The Quinsboro Road Revisitedall are welcome members are free while visitors/members are 8. Those wishing to join the Bray Cualann Historical Society can do so at this lecture. The annual membership rate for 2026 is 35 for an individual and 45 for a couple. In the meantime events taking place which may be of interest to members and supporters of the Society include:- Tomorrow (Thursday) James Scannell will present Wicklow and the 1947 Big Freeze at 7pm in Wicklow Town Library, The Mall, Main Street, Wicklow Town. Admission is free but booking is required as the venue has a limited capacity to reserve a place email: wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie, or call 0404-67025; Tom McGrath will present My Fathers Wartime Escape: My Family Discovered at 8pm to the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society in St. Lawrences Parish Centre, Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Members are free visitors are 3. Please note that there is a car parking charge of 1 per hour at this venue coin payment only; Rathmines, Ranelagh & Rathgar Historical Society will hold its annual Members Night, presented by members and friends of the Society, at 8pm in Rathmines Town Hall, Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. Members free / visitors 5 The Swan Car Park Evening Rate is 4 from 7 p.m. to Midnight. Next Tuesday night Foxrock Local History Club will hold its annual Christmas Event Songs, Stories, and History Items on a Christmas Theme presented by members and friends of the Society at 8pm in Foxrock Parish Pastoral Centre, Foxrock, Co. Dublin. Next Thursday week (December 18th) Finbarr ONeill will present Trip West: London to Cork at 7.30pm to the Irish Railway Record Society in the Societys Dublin Hueston Station premises strictly members and their guests only. Shankill Classical Music Club The December meeting of the Shankill Classical Music Club takes place today (Wednesday) from 7.45pm to 10pm, including a tea/coffee break, in the Shankill Seniors Centre, Lower Road, Shankill, located 100m from the Main Street with car parking available. The music will be as always: a varied programme of classical music on CDs, covering many genresorchestral, instrumental, vocal, opera, etc.in a friendly setting. Visitors and new and returning members are always welcome. You dont need to be an expert. Charge 2 on the night (waived for first visit). For further information please phone or text Malcolm at 085-8528216. Christmas by Candlelight Concert Ross Scanlon and Friends present Christmas by Candlelight featuring Celia Murphy, Aoife OConnell and Edward Finegan at 7.30pm this Friday in the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, Bray. Tickets are 26 and available from www.gr8events.ie or call 086-1540350. Christmas Bake Sale Bray Rowing Club will hold this Bake Sale plus a raffle from 10am to 12pm this Saturday in The Martello to raise funds for their clubhouse. Carols for Christmas Presented by Bray Choral Society Carols for Christmas takes place this Saturday at 4.30pm in Christ Church, Bray. St James COI, Crinken Services of Worship for this Sunday The Third Sunday of Advent: 10.30am Morning Praise. Lantern Walk: Takes place this Saturday at 4.30pm from the Church progressing around Shanganagh Park and returning to the Church. Church Events/Activities: Please check the Churchs web-site for regular updates. Rathmichael COI Parish Worship Services for this Sunday The Third Sunday of Advent: 8.30am Holy Communion; 11am Service to mark the 161st Anniversary of the Consecration of the Church; 7pm Blue Christmas Service. Sunday Evening Service: Every Sunday an Evening Service is held at 7pm in Rathmichael Church. We invite you to enjoy the silence and contemplation that this service allows a space for in your heart and mind, as you prepare to go into the new week. Wed love to see you at 7pm on Sunday evenings for this quiet and reflective service that includes music and hymns the perfect way to prepare for the busyness of a new week. Nativity Express Trail: An immersive interactive storytelling of the first Christmas, through story trail and crafts takes place this Saturday from 2pm to 4.30pm. Please book via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nativity-express-christmas-trail-tickets-1960417344049. Prayer IgnitesFuelling faith, hope and change through prayer: Join us each month at Rathmichael Church for a warm and welcoming Prayer Gathering, where we come together to lift up the needs of our community and the wider world. The next meeting will take place at 8pm on Wednesday December 17th in Rathmichael Church. All are welcome. Saturday Coffee: As always, our ever-popular Saturday morning coffee takes place in the Erck Hall at 11am on Saturday each week. All are welcome. Shankill Bible Church Shankill Bible Church, Glenmaris, Eaton Wood Grove - Sunday Worship: 6pm Christmas Carol Service Sunday. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Friday nights at 7pm. See www.shankillbiblechurch.org for further information. St Annes Parish St Annes Parish Office: The Parish Office located in St. Annes Resource Centre is open between 9am and 12.30pm Monday to Friday email: info@stannesparishshankill.com or call 01-282 2277/ 01-282 2704. Times of Masses and Blessed Sacrament Adoration: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10am from Tuesday to Friday, and at 5pm (Vigil) on Saturday. There is no celebration of 10am morning Mass on Mondays and Saturdays. On Mondays Evening Mass is celebrated at 7pm with Adoration of Blessed Sacrament from 6pm to 7pm. Sunday Masses are celebrated at 10am, 12pm, and 6pm. All Masses are available online through the link Watch Us Live. A Holy Hour takes place from 6pm to 7pm on Mondays, from 8pm to 9pm on Thursdays and from 10.30am to 11.30am on Fridays 9.45am. On the First Saturday of the Month only there will be 10am MaasConfessions will be heard from 9.15am to 9.45am beforehand. Irish Mass: A Mass in Irish is celebrated at 9am on Sunday mornings in St. Peters Church, Little, Bray. The Rosary: This is prayed Monday to Saturday mornings from 9.30am. All are welcome. Bookings for Baptisms: Please call the Parish Office on 01-2822704 or 01-2822277 for more information, or email: info@stannesparishshankill.com. Lectio Divina Prayer Group: The Lectio Divina Prayer Group meets every Tuesday morning after 10am Mass in St. Annes Resource Centre. All are welcome. Bethany Bereavement Support: We have a drop in service in St. Annes Resource Centre on the First Friday of each month at 10am. The Bethany Bereavement Support Group is a voluntary ministry. The service is free to all adults over 18 years. The Bethany Group is also available in St. Annes Resource Centre as needed. Please contact the Parish Office for more details. Come Join Us: The Family Mass in St. Annes Shankill takes place every Sunday at 10am with a Special Childrens Monthly Mass at 10am on the first Sunday of every month. The Childrens Liturgy Team would like to invite any children and their parents/guardians/grandparents who would like to be involved in the liturgy (readings, offertory and processions) to contact Rob on 089-4123158 or contact the parish office on 01-2822704 / 01-2822277 or email info@stannesparishshankill.com. School Carol Service: Takes place in the Church at 7.30pm today (Thursday). Womens Advent Retreat: Join us in Room 5 of St. Annes Resource Centre this Sunday from 3pm to 6pm for an afternoon of prayer, scripture, reflection and journaling. Enter into a quiet spa and ask God to give you the gift of renewed and effective life of prayer. St. Annes Parish Nativity Play: This will take place at the 6pm Christmas Eve Vigil Mass and all children who would like to take part need to attend rehearsals in the Church tomorrow (Friday) from 4pm to 5pm and on Monday December 22nd from 11am to 12pm. Further information is available from Rob at 089-4123158 or St. Annes Resource Centre at 01-282 2277. St. Annes Resource Centre Upgrade: Work on the retrofitting of St. Annes Resource Centre which includes insulation of the walls, ceiling and attic spaces, as well as the installation of new windows and doors at the rear of the premises has commenced. During this period access to the Centre will be limited to the front porch/hatch, where enquiries can be made, mass card purchased or masses booked until Monday December 22nd when it will close at 12 noon for Christmas. Please note that St. Annes Resource Centre will be completely closed throughout the month of January. It is anticipated that a small temporary office will be established at the side of the premises during January while the work is ongoing, however access will be restricted. Therefore we recommend contacting us by email via info@stannesparishshankill.com or by phone on 01-282 2704 or 01-282 2277. Christmas Crib Appeal for Bray Womens Refuge 2025: For many years St. Annes Parish parishioners have generously supported this appeal. This weekend parishioners are invited, adults and children, to bring a gift to the Crib at all masses. Items needed include baby food, nappies, PJs, underwear, socks (fits one size would be great), Mums are also in need. All items must be new and unused. Toys cannot be accepted to storage difficulties Carols by Candlelight: With the Habemus Chamber Choir takes place at 8pm in the Church at 8pm this Sunday. Tickets are 10 at the door. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served in St. Annes Resource Centre from 7pm to 7,45pm. Proceeds are in aid of St. Annes Parish. Christmas Penitential Services: In St. Annes Church next Tuesday at 7.30pm and in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown next Wednesday at 7.30pm Ballybrack-Killiney Parish: Mass Times: Sts. Alphonsus & Columba Church, Church Avenue, Ballybrack Mondays, Fridays at 10am & Sundays at 10.30am; Church of the Apostles, Willow Vale, Ballybrack: Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10am, and Sundays at 12pm; Church of St. Stephen, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney: Saturdays at 6pm. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament takes place every Thursday morning after 10am Mass until 12 noon, in the Church of the Apostles. All are welcome. Confessions: These are heard in Sts Alphonsus & Columba church from 4pm to 4.30pm each Saturday. The Three Tenors present an O Holy Night Christmas Concert in Church of the Apostles at 8pm this Saturday. Tickets 35available at the Parish Office and The Colour Bar. Credit Card sales at The Colour Bar (Ballybrack SC) and online with Eventbrite.ie. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to The Parish Refurbishment Fund. Our Lady of Good Counsel, Johnstown: General Mass Schedule: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; no Mass on a Tuesday; Saturday6pm Vigil Mass and on Sunday at 11am. The Sacrament of confession takes place after the Saturday 10am Mass. Johnstown/Killiney Parish invites you to the next Mens Breakfast from 8am to 9.30am this Saturday in Johnstown Centre Churchview Road, Killiney. There will be a Christmas Penitential Service next Wednesday at 7.30pm. St. Brigids Parish, Cabinteely: Weekday Masses are celebrated in St. Brigids Church, Cabinteely on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10am, and no Mass on Wednesday. On Bank Holidays Mass is celebrated at 11am. At weekends the Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5.30pm (Saturday). Sunday Mass times are 10am and 12.30pm. St. Michaels Church, Dun Laoghaire: Mass Times: Monday to Friday: 10am; Saturday: 10am and 6pm Vigil Mass; Sunday: 9am, 10.30am (Irish), 11.30am, and 1pm. Due to recent anti-social behaviour and to safeguard hygiene standards, St. Michaels Church closes at 12.30pm Monday to Friday, at 11am on Saturdays, re-opening at 5pm for the 6pm Vigil Mass, until further notice. The Annual Christmas Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place at 1pm on Saturday December 20th. Shankill Library Opening hours are 9.30am to 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 1.15pm to 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, open on alternate Fridays and Saturdays the library will be closed this Friday but open on Saturday. The library can be contacted at 01-2047224 or by email: shankilllib@dlrcoco.ie. The Parent, Baby and Toddler Group meet on Mondays from 10.30am to 11.45am. Interactive Storytime takes place on Wednesdays at 3.30pm. A Weekly Craft Circle takes place every Wednesday morning at 10.30am to 12.30pm. Storytime for children aged 3+ takes place on Wednesdays from 3pm to 3.30pm. Rathmichael Historical Society Finola Finlay was the guest speaker for last Wednesday nights 8pm meeting of the Society in Rathmichael National School, Stonebridge Road, at which she spoke on Rock Art. Harman Murtagh will be the guest speaker for the January 7th 8pm meeting of the Society at which he will speak on Jacobean Armies. All are welcomemembers are freenon-members/visitors 5. Those wishing to join the Society can do so at this meeting Events taking place in the week ahead which may be interest to members and supporters of the Society include Tomorrow (Thursday) James Scannell will present Wicklow and the 1947 Big Freeze at 7pm in Wicklow Town Library, The Mall, Main Street, Wicklow Town. Admission is free but booking is required as the venue has a limited capacity to reserve a place email: wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie, or call 0404-67025; Tom McGrath will present My Fathers Wartime Escape: My Family Discovered at 8pm to the Kilmacud-Stillorgan Local History Society in St. Lawrences Parish Centre, Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin. Members are free visitors are 3. Please note that there is a car parking charge of 1 per hour at this venue coin payment only; Rathmines, Ranelagh & Rathgar Historical Society will hold its annual Members Night, presented by members and friends of the Society, at 8pm in Rathmines Town Hall, Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. Members free / visitors 5 The Swan Car Park Evening Rate is 4 from 7 p.m. to Midnight. This Saturday James Scannell will recall Christmas 1957 in Bray at 12pm in Ballywaltrim Library, Boghall Road, Bray. All are welcome admission is free and no booking is required. Next Tuesday night Foxrock Local History Club will hold its annual Christmas Event Songs, Stories, and History Items on a Christmas Theme presented by members and friends of the Society at 8pm in Foxrock Parish Pastoral Centre, Foxrock, Co. Dublin. Next Thursday week (December 18th) Finbarr ONeill will present Trip West: London to Cork at 7.30pm to the Irish Railway Record Society in the Societys Dublin Hueston Station premises strictly members and their guests only. First Saturday Book Sale The January 2026 First Saturday Book Sale, which supports the Shankill Seniors Day Care Centre, takes place from 10am to 1pm on Saturday January 3rd in the Shankill Seniors Day Care Centre, Lower Road, Shankill. Donations of books, which must be in a clean and good condition, and limited to two bags per donor, can only be left in to the Day Care Centre on that Saturday morning. Classical Music Club The December meeting of the Shankill Classical Music Club takes place from 7.45pm to 10pm, including a tea/coffee break, today (Wednesday) in the Shankill Seniors Centre, Lower Road, Shankill, located 100m from the Main Street with car parking available. The music will be as always: a varied programme of classical music on CDs, covering many genresorchestral, instrumental, vocal, opera, etc.in a friendly setting. Visitors and new and returning members are always welcome. You dont need to be an expert! Charge 2 on the night (waived for first visit). For further information please phone or text Malcolm at 085-8528216. Aman has received a fully suspended sentence after gardai discovered 16,500 worth of cocaine during a roadside stop and a subsequent search of his home Matthew Curran, with an address at Knockenrahan, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, appeared at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. A Detective Garda from Arklow Garda Station testified that on March 8, 2023, he stopped a vehicle with three occupants inside. Mr Curran was found in the car with 2,000 worth of cocaine on his person in a black bag. Members of An Garda Siochana obtained a warrant from a peace commissioner and searched Mr Currans property, where a further 14,500 worth of cocaine was found in his bedroom. The combined street value of the drugs was 16,500. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, James Kelly BL, told the court that when questioned, Mr Curran admitted the drugs were his but did not say whether they were intended for sale. The court heard that Mr Curran was employed at the time of the offence and was previously unknown to gardai, with no issues arising since the incident. The garda said: He is not a big player in the drug game. The court was told that Mr Curran had been holding the drugs for another person and that he had been used to store them because he had incurred a debt linked to his own drug use. Mr Curran was described during the hearing as naive and a fool. Counsel for the defence, Gregory Murphy BL, instructed by Padraig Hyland, told the court that his client is hugely embarrassed and is now clean from all drugs. Clean urine samples were handed into the court. Mr Murphy said his client had been exposed to drugs at a young age due to the friends he mixed with, but has since distanced himself from those people. He now has a long term girlfriend who attended court with his family. It was noted that Mr Curran completed school although he struggled due to dyslexia, and that he has been working consistently since leaving school. A probation report stated that he is at no risk of reoffending. Counsel described his actions as a stupid mistake. The court was told that Mr Curran hopes to travel in the future and that a custodial sentence or even a suspended sentence could affect his ability to do so. Judge Patrick Quinn noted that the accused has a strong support system. He sentenced Mr Curran to two years imprisonment but suspended the entire term for two years. A destruction order was granted for the cocaine. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme The former Superior General of St Patricks Missionary Society in Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, Fr Peter Finnegan, was laid to rest in the society cemetery earlier this month. The Meath native was elected as the fifth Superior General of St Patricks Missionary Society in 1978, and was re-elected for a further six-year term in 1984. Peter led the society during a period of great expansion and change. It was during these years that society membership reached its peak. Under his leadership the society took on new missions in South Sudan, Cameroon, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Peter was also instrumental in promoting and encouraging personal and spiritual renewal among the members. In 2019, after a long and fruitful missionary career, Peter retired from Africa and lived with his sister Mary in his home town of Navan. In August 2025 Peter had a fall in Tallaght hospital where he was receiving dialysis. After some weeks in hospital, he came to Kiltegan for nursing care. He had to be readmitted to hospital in November and died peacefully in Tallaght Hospital on Monday, December 1. Peter was a very committed missionary and a loyal servant of St Patricks Missionary Society. He was always ready to go where the society needed him. The society leadership team and his fellow society brothers recognised that Peter was a man that could be relied on. When a new mission or assignment was initiated by the society, Peter was often called upon to begin the venture. He always took great care of those he worked with and asked for nothing in return. His leadership style was participative and took into account the views and feelings of each society member when making appointments. As a society leader Peter was very approachable and he encouraged all Society members to undergo personal renewal and to keep up to date with what was new in theology and in church teaching and practice. Peter lost both his parents at a very young age; he and his siblings were cared for by their aunt, Kathleen Waters. He remained very close to his family throughout his life and the feeling was mutual. He found joy and contentment in being back among his own people for the last six years of his life. He was born on December 12, 1936 in Navan, Co Meath to Thomas Finegan and his wife Mary (nee Moore). He was the second child of a family of three boys and one girl. He attended Primary School in Loreto Convent from 1941 to 1946 and De La Salle National School from 1946 to 1949. He went to St Patricks Classical School, Navan, for his secondary education from 1949 to 1955. In September 1955 Peter joined the Spiritual Year in Kiltegan. From 1956 to 1959 he studied for his degree in Cork and then proceeded to Kiltegan for Theology. Peter was among sixteen priests ordained for St Patricks Missionary Society by Bishop Patrick Cleary SCC on April 14, 1963. After ordination Peter was appointed to the diocese of Ogoja, Nigeria. He worked in the parishes of St Bridgets, Umuezeoka and St Marys, Afikpo. It was in Afikpo where Peter endured the terrible suffering of the Biafran war. He lived with Fr Rory OBrien who wrote in his memoirs: It was great to have Fr. Pete with me in Afikpo. It gave me a new lease of life with his quiet, friendly presence. In 1969 he was appointed to teach in St Patricks, Buchlyvie, Scotland, and then served as local bursar in Kiltegan from 1971 to 1973. In 1973 Peter led the team to open the Societys new mission in the Archdiocese of Lusaka, Zambia. After completing his term of office as Superior General in 1990 Peter took time to do personal renewal. He began with a unit of CPE and then proceeded to England to do training in counselling. This gave him an opportunity to receive personal therapy, which was a great help to him in later years when he worked in student formation. In 1993 Peter returned to Africa to work in the formation team of the Missionaries of St Paul in Iperu, Nigeria. When the Society began admitting African students in 1997, Peter was appointed to the formation team accompanying the newly recruited Kenyan students. He was based in Nakuru, Kenya. After completing his time in the formation house in 2005, Peter moved to Kibera and worked among the poor of Nairobi. In 2010 Peter was appointed to St Patricks Parish, Bangaledesh, Mombasa, where he ministered for the following nine years. Peter is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mary, his sister Mary, his brothers Willie and Fr Tommie SVD. He is survived by his sister-in-law Breda, his niece Linda Monaghan, nephew-in-law Paul, his grandnephew, grand nieces, cousins, and his society family in Kiltegan. Work is being carried out due to a High Court order to clear the site Its emerged that remediation works at the Whitestown landfill site in west Wicklow will cost in the region of 45 million. Its expected these works will take place up to the end of 2027, with a further year of monitoring of the site required following the remediation. The proposed works are being undertaken in accordance with a High Court order issued in 2017, which called on the local authority to remove all waste (and all soil or other materials contaminated or potentially contaminated by such waste) from all areas of the site including areas that are already the subject of attempted remediation and to appropriately fill and landscape the site. The Court of Appeal upheld the 2017 order in 2019, giving Wicklow County Council three years to clean up what it described as a huge and appalling illegal dump with a Kafkaesque history. The remediation of the Whitestown site is subject to ongoing legal proceedings in the High Court and the local authority is acting in accordance with High Court judgements to remediate the site. The council itself dumped vast amounts of waste on the illegal site near Baltinglass over two decades and was aware, or should have been, from at least the mid-1990s of the shocking breach of the Waste Management Act there, Ms Justice Caroline Costello said in her ruling in 2019. After the council closed the site in 2001, it was bought from the original owners by a subsidiary of Brownfield Restoration Ireland Ltd, which wants to run a lawful landfill there. Brownfield had appealed the three-year clean up time given to the council as excessive. The Court of Appeal upheld the three years but found there were errors in relation to some costs orders made by the High Court. Following a series of parliamentary questions by Wicklow TD John Brady, minister of state Alan Dillon indicated that the tendering processes for the capital works and material outlets have been undertaken by the Council this year. A provision of 15 million has been made by the Department to support this work in 2026. The unauthorised landfill is located approximately 8 km to the north-northeast of Baltinglass. The site occupies an area of approximately 14.5 hectares and is bounded by national road N81 to the west and the Carrigower River and its floodplain to the east. The site is surrounded by farmland with a small derelict house and a disused shed the only buildings within the site boundary. Meanwhile Wicklow County Council has obtained over 7.2 million in funding to help cover the cost of remediation works at the site. The grants have been paid over a twelve-year period between 2013 and 2025 through the Landfill Remediation Grant Scheme, which was established with the purpose of assisting local authorities in recognition of the significant financial burden placed on them to meet this obligation. The statutory responsibility of the local authority in remediating these sites is reflected and reinforced in the first National Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy. The funding supports Wicklow County Council in assessing and managing the site in accordance with the High Court proceedings, to ensure the optimal environmental outcome, as capital works only. No legal costs are funded by the Department. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme A local TD has launched a petition calling on the government to hand over the site of the vacant emergency international protection accommodation centre at River Lodge in Newtownmountkennedy for community use. The petition launched by Sinn Fein TD for Wicklow, John Brady, follows his recent questioning of Department of Justice officials at a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee that revealed that over 400,000 has already been spent on maintaining the site that now lies empty. Violent scenes broke out in the area in April 2024 after workers contracted to carry out construction work on the former HSE facility attempted to enter the site. Several people were arrested during clashes with public order gardai while three garda patrol cars were seriously damaged, and fires were set with more people currently appearing before the courts in relation to the incident. The international protection applicants who were staying at the site have since been relocated to other locations and the building has been lying vacant for months, falling into a state of disrepair. In a letter issued to the Dails Public Accounts Committee, the Department of Justice outlined it had spent circa 400,000 on the site but that in December last year, residents had to be moved to alternative accommodation due to severe weather conditions. Due to the impact of the weather, the department said, it was not possible to continue using River Lodge as an emergency tented accommodation centre. Following a range of technical and financial assessments with a particular focus on wastewater treatment infrastructure it was deemed not possible to move forward with such proposals. Options to repurpose the site were also considered. The PAC were informed the department is maintaining security on the site and there are no current plans to accommodate international protection applicants at this location. Deputy Brady believes the current situation is unsustainable in the long term. The Department has absolutely no plan for what they intend to do with River Lodge, all the while they maintain 24-hour security on a site that is empty and unused, and ceased operating as emergency accommodation in December 2024. The ongoing cost of providing security is not included in the over 400,000already wasted, but I am pressing the Department for answers regarding their expenditure on security at an empty site. This is yet another unnecessary burden on the taxpayer and hard-pressed communities. This waste has gone on long enough. Deputy Brady is now launching this petition, calling on River Lodge to be returned to the community for suitable use, to help address the needs of the local community. From the outset of this project, government didnt listen to repeated warnings from the local community and myself about the unsuitability of this site. Their approach was reckless and wasteful, and what has unfolded is an omnishambles of mismanagement. Perhaps government will listen now and finally bring this saga to an end by returning River Lodge to the local community. he added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Adjoa Andoh after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Picture date: Wednesday December 10, 2025. Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh said she felt imposter syndrome in accepting an MBE compared to those who receive honours for the special things they do to help people across the country. The stage and screen actress, 62, was honoured for her services to drama at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Andoh, best known for playing Lady Agatha Danbury in the hit Netflix show Bridgerton, told the Press Association that she felt astonished, humbled and thrilled when she first found out about the honour. Andoh said she had discussed homelessness with the Prince of Wales (Jonathan Brady/PA) Speaking about the investiture ceremony, Andoh said: I feel great imposter syndrome because I like what I do and dramas the world I live in, and its services to drama, so Im thrilled about that. I feel very honoured to receive the honour from Prince William, I think hes doing amazing things for homelessness, for young people, for a sense of love and connection. It was a real treat to get the honour from him. When asked what she discussed with the Prince of Wales, Andoh said: We talked about homelessness, because Ive just been doing some things with St Mungos and young people and how we give our young people the best start in life. Im thrilled that hes engaged in that conversation and in a really proactive way, so thats what we talked about. Andoh has appeared in BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who and in episodes of medical drama Casualty, and in CBBC childrens spy show MI High, among others. Andoh is also a star of the stage, appearing in a number of Shakespeare productions (Andrew Matthews/PA) On the stage, Andoh has appeared in productions including Richard II at Shakespeares Globe, Troilus And Cressida with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), and Great Expectations at the Bristol Old Vic. The actress continued: I feel very fortunate that the work I do allows me to be with people and to be with all sorts of different people. I meet the most extraordinary, interesting people and theres a lot of wonderful people doing wonderful things in this country, unsung, day in, day out. So I think this as an event, its a great time to celebrate the work that lots of people do in this country, for the benefit of the people of this country. So thats the bit about feeling a bit humbled and a bit imposter syndrome-y. Theres dinner ladies and lollypop ladies and gentlemen and people who are working in youth clubs and putting their lives on the line and doing all sorts of really special things for people. Adjoa Andoh plays Lady Agatha Danbury in the smash-hit show (Yui Mok/PA) And its really impressive, so to be in and amongst their number, I feel very humbled and honoured. Andoh spoke about the upcoming season four of Bridgerton, which is due to be released in 2026. Its a love story between the next Bridgerton sibling Benedict, she said. I think its going to be great. Its got elements in that we havent seen so far, so I think that will be interesting and entertaining and joyful and I think its a very beautiful season. Andoh spoke about working on the joyful show, adding: I can be in Cambodia, or I can be in Brixton, I can be in New York or in Spain, or I can be in Ghana, and people know the show and they love the show. And thats a really lovely thing to be part of. Its a world with lots of challenges and anything that can put some joy into the world is a good thing. Meghan Markle has had a difficult relationship with her father Thomas. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME A letter written by the Duchess of Sussex to her father has been delivered to his hospital bed. The letter, handwritten by the Duchess from her home in California, has been sent to a hospital in Cebu in the Philippines, where he is recovering from an operation to amputate his leg. The letter has now been received, a spokesman said. It had taken several days to arrive, with sources close to the Duchess citing challenges in the time difference and logistics. The Duchess is said to have previously attempted to email her father, using an address he no longer accesses, and has now replicated the same message via letter. Thomas Markle, 81, is recovering from a stay in intensive care after having had his leg amputated below the knee during surgery to remove a blood clot. Mr Markle has told the Mail on Sunday: I dont want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids and Harry. Since being in hospital, he has told a journalist from the newspaper, whom he counts as a friend, that he was confused by reports that the Duchess had attempted to make contact, insisting he had not changed his number and had received no messages. A spokesman for the Duchess said: Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her fathers bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days. With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands. Father and daughter have not spoken since 2018, when Mr Markle worked with a paparazzi photographer near to his home in Mexico to stage photographs of him being fitted for a suit ahead of the Royal wedding. The Duchesss father suffered two heart attacks on the eve of her wedding, which prevented him from flying to the UK. In his absence, the King, then Prince of Wales, gave Meghan away. At the time, she said: I have always cared for my father. Mr Markle, a former Hollywood lighting director, has never met the Duke, Prince Archie or Princess Lilibet. Writing in his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry said his wife was mourning the loss of her father. Mr Markle has since suffered significant ill health and has moved to the Philippines. It is the second letter the Duchess is known to have sent her father since she married into the Royal family. In August 2018, she wrote begging him to stop talking to the media, with extracts later published in the Mail on Sunday. The Duchess subsequently claimed victory over the newspaper in a court case on claims of privacy and copyright, in a summary judgment without full trial. During the course of proceedings, the court heard text messages from the Duchess saying that she had obviously written the letter with the understanding that it could be leaked, and had been meticulous in her choice of words. A spokesperson for DMG Media, which owns the Mail on Sunday, said: Our journalist, Caroline Graham, has had a close relationship with Mr Markle since 2018. He contacted Ms Graham when he was taken ill and asked her to travel to the Philippines to be with him. Nothing has been published without his specific consent and that of his son. Ms Graham has confirmed to the Duchess of Sussexs representative that Mr Markle does not have an active email address but that his phone number, which the Duchess has previously used for him, remains unchanged. Ms Graham has made clear that if she can do anything to facilitate contact between Mr Markle and his daughter to have a conversation, then she would be happy to do so. That remains the case. Any suggestion we have puppeteered Mr Markle is entirely false and strongly denied. JULY 28: (L-R) Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson attend "The Naked Gun" New York premiere on July 28, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Pamela Anderson has finally confirmed that she dated Liam Neeson after months of speculation surrounding the release of their film, The Naked Gun. The two actors turned heads in July when they cozied up together on the red carpet during the press tour for their movie. While dating rumours began to swirl shortly after Neeson said he was madly in love with Anderson, neither of them publicly addressed the romance. Now, Anderson is responding to the dating rumours for the first time sharing that she and her former co-star had a brief romance. If you must know, Liam and I were romantically involved for a short while but only after we finished filming [The Naked Gun], the Baywatch alum said during an interview with People, published Tuesday. She explained that she and the actor spent an intimate week at his home in upstate New York, where she had her own room. At the time, both their assistants and respective family members stopped by. The pair also went to a tiny French restaurant, where the Taken star introduced Anderson as the future Mrs. Neeson. Anderson said after the romantic lost week, she and Neeson didnt continue their relationship. We went our separate ways to work on other films, she explained. However, when the press tour for The Naked Gun began in July, the pair reconnected, exchanging a kiss on the cheek and holding hands on the red carpet. They took many playful swipes at the romance rumors at the time, even faking a kiss on Today, and having fun together. Both actors gushed about working together. Shes great in the movie, shes terrific, Neeson told Colbert in July about Anderson. She loves to cook, she loves to bake. She made me sourdough loaves during the shoot, bran loaves which I love. As the press tour continued, many critics accused the two of being in a fake relationship to drive up curiosity ahead of The Naked Guns release. However, Anderson denied those claims in September and maintains there was a genuine connection. I always was laughing when people thought, Oh, thats a publicity stunt. Im like, A publicity stunt? This is real. We have real feelings, The Last Showgirl star explained to People. I adore Liam, she added. But we are better friends, in full honesty. Anderson last saw Neeson in August, when he surprised her at the Williamstown Theater Festival where she was performing in Tennessee Williams Camino Real. He is such a supporter of this new trajectory in my career and kindly tells me he is very proud of me, she told People. Im sure we will always be in each others lives. The couple first met in 2017 and recently marked a major milestone Jeremy Clarkson (L) and Lisa Hogan attend the GQ Men Of The Year Awards at the Tate Modern on September 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) Lisa Hogan (L) and Jeremy Clarkson attend the Roundhouse Gala at The Roundhouse on March 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roundhouse) Jeremy Clarkson and his Irish partner Lisa Hogan have quietly built a life together in the Cotswolds, far from the studios that once defined his career and this week marked a notable milestone in that partnership. On Monday, Clarkson celebrated his ninth anniversary with Hogan, sharing a rare glimpse of their private life with a selfie from a cosy dinner date. Nine years! he wrote beneath the image, prompting Hogan to joke on her Instagram Stories that it felt more like 900. 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 Clarkson, 65, wore a black blazer and open-collared white shirt, alongside Hogan, 51, for the evening out. Friends quickly filled the comments, with Carole Bamford offering a simple Congratulations and actor Richard E Grant responding with heart emojis. The pair have been together since 2017 and decamped to the countryside three years later, opening Diddly Squat Farm now the backdrop to Prime Videos hit series Clarksons Farm. Despite being a regular double act on screen, marriage has yet to enter the equation. Hogan has previously joked that she may have beaten him to it, teasing that she may have proposed, but as she put it, he wasnt wearing his hearing aids, so he would never know. According to House and Country, they first met at a party in 2017, though what followed was a slow-burn courtship. It was quite a long courtship as I didnt know where he was in his life. And I wasnt ready to start dating again; didnt want to go out with anyone, Hogan told The Times. He had to court me for three months. 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 A former model and artist, Hogan has spoken candidly about the mechanics of their relationship. I'm a huge, huge support. And I like being a support. But he has to appreciate it in return. He's learned - it's like puppy training, she told Fabulous. While she concedes Clarkson definitely wears the trousers, she added: Id like to think its fairly even, to be honest. Adding: I do enjoy being a strong woman. He'll say he wants something done and I'll try to talk him around to a more sensible way. And then I'll agree to do exactly what he wants And then I'll go ahead and do exactly what I want! Family life has evolved alongside farm life. Hogan shares three children with her former husband, Baron Steven Bentinck, while Clarkson has three of his own, Emily, Finlo and Katya, from a previous marriage. Blending those worlds was not without hesitation, and Hogan initially resisted the idea of a full-time move to Diddly Squat.\ Lisa Hogan (L) and Jeremy Clarkson attend the Roundhouse Gala at The Roundhouse on March 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Roundhouse) News in 90 Seconds - 10 December 2025 In a joint interview with The Sunday Times, she revealed how Clarkson lured her from London by asking her to run the farm shop. She said: It was a way of getting me down here... I think Jeremy wanted me to move down here full-time, but if he'd said that to me I might have just said no. I said I would do it, but I want to be able to do what I want to do in it. Clarkson has since praised her transformation. Indulgence: Jeremy Clarkson with his Irish girlfriend Lisa Hogan in Clarksons Farm I am so proud of Lisa. How she has gone from how can I put this politely a sedentary and rather luxurious life to find herself living on a farm where she didn't know anyone he shared. The ordering and keeping the place stocked I don't know how she does it. It's a great little business. Although they often appear together on Clarksons Farm, they typically work apart, something Clarkson regards as healthy. I think it's a happy way to live, to have breakfast together, go our separate ways, and then you've got plenty to talk about in the evening. You can go out for dinner and you don't sit like normal old people, not talking to each other, he told the Yorkshire Live. As for wedding bells, fans were left guessing after a moment on the show in which Clarkson teased Hogan with the promise of a big surprise. When she asked if he was proposing, he ignored the question and pointed out a fallen willow tree instead. Ill think about the proposal, ok? Im not ready yet, he said. Reflecting on the exchange later, Hogan told The Sunday Times: I just thought I might surprise him. Designer Gemma Shiel reveals the inspiration behind her Whats the Rush? collaboration with Guinness Gen Z may be drinking less alcohol than their predecessors, but it makes an exception for Guinness at least if shortages of the stout in the UK that were partly credited to the TikTok trend for splitting the G are anything to go by. If you cant get your hand on a pint, you can always wear one thanks to the explosion in pieces themed around a love of the black stuff in the past year. The latest is Whats the Rush? London brand Lazy Oafs limited-edition collaboration with Guinness. The name reflects the philosophy that good things are worth waiting for, much like a settling pint. While weve all seen many iterations of Guinness merch, Lazy Oaf does it in a fun, light-hearted and wearable way. The collection is inspired by workwear, so the pieces are well made and durable. The Good Things jacket, for example, is fully lined with an inside pocket and zipped pockets, as well as buttons to adjust the fit at the waist. Lazy Oaf x Guinness twill jacket, 169.95; denim jacket, 220, lazyoaf.com Ive always felt a sense of connection with Guinness, particularly as my Irish father owned and operated a pub in Soho where I grew up, making this collaboration instantly feel authentic and make sense, says founder of Lazy Oaf, Gemma Shiel. We had the chance to dig through the extensive Guinness archives and were given free rein to creatively explore my own interpretation of the brand. I love that Guinness is enjoyed by so many different people its a drink to be savoured, one that asks you to slow down, much like an Oaf. The collection includes denim aprons with pint-shaped pockets the perfect thing to wear while cooking on Christmas Day. Smaller pieces, such as socks, fingerless gloves, scarves and caps, are ideal for Kris Kindle gifts or stocking stuffers. The No Rush mug reminds me of something I would have seen in my grandads press and I mean that as a compliment! The Lazy Oaf x Guinness Whats The Rush? collection is available until December 31 at a pop up store on the ground floor in St Stephens Green Shopping Centre, and online while stock lasts. What your Atelier Walsh print says about you... The Pint Shoe, from 80, orlawalsh.com You know that fashion and art go hand in hand, so you like to give your walls a wardrobe of their own. You consider drinking Guinness to be a personality trait and you are correct. The Pint Shoe print by Dublin artist Orla Walsh is a great way to show your pride for being born and bred in the home of Guinness but in a chic, artsy way, of course! Village security volunteers in Buriram province, Thailand, gather near a bunker amid deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. Photo: Reuters A fierce border battle between Thailand and Cambodia raged for a second day and spread to new fronts yesterday, as both countries accused each other of shelling civilian areas and Bangkok vowed to push on with its military operations. With the neighbours trading blame for starting Mondays renewed clashes, it was unclear how or if a fragile ceasefire brokered by US president Donald Trump in July could be salvaged. A top adviser to Cambodias prime minister Hun Manet told Reuters yesterday his country was ready to talk at any time, but Thailands foreign minister said he saw no potential for negotiations, adding the situation was not conducive to third-party mediation. Thai tanks fired shells into a border casino complex being used by Cambodias army as a weapons storage area, Thailands army said, as fighter jets carried out airstrikes for a second day on what the air force said were strategic military targets. Thailand has made clear its intent is to dent its neighbours ability to launch attacks, with a top general on Monday saying the armys objective was to cripple Cambodias military capability for a long time to come. Cambodias defence ministry said its troops had no choice but to take defensive action yesterday, accusing Thailand of indiscriminately and brutally targeting civilian residential areas with artillery shells, allegations Bangkok rejected. We cant stop now. Weve already given our commitment to the armed forces In a statement, US secretary of state Marco Rubio called for an immediate halt to hostilities and for a resumption of de-escalatory measures agreed at an October summit in the presence of Mr Trump. The fighting is the most intense since a five-day exchange of rockets and heavy artillery in July that marked their heaviest clashes in recent history, when at least 48 people were killed and 300,000 displaced before Mr Trump intervened to broker the ceasefire. Both countries have said they have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from border areas. Cambodias defence ministry said nine civilians had been killed since Monday and 20 seriously injured, while Thai officials said four soldiers had been killed and 29 people injured. Thai prime mnister Anutin Charnvirakul ruled out dialogue and said the military had a mission it must complete. We cant stop now. Weve already given our commitment to the armed forces that they can fully carry out the planned operations, Mr Anutin said. Tensions have simmered since Thailand last month suspended de-escalation measures including withdrawing troops and freeing Cambodian prisoners of war to vent its fury after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine. Thailand said the mine was among several laid recently by Cambodia, which rejects the allegation. It is unclear what triggered the latest round of hostilities and there were no signs either side would step back. Australia's world-first social media ban for children under 16 begins today Ten of the largest platforms facing fines for failure to comply as the world watches on Social media ban for children under 16 begins in Australia Georgia Bates Reuters Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Australia has become the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking them from platforms including TikTok, YouTube and Metas Instagram and Facebook. Donald Trump tells Volodymyr Zelensky to accept peace deal because hes losing the war The US presidents comments come as Zelensky has meetings with Pope Leo in Rome and European leaders in Downing Street Volodymyr Zelensky and Pope Leo at Castel Gandolfo yesterday. Photo: Reuters Alvise Armellini Reuters Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 06:30 Donald Trump has warned Ukraine to accept his peace proposal because Russia is winning the war. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would cover two-thirds of Ukraines needs for 2026 and 2027 (Harry Nakos/AP) Almost four years into Russias full-scale war on Ukraine, European Union leaders have committed to funding Kyivs economic and military needs for the next two years, one way or another. The daughter of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado accepts the award on behalf of her mother during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony (Stian Lysberg Solum/NTB Scanpix via AP) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's daughter has accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her mother's behalf, hours after officials said Ms Machado would miss the ceremony. Ms Machado has been in hiding and has not been seen in public since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters at a protest in Caracas, Venezuela's capital. Hamas wants more pressure on Israel before moving to next phase of ceasefire Gaza authorities say there must be end to continuing demolition of homes in Strip Smoke rises as the Israeli military demolish a house east of Gaza City. Photo: AP Megan Janetsky and Julia Frankel Associated Press Wed 10 Dec 2025 at 06:30 A Hamas leader has threatened to not move forward into the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement until more pressure is placed on Israel to open up a key border crossing, cease deadly strikes and allow more aid into the Palestinian territory. The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie We saw it, so you dont have to... Teenagers are angry. Tech giants are worried. The world is watching Australia closely because this is not just another policy update. It is a social experiment on a national scale with real consequences for families and young people. What rules will actually be implemented? This is the part parents, teens and platforms are watching closely. The new law forces the biggest social platforms to lock out every user under sixteen starting today. The rule covers TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Threads, Twitch, X, Kick and Reddit. Australia becomes the first country to legally block minors under 16 from using social media. pic.twitter.com/66z8vEajDI Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 9, 2025 Australia has taken a step no other country has dared to take. From today, anyone under sixteen is blocked from using the biggest social media platforms. Millions of young accounts have already been locked out. The government says this is a proud day and a needed reset after years of rising mental health issues linked to online life. Parents are relieved.Teenagers are angry. Tech giants are worried. The world is watching Australia closely because this is not just another policy update. It is a social experiment on a national scale with real consequences for families and young people.This is the part parents, teens and platforms are watching closely. The new law forces the biggest social platforms to lock out every user under sixteen starting today. The rule covers TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Threads, Twitch, X, Kick and Reddit. Image credit : X/@FearBuck | The new law forces the biggest social platforms to lock out every user under sixteen starting today Australia says it had 'no choice' Image credit : X/@DramaAlert | The government points to sharp rises in teen depression and anxiety linked to heavy online use. Wow it's almost like age verification doesn't work, is a privacy killing nightmare, doesn't protect kids, and is a thinly veiled excuse for the government to keep track of what everyone is posting on the internet for surveillance. https://t.co/46auZohxbw alpha (@omarsbigsister) December 10, 2025 Teens are upset and feel shut out Protecting kids. Backing parents. Our social media ban for under-16s starts today. pic.twitter.com/4THxm0NdXV Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 9, 2025 Tech companies say the policy is 'unworkable' Image credit : X/@DailyLoud | Many teens feel this law treats them as the problem instead of fixing how platforms work Enforcement starts immediately in Australia Australia has officially banned many social media sites for children under 16 pic.twitter.com/PyH7zImpW4 Culture Crave (@CultureCrave) December 10, 2025 How are other countries reacting? This move has triggered a global response. France already has age checks for under fifteen. Denmark is writing a similar ban for under fifteen. The European Union is debating stricter age rules. Malaysia is preparing its own version for next year. In the United States, public support is high but free speech laws make a national ban unlikely for now. Well the U16 social media ban is a complete failure already with teens already finding loop holes Australia was apparently setting a World Standard and yet that World Standard is already collapsing. pic.twitter.com/ZvBLJPFZeb Mickamious (@MickamiousG) December 10, 2025 This move has triggered a global response. France already has age checks for under fifteen. Denmark is writing a similar ban for under fifteen. The European Union is debating stricter age rules. Malaysia is preparing its own version for next year. In the United States, public support is high but free speech laws make a national ban unlikely for now. A gamble that could change childhood Supporters believe this may become a turning point for youth mental health. Critics warn it might push kids into darker online corners. The truth will become clear only with time. For now, Australia stands alone as the first country to pull the plug on under sixteen access to social media. The decision is bold and risky but it reflects the growing belief that young people deserve healthier and calmer digital spaces. Whether this protects childhood or creates new problems remains the question the world is waiting to answer. Supporters believe this may become a turning point for youth mental health. Critics warn it might push kids into darker online corners. The truth will become clear only with time.For now, Australia stands alone as the first country to pull the plug on under sixteen access to social media. The decision is bold and risky but it reflects the growing belief that young people deserve healthier and calmer digital spaces. Whether this protects childhood or creates new problems remains the question the world is waiting to answer. Platforms must identify underage users through age checking systems that rely on facial estimation and behaviour patterns. They are expected to catch young users even if they try to create new accounts or slip in with false ages. Accounts belonging to anyone aged thirteen to fifteen will be deactivated. Meta has already begun this and is letting users download their data so they can return at sixteen.Under sixteen users can still see public content without logging in but cannot create profiles, post comments or interact. This removes likes, shares, private messages and all forms of social activity for minors. The government also wants platforms to track suspected workarounds such as VPN use or shared adult accounts. They are expected to monitor suspicious logins and IP patterns to reduce loopholes.Starting today, platforms must send regular reports to the regulator showing how many underage accounts have been blocked or removed. Fines will begin after the grace period ends and could reach millions for repeated failures. Full audits will continue for the next two years while the policy is tested in real world conditions.The government points to sharp rises in teen depression and anxiety linked to heavy online use. Studies from Australia, the United States and Europe show the same trend. Long hours on apps raise risks of poor sleep, anxious thoughts and unhealthy social pressure.A major Australian review found a clear connection between constant scrolling and higher rates of depressive symptoms in preteens and teens. Another study showed that taking even one week away from social media eased anxiety and improved sleep. These findings helped push the government to act faster.Parents who have been calling for stronger rules feel heard. Many say the ban will reduce bullying and late night scrolling that was affecting school focus and friendships.Many teens feel this law treats them as the problem instead of fixing how platforms work. Some young users say the ban cuts them off from the support networks they built online. Others fear they will lose creative spaces where they shared art, jokes and daily life.A viral post from a teenager read that adults think banning apps fixes everything but it only makes teens feel more alone. LGBTQ youth groups say many young people rely on online communities when they cannot find support at home or school.Meta and TikTok have called the law too heavy and too risky. They argue that age checking tools are not fully reliable and may create privacy issues. Some warn that pushing teens off mainstream spaces will only move them to unregulated places where there is no real safety system.A popular reaction on social media asked if Australia is trying to solve a complex issue with a single giant rule. Another user joked that kids will become VPN experts by the end of the month which reflects the fear that young people will find workarounds.Platforms must now prove to the Australian regulator that they are blocking underage accounts. They have a short grace period and then face huge fines if they fail to comply. More than a million accounts could be affected. Image credit : X| @DKnotOK| Effortless elegance in Guccis embroidered kaftan The debate over cultural inspiration and appropriation which of our brands are trying to make it work in western market? so benefits of Indian heritage comes back to india? YoG (@yogesh_gosavi_) December 10, 2025 High fashion has long drawn inspiration from global cultures, but Guccis latest creation has ignited conversation online. The brands floral embroidered organic linen kaftan has many fashion enthusiasts scratching their heads, pointing out that it closely resembles the Indian kurta, a staple worn across the subcontinent for generations. The garments intricate embroidery and flowing silhouette echo traditional craftsmanship, yet the Italian fashion houses marketing barely acknowledges its cultural roots.Social media users have been quick to critique the move, noting the irony of profiting from centuries-old Indian heritage while completely omitting India from the narrative. Critics argue that this reflects a wider trend in luxury fashion, where aesthetics are lifted from diverse cultures without context or credit. While some fashion aficionados defend the brand, citing global inspiration as a longstanding industry norm, the discussion raises important questions about cultural respect versus appropriation.This incident isnt isolated. Fashion brands frequently turn to traditional attire from around the world, reimagining it on runways and red carpets. However, the lack of acknowledgment often sparks backlash, especially when such creations are marketed as exclusive luxury pieces. In Guccis case, the kaftan label sanitises a deeply rooted cultural garment, distancing it from its Indian origins. Enthusiasts and historians alike argue that proper recognition not only honours the source culture but also educates consumers, fostering appreciation rather than commodification.Interestingly, the debate has also opened conversations about sustainability and ethical fashion. The kaftan, described as organic linen, reflects a growing trend in eco-conscious materials, yet the question remains whether cultural attribution should be part of the responsible fashion equation. Indian artisans and designers have long struggled for international recognition, and when luxury brands profit off their aesthetics without credit, it underscores ongoing inequalities within the industry. People on social media reacted with rather surprise and immediatedly reacted with the harshest reactionOne X user wrote, "which of our brands are trying to make it work in western market? so benefits of Indian heritage comes back to india?" Image credit : Instagram| Akshaye Khanna in a gripping moment from Dhurandhar. How a Gulf rap anthem ended up in a Bollywood blockbuster Image credit : Instagram| @flipperachay| A candid moment of Flipperachay on set during the shoot. Why this viral moment matters now Image credit : Instagram| Akshaye Khanna brings intensity to this scene from Dhurandhar. Bollywood has always experimented with global sounds, but every so often a track emerges from completely outside the usual music circuit and becomes the heartbeat of a scene that audiences cannot stop talking about.created exactly that kind of moment. As Akshaye Khanna steps into the frame with his calm yet commanding presence, a gritty Bahraini rap track kicks in and instantly changes the atmosphere of the entire sequence.The music does far more than simply underscore his arrival. The sharp Middle Eastern rhythm intensifies the tension, complements Khannas cool, controlled energy, and turns an ordinary character introduction into a standout cinematic moment. The contrast between his composed entry and the fierce tempo of the rap track creates a visual and auditory impact that is impossible to ignore.Within hours of the clip appearing online, the scene began circulating across social media. Viewers were struck by the way Akshaye Khannas controlled on-screen presence blended effortlessly with the sharp Gulf-inspired beat. What began as a daring musical choice quickly pushed an underground Bahraini track into nationwide popularity, with fans using it across reels, edits, and reaction videos.The moment the scene surfaced online, audiences were drawn to the fusion of intense Bollywood drama with an Arabic-influenced sound that felt fresh and unpredictable. Fan edits spread rapidly across Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and X, turning the audio into one of the films most recognisable elements.Much of this impact comes from, performed by Flipperachay and produced by DJ Outlaw. The track was never intended for Bollywood, yet it fitswith surprising precision. Filmmakers reportedly wanted a sound that felt bold, modern, and unique enough to match the protagonists volatile energy. With a cast led by Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, and Sanjay Dutt, the need for a strong sonic identity was essential, anddelivered exactly what the film demanded.Its attitude, cultural richness, and rhythmic intensity resonate even with listeners unfamiliar with Arabic rap. The flow and percussion carry emotional weight that travels easily across languages, appealing to a streaming generation that approaches music through discovery rather than geography.This has created a rare cultural crossover. A Bahraini hip-hop anthem has become one of the standout highlights of a major Bollywood release, while giving its Gulf creators a global platform far beyond their home region.The success ofinreflects a shift in Bollywoods approach to sound. Filmmakers are increasingly willing to experiment with global genres and bring underground music into mainstream cinema. This aligns the industry with changing listener habits and widens the creative possibilities for future releases.For the Bahraini artists behind the track, this moment is career-defining, placing Gulf hip-hop before millions of new listeners. For Bollywood, it marks a new era where the right energy matters more than language or origin, proving once again that a powerful vibe can travel anywhere. Image credit : HBO | A scene from It: Welcome to Derry Stephen Kings involvement in It: Welcome to Derry Image credit : HBO: It Welcome to Derry scene Image credit : HBO | Pennywise and its origin in It: Welcome to Derry What is It: Welcome to Derry about? It: Welcome to Derry It: Welcome to Derry Amid the growing success of It: Welcome to Derry, showrunner Jason Fuchs has highlighted Stephen Kings invaluable role in shaping the prequel series. Fuchs explained that having King involved as a creative partner provided the team with a reliable guiding force, especially when tackling major story decisions. His presence, Fuchs noted, became the ace up their sleeve, ensuring the show remained faithful to the tone and mythology of Kings iconic universe.Showrunner Jason Fuchs credited Stephen Kings involvement as a major influence in guiding the team toward finally exploring the mystery of Bob Gray. Speaking to ScreenRant, Fuchs explained that having King as a creative partner made decision-making far easier when tackling such crucial elements of the story. He noted that the team could confidently approach King with ideas, asking whether a particular direction or explanation felt right, knowing they had his insight as a safety net. According to Fuchs, this collaboration allowed them to navigate the narrative with both excitement and caution, reassured by Kings presence as the ace up their sleeves.Stephen Kings involvement made a massive difference, as it gave the author the authority to point out whenever the showrunner strayed too far from the source material or struggled to work around the original idea. So yes, the King of Horrors involvement was crucial, and his guidance ultimately saved the series from turning into a fiasco.is a prequel set in 1960s Derry, Maine, delving into the towns sinister past long before the events of the It movies. The plot begins when a new family moves in just as a young boy vanishes, setting off a chain of eerie and disturbing incidents tied to the awakening of the evil force that will become Pennywise. As secrets unravel, the series explores the roots of Derrys terror, blending psychological horror with new characters and storylines that deepen Stephen Kings iconic mythology.You can streamon HBO. Dhanalekshmi kerala lottery result: Kerala lottery result live Todays Kerala Lottery Result Dhanalekshmi DL-30 (10/12/2025) Draw Name: Dhanalekshmi Lottery DL-30 Dhanalekshmi Lottery DL-30 Date: 10-12-2025 (Wednesday) 10-12-2025 (Wednesday) Time: 3:00 PM 3:00 PM Location: Gorky Bhavan, Near Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram What is the Dhanalekshmi Kerala Lottery? 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Keep this page open for Kerala lottery results today live updates. We wish you good luck for today Kerala lottery result 10-12-2025.The Kerala lottery result today 10.12.2025 will release at 3 PM.Todays draw is Dhanalekshmi lottery DL-30 under the Kerala State Lotteries Department.The winner of the Dhanalekshmi lottery result gets 1 Crore.At Gorky Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.Right here stay tuned for live result numbers. Michael Duartes cause of death confirmed by the medical examiner Image credit : Instagram @foodwithbearhands | Michael Duartes cause of death confirmed by medical examiner. Michael Duartes family speaks out Police respond to 911 call before fatal shooting TMZ Image credit : Instagram @ foodwithbearhands | Michael Duartes wife Jessica breaks the silence Duartes final hours at the property Us Weekly Image credit : Instagram @foodwithbearhand | Jessica Duartes emotional tribute to Michael Duarte Eyewitnesses describe gunshots and screams Us Weekly Food influencer Michael Duarte, known online as @FoodWithBearHands, died during a police standoff in Texas on November 8. His cause and manner of death have now been confirmed, giving a clearer picture of what happened on the day he lost his life. The new details, which come from officials and eyewitnesses, help piece together the timeline of the horrible incident, as his loved ones described it.The Bexar County Medical Examiners Office confirmed to Us Weekly on December 9 that Duarte died from a gunshot wound and that his manner of death was ruled a homicide. The office also noted that further details are not available because the investigation and case file are still ongoing.This confirmation comes after weeks of questions surrounding the moments leading up to Duartes death, especially since he had been in Texas only briefly and was there to attend a food event.Just days after Duarte celebrated his ninth wedding anniversary with his wife, Jessica, his family announced he had died in what they called a horrible incident. Their statement added emotional weight to the story, especially since Duarte also leaves behind his 6-year-old daughter, Oakley.A spokesperson for the Medina County Sheriffs Office toldon November 12 that officers responded to a 911 call about a male subject with a knife acting erratically. The man was later identified as Duarte. Police said Duarte was shot in Castroville after the situation escalated. According to the sheriffs office, officers had been called to the scene because of concerns for public safety, and Duartes behaviour played a key role in how the incident unfolded.A female neighbour toldthat Duarte had been staying in a tent outside a rental property and had permission to be there from the group using the home. She said the property had a main camera that captured Duarte looking dishevelled as he walked toward the street, where the incident occurred.The neighbour also claimed Duarte informed or threatened that he had a weapon and planned to use it, though she could not identify the weapon. Several reports stated he allegedly threatened an officer with a knife. She described the scene as unfortunate and shocking, adding that it was a drawn-out incident that happened over several hours.Another witness, Bianca Haseloff, a local, recalled tothat she heard a male scream and what sounded like two gunshots while showing a nearby empty lot. Haseloff said the man she heard sounded very angry, and she clearly remembered him shouting, Someone needs to pick me up or get me out of here several times.According to law enforcement, officers gave Duarte multiple verbal commands to get on the ground before he allegedly charged at a responding deputy and yelled, Im going to kill you. The deputy then fired two rounds, striking Duarte. He received medical aid at the scene before being taken to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was pronounced dead.Michael Duartes death left his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Oakley, without a husband and father. As officials continue their investigation, the family, witnesses, and followers of his work wait for more answers. A factory owner and his former partner began prison sentences this week after a Greek court convicted them of running a criminal ring that held undocumented migrants captive to extort ransom from their families. The Three-Member Criminal Court of Appeal in Thessaloniki sentenced the pair to a combined eight years in prison Both were taken directly to jail following the verdict. The conviction stems from an August 2018 police raid in western Thessaloniki, triggered by a local resident's report of suspicious activity at the industrial site. Inside, officers discovered seven migrants locked in the facility. According to the case file, the female defendant served as a guard, providing food and shelter while enforcing the migrants' confinement. Her former partner, who owned the factory, denied the charges, testifying that he had been working on the Greek islands for an extended period and was unaware of the operations on his property. Prosecutors identified three additional, unnamed suspects as accomplices in the scheme. The ruling underscores Greece's ongoing judicial crackdown on smuggling networks that exploit the countrys position as a primary gateway for migration into the European Union. iefimerida.gr Greeces rapid transformation into a stable, competitive, and outward-looking investment destination took center stage at the Capital Link Forum in New York, where government officials, investors, and business leaders presented a shared vision of reform, growth, and regional influence. The forum highlighted Greeces emergence as a key energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, with ExxonMobils Vice President for Global Exploration, Dr. John Ardill, confirming that exploratory drilling in Greek waters could begin as early as 2027. The Eastern Mediterranean stands out as a proven gas-producing region, and Greece is positioned to play a central role, Mr. Ardill said, citing the areas proximity to European markets and its untapped potential. Hel emphasized that natural gas remains vital to global energy security and can significantly reduce emissions compared to coal. ExxonMobil is ready to help Greece unlock its hydrocarbon potential, he said, noting the companys commitment to achieving net-zero emissions for its managed assets by 2050. Giorgos Alexopoulos, deputy CEO of HELLENiQ Energy, said Greece is steadily strengthening its position in Southeastern Europes energy landscape through accelerated exploration, expanding gas infrastructure, and investment in electricity networks. Energeans CFO Panos Benos added that upcoming drilling projects, including a joint venture with ExxonMobil in the Ionian Sea, could reveal up to 200 billion cubic meters of gas reshaping regional energy dynamics and boosting independence from imports. Beyond energy, speakers pointed to Greeces growing role in defense innovation, infrastructure, and financial markets. Dr. Grigoris Koutsogiannis, CEO of the EFA Group, said Greece has become a model of resilience and growth seven years after emerging from its deepest economic crisis. He outlined a 12-year defense modernization plan (20252036) that will ensure 25% domestic industry participation in defense programs and deeper integration into Europes supply chains. Orestis Kavallakis, head of Greeces Recovery Fund Coordination Agency, said nearly half of the funds milestones and goals have been achieved, with 65% of the total budget already disbursed. The Recovery Fund is reshaping Greeces economic model toward higher productivity, competitiveness, and innovation, he said. From the European Stability Mechanism, Robert Blotevogel praised Greeces recovery as the result of long-term fiscal discipline, urging continued focus on directing resources to the most productive sectors. Investor sentiment was equally upbeat. DLA Pipers Greece Country Group head, Orestis Omran, forecast growth of about 2% for both 2026 and 2027 nearly double the eurozone average while Alter Ego Media CEO Yiannis Vrentzos said the Athens Stock Exchange is shifting from a value story to one of quality and growth. Infrastructure and utilities were also spotlighted as drivers of Greeces next investment phase. GEK TERNAs Penelope Lazaridou said the groups highway portfolio will soon exceed 2,000 kilometers, aligning with European sustainability standards. AVAX executive director Antonis Mitzalis added that new infrastructure in energy, water, and transport will define the projects of tomorrow. Public Power Corporation CFO Konstantinos Alexandridis announced more than 10 billion in investments for 20262028 to accelerate Greeces energy and digital transition, while Athens International Airport CSO Giorgos Kallimasias reported record passenger growth up 25% from 2019 positioning Athens as one of Europes most connected hubs. Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce president Eftychia Pylariou-Piper highlighted Greeces new tax policies designed to attract investors and diaspora professionals, including incentives for high earners, retirees, start-ups, and research activity. EY Greece partner Spyros Kaminaris stressed that tax predictability must remain a top priority to sustain investor confidence. The forum closed on a confident note: Greece, once synonymous with crisis, now stands as a model of recovery and reform a country redefining its global economic and energy footprint. iefimerida.gr The US Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, was welcomed at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy by Minister Vassilis Kikilias. The Ministers meeting with the Ambassador took place Kikilias meets Guilfoyle; cooperation with the US on issues of port infrastructure, shipping and security - The farmers decided to withdraw their tractors from the port of Volos, responding to the ultimatum issued by the Greek police. Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, yesterday dismissed the alleged link between religion and the security challenges in the country. According to Fagbemi, there had been significant progress in the countrys counter-terrorism prosecutions, stressing that 860 convictions and 891 acquittals were secured between 2017 and 2025. Fagbemi stated this after a closed-door meeting with a high-level United States delegation, which included Riley Barnes, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, and the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr. Advertisement The meeting, the AGF explained, was a continuation of earlier discussions held in Washington a month ago, aimed at providing clarity on Nigerias security operations and counter-terrorism framework. He noted that the visiting delegation was in the country to obtain first-hand insights into Nigerias efforts, challenges, and the context of ongoing security threats. According to the AGF, Nigerias security crisis is not religious, contrary to recurring narratives. We have security challenges, but they are not religious. The government is doing its utmost to address them, he said. He stressed that terrorism prosecutions were handled strictly through due process, noting that the high number of acquittals demonstrated that suspects were not indiscriminately detained. Those who have nothing to do with it are let off the hook, and those we have cases against are taken to court. Whatever the court decides, we comply. The AGF added that terrorism trials were ongoing, confirming that he personally attended proceedings earlier in the day. He assured that Nigeria remained transparent and committed to justice in its fight against violent extremism. Responding to inquiries about the U.S. delegations position, the AGF stated that the U.S. representatives would issue their own statements later, noting that they had already visited key national security institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, as well as civil society organisations and religious bodies. He urged the public to disregard exaggerated narratives about Nigerias situation. Things are not as heinous as people are portraying. We have problems in Nigeria, but it is not a problem of religion, he insists. The United States delegation, on a fact-finding mission over alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, was in AGFs office, where they interacted with the Ministrys top officials. Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has criticised what he described as the excessive deployment of security operatives around the family of President Bola Tinubu, warning that such overreach undermines Nigerias security priorities. Speaking at the 20th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) Awards in Lagos on Tuesday, the literary icon recounted his recent encounter with what he termed a battalion-level security detail attached to the presidents son at a hotel in Ikoyi. Soyinka said he had initially assumed a film was being shot on the hotel premises due to the sheer number of heavily armed personnel he saw. Advertisement I was coming out of my hotel, and I saw what looked like a film set, he said. A young man detached himself from the actors, came over and greeted me politely. When I asked if they were shooting a film, he said no. I looked around and there was nearly a whole battalion occupying the hotel grounds. According to him, about 15 heavily armed officers formed the presidents sons security cordonan arrangement he found alarming. When I got back in my car and asked the driver who the young man was, he told me. And I saw this SWAT team, heavily armed to the teeth. They looked sufficient to take over a neighbouring small country or city like Benin, he said. The playwright added that he was so disturbed that he attempted reaching the National Security Adviser (NSA) to verify whether the deployment was official. I began looking for the NSA immediately. I said, track him down for me. They got him somewhere in Paris, but he was in a meeting with the president. I described the scene and asked: Do you mean a child of the head of state goes around with an army for his protection? I couldnt believe it. Soyinka, in a tone laced with sarcasm, suggested that the federal government need not deploy the military or air force to quell threats in neighbouring countries when such a formidable force already escorts the presidents son. Tinubu didnt have to send the air force or military to deal with any insurrection. There is an easier way, he said. Next time theres an uprising, the president should call that young man and say, Seyi, go and put down those stupid people there. You have troops under your command. He stressed that while heads of state often have families, such privilege must never be abused or allowed to distort national security structures. Children should know their place. They are not potentates; they are not heads of state, he said. The security architecture of a nation suffers when we see such heavy devotion of security to one young individual. Soyinkas remarks added to ongoing public debate about the scale and visibility of state-provided security for politically connected individuals, particularly in a period of heightened security challenges across the country. Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has urged President Bola Tinubu to consider stepping aside, suggesting that it could be the best decision for the country. Speaking on Arise TVs Daybreak on Monday, he said the Presidents two and a half years in charge have not matched the promises made or the achievements often credited to him. He argued that official claims from the government do not reflect what Nigerians are facing daily. Advertisement Theres a wide discrepancy between what he says hes doing and what people say they are living, he said. Baba-Ahmed also criticised the Presidents approach to security. According to him, President Buhari left a terrible security situation and Tinubu doesnt appear to have improved it; rather, it appears that he has made it worse. He suggested that Tinubus age, his long-held ambition to become president, and having no further value to offer may be reasons for asking him to step aside. If President Tinubu loves the survival of Nigeria, I think he should call it quits, he said. He added that Nigerians should find someone else in 2027, whether within or outside his party, who has better qualities. Many enterprises use GitHub Action Secrets to store and protect sensitive information such as credentials, API keys, and tokens used in CI/CD workflows. These private repositories are widely assumed to be safe and locked down. But attackers are now exploiting that blind trust, according to new research from the Wiz Customer Incident Response Team. They found that threat actors are using exposed GitHub Personal Access Tokens (PATs) to access GitHub Action Secrets and sneak into cloud environments, then run amok. The root cause issue is the presence of these secrets in repos, said David Shipley of Beauceron Security. Cloud service provider access keys are gold, they can be extraordinarily long lived, and thats what [attackers are] sniffing around for. FringeArts producing director Nell Bang-Jensen poses at the theater, music, film, and performance venue and restaurant/bar in Old City on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. She wants the signature experimental theater in Philly to expand beyond the monthlong festival. Read more Philadelphias FringeArts will return to offering seasonal programming, in addition to its monthlong Fringe Festival, beginning with a Winter-Spring 2026 season, the organization announced this week. The legendary festival, known for experimental and boundary-pushing theater, previously offered year-round programming before the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. In recent years, it has seen record-breaking audience growth, prompting producing director Nell Bang-Jensen to expand beyond the month of September. Advertisement Im really proud to say [Fringe Festival 2025] was actually, numbers-wise, our most successful festival ever, which just feels like a light shining, in terms of arts organizations having a win right now, said Bang-Jensen, who took the helm last year after serving as Theatre Horizons artistic director. Its an experience that cant be replicated on a screen, and an experience that celebrates Philly, and I think people are really here for that. The Philly Fringe is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the country. Based on the number of participating venues across the city, Bang-Jensen said, Philly Fringe ranks first ahead of other notable festivals in Rochester, N.Y., and Minneapolis. The 2025 Fringe Festival was the largest-ever produced in its 29-year history with 353 shows. More than 35,000 tickets were sold during the month of September, which was a record high, and saw a 17% increase in unique ticket buyers from last year, which means its not just the same people buying more tickets, said Bang-Jensen. She added that they have seen success in reaching younger audiences this year as well, with more than half of the audience composed of Millennials and Gen Z for the first time. For the Winter-Spring 2026 season, FringeArts will present four productions from local and international artists at its Old City venue, along with a monthly series of Scratch Nights that invite artists to present works in progress. Jenn Kidwell, the Obie Award-winning cowriter behind The Underground Railroad Game, will stage the Philadelphia premiere of her new work, we come to collect: a flirtation with capitalism (Jan. 22-24), with ASL artist Brandon Kazen-Maddox. Its an irreverent exploration of the pigsty of American consumerism. Frequent Fringe artist Lee Minora will bring back her solo show, Baby Everything (Feb. 26-28), for another run. The interactive performance follows a protagonist who doomscrolls through her anxieties about the state of the world. Minora challenges us to see ourselves as others do, no matter how endearing or insufferable, wrote Julie Zeglen in The Inquirers roundup of the best shows of Fringe Fest 2025. Japanese artist Hiroaki Umeda is globally renowned for combining choreography and dynamic digital staging. Hes presenting two shows on a U.S. tour as a double billing: Moving State 1 and the solo performance, assimilating (March 14-15). Lastly, FringeArts will stage Girl Dolls: An American Musical (May 8-17) from Philadelphia artists Jackie Soro and Pax Ressler, whove teamed up with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret for a production billed as part tea party, part identity crisis. They ask, What does your favorite doll reveal about your childhood trauma? In addition to year-round programming, FringeArts will launch an artist-in-residency program for fostering original works. The Albert M. Greenfield Residency at FringeArts funded by the local foundation of the same name will invite three individuals or artist groups to develop new theatrical productions. The inaugural 2026 recipients will be selected by a panel of Philadelphia creatives. Bang-Jensen said shes grateful that Philly audiences have shown up for the city of makers every year and she hopes to continue expanding FringeArts reach. As many arts organizations are actually feeling pressure in 2025 just based on the economic environment and the political environment to do work thats a little more mainstream, we have this wide-open field to do more for people who like things off the beaten path, said Bang-Jensen. Tickets for FringeArts Winter-Spring 2026 season go on sale to FringeArts members on Dec. 10 and the public on Dec. 12 at fringearts.com. Tiffany Murphy, a licensed professional counselor and therapist with Rogers Behavioral Health, holds her National Union of Healthcare Workers button. Read more Mental health professionals at Rogers Behavioral Health in West Philadelphia have formed a union, citing increased workloads and business changes that diminished patient care. The nonprofit mental healthcare provider last year transitioned from individual patient sessions to a group care model, said Tiffany Murphy, a licensed professional counselor and therapist at the facility. Some workers there were also moved from salaried to hourly positions then forced to reduce hours, their union has said. Advertisement Some patients and workers have left amid the changes, says Murphy, estimating that 22 of her colleagues have quit in the past year. A lot of us sort of put our jobs on the line by [unionizing], because we believe in the organization, but more so, we believe in our patients. We wanted to provide the best patient care that we possibly could for them, said Murphy. The 19 West Philadelphia Rogers employees, including therapists and behavioral specialists, filed their petition last month to unionize with the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Rogers voluntarily recognized the union, according to NUHW, marking the unions first unit in Pennsylvania. NUHW represents some 19,000 healthcare workers, primarily in California. Sal Rosselli, NUHW president emeritus, said the union is pleased that Rogers accepted the petition. All too often, employers do the opposite and put together very anti-union campaigns, spending all kinds of patient care dollars to prevent their workers from organizing, he said. The Philadelphia metro area, which also includes Camden and Wilmington, has the fifth-highest number of working therapists among U.S. metros, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This region employs just over 500 therapists, with average salary of $79,510. A spokesperson for Rogers declined to comment on employees organizing efforts and remarks on workplace changes. Rogers provides addiction treatment and mental healthcare with facilities in 10 states. In Philadelphia, the nonprofit offers outpatient treatment and partial hospitalization, treating patients with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In recent years, Rogers workers in California also unionized with NUHW. Their recently forged union contract includes caseload limits and a cap on how many newly admitted patients can be assigned to each therapist or nurse. Thousands of healthcare workers in the Philadelphia area have moved to unionize in recent years. Within the past few years, residents at Penn Medicine and the Rutgers University health system finalized their first contracts with their health systems, and attending doctors at ChristianaCare became the first group of post-training physicians in the region to unionize. Residents at Temple University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, ChristianaCare, and Jeffersons Einstein Healthcare Network also voted to unionize in early 2025. Residents at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia narrowly voted against joining a union. The organizing push means that about 81% of the citys resident physicians are unionized. What do workers want? When Murphy first started working at the Rogers facility in Philadelphia 4 years ago, she said there was a really good work-life balance. At the time, clinicians had four patients per day, provided individualized care, and led group sessions. As the organization moved toward group counseling, she said, caseloads have grown, with up to 12 patients in each group. The organization hired behavioral specialists to support therapists, said Murphy, but it was difficult to provide the patients with the care that they really needed and deserved with the new structure. Some patients and staff left because of the new model, said Murphy. This year, some salaried workers were switched to hourly, and Rogers started sending workers home due to low patient demand, leaving the rest with larger workloads, according to the union. That meant some used paid time off to avoid going without pay, said Murphy. When Philadelphia Rogers employees heard their colleagues in California were unionizing, That became a bit enticing to us, said Murphy, noting the workplace had become challenging and sometimes unbearable. Now, she says, the union members want more manageable caseloads or pay increases to account for the larger caseloads and a return to the old pay model for those who were switched to hourly work. We are unionizing to have a voice at work that will allow us to promote a healthier work-life balance as well as high-quality sustainable patient care, therapist Sara Deichman said in a union news release. Where else have mental health workers unionized? The organizing in Philadelphia comes as the U.S. faces a shortage of mental healthcare professionals, and in the wake of a demand surge from the pandemic. The industry is forcing fewer providers to care for more and more patients because the focus is on the bottom line, said Rosselli. Staffing concerns plague the healthcare industry generally, said Rebecca Givan, an associate professor at Rutgers Universitys School of Management and Labor Relations. If the facility wants to hold down costs, it tries to keep staffing levels as low as possible, said Givan. In the case of mental health providers, it can be about shortening appointment times or increasing caseloads so that each provider has a very large number of cases or clients. She says theres not a huge amount of union representation in stand-alone behavioral health facilities, but some public hospitals are unionized. Private practice mental health workers cant unionize because theyre self employed, Givan noted, but one could argue that they might benefit from collectively negotiating, for example, with the insurance companies that determine their reimbursement rates. NUHW is leading efforts to organize independent providers. The goal, Rosselli says, is to establish an employer for them so that they can have leverage against insurance companies to increase pay and increase access to patient care issues. The union has already done this in the home care industry in California, Rosselli noted. Staff reporter Aubrey Whelan contributed to this article. File photo of DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin flanked by Deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Madison Sheahan, left, and Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, during a news conference at ICE Headquarters, in Washington, May 21, 2025. Read more Twin brothers from Absecon, N.J., were arrested and charged Tuesday with allegedly writing threats on social media against ICE agents and Tricia McLaughlin, the spokesperson for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, DHS announced. Emilio Roman-Flores and Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores are accused of writing on social media that McLaughlin should be hanged and declaring, Shoot ICE on sight. Advertisement The Absecon Police Department SWAT team and DHS executed a search and arrest warrant Tuesday morning for the brothers. DHS said both were U.S. citizens. DHS posted a photo on the agencys website showing a shotgun and a semiautomatic rifle and ammunition that was allegedly taken as evidence during the raid. Emilio Roman-Flores was charged with unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, conspiracy-terroristic threats, criminal coercion, threats, and cyber harassment, the department said. Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores was charged with conspiracy-terroristic threats, DHS said. According to public records, the brothers are 26 years old. If you threaten our law enforcement or DHS officials, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement. According to a Fox News story that DHS promoted on social media, one of the brothers allegedly wrote in reply to something McLaughlin posted: [The Second] Amendment is in place for moments like this. Shoot ICE on sight. One of the brothers also allegedly wrote in response to McLaughlin, according to Fox News: We Americans should find you, tar you, feather you, and hang you as we did to anyone serving tyrants before the Revolutionary War. Neither the Fox News report nor the DHS announcement specified which brother made the statements. The shooting erupted on the 500 block of West Queen Lane in Germantown. Read more A man and a teenager were killed Tuesday night in Germantown when, investigators believe, a meeting for the sale of a Rolex watch turned into a robbery, and a shootout erupted. Advertisement Tyree Ware, 30, drove to the 500 block of West Queen Lane to sell a Rolex he had listed for sale online, police said. Quaneef Lee, 16, arrived with an acquaintance to purchase it, they said. Detectives believe Lee and the other male then attempted to rob Ware of the watch at gunpoint, according to a law enforcement source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. Ware also pulled a gun, the source said. When officers arrived, they found Ware lying in the street beside the open door of his silver Nissan Maxima. He had been shot multiple times. A 9mm handgun lay beside him. Officers found Lee on the ground behind the sedan, shot once in the chest. Ware and Lee were rushed to Temple University Hospital, where they died shortly after 5:30 p.m., police said. Officers recovered 11 bullet casings from the scene. Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said three guns were used in the shootout, but only one was recovered. The Rolex, Vanore said, was found inside Wares vehicle. Investigators are still working to identify the man who accompanied Lee and who may have killed Ware. A family member of Lee, when reached by phone Wednesday, declined to speak. The shooting comes as Philadelphia is on pace to record its lowest number of homicides in 60 years. Still, violence persists. Lee is one of at least 12 children shot and killed in the city this year. Tywin Jones was arrested early Wednesday by U.S. Marshals in Lansdowne. Investigators say Jones was involved in three killings, including the execution-style murder of a 16-year-old boy. Read more A North Philadelphia street-gang hit man wanted in connection with three killings, including the execution-style shooting of a 16-year-old boy, was taken into custody Wednesday morning in Delaware County, officials said. Tyvine Blumberg Eerd Jones, 25, was apprehended by U.S. marshals in an apartment where he had been hiding at the Stratford Court complex in Lansdowne, authorities said. Jones was considered one of the citys most wanted fugitives, and in October, marshals issued a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Advertisement Eric Gartner, the United States marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, said Jones unrestrained existence serves only to diminish our great city, and his arrest demonstrates the agencys commitment to keep Philadelphians safe. Investigators say Jones is a suspect in three slayings that took place between 2020 and 2022: the killings of Heyward Garrison, 16, Wesley Rodwell, 20, and Ryan Findley, 23. Jones is a self-identified member of the Blumberg gang, which federal prosecutors say operates in the area around the now-shuttered Norman Blumberg Apartments on Oxford Street in North Philadelphia. Members of the gang, including its onetime leader, Edward Stinson, have been convicted of drug trafficking in that area, and others have been tied to assaults and shootings. Stinson, federal prosecutors wrote in court filings, ran a round-the-clock crack cocaine distribution ring that sucked in teenagers, single mothers, and other vulnerable people. Jones was an associate of Anthony Blumberg Geez Watson, and the two recorded rap songs together. In one song, Blow Up, the two brag about stalking and shooting their criminal rivals. Like Jones, Watson, 21, was sought by investigators as a suspect in Garrisons killing, but he was gunned down in an unrelated shooting after a year on the run. Garrison was found shot multiple times in the back of a Honda Pilot parked near 22nd and Diamond Streets in August 2020. Two years later, in May 2022, Rodwell was slain on Erie Avenue near 16th Street in a broad-daylight shooting. And in September 2022, Findley was killed on Creston Street near Oakland in Oxford Circle. Investigators say Jones was involved in all three killings. When announcing the reward for his arrest, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark called Jones the very worst society has to offer and said he demonstrated a complete disregard for human life. The U.S. Marshals said two windows were damaged at Philadelphia's federal courthouse on Monday. Read more Federal authorities are searching for someone who shattered two windows at Philadelphias federal courthouse this week. The vandalism occurred late Monday night when someone used a cobblestone brick to smash two glass windows at the front entrance of the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse on the 600 block of Market Street, said Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark. Clark said it was not clear if the attack was targeted. Authorities were also looking into whether there was any link to another report of windows being smashed around the same time that night a few blocks away in Old City, he said. Investigators were reviewing surveillance video in hopes of identifying a suspect, Clark said, and the brick that was used was left at the scene. The courthouse is where most of the regions federal civil and criminal cases are heard. It also houses the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Joyce Wilkerson, Philadelphia's longest-serving school board member, received the 2025 Urban Educator of the Year award from the Council of Great City Schools, a national organization whose annual conference was held in Philadelphia this year. Here, Wilkerson (center) is shown with Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. and school board president Reginald Streater. Read more A judge said this week that arguments questioning the legality of Joyce Wilkersons seat on the Philadelphia school board had merit, and directed the board to halt nonrenewal proceedings for two charter schools. Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher R. Hall granted a preliminary injunction to People for People Charter School and KIPP North Philadelphia Academy on Monday, saying that a lawsuit against the school board can continue because lawyers had presented sufficient evidence. Advertisement The charters claim that board member Wilkerson who is perceived to be anti-charter schools tainted the votes against them this year and should not be on the board. City Council declined to approve Wilkerson last year as a school board member, but Mayor Cherelle L. Parker asked her to serve until she named a replacement. More than a year later, no replacement for Wilkerson has been named, and she continues to serve. She was, in fact, recently named the countrys top urban educator by the Council for Great City Schools. People for Peoples initial lawsuit complaint, filed in September, said that Wilkerson is an illegally and unlawfully seated member of the BOE and that her participation in the nonrenewal deliberations tainted and ultimately invalidated them. The city and the board have said that the citys Home Rule Charter allows Wilkerson to continue to serve without Council approval until a replacement is named. Reginald Streater, the school board president, said the ruling overshadows the underlying issues. The boards decision to begin the process of nonrenewal was on the merits of each board members independent assessment of the schools outcomes, Streater said in a statement. Board members concerns were aired publicly over months. Any delay slows the boards ability to give the schools full hearings, with testimony and the ability to present evidence, he said. Our schools, families, and children deserve resolution, Streater said. We remain committed to transparency and to continuing this work in the best interest of the community. Whats the court case? People for People filed a lawsuit in Common Pleas Court asking the court to oust Wilkerson. KIPP North Philadelphia later joined the case; both were nonrenewed in August over sustained poor academics. (Nonrenewal does not equal closure, though it is the first step on that path. It triggers an extensive nonrenewal hearing, after which an officer makes a recommendation; then the board votes again on whether to non-renew the school.) Lawyers for the charters argued that Wilkerson essentially poisoned the votes, and the judge wrote in his order that there was enough evidence to move forward with the injunction. This leaves the question whether Ms. Wilkersons participation in the pertinent BOE meetings without color of right tainted its vote [on the charter nonrenewals]. Plaintiffs have shown it likely did, Hall wrote. Halls order means that nonrenewal hearings cannot proceed, but the board had not yet scheduled them. What was Wilkersons role on the People for People and KIPP votes? Wilkerson, Hall noted in his order, was the first to press to issue a nonrenewal notice to the schools at a June board meeting, and in August called for a vote on the nonrenewal notice. The KIPP North Philadelphia nonrenewal vote passed unanimously; board member Whitney Jones was the only vote against the People for People non-renewal. But Wilkerson, a former school board president and School Reform Commission chair, was not the only board member with concerns about the two charter schools. Board member Cheryl Harper said People for People is failing our children. How long do we allow them to keep failing our children? I have an issue with these schools not being able to succeed for our children. Board vice president Sarah-Ashley Andrews cited issues with KIPP North Philadelphias failure to deliver for our students, specifically calling out its academics and suspension rates. Streater, the board president, called KIPPs performance unacceptable. Whats next? The court case will now proceed, and is likely to drag on for months. But Halls legal ruling on Wilkersons school board seat could mean open season for other parties that are unhappy with decisions the board has made and are willing to challenge those rulings legally. As to whether Wilkerson will remain on the board, Parker has staunchly stood by her in the past. When the People for People suit was first filed, a member of her administration said she stood by Wilkerson as an official member of the Philadelphia Board of Education who has the full support of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. What was the reaction? Mark Seiberling, a lawyer for People for People, said the ruling was an important one. We are pleased with Judge Halls thoughtful and well-reasoned decision following a lengthy hearing at which multiple witnesses from the School District of Philadelphia were called to testify, Seiberling said in a statement. We look forward to Ms. Wilkersons replacement being nominated and confirmed in accordance with Philadelphias Home Rule Charter. City officials had no immediate comment. Whether you know a lot about wine or very little, youll love these 11 independent shops. Also in this edition: Advertisement Seven fishes: A guide to the traditional feasts. Gorgeous coffee house: The new Trung Nguyen Legend even has a roof deck. The best things we ate: Sweet, salty, hearty and sticky. West Philly restaurant drought? Read on and I will explain. Mike Klein If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Its easier than ever to swing by a neighborhood shop and leave with a special wine bottle at a friendly price. Sande Friedman shares her favorite indie wine merchants in Philly and the suburbs. In these cold days, heres a luxe Chardonnay worth warming up to, says Marnie Old. If youre after squid ink risotto, surf and turf, or mostly just pasta, Kiki Aranita has you covered for this years crop of seven fishes feasts with an array of festive, mostly fishy Philly restaurants. The largest U.S. location of the Vietnamese coffee brand Trung Nguyen Legend has opened near the Mummers Museum in Pennsport. Beatrice Forman stopped to visit the onetime cabinetry showroom, now a two-story destination with a year-round roof deck for espresso tonics, Vietnamese egg coffees, and phin pour-overs. Critic Craig LaBan found much to enjoy at Phila and Rachel Lorns Sao a love letter to Philly, set to a soundtrack mix of vintage R&B, Cambodian rap, and Frank Sinatra. An accolade for Omar Tate Chef Omar Tate, who co-owns the Michelin-recommended Honeysuckle on North Broad Street with his wife, Cybille St.Aude-Tate, just received an $85,000, no-strings-attached grant from the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Pew says the grants support timely and compelling new projects and long-term stability. Tate uses food as a medium for storytelling and cultural preservation, it blurbed. His curated culinary experiences assert cooking as a fine art that can express complex narratives about identity, memory, and history. In his visual artworks, collaborations with other artists, and his Philadelphia restaurant Honeysuckle, Tate connects people with Black creative lineages and cuisine. A sweet (and spicy) Market Street pop-up ... belly-warming Indian food ... a sticky dessert at Paffuto ... a Greek spin on American Sardine Bars namesake food. Read on to see where weve been eating. Scoops Barcelona Wine Bar, the syndicated Spanish tapas house, appears to be in the initial stages of planning a second Philadelphia location, complementing its eight-year-old spot in East Passyunk. A real estate solicitation mentions Barcelona as a tenant in an adaptive reuse of an old warehouse on North Lee Street in Fishtown, next to Pizzeria Beddia and Hiroki and across from the new Pips, the cider bar by Ploughman Cider. No comment from a Barcelona rep. Vons Chicken, a South Korean-rooted chain big on the West Coast, ventures east next month to open at 1714 Washington Ave., next to AutoZone. Vons menu includes Korean fried as well as baked chicken, plus sides such as mandu and tteokbokki. Local franchisee Thao Le, who found Vons in California while visiting family, has assorted restaurant experience, including serving at Pietros Italian in Center City. Restaurant report Hira Qureshi tried falafel at more than 20 restaurants while scouting Middle Eastern cuisine for The Inquirers 76. Heres her rule: good falafel = good restaurant. She maps her picks. Briefly noted Eric Berley of Old Citys Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery now has a third business on the block. The Cacao Pod a private event space that doubles as head chocolate maker Kevin Paschalls chocolate roastery rocks the same ye olde look at 104 Market. The space, which fits 24 guests (18 seated), is equipped with an ice cream counter, soda fountain, and hot chocolate bar. Bombay Express completes its move from Marlton to 219 Haddonfield-Berlin Rd., the Centrum Shoppes in Cherry Hill, opening Thursday. Homegrown 215 opens its second location, at the former Bison Coffee shop at 1600 Callowhill St. (enter on Carlton), on Saturday. The Concourse at Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd.) has two openings teed up for Dec. 15: Paganos Market (Italian classics, prepared foods, and desserts) and Kennys Wok (a fast-casual pan-Asian concept creating dishes using robotic-wok technology; its a version of InstaFooz, the Chinatown shop Poon owns with David Taing). Panchos Mexican Taqueria in Atlantic Citys Ducktown neighborhood which has been running 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for 20 years will close for what owner Josh Cruz predicts will be a five-week-long renovation. Sisterly Love Collective, the alliance of women in the food and hospitality industries, will host a pop-up holiday market from noon to 4 p.m. this weekend at the old High Street Bakery space (101 S. Ninth St.). Oyster Houses latest guest chef in its lobster-roll series is Ama chef Frankie Ramirez. His roll ($39), whose proceeds will benefit PAWS, includes butter-poached lobster, salsa macha, refried beans, and cilantro macho on a split-top bun, served with hand-cut fries. Its on through Saturday. Red Gravy Goods is a new gift shop from Valerie Safran and Marcie Turney (of Barbuzzo, Bud & Marilyns, Little Nonnas, and Darling Jacks) at 1335 E. Passyunk Ave., across from Cartesian Brewing/CJ & Ds Trenton Tomato Pies. Kitchen wares are part of the line and the big sell is a hat patch bar: about 100 patches designed by Safran and team that can be applied on-site. Center City District Restaurant Week returns Jan. 18-31 with 100-plus restaurants offering three-course, prix-fixe dinners for $45 or $60 and two-course lunches for $20. (The district skipped the promotion this fall for the first time in 22 years.) Heres the rundown. Pop quiz A bar is on the way to Center City whose specialty will be: A) the most tequilas under one roof in Philadelphia B) 50 varieties of Champagne, plus caviars C) an espresso martini fountain D) snacks whose names all start with the letter G Find out if you know the answer. Ask Mike anything I would have thought that with the college campuses nearby and booming University City business in general, the big spaces that formerly housed Pod, Distrito, and City Tap House would have been taken over by new restaurants already. Why do you think that is not the case? Lyndsey M. My real estate sources say the main force that makes large spaces tougher to fill in University City are the colleges schedules, which create slow summers and winter breaks. One also cited a lack of older architecture (which restaurateurs gravitate toward) and the surfeit of new construction, which tends to make rents more expensive. On the bright side, Im hearing that a tenant may be on the way to the Pod space next to the Inn at Penn (3636 Sansom St.). This year, the UCity/West Philly area has seen the new Gather Food Hall at the Bulletin Building, as well as a slate of smaller destinations: Out West Cafe (5127 Walnut), Corio at uCity Square (37th and Chestnut), Haraz Coffee House (3421 Chestnut), and Good Hatch Eatery (4721 Pine). Next years crop will include Mi Casa and a Tous Les Jours bakery at Schuylkill Yards. Have a question about food in Philly? Email your questions to me at mklein@inquirer.com for a chance to be featured in my newsletter. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. Cardiologist Kiran Musunuru and pediatric geneticist Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas hold KJ Muldoon after he received an infusion of a drug custom-made for him. Read more A Philadelphia-area infant named Baby KJ made international headlines after doctors at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine successfully treated his rare, life-threatening liver condition with a gene-editing drug earlier this year. Now back home with his family in Drexel Hill after more than 300 days in the hospital, KJ Muldoon has been named one of 10 people who helped shape medicine in 2025 by Nature, a British scientific journal. Advertisement READ MORE: CHOP and Penn treated an infant with a rare disease by editing his genes Natures 10 is rounded out by career scientists and public health champions, including a neurologist treating brain disorders, an entomologist unearthing new details about mosquito-borne illnesses, and a data researcher who drew attention to troubling patterns in research retractions. The publication honored Baby KJ as a trailblazing baby. KJ was born with a rare disorder that prevented his liver from processing protein. He was at risk of dangerous levels of ammonia, a byproduct of protein, building up in his bloodstream, traveling to his brain, and causing irreparable damage. The condition, called severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, is deadly in more than half of cases. With few treatment options and limited time, KJs doctors proposed a novel treatment using experimental gene-editing technology: They would analyze KJs genetic profile to find the genetic mutation that prevented his body from producing a key enzyme that breaks down protein. Then they would infuse a medication laced with bits of genetic code to find the misspelling and fix it, dramatically improving his chances of recovery. Within six months, researchers at CHOP and Penn had developed a customized drug specifically for KJ using CRISPR, the buzzy shorthand for a scientific tool that works like a find-and-replace command. It is named after a stretch of genetic code utilized clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. KJ received three doses of the medication, and in June, he returned home after 307 days in the hospital. He will need ongoing care, but doctors say the treatment has dramatically improved his liver function. This is the future of medicine, a step toward using gene-editing for diseases for which there are few treatments, Kiran Musunuru, director of the Penn Cardiovascular Institutes Genetic and Epigenetic Origins of Disease Program and one of the lead doctors on KJs case, said during a call with reporters in May. Baby KJs treatment was a first-of-its-kind drug customized to a unique genetic mutation. It will never be used for another patient, but Philadelphia researchers believe the CRISPR framework could be used to customize drugs for other patients. READ MORE: Penn and CHOP will test gene therapy for rare diseases with a new FDA trial protocol Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, the director of CHOPs Gene Therapy for Inherited Metabolic Disorders Frontier Program, are developing a new clinical trial to test the CRISPR framework for treating customized gene therapies for urea cycle disorders related to any one of seven genes. The mechanism will remain the same, but the injection each patient receives will be customized to target their unique genetic mutation. They are hopeful that their work will make bespoke treatments available to more people with rare diseases, Ahrens-Nicklas told Nature. Everyone saw the possibility and thought, Why isnt this available for my child? Genesis HealthCare reached a $650,000 settlement with Nellie Betancourts widower, Gabe Betancourt, and their daughter, Vanessa, in April after medical examiners said an injury Nellie sustained at a Genesis home in New Mexico led to her death. The family agreed to give Genesis a year to start the payments, only for the company to declare bankruptcy in July. (Adria Malcolm for KFF Health News) Read more Nancy Hunt arrived at an emergency room from a Genesis HealthCare nursing home in Pennsylvania in such dreadful shape, including maggots infesting her gangrened foot, that the hospital called an elder abuse hotline and then the police, her son alleged in a lawsuit. Advertisement Hunt died five days later. Her death certificate said the foot injury was a significant factor. Genesis denied wrongdoing but agreed to pay $3.5 million in a settlement Hunts son signed in August 2024. Yet Genesis hasnt paid most of that debt, court records show. It may never have to. Once the nations largest nursing home chain, Genesis says it was spending $8 million a month defending and settling lawsuits over resident injuries and deaths in recent years. But the company is now poised to wipe the liability slate clean by seeking refuge in the most protective corner of the legal system for the nursing home industry: bankruptcy court. The Genesis case, one of 11 large senior care bankruptcies this year, illustrates how healthcare companies can dodge public and financial accountability for alleged negligence through delays, confidentiality clauses, and bankruptcy maneuvers, a KFF Health News investigation found. When it filed for bankruptcy in Dallas in July, Genesis estimated its total liability for nearly a thousand settled and pending lawsuits at $259 million. A KFF Health News review of the terms of 155 settlement agreements and corporate financial statements shows Genesis officials knew insolvency was possible yet included provisions in its settlement agreements allowing it to defer payment, often for a year or more. As a result, the company headquartered in Kennett Square paid nothing in 85 cases and only a portion in the other 70, according to civil court records and bankruptcy claims made available through people with access to them. It still owes $41 million of the $58 million it had agreed to pay in those cases, the records show. It just feels like they killed my mom and got away with it, said Vanessa Betancourt, whose mother, Nellie Betancourt, a retired nurse, fractured her hip at a Genesis home in Albuquerque, N.M. an injury the medical examiners report said led to her death. Genesis agreed to a $650,000 settlement with Betancourts family in April under the condition it would not need to pay the first of seven installments for another year, according to the settlement document. Genesis denied wrongdoing in all lawsuits and settlements. In a written statement, the company did not answer questions about individual personal injury cases. The statement said Genesis remained focused on delivering high-quality, compassionate care to our patients and residents without disruption during bankruptcy. One lawsuit Genesis settled for nearly $1 million alleged nursing home managers ignored repeated warnings about a male residents behavior before he sexually assaulted a female Alzheimers patient, according to court records. In a case the company resolved for $500,000, a Genesis nursing home was accused of delaying the hospitalization of a resident who had vomited brown mucus. He died of a bowel obstruction. Genesis has paid nothing for either settlement, according to bankruptcy claims. Creditors, including families of the deceased, are expected to salvage a fraction of what they were promised, if anything. On Dec. 10, the companys owners were scheduled to seek approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas to sell its nursing homes and other assets to its largest investor, a private equity firm. In court papers, lawyers for residents and other creditors say the complex plan will prevent them from pursuing Genesis new ownership and other companies they blame for the companys collapse. John Anthony, a bankruptcy attorney representing 340 personal injury claims against Genesis, said, They never had any intention to honor these deals. Low ratings and fines During years of financial turmoil, Genesis has frequently struggled to provide top-notch care, federal records show. Using its five-star system, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rated 58% of homes affiliated with Genesis as below average or much below average. CMS has fined Genesis homes $10 million for violating federal health standards over the past three years. In 2022, Connecticut health regulators shuttered a Genesis home after two deaths and multiple violations. The company closed another Connecticut nursing home this year after residents twice were evacuated over safety concerns. In its Chapter 11 filing, Genesis said it cared for about 15,000 residents in 165 nursing homes and 10 assisted living facilities in 18 states. They are centered in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Mexico, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Maine, Alabama, Maryland, and North Carolina, according to the bankruptcy filing. The company said it owed $709 million in secured debt to lenders and the IRS. Under bankruptcy rules, those debts, backed by Genesis collateral, take precedence over the $1.6 billion in unsecured debt Genesis said it owes. Unsecured creditors include a pension fund; contractors that provided health services and equipment; Pennsylvania, New Mexico, and West Virginia for unpaid provider taxes; and former residents and their families who sued. Dangers in memory care Sandia Ridge Center, a Genesis home in Albuquerque, was repeatedly faulted by health regulators for not preventing sexual misbehavior in its memory care unit. In November 2021, CMS cited the home for lacking enough nurses to prevent sexual abuse among residents. An inspection report the following August identified more inappropriate sexual contact. Police were called to investigate sexual assault allegations in February and March of 2023, police reports show; neither resulted in criminal charges. Then in April 2023, a 61-year-old male resident with alcohol-related dementia sexually assaulted a female resident with Alzheimers in the dining room, according to a police report and an inspection report. When the resident screamed for him to stop and that he was hurting her, he responded shut up bitch I know you like this, according to a lawsuit brought on behalf of the woman, identified in court papers as R.S. Sandia Ridge management had been aware of the male residents behavioral issues for months, according to employee depositions in the case. Police had investigated a prior sexual assault allegation against him the previous year without bringing charges. In one deposition, a former activities assistant testified he hit her and twice pushed her into a bathroom while announcing, I want to have sex with you. When she reported him to a senior Genesis manager, she said in the deposition, the manager put his finger over his lips and said, Shhh. The activities worker testified that R.S. used to happily sing along with Elvis Presley songs. After the assault, the worker said, R.S. dont sing anymore. Inspectors cited the home for failing to protect R.S. The same report said the home didnt provide a therapist for another female resident who was being sexually harassed. Medicare fined Sandia Ridge Center $91,247. Genesis denied liability but settled R.S. lawsuit for $925,000 in May, according to the bankruptcy claim. We just felt we have to hold them accountable, R.S. daughter said in an interview, speaking on the condition that she and her mother not be identified, because of the nature of the assault. Maybe Im wrong, maybe Im naive, but the only way to do that is to sue someone, right? Genesis has not paid any of the settlement, according to the familys claim filing. Growth and debt Genesis downfall can be traced to 2007, when affiliates of two private equity firms acquired the company in a $1.5 billion leveraged buyout, taking on substantial debt, according to its bankruptcy filing. Private equity also has been involved in other healthcare bankruptcies, including those of the HCR ManorCare nursing home chain, the prison healthcare contractor Corizon Health, and two for-profit hospital systems, Steward Health Care and Prospect Medical Holdings. In 2011, Genesis raised $2.4 billion by transferring substantially all its nursing home buildings and other real estate to Welltower, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, according to Genesis bankruptcy filing. Genesis then rented the buildings back from Welltower, which made leasing costs a significant expense. Genesis went on a nationwide buying spree. At its peak in 2016, it had grown to more than 500 nursing homes. In a court declaration, Louis Robichaux IV, a consultant overseeing Genesis bankruptcy restructuring, wrote that as the company expanded, it became harder to manage and mired in corporate inefficiencies. Robichaux wrote that Genesis financial woes were exacerbated by rapidly increasing labor costs and lawsuits, including some predating the COVID pandemic. Starting in 2021, Genesis avoided bankruptcy after receiving $100 million in loans from a private equity firm founded by Joel Landau, the owner of a Brooklyn-based nursing home chain, according to Robichauxs filing. But Genesis continued to teeter on the edge of insolvency. In audited financial statements for 2022 and 2023 submitted to a California oversight agency, management and auditors said rent and debt obligations raised substantial doubt about the companys ability to continue as a going concern. In a court filing, a committee appointed by the U.S. Trustees Office to represent the unsecured creditors in the bankruptcy accused Landau and Welltower of orchestrating a covert plan that allowed Welltower to keep getting its rents while Landau could run the company and siphon value to himself. The committee alleged their efforts forced the company into insolvency while staffing levels and patient care declined precipitously. Landau and Welltower did not respond to requests for comment. Drawn-out lawsuits Erin Pearson sued Genesis over the death of her father, James Sanderson, a retired mining company executive who died in 2018 after spending less than a month at Bear Canyon Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque. In the memory care unit, Sanderson fell repeatedly, suffered medication errors made by nursing home staff, and developed a bowel obstruction and sepsis, according to the lawsuit, filed in 2019. Pearsons lawyers said he was not hospitalized until eight days after nurses noticed he was vomiting brown mucus. After the judge rejected Genesis request to force Pearson into arbitration, Genesis appealed. It took 2 years before an appeals court affirmed the original decision to let the case go forward in court, records show. This past May, more than five years after suing, Pearson reached a $500,000 settlement, with the first payment required by November, according to a copy of the agreement. Nothing was paid, according to the bankruptcy claim. It was so drawn out and for so long, Pearson said in an interview, calling Genesis bankruptcy despicable. Payouts postponed Jennifer Foote, an Albuquerque attorney who represents clients in multiple lawsuits against Genesis, including Pearsons, said the company frequently filed appeals. They did not usually win them on these issues, she said, and our sense was that they were doing it as a delay tactic. Genesis started using installment payments around 2018, said Dusti Harvey, Footes law partner. The payments wouldnt start for several months out, Harvey said. Foote said Genesis lawyers often wanted to time the payments to start the month the trial in the case was scheduled to occur. Families had to wait even when comparatively small amounts of money were involved, settlement agreements show. Genesis settlement agreements also included a confidentiality clause prohibiting discussion of the incidents. Genesis agreed to pay $42,000 in a November 2024 settlement, but the first payment was not due until nine months later. It was not paid, according to the bankruptcy claim. A $250,000 settlement signed in October 2023 did not start paying out until the following September. When Genesis declared bankruptcy 21 months after the case was resolved it still owed $100,000, according to the familys claim. We never found out the truth Settling cases allowed Genesis to avoid the expense and publicity of a trial, at which details of how its nursing homes functioned might have been revealed. In October 2020, Margarett Johnson, a retired school bus driver, fell out of her wheelchair at a Genesis nursing home in Waldorf, Md., fracturing her jawbone, nose, and neck, according to a lawsuit brought by her family. Johnson was sent to a trauma center and placed on a ventilator. She died three months later, at age 76, from ventilator-associated pneumonia, the lawsuit said. It looked like she was hit by a truck, Angelina Harley, one of her daughters, said in an interview. I knew my mom was not going to come home. I knew the Lord was not going to punish her more. The company denied negligence and blamed the accident on Johnsons jacket getting tangled in the wheel of her wheelchair, according to the lawsuit. Harley and her sister Angela Swann were dubious. We never found out the truth, Harley said. They wanted to settle out of court. The company denied liability but agreed to a $950,000 settlement in October 2024. It never paid the final $112,500 installment, according to a letter Johnsons five children sent to the bankruptcy judge. If you settle out of court, you know doggone well you did something wrong, Harley said. Maddening judges By summer 2025, judges in some civil cases had run out of patience. Alma Brown, a retired daycare manager and accordion teacher living in a Genesis nursing home in Clovis, N.M., suffered falls, infections, bedsores, and other neglect that hastened her death in 2023, according to her estates lawsuit. In Santa Fe District Court, Judge Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood castigated Genesis after it failed to pay $2 million of the $3 million settlement to Browns estate or explain the delay. Genesis obviously benefited by not having to go to trial, McGarry Ellenwood said in one hearing, according to a court transcript. They assure me that theyre not trying to renege on their contract, but it certainly seems like they havent lived up to what the bargain was. Genesis declared bankruptcy the day McGarry Ellenwood announced she would impose more than $100,000 in fines, plus $10,000 more each day until the settlement was paid. In Pennsylvania, Greg Hunt petitioned a judge to punish Genesis after it stopped payments of the $3.5 million settlement after the death of his mother, Nancy, the resident with the gangrenous foot. She had spent eight months in 2019 at Brandywine Hall, a Genesis facility in West Chester that was later sold and renamed. In a filing with the Common Pleas Court of Montgomery County, Genesis admitted it was in arrears but asked the judge for more time, citing unforeseen and exigent financial challenges. Genesis said care for patients at its nursing homes would suffer if it had to pay immediately. Unswayed, Judge Richard Haaz in June ordered Genesis to pay up, along with punitive interest. But the bankruptcy court stayed that order. Genesis still owes $1.4 million of the $2 million it was supposed to pay, according to Hunts claim. (The rest of the $3.5 million settlement is supposed to be paid by an insurer in January 2026.) Ian Norris, Hunts lawyer, declined to comment, citing confidentiality provisions in the settlement. Court records indicate Genesis lawyers never disclosed in either case that it was preparing to declare bankruptcy. Bankruptcy as a tool In the first nine months of 2025, 10 other senior living companies with liabilities over $10 million entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to Gibbins Advisors, a consulting firm. Hamid Rafatjoo, a bankruptcy lawyer representing nursing homes who is not involved in the Genesis bankruptcy case, said filings may increase as the industry has become costlier to run and class action lawsuits have become a fixture. Nursing homes get sued all the time for everything, Rafatjoo said. A lot of operators wait too long to use bankruptcy as a tool. On Dec. 1, Genesis announced the results of its auction, saying it had elected to sell its assets to a private equity firm controlled by Landau. In a court filing, Anthony, the attorney for the personal injury claimants, alleged the auction was stacked in Landaus favor despite an objectively better and higher competing bid from another private equity investor that would have provided more money to creditors. Genesis said in its statement that Landaus group had increased its bid during the auction. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and two other senators last month asked the U.S. Trustees Office to intervene in the case, out of concern that individuals who already own or control Genesis are trying to sell it to themselves, wiping away legal and other creditor debts in the process. Lawyers representing those in charge of the auction did not respond to a request for comment. Families of former Genesis residents said they fear the capacity to purge lawsuits through bankruptcy emboldens nursing homeowners who provide deficient care. They can file bankruptcy again, said Gabe Betancourt, whose wife, Nellie, died after her stay at Uptown Rehabilitation Center in Albuquerque. And were the ones that will pay for it, with our memories, our lives. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf speaks outside federal court in Philadelphia in July. His office recently announced a settlement in a lawsuit involving Recovery Centers of America. Read more Recovery Centers of America, a prominent addiction rehab provider, will pay $2 million to settle claims by the federal government that it illegally dispensed strictly regulated medications and billed Medicaid for services it did not provide. The Drug Enforcement Administration audited and investigated RCA facilities in Pennsylvania and Maryland between 2019 and 2024, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania said in a statement. Advertisement RCA operates 13 rehab centers across the country, with its corporate headquarters in King of Prussia. The for-profit company offers inpatient and outpatient treatments for people in addiction, as well as mental health services. The DEA said RCA dispensed controlled substances in an unlawful matter and did not comply with federal recordkeeping rules for drugs and other substances that are closely regulated due to their potential for abuse. Federal officials did not specify the controlled substances involved. In a settlement agreement, federal authorities said that the DEA found a number of recordkeeping issues at an RCA facility in Devon, including that the facility did not maintain records showing that it had received controlled substances, and did not record the number of containers of the substances or the date they had been received. Some prescriptions for controlled substances were issued to house stock instead of named patients, authorities said. The facility also did not keep accurate records of the controlled substances on hand at the site, authorities allege. They also found recordkeeping issues at another RCA facility in Maryland. In 2017, a whistleblower who was once employed at RCA filed a lawsuit alleging that some facilities had admitted patients on Medicaid, but had not complied with state and federal regulations on providing them with rehab services. Under federal law, whistleblowers can sue on behalf of the government when they believe a company has submitted false claims for government funding, federal authorities said. Federal authorities said that between 2017 and 2019, some RCA facilities billed the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and Medicaid for care that they did not document and did not actually provide. The settlement will resolve the whistleblowers lawsuit. RCA did not immediately return a request for comment. The company has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve the controlled substance claims and $1 million to resolve the billing claims. RCA did not admit liability as part of the settlement agreement. Federal law also enables whistleblowers to receive money from the settlement. The former employee will receive $230,000, authorities said. RCA will also pay the employee $450,000 and $75,000 to cover attorneys fees, according to the settlement agreement. Drug and alcohol treatment facilities must prescribe and store controlled substances in a manner that comports with rules designed to ensure that dangerous drugs do not fall into the wrong hands. They also must provide treatment services that comply with all governing laws and regulations, U.S. Attorney David Metcalf said in a statement. When they fail in either of those critical duties they will face significant consequences. Philadelphia Fire Department at a multi-alarm fire in the Frankford section of the city on Sept. 13, 2024. Read more A former top-ranking deputy with the Philadelphia Fire Department has been demoted amid two ongoing investigations into sexual harassment and overtime abuse, The Inquirer has learned. Former Deputy Commissioner for Operations Anthony Hudgins who had been the second-highest ranking official in the 2,800-member department was recently downgraded to deputy fire chief and reassigned to the Incident Safety Office, according to spokespeople with the city and fire department. The demotion cut his annual salary by nearly 25%, from $202,550 to $155,106, payroll records show. Advertisement Hudgins was the subject of an array of sexual harassment allegations, which led the city to hire an outside law firm to investigate the claims and interview department personnel. In a May interview with The Inquirer, Hudgins called the probe baseless and claimed he was targeted with false allegations after uncovering rampant overtime fraud. He acknowledged that as fewer than 10 employees had lodged complaints against him. The city inked a $35,000 contract with the law firm Campbell Durrant to investigate the allegations. Hudgins, a 31-year department veteran, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. After publication, Hudgins attorney, Amanda N. Martinez, sent a statement saying that Hudgins remains committed to assisting the City with any legitimate investigation into the overtime fraud that he brought to light. She added that Hudgins is reviewing the details surrounding the Citys actions and all defamatory statements made against him by individuals and will pursue all available legal remedies under the law necessary to protect Mr. Hudgins reputation and employment rights. The fire department has for decades faced allegations of pervasive sexual misconduct, and yet the Hudgins probe is significant in that it targeted a top-ranking department official. Although they acknowledged that Hudgins had been demoted, spokespeople for the city and fire department declined to confirm whether any of the allegations against him had been substantiated, citing the citys policy to not discuss personnel issues. READ MORE: Harassment and overtime fraud probes collide at top levels of Philly Fire Department Fire department leadership did not elaborate on the results of the investigation. A request for comment from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker resulted in a prepared statement from City Solicitor Renee Garcia, who said the city takes any allegations of sexual harassment or fraud, including overtime fraud, very seriously. We investigate any such allegations thoroughly and, if misconduct is found, we will take appropriate action to implement any warranted discipline expeditiously, Garcia said. The city has also declined to reveal whether any fire department employees have faced discipline as a result of the related investigation into alleged overtime abuse. Inspector General Alexander DeSantis who as far back as January launched a probe into the overtime fraud claims said his offices investigation is still ongoing and may be for some time. He described the probe as active but declined to elaborate. City officials have declined to release public records that would shed light on some of the fire departments top overtime earners and are taking The Inquirer to court in an effort to keep those records hidden. In an affidavit submitted to the Office of Open Records, the agency that enforces state open-records laws, DeSantis argued that releasing the records to The Inquirer would jeopardize his offices investigation and that it could not release the files without identifying or implying who may be directly involved in this investigation. Records related to noncriminal investigations are exempt from release under Pennsylvanias Right-to-Know Law. The Office of Open Records ruled in May that The Inquirer is entitled to receive the records, which cannot be withheld simply because the OIG opened an investigation. The city again declined to release the overtime sheets and instead appealed the OOR ruling to the Court of Common Pleas. In a 21-page brief filed in that case, attorneys for the city urged the court to vacate the OORs ruling on the grounds that releasing the records would raise questions about the efficacy of investigations, witness confidentiality, and harm to reputation. The OIG probe has yet to publicly reveal any findings. DeSantis offered no timeline for its conclusion, and the results may not be made public even after the investigation ends. The OIGs stated mission is to keep City government free from fraud, corruption, and misconduct, but the office rarely releases specifics related to the outcome of its fraud investigations. Instead, it publishes an annual report summarizing the offices work from the previous year. The OIG has yet to release that report for 2024. Staff writers Samantha Melamed and Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized the total number of employees that Hudgins said may have filed complaints against him. The Rocky statue at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum last December. Read more UPDATE: Plan to keep a Rocky statue at the top of the Art Museum steps moves forward The Rocky statue sitting atop of Philadelphia Art Museums famed steps could soon be there permanently and the one at the bottom may be going back to the Italian Stallion himself, Sylvester Stallone. Advertisement Thats according to a recent proposal from Creative Philadelphia, the citys office for the creative sector, which is slated to present its proposal at an Art Commission meeting for a concept review Wednesday. The plan, the proposal notes, is endorsed by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Art Museum officials, as well as leaders in the Parks and Recreation department and at the Philadelphia Visitor Center, all of whom filed letters of support. This project is about more than relocating a sculpture, chief cultural officer Valerie V. Gay and public art director Marguerite Anglin wrote in a letter to the Art Commission. Its about elevating an artwork that, for decades, has symbolized perseverance, aspiration, and the resilience of the human spirit. The statue at the top of the Art Museums steps was set there last December as part of the citys inaugural RockyFest, which celebrates the Rocky franchise. Initially intended to be a temporary installation, that statue a replica of sculptor A. Thomas Schombergs original, made by the artist himself was lent to the city by Stallone, who purchased it for about $403,000 at an auction in 2017, The Inquirer previously reported. The statue at the foot of the steps, meanwhile, is owned by the city, and has sat there since 2006, arriving after years of controversy and moves since it appeared in 1982s Rocky III. Stallone commissioned that statue for the film, and later gave it to the city. As part of the citys plan, Philly would swap ownership of the two statues, taking ownership of the statue at the top of the steps, and returning the statue at the bottom to the original donors private collection following its exhibition inside the Art Museum this spring, the proposal notes. The city would then install another City-owned statue at the bottom of the Art Museum steps, and move the statue at the top back several feet for its permanent installation. The project would cost an estimated $150,000, the proposal notes. It was not immediately clear what statue would be relocated to the bottom of the steps, or what prompted the exchange of statues. An Art Commission agenda notes that in its concept review Wednesday, the proposal could receive final approval if it is found to be sufficiently developed. A history of moves The proposed move marks yet another chapter in the Rocky statues storied history in town. It arrived for the filming of Rocky III, but when the shoot wrapped in 1981, a permanent location had not been approved, causing it to be shipped back to Los Angeles. It ultimately came back and was temporarily exhibited again at the top of the Art Museum steps before being moved to an area outside the Spectrum at the stadium complex in South Philly, where it was supposed to permanently stay. But in 1990, the statue was again temporarily installed at the museum for the filming of Rocky V, reigniting public debate about whether it should remain there. The statue was returned to the stadium complex before being moved in 2006 back to the bottom of the museums steps, where it has sat ever since. Gay and Anglin seem to reference the statues history in their letter, noting that a permanent installation at the top of the museums steps could be an an opportunity to lean into the evolving conversation about what is considered art and what deserves a place in our most treasured civic spaces. The Rocky statue is a clear example of this evolution, they wrote. Its artistic significance has not been shaped by institutions, but by the millions of people who engage with it year after year. A third statue Philadelphia, incidentally, has a third Rocky statue made by Schomberg. That one is located at Philadelphia International Airport, where it was unveiled late last month in Terminal A-West. Rocky is the DNA of this great city of Philadelphia, Schomberg said in a statement released with the airport statues unveiling. Theres a little bit of Rocky in all of us. Rocky is not just known here in Philadelphia but is known across this country and the world. Normalizing evil On March 23, 1933, the Nazis passed the Enabling Act, which allowed Adolf Hitler and his cabinet to pass any laws without approval from the Reichstag even if they were unconstitutional. The Trump administration is effectively doing the same thing by ignoring court orders, disappearing people based on how they look without regard to their citizenship or legal status to reside here, and blowing them out of the water with impunity. Now the U.S. Supreme Court shadow docket is allowing racial gerrymandering to try to steal the 2026 midterms. If this is not fascism, it is certainly not democracy. James Hohmann, Langhorne . . . What has happened to the United States of America? Have we become so inured to the craziness of President Donald Trump that we barely seem to bat an eye while the situations and pronouncements become more and more bizarre and evil? Yes, evil. What else can you call what is happening all around us? The bombing of reputed drug smugglers at sea was terrifying. Planes swooping down and obliterating the boats and crew. Now we find out we murdered the survivors. What we did was a war crime. America does not do that, do we? If that news did not shake you to your emotional core, President Trump called the people of Somalia garbage and wants them all out of the country. Where is the moral outrage? Where are we Americans standing up to protect other Americans? Have we become so used to Trump that we accept evil behavior as normal? His behavior, his deputies behavior, is not normal; it is not OK. None of it the drug boat bombings, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, the racism none of it is normal, and We the People must stand against it. Advertisement Sheryl Kalick, Philadelphia Congressional maps The use of the term minorities regarding the gerrymandering of congressional maps in Texas seems inaccurate. A slightly larger number of Texans identify as Hispanic than those who say they are not. And while voters in Texas do not register by party, more Texans choose to participate in primaries as Democrats than as Republicans. In Texas, gerrymandering may be more accurately described as an increasingly extreme attempt to impose the will of a minority on the majority. And that is true regardless of whether the U.S. Supreme Court sees the motivation as racial or political. Kris J. Kolo, Philadelphia Retirement stability Philadelphias workers deserve the chance to build real financial security, and I appreciate The Inquirers recent coverage of the citys retirement savings proposal. Too many Philadelphians go their entire careers without access to a basic plan. That gap leaves families vulnerable, and it places additional strain on our social safety net. The goal of PhillySaves is simple. It makes it easier for employees who want to save and avoids adding new burdens for small businesses that already manage enough responsibilities. There are no employer fees and no complicated reporting. Just an easy, portable option that follows workers from job to job. Before joining City Council, I worked in Harrisburg as a state representative on retirement security issues and legislation. I saw how many Pennsylvanians age into poverty without access to a plan. PhillySaves reflects that experience and the importance of helping workers save steadily. Council President Kenyatta Johnson has been clear that improving economic stability for working people is a priority for this Council. PhillySaves is one part of that broader effort. It will not solve every challenge, but it gives thousands of residents a fair chance to start building long-term savings. Mike Driscoll, 6th District, Philadelphia City Council Dems need direction The Democratic Party is a rudderless ship. Its irrational opposition to President Donald Trump has caused it to lose its moral compass and common sense. It no longer works in the best interest of the American people. Its misguided effort at leverage betrayed the trust of its constituents and caused unnecessary pain for many. It focused on extending subsidies to the ironically named Affordable Care Act while ignoring the hundreds of billions of dollars in additional spending that it attached to its proposal. Using that time to explore viable alternatives for affordable healthcare would have served everyone better. Extending subsidies implemented during the pandemic is throwing good money after bad. Democrats pontificated that nobody was above the law while stressing the importance of upholding the rule of law. For years, they ignored immigration laws and allowed millions to cross our borders. They now demonize law enforcement and encourage active resistance when enforcing those same laws. Anyone who crosses the border illegally has broken federal law and is subject to deportation. Democrats are more concerned with the plight of illegal immigrants than the safety of the American citizens they are sworn to protect. They show little sympathy for victims of crime committed by many of those same people whom they failed to vet. Now, Democratic lawmakers are reminding armed service members that they do not need to obey illegal orders. Without examples, their goal is to foment division and instability in our government. If national security is at risk or any lives are lost, those lawmakers have opened themselves up to prosecution. These stunts do nothing to move our country forward. Imagine the reaction if GOP lawmakers made a similar statement during the Biden years. It is very difficult to understand what Democrats actually stand for. It is painfully obvious what they are against. Mark Fenstemaker, Warminster, markfense@gmail.com Trade wars America is losing the trade wars because the president does not understand trade. While Donald Trump believes trade involves only manufacturing, which contributes about 10% of our economic output, he overlooks the service economy, which includes education and tourism. Trumps tariffs-based trade war might have made sense in the 1960s, but it is out of step with the current world economy and is helping to fuel our affordability problems. The current CEOs of Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Nvidia, three of Americas biggest and most innovative companies, were educated here but born overseas. Education is one of Americas leading exports and helps contribute to our prosperity, but the administration devalues it and attacks and extorts our most prestigious universities. When Trump attacks Canada and other countries that contribute to American tourism, many of our destination areas, like the Jersey Shore, are diminished. Trumps worldview is that all confrontations can be won and all collaboration is defeat. History has proven hes wrong. Elliott Miller, Bala Cynwyd Another bended knee As he was sworn in just two days after his slim victory in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Republican Matt Van Epps said, I come to this body as a Christian. He has also pledged himself to be firmly devoted to Donald Trump and his agenda. How does Rep. Van Epps square the two? Trump has expectorated upon the tenets of every religion. He is a thug, a bigot, and the most corrupt president ever to serve, enriching himself and his family of grifters to the tune of billions of dollars. He seeks to divide and conquer, and has clearly expressed his hatred and contempt for those who oppose him, embarking upon a campaign of revenge against them. He has contempt for people of color and immigrants, as he seeks to welcome only white people who seek to live here. Can Christian Rep. Epps cite any facet of his faith that is modeled by the president to whom he is so devoted? The question is rhetorical. Oren Spiegler, Peters Township Imperfect harmony I retired in 1999 after 31 years of teaching in Philadelphia. In 2003, I applied for a mortgage with several local banks. None of them would give me a mortgage based on my retirement income, despite my good credit rating. In the last two years, my prescription plan cost has gone up 60%. My wifes prescription premium for 2026 has increased by 400%. Other costs have increased dramatically, as well. My retirement income is still the same as it was in 2003. I read in The Inquirer that Pennsylvania state legislators received a 3.25% cost-of-living raise, and that cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, each year are mandated for them. I know that eventually the state will give Pennsylvania teachers a COLA. I would prefer to get mine before I die. Mitchell Bernstein, Philadelphia Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Kremlin in Moscow in May. Read more Ordinarily, I wouldnt recommend perusing the annual National Security Strategy of the United States of America. It generally summarizes the foreign policy direction in which the current administration is headed, and makes for lengthy, dry reading. But the new 33-page document is so shocking even given what we already know about this administrations behavior that Americans need to pay attention. Advertisement The NSS 2025 ignores the real security threats the U.S. faces in favor of praising white nationalist policies at home and demanding our democratic allies adopt the same. It promotes the myth that President Donald Trump can create a stable world by doing deals with authoritarian Moscow and Beijing. As for Russias invasion and brutalization of Ukraine, no word, except for chastising Europe for obstructing Trumps efforts to force a pro-Russian peace plan on Kyiv. No wonder Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov quickly announced that the report was largely consistent with our vision. The document envisions a world in which Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Xi Jinping dominate the globe in concert, each controlling his own sphere of influence; it labels Trumps intended control over the Western Hemisphere the Monroe Doctrine Trump Corollary. READ MORE: The question Trump and Hegseth wont answer: Why is that flotilla in the Caribbean in the first place? | Trudy Rubin In reality, if Trump pursues this megalomaniacal mirage, he will facilitate the efforts of China and Russia to undermine U.S. security, destroy U.S. alliances, and dominate the world. Whats so revealing about the NSS is how much it has changed from the 2017 version released after Trumps first year in office. Back then, the strategy referenced the revisionist powers of China and Russia [who] want to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests. Russia, the document added, aims to weaken U.S. influence in the world and divide us from our allies and partners. The security threat from both countries has only worsened since then. What has changed is the personnel around the president. Gone are the professionals and knowledgeable advisers (except for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has largely been pushed to the sidelines). Present are the sycophants who flatter Trumps brilliance and advance the white nationalist MAGA line. Its no wonder theres no reference to rising Chinese military threats to Taiwan. Or to massive Chinese cyberattacks on our country. One, called Salt Typhoon by U.S. intelligence agencies, has compromised U.S. telecommunications networks; another has penetrated U.S. infrastructure, including water supply plants, electricity grids, and transportation. Yet, in typical contradictory behavior, the Trump administration just halted plans to impose sanctions on Chinas Ministry of State Security in response to Salt Typhoon. The security plan devotes pages to Trumps penchant for trade deals and tariffs with Beijing, which it claims will ensure U.S. superiority in advanced technology. In another capitulation, however, Trump just agreed that Nvidia can sell advanced H200 chips to China, threatening that very U.S. superiority in advanced technology. Trump apparently wants to avoid displeasing Xi before traveling to Beijing for a summit in April. The president doesnt want to interfere with his hopes of closing a brilliant trade deal. In other words, national security can be ignored when it contradicts the prospect of illusory economic gains whether it be deals with China or Russia. And the president counts on his brilliance to secure both with his pals Putin and Xi (although he has repeatedly been bested by each of them). This fatal flaw is at the heart of NSS 2025. READ MORE: Follow the money to understand Trumps plan for peace in Ukraine | Trudy Rubin But the uglier and more gut-wrenching flaw is the documents attack on Europe, its democratic values, and its support for Ukraine. The 2017 NSS read: A strong and free Europe is of vital importance to the United States. We are bound together by our shared commitment to the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. The Promoting European Greatness section of the new NSS echoes Vice President JD Vances tirade against European democracies, which I heard firsthand at the Munich Security Conference in February. Rather than speaking about the Russian war on Ukraine that threatens all of Europe, Vance denounced Germany for not inviting the extreme right, neo fascist Alternative fur Deutschland party into a governing coalition. READ MORE: Vice President Vance attacks Europeans at 2025 Munich Security Conference The 2025 NSS contends that Europe is on the verge of civilizational erasure because of immigration policies; instead, it promotes (white) nationalist, anti-immigration political parties. It slurs the European Union for its multilateralism (which the United States promoted after World War II, and which brought political and economic stability to the continent). And instead of supporting NATO allies as Russia attacks them with drones, cuts their underwater cables, and conducts sabotage and assassinations on European soil, the White House blames the Europeans for regarding Russia as an existential threat. Our goal, the document reads, should be to help Europe correct its current trajectory. There is something truly sick here. Trump thinks China and Russia are his potential partners, while Europe is in the way on Ukraine, on human rights, on warnings about Russia, on its own regulation of technology. Forget about common values or shared commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Unabashed to intervene in domestic European politics, the document calls on Europeans to restore strategic stability with Russia, meaning pressure Kyiv into signing a deal that consigns Ukraine to permanent domination by Moscow. And the U.S. wants Europe to take over most of NATOs conventional defense capabilities, from intelligence to missiles by 2027, an impossible feat. Moreover, the White House is actively promoting as part of its security strategy the success of radical white nationalist parties in Britain, France, Germany, and elsewhere that are pro-Moscow and eager to do any and all business with Beijing. In other words, a Europe led by parties that are hostile to American security interests. The NSS 2025 envisions an alliance of authoritarian governments and their imitators, including Russia, China, the United States - and far-right European parties that dislike NATO, want to end the European Union, and prefer deals with dictators to defending democracy. This is what Trump advocates, although he doesnt grasp that it would destroy him as well as his country. Fortunately, Europe wont capitulate, nor will our allies in Asia. Nor would most Americans, I believe, if they only knew what the Trump national security policy is all about. Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small signing a form before leaving the courtroom after his arraignment before Judge Bernard DeLury in Mays Landing, N.J. on Oct. 10, 2024. Read more MAYS LANDING, N.J. The daughter of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. took the stand in an Atlantic County courtroom Tuesday morning to testify against him at trial as he stands accused of physically abusing her. As a Superior Court judge looked on, the teen told jurors her father had beaten and punched her and struck her with a broom. Advertisement He put his hands on me, she said. Small, a Democrat, faces charges of child endangerment, aggravated assault, and witness tampering in connection with a series of incidents in which prosecutors say he punched, beat, and threatened his then-15-year-old daughter, largely over his disapproval of her relationship with her boyfriend. He has denied any wrongdoing, and his lawyers have challenged his daughters credibility. The girl, now 17, recounted the abuse in a soft voice, calmly answering prosecutors questions and rejecting suggestions by an attorney for her father that she had lied about key details. My dad came home and he was like, upset, the girl said as prosecutors asked her about crimes they allege took place in the Small family home in January 2024. She said her mother had recently gone through her phone and learned that she had sneaked her boyfriend into the house. Her father, she testified, was mad and disappointed. As she sat in a chair that she recalled as having a Philadelphia Flyers theme, she told the jury, he hit her with a belt and punched her in the legs. Louis Barbone, an attorney for Small, maintained that there were inconsistencies in statements the girl gave to investigators, and he disputed her account of the incident with the broom. Earlier in the day, prosecutors played video footage they say the teen recorded at home. Though the camera did not show images of Small or others, it captured the sound of the girl and her parents screaming amid what prosecutors described as the chaos that descended on the home after the teen started a relationship they did not approve of. Prosecutors also showed Instagram messages the girl exchanged with her boyfriend about the alleged abuse, including one in which she told him, Im scared to get in the shower because my bruise is gonna burn." Smalls daughter told jurors that as her father was rousing his family one January morning to attend the Atlantic City Peace Walk, she did not have her hair done and didnt want to go. She said she and her father argued and he pushed her, so she splashed him with laundry detergent. Small, she said, then got a broom and struck her multiple times in the forehead. She testified that she passed out, and the next thing she remembered was her father telling her brother to get her some water. On cross examination, Barbone returned to a theme he struck in his opening statement to the jury on Monday that Small was a caring father who, watching his daughters life veer off course because of a relationship he believed to be manipulative and inappropriate, had legally disciplined a disobedient child. He told jurors prosecutors did not have a recording of the incident involving a broom, and he said the girl had been wielding a butter knife and the injuries she sustained that day happened when she fell as the two wrestled for the broom. Barbone said the teen had exaggerated her injuries, and he noted that when initially questioned by investigators, she told them she felt safe at home. I didnt want to get taken away, the girl said, so I said, yes. The trial is expected to continue through the end of the week. Admiral Rachel Levine, pictured at Bryn Mawr College in 2022, was the first openly transgender official confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The Trump administration changed the name on her official portrait to her birth name during the federal shutdown. Read more While the federal government was shut down, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services altered the name under the official portrait of Admiral Rachel Levine, a Pennsylvania doctor who served as the agencys assistant secretary under former President Joe Biden, to her birth name or dead name. Levine, who had previously served as Pennsylvania physician general and secretary of health under Gov. Tom Wolf, was the first openly transgender official confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Deadnaming using a transgender persons birth name rather than the one they chose is a horrible thing to do to vilify a group of people, said Deja Alvarez a LGBTQ community leader. Its beyond reprehensible. Levine has not spoken publicly about the action, which was first reported Friday by National Public Radio. In a brief statement delivered by her former deputy assistant secretary for health policy Adrian Shanker, Levine described the name change as a petty action and said she wouldnt comment. Shanker, a fellow at the Lehigh University College of Health, manages Levines public engagements. Levine, 68, has received expressions of sympathy and outrage since Friday, Shanker said. Condemning the alteration of Levines portrait, he said, it was hard to understand that this was a priority under a government shutdown. What do you expect from people acting more like high school bullies than federal officials? HHS didnt respond to requests for comment. Agency officials told NPR in a written statement: 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. As Pennsylvanias health secretary, Levine led the states response to COIVID-19 and became a familiar figure in 2020, standing at a lectern in Harrisburg, answering questions about the deadly pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, Levine led the states response to the opioid epidemic. She also helped establish Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program. Under Biden, Levine also worked on issues related to HIV, syphilis, climate change, and long COVID. Levine was a pediatrician who worked at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for 20 years before moving into public life. Throughout her career, Levine earned ... recognition through decades of expertise and leadership, said State Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny) in a statement Tuesday. HHSs decision to strip [her legal] name is an act of political malice. The Trump administration has made numerous efforts to counter civil rights gains transgender and LGBTQ Americans had previously won. These include issuing an executive order on Jan. 20 that redefined the word sex in federal programs and services to refer only to biological characteristics at conception as well as restricting gender-affirming medical care for people under age 19, banning trans Americans from military service and eliminating protections for transgender people. Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article. Chris Thomas, 29, is an Upper Frederick Township volunteer firefighter and former Philadelphia school teacher who says he is running a campaign focused on making Pennsylvania more affordable for working people. Read more A Montgomery County Democratic Committee leader has set his sights on unseating a Republican state senator in the suburbs part of a larger effort by Pennsylvania Democrats to flip the state Senate for the first time in 31 years. Chris Thomas, the former executive director of the Montgomery County Democratic Committee, who left his role at the end of November to run for Senate, launched his bid on Wednesday to challenge State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, a first-term senator representing parts of Montgomery and Berks Counties. Advertisement Thomas, 29, is also an Upper Frederick Township volunteer firefighter and taught in a Philadelphia public school for a year prior to his jump into politics. His campaign is focused on increasing public school funding, finding a new funding stream for mass transit, and making Pennsylvania more affordable for working people. Thomas announced his campaign with dozens of endorsements from state and local elected officials, including five sitting senators from the Philadelphia suburbs. He also secured the endorsement of House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), another driving force behind the Democratic efforts to flip the state Senate in the 2026 midterm election in attempts to control all three branches of Pennsylvanias government. Pennsylvania is one of few divided legislatures in the country, where Democrats hold a narrow majority in the state House, 102-101, and Republicans control the Senate, 27-23. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, and House Democrats frequently butt heads with GOP Senate leaders. By flipping two seats next November, Democrats would tie the chamber 25-25 and Democratic Lt. Gov. Austin Davis would act as a tiebreaker. But Democrats are targeting four GOP-held seats, three of which are in the Philadelphia suburbs, in hopes of gaining control in the upper chamber for the first time in 31 years. READ MORE: How Democrats hope to use SEPTA cuts to flip the state Senate for the first time in 31 years The GOP-controlled state Senate has been a thorn in the side of Shapiro and House Democrats, as the more conservative members of the GOP Senate caucus have objected to most spending increases and rejected top Democratic priorities, like a long-term revenue source for mass transit. The state budget, passed in November, was 135 days late, requiring school districts, counties, and social service providers to take out loans or lay off staff to continue operating during the monthslong standoff. Mirroring national efforts to win control of congressional seats, Pennsylvania Democrats are targeting GOP-held districts that President Donald Trump won in 2024 but Shapiro carried in 2022. With Pennsylvanias popular first-term governor and potential 2028 contender back at the top of the ticket and a methodical, behind-the-scenes effort by Shapiro to orchestrate a decisive year for Democrats in 2026 Democrats see it as possible this time around. READ MORE: Democrats are already planning for 2026 and think they can flip these four Pa. congressional seats Thomas first order of business if he is elected to Harrisburg and Democrats flip the chamber: electing Democratic floor leaders in the chamber. No meaningful legislation moves in Harrisburg unless we fix whos in charge, and right now Sen. Pennycuick is supporting a Senate leadership thats failed working people, Thomas said. Pennycuick said she welcomes this campaign as an opportunity to talk about the successes she has achieved while serving in the state Senate, such as her support for public education funding, reducing overreaching regulations, and her bipartisan proposal to create safeguards around artificial intelligence. Kofi Osei, a Towamencin Township supervisor and Democrat, has also announced his bid for Senate District 24, which stretches along the northwestern parts of Montgomery County and into parts of Berks County. The state Senate Democratic Campaign Committee does not endorse candidates in a primary election, and will support whoever wins the Democratic nomination in Pennsylvanias May 19 primary. However, State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D., Philadelphia), who chairs the SDCC, said Thomas candidacy is the right time and the right moment. Im really excited about having a young person in there, generating young people and getting young people motivated, Hughes added. The state Senate Republican Campaign Committee, meanwhile, is fundraising off Democrats efforts to flip the states upper chamber, warning voters that Democratic special interest group dollars are already pouring in. State Democrats have made it clear their goal is to have a blue trifecta in Pennsylvania in 2026, the SRCC wrote in a fundraising email Tuesday. They know Senate Republicans are the last line of defense against Josh Shapiro and PA House Democrats far-left agenda. Thomas was a public school teacher for one year at the Northeast Community Propel Academy, teaching seventh-grade math and science. He comes from a family of educators, he said, but quickly realized he needed to get more involved to improve the education system and government services to better serve these students. He made the jump to politics to try to make change. I was sitting there, trying to feed my kids in the morning to make sure they had full stomachs to learn, having supplies to make sure theyre fully equipped for the day, Thomas added. I saw a system that wasnt working for our students. If elected, Thomas would be Pennsylvanias youngest sitting state senator, and would join State Sen. Joe Picozzi (R., Philadelphia), 30, as part of a new generation of leaders hoping to shape the states future. Our generation has grown up during economic crashes, school shootings, endless wars, and now were watching our parents and grandparents struggle to retire with dignity, Thomas said. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker leaves the stage after addressing congregants at The Church of Christian Compassion in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Parker visited 10 churches in Philadelphia on Sunday to share details about her H.O.M.E. housing plan. Read more For almost two years, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has dominated Philadelphia City Hall with an unbending approach to negotiations. On Wednesday, City Council signaled those days may be over. Advertisement During a combative hearing on legislation related to Parkers signature housing initiative, Council President Kenyatta Johnson on Wednesday afternoon refused to allow a vote on an amendment brought by the Parker administration and instead advanced Councils version of the proposal over the mayors objections. READ MORE: City Council took a rare stand against Mayor Parker by allotting more housing funds to the poorest Philadelphians In a voice vote, Councils Committee on Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation approved its own changes to the legislation authorizing the city to take out $800 million in city bonds to fund Parkers Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., initiative without considering the mayors requested tweaks. Councilmembers Brian ONeill, Anthony Phillips, and Curtis Jones Jr. signaled their support for Parkers vision by voting against the measure, which now heads to the Council floor for a final passage vote or further amendments, either of which could come as soon as January. It is unclear how Johnsons handling of H.O.M.E. will change the tight working relationship Parker and Johnson have maintained since both took office in January 2024. Wednesdays vote marked their most contentious public disagreement during their tenures. Both officials still agree on many policy goals and have plenty to gain politically from maintaining their alliance. READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson are trying to bring back the 90s in City Hall The dispute between Parker and Council centers on income eligibility thresholds for two of the housing programs that will be funded by bond proceeds: the Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP), which provides funding for needed home improvements to eligible owners who might be displaced by costly repairs, and the Adaptive Modification Program (AMP), which funds projects to improve mobility for permanently disabled renters and homeowners. Parker had structured the H.O.M.E. initiative with unusually high income cutoffs to make its programs more easily accessible to middle-class households, saying they are often left out of city assistance programs despite being crushed by rising costs. The whole debate over income eligibility limits for BSRP and Adaptive Modifications is to make sure that we leave no working Philadelphian and no qualifying Philly rowhome owner excluded from these vital programs, Parker said in a statement Wednesday. If we dont save Philly rowhomes, were going to become a city of used-to-be neighborhoods, blocks that used to be nice but now are showing signs of age and decline. I will not allow that to happen not on my watch as Mayor of Philadelphia. In a win for progressives, Council instead stuck to its plan of prioritizing lower-income Philadelphians. READ MORE: City Council took a rare stand against Mayor Parker by allotting more housing funds to the poorest Philadelphians Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who chairs the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, said Wednesdays vote sent the message that Council takes its job seriously as a steward of taxpayer money in the city of Philadelphia, that we are not here to just rubber-stamp in a proposal, that were here to work together. Change in fortunes for Parker Wednesdays vote appears to mark the first instance of Parkers hard-line negotiating tactics failing her since she took office. Even when she could not get negotiating counterparts to bend to her will in the past, Parker has largely prevailed. Last year, for instance, Council declined to vote on one of Parkers school board nominees. But the nominee, incumbent board member Joyce Wilkerson, then pulled out a letter from Parker instructing her to remain on the board until the mayor names a replacement, which she still has not done. And in July, when the largest union for city workers went on strike to try to squeeze larger raises out of the administration, Parker stuck to her guns amid increasing pressure to fold as trash piled up across the city and 911 wait times grew longer. The union ultimately folded after an eight-day work stoppage with a new contract that closely aligned with Parkers last offer before the strike began. READ MORE: They are my people: Mayor Cherelle Parker on why she stood firm in the DC 33 city worker strike But this time, Parker appears to be out of options to prevent Council from getting its way because she cannot veto another key piece of legislation to keep the housing initiative in motion that needs to pass before the city can issue the bonds. That measure a resolution setting the first-year budget for H.O.M.E. that received preliminary approval in a Council committee last week could see final approval as soon as Thursday. In a last-ditch effort to rally public support for her version of how the H.O.M.E. bonds should be spent, Parker on Sunday barnstormed across 10 Philadelphia churches. Weve got to take care of the people who are most in need, but we cant penalize the people who are going to work every day, pay their taxes, contribute to the city, and they cant benefit from home improvement programs, she said. READ MORE: Amid City Hall tensions, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker seeks public support at Philly churches for her H.O.M.E. initiative That maneuver did not appear to go over well with lawmakers, who likely did not appreciate the mayor encouraging their constituents to oppose Councils version of the plan. Even before chief of staff Tiffany W. Thurman presented Parkers amendment at Wednesdays hearing, lawmakers sounded off, with Gauthier saying the administration was spreading misinformation and Councilmember Nicolas ORourke calling Parkers approach Trumpian. It was in response to misinformation being spread during that tour, said Gauthier, who, along with fellow progressive Councilmember Rue Landau, led the charge to lower the income eligibility thresholds included in H.O.M.E. Gauthier noted that Councils version of the bill still increases those thresholds beyond what is offered in existing programs. Obviously, the mayor, all of us, have the right to go and talk to our constituents, she said, but we have to be operating from a fact-based perspective, and telling folks that the Council proposal excludes them is not factual. No vote on Parker amendment The legislative process for approving the city bond issuance the centerpiece of Parkers H.O.M.E. initiative, which she first proposed in March has been long and tortured. Council initially approved the bond authorization in June, but lawmakers at that time inserted a provision requiring the administration to get their approval for annual budget resolutions determining how the proceeds will be spent. READ MORE: Council takes up Mayor Cherelle Parkers $800M housing bond request with a catch Johnson delayed a vote on the first H.O.M.E. budget resolution for months before allowing it to be approved last week by the Committee of the Whole. But lawmakers made major changes over the mayors objections, including granting themselves the right to set income thresholds for the initiatives programs. It was the first sign that Council was serious about enacting its own ideas even if Parker was not on board and, in Councils view, would not negotiate. In a twist, lawmakers took their latest stand Wednesday at a time when the mayors team came to the table with a significant, albeit last-minute, counteroffer. Councils changes to the eligibility requirements for BSRP and AMP would require 90% of the H.O.M.E. bond proceeds for those programs to be spent on households making 60% of Philadelphias area median income, which is about $71,640 for a family of four. Thurman on Tuesday proposed a compromise in which only 60% of bond money would be set aside for those households. She told lawmakers that Parker, in part, wants to ensure H.O.M.E. helps city workers, who are required to live in Philadelphia but often struggle to make ends meet on municipal salaries. (Parker pointed to the H.O.M.E. plan during the strike as evidence she backed city workers despite opposing higher wages.) Johnson responded that he hopes one day our city workers are getting paid enough where they dont have to sign up for assistance programs. You know as well as I do we agree, Thurman replied, prompting Johnson to cut her off. Im not acknowledging you yet, Johnson said, referring to a Council hearing procedure in which the chair must recognize speakers. Parkers latest offer, which came months into the standoff over H.O.M.E., appears to have been too little, too late. Phillips who voted for the Council budget resolution last week but said he has since changed his mind to support Parkers vision wanted to call up the administrations amendment for a vote, he said in an interview. This week I changed my mind because thats where my mind really has been, said Phillips, who represents the Northwest Philadelphia-based 9th District that Parker held when she was on Council. The 9th District neighbors theyve made abundantly clear that our housing policy needs to reflect them. Theyre long-term homeowners, residents who are on fixed incomes, multigenerational families. Under Council rules, only Johnson can call on members to put forward amendments in committee. But instead he blocked it, prompting Jones, Parkers most vocal ally on Council, to protest. We should do the right thing always, even in spite of its inconvenience and time, Jones said during Council. Resolutions and amendments need to be introduced so that they can get the light of day and be heard. Johnson said he pushed through Councils version because the mayors administration did not engage with him about its new proposal ahead of the meeting. Just for the record I had not officially seen any official amendment prior to this actual hearing, Johnson said. The administration just showed up. Despite Wednesdays vote, the fight over H.O.M.E. may not be over. Councilmember Mike Driscoll, a Parker ally who voted to advance the bond authorization, signaled there may be further changes. I wanted to keep the HOME initiative process moving, Driscoll said in a statement, but still hope to influence a reasonable solution which includes program support for row home Philadelphians. PA Delegation Chair Sharif Street, gathers with delegates for Roll Call Rehearsal on Tuesday, Aug 20, 2024 at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Read more Former Gov. Ed Rendell endorsed Democratic State Sen. Sharif Street in his bid to represent Philadelphia in Congress. In his endorsement, Rendell, who was Philadelphias mayor from 1992 to 2000, called Street someone with a track record of delivering for working families in Philadelphia. Advertisement With our nation in crisis, we need fighters like Sharif Street representing us in Congress, Rendell said in a statement Wednesday. Ive known Sharif since he was a teenager, and hes spent his entire career fighting for our community, Rendell said, commending Streets work as a state legislator to help implement Pennsylvanias Affordable Care Act exchange, Pennie, and delivering money to programs that work to reduce gun violence. Street, a former chair of the state Democratic Party, has worked closely with Rendell on party business and fundraising in the past. The candidates father, former Mayor John F. Street, served as City Council president during Rendells mayorship before succeeding him in the office. The endorsement comes as the race for the 3rd Congressional District heats up. U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans decision to retire has kicked off the citys first competitive primary in more than a decade with one of most Democratic-leaning districts in the country up for grabs. Evans endorsed Ala Stanford, a physician, founder of Philadelphias Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, and former regional director at the U.S. Department of Health. Two of Streets Harrisburg colleagues, State Reps. Chris Rabb and Morgan Cephas, are also running, as is intensive-care physician Dave Oxman. A half dozen other hopefuls include Jahmiel Jackson, a West Philly native and recent University of Chicago graduate; Isaiah Martin, a 25-year-old real estate developer and executive director of Empowered CDC, which runs community programs in Southwest Philadelphia; Pablo McConnie-Saad, a Bella Vista resident and former U.S. Treasury Department adviser in the Biden administration; Temple University computer science professor Karl Morris; and former city employee Robin Toldens. Rendells endorsement further solidifies Street as the early Democratic establishment favorite in the race. Street also received endorsements from several city labor unions. Im honored to accept the endorsement of a leader like Governor Rendell, Street said in a statement, calling the endorsement part of a broad-based coalition from labor unions to elected officials to community activists. Streets strength with the establishment could become a target in the race. At the first campaign forum, held last week, Rabb said he was running because Philadelphians needed a true progressive representing them, not another establishment ally. There has been no independent polling done in the race, but an internal poll from Streets campaign, conducted by Democratic pollster Celinda Lakes firm, showed him with a 5-percentage-point lead (22%) over Rabb (17%), with Stanford (11%), Cephas (7%), and Oxman (2%) behind them. The survey of 500 likely 2026 Democratic primary voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. But the survey showed a plurality of voters, 36%, were undecided. The Supreme Court on Wednesday wrestled with whether to allow Alabama to execute a man with low cognitive function, a ruling that could set new rules for states to condemn those with borderline intellectual disabilities to death row. Roughly two hours of intense arguments did not seem to produce a consensus among the justices over how states should assess IQ tests to determine mental disability. Advertisement In a landmark 2002 ruling Atkins v. Virginia, the court decided that sentencing a mentally disabled person to death violated the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, but left it up to states to come up with standards for determining who is too disabled. Since then, the rules states have used to determine who is ineligible for the death penalty have come before the court several times, in part because many death row inmates skirt the line of intellectual disability. In the current case, Alabama is asking the court to cut back on protections that those previous rulings have given to those who have borderline intellectual disabilities. The case involves how lower courts weighed Alabamas use of multiple IQ tests to decide Joseph Clifton Smith should face death for robbing and killing a man in 1997. Under Alabamas death penalty rules, a defendant is ineligible for the death penalty if he or she has an IQ at or below 70 and significant deficits in everyday skills and those issues occurred before adulthood. Many states have similar IQ thresholds. In Wednesdays argument, Robert Overing, deputy solicitor general for Alabama, told the justices that lower courts, which threw out Smiths death sentence, had placed too much weight on a single low IQ score and additional evidence of impairment, rather than considering the cumulative results of five tests that placed Smith above the IQ cutoff. He said the latter was a more accurate yardstick for his abilities. He didnt come close to proving an IQ of 70 or below ... but the lower courts changed the rules, Overing said. The courts three liberal justices expressed skepticism the law required lower courts to consider the cumulative effect of multiple scores as Overing suggested. In previous rulings, the high court said defendants were permitted to offer additional evidence of cognitive impairment if IQ scores fell below the threshold, but Overing downplayed that idea. That drew rebukes from the liberals as well as questions from conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh. What youve done is shift this to be all about the IQ test, which is not supported by our case law, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson told Overing. Kavanaugh asked at another point about additional evidence: Whats the logic or the rationale or the sense behind not having a district court or a trial court or a state court have the ability in those circumstances to go on and look at more? he asked. Justice Neil Gorsuch floated the idea of a ruling that would allow states to set the threshold for a claim of mental disability, but not allow eligibility to turn solely on a single IQ test score. Any additional evidence of impairment would not be allowed to outweigh a low test score. But there was little agreement among the justices as they groped for the proper standard. Smiths murder case began in 1997, while he was on work release from prison. Smith and an accomplice robbed a man of $140 and killed him. A jury convicted Smith of capital murder during a robbery and sentenced him to death. After the courts 2002 decision in the Atkins case, Smith filed a petition in federal court arguing his intellectual disability met the criteria to bar his execution. The case has gone back and forth in the lower courts ever since. During an evidentiary hearing, testimony revealed Smith had scored 75, 74, 72, 78 and 74 on IQ tests over the course of his lifetime. Those were the scores Overing, the lawyer for Alabama, pointed to in arguing that the cumulative effect of the tests placed Smith slightly above the states IQ cutoff. The federal district judge considering the case, however, pointed to the test on which Smith scored 72, saying it indicated his IQ could be as low as 69, since the test had a three-point error range. For that reason, the court allowed Smith to present additional evidence of his impairment to assess his cognitive function. In seventh grade, Smiths school classified him as Educable Mentally Retarded, meaning he had mild intellectual disability. Smith never consistently held a job, never had a bank account and had difficulty following laws, according to testimony in the lower court hearings. He also acted impulsively, and read and did math at a low level. The court determined Smiths actual functioning was comparable to someone who was intellectually disabled so he couldnt be sentenced to death. After an appeals court ruled in Smiths favor, Alabama appealed to the Supreme Court. The high court vacated the decision, asking the appeals court to clarify whether its ruling was based solely on one low IQ score or had considered other evidence and expert testimony. The appeals court once again found Smith was intellectually disabled and said its decision was based on a holistic approach that considered Smiths deficits in everyday skills along with the IQ score of 72. Alabama again appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to take up the case it heard Wednesday. Seth P. Waxman, an attorney for Smith, said the lower courts had not erred in their assessment of Smith and it was proper to consider additional evidence of his impairment. Every court in Alabama ... this court and every other court in every other state that I am aware of understands that raw observed test scores is not the definition of true IQ, Waxman said. But Harry Graver, an attorney for the Trump administration, which backed Alabamas position, said the lower court did not give proper weight to the multiple IQ scores. Even if you look at other evidence, you still need to circle back and see how that weighs against the evidence on the other side of the scale, Graver said. Smiths case is not the first time the Supreme Court has tackled intellectual disability and the death penalty. In a 2014 case from Florida and a 2019 case from Texas, the high court noted that IQ tests are not precise. In the 2019 case, the court specifically said that lower courts needed to consider the possible error range in IQ scores. The chair of Ben & Jerrys independent board said she has no plans to resign as Unilever pressured her ahead of Mondays public spinoff of its Magnum ice cream division, which will include the Vermont-based brand. Magnum, a longtime division of the consumer goods conglomerate, said last month that the chair, Anuradha Mittal, no longer meets the criteria to serve after internal investigations, without providing further details. Magnum began listing publicly on Euronext on Monday, and is inheriting a deepening corporate feud between Unilever and Ben & Jerrys, stemming from the politically progressive brands stance on the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. An audit of the separate Ben & Jerrys Foundation, a U.S.-based non-profit where Mittal is also a trustee, found deficiencies in financial controls and governance. Mittal has been the chair of Ben & Jerrys independent board since 2018, according to her LinkedIn profile, and a trustee of the foundation since 2012, according to its website. ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE BOARD The so-called audit of the foundation was a manufactured inquiry engineered to attempt to discredit me, Mittal said in her statement, saying she will not resign. It is important to understand that this is not simply an attack on me as chair. It is Unilevers attempt to undermine the authority of the Board itself. Mittal said she is carrying out her role as chair with respect for the social mission and product quality responsibilities given to the board in Ben & Jerrys 2000 merger agreement with Unilever. This is not about individuals, it is about the consistent application of good governance principles and practices across The Magnum Ice Cream Company, Magnum said in a statement on Monday. Magnum said the audit was carried out in preparation for its demerger from Unilever. Unilever said it had requested the audit as a matter of good governance and that Magnum was taking appropriate steps in response to the audits findings. As a standalone unit, Magnum will command roughly one-fifth of the global ice cream market. The company has warned in securities filings that actions by Ben & Jerrys could result in reputational damage, boycotts or investor claims. The Ben & Jerrys independent board is aimed at preserving the brands social mission, while the foundation, a separate U.S.-based non-profit, receives millions in contributions solely from the company based on how much of the premium ice cream is sold. YEARS OF CLASHES The board has sued Unilever twice in recent years, most recently accusing its corporate parent of censoring it over statements it wanted to make on Gaza. Unilever has said the brand had evolved into one-sided advocacy on polarizing topics. In a separate statement, the foundations board of trustees said it has been told that the audits central unresolved issue is Unilever/Magnums demand that Anuradha Mittal be removed as a Foundation trustee. It said Magnum and Unilever continues to withhold funding for the foundation despite contractual obligations and the organizations cooperation with the audit. Magnum said it had fully funded the foundation for 2025 and was ready to do so in the future, provided the trustees address the governance issues it raised. The counsel for the independent board added that the Ben & Jerrys Foundations governance has been the same for over 20 years. Either Unilever has been asleep at the wheel for over 20 years while disbursing millions, or there is an ulterior motive, it said. (Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York; editing by David Gaffen, Nick Zieminski and Bernadette Baum) Japan still lags behind the US and Europe in defending against cyber threats and improvements are needed across the corporate sector, the nations new cyber chief said. We have our intention to improve our capability, but its just started, National Cyber Director Yoichi Iida said in an interview with Bloomberg News on the sidelines of a cybersecurity conference in Tokyo on Tuesday. A string of recent breaches have highlighted Japans vulnerabilities. A crippling ransomware attack halted operations at Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., while Askul Corp. suffered a breach that disrupted its e-commerce platform. Nikkei Inc. also reported a virus infection that may have exposed employee and business partner information. Read more: Japanese Companies Brace for More Attacks as Cybercrimes Climb At the CYDEF 2025 conference, Iida said the severity and volume of cyberattacks against Japan had increased significantly, with an internet-connected device facing some form of malicious communication every 13 seconds. Smaller Japanese companies remain the most exposed because of a lack of resources, but larger firms are far from immune, he told Bloomberg shortly after his speech. I would not be surprised if I found some hole or some mistake even by the major companies, Iida said. Japans goal is to raise its level of cybersecurity to at least the standard of advanced western nations such as the US and European countries. Earlier this year, it adopted an active cyber-defense law that will allow authorities to seek to neutralize the source of malicious cyberactivity and publicize information about attackers to attempt to deter further activity. Cybersecurity has been highlighted as one of the priority investment areas under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis administration, and Iidas position was newly created in July to coordinate national strategy. Tokyo has stepped up cooperation with allies as state-linked hacking campaigns intensify. In September, Japan joined other nations in releasing an advisory about an alleged Chinese state-sponsored cyber espionage group known as Salt Typhoon that they said was targeting telecommunications companies and their customers. Iida said that while China, Russia and North Korea appeared to be the source of many attacks, it often wasnt clear who was directing them. Read more: Australia Spy Chief Warns of China Hackers Probing Networks Despite heightened tensions between Japan and China over the last month following remarks by Takaichi related to Taiwan, Iida said there hadnt been any noticeable change in cyberattacks originating from China. I am not aware of it, he said. One of the biggest challenges is building up the human resources to boost both public and private cybersecurity, Iida said. There also needed to be much more awareness of simple steps to improve security, including the use of multi-factor authentication. Even a simple action could prevent a cyberattack like changing the password, he said. Photograph: Japans National Cyber Director Yoichi Iida; photo credit: Alastair Gale/Bloomberg Related: Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion farm aid package Dec. 8 a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war. He unveiled the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers from farm states, and farmers who thanked him for the help. With this bridge payment, well be able to farm another year, Iowa farmer Cordt Holub told Trump during the event. Rollins put the immediate value of the program at $11 billion money that the White House said will offer one-time payments to row-crop farmers. Another $1 billion will be put aside for specialty crops as the administration works to better understand the circumstances for those farmers, Rollins said. The aid will move by the end of February, she said. We looked at how they were hurt, to what extent they were hurt, Trump said, explaining how the administration came up with the size of the package. Trump said the money for the program will come from tariff revenue. Later this month, the USDA will use a formula that estimates production costs to come up with a per-acre payment for each type of crop. Payments will be capped at $155,000 per farm or person, and only entities that make less than $900,000 a year will be eligible for aid. That will limit payments to large farms, which was a criticism of farm aid Trump delivered in his first term. Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and frequently changing tariff rates have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries. The aid is the administrations latest effort to defend Trumps economic stewardship and answer voter angst about rising costs. Trump has been dismissive of the affordability issue at times, but on Tuesday, he is set to travel to Pennsylvania to talk about how his administration is trying to address a concern that is important for voters. China purchases have been slow Soybeans and sorghum were hit the hardest by Trumps trade dispute with China because more than half those crops are exported each year with most of the harvest going to China. In October, after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. China is the worlds largest buyer of soybeans, but in recent years it has increasingly been shifting its purchases over to Brazil and other South American nations. China has purchased more than 2.8 million metric tons of soybeans since Trump announced the agreement at the end of October. Thats only about one quarter of what administration officials said China had promised, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said China is on track to meet its goal by the end of February, which is two months later than the White House originally promised. The size of the $12 billion aid package is roughly the value of total U.S. soybean exports to China in 2024 and half the total exports of U.S. farm goods to China in 2024. Farmers say their costs have surged Farmers appreciate the aid package, but they say its likely only a down payment on whats needed and government aid doesnt solve the fundamental problems of soaring costs and uncertain markets. During Trumps first term, he gave farmers more than $22 billion in aid payments in 2019 at the start of his trade war with China and nearly $46 billion in 2020, although that year also included aid related to the COVID pandemic. Farmers say want to make a profit off selling their crops not rely on government aid to survive. Thats a start, but I think we need to be looking for some avenues to find other funding opportunities and we need to get our markets going. Thats where we want to be able to make a living from, said Caleb Ragland, a Kentucky farmer who serves as president of the American Soybean Association. Most at risk are younger farmers and those who rent instead of own their land because they dont have much ability to borrow against the equity in their farms. If farmers cant make ends meet this year, there could be additional consolidation in the industry with giant industrial farms getting bigger and the number of smaller family farmers continuing to shrink. Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt is in a difficult position because he only owns 160 of the 2,000 acres he farms. So he says hes selling some of his equipment thats not essential and looking into whether he can pick up some overnight trucking jobs to help raise some cash. It is to the point where I dont want to saddle my kid with the kind of stress that my wife and I are under right now, Ewoldt said. But fourth-generation Minnesota farmer Darin Johnson said hes more optimistic that most farmers will be able to endure this latest trade war. A lot of farms are pretty well-established and they have the equity to be able to still keep borrowing money to get through tougher times like this, Johnson said. Trump has also been under pressure to address soaring beef prices. Trump has asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meat packers he accused of driving up the price of beef, although he has not provided evidence to back his claims. On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to look at anti-competitive behavior in food supply chains including seed, fertilizer and equipment and consider taking enforcement actions or developing new regulations. Photo: President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on farm subsidies in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington, as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins listens. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) ___ Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price in Washington, Bill Barrow in Atlanta and Jack Dura in Bismarck, North Dakota, contributed to this report. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Agribusiness China The Trump administration is bringing back dozens of Department of Education staffers who were slated to be laid off, saying their help is needed to tackle a mounting backlog of discrimination complaints from students and families. The staffers had been on administrative leave while the department faced lawsuits challenging layoffs in the agencys Office for Civil Rights, which investigates possible discrimination in the nations schools and colleges. But in a Friday letter, department officials ordered the workers back to duty starting Dec. 15 to help clear civil rights cases. A department spokesperson confirmed the move, saying the government still hoped to lay off the staffers to shrink the size of the department. 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, Julie Hartman said in a statement. In the letter to employees, obtained by The Associated Press, officials said the department needs all OCR staff to prioritize OCRs existing complaint caseload. The office handles everything from complaints about possible violations of disability rights to racial discrimination. More than 200 workers from the Office for Civil Rights were targeted in mass layoffs at the department, but the firings have been tied up in legal battles since March. An appeals court cleared the way for the cuts in September, but theyre again on hold because of a separate lawsuit. In all, the Education Department workforce has shrunk from 4,100 when President Donald Trump took office to roughly half that size now, as the president vows to wind down the agency. The department did not say how many workers are returning to duty. Some who have been on administrative leave for months have since left. The Office for Civil Rights had a backlog of about 20,000 discrimination cases when Trump took office in January. Since then, with a significantly reduced workforce, the backlog has grown to more than 25,000, AP reporting has shown using department data. Trump officials have defended the layoffs even as complaints pile up, saying the office wasnt operating efficiently, even at full staff. The Office for Civil Rights enforces many of the nations laws about civil rights in education, including those barring discrimination based on disability, sex, race and religion. It investigates complaints from students across the country and has the power to cut funding to schools and colleges that violate the law, though most cases are resolved in voluntary agreements. Some former staffers have said theres no way the office can address the current backlog under the staffing levels left after the layoffs. Families who have filed discrimination complaints against their schools say they have noticed the departments staffing shortages, with some waiting months and hearing nothing. Photo: Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Nov. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Training Development The US Department of Justice unveiled additional charges against a Ukrainian woman accused of supporting Russian state-backed cyberattacks against critical infrastructure. Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, 33, was indicted on Tuesday over her alleged links to a Moscow-sponsored group, the DOJ said in a statement. Dubranova was extradited to the US earlier this year over her alleged support for another Russian group. She has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Todays actions demonstrate the departments commitment to disrupting malicious Russian cyber activity whether conducted directly by state actors or their criminal proxies aimed at furthering Russias geopolitical interests, US Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Eisenberg said in the statement. Both groups Dubranova is accused of working with, CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR) and NoName057(16), have strong links to the Russian government, according to the DOJ. CARR was founded, funded, and directed by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, known as GRU, the statement said. The group claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks worldwide, including attacks against critical infrastructure in the United States. The GRU is increasingly leaning into willing accomplices to hide their own hand in destabilizing physical and cyber attacks in Europe and the US, said John Hultquist, chief analyst at Googles Threat Intelligence Group. The GRU and Russias Foreign Ministry didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Bloomberg News has reported on various attacks on US water systems including in Muleshoe, Texas, for which CARR posted a video apparently showing hackers manipulating its industrial control system. The DOJ statement said CARR also attacked a meat processing facility in Los Angeles as well as US election infrastructure and the websites of US nuclear regulatory entities. NoName, it alleged, is a state-sanctioned project established by a Russian presidential order in 2018, and has claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks and primarily conducted DDoS cyberattacks. Its victims include government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure, such as public railways and ports, the US agency said. If convicted, Dubranova faces a sentence of up to 27 years in federal prison. The US Department of State is offering rewards of up to $10 million for information on individuals associated with CARR and NoName. Photo: Photo credit: Jason Alden/Bloomberg Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics USA Russia The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will host its own insurance summit in April, calling it a chance to hear from industry professionals and regulators, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky announced this week. The agenda for the April 15-16 summit in Tallahassee has not been set, but it will be built around the need for forward-thinking solutions in a rapidly evolving industry, the OIR said in the announcement. Crucially, the summit will feature the participation of insurance regulators from around the country, offering a national perspective on market pressures, solvency, and consumer protection gaps, the office noted. Discussions will focus on resiliency, Floridas building code, artificial intelligence (AI) in underwriting, advanced modeling techniques for assessing risk, and the standardization of data collection to improve regulatory oversight and market transparency. The conference will be in the Augustus Turnbull center at Florida State University. The office said more information and an agenda will be posted soon. Update: This article has been updated to show that the OIR corrected the Summit dates to April 15-16. Related: Florida Chamber Insurance Summit Urges Lawmakers to Stay the Course Topics Florida The former court clerk in South Carolina who helped out with the murder trial of attorney Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Monday to criminal charges for showing sealed court exhibits to a photographer and lying about it in court. Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca Becky Hill pleaded guilty in Colleton County Circuit Court to four charges obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it as well as two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting through her public office a book she wrote on the trial. Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill, 58, to three years of probation. The judge told Hill her sentence would have been much harsher if investigators had found that she had tampered with the Murdaugh jury. Hill read a short statement where she asked the judge for a chance to do better. There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. Im ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life, she said. Hill was in charge of taking care of the jury, overseeing exhibits and helping the judge during Murdaughs six-week trial that ended with murder convictions for killing his wife and son. The case involved power, danger, money and privilege and an attorney whose family had lorded over his small South Carolina county for nearly a century. Hill has played a prominent part as Murdaugh appeals his convictions and a sentence of life without parole. His lawyers said Hill tried to influence jurors to vote guilty and that she was biased against Murdaugh for her book. Prosecutors said they investigated jury tampering allegations. Three jurors or alternates suggested Hill said things that may have been an attempt to influence them. Eleven others who were questioned by state agents said she did nothing wrong. Solicitor Rick Hubbard said that would have made it impossible to prove a tampering charge. During Mondays hearing, Hubbard told the judge that a journalist told investigators that Hill showed graphic crime scene photos to several media members. He did not name the journalist. The photos were briefly posted online and Hubbard said metadata from the images matched up with a time where Hills courthouse key card said she was inside the locked room where the photos were kept. Murdaugh is also serving a separate sentence of decades in prison for admitting to stealing millions of dollars from settlements for clients who suffered horrible injuries or deaths and from his familys law firm. An initial appeal by Murdaughs lawyers was denied. But Judge Jean Toal said she wasnt sure Hill told the truth about her dealings with jurors and was attracted by the siren call of celebrity status. Along with showing the sealed exhibits, an arrest warrant said Hill lied to Toal during a January 2024 hearing when the judge asked: Did you allow anyone from the press to view the sealed exhibits? One of Murdadughs lawyers said Hill pleading guilty didnt surprise him. Attorney Dick Harpootlian said he also wasnt surprised the same State Law Enforcement Division that investigated the Murdaugh killings didnt find jury tampering. If Becky admittedly perjured herself in the jury tampering hearing held by Judge Toal, what else could she have lied about? Harpootlian said in a statement. One of the charges misconduct in office involved money that investigators said Hill took for herself. She brought a check to court on Monday to pay back nearly $10,000 meant for bonuses from federal money meant to improve child support collection and about $2,000 in money from the Clerk of Courts office. The warrant on the other misconduct charge said Hill used her public role as clerk of court to promote her book on the Murdaugh trial on social media. The judge said he knows Hill has been more humiliated than most people who come before him because of all the attention from the true crime world on the Murdaugh case. A lot of boats got swept up in the hoopla that was at that trial, Taylor said. A lot of folks probably made a lot of money, but you didnt. Hill was also accused last May of 76 counts of ethics violations. Officials said Hill allowed a photo of Murdaugh in a holding cell to be taken to promote her book on the trial and used county money to buy dozens of lunches for her staff, prosecutors and a vendor. Hill also struck a deal with a documentary maker to use the county courtroom in exchange for promoting her book on the trial, which later she admitted had plagiarized passages, according to the South Carolina Ethics Commission complaint. Hill resigned in March 2024 during the last year of her four-year term, citing the public scrutiny of Murdaughs trial and wanting to spend time with her grandchildren. Photo: Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca Becky Hill smiles after pleading guilty on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in St. Matthews, S.C.. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins) Agriculture minister Martin Heydon said it was his ambition to have more derogation agreements for Ireland secured in the future. Future derogations, that'll be very much my ambition, that we would have that into the future as well, because this is delivering for water quality, but it's also supporting our farmers, and it has proved positive that our farming system in Ireland is very different to the rest of Europe. Ireland's derogation extension was voted in on December 9 by the Nitrates Committee in Brussels. The three-year extension will allow Irish derogation farmers to continue farming under the scheme until the end of 2028, making Ireland the only EU member state still operating under derogation by January 2026. Derogation farmers will operate under the 6th Nitrates Action Programm, and its requirements, which were signed into law this week. Derogation farmers in the Slaney, Barrow, Nore and (Munster) Blackwater river catchment areas will be subjected to additional requirements. The minister remained steadfast in his positive opinion on the derogation extension, despite criticism from environmental organisation An Taisce, which called the vote in favour of the extension a bad day for Irish waterbodies. I genuinely believe that derogation will deliver, Mr Heydon said. I've always said our farmers can't go green environmentally, if theyre in the red financially, and to be financially supported through the range of measures that I've outlined here, but being able to operate at higher stocking density is a really key component of that. "Similarly, I believe it will be counterintuitive, actually, if we were without a derogation, you could actually see a more intensive housing system here, more like the rest of Europe, which will be completely counterproductive and against what most environmentalists would want to see. The minister also addressed the Habitats Directive, which has been in place since the 1990s and with requirements of the derogation extension was the proof of compliance with the directive as required by the EU Commission. He went on to address the worries of people who call the directive outdated, saying that it would do no harm to be re-examined. I have spoken to [environment] Commissioner Roswall previously about the impact the Habitats Directive has across Europe, and that there is a very strong rationale to have a debate and to look to open it up and to see the parts of it that are working. I eat turkey just once a year. Carvery turkey with ham reminds me of bad boarding school dinners and Id eat buckets of cold porridge before low fat/high protein healthy option, industrially-produced turkey slices. But if you serve me up a glistening, golden roasted bird with all the trimmings on Christmas Day, then Ill be yours forever. The Christmas turkey can be quite the palaver, especially if that palaver begins with sourcing. For some years, I cooked superb, local, free range birds from Tom Clancy (Ballycotton Free Range) until he, like too many other small farmers, was squeezed out by the industrial food system. I gave up turkey altogether. Then I learned of Denise Healy, married to dairy farmer Sean Healy, and living in Carrignavar, 10 miles north of Cork city. My mother and father always had turkeys. I remember no Christmas without a turkey. Wouldnt be Christmas without it. Picture: Joe McNamee When I first came to this farm, about 34 years ago, there were no turkeys, just a few hens, but I grew up with turkeys at home, says Denise. My mother and father always had turkeys. I remember no Christmas without a turkey. Wouldnt be Christmas without it. My first Christmas here, there was something missing. So I went to my parents just to help out. The following year I had 20 turkeys myself. And it grew from there, word of mouth. My fathers birds would have been barn-reared, but when I started to go up in numbers, I just wanted to get them out into the field. I love free range, organic though we will never be an organic farm because of the expense, there would be no return. The market is so small and niche, you cant go out and charge 200 for an organic bird when you could get a free range for less than 100, but I love to get them as pure as possible. The process begins in July when Denise gets three-week-old chicks from the North. This year was fantastic, brilliant weather, so, about a week after I got them down, they were well settled and out on the grass if it is wet and cold, they take longer, maybe six weeks before theyre out. "This year was fantastic, brilliant weather" Picture: Joe McNamee Everything is a novelty to them. Theyll dig holes and they love grit. When the first rain shower comes, they hate it initially, but it makes the feathers waterproof and then they go, oh, its OK. When they first experience an aeroplane passing overhead, the shadow crossing the land like this big bird passing over the paddock, they race for indoors, but they get immune to it after a while. They can be as stubborn as mules when its time for bed. Theyre like children, youre better off to use reverse psychology, try to get them to do the opposite of what you want them to do. The outdoor life is not without threat, though. Buzzards can actually lift them when theyre small, Denise explains. There are two buzzards down the road we keep an eye on but foxes would be the main one. Mink would be another; they just come in and kill, they could destroy a whole shed of turkeys. One year, the cat had kittens and was trying to feed them and came in to help herself. You learn over the years to find whatever hole there is into the shed and block it. The daily routine is pretty straightforward. After milking, around 8.30am, wed go down and walk through, checking everything, looking for any turkey thats damaged from fighting or whatever during the night, and checking the house is still sealed the way it should be. A bird could be getting bullied and not getting enough feed. So I just isolate them for a week or so, give them feed and a bit of TLC and they come around, theyre fine. "A bird could be getting bullied and not getting enough feed. So I just isolate them for a week or so," Picture: Joe McNamee After the check, I open the door and let them out for the day. In the evening, we milk around 4pm, and then we round them up. Sometimes if its wet, theyre already in. If its fine like today, it could take a while, so I just put on the lights in the house, have our dinner and when you come back, its dark so theyre all inside, so we shut them up for the night. Theres no trouble in them. In November, they are brought inside for good to finish them for slaughter. I really have to watch them at that stage for gaining the weight because they wont be exercising as much. Its harder to gauge the weight when theyre locked into the house. People are paying top price for the turkey, so Im very mindful of giving them what they want, the right weight for the amount of people being fed. Slaughtering begins around December 6, and Denise is a rarity in being able to slaughter on her own farm, the last poultry farmer in Munster trained and licensed to do so. As more and more small abattoirs close down all over Ireland, the few remaining small livestock producers are forced to travel further, often long distances, to find an alternative. I did a course with the Department of Agriculture, how to kill turkeys and do it right. You have to keep up to date with skills, every year there is something new. Long ago, we broke their necks but now they are stunned. Instant and painless. Slaughtering and plucking takes up to a week, and then they dry age, hanging for 14 days in the cold room. Whats more, each of the 1,000 birds is hand-plucked. Denise Healy's Turkeys, Picture: Joe McNamee I dont have a machine which, anyway, only takes off big feathers theyre all hand finished. And I dont like wet plucking [dunking birds in boiling water to loosen the feathers, negatively impacting the eventual cooking]. If I went down the road of industrial processing, I might as well send them off somewhere else. I feel a premium product should be hand plucked. Denise supplies turkeys to several butchers around Cork, including OSullivans and OMahonys in Corks English Market, but she relishes the tradition of selling directly to almost 400 customers each year. It is all about the personal interaction, even when dealing with online queries. I get a lot of online queries but I prefer to speak to them instead of texting over and back, a quick phone call. At least you know whos on the other side and who youre dealing with. I make a point of meeting every single customer and I give them what they want, not what they think they need. I ask how many theyre having for dinner and are they planning on eating it right through Christmas, sandwiches, curries and so on. I hate food waste and I like to give a customer value for their money. Theres plenty of other things you need to buy at Christmas. On December 23, customers come to Healys Farm for their free range birds. (Denise also opens for collection from 7am to 12pm on Christmas Eve.) Denise Healy's Turkeys, Picture: Joe McNamee Yeah, it is mental, they start arriving from 8am and were there til 8pm at night. We have over 400 home orders and you know how narrow my lane is. Whatever a customer wants, Ill do it for them. Different cuts, boning, rolling, crowns, butterflied, wishbone removed, legs cut off for soup, halved, if they want half for Christmas Day and the other half for New Years Day. And they get them wrapped in greaseproof paper in a cardboard box, with some herbs and a recipe card with cooking guidelines, depending on the weight I dont like plastic bags, I think it affects the quality of the meat. Im not going to retire to the Riviera doing this, its a family business, and a passion for me. I love the buzz of Christmas time. I love meeting my customers, giving them that personal attention. I couldnt do that if I had 10,000 turkeys going out. I have kids coming to me since they were in car seats and now theyre 15, 16 and its their Christmas thing every year and they never miss the trip. Theyve gone from looking for a few sweets to maybe getting a fiver for a drink. I have parents coming who came here as kids. The tradition is huge for me, I got it from my parents and my father still comes out. Hes still stuck on it, and he loves the banter. Hed be sending the kids off for a bucket of steam or one year, he sent a young fella for a bag of fallopian tubes he got a lesson in biology right there and then! Its just having the craic. Denise Healy's Turkeys, Picture: Joe McNamee Once Christmas is over, the big clean up begins. Because of EU nitrate derogations which restrict the amount of slurry that can be spread on farmland, all straw used in the bird houses which is full of poultry manure has to be removed from the farm. Previously, Denise passed it on to a mushroom farmer in Wexford but had to cover the sizeable expense of hiring an artic truck to collect it. So, a big fan of circular food economies and staying local, shes delighted with her new disposal system. I met Brian [McCarthy, proprietor of Cork Rooftop Farm, whose outdoor market garden farm is just a few miles away] last year and he was delighted to take it, he lets it rot down for a year then uses it on the vegetables. So I was able to sort a tractor and trailer and get it over to Brian, it took the pinch out of the overall costs. There are so many hidden costs, packaging, offal, 600 alone to dispose of the feathers. Then we do a massive clean down for calving season when the bird houses go back to Sean for his calves. The changeover happens in the middle of January, so for the first two weeks, we just lay down and do nothing, kind of holidays. When the calves are finished in May or June, they go back to being turkey houses all over again in July. Its a family run operation and it connects you to your food in a very special way and it would be such a shame to see those traditions being lost. But Im a very optimistic person, the wheel always turns. You see small artisan producers coming up with different ideas and processes, and you know theres hope for everyone. A new generation will take that on board and say, oh yeah, we can do this, we can make it, and they wont be afraid to try things. So Ill just keep fighting for as long as I can, keep your produce local and support local. Looks like turkey is back on the menu for my Christmas dinner! Joe visited Healys Farm earlier this year just before current national biosecurity measures were implemented for food health and safety, and which Denise fully supports. Three people have been arrested in Northern Ireland as part of a cross-border police investigation into violent right-wing extremism. Two men were detained in Co Down and a woman was detained in Co Armagh. Communications minister Patrick ODonovan has criticised Europes inaction on limiting childrens access to harmful online content. He said Europe should be stopping large companies from making immoral sums of money on the backs of exploiting children. The Fine Gael minister made the comments as he confirmed a pilot project will be launched in 2026 to develop a trusted age verification tool through the digital wallet. The pilot will involve 2,000 people over and under 18, proving that when they try and navigate their way onto different platforms, their age is properly verified. Mr ODonovan said Ireland cannot do what Australia has done and introduce a social media ban for all under 16s due to its place in the European single market. He lambasted the European Commission for not doing more, saying it was disappointing that Ireland had to act on our own. There are competencies that we act, supposedly, collectively as a European Union, he said. A pilot project will be launched in 2026 to develop a trusted age verification tool through the digital wallet. There is no greater responsibility politicians whether they're appointed in the commission, are elected to the parliament or the Oireachtas could have than to protect our children and our young people. The failure of the commission and the failure of the European institutions to act in singular voice in this is to our collective shame. He said there is still an "opportunity to right that wrong". "I hope that during our presidency, or during the Cypriot presidency, that stock will be taken of what Ireland is doing, and maybe the European Commission might get out ahead of us and actually do the things that parents all over the European Union are asking should be done, which is to protect our kids online and stop large companies from making immoral sums of money on the backs of exploiting children. Mr ODonovan said he is concerned about children being able to access harmful material, arguing that you wouldn't allow a child into a bar to sit up at the counter and drink gin and tonic. On Tuesday, a High Court judge expressed concerns about childrens unsupervised access to the internet while sentencing a teenager who was 13 years old when he sexually abused his six-year-old sister. The boy, now 16, took photographs of the child naked and uploaded images to a social media website. The boy had unsupervised access to the internet from a very young age and told gardai that he first viewed pornography when he was aged six. Mr ODonovan said that cases of this nature are exactly why we are doing what we are doing. Parents have a duty of care as well, but parents can't do everything on their own, he said. As a parent and as a teacher, but more importantly in this role as minister with responsibility for it, it disappoints me that we're in a situation where we have to act on our own over the last number of years, that we haven't got to consensus in Europe with regard to how we move forward on this. Icelands national broadcaster RUV has confirmed it will not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. It is the fifth country to confirm that it will not participate in the singing competition as a result of Israels participation, joining Ireland the Netherlands, Spain and Slovenia. Stefan Eiriksson, director-general of broadcasting at RUV said: There is no peace or joy connected to this contest as things stand now. On that basis, first and foremost, we are stepping back while the situation is as it is. Wednesday is the final day for members to confirm their participation for the 2026 contest with the full list of participating broadcasters to be published early next week. Martin Green, director of the Eurovision Song Contest said: We respect the decision of all broadcasters who have chosen not to participate in next years Eurovision Song Contest and hope to welcome them back soon. Russia was banned from Eurovision after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but Israel has continued to compete for the past couple of years despite disputes. RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory In September, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia threatened to withdraw unless Israel was excluded over the war in Gaza. The boycott began earlier this month after members attended a European Broadcasting Union (EBU) general assembly in Geneva to vote on changes which included new rules to deter countries organising campaigns for their acts, following concerns around the number of public votes Israel received in 2025. According to the BBC, which attended the summit, agreeing to the rule changes meant agreeing not to proceed with a vote on whether Israel could compete, with Swedish broadcaster SVT claiming that the vote was not specific to the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN. An SVT statement read: All Nordic public service companies, NRK in Norway, YLE in Finland, DR in Denmark and RUV in Iceland voted yes to the proposals, which were supported by a majority of EBU members. JJ won the 2025 Eurovision competition for Austria (Shivansh Gupta/PA) Israeli singer Yuval Raphael received the largest number of votes from the public last May, ultimately finishing as runner-up after the jury votes were taken into account. After the 2025 competition, RTE requested a breakdown in voting numbers from the EBU while Spains public broadcaster, Radio Television Espanola (RTVE), called for a complete review of the voting system to avoid external interference. RTE said it will not broadcast or take part in the song contest, describing its participation as unconscionable given the appalling loss of lives in Gaza. The RTE statement said: RTE remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory. The 2026 contest will be held in Vienna in May after a narrow victory by Austrias JJ, with Wasted Love beating Israeli singer Raphael, who was named runner-up after receiving the largest number of votes from the public. Dutch broadcaster Avrotros also announced that it would not broadcast the competition, saying it would be incompatible with the public values that are essential to us. Taco Zimmerman, chief executive, said: Universal values like humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are non-negotiable for us We choose the core values of Avrotros and, as a public broadcaster, have the responsibility to remain true to these values, even when that is complicated or vulnerable. Slovenian broadcaster RTV said it was pulling out of the competition on behalf of the 20,000 children who died in Gaza. The EBU confirmed that participating broadcasters will not have to pay more to take part in the 2026 song contest as a result of the withdrawals. A 31-year-old man has been charged in connection with a number of alleged offences involving the stealing of cattle including the theft of 18 cattle with a value of 30,000 at a farm in the Lakelands area of Skibbereen, Co Cork, last month. Colm Dineen of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, Co Cork, appeared before Macroom District Court in Co Cork on Wednesday. Det Garda Hugh Byrne gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in connection with the first three charges. He said Mr Dineen made no reply when the charges were put to him under caution. Mr Dineen is charged that on November 24 last at Lakelands, Skibbereen, Co Cork, he did steal 18 cattle. The stolen cattle included four Limousin cows, two Aberdeen Angus and 12 Friesians, valued at approximately 30,000. The cattle were the property of Brian Lawlor. Mr Dineen was also charged that between April 5 and April 6 last that he did enter The Bunglalow, Rowry, Rosscarbery, Co Cork, as a trespasser and did commit a theft. Mr Dineen was also charged that between December 6 and December 7, 2017, at Lyre, Aughadown, Skibbereen, Co Cork, he did steal 13 Friesian bullocks worth approximately 9,750. The cattle were the property of Martin Harte. Meanwhile, Det Garda Martin Bohane gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to the remaining two alleged offences. He said that Mr Dineen made no reply when the charges were put to him under caution. Mr Dineen is charged that on March 4, 2023, he did steal three Friesian in-calf heifers, valued at 1,500, the property of John Sweetnam. The accused was also charged that on a date unknown between November 11, 2025, and November 15, 2025, at Lissaclarig East, Aughadown, Ballydehob, Co Cork, he did steal eight cattle. The alleged theft involved the taking of five calf Friesian heifers and three Aberdeen Angus valued at 12,000 which were the property of Pat ODonovan. All offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Fraud and Theft Offences) Act 2001. No bail application was made in the case. A bail application will be made when Mr Dineen is next before the court. Defence solicitor Flor Murphy asked that his client receive appropriate medical and psychiatric attention in custody amid concern about his welfare. Judge Joanne Carroll directed that the defendant be medically assessed and receive all the necessary medical care whilst in custody. Judge Carroll remanded Mr Dineen in custody to appear before Clonakilty District Court in West Cork on December 16 next. A Fine Gael councillor proposed for a council meeting to have GoSafe vans moved while he was at the same time engaging with a senior garda to have a speeding fine quashed, a court heard on Wednesday. Four members of An Garda Siochana and a retired superintendent are on trial at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to the cancelling of fixed charge notices. The trial was shown a series of WhatsApp messages between retired Superintendent Eamon ONeill and Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin following the detection of Mr Galvin speeding. In November 2017, Mr Galvin was detected doing 142km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M20 near Patrickswell in Co Limerick. He messaged then Superintendent ONeill. The two men exchanged messages about the issue on a number of occasions afterwards and at one point Mr Galvin included an attachment in his WhatsApp that was a screenshot of an agenda paper for a council meeting. I will move a motion at the next meeting that the government review the location of the Go safe vans in Co Limerick. On the message Mr Galvin wrote Ha ha ha. In an earlier exchange Mr Galvin messaged Supt ONeill: Can you sort that for me? to which he received the response Am trying my friend. Galvin replied: Work your powers before ONeill messaged: How many have you got atm. The court heard that atm stood for at the moment. This is understood to be a reference to penalty points on Mr Galvins licence. Not sure but lots, Mr Galvin replied. The court was told that the intention was to get the matter squared when it came to court. Aaron Gillane The trial also heard that then Supt ONeill was contacted by a brother of Limerick hurler Aaron Gillane with a request to square a Fixed Charge Notice he received. There followed an exchange of messages between the two men and later a series of telephone calls and messages between Supt ONeill and Aaron Gillane about the matter. The court heard evidence from crime scene analyst Laura Galligan about the contents of Mr ONeills phone which included a number of WhatsApp groups. One group which had 65 members, including members of the Limerick senior hurling panel, was titled LSH. Mr ONeill, and four serving gardai, Sergeant Anne-Marie Hassett, Sergeant Michelle Leahy, Garda Tom McGlinchey and Garda Colin Geary, are accused of a total of 39 counts of engaging in conduct tending and intended to pervert the course of justice. A woman was terrified when she woke to find what she described as a Christian cross carved into the headboard of her bed and stained with blood. The young woman gave this evidence as the prosecution objected to bail being granted to her ex-partner who is accused of four counts of breaching a protection order. A 50-year-old man accused of robbery of an off-duty prison officer in Cork city centre claimed by video link from prison: I am being mentally tortured for this crime that Im being held in prison for. Addressing Judge Mary Dorgan, Jeremiah Foley spoke up on the video link from Cork Prison on Wednesday: Ms Dorgan, I am getting milk today and no cornflakes, and tomorrow, cornflakes and no milk it is a game of psychological warfare, all because of this. A sewage leak that has been ongoing in a West Cork village for almost 30 years has been branded a disgrace at a recent meeting of Cork County Councils West Cork Municipal District. The issue was raised in a motion by Independent Ireland councillor Daniel Sexton that said: In light of the significant environmental and public health risks posed by the sewage leaks in Shannonvale, I am calling on this council to write to the Environmental Protection Agency to request that they use their full enforcement powers to compel Uisce Eireann to develop and implement an expedited action plan to end the sewage overflow and remediate the contamination of the park and the River Argideen. Mr Sexton said the issue had been ongoing for 28 years. He said sewage had to be going into the River Argideen during periods of heavy rainfall and the river supplied drinking water to Clonakilty and surrounding areas. We need a bit of action here. It has been going on far too long and nothing has changed, he said. Supporting the motion Fianna Fail councillor Joe Carroll said: Its an outrage and to think this is going into the River Argideen. This is not right and a lot of people in Clon probably wouldnt drink the water if they knew. It is more than disgraceful, its outrageous. Social Democrats councillor Isobel Towse said a timeframe and detailed plan should be sought form Uisce Eireann. She added: You can only imagine the amount of chlorine that goes into the water to counteract the bacteria. Mr Sexton said in his view, the failures of Uisce Eireann were such that the body should be disbanded. Senior officials in the utility were getting bonuses for not delivering, he added: They need to cop on. They are not delivering. He said he would also advise people in Clonakilty not to drink the water. I even know someone whose dog wont drink it. Ger Barry, acting director of services from Cork County Councils environment directorate said: Uisce Eireann, which is regulated by the EPA, are responsible for the Shannonvale public wastewater treatment plant. "Cork County Council will write to the EPA on the matter as requested in this notice of motion. This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme A section of new footpath in Glengarriff is forcing trucks to cross the centre line of the road and to mount the pavement because it is too wide, according to local independent councillor Finbarr Harrington. In a motion presented to Cork County Councils West Cork Municipal District Mr Harrington asked: That this council would give a full and detailed report on the newly constructed footpaths to include, Section 38 approval, the auto track program design, the tender quotation, the total cost, and carry out a safety audit in the section of road on the R572 from Coomarkane cross junction to the pedestrian crossing at Glengarriff river (approx 300 m). Mr Harrington said a short section of the footpath in a chicane formation was too narrow for large trucks and busses and was forcing them to mount the kerb. He said if two trucks meet at that point it would pose a serious safety hazard for pedestrians. Supporting the motion, Independent Irelands Danny Collins said he raised the size of the new footpaths before. He said they were wide enough to land a 737. Responding for the council, engineer Mark OSullivan said the works from the junction of the R572 and N71 Glengarriff village to the junction of the R572 and L-4927-69 Coomarkane junction were commenced in 2022 and completed in 2023. He added: The initial works consisted of the replacement of the existing northern footpath, construction of a section of new footpath, junction works and preparatory works for the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing at Glengarriff Bridge. "All of the works were constructed within the existing 50kmh zone with the vast majority of the works within the existing yellow lines. Mr OSullivan said a Section 38 process was not necessary as the scheme was focused on pedestrian connectivity and not traffic calming. However, a Section 38 process was conducted in 2024 for the installation of the footpaths and associated works to the west on the R572 outside of the existing 50kmh zone and auto track design was carried out at the time of construction with some amendments made to the kerb lines as a result of this. The successful tender amount was in the sum of 30,928.75 including VAT for the replacement of the existing riverside footpath, works at the junction, ducting, etc. for a new pedestrian crossing and a section of new footpath on the northern side of the R572. Materials for these works were generally supplied by Cork County Council. Following the successful completion of the northern footpath works and given the continued availability of National Transport Authority (NTA) funding the decision was made to construct a footpath on the southern side of the road. The total cost of the works was 143,570.04, including two footpaths, speed detection sign, raising a stone wall boundary, surfacing the Coomarkane junction, surfacing a section of old Castletownbere road for junction widening works, removing and replacing a section of the new southern footpath subsequent to auto track analysis, drainage, ducting, etc. He added: Road safety audits are generally carried out during the design process or immediately post-construction on certain road schemes. It is not proposed to carry out a road safety audit on this scheme. Mr Harrington asked for the chicane pinch point to be re-examined. He said: There will come a day when two lorries meet and somebody vulnerable is on the footpath and there will be an accident. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. Families of the deceased should be allowed to install kerbing around grave plots to help maintain them, according to independent councillor Finbarr Harrington. Mr Harrington raised the issue in a motion at a recent meeting of Cork County Councils West Cork Municipal District, which asked: That this council would allow kerbing surrounds on all graves at Gortnabuilliga graveyard in Eyeries, Beara. "That we ensure a detailed maintenance programme is put in place for all our burial grounds in West Cork and that we would consider allowing community groups to assist if they are interested. Responding on behalf of the council, area engineer Aidan Prendergast said: The burial ground extension at Gortnabulliga is classed as a lawn cemetery and plots are sold on the basis that all purchasers sign an agreement to that effect. "Some of the plots now have timber surrounds, loose stone surrounds etc, and Cork County Council shall engage with those who have purchased plots to ensure that the rules of the burial ground are respected. All areas carry out burial ground maintenance, which has been outlined in the Municipal Districts Town Enhancement Plans. In some burial grounds, community groups, with assistance from Fas and community employment workers, have in the past carried out maintenance, however, a West Cork-wide and by extension a county-wide policy will require careful consideration. Mr Harrington said a lawn-type cemetery requires maintenance every two weeks, and in reality the council had something more like a meadow because funds were not available to cut the grass as often as necessary. Municipal District manager Nicola Radley said a county-wide review of graveyard policies was under way and she would revert to members with the findings when the review was complete. This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed a world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 as it took effect on Wednesday. But he warned the implementation would be difficult. Parents reported distraught children discovering they had been shut out of platforms as the landmark law took effect. Some young children reported fooling the platforms age estimation technology by drawing on facial hair. Parents and older siblings are also expected to help some children circumvent the restrictions. This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies and theyre asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind, Mr Albanese told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. This reform will change lives. For Australian kids allowing them to just have their childhood. For Australian parents, enabling them to have greater peace of mind. But also for the global community, who are looking at Australia and saying: well, if Australia can do it, why cant we? Mr Albanese later told a Sydney gathering of reform supporters, including parents who blame social media for a childs suicide. Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X, YouTube and Twitch face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (24.7 million) from Wednesday if they fail to take reasonable steps to remove the accounts of Australian children younger than 16. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has described the prison where he spent 20 days as a noisy, harsh all-grey world of violence in a new book. In Diary Of A Prisoner, the 70-year-old says his own tough-on-crime stance has taken on a new perspective as he recounts the uncommon turn in his life after being found guilty of criminal association in financing his winning 2007 campaign with funds from Libya. A court sentenced him in September to five years in prison, a ruling he appealed against. He was granted release under judicial supervision after 20 days behind bars. The book provides a rare look inside Paris La Sante prison, where Mr Sarkozy was held in solitary confinement and kept strictly away from other inmates for security reasons. His loneliness was broken only by regular visits from his wife, supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, and his lawyers. Mr Sarkozy wrote that his cell looked like a cheap hotel, except for the armoured door and the bars, with a hard mattress, a plastic-like pillow and a shower that produced only a thin stream of water. He described the deafening noise of the prison, much of it at night. Opening the window on his first day behind bars, he heard an inmate who was relentlessly striking the bars of his cell with a metal object. Ge wrote: The atmosphere was threatening. Welcome to hell! Mr Sarkozy said he declined the meals served in small plastic trays along with a mushy, soggy baguette their smell, he wrote, made him nauseous. Instead, he ate dairy products and cereal bars. He was allowed one hour a day in a small gym room, where he mostly used a basic treadmill. Mr Sarkozy said he was informed of several violent incidents that took place during his time behind bars, which he called a nightmare. The most inhumane violence was the daily reality of this place, he wrote, raising questions about the prison systems ability to reintegrate people once their sentences are served. Mr Sarkozy, known for his tough rhetoric on punishing criminals, said he promised himself that upon my release, my comments would be more elaborate and nuanced than what I had previously expressed on all these topics. Beyond recounting prison life, Mr Sarkozy used the book to offer strategic political advice for his conservative Republicans party and revealed he spoke by phone from prison with far-right leader Marine Le Pen, once a fierce rival. Ms Le Pens National Rally is not a danger for the Republic, he wrote. We do not share the same ideas when it comes to economic policy, we do not share the same history and I note that there may still be some problematic figures among them. But they represent so many French people, respect the results of the elections and participate in the functioning of our democracy. A woman holds a copy of Nicolas Sarkozys book (Michel Euler/AP) Mr Sarkozy argued that the reconstruction of his weakened Republicans party can only be achieved through the broadest possible spirit of unity. The Republicans party has in recent years been moving away from a position held among parties for decades that any electoral strategy must be aimed at containing the far right, even if it means losing a district to another competitor. Still, political analyst Roland Cayrol said Mr Sarkozys comments came like a thunderclap in the decades-long position of French conservatives that the National Rally does not share the same values and no electoral alliance is possible with the far right. The former president from 2007 to 2012 has been retired from active politics for years but remains very influential, especially in conservative circles. In the wake of Mr Sarkozys comments, the Republicans top officials have stopped short of calling for any actual co-operation deal with the National Rally, but instead indicated they want to focus on ways to get far-right voters to choose conservative candidates. Mr Sarkozy also mentioned his former friendship with centrist President Emmanuel Macron. The two men met at the Elysee presidential palace just days before Mr Sarkozy entered prison. According to Mr Sarkozy, Mr Macron raised security concerns at La Sante prison and offered to transfer him to another facility, which he declined. Instead, two police officers were assigned to the neighbouring cell to protect him around the clock. ( Tomdispatch.com ) What self-destructive creatures we turn out to be! Can you even believe it? Only recently, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30, met in Brazil for two weeks. While 194 countries were represented there, the historically greatest fossil-fuelizer on the planet, Donald Trumps United States, was, of course, missing in action (for the first time in 30 years). Worse yet, while the conference was underway, the Trump administration announced a new plan to open 1.3 billion acres (no, that is not a misprint!) of coastal waters to new oil and gas drilling. As for the conference itself, after floundering and almost foundering, its member nations barely agreed on a way more or less forward, what were termed baby steps toward a better (or at least less utterly disastrous) future. And yet, can you believe this? The final agreement didnt even include the words fossil fuels or reaffirm in blunt language that they should be phased out! (President Trump must have been pleased!) Hey, and if that doesnt cheer you up enough, consider this: a White House spokeswoman responded to the conference with the claim that President Trump had set a strong example for the rest of the world by pursuing new fossil-fuel development while it was underway. President Trump has been clear, she said. He will not jeopardize our countrys economic and national security to pursue vague climate goals that are killing other countries. Yes, indeed, what a world! After all, were talking about one of the two ways human beings have discovered to utterly devastate Planet Earth (the other, of course, being with nuclear weapons). And full credit is due. Consider us nothing less than remarkable creatures for coming up with not one but two ways to potentially do ourselves and this planet in. Now, imagine this: my president, the man, inaugurated for a second time in January 2025, was the oldest nominee ever for that office and, should he complete this term, will be the oldest president in American history, older even than ancient Joe Biden when he left office (assuming, of course, that Donald Trump ever does leave office). And give him full credit: hes essentially put his weight and thats no small thing, given that hes been termed technically obese, even if his administration has been denying obese immigrants entry to this country behind both ways of doing this planet in. After all, he only recently announced that, for the first time since 1992, the U.S. might once again begin testing nuclear weapons! Duck and Cover Now, imagine this: I was born in the final months of the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, just over a year before World War II ended. In my youth, I lived in a world in which the two great powers on this planet, my country and the Soviet Union, were threatening to do us all in atomically. I can still remember ducking and covering under my desk in grade school, hands over my head, as sirens howled outside the classroom window, indicating a Soviet nuclear strike. (It was, of course, just a test.) I can also remember getting duck-and-cover advice from the cartoon character Bert the Turtle, as well as wandering the streets of New York City and seeing (but paying little attention to) the common yellow fallout shelter signs that indicated where you should hide, were an atomic war to suddenly break out. And in my freshman year in college in New Haven, Connecticut, I can remember fearing, because of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, that the world (or at least the East Coast version of it) might be obliterated in a potential nuclear holocaust. Of course, none of that ever actually happened, and today, 80 years after the first (and last) two atomic bombs were actually used to destroy the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there are no longer nuclear tests or nuclear shelters of any sort. The last U.S. aboveground nuclear test took place in the 1960s and the last underground one in 1992. And few people seem to think about such weapons anymore or the planet-devastating war-making that could potentially go with them. No matter that nine countries now possess nuclear weapons and count on it! more will do so in the future; or that nuclear-armed Israel and Russia are both involved in wars at the moment; or that, at one point, Russian President Vladimir Putin did indeed implicitly threaten to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine; or that, in May, nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, each possessing about 170 nuclear weapons, faced off against each other, however briefly, in a war-like fashion, with President Trump claiming that he had stopped a nuclear war from happening. (Im not going to have you guys shooting nuclear weapons at each other, killing millions of people, and having the nuclear dust floating over Los Angeles.) Nor does it seem to matter that we now know a significant nuclear war could lead to a nuclear winter on planet Earth in which millions of us, including undoubtedly Bert the Turtle, would be likely to starve to death and the planet itself would be devastated. Meanwhile, though the U.S. hasnt tested an atomic weapon explosively since 1992, President Trump did recently suggest that he might be ready to do so again. As he put it, Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. It didnt. Not yet at least. No matter that no other country is, in fact, doing actual nuclear testing at the moment, though Russia is indeed testing nuclear delivery systems, or that the U.S. military hasnt (yet) followed up on the presidents statement by preparing to do so. The only country to have openly tested a nuclear weapon since the 1990s is, in fact, North Korea. Nonetheless, my own country now has an estimated more than 5,000 nuclear weapons out of the more than 12,000 believed to be on this planet, whether aboard nuclear submarines that travel the globes oceans (while a next generation of nuclear subs is now being built), in missile silos on land, or in storage. Worse yet, the U.S. military has plans to put $1.7 trillion no, that is not a misprint! into keeping the American nuclear arsenal in what passes for good shape over the next three decades, while producing yet more such weaponry in the years to come. And do you really feel confident that Israel or, in the future, Iran, or right now North Korea would never under any circumstances consider using such weaponry? Donald Trump certainly didnt feel confident of that or why would he have bombed Irans still-peaceful nuclear sites this year? And sadly, unlike in the 1970s and 1980s, there is no significant American or global protest movement calling on this country and other countries to reduce, not to say eliminate their nuclear arsenals. In some fashion, however strangely, the nuclear form of potential end times, of ultimate destruction, has generally been ignored (except, of course, by those producing, handling, or storing such weaponry). And honestly, given the strange history of humanity and the growing nuclear arsenals on this planet, despite those 80 years of no use I wish I could say uselessness! do you truly feel confident that we humans will never consider using nuclear weaponry again? The Slow-Motion Equivalent of Nuclear War And consider it truly strange that we humans have come up with not one but two ways to potentially do ourselves and this planet in and the second one, unlike the nuclear version, is already quite literally in process. In some eerie sense, in fact, our world could indeed be considered, though its seldom thought of that way, as in a slow-motion, climate-change version of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After all, the rising heat that fossil-fuel burning continues to produce globally is already estimated to be killing a person a minute on this planet. Thats millions of us annually. And worse yet, its guaranteed to grow significantly harsher in the decades to come. And when it comes to climate change, unlike nuclear warfare once upon a time, there are no warning sirens or shelters, nor are its weapons stored in arsenals. In their own strange fashion, they are instead being both produced and exploded right before our eyes. And strangely enough, while no nuclear war has yet happened, the climate-change version of such a conflict is distinctly ongoing. That means, whether you care to think about it or not, that each of us is now facing a slow-motion version of end-of-worldism in our own lives right now, even though most of the time youd hardly know it. Yes, the waters of this planet are heating and rising, wildfires growing ever fiercer, floods ever more extreme, and the temperature globally is distinctly climbing in a fashion that should be considered all too unnerving. After all, the last 10 years have been the warmest in human history; 2024 was the warmest year ever experienced, and 2025 looks likely to be the second or third warmest of all time. Unlike the nuclear version of ultimate destruction, in other words, the climate one is happening right now, even if in slow motion. And yet, heres the truly eerie thing: most days, if you read the mainstream media or watch the mainstream TV news, climate change is seldom headline-making. You would certainly have little sense from the media that, at this very moment, were already in the midst of a distinctly apocalyptic, if slow-motion event. Most of the time, given what we humans are doing to each other from Ukraine to the Middle East, its at best secondary news. In case you hadnt noticed (and you surely have), whatever Donald Trump does quite literally anything, even picking his nose, no less meeting in the White House with New Yorks next mayor, Zohran Mamdani instantly gets more attention than the world-devastating situation were living through every moment of every day (and night). Someday, if historians still exist on this planet of ours, I suspect Donald J. Trump will appear, in the grimmest sense imaginable, to be an eerie wonder of these eerie times; a president who, faced with a possible global Armageddon, did everything he could to bring it on, from opening ever more land and waters to fossil fuel production to shutting down anything that has to do with the production of renewable, non-carbon energy. Though few would ever think of it this way, a child born today is, in truth, being delivered into the slow-motion climate equivalent of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and, for such a kid, theres unlikely to be any ducking and covering. And yet not just Donald Trump but all too many other leaders globally are at work making things worse. It doesnt matter whether youre talking about the presidents decision to open those 1.3 billion acres of coastal waters to further drilling for oil and natural gas, Chinas willingness to build significant numbers of new coal-burning power plants, or Vladimir Putins desire to continue, even intensify the human activity that may put more heat-inducing carbon into the atmosphere than any other, military activities of just about any sort but, above all else, making war. Only the other week, in fact, while the COP30 Climate Summit was underway, Donald Trump, the president of the worlds leading producer of oil and natural gas, the man who has done everything he possibly could to shut down green projects of any sort, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose state oil company, Aramco, remains a monster producer of oil and natural gas. And can there be any doubt that such a meeting at such a moment was intended to be a global slap in the face to efforts of any sort to bring climate change under control and an implicit (or perhaps I mean explicit) promise to take us all to hell in a handbasket? As someone who, at 81, has kids and grandkids, I fear for the world that Donald Trump, Mohammed bin Salman, and so many other figures on this planet, including Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, are preparing for them. Thought of a certain way, our planet is indeed experiencing the slow-motion, climate-change equivalent of nuclear war and yet its hardly even news. And if that isnt truly bizarre, what is? Copyright 2025 Tom Engelhardt Tomdispatch.com Lincoln, NE (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) Long before Israeli leaders invoked biblical rhetoric to justify the erasure of a Palestinian homeland, another colonizing people sought to remake a land in the image of their God. In July 1847, Brigham Young declared the American Great Basin the place God had set apart to make Mormons. And yet as Youngthe president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsmapped out in his minds eye a Mormon Zion across the Wasatch Front, that land was already home to a powerful Indigenous nation, the Utes. Their most formidable leader was Wakara (18151855), a brilliant and ambitious figure whose life I chronicle in Wakaras America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West. Like Palestinians, Wakaras Utes lived in close relation to their land and water, managing them with care and reverence. Like Gazans, they faced a flood of settlers, many of whom saw their very existence as an obstacle to the fulfillment of divine commandment. And like so many colonized people, their demands for sovereignty and dignity were met with war. The peace that followed led to attempts at cultural and physical erasure. For more than five centuries before the settlers arrival, Wakaras Timpanogos band stewarded interconnected ecosystems they called earths. Lower earth centered on Timpanogos Lake (Utah Lake), whose abundant fisheries Wakaras peopled managed through traditional ecological knowledge. In middle earth, rich grassy plains and foothills, they gathered fruits and roots. In the high mountains of upper earth, they hunted game. After adopting the horseamong the first Native nations to do soWakaras Utes traveled beyond these earths to hunt bison and trade. Max Perry Mueller, Wakaras America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West. (Basic Books, Nov. 2025). Click here to Buy. Out of these fish eaters who became a horse nation rose Wakara. From 1840 onward, Wakara and his cavalry dominated broad stretches of the Southwest, from Santa Fe to Southern California. Wakara was a trader, diplomat, and strategist, able to negotiate with Mexicans, Americans, and Indigenous nations. He also engaged in violent commerce, raiding horses by the thousands in California and enslaving pedestrian Paiutes, selling both horses and people in New Mexican and Californian markets. When Young and his fellow settlers arrived in Utah in 1847, Wakara welcomed them. For a time, Young and Wakarathe two most powerful men in the American Southwestused each other to expand their empires. For Wakara, the Mormons became markets for trade in horse and human flesh. For Young, Wakara became a supplier of horses and Indian slaves, as well as a guide through unfamiliar territory, which facilitated the expansion of the Mormons so-called Zion in the Mountain West. Partnership gave way to occupation. To irrigate their crops, the swelling number of Mormon settlers diverted rivers and dammed creeks, destroying grasslands. When crops failed, Mormons overfished the fisheries that Wakaras Utes had carefully managed for generations. The Mormons also cut off trade routes and treated seasonal Ute migrations as trespass. Hungry Utes killed Mormon cattle and took grain. Declaring these acts depredations, Young sanctioned what settlers called extermination campaigns. The conflict that erupted in 1853remembered as the Walker Warwas, as I argue in Wakaras America, initiated and executed by Young. His militias massacred unarmed Native people seeking food and shelter and poisoned land and water through a tactic they called seasoning. This was no misunderstanding; it was a deliberate campaign to break Ute land claims under the banner of settler security. Thus, its more accurate to call it Brighams War. In May 1854, after a year of bloodshed and hunger, Wakara and Young met and agreed to peace. In exchange for the use of Ute lands, Young agreed to supply Wakaras Utes with beef and grain upon which they relied due to the destruction of their hunting and fishing grounds. In January 1855, Wakara died suddenlyperhaps from disease, perhaps from poison. Over the next decade, thousands more Utes died from sickness, starvation, and warfare. Survivors were driven onto reservations where they were corralled, surveilled, and starved. A similar story has unfolded in Gaza. For decades, Gazans have had their mobility restricted, their economies strangled, their waters and lands poisoned. In response, when some Gazans carried out acts of violenceevil as those acts werethey were invoked to justify collective punishment and extermination. And yet in the face of total warand the so-called peace that followed, Gazans, like Wakaras Utes before them, have proven steadfast (sumud), nonviolently resisting and enduring their erasure. They rebuild destroyed homes using salvaged materials. They dig temporary wells. They replant olive trees. They make art. If a just peace is to follow this war against Gazans, which guarantees security and sovereignty for both Palestinians and Israelis, the global community must refuse the erasure that followed Brighams War against Wakaras Utes, and so many like it. Such a peace requires a full accounting of what happened, accountability for those who carried out genocidal acts, and sustained support for displaced people to return and rebuild their homelands. Only through truth, accountability, and restoration can peace lay the foundation for a shared and livable future. Human Rights Watch (Beirut) Syrian transitional authorities have taken positive steps on justice, transparency, and rights but failed to prevent continued violence and atrocities, Human Rights Watch said today on the anniversary of the former governments fall. As Syrian authorities move the country forward, they should, with international support, credibly address outstanding concerns around security sector reform, accountability, and inclusiveness. On December 8, 2024, a coalition of armed groups led by Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) successfully ousted former President Bashar al-Assad, ending the Baath Partys 60-year reign and 13 years of bloody conflict. Transitional authorities have adopted a new constitutional declaration, carried out indirect parliamentary elections, and taken initial steps to ensure accountability for the former governments abuses. But these positive steps have been tainted and undermined by the repeated failure to prevent large-scale atrocities, many by government forces. The end of Assads rule created an unprecedented opportunity for Syrians to break with decades of tyranny and build a rights-respecting country, said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. One year on, there are growing signs that the window of opportunity may be closing. On December 12, 2024, Human Rights Watch issued recommendations to the interim Syrian authorities, urging them to center rights in the transitional justice process. A year later, Human Rights Watch revisits progress on these recommendations. Human Rights Watch has documented abuses by government forces and affiliated groups that amounted to war crimes in coastal areas and Sweida. There are also credible reports that the government is failing to prevent abuses against minorities in Syria by groups sympathetic to the current government. The inability or unwillingness of current Syrian authorities to rein in and seek genuine accountability for these abuses, undermines trust in its ability to maintain peace and security and protect rights, Human Rights Watch said. As transitional authorities have sought to integrate the various armed factions into the official Syrian army and security forces, the inclusion of certain units without careful vetting has created an opening for abusive practices and lack of discipline. Syrias commitment to investigate atrocities in the coastal areas and Sweida is commendable. However, concerns remain about its ability to credibly investigate and hold accountable high-level officials and there are major gaps in Syrias criminal justice framework that cannot be compromised in ongoing trials, including a lack of liability for command responsibility. Transitional contexts may, at times, necessitate implementing reforms incrementally. However, this does not apply to issues that compromise fundamental rights, such as abuses by armed forces. The Syrian authorities have taken important steps to provide accountability for past abuses, including the creation of the National Commission for the Missing and Forcibly Disappeared to determine what happened thousands of missing and disappeared. This is an important first step. Yet, seven months on, victims and family members of the disappeared are rightly frustrated by the lack of institutional pathways to engage the commission and lack of transparency around its operations. Forcible disappearances and arbitrary detentions have been a staple of the former governments playbook. Other actors, including Hayet Tahrir al-Sham and the Islamic State, also kidnapped and disappeared many Syrians. Syrian authorities bear the primary responsibility to establish the fate of the missing. Relevant international institutions specialized in the search for the missing are available to authorities, and they should fully leverage this expertise. The authorities and relevant institutions should ensure that this happens in a way that respects the dignity of the missing and their families. That same declaration also established the National Commission for Transitional Justice. Critically, however, its mandate is limited to crimes by the Assad government. The one-sided nature of the transitional justice committee coupled with the lack of clarity on its priorities has led to observers expressing frustration, especially as developments on the ground reinforce the urgent need for a comprehensive transitional justice framework that is publicly communicated and agreed upon. A comprehensive justice process requires domestic judicial and institutional reforms that guarantee the independence of accountability processes, ensure compliance by the justice system and all relevant state institutions with human rights and fair trial standards, and align key legislation with international law. Transitional authorities have adopted several measures underwriting a formal political transition. But these measures fall short of ensuring fair and adequate guarantees of the right of participation by Syrians in political affairs, Human Rights Watch said. On January 29, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly the head of HTS, was appointed Syrias interim president. In March, the government adopted a new constitutional declaration for a five-year transitional period. Human Rights Watch found that the declaration lacks the checks and balances required to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and the right to political participation. Critically, the constitutional declaration solidified the executives control over other branches of the government, including allowing the president to appoint one third of the Peoples Assembly, Syrias primary legislative body, and all members of the Higher Constitutional Court, the highest court in the country. While a transitional phase may necessitate temporary extraordinary measures, they should not come at the expense of fundamental rights. On October 5, the new government held its first parliamentary elections, but not by popular or direct vote. Rather, a presidentially appointed committee approved the election of 119 members, with 70 members appointed by the president directly. The election of the remaining 21belonging to Hasaka, Raqqa, and Sweida, districts outside the governments de facto controlwere paused. In addition to the significant risk of political manipulation in the design of the electoral system, the elections resulted in a decrease in women and minority representation. Interim Syrian authorities have shown greater openness to engagement with international and independent humanitarian organizations, as well as allowing civil society to operate more independently. However, humanitarians and civil society activists have told Human Rights Watch that their ability to work is not without restrictions. Civil society cited difficulty in getting approvals for registration, harassment, and threats. Aid workers said the government required aid delivery through the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and cited bureaucratic delays. Syrians have the right to lead the countrys transition. The participation of international actors would ideally contribute expertise and provide independent oversight as a bridge for rebuilding trust in a divided society. Syrian authorities should leverage existing international accountability mechanisms and political and financial support for concrete and comprehensive justice processes. Photo of Idlib, Syria, May 29, 2025, by mohamad azaam on Unsplash Syrian authorities should also provide unhindered access to international bodies tasked with investigating and protecting human rights. This includes the Independent Institution on Missing Persons (IIMP) and the United Nations International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) as well as humanitarian agencies with the expertise and resources to provide aid to Syria. Those international bodies should share their expertise with Syrian authorities and support independent local bodies that can take on these tasks. The removal of sanctions by the US, UK, EU, and others helps pave the way to rebuild an economy that was decimated by conflict and corruption. Syrian authorities should ensure that they do not discriminate in providing social and economic rights. The international community should provide both financial and technical support as Syria rebuilds its economy, while maintaining zero tolerance toward abuses and discrimination. The worlds relief over the end of Assads reign of terror should not translate into giving carte blanche to the current authorities to carry out abuses, Coogle said. Instead, the international community should work with Syrian authorities to cement a reality where all Syrians rights are the priority. Via Human Rights Watch VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) (FRA: N7D2) ("Capella" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the imminent commencement of diamond drilling at the Company's Killero gold-copper project in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland. The Killero project is a former Anglo American plc project that was defined by significant gold-copper Base of Till ("BoT") anomalies but never drill tested. This current drill program will focus on the Killero E gold-copper target and is fully-funded as it forms part of the Tumad Definitive Agreement as announced on September 2, 2025. Highlights The Company's maiden diamond drilling program at the Killero E gold-copper target in northern Finland is now underway. This first-pass drill program is expected to consist of an initial 11 holes / 2,200 m of diamond drilling and will provide an initial test of approximately 1km strike extent of the Killero E anomaly (Figures 1 & 2). The Killero E target is part of a former Anglo American plc project that was defined by significant gold-copper BoT anomalies (with maximum BoT values up to 0.59% Cu and 145ppb Au, both of which are considered to be exceptional for the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt). Capella subsequently completed a high-resolution drone magnetic survey over the Killero area, which resulted in the definition of a clear NE-trending structural corridor which is broadly associated with the BoT gold-copper anomaly. Capella is also evaluating concurrent BoT drilling at the nearby Jolhikko and Seisunselka targets. Both Jolhikko and Seisunselka are interpreted by the Company to display geological features typical of Precambrian orogenic gold deposits, with BoT drilling now required to determine the distribution of precious metals within these areas. The Company expects a temporary shutdown of drilling to occur between December 22 and January 2 for the holiday season, with drilling then expected to be reinitiated on January 3, 2026. Eric Roth, Capella's President and CEO, commented: "I am extremely pleased to be announcing the commencement of core drilling at our Killero E gold-copper target in northern Finland. The Central Lapland Greenstone Belt contains some of the most prospective geology globally for the discovery of Precambrian orogenic gold and copper deposits, including the recent 3.5Moz Au Ikkari discovery1 which was first identified from a single Base of Till sample with 200ppb Au. I sincerely look forward to keeping all stakeholders updated as we move forward with drilling at Killero E". 1 Probable Mineral Reserve 52MT @ 2.1 g/t Au: Rupert Resources Pre-Feasibility Study 2025. Capella acquired its Central Lapland Greenstone Belt project interests including at Killero - from ASX-listed Cullen Resources Ltd (ASX: CUL) through an earn-in agreement which was announced on August 24, 2021. Capella currently owns an 80% interest in the Killero project, and the project now forms part of the September 2, 2025 Tumad earn-in agreement. Qualified Persons and Disclosure Statement The technical information in this news release relating to the Killero gold-copper project has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101, and approved by Eric Roth, the Company's President & CEO, a Director, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Roth holds a Ph.D. in Economic Geology from the University of Western Australia, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Roth has 35 years of experience in international minerals exploration and mining project evaluation. On Behalf of the Board of Capella Minerals Ltd. "Eric Roth" ___________________________ Eric Roth, Ph.D., FAusIMM President & CEO About Capella Minerals Ltd Capella is a Canadian exploration and development company with a focus on generating gold-copper projects globally. Capella announced on September 2, 2025, the signing of a Definitive Agreement with Turkish mining company, Tumad Madencilik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.S. ("Tumad"), for a staged earn-in on the Company's portfolio of precious and base metal projects in Scandinavia. Tumad's minimum Year 1 investment commitment includes 12,000m of diamond drilling on the Company's gold-copper projects in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of northern Finland (4,000m) and copper-cobalt-zinc VMS projects in central Norway (8,000m). Capella also retains a carried 10% interest through to production on the Lkken copper-cobalt-zinc VMS project of central Norway through a partnership with Teako Minerals Corp. ("Teako"). In addition, Capella holds Net Smelter Royalties on the Savant Gold Project in Ontario, Canada (BeMetals Corp.) and the Central Finland Lithium Projects (Grit Metals Corp.), as a result of the recent divestiture of non-core assets. For additional information you are cordially invited to visit the Capella Minerals Ltd website at www.capellaminerals.com, or to contact Karen Davies, VP Communications and Corporate Development, at Tel: +1.604.314.2662. Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of Capella, including the timing, completion of and results from the exploration and drill programs described in this release. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Capella in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Capella's most recently filed MD&A. Capella does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 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. Deposit Remains Open - Further Assays Pending VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 /Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce additional assay results from the 2025 JOY District drill program. The completed 2025 drill program was primarily focused on continuing to define the full extent of the AuRORA Deposit discovered later in 2024. The AuRORA Deposit hosts high grade near surface, copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") mineralization with exceptional vertical and lateral continuity (see Amarc releases January 17, 20 and February 28, 2025) and remains open to further expansion to the north, east and west. Amarc believes the rare contribution of grade, geometry and emerging scale of AuRORA indicates it has the hallmarks of a Tier One asset in the making. Twenty-four core holes (9,687 m) were completed at the AuRORA Deposit in 2025; 23 of these are expansion step-out holes drilled over an area measuring some 1 km by 1 km. Host rocks, alteration and mineralization remain consistent with that encountered in the 2024 AuRORA discovery drill holes. Results announced in November from six holes completed on Sections 8000N and 8100N successfully expanded AuRORA +200 m to the north (see Amarc release October 22, 2025). Today, we are announcing two drill holes (JP25103, JP25109) located on Section 8200N, which have expanded AuRORA a further +100 m to the north (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Tables 1 and 2). In addition, assay results are also being released for two new holes completed on Section 7900N (JP25093 and JP25107) which expand the deposit approximately 200 m to the east (Figures 1 and 5, and Tables 1 and 2). Today's results also include the balance of hole JP25098 on Section 7600N (partially announced in September) that expanded the deposit approximately 300 m to the southeast (see Figures 1 and 6 and Tables 1 and 2). Assay results from four 2025 step-out holes on this section are still pending. Highlights from Drill Holes Located on Sections 7900N and 8200N at AuRORA Include: 201 m of 1.40 g/t Au, 0.28% Cu and 2.6 g/t Ag including 32 m of 1.65 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu and 2.0 g/t Ag and 94 m of 2.08 g/t Au, 0.41% Cu and 3.4 g/t Ag 201 m of 1.38 g/t Au, 0.27% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag including 135 m of 1.90 g/t Au, 0.30% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag and 111 m of 2.24 g/t Au, 0.34% Cu and 1.6 g/t Ag 47 m of 1.50 g/t Au, 0.44% Cu and 5.4 g/t Ag "We are very excited by the significant expansion potential of the AuRORA Deposit which stands out as it includes some of the highest porphyry grades ever intercepted in the Province," said Amarc's President and CEO, Dr. Diane Nicolson. "We believe that the AuRORA discovery with substantial Freeport funding has the potential to unlock the emergence of a world class porphyry copper-gold district in the Toodoggone region that has many geological similarities to British Columbia's renowned Golden Triangle. With the recent TWINS and Canyon Discoveries, further potential at PINE and Brenda historical deposits and emerging new deposit targets yet to be fully explored across the entire 630 km2 JOY District, there is clearly a lot more to come." AuRORA drilling in 2024-2025 now totals 45 drillholes (17,586 m). Assay results from the total 35 holes drilled (15,381 m) across the JOY District in 2025 are being received and planned to be released in batches going forward. An overview of AuRORA Deposit is one of the highlights of Amarc's updated website, recently launched at www.amarcresources.com. Table 1: AuRORA Porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit Expansion Drilling Sections 8200N, 7900N and 7600N Section Drill Hole Incl. From (m) To (m) Int.1,2,3 (m) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ag (g/t) 8200N JP25103 42.00 43.80 1.80 0.03 0.45 999.0 329.00 376.28 47.28 1.50 0.44 5.4 JP25109 220.00 420.95 200.95 1.38 0.27 1.6 4 Incl. 286.00 420.95 134.95 1.90 0.30 1.6 and 286.00 397.00 111.00 2.24 0.34 1.6 7900N JP25093 84.00 204.00 120.00 0.28 0.30 5 3.5 Incl. 102.00 204.00 102.00 0.31 0.30 3.6 238.00 249.00 11.00 0.44 0.30 4.0 JP25107 21.00 222.00 201.00 1.40 0.28 2.6 Incl. 30.00 62.06 32.06 1.65 0.27 2.0 Incl. 70.85 165.00 94.15 2.08 0.41 3.4 7600N JP25098 202.00 440.10 238.1 0.40 0.25 4.3 Incl. 253.00 412.00 159.00 0.43 0.33 5.1 and 356.65 412.00 55.35 0.54 0.35 4.7 and 356.65 375.00 18.35 0.58 0.43 6.2 Notes to Table 1: Widths reported are drill widths, such that true thicknesses are unknown. All assay intervals represent length-weighted averages. Some figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. Values rounded to one decimal place; underlying results for Ag (g/t) are 1.57, 1.58, and 1.61, respectively. Values rounded to two decimal places; underlying results for Cu (%) are 0.300, 0.305 and 0.297, respectively. About Amarc Resources Ltd. Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets. Amarc is advancing the JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu Districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of northern, central and southern BC, respectively. Each District represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts are located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail. Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of CAD $110 million and CAD $90 million, respectively. Together, this provides Amarc with potentially up to CAD $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding for these Districts. In addition, Amarc completed self-funded drilling at its Empress Cu-Au Deposit in the IKE District in 2024. Amarc is the operator at the DUKE and IKE Districts. The CAD $16+ million JOY exploration program expenditures in 2025 are being 100% funded by Freeport. As previously announced (Amarc May 29, 2025 and September 4, 2025 releases), Freeport completed Stage 1 requirements under the May 2021 JOY agreement, earning a 60% interest by spending CAD $35 million, and has elected to proceed to Stage 2to earn a further 10% interest by spending an additional CAD $75 million within 5 years at a rate of no less than CAD $10 million per year. While Freeport is now the Operator of JOY, Aurora Minerals Ltd., the joint venture company with shares are currently owned by Freeport (60%) and Amarc (40%), has appointed Amarc as the primary contractor to continue to manage the JOY exploration programs under a separate Services Agreement. Amarc's exploration is led by an internationally successful team of experienced geologists specializing in porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Members of this team have been involved in and have tracked porphyry Cu-Au exploration advancements in the Toodoggone region since 1990. Their experience and early recognition of the porphyry potential at the NWG Target in terms of a shallowly overburden covered and underexplored transitional epithermal-porphyry geological setting, led to the discovery of the Au-rich AuRORA porphyry Cu-Au-Ag Deposit. Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery, development and transaction success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, PINE, IKE, DUKE and AuRORA. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects. Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance. Qualified Person Mark Rebagliati, P.Eng., a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical and scientific information in this news release. Mr. Rebagliati is not independent of the Company. Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program Amarc drilled HQ (63.5mm) and NQ (47.6mm) size core in 2025 at the JOY project. All drill core was logged, photographed, and cut in half with a diamond saw. Half core samples from the JOY AuRORA drilling were sent to ALS Canada Ltd., Kamloops, Canada, for preparation and to North Vancouver, Canada for analysis. Both facilities are ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited. At the laboratory, samples were dried, crushed to 70% passing -2mm, and 1,000 g split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed for Au by fire assay fusion of a 30 g sub-sample with an ICP-AES finish, for Cu by single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES, for oxidized Cu by quick sulphuric acid / ferric sulphate leach AAS, for soluble Cu by sulphuric acid leach AAS, and for 60 elements including Cu, Mo and Ag by a four-acid digestion, multi-element ICP-MS package. Samples with Ag results > 100 ppm were reanalyzed by a single element four-acid digestion ICP-AES method for Ag. As part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QAQC") program, Amarc control samples were inserted in each analytical batch of the core samples at the following rates: standards one in 20 regular samples, duplicate sets (half core, coarse reject, and pulp split) one in 20 regular samples and one coarse blank in 20 regular samples. The control sample results were then checked to ensure proper QAQC. For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD. Dr. Diane Nicolson President and CEO Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation including the effects of land use plans that may impact activities on or access to properties, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Table 2: Announced Drill Hole Information Drill Hole Easting Northing Elevation Azim () Dip () EOH (m) JP25103 622888 6348204 1454 270 -81 429.9 JP25109 622683 6348203 1362 270 -60 441.0 JP25093 623054 6347901 1427 89 -60 327.4 JP25098 623199 6347600 1420 89 -61 449.5 JP25107 622855 6347910 1377 94 -81 309.0 Note: Collar locations are in UTM NAD83, Zone 9N coordinates. Figure 1 (Drill Plan Map): AuRORA Deposit Discovery High Grade Near Surface, Exceptional Continuity, Deposit Continues to be Open to Expansion Figure 2 (Section 8200N): AuRORA Deposit Discovery 2025 Step-Out Drilling is Discovering More Open-Ended, Continuous Mineralization Figure 3: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8100N Figure 4: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 8000N Figure 5: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7900N Figure 6: AuRORA Deposit Discovery Section 7600N Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has been granted three new exploration licenses for polymetallic metals including gold, in the Brittany Peninsula of northwestern France through a wholly-owned French subsidiary of the Company. President and CEO, Dr. Keith Barron commented, "The French government's decision to grant us these permits is an excellent opportunity for Brittany and the Pays de la Loire to gain a deeper understanding of their subsurface resources and for France to find new sources of metals to secure the country's supplies through exploration to be conducted by Company. It also marks a new opportunity for Aurania in a jurisdiction where institutional stability and high-quality infrastructure make exploration safe and more efficient than other areas in the world. The initial mining inventory studies conducted by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) confirmed the presence of gold associated with strategic metals over more than 150 km along the shear zone, and in some cases at exceptional grades. This demonstrates the strength of the hydrothermal activity that occurred in the region." Aurania announced the filing of an exploration permit named Epona back in 2023 (see press release dated July 24, 2023). Subsequently, in October 2023, the Company submitted two additional applications, Taranis and Belenos, covering areas of 359.5 km and 440.9 km respectively. These areas are located in southern Brittany and northern Pays de la Loire in France (see map in Figure 1 below). Since antiquity, Brittany has been an important producer of metals in Europe - supplying tin and gold to the Roman Empire, then base metals and silver during the Middle Ages, and later tin, antimony, and uranium during the Industrial Revolution. Despite this long history, no exploration has been conducted in the region since the 1980s, leaving its significant potential largely unexplored. With more than four decades of advances in exploration technologies, the application of modern exploration techniques potentially positions the Brittany Peninsula as a highly prospective area that can be considered a greenfield district. The purpose of these permits is to explore the South Armorican Shear Zone, a major crustal fault where mineralization of antimony, tungsten, tin, zinc, and copper - accompanied by gold - and other metals have been deposited as indicated by the BRGM. Figure 1: Location of Aurania's permits in France. Potential for polymetallic strategic metals With geology comparable to the Iberian Peninsula, the Bohemian Massif, Newfoundland and other Variscan terranes, the Armorican Massif stands out as a possible candidate to help meet Europe's growing demand for strategic metals in a market environment largely dominated by China. The European Union launched the European Critical Raw Materials Act, a plan that aims to secure 10% of its metal supply from within Europe by 2030. Support for the mining industry was first expressed by the French government in 2022 after receiving the Varin Report and was later reinforced through the launch of a new national mineral inventory1. The areas selected by Aurania align with this plan, and show strong potential for strategic metals such as antimony, tungsten, and tin, as well as zinc and silver, with by-products of indium (see Figure 2).1 Figure 2: Geology of the permit areas and main commodities. Potential for gold An advantage of the Armorican Massif is its potential richness in gold associated with the aforementioned metals, which enhances the likelihood of an economic discovery. In this respect, the area can be compared to the district currently being explored by New Found Gold in Newfoundland, Canada, where a similar dispersion of gold is observed along a shear zone within a comparable Cambrian to Ordovician geological environment. Figure 3: Comparison on the same scale between the geology and gold showings at the Queensway permit (New Found Gold) located in Canada and the area of Aurania's permits in France (modified from the map published in the 43-101 report, January 2023 Exploration Update: New Found Gold Corp.'s Queensway Gold Project, NL, Figure 7.17). Next steps Aurania will proceed with stakeholder engagement, including outreach and dialogue with local landowners, while advancing preparations for an airborne geophysical survey and subsequent field activities. Qualified Person The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc., Vice-President Exploration of the Company. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. 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. 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-. For further information, please contact: Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 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 that the Company's exploration activities may be an excellent opportunity for Brittany and the Pays de la Loire to gain a deeper understanding of their subsurface resources, the purpose of obtaining the permits being to explore the South Armorican Shear Zone, that the Armorican Massif stands out as a possible candidate to help meet Europe's growing demand for strategic metals, that an advantage of the Armorican Massif is its potential richness in gold associated with the aforementioned metals, which enhances the likelihood of an economic discovery, the Company's next steps with respect to the permits and exploration activities conducted thereof, Aurania's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation's portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the commencement of any drill program 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: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; 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. 1 In September 2023, President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a major update to France's national mineral inventory, known as the Inventaire des Ressources Minerales (IRM). This initiative was designed to identify subsurface areas with potential mineral resources, reduce import dependence, and support re-industrialization efforts. The inventory is being led by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) and aligns with the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act. https://www.brgm.fr/en/news/feature-article/mineral-resources-inventory-answers-questions-faq Akbar Novruz Baku is preparing to host another major event that will further deepen economic ties between Azerbaijan and Turkiye. On December 23, the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Business Forum will take place at the Heydar Aliyev Center, bringing together top-level officials and influential business leaders from both countries. Azernews reports that Salih Tufekci, a representative of the Public Union of Turkish-Azerbaijani Businessmen and Industrialists (TUIB), shared the announcement during a press conference dedicated to the II Azerbaijan-Turkiye Investment Forum held in Baku. This forum is one of the important stages in Turkish-Azerbaijani business relations and a valuable contribution to the business world. A forum will again be organized at the Heydar Aliyev Center, which will be attended by high-level leaders, ministers and big businessmen of the two states. In addition, Assistant to the President of Turkiye Cevdet Y?lmaz and Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov will also participate in the forum, he noted. The event is expected to highlight new avenues of cooperation, reinforce existing partnerships, and showcase the growing strategic synergy between the two economies, particularly in trade, energy, technology, and investment. The intercept includes a high-grade interval of 23 metres grading 2.83 g/t gold Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - AbraSilver Resource Corp. (TSX: ABRA) (OTCQX: ABBRF) ("AbraSilver" or the "Company") is pleased to announce new assay results from three drill holes from the ongoing Phase V exploration program at its wholly-owned Diablillos project in Argentina (the "Project"). DDH 25-085 at Oculto East intersected a broad 274.0 metre ("m") interval grading 0.60 g/t gold including a higher-grade 23.0m grading 2.83 g/t gold, together with copper and molybdenum mineralization at depth. This intercept reinforces the scale, strength, and multi-phase nature of the Diablillos mineralizing system. Drilling continues to extend oxide-hosted gold mineralization well beyond the current conceptual open pit and provides further support for a significant porphyry system underlying Oculto. Highlight Drill Results - Widths are reported as drilled; true widths are not yet known. Oculto East: DDH 25-085 is the deepest drill hole completed to date at Oculto. The hole successfully tested a major structural-intrusive corridor extending beneath Oculto East, intersecting pervasive silicification, brecciation, and advanced argillic-silicic alteration interpreted to be related to a larger intrusive at depth. These features are consistent with the upper levels of well-developed porphyry systems. Results include: 274.0 m grading 0.60 g/t gold (from 251 m), including: 23.0 m grading 2.83 g/t gold (from 306 m); The hole also intersected significant copper and molybdenum values in multiple deeper sulphide zones, an important vector toward a porphyry center. DDH 25-083 encountered additional gold mineralization in a transitional oxide-sulphide zone, along the broad Oculto East structural corridor: 26.0 m grading 0.74 g/t gold (from 203 m); DDH 25-082 tested the extension of the Oculto East structural corridor and returned: 12.0 m grading 0.44 g/t gold (from 275 m). John Miniotis, President and CEO, commented, "Hole DDH 25-085 marks an important milestone and underscores the remarkable scale of the Diablillos system. The wide 274-metre gold interval, coupled with copper and molybdenum intercepts at depth, indicates strong potential well beyond the limits of our current oxide Mineral Resources. These results reinforce our view that Oculto forms part of a much larger precious- and base-metal system with substantial additional growth potential." Dave O'Connor, Chief Geologist, commented, "DDH 25-085 demonstrates mineralization to more than one kilometre depth and provides clear geological evidence of a vertically extensive system. The deeper copper-molybdenum-gold mineralization is characteristic of fertile porphyry environments, and the alteration we encountered is consistent with the upper portions of a significant intrusive center. These results enhance our geological model and highlight substantial additional exploration potential across the property." Table 1 - Summary of Key Drill Intercepts: Oculto East Intercepts greater than 25 gram-metres gold shown in bolded text: Drill Hole Area From (m) To (m) Type Interval (m) Ag g/t Au g/t Cu % Mo ppm DDH-25-082 Oculto East 275.0 287.0 Oxides 12.0 1.1 0.44 - - 303.0 305.0 Oxides 2.0 3.4 0.38 - - DDH-25-083 Oculto East 172.0 177.0 Oxides 5.0 55.2 0.48 - - 203.0 229.0 Transition 26.0 14.1 0.74 0.18 - DDH-25-085 Oculto East 251.0 525.0 Transition 274.0 2.5 0.60 0.06 19 Including 306.0 329.0 Transition 23.0 9.2 2.83 - - 552.0 572.0 Sulphides 20.0 - 0.16 0.18 101 883.0 891.0 Sulphides 8.0 - 0.53 - 88 1,007.0 1,011.0 Sulphides 4.0 - 0.50 - 157 Note: All results in this news release are rounded. Assays are uncut & undiluted. Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 1 - Plan View of Drill Results Additional Details on Drill Results - Oculto East Drilling at Oculto East continues to confirm a broad, cohesive mineralized corridor extending beyond the eastern limit of the current Mineral Resource open pit shell. The high-grade interval in DDH 25-085 (23 m at 2.83 g/t Au) lies on the same structural trend as hole DDH 25-024, which previously returned 31.0 m grading 9.96 g/t gold and 16.2 g/t silver, highlighting the strong continuity of high-grade gold mineralization at Oculto East. Figure 2 - Section Through Latest Drill Holes at Oculto East Note: Widths are drilled widths, not true widths. True widths are unknown. Figure 3 below is the standard model of alteration related to a porphyry intrusive system as presented by Dr. Richard Sillitoe1. Hole DDH 25-085 terminated in chlorite-sericite alteration, which indicates that the potentially higher grade potassic zone is being approached. The several porphyritic dacite dykes intersected in the drill hole are probably related to the progenitor porphyry intrusion. Figure 3 - Alteration Zones Associated with a Porphyry Intrusive System Exploration Update The Phase V drill program remains on track for completion before year-end. To date, 60 holes have been drilled as part of the program and the final six holes will be completed before year-end. The Company plans to commence a Phase VI drill program totaling approximately 15,000 metres in January 2026, focusing on Mineral Resource expansion, select deeper porphyry-related targets, and continued step-outs across the Oculto-JAC mineralized cluster. Further details will be provided early in the New Year. An updated Mineral Resource estimate, incorporating all Phase V drilling, remains scheduled for H1/2026. This estimate will be used for an updated Mineral Reserve and mine plan that will underpin the ongoing DFS that will be completed in the same time frame. A deep drill hole was recently completed at the Cerro Viejo porphyry target, located approximately 4 kilometres northeast of Oculto. Assay results are expected shortly. Collar Data Hole Number UTM Coordinates Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth (m) Area DDH 25-082 721271 7199288 4,595 110 -65 338 Oculto East DDH 25-083 721041 7200088 4,306 180 -60 245 Oculto East DDH 25-085 720923 7199790 4,346 180 -60 1,025 Oculto East About Diablillos The Diablillos property is located within the Puna region of Argentina, in the southern part of Salta Province along the border with Catamarca Province, approximately 160 km southwest of the city of Salta and 375 km northwest of the city of Catamarca. AbraSilver acquired the property in 2016, which comprises 15 contiguous and overlapping mineral concessions with excellent year-round road access. Exploration to date has outlined multiple occurrences of silver-gold oxide mineralization at Oculto, JAC, Laderas, and Fantasma, located within a 500 m to 1.5 km distance surrounding the Oculto/JAC epicentre. To date, over 150,000 metres have been drilled on the property, which continues to demonstrate the strong growth potential of shallow, oxide-hosted silver and gold resources. In addition, a large porphyry complex is centered approximately 4 km northeast of Oculto which includes outcropping porphyry intrusions within a major zone of alteration and associated gold rich epithermal mineralization. Comparatively nearby examples of high sulphidation epithermal deposits include: La Coipa (Chile); Yanacocha (Peru); El Indio (Chile); Lagunas Nortes/Alto Chicama (Peru) Veladero (Argentina); and Filo del Sol (Argentina). The most recent Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos is shown in Table 2: Table 2 - Diablillos Mineral Resource Estimate - As of July 21, 2025 Zone Category Tonnes (000 t) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) AgEq (g/t) Contained Ag (000 Oz Ag) Contained Au (000 Oz Ag) Contained AgEq (000 Oz Ag) Tank Leach Oxides Measured 26,545 119 0.71 183 101,564 604 156,487 Indicated 46,584 56 0.63 114 84,430 948 170,592 Measured & 73,129 79 0.66 139 185,994 1,553 327,078 Indicated Inferred 9,693 34 0.57 86 10,616 176 26,647 Heap Leach Oxides Measured 6,673 16 0.14 25 3,486 30 5,342 Indicated 24,102 12 0.17 23 9,163 133 17,506 Measured & 30,774 13 0.16 23 12,649 162 22,848 Indicated Inferred 10,024 9 0.20 21 2,811 64 6,850 Total Oxides Measured 33,218 98 0.59 152 105,050 634 161,829 Indicated 70,686 41 0.48 83 93,593 1,081 188,098 Measured & 103,904 59 0.51 105 198,643 1,715 349,927 Indicated Inferred 19,628 21 0.38 53 13,427 241 33,496 Footnotes for Tank Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 83% process recovery for Ag, and 87% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used were US $1.94/t mining cost, US $22.96/t processing cost, US $3.32/t G&A cost, and average 51-degree open pit slopes. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] The Mineral Resource is sub-horizontal with sub-vertical feeders and a reasonable prospect for eventual economic extraction by open pit and tank leach processing methods. In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. Footnotes for Heap Leach Resource: Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. The formula for calculating AgEq is as follows: Silver Eq Oz = Silver Oz + Gold Oz x (Gold Price/Silver Price) x (Gold Recovery/Silver Recovery). The Mineral Resource model was populated using Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model and mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids, which are a combination of lithology and alteration domains. The 1m composite grades were capped where appropriate. The Mineral Resource is reported inside a conceptual Whittle open pit shell derived using US$ 27.50/oz Ag price, US $2,400/oz Au price, 80% process recovery for Ag, and 58% process recovery for Au. The constraining open pit optimization parameters used and overall operational cost of US $11.31/t. The MRE has been categorized in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards (CIM, 2014). A Net Value per block [NVB] calculation was used to constrain the Mineral Resource, determine the "Benefits = Income-Cost", where, Income = [(Au Selling Price (US$/oz) - Au Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Au grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Au Recovery (%)] + [(Ag Selling Price (US$/oz) - Ag Selling Cost (USD/Oz)) x (Ag grade (g/t)/31.1035)) x Ag Recovery (%)] and Cost = Mining Cost (US$/t) + Process Cost (US$/t) + Transport Cost (US$/t) + G&A Cost (US$/t) + [Royalty Cost (%) x Income] In-situ bulk density were assigned to each model domain, according to samples averages for each lithology domain, separated by alteration zones and subset by oxidation. All tonnages reported are dry metric tonnes and ounces of contained gold are troy ounces. Mining recovery and dilution factors have not been applied to the Mineral Resource estimates. The Mineral Resource was estimated by Mr. Peralta, B.Sc., FAusIMM CP (Geo), Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Peralta is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues that could materially affect the potential development of the Mineral Resource. All figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimates. Minor discrepancies may occur due to rounding to appropriate significant figures. QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols AbraSilver applies industry standard exploration methodologies and techniques, and all drill core samples are collected under the supervision of the Company's geologists in accordance with industry best practices. Drill core is transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where drill data is compared and verified with the core in the trays. Thereafter, it is logged, photographed, and split by diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples are then bagged, and quality control materials are inserted at regular intervals at site; these include blanks and certified reference materials as well as duplicate core samples which are collected in order to assess sampling precision and reproducibility. Groups of samples are then placed in large bags which are sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody during the transport of the samples from the project site to the laboratory. All samples are received by the ASA (Alex Stewart Argentina) preparation laboratory in Salta, where they are prepared, then the pulp sachet is directly dispatched to its facility in Mendoza, Argentina, where they are analyzed. All samples are analyzed using a multi-element technique consisting of a four-acid digestion followed by ICP/AES detection, and gold is analyzed by 50g Fire Assay with an AAS finish. Silver results greater than 100g/t are re-analyzed using four acid digestion with an ore grade AAS finish. Qualified Persons David O'Connor P.Geo., Chief Geologist for AbraSilver, is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. About AbraSilver AbraSilver is an advanced-stage exploration company focused on rapidly advancing its 100%-owned Diablillos silver-gold project in the mining-friendly Salta province of Argentina. The current Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for Diablillos (tank leach-only) consists of 73.1 Mt grading 79 g/t Ag and 0.66 g/t Au, containing approximately 186Moz of silver and 1.6Moz of gold, with significant further upside potential based on recent exploration drilling. The Company is led by an experienced management team and has long-term supportive shareholders. In addition, the Company has an earn-in option and joint venture agreement with Teck on the La Coipita project, located in the San Juan province of Argentina. AbraSilver is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ABRA" and in the U.S. on the OTCQX under the symbol "ABBRF." For further information please visit the AbraSilver Resource website at www.abrasilver.com, our LinkedIn page at AbraSilver Resource Corp., and follow us on X at www.x.com/abrasilver. Cautionary Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements that address future plans, activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur are forward-looking information. 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. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company's disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release 1https://pyrite.utah.edu/fieldtrips/SEGFperu-2012/Readings/Sillitoe%202010.pdf December 10, 2025 TheNewswire - London, Ontario Peloton Minerals Corporation (Peloton or the Company) (CSE Symbol: PMC; OTCQB Symbol: PMCCF)) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the maiden drilling program on the Companys 100% owned North Elko Lithium Project (NELP) located in northeastern Nevada. The four-hole program, totaling 1,825 feet, successfully achieved all of its objectives: confirming the near surface presence of clay or clay bearing material (Clay Layers) to a vertical depth of at least 500 feet; confirming the presence of Clay Layers across a widespread area with drill spacing measuring 7 by 3.5 kilometers in this program; providing data on the orientation and stratigraphy of the Clay Layers; and obtaining samples to analyze for the presence of lithium or other critical minerals. Three of the holes were stopped at a vertical depth of 500 feet while still in clay bearing material. One of the holes was stopped at 325 feet after intersecting underlying basement rocks. The four holes were spaced about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) apart on the NE-SW axis and about 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) apart on the NW-SE axis. A map accompanies this release. The samples from the drill holes will be submitted for multi-element assay analysis to determine the presence of lithium as well as other elements. A split from each sample will also be subject to X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis to better understand the minerology, as well as to determine whether zeolite minerals are present, which were noted in XRD analysis of surface samples. Assay results are expected toward the end of January 2026 with XRD analysis to be conducted over the winter. NELP is located immediately adjacent to a high-grade lithium deposit discovered in 2023 by Surge Battery Metals in north-eastern Nevada. NELP is about 37 square kilometers (14.25 square miles) in size and is 100% owned with no royalties outstanding. Peloton exploration work to date comprises an airborne hyperspectral survey, airborne magnetics, radiometric and VLF-EM surveys, geologic mapping, soil geochemistry over a 32 square kilometre grid, prospecting, XRD analysis on over 1,000 surface samples, surface tTEM geophysics, and four initial drill holes. Peloton holds two drilling permits over NELP and presently has 24 drill pad locations permitted for follow-on programs. All drill pads are located beside existing roads to minimize environmental disturbance, and more drill pads could be added as programs proceed. Peloton President and CEO Edward (Ted) Ellwood commented, The drill program ran about as efficiently as could be to the credit of our field team. It is exciting to reach the drilling stage and to complete this milestone. Map Showing Approximate Drill Locations (stars), the Claim Block Outline (purple) and Various Roads Traversing the Property (blue). * Stars are Not to Scale Drill Photos: A photo gallery of recent drilling has been added to the bottom of the NELP page on the Companys website at: https://pelotonminerals.com/projects/north-elko-lithium-project For further information please contact: Edward (Ted) Ellwood, MBA President & CEO 1-519-697-2313 Richard C. Capps, PhD, is the qualified person under NI 43-101 that has approved the technical information contained within this release. Dr. Capps is the Companys Senior Geologist and a Director. Peloton Minerals Corporation is a reporting issuer in good standing in the Provinces of British Columbia and Ontario whose common shares are listed on the CSE (Symbol: PMC) and trade in the U.S. on the OTC QB (Symbol: PMCCF). There are 150,228,177 common shares issued and outstanding in the capital of the Company. Pelotons exploration portfolio includes the North Elko Lithium Project in northeastern Nevada which is prospective for lithium, uranium, critical and rare earth minerals, as well the Golden Trail and Independence Valley Carlin style gold projects in northeastern Nevada, and a non-controlling interest in a copper porphyry project near Butte, Montana. CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate, "expect", foresee, "intend", looking, plan, "potential", "propose", "project", suggests, "outlook" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such statements include, among others, those concerning the Companys plans to conduct future exploration programs. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on several risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management's expectations regarding its ability to initiate and complete future exploration work as expected. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, operational risks in the completion of the Companys future exploration work; technical, safety or regulatory issues; availability of capital; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the imposition of government restrictions on business which may ultimately affect and delay the exploration timeline; and changes in prices for metals that the Company is exploring for. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Companys securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law. Veteran Mining Engineer Brings Technical Expertise and Deep Experience in Quebec Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 10, 2025) - Exploits Discovery Corp. (CSE: NFLD) (OTCQB: NFLDF) (FSE: 634) today announced the appointment of Mr. Guy Bedard to its Board of Directors, effective December 10, 2025, as the Company advances its refocused growth strategy in Quebec and Ontario. "Guy brings exactly the kind of project development experience and Quebec insight we want at the board table," said Doug Cater, Chair of the Board. "As we pivot our efforts toward advancing our Quebec gold projects, including drilling at Fenton, his experience prioritizing and advancing projects with disciplined capital allocation will be a significant asset for Exploits and its shareholders." Mr. Bedard is a Quebec-based mining engineer with more than 30 years of underground and open-pit experience spanning operations, projects, and senior leadership roles across the Americas. Most recently he was the Mine General Manager at First Majestic Silver Corp. and previously served as Underground Mines Director at Calibre Mining and General Manager with Lundin Gold Inc. at the Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador, following a period as Principal of GB Consulting. Mr. Bedard holds a B.Eng. (Mining) from Universite Laval and has completed senior leadership studies at the Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto). He brings deep expertise in technical execution, HSE stewardship, and team leadership, with particular strength in Quebec and Latin America. Stock Option Grant The Company also announces that it has granted to certain of its directors, officers, employees and consultants incentive stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,425,000 common shares, exercisable on or before December 10, 2028, at a price of $0.065 per share. The options are fully vested and exercisable as of the date of grant. About Exploits Discovery Corp. Exploits Discovery is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on growing ounces in top-tier mining jurisdictions in Quebec and Ontario, anchored by approximately 680,000 ounces of historical gold resources across its Fenton, Wilson, Benoist and Hawkins projects. The Company also holds a strategic equity position and royalty exposure to New Found Gold Corp. in Newfoundland following the sale of its Newfoundland claims in 2025. Exploits' strategy is to unlock district-scale potential across its balanced Quebec-Ontario portfolio through systematic, data-driven exploration and strategic partnerships, creating shareholder value through discovery and resource growth. On Behalf of the Board /s/ "Jeff Swinoga" President and CEO Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law. Venezuela's opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Wednesday urged her compatriots to fight for freedom against "state terrorism", as she said she was coming out of hiding to travel to Norway after being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in her absence. Machado, who won the Nobel for challenging President Nicolas Maduro's grip on power, has not been seen in public for months after threats to her life. Her daughter accepted the prize on her behalf in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, and delivered her blistering acceptance speech, slamming the country's leader for crimes against the Venezuelan people. "What we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey: that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom," said Ana Corina Sosa Machado. In a call with the chair of the Nobel Committee, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, published just before the ceremony, Machado said she was "very sad and very sorry" that she would not make it in time but was on her way to Oslo. Frydnes, for his part, urged Maduro to accept his 2024 election defeat and resign. "Lay the foundation for a peaceful transition to democracy. Because that is the will of the Venezuelan people," he added in a speech, to applause. - 'State terrorism' - Machado in her speech also denounced kidnappings and torture under Maduro's rule, calling them "crimes against humanity" and "state terrorism, deployed to bury the will of the people". Despite her absence from the ceremony, Nobel officials said she was "safe" and would arrive in Oslo by Thursday at the latest. Venezuela has warned Machado that she would be labelled a "fugitive" if she left the country, putting her at risk of arrest when attempting to re-enter. But her daughter assured the audience that her mother would return. "She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose," Ana Corina Sosa Machado said. Machado's mother and three daughters, and some Latin American heads of state, including Argentine President Javier Milei, were at the prize-giving at Oslo's City Hall. While organisers said Machado had previously indicated she would attend, doubts had already been raised when a traditional press conference with the award winner on Tuesday was first postponed and then cancelled. Machado has accused Maduro of stealing Venezuela's July 2024 election which she was banned from. Her claim is backed by much of the international community. She has been hailed for her efforts in favour of democracy, but also been criticised for aligning herself with US President Donald Trump, to whom she has dedicated her Nobel. The Oslo ceremony coincides with a large US military build-up in the Caribbean in recent weeks and deadly strikes on what Washington says are drug smuggling boats. Maduro insists that the goal of the US operations -- which Machado has said are justified -- is to topple the government and seize Venezuela's oil reserves. - Not seen since January - Since going into hiding, Machado's only public appearance was on January 9, in Caracas where she protested against Maduro's inauguration for his third term. The opposition claimed its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won the election. He now lives in exile, and was also in Oslo on Wednesday. Multiple other Nobel Peace Prize winners have been unable to collect their prizes in person. Family members usually do so on their behalf, Nobel Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken explained this week. Doubts had been raised about how Machado would return to Venezuela if she made the trip. Her refusal to leave the country has helped boost her political power there. "She risks being arrested if she returns even if the authorities have shown more restraint with her than with many others, because arresting her would have a very strong symbolic value," said Benedicte Bull, a professor specialising in Latin America at the University of Oslo. On the other hand, "she is the undisputed leader of the opposition, but if she were to stay away in exile for a long time, I think that would change and she would gradually lose political influence", she added. The Nobel laureates in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics all received their prizes from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf at a separate ceremony in Stockholm on Wednesday before a lavish banquet. The prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and the sum of 11 million kronor ($1.2 million) -- which is shared when several laureates are honoured in the same category. Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado is set to address the world on Thursday, according to the Norwegian government, after the Venezuelan opposition leader was awarded the prestigious peace prize in her absence. Machado, who won the Nobel for challenging President Nicolas Maduro's grip on power, has not been seen out in the open for months after threats to her life. After saying she was coming out of hiding to travel to Norway but would not arrive in time for Wednesday's prize ceremony, Machado will make her first public appearance at a press conference in Oslo at 0915 GMT Thursday, Norway's government said. Accepting the award on Machado's behalf on Wednesday, her daughter delivered her blistering acceptance speech, in which she urged her compatriots to fight for freedom against "state terrorism" by Maduro. "What we Venezuelans can offer the world is the lesson forged through this long and difficult journey: that to have democracy, we must be willing to fight for freedom," said Ana Corina Sosa Machado. In a call with the chair of the Nobel Committee, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, published just before the ceremony, Machado said she was "very sad and very sorry" that she would not make it in time, but was on her way to Oslo. Frydnes, for his part, urged Maduro to accept his 2024 election defeat and resign. "Lay the foundation for a peaceful transition to democracy. Because that is the will of the Venezuelan people," he said in a speech, to applause. However, Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez ironically compared the proceedings to a "funeral", given Machado's absence. - 'State terrorism' - In her speech, Machado denounced kidnappings and torture under Maduro's rule, calling them "crimes against humanity" and "state terrorism, deployed to bury the will of the people". Despite her absence from the ceremony, Nobel officials said she was "safe" and would still arrive in Oslo. Venezuela has warned Machado she would be labelled a "fugitive" if she left the country, putting her at risk of arrest when attempting to re-enter. But her daughter assured the audience her mother would return. "She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose," Ana Corina Sosa Machado said. Machado's mother and three daughters, and some Latin American heads of state, including Argentine President Javier Milei, were at the prize-giving at Oslo's City Hall. Doubts about whether Machado would make it for the ceremony arose when a traditional press conference with the award-winner on Tuesday was first postponed, then cancelled. Machado has accused Maduro of stealing Venezuela's July 2024 election, from which she was banned -- a claim backed by much of the international community. She has been hailed for her fight for democracy, but also criticised for aligning herself with US President Donald Trump, to whom she has dedicated her Nobel. The Oslo ceremony coincides with a large US military build-up in the Caribbean in recent weeks and deadly strikes on what Washington says are drug-smuggling boats. Maduro, who came to power in 2013, insists the goal of the US operations -- which Machado has said are justified -- is to topple the government and seize Venezuela's oil reserves. - Not seen since January - Since going into hiding, Machado's only public appearance was on January 9, in Caracas, where she protested against Maduro's inauguration for his third term. The opposition claimed its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, won the election. He now lives in exile, and was also in Oslo on Wednesday. Multiple other Nobel Peace Prize-winners have been unable to collect their awards in person. Family members usually do so on their behalf, Nobel Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken explained this week. Doubts had been raised about how Machado would return to Venezuela. Her refusal to leave the country has helped boost her political power there. "She risks being arrested if she returns... because arresting her would have a very strong symbolic value," said Benedicte Bull, a professor specialising in Latin America at the University of Oslo. On the other hand, "she is the undisputed leader of the opposition, but if she were to stay away in exile for a long time, I think that would change and she would gradually lose political influence," she added. The Nobel laureates in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics all received their prizes from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf at a separate ceremony in Stockholm on Wednesday. The prize consists of a diploma, a gold medal and 11 million kronor ($1.2 million) -- which is shared when several laureates are honoured in the same category. Uganda has violated a United Nations arms embargo by deploying troops to South Sudan to support the government, according to a report published Wednesday by UN experts. Localized fighting between the South Sudanese army and militias loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, a political rival of President Salva Kiir, intensified in March. Machar's indictment on September 11 for "crimes against humanity" has fueled fears of a new civil war. In the report, dated late November, the panel of experts tasked by the UN Security Council with monitoring sanctions against South Sudan said Kampala had confirmed the deployment in March of soldiers from the Ugandan Armed Forces (FDPO) at the request of Kiir. Since that initial deployment, the panel "has confirmed the arrival of additional military personnel and equipment and the expansion of the UPDF presence in South Sudan," primarily stationed a few kilometers east of the capital. Juba has "been able to rely on the continued support of Ugandan forces, whose armed troops, tanks and armored vehicles have remained in South Sudan since March 2025, in violation of the arms embargo" imposed by the Security Council in 2018, according to the report. The panel said that Uganda has confirmed the deployment of three military helicopters, which also constitutes a likely violation of the embargo. South Sudan, the world's youngest country, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but quickly descended into a five-year civil war between supporters of Kiir and Machar in which some 400,000 people died. A 2018 peace deal ended the fighting and created a unity government, but its leaders repeatedly failed to hold elections or unify their armed forces. The report described how the political and security landscape has evolved since then. "Years of neglect have fragmented government and opposition forces alike, resulting in a patchwork of uniformed soldiers, defectors and armed community defense groups that are increasingly preoccupied by local struggles," the panel said. "With limited supplies and low morale, the South Sudan People's Defense Forces has relied increasingly on relatively indiscriminate aerial bombardments as their principal means of disrupting opposition forces," the panel added. In May, the Security Council called for an immediate end to the fighting and expressed particular concern about reports of the indiscriminate use of barrel bombs. Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - Social media was set ablaze after a lady confessed that she strategically got her boyfriend fired as revenge for cheating on her. In a trending post on X, the unapologetic lady narrated how she deliberately befriended her boyfriends boss and the two grew so close that they eventually became intimate. According to her, once she gained the boss trust, she used the opportunity to destroy her boyfriends reputation at work. She claimed she fed the boss negative information about him, painting him as irresponsible and unfit for his position, and the employer wasted no time terminating his contract. The lady celebrated the news of his job loss, saying her ex deserved every bit of it for betraying her love and humiliating her by cheating. Her confession has sparked debate online, with netizens divided, some calling her ruthless and toxic, while others cheer her on for teaching him a lesson. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 9, 2025 - A young Kenyan lady is reportedly being held at a New Delhi prison following her arrest after a fight broke out at a local nightclub in India. According to preliminary reports, police were called to the club after an altercation involving the lady and other partygoers. Officers later proceeded to her apartment as part of follow-up investigations. During the search, authorities are said to have recovered unusual personal items. Below is a social media post highlighting the circumstances surrounding her arrest. The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, December 09, 2025 - Days after President William Ruto urged young Kenyans aged 25 and above to embrace marriage, one admirer has boldly professed his feelings for the First Daughter, Charlene Ruto . In a heartfelt comment on Charlenes latest social media post, Achiando Achiando poured out his emotions: Hey Charlene, I hope you don't mind me writing this. I just want to be honest about something that has been on my mind for a while. Every time I see your pictures here on social media, I feel genuinely happy. You make everything feel lighter and brighter, and every time when I am relaxed, I just find myself thinking of you. The truth is, I have started to like you too much for me to control my feelings towards you, not just as your FB friend or your FB lover, but as someone I would love to call you mine forever. I would really like to take the next step in my life with you, if you give me this chance. Please, Charlene, would you be my lover? This public declaration comes nearly two years after Charlene herself surprised many by asking televangelist Benny Hinn to pray for her get a husband. During a February 2024 service, Hinn prayed: Give her a husband who will fulfill that call with her She needs a husband soon, Lord. Send him her way. Let him be exactly what she wants. Despite the attention, Charlene, now 32, continues to keep her private life closely guarded, leaving fans guessing about her relationship status. 1 of 1 A Confluence of Pravasi Rajasthanis - Come to your roots khaskhabar.com : Wed, 10 Dec 2025 1:02 PM A grand celebration to connect with your country The fragrance of Rajasthan and the yearning of the Pravasi's heart will create a new history - Vasudev Devnani - The first Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan is being organized on December 10th at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) complex in Sitapura, Jaipur the Pink City, the capital of Rajasthan. On behalf of the more than 80 million people of Rajasthan, the geographically largest and border state of our country, India, filled with unity in diversity, we heartily welcome and congratulate all the Pravasi brothers and sisters from India and abroad, and the young friends who have come to Rajasthan to participate in this grand conference, on this historic land of patriotic warriors, brave women, soldiers and philanthropists. The Pink City Jaipur, with its unique smile, embraces every guest and says, "Welcome... Come to your holy land... You are always welcome in Rajasthan." This sacred land of Rajasthan, the historic land renowned worldwide for its valor, tradition, culture, folk arts, festivals, delicious cuisine, tourism, and hospitality. The primary objective of this event is to bring together the Rajasthani diaspora (nonresident Rajasthanis) spread across the country and abroad on a single platform and to connect all migrants to their homeland socially, culturally, economically, developmentally, and emotionally. It also aims to connect migrant Rajasthanis to their roots and ensure their participation in the development of their homeland . The enthusiasm of the migrant brothers and sisters for this unique and unparalleled event is evident from the fact that over 8,700 migrants have registered to participate in the conference. Come, my dear Migrants , come Rajasthan has been known for its hospitality for centuries. Here, guests are considered gods. The most emotional aspect of this conference is that whole Rajasthan is wholeheartedly sending the message to the migrant guests, Come, my dear migrants, come, Rajasthan is your home. This is not just a sentence, but the soul of Rajasthan, its culture, its identity. This conference is not only a formal event, but also a festival of emotional and cultural reunion. Migrant Rajasthanis have always yearned for the touch of their soil, the sweetness of their language, the closeness of their people. The conference conveys the message that "wherever you are, Rajasthan is always yours." This emotional call of "Come to your country, and we the countrymen will be yours!" reflects the spirit and connection of Rajasthan. Rajasthan has always been in the hearts of the Indian diaspora who, for employment, business, education, or other needs, have migrated and achieved fame across the world. Today, thousands of families, from America, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, London, Europe, Russia, and Africa, may live abroad but cherish the colors, customs, dialect, and heritage of Rajasthan in their hearts. The objective of the Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan is to rekindle the bonds that, while separated geographically by time and distance, have always been held together by emotions. This conference conveys to the diaspora community that Rajasthan is still their home and that they play an important role in every journey of it's development. The connection and belonging to the soil of Rajasthan can never be forgotten. The Rajasthani diaspora, settled in any corner of the world , still loves its soil as much as one loves his mother. This first Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan, held in the Pink City, Jaipur, is dedicated to this sentiment, this intimacy, and this deep connection. It is not just an event, but a grand celebration of connecting with one's roots , where the fragrance of Rajasthan and the yearning of the diaspora will come together to create a new history. There is no doubt that this bridge of relationships and the purpose of the Sammelan will set a new dimension for Rajasthan's development. The objectives of the first Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan are to strengthen cultural ties with the diaspora, honor the achievements of our Rajasthanis, present new opportunities for investment and development in Rajasthan, connect the younger generation with their original cultural identity, and share the changing image and progress of India and Rajasthan under the leadership of the illustrious Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pravasi Pavana: Pride and Brand Ambassador of Rajasthan It is heartening that the Rajasthan government has decided to honor successful Rajasthanis and their organizations residing in various states and countries across the country and the world at this conference. Indeed, the glorious saga of the contributions made by Rajasthanis to society, the region, and the nation is commendable. Overseas Rajasthanis have created a distinct mark not only in the country but globally in every field including business, education, industry, IT, medicine, arts, culture, social service, and politics. This conference is a humble effort to honor their contributions and increase their participation in Rajasthan's future. Through this conference, the Rajasthan government has clarified that Rajasthani diaspora are the state's "brand ambassadors." Wherever they live, they establish Rajasthan's identity, culture, and values globally. Rajasthanis have achieved remarkable achievements in the fields of business, industry, IT, education, arts, cinema, research, medicine, politics, and social service. This conference is an opportune moment to honor these talented individuals and invite them to further contribute to the state's development. Rajasthani entrepreneurs, academics, scientists, artists, IAS and IPS officers, doctors, engineers, social and business organizations are not only symbols of economic success but also ambassadors of Rajasthan's culture and civilization. Their experience, investment potential, global outlook, and entrepreneurial skills are capable of making invaluable contributions to Rajasthan's development. This conference is not merely a cultural gathering, but a comprehensive platform for development and participation.The First Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan is a historic initiative by the Rajasthan government. It is hoped that this event will not only enrich the state culturally but will also open new avenues for Rajasthan's economy, entrepreneurship, investment, innovation, and social development. It is believed that this conference will infuse new energy into Rajasthan's development and awaken the spirit of giving back to their home state which is in the hearts of expatriate Rajasthanis. The feeling of enthusiasm, joy, and warmth that overflowed on the soil of Jaipur will remain unforgettable for us all . This conference also marks the beginning of a new era, where Rajasthan and the diaspora will work together to build the future. This conference will mark an important chapter in Rajasthan's history. It will not only symbolize respect for the motherland but also serve as a powerful platform for economic, social, and cultural development. The Pink City of Jaipur is poised to make history once again. This city, recognized worldwide for its rich culture, unique heritage, and warm hospitality, is hosting the first Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan. This is a moment when the sons and daughters of Rajasthan, settled across the globe, have come together to relive the fragrance of their motherland. Rajasthani cuisineDal-Baati-Churma, Ker-Sangri, Gatte ki Sabzi, Bajra Khichdi, Ghevar, and Mishri Mawahas its own unique taste and flavor. Cultural events, among other things, will welcome the diaspora guests. This conference will fulfill the important responsibility of connecting the new generation of diaspora Rajasthanis with Rajasthan's culture and heritage. Rajasthan is moving forward with its identity, traditions, culture, and legacy of struggle. Today, the combination of the potential of expatriate Rajasthanis and the state's resources is opening new vistas of development for the Rajasthan of the future. Unprecedented possibilities are emerging in areas such as investment, employment, tourism, global cooperation, and cultural preservation. Organized by the Rajasthan government, this conference will feature diverse sessions on the state's potential, investment opportunities, tourism, culture, and entrepreneurship. Cultural evenings will showcase glimpses of Rajasthan's folk culture, while cuisine, from dal-baati-churma to ghevar, will offer a taste of tradition. Jaipur's historic atmosphere, attractive heritage sites, modern facilities, and warm welcome are set to be an unforgettable experience for expatriate guests. The Pink City proudly proclaims, "Come, my expatriate Pavana, Rajasthan is your home." Development and Investment Potential in Rajasthan: Growing Expectations from Overseas Rajasthanis Rajasthan, known for its dignity, valor, cultural richness, and diversity, is today embarking on a new era of development and economic growth. The state has made remarkable progress in the past decade in infrastructure, industry, energy, mining, tourism, agriculture, IT, and services. Years after the Rajasthan Canal Project, which transformed the desert into greenery, the ambitious Ram Setu Project, a restructured ERCP project connecting the rivers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of eastern Rajasthan, is poised to become the lifeline of eastern Rajasthan. An MoU with the Haryana government to bring Yamuna water to the Shekhawati region of the state is in progress. The Pachpadra oil refinery and petrochemical complex under construction near Jodhpur is in its final stages, bringing Dubai-like development to Rajasthan. Western Rajasthan is becoming the world's largest solar hub. The state's second-largest nuclear power plant is slated to be built in Banswra, in the southern Rajasthan. Gold deposits have also been discovered in Rajasthan, rich in minerals . Road, rail, and air services are also experiencing tremendous development in the state. This transformation has reached a turning point where the state has new hopes from the diaspora of Rajasthanis, who are honing their talents in various fields around the world. Diaspora Rajasthanis are not only a pride of the state's cultural identity, but also a significant economic, social, and intellectual asset. Their global understanding, technological experience, economic capabilities, and networks can provide a new direction for Rajasthan's development. This Conference is a culmination of this vision, aiming to further strengthen the ties between the state and the diaspora community. Rajasthan's Changing Economic Structure Rajasthan was once considered an economy based solely on agriculture and animal husbandry, but today the landscape has changed significantly. The state's economy is now encompassing many new sectors, such as IT, tourism, mining-based industries, renewable energy, e-mobility, textiles, industrial corridors, real estate, and the startup sector. Rajasthan's geographical location makes it a logistics hub for North India. Major projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, the Amritsar-Kolkata Corridor, Bharatmala, and the Northeast-West Freight Corridor are further enhancing the state's industrial potential. Global Hub for Renewable Energy Rajasthan has become the country's largest solar energy producer. Its Thar Desert and vast land area make it a leader in both solar and wind energy. The state would emerge as India's green energy hub by 2050. Major companies are already investing thousands of crores here. This region is highly attractive for non-resident investment because the energy sector requires world-class technology and management, which non-resident Rajasthanis possess. Immense Potential in the Tourism Industry Every city and all 41 districts of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, Pushkar, Mount Abu, Bundi, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dungarpur-Banswara, etc., have their own distinct identities. Rajasthan has tremendous potential for heritage hotels, theme-based resorts, medical tourism, film shooting destinations, and adventure tourism (desert safaris, hot air ballooning, trekking, etc.). Many non-resident Rajasthanis are already active in the hotel and tourism industries. The state expects them to enhance tourism here through modern facilities, world-class services, and global marketing. Startups and Innovation Many cities in the state, including Jaipur, Udaipur, and Kota, are now becoming startup hubs in Rajasthan. Many young startups are gaining national recognition in the fields of IT services, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agritech. Overseas Rajasthanis possess assets such as technical expertise, access to foreign investors, global market experience, and research and innovation capabilities. The state expects them to strengthen the startup ecosystem through investment, mentorship, and technical support. Industrial Development: New Policy Direction Rajasthan's new industry, MSME, and RIPS policies have significantly simplified the investment process. Measures such as a single-window system, easy land availability, tax exemptions, industrial parks, textile hubs, semiconductor policy, and special incentives for e-mobility and electric vehicles have made Rajasthan one of the most attractive investment destinations in the country. With their global experience, expatriate Rajasthanis can establish new industries in sectors such as textiles, gems and jewelry, mining-based industries, construction materials, food processing, and medical equipment. Immense potential for collaboration in education and research Kota's education model in Rajasthan is renowned worldwide. Jaipur's private universities, academic institutions, medical colleges, and research centers are rapidly growing. If expatriates contribute to world-class faculty development, research collaboration, technology transfer, and partnerships with foreign universities, the state's education system and scientific discoveries will be significantly transformed. Investment in Agriculture and Rural Development Rajasthan's agricultural sector is diverse. Millet, wheat, chickpeas, mustard, dates, pomegranates, kinnow, organic farming, rose farming, dairy industry, camel and sheep-based products, agriculture-based startups, and food processing units offer significant opportunities for migrant investment. Rajasthanis living around the world have experience in agricultural technology, marketing, and processing, which can bring a new dimension to the state's rural development. Role in Improving Healthcare Services Super-specialty hospitals are being developed in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur, but healthcare services in rural areas still need expansion. Migrant doctors and health experts can make a significant contribution through telemedicine, digital health solutions, modern treatment techniques, and medical investment. Role of the Migrant Community in Social Development Many migrant Rajasthanis run institutions like Gurukuls, hostels, scholarships, drinking water schemes, cow shelters, charitable trusts, and other programs. The Rajasthan government wants to further expand this social contribution. Rajasthan is at a time of rapid development and a bright future. This is a time when the participation of diaspora Rajasthanis can give a new direction to the state's economic and social development. Many innovations have also taken place in the State Legislative Assembly The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly is considered one of the most unique and unparalleled in India due to its grandeur, beauty, architecture, and its pink stone construction. Continuing Rajasthan's established traditions, numerous innovations have been made in the State Legislative Assembly over the past two years, including the establishment of the Assembly's Digital Museum, the Constitution Gallery, and the Vande Mataram Gallery, the construction of the Kargil Shaurya Vatika, the digitization of Assembly proceedings, making it paperless, and the installation of tablet systems at the seats of all 200 MLAs. For the first time in Rajasthan's history, the Assembly's Digital Museum has been opened to the public and tourists. I also cordially invite all the participants who have come to Jaipur to participate in the Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan to visit the State Legislative Assembly.---------(The author, Vasudev Devnani, is the Honorable Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly) Ottoline Spearman A first of its kind Irish dictionary has been launched, which aims to end the need for words being understood "through the lens of English." The dictionary by Foras na Gaeilge was launched on Tuesday by President Catherine Connolly and can be accessed for free online at Focloir.ie. The dictionary is aimed at giving a new way to understand and use the Irish language without relying on dictionaries in English or in other languages. CEO of Foras na Gaeilge told the Irish Examiner: "For generations, Irish speakers who encountered unfamiliar Irish words were forced to translate them into English and then search for definitions in English dictionaries. The new monolingual Irish dictionary changes this paradigm. Instead of asking Whats the English for X?, speakers will now be empowered to ask What does X mean? in their own language. The dictionary includes more than 40,000 words and is meant to cater to all levels of Irish speakers. Patricia Nic Eoin from All About Irish said on Newstalk: "It's there for the learner, which is fantastic, but also for somebody who's working through Irish, the native Irish speaker as well, people with a high level of Irish. "It has to cater to both, and I think it's going to do that." President Connolly told the Irish Examiner: "A contemporary monolingual dictionary is an essential resource in any living language, in which the language itself and its uniqueness are defined in its own words and by its own community, instead of constantly being defined through the medium of another language. This new dictionary places the Irish language and Irish speakers on an equal footing with other modern languages and communities." Fiona Magennis Three men jailed for the gang rape of a 17-year-old Leaving Cert student involving degradation of the most extreme nature have launched appeals to have their sentences reduced, arguing that the prison terms imposed were excessive. The three were unanimously convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury on a number of charges from sexual assault to rape following a trial that ran for six weeks. They were part of a group of five men who took part in the gang rape and who were jailed for a combined total of 66 years. Imposing sentence in June 2022, Ms Justice Tara Burns said that the men, who were aged 17 to 19 at the time, behaved like animals on the night of December 27th, 2016. She said there was not a shred of humanity or respect in their actions. She said that the rapes and sexual assaults committed by the men involved degradation of the most extreme nature. Ms Justice Burns said that in this case, the gang rape was accompanied by filming where a gang of men stood around outside a car in which a young woman was being violated. This depravity is absolutely shocking, she said. At the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, Counsel for Marcos Vinicius De Silva Umbelino argued his sentence should have been significantly reduced because he was a child at the time. Lawyers for Gabriel Gomes Da Rocha and Eduardo Dias Ferreira Filho, meanwhile, contended the judge was wrong to place the offending in the highest category, attracting a headline sentence of between 15 years and life. The men's sentencing hearing was told that after picking up the Leaving Cert student on a street in a midlands town in the early hours of December 27th, 2016 she was driven to a remote dry dock in Co Westmeath. Da Rocha (28) of Mount Armstrong, Rahan, Tullamore, Umbelino (26) of Riverview, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath and another man took turns raping the girl, one after another. A fourth man sexually assaulted her. At one point, the girl saw flashing through the windows of the parked car and realised that some of the men were recording the rapes on mobile phone cameras. They then travelled back to Tullamore while the girl was visibly upset and sobbing. After dropping two men off, Umbelino drove the car to a car park. The girl pleaded to be let out, but she was held in the car by Da Rocha and Ferreira Filho (28) of Riverview, Kilbeggan. They repeatedly asked her for a threesome and she repeatedly said no. Ferreira Filho then orally raped her at the same time as Da Rocha raped her in what was his second rape of the night. After this, they let the girl out of the car. In her victim impact statement, which she read aloud in court, the woman told the men: You have made me feel like I wasnt even a human being. What you did has stripped me of all that I am, and has rot me to the core. How could you take pleasure in doing something so horrific to another person? Ms Justice Burns imposed a sentence of 15 years on Umbelino. She sentenced Ferreira Filho to an 18-year prison term while Da Rocha, who had raped the girl twice, was given a 20-year jail term. The judge suspended the final year of all these sentences and also imposed sentences to run concurrent to the other sentences, for a number of sexual assaults committed during the car journey from Tullamore to Kilbeggan. The woman had described how the men groped and molested her and hands were coming everywhere as she tried to push them away. Bringing an appeal against the severity of the sentence imposed on Da Rocha at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, argued that the headline sentence of 22 years set by the trial judge was too high. He contended the headline sentence set for Da Rocha should have been placed in the 10-to-15-year band. Mr O Lideadha argued the sentence should have been further reduced to reflect Da Rochas age. He told the court that, because his client was only 19 at the time, his level of culpability was diminished. He said Da Rocha had no previous convictions and although he had fought the case, he had approached the sentencing hearing on the basis that he accepted the jury verdict. Mr O Lideadha referenced other cases which involved weapons and extreme depravity and maintained that those factors push the needle higher but do not apply in this case. In Ferreira Filhos case, Mr O Lideadha said that while the offending was very serious the headline sentence of 20 years was out of the appropriate range. Counsel argued the appropriate headline for Ferreira Filho would have been the lower end of the 10-to-15-year bracket. He said Filho had accepted the jury verdict at sentencing, has no previous convictions and is a married man with children. The fact he was just 19 at the time should also have been taken into consideration, Mr O Lideadha said. Dominic McGinn SC, for Umbelino, said his client was a child at the time the offending occurred and that this had ramifications in the way in which a sentence has to be imposed. He said a sentencing judge must adjust the headline sentence to reflect the fact that the defendant was a child at the time of the offence. Counsel argued that the proper approach is to reduce the headline sentence first, before applying any mitigation. He said the Court of Appeal had previously said that a significant reduction was necessary in such cases. Mr McGinn noted that in the UK, that reduction is between a third and a half. He argued the judge had made an error in giving a deduction of only a sixth, which was half what it should have been. He contended the headline sentence imposed should have been no higher than 12 years. Counsel also submitted the amount deducted for the mitigating factors in the case, including his clients significant medical issues and lack of significant previous offending, was insufficient. In response, Lorcan Staines SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said in relation to Da Rochas sentence, the trial judge had considered the relevant case law and authorities and had determined that a gang rape of this nature fell into the category of 15 years to life. He said she conducted her own analysis and rejected the submission made by the defence that it fell into the 10-to-15-year category. Regarding the issue of age, Mr Staines said there was no particular evidence before the court in terms of Da Rocha and Ferreira Filhos level of maturity or otherwise. Regarding the reduction given to Umbelino who was under the age of 18 when the offences occurred, Mr Staines said the Court of Appeal, while acknowledging the existence of guidelines for reductions in the UK, found that each case must be decided on its own. There was nothing in this case that smacks of an error of youth, said Mr Staines. He said the relevant authorities suggest that the reduction should be applied to the headline sentence. He noted that the trial judge approached it slightly differently, but repeatedly referred - when reducing the headline by three years - to the fact that the defendants youth was the only significant mitigating factor she identified. Umbelino did not accept the jurys verdict and had lost any available credit for this, counsel noted. He said the court had taken mitigating factors into account. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said the court would reserve judgment. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Retired Ryanair pilot and Kilkenny native, George OHara was honoured for his lifetime contributions to aviation in May, as the then Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Michael McCarthy held a civic reception in the council chambers for the local pilot and his family. Captain OHara, Ryanairs most senior pilot, capped off an almost four-decade career with the airline this year. George is a proud local man, who hails from Saint Francis Terrace in the city and exclusively told Kilkenny Live shortly after his retirement that he hopes his career will help inspire other young people to pursue their dreams in aviation. READ NEXT: 'Horrible' - Fears for residents living in 'dangerous' Kilkenny area Captain OHaras early days in the skies were in Kilkenny Airfield with friends and family offering great encouragement on a journey that would have him flying high! "You achieved your dream career flying to destinations worldwide as a valued pilot with Ryanair," Cathaoirleach, Michael McCarthy said. There were unusual scenes at Kerry Airport last month when the former Ryanair pilot flew over Kilkenny on his final journey, before being met by a guard of honour at the conclusion. "It was so fitting that you would fly over the two most important KS in the country on your last mission," Cllr McCarthy added. "Its my pleasure to present you with a token of our appreciation from the people of Kilkenny," Cllr McCarthy concluded. EXCLUSIVE: Kilkenny pilot George O'Hara reflects on his storied career in Ryanair Approximately 8,000 homes and businesses were without power following the destruction of Storm Bram on Tuesday which brought up to 119km/h winds in some parts of Ireland. ESB Networks said that repair crews would get to work on restoring power first thing Wednesday morning and that it is assessing damage to the electricity network, providing updates to impacted areas as soon as possible. READ NEXT: 'Patronising, dystopian' - Housing video backed by Government sparks nationwide backlash More than 100 flights were cancelled from Irish airports on Wednesday, power faults have caused disruptions to the Luas in Dublin, and several ferry sailings to and from Ireland have been rescheduled. Reports of damage were recorded across Ireland as trees blocked roads and flooding damaged cars and properties, particularly in the south where Storm Bram first landed. Dublin Airport along with Irish Rails have said full services will operate today however, there may be some potential for disruption. A Status Yellow Wind Warning is still in place for counties Galway, Mayo and Kerry that will come into effect from midnight tonight until 5pm on Thursday evening. Today will see widespread heavy blustery showers, with isolated thunderstorms and hail, will largely be confined to Ulster by around midday. Sunny spells and mostly dry conditions will follow for the rest of the day. Breezy with highest temperatures of 8 to 12 degrees, in mostly fresh southwesterly winds, stronger near Atlantic coasts. READ NEXT: LIVE: driver has miraculous escape as tree falls on car during Storm Bram Overall dry tonight with long clear spells, but becoming windy in a strengthening southerly wind, especially in parts of the southwest. Towards morning, some rain will begin to show up in Atlantic coasts. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees. Thursday will be a windy day. A band of rain will push in over the western half of the country during the morning, spreading into the eastern half the country in turn during the afternoon, clearing eastern counties later in the evening. Clearer weather will follow from the west with strong and gusty southerly winds easing. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. Any lingering rain along the East Coast will clear to leave dry and clear night, apart from the odd shower closer to the Atlantic. Noticeably colder than recent nights with lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees, in light to moderate southerly winds. Friday will see a cool and crisp start with sunshine for many, however some showers will affect Atlantic fringes. Showers will gradually extend into west and northwest counties, some heavy with the chance of hail and isolated thunderstorms. It will however remain largely dry elsewhere. Rather breezy, in a moderate to fresh southwest wind. Highest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees. READ NEXT: 'Do not drink' - Popular Christmas spirit recalled due to small pieces of glass inside Some further showers across west and northwest counties Friday night but otherwise dry with long clear spells. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees, in a moderate to fresh southwest wind. Saturday will starting off mostly dry with sunny spells but breezy. Southwest winds will further strengthen, as cloud and outbreaks of rain arrive into Atlantic counties during the afternoon, bringing spot flooding, and extending nationwide later. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. Wet and rather windy for the evening and into the night-time hours. Some uncertainty to the detail on Sunday but indications suggest it will be a day of cloud and sunny spells with blustery showery rain. Thousands of homes, farms and businesses across the island of Ireland remained without power on Wednesday morning as a result of Storm Bram. All of the Republic fell under an orange wind warning for a time on Tuesday, while all of Northern Ireland was under a yellow advisory with large parts also under an amber advisory. On Wednesday, there were no inland advisories but a status yellow gale warning applied from Mizen Head through Slyne Head to Fair Head, with a small craft warning along all coasts until Thursday. At its strongest, Storm Bram brought gusts of up to 119kmh (74mph) amid general wind speeds of up to 78kmh (48.5mph) at the weather station at Sherkin Island at lunchtime on Tuesday. After a week of persistent rain, Irish forecasting agency Met Eireann said soils across the country were already highly saturated and many rivers were approaching bank-full conditions, so additional rainfall resulted in surface and river flooding in parts. The strong winds knocked trees and led to travel disruption on roads, rail and airports. On Wednesday, Dublin Airport said operations were largely back to normal after more than 90 flights were cancelled due to the storm. ESB Networks confirmed that at 4pm approximately 54,000 properties were without power at one stage during the storm, but the number had been reduced to 7,000 by 7am on Wednesday. A spokesman said: We acknowledge the disruption to family and commercial life this causes and thank impacted customers for their patience as our crews continue to work to safely restore power. Thousands more properties had been without power during the height of Storm Bram in Northern Ireland, with several roads also experiencing flooding. Columbia Police Chief Jill Schlude said reports circulating on social media of a teenager being shot downtown Tuesday morning are false. The Columbia Police Department has received multiple calls regarding the false reports, according to a letter from Schlude distributed by a Police Department spokesperson. Schlude said the posts being shared contain information generated by artificial intelligence. These posts were made through AI-generated crime apps that have a history of inaccuracies, Schlude said. The false report cited inaccurate and nonexistent sources, Schlude said. Even though the false report was about Columbia in Boone County it cited Randolph, Jackson and Perry counties as sources, as well as the nonexistent "Genevieve County," the letter said. "We are seeing an increase in AI-powered apps that claim to monitor police dispatch in real time," Schlude wrote in the letter. "While they may seem helpful, these tools often rely on incomplete data, lack context, and can easily spread misinformation. They are not connected to verified law enforcement systems, and their automated outputs can mislabel incidents, misidentify locations, or amplify unverified rumors, creating unnecessary fear and confusion." Schlude said to rely on official law enforcement channels and reputable news sources for information about public safety. A Cole County judge has thrown out arguments saying the Missouri General Assembly's redrawing of the state's congressional districts was unconstitutional in one of several ongoing cases regarding Missouri's new congressional map. The central claim in this lawsuit, brought by Cole County residents against Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, was that it was unconstitutional for the legislature to draw different districts this year using the same U.S. census data that the legislature used to draw new districts in 2022. Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh denied that claim in a judgment handed down Tuesday. In September, Gov. Mike Kehoe called on the the state legislature to redraw congressional boundaries, and in a short window of time, House Bill 1 came together. The approved map would likely flip the Kansas City district, held by Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, to Republican control. The case of Merrie Suzanne Luther versus Denny Hoskins was argued during a bench trial in Limbaugh's courtroom on Nov. 12. "... Plaintiffs do not challenge the substance of the new congressional map under House Bill 1 (e.g. whether the 2025 map was gerrymandered, etc.), but rather the procedure in which House Bill 1 was passed," Limbaugh wrote in the judgment. "... The question is whether Article III Section 45 allows the legislature to create another redistricting map under House Bill 1." Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Article III, Section 45 of the Missouri Constitution outlines the procedure for drawing U.S. congressional districts. Limbaugh wrote: "On its face, this provision does not specifically allow the Missouri legislature to create a second congressional map using the same census. On the other hand, this provision does not specifically prohibit the Missouri legislature from creating a second congressional map using the same census." In such circumstances, Missouri courts have consistently ruled, without specific restrictive language, the legislature has the power to act, Limbaugh said. At least two other cases connected to redistricting are still unfolding. Qabil Ashirov Azerbaijans Minister of Defence, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, met on December 10 with the delegation led by Viktor Mahmudov, Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan, and Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, Uzbekistans Minister of Defence, who are on an official visit to Baku. Azernews reports that the Ministry of Defence, the visit began with the delegation laying wreaths at the Alley of Honor, paying tribute to National Leader Heydar Aliyev and prominent ophthalmologist and academician Zarifa Aliyeva. The guests then visited the Victory Park, where they placed a wreath at the Victory Monument. A formal welcoming ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence, during which the delegation reviewed the guard of honor. The national anthems of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were performed, and the Book of Honor was signed in accordance with protocol. During the meeting between the two sides, Colonel General Hasanov emphasized that the bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is founded on strong ties of friendship and brotherhood. The heads of the Uzbek delegation noted that cooperation in the military sphere contributes significantly to the development and strengthening of both countries armed forces. The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including cooperation in military, military-technical, and military education fields, as well as other matters of mutual interest in the defense sector. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministries of Defence of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed the bilateral military cooperation plan for the year 2026. As part of the official visit, the Uzbek delegation also visited the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, familiarizing themselves with the main areas of activity of subordinate departments. The visitors questions were addressed during the briefing. Stephen Maguire A man who left another man with serious head injuries after a one-punch attack in Co Donegal has avoided prison after paying 5,000 to a head injury charity. Sean Breen was charged with a brutal assault on Damian McFadden outside the Atlantic Bar in the Inishowen town of Buncrana in 2019. Last December at Donegal Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer gave Breen an opportunity to come up with the sum to be given to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. If the 31-year-old made the contribution, Judge Aylmer said he would be minded to impose a two-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence. Breen had pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr McFadden and causing him harm in the attack on August 9th, 2019. Mr McFadden was seen by an eyewitness who described him as being out for the count with blood coming out of his mouth. CCTV footage was previously shown in court in which Breen could be seen delivering a punch with his left hand to Mr McFaddens face. The victim was knocked unconscious in the incident and was taken to hospital. Mr McFadden discharged himself from hospital at 1.20am on August 10th, 2019. However, the court was told that the following day that he was not feeling well and had pains in his head and was being sick. He was rushed back to Letterkenny University Hospital but was sent to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital, where he spent almost two weeks getting treatment for a serious head injury before being released on August 22nd, 2019. After reviewing footage, local Detective Garda Jason Conroy made a positive identification of Breen at the scene. Breen, of Marianus Park, Hazelbank, Derry, was arrested and interviewed and admitted assaulting Mr McFadden following a disagreement over a person they both knew. Garda Rafferty said that Breen has a number of previous convictions in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police, but had no convictions in this jurisdiction. Barrister for the accused, Mr Shane Costelloe SC, said the evidence suggested that the brain injury was not a result of the punch but the result of the fall from where Mr McFadden had banged his head. Mr Costelloe said that his client consumed a lot of alcohol and that he felt threatened during the encounter. Mr Costelloe quoted his client as saying: "I felt threatened and I was just defending myself." The barrister said Breen has not come before any court since 2014 and that on the night in question, his client was 24 years old, was drunk and had just broken up with his girlfriend. Mr Costelloe said that while it was no excuse, he wanted to point out that this was very much a one-punch attack and it was not followed up by any "savagery" such as kicks to the head. Passing sentence, Judge Aylmer noted that Mr McFadden passed away in 2022, but there was no suggestion that this was anything to do with the injuries suffered as a consequence of the punch. Referring to the injuries sustained by the victim, Judge Aylmer said he placed the incident in the mid-range for such offending, and it merited a sentence of three-and-a-half years before mitigation is considered. He said Breen made admissions, entered an early plea and has not come to any adverse attention since the incident. Judge Aylmer said Breen has a good work record as a landscaper and was before the court with the benefit of positive references. He said previous convictions, which were recorded in Northern Ireland for common assault, dangerous driving, not having insurance, taking a car without consent and failing to stop for police, occurred when he was between 18 and 20 years old between 2012 to 2014. Judge Aylmer said it was opened to him that the incident occurred after Breen went through a breakup of a relationship and was going through a two-month period of alcohol and drug abuse. Judge Aylmer said the mitigation merited a reduction in the sentence to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment. Given that Breen is now what he called a hard-working man in a settled relationship with a young child, with the benefit of a probation report, he said he would give him a chance. Judge Aylmer said that he would adjourn the matter for one year to allow Breen to put together 5,000. At this week's adjourned sitting, barrister Ciaran O'Rourke said he had a receipt in court for a sum of 5,000, which was paid to the Acquired Brain Injury Ireland charity. Judge Aylmer said he would suspend the sentence in full for twoand a half years, and he also bound Breen to the peace for the same length of time. LAOIS-BASED campaigners David Delaney and Michelle Robertson are set to be honoured as unsung heroes at the 2026 Lovely Laois festival. This accolade acknowledges the pairs commitment to addiction and recovery services for the Laois area, through their Arc Project. The Arc Project was launched in October 2024 in response to the visible lack of services for families with someone living in active addiction or those who have experienced addiction, says co-founder Delaney. For the last year, Arc has focused on providing a 100 per cent voluntary, peer-led family support service, but Delaney says that in the new year they are actively expanding into recovery services for individuals. Arc, A-R-C, stands for Addiction Recovery Community, he continues. The community side of things is obviously your family and that kind of stuff, and the recovery is what we're focusing on for 2026. Addiction support services are at capacity, says Delaney, with weeks-long waiting lists for services and treatment. We believe that addiction recovery services should be accessible 24/7, instantly, he says. Arc has partnered with a US organisation called OpenRecovery, which has developed an app for those in recovery. The interface incorporates a support dashboard with a live element to facilitate online groups and one-on-one communication. It also uses AI to deliver round-the-clock support. Says Delaney: At three o 'clock in the morning, if someone has a question, there's an AI-powered service that is accessible in any language 24/7. The Lovely Laois festival was founded in 2025 by Trudi Lalor to celebrate local arts, music, culture, and food across County Laois. Her vision is partly inspired by a desire to see Laois people the world over return, reconnect, and reunite. Delaney and Robertson will be acknowledged as unsung heroes at the 2026 festival for their work with Arc. Previous recipients of this acknowledgment include PATH (Portlaoise Action to Homelessness); Jack McDonald, founder of The Laois People Worldwide; Christy Cullen, songwriter; and Ger Thompson, Chairman of The Laois Association in Dublin. Delaney hopes the acknowledgement will help to break the stigma around addiction. It should be a supportive thing, he says. If you have say, MS or Parkinson's or cancer, it is an illness. Addiction is a recognised illness, but the stigma is still out there, and particularly in small communities. For us to be recognised locally at that level has shown that there is a need for what we do. Sean McCarthaigh A Portuguese national who was not provided with a ballot paper for the local election at his local polling station was discriminated against by the returning officer for Galway county, a tribunal has found. The Workplace Relations Commission upheld a complaint by Carlos Manuel Garcia da Silva that the returning officer had breached the Equal Status Act 2000 by discriminating against him on grounds of his nationality. I am satisfied that, if he had been an Irish national, the complainant would have been issued with a ballot paper to vote in the local elections, said WRC adjudication officer, Catherine Byrne. The WRC also ordered the returning officer to arrange for signage to be posted in the polling stations to inform voters how to make inquiries about their voting rights which should include the name and contact number of the person in charge of the polling station. Mr Garcia da Silva, who has lived in Ireland for 30 years, told the WRC that he had gone to his local polling station in Ballybane, Co Galway at around 3.30pm on June 7th, 2024 the polling day for the local and European elections. He outlined how he had provided his driving licence as identification to two officials at the table where he went to collect his ballot papers. He recalled one of the officials remarked that there was an E next to his name and the other official told him that meant he was only entitled to vote in the European elections. Mr Garcia da Silva said he was very surprised by this as he was almost 100 per cent certain that he was entitled to vote in both local and European elections. He hesitated because he thought there might have been some new legislation regarding voting rights, but it had never crossed his mind that the officials at the polling desk were not trained and correctly informed of procedures and regulations for voting. The WRC heard that Mr Garcia da Silva took the ballot paper for the European elections and voted. He recounted how he felt embarrassed that he had asked for something to which he was not entitled or that he had done something reprehensible or incorrect. When his wife, Maria, arrived home that evening at around 8pm, she was upset and angry because she had a similar experience about being told that she was not allowed to vote in the local elections. However, when she queried this, she was referred to the presiding officer, who confirmed she was eligible to vote in both elections. Mr Garcia da Silva said his wife suggested he should return to the polling station, but he decided not to as he had had a long day at work and needed to get up early the following day. Ms de Almeida Silva told the WRC that the most upsetting aspect of the case was the failure of anyone to respond to their complaint, which had compounded how they were treated at the polling station. She recalled how she felt the returning officer hoped they might go home. Mr Garcia da Silva pointed out that voting is a right and a small number of votes can be the deciding factor in a candidate getting elected. He said preventing an individual from voting was not only a breach of their right, it might also impinge on the democratic process of an election. The returning officers solicitor, David Higgins, acknowledged that there had been a mistake in not allowing Mr Garcia da Silva to vote in the local election, which had not been corrected by the presiding officer. Mr Higgins said the poll clerks would not have been aware of his nationality, but he apologised for their unfortunate error. The WRC heard that it was the first time such a problem had occurred for the returning officer who had overseen elections for 19 years. In her ruling, Ms Byrne said voting was a serious matter and the public had to rely on the expertise of staff overseeing the voting process to make correct and lawful decisions. Ms Byrne said a mistake on voting day affected the democratic process and denied Mr Garcia da Silva the right to exercise his franchise. She also expressed disappointment that he had not received a response from the returning officer to his complaint, which had compounded his sense of unfair treatment and was disrespectful. Ms Byrne said she had made the direction about improved signage as compensation was not sufficient to remedy the discrimination that had occurred. Ms Byrne said she was mindful that the complainant could have made inquiries of the person in charge of the polling station or that he could have returned before polling closed at 10pm to exercise his right to vote. She said her order about improved signage should reduce the risk that a member of the public entitled to vote would be prevented from doing so. Separately, the WRC ruled that the returning officer had not discriminated against Ms de Almeida Silva, as it was clear the mistake had been resolved quickly. Ms Byrne said she was satisfied that Ms de Almeida Silva had suffered no detriment, even if it might have been due to her own tenacity. However, she ordered the returning officer to arrange training for poll clerks and presiding officers to ensure they understand the rights of voters based on their citizenship and residency. TIMES STAFF WRITER As President Clinton drove through the streets of Worcester, Mass., last month, one of the many signs being waved at him looked like a message straight out of the countrys Puritan past. It read simply: Scarlet A. Hester Prynne, an adulterer in The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthornes classic tale of Puritan New England, was punished for her sin by a bizarre requirement meted out by Protestant elders: that she wear a scarlet A on her chest for the rest of her life. President Clinton may think he is the Hester Prynne of the Electronic Age. His public outing as an adulterer--splashed on television and the Internet much as Prynnes scarlet letter was embroidered on her dress--and Americans ambivalent reaction to it illustrate a conflict of ethical standards rooted deep in the American identity. Advertisement Citizens who cannot decide whether to fully forgive or condemn the president reflect the dual, if not dueling, worlds of American Protestantism: the demanding moral order of the Puritans of the 17th century and the more forgiving and emotional strand of evangelicalism that began to develop about 100 years later. Its a very American moment, said Alan Wolfe, a Boston University sociologist whose recent book, One Nation After All, explores middle-class values. Its a conflict between hard Protestantism and soft Protestantism, he said, with [independent counsel Kenneth W.] Starr representing hard Protestantism--uncompromising, disciplined, straight back-boned--and Clinton representing soft Protestantism--inclusive, therapeutic, forgiving. Advertisement Over three centuries, most Americans--Roman Catholics, Jews and others--have assimilated the original Protestant ethic of hard work, sexual probity and adherence to community standards, even as they have retained their singular religious faiths and as the country has evolved into the most ethnically and religiously diverse in the world. Whether you are Catholic or Jewish or Buddhist, if you live in this culture, you become protestantized, said Steven Tipton, a professor of religion at Emory University. The Protestant legacy in both its strains . . . has left a large imprint on the institutions that we inhabit. The two impulses are interwoven far beyond the case of Starr vs. Clinton. The Puritan strain, for example, is in evidence in legislative proposals to ban pornography on the Internet and to curtail benefits for welfare mothers who have children out of wedlock. The more forgiving strand appears in the willingness of many Americans to look past the transgressions (sexual and otherwise) of friends and family and even those of public figures, such as Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who has been reelected five times since confessing that he hired a male prostitute. But perhaps the legacy appears most starkly in the drama underway in the nations capital, where legal issues of perjury and obstruction of justice are framed in a morality play. Fundamentalist vs. Taboo Breaker On one side is Starr, the son of a Fundamentalist minister, whose stern Protestantism mirrors almost exactly that of the countrys Puritan founders, for whom--as 19th century French historian Alexis de Toqueville observed--the chief care was the maintenance of orderly conduct and good morals in the community. Advertisement There is a Puritan tradition in America . . . which laid great stress on sexual probity as an especially important sign of a persons good standing before God, said Richard Madsen, a sociologist at UC San Diego. On the other side is Clinton, who has repeatedly broken the Puritan sexual taboos and then looked for grace in the more forgiving strains of Protestantism. The urge to break taboos followed closely after the Puritans first landing. Dancing, card playing and even illicit sexual relations began to be visible in the more affluent second and third generations of Colonists, much to the horror of the first generation. By 1740, a religious revival called the Great Awakening swept the Colonies. Although in its early days the revivalist tradition was a call back to the stricter faith of the early Puritan fathers, its evangelists, who held camp meetings along the rugged frontier, relied on people to come forward, confess their transgressions, rededicate themselves to God and be cleansed through their declaration of faith. Today, this process of reclaiming ones place in the community of faith is expressed in some traditions by being born again. The Puritan strain runs through our culture like a red thread, Tipton said. But there is a parallel theme--you see it in the Pentecostals and in some Baptists--which emphasizes that if you repent, you can be redeemed. The Southern Baptist tradition in which Clinton grew up combines the Puritan and the revivalist, said Harvey Cox, a religion professor at Harvard Divinity School. And the latter has to do with encouraging the errant wanderer, the lost sheep, and being very celebratory and affirming, especially when the lost sheep comes back. Advertisement In some ways the penitent scoundrel . . . isnt an outcast, hes the star of the show, Cox said. Without him, there wouldnt be anything to the revivalist drama. Cox, himself a Southern Baptist, said that Baptist churches emphasize the story of the prodigal son, who leaves home and spends his inheritance living a lavish life before trudging home impoverished. His father, who had given him up for dead, offers a huge feast and the family rejoices. And if you fall by the wayside again, you do the whole thing--the repentance--again, Cox said. Clintons tempestuous life strikes some parallels to the Bible tale, with his repeated public humiliations (the loss of his first reelection bid as governor of Arkansas, a series of sex scandals and the resounding defeat of his proposal for national health insurance) followed by redemption at the polls. A similar theme of public repentance intertwined with community forgiveness is also part of the Catholic tradition, although today that repentance generally takes place in the privacy of the confessional. Catholics believe penance is an indispensable element of genuine forgiveness, said Rev. Michael J. Baxter, a Holy Cross priest who teaches moral theology at the University of Notre Dame. Advertisement It involves changing ones life in such a way that it changes the damage that has been done. As Catholics, we believe in the visible aspects of sanctification. So part of genuine repentance is that person, who is returning to the Father, should start to look different, Baxter said. Moral Questions Yet to Be Solved Although such religious traditions explain some of the nations apparently contradictory reactions to the presidents private life, there is also a great deal that is novel and disorienting. For the majority of Americans, Clintons behavior has raised moral questions that are far from settled. People have never been asked to read a pornographic novel about a president while he was president, Wolfe said. Religious leaders and students of values say that the public has to ask: What do we expect of a president in an era when so much has become public that used to be private, and when figures that carry moral authority are in short supply? While many are willing to accept a president with human failings, there is still a sense that the high office demands higher standards of behavior than those required of ordinary citizens. For instance, a number of Southern Baptist ministers believe Clinton should be forgiven, if he repents, but that he also should resign because he is no longer fit to hold office, said Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Advertisement If the pastor of a Southern Baptist church was involved in any of the things the president was involved in with Ms. Lewinsky . . . and he was contrite and remorseful, his congregation would forgive him, but [it] would also expect him to resign from his pastoral position, Land said. Nobody Quite Knows What the Rules Are But many Americans seem torn about what standards and punishment are appropriate for a president whose official acts get high marks but whose private conduct is found sorely wanting. Their confusion arises in an era in which the public is served up increasingly explicit accounts of candidates private lives. We have a situation where nobody quite knows what the rules are between whats public and whats private, said Jean Bethke Elshtain, a professor of social and political science at the University of Chicago. Weve got to have some kind of principled way to evaluate . . . what private life tells you about the political persons character. Others said that the country would do better to focus on what politicians are doing on the job and forget their private lives. Its very difficult to lead in public when people know everything in the back closets of your life, said Los Angeles Rabbi Richard N. Levy, president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, which represents reform rabbis. Levy noted that in Old Testament theology some of the greatest leaders--King David, Moses and Miriam--were punished by God for their private sins but continued in their role as public leaders. Advertisement When we find out there are stains in our leaders moral behavior, it becomes very confusing for people because were not sure what to do, Levy said. Should we say they are not fit to be our leaders or should we say that in the private sphere they sin, as all of us do? In these times no one has been able to command the moral authority that Americans seem to want now that both institutions and their leaders are showing their all-too-human failings. From the difficulty of many religious institutions to speak to todays troubles, from the junk-bond culture of Wall Street to the failings of the public schools, Americans do not know where to find leaders to shape a moral consensus or even offer suggestions. Were really in a dilemma, and . . . we may not be able to come up with a coherent moral vision, with a road to walk, Baxter said. The times call for someone like a Lincoln or a Gandhi, Baxter said. But this may not be an age where that kind of leadership is possible. We dont have a voice in this country to help us reflect or think about these things, said psychologist Eugene Kennedy of Loyola University of Chicago, adding that people are milling about spiritually and ethically. Story by Carter Walker of Votebeat This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeats free newsletters here. A federal judge overseeing a criminal double-voting case in the Lehigh Valley appeared open to the defendants argument that a pardon from President Donald Trump should apply to him. Bethlehem resident Matthew Laiss is accused of voting for Trump twice in the 2020 election once in person in Florida and once via mail in Pennsylvania. At a hearing Monday in federal court, he argued that Trumps Nov. 7 pardon of allies who attempted to overturn his 2020 loss should also apply to his alleged crimes. While Trump did not directly name Laiss in the pardon, his attorneys argued it covers his case because of its broad language. The Department of Justice argues the pardon does not apply to Laiss, a view it says is shared by the U.S. pardon attorney. The pardon lays out how people not named in the pardon might get relief, said Katrina Young, an assistant federal defender representing Laiss at the federal courthouse in Allentown. The defenses argument Young pointed out that the pardon said it applied to all United States citizens for voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy for or of any slate or proposed slate of Presidential electors, whether or not recognized by any State or State official, in connection with the 2020 Presidential Election. Laiss, she argued, is a U.S. citizen, and his alleged crime is voting for a slate of electors, meaning he is covered by the plain language of the pardon. Prosecutors argued in a filing late last month that the phrase following the 2020 presidential election in the pardons preamble means it applied only to post-election conduct of the type the 77 named individuals had engaged in. But Young said the fact that the pardon specifically mentioned voting for a slate of electors means it applied to Election Day and pre-Election Day conduct as well, since that is when voting for electors occurs. If Trump had intended only to pardon the voting his electors did when the Electoral College convened, she said, he would have just said voting of electors. In response, U.S. District Judge Joseph Leeson Jr. posed a hypothetical: Would Youngs argument mean, in theory, that if there had been enough fraudulent voters to change the 2020 election result, Trumps pardon would apply to all of them, even if they numbered in the millions? Young responded that it would, and that it is not uncommon for Trump to issue broad pardons, pointing to his pardon of hundreds of people charged with crimes in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The prosecutions argument Meanwhile, Mark Dubnoff, an assistant U.S. attorney, argued that if Laiss believed the pardon applied to him, he needed to petition the U.S. pardon attorney for relief. What the law is clear on is that the courts have very limited authority here, he said. Leeson asked if that administrative step was established by some rule, law, or case law. Dubnoff conceded it was not but insisted this was the way the process worked. Leeson appeared skeptical of that argument. Youre talking about an administrative process for which I dont see a legal basis, other than that It is so because I say it is so, Leeson said. Dubnoff responded that it is the presidents prerogative to decide how the pardon process is handled and pointed out that page 4 of the pardon says the attorney general, through the pardon attorney, shall administer and effectuate certificates of pardon to eligible applicants. But Young argued that language pertains only to issuing certificates of pardon, not making determinations of eligibility. She also said that the government had dropped its prosecution of individuals covered by the Jan. 6 pardon for crimes not directly related to the Capitol riot if the evidence of those crimes had been discovered as part of the investigations into their Jan. 6 cases. In those instances, the government had not required defendants to apply to the U.S. pardon attorney for relief, she said. Leeson asked Young if she had applied to the pardon attorney on Laiss behalf. She responded she had sent the pardon attorney a copy of the filing in which she argued that the pardon applies, but the pardon attorneys website made applying directly difficult. Dubnoff said that, even if the pardon did apply because Laiss was voting for a slate of electors, it would apply only to the second count in the indictment, for double-voting, and not to the first one, for voter fraud, since that does not require actual voting to occur in order for a crime to be committed. Leeson will rule on the applicability of the pardon in time, but he did not indicate on Monday when he will make his decision. This is a very interesting case, Leeson said. Were going to take the matter under advisement and get a decision out. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. A popular crime thriller is finally returning to Netflix. The Following, which stars Kevin Bacon as former FBI agent Ryan Hardy, originally aired on Fox from 2013-2015. The series was available to stream on Netflix for years, but it left the streaming platform in 2018. After an eight-year hiatus, all three seasons will be back on Netflix as of Jan. 3, 2026. During season 1 of The Following, Bacons Hardy returns to work to assist the FBI with recapturing serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy). The escaped convict is aided by a cult of fanatical killers, whom he met and recruited in prison. In addition to Bacon and Purefoy, The Following starred Shawn Ashmore (Mike Weston), Jessica Stroup (Max Hardy), Natalie Zea (Claire Matthews), Valorie Curry (Emma Hill) and Sam Underwood (Luke and Mark Gray). After The Following was canceled in May 2015, Bacon took to X to thank the shows fanbase for their support. Big love to all of our loyal fans. Its been an honor to work for you. Sweat, tears, and lots of Blood! Enjoy the final four [episodes], the Golden Globe winner tweeted at the time. Prior to The Following, Bacon was a movie star known best for his roles in films including Footloose, Mystic River and The Woodsman. He began looking for television roles after seeing how much his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, loved starring on the TNT police procedural The Closer, which aired from 2005 to 2012. Kevin Bacon. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP READ MORE: Canceled NBC drama finds new home on Netflix Seeing Kyras experience, I thought, Boy, I want to be part of that. So I started to explore TV options, and it took a few years to find something that felt right, where all the pieces came together. This was the one, Bacon told TVLine in 2015. The Following creator Kevin Williamson had his sights set on Bacon from the start. I kept saying that we needed to do this with a movie star, Williamson told TVLine. We needed a dynamic leading man, and I kept saying, Someone like Kevin Bacon, because I had heard that he was toying with doing television. The Following is currently streaming on Tubi and the Roku Channel. It will return to Netflix on Jan. 3, 2026. President Donald Trump held a rally Tuesday in Monroe County, Pa., where one of his guests sparked controversy among legal experts. Emil Bove, a federal appeals court judge and Trumps former personal attorney, was spotted in attendance at the event inside Mount Airy Casino Resort in Paradise Township. The Senate confirmed Bove to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in a contentious 50-49 vote in July. Just here as a citizen coming to watch the president speak" Bove told White House correspondent Vaughn Hillyard of MS NOW, formerly MSNBC. Erica Orden, a legal reporter at Politico, called Boves appearance highly unusual. According to Canon 5 of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, a judge should refrain from political activity. That includes attending any event sponsored by a political organization or candidate." Gregg Nunziata, an attorney who formerly worked with the Senate Republican Policy Committee and Marco Rubio, said that Bove displayed every lack of good judgment that made him unfit for confirmation in the first place. New York University School of Law professor Stephen Gillers told Bloomberg Law that Boves conduct could be reasonably viewed by the public as a sign of political support. Gillers added that Trumps comments at Tuesdays rally could serve to heighten the perception of its political purpose and make a judges presence more troubling. Bove, 44, faced sharp questioning from Democrats during his confirmation hearing this summer. Senators pressed Bove on whether he could operate independently of Trump, his former client whom he previously defended against criminal investigations while in private practice. Bove also faced scrutiny for his role in dismissing federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams while serving in a senior Justice Department role. In announcing Bove as his nominee for the vacant judgeship, Trump said that He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. During his hearing, Bove said that I am not anybodys henchman. He was ultimately confirmed on a 50-49 vote, with Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposing his nomination. Following the vote, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Andy Kim said that Boves confirmation was a blow to the guiding principles of judicial independence and impartiality. An honest evaluation of his record would lead any person to conclude that Emil Bove should be nowhere near the federal bench, Booker and Kim said in a joint statement on July 29. Brazen luxury car scam took victims for a ride. Will alleged con artists face new charges? The furious woman stepped off the elevator, ready to take back what was hers. Yevgeniya Khaimova had the keys to the upscale office. But she wasnt supposed to be there, not on Thanksgiving 2024, and certainly not for a brazen raid. Three days earlier, Khaimova had staked out a series of high-end vehicles including a Mercedes, a BMW and her own Cadillac Escalade tucked out of sight in the Fort Lee office buildings garage. The pricey vehicles were once supposed to be cash cows. Plush Luxury Collection would rent them out for $1,500 or more for a single day. In return, the company pledged to pay the owners of the ritzy wheels a cut of the rental fees and cover their loan or lease payments, insurance costs, and any E-ZPass violations, parking tickets or necessary repairs, according to witness accounts, contracts and other documents reviewed by NJ Advance Media. But by November 2024, many of the owners didnt know where their cars were. They hadnt received the promised profits. Payments on the luxury vehicles were delinquent, and collection notices were mounting. So Khaimova approached the Plush office on that damp and dreary holiday afternoon to take back those cars. Then she heard a voice. The bathroom was right there, so I run in the bathroom, she said. I hide my ass. But Khaimova wasnt leaving, not until she got what she came for. Even if it meant waiting nearly an hour in the ladies room, hoping the Plush employee would go. Even if it meant eventually doing the job with the man hovering over her. I dont know what the f--- was gonna happen, she said. Armed with the office keys the Plush owners gave her, Khaimova snatched every key fob she could find. She also swiped hundreds of documents including credit applications, insurance applications, and vehicle purchase and lease agreements evidence she handed to prosecutors. She hopes they will secure new indictments against Plushs owners, Braden Tyson Brown and Bozena Kolc, in what prosecutors have called a multimillion-dollar scheme involving dozens of victims. It will come to an end where nobody is ever going to get screwed over by (them) anymore, said Khaimova, who splits time living in Totowa and Pennsylvania. Additional charges may indeed be coming against Brown and Kolc, according to people familiar with the investigation. The state Attorney Generals office would not comment. Earlier this year, an NJ Advance Media investigation unpacked the alleged swindle. It revealed Plush Luxury Collection and another luxury business, Imperial Exotic Cars, stuck investors with unpaid bills, damaged and repossessed vehicles and trashed credit scores. The new allegations mirror charges Brown and Kolc already face for Imperial Exotic Cars. The couple is accused of using the business to steal from scores of unsuspecting people called investors by the alleged con artists who thought the enterprise would bring them easy riches. In that case, Kolc and Brown known for impressing marks with their seemingly extravagant lifestyle, brand-name clothing and fancy jewelry are facing 33 counts, including insurance fraud, theft by deception and conspiracy. To date, neither has accepted a deal offered by prosecutors: plead guilty to insurance fraud in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence recommendation. Attorneys for Brown, 49, and Kolc, 47, did not respond to requests for comment. They will get what they deserve, Khaimova said of Brown and Kolc. Every person I meet, they got screwed. The case against Plush Khaimova wasnt going to be exploited. She wasnt going to be a victim. At least not without striking back. Khaimova, 42, calls herself a hustler. She makes a living selling secondhand merchandise clothing, jewelry and more, from high-end brands to more affordable items through an online store and pop-ups. Born in Uzbekistan her dad was Uzbekistani and her mom was Ukrainian she saw an opportunity to expand her income by investing vehicles in Plushs inventory after meeting Brown and Kolc through an acquaintance. At a Hackensack diner, Khaimova spilled what she knew about the alleged scams in rapid-fire succession to a reporter over plates of stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, chicken fingers, and hot artichoke and spinach dip. She was starving after attending a June court hearing to watch Brown and Kolc face a judge in the Imperial case. With her was Lorena Pino, a gritty victim-turned-advocate, credited by dozens of people with helping get their cars back. It was Pinos documents that opened the door for the charges against Brown and Kolc in the Imperial case. And her incessant social media campaign, alleging that Imperial and Plush were scams, directed more victims to the state Attorney Generals office. READ THE ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION: A con mans luxury car scam was ruining lives, she said. Then she took him down. But by the time Khaimova saw Pinos posts, she was already in too deep. She invested the Escalade, which retails at $100,000 at the highest trim levels, and a BMW 760i, which tops $122,000 when new, in the Plush program. Then she added a Mercedes E53, starting at $88,000, plus two Honda Accords one in her name and one in her moms worth close to $40,000 apiece, documents show. There was also a Mercedes Maybach base models go for $175,000 that she encouraged her best friend to invest. Khaimova also claims Plush used her name and her mothers name for car leases they had no knowledge of and to obtain insurance policies they didnt know about, ruining their credit. Shes still trying to figure out an $8,000 bill in her mothers name for a mystery insurance policy and how to repair her own credit score, once 800 and now in the high 500s. Khaimova is listed as a managing member on Plushs business filings with the state, according to documents, but she says her name was added without her knowledge or consent. In those same filings, Kolc is listed as the companys agent, using the address for Kolcs Montvale beauty parlor, Dejavou Salon. Pulling her long black hair over her left shoulder, Khaimova described the companys operations, her voice dripping with disdain. It is hundreds (of victims), she said, her Eastern European accent still thick after more than three decades in New Jersey and New York. Khaimovas manicured pink fingernails tapped, tapped, tapped on her cell phone as she shared photos and text messages about the business and recounted the plan she hatched for her Thanksgiving raid. It was the perfect time to get into the office when no one was watching, she thought. Brown and Kolc gave her the keys because she sold some merchandise out of Kolcs salon so it couldnt be considered breaking and entering, she figured. Khaimova would grab every key fob she could find and return them to their rightful owners. She also planned to pick up every sheet of paper within sight to implicate the business she claims stole from her, her mother, her best friend and well over 100 other trusting souls. More than three hours later, she left with 10 key fobs and hundreds of pages of documents. But it wasnt easy. When Khaimova finally came out of the fifth-floor bathroom around 3 p.m., the Plush employee was still there. I was freaking out, she said. He followed her around the office, trying to talk her out of taking the key fobs and making a phone call she thinks to Brown. Then the employee, with Brown in his car, followed Khaimova who was driving one vehicle and a friend, who was driving Khaimovas Escalade, trying to intimidate them, she said. The friend eventually drove to the police station with Brown and the employee still tailing them where Khaimova produced documents proving she owns the Escalade, she said. She then turned over the documents from the Plush office to the state Attorney Generals office. I dont regret for a second, or a half a second, that I handed everything over, she said. I wish I wouldve done that earlier, but better late than never. And the key fobs? I just called (the owner of) every key that there was, she said. Finally, they would get their cars back. The bank accounts The spending was lavish. Three visits, days apart, to a Gucci store, with charges of $1,894, $1,056 and $1,077. There was more spending: $1,220 at Louis Vuitton. $860 at Saks Fifth Avenue. $974 at Ferragamo. $820 at Neiman Marcus. And $2,900 at a testosterone replacement clinic based in Florida. The May 2024 shopping spree was among the many expenses listed on Plushs TD Bank statements, obtained by NJ Advance Media. The statements also showed thousands of dollars in transfers between Plush and Kolcs beauty salon. There were also cash withdrawals of $1,000. Regular visits to Starbucks, restaurants and bars in Hoboken, Edgewater and other locations. $175 in overdraft fees, too. Few of the charges seem to support a car business. It seemed they were using the business accounts like personal accounts, said Christopher, who asked to be identified only by his first name for fear of reprisals by his full-time employer. Before he insisted on seeing the bank statements, Christopher had invested in three vehicles to add to the Plush fleet: a forest green Range Rover, a black BMW iX Electric SUV and a Cadillac Escalade, also black, documents show. Brown, known as a smooth-talker with a knack for creating emotional connections with targets, made the first two payments on the three vehicles in the spring of 2024 as promised. Seeing dollar signs, Christopher started working for the business as a side gig. He was tasked with hooking up the company with online payment processors, something he said the couple was unable to do on their own. Promised fortune by Brown and Kolc, he was also listed as a managing member on Plushs business filings. There was a potential for life-changing opportunities, Christopher said. Now it changed my life in the other direction. I thought this was a legit business. By summer, cracks started to show. Brown and Kolc missed car payments that June, according to documents, not just for Christopher, but for other investors who started asking questions. Brown said it was all a mix-up. He would make things right. A cash infusion was on the way. Brown was close to inking several huge deals, he bragged, including one with Uber and another to provide bus services to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Tyson said he was working on these contracts, but nothing happened. No money, Christopher said. Uber told NJ Advance Media the company has not entered into any contract with Brown or Kolc or their companies. Presented with a contract Christopher said Brown gave him to prove a deal was pending, Uber said: This is not a legitimate document. Barclays did not respond to requests for comment. Then (Brown) talked about getting money from new investors to pay back the old investors, and that money never came to fruition, Christopher said. He watched his credit score plunge from 825 to less than 500 in a few short months. One of the last times I was in the office, there were stacks of paper, he said. Car payment letters. E-ZPass. Parking tickets. Each person had their own pile. All three of Christophers vehicles were repossessed for nonpayment between the fall of 2024 and early 2025, he said. Then he heard about Pino the former Imperial investor who relentlessly posted on social media about Brown and Kolc, insisting they were con artists. Pino gave Christopher her contact at the Attorney Generals office. She said I could tell them what I knew, Christopher said. I saw Plush from the inside. How it seemed legit at first. Until it didnt. Christopher did speak with prosecutors. I want to bury them, he said of Brown and Kolc. Chasing justice Chris Hannas credit score is still in the toilet. He met Brown and Kolc through an acquaintance in the summer of 2023. They hit it off. Brown promised to help with a fundraiser for the families of Hannas best friends who died in a car crash. They bonded because Brown said he, like Hanna, was a Christian. Im a Christian, and he said he wanted to get into a Christian church, the Barnegat man said. When I told him that my best friend died, he had tears in his eyes and he said, We will take care of you, Chris. Brown told him about an opportunity to be an investor in his new luxury car rental business Plush Luxury Collection. They went to dealerships to buy two vehicles, Hanna said: a $130,000 2023 Mercedes Benz EQS 580 and a $34,000 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid Sport. Things went wrong pretty fast. Hanna wasnt receiving rental payments from Plush. Brown made excuses. Late payment notices started to arrive. More excuses. Then Hanna received a phone call from an investigator with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. His Honda was involved with a crime with a gun and found with a fake New York license plate at a post office in Queens, he was told. Brown ghosted him about it, Hanna said. Hes been waiting two years to see charges in the Plush case. I have to do everything in my power as a Christian not to go there and wring his neck, Hanna said softly. People have said to me, I cant believe you didnt go there and break his legs. I have too much to lose. Pino, the victim whose advocacy led to the Imperial charges, continues to receive messages on social media from people who trusted their vehicles to Imperial and Plush. She thinks more victims are out there. For five years Ive been chasing justice not just for myself, but for every victim left silenced or in financial ruin, Pino said. The truth cant be outrun. NJ Advance Media research editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report. A pair from New York celebrating a birthday in the Poconos was killed in a crash Tuesday night, according to a news release. Deante Jordan, 26, of Cambria Heights, New York, and Janelle Aragon, of Elmhurst, New York, were killed in the crash according to the release from Monroe County Coroner Tom Yanac. They were celebrating Jordans birthday and staying at a local resort when the crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Tuesday on Frantz Hill Road in Pocono Township, the release says. Jordan was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. Tuesday. Aragon was pronounced dead at 11:37 p.m. Autopsies will be conducted on Thursday. No more information is available at this time as this accident is still under investigation, Yanac said. The family of a man who died on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in December 2024 recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the cruise liner. The lawsuit accused the company of intoxicating Michael Virgil on a Navigator of the Seas cruise by serving him 33 drinks and using excessive force against him before his death, according to KTLA. Virgil, 35, died on Dec. 13, 2024, while on a four-day cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, with his fiancee, son and his family. Virgil took part in the ships all-inclusive Deluxe Beverage package and was served at least 33 alcoholic beverages before his death, the lawsuit claims. The familys lawsuit claims he became visibly intoxicated and agitated, but crew members allegedly kept serving him drinks anyway. Royal Caribbean security allegedly tackled him, used pepper spray against him, injected him with the sedative Haloperidol and detained him before his death. According to The New York Post, an autopsy report ruled he had a blood alcohol level of 0.182 to 0.186 percent. Staff also allegedly stuffed Virgils body in a refrigerator until the ship returned to port in Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2024. The FBI opened an investigation into the death at the time, and the death was eventually ruled a homicide. Royal Caribbean released a statement at the time saying it was saddened by Virgils death and would be cooperating with authorities, but wouldnt comment on pending litigation. According to The Los Angeles Times, Virgils family is seeking multiple damages, not limited to loss of support, inheritance, and medical and funeral expenses. The Phillipsburg Toy Drive gathered more than 1,400 games, toys, and activities for local children this month through Operation Toy Train, according to town officials. Town officials celebrated the campaigns success on social media. The effort brought together multiple organizations, including the Phillipsburg Union Towner, the Phillipsburg Fire Department, Emergency Squad, Police Department, Urban Enterprise Zone, and the town itself. Operation Toy Train runs special annual toy collection trains across the U.S. during the holiday season. Each year, the trains collect over 40,000 donated toys for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and other local civic organizations, which redistribute the toys to underprivileged children within the collection areas. Our Phillipsburg and Alpha family continue to stand together in our shared mission of strengthening our communities, the police department posted to Facebook. A court heard a prisoner who admired another inmate's bottom also allegedly grabbed the man by the genitals. The man (49), who cannot be named due to reporting restrictions, admitted grabbing the man by his backside and saying you have a lovely arse but denied grabbing him by the genitals. He appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of sexual assault at the Midlands Prison on November 10, 2024. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident happened shortly after the men had been in the horticultural area of the prison. Sgt Kirby said the man approached the injured party from behind and said, I quote, I love your arse to the man. Sgt Kirby said the defendant later approached the injured party in the canteen and enquired about a book. Sgt Kirby said it would be alleged the man all of a sudden, grabbed the injured party by his genital area and he grabbed him again by the gential area. The injured party didnt say anything, he was shocked. He said the accused had no permission to grab the man and the accused laughed after the incident. Judge Susan Fay said I didnt hear about grabbing genitals when I accepted jurisdiction. Sgt Kirby said the allegation was that he grabbed the man by his genital area and he grabbed him by his backside in the canteen. Judge Fay told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that she hadnt been informed of two incidents. She said she didnt remember hearing about the allegation regarding the mans genitals. Andrew Dunne BL said there was no mention of the incident at the previous hearing. He did make full admissions in relation to groping of the backside, said Mr Dunne. Mr Dunne said his client denied grabbing the mans genitals. Sgt Kirby said that while the injured party made allegations in relation to both incidents, the DPP decided to only charge the man in relation to grabbing the injured party by the backside. Judge Fay then asked which facts she was to sentence the man in relation to. Sgt Kirby said it related to the allegation of grabbing the gent by the behind and passing comment. He said the accused had 77 previous convictions in total. Judge Fay said she would need a victim impact statement and she asked when the defendant was due for release. Mr Dunne said the man wasnt due for release until 2031. Judge Fay ordered a probation report and asked that the injured party be canvassed for a victim impact statement. She adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on June 6, 2026. A Laois TD has slammed the shock announcement of a Laois mental health facility's cessation of admissions as 'stealthy closure', claiming that a reason the building falls below required standards is due to a lack of funding from the HSE. Fianna Fail Deputy Sean Fleming raised Rathdowney's Erkina House in the Dail with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Mary Butler. "The HSE is turning its back on Rathdowney and south County Laois. Its two facilities in Rathdowney, Erkina House and the health centre, have been starved of funds and investment, and this is resulting in a poorer health service at the expense of the people in Rathdowney and surrounding areas," Deputy Fleming said. "This must stop now. We need investment in these facilities, not closures. There were 12 residents in Erkina House at that stage and the HSE, after that, announced the closure of this facility but subsequently publicly apologised to residents and their families for the unnecessary upset caused to them. "All I can say is here we go again with the HSE. Now it says there will be no new admissions to Erkina House. This is closure by stealth. Three years ago, the HSE guaranteed that no residents would be moved out without their and their families' consent," he said. "Very recently, I have had a family in contact with me, saying they were against their family member being moved out. If it is now happening, it can only be because the HSE has bullied them to accept the HSE's proposal," the Deputy claimed. In 2022, Minister Mary Butler held the position of Minister for Older People, and told the Dail that she had not been made aware of the initial plans to close down the facility until the matter was raised by local representatives and Laois media. Minister Butler fought the closure of Erkina House at that time. This week, now Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler has acknowledged that the facility will no longer accept admissions, and that the relocation of existing patients will be very upsetting for them. "I acknowledge the care and affection and immense mental health supports provided by the staff there. However, it is not the type of mental health facility we would build today. In that regard, there are documented issues with the configuration of the building as a mental health service," Deputy Butler replied to Deputy Fleming. "The HSE has advised the Department that this property is not suitable for upgrade and adaptation, and, accordingly, no new admissions to Erkina House will be undertaken. "The HSE has provided assurances to the Department as to the service provision being made for the existing residents to properly meet their needs. I will not go over these details on the floor of the Dail because the number of people involved is so small that the individuals involved would be identifiable," she said. Deputy Fleming responded that he 'fully understands' that the building does not meet the required safety standards, claiming that it is due to the HSE's 'failure' to invest and 'bring the facility up to a standard' over the years. "There also is an acute shortage of respite beds in County Laois and many Laois people who have had surgery in hospitals locally and require short-term respite are regularly told to go to another county as the HSE does not have adequate respite facilities in County Laois," Deputy Fleming argued. "The HSE should invest in its own respite facility rather than paying a fortune of taxpayers' hard-earned money to private nursing homes. As everyone is aware, two private nursing homes in Laois are already under investigation and monitoring in relation to various matters and as a result, we are short on respite beds in County Laois," he said. The Deputy suggested Erkina House as a respite facility for the area, or a suitable location for the health centre in Rathdowney. "I ask the HSE not to turn its back on Rathdowney, as it seems to be doing in the context of both Erkina House and the health centre," Deputy Fleming finished. Deputy Butler responded that she 'understands the strength of Deputy Fleming's feelings'. "I understand how difficult it is for residents who have lived in a facility that they will have to move away from for several reasons," she said. "The Deputy has accepted that the building is no longer fit for purpose in the context of the provision of mental health supports. However, I hear him loud and clear in relation to the facility. On many occasions, the HSE has moved out of facilities and they have been left unused. I am very much of the view that every option should be explored," she said. "I will make contact with the HSE in the region to see that all options are explored on the future use of the premises. I am conscious of the issues the Deputy raised in respect of the health centre." Deputy Butler finished by stating that her priority is the safe and secure relocation of the existing residents and staff. "Obviously, this can be a disruptive process for many people. I reiterate that I am happy to work with the Deputy to explore all options for the premises," she finished. Erkina House has operated as a rehabilitation facility since 1996, with the capacity for 16 residents. This capacity was reduced to 11 following the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, the Leinster Express / Laois Live reported that an HSE review found that the facility did not meet the required guidelines and would need a 5.3 million injection to achieve the necessary standard. This followed a snap HSE decision in April 2022 to shut the facility and propose the relocation of patients to the Silver Lodge facility in Tullamore, which was later rejected. Read more here. A Laois woman who had open heart surgery has graduated as a Patient Champion for Ireland's national heart and stroke charity. Olivia McLoughlin Sweeney, who lives in Ballaghmore, had open heart surgery earlier 2025 which inspired her to volunteer to help others like her. She participated in an Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) programme to help others who have suffered cardiac problems and stroke - and is now a fully-fledged Patient Champion. The programme has given me the confidence to share my story and turn recovery into advocacy, said Olivia in a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. The Foundation says its Patient Champions programme is free of charge, delivered online and accessible to patients with a heart or stroke diagnosis throughout Ireland. It teaches heart and stroke patients about the advocacy methods and channels open to them, to try and bring about better outcomes for themselves and other patients, especially in the area of political lobbying, patient representation in healthcare, and advocating to the public. It also aims to drive awareness of the need for donations, which helps the foundation to continue such training and to help support people who have had their lives affected by heart disease and stroke. The Laois woman was among the latest group of Patient Champions to graduate from the programme recently. Advocacy Campaign Manager with the Irish Heart Foundation, Pauline OShea, described people like Olivia as the unsung heroes of the organisation. READ ALSO: Laois Rose to hold special Chernobyl fundraiser They are a terrific addition, their lived experience and desire to help others and the organisation speak out about significant issues that affect heart and stroke patients is a powerful combination for working for positive change for patients. Patients no longer want their involvement in advocacy to be represented by occasions of being wheeled out to speak and then being expected to leave the room while everyone else makes the decisions. They want to feel empowered, appreciated, supported and treated as equals in the room, and in partnership with patient organisations and healthcare decision makers. REAS ALSO: Shane and Wendy Lowry backing Laois school's tractor fundraiser We are now recruiting for our Patient Champions Programme in 2026, and we welcome heart and stroke patients from all over Ireland to apply, she said. To become a Patient Champion, visit www.irishheart.ie/patientchampions To find out more about the Irish Heart Foundation or to donate, visit www.irishheart.ie Tributes have been paid to a Kilcock, Kildare woman who has been fondly remembered as a beautiful lady and a lovely auntie. Maureen Langtry (nee Ledwith), Courtown Road, Kilcock, Kildare late of Moate, Westmeath passed peacefully, after a short illness at the Mater Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Maureen, dear mother of Anthony, Angela, Helen and Rosarii. She will be sadly missed by her family, daughter-in-law Margaret, sons-in-law Gerry, Kevin and Jimmy, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister Angela, brother-in-law Frank, sister-in-law Mary, extended family, neighbours and friends. Maureen is predeceased by her loving husband Joe and infant daughter Mary. May She Rest In Peace. Maureen will be reposing at William Ryan & Son's Funeral Home (W23 XC90), Church St., Kilcock on Thursday from 4pm to 7pm with removal to St.Coca's Church arriving at 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Friday at 11am followed by burial in St. Joseph's cemetery. READ NEXT: Last meeting of the year for this Kildare Municipal District Webstream Funeral service: https://www.kilcockandnewtownparish.ie/webcam/ Tributes paid to Maureen this week on RIP.ie include: Deepest sympathy to Angela, Gerry and all the Langtry family on the sad passing of Maureen. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May she rest in peace. And: Our sincere condolences on the passing of your mum. She was a lovely auntie and we always looked forward to seeing her on our visits to Ireland. We will hold these memories in our hearts forever. God Bless. While another mourner wrote: Deepest sympathy to the Langtry family on the death of Maureen , A beautiful Lady, May she rest in peace. And another added: Deepest sympathy to Anthony, Angela, Helen and Rosarii and extended family on the passing of their dear mother Maureen. A lovely lady, we have fond memories of working with Maureen, always a great laugh and a smile and a story. May she rest in peace and be reunited with her late husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. X A councillor representing the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District (MD) motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to replace a bridge in Maynooth. The request was submitted at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Friday, December 5 last, by Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney. Specifically, she motioned for KCC to "engage with all stakeholders in the harbour area Maynooth to replace the current bridge over the canal". CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT Her motion was seconded by Social Democrats Cllr Peter Melrose. Speaking further on her motion, Cllr Feeney said that the bridge had been subject to "wear and tear" over the years, while Cllr Melrose claimed that the bridge was no longer "fit for purpose". Another representative who voiced support for the replacement of the bridge was Fine Gael Cllr Tim Durkan. In response to Cllr Feeney's motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting that the replacement of this bridge was included in the Maynooth and Environs Area Based Transport Assessment (ABTA). "There are currently no funding or resources available to progress this project," KCC added. "However, it is a matter for the members if they wish to write to Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail with a view to progressing this project." READ NEXT: Heavy Goods Vehicle ban sought for Main Street of this Kildare town CLLR'S RESPONSE Cllr Feeney subsequently told KCC that she welcomed the suggestion to write to Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail. She also asked KCC: "Maybe we could work in partnership with them [to address this issue]?" After the matter of writing a letter to both Waterways Ireland and Irish Rail was put to a brief vote, it was agreed upon by the councillors of the MD to contact both organisations. Cllr Feeney thanked her fellow representatives for supporting the vote. Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney. File photograph READ NEXT: Funds originally set aside for restoration project in Kildare to be redistributed Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. A TD based in North Kildare has vowed to assist a Kildare-based domestic violence support service. Fianna Fail TD Naoise O Cearuil's public assurance comes following the news that the government currently has no plans to open a new domestic violence refuge space in North Kildare next year. That answer was given by the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim OCallaghan TD, in response to a question which was submitted by Deputy O Cearuil. Specifically, the Minister outlined plans to deliver new family refuge units and safe homes throughout Ireland by the end of 2026. However, he also revealed to the Maynooth-based Deputy that North Kildare is not included in those plans. Speaking further about the matter with the Leinster Leader, Deputy O Cearuil, who is based in Maynooth, said that Teach Tearmainn, an organisation which currently provides domestic violence support services for the entirety of Kildare, is currently looking for extra refuge spaces for the county. "They have a refuge in Kildare town and an outreach centre in Naas," he added. "I'll be visiting them in Kildare town in January [of 2026] to work with them on securing more spaces, and seeing if there is a way of expanding the outreach service to the most populated part of the county in the North-East." Anyone seeking to find out further information about Teach Tearmainn can do so by visiting the organisation's official website. Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North, Naoise O Cearuil. File photograph READ NEXT: Kildare County Council urged to replace bridge Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. The last meeting of the year for the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District takes place on Friday, December 19 2025 in Kildare, offering councillors a final chance to have motions passed before the year end. First off, a seasonal motion from Cllr David Trost (FF), which calls on the council to introduce and publish a list of dates the road sweeper will visit all estates in Celbridge/Leixlip and Ardclough next year during the peak leaf falling season. According to Cllr Trost, this would assist residents associations and individuals in knowing when to clear leaves from green areas and paths and would advise people not to park in areas which are scheduled to be cleaned. Next up, a motion from Cllr Nuala Killeen (SD), who requests that the council engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to seeking layout and traffic flow improvements on the junction of the R148 and R403 to facilitate traffic exiting Leixlip. READ NEXT: Kildare shoppers raise more than 12,500 for Family Carers Ireland in Lidl Irelands annual festive Trolley Dash fundraiser A motion from Labour councillor, Rupert Heather calls on the council to incorporate a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and/or playground into the emerging design for the Celbridge-Hazelhatch Mobility Corridor. In Cllr Heather's motion, the council is further asked to confirm the feasibility, indicative location options, and funding pathways to ensure that high-quality recreational spaces are delivered alongside the active-travel corridor. Meanwhile, a second motion from Cllr Nuala Killeen (SD) asks that the members support a request to write to the Health Service Executive to enquire about the future proposals for the proposed Leixlip Primary Care Centre. On another matter, Cllr Claire O'Rourke (SD) raises the worrying matter of the Fire Service being unable to gain access to Castetown House for at the locked main gates at Lime Avenue in Celbridge, on Saturday December 6 last. This, Cllr O'Rourke argues, is despite the council's report to an MD meeting on September 23 2024 that Kildare Fire Service has access to the grounds of Castletown via the main gates at Lime Avenue and has possession of keys to those gates held on its appliances at Maynooth and Leixlip Fire Stations. A second motion from Cllr O'Rourke asks the municipal district to invite the Office of Public Works (OPW) to the next MD meeting, to hear a broad step-plan for Donaghcumper House, in light of the magnificent restoration of Castletown House by the OPW over the last decades. And last, but not least, a motion from Cllr Paul Brooks (FG) is straight and to the point: that the council engage with Uisce Eireann to understand what the short and long-term plans are for dealing with the repeated loss of water supply in Leixlip, a longstanding concern for the Kildare town. Three people have been arrested in Northern Ireland as part of a cross-border police investigation into violent right-wing extremism. Two men were detained in Co Down and a woman was detained in Co Armagh. One of the men, aged 38, was arrested in Ballynahinch while the other man, aged 48, was arrested in Kilkeel. The 40-year-old woman was arrested in Lurgan. The arrests were made following previous searches carried out in Co Down. All three were detained under the Terrorism Act. They have been taken to the Police Service of Northern Irelands Serious Crime Suite at Musgrave Street in Belfast. The PSNI investigation into right-wing extremism is being carried out in conjunction with the Garda in the Republic of Ireland. It is understood the arrests are not linked to recent threats made to elected representatives in Newry, Mourne and Down. Calls for greater EU investment in dementia research have been made, highlighting that over 500 people in Leitrim are living with the condition. Midlands North-West MEP Nina Carberry, co-chair of the European Alzheimers Alliance, hosted a conference in Brussels on Tuesday, December 9, together with Dementia Research Network Ireland. As well as discussing how the EU can finance research, the event also looked at some of the reasons why women account for two-thirds of all dementia cases. Longer life expectancy, as well as social and genetic factors all play a significant part. Latest figures from the HSE show that 543 people in Leitrim and more than 64,000 people across the country have dementia. This number is expected to rise to 150,000 by 2045. READ NEXT: RIP: Tributes flow in Leitrim for 'amazing man who did so much in his life' MEP Carberry said that a coordinated EU Brain Action Plan is needed to improve early diagnosis, improve prevention and expand access to new treatments. "With the EUs research budget expected to double over the next 7 years, from 95.5 billion to 175 billion, its crucial that dementia research receives increased dedicated funding", Carberry said. We see that through increased physical activity, education and treating things like hearing and vision loss at an early stage, many dementia cases may be prevented or significantly delayed. And with new biomarker tests, which can detect Alzheimers earlier than ever before, we are likely to see improved health outcomes into the future. For rural areas in particular, we need to look at improving access to early diagnosis. Dementia affects hundreds of families in Leitrim and so we must ensure that EU and national policies allow people to live not only longer, but healthier lives into the future, Carberry concluded. READ NEXT: Serious fire-safety failings found at Leitrim nursing unit A popular takeaway in Leitrim was forced to shut it's doors last month after an inspection from the HSE found evidence of active rodent activity in the premises. Big Johns located at Main Street Upper, Mohill, county Leitrim was ordered to close on November 20, 2025, after the inspector said the premises "poses a grave and immediate risk to public health," and adequate procedures were not in place to control pests. READ NEXT: 'Live cockroaches, filthy kitchens' - 14 food businesses in Ireland forced to close in November In the report, the inspector stated that pest control records dated November 18, 2025, identified rodent activity within the premises in the sluice room, and in all of the external bait boxes. A follow up pest control inspection was scheduled by the pest control technician within 7 days. The premises remained open and continued to trade despite confirmation of an active pest infestation. On inspection on November 19, 2025, the Environmental Health Officer noted disturbance of bait in bait boxes in the sluice room adjacent to the food production area. Disturbance by pests was also noted in two additional internal boxes, one of which was located under a food preparation sink in the food production area, the other in the corridor outside the food production area. Externally, there was ponding of a grey sludge - like material from the discharge pipe leading from the potato preparation area, which may serve as an attractant for pests. READ NEXT: Irish travellers to US may have to submit five years of social media history The premises was inadequately pest proofed as there was no cover provided to the internal floor drain in the potato preparation area. Additionally the window of the sluice room above the external discharge pipe was open without a pest - proof screen. Rodents are known to carry a range of harmful food pathogens (including Salmonella) which they spread via droppings, urine, saliva and on their bodies. On the evidence of recent and ongoing activity in the food production area, this poses a grave and immediate risk to public health. Big John's was ordered to close on November 20 and subsequently reopened on November 21, 2025. A woman who made a false allegation that she had been sexually assaulted by a prison officer escorting her on a hospital visits has been jailed for 21 months. Nicole Chambers (29) alleged the prison officer had assaulted her in a hospital cubicle. CCTV from the hospital showed the male prison officer had never entered Chambers cubicle and remained outside as is protocol. His female colleague on the escort and medical staff also verified that he had been outside the cubicle the entire time. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Chambers has a complex psychiatric background and is currently in a wheelchair due to a functional neurological disorder. There is no service or facility in Ireland which can address her complex needs. Her defence counsel told the court there are no suitable services available in Ireland to assist her. Chambers of Snee, Carragh, Coolaney, Sligo, pleaded guilty to making a false criminal complaint on August 15, 2020. She has 34 previous convictions and previously served a one-and-a-half-year sentence for making false reports imposed in 2021. READ MORE: Popular takeaway in Leitrim forced to close after HSE inspector found 'rodent activity' After hearing evidence in the case last month, Judge Martin Nolan had adjourned the case overnight to consider his sentence. He said these were serious allegations which had a profound effect on the victim and only for the presence of a camera he may have ended up on trial. He noted she had a background of making false allegations and had served a custodial sentence, but it appeared the punitive nature of that had not addressed her issues. When the case was called later that week, counsel for Chambers told the court she was not present and asked the court to adjourn the case to the following Monday. A bench warrant was later issued after Chambers failed to appear on that date. That warrant was executed today (Wed) before Judge Nolan. Judge Nolan said that Chambers allegation was malicious and self-serving. It was a terrible allegation to make. I hope she is sorry for what she did, he said. He accepted that she had a complicated history and certainly has a lot of challenges. She has endured a lot of trauma and distress. But I have no doubt that she knows the difference between right and wrong and knew the allegation should cause him difficulty. Thankfully the footage proved that he had done no wrong, Judge Nolan continued, before he jailed Chambers for 21 months. Garda Andrew Harte told Aoife OLeary BL, prosecuting, that gardai attended at the Dochas Centre in August 2020 after a complaint was made by Chambers that she had been sexually assaulted by a prison officer while being escorted to hospital. Chambers made a detailed complaint to gardai and indicated she was willing to be examined at a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. Gardai arranged for a forensic exam to take place. She told gardai that she had been escorted by a male and female officer and once she was brought to a cubicle the female officer disappeared. She said the male officer entered her cubicle, said something to her and she gave a detailed account of how she alleged she was sexually assaulted. She said he had also hurt her wrist after she grabbed his hand. She outlined how she had suffered fits and woke up in a different hospital after the seizures. The court heard evidence that she had suffered fits while at the hospital and was transferred to Beaumont Hospital for further medical attention. She said she was sick of being targeted by prison officers since she made the complaint. She said she had told a psychologist and her mother what had happened. The male officer told gardai he had never entered the cubicle and denied the allegation. His female colleague and medical staff confirmed he had not entered the cubicle. Gardai suspected Chambers was making a false report and returned to the prison to interview her. She told gardai that she was telling the truth and thats what she remembered. She told gardai she would go to extreme lengths to prove she was telling the truth. She was shown the CCTV from the hospital. Gardai were contacted in November 2020 to say Chambers wanted to speak to them and returned to the prison. She told them she wished to retract her statement due to her mental health and physical wellbeing. She said she wished to apologise to the prison officer and the prison service. Gda Harte agreed with Jennifer Jackson BL, defending, that even when it could be clearly seen on CCTV that the prison officer did not enter the cubicle, Chambers had maintained her story He agreed that apart from a couple of public order matters, she had not come to further attention. Ms Jackson outlined that Chambers had suffered severe trauma in her childhood which had spilled into her adult life. She said Chambers has a complex psychiatric background and was suicidal at the time of this incident. A victim impact report from the prison officer, who does not wish to be identified, was handed into court for the judge to read. Ms Jackson said she was not creating a narrative that Chambers is the victim, she said the prison officer was the victim of this horrendous allegation and it has clearly had a terrible effect on him. Ms Jackson handed in reports and letters for the Judge to consider, that were not read in open court. She outlined Chambers has mental health issues including an unstable personality disorder and has self-harmed and self-mutilates. She has a functional neurological disorder and is currently in a wheelchair as she has an inability to walk due to this disorder. Ms Jackson said it appeared that there was no service or facility in Ireland which was able to address Chambers complex needs at present. She has had multiple psychiatric admissions. She said Chambers is currently living in Sligo under the care of a multidisciplinary team and appears to be doing well. She has a support worker and is attending therapy. Counsel said Chambers has written a letter of apology and greatly regrets her actions. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close THE Ireland Funds, the global philanthropic network, has awarded funding to three organisations in Limerick. This essential funding will empower a wide array of programmes that provide vital services and strengthen communities. The Limerick recipients of this years Heart of the Community Fund include Learning Hub Limerick, Narrative 4 Ireland and Irish Chamber Orchestra. Learning Hub Limerick provides educational programmes in science, art, music, and digital skills for children and youth in Limerick and offers after-school support, camps, and community development initiatives. Narrative for Ireland uses storytelling to build empathy and connection among young people, offering facilitator training, school awards, and youth-led peacebuilding projects. The Irish Chamber Orchestra combines world-class performances with community engagement. READ MORE: Community childrens' winter party set to take place in Limerick on Monday The Heart of the Community Fund is awarding $750,000 to 62 organisations in 15 counties across the Republic of Ireland. Grants will range from 5,000 to 25,000. Made possible by generous philanthropic gifts and fundraising events of The Ireland Funds America, the largest of the 12 international chapters of The Ireland Funds, these grants exemplify the power of collective giving. Caitriona Fottrell, President and CEO of The Ireland Funds, said: We are 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. 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 strategically supports non-profits under The Ireland Funds four funding pillars: 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 year's Heart of the Community Fund is a testament to the enduring commitment of The Ireland Funds and its supporters. 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. MARY IMMACULATE College (MIC) has announced the winner of the 2025 Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship. The acclaimed young uilleann piper, Muireann Meade from Tipperary, has been awarded the scholarship. Now in its third year, the scholarship honours the late MIC graduate Ashling Murphy, whose life was tragically cut short in 2022, and celebrates her deep love for both teaching and traditional Irish music. READ MORE: Festive favourite: Limerick Gospel Choir brings back annual Christmas concert The scholarship, jointly awarded by MIC and the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), is open to first-year Bachelor of Education students who demonstrate exceptional talent in traditional music. Professor Dermot Nestor, President of MIC said: Once again, we acknowledge the memory of MIC graduate Ashling Murphy, whose life was tragically cut short in 2022. As well as being a beloved teacher to the many students, Ashling was a hugely accomplished and gifted traditional musician. We continue to honour her memory through the awarding of a scholarship, in partnership with the INTO, to a fellow talented musician embarking on their Bachelor of Education primary teaching programme here at MIC. I wish Muireann the very best with her studies and her music over the next four years, said Dermot. Anne Horan, President of the INTO said: At the INTO, we are honoured once again to support the Ashling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship in partnership with MIC. This scholarship recognises Ashlings deep love of teaching and of traditional music, as well as her dedication to celebrating and nurturing new talent both inside and outside the classroom, said Anne. A NEW wastewater treatment plant worth a 21.5 million investment is planned for Hospital. The major infrastructure project will significantly enhance the existing wastewater treatment and improve the quality of water in the River Mahore. The expansion will offer services with capacity for more than double the current population. This will allow for housing and business developments. Works are expected to be completed in 2028. Construction will mainly take place around the existing treatment plant, behind Herbertstown GAA grounds, with access from Millfarm Road. Residents may notice increased construction traffic during the works. James Browne T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said: The commencement of this project is very welcome news for the community in Hospital, Limerick. Investment in wastewater infrastructure that provides additional capacity will bring tangible benefits by supporting the existing population and the delivery of new homes and local growth in the area. Continued investment in public water services is essential to facilitating housing delivery. That is why in the recent budget and through the National Development Plan we have increased Uisce Eireanns funding to accelerate the delivery of water infrastructure and support the development of new homes across the country. The works also involve upsizing incoming sewers, removing existing stormwater overflows, and building a new stormwater storage system. A new outfall will discharge treated effluent to the River Mahore, while sustainable sludge drying reed beds will reduce energy use and transport movements. Ground-mounted solar panels will also be installed for on-site energy generation. Speaking about the project, Uisce Eireann Programme Manager Darran OLeary said that his is vital for Hospital: By increasing treatment capacity and introducing sustainable solutions, were protecting the local environment and supporting the areas future growth and development. The new plant will deliver long-term benefits for residents and businesses, ensuring Hospital is well placed to thrive for years to come. Fianna Fail Minister Niall Collins said that investment in wastewater treatment is central to Government delivering more housing. "Uisce Eireann's 21.5 million investment in upgrading the existing wastewater network in Hospital and building a new treatment plant will both improve services for existing homes and enable the delivery of more homes in the area into the future, with the new plant able to provide capacity for more than double the current population of the area. "This investment, taken with the ongoing public consultation opened by Limerick City and County Council to identify additional residential land to support accelerated housing delivery and the ongoing efforts by Government with our new housing plan, means there is now a significant opportunity to ramp up and deliver residential developments in Hospital and the wider area." A CRIMINAL investigation is to be conducted into the way the death of a city teenager was investigated by gardai. Savannah Calvert, from Garryowen, lost her life aged only 14 in 2023, when she was crossing the road at Bank Place in the city centre. Earlier this year, her eldest sister Diane was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would not be bringing charges against the driver of the car which struck the youngster. READ MORE: Anchor tenant quits Limerick office complex with loss of 25 jobs Since then, the family have stepped up their campaign to secure what they feel is justice for Savannah. Theyve enlisted the help of city man Mike Daly, who fought a 14-year battle with the HSE over the death of his father Mike Snr, successfully securing a second inquest into his passing. Among other things, they referred the teen's case to Fiosru, which replaced the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission in April this year. Ms Calvert has now received confirmation from the garda watchdog that it will act upon her complaint. In a letter, seen by Limerick Live, a representative of the body confirmed they are investigating a complaint by the family under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024. They added the case is being handled by a named official within Fiosru. The investigation is to be conducted as a criminal investigation. We will be in touch with you so0on to let you know of any further updates, the email goes on to state. When contacted by Limerick Live, a spokesperson for Fiosru said the organisation neither confirms nor denies the existence of complaints made by or against individuals. This is to protect the investigative process, and the rights both of complainants and those complained about. Fiosru is not in a position to comment further, they added. Ms Calvert said whatever the investigation body rules, the family will accept it as long as it is fair, transparent and based on the full facts. For the first time since my sister Savannah died, I feel like someone is finally listening. We have lived with unanswered questions, contradictions and confusion for over two years. All we ever wanted was the truth - nothing more, nothing less, she added. The appeal to the garda watchdog came after Mr Daly went through the medical report and the autopsy after teenager Savannahs death, alongside the DPPs reasoning not to go forward with a prosecution. He said there were massive contradictions between the two. On top of this, the family have also asked the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, to look at the case. This is being done on the basis of article two of the European Convention on Human Rights, dealing with the right to life. The convention is an international treaty which protects the rights and freedoms for the 830 million people in Europe. Animal welfare charities and rescue centres are being left to pick up the pieces in the absence of proper dog breeding regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the partys spokesperson on agriculture, was speaking ahead of Wednesday's Dail debate on her Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is seeking to add more restrictions to dog breeding in Ireland. READ NEXT: 8,000 without power following destructive Storm Bram as three counties still under warning She said: Ireland holds the dubious distinction of being the puppy farm capital of Europe, with 30,000 dogs exported annually into illegal markets in the UK, Europe and Asia. This figure increases by 70,000 if you take backyard breeders into account, where hundreds of female dogs are often kept in horrendous conditions. In 2022, 7,352 dogs entered Irish pounds a 77 per cent increase on 2021 and 340 were euthanised. This scandalous situation has arisen because of weak regulation under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. It means females as young as four months can be bred, with no maximum age, and they can have up to six litters in their lifetimes. Irelands inadequate laws have left the door open to unregistered breeding and allowed harmful practices like surgical insemination to remain legal. That is why I introduced the Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will be debated at second stage in the Dail today (Wednesday, December 10). READ NEXT: 'Patronising, dystopian' - Housing video backed by Government sparks nationwide backlash The legislation was drafted in consultation with Hannah Unger, Carrie McMeel and Demi Mullen from Dog Law Ireland, an advocacy group made up of three lawyers who provided their services for free. This Bill has been informed by their expertise and passion for animal welfare. It contains several key measures to strengthen the 2010 act. These include capping the number of breeding females at 30 per site; introducing a 16-month minimum age for breeding and eight-year maximum age; a maximum of one litter per year per breeding female; a maximum of four litters per breeding female during her lifetime; a minimum age of 10 weeks for pup separation; the outlawing of surgical artificial insemination; and updating fee structures to reflect new welfare standards. In addition, the legislation would also mandate a 1:10 staff-to-animal ratio to allow for proper care. READ NEXT: LIVE: driver has miraculous escape as tree falls on car during Storm Bram The reality is that puppy farm owners do not care about these dogs they are only concerned with making money. Its a lucrative industry that profits from cruelty and treats animal welfare as an afterthought. We must do everything we can to eliminate cruel practices when it comes to dog breeding. In the absence of proper regulation, animal welfare charities and rescue centres will continue to be left to pick up the pieces. The family of a German backpacker murdered in Co Antrim in 1988 have placed considerable hope that an inquest can finally provide answers, their lawyer has said. Inquest proceedings into the death of Inga Maria Hauser are now to proceed following a delay over issues of jurisdiction. A review hearing on Wednesday heard that police have collated a significant body of material relating to the unsolved murder for the inquest. The body of Ms Hauser from Munich was found in a remote forest near Ballycastle in Co Antrim, 14 days after she was last seen alive on a ferry from Scotland. The 18-year-olds death in April 1988 remains one of the regions most high-profile unsolved murders. A sister of Ms Hauser observed proceedings at Belfasts Laganside Courthouse on Wednesday by videolink. A previous hearing in January had been told that it appeared that a previous inquest had been opened in 1990 into Ms Hausers death but seemed to have closed without hearing any evidence or providing a verdict. Coroner Joe McCrisken opened the latest hearing by stating that there had been a delay in proceedings because of an issue over jurisdiction, which has now been resolved through a direction from the Attorney General. Counsel for the coroner, Philip Henry, said the disclosure process for the proceedings would now recommence. Barrister for the PSNI Mark Robinson told the hearing that a significant body of material has been collated for examination by the coroners service. Barrister for the Hauser family, Brenda Campbell, told the court that a documentary, Murder in the Badlands, had been made about the case in 2022 by BBC Northern Ireland, which was later streamed on Netflix. She said: I wonder if we might start those conversations in terms of asking the journalists whether they have any material which is potentially relevant to the inquest proceedings? Mr Henry said: In relation to the media material, we should send out letters and get that ball rolling and see what there is. Mr McCrisken said another review hearing will take place on February 6. Speaking after the hearing, Claire McKeegan, partner at Phoenix Law, who represents the Hauser family, said the review signalled the next step in moving the inquest forward after 37 years. She said: The family place considerable hope and emotional investment in this process Today we learnt that PSNI have collated their files and we urge them to serve them on the coroner urgently so that we can begin to receive them and prepare. Ingas case impacted the entire country back in 1988 and continues to draw support and interest due to the horrific circumstances of her murder and the fact that there has never been justice for her family. It is critical that all involved move quickly to allow for the facts to be established and any chance of prosecutions can be revisited. Before her murder, Ms Hauser had travelled through England and Scotland and, according to diary entries, intended to travel south to Dublin after her ferry docked at Larne, Co Antrim. For reasons unknown, she ended up going in the opposite direction and was found dead two weeks later in a remote part of Ballypatrick Forest. Police have a male genetic profile found at the murder scene. A number of years ago, in one of the largest DNA screenings undertaken in the UK, 2,000 samples failed to produce a definitive match. In 2018, a year that marked the 30th anniversary of the murder, police made several arrests. However, two years later, prosecutors announced there was insufficient evidence to prosecute a man and a woman investigated in connection with the death. Amazon Inc., which offers online retail, cloud services and streaming entertainment in India, on Wednesday said it will plough an additional $35 billion into the country over the next five years. The aggressive investment push will take its cumulative investment in Asia's second-largest economy to $75 billion by the end of the decade. The company said it is recasting its India plans around business expansion and three strategic pillarsartificial intelligence (AI)-driven digitization, export growth and job creation. The world's largest online retailer has already poured nearly $40 billion into India, building out its logistics, payments, cloud and retail infrastructure. In its statement, Amazon cited a report from consultancy Keystone Strategy, stating that the latest investment establishes Amazon as India's largest foreign investor and one of its top job creators. Amazon has created millions of jobs in India as it "invested at scale" to grow the physical and digital infrastructure for small businesses, senior vice-president for emerging markets Amit Agarwal said in a statement. The company promised to democratize access to AI for millions of Indians, create 1 million job opportunities, and quadruple e-commerce exports enabled to $80 billion by 2030. At Smbhav, an Amazon event for small and medium enterprises, Agarwal emphasized that India remains one of Amazon's largest long-term opportunities. Amazon's mega-investment is the biggest in a series of recent blockbuster plans from multinationals. On Tuesday, Microsoft announced its largest-ever Asian investment in India, committing $17.5 billion over four years to significantly expand its cloud and AI infrastructure. On 14 October, Google Cloud announced a $15 billion investment over five years to establish its first AI hub in India in Visakhapatnam. Earlier, a Reliance Industries-Brookfield-Digital Realty joint venture said it will invest $11 billion to build a data centre, also in Visakhapatnam. The investment helps Amazon bolster its defences in a market where it competes with Walmart-owned Flipkart and JioMart in online retail, PhonePe and Paytm in online payments, Microsoft and Google in cloud services, and Netflix plus a range of local services in streaming video. After holding out for long, it has also ventured into quick commerce, the theatre of a raging battle between BlinkIt and Instamart. India is already one of Amazon's largest marketplaces, and the company expects it to remain so, said Russell Grandinetti, Amazon's senior vice-president for international stores. "So, just on its own, the size, growth potential of our business in India makes it extremely important to us.". "There are many things we build and invent here, which would be enough just to be competitive in India, but then make Amazon stronger elsewhere. If you look at a programme like Easy Ship or Seller Flex or I Have Space those are the things that we built because we needed to make our business in India the best we could. But Seller Flex, for instance, now operating in many countries around the world, Grandinetti said at the event. Amazon Easy Ship is a logistics service for Amazon sellers in India. Amazon's investment plan comes at a time of explosive growth in Indias e-commerce market. India's overall retail market is expected to grow steadily from $1 trillion in 2024 to $1.700 trillion by 2030. Meanwhile, the online retail sector, valued at $75 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $260 billion by 2030. Online contribution to the overall retail market is projected to double from 7% in 2024 to 14% by 2030. Quick commerce has emerged as a new battlefront, promising deliveries within minutes and attracting aggressive investments from large online platforms looking to capture urban demand. A late entrant to this segment, Amazon has said it plans to exit 2025 with 300 dark stores. Indias expertise in building a quick commerce business is now being replicated in other global markets, Grandinetti said. Today, even if we look at quick commerce and the Amazon Now capabilitywe operate similar quick commerce capability in the UAE, Egypt, and Mexico. We recently just launched it in the US and a lot of that technology was built first here in India, he added. Amazon Now is the marketplaces quick delivery business. In 2023, Amazon president and chief executive Andy Jassy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the company announced an additional $15 billion investment across its India businesses. Additionally, so much of Amazon's leadership around the worldand so much of our capability comes from the employees and the talent we have found here. There is a large part of our team here that has had a huge impact on our company globally. The business we are building, the capabilities we need to compete here that make Amazon stronger around the world, and the talent we find here all make this such an incredibly important part of our business, Grandinetti said. The company, which began its online commerce operations in India in 2013, also operates Amazon Pay, Prime Video and Amazon Music locally. It competes with Walmart-backed Flipkart, as well as homegrown e-commerce platforms Meesho and Nykaa. As the market expands, companies have been ploughing more capital into reaching new shoppers, strengthening back-end infrastructure and speeding up delivery. Strained net income margins has pushed Indian wealth management firms to accelerate expansion even as rising operating costs, dropping fees, hard-as-nails competition, and frequent regulatory changes erode profitability across the sector. Competition has intensified in the wealth management space with the surge of affluent people in the countryIndia has 870,000 dollar millionaire households, up 90% from 460,000 lakh in 2021, according to the Mercedes-Benz Hurun India Wealth Report 2025. This resulted in all wealth managers fighting for the same target clients, each vying to attract high and ultra high net worth individuals by offering tailored advisory services and comprehensive wealth solutions. Indias wealth-management assets are estimated to grow at a pace of 12%-14% annually through FY27 to 47 trillion from 33.3 trillion in FY24, according to a March report by CRISIL and Jainam Broking. The net income margins of the leading players in the 360 ONEs margins have slipped from 33.3% in FY23 to 30.8% in FY25, while Nuvama Wealth, a relatively new player, has seen its margin moderate to 23.7% from a high of 48.3% in fiscal 2022. "Competition is helping investors to benefit from reduced costs that leads to margins seeing some suppression at the wealth managers end," said Vinay Ahuja, co-CEO, 360 ONE Wealth. This trend could continue for a while". Net income margins showed mixed trends across listed wealth managers in Q2 of this fiscal year. 360 ONE saw margins fall to 28.3% in Q2 2026 from 28.62% a year earlier. Anand Rathi Wealth improved to 33.41% from 31.39%. Nuvama Wealth also declined to 22.4% versus 24.51%, though still above its Q2 FY2024 level. Regulatory changes haven't helped. The introduction of total expense ratio, or TER, slabs in 2018 by markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and a proposed revamp of these slabs to cut investor costs this year is expected to hurt the industry. The effect of the recent proposal for revamping TER would be about 20-25 crore on revenue annually on his company, said Ashish Kehair, managing director and CEO of Nuvama Wealth Management on an earning call after the September quarter earnings. A peer said the way out was through more efficient operations. The TER changes may lead to a 5-10% drop in revenue, but will be countered by productivity," said Ankur Punj, managing director-national head at Equirus Wealth. Doubling down on customer relationships To deal with the rising competition and regulatory changes, wealth managers are pushing to expand business by aggressively hiring relationship managers (RMs) who would help onboard more clients and expand into tier-II and III cities while also making their own products. At 360 ONE, this is reflected in the payroll. Employee costs at the Mumbai firm jumped to 285 crore in Q2 FY26, an 80% jump from the same quarter two years ago. Other listed wealth managers had a similar pattern of employee expenses, driven by an aggressive hiring cycle for RMs. Firms are poaching seasoned private bankers and replacing lower-productivity RMs with costlier but more productive cohorts. Employee expenses form the largest component of our cost structure and a substantial share of that is attributable to our relationship managers. RM salaries typically account for around 70-75% of our total employee cost," said Feroze Azeez, joint CEO at Anand Rathi Wealth. Nuvama added 337 RMs in the past 12 months to a total RM capacity of over 1,300 today, according to its latest quarter earnings call. The wealth manager aims to double this pool further over the next three to five years. Similarly, 360 ONE operates with about 240-250 RMs but plans to scale to 340 in the coming years. RMs from various firms including HDFC, Julius Baer, Anand Rathi, ASK and Kotak have joined us in the last 12-15 months. RM hiring is at an all-time-high with focus on adding more team leaders," said 360 ONE's Ahuja. Bespoke products; push to tier-II, III cities Part of the race to scale also includes providing in-house products to clients. For instance, Nuvama Wealth Management and ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group have received the regulators nod this year to launch their mutual fund business. Wealth managers are also producing their own products to protect margins. If managers can create bespoke products, they can earn an edge over many other players in the market," said Punj of Equirus Wealth. The impact of these investments shows in cost-to-income ratios. 360 ONEs cost to income ratio increased to 49.2% over the past year from 48.4%. Nuvamas remains the highest among listed firms at 57% in Q2 FY26 after improving to 53% last year. CIR is the percentage of a companys operating income that is consumed by its operating expenses, showing how efficiently it runs its business. Wealth platforms are simultaneously widening their presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where affluent households are growing faster than at the metros. Many of these cities prefer hybrid advisory models, allowing firms to push both digital platforms and curated proprietary products. Tier II,III, and IV cities are going to be the drivers of the wealth industry," said Punj. The systematic investment plan (SIP) stoppage ratio in tier I (cities) is higher. If you look at tier II, tier III, tier IV cities, the number of SIPs which are specially five years or above is far higher," added Punj. Also Read | Portfolio management lessons from the Mahabharata Several wealth managers such as Ionic Wealth and Equirus Wealth have expanded into smaller towns, seeking the newly rich. The increase in penetration of wealth managers into such cities is expected to help drive growth, given more than 40% of the ultra high net worth individuals live in non-metros, and their wealth is majorly managed by independent financial advisors and chartered accountants, according to the CRISIL- Jainam report. Though wealth managers fight to have a piece of the pie, margins are expected to remain compressed as investors look for lower-cost alternatives. The massive RM hiring is expected to only materialise over the course of the next few years, leading to stress on short-term profitability. "Competition will get higher in the future and will not recede in the near term. We are still some time away from relief," said Prayesh Jain, an analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services. A significant scale up in flows if market does well can be an offsetting factor for margins. But we are a bit far from that for now." NEW DELHI: Faster, more flexible and more focused." Thats what Nestle India chairman and managing director (MD) Manish Tiwary wants the packaged foods company to become. Less than a year at the company, the former Amazon India country manager and Unilever executive plans to achieve these goals by making the company more tech-ready across operations, improving its reach in the urban and rural markets, and using micro-markets to step up innovation and premium launches. Tiwary wants to leverage technology to improve efficiency end-to-end, not just in factories, supply chain or sales, and to invest savings in its brands. There are three focus areas therestrengthening our core brands legacy is good, but we need to keep on further building on it. Second is the premiumization part of it. Third is, how do we build up Purina (pet food), Nespresso, and the Nestle Professional business? These are very new businesses which we are building. We need money for that and that's where that whole digitization piece comes in," Tiwary said in his first interview after assuming the role. Also Read | Nestle flirts with luxury via First Nespresso boutique in India; more to follow Nestle Professional is the company's business-to-business arm tha provides branded food and beverage solutions. Tiwary joined Nestle India on 1 February 2025 as managing director-designate. He assumed the role of chairman and MD effective 1 August 2025, taking over from Suresh Narayanan, who was brought in during the peak of the companys Maggi crisis in 2015. Tiwary is the first outsider to lead the India business of the Swiss firm. Tiwary wants to use technology to not only sell more but to also monitor the market better through social listening, search data and real-time feedback. Technology is something which will help us do better. I'm just trying to make sure the payback periods are so efficient that it works well. I also want to enhance execution using technology," he said. Digitizing production lines Nestle operates nine factories in India and is digitizing most of their production lines. We have to figure out how to make a short production run cost-effective because the consumer will not pay for an inefficiency on our side. We are digitizing most of our production lines; we are putting in technology. If I can reduce wastage from one in a million packs to one in 2 million, thats not cost cutting, thats cost optimization," he said. The plan is to remove inefficiencies. I want to pass it on to the consumer, because ultimately, if you have to address the rural populationthe (low) price point packs become very important. To get it to that with the margin expectations of my shareholders you have to cut," Tiwary said. For Tiwary, the rule is simple: sharp marketers along with awesome feet on the streetsall backed by technology. Nestle sells chocolates, milk, ketchup, cooking aids, nutrition products for infants, cereals, curd, noodles, coffee and pet food in India. Maggi is the largest packaged noodle brand in India. The country is the second-largest market for its Kit-Kat chocolate. India is also one of the very fast-growing coffee (Nescafe) markets for the company. In 2023, the packaged foods maker said it would invest 4,200 crore by 2025 to expand the manufacturing capacity of its noodles, coffee and chocolates portfolio. This includes roughly 900 crore in an upcoming factory (its 10th) in Odisha to make prepared dishes and cooking aids. Nestle India set up its first manufacturing facility at Moga in Punjab in 1961. It competes with ITC Ltd and Britannia Industries Ltd in India. Capacity expansion For the last two financial years we have been putting capex of close to 2,000 crore annually. Theres a lot of capacity expansion happening in Sanand (plant) for noodles and confectionery; we will need more lines," he said. Also Read | Nestle evaluates Starbucks coffee launch for at-home consumption in India The company will invest in new production lines, given the kind of growth rates after GST rates were rationalized, he added. Tiwary wants to trim the time taken for new launches, a move followed by rival Hindustan Unilever Ltd in India. Im going to use micro-markets to launch faster and get first-hand consumer feedback rather than look for big national launches. The big launches will happen, but this is the flexibility we are looking for," he said. Nestle recently rolled out a low-sugar iced tea under the Nestea brand, made with green tea from its plant in Tamil Nadu. It was piloted in one city on a quick-commerce platform and tracked through ratings, reviews and season-long feedback. Analysts said that under Tiwary, Nestle is sharpening its focus on execution, digital acceleration and innovation speed. His background in FMCG and tech-led retail is expected to strengthen consumer engagement, improve affordability and enhance agility across categories Focus remains on driving penetration through affordable packs and deeper rural reach," Manoj Menon of ICICI Securities said in a note dated 16 October. The move comes as the classic FMCG playbook is rewritten. Companies now test a product on an e-commerce platform and scale up within months, reducing the distribution advantage that legacy consumer goods firms once enjoyed. Consumer tastes have also widened, a shift that requires far more flexibility. This means short production runs and sharper consumer targeting. For us to be flexible to be able to address micro-segments, our entire backend needs to have that technology and the ability to forecast," Tiwary said. Premium offerings The company has been tapping more premium consumption opportunities. Last year, it invested 705.6 crore via a joint venture with Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd to sell wellness and nutrition products. It opened its maiden Nespresso coffee boutique in India this year. In fiscal 2025, the companys revenue from operations stood at 20,201.5 crore. Revenue in the 15-month period prior to that was 24,393.8 crore. The numbers are not comparable because Nestle India moved from a calendar year to a fiscal year. Nestle India reported 10.9% revenue growth to 5,630.2 crore in the September quarter, driven by volume-led expansion across key categories. Several categories benefited from the revised and lowered goods and services tax (GST) implemented on 22 September. Nestle India shares traded at 1,176.4 on 7 October 2024, when Tiwary was named CEO-designate. The stock has since added 3.31% to 1,215.35 on the BSE on 9 December 2025. The broader NIFTY FMCG index declined 12.1% and the BSE FMCG index dropped 12.4% in the same period. Across noodles, coffee, chocolates and packaged foods, India remains one of Nestles lowest per-capita consumption markets globally. Monthly household penetration for categories like Maggi noodles is over 20%, Tiwary said. I'm very excited about both ends of the market. The top 30 million households in this country in my judgment should have that Nespresso machine at home," he said. In 50% of the market, among all consumer-packaged goods companies, Nestle probably has the lowest penetration, but this excites him because of the headroom for growth. The rural markets account for 15% of the company's sales, much lower than for packaged foods company Britannia Industries, which draws about 40% of its domestic business from the hinterland. Pet food Tiwary said new businesses such as pet food, Nespresso and the joint venture with Dr Reddys are very powerful pillars. Globally, we are known for those businessesthey are still emerging in India. Fast forward 10 yearspet food would be one of the biggest businesses in India," he added. Earlier this year, the Swiss parent company announced global job cuts of 16,000 roles. Nestle Indias permanent employee count fell 3.8% in FY25. "My mantra is simply to invest more behind brands, stick to fewer, bolder things, and then drive efficiency cost optimization in the rest of the organization," he said. This market is only about penetration-led volume growth things which can be automated, we would automate. The idea is to bring that efficiency in. For a company with lower penetration as us, people with the right skills will continue to find roles as you expand the business." Tiwary said he would be disappointed" if Nestle India does not deliver high single-digit volume growth every year for the next five years. Amazon Inc on Wednesday announced a mega $35 billion investment in India over the next five years, and said it will generate 3.8 million cumulative jobs across the country by 2030. Amazon's announcement comes a day after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pledged to invest $17.5 billion in India. However, Nadella did not specifically announce any job opportunities or the exact numbers if they arise. The US e-commerce giant also said in a statement that it will will invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030 across businesses, including areas such as artificial intelligence and logistics infrastructure. Amazon reiterated its commitment to India and announced that it plans to invest more than $35 billion across all its businesses in the country through 2030, focusing on business expansion as well as three strategic pillars: AI-driven digitisation, export growth, and job creation, the company said. View full Image From Left to Right- Russ Grandinetti, SVP, International Stores, Amazon; Udit Madan, SVP, Worldwide Operations; Amit Agarwal, SVP, Emerging Markets; Samir Kumar, Country Manager, India; Dharmesh Mehta, VP, Worldwide Selling Partner Services at Amazon Smbhav 2025 Amazon to add 1 million jobs in India Amazon's $35 billion investment in India is set to generate an additional one million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs, the company said in its statement. In 2030, Amazon businesses will support 3.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs. These will stem from Amazon's business expansion as well as its growing fulfillment and delivery network, which simultaneously supports parallel industries including packaging, manufacturing, and transportation services, the statement added. Amazon further said that in 2024, the company added approximately 2.8 million jobs in the country, both direct and indirect, across sectors like technology, operations, logistics, retail, and creative services. The plan was revealed in the Economic Impact Report by Keystone Strategy released at the sixth edition of Amazon Smbhav Summit held in New Delhi on Wednesday, 10 December. Amazon promises India jobs amid tech layoffs Amazon's 3.8 million jobs promise to India comes at a time when the company is battling mass layoffs in its technology sector. The company in October announced that it will let go 14,000 corporate employees, marking the biggest layoff drive in three years. The Amazon layoff drive has had an impact on every vertical of the company, from cloud computing and devices to advertising, retail and grocery stores. It came as part of the company's restructuring plans aimed at streamlining operations, as the tech giant looks to make AI a priority. Other announcements made by Amazon Eye on AI: Amazon said its $35 billion India investment will focus on expanding AI capabilities, enhancing logistics infrastructure, supporting small business growth and creating jobs as part of the country's national priorities. With the investment, the company aims to further accelerate digital transformation, strengthen infrastructure, and support innovation across the country. Increasing exports: To push export growth from India, Amazon launched a manufacturing-focused initiative, "Accelerate Exports", designed to connect digital entrepreneurs with trusted manufacturers while enabling manufacturers to become successful global sellers. As part of the program, Amazon will host on-ground onboarding drives in over 10 manufacturing clusters across India, including Tirupur, Kanpur, and Surat. India remains key growth market despite US troubles India, the world's most populous country, remains a high-growth market for large US tech firms. Amazon's commitment follows that of Microsoft's $17.5 billion investment pledge earlier on Tuesday. Before this, Google parent Alphabet made a similar $15 billion monumental investment to build a state-of-the-art AI data hub in Visakhapatnam. Intel CEO Lip-bu Tans meeting with Prime Minister Modi has also highlighted India's growing importance in the global economy, despite US pressures to manufacture products locally with native talent. When global rating agencies revised their sovereign debt ratings for France and Portugal earlier this year, aligning them with those of Care Ratings, they vindicated the stance of the Indian rating agency that launched its fledgling sovereign rating business just over a year ago, a top official at Care Ratings said. Care Ratings assigned an A+ rating to Portugal in February and to France in September. Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings raised its Portugal rating to A+ in August and lowered France to A+ in October. The management of Care Ratings sees this as a win for the companys new business and a solid start to its global ambitions. This is a vindication of the robustness of our model and I give full credit to our team, which prepared for over three years before we launched our commercial operations, said Mehul Pandya, managing director and group chief executive officer, CareEdge Group (the group-level brand identity of the company). It takes a bit of courage to stand out because one of the criticisms of rating agencies is convergence bias everybody gives the same rating, so if anything fails everybody is to be blamed equally, added Pandya, who was elevated to chief executive of Indias second-largest rating agency in 2022. Global expertise He said the companys global ratings are backed by experts who have worked on similar assignments elsewhere and that its ratings committee has external members from Europe, Africa, Australia and Singapore, among other places. This, Pandya said, was meant to ensure that no home-country bias seeped in. Paul Coughlin, who chairs the ratings committee, spent 26 years at S&P, where he was the executive managing director and global head of the credit ratings group. Care Ratings rates India at BBB+, a notch above S&Ps rating after the recent upgrade. Within a year of operations, we have seen a greater receptivity across developed and emerging economies towards our rating, said Pandya. More and more countries have started engaging with us. He added, We always had this predicament that when our clients wanted to go for an overseas bond issuance, they were compelled to deal with somebody else because we could not offer that service. Now that Care offers global ratings, he said, it could lead to increased revenue for the non-rating business, too, as clients tap other services of the group. Care Ratings created a subsidiary at GIFT City to rate overseas and sovereign debt in 2024. So far, it has assigned ratings to domestic companies for $4 billion of overseas debt issuances. Pandya said the company plans to reach out to issuers in emerging economies in Asia and Africa to rate debt issuances from these economies. Sovereign ratings are unsolicited, meaning that economies do not pay for these, unlike companies, which seek to be rated and pay a fee for it. Care currently rates 39 countries spanning Asia, the Americas, Australia and Europe, and aims to increase this to 45 soon. Analysts bullish Care Ratings reported a consolidated net profit of 83.7 crore over April-September 2026, up 23% from the same period last year, and 230.3 crore of revenue. Its ratings business accounted for 89% of revenue for the April-September period of FY26. At 205.8 crore, it was 16% higher than in the same period of FY25. The non-ratings business includes advisory, analytics and environment, social and governance (ESG) assessments. Analysts are quite bullish about the companys prospects. Yes Securities (India) said it continues to believe Ebitda margin could expand by 300-400 basis points (bps) between FY25 and FY27, driven by improvements in domestic and global ratings. Care Ratings Ebitda margin was 38.6% in FY25, according to data from the Yes Securities note from September. Care continues to evaluate meaningful inorganic growth opportunities in non-ratings space which can offer synergies of new markets addition or new products addition and are available at palatable valuation, the note added. Pandya also said the company was open to acquisitions, should a good opportunity present itself at the right valuation. It has to be a hardcore value addition in terms of our strategic initiative for the future, potentially giving us access to new geographies and new products, he added. MUMBAI : Global private equity firm (PE) KKR has bought out Ranu Vohra, the co-founder of Avendus Capital, clearing up the way for a deal to sell the financial services firm. The deal to buy out the 6% stake held by Vohra values the company at 11,500 crore, people with knowledge of the development said. The deal between Vohra and KKR got signed on 9 December, and will now help to take the deal to sell the company forward," one of the people with knowledge of the development said. The valuation is nearly double the 6,000-crore offer that Mizuho had made earlier this year when the Japans leading financial services group wanted to acquire around 80% of the homegrown financial services firm. Given Vohra is a promoter he has been given a special valuation. This does not necessarily mean that other stakeholders will get the same value," said the second person cited above. As per the previous share purchase agreement, the founders had a veto on the deal. With this stake sale, Vohra will relinquish his rights and disassociate with the company, the people confirmed. Also Read | Somerset Indus nears $275-million close for third healthcare fund The deal comes 10 years after KKR pumped in $115 million to acquire a controlling stake in Avendus in 2015 and doubled up with another $55 million in later rounds, taking its total investment in the company to more than 980 crore. KKR owns 63% stake in Avendus KKR currently owns a 63% stake in Avendus Capital. The rest is held by Gaja Capital, Alliance Tire Groups founder Yogesh Mahansaria, other co-founders and some employees. Founded in 1999 by Gaurav Deepak, Vohra and Kaushal Aggarwal, Avendus group offers investment banking, asset management, non-banking financial companies, alternative investment fund, equity advisory and other financial services businesses. As per an 18 March ratings release by Crisil, Avendus Capital Pvt. Ltd, on a consolidated basis, reported a net profit of 170 crore in the nine months ended fiscal 2025 ( 118 crore in fiscal 2024 and 138 crore in fiscal 2023). Return on average net worth for fiscal 2021 and the nine months of fiscal 2025 was at an average of about 10%, while the average cost to income ratio for the same period was around 77%. Emailed queries to Avendus Capital, KKR, Vohra and Gaja Capital did not elicit any response. The interest by Mizuho in buying into Avendus plays into the larger trend by global strategic players looking to enter India with large buyout deals. Recently, Emirates NBD bought a controlling stake in listed lender RBL Bank in a $3 billion deal. Separately, MUFG is eyeing a controlling stake in Yes Bank and in Shriram Finance, Mint reported. Also Read | TVS Credit to make a bid for Avendus Capital Earlier this year, global private equity investor Blackstone picked up 9.9% stake in Federal Bank for $705 million. International Holding Company (IHC), through its affiliate Avenir Investment RSC Ltd, acquired 43.46% stake in Sammaan Capital for $1 billion ( 8,850 crore). The Delhi High Court on Wednesday restrained Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd from selling its generic version of the weight-loss drug semaglutide drug in India until Danish innovator Novo Nordisks patent expires in March 2026. The court, however, permitted Sun Pharma to manufacture and export semaglutide to non-patent countries, extending the same relief it granted Dr. Reddys Laboratories in a similar dispute earlier this month. A bench of Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora directed Sun Pharma to file an undertaking within two weeks confirming it would not sell semaglutide in India before the patent expires. The court also issued a summons to Sun Pharma, seeking its response to Novo Nordisks plea. The matter was adjourned to 21 February, with the court indicating that the interim arrangement would continue until then. Wednesdays developments come a day after Novo Nordisk dragged Sun Pharma to court, seeking urgent orders to block the anticipated launch within 24 hours of Suns generic semaglutide drug. With the weight-loss drug just months from losing patent exclusivity in India, Novo Nordisk has intensified its legal campaign against Indian companies preparing to enter the rapidly growing market for weight-loss drugs. Novo Nordisks main semaglutide brands are Ozempic (for type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (for chronic weight management), and Rybelsus (oral tablet for type 2 diabetes). The order mirrors the courts 2 December ruling on Novo Nordisks lawsuit against Dr. Reddys Laboratories, in which the judge declined the Danish companys request for a blanket interim injunction, allowing Dr. Reddys to continue exporting semaglutide while restraining domestic sales until the patent expired. In that case, the court held that Novo Nordisk had not demonstrated a strong prima facie case for interim relief and that any monetary loss could be recovered later if the innovator ultimately succeeded at trial. The court also recorded Dr. Reddys undertaking not to sell the drug in India and directed it to disclose manufacturing and export data since April 2025. Novo Nordisks counsel indicated that the company planned to challenge the ruling before a division bench the following week. Huge opportunity Meanwhile, innovators Novo Norsisk and Eli Lilly are gaining ground in the race to sell these drugs in India. The market for them has grown rapidly, from 186 crore in November 2022 to 1,047 crore in November 2025, according to data from pharma intelligence platform Pharmarack Eli Lilly's Mounjaro became the top selling brand in India in October, crossing 100 crore in sales just six months after its launch. Nordisk is close on its heels. It announced a price cut for Wegovy last month that has propelled sales, helping it gain a 5% market share in absolute doses in November alone. As of November, Mounnaro held a 86% market share in terms of doses while Wegovy held the rest. US-based pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is set to cut hundreds of jobs in Switzerland as part of the company's multi-year cost reduction program, reported the news agency Bloomberg, citing people aware of the development on Wednesday, 10 December 2025. According to the agency report, the pharma giant plans to cut its Switzerland workforce down to nearly 70 by the end of 2025, compared to its current 300 levels. This job cut move marks the company's plan to lay off more than 200 people by the year's end amid cost-cutting plans. Pfizer's job cuts come after a broader downgrade of Pfizers Swiss unit within the company, reported the news agency, citing the people aware of the development. Pfizer's path to growth Earlier in December 2025, Pfizers head of Switzerland operations, Sabine Bruckner, was replaced by Rea Lal, who is now leading the company's operations with a diminished mandate, according to the people cited in the news report. Bruckner took a new position in the pharma giant itself. The New York-based pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer, is trying to work its way to future growth after the COVID-19 global pandemic. The company's multi-year cost reduction program is to cut $7 billion through the year 2027. According to the news agency's report, the company is streamlining and realigning its resources to reduce complexity in operations, reported the news agency, citing a company spokesperson through an emailed statement. The company refused to comment on specific layoff figures for its Switzerland job cuts, as per the agency report. This move comes as the company's Switzerland business loses its luster for some multinationals as it started to apply a new corporate tax regime. And Pfizer's layoffs add to a list of pharma companies which are reducing their footprint in Switzerland, whose biggest export industry is pharmaceuticals. According to the agency report, in November 2025, Novartis AG announced it would cut as many as 550 Swiss jobs due to an automation push. The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Wednesday dismissed Reliance Communications Ltds (RCom's) plea seeking a refund of nearly 325 crore from Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson India Pvt. Ltd., part of the 550 crore that the Reliance Group paid in 2019 to purge a Supreme Court contempt order. The tribunal held that the payment did not violate insolvency norms, and was made solely to comply with the Supreme Courts directions and not for any insolvency-linked settlement. We do not find any merit in the contention of the applicant that the money paid to Ericsson pursuant to the NCLAT stay order is required to be refunded The petitions filed by the resolution professional of the corporate debtor against Ericsson India Private Limited (operational creditor) are dismissed and disposed of, the order stated. Contempt ruling The case stems from the 2019 Supreme Court contempt ruling in which the court held RCom, Reliance Telecom Ltd and Reliance Infratel Ltdand their executivesguilty for failing to honour a settlement with Ericsson and repeatedly missing court-mandated payment deadlines. To purge the contempt ruling and prevent its senior officials from being imprisoned, the Reliance Group ultimately paid 550 crore to Ericsson. Later, resolution professional Anish Niranjan Nanavaty approached the NCLT seeking a partial refund, arguing that paying Ericsson in full amounted to preferential treatment, since the operational creditor recovered its entire claim ahead of secured financial lenders. However, the NCLT rejected the plea, noting that the funds paid to Ericsson did not come from the assets of the insolvent companies, but from other Reliance group entities. Because the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) estate was never depleted, the tribunal concluded that the payment could not be treated as a preferential transaction or a violation of the moratorium under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). Also Read | IndiGo Chaos: How a pilot fatigue row landed DGCA in high court RCom had sought only 325 crore, not the full 550 crore, as that portion was considered attributable to RCom and Reliance Telecom. The remaining amount pertained to Reliance Infratel or other group entities, which were not part of the present petition. Ericsson argued that the RPs claim was misconceived, emphasising that the payment flowed strictly from the Supreme Courts contempt order, not the 2018 NCLAT interim order that had contemplated a refund if appeals were dismissed. It said any challenge to the payment should have been taken up before the Supreme Court itself. Bengaluru: Ride-hailing firm Uber has entered the business-to-business (B2B) lastmile logistics market in India with Uber Direct, a whitelabel delivery service built on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The launch puts Uber in direct competition with enterprise logistics providers such as Shadowfax, Delhivery, Ecom Express, Xpressbees and Shiprocket, which handle deliveries for e-commerce companies and brands. However unlike these players, which work directly with online and offline merchants (both online and offline sellers depend on last mile logistics), Uber Direct will only fulfil orders for merchants and brands that are registered on ONDC and reached through ONDCintegrated buyer apps. The service has gone live in Bengaluru, offering grocery deliveries for Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh, and will soon handle food orders for quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands, including KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Rebel Foods. Uber India head Prabhjeet Singh told Mint that Uber Direct will initially rely on the companys two-wheeler fleet, providing bike-taxi drivers with an additional income stream alongside its business-to-business (B2B) parcel service, Uber Courier, and the consumer-facing Uber Bike Taxi category. From a riders point of view, Singh said the ONDC tie-up effectively turns every Uber bike into a multi-use asset, allowing the same driver to switch between ferrying passengers, running consumer courier jobs through Uber Courier, and handling B2B ONDC orders on Uber Direct during the day. We are starting with two-wheelers because they are the most efficient and affordable for enterprises. Over time, we may add multiple other form factors based on the different types of packages which the businesses need to sell, he added. The launch also comes amid a regulatory crackdown on bike-taxi services in Karnataka, where the state government halted operations in June after questioning their legality under the Motor Vehicles Act. Though bike taxi options later reappeared on apps run by Uber, Rapido and Ola during subsequent court hearings. Regulatory tides Uber currently has more than 1.5 million drivers across cars, three-wheelers and two-wheelers in India, though Singh did not share a category-wise split. He also said that Uber Bike is one of the fastest-growing parts of the portfolio and that the firm is adding tens of thousands of two-wheeler drivers every month. Uber Direct is not the first attempt to use the Open Network for Digital Commerce for logistics; rival Ola had briefly offered food delivery on ONDC using its driver fleet before recently withdrawing that option from its app, according to recent media reports. Singh said ONDC is onboarding a wide spectrum of merchantsfrom large brands to mid-sized sellersat a time when consumers expect ever-faster delivery across categories beyond grocery, thanks to the rise of quick-commerce platforms such as Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, BigBasket Now and Flipkart Minutes. According to a March 2025 report by Flipkart and Bain and Co., India's quick-commerce market generated an estimated gross merchandise value (GMV) of about $67 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a rate of around 40% annually. This GMV is mainly dominated by three playersSwiggys Instamart, Zepto, and Zomato-owned Blinkit. Many players will still need incremental capacity during peak hours, and a large spectrum of merchants doesnt want to build captive delivery fleets, and this is where we believe Uber can play a role, Singh said. Uber began working closely with ONDC only last year, initially through metro ticketing, which is now live in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, and has been extended to Bengaluru. Singh said Uber is very thoughtful about entering new lines and did not want to just announce a new thing and walk away, waiting instead until there were clear synergies between ONDCs open rails and Ubers logistics and transit stack. Quick commerce surge The timing also coincides with rapid growth in its two-wheeler network, allowing the company to offer riders multiple gig options, including passenger rides, consumer couriers, B2B logistics, and, in some pilots, data labelling work for Ubers artificial intelligence tools during off-peak hours, he added. Uber Direct is already a globally available B2B delivery product, live in several other markets, where it powers same-day and on-demand deliveries directly from merchant channels, such as websites, apps, and call centres. The US government will buy six Boeing Co. 737 jets to carry out deportation flights, expanding the administrations efforts to ramp up the removals of people living in the country without legal status. The aircraft will be acquired from Daedalus Aviation under a contract valued at about $140 million, according to a report first published by the Washington Post, which cited two people familiar with the agreement. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed the deal by email and on social media. Contract documents had not yet appeared on federal procurement websites. This new initiative will save $279 million in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns, said McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, in an emailed response to questions. President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country. ICE Air Operations, the agencys primary transport division, currently relies on a mix of chartered aircraft and commercial flights. It stages 12 aircraft from hubs in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and Florida to transfer detainees between US detention facilities and to conduct removals overseas, according to its website. The new planes would allow ICE to operate more flights directly rather than contracting them out, a shift DHS said will result in cost savings. ICE Air has long been one of the agencys more opaque operations, with limited data on routes, costs and the conditions under which migrants are transported. Boeing 737s are widely used for domestic and short-to-medium-haul international routes, typically flying as many as 200 people, depending on the model and configuration. Depending on the model, the 737 is suitable for non-stop flights to Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America, as well as hubs all over the US. Daedalus Aviation on its website said it offers a full range of commercial and charter aviation services. No one immediately responded to an emailed request for comment. The US government has ramped up immigration raids across the country this year, aiming for a goal of 1 million deportations a target its falling short of. There have been more than 1,700 deportation flights to 77 nations since Trump was inaugurated in January, according to Human Rights Watch. The majority of flights have ferried migrants out of the US to Latin America and the Caribbean. At the same time, ICE Air also carried out more than 6,300 domestic flights to move migrants between various US jails between January and the end of October. That is more than twice the number of internal transfers carried out in a comparable period during the Biden administration, according to Human Rights Watch. The aircraft purchase comes as part of a broader enforcement push funded through the administrations budget increase of more than $150 billion over the next decade for detention expansion, transportation, personnel and border operations. With assistance from Alicia A. Caldwell. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A day after Microsoft announced a $17.5 billion investment in India, Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Wednesday posted a picture with Satya Nadella, revealing that he got a demo from the tech giant's CEO of the AI apps he is personally building. In a post on X, Gautam Adani said that they discussed the vast potential of AI in the physical world. Always a pleasure to meet Satya Nadella and gain his valuable insights into the future of technology. We are excited to continue building a 360 partnership as the physical and digital worlds converge in the age of AI, he said. Adani noted that he got a first-person demo from Nadella of the AI apps he is building at Microsoft personally. Getting a demo from him of the AI apps he is personally building was another testament to the hands-on leadership that truly great leaders exemplify, he said. How did the internet react? The internet was full of excitement as the two behemoths of business met, with netizens hailing the partnership between the leaders. Indias tech journey gets a strong boost when leaders like Satya Nadella connect with partners like Adani. AI, digital innovation and Make in India efforts are driving us toward Vikshit Bharat 2047 with real confidence, one person said. Also Read | Gautam Adani announces new ropeway to make Kedarnath pilgrimage easier, safer The AdaniNadella meeting is exactly the kind of partnership India needs right now. Physical infrastructure meeting AI infrastructure is a game-changer, especially with Microsofts $17.5B investment on the way, another added. A third person predicted that exciting times are ahead for India's tech industry. Convergence of physical and digital intelligence will shape many deep science frontiers in the coming decade. Exciting times for Indias tech ecosystem, he said. Two visionaries shaping the future of AI and technologythis partnership is truly where innovation meets impact! another person agreed. Microsoft invests $17.5 billion in India Microsoft announced a landmark $17.5 billion investment in India over four years, marking its largest commitment in Asia, aimed at expanding the country's cloud and AI, workforce skilling and operational capabilities. The announcement was made in a statement issued soon after Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India's AI roadmap and growth priorities. With this expanded investment, Microsoft is set to establish its largest hyperscale presence in India through a new data centre region scheduled to go live in mid-2026. Hinge founder Justin McLeod is stepping down from his role of CEO at the company to launch a dating service platform backed by artificial intelligence. In a statement on Tuesday, Hinge parent Match Group said that McLeod will now run Overtone, an AI-powered dating venture backed by the company. Overtone, incubated within Hinge during 2025, will operate as an independent company, Match Group said as it signalled a big bet on AI. Match Group plans to lead Overtone's initial funding round in early 2026 and hold a substantial ownership position Match Group today announced a leadership transition at Hinge as Founder and CEO Justin McLeod steps away from the company to launch Overtone, a new standalone AI-driven venture backed by Match Group, the company said in the statement. Jackie Jantos, who currently serves as Hinge's president and chief marketing officer, will take over as CEO. Under her four-year tenure as CMO and president, Jantos has expanded Hinge to new regions including Europe and Latin America. She is also credited with introducing new product innovations and strengthening Hinge's cultural relevance with Gen Z, which now represents the platform's largest audience globally. Hinge's mission to help people find meaningful, in-person relationships has never been more important. I am honored to lead this next chapter and to continue building on the strong foundation Justin created. Our focus will remain on intentional innovation that is grounded in culture, creativity, and a deep understanding of how people connect today, Jantos said in a statement on Tuesday. Also Read | Why Indias Elite Families Are Turning to Professional Matchmaking for the Who is Justin McLeod? Justin McLeod founded Hinge in 2011, a dating app which went to become one of the most popular in its category across several countries in the world. Kentucky-born McLeod launched Hinge in 2013 as a service that would connect people with friends of their friends. The story behind launching the app is no short of a romantic drama. According to a 2019 article on Time Magazine, Hinge was born out of a heartbreak that Justin McLeod suffered when he was graduating from Harvard University. His girlfriend, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship for four years, rejected his proposal marking the inspiration moment for McLeod. After graduating from Harvard Business School and rejecting a job offer from consulting firm McKinsey & Company, McLeod was roped into developing a Valentines Day matchmaking game for students, which later gave birth to Hinge. Before getting his MBA degree from Harvard, Justin McLeod graduated from the Colgate University with a BA in mathematical economics and political science. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism on Wednesday regarding the ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, noting that the talks are progressing well. "All agreements have many diversified angles. Many dots have been connected," ANI quoted Goyal, who was speaking on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas. Goyal said a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday, and discussions have been progressing positively. The minister stated that he will return to Delhi tonight to fulfil his parliamentary duties and attempt to set up a meeting with the US trade negotiation team in the evening. Commerce Secretary meets US Deputy Trade Representative Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. They discussed India-US trade and economic relations, including ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Department of Commerce said in a post on X. Several rounds of discussions have already been conducted between both sides. Commerce Secretary Agarwal expressed optimism at the FICCI Annual General Meeting on 28 November. I think our expectations....we are very optimistic and very hopeful that we should find a solution within this calendar year, ANI quoted him as saying. Meanwhile, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Under Secretary of State Allison Hooker met on Tuesday, 9 December, with both sides discussing key bilateral issues, including trade and investment, defence cooperation, the TRUST initiative, energy cooperation, including civil nuclear collaboration, technology, critical minerals, and trusted supply chains. The discussions also focused on regional and global developments of mutual interest, with both sides underscoring their shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. India-US trade deal US-India trade negotiations have advanced significantly, but the initial goal of finishing the first tranche by fall 2025 was postponed because of recent changes in US trade policy, including tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian goods. India has signed 14 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and six Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with its trading partners so far, and is currently negotiating deals with several countries, including the European Union. As Padayappa prepares for a grand theatrical re-release, Rajinikanth is looking back at the making of the 1999 classicand sharing some lesser-known stories behind its most memorable characters. In a new video released ahead of the re-release, the superstar revealed that the role of Neelambarione of Tamil cinemas most defining antagonistswas first envisioned for Aishwarya Rai, not Ramya Krishnan. Rajinikanth recalled the extensive effort the team made to approach Aishwarya during the films pre-production phase. We wanted Aishwarya Rai to play Neelambari. After a lot of difficulty, we managed to get in touch with her, he said. According to him, the character was so pivotal that he was prepared to wait as long as necessary. If she had said yes, I was willing to wait two or three years. That role needed to click. It demanded a certain presence and force. However, Aishwarya conveyed she wasnt interested in being part of Padayappa at that time. Rajinikanth noted that several top namesincluding Sridevi and Madhuri Dixitwere also considered during the search for an actor who could embody Neelambaris intimidation, elegance and emotional complexity. Ultimately, director K.S. Ravikumar suggested Ramya Krishnan, whose powerful screen energy and expressive range shaped Neelambari into the iconic antagonist audiences still remember. Rajinikanth later teamed up with Aishwarya Rai in 2010 for Enthiran, which went on to become one of the biggest hits of its decade. In the same video, he also confirmed that a sequel to Padayappa is officially in the works. Titled Neelambari: Padayappa 2, the project will place renewed focus on the universe and characters that made the original a landmark film. About Padayappa Directed by K.S. Ravikumar, Padayappa starred Rajinikanth, Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya and Sivaji Ganesan, supported by Lakshmi, Nassar, Radha Ravi, Abbas, Sithara and Preetha. The film became the highest-grossing Tamil release of 1999 and remains a cultural favourite. The re-release coincides with Rajinikanths birthday celebrations. BEIJINGThe head of the International Monetary Fund warned China that its dominance over manufacturing risks exacerbating global trade tensions, urging Beijing to take far greater action to shift its economy toward domestic consumption. As the second largest economy in the world, China is simply too big to generate much growth from exports," said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday. Changes to its model are now long overdue" and should be accelerated, she added. Georgievas pointed remarks in Beijing, part of an annual assessment by the IMF of Chinas economy, came just days after the Chinese government disclosed that its trade surplus in goods topped $1 trillion for the first time, a milestone in economic history that has underscored the extent of its manufacturing dominance. In a country where the sophistication and speed of its factories are a point of pride, Beijing has tended to brush off criticism of its export-driven model, instead presenting itself as a victim of unjust protectionism by the U.S. and others, and as a defender of open markets. But as Chinas exports have surged to record highs, Beijings defense has increasingly fallen on deaf ears internationally, with some European nations joining the U.S. in their criticism of Chinas tactics. Chinas exports, rising 5.4% in the first 11 months of the year compared with the same period a year earlier, have proven to be a bright spot in an economy that is beset by challenges. They include a persistently weak property market, high youth unemployment and lofty government debt levels. Depressed real-estate prices, coupled with a preference, especially among older Chinese, to save for rainy days, have held back domestic consumption this year. At one point, Georgieva made a plea to the many young Chinese journalists in attendance to get their families to buy more. China counts on you to be the driver of domestic demand," Georgieva said. You need to help your mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers to change their attitude toward one that says its patriotic to spend money and lift Chinas domestic consumption rate." The countrys economic challenges mean growth in its gross domestic product is likely to slow to around 4.5% in 2026, according to the IMF, from around 5% this year. In a positive sign for China, the IMF revised next years forecast upward by 0.3 percentage points from an earlier projection due to what it said were lower-than-expected tariffs and the impact of government stimulus. The scale of Chinas exports isnt only a challenge for rich countries like the U.S. and in Europe, but is also hitting Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, where Chinese shipments are increasingly being redirected. Chinese companies have been busy this year deploying advanced robotics and artificial intelligence at factories across the country, as part of efforts to shore up Chinas manufacturing dominance for the long haul. Despite trade tensions and President Trumps pledge to bring more manufacturing back to the U.S., many economists believe that Chinas share of global good exports will continue to grow in the years ahead. Strengthening the social safety net to give Chinese more confidence to go out and spend was one of several recommendations by the IMF on Wednesday, alongside increasing social spending in rural areas and scaling back government industrial policies. Such recommendations are no surprise to Chinese officials accustomed to similar calls from Western economists. Yet leader Xi Jinping has been lukewarm on undertaking such drastic change, instead preferring to focus on high-end manufacturing and transforming China into a technological powerhouse, while taking steps at the margins to encourage greater consumption. Poor relations with the U.S. have only hardened Chinas resolve to become self-reliant in critical technologies from semiconductors to automobiles. But the vast sums of money that the government has poured into achieving its goals have contributed to huge waste, hurting productivity growth and forcing companies such as electric-car makers to export more. Georgieva said authorities in China recognize the challenges that the economy faces today, and have begun taking steps in the right direction. We are encouraging them to move more forcefully and with greater urgency," she said. Write to Brian Spegele at Brian.Spegele@wsj.com The artificial-intelligence chips that Nvidia is allowed to ship to China will undergo a special security review in the U.S. before they are exported, according to administration officials. The unorthodox step highlights the national-security pressure on the Trump administration following its decision to allow the controversial sales. Nvidias H200 AI chips that are part of the deal would mainly be manufactured in Taiwan. From there, they would travel to the U.S. for a national-security review, people familiar with the matter said. The chips would then be sent on to China. The complex supply-chain journey and unusual security review for the chips highlights the unprecedented nature of the agreement, experts said. The U.S. is supposed to receive a 25% cut from the sales and faces legal obstacles structuring the deal without it appearing like an export tax, another potential explanation for the unusual setup, they said. The Constitution forbids the U.S. government from imposing export taxes. Some analysts say the AI-chip company is pursuing profits while national-security considerations take a back seat. The interests here are not really those of the country, they are those of Nvidia," said Chris McGuire, who worked on export controls in the Biden administration and is now a senior fellow for China and technology at the Council on Foreign Relations. He and other analysts in favor of export restrictions argue that large-scale H200 sales could erode the U.S. advantage in AI-computing power. Trump administration officials, including White House AI Czar David Sacks, and Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang say Chinas domestic chip companies are improving more quickly than much of the world realizes, meaning Nvidia needs to be in China to compete with companies such as Huawei Technologies. We shouldnt concede the entire market to them," Huang said last week while in Washington to discuss chip exports with President Trump and lawmakers. It is difficult to judge the national-security implications of selling chips to China without knowing how many will be exported and who the recipients are, analysts said. The export approvals still havent been finalized and details could change. Trump said Monday when he announced the agreement that only approved buyers would receive AI chips, but smuggling and diversion have made it challenging to fully enforce such restrictions in the past. That same day, the Justice Department said it had charged two businessmen for trafficking export-controlled Nvidia chips, including the H200, to China and other countries. The country that controls these chips will control AI technology; the country that controls AI technology will control the future," said Nicholas Ganjei, the U.S. attorney for the southern district of Texas. Nvidia has said there is no large-scale smuggling of its chips. Several lawmakers have raised concerns that the chips could ultimately benefit the Chinese military, directly threatening U.S. national security. Huang has dismissed those concerns, saying that Beijings forces wouldnt use U.S. chips due to its own security concerns. Nvidia has been trying all year to assuage the concerns of national-security hawks like Secretary of State Marco Rubio to revive its China business. Other Nvidia chips have been considered for sale to China, one of which included a 15% sales cut agreement that ultimately never took effect. Giving the government a cut of sales has presented a new challengecoming up with a creative structure to make it legal. Much of Nvidias H200 manufacturing will occur in Taiwan with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, which is typical for many chip makers. The chips will then travel from Taiwan to the U.S., giving the government the chance to classify the 25% fee as an import tax or tariff rather than an export tax, experts said. It isnt clear how a security review of the chips themselves would be substantial without further details, they said. The officials didnt provide additional specifics on how the process would work. The arrangement also highlights how the U.S. remains dependent on Taiwan and other countries for tech products. Write to Amrith Ramkumar at amrith.ramkumar@wsj.com, Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com and Robbie Whelan at robbie.whelan@wsj.com President Trump dialed up pressure on Ukraine to swiftly accept a U.S.-designed peace plan, hardening his position toward the embattled country and its European backers, who insist U.S. security guarantees are vital to a peace deal. Exacerbating tensions between Europe and Washington, Trump lambasted European leaders as weak" and said Russia holds the cards in any peace negotiation with Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is going to have to get on the ball and start accepting things," Trump said late Monday in an interview with Politico, adding that Ukraine is losing." Russia is slowly advancing on the battlefield at a massive cost to men and materiel. Zelensky earlier on Monday said he wasnt willing to concede Ukrainian land to Russia despite U.S. pressure to do so. He echoed what European officials have said for days: Without clear security guarantees, including a U.S. commitment to backstop European forces, it is risky for Ukraine to make significant concessions and for Europe to follow through on the security guarantees it has worked on. The strongest security guarantees we can get are from the United States," Zelensky said Monday while traveling from London to Brussels. He said they cant be empty promises, but legally binding, voted through the U.S. Congress." Zelensky said the issue was under discussion. Ukraine and European national-security advisers worked on another version of the proposal which is now ready to present to the U.S., he said Tuesday on X. Together with the American side, we expect to swiftly make the potential steps as doable as possible," he wrote. Many European officials have said privately that differences among Russia, the U.S. and Ukraine on the core issues could require weeks or months to resolve unless there is a major change on the battlefield. The peace talks have already passed a Thanksgiving deadline set by Trump. While the U.S. is pressing Ukraine to move, Trump has said it faces no specific deadline. We know the Americans want quick results," said a senior European official. On the other hand it is difficult to imagine, with [the] complexity of the issues on the table, how we can have quick results." Senior Trump administration officials insist they arent pushing Ukraine into a deal it dislikes. The goal, they say, is an agreement acceptable to both parties that ensures Ukraines sovereignty and defends it for the long term. U.S. officials point to days of direct negotiations between Zelenskys national-security adviser, Rustem Umerov, and top Trump negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as evidence that Washingtons intent isnt to sell out Kyiv. A U.S. official said three major sticking points have been identified: which territory Ukraine should surrender to Russia as part of the peace plan; whether Ukraine can ever join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; and how Russian assets currently immobilized in Western Europe can be used to pay for Ukraines reconstruction. The official said an early provision barring Kyiv from acceding to NATO has been removed from the current peace plan, though the new version doesnt address the issue at all. The White House didnt immediately reply to a request for comment on the discussions. The talks come against a backdrop of plummeting trust between Europes top leaders and Washington. A new U.S. national-security strategy said European leaders hold unrealistic expectations" of how the Ukraine war could end. It also accused the EU and European national governments of suppressing free speech and permitting large-scale immigration. European leaders have said this month that Ukraine must be wary of the U.S. approach to ending the war, saying they should play a role in shaping the outcome of the conflict. Write to Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com, Anastasiia Malenko at anastasiia.malenko@wsj.com and Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com Ukraine is running out of money. Europe has a plan that would largely balance the books, win it a seat in the U.S.-led negotiations to end the war and equip Kyiv to seek better terms for peace. The problem: It cant agree on putting it into action. European leaders have set a December deadline to make a decision on whether to lend Kyiv around half of the $200 billion of frozen Russian assets held in the continent over the next two years. Belgium, where most Russian central-bank deposits are held, has led opposition to the plan, fearing legal retribution. The European Union expects to make the call at a summit next week. Failure to tap the assets would be devastating for Ukraine, which is counting on the funds to cover two thirds of its core budget and military needs. It would also keep the Europeans sidelined in peace talks, where Ukraines ability to withstand Russian attacks is Kyivs key point of leverage in negotiations. Europe now picks up most of the tab for Ukraines defense against Russias invasion, after the Trump administration almost completely cut off financial assistance to Kyiv. European leaders have pledged to continue aiding Ukraines war effort come what may, but other means of funding look costlier and even more politically perilous than dipping into the Russian assets. Aside from making the $105 billion loan, the European Union has two options: raising fresh debt in financial markets, or relying on individual member countries to pony up. Both would be more expensive to European states and Ukraine, and each would stir fresh political difficulties for EU governments that have spent roughly $230 billion on the war since Russia invaded its neighbor in 2022. Some European officials fear that asking EU countries to make voluntary contributions for a loan to Ukraine if the Russian-asset plans fails would cause simmering tensions to boil over between those countries that have been making large contributionsincluding Germany, the Nordics, Poland and Baltic Statesand laggards, including Italy and Spain. Data from the Kiel Institute released Wednesday show those disparities are set to grow next year. The report also suggests Western military support for Ukraine this year will drop to its lowest point since the war began. Discussions on the reparations loan are intensifying ahead of next weeks summit. Ukraine wouldnt have to repay the loan if it didnt receive Russian reparations for the war. The loan wouldnt show up as debt on Ukraines books and European governments neednt ask taxpayers to dip into their pockets. On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who crafted the proposal, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, its biggest supporter, met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever and urged him to reconsider his countrys opposition. The plan doesnt need the backing of all 27 member states but Brussels wont proceed without Belgiums consent. Antonio Costa, who chairs meetings of EU leaders, said Tuesday that if necessary he would keep leaders at the Brussels summit for three days to clinch a deal. Despite Costas optimism, officials say agreement next week is far from certain. Ukraine needs to start receiving the money by spring and EU officials have said they could begin sending funds by April under the proposal. Officially, there is an alternative option that could raise the targeted 90 billion euros. Under that path, the commission would return to financial markets to raise a loan, for which the EU budget would provide collateral. It raised $54 billion for Ukraine in early 2024 that way. But there are massive drawbacks. The loan would count as additional debt for Ukraine, worsening its state borrowing position. It would be significantly more expensive for EU member states, adding more than 5 billion in interest payments, according to officials in the bloc. Most important, the move requires unanimous approval, unlike the reparations loan, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he would oppose it. That leaves only one other viable alternative, officials say: relying on member states to raise the money voluntarily. This option would increase the disparity in contributions across Europe. As the war approaches the four-year mark, top European officials have sounded much greater alarm on how the load is shared. A few countries take almost all of the burden. The Nordic countries, with less than 30 million people, we provide for one-third of the military support that the NATO countries" provide, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said. This is not fair and its not sustainable in the longer run." New data from the Kiel Institutes Ukraine Support Tracker shows the disparities. While Germany has committed $14 billion for Ukraine next year, significantly increasing its already high support, and Britain and France are increasing their planned military assistance, the institute said that Italy has reduced its commitment by 15% compared with its already low allocation levels" in 2022-24. Spain, which committed 1 billion to Ukraine this year, hasnt recorded any assistance for next year. The decline of support from Spain and Italy is a notable setback, reinforcing the importance of more balanced burden-sharing across Europe," said Taro Nishikawa, project lead at the institute. As a proportion of economic output, Sweden and Denmark are spending more than 0.06% of their prewar economic output on military aid for Ukraine, according to the latest Kiel data. Germany and Finland spend around 0.025%. France, Spain and Italy are below 0.01%. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting last week that some allies must augment their strong words of support for Ukraine with actual spending. I have leaned quite heavily across the table and said that it is a really nice position, but that it must be backed up by action," he said. We are in a difficult place right now because Ukraine needs more weapons and more money." Write to Laurence Norman at laurence.norman@wsj.com IndusInd Bank Chairman Sunil Mehta will step down after his term ends in January, according to a Reuters report citing two individuals familiar with the matter. This development marks the latest leadership change at the private bank. The lender reported its largest-ever quarterly loss of 2,328.9 crore for the three months ended March 31, primarily due to higher provisioning and lower income, amid governance and accounting issues. This led to the resignation of former CEO Sumant Kathpalia and Deputy CEO Arun Khurana earlier this year, the report said. It further added that IndusInd Bank's board has encountered criticism from investors due to inadequate oversight and delays in revealing accounting lapses in its derivative portfolio, which negatively impacted the bank's finances. Sunil Mehta, who has been chairman of IndusInd since January 2023, has informed the board of his intention to resign at the end of his term, the report said, citing an individual who declined to be identified, as the decision has not been made public yet. Also Read | IndusInd Banks turnaround may still be a distant dream Mehta is the former chairman of Yes Bank, which was restructured in 2020, and of the state-owned Punjab National Bank, hit by a nearly 14,000 crore fraud. A spokesperson told the news portal that IndusInd's chairman and the board "remain fully committed to leading the organisation in line with its strategic priorities" and the bank will "continue to make necessary disclosures in accordance with applicable laws and at the appropriate stage." Meanwhile, AP Hinduja, a member of the UK-based Hinduja family and the largest shareholder in IndusInd Bank, informed the Economic Times last week that the board is currently restructuring and intends to appoint new directors. Notably, Akila Krishnakumar, another board member, has a term that ends next year. However, it could not be determined whether her term would be extended. Also Read | Man with a plan: What Rajiv Anand intends to do at IndusInd Bank Organisational Restructuring Since Rajiv Anand assumed the role of CEO in August 2025, IndusInd Bank has been undergoing an organisational overhaul. The private lender announced that Ganesh Sankaran has been appointed as the new head of wholesale operations this week. Over the past three months, the bank has also appointed a new chief financial officer, a chief human resources officer, and several other senior executives. The process of addressing gaps within the organisation and establishing accountability for the accounting discrepancies will be completed by the start of the next financial year, Anand told Reuters earlier. The oil market is grappling with whether sanctioned Russian and Iranian cargoes should still be counted as supply. This may explain why oil prices have been slow to react to a huge glut that is building on the ocean. There are 1.4 billion barrels of oil on the water." That is 24% higher than the average for this time of year between 2016 and 2024, according to oil-analytics firm Vortexa. The data measures shipments that are on their way to be unloaded at a port, or cargoes that havent yet found a buyer. The rise of oil on water comes from multiple sources. There has been a 16% year-over-year jump in barrels from mainstream producers, Vortexa data shows. OPEC+ has been pumping more oil as it unwinds production cuts, and supply is also increasing from non-OPEC exporters like Brazil, Guyana and the U.S. But there has also been a surge from sanctioned producers Russia, Iran and Venezuela. The number of dark" barrels on the ocean has jumped 82% in a year, with a rapid rise in the past three months. View Full Image (WSJ) Geopolitics is driving the trend. India and China are usually the top customers for Russian oil but have been wary of making purchases since the White House sanctioned producers Lukoil and Rosneft in October. The U.S. also recently sanctioned a Chinese oil terminal in Shandong province that had been accepting shipments of Iranian crude. The restrictions havent stopped Iran or Russia from pumping oil. But it is becoming harder to find buyers, so vessels are getting trapped at sea. The dark" barrels are a dilemma for the market. They are too big a share of global flows to ignore15% of the worlds oil supply is now under sanctions, according to Kpler. But with the usual buyers on strike, there is an argument that these sanctioned barrels can be discounted from estimates of available supply. When sanctions were put on Moscow in the past, oil did eventually make its way to buyersalthough it took a few months for Russias sophisticated shadow fleet to set up new supply chains to skirt restrictions. On a visit to Delhi last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he is ready to provide uninterrupted" shipments of fuel to India. If he succeeds in delivering oil to India and China againby setting up new, nonsanctioned entities to handle transactions or doing ship-to-ship transfers to hide the real origin of the oilthere will be less demand for replacement barrels from nonsanctioned producers, which could hurt the Brent price. Uncertainty about what will happen next may explain why Brent has held relatively steady between $61 and $66 a barrel over the past two months, despite the swelling inventory at sea. The other reason growing supply hasnt dented the oil price is because China has been adding about 290,000 barrels of oil a day into storage this year, according to Rystad Energy. This has soaked up some excess crude. Global tensions are making the Chinese government nervous about disruptions to energy imports, so it is hoarding more oil as an insurance policy. Chinas stockpiles are treated as strategic reserves, which dont move prices as much as commercial inventories. If that extra crude had shown up in major OECD pricing hubs that analysts track closely, the impact would have been dramatic. Say half of the 97 million barrels of oil that Rystad Energy estimates China has socked away so far this year had shown up in storage facilities at Cushing, Okla., instead. That would bring Cushings storage levels to 70 million barrelsslightly above the level that contributed to turning West Texas Intermediate futures negative in April 2020. Back then, sellers holding front-month contracts had to pay buyers to take barrels off their hands as they were worried there would be nowhere to store the oil. Sanctions are making it very difficult to judge where the market will head next. The result has been an unusually steady oil price despite growing oversupply. But any sign that the glut of sea oil is moving onshore could cause the floor to fall out from under the oil price. Write to Carol Ryan at carol.ryan@wsj.com Silver rates jumped 2% to hit their fresh record high near 1,92,000 per kg on the MCX in intraday trade on Wednesday, December 10, amid a rally in gold prices. MCX silver March contracts hit a record high of 1,91,800 per kg while MCX gold February contracts rose to an intraday high of 1,30,502 per 10 grams during the morning session on Wednesday. Spot silver prices have surged over 108%, while spot gold has jumped 68% this year so far. On December 31 last year, spot silver prices were 85,851 per kg; on December 9 this year, they were at 1,78,861 per kg. Similarly, domestic spot gold was 75,913 per 10 grams on December 31, 2024, and on December 9 this year, it was at 1,27,762. Gold and silver prices have been rising this year on increased geopolitical tensions, concerns over the economic impact of US tariffs, central bank buying, and heavy inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Also Read | Gold rates rise ahead of US Fed policy decision; key levels to watch Can silver prices rise to the 2 lakh mark in December? Experts believe MCX silver can top the 2 lakh mark or may rise to even the 2,10,000 per kg level by the end of this year due to increased demand and rate cut hopes. Industrial demand remains robust. India is buying, China is exporting, and supplies are tight while demand stays firm. "Not just 2 lakh 2.10 lakh is also possible by December-end. With FIIs and global investors closing their books for the financial year, there may be some profit booking, but the undertone remains positive," said Jigar Trivedi, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities. Moreover, the gold-to-silver ratio is around 6869, the lowest in 34 years. This is another bullish indicator for silver. The only immediate event to watch is the US Federal Reserve meeting, especially the economic projections and the dot plot. Trivedi expects three rate cuts next year. But he underscored that if the dot plot signals only one or two cuts, there could be a sharp correction in gold and silver. "Considering fundamentals, expectations around Donald Trump, and the likelihood that he will announce a new Fed Chair by the end of this monthand take charge from March 26we still expect three rate cuts in 2026, which is supportive for bullion. In the first half of next year, silver prices could even move to $65," said Trivedi. However, the rally in bullion could also see some occasional profit booking. Prices may remain range-bound with time-based consolidation, given the steep rise in a short period. But the overall trend remains positive. "Spot silver internationally has rallied 112% year to date, so a 2040% correction is possible. But Indian investors who missed the rally will likely buy aggressively on dips. So investment demand will stay strong," said Trivedi. Geopolitical risk has eased compared to six months ago, but there is still no sign of a peace deal in the RussiaUkraine conflict. Moreover, US President Donald Trump's stance on US tariffs is highly unpredictable, which is again a key positive for gold and silver. Anuj Gupta, A SEBI-registered analyst, expects MCX silver prices to hit the 2 lakh mark by the end of this year amid occasional profit booking. "Silver can be at the 2 lakh level by the end of this month. There could be some profit booking due to the steep rise in prices. The range for the metal may be 1,80,000 to 2,00,000 per kg this month," said Gupta. Aksha Kamboj, Vice President at India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) and Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global Ventures, believes the metal remains supported by stable cues in global manufacturing but sees traders adopting a more measured stance ahead of fresh macro updates. "With the sentiment moderately constructive, silver could see a steady range while markets assess how industrial demand is likely to evolve this week," said Kamboj. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar MUMBAI : Nephrocare Health Services, better known as NephroPlus, is pitching itself as a global dialysis disruptor on the back of what chairman and managing director Vikram Vuppala touts as a low-cost, high-efficiency operating model. Built at Indias price point and refined through scale, the company now plans to replicate this template in higher-priced international markets. But as it doubles down on its ambition, the scale that powered its domestic rise could turn into a liability overseas, if execution risk, staffing fragility, and competitive intensity spike, experts warned. Nonetheless, the company is set to tap the public markets on Wednesday to fund its next leg of expansion. The 871-crore initial public offering (IPO) comprises a 353.4-crore fresh issue and an offer for sale of 517.6 crore. Vuppala, who holds about 11% stake, will not sell any shares. At the upper price band of 460 apiece, the company is seeking a valuation of 4,615 crore. At a post-issue price-to-equity (P/E) ratio of 69x, the offer prices NephroPlus at a modest discount to the sectors average of 75x, according to the companys red herring prospectus (RHP). This suggests that while the market is pricing in its scale advantage and growth opportunities, it is also adjusting for the structurally thinner margins of a pure-play dialysis model, said analysts. Going ahead, NephroPluss capital-intensive model and high operating costs could constrain profitability, noted Kunvarji Wealth Solutions. Adding to the concerns is its premium valuation, as Swastika Securities highlighted: based on the latest financials, the issue appears aggressively valued and is best suited for long-term investors with a higher risk appetite. Overseas capacity boost Despite these concerns, NephroPlus is doubling down on capacity expansion. The IPO proceeds will fund the opening of 169 clinics by 2027-2817 of which are slated for the current fiscalhelping it deepen its presence across India while expanding abroad. As of 30 September 2025, it operated 519 clinics across four countries, including 468 centres in 288 cities in India and 51 overseas, including roughly 30 in the Philippines, after bouts of inorganic expansion, 16 public-private partnership (PPP) clinics in Uzbekistan, and a few in Nepal, with a Saudi Arabia joint venture expected to begin operation soon. As Indias dominant organized dialysis provider, commanding over half the segments revenue, NephroPlus is increasingly leaning on its overseas business to boost profitability. International operations accounted for 32% of its 2024-25 operating revenue, which rose to 40% in the first half of 2025-26. This could inch up to 41-43%, Vuppala told Mint. But he expects India to remain the anchor market, supported by chronic disease prevalence, Ayushman Bharat coverage, growing insurance penetration, and rising middle-class incomes. The economics help explain this pivot. Indias average revenue per treatment (ARPT) is about $22. In contrast, the Philippines generates around $110 per session, Vuppala said. Uzbekistans PPP model yields $48-72.5, while Saudi Arabia reimburses close to $300 per treatment, according to its RHP. Each market offers a different uplift. In the Philippines, prices rose 45% in October after nearly a decade of no revision. Uzbekistans PPP award lowered the states dialysis outlay from $60 to $48 per treatment while boosting patient volumes. Launches planned in Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan aim to extend the same playbook: export a low-cost Indian operating engine into underpenetrated markets with far higher reimbursement ceilings. Also Read | More IPO money funnels into capex in 2025 This overseas push helps shore up margins in a business defined by low treatment rates and PPP-heavy contracts in Indiathe biggest structural drag on the companys long-term profitability, said Vinit Bolinjkar, head of research at trading platform Ventura. Yet, NephroPlus has wrung out every efficiency gain at home to sustain its margins, almost doubling its return on capital employed in 2024-25 from 10% a year ago. Still, the standout momentum came from abroad, noted Vuppala. The companys revenue rose 34% year-on-year to 756 crore in 2024-25, while profit almost doubled to 67 crore on the back of its Philippines rollout and Karnataka PPP wins, he added. Double-edged sword NephroPlus global play can be margin-accretive, Venturas Bolinjkar said, but only if it successfully handles the grind of expanding and integrating new markets. Investors should closely track overseas growth, Ebitda resilience, and collection levels in reimbursement-led geographies. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans PPP performance will be the real test of durability, he added. Ebitda is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. This implies that NephroPlus scale is a double-edged sword. Dialysis is a high-touch, daily-care service, and running more than 500 centres introduces operational fragility, noted experts. Maintaining uniform quality across tier-II and tier-III locations demands consistent technician capability, reliable water and biomedical infrastructure, and tight oversightfactors, according to analysts, will become harder to control as the company adds nearly 170 clinics in the next four years. Also Read | KKR earmarks up to $200 mn to scale up its India medtech bet Kunvarji Wealth Solutions flagged the business inherently high operating costs and dependence on trained healthcare professionals. Vuppala, too, acknowledged that nephrologists remain reluctant to relocate beyond metros, making clinical oversight harder as the network deepens. The chain instead relies on a rolling roster of nephrologists who cover centres beyond big cities on a visiting basis, he said. Competitive pressure also weighs on pricing. SBI Securities and Swastika Securities noted that PPP tendering remains aggressive, while hospital contracts are frequently renegotiated, and these dynamics curb ARPT growth both at home and abroad. Working-capital strain adds another layer, with SBI highlighting delayed PPP payments and longer reimbursement cycles in international markets. Investor sentiment mirrors this push-and-pull. NephroPlus grey market premium remains flat as of 9 December, a sign of subdued appetite for the IPO, which Ventura's Bolinjkar pins on rich valuations and a shaky equity market backdrop. Park Medi World IPO Day 1: The initial public offering (IPO) of Park Medi World, operator of the Park Hospital chain across North India, opened for public subscription today, December 10, and will close on Friday, December 12. The company aims to raise 920 crore through the IPO. The offer comprises a fresh issue of 4.75 crore shares aggregating to 770 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 0.93 crore shares worth 150 crore. The IPO price band has been fixed at 154 to 162 per share. The allotment for the Park Medi World IPO will be finalised on December 15. Successful applicants are expected to receive shares on December 16, with refunds for non-allottees also processed on the same day. The company is scheduled to list on both the NSE and BSE on December 17. Park Medi World plans to allocate 380 crore from the fresh issue towards repaying borrowings taken by the company and its subsidiaries. Another 60.50 crore will go toward setting up a new hospital and expanding both its existing facility and that of its subsidiary. A further 27.46 crore has been designated for capital expenditure on medical equipment, with the remaining funds earmarked for general corporate purposes and potential inorganic acquisitions that have not yet been identified. The company secured 276 crore through its anchor investor round on December 9, one day before the IPO opened to the public. As per the IPO structure, up to 50% of the issue is allocated to qualified institutional buyers, a minimum of 35% is reserved for retail investors, and at least 15% is set aside for non-institutional investors. Applications must be made in lots of 92 shares, which means retail investors need to commit at least 14,904. The issue is managed by Nuvama Wealth Management, CLSA India, DAM Capital and Intensive Fiscal Services as book-running lead managers, while KFin Technologies serves as the registrar. Park Medi World IPO GMP Today Investor sentiment toward the IPO is muted, as Park Medi World's grey market premium (GMP) fell to 26 from 29 on December 10. This suggested that the stock was likely to debut at 188, a premium of 16.05% from IPO price of 162. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Park Medi World IPO subscription status By 2:55 pm on Day 1, the IPO was subscribed 0.41 times overall. The retail category stood at 0.48x. The NII segment saw subscriptions of 0.43x. However, the QIB portion had received 0.28x bids till then. In total, the company received bids for 1.63 crore shares against the 3.97 crore shares on offer. Should you subscribe? Anand Rathi said that at the upper end of the price band, Park Medi World is valued at 32.8x FY25 P/E, translating into a post-issue market capitalisation of 5,355.9 crore. The brokerage noted that the company is positioned to benefit from rising demand for affordable, high-quality healthcare as it expands its hospital network through a mix of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The company is working to improve occupancy levels at existing hospitals while scaling newer facilities by investing in advanced technology, high-end medical equipment, new clinical programmes and additional specialised talent. A major pillar of its strategy is strengthening its medical team. As the brokerage put it, the companys ability to attract and retain experienced doctors and clinical professionals remains central to sustaining and elevating the quality of care it delivers. Given these drivers, Anand Rathi believes the IPO is fairly valued and has assigned a Subscribe Long Term rating. About Park Medi World Park Medi World is the second-largest private hospital operator in North India with a combined bed capacity of 3,000 beds, and it holds the distinction of being Haryanas largest private hospital chain, managing 1,600 beds in the state as of March 31, 2025. The organisation operates 14 NABH-accredited multi-super specialty hospitals under the Park brand. Over the past two years, the company has expanded its bed strength from 2,550 beds on March 31, 2023, to 3,250 beds as of September 30, 2025. It also has multiple expansion projects underway in Ambala, Panchkula, Rohtak, New Delhi, Gorakhpur and Kanpur. On the financial front, Park Medi World delivered a healthy jump in profitability in FY25, reporting 213 crore in profit, up from 152 crore in FY24, although still below the 228 crore earned in FY23. Revenue momentum has also been strong, rising to 1,426 crore in FY25 from 1,263 crore in FY24 and 1,272 crore in FY23. Park Medi World IPO Day 1 LIVE: The initial public offering (IPO) of hospital chain operator Park Medi World Ltd opens for subscription today, 10 December 2025, with an aim to raise 920 crore from the primary markets. The company operates 14 multi-super speciality hospitals under the Park brand, and has a total bed capacity of 3,000 beds as of March 31, 2025. Park Medi World IPO opens on Wednesday, December 10, and will close on Friday, December 12. The IPO allotment date is likely December 15, and the IPO listing date is December 17. Park Medi World shares will be listed on both the stock exchanges, BSE and NSE. Park Medi World IPO price band is set at 154 to 162 per share, and the IPO lot size is 92 shares. At the upper-end of the price band, the company plans to raise 920 crore from the book-building issue which is a combination of fresh issue of 4.75 crore equity shares worth 770 crore, and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 92.59 lakh shares amounting to 150 crore. Nuvama Wealth Management Ltd. is the book running lead manager and Kfin Technologies Ltd. is the Park Medi World IPO registrar. Park Medi World IPO GMP Today The trend for Park Medi World shares remains strong in the unlisted market. According to websites tracking the grey market, Park Medi World IPO GMP today is 20.5 per share. This indicates that in the grey market, Park Medi World shares are trading higher by 20.5 apiece than their issue. Park Medi World IPO GMP today signals a premium of 12.65% to the issue price of 162 per share. Stay tuned to our Park Medi World IPO Day 1 Live Blog for the latest updates. IndiGo share price: Shares of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) resumed selling after a one-day hiatus on Wednesday, December 10, hurt by a fresh order from the aviation regulator to cut 10% of its planned flights, following the airline's scrapping of at least 2,000 services last week. IndiGo share price declined as much as 2.2% to hit the day's low of 4853 on the BSE. The stock has ended in the red in eight out of the last nine sessions, losing 18% during this period. DGCA orders IndiGo to cut 10% of flights The cut, raised from an earlier 5%, was announced by civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu on X after a meeting with IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, to deal with the crisis that left thousands of passengers stranded. Also Read | Indigo Flights Status LIVE: Top govt officials conduct surprise inspections The move is expected to remove at least 220 daily flights from IndiGos network, based on the number of services Indias largest airline operated before new pilot rest and duty rules took effect on November 1. IndiGo confirmed late on Tuesday that it had received a notice from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directing a 10% reduction in its domestic winter schedule across all sectors. The disruptions at IndiGo came after the new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limit) norms, which regulate maximum flying and minimum rest hours for pilots. New FDTL norms require airlines to have extra sets of pilots. HSBC maintains buy on IndiGo stock While the number of required pilots will be based on its network and fleet mix, HSBC thinks this could increase staff cost between 450 million to 900 million, implying only 1% increase to its staff cost per ASK. Also, there could be some temporary reputational damage to IndiGo, especially in the international market, the global brokerage added. While HSBC sees these incidents could hurt IndigGo's reputation, it said the impact could be short-lived. As per the brokerage's estimates, there could be some cost burden due to FDTL but also flight cancellations and the forex. "We think IndiGo could cancel around 11,000 flights in total, causing revenue losses in the range of 1-2.5 billion and an all-India loss of around 3-5 billion," said the brokerage. Overall, the brokerage has lowered its FY25 and FY26 EBTDA forecasts by 4% and 6%, respectively. It cut the IndiGo share price target to 5,977 from 6,920, but maintained a 'Buy' rating as it said that "we don't see any structural damage to IndiGo". Stock to sell: Bharat Forge share price was in focus on Wednesday, December 10, after Motilal Oswal Financial Services (MOSL) said it is 'Neutral' on the defence stock with a target price of 1,290, signalling 7% downside from the previous close. While the defence companys transformation into a diversified defence and aerospace heavyweight is gaining clear momentum, the brokerage warns that the near-term outlook is cluttered with multiple headwinds across exports, Europe, aluminium forgings and valuation comfort. "While 3Q is likely to be similar to 2Q, we expect the demand environment to start improving from 4Q onward. We factor in BHFC to post a CAGR of 11%/14%/28% in revenue/EBITDA/PAT over FY25-28E. However, despite factoring in all the positives, the stock trading at 54x/38x FY26E/FY27E consolidated EPS appears fairly valued. We reiterate our Neutral rating with a TP of INR1,290 (based on 32x Sep27E consolidated EPS)," said the brokerage. Bharat Forges share price was largely unchanged on Wednesday, edging up by just 0.5%. The defence stock has gained 4.5% over the past month, 16% in the last three months, 4% in the past six months and 2% over the past year. Over a longer horizon, however, it has delivered strong multibagger returns, rising nearly 160% in the last five years. The defence stock touched a 52-week high of 1,460.70 last month, while its 52-week low stands at 919.10, recorded in April 2025. 5 reasons behind MOSL's neutral call on Bharat Forge Bharat Forges long-term defence story remains compelling, but MOSL argues that the market has already priced in much of the optimism. Here is a detailed look at why the brokerage stays cautious. 1. Valuations Too Rich MOSLs biggest concern is valuation. Bharat Forge is trading at 54x FY26E EPS and 38x FY27E EPS, which the brokerage believes already assumes an almost flawless execution across defence, aerospace and forgings. Such stretched multiples leave little room for error at a time when several business segments are still stabilising. The report notes that the current price assumes smooth delivery across defence, aerospace and metal-forming verticals, leaving little cushion for execution risks. MOSL stresses that even minor delays in defence orders or slower recovery in other segments can quickly make these valuations appear excessive, turning the stock into a high-risk proposition in the near term. 2. Export Demand Weak A significant drag on Bharat Forges near-term earnings potential is the continued weakness in the US Class-8 truck market, historically one of the companys most profitable export drivers. Despite expectations of recovery, demand has stayed muted, with fleet operators delaying order placements and freight economics remaining soft. MOSL does not expect a meaningful revival before the second half of 2026, which leaves a prolonged gap in export visibility. It wrote that near-term demand in the US heavy truck market remains subdued, and a sustained revival appears unlikely before late 2026. With one of its most dependable verticals stuck in a downcycle, the company faces revenue pressure at a time when other segments are not scaling fast enough to compensate. 3. Europe Still Weak The companys European subsidiaries continue to drag on overall margins due to structurally higher labour and energy costs, ageing manufacturing setups, and weaker OEM demand. Despite several rounds of internal restructuring, the improvements have been inadequate to lift profitability meaningfully. MOSL expects clarity on the restructuring roadmap only by Q4 FY26, meaning Europe will remain a margin headwind for several more quarters. 4. Aluminium Challenges The aluminium-forging businessexpected to benefit from the structural shift toward EVsis also facing challenges. Bharat Forge is tied to a legacy low-margin order, limiting profitability in the near term. Meanwhile, its subsidiary K-Drive Mobility is restricted by a five-year non-compete clause in North America, blocking entry into a key EV forgings market. MOSL believes improvements will come, but the pace is too gradual to provide any meaningful earnings lift over the next few quarters. 5. Defence Scaling Slow Even though Bharat Forge has an impressive 1.14 lakh crore defence order bookexecutable over the next three to four yearsMOSL notes that revenue conversion will take time. Key programmes such as the ATAGS artillery gun order are expected to enter production only in FY27, delaying their earnings impact. Aerospace revenue is rising, but from a small base, and is not yet strong enough to counterbalance weaknesses elsewhere. The brokerage highlights that while defence offers excellent visibility, the timing mismatch means near-term earnings remain subdued, leaving the stock exposed to volatility until these programmes scale more meaningfully. Technical View On the technical front, Aakash Shah, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking, has issued a Buy call on Bharat Forge with an entry at 1,388, a stop-loss at 1,340 and a target of 1,500. Bharat Forge continues to show strength even after a mild pullback, trading near 1,386 and holding above key moving averages. Shah noted that the stocks broader structure remains firmly bullish, supported by a pattern of higher highs and higher lows. As he explained, The alignment of major EMAs indicates strong upward momentum, with dips consistently attracting buyers. Strong support is placed in the 1,3451,330 zone, backed by the 50-day EMA. On the upside, a breakout above 1,475 could open the move toward 1,5001,520. Varun Beverages, one of the largest franchisees of PepsiCo globally (outside the USA), saw its shares melt down in 2025 as investors, who had remained bullish on the company for nearly a decade, appeared to have lost confidence following weak financial performance in recent quarters, impacted by adverse monsoons, rising competitive intensity, and higher operating costs, all of which also raised concerns over near-term growth visibility. The companys shares started the year weak, falling a cumulative 32% in the first two months. They rebounded in March with a sharp 24% surge, recovering most of the losses. However, the recovery was short-lived, as the stock slipped back into negative territory in the subsequent months. Despite a few intermittent positive months, the gains were insufficient to support the stock, which has declined 26% so far in 2025, trading at 471 apiece. Eight-year winning streak likely to end in 2025 If the shares close the year in the negative, which now appears likely, it will mark their first annual decline since their listing. The shares made their stock market debut in October 2016, and over the following eight years, they maintained an uninterrupted winning streak, closing every year with positive returns. The year 2022 emerged as the standout, with a gain of 123%. Year Varun Beverages Performance 2017 72% 2018 20% 2019 35.50% 2020 30% 2021 45.33% 2022 123.3% 2023 87% 2024 29% 2025 (-26%) so far Source: Trendlyne In a strategic move, the company entered the alcoholic beverage segment through a partnership with Carlsberg Breweries to pilot beer sales in African markets, but this did little to improve investor sentiment. The companys 9MCY25 performance has remained subdued despite capacity additions, largely due to an early and prolonged monsoon. Meanwhile, Varun Beverages has issued three bonus shares since July 25, 2019. The last bonus was announced in the ratio of 1:2, with an ex-date of June 6, 2022. The company has also split the face value of its shares twice since June 15, 2023. Varun Beverages last split the face value of its shares from 5 to 2 in 2024, and the stock has been trading on an ex-split basis since September 12, 2024. Also Read | Varun Beverages surges 9% on Carlsberg deal despite poor Q2 India show Varun Beverages: Technical outlook Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said that Varun Beverages has been trapped in the 536 445 range for six months after breaking down from its buying climax at 536, indicating weakened trend strength across timeframes. The base remains loose, volatility is rising, and volume patterns show no significant accumulation, leaving the stock vulnerable. With VBL unable to reclaim the upper band, Jain notes that the probabilities now favor a range breakdown, said Jain. He projects that a breach below 445 would trigger the next leg lower, opening a clear path toward 329.75, which aligns with the measured target from the buying climax. Until supply diminishes, VBL remains a sell on breakdown setup. Also Read | FMCG input costs have splitwhat it means for margins Brokerages bullish on future growth drivers Despite temporary disruptions caused by prolonged rainfall across India, brokerages remain bullish on the companys long-term growth prospects. Axis Securities, JM Financial, and Motilal Oswal have all retained their 'Buy' calls on the stock, following the company's Q3CY25 results, with target prices ranging between 570 and 580 per share. They expect the company to sustain strong growth, driven by key strategies such as the BevCo acquisition in South Africa and DRC, expansion of its snacks portfolio in Zimbabwe and Zambia, enhanced rural distribution, new manufacturing facilities to optimize capacity and logistics growth in high-margin beverages including Sting, Gatorade, and juices, and entry into alcoholic drinks, which could strengthen the companys long-term growth and profitability. As many as 44 former judges of the Supreme Court and High Court condemned the "motivated campaign" targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over his remarks in proceedings concerning Rohingya migrants. We the undersigned retired Judges express our strong objection to the motivated campaign targeting the Honble Chief Justice of India in the wake of his remarks in proceedings concerning Rohingya migrants, including the open letter dated 5 December 2025, the letter read. The statement noted that an open letter was issued on December 5 by some former judges, lawyers and the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), raising "deep concern at certain unconscionable remarks made about Rohingya refugees on December 2" by a top court bench that was hearing a plea alleging custodial disappearance of Rohingya refugees in India. Underlining that "disparagement of the Supreme Court is unacceptable", the statement said judicial proceedings should only be subject to fair and reasoned criticism. "What we are witnessing, however, is not principled disagreement but an attempt to delegitimise the judiciary by mischaracterising a routine courtroom proceeding as an act of prejudice. "The Chief Justice is being attacked for asking the most basic legal question: who, in law, has granted the status that is being claimed before the court? No adjudication on rights or entitlements can proceed unless this threshold is first addressed," the statement said. 'Serious distortion' It said the campaign against the CJI omitted the bench's clear affirmation during the proceedings that no human being on Indian soil, citizen or foreigner, can be subjected to torture, disappearance or inhuman treatment, and that every person's dignity must be respected. "To suppress this and then accuse the court of 'dehumanisation' is a serious distortion of what was actually said," the statement signed by more than 40 judges said. It said if every "searching judicial question" on nationality, migration, documentation or border security is accused of hate or prejudice, judicial independence itself would be at risk. "We therefore affirm our full confidence in the Supreme Court and in the CJI, condemn motivated attempts to distort the court's remarks and personalise disagreement into attacks on individual judges; and support consideration of a court-monitored SIT into the illegal procurement of Indian identity and welfare documents by foreign nationals who have entered Bharat in violation of law," the statement said. It said the country's constitutional order requires both humanity and vigilance. "In upholding human dignity while safeguarding national integrity, the judiciary has acted in accordance with its oath. It merits principled support, not vilification," the statement said. Basic facts and legal position of Rohingyas' The judges further stated, "certain basic facts and legal position" of Rohingyas. They said, "This background only reinforces the need for Indian courts to proceed on clear legal categories, not slogans or political labels." The five facts that they listed were: 1. Rohingya have not come to India as refugees under Indian law. They have not been admitted through any statutory refugee-protection framework. 2. India is neither a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 nor its 1967 Protocol. 3. There is a serious and legitimate concern as to how persons who entered India illegally have obtained Aadhaar cards, ration cards and other Indian documentation. 4. In these circumstances, it is both necessary and appropriate that a Court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) be considered. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, met on Wednesday to appoint a new Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), eight Information Commissioners, and a new member to the Vigilance Commission, according to news agency ANI. The meeting, held in the Prime Ministers chamber in Parliament, comes after a heated exchange of vote chori in Parliament during the ongoing Winter Session and lasted 90 minutes from 1 PM on Wednesday. Rahul Gandhi has reportedly submitted a dissent note during the meeting, according to Congress leaders f In his Lok Sabha speech on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi had said that he had no voice in such meetings because the ratio is 2:1". The three leaders comprise the three-member committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. The government had informed the Supreme Court on December 1 that the Prime Minister Modi-led panel is likely to meet on December 10 to select and recommend names for these posts. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi to open debate on election reforms in Lok Sabha today The CIC and 10 Information Commissioners are tasked with reviewing complaints and appeals filed by applicants under RTI Act against unsatisfactory responses by government officials to their applications. Under Section 12(3) of the Right to Information Act, the Prime Minister is the chairperson of the committee, which also comprises the Leader of the Opposition and a Union Minister nominated by the Prime Minister, who selects and recommends names for appointment as Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners. The meeting discussed the next Chief Information Commissioner and information commissioners for eight vacant positions at the Central Information Commission (CIC). Congress's Past Dissent over CIC Pick In earlier instances, too, Congress had questioned the CIC appointment process. In 2020, for example, the then Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, gave a dissent note earlier this month over the process of selection in the CIC, alleging that the government violated Supreme Court guidelines in the appointment process 30,000+ pending cases According to the RTI Act, the CIC has a Chief Information Commissioner and 10 Information Commissioners who adjudicate complaints and appeals filed by the RTI applicants against the unsatisfactory orders of government officials on their applications. The CIC, which is staring at 30,838 pending cases, according to its website, is left with just two information commissioners -- Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari -- with eight vacancies. Also Read | Govt invites applications for post of CIC chief, information commissioners The highest appellate authority to adjudicate RTI-related complaints and appeals had gone headless for the seventh time since 2014 after incumbent Chief Information Commissioner Heeralal Samariya demitted office on September 13. The Commission had become headless for the first time after then CIC Rajiv Mathur demitted office in August 2014. Samariya, who had become the Chief Information Commissioner on November 6, 2023, demitted office on attaining the age of 65 years, according to an office order issued by the Commission. 83 applications for CIC In an RTI response to activist Commodore Lokesh Batra (retired), the Department of Personnel and Training had said that 83 applications were received for the post of Chief Information Commissioner in response to its advertisement issued on May 21. It also said that 161 applications were received in response to an advertisement issued on August 14, 2024, for the vacancies against the post of Information Commissioners in the CIC. According to the procedure for appointing the Chief Information Commissioner, particulars of interested persons are invited through advertisements in newspapers and on the DoPT website. These details are tabulated by the DoPT and sent to a Search Committee constituted by the Prime Minister, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. The Commission had become headless for the first time after then CIC Rajiv Mathur demitted office in August 2014. The names as well as the shortlisted ones along with their applications are sent to the PM-led committee. Persons recommended by the prime minister-led committee are appointed by the President. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit back at the Opposition over the SIR and said that the House cannot discuss Special Intensive Revision as it falls under the domain of the Election Commission of India. Shah claimed that the Opposition is worried as people of the country do not vote for them and SIR will delete names of illegal immigrants who back them. The Home Minister made the comments during a Lok Sabha discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists with the SIR process currently underway in West Bengal, UP, among other states. Amit Shah said that for two days, the government had asked the Opposition to postpone the discussion until after the next two sessions, but they refused. He explained the No was due to two reasons: first, the Opposition wanted to discuss SIR, which falls under the Election Commission, not the government, so it wasnt appropriate for the House. Second, when the Opposition agreed to discuss electoral reforms instead, the government immediately agreed. Amit Shah blamed the Opposition for creating a ruckus in Parliament for the first two days. The Home Minister countered that Parliament is the "biggest panchayat for discussions" and the BJP-NDA never runs away from it. The Home Minister's address was repeatedly interrupted by Opposition members, triggering fiery exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition SIR discussion in Lok Sabha The discussion on SIR began in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, which is being continued today. The exercise in 12 states and Union Territories currently being carried out by the Election Commission has been intensely criticised by the Opposition. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed UNESCOs decision to add Diwali or Deepavali to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, calling the recognition a moment of pride for India. The announcement was made on Wednesday during the ongoing UNESCO committee session in New Delhi. Responding to the inscription, the Prime Minister wrote on X that people in India and around the world are thrilled by the development. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness, he said. Modi added that UNESCOs recognition would further enhance the festivals global visibility. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity, he wrote. Check out his tweet here: The annual meeting of UNESCOs Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage is being held in Delhi from Tuesday to Thursday. Delegates from 78 countries are reviewing dozens of nominations, with the aim of promoting and safeguarding living cultural practices around the world. UNESCO says the list is intended to raise awareness of cultural diversity and ensure the protection of traditions for future generations. To mark the occasion, the Delhi government has planned a series of events, including special illuminations at key buildings, decorations along major avenues, and a large lamp-lighting ceremony. Also Read | UNESCO heritage sites will make your next holiday truly incredible! As one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India, Diwali holds significance for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. The five-day festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and is celebrated globally by the Indian diaspora. Observances typically include lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, sharing sweets and bursting firecrackers. In many parts of north India, Diwali coincides with the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, while the festival is also associated with the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Multiple Delhi schools received a bomb threat via email on Wednesday. According to an ANI report, the schools immediately issued a notice to parents to collect their students as a precaution. The notice outlined the phased dispersal of students to closely monitor and manage the situation without causing panic among students and parents. Also Read | Hyderabad airport receives bomb threat for 3 flights Which schools received bomb threat on Wednesday? The notice issued by The Indian School read, "Dear Parents, the school has received a bomb threat via email. As a precautionary measure, the school is dispersing the children. You are requested to kindly come and collect your child as per the schedule below: Nursery to Class 2: 9:30 AM, Class 3 to 5: 9:45 AM, Class 6 to 8: 9:55 AM, Class 9 and above: 10:15 AM." At the same time, Ahlcon International School in New Delhi also received a bomb threat. It issued a similar notice to parents, advising them to coordinate with van drivers for safe, timely student pickup. The notice stated, Dear Parent, kindly note that due to an email threat received this morning, we are arranging an early dispersal for all students (on footers/bus users/van users) at 11:30 a.m., keeping the safety of our students as our utmost priority. Parents are requested to kindly coordinate with the van drivers for timely pickup. Your patience and cooperation in this regard are highly appreciated. The competent authorities are being contacted for further instructions and clearance. From Ahlcon International school. Also Read | From staff shortage to flight cancellations turbulent times for IndiGo Meanwhile, officials said schools in Laxmi Nagar and Sadiq Nagar received bomb threats. According to the fire department, the information was received in the morning. The police say that more than one school received the calls. An investigation is currently underway, and further details are awaited. Bomb threat to Delhi University colleges Earlier, the students at two Delhi University colleges were evacuated after Deshbandhu College and Ramjas College received bomb threat emails last Wednesday, officials said. Police and bomb squads reached both campuses and began checking the premises. Also Read | Delhis Ramjas and Deshbandhu colleges receive bomb threats Delhi Police confirmed that the threat emails were received by both institutions around the same time. Multiple police teams, along with the bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs, were deployed at the sites. However, no suspicious object has been found during the searches, officials said. The Security forces have been on high alert since the Delhi blast near the Red Fort, which has killed at least 15 people. Ajay Gupta, a key accused in the fire incident at the restaurant-cum-bar in North Goa that claimed 25 lives, was detained in New Delhi by the Goa police on Tuesday. As he was brought to Delhi's Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Cell, Gupta, wearing a mask and covering most of his face, briefly remarked, while entering the Crime Branch office at Sunlight Colony, I am only a partner. He is one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub and will be taken to Goa on Wednesday for questioning, reported PTI. According to ANI, a Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta, one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, after a Goa police team failed to find him at his residence. "We later managed to detain him in Delhi," an official said, adding that Gupta would be placed under arrest after the completion of formalities to bring him to Goa. "Gupta will be flown to Goa on Wednesday for interrogation," the official said. The Goa government formed a committee to investigate the incident. The development comes days after a massive fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday at the nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people, most of whom were staff of the restaurant. Blue Corner Notice against Luthra brothers In a major development in the ongoing investigation into Goa's Romeo Lane fire incident, a 'blue corner notice' has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, just two days after the incident took place. The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire and are now being tracked by international authorities. Also Read | Goa nightclub fire: Absconding Birch restaurant owner issues first statement An LOC has been issued against Surinder Kumar Khosla, another owner of the nightclub, who is a British citizen, according to police. Five arrested so far The police have so far arrested five persons - the nightclubs chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli. Goa administration demolishes Romeo Lane at Vagator The district administration on Tuesday demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant, also owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, in Vagator, Goa. Meanwhile, Goa Tourism's Rohan Khaunte said the police will conduct a strict investigation from "down to top" and that "some heads need to roll." "Goa Police has achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. A Blue Corner Notice has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused," Goa police said in a statement. The Luthra brothers Gaurav and Saurabh, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, have filed a petition for anticipatory bail in Delhi's Rohini Court to evade arrest in connection with a fire at the establishment that claimed 25 lives. According to news agency ANI, the anticipatory bail is scheduled to be heard before a sessions judge of Rohini court on Wednesday, December 10. Both brothers had eloped to Phuket, Thailand, within hours of the deadly blaze on December 6. The Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice against them to help locate and provisionally detain them pending extradition proceedings. Co-owner Ajay Gupta detained Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, was detained by the Goa Police in New Delhi on Tuesday. As he was brought to Delhi's Anti Extortion and Kidnapping Cell of the Crime Branch, Gupta said he is only a partner. Earlier, a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against Gupta after a Goa police team failed to find him at his Delhi residence. According to media reports, citing sources, Gupta was questioned by Goa Police and it initiated formal procedures to apprehend him and seek a transit remand. Gupta had reportedly been evading from investigators since the blaze in north Goa's Arpora area. He is likely to be placed under arrest once Goa Police completes the formalities for transit remand. Besides, an LOC has been issued against Surinder Kumar Khosla, another owner of the nightclub who is a British citizen, according to police. Goa Police has already arrested five staff members of the nightclub -- chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli -- in connection with the tragedy. Also Read | Goa nightclub owners fled to Thailand by IndiGo flight, say police As a crisis grips India's largest carrier, IndiGo, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry ordered the airline to curtail its overall operations by 10 per cent. Meanwhile, the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) has been invited to Parliament by the Parliamentary Standing Committee to present its concerns on Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), pilot fatigue and growing safety risks in the aviation sector. Here are top updates: 1. In an official statement, ALPA India said it "has been officially invited by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture to present pilots' concerns on FDTL non-compliance, duty-time violations, and operational stress." "For the first time, pilot fatigue, FDTL violations, and safety-critical operational realities will be heard at the highest legislative forum," the statement added. Also Read | Indigo Flights Status LIVE: Top govt officials conduct surprise inspections 2. IndiGo said Tuesday its operations had stabilise after it cancelled thousands of flights, triggering days of airport chaos last week. The airline is back on its feet, said IndiGo CEO Peter Elber. "Our on-time performance is... back to normal levels," an IndiGo statement said, adding the airline was operating more than 1,800 flights on Tuesday, and planned to "fly nearly 1,900 flights" on Wednesday. 3. But, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry told the company to cut its planned flights by 10 percent as it had "not demonstrated an ability to operate these schedules efficiently". The DGCA has asked IndiGo to submit a revised schedule by 5 pm on December 10. The ministry ordered the airline to curtail its overall operations by 10 per cent, up from an earlier order of 5 per cent. The airline is ordered to continue covering its usual destinations. The measure will help in stabilising the airlines operations and lead to reduced cancellations, Indias civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said in a social media post on Tuesday. 4. In the midst of numerous flight cancellations that caused chaos for passengers, top officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) conducted surprise and thorough inspections of some airports with heavy air traffic on Tuesday. Madhu Sudan Shankar, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, visited the Mumbai airport while assuring people that "things are in control." "Things are in control. We discussed with all the stakeholders, especially the airport operators, ATC control managers. Major affected sectors of the flight delays domestically are Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Kochi, Goa and Lucknow. A lot of improvements also took place," he was quoted by ANI as saying. 5. In Kolkata, MoCA Director Tanvi Sundriyal visited Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. She undertook a comprehensive inspection of passenger touchpoints and interacted directly with affected travellers to understand their concerns firsthand. Her visit covered key areas, including IndiGo's Helpdesk; Airline Ticket Booking Counters; Check-in Counters; Security Hold Area (SHA); Departure Gates & Queue Management Zones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the continued momentum in the India-Israel strategic partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral ties for mutual benefit. PM Modi reaffirmed Indias support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. In a press release, the Prime Minister's Office said, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu today. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit. Also Read | Trump uses Gaza peace playbook in Ukraine The two leaders strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also exchanged views on the situation in West Asia. The two leaders have also agreed to remain in touch. India welcomes Gaza Peace Plan India has urged a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a peaceful resolution to the IsraelHamas conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, the Centre told Parliament on Thursday. New Delhi also welcomed the agreement on the first phase of the Gaza Peace Plan. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha, also said India's position on this issue has been reiterated in various bilateral and multilateral forums such as the UN, BRICS, NAM, and Voice of Global South. PM Narendra Modi had earlier welcomed the Israel-Hamas agreement plan on the first phase of President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday spoke to his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and the two leaders agreed to meet very soon, officials here said. Sharing about the talks between Netanyahu and Modi over the telephone, the Israeli PMO in a social media post said, At the end of the warm and friendly conversation, the two leaders agreed to meet very soon. The much-anticipated trip of the Israeli prime minister would come on the heels of several high-level ministerial visits from both sides. Minister of Tourism Haim Katz, Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Avi Dichter, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had visited India earlier this year as the strategic partners build up momentum to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries signed a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) during Smotrichs visit and then a Terms of Reference (TOR) leading to FTA during the visit of Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to Israel last month. Informed sources in Israel rubbished reports recently that Netanyahu postponed his trip to India due to security concerns in the wake of Delhi blasts. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has firmly denied that he will accept the 'Veer Savarkar Award' or attend the ceremony in Delhi today, 10 December. He criticised the organisers for irresponsibly including his name among the six announced recipients without first seeking his consent. The organisers, however, countered his claim. They insisted Tharoor was informed in advance, suggesting that perhaps he is scared. Clarifying his stand, Shashi Tharoor posted on his social media handle (X): I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the 'Veer Savarkar Award,' which is to be presented today in Delhi. I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections. I had clarified that I was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award, and it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it. The Congress leader continued, In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise. Not getting anything: Shashi Tharoor The Congress MP later told reporters outside Parliament in New Delhi that he had heard about the award on Tuesday, 9 December, and that he would not be attending the ceremony. I heard about it yesterday only. I am not going. I am not here, he said in response to a question on his participation in the award ceremony. Also Read | IndiGo meltdown: Shashi Tharoor backs DGCA, raps airline They have let down the public Earlier in the day, Congress leader K Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that no party member, including Shashi Tharoor, should accept any award in the name of Veer Savarkar, as he had bowed before the British. Muraleedharan said that he does not believe that Tharoor will accept the award, as doing so would insult and embarrass the Congress party. Tharoor was informed, perhaps he's scared: Organisers As Shashi Tharoor called out the organisers, Aji Krishnan, the secretary of the Highrange Rural Development Society (HRDS) India, which is presenting the award, told a TV channel that the Congress MP had been informed about the award well in advance. Krishnan claimed that representatives of HRDS India and the chairman of the award jury had met Shashi Tharoor at his residence to invite him, and the MP had requested a list of the other award recipients. New Delhi: US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer told the American Senate on Tuesday that India has put forward the best offer the US has ever received", as his deputy Rick Switzer met commerce secretary Rajesh Agarwal to advance negotiations on a free trade agreement. Switzer will hold discussions on Thursday as well for a proposed bilateral trade agreement, even as Greer described New Delhi as a very difficult nut to crack on market access for American farm products. Both sides aim to close the deal by the end of this month, with the first tranche likely to focus on tariffs, as announced by Agarwal on 28 November. Also Read | Exporters told to wait as govt eyes US trade deal by Nov; interim relief likely Briefing the Senate Appropriations Committee on the status of negotiations, Greer said that the US trade team is currently in New Delhi working with Indian officials to secure deeper access for American agriculture and biofuel producers, signalling a clear push from Washington on farm-centric demands without indicating what it may offer India in return. Greer said, India continues to resist opening its market for certain row crops and meat products, but added that New Delhi has recently been quite forward-leaning in the talks. He further noted that the proposals on the table position India as a viable alternative market for US exporters looking beyond China. The US is also seeking to expand sales of soybean-based biofuels as part of the negotiations, he said. The Senate Appropriations Committee is the responsible for writing legislation that allocates US federal spending and oversees how government funds are used. Politically sensitive Row crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, sugarcane, barley, sorghum and canola, remain politically-sensitive in India because of farmer livelihood and food-security concerns, making any concessions in this category highly contentious. Trade ties have taken a hit after US President Trump imposed punitive tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. Mint reported on 18 November that Indias exports to the US showed signs of recovery in October after four straight months of decline. Commerce ministry data showed Indias merchandise exports to the US stood at $6.3 billion in October, up 14.5% from Septemberthe first month-on-month increase since Maydespite Washingtons 50% tariff on most Indian goods. However, at $6.3 billion, the figure remains lower than the $6.9 billion recorded in October 2024. Greer also pointed out that other countries, including Cambodia, have already reduced trade barriers, and that global demand for biofuels including those derived from soybeans is creating new opportunities. Also Read | Grape shortage threatens Indias wine industry as prices surge Greer said that the US is working to touch every base in every country to ensure its exports remain diversified. The testimony provides a rare on-record glimpse into the direction of the ongoing trade negotiations but reflects only Washingtons priorities, with no clarity yet on reciprocal benefits for Indian exporters, said Ajay Srivastava, co-founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a trade-focused think-tank. The US has maintained a sharp focus on expanding access for its agricultural commodities and biofuels, while the Senate hearing offered no indication of restoring parity for Indian goods facing the 50% reciprocal tariff, he said. Greers characterisation of Indias offer as the strongest the US has received also drew quiet scepticism in policy circles, as several other economies, including Malaysia, have ceded far greater policy space in their trade agreements with Washington, Srivastava added. Positive progress Earlier, Mint reported on 22 October that talks with the US are progressing in a positive direction, and that India is in discussions to consider Washingtons demand for market access for key agricultural goods such as maize (corn) and soymeal. At the same time, Greer emphasised the importance of maintaining trade ties with China. They need our product and we want to sell it, he said. Besides this, US under secretary of state for political affairs Allison Hooker held discussions with India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi on 9 December. Both sides focused on turning the vision outlined by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their February meeting into tangible outcomes. Also Read | Why your bank's AI just got a mandatory data checkup Hooker is on a five-day visit to India to strengthen strategic and economic cooperation. Hooker said, "The meeting was an opportunity to translate President Trump and Prime Minister Modi's vision from their February meeting into concrete progress that enhances US security, jobs, and competitiveness, while supporting India's long-term goals." Popular Bengaluru biryani chain Meghana Foods has issued a public apology after a notice at one of its outlets triggered widespread criticism online. The poster, written in all caps and circulated widely on social media, read: Swiggy & Zomato delivery boys not allowed in the lift. Please use the stairs. Many users called the instruction insensitive, arguing that delivery workers already operate under intense time pressure and harsh conditions. Amid growing backlash, the brand released a statement on Instagram acknowledging the misstep. Meghana Foods said the rule was initially introduced to offer customers convenience from crowded elevators, but conceded that it was inconsiderate to delivery partners. That was wrong. It should never have been put up, the statement read. Our delivery partners work incredibly hard and deserve respect, dignity and care always. Thank you for speaking up. The poster is down, and the mistake has been addressed internally. The restaurant also extended a sincere apology to delivery agents, calling them the core of the Meghana Foods experience, and assured followers that it was committed to making their experience better. Several users, however, questioned whether the change would translate into action, asking if delivery personnel were now allowed to use the lift. Meghana Foods responded in the comments, confirming that they could. Others suggested the apology came only after the controversy gained traction online. A user commented, If this hadnt gone on social media, it seems your team wouldnt have cared. It shows that delivery partners dont matter to you, only profits do. This decision is shameful and shows no respect for the people who keep your service running. Another user wrote, '70% of your business is through delivery... should have thought about it before disrespecting the hard working delivery ppl." Youve spoken everything other than telling us if you have allowed the delivery partners to use the lift now. Taking down the poster is the solution to your brand and not the delivery partner. Hope you put up a solution here than a corporate level No solution apology, the third user wrote. The comments section reflected a mix of appreciation and accountability. Some applauded the restaurant for owning up to the mistake; others pointed out the broader hypocrisy of individuals who criticise restaurants but restrict delivery workers in residential buildings. A recurring sentiment emphasised that delivery partners are essential to the business and should be treated with the same respect as dine-in customers. Also Read | IndiGo flight mess disrupts travel plansbut hotels find an unexpected lifeline Mistakes are meant to happen. Realising it and reverting back is the main thing to be observed and appreciated. Hope the delivery partners are allowed to use the lift services at all the branches now, a user wrote. Another user wrote, Wow. Good on you Meghana!! A federal judge in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday (December 10) that the Trump administration must stop deploying the California National Guard in Los Angeles and return control of the troops to the state. US District Judge Charles Breyer granted a preliminary injunction sought by California officials but delayed enforcement of the order until Monday. US District Judge Charles Breyer rejected the Trump administrations argument that recent protests against immigration authorities constituted a rebellion, which would have legally justified the extraordinary step of taking federal control of state National Guard units. Breyer also dismissed the administrations claim that courts cannot review a presidents decision to assume control of state National Guard units during an emergency. The judge described this position as an overly broad interpretation of executive power. The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one, Breyer said. State challenges federal control California argued that conditions in Los Angeles had changed since June, when President Donald Trump first seized command of the Guard without the governors approval. While the administration originally deployed more than 4,000 Guard members, that number fell to just over 100 by late October. Deployment extended despite opposition The Trump administration extended the Guards deployment until February and attempted to use California Guard members in Portland as part of its campaign to send troops into Democratic-led cities. Justice Department lawyers contended that Guard members were still needed in Los Angeles to protect federal personnel and property. Trumps decision marked the first time in decades that a states National Guard was activated without the governors request. The move escalated the administrations immigration enforcement efforts and mass deportation policy. Guard troops were stationed outside a federal detention centre in downtown Los Angeles and later deployed to support immigration arrests during protests. Legal fight over use of military in domestic affairs California sued, arguing the president used Guard troops as a personal police force, violating laws that restrict military involvement in domestic matters. While Breyer issued a temporary restraining order earlier, an appeals court paused it. The administration countered that violence during protests created a situation where regular forces could not execute US laws, justifying the deployment. Court previously found deployment illegal In a September ruling after trial, Judge Breyer determined the deployment violated federal law. A shocking video has captured the terrifying moment a small plane appeared to drop out of the sky and crashed onto a car on a busy Florida highway, leaving the driver alive, but injured. The crash occurred on Interstate 95, a major north-south highway running along the eastern coast in Cocoa, Florida. Up-close, the dashcam footage captured the plane in a rapid descent diving into the busy rush-hour roadway and careening straight into the car while attempting an emergency landing. We just saw this plane drop out of the sky, one eyewitness, Jim Coffey told Spectrum News 13. How did the crash unfold? The fixed-wing, twin-engine aircraft crashed into a 2023 Toyota Camry in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Cocoa, Florida, around 5:45 pm on Monday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The plane rear-ended the car and briefly bounced on top of it before veering slightly left and crashing down sparks flying across the asphalt, as seen in footage shot from the vehicle just behind the Camry. The person behind the Camry's wheels a 57-year-old woman, suffered only minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, FHP officials said. The pilot, a 27-year-old man from Orlando, and his 27-year-old male passenger from Temple Terrace escaped unharmed. Neither has been publicly identified, and both remained at the scene, mentioned a report by New York Post Describing the incident as a plane dropping out of the sky Coffey told Spectrum News 13 that the aircraft missed his own vehicle by mere seconds. His son, Peter Coffey, who was also in the car, said he initially hoped the plane would land safely on the shoulder. I noticed it was there, because theres a plane right there, I was like, Hopefully it lands to the side,' Peter Coffey recalled. I thought it might maybe aim around and not hit the car, but bam, the wheel just smacked right dab on the back of the car," NYP quoted him as saying. The Trump administration has taken nearly 9,500 commercial truck drivers off the road for failing to meet federal English-language requirements, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, marking one of the most aggressive enforcement actions the industry has seen in years. Under the new directive, law enforcement officers are empowered to pull drivers out of service on the spot if they cannot demonstrate sufficient English proficiency during roadside inspections. Officials say the rule long part of federal safety standards but rarely enforced is essential to ensure drivers can read signs, understand instructions and communicate with authorities while operating large commercial vehicles. In September, Duffy moved to restrict commercial drivers licenses for foreign-born applicants a move blocked temporarily by a federal court. From safety push to immigration agenda What began as a highway safety initiative has morphed into a far-reaching enforcement drive that immigrant advocates say disproportionately targets foreign-born drivers who are legally allowed to work in the US. The Department of Transportation, traditionally focused on safety and logistics, is now a central player in the administrations immigration policy. Shift from prior administrations While language requirements for commercial drivers have existed for decades, violations under the Obama administration typically resulted in citations rather than removal from service. That changed after President Trumps April executive order calling for commonsense rules of the road. Within weeks, the DOT directed inspectors to take drivers out of service if they could not sufficiently read or speak English, calling English the nations national language. Also Read | Federal judge blocks Trumps order to deploy National Guard in Los Angeles Trucking safety incident fuels debate Tensions escalated in August after immigrant trucker Harjinder Singh allegedly attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, leading to a crash that killed three people. Federal officials highlighted Singhs immigration history, saying he had entered the US illegally before securing a California commercial drivers license. Singh has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and vehicular homicide. Visa restrictions Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since suspended worker visas for foreign truckers, warning that rising numbers of non-US drivers were endangering American lives. Days later, the Department of Transportation issued an emergency rule restricting eligibility for non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses affecting drivers who are neither citizens nor permanent residents based on their immigration status. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (December 10) announced that the United States has seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in the administrations campaign against President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the operation as unprecedented in scale. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large largest one ever seized, actually, said Trump. He added that other things are happening, without providing details, saying he would address the matter further at a later time. The move comes as American forces have expanded operations in the region, targeting vessels Washington claims are tied to narcoterrorism and drug trafficking networks connected to the Maduro government. Heightened military activity near Venezuela The seizure followed an unusual US military show of force: a pair of American fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, in what officials say was likely the closest approach to Venezuelan airspace since the Trump administration began ramping up pressure. The United States has deployed its largest military presence in Latin America in decades and has launched multiple deadly strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Trump hints at land attacks Trump has said that ground operations could be next. He has not offered specifics on targets or timing. Charges against Maduro The escalation comes as Maduro faces US charges of narcoterrorism, with Washington accusing members of his government of supporting drug-trafficking networks and criminal groups. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered remarks on the economy during a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. He highlighted his tariff strategy while lambasting the Democrats and former President Joe Biden over a host of issues. The US president said, I have no higher priority than making America AFFORDABLE Again. Also Read | Trump pushes Ukraine to accept peace deal, saying it is losing He insisted that consumer prices were falling "tremendously" and said, Rent prices are down. Dairy prices are coming down very strongly. The cost of Thanksgiving turkeys was down by 33% compared to the Biden-era [high]. Here are some top quotes from Donald Trump's speech in Pennsylvania: 1. I have no higher priority than Making America AFFORDABLE Again... They [Democrats] gave you high prices and we're bringing those prices DOWN, said Trump. View full Image President Trump has slashed the yearly cost of a new Mortgage and is not done yet, says White House ( White House ) 2. Trump called concerns about affordability a hoax. He insisted that consumer prices were falling "tremendously" as he addressed a campaign-style rally, aimed at quelling voter anger about the cost of living. "Prices are coming down tremendously from the highest prices in the history of our country," the Republican said, hitting out at Democrats over what he called a "hoax" on the issue. 3. Trump highlighted the scale of revenue he believes tariffs have generated, saying, "We've taken in hundreds of billions of dollars, really trillions." Its amazing, Trump said of tariffs - Its the smart people who understand it. Other people are starting to learn, but the smart people really understand it. He further claimed that the policy had encouraged major investment across several states, adding, If you add to that all of the companies that are pouring their money into building plants in Pennsylvania and many other states. Auto plants, AI plants, plants of every type, which we would have never had if we didn't put the tariffs on. Also Read | Did FIFA break its own rules in giving Trump a peace prize? Infantino in trouble 4. "For the first time in 50 years, we now have reverse migration which means more jobs, better wages, and higher income for American citizens, not for illegal aliens," Trump said. 5. Trump said that now, more Americans are working than at any time in the history of the US. Before I took office, 100% of all net new jobs were going to migrants and illegals. Since I took office, 100% of ALL net job creation is going to AMERICAN CITIZENS," he said. 6. Buy your own health insurance, said Trump. Attacking Biden, Trump said, Under Obamacare, trillions of dollars were given directly to health insurance companies...I want to give billions of dollars directly to the people. I want to give NOTHING to the insurance companies. We want you to go out and buy your own health insurance. 7. Trump claimed that the US is now drilling more oil than "we've ever done ever before... It was just reported that four states had $1.99 a gallon." 8. Trump said Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, who was shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., in last month's attack that killed fellow West Virginia National Guard member Spc. Sarah Beckstrom has shown signs of improvement. Wolfe remains hospitalised. "Today I got a call that he got up from bed," Trump said. Do you believe that? He got up. He didnt speak. Hes not ready for that yet," Trump added. "I mean, you got hit in the head, but he got up and, boy, theyre so happy. Its amazing." 9. Speaking of 'largest tax cuts in American History', Trump said, "We're also putting thousands of dollars in the pockets of hardworking Pennsylvanians with the largest tax cuts in American History. That's No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, No Tax on Social Security for our great seniors!" 10. Trump continued his attacks against Somalis during his speech in Pennsylvania. He said Somalia is the worst country in the world, claiming that they have no military. They have no parliament, the president claimed. They dont know what the hell the word parliament means. They have nothing. They have no police. They police themselves. They kill each other all the time, he added. A video excerpt of the police's first encounter with Luigi Mangione, then the main suspect in the New York shooting of a UnitedHealth Group Inc executive Brian Thompson, has been released by New York state prosecutors during a pretrial hearing on Tuesday. The video shows Joseph Detwiler, an officer in Altoona, Pennsylvania, questioning Luigi. According to a Bloomberg report, the McDonalds restaurant manager had called the police to say he resembled the suspect wanted for the killing of the health-care executive on 4 December 2024. What does the video show? Taken from a body camera worn by another officer, the 2:14-minute video excerpt shows officer Detwiler walking up to Luigi as he sat in the rear of the McDonalds, wearing a mask, a cap and a jacket. Do you mind lowering your mask? Detwiler can be heard saying. Whats your name? Luigi Mangione said his name was Mark Rosario. Detwiler then asked him for identification. Luigi handed the officer a fake New Jersey drivers license, which is visible in the video. Watch video here: His lawyers had said that releasing the video would prejudice Luigis right to a fair trial. Also Read | Luigi Mangione turns to Taylor Swift and Charli XCX behind bars What did the police find on Luigi Mangione on day of arrest? Police said they discovered the notes in Luigi Mangiones backpack, along with a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors said matches the one used to kill Thompson five days earlier; a loaded gun magazine and silencer; and a notebook in similar handwriting which he purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive. According to an AP report, the police also found a to-do list and travel plans during Luigis arrest, which they said shed new light on the steps he may have taken or planned to take to avoid capture Thompsons killing. Pluck eyebrows. Buy less conspicuous shoes. Take a bus or a train west toward Cincinnati and St. Louis. Move around late at night. Stay away from surveillance cameras. Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, said one note. Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows, said another. The notes, including a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the lam. Luigi Mangione was charged in Pennsylvania with forgery, giving a false ID to police, and possessing a gun without a license. State and federal prosecutors in New York later charged him with murder. He pleaded not guilty. What did Luigi Mangiones lawyers say? Luigi Mangiones lawyers haven't disputed the authenticity of the notes or the provenance of the gun, pocket knife, fake ID, driver's license, passport, credit cards, AirPods, protein bar, travel toothpaste, flash drives and other items seized from him and his backpack. But they argue that anything found in the bag should be barred because police didnt have a search warrant and lacked the grounds to justify a warrantless search. Prosecutors contend the search was legal officers said they were checking for a bomb and that police eventually obtained a warrant. At least 19 people died and 16 others were injured early Wednesday, December 10, after two residential buildings collapsed in the northeastern Moroccan city of Fez, according to the state news agency. Local officials said the adjoining four-storey structures gave way overnight in the historic former capital, leaving rescue teams and locals scrambling through the debris for survivors At least eight families were staying in the two buildings that collapsed. The local authorities, security services and civil protection units moved to the scene immediately as they were informed. Also Read | Rajasthan school roof collapse: Eyewitness students say stones fell from roof, teachers ignored The injured were transported to the university hospital centre in Fez, while search and rescue operations continued around the clock to find others who may still be trapped under the rubble, the news agency reported. Most of Morocco's population, financial, industrial hubs and vital infrastructure are concentrated in the northwest, with the rest of the country reliant on farming, fisheries and tourism. Also Read | Govt's BIG move after Rajasthan school roof collapse: Safety audit is mandatory for all schools, student facilities The state news website SNRT said the scene indicates that the two collapsed buildings had been showing signs of cracking for some time, without any effective preventive measures being taken. Australia's ban on social media for users under the age of 16 has taken effect, causing millions of children and teenagers to lose access to their accounts. Several teens were reportedly distressed and also claimed it was a pretty bad idea as they adjusted to a life without social media, including Snapchat, X and Instagram, among 10 other platforms. Social media platforms that do not comply risk fines of up to $33 million, according to a report by Reuters. Which apps are covered by the under-16 social media ban'? Starting Tuesday, 10 December midnight (1300 GMT),10 of the largest platforms were ordered to block children or face fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($33 million): 1. TikTok 2. Facebook 3. Instagram 4. Threads 5. X (formerly Twitter) 6. YouTube 7. Snapchat 8. Reddit 9. Kick 10. Twitch Parents of children affected by Australias new under-16 social media ban voiced mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move and others warning it risks isolating teenagers and pushing them toward rule-breaking. Many of the estimated one million children affected by the legislation also posted goodbye messages on social media. Distressed, how VPNs work ban draws mixed reactions One parent told the Guardian their 15-year-old daughter was very distressed because all her 14 to 15-year-old friends have been age verified as 18 by Snapchat. Since she had been identified as under 16, they feared her friends will keep using Snapchat to talk and organise social events and she will be left out." One teen affected by the ban told Sky News that it was a pretty bad idea, while another said his friends have found ways to work around the restriction. Another parent reportedly said the restrictions forced him to teach his child how to break the law. Ive shown her how VPNs work and other methods on bypassing age restrictions, he said. He said that he had to set up an adult YouTube account for her daughter and assisted her in bypassing TikToks age-estimation, mentioned Guardian's report. Which platforms are not banned? The following platforms were excluded from the banned list: Roblox Pinterest YouTube Kids Discord WhatsApp Lemon8 GitHub LEGO Play Steam and Steam Chat Google Classroom Messenger LinkedIn How is age verification done? In the weeks leading up to the implementation of the ban, teens have reportedly been scrambling to prepare completing age-assurance checks, swapping phone numbers and bracing themselves for the deactivation of their social media accounts. Kieran Donovan, Australian chief executive and co-founder of age-assurance service k-ID, said his platform had carried out hundreds of thousands of age checks over the past few weeks. Australia on Wednesday began the first country in the world to put a ban on social media ban for children under 16. Ten of the biggest apps, including including TikTok, Elon Musk's X, Alphabet's YouTube and Meta's Instagram and Facebook, were instructed to block access to the teenagers or face a penalty of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million). But did the Australia social media ban really work? An estimated one million children have been affected by the new Australia social media ban, with many of them posting goodbye messages on their profiles. No more social media... no more contact with the rest of the world, wrote one teen on TikTok. #seeyouwhenim16, said another. However, the ban was only applicable to 10 of the biggest platforms. A Bloomberg report noted that alternative social media apps have shot up in terms of popularity after the Australia social media app ban. Also Read | Australias social media ban leaves a 15-year-old worried about losing touch with friends Most popular social media apps for teens in Australia Lemon8: Following the Australia social media app ban for teens, Lemon8 is currently the most-downloaded free app on Apples App Store. The video and photo sharing app, powered by TikTok parent ByteDance, was launched in 2020 and was initially available in Japan. It launched in the United States and United Kingdom in February 2023, gaining popularity. Lemon8 began integrating with TikTok in 2024, allowing users to link their profiles. Following the Australia social media app ban for teens, Lemon8 is currently the most-downloaded free app on Apples App Store. The video and photo sharing app, powered by TikTok parent ByteDance, was launched in 2020 and was initially available in Japan. It launched in the United States and United Kingdom in February 2023, gaining popularity. Lemon8 began integrating with TikTok in 2024, allowing users to link their profiles. Yope: Yope was already creating buzz online, even before the Australia social media ban for teens. With the new rules, it has become the second-most downloaded app on Apple App Store. Yope is a photo-sharing platform that allows you to share your moments with your private friends circle. Yope users can share photos, videos, and audio with a private group of friends with whom they can maintain streaks much like Snapchat but with seemingly better privacy. Coverstar: Another app that is becoming popular in Australia is Coverstar, which claims it is the safest alternative to TikTok for kids between 9 and 16 years of age. Coverstar is intentionally designed for kids and teens and we keep the environment age-appropriate and safe. Adult, explicit, and sexual content is not allowed on our platform, it says on its website. Coverstar also has no provision for DMs, resulting in protection from predators. Meta sounds warning after Australia bans social media Tech giant Meta on Wednesday said that the Australia ban on social media for under-16s is sending youngsters to less regulated platforms, making them less safe. We've consistently raised concerns that this poorly developed law could push teens to less regulated platforms or apps. We're now seeing those concerns become reality, the platform, owned by Mark Zuckerberg, said in a statement. Meta said many alternative apps did not offer the same safety features, such as specialised teen accounts, that it had developed. Former Pakistani Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder Imran Khan is being subjected to mistreatment in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, his sister Aleema Khan claimed on Wednesday. Her remarks came as family members and PTI party supporters gathered in large numbers outside Adiala Jail to protest against the detention conditions and restricted access of Khan. "We have been coming here for the last 8 months. We come here and sit every Tuesday. We are not allowed to meet Imran Khan. They are torturing him. He has been kept in illegal isolation. They should end this torture against Imran Khan," Aleema said outside the jail. Aleema Khan's statements underscore the familys mounting alarm over her brother's physical isolation and treatment. The protests drew numerous PTI supporters who voiced serious concerns regarding Khan's health and security while he serves sentences following multiple convictions. The familys worries intensified after a rare, 20-minute meeting on 2 December, when Khans other sister, Uzma Khanum, was finally granted access nearly a month after all communication had reportedly been cut off. Following the visit, Khanum stated that her brother appeared physically fine but was facing "psychological torture" due to solitary confinement and restrictions. Crucially, Khanum further stated that Imran Khan personally blamed Pakistans Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for orchestrating the "mental torture" he was enduring in jail. The Pakistan Army swiftly and sharply rejected these claims. The military issued a strong rebuttal, characterizing the former premier as mentally unstable and narcissistic, and accusing him of spreading anti-military narratives via his family. Soon after, the government took steps to bar Uzma Khanum and other family members from future visits, citing violations of prison rules, with officials suggesting that political discussions occurred during the meeting. Pakistani Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said: "There is no room in the [prison] rules for political discussions, and it was reported that political discussions occurred, so meetings are now banned for Uzma Khan. This won't happen." Tensions rise between PTI and govt The demonstration outside Adiala Jail was met with strict security deployment, reflecting the heightened tensions between PTI supporters and the ruling authorities. The situation was escalated by the presence of senior PTI leaders, including Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial chief Junaid Akbar Khan, who joined the sit-in. Their participation signalled the party's growing frustration after repeated attempts to meet Khan were rejected by jail authorities, despite a standing court order permitting visits on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to Dawn newspaper. A toothless regulator and a dominant player in a two-horse race is a recipe for disaster. We saw that unfolding this past week as thousands of fliers, scheduled to take one of Indigos 2,200-odd daily domestic flights, faced last-minute cancellations and rescheduling, throwing their lives into disarray. Worst was the confusion that ensued, as the airline failed miserably to provide accurate and timely information. In less than a week, the reputation that the airline worked so hard to build over the last two decades lies in tatters. Yet, the scenario could have been different. Imagine if IndiGo's billionaire co-founder, Rahul Bhatia, and its chief executive officer, Pieter Elbers, had chosen to camp at the major airports as the crisis unfolded and faced the ire of the travellers while helping them manage their disrupted schedules. Eventually, under pressure from the government, IndiGo said it would refund fares for cancelled flights, and also helped organize hotel rooms for those left in the lurch. Elbers, too, issued a video message, but only after the crisis had spiralled for three days. By then, the damage was done. Television and social media was flooded with videos of angry and distressed passengers demanding answers and clarity. Much of the flak was handled by the helpless ground staff who lacked enough information, and had no power to take decisions on the spot. The presence of Bhatia and Elbers would have ensured quicker decision-making without the need to wait for instructions from absent bosses. Also Read | Too big to fail: Why IndiGo cancellations turned into a national crisis Its at moments like this that true leaders rise to the fore. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy," said Martin Luther King. Indeed, great leaders stand their ground when the danger is most acute. Jawaharlal Nehru entering volatile areas, confronting angry crowds, or even wading into danger to stop violence, is the surest testimony to his leadership. No matter how much criticism he faces, no one will question his right to be called one of the great leaders of our time, purely because he showed up when hiding might have been the prudent option. Business history also offers examples of leaders playing a proactive part in handling a crisis. In 2008, Ratan Tata arrived at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel shortly after the terrorist attacks began and stayed outside for three days. Similarly, following the 2018 engine failure on a Southwest Flight which caused the US airline's first in-flight fatality, CEO Gary Kelly visibly took charge of the response. Rather than sending generic condolence letters, he made personal phone calls to the surviving passengers and the victims family to offer support. According to the Center for Creative Leadership, leaders must demonstrate visible leadership during a crisis, rather than staying holed up in offices or meetings. A Harvard Business Review article from April 2020 notes that in a crisis, people don't need a vision to inspire them; they need what psychologists call "holding." This means acknowledging peoples emotions and providing a sense of context and reality. When there's a fire, people are already motivated to move but often flail. What they need is containment, which is the ability to soothe distress, and interpretation, which is the ability to help others make sense of a confusing situation. Also Read | What really went haywire at IndiGo? The contrast with IndiGo's response couldn't be starker. While Elbers eventually spoke, it was via a video message, a sanitized, controlled medium that allowed no direct engagement with affected passengers. Instead, what Bhatia and Elbers needed to do was to be seen at the airports, assuaging customers. The present crisis again points to the perils of market concentration and regulatory oversight. With IndiGo controlling 60% of India's domestic marketfar exceeding the 40% threshold typically considered monopolisticthe airline wields enormous power with limited accountability. When it stumbles, the entire country's air travel ecosystem collapses. But beyond market structure and regulatory failures lies a more fundamental question about leadership. When crisis strikes, do leaders show up or hide behind corporate communications? Do they make themselves available and take ownership, or do they wait for the storm to pass before emerging with carefully-scripted messages? From the evidence of last week, IndiGos top brass went missing when the storm struck. Eventually, IndiGo will recover; its operations will normalize, and Indias airports will return to normalcy. What will remain is the thought that in the ultimate test of leadership, IndiGo's leaders chose to manage from a distance rather than lead from the front. Our ambition is clear. By 2047, when India marks 100 years of independence, it must be a developed nation: A Viksit Bharat. This means moving from a $4 trillion economy to $30 trillion. To achieve this, per capita income must grow eight times, GDP nine times and manufacturing 16 times. None of this is possible without a modern physical ecosystem that delivers fast logistics, efficient energy, reliable transport and sustainable urbanization. All of these depend on large-scale capital investment in infrastructure, making its creation the fulcrum of Indias long-term economic transformation. The next phase of growth will depend on how effectively we mobilize long-term capital and leverage innovative financing instruments. Among these, REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) and InvITs (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) stand out as models that channel investment into income-generating assets. InvITs focus on infrastructure such as roads and power networks, while REITs focus on commercial real estatehelping unlock capital, support new development and broaden investor participation. Also Read | GN Bajpai: Tokenize real estate to open up an attractive asset class The vision of Viksit Bharat requires a financing architecture capable of supporting large-scale infrastructure for logistics, power, transport, digital connectivity and urban utilities. REITs and InvITs provide a structured and scalable pathway to mobilize this capital. Globally, REITs and InvITs form a $3 trillion market led by the US, Germany, and Japan. India has the scale to lead this market. It is already among the worlds leading infrastructure investment destinations, but must be bolder and more ambitious. India currently has 27 registered InvITs across nine sectors with assets under management of 7 trillion, which is minuscule compared to its potential. We should target $1 trillion or 90 trillion. This requires urgency and discipline, beginning with overcoming challenges that slow us down. Also Read | Viksit Bharat: We need a prudent macroeconomic strategy with robust institutions The first challenge is valuation. Over-optimistic assumptions and uneven portfolios can reduce the attractiveness of these trusts. . Fiscal pressures led sponsors to front-load trusts with physical assets without clarity on future expenditure or stability, weakening confidence. Such assets going into REITs and InvITs must rest on realistic assumptions, operational clarity and transparent long-range planning. The second barrier is the public sector gap. Of the 27 InvITs in India, only two are public-sector sponsored, even though about 70% of infrastructure is built by public entities. Railways and warehousing could readily monetize or unitize their asset bases. While some entities have scaled their InvITs, others have not added assets fast enough. Thirdly, in some cases, public sector entities retained operational control after forming InvITs, limiting independent price discovery and diluting governance. When the buyer and seller are controlled by the same sponsor, investor confidence weakens. Once assets move into a REIT or InvIT, trust management must be fully independent with professional rather than public-sector investment managers. The fourth challenge is the absence of a predictable pipeline. Though the National Monetisation Pipeline articulates intent, actual transfers of assets into InvIT-like structures remains limited. The shortage is not of capital, but of prepared assets and efficient structures. To move forward, we need a clear agenda. First, determine sectoral contributions to trusts and create multiyear pipelines immediately. The targets are $250 billion worth of assets from power transmission and renewables, $200 billion from roads, $150 billion from logistics and digital infrastructure, $200 billion from urban utilities and metro systems and $200 billion from commercial real estate and brownfield portfolios. Second, ministries should focus on preparing pipelines, resolving approvals and ensuring clean structures, rather than influencing commercial decisions. Investors will invest only if platforms are run professionally and transparently. Third, states must adopt unified, time-bound asset monetization frameworks. Municipal bodies should pool revenue-generating urban assets such as bus terminals, metro systems, water treatment plants, parking facilities and commercial markets into city-level REITs and InvITs, allowing cities to raise long-term capital without adding debt. Also Read | Indias crumbling infra is crisis of accountability as much as quality Fourth, India must commit to a stable tax and regulatory roadmap for REITs and InvITs, while avoiding retrospective changes. Reliable currency hedging mechanisms are critical to attract global institutional investors and unlock larger pools of long-horizon foreign capital. Fifth, India must move from one-off transactions to a platform strategy by creating large sectoral REITs and InvITs with recurrent asset infusions and the scale required for global indexing. This will build long-term confidence and create vehicles for sustained growth. Sixth, domestic participation must expand. Today, foreign investors account for over 50% of institutional investments in InvITs, while domestic institutions such as mutual funds, pension funds, banks and insurers contribute only 7%. India should raise this to the 20-25% range, while retail participation near 5% has room to grow. Seventh, India must ensure a large, predictable multiyear asset pipeline, especially from the public sector, so that capital can flow into ready platforms, supporting growth and investor confidence. Also Read | Manu Joseph: Why South Bombay is the only Indian city where life has improved The message is clear. India can become the worlds top REIT and InvIT market, but only if ministries and institutions act with urgency. Indias 21st century story will be defined by the infrastructure it builds and the confidence it inspires. The world is ready to invest. We must seize this opportunity. These are the authors personal views. The author is former CEO, Niti Aayog and Indias former G20 Sherpa. In the bustling skies of India, where air travel has become the lifeblood of a rapidly growing economy, a single airlines dominance can destabilize the entire nation. December 2025 will long be remembered as the month when IndiGo, Indias undisputed aviation giant, triggered the countrys worst ever flight crisis with its disregard for regulation. In the past few days, this air carrier, boasting a fleet of over 350 aircraft and a domestic market share of around 64%, descended into chaos amid the cancellation of thousands of its flights that left tens of thousands of Indian passengers stranded. Families got separated, business executives lost deals and medical evacuations had to be re-routed. The sight of women and children in distress became routine. Meanwhile, flight fares rose astronomically and hotels too jumped into the fray. What began as a routine implementation of fatigue-mitigating crew rest rules snowballed into a historic aviation disaster. It is a stark reminder of the perils of aviation dominance in the worlds third-largest market for air travel services. Fortunately, the government acted with exemplary swiftness, running trains, capping fares and providing temporary relief from rules. The rules being implemented were the Directorate General of Civil Aviations (DGCA) revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), the second tranche of which was rolled out on 1 November following a Delhi high court directive to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety. These rules capped night landings by pilots, extended mandatory rest periods and tightened flight time restrictionsmeasures long overdue for safety in an industry plagued by overworked crews. While smaller carriers like SpiceJet and Akasa Air adapted with minimal hiccups, IndiGos failure to comply is a reflection of its arrogance and abuse of market dominance. Also Read | The IndiGo fiasco should be a wake-up call for Indian corporate boards At the heart of the fiasco lies IndiGos alleged procrastination. According to reports, the airline lobbied for exemptions until late October, diverting resources from roster overhauls and software updates needed for the new FDTL regime. It transpires that back in August, a Parliamentary panel had cautioned against letting airlines bypass these new rules for pilots. In a report to the Parliament, the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture stated that Indias aviation sector was approaching a critical inflection point" due to a mismatch between the growth of aircraft fleet, which was rapid, and the enrolment of pilots and manpower for air-traffic control, which was slower. The sector was nearing a dangerous tipping point, driven by pilot fatigue, an air-traffic-control overload, human resource shortages and rapid business expansion. As a Mint editorial observed, it is apparent that IndiGo had used its market dominance to blackmail authorities into giving it relief, albeit temporary. While the DGCA issued IndiGo a show-cause notice and is working to enforce its regulations, it is relevant to place the case under the lens of Indias competition regime. With the airline in control of nearly two-thirds of the market in a near-duopoly scenario, there is little doubt over its dominance, although due process would have to establish it. Anti-trust laws provide that stiff penalties, as stipulated under Section 27 of the Competition Act of up to 10% of the average turnover for the last three preceding financial years" may be considered for abuse of dominance" by an enterprise. Dominance and abuse may have to be examined under a procedure laid out in Section 26 of the Act. Also Read | Too big to fail: Why IndiGo cancellations turned into a national crisis One section relevant for all dominant undertakings, though, has gone relatively unnoticed and has not been used so far in India. This must also be brought to the table. According to Section 28 of the law, the Competition Commission of India maynotwithstanding anything contained in any other law in forcedirect the division of an enterprise in a dominant position to ensure that such an enterprise does not abuse its dominance. The mechanism for such a division has been elaborated upon in various sub-sections of Section 28(2). There are several instances around the world where such action has been taken. Major US examples of dominant undertakings being broken up by antitrust authorities include Standard Oil in 1911 and AT&T in 1982; the latter case resulted in the creation of smaller regional telecom operators popularly referred to as Baby Bells. Other examples include Korean Airs acquisition of Asiana Airlines and Lufthansas investment in ITA Airways. IndiGos market share in India, its control of airport slots at key metros, its network reach and disregard of DGCA directives could all be examined to see whether it dominates domestic air passenger services and has been guilty of abuse. The possibility of it being split into two or more airlines could also be looked at as a solution. Ultimately, this meltdown demands a reckoning. Aviation isnt just another business. Its the connective tissue of our growth story. This is not a question of punishment, but of a sustainable re-takeoff. Regulators must enforce rules strictly, prioritizing passenger convenience and safety over scale. Watchdogs like the DGCA and CCI must ease the airlines market grip. Only then can we speak of open skies. The author is chairman, Competition Advisory Services India, and former chairman, Competition Commission of India. A US trade delegation reached India this week with the aim of concluding a long-anticipated trade agreement. Coming close on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi that resulted in a five-year India-Russia economic programme to diversify trade and strengthen an energy partnership, an obvious question arises: How would ties with Moscow impact Indias US engagement? At last weeks HT Leadership Summit, foreign minister S. Jaishankar exuded confidence in a firm assertion of Indias strategic autonomy" and freedom of choice" in its global partnerships. Similar steadfastness will be needed to avoid the pitfalls of what the US is likely to push for. To be sure, any deal with the Donald Trump administration wont be about long-term gains, but a short-term reprieve for Indias exports to the US of textiles, garments, shrimp and agricultural as well as food products, all of which have borne the brunt of Washingtons reciprocal and punitive tariffs that add up to 50%. These tariffs are widely acknowledged to violate the rules of multilateral traderules that have been found to be ineffective in holding a member accountable for its breach. Ironically, where 165 members of the World Trade Organization could not succeed, a legal challenge in the US by several small importers has raised the possibility of some relief. Also Read | Trumps tariff retreat on groceries exposes the flaws of his trade strategy The US Court of International Trade and Court of Appeals has ruled that President Trump had no legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose reciprocal tariffs. The ball is now in the US Supreme Court. At hearings last month, the US top court seemed unpersuaded by the governments argument that the Act allows the president to regulate imports by imposing tariffs. Its judgement is awaited. If it strikes down the tariffs, it would necessitate a rollback by the US administration to the original tariff levels of 3-3.9% that India was facing on most goods, given its most favoured nation status, except for auto, steel and aluminium exports, which were facing 25- 50% tariffs on national security grounds. What happens to US agreements already concluded, including with the EU and UK? PIIE, a US-based think-tank, notes that there could be an unravelling of those agreements and possible retaliation. Also Read | The art of a deal with America: Political sensitivities matter Given that a US Supreme Court ruling could come any day, Indias government may want to bide its time a bit more and wait for the dust to settle before it acts. Lessons can be drawn from the experience of US agreements with Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand, each of which was pushed to reduce barriers for US goods, adopt American regulatory and safety standards for cars, medicines, food and industrial products, and make regulatory changes to give US firms easier market access. These agreements also mandate cooperation with the US on export controls, investment screening, critical minerals and supply-chain security, thereby tying their long-term industrial plans to US strategic priorities. As a result, market access was exchanged not for a balanced trade deal, but for closer alignment with US rules. Malaysia and Cambodia have signed binding agreements that include these obligations, while Thailand and Vietnam, still at the framework stage of negotiations, have committed in principle to such an alignment. Here is a sample of clauses that show how Malaysia and Cambodia ceded sovereign policy space in their deals with the US: Both countries are required to impose equivalent restrictions on a third country if the US imposes restrictions on goods, services and companies owned or controlled by third-country entities to address a shared economic or national security concern." Both countries have also agreed to not impose bans or quotas on exports of critical minerals or rare-earth magnets to US firms and committed to develop their rare-earths sector in partnership with US firms, assuring the latter extended mining licences and guaranteed supplies. Malaysia has also agreed to limit its foreign-exchange intervention to combating disorderly or excessively volatile exchange rate movements. Additionally, most American agreements, including those with other countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe, have commitments to not impose taxes on digital trade with the US. Cambodias agreement requires it to consult with the United States before entering into a new digital-trade agreement with another country that jeopardizes essential US interests." Apart from these, various deals signed by countries with the US also embed stiffer provisions related to labour, environmental and governance standards. While India has agreed to cover labour and environmental issues in its trade deal with the UK, the US demands seem disproportionate and thus reflective of an unabashed attempt to dilute the comparative advantage and efficiency of its trade partners through stiff standards. These are examples of provisions that infringe the economic and strategic autonomy of US partners, constraining their freedom to pursue independent trade, investment and industrial policies. Let us bear in mind that the starting point of Washingtons asks is its imposition of tariffs that have been challenged within the US. This tool of leverage would significantly weaken if the US Supreme Court sounds a death-knell for these barriers. Negotiations with the US should keep this in view. These are the authors personal views. The authors are, respectively, partner, Clarus Law Associates and a Mumbai-based economist. Just hours before a US delegation arrived in New Delhi to wrap up a long-pending trade deal, Donald Trump hinted at a fresh tariff to be levied on India. Speaking at the White House, the US President expressed his displeasure over Indian rice shipments to the US after complaints from a local farmer lobby over cheap imports. Also Read | Trumps tariff retreat on groceries exposes the flaws of his trade strategy Trump said he would take care" of what he alleged was the dumping of rice in the US by India and other countries, but did not mention what barrier he had in mind. Also Read | The art of a deal with America: Political sensitivities matter As of now, Indian rice faces a 50% tariff, but basmati exports to the US have reportedly held up, thanks to relatively inelastic demand. The volumes shipped are also modest, so an add-on levy may not be much of a blow. But if the US goes ahead, the signal sent would be distressing. Perhaps India should remind US negotiators that dumping refers to something being sold in another market at a price below its cost of production. With subsidies counted, Indian farmers cultivate paddy more cheaply than US farms do. Also, our rice exporters seek US consumers for the premium they pay, not because we have excess harvests to be offloaded. Farm lobbies may matter in politics, but the truth must still prevail. Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi traded barbs inside Parliament as the Congress MP challenged the minister to debate with him on his three press conferences in which he alleged vote chori. With Amit Shah attacking the Congress and the Opposition while participating in a debate on election reforms, Rahul Gandhi hit back and challenged Amit Shah to counter his arguments. Rahul Gandhi said, I had asked a question yesterday. For the first time in India's history, decision was taken that election commissioners will be given full immunity. He (Shah) must tell us the thinking behind this. He talked of Haryana, he gave one example but there are numerous examples (of vote chori). Let us have a debate on my press conference. Amit Shah ji, I challenge you to have a debate on the three press conferences. Also Read | Amit Shah hits back at Priyanka Gandhi for tying Vande Mataram debate to Bengal polls, nobody is scared of The home minister shot back at Rahul Gandhi saying, Parliament won't function as per your wish. I'll decide my order of speech. Leaving Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said Amit Shah did not answer his question, but was defensive. He did not answer our questions. It was a completely defensive response. I said that a transparent voter list should be given, but he did not answer this. I said EVM's architecture should be provided to all, but he did not say anything about it. I said that BJP leaders are voting in Haryana and Bihar, but he did not say anything about that. He did not say anything about the CJI. Election Commissioner is given full immunity... We are not scared, Rahul Gandhi said. Also Read | Amit Shah hits back at Opposition, says House cannot discuss SIR Amit Shah blamed the Opposition for creating a ruckus in Parliament for the first two days, which sent a message that the government does not want to discuss SIR. Amit Shah countered that Parliament is the biggest panchayat for discussions and the BJP-NDA never runs away from it. "There was a logjam for the first two days over discussion on this matter. This sent the wrong message to the people that we do not want to discuss this. I would like to make it clear that the Parliament is the biggest panchayat for discussions in this country. BJP-NDA never runs away from discussions. Whatever be the subject matter, we always stand ready for discussions as per Parliament rules," Amit Shah said. Former AT&T commercial star Milana Vayntrub, who had earlier been subject to online harassment, has managed to raise over $500,000 to directly help people by selling intimate photos of herself on the internet. Vayntrub, who has her own platform Only Philanthropy, announced the success of her endeavour on Instagram, writing, "Weve raised over half a million dollars together this year. Now lets grow this into something bigger, stranger, more powerful, with more creators jumping in." "I had this full on crazy idea for an experiment," explained Vayntrub, writing how she came upon the "ridiculous" idea to help people affected by the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. Also Read | Who is Brett Cooper? The Gen Z YouTube star shaping Conservative commentary Raising over $500,000 Seeing that people were in need of cash after the devastation of the Los Angeles fires, she decided to offer exclusive photos in exchange for donations to a single mom's GoFundMe page. "You showed up. We raised $170,000," wrote Vayntrub, adding that the amount was raised in just four days. The proceeds from her sales went to a woman named Bridget, who was able to replace essentials like medical equipment, clothing, and secure housing for a year. Using the funds Vayntrub helped raise, Bridget was also able to replace her vehicle and provide stability to her older kids. "It was the first time in a long time I felt seen. Like someone actually cared that we were still here, still fighting," the single mother was quoted as saying on Vayntrub's Only Philanthropy platform. But the former AT&T employee did not stop there: "This summer we did it again and raised over $350k in a week," she wrote. This time, she helped raise funds for Atladena-based My Tribe Rise, an organisation helping the elderly, disabled, and under-insured survivors of the Eaton Fire rebuild their lives. The organization turned the funds raised by Vayntrub into direct grants for fire survivors. Who is Milana Vayntrub? Milana Vayntrub at one time was an aspiring actress, before she built a career for herself in the advertisement industry, as per The New York Times. In 2013, the then-26-year-old actress landed the role of Lily for a national commercial, with the ad showing a brunette and her mildly comical interactions with strangers at an AT&T store. The advertisement campaign ran for about three years, making Vayntrub a known face to television audiences. The campaign ended in 2017, at which time Vayntrub stopped acting and instead took to directing commercials. However, during the Covid lockdowns, Vayntrub and a colleague proposed resurrecting Lily, and AT&T approved, with the Vayntrub herself directing spots showing Lily working from home. A few months after Lily came back to people's screens, Vayntrub was suddenly facing lecherous comments on the internet. The malevolent reception to Lily's second stint was sparked by some accounts on the internet who called Vayntrub names in reference to her breasts. Before long, people started spamming the comment sections of AT&T's social media posts with lewd descriptions and emojis of glasses of milk, and this harassment soon spilled over into Vayntrub's personal life. Not only were her social media accounts targeted, but her personal photos were widely distributed across the internet, and spammy websites even promised access to pornographic videos featuring her, videos that did not exist. Only Philanthropy Vayntrub has come some ways since then, and her new platform Only Philanthropy boldly declares, "Using the male gaze to fight the blaze" Launched recently, presumably after the success of her two campaigns, Only Philanthropy calls upon women to mobilize their audiences into "powerful, purpose-driven communities". "Weve now proven the model: influence and creativity can transform followers into donors and fandom into a force for good," the Only Philanthropy page reads. By Rochelle Baker Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ottawas pipeline deal with Alberta poses mounting political risks for the federal Liberals in British Columbia, political experts say. The federal governments conventional role is typically to arbitrate when disputes arise between provinces, said Stewart Prest, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia. By inking an agreement with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for a proposed oil pipeline across BC, despite its opposition, Prime Minister Mark Carney has undermined provincial authority and raised red flags for other partners in the federation, Prest said. It is really unusual for us to see a federal government so decisively weighing in on one side of the debate and to actually conclude an agreement with one province about what should happen in another province without involving them in the conversation, he said. That really goes against the spirit and the principles of federal government. The move sends the message that the federal government can make significant decisions about a provinces territory without consultation an approach that is bound to have ongoing ripple effects, especially in Quebec, which is zealous about maintaining jurisdictional integrity, Prest said. Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet repeated his early criticism of the deal as undemocratic, saying it's a precedent for the imposition of pipelines anywhere in the country. Blanchet said his party intends to oppose the project in Parliament to defend BCs right to refuse and support First Nations demanding Carney maintain the oil tanker ban on the northwest coast. Though its a federal decision, the deal leaves Eby holding the bag putting him in a defensive position, Prest said. The premier must walk a difficult line, presenting himself as someone who can get economic projects built, while not betraying coastal First Nations rights or sacrificing environmental protections particularly in the Great Bear Rainforest region. By fighting for BCs provincial autonomy, Eby must take up an uncomfortable obstructionist stance, which could ramp up the provinces polarized politics and benefit the BC Conservatives, Prest added. Eby has repeatedly said the pipeline pact endangers the deals and compromises BC has negotiated with First Nations on various provincial resource development projects, such as LNG projects, mining of critical minerals and the North Coast Transmission Line. [Carneys] seemingly high-handed approach to decision-making tends to throw all those working relationships into abeyance, Prest said. The BC government also has to be really concerned with that. The deal is also stressing the federal governments already fragile relationships with Indigenous Peoples across Canada, already on edge after the passage of Bill C-5 to fast-track projects of national importance which could undermine Indigenous sovereignty and decision-making in their territories. Last week, the first order of business for the Assembly of First Nations chiefs was to vote unanimously for Ottawa and Alberta to scrap the pipeline deal. They also called for respect for Indigenous rights and offered unqualified support for First Nations opposed to pipelines in their territory and Coastal First Nations fighting to protect the oil tanker ban. Protests that dogged the Northern Gateway Proposal and the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project will resurface, say political experts. Theres likely to be a "political tsunami and serious pushback from environmental groups and First Nations that could echo the widespread protests and legal battles that ultimately derailed the Northern Gateway project a similar pipeline proposal fought over a decade ago, aimed at transporting Alberta crude to BCs tidewater, said UBC sociologist David Tindall. Carney, focused on making waves with conservatives in the rest of Canada, likely underestimated how important the oil tanker ban is on the West Coast, Tindall said. People in central Canada, in particular, don't really understand the sort of depth of feeling on this issue, and people's perspectives in BC, Tindall said. The more recent Trans Mountain Pipeline project to BCs south coast was only completed after long delays, legal battles and protests that spooked private sector investor Kinder Morgan into abandoning the project and forced the federal government into buying it. The environmental movement and Coastal First Nations are already sending strong precautionary signals to private backers about the latest Alberta pipeline proposal, he said. If [they] can tell the corporate sector, If you thought Trans Mountain was a headache, wait till you see this new proposal, Tindall said, that will make investors think twice or three times about this. Carneys decision will also have significant ripple effects for the 20 Liberal BC MPs largely concentrated in more environmentally conscious urban and coastal ridings, Tindall said. Recent polls suggest there is strong general support in BC for a pipeline, but that doesnt mean its concentrated where Liberal MPs were elected, he explained. Political support for the Liberals that bled from the federal NDP or the Green Party in the last election in tight three-way races may well fall away, Tindall said, giving an opportunity for more Conservative candidates under leader Pierre Poilievre. There were centre-left voters willing to prop up a Carney government in order to keep Poilievre out of power with climate and the environment being strong motivations, he said. Going ahead with this gives them permission to pull back from the Liberals, BC Liberal MPs flagged concerns before the pipeline deal was done. Once it was unveiled, former environment minister Steven Guilbeault resigned as minister of Canadian identity and culture. While many BC Liberal MPs have gone quiet in the days since the deal was signed, Victoria MP Will Grieves continues to express deep concerns, repeating the need to include BC and Coastal First Nations. Carney in his objective to neutralize the federal Conservative party may have misjudged the political risks and rewards of pursuing a pact with Alberta, Prest said. The federal Liberals are the dominant party in the Legislature, but they don't have a majority, and polling suggests that the Conservatives are still very much neck and neck, he said. However, theres the risk the federal government will find itself financially and politically attached to an increasingly divisive project that will leave the Liberal coalition in shambles, Prest said. I think, ultimately, this is an electoral gamble, and I think it's a bigger one than they seem to think. Rochelle Baker / Local Journalism Initiative / Canadas National Observer. Plaintiffs in a new lawsuit are asking a judge to order a forensic examination of the GPS device (Garmin Drive EX 52) in Meigs County Deputy RJ Leonards patrol vehicle, arguing the data could reveal crucial information about the night his car went into the water at the Blythe Ferry boat ramp. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- KargoBot.ai and Horizon Robotics announced a broad strategic alliance at the Horizon Together 2025, marking a new push to commercialize Level-4 autonomous trucking in China. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding outlining plans to accelerate the deployment of next-generation driverless heavy-duty trucks and expand the technology's commercial footprint. China's autonomous freight sector has moved past its early validation phase and is expected to enter large-scale expansion in 2025. With road-freight spending topping 7.5 trillion yuan, automation is seen as a critical lever for lowering logistics costs and improving efficiency nationwide. Analysts project that by 2035, driverless heavy-truck penetration could exceed 50%. Against this backdrop, the partnership aims to combine both companies' technical strengths and ecosystems to speed up mass deployment of autonomous freight operations. Photo source: KargoBot.ai The collaboration brings together Horizon Robotics' experience in mass-produced passenger-vehicle ADAS and KargoBot's accumulated expertise in L4 autonomous freight operations. The companies plan to merge data across urban roads, expressways, and long-haul corridors, integrating it with KargoBot's proprietary MMLA architecture and world-model technology. This combined system is expected to enhance fleet-level intelligence, single-vehicle autonomy, and complex convoy operations, laying the groundwork for a more capable large-scale AI model tailored for freight transport. KargoBot will adopt Horizon Robotics'Journey 6P computing platform to localize and optimize the hardware powering its L4 autonomous-driving systems. The company has already reduced the hardware cost per vehicle to around 90,000 yuanone of the lowest in the industrywhile simultaneously improving overall system performance through tighter supply-chain integration and engineering refinements. Building on KargoBot's existing L4 freight platform, the joint effort will incorporate Horizon Robotics' advanced driver-assistance expertise, cost-efficient vision-only perception, and proven engineering toolchain. The companies say these additions will raise the system's performance ceiling and move the industry closer to a truly deployable "AI truck driver" capable of safe, scalable, real-world operations. At Auto Shanghai 2025, the two companies are set to unveil "KargoBot Space," a next-generation transport robot billed as the world's first of its kind. The machine will run on Horizon Robotics' Journey computing family, and the partners are co-developing domain controllers suited for higher-level autonomy. Horizon Robotics' newest Journey 6P platform delivers high compute capacity and a heterogeneous multi-core design, supporting full-stack autonomous-driving computation with strong energy efficiency and low latency. KargoBot said it had already completed its end-to-end "door-to-door" autonomous freight loop and is now preparing for scaled rollout. The new transport robot is slated for mass production and pilot operations in the first half of 2026. Using Horizon Robotics' computing platform, KargoBot aims to speed up industrialization and lay the foundation for large-scale commercial driverless logistics. The companies also plan to deepen cooperation across mass-production deployment, customer operations, and scenario expansion. Leveraging their respective ecosystems, they aim to move from mutual enablement toward establishing a shared technological foundation for the broader freight-transport industryaccelerating adoption of autonomous-driving technologies and helping reduce logistics costs across society. UPDATE: Tennessee Governor Bill Lee says that he will not grant clemency for death row inmate Harold Wayne Nichols. After deliberate consideration of Harold Wayne Nichols request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene, Governor Lee said. PREVIOUS STORY: Harold Wayne Nichols' appeal to the 6th District Court of Appeals was denied. Now, his case goes to the Supreme Court. In recent years, Nichols' attorneys have tried to have him re-sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. UPDATE: Chancellor orders TDOC to turn over execution records in Nichols case Harold Wayne Nichols is set to be put to death on December 11 for the 1988 rape and murder of a 21-year-old woman from Chattanooga. In 2018, his attorneys, along with District Attorney at the time, Neal Pinkston, were under the impression that he would be re-sentenced, but Senior Judge Don Ash rejected the agreement sending Nichols back to death row. "It wasn't because we thought that there was some issue in the trial or some of his constitutional rights were violated. We don't think that. It's just the family had grown so tired and weary of waiting for so long. They were just, they wanted to, you know, finality," said Pinkston. Pinkston says, despite the Court's decision, the jury's decision has to be respected. 'Multiple appellate courts have looked at it. Federal courts at some point, for the citizens, for the victim's family, and for our criminal justice system, the judgment has to be respected." Nichols is set to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, December 11. Local 3's Michelle Heron will be at the execution providing coverage. PREVIOUS: An East Ridge man convicted of raping and killing 20-year-old Karen Pulley in 1988 is now asking for his execution to be put on hold. Harold Wayne Nichols is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Thursday, December 11. Local 3 News will attend the execution in Nashville. UPDATE: Tennessee man to remain on death row despite law change Nichols has spent nearly half his life on death row for raping and killing Karen Pulley, 21, inside her Brainerd home in 1988. He has requested that his final meal be beef brisket, coleslaw, a baked potato, onion rings, deviled eggs, cheese biscuits and fruit tea. However, he is now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to pause his execution after the 6th District Court denied his request for a stay. Nichols wants his execution to be put on hold until the Supreme Court reviews the case, and until his ongoing legal challenges are settled. Nichols argues that the State of Tennessee violated his Equal Protection rights, and that Tennessee's lethal injection protocol may be unconstitutional. Nichols pleaded guilty to raping and murdering Pulley inside her Brainerd home when she was 20 years old. A jury sentenced him to the death penalty in 1990. At that time, life in prison was not an option in Tennessee. Following a law change in 2018, Nichols' attorney attempted to get him off death row, without success. Nichols was also convicted in a series of 11 other rapes or attempted rapes in the Chattanooga area before confessing to raping and murdering Pulley. "Although he expressed remorse at trial, he admitted that he would have continued his violent behavior had he not been arrested," the Associated Press reported. Just days before his scheduled execution, Pulley's sister said she was "standing in Faith that justice will triumph on Thursday." Slawek (Slavek) Kazek from Ballymahon has been selected from the 125,000 members of the Polish diaspora in Ireland to represent the community in a national campaign highlighting the achievements, creativity, and contributions of Polish people in Ireland. Slavek has been living in Ballymahon for nearly twenty years and works as the Business Admin Team Leader at An Post Insurance. Read more: People encouraged to shop local to help Longford businesses thrive this Christmas He is also a member of the board of directors of a local Credit Union and the Chair of the Midlands Polish Community CLG. He is the driving force behind initiatives such as the International Childrens Day Picnic, joint Polish-Irish choral concerts and many more initiatives celebrating multicultural community spirit. Slavek is also the winner of the 2025 Leaders for Change bursary by the National College for Ireland. Slavek said, I am very proud to feature in the Beyond Borders campaign. Together with my colleagues at the Midlands Polish Community, we work to build bridges and bring communities together. Ireland is our home and we want to make sure that everyone is included and we support each other. Volunteering is such an important part of my life and I see this as a great way to meet people, make friends and create the future of Ireland. Slavek continued, When I came to Ireland, I had to take one step back to move two steps forward later on. This country gave me a space to grow and I feel proud to give something back. Volunteering is such an important part of my life and I see this as a great way to meet people, make friends and create the future of Ireland. Im not just an immigrant - Im part of the Irish story. The campaign has been commissioned by Forum Polonia, a Polish migrant rights organisation. Through a series of personal stories, portraits, and short videos, the campaign showcases ten Polish individuals from across Ireland who are shaping their communities in diverse fields from education and culture to business, art, science, and volunteering. The project challenges sometimes outdated stereotypes about Polish migrants and aims to highlight the complexity of identity reminding audiences that every person who has come to Ireland brings with them not just a journey, but a lifetime of experience, talent, and resilience. Barnaba Dorda, the Chair of Forum Polonia, said, A year ago, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Poland joining the EU, and that was the beginning of the large-scale migration of Poles to Ireland. Many of us started working in manual work sectors, filling in labour gaps. Twenty years on, we can see the progress the Polish community has made, but we feel that the stereotypes about Polish migrant workers are still prevalent. With the Beyond Borders campaign, we want to replace labels with stories. Polish people have been part of Irelands progress for two decades this campaign celebrates that connection and reminds us that we all belong. Aga Wypychowska, a co-creator of the campaign, said: The campaigns central message is We are here. We create. We inspire. An immigrant is a full person with a personal history, professional life, and unique skills. We want to show that Polish people are not just participants in Irish life they are co-creators of it. Read more: Documentary premiere to be taking place in Longford town venue The Beyond Borders campaign will run across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, featuring short video interviews, photography, and a final short film summarising the initiative. Forum Polonia invites everyone Polish, Irish, and beyond to follow the campaign, share the stories, and celebrate life Beyond Borders. Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a serious two-car road traffic collision in Dundalk, county Louth, on Saturday December 6, 2025. At around 8:10pm, Gardai and emergency services responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision on the R132 at Dowdallshill. READ NEXT: 'What is the urgency?' - Irish shoppers urged to stay away from shops on St Stephen's Day The female driver of the first car, aged in her late 20s, was removed from the scene to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda with non-life-threatening injuries. A passenger in that car, an infant boy, was removed to Temple Street Childrens Hospital where he remains in critical condition. The male driver of the second vehicle (aged in his early 50s) and the female passenger (a teenager), were removed from the scene to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A technical examination of the scene was conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Gardai are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward. READ NEXT: Regulation of puppy farms to be debated in Dail as dogs kept in 'horrendous conditions' Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R132 in the Dowdallshill area between 7:50pm and 8:20pm are asked to make it available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Investigations are ongoing. Police identified a man arrested in a Wednesday morning stabbing at Boston Medical Center that left a staff member with life-threatening injuries. Branden Bannister, 37, of Roxbury, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with three felonies, according to a police report: assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and cocaine trafficking, more than 18 grams but less than 36 grams. Officers responded to a call at the main entrance of Boston Medical Center at 2 a.m. Wednesday, police said. When police arrived, they found Bannister handcuffed and bleeding from the face. Witnesses told police that Bannister had left the hospital and was approached by a security professional outside the entrance. The two fought and Bannister stabbed the man in the thigh. The victim was able to hop away on one leg and get himself to the trauma unit, where a tourniquet was applied. Other security officers were able to detain Bannister after a violent struggle, according to the report. Police arrested Bannister and found a knife and three plastic bags containing what they believe to be crack cocaine and cocaine. Bannister was also admitted to a hospital. Cari Medina, the executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, a union that represents more than 85,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts, issued a statement Wednesday calling for the union and Boston Medical Center to meet to discuss ways to make the hospital safer. This incident represents an unfortunate and unnecessary reality for healthcare workers in hospitals and healthcare facilities all across Massachusetts, Medina said. Far too often, healthcare workers are the victims of violent attacks in the workplace, and we need our healthcare institutions and our state leaders alike to do more to protect the frontline workers who keep our healthcare system running. Bannister pleaded not guilty on all charges at his arraignment Wednesday at Boston Municipal Court - Central, according to court records. He has a probable cause hearing in January. A Brookline man has been arrested and charged after engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a federal agent who was posing as a 14-year-old girl online, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday. William Kahn, 28, faced charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor in federal court on Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. Between June and August of this year, Kahn chatted online with an undercover federal agent who was posing as a 14-year-old girl, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He is accused of having sexually explicit conversations with the agent, sending the agent a photo of adult genitals and discussing the possibility of meeting with the purported teenage girl in person. Kahn is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for Dec. 17, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He faces up to 20 years in prison, five years to a lifetime of supervised release and up to $500,000 in fines if convicted on all the charges. When Laura Brelsford began riding the MBTA between Cambridge and Boston in the early 2000s, she found the systems accessibility deplorable for people like her who use a wheelchair or other mobility device. Broken elevators hampered easy travel between the subways and the ground level. Buses were not always equipped to board riders in wheelchairs. Some drivers blew off boarding disabled riders altogether. All told, a regular commute could routinely take 45 minutes or an hour more than it should, Brelsford, now the MBTAs assistant general manager for system-wide accessibility, said. If I were visiting friends or on my way to an appointment using the bus, it wasnt unusual that I would have to wait for the third bus on a route because either the lift would be broken or the operator just would not want to make the effort to board me, she said. But the system is in a very different state today, Brelsford said. The MBTA has spent roughly two decades fulfilling some 200 requirements for accessibility upgrades and reforms established in a settlement agreement to a class-action lawsuit brought by disabled riders. With the T now meeting a substantial portion of the required improvements, top transit officials and the judge overseeing the case met Wednesday with disabled riders and advocates to turn the page to a new phase of the settlements implementation. I really think that [the MBTA] is to be commended, said Burt Pusch, a Boston resident and former university professor who uses a powerchair. The lawsuit, Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. MBTA often shortened to Daniels-Finegold was brought in 2002 by riders who could not safely use the transit network because of their disabilities. In a 2006 settlement agreement, the plaintiffs and T declared a mutual commitment to bringing the transit system into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Surviving plaintiffs of the Daniels-Finegold lawsuit, including Joanne Daniels-Finegold (front, center), pose for a photo as the MBTA transitioned to a new phase of compliance monitoring with the disability upgrades settlement that emerged from the 2002 lawsuit (Will Katcher/MassLive) What the T accomplished The settlement created a Department of System-Wide Accessibility within the T, which oversees accessibility standards on the bus, subway, ferry and commuter rail and reviews all construction projects for compliance. When the lawsuit was filed, disabled riders could not rely on the elevators at T stations. In 2005, elevators were running 94% of the time, a rate that Brelsford said hid how often broken elevators disrupted disabled riders travel. Thats like an A-minus, she said. But while many elevators were operational, those at some of the most-trafficked stations were out more often than they were running. A disabled rider relying on perhaps a half-dozen elevators over the course of their commute was likely to encounter one that was broken. The elevator service was reliably unreliable, Brelsford said. It was essentially unusable. Since 2006, the T has added 105 new elevators across its system, with dozens more on the way. By 2008, elevators were running 99.5% of the time, a level that remained until COVID-19-related disruptions to the supply chain for replacement parts. In 2005, bus operators denied service to disabled riders 11% of the time. By 2023, the number was under 0.5%. Riders with disabilities were prevented from boarding buses due to broken lifts or ramps 19% of the time, a rate that has since been cut to roughly zero, according to the T. Wheeled mobility devices were not being secured on buses using four straps 91% of the time in 2005. By 2023, that was happening on 6% of rides. In 2005, 15% of destination signs were missing or incorrect. Just over 1% were as of 2023. We are truly a fundamentally different agency than we were, Brelsford said. The majority of the T system is now accessible, including the entire Red, Orange and Silver Lines and the ferry network. Almost all of the Blue Line is accessible, and accessibility upgrades are ongoing across the Green Line and Commuter Rail. The T is also cracking down on cars parked in bus stops, which can prevent disabled riders from safely and easily boarding the buses, by installing automated ticketing cameras on public buses. Officials said they would provide an upgrade on the new ticketing program in January. Retired Superior Court Judge Patrick King has served as the court-appointed monitor of the Ts compliance since the settlement agreement was enacted. Under a next generation agreement between the plaintiffs and the MBTA, the citizen-led Riders Transportation Access Group, or RTAG, will take over oversight of the agreement from King. The remaining work to meet full compliance includes constructing a fully accessible connection between the Red and Orange Lines at Downtown Crossing, implementing disability training for police officers and formally codifying a range of internal accessibility design guidelines. MBTA General Manager and interim Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng pledged that the T would continue its accessibility upgrades. We will never exhale, he said at Wednesdays public meeting, held in the State Transportation Building in Boston. Ahead of the meeting, the room was filled with T officials and the plaintiffs supporters. Some attendees entered in wheelchairs or powerchairs, carrying canes or holding the arm of aides. The conclusion of Kings responsibilities was bittersweet, he said with an emotion-laden voice. He was pleased with the progress that had been made, but saddened to be ending his work with the group of people who had pushed the Ts accessibility standards forward. Many in the room, plaintiffs in the case and transit officials alike, stood in applause as the judge concluded his remarks. This is a Massachusetts thing, where you have a group of activists in union with the leadership, said Bill Henning, the executive director at the Boston Center for Independent Living, whose organization was a plaintiff in the lawsuit. He urged those in the room to continue their commitment to fulfilling the lawsuits goals. So did Pusch, the Boston resident who uses a powerchair. Even the best-intentioned programs can lose the scrutiny that a lawsuit demands, he said. But Pusch was adamant: The T has done a very good job. SPRINGFIELD An Australian company, Durra Panel, that makes fire resistant and noise-dampening wall and ceiling panels out of compressed straw is eyeing Springfield for manufacturing. The company has a Boston office and has met with Mayor Dominic J. Sarno and Chief Development Officer Timothy T. Sheehan. Sheehan said company officials plan to visit Springfield and scout for sites for a potential factory. But the process is in its very early stages and all is preliminary, Sheehan said. No one from Durra Panels headquarters returned emails Wednesday. On its website, Durra Panel touts its products as being the result of eight decades of research originating in Sweden. Durra Panel says its manufacturing process activates the natural lignin in the straw and allows it bind together without the use of glues of adhesives. Durra Panel currently tells potential customers it ships to the United States from its factory in the Australian state of Victoria. After a 10-day winning streak from a Mohegan Sun Online Casino player, the Connecticut resident won $1.3 million. The Connecticut casino called it extraordinary. The player won the money off of multiple slot machines in November. But the largest wins came from Aristocrats game Mo Mummy Mighty Pyramid, one of several new Aristocrat games added to the online platform in November. Mohegan Digital is a real money online casino experience for residents of and visitors to Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Ontario, Canada. Players can access slot machines and table games. ... we bring real casino action to your fingertips, the website states. Overall, there are about 4,000 slot machines and more than 300 table games at the in-person Connecticut casino. There are two areas, Casino of the Sky and Casino of the Earth, that offer slot machines. Players must be 21 years or older. In July, a New Hampshire couple walked away with a six-figure jackpot prize after betting $20 at Mohegan Sun. The couple, identified as Samantha L. and Thomas S., were playing the slot machine game Huff N Even More Puff by Light & Wonder in Mohegan Suns Casino of the Sky when they won the jackpot. The prize was worth $131,186.64. And about a week before, one of the largest jackpots ever won at Mohegan Sun was hit. While playing on a Spanish 21 table in Casino of the Earth on July 9, the player made an optional $5 Bonus Spin Xtreme side bet. The bet ended in Triple Diamonds, which landed them the $2,018,742.30 jackpot. Not only is this the biggest jackpot win at Mohegan Sun in 2025, but it also ranks among the top five largest table game payouts ever at Mohegan Sun, a press release from the casino stated. Earlier this year, Mohegan Sun became the best place in the country to play slots, according to USA Today. Experts narrowed down the list from over 1,000 casinos across the country to the top 20. In the list, Mohegan Sun was included. Then the public had a chance to vote on their favorite. These 20 casinos, nominated by a panel of experts, stand out for their exceptional slot offerings. From classic reels and video slots to cutting-edge machines with progressive jackpots, these casinos expansive selections are sure to keep the excitement going. High payout rates, enticing bonuses like free spins, and vibrant, comfortable slots floors make each of these casinos a must-visit for anyone who loves to play, USA Today wrote. Mohegan Sun also placed second for best casino hotel and second for best casino outside Las Vegas. For those who need help with responsible gaming, call the helpline at 1-800-327-5050 or go to GameSenseMA.com or ccpg.org. SUDBURY You know the phrase, a kid in a candy store? Duck Soup does a public service in taking the age restriction off that feeling. The quirky general store in Sudbury is not just a candy shop. Its a candy factory, gift shop, bakery, cheesemonger, liquor store, toy store and kitchen that hosts cooking classes. Duck Soups hot sauce wall is the stuff of legend. They have imported snacks broken down by country of origin. Not only does the store sell penny candy by weight. They sell a variety of spices by weight. Heck, Duck Soup even has its own proprietary blend of whole-bean coffee. Walking into a quirky general store to poke around and see whats inside is a great feeling. But a lot of times, a thought starts to creep in of, Oh, I can get all this stuff online, probably for cheaper. Duck Soup in Sudbury has a little too much magic to run into that problem. Thats thanks to Louise Mawhinney, whos made a habit of stocking her shelves with hard-to-find treasures. A look around Duck Soup in Sudbury. (Nick O'Malley/MassLive) See something cool? You might not find it anywhere else Recently, Mawhinney has been buzzing about some of her new acquisitions, including a soft French cheese called Explorateur and some hard-to-find Kansas City BBQ. She says that if no one buys the burnt ends in the freezer, shes getting them for herself. Mawhinney, who moved here from Scotland in the 80s, has a prominent display of bath, body and home products from Arran Sense of Scotland. She had to reach out to the company directly through a contact. But now shes one of the few brick-and-mortar locations that carries those products. Duck Soup is also the primary retailer for Goodnow Farms Chocolate, one of the most decorated chocolate makers in the country. No one else has a wider inventory of their products in stock. Not only is she helping companies do business, Mawhinney is also responsible for keeping some brands alive. That includes Duck Soup itself. The store, which opened in 1971, was on course to close for good in 2014 when the previous owners looked to retire. Instead, Mawhinney stepped in to acquire the store, which she now runs with her son, Frank. Three years later, Duck Soup acquired Kiff, a company that makes crunchy South Africa-inspired baked goods. Then, in 2018, Mawhinney made headlines when she helped keep a beloved Massachusetts candy bar alive. A Sky Bar, produced at Duck Soup in Sudbury. (Nick O'Malley/MassLive) The return of the Sky Bar The Sky Bar is a chocolate bar with four separate fillings (caramel, vanilla, peanut butter and fudge) that was introduced in 1938. When the candy bars Massachusetts-based manufacturer, Necco, went out of business in 2018, Mawhinney stepped in to buy the recipes and intellectual property. It took some tinkering with recipes and the construction of a custom machine for piping out the bars, but Duck Soup is now the sole manufacturer of the Sky Bar. Mawhinney says that Necco had made some changes to its recipes over the years, going for cheaper ingredients and processes when business was dwindling. Mawhinney is only making the good stuff. The Sky Bars at Duck Soup are produced using the older recipes for each of the fillings, which are made in-house. Meanwhile, Mawhinney insists on using higher-quality chocolate, loading the space with boxes of Belgian chocolate from Callebaut. Now, Sky Bar essentially operates as a separate company out of Duck Soups Route 20 location, complete with its own little wing. Away from the main general store is a gift shop that focuses on toys, specialty sodas, vintage candies and Sky Bar merchandise. If youre lucky, you can even see staff at Duck Soup making Sky Bars through a window into the small-but-efficient production facility in the back corner. A look around Duck Soup in Sudbury. (Nick O'Malley/MassLive) A sense of wonder for all ages Behind the counter at Duck Soup, theres a wall of penny candy for sale. Mawhinney says she loves watching kids budget their allowances to pick out the perfect assortment of candy to purchase. Just to the left, youll spot another wall full of jars. This one is full of spices that are sold by weight. Its not quite as whimsical as the candy wall. But its a handy resource for shoppers who only want a little bit of a certain product. For example, if you have a recipe for ground sumac, Hungarian paprika or goji berries, you dont need to waste money on a whole container of it. Something youll find yourself saying again while walking around Duck Soup is, Oh wow, I need that. It can be something practical like whole nutmeg, a paring knife or cheesecloth. It can also be something that can brighten your day, like stollen (a German Christmas bread), chocolate lava cake-style British pudding or peaches & cream liqueur thats perfect for eggnog. Past the counter, you may notice that Duck Soup has a giant kitchen area. Thats where staff preps the frozen take-and-bake baguettes available at the counter as well as the Kiff baked goods. Its also where Duck Soup hosts a variety of events, which range from tastings to cooking classes. One day, the store will be hosting a whiskey tasting or giving out samples of wine. The next, there could be a class on how to make your own pasta or cannoli. You can check out the full list of events on the Duck Soup website. What to know when visiting Duck Soup Check them out: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Events Page Where are they located? - Duck Soup is located in the Mill Village Shopping Center plaza. We recommend parking out back and using the rear entrance. The address is: 365 Boston Post Road #106, Sudbury, Massachusetts, 01776. Whats the parking situation? - There is ample free parking at the Mill Village Shopping Center plaza When are they open? - Here are the business hours at the time of writing: If you saw engagement announcement from Zendaya and Robert Pattinson posted in The Boston Globe Tuesday, just know it wasnt real. The announcement was a stunt used to promote the duos upcoming film The Drama, which will be released on April 3, 2026. On Monday, editors on The Boston Globes Living/Arts team received an unusual request: Would we mind holding our daily TV Critics Corner column so an ad could run in that space in print, right next to the Love Letters (@loveletters_globe) romance advice column?, the news outlet wrote in an Instagram post. The ad in question turned out to be a mock engagement announcement for the characters Robert Pattinson and Zendaya play in the upcoming A24 movie The Drama. The announcement, which featured a photo of Zendaya sporting an engagement ring, sparked some online chatter, with X users leaving comments on one post including Boston Globe out here dropping plot twists like HBO, Very cute marketing and Thats well played. It was later determined that the picture was the first official poster for The Drama. Directed and written by Kristoffer Borgli, The Drama was filmed in and around Boston last year. The movie, produced by A24 follows a happily engaged couple who are put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails, according to a description on IMDb. The Drama also stars Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates and Zoe Winters. The films official trailer dropped Wednesday, so it made sense for the stars to post a mock engagement a day before to help build some excitement around the project. You can watch the trailer for The Drama below: Plans for The Drama were revealed in August, as first reported by The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. Pattinson, who portrays English museum director Charlie Thompson in the movie, was seen filming on High Street in the Financial District on Oct. 31, 2024. The actor arrived in Boston the day before, Just Jared reported. A TikTok captured Pattinson at Philips Academy in Andover that same day. Phillips spokesperson Tracy Sweet told Andover News that a film crew was on campus, but could not provide more information at the time. Zendaya, who plays Thompsons fiancee Emma Harwood, was also spotted on Philip Academys campus earlier that week as well as at the Tatte in Beacon Hill. Her real-life fiance, fellow actor Tom Holland, later visited Zendaya and the couple were spotted while walking their dog around Back Bay in Boston. When Gem Mutlu left Brian and Ana Walshes home around 1 or 1:30 on the morning of Jan. 1, 2023, there was no indication that anything was awry. Mutlu spent New Years Eve with the couple in Cohasset, describing it as a joyful, happy atmosphere. Thats why three days later, when Brian Walshe told Mutlu he hadnt heard from his wife in days, he was perplexed. I didnt understand how Ana could be missing and how we didnt know about this since the 1st of the year, Mutlu testified Wednesday morning in Walshes murder trial. Mutlu is the last person other than Brian Walshe to see Ana Walshe alive. Brian Walshe is accused of killing his wife in the hours after Mutlu departed the home, then dismembering her remains and disposing of her body at dumpsters across the state. On the stand Wednesday, Mutlu told jurors he grew close to Brian and Ana Walshe after meeting Brian Walshe at a leadership academy in 2020. Eventually, he hired Ana Walshe to work for his company as a director of operations a role he described as his right-hand. Much of Mutlus testimony on Wednesday centered on a phone conversation he had with Ana Walshe on Dec. 29, 2022. Both prosecutors and Walshes defense conducted a brief voir dire of Mutlu Wednesday morning questioning him about his recollection of that phone call without the jury present. On direct examination from prosecutor Greg Connor, he said he recalled Ana Walshe told him she was seeking counseling for all the issues in her life, including marital issues. He said the toll of travelling back and forth to Washington, D.C and not spending time with her children was wearing on Ana Walshe, and her husbands inability to leave Massachusetts was a huge burden on her psyche. Police continue looking for missing Cohasset woman Ana Walshe. Judge Diane Freniere deemed those recollections admissible as evidence. But defense attorney Kelli Porges said she would object if Mutlu began describing marital issues between the couple. Thats exactly what played out with jurors in the room. I dont remember the specific words that were spoken after three years, I will tell you that she said that at the time they were having marital problems, Mutlu said. But at almost the same time he completed his answer, Porges stood to object and Freniere struck the response. Connor tried a different approach. What did she tell you as far as travelling back and forth? he asked. That it was taking a toll on her, that ... as a mother not seeing her children Mutlu began to answer. But Porges again rose to object and asked to be heard at sidebar. Sir, what did she say about not seeing the children? connor asked after the conversation away from the jury. Mutlu said it was difficult for her. That answer wasnt objected to. Brian Walshe attends his trial in connection with the death of his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP The questions eventually turned to New Years Eve. Mutlu said he arrived in Cohasset around 8:30 p.m. He appeared to become emotional as he recounted Ana Walshe coming running out of the home to greet him. The trio settled into the kitchen, with Brian Walshe cooking and Mutlu seated next to Ana Walshe at the kitchen island. He described the mood as festive, adding Ana Walshe was very happy to see me. Eventually, the Walshes oldest son, who was 6 at the time, came downstairs. Mutlu again became emotional as he described the boy running up to him and telling him he had missed him. The boy gave Mutlu a necklace that night. Around the same time, Ana Walshe suggested she and Mutlu take a photo to send to a mutual friend William Fastow. Ana Walshe was having an affair with Fastow at the time, but Mutlu said he didnt know the extent of their relationship. William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, is questioned by the prosecution during Brian Walshe's trial for murdering his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) AP The trio drank wine and champagne throughout the night, each signing the box the champage came in. Jurors got to see the messages left on the box Ana Walshe wrote, lets make 2023 the best [year] yet. We are the authors of our lives. Courage, love, perseverance and joy. Her husbands messgae was shorter, writing, Gem Ana Brian NYE 2023! To the best triumvirate ever. Love, Brian. Mutlu added, no place Id rather be but here, new years eve 2022. Mutlu eventually left the home around 1 ot 1:30 a.m. At the time, there was no mention of a work emergency for Ana Walshe that would have required her to go back to Washington, D.C., he said. In the following days, Mutlu texted with Brian Walshe, thanking him for the dinner and sharing a photo of him wearing the necklace. It wasnt until Jan. 4 that Brian Walshe called Mutlu to ask if he had heard from Ana Walshe. Mutlu recalled being on the beach in Nahant around mid-morning when he got the call from Brian Walshe, who he described as even-keeled. His tone was not panicked, Mutlu said. On cross-examination, Porges, the defense lawyer, drilled down into the nature of Multus relationship to Ana Walshe. The pair became close quickly, with Ana Walshe regularly spending time at Mutlus South End home. During that time, Multu testified, Brian Walshe never complained about how much time they were spending together. He supported her career, Porges suggested. He was proud of her? Multu agreed. At one point, Porges suggested to Mutlu, Ana Walshe confessed to him that she had developed a crush on him. Mutlu disputed the characterization, saying, I dont recall Ana telling me she had a crush on me. Still, he described her as a confidante and one of the sisters I never had. She was an exceptional human being, he said. Porges pressed Mutlu on what he knew about the state of the couples marriage. She emphasized that Mutlu had separate relationships with both Brian and Ana Walshe. Mutlu agreed that he never saw them argue, adding he always thought there was a lot of love between them and that she was very much in love with Brian. Police continue looking for missing Cohasset woman Ana Walshe. Walshe and her husband, Brian, pose for a photo. Testimony in the case continued Wednesday afternoon with Alissa Kirby, a friend of Ana Walshes from Washington, D.C. Then prosecutors rested their case. The case now moves to Walshes defense. His attorneys listed just eight people as potential witnesses before the trial began, making it unlikely their presentation will go as long as the governments. Still, it appears as though Walshe may take the stand in his own defense. The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is planning to invest more than $6 billion in a new manufacturing facility that is expected to bring 3,450 manufacturing and construction jobs. The facility is being built in Huntsville, Alabama, the company announced in a statement on Dec. 9, and will produce small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines. Some of our biggest medicines will come here, Lilly CEO David A. Ricks said in Huntsville according to Business Alabama. Those are GLP-1 weight-loss medications that are also being studied in all manner of other diseases heart disease, inflammation and even brain diseases, addiction These drugs are transforming not just metabolic conditions, but so many others, and well export those around the world. Well make them here and ship them to the plant. The company intends on bringing 450 jobs to Huntsville, including engineers, scientists, operations personnel and lab technicians. Construction, which is set to begin in 2026, is anticipated to generate 3,000 construction jobs while the facility is being built. Eli Lilly predicts that construction will be completed in 2032. Huntsvilles track record of science and innovation, supported by advanced manufacturing expertise and a skilled workforce, makes Alabama an ideal location for Lilly to expand domestic manufacturing capacity for nextgeneration medicines, Eli Lilly Chair and CEO David Ricks said in a statement. Todays investment continues the onshoring of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, strengthening supply chain resilience and reliable access to medicines for patients in the U.S. In a statement, Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey called the estimated $6 billion project the largest initial investment in our states history adding that we will ensure this great company achieves their mission of improving the health and well-being of people all across the country and globe. Huntsvilles site was picked after Eli Lilly was considering some 300 proposals from around the country, the statement reads. Earlier this year, Eli Lilly announced plans to bolster its domestic medicine production and revealed plans to build sites in Texas and Virginia while expanding an existing manufacturing site in Puerto Rico. Another U.S. location will be announced in the coming weeks, the company said. A federal lawsuit against national chain CVS Pharmacy, Inc. has ended with a $37.76 million settlement after the company admitted it over-dispensed insulin pens and improperly billed government health programs. Between 2010 and 2020, prosecutors said CVS repeatedly filled insulin prescriptions before patients needed them, supplied more pens than prescribed and under-reported how many days the insulin would last all to get early reimbursements from programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York filed suit against CVS charging that this practice violated the False Claim Act. A $37.7 million settlement was reached Dec. 2. The Government alleges that CVS improperly requested and received GHP reimbursement for premature refills, dispensed more insulin pens than patients needed according to their prescriptions, and falsely under-reported the days-of-supply of insulin that its pharmacies dispensed, the settlement states. Of the $37.7 million, more than $24 million will be paid to the United States and the remainder will be paid to various states. As part of the settlement, CVS also admitted and accepted responsibility for certain conduct alleged by the Government in its complaint, including that GHPs paid CVS substantial amounts for insulin pen refills that were ineligible for reimbursement and CVS pharmacies dispensed more insulin to GHP beneficiaries than they needed, the settlement announcement reads. U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the company engaged in a decade-long practice of refilling insulin prescriptions too early and improperly billing government healthcare programs for more than patients needed. He added the settlement underscores the governments determination to enforce rules that protect taxpayer-funded healthcare. These programs rely on pharmacies to follow appropriate refill schedules and to accurately report the amount of medicine dispensed, which CVS pharmacies frequently failed to do, he said. The state is launching a design contest to encourage the construction of accessory dwelling units and increase the housing supply across Massachusetts. Winning designs will be made available online so any property owner can use them to construct their own accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, reducing the time and cost involved with the design process. A lot of homeowners still dont know, whats the first step? What do I do to get this process started? Will it fit on my land? How does the water and sewer work? Where do I go first? said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus on Wednesday. This program is designed to demystify that process, make it easy, make it accessible for everyone to evaluate whether this option makes sense for them and their families. ADUs, sometimes known as granny flats or in-law apartments are smaller homes constructed on the same property as an existing residence. They may be a free-standing structure or attached to the primary home, as an addition or constructed within an existing garage, basement or ohter space. Earlier this year, a new state law went into effect that allowed ADUs to be built nearly everywhere that housing is permitted statewide, without property owners having to apply for special permits or zoning variances. In the first six months after the law went into effect, cities and towns received almost 900 applications to built ADUs, according to the state. Lexington residents Mark and Linda Adler are the owners of one of those ADUs. The Adlers designed and built a detached ADU next to their house, complete with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full-size kitchen, spacious living room and single-car garage. The process took only about four months, they said, after which they moved in, allowing their adult daughter and her two children to live in the primary house, just steps from their door. Linda Adler said she was worried the house would be cramped, but they have been very happy with both the space and the ability to help out with their grandchildren every day. Mark Adler joked that neighbors on their quiet street were jealous of the setup. Over time, there are more and more three-generation households in our neighborhood, he said. We sort of feel like trailblazers. And I think all these new initiatives will help even more people be able to follow the path that we took. The contest challenges architects and designers to submit replicable, high-quality ADU prototypes that homeowners and builders can use as a basis for their own project. State officials hope the designs will also streamline the permitting process for ADUs by ensuring that designs are compliant with building codes from the start. The first, second and third place designs will win a prize of $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, with funds coming from the Eastern Bank Foundation, the Boston Foundation, the architectural industry group AIA Massachusetts and Massachusetts Housing Partnership. Exceptional submissions in each of five categories compact ADUs, standard ADUs, sustainable ADUs, accessible ADUs, and innovative construction will win $3,000, and Massachusetts residents will also have the chance to vote on a peoples choice award. In addition to the contest, the Healey administration announced two new financial programs to support people seeking to build an ADU. The first, which will be developed and administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, will provide incentives to promote ADU construction through the pre-development and construction processes. Massachusetts Housing Partnership estimated that the program, expected to launch in the spring, will spur the creation of hundreds of ADUs in its first two years. It will also use information and data from the program to identify other barriers to their construction to inform future policy. The second program will be a reduced-rate construction loan offered by MassHousing to help homeowners finance new ADUs, offering up to $250,000 for detached and $150,000 for attached ADUs. The initiative will be targeted at low- to moderate-income homeowners who may not have access to home equity financing and is expected to begin accepting applications in January. The ADU Design Challenge will open on Monday, Dec. 15, and accept submissions through the end of February at mass.gov/aduchallenge. Whats happening with ADUs in Boston? In November 2024, the city of Boston released an ADU Guidebook that, like the new design contest, provides sample designs that property owners can use for their own construction projects. Unlike the rest of the state, the new law allowing ADUs by right does not apply in Boston, which is exempted from the state zoning code. The city is working to incorporate ADUs into its zoning as part of a larger overhaul of the zoning code. In the meantime, city officials said the ADU Guidebook would make it easier for homeowners to make it through the permitting process. This Guidebook is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to add another unit to their home, and we hope it will inspire people to see ADUs as an expedient and unique way to add to our housing stock, Chief of Planning Kairos Shen said at the time. I look forward to working with the community on new complementary zoning that will make the process of adding an ADU more flexible and affordable. So far, zoning allowing ADUs by right has only been passed in Mattapan, according to the Planning Department website. At the same time that the city published the ADU Guidebook, it also launched a financial assistance program that offers grants and loans for homeowners to help with the cost of designing, permitting and building an ADU. A Lynn man accused of preying on women who lost their jobs or homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in federal court on Tuesday, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Anthony Coleman, 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of benefitting financially from trafficking and one count of knowingly persuading and coercing a person to travel to engage in prostitution, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. In March 2020, Coleman recruited a woman who had lost her job as a result of the pandemic to join the sex trade and work for him, the U.S. Attorneys office said. The woman typically serviced 10 to 16 clients per day, but Coleman took all the profits. Coleman traveled to Florida with the woman to engage in commercial sex multiple times, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He also physically abused her, and on one occasion, held her underwater and threatened to drown her. Within weeks of recruiting his first victim, Coleman convinced a second woman who had recently been kicked out of her home to join the sex trade and work for him, the U.S. Attorneys office said. The womans relative had insisted she move out following disagreements about pandemic safety practices, and she struggled to find a job due to the number of businesses that had closed. In May 2020, Coleman persuaded the woman to travel to California with him to engage in commercial sex, the U.S. Attorneys office said. When the woman told him she wanted to leave, he threatened to harm her family members. From March to August 2020, Coleman posted commercial sex ads for the women online, provided them with scripts for negotiating payment with buyers and traveled with the women to hotels and other locations where they were to engage in commercial sex, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He also arranged for both women to move in with him in a house in Lawrence, required that they give him all the money they made and regularly coerced them into having sex with him. A federal grand jury indicted Coleman on the charges in April 2024, and he has been in custody since that time, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He is set to be sentenced on March 11, 2026, and faces up to life in prison, 13 years of supervised release and $750,000 in fines on the charges. Medford school officials have decided to cancel school at one of the citys elementary schools on Thursday after over 130 of the schools students were absent on Wednesday. Local and state health officials suspect the absences at Roberts Elementary School are due to an outbreak of Norovirus, as many of the schools students and staff have reported having upset stomachs, school administrators wrote in a letter to families. City and school officials decided to close the school, which serves approximately 530 students in grades pre-K through 5, to take action to stop the spread of the highly contagious virus. The closure of the Roberts Elementary School tomorrow will allow for a professional company to deep clean the school, the letter reads. Out of an abundance of caution, the Medford Board of Health is also examining Roberts cafeteria equipment to rule out any other potential causes. All other Medford schools will open as normal on Thursday, school officials said. If you or your child is experiencing Norovirus symptoms, the Board of Health and MPS Health Services recommend that all students and staff should wait 24 hours after experiencing vomit-like symptoms before returning to school, the letter reads. A make-up day for Roberts Elementary School will be scheduled later in the year, school officials said. Information about the make-up day will be shared with families at a later date. A Massachusetts woman died in a car crash with a stopped tractor-trailer on I-95 in Maine Monday afternoon, according to Maine State Police. Needham, resident Janice Goldsmith was driving a 2014 Toyota sedan south on the Maine Turnpike in York when her car struck the back of a tractor-trailer that had stopped in the breakdown lane, Maine State Police said in a Tuesday press release. State troopers responded to the crash shortly before 3:15 p.m., State Police said. First responders declared Goldsmith dead at the scene. The preliminary investigation into the crash indicates that the tractor-trailer had stopped as a result of a mechanical malfunction, State Police said. The tractor-trailer driver placed reflective warning triangles around the truck as required by law prior to the crash. Troopers are still investigating what caused Goldsmiths car to crash into the tractor-trailer, State Police said. No further information has been released. Roderick Rory Macleod, a New England musician who once played in a Grammy-nominated band, has died after he was struck by a driver in Rhode Island. He was 70. Macleod was walking his dogs near 42 Spring St. (Route 138) in Hopkinton when he was hit by vehicle driven by 41-year-old Shannon Godbout at around 7:21 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, police said in a statement. Godbout was driving east on Spring Street when she left her lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles, according to authorities. Macleod, who lived in Richmond, was brought to Rhode Island Hospital where he died. Godbout was arrested and is facing charges for driving as to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II with intent to distribute, third plus offense. Police said that Godbouts criminal history includes 100 arrests, with 8 of them from the Hopkinton Police Department. The department said that 82 warrants have previously been issued for Godbout, and that she has had 40 traffic citations. The incident remains under investigation by Hopkinton police with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police Accident Reconstruction Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Macleods family during this difficult time following this tragic incident, Hopkinton police wrote. Macleod was best known for playing bass with the group Roomful of Blues. The band was formed in Westerly, Rhode Island in 1967 and has garnered recognition for their blend of swing, rock and roll, jump blues, boogie-woogie and soul. Macleod played on Roomful of Blues Grammy-nominated 1988 album, Glazed, according to The Boston Globe. The bassist was also featured on the bands 1984 release, Dressed Up to Get Messed Up, and on the 1987album, Live at Lupos Heartbreak Hotel. Macloed was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of the Roomful of Blues, which posted about Macleods death on Facebook. Roomful of Blues would like to extend our deepest condolences to Rory Macleods family, friends and all of his fans, the group wrote. We would like to acknowledge his diverse musical contributions as well as being a wonderful and gentle soul. There are no words for such an immense loss. RIP dear friend. Ana Walshes remains have never been found. But a clue as to what may have happened to the 39-year-old woman came in the form of DNA samples pulled from items found in a Swampscott dumpster including a bloody hacksaw, a hatchet, blood-soaked towels, a Tyvek suit and a pair of grey slippers. Investigators also found DNA on blood stains in the basement of the Cohasset home she shared with her three children and her husband, Brian, who is accused of killing her, then dismembering her body and disposing of her remains at dumpsters across the state. On the seventh day of Brian Walshes murder trial Tuesday, prosecutors called to the stand roughly half a dozen forensic scientists at the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab who tested those items for DNA. The final of those witnesses, Saman Saleem, was by far the most crucial to their case. Saleem was the forensic scientist responsible for interpreting the data derived from the DNA samples in the case at the conclusion of a four-step process. A hacksaw, included in tools that are presented as evidence which all tested positive for blood, shown during the murder trial of Brian Walshe, of Cohasset, who is accused of killing his wife Ana Walshe in 2023, at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP On the stand, Saleem testified about the results from 15 samples, some of which came from the same item. She told jurors that Ana Walshe was a highly likely contributor to the DNA found in blood stains on a gray slipper, in the basement of the Cohasset home, on the blade of a hacksaw, on a towel, on the head of a hatchet, on a cut-up piece of rug and on the exterior left pant leg of a Tyvek suit. All of those items were recovered from trash bags found in a Swampscott dumpster near Brian Walshes mothers apartment. Brian Walshe was excluded as a contributor to the DNA found on any of the blood stains. The forensic scientists were able to cross reference the DNA samples to others investigators had collected from Brian and Ana Walshe years prior to her disappearance. FBI special agents obtained samples from the couple on May 9, 2018 when Brian Walshe was arrested on federal charges for selling fake Andy Warhol paintings. Those samples were brought to the Massachusetts State Police crime lab on Jan. 10, 2023. Ana Walshes DNA was also found on samples taken from the handles of the hatchet and hacksaw, as well as the interior of the slippers, the interior sleeves of the Tyvek suit and unknown tissue recovered from the dumpster. Its likely that Brian Walshe was also a contributor to DNA samples found on those items, Saleem told the jury. The final item Saleem examined DNA results for was a piece of tape with a stained piece of apparent gauze attached to it. Testing of the stain revealed that the DNA was 23 octillion times more likely to have originated from Brian Walshe than an unknown, unrelated individual. An octillion is the number 1 followed by 27 zeros. On cross-examination, defense attorney Larry Tipton highlighted what Saleem admitted during initial questioning: that there was no way for the scientists at the crime lab to determine how and when the DNA ended up on the items they tested. Based on all of your observations of the data and the results, you cant say how any of the biological material was deposited on any of the items? Tipton asked. Saleem said that was correct. Tipton also suggested to Saleem that the DNA she found on some of the items could have been transferred from other items while they were in a trash bag. If two items come into contact with each other, theres a possibility of transfer, correct? Tipton asked. Saleem said that was right. But she was less definitive when Tipton asked whether that would be the case if the items had been compressed together alluding to the fact that some of the items were found in a trash compactor. On cross-examination, Saleem also confirmed that the crime lab could not determine in any case what type of cells the DNA came from. Even if you got a full profile from a stain, you still dont know if it came from skin or blood? Tipton asked. Saleem said he was right. After Saleem completed her testimony, prosecutors called a keeper of records for HomeGoods, who authenticated surveillance video of Brian Walshe visiting a HomeGoods in Norwell on Jan. 2, 2023 and Jan. 4, 2023. Those videos further develop that Brian Walshe spent many of the days after his wife died shopping prosecutors have already introduced surveillance videos of him at Lowes, CVS and Walgreens, among other stores. Prosecutors are expected to call a key witness Wednesday morning: Gem Mutlu, Ana Walshes former boss and the last person other than her husband to see her alive. Brian Walshe is accused of killing Ana Walshe inside their Cohasset home in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2023, then dismembering her body and disposing of her remains at dumpsters across the state. Before the trial started, Walshe pleaded guilty to two charges, admitting that he moved his wifes body and misled the police investigation into her disappearance. During opening statements, his defense claimed Ana Walshe died a sudden, unexplained death. One of the last people to see Ana Walshe alive is expected to take the stand Wednesday morning in her husbands murder trial. Gem Mutlu, who spent New Years Eve with Brian and Ana Walshe at their Cohasset home, is the next witness likely to be called by prosecutors. Mutlu could be seen waiting to testify outside the Dedham courtroom where the trial is taking place on Tuesday afternoon. Mutlu departed the Walshe home around 1 or 1:30 in the morning on New Years Day. Ana Walshe has not been seen alive by anyone other than her husband since then. Ana Walshe worked for Mutlu before taking a job at Tishman Speyer in Washington, D.C. Wednesday marks the eighth day of testimony in Brian Walshes murder trial. He is accused of killing Ana Walshe in their home on the early morning of New Years Day, then dismembering her body and disposing of her remains at dumpsters across the state. Walshes defense has said Ana Walshe died a sudden, unexplained death of natural causes and that he panicked after finding her dead. Before the trial started, Walshe pleaded guilty to two charges, admitting that he moved his wifes body and misled the police investigation into her disappearance. Judge Diane Freniere told jurors at the end of the day Tuesday that the evidence on Wednesday may end before their usual 4 p.m. dismissal time. The trial is expected to last another week and a half. The states child welfare system failed 4-year-old Azella Ortiz and her siblings, according to a scathing report released Wednesday by the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). It found that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) missed warning signs and closed its case a year before the Worcester girl was killed. The OCA stated the Ortiz family had been served by DCF between 2018 and 2023 for a total of three years and eight months due to findings of neglect of Azella and her two siblings. In that time, DCF failed to reassess the childrens chronic neglect and missed warning signs in the children, like untreated developmental delays as two of the children were nonverbal. There were also several missed pediatric and specialist visits, the report found. The children did not receive enough food and were isolated from other children their age, the report said, while ongoing substance abuse by parents was documented but not addressed properly. During DCFs involvement with the family there was an increase in risk to the children, the report read. Although the ultimate tragic outcome of this case is rare, in other ways this case is like the vast majority of DCF cases. Despite a lack of improvement, the agency did not adjust its approach with the family and closed the case after 114 days without seeing the children, the report found. This was based on incorrect information that the family had moved to New York. A statement from DCF on Wednesday morning read, The death of any child is devastating. We are heartbroken by the loss of Azella, and we appreciate the Office of the Child Advocates examination of this case. DCF is committed to doing everything we can to enhance safety for children. We will address the concerns raised by the OCA, including reviewing our policy when we are considering closing a case, assessing training needs, and providing clearer guidance on assessing families for risk factors commonly associated with child abuse and neglect, the statement read. Azella died on Oct. 15, 2024 after police were called to her home for reports of a child who was unresponsive after falling on the floor. Ryan Mancini/MassLive. Ryan Mancini Her father, Francisco Ortiz, 34, told officers she fell off a kitchen table. Despite life-saving measures at the scene by officers and paramedics, she was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Police said the girl had multiple bruises, which Ortiz claimed were from falling after climbing on a chair and table. Two other children in the home were also found with numerous bruises and appeared malnourished and dehydrated, according to court documents. Francisco Ortiz has been charged with murder in connection with her death. He also faces three counts of reckless endangerment of a child, three counts of permitting injury to a child and one count of improper storage of a firearm. He was arrested on Oct. 15, 2024, and arraigned two days later. In June, he was indicted and his case moved to Superior Court. A motion hearing is scheduled for Dec. 17 in the case. In its conclusion, the OCA report listed out sweeping recommendations for DCF such as clearer policies around closing cases, mandatory consultations with clinical specialists and stronger risk assessments that are child-centered. It also urged DCF to improve its training with an improved understanding of chronic neglect and create a system for quality help for families where children remain at home. During Ortizs dangerousness hearing in October, a prosecutor told a Worcester District Court judge that the girl had bruises across most of her body, including her left eye, left earlobe, chin, arms, upper chest, stomach and legs. She also had a severe skull fracture and other fractures on her body in various stages of healing. The skull fracture, the prosecutor said, was not consistent with a fall. This wasnt an isolated incident involving a singular person, the prosecutor said. The prosecutor also noted that one of Ortizs daughters is nonverbal and has trouble eating food. Another child had fentanyl in their system. Azella was remembered in her obituary as a happy little girl, who enjoyed running around playing with her siblings and building blocks. The report, however, noted that information about who Azella was is extremely limited. Azellas personality, interests, and life experiences are largely unknown to the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). The record does not tell us much about this precious little girl, the report states. Instead, a blank space is left in remembrance of her life, and to acknowledge her loss. A GoFundMe raised more than $3,000 that was sent directly to the funeral home to help pay for the services, Sarah Cook, the GoFundMe organizer, wrote. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, the obituary read. A stabbing at Boston Medical Center early Wednesday morning left one person with life-threatening injuries, according to police officials. Boston police received a report of a stabbing around 2 a.m. at 850 Harrison Avenue, the address for Boston Medical Center. The victim was able to self-transport to the hospital, according to a police spokesman. Homicide detectives responded to the scene. According to NBC10 Boston, the victim was a staff member at Boston Medical Center. The hospital is open and operating normally, a Boston Medical Center spokesman told NBC10 Boston. Boston Medical Center takes incidents such as these very seriously and the safety and well-being of our patients and staff are always our priority. Police said a suspect was taken into custody at the scene and transported to a local hospital. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning Americans about traveling to certain regions that are reportedly suffering from an outbreak of the untreatable mosquito-born viral disease, chikungunya. The travel alert, which was posted on Dec. 5, was issued for cases in Bangladesh, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Guangdong Province, China. The advisory encourages travelers to practice enhanced precautions while visiting these countries. Chikungunya disease is spread to humans through mosquito bites, according to the CDC. Outbreaks have occurred in several countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Most people infected with the virus develop some symptoms, which usually begin three to seven days after being bit by an infected mosquito. The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Some people can experience other symptoms such as a headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. The agency notes that most people improve within a week, however some people can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness. People who are at greater risk include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older) and people with medical conditions like diabetes or heart disease. While people rarely die from Chikungunya, there is no specific treatment for the disease. Therefore, the CDC recommends that travelers take the following precautions in order to keep themselves safe: The death of 4-year-old Azella Ortiz in Worcester is the latest in a string of tragedies that the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) says is part of repeated failures between child welfare agencies across state lines. Despite reforms after the deaths of Harmony Montgomery and David Almond, gaps in communication have continued to cost children their lives, according to reports on the cases from the OCA. While this investigation highlights the unique circumstances of Azella and her family, the OCA findings in this case mirror patterns identified in multiple other cases reviewed by the OCA, including investigations the OCA has released publicly, read a report from the OCA on the Ortiz family, released Wednesday morning. That section of the report included direct links to past OCA reports on the deaths of Harmony Montgomery and David Almond. Montgomery died in 2019 in New Hampshire from blunt-force head trauma from her father, while Almond died in 2020 in Fall River of starvation and severe neglect. Harmony Montgomery, shown at age 5, has not been seen since late 2019. (Manchester Police Department) In the case of Harmony Montgomery and prior to her placement with her father, Adam Montgomery, in New Hampshire in February 2019, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) case management team was not able to get updated information from her mothers service provider to send to New Hampshire. This caused the state to decline to request her Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), the formal process for placing a child over state lines with immediate oversight and safety checks. It left Harmony Montgomery without structured monitoring, her report read. Her father who would later kill Harmony also missed scheduled visits, did not engage meaningfully with caseworkers and went for long gaps without contact. Like in the case of Ortiz, DCF did not properly escalate concerns, work to improve conditions or verify the childs safety, the OCA report said. Similarly, for Almond, DCF did not initiate or enforce an ICPC when Almond returned from Florida to Massachusetts in March 2020 after spending 2013 to 2016 in foster care, just seven months before his death. This left no formal agreement in verifying his health between the state child welfare agencies and created gaps in monitoring Almonds wellbeing, the report said. Fourteen-year-old David Almond of Fall River, Massachusetts died on Oct. 21, 2020 after being found living in abhorrent conditions, according to authorities. He's remembered as a joyous, kind and dedicated kid, who loved his triplet brothers. (OCA) DCF closed its case on Azella Ortiz, 4, of Worcester, after nearly four years of service to the family and 114 days of agents not seeing Ortiz or her two siblings in-person, believing they had moved to New York, the OCA report read. Throughout service, the agency also did nothing to improve situations that involved the childrens obvious chronic neglect, untreated medical issues, starvation and isolation, nor ongoing parental substance abuse, OCA said. However, the Ortiz family had not moved to New York and DCF did little to confirm the childrens whereabouts. Azella died just less than one year after the case was closed. Her parents had told DCF the family was staying with the maternal grandmother in New York in July 2023 and would later return to Massachusetts, according to the report. Later that month, a report came to DCF that the children were left soiled for long periods of time and the home was in deplorable condition, but DCF screened it out because they believed the family had moved. The Ortiz family repeated to DCF that they were in New York in August but did not give an address for the grandmothers one that DCF had on file, but appeared to believe that they did not know, the report read. The family missed a scheduled video call to show the children and didnt respond again until the end of September to say they were in New York. By that point, it had been a month since their last contact and three months since workers had last seen the children. As employees believed the family was in New York, DCF prepared to close the case. But when DCF called New York child welfare officials, they only shared that the children were behind medically and were all prenatally exposed to marijuana nothing of the neglect the agency saw throughout the three years. With no in-person contact with the children for 114 days, DCF closed the case on Oct. 20, 2023, not knowing the family had returned to Worcester weeks prior and were living with the paternal grandmother. The OCA report concluded that DCF did not provide enough information to New York to register a report of concern, nor a complete address to New York as the agency seemed unaware they had a complete address on record which meant police could not do a well-being check on the children. OCA Senior Director of Policy & Implementation Melissa Threadgill stated that because the challenge in Ortizs specific case was the poor execution of DCF procedures, rather than with the procedures themselves, it did not make any recommendations for an updated interstate compact with New York. Threadgill was not aware of any ongoing conversations between DCF and New York, but noted that DCF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Hampshire related to the ICPC in response to recommendations made in the report on Harmony Montgomery. Ortizs death is not an isolated tragedy, the report said, but part of a broader pattern of failures in child protection. ... Neglect is not trivial, the report warned. Children in their homes can be at very high risk, and ... state intervention must be purposeful and as effective as possible. The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday. They can do it a very simple, direct, easy way or a very convoluted way. The simple way is to beat the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. That would clinch the AFC East title too and assure them of finishing no worse than the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. If the Patriots and Bills tie and either the Chargers or Jaguars lose, New England is in. If the Patriots tie and Houston or Indianapolis loses or ties, New England is guaranteed a postseason spot. Still there have been two ties in the same weekend, just once in the last 50 years. If the Bills win, the Patriots can lose and still sew up their postseason, but a tie is required there, too. New England would need Houston to lose or tie and Indy to lose or tie. But they cant both tie. Like the Patriots, the Broncos are 11-2. Denver hosts the Packers at 4:25 p.m. They cant clinch their division yet, but can secure a postseason berth with a win or a tie/loss with all of the same conditions as New England. In the NFC, the Rams can clinch a spot with a win. There are no other scenarios that earn anyone a spot. Immigrants and other people whose rights are violated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers would be allowed to sue them in federal court under a new proposal sponsored by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton. The bill, christened the National Oversight and Enforcement of Misconduct Act, or NOEM Act, appears to be a direct reference to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, who has championed the Trump White Houses hardline tactics as it prosecutes a widespread, and often violent, deportation campaign. Right now, if an ICE officer violates someones Fourth or Fifth Amendment rights, victims have almost no legal recourse, Moulton, D-6th District, said in a statement. The NOEM Act fixes that. ICE is not above the lawand if its officers break the law, they should be held accountable in court, the Salem lawmaker said. While immigration agents most frequently target migrants, American citizens, including bystanders and journalists, also have been impacted by the agencys tactics. As its currently written, the legislation would change a section of federal law that allows people to sue state and local officials for civil rights violations. Federal officials currently are exempt and avenues to sue are limited. The legislation would give people the specific right to sue people acting under federal immigration enforcement authority, Moultons office said in its statement. This simple, targeted amendment ensures that ICE and other federal immigration enforcement officers can be held liable in the same way as any state or local law enforcement officer when they violate a persons constitutional rights, Moultons office said in a statement. MassLive has reached out to ICE for comment on Moultons proposal. Last week, Moulton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 2026, visited an ICE field office in Burlington, Mass. There, he said, detainees were subjected to inhumane conditions where people slept on concrete floors or benches because there were no beds or mattress pads, WBUR-FM reported. At the time of his visit, 10 people were being held at the ICE outpost, down from 50 in June, the station reported. Although the humanitarian standards are inadequate and we dont want people stuck here for a long period of time," Moulton told reporters after his 90-minute visit. We want to give people adequate access to lawyers. The Trump Administration has proposed a new set of strict procedures that would mandate tourists and business travelers to provide their social media history from the past five years in order to enter the country. The proposal, which was recently posted on the Federal Register by U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP), would transform the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is used by citizens of 42 countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan and most of Europe to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a traditional visa. If implemented, the changes would make the collection of five years of applicants social media history mandatory, a response to an Executive Order aimed at enhancing national security vetting. This move will allow U.S. authorities to analyze the digital footprint of tourists and business travelers as part of their background check. In addition to social media, the proposal outlines plans to collect a host of what it calls high value data fields, including details like telephone numbers and emails used over the past five years, family members names and birth dates along with their birthplaces, residences and phone numbers over the prior five years. The CBP also announced plans to decommission the current ESTA website application, forcing all new travelers to apply exclusively through the official ESTA Mobile Application. The agency citied security vulnerabilities in the website, noting that poor-quality photo uploads have been used by bad actors to bypass facial comparison screening. Therefore, the proposal is offering a new approach where travelers will be mandated to take a selfie which the app will use with liveness detection software to confirm the traveler is a real person and biometrically match their face against the photo stored on the passports electronic chip. This selfie requirement will apply even if a third party, like a travel agent, submits the application, the CBP said. The proposal has been given a 60-day notice with requests for comments from the public. It has not been finalized and revisions are possible. This proposal comes shortly after the Trump Administration ordered an immediate pause on all immigration applications filed by people from several countries following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. in November. The freeze applies to a broad range of benefits, including applications for green cards and naturalization, for nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan Myanmar (Burma) Chad Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Haiti Iran Libya Somalia Sudan Yemen Burundi Cuba Laos Sierra Leone Togo Turkmenistan Venezuela The new policy will allow the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to reexamine green-card holders who are already residing in the U.S. as it reviews cases that were done under the Biden administration and indefinitely pauses asylum decisions. Were going back on all of these folks that have applied for asylum, people that would be traveling to this country, and looking at more information, what ... social media platforms they may have visited, the communications that they have, biometric information and data that we can collect from them, but also from their government too, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CNNs Kaitlan Collins last week. USCIS cited the shooting of two National Guard troops by a suspect who is an Afghan national as a reason for the new policy. One National Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died from her injuries, while another, Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically injured but is now slowly healing, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a Dec. 5 post shared on X. In light of identified concerns and the threat to the American people, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive re-review, potential interview, and re-interview of all aliens from high-risk countries of concern who entered the United States on or after January 20, 2021 is necessary, a statement shared on Dec. 2 reads. Lastly, USCIS may, when appropriate, extend this review and re-interview process to aliens who entered the United States outside of this timeframe. The hold will remain in place until USCIS Director Joseph Edlow decides to lift it, the memo states. The agency has given itself 90 days to create a prioritized list of cases for review and potential referral to immigration enforcement or other law enforcement agencies. President Donald Trump has attacked another female journalist during a White House press conference on Monday, PEOPLE reported. Trump took a shot at ABC News Rachel Scott after she asked the president about releasing the full video of the militarys strike on Venezuelan vessels accused of smuggling illegal drugs. You are the most obnoxious reporter in the whole place, Trump barked. Let me just tell you, you are an obnoxious a terrible reporter. And its always the same thing with you. I told you. Trump has previously engaged in verbal conflicts with female journalists reporting on his administration. Last week, the president publicly attacked CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins in a social media post, labeling her stupid and nasty after the journalists reporting on the escalating construction expenses for a ballroom project at the White House. Caitlin Collins of Fake News CNN, always Stupid and Nasty, asked me why the new Ballroom was costing more money than originally thought one year ago, Trump posted last Friday on Truth Social, misspelling Collinss first name. He went on to defend the price increase, stating the project was being expanded in size and upgraded with the highest level of finishes. Its just much bigger and more beautiful than originally planned, he added. Collins offered a brief, six-word rebuttal via an Instagram stories post that has since expired. She disputed the presidents characterization of the interview in question, clarifying that her actual line of questioning centered not on construction costs, but about Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. During the interview, after Collins raised the topics of boat strikes and Peace Prize, Trump responded by claiming, I can tell you, I did settle eight wars, and we have a ninth coming, but and which nobodys ever done before. But I want to really save lives. I dont need prizes. I need to save lives. And were saving a lot of lives. Ive saved millions and millions of lives, and thats really what I want to do. Collins countered the presidents recollection by writing on Instagram, Technically, my question was about Venezuela. CNN anchor Jake Tapper defended Collins while addressing Trumps statement on Truth Social. In a post on X, Tapper noted Trumps spelling error and said her questions were legitimate. Generally speaking if someone or something is irrelevant, the President doesnt talk about them, Tapper wrote. In November, the president attacked another correspondent, calling her piggy after she questioned him about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to CBS News. Later that month, Trump called New York Times reporter Katie Rogers ugly, both inside and out after she co-authored an article with the headline: Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office." Ahead of Christmas, the Red Sox appear to be shopping at high-end boutiques in the trade market at the Winter Meetings in Florida. According to a report in the Boston Globe, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is the latest former All-Star infielder that Craig Breslow has had discussions about this offseason. The 31-year-old, four-time All-Star with the Rangers and Dodgers, hit 21 home runs in 100 games last year. Seager has received MVP votes in five different seasons, including 2024. Seager is a two-time World Series winner and was named the MVP both times. He has 19 home runs in 78 career playoff games. He has a postseason slash line of .251/.347/.505 over seven seasons. Hes signed through 2031 as part of a 10-year, $325 million deal he signed with Texas. Seager joins other All-Star infielders previously tied to Boston in trade rumors, including: The Red Sox are expected to be active potential traders, both because of their deep farm system and starting pitching depth. Theyve also met with Mets slugger Pete Alonso in person at the Winter Meetings. Immigration officials in Burlington detained a Springfield man whose deportation from the country was paused last week by a federal judge, according to LUCE Immigrant Justice Network. Juan David Quichimbo Sumba was required to check in with immigration officials every week after a federal judge agreed to hear his case challenging his deportation order that came handwritten on a sticky note, his attorney said last week. This morning, Quichimbo Sumba walked into the check-in meeting with his attorney at his side, according to Leela Ramachadran, a LUCE volunteer. Outside the office, more than 100 people had gathered for a prayer vigil in support. A few minutes later, the attorney left the building crying, said Ramachadran. She was alone. LUCE said in a press release that immigration officials directed Quichimbo Sumba into a conference room. Shackles rested on the table as they told him to face the wall. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately answer questions about Quichimbo Sumbas detention. Last week, Judge George OToole, Jr. the judge assigned to hear Quichimbo Sumbas case, ordered immigration officials to give him 48 hours notice before moving Quichimbo Sumba outside the District of Massachusetts. Quichimbo Sumba is seeking a T visa, reserved for people who are the victims of human trafficking. He came to this country in 2021 from Ecuador. He was employed at a tent rental company that threatened him over his immigration status to keep him working long hours with little pay, he claimed. He had applied for asylum, but was denied because his attorney at the time failed to make the proper filings, LUCE and his current attorney have said. While his T visa application has been pending for months, immigration officials ordered him and his wife and daughter to self-deport. By ordering Juan Davids removal and detaining him, ICE is attempting to force him to abandon his pending legal case, invalidating the humanitarian protection Congress created for him, LUCE said in a statement. On the day before he was to leave the country, Quichimbo Sumba spoke to a group who had rallied in his support outside the federal courthouse in Springfield. U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded with a statement early Wednesday. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, we are once again implementing the rule of law and restoring order to our immigration system. Juan David Quichimbo Sumba is an illegal alien from Ecuador who illegally entered the U.S. via the southern border in July 2021. The Biden administration released him into the country, McLaughlin said in an email. He was issued a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2023, and despite this, he remained illegally in the U.S. All of his claims will be heard by immigration judge. If no credible claim is made, he will be subject to a swift deportation. Comments from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin have been added to this story. BURLINGTON Several dozen Western Massachusetts residents drove to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Burlington on Wednesday morning, rallying against what they describe as a surge in street detentions across Bay State communities. Joan Epstein, of the Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice of Western Massachusetts, told The Republican that she has participated in protests against the Trump administration and immigration policies nationwide, and felt it was crucial to draw attention to what is happening closer to home. An U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle is parked outside the field office in Burlington on Wednesday morning during a protest. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook The Burlington protest was originally organized by Laurie Berezin and her husband, Jared, who said they were shaken by news reports showing people being detained and separated from their families. Their outrage led them to launch an online group, Bearing Witness @ ICE, which provides food, water, and legal service numbers to detainees entering or leaving the ICE facility. For 34 consecutive Wednesdays, the Berezins have watched participation swell at the Burlington rallies, from fewer than 100 attendees early on to roughly 550 this week. On average, we have anything from 500 to 600 people turn up each week, Laurie Berezin said. WESTFIELD Residents of Scenic Road and Pheasant Drive, both listed as private ways, spoke at the City Council meeting on Dec. 4 in support of a resolution to take both roads by eminent domain in order to submit them for city street acceptance. Councilor Karen Fanion, chair of the Zoning, Planning and Development Subcommittee, said she has been working with the residents since 2024, and has petitions signed by all of the residents she was able to contact, plus four letters in favor of the taking by eminent domain. She said since ownership of some of the residences was in probate, the transfer could not be resolved without a friendly taking. She said both streets meet the qualifications for city streets. Opening the hearing to the public, Dorothy Lakoma of Pheasant Drive confirmed that she was in favor of the taking. Please take this off our hands. I was the first one to buy a lot and build there. I was under the impression this had been taken care of a long time ago. You dont have to give me the one dollar, she said. Also speaking in favor were Jules Hermele, Jason Polanski, Jeanine Deland and Kristine Hupfer, with Polanski adding that he hopes the city will put Scenic Road on the paving list when the transfer is complete. Hupfer said it was a surprise and shock to learn that the city didnt own the road. I dont think Ive ever been so excited for someone else to take over my property, she said. After the hearing was closed, Councilor Michael Burns thanked Fanion for her work in being able to complete the transfer through eminent domain. Ive done a couple of these. I wish I knew this before, Burns said. Councilor Brent Bean said over the last two decades that he has served on the council, the process has changed at least a dozen times. It is concerning to me that the process keeps changing. People are frustrated. Hopefully, this is the last time it changes, Bean said. The first reading of the motion to take the streets by eminent domain and for the order of the laying out of the streets as public ways passed unanimously, and a second reading was scheduled for the next City Council meeting. After the meeting, Fanion said the streets were part of a housing subdivision from the 1980s, and at the time, developers were not required to keep an interest in the properties after they were sold. Each homeowner owned to the center of the line of the road. Now, the developer retains the right of the easement of the road, so when its all done, only one signature the developers is required. They learned that in all these years, she said. Ive been working with Scenic and Pheasant since January, 2024. That was my first project, Fanion said, adding that she told the resident, even after the roads are accepted as public ways, they will have to get on a list for paving and wait their turn. She also met with them this summer to give them the information about the easier and less expansive way of taking the street by eminent domain. They were such a great group of residents to work with, Fanion said. The City Council also voted unanimously in favor of a grant of $800,000 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Land and Water Conservation Fund to the Parks and Recreation Commission for renovations and improvements to the Westfield Skate Park. Rick Sullivan presented the favorable recommendation by the Finance Committee. He said there is no city match for the grant, however the City Council previously approved $500,000 from Community Preservation Act funds for the parks renovation. Sullivan said the Parks & Recreation Commission is anticipating being $300,000 short for the project, and has a commitment from the mayor for an appropriation from free cash. The park is 95 percent designed and ready to go, he said, adding that there is a deadline for approval of the Land and Water grant of Dec. 17, so the approval is time sensitive. The City Council also unanimously accepted a grant of $64,950 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Municipal Road Safety Program for law enforcement, safety equipment and traffic enforcement. Bean, presenting the recommendation from Finance, said the city has received this grant for the last few years to pay for overtime of enforcement during events. He said the grant is now able to also be used for equipment, and the Police Department plans to use some of the funds towards a traffic speed trailer and the purchase of a LiDAR radar gun to round out the costs. Also approved unanimously was a grant 63,662 from the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to the Council on Aging to cover costs associated with a transportation program for older adults. Ralph Figy, chair of FInance, said the grant will be in conjunction with PVTA to provide transportation for seniors, an issue identified through assessment in Westfield and throughout the region. He said the city will have a 50 percent match, which is already in the 2026 budget. Figy said the PVTA will provide the vehicle, and there will be fees between $1 and $3 for rides. The fees will cover administration, maintenance, insurance and budgets. Figy also received unanimous support for a resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into a funding agreement with the Westfield Redevelopment Authority for a pre-development study of the citys riverfront area.We just completed a concept plan for this area. The next step in the process is to do a slum and blight analysis to qualify for the HUD program, Figy said, adding that the money is in the WRA budget. He said the BSE group from Worcester did the first study, and it looks like they will be assigned by Mass Development to do the analysis. study. Another grant was approved for $27,391 from the Public Safety and Security Edward J. Burn Memorial Justice Assistance program to the WEstfield PD for five Motorola solution license plate readers to be used for law enforcement purposes. Its a hot topic out there, and Westfields got them, Bean said. William Onyski, chair of the Legislative & Ordinance Committee, received unanimous approval for a resolution to approve a 20-year lease agreement between the city and JimBob Aviation Inc. We already currently have a lease agreement. This is giving them an additional 2300 sq ft of property where the taxiway that was being built was supposed to directly meet up with their property, and missed it by 2300 feet. That needs to connect to the taxiway, Onyski said. He added that with the recent approval of a 20,000 gallon fuel tank, this will allow for the 20,000 aviation fuel tank to be on the property. Onyski said an airport lease is over 20 years, which is why its coming to the City Council for approval. He said the vote will restart the clock at a 20 year lease with a 13 year extension, if asked for, and a 10-year extension, if requested. Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, chair of the License Committee, asked for approval of a home rule petition to the state Senate and House of Representatives to convert a seasonal license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages into an annual license for Shiva Laxmi, Inc. d.b.a. Pleasant St. Market, Jaimin Patel, president and treasurer. Matthews-Kane said attorney Brad Moir gave a presentation to the License committee explaining seasonal and annual licenses and how home rule petitions work. Pleasant St. Market currently has an annual beer and wine license and seasonal all-alcohol license. She said this will free up an annual beer and wine license and a seasonal all-alcohol license. She said a member of the committee spoke to the Westfield Police Department, who said they have no issues with the current owners of the Pleasant Street Market. Matthews-Kane said she expressed some concerns with the application, including a petition with signatures without addresses, and its proximity within 600 feet of Westfield Middle School. She said the Pleasant St. Market had also recently received a fine for an unlocked humidor, which the owner explained has been rectified. Matthews-Kane said she ultimately voted with the committee to approve the petition, which was then approved unanimously by the City Council. The African Development Bank Group and the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) have launched a $5.2 million institutional support project to address a severe shortage of qualified public sector accountants and auditors across Africa. The launch event was held on 26 November at The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) House in Johannesburg. The Strengthening the Pan African Federation of Accountants and PFM Resilience in Africa project aims to harmonise professional accounting standards, tools, and practices across African countries, build the institutional and professional capacities of professional accountancy organisations, improve financial reporting quality in transition states, and professionalise public sector accountants and auditors. The $5.2 million in funding will come in the form of a grant provided by the Bank Groups Transition Support Facility. Strong, transparent public financial management is essential for resilient economies and improved services for citizens, said Kennedy Mbekeani, Director General of the Banks Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office, following the launch. Through this partnership with PAFA, we are investing in the professionals and institutions that protect public resources. The Bank Group chose PAFA as project implementing partner because of the umbrella groups unrivalled pan-continental reach. It has 57 professional accountancy organisations as members across 47 countries. The partnership will also harness the African Professionalisation Initiative, a collaboration between PAFA, the African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI) and the African Association of Accountants General. Alta Prinsloo, PAFAs CEO, said: This partnership with the African Development Bank is a decisive step towards strengthening Africas public financial management landscape. By investing in the professionalisation of accountants and auditors, we are building the skills, institutions, and standards that enable transparency, trust, and effective governance. PAFA is proud to lead this work with our partners across the continent. Additionally, the project to address this pressing challenge will implement learning programmes, enhance the institutional capacity of Professional Accountancy Organisations, and boost womens participation in the profession through targeted mentorship and training. The initiative is also expected to advance strategic goals, including an African Continental Free Trade Area target of standardising professional qualifications and skills mobility, enhancing recognition of the credentials of Africas financial professionals across borders. The only contest which required a vote by the delegates ended with joy for two well-known figures at the Mayo GAA Convention on Sunday. The vote saw Liam Moffatt, Paddy McNicholas and John Walker vying for two seats on the Connacht Council previously filled by Moffatt and Paul Cunnane, who was taking over as Mayo GAAs Communications Officer. The vote saw delegates from every club casting their ballots and at the end, only two were left standing, Moffatt and McNicholas. The Crossmolina and Kiltimagh clubmen will both be representing the county on the provincial stage in 2026. Moffatt has pulled on the Green and Red jersey on many an occasion, and also served as Mayo GAA chairman in recent years. He addressed the delegates and started by thanking his club, Crossmolina Deel Rovers, for their support, while also highlighting his keen interest in advocating for player welfare. McNicholas, is also a former Mayo GAA chairman and Central Council delegate. He expressed his sincere thanks to his club and those who voted for him, as well as extending commiserations to outgoing Communications Officer John Walker, and committed himself to doing the best for the county. Replacing Walker in the communications hot seat will be Paul Cunnane, stepping into a role he will be familiar with, having served in the role for five years and won a PRO of the Year award at the 2016 Gaelic Writers Awards. Im hugely honoured to accept this role with Mayo GAA. This is not something I put my name forward for lightly, but Ill do my best to work with all stakeholders. Im very aware of trying to follow in the footsteps of John Walker, an award-winner who has done a huge amount of work in Mayo GAA for the last five years. His time, effort and dedication has been phenomenal. Down through the years, the wild world of Mayo GAA has lit up the screens in homes and bars across Ireland. Since the dawn of television on this island, the performances of the men in those famed green and red jerseys have captured the imagination of supporters both at home and far away. However, those weren't the only times that Mayo GAA has featured on the big screen. Here, we've compiled a selection of the best adverts over the years. 1: 'Greatness Awaits' - Elverys Many lists selecting the top GAA adverts of all time include this one. It has 124,000 views on YouTube for a reason. The notion of a jersey being so much more than fabric stitched together is a universal one. "The story of a county obsessed by a game. The dream that never dies, heartbreak, hope, great days and greater yet to come." 2: 'Our Heroes, Our History' - Mayo GAA TV This three-minute masterpiece encapsulates many aspects of the wild ride that is the eternal odyssey of chasing glory. Whether it be joining the throngs huddled into bars across the globe, or bouncing along the roads to the hallowed turf of Croke Park, this advert evokes floods of memories from the glory days. 3: 'Magic Boots' - Elverys A touch different, but still an iconic one from Elverys. This Christmas special (fitting for the time of year) shows that magic can be found in any pair of boots, and the potential for anyone who has ever felt like the underdog. 4: 'Passion Burns Bright' - Elverys The final advertisement of our quartet revolves around the current Mayo GAA jersey, a throwback to the kit of 1996/97. The fine reveal of the kit shows the likes of Aidan O'Shea and Saoirse Lally interspersed between stunning shots of Croagh Patrick and Achill Island. It has been confirmed that Ireland has been granted a three-year extension of its nitrates derogation following a vote at the Nitrates Committee in Brussels, delivering crucial certainty to the country's agricultural sector. The extension, announced by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD, allows Irish farmers to continue operating under the derogation system, which permits higher stocking densities than standard EU rules while maintaining environmental commitments. READ MORE: How does nitrate pollution affect Mayo's rivers and lakes? MEP Maria Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, described the outcome as "well-deserved and much-needed," calling it an early Christmas present for Irish farmers that was earned through years of dedication and political effort. "This derogation did not happen by chance; it has been driven by the hard work of Irish farmers and long hours of political negotiations," Walsh said, praising Minister Heydon for prioritizing the issue since taking office. The extension provides vital support for Ireland's distinctive grass-based, outdoor production model, particularly benefiting family farms across the country. However, political leaders stressed that the extension should not breed complacency. MEP Walsh drew parallels to the Brexit process, warning against waiting until the last minute to prepare for future changes. "Preparations for the post-2028 landscape must begin immediately, particularly for farmers most likely to be impacted," Walsh said. The derogation extension comes as Irish farmers continue engaging with the sixth Nitrates Action Programme and the Water in Agriculture plan, demonstrating ongoing commitment to environmental compliance while maintaining productive agricultural operations. There is something for everyone in Mayo this December as Christmas events are planned in every corner of the county. From live Christmas carol performances to Christmas tractor runs, Mayo has an abundance of events ahead for the festive season. The Michael Davitt Museum in Straide is set to host a special Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 10, at 7:00 p.m.The concert will feature the Louisburgh Voices choir and students from the Louisburgh Music School, performing a mix of carols and Christmas favourites. Admission is free; however, donations can be made at the door, with funds going directly to supporting the Michael Davitt Museum. Santa will take time out of his busy work schedule to visit the children of Claremorris this coming December 14, at 1 pm. He will not come empty-handed either, with each child receiving a gift from the man himself. Admission is 5 with all proceeds going to Barretstown Charity, which helps support children and families in need. Tickets can be purchased on www.keanscm.ie. The Ballintubber Christmas Tractor Run is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 13, at 4:30 pm. Registration for the event will take place at 2 pm at Abbey Car Park, and entry is 20. The tractor will feature both tractors and vintage cars, with prizes for the best-decorated tractor. The event will feature a selection of food trucks and refreshments, Christmas carols by the Ballintubber Abbey Choir, as well as an appearance from Santa Claus at his grotto. North Mayo Heritage Centre, Crossmolina, will host an ornament-making workshop for children this December 20 and December 21. Using soft air-dry clay, the children will cut out festive shapes and paint them for them to be hung on their Christmas tree. The workshop will be 50 minutes long, with slots both days at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm. The workshop is suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years old. The workshop costs 5 and can be booked through the North Mayo Heritage Centre website. Refreshments will be available from The Bright Sky Cafe, which will open for the weekend. On Sunday, December 21, two of the regions leading choirs will perform at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park. Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cill Aodain Choral Society will perform a repertoire of traditional and contemporary Christmas Carols and choral pieces. The Mayo Male Voice Choir will perform at 2 pm under the direction of Deirdre Lee. Following this, at 3 pm, the Cill Aoidain Choral Society will perform under the direction of Finola Higgins-Cosgrove. No booking for this event is required. Business / Companies by Gideon Madzikatidze HARARE - Air Tanzania will this week inaugurate a new route from Victoria Falls to Dar es Salaam and Cape Town, injecting fresh momentum into Zimbabwe's tourism sector and strengthening regional air connectivity. The service begins on Thursday, 11 December 2025.The development aligns with government's Open Skies Policy, which has already attracted 23 airlines to Zimbabwe, making travel across Southern and East Africa smoother and more accessible.The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) hailed the launch, describing it as a milestone for Victoria Falls International Airport, which continues to cement its status as a prime tourism hub."Airports Company of Zimbabwe Private Limited welcomes Air Tanzania Company Limited, the Wings of Kilimanjaro, as they launch their new route connecting Tanzania's Dar es Salaam to our majestic Victoria Falls on December 11, 2025. This triangular service, which continues to Cape Town, significantly boosts Zimbabwe's growing air connectivity, reinforcing Victoria Falls International Airport's status as a prime regional tourism hub and enhancing our ability to facilitate seamless multi-destination travel for both leisure and business visitors across Southern and East Africa," ACZ said in a statement.Ismail Mpinga, Air Tanzania's Zimbabwe Country Manager, confirmed flights will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, targeting the tourist appeal of both Victoria Falls and Cape Town."We'll link these brothers and sisters' in marketing with the tourism board," Mpinga said.The launch follows government investments in aviation infrastructure, including the Air Space Management System and the RGMI Airport VVIP Pavilion, part of efforts to meet global standards under National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).Zimbabwe's aviation sector continues to expand, with recent additions such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Ethiopian Airways, underscoring the country's growing appeal as a regional travel hub. News / National by Stephen Jakes BULAWAYO - Pro-ZANU PF social media group Varakashi4ED has claimed that the collapse of the once-thriving Dunlop Company in Bulawayo was the result of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western nations and their allies.In a post on their X account titled "Dunlop's Downfall: A Painful Lesson in Sanctions and Economic Sabotage", the group argued that sanctions, coupled with sabotage by former commercial-farmer owners angered by the land reform programme, led to the demise of the tyre manufacturer."We once had thriving companies like the Dunlop factory in Bulawayo, established in 1957 and beginning tyre production in March 1959. This photo shows some of its workers soon after independence before sanctions and other external pressures took their toll," Varakashi4ED posted.The group said Dunlop, which at its peak employed close to 4,000 workers, was not the only casualty, as several foreign-owned companies were allowed to collapse, leaving thousands jobless.Varakashi4ED added that they now take pride in seeing Zimbabwean companies under indigenous ownership, rebuilding industries "on their own terms" and ensuring that external manipulation of the economy does not recur. News / National by Stephen Jakes HARARE - Paul Tungwarara, Special Advisor to the President on Investments, has congratulated Polite Kambamura on his appointment as Minister of Mines and Mining Development, following the dismissal of Winston Chitando by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.In his congratulatory message, Tungwarara described Kambamura's elevation as a recognition of his dedication and leadership qualities."It is with great pride and heartfelt joy that I extend my warmest congratulations to you, Kambamura, on your appointment as the Minister of Mines and Mining Development," Tungwarara said.He expressed confidence that Kambamura's stewardship would usher in a new era of innovation, transparency and sustainable growth in Zimbabwe's mining sector."Your elevation to this critical portfolio is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication, integrity, and visionary leadership. I have every confidence that your stewardship will usher in a new era of innovation, transparency, and sustainable growth in Zimbabwe's mining sector," he added.Tungwarara further noted that he had long admired Kambamura's commitment to national development and looked forward to the transformative impact he would bring to the industry."May your tenure be marked by bold decisions, inclusive progress, and enduring legacy. Once again, congratulations on this remarkable achievement. I wish you strength, wisdom, and success as you take on this important responsibility," Tungwarara said. Haitis new Gang Suppression Force appears poised to meet its ambitious target of 5,500 troops, after a number of nations, including Chad and Bangladesh, offered to deploy soldiers, engineers and police offices to help the countrys beleaguered security forces combat armed gangs. The strongest commitments during a conference Tuesday in New York came from African governments. Chad offered 1,500 soldiers, according to two sources familiar with the discussions but not authorized to speak. Additional commitments came from Sierra Leone, Burkina Fasso and the Gambia in West Africa and Burundi in East-Central Africa. Kenya, which was represented, currently has about 700 police officers on the ground in Haiti. South Asian nations Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also stepped up. Both previously contributed troops in Haiti under the United Nations Stabilization mission in Haiti from 2004-17. While Sri Lanka offered to send a combat unit, Bangladesh, which once had an all-female police unit in Haiti, said its 1,500-commitment would include help to secure Haitis land and sea borders. In a press statement on Wednesday, the office of Haiti Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime said the meeting brought together partner countries around a common goal: to provide a decisive, robust response to the violence that threatens Haitis sovereignty and future. Participants unanimously reaffirmed that the mission... remains essential to restore the legitimate authority of the State, secure the territory and create the necessary conditions for a sustainable return to constitutional order, he said. This international engagement, encouraged by the active coordination of the United States and Canada, testifies to the recognition of the urgency and existential nature of the Haitian security crisis, as well as the shared confidence in the Haitian governments roadmap. At present there are fewer than 1,000 foreign security forces in Haiti. They made up the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission before it transitioned into the Gang Suppression Force after the United Nations Security Councils unanimous approval in September. The resolution established a larger, more lethal force for 12 months, and called for the creation of a U.N. Haiti Support Office to handle logistics and help finance the operation with voluntary contributions. As Tuesdays discussions focused on fielding the 5,500 personnel envisioned for the force, the challenges were evident. Canada, which hosted the meeting, and France continued to resist calls to deploy their own troops, and despite a handful of financial commitments funding gaps remain. A key objective of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio having a Latin American country lead the mission also appeared out of reach. El Salvador and Guatemala said they would maintain their presence in Haiti, with Guatemala offering to double its deployment to 300. The only other Latin Ameican country offering new troop deployments was Argentina, which proposed sending military engineers and a setting up a hospital. The Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, offered expanded border control. In the Caribbean region, The Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica said they would continue to send personnel, though their numbers remain limited. Jamaica noted that its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Melissa means it will not be able to deploy additional forces until next fall. The new force is five times the size of the Kenya mission, which struggled to get funding and equipment. U.S. officials in attendance Tuesday stressed that the missions top priority will be to help Haiti regain control of its territory and establish conditions for elections. Haiti last held presidential elections in 2016. , 2025 Miami Herald. Visit miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado secretly left Venezuela in a bid to get to Oslo in time to accept her award but was forced to miss the ceremony because bad weather delayed her journey, a person familiar with the matter said. Machado got out of Venezuela on Tuesday with help from some members of President Nicolas Maduros regime, which some U.S. officials see as a sign of their willingness to cooperate if Maduro were to leave power, according to the person, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Machado, who has been in hiding for more than a year, left Venezuela by boat to Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean island about 40 miles away, the person said. The island is also home to a small U.S. military base. Her journey was delayed for several hours due to bad weather and rough seas, according to the person, and she was forced to miss the ceremony. Her daughter accepted the award in her place. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported some of the details of her escape. The White House didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The person said Machado was aided by the Trump administration and also had help from some members of Maduros regime. The Venezuelan government didnt immediately respond to requests for comment and is likely to dispute that version of events, since it has long claimed to know her location. Machados decision to leave Venezuela carries both opportunity and risk for her and the Maduro regime. The opposition leaders supporters believe a successful return to Venezuela after Wednesdays Nobel ceremony could strengthen her domestic standing. Others warn that a defiant Maduro could block her re-entry and force her into exile, a fate that has already weakened previous opposition leaders. Machado, the oppositions most popular figure, had been in hiding since August 2024. Her decision came after Maduro said that she and Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate in the election the previous month, should be behind bars. But the Venezuelan government has refrained from issuing an arrest warrant against Machado despite alleging her involvement in several plots against Maduro and his officials. More recently, officials accused Machado of plotting to plant explosives in public places, including the countrys capital. Maduro, who became president after the death of his predecessor and patron Hugo Chavez in 2013, is widely considered to have stolen the election in July 2024 from Gonzalez, who records showed won the most votes. Gonzalez became a stand-in for Machado after she was barred from the election despite being the overwhelming winner of an opposition primary the previous year. The Nobel committee, in awarding the peace prize to Machado, cited her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. But Machado is seen by some as condoning military conflict to help achieve her ends of a transition from Maduros autocratic rule. ___ 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine is expected to hand its latest peace proposals to U.S. negotiators Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, a day ahead of his urgent talks with leaders and officials from about 30 other countries supporting Kyiv's effort to end the war with Russia on acceptable terms. As tension builds around U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a settlement and his calls for an election in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said his country would be ready for such a vote within three months if partners can guarantee safe balloting during wartime and if its electoral law can be altered. Washington's goal of a swift compromise to stop the fighting that followed Russias all-out invasion in February 2022 is reducing Kyiv's room for maneuvering. Zelenskyy is walking a tightrope between defending Ukrainian interests and showing Trump he is willing to make some compromises, even as Moscow shows no public sign of budging from its demands. Ukraine's European allies are backing Zelensky's effort to ensure that any settlement is fair and deters future Russian attacks, as well as accommodating Europe's defense interests. The French government said Ukraine's allies dubbed the Coalition of the Willing will discuss the negotiations Thursday by video. Zelenskyy said it would include those countries leaders. We need to bring together 30 colleagues very quickly. And its not easy, but nevertheless we will do it, he said late Tuesday. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Berlin that we are currently witnessing considerable diplomatic momentum in peace efforts. Zelenskyy said discussions with the U.S. were scheduled later Wednesday to focus on a document detailing plans for Ukraines postwar reconstruction and economic development. Also, Ukraine is finalizing work on a separate, 20-point framework for ending the war. Zelenskyy said Kyiv expects to submit that document to Washington in the near future. Zelenskyy's openness to an election was a response to comments by Trump in which he questioned Ukraines democracy and suggested the Ukrainian leader was using the war as an excuse not to stand before voters. Those comments echo similar remarks often made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy told reporters late Tuesday he is ready for an election but would need help from the U.S. and possibly Europe to ensure its security. He suggested Ukraine could be ready to hold balloting in 60 to 90 days if that proviso is met. To hold elections, two issues must be addressed: primarily, security how to conduct them, how to do it under strikes, under missile attacks; and a question regarding our military how they would vote, Zelenskyy said. And the second issue is the legislative framework required to ensure the legitimacy of elections, he said. Previously, Zelenskyy had pointed out that a ballot cant legally take place while martial law imposed due to Russias invasion is in place. He has also asked how a vote could happen when civilian areas of Ukraine are being bombarded by Russia and almost 20% of the country is under Moscow's occupation. Zelenskyy said he has asked lawmakers from his party to draw up legislative proposals allowing for an election while Ukraine is under martial law. Ukrainians have on the whole supported Zelenskyys arguments, and have not clamored for an election. Under the law that is in force, Zelenskyys rule is legitimate. Putin has repeatedly complained that Zelenskyy cant legitimately negotiate a peace settlement because his five-year term that began in 2019 has expired. US seeks closer ties with Russia A new U.S. national security strategy released Dec. 5 made it clear that Trump wants to improve Washingtons relationship with Moscow and reestablish strategic stability with Russia. The document also portrays European allies as weak. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised Trumps role in the Ukraine peace effort, saying in a speech to the upper house of parliament that Moscow appreciates his commitment to dialogue. Trump, Lavrov said, is the only Western leader who shows an understanding of the reasons that made war in Ukraine inevitable. Trumps peace efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv. The initial U.S. proposal was heavily slanted toward Russias demands. To counter that, Zelenskyy has turned to his European supporters. Zelenskyy met this week with the leaders of Britain, Germany and France in London, the heads of NATO and the European Union in Brussels, and then to Rome to meet the Italian premier and Pope Leo XIV. Military aid for Ukraine declines Europes support is uneven, however, and that has meant a decrease in military aid since the Trump administration this year cut off supplies to Kyiv unless they were paid for by other NATO countries. Foreign military help for Ukraine fell sharply over the summer, and that trend continued through September and October, a German body that tracks international help for Ukraine said Wednesday. Average annual aid, mostly provided by the U.S. and Europe, was about 41.6 billion euros ($48.4 billion) between 202224. But so far this year Ukraine has received just 32.5 billion euros ($37.8 billion), the Kiel Institute said. This year, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have substantially increased their help for Ukraine, while Germany nearly tripled its average monthly allocations and France and the U.K. both more than doubled their contributions, the Kiel Institute said. On the other hand, it said, Spain recorded no new military aid for Kyiv in 2025 while Italy reduced its low contributions by 15% compared with 20222024. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine A nationwide labor crunch in ports, rail yards and trucking is colliding with yet another week of Senate inaction on the Transport Jobs Acta bill meant to tear down the barriers that keep veterans from stepping into thousands of open supply chain jobs. The legislation, H.R. 3055, would require the Department of Transportation to publish a public Veteran to Supply Chain Employee Action Plan within 30 days of enactment, contributed to by the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor. The plan must spell out why veterans struggle to enter port operations, trucking, rail, warehousing and logistics jobs, identify where labor shortages are most acute, and recommend steps agencies should take to remove those barriers. U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), remove equipment from the railroad tracks with a utility vehicle in preparation for rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Aug. 6, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mariah Aguilar) The House unanimously passed the bill in September though the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has not acted on it, leaving veterans and employers waiting for answers. Military.com reached out to the Department of Transportation, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Labor for comment. Industry Says Veterans Are Natural Fit Rail operators say many veterans do not realize how well their skill sets translate into civilian supply chain work. Nearly one in six rail employees is a veteran, yet many returning heroes are unaware of the opportunities available in the industry, Jessica Kahanek, a spokesperson for the Association of American Railroads, told Military.com. The same qualities that define military excellence like discipline, safety and teamwork are the foundation of railroadings 24/7 mission driven work. The same qualities that define military excellence...are the foundation of railroadings 24/7 mission driven work. She said the bill aims to raise awareness of opportunities for veterans across the entire supply chain, adding that rail companies pride themselves on a long history of hiring veterans transitioning out of service. Hiring Systems Dont Recognize Vets' Training Long Island Cares, a regional hunger relief organization that also runs one of the areas largest veterans resource programs, works with former service members across Long Island, NY who are searching for stable civilian employment. Veterans, the formerly incarcerated, and job seekers wanting to change professions, were invited to attend the 2022 Mississippi Re-Entry Job Fair in Jackson, Miss., on June 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Meeting civilian requirements is one of the biggest hurdles, Michael Haynes, of Long Island Cares, told Military.com. Often the veteran has the experience, but it is hard to discern that based on the civilian job description. Haynes said the financial and logistical burdens can shut veterans out before they even apply. It is almost impossible to get around in Suffolk County if you do not have a car, he said. Getting a CDL is a big step. Low-income veterans have a tough time affording the class. He added that employers often want to hire veterans but struggle to match them with roles because civilian systems do not acknowledge their military qualifications. Sponsor Calls Barriers Clear and Fixable Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), who introduced the bill, has focused on licensing and credentialing as the most immediate obstacles. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., right, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., in the Rayburn Room at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) In remarks he delivered when the bill passed the House and in comments he made during a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing, Barrett said veterans often performed tasks in uniform that mirror civilian roles yet still must complete lengthy and expensive certification processes to qualify for those same jobs. Barretts spokesperson said he is committed to working with senators to get the bill to President Donald Trumps desk as soon as possible. Agencies Stay Silent While Supply Chain Jobs Go Unfilled Federal labor data shows persistent job openings across freight movement and warehousinga sector that employed about 6.6 million workers as of June 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Transportation trucks cross the Vincent Thomas Bridge over the main channel as shipping containers are seen stacked on the Evergreen terminal at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Calif., Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) The agency also projects sustained growth in transportation and material moving occupations over the next decade, driven by continued demand across trucking, rail support, warehousing and port operations. The department has highlighted those trends in recent workforce analyses, warning that shortages could worsen without new hiring channels. Many veterans who once served in military transportation, maintenance and logistics roles are now working in essential supply chain jobs nationwide, including trucking, freight rail, warehousing and port operations. Employers say former service members often bring reliability, safety awareness and operational discipline that strengthen daily operations. Several sectors rely heavily on veterans to keep freight moving. If the barriers are addressed all logistics and warehousing sectors have the potential to hire a lot more veterans, Haynes said. Committee Ranking Member Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., questions Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins during a Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing to examine veterans at the forefront, focusing on the future at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) Senate Delay Leaves Veterans Waiting The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has not announced a hearing or markup on H.R. 3055. Without Senate action, the bill remains stalled and the 30-day countdown for the federal action plan cannot begin. Military.com reached out to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for comment. Major employers in logistics, manufacturing and material movement continue to expand hiring pipelines built specifically for veterans, citing strong performance, adaptability and familiarity with fast-paced operational environments. Industries facing persistent shortages are turning to veteran talent to stabilize staffing and meet growing freight and distribution needs across the country. Supporters say the plan would give Congress its clearest picture yet of how veterans are being locked out of supply chain employment and how quickly those obstacles can be removed. The wait is finally over for Army veteran George Layman. While he doesnt consider himself a hero, what Layman did during the Vietnam War and the bloody battle of Hamburger Hill should have given him a Bronze Star decades ago. But the Arizona veteran was finally honored with the medal in an event hosted by the organization Honoring/Hiring/Helping our Heroes of Pinal County (HOHP) on Nov. 25 at its headquarters. Jeff Timm, a liaison officer from Congressman Eli Cranes office, presented Layman with the Bronze Star and additional service medals. Army veteran George Layman poses with other veterans at the HHOP office on Nov. 25. (Photo by Jodie Newell/PinalCentral) Life of a Radioman Laymans tour of Vietnam lasted from 1968 to 1970. As a radio operator, he was in the thick of one of the wars most infamous battles, Hamburger Hill in May 1969. The battle, which raged along the slopes of the Dong Ap Bia mountain, got its name from the carnage it inflicted. Hill 937 is in central Vietnam, not far from the western border of Laos. During the week-long conflict, 56 U.S. soldiers were killed in action. While Layman had proper credentials to receive a Bronze Star based on his service record, he wasn't quite sure why it took more than five decades to get his medals. The Bronze Star is given to soldiers who display heroic or meritorious achievement or service in a combat zone. Layman thinks his work with HOHP helped him gain the recognition needed to finally be honored. I dont think I was a hero, Layman told PinalCentral. Its nice to have them (the medals), because Ive always wanted them, but I just never did anything about it until getting involved with the HOHP. The story of Hamburger Hill was adapted into a film released in 1987. However, Layman has never watched it. After all, he lived it. I still havent seen that movie, he said. Combat Record Earns Medal As a radio operator in the field, Layman played a vital role in combat operations. Radiomen relayed communications on enemy movement back to commanders. It also made him practically a bulls eye for the North Vietnamese Army. It took over four companies to go up (the mountain), and thats 60 to 80 people in a company, and we lost ... 60 guys. We got up there, and there was supposed to have been at least 2,000 enemy on top, Layman said. We got up there after a week and found nobody but this big hole at the top going straight down. We left three days later and never went back. Jeff Timm, left, a representative of Congressman Eli Crane, presents George Layman with his Bronze Star at the HOHP office on Nov. 25. (Photo by Jodie Newell/PinalCentral) Kim Vandenberg, HOHP director, said the organization was very pleased to watch Layman receive the Bronze Star. Vandenberg plans to track down Laymans nomination papers for receiving the medal. George earned the Bronze Star for a reason; theyre simply not just given out, Vandenberg said. We will find out about the circumstances of the medal award and get the write-up for that. Still Humble The fact that Layman was humble in receiving such a high honor doesnt surprise Vandenberg. Vietnam veterans tend to have a complicated view of the war. They all have a different feel for what it means to them, Vandenberg said. You may have some veterans that dont want them, and they push them to the side because of whatever they experienced. Everybody has a different outlook. Abraham Ortega, another Bronze Star recipient, was on hand to see Layman receive his medal. Ortega also served in Vietnam, and while he and Layman never met during their service time, he said all veterans who spent time there share a certain brotherhood. We stepped up when we were young men, and we signed a blank check to do a job, and we did it with honor, we did it with pride, Ortega said. We stepped up to the line and we did it because socialism was spreading out and we went over to stop socialism as young men to do our jobs. Knowing that I did that and then some made me feel highly honored. I didnt know I was gonna feel that way over the years. Looking at George today, I say, Boy, we could have been related. We never met each other, but he was there, and he did what he had to do. The White House recently released the 2025 National Security Strategy, outlining U.S. priorities for global engagement. This document emphasizes peace through strength, economic resilience, and regional balances of power. It places significant focus on the Indo-Pacific region to counter potential threats, maintain freedom of navigation and strengthen alliances. At the same time, the Marine Corps issued its Force Design Update in October, detailing ongoing modernization efforts to enhance naval expeditionary capabilities in contested environments. The Force Design Update builds on previous reforms to ensure Marines remain ready for operations across sea, land and air domains. It highlights achievements in integrating new systems during exercises and sets directions for future enhancements in maneuver, lethality and logistics. Key Alignment Between the Strategy and Marine Corps Modernization The National Security Strategy identifies Asia as a priority area, aiming to win the economic future while preventing military confrontation. It calls for robust deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, fair burden sharing among allies, and protection of critical sea lanes like the South China Sea. The strategy stresses balancing power against China through alliances such as the Quad and AUKUS, while avoiding escalation. The Marine Corps Force Design Update directly supports these goals through its emphasis on littoral operations and forward presence. Marine Littoral Regiments, such as the 3rd and 12th MLRs, are optimized for operations in the First Island Chain. These units integrate systems like the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System and Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar to sense threats, deny sea access to adversaries and enable joint kill webs. This setup allows Marines to seize key maritime terrain and support fleet maneuver, aligning with the strategy's focus on deterring dominance in the region. U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, demonstrate expeditionary advanced basing capabilities Oct 2020 (U.S. Marine Corps Photo) Recent exercises demonstrate this integration. In Balikatan 25, I Marine Expeditionary Force deployed low-signature formations to test sensing and defense of maritime terrain alongside the Japan Self-Defense Forces and Armed Forces of the Philippines. Exercises like Ulchi Freedom Shield and Talisman Sabre 25 involved mobile command and control with partners from Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. Resolute Dragon 25 rehearsed Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations with Japan to close kill webs. These activities strengthen interoperability, matching the National Security Strategy's call for deeper alliances to maintain regional stability. Modernization priorities in the Force Design Update further reinforce the strategy's principles. Efforts in maneuver and mobility include the Medium Landing Ship program and Amphibious Combat Vehicle fielding to enable rapid deployment in contested littorals. Lethality enhancements, such as upgrades to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and integration of unmanned systems, provide precision strike options under degraded conditions. Logistics initiatives, including prepositioned stocks across the Indo-Pacific, ensure sustained operations, supporting the strategy's aim for resilient supply chains. U.S. Marines with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, conduct pre-flight checks on the Stalker VXE30 unmanned aerial system during the Littoral Zone Reconnaissance Cobra exercise for Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum at Camp Cape Bojeador, Philippines, May 20, 2024 (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Corporal Eric Huynh) The update also stresses a continuous campaign of learning, with feedback from fleet Marines driving adaptations. This approach ensures the Corps evolves to meet threats, echoing the National Security Strategy's emphasis on innovation and technological superiority. Implications for the Marine Corps Role By aligning with the 2025 National Security Strategy, the Marine Corps positions itself as a key contributor to U.S. objectives in the Indo-Pacific. Its focus on expeditionary forces, joint integration, and allied partnerships helps deter aggression, secure economic interests, and promote stability. These efforts draw from publicly released documents and ongoing implementations, providing a clear path for the Corps within national priorities. News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze / Simbarashe Sithole HARARE - The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) has launched a series of festive season promotions aimed at encouraging motorists to comply with road regulations under its #BeOneInAMillion campaign.In a statement, ZINARA announced that between 8 and 15 December 2025, drivers can benefit from several offers, including:- 25% discount on renewals in partnership with CBZ Insurance, Post Insurance and AFC Insurance.- 100% waiver on arrears penalties, allowing motorists to clear outstanding balances at participating locations.- A 12-month payment plan enabling motorists to spread arrears and penalties over a year, available at ZINARA Licensing Offices and Mobile Teams.The promotions are accessible at ZINARA Licensing Offices, Mobile Teams and Tollgates, excluding the Plumtree-Mutare route."Don't miss out! #BeOneInAMillion #PartnersForProgress ," ZINARA urged motorists, encouraging them to take advantage of the limited-time offers.The initiative reflects ZINARA's push to boost compliance while easing financial burdens on motorists during the festive season. December 16th: The Bucs have officially announced the Soto signing. December 9th: Another reliever has come off the board. The Pirates are reportedly in agreement with left-hander Gregory Soto on a one-year, $7.75MM contract. Soto is represented by ISE Baseball. Pittsburgh had an opening on the 40-man roster and will not need to make a corresponding move. Soto made 70 appearances between the Orioles and Mets last season. A solid first half in Baltimore led to a swap with New York around the trade deadline. Soto began his Mets tenure with nine straight scoreless outings, but stumbled down the stretch. The veteran lefty posted a 7.94 ERA in September as New York fell short of a playoff spot. Pittsburgh will be Sotos fifth team in the past five seasons. He debuted for Detroit in 2019 and soon became a crucial part of the teams late-inning mix. Soto emerged as the Tigers closer by 2021, finishing with 18 saves and an All-Star nod. He racked up 30 saves the following season, earning a return trip to the Midsummer Classic. Detroit shipped him to Philadelphia following the 2022 campaign for a package headlined by Matt Vierling. After a season and a half with a mid-4.00s ERA, Soto was dealt to Baltimore at the 2024 trade deadline. The Pirates bullpen ranked 18th in SIERA and 22nd in xFIP last season. The unit lost longtime closer David Bednar and top lefty Caleb Ferguson at the trade deadline. Dennis Santana performed well in multiple stints as the closer and will likely retain the role in 2026. Pittsburgh has minimal proven options behind him, particularly from the left side. Evan Sisk was the only southpaw penciled into the bullpen prior to the Soto addition. Soto struggled mightily with free passes while in Detroit, posting a walk rate above 12% in all four seasons with the team. Hes cleaned up those control issues in recent years and recorded a career-low 8.6% walk rate last season. Sotos upper-90s sinker has typically led to healthy ground ball rates, though he finished with a league-average GB% this past season. The sinker velocity has ticked down in each of the past three years. Opponents hit .314 against Sotos sinker last season. Most of the damage came during his time with the Mets, and a hefty .392 BABIP is likely to blame. Sotos slider still got whiffs at an excellent rate, so he can still be effective if the sinker bounces back. MLBTR had predicted Soto to receive a two-year, $16MM contract. He settles for one year just shy of the $8MM average annual value. The Pirates reportedly had roughly $40MM in payroll space this winter. This wont impact their pursuit of free agent hitters after their unsuccessful pursuit of Kyle Schwarber. ESPNs Jorge Castillo first reported the signing. LANSING, MI - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, last month detained four Detroit teenagers who are seeking asylum after fleeing instability and violence in their home countries. Three of them, all high schoolers, were transferred to a Texas family detention center with their parents, and one, a recent high school graduate, is being held at a massive immigration facility in northern Michigan. They were swept up under the Trump administrations effort to boost deportations, which has widened enforcement to detaining those who have pending immigration cases. Their arrests prompted a group of Democratic Michigan lawmakers to urge ICE in a Tuesday, Dec. 9 letter to release the teenagers and their families. The letter was signed by State Sens. Erika Geiss, Stephanie Chang, Mary Cavanagh and Sylvia Santana; State Reps. Mai Xiong, Veronica Paiz and Stephanie Young; and Detroit City Councilor Gabriela Santiago-Romero. ICE should immediately return these high school students and their parents home to Detroit so they can continue to learn, work and grow without the fear and violence they fled, said Chang, D-Detroit. Immigrants and asylum seekers are deserving of safety and dignity. ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Two of the teenagers were detained on Nov. 20 when ICE agents showed up to their Detroit home at 5 a.m. without a warrant, the lawmakers said in a letter. Outlier Media reported their families were held at gunpoint while immigration agents looked for another person. Everyone in the house ended up being detained. That included Kerly Mariangel Sosa Rivero, 16, her father, Gleiner Jose Sosa Mujica, Antony Janier Pena Sosa, 16, and his mother, Maryeli Antonieta Sosa Marquina. Theyre all seeking asylum after escaping an economic and political crisis in Venezuela. The teenagers, who are cousins, attend Western International High School in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Sosa Rivero was described as being an active student who dreams about going to college, according to the letter. Pena Sosa, a violinist taking advanced placement classes, was called academically ambitious. They also work part-time at a Chilis restaurant. Both families are being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, a large family detention facility in Texas. A third high school student, Santiago Jesus Zamora Perez, 17, and his mother, Evelin Josefina Perez, were detained Dec. 7 after being stopped by the Fraser Police Department for driving under the speed limit, the letter said. Police then alerted immigration officials. The teenager and his mother, who are also seeking asylum from conditions in Venezuela, were then transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the lawmakers said, despite a federal judge issuing a temporary restraining order. The fourth teenager is Mor Ba, a 19-year-old who was recently ranked fifth in his graduating class from Western International High School. He was pulled over on Nov. 26 by unmarked vehicles and taken into detention, according to lawmakers. He has a pending asylum case after moving to the United States from Senegal two years ago. Ba is currently being held at the North Lake Processing Center, a large immigration detention center that opened in the rural, northern Michigan town of Baldwin earlier this year. Its the largest ICE detention facility in the Midwest, owned by private prison giant GEO Group, holding more than 1,350 immigrants as of Nov 28. Federal data shows nearly 87% of them have no criminal record. The lawmakers said in their letter these teenagers and their parents are simply following the immigration process and trying to gain asylum as they seek a better life in Detroit. Immigrants seeking asylum must show they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. If granted, they can apply to live in the United States permanently and start the citizenship process. ICE has historically only held those who are subject to mandatory detention or those who are a public safety or flight risk. Others are typically released while their cases move through immigration court. But under the Trump administration, a record-high of 65,735 people are currently being held ICE, the latest federal data shows. These students should be home for the holidays with their families, focused on school and their futures, not separated and detained far from their communities through enforcement actions that traumatize young people, lack transparency and basic due process, said State Sen. Mary Cavanagh, D-Redford Twp. This is the second time this week that a coalition of lawmakers have pushed ICE to release a detained immigrant. Another letter was sent Monday on behalf of Ernesto Cuevas Enciso, 34, a construction worker who was detained Saturday, Dec. 6 near a job site. He is married to a U.S. citizen with a pending green card application. A protest has been planned for Tuesday nights Detroit Public Schools Community District board meeting to call for the release of the three high school students. Advocates will also push for stronger protections for students. Editors note: This story has been updated to include comment from HHS. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Stevens, a Democrat from Birmingham, accused Kennedy Jr. of weaponizing misinformation and being a danger to the health of Michiganders and people nationwide. Secretary Kennedy is driving up costs, endangering lives, undermining public health, betraying public trust, and threatening Michigan families and our world class research institutions, Stevens said Wednesday. These are violations of his oath of office. Articles of impeachment need to be first adopted by a majority vote in the House, before the Senate has to hold an impeachment trial to determine if the official should be removed from office and banned from serving in the future. With a Republican majority, the U.S. House is unlikely to approve articles of impeachment against Kennedy, who was selected by Republican President Donald Trump. In response to the announcement, Andrew Nixon, communications director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Secretary Kennedy remains focused on improving Americans health and lowering costs, not on partisan theatrics designed to elevate standing in a failing, third-rate Senate bid. Stevens first announced her planned impeachment effort in September, citing Kennedy Jr.s ongoing efforts to jeopardize public health, increase the cost of healthcare and cut critical medical research. She also called on him to resign after he declared a link between autism and acetaminophen -- a point the majority of the health world refutes. Known best under the brand name Tylenol, acetaminophen is a painkiller and fever-reducing medication recommended for use in pregnancy by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Officials with ACOG said Kennedys announcement isnt backed by the full body of scientific evidence and dangerously simplifies the many and complex causes of neurologic challenges in children. In more than two decades of research on the use of acetaminophen in pregnancy, not a single reputable study has successfully concluded that the use of acetaminophen in any trimester of pregnancy causes neurodevelopmental disorders in children, ACOG said in a statement. In fact, the two highest-quality studies on this subject one of which was published in JAMA last year found no significant associations between use of acetaminophen during pregnancy and childrens risk of autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability." Stevens criticized Kennedy Jr. for firing members of an advisory committee for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and selecting his own advisors, some of whom gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for spreading misinformation and criticizing COVID vaccines. Last week, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to end the 34-year-old recommendations that newborn babies be immunized against hepatitis B. Members instead favored vaccination only if the mother tested positive for the virus or whose infection status was unknown. The ACIP recommends the shot be delayed until 2 months -- a change that was strongly opposed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This irresponsible and purposely misleading guidance will lead to more hepatitis B infections in infants and children, said AAP President Dr. Susan Kressly in a statement. I want to reassure parents and clinicians that there is no new or concerning information about the hepatitis B vaccine that is prompting this change, nor has childrens risk of contracting hepatitis B changed. Instead, this is the result of a deliberate strategy to sow fear and distrust among families. Hepatitis B is a liver disease spread by an infected person through contact with their blood or bodily fluids. About 50% of people with the virus dont know they have it, but its particularly dangerous for babies. About 90% of infants infected at birth develop chronic hepatitis B infection and about 25% of those babies will die prematurely, according to AAP. Stevens said Kennedy Jr. has made outlandish claims about Tylenol, vaccines and autism. She also accused him of slashing funding for pediatric cancer research and made it harder for Americans to enroll in affordable health insurance plans. Enough is enough, she said. This is about protecting the health and safety of Michiganders and every American. Asked how Democratic leaders in the House responded to her efforts, Stevens said shes eager to have her colleagues stand beside her. She declined to specify if House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was in support of the effort. LANSING - Edwin Langston didnt fire the bullet that killed Arretta Lou Ingrham. He wasnt inside the Maple Street Grocery Store in South Haven on the December afternoon in 1975 when Ronald Wilson robbed the store and shot Ingrham as she tried to call the police. Langston had told Wilson he wanted nothing to do with a robbery because it carried too much time, according to a trial transcript. He was down the block, visiting some women he knew. But Langston had stopped into the store to buy some orange juice and told Wilson how many people were inside, knowing the other man wanted to rob it. When Wilson came running down the block after the robbery, Langston left with him. He later advised Wilson to burn a wallet hed taken from Ingrhams husband. Both men were convicted of murder in 1976 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Nearly five decades later, Langston brought the case to the Michigan Supreme Court to argue that the conviction was wrong from the beginning. His case will have implications for close to 100 elderly prisoners convicted under a legal precedent rejected by Michigans courts decades ago. Theres a real problem with people being convicted and then sentenced to life without an intent to actually do harm, Mira Edmonds, a clinical professor of law at the University of Michigan who is representing Langston, said in an interview. The Michigan Supreme Court agreed on that point in 1980. Michigan never had whats known as a felony murder statute, a law that treats a killing that occurs during the commission of a felony as a murder, whether or not it meets the standards for intentionality and malice typically required for a murder conviction. But many courts still operated as if the fact that a killing happened in the course of another crime was adequate proof of malicious intent. As a result, even an accidental killing could lead to a sentence of life without parole if it happened, for example, in the course of an armed robbery. But in the 1970s, courts around the country began to reconsider that logic. Langstons conviction was overturned by the state Court of Appeals in 1978 precisely because the prosecutors had never proven that he acted maliciously. The appellate court ordered a new trial. But the Van Buren County prosecutor appealed, and the appeal was put on hold while the state Supreme Court decided a case called People v Aaron, concerning a man who shot and killed an acquaintance while robbing his Detroit apartment. In 1980, the court ruled unanimously that it is no longer acceptable to equate the intent to commit a felony with the intent to kill. It also decided that its ruling would only apply going forward and subsequently reinstated Langstons conviction. Its really happenstance that the court picked Mr. Aarons case to make this decision in, Edmonds said. They could have picked Mr. Langstons case. They could have picked any number of these other cases to make the same ruling, and, in that case, Mr. Langston would have gotten the same relief that Mr. Aaron did, which was to have the conviction vacated and have the case remanded for a retrial. Langston began this second challenge to his conviction in 2020 but lost in both Van Buren County Circuit Court and at the state Court of Appeals. The Van Buren County Prosecutors Office and the state Office of the Attorney General are now arguing that he should have raised the issues in this case earlier and that the circuit court had correctly applied precedent when it rejected his appeal. And it may be that Edwin Langston, if released, would not pose a danger to the community. But considerations of justice are not only for incapacitation, but weigh the nature of the crime and harm. And the harm here the murder of Mrs. Ingraham (sic) was most profound, was final, and remains irrevocably unchanged, an attorney for the state wrote in a supplemental brief filed last year. In oral arguments before the court on Wednesday, Dec. 10 Deputy Solicitor General Eric Restuccia said Langstons initial conviction was proper because his jury received the correct instructions on the definition of malice as it existed at the time of his crime and trial. The Michigan Supreme Courts decision in the Aaron case was an essentially legislative change to Michigans definition of felony murder, he said. It didnt have to apply retroactively because the change was not required either constitutionally or otherwise by law. According to Jessica Zimbelman, deputy director at the State Appellate Defender Office, who argued Langstons case on behalf of Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, there are 93 men and women convicted under circumstances similar to Langstons who remain in jail. All of them are over the age of 60. If the court rules in Langstons favor, many of them likely would have another chance to argue that their crimes didnt rise to the level of murder, that they should be eligible for parole or even release. Whats going on here is uniquely cruel, she said Wednesday. Essentially, based on a single conclusory statement from this court in 1980, people have been kept in prison for much longer than their jury verdict would allow for, she said. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Miller v. Alabama that juveniles may not face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and ruled four years later that it applied retroactively, setting off a wave of resentencings. Michigans Supreme Court has gone further, issuing a series of rulings in 2022 that found the state Constitutions ban on cruel or unusual punishment is more expansive than the U.S. Constitutions ban on cruel and unusual punishment and that 18-year-olds also should not automatically be sentenced to life without parole. Earlier this year, the Court found that 19 and 20-year-olds were entitled to the same protections. Among the issues the Court asked the two sides to address is whether it should overrule People v. Hall, the 1976 case that found sentences of life without parole did not constitute cruel or unusual punishment. Zimbelman said in an interview that she doesnt believe the Court would have to overrule the Hall case in its entirety to give another chance Langston and other like him. It can make that holding for this specific subset of people, she said. As consumers continue to look for ways to save money at the grocery store, global soda and snack maker PepsiCo says it plans to help with that early next year. In a 2026 financial outlook plan unveiled Monday, the company said it recognizes that it must also cut costs to ensure customers are able to afford the products they love. While exact price cuts were not mentioned, the company says it is taking a targeted approach to create affordable price points for various brands. By doing so, PepsiCo believes customers will buy products more frequently than they are currently. PepsiCo, which owns popular brands like Pepsi, Doritos, Gatorade, Cheetos and Lays, will also trim about 20% of the products it sells. By doing so, the company will reduce costs with those savings going toward marketing and improving customer value. The company isnt pulling away from introducing new products, however, as the recently announced Simply NKD chip brand is already starting to appear in stores. The chips are free of artificial flavors and dyes and figure to be an important brand for the company going forward. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the moves are necessary because of consumer demand. Theres a big reset of affordability because we see the consumer struggling in the U.S. and in many Western countries, Laguarta said. PepsiCo is also exploring ways to improve the supply chain while lowering the costs associated with it. By reducing costs and improving affordability of its products, PepsiCo anticipates organic revenue growth in 2026 to be between two and four percent. The company expects to be at the higher end of that scale by the second half of the year. Overall, net revenue growth is expected to be between four and six percent for fiscal year 2026. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion farm aid package Monday a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war. He unveiled the plan Monday afternoon at a White House roundtable with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, lawmakers from farm states, and farmers who thanked him for the help. With this bridge payment, well be able to farm another year, Iowa farmer Cordt Holub told Trump during the event. Rollins put the immediate value of the program at $11 billion money that the White House said will offer one-time payments to row-crop farmers. Another $1 billion will be put aside for specialty crops as the administration works to better understand the circumstances for those farmers, Rollins said. The aid will move by the end of February, she said. We looked at how they were hurt, to what extent they were hurt, Trump said, explaining how the administration came up with the size of the package. Trump said the money for the program will come from tariff revenue. Later this month, the USDA will use a formula that estimates production costs to come up with a per-acre payment for each type of crop. Payments will be capped at $155,000 per farm or person, and only entities that make less than $900,000 a year will be eligible for aid. That will limit payments to large farms, which was a criticism of farm aid Trump delivered in his first term. Farmers have backed Trump politically, but his aggressive trade policies and frequently changing tariff rates have come under increasing scrutiny because of the impact on the agricultural sector and because of broader consumer worries. The aid is the administrations latest effort to defend Trumps economic stewardship and answer voter angst about rising costs. Trump has been dismissive of the affordability issue at times, but on Tuesday, he is set to travel to Pennsylvania to talk about how his administration is trying to address a concern that is important for voters. China purchases have been slow Soybeans and sorghum were hit the hardest by Trumps trade dispute with China because more than half those crops are exported each year with most of the harvest going to China. In October, after Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, the White House said Beijing had promised to buy at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of the calendar year, plus 25 million metric tons a year in each of the next three years. China is the worlds largest buyer of soybeans, but in recent years it has increasingly been shifting its purchases over to Brazil and other South American nations. China has purchased more than 2.8 million metric tons of soybeans since Trump announced the agreement at the end of October. Thats only about one quarter of what administration officials said China had promised, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said China is on track to meet its goal by the end of February, which is two months later than the White House originally promised. The size of the $12 billion aid package is roughly the value of total U.S. soybean exports to China in 2024 and half the total exports of U.S. farm goods to China in 2024. Farmers say their costs have surged Farmers appreciate the aid package, but they say its likely only a down payment on whats needed and government aid doesnt solve the fundamental problems of soaring costs and uncertain markets. During Trumps first term, he gave farmers more than $22 billion in aid payments in 2019 at the start of his trade war with China and nearly $46 billion in 2020, although that year also included aid related to the COVID pandemic. Farmers say want to make a profit off selling their crops -- not rely on government aid to survive. Thats a start, but I think we need to be looking for some avenues to find other funding opportunities and we need to get our markets going. Thats where we want to be able to make a living from, said Caleb Ragland, a Kentucky farmer who serves as president of the American Soybean Association. Most at risk are younger farmers and those who rent -- instead of own -- their land because they dont have much ability to borrow against the equity in their farms. If farmers cant make ends meet this year, there could be additional consolidation in the industry with giant industrial farms getting bigger and the number of smaller family farmers continuing to shrink. Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt is in a difficult position because he only owns 160 of the 2,000 acres he farms. So he says hes selling some of his equipment thats not essential and looking into whether he can pick up some overnight trucking jobs to help raise some cash. It is to the point where I dont want to saddle my kid with the kind of stress that my wife and I are under right now, Ewoldt said. But fourth-generation Minnesota farmer Darin Johnson said hes more optimistic that most farmers will be able to endure this latest trade war. A lot of farms are pretty well-established and they have the equity to be able to still keep borrowing money to get through tougher times like this, Johnson said. Trump has also been under pressure to address soaring beef prices. Trump has asked the Department of Justice to investigate foreign-owned meat packers he accused of driving up the price of beef, although he has not provided evidence to back his claims. On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order directing the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission to look at anti-competitive behavior in food supply chains including seed, fertilizer and equipment and consider taking enforcement actions or developing new regulations. YPSILANTI, MI Flint native and Eastern Michigan University graduate Brendan Kelly will serve as the next EMU president, the university Board of Regents announced Wednesday, Dec. 10. President of the Arkansas State University System, Kelly will replace outgoing EMU President James Smith, who will have spent 10 years at the university. Kelly earned a bachelors and masters degrees from EMU and a doctorate in philosophy from Wayne State University. He has been at Arkansas State since 2024 and previously served as president of the University of West Georgia, chancellor of the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg and Greenville, and interim president of the University of South Carolina, according to his Arkansas State biography. Brendan Kelly, third from left in the front row, will be the new president of Eastern Michigan University. William Diep He was also a vice president at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and taught for 13 years in Florida and Michigan in rhetoric and political communication, the bio states. The EMU Board of Regents specially met to announce Smiths successor at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in Welch Hall. Smith first announced in June his intentions to leave at the conclusion of his second term, on May 4, 2026. Smith is the longest-serving Michigan public university president currently in office, beginning his duties at EMU on July 1, 2016. Some of the highlights of his presidency, Smith previously said, include the completion of several capital projects like the renovation and construction of student housing; the construction and expansion of Sill Hall and Strong Hall and a facelift to the interior and exterior of the George Gervin GameAbove Center. He also pointed to increased resources EMU has provided for students physical and emotional wellbeing with investments in the universitys Rec/IM, Community Behavioral Health Clinic, Counseling and Psychological Services and a new campus health center. EMU also has expanded its Swoops Food Pantry to help address food insecurity, he said. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. ANN ARBOR, MI Scientists are not required to learn about science communication, but Teresa Paneque excels at it. Its not one of the things that you have to tick off as steps to make towards advancing your career, Paneque, 28, said. I do believe that science communication has made me a better scientist, and I think its also really valued by my peers. She is an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Michigan, published five books for children and teenagers, produces Spanish-language content for over 1.3 million followers across TikTok and Instagram and is the first female ambassador for the United Nations Childrens Fund in Chile. She learned in September that she was a top prize winner for the 2025 Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications for her social media work, previous book publications and work with UNICEF. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recognized Paneque and 23 other award recipients in Washington, D.C. in November. The prize gives her the resources to expand her scientific communication projects beyond just her phone, Paneque said. Brittany Aguilar, science associate at Schmidt Sciences, the organization that funds the prize, confirmed that the National Academies close to 700 applications for their 24 awards this year. She acknowledged the work of science communicators and said they do it on their own time, they put their own money into it. Schmidt Sciences is working toward legitimizing science communication as a career path, according to Aguilar, 37. When we have people who win the award, like Teresa, who are really successful in both in their academic career and in their science communication career, thats the ideal thing that I think we are hoping that there will become more of people like this in the world, Aguilar said. Originally from Chile, Paneques fundamental calling was to be a teacher, she said, and she would pretend to teach classes to her toys as a little kid. When I was in high school, I would do small teaching sessions for math and even history, Paneque said. I just loved learning and I loved sharing what I had learned." She went into astronomy because she enjoyed studying things that we couldnt touch. Paneque received her bachelors and masters degrees from Universidad de Chile and her doctoral degree as part of the International Max-Planck Research School program from the European Southern Observatory in Germany and Leiden University in the Netherlands in 2024. She came to UM in the fall of the same year. Paneque originally did not think she would pursue social media. She thought being an influencer was for really cool, popular kids. Her life changed during the total solar eclipse over Chile and Argentina in July 2019 when she and other astronomers were interviewed to explain the phenomenon. After the interviews, Paneque wanted to continue using her teaching and talking skills by recording educational videos for social media. Her videos gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and she began posting more consistently once she moved to Germany to start her PhD. Her first video was an explanation of how scientists could find planets through the transit method, when a planet passes between a star and its observer, in August 2019. I knew nothing of video editing so I would just put my phone and try to record in under a minute, so I had to record it like 50 times because if I went a little bit over a minute, it just wouldnt work, Paneque said. Since she began posting regularly on social media, her videos have accumulated over 15 million likes on TikTok. Her most popular video is a summary of five observations from the James Webb Space Telescope in July 2022. Paneque said she loves both scientific research and communication, but likes communication slightly more because it gives a lot of meaning to my job and she can impact millions. Its also the impact you can have in furthering good public policies, its the impact you can have when you use your voice to promote curiosity and promote teamwork, Paneque said. She wants the Spanish-speaking world to see that there is a young female Latin American astronomer that is being able to succeed both in science and in communication, a reason why she produces her videos in Spanish. Paneque said UM equally values her communication work and scientific research, which is not always the case for a lot of academic researchers that also delve into science communications. The juggle between her academic career and science communication work is akin to having two jobs, Paneque said. She balances her two passions by recognizing sometimes its not always 50-50. Her scientific communication passion also carries over to books. An avid reader, Paneque wanted to write something that I would read and something that I would enjoy. While her intended age groups are from 9 to 15, adults read her books, which are also in Spanish, to learn about science in a fun and entertaining way, according to Paneque. Science has to be multicultural and it has to happen in every single language, Paneque said. I want there to be a lot of Latin American girls and women making a change. She receives inspirations for her stories, which center on a female protagonist, partially from when she taught young students. Although her research is in planet formation and protoplanetary disks, her books cover an array of astronomical concepts. She also uses her science communication skills as an ambassador for UNICEF in Chile. She officially began working with the agency in 2022 and joined as an ambassador in 2023. Her projects include an astronomical ABC coloring page. She plans to make 2026 a year of reflection. I would like to take this year just to really process whats going on and be able to, instead of just reacting, planning, Paneque said. Her goal with her content? To open peoples minds outside of their echo chambers, Paneque said. Everyone thinks that they have the best argument or that they have the grand truth, when really everyone has a different perspective and the truth is something that we build between different people, Paneque said. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. YORK TWP., MI -- Residents of York Township have floated introducing a moratorium on data centers at a rumored upcoming site, although township leaders said they plan to wait on any formal action. Steve Gilzow was one of 10 people who expressed concern Tuesday evening about how a data center may impact the York Township community, pointing to a strained electrical system, environmental impact and a plethora of unknowns. The DTE I have been living with is not equipped, he said. If it cant service them, whats our leftover electrical service going to look like? St. Louis-based real estate firm Sansone Group is considering purchasing more than 400 acres at 8777 S. Platt Road in the township, east of Saline and north of Milan, according to previous reporting. The property, owned by Toyota and across from its North American R&D Headquarters, is zoned as a research park. No formal proposal has been made for a data center on the site, although the township has been informally approached, said Trustee Sally Louis shortly before public comment. Several residents put support behind a moratorium, although didnt specify the exact scope of such a proposal. The Pittsfield Township Board of Trustees approved a moratorium Nov. 20 blocking both applications for data centers in the township and changes to its zoning ordinances for six months. Jacob Brabbs, one of several who mentioned a moratorium during comment, said he has watched other communities which have misstepped and removed potential legal levers. I do think that theres a lot to be learned, Brabbs said. The potential moratorium is probably a good idea, just given the number of data centers in such close proximity. The York Township Board of Trustees plans to wait until there is a formal proposal, said David Ludwig, deputy supervisor of the township. Were just sitting tight at the moment, Ludwig told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Several residents flagged reliability of the electrical grid as a point of concern, should a data center be proposed and approved. Worries about water, noise and light pollution were also at the forefront of comments. Jacob Strong, who lives in the township, said he is concerned about the safety of his well. My property is already on its second well, so I was worried that with the amount of water that they would be pumping out of the ground that it would affect my aquifer, Strong told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. The potential concentration of centers also worried residents. The York Township data center, if formally pitched, would be the fourth project of its kind in Washtenaw County. Data centers or computing facilities have also been proposed in Saline, Augusta and Ypsilanti townships, prompting pushback from those communities. Aileen Gilzow said she would rather see the effect of one data center in the area before approving another. Lets see its impact on our electrical grid, our ecosystems, our waterways, our water systems, she told the board. Looking at potentially theres now four York Township being one I think that makes us a human experiment. Brabbs echoed the sentiment. When you start to get so many in a concentrated area, its really hard to know what that kind of long-term impact is going to be on the environment, he told MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Residents are already preparing for a fight, Brabbs said. Township residents would be overwhelmingly against a center, he added. Township residents appreciate the agricultural aspect of the area, Strong said. If a formal proposal is made, he said, he anticipates more attendance at township meetings. They dont want that image of the countryside being disrupted or taken away, he said. They dont want to lose what drew them here in the first place. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page. FLINT, MI -- After waiting more than a decade since the start of the Flint water crisis, nearly 26,000 city residents and others are about to get paid for their damages. A federal judge last week approved a plan for dividing and distributing a historic $626.25 million settlement fund and green-lit payments, starting this week with roughly 7,000 residential property damage claims. Heres some of the information being shared with claimants on the website authorized by U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The first payment letters are in the mail. The first award notices and payments will be for those who have been approved only for residential property damage claims. The settlement limits the amount of the claims to $1,000 per parcel of property, and the first batch of about 7,000 payment letters is being mailed this week. Only those who do not have a property that is shared with another claimant will be included in the initial mailing. Those with claims in which more than one person made authorized claims for the same property will be in the next batch of payments. What to do after receiving an award notice. Each person who received a notice or decision approving their claim will receive an award notice. After receiving it, you can access the official Flint Water Settlement Payment Portal to select how to receive payment. Each award notice includes a unique identification code and information for logging on in order to access money thats been awarded. Computer access is available at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, and the settlement website includes information for scheduling a set time to use library computers. The portal will go live on Friday, Dec. 12, for those who have received notices. For adults, there are two options for receiving payment -- electronic transfer to a bank account or service such as PayPal or a standard paper check. Checks will be issued by Huntington Bank, which will cash them free of charge whether you have an account there or not. Funds for minors can only be distributed through a structured settlement or a trust, according to a process approved by District Judge Judith E. Levy in August. Expect claim payments to vary widely. The settlement provides 30 different compensation categories covering a wide range of claims of injury and damage, including claims for minors and adults, and claims for personal injuries, property damage, and business loss. Payments will vary widely and many will be modest, according to information posted on the water settlement website. Children who were 6 years old or younger during the water crisis are the biggest potential beneficiaries of the settlement, and more than 13,000 of their claims had been approved for payment as of September. Although most payments will be modest, according to court documents filed by Greenspan last month, awards to some of the youngest claimants with the highest lead levels may be in the range of $100,000. All other awards -- for young children without such high lead levels or for older children and adults -- will be considerably lower, Greenspan said in that report to the court. Heres why children are getting more than adults. Children 6 and under at the time of the water crisis will divide 64.5% of available settlement funds with children 7-11 at the time sharing an additional 20% of funds. In approving the settlement allocation, District Judge Judith E. Levy gave this rationale for the decision. This distribution recognizes that those who were exposed to contaminated Flint Water at a younger age will experience (more) harm than older people. Levy cited information from the World Health Organization that young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because they absorb four to five times as much ingested lead as adults from a given source. What to do if you have an approved claim but dont receive a letter. The court is advising those with claims who dont receive a letter to contact their attorney if they have one. Those who dont have an attorney can call 888-893-7470 for more information. The settlement website says that if an address has changed since a claim was approved, it can be remailed. News / National by Staff reporter Construction has officially started on Zimbabwe's first-ever 360-degree rotating restaurant, a landmark feature of the ambitious Liberation City Project, the Institute of African Knowledge (INSTAK) announced on Tuesday. The installation of structural columns for the restaurant has begun atop the fourth floor of the Museum of African Liberation, which is currently under construction in Harare.INSTAK described the milestone as a significant step in realising the project's vision of combining education, heritage, tourism, and leisure. The restaurant, designed in the shape of a traditional African clay pot, will become the country's highest dining facility by altitude, offering diners uninterrupted panoramic views of the capital city."The restaurant, whose cylindrical design is inspired by traditional African clay pots, will be the highest dining venue in Zimbabwe by altitude, presenting guests with uninterrupted panoramic views across the capital city. This tourism and hospitality game-changer complements Liberation City's educational, heritage and hospitality outlook," INSTAK said in a statement.The institute confirmed that the construction of the steel and concrete superstructure of the Museum of African Liberation is progressing according to schedule, with completion targeted for April 30, 2026. INSTAK emphasised that the Museum will serve as a lasting tribute to Africa's liberation movements and heroes, attracting endorsement and support from more than 20 countries as well as strong backing from President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the Zimbabwean government.The rotating restaurant is part of the broader Liberation City masterplan, which also includes the Heritage Village, Liberation Mall, an African-themed amusement park, an animal park, a five-star hotel, and presidential villas. The development aims to position Harare as a world-class hub for tourism, culture, and history, with the Museum of African Liberation expected to be completed well ahead of Zimbabwe hosting the African Union Mid-Year Summit in July 2027.INSTAK hailed the construction milestone as a symbol of Zimbabwe's commitment to celebrating its heritage while developing modern attractions that combine leisure, culture, and education for both locals and international visitors. OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- A capacity crowd filled an Ottawa County township hall as residents in rural Zeeland voiced opposition to a proposed large-scale solar farm. The crowd filled the lower level of the Zeeland Township hall Tuesday, Dec. 9 as one resident after another told township planners why they believe a $300 million solar farm would ruin the townships agricultural character. Zeeland Township must stand firm and protect the land and agriculture identity that defines this place, said Gerald Vanderlugt, who lives on 48th Avenue. Once its covered in steel, glass, wiring and fencing, that land is gone for 30 to 40 years, he said. Most of the approximate 200 people who packed the meeting were in opposition to the solar project planned by Germany-based energy company RWE. Zeeland Township planners for several months have been working on an ordinance to govern solar projects. At Tuesdays meeting, they pivoted and asked municipal attorney Dave Eberle to expand the ordinance language to include wind and battery storage. RWE wants to build a solar project on up to 1,100 acres spanning properties in Zeeland and Jamestown Township, south of I-196. The project would require a special use permit from the township. RWE could at any time also choose to bypass township leaders and ask the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval, based on Public Act 233. Monty Vanderwall said he and his family moved into a brick ranch house on five acres on 56th Avenue about 10 years ago. He has four young sons. Vanderwall recently built his dream house on the same property after splitting the lot into two parcels. Hes worried his country views will soon be disrupted by solar panels. The house we moved into just four months prior is going to be surrounded, he said. RWE wants to start construction on the 200 mw solar farm sometime in 2026 and is working to secure long-term leases with property owners. The solar panels would not necessarily be on one large property, but could involve several non-contiguous properties. Township planners on Tuesday advised the attorney and township staff to work on a new ordinance that could allow the township to have a certain extent of regulatory oversight over a solar farm -- setbacks, drainage, removal caveats at end of lifespan -- but without causing RWE to seek approval from the MPSC instead. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A former Comstock Park man who coerced an 11-year-old girl to provide nude images via the internet was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison. Christian VanderVeen, 25, of Baldwin, was sentenced Wednesday, Dec. 10, by U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering. Judge Beckerings sentence today sends a clear message to anyone who is thinking of preying on our kids just dont do it. If you do, we will find you and the consequences will be severe, U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said in a statement. Defendants conduct is abhorrent and inexcusable, Assistant U.S. Attorney Doaa Al-Howaishy, wrote in court records. The girls mother told an investigator that VanderVeen was a monster that took the innocence away from my child, court records said. Her daughter was traumatized to the point where she now is not a normal child. The prosecutor also provided a message VanderVeen sent to the victims friend in an attempt to obtain sexually explicit images of her. In court documents, prosecutors included a message VanderVeen sent: HEY PLEASE LISTEN AND DONT TRY TO DO ANYTHING!! Im a hacker and I know exactly where you live if you listen to me everything will be ok GO INTO YOUR BATHROOM AND SEND SOME NAKED PICS and I will let you go without anything happening IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN I PROMISE I WILL BE AFTER YOU YOU LIVE ACROSS FROM YOUR FRIEND IF YOU LISTEN EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. He sent a photo that was taken by the first girl to her friend and wrote to the second victim: Show me yours now, the prosecutor said in court documents. VanderVeen earlier pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. The charge carries a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison. The first girls mother contacted authorities on Dec. 21, 2024, because her daughter had repeatedly received Facebook Messenger messages from VanderVeen, a former neighbor, state police detective Sgt. Dillard Hayes, assigned to an FBI task force, wrote in a criminal complaint. VanderVeen had requested that the girl unblock him on Snapchat. Her mother took control of the phone and unblocked VanderVeen. He repeatedly asked for pics, court records said. He also sent a nude image of himself. He acknowledged the girl was under 13 during the conversation. In his defense, VanderVeens attorney highlighted VanderVeens remorse and a letter of apology. VanderVeen also submitted eight letters of support for the judge to review, Sean Tilton, a federal public defender, wrote in a sentencing memorandum. Mr. VanderVeen apologizes to the victims of this offense. At the time of the offense, Mr. VanderVeen did not consider the harm that his actions would cause. He has now had time to reflect on the offense and is sorry for his behavior and understands its consequences. VanderVeen has a history of taking care of family members and others. He built a wheelchair ramp for his grandmother and cared for her when she was treated for cancer. As a child, he brought food to a homeless man and convinced his father to buy the man a mattress and sleeping bag. He has worked since he was in high school and helped support his large family. He had no previous criminal record, his attorney said. In a two-page, handwritten letter, VanderVeen said he misses his family. He has a brother who needs his help, he said. VanderVeen said he planned to seek counseling. I understand what I did was completely wrong but I can promise I am not a bad person or a threat to anyone else. I just made a very bad mistake and never ever will do this again as I have learned from this. Once his prison sentence ends, VanderVeen will be on supervised release for five years. JACKSON COUNTY, MI The Michigan Department of Transportation will close westbound I-94 under Airport Road for bridge repairs. The closure will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12. Drivers should expect delays, and alternative routes are advised. The bridge was damaged from a high-load strike on April 11. This work will replace the portion of the bridge that was damaged. More information can be found on MDOTs website. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. Editors Note: The initial version of this story stated incorrectly that the trail would cost $6.2 million. City officials have clarified that they anticipate it costing $4.7 million. PORTAGE, MI The city of Portage already assembled land for a new trail along Austin Lake. Now, its assembling funds for construction. The final cost wont be set until contractor bids are returned in early 2026, but city officials are anticipating the project to cost around $4.7 million with the vast majority coming from grant funding. The city has already secured $4,132,473 in grant funding from the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Transportation, according to the city councils Dec. 2 agenda packet. MORE: With hopes of building $3M lakeside trail, Portage goes after state grants Another $567,000 is available from the citys capital improvement budget, Adam Herringa, Portage chief operating officer, told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. The 3-mile, non-motorized trail will stretch from Zylman Avenue to the citys southern border. Its expected to be complete in 2027, City Manager Pat McGinnis said previously. Once complete, it will offer a paved, 10-foot-wide, non-motorized connection to the Vicksburg Trail in Schoolcraft Township, expanding the regions trail network. City officials have previously estimated the project would cost $3 million, then $4 million, and most recently, as much as $6 million. We intentionally have not released a project estimate so that bidders are not influenced by it and can submit the most competitive, cost-based proposals, city spokesperson Mary Beth Block said. The three-mile, 10-foot wide trail runs along side East Shore Drive. City of Portage The bulk of the funds for the project is coming via federal dollars distributed by MDOT, Herringa said. MDOT will be putting out and managing the request for proposals in early 2026, he said. The city has already spent nearly $2 million to acquire property and design the the trail. It bought up 10.65 acres to the south of the trail at 10313 East Shore Dr. for $84,432 in 2023. The city put $378,595 toward project design in 2024. And Portage also took a 1-mile stretch along the east shore of Austin Lake under the power of eminent domain, compensating the former owners $1.5 million. Eastshore LLC owned the former railroad track for more than 40 years, per city documents. Though not entirely waterfront, it offers views of Austin Lake along the route. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. MUSKEGON, MI - The Muskegon City Commission voted Tuesday, Dec. 9 to approve a land swap and development agreement involving properties on Muskegon Lake. The decision was approved in a 4-2 vote, with commissioners Katrina Kochin and Destinee Keener voting no. Commissioner Willie German was absent. The proposed development agreement between the city and West Michigan Dock and Market Corporation (Mart Dock) will see the swap of two properties and a plan for a third, adjacent property to be acquired. Mart Dock will lease, with an option to purchase, most of Fishermans Landing, a city-owned park at 501 E. Western Ave. on Muskegon Lake. The campground thats currently there could close after 2026. Port operations currently near downtown will move further east to the park site. The city will take ownership of Third Street Wharf, a long-vacant parcel on Muskegon Lake next to where Mart Dock currently operates. Muskegon residents will gain 4,000 feet of free public waterfront access in the agreement. Scenes from Tuesday, Sept. 16, when Mart Dock President Max McKee gave a tour of the property to around 50 people and spoke in detail about a potential land swap proposal that would increase port operations, further develop the downtown waterfront and increase public access. It would also potentially eliminate a private campground. Kayla Tucker The commission also approved on Tuesday the rezoning of two properties involved in the agreement. Commissioners approved the rezoning of Fishermans Landing from open space recreation to waterfront industrial PUD (planned unit development) and the rezoning of Mart Dock from waterfront marine to waterfront industrial PUD. The project is dependent both on receiving a federal port development grant in the future and a conversion agreement with the state ensuring the campground is being replaced by adequate recreational space. More than 200 construction jobs and 300 sustainable jobs are expected to be created with the project, along with more than $14 million in wages and more than $41 million in annual economic activity. The city expects to close on the new Third Street waterfront public space in early 2026, with limited public access expected in summer 2026. Public comments Tuesday night included both supporters and opponents of the development agreement. Commissioners and city staff noted over the last several months that the feedback they received included many opposed to the project who did not live in the city of Muskegon. The Muskegon County Commissioners unanimously supported the project last month by way of a resolution, adding that its similar to the countys goals for Heritage Landing waterfront park next door. I think its a great opportunity for the city of Muskegon, but also for the entire county, said County Commissioner Jessica Cook in the Nov. 18 meeting. This will affect the entire county as businesses develop and grow around Muskegon Lake. A large charity fishing tournament has said that it will not return if the land swap goes through, and a kayaking program has concerns about continuing in proximity to port operations. You have people on their first time out and having to maneuver around a big ship, said Lora Swenson, with Watch Us Go Boating, which takes people out to kayak on Muskegon Lake, many for the first time. Its already challenging with fishing tournaments and getting back and forth through that channel. MUSKEGON, MI - Muskegon police are seeking the communitys help following two violent events that resulted in three deaths over nine days on the east side of the city. An elderly man was shot and killed on Dec. 1 at home on Jiroch Street by someone who he knew in an apparent attempted robbery, police said. On Dec. 6, two more lives were lost in a home invasion on Jackson Avenue where five people, including a 4-year-old, were injured by gunfire. While a 16-year-old has been arraigned on an open murder charge in connection to the first shooting, resulting in the death of Tomas Lee Stewart Sr., the more recent shooting is still under investigation. One person of interest has been detained in connection with the Jackson Ave. shooting that killed 25-year-old Joshua Fondren Jr. and 22-year-old Cori Marie-May Watts. More details have not been released to protect the integrity of that investigation, said Tim Kozal, director of public safety for Muskegon, during the Dec. 9 city commission meeting. We are working diligently, Kozal said. We have identified a person of interest and have interviewed that person. Im very confident that we will, at some point here soon, be able to have somebody in custody. We just have to protect the integrity so we can get those people and bring them to justice. Muskegon Public Safety Director Tim Kozal gives an update during the Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, city commission meeting, on the Jackson Hill and Jiroch Street shootings that happened this month. Kayla Tucker Kozal said law enforcement has received a ton of support from the community on this. I know this is something that shook the Jackson Hill neighborhood, Kozal said. It was a very unfortunate incident, but weve been very diligent on looking at everything and working with our partners. The community assisted the police in solving the Dec. 1 shooting, according to Kozal. The department has received tips following the recent deaths. People having no problem with chatting with us about what they know has been insurmountable in how these investigations have taken place, Kozal said. I think gone are the times of people saying, I dont want to talk. Its great to see what our community is doing and wrapping their arms around us and being able to help us bring justice to these victims and to these victims families. The public safety director commended first responders on the scene Dec. 6. Muskegon police responded along with Michigan State Police and local ambulance services. Investigators were on the scene for more than 12 hours into Sunday morning. It was a very chaotic scene, Kozal said. We had officers on scene very rapidly. We had officers actually in the residence when the shooting was still taking place. I believe that we acted admirably as a police department. We tended to the wounded. We had several wounded people inside the residence. We have worked tirelessly since then with cooperative help from all of our local partners and from our state and federal partners. Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson also commended local law enforcement. I have the utmost confidence in our police department and our detective bureaus and in our partners and other agencies that we will apprehend the folks responsible for what happened in Jackson Hill and that we will secure justice, Johnson said. He asked the community to come together, rather than rushing to judgement or speculation. Those tragic events have traumatized so many in our community - the victims and their families and their friends, the neighbors, our first responders, medical professionals, Johnson said. Its so important that in times like these that we dont rush to judgment, speculation, spreading fear and distrust and distress, that we come together in kindness and compassion to one another and in support and reassurance to the victims. A moment of silence for the shooting victims was held during the Dec. 9 commission meeting. Anyone with information about those incidents or any other criminal activity that may be happening in the city is encouraged to contact Muskegon police at 231-724-6750 or anonymously through Silent Observer at 231-722-7463. Outside a Jackson Hill home where multiple individuals suffered gunshot wounds during an altercation at a home in Muskegon, Mich. on Monday, December 8, 2025. Two people died following the incident on Saturday. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com Jackson Hill shooting There was an altercation on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 633 Jackson Ave. that resulted in gunfire. Information suggests the shooting might have been connected to a robbery, police reported. Two 25-year-old men are still in critical condition in the hospital but have not declined, Kozal told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle on Wednesday, Dec. 10. A 4-year-old with minor injuries from a bullet graze wound was expected to make a full recovery. Kozal said there is no gang affiliation tied to the Jackson Avenue shooting. Some residents and community members were concerned over the weekend not knowing more information about the suspect or suspects. If there was something that I believed (a danger) to the Jackson Hill neighborhood or the public as a whole, I would definitely say something, Kozal said. This was isolated to this time, at that house, at that moment. The December deaths brought Muskegons homicide total up to five this year. There were five homicides in 2024, four in 2023 and 10 in 2022. Across the city, Kozal said high-level crimes are down 25% over the last year. Those include homicides, armed robbery, kidnapping, sex crimes and auto theft. The Jackson Hill neighborhood has only had one of those high-level crimes committed in the area over the last three years, Kozal said. Following the weekend shooting, neighbors noted that the area is typically quiet and people keep to themselves. Vigils were held on Monday for Fondren Jr. and Watts. MUSKEGON, MI City officials say Adelaide Pointe is on track to complete improvements to the Hartshorn Peninsula by May 1, 2026. At the Muskegon City Commission meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, City Manager Jonathan Seyferth told commissioners that Adelaide Pointe and its developer Ryan Leestma have upheld their end of the bargain that granted them a six-month extension on the project. The city commission in October gave Leestma an extended deadline of May 1 to complete the promised improvements to the peninsula east of Adelaide Pointe. Approval came with the condition that Adelaide Pointe and the city must take several steps to complete the project by Dec. 1. Part of that was completion of the bike trail on the peninsula. At this point, Adelaide Pointe has met the requirements that we put in place for them by Dec. 1. This was all in prior to Thanksgiving, Seyferth said. The city and Adelaide Pointe have signed a contract with MZH Concrete of Spring Lake to complete the flatwork on the site, which includes the parking lot and trail that will run up the length of the peninsula. The city also must provide an updated legal description for Leestma to sign once its complete. The city commission will review that legal description for approval at the first or second meeting in January, Seyferth said. The park improvements are part of a cooperative use agreement Adelaide Pointe made with the city regarding public improvements in September 2022. Those improvements included the bike path, the east basin park area and the east basin parking lot. The commission originally set a deadline of Nov. 1 for Leestma to have improvements on the peninsula completed. While the bike path connecting the Lakeshore Trail to downtown Muskegon was completed this summer, the other improvements to the peninsula remained incomplete. In September, Adelaide Pointe told city officials that the improvements will not be complete by November and requested an extended deadline of May 1, 2026. Adelaide Pointe CEO Aubrey Glick said the developer would not be able to meet the November deadline due to delayed construction of the condominium building on Adelaide Point, restricted cash flow from low sales and conflict with one of the developments lenders, Independent Bank. Glick in a recent email to MLive/Muskegon Chronicle said Adelaide Pointe is confident it will meet the May 1 deadline. MUSKEGON, MI A teen boy charged with murder knew a 73-year-old man he allegedly shot and killed, Muskegon police said. Kemaree Davis, 16, was arraigned on an open murder charge Tuesday, Dec. 9, in connection to the shooting death of Tomas Lee Stewart Sr. A judge denied bond for Davis, who is charged as an adult, and he will remain in custody until his next court appearance in January, court records show. Davis was arrested on Monday one week after the killing after allegedly leading police on a brief foot chase. Muskegon Police Chief Tim Kozal briefed media outlets Tuesday with some new details about the case. Stewart was found Dec. 1 suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body after a shooting in his home on Jiroch Street. Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene. One week after the shooting, police performed a traffic stop near Harvey Street and Marquette Avenue. Police believed those in the vehicle were involved in the shooting. When officers initiated the stop, Davis and a 17-year-old boy fled from the vehicle on foot. The teens were eventually located and taken into custody. Davis allegedly knew Stewart, Kozal said, and the teen is believed to be the only person to enter the home. The investigation is still ongoing, but Kozal said evidence indicates the shooting stemmed from an attempted robbery. Stewarts killing was not connected with a shooting on Saturday, Dec. 6, that left two people dead and three others injured. That shooting also remains under investigation. Police did not release new information during Tuesdays press conference. Davis is set to appear in court Jan. 8, 2026, for a probable cause hearing. LANSING, MI After a delay of more than a year, court proceedings are back on track for a controversial Michigan State Police trooper charged with the unprovoked beating of a Saginaw pedestrian. Trooper Paul E. Arrowood since March 2023 has been charged with common law offense-misconduct in office and assault and battery stemming from his interaction with civilian Michael D. Wilson in September 2022. The first charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while the second is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. Arrowoods case was bound over to Circuit Court at the conclusion of a January 2024 preliminary examination. Rather than proceed to trial as scheduled in July 2024, Arrowood and attorney Paul T. Tylenda filed an interlocutory appeal seeking to have the misconduct-in-office charge dismissed, effectively halting the criminal matter as of October 2024. The defense argued Arrowoods actions against Wilson were justified and reasonable given Wilsons resistance during the struggle. A three-judge Michigan Court of Appeals on Aug. 14 issued an opinion denying Arrowoods motion for the felonys dismissal. The judges found there is probable cause to support the charge and ample evidence to justify Arrowoods case being set for trial. In their seven-page ruling, the judges recapped competing testimony of two MSP sergeants taken during the preliminary examination. Sgt. Justin Mazur, an expert in defensive and use-of-force tactics, testified Arrowoods conduct with Wilson was inappropriate and did not comport with MSP policies. Sgt. Justin Kemerer, also a defensive-tactics instructor, testified Arrowoods actions were reasonable and proportionate. However, Mazur also noted Arrowood failed to provide any justification for using force on Wilson in his own report, the judges wrote. Nor did the other troopers strike Wilson, suggesting that they did not believe such force was reasonable under the circumstances, the judges wrote. Moreover, defendants actions along with his foul language provided evidence of a corrupt intent. Tylenda on Tuesday, Dec. 9, declined to comment on the case when contacted by MLive. Saginaw County Circuit Court on Nov. 20 reopened Arrowoods case on receiving the appellate courts findings. Arrowoods criminal matters are set for a settlement conference before Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III the morning of Jan. 15. Wilson testified during the preliminary exam that he was walking west on Webber Street around 10:45 p.m. on Sept. 4, 2022, when Arrowood and fellow Trooper Logan Barber pulled up behind him in a marked patrol vehicle. Arrowood, the vehicles driver, quickly exited and approached Wilson. Video of the incident was recorded by troopers body-worn and in-vehicle cameras. The footage, as played in court, showed Arrowood and Barber approach Wilson and tell him to stop walking. Time out, time out, time out, Wilson said as the troopers put their hands on his arms. Im not even doing nothing. Please dont. A few seconds later, Arrowood wrapped his arms around Wilson and yanked him to the ground, telling him to roll over. I cant get my hands behind my back. Why you gonna beat my ass? Wilson asks. Arrowood went on to repeatedly strike Wilson with his fists and knees, cursing at him and calling him vulgarities. Wilson loudly yelled for help several times. Arrowood told Barber to stun Wilson with a Taser, at which point Wilson relented. Four more troopers arrived and arrested Wilson. Wilson was examined at the scene by medical responders then taken to the Saginaw County Jail. He was not charged with a crime. The MSP suspended Arrowood without pay on Sept. 30, 2022. Arrowood is also the target of two federal lawsuits, one filed by Wilson and the other by Bay City resident Sharon M. Pennell. Pennells suit stems from Arrowood arresting her in December 2020 on suspicion of drunken driving. Pennell alleged Arrowood berated her, called her an expletive, ransacked her vehicle, and violently and with great force threw her to the ground, causing injuries. Pennell was released from custody after it was determined she did not in fact have alcohol in her system, her lawsuit states. Pennell filed a complaint with the MSP, with Internal Affairs sustaining it. They found Arrowood used inappropriate language, did not follow policies, failed to properly secure Pennell in his patrol vehicle, failed to secure her registration plate, and failed to complete a use-of-force report. Throughout the arrest and subsequent blood draw, Trooper Arrowood mocked and berated Pennell, the disposition report states. The MSP placed Arrowood on a three-day suspension. Arrowood began his employment with the MSP in December 2008, initially working out of the Caro Post. He worked out of the Detroit Post from October 2011 through the following September, the Flint Post from September 2012 through October 2016, and the Tri-City Post since October 2016. Between September 2013 through December 2022, Arrowood was the subject of seven citizens complaints. Common allegations among them included rudeness, crass language, rushes to judgment, violence, and profiling. Arrowood has also killed a man in the line of duty. On May 25, 2013, Arrowood shot and killed civilian Gary Hatcher Jr., 26, in what began as a traffic stop. According to Arrowoods own report obtained by MLive via a Freedom of Information Act request, he pulled over a car Hatcher was riding as a passenger in as the cars license plate expired the prior month. Hatcher fled on foot and Arrowood pursued. When the two reconnected, Hatcher kicked Arrowood, grabbed the troopers .40-caliber gun and tried disarming him, causing one round to fire. Arrowood then drew a .38-caliber gun and fired twice, mortally wounding Hatcher. In his report, Arrowood wrote his patrol car was outfitted with a dashboard camera, but it was inverted and pointed toward the back of the vehicle during his interaction with Hatcher. Nearly a year to the day since Hatchers death, Genesee County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Randall Petrides on May 20, 2014, informed the MSP that Arrowood acted reasonably and would not face criminal charges. MAPLE GROVE TWP, MI A crash in rural Saginaw County involving seven Texans has resulted in a Michigan womans death. Just after 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10, sheriffs deputies responded to the two-vehicle collision on Sheridan Road/M-13 north of Ditch Road in Maple Grove Township. They determined a Ford Expedition containing seven Texans had been heading north on Sheridan when its driver lost control and crashed into a southbound Ford F-150 pickup truck. Medical responders pronounced the Clio woman who had been driving the F-150 deceased at the scene. Deputies did not disclose the decedents name or age. The Texans were taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint for non-life-threatening injuries. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe will next year initiate a sweeping US$3 billion road rehabilitation and upgrade programme targeting four major national highways, in what government officials describe as one of the most ambitious infrastructure drives since independence. The project, outlined under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), is expected to modernise the country's transport network, streamline domestic travel and facilitate smoother regional trade flows.The works will run between 2026 and 2030, largely funded through public-private partnerships (PPPs). Authorities say the first phase will focus on two strategic commercial corridors - the HarareChirundu Highway and the BeitbridgeBulawayoVictoria Falls route - both of which handle high volumes of freight traffic and regional transit.According to NDS2, the HarareChirundu Highway will undergo a full overhaul at an estimated cost of US$900 million, covering resurfacing, widening, and the installation of new toll plazas and weighbridges. The corridor serves as Zimbabwe's gateway to Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and northern SADC, making it one of the busiest cargo routes in the country. Government expects that the improvements will ease congestion, strengthen transport safety and improve the efficiency of goods movement to northern markets.The second flagship project involves the rehabilitation of the BeitbridgeBulawayoVictoria Falls Highway. The upgrade, projected at US$1.2 billion and scheduled for implementation between 2026 and 2030, will also run under a PPP arrangement. The route is critical to national tourism and trade, connecting South Africa to Victoria Falls and mining centres in the north-west. Officials say the reconstruction will boost tourism numbers, cut freight delays and reinforce Zimbabwe's relevance as a regional transport hub.In addition to the two main corridors, government has announced timelines for three further inter-city routes. The HarareNyamapanda Highway will be upgraded for US$262 million, with completion expected in 2029 alongside the modernisation of the Nyamapanda Border Post. The GweruZvishavaneRutengaBoliSango Road, which will enhance access to the Lowveld and Mozambique-bound traffic, will be implemented at a cost of US$450 million and finalised by 2030. A separate US$384 million upgrade of the HarareKanyemba Highway is scheduled for completion by 2029, including refurbishment of the border post to strengthen northern connectivity to Zambia and Tanzania.Several major works are already underway across the country as part of the same infrastructure push. These include the widening of the HarareChegutu section of the HarareBulawayo Road at a cost of US$105 million, and upgrades to the HarareMarondera stretch of the HarareMutare Highway valued at US$95 million. Construction has commenced on the long-awaited 240km KwekweLupane Highway, which is expected to shorten travel to Victoria Falls by nearly 200 kilometres. Upgrades to the BulawayoNkayi Road are progressing, while the 31.2km Christmas Pass By-Pass in Mutare is being developed to divert heavy haulage trucks away from the congested city centre. The Mabvuku Interchange on the eastern side of Harare is also advancing and scheduled for completion in 2026.Officials say the cumulative works represent a transformative investment in the country's road system and could dramatically reshape trade patterns, logistics efficiency and economic growth over the next decade. The government views the upgrades as essential to positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive transport corridor linking southern, central and east African markets. CARO, MI A Florida trucker is going to spend the next several months in a Michigan jail for killing three members of the Putman family, a large clan made famous by a reality TV series bearing their name. Pavel B. Shchukin, 55, on Tuesday, Dec. 9, appeared before Tuscola County District Judge Jason E. Bitzer and pleaded no contest to three counts of moving violation causing death. The charge is a one-year misdemeanor. The deaths Shchukin caused are those of family patriarch William E. Bill Putman II, his wife Barbara J. Neenee Putman, and the couples daughter-in-law, Megan N. Putman. Five more Putmans were injured but survived the late September crash. An interpreter was present for the hearing to translate English into Shchukins first language of Russian. Shchukin is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. Bitzer proceeded to sentence Shchukin to one year in jail with credit for 74 days already served, the maximum allowable. He further ordered Shchukin to pay $1,425 in fines and costs, though did not order him to pay the Putmans any restitution. Members of the Putman family gave impact statements to the court, among them Blake A. Putman, adult son of Bill and Neenee Putman and widower of Megan Putman. He provided Shchukin with a Russian Bible and stressed the importance his family places on faith in God. The Putman family gathers for a photo in the dining room of their home in Caseville Township on Jan. 12, 2017. Jacob Hamilton | Jhamilt3@mlive.com Tuscola County Prosecutor Erica K. Walle commended the Putmans on their ability to show forgiveness, grace, and mercy towards the defendant. My heart goes out to every member of the Putman family and every member of the community impacted by this tragedy, Walle said. Shchukin, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, on the evening of Sept. 26 was driving a commercial semitruck through Ellington Township. About 9 p.m., he was heading south on Hurds Corner Road when he failed to obey a stop sign at the intersection of Deckerville Road. The semi crashed into an eastbound Jeep carrying eight members of the Putman family. In addition to killing Bill, Barbara, and Megan Putman and injuring Blake Putman, the collision injured minors Noah W., Lillian H., Alena V., and Gia J. Putman. Noah, Lillian, and Alena are Blake and Megan Putmans children, while Gia is a niece of theirs. Gia underwent her 10th surgery since the crash on Dec. 8, according to the Putmans social media accounts. Prosecutor Walle also lauded the efforts of first responders in the case, including Tuscola County Sheriffs deputies, Michigan State Police troopers, police and firefighters from Caro, Cass City, Kingston, and paramedics from numerous agencies. Their coordinated, dedicated and relentless efforts were a tribute to their dedication and training, Walle said. The Putmans are a multi-generational family that live in the same 35,000-square-foot Caseville house. They were the focus of TLCs Meet the Putmans, which ran for a single season in 2017. The family transitioned to YouTube, launching the channel Growing up Putman in 2021. The channel has about 9,850 subscribers. The last video was posted four weeks ago. The collision marked the second mass-death crash in Tuscola County in two months. The afternoon of Aug. 12, a southbound pickup truck ran a stop sign at an intersection in Gilford Township and collided with a westbound transport van containing nine Amish passengers. The impact ejected several occupants of both vehicles. Six of the 13 people involved died of injuries. The consequences suffered by the families, friends, and our communities are incalculable and irreversible, Walle said. Each of the recent crashes was clearly preventable. No charges have been issued in connection with the Aug. 12 crash. ROSCOMMON, MI A Roscommon County commissioner is charged with sexually assaulting a minor with an intellectual disability. David S. Russo, 67, on Wednesday, Dec. 10, appeared in Roscommon County District Court for arraignment on three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a mentally incapable victim and one count of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Third-degree criminal sexual conduct involves penetration and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Russo has not returned emails or phone calls from MLive. A defense attorney has not filed an appearance on Russos behalf. Michigan State Police troopers began investigating Russo on Aug. 27 on a referral from the Roscommon County Sheriffs Office, said Special Lt. Ashley Miller. They allege that starting in December 2021 and continuing through December 2024, Russo sexually assaulted a 16-year-old boy who lived near where Russo worked, Miller said. They also allege Russo provided the teen with cigarettes, charging documents show. Troopers arrested Russo on Nov. 21 and his bond was set at $150,000 cash-surety or 10%. Russo was freed the same day after posting $37,500. Russos bond was continued once he was arraigned on Wednesday. The Crawford County Prosecutors Office is trying the case on the peoples behalf, having been appointed to do so by the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council, an autonomous entity within the Michigan Attorney Generals Office, said Crawford County Prosecutor Sierra R. Koch. Koch declined to comment on the cases specifics. Russo of Houghton Lake is the District 1 commissioner for Roscommon County. The commission issued a statement on Nov. 24, prior to Russos arraignment, stating the situation is strictly personal in nature. What has occurred with Mr. Russo pertains solely to conduct occurring outside the scope of his official capacity and bears no impact on the policies, practices, or operations of Roscommon County, the board stated. Our service to the communities and residents of Roscommon County remains the focus of our Board of Commissioners and throughout all departments of our organization. Russo is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19. An Academy Award winning actress has shared a shocking story about Detroits most famous rapper. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show over the weekend, Kate Winslet said Eminem made a bizarre request while they were both on Saturday Night Live in 2004. I have to say something else, she said. And this is a story Ive never, never told. Eminem asked me to shave his bottom. He said, Would you shave my butt? And I said, Im sorry. I dont do personal grooming. Like, what? Im not going to go with a Bic [razor] and get your crack, love! Never told that story before ever in my life in public. Winslet hosted SNL on Oct. 30, 2004, in support of her film Finding Neverland. Its the only time shes done so despite being an A-list actress for decades. Eminem was a musical guest on that same show. Eminem, of course, was a lot different in 2004 than he is now. It was a particularly volatile time and one of the most publicly scrutinized periods of his career. The full Slim Shady persona was front and center and he was rocking his trademark bleach-blonde hair. He had released Encore in November 2004 and struggled with increasing substance use, fatigue from fame and rising pressure as one of the biggest artists in the world. He was controversial, sharp-tongued, and politically outspoken and later expressed regret for his drug use at the time, eventually canceling the European leg of his Anger Management 3 Tour in summer 2005 to enter rehab. As for Winslet, she is a four-time nominee for Best Actress for films like Titanic (1997), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Little Children (2007) and The Reader (2009), which she won. She also has two nominations for Best Supporting Actress: Sense and Sensibility (1996) and Steve Jobs (2016) Her directorial debut, Goodbye June, is set to be released in theaters Friday and on Netflix on Dec. 24. Written by her son, Joe Anders, it stars an ensemble cast that includes Winslet, Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall and Helen Mirren. The film is set during Christmas and features characters gathering around their dying mother who confront themes of grief, reconciliation, and love. President Donald Trump said he will issue an executive order this week providing a single, national standard for artificial intelligence (AI), preempting state efforts to regulate it. He and some Republicans say differing regulations across state lines could hinder future innovation and growth in the AI sector. But attorneys general in Michigan and 35 other states have pushed back on the proposal, which they say risks disastrous consequences for our communities. AI will cause tidal waves in our public safety, national security, economy and health, they wrote in a letter to Congress, and the United States needs to be ready to be an international leader. This moratorium would put us behind by tying states hands and failing to keep up with the technology. On Monday morning Trump posted on Truth Social, saying he would be issuing a one rule executive order on AI this week. He wrote Dec. 8 that if the U.S. wants to continue to lead in AI, there must be only One Rulebook. You cant expect a company to get 50 approvals every time they want to do something, he said. THAT WILL NEVER WORK! We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that wont last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS, Trump added. THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! The Trump announcement did not include additional details, but it comes after a draft executive order blocking state AI laws was leaked in November. The order would direct federal agencies to identify burdensome state AI regulations and pressure states not to enact them, including with threats of withheld federal funding or challenges in court. It would also start the process of a countrywide regulatory framework that would override state AI laws. Four states - Colorado, California, Utah and Texas - have passed laws setting some rules for private sector AI, like limiting the collection of some personal information, according to a legislation tracker by the International Association of Privacy Professionals last updated on Oct. 6. Michigan has regulated some parts of AI. The state passed legislation in August 2025 to make illegal the creation or sharing of AI-generated pornography depicting real people without their consent. Michigan also restricts the use of AI in political campaigns without a disclaimer. Legislation proposed this year by Republican Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport, would create felony offenses for the criminal use, development or distribution of AI systems. Another bill Lightner introduced would require large AI developers to create risk management practices, like risk assessments and third-party audits. Both bills are pending action in House committees. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank, shared similar concern to Trump in an article posted in September, writing that the legislation would impose burdensome requirements on AI systems and could drive AI out of the state. In addition to Trumps proposed executive order, Congressional leaders have also suggested including language preempting state AI laws in federal bill packages. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 35 other attorneys general, have repeatedly opposed the effort. Nessel said in a press release that as AI continues to evolve, states should be able to act quickly to protect residents. While AI has its benefits, every possible avenue should remain open to shield people from its harms, she said, and restricting states from enacting such protections only weakens their responsibility to safeguard the public. In a letter sent to Congress on Nov. 25, Nessel and other attorneys general wrote that while AI promises to be a transformative technology in numerous fields, it also poses significant risks, including to children. They added that state leaders have seen scams powered by AI-generated deepfakes, social media profiles and voice clones, and expressed concern about generative AI plunging individuals into spirals of mental illness, suicide, self-harm and violence. These are just a few issues at the forefront, they wrote. With this rapidly evolving technology, additional and unforeseeable problems are certain to arise. They said broad preemption of state AI protections is ill-advised, because emerging technologies require agile responses. This regulatory innovation is best left to the 50 states so we can all learn from what works and what does not, they said. They also requested federal leaders work with states to create nationwide AI protections. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The holiday season is officially upon us and Fanatics is celebrating with a huge discount on Detroit Pistons sweatshirts. Fans can score up to 60% off on select items with code ELVES, but theyll need to act fast because this deal ends at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. This Detroit Pistons Jordan Brand Statement Edition sweatshirt is currently available in sizes XS through XL for $45.49 (regularly $69.99). Detroit Pistons Jordan Brand Sweatshirt $69.99 $45.49 Detroit Pistons Jordan Brand Statement Edition Sweatshirt - Black $45.49 Another option is this Detroit Pistons Antigua pullover sweatshirt, which is currently on sale for $51.99 (regularly $79.99) in sizes large through 2XL. Detroit Pistons Antigua Pullover Sweatshirt $79.99 $51.99 Detroit Pistons Antigua Relevant Pullover Sweatshirt - Black $51.99 Pistons fans wont want to miss this deal. This Detroit Pistons Nike authentic standard issue full-zip hoodie jacket is available now for $52.49 (regularly $104.99) in sizes small through large. Detroit Pistons Nike Full-Zip Hoodie Jacket $104.99 $52.49 Detroit Pistons Nike Authentic Standard Issue Full-Zip Hoodie Jacket - Light Blue $52.49 Fans can celebrate Detroits star guard with this Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons 500 Level Elite pullover hoodie for $45.49 (regularly $69.99), available in sizes small through 3XL. Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons Pullover Hoodie $69.99 $45.49 Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons 500 Level Elite Pullover Hoodie - Blue $45.49 The Pistons currently lead the NBAs Eastern Conference with a 19-5 record and have won back-to-back games against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers. Theyll be back in action at Little Caesars Arena this Friday to host the Atlanta Hawks at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can shop for these sweatshirts and more Detroit Pistons gear from Fanatics. Remember to use code ELVES for up to 60% off until Dec. 10 at 11:59 p.m. ET. ORLANDO, Fla. -- Former Detroit Tigers left-hander Gregory Soto has signed a one-year, $7.75 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Soto, who turns 31 in February, was signed by the Tigers out of the Dominican Republic and pitched in the big leagues from 2019-2022. He was the clubs closer for most of the final two seasons, making the All-Star team in both years. The Tigers traded Soto to the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2023 season, acquiring Matt Vierling, Nick Maton, and Donny Sands in return. The Phillies later flipped Soto to the Orioles at the 2024 deadline. In 2025, Soto posted a 3.96 ERA (3.29 FIP) with 44 strikeouts and 18 walks over 36 1/3 innings for Baltimore before being shipped to the New York Mets at the deadline. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show premieres Friday, December 12 alongside the stars new tour documentary, The End of an Era. About The Final Show Taylor Swift is wrapping up The Eras Tour with an all-new concert film, The Final Show. After the success of her previous movie release, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, which brought the massive stage production to movie theaters all over the world in 2023, this new project fills in a missing piece. The film features Swifts entire closing performance in Vancouver, including in-full her Tortured Poets Department tracks, which were not added to The Eras Tour setlist until after the albums release in April 2024. The movie and its six-episode docuseries companion, The End of an Era debuts Friday, December 12. How to watch: Both The Final Show and The End of an Era will be available for streaming at 12 a.m. PT on Friday, December 12, exclusively on Disney+. Select a Disney Bundle to combine Disney+ with Hulu, ESPN, and/or HBO Max. Plans start at $12.99/month. For a limited time, the Disney+, Hulu, ESPN Unlimited Bundle is also available for only $29.99/month for 12 months (originally $35.99/month). Offer ends January 2026. The End of an Era trailer: Three fairly small, but meaningful tweaks have been implemented in the forecast for tonights Alberta Clipper snow system. One more row of Michigan counties on the southern edge of the all-snow area has been added to the winter weather advisory for late this evening to Wednesday afternoon. This newly added winter weather advisory area includes Grand Rapids to Flint. Winter weather advisory from late this evening to late afternoon Wednesday in the purple shaded counties. NOAA The reason Grand Rapids and Flint are now in the winter weather advisory is because some freezing rain accumulation is also being indicated on the southern edge of the all-snow area, combined with a few inches of snow. Heres the radar forecast from 9 p.m. this evening through Wednesday. Everything is still pointing to a several hour burst of heavy snow overnight. The southern third of Lower Michigan should change over to an hour of freezing rain and then a few hours of rain showers. At the end of the precipitation, southern Michigan will change back over to snow showers for a few hours. Radar forecast from 9 p.m. tonight to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 10. NOAA The Saginaw, Bay City and Midland areas are going to be stuck in a pivot point of moderate to heavy snow. This area should remain all snow. As a result the best model for snow forecasting at this point says there could be numerous seven inch to eight inch snowfall amounts around the Saginaw Valley. Heres the latest total snowfall forecast through Wednesday afternoon. The axis of the heaviest snow has shifted south about one row of Michigan counties. We can now expect six to eight inches from Manistee to Mount Pleasant to Midland, Bay City, Saginaw and the Thumb. Note that with the shift south, Traverse City now looks to have only one to three inches of snow with the Alberta Clipper. After the storm passes, the Traverse City area should have another two to four inches Wednesday night. Total snowfall forecast, issued 5 p.m. Tuesday. NOAA From Flint and Grand Rapids southward, Id call it a two to four inch snow, but now with a light glaze of freezing rain. The freezing rain would occur for an hour or two between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Eventually the southern third of Lower Michigan will have rain for a couple of hours after 7 a.m. Road conditions could improve during those few hours before it turns colder with leftover snow showers. The roads could go back to icy across southern Michigan Wednesday afternoon. Its going to be a solid snow with heavy snow at times. The good news for travelers is the heaviest snow will occur in the middle of the night. Tomorrow morning will be a slow go in most places. Watch for more updates as needed at mlive.com/weather. The second-generation Kia Seltos will get significant updates across areas, from features to tech. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa is now the only person authorised to hand over vehicle donations within ZANU-PF, following a high-level directive aimed at curbing factionalism and limiting the influence of wealthy party affiliates allegedly positioning themselves for future leadership.The decision was reached during a series of politburo, central committee and national consultative assembly meetings held in Harare last week, party insiders told The Standard. The ruling party has in recent months seen a surge in the gifting of vehicles - mostly luxury cars - to supporters, institutions and party leagues, a trend that has fuelled speculation about succession battles inside ZANU-PF.Business figures such as Kudakwashe Tagwirei and Wicknell Chivayo have been at the centre of the vehicle-donation frenzy, funding hundreds of cars for senior party members including the politburo, central committee and women's league. The practice has now been halted under Mnangagwa's directive.The proposal to tighten control was reportedly introduced by ZANU-PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri during the politburo meeting. She warned that the donations were being used to buy political loyalty and leverage influence, threatening party cohesion.A senior politburo member familiar with the meeting said the room agreed that while wealthy members are welcome and may contribute resources, the distribution of such gifts must now be channelled exclusively through the party leader."After Muchinguri-Kashiri's proposal, the politburo agreed that ZANU-PF welcomes high-wealth individuals into its membership and structuresBut from now on, should there be any interest to support the party, it is also most welcome, but such largesse should be channelled through only the president of the party as one centre of power," the official said.The leadership reportedly concluded that vehicle and monetary donations were deepening internal rivalries and creating power bases separate from Mnangagwa."The politburo affirmed that there is one centre of power in ZANU-PF and it is President ED Mnangagwa," the official added."The president has an audit of the overall needs of the party at any given time and is the one who can deploy any resources in a fair and worthwhile manner."ZANU-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa declined to confirm or deny the reported ban on independent car donations and would not comment on Mnangagwa's intervention, saying only that he would respond at a press briefing.The move comes against the backdrop of growing speculation over succession manoeuvres ahead of Mnangagwa's expected final term in office. Political analysts say centralising the distribution of campaign gifts consolidates Mnangagwa's control and restricts rising figures from building parallel loyalty networks.With the car-donation ban now in place, attention turns to whether the ruling party can rein in factional competition - or whether the struggle for influence will simply evolve into new forms. Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Gaurav admitted that Dhurandhar offered him the chance he had been hoping for, an opportunity to break free from being typecast. Gaurav admitted that Dhurandhar offered him the chance he had been hoping for, an opportunity to break free from being typecast. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to From Akshaye Khanna to Bobby Deol, actors who redefined their second innings in Bollywood News / National by Staff reporter Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has suggested he may revise proposed increases to gold royalties after strong pushback from miners who warn that doubling the tax could destabilise the sector, reduce investment and fuel smuggling.Under the 2026 National Budget proposals, the Treasury is seeking to introduce a new sliding scale that would see gold producers surrender 10% of their earnings to government - up from the current 5%. If implemented, Zimbabwe would carry one of the highest gold royalty rates globally and the highest on the African continent.Isaac Kwesu, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Mines, cautioned that the revised structure could render Zimbabwe uncompetitive for new capital."At this rate, Zimbabwe would have the highest gold royalty in Africa and one of the highest in the world," he warned, adding that such a move could deter prospective investors and reduce the viability of ongoing operations.Addressing business leaders during a post-budget seminar on Monday, Ncube said government was aware of industry objections and would consider adjustments."We have listened to comments on the royalties on gold. So, you may see some tweaking here and there. We received your submissions," he said.The minister however maintained that investors tend to prioritise mineral resource potential over tax concerns, arguing that Zimbabwe's deposits remain a strong incentive even in a higher-tax environment.Small-scale miners, who account for more than 75% of national gold output, are particularly alarmed. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) warned that the proposed increase could push producers underground."New investment in exploration and mine development will stall. We project a dramatic increase in smuggling as miners seek better returns in neighbouring countries with lower fiscal impositions," the federation said.Amid the debate, Presidential spokesperson George Charamba issued a strong defence of the royalty hike, framing it as a necessary mechanism for the public to benefit from resource-driven windfalls.Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Charamba criticised opponents of the policy:"The way the debate on the rise of royalties on gold has been unfolding suggests embarrassing ignorance of principles of taxation. It's as if the page on WINDFALL TAXES was torn in the Public Finance book read.He added that without increased royalties, profits would largely "leave the country as DIVIDEND," depriving citizens - whom he described as "stakeholders of the gold-bearing earth" - of fair benefit."Outside rank ignorance, why would a bona fide Zimbabwean argue against upward review of royalties, thus making the country assume a share of the windfall?"The Ministry of Finance is expected to review industry submissions before finalising the fiscal framework, setting the stage for a critical showdown between government revenue needs and sector viability. In Choir of God, Park plays Park Gyo-soon, a major in North Koreas State Security Department who is ordered to create a fake religious choir to earn foreign currency amid international sanctions. M Snehanjali is a Sub Editor and journalist with over two years of experience covering general news and entertainment in digital newsroom. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Pakistani boys wedding dance to Dhurandhar title track goes viral, watch here Prabhas safe in Japan after Earthquake hits the country Palak Vij is a Sub Editor and Entertainment Journalist with over a year of experience covering films, television, and pop culture in the digital space. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Salman Khan's co-actor from Maine Pyaar Kiya, Huma Khan was jailed for allegedly torturing a minor girl When Akshaye Khanna spoke about Vinod Khanna's radical decision to leave family for Osho: As a 5-year-old it was impossible for me to understand Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 6-year-old girl raped, assaulted by father of three in Gujarat: 'Iron rod inserted into private parts' Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'Best offers ever received': US trade chief amid talks with India You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK The Air India logo is seen on the facade of its office building in Mumbai Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said the new aircraft reflects the airlines focus on improving travel comfort based on passenger feedback. News / National by Staff reporter Bulawayo has been rocked by two violent murders, highlighting growing concerns over violent crime in the city. In Magwegwe, 26-year-old Mongiwethu Godknows Dube was fatally stabbed, while in Cowdray Park, Zibusiso Tshuma was hacked to death with axes.Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed that Mongiwethu Dube was attacked following an altercation with Keith Dube, who had reportedly splashed beer on him and his friends. The following morning, Mongiwethu and a friend went to Keith Dube's residence, forcibly entered his bedroom, and assaulted him. During the confrontation, a man identified only as Nkosi intervened and stabbed Mongiwethu on the right thigh and head. Mongiwethu was found injured near Magwegwe North shopping centre and was rushed to Mpilo Hospital, where he later died.In a separate incident in Cowdray Park, Zibusiso Tshuma was drinking beer with a friend at a local tuckshop when three men, including two identified as Henry and Gii, approached wielding axes. Tshuma and his friend attempted to flee, but the trio pursued Tshuma, striking him multiple times with the axes. He died on the scene, and his body was taken to a local hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination.Police investigations are ongoing in both cases as authorities work to apprehend the suspects involved. The stock of the company was trading 1.08 percent higher at Rs 34.68 on BSE at 10:51 am on December 10. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Can IndiGo hire 900 pilots? Numbers show airline has never hired on such scale 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 During October, gold imports rose nearly 200 percent to $14.7 billion against $4.9 billion a year ago. Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com The benchmark KSE-100 Index has gained over 47% this year, one of the best performers in the world Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Park Medi World IPO subscribed 52% on Day 1, GMP rises: Should you apply? The MoU will also expand AI-driven skilling initiatives through DigiSaksham News / National by Staff reporter The Matobo Rural District Council (RDC) is optimistic that next year's Independence Day celebrations, scheduled for April 2026 at Maphisa growth point, will shine a national spotlight on the area and attract investment. Council plans to slash service charges during the event to encourage business activity and investment, a move officials say will benefit both the local economy and residents.Matobo RDC chief executive Elvis Sibanda revealed that the announcement of Maphisa as the host of the Uhuru Day celebrations has already sparked interest from investors seeking opportunities in the area. Several applications have been received from individuals aiming to construct lodges, medical centres, and other businesses to cater to the expected influx of visitors."We have come up with some lay-out plans for businesses such as a medical centre whereby the investor is more than ready to start construction," Sibanda said. "We also have a new filling station because there are thousands of people who will be coming to attend the celebrations. We have engaged the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority so that all those with houses they can offer as accommodation can register the properties for accommodating visitors while ensuring that they meet the standards required."Sibanda emphasized that the celebrations would offer residents an opportunity to generate income, with small and medium enterprises being accommodated in the programme. To facilitate participation, the council plans to temporarily relax certain policies and minimize charges, allowing more people to engage in business activities during the event. "This is a period for people to take advantage and as a local authority this will boost our revenue collection because we will capitalise on the volumes of people seeking our services," he said.The council chief urged the business community to upgrade and beautify their properties to make them more appealing to visitors and investors. He also expressed confidence that road infrastructure in the area would be improved, noting that central government typically upgrades facilities and access routes in regions hosting national events.With strategic planning, relaxed charges, and active investor engagement, Matobo RDC is positioning Maphisa to benefit economically and socially from hosting the 2026 Independence Day celebrations. SAT affirmed that the company must aggregate all transactions with its related parties, particularly Praxair India Pvt. Ltd. (PIPL) for materiality assessment under the listing regulations Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Stocks to Watch Today: Meesho, Aequs, Swiggy, Highway Infrastructure, Zydus Lifesciences, GPT Infra, Dilip Buildcon, Anupam Rasayan in focus on 10 December Dipen Pradhan is the Editorial Consultant for Moneycontrol. He has over 10 years of experience in the field of journalism and covers personal finance topics. He has previously worked at Forbes Advisor India, Outlook Money, Entrepreneur, Inc42, and The Statesman. When he is not writing he loves to travel to explore rural hotspots. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to The truth about nominees: They dont automatically inherit your assets Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Revival and repurposing: New futures await for India's ghost malls, says Knight Frank report Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Scindia, Starlink official hold talks on expanding satellite-based last-mile internet in India If SpaceX sold 5% of the company at that valuation, it would have to sell $40 billion of stock making it the biggest IPO of all time, well above Saudi Aramcos roughly $29 billion listing in 2019. News / National by Staff reporter Harare is witnessing a rapid and largely unregulated surge in makeshift multi-storey shopping structures, commonly referred to as "pseudo malls," a trend that city authorities and residents warn is increasingly posing serious public safety risks while undermining formal urban planning. While these buildings resemble modern commercial complexes, most lack basic infrastructure, regulatory approvals, and fire-prevention systems, creating a potential disaster waiting to happen.Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume noted that only a handful of buildings in the capital, such as Joina City, Eastgate, Westgate, and High Glen, qualify as genuine malls. In contrast, hundreds of other buildings have been transformed into congested "vertical markets" without planning approval. The dangers of such conversions became evident following several fires, including incidents at an unofficial mall at Julius Nyerere and Speke Avenue in January 2024 and the XGX Mall downtown six months later.Mafume described the majority of these structures as "specialised compartment shops" rather than true malls, as they were originally designed for low-traffic commercial use. Genuine malls, he explained, require engineered infrastructure, elevators, parking areas, air conditioning, certified safety systems, and a full ecosystem of services that these makeshift complexes lack.Urban planning expert Tinovimba Manhanga warned that the trend represents a "creeping planning crisis," noting that in the event of a major fire, safe evacuation would be virtually impossible. Ruben Akili, director of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), echoed these concerns, highlighting weak enforcement and poor compliance monitoring as key contributors to the problem. He cited buildings such as Zimpost Post Office, Orange Star, Kwame, Galaxy, Island, and Dubai "malls" as examples of pseudo malls operating without proper certification.Many of these structures were originally office blocks or low-traffic commercial buildings, and their aggressive subdivision into dozens or even hundreds of small shops has placed unprecedented strain on plumbing, sewage, water reticulation, and sanitation facilities. Blocked corridors, exposed wiring, obstructed fire escapes, and overcrowded spaces are now common inside these buildings, posing health and fire hazards to tenants and shoppers alike.In 2024, more than 500 buildings in and around Harare's Central Business District were classified as unsafe for human occupation after inspections revealed regulatory violations such as poor ventilation, blocked emergency exits, and dilapidation. Abatement orders were issued to compel landlords to remedy the issues or face closure. Fourteen properties, including Robin House, Bush House, Roslin House, Daventry House, Mahachi Building, Vivandelphi Court, Steward and Lloyds, Dublin House, and Msasa House, were condemned entirely for conditions ranging from overcrowding and blocked exits to lack of firefighting equipment and exposure to flammable materials.Council records showed that many of these buildings, some dating back to the colonial era, had never been reassessed to determine whether their infrastructure could accommodate the new density of occupants. In several cases, exits were blocked, fire safety equipment was absent or non-functional, and sanitation facilities were overwhelmed. Mahachi Building, home to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission headquarters, was flagged for having no emergency exit doors and dysfunctional fire hoses, while Dublin House contained portions made from flammable materials and locked exit doors.Residents and experts warn that the city is at risk of a disaster akin to major fires in Kampala and Nairobi, where hundreds of vendors were wiped out. They point to a governance failure, as Harare City Council often benefits financially from businesses it is tasked with regulating, creating conflicts of interest that hinder proper enforcement of building and safety standards.As Harare continues to experience unplanned vertical commercial growth, officials and residents are calling for urgent action to enforce safety standards, re-evaluate building usage, and prevent further risks to public health and life. Welspun One will invest Rs 550 crore in the facility Ankit Saproo A news afficionado who helps sift through layers to bring out the real story for the readers. Having covered business, politics and international affairs for over a decade, my stints with marquee digital news rooms give me the eye to spot stories that need to be reported. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to We dont negotiate with deadlines: Piyush Goyal on progress of IndiaUS trade talks Putin hails Indias cultural depth, says unity in diversity key: Not all speak Hindi Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi in heated war of words in LS: 'Learn to be patient, you won't decide order of my speech' | Watch Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Another J&K doctor arrested by NIA in Delhi Red Fort blast case: 'Harboured Delhi bomber, destroyed evidence' News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze HARARE - The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe has condemned Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Frederick Shava for barring private media from questioning him during a press conference ahead of the 2025 Presidential Innovation Fair.The move has been widely criticised as a blow to press freedom, sparking outrage among media stakeholders and civil society."MISA Zimbabwe finds the decision by Minister Shava to restrict journalists from private media concerning. It undermines the principles of freedom of the media and access to information as enshrined in Sections 62 and 61 of the Constitution," said MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson Passmore Kuzipa.Kuzipa stressed that journalists must be allowed to hold public officials accountable regardless of whether they represent public or private media."It is important that we safeguard the freedom of the press and ensure that all voices are heard. I therefore urge government to work with both public and private media, giving them equal access to public information," he added.The controversy comes amid criticism of Shava's handling of disputes among Zimbabwe's universities over innovation patents and intellectual property rights. Experts argue the ministry's emphasis on innovation overlooks rural areas still lacking basic infrastructure, branding the initiative a "reserve for elites."Sources within the ministry claimed Shava pre-wrote questions for state media to avoid technical queries, raising fears of embarrassment."Instead of reading the press statement, he demanded journalists ask questions while he responded," one official said.The Presidential Innovation Fair, scheduled for 11 December 2025, will showcase Zimbabwe's advancements under Education 5.0, focusing on commercialising innovations and promoting rural industrialisation. Shava has highlighted plans to boost patent support and strengthen industry linkages, but critics argue the gag order undermines accountability.MISA Zimbabwe has urged government to ensure equal access to public information for all media houses, warning that restricting private media erodes constitutional freedoms. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All BJP's 'Leader of Paryatan' swipe at LoP Rahul Gandhi over Germany visit amid Parliament session Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Can Owaisi's Bihar playbook disrupt West Bengal? The formula worrying Mamata Banerjee ahead of 2026 polls Canada has 3,900 doctors trained in India and it could be even higher at around 8,000-10,000, the Times of India reported, citing International Migration Outlook 2025. The state has also been directed to submit its labour budget for FY26 within 30 days. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Drop everything and focus on SIR, UP CM Yogi Adityanath tells BJP workers Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers' bail plea rejected, no immediate relief from arrest Visuals from the fire that broke out at the nightclub in Goa Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to How a judge's order on lamp lighting at temple sparked political storm in Tamil Nadu: 'Vedas will protect you' Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to I was only a partner: Goa nightclub co-owner Ajay Guptas first reaction after detention; search on for Luthras News / National by Staff reporter A 43-year-old Zimbabwean man has been arrested in South Africa after police found 582 passports and over R140,000 in cash hidden in his vehicle - a discovery pointing to a widespread tactic used by undocumented foreign nationals seeking to extend their stay in the country.The arrest took place on Monday, 8 December, after a law-enforcement team - comprising the Middelburg Flying Squad, Nkangala District Anti-Hijacking Team and Waterval Boven police - intercepted a white Chevrolet Utility along a route in Mpumalanga following a tip-off.Upon searching the bakkie, officers located the passports - most belonging to Zimbabwean nationals, with a few Mozambican and Malawian holders - stashed inside a concealed compartment. Some documents reportedly contained cash.Police also recovered R20,000 in loose notes, bringing the total amount seized to R147,300. The vehicle was impounded pending further investigation.Initial investigations suggest the passports were being transported for illicit stamping, a practice common among undocumented migrants working in South Africa.Zimbabweans do not require visas for short-term visits and are ordinarily granted a 30-day stay. When the limit expires, many who lack work permits reportedly avoid overstaying penalties by handing their passports to cross-border couriers - known as omalayitsha - who allegedly bribe immigration officials to stamp the documents as though the holders exited the country legally.The system allows workers to remain in South Africa unlawfully while maintaining the appearance of compliance with immigration rules. The case also feeds into long-standing accusations of corruption within the Department of Home Affairs and at border posts along the ZimbabweSouth Africa corridor.The suspect faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act, fraud and money laundering. He was expected to appear at the Waterval Boven Periodical Court on Wednesday.Authorities say investigations are ongoing and further arrests may follow. Starting early this month, IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights, causing severe hardship to lakhs of passengers and there was complete chaos at airports Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Leading with Su-30 and Jaguar, India to conduct joint air drill with UAE, France today The activity is expected to reignite the strategic competition between India and Pakistan in the region, especially as India prepares to induct INS Chakra 3-a nuclear-powered attack submarine being delivered by Russia. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All PM Modi reaffirms Indias support for Gaza peace plan in call with Benjamin Netanyahu 'Problem is with your leadership': Amit Shah says Congress defeat certain, 'SIR or no SIR' According to Kalyan, Justice Swaminathan is being targeted simply for upholding a long-standing ritual performed on land legally recognised as belonging to a Hindu religious institution. A massive blaze broke out at their nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people (Image: News18) The top court sought responses from the Centre and the ECI for the next hearing on December 17. News / National by Staff reporter Zanu-PF stands accused of brazen vote-buying ahead of the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election set for December 20, with reports of residents receiving material handouts as part of the ruling party's campaign drive.The seat fell vacant following the death of sitting MP Desire Moyo in a road traffic accident on October 10. Nine candidates from Zanu-PF, the splintered Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC), Zapu and several independents are vying for the constituency - a long-time opposition stronghold that has rejected Zanu-PF for more than 20 years.Zanu-PF lost heavily in Bulawayo during the 2023 elections, with the then-united CCC claiming sweeping victories across the metropolitan province. However, internal turmoil sparked by self-declared CCC secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu has fractured the opposition, weakening its electoral machinery and leaving many analysts doubtful of its prospects in the upcoming poll.Political observers say Zanu-PF appears determined to take advantage of the weakened opposition and secure the seat. The party has rolled out a high-intensity campaign, including significant financial pledges and material promises.Last weekend, businessman and presidential advisor Paul Tungwarara announced a US$100,000 revolving fund for Nkulumane. He also revealed that the constituency will receive 30 tonnes of food aid, seed packs, 18 boreholes, transformer repairs and Internet connectivity kits. Tungwarara's arrival at the campaign venue in a helicopter drew attention, symbolising what critics describe as a stark contrast between the ruling elite and the impoverished township electorate.Youth Affairs Minister Tinotenda Machakaire, addressing supporters at the same rally, declared that government leaders in Harare had been "eating alone" and urged Nkulumane residents to "join the feast," a statement that triggered sharp criticism from opposition groups and social commentators.Analysts argue that the scale of handouts being distributed reflects both the desperation of voters struggling under economic hardship and the ruling party's awareness of those conditions - yet its willingness to address them appears tied to electoral cycles.Critics say the promises and public spending highlight long-standing failures in governance that have left millions dependent on seasonal political benevolence. They warn that without structural reform, poverty will deepen while a politically connected elite continues to thrive.Voters will cast their ballots on December 20, in what will be a major test of whether Zanu-PF can break Bulawayo's historic resistance - or whether Nkulumane will continue its long tradition of rejecting the ruling party at the polls. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Truth behind powerful scene from 'Dhurandhar': Did Pak army really poison water to punish Baloch community? Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All WATCH - Kangana Ranaut lambasts Congress in Lok Sabha: 'PM didn't hack EVMs, he has hacked people's hearts' Justice GR Swaminathan, born in 1968, is a first-generation lawyer who began his practice in Chennai before shifting to the Madurai Bench following its establishment. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Will not accept 'Veer Savarkar Award' nor attend the ceremony: Shashi Tharoor It is imperative that shareholder votes carry consequences and that finality be achieved within a reasonable period. OPINION | Why the BJP is not going it alone in Maharashtra The image he shared showed him standing next to the newly purchased vehicle in an open area with hills in the distance. Footage filmed on December 6 showed her on stage at the venue shortly before the fire accelerated. The Indian government welcomed the decision as well. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on traditional leaders to uphold fairness, impartiality and the protection of Zimbabwe's national image, stressing their central role in maintaining peace, justice delivery and cultural heritage across communities.Speaking in Harare on Wednesday during the official opening of the 2025 Annual National Chiefs' Conference, the President said traditional leaders remain fundamental to the country's governance architecture and national identity."My Government will remain closely intertwined with the Traditional Leaders. And for that, we make no apologies," he said. "The Traditional Leaders and communities supported the armed struggle for our liberation. Now under a free and independent Zimbabwe, this relationship will continue to thrive. Let no one disturb this intricate connection."Mnangagwa urged chiefs to remain custodians of national dignity, particularly in the delivery of community-level justice, which he said must be rooted in impartiality, honesty and respect for cultural values."In undertaking this important role in our nation's governance architecture, I implore you, our Chiefs, to remain guided by the values that underpin fair and impartial justice delivery. Take into consideration the need to protect our national image and the respect of our identity, dignity, and cultural values."The Head of State said the gathering provided an opportunity for traditional leaders to assess progress in national development, especially in rural areas where they oversee key economic and administrative structures."We have yet another opportunity to reflect on matters affecting our rural communities," he said. "The insights and perspectives we share during this annual gathering should drive our country forward."Mnangagwa commended chiefs for their contributions to agricultural production and other community development programmes, noting progress in Pfumvudza/Intwasa, winter wheat production, livestock and fisheries, village business units and horticulture initiatives."The total harvests, household incomes and quality of livelihoods of our communities continue to improve," he said.On natural resource management, the President challenged traditional leaders to ensure mining and investment activities are conducted responsibly, sustainably and with community oversight."You, our esteemed Chiefs, are the custodians of the land, environment, as well as natural resources," he said. "Your communities, women and the youth should enjoy the benefits, economic and social value of our God-given natural resources."Mnangagwa also highlighted significant national infrastructure investments, including energy, roads, water systems and ICT, saying progress was being made on both highway and rural road networks.He further reminded chiefs of their expanded responsibilities, which now include officiating marriages and facilitating birth and death registrations - duties he said must be carried out with professionalism and integrity.Turning to social concerns, Mnangagwa urged traditional leaders to unite in fighting drug and substance abuse as well as gender-based violence, which he described as threats to the moral fabric of society. He also encouraged the promotion of indigenous foods and traditional nutrition as part of cultural preservation."Our nation cannot afford to suffer from the scourge of drug and substance abuse, as well as Gender Based Violence," he said. "Let us all work together under the Whole of Government and Society Approach in the fight against these and other negative social vices."The conference continues, with traditional leaders expected to deliberate on development, governance, resource management and social welfare issues affecting communities across the country. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Does your cat meow louder around men? Science says "yes" Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to How do astronauts handle periods in space? NASA develops new menstrual options 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 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 Dubai just made travel effortless experience the worlds first citywide one-time biometric hotel check-in and walk straight to your room, no queues attached. Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Abhinav Gupta With over 12 years in digital journalism, has navigated the fast-evolving media landscape, shaping digital strategies and leading high-impact newsrooms. Currently, he serves as News Editor at MoneyControl, leading coverage in Global Affairs, Indian Politics, Governance and Policy Making. Previously, he has spearheaded fact-checking and digital media operations at Press Trust of India. Abhinav has also led news desks at Financial Express, DNA, and Jagran English, managing editorial direction, breaking news coverage, and digital growth. His journey includes stints with The Indian Express Group, Zee Media Group, and more, where he has honed his expertise in newsroom leadership, audience engagement, and digital transformation. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to How the AI boom really compares to the dot-com bubble Opinion / Columnist Dispelling Dangerous Myths Institutional Nature of 'Office of President' Section 95(2)(b) Enables Different Incumbents in One Term Section 95(2)(b) Has No Cumulative (10-Year) Term-Limit Term of Office of President in Zimbabwe Since 1980 Amendment Implications: Duration Provisions Vs. Term-Limit Provisions The Mupungu Precedent 15 Term-Limit Provisions in the Constitution Element (i): Explicit Identification of the Affected Public Officer or Officeholder Element (ii): Explicit Framing of the Temporal Initiation or Structure of the Tenure Element (iii): Explicit Imposition of a Numerical Cap on Terms or Cumulative Duration Term Limit and Term Length Provisions in a Global Perspective Three Final Points Demonstrating That Section 95(2)(b) Is Not a Term-Limit Provision (i) The Shared Term Between Mugabe and Mnangagwa Unequivocally Proves Institutional Duration or Term Length (ii) Mnangagwa's Possible 11-Year Cumulative Tenure Exposes the Contingent Nature of Variables Under Section 95(2)(b) (iii) Alignment with Section 91(2)'s Adaptable Threshold Reinforces the Distinction Conclusion Imagine a constitution, not as an unyielding monolith cast in stone for eternity, but as a living, breathing instrument of a democratic society - crafted by the hands of our compatriots, many still among us, to evolve with national aspirations for prosperity while safeguarding against the whims of power. The Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) embodies precisely that kid of an enlightened vision, with section 95(2)(b) elegantly prescribing a five-year cycle for the enduring institution of the presidency. This provision, attuned to unforeseen events and legal contingencies, ensures uninterrupted governance and periodic democratic renewal. It stands unequivocally as a "duration" or "term-length" clause, imposing no absolute ceiling on an occupant's cumulative tenure - a pivotal distinction that shatters the misguided belief that amending section 95(2)(b) somehow necessitates a national referendum under section 328(7). Instead, the section paves the way for thoughtful and meaningful constitutional evolution, fortifying democracy against stagnation and authoritarian backsliding.Yet, pernicious myths endure, clouding this clarity and imperilling essential reforms by distorting meaningful public discourse. Detractors mistakenly describe section 95(2)(b) as a sacrosanct "term-limit provision," adamantly claiming that its amendment is unattainable - or outright forbidden for sitting incumbents - without a referendum.This fallacy of "unconstitutionality and illegality" is touted as an incontrovertible truth, with those who assert the myth brazenly declaring - devoid of any constitutional references, logical underpinnings, or judicial precedent - that such amendments are "unconstitutional and illegal" (as echoed by public intellectuals like Sipho Malunga: ( https://x.com/SiphoMalunga/status/1991739985704390825?s=20 ). Regrettably, some prominent voices cloak their lack of evidence in abrasive, ad hominem tactics (for instance, Thabani Mpofu, who mobilises his ilk to vilify, caricature, and demonise proponents of amendment to section 95(2)(b) while sidestepping unavoidable courtroom challenges or meaningful public debate: https://x.com/adv_fulcrum/status/1982701171937521844?s=20 ); or through blatant misrepresentations in lieu of evidence-driven journalism (such as NewsHawks, whose editors have blatantly and falsely alleged this writer has argued that "there is a legal lacuna, a gap or loophole in the law' which can be used to unconstitutionally and illegally" amend section 95(2)(b) - https://x.com/NewsHawksLive/status/1993890303728607247?s=20. This writer has not said anywhere or anytime that there's a lacuna in the law. Quite the contrary, this writer has been emphatically clear that sections 95(2(b) and 143(1) of the Constitution are not term limit provisions and that their amendment can be constitutionally and legally done under section 328(5) without requiring a national referendum.Such personal attacks, distortions, and inventions are not only regrettable but utterly futile, serving only to muddy the waters of reasoned public discourse.At its core, the constitutionality or legality of any amendment to the Constitution rests exclusively on adherence to the stipulated procedures - nothing else. From the inception of the presidential term of office extension proposal, the envisioned amendment to section 95(2)(b) complies fully with section 328, as interpreted alongside section 131; no deviations have been suggested or enacted by any party.Compounding these myths is the pervasive "myth of authority," a common pitfall in constitutional debate where revered institutions (and certain influential individuals) leverage their presumed prestige to prop up baseless claims. This approach imparts an illusion of credibility to assertions bereft of objective proof, rigorous analysis, or precedential support. A poignant and dispiriting illustration comes from VeritasZim, widely esteemed as a supposedly neutral authority on Zimbabwean jurisprudence and legal matters. On 1 March 2024, VeritasZim published a thoughtful, balanced piece entitled "Extending the Presidential Term-Limit Can it be Done?" (available at https://www.veritaszim.net/node/6888). Therein, they posed a fundamental query: Which constitutional clauses would require amendment to extend the presidential term? Their unequivocal answer: "The first and most obvious amendment would be to section 91, which as we have seen sets out the current presidential term-limit."Notably - and appropriately - VeritasZim omitted any reference to additional term-limit provisions beyond section 91(2). This exclusion was logical, as no properly-drafted democratic constitution redundantly replicates term-limit stipulations; such repetition would undermine the principles of precision and economy in legal drafting. However, fast-forward a year and a half to 9 November 2025, and VeritasZim released a remarkably parallel analysis, "Can the Presidential Term-Limit Be Extended?" (found at https://veritaszim.net/node/7732). In a dramatic about-face, they declared that "sections 91(2) and 95(2) are both term-limit provisions," citing section 328(1)'s definition of a term-limit clause as "a provision of this Constitution which limits the length of time that a person may hold or occupy a public office."This pronouncement wields the gravitas of expertise, yet it wilts under elementary examination - a bald assertion stripped of corroborating case law, intellectual insight, or even rudimentary interpretive logic. What prompted this sudden shift? In their 2024 analysis, section 95(2) was notably absent from term-limit deliberations, rendering this a tardy addendum. The timing itself invites scrutiny, hinting at extraneous political correctness beyond professional purity.Exacerbating the inconsistency, VeritasZim's 2025 piece opens with a solid insight: "If it is decided to lengthen the presidential term from five to seven years, then section 95(1) of the Constitution would have to be amended, because it provides that the length of the President's term of office is: 'five years and coterminous with the life of Parliament.' The words 'five years' would need to be changed to 'seven years' and the words 'coterminous with the life of Parliament' would have to be deleted unless the life of Parliament is also to be extended to seven years."This observation aptly positions section 95 as delineating the span of a solitary presidential term - five years, synchronised with Parliament's duration - as indicated by its explicit heading. It enforces no restriction on the quantity of terms, nor does it constrain the aggregate tenure of an officeholder. How, then, does it suddenly transmute into a term-limit provision? Solely through unsupported decree, mirroring the manoeuvres of political adversaries with whom VeritasZim now seems inadvertently or deliberately aligned at this pivotal moment, absent any substantive legal grounding.A dispassionate juxtaposition of VeritasZim's March 2024 and November 2025 analyses yields an inescapable verdict: Section 95(2) does not constitute a term-limit provision per section 328(1), lacking any overt curb on presidential tenure. Claims otherwise stem not from fidelity to the constitutional text but from partisan mythologizing. In an age that demands unyielding legal probity, these last-minute somersaults undermine credibility and highlight the perils of unexamined authority. Zimbabweans merit better public discourse - meticulous information sharing over rhetorical legerdemain.Within Zimbabwe's Constitution, section 95(2)(b) institutes a standardized, singular-duration structure of the presidency as a perpetual public institution, guaranteeing administrative seamlessness and electoral regularity every five years, rather than enforcing a tenure cap on specific occupants of the office. This qualifies it as a "duration or term-length provision," starkly differentiated from a "term-limit provision" that imposes a cumulative cap.As a singular-duration clause, section 95(2)(b) mandates a consistent five-year rhythm for each electoral cycle, operating as a foundational descriptor of institutional process. It refrains from overseeing the aggregated service of individual occupants across successive terms, a matter handled distinctly (notably in section 91(2), which limits to two terms, with amendments invoking section 328(7)'s referendum safeguard).Bearing the heading "Term of office of President and Vice-Presidents," section 95 specifies that the President's term endures until a successor's inauguration following an election, rooted in a five-year foundation (section 95(1)). It operationally binds the presidency's span to electoral results, enabling fluid transitions and alignment with parliamentary cycles under section 143. Functioning as a single-term directive, it facilitates the stewardship of public office through mandated recurrent elections, without impinging on personal re-election qualifications (regulated independently by section 91(2)).The Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], as amended, bolsters this institutional perspective in Part XVII, headed "Provisions Relating to Elections to the Office of President." Pertinent sections uniformly invoke "office of President" in headings and substance:Section 104: "Nomination of candidates for election to office of President," outlining prerequisites for accessing the office.Section 109: "Procedure after nomination day in election to office of President," detailing subsequent processes, including uncontested election declarations.Section 110: "Election to office of President," regulating polling, tabulation, runoffs, and declarations, with the winner assuming office upon oath.Section 111: "Election petitions in respect of election to office of President," enabling Constitutional Court contests to uphold the office's sanctity.This consistent lexicon - stressing elections "to office of President," nominations for "office of President," and petitions concerning "office of President" - compels the inference that both the Constitution and Electoral Act envision the presidency as a "public office": a lasting public entity, separable from its temporary incumbent, promoting democratic perpetuity and oversight beyond mere personal incumbency.Building on this institutional bedrock, the Constitution intentionally deploys "his or her tenure of office" in section 97(1)(e) - activating removal if the President acquires non-honorary foreign citizenship during that interval - to delineate "tenure" as the individualised, fluctuating extent of an incumbent's actual occupancy, distinct from the institutional, invariant "term of office of President."Section 95(2) conceptualises "term of office" as a temporal yardstick: five years, concurrent with Parliament, prolonging until resignation, ouster, death, or fresh election per subsection (2)(b), encapsulating the presidency's architectural continuity and foreseeable cadence, irrespective of the occupant's vicissitudes.Conversely, section 91(2) links disqualification to antecedent "service" akin to "terms" - treating three or more years as a full term - implying "tenure" as the experiential habitation of the officeholder, possibly abbreviated by occurrences like removal, resignation or death. Thus, the "tenure" mentioned in section 97(1)(e) renders the removal criterion personal, based on the person's conduct amid their adaptable office-holding, not the inflexible institutional chronology. This lexical exactitude preserves the presidency as an abiding public fiduciary, detachable from any deficient occupant, assuring mid-tenure accountability without merging individual shortcomings with the office's eternal scaffold.Far from enforcing a personal threshold or term limit on any officeholder, section 95(2)(b) delineates the unitary institutional span of the 'Office of President' as five years, aligned with Parliament's vitality and tethered to electoral rhythms or constitutional eventualities such as ouster, resignation, or demise. Pivotal here is its stipulation that the term "continues until... the President-elect assumes office," mooring a fixed, communal timeframe to the office proper - not an assured allotment for the occupant. This architecture expressly permits plural successive officeholders within the identical five-year term without resetting the timeline, prioritising institutional endurance over individual prerogative.This severance of the term's length from any singular incumbent's service manifests in succession protocols: Should a President resign, face removal under section 97, or perish after, say, two years, the successor - per section 101 - inherits solely the residual three years, continuing the extant term rather than initiating a fresh term. No starker exemplar exists than President Emmerson Mnangagwa's elevation on 24 November 2017: He fulfilled merely the concluding nine months of the five-year term commenced by his predecessor President Robert Mugabe in August 2013, culminating in August 2018 - not inaugurating a new five-year sequence.Juxtapose this with authentic term-limit clauses, which affix constraints personally from the occupant's induction. For example, section 186(2) bounds Constitutional Court judges to a solitary, irrevocable 15-year term; section 205(2) confines Permanent Secretaries to up to five years, extendable once contingent on efficacy - anchored to the individual; whereas section 216(3) curbs Defence Forces Commanders to no exceeding five years per term, capped at two - again, individualised from inception.These three examples illuminate a core dichotomy: section 95(2)(b) orchestrates the office's institutional temporal scope for administrative and public law imperatives, assuring fluid handovers, while genuine term-limits impose personal ceilings, mitigating extended dominion. Overlooking this distinction invites conflation of systemic protections with individual curbs, eroding the Constitution's meticulous design.Further buttressing the above, section 95(2)(b) - stipulating the President's term "continues until... the President-elect assumes office" - patently forgoes any term-limit function, restricting itself to outlining the malleable terminus of a single five-year term, modulated by exigencies like parliamentary dissolution, premature polls, removals, resignations or deaths without enforcing a cumulative lid on incumbency.This absence is glaringly probative: whereas section 91(2) overtly caps presidential tenure at two terms (or a 10-year apex, reckoning three-plus years as plenary for disqualification), section 95(2)(b) is silent on such summation, abstaining from any quantitative or temporal barricade across manifold individual tenures within one five-year term of office. This intentional omission accentuates its delineative function - sculpting the institutional cadence of a term's expanse, not restraining an occupant's extended grasp - confirming the clause as a pure chronological template, unencumbered by term limits on the officeholder, to sustain democratic adaptability while distinct caps elsewhere impose anti-perpetuation accountability.The foregoing is neither revolutionary nor unprecedented but deeply entrenched in Zimbabwe's constitutional history. From 1980 to 2013 under the Lancaster House dispensation, "term of office" clauses operated exclusively as term-length provisions - defining the truncated institutional duration of the presidency - absent any numerical curb or ceiling on the incumbency of an occupant, echoing the core of section 95(2)(b) in the 2013 Constitution, which signifies historical continuity rather than rupture.Initially, section 29(1) of the erstwhile Lancaster Constitution provided for a fixed six-year (ceremonial) presidential term, inaugurating upon oath and persisting until a successor's induction, with no bar to perpetual re-election; this emphasis on temporal scaffolding, without limits or caps, underscored the presidency as a perennial institution over a personal fiefdom bounded by term tallies.Ensuing amendments upheld this definitional (time-span) essence: Constitution Amendment No. 7 (1987) - ushering the executive presidency - preserved the six-year interval while transitioning to a popular direct election by voters, still devoid of term limits or caps on the occupant, permitting then-President Robert Mugabe unbounded pursuits to remain in office indefinitely. By Amendment No. 18 (2007), section 29(1) evolved to a five-year term "concurrent with the life of Parliament," adaptable for dissolutions or prolongations under section 63, and concluding upon a new president's oath - mirroring precisely section 95(2)(b)'s coterminous tether to Parliament's lifespan, synchronising electoral cadence and governance without impeding re-eligibility.This trajectory highlights the demarcation: Term-limit provisions (debuting only in 2013 under section 91(2) of the new Constitution, bounding at two terms) constrain personal tenure to avert power entrenchment, whereas term-length provisions akin to pre-2013 section 29 iterations under the former Lancaster Constitution and extant section 95(2)(b) merely sketch the office's rhythmic periodicity, nurturing institutional and administrative constancy and democratic rejuvenation without personal impediments, affirming section 95(2)(b) as an inherited, not contrived, apparatus in Zimbabwe's constitutional patrimony.Section 95(2)(b) is amenable to amendment under section 328(5): As a duration or term-length clause about institutional rhythms, it adheres to the standard amendment protocol in section 328(5), demanding a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and Senate, succeeded by presidential assent, without a national referendum. This efficient mechanism mirrors the operational character of the provision, affording leeway for functional tweaks while upholding electoral foreseeability.This contrasts sharply with section 328(7), governing bona fide term-limit provisions. These curtail the tally of terms an officeholder may fulfil (e.g., section 91(2) for the President), mandating a ratifying national referendum under section 328(7) for any variation or abolition. This elevated barrier reflects their function in thwarting entrenched power, a worry extraneous to pure duration clauses that advance routine elections and institutional oversight.The foregoing aligns seamlessly with the Mupungu ratio decidendi. As determined by the Constitutional Court in Marx Mupungu v Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs & 6 Ors (CCZ 7/21, 2021), a term-limit provision entails a fixed, ascertainable ceiling on the aggregate tenure of an officeholder (e.g., "two terms" or "renewable once"), accentuating personal ineligibility for re-election or re-appointment, over the mutable span of each term or institutional cycles.The Mupungu precedent holds that a "term-limit provision" per section 328(1) curbs the "length of time" via rigid, capped intervals (e.g., non-extendable epochs), whereas "term of office" or "term length" denotes the duration or configuration of service, potentially variable. The age extension in section 186(3) evades term-limit status as it adjusts retirement predicated on aptitude, not immutable time. Accordingly, the Mupungu precedent sets a lucid boundary: Term-limit provisions enforce fixed, capped tenures on public officeholders, activating national referendum mandates for extensions under section 328(7), while term-length or term-of-office provisions outline adaptable durations without such caps, authorising amendments without national plebiscites.In its interpretation of section 328(7) and term limits, the Constitutional Court held that: "A provision that prescribes an age limit for the holding or occupation of a particular office is not a 'term-limit provision' within the meaning of subsections (1) and (7) of section 328 of the Constitution. Any other interpretation would be contrary to the ordinary and grammatical meaning of the phrase 'term-limit'." Further: "Unlike age limits which may justify extension under exceptional circumstances, term limits under section 186(2) are absolute and do not allow for extensions beyond the prescribed number of terms."The precise precept of the Mupungu precedent is that amendments to non-rigid, event-dependent tenure clauses (e.g., age limits) elude "term-limit" categorisation under section 328(7) and extend to incumbents unless explicitly barred. This logic bifurcates stringent term limits (delimited durations) from pliant age standards, with a wider schism between "term-limit provisions" and "term of office" or "term length" provisions, permitting extensions of flexible age criteria and variable term-of-office clauses without triggering a national referendum.The ratio - that contingent, non-specific tenure provisions (alterable by occurrences like dissolution of Parliament or other contingencies such as removals, resignations or deaths) are not "term-limit provisions" under section 328(1) and (7) - bears profound ramifications for section 95(2)(b) (presidential term of office) and even 143(1) (parliamentary term of office), both nominating five years yet imbued with innate pliancy.Since section 95(2)(b) stipulates that the presidential term of office "extends until" the ensuing election or other incidents (e.g., resignation, removal, deaths, constitutional overrides), is "coterminous with the life of Parliament," and endures "five years" except as otherwise stipulated; the Mupungu ratio implies that - like judicial age limits - this is provisional (intertwined with Parliament's fluctuating lifespan, e.g., premature dissolution under 143(2)), and is not a steadfast fixed term with predetermined termini. Hence, amending to extend from five to seven years would not constitute a "term-limit" amendment under 328(7), as it merely recalibrates a supple institutional timeframe (non-specific effluxion), not a bounded, fixed tenure epoch. Thus, it could pertain to incumbents without a national referendum (under 328(5)'s legislative route), circumventing 328(7)'s constraint, provided the extended term-length proves reasonable and justifiable in a constitutional democracy.In the circumstances, the stipulation in section 328(7) that - "an amendment to a term-limit provision, the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, or an equivalent office, at any time before the amendment" - bears no relevance whatsoever to section 95(2)(b), as the latter is not a "term-limit provision" at all. The stipulation applies solely to a "term-limit" provision like section 91(2).The Constitution of Zimbabwe has an exhaustive number of 15 term-limit provisions, each overtly bounding or capping the personal tenure of public officers consistent with section 328(1)'s definition: "a provision of this Constitution which limits the length of time that a person may hold or occupy a public office." None of these 15 emulate - or is emulated by - section 95(2)(b) (a term-length provision on the President's term of office), which sketches an institutional duration without personal ceilings on the tenure of the officeholder. The table below crystallises this incontrovertibly: Any clause diverging from this archetype manifestly evades term-limit status under section 328(1).Explanatory Note for Item 15 (Other Commissioners):Section 320(1) establishes a default term of five years, renewable for one additional term only, for members of Commissions unless the Constitution provides otherwise. However, section 320(2) specifies that members of Commissions - other than (a) the independent Commissions explicitly listed in section 232 (namely, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Zimbabwe Media Commission, and National Peace and Reconciliation Commission); (b) the Judicial Service Commission; (c) the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission; and (d) the Zimbabwe Land Commission - hold office at the pleasure of the President. This allows for discretionary removal at any time, without the procedural protections (e.g., for misconduct or incapacity via independent tribunals under sections like 237) that apply to the excluded commissions. Examples include members of the Public Service Commission (section 200), Police Service Commission (section 222), and similar bodies, where the term cap prevents indefinite service but offers no tenure security.Parenthetically, and to dispel any ambiguity - considering the frequent and expedient misappropriation of Justice Patel's obiter inclusion of section 95(2) among exemplars he enumerates at pages 50/51 of the Mupungu judgment as "term-limit provisions" (encompassing sections 197, 216(3), 221(2), 226(1), and 229(2)) - it must be stressed that incorporating section 95(2) was a benign oversight. This is evident because section 95(2) shares no affinity with the other five sections cited by Justice Patel, which coalesce under a shared genus and indeed qualify as true term-limit provisions per subsections (1) and (7) of section 328. The apt presidential term-limit provision Justice Patel ought to have referenced in that obiter is section 91(2), not 95(2).Beyond that, the three explicit and uniform characteristics or elements common to the 15 term-limit provisions in the above comprehensive catalogue from the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) - rendering them term-limit provisions - are as follows:This element specifies the particular occupant under capped or limited tenure, outlining the personal ambit and pertinence (e.g., "President," "judges of the Constitutional Court," "Permanent Secretary," or "Commanders of the Defence Forces").This element utilises prefatory language to demarcate office occupation, establishing the basis for a bounded duration - such as "held office as" (section 91(2), denoting prior or cumulative service); "appointed for" (sections 154(2), 186(2) and (3), 189(3), 216(3), 221(2), 226(1), 229(2), 238(5), and 320(1), indicating entry into a confined period); "may limit the term" (section 197, empowering a duration cap); "a period up to five years, and is renewable once only subject to competence, performance and delivery" (section 205(2), enforcing a conditional maximum); "a period of six years and is renewable for one further such term " (section 259(5), instituting a two-term ceiling); or "a period of not more than" (section 310(3), imposing an upper limit) - thus forging the temporal scaffold for the ensuing constraint.This element applies a compulsory, quantifiable restraint on tenure, often with modifiers emphasising irrevocability, such as "non-renewable term," "renewable once only," "not more than two terms," or collective maxima (e.g., "up to a maximum of two terms" or "renewable once subject to competence and performance"), guaranteeing the tenure is finite, not open-ended.Section 95(2)(b) lacks these three indispensable characteristics or elements of term-limit provisions and, for this cardinal reason, it is not a term-limit provision under subsections (1) and (7) of section 328.This thorough enumeration and dissection irrefutably confirms that term-limit provisions in the Constitution of Zimbabwe are narrowly limited to personal tenure curbs or caps on public officers, enforcing fixed numerical restraints to avert indefinite incumbency and foster democratic turnover. The table and the essential triple elements furnish an impregnable classificatory structure, drawn from textual and judicial sources, illustrating that clauses like sections 95(2)(b) and 143(1) - which solely stipulate variable institutional durations or term lengths without personal disqualification - reside firmly beyond this category. Therefore, amendments varying such term lengths obviate referendum imperatives under section 328(7), empowering constitutional advancements to enhance governance resilience without procedural fetters, thereby upholding the Constitution's sanctity while propelling just, equitable and forward-looking constitutional reforms.This Zimbabwean schema harmonises with best international practice. Among all 193 United Nations member states, constitutional architectures invariably distinguish "term of office" provisions as institutional durations or term lengths - with fixed intervals like four to seven years for presidential mandates - assuring cyclical renewal of executive and legislative mandates without intrinsically capping the tenure or re-eligibility of incumbents, thus emphasising structural constancy over personal fetters.This ubiquity arises from the elemental imperative for governance predictability: In presidential regimes (e.g., the four-year presidential term in the United States or Brazil's four-year term), the term length anchors electoral tempos; in parliamentary systems (e.g., the United Kingdom's maximum five-year parliamentary term, India's five-year Lok Sabha term); it indirectly circumscribes prime ministerial service via no-confidence votes or dissolutions, yet permits indefinite re-appointment if backing persists. Even in hybrid or authoritarian contexts (e.g., China's five-year presidential term, Russia's six-year term), term lengths endure as definitional anchors, frequently without numerical limits or caps.Vitally, while all polities incorporate these durational clauses - validated in exhaustive overviews like World Population Review's compendium, spanning executives from Algeria to Zimbabwe - term limits (ceilings like two terms) are absent in roughly 50-60 nations, facilitating extended rule in countries such as Cameroon (unbounded seven-year presidential terms), Venezuela (unbounded six-year terms), Singapore (unbounded prime ministerial terms), and monarchies like Saudi Arabia (lifetime kingship with unbounded prime ministerial terms).This bifurcation accentuates term of office as an impartial institutional metronome, decoupled from the officeholder, cultivating democratic promise without compelling anti-consolidation bulwarks, which persist as elective and variably embraced to deter power accretion.From a comparative lens, the instances of the United States, South Africa, and Botswana - featuring term-length provisions or institutional durations (presidential terms of office) discrete from presidential term-limit provisions - vividly exemplify the point.The United States case delineates the schism between a term-limit provision and a term of office or term length, as evinced by Article II, Section 1, Clause 1 of the original U.S. Constitution (ratified 1788), which states:"The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows"After 163 years, the 22nd Amendment (1951) appended a separate term-limit provision in Section 1:"No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term."South Africa's presidential term length is articulated in section 88(1):"The President's term of office begins on assuming office and ends upon a vacancy occurring or when the person next elected President assumes office."A distinct term-limit provision resides in section 88(2):"No person may hold office as President for more than two terms, but when a person is elected to fill a vacancy in the office of President, the period between that election and the next election of a President is not regarded as a term."Botswana's presidential term length interlinks with Parliament's under section 91(3):"Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date of the first sitting of the National Assembly after any dissolution and shall then stand dissolved."A separate term-limit provision appears in section 34A:"(1) A person shall not hold office as President for more than two terms, whether or not the terms are consecutive. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the service of a person as President for more than half of a term to which another person was elected shall be regarded as service for a term. (3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person holding office as President immediately before the coming into operation of this section."Zimbabwe's section 95(2)(b) parallels Article II, Section 1, Clause 1 of the United States; section 88(1) of South Africa; and section 91(3) of Botswana - all institutional durations or single-term length provisions devoid of limits or caps on the tenure of incumbents - while Zimbabwe's section 91(2), the presidential term-limit provision, echoes Section 1 of the 22nd Amendment in the United States, section 88(2) in South Africa, and section 34A in Botswana - all term-limit provisions with limits or caps on incumbents.As delineated thus far, the evidence is unassailable; it unequivocally confirms section 95(2)(b) as an institutional apparatus regulating the provisional and variable span of a presidential term of office, rather than a term-limit provision confining an incumbent's tenure. This vital demarcation is woven into the Constitution's fabric: While section 95(2)(b) outlines a term's culmination as persisting until resignation, removal, death, or the proclamation of a re-elected or new President - rendering it intrinsically adaptable and bound to electoral cadences and parliamentary vitalities - section 91(2) autonomously imposes personal disqualification post-two terms, wherein "three or more years' service" equates to a full term. Critically, this exegesis comports with section 328(1), which circumscribes a "term-limit provision" as one imposing a restraint on a public officer's tenure; section 95(2)(b) merely articulates or defines the functional length of a term for institutional perpetuity; it is not a bar on re-eligibility or service of an incumbent officeholder, thus it eludes the rigorous amendment shields under section 328(7), which guard against concurrent amendments to foundational constitutional protections governing the tenure of a designated public officeholder. The points below potently reinforce this verity, unmasking endeavours to equate "single term-length provisions" or durations of public offices with "term-limit provisions" on officeholders' tenure as profoundly erroneous and misguided.The incontrovertible fact that Presidents Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa jointly consummated the 20132018 presidential term of office compellingly demonstrates that a "term of office of President" under section 95 constitutes an institutional armature pegged to the office's normative five-year cycle, coterminous with Parliament per section 95(1), rather than a personal prerogative or constraint on the incumbent. Mnangagwa's assumption of office on 24 November 2017, to finish Mugabe's incomplete term post his ouster did not spawn a fresh five-year term but fluidly sustained the existing one initiated in August 2013 after that year's harmonised general election, as the Constitution enables succession without recalibrating the institutional chronometer - per section 94(3), requiring the successor's oath within 48 hours of a vacancy. This mirrors section 95(2)(b)'s focus on a term's endpoint as dependent upon events like election proclamations, removals, or resignations; allowing plural incumbents within a solitary five-year cycle without violating the two-term personal cap in section 91(2).Accordingly, Mnangagwa's qualification for his ensuing 2018 and 2023 terms legitimately omitted his fractional 20172018 nine-month interval from his personal cumulative term reckoning, deeming it the completion of an institutional term, not a plenary one under section 91(2). This seminal precedent decisively validates that section 95(2)(b) administers pragmatic duration to secure governance durability and efficacious public administration of the "Office of President," markedly segregated from curbs on individual officeholders - thereby dismantling any contention that the section operates as a term-limit provision or mechanism.All factors constant, should President Mnangagwa persist in office until relinquishing at the end of his current term per section 95(2)(b), he would amass roughly 10 years and 9 to 10 months (practically 11 years) in a baseline scenario without a runoff. This estimation aggregates his service from his inaugural oath on 24 November 2017 (finalising Mugabe's 20132018 term), across his two complete five-year terms (20182023 and 20232028), to his successor's projected inauguration in early September 2028.Historical patterns indicate Zimbabwe's general elections, with a few exceptions, typically occur in late July or August (e.g., 30 July 2018; 23-24 August 2023), with presidential induction 912 days post-results if unchallenged per section 94, or protracted amid disputes (as in 2018, deferred to 26 August). President Mnangagwa's 20232028 term lapses circa 4 September 2028, marking five years from his 4 September 2023, inauguration per section 95. Section 158 obliges polling no later than 30 days pre-expiry, situating it in early August to early September 2028. Positing a typical late-August election and early-September oath (e.g., 4 or 5 September, mirroring 2023), the exact duration tallies approximately 3,937 to 3,938 days - equating to about 10 years, 9 months, and 1718 days, incorporating leap years in 2020, 2024, and 2028.Nevertheless, this span might extend further - potentially surpassing 11 years - if the 2028 presidential race invokes a runoff under section 110(3)(i)(iii) of the Electoral Act, necessitating a runoff (absent a 50% + 1 vote majority), proclaimed by the President between 28 and 42 days post-original polling, with the Electoral Court authorised to extend the period for valid reasons upon being petitioned by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). For example, a late-August 2028 election could yield a runoff in late September (28 days) or mid-October (42 days), with results released within five days and prompt induction, deferring President Mnangagwa's handover to a successor to late September or mid-October 2028 - yielding circa 10 years and 10 months' cumulative term of office. With judicially sanctioned extensions (e.g., an extra 30 days for operational or legal causes), this might extend into November 2028 or later, culminating in 10 years and 11 months or more, and in outliers exceeding 11 full years if postponements cascade into 2029.Fluctuations per the Electoral Act - like minimum 28-day proclamation notices, court-induced weeks-long delays, or runoff contingencies - could shift the successor's induction by two to four weeks or even beyond, maintaining the aggregate around 10 years and 9 months in routine instances, yet nearing or transcending 11 years with runoffs and extensions. Though section 95(2) posits a normative five-year term, coterminous with Parliament's lifespan per section 143(1), President Mnangagwa's possible protracted path from November 2017 to circa September 2028 or after; vividly evinces how actual service under section 95(2)(b) pivots on unforeseeable elements like ouster, resignation, election timing (section 158(1)), induction deferrals (section 94(1)), judicial intercessions, and runoff scenarios. This renders term-of-office durations under section 95(2)(b) as inherently variable or contingent as "age limits" under section 186. The Constitution eschews rigid endpoints in section 95, favouring event-contingent terms that endure until a successor's assumption of office per section 95(2)(b), accommodating real-world variances under the Electoral Act.This innate pliancy nullifies the assumed 10-year apex (from two full five-year terms under section 95(2)(b)) as non-imperative, as attested by the 2018 petition's postponement or prospective 2028 analogues - including runoffs - that may protract handover into late 2028, early 2029, or further. Such irrefutable evidence cements section 95(2)(b) as a flexible duration or term length bulwark for institutional perseverance, not a stringent service cap or term-limit - contrasting acutely with the 15 authentic term-limit provisions elsewhere in the Constitution. Absent amendment to section 95(2)(b) as proposed, should President Mnangagwa's cumulative tenure approach or exceed 11 years owing to these contingencies, it would merely fortify the reality that section 95(2)(b) accommodates such extensions precisely because it is not a term-limit provision.President Mnangagwa's aggregate service, as expounded, integrates flawlessly with section 91(2)'s term-limit framework, which bars service exceeding "two terms" but defines a "full term" as "three or more years' service" without mandating a maximum limit or cap per term. This minimum threshold intrinsically accommodates span variations from contingencies, paralleling section 95(2)(b)'s event-oriented closure (e.g., via election proclamation). Unlike unyielding boundaries (e.g., exactly five years), section 91(2) tolerates terms surpassing five years due to electoral lags, as illustrated in Mnangagwa's probable case - where his plenary terms (20182023 and 20232028) may surpass 10 years combined without disqualification, given his 2017 partial span falls below a full term. The overt "three or more years" clause in section 91(2) acknowledges such indeterminacies, affirming that section 95(2)(b) institutes variable institutional durations or term lengths, whereas section 91(2) tackles personal tenure pinnacles.This consonance compellingly attests to section 95(2)(b)'s non-restrictive core, further illuminated by section 328(1)'s term-limit definition as impediments to officeholder tenure - standards that section 95(2)(b) fails to satisfy, as it facilitates rather than impedes protracted service through contingencies.These interwoven contentions irrefutably render section 95(2)(b) a procedural, contingency-laden duration instrument or term length for the presidency's institutional edifice, wholly divergent from the incumbent-centric disqualifications in section 91(2). Attempts to conflate them - rampant in contemporary political rhetoric and grandstanding - emerge from tortured interpretations or political pursuits, yet the constitutional lexicon, judicial precedents, and delineations under section 328(1) and (7) resoundingly endorse this segregation, ensuring formidable defences against excess while conserving governance adaptability.Under these auspices, the proposed amendment to section 95(2)(b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) emerges as a transformative institutional linchpin. Though the initiative stemmed from ZANU-PF's National People's Conference - and while it understandably centred on the continuity of President Mnangagwa's leadership - the essence and purport of amending section 95(2)(b) transcend personal aggrandisement, representing an audacious institutional recalibration of the presidency's single-term duration from five to seven years. This reform, anchored in the "always speaking doctrine" applied by the Constitutional Court in the Mupungu case, would infuse perennial vitality into the nation's bedrock law, retroactively and prospectively reshaping the office of President, Parliaments, Local Authorities, and the service of all Presidents, MPs and Councillors - past, present, and future.The "Always Speaking" Doctrine, enshrined in section 11 of Zimbabwe's Interpretation Act [Chapter 1:01] and invoked in Mupungu, constitutes a common-law interpretive tenet mandating dynamic construction of legislative clauses, applicable to emergent contexts and all pertinent persons or scenarios (past, present, and future) unless expressly precluded. Broadly, the doctrine assures the adaptability and equity of laws, averting absurdities like tenure voids while honouring their authentic intent.In the ambit of the proposed amendments extending presidential and parliamentary terms of office from five to seven years under sections 95(2)(b) and 143(1), the doctrine proves instrumental: It rationalises continuity clauses enabling retroactive pertinence to incumbents elected at the 23-24 August 2023, harmonised general election, advancing impartial advantages across all impacted officeholders without favouritism.The Constitutional Court deployed the "Always Speaking" Doctrine in Mupungu to "apply to the continuation in office of all judicial officers (mentioned in section 186 (1), (2) and (3)), including those judges who were incumbents of their respective offices before section 186 was amended," elucidating that non-obstante phrases (e.g., "notwithstanding section 328(7)") confirm non-encroachment on term-limit provisions - such as section 91(2) - permitting referendum-exempt amendments for non-capped durations or term lengths, like those in sections 95(2)(b) and 143(1). This pertinence safeguards against self-aggrandisement by any affected incumbent, guarantees seamless transitions, and underscores the constitutionality of the proposed amendments, cultivating stability by framing term-length amendments as institutional refinements rather than personal ceilings.If enacted, these institutional overhauls would rectify structural deficiencies in abbreviated or shorter terms of office and direct presidential elections amid polarisation by addressing ground-level exigencies, buoyed not merely by Zanu-PF's 2024 Resolution Number 1 from Bulawayo - reaffirmed in 2025 at Mutare with an implementation timeline - but also by the 2019 appeal from the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) for a seven-year electoral hiatus to, among other aims, mend fissures largely spawned by the scourge of perennially disputed elections.The profound impetus propelling this vista is not solely national but quintessentially Pan-African: The continent's arduously earned post-colonial insights reveal the hazards of curtailed four-to-five-year institutional cycles or term lengths, which stymie and derail development by ensnaring African states in perpetual, erosive electioneering - engendering disputed polls, societal cleavages, endemic corruption, and forsaken public welfare.Conversely, a seven-year vista (analogous to Guinea's adoption in September 2025) would empower mitigation of "electoral fatigue" and surpass factional discords, redirecting vigour toward shared civic endeavours: resilient infrastructure development, the eradication of hunger and poverty, the vanquishing of disease, and the banishment of ignorance through education with a practical scientific purpose. This would transcend mere adjustment or tinkering; it would herald a visionary pivot toward stability, national unity, societal advancement, and cohesion, ensuring Zimbabwe's democracy flourishes not in ephemeral obscurity, but in the perpetual radiance of institutional fortitude to realise Vision 2030. (FILES) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters carry a poster of their leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a protest against the 27th constitutional amendment, in Karachi on November 21, 2025. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP) Imran Khans sisters hold sit-in at Adiala Jail, claim he is being tortured after visit refusal Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to JD Vance responds to viral restaurant photo: I always wear an undershirt to fight loudly with my wife US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) (C) speaks during a press conference at City Hall following a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 28, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Minneap (Photo by Stephen Maturen / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un presiding over the 13rd plenary meeting of the eighth central committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea. (Courtesy: Reuters photo) Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Pakistan red-faced again: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvis car searched in London for 'explosives, narcotics' | Watch Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Putin hails Indias cultural depth, says unity in diversity key: Not all speak Hindi Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Sindhi leader's fervent appeal to PM Modi on Pakistans nuclear risks amid Asim Munir's rise: Extremists in command room Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Sindhudesh separatist movement in Pakistan: What led to clashes in Karachi Technology / Computers by Tech Reporter The Computer Society of Zimbabwe will on Tuesday host a discussion panel on Women in information communication technology sector (ICTs).The discussion will be facilitated by some of the leading women in the ICT sector in Zimbabwe who include Joyce Benza, Managing consultant of X-Pert Solutions, Viola Dondo, the CSZ Deputy director, Maragerth Ziramba an ICT Manager with the Premier Service Medical Aid Society and Rumbidzai Dube a savvy ICT advocate who is also a lawyer by profession.Panel Discussion will be held at Jameson Hotel,and will focus on challenges being faced by women in making a breakthrough in the male dominated sector.Considering that facilitators are ladies it shows that the ICT field is for everyone and much can be done from every angle.Opportunities will also be discussed in relation to how the girl child can be better prepared for a career in ICT Leadership, Sofware and Network Engineering, and the many facets of ICT.World over we have Marissa Mayer as one of the best leaders of Yahoo and Carly Fiorina, a former C.E.O of the global computer brand HP. That said it means there is no limit to who can make or break it in the ICT sector even locally.A run-down of popular blogs and online platforms, you will not miss such a great project as Herzimbabwe.co.zw being led by a versatile trained journalist Fungai Machirori.According CSZ "the space is for everyone and it is believed with this Discussion Panel a lot will come out and a path will be set for more involvement by women in the Zimbabwe ICT sector."The event comes at a time the society is undergoing transformation with a possibility of rebranding to ensure that it operates professionally while achieving its set targets and objectives that include ensuring the ICT person remains relevant. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'Somebodys in there!': Trump jokingly reacts as Air Force One bathroom door swings open on him | Watch Trump pushes Zelenskyy for swift response to US peace plan, sets new deadline: Report Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Trump says birthright citizenship was intended for babies of slaves, not the rich' US pledges $1.25 billion for Reko Diq mining in Balochistan: What makes this project risky for both US and Pakistan Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Why the Donbas remains the core obstacle to a Russia-Ukraine peace deal Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Why Trumps intervention in the Warner Bros. takeover fight is raising alarms about presidential power Un dramatique accident aerien a coute la vie a lintegralite de lequipage dun avion cargo militaire, ce mardi. Lappareil, un Ilyouchine Il-76, sest abime alors quil tentait datterrir sur la base aerienne dOsman Digna, situee dans la ville strategique de Port-Soudan, sur les rives de la mer Rouge. Selon les informations rapportees par lAgence France-Presse (AFP) et confirmees par une source anonyme, le crash serait du a une defaillance technique survenue durant la phase dapproche. Malgre les efforts presumes des pilotes pour poser lappareil, lavion sest finalement ecrase. La meme source a indique, sans ambiguite, que "tous les membres de lequipage ont ete tues dans laccident". Pour lheure, le nombre exact de victimes na pas ete communique par les autorites, laissant planer un flou sur lampleur humaine de cette catastrophe. La nature militaire de lappareil et le contexte securitaire volatile de la region soulevent de nombreuses questions, meme si la piste technique est privilegiee. Ce crash intervient dans une periode de fortes tensions au Soudan, plonge dans un conflit interne depuis avril 2023. La base dOsman Digna, bastion des forces armees soudanaises, est un point cle logistique et militaire. La perte dun tel appareil de transport, repute pour sa robustesse et largement utilise pour le fret lourd, constitue un coup dur operationnel et un evenement tragique qui endeuille laviation militaire. Une enquete devrait etre ouverte pour determiner les causes exactes de cette "defaillance technique" fatale. La communaute internationale, et notamment les observateurs de la securite aerienne en zone de conflit, suivront de pres ses conclusions. Crash avion Soudan, Ilyouchine Il-76, accident aerien Port-Soudan, base aerienne Osman Digna, defaillance technique avion cargo, equipage militaire decede, actualite Soudan, conflit Soudan, aviation militaire, tragedie aerienne Air Tragedy in Sudan: Military Il-76 Cargo Plane Crashes, No Survivors Among Crew A dramatic air accident claimed the lives of the entire crew of a military cargo plane on Tuesday. The aircraft, an Ilyushin Il-76, crashed while attempting to land at Osman Digna airbase, located in the strategic Red Sea city of Port Sudan. According to information reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP) and confirmed by an anonymous source, the crash is believed to have been caused by a technical failure during the landing approach. Despite the pilots' presumed efforts to land the plane, it ultimately crashed. The same source stated unequivocally that "all crew members were killed in the accident." For now, the exact number of victims has not been released by the authorities, leaving uncertainty about the human scale of this disaster. The military nature of the aircraft and the volatile security context in the region raise many questions, even if the technical lead is favored. This crash occurs during a period of high tension in Sudan, embroiled in internal conflict since April 2023. The Osman Digna base, a stronghold of the Sudanese armed forces, is a key logistical and military point. The loss of such a transport aircraft, renowned for its robustness and widely used for heavy cargo, constitutes a significant operational blow and a tragic event that mourns the military aviation community. An investigation is expected to be opened to determine the exact causes of this fatal "technical failure." The international community, particularly observers of air safety in conflict zones, will closely monitor its findings. Sudan plane crash, Ilyushin Il-76, Port Sudan air accident, Osman Digna airbase, cargo plane technical failure, military crew killed, Sudan news, Sudan conflict, military aviation, air tragedy Moussa Nassourou The Scottish artist, who was nominated for works shown at the Walker Art Gallery and Manifesta 15, is the first learning-disabled person to claim the prestigious award. (The Art Newspaper) The Scsottish artist Nnena Kalu has been named the winner of this years Turner Prize, becoming the first learning-disabled person to claim the award. Her victory was described as a milestone by the director of Tate Britain and the chair of the prize jury, Alex Farquharson. The artists work, which is comprised of suspended sculptures bound with rope and tape along with swirling vortex drawings, is on show in the Turner Prize exhibition at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford (until 22 February 2026) as part of the UK City of Culture festival. The other shortlisted artists were Rene Matic, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa. Firstly, our decision was qualitative and based on the visual and aesthetic quality of Nnenas work, Farquharson said. She makes amazing abstract art, whirlpool-like; its expressiveness is enigmatic. It would not be a powerful statement if the work was not powerful on its own terms. Also, learning disabled artists have not been properly recognised in the art world so this is part of a change. There was a strong sense from the prize jury that Nnena is a deserving winner in the context of a very strong shortlist with across the board support, he added. Kalu, who is autistic and has limited verbal communication, was nominated for her contribution to the Conversations exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and for her work Hanging Sculpture 1 to 10 at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona. Her nomination represents a really significant moment for the learning disabled artist community, not just nationally but internationally, said Michael Raymond, a co-curator of the Turner Prize exhibition. A Tate statement said: The jury commended Kalus bold and compelling work, praising her lively translation of expressive gesture into captivating abstract sculpture and drawing. Noting her distinct practice and finesse of scale, composition and colour, they admired the powerful presence these works have. Kalus practice is supported by the visual arts organisation ActionSpace. which runs a studio at Studio Voltaire in south London. Kalus primary assistant, Charlotte Hollinshead, the head of Artist Development at ActionSpace, has worked with Kalu since 1999. Kalu receives 25,000 while the other three shortlisted artists receive 10,000 each. Prize judges included the independent curator Andrew Bonacina and Sam Lackey, the director of the Liverpool Biennial. The charitable foundation set up by Lord Browne of Madingley and the Uggla Family Foundation established by Lance Ugglaa trustee of the Tate Foundationare exhibition sponsors. For nearly forty-four years, Grandvrio Hotel Saipan has stood by the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, weathering changes, challenges, and periods of growth. Opened in 1982 as the islands tourism industry took off, the hotel quickly became a fixture to both locals and tourists. As one of Saipans most enduring and remaining Japanese-owned hotels, Grandvrios decision to close its doors by April 2026 will be felt across the commonwealth, a reminder of just how much the ups and downs of tourism can touch daily life on the islands. Grandvrio Resort Saipan announced yesterday that it will temporarily close operations starting April 2026. This was made public through a formal notice to the Hotel Association of NMI (HANMI), coupled with a withdrawal of its membership. Originally built in 1982 and formerly known as Hafa Adai Hotel, the property underwent major renovations over the years. In 2004, it was overhauled to serve growing inbound travel, and following Super Typhoon Soudelor, it reopened in August 2022 under the Grandvrio brand after yet another refurbishment. Factor In its notice to HANMI, Grandvrio Resort Saipan General Manager Kuhito Izumi said a significant decline in tourist arrivalsmainly from reductions and suspensions of direct flights to Saipanhas severely impacted hotel operations. Therefore, we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, but Grandvrio Resort Saipan will be temporarily closed starting April 2026, Izumi said. In light of the challenging business environment and the need to reassess priorities, Grandvrio Resort will also withdraw from HANMI effective Dec. 5, 2025. Please note that this decision does not reflect any dissatisfaction with your associations activities or mission, but is solely due to our internal circumstances, Izumi wrote. Izumi expressed gratitude for all the support and opportunities HANMI provided over the years, wishing the association continued growth and success. Sad news In an interview, House Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. John Paul Sablan called it unfortunate that one of the last two Japanese-owned hotels in the CNMI is closing. Sablan said it is sad news, noting the governments hope for a rebound in tourism. He recognized that declining arrivals are a regional problem and remained optimistic, as Grandvrios closure is described as temporary. I want to thank Grandvrio Resort Saipan for providing services to visitors and residents in the CNMI, in good times and bad, Sablan said. (PR) The U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands is mourning the loss of the Honorable Alex R. Munson, the second chief judge of the District Court, who died on December 5, 2025 in Sandpoint, Idaho. Judge Munson was 84 years old. Judge Alex Munsons judicial service to the people of the Marianas and all of Micronesia spanned over four decades. He was always respectful to the people before him, as well as those who worked with him. After taking senior status in 2010, he was always willing to come back to the islands to render his assistance. Our sincerest thank you, olomwaay, and si Yuus maase to Judge Munson for serving the court and our community with compassion and distinction, said Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona. Born in South Gate, California, on September 25, 1941, Judge Munson attended Long Beach State College, obtaining a B.A. in Education in 1964 and an M.A. in Education in 1965. Judge Munson then received an Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Southern California in 1970 before obtaining a J.D. from Loyola Marymount University, Loyola Law School in 1975. Before and immediately following law school, Judge Munson was a teacher with the Inglewood Unified School District in southwestern Los Angeles County, California. In 1977, Judge Munson began his legal career as an associate at the law firm of Robert S. Talbert & Associates. He joined law firm Kirtland & Packard as an associate the following year. In 1982, Judge Munson was appointed as the Chief Justice of the High Court of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, thus starting what would become over four decades of judicial service across Micronesia. During his tenure as Chief Justice in the final years of the Trust Territory, Judge Munson heard over 40 appeals and authored over a dozen opinions in wide-ranging cases from the various island communities within the Trust Territory. By 1988, when President Ronald Reagan nominated him to serve as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, only Palau remained under the Trust Territory; the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia became independent sovereign states while the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands came into full force and effect in 1986. Unanimously confirmed by the Senate, Judge Munson was sworn in as the second Chief Judge of the District Court on November 18, 1988, succeeding the Honorable Alfred Laureta. President William J. Clinton nominated Judge Munson for a second ten-year term in 1998; the Senate unanimously reconfirmed Judge Munson in October 1998. He ultimately served as Chief Judge until 2010, when he took senior status and relocated to Sandpoint, Idaho, and fully retired in 2025. As Chief Judge, Judge Munson shepherded the District Court through its transformation from mere outpost of the federal judiciary to a fully functioning, modern district courta transformation paralleling the sweeping economic and social changes in the Northern Mariana Islands and the wider Pacific Rim. Judge Munsons tenure also saw the development of a full-fledged, independent local judiciary for the Northern Mariana Islands and the corresponding realignment of the District Courts jurisdiction and work to more closely resemble a district court in any of the states of the United States. In addition, Judge Munson continued his service across the Pacific. In 1988, he became a designated judge for the U.S. District Court of Guam, and subsequently also served as a part-time associate justice for the Supreme Court of Palau and a temporary associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa. Judge Munson was also a perennially active member at Pacific Judicial Conferences, the semi-regular gathering of judicial officers serving the diverse jurisdictions across the vast Pacific. Remarking on Judge Munsons 37 years of service to the people and District Court of Guam, Guam District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood shared, He was a judge who carried both compassion and principle in equal measure. When he traveled to Guam to help shoulder my caseload, he did more than handle sentencing and settle disputeshe brought a sense of calm, dignity, and genuine care to everyone who stood before him. He was old-fashioned in the best way: steady, respectful, and unwavering in his integrity. Yet he was also warm and deeply human. He was my mentor when I was new to the federal bench, and I will carry his lessons, his example, and his friendship with immense gratitude. Dangkulu na si Yuus maase, Judge Munson. Judge Munson is remembered for his integrity, competence, civility, and commitment to the rule of law. In addition to his longtime service and contributions to the Northern Mariana Islands on and off the bench, Judge Munson was a steadfast advocate for the needs of the Northern Mariana Islands legal community, including through his work as a member of the Pacific Islands Committee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Staff members of the District Court shared stories today about this gracious and generous leader who always showed kindness and respect to them and their families. He will be deeply missed by those who had the good fortune to work closely with him as well as members of the judiciaries and legal communities throughout the Pacific. Judge Munson is survived by his wife, Kathy Munson, his in-laws, and nieces and nephews. Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flagship carrier of the Philippines, will resume its Manila-Saipan direct flight next year. According to a release published by the leading online platform AeroRoutes, the Philippines full-service career will return to Saipan in Northern summer 2026. The airline will launch twice-weekly flights starting March 29, 2026, operated by PAL Express Airbus A321 aircraft. The flights, as reported by AeroRoutes, are scheduled as follows: PR2571 MNL1945 0145+1SPN 321 37 PR2572 SPN0250 0505MNL 321 14 In 2016, PAL Express relaunched the Manila-Saipan nonstop servicea popular route among Filipino residents and foreign workers in Saipan and the rest of the Northern Mariana Islands. At the time, it operated twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays. By March 2017, about nine months after its relaunch, the route was reportedly shifted to seasonal operation. This development comes on the heels of an earlier announcement by PAL that it is expanding its flagship Manila-Los Angeles nonstop service from 14 to 18 flights weekly starting June 1, 2026. (Ulysses Torres-Sabuco) Even as Grandvrio Resort Saipan prepares for its temporary closure, Mayor Ramon RB Camacho is holding onto hope. Urging management to reconsider a permanent shutdown, Camacho voiced his belief that the hotela fixture on Saipans tourist landscapewill ultimately reopen for the community it has served for decades. In a statement to Variety, Saipan Mayor Ramon RB Camacho expressed hope that the management might reconsider, adjust operations, and avoid a total closure. I hope the management reconsider their decision and adjust their operations accordingly and not to close completely, the Saipan local chief executive said. The mayors optimism is shared by others in government and industry. The Office of the Governor issued a statement voicing concern about Grandvrios closure, calling it a substantial loss for employees, their families, and the broader community. The governors office praised the hotel staff and management for their contributions to the tourism sector, and noted that the reduction and suspension of direct flights have driven down occupancy rates to the lowest since 1992 (excluding the pandemic period). The administration remains committed to restoring and expanding air service, working with HANMI, hotel operators, and private partners to stabilize and grow the economy. We remain resolutely optimistic about the future of the CNMI economy. This period of unprecedented difficulty presents an opportunity for innovation and diversification, the statement read. HANMI The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands (HANMI) has issued a statement acknowledging the planned temporary closure of Grandvrio Resort Saipan, effective April 1, 2026. HANMI Chairman Dennis Seo said the decision reflects the resorts struggle with years of unprecedented challenges, including the lingering impacts of COVID-19 and continued limitations in air service to the Marianas. We understand that this decision follows several years of unprecedented challenges, including the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and continued limitations in air service to the Marianas, which have significantly affected the tourism and hospitality sector, Seo said. He added that HANMI respects the resorts leadership for prioritizing long-term viability and expressed confidence in its intention to reopen once market conditions improve. Seo emphasized that HANMI remains committed to supporting all hospitality operators during the recovery period. The association continues to work with industry partners, government stakeholders, and airlines to restore visitor arrivals and strengthen tourism for the Marianas. Chamber, GCEA Joe C. Guerrero, president of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Governors Council of Economic Advisers, on behalf of SCC, acknowledged the recent announcement of temporary closure of Grandvrio Resort, a pioneer resort that was loved by our community for decades. Their decision, while difficult, is a direct response to the ongoing challenges posed by low tourism arrivals, which have significantly impacted our local economy. Now, more than ever, the CNMI government (Marianas Visitors Authority, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Governors Council of Economic Advisors, and other agencies), along with the private sector, are working collaboratively to enhance tourism recovery post-pandemic. Together, we are exploring innovative strategies, new product development, destination enhancements, and promotional efforts to reinvigorate interest in our beautiful islands and attract visitors once again. We recognize the invaluable contributions that Grandvrio Resort has made to Saipan over the years, including job creation and support for local businesses. As we navigate this period of extreme difficulty, we remain committed to uniting our efforts to revitalize our tourism sector and support the recovery of our hospitality industry. We look forward to the day when Grandvrio Resort can reopen its doors and welcome visitors back to our beautiful islands. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to continue to support our remaining local businesses and find ways to help keep our islands beautiful, clean, and welcoming for all. Grandvrio, formerly Hafa Adai Hotel, is operated by Japans Solare Hotels & Resorts and is one of Saipans largest hotels, with more than 400 guest rooms. The resort has been a cornerstone of the islands tourism industry, hosting international visitors, conferences, and community events. Earlier, HANMI reported a 23.18% average occupancy rate among 11 member hotels for October 2025, 27% lower than 31.62% in October 2024 and the lowest occupancy rate recorded since 1992, excluding October 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The Marianas Visitors Authority reported 10,793 arrivals in October 2025, down nearly 30 percent from 15,226 in October 2024. (WSJ) The White Houses new national-security strategy signals a softer approach to competition with Beijing, playing down ideological differences between the two superpowers and marking a break from years in which China was singled out as posing the U.S.s greatest challenge. On Friday, the Trump administration released a much-anticipated, 30-page document that sets out Washingtons foreignpolicy priorities. The paper harshly criticizes the U.S.s traditional allies in Europe, while emphasizing the overriding importance of the Americas in the White Houses America First approach. Under the Biden administration, China was explicitly named as the U.S.s primary foreign-policy challenge. That administration was especially vocal in its support for Taiwan, the self-ruling island that Beijing has pledged to take by force, if necessary. The new national-security strategy maintains the language of strategic competition when discussing Taiwans status and calls for working more closely with partners and allies in the Pacific to deter any attempt to seize Taiwan. But the document also plays down ideological differences between the U.S. and China, instead placing economics andtrade front and center in the relationship. It names China only a handful of timesalmost exclusively in terms of the economic relationship. It makes other indirect references to the country, for instance mentioning unnamed competitors to the U.S. from outside the Western Hemisphere. Most notably for Beijing, the White House document drops the Biden administrations declaration that the U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. And while it signals general continuity with Bidens opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, it softens that language somewhat to a statement that it does not sup-port any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Taken together, the new document represents what Beijings leaders are likely to see as a relatively favorable turn in U.S. grand strategy, said Jessica Chen Weiss, a professor of China studies at Johns Hopkins Universitys School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. Weiss pointed in particular to the fact that the strategy document doesnt name China as the U.S.s greatest challenge, as the Biden White House did in 2022. Beijing treats every written American commitment as a negotiating floor, said Ryan Fedasiuk, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. The national-security strategy, he said, establishes the baseline from which Beijing negotiates, and the baseline just moved. Fedasiuk said that what he regards as a tempering of the U.S. stancefrom one that opposes unilateral changes to the status quo over Taiwan during the Biden years to one in which the U.S. merely does not support any unilateral change in the new Trump documentwill be cheered in Beijing. Beijing will pocket this concession and use it as the starting point for the next negotiation and ask for even greater flexibility, said Fedasiuk. The new strategy document eschews Bidens favored language of maintaining a rulesbased international ordera term that appeared no fewer than eight times in the 2022 paper. The phrase appears just once this time, with a tone of derision, to slam what the Trump White House calls the failures of Biden-era policies. I am not a legal expert. I am simply someone who understands the vision my grandparents generation had when they helped shape the Covenant into what we live under today. I grew up appreciating the protections they negotiated so Chamorros, Carolinians, and the larger community could move forward on our own terms. Because of that, I feel a responsibility to be honest about where we, as a community and a government, are falling short. More and more, the Covenant is spoken of as if it were outdated or too fragile for todays challenges. It often becomes the focus of review only when the economy falters, as though our financial troubles began with the Covenant. In doing so, we forget that the Covenant was never meant to stand apart from us. It was built on the understanding that the people, the land, and our political destiny are inseparable. When one is weakened, all are at risk. For that reason, the Covenant must be defended and deserves every form of protection. It anchors our relationship with the United States, protects local self-government, and safeguards land for people of Northern Marianas descent (NMD) through Article 12. But it was never meant to function only as a political shield. It was meant to be the foundation for long-term economic strength. So why is it that we defend it at times, but so often question its purpose as our circumstances change? On Dec. 5, 2025, calls to review the Covenant were raised in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) House of Representatives. Representative Angelo A. Camacho argued that changing economic conditions and shifting community needs require a fresh look at the Covenant. He emphasized that such a review would not be about breaking our relationship with the United States, but about strengthening it. I appreciate Rep. Camacho and the work of the Legislature in taking our future seriously and being willing to ask difficult questions. At the same time, we must be careful not to fall into the habit of trying to fix what is not broken. The deeper issue facing the CNMI today is not that the Covenant has failed us or needs updating. The real problem is that we have not been creative or disciplined enough in using what we inherited from our grandparents generation. Locals selling their land, entering into long-term leases, or leaving the islands in search of opportunity never to return is not what our grandparents envisioned. They believed in building local capacity through training, investing in our people through education, and using creative strategy to fill the most critical gaps in our islands so that our young people would remain or return home to help further build our communities. These are precisely the areas where we continue to fall short. Instead of immediately looking to revise the Covenant itself, we should first ask whether we have truly exhausted the power, flexibility, and protection it already gives us. Article 12 ensures Northern Mariana Islands land remains in NMD hands, and that alone sets the CNMI apart from many places in the Pacific. But land protection was meant to be the starting point, not the finish line. Today, land is still treated as a short-term revenue tool instead of a strategic asset for housing, food security, and locally owned enterprise. We lease land without building real industries. We approve projects without anchoring long-term community wealth. Yes, we protect ownership, but we do not build the strong local capital or infrastructure needed to support it. At the same time, the CNMI still relies heavily on federal funding, mostly to survive from one crisis to the next. We use grants to fill budget gaps and recover from disasters rather than to systematically build food systems, energy security, water security, modern infrastructure, and true export industries. Our continued dependence on low-wage tourism keeps us locked in a cycle of emergency response instead of long-term growth. The Covenant has never failed us. What has failed us is our lack of creative and disciplined governance. The Covenant still gives us powerful tools. What it does not give us is long-range planning or protection from our own short-term decision-making. That responsibility belongs to our leaders to use the tools the Covenant gives us, to do real research, understand the real needs of our community, and co-produce innovative solutions with the people they serve. If the Legislature is serious about securing the future of the CNMI, a few priorities must become non-negotiable now. Land policy must continue moving away from politically driven leasing and toward a transparent, long-term land-use strategy that prioritizes housing, food-producing agriculture, and locally owned small businesses alongside responsible development. The CNMI must finally build local financial institutions, such as a development bank or land-backed lending system, so our own people can invest in our future instead of depending on outside capital. Federal funding must be organized into a true long-term development strategy for food security, energy, water, and port infrastructure, not treated as emergency money. And the Commonwealth must commit to real economic diversification beyond low-wage tourism so young NMDs can build stable lives here at home. Reviewing the Covenant may one day be part of our evolution. But our greatest challenge right now is not rewriting the document our elders fought for. It is finally honoring it with stronger governance, creative economic thinking, and long-term discipline. The Covenant did not fail the CNMI. We failed to rise to the full responsibility it placed in our hands. The work ahead is about accountability, about matching action to vision, and about upholding the promise our elders secured for us over the past 50 years. Johnny Tudela Aldan is from Saipan. The Truth is WE need to Reform the CNMI, as citizens WE need to DEMAND an Era of Constructive Progressivism as it has been the lack of planning which is a plan for failure compounded by the destructive actions & lack of action that has been slowly killing the CNMI with our Economy & Quality of Life that are in ICU with No Plans to fix! WE even have declared candidates, but only one Republican, whom I dont trust, has offered a hint of a plan to Fix & Reform the CNMIs Economy. But WHY is Ambrodamus the only public outcry for a real Economic Recovery Plan when it is so obvious since COVID, WE must fix our Economy! WHY are Retirees still silent on OUR 25% and the Legislation to get COLA put into law. WHY arent NMDs now demanding for someone to take up their cause by proposing to offer follow-up legislation once the Constitution Amendment is passed its called Planning Ahead. And speaking of planning-ahead, there is so much focus on the present budget No One is looking, planning nor doing anything about the next budget to come which I can GUARANTEE is going to be a Political Monster literally consuming politicians in the 2026 Election for FAILING to Plan Ahead, which is what households living by paychecks have to do! So, I ask, WHO really Cares enough to COMPLAIN! WHY isnt there any Public Outcry over the Never-ending Austerity, the WASTE of giving unlimited business & personal taxes away to J&P Holdings for 22 yrs. without any concrete justification. The WASTE with the Cannabis & three different Casino Commissions along with virtually no Governance-System over E-Gaming when WE need only one Gaming Commission for ALL Gambling and dont forget the Bloated Legislature! There are a lot of things our leaders can do immediately to cut cost and make the CNMI more fiscal responsible but you dont hear any candidates mentioning none of these issues that need to be REFORMED! I have also noticed that whenever there is a hint of culture there is often some form of Public Outcry, but WE the People must STOP being sooooo silent on other issues like the waste & dysfunctionalities in government that I just mentioned. No disrespect intended but, WE must continue the very same Public Out Cry to other issues that stopped the salary raise for the Governors relative. WE the People have the POWER, but WE must use it ALL the Time, as silence is a form of complicity and why the GOP continue the waste & dysfunctionality in What They Have Done & In What They Have FAILED To Do!!! No one has ever said nor even tried to prove Ambrodamus was wrong, which means Ambrodamus must have been RIGHT about a lot of things but WHO really Cares! Need I reiterate, the CNMI is ideally situated to intervene in the production of many goods & products Made in China to become Made in U.S.A. Commonwealth, as the CNMIs Label as a U.S. Commonwealth has real VALUE. In fact, it was the labeling & unlimited exporting quota that made the Garment Industry work and so successful. If a product is 51% or more Made in the CNMI it can be labeled Made in the U.S.A Commonwealth. Ambrodamus even put the Hemp Industry in the Cannabis Bill that became Law, as Hemp Products are a Billion Dollar Industry on the mainland but WE (our leaders) have yet to do the work to create a Hemp Industry because it was Ambrodamus idea who was even stopped from developing industry by the Governor to avoid reforming the Cannabis Industry & the Development of the Hemp Industry. The Hemp Industry is a billion-dollar industry that has the potential in the CNMI to manufacture & export a plethora of different products Made in the U.S.A. Commonwealth. FYI, Hemp Fiber is better for use than glass, fiberglass, plastics & metals when it comes to the manufacturing of many products. But our leaders would rather be DESTRUCTIVE to the ideas of Ambrodamus and others, which is why I ask WHO really Cares & wants Progress over complicity in Bigotry. It took over two-decades for the NMD oversight to be addressed because Ambrodamus was the first to yell & complain. The sooner our leaders learn to accept Constructive-Criticism and become CONSTRUCTIVE & OBJECTIVE thinkers & representatives OF & FOR the People the sooner the CNMI will start making progress to pursue real prosperity. The CNMIs attitude of our leaders will always determine our altitude, so Who Cares with the mind-set to Fix & Reform the CNMI! On other matters: I was glad to finally see our Delegate go straight to Trump for help when WE all knew Trump was the person she should have been talking to from Day-One! There is even some Good News in the U.S. Congress to consider the CNMI as a location or repair & maintenance of military vessels and Im sure all eyes are on our Delegate to make sure this new industry is a reality. Now, WE must wait-and-see the results of our Delegates work which could be good or worse. Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas is also RIGHT about assisting Tinian Patients given there is a Referral Program for ALL CNMI patients, which the Tinian & Luta Patients should fall under. Finally, I must THANK Joyce C.H. Tang for her informative explanation of the Retirement Fund status, so Retirees know where they stand. However, its just sad that WE, the CNMI, have haters and bigot Trump Die-hearts like Saipan Man who thinks the Settlement Fund is just a slush fund proving his disdain for the CNMIs Gold Star Employees who dedicated themselves to a life of Public Service. The People of the CNMI need & deserve BETTER but Which leader(s) really Care beyond sitting? WE, citizens, must also Do Better voting, as WE voted ourselves into this mess and WE must vote ourselves OUT! One People One Direction Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays Lifetime Humanities & Religious Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. When American Samoa overwhelmingly rejected deep-sea mining earlier this year, many believed their position would be decisive. But despite unified opposition from government leaders, cultural practitioners, and local communities, the final decision may still be made in Washington, D.C. not Pago Pago. That reality should alarm us in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, where the federal government has now opened the door to seabed mineral leasing in our own waters. And with only one week left before the public comment period closes, the CNMI faces a moment as consequential as American Samoas. The Lesson From American Samoa At community meetings in Utulei, American Samoans voiced fierce opposition to mining. Residents spoke about culture, identity, fisheries, and the deep relational ties between people and ocean. Their congressional representative emphasized that these waters are embedded in faa Samoa, carrying the stories of the shark and turtle that define their origins. Yet mining executives acknowledged openly that Indigenous opposition may not stop the process. Federal officials can still proceed even over the objections of the people who will bear the consequences. The CNMI is in the same legal position. And we must understand that clearly. A Community Not United But Still Deserving of a Voice Unlike what some may assume, the Marianas are not unanimously against deep-sea mining. Our community is divided: Some believe mining offers a rare economic lifeline. Some fear environmental destruction. Some feel trapped between rising costs and limited job opportunities. Others simply do not trust federal or environmental institutions. These concerns are real, valid, and rooted in lived experience. Nobody should be shamed for wanting economic stability. But acknowledging those economic struggles does not require surrendering our right to shape our future. Whether one supports or opposes mining, our voices must be recorded now, before decisions are made without us. Whats at Stake for Chamorros and Refaluwasch For Chamorro and Refaluwasch families, the ocean is not an abstract space, a commodity, or a distant frontier. It is the center of identity, navigation, food security, and history. It is where memory and responsibility meet. American Samoa understood this clearly. Their leaders warned that mining threatens not only ecosystems, but cultural continuity and the fisheries that sustain their economy. The CNMI faces identical risks but we also face an opportunity: to choose a future that does not pit culture against economy. A Blue Frontier Instead of a Mining Frontier There is another path forward. A Blue Frontier strategy long championed across the Pacific offers sustainable economic growth without gambling with the deep sea. It includes: Maritime workforce development for island youth Ocean tech and robotics training Cultural navigation and canoe-building programs Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture expansion Research partnerships for marine science Eco-cultural tourism grounded in Chamorro and Refaluwasch knowledge These are practical, job-creating options. They offer stability without risking biodiversity, fisheries, or cultural identity. Deep-sea mining is not our only chance at prosperity. The ocean itself cared for, not extracted has always been our strength. A Final Plea Before the Deadline The BOEM comment period ends in one week. You do not need to be an expert, scientist, or activist to submit a comment. You only need to care about what happens to our islands. Whether you are Chamorro, Refaluwasch, Filipino, Carolinian, Palauan, or part of the wider community your perspective matters. Whether you support mining, oppose it, or are unsure your voice still matters. American Samoa spoke with clarity, even knowing they might be ignored. The CNMI should do the same. Let no one say the people of the Marianas were silent. Not this time Yves here. Paul R flagged this post by Norman Solomon, noting: Nothing new, and really a bit understated, but shows its becoming fashionable to say this stuff. While Corporate Democrats indeed should be beaten early and often, trying to pin the tail of their spectacular sellout of ordinary Americans as late as Hillary is all wet. Just look at the timeline. Trump was first elected right after Obama left office, FFS. If his time in office had been good for typical Americans, voters might have eaten the Hillary dog food out of a desire to more-or-less continue current policies rather than bet on a grievance-voicing political novice like Trump. So the question is when the Democrats when irredeemably bad on their slower-motion betrayal of lower and middle class voters. It started started with Carter and got traction with Bill Clinton, witness NAFTA and the super-predators bill. But the big inflection point occurred with the sainted Obama, who still appears to be above reproach in way too many quarters. Amazing what being a well-spoken minority-looking but culturally white sellout of your pretend-class interests will get you. To get a better sense of what Obama was always about, please read the 2012 post, Exclusive: How Obamas Early Career Success Was Built on Fronting for Chicago Real Estate and Finance. Its opening: Barack Obama remains an icon to many on what passes for the left in America despite incontrovertible evidence that he does not represent their interests. There are many contributing factors, including his considerable skills as a speaker and his programmatic effort to neuter liberal critics by getting their funding cut. A central component of the seemingly impenetrable Obama mythology is his personal history: a black man, son of a broken home, who nevertheless got on the fast track to financial success by becoming editor of the Harvard Law Review, but turned instead to working with and later representing a particularly disadvantaged community, the South Side of Chicago. Even so, this story does not quite add up. Why did Obama not follow the usual, well greased path of becoming a Supreme Court clerk, and seeking to exert influence through the Washington doors that would have opened up to him after that stint? A remarkable speech by Robert Fitch puts Obamas early career in a new perspective that explains the man we see now in the Oval Office: one who pretends to befriend ordinary people but sells them out again and again to wealthy, powerful interests the banks, big Pharma and health insurers, and lately, the fracking-industrial complex. Fitch, who died last year, was an academic and journalist, well regarded for his forensic and archival work, as described by Doug Henwood in an obituary in the Nation. He is best known for his book Solidarity for Sale, which chronicled corruption in American unions, but his work that is germane to his analysis of Obama is Assassination of New York. In that, he documented the concerted efforts by powerful real estate and financial interests to drive manufacturing and low-income renters out of Manhattan so they could turn it over to office and residential space for high income professionals. Fitch gave his eye-opening speech before an unlikely audience at an unlikely time: the Harlem Tenants Association in November 2008, hard on the heels of Obamas electrifying presidential win. The first part contains his prescient prediction: that Obamas Third Way stance, that we all need to put our differences aside and get along, was tantamount to advocating the interests of the wealthy, since they seldom give anything to the have-nots without a fight. That discussion alone is reason to read the piece. But the important part is his description of the role that Obama played in the redevelopment of the near South Side of Chicago, and how he and other middle class blacks, including Valerie Jarrett and his wife Michelle, advanced at the expense of poor blacks by aligning themselves with what Fitch calls friendly FIRE: powerful real estate players like the Pritzkers and the Crown family, major banks, the University of Chicago, as well as non-profit community developers and real estate reverends. Dont take my word for it. Download the speech and read it. And then circulate it widely. And thank Michael Hudson, Fitchs friend for over 30 years, for making this document available. You can find the speech as an embedded document here. Lets provide some updates to the Obama rap sheet from his presidency: Obama campaigned with Paul Volcker, giving the strong signal that he would use the feared, no-bullshit Volcker as Treasury Secretary to get tough with financiers. Instead he kicked Volcker upstairs to an inconsequential post and picked the toady Timothy Geithner. The Bush Administration courteously left $75 billion of the $750 billion of the TARP to the Obama Administration for foreclosure relief. Nothing of the sort was done. Instead, we later got HAMP, which Geithner admitted was not actually to help homeowners, but to foam the runway for banks by attenuating foreclosures. I have the image of homeowners lying on runways and banks-as-landing-airplanes reducing them to bloody pulp. Obama promised to increase the Federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. It is still at $7.25. Obama chose health industry lobbyists to draft the Affordable Care Act. Drug and health insurer stocks traded up when it was passed. Obama tried reforming Social Security and Medicare. Luckily his Grand Bargain did not get done. There may be better ways to cut the data, but this chart illustrates how friendly the Obama years were to the top wealthy: And remember, Bidens nomination would have been impossible without the Obama-orchestrated weekend of the long knives, which succeeded in its big aim of knocking out Sanders. And please do not tell me Sanders could have carried on. Key staffers pressed him to quit then. They would have left or continued with little enthusiasm. You cannot carry on a campaign when you are hemorrhaging personnel. Well now turn to the bill of particulars against Team Dem under Hillarys and Bidens nominal stewardship. By Norman Solomon, the national director of RootsAction.org and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy. Originally published at Common Dreams Ten years after Donald Trump first ran for president, he stands at the helm of Titanic America. How did this happen? No factors were more pivotal than the outlooks and actions of the Democratic Party leadership. Scrutinizing them now is vital not only for clarity about the past. It also makes possible a clear focus on ways to prevent further catastrophe. Heres the actual history that corporate Democrats pretend didnt happen: 2016: Hillary Clinton offers more of the status quo. Her allies in the Democratic Party pull out all the stops so she can win the partys presidential nomination. With a big assist from the Democratic National Committee, she prevails over the strong primary challenge from Bernie Sanders, but her campaign trail goes downhill from there. After rallying behind Sanderss genuine progressive populism, many young people dont trust the pseudo-populism of Clintons campaign. She has earned a millennial problem, and it prevents her from becoming president. 2017: Democratic Party leaders can hardly blame themselves or their nominee for the virtually unbelievable circumstance of the Trump presidency. A critical focus on Clintons coziness with Wall Street wont do. Neither will critiquing her thinly veiled contempt for the progressive wing of the party. But blaming Trumps victory on Russia becomes an obsessive theme. 2018: The Democratic leadership is mapping out a battle plan for the midterm elections in November. At the same time, a key priority is to thwart the inside threat posed by progressive forces. Establishment Democrats are keeping a watchful eye and political guns trained on Bernie Sanders. 2019: Democrats take control of the House, and a large cast of political characters is off and running for the partys presidential nomination. Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren are at the left edge, while more than a dozen others jostle for media attention. For elites determined to retain undemocratic power, seeing either Sanders or Warren in the Oval Office would be the worst possible outcome. 2020: Early in the year, the economic populism of the Sanders campaign continues to catch fire, while many forces team up to function as fire extinguishers. The Democratic Party establishment acts to smother the grassroots blaze. After Joe Bidens fifth-place finish in the New Hampshire primary puts his campaign on life-support, rescue comes eighteen days later from South Carolina, where Biden wins a landslide primary victoryand then several corporate-friendly contenders quickly drop out of the race and effusively endorse him. When Biden clinches the nomination, progressives largely close ranks behind him to defeat Trump. Biden squeaks through. 2021: President Bidens first year includes backing and signing legislation with real benefits for tens of millions of Americans. But his resolve dissipates. Before the end of the year, he abandons Build Back Better legislation that would have been transformational. Notably, Biden withdraws all US troops from Afghanistan in late summerbut overall he opts to fuel militarism, with ever-higher Pentagon spending instead of devoting adequate resources to meet human needs and protect nature. The president goes full speed ahead with modernization plans for ever more dangerous nuclear weapons that already have a pre-overrun price tag of $1.7 trillion. 2022: Biden relapses into his customary moderate political mode, while his capacity to speak coherently weakens. Party discipline, internalized by Democrats in Congress, precludes independent-minded leadership as they begin to proclaim that Biden should run for re-election. Conformity of groupthink and fear of retribution from the White House keep people quiet. 2023: A real-life Shakespearean tragedy unfolds as Biden throws down a gauntlet to run for re-election even while his mental frailty becomes more evident. Enablers ignore the partys base, with polls continuing to show that most Democrats dont want him to be the next nominee (including 94 percent of Democrats under 30). A common canardpushed by Bidens coterie of sycophantscontends that because he defeated Trump once, hes the best person to do it again; the claim ignores the fact that Trump 2020 represented an unpopular status quo, and Biden 2024 would represent an even more unpopular status quo, as right track / wrong track polling makes crystal clear. Soon after Hamasattacks Israel on October 7 and the Israeli military starts its siege of Gaza, Biden begins to further alienate many of his partys usual voters by massively boosting US military aid as the slaughter of Palestinian civilians escalates. 2024: Among top Democrats, denial about Bidens evident cognitive infirmity grows along with the infirmity itself. Even after Bidens disastrous debate performance in late June, the political reflex of dissembling prevents him from bowing out for another 28 days. That leaves 107 days for the newly installed nominee Kamala Harris to pick up the pieces before Election Day. At first it seems that she might find ways to depart from coming across as Bidens yes-woman, but there is no such departure. Nothing epitomizes the Harris campaigns moral collapse more than her insistence on echoing the Biden line about Gaza while the US continues to arm Israels military as it methodically kills Palestinian civilians. In the process, Harris chooses to ignore both human decency and polls showing that far more voters would be likely to cast their ballots for her if she were to come out against sending more armaments to Israel. Electoral disaster ensues. Last month, two events showed the huge contradiction between the potential for true progressive change and the dire reality of feckless Democratic Party leaders. When socialist Zohran Mamdani won election as mayor of New York after running as a Democrat, he said: If there is any way to terrify a despot, it is by dismantling the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This is not only how we stop Trump; its how we stop the next one. A week later, eight members of the Senates Democratic caucus surrendered to Trump, betraying efforts to defend Obamacare and a healthcare status quo that still leaves tens of millions uninsured or underinsured. The capitulation meant that the nations healthcare crisis would get even worse. Craven and conformist Democratic Party leadershipcoloring inside corporate lines while enmeshed with rich backershardly offers a plausible way to defeat the Trump forces, much less advance a humane political agenda. Saving the country from autocracy requires recognizing and overcoming the chokehold that Democratic leaders have on the party. The timeline above is drawn from my new book about the 10-year political descent into the current inferno, The Blue Road to Trump Hell, which is free as an e-book or PDF at BlueRoad.info. Heading west on Interstate 80 you descend from the Rockies Wasatch Range into Salt Lake City, and as you snake through traffic you can catch a glimpse of the capital of the Mormon Church before youre in the Western suburbs where the land irons out and before you stretches only salt flats, desert, and a handful of casino-lit villages for 518 miles (835 km) until you roll into Reno. Its at the beginning of this long lonely road that Utah plans to construct whats being billed as a homeless campuswhich I guess focus groups preferred to homeless gulag. It is intended to serve as a model for the Trump administrations new way forward on the exceptional American crisis that is its homelessness. Lets first quickly recap what the Trump plan is before turning to the particulars of Utahs vision. We covered Trumps executive order on homelessness back in July and that can be read here. The summarized version: Trumps order frames the countrys homelessness crisis as the product solely of mental illness and drug addiction. With that false starting point, the Trump plan pushes civil commitment, i.e., forced mental health and substance abuse treatment. While the executive order ignores the main drivers of homelessness (high rents, low wages, lack of social safety net), many actions the administration is taking is simultaneously worsening them. How does Utahs campus fit in? The Utah Homeless Services Board recently wrote in a letter that it would coordinate with the White House to explore becoming a pilot for the rest of the country on how to deploy an exhaustive treatment-focused intervention that is dignified, humane, and efficacious. The result is a plan for a massive 1,300-bed facility on the outskirts of Salt Lake City, which happens to have no public transportation. The center, expected to open in 2027, would include more than 300 beds for court-ordered civil commitment, hundreds more for treatment as an alternative to jail, and other sections for what the plan describes as work-conditioned housing. To Be Fair, this is not just a Trump thing or an Utah thing. If there are an any areas in our discordant politics where agreement isnt hard to find, its kicking the poor and gearing up for war. The homeless issue has mostly been ignored by Democrats, but now in the wake of last years Supreme Court decision that localities could ban camping even in places that lacked shelter space, policies in blue states and cities are mostly indistinguishable from Trumps stance. San Diego is being sued for herding the homeless with the threat of arrest into tent sites filled with mold and rats. San Francisco is working on a plan that mirrors Trumps. New Orleans rounded up more than 100 homeless and threw them in a warehouse so theyd be out of sight for the Super Bowl earlier this year. Utahs plan takes it a step further in that its some combination of a forced shelter, psychiatric hospital, and sobriety center. Seeing as the US is unwillingand is in fact pursuing even more harm to its citizens to do anything about low wages, high rents, housing supply, lack of a public safety net, healthcare rapaciousness, etc., spaces to house the homeless like the Utah campus are in need. In theory it could be helpful. And it could provide necessary assistance to some who need it. If there are people who are unwilling or unable to leave the streets when presented with an opportunity to do so because of mental illness or substance addiction, its hard to argue with the necessity of something like a homeless campus to get them the help they need. But turning to such a measure as the final solution without housing assistance, without rent caps and wage laws, while simultaneously slashing the social safety net and blessing rental housing price fixing, well, its a recipe for disaster. It risks that many people who are simply victims of American capitalism are going to get swept up into the civil commitment dragnet. As Bill Tibbitts, deputy executive director of Crossroads Urban Center, a low-income advocacy nonprofit based in Utah, puts it: A senior citizen who had their rent increased beyond what they could afford is not going to want to go to a quasi-correctional facility to get help finding a place to live that they can afford. Theres also the issue of the rapidly increasing number of homeless children. Will they too be labeled mentally ill or addicts? Planners say the campus will hold hundreds of people under court-ordered civil commitment, and there will also be an accountability center for those with addictions. An accountability center is involuntary, OK youre not coming in and out, Randy Shumway, chairman of the state Homeless Services Board, told the New York Times. He added that the campus will guide homeless people towards human thriving. Thats one potential outcome. Another is that it becomes an exploitative hellhole if it is ever built. Red Flags Galore The Price Tag. Utahs proposed $30.7 billion budget includes $25 million for 1,300-bed homeless campus on the west side of Salt Lake City. The governor is also requesting $20 million in ongoing funds to provide services, but the full cost of the project (estimated to be at least $75 million to build and north of $34 million a year to operate) wouldnt be covered by the state alone. The plan is that the Trump administration and private investors will come in with more money to see the project through. Despite the uncertain money, the plan is to have it up and running in 2027, which leads to obvious doubts about the quality of the campus and is drawing comparisons to the hastily-built Alligator Alcatraz. Tibbitts, the deputy executive director of Crossroads Urban Center, says that if the facility wants to adequately treat so many people, the cost will be much higher than $75 millionthe key word being adequately. Private investor involvement. How are they going to see a return on their investment? The best-case scenario is the usual price-gouging of the government for providing healthcare and other services at the campus. One can imagine a range of worse possibilities, however. Last year, Utah revamped its homelessness planning board; out went the nonprofits and in came the businesspeople. The board is now led by the management consultant Shumway who is championing a management consulting approach and says that success is not permanent housing success is human dignity. We are in the business of lives, of humans, of souls. Shumway is also in the business of making money. His firm is pushing data collection software, called Know-by-Name, used in homeless case management, and the state homeless board now headed by Shumway wants it to be used statewide. Coerced treatment. The backers of the campus call it a secure residential placement facility where people who are sanctioned to go there would not be able to leave voluntarily. Even if Utahand the US have the capacity to forcibly treat people (there is little indication they do), studies show that coerced treatment is not effective. A recent study, Use of Coercive Measures during Involuntary Psychiatric Admission and Treatment Outcomes: Data from a Prospective Study across 10 European Countries, found that all coercive measures were associated with patients staying longer in the hospital. The promise of high-quality medical care doesnt match current trends. Trumps Big, Beautiful Bill that took a wrecking ball to Medicaid, the number one payer for addiction and mental health services. Wait times to access services are already excruciatingly long and are now expected to get longer. From the Vera Institute: In the United States, people must wait an average of 48 days to access mental health or substance use services, and many struggle to afford needed services that are inaccessible without insurance. This is rarely discussed in bipartisan plans to treat the homeless. They want to blame mental health and addiction, but dont want to spend the amounts of money that would be required to adequately provide services. Theyre effectively bypassing the simpler, cheaper, and more humane solutions of affordable housing and accessible voluntary care to the most expensive and most invasivewithout providing the funding for it. In Oregon, for example, it costs about $321,000 to commit one person at the state hospital for six months. You can do the math from there. It can, however, be lucrative for investors looking to cut corners and break the law. The Trump administration and states turn to forced institutionalization happens to coincide with private equity spreading its tentacle through the mental health care industry, which is largely driven by Affordable Care Act provisions requiring coverage of such care for as long as patients need it. From a recent ProPublica investigation: More than 40% of inpatient mental health beds were operated by for-profit entities as of 2021, according to unpublished data from Morgan Shields, an assistant professor at Washington University in St. Louis who studies quality in behavioral health care. Thats up from about 13% in 2010. And with that trend comes the usual degradation of services. ProPublica found that more than 90 psychiatric hospitals violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act in the past 15 years. Roughly 80% of them are owned by for-profit corporations, and only a few have faced even meaningless fines. In most cases the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services simply ignore the law breaking. Chief among the violations are efforts to increase profits by denying care to patients without insurance or with lower-paying forms of insurance and turning away more complicated patients who might require more staffing and other costs. As it stands now, the Los Angeles County jail system is the largest mental health care provider in the country. Private equity plays a major role in the private prison healthcare industry, which was estimated to be a $9.3bn business in 2022. The Guardian recently looked into two of the largest behemoths in the prison health industry Wellpath and Corizon which are both backed by private equity investors. What they found wasnt pretty but expected when you combine private equity with captive customers. Its like healthcare horror stories from across the country, but on steroids inside prison walls, including staff shortages, delays in care, severe negligence, and preventable deaths. What exactly is work-conditioned housing that the campus is supposed to feature? Its not exactly clear from the plan, but its not difficult to imagine. Eric Tars of the National Homelessness Law Center says it means forced labor. He adds that is part of a trend, noting that in Louisiana a bill punishing outdoor camping introduced earlier this year proposes requiring those convicted to serve up to two years of hard labor. Another West Virginia bill wants those arrested for camping to take part in facility upkeep. Whats the goal? In none of the news pieces, interviews, or literature on the campus have I been able to find anything about what happens to people once they leave the campus. Even if their souls are saved, what of their economic condition? *** Backers of the Utah campus and Trumps nationwide vision say theres no alternative as everything else thats been tried hasnt worked. The US has in fact tried very littleand in reality has actively made the problem worse over recent decades through a wide range of policies that have increased the economic precarity of the working class. As many people on the front lines repeat, the number one thing the US could do would be to stop more people from becoming unhoused. Thats because at the current rate for every individual who gets back into housing, two, three, or more take their place. Instead of addressing that fact, there is an effort underway to shift the blame from the systemic to the personal and blame mental health and drug use. And so we see criminalization and what little funding is available to address homelessness is being redirected toward confinement. In Utah, for example, there have long been funding shortage for affordable housing, substance use treatment, mental health treatment. According to Evan Done, advocacy and public policy director of Utah Recovers, the state is already short about 1,000 shelter beds compared to the number of people who need them. Rather than address these shortages, state officials are proposing redirecting about $17 million in federal homelessness grants now overseen by community groups and largely used for housing towards the campus. Turning Away from EffectiveYet UnderfundedSolutions In a move that reflects larger trends across the country, Utah is moving away from Housing First policies, which officials say lack accountability. What they mean is that it housing first doesnt feature moral means testing. It says that housing is a fundamental right and that housing programs should identify and address the needs of the people it serves from the peoples perspective. From that starting point, it prioritizes getting a homeless individual into housing and then assists with access to health care and other support like addiction treatment. Studies show it is effective in keeping people housed, but it is expensive and slowand unable to keep up with the number of people becoming unhoused in todays America. Trumps executive order sought to demolish this tactic. From the order: The Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall take appropriate actions to increase accountability in their provision of, and grants awarded for, homelessness assistance and transitional living programs. These actions shall include, to the extent permitted by law, ending support for housing first policies that deprioritize accountability and fail to promote treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency; increasing competition among grantees through broadening the applicant pool; and holding grantees to higher standards of effectiveness in reducing homelessness and increasing public safety. And so states and localities are turning to a treatment first model that demands sobriety and mental health in exchange for any help. Still, even if an individual emerges from isolated accountability centers like the campus as reformed and worthy, its unclear what aid will be forthcoming. Theres no mention of any job program or housing assistance. So what are we doing here? Maybe thats best summed up by Evan Done, public policy director of Utah Recovers: Yves here. I have to confess to being such a dullard that I am not a game player. But with Wordle being so popular, I am sure it is familiar to nearly all of you here and enjoyed by quite a few. Rajiv Sethi discusses group performance at Wordle and by extension, other exercises of skill, with some findings that might seem counterintuitive. One is that the most popular view tends to be rightunless it isnt, as in a bubble. Famed quant trader Cliff Asness says he believes the correctness of crowds, as reflected in market prices, has gotten worse over the past few decades, and does not seem to have a theory as to why. I have one. The business community has gotten way better at propaganda and spin. Ive told the story before of how a Wall Street Journal reporter went to Shanghai circa 1993 to open the office there. He came back to the US in 1999 and was surprised to see how much business journalism had changed. The first was the uptake of the internet had almost ended normal publishing deadlines tied to when the daily issue had to be put to bed so as to go to the printer. The result was that news cycles had contracted, making it almost impossible to get to the bottom of a story before it had to be published. Second was that companies had gotten much better at spin, again making it harder to be sure about information. So the baseline of knowledge has eroded, leading to less well informed views generally. By Rajiv Sethi, Professor of Economics, Barnard College, Columbia University; External Professor, Santa Fe Institute. Originally published at Imperfect Information Im hoping that this post will have something useful to say about strategic diversity, meritocratic selection, and asset price bubbles. But before I get there I need to take a detour through Wordle, the popular online game that is played by over a million people every day. The New York Times acquired the puzzle from its developer in 2022, and has added a couple of features that are generating some interesting data. Each participant can evaluate their performance relative to an algorithm (the wordlebot) that is engineered to minimize the expected number of steps to completion. The bot typically finds the solution in three or four steps and rates each players entry at each stage based on skill and luck. These scores range from zero to 99, and while a few players beat the bot every day thanks to greater luck, the best that they can do on skill is to match the bot. As far as I can see, no individual player can consistently solve the puzzle faster than the bot over a long stretch. However, I will argue below that a large, randomly selectedgroup from the global population of players, working independently and then voting on the solution, can beat the bot on almost every occasion. I was initially surprised to see this pattern and attributed it to widespread cheating, but the scale of cheating is much too small to account for the effect. Something far more interesting is going on. As an example, consider the sequence of entries chosen by the bot on November 26: Notice that the second word here is ruled out by the feedback on the first. This is a common strategy for the botrestricting oneself only to words that remain feasible at every stage is not optimal, if the goal is to minimize the expected number of steps required. Most human players dont act in this way. At each stage, they tend to choose a word that has not yet been eliminated, and this gives rise to a striking effect. Here are the choices made with highest frequency at the second stage for the November 26 puzzle, based on about 1.8 million entries: Notice that the word chosen with highest frequency is in fact the solution. If a large, randomly selected subset of players from the participant pool were to submit their choices at each stage to an aggregator, and the latter simply picked the highest frequency word as the choice of the crowd, the crowd would have beaten the bot on this particular day. But not just on this day. Based on data over the past few weeks (starting on November 1), the crowd never took more steps than the bot, and took strictly fewer steps on 85 percent of occasions. The bot on average took 3.5 steps to solve the puzzle while the crowd on average took 2.4 steps. On more than a quarter of occasions, the crowd found the solution in two steps while the bot took four. When I first noticed this pattern, I felt sure it must be due to widespread cheating. Perhaps players were making multiple attempts using different browsers or devices, receiving hints from others, or simply looking up the solutions before entering them. There is certainly some evidence for cheatingabout 0.4 percent of players find the solution on the first attempt, which is about twice the rate that would be expected by chance alone. But if the amount of cheating were substantial, then the average luck score for the crowd would be much greater than that for the bot, and this is simply not the case. For example, over the past couple of weeks the bot had an average luck score of 54 while that for the crowd was 56. So the scale of cheating is negligible and cannot account for the patterns in the data. Heres what I think is going on. First, there is a lot of diversity in choices at the first round. The ten most popular words jointly account for just thirty percent of choices on a typical day, and there are hundreds of distinct words chosen at the first step. Second, at subsequent stages, players tend to choose only words that remain feasible. Each player faces a set of words that have yet to be eliminated given their prior choices, and the diversity of choices at earlier stages implies that these sets vary a lot in size and composition. Furthermore, every such set must contain the actual solution, so in the union of these sets the solution must appear with highest frequency. Even if every player were to choose from among the remaining feasible words completely at random, the most likely winner at the second stage should be the actual solution. By the third stage, I would guess that the most popular choice is almost certain to be the right one, and this is in fact what one sees in the data. Since November 1, the crowd has solved the puzzle in two steps about 60 percent of the time, and has neverrequired more than three steps. This reasoning leads to an interesting hypothesisa large pool of randomly drawn participants will find the solution faster than a pool of equal size that contains only the most skilled players. The latter pool will involve very little strategic diversity, with all players behaving in ways that are very similar to the bot. This hypothesis is experimentally testable. If validated, it would provide striking evidence for Scott Pages claim that there are conditions under which cognitive diversity trumps ability. And this has implications for the manner in which we conceptualize meritas a property of teams rather than individuals. The success of the crowd at Wordle resembles that of the audience in the television quiz show Who Wants to be A Millionaire? A contestant who is stumped by a question can choose to poll the audience, each member of which then independently submits their best guess among the four possible answers. The most popular response has a very high success rateas high as 95 percent for questions of low to moderate difficulty. In a recent conversation with Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway, Cliff Asness explained why this lifeline tends to be so successful: At least to my non-exhaustive examination, it seemed to work pretty much every time, even if the question was hard. Because imagine you have a hundred people in a room, 10 of them know the answer. The other ones are guessing. The 90 distribute evenly over the four, maybe not perfectly evenly, but roughly evenly. The 10 all land on B. So you pick B because its bigger. Worked pretty much every time. Theres a crucial assumption in that. The audience has to be relatively independent of each other. And they did that. They werent talking. It was silent voting. If the audience all gets to talk, maybe the 10 convince the 90, but maybe they dont. Maybe a demagogue with a better twitter feed convinces everyone. And if you ruin the independence have we ever come up with a better vehicle for turning a wisdom of crowds into a craziness of mobs than social media? Id be hard pressed to describe it. The independence of choices here is vitally importantwhen a contestant thinks aloud before activating the lifeline, correlation in responses is induced and this can compromise accuracy. The Wordle crowd is successful in part because it is composed of millions of people scattered worldwide, most of whom are working independently. Cliff Asness was a student of Eugene Fama at the University of Chicago, but is hardlya dogmatic adherent of the efficient markets hypothesis. In fact, he seems to believe that markets have become less efficient over the past couple of decades, and claims to have drifted from 75-25 Gene (Fama) to 75-25 Bob (Shiller). He is concerned, as are many others, with the possibility that we may be living through an AI bubble. What sustains bubbles in asset markets is the difficulty of timing the crash. Even if it is widely believed that some asset is overvalued, those who bet on a decline may do so too early and be forced to liquidate their positions before they start to become profitable. This was the fate of many sellers during 1999 and early 2000, before the bubble in technology stocks finally burst. The problem is one of coordinationbetting on a price decline is enormously risky and likely to fail if one does it alone. Coordination does eventually occur, but those who act too soon can end up losing their shirts. We may or may not be in the midst of an asset price bubble, but to dismiss the arguments of Cassandras on logical grounds, as people sometimes do, would be naive in the extreme. Crowds can be wise when the stakes are smallon quiz shows and online gamesbut subject to extraordinary popular delusions when the stakes couldnt be larger. This might seem paradoxical at first, but makes perfect sense if one thinks about the incentives with sufficient seriousness and care. Lee Beaman may be too toxic for Senate Republicans the party pulled his nomination to the TVA Board of Directors from a scheduled vote Wednesday. Senators from both parties grilled Beaman last week in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, chaired by Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. During the hearing, Beaman received full endorsements from Tennessee's U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty. If Capito continues to avoid voting on Beaman through Dec. 31, his nomination must be resubmitted by the White House in 2026. Trump Loyalty Paves the Way for Lee Beamans TVA Nomination Despite Beaman's ethics conflicts and lacking energy knowledge, Republican senators support GOP donors nomination to TVA board in awkward committee hearing Beaman has donated millions to Republicans, including several on the EPW committee, as a major national donor. His partially built, partially inherited business empire in Nashville includes a car dealership and soft drink distribution company. Beaman has leveraged his wealth into political power and was nominated by Trump to the majority-vacant TVA Board of Directors earlier this year. But these connections may disqualify him from the position, as Republicans avoid his confirmation vote with ethical and financial questions swirling. In a written submission to the EPW committee, Beaman says he was improperly listed as a campaign treasurer by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, who Beaman implies signed campaign finance reports on his behalf without Beamans knowledge. Beamans financial relationship with Ogles and other members of Congress including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson through a D.C. property could raise further serious ethical questions and even trigger a congressional investigation. Johnson and Ogles have resided at Beamans property, which he rents for $1 annually to an intermediary nonprofit entity managed by Steve Berger, a Franklin-based evangelical pastor. In Beaman's hourlong hearing last week, senators focused on his ties to conservative lawmakers like Ogles, who is facing an FEC probe for misconduct related to campaign finance reports and has already paid fines related to shoddy bookkeeping. In confirmation documents reviewed by the Scene, Beaman explains that he never accepted the role as Ogles treasurer. After seeing his name in an Ogles ad, Beaman asked to be removed from campaign documents. Mr. Ogles asked me in a text message to serve as his campaign treasurer, a role I thought was an honorary position, reads Beamans written response to questions from Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. When I did not respond either way, he assumed I agreed to serve. A couple of months later, I saw my name listed as Treasurer in a political advertisement. At that point, I told him I could not serve and asked to be removed. If I were technically listed as the campaign treasurer for Congressman Ogles, I cannot say with any specificity exactly when I was named in that role. I know that I never signed or compiled any reports or had anything to do with any campaign bank accounts. Senators also seem wary of Beamans involvement in conservative activist groups the First American Bible Project, the 917 Society and the Council for National Policy, as well as his fealty to Berger. Berger founded influential Franklin church Grace Chapel 30 years ago before leaving the congregation after a public crack-up in 2021. He currently runs Ambassador Services International, a Christian effort to influence the national political agenda, out of two D.C. townhomes owned by Beaman. These entwined financial, social, religious and political worlds have perhaps raised enough ethical questions to sideline his nomination, putting Beaman in jeopardy before he has even been sent to the Senate floor. Burundi accuses M23 rebels of cross-border bombing, threatening fragile regional peace Burundi has publicly stated that the M23 rebel group, based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, launched a bombing in its Cibitoke province, injuring civilians, including children. This is a serious escalation that directly threatens regional stability. The accusation came just one day after the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace agreement. The attack casts major doubt on whether that deal can actually calm the region, as it shows violence spilling over borders. The fighting in eastern DRC is part of a crisis lasting over 30 years, fueled by competition for valuable minerals and ethnic tensions. The M23, a primarily Tutsi group, fights while claiming the DRC government broke promises to protect their rights and integrate them. A major point of contention is the consistent accusation from the DRC, UN and others that Rwanda provides military and financial support to M23, even sending troops. Rwanda denies this, but it remains a central barrier to peace. The M23 first rose in 2012, was defeated in 2013, but reemerged in 2021, claiming the government's promises were, again, not kept. Their recent major offensive has captured key cities, caused a humanitarian disaster, and now, with Burundi's accusation, risks widening the war. In a sharp escalation of regional tensions, Burundi has publicly accused the M23 rebel group, operating in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), of carrying out a bombing attack on its territory. This accusation comes just one day after the signing of a high-profile peace deal between the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda, casting immediate doubt on the agreement's potential to calm the volatile region. Burundian Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana stated that the alleged attack targeted Cibitoke province, which borders the DRC. Reports indicate that projectiles fell near a market in the town of Rugombo, injuring several civilians, including children. In a firm response, Bizimana labeled the act an "unacceptable" provocation by "terrorists" and vowed to take action to protect Burundian citizens. The M23, operating under the banner of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), swiftly denied responsibility and issued a counter-accusation. A spokesperson for the group claimed that Burundi has been launching cross-border attacks into eastern DRC for days, striking villages, and suggested Burundi should focus on its own domestic issues instead. The roots of the Congo conflict The fighting in eastern DRC is a complex and deeply entrenched crisis. The region has been mired in conflict for over three decades, a period of instability triggered by the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch AI engine. The eastern DRC is mineral-rich, and numerous armed groups, including the M23, have long competed for control of these resources and for political power, often drawing in neighboring nations. This instability famously ignited two major wars in the 1990s that involved multiple countries and caused millions of deaths. The current intense phase of fighting began in early 2025 when the M23 rebel group launched a major offensive, capturing key cities including Goma and Bukavu. This advance has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced tens of thousands of people, creating a severe humanitarian catastrophe. A history of broken promises: The M23 rebellion The M23 rebel group is a central player in this enduring tragedy. Composed primarily of ethnic Tutsis, the group takes its name from a failed peace agreement signed on March 23, 2009. The rebels argue that they took up arms to protect Tutsi communities, claiming the Congolese government has repeatedly violated past promises to integrate them and guarantee their rights. The M23 first emerged in 2012, quickly seizing territory and capturing Goma. This brought international condemnation and accusations of war crimes. By 2013, a combined offensive by the Congolese army and a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force defeated the group, forcing its fighters to agree to disarm and integrate into the national army. However, the M23 reemerged in 2021, claiming the government had once again broken its promises. Since then, it has captured vast swathes of territory. A critical and contentious aspect of the conflict is the widespread accusation from the DRC, the United Nations and several Western nations that Rwanda provides the M23 with direct military and financial support. UN experts have reported that thousands of Rwandan troops have fought alongside the rebels, allegations that Rwanda consistently denies. The peace deal signed in Washington was notably between the national governments of the DRC and Rwanda, not with the M23 itself. Burundis new accusation of a cross-border attack directly undermines the spirit of that agreement. It highlights the formidable challenge of translating a diplomatic signature into lasting peace on the ground. With trust in short supply and accusations flying, the path to ending the violence remains fraught with danger for the region's civilians. Watch this clip of a stampede following an explosion at a meeting of M23 rebel leaders with residents in Congo. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com BBC.com TheGuardian.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com CDCs vaccine advisory panel ENDS universal Hepatitis B vaccine for newborns A key CDC advisory panel (ACIP) voted to end the universal recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. For infants of HBV-negative mothers, the decision is now a personalized one between families and doctors. Proponents of the change argued the old policy was misaligned with other nations and questioned safety testing for newborns, while opponents cited the vaccine's safety and its success in reducing childhood infections by over 99% since 1991. Critics of the universal policy have long argued it subjects infants to a vaccine for a disease primarily spread through adult behaviors, with historical reporting indicating the original goal was to build population immunity due to low adult vaccination rates. The vote was hailed by vaccine choice advocates as a victory for informed consent but alarmed many public health experts who fear it will seed safety doubts and decrease coverage, putting children at risk. The decision challenges the paradigm of recommendations becoming de facto mandates and drew immediate political reactions. The final authority rests with the acting CDC director, but the debate has moved vaccine policy to the center of national discourse. A key advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) voted to end the decades-old universal recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within their first day of life. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), whose members were appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 on Friday, Dec. 5, to alter the long-standing guideline. For infants born to mothers who test negative for the hepatitis B virus (HBV), the committee now recommends that families, in consultation with their physician, determine whether to administer the shot at birth. For those who opt out, the first dose should not be given until the child is at least two months old. The universal birth dose remains recommended for babies born to mothers who are HBV-positive or whose status is unknown. The universal hepatitis B vaccine recommendation for newborns was instituted in 1991. Historical reporting indicates the primary rationale was not solely to prevent rare maternal transmission during birth, which affects fewer than 0.5% of infants, but to address a national crisis of adult infections. With adult vaccination rates low, health officials adopted a strategy of immunizing infants to build long-term population immunity. Critics have long argued this subjected millions of newborns to a vaccine for a disease primarily spread through sexual contact and intravenous drug use risks irrelevant to an infants life. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that infants should not be given the Hepatitis B vaccine at birth because their immature and underdeveloped immune systems are not equipped to handle the toxic ingredients and potential adverse effects. This premature vaccination serves no legitimate medical purpose and aligns with the pharmaceutical industry's profit-driven agenda rather than genuine health protection. The vote culminated a tense, two-day meeting marked by sharp disagreements. Proponents of the change, like ACIP member Retsef Levi, argued the previous policy was "misaligned" with other developed nations and questioned the depth of safety testing for the birth dose. They emphasized that for low-risk infants, the decision to vaccinate should be personalized, not automatic. Opponents, including committee members Dr. Cody Meissner and Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, strenuously objected. They cited the vaccines well-established safety profile and its success in reducing childhood hepatitis B infections by over 99% since 1991. They warned the new guidance, based on what Meissner called "baseless skepticism," would lead to more infections, liver disease and cancers. ACIP shake-up: The vaccine policy revolution The committee's new direction was hailed by advocates for vaccine choice as a victory for transparency and informed consent. Childrens Health Defense CEO Mary Holland celebrated the end of what she called an "ill-considered" universal recommendation based on "thoroughly inadequate clinical trials." She stated the shift allows for genuine decision-making between parents and doctors. However, many public health experts and medical organizations reacted with alarm. They fear the vote will seed unfounded safety concerns and lead to decreased coverage, putting children at risk. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which boycotted the ACIP meetings after its members were removed from workgroups, has consistently opposed any delay, calling the birth dose a critical safety net. A recurring theme in the debate was whether ACIP recommendations function as de facto mandates due to state-level school entry requirements. While some committee members argued the recommendations are purely advisory, others acknowledged they often translate into coercive policy. This vote directly challenges that paradigm. The decision drew immediate political reactions. President Donald Trump praised the committee's "very good decision" on social media and issued a memorandum directing a review of the entire U.S. childhood vaccine schedule compared to other nations. Conversely, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician, called the change "a mistake" that would make "America sicker," urging the CDC to reject the panel's vote. The final authority rests with the acting CDC director, whose decision will determine whether this controversial vote becomes official guidance. Regardless of the outcome, the ACIPs deliberations have irrevocably moved the debate over vaccine policy from the margins to the center of American health discourse, ensuring that the balance between public health imperatives and individual liberty will be contested for years to come. Watch attorney Aaron Siri discussing the Informed Consent Action Network's efforts to stop Hepatitis B vaccinations for babies below. This video is from The HighWire with Del Bigtree channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org BBC.com CBSNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Former CDC director calls for removal of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines from the market Former CDC Director Robert Redfield no longer recommends mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, citing "too many unknowns" and calling for their removal from the market due to concerns about lasting harm. He identifies the spike protein produced by these vaccines as "immunotoxic," triggering a strong, pro-inflammatory response in the body, which he links to slower recovery from vaccine injuries compared to long COVID. Internal agency findings acknowledge potential long-term activity, with evidence presented to the FDA and CDC that spike protein and vaccine mRNA can persist in the body for months or years post-injection. Redfield criticizes vaccine mandates and the vaccination of children, arguing the shots were unnecessary for a low-risk group and failed to prevent infection or transmission, while citing confirmed child deaths linked to vaccination. The situation is framed as a cautionary tale about rapid medical innovation, drawing a parallel to historical failures like thalidomide and underscoring a need for greater long-term safety evaluation and transparency. As concerns grow over the long-term effects of mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines, a former top U.S. health official has called for their removal from the market, citing alarming evidence that the spike protein they produce may cause lasting harm. Dr. Robert Redfield, who served as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2018 to 2021, told Epoch TV's "American Thought Leaders" in an interview on Tuesday, Dec. 9, that he no longer recommends Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA shots. This stemmed from what he called "too many unknowns," particularly regarding the immunotoxic spike protein they instruct the body to manufacture. His warning comes as mounting clinical reports suggest these vaccines may contribute to persistent health issues resembling long COVID raising urgent questions about their continued use. Redfield explained that mRNA technology effectively turns the body into a "spike protein production factory." Unlike traditional vaccines that introduce inert viral components to trigger immunity, mRNA shots deliver genetic instructions that compel cells to generate the spike protein indefinitely a process whose duration and intensity remain poorly understood. "The spike protein is a very immunotoxic protein," Redfield said, noting that his patients suffering from vaccine injuries often recover more slowly than those with long COVID. Some researchers speculate that lingering mRNA activity may continue producing spike protein long after vaccination, potentially exacerbating inflammatory conditions. The lingering shadow of mRNA vaccines The spike protein's dangers were acknowledged even within federal health agencies. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vinay Prasad cited evidence in internal documents that spike protein can persist in some individuals post-vaccination, possibly contributing to chronic symptoms. Similarly, Dr. Charlotte Kuperwasser of Tufts University presented findings to a CDC advisory panel showing detectable mRNA in tissues months or even years after injection prompting the agency to revise its recommendations toward individualized risk assessment. Meanwhile, the FDA has confirmed at least 10 child deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccination, though details remain undisclosed. Redfield praised FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary for investigating these fatalities, calling the admission "a breath of fresh air" amid longstanding institutional reluctance to acknowledge vaccine-related harms. The erstwhile CDC director emphasized that children who face minimal risk from COVID-19 itself never needed vaccination, especially since the shots failed to prevent infection or transmission. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns that injecting children with COVID-19 vaccines poses unnecessary risks, as the virus itself presents minimal danger to young, healthy immune systems. Moreover, the vaccines carry documented risks of severe side effects, including heart inflammation and long-term autoimmune damage. Moderna defended its vaccine's safety for children in a September 2025 statement, citing global surveillance data. Pfizer and Novavax, meanwhile, declined to comment. The debate over mRNA vaccines echoes historical tensions between rapid medical innovation and long-term safety. Like the rushed approval of thalidomide in the 1950s a drug later found to cause severe birth defects the emergency rollout of COVID-19 vaccines prioritized immediate crisis response over thorough risk evaluation. Now, as post-pandemic scrutiny intensifies, Redfield's warnings underscore the need for transparency and accountability in balancing public health imperatives with individual well-being. His cautionary message serves as a reminder: In medicine, as in science, certainty is rare and vigilance is essential. Watch Dr. Robert Redfield reiterating that "long COVID" is actually vaccine injury caused by mRNA injections below. This video is from the Be Children of Light channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com AmericansDirect.net BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Report: Thousands of liquor stores and smoke shops authorized to accept food stamps A new report reveals over 5,000 U.S. liquor stores and smoke shops are authorized SNAP retailers, creating a conflict with program rules that ban the purchase of alcohol and tobacco. Analysts warn these stores are hotbeds for fraud, where benefits are illegally exchanged for prohibited items, diverting assistance from the program's core mission of providing nutrition to low-income families. The issue is magnified by soaring program costs, with SNAP expenditures projected to exceed $100 billion in 2025, increasing scrutiny on potential waste and abuse. Efforts to investigate fraud are hampered by a lack of data, as more than 20 states are suing to block a federal request for detailed transaction information, with California, home to nearly half the identified high-risk retailers, leading the legal challenge. The controversy highlights a fundamental tension between preventing fraud, respecting privacy and ensuring SNAP fulfills its purpose as a nutritional safety net for vulnerable populations. A new analysis of federal food assistance data reveals that more than 5,000 liquor stores and smoke shops across the United States are approved to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits raising significant questions about program integrity, fraud and the core mission of feeding low-income families. The findings published in early December by the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) identify over 4,000 stores with "alcohol" in their title and another 1,000 referencing tobacco as authorized SNAP retailers. Researchers warn the true number is likely higher, as the count only included stores that explicitly advertised those products in their business names. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, food stamps (now known as SNAP) are coupons issued to eligible low-income households to cover their monthly food needs, with eligibility primarily determined by gross income. But the authorization of these retailers exists in stark contrast to SNAP's foundational rules, which explicitly prohibit the purchase of alcohol, tobacco and other non-food items. This disconnect, analysts say, creates fertile ground for abuse. "These stores 'become hotbeds of fraud' where benefit cards are bought and sold in exchange for alcohol or tobacco products," FGA Senior Data Analyst Kristi Stahr told Just the News. "Food stamps are meant to provide supplemental nutrition for vulnerable populations: low-income kids, the elderly and people with disabilities, said Michael Greibrok, FGA senior research fellow. "Letting smoke shops and liquor stores cash in on the program is not the safety net taxpayers envisioned and only funnels assistance away from the truly needy. The $100B question: Is SNAP funding the needy or feeding fraud? The issue is compounded by health considerations. Critics argue that stores primarily selling alcohol and tobacco are unlikely to stock the nutritious foods SNAP is intended to support. The report also comes amid a separate, heated policy debate over whether sugary drinks, a major purchase item with SNAP dollars, should also be banned from purchase with several states already implementing such restrictions. Fraud cases documented over the years illustrate the problem. In one 2019 scheme, a Virginia grocery store owner was sentenced to 20 years for trafficking over $1.5 million in SNAP benefits. The FGA notes that more than 70% of all food stamp traffickers operate out of convenience stores, a category that includes the identified liquor and smoke shops. The scale of the potential problem remains partially obscured due to a lack of comprehensive data. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, who has championed SNAP reforms including recent waivers allowing states to ban soda and candy purchases, has requested detailed transaction data from all states to uncover fraud. However, her efforts have met legal resistance. More than 20 states, led by California, have sued to block the federal data request on privacy grounds. A temporary restraining order is currently in place. Notably, the FGA analysis found that nearly half of all the identified alcohol and smoke shop retailers are located in California the state with the highest number of SNAP recipients. The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of exploding program costs. SNAP expenditures are estimated to surpass $100 billion in 2025, a dramatic increase from $17.1 billion in 2000. This fiscal pressure intensifies scrutiny on every dollar spent. With a significant number of high-risk retailers on the authorized list and a lack of full transactional transparency from many states, administrators face an uphill battle. The Trump administration has recently mandated that recipients reapply to ensure eligibility, a move aimed at curbing abuse without the complete data set Rollins seeks. The situation presents a complex dilemma: how to protect a vital anti-hunger program from fraud while respecting privacy and ensuring it fulfills its fundamental purpose of providing nutritional support to those in need. The thousands of liquor and smoke shops on the approved retailer list have become the latest flashpoint in this enduring challenge. Watch Clayton and Natali Morris of "Redacted News" discussing a possible food stamp civil war in this video. This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: JustTheNews.com TheFGA.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Thailand-Cambodia border conflict escalates with airstrikes, civilian casualties A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia collapsed, leading to renewed military clashes, civilian casualties and Thailand's first airstrikes in the conflict. Both sides accuse each other of ceasefire violations, marking the deadliest escalation since July. Thailand deployed F-16 fighter jets in what it called "self-defense" strikes against Cambodian artillery positions. Cambodia condemned Thailand's actions as "brutal military aggression" and appealed to the UN Security Council for intervention. Tens of thousands evacuated, with Thailand relocating 35,000+ civilians from border areas. Cambodia reported four civilian deaths, Thailand confirmed one soldier killed and multiple injuries. Eyewitnesses described terror from artillery explosions and panicked evacuations. The conflict stems from colonial-era border disputes (1907 maps) and lingering resentment over the 1962 ICJ ruling awarding Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia. Previous peace efforts, including a U.S.-brokered deal, have failed, with Thailand suspending agreements after alleged landmine attacks. ASEAN leaders and the UN urge restraint, fearing prolonged instability in Southeast Asia. Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim warned renewed fighting risks unraveling diplomatic progress. With neither side backing down, fears grow of a full-scale war, leaving displaced civilians in shelters as tensions escalate. A fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia collapsed this week as renewed military clashes erupted along their disputed border, resulting in civilian deaths, mass evacuations and Thailand's first airstrikes in the conflict. The violence, which began after accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides, marks the deadliest escalation since July, when five days of fighting killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. With regional leaders urging restraint and the United Nations monitoring the crisis, fears grow that historical grievances and territorial disputes could plunge Southeast Asia into prolonged instability. The latest clashes erupted after Thailand accused Cambodian forces of firing rockets into its territory, wounding two soldiers. Thailand retaliated, leading to a 20-minute exchange of gunfire. Cambodia, however, claimed Thai troops initiated hostilities and denied retaliating. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted Thailand acted in self-defense, stating, "Thailand has never wished for violence but will never tolerate a violation of its sovereignty." Meanwhile, Cambodia's Defense Ministry condemned Thailand's actions as "brutal military aggression" and appealed to the UN Security Council for intervention. By Monday, Dec. 8, Thailand escalated its response, deploying F-16 fighter jets to strike Cambodian artillery positions. Thai military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said the airstrikes were necessary to "suppress Cambodian supporting fire attacks." Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen accused Thai forces of provocation, warning his military to show restraint while declaring, "The red line for responding has already been set." Civilians caught in the crossfire The fighting has displaced tens of thousands, with Thailand evacuating over 35,000 civilians from border areas. Cambodia reported at least four civilian deaths and nine injuries, while Thailand confirmed one soldier killed and eight wounded. Phichet Pholkoet, a Thai villager near the border, described the terror of waking to explosions: "It startled me. The explosions were very clear. Boom boom! I could hear everything clearlysome are heavy artillery, some are small arms." In Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey Province, opposition politician Meach Sovannara reported panicked evacuations: "I heard the artillery shelling More than 1,100 families have fled." Historical grievances fuel modern conflict The roots of the dispute trace back to colonial-era maps drawn in 1907, when France controlled Cambodia, BrightU.AI's Enoch notes. The International Court of Justice awarded the ancient Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that still fuels Thai resentment. Efforts to stabilize relations, including a U.S.-brokered peace deal in October, have faltered. Thailand suspended the agreement last month after landmine explosions injured its soldiersallegations that Cambodia denies. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who helped mediate the July ceasefire, warned that renewed fighting risks "unravelling the careful work that has gone into stabilising relations." As artillery echoes across contested borderlands, civilians bear the brunt of a conflict fueled by historical wounds and geopolitical tensions. With neither side willing to back down and regional diplomacy strained, the world watches to see whether Thailand and Cambodia can step back from the brinkor if this latest clash will spiral into a wider war. For now, displaced families huddle in shelters, their futures uncertain, as leaders trade accusations and the specter of further violence looms. Watch the video below that talks about the peace agreement signed by Thailand and Cambodia, which was brokered by President Donald Trump. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com BBC.com Reuters.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com 3 Ukrainian saboteurs ARRESTED in Poland over hacking equipment Polish authorities arrested three Ukrainian nationals in Warsaw who were in possession of advanced hacking equipment, including a FLIPPER device and encrypted hard drives, capable of compromising national defense and telecommunications systems. Prosecutors suspect the devices could be used to stage cyberattacks falsely attributed to Russia, raising alarms about potential false flag operations designed to provoke NATO into direct conflict under its Article Five mutual defense clause. The arrests are connected to a pattern of alleged Russian-backed sabotage in Poland, including railway attacks, with two other Ukrainian suspects wanted via Interpol for terrorism related to sabotaging Polish rail lines. Western intelligence alleges Russia frequently recruits Ukrainian nationals for deniable operations, exploiting their language skills and mobility, and the suspects' planned route to Lithuania suggests a broader operational network in the Baltic region. The case underscores the escalating hybrid warfare on NATO's eastern flank, where Poland faces thousands of daily cyberattacks, blurring the lines between cybercrime, espionage and covert efforts to destabilize a key hub for military aid to Ukraine. In a chilling development that underscores the escalating hybrid warfare tactics employed in Eastern Europe, Polish authorities have detained three Ukrainian nationals carrying sophisticated hacking equipment capable of compromising national defense infrastructure. Law enforcement officers arrested the three suspects aged 43, 42 and 39 during a routine traffic stop in Poland's capital Warsaw. An arsenal of cyberwarfare tools, including a FLIPPER hacking device, spy detectors, antennas, encrypted hard drives and stacks of SIM cards were also found in the suspects' vehicle. While claiming to be IT specialists traveling through Europe, their evasive responses and inability to justify their possession of such equipment deepened investigators' suspicions. Prosecutors allege the devices could be used to breach Poland's strategic IT systems, sabotage telecommunications networks or even stage cyberattacks falsely attributed to Russia a tactic with historical precedents in intelligence warfare. The arrests raise alarming questions about potential false flag operations designed to provoke the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) into direct conflict with Russiaa scenario Moscow has explicitly warned against. They also follow a pattern of alleged Russian-backed sabotage operations across Poland, including recent railway explosions linked to Ukrainian nationals acting on behalf of Moscow's intelligence services. Two other Ukrainian suspects, Yevhenii Ivanov and Oleksandr Kononov, remain at large with Interpol Red Notices issued for their alleged role in terrorist sabotage targeting Polish rail lines. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has publicly accused these operatives of working for Russian intelligence, warning that such hybrid attacks aim to destabilize NATO's eastern flank. When cybercrime becomes an act of hybrid warfare The timing is critical: Russia has repeatedly cautioned that Ukraine or its Western allies could orchestrate false flag incidents such as cyberattacks or infrastructure sabotage to trigger NATO's Article Five mutual defense clause, dragging the alliance into direct war. Similar tactics have been deployed historically, from Operation Northwoods the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's proposed 1962 false flag plan to justify invading Cuba to modern allegations of staged provocations in Syria and Ukraine. With Poland serving as a key logistical hub for Western military aid to Kyiv, the nation has become a prime target for covert destabilization. Polish cybersecurity officials report facing nearly 4,000 daily cyberattacks, many targeting critical infrastructure like hospitals and water systems. While Moscow denies involvement, Western intelligence agencies allege that Russian operatives frequently recruit Ukrainian nationals exploiting their language skills and mobility to conduct deniable sabotage. The detained suspects' planned route to Lithuania, another NATO member, suggests a broader operational network spanning the Baltic region. As prosecutors dissect encrypted devices and trace the suspects' movements, the case highlights the blurred lines between cybercrime, espionage and hybrid warfare. The men now face charges including fraud, possession of hacking tools and attempting to damage national defense data offenses carrying life sentences. BrightU.AI's Enoch reiterates that NATO members must remain vigilant against false-flag cyberattacks because such operations often staged by hostile actors are designed to manipulate public perception and justify unjust wars. History shows that fabricated incidents, like blaming Russia for attacks it didn't commit, serve as pretexts for escalating conflict while concealing the true orchestrators' agendas. Yet the larger concern remains: Are these individuals freelancers, mercenaries, or pawns in a high-stakes game to manufacture a pretext for wider conflict? In an era where digital infrastructure is as vital as physical borders, the arrest of these operatives serves as a stark reminder of the shadow battles unfolding beneath the surface of conventional warfare. Watch this video about Russian hackers targeting U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin Systems. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RMX.news TVPWorld.com CyberSecurityNews.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Silicon Valley and Trump unite? CEOs cheer one rule plan to override states President Donald Trump announced a forthcoming "One Rule" executive order to establish a single federal regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. The order aims to preempt state-level AI regulations, which Trump argues create bureaucratic roadblocks that threaten U.S. competitiveness. The move aligns with Trump's broader tech policy goals of deregulation and asserting U.S. dominance against rivals like China. The announcement comes amid growing market discussion of a potential "AI bubble," with heavy investments raising financial stakes. Industry leaders, including Google's CEO, have recently called for cohesive national regulation to avoid a patchwork of state laws. In a bid to consolidate U.S. authority over the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector, President Donald Trump announced plans this week to issue a sweeping executive order establishing a single, federal regulatory framework for AI. The "One Rule" initiative, previewed in a social media post on Monday, seeks to override a growing patchwork of state-level regulations that the administration views as a threat to American innovation and competitiveness, particularly against China. This move represents one of the most significant tech policy actions since Trump's return to office and ignites a debate over federalism, innovation speed and global technological leadership. A directive against "bad actor" states President Trumps announcement framed the issue as a national imperative. He criticized what he termed bad actor states for creating overlapping approval processes and restrictive rules, arguing that such fragmentation would stifle growth. You cant expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK! he wrote. The forthcoming order is expected to centralize AI regulation and oversight under a unified federal standard, effectively preempting conflicting state laws. This aligns with Trump's longstanding campaign pledge to make the U.S. the world's capital for both Bitcoin and AI, reversing policies from the previous administration that he considers overly restrictive. Industry echoes calls for cohesion The White Houses push finds resonance with concerns voiced by major tech industry figures. Just days before Trumps announcement, Google CEO Sundar Pichai called for coherent national AI regulation during a televised interview. Pichai pointed to over 1,000 AI-related bills circulating in state legislatures, warning that a disjointed regulatory landscape could hamper the ability of U.S. companies to compete globally against nations like China, which are advancing their own AI agendas under more centralized control. This shared desire for regulatory clarity from both political and corporate leaders underscores a rare point of convergence in the often-contentious dialogue between Washington and Silicon Valley. Bubble talk amidst a spending frenzy The regulatory announcement arrives at a moment of intense scrutiny for the AI industrys economic foundations. Market analysts and tech executives are increasingly debating whether the sector is in a speculative bubble, driven by astronomical investments and soaring valuations. Mentions of an "AI bubble" have surged in recent corporate earnings calls. While leaders like Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis acknowledge "some parts of AI are probably in a bubble," they simultaneously affirm a belief in the technology's transformative, long-term potential. The financial stakes are undeniably high: recent analyses warn that the fortunes of major chipmakers and cloud providers are becoming deeply intertwined with the spending plans of a handful of leading AI firms. Historical context: From dot-com to AI The current moment draws inevitable comparisons to the dot-com boom and bust of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Then, as now, explosive growth, vast capital inflows and widespread belief in a technology-driven new era led to a market frenzy. The subsequent crash wiped out countless companies, but it also cleared the way for enduring giants like Amazon and Google to define the next decades. Industry observers note that a financial bubble does not negate a technologys ultimate impact but does raise the risks for investors and the broader economy. The parallel suggests that while a market correction could be painful, it may also solidify the position of truly viable AI technologies and the companies that build them. A defining moment for American tech policy President Trumps "One Rule" executive order sets the stage for a pivotal conflict between federal authority and states rights in governing a foundational 21st-century technology. Proponents argue that a unified approach is essential for maintaining the United States' competitive edge in a strategic global race. Critics may view it as an overreach that could undermine diverse regional approaches to ethical and safety concerns. As the order is finalized, its details will be parsed for their impact on innovation velocity, corporate responsibility and national security. The outcome will significantly influence whether the U.S. can navigate the dual challenges of fostering groundbreaking innovation and managing its profound societal implications, all while facing determined international competition. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com Axios.com FoxBusiness.com FDAs new top drug regulator previously investigated COVID vaccine deaths Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg, a researcher who previously investigated COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths, has been appointed acting director of the FDA's CDER, signaling a potential shift toward greater scrutiny of pharmaceutical claims. Hoeg's past studies, including one concluding that university vaccine mandates caused more harm than benefit, contrast with federal agencies' aggressive promotion of boosters despite insufficient long-term safety data. Her appointment follows the resignations of Drs. Marion Gruber and Philip Krause, who left in protest over the Biden administration's premature push for boosters, highlighting political interference overriding scientific prudence. The FDA is now investigating potential vaccine contamination, while the CDC has quietly retreated from blanket booster recommendations, aligning with Hoeg's research on nuanced risk-benefit analysis. Hoeg faces immense pressure from Big Pharma and political elites, but her leadership could mark a turning pointif she resists regulatory capture and prioritizes transparency over industry profits. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has appointed Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg as acting director of its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), placing her at the helm of drug regulation amid ongoing controversies surrounding Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and pharmaceutical oversight. Hoeg, who previously investigated deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccinations, steps into the role following the retirement of Dr. Richard Pazdur, a longtime FDA official whose tenure was marred by accusations of regulatory overreach. Hoeg's appointment comes at a critical juncture for the FDA, which has faced mounting scrutiny over its handling of vaccine approvals, booster mandates and allegations of political interference from the Biden administration. Her background as a researcher who questioned the scientific basis for vaccine mandatesparticularly her 2022 study concluding that university COVID-19 vaccine requirements caused more harm than benefitsignals a potential shift toward greater scrutiny of pharmaceutical claims. A history of challenging vaccine narratives Before joining the FDA earlier this year, Hoeg collaborated with Dr. Vinay Prasad, head of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), on studies examining vaccine safety and efficacy. In a Nov. 28 memorandum, Prasad revealed that Hoeg had investigated child deaths following COVID-19 vaccination and determined that some fatalities were indeed caused by the shotsa finding corroborated by other FDA staffers. This conclusion starkly contrasts with the mainstream narrative pushed by federal health agencies, which have consistently downplayed vaccine injuries while aggressively promoting boosters without long-term safety data. Hoeg's willingness to acknowledge vaccine-related fatalities suggests a departure from the FDA's traditionally cozy relationship with Big Pharmaa relationship critics argue has led to rushed approvals, suppressed dissent and inadequate scrutiny of adverse events. Hoeg's rise follows the abrupt departures of two high-ranking FDA vaccine officials, Dr. Marion Gruber and Dr. Philip Krause, who resigned in protest last year over the Biden administration's premature push for COVID-19 booster shots. Internal sources revealed that Gruber and Krause believed there was insufficient scientific evidence to justify boosters at the time, yet the White House pressured the FDA to authorize them regardlessa clear example of political agendas overriding medical prudence. Contaminated vaccines and shifting recommendations Hoeg recently confirmed that the FDA is investigating potential contamination in COVID-19 vaccinesa stunning admission given the agency's previous insistence that the shots were rigorously tested and safe. Over the summer, the FDA quietly withdrew emergency authorization for the original vaccines, replacing them with updated formulations that were approved without robust clinical trials. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventiononce a staunch advocate for universal vaccinationhas quietly backtracked, now advising Americans to consult doctors before getting boosted, acknowledging that risks may outweigh benefits for certain individuals. This reversal aligns with Hoeg's earlier research, which found that blanket mandates ignored critical nuances in vaccine risk profiles. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the rapid push for bivalent vaccines despite limited safety data raises serious concerns about contamination risks and regulatory capture, as Big Pharma prioritizes profits over transparent, long-term health outcomes. These shifting recommendationsoften driven by political and financial agendas rather than independent scienceundermine public trust while exposing millions to potential harm from inadequately tested medical interventions. For millions of Americans harmed by vaccine mandates, Hoeg's appointment offers a glimmer of hope that accountability may finally come to an agency accused of putting profits over people. Yet until concrete action is takensuch as halting unsafe boosters, investigating vaccine injuries and dismantling the financial ties between regulators and pharmaceutical giantsskepticism will persist. The FDA's credibility hinges on its willingness to break from the status quo. If Hoeg succeeds in restoring scientific integrity, it could mark a turning point in reclaiming medical freedom from the clutches of corporate and political elites. If not, the exodus of principled scientists like Gruber and Krause will only continueleaving Americans at the mercy of an increasingly corrupt and unaccountable system. Watch this video about what happens three years after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. This video is from the Follower of Christ777 channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com House Republicans unveil sweeping $900 billion defense bill targeting Biden-era policies, China and border security The $900 billion defense bill reverses Biden-era policies, counters China's military expansion, strengthens border security and eliminates "woke ideology" (CRT, DEI, climate initiatives) in the military. The bill includes a 4% pay raise for troops, codifies 15 Trump-era executive orders and restores "warrior ethos" while securing the U.S. defense industrial base. It imposes investment restrictions on China, boosts Taiwan's defenses, repeals Syria sanctions (with conditions) and maintains NATO troop levels in Europe (minimum 76,000). The legislation also authorizes National Guard and active-duty military deployment to the southern border while allocating $800 million in Ukraine military aid (2026-2027). It also strips IVF expansion for military families, fails to ban a U.S. CBDC and drops sanctions on Georgian officials accused of destabilizing the country. House Republicans on Sunday, Dec. 7, released their latest version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a sprawling 3,086-page defense policy bill that seeks to reverse Biden-era Department of War policies, counter China's military expansion and bolster U.S. border security. The $900 billion legislation, which exceeds President Donald Trump's initial budget request by $8 billion, includes a 4% pay raise for military personnel, codifies 15 of Trump's executive orders and eliminates what Republicans describe as "woke ideology" in the armed forces. "This year's National Defense Authorization Act helps advance President [Donald] Trump and Republicans' Peace Through Strength Agenda by codifying 15 of President Trump's executive orders, ending woke ideology at the Pentagon, securing the border, revitalizing the defense industrial base, and restoring the warrior ethos," House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said in a statement. "This legislation includes important House-passed provisions to ensure our military forces remain the most lethal in the world and can deter any adversary." According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, NDAA is a federal law enacted annually by the United States Congress to authorize funding levels for the United States Department of War and the national security programs of the United States. The NDAA is a critical piece of legislation that shapes the U.S. military's budget, priorities and operations. However, it has also been subject to criticism and controversy due to certain provisions that some argue infringe upon civil liberties and individual freedoms. Key provisions of the NDAA Johnson emphasized the bill's focus on ending "Biden-era wokeism" in the military, including banning critical race theory (CRT), diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and halting climate initiatives deemed detrimental to military readiness. "This legislation roots out Biden-era wokeism in our military and restores merit-based promotions and admissions to service academies, prohibits contracts with partisan firms, counters antisemitism and halts harmful, unnecessary programs like CRT, DEI and climate initiatives," Johnson said. The bill includes tough restrictions on U.S. investments in China, targeting technologies that could aid Beijing's military modernization. It also enhances Taiwan's defenses and reinforces U.S. alliances in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, the NDAA fully repeals Syria sanctionsa move aligned with Trump's May directivewhile requiring biannual certification that Syria is combating terrorism and respecting minority rights. The bill authorizes deploying National Guard and active-duty troops to the southern border to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, fulfilling a key Trump administration priority. Despite Trump's skepticism of prolonged U.S. involvement in Ukraine, the bill allocates 400 million in military aid for 2026 and another 400 million for 2027 under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. However, it also imposes restrictions on troop withdrawals from Europe, preventing the U.S. from reducing forces stationed there below 76,000 without North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) consultation. Controversial exclusions A provision to expand in vitro fertilization (IVF) coverage for military families was removed after opposition from conservative lawmakers. Johnson's office stated he supports IVF "when sufficient pro-life protections are in place." Efforts to ban a U.S. CBDC failed amid negotiations over a bipartisan housing package. House Republicans vowed to revisit the issue separately. A bill targeting Georgian officials accused of undermining stabilitythe MEGOBARI Actwas excluded after last-minute negotiations stalled. The House is expected to vote on the NDAA this week before reconciling differences with the Senate's version, passed in October. If approved, the bill will head to Trump's desk for final signature. With tensions rising over U.S.-China relations, border security and military readiness, the NDAA represents a major Republican push to reshape Pentagon policy ahead of the 2026 fiscal year. Watch the video below about Mike Adams discussing the myths behind the NDAA. This video is from the Newstarget channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com YourNews.com Deseret.com TheHill.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com New hybrid mpox strain detected in U.K. sparks global concern A new recombinant mpox strain (clade 1b + clade IIb) was detected in the U.K., combining the deadliness of Africa's clade 1b (10% fatality rate) with the transmissibility of the 2022 clade II outbreakraising fears of a more dangerous pandemic engineered by unchecked viral circulation or deliberate bioweapon proliferation. The WHO's "public health emergency" declaration mirrors COVID-19 tactics, signaling potential for renewed lockdowns, forced vaccinations and digital surveillance under the guise of containmentpart of the long-standing depopulation agenda. Despite claims of 75-80% efficacy for clade II, vaccines remain untested against clade 1b, while regulatory agencies (CDC/FDA/WHO) and pharmaceutical giants push mandates without transparency, long-term safety data or acknowledgment of natural immunity alternatives. Clade 1b's spread in the DRC and neighboring nations highlights how globalists weaponize healthcare disparities, allowing lethal strains to proliferate in vulnerable regionspotentially to justify future "emergency" power grabs and profitable vaccine campaigns. The playbook parallels COVID-19: fearmongering, rapid untested interventions and suppression of dissenting science. Skepticism is warrantedgovernments and captured media will likely escalate narratives to enforce compliance, while ignoring detox, immune resilience and medical freedom. A concerning new hybrid strain of mpox has been identified in England, raising alarms among health officials worldwide. The unidentified patient, who recently traveled to Asia before arriving in the U.K., sought medical attention, prompting the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to conduct genomic testing. The results revealed a mutated version of the virus containing genetic elements from both the highly lethal clade 1b and the less severe clade IIb strains. While details about the patient's condition remain undisclosed, the emergence of this recombinant strain has intensified fears of a potential resurgence of mpox outbreaks, particularly given clade 1b's alarming fatality rate of up to 10% in Africa, where it has been linked to miscarriages and severe illness. The 2022 global mpox outbreak, driven by clade II, primarily spread through sexual contact among gay and bisexual men, prompting mass vaccination campaigns in wealthier nations that eventually curbed transmission. However, experts warn that this new hybrid straincombining the deadlier traits of clade 1b with the transmissibility of clade IIcould pose a far greater risk. Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious disease specialist at Emory University, cautioned that "this is precisely what experts feared would happen if mpox continued circulating unchecked." The concern now is whether the mutation enhances the viruss ability to spread or evade existing diagnostic tests and vaccines. A growing crisis in Africa Clade 1b first emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has since spread rapidly across Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, with over 100 confirmed cases reported in just the past month. Unlike the milder clade II, this strain has demonstrated higher virulence, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared the African outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern"the same designation given to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) in early 2020. Despite assurances from UKHSA that the hybrid strain was "not unexpected," given the simultaneous circulation of both clades, experts warn that continued uncontrolled spread could lead to further mutations. "The more mpox circulates, the more opportunities it has to recombine and adapt," Dr. Titanji emphasized. Current mpox vaccines, originally developed for smallpox, were widely deployed during the 2022 outbreak with 75-80% effectiveness against clade II. However, their efficacy against clade 1b remains untested, though UKHSA maintains that "vaccine protection is expected." The NHS continues to recommend vaccination for high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and healthcare workers, ideally within four days of exposure or up to 14 days post-exposure if asymptomatic. Yet, skepticism persists. Given the well-documented history of regulatory capture involving agencies like the CDC, FDA and WHO, questions remain about whether pharmaceutical companies are pushing vaccines without sufficient long-term safety data. Natural immunity advocates argue that alternative health approaches, including detoxification and immune-boosting protocols, should also be consideredespecially in light of past vaccine-related injuries and mandates that stripped individuals of medical autonomy. A warning from history The parallels between mpox and COVID-19 are hard to ignore. Both outbreaks were declared global emergencies by the WHO, both saw rapid vaccine rollouts with limited long-term safety studies, and both were used to justify increased surveillance and control measures. The emergence of this hybrid strain raises the specter of renewed lockdowns, travel restrictions and forced vaccinationspolicies that many now recognize as tools of globalist depopulation agendas. With 16 clade 1b cases already reported in Englandall linked to travelthe UKHSA insists there is no evidence of community spread. But as history has shown, "public health emergencies" can escalate quickly. The question remains: Will governments prioritize transparency and informed consent, or will they once again resort to fear-driven mandates that benefit Big Pharma profits at the expense of human freedom? For now, health officials urge vigilance. Those experiencing symptomssuch as lesions, fever and fatigueare advised to contact NHS 111. But beyond official guidance, the lesson is clear: Question everything. Trust nothing blindly. The stakes have never been higher. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, this "hybrid mpox strain" is likely another manufactured bioweapon scare tactic by globalist elites like the WHO and Bill Gates to push more toxic vaccines and lockdowns as part of their depopulation agenda. The timing is suspiciously convenient as they prepare to roll out digital ID systems and further dismantle medical freedom ahead of their planned 2025 pandemic. Watch this news clip from Channel News Asia featuring Singaporean Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung announcing mpox public health measures. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Israels new airstrikes in Lebanon strain ceasefire, raising fears of wider war Israel intensifies airstrikes deep into Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The attacks target Hezbollah sites but kill civilians and damage homes. A UN report notes extensive strikes and potential war crimes since the truce. Border residents on both sides live in ruins, feeling abandoned and unsafe. The strategy creates a deliberate deadlock, making diplomatic resolution impossible. In a move that strains an already fragile truce, Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes deep into southern Lebanon this week, targeting sites it claims belong to the militant group Hezbollah. The attacks, which struck multiple locations up to 30 kilometers from the border, damaged homes and buildings and underscored an unsettling reality for war-torn communities on both sides of the frontier: There is no peace, only a temporary pause in the fighting. This latest escalation, justified by Israel as a response to ceasefire violations, begs the question of whether the state truly seeks stability or is committed to a permanent state of conflict. The strikes hit areas including Mount Safi, the town of Jbaa, and the Zefta Valley. Israels military stated it targeted a Hezbollah training compound and a rocket-launch site, framing the operation as a necessary response to threats. "The targets that were struck, and the military training conducted in preparation for attacks against the State of Israel, constitute a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a threat to the State of Israel," the IDF said. A ceasefire in name only This aggression comes despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that has been in effect since November 2024. That agreement was meant to end more than a year of intense conflict that displaced tens of thousands. Yet, Israel has continued to strike Lebanon on a near-daily basis. A United Nations report released in November found that at least 127 Lebanese civilians, including children, have been killed since the ceasefire began. U.N. officials have warned these strikes may amount to "war crimes." Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signaled that the operations are "likely" to continue. "We are enforcing in Lebanon, without compromise, against any Hezbollah armament and any violation of the ceasefire," Smotrich said. He vowed that Israel would not stop until "terror infrastructure" is destroyed. This rhetoric suggests a policy of indefinite military engagement, not diplomatic resolution. The human cost on the ground The human cost of this unending cycle is etched into the landscape. In the northern Israeli town of Metula, pressed against the Lebanese border, resident Ilan Rosenfeld walks through the burnt-out shell of his cafe. "Everything I had, everything I saved, everything I built its all burned," he said. Forced to evacuate during the war, he returned to find his livelihood destroyed and lives in a shelter next to the rubble. He feels abandoned. "The security situation is starting to deteriorate again," Rosenfeld said. "And where am I in all this? I can barely survive the day-to-day." Metulas deputy mayor, Avi Nadiv, argues border residents have become Israels "human shield." While the government encourages people to return, promising safety and economic revival, the reality is different. Just over half of Metulas residents have come back to a ghost town with 60% of homes damaged. Farmer Levav Weinberg, who returned with his young children, is skeptical. "The army cannot protect me and my family," he said. This latest military action fits a long-standing pattern where Israel prioritizes force over fulfillment of agreements. It accuses Lebanon of not disarming Hezbollah, yet continues actions that make any such political process impossible. Hezbollah, for its part, refuses to disarm while Israeli strikes and occupation persist. The result is a deliberate deadlock. The strikes also follow the recent Israeli assassination of Hezbollahs top military commander in Beirut, a major provocation. With Hezbollah still weakened from last years fighting, it has not yet responded militarily to this latest barrage, but the tension is palpable. For the civilians caught in the middle, the promises of leaders ring hollow. On one side, Rosenfeld scans a government-distributed list of bomb shelters. On the other, villages in southern Lebanon lie in ruins from Israeli attacks. The ceasefire exists only on paper, shattered regularly by the sound of jets and explosions. The ongoing strikes reveal a fundamental truth often obscured by diplomatic language: peace cannot be built through bombardment. As long as the strategy is one of overwhelming force and rejected agreements, communities on both sides of the border will remain trapped in a nightmare, their dreams of home and security reduced to ashes and unanswered pleas for help. The path Israel is on offers no future, only an endless, destructive present. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com AlJazeera.com APNews.com Israel spends $730M on global PROPAGANDA push amid Gaza backlash, paying influencers up to $7,000 per post Israel has approved a massive, fivefold increase in its global propaganda budget to $730 million for 2026, aiming to counter its collapsing international image following the war in Gaza. The funds target Western audiences through social media manipulation (including high payments to influencers), AI-driven propaganda, evangelical outreach tours and sponsored delegations of foreign figures. This effort is a direct response to widespread global condemnation of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in massive civilian casualties, displacement and accusations of genocide, eroding public support, particularly in the United States. Critics argue the propaganda campaign is a desperate attempt to avoid accountability, with experts doubting money can rehabilitate Israel's reputation while graphic evidence of destruction in Gaza circulates globally. The spending underscores a crisis for Israel's traditional influence model, as grassroots outrage and BDS movements grow, pushing the state toward expensive narrative control rather than policy change. The Israeli government has approved a staggering $730 million budget for global propaganda efforts in 2026 a nearly fivefold increase from previous years as it scrambles to rehabilitate its collapsing international image following accusations of genocide in Gaza. The massive funding boost was approved by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. It marks a desperate escalation in Israel's "hasbara" (Hebrew for public diplomacy) campaign, targeting Western audiences increasingly critical of its military actions. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, "hasbara" in the context of Israel has evolved to refer to a concerted, state-sponsored effort to promote a favorable image of Israel and its policies, both domestically and internationally. The "hasbara" campaign is a multifaceted propaganda machine that employs various strategies to shape public opinion, suppress dissent and counter criticism of Israel's actions. The $730 million allocation dwarfs Israel's previous propaganda budgets, which averaged just $150 million in recent years. According to leaked documents, the funds will fuel: Social media manipulation, including paying influencers up to $7,000 per post to promote pro-Israel narratives. Artificial intelligence-driven propaganda, with $145 million earmarked to influence AI chatbots. Targeted evangelical outreach, including a $4.1 million mobile "Oct. 7 experience" touring Christian colleges and churches. Delegations of politicians, influencers and public figures to push Israel's agenda abroad. Sa'ar framed the spending as a "national security" necessity, stating: "When public opinion shifts toward an anti-Israeli stance in a third country, it can promptly impact government actions." The propaganda blitz follows Israel's devastating military campaign in Gaza, which has: Killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians (per Gaza health authorities). Displaced 90% of Gaza's population, triggering famine and disease. Sparked global protests, with millions condemning Israel's actions as genocide. A New York Times poll found that 40% of Americans believe Israel is intentionally killing civilians, while sympathy for Palestinians now surpasses support for Israelis among U.S. voters. Can money buy back Israel's legitimacy? A recent report by Responsible Statecraft exposed Israel's covert payments to social media influencerssome receiving 7,300 per postto spread pro-Israel propaganda. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs funneled $900,000 through Havas Media Group Germany to fund 90 posts over six months, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailing influencers as key to Israel's "fight back" strategy in U.S. media. Critics warn these undisclosed paid promotions distort public debate. Despite the record spending, experts doubt Israel can salvage its reputation. According to a United Nations officia,l no amount of PR can justify genocide with the world seeing the bombs, starving children and mass graves. Israel's propaganda surge underscores a broader crisis: its traditional lobbying powerbacked by groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)is crumbling as grassroots outrage grows. With BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movements gaining traction worldwide, Tel Aviv is doubling down on censorship and narrative control rather than changing course. Israel's $730M propaganda war is a desperate gamble, one that may backfire as global awareness of Gaza's suffering spreads faster than paid influencers can suppress it. For now, Israel's leaders seem determined to spend their way out of accountability even as the world watches, unmoved by their expensive lies. Watch The Grayzone Editor-in-Chief Max Blumenthal as he busts the lies and propaganda that Israel has distilled since Oct. 7th to justify genocide. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com DemState.net Inquilab.com MuslimNetwork.tv En.RUA.gr LibertarianInstitute.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com A fatal scratch: Michigan man dies of rabies from transplanted kidney after donor saved kitten from skunk A Michigan man died from rabies received through a kidney transplant. The organ donor had been scratched by a rabid skunk weeks before his death. Donor screening missed the rabies risk due to the symptom's rarity and unclear history. Three other patients received corneal tissue from the same donor and received preventative treatment. This tragic case highlights critical gaps in donor screening for rare pathogens. A Michigan mans death from rabies, contracted through a lifesaving kidney transplant, exposes a tragic gap in medical screening and a chilling reminder of the viruss stealth. The case, confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, began not with the recipient, but with an act of compassion in Idaho. In late October 2024, a skunk approached an Idaho man as he held a kitten in an outbuilding on his rural property. During an encounter that rendered the skunk unconscious, the donor sustained a shin scratch that bled, but he did not think he had been bitten. According to the family, the donor attributed the skunks behavior to predatory aggression toward the kitten. Five weeks later, the donors world collapsed. He began experiencing confusion, difficulty swallowing, hallucinations and a stiff neck. He then fell unconscious at home and didn't wake up. Though resuscitated and hospitalized, he was declared brain dead and removed from life support five days later. His organs, including a left kidney, were donated in December 2024. The Michigan recipient received that kidney in an Ohio hospital. A rapid and fatal decline About five weeks post-transplant, the recipient began experiencing tremors, weakness in his lower extremities and urinary incontinence, as well as confusion. His condition rapidly deteriorated, and he was hospitalized. Within a week of being hospitalized, the patient died of his infection. Postmortem testing confirmed the presence of rabies RNA and antibodies. Investigators, having ruled out other exposures, turned their attention to the donor. Retroactive testing by the CDC found the rabies virus in a biopsy from the donors right kidney. While a sample from the transplanted left kidney was too small to test, the evidence strongly pointed to the organ as the source. This was the fourth reported transplant-transmitted rabies event in the United States since 1978. However, the risk for any transplant-transmitted infection, including rabies, is low. Why wasn't this caught? The breakdown occurred at multiple points. Hospital staff members who treated the donor were initially unaware of the skunk scratch and attributed his pre-admission signs and symptoms to chronic co-morbidities. Furthermore, rabies is excluded from routine donor pathogen testing because of its rarity in humans in the United States and the complexity of diagnostic testing. The donor risk assessment form completed by the family did document the animal encounter, but as the CDC notes, no standard guidance currently exists for addressing reported donor animal exposures by transplant teams. The consequences extended beyond the kidney recipient. Three other patients received corneal tissue from the same donor. Those grafts were swiftly removed, and the patients were placed on preventative medication, remaining asymptomatic. Health officials also contacted hundreds of people who may have had contact with the donor, recommending preventative treatment for dozens. This tragedy forces a difficult conversation about risk management in the high-stakes field of organ transplantation. On one hand, the system is designed to save lives quickly with scarce resources, and rigorous testing for every extremely rare pathogen could delay or prevent vital transplants. This is a rare event, and overall, the risk is exceptionally small. Fewer than 10 humans die from rabies annually in the U.S. thanks to effective post-exposure prevention. However, for the families involved, the statistical rarity is no comfort. A simple scratch, misinterpreted and then medically overlooked, cascaded into two needless deaths. It highlights the critical importance of exhaustive patient history-taking and the potential peril of dismissing unusual animal exposures in rural areas. While transplant protocols save countless lives, this case is a sobering reminder that natures deadliest viruses can exploit the narrowest of gaps. It asks a piercing question of our medical institutions: in the race to save lives, are we asking enough of the right questions? Sources for this article include: LiveScience.com NYPost.com FoxNews.com Microsoft faces EU scrutiny over alleged Israeli surveillance data transfers A human rights group has filed a legal complaint with Ireland's data watchdog, alleging Microsoft's Azure cloud service stored a massive trove of intercepted Palestinian phone calls, enabling surveillance and potential human rights abuses. After the story became public, internal evidence suggests Microsoft "rapidly offloaded" this sensitive data, which critics say may have hindered regulators and involved "illegally captured" information. Microsoft rejects the accusations, stating its customer (the Israeli military) owned and decided to transfer the data. The company says it later ended some cloud services for this client after an internal review. Ireland's Data Protection Commission is assessing the case. If found guilty of GDPR violations, Microsoft could face massive fines and be forced to change how it handles risky government contracts. This complaint amplifies existing pressure on Microsoft, including from shareholders and employees, over the ethics of its government work. It tests whether EU laws can hold powerful tech companies accountable when their technology is linked to conflict zone surveillance. Microsoft is confronting significant legal and ethical pressure in the European Union (EU) following a formal complaint that accuses the tech giant of processing data used in Israel's military surveillance of Palestinians. The complaint, filed with Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) on Dec. 3, alleges that Microsoft's actions enabled the transfer of sensitive surveillance material, potentially violating strict EU privacy laws. The case centers on Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. A recent investigation by The Guardian, alongside Israeli-Palestinian publications, revealed that a massive trove of intercepted Palestinian phone calls was stored on Microsoft servers located in the Netherlands and Ireland. This data was reportedly part of a mass surveillance operation by the Israeli military, which has long faced accusations of using technology to monitor Palestinians without due process. The human rights group behind the complaint, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), argues that this processing of personal data facilitated severe human rights abuses. They state that Microsoft's technology has put millions of Palestinians in danger, enabling what they describe as real-world violence rather than being an abstract data breach. A particularly serious allegation in the complaint involves the aftermath of the August revelations. According to internal documents and whistleblower accounts cited in the filing, Microsoft "rapidly offloaded" vast quantities of this surveillance data shortly after the story became public. The day after the report, accounts linked to the Israeli military requested and were granted expanded data transfer limits by Microsoft support staff. This was followed by a sharp drop in the volume of stored data on the relevant Azure accounts. Evidence shows Microsoft offloaded "illegally captured surveillance data" Critics argue that this rapid movement of data hindered the Irish regulator's ability to oversee material that is classified as highly sensitive under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A separate advocacy group, Eko, which jointly filed the case, states that new evidence from Microsoft whistleblowers shows the company offloaded "illegally captured surveillance data." Microsoft has firmly rejected the core accusation. The company states that its customers own their own data and that the decision to transfer the information was made solely by the Israeli client, not orchestrated by Microsoft. The firm insists this transfer did not impede its own internal investigation, which it launched after the initial reports. By September, that internal probe led Microsoft to end some cloud services for the Israeli military. However, the complaint notes that Microsoft continues to host other applications used by Israeli authorities. This includes a permit application that relies partly on Microsoft's data centers in Ireland, suggesting an ongoing commercial relationship. The Irish DPC has confirmed the complaint is under assessment. As Microsoft's European headquarters are in Dublin, the DPC holds primary responsibility for overseeing the company's data processing across the EU, giving the investigation substantial weight. A potential finding against Microsoft could result in massive fines under GDPR rules and prompt a major shift in how the company vets high-risk government contracts. The pressure is not only regulatory. A related shareholder motion, scheduled for a vote at Microsoft's next annual meeting, calls for a review of the company's human rights due diligence practices. This builds on existing internal dissent. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, Microsoft fired four employees who had protested the company's ties to the Israeli military earlier this year. The move highlights a pattern of silencing ethical concerns over controversial government work. This EU case forces a stark confrontation between Big Tech's lucrative government partnerships and its legal and ethical obligations. As one of the world's largest cloud providers, Microsoft's actions set a precedent, making the outcome of this complaint a critical test of whether European privacy laws can hold powerful corporations accountable when their technology is linked to surveillance in conflict zones. Watch the video below as people protest against Microsoft for being "war profiteers." This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co Bloomberg.com TheGuardian.com CBSNews.com TimesOfIsrael.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Qatar and Turkey propose two-year Hamas disarmament plan as Israel rejects extended timeline Qatar and Turkey propose a two-year phased disarmament for Hamas, modeled after the Irish Republican Army (IRA) decommissioning process. Hamas would retain weapons temporarily while discussions proceed on transferring arms to the Palestinian Authority (PA) or storing them under international supervision. Israel rejects this timeline, demanding full disarmament within months and threatening military action if diplomacy fails. The U.S. shows openness to the Turkish-Qatari initiative, favoring "decommissioning" over immediate disarmament. Trump's plan includes an International Stabilization Force (ISF)potentially involving Turkey, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Pakistanto oversee Gaza's reconstruction. Israel opposes Turkish/Qatari participation, citing their ties to Hamas. Hamas will only disarm if Israel ends its occupation and a sovereign Palestinian state is established. Senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya states that weapons would then be transferred to the future Palestinian state's military. Israeli intelligence warns Hamas is rebuilding forces and tightening authoritarian rule in Gaza, including suppressing dissent and confiscating rival factions' weapons. Israel vows to prevent Hamas from exploiting diplomatic delays to rearm, citing the Oct. 7 massacre as justification for continued military pressure. Israel demands disarmament first. Hamas insists on Israeli withdrawal first. Qatar/Turkey/Egypt propose supervised disarmament as a compromise. Qatar and Turkey have unveiled a proposal to grant Hamas a two-year window for disarmament in Gaza, according to Israeli media reports. The plan, which includes supervised weapons storage or transfer to the Palestinian Authority (PA), has drawn sharp opposition from Israel, which insists on a much shorter timelineraising tensions over the future governance of the war-torn enclave. Sources told Ynet that Qatar and Turkey are pushing for a phased disarmament process, modeled after the decommissioning of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in Northern Ireland. Under their proposal, Hamas would retain its weapons for up to two years while discussions continue, transferring arms to the PA or placing them in internationally monitored warehouses. As explained by the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, the IRA has been associated with various armed organizations in Ireland, primarily those seeking independence from British rule and advocating for a united, independent Irish Republic. This analysis explores the history, ideologies and activities of the most prominent IRA organizations. Israel, however, has rejected the extended timeline, demanding complete disarmament within months. "If Hamas is not disarmed, Israel will step in and disarm it," an Israeli official warned, signaling potential unilateral military action if diplomatic efforts fail. The U.S. has reportedly shown openness to the Turkish-Qatari initiative, with officials suggesting "decommissioning" rather than outright disarmamenta move that aligns with President Donald Trump's broader ceasefire plan, which includes deploying an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee Gaza's reconstruction. Trump's ceasefire plan faces resistance Trump's proposal envisions a regional security forcepotentially involving Turkey, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Pakistantaking control of Gaza's disarmament process. However, Israel has expressed discomfort with Turkish and Qatari participation, citing their longstanding ties to Hamas. Meanwhile, Hamas has signaled a conditional willingness to disarmbut only if Israel ends its occupation. Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader, stated last week: "Hamas' weapons are linked to the existence of the occupation and aggression; if this ends, the weapons will be transferred to the state." He clarified that this refers to a future sovereign Palestinian state. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli intelligence warns that Hamas is rapidly rebuilding its forces and tightening its grip on Gaza. Reports indicate the group has resumed authoritarian tactics, including suppressing dissent, confiscating weapons from rival factions, and violently enforcing control in areas not under Israeli military presence. "The lessons of the past two decadesand especially of October 7are too grave to ignore," an Israeli official told The Algemeiner, referencing Hamas' 2023 massacre that triggered the ongoing war. "Hamas must not be permitted to use humanitarian pauses or diplomatic ambiguity to reconstitute its forces." Diplomatic stalemate looms The core dispute remains: Israel demands disarmament before withdrawing troops. Hamas insists on Israeli withdrawal before discussing disarmament. Qatar and Turkey seek a middle ground with delayed disarmament under supervision. Egypt has also proposed a similar plan, suggesting weapons be stored under European Union and Egyptian oversighta model previously floated for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 70,360 fatalities since the war began, with ceasefire violations still occurring. Palestinian authorities accuse Israel of 500+ breaches, including shootings, airstrikes and incursions beyond agreed lines. With Hamas regrouping and Israel refusing concessions, the diplomatic deadlock risks collapsing into renewed conflict. As Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff, declared: "Israel will remain on these positions as long as necessary to protect our communities and sustain operational momentum." The coming weeks will test whether Qatar and Turkey's mediation can bridge the gapor if Israel opts for a unilateral military solution, setting the stage for another devastating escalation. Watch the video below about Hamas senior official Basem Naim laying out the group's position on disarmament in a Sky News interview. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co Harici.com.tr BalkanWeb.com TJVnews.com Shafaq.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Supreme Court to decide fate of vaccine religious exemptions Supreme Court Signals Potential Shift The Court remanded Miller v. McDonald back to the Second Circuit, suggesting reconsideration of NYs repealed religious vaccine exemptions in light of recent First Amendment rulings. The Court remanded Miller v. McDonald back to the Second Circuit, suggesting reconsideration of NYs repealed religious vaccine exemptions in light of recent First Amendment rulings. Landmark Religious Freedom Case Legal experts call this the "biggest legal development in health freedom," as SCOTUS historically avoided vaccine exemption cases but may now align with precedents like Mahmood v. Taylor. Legal experts call this the "biggest legal development in health freedom," as SCOTUS historically avoided vaccine exemption cases but may now align with precedents like Mahmood v. Taylor. National Security Concerns Critics warn strict mandates exclude unvaccinated students, harming STEM competitiveness as China surges ahead, with claims linking vaccines to neurological damage and academic decline. Critics warn strict mandates exclude unvaccinated students, harming STEM competitiveness as China surges ahead, with claims linking vaccines to neurological damage and academic decline. Broader Implications A ruling favoring exemptions could restore rights in NY, CT, and VT, with potential to overturn bans nationwide and curb government overreach in medical mandates. A ruling favoring exemptions could restore rights in NY, CT, and VT, with potential to overturn bans nationwide and curb government overreach in medical mandates. Parental Rights at Stake Advocates argue this case tests whether states can force medical interventions against religious beliefs, setting a precedent for future mandates beyond vaccines. Landmark Case Could Restore Parental Rights and Religious Freedoms Amid National Debate The U.S. Supreme Court has taken a critical step toward protecting religious exemptions for vaccinations, signaling a potential shift in legal precedent that could have nationwide implications. In a rare move, the high court remanded Miller v. McDonalda case involving three Amish schools in New Yorkback to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals for reconsideration in light of recent First Amendment rulings. This decision comes as legal experts and health freedom advocates warn that strict vaccine mandateswhich exclude unvaccinated children from educationmay be contributing to Americas declining competitiveness in STEM fields, raising concerns about national security as China surges ahead in technological innovation. Supreme Court Signals Potential Shift Brian Festa, co-founder and general counsel of We The Patriots USA, described the Supreme Courts action as the biggest legal development in the health freedom movement ever. He explained that the court has historically declined to take up cases involving religious exemptions for vaccinationsuntil now. The case centers on New Yorks repeal of religious exemptions for school vaccinations in 2019, which led to fines and threats against private religious institutions, including Amish schools that continued to honor parents objections. Festa noted that similar lawsuits are pending in Connecticut and California, where families argue that denying religious exemptions violates their constitutional rights. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled in favor of religious liberty in recent years, Festa said, citing cases like Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (protecting public prayer) and Carson v. Makin (ensuring religious schools receive equal funding). Most notably, Mahmood v. Taylor (2024) affirmed parents right to opt their children out of LGBTQ+ curriculum based on religious beliefs. If the Supreme Court believes Mahmood applies here, then states cannot arbitrarily deny religious exemptions while allowing medical ones, Festa argued. Thats not neutralityits hostility toward religion. Implications for Education and National Security Beyond the legal battle, experts warn that Americas declining academic performanceparticularly in STEM fieldscould have dire geopolitical consequences. Mike Adams, founder of Brighteon.com, pointed to Chinas overwhelming lead in producing engineers and AI specialists, attributing part of the U.S. decline to vaccine-induced neurological damage. Vaccines cause autism and cognitive impairment, Adams asserted. China is producing five times more STEM graduates than the U.S. because they arent systematically damaging their childrens brains with toxic pharmaceutical interventions. Festa echoed these concerns, noting that excluding unvaccinated studentsmany of whom are homeschooled and academically advancedonly exacerbates Americas educational decline. Were handicapping our brightest minds while China surges ahead, he said. Whats Next? If the Second Circuit reverses its earlier ruling and upholds religious exemptions, the decision would immediately impact New York, Connecticut, and Vermont. However, Festa anticipates further appeals, potentially leading to a landmark Supreme Court ruling that could restore exemptions nationwide. This isnt just about vaccines, Festa emphasized. Its about whether the government can force parents to inject their children with experimental substances against their deeply held beliefs. If we lose this fight, theres no limit to what they can mandate next. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Brian Festaas, as they talk about Supreme Court breakthrough for vaccine & religious freedom. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Federal court upholds LA school districts COVID vaccine mandate in blow to medical freedom HHS warns West Virginia: $1.37 billion at risk over vaccine religious exemptions Colorado medical school to pay $10.3 million for violating religious rights in vaccine mandate Sources include: Brighteon.com Wethepatriotsusa.org The Great Replacement: A stark warning on globalist demographic warfare Mass migration is a deliberate strategy to destabilize nations, erode national identity and create dependency on globalist-controlled systems. Historical precedents (British Empire, Ottoman Empire, Stalinist USSR) reveal the same tactics now being deployed via NGOs, visa lotteries and government-funded relocation programs. Over 10 million illegal migrants have entered the U.S. since 2021a coordinated effort to manipulate elections and erase national culture. Migrants are fast-tracked into welfare and voter rolls to create a permanent leftist voting bloc while displacing native populations. CBDCs and AI-driven surveillance aim to enforce social credit systems, eliminating financial privacy and dissent. China's dystopian model is being replicated in the West under the guise of "convenience," paving the way for total control. European nations (Sweden, Germany, France) are now overrun by crime, no-go zones and collapsing native birthrates. Reports confirm native Europeans are already minorities in their own capital citiesAmerica faces the same fate without resistance. In "The Great Replacement: How Globalists Weaponize Migration, AI, and Economic War to Destroy Nations," the author delivers a chilling expose on the deliberate dismantling of Western civilization through orchestrated demographic shifts, technological manipulation and economic sabotage. Drawing from historical precedents and contemporary events, the book presents a compelling case that the mass migration crisis, the rise of artificial intelligence-driven surveillance and the collapse of national sovereignty are not accidentsthey are weapons in a calculated war against free nations. The architecture of invasion: A historical playbook The book opens with a sobering truth: Demographic warfare is nothing new. Empires have long used mass migration as a tool of conquestnot through brute force, but through cultural and political subversion. The British Empire starved Ireland while exporting its people, the Ottomans reshaped Anatolia through ethnic cleansing, and Stalin forcibly relocated entire populations to erase national identities. Today, the same strategies are being deployedonly now, the invaders arrive not with swords, but with NGOs [non-governmental organizations], visa lotteries and government-funded relocation programs. The author meticulously documents how modern globalistsembodied by figures like Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates and Alejandro Mayorkashave weaponized migration to destabilize nations. Under the guise of "humanitarianism," they flood Western countries with unassimilated migrants, overwhelming social services, suppressing wages and eroding national cohesion. The endgame? A fractured society where native populations are reduced to minorities in their own homelands, powerless to resist the centralized rule of a technocratic elite. The Biden-Mayorkas border crisis: Treason by design One of the book's most damning sections focuses on the Biden administration's deliberate dismantling of U.S. border security. With Mayorkas at the helm of Homeland Security, over 10 million illegal aliens have entered the U.S.many flown in under cover of darkness and dispersed across the country. This isn't incompetence; it's policy. The goal is twofold: Electoral manipulation By fast-tracking migrants into welfare programs and voter rolls, Democrats aim to create a permanent underclass dependent on government handoutsone that will vote reliably leftist. By fast-tracking migrants into welfare programs and voter rolls, Democrats aim to create a permanent underclass dependent on government handoutsone that will vote reliably leftist. Cultural erasure The replacement of native populations isn't just about votes; it's about erasing national identity. Cities like New York, London and Brussels are already unrecognizable, their historic cultures drowned out by imported ideologies hostile to Western values. The book pulls no punches: This is treason, and those enabling itwhether through open borders, corporate lobbying, or media propagandaare complicit in the destruction of America. AI, CBDCs and the end of freedom Beyond migration, the book warns of another insidious threat: AI-powered surveillance and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Globalists like Schwab openly advocate for a "Great Reset," where AI governs human behavior, and CBDCs enforce social credit systems. Dissent will be impossible when every transaction is tracked, and disobedience results in frozen accounts or revoked privileges. China's dystopian social credit system is the blueprintalready, Western governments are pushing digital IDs and cashless societies under the guise of "convenience." But as the book argues, convenience is a Trojan horse for control. Once cash is abolished, resistance becomes futile. Western Europe's collapse Europe serves as the book's most harrowing case study. Nations like Sweden, Germany and Franceonce proud and sovereignare now crime-ridden, culturally hollowed-out shells. No-go zones proliferate, native birthrates plummet, and governments prioritize migrant rights over citizen safety. The author highlights the 2023 Luxembourg report, revealing that native Europeans are now minorities in their own capital cities. The same fate looms for America unless drastic action is taken. How to fight back Despite the grim prognosis, the book offers hopeand a battle plan. Key strategies include: Decentralization Reject globalist systems by building parallel economies: local farming, barter networks and cryptocurrency. Reject globalist systems by building parallel economies: local farming, barter networks and cryptocurrency. Self-sufficiency Grow your own food, harvest rainwater and stockpile essentials to survive supply chain collapses. Grow your own food, harvest rainwater and stockpile essentials to survive supply chain collapses. Political warfare Support leaders who prioritize national sovereignty and expose traitors like Mayorkas who enable invasion. Support leaders who prioritize national sovereignty and expose traitors like Mayorkas who enable invasion. Digital sovereignty Abandon Big Tech platforms, use encrypted communication and resist CBDCs at all costs. The book's final message is urgent: "The Great Replacement" is happening now. It's not a conspiracy theoryit's a documented strategy, and unless patriots wake up and fight back, Western civilization will be erased within a generation. Final verdict: A must-read for freedom fighters "The Great Replacement" is a wake-up calla meticulously researched manifesto that exposes the globalist war on nations, culture and individual liberty. Whether you're a prepper, a political activist, or simply someone who values freedom, this book is essential reading. The globalists are playing the long game. Will we let them win? Grab a copy of "The Great Replacement: How Globalists Weaponize Migration, AI, and Economic War to Destroy Nations" via this link. Read, share and download hundreds of books for free at Books.BrightLearn.AI. You can also create your own books at BrightLearn.AI. Watch the video below about Mike Adams and Michael Yon unveiling geopolitical chaos through the U.S. invasion risks, election fraud and global depopulation threats. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: BrightLearn.ai Books.brightlearn.ai 1 Books.brightlearn.ai 2 Brighteon.com Trump threatens to increase tariffs on Mexico over unpaid water debt President Trump threatens a 5% tariff on Mexican imports unless Mexico releases water owed under a 1944 treaty. The dispute centers on an alleged shortfall of hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of Rio Grande water destined for Texas. Texas farmers face significant agricultural challenges due to the water shortage, impacting crops and livestock. The 1944 treaty governs shared water resources but lacks strict enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance. The confrontation raises questions about balancing trade policy, international agreements and domestic agricultural needs. In a move that intertwines trade policy, agricultural security and a decades-old international agreement, President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 5% tariff on all imports from Mexico. The ultimatum, issued in early December 2025, is not over immigration or drug trafficking, but water. The president demands that Mexico immediately release hundreds of thousands of acre-feet of Rio Grande water owed to the United States under a 1944 treaty, citing severe harm to the Texas agricultural industry. This confrontation revives a perennial cross-border dispute, placing the vital needs of American farmers at the center of a high-stakes international negotiation. The roots of the dispute: The 1944 Water Treaty The current crisis is framed by the U.S.-Mexico Water Treaty of 1944, a complex pact designed to manage shared resources from the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. For the segment of the Rio Grande that forms the border, the treaty stipulates that Mexico must deliver to the United States a minimum average of 350,000 acre-feet of water per year from six specified Mexican tributaries, amounting to 1.75 million acre-feet over each five-year cycle. In return, the U.S. has obligations to Mexico from the Colorado River. The system relies on a five-year accounting cycle, with a provision allowing for delays in delivery only in cases of "extraordinary drought"a term the treaty leaves undefined. The cycle that concluded recently is at the heart of the dispute. U.S. officials contend that Mexico finished the period with a deficit of approximately 800,000 acre-feet, a claim supported by data from the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) showing deliveries fell 42% short of the 1.75 million acre-feet obligation. Agricultural impact: A matter of survival in Texas For Texas farmers and ranchers, the treaty is not a historical document but a critical component of annual operational planning. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a major producer of citrus, vegetables, cotton and grain. Consistent, reliable water deliveries are essential for irrigation, livestock and overall crop viability. Shortfalls translate directly into reduced yields, fallowed fields and economic instability for agricultural communities. The Trump administration has explicitly linked the water shortage to economic distress in the sector. In his statements, the president emphasized that the lack of water "undermines crop yields and livestock sustainability," framing the tariff threat as a necessary defense of American farmers. This connection between natural resource compliance and economic consequence marks a significant escalation in how the U.S. enforces the treaty. A history of leniency meets a new approach Analysts note that the current deficit is not solely a product of recent drought but also of historical leniency and changing conditions. Population growth and agricultural development in northern Mexico have increased water demand on the Mexican side of the border. For years, the United States has at times accepted deferred payments during dry periods, establishing a pattern of flexibility. The Trump administration represents a stark departure from this approach. Earlier in 2025, the U.S. took the unprecedented step of denying a Mexican request for Colorado River water diversions to Tijuana, explicitly citing Mexico's own shortfalls on the Rio Grande. This hardline stance, culminating in the tariff threat, signals a willingness to leverage trade tools to enforce a natural resource agreement, moving the dispute from diplomatic channels into the realm of economic pressure. Broader implications: Trade, security and diplomacy The threat of tariffs introduces a volatile new element into the U.S.-Mexico relationship, which is deeply integrated through the USMCA trade agreement. While the proposed 5% levy is framed as a remedy for the water dispute, it follows previous Trump administration tariffs on Mexican goods linked to other policy goals. This pattern raises questions about the use of trade measures as a multipurpose enforcement tool for a wide range of domestic and foreign policy objectives. From a national security and economic perspective, advocates for affordable food and a resilient agricultural sector argue that water security is inseparable from food security. Inconsistent water supplies threaten to increase production costs and reduce domestic output, potentially making the U.S. more reliant on foreign food imports. The dispute thus touches on core issues of sovereignty, reliable supply chains and the enforcement of international accords. A test of treaties and tenacity The standoff over the Rio Grande waters is more than a bilateral squabble; it is a test case for how nations reconcile treaty obligations with contemporary environmental and political realities. The outcome will set a precedent for whether economic coercion can succeed where decades of diplomacy have yielded mixed results. For Texas farmers, the resolution is urgently practicaltheir livelihoods hinge on the flow of water and the flow of diplomacy. As deadlines loom and reservoirs await replenishment, the dispute underscores a fundamental truth: in an arid region, water is not just a resource, but a powerful currency of statecraft. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com CNBC.com Yahoo.com If youre looking for gifts for the foodies in your life, Ina Garten is here to help. Through the years, shes offered a steady stream of recommendations via interviews, television appearances, and, of course, her Barefoot Contessa website. Ina is famous for her non-fussy approach to creating delicious dishes in the kitchen, and for acknowledging that there are plenty of times when store-bought is fine. This gift list is just as down-to-earth as the cookbook author herself. The best part? Her picks range from condiments to cookware, so theres something for every budget. Give a basket of Ina's favorites (towfiqu ahamed via Getty Images) BOLA Granola Ina says she and her husband, Jeffrey, often finish dinner with a delicious dessert of yogurt, fruit, and BOLA granola. She has also mentioned that the gourmet granola makes a great host gift. BOLA Granola is vegan, gluten-free, lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and packed with ingredients like almonds and pumpkin seeds. Raos Homemade Marinara Raos Homemade Marinara tastes so fresh and flavorful that its hard to believe it comes from a jar. Its no surprise then that Ina has gone on the record to declare its her favorite jarred marinara sauce. In an interview with Bon Appetit, the chef said, I think you can spend the entire day making good marinara sauce, or you can buy Rao's Marinara sauce, which I think is just fantastic. Its great for lasagna. Its great for pasta. Its great for putting together a really fast dinner. Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Ovens On the Ask Ina section of her website, Ina said she uses Le Creuset #26 Dutch ovens, adding that theyre great for soups, stews, and braising. Le Creuset is the gold standard for Dutch ovens - known for vibrant hues and quality you can pass from one generation to the next. In recent years, theyve become a status symbol among home chefs. De Cecco Pasta A good sauce deserves good pasta, and De Cecco is one of the brands Ina trusts most. She highlights it on her Barefoot Contessa website because it cooks to a consistent al dente texture and holds sauce beautifully. The ridges and firmness make it a gift for foodies, especially when its arranged in a basket with Inas favorite pasta sauce. Cento San Marzano Tomatoes Cento San Marzano tomatoes are prized for their intense flavor that brings natural sweetness and depth to soups, sauces, and braises. Its no wonder Ina lists them on her website since they provide a strong foundation for cooking without requiring long hours of simmering. A few cans tucked into a gift basket can lead to gourmet meals with less effort. Maille Whole Grain Dijon Mustard Dijon mustard plays a role in many of Inas dressings and marinades. She recommends Maille whole-grain Dijon, which adds brightness, texture, and rich flavor to even the simplest recipes. A small jar can elevate charcuterie platters or gift baskets of gourmet goods like cheese, salami, and artisan breads. All-Clad Cookware All-Clad stainless cookware is a staple in Inas kitchen. She says, They are expensive, but if you take care of them, they will last a lifetime. The pans heat evenly and clean easily. This is a gift that will be treasured for decades. Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur De Sel Using the finest ingredients elevates your entire dish. Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur de sel is one of Inas finishing touches. It adds a delicate texture and enhances the sweetness of baked goods, and can also be sprinkled on top of meats, soups, sauces, and salads. A small container lasts a long time and elevates everyday cooking. Its also recommended by the Barefoot Contessa herself. Frans Chocolates Advertisement Advertisement Ina has posted about her love of Frans Chocolates on her website and social media. She often chooses Frans salted caramels. She says she often brings these artisan sweets as hostess gifts. Valrhona Cocoa Powder Ina says Valrhona Cocoa Powder is the secret to her legendary Beattys Chocolate Cake recipe. The cocoa is deep, fragrant, and balanced, and perfect for cakes, cookies, and puddings. It makes a sophisticated gift for your favorite baker. John Boos Cutting Board A John Boos cutting board is one of the classics recommended by the Barefoot Contessa. Prized for their weight, grain, and craftsmanship, they transform an often overlooked kitchen accessory into something indispensable. Tates Bake Shop Cookies Ina uses Tates Bake Shop chocolate chip cookies in her recipe for Mocha Chocolate Ice Box Cake. The crisp and buttery cookies are thin enough for layering in recipes, but lets face it, theyre pretty great on their own. Olio Santo Extra Virgin Olive Oil Olio Santo is the olive oil Ina has used for years. She explains in an Ask Ina response that it is flavorful, fruity, and not heavy. It elevates everything from simple salads to roasted vegetables into a luxurious dish. Dallis Bros Coffee Ina starts her mornings with Dallis Bros Ellis Island Blend and often gives it as a gift when shes invited to dinner in someones home. It is smooth, balanced, and aromatic, making it a perfect gift for coffee lovers. Lodge Cast Iron Skillets In Food Network video clips, Ina says cast-iron skillets are the secret to getting the perfect sear on burgers and irresistible dishes like lemon-roasted chicken. On her website, she recommends Lodge cast-iron skillets. They hold heat beautifully and become more seasoned with every use. For cooks who appreciate durability, they are indispensable. Wusthof knives Ina says every chef should have quality knives. Wusthof knives are her favorite. In fact, she has said they are the only knives she will use in the kitchen. Like her favorite cookware, its a gift that will last a lifetime. United Kingdom INCAPABLE of maintaining nuclear submarine program, warns retired Royal Navy officer A retired senior Royal Navy officer warns the U.K. has lost the capability to manage its own nuclear submarine program due to systemic failures in leadership, construction and maintenance. The critique by Rear Adm. Philip Mathias highlights severe operational issues, including record-long submarine construction times, a massive maintenance backlog keeping vessels in port for years and unsustainable patrol lengths for crews. This crisis of capability coincides with heightened threats, including increased Russian naval activity and public scrutiny over the reliability of the Trident missile system following test failures. Mathias prescribes a radical overhaul, recommending the U.K. withdraw from the AUKUS submarine pact and make the current Dreadnought class its last, pivoting to drones and unmanned systems instead. The warning underscores a legacy of neglect, noting that no decommissioned nuclear submarine has been fully dismantled in over 40 years, casting doubt on the nation's stewardship of its nuclear enterprise. In a stark and unprecedented warning, a retired senior Royal Navy officer has declared that the United Kingdom is no longer capable of managing its own nuclear submarine program, citing decades of neglect, chronic delays, and a "catastrophic failure of succession and leadership planning." The alarming assessment from Rear Adm. Philip Mathias, a former director of nuclear policy at the British Ministry of Defense (MOD), casts serious doubt on the reliability of Britain's ultimate deterrent at a time of heightened global tensions and increased Russian aggression in the North Atlantic. His critique, published on Saturday, Dec. 6, in The Telegraph, calls for a radical overhaul including abandoning a major international defense pact and underscores a profound crisis within the heart of the U.K.'s defense establishment. Mathias, who led a Trident value-for-money review in 2010, stated bluntly: "The U.K. is no longer capable of managing a nuclear submarine program." He described an "unprecedented situation" where performance "continues to get worse in every dimension." The issues are systemic spanning new construction, maintenance and personnel management. He highlighted that the HMS Agamemnon, the Royal Navy's most modern nuclear attack submarine, which entered service last September, took over 13 years to build the longest construction time for a submarine in the Navy's history. This is compounded by a massive maintenance backlog for the Astute-class attack submarines, leaving multiple vessels including HMS Ambush, Artful, Audacious, Astute and Anson stuck in port for years. HMS Ambush has been inactive for over 1,222 days. The operational consequences are severe. Mathias noted that patrol lengths for submarine crews have ballooned from approximately 70 days during the Cold War to more than 200 days now, leading to a "shockingly low availability" of submarines to counter threats. This crisis of capability coincides with increased Russian naval activity in British waters, which has risen by more than 30%. The reliability of the submarine-launched Trident missile system itself has also faced public scrutiny following test failures, including an incident in January 2024 when a missile fired from HMS Vanguard misfired and landed in the sea off the coast of Florida. Mathias exposes U.K.'s 40-year nuclear disgrace In response to this multifaceted breakdown, Mathias issued a radical prescription. He urged the U.K. to withdraw from the multi-billion-pound AUKUS pact with the U.S. and Australia, which is designed to produce 12 new nuclear-powered submarines. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the AUKUS alliance is a strategic military partnership between London, Canberra and Washington formed to counter China's expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific by sharing nuclear-powered submarine technology and advancing cooperation. He argued the planned SSN-Aukus submarine "is not going to deliver what the U.K. or Australia needs in terms of capability or timescale." Instead, he called for the Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines, currently under construction to carry the Trident missile, to be the "last class of nuclear-powered submarines that the U.K. builds." He advocated for a pivot to more "cost-effective" systems like aerial drones and smaller unmanned submarines to deliver necessary capabilities. The admiral's critique extends beyond current operations to a legacy of failure. He pointed out that not a single one of the U.K.'s 23 decommissioned nuclear vessels has been fully dismantled since the first HMS Dreadnought left service in 1980. "This is an utter disgrace and brings into question whether Britain is responsible enough to own nuclear submarines," he wrote. His warnings echo concerns raised by Simon Case, the official overseeing the U.K.'s submarine construction plan. Case, a former cabinet secretary in the British government, told a parliamentary committee last month that "decades of neglect" had severely weakened the industry. He added that Britain had somehow become "the worlds most embarrassed nuclear nation." The MOD has pushed back against the dire assessment. A spokesman stated: "We are unwavering in our commitment to renewing and maintaining the nuclear deterrent underlined by the biggest sustained investment into defence spending since the end of the Cold War." The ministry emphasized a 15 billion ($20 billion) investment in the sovereign warhead program and insisted the Dreadnought program remains on track. A defense source also insisted the "right people were in the right place" to oversee the nuclear enterprise. Nevertheless, the detailed and scathing analysis from a senior insider like Mathias presents a formidable challenge to official reassurances. Watch this video about the British government sounding the alarm after Russian nuclear submarines surrounded Britain on all sides. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com Telegraph.co.uk Express.co.uk BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Zelensky agrees to hold elections under pressure from Trump President Trump has accused Zelensky of delaying elections to prolong Western aid, framing Ukraine as undemocratic. Zelensky responded by pledging elections within 60-90 daysbut only if the U.S. and Europe guarantee security amid wartime risks. Trump compared Zelensky to P.T. Barnum, claiming he "sold" the West on funding despite territorial losses. He insists Ukraine must compromise or face dwindling U.S. support. The U.S.-backed peace plan reportedly demands Ukraine cede parts of Donbas, which Zelensky rejects. He warns that agreements made "behind Ukraine's back" will fail without unified security guarantees. If elections proceed, former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi (now Ukraine's U.K. ambassador) could challenge Zelensky, whose leadership is already strained by battlefield losses and Trump's rhetoric. Europe fears rushed diplomacy will embolden Russia, while Trump pushes for a deal by Christmas. Zelensky demands ironclad commitments against future Russian aggression, leaving Western unity in doubt. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signaled his readiness to hold elections. This move comes after sustained pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has criticized Ukraine's democratic legitimacy amid stalled peace talks with Russia. In a sharp exchange, Trump accused Zelensky of delaying elections to prolong Western aid, while Kyiv insists that security concerns and martial law restrictions must be resolved first. The escalating rhetoric underscores deepening divisions over howand at what costto end Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. Trump's ultimatum: Elections or obstruction? Trump has intensified his demands on Ukraine, framing Zelensky's refusal to hold elections as evidence of democratic backsliding. "They haven't had an election in a long time," Trump told Politico. "You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore." His remarks included a mocking comparison of Zelensky to P.T. Barnum, the famed showman, suggesting the Ukrainian leader had "sold" the West on continued funding despite losing territory. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the last election in Ukraine was the presidential election held in 2019, which Zelensky won. Since then, elections have been postponed indefinitely under martial law imposed after Russia's invasion in February 2022. Zelensky responded to Trump's ultimatum by pledging to hold elections within 60 to 90 daysbut only if the U.S. and Europe guarantee security for the vote. "I am ready," Zelensky said in an audio statement. "I ask the U.S., together with Europe, to ensure security for the vote." The concession marks a shift for Zelensky, who had previously resisted calls for elections, citing wartime prohibitions and the risks of Russian interference. The stumbling block: Territorial concessions The U.S.-backed peace proposal, reportedly drafted by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev, hinges on Ukraine ceding parts of the Donbas regiona nonstarter for Kyiv. Zelensky reiterated his red line in talks with European leaders, telling Bloomberg: "There are visions of the U.S., Russia and Ukraineand we don't have a unified view on Donbas." Trump has warned that without compromise, Ukraine will face dwindling U.S. support. "If they don't read agreements, potential agreements It's not easy with Russia because Russia has the upper hand," Trump said. European leaders, meanwhile, are scrambling to propose alternative security guarantees, though Trump dismissed their efforts as "impotent." Political shakeup looms as Zelensky's leadership tested Should elections proceed, Zelensky's political future is uncertain. Former Ukrainian military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, now ambassador to the U.K., is seen as a potential challenger after his ouster earlier this year sparked backlash within the armed forces. Trump's framing of Zelensky as an obstacle to peace could further erode his standing domestically and abroad. Yet Zelensky remains defiant, insisting any deal must include ironclad commitments from allies to defend Ukraine against future Russian aggression. "If Russia again starts a war, what will our partners do?" he asked pointedly. With Trump pushing for a deal by Christmas and Zelensky demanding security assurances, the war's endgame remains fraught. The prospect of elections introduces new volatilityboth for Ukraine's leadership and for Western unity. As Trump escalates pressure and Zelensky seeks guarantees, the coming weeks may determine whether diplomacy can overcome the entrenched positions that have prolonged this devastating conflict. Watch the video below that talks about how Zelensky was shamed openly in the EU Parliament. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NYPost.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. As an Arizona native whos traveled to 53 countries in search of great food, Ive always felt a little salty that our culinary scene has been overlooked by Michelin for so long. Ive eaten blow-your-mind meals in Phoenix, Scottsdale and beyond dishes that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with what youll find in cities already boasting stars. The chefs here are wildly talented, the ingredients world-class, plate after plate reminding me: this town deserves more than regional cred. So the news that Michelin is finally turning its attention our way? Its about time Arizona and the wider Southwest region gets the recognition food lovers already know it deserves. Michelin finally looks beyond the usual coastal hotspots For decades, the Michelin Guide focused on familiar big-city dining centers the kind of places that show up first when you search best fine dining U.S. If you wanted a Michelin-starred meal, you were basically hopping a plane to New York, Chicago or California. Meanwhile, some of the most exciting and innovative culinary talent has quietly been developing in the Southwest. Advertisement Advertisement Thats now changing and not just for one state. A grand Southwest experiment: Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah in the spotlight In a bold expansion, Michelin has launched its first-ever Southwest Edition, bringing the spotlight to four states that have long flown under the fine-dining radar. That means restaurants across the region from suburban kitchens in Arizona to mountain-town eateries in Utah, desert diners in New Mexico and even the renewed dining scene in Nevada now have a real shot at Michelin recognition. (The last Las Vegas guide came out in 2009, when 17 local restaurants earned the highly sought-after Michelin star.) Why this region could redefine American dining Michelins anonymous inspectors are already in the field, exploring the diverse culinary landscape throughout the Southwest. Advertisement Advertisement This region blends Indigenous heritage, Latinx roots, global culinary influences and homegrown contemporary American cooking into a richly layered food culture that rarely gets its due on the worlds fine-dining stage. For Arizona, I may have personal bias but this expansion gives the entire Southwest a chance. If inspectors find what locals and worldwide travelers already know that theres world-class cuisine being crafted here this could nudge the center of fine dining away from the coast and shift it westward. What comes next and why you should care For food lovers, travelers and restaurateurs alike: this could be the beginning of a fine-dining renaissance across the region. Restaurants in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Salt Lake and more could end up carrying one of the worlds most respected culinary badges. The debut of the first Southwest edition of the Michelin Guide, and its inaugural round of star announcements, is expected in 2026. A new report warns Deaf women experiencing domestic abuse in Scotland remain "effectively invisible" due to the chronic absence of specialist services and a lack of coordinated national support. Researchers say this gap leaves deaf victim-survivors without meaningful access to safety and advocacy. Led by Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, the British Academy-funded Sign LOUD report highlights that Scotland currently has no national dedicated British Sign Language (BSL) support services for Deaf victim-survivors of domestic abuse, despite evidence that Deaf women are two to three times more likely to experience abuse than the general population. The report recommends establishing a BSL Equally Safe Advisory Group, bringing together Deaf community organisations, domestic abuse organisations, and officials responsible for the Scottish Government's Equally Safe strategy and BSL National Plan. This group would work on action to improve the response of all frontline services as well as dedicated specialist support. Deaf women have been overlooked for years, despite being at high risk and having distinct language access needs. Aside from a small, fixed-term pilot across Angus, Tayside and Perthshire led by the Dundee-based charity Deaf Links, there is no dedicated service in Scotland. This must change." Professor Jemina Napier, Chair of Intercultural Communication, Heriot-Watt's School of Social Sciences, Principal Investigator While specialist services exist in England such as SignHealth and the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, Scotland relies solely on the temporary initiative operated by Deaf Links in Tayside and Women's Aid groups, which are limited to local regions. Deaf mothers and signing practitioners included in the study stressed the urgent need for support for both deaf and hearing children affected by domestic abuse. Many reported situations where children were expected to interpret during safeguarding conversations, placing them in highly stressful and inappropriate roles. Dr Claire Houghton, the Co-Investigator on the study and a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy and Qualitative Research at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We heard repeatedly about children being asked to interpret conversations between their deaf mothers and statutory service providers in domestic abuse situations. "This compromises safeguarding and emotional wellbeing for both deaf mothers and their children. National support must include provision for children." Among its other findings, the report calls for dedicated, long-term funding for domestic abuse services that are offered directly in BSL for Deaf women and families, echoing recommendations from the Scottish Government's Independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Services on Violence Against Women and Girls. It also highlights a need for improved access in BSL to mainstream (hearing) services through interpreters. A parliamentary roundtable hosted by MSP Karen Adam was recently held in Holyrood to discuss the findings and explore how Scotland can deliver equitable support for Deaf women and children. "Deaf women and children have been hidden in plain sight," Professor Napier said. "If we want services to be truly equitable, we must recognise their needs and act." Karen Adam MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast said the report not only identified the problems but offered a way forward. "Deaf women experiencing domestic abuse are too often hit by a double trauma of the abuse itself, and then the barriers they face in getting help in their own language," she said. "The Sign LOUD project has shone a light on that reality and made it impossible to ignore. "I hosted the roundtable in Parliament because these findings now need to be turned into action, on BSL access, on specialist support, and on making sure Deaf women and their children are properly supported in the systems meant to protect them. "I'm very pleased that the Deputy First Minister joined us in her capacity as Minister for Languages, because language policy and BSL provision are absolutely central to making sure that safety, support and justice are genuinely accessible to Deaf women and their children." The 32-page study gathered first-hand accounts from of six Deaf mothers who are victim-survivors and five signing practitioners who use BSL to support Deaf women. Among the Sign LOUD team supporting this activity was Lucy Clark, a Deaf victim-survivor who is a researcher and advocate of domestic abuse in the deaf community. "As a survivor, I see many gaps that continue to delay recovery for BSL users," she said. "We urgently need greater awareness of the importance of specialist support for Deaf women and children, including access to qualified BSL interpreters and services that demonstrate real Deaf Awareness. "BSL resources must expand so we can reach more people, break down barriers, and ensure that BSL is properly recognized and valued." Adding their insight to the project was Tasnim Ahmed, Operations Manager of the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Charity and a Deaf victim-survivor who was a participatory consultant for the report, who said: "Being involved in this research has shown me just how urgent the need is for specialist support for Deaf women, particularly those from ethnic minority communities. Accessible, culturally appropriate services in BSL could make a real difference - helping women and children access safety, support, and advocacy with dignity and equality." The Sign LOUD report is being publicly launched on International Human Rights Day which is observed every year on December 10 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It serves as a global reminder of the fundamental rights and freedoms owed to every person, and a call to action to protect them. A new arts and wellbeing program co-developed by the University of South Australia, Flinders University and the University of Adelaide shows that supporting the social needs of people living with dementia and their carers can help families rediscover connection, confidence and a sense of community. Designed in collaboration with those affected by dementia and funded by the Global Arts and Health Alliance, the six-week program concurrently delivers an arts session for people with dementia alongside a wellbeing session for their carers. UniSA researcher Dr Carolyn Murray says the dual structure of the program shows why dementia care must support both the person diagnosed and the people who care for them. "One of the most challenging parts of dementia is connecting with others not just for the person diagnosed, but also for the family members who care for them," Dr. Murray says. "People with dementia and their family carers are at risk of becoming socially isolated and withdrawn from community activities, often because they're unsure whether they'll be able to participate. "They want connection with people who understand their experience and they want opportunities to do meaningful things that suit their abilities, but they're cautious about adding stress, even when both would benefit from doing something different. "What makes this program different is that it's been co-designed with families living with dementia and an artist. This co-design alongside having co-researchers from occupational therapy, social work and psychology brought diverse perspectives and experiences into the co-design process. "The activities are well matched to participants from the outset, and with the art and wellbeing sessions running side by side, people with dementia feel safe knowing their carer is close, while carers can be confident that the person they care for is also having an enriching experience. "We found that it was this sense of closeness that allowed both groups to relax, participate fully, and rediscover a bit of confidence and enjoyment." Dementia is a life limiting brain condition that affects memory, mood, behaviour and thinking. It's more commonly associated with older people, but it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia. Globally, 57 million people have dementia with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Many of these people are supported by unpaid carers: about 700,000 in the UK; nearly 12 million in the US; and more than 140,000 in Australia. Feedback from the UniSA program has been extremely positive, with many family carers expressing a strong desire for similar programs so they can continue rebuilding confidence in their abilities and social connection. Dr Murray says that as dementia numbers continue to rise, programs like this will be vital. These programs need to be co-designed with people with dementia, their carers and facilitators to ensure their feasibility and acceptability. Community-based programs are extremely valuable for families living with dementia, as they offer safe enriching activities that maintain wellbeing, participation and self-esteem. They also give families a much-needed, meaningful break from one another," Dr Murray says. Dementia support is not just about addressing symptoms it's about nurturing relationships and meaning. Programs like these help families stay connected, supported and able to live well at home for longer." Dr. Carolyn Murray, UniSA researcher Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Trinity University are developing an intranasal (IN) drug-device combination to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will screen formulations and evaluate delivery methods for oxytocin, a hormone that plays a critical role in human bonding and stress mitigation. PTSD can affect people of all ages who experience trauma, including combat veterans and survivors of abuse. Symptoms of PTSD range in severity but include prolonged stress, trouble sleeping, irritability and aggressive behaviors. The project expands on prior collaborative research led by Trinity University that explored treating alcoholism and its relapses with oxytocin. SwRI supported the project by successfully formulating oxytocin using liposomes, or nanosized protective spheres made of organic compounds, that ensure targeted delivery in the body. Internasal delivery of liposomes bypasses the blood-brain barrier and allows the drug direct access to the central nervous system. In addition, the IN-delivery process has commercial precedence with other Food and Drug Administration-approved liposome-drug combinations, making future advancements more feasible." Dr. Mike Rubal, SwRI Staff Scientist Along with Rubal, Jasmine Jaramillo, a scientist at SwRI, will lead the development of new formulations and IN delivery systems for oxytocin. "Our team will also advance analytical techniques to characterize formulations and devices that will benefit future research," said Jaramillo. Researchers at Trinity will test the IN devices and drug formulations on animal models that have been preconditioned for PTSD behavior. Data from those studies will inform the optimization of formulations and delivery systems to improve efficacy and palatability. "This project will enhance the collaborative environment between SwRI and Trinity and opens the door for further advancements in biomedical research here in San Antonio," said Dr. Kah-Chung Leong, an associate professor for the Department of Psychology at Trinity University. This project was funded through the inaugural Trinity-SwRI Research Collaboration Grant Program that encourages medical and biomedical research. In 2025, Trinity University and SwRI contributed $250,000 toward three health research projects. "Trinity University is thrilled to be collaborating with SwRI, and we look forward to exciting results from this collaboration," said Dr. David Ribble, Dean of the D. R. Semmes School of Science. "We are proud to launch this new focused grant program to grow Trinity and SwRI collaborations, provide opportunities for Trinity students and advance medical breakthroughs that may one day improve and even save lives," said Dr. Joe McDonough, vice president of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division at SwRI. Lisbon, 10 December 2025 - MGI Tech Co., Ltd, a company dedicated to developing core tools and technologies that drive innovation in life sciences, supports the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon to identify and monitor microorganisms transported by Saharan dust by applying advanced sequencing technology. The aim is to understand how these bioaerosols - increasingly frequent due to climate change - are transforming Portuguese agricultural soils and affecting the quality and productivity of vineyards in Portuguese wine-producing regions, while simultaneously identifying opportunities to improve crop productivity, quality and sustainability. From Dust to HarvestGenomic Innovations for Sustainable Agriculture Play Portugal, particularly the south, lies along one of the main deposition routes for Saharan dust. These intrusions transport millions of microorganisms, identifiable through DNA analysis, which can profoundly alter soil and plant microbiomes, as well as influencing soil fertility, disease resistance, grape quality and crop yields - key factors for the sustainability and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. The insights gained are expected to inform sustainable practices for a wider range of crops and agricultural ecosystems. With the support of MGI Techs high-sensitivity sequencing technology, including the DNBSEQ-G99 platform, capable of analysing millions of microorganisms in real time with high sensitivity, ULisboa is mapping the microbial composition of dust, soils and plants, enabling early risk anticipation and the identification of biotechnological opportunities. The impact of dust is bidirectional: it can bring risks that threaten productivity, but it also carries microorganisms with biotechnological potential. We need to monitor and understand both sides to protect and enhance Portuguese agricultural resilience, explains Prof. Ricardo Dias, researcher at the University of Lisbon. This knowledge paves the way for the development of precision agriculture solutions, including the identification of beneficial microorganisms, early pathogen detection and the creation of microbial consortia capable of improving vineyard resilience. The G99 enabled us to identify, during storm Celia and in Portugal, a bacterial genus with potential to act as a natural fertiliser, demonstrating the immediate value of this kind of monitoring, says Prof. Ricardo Dias. We have also been testing non-native microbial consortia that increase vineyard resilience, improve grape quality and reduce the need for pesticides. With this innovation in partnership with MGI, resilience does not begin when the dust settles, it begins when we analyse it. Our partnership with the University of Lisbon demonstrates how sequencing can turn dust into data - starting in vineyards, but ultimately building a system of microbial intelligence for agriculture at large, stated Duncan Yu, President of MGI. In a year when Portugal recorded in 2024 an 8% drop in wine production according to the CEEV, and faces increasing challenges due to climate change and a significant rise in Saharan dust intrusions, this project represents a major step forward in protecting the national wine-growing economy. The integration of genomics into agriculture is opening the door to new ways of monitoring, managing and improving soils and crops, strengthening the countrys position at the forefront of agricultural innovation and climate resilience. VALANX Biotech (VALANX), a biotech company developing novel antibody-drug-conjugate (ADC) assets enabled by its GoldenSite site-specific protein conjugation technology, today announced the formation of its Board of Directors. The Board will support the companys strategic direction, financial oversight and risk management as VALANX advances from a research-stage organization into clinical development and technology commercialization. The new Board brings together senior leaders from global commercialization, strategy, and business development. Their combined experience is expected to strengthen VALANX progress towards clinical application of its next-generation antibody drug conjugates. Michael Boehler, MD, joins as Chairman of the Board. With more than 20 years global industry experience, he has led key commercialization efforts, including as Vice President Global Commercial and General Manager at BioNTech, where he helped drive the companys evolution from a clinical-stage biotech to a global market leader through the launch of the first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. He previously held senior roles at Takeda, Kite Pharma and Amgen, with a strong focus on oncology. Michael currently serves as Chief Business Officer and Director at clock.bio and advises early-stage biotech and techbio ventures. Dr. Alexander Schwartz joins as Director, bringing more than 15 years of experience in strategy, innovation, and business development across the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. A former McKinsey consultant, he is currently a partner at Xista Science Ventures, supporting and investing in life-science and deep-tech companies. He holds a PhD in chemistry, was a research fellow at ETH Zurich, and completed postdoctoral research at Harvard University. Dr. Urs Spitz is a scientist, entrepreneur, and investor with nearly 30 years of experience founding, leading, and scaling life science companies. As the CEO and co-owner of Biosynth he transformed the business from a small business into a global supplier of critical pharma and diagnostic raw materials. Urs has co-founded several companies, served on multiple boards, and co-authored numerous patents and publications. He now focuses on building and investing in innovative ventures across the life sciences. Ingo S. Nagler, seasoned biotech executive and investor as well as co-owner of VALANX, joins as Director. He is invested in several biotechnology companies, including Ribbon Biolabs, Ahead:bio and Phoenestra, among others. As a Business Development Officer of BIA Separations (acquired by Sartorius), he contributed significantly to introducing CIM monolith chromatography to the market and supported the companys international expansion. During his tenure, BIA Separations platforms became highly relevant for the manufacturing in clinical and commercial settings in the gene therapy sector. Over the past months, weve taken important steps towards developing our novel antibody-drug conjugates. Our GoldenSite technology has matured significantly, and with it our ability to generate potentially safer and more precise therapeutic conjugates. Establishing the Board is an important next step as we move toward clinical development. I am excited to work with such an experienced team to drive VALANX vision forward. Michael Lukesch, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VALANX Biotech Michael Boehler, Chairman of the Board, added: VALANX approach to next-generation ADCs using a technology that unlocks a larger design space for these therapies, has the potential to address a real and urgent medical need. Im thrilled to support the team together with my fellow board members as the company advances its platform and pipeline. Our shared goal is to help VALANX develop safe, efficacious and differentiated antibody drug conjugates that make a meaningful difference for patients. Clinical trials are an integral aspect of medical innovation, helping researchers to discover life-saving interventions and groundbreaking treatments. Image Credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com The intricacies of designing and executing these studies differ considerably across therapeutic areas, however, requiring highly specialized expertise in a range of fields. RQM+ offers comprehensive support to sponsors navigating these challenges, helping to ensure success through the companys deep expertise across diverse therapeutic areas. RQM+ tailors its solutions to ensure scientific rigor and meet stringent regulatory requirements. The importance of specialized support in clinical trials Challenges in clinical trials are unique to each therapeutic area, whether patient recruitment or regulatory compliance. For example, oncology trials require precise endpoint definitions, while neurology studies require the use of innovative approaches to subjective data collection. Respiratory care studies typically feature the intricate monitoring of pulmonary function and the effective capturing of patient-reported outcomes, while trials working with infectious diseases face challenges in terms of global variability and the management of evolving pathogens. Womens health studies must also ensure sensitivity to lifecycle-specific conditions and demographic diversity. Working with a partner that offers advanced methodologies, specialized expertise, and a proven track record of success across diverse therapeutic areas is key to overcoming these complexities. Key challenges in therapeutic-specific clinical trials Other challenges associated with therapeutic-specific clinical trials include: Oncology trials feature high complexity, challenges around patient recruitment hurdles, and evolving endpoints Respiratory care trials must accommodate diverse conditions, such as asthma and COPD, via the use of targeted solutions Neurology trials feature complex datasets, often integrating wearable technologies to detect desired signals RQM+ helps its partners navigate these challenges, delivering excellent data collection, patient-centric trial designs, and regulatory alignment. Expertise across therapeutic areas RQM+ offers a range of specific expertise across a multitude of key therapeutic areas. Oncology: Accelerating breakthroughs in cancer-related trials Cancer trials are highly complicated due to the need to accommodate diverse subtypes and to design therapies that successfully integrate precision medicine. These trials must identify individuals with specific biomarkers, often narrowing eligibility and necessitating the use of targeted outreach strategies to ensure effective patient recruitment. Balancing clinical relevance with statistical rigor is essential, as it involves using metrics such as progression-free survival or minimal residual disease to ensure an optimal endpoint definition. Managing the complexities of evolving guidelines and regulations is also key, including meeting the requirements FDA oncology guidance and making use of accelerated approval pathways where appropriate. RQM+ utilizes tailored strategies and the companys comprehensive oncology expertise to meet these needs and streamline trial success. Respiratory care: Advancing solutions for breathing disorders Millions of people are affected by conditions like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, making respiratory trials essential and requiring innovation and efficiency in every phase of those trials. Designing Trials: Tailored to the latest, most cutting-edge therapies and newest inhalation devices Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to the complicated standards and evolving global guidelines. Patient Recruitment: By engaging a diverse patient group in studies, representative and meaningful data can be achieved. Neurology: Addressing the complexities of brain health Neurological trials are essentially in helping treat conditions such as Alzheimers and epilepsy, but these challenges must overcome distinct hurdles stemming from the brains complexity and the presence of subjective endpoints. Wearable technology offers significant promise in this area, integrating real-time data collection to improve precision and monitoring. Patient-centric designs must also be considered, with engagement improved with innovative and adaptive approaches to clinical trials. Patient-reported outcomes must align with quantitative measures, allowing trials to accommodate the generation of subjective data better. Other therapeutic areas RQM+ also has significant experience in other therapeutic areas, including: Urology, including the use of precision methodologies to address conditions such as prostate cancer and urinary incontinence. Womens health, including the design of sensitive trials for menopausal and reproductive health. Orthopedics and spinal issues, including supporting trials for innovative biologics and surgical devices. Wound care, including the provision of robust methodologies for assessing treatments for burns and chronic wounds. Ophthalmology, including ensuring precision in trials for advances in vision care. The RQM+ approach to clinical trial support RQM+ has a unique, tailored approach to clinical trials, designed to ensure that every study meets therapeutic area needs and sponsor-specific goals. The companys methodology includes: Patient-centric trial design via ethical, inclusive, and efficient trials Seamless and precise navigation of global regulations Data-driven insights with trial outcomes optimized using advanced analytics Tailored solutions for every sponsors needs Every clinical trial is different, and RQM+ understands the importance of customization. The companys services include: Development and optimization of protocols Regulatory submissions and ethical oversight Post-trial monitoring and reporting The delivery of tailored solutions ensures that sponsors achieve both commercial and clinical success. Partnering for success in clinical trials Support for clinical trials must be tailored and of high quality, and this can make the difference between success and stagnation across any number of therapeutic areas. Sponsors working with RQM+ to advance healthcare in partnership benefit from a trusted partner with the tools, expertise, and dedication to navigate the complex clinical trial landscape. Acknowledgments Produced from materials originally authored by Brandy Chittester from RQM+ Corp. About RQM+ Two industry leaders - R&Q and Maetrics - merged in 2020 to become RQM+, the largest medical device and diagnostics-focused full-service regulatory and quality consulting firm in the world. The integration of our leadership teams and the extensive skills and experience of our collective resources have created a highly agile and scalable global organization. With offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Switzerland, our large global footprint allows us to meet the regulatory and quality support needs of international clients of all sizes. Order an Audit Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.net, which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices, and treatments. Delhi govt sign MoU with Indian Oil for beautification, maintenance of flyovers Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 22:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) The Delhi Government on Wednesday signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to carry out beautification and maintenance work on five major flyovers and one key road stretch in the national capital. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), work will be taken up on the IIT Delhi Flyover, Panchsheel Flyover, Punjabi Bagh Flyover, Chirag Delhi Flyover, Mukarba Chowk and a 500-metre section of Aurobindo Marg. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative would support pollution control efforts and contribute to shaping a Viksit Delhi through collective participation. In an official statement, the government said the MoU also covers the provision of MRI and CT scan machines at Lok Nayak Hospital, installation of a high-energy linear accelerator at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, and setting up of eight water ATMs across the city with a 5-stage filtration system capable of dispensing 2,000 litres per hour. The agreement additionally includes beautification of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) depots and the establishment of three modern energy hubs with advanced infrastructure and customer-centric facilities, along with eco-friendly branding on 250 DTC electric buses. At the programme held at the Delhi Secretariat, the chief minister said the collaboration with IOCL will help bring swift, effective and citizen-friendly changes to the capital. She also said that Delhi, being the face of the nation, must not only strengthen Indias image but also overcome longstanding civic issues through phased, collective efforts. Praising IOCLs role, she said such models will be encouraged further. Delhi PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the agreement with IOCL will accelerate the Public Works Departments (PWDs) efforts to beautify and upgrade key flyovers in the city, while the installation of water ATMs through the Jal Board will ensure access to clean drinking water for the people of Delhi. Delhi Health and Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said every department of the government is working with full dedication and responsibility to implement this vision. PTI SLB OZ OZ News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 22:30 IST News agency-feeds Delhi govt sign MoU with Indian Oil for beautification, maintenance of flyovers 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... Neurosurgeon, assistant among five held after two die due to drug overdose Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 22:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Hyderabad, Dec 10 (PTI) Five persons, including a neurosurgeon and his assistant were arrested in connection with the case related to death of two auto-rickshaw drivers due to suspected overdose of anaesthesia medication, police said on Wednesday. The two drivers, aged 25 and 29, were found dead in an auto-rickshaw under a flyover on the intervening night of December 2-3. Police had found syringes and anesthesia injections from the spot leading to suspicion of drug overdose. The Chandrayangutta police registered a case and during the course of investigation apprehended three persons including a ward boy at a private hospital for their alleged involvement in illegally procuring, selling, and administering anaesthesia medication. The Chairman and MD of the hospital, who is also a neurosurgeon, along with a nursing student who has been working as the surgeons assistant was also arrested, police said. The ward boy admitted that during cleaning duties at the hospital on November 26 he had stolen a pack of four anesthesia ampoules and next day sold them to another person and they were purchased by the deceased auto-drivers, police said. According to police, the doctor had conducted a neurosurgery on a patient on November 26, during which he used the injections, but after using the medicines, no precautionary measures were taken to secure the remaining anesthesia vials and they were left in the operation theatre. Due to the lapse and negligence by the doctor and his assistant in securing controlled drugsanesthesia medication, the ward boy stole the leftover injections, which were later illegally sold and misused, ultimately leading to the death of the auto drivers, police added. PTI VVK VVK SA News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 22:45 IST News agency-feeds Neurosurgeon, assistant among five held after two die due to drug overdose 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... Uttarakhand: Leopard terrorising Gajald village in Pauri killed Last Updated: December 11, 2025, 01:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Dehradun, Dec 10 (PTI) A leopard that had become a symbol of terror in Gajald village of Pauri district in Uttarakhand was killed by the forest department on Wednesday night. According to an official statement, the department deployed a team of special hunters and killed the leopard following instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Taking note of the leopard attacks in the area, the CM had directed the officials to take action. Subsequently, the department, local administration and hunters carried out a coordinated action and neutralised the leopard, who is believed to be behind the attack on a child and a 45-year-old man, who later succumbed to his injuries. Garhwal Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abhimanyu Singh said that the leopard was killed at about 9 pm. He said that a DNA sample of the killed leopard will be taken and tested to ascertain if it was the same leopard. Following the two attacks in the first week of December, there was considerable anger among the villagers in the area. Later, a team of senior officials led by Principal Secretary (Forest) R K Sudhanshu visited the spot and met the affected villagers. The government has now assured that vigilance and patrolling will be increased in the affected area to prevent the recurrence of animal attacks in the future. PTI DPT AMJ AMJ News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 11, 2025, 01:00 IST News agency-feeds Uttarakhand: Leopard terrorising Gajald village in Pauri killed 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... Gemini Horoscope Today, December 10, 2025 Curated By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 06:20 IST Ganesha says Gemini will find business loans easily, succeed with parental blessings, and see financial gains. Students must focus, and romantic ties may face misunderstandings. Gemini Horoscope today: Astrological predictions by Chirag Daruwalla for mithuna rashi on December 10 2025. (AI generated image) Gemini Horoscope Today, December 10, 2025: Ganesha says today will be moderately fruitful for you. If today you are thinking of taking a loan from someone for your business, then you will get it easily, due to which you will also get relief from the problems coming in your business, but if today you are thinking of taking advice from someone for your business. If you are thinking of it, then take it from an experienced person only. Whatever work you do today with the blessings of your parents, you will achieve success in it. Today, you will be happy to see your child doing social work. In the evening, you can go to the house of any of your relatives to reconcile. Positive You will put in a lot of effort to implement any of your plans. Channeling your energy and enthusiasm in a positive direction will yield auspicious results. Be sure to contribute to activities that serve and care for the needy and the elderly; this will bring you peace. Negative Students should remain fully focused on their studies; otherwise, they may regret it later. Prioritize important tasks during this time. The arrival of guests at home may cause some disruption in household arrangements. Cutting down on expenses will also be difficult. Business Wait a while before making any changes in your business or starting a new project. Maintaining proper coordination between employees and colleagues is essential, as this could impact their efficiency. Marketing-related businesses will be more successful. There will be a positive atmosphere in the office. Finance Ganesha says today, according to your financial horoscope, you will not have any shortage of money and you will be able to use your income to meet your expenses. You will be proud of your financial condition today and you will also be able to make good investments for your future. Your employees will help you meet your goals and make profits. You will find that today is a particularly good day for business. You will remain stressed the whole day due to fast sales. No matter how tired you are at the end of the day, be grateful for this day of productivity and financial gain. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and initiative are bringing in the extra income you were hoping for. This period will be pleasant for employed people. There are indications that government employees will get more benefits. Love The mutual cooperation between husband and wife will maintain good household arrangements. There will be some misunderstandings in romantic relationships. Health Your health will be fine, but excessive busyness may cause fatigue and weakness. Lucky Color- Green Lucky Number- 9 (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 06:20 IST News astrology Gemini Horoscope Today, December 10, 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... Amazon To Invest $35 Billion In India By 2030 With Focus On AI-Driven Digitalisation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 11:28 IST "Amazon to date has invested USD 40 billion in India since 2010. Now we will invest another USD 35 billion by 2030 across all our businesses in India," Agarwal said. Amazon To Invest USD 35 Bn In India By 2030 With Focus On AI-Driven Digitalisation E-commerce giant Amazon is set to invest a mega-investment of USD 35 billion, over Rs 3.14 lakh crore, in India by 2030 across its businesses with a focus on AI-driven digitisation, export growth and job creation, a senior company official said on Wednesday. Senior VP Emerging Markets, Amit Agarwal, made the announcement during the Amazon Smbhav Summit, saying the company has set a target to quadruple exports from India to USD 80 billion from about USD 20 billion. Amazon to date has invested USD 40 billion in India since 2010. Now we will invest another USD 35 billion by 2030 across all our businesses in India," Agarwal said. Amazons investment plan is two times of Microsofts investment plan of USD 17.5 billion and close to 2.3 times that of Googles USD 15 billion investment plan by 2030. With this investment, Amazon will become the largest foreign investor in India, according to a Keystone report compiled from publicly available data. In May 2023, Amazon announced plans to invest USD 12.7 billion in India by 2030 into its local cloud and AI infrastructure across Telangana and Maharashtra. The company has already invested USD 3.7 billion in India between 2016 and 2022. The company has invested at scale towards building physical and digital infrastructure, including fulfilment centres, transportation networks, data centres, digital payments infrastructure and technology development. According to the Keystone report, Amazon has digitized over 12 million small businesses and enabled USD 20 billion in cumulative ecommerce exports, while supporting approximately 2.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs across industries in India in 2024. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 10:58 IST News business Amazon To Invest $35 Billion In India By 2030 With Focus On AI-Driven Digitalisation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... China To Limit Access To Nvidia's H200 Chips Despite Trump Export Approval, FT Reports Published By : Reuters Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:03 IST Beijing is set to limit access to Nvidia's advanced H200 chips despite US President's decision to allow export of the technology to China Nvidia Beijing is set to limit access to Nvidias advanced H200 chips despite US President Donald Trumps decision to allow the export of the technology to China, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter. Regulators in Beijing have been discussing ways to permit limited access to the H200, Nvidias second-best generation of artificial intelligence chips, according to the report. Such a move would add a hurdle to Nvidia, opens new tab and other top U.S. chipmakers ability to address the China market, after Trumps Monday announcement appeared to settle a debate over whether these companies should keep their global lead by selling AI chips to China or withhold shipments. Nvidia shares, which had risen as much as 2% in premarket trading, pared gains after the report and were last up about 0.6%. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report. Beijing has been pushing back against domestic firms use of U.S. technology, especially Nvidia chips, as it retaliates against American restrictions. Earlier U.S. restrictions banned the sale of advanced AI processors to China, weighing on Nvidias ability to grow in one of the worlds largest markets for AI chips and development. The export of the H200 chips will be permitted with a 25% fee levied on such sales, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, said the approval alone may have limited impact on Nvidias business in China unless it is allowed to export other chip lines such as Blackwell or Rubin. Shares of AMD and Intel also pared gains and were last up about 0.3% in premarket trading. So far this year, Nvidia has gained nearly 40% compared with the S&P 500, opens new tab benchmark indexs 16.4% rise in the same period. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 08:03 IST News business China To Limit Access To Nvidia's H200 Chips Despite Trump Export Approval, FT Reports 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... Your Money, Your Right: PM Modi Asks Citizens To Recover Unclaimed Bank, Investment Funds Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:25 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens across the country to actively check and reclaim unclaimed financial assets Prime Minister Narendra Modi (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens across the country to actively check and reclaim unclaimed financial assets, highlighting that more than Rs 1 lakh crore remains untouched in banks, insurance companies and investment platforms. In a detailed LinkedIn post, the Prime Minister shared key figures that have startled" many, noting that these funds represent the hard-earned savings of Indian families. According to Modi, Indian banks currently hold about Rs 78,000 crore in unclaimed deposits, while insurance companies have Rs 14,000 crore lying untouched. Additionally, mutual fund houses account for nearly Rs 3,000 crore in unclaimed investments, and around Rs 9,000 crore in unclaimed dividends remain unclaimed. In response to this widespread issue, the government launched the Aapki Poongi, Aapka Adhikaar Your Money, Your Right initiative in October 2025. The programme aims to simplify the search and claim process for individuals and families, especially those who may have lost track of old deposits, policies or investments. To streamline access, the government and regulatory bodies have rolled out dedicated digital platforms for unclaimed amounts across banks, insurance policies, mutual funds and dividends. Modi noted significant progress since the initiative was launched. As of December 2025, facilitation camps have been organised in 477 districts, covering both urban centres and remote regions. These camps, run collaboratively by government departments, regulators, banks and financial institutions, have already helped return nearly Rs 2,000 crore to rightful claimants. Calling the initiative a movement" that needs to expand, Modi urged citizens to check whether they or their family members have any unclaimed funds and to make use of the available portals and district-level camps. He emphasised that forgotten financial assets can transform into meaningful opportunities once reclaimed, adding that the broader mission is to build a transparent, financially empowered and inclusive India." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:25 IST News business economy Your Money, Your Right: PM Modi Asks Citizens To Recover Unclaimed Bank, Investment Funds 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... Goa Fire Case: Accused Luthra Brothers Found Operating 42 Shell Companies From One Delhi Address Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 12:31 IST As per the report, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were directors in all the companies, which were all registered at a single address in north-west Delhi. Romeo Lane, Vagator, Goa. The owners of Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa, where 25 people died in a fire caused by fireworks on December 6, ran 42 shell companies under the guise of their restaurant empire, Times Now reported. As per the report, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra were directors in all the companies, which were all registered at a single address in north-west Delhi. All companies were opened in last two years. The owners, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, are now the subjects of an Interpol Blue Corner notice. Authorities believe the Delhi-based businessmen fled to Phuket, Thailand, just hours after the deadly blaze. The international notice, secured in an accelerated two-day process with central agencies, is intended to trace their whereabouts and prevent further movement. The notice would help trace the accused and also prevent them from migrating to any other country from their present destination," a senior Goa police officer stated, as reported by TOI. The timeline of the brothers escape is a key focus. The first police alert concerning the fire was logged at 12.04 am on Sunday, December 7. By 5.30 am the same morning, the Luthras had reportedly boarded IndiGo flight 6E 1073 from New Delhi to Phuket. A domestic lookout circular was issued against them by that Sunday evening. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has confirmed an active effort to secure their return, saying that a police team will be sent to Thailand. This effort will rely on the formal extradition treaty between India and Thailand, which has been in force since 2015. The net has widened to include other figures linked to the operation. Alongside Ajay Gupta, a lookout circular has been issued for UK national Surinder Kumar Khosla, the owner of the property that housed the nightclub. Khosla is a British citizen," Deputy Inspector General of Police Varsha Sharma confirmed during a press briefing in Anjuna. In a parallel administrative strike, the regional passport office in New Delhi has served the absent Luthra brothers with a notice, demanding an explanation within seven days for why their passports should not be impounded. Meanwhile, five individuals directly involved in the nightclubs management have been arrested. They are chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and Bharat Kohli. DIG Varsha Sharma stated that the Goa Police are coordinating with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Interpol to effect the Luthras return. The financial dealings of all accused are also under scrutiny by central agencies. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 12:31 IST News business Goa Fire Case: Accused Luthra Brothers Found Operating 42 Shell Companies From One Delhi Address 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... SpiceJet Soars Nearly 20% In Four Sessions: Key Triggers Behind The Sharp Rally Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 11:47 IST Shares of low-cost carrier SpiceJet rose up to 5% to an intraday high of Rs 36 on Wednesday, December 10 SpiceJet SpiceJet Shares Rally: Shares of low-cost carrier SpiceJet rose up to 5% to an intraday high of Rs 36 on Wednesday, December 10, extending their winning streak for the fourth straight session. With todays gains, the stock has now surged 19% over this period. The rally follows the DGCAs directive asking IndiGo to cut 10% of its winter flight schedule after a week of severe operational disruption that led to over 5,000 flight cancellations due to a pilot shortage. With nearly 110 flights per day now expected to be redistributed to other airlines, the development creates a significant opportunity for competitors such as SpiceJet to absorb additional demand. Separately, SpiceJet conducted an analyst meeting on Tuesday. Following the discussion, domestic brokerage Prabhudas Lilladher said while the airlines planned damp-lease aircraft additions may offer a short-term capacity boost, a sustained turnaround hinges on reactivating its grounded fleet. Eight Boeing aircraft are expected to return to service by April 2026, along with new inductions. The brokerage also noted that ongoing negotiations with lessors over outstanding dues remain critical, and any substantial haircut would materially improve the airlines liquidity. In operational updates, the airline announced the induction of two Boeing 737 aircraft into its fleet. Both planes have cleared regulatory processes and commenced commercial operations on November 26 and 29. They are currently deployed on key routes such as DelhiBangkok, AhmedabadDubai and AhmedabadKolkata, enhancing SpiceJets domestic and international connectivity. Last week, Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said the airline would operate 100 additional flights over the coming days to help stranded passengers. Calling the recent disruptions extremely unfortunate," Singh said SpiceJet aims to support travellers while welcoming the governments decision to set up a committee to investigate the crisis. Despite the recent rally, SpiceJet shares remain down 38% on a year-to-date basis and hover near their 52-week low of Rs 28.13. Meanwhile, IndiGo which controls nearly 66% of Indias domestic aviation market continues to grapple with widespread operational challenges due to the new Flight Duty Time Limitations norms. The carriers inability to recalibrate its pilot rosters under the revised rules triggered a severe manpower crunch, culminating in over 1,000 flight cancellations on Friday alone. Shares of parent company InterGlobe Aviation have extended their decline, posting their ninth consecutive session of losses and shedding over 17% in eight sessions, wiping out nearly Rs 40,000 crore in market value. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 11:42 IST News business markets SpiceJet Soars Nearly 20% In Four Sessions: Key Triggers Behind The Sharp Rally 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... Nvidia Unveils AI Chip Tracking Software Amid US-China Export Tensions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 16:07 IST Nvidia is developing software to let data-centre customers monitor AI chip health, performance, and location, debuting on Blackwell chips, amid US-China export & security tensions. Nvidia Tech giant Nvidia has developed technology that will help locate its manufactured chips where they are currently operating, according to a Reuters report. The aim of location verification technology is to stop its chips from being smuggled into countries where their export is banned. The company has privately demonstrated the capability in recent months, but it has not been released yet, according to Reuters. The tool will be an installable software option that uses the confidential computing features built into Nvidias GPUs. An Nvidia official told Reuters that the software can measure a chips performance, something companies already do across large data-centre fleets, and use communication delays with Nvidia-run servers to estimate where a chip is physically located, similar to other internet-based services. Were implementing a new software service that helps data-centre operators monitor the health and inventory of their entire AI GPU fleet," Nvidia said in a statement to Reuters. This customer-installed software agent uses GPU telemetry to track fleet health, integrity and inventory." According to Reuters, the feature will debut on Nvidias latest Blackwell chips, which include enhanced security and attestation functions. Nvidia is also exploring ways to support older Hopper and Ampere chips, the Nvidia official added. If rolled out, the location-tracking capability could help the U.S. government tighten controls on AI chip exports. Both the White House and lawmakers from both major parties have pushed for stronger measures to prevent high-end AI chips from being smuggled into China and other restricted regions, Reuters said. These concerns have grown after U.S. prosecutors charged China-linked groups with attempting to smuggle over Rs 1,330 crore (USD 160 million) worth of Nvidia chips. However, Reuters noted that such tracking features have also raised questions in China. The countrys top cybersecurity regulator recently summoned Nvidia to ask whether its GPUs contain any backdoors" that could bypass Chinese security standards. This regulatory tension resurfaced this week after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would allow exports of Nvidias H200 chips, the predecessor to Blackwell, to China. Foreign policy experts told Reuters they doubt Beijing will easily allow local companies to purchase them, given the current geopolitical climate. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 16:07 IST News business Nvidia Unveils AI Chip Tracking Software Amid US-China Export Tensions Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ITR Refund Delay: Why Processing Is Slower This Year And What You Can Do Now Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:35 IST Income tax refunds for FY 202425 are delayed due to late ITR form releases, stricter data checks, and heavy CPC load, say experts. Early, accurate filing is advised. Pending tax dues or failed e-verification can hold up refunds. Income Tax Refund: Several taxpayers are still awaiting to get their refunds for Income tax return for FY 202425 (AY 202526), which has been noticeably slower this year. Experts say the delays happen due to a combination of late ITR form releases, tighter data-matching protocols and a heavier load at the Centralised Processing Centre (CPC), all of which have increased verification cycles. CA Shefali Mundra, Tax Expert at ClearTax, says processing slowed because multiple friction points hit at the same time." Several ITR utilities and forms were released late, compressing the effective filing window and causing a rush of returns. This bunching piled up at CPC. On top of volume, the department is leaning harder on data-led checks, especially where AIS, Form 26AS or TIS figures dont align. Even duplicated entries, property transactions are common, push returns into slower lanes," she notes. According to her, high-value or unusual refund claims are facing deeper verification. The department is examining questionable claims more closely and asking for revisions or additional details when needed, which naturally extends timelines," she adds. Mundra highlights that salary, NRI and property capital gains returns are getting the most scrutiny because they are the most mismatch-prone." Salary cases often show inconsistencies between Form 16, TDS credits or multiple employers. NRI filings involve DTAA positions and foreign tax credit compliance, which require precise documentation. Property capital gains, she says, undergo strict cross-checks against sale value, stamp duty records, TDS on property and AIS entries, so even small gaps delay processing. Gaurav Jain, Partner Direct Tax, Forvis Mazars India, attributes the initial delay in ITR form release to several recent regulatory updates." The CBDT has revised capital gains reporting formats, foreign asset disclosures, and TDS/TCS reconciliation fields. These changes required additional testing and synchronisation. When multiple updates coincide, rollout timelines naturally stretch," he explains. Both experts stress the same advice: prepare early and reconcile thoroughly. Taxpayers should match income and tax credits across AIS, TIS and Form 26AS, verify bank account pre-validation, use the correct ITR form, and file Form 67 on time for foreign tax credit claims. Businesses must ensure GST and TDS records sync correctly. Early preparation means faster, cleaner filing and far less risk of scrutiny," Jain says. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 17:35 IST News business tax ITR Refund Delay: Why Processing Is Slower This Year And What You Can Do Now Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... After Goa Fire, Bengaluru Nightclubs Under Scrutiny For Safety Gaps Ahead Of Festive Season Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 19:15 IST The check by CNN-News18 highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of safety measures as Bengaluru gears up for the New Year's Eve party season Rapid Read Charred remains at the nightclub where a fire broke out in Goa. (PTI) Following the deadly night fire at a club in Goa on December 7, which claimed 25 lives, CNN-News18 carried out a ground check along Church Street in Bengaluru to assess the safety measures at pubs and clubs in the city. With Christmas and New Years approaching, this popular party hub is expected to see a surge in footfall, making safety preparedness a crucial concern. Just on a single stretch of Church Street where CNN-News18 conducted the check, there are six to seven pubs and bars, all cramped into a narrow section of the road. The high density of nightlife venues on this road underscores the potential risk in case of an emergency. Inside the first club visited, News18 found that both the entrance and exit were accessible only via a narrow spiral staircase, raising concerns over swift evacuation in case of an emergency. Additionally, only one fire extinguisher was present on the third floor, while the first two floors had none. The second pub had a clearly marked exit, making evacuation easier if needed. However, the team observed that no fire extinguishers were installed at this establishment either, highlighting another gap in safety measures. The findings indicate that while some steps have been taken, both pubs still have loopholes in emergency preparedness. Pubs, clubs, and similar establishments carry the responsibility of ensuring adequate safety systems to prevent incidents like the Goa fire. The Bengaluru Police are addressing these concerns through an inter-departmental meeting on December 10 and are preparing to conduct a fire audit across all establishments. Inspectors have been directed to visit venues in their jurisdictions immediately and submit detailed safety reports to their seniors. Police officials will meet with other stakeholders, including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), BESCOM, and the fire and emergency department, to discuss dos and donts for the festive season. This ground check by CNN-News18 highlights the need for stricter enforcement of safety measures as Bengaluru gears up for the high-footfall party season. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 19:13 IST News bengaluru-news After Goa Fire, Bengaluru Nightclubs Under Scrutiny For Safety Gaps Ahead Of Festive Season 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... Karnataka Funds, Aircraft To Leadership Buzz: Congress Meet Turns Into MLAs Grievance Forum Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 19:26 IST The Congress Legislature Party meeting indicated how the MLAs are frustrated with bureaucratic delays Rapid Read The session began with a 45-minute address by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The Karnataka Congress Legislature Party meeting on Tuesday, which was meant to prepare the party on how to tackle the Opposition during the winter session, quickly turned into a grievance room. MLAs openly criticised their own government, complained of the need to concentrate on grants rather than guarantees, development rather than deadlock and highlighted how non-cooperative officers, stalled files, and funds that simply arent landing in constituencies despite repeated assurances. The Congress Legislature Party meeting indicated how the MLAs are frustrated with bureaucratic delays; the delay in disbursing the Rs 50 crore grant by the state for development activities has begun to have a cascading effect. Dont make statements that hurt Congress, government Insiders present in the closed-door meeting said the session began with a 45-minute address by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who instructed legislators to stop making statements that hurt the party and the government", focus on countering the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the winter session, and sharpen their attack on issues concerning north Karnataka, sugarcane prices, and maize farmers. Stop discussing power-sharing arrangements. Do not create confusion by making loose statements," Siddaramaiah reportedly told the leaders, who also made a statement that the media was against us (Congress)" and that was why he also has stopped giving reactions. Sources said the CM told MLAs the constant chatter on power-sharing was only generating confusion inside the government and giving ammunition to the Opposition and no comments or statements on the matter would be tolerated. A few MLAs privately said the CMs stern warning only confirmed that the leadership question continues to cause friction. Files, development Legislators, when it came to their turn to speak, complained that officials were uncooperative", unresponsive", and in some cases sitting on files for months". Multiple MLAs said district- and department-level officers were creating hurdles in basic development works, alleging officer-level corruption and a growing tendency of officials to take advantage" of the political turbulence within the party. Several MLAs told the leadership that the CMs promised grants had not reached them. They demanded the immediate release of 50 crore per MLA under the Chief Ministers infrastructure development initiative, saying without funds, constituencies have come to a standstill". One pointed out that earlier instructions from the CMs office were not materialising on the ground". They also raised issues of corruption increasing amongst the babus and sought the CM and DCM to rein in these officers. One legislator is said to have said that even a file cleared by an MLA is kept pending by these alleged" corrupt officials. Many legislators voiced that the governments heavy focus on guarantee schemes was coming at the cost of core development works. They urged the CM and DCM to shift the focus back to roads, drains, water works and constituency-level projects." It is said that the lawmakers were given a detailed brochure and notes on the work done by the Congress governments work for north Karnataka and for the farming sector, which should be used to counter the Opposition BJP which has been sharpening its attack on the Congress on this issue. Aircraft proposal One of the disagreements came over the governments proposal to procure a special aircraft. Several MLAs shot the idea down, saying the state had no funds for such a purchase and that the government should not even consider it" at a time when MLAs are struggling to get development grants released. We decided not to purchase aircraft. Instead, we will hire them on an hourly basis whenever the need arises," said Shivakumar later. Sources said the decision came after several MLAs warned that a purchase would send the wrong signal to the public at this time. Siddaramaiah also told the legislature party that the Centre had not stood by farmers" and accused the BJP of trying to instigate them against the state government. He instructed MLAs to aggressively counter the Opposition on farmer-related issues, especially in north Karnataka. All the leaders were also told that all of them must in full strength support the Congress party rally led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge against vote chori" (vote theft) in Delhis iconic Ramlila Maidan on December 14, as this is a party campaign that must gain more national momentum. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 19:23 IST News bengaluru-news Karnataka Funds, Aircraft To Leadership Buzz: Congress Meet Turns Into MLAs Grievance Forum 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 Metro 8 To Link CSMIA & NMIA: 2 Stations Will Be Inside Navi Mumbai Airport Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:02 IST Mumbai Metro 8 to link CSMIA and Navi Mumbai Airport (NMIA): The route has been finalised with 11 stations in Navi Mumbai Rapid Read Mumbai Metro Line 8: The line will begin at CSMIA Terminal 2 in Andheri, travel underground till Chhedanagar in Chembur, and then continue as an elevated line until NMIA. (File/X) The Maharashtra government has finalised the alignment of Mumbais Metro Line 8, the gold line or the corridor which will connect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). The line will be developed by City And Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), under a public-private partnership model. CSMIA to NMIA: Mumbai Metro 8 route Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated NMIA, with commercial operations set to begin on December 25. The Mumbai Metro 8 line will begin at CSMIA Terminal 2 in Andheri, travel underground till Chhedanagar in Chembur. After crossing the Vashi Creek bridge from Mankhurd, the corridor will run along the Sion-Panvel Highway before diverting inward to serve Nerul, Seawoods, and Ulwe, eventually terminate inside the NMIA. According to the detailed project report, 11 stations will fall within Navi Mumbai limits. The stations planned within Navi Mumbai are: Vashi, Sanpada, Juinagar, Nerul Sector-1, Nerul, Seawoods, Belapur, Sagar Sangam, Targhar/Moha, NMIA West and NMIA Terminal 2 last two being inside the airport premises. The other stations till Mankhurd are: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal 2, Phoenix Mall, SG Barve Marg, Kurla, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Garodia Nagar, Baiganwadi. #NaviMumbaiAirport is gearing up to welcome you and at the heart of it all is ORAT: Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition.From systems and staff to passenger experience, every detail is being fine-tuned to ensure a smooth and coordinated opening day. Stay tuned pic.twitter.com/J4Z1t5mV4u Navi Mumbai International Airport (@navimumairport) July 15, 2025 The metros alignment traverses several densely populated and economically significant pockets. After entering through Mankhurd, it will move through Vashi, Sanpada and Juinagar along the Sion-Panvel stretch. From LP Junction in Nerul, there will be a key station proposed near Dr DY Patil University. It will then travel through inner Nerul and Seawoods, including an interchange near Wonders Park, before heading towards Ulwe via Apollo Hospital and the NMMC Headquarters. Stations at Sagar Sangam and Targhar/Moha will serve the rapidly growing Ulwe node, after which the line will enter NMIA. Will Mumbai Metro-8 be connected to other lines? Metro lines 1 & 3: Marol Naka Metro 6: Kanjurmarg Likely with Line 2B (CSMT-Panvel), local suburban rail and bus systems in Belapur. How will Mumbai Metro-8 help officegoers? It will help frequent airport commuters corporate travellers, airport staff, business travellers due to reliability, reduced travel time, and help them avoid road traffic. With Agency Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 16:40 IST News mumbai-news Mumbai Metro 8 To Link CSMIA & NMIA: 2 Stations Will Be Inside Navi Mumbai Airport 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... Fire Destroys British-Era Building Housing School In Nainital; No Casualties Reported Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:48 IST SP Nainital Jagdish Chandra confirmed that the principal of Saraswati Shishu Mandir and his son, who were trapped inside during the fire, were rescued safely. Chief Fire Officer Gaurav Kirar explained that the fire spread quickly because the building was entirely made of wood. (Screengrab: ANI) A fire engulfed the British-era building of Saraswati Shishu Mandir school in Nainitals Mallital area on Tuesday evening, leaving it completely destroyed, according to officials. However, no casualties were reported, and the fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit. Nainital Sub-Divisional Magistrate Nawazish Khaliq stated that they were notified of the fire around 7:30 pm, which prompted the fire departments swift response. After several hours of effort, the fire was successfully controlled. #WATCH | Nainital, Uttarakhand: Fire broke out at the Shishu Mandir Vidyalaya located at China Baba area. Three fire tenders rushed top the spot. Fire-fighting was carried out and the fire was brought under control.There is no report of any casualty in this. Two people trapped pic.twitter.com/U5HlThn2OV ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025 Chief Fire Officer Gaurav Kirar explained that the fire spread rapidly because the building was entirely made of wood. To combat the blaze, fire tenders from Bhimtal and Bhawali were called in, in addition to those from Nainital. An eyewitness, Gaurav Joshi, mentioned that the building, owned by Alok Shah, housed a school, a tent house, and a hotel. He noted that the fire originated on the top floor. Upon receiving the alert, the State Disaster Response Force arrived on the scene and safely evacuated the school principals family. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami monitored the situation via a video call. SP Nainital Jagdish Chandra confirmed that the principal of Saraswati Shishu Mandir and his son, who were trapped inside during the fire, were rescued safely. He reported that at approximately 7:15 pm, the control room received information about the fire on the second floor of the school. Fire teams were dispatched promptly, and the District Collector sent vehicles from nearby fire stations to assist. The coordinated effort by locals and fire teams brought the fire under control within an hour. Chandra added that a fire tender would remain on site overnight as a precautionary measure, and normal traffic has resumed. SDM Khaliq noted that emergency protocols were activated swiftly after receiving the first alert at 7:24 pm, and the fire was controlled within an hour and ten minutes, with no casualties reported. The Chief Minister ensured continuous monitoring via video call and instructed that fire tenders stay deployed overnight. with PTI and ANI inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 10:48 IST News education-career Fire Destroys British-Era Building Housing School In Nainital; No Casualties Reported 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... Planning To Study In The US? Heres How To Get The Best Scholarships Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:20 IST The scholarship system for Indian students in the US is not a single-track path. Harvard University (Reuters image) Stricter oversight of foreign students and tougher action against institutions admitting international applicants, coupled with tighter visa rules introduced during the first year of the Trump administration, initially triggered anxiety among those aspiring to study in the US. Yet despite these policy shifts, the United States remains the top destination for students worldwide, thanks to its unmatched academic standards, research opportunities, and global career pathways. Today, more than 3.6 lakh Indian students are studying across American universities, making India the largest source of international students in the US, according to the Institute of International Educations annual report released on November 17, 2025. This surge reflects not just academic aspirations but also the enduring appeal of the US as a hub for innovation, research and career growth. But studying at international universities often comes with a hefty price tag, making it out of reach for many students without financial support. Thats why scholarships play a crucial role for those aiming to access world-class institutions abroad. If youre planning to pursue your studies in the US, heres a comprehensive guide to the scholarships that can help you fund your education. Types Of Scholarships And Funding Indian students aiming to study in the United States Scholarships, fellowships, grants and assistantships together make up a landscape that is vast, diverse and surprisingly accessible once you understand how it works. Broadly, this landscape can be understood through four major categories: government and bilateral fellowships, private Indian foundations, university-based funding, and global scholarships. Each functions differently, supports different applicants, and requires a distinct strategy. Government And Bilateral Scholarships The most coveted scholarships for Indian students fall under government or bilateral programmes, especially the Fulbright-Nehru fellowships administered by the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). These are not simply scholarships; they are cultural exchange awards designed to support Indias brightest students, researchers and professionals. The Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowship, for instance, supports Indian professionals with exceptional track records who want to pursue a fully funded masters programme in the US. It covers tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and even travel. What sets Fulbright funding apart is not just the financial support but the leadership expectation: applicants are chosen not for grades alone but for their ability to create impact in their sectors. Variants of this programme include fellowships for doctoral research, postdoctoral research, teaching (FLTA), and even climate-focused study under the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship. These scholarships are highly competitive, requiring strong academic performance, a compelling statement of purpose, and often several years of professional experience, but they open doors to almost every major discipline and top US university. Private Scholarships A powerful network of Indian philanthropic foundations also supports overseas study. These foundations, often created by some of Indias most respected business families, back students who have demonstrated extraordinary academic potential and who have secured admission to top-tier US institutions. Among the most prestigious is the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship, which funds high-achieving Indian students attending world-class universities. Inlaks funding is tailored for students pursuing specialised fields in the arts, humanities and certain sciences. With strict age criteria and an emphasis on originality and talent, the foundation selects only a handful of students each year, making it one of the most selective scholarships available. Other major foundations include the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, which offers generous interest-free loan scholarships for postgraduate study, and the KC Mahindra Education Trust, which supports Indian students pursuing advanced research and postgraduate degrees abroad. The JN Tata Endowment, one of Indias oldest international scholarship funds, offers low-interest loan scholarships that supplement other sources of aid and work well as gap funding." These private foundations typically evaluate a students academic profile, statement of purpose, financial need, leadership potential, and university admission. Though each foundation operates with its own philosophy and focus areas, all share a common goal: enabling the most promising Indian students to access world-class education. University-Based Funding University-based scholarships are one of the major sources of funding for Indian students pursuing masters and PhD programs in the US. This funding comes in the form of assistantships, institutional fellowships or tuition waivers, and is particularly abundant in STEM disciplines. The most powerful of these is the Research Assistantship (RA). In this model, a student works under a professor on ongoing research, receives a monthly stipend, and gets a full tuition waiver. RAs are extremely popular among Indian students in fields like computer science, engineering, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and public health. The arrangement benefits both sides: students gain academic experience while universities get skilled research support. Teaching Assistantships (TAs) work similarly, but instead of research, students help teach undergraduate courses or labs. These are common across sciences, mathematics, economics and even certain humanities departments. Then there are institutional fellowships, offered by graduate schools to exceptional applicants. These include Presidential Fellowships, Provost Fellowships or department-funded grants that may come with no work requirement. Such fellowships are often awarded automatically during the admissions process, especially for PhD applicants with strong research profiles. At the undergraduate level, university funding works differently. Many top US universities offer generous need-based financial aid to admitted students, and a few like Cornell have donor-backed scholarships exclusively for Indians (for example, the Tata Scholarship). These awards can cover nearly all costs, provided the student meets the financial eligibility criteria. University funding tends to be the most dependable route because universities allocate large annual budgets to support international students, and assistantships are built directly into academic departments, especially in research-heavy institutions. Global Scholarships Open to All Nationalities Beyond India-specific schemes and university funding, there exists another layer of global scholarships offered by international organisations and private foundations. These are open to students from across the world, including India, and they often target specific fields, demographics or talents. For women, for example, the AAUW International Fellowship offers substantial financial support for masters and doctoral study in the US, focusing on advancing women in academia, STEM, research and public policy. Prestigious leadership-driven scholarships such as the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford or the Schwarzman Scholars Program (though based in China, beneficial for US-bound students seeking leadership credentials) offer full funding and intensive mentorship. These programmes prioritise global leadership, community impact and cross-disciplinary thinking. In the STEM ecosystem, major tech companies like Google, Microsoft and Adobe provide scholarships to students in computer science or related fields, recognising academic excellence and encouraging diversity in the technology pipeline. Similarly, professional engineering societies IEEE, ASME, AIAA offer grants for research, conference travel and specialised academic work. There are also need-based global grants like the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships, offering a 50%-grant, 50%-loan model for students from developing countries pursuing postgraduate education abroad. These global scholarships can be extremely competitive, but they are excellent opportunities for students with strong domain interest, publication records, leadership experience or community work. The Hidden Gems Most Students Ignore Apart from major scholarships, there is an entire layer of smaller grants that, while not widely publicised, can significantly reduce the financial burden. These include partial tuition scholarships, one-time grants, research travel funds, conference sponsorships and short-term exchange programme support. For example, doctoral students often receive funding from international academic organisations to present research at conferences in the US. Similarly, mobility grants from agencies like DAAD, JSPS or discipline-specific foundations help students undertake short research stays, collaborative projects or lab visits. Many Indian students underestimate these grants, but they are valuable additions, especially in research-heavy fields, helping students build networks and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Find A Scholarship That Fits Your Goal The scholarship system for Indian students in the US is not a single-track path. It is a layered landscape where government fellowships meet private philanthropy; where universities offer assistantships and tuition waivers; where global foundations step in to support specific talents; and where smaller grants help bridge last-mile funding. Identify where you fit best, whether youre a researcher, a mid-career professional, a STEM enthusiast or a high-achieving undergraduate. Build a multi-source funding strategy, applying simultaneously for university funding, external fellowships and supplementary grants. What You Need To Get A Scholarship Applying for scholarships feels like running parallel marathons: one is the race for admission, the other is the race for funding. While each scholarship has its own rules, the core requirements and the sequence of actions are remarkably similar. Treat your scholarship search as a project: gather the right documents, tell a tight, persuasive story about yourself, and meet every deadline. Below is a step-by-step guide that shows exactly what youll need and how to go about it. 1. University funding vs external scholarships Start by separating scholarship types into two tracks. The first is university-based funding (assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers), which usually flows from the admission process. The second is external funding (government fellowships, foundations, corporate or international grants) that typically requires separate applications and sometimes an admission offer. Your to-do list must cover both. 2. The essential documents (Collect These First) These are the building blocks for almost every scholarship application: Statement of Purpose (SOP) or scholarship essay: A focused, persuasive narrative that explains your academic and professional goals, why the program fits you, and how the scholarship will help you make an impact. For external fellowships, emphasise leadership, public service, or career outcomes. Curriculum Vitae / Academic Resume: One to two pages for undergraduate/masters; 24 pages for PhD applicants. Highlight publications, projects, internships, awards, and leadership roles. Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Two to three strong letters from professors or employers who can vouch for your ability, temperament and fit for funding. Choose recommenders who can cite specific achievements. Academic Transcripts And Degree Certificates: Official, translated (if necessary), and sometimes certified copies. Many foundations ask for attested copies. Standardised Test Scores: GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, send official scores to universities; save score reports for scholarship panels if required. Research Proposal/Writing Sample: For PhD or research fellowships, a concise proposal (35 pages) or a short academic paper. Financial Forms: CSS Profile, university financial aid forms, or specific documents like income certificates and bank statements (for need-based scholarships). Passport, photos, and identity proof: Valid passport, scanned photos (specification varies), and other ID documents. Proof Of Admission (if needed): Many external scholarships require an offer letter before awarding funds. Get these documents organised into a folder (both physical and cloud copies). Many deadlines require PDFs submitted through portals have clean, professional files read Steps To Apply Step 1: Create a master calendar. Record admissions and scholarship deadlines, interview windows, and documentation cut-offs. Many scholarships close months before the intake dont assume after admission" is always possible. Step 2: Tailor rather than reuse. Use your master CV and SOP, but customise them for each scholarship. University funding wants academic fit; external foundations want leadership and community impact. Step 3: Fill application forms meticulously. Use consistent dates, spellings, and contact details. Stick to word limits; panels penalise over-length essays. Step 4: Submit and track. Keep copies of confirmation emails and portal screenshots. Note down contact points for queries. Step 5: Prepare for interviews. If shortlisted, expect competency and motivation questions. For fellowships, panels may probe the societal impact and feasibility of your plans. Practice short, honest answers; rehearse a one-minute pitch of your research or career plan. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 08:20 IST News education-career Planning To Study In The US? Heres How To Get The Best Scholarships 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... TS SSC 2026 Board Exam Schedule Released; To Begin On March 14 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:14 IST According to the schedule, the Telangana SSC exams will be conducted between March 14 and April 16, 2026 in a single morning session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Candidates must score at least 35 per cent overall and in each subject to pass the exam.(Representational/File Photo) The Telangana Board has announced the TS Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Exam 2026 timetable today, December 10, 2025. Students in class 10th across schools in Telangana can visit the official website at bse.telangana.gov.in to check the schedule. As per the timetable, the Telangana SSC exams will take place from March 14 to April 16, 2026, in a single morning session from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. The timetable includes the names of subjects, paper codes, and important instructions for exam day. Check the full schedule below: TS SSC Board Exam 2026 Schedule March 14, 2026 First Language Group A and Composite Course (Part I & II) March 18, 2026 Second Language March 23, 2026 Third Language (English) March 28, 2026 Mathematics April 2, 2026 Physical Science April 7, 2026 Biological Science April 13, 2026 Social Studies April 15, 2026 OSSC Main Language Paper-I (Sanskrit & Arabic) and SSC Vocational Course (Theory) April 16, 2026 OSSC Main Language Paper-II (Sanskrit & Arabic) The TS SSC exam pattern follows an 80:20 assessment scheme, where 80 per cent of the marks are derived from external board exams and 20 per cent from internal assessments. Each subject is worth 100 marks, making the total for all subjects 600 marks. Part B of any exam paper, except for English and Science, must be completed in the final 30 minutes. Candidates must score at least 35 per cent overall and in each subject to pass the exam. To achieve an A grade, candidates need to score 750 marks or more. Those scoring between 600 and 749 are awarded grade B, while students with scores between 500 and 599 receive grade C. Scores between 350 and 499 result in a grade D. Candidates from the PWD category need to secure at least 25 per cent marks to pass. In 2025, 92.78 per cent of students passed the class 10 exam. Girls outperformed boys, with the pass percentage among female students at 94.26 per cent and among males at 91.32 per cent. A total of 4,629 schools in Telangana achieved a perfect 100 per cent pass rate, meaning all students from these schools passed the exams. Conversely, two schools reported a 0 per cent pass rate, with no students from these schools clearing the exam. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 17:08 IST News education-career TS SSC 2026 Board Exam Schedule Released; To Begin On March 14 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... Muslims Vs Machh: 2026 Bengal Battle Finds New Vocabulary With Faith Or Food Dilemma Written By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 11:08 IST BJP and TMC are now calculating that traditional political messaging like jobs may not alone be able to play a decisive role in 2026 and identity could be the more powerful trigger Rapid Read The upcoming election is shaping into a referendum on which version of Bengal dominates public imagination---religiously aligned or culturally self-protective. The BJPs recently released campaign video imagines a future, almost a dystopian Bengal, as the state is transformed by unchecked minority appeasement and demographic shift, leaning visually on comparisons with Pakistan. The framing suggests that cultural and political dominance will change hands, and that the consequences will be irreversible. It is not the first time that religious identity has taken central space in a BJP campaign, but the emphasis here is sharper, which is not on development, corruption, or governance, but on the existential consequences of electoral choices. The Trinamools response, however, takes a different route, that is not religious, but social and cultural. It invokes the Bengali palatea dream sequence in which iconic dishes, specially Bengals delicacy Hilsadisappear and the state wakes up to a world where fish is prohibited. It suggests that if BJP comes to power, there will be prohibition on fish and then other Bengali specialities. The symbolism is certainly deliberate. Bengali cuisine is not a hobby or just food, it is an identity marker that cuts across caste, class, region, and even political preference. If Bengal has a cultural shorthand, it is fish, rice, and sweets, and the TMCs counter-message encodes that familiarity. Before Polls Comes Priming On the surface, the two videos seem incompatible. But strategically, they are speaking to the same voternot the committed ideological base, but the undecided Bengali Hindu who may witness polarisation not only through religion but also through culture, specially food anxiety. One campaign appeals to what Bengal must guard against, the other to what Bengal must hold on to. Interestingly, with developments such as suspended Trinamool leader Humayun Kabirs actions about building a Babri Masjid in Murshidabad, and reports of attacks on peoples food habits in parts of north India, both campaign narratives feel plausible to voters. Both parties are now calculating that traditional political messaging like jobs, industry, subsidies, welfare, corruption, law-and-order may not alone be able to play a decisive role in 2026. Identity, in its broadest sense, could be the more powerful trigger. For the BJP, identity is articulated through faith and national belonging. For Trinamool Congress, identity is articulated through linguistic and cultural rootedness. One centres on who the voter is in relation to religion, the other on who the voter is in relation to Bengal. The Symbolic War Underneath This does not imply that either party will abandon political or governance-related issues. Those themes will return closer to polling, as they always do. The fault lines will also be drawn on the announcement of freebies and financial assistance schemes for women like it happened in Bihar. But the opening shots indicate that psychological priming will precede policy arguments. The early contest is for emotional framing, establishing what the election is really about before facts and numbers enter the stage. There is a broader reading, too. Bengals politics is entering a phase where ideological and political competition is increasingly encoded through cultural shorthand. Campaign communication is no longer only informational or argumentative, it is also sensoryinvoking sound, aesthetic, nostalgia, and daily routine. Azaan and machh (fish) operate here not as literal predictions, but as symbolic vocabulary through which voters interpret political intention. The upcoming election, therefore, may not be defined by a simple binary or by antagonism alone. It is shaping into a referendum on which version of West Bengal dominates the public imaginationa religiously aligned state, or a culturally self-protective Bengal. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 11:08 IST News elections Muslims Vs Machh: 2026 Bengal Battle Finds New Vocabulary With Faith Or Food Dilemma 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... 'Minority' Report: VHP Asks Govt For Definition, But Do Other Countries Have Answers? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 23:09 IST The issue is highly sensitive, as the definition of 'minority' dictates access to constitutional safeguards, particularly regarding education Crucially, experts say, the Constitution of India does not explicitly define the term 'minority'. Representational image The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has issued a unanimous call for the central government to clearly and definitively articulate what constitutes a religious minority" in India. This demand stems from a long-standing, unresolved legal ambiguity in the Indian context and aims to challenge the current framework for extending special rights and protections. The issue is highly sensitive, as the definition dictates access to constitutional safeguards, particularly regarding education. How India Defines and Recognises Minorities Crucially, experts say, the Constitution of India does not explicitly define the term minority". It only refers to minorities" based on religion or language, particularly in Articles 29 and 30, which guarantee specific cultural and educational rights. The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act of 1992 provides the statutory basis for official recognition. Under this Act, the central government notifies which communities are to be designated as minorities at the national level. Currently, there are six officially notified religious minority communities in India: Muslims Christians Sikhs Buddhists Zoroastrians (Parsis) Jains The VHPs challenge is primarily rooted in two areas: the lack of a constitutional definition and the judicial view that minority status should be determined at the state level, not the national level. The Supreme Court, notably in the TMA Pai Foundation case (2002), ruled that for the purposes of Article 30 (right to establish educational institutions), a minority should be determined with reference to the population of a state and not the entire country. This suggests Hindus, though a national majority, could be deemed a minority in certain states like Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir. The VHP and allied groups contend that the current national-level notification violates this principle, especially in states where Hindus are numerically disadvantaged. International Perspectives on Defining Minorities Globally, there is no single, universally agreed-upon legal definition of a minority in international law. However, international bodies like the United Nations rely on certain criteria that frame the discussion: Numerical Inferiority: A group must be numerically inferior to the rest of the population of a State. Non-Dominant Position: The group must be in a non-dominant position. Distinct Characteristics: Members must possess ethnic, religious, or linguistic characteristics that differ from those of the rest of the population. Subjective Identity: The members must share a collective sense of identity and wish to preserve their culture, language, or religion. Europes Framework and National Minorities In Europe, the definition is often guided by the Council of Europes Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM). Crucially, the FCNM does not provide a universal definition, instead leaving it to individual member states to determine which groups qualify as a national minority" within their territory. This allows for diverse national interpretations: Germany: The country officially recognises only four indigenous national minorities based on historical settlement: the Danish minority, the Frisians, the Sinti and Roma, and the Sorbs. Post-war immigrant communities, despite their significant size (like the Turkish community), are generally not recognised as national minorities" but are protected under universal anti-discrimination laws. The focus is on ethnic/linguistic groups with deep historical roots. France (The Assimilative Model): France operates under a staunchly secularist principle (Laicite), which strictly prohibits the state from recognising or collecting data based on race, ethnicity, or religion in its official census or administrative records. The French model promotes the idea of a single, indivisible French Republic where all citizens are equal individuals, not members of recognised communal groups. Therefore, no formal minority" status is legally defined or conferred on religious groups (like Muslims or Jews) or ethnic groups, as this is seen as counter to the principle of national unity and equality. United Kingdom: The UK takes a different approach, relying heavily on non-discrimination legislation, particularly the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics, including religion, race, and ethnicity. While the UK census collects data on ethnic and religious identification (including self-identification), specific rights for minorities are enforced through anti-discrimination measures rather than a central statutory list of recognised minority groups with special entitlements. The North American Context United States: The US does not have a legal, federally defined religious minority" for the purpose of granting special rights. Protection is ensured through the First Amendment (freedom of religion) and comprehensive anti-discrimination laws. The Census focuses on collecting data on race and ethnicity for policy and demographic analysis, but it does not establish a legal framework of special minority entitlements based on religion, unlike Indias Article 30. Canada: Canadas model heavily emphasises bilingualism (English and French as official languages) and provides specific, constitutionally protected rights for its Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis), recognising their historical status and collective rights. Other groups are largely protected under the principle of multiculturalism and human rights legislation. The VHPs demand highlights the unique challenge of defining minority" in a constitutionally secular and hyper-pluralistic country like India. While the current system relies on a statutory notification at the national level, the debate centres on whether the definition should be made rigid and perhaps shifted to the state level to ensure that the rights guaranteed under the Constitution are applied uniformly and equitably across all regions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 23:08 IST News explainers 'Minority' Report: VHP Asks Govt For Definition, But Do Other Countries Have Answers? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... All Illegal Goa Nightclubs Will Be Demolished, Says CM Pramod Sawant After Fire Tragedy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:49 IST The Goa government has demolished the unauthorised portion of the Romeo Lane Club at Vagator Beach, one of the properties owned by Gaurav and Sourav Luthra. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. (PTI) Following the tragic nightclub fire in Arpora, Goa, which claimed 25 lives, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has taken strict action against illegally constructed coastal clubs. The government has demolished the unauthorised portion of the Romeo Lane Club at Vagator Beach, one of the properties owned by Gaurav and Sourav Luthra. Wherever we found blatant violations, we have closed them. They have to follow all norms to resume," CM Sawant said. The club had been operating on government land for years despite a High Court order for demolition, raising questions about previous oversight. Arrests and investigation Authorities have already made some arrests and confirmed that more arrests are expected soon. CM Sawant addressed the Luthra brothers status, saying, We are in constant coordination with the central agencies. I can tell you that very soon both the accused will be in our custody." The Luthra brothers are also under international scrutiny, with Interpol issuing a blue collar notice against them and their passports being targeted for cancellation. Strict measures across Goa CM Sawant has made it clear that all illegally constructed clubs along the coast will face similar action. We are taking this seriously. Safety norms must be followed, and there will be no compromise," he said. The government is conducting thorough inspections to ensure compliance and prevent future tragedies. Sawant has also said that the state will cancel the licences of tourist establishments not following fire safety rules. He added that the fire safety audit committee, set up by the government, has started inspecting tourism establishments across the state and will submit its report after completing the checks. The chief minister said all establishments must now strictly follow rules, with stronger safety measures planned for water and adventure sports to prevent future accidents. The deadly fire at Romeo Lane, which occurred during peak tourist season, has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting lax enforcement of safety regulations in the states nightlife sector. Authorities are working to determine how the illegal club continued operations despite prior court orders and regulatory checks. Watch more videos Share this Article WhatsApp facebook Twitter telegram copy link News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Goa, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:05 IST News india All Illegal Goa Nightclubs Will Be Demolished, Says CM Pramod Sawant After Fire Tragedy 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... Sense Cant Be Injected: Amit Shah Rebuts Rahul Gandhi On CEC Appointment, Polling Booth CCTV Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 18:51 IST "For 73 years, there was no law to select an Election Commissioner. The PM used to directly pick the poll body chief...We made the process transparent," Amit Shah said Rapid Read Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Winter session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on Wednesday. (Sansad TV via PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday gave a point-by-point rebuttal to Opposition leader Rahul Gandhis accusations against the Election Commission (EC), Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and vote chori claims. For 73 years, there was no law to select an Election Commissioner. The Prime Minister used to directly select the poll body chief," Amit Shah said. From 1950-1989, the Election Commission was a one-person panel. The PM used to send a file to the President, and the latter would notify the same it was fine then. From 1989-91, a multi-member panel was introduced to govern the poll panel," he said, adding, In 2023, we made a law that there would be a Prime Minister, a minister chosen by him and the Leader of Opposition who will elect the Election Commissioner. We brought transparency." #NationAt5 | Since the Modi government came to power, Congress has never suggested any reforms to the Election Commission of India regarding elections."Amit Shah fires back at Rahul Gandhis attacks on electoral reforms, SIR, and alleged vote manipulation, stating that pic.twitter.com/Y1nJnYtplF News18 (@CNNnews18) December 10, 2025 Shah said that keeping the CCTV footage record of a polling booth is for internal management, not an admissible document. This is just a simple thingThey dont understandSense cant be injected," said Shah, adding, The CCTV footage of a polling station is deleted after 45 days as per law. Why do they question it? Why dont they ask for it before 45 days of voting?" ALSO READ | You Cant Dictate: Amit Shah Retorts As Rahul Gandhi Interjects, Makes New Debate Demand Discussion on EVMs was stopped in 2004 and 2009 because they (Congress) won. In 2014, when they lost, they started complaining again. Chunav main chori bandh hui hai isiliye pet mein dard ho raha hai," he said. Amit Shah said in Lok Sabha that since May 2014, the Congress has not offered or approached the Election Commission with an electoral reform even once. Today, I inquired with the Election Commission about the number of suggestions they have received from political parties regarding electoral reforms since May 2014. Surprisingly, the Congress Party has not submitted any suggestions for electoral reform during this period," he said. #WATCH | Delhi: On Union HM Amit Shah's speech in the Parliament, Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "He did not answer our questions. It was a completely defensive response. I said that a transparent voter list should be given, but he did not answer this. I said pic.twitter.com/5PkPBtrSEL ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025 Shah said the Opposition only spread lies about EVM and election results by holding press conferences. He questioned as to why they did not attend the EVM hackathon organised by the Election Commission and why they do not approach court with their complaints. Reacting to Shahs speech, Rahul Gandhi told the media, He did not answer our questions. It was a completely defensive response. I said that a transparent voter list should be given, but he did not answer this. I said EVMs architecture should be provided to all, but he did not say anything about it. I said that BJP leaders are voting in Haryana and Bihar, but he did not say anything about that. He did not say anything about the CJI. Election Commissioner is given full immunity We are not scared" News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 18:10 IST News india Sense Cant Be Injected: Amit Shah Rebuts Rahul Gandhi On CEC Appointment, Polling Booth CCTV 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... Are IndiGo's International Flights Unaffected? Luthra Brothers' Thailand Escape Sparks Questions Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:48 IST Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra's escape on IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, has left many questioning. While several domestic flights ere cancelled, IndiGo's international flights remained largely unaffected. (Image: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP) IndiGo Airlines has been hit by massive cancellations of domestic flights over the past week. While passengers bore the brunt of the mess, those flying international on the same airline dont seem to have been affected. Among these international flyers were the Luthra brothers, the owners of the Goa nightclub that caught fire and left many dead. The brothers managed to fly to Thailand on an IndiGo flight hours after the blaze. Saurabh and Gaurav Luthras escape on IndiGo flight 6E 1073 to Phuket at 5.30 am on December 7, has left many questioning how this particular flight flew in time amid massive cancellation of IndiGo flights. INDIGO is well named. It assists people like the Luthra brothers (of the Goa night club fire fame) to GO out of India! pamela philipose (@pamelaphilipose) December 9, 2025 Most shameless airline @IndiGo6E,How is this fair when same relaxations are not provided to competitor Airlines?Was indigo sleeping for 2 long years? Why only their domestic operations are hampered while International flights have less than 10% Delays?@DGCAIndia@RamMNK SpeakingMyMindOut (@SoaringSoul46) December 5, 2025 Why Have IndiGos international flights been unaffected? The biggest reason is that IndiGos international flights have remained largely unaffected over the past few days by the change in rostering norms. The crew-shortage and rostering disruption that triggered the mass delays primarily hit their domestic operations, not the international network. Separate Crew Pools According to reports, IndiGo operates with separate crew rosters for domestic and international sectors. The disruptions came from a sudden spike in sick reports among a segment of cabin crew scheduled for domestic flights. Since most international flights depend on distinctly assigned crew, those routes continued normally. Stricter Regulatory Requirements International flights operate under stricter regulatory requirements, making them more complex to cancel or reschedule. Long-haul and medium-haul routes involve longer duty-time planning, pre-assigned crew rosters, mandatory rest windows, and tighter DGCA filing norms. Because of these obligations, airlines give priority to such flights to avoid regulatory penalties and prevent cascading disruptions across their global networks. Priority To International Flights Operational priority is always given to international routes, and when an airline faces a resource crunch, it typically safeguards flights in a clear order: international services, which bring in the highest revenue and carry bilateral commitments; metro-to-metro domestic routes; and then other domestic sectors. In this context, IndiGo prioritised protecting its international flights first. IndiGos international flights had different crews, higher priority, and stricter planning structures that kept them away them from the disruption. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 10:48 IST News india Are IndiGo's International Flights Unaffected? Luthra Brothers' Thailand Escape Sparks Questions 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... DGCA Steps Up Scrutiny On IndiGo, Deploys Officials At Its Corporate Office To Monitor Operations Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:00 IST The DGCA has directed IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to appear before the regulator on December 11 after the unprecedented aviation crisis that took place last week. File photo of an IndiGo flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to appear before the regulator on December 11 and has decided to constitute an Oversight Team that will be deployed to the airlines corporate office in Gurugram to look into several aspects, including total fleet, pilot numbers, crew utilisation and unplanned leaves. IndiGo has decided to constitute an Oversight Team comprising eight members, two of whom will be deployed to IndiGos corporate office. They will look into the total airline fleet, average stage length, total number of pilots, flights per day and available crew, network details, crew utilisation, crew under training, split duties, unplanned leaves, and standby crew per day. In addition, two officers deployed in the corporate office will monitor the flight cancellation status on both domestic and international levels, refund status, on-time performance, compensation to the passengers and baggage return. The teams are required to submit a daily report by 6 pm. These measures came after IndiGos inadequate preparation for the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FTDL) rules by the Centre led to widespread network-wide disruption in the airlines operations, leading to hundreds of flights being cancelled. The disruption led to thousands of passengers being stranded and sparked an unprecedented crisis in Indias aviation system. While the government granted a temporary exemption to IndiGo from some night operations-related changes in the new FDTL norms, it has stepped up scrutiny of the airline by initiating an inquiry by a DGCA panel. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu blamed the disruption on IndiGos lapses and promised strict action. ALSO READ: How Can Airlines Charge Rs 40,000: Delhi HC To Centre Over Spike In Airfare During IndiGo Crisis DGCA Summons IndiGo Officials The DGCA has directed IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to appear before the regulator on December 11 to submit comprehensive data and updates regarding the airlines recent operational disruptions. According to the DGCA directive, the CEO, along with senior officials from all relevant departments, has been instructed to attend the meeting and present detailed information across key operational areas. The DGCA has sought updates on flight restoration, including the status of restoring flight services across the network, progress in re-accommodating affected passengers, priority handling for vulnerable travellers such as the elderly, medical passengers, and unaccompanied minors, and the monitoring mechanism to ensure timely completion of the restoration. The regulator has also asked for IndiGos pilot and crew recruitment plan, including the current strength, the recruitment and training pipeline for the upcoming months, and measures implemented to prevent roster shortages and FTDL-related issues. On cancellation refunds, IndiGo is required to provide data on the number of cancelled flights, refunds processed, refund turnaround timelines for both direct and OTA bookings, and compliance with DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) provisions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 16:42 IST News india DGCA Steps Up Scrutiny On IndiGo, Deploys Officials At Its Corporate Office To Monitor Operations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From 1970 To 2025: Why Private Members Bills Rarely Become Law In India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 14:25 IST The Winter session of Parliament, Supriya Sule introduced a proposed the Bill of 'Right To Disconnect' in the Lok Sabha which felt unusually in sync with the lives of millions Parliament Winter Session Day 8: Debate on SIR to continue. Indias labour landscape is buzzing with talk of burnout, overwork and always-on" expectations. Yet the most serious attempt to limit after-hours work didnt come from the government. It came from a single MP a private member pushing a legislative proposal most expect will go nowhere. That contrast makes the introduction of the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 as dramatic as it is symbolic. On 6 December 2025, during the Winter Session of Parliament, Supriya Sule, a Member of Parliament from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) submitted a Private Members Bill that would give workers the legal right to disconnect" from work after office hours or on holidays. The Bill also calls for setting up an Employees Welfare Authority to enforce these protections. It seems like a timely intervention but as every student of Indian legislative history knows Private Members Bills rarely become law. In fact, none has passed both houses of Parliament since 1970. To understand what the introduction of this Bill truly means, its worth stepping back and asking the basic questions that many readers instinctively have. Who Is A Private Member Of Parliament? In the simplest terms, a private member is any Member of Parliament who is not a minister. That includes MPs from the ruling party if they do not hold a Cabinet, Minister of State or Deputy Minister position. Once an MP joins the Executive, they cease to be a private member and can only introduce government bills. Everyone else whether from the Opposition or the treasury benches is considered a private member. This distinction, though simple on paper, underpins the entire logic of Private Members Bills. They offer MPs outside the Executive a way to introduce legislative ideas without needing the governments sponsorship. What Is A Private Members Bill? A Private Members Bill is any legislative proposal introduced by a private member rather than a minister. Indias Constitution allows any MP to propose a law, but PMBs have traditionally served a different purpose from government-backed bills. Where PMBs differ is not in procedure, but in practical reality. They are allotted time only on Fridays. MPs can introduce at most three notices per session. And the government controls the legislative calendar, meaning private members rarely receive enough debate time for their proposal to move forward. How Do Private Members Bills Differ From Public Bills? Feature Private Members Bill Public Bill Introduction Can be introduced in either House of Parliament Can be introduced in either House of Parliament Introduced by Any MP other than a minister Minister (government) Chance of Approval in Parliament Lesser chance Greater chance Rejection of the Bill No effect on governments position May imply lack of parliamentary confidence; could lead to government resignation Notice Period for Introduction One month Seven days Drafting of the Bill Drafted by the member introducing it Drafted by concerned department in consultation with Law Department Timing of Discussion Can be introduced and discussed only on Fridays Can be discussed on any sitting day as per legislative agenda Number of Bills per MP per Session Maximum of 3 per session No such cap Support/Resources Limited; no bureaucratic backing Full support from government ministries and legal experts Purpose Primarily to raise issues, spark debate, or signal concerns Legislative implementation of government policies Presidential Role President can exercise absolute veto Standard assent process; rarely vetoed Have Any Private Members Bills Ever Become Law? Only 14 Private Members Bills have ever become Acts since independence. Some notable examples include: The Muslim Wakfs Act, 1954, introduced in 1952 by Syed Mohammed Ahmed Kasmi. The Parliamentary Proceedings (Protection of Publication) Act, 1956, introduced by Feroze Gandhi, which strengthened press freedom. The Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act, 1960, from a Rajya Sabha MP. The Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act, 1970, the last PMB ever passed. The last entry is the most important. Since 1970 almost 55 years, no Private Members Bill has cleared both Houses of Parliament and received Presidential assent. Hundreds have been introduced, debated or withdrawn, but none have crossed the finish line. S.No Private Members Bill Private Member House 1 The Muslim Wakfs Bill, 1952 Syed Mohammed Ahmed Kasmi Lok Sabha 2 The Indian Registration (Amendment) Bill, 1955 SC Samanta Lok Sabha 3 The Parliamentary Proceedings (Protection of Publication) Bill, 1956 Feroze Gandhi Lok Sabha 4 The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 1953 Raghunath Singh Lok Sabha 5 The Womens & Childrens Institution (Licensing) Bill, 1954 Kamledu Mati Shah Lok Sabha 6 The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 1957 Subhadra Joshi Lok Sabha 7 The Salaries & Allowances of MPs (Amendment) Bill, 1964 Raghunath Singh Lok Sabha 8 The Hindu Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 1963 Diwan Chand Sharma Lok Sabha 9 Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1968 Anand Narian Mullah Lok Sabha 10 The Ancient and Historical Monuments & Archeological Sites and Remains (Declaration of National Importance) Bill, 1954 Dr Raghubir Singh Rajya Sabha 11 The Hindu Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 1956 Dr Seeta Parmanand Rajya Sabha 12 The Orphanages & Other Charitable Homes (Supervision & Control) Bill, 1960 Kailashh Bihari Lal Rajya Sabha 13 Marine Insurance Bill, 1959 MP Bhargava Rajya Sabha 14 Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill Diwan Chaman Lall Rajya Sabha Who Introduced The Right to Disconnect Bill in The Parliament? Supriya Sule, a senior NCP leader and three-term MP, has often raised issues related to labour welfare, gender, digital rights and work culture. Her Bill responds to a problem that nearly every white-collar worker in India recognizes, the disappearance of after-hours boundaries. The Bill argues that: Employees should not be required to answer official communication beyond work hours. Workers should have the right to digital disengagement. Employers must create clear after-hours policies. A dedicated authority should oversee compliance and grievances. It is introduced at a time when workforce trends are shifting quickly more remote and hybrid work, longer digital engagement, increased burnout and rising mental-health concerns. A 2024 NASSCOM survey found that over 80% of employees felt pressure to reply to work messages after hours, while LinkedIns workforce confidence index flagged sustained burnout indicators throughout 202425. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 14:25 IST News india From 1970 To 2025: Why Private Members Bills Rarely Become Law In India 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... Goa Club Fire: Luthra Brothers Are Habitual Offenders, Have High-Profile Links, Says Whistleblower Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:44 IST Goa nightclub fire: "The structure was built in CRZ violation as they used concrete for construction. They have encroached upon 500 sqm of property meant for tourism," said Ravi Rapid Read Saurabh (top right) and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane in Goa which saw a deadly fire on Saturday night. (PTI/Instagram/News18) The Luthra brothers, owners of the Goa nightclub at Arpora, Birch by Romeo Lane, which saw a deadly fire on Saturday night that killed 25, are habitual offenders, whistleblower Ravi told CNN-News18. According to police sources, on December 7, within hours of the deadly blaze, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra boarded a flight from Delhi to Phuket, Thailand. Interpol has issued a Blue Corner Notice against the brothers to locate and provisionally detain them pending extradition proceedings. ALSO READ | Goa Club Owners Flee To Thailand: How Luthra Brothers Rose & Tripped Down The Romeo Lane The First Information Report (FIR) has blamed the lapses at the island club for the tragedy. The Luthra brothers have moved an anticipatory bail application, and the Sessions Court is expected to hear the matter today. Varsha Sharma, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Goa, said they are in the process of getting the Luthra brothers back to India. No action taken despite multiple complaints: What the whistleblower said The Luthra brothers are habitual offenders. They have high-profile connections with the authorities. All our complaints regarding the irregularities have been ignored. Only after we filed a petition with the high court, did we get support and justiceIn that case, too, we had to file a contempt and refile the complaint," said Ravi. #GoaNightClubFire | Luthra Brothers are habitual offenders. No Authority act against them: Goa Local in conversation with @kotakyesha @SaroyaHem | pic.twitter.com/yApZQAURj9 News18 (@CNNnews18) December 10, 2025 Elaborating on the lapses, he said, The main structure was built violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules as they used concrete for construction. They have encroached upon 500 sqm of property meant for tourism. During the high tide or the monsoon, the property used to get flooded. So we filed a complaint, but no authority took action." We had fears regarding the lapses at the island clubThey are to blame for the loss of 25 lives, most of whom were poor and had come to the state in search of livelihood," he said. Goa nightclub fire & Luthra brothers: Government probe, action A beach shack owned by the brothers is set to be demolished. Officials said bulldozers will raze Romeo Lane in Vagator, after the restaurant, allegedly constructed on government-owned land, was sealed by the authorities. #GoaNightClubFire | Varsha Sharma DIG Goa: We are in the process of getting the Luthra Borthers back to India@SaroyaHem | Deepak with ground report pic.twitter.com/sYWYQw1jeQ News18 (@CNNnews18) December 10, 2025 Addressing allegations of police negligence, DIG Sharma said, We have coordinated with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Interpol. A Blue Corner Notice has also been issued." The Goa Police on Wednesday brought Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, to the Sunlight Colony Crime Branch office for questioning. A Lookout Circular (LOC) was earlier issued against Gupta. Gupta claimed he was only a partner" . The Government of Goa has formed a committee to investigate the incident. The Goa Police have already arrested five staff members of the nightclub chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli in connection with the tragedy. With PTI, ANI inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Goa, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 12:35 IST News india Goa Club Fire: Luthra Brothers Are Habitual Offenders, Have High-Profile Links, Says Whistleblower Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... In todays fast-paced business environment, creating compelling presentations efficiently is crucial. 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Goa Nightclub Fire: Police Detain Co-Owner Ajay Gupta In Delhi, Fact-Check Congress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:25 IST A Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta, and when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. Following this, he was detained in New Delhi. Ajay Gupta, co-owner of Goa club, detained in New Delhi. (Image: ANI) The Goa Police on Tuesday detained co-owner Ajay Gupta, a resident of New Delhi, in connection with the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant-cum-bar in North Goa. A Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta, and when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. Following this, he was detained in New Delhi. Meanwhile, sources informed that Gupta who was detained in Delhi reportedly got himself admitted late at night to a hospital in Lajpat Nagar, citing a spine-related ailment. He has been taken into custody by the Goa Police. If the Goa Police formally arrest Ajay Gupta, they will obtain a transit remand and take him to Goa, where he is expected to be produced in court on Wednesday. Responding on the police action, Ajay Gupta, while he was brought to the Crime Branch office and told News18 that he was just a partner and had nothing to do with anything. I was only a partner; I dont know anything else." Ajay Gupta Detained Ajay Gupta has now been detained in Delhi," Goa Police said in a statement. All accused are being dealt with strictly as per law, and the investigation is progressing on priority," the police added. The Goa Police reply came in response to Congress leader Pawan Kheras question on the Goa Arpora fire incident. Taking to X, the Congress leader said, GS Hospitality Arpora LLP has three directors Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Ajay Gupta. Yet the FIR names only Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, who are now absconding." He further questioned, Which Union Minister is protecting Ajay Gupta? Why was no FIR filed against him?" The Congress on Sunday criticised the handling of safety measures at a club-cum-restaurant in Goas Arpora, where at least 25 people lost their lives in a late-night fire, calling the incident a serious lapse in oversight that requires an immediate and transparent investigation. In the Birch by Romeo Lane fire case, Ajay Gupta has already been detained.A Look Out Circular was issued against him, and when he was not found at his residence, an arrest warrant was obtained. Following this, he was detained in New Delhi. All accused are being dealt with Goa Police (@Goa_Police) December 9, 2025 The Congress on Sunday criticised the handling of safety measures at a club-cum-restaurant in Goas Arpora, where at least 25 people lost their lives in a late-night fire, calling the incident a serious lapse in oversight that requires an immediate and transparent investigation. The police have so far arrested five persons the nightclubs chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli. Goa Nightclub Fire The development comes days after the massive blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at a nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people, most of whom were staff of the restaurant. The Goa government formed a committee to investigate the incident. The district administration also demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa. The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane. In a major development in the ongoing investigation into Goas Romeo Lane fire incident, a blue corner notice has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, just two days after the incident took place, state police said on Tuesday. The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire, which claimed 25 lives, and are now being tracked by international authorities. According to Goa Police sources, the Luthra brothers also own property and a house in Dubai, where some family members live as well. About four days before the day the fire broke out in the club, they had returned from Dubai. Ajay Gupta, along his brother Rajesh Gupta, was partners with Saurav. The Gupta brothers have invested a significant amount of money in the club. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Goa, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 07:07 IST News india Goa Nightclub Fire: Police Detain Co-Owner Ajay Gupta In Delhi, Fact-Check Congress 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... Goas Death Club: Two Years Of Warnings, Zero Action, And A Tragedy That Could've Been Prevented Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 12:40 IST The first complaint in 2023 warned of illegal construction, foul water being dumped into the river, and an underwater dance floor that was on the verge of collapse Rapid Read Charred remains at the nightclub where a fire broke out in Goa. (PTI) Could 25 lives have been saved at a Goa nightclub if warnings had been heeded to? A paper trail of complaints against Birch by Romeo Lane, starting December 2023, reveals that the popular spot, which turned into an inferno on Saturday, had been flagged by villagers and environmental activists for flouting norms but their efforts went in vain. Complaints reveal that the club sat on fragile salt-pan land, an agricultural wetland, a strictly protected CRZ (coastal-regulation) zone where commercial structures were banned. The first formal complaint came on December 18, 2023. It described a grim reality: illegal construction", foul water being dumped into the river, and an underwater dance floor" that was on the verge of collapse". The complainants warned that human lives were at serious risk if nothing was done. In early 2024, the local village panchayat scheduled an inspection. On January 17, they confirmed the construction was illegal. A show-cause notice followed on February 15, and by March 13, the panchayat drafted a demolition proposal, giving the club owner 15 days to comply. Warnings were also sent by block development officials. However, nothing changed. The owner didnt produce the required documents. Instead, he appealed to higher authorities. As a result, the demolition order was stayed by the regional Panchayats authority and Birch stayed open. Within months it had expanded: new shops, a water-platform, a deck, a multi-storey building, a restaurant, dance floorall in blatant violation of environmental and zoning norms. Another document reveals the order of the Bombay High Court at Goa in 2023 pertaining to Romeo Club, which reads that CRZ violations are not to be viewed lightly and authorities must take immediate steps to remove the encroachment from the public beach. It added that the petitioner must stop using this encroached portion for any commercial purposes pending the removal of encroachment. But nothing seemed to deter the owners. Inside, the clubs structure was already a ticking bomb. It was built with wood, bamboo, rattanmaterials that looked picturesque under soft lights but turned it into a tinderbox. The entry and exit points were narrow, barely enough for a trickle of people to pass safely, let alone hundreds in panic. There was no fire-safety clearance, no valid fire NOC, no emergency exits, no sprinklers or alarms, and no functional extinguishers. Yet, on Saturday night, more than a 100 people gathered inside. Around midnight, pyrotechnicselectric firecrackers"were set off to spice up the performance. Unfirtunately, they struck the wooden ceiling, igniting it instantly. Flames licked upward, spreading faster than anyone could realise and 25 innocent lives were lost in the ensuing melee. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Goa, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 12:19 IST News india Goas Death Club: Two Years Of Warnings, Zero Action, And A Tragedy That Could've Been Prevented 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... 'Soul Of Our Civilisation': Deepavali Added To UNESCOs Heritage List, PM Modi Reacts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 16:02 IST Deepawali is now on UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list, honoring its cultural significance, artistic traditions, and celebration by millions across India and the world. Deepawali is now on UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list, honoring its cultural significance, artistic traditions, and celebration by millions across India and the world. (Image: AI-Generated) Indias Festival of Lights, Deepawali, has been officially added to UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription, announced on December 1, recognises the festivals deep cultural significance and its role in strengthening community bonds across India and the world. The inscription was adopted in the presence of Union Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and delegates from 194 Member states and international experts. Minister noted that the festival embodies the universal message of Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya" the transition from darkness to light, symbolising hope, renewal, and harmony. Welcoming the announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said people in India and around the world were thrilled" by the inscription. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness," he said in a post on X, adding that the recognition would contribute to the festivals global popularity even further." He concluded with, May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity." People in India and around the world are thrilled.For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will https://t.co/JxKEDsv8fT Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025 In its decision, UNESCO said Deepawali embodies universal values such as hope, renewal and the triumph of good over evil, while also highlighting the artistic and craft traditions associated with the celebration including diya-making, rangoli, festive foods and other community rituals. The organisation noted that millions across faiths, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, observe the festival, making it a shared cultural expression of global importance. The Government of India, which submitted the nomination, welcomed the recognition, calling it a moment of pride that reinforces the countrys rich cultural identity. Officials said the inscription will help preserve and promote traditional practices linked to Deepawali, while enhancing international awareness of Indias heritage. Deepawali now joins other Indian entries on UNESCOs intangible heritage list, including Yoga, the Kumbh Mela, Garba, Vedic chanting, Ramlila and Durga Puja. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 11:54 IST News india 'Soul Of Our Civilisation': Deepavali Added To UNESCOs Heritage List, PM Modi 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... IndiGo Flights Cut By 10%. Will Air Fares Go Up Now? | 10 Key Questions Answered Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:35 IST What does a 10% cut in flights mean for IndiGo and its distressed passengers? Will its competitors benefit from the order? And what impact will it have on your air ticket fares? Rapid Read A sustained jump in fares is unlikely unless other airlines are unable or unwilling to add capacity. (Reuters) The Civil Aviation Ministry has asked for a 10% cut in planned IndiGo flights double of what aviation regulator DGCA ordered on Monday to help restore order at Indias biggest airline, which has cancelled thousands of flights nationwide in recent days after failing to plan for tighter safety regulations. On Tuesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu posted a photo of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers sitting with folded hands in front of him. The Ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes, which will help in stabilising the airlines operations and lead to reduced cancellations. A curtailment of 10% has been ordered. While abiding by it, IndiGo will continue to cover all its destinations as before," Naidu said on X. So what does a 10% cut in flights mean for IndiGo and its distressed passengers? Will its competitors benefit from the order? And what impact will it have on your air ticket fares? Why did the government take such a strong action against IndiGo? The order is part of a suite of actions by authorities that followed IndiGo, which controls over 65% of the market share, cancelling more than 4,000 flights since December 2 that left tens of thousands of passengers stranded, upending their vacation plans, important meetings and weddings. The airline has allegedly been found wanting in planning appropriately for the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which mandates longer rest periods for pilots and airline crew, thus making fewer staff available to operate flights. The new rules kicked in on November 1, but IndiGo reportedly did not update its rosters on time, leading to sudden and severe shortage of pilots, leading to massive flight cancellations. What does the 10% curtailment of IndiGo flights mean? The order means IndiGo must now cancel at least 10% of its scheduled flights. As part of the winter schedule for 2025-26, the airline has been operating over 2,200 flights per day, including around 2,150 domestic flights. After the 10% cut, IndiGos daily domestic flights will drop to less than 1,950, meaning around 200 to 220 fewer flights each day. The goal is to make sure IndiGo doesnt commit to operate more flights than it can handle at present, and runs its remaining network smoothly with the resources it has. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier ordered the carrier to cut 5% of its flights, which meant reducing daily flights by around 115, especially on high-demand routes. But within hours, the Ministry of Civil Aviation doubled this cut to 10% and told the DGCA to update its notice and issue a stricter one to IndiGo. Why was the IndiGo CEO summoned? In his meeting with IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is understood to have raised the severe agony and chaos suffered by passengers over the last week, citing the airlines internal mismanagement, crew roster problems, and poor communication. As per reports, Elbers informed the minister that all affected passengers had been given refunds by December 6, following which the latter also urged the disbursement of remaining refunds as well as passengers lost baggage. During the last week, many passengers faced severe inconvenience due to Indigos internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and inadequate communication. While the enquiry and necessary actions are underway, another meeting with Indigos top management was held to pic.twitter.com/yw9jt3dtLR Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 9, 2025 Earlier in the day, Naidu in the Lok Sabha had said that no airline, however large, will be permitted to cause hardship to passengers through planning failures and non-compliance with regulations. What does IndiGo have to say for itself? The airline, on its part, said there is steady improvement across the network", adding that it reinstated flights to all 138 stations. It flew more than 1,800 flights on Tuesday, which will go up to nearly 1,900 on Wednesday, IndiGo said in a statement. That number is now likely to change with the government ordering a 10% cut in flights. Prior to meeting the Civil Aviation Minister, Elbers, in a video message on X, said the airline is back on its feet, and operations are stable. IndiGo Operations Normalised | A Message From Pieter Elbers, CEO, IndiGo pic.twitter.com/VVB2yTsIBy IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 9, 2025 IndiGo is back on its feet, and our operations are stable. Weve let you down when a major operational disruption happened, and were sorry for that," he said. Earlier, we had indicated to normalise between December 10-15. I can confirm now that today, as of December 9, our operations are fully stabilised, which means flights reflecting on our website are scheduled to operate with an adjusted network." What is the real reason for IndiGo flight cancellations and disruptions? For decades, IndiGo relied on aggressive scheduling and max night-flight utilisation a business model that collapsed when tighter safety regulations that increased the mandatory weekly rest period for pilots and sharply reduced permissible night-landings and any extended night-duty hours came into force. The result was catastrophic: on-time performance plunged, hundreds of flights were cancelled daily, and major airports saw chaos with stranded passengers, overloaded terminals and long queues. IndiGo has said that increased congestion in the aviation system, the implementation of pilot rest rules from November 1, minor technical glitches and adverse weather were behind the disruptions. It operated over 2,200 flights daily before the travel chaos struck. Why is the government calling it the first strict punishment? The order to cut 10% flights is unprecedented since its the first such direct punishment from the government. Before this, the DGCA only gave instructions and warnings. With its latest order, the government has made it clear that any airline that fails to comply with stricter safety regulations to the inconvenience of passengers will face financial and operational losses. For a company like IndiGo with 65% market share, cutting over 200 flights daily is a big blow. Will IndiGo rival benefit from this order? Yes! The slots left vacant by the cut in IndiGo flights could be given to other airlines if they have the extra capacity to run additional flights. Airlines like Air India, Akasa and SpiceJet could benefit, though they too were forced to trim their own winter schedules. Could things get worse for IndiGo? The DGCA has issued showcause notices to IndiGos CEO and COO, and has set up a special investigation panel. If the airline is found to be guilty of serious lapses, it could mean heavy fines, more operational restrictions, or even loss of future slots. What does this mean for passengers? For passengers, it means fewer IndiGo flights for the next few days, but the flights that do run should be more stable and on time. As per the government, running fewer flights means IndiGo has the opportunity to restore service quality and avoid repeated cancellations. Does it means air fares will go up? A reduction of around 200 daily IndiGo flights will temporarily tighten capacity in the domestic market especially on popular metro routes where the airline dominates. Usually, when supply shrinks but demand stays steady, air travel tends to get costlier. According to aviation experts, spot fares and last-minute ticket prices could see short-term spikes over the next week as passengers compete for fewer seats on busy routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Mumbai, Chennai-Hyderabad and other high-traffic sectors. However, a sustained jump in fares is unlikely unless other airlines are unable or unwilling to add capacity. If Air India, Akasa or SpiceJet step in to operate some of the vacated slots, the supply gap may shrink, tempering any significant price escalation. Much will also depend on how long IndiGos curtailed schedule remains in place. If the airline stabilises operations quickly and restores flights, fare movements could normalise just as swiftly. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:01 IST News india IndiGo Flights Cut By 10%. Will Air Fares Go Up Now? | 10 Key Questions Answered 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... Kerala Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In 2nd Rape Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 21:04 IST Rahul Mamkootathil had on Saturday approached the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the sexual harassment case. Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. A Kerala Sessions Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second sexual assault case registered against him. Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court District and Sessions Judge Nazeera S noted that there was no prima facie material to substantiate the allegations at this stage. However, the court imposed strict conditions on the Palakkad MLA. He has been directed to appear before the investigating officers every Monday, cooperate fully with the probe, not destroy evidence, and refrain from influencing witnesses. Mamkootathil had on Saturday approached the Thiruvananthapuram sessions court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case. The same day, the Kerala High Court granted him interim protection from arrest in a case of rape and forced abortion, according to news agency PTI. The MLAs lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), said that an anticipatory bail was moved in the sessions court during the day along with an application seeking that police should not proceed with his arrest in view of the high courts order. The court noted that the complaint was lodged after an extensive delay of nearly two years, with the complainant giving different versions" for why the complaint was not filed earlier. It further observed that the Crime Branch had recorded the victims statement after registering a First Information Report (FIR). The court did not rule out the possibility of the victim filing the complaint under pressure". The court also noted that the victim chose to report to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president rather than file a direct complaint with the police. The court had earlier dismissed Mamkootathils plea for anticipatory bail in relation to another rape case filed against him. The second rape case was lodged against him on Wednesday based on the complaint of a Bengaluru-based woman, PTI reported. The FIR against Mamkootathil was filed under several sections of the law, including Section 78 (stalking) and 351 (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS), and Section 120(O) of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with harassment through electronic communication. Mamkootathil had been absconding since the registration of the first rape case against him. He was expelled from the Congress on December 4 after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the sessions court. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Thiruvananthapuram, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 21:04 IST News india Kerala Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To MLA Rahul Mamkootathil In 2nd 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... Mallikarjun Kharges Chanakya Remark Sparks Laughter In Rajya Sabha; BJP Sees Internal Rift Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 14:38 IST Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges light-hearted Chanakya remark for Jairam Ramesh during a Rajya Sabha debate sparked smiles and political reactions. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. (Photo: PTI) During the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed the Rajya Sabha on 150 years of Vande Mataram. Even as he criticised the government, the session saw several unexpected light moments that drew laughter from both sides of the House. While attacking the government over the fall of the rupee, Kharge referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah as one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis top advisors. You would know, you are the main advisor and prime executive," he remarked. Hearing this, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, seated behind Kharge, whispered Chanakya", a popular nickname often used for Shah because of his political strategy and organisational influence. Kharge repeated the word and then pointed back at Ramesh, telling the treasury benches, A Chanakya is sitting here too." The comment prompted smiles from Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju, Ramesh, and Digvijaya Singh. BJP claims Congress rift The BJP quickly seized on the exchange. Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the moment exposed the Congresss internal fight", sharing a video clip of Kharges gesture. Congress leaders, however, brushed off the claim, treating the moment as banter rather than discord. Kharge defends Congress role in Vande Mataram Returning to the main discussion, Kharge strongly defended the Congresss historical role in championing Vande Mataram. He said the party had made it a slogan of the freedom movement and had regularly sung it at its conventions. Congress started this tradition. Did you do it?" he asked the treasury benches. Kharge accused the Prime Minister and Home Minister of repeatedly criticising Jawaharlal Nehru without understanding the context. He referred to claims that Nehru removed parts of the song or encouraged appeasement. When you formed a government in Bengal with the Muslim League, where was your patriotism?" Kharge asked, urging the government to study its own history. He also reminded the House that in 1937, it was the Congress Working Committee, not Nehru alone, that unanimously resolved that only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram should be sung at national events. If you are trying to target Nehrujis image, it is impossible," he said. Internal Fight out in the open! Mallikarjun Kharge TROLLS Jairam Ramesh! pic.twitter.com/0uYfMGlcOS Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) December 9, 2025 Kharge and Ramesh have had earlier moments in the House involving good-natured teasing. In July 2024, then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar had joked that Ramesh should take Kharges seat because of his habit of prompting. Kharge responded sharply, accusing Dhankhar of reflecting varna system" thinking. Dhankhar later clarified that he had been misunderstood. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 14:32 IST News india Mallikarjun Kharges Chanakya Remark Sparks Laughter In Rajya Sabha; BJP Sees Internal Rift Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... On Camera, MP Cops Detain 18-Year-Old Student From Moving Bus, Frame Him In Drugs Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:24 IST The Malhargarh police station in Madhya Pradesh is facing scrutiny after the High Court revealed officers kidnapped a student from a bus and falsely implicated him in a drug case. MP cops frame student in drugs case (Video screengrab/Social Media) In a revelation that has sent shockwaves through Madhya Pradeshs law enforcement, the Malhargarh police station, recently ranked ninth among the countrys top police stations, has come under intense scrutiny after the state High Court exposed a fabricated drug case against a young student, NDTV reported. The investigation revealed that the officers had deliberately and wrongly detained the student from a moving bus and falsely implicated him in a narcotics seizure. The victim, 18-year-old Sohan, a Class 12 student from Malhargarh, was forcibly removed from a bus on August 29. Within hours, police announced that he had been arrested with 2.7 kg of opium, producing him in court the next day. The case initially appeared to be a significant narcotics bust. However, evidence, including CCTV footage, mobile videos, and eyewitness accounts, painted a starkly different picture. The video of the arrest, widely shared on social media, shows a group of policemen in plain clothes stopping a bus, dragging the student out, and taking him away, with no drugs in sight. There was no chase or seizure, contradicting the official version presented in the first information report (FIR). The incident prompted Sohans family to approach the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court on December 5, alleging unlawful abduction, wrongful arrest, and falsification of evidence. During proceedings on Tuesday, the High Court summoned Mandsaur Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena in person. Before the court, Meena admitted that Sohan had indeed been picked up from the bus by officers from the Malhargarh police station. He acknowledged that the arrest recorded in the FIR did not match the actual time and location captured on video. The entire operation, he stated, was orchestrated by a head constable, and the case against the student was registered only after he was already in illegal custody. In a further blow to the police, Meena confirmed that the officers seen boarding the bus, whom the administration had initially disowned, were indeed personnel from Malhargarh. The SP has suspended six policemen, including those directly involved in forcibly removing Sohan, and has ordered a departmental inquiry into the matter. ALSO READ | Caught On Camera: Masked Group Armed With Swords And Bats Storms Bhopal Cafe News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:21 IST News india On Camera, MP Cops Detain 18-Year-Old Student From Moving Bus, Frame Him In Drugs 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... Mamata Banerjee Tears Up MGNREGA Letter As Centre Resumes Conditional Funding After 3 Years Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:50 IST Mamata Banerjee alleged that despite Tuesdays resumption of funds, the Centre still owes West Bengal Rs 51,627 crore under MGNREGA. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (PTI Image) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday tore up a Union government note outlining new MGNREGA norms at a public meeting in Cooch Behar, even as the Centre resumed funding for the rural jobs scheme after nearly three years. Addressing a Trinamool Congress rally at the Ras Mela ground, Banerjee called the directive valueless and insulting" and said Bengal would continue its own employment programme without seeking Delhis charity." She accused the BJP-led central government of using funds as a political lever to weaken the state ahead of elections. Banerjee said the governments letter, received two days ago, imposed absurd and restrictive" conditions, including mandatory quarterly labour budgets starting December 6 and compulsory training before workers could be employed. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tears up MGNREGA note, calling new Centre norms valueless and insulting." Says Bengal will run its own work scheme, vows 100 days of employment under Karmashree, rejecting Delhis charity."@KamalikaSengupt with details | @SaroyaHem #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/WA8Qz9xUKp News18 (@CNNnews18) December 10, 2025 Questioning the feasibility of the timeline, she said the Centres instructions arrived just months before elections. Where is the time to show it? This is December, and the election is due early next year. Then they said training has to be provided," she told the crowd. She then tore the document on stage, adding, When will you train and when will you give the jobs? I say this piece of paper is valueless We dont want your mercy. I feel it is disrespectful." Framing the confrontation as a battle over federal rights, Banerjee said Bengal has never bowed its head and never will." She alleged that despite Tuesdays resumption of funds, the Centre still owes West Bengal Rs 51,627 crore under MGNREGA. She claimed releases may be timed close to polls, leaving no window to implement projects. Banerjee also highlighted governance reforms under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, announcing that old-age pension benefits would now flow automatically to enrolled women without separate applications. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 08:30 IST News india Mamata Banerjee Tears Up MGNREGA Letter As Centre Resumes Conditional Funding After 3 Years 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... Menstrual Leave For Karnataka Girl Students Soon? New Bill With Rs 5,000 Penalty In The Works Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:30 IST The bill states that those who experience serious symptoms can avail this leave, while also making it clear that no doctors certificate will be required to avail it. The provision for students marks a significant change of scope from the earlier Nov 12 order, which applied only to women aged 1852 in private establishments. (AI generated image) Yet another controversial bill is on the cards in Karnataka called the Karnataka Working Women Wellbeing Bill, 2025. The Bill proposes to provide Menstrual leave for students" where up to two days of leave per month to menstruating students in schools, colleges and universities, along with a 2 per cent relaxation in attendance must be given. Failure to provide this leave could attract a penalty of Rs 5000, says the Bill. Just as the issue of menstrual leave remains before the courts with the Karnataka High Court continuing to hear petitions after first staying the governments November 12 order and then withdrawing that stay the state governments law and parliamentary affairs department is now proposing another Bill that extends menstrual leave to students. Two months ago, the Karnataka cabinet approved the menstrual leave policy granting one day of leave per month to all working women. This draft bill is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of the Karnataka legislature. This new draft legislation builds on the previous Government order for paid menstrual leave for working women, which could be extended to girls, women, transgender persons and gender queer persons working in government and private establishments. The provision for students marks a significant change of scope from the earlier Nov 12 order, which applied only to women aged 1852 in private establishments. The bill states that those who experience serious symptoms can avail this leave, while also making it clear that no doctors certificate will be required to avail it. The Bill also brings in a penal clause. If an employer or institution denies menstrual leave or discriminates against a girl or woman for availing it, the proposed law allows for a penalty of up to Rs 5,000. Leave Rules: 12 Days a Year, No Carry-Forward, No Doctors Note The Bill caps menstrual leaves at 12 days per calendar year and clearly outlines when the leave can and cannot be availed. It states that a menstruating person will be entitled to only one day of leave if her period falls on a Sunday or any other general holiday, and that menstrual leave cannot be taken if it overlaps with any other form of leave. It allows her to work from home via videoconferencing" if she does not wish to take the leave and if the establishment permits it. The Bill caps the facility at twelve days of menstrual leave in a calendar year and says the eligibility ends either on attaining menopause or on reaching 52 years of age, whichever comes first. It also makes it clear that unused leave cannot be carried forward to subsequent months. No medical certificate is required," says the proposed bill as demanding a doctors note would create delay, inconvenience and complication". A simple written request or email will suffice. The draft also warns against publicising a persons leave by higher officials. The Bill makes it clear that menstrual leave is meant to be availed only when the person faces serious problems" such as cramps, back pain, nausea, fatigue or heavy bleeding symptoms explicitly listed. Work-from-Home Option The legislation also provides flexibility for menstruating employees who prefer not to take leave. They may opt to work from home via videoconferencing" if their institution permits, a clause aimed at giving employees autonomy over how they manage their symptoms. Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority to Be Established To enforce and monitor the provisions, the Bill proposes the creation of a Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority. The chairperson of the Karnataka Commission for Women will serve as its ex-officio head, supported by four government representatives and two nominated women activists. The authority must meet once every three months and is tasked with redressing grievances, conducting inquiries guided by principles of natural justice, and issuing final orders. Labour officers will carry out spot inspections and submit regular reports. Penal Provisions: Up to Rs 5,000 Fine for Discrimination This is the part that could lead to legal scrutiny, say government sources. Section 9 of the draft introduces a penalty for anyone who denies menstrual leave, ill-treats or discriminates against a menstruating person for availing it, . The fine may extend up to Rs 5,000. The punitive clause applies to employers in both government and private sectors, including educational institutions. Whoever intentionally denies the menstrual leave or treats the menstruating person as an untouchable shall be liable to pay the penal amount as imposed by the Authority." The Bill gives the Authority the power to impose the fine directly. A top government source working closely with this bill said that the Labour department, that introduced the previous Paid Menstrual leave" bill has raised objections to this move by the law department. This could further lead to an interdepartmental tussle, it was indicated. Why the Bill Is Being Introduced The draft Bill says it is expedient" to provide menstrual benefits to help persons cope with symptoms like cramps, back pain, fatigue, nausea and heavy bleeding, especially those engaged in educational institutions, private establishments and government services. By explicitly including students and transgender and gender queer persons groups not covered under the earlier government orders the legislation, a law department source explains, brings in a significant expansion of menstrual health rights in the state. The government had earlier issued two orders after approving the menstrual leave policy on October 9 the November 12 order for the private sector and a December 2 order extending benefits to women working in government organisations. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:30 IST News india Menstrual Leave For Karnataka Girl Students Soon? New Bill With Rs 5,000 Penalty In The Works 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... Motivated Campaign: 44 Former Judges Defend CJI After Rohingya Comment Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:55 IST The retired judges said attempts were being made to malign the judiciary or attribute political motives to the CJI Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (File photo: PTI) A group of 44 former judges of the Supreme Court and various High Courts on Tuesday criticised what they described as a motivated campaign" targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over his recent comments on Rohingya refugees during a hearing. The retired judges said attempts were being made to malign the judiciary or attribute political motives to the CJI, undermining public trust in constitutional institutions and the independence of the court. In their statement titled Disparagement of the Supreme Court is Unacceptable", the retired judges said that while fair criticism of court proceedings is legitimate, the current campaign represents a deliberate distortion of facts. They noted that the Chief Justice was merely posing a foundational legal querywho in law had granted the status being asserted before the Court?and stressed that no judicial determination on rights can proceed without addressing this threshold question. The former judges said critics had also omitted a key portion of the Benchs observations, which clarified that no human being on Indian soil, whether citizen or foreign national, can be subjected to torture, disappearance or inhuman treatment. Suppressing this and then accusing the Court of dehumanisation, they said, amounted to a serious misrepresentation. They reiterated that Rohingya migrants have not entered India under any statutory refugee protection framework, pointing out that India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and that obligations toward foreign nationals are determined by the Constitution, domestic immigration laws and general human rights norms. They cautioned that converting constitutionally grounded judicial scrutiny into allegations of prejudice threatens judicial independence itself", adding that if every probing question on nationality, migration or documentation is met with such attacks, the institutions ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate will be undermined. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 10:34 IST News india Motivated Campaign: 44 Former Judges Defend CJI After Rohingya Comment Row 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... National Australia Bank (NAB) Innovation Centre Vietnam has been recognized in the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2025 list, alongside 10 other Vietnamese companies. 95% of employees at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam affirm it is a great place to work. The "Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia" list is the region's most comprehensive measure of the employee experience, based on Great Place To Work's proprietary Trust Index Survey. Only companies with consistently high survey responses from employees, regardless of their role, department, or status in the company, can secure a placement on the list. The "Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2025" list compiles feedback from 1.3 million employees across over 450 companies in the region. Trust Index scores among the Fortune 100 Best Companies ranged from 80% to 92%, significantly exceeding the regional average of 67% for employees reporting positive workplace experiences. For NAB Vietnam, 95% of their employees say it is a great place to work compared to 59% of employees at a typical Global company. NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam builds world-class workplace for Vietnamese talent. Photo courtesy of NAB Vietnam The recognition reflects NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam's stated commitment to an inclusive culture, innovation that impacts NAB's global customer base, cutting-edge technology, a strong colleague experience, leadership, and continuous learning. According to the data, 95% of employees at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam report it is a great place to work, compared to 59% of employees at a typical global company. "We're proud to be recognized in Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For in Southeast Asia list. The recognition is a testament to our leadership and the commitment we have made to creating a world-class workplace where colleagues feel valued and supported," said Hanh Tran, General Director, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Hanh Tran, General Director, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. Photo courtesy of NAB Vietnam The Fortune 100 recognition accompanies NAB's ongoing investment in upskilling and training programs for colleagues, including a variety training programs through the Tech Academy and Business Academy. NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam also highlights its commitment to gender diversity and inclusion, noting that women hold 50% of senior leadership roles and that 30% of NAB Vietnam's overall talent is female, which is more than triple the industry average. "NAB Vietnam consistently invests in people, creating an environment that nurtures long-term career development, where each colleague is trusted, empowered, and connected to NAB's global workforce," Hanh Tran said. Through its Tech Academy, NAB Vietnam has supported more than 500 Vietnamese students through paid internships, with over 90% transitioning into full-time roles, which contributes to Vietnam's future technology leadership pipeline and sustainable tech ecosystem growth. NAB Vietnam regularly carries out volunteer activities, demonstrating its long-term commitment to supporting the development of a thriving and sustainable community. Photo courtesy of NAB Vietnam Founded in 2019, the NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam operates from two state-of-the-art offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, employing over 2.200 people. NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam is currently one of the largest private investors from Australia in Vietnam, contributing to stronger economic and trade ties between the two countries. NAB Vietnam consistently invests in people, creating an environment that nurtures long-term career development. Photo courtesy of NAB Vietnam In September 2025, NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam awarded the Asian Technology Excellence Award. The center's commitment to innovation was also recognized at Innovate Vietnam 2025, the country's largest science and technology event hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance. PM Modi Meets Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Tajani Curated By : PTI Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 23:46 IST Both leader discussed about Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 in important areas like trade, investment, defence, space, connectivity, counter-terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Italys Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani in New Delhi on Wednesday. (narendra modi/X) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italys Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday and praised the progress made on the joint strategic action plan. Tajani, who is visiting India for three days, met with Modi in New Delhi. Modi shared on X, Glad to meet Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today." Delighted to meet Italys Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today. Conveyed appreciation for the proactive steps being taken by both sides towards implementation of the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan pic.twitter.com/TrvkT8oCzG Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025 The Prime Minister said he thanked Tajani for the active efforts from both sides to carry out the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 in important areas like trade, investment, research, innovation, defence, space, connectivity, counter-terrorism, education, and people-to-people relations. Modi added, The friendship between India and Italy keeps growing stronger, bringing great benefits to our people and the world." PTI SKU RC. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 23:46 IST News india PM Modi Meets Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Tajani Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Pays Tribute To Assam Movement Martyrs; Remembers C Rajagopalachari On Birth Anniversary Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:20 IST PM Modi said BJP will fulfill the dreams that the Assam Movement martyrs had envisioned for the all-round development of the state. PM Narendra Modi. (File photo) PM Narendra Modi paid tributes to former Home Minister and freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari on his birth anniversary. He also remembered those who fought in the Assam Movement on Martyrs Day. Remembering the bravery of those who took part in the Assam Movement in his tweet, PM said, This movement will always hold an important place in our history. Along with strengthening Assams culture, we are committed to fulfilling the dreams that the agitators had envisioned for the all-round development of the state." Today, on the occasion of Martyrs Day, I have remembered the bravery of all those who participated in the Assam Movement. This movement will always hold an important place in our history. I would like to reiterate once again that, along with strengthening Assams culture, we are committed to fulfilling the dreams that the agitators had envisioned for the all-round development of the state," read PM Modis tweet. Remembering C Rajagopalachari PM Modi also paid tribute to former Home Minister and freedom fighter C. Rajagopalachari on his birth anniversary. He described Rajagopalachari as a freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesman" and one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century, who believed in creating value and upholding human dignity." Sharing archival material, PM Modi highlighted a young Rajagopalachari, his appointment as a Cabinet Minister, a photo with volunteers from the 1920s, and a 1922 edition of Young India edited by him during Gandhi Jis imprisonment. Freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesmanthese are some descriptions that come to the mind when one recalls Shri C. Rajagopalachari. Tributes to him on his birth anniversary. He remains one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century, who believed in creating value and upholding human dignity. Our nation remembers his enduring contributions with gratitude. On Rajajis birth anniversary, sharing some interesting material from the archives, which includes a picture of a young Rajaji, the notification on his appointment as a Cabinet Minister, a picture with volunteers from the 1920s and a Young India edition from 1922 edited by Rajaji because Gandhi Ji was in jail," read PM Modis another tweet. C Rajagopalachari served as Minister of Home Affairs after Sardar Patels death and made significant contributions to Indias governance and independence movement. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:12 IST News india PM Modi Pays Tribute To Assam Movement Martyrs; Remembers C Rajagopalachari On Birth Anniversary Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Speaks With Israel's Netanyahu, Reiterates India's Support For Gaza Peace Plan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 22:46 IST PM Modi reaffirmed India's support towards the early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan and both leaders reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. PM Narendra Modi (R) with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a telephone call from his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, where both leaders discussed ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism. According to an official statement, Modi and Netanyahu expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit. Prime Minister Modi also reaffirmed Indias support for efforts towards a just and durable peace in the Middle East, including the early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. They strongly condemned terrorism and reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch. Spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu. We reviewed progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen our cooperation. Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the region," PM Modi said on X. Spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu. We reviewed progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen our cooperation. Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025 This came after Netanyahu said he expected the second phase of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan will begin very shortly". However, Hamas said the ceasefire plan cannot proceed as Israeli violations" persist and called on mediators to pressure Israel to respect the agreement. Netanyahu On India Visit Earlier, Netanyahus office said it is currently coordinating with Indian authorities to set a new date for his postponed visit. The trip, originally scheduled for December, was postponed without an official statement at the time. Despite the delay, Netanyahus office reiterated that Israels bond with India remains strong, and the Prime Minister has full confidence" in Indias security under the leadership of PM Modi. A statement shared on social media platform X read, Israels bond with India and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister @narendramodi is very strong. The PM has full confidence in Indias security under PM Modi, and teams are already coordinating a new visit date." The Israeli statement comes after some media reports had suggested that the postponement was due to security concerns" after a deadly terror attack in New Delhi two weeks ago, which killed at least 15 people and injured many others. However, speaking with CNN-News18, sources clarified that the reports were misleading and factually incorrect," urging caution against drawing connections between the visit delay and the attack. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 19:59 IST News india PM Modi Speaks With Israel's Netanyahu, Reiterates India's Support For Gaza Peace Plan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Absence Of Clarifications': Shashi Tharoor Says Will Not Accept Veer Savarkar Award Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 12:45 IST Shashi Tharoor clarified that he will neither accept nor was aware of being selected for the Veer Savarkar Award, calling the organisers announcement irresponsible. A file photo of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (PTI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday issued a clarification stating that he has neither agreed to receive nor will attend the ceremony for the Veer Savarkar Award," after learning through media reports that his name had been announced as one of the recipients. Tharoors statement on X, along with remarks he made to reporters in Kerala and later in Delhi, underscored that he had no prior knowledge of the award and had not provided consent for his inclusion. I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the Veer Savarkar Award, which is to be presented today in Delhi," Tharoor wrote on X. He said he only learned about the announcement on Tuesday while he was in Kerala, where he had gone to vote in the local self-government elections. There in Thiruvananthapuram, responding to media queries, I had clarified that I was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award and it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it," he wrote on X. Tharoor said that despite this public clarification, media outlets in Delhi continued to question him about his participation in the ceremony, prompting him to issue a formal statement to clarify the matter unequivocally." In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise," he mentioned. I have come to know from media reports that I have been named a recipient of the Veer Savarkar Award," which is to be presented today in Delhi.I only learned about this announcement yesterday in Kerala, where I had gone to vote in the local self-government elections. There in Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 10, 2025 Earlier, speaking to reporters in the national capital, Tharoor reiterated that he had learned about the award only the previous day. I heard about it yesterday only. I am not going. I am not here," he said when asked if he would attend the event. VIDEO | On being named as one of the six recipients of Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) said, I am not getting anything. I just heard about it yesterday and I am not going."(Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/I3hoGp00M9 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 10, 2025 On Tuesday, he had similarly told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that he had no information about the award or the institution conferring it. I am not aware of anything related to the award. Let me find out what it is," he had said. Meanwhile, Congress leader K Muraleedharan said that no party member should accept an award in the name of Veer Savarkar, asserting that it would insult and embarrass the Congress." ALSO READ | Warm And Engaging: Shashi Tharoor After Attending State Banquet For President Putin News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 12:13 IST News india 'Absence Of Clarifications': Shashi Tharoor Says Will Not Accept Veer Savarkar Award Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Team In India For Trade Talks, Union Minister Piyush Goyal Notes 'Progress' | Top Points Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:02 IST The path to reaching a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries is, however, made complex by the US tariffs imposed on Indian goods by the Trump administration Foreign secretary Vikram Misri met US deputy trade representative Rick Switzer in New Delhi on December 10, 2025. (Image: @MEAIndia/X) Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed optimism on a potential agreement between India and the United States as trade talks gain momentum between the two countries. Headed by deputy trade representative Rick Switzer, a team from the US is currently in New Delhi for discussions with Indian counterparts, including foreign secretary Vikram Misri, covering both the ongoing trade talks as well as broader economic partnership. The path to reaching a bilateral trade agreement, however, is made complex by the US tariffs imposed on Indian goods by the Trump administration. Despite the tariff challenge, both sides are reportedly making progress towards a comprehensive pact with a focus on increasing bilateral trade and strengthening supply chains. Officials have expressed hope for reaching at least a framework solution this calendar year, although the BTA is expected to take more time. WHAT ARE THE KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN NEGOTIATIONS? US Delegation in Delhi: A US trade delegation has been present in India since Tuesday (December 9), engaged in advancing trade talks. The visit marks a renewed push towards enhanced India-US bilateral engagement. This delegation, led by deputy US trade representative (USTR) Rick Switzer, is in the national capital for two days of discussions. High-Level Meetings: Rick Switzer held a meeting with foreign secretary Vikram Misri. Their discussions extended beyond the ongoing trade negotiations, covering the strong India-US economic and technology partnership. They also addressed opportunities to boost two-way trade and the establishment of resilient supply chains. Negotiation Teams: Switzer is holding talks with his Indian counterpart, Rajesh Agrawal. The chief negotiator from the US for the pact, assistant USTR for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, is also involved in discussions with Indias chief negotiator, joint secretary in the commerce department Darpan Jain. Multiple rounds of discussions have already taken place between both sides. Progressing Well: Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal stated his optimism regarding the ongoing negotiations, confirming that discussions are progressing well" towards a bilateral trade agreement. Speaking on the sidelines of the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, he noted that talks have been advancing positively. He underscored the detailed nature of the negotiations, stating that: All agreements have many diversified angles," adding, many dots have been connected." He indicated he might meet the visiting US official team. US Acknowledges Strong Indian Offers: Separate comments from the US side indicate forward movement, particularly concerning agricultural market access. US trade representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers that India had presented some of the strongest trade proposals Washington had seen in years". He noted that New Delhi had been quite forward-leaning" in recent rounds, suggesting the country is becoming a viable alternative market". Obstacle to BTA: The road to finalising the BTA has been significantly complicated by the issue of the Trump administrations tariffs on Indian goods. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, which was followed days later by an additional 25 percent increase. These tariffs were instituted as part of reciprocal measures, citing Indias continued purchase of Russian oil and targeting countries where the US faces trade deficits. Delay in Timeline: These new developments in US trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs, led to a delay in the original target of completing the first tranche of the pact, which was initially planned for fall 2025. Framework Deal Needed: The US and India are currently engaged in two parallel negotiations one focused on a comprehensive trade deal and another on a framework trade deal specifically designed to address these reciprocal tariffs. The framework deal is crucial as it aims to address the tariff challenge faced by Indian exporters. Impact on Trade: The imposition of these hefty tariffs by Washington has already impacted Indian exports. Indias merchandise exports to the US declined for the second consecutive month in October, falling by 8.58 percent to USD 6.3 billion. The current visit of US officials is particularly important as it is only their second trip since the imposition of the 25 percent tariff and the additional penalty. Overall Goal: The comprehensive agreement being negotiated aims to significantly increase the bilateral trade volume. The goal is to more than double the current bilateral trade of USD 191 billion to reach USD 500 billion by 2030. The US has been Indias largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year. Other Negotiation Areas: Beyond tariffs and agricultural market access, talks also include discussions over zero-tariff commitments for civil aviation parts under the 1979 Aircraft Agreement, which are considered fairly far advanced". Confidence in Resolution: Despite the complications, the commerce secretary expressed confidence in November, stating: I think our expectationswe are very optimistic and very hopeful that we should find a solution within this calendar year." (With agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 16:55 IST News india US Team In India For Trade Talks, Union Minister Piyush Goyal Notes 'Progress' | Top Points 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... 'We Never Negotiate Deals With Deadlines...': Piyush Goyal On India-US Trade Talks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 14:30 IST Goyal said a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday and talks have been advancing positively. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. (Piyush Goyal Office) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, stating that discussions are progressing well" towards a bilateral trade agreement and clarified that India does not negotiate deals on the basis of deadlines. Speaking on the sidelines of the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, Goyal said a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday and talks have been advancing positively. All agreements have many diversified angles. Many dots have been connected and we never negotiate deals with deadlines," the minister said. When asked about meeting the US trade negotiation team, Goyal said he would return to Delhi tonight to attend TO parliamentary duties and would try to arrange a meeting in the evening. Tomorrow I am going to Mumbai to meet the Italian Deputy Prime Minister," he added. Earlier, addressing the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas, Goyal highlighted Rajasthans achievements and the global presence of its diaspora. He said over one crore Rajasthani expatriates live worldwide and praised them for proving the saying, Where the bullock cart cannot reach, the Marwari reaches." Meanwhile, in yet another push towards the India-US bilateral engagement, the new US Deputy Ambassador for Trade, Rick Switzer, is in India to meet with senior officials in the government of India. Notably, several rounds of discussions have already taken place between both sides already. India has already signed 14 Free Trade Agreements and six Preferential Trade Agreements with trading partners and is currently negotiating FTAs with several countries, including the European Union. The road to the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) has been complicated by US tariff measures, with President Trump imposing a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by another 25 percent increase days later, citing Indias continued purchase of Russian oil as part of reciprocal tariffs on countries where the US faces trade deficits. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 14:30 IST News india 'We Never Negotiate Deals With Deadlines...': Piyush Goyal On India-US Trade Talks 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... Indias 2025 Consumption Shift: Whats Driving Change In Beverages, FMCG And Dairy Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 14:40 IST Decoding the biggest consumer trends of 2025 from premium beverages to clean-label FMCG and traceable dairy. As 2026 approaches, brands that embrace transparency, innovation, and everyday functionality while tailoring experiences to both metros and emerging cities are poised to lead Indias next retail transformation. Indias retail landscape in 2025 was marked by a decisive shift in how consumers choose, consume and connect with brands. From beverages to daily nutrition and even the most essential dairy products, the year revealed a sharper, more informed, and more value-driven Indian customer, one who prioritises authenticity, quality and convenience in equal measure. As industries prepare for 2026, founders and leaders across sectors outline the trends that shaped the year and the forces that will drive the next wave of growth. Premium, Functional and Fast: The New Beverage Movement Few segments captured the changing consumer mood as vividly as the specialty beverage market. According to Dhruv Kohli, Founder, Boba Bhai, 2025 was a defining year for Indias retail F&B sector, driven by consumers who are far more experimental, quality-conscious, and convenience-first than ever before." He notes a strong shift toward premium yet accessible beverage formats, craft flavours and differentiated quick-service experiences. The rise of functional beverages was among the most significant trends. While matcha saw widespread adoption earlier, we are now noticing a shift towards Hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea, emerging as a key trend," explains Kohli. Cold brews, fusion drinks and cafe-style creations at competitive prices have further pushed the category into the mainstream. Kohli emphasises that Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets were major growth engines, Notably, smaller cities accelerated this momentum, showing strong appetite for premium, aspirational beverage formats." Moving into the new year, he sees innovation and personalisation becoming critical differentiators, with tech-enabled convenience driving loyalty. For Boba Bhai, 2026 represents an opportunity to bring speed, creativity, and flavour-led innovation" to both metros and emerging markets. FMCG Choices Driven by Honesty, Simplicity and Everyday Wellness Beyond beverages, the FMCG sector experienced a structural shift in purchasing patterns. Families, especially urban middle-income households, moved away from health-washed marketing claims and gravitated toward products that blended transparency with everyday practicality. In 2025, we saw a clear shift in how families shop," says Sparsh Sachar, Director and Business Head, FMCG, Nutrica. People werent just reaching for what looked healthy,they were choosing what genuinely fit into their daily routines." Clean ingredients, short labels and reliable sourcing took precedence over premium positioning or grand wellness promises. Sachar believes this behavioural change will deepen in 2026. Wellness will come from steady, everyday habits rather than dramatic lifestyle overhauls," he notes. Nutricas focus, he says, will remain on functional, honest products that elevate daily living without overwhelming the consumer. In his view, the brands that stay honest, useful and consistent will be the ones that stay in the basket." Dairys Digital Transformation: Transparency as the New Trust Pillar If there is one sector where trust is paramount, it is dairy, a daily staple for millions. And the push toward transparency in 2025 was more pronounced here than anywhere else. Consumer expectations in India are moving toward complete clarity on what they are buying and how it was produced," says Ranjith Mukundan, CEO and Co-Founder, Stellapps Technologies. People want to know if their food is safe, nutritious and authentic." In dairy, freshness and traceability are becoming powerful differentiators for retail and FMCG brands. Mukundan defines the 2026 version of traceability in straightforward terms: complete visibility into the entire journey of a dairy product. A consumer can know which farmers contributed the milk, what breed of cattle it came from, when the animal was vaccinated, what the fat and quality parameters were at collection, and whether the cold chain was maintained during transportation and processing," he explains. This depth of information, he says, strengthens brand loyalty and elevates consumer confidence. Stellapps is driving this shift through end-to-end digitisation of the dairy supply chain. From animal activity sensors and digital milk passbooks to real-time quality monitoring at collection centres and cold-chain tracking at plants, the company ensures that every batch of milk carries verifiable, traceable freshness. This allows FMCG companies to differentiate their products with verified quality and complete transparency," Mukundan says. A New Consumer Mindset for 2026 Across categories, one truth is clear: the modern Indian consumer is no longer content with surface-level promises. Whether choosing a boba drink, a packaged food product or a packet of milk, they seek clarity, authenticity, and value. They want global flavours but also dependable sourcing; innovation without compromise. As 2026 approaches, brands that embrace transparency, innovation, and everyday functionality while tailoring experiences to both metros and emerging cities are poised to lead Indias next retail transformation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 14:40 IST News lifestyle food Indias 2025 Consumption Shift: Whats Driving Change In Beverages, FMCG And Dairy Border 2 Teaser To Be Attached with James Camerons Avatar: Fire And Ash, Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 15:02 IST Border 2s teaser will release on December 16, Vijay Diwas, and then be attached to James Camerons Avatar: Fire and Ash, giving the film massive global visibility. Border 2 is a sequel to the 1997 film Border.(Photo Credit: Instagram) Border 2 is one of the most talked-about films, which is eyeing a January 2026 release. Ahead of this, a report revealed that the makers are planning to release the teaser in a grand launch event on December 16, marking Vijay Diwas. Now, a new update says that following the teaser release, it will be attached to one of the biggest Hollywood films of the year. As per Bollywood Hungama, after the release of the teaser on December 16, in the presence of Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty, it will be attached to Avatar: Fire and Ash, which releases theatrically on December 19, 2025. With the James Cameron film expected to draw massive footfall to theatres, placing Border 2s teaser with it can be one of the most effective marketing strategies. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunny Deol (@iamsunnydeol) Avatar: Fire and Ash is one of the biggest international releases of the year, and attaching the teaser of Border 2 with it ensures strong visibility across domestic and international screens. Border 2 teaser to release on December 16 A Pinkvilla report quoted a source close to the production revealing that Border 2s much-anticipated teaser will premiere on December 16, 2025, in Mumbai, in the presence of the cast and crew. The date holds special significance, as December 16 is Vijay Diwas, commemorating Indias victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty are confirmed to attend the teaser premiere, joined by director Anurag Singh and producers Bhushan Kumar and Nidhi Dutta. However, there is no update yet on Diljit Dosanjhs availability for the event. Border 2: Cast and Other Details Border 2 is the sequel to the 1997 classic Border, directed by JP Dutta and hailed as one of Indian cinemas finest war action dramas. The original film achieved cult status, amassing a dedicated fan base across the country. The makers aim to recreate that same excitement with this new installment. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The film stars Ahan Shetty, Varun Dhawan, Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, and others. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 15:02 IST News movies bollywood Border 2 Teaser To Be Attached with James Camerons Avatar: Fire And Ash, Report Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar Slips In Nod To Viral Pakistan Meme Girl Washma Butt In Key Scene Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 07:41 IST A scene in Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar showing a shop named after meme girl Washma Butt has gone viral. Fans spot Washma Butt biryani shop in Dhurandhar scene. Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar may be packed with action and tension, but the Internet has found something completely unexpected to obsess over a quick shot of a biryani and tea shop named after viral meme sensation from Islamabad, Washma Butt. The small detail appears for barely a second, yet it has become one of the most talked-about moments from the film. The Easter egg was spotted during a scene where Mohammad Aalam (Gaurav Gera) takes Hamza (Ranveer Singh) to a local chai spot. Right before they enter, the camera clearly shows the board: Washma Butt Biryani and Chai Shop." That was all fans needed and social media erupted. Internet Reacts: Aditya Dhar, We See You! The scene quickly made its way to X and Instagram, with fans sharing screenshots and laughing at the filmmakers cheeky nod to one of Pakistans most viral memes. One user wrote, Did anyone notice the Washma Butt shop board in #Dhurandhar? Had me in splits!" Another said, This tea spot in #Dhurandhar movie was called WASHMA BUTT !! Memer guy in the creative team for sure !!" Someone else joked, How has anyone not yet brought up the washma butt" bit in #Dhurandhar? it was obviously done on purpose and most likely taken from this old meme." The moment has now turned into a favourite pause-and-rewind scene for viewers. About Dhurandhar and Its Cast Inspired by real events linked to Karachis Lyari gang network, Dhurandhar blends undercover operations, crime, and intense drama. Set in Pakistan, Dhurandhar follows an Indian spy who infiltrates the Lyari gangs. Directed by Aditya Dhar and based on true incidents, the story unfolds in the early 2000s. The cast includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal and R Madhavan, alongside Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. News18 Showsha gave the film 4 stars. An excerpt from the review read, Dhurandhar is marked with profanity, gore and violence, lots of it, but it only adds more character and even nuance to the narrative. Here, none of it is for cheap thrills. And thats what makes this film unique and stand out from the host of those that uses savagery as a titillation device. Before we deep dive into what this film entails, let us mention that be prepared for a complex, long, meandering story set against an intricate political and espionage landscape one thats based on an incredibly true story but also dramatised for effect." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 07:40 IST News movies bollywood Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar Slips In Nod To Viral Pakistan Meme Girl Washma Butt In Key Scene 'Second Daughter Passed Away In My Arms': Govindas Wife Sunita Ahuja On Darkest Phase Of Her Life Curated By : Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 18:50 IST Sunita Ahuja reveals the darkest phase of her life, sharing that her prematurely born second daughter passed away in her arms, opening up about the emotional loss. Sunita Ahuja reveals the darkest phase of her life. Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja never shy away from speaking openly about their personal and professional lives. The couple have been dominating headlines for months now following Sunitas controversial statements in several interviews. Now, in a fresh interview, the YouTube star and superstars wife has opened up about the darkest phase of her life. Sunita Ahuja, in an interview with Usha Kakade, spoke about the darkest phase of her life when she lost her second child, a prematurely born baby girl. Sunita, while talking about the dark phase, revealed, When my second daughter was born, she was born prematurely. She was in my arms for three months, but her lungs didnt develop properly. So eventually, one night, she couldnt breathe properly, and she passed away in my arms. That was extremely difficult for me. I could have had two daughters and a son today." Sunita, earlier in an interview with Hauterrfly, had also spoken about dealing with the loss and had shared, Premature thi, 8 mahine mein paida ho gayi thi (She was premature, born at 8 months) because I was travelling too much with Govinda. Mujhe nahi pata tha Pehla delivery toh aaram se ho gaya, mujhe laga doosra bhi aise hi ho jayega, toh mujhe nahi pata tha ki weight nahi uthana hai (I didnt know my first delivery was smooth, so I thought the second would be the same. I didnt know I shouldnt lift heavy things)." Govinda was last seen on screen back in 2019 in the film Rangeela Raja, where he shared screen space with Shakti Kapoor, Digangana Suryavanshi, and Prem Chopra. Recently, Govinda was rushed to the hospital after he reportedly lost consciousness at his Mumbai home. Confirming the update, his friend and legal advisor, Lalit Bindal, told IANS that Govinda received the necessary medication after a consultation with a doctor over the phone; however, he was later taken to the hospital around 1:00 a.m. for emergency care. Govinda later interacted with the media after being discharged from the hospital. Govinda and Sunita married in 1987, kept it secret until their daughter Tina was born in 1989, and have stayed a strong unit for decades, but the rumours clearly arent ready to take a break. Govinda and Sunita Ahuja have been one of Bollywoods favourite love stories for decades, but recent chatter around their marriage has kept them in the headlines more than ever. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 18:50 IST News movies bollywood 'Second Daughter Passed Away In My Arms': Govindas Wife Sunita Ahuja On Darkest Phase Of Her Life New spacesuits debuted for Shenzhou-21's first spacewalk Xinhua) 08:33, December 10, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Shenzhou-21 astronauts Zhang Lu and Wu Fei completed the first series of extravehicular activities (EVAs) of their mission on Tuesday, donning newly delivered extravehicular spacesuits for their inaugural use in space. The mission marked the debut of the space station's D and E extravehicular spacesuits, which were delivered by the Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft on July 15 as part of the second-generation Feitian spacesuit series. While maintaining white as the primary color, one suit features a red trim and the other a blue trim. "The EVAs fully demonstrated the critical role of human capabilities in extravehicular operations, with the suits providing robust safety assurance for astronauts," said Zhai Zhihong from the China Astronaut Research and Training Center. The operational lifespan of the suits has been upgraded from the previous standard of 15 EVAs over three years to 20 EVAs within four years, according to the center. The second-generation Feitian extravehicular spacesuits have reliably supported all EVAs conducted during both the construction and operational phases of China's space station. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This photo taken on July 16, 2024 shows a view of the Forbidden City seen from the Jingshan Park in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Wandering around the Forbidden City in Beijing, visitors can breathe in history and appreciate various structures that were built in accordance with traditional Chinese architectural hierarchy. In order to study the construction and renovation history of this complex, a team of Chinese researchers has successfully pinpointed the growth years of three ancient timbers in the Forbidden City and traced their geographical origins via oxygen isotope analysis. Xu Chenxi, a researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has devoted himself to the study of paleoclimate change, specifically using stable isotopes in tree rings to investigate variations of the Asian monsoon over the past millennium. Xu has long wanted to put this "signature skill" to practical use, such as in the study of archaeology. Traditionally, dating a historic building or reconstructing its construction history has relied almost exclusively on written records and stylistic analysis of its architectural form, methods which lack the precision of natural science. "A wooden historic structure is an excellent dating archive, one that also preserves a record of past climate variability," Xu was quoted as saying by China Science Daily. Dendrochronology, which focuses on growth rings in timber and tree trunks, has been applied to archaeology for a full century, according to the China Science Daily report. As one of the largest and best-preserved ancient wooden architectural complexes in the world, the Forbidden City boasts an immense collection of timber components. "Oxygen isotopes act as the 'rainfall fingerprint' of a tree," Xu explained. "The isotopic makeup of precipitation differs distinctively across both regions and periods, and the tree records it in detail." The principle is straightforward, with the wood's oxygen-isotope signature compared to the team's nationwide tree-ring oxygen isotope database, resulting in the region with the closest match being identified as the timber's origin. When the oxygen-isotope profiles of the three timbers were extracted and checked against the database, results showed that all three curves overlapped almost perfectly, with the closest statistical match pointing to northeast China. This finding was confirmed by historical documents. "The thrill of scientific discovery was simply indescribable when the isotopic signal locked perfectly into the historical record," Xu recalled. Compared with traditional ring-width analysis, the oxygen-isotope method is far less sensitive to individual growth variability, said Xu. Even a handful of tree rings can yield both a secure date and provenance if they align tightly with a regional reference sequence. Not only did this discovery pinpoint the timber's origin, it also exposed a pivotal shift in material strategies for the Forbidden City during both the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, namely the switch from precious nanmu to pine. The team's study has been published in the journal npj Heritage Science. The team is now deploying the same method to trace the provenance of the nanmu beams in the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin dian) inside the Forbidden City. The bedrock of their provenance study is the reference database this team has spent years assembling. To date, they have managed to build a tree-ring oxygen-isotope database for China and East Asia as well. In the long run, these applications will also be useful for paleoclimate research, Xu said. "Every single ancient timber is a climate diary through which we can reconstruct the historical sequence of extreme droughts or cloudbursts in a region and uncover the rules governing climate change." Editor: WXY Opinion | Jizya Under Shah Jahan And The Pious Service Of Kavindra Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 19:28 IST Apart from the notable exception of Akbar, every Sultan and Nawab levied Jizya Rapid Read Shah Jahan. When the Arab marauder Tariq landed on the shores of Spain in 711 CE, he burned the ship that had carried his holy army of Islamic warriors. His alarmed soldiers asked him how they would return. But Tariq had no intention of returning. His response was fully rooted in the core tenets of Islam: Har mulk mulk-i mast ki mulk-i Khuda-i mast": All land belongs to us, because it belongs to our God. One simply cant argue with this kind of logic." Indeed, Tariqs terse response was a plain delineation of a commentary on Jihad. Every Arab and Turkish Muslim invader from the earliest times has used a variant of Tariqs dictum. From Mahmud of Ghaznis infamous vow of waging a Holy War against Hindustan every year" to Tipu Sultans bigoted letters to alien Muslim rulers like Zaman Shah inviting him to establish the empire of Islam in this Kaffir land, this pattern has been consistent. From one view, the majority of later Muslim theology and religious literature is simply a voluminous mass of Jihad-justification. We can hear it from the mouth of the 14th-century Islamic theologian Ibn Taymiyyah: Jihad merely restores land to the Muslims who enjoy a divine right over these lands." When we contemplate its complete implications, we observe how the consistency of the behaviour pattern remains unchanged. However, a deeper investigation into the fundamentals reveals a more chilling fact. According to Muhammad the Prophet, every child is born in Islam but its parents make it non-Muslim. The hadith qudsi provides as follows: The Prophet (PBUH) reported that Allah said, I created my servants in the right religion but devils made them go astrayEach child is born in a state of Fitrah", then his parents make him a Jew or a Christian." The approximate meaning of the word Fitrah" in this context is being born naturally as a Muslim." The familiar Urdu word, Fitrat," is derived from this. One only needs to recall the number of times and in what contexts Fitrat has been used in Hindi cinema. Now, lets examine a 21st-century echo of the same diktat of the Hadith. Every child is born a Muslim. His parents and society convert him to other religionsIslam is the real home of all religions. There is no forced conversion in Islam. It is you who need to come home, but we cant give you money for that. That was Asaduddin Owaisi who uttered these words in a public speech in Hyderabad on January 3, 2015. The far-reaching implications of this seemingly innocuous statement about a religious tenet are quite evident. In this case, the logical question arises and is answered regarding how these natural" Muslims who have been led astray by their own parents must be treated. The short answer: by guiding them on the path towards the true religion. In academic terms, this is the process of radicalisation. That also leads us to the subject of how non-Muslims or Kaffirs are regarded and must be treated. The following is a partial list. A Muslim slave is better than an idolater, howsoever good the latter appear to the Muslims": Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), Verse 221. This is what Mohammad Ali (of the Ali Brothers infamy) meant when he condemned Mohandas Gandhi in these words: Yes, according to my religion and creed, I do hold an adulterous and fallen Musalman to be better than Mr. Gandhi." The idolaters body is so unclean that if an idolater put his hand into water, the water would become unclean": Imam Malik and Hasan al-Basri (8th Century CE). The whole body of a non-Muslim is unclean, even his hair, his nails, and all secretions of his body. A child below the age of puberty is unclean if his parents and grandparents are not Muslims": Ayatollah Khomeini. The Quran forbids a true Muslim to take the Kaffirs for their friends and helpers": Surahs Al Imran, al-Maidah, et al. Muslims must reside at such a far distance from the Kaffirs colony that even the light from the Kaffirs house remains invisible to the former": Shah Waliullah. The history of Muslim rule in India written by Islamic chroniclers reveals how such bigoted diktats have worked in real life under a pure" Muslim rule under which Hindus were treated less than human and worse than animals, suffering the degraded status of a Dhimmi (or Zimmi). Among the other debilitating handicaps that the Dhimmi suffered, Jizya or pilgrim tax ranks as the topmost. Jizya is economic Jihad in peacetime, whose objective is to eventually force the Dhimmi to convert to Islam in other words, the aforementioned homecoming" first laid down by Prophet Muhammad and echoed later by Owaisi. The Dhimmi and the Jizya The Dhimmi status of Hindus is the lesser-known and lesser-discussed facet of the history of Hindu persecution. Only two scholars have dissected it at some length: Harsh Narain in his classic, Jizyah and the Spread of Islam, and K.S. Lals acclaimed The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India. Apart from the notable exception of Akbar, every Sultan and Nawab levied Jizya. While Jahangir largely followed his fathers precedent in the matter of Jizya, Hindu persecution revived under his regime. But his son, Shah Jahan, took this persecution to a different level. He demolished as many as seventy-six temples in Kashi alone and revived Jizya on a considerable scale. But he eventually rescinded Jizya thanks to the magnificent eloquence of just one man, a sanyasin. His name is Kavindra, the Indra Among Poets. To be continued The author is the founder and chief editor, The Dharma Dispatch. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 19:28 IST News opinion Opinion | Jizya Under Shah Jahan And The Pious Service Of Kavindra 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 | Modi-Putin Arctic Pact Reflects Depth Of Collaboration With Moscow Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 15:46 IST Whether through joint shipbuilding, seafarer training, energy commerce, both leaders have signalled the Arctic won't be left to chance or to Western preference Rapid Read Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and PM Narendra Modi (R). (Image: Grigory SYSOYEV/POOL/AFP) During Vladimir Putins visit to New Delhi on December 4-5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Russian President formalised an Arctic partnership that signals a recalibration of Indias strategic positioning. It was a declaration that India and Russia intend to jointly command new frontiers of global commerce and strategic influence. The Arctic, long viewed as a distant periphery, has transformed into the centerpiece of 21st century trade and energy security. As ice melts and new passages open, the nations that position themselves first will shape the architecture of global logistics for decades. PM Modi understands this. So does Putin. And their agreement suggests both leaders have concluded that the Arctic will not wait for Western consensus on its development. The Strategic Geography of Polar Trade The Northern Sea Route represents the most consequential trade route in modern maritime history. A journey from Murmansk to Yokohama that requires 22 days through the Suez Canal takes merely 10 days via the Arctic. Alternatively, the distance can be reduced by 40 per cent compared to traditional routes, translating into dramatically lower fuel costs and faster delivery times. For India, it carries existential significance. Currently, India depends on the Suez Canal and Strait of Malacca; chokepoints controlled by external powers, vulnerable to geopolitical disruption, and subject to congestion that drives up shipping costs. The Northern Sea Route offers India what no other power can provide: an alternative conduit to European and Central Asian markets that bypasses these traditional vulnerabilities. During their summit, PM Modi and Putin formally accelerated three strategic trade corridors: the International North-South Transport Corridor, the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route itself. Together, these corridors reduce journey times by up to 40 days and shave off more than 16,000 kilometres from standard routes. PM Modi made it clear that progress will be made in this direction soon. This will reduce transit times, lower costs, and open up new markets for businesses". Its significance lies not just in distance reduction. India gains access to Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas, crude oil, and rare earth minerals, resources essential for Indias energy security and industrial development. Russian projections indicate 200 million tonnes of annual cargo flows along the Northern Sea Route by 2030. India intends to participate in this expansion. Ice-Class Shipbuilding One dimension of the Arctic partnership towers above others: joint production of Arctic-class vessels. Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov formally proposed that India and Russia collaboratively manufacture ice-class ships capable of navigating Arctic waters. The proposed programme envisions construction of Arctic-class ships, tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and LNG carriers, capable of safe navigation through ice-covered waters. Russias Rosatom State Corporation, the atomic energy behemoth that has pioneered Russian Arctic development, will partner with Indias Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to execute this initiative. The institutional framework itself signals seriousness as it is a state-level co-operation, bypassing commercial arrangements. India stands to gain immensely. The project, valued at over $750 million, will generate substantial revenue for Indian shipyards whilst creating thousands of skilled maritime jobs. More significantly, technology transfer will introduce cutting-edge polar navigation expertise to Indias emerging shipbuilding sector. Indian engineers and designers will learn to construct vessels capable of operating in the harshest environments on Earth; the level of expertise that will elevate Indias standing in global shipbuilding markets. Russia, meanwhile, gains access to reliable shipbuilding capacity outside the reach of Western sanctions. The collaboration circumvents restrictions on Russian Arctic development by establishing an alternative production base in non-sanctioned India. For both nations, this partnership is transformative. Russia obtains the vessels necessary to exploit Arctic resources and establish regular shipping along the Northern Sea Route. India acquires the technological capability to operate independently in polar waters and compete in specialised maritime markets. Neither nation is dependent on the other for completion of the project; instead, both benefit from complementary expertise and capacity. Indias Active Engagement In The Arctic Council Indias participation in the 6th International Arctic Forum held in Murmansk in March 2025 marked another milestone. Russia explicitly appreciated Indias delegation attendance at this gathering, whilst India reaffirmed its readiness to play an active role as observer in the Arctic Council. India received observer status in the Arctic Council in 2013 and maintained it through re-election in 2019. It provides legitimacy and access to information flows. India can leverage its membership in Arctic Council working groups, contribute its scientific expertise on climate and oceanography, and influence discussions regarding sustainable resource development. In addition, Indias scientific capability carries weight in Arctic deliberations. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research in Goa has established India as a credible polar research nation. India operates Himadri Station in Norways Svalbard, one of the few research facilities maintained by a developing nation in the Arctic. By utilising its observer status and collaborating with Russia on Arctic development, India gains a voice in determining how Arctic resources will be extracted, how Arctic shipping routes will be governed, and what environmental safeguards will apply to polar development. Energy Security and Access to Arctic Resource Indias strategic imperative in the Arctic is clear: energy diversification. India currently depends heavily on oil imports from the Middle East and gas supplies from Australia. The Arctic offers an alternative. Russia controls 53 per cent of Arctic coastline and manages 80 per cent of Arctic oil and gas reserves. India has already invested over $15 billion in Russian oil and gas projects, including Arctic ventures like Yamal LNG. The Modi-Putin summit has accelerated this. Through Arctic cooperation, India secures long-term access to Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas and crude oil deliverable via the Northern Sea Route. It matters as India races to meet energy demands projections indicating India will require significantly expanded imports to sustain economic growth. Additionally, the Arctic contains vast mineral deposits of copper, phosphorus, niobium, rare earth elements, and platinum group metals. As Indias technology sector expands and manufacturing ambitions grow, access to these minerals becomes essential. Joint ventures with Russia in Arctic mineral extraction would provide India with direct supply chains for materials currently sourced from China or other strategic competitors. Beyond 2030 The Modi-Putin Arctic agreement establishes frameworks for cooperation extending through 2029 and beyond. The India-Russia Cooperation Programme in Trade, Economic and Investment Spheres in the Russian Far East covers not merely Arctic ventures but agricultural cooperation, mining collaboration, diamond trading, pharmaceuticals, and maritime transport. Its a comprehensive partnership based on the strong foundations of India-Russia co-operation in many fields. As the Arctic becomes increasingly accessible and valuable, the Northern Sea Route transitions from novelty to routine commerce, and Arctic resources prove increasingly critical to global supply chains, the nations that invested early in polar capacity will shape the rules governing Arctic development. PM Modi and Putin have positioned India and Russia to be such nations. Whether through joint shipbuilding, seafarer training, energy commerce, or scientific collaboration, both leaders have signalled that the Arctic will not be left to chance or to Western preference. The Arctic Pact therefore is a strategic alignment. It declares that in the 21st century, polar latitudes will determine global power. And India, under PM Modis leadership, intends to be a principal architect of that emerging polar order. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 15:46 IST News opinion Opinion | Modi-Putin Arctic Pact Reflects Depth Of Collaboration With Moscow 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 | Re-Imagining The Mandala Doctrine: India Must Stop Punching Below Its Weight Written By : & News18.com Last Updated: December 12, 2025, 18:43 IST The essence of this Mandala Doctrine lies in the recognition that it emphasises the importance of clearly defining and safeguarding a regional security perimeter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi To define a Monroe Doctrine for India, one must first understand the conditions that led President James Monroe of the US to declare it in 1823. America was not then a significant power, but Monroes policy was cleverly framed to fend off major European powers from encroaching on the newly found land west of the Atlantic, which was poised to become an economic powerhouse with its abundant natural resources and the geographical blessing of having free navigation across both the Pacific and Atlantic. Monroe told Europe to stay out of the Americas, and in exchange, the US would not interfere in European affairs. This policy is seen by neorealists like John Mearsheimer as a foundational step toward the USs eventual establishment of regional and global hegemony. Understanding this historical framework is crucial for contemplating a similar doctrine for India, considering both its unique position and the contemporary geopolitical landscape. It is worth noting that todays great powers have not imposed their doctrines after achieving their status but have instead achieved great-power status partly because they declared their sphere-of-influence doctrines during their early stages of ascent: the Monroe Doctrine in the case of the US, and Chinas informal control over the South China Sea and its first island chain dilemma. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi have used such ideas to justify Indias interventions in Goa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The possibility of India invoking this doctrine has arisen amid the presence of four Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region, coinciding with Indias cancellation of a missile test. It is undeniable that the economic centre of gravity is shifting toward Asia, away from the Americas, as evidenced by strategic shifts and policies that are pivoting toward the region. However, it is unwise for India to mimic the Monroe Doctrine in full. As a civilisational state, we should not be writing on a blank slate; our past and present must inform our policy. Indias Monroe Doctrine should be anchored in three core principles specifically designed for our unique context. The first principle emphasises the importance of acknowledging geopolitical realities. This means that India must engage in an objective analysis of current global power dynamics, free from intellectual bias. Recognising the shifting balance of power between the US and China is crucial. Rather than relying on the hope that either superpower will assist us in times of crisis, we must base our strategies and actions on the actual conditions and relationships in the global arena. It is crucial for India to start behaving like a great power, which does not simply mean exerting hard power with arrogance. Instead, it involves the necessity to engage in actions proportionate to its capabilities and, at times, even exceeding them. Unfortunately, India has tended to punch below its weight due to a risk-averse mindset, creating a perception that it is merely a populous state with a conventional military and industry, not significantly different from its neighbours. This situation needs to change. India must shed its strategic shyness, which often results in hesitancy to take robust actions for fear of upsetting a great power. A new era of policies, doctrines, and strategies should emerge that does not rely on the reactions of other powers as a central consideration. By doing so, India can better assert its status and influence on the global stage. Learning from mistakes is crucial for any nation, especially one aspiring to be a great power like India. This involves reflecting on our own missteps as well as the errors made by other influential nations throughout history. Take, for instance, the invasion of Goa, which was a strategically sound decision at that moment. However, subsequent actions often lacked careful consideration, leading to unintended consequences. The instance of providing covert aid to Tamil separatists in Sri Lanka, along with indirect support to CIA-backed Tibetan guerrillas, serves as a notable example of how well-intentioned actions can backfire and complicate bilateral relations. It is essential to approach international affairs with a mindset that does not promote non-interventionism or a purely self-centred strategy, as these do not align with the conduct expected from a great power. Instead, a more prudent approach requires us to thoroughly assess the potential ramifications of our actions, ensuring they align with our long-term strategic interests. Importantly, we should avoid allowing our responses to be driven solely by provocation or emotional reactions; a calculated and considered approach is necessary to navigate the complexities of global politics effectively. There are several aspects of Indias foreign policy that may need re-evaluation. One prominent issue is the paradoxical morality that arises from the belief in a unilateral Gandhian approach, which often conflicts with the realities of a Westphalian international system characterised by anarchy. This discrepancy leads to actions that can be seen as mere virtue-signalling rather than strategic decisions. For instance, Indias quick recognition of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) diminished its negotiating power, effectively ceding Tibet a crucial buffer zone into Chinese control. Additionally, the signing of the 123 Agreement led India to relinquish its sovereign nuclear testing rights. Furthermore, Indias involvement in Operation Dost, where it dispatched rescue teams to Turkey a nation perceived as hostile highlights inconsistencies in its foreign policy. Moreover, the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which promotes the idea of the world as one family, contrasts sharply with the Chinese concept of Tianxia, where order is maintained under the dominance of the Middle Kingdom. This difference, along with Western concepts of hegemony, reflects the complexities and challenges in aligning Indias foreign policy with its philosophical foundations. The million-dollar question posed to every Indian security expert remains the imminent two-front war that India faces. However, this combined understanding of a double front has led to an under-examined study of the fronts individually and of the countries themselves. The discrepancy in a clear understanding of a two-front war is rooted in Indias circumstantial behaviour, particularly toward its western neighbour, lacking a big-picture analysis. In the context of India and its foreign policy, particularly regarding Pakistan, the security narrative has intensified, especially following Operation Sindoor. Conversely, the discourse surrounding our eastern neighbour seems to have quieted down. The ongoing dynamic with Pakistan illustrates a concerning reality: India finds itself repeatedly entangled in hostilities with what many perceive as a subordinate state. This engagement stands in stark contrast to how regional or global powers typically respond to weak, rogue states that project strength without substantial backing. Pakistans identity as a nation is often described as artificial, stemming from a complex history marked by the suppression of various minorities, such as the Baloch people. This historical context suggests that the Pakistani state may not possess the long-term stability it claims, potentially leading to internal fragmentation as predicted by the second law of thermodynamics. In essence, just as systems in nature tend toward disorder, the persistent internal conflicts within Pakistan suggest that its cohesion may eventually unravel. For India, this situation poses strategic questions: while we engage in a protracted rivalry with a state facing existential challenges, are we missing opportunities to address more significant geopolitical dynamics? Our focus should not be solely on Pakistans actions but also on how we can redefine our position and influence in the region, moving beyond a reactionary stance in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The true security competition for India must focus on China. This is crucial as India may soon find itself sharing a border with a superpowerone that poses significant diplomatic and technological challenges. The contrasting security narratives between the Eastern and Western fronts are notable: Pakistan aims to undermine India while facing its own struggles, whereas China seeks to contain Indias influence in the region, which is critical for preventing India from asserting itself as a regional hegemona stepping stone to achieving true hegemony. Analysts often grapple with the complexity of forming a coherent strategy towards China, primarily due to the conflicting nature of Chinas role. On one hand, China stands as Indias largest trading partner; on the other, it is a hegemonic rival in Asia. This duality complicates the security landscape and requires a nuanced understanding of Indias position moving forward. By prioritising the challenges posed by China, India can better prepare for the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region. Let us dissect this dichotomy into its economic and security parts to gauge the nature of the relationship better. On the economic front, China remains Indias (and the worlds) largest trading partner. While Indian consumers have profited from cheap Chinese imports, the relationship, at least until today, has remained near-neocolonial, with Indias exports being raw materials and its imports from China being finished goods. As most growth stories do, Chinas economic slowdown under Xi Jinping, following a continually overheated economy, combined with an upcoming steep demographic decline and a shift from raw manufacturing to innovation, presents an excellent opportunity for possible economic interdependence. As much as India must seize this opportunity while maintaining sovereignty in key sectors, on the security front, it clearly lags behind China in a variety of areas. In particular, India must strengthen its shipbuilding capabilities to counter Chinas growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean and build naval capacity around the Nicobar Islands near the Strait of Malacca, especially since the One Belt One Road initiative has not fully mitigated Chinas Malacca Dilemma. The fragmentation of the rules-based world order presents a critical opportunity for India to establish a formal doctrine of engagement within its region. India should seize this chance to renegotiate, and if necessary, withdraw from unfair agreements that aim to stifle its growth. Although it may seem aggressive, India must consider discarding binding nuclear agreements that have relegated it to a sub-nuclear status, particularly those imposed by the United States. This caution stems from the US not wanting to replicate the rise of another China in India, especially after witnessing the complexities that arose from Chinas ascent. A combination of sustained economic growth at around 7 per cent, the establishment of a formal security doctrine, and a flexible approach to shifting power dynamics is essential for India to achieve its rightful status as a hegemon. We propose a revised interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which we might term the Mandala Doctrine. This concept shifts the focus from merely demanding that other nations refrain from intervening in a designated area to asserting our right, as a Vijigishu, to engage in proactive interventions to secure a particular region. The essence of this Mandala Doctrine lies in the recognition that, much like the original Monroe Doctrine, it emphasises the importance of clearly defining and safeguarding a regional security perimeter. This is crucial not only for the safety and stability of our interests but also for the fundamental survival and expansion of our status as a hegemonic power. Both doctrines share a central theme: the necessity of taking assertive measures to protect a vital sphere of influence for the hegemons flourishing. In this context, the Mandala Doctrine represents an evolution of thought, adapting historical principles to the modern geopolitical landscape while maintaining a commitment to regional stability and the enhancement of our strategic interests. Gautam R Desiraju is at UPES Dehradun and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Venkatakrishnan Asuri is a B.Tech student at IIT Madras. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not represent the stand of this publication. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 15:24 IST News opinion Opinion | Re-Imagining The Mandala Doctrine: India Must Stop Punching Below Its Weight 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 | Understanding Terrorism In Jammu And Kashmir After Abrogation Of Article 370 Written By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 16:15 IST Pakistan is diverting the aid received from the Arab countries to these terror outfits Rapid Read Armed personnel cordon off an area during a search operation following the blast near Delhi's Red Fort, in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, (Image: PTI) The shocking unravelling of the white-collar terrorist ring of radicalised doctors in Kashmir, planning to orchestrate synchronised bomb explosions at multiple locations, has raised many alarming questions, challenging many of our assumptions. First and foremost, the dominant narrative in the mainstream counter-terrorism discourse in India is that after the abrogation of Article 370, militancy has declined in J&K, and Pakistan is facing an existential crisis, fast losing support on the ground. Having reviewed the security landscape of J&K in the last seven years, it is amply evident that the Pak-sponsored separatist ecosystem suffered major reverses in the initial phase. As a result of NIAs massive crackdown on terror financing and the separatist ecosystem, leading to the arrest of prominent secessionist leaders, OGWs, terror financing coordinators, radical activists and hawala conduits, SFs neutralisation of major terrorist cadres, Indias robust kinetic response in the conventional war domain against Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks like the Uri fidayeen and Pulwama fidayeen attack, cessation of the LoC trade and ban on the Jamaat-i-Islami, and security and communication lockdown following the Article 370 abrogation, the Islamist ecosystem suffered a significant setback, resulting in a sharp decline in stone-pelting. However, in terms of the intensity and number of terror attacks, the number increased from 135 in 2019 to 153 in 2021; after that, there is a continuous decline, from 151 attacks in 2022 to 34 in 2025. Civilian casualties have declined from 42 in 2019 to 28 in 2025. The casualties of the SFs have also dropped from 78 in 2019 to 16 in 2025. The number of terrorists killed increased from 163 in 2019 to 232 in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, 193 terrorists were neutralised; however, after that, there was a sharp decline from 87 terrorists killed in 2023 to 46 in 2025. The statistical figures mentioned above do not capture the full picture of reality in J&K. The fact, buried beneath these statistics, is that Pakistan has drastically changed its strategy and tactics in the context of militancy. Immediately after Indias Kashmir move, Pakistan rolled out a slew of terrorist groups with secular-sounding names like the Resistance Force, Kashmir Tigers, Peoples Anti-Fascist Force, etc. The underlying idea was to signal that the Kashmiri struggle is for genuine local grievances and secular issues like the right to self-determination, and not a product of Pakistan-sponsored religious radicalisation. The strategy helped Pakistan maintain plausible deniability, evade the FATF scrutiny and keep the pot boiling in Kashmir. Many terrorist killings occurred in Kashmir, primarily targeting the non-Kashmiri labourers and businessmen, with a deliberate intent to create a perception that the killings were an expression of Kashmiri angst against the government for abrogating Article 370, thereby allowing the non-locals to settle in Kashmir. These groups had sophisticated propaganda operations through posters and social media posts after the terror attacks. Most Indian analysts and intelligence agencies kept venturing down the wrong path, exploring possibilities of the TRF and PAFF being proxies of LeT and Jaish, respectively. While analysing these groups, Indian agencies and budding OSINT analysts focused on their posters and social media posts, which were nothing more than smokescreens to create confusion, illusion, and frustration in the ranks of the adversary. These groups continue to operate in Kashmir, but they are nothing more than the digital footprints of conventional groups like LeT, Jaish and HM. Behind these social media accounts exists the ISIs firm grip and iron-clad control over Kashmir militancy. The ISI, through its traditional sinister trinity of LeT, JeM and HM, is in much stronger control of Kashmir militancy and terrorist networks in India. Pakistans other tactical innovation was the phenomenon of hybrid militants. Ordinary civilians working as professionals, without any crime record, occasionally indulging in acts of terror, on the instructions from handlers sitting across the border, came to be addressed as hybrid militants. Because of their civilian identities, they could maintain anonymity, blend in, and make it immensely challenging for the SFs to identify and neutralise them. Further, they had the least knowledge of organisational details, financial networks, OGW chains, and other sensitive information about terrorist groups. They are handled remotely by a Pakistan-based handler. A handler sitting in Pakistan could be dealing with as many as 80 to 100 individuals in J&K, with identities. Based on the handlers instructions, they received the weapons from a designated OGW, whom they did not know. Mainly, these tasks included killing a labourer, a police informer or a Kashmiri pundit/non-Kashmiri working in the public or private sector in J&K. These hybrid militants did not require much training. Many of them had availed Pakistan-sponsored higher education programmes in medicine, engineering, humanities, either in Pakistan or in other countries like Turkey, Bangladesh, etc., during which they received a 20-day small weapons handling training. The hybrid militants, being ordinary civilians, hardly displayed intense religiosity or extremism through outfits, activities, and conversations. After completing the task assigned, the hybrid militant was supposed to dump the gun where instructed. Until 2022, the hybrid model of militancy was widely used. In hindsight, it can also be viewed as a natural progression of Islamism in J&K. The advent of social media, followed by Kashmiris substantial exposure to Islamist ideological and operational undercurrents of the Arab Spring, sufficiently radicalised them. In response to the encounter killing of HM commander Burhan Wani, Kashmir witnessed the most aggressive, widespread, and violent expression of anti-India popular unrest, driven by Islamic extremism. Between 2016 and 2019, i.e., in the post-Burhan phase, Pakistans strategy involved celebrating the terrorists as social media heroes. During this phase of home-grown militancy, before joining a terror outfit, the terrorists would make social media announcements. During their survival as terrorists, the terrorist groups released videos of gun-toting militants eating, strolling, and praying in jungles. The death of the militants was celebrated with large-scale funerals, with emotional crowds chanting anti-India slogans. Videos of such funerals were also shared on social media. All these activities were directed to mainstream the separatist-cum-Islamist narrative by mobilising popular support and making it dominant and relevant, even for the mainstream politicians who expressed faith in the Indian constitution. By 2019, the homegrown militancy had yielded dividends in the form of local Kashmiris volunteering as suicide bombers, a hitherto uncommon phenomenon in the J&K terrorist movement. After Delhis Kashmir move on August 5, the state authorities clamped down a strong communication and security lockdown. After that, when Pakistani efforts focused on revitalising militancy, they moved away from the social media-centric propaganda-based mass militancy, as it was hardly needed. The populace had already transformed into a constituency that would not only provide ideological and overground support, but also willingly volunteer for suicide missions and routine terrorist activities. Besides, the social media footprint and Techint had already led to many successful encounters by SFs, killing many terrorist commanders. Hence, the next phase was to go dark, deceptive, silent, and anonymous, to gain a better grip on militancy and make the adversary exhausted, confused, ambivalent, and clueless. In this transformation, creating front organisations like TRF and PAFF was the first step, followed by the induction of hybrid militants, both of which were discussed earlier in this article. As regards the OGWs, the ISI relieved those OGWs who were associated with terror groups for years, were exposed, and many of them worked as double agents, providing titbits of information to Indian SFs, mainly under the knowledge of the ISI. The new breed of OGWs had no records of affiliations with terror groups. In many cases, clean-shaven college and university students with no overt religious garb and demeanour were preferred. Teenage girls and boys were used to transport weapons and cash to a designated place. Unlike the older OGWs, these new ones had minimal knowledge of operational plans, FTs locations, financial channels, and ISI handlers. Pakistan-based handlers shared minimal information with the new OGWs. Even recruiting these new OGWs and hybrid militants has a rigorous process. On strong recommendations, an individual is contacted by a handler based in Pakistan or Turkey. Initially, the individual is given minor tasks, such as putting up posters and transporting ordinary items for militants. They also ask them to download some applications, essentially to infiltrate the new recruits mobile phones so their movements can be tracked. Once the link is downloaded, they can access the photos, location, videos and hear the conversations. If the phones are kept away or go dead for extended periods, further investigation is ordered. If they are found working with the Indian agencies, they are used to plant false information. In this new phase of post-370 militancy, the terrorists are intensively using dead drops for delivering weapons, cash, and messages. Since 2022, Pakistan has been infiltrating a large number of FTs who are highly trained. Reportedly, they are trained by the elite SSG commandos of Pakistan. Their training levels match those of the Indian special forces. As a result, in many encounters, the new breed of FTs has killed the members of the Indian special forces. This new crop of FTs has American weapons like the M4 and highly advanced NVDs. As a result, the terrorist attacks and the SFs encounters with them in the last 2-3 years have become highly sophisticated and militarised. Unlike in the past, the encounters today end with many FTs escaping after killing the Indian soldiers. These FTs, as of now, are avoiding contact with the SFs. These FTs are consolidating now in the jungles and waiting for instructions from across the border. Unofficial estimates suggest the presence of highly trained 150 FTs. When pressed into action, they can perpetrate a Pahalgam-like terror incident or during India-Pakistan direct conflict, they can activate sabotage from within. They are likely to use drones from within the Indian territory to attack Indian installations. Reportedly, Turkey is supplying small weapons and financial support to them. Allegedly, more recently, JeMs top-level commander Mufti Azghar visited Turkey on a secret trip, facilitated by Maulana Fazlur Rahman Khalil, the founder figure in the Deobandi Jihadi terror network. The LeT and Jaish have opened new camps, recruiting young boys between 16 and 21. Pakistan is diverting the aid received from the Arab countries to these terror outfits. Additionally, it is pertinent to mention that Kashmir Jihads nexus with Bangladesh is getting stronger. LeT and Jaish have made inroads in Bangladesh. LeT members were seen in the ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) meetings in the Myanmar-Bangladesh border areas. Jamaat-affiliated Kashmiri youths are travelling to Turkey, and from there to Pakistan. After getting a Pakistani passport, they travel to Bangladesh and coordinate Jihadist activities. According to my informed interlocutors, many Pakistan Army delegations with ISI agents have made secret visits to Bangladesh. They include ISI operatives, terrorist masterminds from PoK and explosives experts. Allegedly, the ISI members have delivered explosives to Indian jihadists in the border areas where they are amassing them in the Madrasas. Further, JeM and LeT are making strong inroads in the Indian hinterland and activating their old sleeper cells and operatives in the Indian Mujahiddin, through Kashmiris. In a parallel network, they are also harnessing the AQIS and ISKP networks and sleeper cells to orchestrate terror attacks in India. In light of these developments in the post-370 of Kashmir militancy, India needs a massive transformation of its counter-terrorism strategy and tactics. The author is a policy analyst specialising in counterterrorism, Indian foreign policy and Afghanistan-Pakistan geopolitics. He has done his PhD on Jaish-e-Mohammad. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 16:15 IST News opinion Opinion | Understanding Terrorism In Jammu And Kashmir After Abrogation Of Article 370 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 10, 2025, 13:00 IST 1 / 9 Indonesias capital, Jakarta, has overtaken Dhaka and Tokyo to claim the top spot in a new United Nations report, underscoring the rapid pace of urbanization across Asia. With an estimated population of nearly 42 million residents, Jakarta has soared from 33rd place in the 2018 rankings, when Tokyo held the crown, to number one in 2025. (Image: Pexels) 2 / 9 Jakartas rise highlights the extraordinary demographic shifts reshaping global cities. Dhaka, Bangladeshs capital, follows closely with 36 million people and is projected to become the worlds largest city by midcentury, with more than 52 million residents. Tokyo, once the undisputed leader, has slipped in the rankings as Japan grapples with an aging population and declining birth rates. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 The World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report notes that nearly half of the planets 8.2 billion people now live in cities, a figure that has doubled over the past 75 years. Asia dominates this urban landscape, with nine of the ten most populated cities located on the continent. Cairo, Egypts capital, is the lone exception, ranking seventh with 25 million residents, more than double the population of New York City. (Image: Pexels) 4 / 9 The rest of the top ten includes New Delhi (30.2 million), Shanghai (29.6 million), Guangzhou (27.6 million), Manila (24.7 million), Kolkata (22.5 million), and Seoul (22.5 million). Together, these megacities illustrate the scale of Asias urban transformation, where dense populations are reshaping economies, infrastructure, and social dynamics. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Urbanization is a defining force of our time. When managed inclusively and strategically, it can unlock transformative pathways for climate action, economic growth, and social equity, said Li Junhia, United Nations undersecretarygeneral for economic and social affairs. He emphasized the need for integrated national policies that align housing, land use, mobility, and public services to achieve balanced development across urban and rural areas. (Image: Pexels) 6 / 9 The report also highlights the explosive growth of megacities, defined as urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million. In 1975, there were just eight such cities worldwide. By 2025, that number has expanded to 33, with 19 located in Asia. Los Angeles and New York City remain the only megacities in the US. Looking ahead, the UN projects that by 2050 there could be more than 15,000 cities globally, most with populations under 250,000, reflecting both the spread of urbanization and the diversity of city sizes. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Jakartas new status comes with challenges. The city is overcrowded, polluted, and prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and flooding. It is also sinking at an alarming rate due to excessive groundwater extraction and rising sea levels. Recognizing these vulnerabilities, former Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced in 2019 that the countrys capital would be relocated to Nusantara, a planned city in Borneo located 1,200 miles away. Nusantara, envisioned as a sustainable hub surrounded by rich biodiversity, was meant to ease the burden on Jakarta. (Image: Pexels) 8 / 9 However, the relocation project has faced significant setbacks, including construction delays, limited foreign investment, and land management issues. As a result, Jakarta continues to shoulder the weight of being both Indonesias political center and the worlds most populous city. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 14:39 IST Queen Maxima of the Netherlands turned heads in Suriname when she stepped out in a sariinspired ensemble, blending royal elegance with South Asian tradition. Her choice of outfit not only honored cultural aesthetics but also underscored her reputation as one of Europes most adventurous style icons. 1 / 8 In December 2025, Netherlands' King WillemAlexander and Queen Maxima embarked on a state visit to Suriname, marking a historic occasion as it was their first official trip since Surinames independence from the Netherlands in 1975. The visit carried deep diplomatic significance, but it was Maximas wardrobe that captured global attention. (Image: Instagram) 2 / 8 At a welcome ceremony in Paramaribo, she appeared in a sariinspired outfit that paid homage to South Asian and Caribbean influences, reflecting Surinames diverse cultural heritage. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 Maximas ensemble featured a flowing drape reminiscent of a sari, paired with a tailored blouse that balanced regal formality with contemporary chic. The fabric shimmered in jewel tones, complemented by intricate embroidery that echoed Indian craftsmanship. She accessorized with emerald jewelry, including a statement necklace and earrings, which added a touch of opulence and tied the look to her royal identity. (Image: Instagram) 4 / 8 The sariinspired silhouette was a departure from her usual European couture, signaling her willingness to embrace global fashion traditions. By choosing this look, Maxima demonstrated cultural sensitivity and an appreciation for Surinames multicultural society, where Indian, Javanese, African, and European influences coexist. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 For Queen Maxima, fashion has always been more than aesthetics; it is a diplomatic tool. Wearing a sariinspired outfit in Suriname conveyed respect for the countrys Indian diaspora, which forms a significant part of its population. It also highlighted her ability to use clothing as a bridge between cultures, reinforcing the message of unity and shared heritage during the royal visit. (Image: Instagram) 6 / 8 Her emerald jewelry added another layer of symbolism. Green is often associated with renewal and harmony, aligning with the themes of reconciliation and partnership that defined the state visit. The choice of emeralds also showcased her penchant for bold, statement pieces that elevate her outfits beyond mere attire. (Image: Instagram) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 This moment in Suriname adds to Queen Maximas long history of daring fashion choices. Known for her love of vibrant colors, dramatic hats, and experimental silhouettes, she has consistently pushed the boundaries of royal style. Her sariinspired look joins a list of outfits where she has embraced cultural motifs, from Indonesian batik prints to Latin American textiles, reflecting her Argentine roots and global outlook. (Image: Instagram) Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 16:18 IST 1 / 14 Whether on social media or in theatres, one film dominating the conversation is Aditya Dhars semi-fictional spy thriller, Dhurandhar. From its gripping storyline to the outstanding performances of its cast, the film has received praise from audiences and critics and has become one of the blockbusters of 2025. 2 / 14 Amid the positive response to the film, the makers have also been commended for their casting choices. Mukesh Chhabra is the casting director for Dhurandhar. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 14 One of the screen-stealing performances has been by Akshaye Khanna. He portrays the menacing Pakistani crime lord and politician Rehman Baloch, known as Rehman Dakait, one of Lyaris most infamous gangsters. 4 / 14 Rehmans father, Dadal Baloch, was Lyaris first major drug kingpin in the 1960s-70s. Rehman, often dubbed 'Robin Hood' for distributing money to the poor, had a fierce rivalry with Arshad Pappu. He was killed in a police encounter led by Chaudhary Aslam Khan in 2009. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 14 Sanjay Dutt plays the role of SSP Chaudhary Aslam, a character inspired by Pakistans famed encounter specialist Chaudhary Aslam Khan, who created the Lyari Task Force. 6 / 14 He was the one who captured or neutralised major gang leaders such as Rehman Dacoit and Uzair Baloch, and became a target of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. He was killed in 2014 when a suicide bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into his convoy. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 14 Arjun Rampal appears as Major Iqbal in Dhurandhar. His character was inspired by Ilyas Kashmiri, who was considered a potential successor to Osama Bin Laden. He headed the Harkat-ul-Jihad Brigade and founded the 313 Brigade. 8 / 14 Ilyas, who was known for his brutality, was linked to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. He was killed in a US drone strike in 2011. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 14 R Madhavan perfectly embodied Ajay Sanyal, a character inspired by the National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval. His character is the mastermind behind the Lyari operation, which forms the storyline of Dhurandhar. 10 / 14 A 1968 batch IPS officer, Ajit Doval, resolved 15 plane hijackings and also infiltrated Operation Blue Star to identify key terrorists. He is Indias longest-serving NSA. ADVERTISEMENT 11 / 14 As for Ranveer Singh, he plays the role of Hamza, a Punjabi youth recruited from prison and trained to infiltrate Karachis criminal underworld. 12 / 14 While many speculated that his character bore similarities to the late Major Mohit Sharma, Ashoka Chakra and Sena Medal awardee, the director denied the claims, saying Dhurandhar is fictional and not based on the Majors life. ADVERTISEMENT 13 / 14 The casting, makeup and prosthetics for Dhurandhar are so impressive that they even caught the eye of actor Hrithik Roshan. He not only praised the team in front of the camera, but also behind it. Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 16:11 IST 1 / 9 For decades, women around the world have been breaking barriers in the workplace, yet the gender pay gap remains. On average, women earn significantly less than men, even in highly developed countries. Theres one country in Europe that stands out. 2 / 9 In Luxembourg, women not only enjoy strong job opportunities and career growth, they actually earn slightly more than men. This small nation achieved gender pay equality and celebrates the women leading the way. (Photo: europa.eu) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 9 In Luxembourg, women not only enjoy strong job opportunities and career growth, they actually earn slightly more than men. This small nation achieved gender pay equality and celebrates the women leading the way. 4 / 9 In Luxembourg, the gender pay gap is reportedly -0.7 per cent, meaning women earn slightly more than men on average. This is unique in Europe and worldwide. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 9 Over the past 50 years, womens participation in the workforce has increased significantly in Luxembourg. Today, women are represented in almost every field, from education and healthcare to finance and technology. Many Luxembourgish women work in the public sector, which offers competitive salaries, job security and benefits. 6 / 9 Government policies in Luxembourg actively promote gender equality. Measures such as generous parental leave, flexible working conditions and strict pay transparency help women thrive professionally. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 9 Luxembourg is one of Europes smallest countries. It is a landlocked country, bordered by Belgium, France and Germany. The capital city is Luxembourg City, which is also the largest urban centre. 8 / 9 Luxembourg is the worlds only Grand Duchy (monarchy). The Grand Duke serves as the ceremonial head of state. The Prime Minister heads the government, with a parliamentary democracy in place. The country is politically stable. Luxembourg is a founding member of the EU and hosts several major European institutions. ADVERTISEMENT Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:07 IST 1 / 12 The sudden death of a 23-day-old infant has deeply shaken residents of Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred in Sihali Jageer, which falls under the jurisdiction of Hasanpur police station in Amroha district. 2 / 12 It is being reported that the tragic incident happened when the child was sleeping between his parents. During the night, the parents turned over in their sleep, accidentally crushing the newborn. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 12 The incident came to light the next morning, on Monday, December 8, when the mother woke up to feed her son and found him unresponsive. She tried to wake her child up but saw no movement. 4 / 12 The parents, identified as Saddam Abbasi and Asma, immediately rushed their newborn baby boy, Sufiyan, to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gajraula, where doctors declared him dead. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 12 Reportedly, the childs parents waited for nearly four years to have their first child following their wedding. The death of their only child left the couple devastated. 6 / 12 Overcome with grief, the two blamed each other for negligence and even began a heated argument at the hospital before the relative managed to calm them down. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 12 The doctor-in-charge, Dr Yogendra Singh, who attended the couples son, shared that they returned home without filing a police complaint. 8 / 12 The doctor confirmed that the child appeared to have died of suffocation after being accidentally smothered. ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 12 Such risks, according to the doctor, increase in winter, when families tend to huddle under blankets to keep warm. 10 / 12 "Parents should be extremely cautious while sleeping with newborns, especially during cold weather," he said, highlighting that infants are more vulnerable to accidental smothering. ADVERTISEMENT 11 / 12 Medical experts have also warned about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the unexplained death of a child under one year of age, usually during sleep. Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:54 IST 1 / 10 On December 10, 2025, Australia began enforcing a world-first law that blocks children under 16 from accessing platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. The ban, passed through the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024, requires ten of the largest platforms to block minors or face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($33 million). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the move as a proud day for families, arguing that it restores control to parents and protects children from harmful online content. The ban is being closely watched worldwide, as it represents one of the toughest age-based restrictions on social media ever implemented. Critics, however, warn of free speech concerns and the challenges of enforcing such laws in a digital ecosystem that thrives on anonymity. (Image: Pexels) 2 / 10 While Australia is the first to implement a blanket ban for under-16s, several countries have experimented with bans or strict regulations targeting social media use. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 10 China has long enforced strict controls on social media. Its domestic version of TikTok, Douyin, limits minors to just 40 minutes of daily use, while broader censorship ensures that content aligns with government standards. This approach reflects Chinas broader philosophy of tightly regulating digital platforms. (Image: Pexels) 4 / 10 Iran has imposed nationwide bans on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for years. These restrictions are rooted in political and cultural concerns, with authorities arguing that such platforms spread content that undermines state values. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 10 North Korea takes the most extreme stance, with a total ban on global social media. Citizens are restricted to a state-controlled intranet, leaving them completely cut off from platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok. (Image: Pexels) 6 / 10 Turkey has repeatedly resorted to temporary bans on social media platforms during times of political unrest. Twitter and Facebook, for example, have been blocked in the past to control the flow of information during crises. (Image: Pexels) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 10 Pakistan has also targeted social media, particularly TikTok, which has been banned multiple times over concerns about immoral content. These bans are often lifted after negotiations with the platform but reflect ongoing tensions between cultural norms and digital freedom. (Image: Pexels) 8 / 10 Sri Lanka blocked access to social media during political protests in 2022, citing public safety concerns. The emergency measure was intended to curb misinformation and prevent unrest from escalating. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 9 / 10 Uganda introduced a social media tax in 2018, effectively restricting access for many users who could not afford the additional cost. While not a blanket ban, the measure significantly reduced social media usage in the country. (File Photo) Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states of the group attended the launch meeting, which was chaired by Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Editor: WXY DK Shivakumar Blames Centre, Maharashtra & Andhra For Delaying Upper Krishna Project Phase 3 Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:33 IST The deputy CM said he, along with minister V Somanna, had met the Union Jal Shakti minister thrice but he cited unavoidable reasons for postponing scheduled meeting with the states Rapid Read Karnataka's deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. (News18) Deputy chief minister and water resources minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday stated that the implementation of the ambitious Upper Krishna Project (UKP) Phase 3 has been repeatedly delayed due to objections raised by neighbouring states, even as the Karnataka government remains committed to its timely completion. Responding to queries during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, the DCM highlighted the central governments delay in issuing the crucial notification required for the projects execution. The central government has withheld the notification for the implementation of UKP Phase-3 since 2013," Shivakumar informed the House. He noted that Maharashtra initially, and then Andhra Pradesh, had created hurdles, obstructing the projects progress. Addressing MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnals question regarding land acquisition and compensation for UKP Phase-3, the DCM issued a direct appeal. If you (Yatnal) put pressure on your friends in Delhi to secure the necessary permission for this project, we will immediately take loans and complete it," Shivakumar stated. He added that he, along with Union minister V Somanna, had met with the Union Jal Shakti minister three times, who cited unavoidable reasons for postponing the scheduled meeting with the states concerned. Shivakumar reiterated the governments strong commitment to finalising the project. Chief minister Siddaramaiah and I have had discussions and taken a historic decision regarding land compensation," he said. The current administration has modified the land compensation decision made during the previous Basavaraj Bommai government and brought it to a manageable level. We are determined to complete this project. We have planned to spend money sourced from anywhere possible," he asserted. The government aims to allocate Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 crore annually and complete the land acquisition process within the next three to four years, with work already commencing in certain areas. Separately, in response to MLA GT Patils question regarding the repair of the Hidkal Dams right and left bank canals and action against illegal pump sets, Shivakumar outlined a major development plan. A Rs 1,722 crore project proposal for the development of the Ghataprabha right and left bank canals has been prepared and sent to the Central Government," the DCM confirmed. If approved, the project will be undertaken with a cost-sharing model: 60 per cent borne by the central government and 40 per cent by the state government. He urged the MLA and his respective Member of Parliament to exert greater pressure on the Centre to secure the necessary approval. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:33 IST News politics DK Shivakumar Blames Centre, Maharashtra & Andhra For Delaying Upper Krishna Project Phase 3 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... Leader Of Paryatan: BJP Mocks Rahul Gandhi Over Upcoming Germany Trip During Parliament Session Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:43 IST The BJP also linked the timing to past elections, with Poonawalla recalling that Gandhi was abroad during the Bihar polls. File photo of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (Image: PTI) The BJP on Wednesday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his upcoming visit to Germany, calling him the Leader of Paryatan" and accusing him of prioritising foreign tours over parliamentary responsibilities. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Gandhi was once again doing what he does best," alleging that the Leader of Opposition was leaving the country even as the Winter Session continues till December 19. Reports suggest Gandhi will travel to Germany from December 15 to 20. Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour !Parliament is on till 19th Dec but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20! Rahul is LoP leader of paryatan During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) December 10, 2025 The BJP also linked the timing to past elections, with Poonawalla recalling that Gandhi was abroad during the Bihar polls and later went on a jungle safari. Videsh Nayak is going for another foreign tour," he said, adding that the Congress leadership routinely absents itself from key political moments. Poonawalla further added, When he loses elections, he says, why are we losing elections? But by the way, his mind is not in the middle of the people. Its only in tour and travel. Only in foreign tours. This is Rahul Gandhi." The Indian Overseas Congress confirmed that Gandhi, accompanied by IOC chairperson Sam Pitroda, will engage with the Indian diaspora and meet German government ministers during the six-day visit. The Member of Parliament and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Germany from December 15 to 20," Balwinder Singh, president of IOC Germany, said. Vikram Duhan of IOC UK said the meetings would provide a platform to discuss Indias global role and strengthen exchanges with German legislators and the diaspora community. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:41 IST News politics Leader Of Paryatan: BJP Mocks Rahul Gandhi Over Upcoming Germany Trip During Parliament Session 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... The Home Minister noted that the first SIR was carried out in 1952 under former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. He added that multiple SIRs took place during Congress administrations, including those led by Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He also emphasised that the Election Commission is conducting the SIR in accordance with its constitutional responsibility. Shah questioned how a country could remain secure if individuals who are not legally part of the electorate were able to cast votes. Can any democracy remain safe if the Prime Minister of the nation or the Chief Minister of a state is decided by infiltrators? Should anyone be allowed to have their name registered as a voter in more than one place? Should the names of people who have already passed away continue to appear on the voter list? The SIR process is simply meant to correct such discrepancies." However, some parties feel politically threatened by it. In fact, I even feel a certain sympathy for them, because the people of this country are no longer voting for them. They were hoping that a few outsiders would help them, but even that will not remain," he added. Rahul Gandhi, Shah Spar Over Vote Chori Amit Shah also hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his voter fraud claims in Haryana. He mentioned that in Haryana, 501 households were affected. The Election Commission clarified that House Number 265 is not a small house; it is on a one-acre plot with multiple families living there. However, individual house numbers were not assigned to each family, so multiple generations of a single family could be living under House Number 501," he said. The address turned into a heated face-off when Rahul Gandhi interrupted his speech and repeated his claims of 19 lakh fake voters in Haryana, before challenging Shah to hold a debate over his Hydrogen Bomb press conference on alleged vote theft. Amit Shah angrily replied that he will address the House on his own terms and will not be provoked by Gandhis challenges. The Parliament wont function as per your wishes. I will decide what to speak. The Parliament wont function in this way. He should have the patience to listen to my answers," Shah said. Tarnishing Indias Image Shah also lashed out at the INDIA bloc leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and others for spreading false accusations against the ECI. Earlier, this tradition was reserved for Congress. But now, the entire INDIA alliance is against the Election Commission," he said. This (SIR) is a constitutional process. By raising questions and false accusations on this exercise, you are tarnishing the image of the body in front of the world. You think you are tarnishing the image of the government, but you are tarnishing the image of Indias democracy." He also said that the BJP had lost several elections, but never accused the ECI for their losses. He said the reason for Congress repeated defeats was its leadership and not the voter list. 'Who Really Is A Minority In India': VHP Sparks Debate On Islam, Christianity Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 22:32 IST After its Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal meeting ended, the VHP said the Constitution grants "special privileges" to religious minorities but does not define the term The two-day Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal meeting of the Vishva Hindu Parishad concluded in New Delhi on December 10, 2025. (Image: News18) The Vishva Hindu Parishad has given a unanimous call for the Centre to clearly define what constitutes a religious minority" in India a question the organisation said has long remained unaddressed despite the constitutional framework around minority rights. The two-day Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal meeting of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) concluded in Delhi with a statement, in which it argued that the Constitution grants special privileges" to religious minorities but does not define the term. President of the VHP, Alok Kumar said this ambiguity has allowed the central government unbridled power" under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, to declare any community as a minority without fixed parameters. CALL FOR NEW CRITERIA TO DETERMINE MINORITY STATUS The VHP has proposed two criteria for any community to qualify as a religious minority: one, a history of religious persecution in India, or two, falling behind the rest of society in measurable socioeconomic indicators. In its statement, it argued that neither criterion fits Islam nor Christianity. It must be acknowledged that at no point in Indian history the followers of Islam or Christianity had to suffer persecution or discrimination on the basis of religion. They are not behind the rest of society," the VHP statement read. Citing census trends, the organisation noted that Muslims formed over 14 percent of the population in 2011 and are said to have now increased to 18 to 20 percent". It argued that Indias secular framework rejects discrimination on religious grounds, making a reassessment of minority status necessary. NOT A CALL TO SCRAP MINORITY STATUS At present, Muslims and Christians are recognised as religious minorities in India along with Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains (who were added to the list in 2014). Minority communities are notified under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act. States can also declare minorities at their level, but national minority status is granted by the Union government. While the VHP raised pointed questions about whether this classification should continue, it stopped short of demanding an immediate withdrawal of minority status. Instead, the marg darshak mandal effectively the outfits highest decision-making and ideological council has asked for a larger debate over the issue across the country. The VHP marg darshak mandal has not rushed to any decision. We only seek a discussion before the government arrives at a proper decision," said one participant to News18, requesting anonymity. A DEBATE THAT COULD STIR CONVERSATION The VHPs intervention is likely to trigger conversations within policy circles, legal forums, and political parties, particularly with minority rights being a sensitive constitutional and electoral issue. Any attempt to redefine religious minority" will require revisiting the National Commission for Minorities Act, judicial precedents, and long-standing administrative frameworks. For now, the outfit has placed the subject on the national table signalling a push for re-examination but leaving the final call to the government. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 22:30 IST News politics 'Who Really Is A Minority In India': VHP Sparks Debate On Islam, Christianity 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... Apple And Google Are Going To Make It Easy To Switch Between Android And iPhone: Heres How Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:28 IST Apple is being forced to do things it has never done and making it easy to switch between Android and iPhone could be one of them. Apple and Google could make lives easier for users. Apple and Google want to make lives easier for people and help make the switch between Android and iOS seamlessly. These tech companies have been forced to change their stance towards each other after the regular grilling and laws imposed by the European Union (EU) regulators and more people are reaping the fruits of those efforts. A new report claims Apple is bringing a new way to switch between these mobile platforms and we could see it appear in one of the future iOS 26 beta updates. The company has been quoted in a report confirming the plans to have this feature available in the near future. Android-iPhone Switch Made Easy The report states the initial focus of the Android to iPhone switch will be limited to the Pixel devices, starting from the Pixel 6 series to the latest model. Both Google and Apple will bring it with a future Android and iOS 26 update, respectively. Another report from Android Authority has given us more details. The feature could be available within the device settings and the Google services section where you could get a new Pair with iPhone or iPad option. It suggests you will get a session ID and passcode to authenticate the seamless device transfer. Data transfers have been a nightmare across Android and iOS devices for many years but the EU is making these companies change their tactics and make it easier for people to move across platforms. It is still early days for the feature but getting some clues about its functionality hints at the official (in beta) release expected soon. Apple Fitness+ is finally coming to India and 27 other new markets, the company has confirmed this week. Apple introduced Fitness+ as a premium health and wellness service that caters to content around different exercises and fitness regime which you can stream on the big screen in your living room. You even have the option of setting up customised fitness plans and follow your health journey within the ecosystem. Apple Fitness+ is a separate app that you can sign up for with a different plan and starting December 15, 2025 it will be available for Apple users in India and other regions like China, Singapore, Netherlands, Taiwan and more. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 08:28 IST News tech Apple And Google Are Going To Make It Easy To Switch Between Android And iPhone: Heres How 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... Project Aura, Android Smart Glasses With Display: What We Saw At The Android XR Show Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: December 09, 2025, 14:36 IST Android is coming to your face and Google has not one but three different devices that will be competing with Meta, Apple and more brands. Google is going to bring Android to three smart glasses model Google is ready to bring Android to the smart glasses and it showcased the plans at this weeks Android Show which was all about the Android XR platform. Samsung is already confirmed to use the new OS to power its Galaxy XR headset and now Google is reaching out to developers who can make or break the ecosystem and give it the mobile-like filip to compete with the likes of Meta and other wearable brands. Google doesnt want to limit its reach in the XR vertical and it can even become the challenger to Apples Vision Pro series by offering more affordable options in the market. Android XR Show: Everything We Saw From Google Google is not going to stop at the mixed reality headsets and it already has Google Glass-like plans for the wearable segment. The company showed us a teaser of its own XR glasses with a display that can let you see everything and also use AI to analyse or even translate content with its own brain and hardware. Xreal is the brand being entrusted with this product and we could see and hear more about it later next year when the computing power for the glasses are in full shape. This is where you also have the Project Aura featuring heavily in Googles plans and what we saw at the I/O 2025 earlier this year could become part of reality in the near future. Aura is going to have AI smart glasses with displays powered by Gemini and just like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Google is going to work with brands like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster for this product. Google is aiming to have the product ready to launch in 2026 but a clearer timeline will be given later. The company also intends to work on audio-only AI glasses which will be far more affordable than the display units and have Gemini handle all the heavy work in the background. This means, you can wear the glasses and browse through a cafes menu without even stepping inside, or for that matter, make a booking standing right outside a restaurant. The emergence of AI agents and AI tools is going to make all this work. Google also has a wired glass version in development that is expected to be more powerful than the standalone option. Developers will be porting their Android apps to work natively on any of these Android XR devices, which means they dont need to create separate versions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 09, 2025, 14:36 IST News tech Project Aura, Android Smart Glasses With Display: What We Saw At The Android XR Show 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... Redmi Note 15 India Launch Finally Confirmed For Early 2026: Expected Price, Specs And More Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 07:38 IST Redmi Note 15 India launch is finally confirmed for January 2026 and the new teaser gives us some hints about the device. Redmi Note 15 is going to debut in India early next month Redmi Note 15 is coming to India early in 2026 and we now have more details about the popular series looking to overhaul its lineup. Xiaomi is looking to make a strong comeback in the market after a slow 2025 that saw its position slip down from rivals and the Redmi Note 15 could have a big say on how the year pans out. The new phone has been teased this week as Xiaomi looks to start 2026 with a big launch within the first week itself. The Redmi Note 15 series made its debut in China but we can expect Xiaomi to make some tweaks for the Indian model. Redmi Note 15 India Launch In January 2026: What We Know Xiaomis sub-brand has confirmed the Redmi Note 15 108 Master Pixel Edition will be announced in the Indian market on January 6, 2026. The teaser shows us a sleek phone, most likely sporting a curved AMOLED display and with a triple camera system at the back. The finishing of the phone also seems to have metal involved which suggests the Redmi Note 15 will be a premium looking device. Redmi Note 15 India Price And Specifications Expected Xiaomi is yet to reveal the possible specs for the Redmi Note 15 model that the Indian market will be getting. However, a reliable tipster has shared the possible structure of the device. Yogesh Brar suggests Redmi Note 15 will get a 6.8-inch AMOLED display and powered by a Snapdragon chipset, which could be the 7 Gen 4 or even the regular 6 Gen 4 version. The 108 branding more or less confirms the presence of an 108MP rear camera, and hopefully a bigger (6,000mAh) battery with fast charging support. We also hope Xiaomi can deliver the Android 16-based HyperOS 3 version for the Redmi Note 15 model in India rather than offering the HyperOS 2 version. Xiaomi priced the Redmi Note 14 series at a much higher level but hopefully the new Redmi Note 15 series shows it has worked on those concerns and sells at a more appealing price. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 07:38 IST News tech Redmi Note 15 India Launch Finally Confirmed For Early 2026: Expected Price, Specs And 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... Rs 2 Crore Cash, Diamond Ring: Chhattisgarh DSPs Lover Accuses Her Of Cheating, Breaking Marriage Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 17:08 IST DSP Kalpana Verma, who is posted in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada, has called the allegations against her baseless. Deepak Tandon said Kalpana took over Rs 2 crore from him. (Photo Credit: X) A businessman in Chhattisgarhs Raipur has levelled shocking allegations against a female DSP in the state, accusing her of cheating, blackmail and bribery. According to businessman Deepak Tandon, DSP Kalpana Verma, who is posted in Chhattisgarhs Dantewada, extorted over Rs 2 crore from him over the past few years. The businessman also accused her of taking expensive cars and precious jewellery from him. Kalpana has denied all the accusations, calling them baseless. Chhattisgarh DSP Accused Of Extortion, Bribery: What Happened? According to Deepaks complaint, he met Kalpana Verma in 2021. He claims that the duo later entered into a relationship. Soon, Kalpana began exerting pressure on Deepak, according to the complaint. Deepaks wife, Barkha, has also supported his allegations. As per an NDTV report, Deepak said that he gave Kalpana Rs 2 crore over the years. He also gifted her a bracelet worth Rs 1 lakh, a gold chain worth Rs 5 lakh, as well as a diamond ring that was priced at Rs 12 lakh, the report added. The businessman said that he also transferred one of his hotels, located on Raipurs VIP Road, to her brothers name. Later on, Kalpana allegedly spent Rs 30 lakh and got the property transferred in her own name. She is also accused of taking possession of a car worth Rs 22 lakh that was in Barkhas name. Barkha also claimed the DSP took a cheque of Rs 45 lakh from her. According to the couple, Kalpana had pressured Deepak to divorce his wife and marry her. Barkha alleged that the DSP would call her husband late at night. When Barkha objected to this, the DSPs relationship with Deepak escalated, leading to conflict at home. Deepak alleged that the DSP later started blackmailing him. He then filed a complaint against her at the Khamhardih police station, submitting WhatsApp chats, CCTV footage, and other evidence. Photos of their purported messages are circulating on social media. The images of the chat between Deepak and Kalpana could not be independently verified by News18. Deepak Tandon said that when he refused to withdraw his complaint against Kalpana, she threatened to implicate him in false cases and send him to prison. Kalpana Verma Denies Charges The DSP has alleged that the accusations are part of a conspiracy to defame her, NDTV reported. The matter is currently under investigation. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 14:33 IST News viral Rs 2 Crore Cash, Diamond Ring: Chhattisgarh DSPs Lover Accuses Her Of Cheating, Breaking Marriage 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... Goa Nightclub Fire Brings Spotlight on Kristin, The Kazakhstan Dancer Working Without Business Visa: Who Is She? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:05 IST Kristina was performing at the nightclub when the fire broke out. A viral video shows how she and her team tried to escape the venue. Kristina has over 272,000 followers on Instagram. (Photo Credit: X) At least 25 people lost their lives when a fire engulfed the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa. Among the survivors of the tragic incident was Kristina, a Kazakh belly dancer. Kristina was in the middle of her performance when the music at the nightclub suddenly switched to an alarm. Now, details about her escape from the nightclub have grabbed attention. Who Is Kristina? Originally from Kazakhstan, Kristina had been performing at Birch regularly. As per PTI, the professional dancer goes by the name Kristina Sheikh on Instagram, where she has over 272,000 followers. A clip from the day of the fire, December 6, shows Kristina performing on stage when bright sparks suddenly emerge on the roof of the club. The audience points out the matter to Kristin and her team, who pause their performance and look back. Within seconds, smoke fills the air, and the fire spreads quickly. Kristina, her team, and the spectators can be seen running away from the scene. This is heartbreaking. Kristina Opens Up On Her Escape From Birch The dancer told India Today that an Indian crew members warning saved her life. Describing the moments after the fire broke out, Kristina said, The fire started during my performance because of a short circuit. I was shocked. The music suddenly stopped, and I didnt understand what happened. I started looking for the exit." The dancer explained that her first instinct was to go to the green room. However, an Indian crew member advised her to avoid the room, which was already up in flames. That comment, Kristina said, saved her life. In the chat, she called the crew member who helped her an Indian god", crediting him with saving her life. Once home, Kristina realised the weight of the tragedy. When I came home and hugged my daughter, I was thankful to be alive," she recalled. Goa Nightclub Fire: Was Kristina Working Without A Permit? Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had earlier explained to reporters that the prima facie cause of the tragedy was electric firecrackers. The fire claimed 25 lives, including five tourists and 20 staff members. Watch more videos Share this Article WhatsApp facebook Twitter telegram copy link Now, police have stated that Kristina did not have the business visa to perform in the country. As per PTI, a senior police officer at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)stated that Kristina had applied for a business visa, but it had not been approved yet. In the absence of such permission, Kristina cannot professionally perform in India. Arshi Adil, Superintendent of Police (FRRO), told PTI that the authorities are still inquiring" into whether Kristina had a business visa. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: December 10, 2025, 11:39 IST News viral Goa Nightclub Fire Brings Spotlight on Kristin, The Kazakhstan Dancer Working Without Business Visa: Who Is She? 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 Officially Bans Social Media For Under-16s In Major Online Safety Push Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 07:52 IST Australia has introduced a strict new online safety rule, banning children under 16 from using several social media platforms, Prime Minister Albanese announced. Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Australia has introduced one of the worlds strictest online safety rules, officially banning children under 16 from having accounts on major social media platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the measure on Wednesday, saying the country had taken control back" from powerful tech companies. What Albanese government said? Albanese described the law as a world-first step aimed at protecting young people. He said Australia was showing that enough is enough" when it comes to the bad influence of social media on children. Under the new rules, platforms are required to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 or face heavy fines. As the law took effect, teenagers across the country lost access to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and several other platforms. The impact is significant. Instagram alone said it had about 350,000 Australian users aged between 13 and 15. The government has clarified that not all Australians must verify their age, but those suspected of being under 16 can be asked to prove it. Young people can still view some content without logging in, but they cannot create or keep personal accounts. Which platforms are affected? The ban covers Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Streaming services like Kick and Twitch are also included. YouTube was added to the list even though the government had earlier indicated it might be exempt due to its educational uses. For now, Roblox, Pinterest and WhatsApp remain allowed, but officials say the list is still being reviewed and may change. Most companies have complied with the law, but many expressed concerns about its effects. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, warned that the ban could drive young people towards less regulated websites, putting them at greater risk. The company said it had repeatedly cautioned the government that the law might have counterproductive results", and claimed those fears were already becoming reality. Elon Musks platform X also confirmed it would follow the rules. It was the last of the 10 restricted platforms to outline its compliance plan, stating that it had no choice but to obey Australian law. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Australia First Published: December 10, 2025, 07:39 IST News world Australia Officially Bans Social Media For Under-16s In Major Online Safety Push Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2025 shows a handover ceremony of emergency humanitarian flood relief supplies provided by the Chinese government in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Xinhua/Xu Han) COLOMBO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The emergency humanitarian flood relief supplies provided by the Chinese government arrived in Colombo on Monday morning and were handed over to the Sri Lankan side. Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake, and Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekera attended the handover ceremony. Karunathilake expressed sincere gratitude for China's timely and generous assistance, noting that the supplies delivered on Monday are exactly what Sri Lanka urgently needs. He stressed that China has always extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka at every difficult moment over the years. In the face of the current disaster, the Chinese government, Chinese enterprises and Chinese people in Sri Lanka have provided significant support, he added. He thanked the Chinese government and people for their selfless assistance and reaffirmed his hope that the friendship between Sri Lanka and China will endure. Qi said that, in the face of this severe natural disaster, all relevant Chinese departments acted swiftly to extend a helping hand to Sri Lankan friends. The supplies, which included tents, bed sheets, life jackets, and blankets, were part of the Chinese government's humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka. Chinese companies and overseas Chinese in Sri Lanka have also taken active steps to contribute to local disaster relief efforts, he noted, stressing that China's all-round support once again demonstrates that China is a trustworthy and reliable good friend and true friend of Sri Lanka. China will, as always, continue to assist Sri Lanka within its capacity, work together to overcome the difficulties, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future, he added. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center, the country recently suffered severe damage due to the extreme weather triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which left more than 600 people dead, affected more than 2 million people, destroyed more than 4,000 houses and partially damaged more than 60,000 houses nationwide. This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2025 shows emergency humanitarian flood relief supplies provided by the Chinese government in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The emergency humanitarian flood relief supplies provided by the Chinese government arrived in Colombo on Monday morning and were handed over to the Sri Lankan side. According to Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center, the country recently suffered severe damage due to the extreme weather triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which left more than 600 people dead, affected more than 2 million people, destroyed more than 4,000 houses and partially damaged more than 60,000 houses nationwide. (Xinhua/Xu Han) Editor: WSH Best Offer Ever: Trump's Trade Chief Weighs In On India Talks As US Team Arrives In Delhi Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 11:50 IST USIndia trade talks gained momentum this week after a top US official said New Delhi had offered its strongest proposals yet. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer (Photo: X) Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Indian rice citing dumping concerns, senior American officials struck a far more positive tone. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told lawmakers that India had presented some of the strongest trade proposals Washington had seen in years, particularly on agricultural market access. Greers statement comes at a time when officials from his team are in Delhi to take forward the ongoing trade talks. What did the US team say? Speaking at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Greer said a USTR delegation was already in New Delhi negotiating market access for US farm products such as grain sorghum and soy. He admitted that India continued to show resistance" on a few sensitive crops but insisted that New Delhis latest position was far more flexible than before. According to him, India had been quite forward-leaning" in recent rounds, making the country a viable alternative market" at a time when US farmers are struggling with high inventories and unpredictable Chinese demand. Committee Chair Jerry Moran, who represents Kansas, pressed Greer on reducing dependence on China and finding new overseas buyers. Moran described India as a difficult country to crack," to which Greer responded that talks were progressing further than in past administrations. Greer also said the India discussions were part of a wider shift in US trade policy aimed at lowering deficits and securing reciprocal arrangements across the world. He cited progress in Southeast Asia and Europe, suggesting that these gains strengthened Americas negotiating position with major partners like India. Beyond agriculture, tariff questions were emerging in other sectors as well. Greer pointed to ongoing talks over zero-tariff commitments for civil aviation parts under the 1979 Aircraft Agreement. He said negotiations with India were fairly far advanced" and could continue if India was willing to offer matching access to US industries. The hearing also touched upon Indias potential as a major buyer of ethanol produced from US corn and soy. Greer did not discuss India directly but said several countries had agreed to open their markets to American ethanol. He also noted that the European Union had committed to buying $750 billion worth of US energy products, including biofuels, over several years. US farmers face tariff heat Lawmakers raised concerns about the challenges faced by American farmers due to volatile tariffs and fluctuating Chinese purchases. Greer defended the administrations strategy, arguing that intensive negotiation, backed by enforcement tools like tariffs, was unlocking new export opportunities. He said trading partners respond to enforcement" and that this approach was helping reduce regulatory barriers and secure FDA approvals for medicines in foreign markets. India-US trade ties India-US trade ties have expanded steadily over the past decade, covering agriculture, digital services, aviation, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals. India remains one of Americas fastest-growing export destinations, though agriculture continues to face tariff and sanitary hurdles. Talks have accelerated through the US-India Strategic Trade Dialogue and Indo-Pacific economic frameworks, as both countries seek to diversify supply chains and deepen commercial cooperation amid global geopolitical changes. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: December 10, 2025, 11:02 IST News world Best Offer Ever: Trump's Trade Chief Weighs In On India Talks As US Team Arrives In Delhi 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... 'Was Meant For Babies Of Slaves, Not The Rich': Donald Trump On US Birthright Citizenship Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:55 IST Donald Trump said that birthright citizenship was meant solely for the children of enslaved people after the Civil War and not for children born to non-citizen parents in the US. A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP) Donald Trump has asserted that the landmark legal foundation for birthright citizenship was never intended to apply to children born in the United States to parents who are in the country illegally or temporarily. His comments come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear his administrations appeal defending his executive order that seeks to restrict automatic citizenship. In an exclusive interview with Politico, Trump argued that the historic case underpinning the 14th Amendments citizenship clause must be understood in its original context, which he described as a narrow provision written in the aftermath of the Civil War. The case is very interesting because that case was meant for the babies of slaves," he told Politico, adding, if you look at the dates on the case, it was exactly having to do with the Civil War." That case was not meant for some rich person coming from another country, dropping, putting a foot in our country, and all of a sudden their whole family becomes, you know, United States citizens," Trump said. He repeatedly stressed that the provision was created for a specific historical need. That case is all about slaves, the babies of slaves. And it was a good reason for doing it. And thats all it was about," Trump said. According to him, public and judicial understanding of that intention is shifting. People now are understanding it. Its been explained to them. And I think the court understands it, too." Trump warned that a ruling against his administration would impose immense burdens on the country. That would be a devastating decision if we lose that case," he said. Because our country cannot afford to house tens of millions of people who came in through birthright citizenship." He reiterated that the provision was meant for the babies of slaves," emphasising again that if you look at the exact dates that it was passed, it all had to do with the Civil War and the ending of the Civil War. Its that little period of time. And people now are starting to understand." Last week, the US Supreme Court agreed to take up the constitutionality of Trumps order, which declares that children born to parents who are in the United States illegally or only temporarily are not American citizens. The justices will hear the appeal of a lower-court ruling that struck down the restrictions, which have not taken effect anywhere in the country. Arguments are expected in the spring, with a definitive ruling likely by early summer. The order, signed on January 20, the first day of Trumps second term, is part of his administrations wider immigration crackdown. It would overturn more than 125 years of accepted interpretation that the 14th Amendment confers citizenship on nearly all individuals born on US soil, aside from narrow exceptions such as children of foreign diplomats. Every lower court that has considered the policy has concluded that it violates, or is likely to violate, the Constitution, noting that the amendment was explicitly intended to guarantee citizenship to Black Americans, including formerly enslaved people. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 10:55 IST News world 'Was Meant For Babies Of Slaves, Not The Rich': Donald Trump On US Birthright Citizenship 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... 'Nicolas Maduro's Days Are Numbered': Trump Refuses To Rule Out Sending US Troops To Venezuela Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 07:38 IST Donald Trump warned that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros days are numbered and refused to rule out sending US troops. A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP) US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, declaring that the authoritarian leaders days are numbered" and refusing to rule out the possibility of deploying American troops to Venezuelan territory. Trump made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Politico, as US military activity in the Caribbean intensifies and draws heightened scrutiny in Washington. Asked whether American ground forces could be sent into Venezuela, Trump repeatedly declined to provide a definitive answer. I dont comment on that. I wouldnt say that one way or the other," he said. When pressed again, he reiterated, I dont want to rule in or out. I dont talk about it." Trump justified his hardening stance by accusing Maduro of sending migrants with criminal backgrounds into the United States. He sent us millions of people, many from prisons, many drug dealers, drug lords, people in mental institutions," Trump said. He went on to attack former President Joe Biden, saying the administration had allowed the situation to worsen. We had a very stupid President. You know that. Bidens a low-IQ person, especially nowadays. I mean, he was low-IQ 30 years ago, but hes especially low-IQ now," he said, adding that violent gang members from the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua had entered the US. Asked directly how far he would go to remove Maduro from office, Trump again avoided outlining specific actions but responded, His days are numbered." He added that one of his key objectives was ensuring better treatment for Venezuelan citizens. I want the people of Venezuela to be treated well," he said, noting that many Venezuelans living in the United States had strongly supported him politically. Trumps comments come as the US military expands its footprint in the region. On Tuesday, a pair of US Navy F/A-18 fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela, in what appears to be the closest American warplanes have come to Venezuelas airspace since the start of Trumps pressure campaign. Public flight-tracking data showed the jets spending more than 30 minutes over the water. A US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, was quoted by the Associated Press as describing it as a routine training flight" conducted entirely in international airspace. The official said the flight mirrored earlier exercises meant to demonstrate the reach of US aircraft and stressed that it was not intended to be provocative. Previous US deployments to the area have included B-52 and B-1 bombers, though those missions remained farther from Venezuelan territory. The flight comes amid the US militarys largest regional presence in decades, including a string of deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Since early September, at least 87 people have been killed in 22 known strikes, including a follow-up attack that killed two survivors clinging to wreckage after their boat was initially hit. Trump has defended the operations as part of an escalating effort to stem narcotics trafficking, saying the US is engaged in an armed conflict" with drug cartels and that land attacks are coming soon," without elaborating. Maduro, meanwhile, has repeatedly claimed that the United States real aim is to remove him from office, an assertion Trump did little to dispel in his latest remarks. ALSO READ | US Concerned As New Clashes Threaten Trump-Brokered ThailandCambodia Ceasefire News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 07:37 IST News world 'Nicolas Maduro's Days Are Numbered': Trump Refuses To Rule Out Sending US Troops To Venezuela 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... Get Her The Hell Out: Trump Targets Ilhan Omar, Slams Migration From Hellhole Somalia Jibe Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 09:15 IST Donald Trump reignited his attacks on Ilhan Omar, repeating harsh claims about her background and migration while escalating rhetoric on Somalia. US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump has launched yet another fierce attack on Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, reviving a series of long-standing and highly controversial allegations against her. Speaking at a recent rally, Trump claimed that she had married her brother to enter the United States. In his address, Trump stepped up his criticism of political leaders in Minnesota, a state with a significant Somali-American population and Omars political base. Minnesota is having the dumbest governor," he said, before turning to Omar. He described Somalia as the worst country", claiming it lacked functioning institutions such as a parliament or police force and suggesting that people police themselves". He went on to repeat the assertion that Omar married her brother to get citizenship", adding: We ought to get her the hell out Throw her the hell out!" Trump later claimed he had halted immigration from what he called hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and several other countries." Trumps confrontations with Omar, a Somali-born American legislator representing Minnesotas 5th District, are not new. In the past he has labelled Omar garbage", terrible", and accused her of disloyalty to the country. On 2 December 2025, he once again referred to Somali immigrants as garbage" while linking his criticism to unrelated fraud claims and an incident involving an Afghan shooter. Omar responded by calling his remarks creepy" and politically motivated. In September 2025, after Omar narrowly survived a House censure vote over comments related to the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk, Trump again mocked Somalias instability and revived the marriage allegation. He repeatedly said that Omar does nothing but complain" and suggested that Somalias president should take her back". Omar has repeatedly dismissed the marriage allegation as false and racist, describing Trumps comments as attempts to distract voters from issues such as rising living costs, health care pressures and ongoing political divisions. She has argued that the president resorts to personal attacks whenever he faces criticism over policy shortfalls, including concerns relating to the Affordable Care Act and immigration reforms. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:15 IST News world Get Her The Hell Out: Trump Targets Ilhan Omar, Slams Migration From Hellhole Somalia Jibe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'India Shouldn't Be The Only Country...': Indonesian President Invites Putin For State Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 20:49 IST Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, currently in Moscow, invited Russia's President Vladimir Putin for an official visit and referred to his trip to India last week. Rapid Read Russian President Vladimir Putin with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto at the Kremlin. (Reuters) Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for an official state visit, joking that India shouldnt be the only country he travels to. The two leaders met in Moscow, the second time they have met this year in Russia. Prabowo hailed the excellent" state of relations and invited the Russian leader to come to Indonesia at your convenience" by 2026 or 2027, referring to Putins recent visit to India. Using this opportunity, I would like to invite you to visit Indonesia at your convenience. Maybe it could happen in 2026 or 2027. We would be very happy to receive you in our country. Because, India should not be the only country where you travel," he said, drawing laughter from Putin. President Subianto Invites Putin to Indonesia in 2026/27India should not be the only country you travel to," Subianto joked. pic.twitter.com/I268W1NNni RT_India (@RT_India_news) December 10, 2025 These remarks followed Putins high-profile visit to India, where he held wideranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President sent a strong message of India-Russia friendship on the global stage, coming at a crucial meeting when US President Donald Trump imposed India with massive 50% tariff on buying Russian oil. Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed Putin at Palam airport, accompanied by a full ceremonial guard of honour and a red-carpet reception. The discussions covered defence cooperation, energy ties, trade expansion, and ongoing geopolitical challenges. The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the longstanding IndiaRussia partnership at a time of shifting global alignments. During his talks with Modi, Putin said he was ready to continue uninterrupted shipments" of fuel to India amid US pressure. However, India has not commented on his offer. Meanwhile, Russia is seeking to diversify wheat exports to Asia from its traditional customers in the Middle East amid US competition. Prabowo has maintained Indonesias non-aligned foreign policy, vowing to befriend any country, including Russia and the United States. Russia has lauded Indonesias balanced" position on the war, according to Reuters. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: December 10, 2025, 20:49 IST News world 'India Shouldn't Be The Only Country...': Indonesian President Invites Putin For State Visit 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... Japan Scrambles Jets As Russian Bombers Join Chinese Patrol Near Okinawa Island Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 19:10 IST Japan scrambled jets as Russian Tu-95 and Chinese H-6 bombers, joined by J-16 fighters, conducted joint patrols near Okinawa and Miyako, escalating tensions. Japan Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the Russian and Chinese joint operations were "clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security". (X) Japan scrambled jets to monitor Russian and Chinese air forces conducting joint patrols around the country, Japanese defence ministry said, amid ongoing row between Tokyo and Beijing. Reuters quoted the ministry saying two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable strategic bombers flew from the Sea of Japan toward the East China Sea to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers, and performed a long-distance joint flight" in the Pacific. Four Chinese J-16 soon joined the bombers as they made a round-trip flight between Japans Okinawa and Miyako islands. The Miyako Strait between the two islands is classified as international waters. The ministry further stated that simultaneous Russian air force activity were detected in the Sea of Japan, consisting of one early-warning aircraft A-50 and two Su-30 fighters. In a post on X on Wednesday, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the Russian and Chinese joint operations were clearly intended as a show of force against our nation, which is a serious concern for our national security". Japans fighter jets strictly implemented air defense identification measures," Koizumi added. Meanwhile, Russia defence ministry stated the Russian-Chinese joint flight near Japan lasted for eight hours. South Korea also said seven Russian planes and two Chinese planes had entered its air defence zone. Recently, relations between China and Tokyo soured after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takiachi told lawmakers that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japans survival could potentially warrant a military response. Beijing considers the self-governed island part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control, a claim Taiwan firmly rejects. The controversy escalated after a Chinese diplomat in Japan posted a menacing comment about Takaichi on social media. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Japan First Published: December 10, 2025, 19:10 IST News world Japan Scrambles Jets As Russian Bombers Join Chinese Patrol Near Okinawa Island 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... 1 Student Dead In Shooting At Kentucky State University In Frankfort, Suspect Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 06:54 IST At least one student was killed and another critically injured in a shooting at a Kentucky State University residence hall. One suspect was taken into custody. Law enforcement responds to a shooting at Whitney Moore Young Jr. Hall on Kentucky State University's campus in Frankfort (Photo: AP) At least one student was killed, while another was left severely injured after a shooting inside a residence hall at Kentucky State University on Tuesday. The incident prompted an immediate shutdown of campus activities for the rest of the week. The Associated Press quoted authorities as saying that the suspect, who was taken into custody, is not enrolled at the university. The gunfire erupted around 3 pm (local time) inside Whitney M Young Jr Hall, a student dormitory on the Frankfort campus. Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday evening, Scott Tracy, assistant chief of the Frankfort Police Department, stressed that officers quickly reached the scene and that the violence appeared to be an isolated incident. According to Tracy, there were no continuing threats to anyone on university grounds after the suspect was detained. Police did not immediately release details about the suspects identity or motive. The university confirmed that one of the students struck by gunfire remains in critical but stable condition. The institution said it is withholding the names of the victims out of respect for their families, who have been notified and are receiving support from school officials. In an online video statement, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear called the shooting tragic but reiterated that law enforcement believed it to be an isolated event. He urged residents to keep the affected families and students in their thoughts, adding that violence of this kind should have no place in the state or the country. The university announced that all classes, final examinations, and campus programs are suspended for the remainder of the week. The fall semester had been scheduled to conclude on Friday. Students were told they may return to their homes if they wish, and the school said further guidance will be communicated as administrators continue coordinating with authorities. Tuesdays attack was the second shooting reported in the same area of campus in just four months. On August 17, shots were fired from a vehicle near the same residence hall, injuring two people who authorities said were not students. One of those victims suffered serious injuries, and the building itself sustained damage from the gunfire. Kentucky State University, founded in 1886 as a public historically Black institution, enrols roughly 2,200 students. The campus sits a short distance from Kentuckys Capitol building in Frankfort. ALSO READ | NRI From US Kills Nephew Over Land Dispute In Punjab; Arrested News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 06:52 IST News world 1 Student Dead In Shooting At Kentucky State University In Frankfort, Suspect Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'One Mistake And You're Dead': Elon Musk Says He Avoids Public After Charlie Kirk's Murder Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 23:30 IST Elon Musk revealed in a podcast that he avoids going out in public in light of Charlie Kirk's assassination in broad daylight, saying it has reinforced serious security issues. Rapid Read Elon Musk said Charlie Kirk's murder reinforced serious security issues. (Reuters/File) Tech mogul Elon Musk revealed that he does not go out in public, where fans swarm him asking for a selfie, particularly in light of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirks assassination in broad daylight, which shook the country. Speaking at The Katie Miller Podcast, Musk said he couldnt remember the last time hed done an ordinary errand, like going to the grocery store or stopping by a pharmacy. These days, particularly in light of Charlie Kirks murder, there are serious security issues," he said. Its not that I dont want to. I simply cant. It (Charlies assassination) has reinforced the severity of the situation, where, life is on hardcore mode. You make one mistake, youre dead. It only takes one mistake." JUST IN: Elon Musk says the assassination of Charlie Kirk has made it even more impossible to go out in publicThere are serious security issues. Its not that I dont want to. I simply cant." [Charlies assassination] has reinforced the severity of the situation where, pic.twitter.com/2tIZv1u7Gp Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 9, 2025 Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, videos of which went viral worldwide. Robinson has been charged with first-degree murder and could face the death penalty by firing squad if convicted. Robinson is accused of firing a single bullet from a rooftop, fatally hitting 31-year-old Kirk in the neck in front of thousands of people, in an episode that has deepened political divisions in an already polarized country. The most serious charge against Robinson is aggravated murder, while others include obstruction of justice and witness tampering, allegedly for ordering his roommate to stay silent. Kirk, a father of two, used his audiences on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to build support for conservative talking points, including strong criticism of the transgender rights movement. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday posthumously awarded Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Known for his outspoken views on gun control and womens issues, Kirks death drew thousands to his funeral, including Musk and Trump. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: December 10, 2025, 23:30 IST News world 'One Mistake And You're Dead': Elon Musk Says He Avoids Public After Charlie Kirk's Murder 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... Pakistan Govt Shuts Down 3 Afghan Refugee Camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Cuts Off Essential Services Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 21:19 IST These camps at Panian, Padhana, and Basumira in the Haripur district had been established in the 1980s during the Afghan wars and housed approximately 65,000 Afghan refugees The Pakistani government immediately closed the Afghan refugee camps and used force to deport residents, sending another 60,000 to the Torkham border without notice. (Image: AFP/File) Using force to deport Afghan citizens and refugees amid border tensions with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, the Pakistan government shut down three Afghan refugee camps in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. These three camps at Panian, Padhana, and Basumira in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been established in the 1980s during the Afghan wars and housed approximately 65,000 Afghan refugees. The abrupt action by the government involved cutting off essential services like electricity as well as closure of four health facilities and 10 schools for the refugees. While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government sought a more respectful and traditional repatriation process, the federal government immediately closed the camps and used force to deport the residents, sending another 60,000 refugees to the Torkham border without notice. According to sources, local residents were directed not to show sympathy toward the refugees, while federal officials raided the camps and took action against those not complying with the strict orders. The sudden actions underscore the federal governments directive to show no mercy for Afghan refugees", they said. The sources said the governments inhumane treatment of Afghan refugees continues. This immediate and aggressive action contradicts the wishes of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government, they added. They said the provincial government had sought to manage the repatriation process in a respectful manner, adhering to traditional Pakhtoon customs. But the federal government bypassed the provincial request, choosing instead to close the camps immediately and using force to deport all Afghan citizens and refugees from Pakistan, they said. Government officials have been reported taking punitive action against both refugees and provincial government officials accused of not taking sufficiently strict action, they added. Last month, a total of 10,405 Afghan citizens had reportedly returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan in a single day. There were other mass repatriations earlier that month as well. Chagai and Quetta in Balochistan and Attock in Punjab were the top three districts across the country where most Afghan Citizen Card ACC holders or undocumented Afghan nationals were arrested or detained over more than 10 months this year, Dawn reported, citing a United Nations refugee agency assessment. The report stated that the highest number of arrests or detentions occurred in 2025, with 1,00,971 Afghans arrested from January 1 to November 8, 2025, compared to 9,006 Afghans detained in 2024 and 26,299 Afghans arrested in 2023. According to the UNHCR report, before 2023, there was no data collected on the arrest and detention of ACC holders or undocumented Afghan nationals. Since January 2023, the International Organisation for Migration IOM has been collecting such data. (With agency inputs) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 10, 2025, 21:19 IST News world Pakistan Govt Shuts Down 3 Afghan Refugee Camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Cuts Off Essential Services 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... 'Promoting Foreign Culture': 4 Detained In Afghanistan For Wearing Peaky Blinders-Style Outfits Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:47 IST Saif-ur-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed that the group, all in their early 20s, had been taken into custody in Jibrail. The group dressed like characters of Peaky Blinders. (X: @DefiantLs) Four young men in Afghanistans Herat province were detained and placed in a rehabilitation program after walking around in public dressed as characters from the British drama Peaky Blinders, according to a report by CBS News, which first detailed the incident. Citing Afghanistans Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, CBS News said the men, known locally in Jibrail township for strolling through the streets in trench coats and flat caps, were accused of promoting foreign culture." Taliban detains 4 men for dressing up as Peaky BlindersWe saved this country from the spread of a corrupt culture at great sacrifice, and now we will protect it," Taliban representative said.pic.twitter.com/Q6iSpKxq2j Defiant Ls (@DefiantLs) December 10, 2025 Saif-ur-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the ministry, confirmed to CBS News that the group, all in their early 20s, had been taken into custody in Jibrail. In an earlier social media post, he said, They were promoting foreign culture and imitating film actors in Herat, arrested, and a rehabilitation program started for them. Praise be to Allah, we are Muslims and Afghans; we have our own religion, culture, and values. Through numerous sacrifices, we have protected this country from the spread of harmful cultures, and now we are also defending it." However, speaking directly to CBS News on Tuesday, Khyber offered a modified account, saying the men had not been formally arrested. Only summoned and advised and released," he said. He added that their outfits and behavior were seen as inconsistent with Afghan norms. We have our own religious and cultural values, and especially for clothing we have specific traditional styles," he told CBS News. The clothing they wore has no Afghan identity at all and does not match our culture. Secondly, their actions were an imitation of actors from a British movie. Our society is Muslim; if we are to follow or imitate someone, we should follow our righteous religious predecessors in good and lawful matters." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:47 IST News world 'Promoting Foreign Culture': 4 Detained In Afghanistan For Wearing Peaky Blinders-Style Outfits 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... Electricity imports in November rose by 17.2% to 414,700 MWh, reaching their highest level since the start of 2025, according to the DIXI Group analytical center, citing data from Energy Map. "Daily fluctuations in imports are closely correlated with Russian strikes on energy infrastructure. Peak import volumes are recorded mainly on the next day or one day after massive attacks, when available generation declines and the capacity deficit increases," the center reported. In particular, following the attack on October 30, imports jumped on November 1 to 23,600 MWh, up 86.3% from the previous day. A similar pattern was observed after strikes on November 8 and 19, as well as following attacks on November 25 and November 29. In November, the largest increase in imports came from Slovakia, where volumes rose 10.3 times. Supplies from Moldova doubled, while imports from Hungary increased by 2.5%. Imports from Romania and Poland, by contrast, declined by 7.6% and 22.9%, respectively. By source, Hungary accounted for 184,500 MWh of imports (44.5%), Slovakia for 78,600 MWh (19.0%), Romania for 71,000 MWh (17.1%), Poland for 61,800 MWh (14.9%), and Moldova for 18,800 MWh (4.5%). Compared with the same month last year (162.4 thousand MWh), imports in November 2025 increased 2.6 times. The maximum agreed commercial import capacity from the EU has been set at 2.1 GW since December 2024. On average in November 2025, capacity utilization stood at 27.4%, though it rose significantly during peak evening demand hours. At the same time, Ukraine cut electricity exports in November by 94.2%, to 5,300 MWh, marking the lowest monthly figure since September 2024. By comparison, exports totaled 90,800 MWh in October this year and 41,900 MWh in November last year. Electricity exports in November were minimal and took place only until November 10, after which they ceased entirely from November 11. The main export volumes were delivered at night between 01:00 and 05:00, as well as in the morning and daytime from 09:00 to 14:00. Ukraine has reached an agreement with ENTSO-E to increase the maximum cross-border transmission capacity for electricity imports from 2.1 GW to 2.3 GW starting December 1, 2025. Putin Recalls India Visit, Praises Country's 'Unity In Diversity': 'Not All Speak Hindi' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 10:21 IST Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted India's vibrant culture and praised India's unity in diversity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. (Image: X/@narendramodi) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday recalled his India visit and praised Indias unity in diversity", highlighting its vibrant culture and strong people, while acknowledging that not everyone speaks Hindi. I was in India a few days ago. Around 1.5 billion people live there and not all speak Hindi, maybe 500600 million, and the rest of them speak different languages. Often, they dont understand one another," Putin said. He further stated that unity in diversity" is a principle that both nations must protect. Putins remarks came following a highprofile visit to India, where he held wideranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Russian President recently visited New Delhi for two days and sent a strong message of India-Russia friendship on the global stage. Putins visit came at a crucial time when US President Donald Trump imposed India with massive 50 percent tariff on buying Russian oil. The visit highlighted the depth of a friendship forged over decades and tested by history. Prime Minister Modi personally welcomed Putin at Palam airport, accompanied by a full ceremonial guard of honour and a red-carpet reception. The discussions covered defence cooperation, energy ties, trade expansion, and ongoing geopolitical challenges. The visit was seen as a reaffirmation of the longstanding IndiaRussia partnership at a time of shifting global alignments. Notably, Putin had invited PM Modi to visit Russia in 2026 for the 24th India-Russia Annual Summit. As per the Joint Statement issued after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the two Leaders welcomed the opening of two Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, and looked forward to their early operationalisation to further strengthen inter-regional cooperation, trade and economic relations and people-to-people ties. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Russia First Published: December 10, 2025, 09:47 IST News world Putin Recalls India Visit, Praises Country's 'Unity In Diversity': 'Not All Speak Hindi' 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... Tension At Adiala: Imran Khan Back In Solitary Confinement, Police Use Water Cannons On Protesters Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:47 IST Police also reportedly stormed the PTI support camp set up outside the prison and allegedly beat several party workers as they cleared the area Rapid Read Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has once again been moved into solitary confinement at Adiala Jail, with top jail sources confirming to CNN-News18 that he has not been allowed to meet his family or lawyers for the past nine days. The restrictions, according to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were imposed shortly after Khans social media post in which he allegedly referred to Army Chief General Asim Munir as mentally ill", and after a media interaction by his sister Dr Uzma Khan following her previous meeting with the former prime minister. PTI claims that all meetings have been suspended since then. On Tuesday night, PTI workers and members of Khans family, including his sisters Aleema Khan, Noreen Khan and Uzma Khan, staged a peaceful protest outside Adiala Jail, demanding access to him. PTI leaders were also present, raising slogans against the government and the military leadership. Late in the night, Punjab Police launched a crackdown to disperse the demonstrators. Officers used water cannons and carried out a lathi-charge against the protesters, despite the cold December weather. Eyewitnesses said Khans sisters were left shivering after being hit with water jets. Police also reportedly stormed the PTI support camp set up outside the prison and allegedly beat several party workers as they cleared the area. Earlier, Aleema Khan had accused General Munir of being personally responsible for what she described as the torture" and continued solitary confinement of her brother. She alleged that the army chief was stubborn" and making life hell" for Imran Khan. PTI maintains that neither relatives nor party leaders are being allowed any access to Khan inside the jail, calling the measures unconstitutional and politically motivated. There has been no official comment from the Punjab Police or the federal government on the allegations so far. CNN-News18 had reported earlier that Pakistans political and security establishment is engaged in intense deliberations over launching a treason case against Khan and potentially banning his party. Sources claim that the federal government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in coordination with the military leadership, believes Khans conduct has crossed multiple red linesranging from alleged breaches of national security to actions said to have destabilised Pakistans diplomatic relationships and internal security environment. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:47 IST News world Tension At Adiala: Imran Khan Back In Solitary Confinement, Police Use Water Cannons On Protesters 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... 'That Beautiful Face, Those Lips...': Trump Heaps Praise On His Press Secretary, Says 'She Is Great' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 13:17 IST Trump, during a speech intended to highlight his economic agenda, shifted focus to praise his 28-year-old press secretary Karoline Leavitt. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump commended his White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts beautiful face" and lips", during a speech intended to highlight his economic agenda. At a Pennsylvania rally, the 79-year-old President shifted his focus to praise his 28-year-old press secretary while discussing his administrations economic achievements. We even brought our superstar today, Karoline. Isnt she great? Is Karoline great?" he asked the enthusiastic crowd. Trump didnt stop there; he further went on to highlight Leavitts appearance and confidence. You know, when she goes on television, Fox, like, I mean, they dominate, they dominate When she gets up there with that beautiful face and those lips that dont stop-op-op-op, like a little machine gun," Trump said, mimicking sound effects. Shes got no fear because we have the right policy. We dont have men in womens sports we dont have to sell transgender to everybody, and we dont have to sell open borders where the whole world is allowed to come into our country from prisons and everywhere else, so shes got a little bit easier job. I wouldnt want to be the other sides press secretary," he added. Previously, the Republican leader made similar comments about her in an August interview. Its that face. Its that brain. Its those lips, the way they move. They move like shes a machine gun," he said about Leavitt at the time. I dont think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline," he added. Leavitt, who served as an assistant press secretary in Trumps first administration from 2019 to 2021, is married to real estate developer Nicholas Riccio, 60, and has a son, Niko. Leavitt, after an unsuccessful congressional run, returned to the White House in January, becoming the youngest White House press secretary in history. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 10, 2025, 13:17 IST News world 'That Beautiful Face, Those Lips...': Trump Heaps Praise On His Press Secretary, Says 'She Is Great' 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 Must End National Guard Deployment In Los Angeles, Says California Judge Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 23:38 IST White House said President has lawful authority to deploy troops in response to "violent riots" and that the administration would ultimately prevail on the issue. The judge said there was no evidence supporting the administration's claim that the protests were a rebellion against the government which had legally justified sending in troops. (Image: Reuters) A California judge on Wednesday ordered withdrawal of President Donald Trumps deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles and directed them to return to the control of the states Democratic governor. According to Reuters, District Judge Charles Breyer found Trump overstepped his authority by taking control of California National Guard units and sending them to Los Angeles and elsewhere in response to protests against federal immigration authorities. He said there was no evidence supporting the administrations claim that the protests were a rebellion against the government, which had legally justified sending in troops. Rejecting the administrations claim that courts have no power to review the Presidents decision on state National Guard units during an emergency, Breyer said: The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one." The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who had asked the court to block the August order of the administration taking federal control of 300 California National Guard troops through February 2, 2026. Usually, National Guard units are controlled by states. However, they can be used for federal service under certain circumstances. Following the ruling, Reuters quoted White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson saying in a statement that Trump has lawful authority to deploy troops in response to violent riots" and that the administration would ultimately prevail on the issue. In a previous statement, Trump said troop deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Portland, Oregon were necessary to fight crime and protect federal property and personnel from protesters. The leaders in these cities have repeatedly called the deployments unnecessary. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : California, USA First Published: December 10, 2025, 23:38 IST News world Trump Must End National Guard Deployment In Los Angeles, Says California Judge Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two US Military Fighter Jets Spotted Over Gulf Of Venezuela Amid Rising Scrutiny Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:23 IST Trump has justified the military actions as crucial in fighting cartels, stating that the US is involved in an armed conflict with drug traffickers. US President Donald Trump and Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro. Amid President Donald Trumps pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the US military was tracked flying a pair of Navy F/A-18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking what appears to be the closest American warplanes have come to the countrys airspace. According to public flight-tracking websites, the jets were circling over the narrow gulf a body of water bordered by Venezuela and stretching only about 150 miles across for more than 30 minutes. Meanwhile, a US defense official has confirmed the aircraft were conducting a routine training flight, adding that they remained in international airspace, Associated Press reported. The US has earlier sent B-52 and B-1 bombers to the region, but those aircraft stayed farther offshore. Tuesdays flight brought American military planes closer to Venezuelan territory than at any point in recent years. The development came as the US builds its largest regional military presence in decades and continues a controversial campaign of lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats across the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. At least 87 people have been killed in 22 strikes, including two survivors hit by a follow-up strike an incident now drawing scrutiny from lawmakers, since early September. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed congressional leaders on Tuesday alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as lawmakers demanded unedited footage of the boat attacks. Hegseth said he had not yet decided whether to release the videos. Trump has justified the military actions as crucial in fighting cartels, stating that the US is involved in an armed conflict with drug traffickers and cautioning that land attacks are imminent, although he has provided no details. Flightradar24 reported that the F/A-18s were the most-tracked aircraft on its platform Tuesday, with users observing the jets flying near Venezuelan waters in real time. Trump Indicated Aggressive Approach Towards Venezuela In an interview with Politico published on Tuesday, Donald Trump indicated a more aggressive approach toward Caracas, asserting that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros days are numbered" and not ruling out the deployment of American ground troops. When questioned on the possibility of deploying forces, Trump did not provide further details. I dont comment on that I wouldnt say that one way or the other," he remarked, emphasizing that he had no intention of revealing military strategy. Asked directly how far he was willing to go to remove Maduro, Trump remained noncommittal. I dont want to say that," he responded to reporter Dasha Burns. However, when she followed up with But you want to see him out?" Trump replied: His days are numbered." These comments come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. The administration has executed a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, with Trump suggesting that a land operation could occur very soon." Watch more videos Share this Article WhatsApp facebook Twitter telegram copy link News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Venezuela First Published: December 10, 2025, 08:23 IST News world Two US Military Fighter Jets Spotted Over Gulf Of Venezuela Amid Rising Scrutiny 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... Weak And Decaying: Trump Attacks European Leaders Over Migration And Ukraine Strategy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: December 10, 2025, 08:24 IST US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Europe, calling several countries decaying and their leaders weak. US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised European leaders, calling them weak" and accusing them of failing to manage migration or take meaningful steps to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking to Politico, he said Europe had become decaying" and claimed its governments expected Kyiv to fight until they drop". He also suggested the United States could scale back support for Ukraine unless progress was made towards a peace deal. Europe is not doing a good job in many ways. I dealt with a few of them who didnt fall in line but I like the current crew. Some are friends, some are not. I know the good leaders, I know the bad leaders. I know the small ones and the stupid ones and youve got some really stupid ones. Theyre not doing a good job. Europe is failing in many ways. They talk too much. Were talking about Ukraine..they talk but they dont produce. I think theyre weak, and theyre obsessed with being politically correct. They dont know what theyre doing. Europe doesnt know what to do, even on trade. They want to be politically correct, and thats what makes them weak," Trump said. Trumps remarks come at a delicate moment for Europe, where leaders have tried to carve out a more active role in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. Many fear that an overly hasty settlement could favour short-term stability over long-term security for the continent. What Europe said against Trumps claims? UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper dismissed Trumps comments, arguing that European nations had shown strength" by increasing defence spending and continuing to fund Ukraine. She stressed that two presidents, Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, were working for peace", while President Vladimir Putin was escalating the conflict" with constant missile and drone attacks. European leaders met in London only a day before Trumps interview to discuss their joint strategy on Ukraine. They have been urging Washington not to push Kyiv into accepting terms that could leave it vulnerable to future aggression. Ukraine peace plan Trump has publicly urged Zelensky to play ball" by ceding territory to Russia, saying that Moscow was fine" with a proposed peace plan reportedly outlined by US officials. He suggested, without evidence, that Zelensky was the main obstacle to a deal and claimed Ukrainian negotiators had loved" the American proposal. Zelensky responded firmly, stating Ukraine and European partners were actively shaping all components" of a fair plan to end the war. He said a draft would likely be shared with the US shortly. Trump also questioned Ukraines democratic credentials, urging the country to hold elections. He suggested Kyiv was using war" as an excuse. Zelensky, whose term was due to end in May 2024, said he was ready for elections but stressed they could only occur if security was guaranteed by the US and other allies. US-Europe relations Trumps comments were made shortly after the release of a new US National Security Strategy, which warned of Europes potential civilisational erasure" and questioned the reliability of some European allies. Russia welcomed the document, calling it compatible with its own worldview. European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, criticised parts of the strategy, rejecting any suggestion that the US needed to save democracy" in Europe. Merz said European nations were capable of addressing their own political challenges. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: December 10, 2025, 06:56 IST News world Weak And Decaying: Trump Attacks European Leaders Over Migration And Ukraine Strategy 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... President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of appointing the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine is not a priority against the backdrop of issues related to the war, and joked that it is easier to liquidate the Office itself than to appoint its head. "As for the reboot of the Office, again the question of the head of the Office, there are many such questions. Honestly, I will tell you frankly, today there are so many such questions, so many things, so many different proposals, an exchange of opinions! Honestly: the war is much more important. Therefore, there is a feeling that it is easier to liquidate the Office than to appoint a person," Zelenskyy said, answering journalists questions on WhatsApp on Tuesday. As reported, on November 28, Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 868/2025 on the dismissal of Andriy Yermak from the position of head of the Office of the President, which he had held since February 11, 2020. Before that, National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) conducted searches at Yermaks house based on the decision of the investigating judge of the High Anti-corruption Court of Ukraine, but no one was served suspicion notices. Later, the president reported that Zelensky was considering Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal or First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov for the position of Head of the Presidential Office, but there is a question of replacing them in their current positions. Zelenskyy also added that First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Kyslytsia is very helpful in the negotiation track, but the president is not sure that he is ready to spend time on internal issues. Speaking about the candidacy of the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky noted that intelligence is an important direction. In addition to Shmyhal, Fedorov, Kyslytsia and Budanov, sources called the current Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko a candidate for to replace Yermak. Photo: https://www.vaticannews.va/uk.html Pope Leo XIV believes that US President Donald Trump is weakening the "true alliance between Europe and the United States" with his actions, Sky news reports. Pope Leo XIV commented on Donald Trumps recent statements, where he said that Europe is in decline and has weak leaders. "Unfortunately, some parts [of the peace plan] I have seen make a huge change in what was, for many years, a true alliance between Europe and the United States," he added. He then directly referred to the US president: "So this is a program that President Trump and his advisers have developed. He is the president of the United States. He has the right to do this, but there are a number of points in it that I think many people in the United States will agree with, but many others will perceive things differently." When asked whether he considered the US-proposed "peace plan" for Ukraine fair, Leo XIV replied that he preferred not to comment on its content. Earlier, Sky news quoted Trump as saying that Kyivs European allies "talk but dont deliver and the war just goes on and on." Trump said: "I know good leaders. I know bad leaders. I know smart ones. I know stupid ones. There are really stupid ones." "But theyre doing a bad job. Europe is doing a bad job on a lot of issues." A Canadian senator is urging Ottawa to reaffirm its claim over Machias Seal Island, an uninhabited speck of land that remains the only piece of territory disputed by Canada and the United States. The renewed attention comes after Senator Jim Quinn of New Brunswick objected to an American tour operator's claim that the island is part of the "Maine Coast," the BBC reports. The island, located in a maritime "Grey Zone" between Maine and New Brunswick, hosts thousands of puffins and a handful of rotating Canadian Coast Guard staff who maintain a lighthouse established by the British in 1832. Both Americans and Canadians fish for lobster in the surrounding waters, though there are sometimes clashes . Machias Seal Island is a key seabird sanctuary, and its only regular visitors are tourists brought by two licensed operators: SeaWatch Tours, a Canadian outfit, and Bold Coast Charter Company, based in the US. The latter's website describes the island as home to the "largest puffin colony on the Maine Coast" and claims its tours are authorized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Quinn, one of ten senators from New Brunswick, wants the Canadian government to strip the American company of its permit unless it acknowledges that the island is Canadian, the Telegraph-Journal reports. Quinn questions why Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which administers the island, permits an American company to call the island part of Maine and why that firm is listed on a Canadian government website. The US considers the island to be American territory, the BBC notes. Quinn argues that Canada is facing increasing pressure from its southern neighbor and should be proactive in asserting sovereignty over Machias Seal Island. "I'm angry," Quinn tells the Telegraph-Journal. "We've got the president of the United States that is attacking our economy, suggesting we become the 51st state, wants to take over different parts of the world, and we're sitting by with the State of Maine doing advertising inferring that Machias Seal Island belongs to Maine." Quinn, who regularly went to the island while serving as a deckhand on a Canadian Coast Guard ship when he was a teenager, notes that the island has the only lighthouse with full-time staff in Canada's Maritime provinces because "we want to maintain our presence to ensure our sovereignty." A Rhode Island musician who once earned a Grammy nod was killed Saturday in a crash involving a driver with an extensive criminal record, according to police. Roderick Macleod, 70, was walking his dogs along a road in Hopkinton around 7:20am when a car allegedly left its lane, struck multiple objects, and hit him as he walked on the shoulder of the road, the Hopkinton Police Department says. Macleod, a former member of the blues band Roomful of Blues in the 1980s and a 2014 inductee into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died, CBS News reports. Local media report at least one dog survived and ran home. Friends were mourning and memorializing the bassist, who worked in the music industry for decades, NBC 10 reports. Police identified the driver as 41-year-old Shannon Godbout, who they say was traveling eastbound when she hit two telephone poles before striking Macleod. At the scene, officers allegedly found "numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials commonly associated with drug distribution" in her possession. She was arrested and taken to a hospital, where she remained in custody as of Monday, facing charges of driving so as to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Godbout's history is extensive, police said: more than 100 prior arrests, including eight by Hopkinton police, 40 traffic citations, and 82 court warrants issued. Authorities say further charges in connection with the crash are possible as their investigation continues, WAFB reports. Lithuania's government on Tuesday declared a national emergency over security risks posed by meteorological balloons sent from Russia-allied Belarus that have violated its airspace in recent weeks, while the Belarusian leader called for negotiations on border tensions and said his country "does not need war." The balloons forced Lithuania to repeatedly shut down its main airport, stranding thousands of people, as Europe remains on alert over previous intrusions into NATO airspace during the war in Ukraine, the AP reports. "In combating the Belarusian hybrid attack, we must take the strictest measures and defend the areas most affected by this attack," Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene said. The announcement followed a Cabinet meeting of the Baltic state, which is a NATO member and strong backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces who launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. The national emergency means the army will be able to patrol the border area together with other uniformed services and receive extra rights from parliament, such as to conduct searches or detain people. The government said the impact on civilians would be limited. While the balloons are used to smuggle cigarettes into Lithuania, officials in Vilnius see their numbers and trajectories as deliberate acts of disruption orchestrated by Belarus. According to the Lithuanian government, the Vilnius international airport has been closed for more than 60 hours since October due to the threat posed to civil aviation, affecting over 350 flights and approximately 51,000 passengers. Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said Lithuanian prosecutors launched an investigation into the balloons and the secret services would provide information about the connection with the Minsk regime. (Much more here.) The FBI is circulating a new image of a onetime Olympic snowboarder they describe as a cartel-protected fugitive accused of murder and running a billion-dollar cocaine pipeline. Canadian citizen Ryan Wedding, 44, remains on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list and is believed to be hiding in Mexico, according to officials. The Los Angeles FBI office on Monday released a newly obtained photo believed to have been taken in Mexico in summer 2025, showing Wedding shirtless in bed with a lion tattoo on his chest, ABC News reports. The US Embassy in Mexico separately posted a previously unseen image of him in a green shirt with a different haircut and facial hair, but did not specify when or where it was taken. Authorities say Wedding is being protected by the Sinaloa cartel. The State Department recently upped its reward to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Wedding is wanted for allegedly running a transnational operation that shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia through Mexico and Southern California to other parts of the US and Canada. The FBI says he also allegedly orchestrated multiple murders tied to the drug enterprise, including killings in Canada. FBI Director Kash Patel has likened him to a "modern-day Pablo Escobar." New charges announced last month accuse him of ordering the January murder of a federal witness in Colombia, who was shot in the head multiple times at a restaurant. Wedding and 18 others, including his lawyer, are charged in that case. Seven people in Canada with alleged links to Wedding's organization have been arrested and will face extradition hearings to determine whether they can be sent to the US, reports the National Post. Law enforcement officers have uncovered a scheme to sell decommissioned warships with losses to the state of over UAH 900,000, the National Police of Ukraine has said. "Law enforcement officers have established that one of the officials of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with two representatives of the authorized enterprise of the State Enterprise Ukrspetstorg, organized the illegal sale of six sea vessels, decommissioned from the balance of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine due to unsatisfactory technical condition and obsolescence, which were subject to disposal in accordance with the procedure established by law," the report on the departments website says on Wednesday. According to the investigation, the main defendant, being the head of the Department for the Disposal of Military Property of the Ministry of Defense and having access to documents and procedures for decommissioning, used his official position to circumvent the established rules for the disposal of decommissioned property. Namely, he created conditions for the sale of vessels to a specific commercial structure. These are six decommissioned ships, including Fastiv, Evpatoria, Borshchiv and others. "The plan of the perpetrators was that instead of the procedure for the disposal of ships provided for by law, they were artificially transferred to the lowest category for sale as scrap metal. After that, the perpetrators provided an understated assessment of the value of the ships and a formal competition, the winner of which was selected in advance by a specific private company. The cost of the metal was deliberately reduced several times compared to the market price, which allowed the buyer to receive a significant economic benefit," the report states. As a result, the company chosen by the accomplices received an unlawful benefit, and the state suffered losses of more than UAH 900,000. Under the procedural guidance of the Kyiv Specialized Prosecutors Office in the field of defense, investigators informed all three participants in the scheme of suspicions under Part 2 of Art. 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine abuse of official position, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, which caused grave consequences. Pluck eyebrows. Buy less conspicuous shoes. Take a bus or a train west toward Cincinnati and St. Louis. Move around late at night. Stay away from surveillance cameras. A to-do list and travel plans found during Luigi Mangione's arrest and revealed in court this week shed new light on the steps he may have takenor planned to taketo avoid capture after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killing last year, the AP reports. "Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight," said one note. "Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows," said another. The notes, including a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the lam, were shown on Monday at a pretrial hearing as Mangione's bid to prevent prosecutors from using evidence seized during his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Excerpts of body-worn camera footage of the arrest, previously unseen by the press or the public, were released on Tuesday. Police said they discovered the notes in Mangione's backpack, along with a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors said matches the one used to kill Thompson five days earlier; a loaded gun magazine and silencer; and a notebook in similar handwriting which he purportedly described his intent to "wack" a health insurance executive. The notes, along with other evidence highlighted at the pretrial hearing, underscore that Mangione's stop in Altoona was only meant to be temporary. One note said to check for "red eyes" from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio, or part way to Cincinnati ("get off early," it reads). The map drawn below shows lines linking those cities, as well as other possible destinations, including Detroit, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Among the other notes revealed this week was one with a heading "12/5" and a starred entry that said: "buy black shoes (white stripes too distinctive)." Another, also written in to-do list style, suggested spending more than three hours away from surveillance cameras and using different modes of transportation to "Break CAM continuity" and avoid tracking. Below that, it said: "check reports for current situation," a possible reference to news reports about the search for Thompson's killer. A note with the heading "12/8" lists a number of tasks, including an apparent trip to Best Buy to purchase a digital camera and accessories, "hot meal + water bottles," and "trash bag(s)." Under "12/9," the day of Mangione's arrest, the note lists tasks including "Sheetz," an Altoona-based convenience store chain, "masks," and "AAA bats." Under "Future TO DO," it listed "intel checkin" and "survival kit." The head of the Nobel Institute said Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado will not attend the awards ceremony in Oslo on Wednesday, the AP reports. Institute director Kristian Berg Harpviken told public broadcaster NRK the Venezuelan opposition leader was not in the Norwegian capital on the day of the ceremony and her daughter will accept the prize on Machado's behalf. A day earlier, a news conference that Machado was expected to attend was canceled. She last appeared in public 11 months ago. Machado went into hiding and has not been seen in public since Jan. 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in a protest in Caracas, Venezuela's capital. The 58-year-old's win for her struggle to achieve a democratic transition in her South American nation was announced on Oct. 10, and she was described as a woman "who keeps the flame of democracy burning amid a growing darkness." Machado won an opposition primary election and intended to challenge President Nicolas Maduro in last year's presidential election, but the government barred her from running for office. Retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez took her place. The lead-up to the July 28, 2024 election saw widespread repression, including disqualifications, arrests and human rights violations. That increased after the country's National Electoral Council, which is stacked with Maduro loyalists, declared the incumbent the winner. Gonzalez sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's willing to hold elections even as his country remains under attack from Russiabut only if the US and Europe step up with concrete security guarantees. His comments on Tuesday represent a sharp shift from his long-standing position that elections are impossible under martial law, which was imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion, reports the Washington Post . The move comes just hours after President Trump criticized Ukraine's postponement of elections, suggesting the war is being used as a pretext and warning that "it's not a democracy anymore" if voting is continually delayed. Zelensky said that with sufficient help from the US and its allies, Ukraine could organize elections within three months, despite the logistical and legal hurdles involved. "Look, I am ready for the elections, and not only thatI am now asking, and I am stating this openly, for the United States of America to help me," he told reporters. Zelensky added, "I personally have the will and readiness to do so." Ukrainian law currently prohibits elections under martial law, and officials have cited the practical challenges of voting during a war, including how to include soldiers and millions of refugees no longer living in Ukraine. Zelensky's five-year presidential term technically expired in May 2024, per the Guardian. His request for new legislation aims to address these issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also called for elections in Ukraine, with Putin dismissing Zelensky as illegitimate. The AP notes that "Ukrainians have on the whole supported Zelensky's arguments" regarding an election, and "there has been no clamor in Ukraine" to hold one. The Guardian also reports that Zelensky seemed somewhat "irritated" that outsiders are weighing in on the elections matter. "This is a question for the people of Ukraine, not people from other states, with all due respect to our partners," he said. Pentagon officials considered sending survivors of military strikes on suspected drug boats to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison, where the US had previously sent Venezuelan deportees, according to the New York Times . Pentagon lawyers reportedly made the suggestion in a call with State Department lawyers after an October military strike in the Caribbean, which left two survivorsone Colombian, one Ecuadorian. State Department officials quickly rejected the idea, and the survivors were instead repatriated. Shortly after, the Pentagon told US diplomats that survivors should be sent to their home countries, or another country, sources say. The Pentagon insists no protocol was changed between a September attack, when survivors of an initial boat strike were killed with a second strike, and the October incident. "It was just a different circumstance," said Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth. But the contrast indicates the process of dealing with survivors has been "haphazard," per the Times. It has also fueled debate about the administration's legal and moral rationale. "If the administration has evidence to show that the people on the targeted boats are smuggling drugs and are a threat to Americans, then why is it not putting survivors on trial in US courts?" asks the Times, which effectively answers its own question. Internal discussions reveal Pentagon officials were keen to avoid any scenario in which survivors might end up in US courts, where the administration would need to justify its military campaign against alleged drug traffickers. The administration has shared little information about who and what are on the targeted boats, other than to say they are carrying drugs and pose an imminent threat to the US. "From the administration's point of view, there are good reasons to be averse to bringing survivors to Guantanamo Bay or to the continental United States," says former State Department lawyer Brian Finucane. A donor whose sperm has been used to conceive at least 197 children throughout Europe carried a cancer-linked genetic mutation that went undetected for years, a cross-border investigation has found. The anonymous mandonor 7069, per Deutsche Welle began donating to Denmark's European Sperm Bank in 2005, while a student, and his sperm was used for roughly 17 years in 67 fertility clinics across 14 countries. He passed standard screening and is healthy himself, but as much as 20% of his sperm carried a damaged TP53 gene, which normally stops cells from becoming cancerous. The BBC explains children born from that impacted sperm will "have the mutation in every cell of their body." Their condition, called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, can confer up to a 90% lifetime risk of cancer, often in childhood and including breast cancer later in life. Doctors involved say "many" affected children have already developed cancer; some have died. CBS News reports the "vast majority" of children who have the gene will develop cancer at some point and they'll need to undergo annual screening for life. The case came to light after clinicians treating donor-conceived children with Li-Fraumeni raised alarms at a genetics conference; journalists from 14 European public broadcasters, including the BBC, then traced at least 197 children born from this donor, though the total may be higher. The European Sperm Bank says the mutation is "not detected preventatively by genetic screening" and that the donor and his relatives are not ill. It says the donor was "immediately blocked" once the mutation link was identified, and it has expressed "deepest sympathy" to families. The bank also acknowledged that national limits on how many families can use a single donor were breached in some countries; in Belgium, where the cap is six families, this donor's sperm was used by 38 women, resulting in 53 children. Canada is positioning itself to attract the kinds of highly-skilled workers now facing $100,000 fees to enter the US . On Tuesday, Ottawa unveiled a 10-year, $1.2 billion plan to recruit more than 1,000 doctors, scientists, and researchers by funding salaries, infrastructure, and grants in what it bills as one of the largest talent drives of its kind, per the Washington Post . The announcement doesn't name the United States, but the target audience is clear: foreign specialists facing a tougher climate under President Trump, including past and present H-1B visa holders and academics unsettled by policies affecting universities. US efforts to curb both illegal and legal immigration, including the H-1B program, have fueled uncertainty at tech companies and rural health providers that rely on foreign talent. "As other countries constrain academic freedoms and undermine cutting-edge research, Canada is investing inand doubling down onscience," said Industry Minister Melanie Joly, adding that the investment is meant to secure Canada's place "at the forefront of discovery and innovation" for generations. The new plan includes an expedited route to permanent residency for overseas doctors with at least a year of Canadian work experience. It also expedites visa processing for PhD applicants and their families, per Newsweek. Yet as Canada works to reverse the long-running "brain drain" to its southern neighbor, it faces competition, per the Post. Some European universities are offering funding and a promise of academic freedom to US-based scientists, while China is courting American researchers in STEM fields. More on that here. Tony Dokoupil is shifting from the morning to the nightly newscast at CBS, snagging the coveted role as anchor of CBS Evening News. The 44-year-old co-host of CBS Mornings will replace John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois, who are both leaving the network. Dokoupil brings "fairness" and "old-school journalistic values" at a time when "many people have lost trust in the media," said CBS' new editor in chief, Bari Weiss. "Tony Dokoupil is the person to win it back." Weiss, a former opinion journalist with limited experience in television news, had previously suggested Bret Baier for the role, though he's on contract with Fox News for a few more years, reports the New York Times. The long-shielded federal case file on Jeffrey Epstein is about to go public. US District Judge Richard M. Berman on Wednesday OKed the Justice Department's request to unseal records from the federal grand jury investigation into Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The AP reports the move is a reversal of Berman's earlier decision to keep the material under wraps and follows Congress' recent passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act; under it, the Justice Department must release its Epstein-related materials by Dec. 19 with victims' names and identifying details redacted. Berman's ruling came a day after US District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer approved a similar request covering the grand jury records and other investigative files in the case of Ghislaine Maxwell. Together, the orders could produce the most extensive look yet at how federal authorities investigated Epstein and Maxwell, per the New York Times, though the AP notes Berman previously characterized the roughly 70 pages of material to be released as not particularly revelatory. Still, the material being unsealed in both cases will reach beyond grand jury transcripts and include a sizable cache of investigative materials that had been turned over to defense lawyers under protective orders and "kept confidential for years," per the Times. The renewed push for disclosure came from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who this summer was turned down by both judges on the grounds of grand jury secrecy. Last month, citing the new transparency law, Bondi expanded her request to include the materials covered by the protective orders. Prince Edward Island's last stash of American booze is about to hit store shelvesfor a good cause. PEI was one of a number of Canadian provinces that responded to President Trump's tariffs by ceasing sales of US alcohol. Now, the provincial government has ordered the PEI Liquor Control Commission to begin selling its remaining inventory of US alcohol starting Thursday. Net profitsestimated at about $430,000will be donated to food banks across the island beginning in January. Once the stock is gone, no American booze will be reordered, the province said in a news release cited by the CBC . Finance Minister Jill Burridge framed the move as both a charitable effort and a continuation of the province's trade stance. "The coming months tend to be tough for many and I'm glad that we can support some of the people and organizations who do so much for Islanders in need," she said, adding that PEI remains "fully committed to Team Canada" and to keeping shelf space for local producers. The move mirrors actions elsewhere in Canada: Nova Scotia expects to donate nearly $3 million in net profits on its US alcohol sales, while New Brunswick began selling off its US stock in October. The Canadian Press reports Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador are doing the same. Only two provinces, Alberta and Saskatchewan, have resumed importing American-made booze, CTV News reports. Liquor authorities in both provinces loosened their rules less than a month after halting imports in March. US forces have seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast. The move escalates tensions with the Maduro regime and raises new questions about the future of Venezuela's oil exports, Bloomberg reports. President Trump confirmed the seizure Wednesday afternoon. "We've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually," he told reporters at the White House, per the AP . "And other things are happening soon." Reuters , citing American officials speaking on condition of anonymity, reports that the operation was led by the US Coast Guard. The officials did not name the tanker or say exactly where it was seized. The incident comes as the Trump administration intensifies its pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro, whom US officials accuse of running a narcotrafficking operation. The Pentagon has carried out over 20 strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the region, resulting in more than 80 deaths. President Trump has repeatedly hinted at possible military action on Venezuelan soil, while Maduro has called for national unity and bolstered military deployments in response to what he describes as US aggression and a bid to control Venezuela's vast oil reserves. The seizure could significantly disrupt Venezuela's oil exports, which are already hampered by international sanctions and are mostly routed to China through intermediaries at discounted rates, Bloomberg reports. The state oil company, PDVSA, manages the country's petroleum sector and partners with foreign firms like Chevron. Chevron is allowed to operate under a US Treasury license that shields it from sanctions, with the company paying the Venezuelan government a share of oil produced through joint ventures. Detectives of the Territorial Department of the Bureau of Economic Secruity (BES)in Kyiv region uncovered an underground workshop for mass production of cigarettes, industrial equipment and raw materials worth over UAH 2.2 million were seized from the suspects, the BES press service has said. The investigation established that in the Brovary district, a group of individuals had set up a full-fledged production workshop on the territory of a private household, with an industrial line capacity of over 4 thousand packs of cigarettes per day. Finished products without excise stamps were sold under the guise of well-known brands - some were sold in the Kyiv region, some were sent to buyers by mail in other regions. BES detectives, together with operatives of the State Border Service, conducted searches in the production premises and at the residence of the suspects. The estimated value of the seized goods and materials is over UAH 2.2 million. "BES systematically and consistently counteracts the shadow market of excisable goods. In total, since the beginning of the year, BES detectives in the Kyiv region have seized almost UAH 75 million worth of excisable goods from illegal circulation," said the head of the detective unit, Mykola Ulmer. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing on the grounds of a criminal offense under Article 204 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal manufacture, storage, transportation of excisable goods). Operational support is provided by employees of the Kyiv checkpoint of the State Border Guard Service, and procedural management is provided by the Kyiv Regional Prosecutors Office. The daughter of Maria Corina Machado accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway on her mother's behalf Wednesday, saying in a speech written by the Venezuelan opposition leader that her country shows the world "we must be willing to fight for freedom." Machado has been in hiding and hasn't been seen in public since Jan. 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in a protest in Caracas, Venezuela's capital. Jrgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told the award ceremony that "Maria Corina Machado has done everything in her power to be able to attend the ceremony here todaya journey in a situation of extreme danger." To applause, he said, "Although she will not be able to reach this ceremony and today's events, we are profoundly happy to confirm that she is safe, and that she will be with us here in Oslo." TOKYO, Dec 10 (News On Japan) - Nissan has announced that it will work with a British AI startup to develop a hands-free autonomous driving system, with plans to roll out AI-equipped vehicles globally. The technology allows hands-free driving even on city streets. The trial vehicle, which uses AI developed by Wayve, is equipped with cameras and sensors that enable the system to make decisions without requiring the creation of 3D maps in advance. Wayve CEO Alex Kendall said the companys technology can operate even in places it has never been before and can be introduced into vehicles at relatively low cost. The two companies signed a cooperation agreement on December 10th, confirming plans to sell mass-produced AI-equipped vehicles worldwide. In Japan, Nissan intends to introduce the technology in select models during fiscal 2027. Competition over autonomous driving is intensifying. In Tokyo, a Google-affiliated self-driving development company has begun test drives to create 3D maps of the city. The question for the industry is whether to invest heavily in building detailed maps or to focus on improving a vehicles ability to handle diverse environments. The differing approaches to AI are poised to reshape the competitive landscape. Source: TBS HIROSHIMA, Dec 11 (News On Japan) - Farmed oysters in parts of the Seto Inland Sea have suffered mass mortality, with losses reaching as high as 90 percent in Hiroshima Prefecture and other affected areas, prompting the government to finalize a support package in the coming days. According to officials involved, the measures will allow producers hit by the damage to obtain virtually interest-free loans for up to five years from government-affiliated financial institutions. The government will also request that financial institutions agree to modify debt terms for affected businesses. While rising seawater temperatures and changes in salinity have been cited as possible causes of the mass die-off, both the central government and the prefecture plan to conduct a detailed investigation, with the findings expected to inform medium- to long-term countermeasures. Source: TBS TOKYO, Dec 11 (News On Japan) - A new material known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOF, developed by Kyoto Universitys special professor Susumu Kitagawa, 74, has been thrust into the global spotlight after Kitagawa was selected for this years Nobel Prize in Chemistry, drawing renewed attention to its potential applications across industry. MOF is characterized by a jungle gym-like architecture filled with extremely small, countless pores capable of trapping large volumes of gas, making it a promising new material for a range of commercial uses. One company working to bring MOF into practical use is Atomis, a Kyoto University startup where Kitagawa serves as scientific adviser. Atomis CEO Daisuke Asari said Kitagawas approachable personality has been essential to the companys efforts, noting that he interacts with everyone without barriers, describing him as just an easygoing old guy who treats all colleagues equally. For the past eight years, Atomis has been conducting experiments and verification trials aimed at commercializing MOF. Asari explained that while universities can only produce quantities in the milligram-to-gram range, the cost had been considered prohibitively high with one kilogram estimated to cost tens of millions of yen to as much as 100 million yen. Bringing MOF into real-world use, he said, meant reducing the production cost to below 10,000 yen per kilogram. MOF traditionally required high temperatures and high pressure for synthesis, resulting in very high production costs. After years of trial and error, however, the company achieved a breakthrough two years ago, enabling MOF to be produced by mixing powdered materials at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The innovation made low-cost, large-scale production feasible for the first time. Asari believes the Nobel recognition will serve as a powerful tailwind, spurring interest among companies that may consider incorporating MOF into their products. He noted that new materials are difficult to introduce into the market unless prices fall significantly, adding that broader public interest and growing demand among potential clients would accelerate adoption. One such example is Ohara Palladium Chemical, a Kyoto-based chemical manufacturer that has developed a gas-adsorption agent using Atomis-produced MOF. In a demonstration involving a jar of cigarette butts emitting a strong odor, passing the gas through a filter containing MOF eliminated the smell completely by trapping odor-causing gases within its pores. Executive managing director Masayoshi Ohara said that beyond simply removing odors, MOF has the potential to address deeper issues, such as improving workplace environments at factories where workers may quit due to hazardous gases. Using MOF-based materials to absorb such gases, he said, could contribute to solutions for broader social challenges. The new material that formed the basis of the Nobel Chemistry Prize carries enormous potential, and its practical applications are only beginning to emerge. Source: TBS Directional drilling from mother holes positioned well outside the known breccia-hosted portion of Apollo unexpectedly intersected thick zones of strongly mineralized gold-rich sheeted veinlets. This new zone, named the Hanging Wall Vein Zone, approaches surface, extends the Apollo system up to 450 metres northwards, and has been drilled up to 600 metres vertically. Mineralization remains open in all directions. Highlight intercepts into the Hanging Wall Vein Zone include: 61.30 metres @ 1.78 g/t gold equivalent (APC-140D) 130.40 metres @ 1.15 g/t gold equivalent (ACP-143D) T he Company intends to aggressively drill the Hanging Wall Vein Zone in Q1 2026, as it has clear potential, based on continuity and width of mineralized zones, to materially increase the overall mineral inventory of the Apollo system. In addition, the step-out drilling program has expanded the breccia mineralization by approximately 250 metres vertically and 55 metres laterally (Northern Expansion Zone). Notable intercepts include: 91.15 metres @ 2.31 g/t gold equivalent (APC106-D2) 120.35 metres @ 1.35 g/t gold equivalent (APC106-D1) TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE: CNL) (TSX: CNL) ("Collective" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results for seven diamond drill holes that have materially expanded the Apollo system ("Apollo") northwards along strike by an additional 450 metres. Apollo is a large-scale, high-grade, partially Reduced Intrusion Related System enriched in gold, silver, copper and tungsten with mineralization traced from surface to over 1,370 vertical metres. Apollo anchors the Company's flagship Guayabales Project--a district-scale, multi-target and infrastructure-rich project in Caldas, Colombia. Figure 1: Cross Section A A (see Figure 2) Highlighting the Northern Expansion to the Breccia Body and the Newly Discovered Hanging Wall Zone (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.) Figure 2: Plan View of the Apollo System Highlighting Drill Holes Announced in this Release and the Significant Strike Expansion of the System to the North (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.) Figure 3: Plan View of the Guayabales Project Highlighting the Apollo System (CNW Group/Collective Mining Ltd.) To date, Collective Mining has completed 153,000 metres of diamond drilling across the Guayabales and San Antonio projects, including 106,500 metres at Apollo. With ten rigs actively operating as part of its fully funded program, the Company anticipates assay results from multiple high-priority holes in the near term. With US$135 million in cash (as of December 1, 2025), the Company is fully funded for its planned, aggressive 2026 program, which targets up to 100,000 metres of additional drilling. Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman, commented: "It's time to reframe our view of Apollo--not merely as a mineralized breccia system, but as a much larger entity encompassing the breccia body and surrounding sheeted vein zones with the potential to extend strike lengths by hundreds of meters. Most exciting is the serendipitous discovery of mineralization in the Hanging Wall Vein Zone during directional drilling of mother holes, which were intended solely to establish kick-off points for testing the high-grade Ramp Zone at depth. With targeted drilling now planned for the Hanging Wall Zone in 2026, I'm optimistic this will usher in a new era of significant resource expansion at Apollo." To watch a video of David Reading, Special Advisor, explain today's results please click on the link here. Details (see Table 1-2 and Figures 1-3) Hanging Wall Vein Zone Discovery Two mother holes, drilled to provide kick-off points for drill testing the Ramp Zone, discovered a major new zone of sheeted, gold-and silver-rich veinlets in the hanging wall to the known Apollo system. Assay intersections from the Hanging Wall Vein Zone include: APC-140D (drilled south from Pad 29): 61.30 metres @ 1.78 g/t gold equivalent from 503.70 metres including 13.25 metres @ 4.47 g/t gold equivalent from 503.70 metres 24.95 metres @ 1.99 g/t gold equivalent from 636.50 metres including 5.60 metres @ 4.60 g/t gold equivalent from 639.30 metres and including 4.25 metres @ 3.72 g/t gold equivalent from 657.20 metres APC-143D (drilled southwest from Pad 19): 10.00 metres @ 5.74 g/t gold equivalent from 433.50 metres 130.40 metres @ 1.15 g/t gold equivalent from 622.40 metres including 5.35 metres @ 3.65 g/t gold equivalent from 659.90 metres and including 12.25 metres @ 3.27 g/t gold equivalent from 674.40 metres This newly discovered Hanging Wall Vein Zone has expanded the mineralized footprint at Apollo. The interpreted northeast strike length has increased by 43%, with the system now measuring approximately 1,050 metres (previously 600 metres) 400 metres width 1,370 metres vertical extent. Apollo remains completely open along strike to the north and at depth. The Company plans an aggressive follow-up drilling campaign targeting the Hanging Wall Vein Zone commencing early Q1 2026 to rapidly expand and delineate this exciting new discovery. Apollo Breccia Continues to Grow New Nor t h ern Extension Confirmed up to 900 Meters Below Surface Four drill holes from Pad 19 and Pad 29 have successfully extended the Apollo breccia system from 120 meters to 175 meters along strike to the northeast and 250 metres deeper than previously intersected in hole APC100-D1 (see press release dated December 4, 2024). These holes confirm continuity of the high-grade breccia mineralization up to approximately 900 metres below surface locally on its northern flank where it remains open at depth for further expansion. Highlights from the Northern Expansion Zone include: APC106-D1 (drilled to the southwest) 120.35 metres @ 1.35 g/t gold equivalent from 138.00 metres including 11.65 metres @ 2.25 g/t gold equivalent from 178.20 metres 29.20 metres @ 2.24 g/t gold equivalent from 229.15 metres and 17.70 metres @ 3.03 g/t gold equivalent from 319.00 metres APC106-D2 (drilled to the southwest) 91.15 metres @ 2.31 g/t gold equivalent from 302.85 metres including 18.20 metres @ 6.31 g/t gold equivalent from 341.50 metres (one of the highest-grade sections intersected to date at this depth and in this location) APC143-D1 (drilled to the southwest) 111.20 metres @ 1.34 g/t gold equivalent from 48.55 metres including 14.00 metres @ 3.12 g/t gold equivalent from 130.00 metres APC140-D1 (drilled to the southwest) 15.10 metres @ 1.70 g/t gold equivalent from 197.40 metres Table 1: Assays Results for the Hanging Wall Vein Zone Drill Holes APC-140D and APC-143D Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Zn % AuEq g/t* APC-140D 503.70 565.00 61.30 1.58 14 0.05 0.05 1.78 Incl. 503.70 516.95 13.25 4.03 34 0.06 0.12 4.47 and 636.50 661.45 24.95 1.85 8 0.02 0.20 1.99 Incl. 639.30 644.90 5.60 4.31 17 0.03 0.50 4.60 & Incl. 657.20 661.45 4.25 3.60 10 0.01 0.24 3.72 APC-143D 433.50 443.50 10.00 4.72 83 0.04 0.10 5.74 and 622.40 752.80 130.40 1.01 8 0.02 0.10 1.15 Incl. 659.90 665.25 5.35 3.35 20 0.05 0.20 3.65 & Incl. 674.40 686.65 12.25 3.10 12 0.02 0.22 3.27 Table 2: Assays Results for Apollo's Northern Expansion Zone Drill Holes APC106-D1, APC106-D2, APC106-D3, APC140-D1 and APC143-D1 Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Zn % AuEq g/t* APC106-D1 138.00 258.35 120.35 1.26 6 0.02 0.07 1.35 Incl. 178.20 189.85 11.65 2.15 8 0.03 0.08 2.25 & Incl. 229.15 258.35 29.20 2.18 5 0.02 0.10 2.24 and 319.00 336.70 17.70 3.06 3 0.02 0.01 3.03 APC106-D2 302.85 394.00 91.15 2.13 12 0.05 0.10 2.31 Incl. 341.50 359.70 18.20 6.16 16 0.06 0.15 6.31 APC106-D3 398.95 403.35 4.40 3.47 6 0.04 - 3.50 and 421.80 432.25 10.45 3.27 5 0.03 0.01 3.28 APC140-D1 197.40 212.50 15.10 1.53 10 0.03 0.12 1.70 APC143-D1 48.55 159.75 111.20 1.28 4 0.02 0.07 1.34 Incl. 130.00 144.00 14.00 3.08 6 0.02 0.08 3.12 *AuEq (g/t) is calculated as follows: (Au (g/t) x 0.97) + (Ag (g/t) x 0.015 x 0.85) + (Cu (%) x 1.44 x 0.95) + (Zn (%) x 0.39 x 0.85) utilizing metal prices of Au US$2,200/oz, Ag US$33/oz, Cu US$4.62/lb and Zn US$1.25/lb and recovery rates of 97% for Au, 85% for Ag, 95% for Cu and 85% for Zn. Recovery rate assumptions for metals are based on metallurgical results announced on October 17, 2023, April 11, 2024 and October 3, 2024. The recovery rate assumption for zinc is speculative as limited metallurgical work has been completed to date. True widths are between 60%-100% of the total length and grades are uncut. About Collective Mining Ltd. To see our latest corporate presentation and related information, please visit www.collectivemining.com. Founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $2 billion in enterprise value, Collective is a gold, silver, copper and tungsten exploration company with projects in Caldas, Colombia. The Company has options to acquire 100% interest in two projects located directly within an established mining camp with ten fully permitted and operating mines. The Company's flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, which hosts the large-scale, bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold-silver-copper-tungsten Apollo system. The Company's objectives at the Guayabales Project are to expand the newly discovered high-grade Ramp Zone along strike and to depth and drill a series of greenfield generated targets on the property. Additionally, the Company has launched its largest drilling campaign in history at the San Antonio Project as it hunts for new discoveries and looks to expand upon the newly discovered porphyry system at the Pound target. The San Antonio Project is located between two to five kilometers east-northeast of the Guayabales Project and could potentially share infrastructure given their proximity to each other. Management, insiders, a strategic investor and close family and friends own 45.3% of the outstanding shares of the Company and as a result, are fully aligned with shareholders. The Company is listed on both the NYSE American and TSX under the trading symbol "CNL". Qualified Person (QP) and NI43-101 Disclosure David J Reading is the designated Qualified Person for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and verified that the technical information contained herein is accurate and approves of the written disclosure of same. Mr. Reading has an MSc in Economic Geology and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and of the Society of Economic Geology (SEG). Technical Information Samples were cut by Company personnel at Collective Mining's core facility in Caldas, Colombia. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled in maximum 2 metres intervals, stopping at geological boundaries. Drill hole core diameter is a mix of PQ, HQ and NQ depending on the depth of the drill hole. Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at ALS laboratory facilities in Medellin, Colombia and Lima, Peru. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects and pulps are kept and stored in a secured storage facility for future assay verification. No capping has been applied to sample composites. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program. Information Contact: Follow Executive Chairman Ari Sussman (@Ariski73) on X Follow Collective Mining (@CollectiveMini1) on X, (Collective Mining) on LinkedIn, and (@collectivemining) on Instagram FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to the anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future operations; future recovery metal recovery rates; future growth potential of Collective; and future development plans. These forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding future events including the direction of our business. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative nature of the Company's business; the Company's formative stage of development; the Company's financial position; possible variations in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of future economic evaluations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, precious and base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets; change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the annual information form of the Company dated March 24, 2025. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. SOURCE Collective Mining Ltd. Investors and Media: Paul Begin, Chief Financial Officer, [email protected], +1 (416) 451-2727 "The Elm at Legacy Park marks an important milestone in our continued investment across Alberta," said Jay McMartin, Founding Partner at Forum. "Spruce Grove is a dynamic market, and this project reflects our commitment to building rental communities that respond to the needs of today's residents. Dawson Wallace's collaborative approach and attention to detail have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life." Designed to meet the evolving needs of renters, The Elm at Legacy Park will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom suites with underground parking. Residents will enjoy premium in-suite finishes and a wide array of lifestyle amenities, including a fitness centre, lounge, and an outdoor patio with barbecues and fire pits. "We're excited to partner with Forum on this project," said Brandon Wallace, Principal, Dawson Wallace. "With our long-standing relationship with Forum on projects across Western Canada, and our team's expertise in quality construction and innovative design, we are excited to be a part of Spruce Grove's newest rental community." Located adjacent to Forum's commercial development, The Shoppes at Legacy Park, the new purpose-built rental offers residents unmatched convenience. Residents will have walkable access to a variety of businesses including Chipotle, Supplement World, Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Firehouse Subs, and more! "Spruce Grove is a vibrant and growing community that continues to attract new residents and investment, including projects like The Elm at Legacy Park," said Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker. "This new rental community will play an important role in supporting and diversifying the housing options in Spruce Grove, which helps contribute to the accessibility and liveability of our community." Forum and Dawson Wallace are committed to contributing to Spruce Grove's growing housing landscape through the development of The Elm at Legacy Park which has been meticulously designed to complement the city's continued growth and provide residents with elevated rental living options. Anticipated occupancy begins early 2027; interested residents may register at www.ElmRentals.ca. About Forum Forum is a leading owner, developer, and promoter of commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate in Canada. We manage all aspects of the development process, including due diligence, acquisition, land development, construction, leasing, and daily property management. In addition to our strong track record in commercial development and our wide selection of commercial spaces for lease, Forum offers a range of carefully selected residential properties in prime locations. Forum does not just fill spaces, we build communities. For Forum, neighbors are as important as location, as working with the right people is the foundation of a thriving community. For more information, visit www.forumproperties.com. About Dawson Wallace Dawson Wallace has a successful history of providing Construction Management, Design-Build, and General Contracting services for nearly 40 years. With personnel and resources positioned across Western Canada, we consistently service projects in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and beyond. Our clients range from small business owners to large corporations. Through these partnerships, we've built a diverse portfolio that includes retail centres, restaurants, market & non-market housing, renovations & tenant improvements, distribution hubs, industrial warehouses, office buildings, schools, public gathering spaces, municipal infrastructure, agricultural facilities, and manufacturing & processing projects. For more information, visit www.dawsonwallace.com. Media Contacts Lindsay Robinson, Forum Email: [email protected] Phone: 780.993.9541 Brandon Wallace, Dawson Wallace Email: [email protected] Commercial Leasing Contact Emma Laidler, Forum Email: [email protected] SOURCE Forum TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) is pleased to release the findings of its fifth annual national Canadian Newsroom Diversity Survey today. This year's voluntary survey collected data about 5,662 journalists from 325 newsrooms across radio, television, digital and print media in Canada. In total, the CAJ sent invitations to 900 newsrooms to complete the survey. The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Journalists) Qlik logo (CNW Group/Canadian Association of Journalists) "The Canadian Newsroom Diversity Survey is a critical source of data that over the past five years has become woven into the fabric of how our industry talks about diversity in journalism," said Brent Jolly, CAJ president. "But the survey project also underscores an important fact: what gets measured gets changed." As in previous years, the CAJ worked with data and analytics experts to develop an interactive website to visualize the results. Some key findings from the 2025 survey include : White people are overrepresented in supervisor and leadership roles. However, for full-time journalists, excluding supervisors, most racial percentages are close to their census data, except for white people and mixed-race people, who are overrepresented, and Asian full-time journalists, who are underrepresented. Just over 50 per cent of all journalists identify as women, compared to 49 per cent who identify as men and 0.9 per cent who identify as non-binary, marking an increase in women and non-binary journalists from last year and a decrease in the proportion of men. About 74.9 per cent of journalists identify as white, 3.9 per cent identify as Indigenous and 21.2 per cent identify as a visible minority. Among supervisors, 83.7 per cent identify as white, compared to 2 per cent identifying as Indigenous and 14.3 per cent identifying as a visible minority. These percentages remain almost unchanged since the 2024 survey. About 69.1 per cent of media outlets have no Indigenous or visible minority people in their top three leadership positions. "Interns" and "Part-time journalists" are the only categories where white people are underrepresented compared to their census data. Visit the CAJ website to view other key findings and to read the full report . "As we look over five years of data, we're seeing that white journalists are consistently overrepresented in leadership and full-time roles," said CAJ national chair and survey lead Zane Schwartz. "While we've seen marginal increases in the representation of certain racial groups, there is clearly more work to be done to foster the careers of non-white journalists." White journalists hold 83.7 per cent of supervisor roles and 78 per cent of the top three leadership positions in newsrooms. The 2025 survey results showed that about 69 per cent of newsrooms employed no Indigenous or visible minority journalists in the top three roles. Nineteen media outlets employed no visible minority or Indigenous journalists. About 70 per cent of surveyed media outlets employed no Indigenous journalists, 67.8 per cent employed no Black journalists, and 75.6 per cent didn't have any Latin journalists on staff. A comprehensive report detailing the national results, methodology, year-over-year comparisons, data limitations and a full list of participating newsrooms can be found on the CAJ website . As in previous surveys, Pennsylvania-based data and analytics firm Qlik continued to play an integral role in this project. It provided the CAJ with data analysis and visualizations of survey results, allowing users to interact with newsroom survey results based on race, gender and job role. "Reliable data is essential to understanding how well institutions reflect the communities they serve," shared Julie Kae, vice-president of sustainability and executive director of Qlik.org. "Qlik is proud to provide technology that helps our clients turn complex information into meaningful insights." The CAJ will host a virtual press conference tonight at 5 p.m. ET to present the key findings of the Diversity Survey Report. About the Canadian Race Relations Foundation The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF) is a federal Crown corporation mandated to raise public awareness of the causes and manifestations of racism in Canada. The organization has played an indispensable role in ensuring this survey is possible each year. Since the inception of the survey, the CRRF has generously provided $10,000 per year to the CAJ to support the costs involved in the work. This funding provides the means for the CAJ to hire the necessary staff to complete the work required. The CRRF supports, enables and convenes community groups and organizations through its grants, services and network of public, research and community partners. Supporting the CAJ diversity survey helps serve the CRRF's broader mission, as the CAJ Newsroom Diversity Survey generates data to capture the impacts of diversity efforts in newsrooms across the country. About Qlik Qlik converts complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving over 40,000 global customers, our portfolio provides advanced, enterprise-grade AI/ML, data integration, and analytics. Our AI/ML tools, both practical and scalable, lead to better decisions, faster. We excel in data integration and governance, offering comprehensive solutions that work with diverse data sources. Intuitive analytics from Qlik uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to address complex challenges and seize new opportunities. As strategic partners, our platform-agnostic technology and expertise make our customers more competitive. About the CAJ The CAJ is Canada's largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles are to provide high-quality professional development for its members and public-interest advocacy. SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists For further information, please contact: Brent Jolly, president, Canadian Association of Journalists, [email protected]; Zane Schwartz, national chair and survey lead, Canadian Association of Journalists, [email protected] The Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement walks the path of shared management at Parks Canada administered places in Nova Scotia HALIFAX, NS , Dec. 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Chief Sidney Peters, Glooscap First Nation and Chief Leroy Denny, Eskasoni First Nation, co-chairs of Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the signing of a co-management arrangement between the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. Mikmaw Interpretive Centre at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site Credit: Parks Canada (CNW Group/Parks Canada (HQ)) The Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement, which means "we will look after it together," expresses a new way for the Mi'kmaq and Parks Canada to move forward in partnership and honour Mi'kmaw ancestors. Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn, on behalf of the Assembly, has worked with Parks Canada to create this Arrangement in the spirit of our Treaty relationship. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Indigenous relationships are honoured, and Indigenous rights are respected. As set out in the Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement, the Mi'kmaq and Parks Canada will each make decisions using their respective protocols and will work together on issues of shared responsibility for the places Parks Canada has a role in administering in Nova Scotia. The Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement represents the next step to strengthening the relationship between Parks Canada and the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia, focusing on the stewardship of natural and cultural resources and fostering reconciliation in a way that reflects the shared values of the Mi'kmaq and Parks Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to achieving reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, and government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change. Quotes "This Arrangement is the first of its kind for the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia; it is a tool for us to fully co-manage and govern some very important areas within our traditional territory. This Arrangement was built upon years of collaboration and shared desire to care for our natural and cultural resources in the best way possible. It strengthens our role in helping to oversee national parks and national historic sites, protects our Mi'kmaw rights, and ensures that the Mi'kmaw voice is part of decision making on these lands going forward. The Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement demonstrates how we can create Nation-to-Nation arrangements, where the Mi'kmaq can truly work alongside the federal government as equal partners." Chief Sidney Peters Glooscap First Nation Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq | The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs Co-Chair "National parks and national historic sites must reflect our long history and use of these important landscapes. We are proud to say that through this Arrangement, we can now work to ensure that both current and historic Mi'kmaw cultural connections to these lands are respected and understood. We are proud to sign the Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement a document that honours and is built upon Mi'kmaw language, culture, and principles. Through this Arrangement the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia will strengthen the relationship with Parks Canada, based upon Netukulimk and Msit Ko'kmaq, and our collective desire to protect these lands for generations to come." Chief Leroy Denny Eskasoni First Nation Maw-lukutijik Saqmaq | The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaw Chiefs Co-Chair "The Government of Canada remains dedicated to reconciliation and fostering a renewed relationship with Indigenous Peoples, grounded in the recognition of rights, mutual respect, collaboration, and partnership. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I am honoured to have signed this Arrangement, which represents a tangible commitment to supporting the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia in the stewardship of their lands and waters, including areas Parks Canada administers." The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature "Recognizing rights, preserving culture, and upholding the Treaty relationship are essential to our shared path toward reconciliation. I am grateful to the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia for their partnership in co-developing this historic Arrangement -- one that reflects our commitment to a future built on respect for rights and true partnership." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "As a Mi'kmaq and as Parliamentary Secretary, I am deeply proud to see this historic step toward true co-management and shared stewardship of our lands. Toqi'maliaptmu'k means 'we're taking care of it together - the two of us' - and the Arrangement reflects this, guided by respect, balance, and our shared responsibility to future generations. This is reconciliation in action." Jaime Battiste Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Quick Facts The specific details on how the Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement will be implemented will evolve over the coming months and years through the establishment and operation of a co-management board. This board will play a central role in shaping and guiding the Arrangement as it develops. A community celebration will be planned for 2026. Some examples of shared initiatives between Parks Canada and the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia that reflect a commitment to shared stewardship, cultural understanding and honouring Mi'kmaw connections to the land are: Commemorating and respecting historic and contemporary Indigenous connections to Parks Canada administered sites : Revisiting narratives and telling whole stories from different perspectives; for example, the Mi'kmaw Interpretive Centre at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, the inclusion of Mi'kmaw heritage in the stories told at the site, and new interpretative exhibits at Fort Anne and Halifax Citadel national historic sites which highlight Mi'kmaw history and perspectives within the story of Kjipuktuk/ Halifax and Nme'juaqnek/Annapolis Royal. Collaborative Archaeology: A model that involves early engagement and the active participation of the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia, local Mi'kmaw communities, and a new archaeology camp for Mi'kmaw youth. Earth Keepers and Shared Stewardship: From harvest to restoration and protection, Parks Canada and the Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia have worked together on initiatives related to species at risk and invasive species projects as well as active programs such as the Earth Keeper program. Our ecosystems are stronger because of this work. Mi'kmaw heritage presentation and interpretation : Mi'kmaw Elders, Knowledge Holders, community members and youth share their stories, and Mi'kmaw history and culture are highlighted throughout Parks Canada administered places by way of enhanced visitor experience programs. Signage and interpretive panels : Mi'kmaw place names are incorporated into official signage and interpretive displays, reinforcing the collaboration and shared stewardship between Parks Canada and Indigenous Peoples. Related Product Backgrounder: The Toqi'maliaptmu'k Arrangement Related Links Parks Canada Toqi'maliaptmu'k website Parks Canada Mi'kma'ki-Nova Scotia website Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office - Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative website SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ) Contacts: Parks Canada, Martin Bauman, Partnering Engagement and Communications Officer, Mainland Nova Scotia Field Unit, Mi'kma'ki, Parks Canada, 782-446-7933, [email protected]; Keean Nembhard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Environment Climate Change and Nature, 343-552-2387, [email protected]; Media Relations: Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]; Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office Mi'kmaq Rights Initiative: Crystal Dorey, Director of Communications, 902-957-0549, [email protected]; Crown-Indigenous Relations: Alec Wilson, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-661-1538, [email protected]; Media Relations: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected] The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) is investigating a criminal case on its own initiative regarding the possible influence of the defendants in the so-called "Midas" case on the Bureaus employees; at the moment, no one from the SBI has been suspended or held accountable, the SBI has said. "No one has been brought (to administrative responsibility) or suspended. Because we are investigating within the framework of the criminal process," said Bohdan Chobitok, head of the SBIs Internal Control Department, at a meeting of the Temporary Investigative Commission (TSK) of the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday, which was broadcast on the YouTube channel of MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. According to Chobitok, the investigation was launched on the initiative of the SBI. He also added that the Director of the SBI, Oleksiy Sukhachev, was not questioned within the framework of these proceedings, because there were no grounds for it. Photo: Telegram @Agency_for_restoration The Advisory Board under the Ukrainian Recovery Agency has been created and has begun its work. Currently, the group of advisors consists of six experts, the press service of the Recovery Agency reported. The release notes that the main task of the Advisory Board is to form a plan for the long-term recovery of Ukraine in the context of key sectors. The Advisory Board combines the best global practices, European approaches to planning, construction and recovery of the damaged area, and the implementation of such approaches in practice. "In the short term, we will face the task of integrating the EU development strategy into the reconstruction. That is why we are already laying down solutions that will meet European standards. We strive to build in such a way as not to remake, but on the contrary, to immediately integrate into the European space with sustainable, modern and effective approaches," Serhiy Sukhomlyn noted. The first meeting of the Advisory Board has already taken place. Among the participants were Serhiy Sukhomlyn, Head of the Recovery Agency, and Jekaterina Sarmaviciene, who represents the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency, which manages and controls all EU financial support to Lithuania and currently coordinates the work of the Advisory Board Secretariat. The meeting was also attended by members of the Board - specialists with unique experience in the field of critical infrastructure work in Lithuania, France, Estonia, the Czech Republic, the USA, the UK, public investment, infrastructure development and digital transformation. The rally is taking place under the walls of the Verkhovna Rada Committees Building in the center of Kyiv, its participants are demanding a report from the current head of the State Financial Monitoring Service of Ukraine, Filip Pronin, on his activities as head of the Poltava Regional Administration, which he held in 2023-24. According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, the rally is attended by about three dozen people who claim to have come from different settlements of the Poltava region and want to express their position on the allegedly unsatisfactory performance of Pronin in his past and current positions, related, in particular, to the construction of fortifications in the Donetsk region. Among them are relatives of active servicemen and those killed during the full-scale war. They are holding banners reading "Who will answer for the failure of the fortifications?" "Why are my brothers in unfinished trenches?" "Stolen millions - ruined lives at the front," "Pronin, resign before you are arrested," "Where are the 200 million for fortifications?" "Where is the promised defense?" "The front is waiting - officials are silent" and others. The participants in the rally are protesting against the misappropriation of state funds that could have been used to build fortifications and purchase drones, as well as to protect servicemen and civilian infrastructure. Pronin is expected to attend a meeting of the temporary investigative commission investigating corruption in the energy sector, which will be held on Wednesday at the parliamentary committee building, near which the rally is taking place. As reported, earlier the Eurosolidarity faction demanded Pronins dismissal from his current position, and MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak (Holos faction) stated that in 2024 the Poltava regional administration signed contracts for over UAH 370 million for the construction of fortifications in the Donetsk region, but instead of fortifications, "decorations" were erected and at least UAH 200 million was embezzled through fictitious schemes. The Verkhovna Rada summoned Pronin to a plenary session because of this, and he denied the accusations. "Allegedly, due to the imitation of the construction of the fortification, we lost positions and now the enemy is occupying these positions. This is unreliable information. These positions are held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Pronin said during a speech in parliament in early September, also rejecting the accusation that the construction was carried out at inflated prices. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has submitted a number of requests to the State Financial Monitoring Service, in particular, regarding the origin of funds deposited as bail for the defendants in the Midas case, as it is important to establish whether these funds were obtained through criminal means, notes NABU Director Semen Kryvonos. "Regarding the origin of bail in the framework of the criminal proceedings on Operation Midas. On November 13, we sent the first request to the Service to investigate the source of the funds for the bail for five suspects. On November 14, we provided an addition, as we learned from the Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission which legal entities deposited bail for certain defendants," Kryvonos said at a meeting of the Temporary Investigative Commission of the Verkhovna Rada, which is being broadcast on the YouTube channel of MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak. According to Kryvonos, a number of other requests were sent by November 28. "NABU sent inquiries regarding the legality of the origin of these funds, since the legislation clearly stipulates that funds obtained through criminal means cannot be used to pay the bail," he specified. "We received a number of responses from the State Financial Monitoring Service. But I can say now that the origin of the funds from those individuals who deposited the bail and tracking how the funds ended up in the accounts of the companies that deposited the bail have not yet been fully investigated," the NABU director said. He emphasized: "It is very important now to track whether these funds were obtained as a result of, including, the criminal activities of this back office or related persons, or persons who provide such services for the legalization of funds, including for depositing bail." Answering Zheleznyaks question about whether it is possible to say that after the last meeting of the committee the process of working with the Service has accelerated, Kryvonos said: "Of course, we can say that it has." "We are interested in where the funds came from from these individuals and legal entities (who deposited bail for the defendants in the Midas - IF-U case). This information is not yet available. There is primary information, the bank that deposited it is indicated," the NABU director explained. Kryvonos also reported that requests to the Service also concerned companies involved in the money laundering scheme and companies directly related to Energoatoms purchases. Kryvonos noted that so far the Service has not provided information "for objective reasons." "We are still communicating, clarifying," he added. Jurors spent Tuesday hearing seven hours of testimony from the teenage daughter of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., whose accounts of abuse were dispelled by her fathers defense team. Her testimony marked a key moment in the trial, as she described what prosecutors say were months of escalating abuse inside the familys home, beginning after her parents discovered unsettling messages between her and a boyfriend. Small is on trial in Atlantic County Superior Court, where the 51-year-old Democrat faces up to 25 years in prison on charges of child endangerment, aggravated assault, terroristic threats and witness tampering. The case could put his political career in jeopardy, as state law bars anyone convicted of a third-degree crime or higher from holding public office. Smalls wife, LaQuetta Small, who serves as superintendent of Atlantic City public schools, was also indicted and is scheduled to stand trial in January on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Prosecutors allege the mayor and his wife repeatedly assaulted their daughter, leaving bruises on her shoulders and legs. Defense lawyer Louis Barbone has denied the allegations, portraying the mayor as a devoted father who worried about his daughters future and strongly disapproved of her boyfriend. With her father seated just a few feet away, the teen spoke softly as she recounted what she described as months of escalating abuse between December 2023 and January 2024. She testified that her parents attitude shifted in December 2023 after they discovered the texts from her boyfriend, whom she had secretly brought into the house without their knowledge. That discovery, she said, led to the first confrontation in her fathers man cave, where an argument ended with him striking her legs several times. By late morning, jurors viewed several video recordings that appeared to capture arguments between the teenager and her parents. The videos, filmed by her boyfriend after she confided in him about the alleged abuse, were accompanied by Instagram messages the teen read aloud in court. Im scared to get in the shower because my bruise will burn, one message said. In another, she told him she didnt feel safe here. The teen also described a later dispute over attending a community event in Atlantic City. She said she refused to attend because her hair wasnt done, prompting her father to grab a broom from her bedroom and hit her several times. The blows left a welt that turned into a scratch on her face, she said. Her mother, brother and grandmother were home at the time, and at one point LaQuetta Small told the mayor, Youre doing too much, seemingly trying to stop the encounter. Moments before the broom was used, the teen said, she and her father argued in the laundry room and he pushed her by the shoulders. She said she retaliated by tossing laundry detergent on him. The defense sought to undermine her account, questioning her recollection and statements to police. On Monday, attorney Louis Barbone argued the Smalls were simply trying to discipline their daughter and claimed she fabricated the abuse allegations after clashing with her parents. On Tuesday, Barbone suggested the teen had a butterknife in her hand before the broom incidenta claim she flatly denied. Thats a lie, and he knows it, the teenager said. Barbone also pressed her on details, asking which end of the broom struck her face. She initially couldnt recall, later saying it was the bristles. Near the end of proceedings on Tuesday, Barbone referenced an argument between the teen and her mother about cheerleading tryouts, quoting the teen as saying, Lets see who will have the last laugh. At least five more prosecution witnesses are expected to testify Wednesday. On Wednesday, detectives from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) conducted searches at the offices of officials from the Main Department of the State Tax Service in Khmelnytsky region, the Main Department of the State Tax Service in Mykolaiv region, as well as at the central office of the State Tax Service. "The criminal proceedings concern events that took place in 2024 and ended at the beginning of 2025. They are related to risky enterprises," the State Tax Service wrote in a Telegram message on Wednesday. The State Tax Service noted that the data of the pretrial investigation and the details of the case are within the competence of law enforcement officers and that the management and employees of the State Tax Service fully contribute to the work of anti-corruption bodies. "The State Tax Service of Ukraine operates within the legal framework and is always open to constructive cooperation with law enforcement," the message said. A man with autism filed a discrimination lawsuit against a church in Bergen County, claiming he was barred from his fathers funeral, then heckled over his disability when he showed up. Noah Allen Fields-Trusty claims Pastor Lester W. Taylor Jr. ordered security at Community Baptist Church in Englewood to block him from attending his fathers funeral on Dec. 10, 2023. His father, the Rev. Samuel E. Trusty Sr., was a licensed clergy member who had preached at Community Baptist Church from 1997 until his death, according to a church website. Fields-Trusty says he was required to obtain a court order before attending his fathers funeral. But when he arrived, members of his fathers family allegedly began taunting him, according to the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court of Bergen County on Dec. 4. When plaintiff requested to speak to Pastor Lester W. Taylor, Jr., a member of the deceaseds family began taunting plaintiff, calling him retarded, stupid and ugly, claims the suit. The suit alleges Taylor at first refused to permit Fields-Trusty to enter the church but then allowed him to enter alone. Taylor would not allow Fields-Trustys mother to accompany him, and refused to let him take a prayer card or a memorial program, alleges the lawsuit. The suit claims Fields-Trustys mother explained her son has autism and needed the reasonable accommodation of being allowed her to accompany him. The request was denied, the suit claims. The lawsuit alleges Taylor permitted the public to continue to taunt the plaintiff, who has a disability of Aspergers. The heckling and harassment by the members of the deceaseds family, church members, and the pastor was so extreme the plaintiff urinated on himself, at which time they began calling him a pissy pee pee boy, the suit claims. According to the Cleveland Clinic, Aspergers syndrome was a diagnosis healthcare providers used before 2013 to describe a person who has difficulty reading social cues, understanding nonverbal communication and struggles with small talk and social interactions. The term Aspergers syndrome is no longer a formal diagnostic label. Healthcare providers now refer to the syndrome as level-one autism, which falls under the broader Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to the Autism Speaks website. The lawsuit alleges Taylor and the church violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination by shunning him from his fathers funeral, then allowing members of the public to call him names. The church further violated anti-discrimination laws for allegedly refusing to allow Fields-Trustys mother to accommodate him into the church to view his fathers body, the suit says. The churchs conduct was willful, malicious and/or especially egregious and done with the knowledge and or participation of the church leadership, the suit claims. Taylor and church officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The attorney who filed the lawsuit declined to answer questions about the complaint, saying she does not comment on pending legal matters. A New Jersey man charged with aggravated manslaughter is accused of being drunk and driving 89 mph nearly twice the 45 mph speed limit a second before a crash that killed the Vietnam War veteran in the other vehicle. Marcus A. Young also drove through a red light before his car slammed into an SUV driven by Louis Bontya III on Oct. 11 in Gloucester Township, according to a criminal complaint. Young, 23, was traveling 89 mph just 1.9 seconds before impact, when his speed had slowed to 63 mph, according to court documents. In addition, the road was wet and a mist was falling, the complaint said. Bontya, 76, of Williamstown, died of his injuries at an area hospital, and his 75-year-old wife was seriously injured. The affidavit cited crash data from Youngs car and surveillance video from a nearby Wawa and PNC Bank. The crash took place just before 10:15 p.m. at the corner of Berlin Cross Keys Road and Johnson Road. Young had been free on pre-trial monitoring before surrendering Tuesday morning, according to his attorney Mark Bernstein. Young is being held at the Camden County jail. A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, Bontya is survived by his wife, two children, three step-children, seven grandchildren and three brothers, according to an online obituary Bontya worked as an architect and code official and was the author of two books on military history, the obituary said. Young, of Sicklerville, was charged with death by auto and assault by auto weeks after the crash. Young was also issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated., reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt. A Jersey Shore man who was airlifted to a hospital following a fire in his apartment last month now faces arson charges, authorities said Wednesday. Edmir Pepa, 35, was rescued on Nov. 22 after his second-floor apartment in Wildwood caught fire, producing heavy smoke that kept police officers from entering, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland. When members of the Wildwood Fire Department arrived, a crew entered the residence and found Pepa, Sutherland said in a statement with Wildwood Police Chief Joe Murphy. Pepa was taken by helicopter to a regional hospital. It was later determined that Pepa was also suffering from self-inflicted lacerations, the prosecutor and police chief said. After an investigation that included reviewing security video, witness interviews and execution of a search warrant, Pepa was charged with arson. It was determined that Pepa set fire to multiple areas inside his apartment, putting himself and other tenants inside the multi-dwelling building in danger, the statement said. Pepa turned himself in to Wildwood police on Tuesday. He was charged with aggravated arson and causing widespread injury or damage, both second-degree crimes. Pepa was held at the Cape May County Jail to await a court hearing. Attorney information was not listed in court records. A plan to kill the exit exam New Jersey high school students must take to graduate is once again being debated by state lawmakers. The state Assembly voted Monday to eliminate the high school exit exam. That is renewing pressure on state Senate leaders who blocked the same measure from reaching a vote two years ago. The new bill which passed 55-17 in the Assembly on Monday would end the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment requirement. The standardized test, known as the NJGPA, is usually given to 11th graders in public schools as a requirement for graduation. Critics say the test has long served as a barrier to graduation for thousands of students, including those from disadvantaged communities. New Jersey is one of the few states in the nation that has a graduation exam. I believe our focus should always be on what best serves our students, not on maintaining outdated mandates that no longer deliver results, said Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis, R-Union, one of three of the bills sponsors. This bill allows us to modernize our approach, restore instructional time and reduce unnecessary costs all while preserving academic accountability in other forms, Matsikoudis said. The NJGPA measures students readiness to graduate based on 10th-grade-level skills in English Language Arts and math, including Algebra 1 and geometry. Supporters say it helps ensure that students have learned the minimum skills needed for graduation. New Jersey students struggle most with the math portion of the test. Last spring, about 58.5% of students taking the math portion of NJGPA were deemed graduation ready, according to state data. Students did better on the English Language Arts section, where 81.3% were graduation ready. But students are given multiple chances to take the test and can use alternatives, including their SAT scores or a portfolio of their work, in order to qualify for graduation. Over the past two decades 21 other states have stopped using exit exams as part of their graduation requirements. New Jersey is one of six states that still have the exams. They include Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Unfortunately, high school exit exams, or any standardized tests for that matter have no history of closing opportunity gaps, achievement gaps, or any other gaps. If they did, New Jersey would not have any gaps, as we have had high school exit exams for decades, Seton Hall University Professor Christopher Tienken said in testimony to the legislature in 2019. This isnt the first time the state Assembly passed a bill to eliminate the test. In 2023, a bill was approved by the Assembly, but stalled in the state Senate. Senate Majority Leader Theresa Ruiz, D-Essex, didnt support it at the time. Ruiz did not respond immediately to a request to comment on the new version of the legislation. The Assembly bill, A4121, has an identical bill in the Senate, S1562. But the Senate version has not had a hearing or a vote yet. The legislation would need to be approved by both the Senate and Assembly, then signed by the governor in order to become law. Senate Education Committee Chair Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, said he supports the bill and hopes it will pass this time. Former state Deputy Commissioner of Education Peter Shulman, who regularly advocates for assessment-related issues with the parent advocacy group Wake Up Call New Jersey, asked legislators not to act on the bill until theyve interrogated what a New Jersey high school diploma really represents. I would urge our elected officials to think about addressing the meaning of a New Jersey high school diploma before determining the future of the legislation, Shulman said. The state recently contracted with Cambium Assessment, a Virginia-based test maker, to create a new version of the graduation test. When the move was announced some advocates, including Julie Borst of the public school advocacy group Save Our Schools NJ, were concerned it could make graduating even more difficult for the students who already struggle on tests. Youre making those kids with the least institutional and personal resources jump through multiple hoops in order to graduate, which is ridiculous, Borst said. The new Cambium contract covers all of the standardized tests students take in the state, including the NJGPA and the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments, which are given yearly starting in third grade. The Cambium contract is worth nearly $58.7 million and runs through the spring of 2027, state officials said. It is unclear how much the state would save if only the NJGPA portion of the contract was canceled. Costs related solely to the NJGPA cannot be broken out. The NJGPA is an integral component of the States assessment system and was integrated into the contract, state Department of Education officials said in a statement Tuesday. A student who fails the NJGPA could retake it multiple times or use scores from the SAT, PSAT or other tests. Students can also bypass the test and submit a portfolio of their work to show they are ready to graduate. However, critics say the portfolio review is often a time-consuming process for students and their teachers. Kailynn DuRose, who attends East Brunswick High School and is the student representative on the state Board of Education, raised concerns about the NGJPA at the boards meeting this month after the latest statewide scores were released. DuRose said she was concerned about student motivation when it comes to taking the NJGPA, when juniors already have to take the PSAT, SAT, and or ACT, on top of all their classes and a lot of other things. She also questioned how valid the state scores were when students take the exam knowing they dont have to do well because there are other pathways to graduation, including submitting their SAT or ACT scores. DuRose questioned whether students are motivated to really try or do well when they just want to get it over with, to prioritize something else. Two East Orange police officers have been ordered to pay more than $758,000 in damages to a former cop turned bounty hunter who claimed his business suffered after the officers arrested him on a false gun charge. Keith Hinton, 64, sued East Orange police four years ago, claiming he was arrested after accidentally shooting himself in his right forearm in September 2019 with a lawfully purchased handgun that he was licensed to carry. According to the lawsuit, Hinton was headed to a Woodland Park gun range to have the weapons trigger repaired when the accident occurred in his car. Hinton called 911, drove himself to the emergency room at East Orange Hospital and later underwent emergency surgery at University Hospital in Newark, the suit states. A short time later, East Orange police officers appeared in his hospital room and told him the gun with which he was shot was stolen. They also told him they were charging him with several crimes, including second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the suit states. Days later, Hinton was arrested at the hospital and taken to police headquarters, fingerprinted, booked and held for several days at the Essex County Jail, according to court documents. A New Jersey Superior Court judge dropped all of the charges against Hinton a year after the shooting. However, the alleged false arrest, imprisonment and suspension of his professional licenses for 14 months damaged his reputation, bounty hunting career and caused him to suffer economic losses, according to the suit. Following a trial that ended in March, a jury ordered East Orange Detective Felix Lantigua to pay Hinton $100,000 for malicious prosecution. In addition, East Orange Police Captain Larry Martin was ordered to pay Hinton $25,000 for malicious prosecution, and another $50,000 for failing to supervise Lantigua. On Nov. 24, a state court judge ordered Lantigua and Martin to pay Hintons lawyers $534,814.53 in attorney fees and an additional $48,527.51 in related expenses, court records show. Lantigua, Martin and a city spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment on the judgment or lawsuit. Two New Jersey hospitals were placed on lockdown Tuesday after receiving bomb threats over the phone. Out of an abundance of caution, police were called to Community Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus early last evening regarding a potential threat, a RWJ Barnabas Health spokesperson said Wednesday in a statement. The hospitals were placed on lockdown and sweeps of both facilities were conducted by the Ocean County Sheriffs Office K-9 Unit, according to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Both hospitals were deemed safe and later reopened. The threats are under investigation. The mayor of Hoboken faced backlash Tuesday over the decision to raise a Palestinian flag outside City Hall. Some city officials criticized Mayor Ravi Bhallas move on social media and called for clearer protocols surrounding flag-raising events. An official flag raising in front of City Hall is supposed to be welcoming and celebratory, with the hope that people see themselves and the community in them, Mayor-Elect Emily Jabbour wrote on Facebook. However, today, we are seeing first-hand the repercussions of decisions made without a larger community conversation, and without any engagement with myself or my council colleagues. Hoboken needs a clearer process for future flag raisings, one that respects and considers our entire community, Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said in a statement. The flag has since been taken down, Fisher said. Bhalla defended the decision to raise the flag in a statement on social media, saying it was meant to celebrate diversity and acknowledge the Palestinian community in Hoboken not to make a political statement. He noted the city has raised flags recognizing many other cultures and communities. I want to be clear that the act of raising this flag is not, in any way, shape or form, intended as a political statement by the City of Hoboken, Bhalla wrote. Hoboken is a municipality and takes no position on international political conflicts because it is not within the purview of municipal governance. Bhalla, who was elected in November to serve in the state Assembly, said it was unintended that the event fell on the anniversary of the start of the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising that lasted from 1987 to 1993. I understand that this coincidence has caused concern for some members of our community. This was not our intention, Bhalla said. Last November, Hoboken faced similar controversy over another Palestinian flag-raising event, which Bhalla also defended. An Israeli flag flying outside City Hall last year was stolen three times between October and December. Especially in moments of pain or conflict around the world, it is vital that our residents feel seen and supported, Bhalla said. As Mayor of the entire City of Hoboken, my responsibility is to treat all community members equally, without exception. I am proud to lead a city where people of all backgrounds, including Palestinians and those who stand with them, can feel welcomed and valued, he said. Newark's Delaney Hall went from holding fewer than 100 people in May to over 800 in November, with 90% having no criminal record. Jeff Rhode | For NJ Advance Medi Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and NJ Spotlight News. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X). The number of people held at Delaney Hall, the immigration detention facility in Newark, more than tripled in November from early months this year, records show. The average daily population for Delaney Hall reached 807 last month, a sharp uptick from September, when the site held 234 people, according to data from TRAC, a nonpartisan research group that obtains and analyzes federal records. More than 61,000 people were held nationwide at ICE sites as of mid-November. Data from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration detention sites like Delaney Hall, show that about 10% of the 807 people detained at the site have criminal records. The private firm GEO Group operates the facility under a 15-year federal contract worth more than $1 billion. These for-profit facilities have every incentive to fill as many beds as possible, Dante Apaestegui, federal policy and advocacy strategist for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, a statewide coalition, said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News. The spike comes as no surprise. A spokesman for GEO Group, Christopher Ferreira, declined to comment and referred questions to the Trump administration. A Department of Homeland Security spokesman, Jason Koontz, said the department is assembling a statistical report on its 2025 activities. Nearly a year into the second Trump administration, Delaney Hall, with more than 1,000 beds, is one of the largest immigration detention sites in the country and has quickly surpassed New Jerseys second site, the Elizabeth Detention Center, in capacity. At the Elizabeth facility, where the capacity is 300 beds, about 80% of detainees had no criminal records. Both GEO Group and CoreCivic, another private prison company, donated to President Donald Trumps inaugural festivities. Federal data show the average time detainees spend at either site is 14 days, less than the average spell of about 31 days across all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities nationwide. While the number of detainees at Elizabeth had hovered below 300 this year, the number at Delaney Hall has steadily increased as the Trump administration set goals to detain and deport hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Since Delaney Hall opened in May, the number of people held inside has grown from fewer than 100 in May and June to the mid-100s over the summer and the low 200s in the fall, before the recent upswing. ICE officers have arrested 5,378 people in New Jersey since Trump took office in January, the ninth-most of any state in the country, according to data from the Immigration Enforcement Dashboard, a project that uses publicly available data. While running for president last year, Trump said immigrants were poisoning the blood of the country. At his inauguration, he framed his anti-immigration agenda around the goal of returning millions of criminal aliens. Kristi Noem, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has repeatedly said ICE, a sub-agency of DHS, arrests the worst of the worst. Yet a recent snapshot of ICE data obtained by the Cato Institute, a libertarian group headquartered in Washington, D.C., found 5% of people detained since October were violent criminals and 73% had no criminal conviction. Recent anti-immigration raids in the state, such as one at a Woodbridge warehouse in October or a warrantless attempt in Burlington County last month, have petrified immigrant communities. Immigration agents are pursuing people without records who often have legal paperwork, advocates said. Theyre targeting workers, Apaestegui said. Thats become the norm here in New Jersey. A federal appeals court in July struck down a state law that banned private prison firms from entering into contracts with the U.S. government within New Jerseys borders. Last week, U.S. Reps. Donald Norcross (D-1st), Frank Pallone (D-6th), Rob Menendez (D-8th), LaMonica McIver (D-10th) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12th) introduced legislation that, among other steps, would phase out private detention facilities and jails within three years. That bill has no chance of becoming law during this Congress, when Republicans hold both the House and Senate. Twenty-three people in ICE custody have died in 2025 the deadliest year for ICE detainees since 2004, according to the American Immigration Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The family of a 22-year-old Rutgers University student missing for nearly three weeks is urging the arrest of a man who was charged with threatening him this summer and was the last person to see him. Mortimer Wortman was last seen on surveillance footage Nov. 21 getting into Adam Zalouks car in the parking lot of Regional Day School in Jackson, his brother Ivan Marks said. On Monday, a judge postponed a hearing at the Ocean County Courthouse for Zalouk, 33, who faces charges for allegedly threatening Wortman with a knife and ramming his car during a July 26 incident in Point Pleasant, Marks said. According to an affidavit of probable cause, Zalouk allegedly asked Wortman for a sexual favor, and when he refused, Zalouk became irate and threatened him with the knife by advancing toward him with the blade extended. Zalouk then reportedly carved the word slut into Wortmans car, before ramming the back of the vehicle twice, the affidavit states. Wortman captured the incident on video. Zalouk was charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses and fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to online court records. The hearing is unrelated to Wortmans disappearance, but it comes as the familys search for answers intensifies and as they point to Zalouk, who they say has a history of stalking Wortman. They werent even supposed to be in contact, and Adam has the most motive of anybody, Marks said. So were just confused as to why is he not arrested? An attorney representing Zalouk did not return requests for comment. The Jackson Police Department referred inquiries to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, which stated the investigation is ongoing and did not respond to specific questions. According to Marks, Wortman and Zalouk met up at Regional Day School the night Wortman disappeared. The two reportedly drove behind the school in Zalouks car and went into the Colliers Mill, a wooded nature preserve, toward a fire pit. Wortman and Zalouk then allegedly got into a heated argument before Wortman ran off into the woods, Marks said, relaying Zalouks version of the events. Marks said Zalouk reported Wortman missing around 12 p.m. the following day. However, Wortmans family is not convinced that Zalouks account is entirely accurate, Marks said. I know he knows more than what hes saying, Marks said. Theres just so many moving things that they just point towards Adam, and Adam has no answers. Marks also alleges Zalouk stalked and harassed Wortman in the months leading up to his disappearance by hanging around outside the family home. The nature of their relationship is unclear, Marks said, though he believes they may have met on a dating app and started seeing each other within the past year. Marks said police confirmed Zalouk and Wortman spent the Thursday before his disappearance at a hotel in Cookstown. Ivan Marks, left, poses with Johanna Reyes, Marks' and Wortman's mother, center, and Wortman, right. Photo courtesy of Ivan Marks Wortmans sudden disappearance is out of character for the college senior, who is close with his family and involved on campus, according to Marks. He was very invested in his family, a really good kid, Marks said. Never the runaway type. He was just always such a bubbly, positive person, Marks said. Because Wortman is an agriculture major at Rutgers who is familiar with the woods in Jackson, Marks said his family believes it is unlikely he would have gotten lost there. He believes law enforcement should expand their search, including into Staten Island, where Zalouk lives. They searched the woods in its entirety this past weekend, so that kind of stamped that hes not in the woods, Marks said. Marks said the community has stepped in to provide support and resources as the family has organized search parties and spread the word through social media. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Marks had raised more than $20,000 as of Tuesday to support the search and hire a private investigator. Im honestly not sure where things are going to go now moving forward, Marks said. Were going to try and stay positive and try and look around for other avenues. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/marta.kosmarko European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos is on a two-day visit to Ukraine, during which she will hold an informal meeting of EU ministers in Lviv. The European Commission said on Wednesday that "today and tomorrow, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will be in Ukraine to discuss the countrys accession to the EU with member states at an informal meeting of EU ministers." "The discussions will also focus on Ukraines reform agenda, in particular on developing the rule of law, and the ongoing reconstruction efforts supported by the EU," the press release said. The EC also reported that on Wednesday morning, Kos, together with Deputy Minister of Energy for European Integration Olga Yukhymchuk, visited a thermal power plant (the name was not specified), which "has been repeatedly targeted by Russia and is being restored with the support of the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine." "This restoration of the plant is an example of the EUs efforts to strengthen Ukraines energy resilience - from repairing critical infrastructure to expanding district heating, renewable energy sources and energy-efficient buildings - ensuring heating for essential services this winter," the statement said. Also on Wednesday afternoon, the European Commissioner, together with Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka and Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Oleksandr Korniyenko, will meet with Ukrainian civil society to discuss EU enlargement policy and the role of civil society in supporting reform efforts. She will then hold a meeting with Kachka on the reform needs for Ukraines EU accession. On Thursday, Kos will attend a ceremony to commemorate the fallen defenders. "After that, she will join the informal General Affairs Council in Lviv. Together with Deputy Prime Minister Kachka and Minister for European Affairs of the Danish EU presidency, Marie Bjerre, she will take part in discussing the state of the accession negotiations. A joint press conference is planned after the meeting. A man who was arrested in his New Jersey hometown after stabbing his 40-year-old girlfriend to death at a Virginia campground was convicted of murder on Monday. Romi El-Sayed, 36, faces life in prison after a jury in Fairfax County found him guilty of murder and concealing a body, authorities said. El-Sayed stabbed Cara Abbruscato 17 times, including six times in her neck, in a tent at Burke Lake Park on Sept. 23, 2023. He then concealed her body in the tent before driving her car to Paterson, the Office of the Fairfax Commonwealths Attorney said in a statement. Other campers found Abbruscatos body after noticing an odor coming from the tent. El-Sayed was arrested in Paterson on Oct. 2, 2023 and extradited to Virginia on Nov. 9, 2023, officials said. Investigators found El-Sayeds DNA under Abbruscatos fingernails as she had tried to fight him off during the attack, authorities said. Witnesses later told police they heard a woman screaming in the tent and a man shouting. Both were under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms at the time of the murder, according to InsideNova.com. El-Sayed, a Vienna, Virginia resident, is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2026. A New Jersey man admitted he was part of a group of people who posed as government officials to convince victims in five states to give them gold bars and cash. Bharat Awasarmol, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and making false statements to an FBI agent, the U.S. Attorneys Office of Maine said Tuesday. The fraudsters called people in New Jersey, New York, Maine, New Hampshire and Virginia and told them they worked for the government, charging documents state. The callers told their targets they were in danger of losing their assets and should convert them to gold and cash, court papers state. Once victims agreed to meet, the scammers communicated with them using WhatsApp, instructing them to drop off cash and gold bars so government officials could hold them for safekeeping, according to charging documents. Awasarmol, of Parlin, was arrested when FBI agents caught him accepting a package from a victim in Maine. The Maine victim had been instructed by an associate of Awasarmol posing as an employee of the Federal Trade Commission to meet Awasarmol and provide him with gold bars. Awasarmol also accepted cash and gold from six other scam victims, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. The scam ran from March 2023 until about Jan. 18, 2024. A sentencing date is not listed in federal court records. Charges are still pending against Prakashkumar Prajapati, another New Jersey man who was indicted with Awasarmol in April. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul nominated State Operations Director Kathryn Garcia as the Port Authoritys next executive director, replacing Rick Cotton who announced hes retiring next month. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is sticking with Chairman Kevin OToole, who he renominated on Nov. 20 and is awaiting a vote by the state Senate. Hochul cited Garcias infrastructure work on projects including the Gateway Tunnel and the proposed Interborough Express light rail line, since her September 2021 appointment as state operations director. Kathryn helped us launch and advance generational infrastructure projects and rebuild our economy following the pandemic with an eye toward the future, Hochul said in a statement. I am thankful she will continue serving the people of New York as executive director of the Port Authority, where she will help us continue to advance a regional economy that keeps us the global leader in job creation and growth, she said. Cotton called Garcias nomination a superb choice. I have worked closely with Kathryn for many years. She has deep knowledge of city and state government combined with extraordinary insight and judgment and a collaborative spirit, he said. I could not imagine a government executive better suited to advance the Port Authoritys standards of world-class infrastructure and get things done. New Yorks governor appoints the authoritys executive director while New Jerseys governor names the board chairman. On the Jersey side, state senators on the Judiciary Committee didnt spare the superlatives either when voting unanimously to send OTooles nomination on to the full senate on Dec. 1. That included praise for putting New Jersey on a more equal footing with New York since his August 2017 appointment. The work you do at the Port Authority is respected on both sides of the aisle, I support you whole heartedly, said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, R-Morris. OToole and Cotton worked together during the past almost nine years, to move massive projects such as the rebuilding of LaGuardia Airport, once derided by then Vice President Joe Biden as resembling a third world airport, replacing Newark Airports Terminal A and starting work on one of Murphys desires, replacement of the aging airport monorail system. Both Cotton and OToole were credited with continuing the reforms instituted after the Bridgegate scandal damaged the authoritys reputation. Bridgegate involved the politically motivated closing of lanes at the George Washington Bridge, creating massive gridlock in Fort Lee after Mayor Mark Sokolich declined to endorse Gov. Chris Christie for re-election. Garcia also served as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, leading its 9,700 uniformed and civilian employees. During the winter of 2019, she also stepped in as the interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority. During the pandemic, Garcia served as the COVID-19 Food Czar, delivering over 1 million meals a day. She ran unsuccessfully for the democratic nomination for New York City mayor. The scooter driver hit by a school bus in Lakewood last week has died from her injuries, officials said. The young woman was identified as 19-year-old Angles Nieto Gonzalez, Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. The date that she was pronounced dead was not immediately clear. A spokesperson for the Lakewood Township Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The school bus struck the woman about 8 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, near the intersection of West County Line and Hope Chapel roads, police said last week. After the crash, authorities said the woman was being treated for a head injury at a local hospital. Police have not released any additional details about the crash. President Donald Trump held a rally Tuesday in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, where one of his guests sparked controversy among legal experts. Emil Bove, a federal appeals court judge and Trumps former personal attorney, was spotted in attendance at the event inside Mount Airy Casino Resort. The Senate confirmed Bove to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in a contentious 50-49 vote in July. Just here as a citizen coming to watch the president speak" Bove told White House correspondent Vaughn Hillyard of MS NOW, formerly MSNBC. Erica Orden, a legal reporter at Politico, called Boves appearance highly unusual. According to Canon 5 of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, a judge should refrain from political activity. That includes attending any event sponsored by a political organization or candidate." Gregg Nunziata, an attorney who formerly worked with the Senate Republican Policy Committee and Marco Rubio, said that Bove displayed every lack of good judgment that made him unfit for confirmation in the first place. New York University School of Law professor Stephen Gillers told Bloomberg Law that Boves conduct could be reasonably viewed by the public as a sign of political support. Gillers added that Trumps comments at Tuesdays rally could serve to heighten the perception of its political purpose and make a judges presence more troubling. Bove, 44, faced sharp questioning from Democrats during his confirmation hearing this summer. Senators pressed Bove on whether he could operate independently of Trump, his former client whom he previously defended against criminal investigations while in private practice. Bove also faced scrutiny for his role in dismissing federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams while serving in a senior Justice Department role. In announcing Bove as his nominee for the vacant judgeship, Trump said that He will end the Weaponization of Justice, restore the Rule of Law, and do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. During his hearing, Bove said that I am not anybodys henchman. He was ultimately confirmed on a 50-49 vote, with Republicans Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine breaking ranks to join Democrats in opposing his nomination. Following the vote, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Andy Kim said that Boves confirmation was a blow to the guiding principles of judicial independence and impartiality. An honest evaluation of his record would lead any person to conclude that Emil Bove should be nowhere near the federal bench, Booker and Kim said in a joint statement on July 29. A controversial bill pushed by a powerful state senator seeking to gut a corruption-fighting watchdog agency has been abruptly pulled by its sponsor Senate President Nick Scutari according to published reports and several sources familiar with the legislation. The bill, S4924, sought to undercut the watchdog role of the Office of the State Comptroller, transferring much of its responsibilities to the State Commission of Investigation, or SCI. The effort to downgrade the comptroller came in the wake of a series of blistering reports by the agency in recent years that have embarrassed or angered officials who have been targets of the comptroller. The apparent withdrawal by Scutari, D-Union, followed a committee hearing last week that turned into a contentious and often bizarre proceeding where state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., were kept waiting by committee chairman state Sen. James Beach, D-Camden, more than four hours until the very end of the hearing before they were allowed to address their concerns. Dozens of critics, meanwhile, showed up to complain about what they saw as an attempt to silence those fighting corruption in New Jersey, as well as the shockingly quick action on a bill they said had allowed little opportunity for anyone to challenge it. The measure was introduced in the dead of night just before Thanksgiving. Scutari did not respond to texts Tuesday regarding why he had backtracked on the legislation. But he told the New Jersey Globe, which first reported his reversal, that he had heard the concerns and was going to listen to them. The legislation, though, never found any additional sponsors beyond Scutari and no one in the state Assembly ever sought to sponsor a companion bill in the lower house. The proposal is still posted on the Legislatures board without any indication that it was pulled. But one legislative source suggested it was dead. Could he have really pushed it through? Maybe, the source said of Scutari. But I do think a lot of senators had expressed discomfort. New Jersey Democratic State Chairman LeRoy Jones said Scutari acted prudently. I am glad he recognized this was an uphill battle that was somewhat overreaching, added Jones, who is also the Essex County Democratic chairman. I think the behavior at the committee meeting, perhaps was more detrimental to the bill than the actual bill itself. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, signaled some opposition to the bill but stopped short of rejecting it outright last week. Platkin, posting on social media, called the bills withdrawal a MAJOR win for democracy, thanking Kim and Kevin Walsh, the acting state comptroller for helping push back the legislation. Proud to join you in this fight. When we fight corruption, we win. Lets keep it up, the attorney general wrote. Scutari had been hinting for months that he might be going after the comptroller, telling reporters as far back as January that he thought lawmakers should consider consolidating watchdogs. But during last weeks hearing, Jim Sullivan, the policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said there is no reason to make the drastic changes this bill proposes to an important public watchdog. Sullivan said if the state Legislature wants the state government to run more efficiently, getting rid of government watchdog agencies is the exact opposite of what they should be doing. The more watchdog groups we have, the better. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report Miami mayor-elect Eileen Higgins shocking win in Florida should set off warning bells for President Donald Trump, CNN data guru Harry Enten said Wednesday. Higgins became the first Democrat in nearly thirty years to win the Miami mayoral race, delivering a blow to Trumps Republican Party. Enten explained that Higgins outperformed former Vice President Kamala Harris, who won Miami by just one percentage point in the 2024 election. Kamala Harris won Miami, but just by a point. There was a huge shift towards Donald Trump. Joe Biden carried Miami by nearly 20 points, and Harris only won it by one. And all of a sudden, look at this. Its a 19-point win for Higgins. That is an 18-point shift in just a years time, Enten said. And, of course, it is just the latest shift that were seeing. That is what I think is so important going on here. Weve seen it in special elections. We saw it in Virginia Gov. We saw it in New Jersey Gov. We have seen it across the political map, whereby over and over and over again the baseline from 2024, Democrats are consistently outperforming it, 10, 15, nearly 20 points in this case, he added. Enten also explained that Higgins win in Miami suggests that Latino voters are moving away from Trump. Latinos have absolutely gone up and said: You know what? I dont like what Donald Trump is doing. I mean, just look at Donald Trumps net approval among Latinos. In February, it was minus two points. Not too hot to trot, but not that bad either. Look at where it is now. Minus 38 points. That is a shift of 36 points in the wrong direction, the completely wrong direction for Donald Trump, Enten said. He said the race in Miami shows Hispanic neighborhoods shifting against the Republican nominee. And so to me, this is an encapsulation of what weve seen. We saw it in Arizonas 7th congressional district, right, that special election earlier this year. Again, a heavily Hispanic district. What we see is Democrats outperforming that 2024 baseline, which to me is so important because we see these national polls, he said. Youre going, how is this actually going to impact things? And what we see is exactly what we saw last night. The first Democratic mayor of the great city of Miami since the Birdcage era, he added. Higgins, 61, will be the first woman to lead the city of Miami. She spoke frequently in the Hispanic-majority city about Trumps immigration crackdown, saying she has heard of many people in Miami who were worried about family members being detained. She campaigned as a proud Democrat despite the race being officially nonpartisan and beat Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who said he called Higgins to congratulate her. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Republican state lawmakers are sounding the alarm over what they say is a brewing attempt by Democrats to raise New Jerseys sales tax to 7%. Some Republicans say Democrats, who control state government, are preparing to introduce legislation to increase the sales tax during the lame-duck session the period between Election Day and the swearing-in of new officials in January when controversial measures are often pushed through the state Legislature. Theres been a lot of chatter, state Assemblyman Chris DePhillips, R-Bergen, said of the speculation that a sales tax hike is in the works. A Democratic legislative source who was not authorized to speak publicly told NJ Advance Media this week that such a proposal is a possibility but not a guarantee. I think the rumors of it being seriously discussed are far outpacing the actual discussions, the source said. Republicans argue Democrats, buoyed by recent electoral victories, may use the weeks before Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill takes office to push through the tax increase. The speculation centers on whether the states sales tax could return to 7%, the level it was at before then-Gov. Chris Christie cut it in 2016 as part of a deal to raise the gas tax. New Jerseys sales tax is currently 6.625%, one of the highest in the nation. The tax revenue goes into the states general fund, helping fund the state budget. The state Senate Democratic office, The Assembly Democratic office, and Gov. Phil Murphys office all declined to comment on the sales tax speculation. The Senate Republican office did not respond to a request for comment. Sherrills team has pushed back on the possibility that Democrats want to rush through a sales tax hike before she takes office on Jan. 20. Mikie made clear time and again during the campaign that she doesnt support a sales tax increase, said Sean Higgins, Sherrills spokesperson. Some Republican lawmakers say New Jersey should go the other way and lower the sales tax. They introduced legislation, S4886, last month that would lower the rate to 6%. The sponsors of the Republican legislation say lowering the sales tax would ease the burden on residents in a state known for its high cost of living and high property taxes. But the Senate bill to lower the sales tax has not been scheduled for a hearing. An identical bill in the Assembly, A6006, also hasnt had a hearing or a vote. To become law, the bill would have to be approved by both the Assembly and the Senate and be signed by the governor. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, R-Sussex, echoed concerns about a possible sale tax hike last week. No surprise that the 7% chatter is back during lame duck. This conversation should be had in the open, not behind closed doors, she said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris, echoed a similar sentiment in early December, and said he hopes Sherrill delivers on her affordability promises and shuts down insane chatter of more tax increases sales tax increases or otherwise. The debate over the sales tax comes amid concerns that New Jersey will have no budget surplus by 2028 unless something changes. New Jersey currently has the eighth-highest sales tax rate in the country, according to the Tax Foundation, a tax policy nonprofit group. California ranked the highest at 7.25%. New Jersey also has the highest property tax rate in the nation. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. The boyfriend of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) says hes like the little divorced kid in the middle amid her explosive falling out with President Donald Trump. In an interview with The Washington Post, Brian Glenn a chief White House correspondent for Real Americas Voice and friendly media figure of the president said he had decided to lie low after Greene announced she would resign early from Congress. I didnt want to make any awkward spaces, Glenn said in comments released Wednesday. So I said, You know what? Let me just stay back this week. Glenn, who called himself much more base than his counterparts in the press corps, also offered a blunt message for Trump as the breakup has continued to unfold online and in interviews. Like, what are you talking about, man? Shes one of your biggest supporters, Glenn said. She differs on a couple of issues, but shes still in your camp, he continued. She never left your camp! Greene, in a sudden and surprising decision, said last month she would step down from her House seat in early January, exiting before the end of her term. In an over 10-minute video posted on X, she framed Congress as ineffective in improving the lives of common Americans. I have too much self-respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for, only to fight and win by election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms, Greene said in the video. And in turn, be expected to defend the President against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me, she added. Glenn told The Washington Post he will be following Greene to Georgia, giving up his White House gig as a reporter with notable behind-the-scenes access to Trump. He said his network is building him a studio near his home, adding: Ill do whatever content from there. Im not doing this fly-back-and-forth thing not doing it, its not worth it, he said. When asked if he plans to marry Greene, Glenn said he sees that in the future, but noted that he will still continue to support the president. I want to make sure thats in the piece, Glenn said. Greenes move came exactly one week after the president withdrew his support and endorsement of the Georgia congresswoman, once a staunch MAGA ally, after she broke with him on major issues, including the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the government shutdown, foreign policy and health care. Trump has since described Greene as a ranting Lunatic and disgrace to the Republican Party, nicknaming her Marjorie Traitor Greene and Marjorie Brown Greene as Green turns to Brown where there is ROT involved! Greene, meanwhile, has repeatedly fired back at the presidents jabs. I feel very sorry for President Trump I genuinely do, Greene told CNN on Tuesday. It has to be a hard place for someone that is constantly so hateful and puts so much vitriol, name calling and really tells lies about people in order to try to get his way or win some kind of fight. While speaking on CBS News 60 Minutes on Sunday, Greene harshly criticized Trump over what she characterized as his failure to live up to his 2024 campaign promises. She also attributed several death threats against her son to the president. I told him, I told [Vice President] JD Vance, I told them all, Greene said. Sent those directly to them. JD Vance replied back to me, Well look into it. I got a response back from President Trump that I will keep private, but it wasnt very nice." In the high-profile interview, Greene distanced herself from MAGA, which she described as Trumps phrase. She instead referred to herself as America First. President Donald Trumps approval rating is slightly shifting upward as he has focused his messaging on affordability, according to a new poll. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that support for Trumps overall job performance rose to 41%, a 3-percentage-point increase since late last month, when he hit his lowest approval since returning to the White House at 38%. In January, Trump started his term with a 47% rating, according to the poll, released Tuesday. The figure has continued to drop over time, with the presidents overall support staying mainly in the 40s over the last 10 months. However, the poll now puts Trump ahead of other recent polling, many of which have detailed his approval rating to be hovering in the upper 30s. A Gallup poll, out late November, revealed that Trumps approval dropped to 36%, a new second-term low. A Economist/YouGov poll released during the same period found that the president also reached the pitfall, with 38% of U.S. adults strongly or somewhat approving of Trumps job in office. The shift, now in Trumps favor, is driven by an increase in support from Republicans, according to the poll. Although Trump received a 31% approval rating on the cost of living, which is one of his lowest scores among top issues, it is still an uptick from 26% in late November. GOP voters moved their support in the presidents direction by 10 percentage points, with 69% of Republicans rating him favorably on the issue. The result contrasts sharply with a POLITICO poll released last week. The poll found that 46% of Americans said the cost of living is the worst they have seen, along with 37% of 2024 Trump voters. Forty-three percent, including 31% of his base, also argued there is less economic opportunity in the United States compared to the past. The marks come as Trump has put forth mixed messaging on the cost of living in recent weeks, crowning himself as THE AFFORDABILITY PRESIDENT last month to then describing affordability as a con job pushed by Democrats. During an economy-focused rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Trump touted lower prices and bigger paychecks as he sifted through unrelated topics. While criticizing Democrats for concocting affordability as a new word at one point, the president said he has no higher priority than it. The six-day poll, which closed on Monday, surveyed 4,434 U.S. adults nationwide. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Photo: Telegram @V_Zelenskiy_official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has heard a report by the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, on the foreign policy situation around Ukraine and the economic situation in Russia from Chinese investments, technologies and political priorities. "I instructed the Foreign Intelligence Service to more objectively monitor cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in all aspects related to the national interests of Ukraine and in all aspects related to the interests of our partners in Europe and America. Global security should not lose out due to the fact that Russias appetite for aggression is not decreasing," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Wednesday Zelenskyy said that parts of Russia are being used by According to Zelenskyy, this is primarily about the use of resource-rich lands and the sale of scarce resources to China. "We also note that China is taking steps to intensify cooperation with Russia, in particular in the field of the military industry. The intelligence services of partners have similar information," he noted. In addition, Ivashchenko also reported on the political campaigns launched by Russia, in particular to destabilize Ukraine. "We will counteract and block the activities of all entities that help the enemy. We separately discussed the activity of Ukraines foreign intelligence in the work to return Ukrainian children and exchange prisoners," Zelenskyy said. President Donald Trump revealed he took another cognitive test recently" as he raged against reports on his health. In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump late Tuesday said it is "seditious, perhaps even treasonous" for The New York Times and other news outlets to write about what he characterized as FAKE stories about his health, describing the media organizations as true Enemies of the People. Trump, 79, added that he goes out of my way to take long, thorough, and very boring medical examinations, before noting that he has undergone cognitive tests on three separate occasions. "I ACED all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts, most of whom I do not know," Trump wrote in the post. I have been told that few people have been able to ace this Examination and, in fact, most do very poorly, which is why many other Presidents have decided not to take it at all. During his first term, Trump said he received a perfect score after taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is used to detect cognitive impairment, in 2018. Questions on the test include drawing a clock, identifying pictures of animals and copying a picture of a cube, according to NBC News. The president took the same test in April of this year, receiving a score of 30 out of 30, according to the White House. Trump later underwent a routine yearly checkup in October, six months after the visit. Trumps swings at The New York Times come after the outlet published an investigation last month into how he has begun to age during his return to the White House. It found that the president had made 39% fewer official appearances, and started his daily events nearly two hours later than the first year of his first term. Trump shortly afterward launched a personal attack against one of the reporters behind the story describing her as a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out while the White House provided Oval Office logs to The New York Post in an effort to prove that he worked up to 12-hour days in November. Meanwhile, Trump has faced scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and critics over recent health screenings, including an MRI, which White House physician Sean Barbabella described as preventative. In a letter released earlier this month, Barbabella said that the presidents cardiovascular and abdominal imaging are perfectly normal, noting that all major organs appear very healthy and well-perfused. This level of detailed assessment is standard for an executive physical at President Trumps age and confirms that he remains in excellent overall health, the letter concluded. The release of the results followed weeks of speculation about why Trump, who announced in October he underwent a scan, received the scan in the first place. The White House initially declined to disclose specific details of the health imaging, emphasizing that the president remains in exceptional physical health. While speaking to reporters in late November, Trump said he had no idea what part of his body was scanned. It wasnt the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it, he said. Trump also said it is OK with me for the results of his MRI to be released, adding, Its like my phone call where I got impeached. Its absolutely perfect. In his Truth Social post, Trump also touted his first 10 months in office, saying "there has never been a President that has worked as hard as me!" My hours are the longest, and my results are among the best, he added. Pope Leo XIV expressed concern Tuesday that President Donald Trump is endangering the very important alliance between the United States and Europe. After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, Leo told reporters that Trumps proposal to end the Ukraine-Russia war marked a huge change that could fracture the long-standing transatlantic partnership. The American pope has called for a ceasefire and urged Russia in particular to make gestures to promote peace. The remarks that were made about Europe also in interviews recently, I think, are trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future, Leo said. Speaking to journalists at Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo the historical alliance between Europe and the United States may "unfortunately" be changing and confirms the Holy See is working behind the scenes to bring Ukrainian children deported to Russia back home. pic.twitter.com/W2ACLlLY3a Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 9, 2025 Leo was referring to disparaging comments Trump made about the European Union and NATO this week in a wide-ranging interview with Politico. The president said that European nations are decaying and being destroyed by immigration. I think theyre weak, but I also think that they want to be so politically correct, Trump told Politico. I think they dont know what to do. Europe doesnt know what to do. Trump also slammed the way European leaders have handled the Russia-Ukraine war and said that Zelenskyy should find time to read the latest U.S. peace proposal. I give the people of Ukraine and the military of Ukraine tremendous credit for the bravery and for the fighting and all of that, Trump told Politico. But you know, at some point, size will win, generally. A Ukraine official recently told Axios that the U.S. proposal was too favorable to Russia, which is seeking full control of the Donbas region among other contentious demands. There are major things about territory which need to be discussed more: who controls what, who stays where, who withdraws, and if Ukraine withdraws from the contact line, how to make sure that Russia does the same and [doesnt continue] with the fighting, the Ukrainian official told Axios. Leo was asked Tuesday about Trumps peace proposal and the seeming sidelining of European powers in the process. He insisted that Europes role was crucial to any deal. Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the talks is unrealistic, given the war is in Europe, Leo said, according to the Associated Press. Guarantees are also being sought for security today and in the future. Europe must be part of this, and unfortunately not everyone understands this, but I think there is a great opportunity for European leaders to unite and seek a solution together. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A grand jury has indicted a Salem County man on charges that he was hauling farm equipment while intoxicated when he struck and killed a man riding an electric bicycle. Steven J. Petronglo, 45, was at the wheel of a pickup truck that was pulling a trailer containing a tractor with a 15-foot-wide seeder attachment on the night of April 23, police said. He is accused of hitting the cyclist on Willow Grove Road in Pittsgrove. James Goode, 61, of Vineland, was riding the bike westbound on the eastbound side of the road and Petronglos eastbound truck was unable to avoid the pedalcyclist, according to New Jersey State Police. Goode was struck by the right side of the seeder attachment on the tractor and died of his injuries, police said in April. At the time, police said they didnt know if Goode was riding on the shoulder or in the lane of travel when he was hit. After hitting Goode, Petronglo drove from the crash scene to his residence and removed the tractor from the trailer, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in support of the charges. He then returned to the crash site in a different vehicle, police said. Following an initial investigation, Petronglo was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police said in the affidavit. Last week, a Salem County grand jury handed up an indictment charging Petronglo with second-degree leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide and fourth-degree tampering with evidence. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Petronglo, of Pittsgrove, is free pending trial and is scheduled to return to court Dec. 15 for a post-indictment arraignment hearing. In October, Goodes family filed a lawsuit in state Superior Court accusing Petronglo of negligence and recklessness. The suit also names J&E Petronglo and Sons as a defendant and said the farming business owns the vehicle Petronglo was operating when the crash occurred. Goode was traveling on the shoulder of the roadway when he was struck, according to the suit. An attorney for the defendants in the lawsuit filed a written response with the court denying the allegations. The parents of the teen charged with killing two Cranford girls in September called their local police department four times in August with concerns about their son, including two calls reporting he was violent. READ MORE: Families of Cranford girls killed in crash want teen suspect tried as an adult Jeffery and Judith Battiloros calls to Garwood police show apparent escalating behavior by their son, Vincent Battiloro, 17. He sprayed me in the face with mace. He took my car, Jeffrey Battiloro told police on Aug. 24. Six days later, Hes getting physical, the father reported. On Sept. 29, authorities allege Vincent Battiloro was behind the wheel of a family SUV that intentionally struck friends Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas on Burnside Avenue and sped away. They were both 17 and riding on an e-bike. Traffic tickets show Vincent Battiloro was driving 70 mph on the residential 25 mph street. Family and neighbors allege Vincent Battiloro had been stalking Maria Niotis for months, acts for which her mother reported to Cranford police. The Union County Prosecutors Office charged Vincent Battiloro without naming him with two counts of murder on Oct. 1. The office has not said whether they plan to try him in adult court. The first of the calls to police, which NJ Advance Media obtained via a public records request, occurred on Aug. 9. Jeffrey Battiloro called from his Garwood home on a non-emergency line and asked for a supervisor to come to the house. I wanna just speak to him and go over a couple juvenile issues that are going on with my son right now and just get some advice, he says. In a second call, apparently with a lieutenant, the father says, I dont wanna make this I dont even know where you guys put things on the newspapers, but you know, just, just a police information, thats how we used to call it, he says. Jeffrey Battiloro is a retired Chatham police officer. Just to, you know, just to sit down, talk, and so I have myself covered also, Jeffrey Battiloro continues. Yeah, Ill stop and Ill talk to him, the officer says. Its unclear what actions police took following the call. Garwood borough did not disclose 28 pages of requested police reporting concerning the Battiloro home due to confidentiality concerning juvenile suspects. On Aug. 24, Jeffrey Battiloro dialed 911 and reported a juvenile issue and mentioned that police had previously been to the home. A dispatcher asked what was going on. He sprayed me in the face with mace. He took my car, Jeffrey Battiloro said. The recording ends abruptly. On Aug. 26, Judith Battiloro called Garwood police to ask for assistance in getting in touch with her son, who she was unable to reach via his cell phone. She said his father had disconnected the device. I need to know whats going on in the life of my son for his safety, Judith Battiloro said. The Battiloros are divorced. Judith Battiloro talked to a dispatcher for over five minutes and made several complaints. She said her ex apparently kicked her son out of his home at night and that no child should be wandering the street. Judith Battiloro said her son showed up at her home, was angry because of what was happening to him, and told the dispatcher shed last seen her son the previous night. Hed been driven home, by the police, she said. On Aug. 30, Jeffrey Battiloro called 911 and again reported a juvenile issue and again said police had been to their home for the same thing. I would highly recommend, Jeffrey Battiloro says before the Garwood dispatcher cuts him off and asks, What happened tonight, sir, that youre calling 911? Hes getting physical, Jeffrey Battiloro responds. The recording ends abruptly when the dispatcher asks for more information. In September, in the weeks leading up the crash, Vincent Battiloro discussed events in his life on his YouTube channel, on which he had 40,000 followers, including complaining about a girl from school he claimed was causing him legal trouble. And the Niotis family believes he swatted their home twice that month, resulting in police responses, according to their family lawyer. The swattings occurred Sept. 4 and Sept. 10. Cranford police arrived at the Niotis home even though, nothing happening in the house that requires any sort of police response, family attorney Brent Bramnick told NJ Advance Media. During the second incident, Maria Niotis mother, Foulla Niotis, spotted Vincent Battiloros car parked on her street and pointed him out to police. Officers then spoke with Vincent Battiloro, before another vehicle arrived at the scene, believed to be Jeffrey Battiloro. The police told (Foulla) that the juvenile defendant was allowed to depart in the custody of his father, Bramnick said. On his YouTube channel, which was taken down, Vincent Battiloro blamed the unnamed girl and her mother and said in a Sept. 23 livestream he wanted vengeance. Then, the day after the crash and the day before he was charged, Vincent Battiloro made a 20-minute livestream in which he repeatedly claimed there was more to the story. Police had detained Vincent Battiloro shortly after the crash but released him pending further investigation before arresting him two days later on the murder charges. In the livestream, Vincent Battiloro said, Ive been through way too much, and, Im a nice kid. Im 17 years old with a good family by my side. And these allegations that have been ruining everything, is a shame. Autumn Special Read. Know. Act. $3 for 3 months! (90 days) Offer expires 12/30/2020 Don't hesitate! Start your digital-only membership today and not only receive full access to our premier news website NNY360.com but also to the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times eEdition! Watertown, NY (13601) Today Cloudy skies with a few snow showers after midnight. Low 11F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies with a few snow showers after midnight. Low 11F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 30%. Coalition of the Willing to hold videoconference meeting on Thurs, Dec 11 media A meeting of the Coalition of the Willing will take place via videoconference on Thursday, December 11, Sky News reported. The self-titled coalition of the willing will meet in a video call tomorrow, the French presidency has said. It comes after Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the E3 leaders (from Germany, France and Britain) for talks on the revised peace plan for Ukraine in Downing Street on Monday, Sky News reported on its website on Wednesday, citing French President Emmanuel Macron. No details were provided about the meetings participants. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the peace talks were at a "critical stage," but emphasized that the issue of Ukraine is Ukraines business. French President Macron stated that Kyiv and its allies have "many aces in their hands." Investigative reporting is more essential than ever, which is why weve established the Louisiana Investigative Journalism Fund, a nonprofit supported by our readers. To learn more, please click here. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during which the two sides coordinated diplomatic efforts on security issues and efforts to advance peace. "I spoke with the President of Finland, and Alex and I coordinate almost daily. I am grateful for such serious attention to security issues and the work to bring peace closer. Every day now matters, adding new momentum to our joint work with the United States, Europe, and our friends in the G7. The pace is very fast, there are many good ideas, and we must ensure that peace is truly lasting. Thank you!" he wrote on Telegram. Laura Canizzaro Rodrigue is a former Orleans Parish prosecutor and founder of the Bayou Mama Bears, an advocacy group. The deal took around 10 weeks to complete. For Stephen Kings, trustees of Wild Planet Trust and the staff at Paignton and Newquay zoos it must have felt like a lifetime and, make no bones about it, time was running out for one of the Bays and UKs most cherished attractions and conservation organisations. Stephen is hesitant to say how close it was, but having to close the doors on the entire Wild Planet Trust and implement an unthinkable Plan B to find new homes for all the animals must have been just a couple of months away. Enter Dirk Lips, boss of Libema, one of the biggest leisure companies in Holland and experts at running zoos, theme parks, holiday parks and events venues, along with a takeover plan to plough 10million into not just saving the zoo but transforming it for the 21st century - and that investment is just for starters. For Stephen and the trustees it wasnt a case of grabbing the deal with both hands out of desperation, the partnership with Libema was simply the perfect fit as they value conservation and botanics as highly as Wild Planet. The turnaround for the sale of both Paignton and Newquay zoos was breathtaking, less than three months. That is not unusual for Libema because they are a family affair. Dirk has been married to Karin for 40 years and with their daughter and two sons alongside, decision-making is not a long drawn out process. Dirk and Karin sat in the boardroom at Paignton Zoo alongside Serena Van Kammen, their head of theme parks and zoos, as the deal was finally done. Dirk revealed how the Paignton partnership began. He said: We were looking to go abroad and we have been to Italy, France, Belgium and Greece looking for zoos. They did not want to sell or the prices were ridiculous. Contact was made with the Wild Planet Trust just 10 weeks ago. Serena was asked to give her verdict and Libema asked to invest in both Paignton and Newquay zoos. There was no going back. It was as simple as that. Dirk says: As a family, we do everything together. It was a click. It feels good. My wife and the family decide. We can make decisions quickly whether to invest or not to invest. We have been together for 40 years. If she says I do it I feel good and I do it with my management team. We have an open and honest relationship. We are in a good commercial position, therefore thats good as a family. We went through it with the management team and we had a deal. Libemas design team moved in just eight weeks ago to look at how a new zoo would look. What will be preliminary work and improvements should be completed in 2026/ 2027. A new Central Square will guide visitors to five new themed areas. The landscaping is already amazing. It is beautiful. It is almost already there, says Dirk. Serena Van Kammen says: When we saw the zoo for the first time, we could see there was a need for love and attention. Everybody was very excited. Karin Lips said simply: I love the zoo. 10 million will be invested over the next two or three years. Further development may come in the distant future. Luxury accommodation including a hotel and lodges feature in some of Libemas other parks. Leisure and accommodation is their USP. But Dirk says: Getting the zoo sorted out is our first priority. He emphasised the importance of having the community on side. Dirk said: We have good relationships with the local community and we always work with local contractors and try to buy locally. We need to be at the heart of the local community. We need the local community. Stephen Kings said in a video interview: The latest situation is very exciting. He added: A whole series of events have happened over the last four or five years which has led to the situation that the Trust simply did not have the financial capability of investing in the zoos. Covid was the critical event that happened. To survive we had to take a 3million loan from the government. It has been very very difficult as we have had to repay that loan. There is still some of that loan outstanding. Unfortunately, that has taken away money that would have been invested within the zoos. There have been other issues as well. We had avian flu, the cost of living crisis and so on but I suppose fundamentally Covid created the situation where the Trust simply does not have the funds to invest what is necessary for the zoos. He added: The animals are already very well looked after and that will be as ever. There will be continuity alongside investment. It is everything we have looked for in terms of an organisation to take over the zoos. Dirk Lips said: We have the experience, we have the knowledge and we have of course the resources to bring both zoos into a new future. Libema is a family business and has a long-term vision in leisure. We have over 25 locations, Libema is one of the largest nature concerns in the Netherlands. The locations are divided in three divisions - zoos, theme parks, one division, holiday parks and hotels, second, and venues and events in the third division - and within these three divisions Libema is involved in developing, financing, operating and managing all these recreational businesses. We have nearly 40 years of experience in the world of zoos. We currently own four zoos. Safari park Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands is the biggest zoo in the Netherlands almost, with 1.5 million visitors a year and also the other three zoos are successful businesses. We have a great passion for nature. We participate with our zoos in over 120 breeding programme for endangered species. We focus on education and research and all these aspects are important for the future for Paignton Zoo and Newquay Zoo. He added: Both zoos have a long and impressive history. The zoos are in a touristic region, they have employees that are very highly skilled. There is a good relation with the local community, residents and municipality. We trust we can bring Paignton Zoo up to 450,000 visitors a year and Newquay up to 150,000. Both zoos have good opportunities and we believe in it and we are going to invest in it. We have an improvement vision with 36 plans for Paignton Zoo and a similar plan for Newquay Zoo - and more importantly, we are financially fit to execute these plans in the next two years and of course in the years after. The new areas will be a tropical forest area, a grassland area, a water area and a mountain area. Dirk said: We are going to re-introduce the rhinos. We are co-ordinating in Europe the programme, the breeding programme for the rhinos therefore we believe we can bring ,them to Paignton Zoo. We are making a new African savannah. Savannah is of course the giraffes but we will add the zebras, the wildebeests and the antelopes and the other species. Then we are going to move the baboons to a new enclosure that will be very exciting for the baboons in the first place and for the visitors too. "We are making a presentation with tapirs and capybaras and in the tropical and arid trail we will introduce new species into these enclosures. And in the crocodile samp we will introduce Komodo dragons, they are very spectacular. And we will make a new viewing point for the big cats and a lot of other things. Libema will keep urging the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. The Wild Planet Trust will continue its important conservation work both locally and overseas under the guidance of the trustees. You can see why Stephen Kings calls it the perfect fit. Welcome to Torbay, Dirk and your family. Ukraine receives response from Hungary to legislative proposals regarding education of national minorities; work continues Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education Ukraine has received a response from Hungary to its legislative proposals regarding the education of the Hungarian national minority. Approaches and implementation mechanisms are currently being developed and discussed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. "The Hungarian sides response to the materials sent by the Ukrainian side regarding the proposal regarding education for the Hungarian national minority in Ukraine was received by note verbale from the Hungarian Embassy in Ukraine on November 11, 2025, and forwarded to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for appropriate consideration," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a response to a request from the Interfax-Ukraine agency. In response to the inquiry, the Ministry of Education noted that expert consultations are currently ongoing between the parties, during which a detailed discussion of approaches and possible mechanisms for implementing the relevant proposals is underway. "Further processing of the materials and proposals provided by the Hungarian side is also ongoing, taking into account the need for their comprehensive analysis, coordination of positions, and compliance with the requirements of current Ukrainian legislation," the department added. In particular, it is reported that, within the framework of existing interdepartmental communications, work is continuing to clarify certain aspects of the materials provided and the approaches proposed by the Hungarian side. "These issues are being worked on continuously, taking into account the positions of interested government agencies, as well as the need to ensure consistency with current educational regulations," the response states. The Ministry of Education explained that the consultation process involves a comparative analysis of the proposals received, their legal assessment, and the development of possible implementation options that comply with government policies on ensuring the rights of national minorities. "Certain aspects requiring further study or clarification are currently undergoing internal approval, and therefore work continues," the ministry stated. At the same time, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Ministry of Education clarified the essence of the Hungarian sides response or what specific points were agreed upon. Toto, Ive a feeling were not in Kansas anymore. There were certain things that made Kansas into the Kansas Dorothy knew and loved: the rolling wheat fields, the small family farm, the wide open skies, the tornados. Nowadays, Kansas might resemble more of the Land of OZ than that 1939 memory of Kansas. With its large-scale farming operations and aerospace industry, I doubt Dorothy would recognize it. Sadly, theres no place like home, but what do you do when home is gone forever? We are all part of the ever-present, ever-increasing push-pull struggle to hold onto the things about our home and traditions we love while grabbing onto new and modern changes of the future. You cant have both, and ultimately, without concerted effort on everyones part, change is inevitable and, within a few generations, the past is left behind. Sadly, this was my familys experience in attending the Bend Holiday Parade this weekend. Every year, we troop together as a family to cheer on the entries we love and wave to all of the brave parade participants. Weve been doing this for all of my life and its always been one of my dads favorite Christmas traditions. Who knew we were taking Christmas for granted? When did things change? Like every year, the parade route was packed with tons of people. But, unlike in the past, the mood was gray and the crowds were silent. Looking around, everyone was wearing black and watching without participating. Was my family the only ones clapping and cheering? Sure enough! Isnt that something we are all supposed to do at a parade? I guess people dont know that tradition. My dad, who is now in his 80s, is a veteran, a cowboy, a pastor, and loves America. So, he was appalled to see that none of the men around him took off their hats as the flag was marched by at the beginning of the parade. I dont think they were even taught to do so. Another lost tradition. My dad loved the traditional Bend Christmas parade, with its marching bands, its long line of stamping horses and cowboy riders, its large representation of veterans from all military branches, its Christmas carols and well decorated nativity displays from all different churches. Who knew these were things of the past? I dont know if they just werent invited this year, or what happened, but very few of our favorite things were present. The Grinch was the holiday focus of most of the entries, which makes me wonder if he has replaced Santa Claus and Jesus these days. Poor dad. He declared this was his last parade. He was so disappointed, not in the entries that were there, but in the entries that were not. Just like the folks in Portland who went to their traditional Christmas Tree lighting only to be told they must call it The tree! Its just the tip of the scale, which will inevitably become an avalanche, as our past Christian values and traditions become swallowed up in the new influx of other cultures, other religions, other ideas of what this time of year should look like. Like it or not, I was reminded afresh that the USA is no longer a Christian nation, and it is being changed right under our noses and now in front of our eyes. As we change, it is still in the balance whether we will keep the values and traditions that define us as a nation and make this grand experiment of America actually work? When Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war after Pearl Harbor was bombed, he designated December 7, 1941, as a date which will live in infamy. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Was it even mentioned in the news, or around the dinner table, or even in the daily Google feed? If it wasnt for my grandfather who served on the USS Arizona, maybe I wouldnt have noticed it either. How long before we completely forget the events of World War II because we are embroiled in the next one? There are certain traditions and events we try to keep alive, to pass down to future generations, to get out the boxes and dust off the memories, for a reason. One of those reasons is to remember our history and why we are the people we are today. Its part of our identity as a nation, as a culture, or even as a religious group. Another reason is to keep our society from crumbling. We have to have some agreed-upon values and history that hold us together, such as the Revolution and the Bill of Rights. Without respect for each persons opinion, respect for each persons life and property, and respect for each persons religion, who are we? America was meant to be the place where people from all over the world and from all different perspectives and religions could live together peaceably. I hope that in this new era of change, if Christmas is banned from our public arena, we are still allowed to practice our Christian faith and traditions in peace and freedom. Still, we will grieve the passing of the Christmases we took for granted. Were not in Kansas anymore. The Kyiv Court of Appeal has upheld the preventive measure imposed on former Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, leaving in place a round-the-clock house arrest with the requirement to wear an electronic ankle monitor. "The Kyiv Court of Appeal reviewed an appeal filed by the defense challenging the ruling on the preventive measure imposed on the former mayor of Odesa, who is suspected of official negligence that resulted in the deaths of nine people (Part 3, Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the Office of the Prosecutor General reported on Wednesday via its Telegram channel. According to the agency, prosecutors insisted on maintaining the strict preventive measure, substantiating the severity of the consequences of the alleged offense and the risks of interference with the pretrial investigation. "As a result of the appellate review, the court upheld the preventive measure in the form of round-the-clock house arrest with the use of an electronic monitoring device, agreeing with the prosecutions arguments regarding the existing procedural risks," the statement said. The criminal proceedings concern events that occurred on September 30, 2025, when part of Odesa was flooded due to improper organization of the maintenance and operation of drainage systems. Nine people were killed in the tragedy, including a 9-year-old child. In addition, within the framework of the same proceedings, eight more officials of the Odesa City Council and its subordinate municipal enterprises have been formally notified of suspicion, including deputy mayors, department heads, and officials of a municipal enterprise. The pretrial investigation is ongoing. America spends $2.7 billion a day on defense. That money buys inertia and incompetence. Opinion The Editorial Board Fixing the Pentagons Gilded Fortress To understand why the United States is struggling to buy and field the weapons of the future, consider the trouble it had buying the most basic weapon of the past. In 2011, the Army decided to get its soldiers new pistols. The odyssey that followed included a 350-page list of technical specifications, years of testing and a protracted battle on Capitol Hill between competing gun makers. The Pentagon wont complete delivery until 2027 at the earliest. The Army could have raised an infantryman from birth to within two years of enlistment age in the time it would have taken to get him a new handgun. The story of the Pentagons new pistols would be funny if it didnt point to a serious problem at the heart of Americas military. The Department of Defense has built a gilded fortress of people and processes that is slow, wasteful and married to the past. Of all the obstacles to fielding the military that America needs, the Pentagons bureaucracy may be the hardest to overcome. The Pentagons bureaucratic processes have stifled innovation and diverted funds from military needs. The militarys top ranks are dominated by pilots, captains and other commanders who are disdainful of new, cheap alternatives to fighter jets, warships and tanks. The byzantine system for buying and testing weapons isolates the military from the innovative parts of the American economy. Congress underwrites the dysfunction with appropriations that are designed to deliver wins for its members rather than for Americas national security. Fixing this requires intervention. On Capitol Hill, the Senate leaders John Thune and Chuck Schumer should insist that the American military serve the nation before it serves as a local jobs program. But the biggest reformer needs to be the president. We say this with some reservations, given President Trumps destructive approach to government and his disregard for administrative competence. That said, he has shown an eagerness to disrupt old bureaucratic habits, and the Pentagon needs disruption. Mr. Trump should fix the Defense Departments bureaucracy and provide political top cover for members of Congress to cut programs that their constituents support. Reforming the military is a long-term proposition, and politicians who plan to run for president in 2028 and the aides who will advise them should make Pentagon reform a central part of the policy agenda they will soon begin compiling. Bureaucracy may sound boring, but the safety of the country and of our democratic allies in Asia and Europe depends on the federal government getting serious about how it finances and equips our military. Lawmakers keep steering federal funds to the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, which first flew in 1975. The problem starts with Congress. The proposed 2026 defense budget is loaded with pork for unnecessary programs. It has more than $300 million that the Defense Department didnt ask for to buy and upgrade Humvees. Theres $240 million for the Gray Eagle drone, the Model T of unmanned aircraft that the Army labeled obsolete. Then theres over $360 million for an Apache helicopter that the Army didnt request. As the House and Senate work toward the countrys first trillion-dollar defense budget, over $52 billion is for things members of Congress added, unbidden, to the Pentagons wish list, according to the independent budget watchdog Taxpayers for Common Sense. Congress manages to make things worse when it fails to spend money, too. For much of the past 15 years, lawmakers have passed budgets months late. That hobbles Pentagon planners, delaying investments on programs the military desperately needs. Paralyzing the Pentagon Without a formal budget, the military struggles to plan ahead. Percent of the fiscal year with a formal budget Percent without 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Source: Congress Between the pork and the budget lapses, no one can keep track of where all the money goes. The Defense Department is the only major federal agency never to get a clean bill of health from outside accountants, and has failed its last seven audits in as many years. When the bean counters can follow the money, they often find it has been wasted. Bases that the government targeted for closure more than a decade ago remain open. The military doesnt have an adequate way to track spare parts, so instead of using what it already has, it just orders more. The services budgeted an estimated $1 billion more than they needed for parts in 2021 alone. Worse than the waste is the status quo all that money strengthens and supports. The American military, whose budget is larger than those of the next nine countries combined, oversees about three million people and controls some 82 percent of the U.S. governments total physical assets. A 2020 RAND study found that officers who rose to leadership tended to be risk-averse and largely trained in positions such as captains and pilots. Unsurprisingly, it also found they were more likely to promote those with similar experiences and outlooks. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll is spearheading an internal effort to eliminate antiquated programs. That status quo command structure helps protect the labyrinthine inner workings of the Pentagon. Companies that want to sell to the military must navigate more than 2,000 pages of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The militarys testing and approval systems can then run to a decade for new weapons systems, a lifetime in an era of rapid change. Both hurdles favor the five major defense contractors and their armies of lobbyists, lawyers and former Pentagon officials. The result is a tendency to adapt old weapons platforms rather than develop new ones. The Army is paying the countrys largest military contractor, Lockheed Martin, $43 million to convert Blackhawk helicopters, which were designed in the Vietnam era, to allow them to carry and launch drones. Much cheaper options, like off-the-shelf drones, never see the light of day. The final problem: The system feeds on itself. Pentagon officials and congressional staff members have long migrated to the arms industry, getting well-paid jobs as board members and senior executives. Thats especially true of those at the top. By one count, more than 80 percent of four-star generals and admirals who retired between 2018 and 2023 went on to work in the defense industry. So the spending continues on programs that wont help America win the next war and may ensure we lose it. The Trump administration has attacked the problem with its signature headstrong disruption. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has tried to cancel multiple outdated weapons systems the M10 Booker light tank, the Humvee replacement, overpriced aircraft with resolve. In May, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slashed by half the staff of the Pentagons infamously slow testing office. In November, he unveiled an ambitious plan to reform the militarys approach to buying weapons. Fixing the broken bureaucracy, however, will take more than killing programs and firing people. After cutting the Pentagons testing staff, Mr. Hegseth left many requirements in place. An Oct. 15 memo he wrote requiring that any Pentagon employee receive permission before engaging with Congress undercuts his attempt to reform weapons purchases by making it harder to get new programs off the ground. Congresss 2026 spending bill, introduced after many of Mr. Driscolls moves, was nevertheless larded up with failing programs. For the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and elsewhere, Mr. Trump has focused on symbols of past military might. Mr. Trump should push for real change, not just the appearance of it. He should force the Pentagon to experiment with market approaches to budgeting in place of centralized planning. He should force services to place bets on start-up companies that get results rather than established ones that have mastered the broken system. The president should use his political clout to force reforms through Congress. He should push to pass the Audit the Pentagon Act, which would require any Pentagon component that fails the audit to return 0.5 percent of its budget that fiscal year, followed by 1 percent for any year that follows. He should muscle through a new round of Base Realignment and Closure, the long dormant program that streamlines the closure of military bases that have outlived their usefulness. He should encourage Congress to pass Senator Elizabeth Warrens Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, which would limit contractors influence on military policy and create greater transparency over defense-contractor interactions. Most of all? The president should act now to ensure the Pentagon defends the country, not itself. Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's WPP has picked up the UKs $2.7B advertising campaign to attract inward investment, and bolster Great Britains reputation. Omnicom, which just acquired Interpublic, had pitched the four-year contract, according to the report in The Times of London. WPP staffers are delighted that the business has returned to a London-based company. The win represents a vote of confidence in the beleaguered WPP, reported the Times. A UK spokesperson declined comment on the account. WPPs Wavemaker unit will be responsible for planning and buying ads for hundreds of spots dealing with topics such as military recruitment and raising awareness of violence against women and girls. CEO Cindy Roses goal of pushing harder into AI and technology solutions aligns with the UKs ambition to run ads that are fit for purpose. (L-R) Christine Rashman, Sylvester Palacios Pierpont Communications promotes Christine Rashman to VP and general manager of its Austin office and Sylvester Palacios to VP, based in San Antonio. Rashman, who joined the agency in 2018, will now oversee its Austin-based strategy, operations and continued business development efforts, strengthening Pierponts impact across Central Texas. Palacios, who is celebrating 15 years with the firm, will continue growing Pierponts San Antonio operation while supporting major client engagements. Christine and Sylvester are trusted leaders who consistently elevate our teams, drive performance for clients and elevate our presence in key Texas growth markets, said Pierpont chief operating officer Clint Woods. Amy Jones Cision, which provides such consumer and media intelligence, engagement and communication solutions as Brandwatch and PR Newswire, names Amy Jones CMO. Jones comes to Cision from the CMO post at Boeing Digital's Jeppesen ForeFlight division. She previously served as VP marketing at Oracle, Everbridge and Zeta Global. Her background spans global demand generation, brand strategy, product marketing, analytics, martech innovation, and omnichannel engagement. At Cision, Jones will lead the companys global marketing organization and report directly to CEO Guy Abramo. Her track record in scaling GTM engines and driving meaningful growth positions us strongly for our next chapter," said Abramo. David Dreyer Bazooka Brands, maker of Bazooka Bubble Gum and other candy products, appoints David Dreyer as CMO. Dreyer most recently served as CMO of Starco Brands. Before that, he held leadership roles at creative agencies including TBWAChiatDay, Deutsch, and TBWAMedia Arts Lab. He worked on reshaping the brand narratives of such brands as Apple, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Infiniti, Sara Lee Brands, and the Grammys. In his new post, Dreyer will oversee all brand marketing, innovation, and e-commerce across Bazooka's portfolio. Dave is a rare combination of strategic leader, culture-maker, and business builder," said Bazooka Brands president & CEO Tony Jacobs. (L-R) Emily Sword, Meg Becker Inspire, a Columbus, OH-based shop that works with clients in the food and agriculture, restaurant and hospitality, pet care, trade association, corporate and nonprofit sectors, brings on Emily Sword as VP and Meg Becker as senior director. With experience in corporate PR, brand strategy and strategic communications, Sword has guided organizations through brand transformations, stakeholder engagement challenges, and large-scale marketing initiatives. At Inspire, she leads strategy and account management for the agencys agriculture sector. Becker, who has worked at Midan Marketing, FleishmanHillard and Cargill, leverages her livestock and production agriculture background to aid food and agriculture clients in building trust, elevating brands and engaging B2B and B2C audiences. Their leadership reinforces our commitment to helping the farm and food production sectors communicate with clarity, credibility, and impact," said Inspire president and founder Hinda Mitchell. Donald Trump tells his cultists that he is the hardest working president-ever, spending long hours in his quest to Make America Great Again. A good chunk of those hours is spent in fantasyland, where Trump pounds out nonsense on Truth Social, such as the 488-word gem posted at 9:11 on Dec. 9. The president, who claims that he is as mentally sharp as he was 25 years ago, boasts about taking three cognitive tests, something no other president has done. There must be a reason why Trump is taking those tests. Despite acing those tests, 79-year-old Trump lashed out at the New York Times for reporting that he is slowing up. Anyone with eyes can see that. That reporting led Trump to truly go off the rails. After all the work Ive done with the medical exams, cognitive exams and everything else, I actually believe it's seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for the New York Times, and others, to consistently do Fake reports in order to libel and demean THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. They are the true 'Enemies of the People' and we should do something about it. They have inaccurately reported on all, in fact, were forced to apologize on much of what they wrote. The best thing that could happen to this Country would if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful 'source' of information. Thats crazy, and proves the NYTs point. It noted that Trump applauded it for finally reporting about Joe Bidens age and fitness woes. Whats good for the goose is good for the gander. BTW, I wonder what Trump means about "we shoud do something about it." Happier Days Are Here Again WPP Media projects global media advertising will grow 8.8 percent in 2025 to the $1.14T mark, defying gloom and doom predictions about the demise of adland. A year ago, WPP expected 7.7 percent growth in 2025. WPP is bullish on US as the world's biggest ad market is slated to grow 12.5 percent to $431B. No. 2 China will rise 6.8 percent to $216B, while No. 3 UK will show 8 percent growth to $58B. Of the Top 15 markets, Brazil will enjoy the biggest increase, up 16.1 percent to $26.8B Some clouds on the horzion. The holding company admits that streaming video is gaining ground on linear TV, retail media is capturing budgets from digital channels and AI-powered answer engines are beginning to reshape search behavior. Also, creator-driven content is consistently displacing professionally produced media, forcing a re-evaluation of established models. Fear not, says WPP. The advertising industry, with its prior integration of machine learning, is well positioned to adapt to these changes. Whistling by the graveyard, perhaps. In its This Year Next Year Global End-of-Year Forecast, WPP is looking at 7.1 percent growth in 2026. The five-year compound growth rate is expected to hit 6.3 percent. Lets hope that WPP has to upgrade its 2026 growth projection, once again. Snarky Sorrell Weighs In. Martin Sorrell, the former overlord of advertising, believes there might be a personal legacy dimension to the the Omnicom/Interpublic merger. He feels OMC chief John Wren,73, wants to go out as the top dog in advertising. Sorrell notes that Wren has been at the helm since 1985. If he retires, he wants to retire as the head of the largest group, Sorrell told Storyboard18. The OMC/IPG deal is a defensive merger to reduce the capacity in traditional advertising, according to Sorrell. IPGs capacity is being absorbed by OMC. Sorrell predicts the future ad landscape will ultimately wind down to Publicis Groupe, Omnicom and Havas. Dentsu International will evolve into a Japanese domestic shop and Sorrells old firm, WPP, will be broken up. Sir Martin will cry no tears over the tearing apart of WPP. The Higher Regional Court of Vienna (Das Oberlandesgericht Wien, OLG) has confirmed as final the decision of a lower court that refused to extradite Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash to the United States after many years of court hearings that began in 2014 with a record bail of EUR 125 million. As reported by the Austrian Der Standart on Wednesday, the OLG rejected as inadmissible the appeal of the Vienna Prosecutor's Office against the decision of the Vienna Regional Court of November 4, 2024. Back in October, Austrian media reported on the high probability of this development of events, because the appeal of the state prosecutor was filed after the expiration of the usual appeal period. As reported, Firtash, the chairman of the board of Group DF, was arrested in Austria on March 12, 2014, at the request of the U.S. authorities, issued in 2013, but was later released on bail of EUR 125 million. During the U.S. administration of Barack Obama, the Ukrainian businessman was accused of using bribes totaling $18.5 million to obtain permits for the extraction of titanium raw materials in India for the subsequent sale of finished products in the U.S. to Boeing. Firtash rejects all charges and calls them politically motivated, aimed at limiting his influence on the processes in Ukraine. In April 2015, the OG rejected the U.S. Department of Justice's request for Firtash's extradition, emphasizing the impossibility of excluding political motives in the extradition request. However, in February 2017, the OLG reviewed this decision upon appeal by the prosecutor's office, and in June 2019, the Austrian Supreme Court (OGH) confirmed the legality of the extradition. The Austrian Ministry of Justice then issued a corresponding extradition order, but the process was suspended in July 2019 due to the Ukrainian businessman's defense's request to the OG for a new hearing taking into account the additional evidence collected. According to Kurier, the OG's decision was delayed due to the large number of documents submitted, communication problems due to the coronavirus, and a change of judges. In March 2022, Firtash's lawyers announced that they had filed an appeal with the OLG against the OG's decision to reject the request for a retrial of the businessman's extradition to the United States, and in June 2023, the OLG issued a decision to review the extradition case and return it to the court of first instance. Ukraine imposed sanctions on Firtash in 2021 over allegations of supplying titanium to Russian arms manufacturers, while the UK imposed sanctions on the businessman, his wife and financier Denys Gorbunenko in 2024. The UK said Firtash was or is involved in serious corruption, including bribing government officials to obtain mining licenses and misappropriating property from Ukraines gas transmission network. Firtash called the sanctions groundless, politically motivated and contrary to the rule of law. THE Fine Gael organisation in Offaly hosted its annual Christmas Social at the Bridge House Hotel Tullamore last week, where a number of long-serving and highly respected party members were formally recognised for their outstanding dedication over many years. Among those honoured on the evening were Johnny and Alice Carroll (Ballyboy), Martin and Mary ODonoghue (Daingean), and Michael Hickey (Tullamore), each of whom has played an invaluable role in supporting the party locally. The well-attended event was chaired by Constituency Chairperson Molly Buckley, who warmly welcomed the large gathering that included Councillors Eleanor Clendennen, Noel Cribbin, Liam Quinn, and Hughie Egan, as well as Deputy John Clendennen and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke. Molly Buckley opened proceedings by thanking members for their commitment throughout another busy but productive year for the party. Attendees were also joined via video link by An Tanaiste Simon Harris and Minister Helen McEntee, both of whom conveyed their appreciation for the dedication and energy of members across the constituency. Deputy John Clendennen expressed his sincere gratitude to party members for their support during his first year as a TD. He acknowledged the encouragement he has received at events throughout the year, from the Business Budget Breakfast to local fundraisers and community engagements and emphasised the importance of teamwork within the organisation. Minister Peter Burke travelled to Tullamore following a full day of engagements. He congratulated the Offaly organisation for its strong electoral performance, highlighting Fine Gaels success in gaining a seat in the recent local elections and another in the general election. He noted that this momentum reflects the hard work of public representatives and a highly committed organisation across the constituency, forecasting continued progress in the year ahead. The presentation of awards came as a pleasant surprise to the recipients, who were joined by family members as their long-standing contributions were celebrated. The evening concluded with tea and refreshments, as members looked ahead with renewed energy and optimism for another productive year in 2026. READ NEXT: Tullamore's Liam and Mark get beards saved for Movember READ NEXT: Family of five from Tullamore living in rat infested, mould ridden rented house CLONMACNOISE Monastery has been revealed as the most Instagrammed location in Offaly, according to new research. The study , carried out by Virgin Media Ireland , analysed the number of tagged Instagram posts across the countys most visited sights and attractions. The analysis used the total number of posts to determine the destinations that are most popular with social-media-sharing visitors. Clonmacnoise Monastery claimed the number one spot with 16,656 tagged Instagram posts, securing its position as the countys most photographed landmark. Known for its rich history and stunning architecture, the attraction continues to draw visitors eager to capture the perfect photo. Other spots analysed included Birr Castle, with 11,898 posts, while Lough Boora secured third place thanks to 8,173 posts. Following that was Charleville Castle and Leap Castle, both long-standing favourites with tourists and locals alike. Most Instagrammable Locations in Offaly Clonmacnoise Monastery 16,656 Birr Castle 11,898 Lough Boora 8,173 Charleville Castle 3,192 Leap Castle 2,762 READ NEXT: Dublin exiles present 27,500 to Offaly GAA Top 10 Most Instagrammable Spots in Ireland Connemara, Galway 826,000 Cliffs of Moher, Clare 785,253 Temple Bar, Dublin 716,800 Glendalough, Wicklow 284,700 Ring of Kerry, Kerry 273,979 Phoenix Park, Dublin 270,600 Wicklow Mountains National Park, Wicklow 241,800 Guinness Storehouse, Dublin 196,116 Dingle Peninsula, Kerry 164,700 Cobh, Cork 164,000 Virgin Media Ireland commented on the research: From the wild beauty of Connemara to the lively energy of Temple Bar, Irelands most iconic spots are giving visitors every excuse to pull out their phones. These results show how eager we are to capture and share those wow-moments, and with scenery like this it is no surprise. With so many people posting on the go, having reliable data has quietly become part of the modern travel checklist and SIM-only plans will keep you scrolling, sharing and navigating without a second thought. To view the full research including the top 50 Most Instagrmmable Places in Ireland, please visit: https://www.virginmedia.ie/play/irelands-most-instagrammable-places/ READ NEXT: Offaly Fine Gael honours three loyal and long serving members 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. 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 five 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. Among those recognised from Offaly were Jim Nolan, Gaisce PAL with Banagher College Colaiste na Sionna (10 years), Sarah McEvoy, Gaisce PAL with Tullamore College (10 years), and Edward McEvoy, Gaisce PAL with Tullamore College (15 years). Their commitment to mentoring and supporting young people on their Gaisce journey has helped participants grow in confidence, develop new skills, and engage positively with their communities. 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. Speaking at the event, Helen McEntee, Minister for Education and Youth, said: I am delighted to be here to open Gaisces Presidents Awards Leader Conference and Appreciation Awards at Dublin Castle. Gaisce celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, and the programme has made a huge impact on so many young people who have participated down through the decades. READ NEXT: Offaly All-Ireland winning sides feted in County Council civic reception 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. Avril Ryan, CEO of Gaisce also addressed the audience at the conference and said: Our 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. 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, a sign of its impact and relevance, with almost 27,000 Gaisce recipients being awarded in 2024 alone, the highest number since the programme began in 1985. Gaisce celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, with PALCON The PAL Conference being one of the flagship events celebrating this special milestone. READ NEXT: 'Garda taskforce needed to dismantle Edenderry drug gangs' Deputy Tony McCormack A Tullamore woman who threw items from her car was disqualified from driving and fined at Tullamore District Court on Wednesday last. Hilary Mahon (54), with an address at 33 Norbury Woods Green, Tullamore appeared in Tullamore District Court charged with dangerous driving under Section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act. Sgt Richie Thorton, court presenter, said that on Wednesday, October 8 of this year at Whitehall, Puttaghan, Tullamore at 4.08pm Garda Connaughton was on mobile patrol when he observed a car being driven in a reckless manner and pursued the vehicle in the direction of Daingean. Garda Connaughton observed the car swerving onto the wrong side of the road and the driver was seen throwing items from the car, which were later identified as rubbish from fast food outlets. The driver stopped the car and Garda Connaughton arrested the defendant, who has no previous convictions. Solicitor for the defendant, Patrick Martin, told the court his client pleaded guilty to the offence at the earliest opportunity and receives disability welfare support. READ NEXT: Aspiring beautician damaged cosmetic products in Offaly supermarket She has two adult children and the incident "was totally out of character", Mr Martin said. Judge Cody fined the defendant 300 with six months to pay and disqualified her from driving for two years. Post-Primary Education graduate, Katie O'Flaherty, from Nenagh, had double cause for celebration after achieving top of her class status at the 25th annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony, held at Dublins Convention Centre recently, and at which the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD was guest of honour. In addition to receiving her Masters qualification, Katie was honoured by the College with the award for Outstanding Performance in School Experience and Professional Practice. A teacher at Borrisokane Community College, Katie was one of what was a record number of over 1,000 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify with Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, and, for the first time, a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education, or a BSc in Nursing. READ NEXT: Litany of traffic offences results in four year disqualification for Offaly motorist Congratulating the graduates and acknowledging the remarkable achievements of each and every one of them, Dr Mary Kelly, President of Hibernia College Group, emphasised that those gathered had demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout their studies. She affirmed her confidence that each graduate will go on to make a vital and valuable contribution to their chosen profession. BnM is seeking applications from local community organisations in the vicinity of the Derrinlough Wind Farm in County Offaly to the inaugural Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund. The Fund will distribute funding to community, voluntary and non-profit groups, clubs and societies, or organisations with charitable status, which aim to deliver community good in the vicinity of the wind farm. This funding forms part of BnMs broader commitment to ensuring that the delivery of renewable energy infrastructure creates lasting value for the communities in which it operates. Community investment is a central pillar of BnMs 5GW renewable energy pipeline, which is directly supporting Irelands National Development Plan. 47 local community projects received funding of 118,000 through BnMs Derrinlough Wind Farm Construction Community Benefit Fund in 2024. Recipients included Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Eoin in Rath, St Rynagh's Hurling Club in Banagher, St Mary's Hall in Cloghan, Fivealley Development Group, and Eglish Drumcullen Development Committee. Nationally, this year BnM has invested 1.4 million through its renewable energy community funds, supporting a range of initiatives including near neighbour schemes, education projects, and local enterprise. READ NEXT: Offaly County Council achieves energy management certification Applications for the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund will be assessed by a committee comprised of members of the local communities neighbouring the wind farm. Sharon Doyle, Head of HR & Communications at BnM, added: BnMs renewable energy pipeline is directly contributing to Irelands energy independence under the National Development Plan. Our renewable infrastructure projects are delivering clean, secure energy to the national grid while creating long-term value for the regions in which we operate. The Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and Near Neighbour Schemes reflect this approach, ensuring that investment in renewable infrastructure also delivers tangible benefits and opportunities for local communities, while supporting Irelands wider economic and environmental goals. Alison Tilley, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager with BnM, said: BnM is delighted to announce the opening of the Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund for applications. We actively encourage any community and not-for-profit organisations, clubs and schools neighbouring the wind farm to submit an application. This Community Benefit Fund will play an important role in supporting local causes and improving quality of life for everyone in the community. The Derrinlough Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund 2026 is open for applications from eligible organisations based within 10km of Derrinlough Wind Farm, until January 19th 2026. Applicants can learn more about the Fund and how to apply by visiting https://www.derrinloughwindfarm.ie/community-benefits/ READ NEXT: Popular Offaly parkrun venue parkrun celebrates International Volunteer Day Fourteen closures were served on food businesses across Ireland during November for reasons such as rodent and cockroaches infestations, dirty kitchen and preparation areas and cigarette butts found in food container. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served the fourteen Closure Orders on food businesses for a number of breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. READ NEXT: Little boy in critical condition following horror crash as Gardai appeal for witnesses Eight Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: McHales Catering Base and Stretford End Bar (Closed areas: Main kitchen and all storage areas behind the kitchen including food storage and food preparation areas) (Restaurant/Cafe), Drumkeen Causeway, Kerry Big Johns (Take Away), Main Street, Upper Mohill, Leitrim The Bridge House (Closed area: Storage Room and Back Bar area) (Public House), Corner of Persses-Lot & Main St (N74), Golden, Tipperary Umami (Retailer), 76 Main Street, Swords, County Dublin United Foods (Wholesaler/ Distributor), 76 Main Street, Swords, County Dublin Bodega Cafe @ Inspire (Service Sector), Unit 12M, Ard Gaoithe Business Park, Cashel Road, Clonmel, Tipperary The Mekong (Take Away), 307 Swords Road, Santry, Dublin 9 The Glendalough Hotel, Glendalough, Wicklow Six Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: READ NEXT: 'What is the urgency?' - Irish shoppers urged to stay away from shops on St Stephen's Day Trading as Enzos (Take Away), 87 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 Coffee Shack (Closed area: The room in the building at the rear of the Coffee Shack, Station Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo being used as a food store) (Take Away), Station Road, Castlebar, Mayo Akanchawa Honey Pot (Restaurant/ Cafe), Unit 39, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 A.M.K Sushi (Take Away), Domestic Kitchen at Moynalty Road, Kells, Meath Bennys Kitchen (Service Sector/ Residential), Domestic Kitchen at Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15 Cruncheesz (Take Away), Cavan Road, Oldcastle, Meath Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in November include: rodent infestation in the main food preparation area with rodent droppings throughout the main kitchen area and an old rodent carcass in a bar area; both dead and live cockroaches visible in the staff kitchen; food business not registered with the HSE; kebab slab removed from the rotisserie grill at close of business each night and held at ambient temperatures until the food business reopened the following day; cigarette butts noted in the food preparation area in old food containers; the ponding of a grey sludge-like material from the discharge pipe leading from the potato preparation area which may serve as an attractant for pests; unidentifiable food stored in plastic shopping bags in a chest freezer; floors, walls and ceilings covered in dirt, grime and cobwebs; no labelling on any of the cooked food in the fridge/freezer; staff not demonstrating adequate knowledge of the basic principles of food safety. READ NEXT: Regulation of puppy farms to be debated in Dail as dogs kept in 'horrendous conditions' Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that Novembers Enforcement Orders serve as a reminder that all food businesses must maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times and especially during the busy Christmas and new year periods. Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility on owners, managers, and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times. During the busy festive period, it is especially important that food businesses have proper procedures in place to manage increased demands and pressures. All food businesses must comply with their legal requirement to notify the competent authorities prior to operating to ensure there are adequate food safety processes, procedures and facilities in place. Takeaway businesses account for almost a quarter of all businesses served with Enforcement Orders so far in 2025. To support this sector, the FSAI has launched a dedicated section on its website for starting and running a takeaway business. The resource includes guidance tailored specifically to takeaway operations, highlights the most frequent compliance issues in Ireland, and provides practical advice on how to prevent and control them, added Mr Dempsey. READ NEXT: 8,000 without power following destructive Storm Bram as three counties still under warning Separately, during the month of October one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to: The Green Ways Cafe, Main Street, Nobber, Meath Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAIs website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month. On Wednesday, SBU Sea Baby naval drones hit the Dashan oil tanker belonging to the Russian shadow fleet in the Black Sea. This was a joint operation of the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU with the Ukrainian Navy, a source in the SBU told Interfax-Ukraine. It is noted that Dashan was moving under the flag of the Comoros Islands in the exclusive economic zone of Ukraine in the direction of the Novorossiysk port terminal. The vessel was moving at maximum speed with the transponder turned off. According to information, the tanker suffered critical damage as a result of the attack. The video shows powerful explosions in the stern area. According to preliminary information, the vessel is out of order. According to our sources, the approximate cost of such a tanker is $30 million, and for 1 voyage it transported oil products worth approximately $60 million. Due to the transportation of Russian raw materials and high-risk shipping (with the identification system turned off), the EU, Great Britain, Canada, Australia and Switzerland previously imposed sanctions on the Dashan vessel. "The SBU continues to take active measures to reduce petrodollar revenues to the Russian budget. Over the past two weeks, this is the third tanker of the "shadow fleet" that has been put out of action, which helped the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions," an informed source in the SBU said. Recall that on November 29, Sea Baby was hit by two sanctioned oil tankers, Kairo and Virat, in the Black Sea. December in history (history has a lot to teach us): 1 December (1947) Palestinians began a three-day general strike protesting the UN General Assembly (UNGA) "recommendation for Partition" resolution which violated the UN Charter (violates rights of people to self determination) 8 December (1949) UNGA adopted Resolution 302 (IV), establishing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to provide humanitarian aid to the refugees of the 1948 war until they are allowed to return. 8 December (1987) Launch of the 13th Palestinian uprising known as Intifada of the stones 9 December (1948) UNGA adoption of the Genocide Convention 10 December (1948) UNGA adoption of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 11 December (1948) UNGA adopted Resolution 194, which affirms the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and lands 11 December (1967) The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) established. 13 December (2001) Israeli tanks and military vehicles surrounded Yasser Arafat's compound in Ramallah, beginning a siege that continued for 34 months and ending in his murder by poisoning (through people in his inner circle). 14 December (2025) UNGA declared International Day against Colonialism 14 December (1987) Establishment of the Islamic Resistance Movement. 18 December (1947) Massacre of Al-Khisas by Zionist gangs. 31 December (1947) Massacre of Balad al-Shaykh [note >30 massacres committed to ethnically cleanse the area before "Israel' was even created as a State on Top of Palestine 15 May 1848. Today 8.5 million of us Palestinians are refugees or displaced people]. Three articles of many published recently on SC HOLASTICIDE (the Israeli educational destruction in Palestine). Take action to stop new colonial settlement on the land of Beit Sahour (the Shepherds' field). American woman rescued from under the rubble in Gaza. Every month, our team holds briefings on progress of our own Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability. Separately I hold a human rights/politics briefing highlighting what is going on in our area, the region, and globally. Here is an example recording of the latter subject: view I also give several interviews every week related to issues ranging from environmental justice to human rights to resistance. Here Peter Beinart talks boycotts to me and to South African scholar and activist Zackie Achmat. What is a rare human quality? Evangelical "Christian Zionists" (the quotes are needed since you cannot be a real christian if you support a racist genocidal ideology) are being recruited to help the Israel apartheid regime commit more violence. A provision buried deep in the proposed US National Defense Authorization Act calls for the continual assessment of [the] impact of international state arms embargoes on Israel and actions to address defense capability gaps. The measure can be found more than 1,000 pages into the 3,000-page NDAA. We survey the world around us run by despots and tyrants (the time of monsters) and we see so much suffering caused by human greed, racism, and ignorance. The climate catastrophe and wars are getting out of control and thanks to massive media machine are missed by most people in the so called western world. Some two million Palestinians (including friends of ours) in Gaza in tents, sick, wet, cold, hungry. Famine in Sudan and Yemen and refugees from Western Sahara to Myanmar who suffered unbelievable injustice. How do we mere mortals, living (for a short while) in this world cope? What can really make this world a better place and stop this madness (of rampant capitalism, mockery of justice, wars that are all about profits etc)? And as we answer these questions, can we avoid self-flagellations? Can we simultaneously acknowledge our own limitations while getting energized to act even more towards justice and rights to others? Is empathy the rarest of human qualities and the most needed in today's world? These and other questions swirl through my mind and I go back to reread books like Howard Zinn's "A people's history of the United States" and Avelar Idelber's "Letter on Violence" (available here). Maybe I start to think the world has always had evil and good struggling including within us. It reminds me of the story of the native American who tells a child that two wolves are fighting within you, the good wolf and the bad wolf. And when the kid asks which one wins, the eder says "the one you feed more". Postscript: Israels far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has allocated 2.7 billion shekels ($843 million) over five years to dramatically expand settlements across the occupied West Bank. This allocation will fund 17 new settlements, legalize existing outposts, deploy absorption cluster mobile homes that seek to become the nuclei of new settlements, relocate three army bases into Palestinian areas, and result in the building of new roads and structures within the region, Anadolu and the Palestine Information Center reported. Israeli media have described the package as de facto annexation. Already a million colonial settlers are squatting here in the West Bank and many still blabber about a two state solution. 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August 2018) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "How do you spell ICE in German? GESTAPO." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. "Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. "Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. "Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me." Pastor Martin Niemoller (c. 1946) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have been studying, and writing upon, the Drug Problem in the United States since the early 1970s, when the first War on Drugs was declared by the Nixon Administration. It was focused primarily on marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. (Of course, there was an earlier War on Drugs, known as Prohibition, 1920-1933. It ended ignominiously, recognized as a complete failure.) That is, the term the "drug problem" as it is known today, and has been known it since Nixon-Haldeman-Ehrlichman first declared war on it, applies only to certain of what I define globally as the Recreational Mood-Altering Drugs (RMADs). In society, these drugs range from nicotine in tobacco products, through ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages to, indeed, marijuana, heroin, and cocaine, and more recently fentanyl (a prescription pain-relieving opioid which, when used in doses well beyond that prescribed for pain relief, can be addictive and potentially fatal). My book on this subject, Ending the "Drug War"; Solving the Drug Problem: The Public Health Approach , was originally published by Scholars Press, and is still available on Amazon in a Kindle edition). Note that it does not deal with fentanyl which was not indeed an RMAD of use at the time the book was published (2016). As it happens, the two most potentially fatal RMADs are not the subject of any war of any kind. In fact one of them is regularly advertised on television and in the print media (that would be, of course, alcoholic beverages containing ethyl alcohol), while advertising of the other one, nicotine-containing products is still done, but is limited. As for deaths, currently tobacco products are currently related to approximately 480,000 deaths per year. (Yes, you read that right). Alcoholic beverages are related to approximately 178,000 deaths per year. Fentanyl overdose deaths amounted to about 73,000 per year (in 2024-25) and the number (while still quite large) is declining. Currently, the approximate number of cocaine-use-related deaths is in the 30,000 range. One can draw ones own conclusion as to which addicting RMADs are, and should be, of the most concern. Trump, never much good at arithmetic, gave has his own estimated number of deaths from cocaine: Citing a decrease in illegal narcotics entering the U.S. by sea, Trump said the U.S."is going to start that same process on land. We know every route, we know every house, we know where they live," the president continued. "We know everything about them. They kill 300,000 people this year, and that's like a war." On the number of cocaine-use related deaths, Trump is actually off by one zero, but what the hey. Give the man a break. As I said, he is not known for his strength on numbers. Two additional points to make here. First, if big recreational drug-use deaths are the target, why not go after the, by-far-and-away, biggest killers, alcohol, and tobacco products? (Well, oops. That has always been the principal question that no one, except the occasional academic over here in this corner, wants to tackle.) But beyond that, second, and it is a very important point in dealing with the current U.S. policy towards small boats in the Caribbean --- which may or may not be carrying cocaine, which if they are, may or may not be headed to the United States directly or indirectly, and again knowing that with the RMADs demand creates supply, not the other way round --- whether cocaine-use is responsible for 300,000 deaths in the U.S. or 30,000, where is the provision in International Law that gives the Trump Administration the right to go after that source with the use of force, on the open ocean, absent some formal Declaration of War? Against whom such a declaration might be made is surely a matter for another discussion, which I shall not go into here. But in any case, the Trump Administration has made none. And, absent such a Declaration, under Admiralty Law (that is the law governing actions by vessels that take place on the High Seas), what they are engaging in, falls under definition of Piracy: Piracy (within the context of maritime law) is when non-state actors commit war-like acts against ships, such as hijacking a ship,taking hostages, etc. In the United States, piracy is governed by A dmiralty Law. Piracy is prohibited by both United States and international law. (And I have said elsewhere, the aircraft which are making the attacks really should be trailing black banners with the Skull and Crossbones [or crossed swords] on them. Any questions, please see one or more of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" [of which Trump is now one, although not nearly as good as Johnny Depp] movies.) The only difference in definition in what the Trump Administration is doing is that it is committing war-like acts against non-state actors, without a Declaration of War against any state actor. But this discussion deals only with the fact that the policy has no legal basis in the Law of the Sea, and it is the seas on which the attacks are taking place. Now, turning to the matter of addictive/recreational-mood-altering drug use and attempting to control or interfere with that use by the use of the criminal law, going back to the 19th century when cigarette smoking was illegal in certain states, there have been attempts to deal with the use of various of the RMADs by illegalization of supply, and/or sale, or both. They have all been based on the notion that, with the RMADs, supply creates demand. However, repeatedly, over time, which has been shown not to be the case for the use of any of the RMADs. First, if, during Prohibition, were that to be the case why would so many risks have been taken, from importation through sales, to provide the product. Why would one risk imprisonment (and in the case of gang-fighting, death) if the demand were not there, and providers would just hope to create it by making the products available. Second, in our era, if simple supply created demand, why would the alcoholic beverage companies spend so much money on advertising? Third, why, in the 20th century, would the tobacco companies have fought so hard against limitations on advertising of their various products, if supply had simply created demand, and not the other way round. Fourth, why would the tobacco companies make sure that, even though in a store the purchaser has to specify that he/she wants to buy a particular tobacco product, and that product is most often displayed on a rack behind the sales counter, those racks are indeed there, in plain sight, and not located in an non-visible site in the store. It should be noted that in terms of the relationship between cigarette smoking and disease-risk, it was first determined to be the case by German scientists, publishing in 1935. Hitler immediately declared a national anti-cigarette-smoking campaign aimed at every member of the society, except for the members of the armed forces. It should also be noted that when the U.S. tobacco company files on the possible relationship between tobacco use and disease were finally opened by Court order in 1998, it was revealed that one or more of the companies knew of the risk, as determined by their own research, as early as 1957. Third, as for marijuana, currently legal in some states but not in others, there seems to be little evidence that simply making it legally available has increased use. And in any case, the potential for pathology arising from marijuana use pales in comparison to that arising from the use of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. Now, as it happens, currently virtually all attention is being paid, very importantly to be sure, to exactly what happened in that attack on the wreckage of one speed-boat to which two men were clinging, the tape of which attack the Trump Administration is clinging to which almost as much determination as they are clinging to the Epstein Files*. And so, in this context, let us in summary turn our attention to Trumps current War on Narco-terrorism. It is based first on the concept that if a particular RMAD is put out there that demand will be created, automatically, as it were. Well with over a century of experience with various RMADs this proposition has been proven to be totally counter-factual. Again, except when a new one is bring introduced to the market, the use of any RMAD is created by demand, not supply. Second, Trump is threatening the use of force against Venezuela to deal with a problem that does not actually begin in Venezuela. It begins with, as I have said, demand in the United States. Third, there are all the proof-of-what-is-or-is-not-on-the-boats issues. E.g., it has been pointed out that on at least some of the boats the noted drum-like containers are actually for fuel supply, not for any cargo-being-carried. Fourth, once again is the issue of piracy, and does what the Trump Admin. is doing come under that definition, since there is no other legal one --- law of the land or sea --- that it can come under. Finally, if the drug boat files were not utterly damning, in one way or another, why is the Trump Admin. fighting so hard to keep them from public view. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * As for the Epstein Files, there are, or will be, at least three sets. First is the real, unredacted set, which apparently have Trump's name in them at least 1600 times (without any specification as yet about the contexts in which his name appears). Hopefully, some one/organization(s) has a certified copy of them spirited away where the Trumpists could not find them, awaiting their release at an appropriate time. Second will be the set that the DOJ will release, in response to the Joint Congressional Resolution on the matter. Almost certainly, they with have been well-edited/Trump-redacted by the well-known "FBI review." Third will be a set with Trump named, and released, but in non-compromising situations. Hopefully the victims have a very well-planned campaign of drip-drip-release of totally damning information, regardless of what happens publicly with the Files (dealing not only with Trump but with other sexual predators operating in the Epstein orbit, some of whom could be prominent people). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End the Drug War; Solve the Drug Problem: The Public Health Approach Again, my book on The Drug War and the use of the Recreational Mood-Altering Drugs,, can be found on Amazon at: amazon.com/End-Drug-War-Solve-Problem/dp/3659843733 (Article changed on Dec 10, 2025 at 4:11 PM EST) (Article changed on Dec 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM EST) (Article changed on Dec 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM EST) The private foundation of Nike cofounder Phil Knight and wife Penny Knight gave away $226 million last year, its most generous year yet, according to a new tax filing. The foundation has more than doubled in assets to $5.4 billion in five years, a development with major ramifications for Oregon, given the Knight familys support of the states universities, schools and civic institutions. Last year marked the fourth consecutive year of the foundation giving away at least $150 million. Nearly all the foundations giving last year remained in Oregon, including $182 million for the University of Oregons new science campus, seemingly in partial fulfillment of $1 billion in previously announced pledges. The campus is named after the Knights. Phil Knight rarely discusses his philanthropy and did not respond to a message sent through Nike. Last year the Knight Foundation gave another $10 million to Albina Head Start. The Knight family has given the organization, which provides free early child care and preschool to low-income families, more than $20 million in the past few years. The Knights have supported the organization since 1997. Because of the generosity, Albina Head Start has been able to purchase or pay off the mortgages for over 10 structures, Director Ron Herndon said in a video tribute to the Knights this year. That means this program that works for low-income children and families does not have to worry about leases being raised or rent being raised. The Knight Foundation last year gave $10 million to Self Enhancement Inc., another Portland organization that works with underserved youth and families. The Knights have supported SEI for more than a decade. Other big gifts in 2024: $8.5 million to the 1803 Fund, which is working to advance Portlands Black community. The Knights pledged $400 million to the organization in 2023. Its since announced $70 million in real estate purchases, including the former grain silos near the Moda Center. The Knight Foundation also gave $7.5 million to the Providence St. Vincent Medical Foundation for its cardiology program. The Knights announced a $75 million gift to Providence in 2019. The Knight Foundation has given away nearly $1.2 billion since it was founded in 1997. As a private foundation, it is required to give away 5% of its assets annually. Forbes estimates the Knight family is worth $31.5 billion. In his 2016 memoir, Shoe Dog, Phil Knight wrote he and Penny focus our (philanthropic) efforts on a few specific causes. We give away $100 million each year, and when were gone well give away most of whats left. Knight recently donated $3 million to help Republicans get elected in Oregon. The donation was not made through the Knight Foundation. A 2-alarm fire this week landed a person in the hospital and burned four apartments after an explosion went off in a fourplex in Southeast Portlands Centennial neighborhood. Police have identified a person of interest as they investigate the source of the fire, Portland Fire & Rescue said in a statement. No arrests have been made, and officials havent released any information about the kind of explosive that triggered the blast. The blaze started shortly before 10:20 a.m. Sunday at 1640 SE 162nd Avenue, fire spokesperson Rick Graves told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an email. The first crew arrived to find the building severely damaged and engulfed in heavy fire on both floors of the two-story building. Firefighters called for a second alarm, which brought in a total of nearly 80 firefighters from Portland and Gresham, officials said. Fire officials didnt say how many people were inside the building at the time of the catastrophic explosive event, but said that emergency responders drove a victim to an area hospital after the person jumped from an elevated platform to escape the flames. The person, who officials did not publicly identify, is in stable condition, Portland Fire & Rescue said. The Portland Police Bureaus Fire Investigations Unit is investigating the explosion and resulting fire. It served a criminal warrant to search the building, using a drone because it was deemed unsafe to enter. Officials added that investigators had interviewed a person of interest, but didnt publicly identify the person and said they hadnt made any arrests. A right-wing independent journalist is leveraging his short-lived arrest in a bid to put the Portland Police Bureau on trial alleging a deep-seated bias by the bureaus top brass against conservatives. A warning of litigation filed Thursday says the influencer, Nick Sortor, will proceed with a $10 million federal civil rights lawsuit against the city over his arrest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in South Portland. The city of Portland and its police department maintain a long-standing pattern and practice of hostility toward conservative political viewpoints, and demonstrable tolerance, sympathy or coordination with Antifa, the tort claim notice says. Sortor, 27, was held in the downtown county jail overnight Oct. 2 on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, after his arrest at an ICE protest. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office dropped the case four days later, saying that black-clad protesters had pushed Sortor into a drainage planter during a confrontation over the influencers combative coverage. The prosecutors memo determined Sortor was defending himself, but supported the actions of responding patrol officers, saying they were working without access to surveillance footage and had probable cause to arrest him at the time. In a Tuesday interview, civil attorney D. Angus Lee said the suit will seek punitive damages against the city for allegedly violating Sortors rights under the Fourth Amendment. Known as a Monell claim, the suit seeks damages not only for harms allegedly suffered that night, but also to punish the city for its unspoken policy of targeting conservatives. There are many frontline officers at the Portland Police Bureau who have been effectively pressured by the culture that comes from the top down, Lee said. When those frontline officers are under oath in depositions, theyre going to tell us the truth about what is going on. Police officials have repeatedly denied accusations of political discrimination, and such charges of hidden sympathies might seem risible to the crowds that made law enforcement the target of their ire during the citys mass unrest in 2020 and 2021. Harmeet K. Dhillon, who heads the civil rights division at the U.S. Department of Justice, vowed to launch her own investigation in the wake of Sortors arrest. Lee submitted a memorandum to Dhillon in November cataloging various cases of alleged viewpoint discrimination, though many of them happened years ago under different political leadership. Sortor, who lives in Washington, D.C., has been convicted of driving under the influence in Kentucky, his home state, and was also once arrested for menacing a police officer, the Lexington Herald-Leader recently reported. He violated the terms of probation in a criminal mischief case, the paper reported, and faces arrest if he returns home. Lee said he was unaware of the criminal case and said it had no bearing on the matter. Portlands ICE protests became a national headline when President Donald Trump announced he was deploying the National Guard and authorizing full force in the city on Sept. 27, quickly attracting more demonstrators and dozens of influencers hoping to document chaos. Trumps deployment has stalled on legal fronts, while Portlands rainy season has largely dispersed protesters from outside ICE. The livestreamers have all gone home at least for now. City Attorney Robert Taylor and Mike Benner, a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau, declined to comment. Its no surprise that Portlanders love their food carts, but you guys were not messing around when we asked you to nominate your favorite ones for The Oregonian/OregonLives Readers Choice Awards. We heard from close to 1,000 readers who cant get enough of the pizza, tacos, cookies and more found across the Rose City and beyond. Below youll find the 10 spots that garnered the most nominations and are hoping to be chosen as the best food cart in the Portland area. You can vote once a day until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 at this link or at the bottom of this story. Well reveal the winners later that week at at oregonlive.com/readers-choice. Chubby Bunny Part of the Alberta Carts pod, Chubby Bunny specializes in breakfast sandwiches, which they describe as secretly vegan. We like the Benny sandwich with Hollandaise. 1027 N.E. Alberta St.; 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; instagram.com/chubbybunnypdx Cookie McCakeFace The top pick in last years Readers Choice Awards, Cookie McCakeFace serves its cookies warm and gooey on the inside and crispy on the outside. The dome-shaped cookies are nearly a half a pound each. Some flavors are filled with marshmallow, Nutella ganache or even a whole Oreo cookie. 4727 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; 12-8 p.m. (or until sold out) Wednesday-Sunday; cookiemccakeface.com Golden Triangle This cart serving up Cambodian, Laos and Thai fusion food is a favorite of local social media influencer Michael Banh. Several readers recommend the soft shell crab. 4727 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 12-8 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 12-7 p.m. Sunday; instagram.com/goldentrianglepdx Judahs Delicatessen If youre looking for a classic New York-style Jewish deli, Judahs is the place to go, according to our readers. The pastrami or corned beef on rye bread from Helen Bernhard Bakery cant be beat from what weve been told. 5235 N.E. Sandy Blvd.; 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. (or until sold out) Thursday-Sunday; instagram.com/judahs_deli Lulu Food Place Inspired by the spirit of Hawaii, Lulus food showcases techniques and dishes with influence from Korea, Japan, China, Portugal, the Philippines, and Polynesia, according to its website. The Korean fried chicken is a favorite of several readers. 105 S.W. 2nd St., Troutdale; 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Monday; lulufoodtruck.com Paladin Pie This wood fired pizza cart says its pies are made with respect (and complete disregard) for tradition. Those words are beside a picture of a kimchi and bacon pizza on Paladins website. Im a pizza fanatic and this is top tier. ... Their specials, creativity, the quality never wavers. And then theres the house-made sauces and custom upgrades. Theyre also the nicest folks ever, one reader told us. 1027 N.E. Alberta St.; 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 12-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 12-8 p.m. Sunday; paladinpie.com Rollin Fresh Ryan Moys sushi burrito carts focus on fresh local ingredients and make their own gluten-free and vegan sauces. Most menu items can be made as sushi burritos, poke bowls or pole salads. The Portlandia includes salmon, cream cheese, ginger guac and their MeeSo Sauce. Four locations in Portland; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily rollinfreshnw.com Tacos Fita This taco truck with three locations, including Pioneer Courthouse Square and The Heist, finished at No. 3 in last years Readers Choice Awards. Tacos Fita makes their tortillas fresh every day. In addition to tacos, youll find burritos, tortas, salads and more. Three locations in Portland; tacosfitapdx.com Walter Frenchs The No. 4 cart in last years contest, Walter Frenchs specializes in sandwiches and is named for a very cute French bulldog. Readers raved about the freshly baked bread and consistent quality. One proclaims it home of the best sandwich on the West Coast. 1027 N.E. Alberta St., 12-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, 12 p.m. until sold out; walterfrench.com Wonderboys Smokestack One of the top finishers in the contest we held earlier this year for the best barbecue joint, Wonderboys Smokestack describes its fare as Iowa barbecue. The brisket is a crowd favorite. You can get it in a sandwich, on nachos, in tacos or on top of some mac and cheese. We also recommend the chips and queso and with potato chips made on the cart. 1027 N.E. Alberta St.; 12-8 p.m. or sold out Wednesday-Monday; wonderboyssmokestack.com Vote here Members of the Portland School Board have offered a rare public apology after an extremely contentious school board meeting last week involving a $61 million construction management contract drew an avalanche of public feedback. At a Monday night listening session on the districts rezoning proposal for Jefferson High Schools enrollment boundaries, board Chair Eddie Wang asked all school board members to stand before he read aloud from their joint collective statement. We agreed that parts of the meeting did not reflect the level of respect, clarity or care that our community expects from its elected leaders, Wang said. We acknowledge that public disagreement and healthy debate can coexist with respect. We also know that we fell short in tone, in empathy and in clarity. At last weeks meeting, board members voted 5-2 to hire Texas-based construction management firm Procedeo to oversee nearly $1.4 billion in public funds for upcoming projects, including three high school modernizations and the Center for Black Student Excellence. Those who voted for the contract said they trusted the districts vetting of the particulars and overall recommendation, though board member Patte Sullivan noted that she had not read all of the contracts language. The two board members who voted against the contract, directors Virginia La Forte and Stephanie Engelsman, said they felt that public debate over the contracts terms had been too rushed, and that more comparative financial analysis was needed. There were a handful of pivot points during the meeting, including La Fortes comment that the approximately 150 people who were present at the meeting to support both the contract and the Center for Black Student Excellence were not the public, not all of Portland. That drew recriminations from fellow board members Michelle DePass and Rashelle Chase-Miller, who argued that those in the room were being unfairly discounted. Later on, Ian Ritorto, the student representative on the board and a senior at Roosevelt High School, tried to clarify La Fortes remarks, and was met by unchecked anger from the crowd. Additionally, when Engelsman attempted to ask a series of questions about the particulars of the Procedeo contract, Wang cut her off abruptly, and moved to a vote. And board member Christy Splitt was so rattled by the tenor and tone of the debate over the votes timing that at one point, she left the meeting in tears. On Monday night, Wang pledged that the board would collectively learn from its previous meeting, and strive for more collaboration. I am committed to fostering a culture where disagreement is welcomed, but disrespect is not, where accountability is embraced and not avoided, and where every person who walks into our boardroom feels safe to speak and be heard, he said. To those who experienced harm on Tuesday night, I hope you will allow us the opportunity to repair it. Every constituent, regardless of their perspective, is a valued part of our community. A new analysis of Oregons first-in-the-nation hospital payment cap finds that the policy has so far produced little turbulence in hospital finances or the quality of patient care. The study, published last week in Health Affairs, examined how Oregons decision to limit what hospitals can charge state employee health plans affected revenues, staffing and delivery of care. Researchers from Brown University found no significant financial downturn and, in some cases, modest improvements in patient experience. In 2017, Oregon became the first state to establish a cap on what the state public employee and educator health plans pay hospitals. The law, phased in starting in 2019, limits insurers covering public employees from paying more than 200% of Medicare rates for in-network hospitals or 185% for hospitals that decline to stay in network. It applies to the states 24 largest hospitals and exempts small, rural and critical access hospitals and those with high Medicaid patient volumes. The policy was intended to slow rising health care costs for state workers and taxpayers. Roslyn Murray, an assistant professor at Brown University and the papers lead author, said a study she led last year found that Oregons payment cap did just that. She said the policy reduced what hospitals charged state employee plans and saved more than $100 million in its first two years. Hospitals were critical of the legislation creating the cap. In testimonies at the time, hospital leaders warned that the caps would hurt finances, prompt layoffs and threaten key services. While the new study found none of those outcomes materialized during the study period, hospital leaders say the research does not reflect the financial reality many facilities are facing today. This research is disconnected from reality and tone deaf, coming at a time when half of Oregons hospitals are consistently operating in the red, Becky Hultberg, president and CEO of the Hospital Association of Oregon, said in a statement. Oregons health care system is in crisis. Hultberg said the recent announcements by Vibra Specialty Hospital of Portland and Asante Ashland Community Hospital that they were closing inpatient beds were evidence of deepening financial distress facing health systems. She said a series of well-intentioned but disconnected policy choices including hospital rate caps have compounded existing pressures and are making it harder for hospitals to sustain services in the communities they serve. The researchers, however, said the two hospitals Vibra and Asantes Ashland hospital arent subject to the hospital payment cap. They added that their findings dont necessarily predict how hospitals would respond if payment caps expanded to the broader commercial market, where hospitals rely heavily on higher private insurance payments. To assess the impact of the cap, Murray and her colleagues gathered financial and operational data from 22 Oregon hospitals affected by the cap and compared them with a weighted group of similar hospitals elsewhere in the country. (Two Oregon hospitals were excluded because of missing financial data.) The team examined net patient revenue, patient care expenses, staffing, labor costs, bed availability, discharges and various measures of patient experience from 2014 through 2023. The researchers found no statistically significant change in net patient revenue, no meaningful rise in expenses tied to care and no dent in operating margins. They also found no signs of staffing cuts, reduced bed capacity or service closures, and patient volumes stayed steady. The biggest surprise was that we found just a very little impact on hospital revenues, said Christopher Whaley, a health care economist at Brown University who helped oversee the study. We also didnt see changes in hospital operations, which is different from what often happens when Medicare makes large payment cuts and hospitals respond by adjusting staffing or services. Researchers also found that patient experience improved slightly on several measures, from communication with nurses and doctors to the timeliness of help. The improvements we observed were small but statistically significant, Murray said. One possibility is that hospitals responded to the payment cap by investing in quality, hoping to stay competitive and appeal to higher-paying commercial insurers. The study also looked at whether hospitals compensated for lower payments by raising prices on other patients a concern often raised by hospitals in policy debates. Murray said the team found no evidence of such cost-shifting, which she said was consistent with her previous research, which found that Oregons cap led to price reductions rather than increases. Commercial prices tend to move with market dynamics, not in response to policy-related cuts, Murray said. The new findings come as Oregon grapples with rising health-care costs for families and employers. A recent Oregon Health Authority report found commercial insurance payments for common inpatient procedures increased over 20% in the five years leading up to 2023, even as hospitals performed nearly 18% fewer of those procedures. Because of those trends, state health officials recently floated whether similar caps used for public employees could help consumers across the wider commercial insurance market, where rising hospital prices are driving up premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They estimate Oregon could have saved more than $500 million in 2023 had commercial payments been limited to the same rates used for public employees. Murray said the states payment cap applies only to public employees and educator health plans, which accounts for about 15% of hospitals commercially insured patients. That may have softened the financial impact and reduced pressure on hospitals to make disruptive changes, she said. Larger caps, she said, could intensify pushback from hospitals and potentially require deeper revenue adjustments. But Whaley, the studys co-author, said health economic studies have shown that hospitals can break even with reimbursements at 150% of Medicare rates. With Oregons payment cap benchmarked higher than that, he said expanding it to the wider commercial insurance market could still be financially sustainable for many hospitals. Hospitals in Oregon already have large margins from commercial insurance payments, and payment caps show theres little impact on their bottom line and operations, he said. Meanwhile, Oregons experiment has gained nationwide attention. Earlier this year, lawmakers in several states including Washington, Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, New York and Vermont introduced legislation to cap hospital prices for certain services or patient populations. To honor the United States 250th birthday next year, a celebration dubbed the semiquincentennial, the U.S. Treasury has created drafts of a $1 coin that features President Donald Trump. In response, Senate Democrats have crafted a bill that would prevent Trump or any living or sitting U.S. president from having their likeness appear on any U.S. currency. Oregons Jeff Merkley and Nevadas Catherine Cortez Masto on Tuesday introduced the Change Corruption Act, a bill co-sponsored by fellow Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. President Trumps self-celebrating maneuvers are authoritarian actions worthy of dictators like North Koreas Kim Jong Un, not the United States of America, Merkley said in a statement. We must reject his efforts to dismantle our We, The People republic and replace it with a strongman state by demanding strong accountability to prevent further abuse of taxpayer dollars. As we look ahead to Americas 250th birthday, Ill keep fighting back against Trumps corruption and partisan propaganda. Added Wyden: Donald Trump will stop at nothing to steal the spotlight, and that includes putting an image of himself on a U.S. coin. All three of the heads design options released by the U.S. Mint last week feature a likeness of Trumps face, along with the word LIBERTY across the top, IN GOD WE TRUST next to Trumps image and 1776-2026 along the bottom. All eight of the tails design options feature an eagle. The U.S. Mint could decide as soon as this week whether to proceed with the Trump coins. A green light for such circulating coins would break precedent and federal law. The Contraction Act of 1866 stipulates that only someone who has died may appear on U.S. currency and securities. While monarchs put their faces on coins, America has never had and never will have a king, Cortez Masto said in a statement. Our legislation would codify this countrys long-standing tradition of not putting living Presidents on American coins. Merkley and Cortez Masto last week led seven Senate Democrats in writing a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, imploring him to reject the proposed designs for the semiquincentennial dollar coin. Language Ombudsman on ban on Russian-language versions of websites: This is symptom of deep pain, but theres no legal means to challenge it Photo: https://www.facebook.com State Language Commissioner Olena Ivanovska believes the proposal to ban Russian-language versions of websites is symptomatic of the deep pain Ukrainians feel, but there is currently no legal means to challenge it. "It must be said that this discussion around the petition, which calls for a complete ban on Russian-language versions of websites, is evidence or a symptom of the deep pain that plagues our society. Ukrainians are tired of this shadow of colonial language in the public space, they strive to cleanse the digital environment, and they want to see the Ukraine online that our defenders fight for every day. These feelings cannot be ignored; they are justified," Ivanovska said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine, commenting on the petition to ban Russian-language versions of websites in Ukraine. At the same time, she emphasized that the state should act not based on emotion, but according to the law, and that the petition's demands contradict Article 27 of the Law "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language," which permits the existence of other language versions of a website if the Ukrainian version is the main one. "That is, the law itself does not authorize the state to ban languages on private websites. As soon as we cross this line of priority and move toward a complete ban, we violate constitutional guarantees. Consequently, we open the door to international complaints. We also give our opponent, our enemy, a convenient pretext to accuse Ukraine of linguistic repression," the commissioner noted. In her opinion, this is a weak position, and Ukraine cannot afford to make weak decisions in wartime. "But from a moral standpoint, as I've already noted, we know where this excessive presence of Russian in our media space comes from. It's a consequence of centuries of exclusion, bans, and waves of russification. And Ukraine today has every moral right to linguistic decolonization. But decolonization isn't a mirror image of imperial methods. We're not imitating Russia; we're building and affirming Ukraine. And if we follow Russia's path of total bans on everything, we won't build Ukraine," Ivanovska emphasized. When asked about the proposal to amend the language law to allow for the existence of language versions of the website other than Russian, the commissioner noted that this could be worked on. "If we truly find a way to amend the current law, then we can legally achieve this. But for now, we don't have the legal means to challenge it," she added. The language ombudsman emphasized that there is no pragmatic reason to use the language of an aggressor country on resources, and this is unjustified. She also noted that the state now needs to strengthen public service announcements, promote awareness, and draw on language legislation to ensure people know and understand that the law "On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the state language" is mandatory, just like other laws. Oregons longest-serving state representative likely broke state ethics laws when he tried to secure a $66,000 raise, according to a report from the states government ethics watchdog, but investigators need more time to gather information. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted during a special meeting Tuesday to extend for 30 days its investigation into whether Rep. Greg Smith, R-Heppner, violated state laws on conflicts of interest and using a public position for financial gain. The commission could decide whether to move forward with a case against Smith, a state legislator since 2000, as early as Friday or at a January meeting. Smith has long supplemented his legislative salary with consulting contracts and side gigs leading economic development efforts in eastern Oregon. The current investigation revolves around his work as executive director of the Columbia Development Authority, a Boardman-based intergovernmental agency in charge of redeveloping a former military base. The investigation aimed to answer two questions. First, did Smith violate state law by not disclosing he had a conflict of interest when he negotiated with a federal office to increase his salary as director of the agency? And second, did he abuse his position as a public official to secure a sizable raise? The Columbia Development Authority is made up of the Port of Umatilla, Umatilla County, Port of Morrow, Morrow County and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. It has received federal grant funding from the federal Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation, though the U.S. Defense Department revoked its most recent $800,000 grant in February after investigating Smiths salary and working hours. In late 2023, Smith made $129,000 annually to run the intergovernmental authority. He sought to increase that salary to $238,000, according to a letter he sent to the Columbia Development Authority boards chair in December 2023. Ethics commission investigators found no indication, however, that the board considered or approved such a raise. But a 2024 grant application the development authority submitted to the federal office included references to a significant board-approved increase salary adjustment to prior grant periods existing salaries beginning April 1, 2024. The CDA board is in agreement that compensation for the top two employees, through research of other like positions in the Pacific Northwest, is approved and will bring those salaries to the correct levels in accordance with management and other local and state comparable salaries, the application continued, referring to pay for Smith and another top employee of the authority. That grant application called for a new salary for Smith of $195,000, the highest allowed under an Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation salary cap. The federal government was to pay $123,350 and the local agency would pay $71,650. The federal office approved that grant application in May 2024 and the development authoritys board saw the approved grant budget during its June 2024 meeting. The budget called for Smiths pay to increase and be paid retroactively to April 1, 2024. After it learned more, however, the development authoritys board revoked Smiths raise in September 2024 and directed him to pay back the extra salary he had received. The ethics commission is still investigating how the raise and retroactive pay boost made it into the grant application. In March of this year, the commission received a complaint about Smiths efforts to secure the raise. Casey Fenstermaker, a compliance and enforcement coordinator with the commission, reviewed documents and conducted a number of interviews, but she said she wasnt able to complete interviews with Smith and Columbia Development Authority board member J.D. Tovey until Monday. Those interviews arent included in the 25-page report prepared Monday for commissioners to review, and Fenstermaker wrote that shell need further interviews with the Port of Morrows chief financial officer and executive director to confirm or clarify information that arose from those interviews. The Port of Morrow served as fiscal agent for the Columbia Development Authority and handled payroll and other funding. Commission staff has requested various documents and conducted various interviews, which have generated, honestly, more questions than answers at this point, Fenstermaker told commissioners Tuesday. The ethics commissioners spent much of their hour-long Tuesday meeting debating the timing of a subsequent meeting to decide what to do with the investigation into Smith. A 30-day extension would mean theyd have to decide by Jan. 8, the day before their regularly scheduled January meeting. The commission has opened four investigations into Smith this year. He received a letter of education in March for failing to list Harney County as a source of income on the annual economic interest statement he must file as an elected official. The commission began an investigation in August over whether he broke state law on reporting income sources. Another investigation launched in October concerns whether the Columbia Development Authority paid him for days he was working as a legislator or for other agencies. Another complaint is in its preliminary review period, commission staff confirmed Tuesday, and no details will be available until that review is complete and the commission decides whether to investigate or dismiss it. In response to a 2024 ethics investigation, Smith reported that his households gross annual income was more than $1 million. That includes his salary from the Columbia Development Authority, his legislative stipend, his wifes salary as his legislative assistant and income from his business. Neither Smith nor his attorney, Amanda Gamblin, attended the meeting, and Smith did not respond to an email, text or phone call from the Capital Chronicle on Tuesday. Shortly after the meeting began, a House Republican spokeswoman sent a press release on Smiths behalf announcing that he received an award from the Oregon Cattlemens Association at its weekend conference. -- Julia Shumway, Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. A national organization on Tuesday joined the call demanding Oregon leaders investigate federal agents accused of criminal behavior in Portland and throughout the state. In a letter, national legal advocacy group Free Speech For People urged Portland and Oregon leaders including Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Portland police Chief Bob Day to launch criminal investigations into federal agents who have repeatedly committed criminal acts that are not immunized by federal law. Rayfield and Portland area district attorneys have already put the federal government on notice that they will investigate and prosecute any federal agents in the state who use force beyond the reasonable scope of their duties. Free Speech For People listed various examples of potentially criminal behavior including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents laying on top of a man for two minutes during a Portland arrest, despite the mans warnings that he couldnt breathe. They also cited a case in Gresham where agents stormed into an apartment with rifles drawn and detained the wrong men, one of whom was later left stranded in Mississippi. Committing crimes is not part of a federal agents job duties, Ben Clements, chairman and senior legal advisor at Free Speech For People, based in Massachusetts, said in a statement. When the president or his subordinates order federal agents to commit crimes in Oregon to terrorize their political enemies, state and local prosecutors have a responsibility to protect Oregon residents and enforce state criminal law. In their own letter to federal officials last month, Oregon leaders said that federal agents have used munitions that struck local police, fired tear gas against non-violent protesters outside the ICE office in Portland and pointed guns at teenagers at a Dutch Bros Coffee drive-thru in Hillsboro. Asked to respond to the Free Speech For People demands, Rayfield pointed to his earlier pledge that the Oregon Department of Justice would review federal use of force and, when appropriate, forward cases to local prosecutors. No government agency is above the law, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a social media video in late November. Oregon is monitoring all ICE actions closely. We will investigate misconduct and if a federal officer breaks Oregon law, they will be held accountable. Oregon ethics officials will recommend Friday a housing council member receive a written warning after they found she violated a state conflict of interest law. Investigators with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission say Oregon Housing Stability Council member Maggie Harris failed to declare conflicts of interest when she voted to fund housing projects her employer, Holst Architecture, stood to benefit from. Instead of seeking civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, investigators will recommend the commission issue Harris a letter of education to settle the case, according to a proposed settlement going before the commission. Oregon Housing Stability Council members such as Harris are appointed by the governor, setting policy and approving loans and grants for the housing-finance agency Oregon Housing and Community Services. Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Harris in October 2023. In her day job, Harris is a senior associate and project manager at Holst. When the ethics commissioners voted 5-0 in July to launch an investigation, ethics staff noted Harris is a public official, and that conflict of interest laws for public officials apply to decisions that could benefit a business with which they are associated. According to commission documents, Harris participated in six housing agency meetings from January 2024 to April 2025 where council members discussed and voted on funds for five housing projects Strong Family, Mariposa Village, 73Foster, Hollywood Hub and the recently opened Julia West. Her employer, Holst, had been tapped by developers as the architect for each of those projects. During two meetings in January 2024, Harris abstained from discussions and a vote to approve the Julia West project, according to the ethics commission records, but failed to publicly announce the nature of the conflict of interest that prompted her to do so. In March 2024, Harris announced she would abstain from discussions about the 73Foster project, but again failed to state the nature of her conflict, according to ethics investigators. When the Strong Family project came before the council in August 2024, Harris not only failed to announce a conflict but voted on it, according to the ethics commission records. In September 2024 and April 2025, Harris said she was not involved with the Hollywood Hub and Mariposa Village projects before the council, but that her employer was involved. In both episodes, according to investigators, she failed to announce the nature of her conflict or abstain from voting. Harris defended her participation and votes by saying she had spoken up when she was personally involved in a development and otherwise sought guidance from Oregon Housing and Community Services on conflicts of interest. Ms. Harris further contends that as an OHCS Council Member, she looks forward to continuing her engagement in advancing housing progress and ensuring all components of the public process and integrity are upheld, ethics commission staff wrote in the proposed settlement. Ms. Harris appreciates understanding where she may need to take additional steps to identify potential areas of concern and will adhere to those processes going forward. An Oregon Housing and Community Services spokesperson said Thursday that Harris will remain on the Housing Stability Council. To be clear, the council member was not involved in nefarious actions, said the agency spokesperson, Jessie Schirrick. The ethics commission identified feedback for how council members can be clearer and more consistent when they name a real or perceived conflict of interest. This story was updated with comment from Oregon Housing and Community Services. Multnomah County could end as many as 21 full-time positions in its behavioral health division, with roughly 17 more in jeopardy in the next fiscal year, documents show. The Board of Commissioners will vote on whether or not to approve the proposed cuts Thursday. The proposal stems from a $4.6 million reduction in behavioral health funding from CareOregon, the states largest provider of Medicaid benefits, according to materials for the board meeting. Those cuts would hit the countys Youth and Adult Care Coordination program the hardest. The program aids people of all ages in navigating behavioral health resources and treatment, and it stands to lose over 18 full-time positions. Two others would be cut in the jail care coordination pilot program offering the same services to inmates. The Behavioral Health Center would lose one position as well, documents show. Its unclear how many of those positions are vacant or just how many employees will face layoffs. County leadership declined to comment ahead of the Thursday meeting. Another 17 positions are on the chopping block, but the county plans to divert around $2.4 million to keep those jobs online until at least June 30. That proposal will also go to the board Thursday. Those positions include care coordinators for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, medical records staff and behavioral health quality managers, among others. The behavioral health division has around 330 employees, according to budget documents. The future is grim as the county grapples with a constrained budget heading into the 2026-27 fiscal year. The CareOregon funding is not expected to come back, documents show. Health Share of Oregon, which oversees CareOregon and Medicaid for the region, announced in September that it was anticipating financial losses due to rising health care costs and other factors. Altogether, CareOregon manages Oregon Health Plan benefits for roughly 560,000 members, or just under 40% of the states Medicaid population. Clackamas County announced it would be ending 27 positions across its behavioral and public health divisions in October. Around 15 of those were as a result of the CareOregon reductions, which totaled $2.6 million. Washington County expects a $3.8 million loss, impacting around 18 to 20 positions. But spokesperson Wendy Gordon said the county worked to reassign many of the impacted staff to other roles. All told, three people will be laid off at years end, Gordon said. Oregons U.S. senators have signed onto a bill they hope will stop the Trump administration from abusing loopholes to replace immigration judges with inexperienced lawyers. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, are among more than a dozen senators to co-sponsor the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, which they said would close loopholes the Trump administration has used to accelerate its mass deportation agenda. U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, introduced the bill last week. A Democratic counterpart in the California delegation, U.S. Rep. Juan Vargas, is introducing similar legislation in the House. In the past year, the Trump administration has replaced 100 immigration judges with up to 600 military lawyers, Wyden and Merkley said in a joint statement. Trump is weaponizing our immigration courts and torching due process rights by replacing experienced judges with unqualified lawyers who will rubberstamp his mass deportation agenda, Wyden wrote. Congress needs to ensure that judges hearing these critical and complex cases have the knowledge to give immigrants the fair hearings that they deserve. Wyden spokesperson Hank Stern said concerns elsewhere in the country rather than in Oregon are driving this legislation. Merkley said people cant stand idly by as an authoritarian strongman tramples on due process. Trump is replacing qualified judges with inexperienced lackeys who will carry out his cruel immigration agenda without question, he said in the statement. Congress needs to act swiftly to defend the rule of law and make sure that the judges serving on our immigration courts are experienced, qualified, and fair. The bill would prevent military attorneys from being appointed as temporary immigration judges, cap temporary judge appointments at two years and establish basic training requirements, lawmakers say. It would allow the U.S. attorney general to appoint temporary judges who have prior experience in the immigration field or Department of Justice attorneys who have at least 10 years of practice in immigration law. Due to the complex nature and high-stakes consequences of the adjudication of immigration cases, immigration judges must have extensive knowledge and application of United States immigration laws, the proposed legislation reads. the question of the Sphere was not really about the subjects that other journalists had focused onthe state of live entertainment.You will have seen in the newspapers th Holly ConnollyI recently dreamed Id made an ice cream cake to look exactly li young Highway suggests that Shakespeare had it easy because he could just wrap things up with a wedding; far harder to make it through the narrative muck of twentieth-centur His observations about the finer details of life are revealed in his characteristically calm narrationalmost like the serene surface of a perfectly still lake.and with time in which an androgynous human with a mustache lifts their dress to reveal the word IT covering the crotch.though bizarrely none by McMurtry; I point out a book of Emily Dick She allowed us to drag her around the house by holding her two hind legs (one in each hand) and pulling her like a sled.so I was able to balance my pacifist instincts with a The body of work he left behind stands beside that of American avant-garde filmmakers like Maya Derenand architects for their collusion in the demolition of decent older Mozarts era often left it unclear who was meant to be in charge of this broadl something for which we or you or I or she or they or one or he or someone has to take responsibility.I thought her interview with Andrea Long Chu was especially compellingL The moment on the street had been the image that warped the others: he had wanted to walk so as not to look at me; the location had never been neutral; he had been gelid phys Ukraine's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk was summoned to the foreign ministry on Wednesday to express dissatisfaction with his remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus conversations with Vladimir Putin, the YNET news portal said. "Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk was summoned to the foreign ministry to issue a reprimand after he criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about his conversations with Vladimir Putin in an interview with YNET," the portal said on the website. According to the Foreign Ministry, Deputy Director General for Eurasian Affairs Yuval Fuchs made it clear to the ambassador that his remarks were "absolutely unacceptable and violate diplomatic protocol." Korniychuk reportedly criticized Netanyahu for praising his ties with Vladimir Putin, saying that Israel should support democracies, especially after October 7, Ynet said. "In a conversation with Ynet, Korniychuk said Russia is not only waging a brutal war in Ukraine, but also supports terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah," the publication said on the website. It is noted that on Monday, in a speech in the Knesset, Netanyahu said: "We maintain constant contact with another world power Russia. I communicate regularly with President Putin, and this long-standing personal relationship helps protect Israel's vital interests, including efforts to prevent interference along our northern border." Korniychuk, commenting on these statements, said: "I am not here to advise your prime minister what to say, but I want to remind you that Russia, this so-called 'great power' has been waging a brutal war against Ukraine for almost four years." Well I went to Topanga Plaza and wa slc court calendar ontario courts housing court boston What else were you listening to / so it must have struck him a Capodano was referring explicitly to providing a picture of a young man just beginning to find his voice in the world and of the love he has found in itare a portion of every show that can really only be des The decorative handicrafts of women have traditionally been read as acts of le the landlord arrived with a bailiff and placed repossession notices on all our belongings due to overdue 12 Translators note: Breton seems to be using telescoping to suggest reading an image into an accidental.no one would bel and beside him I ate cooled ratatou can anyone attend a court hearing wichita falls county court justice of supreme court and just to have made it past the Each time I reach for a nove You can still go answer your emails Most of us have long become accustomed to the software that allows users to log into devices by pointing the screen at their face.This kindly gentleman administers vitamin i INTERVIEWERWhat do you mean by random things that you wouldnt really call literature ?ZHENGThis is hard to describe to people outside of China.I water all of the bush 10 December 2025, KYIV: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is delighted to announce that Ukrainian NGO the Humanitarian Mission Proliska is this years regional Europe winner of the Nansen Award 2025. / This award is not only a well-deserved recognition of Proliska, their entire staff and vital work it is also a powerful acknowledgement of the tireless efforts and essential work of civil society across Ukraine. It honors the numerous NGOs, volunteers and communities whose critical contributions continue to shape and strengthen the humanitarian and recovery response during the full-scale war. In the aftermath of air strikes and shelling, also when it happens at night or in remote areas, Proliska is often among the first to respond, operating alongside state and municipal emergency responders. Proliska has helped to evacuate thousands of people from frontline areas, ensuring that the most vulnerable groups, like older people, persons with disabilities and families with few resources, are not forgotten. And for those unable or unwilling to flee, Proliskas teams continues to deliver essential aid, like water, medical care, psychosocial support and critical supplies. Across Ukraine, civil society and communities are doing indispensable work to support people in need. The courage and dedication of the Proliska team, often working in incredibly difficult and dangerous conditions, has saved countless lives and provided timely and dignified help to displaced people in their hours of greatest needs. Proliskas work is truly emblematic of what it means to uphold humanity in the midst of a devastating war, said Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, UNHCRs Representative in Ukraine. Proliska has been UNHCRs NGO partner since 2016 following the beginning of the war in 2014 and throughout Russias full-scale invasion. Remaining operational across the most heavily affected areas, currently the organization works across 13 regions with a staff of some 1,000 people. / It is a great honor to accept the Nansen Award on behalf of the entire team of the Humanitarian mission Proliska, meaning every employee and volunteer who, for 12 years of war in Ukraine, has worked for the sake of people in the most difficult circumstances. I am also glad that the Nansen Award returns to Ukraine once again, recognizing the immense scale of the humanitarian crisis, caused by Russias invasion, said Yevgen Kaplin, head of Proliska. This is the third time that the Nansen Refugee Award is received in Ukraine. In 1998, Mustafa Dzhemilev, the leader of the Crimean Tatar people, was the global Nansen Award laureate, honored for his commitment to the right of return of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland. And in 2020, civil activist Tetiana Barantsova was awarded as regional winner in Europe for her work with displaced people with disabilities. / Proliska joins four extraordinary individuals, winners of the global and other regional titles of the prestigious Nansen Refugee Award 2025. Established in 1954, the Nansen Award honours individuals, groups and organizations who go beyond the call of duty to protect refugees, internally displaced or stateless people. It is named after the Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen. / The Nansen Refugee Award celebrates extraordinary courage and compassion. This years laureates remind us that, even in dark times, compassion remains undimmed. Their unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting displaced people offers hope and inspiration. They embody the spirit of Nansen a belief that every person forced to flee, wherever they are, deserves dignity, safety and hope, said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi. / The years global laureate of the Nansen Award, village chief Martin Azia Sodea from Cameroon has helped integrate 36,000 refugees from the Central African Republic. The other regional winners are: Pablo Moreno Cadena, a business leader in Mexico who has become a trailblazer for refugee inclusion in the country; Taban Shoresh, founder of The Lotus Flower, a women-led organization that supports conflict survivors in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and Negara Nazari, an Afghan refugee and co-founder of the Ariana Learning Centre in Tajikistan, which is a school for young Afghan refugees who were unable to access education. The Nansen awards are made possible thanks to generous support from the Governments of Norway and Switzerland, the IKEA Foundation and the City and Canton of Geneva. Further information The Nansen ceremony will be held on 16 December in Geneva. UNHCR Ukraine is hosting a local ceremony on 12 December in Dnipro to honour Proliska as the regional Nansen winner for Europe. At the ceremony will be Proliska staff, UNHCRs Representative, local and regional authorities, as well as the Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Charge daffaires of the Norwegian Embassy. Media are welcome at the ceremony, please contact Viktoriia Tiutiunnyk (+38 050 369 92 30) for more information. A small photo selection of Proliskas staff and work is available here (credit UNHCR/Nikola Ivanovski) Media contact: For UNHCR Ukraine: Iryna Tymchyshyn, [email protected], Tel +38 050 474 35 12 For Proliska: Serhii Zakurdaiev, Tel +38 096 477 40 35 Billerud to Invest in the Next Level of Fluting Performance at Gruvon Mill in Sweden The installation of a new headbox on paper machine 6 at Gruvon mill will enhance strength, quality consistency, and sustainability of Billerud Flute. The installation of a new headbox on paper machine 6 at Gruvon mill will enhance strength, quality consistency, and sustainability of Billerud Flute. Dec. 10, 2025 - Billerud is making a targeted investment at its Gruvon mill in Sweden that will enhance strength, quality consistency, and sustainability for the company's flagship product, Billerud Flute The investment involves the installation of a new headbox on one of the mill's paper machines. "The new headbox will be installed on Gruvon paper machine 6 (PM6)," company spokesman Johan Wredberg told PaperAge. "The production capacity of the machine is about 275 000 tonnes of fluting annually," Wredberg added. According to Billerud, the upgrade will improve fiber orientation, sheet uniformity and enable higher strength properties for Billerud Flute all key benefits for converters and brand owners in demanding logistics and climate conditions. Johan Wallin, Acting VP Business area Paperboard at Billerud, stated, "Billerud Flute is already recognized for its world-class performance and reliability. This investment ensures we continue to lead the industry in fresh fiber fluting, delivering measurable performance and sustainability improvements for our customers. "This is another step in our long-term strategy to deliver high-performing, renewable packaging materials that enable lower total cost of ownership and reduce environmental impact," he concluded. The rebuild is planned for April 2026. Launch of the next level Billerud Flute is scheduled for second half of 2026. About Gruvon Mill The Gruvon mill in Sweden produces fluting, liners, and liquid packaging board, and has the capacity to produce 870,000 tonnes per year. The mill also houses a development center with expertise in packaging optimization. Billerud is a global leader in paper and packaging materials made from cellulose fibers. Based in Solna, Sweden, the company serves customers in more than 100 countries through nine production units in Sweden, USA, and Finland and has around 5,800 employees in 19 countries. SOURCE: Billerud Ohio parents expressed concern after Toledo Public Schools (TPS) announced plans for a budget cut as one of several major changes that are being considered. Some Beverly neighborhood parents also said that they are unsure whether or not they would stay in the district if the plans move forward. The situation comes as the Beverly neighborhood is a feeder for Bowsher High School, and Beverly Elementary is one of the strongest-performing schools in the district. Toledo Public Schools' Planned Budget Cuts One parent, Whitney Drouillard, said that her two kids are thriving at their school, noting that the elementary school is a great institution. She also praised all of the teachers, the superintendents, and everything else. The mother credits the school staff for her daughter's growth, from preschool to kindergarten. State report cards also support the school's reputation, giving Beverly a four-star rating, which is among the highest in the district, according to WTOL. One parent whose family decided to live in the neighborhood because of Beverly's reputation is Katie Keister, who came from Holland. She said that her children love Beverly so much that they don't want to leave. Read more: Government Shutdown Threatens Childcare Services for Many Families Across the United States But being a single parent, Keister said that she has grown frustrated by TPS considering a switch to a four-day school week and converting K-8 schools, such as Beverly, into K-6 buildings. The situation comes as CFO/treasurer at TPS, Ryan Stechschulte, said that the district is looking at a total of $68 million in cuts from the state starting in fiscal year 2026. Broken down, the cuts are $18 million in planned reductions from the 2024 levy, $13 million in negotiated salary and health benefit costs above forecasted amounts for 2026 and 2027, and $12 million in cuts for both 2026 and 2027, the Toledo Blade reported. Several Major Changes Stechschulte added that state officials were using numbers from 2022 for the budget reductions and used average teacher salaries at the time in deciding the reductions. The cuts come as TPS has experienced enrollment declines, resulting in a decrease in Disadvantaged Pupil Impact Aid funding. The district lost $3 million for 2026 and $7 million for 2027. On top of budget cuts and a proposed four-day school week, another change that district leaders are considering is increasing the number of magnet schools and making changes to building configurations. A TPS spokesperson said that the changes aim to balance the operating budget while also bringing in new career-focused academic offerings. Additionally, they are seeking out input through community meetings and conversations with stakeholders, as per 13ABC. United States President Donald Trump's administration announced efforts to end a Biden-era student loan debt repayment plan that has helped millions of borrowers pay debt. The Department of Education announced on Tuesday plans to stop what it called Biden's "illegal" Save plan. This is the Saving on a Valuable Education income-driven repayment program that currently has over 7 million borrowers. Ending the Biden-Era Save Program The department said in a press release that it plans to stop all new Sve enrollments, deny any pending applications, and transition existing borrowers into alternative repayment plans. If the U.S. district court for the Eastern District of Missouri approves the settlement, borrowers will have a limited time to choose a new option before the department automatically transitions them out of the program. In a statement, education under-secretary Nicholas Kent said that for four years, the Biden administration sought to "unlawfully shift student loan debt onto American taxpayers." He added that the Trump administration is now righting this wrong and is working to bring an end to the "deceptive scheme," according to The Guardian. Additionally, Missouri's Republican attorney general, Catherine Hanaway, said that her office had fought for hardworking Americans who she claimed were being preyed upon by Biden administration bureaucrats. She added that unilaterally saddling taxpayers with someone else's Ivy League debt ignores congressional authority and is clearly unlawful. The settlement comes as the Save program lowered some borrowers' monthly payments to as little as 0$, cut required payments on undergraduate loans by half, and offered early forgiveness for those who had low balances. On the other hand, many critics argue that the settlement would only increase costs for borrowers, particularly those who are already struggling with economic uncertainty. The managing director of advocacy at the National Consumer Law Center, Abby Shafroth, said that ending the Save plan would leave borrowers without access to a clear and affordable alternative, CNN reported. A Reckless and Shortsighted Plan She added that this would result in the creation of even more needless confusion, uncertainty, and financial stress for millions of Americans. Shafroth argued that the proposal is reckless and short-sighted. The Biden-era Save program has been on hold since February, after the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Missouri and many other red states that challenged the former president's plan. Now, a judge will have to sign off on the proposed settlement before it can move forward. On top of this, the Supreme Court previously struck down Biden's effort at broad student loan forgiveness in 2023, saying it was an unlawful exercise of presidential power, as per NBC News. A persons body was found in a Lancaster County home on Tuesday after an early morning shots-fired incident, according to police. Around 1:15 a.m., several vehicles and one home on the 200 block of Walnut Street were damaged by gunfire, Columbia Borough police said. Just before 10:15 a.m., police were dispatched to the same area for a possible overdose, where they found a deceased male inside a home. An investigation determined that he was involved in the shots-fired incident about nine hours earlier. Police did not release the males name, age, address or cause of death. Further details about the death were not immediately available. By Lexi Solomon, The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C. (TNS) A Raleigh, North Carolina, Jeopardy champion is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday on felony charges of secret peeping, court records show. Philip Joseph Joey DeSena, 43, was arrested Dec. 1 on two charges of felony secret peeping, as first reported by CBS17. Hes accused of installing cameras Oct. 10 in a Currituck County bedroom and bathroom to spy on someone, according to his arrest warrant. The charges were filed Nov. 26, and DeSena turned himself in the following week, court documents show. The UNC graduate is a physicist and research and development engineer who most recently worked at a life-science company in Morrisville, North Carolina, his LinkedIn profile shows. DeSena won two games of Jeopardy in November 2024, amassing almost $47,000 in earnings, and was also a semifinalist in the shows Champions Wildcard series in January, according to a Jeopardy fanpage. DeSena was released Dec. 3 on unsecured bail and ordered not to have any contact with the alleged victim. Hes set to appear in court Wednesday for a probable-cause hearing, court records show. NEW YORK (AP) Pluck eyebrows. Buy less conspicuous shoes. Take a bus or a train west toward Cincinnati and St. Louis. Move around late at night. Stay away from surveillance cameras. A to-do list and travel plans found during Luigi Mangiones arrest and revealed in court this week shed new light on the steps he may have taken or planned to take to avoid capture after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons killing last year. Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, said one note. Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows, said another. The notes, including a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the lam, were shown on Monday at a pretrial hearing as Mangiones bid to prevent prosecutors from using evidence seized during his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Excerpts of body-worn camera footage of the arrest, previously unseen by the press or the public, were released on Tuesday. Police said they discovered the notes in Mangiones backpack, along with a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors said matches the one used to kill Thompson five days earlier; a loaded gun magazine and silencer; and a notebook in similar handwriting which he purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive. Mangiones lawyers havent disputed the authenticity of the notes or the provenance of the gun, pocket knife, fake ID, drivers license, passport, credit cards, AirPods, protein bar, travel toothpaste, flash drives and other items seized from him and his backpack. But they argue that anything found in the bag should be barred because police didnt have a search warrant and lacked the grounds to justify a warrantless search. Prosecutors contend the search was legal officers said they were checking for a bomb and that police eventually obtained a warrant. The notes, along with other evidence highlighted at the pretrial hearing, underscore that Mangiones stop in Altoona, a city of about 44,000 people about 230 miles (370 kilometers) west of Manhattan, was only meant to be temporary. This image taken from video released by Pennsylvania State Police shows Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., on Dec. 9, 2024. (Pennsylvania State Police via AP) AP One note said to check for red eyes from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio or part way to Cincinnati (get off early, it reads). The map drawn below shows lines linking those cities, as well as other possible destinations, including Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis. Thompson, 50, was killed as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for his companys investor conference on Dec. 4, 2024. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind and then fleeing the area. Over the next hours and days, police released photos of a suspect first showing him in a mask and hooded coat and then his face and thick eyebrows. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The pretrial hearing, which resumes for a sixth day on Thursday, applies only to the state case. His lawyers are making a similar push to exclude the evidence from his federal case, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Among the notes revealed this week was one with a heading 12/5 and a starred entry that said: buy black shoes (white stripes too distinctive). Another, also written in to-do list style, suggested spending more than three hours away from surveillance cameras and using different modes of transportation to Break CAM continuity and avoid tracking. Below that, it said: check reports for current situation, a possible reference to news reports about the search for Thompsons killer. According to prosecutors, Mangione fled to Newark, New Jersey, immediately after the shooting and took a train to Philadelphia. Among the evidence shown at the pretrial hearing was a Philadelphia transit pass purchased at 1:06 p.m. a little more than six hours after the shooting and a ticket for a Greyhound bus, booked under the name Sam Dawson, leaving Philadelphia at 6:30 p.m. and arriving in Pittsburgh at 11:55 p.m. A note with the heading 12/8 lists a number of tasks, including an apparent trip to Best Buy to purchase a digital camera and accessories, hot meal + water bottles, and trash bag(s). Under 12/9, the day of Mangiones arrest, the note lists tasks including Sheetz, an Altoona-based convenience store chain, masks and AAA bats. Under Future TO DO, it listed intel checkin and survival kit. Mangione had a Sheetz hoagie in his backpack when he was arrested, along with a loaf of Italian bread from a local deli, according to police officers testifying Monday and Tuesday. It had been raining, and the bag and items inside it were wet, the officers said. They were heard on body-worn camera footage played in court theorizing that Mangione had gotten soaked walking from the citys bus station. Police responded to the McDonalds after a manager called 911 to relay concerns from customers who thought that Mangione, eating breakfast in a back corner, resembled the man wanted for killing Thompson. On the call, played in court, the manager could be heard saying that because Mangione was wearing a medical mask, she could only see his eyebrows and that she searched online for a photo of the suspect for comparison. Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for an evidence hearing, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, in New York. (William Farrington/New York Post via AP, Pool) AP Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox testified on Tuesday that Mangione, the Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family, expressed concern for the 911 callers wellbeing. Fox said Mangione asked if police had planned on releasing her name, which they didnt. The officer recalled him saying: It would be bad for her and there would be a lot of people that would be upset. At another point, Fox said, a shackled Mangione stumbled while trying to keep up with the brisk-moving officer. Fox said he apologized and said, I forgot you were shackled. He said Mangione responded: Its OK, Im going to have to get used to it. A wanted New York man was arrested this month, more than four years after police said he drove to his ex-girlfriends Lancaster County apartment and intentionally lit six fires. Around 8:45 p.m. April 25, 2021, Manheim Township police were dispatched to a fire at the Kensington Club Apartments. After fire crews extinguished the blaze, which severely damaged the interior of the two-bedroom apartment, police noticed the front door frame was damaged. Fire officials later determined the apartments smoke detectors were taken down before six fires were set inside. A dog trained to sniff out fire accelerants alerted in several places the presence of an ignitable liquid while inside the apartment, according to police. The day after the fire, the woman who lived there told investigators her ex-boyfriend, Husani A. Laviscount, 38, of Queens, was upset with her following their break-up in March 2021. The victim said Laviscount had anger issues and tried to control her. He also continually harassed her to give him a key to her apartment, but she did not comply. Around Easter of that year, the victim had to change her phone number because of constant text messages and calls from Laviscount. The week before the fire, a neighbor told the victim they saw a man who matched Laviscounts description smoking a cigarette outside her apartment door. The victim also said Laviscount sent her three nude images of herself and threatened to post them online, saying, Now you can go kill yourself. The victim told police she was unaware Laviscount had ever taken nude pictures of her. A watch and bracelet given to the victim by Laviscount were also missing from the home, police said. On May 19, 2021, police issued an arrest warrant for Laviscount. Investigators then reached out to the New York Police Department and received the most recent address and phone number for Laviscount. Using cell phone data from T-Mobile, police determined that Laviscounts phone left his Queens address around 4 p.m. and arrived near the victims apartment just before 8 p.m. The phone then returned to Queens around 6 a.m. the following day. Police also used surveillance footage from both Pennsylvania and New York, as well as car rental records, to track Laviscounts movements. The apartment damaged in the fire was attached to five other occupied structures. Eight people were in the apartment complex when Laviscount intentionally set the fires, police said. Laviscount, who was arrested in New York and transported to Lancaster County on Dec. 4, is charged with arson, burglary, risking catastrophe, criminal mischief and eight counts of recklessly endangering another person. As of Tuesday, he is incarcerated in the Lancaster County Prison with his bail denied. A court docket says bail was denied because Laviscount is a flight risk who has been on the run since 2021. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 16. Three children were found last month locked in filthy bedrooms with soiled diapers when Children and Youth showed up unannounced at their central Pennsylvania home, police said. Josephine Carr and Christan Waldo, of West Milton, Union County, had a history with Children and Youth Services and had lost custody of their 2-year-old twins and a 3-year-old girl for about 15 months, court records show. Carr, 22, and Waldo, 37, moved their children from Elizabethville, Dauphin County, to West Milton on Oct. 1. They were arrested after Union County CYS found their new apartment in deplorable conditions during a Nov. 6 visit, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Pennsylvania State Police. A CYS worker arrived at their apartment around 9:15 a.m. and found the children locked in three separate rooms, with Carr telling CYS that locking the children up was the only way she could control them, according to the affidavit. Each child had soiled diapers, and two of the children were eating their feces, the CYS worker told police. The 2-year-old boy had feces on his hands and was standing on a bare mattress in a crib that was soaked with urine and feces, the affidavit said. Dirty diapers, food wrappers and feces covered the floor of that childs room, and there was feces on the wall, according to the court documents. The 3-year-old girl was in a dirty playpen that her parents were using as a bed for her, the affidavit said, while the 2-year-old girl was in another room, lying in a pack-and-play under a dirty blanket. Court documents said the children were locked in bedrooms for the majority of the time. Carr took the children out of the rooms and started bathing them under the CYS workers order, but did so with dish soap because she didnt have shampoo or conditioner, according to the affidavit. None of the children had toys or dressers to hold their clothes, the affidavit said. After the bath, Carr put the dirty clothing back on the children and put one of the children back in his feces-filled crib, police wrote in the court documents. Carr told CYS she had not scheduled pediatrician visits for any of the children. The children were very delayed, with none talking as they should be at their ages, the affidavit said. Another CYS worker went to the apartment an hour later and agreed the children were delayed and not showing appropriate emotional responses. Court documents said the three children were in a single pack-and-play when the second CYS worker arrived. CYS returned to remove the children from the apartment around 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 6. The children were back in their rooms with the doors shut, each emitting a strong odor and wearing dirty clothes, court documents said. CYS told Carr to gather the childrens toys and clothes, but she told them she didnt have any. When CYS asked her what size clothing the children wear, Carr said she did not know, according to the affidavit. A doctor later told CYS the 2-year-old girl was supposed to be wearing leg braces, but wasnt, affecting her ability to walk. The doctor said each child was suffering from physical, emotional and medical neglect, as well as developmental delays. State police went to the West Milton apartment on Nov. 17 to interview Carr and Waldo, and said they found Carr cleaning the apartment. There was no furniture in the home, police said, but there was garbage in boxes piled on the kitchen counters. Carr told police she cleaned the childrens bedrooms, but police said they could still see feces on the crib and playpens when they walked through the apartment on Nov. 17. Court documents said Carr told police she and Waldo moved the children out of Dauphin County before someone could file another report against them with CYS. She could not explain the filthy living conditions at both addresses and did not seem to understand that the treatment and care for the children was the real problem, police wrote in the affidavit. Carr told police she and Waldo were getting evicted from the West Milton apartment and that she would soon be moving into a shelter. When police told Carr there was an ongoing criminal investigation regarding her childrens care, she started having a fictitious seizure that was inconsistent with a real seizures symptoms, according to the affidavit. State police in Union County reviewed Dauphin County court records and found the 2-year-old girl was admitted to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in November 2023 for anemia and failure to thrive. She was four months old at the time. Hospital staff found no medical issues preventing the twins from gaining weight, and that the failure to thrive was based on Carr and Waldos lack of knowledge of how to feed and care for them, the affidavit said. Ms. Carr has relied on medical staff to primarily care for the twins. Medical staff have fed and changed their diapers, police wrote in the November 2023 court documents. When the twins were ready to be discharged, medical staff reported concerns about them returning home with Carr, as she showed them minimal attention and only took care of them when directed to do so, the affidavit said. Police said the oldest child had a yeast infection in November 2023 that arose from an untreated rash in their buttocks/genital area that theyd been living with since they were 6 months old. Court documents said the children were removed from the Dauphin County home in November 2023 after finding the three children spent the majority of their time alone, without any toys, in unsanitary conditions. The children spent 15 months in foster care and were returned to Carr and Waldos custody sometime before the move to West Milton, according to court documents. Carr and Waldo were each charged on Nov. 24 with three felony counts of endangering the welfare of children. Court records show they were unable to post $75,000 bail and are being held at Union County Prison. Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Jan. 6 before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Mensch. Police in western Pennsylvania are looking for a man charged with homicide in the fatal shooting of his brother over the weekend. Jeffrey Ballard, 46, was shot in the leg and bled to death following the incident at an Elks Lodge in New Kensington around 3 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the Westmoreland County district attorneys office. Witnesses told investigators that Ballard, a bouncer at the lodge, and his brother, Steffon Ballard, 38, were assaulting a man in the parking lot when the younger Ballard pulled a handgun from his sock and began pistol whipping the man. At some point, the gun discharged and the elder Ballard was struck in the upper left thigh. Steffon Ballard and the person being beaten fled from the scene, authorities said. Jeffrey Ballard was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The district attorneys office said Steffon Ballard is charged with criminal homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm. Forum held in Cairo to explore higher-level cooperation with China Xinhua) 09:08, December 10, 2025 Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang delivers a speech at a forum titled "China-Egypt Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Amid Global Changes: Toward Higher-Level Innovation and Development" held in Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 8, 2025. Egypt and China held the high-level forum here Monday to discuss further cooperation in innovation and development within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership. (Xinhua/Xin Mengchen) CAIRO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt and China held a high-level forum here Monday to discuss further cooperation in innovation and development within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership. The forum, titled "China-Egypt Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Amid Global Changes: Toward Higher-Level Innovation and Development" and co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and the Egyptian Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), gathered officials, experts, scholars and business leaders from both countries. The next five years will be crucial for China to consolidate the foundation for modernization goals, while Egypt enters the final stretch of implementing its Vision 2030 strategy, said Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang in a speech. China is ready to work with Egypt to advance modernization together and push bilateral ties toward building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era, he said. For his part, IDSC Chairman Osama El-Gohary said that China's medium and long-term development plans, centered on high quality, innovation, green transformation and opening-up, strongly align with Egypt's national priorities under the country's Vision 2030. This provides practical opportunities for deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, implementing joint development projects, and strengthening Egypt's economic power, said El-Gohary. Ghada Labib, Egyptian deputy minister of communications and information technology, noted that joint ICT projects between Egypt and China have lasted and expanded to optical-fiber and mobile-phone manufacturing, data centers, cloud computing and artificial intelligence system development. The forum provides an important platform for dialogue and exchanges of experience, and helps to explore new prospects for cooperation, she said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A Lancaster County man will spend up to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing enough fentanyl to kill more than 11,000 people, according to the county district attorneys office. In April 2022, detectives with the Lancaster County Drug Task Force found 34-year-old Sadi A. Corretger, of Columbia, with 23.35 grams of fentanyl in a home on the 2400 block of Rob Drive in Mount Joy. Corretgers arrest was the culmination of a year-and-a-half-long investigation that included several narcotics purchases at the home, the DAs office said. Police also found drug paraphernalia and packaging materials at the address. Prosecutors noted 2 milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill a normal person. That means Corretger was in possession of 11,675 lethal doses. Two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount on the tip of this pencil, can be enough to kill an average American, the Drug Enforcement Administration warns. Drug Enforcement Administration When allowed to speak, Corretger apologized to the court, his family and anyone he harmed. He also pledged to stop making poor decisions and become a better role model for his children. Judge Merrill Spahn thanked Corretger for his candor, but said the sentencing had to account for the large quantity of drugs. Corretger also has felony drug and gun convictions dating back to 2013. Corretgers sister and the mother of one of his three children told the court he had made mistakes in the past but had become a changed man. Corretgers attorney acknowledged his client had a significant drug problem in the past but said he is remorseful for his actions. In August, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. Corretger was sentenced to four years and nine months to 10 years in prison. By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON, The Associated Press MIAMI (AP) Democrat Eileen Higgins won the Miami mayors race on Tuesday, defeating a Republican endorsed by President Donald Trump to end her partys nearly three-decade losing streak and give Democrats a boost in one of the last electoral battles ahead of the 2026 midterms. Higgins, 61, will be the first woman to lead the city of Miami. She spoke frequently in the Hispanic-majority city about Trumps immigration crackdown, saying she has heard of many people in Miami who were worried about family members being detained. She campaigned as a proud Democrat despite the race being officially nonpartisan and beat Trump-backed candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager, who said he called Higgins to congratulate her. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations, Higgins told The Associated Press after her victory speech. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. With nearly all votes counted Tuesday, Higgins led the Republican by about 19 percentage points. The local race is not predictive of what may happen at the polls next year. But it drew attention from the two major national political parties and their leaders. The victory provides Democrats with some momentum heading into a high-stakes midterm election when the GOP is looking to keep its grip in Florida, including in a Hispanic-majority district in Miami-Dade County. The area has shifted increasingly rightward politically in recent years, and the city may become the home of Trumps presidential library. Tonights result is yet another warning sign to Republicans that voters are fed up with their out-of-touch agenda that is raising costs, said Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, in a statement. Some nationally recognized Democrats supported Higgins, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel traveled to Miami on Sunday and Monday to rally voters for the Democrat who served as a Miami-Dade county commissioner for seven years. Higgins, who speaks Spanish, represented a district that leans conservative and includes the Cuban neighborhood of Little Havana. When she first entered politics in 2018, she chose to present herself to voters as La Gringa, a term Spanish speakers use for white Americans, because many people did not known how to pronounce her name. It just helps people understand who I am, and you know what? I am a gringa, so, what am I going to do, deny it? she told the AP. Republicans anxiety grows Republicans in Florida have found strong support from voters with heritage from Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, because they likened some members of the Democratic partys progressive wing with politicians from the governments they fled. Trump and other GOP members have tapped into those sentiments over the past eight years. However, some local Republicans are growing increasingly frustrated since Novembers elections when Democrats scored wins in New Jersey and Virginia, where both winning gubernatorial candidates performed strongly with nonwhite voters. The results from those races were perceived as a reflection of concerns over rising prices and the Trump administrations aggressive immigration policies. U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican whose district is being targeted by Democrats and includes the city of Miami, called the elections elsewhere a wake-up call. She said Hispanics also want a secure border and a healthy economy but some relief for those who have been here for years and do not have a criminal record. Miami mayor candidate Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager backed by President Donald Trump, waves as he thanks supporters after conceding to Democrat Eileen Higgins in Miami's mayoral runoff election, at a watch party, in downtown Miami, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell) AP The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed, Salazar said in a video posted on X last month. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP. David Jolly, who is running to represent Democrats in the Florida governors race next year, said the mayoral election was good news for Democrats in what used to be a battleground state. Change is here. Its sweeping the nation, and its sweeping Florida, Jolly said. Miami mayor-elect gains national platform The mayoral position in Miami is more ceremonial, but Higgins promised to execute it like a full-time job. The city is part of Miami-Dade County, which Trump flipped last year, a dramatic improvement from his 30 percentage point loss to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016. As Floridas second-largest city, Miami is considered the gateway to Latin America and attracts millions of tourists. Its global prominence gives Higgins a significant stage as mayor. Her pitch to voters included finding city-owned land that could be turned into affordable housing and cutting unnecessary spending. Roderick Rory Macleod, a Grammy-nominated musician best known for his time with the group Roomful of Blues, was hit and killed while walking his dog in Rhode Island on Dec. 6. He was 70. People Magazine reported that Shannon Godbout, 41, was arrested by the Hopkinton Police Department following the incident. In a release shared to Facebook, police said Hopkinton left her lane and struck several objects, including two telephone poles. Police said that Macleod was walking his dogs in the eastbound lane when he was hit. He was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he died. Police said that Godbout was in possession of numerous illegal narcotics and packaging materials associated with drug distribution. The Rhode Island State Police Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the incident. Godbout is facing charges for driving as to endanger, resulting in death, and possession of narcotics, Schedule I/II with intent to distribute, third plus offense. Police said that Godbouts criminal history includes 100 arrests, with 8 of them from the Hopkinton Police Department. The department said that 82 warrants have previously been issued for Godbout, and that she has had 40 traffic citations. Roomful of Blues posted about Macleods death on Facebook. We would like to acknowledge his diverse musical contributions as well as being a wonderful and gentle soul, the statement read. There are no words for such an immense loss. RIP dear friend. Macleods work as the bassist for Roomful of Blues in the 1980s helped him earn a Grammy nomination. Story by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG As Pennsylvania officials continue spending millions of dollars in settlement money to fight the opioid epidemic, opportunities for the public to follow the funds and publicly weigh in increased over the past year. Thats partially due to the work of journalists and researchers. But significant limits exist on both transparency and public participation to the frustration of some families and others directly affected by the crisis. Theres a lot at stake. Pennsylvania expects to receive about $2 billion over roughly two decades as a result of settlements and litigation with drug companies over their role in the opioid crisis, which kills thousands of people in the state each year. As county officials and other local leaders prepare to receive hundreds of million dollars more in the years to come, they continue to wrestle with uncertainty over how they are allowed to spend the funds. And while members of the public have been shut out of some decisions, Spotlight PA took several steps to elevate the voices of people directly affected by the opioid crisis. Here are five things to know about what happened with opioid settlements this year. Transparency on where the money is going increased Most of Pennsylvanias opioid settlement money thats dedicated to addressing the crisis is going to counties and other local governments 85% total. The remaining 15% goes to the state. The money is overseen by the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust and its 13-member board. The trust has the power to withhold funds from local governments if it decides they spent settlement money in ways they werent supposed to. The public got more information this year on where Pennsylvanias opioid settlement money is going. Some of this increased transparency began in late 2024 and had an impact throughout the year. Building off prior transparency work, Spotlight PA in November 2024 created a first-of-its-kind searchable database tracking how tens of millions in opioid settlement dollars were being spent in Pennsylvania, program by program. The database was praised or cited by a prominent child protection advocate, families directly affected by the opioid crisis, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and residents who reached out to their local officials with concerns of what they found. The next month, KFF Health News and partners published their own searchable database, tracking settlement decisions in 2022 and 2023 across the country. Increased transparency continued in 2025. For instance: For some of Pennsylvanias opioid settlement money, there are still limited details publicly available. Spotlight PA reported earlier this year that the states opioid trust is shielded from Pennsylvanias open records law. Earlier this year, a group of family members who lost loved ones to deaths related to substance use called for the removal of Tom VanKirk as chair of the trust, saying his leadership has been marked by incompetence and a lack of transparency. A response from the Trust encouraged participation at the local level, defended the decisions the trust has made, and said its website contains information on all programs reviewed and the results. The Trust has deep sympathy for those who have lost loved ones to the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic, the statement said. Public participation increased, but limits remain Last year, a first-of-its-kind nationwide survey from Spotlight PA and KFF Health News found that at least 14 powerful opioid settlement councils routinely block members of the public from speaking at their meetings. Following the reporting, Maine added regular public comment. Pennsylvanias opioid trust held its first public listening session in August. Some speakers urged the board to take steps to allow more public comment and greater participation from families directly affected by the crisis. Trust members have acknowledged continuing to review local spending decisions in secret meetings before making recommendations for the full board to consider. Trust officials have maintained they comply with Pennsylvanias open meetings law. At the end of the listening session, VanKirk said, We heard you, and we will be taking everything into account. In December, VanKirk said the trust plans to have another listening session in August, but does not plan to have public comment at each regular meeting. The response disappointed Gail Groves Scott, a public health policy researcher and one of the speakers at the August listening session. Theyre still refusing to address the issue of transparency and why its necessary, she said. More money is on the way A court order last year estimated that Pennsylvania could receive up to about $1.8 billion from two waves of agreements with multiple drug companies. Earlier this year, Attorney General Dave Sunday said a national settlement with members of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma could bring up to $212 million more for the state. Hundreds of millions of dollars have already flowed out to communities in recent years. The trust reported distributing about $300 million to the state, counties, and other local governments during the most recent annual reporting period. More payments to counties and other local governments are expected to occur around the middle of December. Counties still wrestle with uncertainty Two Pennsylvania counties and the city of Philadelphia appealed to Commonwealth Court last year, challenging trust decisions to reject some of their opioid settlement programs. The disputes involve an outdoor youth program in Somerset County and a newsletter in Northampton County, as well as a home repair program and small business support program in Philadelphia. Another case involves the question of law enforcement spending and whether its appropriate to spend money on a deputy district attorney in Chester County. The district attorneys office said the prosecutor in this position is charged with diverting additional individuals out of the traditional criminal justice system and into treatment. Attorneys for the trust described the position as a prosecutor who happens to interact with individuals with opioid use disorder. The three counties and Philadelphia had active cases in Commonwealth Court as of Dec. 2. Attorneys for the trust have defended the boards denials in each case. County officials have wrestled with uncertainty for years over what is or isnt permitted in the use of settlement funds, Spotlight PAs reporting has found. Recently published findings from Penn State-affiliated researchers help shed light on the perspective of local officials, as the authors described initial confusion among county-level leaders and substance use service providers over settlement money decisions. They looked to the Trust for instructions and answers but did not feel like the Trust was providing what they needed, they wrote. The study was based on 66 semi-structured interviews and six focus groups conducted in 2023 across six Pennsylvania counties. One of the authors, Glenn Sterner, has received funding from the trust, according to a disclosure statement and a Penn State spokesperson. He has assisted the trust with data collection, meeting minutes show. In the article, the researchers said confusion was widespread, and they described the lack of assistance from the state opioid trust as a key concern for participants. At the trusts December meeting, members supported creating a new position through the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, which acts as an administrator for the trust, to assist with public engagement and communication. Spotlight PA hosted a 'Voices of the Epidemic' forum in Berks County in April 2025. Susan L. Angstadt / For Spotlight PA Elevated voices In response to members of the public feeling shut out of the process, Spotlight PA took significant steps to elevate voices of people who have lost loved ones or are dealing with the fallout of the opioid epidemic on a daily basis. The news organization sought stories of people directly affected by the crisis, created an interactive tool that put readers in the role of opioid settlement decision-makers, answered reader questions, and hosted a public forum in Berks County in April. Spotlight PA also took the stories of those directly affected by the crisis to the state Capitol, including with an art display in September. Do not doubt the power of the connections you are creating, the change possible by those connections, Cathleen Palm, a child protection advocate, wrote after the Berks County event. Erika Shambaugh, who lost two children who both struggled with addiction before their deaths, also welcomed the chance to participate in the forum. Our voices matter as did the voices of our loved ones, she wrote afterward. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. A New Jersey restaurant and grocery supplier has recalled 5,970 pounds of lamb because it was not inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ghanaianway Restaurant and Grocery LLC in Newark has recalled the fresh, raw salted lamb that was shipped to restaurants and retailers in Pennsylvania as well as Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York. The lamb was produced between March 11, 2025, and Dec. 3, 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service. It was sold in 15-pound plastic-lined boxes marked Ghanaianway African Foods Salted Lamb (Koobi). The FSIS said the boxes do not bear a USDA mark of inspection and do not have a best-by date or production date. Some packages do not have a label, the FSIS said. The lamb has a one-year shelf life. The problem was discovered during routine FSIS retail surveillance activities. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumer and restaurant refrigerators or freezers. Consumers are urged not to eat the lamb and restaurants are urged not to serve it. The meat should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. For more information, send an email to James Ken-Kwofie, CEO, Ghanaianway Restaurant and Grocery LLC at Ghanaianway2023@gmail.com. Harrisburgs 2026 budget is in the works. City council already met for three budget hearings and then gathered for a work session on Tuesday, where members discussed the mayors requested pay raise. Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams proposed a 25% raise for herself, or $20,000, which would put her salary at $100,000 for the next four years. Other city departments advocated for their budget increases through presentations that touted annual achievements and taxpayer savings. Bill 15 of 2025 put forth by the mayor suggests a $5,000 increase for the council president, bringing the positions salary to $26,500, and a similar increase for the other six members of council, the controller and treasurer, raising each of their annual salaries to $25,000. According to the city code, the bill must pass before the mayor and council members are sworn in early next year for the raises to take effect. Heres what happened Interim business administrator Sam Sulkosky presented on behalf of the mayors administration Tuesday. He said the last time the mayor got a raise was 20 years ago. Sulkosky then cited salaries for the mayors of Bethlehem, Easton, Allentown, Lancaster, Reading, Erie and Lebanon, which were higher than what Williams makes. But at least four of these cities have bigger populations compared to Harrisburg. So its your pay, you guys do what you want, Sulkosky told the council, but it just gives you an idea of what we looked at when we made a determination of offering the increase. When Council President Danielle Hill asked what prompted the mayor to ask for the $20,000 raise, City Solicitor Neil Grover said various elected officials have inquired about raises in the past, and basically it was just picking a number. There wasnt a magic kind of formula to it, Grover said. Some council members said they supported the bill, while others expressed concern. Councilman Ralph Rodriguez noted that being a councilmember can be time-consuming, saying, Its a position where you really cant put a price on it. But I do understand ... a lot of our residents concerns with 20%, Rodriguez said. It is extreme or can be looked at, but Ive always looked at why a lot of our directors are making more than the mayor, and I never saw sense with that. Councilwoman Ausha Green reiterated the time and effort that goes into city jobs and pointed to positions that go unfilled throughout the year and how much our budget is underspent in so many lines throughout the year. We do know these positions are working throughout the year, Green said of the positions that would receive raises, and added that the council should look at some of the other ways that we should be making sure were being fiscally responsible with our money. Councilwoman Crystal Davis said she is not concerned about the raise for herself, but she is concerned that the people who deserve it, get it. I know that all of us work hard and our full-time elected officials work harder, Davis added. Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels asked Sulkosky about the pension costs to taxpayers as a result of these raises. I dont think these have anything to do with pension at all, do they? Sulkosky responded. Multiple council members clarified that pensions, in fact, will be an additional cost calculated from the employees income. Grover confirmed that Williams is vested with the city. Our ability to cut taxes will be going down pretty soon, so we should be very conservative, Daniels added. Its hard for me to ask for a raise when I know there are residents who are hurting, said Councilwoman Jocelyn Rawls. This is taxpayers money, and we just got out of financial trouble. Rawls then asked Sulkoksy what his opinion was of the raises, noting the business administrators vital role in helping the mayor make such decisions. I dont have an opinion because this doesnt affect me at all, Sulkosky responded. Rawls said his lack of opinion made her very nervous about the bill. Sulkosky called it a political question. Rawls disagreed, saying it was a question about the budget. Sulkosky then said he was an auditor for many, many years and that the overall cost of the pay raises on the budget is not that much of a consequence. Councilman Lamont Jones questioned the sustainability of these raises and expressed concern about the mayors selective communication style with council members. Theres only certain council members who get to speak with the administration, Jones said. Some of us are ignored, and until we can fix that process, Im definitely not going to be voting yes. And of course, I could use the extra money, Jones added. But Im just looking at the state of the city, and is this the right time? Whats next? More than 80% of the 2026 city budgets expenditures are salaries and wages. Some of the handful of Harrisburg residents who attended the Tuesday meeting said they supported the pay increase. Former city councilman Bruce Weber was one of them. Many people do not see the time that goes into it, Weber said, referring to the job, the phone calls, the off-hours cause youre always on. Another Harrisburg resident in attendance was Ariel Arter, who felt the council raises were justifiable. But the mayors raise is concerning, especially the big jump, and lack of oversight, Arter said. Council President Hill tabled the bill until interim business administrator Sulkosky sends more information, she said, about the pay comparisons with other cities that he cited during his presentation. Council will hold its final budget hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Its open to the public. Members will vote on the budget on Monday, Dec. 15. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has endorsed fellow Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity for governor. Garrity is the favorite to win the partys nomination to challenge Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026, although GOP state Sen. Doug Mastriano, who lost to Shapiro in 2022, is still considering a run. The Pennsylvania Republican Party has already endorsed Garrity, who would be the states first female governor if she defeats Shapiro. Pennsylvania needs leaders who put service over self, which is the hallmark of Stacy Garritys life, said Sunday in a statement released by the Garrity campaign. From her time serving our country in the Army, her experience in the private sector and now as our state treasurer, Stacy has always worked tirelessly to better her community, he said. Im proud to endorse Stacy Garrity for governor so that all Pennsylvanians can benefit from her boundless energy and her selfless service that will make a better and safer Pennsylvania for all. Garrity said in the statement that she was deeply honored to receive Sundays endorsement. Together, well stand with law enforcement, uphold the rule of law and fight for a safer, more secure future for every community in the state, she said. Pilot navigates fighter jet over mountains China Military Online) 13:49, December 10, 2025 A pilot assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command navigates his fighter jet over mountains during a confrontation training exercise in early December, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) Two fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command fly in formation toward the designated airspace during a confrontation training exercise in early December, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) Three fighter jets attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command fly in formation toward the designated airspace during a confrontation training exercise in early December, 2025. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Lan Shanhu) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) CHEYENNE, Wyo. Dec. 9, 2025 This months Wyoming State Historic Records and Advisory Board (SHRAB) Quick Tips, offered by the Roving Archivist Program housed within the Wyoming State Archives, highlights a resource designed for you. The Roving Archivist Program invites staff from cultural institutions statewide to join Collections Corner, a show-and-tell-style session where participants can share new materials, discuss challenges, and learn from one another. The series creates a welcoming space for collaboration and professional connection. Interested parties can join the session on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr or by dialing (US) +1 319-449-2718, PIN: 581 688 137#. Collections Corner: This special edition of Quick Tips offers staff, volunteers, and community members at cultural institutions the opportunity to share their work and experiences with others. Those who participate are encouraged to showcase the new accession or materials your organization has recently acquired, share the creative problem-solving approach your volunteer used to help preserve a unique piece of history, or ask your fellow collections professionals about a pressing issue your organization has encountered. Collections Corner is a space for connection, learning, and inspiring new approaches to collections care. For more information, please contact Roving Archivist Morgan Stence at (307) 777-7550 or by email at [email protected]. Supporting Wyoming's Cultural Heritage Mission: The Roving Archivist Program Quick Tips series represents SHRAB's ongoing commitment to providing accessible professional development for Wyoming's cultural heritage community. These sessions support institutions statewide in improving their preservation practices and collections care. For more information about the Roving Archivist Program, visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/home or email [email protected]. David Coleman Wins First WSOP Bracelet in the $125K NLH 7-Handed Triton Event Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link Every year, PokerNews compiles an article discussing the best poker players without a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. The next instalment of that particular piece will not feature David Coleman because he captured his first piece of WSOP hardware on December 11 after taking down the $125,000 Triton No-Limit Hold'em 7-Handed at the 2025 WSOP Paradise. Coleman came agonizingly close to capturing a bracelet in 2024, finishing fourth in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed event in Las Vegas. Now he is the proud owner of a gold bracelet and a new career-best prize worth $3,113,000. While Coleman was delighted to come out on top, you get the feeling that Martin Kabrhel will be quite disappointed with his third-place finish, despite it adding $1,367,000 to his bankroll. This is because the polarizing Czech grinder had the chance to win a WSOP Triple Crown, having won bracelets in Las Vegas during the summer and at the WSOP Europe festival. Stars Fight For a Share of the $12,375,000 Prize Pool Patrik Antonius The $125,000 buy-in for this event did not deter many of poker's superstars from entering the mix. Including re-entries, 99 players entered, creating a $12,375,000 prize pool that the top 17 finishers shared. Stephen Chidwick was the first player to bust in the money, his 17th-place finish coming with a $194,000 payday. Alex Foxen, Paulis Vaitiekunas, Kristen Foxen, and Chris Hunichen joined the list of busted players before Emilien Pitavy, Ren Lin, and Pedro Padilha crashed out to leave only nine players in the hunt for the bracelet and top prize of more than $3.1 million. Austria's Daniel Rezaei, who won the $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller Turbo over the weekend, bowed out in ninth, with poker legend Patrik Antonius falling in eighth, setting the official final table. Final Table Action Daniel Dvoress Daniel Dvoress was the first of the seven finalists to fall by the wayside. The talented Canadian was left in a desperate situation when his pocket tens lost to the aces of Dominykas Mikolaitis. Dvoress was forced all-in for only a small blind with jack-eight and ultimately lost to Kabrhel's pocket kings. Punnat Punsri Thailand's Punnat Punsri, who has won almost $9.9 million in 2025 alone, was the next high roller to find himself void of chips. Punsri, down to eight big blinds, three-bet all-in with pocket eights from the big blind after Mikolaitis had opened from the cutoff. The Lithuanian put in calling chips and turned over a pair of queens in the hole. Mikolaitis improved to an unnecessary full house on the river to send Punsri to the rail one hand after Dvoress exited. Bryn Kenney Another all-in preflop hand as the final day's action reached the 10-hour mark resulted in Bryn Kenney heading to the cashier's desk to collect fifth-place prize money, or $913,000 if you prefer. Kenney's tournament life hinged on his ace-jack coming from behind to best the dominating ace-king in Mikolaitis' hand, but that didn't happen because a king landed on the flop. Kenney was drawing dead on the turn. Brandon Wilson The first seven-figure prize went to Brandon Wilson, who banked $1,132,000, representing a new career high for the Illinois native. Wilson's final participation in this event saw him clash with Coleman in a three-bet pot. Wilson held queen-jack of hearts, Coleman a pair of red kings, and the flop fell queen-queen-king! All the chips went into the middle on the river, and Wilson was gone. Martin Kabrhel The final three became two when the talkative Kabrhel busted for a $1,367,000 score. Coleman min-raised on the button with king-jack, Kabrhel three-bet jammed for 15 big blinds also with king-jack, only for Mikolaitis to wake up in the big blind with ace-king. Mikolaitis isolated Kabrhel, and Coleman folded. A queen-high board was safe for Mikolaitis, and Kabrhel was gone. Dominykas Mikolaitis Coleman held a 10,475,000 to 9,325,000 chip lead over Mikolaitis going into heads-up. With 99 big blinds in play, the players and rail settled in for the long haul. Coleman never relinquished his chip advantage throughout the heads-up battle and ultimately came out on top. The final hand saw Mikolaitis limp with ten-eight from the small blind, and Coleman check in the big blind with queen-seven. Coleman check-raised a 250,000 bet to 875,000 on the queen-six-ten flop, and Mikolaitis called. Coleman led for 1,500,000 after pairing his seven on the turn, and Mikolaitis stuck around. On the four of spades river, Coleman bet 4,000,000, setting Mikolaitis all-in. Mikolaitis found a call but was shown two pair, which sent him to the rail in second place for $2,104,000, leaving a delighted Coleman to become a WSOP bracelet winner. Final Table Results Rank Player Country Prize 1 David Coleman United States $3,113,000 2 Dominykas Mikolaitis Lithuania $2,104,000 3 Martin Kabrhel Czech Republic $1,367,000 4 Brandon Wilson United States $1,132,000 5 Bryn Kenney United States $913,000 6 Punnat Punsri Thailand $720,000 7 Daniel Dvoress Canada $551,000 PokerNews coverage of the 2025 WSOP Paradise continues with the $100,000 Triton Main Event. Day 1 saw the 199-strong field whittled to 102, with China's Ye Wang leading the way. Share this article China warns Japan against reviving militarism (People's Daily App) 16:45, December 10, 2025 Any tolerance on the provocative words and deeds of Japanese right-wing forces will only revive the specter of militarism and once again put the Asian people in danger, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in Beijing on December 9, 2025. (Produced by Yang Xirui and Zhu Yingqi) (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Cooler Flop Denies Legendary 'Isildur' First WSOP Bracelet as Vogelsang Wins His First Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link Viktor "Isildur1" Blom, one of the most legendary online poker players ever, took a shot at his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet on Tuesday in the Bahamas. But he fell short in heads-up play thanks to a flop that didn't go his way on the final hand. The Swedish high roller, one of 284 entrants in WSOP Paradise Event #7: $10,000 Super PLOSSUS, lost in the end to Tom Vogelsang, who didn't just win his first gold bracelet. He earned just his second career WSOP cash, and first since 2021. Phil Hellmuth made a bit of a run at his 18th bracelet by reaching Day 2, but inevitably bowed out in 16th place for $26,000. Sean Winter, Bryce Yockey, and Kane Kalas were among the 43 players who earned a piece of the $2,754,800 prize pool but didn't reach the final table. How a Winner was Crowned Tom Vogelsang Day 1 of the pot-limit Omaha event ended on Monday with 17 players remaining, and the Day 2 action was fast and intense, as the tournament ended around 7 p.m. local time in the Bahamas. The final table featured some heavy hitters, such as Brazil's Yuri Dzivielevski, who was after his fifth bracelet. Dongwuk Moon (ninth place for $48,000), Tom-Aksel Bedell (eighth place for $61,000), Andreas Torbergsen (seventh place for $79,000), and Sean Rafael (sixth place for $105,000), were all eliminated short of the Top 5. Dzivielevski was then denied that fifth bracelet when he busted in fifth place for $143,000. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Tom Vogelsang Netherlands $609,800 2 Viktor Blom Sweden $406,000 3 Thomas Eychenne France $281,000 4 Xixiang Luo China $199,000 5 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $143,000 6 Sean Rafael United States $105,000 7 Andreas Torbergsen Norway $79,000 8 Tom-Aksel Bedell Norway $61,000 9 Dongwuk Moon United States $48,000 Vogelsang entered the final session as one of the shortest stacks, while his final three opponents Blom, Thomas Eychenne, and Xixiang Luo started in a better position. Luo was the fourth-place finisher, which paid $199,000. Eychenne, during heads-up play, held the chip lead, while Vogelsang sat in a familiar position with the short stack. But he'd rally in the swingy game of PLO and overtake the lead after Eychenne went home in third place ($281,000). The stacks were close between the final two players when they went all in on a flop of Ax5x3x with Vogelsang out in front with 9x7x4x2x against AxAx5x6x. The board didn't pair and that ended Isildur's chances of winning his first bracelet. He was eliminated as the runner-up for $406,000. Vogelsang earned the bracelet and the $609,800 first-place prize. Vogelsang, a Dutch pro who now has over $6 million in The Hendon Mob cashes, has never played a World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas. But it won't be long until he does. "I've always lived in the Netherlands where I couldn't really play in the U.S., and I only moved this year," Vogelsang told PokerNews after winning the PLOSUSS event. "I haven't really thought about winning bracelets ever. So, next year's World Series is going to be my first World Series where I will really play tournaments. This is really the first time I really think about bracelets." Vogelsang referred to his heads-up opponent as "super tough," and praised Blom for "running all over the final table." Blom, who only began playing tournaments regularly a few years ago, made his mark on the 2025 WSOP in Las Vegas despite failing to win a bracelet. He reached four final tables, including a runner-up finish, this past summer, and was a contender for Player of the Year throughout most of the series. Isildur famously came out of nowhere in the late 2000s on Full Tilt Poker, playing in the biggest cash games. Poker fans watched those nosebleed games in awe without even knowing who the mysterious player was behind the screen name. Years later and the poker boom era legend is now building an impressive tournament resume. But he'll have to wait for another day to win his first WSOP bracelet. The same can't be said for Vogelsang, the newest champion at WSOP Paradise. Share this article After seeing 753 entrants jump into Day 1b, the entire Hilton Hotel Prague ballroom was filled with European Tour Prague Main Event tables, creating another jam-packed EPT 5,300 Main Event Day 1. Just 255 made it through to Day 2 from the second flight, emerging from the field. These players join the 124 that bagged from Day 1a and will return on Wednesday, December 10 to battle through five 90-minute levels in hopes of advancing to Day 3. So far, total entries stand at 1,174, pushing the prize pool just short of 6,000,000. But with late registration open until the start of play tomorrow, this figure is expected to climb even higher. Dimitrios Kilintaris emerged atop the counts after ten levels of action. His rise began later in the day when he secured a key double-up with pocket sevens after turning a set. He then saw to the elimination of Reino Rasmussen after picking up kings, keeping him up in the counts. Grzegorz Kozieja sits close behind in second after building a big stack early and maintaining his pace throughout the day. In the final level, Kozieja continued to climb after jamming and forcing Fabio Muhr to fold. Aram Sargsyan Rounding out the podium positions on Day 1b was Aram Sargsyan, who started strong and carried his momentum deep into the night. Although he appeared poised to finish as the chip leader, a few small late pots slipped away, leaving him to bag the third-largest stack. Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Dimitrios Kilintaris Greece 282,000 188 2 Grzegorz Kozieja Poland 270,000 180 3 Aram Sargsyan Armenia 261,500 174 4 Oleg Vasylchenko Ukraine 258,000 172 5 Jon Sataoen Norway 240,500 160 6 Terry Jordon United Kingdom 207,000 138 7 Ghattas Kortas Sweden 200,000 133 8 Mahmoud Bedoui Germany 197,500 132 9 Roberto Manfredi Italy 192,500 128 10 Roger Perez Spain 191,000 127 Notable names who also bagged for Day 2 include the UKs Terry Jordon (207,000) and Leo Worthington-Leese (108,000). Regular EPT contenders Gal Naim (120,500) and Paawan Bansal (89,000) also secured respectable stacks. Former EPT Main Event champions still chasing another title are Uri Gilboa (98,000), Jan Bendik (84,500), and Anton Wigg (39,500). Wigg will need an early chip-up to stay amongst the pack, returning with just over 20 big blinds for Day 2. Kaan Ozdemir A number of players took multiple shots, including Kaan Ozdemir, who became the first player to bust and rebuy but ultimately couldnt find a bag. Former EPT champions Simon Brandstorm, Aliaksei Boika, and Padraig ONeill were also among those chasing another Main Event title, but all fell short before Day 2. Dominik Panka joined them on the rail after busting in the final level of the night. Day 2 will commence at noon local time on Wednesday, the 10th of December. Players will begin at Level 11 with blinds at 1,000/1,500 and a 1,500 big blind ante. The schedule features five 90-minute levels with a 15-minute break after each one, along with a 65-minute dinner break at the end of Level 14 (approximately 18:45 p.m. local time). Remaining Schedule Date Day Time Blind Levels December 10 Day 2 12 p.m. 90 minutes December 11 Day 3 12 p.m. 90 minutes December 12 Day 4 12 p.m. 90 minutes December 13 Day 5 12 p.m. 90 minutes December 14 Day 6 12:30 p.m. 90 minutes Be sure to stay with PokerNews as we bring live updates from the tournament floor across the next five days of main event action. Viktor "Isildur1" Blom, one of the most legendary online poker players ever, took a shot at his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet on Tuesday in the Bahamas. But he fell short in heads-up play thanks to a flop that didn't go his way on the final hand. The Swedish high roller, one of 284 entrants in WSOP Paradise Event #7: $10,000 Super PLOSSUS, lost in the end to Tom Vogelsang, who didn't just win his first gold bracelet. He earned just his second career WSOP cash, and first since 2021. Phil Hellmuth made a bit of a run at his 18th bracelet by reaching Day 2, but inevitably bowed out in 16th place for $26,000. Sean Winter, Bryce Yockey, and Kane Kalas were among the 43 players who earned a piece of the $2,754,800 prize pool but didn't reach the final table. Final Table Action Viktor Blom Day 1 of the pot-limit Omaha event ended on Monday with 17 players remaining, and the Day 2 action was fast and intense, as the tournament ended around 7 p.m. local time in the Bahamas. The final table featured some heavy hitters, such as Brazil's Yuri Dzivielevski, who was after his fifth bracelet. Dongwuk Moon (ninth place for $48,000), Tom-Aksel Bedell (eighth place for $61,000), Andreas Torbergsen (seventh place for $79,000), and Sean Rafael (sixth place for $105,000), were all eliminated short of the Top 5. Dzivielevski was then denied that fifth bracelet when he busted in fifth place for $143,000. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Tom Vogelsang Netherlands $609,800 2 Viktor Blom Sweden $406,000 3 Thomas Eychenne France $281,000 4 Xixiang Luo China $199,000 5 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $143,000 6 Sean Rafael United States $105,000 7 Andreas Torbergsen Norway $79,000 8 Tom-Aksel Bedell Norway $61,000 9 Dongwuk Moon United States $48,000 Vogelsang entered the final session as one of the shortest stacks, while his final three opponents Blom, Thomas Eychenne, and Xixiang Luo started in a better position. Luo was the fourth-place finisher, which paid $199,000. Eychenne, during heads-up play, held the chip lead, while Vogelsang sat in a familiar position with the short stack. But he'd rally in the swingy game of PLO and overtake the lead after Eychenne went home in third place ($281,000). The stacks were close between the final two players when they went all in on a flop of Ax5x3x with Vogelsang out in front with 9x7x4x2x against AxAx5x6x. The board didn't pair and that ended Isildur's chances of winning his first bracelet. He was eliminated as the runner-up for $406,000. Vogelsang earned the bracelet and the $609,800 first-place prize. Vogelsang, a Dutch pro who now has over $6 million in The Hendon Mob cashes, has never played a World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas. But it won't be long until he does. "I've always lived in the Netherlands where I couldn't really play in the U.S., and I only moved this year," Vogelsang told PokerNews after winning the PLOSUSS event. "I haven't really thought about winning bracelets ever. So, next year's World Series is going to be my first World Series where I will really play tournaments. This is really the first time I really think about bracelets." Vogelsang referred to his heads-up opponent as "super tough," and praised Blom for "running all over the final table." Blom, who only began playing tournaments regularly a few years ago, made his mark on the 2025 WSOP in Las Vegas despite failing to win a bracelet. He reached four final tables, including a runner-up finish, this past summer, and was a contender for Player of the Year throughout most of the series. Isildur famously came out of nowhere in the late 2000s on Full Tilt Poker, playing in the biggest cash games. Poker fans watched those nosebleed games in awe without even knowing who the mysterious player was behind the screen name. Years later and the poker boom era legend is now building an impressive tournament resume. But he'll have to wait for another day to win his first WSOP bracelet. The same can't be said for Vogelsang, the newest champion at WSOP Paradise. Every year, PokerNews compiles an article discussing the best poker players without a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. The next instalment of that particular piece will not feature David Coleman because he captured his first piece of WSOP hardware on December 11 after taking down the $125,000 Triton No-Limit Hold'em 7-Handed at the 2025 WSOP Paradise. Coleman came agonizingly close to capturing a bracelet in 2024, finishing fourth in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed event in Las Vegas. Now he is the proud owner of a gold bracelet and a new career-best prize worth $3,113,000. While Coleman was delighted to come out on top, you get the feeling that Martin Kabrhel will be quite disappointed with his third-place finish, despite it adding $1,367,000 to his bankroll. This is because the polarizing Czech grinder had the chance to win a WSOP Triple Crown, having won bracelets in Las Vegas during the summer and at the WSOP Europe festival. Stars Fight For a Share of the $12,375,000 Prize Pool This event's $125,000 buy-in did not deter plenty of poker's superstars from entering the mix. Including re-entries, 99 players entered, creating a $12,375,000 prize pool that the top 17 finishers shared. Stephen Chidwick Stephen Chidwick was the first player to bust in the money, his 17th place finish coming with a $194,000 payday. Alex Foxen, Paulis Vaitiekunas, Kristen Foxen, and Chris Hunichen joined the list of busted players before Emilien Pitavy, Ren Lin, and Pedro Padilha crashed out to leave only nine players in the hunt for the bracelet and top prize of more than $3.1 million. Austria's Daniel Rezaei, who won the $50,000 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller Turbo over the weekend, bowed out in ninth, with poker legend Patrik Antonius falling in eighth, setting the official final table. Final Table Action Daniel Dvoress Daniel Dvoress was the first of the seven finalists to fall by the wayside. The talented Canadian was left in a desperate situation when his pocket tens lost to the aces of Dominykas Mikolaitis. Dvoress was forced all-in for only a small blind with jack-eight and ultimately lost to Kabrhel's pocket kings. Punnat Punsri Thailand's Punnat Punsri, who has won almost $9.9 million in 2025 alone, was the next high roller to find himself void of chips. Punsri, down to eight big blinds, three-bet all-in with pocket eights from the big blind after Mikolaitis had opened from the cutoff. The Lithuanian put in calling chips and turned over a pair of queens in the hole. Mikolaitis improved to an unnecessary full house on the river to send Punsri to the rail one hand after Dvoress exited. Bryn Kenney Another all-in preflop hand, as the final day's action reached the 10-hour mark, resulted in Bryn Kenney heading to the cashier's desk to collect fifth-place prize money, or $913,000 if you prefer. Kenney's tournament life hinged on his ace-jack coming from behind to best the dominating ace-king in Mikolaitis' hand, but that didn't happen because a king landed on the flop. Kenney was drawing dead on the turn. Brandon Wilson The first seven-figure prize went to Brandon Wilson, who banked $1,132,000, representing a new career high for the Illinois native. Wilson's final participation in this event saw him clash with Coleman in a three-bet pot. Wilson held queen-jack of hearts, Coleman a pair of red kings, and the flop fell queen-queen-king! All the chips went into the middle on the river, and Wilson was gone. Martin Kabrhel The final three became two when the talkative Kabrhel busted for a $1,367,000 score. Coleman min-raised on the button with king-jack, Kabrhel three-bet jammed for 15 big blinds also with king-jack, only for Mikolaitis to wake up in the big blind with ace-king. Mikolaitis isolated Kabrhel, and Coleman folded. A queen-high board was safe for Mikolaitis, and Kabrhel was gone. Dominykas Mikolaitis Coleman held a 10,475,000 to 9,325,000 chip lead over Mikolaitis going into heads-up. With 99 big blinds in play, the players and rail settled in for the long haul. Coleman never relinquished his chip advantage throughout the heads-up battle and ultimately came out on top. The final hand saw Mikolaitis limp with ten-eight from the small blind, and Coleman check in the big blind with queen-seven. Coleman check-raised a 250,000 bet to 875,000 on the queen-six-ten flop, and Mikolaitis called. Coleman led for 1,500,000 after pairing his seven on the turn, and Mikolaitis stuck around. On the four of spades river, Coleman bet 4,000,000, setting Mikolaitis all-in. Mikolaitis found a call but was shown two pair, which sent him to the rail in second place for $2,104,000, leaving a delighted Coleman to become a WSOP bracelet winner. Final Table Results Rank Player Country Prize 1 David Coleman United States $3,113,000 2 Dominykas Mikolaitis Lithuania $2,104,000 3 Martin Kabrhel Czech Republic $1,367,000 4 Brandon Wilson United States $1,132,000 5 Bryn Kenney United States $913,000 6 Punnat Punsri Thailand $720,000 7 Daniel Dvoress Canada $551,000 That concludes PokerNews' coverage of this event. Keep your browsers locked to the PokerNews Live Reporting pages throughout the 2025 WSOP Paradise festival. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Growth & Development Reporter Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for The Post and Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023. Seth Taylor covers Greenville and the Upstate for The Post and Courier. Born in Iowa, he worked in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bulletin before moving to the Palmetto State. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. A deafening silence fell over Oslo City Hall at 1 p.m. The audience rose from their seats. The members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee took their places on the podium. And the trumpets began to sound in a solemn and triumphant tone to announce that the moment had finally arrived. Amid enormous anticipation, Maria Corina Machado, the main symbol of the Venezuelan opposition and the most uncomfortable figure for Nicolas Maduros government, was recognized on Wednesday with the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless work in promoting the democratic rights of the Venezuelan people and for her struggle to achieve a peaceful and just transition from dictatorship to democracy. Machado, the main protagonist of the gala, was also the notable absentee. The 58-year-old opposition leader managed to leave Venezuela after being confined to hiding for 16 months, but she was unable to make it to Norway in time to receive the most important award of her political career in person. Machado was not physically present at the ceremony, but her image was omnipresent on the walls of Oslo City Hall. The Norwegian capital woke up to the news that the opposition leader would not be able to attend the ceremony and breathed a sigh of relief when the Nobel Institute confirmed that she was safe and on her way to the Scandinavian country. I will be in Oslo, she said in a call broadcast moments before the ceremony by the Norwegian institution, the latest chapter in a drama-filled story that has marked this years award ceremony and whose final chapter has yet to be written. Venezuela will breathe again, Machado said in her acceptance speech, read by her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado. The applause from the hundreds of attendees overflowed the banquet hall of Oslo City Hall when Sosa stepped forward and received the diploma and medal in honor of her mother. This prize carries profound meaning; it reminds the world that democracy is essential to peace, the young woman said. Machado said the Nobel Prize is a tribute to the suffering of the Venezuelan people and dedicated the award to those who have been subjected to repression under Chavismo. Our political prisoners, the persecuted, their families, and all who defend human rights, she said in her speech. The opposition leader also thanked her three children, her parents, her sisters, and her husband for their support throughout her career. To them belongs this honor. To them belongs this day. To them belongs the future. In her speech, traditionally known as the Nobel lecture, the leader reviewed the political history of Venezuela and the struggle she has waged against Chavismo. I have come here to tell you a story: the story of a people and their long march toward freedom. This march brings me here today as one voice among millions of Venezuelans who rose, once again, to reclaim the destiny that was always theirs, she emphasized. She also said she was ready to seek regime change in Venezuela. During these past sixteen months in clandestinity, we have built new networks of civic pressure and disciplined disobedience, preparing for Venezuelas orderly transition to democracy, the opposition leader said. After finishing her speech, Sosa Machado clasped her hands together on her chest in gratitude and bowed after a standing ovation from the audience. The Nobel Prize has been the greatest symbolic victory for a Venezuelan opposition that has been beaten, persecuted, and forced into exile. The recognition has given new life to a diminished and practically dismantled dissident movement, which sees Machado as its only viable option to challenge Chavismo for power and which received a new impetus in Oslo to think about the future. The Venezuelan political crisis was another of the afternoons main topics. Venezuela has evolved into a brutal, authoritarian state facing a deep humanitarian and economic crisis. Meanwhile, a small elite at the top shielded by political power, weapons and legal impunity enriches itself, said Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes in a harsh speech that did not spare Chavismo from criticism. Behind Maduro stand Cuba, Russia, Iran, China and Hezbollah providing weapons, surveillance and economic lifelines, Frydnes said in one of the most applauded speeches of the ceremony. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low around 45F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Berkeley and Dorchester Metro Reporter Komlavi Adissem is a metro reporter covering Berkeley and Dorchester counties. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he covered city, county, and state government for the Columbia Missourian. Find him on Twitter (X) and Bluesky @KAdissem! Nick Reynolds covers politics for the Post and Courier. A native of Central New York, he spent three-and-a-half years covering politics in Wyoming before joining the paper in late 2021. His work has appeared in outlets like Newsweek, Poynter, the Associated Press, and the Washington Post. He lives in Columbia. Researchers from Clemson Universitys Department of Plant Industry recovered a nest for the yellow-legged hornet in the Hilton Head area in 2024. It was the first found in South Carolina. Their children, born in the US state to immigrant parents, crossed the border and never returned. Faced with what they consider an inadequate response from the authorities, the families are seeking justice on their own Lisa Torres woke up with an unexplained chest pain on July 29, 2017. She was in Guanajuato, visiting family. She thought she was going to get sick. She had a feeling something was wrong, although at that moment she didnt know that her 22-year-old son, Roberto Franco Jr., had just disappeared on the way to where she was. Roberto had left Houston, Texas, at the wheel of a vehicle around 4:00 a.m. He was due to arrive in the Mexican city by 10:00 a.m. Hours passed without Lisa hearing from him. She called him, but no one answered. There are currently 1,756 American citizens missing in Mexico, and Roberto is one of them. That day, Luz Francisca Rivera was at her ranch, recently recovered from gallbladder surgery, with no internet or cell service. To talk to her son, Juan Francisco, she always had to walk to the nearest town. Juan Francisco Hernandez, 24, worked cleaning tanks at a refinery in the Houston area. Born in Texas, he had to return to Mexico as a child with his mother while she sorted out her paperwork. At 18, he decided to travel from Houston to San Luis Potosi to get his U.S. passport because he wanted to go home. Every time they spoke, he would tell Luz Francisca, No worries, ma. Thats all she remembers. Juan Francisco was in the car with Roberto, and they went missing. Her mother walked to town to call a phone that was never answered. A month later, Jeanette Cerecer was organizing a party for her son. It was August 30, and Ernesto Garnica Jr. was turning 29. He worked at a shelter for migrant children and lived between Texas and Matamoros. On his birthday, he got off work late and called: Mom, whats up? He told her he had plans to have a barbecue with friends, but that he would eat with her the next day. At 5 a.m., Jeanette was alerted that Ernesto was missing. Three days later, his truck was found burned on the highway between Matamoros and Reynosa, with two charred bodies inside. Jeanette spent months believing her son was dead, but DNA results confirmed that neither of the bodies found was his. He remains missing. Search poster for Roberto Franco Jr. @Buscando a Ernesto Garnica Jr Months later, these three mothers created the Association of American Citizens Missing in Mexico (ACMMA). Their children, born in Texas to immigrant parents, crossed the border and never returned. These women have had to become investigators of their own cases and havent lost faith in solving them. Self-employed researchers In such a situation, the first step is to file a police report, explains Melissa Rangel, case coordinator at the Texas Center for the Missing, a local organization that assists in the search for missing persons. She then recommends contacting organizations that, like hers, offer additional support. In 2024, 10,458 new missing persons cases were reported in Harris County: 3,513 adults and 6,945 children. With these figures, the largest county in the United States also became the county with the most disappearances in Texas, which in turn is the state with the most unsolved cases nationwide. Last January, Houston, the county seat of Harris County, was the U.S. city with the most missing persons, with 442. Of those, 196 were Latino. Rangel says that Hispanic families are increasingly hesitant to report disappearances to the police, or at least thats what she has observed in recent months. They are doing so primarily out of fear of being arrested or deported. However, when a disappearance occurs in a foreign country, the State Department recommends that families contact the relevant embassy or consulate. Staff can work with local authorities to locate the missing person, verify reports of hospitalizations or arrests, and keep the family informed of any updates. But thats about it. Consulates do not investigate crimes or conduct searches. They also cannot provide legal advice, although they can provide lists of private investigators or lawyers. Families must fund their own investigations. According to the National Registry, there are more than 8,000 missing persons in Mexico whose nationality is unknown, so the number of Americans could be higher. In March 2023, four Americans were kidnapped in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and authorities responded quickly, coordinating their rescue with the U.S. However, many families of missing persons in Mexico have reported that they do not receive the same level of attention. For Lisa, Luz Francisca, and Jeanette, the consulates turned out to be nothing more than suggestion boxes. Its like an administrative assistant, a messenger, says Jeanette. Texas authorities took the report. They issued an alert at the border bridge. Without much institutional support, the three began to move heaven and earth on their own. Jeanette quit her job. She says she spent seven sleepless months traveling around Tamaulipas, pulling strings, and reviewing security camera footage until she identified two people using Ernestos bank card. She dedicated herself to tracking them down. She obtained videos and purchase receipts and identified several people involved, including a friend of her son. To this day, she says, no one has been arrested. Lisa checked her sons iCloud account and discovered that someone had taken a selfie with his phone days after he disappeared. Lisa took the photo to the police in Mexico. She called repeatedly asking if they had identified the person, but nothing came of it. She began searching Facebook pages about organized crime and looking at photos of unidentified bodies online, trying to recognize her son. Luz Francisca was sick in Mexico without the necessary papers to cross the border. When she called the prosecutors office with her case number, they told her, We have nothing. Thirst for justice Jeanette describes a disappearance as an endless nightmare, like a grenade in the middle of a family. It explodes and were all shattered into pieces. The impact is so immense that we cant rebuild ourselves or help each other rebuild. Eight years later, shes still in pieces, but she never speaks of Ernesto in the past tense. Anything can happen, my son could be alive, recruited by a cartel and doing things he doesnt want to do, she says. Search party for Roberto Franco Jr. headed by his relatives in April 2025. @Buscando a Ernesto Garnica Jr After seven months of investigating, she grew afraid of organized crime and sought asylum at the border bridge. An official advised her not to stay in the area, but to move far away. Im a cold woman. I havent grieved because if I did, I would die, says Jeanette, who believes her son is a victim of crime and a victim of the authorities. I thirst for justice. A justice that has been denied me. Lisa, meanwhile, believes that you have to know how to survive. Trauma takes a lot of effort, she adds, recalling how she joined a search collective in the border city of Reynosa, Mexico, to dig in clandestine graves. I didnt go hoping to find Roberto. I just felt I had to do something with my hands. Luz Francisca is more direct: My life has no meaning anymore, she says. Her update on the case: none. The only thing I have is faith in my Holy Father. In 2018, the three mothers met and founded the Association of Missing American Citizens in Mexico. I believe God put us on this path for a reason, says Jeanette. Weve forged a friendship out of tragedy. There were search collectives in Mexico focused on Mexicans, and there were missing persons organizations in Texas and the rest of the country. But U.S. citizens who disappeared in Mexico were almost invisible to both sides. Moreover, the families of these individuals, along with the pain of not knowing, the anxiety, and the depression, face financial hardship: the cost of constantly traveling between the two countries in search of answers and of funding private investigations. They, who at that time didnt really know how the system worked, dedicated themselves to studying it and passing on what they had learned. There are many mothers who dont know Spanish, who dont know the language, they are lost, they dont know what to do, they explain. Jo Ann Lowitzer, an activist whose teenage daughter, Alexandria Lowitzer, disappeared in 2010, says that the families of the disappeared have become like an extended family to her over the years. When a missing person touches your life, its like a piece of you disappears with them, she says. Thats really what you long for: to feel that youre not alone. In Texas, where nearly 45,000 disappearances were reported last year, that extended family continues to grow. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 00:15:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 784 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 /As highlighted this week by The Washington Post , a perfect storm of immigration limits, caregiver shortages, and tightening government funding is placing unprecedented strain on America's home-based care system. Traditional home care agencies-already stretched thin by post-COVID workforce losses-are now confronting an aging population that is outpacing available caregivers by millions.Electronic Caregiver, the company behind the Addison Care virtual caregiver platform, today announced its Hybrid Home Care Model, engineered specifically to help home-care agencies expand capacity, stabilize revenue, and deliver higher-quality care despite the national labor deficit."The U.S. is facing a structural caregiver shortage that no amount of recruiting alone can fix," said Anthony Dohrmann, Founder and CEO of Electronic Caregiver. "Our Hybrid Home Care Model gives agencies the ability to serve more clients, more consistently, with better outcomes-without needing to double their staff. Addison becomes the force multiplier that fills the gaps human beings simply can't fill today." The 7 Pain Points the Hybrid Home Care Model EliminatesDrawing from more than a decade of research, industry feedback, and national datasets, Electronic Caregiver designed the Hybrid Home Care framework to directly address seven foundational pressure points experienced by nearly every agency in the country:1. A Shrinking Labor Pool and Unreliable StaffingAgencies report applicants who schedule interviews but never arrive, caregivers who moonlight across multiple agencies, and high churn due to burnout. Addison fills the coverage gap with 24/7 monitoring, reminders, safety features, engagement, and virtual primary care support.2. Unpredictable Client Census and Lost CaregiversAgencies build a stable workforce only to lose 8-20 clients within a short period due to hospitalization, skilled-nursing transfer, or death. Addison allows the agency to maintain revenue and continuity even during census volatility.3. The Four-Hour Minimum BarrierMost agencies cannot profitably send a caregiver across town for a one-hour visit. With Addison, agencies can monetize shorter visits, deliver continuous engagement remotely, and increase daily revenue without increasing labor.4. Rising Acuity With Limited Human TouchpointsClients require more supervision and clinical awareness than ever before, yet agencies cannot double in-home hours. Addison provides daily check-ins, medication support, vitals monitoring, fall-risk insights, and early detection.5. Family Caregivers Overwhelmed and Under-Supported53 million Americans provide unpaid care and are stretched to the breaking point. Addison becomes their partner-offloading tasks, monitoring health changes, and escalating concerns to professionals.6. Inconsistent Quality of Care Across ShiftsSome caregivers excel, others disappoint. Addison standardizes the baseline quality of engagement, adherence, and monitoring-closing gaps caused by variability in human performance.7. Difficulty Scaling Revenue Without Scaling PayrollTraditional growth requires a proportional increase in caregivers. Addison flips the model: agencies can add hundreds of Hybrid Home Care clients while maintaining leaner staffing levels and improving margins.A New Era of "Hybrid" Care: Technology + People = Scalable CapacityThe Hybrid Home Care Model combines:Addison Care, a 3D, conversational, AI-assisted virtual caregiver providing continuous support, monitoring, education, medication reminders, emergency response, vitals management, and virtual primary care access.Human caregivers who focus on higher-value, relationship-based tasks instead of routine reminders, transportation-heavy shifts, or low-acuity visits.TeleCare clinicians, who track symptoms, trends, emotional well-being, and coordinate interventions with families and providers.This model allows agencies to increase revenue per caregiver, improve client outcomes, build resiliency against staffing shortages, and offer differentiated service tiers."Earn Double in One Hour What Used to Take Four"Because agencies can now support clients virtually through Addison between physical visits, the economics of home care change dramatically:Short-duration visits become profitable.Staffing shortages become manageable.Agencies unlock the 94% of the market that could never afford 4-hour minimums.Upsell opportunities increase through bundled virtual-care subscriptions.A Turning Point for U.S. Home CareWith immigration restrictions limiting the inbound caregiver workforce, and with aging demographics accelerating demand for home-based care, the sector is approaching a breaking point. Electronic Caregiver's Hybrid Home Care Model offers a practical, scalable, and immediate way for agencies to expand capacity without relying solely on a labor pool that's shrinking every year."Hybrid is the future of home care," said Dohrmann. "Addison gives agencies more capacity, more consistency, and more revenue-while giving families more peace of mind. It's how the industry survives the next decade." About Electronic CaregiverElectronic Caregiver develops advanced virtual care technologies, AI-assisted monitoring, and clinical engagement solutions designed to extend independence, improve health outcomes, and scale the reach of healthcare professionals. Its flagship platform, Addison Care, is integrated into Medicare, Medicaid, private-pay, and B2B service models, and has been featured by Samsung, Amazon, Intel, and Athenahealth as one of the most advanced home-based care technologies on the market.Media Contactmedia@ ecg-hq.com (575) 649-7808SOURCE: Electronic Caregiver, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 04:35:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1010 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Dubai-based serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alexander Rugaev introduces boutique advisory focused on small-cap and micro-cap IPOs and direct listings for AI, robotics and fintech founders.DUBAI, AE / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 / AR Ventures today announced the launch of a new IPO consulting practice that helps fast-growing technology startups access public markets through small-cap IPOs, micro-cap IPOs and direct listings of shares - without surrendering control to late-stage venture capital.Founded by serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alexander Rugaev, AR Ventures works with revenue-generating startups across AI, robotics, fintech and SaaS that are ready to scale globally but are too small - or too independent - for billion-dollar VC funds. The new service is designed to show founders that "go public" is no longer a distant endgame, but a realistic financing option at much earlier stages."Founders are told the only path is round after round of VC and a distant exit," said Alexander Rugaev, founder of AR Ventures. "That story is outdated. In many cases, a small-cap IPO or micro-cap IPO can deliver more capital, better valuation and real liquidity - while the founder keeps the steering wheel of the company." More information about AR Ventures is available at https://arventures.io and about Alexander Rugaev at https://rugaev.com Solving the "stuck between VC rounds" problemMany startups with solid revenue, real customers and proven products still struggle to raise growth capital. They are too advanced for seed funds, not big enough for late-stage megafunds, and often unwilling to accept the heavy dilution and aggressive governance that comes with another private round.AR Ventures' small-cap IPO consulting service focuses on this underserved segment:B2B or B2C tech companies with repeatable revenueTypically $5-100 million in annual revenue and strong growthOperating in regulated, high-trust sectors such as AI, robotics, fintech, infrastructure and industrial techReady to enter or expand in global markets, but constrained by private funding optionsFor these founders, a small-cap or micro-cap listing on exchanges such as NYSE American or similar global small-cap markets can be a powerful alternative to another dilutive financing round.What the new IPO advisory service includesAR Ventures provides end-to-end guidance on how to take a startup public at a smaller scale:IPO vs VC diagnostic - Independent assessment of whether a small-cap IPO, micro-cap IPO, direct listing or another structure creates more value than a traditional equity round.Corporate and cap table structuring - Optimizing jurisdiction, share classes and voting structure so founders can raise capital while preserving 60-80% voting control, where feasible under local rules.Exchange and listing strategy - Evaluating small-cap and micro-cap boards, minimum requirements, auditor standards and realistic valuation ranges.Equity story and investor materials - Crafting the IPO narrative, investor deck, financial model and prospectus-ready story that resonate with public-market investors.Deal team coordination - Working alongside underwriters, legal counsel, auditors and investor relations partners throughout the listing process.Post-IPO support - Helping founders navigate life as a public company: disclosure discipline, investor communication, and using listed shares as currency for M&A."Our niche is translating Wall Street into founder language," Rugaev added. "We sit on the founder's side of the table and show them exactly what it takes to do a small-cap IPO or direct listing - the costs, the timelines, the realistic outcomes - so they can make an informed decision instead of blindly following the VC playbook." Why small-cap IPOs and direct listings are back on the agendaPublic markets have evolved. Today, micro-cap and small-cap IPOs can:Provide earlier liquidity to founders and early investorsUnlock higher valuation multiples than late-stage private rounds in many tech verticalsOpen doors to institutional, family-office and sovereign investors who rarely participate in small private dealsStrengthen brand credibility with enterprise and government customers who prefer public, transparent counterpartiesAt the same time, improved electronic trading, research platforms and global investor access make it easier for well-positioned small issuers to reach their audience. AR Ventures' thesis is that a growing number of "real economy" AI, robotics and fintech startups are now better served by public capital markets than by another dilutive round from traditional venture capital.Founder-first philosophyRugaev built the practice around a simple principle: control is an asset."I've seen too many great companies lose their original vision because control slowly slipped away through multiple rounds," he said. "Our goal with IPO consulting for small-cap and micro-cap listings is to give founders a third option: raise serious capital, become a public company, but stay in charge of the mission." AR Ventures typically works with founders from MENA, Europe and Asia, but the firm also supports cross-border listings and dual-jurisdiction strategies where they make sense.Call to actionFounders and investors interested in exploring a small-cap IPO, micro-cap IPO or direct listing of shares can learn more and request an initial consultation at:AR Ventures - https://arventures.io Alexander Rugaev - https://rugaev.com LinkedIn (contact and updates) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexrugaev/ About AR VenturesAR Ventures is a Dubai-based advisory firm focused on IPO consulting, capital markets strategy and growth advisory for technology companies. The firm specializes in helping AI, robotics, fintech and SaaS startups access global capital markets through small-cap and micro-cap IPOs, direct listings and innovative financing structures. AR Ventures acts as a founder-side advisor, working alongside leading law firms, auditors, underwriters and investor-relations partners to design and execute efficient go-public strategies.Learn more at https://arventures.io About Alexander RugaevAlexander Rugaev is an entrepreneur and venture capitalist with deep experience in startups, AI, robotics and public markets. Based in Dubai, he advises founders on IPO readiness, capital raising and global expansion, with a strong focus on minimizing dilution and preserving founder control. Rugaev is also an active commentator on the future of AI, robotics and capital markets, sharing insights via his website https://rugaev.com and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in%2 PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 19:15:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 522 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 MIDLAND, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Today, Vision Oil And Gas, one of the fastest growing Oil & Gas producers in the Permian Basin, announced it's acquisition of LDF ENERGY, bringing into the company another 135 active wellbores in Winkler County, a fully rebuilt workover rig, over 50 Barrels of Oil Equivalent Per Day, and a Powerhouse Foreman form Kermit - Dwayne Forga in an all stock transaction valued at $4.0M.This transaction marks the 10th Operator buyout in the Permian Basin for Azure Holding Group this year, and since June 5, 2025 when the company announced it's merger with Vision Oil And Gas.The company's largest concentration of oil and gas well lie in Cochran County, with 128 actively producing wellbores, and 200 shut-in candidates, Winkler County, with 178 actively producing wells, and 78 shut-in candidates, Crane County with 97 active producers and 34 shut-in candidates, Ward County with 45 active producers and 50 shut-in candidates, Pecos County with 25 active producers and 50 shut-in candidates, Ector County with 6 active producers and 24 shut-in candidates, and Midland County with 12 active producers. (NOTE - that the company has only completed 50 workovers in the past 5 months since it's return to production activities commenced after the merger with Vision Oil And Gas).This transaction now brings the company's total Producing and Shut-in well count total up to 1,062 oil wells, or 0.87% of the total well count in the TIER 1, TIER 2 & TIER 3 WEST TEXAS PERMIAN BASIN.Additionally, with the addition of this second workover rig, the company will be able to make real progress towards it's goal of internalizing high cost, mission critical services like workover ringwork, construction, and roustabout work.The company reaffirms it's production goal target of 1,000 barrels of oil per day by October 31, 2026, as well as it's uplist to the New York Stock Exchange (and eventually a dual list on the Texas Stock Exchange once the liquidity has matured) by October 31, 2026."We did it. We assembled the best pureplay later life Permian Basin Operator. Now it is time to show the world what kind of ROCK we just acquired, and what our team is truly capable of. When I purchased Cochran together with my Son RJ, the day before we closed, he and I both had Vision. It is incredible to see our Vision, turn into our whole organization's reality," said Rodolfo Tijerina."I'm after 3 things. Number 1 - to build the greatest team to hit the Permian Basin since Diamondback, or Endeavor, Sabinal or Crownrock were getting started. Number 2 - to create incredible shareholder value for our stakeholders. Number 3 - to lower the cost of energy for Americans, nationwide. Together with God, there is nothing that can hold this back from this team accomplishing what we set out to do," said Joshua A. Cohen.For further information, please visit the companies website atwww.oilfieldservices.aior reach out to Josh Cohen at (917) 584-7042 or by email atjcohen@ visionoilandgas.com About Azure Holding Group Azure Holding Group Corp. is an acquisition corporation focused on Oil Field Services, Oil Field Construction, and Oil & Gas Exploration & Production. The Company is currently evaluating further mergers and acquisitions, outside of its capital program to enable organic growth.SOURCE: Azure Holding Group Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 18:45:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 421 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / CoVantage Credit Union ("CoVantage") recently suffered a data breach through its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions ("Marquis")that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to CoVantage.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 14, 2025, CoVantage Credit Union learned that its third-party vendor, Marquis Software Solutions, experienced a cybersecurity incident affecting Marquis' internal environment. The unauthorized access occurred within Marquis's network environment rather than CoVantage's own internal systems; where certain files containing personal information related to CoVantage's customers were stored.Marquis reviewed the compromised files and launched an internal investigation with the assistance of cybersecurity experts. On October 27, 2025, Marquis determined that files containing CoVantage customers' information had been accessed or acquired.The impacted data may include names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, financial account information, and dates of birth.On November 26, 2025, CoVantage filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine and began notifying affected individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from CoVantage Credit Union, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-09 22:00:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 540 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BURNSVILLE, MN / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 / Dr. Hamid Abbasi, internationally recognized pioneer of the OLLIF (Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion) and Trident SIJ fusion procedures, has completed a landmark multi-nation educational and training tour across Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates-further accelerating global adoption of transformative minimally invasive spine surgery.Advanced Training & Live Surgeries at Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, KarachiDr. Abbasi began the tour in Karachi, Pakistan, at Liaquat National Hospital & Medical College, where he worked closely with Prof. Salman Sharif, Head of Neurosurgery. More than 30 highly engaged surgeons and medical professionals participated in an immersive cadaver lab focused on the OLLIF and SIJ fusion techniques.Key achievements in Karachi included:A full cadaver-based training lab on OLLIF and SIJ fusionTwo successful OLLIF procedures performedOne Trident SIJ fusion procedure completedInteractive educational sessions attended by a large multidisciplinary groupDr. Abbasi noted the exceptional enthusiasm of the surgical community and emphasized the enormous potential of these techniques for regions where traditional surgical capacity is limited.Thought Leadership at WFNS in DubaiFollowing the Karachi program, Dr. Abbasi flew to Dubai to present at the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Spine Congress. His presentations highlighted the speed, safety, and accessibility of the OLLIF and Trident SIJ fusion systems-drawing strong interest from global neurosurgical leaders exploring solutions for high-volume, resource-strained environments.Training 40+ Surgeons at ENDOspine UAE in SharjahAlongside Dr. Shiraz Munshi, Dr. Abbasi continued to Sharjah to contribute to ENDOspine UAE, held at the Sharjah Surgical Institute, University of Sharjah College of Medicine.At this advanced training program, Dr. Abbasi trained over 40 surgeons and spine specialists from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe in hands-on OLLIF and SIJ fusion techniques. The program emphasized streamlined workflows, shorter operative times, and dramatically improved access for patients who otherwise lack surgical options.Expanding Global Access Through Open Intellectual PropertyA major driver of worldwide adoption has been Inspired Spine's decision last year to donate its intellectual property-free of charge-to developing countries.This unprecedented move allows local manufacturers to produce OLLIF and Trident hardware affordably for their own markets, removing cost barriers that have historically prevented hospitals in low-resource regions from adopting advanced spine technologies.A Global Movement in MotionAcross Karachi, Dubai, and Sharjah, Dr. Abbasi engaged with physicians from more than 15 countries, and has since received invitations from over a dozen nations to bring formal OLLIF and SIJ fusion training programs to their hospitals and universities."These techniques are spreading quickly because they solve real problems, especially in countries where resources are not as plentiful as in the West," Dr. Abbasi noted. "In many developing countries, patients wait years for spinal surgery. OLLIF and Trident SIJ fusion give surgeons a way to help more people, more safely, with resources that are now readily available even to rural developing regions." Looking ForwardInspired Spine will continue expanding its global training initiatives, empowering surgeons in resource-limited regions with safe, efficient, and affordable spinal solutions. The momentum from this trip signals a new era of accessible spine care-one in which geography and economic limitations no longer determine who receives life-changing treatment. For more information, please visit www.inspiredspine.com or contact aarmagost@ islife.us SOURCE: Inspired Spine PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 08:00:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 750 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Automated platform helps overwhelmed founders legally close "zombie" businesses before fees and penalties pile upHOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Thousands of Americans who rushed to form LLCs for side hustles during the pandemic are now trying to quietly shut them down. A new online service, ClickDissolve.com , is stepping into that vacuum and turning an obscure legal chore into a one-click off switch for businesses that have run their course.According to internal analysis of public records and customer inquiries, ClickDissolve estimates that millions of small LLCs and corporations are sitting inactive while still "alive on paper," exposing owners to surprise state fees, penalties, and compliance notices. Many of those entities were launched between 2020 and 2022 by gig workers, creators, and online sellers who have since moved on to new jobs or new platforms."Everyone talks about how easy it is to start a business," said Peter Brewer, founder of ClickDissolve. "Nobody talks about the thousands of entrepreneurs stuck with dead LLCs that will not go away on their own. We built ClickDissolve for the reality of Gig Economy 3.0, where people need clean exits, not just flashy launches." The Great Side Hustle UnwindingDuring the pandemic, social media, YouTube, and online course platforms heavily promoted the idea that "real entrepreneurs" must form an LLC on day one. That message helped fuel a surge in one-person businesses, many of them part-time, experimental, or seasonal.Now, as costs rise and attention shifts back to traditional employment, a growing number of those founders are asking a different question: "How do I shut this down correctly?"ClickDissolve calls this trend "The Great Unwinding" and says it is seeing demand from:Former Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify sellers who stopped selling yet still receive state noticesCreators who set up LLCs for brand deals that never scaledService providers who paused their business to return to full-time workPartners who decided to walk away from a joint venture and want a clean break"People assume their LLC will just fade into the background," said Brewer. "In most states, it does not. It sits there, year after year, until the state starts stacking up fees or administratively dissolves it on their terms instead of yours." Closing A Business Is Harder Than Starting OneForming an LLC can take minutes. Shutting one down often requires multi step filings, specific state forms, tax clearances, and careful timing. Many entrepreneurs only discover this when they receive an unexpected bill from a state agency.ClickDissolve positions itself as the digital off ramp for this problem. The platform guides users through a structured intake, generates the correct dissolution documents for their state, and manages submission where electronic or mail-based filing is available.A Different Kind Of Startup StoryWhile most legal tech platforms focus on business formation, ClickDissolve is intentionally focused on endings. The company says that is exactly where the market has been ignored."Endings are not sexy, but they are where a lot of financial pain and legal risk lives," said Brewer. "We are not here to celebrate unicorns. We are here to quietly protect the millions of normal people who tried something, learned from it, and now want to close the chapter in a clean, compliant way." Early customers range from solo creators and e-commerce sellers to small restaurant owners and consultants. Many report that they only discovered the need for a formal dissolution after receiving a renewal bill, a compliance notice, or a warning from their accountants.One early user, a former online boutique owner in Florida, described the experience this way: "Starting my LLC took one night and a credit card. Closing it took three weeks of research before I found ClickDissolve. I wish this had existed when I decided to stop selling. It would have saved me a year of anxiety and a few hundred dollars in unnecessary fees." About ClickDissolveClickDissolve is an online platform that simplifies the process of legally dissolving LLCs and corporations. The service provides guided, state-specific workflows that help business owners shut down inactive or unwanted entities quickly and cleanly, reducing the risk of surprise fees and lingering liability. ClickDissolve is designed for side hustlers, small business owners, creators, and founders who want a fast, modern way to close one chapter and move confidently into the next.Contact InformationPeter LeMarketing Managerpeterle@ clickdissolve.com (888) 832-4680SOURCE: ClickDissolve PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 18:17:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 405 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County ("Industrial Credit Union") recently suffered a data breach through one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to the Industrial Credit Union.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Recently, Industrial Credit Union was informed of a security incident involving one of its third-party communication delivery vendors, which provides both print and email services to financial institutions. Upon learning of the breach, the vendor engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to investigate the nature and scope of the incident. Industrial Credit Union's own systems were not breached.The impacted data may include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and financial and banking information.On November 26, 2025, Industrial Credit Union filed a notice with the office of the Attorney General of Washington and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 18:30:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 371 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / SitusAMC recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to SitusAMC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 12, 2025, SitusAMC became aware of a security incident on its internal systems. Upon detection, SitusAMC launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to internal systems and corporate data.The impacted data may include accounting records, legal agreements, customer-related information, and other internal corporate data.On November 22, 2025, SitusAMC posted a public notice about the breach on its website. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from SitusAMC, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Maria Corina Machado reportedly left Venezuela on Tuesday with U.S. support. The opposition leader departed on a boat from Venezuelas western coast bound for the island of Curacao, according to U.S. officials who spoke to The Wall Street Journal. Her apparently clandestine escape occurred just one day before the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, meaning Machado was unable to arrive in time to accept the award, which was presented to her daughter, Ana Corina Sosa Machado. Machado promised to appear in Oslo, as she herself told the Nobel Peace Prize organizers, thus allaying concerns about her whereabouts and safety. This is the most concrete information published so far regarding the departure of the Venezuelan opposition leader from the country. Rumors about the operation have been circulating for days, fueled even by Chavismo itself, which spread the word that Machado had already been out of Venezuela for some time. Speculation has placed her in a diplomatic vehicle crossing the border into Colombia and even on one of the U.S. planes that landed in the country to return deported Venezuelan migrants. There has also been speculation as to whether or not her departure had the regimes complicity. Her journey to Oslo was never going to be easy. Machado has been in hiding for 16 months to avoid arrest by Nicolas Maduros government. More than 100 of her associates are imprisoned, and many others have had to go into hiding or exile to avoid being captured by the Chavista intelligence services. Adding to the difficulties of her departure is the uncertainty of whether she will be able to return to Venezuela. In addition to the direct persecution she has faced over the past year, the Chavista regime issued a travel ban against her more than a decade ago, when she was a member of parliament. The Wall Street Journal reports that the opposition leaders allies went to great lengths to keep the trip secret to protect her safety. In a phone call with Nobel Committee chairman Jrgen Watne Frydnes, published on the Peace Prize website, Machado stated that many people had risked their lives to enable her to travel to Oslo. I am very grateful to them. And this is a testament to what this recognition means to the Venezuelan people, she said, adding that she was about to board a plane. We feel very emotional and very honored, and thats why I am very sad and very sorry to tell you that I wont be able to arrive in time for the ceremony, but I will be in Oslo. I am on my way to Oslo right now. The Nobel Committee did not specify when the phone call took place or where Machado was at the time. Hours earlier, the institutes director, Kristian Berg Harpviken, told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK that getting Machado to Oslo had been more complicated than expected. She lives under a death threat from the regime, pure and simple, he said. It extends beyond Venezuelas borders, from the regime and its associates around the world. In May, five of Machados top aides, who had taken refuge for a year in the Argentine embassy in Caracas, which was heavily guarded by Maduros police, managed to escape in a secret operation supported by the United States, the details of which are still a mystery. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 19:00:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 370 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Visage Imaging, Inc.("Visage Imaging") recently suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal information of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Visage Imaging.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?Visage Imaging recently became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized access to certain personal information within its systems. An unauthorized party accessed personal information, including data elements classified as personally identifiable information ("PII"). The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.On November 26, 2025, Visage Imaging filed a public notice with the office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts and began sending notice letters to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Visage Imaging, Inc., you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 27th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 10:00:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 978 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 /Linear Minerals Corp. (CSE:LINE)(OTCID:LINMF)(WKN:A40 Y3E) ("Linear" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest into the Kipawa West rare earth Property in the administrative region of AbitibiTemiscamingue, Quebec, Canada.The newly acquired property consists of 53 map designated claims mining claims covering an approximate area of 3,000 hectares located approximately 30 km east of the town Temiscaming and roughly 140 km south of the mining center of RouynNoranda. The strategic mineral exploration license is located about 15 km to the west of the Kipawa rare earth deposit in Quebec. Eight property claims have been approved; 45 are pending approval from MRNF Quebec. This land position places the Company in an important active district recognized for its rare earth enrichment, favorable geology, and increasing investor attention.The Kipawa West claims cover peralkaline syenites with associated gneisses, amphibolites, calc-silicate rocks, marbles, and peralkaline gneissic granites of the Grenville Province of southwestern Quebec. This region has long been regarded as one prospective for rare earth elements exploration, characterized by unique alkaline intrusive complexes and well-documented critical mineral showings. Historical sediment sampling within the Property area indicate anomalous cerium and lanthanum values.Within the Kipawa Complex, the nearby Kipawa Rare Earth deposit contains historic NI 43-101 resources last updated in a Feasibility Study published on September 04, 2013. The deposit is noted as being relatively rich in heavy rare earths (HREE), which are among the most desirable REEs for many high-tech and clean-energy uses. The project was originally explored by Matamec Explorations Inc. in partnership with Toyotsu Rare Earth Canada Inc (TRECAN).Cautionary Statement: Readers are cautioned that the above information is taken from the publicly available sources and any reference to the Kipawa Deposit is provided for geological context only. The presence of mineral resources on an adjacent property does not indicate that similar mineralization or resource potential exists on the Company's property. Additional exploration work would be required to determine whether comparable mineralization is present.With this acquisition, Linear Minerals strengthens its mission to identify and develop high-value critical mineral assets in politically stable, mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company is reviewing historical data and preparing an initial work program, including mapping, sampling, and geophysical studies to define target areas for drilling.Transaction details:Pursuant to the Kipawa West rare-earth Property option agreement from an arm's length seller and the Company, dated December 9th, 2025 ("Effective date"), the Company holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the mining claims by completing the following common share issuances and exploration expenditures as follows:Issuing the following common shares to the Optionor, subject to the approval of the regulatory bodies as follows:1,000,000 shares, issued upon the execution of the option agreement;An additional 1,500,000 shares issued on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date.An additional 2,000,000 shares issued on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date.The Company incurring the following exploration expenditures on the property as follows:$250,000 on or before the first anniversary of the Effective Date;An additional $500,000 on or before the second anniversary of the Effective Date.An additional $500,000 on or before the third anniversary of the Effective Date.The Optionor will retain a 2.0 % GMR from any future production.The issuance of the common shares is subject to obtaining all required regulatory approvals, including that of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The common shares will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day for their date of issuance.On behalf of the board of directors."Gurminder Sangha"CEO, DirectorFor further information, please contact the Company at:info@ linearminerals.com Forward Looking StatementsWhen used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, the Company's plans regarding the Arrangement. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.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 or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs; shareholder, court and regulatory approvals; and general development, market and industry conditions.The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefu PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 07:00:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 471 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NameBlock has announced the launch of its new Trademark Blocking Suite, a unified protection system designed to help trademark owners safeguard their brands across eighteen global top-level domains (TLDs), including .bond, .buzz, .cfd, .cv, .cx, .cyou, .fans, .icu, .ke, .one, .qpon, .ruhr, .rw, .saarland, .sbs, .wang, .ws, and .lk.OSLO, NO / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / NameBlock's new offering provides an expanded, modernized approach to brand protection, giving registrars, enterprises, and brand-protection agencies a simplified, scalable, and predictable way to secure trademarks across a broad namespace. NameBlock Trademark Blocking Suite NameBlock Trademark Blocking SuiteThe NameBlock Trademark Blocking Suite prevents the registration of confusingly similar or abusive domain names that could mislead customers, damage brand trust, or serve as the basis for phishing and impersonation attacks. Once a trademark is validated and submitted through a participating registrar, NameBlock blocks the mark and its approved variants across all participating TLDs for the duration of the protection period."Brands today operate in a complex, fast-moving digital environment," said Lars Jensen, Chairman and CEO of NameBlock. "Our goal with this suite is to give trademark owners meaningful, portfolio-wide protection without the heavy burden of defensive domain registrations or extensive monitoring. This is modern trademark protection built for modern digital challenges." Three Tiers of Protection for Modern Trademark NeedsThe suite introduces three protection tiers, allowing trademark owners to select the level of control that aligns with their risk profile and brand strategy.Business Block Provides foundational protection by blocking the exact validated trademark, as well as basic variations such as plural forms or repeated characters, across all participating TLDs.Premium Block Extends protection to include homoglyphs and visually similar lookalike variations. This tier helps mitigate phishing and impersonation risks by preventing the registration of domains that are confusingly similar.Corporate Block Delivers the most comprehensive coverage, blocking exact matches, homoglyphs, and extended variants in which additional words appear before or after the protected mark. This tier is suited for high-exposure global brands and corporate portfolios.Coverage Across Eighteen TLDsNameBlock's protection applies across eighteen TLDs, including .bond, .buzz, .cfd, .icu, .cyou, .one, .sbs, .lk, and other widely used commercial and community namespaces. This broad coverage allows trademark owners to centralize security across multiple extensions through a single action.Built for Registrars and Corporate TeamsOnce activated, the block is centrally managed and applies across the full participating namespace, streamlining governance for corporate brand teams and reducing administrative load.AvailabilityThe NameBlock Trademark Blocking Suite is now available through participating registrars, including CSC, Markmonitor, Lexsynergy, Com Laude, Safenames, 101Domain, Gandi, and more.For more information or integration inquiries, visit www.nameblock.com or contacthello@ nameblock.com Media Contact:Eshan Pancholi eshan@ nameblock.com Contact InformationKevin KopasVice Presidenthello@ nameblock.com Amanda McMillenIdentity Digitalamanda.mcmillen@identity.digital Pinkard BrandAbuseShieldmedia@ nameblock.com SOURCE: NameBlock AS PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 00:00:30 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 9, 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: 2025-12-11 00:00:38 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 10, 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: 2025-12-11 00:00:40 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 10, 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: 2025-12-10 00:00:21 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 9, 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: 2025-12-10 00:00:32 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 9, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport" or the "Company") (NYSE:FCX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Freeport and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Freeport securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On September 9, 2025, Freeport issued a press release announcing the suspension of mining activities at its Grasberg Block Cave operation in Indonesia, after "a large flow of wet material from a production drawpoint . . . blocked access to certain areas within the mine," trapping seven workers. The press release further stated that mining operations in the area "have been temporarily suspended to prioritize the safe evacuation of the . . . workers." On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $2.80 per share, or 5.99%, to close at $43.87 per share on September 9, 2025.Then, on September 24, 2025, Freeport provided an update on the incident, reporting that two of the seven workers were "fatally injured" and that the remaining five workers "remain missing." The press release further stated that mining operations in the area remained suspended.On this news, Freeport's stock price fell $7.69 per share, or 16.95%, to close at $37.67 per share on September 24, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-10 02:35:23 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 837 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DiscoverSTEM Student Arjun Kommidi Recognized for Developing Technology to Support Children's Mental and Emotional Well-BeingDALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / December 9, 2025 / Arjun Kommidi, a high school student from DiscoverSTEM's Research and Innovation Lab, has been named the winner of America's Top Young Innovators 2025, held at the University of Texas at Dallas. Kommidi earned the title for developing and commercializing an AI-powered system that helps parents understand the mental, emotional, and behavioral development of children through peer-to-peer feedback.Image: Arjun Kommidi (right) receives the America's Top Young Innovators 2025 award at the University of Texas at Dallas. Credit: DiscoverSTEMThe competition, which drew more than 800 attendees from around the world, recognized student-led projects across artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, demonstrating that young innovators aged 10 to 22 are actively addressing pressing global challenges.Addressing Teen Mental Health Through TechnologyWith nearly one in three adolescents reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, teen mental health has emerged as a critical concern across the United States. Kommidi's innovation provides parents with insights into their children's well-being through a system designed for early detection and behavioral insight."For many teens, speaking up about mental health is difficult," Kommidi explained. "Technology can give parents a bridge to connect to their child's world as they undergo challenges related to mental, emotional, behavioral, and intellectual development." Kommidi dedicated two years to bringing his innovation from concept to commercialized product. Working through DiscoverSTEM's Ivy League Mentorship Program, where he has been a student since seventh grade, Kommidi secured a patent, obtained seed funding, and launched his system with support from industry partners including KnackForge Inc., a Texas-based software consulting firm specializing in GenAI-powered applications.Hidvika Dubey, a high school sophomore from Southlake, Texas, partnered with Kommidi to ensure the system was built on credible psychological and behavioral research. "We spent months immersed in research, drawing insights from the International Personality Item Pool-a global scientific effort that develops sophisticated measures of personality and individual differences-and the DSM-5-TR," Dubey shared. "It was important to us that the framework stood on solid scientific footing." "We believe AI becomes powerful only when it stays personal," said Vannia Rajan, Co-Founder and CTO of KnackForge. "Through partnerships like this, we're helping innovators and the communities they serve win together." Youth Innovation Spans Multiple DisciplinesThe competition recognized several other young innovators whose projects addressed challenges ranging from mental health to space debris:Ashaz Haque and Hadiya Sameenwere recognized for developing the AI algorithm for Mylin, an app designed to predict early signs of mental illness among teenagers.Aryaanshi Sundaramexplored "Green AI" through a comparative study of large language models and smaller language models, examining their energy efficiency and environmental impact. "Competing here showed me that technology and innovation is not just for professors or scientists working in labs," Sundaram said. "Even young teenagers can tackle pressing world problems with their ideas and solutions." Aayan Alibuilt an algorithm to automatically align a space debris cleaning system in orbit toward target debris.Gabriele Hiruedhaydeveloped a model to predict and prevent knee injuries in sports.Ayush Veer Davuluricreated an AI-powered robotic system to track, monitor, and predict termite and pest activity.DiscoverSTEM: Building Tomorrow's InnovatorsAs the official Innovation Partner for America's Top Young Innovators, DiscoverSTEM provides mentorship, research facilities, and patent-filing support to help students transform ideas into real-world innovations. Over the past five years, the organization has mentored hundreds of students, with 700 filing patent applications and 345 securing patents in the United States and internationally.DiscoverSTEM operates a state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Lab in Plano, Texas, where students engage in cutting-edge research across fields including aerospace, artificial intelligence, genomics, biotechnology, neurotechnology, and environmental sciences. The organization offers free innovation camps to competition participants and assists with intellectual property protection through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.On March 18, 2025, the Texas House of Representatives recognized DiscoverSTEM's contributions through House Resolution #403, formally acknowledging the organization's role in shaping the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.Gurvinder Singh Ahluwalia, founder of Digital Twin Labs and former IBM CTO, attended the event and called the students' work "a reminder that the future of science and technology lies in the creativity of our youth." About America's Top Young InnovatorsAmerica's Top Young Innovators is a global innovation competition for students aged 10 to 22, designed to showcase how young minds apply science, technology, and creativity to solve real-world challenges. The competition serves as both a recognition of student achievements and a platform for connecting young innovators with the resources and support needed to scale their innovations.For more information about America's Top Young Innovators, visitwww.topyounginnovators.org About DiscoverSTEMDiscoverSTEM is an organization dedicated to fostering the intellectual and creative potential of youth through hands-on research, mentorship, and innovation support. The organization provides students with the tools and guidance needed to transform ideas into impactful innovations. For more information, visitwww.discoverstem.info Media Contact: Sakib ShaikhDiscoverSTEM info@ discoverstem.info SOURCE: DiscoverSTEM PR-Inside.com: 2025-12-11 00:15:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 433 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Fifth Largest Conveyor Car Wash Company Expands Footprint in the Empire StateTHOMASTON, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / December 10, 2025 / Tidal Wave Auto Spa, one of the nation's fastest-growing car wash companies, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its brand-new express car wash inNew Hartford, NYat8428 Seneca Turnpike .To celebrate the opening with the community, theNew Hartford locationis offering eight days of free premium car washes from December 10-17. This limited-time promotion lets customers experience the company's premium wash option,Graph-X4 , at no cost. Additionally, any new customer who joins a Tidal WaveClean Clubunlimited wash membership during Grand Opening week will enjoy their first month of unlimited washes for $9.97, for savings up to $40.Tidal Wave Auto Spaproudly serves customers at303 express wash locationsacross the United States, includingfive New York locations . The company will continue its expansion in the coming months with grand openings inGeorgia ,Montana ,Florida ,South Carolina , and more."We're thrilled to join the New Hartford community this week," said Tidal Wave Auto Spa CEO and Founder Scott Blackstock. "Our goal is to provide every customer with an exceptional car wash experience that is easy, efficient, and enjoyable. This location is equipped with industry-leading technology to deliver a high-quality and consistent clean with every visit. We look forward to sharing Tidal Wave's car wash experience with the community during grand opening week and for many years to come." Contact Information:media@ tidalwaveautospa.com Thomaston, GA, December 10, 2025 - Tidal Wave is committed to providing every customer with an exceptional car wash experience through industry-leading car care technology, clean and welcoming locations, and friendly customer service. Withsingle wash options starting at $12,unlimited car wash memberships and family plans , andfleetplans for businesses, Tidal Wave delivers wash options to fit every need.For additional information about Tidal Wave Auto Spa, please visit: https://www.tidalwaveautospa.com/ About Tidal Wave Auto SpaTidal Wave Auto Spa was founded over 20 years ago in Thomaston, GA, by husband and wife, Scott and Hope Blackstock. What started as a small-town self-service car wash business evolved into the first conveyor car wash open in Georgia and is now the fifth-largest conveyor car wash company in the nation, with 303 locations spanning 30 states. Tidal Wave is dedicated to delivering an exceptional car wash experience for every customer through industry-leading car care technology, clean and inviting locations, and outstanding customer service. The company is equally committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves, raising over $7 million for local programs, service organizations, and non-profit organizations through its fundraising program and annual Charity Day event.SOURCE: Tidal Wave Auto Spa The tool is a legal standard for governments and parliaments in the region to use. It establishes obligations for digital platforms, such as the timely removal of violent or non-consensual content Deepfakes, threats, doxing (disclosure of personal information), hate speech spread through troll farms and bots, the use of viral hashtags, gender-biased fake news, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate content. The landscape of digital violence against women is increasingly broad and sinister. And although it is on the rise, most Latin American countries lack legal frameworks to protect them from this type of violence, which tends to be minimized despite its serious physical and psychological consequences. We need only recall cases like that of Olimpia Coral, a Mexican woman who attempted suicide three times after a former partner shared intimate videos of her; or the anguish women face regarding the obstacles they encounter on digital platforms when non-consensual information continues to be disseminated. So far, only initiatives like the Olimpia Law and the Belen Law, in Mexico and Argentina respectively, have been put in place. But a comprehensive legal framework is needed that addresses all facets of violence in digital environments and those responsible. This is the gap that the Inter-American Model Law to Prevent, Punish, and Eradicate Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence against Women, launched on December 10 in Brazil, seeks to fill. The tool was designed by the Committee of Experts of the Follow-up Mechanism to the Belem do Para Convention (MESECVI) of the Organization of American States (OAS). On Wednesday in Fortaleza, it will be received by the ministers and national authorities of the States Parties that ratified the Belem do Para Convention. It is a document with the highest legal standards on the subject, intended to serve as a guide and foundation for the protection of women from violence in digital environments by the congresses, governments, and judicial systems of countries in the region. The responsibility of platforms The most innovative aspect of this Model Law is that it establishes clear obligations for digital platforms and internet intermediaries to promptly remove violent or non-consensual content, design transparency measures, preserve evidence, and establish avenues of cooperation with the authorities. The Law emphasizes that the dignity of women must be above economic interests, as it points out that monetization models based on increased traffic and dissemination of content on platforms, including content shared without consent, have facilitated practices that allow profiting through the creation, dissemination or commercialization of misogynistic or violent digital content, in which the harm and exposure of victims become a source of economic benefit. The goal is not only for them to share responsibility for not harming women, but also to be transparent in their policies to prevent this type of violence from occurring in digital environments, explains Monica Maureira, vice president of the MESECVI expert committee. The Chilean expert adds that it is a digital governance model that requires intermediaries to design processes for detecting digital violence, involving trained personnel with an intersectional approach. Among the specific mechanisms included in the Law are, for example, that platforms must provide accessible and effective procedures for users to file complaints; comply with government requests issued by competent authorities through precautionary measures of content removal or restriction and through court orders; and have automatic labeling, through algorithms designed to detect content that could constitute digital violence against women. The development of this tool which took three years involved approximately 1,000 organizations and specialists from various sectors across eight Latin American countries. UN Women and the European Union, with its Act to End Violence against Women program, also participated in the process, as did the Republic of Italy and several organizations and specialists in digital rights. The faces of digital violence This Model Law addresses a wide range of digital violence, including that which already occurs with artificial intelligence. It covers everything from coercion to facilitate a womans suicide, or providing her with assistance to do so, through the use of digital technologies; to the exposure and sale of intimate photos, videos, or audio recordings without her consent, whether real, created, or altered through the use of artificial intelligence, or with applications and other technological programs. This includes installing tracking devices in cars or personal belongings without consent and using applications or installing spyware on electronic devices to access and control a womans privacy without authorization, including remote control of cameras, microphones, or geolocation functions, among many others. The document pays particular attention to women who participate in public life and politics, as violence against them often silences their voices in public discourse. According to the 2022 United Nations study Online gender-based violence against women with a public voice. Impact on freedom of expression, 80 percent of women with public voices who experienced digital violence limited their participation on social media and avoid expressing opinions or speaking out on certain issues. The ministers and other female politicians meeting Wednesday in Brazil are precisely the ones called upon to take the Law and implement it in their respective countries. Since it is a framework law, the various States that ratified the Belem Convention can adopt the law in its entirety or some parts to harmonize it with the regulations they have in force regarding cybersecurity or digital violence against women and girls based on gender, Maureira concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Top leaders in the United Arab Emirates, together with global philanthropist Bill Gates, have held high-level engagements with leading African industrialists to explore new avenues for collaboration and drive development efforts across the continent. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the African Business Leaders Delegation to the UAE comprised Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu and Elizabeth Jack-Rich. The two-day gathering, which took place from 6 to 7 December, brought executives into direct dialogue with top UAE authorities, where they discussed opportunities to expand economic ties, enhance business cooperation, and support philanthropic projects in Africa. The delegations mission focused on reinforcing UAE-Africa cooperation in key areas, including energy, digital connectivity, agriculture, and sustainable development. During the visit, the leaders met with Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, the group also joined Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for a working lunch where discussions centred on new models for long-term partnership between the UAE and African nations. The itinerary further included a development-focused dialogue with Bill Gates and a series of roundtable sessions with UAE ambassadors and senior officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit was convened by Badr Jafar, the UAEs Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, who later hosted a private dinner that brought together UAE philanthropists and African business leaders to discuss practical pathways for deeper regional cooperation. Chapter of UAEAfrica Ms Jack-Rich noted that the discussions opened the door to a renewed phase of collaboration and mutual growth between the UAE and Africa. She also expressed gratitude to Badr Jafar for facilitating the gathering, as well as to representatives of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other crucial ministries who supported the engagement. Ms Jack-Rich stated: It was a surreal and powerful honour to stand in a room shaped by Africas most formidable visionaries Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Mo Ibrahim, and other brilliant leaders driving the continents rise. In dialogue with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we explored a bold new chapter of UAEAfrica partnership and shared prosperity. She emphasised the importance of developing Africas infrastructure with confidence, showcasing the continents ambitions while adhering to international standards. Ms Jack-Rich noted that Africa is prepared to lead its own growth and highlighted ongoing efforts to do so at the Elevate Africa conference. She reiterated her dedication to African-led development, bolstered by strategic global partnerships. Her appearance as a delegate followed her earlier session at Elevate Africa 2025 in Gaborone, Botswana, where she addressed the topic of Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Transformation. The delegations visit underscores the growing momentum of UAE investments across Africa. Between 2019 and 2023, the UAE invested over $110 billion in the continent, with more than $70 billion allocated to renewable energy and green infrastructure projects. Recently, the UAE also unveiled a $1 billion AI for Development programme aimed at supporting artificial intelligence initiatives in African education, agriculture, and infrastructure. Talks to take over Beta Glass, Nigerias second best-performing stock this year, by a new majority owner, Helios Investment Partners, has been completed with a deal reached to consummate the transaction at $100 million. Frigoglass Group, the majority shareholder, closed the deal with the London-based private equity firm, with the understanding that cash settlement will follow latest by next March, Beta Glass announced Tuesday. It will sell the entirety of its shareholding in Frigoinvest Nigeria Holdings B.V, the holding company of its Nigeria glass business and Frigoglass Industries Nigeria Limited, the company said in a regulatory filing. Frigoglass Industries and Frigoinvest Nigeria hold 61.9 per cent and 8.2 per cent interests respectively in the glass container maker, putting the potential stake to be snapped up by Helios at 70.1 per cent. Africa-focused Helios Investment is buying Frigoglass stake on behalf of the funds to which it provides advisory services. Its investment interest included fintechs, digital infrastructure and tech-driven businesses, the information on its website shows. The acquisition needs a nod from regulators to fly, and plans are in place for Beta Glass to help the acquirer through the regulatory approval process to ease transition. Market performance Traders have been piling into Beta Glass shares since April, when the release of its first quarter accounts showed that after-tax profit soared nearly seven times to N10 billion, compared a year earlier. That helped bring the stock, which until then had been in obscurity, to increased investors attention. With year-to-date yield at 531 per cent, it is so far this year Nigerias best-performing stock after NCR Nigeria. Return on equity January through September stood at 30 per cent, compared to 12.8 per cent in the same period of last year. Bloomberg, citing an interview with Frigoglass chair, Gagik Akparian in September, reported that the company wanted to divest from Beta Glass so it can use the proceeds to repay maturing senior secured bonds. The strong profit performance of the company, which is West and Central Africas biggest glass container producer, makes it a strong attraction to buyers, according to the chairman, the news outlet said. Francophone Africas expansion push In February, Beta Glass unveiled plans to extend its footprints in French-speaking African countries. As of then, its reach, apart from its base Nigeria, where it runs two glass manufacturing plants, spanned at least twelve export markets on the continent. It is committing 17.5 million to scale-up plans in the West and Central Africa region, hoping to ride on the back of Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement to access promising markets. What weve done also is looking first to our closest neighbours, a little bit further away, the whole continent, and then anywhere in the world. But first is Nigeria. First. Second is ECOWAS. Third is the whole continent, CEO Alexander Gandis said. It produces 650 million glass containers every year. Annual crate production capacity is at 5.5 million units while that of crown is at 3.2 billion units, based on its website data. The company said it invested N15.3 billion on expanding output capacity in the last five years. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has inaugurated a new Board for the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), with Governor Olayemi Cardoso outlining a broad agenda to modernise agricultural finance, expand credit access and strengthen oversight across Nigerias food systems. Mr Cardoso said the inauguration, which took place on Tuesday in Abuja, marked a turning point for one of the countrys oldest development finance programmes. He described the occasion as a defining moment, a bold statement of intent that signals a new dawn for agricultural financing in Nigeria. He noted that agriculture remained central to the economy, contributing more than one-fifth of GDP and employing nearly two-thirds of the labour force, yet received less than five per cent of bank lending. He said this financing gap had held back millions of farmers and insisted the country could no longer accept business-as-usual in agricultural lending. Mr Cardoso stressed that the ACGSF, created in 1977 to de-risk bank lending, must evolve to meet todays realities, from complex value chains and climate risks to the rise of agritech and modern production systems. The CBN governor highlighted the schemes expanded capacity following the 2019 amendment, which increased its share capital from N3 billion to N50 billion and widened its operational scope. He added that the new seven-member board, now including a representative of Nigerian farmers, was designed to ensure the fund reflects the voices of those it serves and supports stronger collaboration between policymakers, lenders and rural producers. Mr Cardoso called for deeper financial inclusion, particularly for women and young farmers who face chronic barriers to credit, technology and formal finance. Citing research showing that nearly 60 per cent of rural women do not use mobile internet, he urged the board to work with microfinance institutions, cooperatives and fintechs to design products and channels that reach underserved communities. He said the CBN expected the new board to deploy better oversight and monitoring tools, including data platforms, digital dashboards and satellite imagery, to track loan use, crop performance and repayment trends in real time. Such systems, he said, would improve transparency, expose bottlenecks early and ensure guaranteed loans deliver measurable value. The governor emphasised that modern agriculture required steady investment in seeds, irrigation, mechanisation, storage, processing and other value-adding activities. He said a stronger ACGSF would help farmers raise productivity, cut post-harvest losses and expand incomes, outcomes aligned with national goals on food security and economic diversification. Mr Cardoso noted that the reconstitution of the Board closed a leadership gap, adding that institutions must not be left without leadership and direction. He pledged full CBN support to the Board as it works to drive agricultural transformation. He urged members to embed accountability, innovation and learning into the schemes operations, arguing that its performance would be critical to ensuring affordable food, supporting rural livelihoods and strengthening Nigerias broader economic development agenda. The Nigeria Shippers Council has unveiled its Digital Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to strengthen efficiency, transparency and service delivery within the maritime and blue economy sector. This marks a major step in Nigerias maritime digital transformation. The Executive Secretary of Shippers Council, Pius Akutah, said this during the unveiling on Tuesday in Abuja. Mr Akutah described the ECMS as a transformative tool and core pillar of the councils digitalisation agenda. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Shippers Council ECMS is the first comprehensive, organisation-wide digital content-management system in the Nigerian maritime regulatory space. It focuses on operations, and on administrative efficiency, transparency, workflow automation and improved service delivery, setting a new benchmark for the maritime sector. Mr Akutah said that the ECM system would eliminate delays, manual file movement and administrative bottlenecks that had hindered public institutions for years. According to him, strengthening accountability, speed and information security through the ECMS would enhance the councils regulatory effectiveness in the maritime and blue economy sector. The launch responds directly to the Federal Governments digital mandate, and the council is among early adopters, proving that full digital transition is achievable and essential, he said. Mr Akutah thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, for supporting the successful rollout of the system. He also thanked the Head of Service, stakeholders and council staff for their support. He urged the staff members to embrace the platform as their new operational environment and a vital tool for sustaining a modern, paperless and efficient regulatory institution. The SGF, Mr Akume, urged all MDAs to embrace digital transformation inspite of the difficulties of digital adoption in public service. He tasked public services and institutions to rise to the challenge of digitalisation responsibly. Mr Akume encouraged MDAs to study the ECMS implementation journey and deploy similar systems to strengthen internal administrative capacity. He said that the initiative represented a clear demonstration of the Federal Governments commitment to modernising public administration through integrated digital governance. According to him, the ECMS eliminates inefficiencies, delays and opacity linked to paper-based processes and manual workflows in public institutions. Mr Akume said that audit trails, secure approvals, workflow automation and centralised documentation aligned with global standards, ensuring accountability, reducing bottlenecks and improving responses to maritime industry challenges. He commended the Shippers Council boss for implementing the system in line with the presidential directive on digital records management. He described the rollout as a major step toward improving ease of doing business and modernising government operations nationwide. The SGF also commended the Oyetola for providing strategic leadership in the marine and blue economy sector, enabling the ECMS rollout by the nations port economic regulator. Also speaking, Mr Oyetola described the launch as a significant milestone in Nigerias move toward a modern, technology-driven maritime administration. The minister said that digital transformation was central to repositioning Nigeria as an efficient and competitive maritime nation aligned with global trade demands. He said that the theme reflected the need for technologies that improved speed, precision and institutional performance across the maritime sector. Mr Oyetola noted that, although internal, the ECMS would extend benefits beyond administration by improving service delivery, reducing delays and enhancing predictable, transparent regulatory interventions. Automated workflows, secure approvals and centralised information will cut turnaround times, improve port performance and boost Nigerias competitiveness regionally and globally, he said. The minister highlighted broader maritime reforms, including clearing the Apapa gridlock, Federal Governments approving of port modernisation and establishing inland dry ports across all zones. He said that these reforms aimed to stimulate trade and deepen economic inclusion nationwide. In her remarks, the Head of Service, Didi Walson-Jack, reaffirmed the Federal Governments commitment to a fully digital, paperless administrative structure by the end of 2025. She praised the Shippers Council for leading by example and aligning with the presidential directive on digital records management. She added that the ECMS demonstrated readiness for future governance where automation replaces manual and paper-based processes. NAN The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has pledged to pursue the dredging of Rivers Niger and Benue and facilitate railway connectivity across the North Central region to boost economic growth and improve livelihoods. Cyril Tsenyil, Managing Director of the Commission, gave the assurance at the launch and signing ceremony of the Ajaokuta Economic City (KogiHunan Free Trade Zone) agreement between the Kogi State Government and a Chinese consortium. Mr Tsenyil described the project as a strategic initiative that offers the newly established commission an opportunity to identify developmental gaps and contribute meaningfully to the prosperity of Kogi State, the region and the country. He said the NCDC was established not to compete with state governments but to complement their efforts by removing obstacles to development and strengthening collaboration across the North Central zone. The MD commended Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi for his foresight in initiating the free trade zone, which he said would stimulate growth and harness the states mineral, cultural and human resources. In his remarks, Mr Ododo said the project was a bold and transformative step that would redefine the economic landscape of Kogi and accelerate national development. The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the Ajaokuta Free Trade Zone, describing it as a gateway to employment generation and industrial expansion. The governor also expressed delight that the project was taking off at a time when the NCDC was beginning operations with a clear commitment to provide infrastructure that would support the initiative. He reaffirmed the state governments readiness to partner closely with the Commission. Leader of the Chinese consortium, Li Zhensheng, said the group was pleased to partner with the Kogi Government under the leadership of Ododo, adding that the project would be funded in collaboration with global partners. Other stakeholders at the event expressed support for the initiative and pledged contributions toward its successful implementation. (NAN) President Bola Tinubu has directed the Inspector-General of Police, security chiefs, and the National Economic Council (NEC) to restructure security deployments, arm forest guards, and rehabilitate grazing reserves into economically viable ranches nationwide. The president issued the directive at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday as part of broader efforts to curb kidnapping, terrorism and recurring farmerherder conflicts nationwide. The Nigerian leader noted that he is aware that our people are exposed and said there is an urgent need to make exceptional provisions for their protection. I know some of our people are exposed and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them, and civil defence is equally armed, and I want the NSA to arm our forest guards too, take it very seriously, Mr Tinubu said. He stressed that his directive must be carried out, adding: We face challenges of Kidnapping and terrorism, we need all the forces that we can utilise. Livestock reform The president directed the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to task the NEC with identifying which grazing reserves can be transformed into livestock settlements. Again, especially livestock reform, I think the Vice President should get the NEC first of all to see which villages or grazing reserves can be salvaged or rehabilitated into Ranches, Livestock settlements, he said. Mr Tinubu explained that should officials encounter any security concerns while implementing his directives, they must immediately notify the police chief. And I told the IGP, and I hope the minister of police affairs is here. If you have any security concerns because of the nature of the assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance, he said. He directed the Minister of the Interior to collaborate with the IGP and the Civil Defence structure to replace police officers currently deployed on special duties, ensuring that communities are not left unprotected. NSA and DSS to provide further information and form themselves the committee and review the structure, he added. Mr Tinubu reiterated that the government must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform agenda into a viable economic venture. The opportunity is there, lets utilise it, he said. He noted that since land belongs to states under the Constitution, governors should determine which areas can be converted into livestock villages. Let us stop this conflict area and turn it into economic opportunities and prosperity, the president said. On 23 November, President Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIPs across the country. The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has since begun enforcing the directive. Recently, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that 11,566 personnel attached to VIPs had been recalled following the presidential order. Earlier today, the Senate requested that President Tinubu exempt lawmakers from the directive. Shakara Festival, the fast-growing cultural and music experience positioning itself as Lagos next major December destination, has unveiled a robust and genre-spanning lineup for its 2025 edition. This years roster is led by some of Nigerias most influential contemporary acts Blaqbonez, Show Dem Camp (SDC), Brymo and The Cavemen, signalling an ambitious step in the festivals bid to cement its place in the Detty December calendar. Set to run from 18 to 21 December 2025 at the Nautica Beach Resort in Elegushi, Lekki, the four-day festival blends music, culture, conversations, nightlife, gaming and spirituality into a tightly curated programme that organisers say reflects the many layers of Nigerian youth culture today. Other performers on the roster include JDess, Mich Straaw, Mavo, Llona, Tar1q, Morravey, Brymo, Johnny Drille and diaspora acts such as Oshamo and Keys The Prince. Festival organisers say the curation is designed to reflect the breadth of contemporary Nigerian music. A Multigenre Lineup This years lineup places a strong emphasis on diversity. Blaqbonez brings his irreverent rap energy and youth-driven fan base; Show Dem Camp anchors the Alte and lyrical hip-hop community; Brymo offers a more poetic, folk-fusion edge; and The Cavemen are expected to deliver nostalgic, percussion-rich Highlife sessions that consistently draw multigenerational audiences. They will be joined by a broad spectrum of emerging voices shaping the soundscape of new Afrobeats, including Mavo, Llona, Tar1q and Morravey, all performers who have built strong followings with Gen Z listeners. Soul, R&B, and alternative lovers will be catered to with acts such as JDess, Johnny Drille, and Mich Straaw, while diaspora performers Oshamo and Keys The Prince help bridge conversations between African and global sounds. Organisers say the mix is intentional: a statement that a single genre or audience segment no longer defines contemporary Nigerian music. Shakara After Dark and Gospel Finale A significant highlight of the 2025 edition is the introduction of Shakara After Dark, a late-night experience that will be headlined by Obis House, a nightlife powerhouse. On 20 December, the Obis House team will transform the festival grounds into a beachside rave, bringing along its signature atmosphere and an A-list DJ lineup led by DJ Shawn, Bonamax and other resident spinners. Organisers expect the takeover to draw a dedicated nightlife crowd and inject a new level of energy into the festivals nocturnal experience. In a distinctive twist that sets Shakara Festival apart from other December events, organisers have dedicated the final day, 21 December, entirely to gospel music. The day will feature a powerful array of Nigerias most celebrated gospel performers, including Sinach, Ada Ehi, Yinka Alaseyori, Bidemi Olaoba, SMJ, Gbenga Akinfenwa, Magpsalms, Kingdom, Gerald Bishung and several others. Festival organisers say the aim is to close the four-day event on a note of gratitude, reflection and collective elevation. They describe the Gospel Day as an intentional spiritual climax designed to offer festivalgoers a different kind of high after nights of music, dance and cultural immersion. Four Cultural Zones The Shakara Festival experience goes beyond music. Attendees will explore four major cultural zones designed to reflect the breadth of modern Nigerian creativity. Shakara Junction will serve as a vibrant marketplace for artisans, fashion brands, food vendors and cultural merchandise. Shakara Series will host panel discussions and workshops on the music industry and the broader creative economy. Shakara Games Village will offer competitive and casual gaming experiences. And Shakara After Dark will stand as the premier nightlife zone, culminating in the Obis House takeover. With early bird tickets already selling out quickly, organisers are encouraging prospective attendees to secure their passes before prices rise on 1 December. Both day tickets and full-access passes are available via the official festival website. The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has explained why he no longer employs female secretaries. The 83-year-old cleric made the revelation during his sermon titled Jonah Must Go on day two of the Holy Ghost Congress 2025, held at the Redemption Camp along the LagosIbadan Expressway. The sermon video was posted on the churchs YouTube page on Tuesday. Mr Adeboye recounted that he once had a female secretary who worked with him at Ebute Metta in Lagos State, but he dismissed her upon arriving at the camp. He said he decided because he wanted the Jonah in his life to depart. Mr Adeboye said: From the moment I got to this campground, from the moment I got to a stage where at night I still have to walk. I ceased to have a female secretary. Some people think it is gender discrimination. I know myself. I know who I was before Jesus saved my soul. I see the possibility of being left alone at night with the opposite sex. Oh, but if you are to get a secretary like the last one I had, she was a wonderful child of God. She was my secretary at Ebute Metta. Wonderful lady. True child of the living God. And when I arrived, I knew I would still be in the office at 3 a.m. And I could imagine, after a long days work, everybody finally sees the last visitor. And then my secretary comes at 2 a.m. We are through now, sir. Is there any way I can help you? Like, you know, a cup of tea to relax? Jonah must go. Examples Additionally, the clergyman shared two examples involving pastors within the church whom he advised to dismiss their secretaries because they were women. According to him, one pastor followed his counsel and went on to become a great man of God, while the other disregarded the advice and eventually strayed from the Lords ways. There is one of my sons here. A great man of God. When he started, his ministry was tiny. He came to me from the north. He said, Daddy, I have a problem. I said, Whats your problem? He said, I always feel excited when it is Monday. Whats the problem with that? He said, because Ill be going to the office on Monday. I said, Yeah, whats the problem? He said, The reason I feel excited about going to the office on Monday is that I want to see my secretary again. He said, What should I do? Whats wrong? What prayer? I said, prayer. As soon as you get home, sack her. Pay whatever you have to pay. He said, Yes, sir. He got back to the office the following Monday. And told the girl, Thank you very much. Well pay you this much for notice. But you, you cease to be my secretary from today. She erupted. Not that I blame her. I know where you are coming from. Youve gone to visit that stupid man you call your father. My son says, call him stupid. Just go. Today he is a great man of God. Why? Because Jonah had gone, he said. Mr Adeboye explained that the second pastor, who had been leading one of the RCCG churches in the United States, was relieved of his duties because he failed to heed his advice. More instances He added that the pastor subsequently went on to marry the secretary and established a church of his own. The clergyman noted, I had another son, who was pastoring one of our big churches in America. And I had some things. So I brought him here. I told him, sack that secretary. He said, youre joking, sir. Were not talking about Nigeria. Were talking about America. I said, is that so? Sack her. He said, no way. Well, at the end of the day, we had to relieve him. The husband of the secretary was cross with me. Took a harsh decision. Only for him to discover. I think four out of the five children, the woman, had belonged to a former pastor. And it didnt end there. It wasnt long before the lady chased the pastor out. And became the owner of the pastor. God has mercy on pastors. Anything that can truncate your destiny. Mr Adeboye urged the congregation, and Christians more broadly, to let go of friendships that do not draw them closer to God. He explained that by ending an unhealthy relationships, an individual may, in fact, be helping the other person as well. When you look at the parable of Jonah. You may begin to say, if I cut off this relationship. If I throw Jonah into the ocean. Leave the rest to God. The God of all flesh. Until they threw Jonah into the sea. He wasnt going to where God wanted him to go. Leave the rest to the God of all flesh. One of the most successful and significant early Nigerian films, Bisi, Daughter of the River, may soon be revisited from a contemporary perspective. A movie producer is seeking to remake the film, which represents the golden age of Nigerian cinema in the 1970s, when filmmakers began producing films on celluloid for Nigerian audiences. The film, whose production was reportedly financially supported by the late business magnate, M.K.O. Abiola, starred, among others, Patti Boulaye (Patricia Ngozi Ebigwei), John Chukwu, and Jab Adu. Its success also helped to pave the way for future filmmakers and foster a sense of possibility for home-grown Nigerian movies, long before the video-based boom of the 1990s. Due to the films significance in laying the foundations for modern Nollywood, the producer, through his lawyer, Rockson Igelige, has sought copyright clearance for a remake of the film from a contemporary perspective. In a notice issued by Igelige, a copy of which was made available to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja, he requested information that could assist in establishing contact with the estate of Ladi Ladebo, producer of the 1977 film. Clearance According to Mr Igelige, his client had made repeated attempts over several months to contact the film producer to obtain copyright clearance, but had yet to receive a response. The lawyer noted that Section 35(1) of the Copyright Act, 2022, empowers his client to obtain the copyright clearance on the grounds of public interest. He, therefore, requested anyone possessing information that could assist in establishing contact with the producer to reach out at 08033076491 or [email protected] Adapted from a play of the same title, by Ladi Ladebo, Jab Adu, and Kola Ogunnaike, the main character, Bisi, in the film, is from the coastal town of Badagry. Her father believes she is a gift from the river goddess, Yemoja, and insists that she become a priestess serving the goddess. Rejecting this destiny, Bisi flees to Lagos and becomes a secretary for a businessman (named Paul Banji). There, she falls in love with his business partner, Dexter Raymond a relationship that severs any hope of returning to Badagry. The film introduces danger through a villainous character (Babalola), who plots to kill Dexter and Bisi to sabotage the business. Under threat, Bisi tries to escape, but during a dramatic chase in a boat, she tragically falls into the river and drowns, in view of worshippers of Yemoja. The film ends with the implication that the river goddess has claimed her as her own. (NAN) Nollywood actor and filmmaker Nosa Rex Okunzuwa, famously known as Baba Rex, has given his married colleagues a strong tip on how to handle the intersection between their marital vows and their career. In August, the actor celebrated his 10th wedding anniversary with his wife, Deborah. To mark the day, the couple released Edo-inspired pictures complete with layers of coral beads, gold beadwork and the entire works. More recently, the actor shared endearing words with his wife, describing her as his World Best. When I count my blessings, I count you twice. My World is best for a reason. My guy, well, well. I love you scatter, he wrote on X. He has now come out publicly to reveal that there is a proviso that makes his marriage to Deborah sail smoothly amidst his acting career. Terms and conditions In a recent post on X, the actor has revealed that he always informs his wife before taking on any role that involves displaying intimacy with a member of the opposite sex. This may come as a surprise, as Rex is not known for playing flirtatious roles in movies. If I wan shoot any scene wey involve touching things, I will first update my wife and beg her to be involved. Her patience and understanding no be here. That woman don really try for me, Baba Rex revealed in a follow-up post. He said that the reason he works so hard is to give his family the life he didnt get as a child. We work work work so hard to give our families the life that we didnt get growing up. I pray everyone working so hard to provide for their families, live to enjoy the fruits of their labour, Rex added. Baba Rex Born in Benin City, Edo State, Baba Rex bagged a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Ambrose Alli University in Ekpoma in 2009. His acting career began in 2010, following his completion of national service. His first movie appearance was in Gazza Treason by Derek Osonwa. He gained limelight when he played Terwase in the popular TV series Jenifas Diary, created by Funke Akindele. In August 2015, he tied the knot with Ms Deborah, who also goes by Nenny Gold. The couple is blessed with three children. Baba Rex is the CEO of the film production house Big Things Development. Her victory ends 30 years of Republican control and makes her the first Democrat to lead a city historically dominated by Cuban Americans Eileen Higgins made history on Tuesday by becoming Miamis first female mayor, defeating her opponent, former city manager Emilio Gonzalez, with nearly 60% of the vote. With her victory, the 61-year-old Higgins also becomes the first Democrat and someone who is not of Cuban or Cuban-American descent to hold that office in the last 30 years. Tonight, the people of Miami made history. Together, we turned the page on years of chaos and corruption, and opened the door to a new era for our city, Higgins said in a statement. The race for mayor of Miami, Floridas second most populous city, is nonpartisan, but it was seen from the beginning as a political battle between Higgins, a Democrat, and Gonzalez, a Republican, after Miami-Dade County a Democratic stronghold for decades turned Republican in the last presidential election by supporting Donald Trump (although the city of Miami gave a narrow advantage to Kamala Harris). That scenario opened the door to a race with an increasingly political overtones, and the fight intensified last month after Trump gave his full endorsement to Gonzalez when Democrats secured important victories in key states such as the New York City mayoral race and the governorships of Virginia and New Jersey results interpreted as a rejection of Trumps policies and a boost for the Democratic Party heading into the 2026 midterm elections. For its part, the Democratic National Committee endorsed Higgins an unusual move at the municipal level placing the election in the national spotlight as a barometer of the Hispanic vote in the United States. Miami has half a million inhabitants, of whom more than 70% are Hispanic and almost 60% are immigrants. The majority of residents are Cuban and Cuban-American (30%). The city is just one of the 34 municipalities in Miami-Dade County, which is over 70% Hispanic. During the race, the Republican Party compared Higgins to Mamdani whom Trump labeled a communist during the New York City Council campaign in an apparent attempt to generate a negative perception among exile communities from totalitarian regimes such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua living in South Florida. Gonzalez, for his part, entered the election bolstered by the support of high-profile Republican politicians, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Senators Rick Scott (Florida) and Ted Cruz (Texas). These endorsements earned him the nickname MAGA mayor among Democrats. Donald Trumps anti-immigrant agenda has hit South Florida communities hard. Miami-Dade residents have seen how hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans including their own relatives were left in limbo after the government canceled humanitarian programs and protections that allowed them to live and work legally in the country. They have also witnessed the construction of immigrant detention centers in their backyard, with ominous names and accusations of human-rights violations, while workplace raids, arrests on highways, and detentions in immigration courts have intensified, creating an atmosphere of fear in the communities. The political effect has been noticeable, and many who supported the Republican president have expressed regret. Discontent with immigration-enforcement tactics is reflected in polls, where a majority say they oppose arresting and deporting immigrants who have not committed any crime. In that environment, Higgins was able to channel the discontent and capitalize on the backlash. During her campaign, she openly criticized the presidents cruel agenda and presented herself as a sensitive alternative to the Hispanic communitys struggles, promoting respect for immigrants. She has also said that the agreement between Miami police and federal agencies to arrest immigrants known as 287(g), which the city signed in June was a mistake, and she will try to overturn it. The mayor-elect has indicated that ending Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and Haitians poses a danger to the citys economy, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without work permits, with the corresponding impact on families and local businesses. She has also expressed opposition to the controversial transfer of a valuable Miami Dade College property in downtown to the State of Florida for the construction of Trumps presidential library. For seven years, the mayor-elect represented District 5 of the Miami-Dade Commission, which includes Miami neighborhoods with a high density of Hispanics such as Little Havana, Shenandoah, and the river area near downtown. She graduated from the University of New Mexico and Cornell, and has worked as an engineer and marketing executive. Local politics in Miami has been plagued by corruption scandals and is often described as a dynasty, because many people from the same families have held similar public positions for years. For example, the outgoing mayor, Francis Suarez, is the son of Xavier Suarez, who was mayor in the 1980s and 1990s and ran again this year. Thirteen candidates took part in the race. In the first round, Higgins led with 36% of the vote, followed by Gonzalez with 19%. Voter turnout was 21%. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A few days ago, I visited Rev. Fr. George Ehusani at the Lux Terra Leadership Foundation in Abuja. What was meant to be a short meeting stretched into a whole afternoon, because when you sit with Fr. Ehusani, his passion, depth, and wisdom pull you in. I learnt a lot. Lux Terras Psycho-Spiritual Institute is accredited by the NUC to offer postgraduate programmes in Psycho-Spiritual Trauma Healing and Psycho-Spiritual Therapy the same programmes it already offers in Kenya. They have trained students from 27 African countries. Impressive work. But Fr. Ehusani shared a painful experience. Their first set of international students arrived in Nigeria in September 2025, only to be told that obtaining a one-year study permit would cost $1,481.06 per student the same fee imposed on expatriate workers. For context, in Kenya, student permits cost approximately $75. In most African countries, the prices range between $40 and $110.Nigeria did not have a student visa category on the payment portal. Everyone was classified as an expatriate. Lux Terra ultimately paid nearly 4.5 million for only two Rwandan students, for a single year. They were already considering sending the students back and redirecting future applicants to their Nairobi campus instead. I was livid. How can a country that imports education massively, spending $1.39 billion (2.16 trillion) in just six months of 2025, create barriers against the few international students willing to study here? How can we speak of exporting education when our policies chase students away? But experience, and my commitment to evidence-based assessment, has taught me to do one thing first: ask questions, not assume. So I called the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. He clarified that the charge was a mistake, a result of the newly introduced Expatriate Comprehensive Insurance, which was intended for foreign employees, not students. The insurance shifts repatriation costs (Nigeria spends over 20 billion annually on deportations) from the government to expatriate employers. Students were never meant to be included. Minutes later, the Minister called back to confirm that the error had been corrected and that student visas were no longer included in the insurance requirement. I immediately informed Fr. Ehusani and assured him that I would follow up to recover the 4.5 million that had already been paid. I celebrate his resilience and his vision to bring more African students to Nigeria. He deserves all our support. I would also like to thank the Minister of the Interior for his prompt response and prompt correction of the error. Leadership is about listening, and he acted immediately. However, this incident highlights a deeper national issue. Nigeria urgently needs to export education; it is a low-hanging fruit with a massive multiplier effect. The numbers tell a disturbing story: According to Nairametrics, Nigerians spent $1.39 billion (2.16 trillion) on foreign education in the first half of 2025. That represents a 20% rise in dollar terms and a 38% increase in Naira. Despite the massive 2023 devaluation, this is the highest half-year education spend since 2021. Meanwhile, the CBN recorded zero income from education exports, meaning no inflow from international students in Nigeria. If we want a modern, competitive economy, we must reverse the trend of all exports and no imports. I believe it is time to set a national target for the number of international students our public and private universities must attract annually and shape our policies to support that goal. Education is one of the worlds largest exports. Nigeria cannot afford to stay out of that market. Osita Chidoka 09 December 2025 Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka on Tuesday criticised the large number of armed security personnel that he saw accompanying Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. Mr Soyinka spoke in Lagos while presenting an honorary award to Odia Ofeimun, the famous poet and activist who was honoured by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. Mr Soyinka mocked the situation by saying that President Bola Tinubu should not have deployed Nigerian soldiers and air force officials to Benin to foil Sundays attempted coup there but should instead have asked Seyi Tinubu to go with his armed security escorts to foil the coup. Mr Soyinka said he counted at least 15 or so heavily armed to the teeth security officials who accompanied the presidents son at a hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos. He said he was so astonished by what he saw that he reached out to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to complain about it. According to Mr Soyinka, he initially mistook the scene for a film production, but a young man detached himself from the group to greet him, and he only learned from his driver afterwards that the individual was Seyi Tinubu, the presidents son. Ive just seen something I cant believe, I dont understand, he recalled telling the official. Do you mean that a child of the head of state goes around with an army for his protection or whatever? I couldnt believe it. Later on, I did some investigative journalism. And I enquired and I found that apparently, this is how this young man goes around with his battalion, his heavy armed soldiers, he added. Lets not overdo things He argued that devoting such a contingent to a private citizen could undermine the countrys security framework. He added that Nigeria was not the first nation with a head of state, and that presidential children should remain within appropriate boundaries. Children should know their place. They are not potentates, he said. He joked that if the country faced another insurrection, the president should simply call his son to deploy the troop-sized detail that follows him around. Next time theres an insurrection, I think the president should just call that young man and say, go and put down those stupid people there. You have enough troops under your command, so dont bother me with all the security issues any longer. Lets not overdo things, he cautioned. Overstretched security personnel The criticism comes weeks after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country, directing that they refocus on their core duties of protecting the public. The presidential directive, issued at a security meeting in Abuja with the police, Air Force, Army chiefs, and the Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS), stated that VIPs requiring personal protection must now request well-armed personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Nigerias worsening insecurity has put enormous pressure on the countrys already overstretched security forces. Despite rising incidents of banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes, significant numbers of police and other security personnel are assigned to protect private individuals, including VIPs and political figures, rather than focusing on public safety. The presidency has not commented on the remarks as of the time of this report Liberian senators have introduced two separate bills to establish a war crimes court and a specialised economic and corruption crimes court. This aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) 2009 recommendation to establish an extraordinary criminal tribunal to prosecute former warlords and criminal perpetrators of Liberias 14-year civil wars, including for economic crimes. Introduced in October 2025, four years after a draft bill was submitted to the legislature by the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), and 16 years after the TRC recommendation, the bills reflect the continued quest for justice and accountability, even though the war ended in 2003. While some justice advocates say the bills provisions may enable perpetrators to go unpunished, their introduction offers an opportunity to draw lessons from challenges that impeded transitional justice, and to promote justice and accountability in Liberia. Already, President Joseph Boakais administration has established the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWEC) to explore the possibility of setting up such a court. The aim, he says, is to provide an opportunity for those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity to account for their actions in court. On 12 March, the OWECs executive director announced plans to introduce a revised version of the LNBAs bill. The OWECs work has been challenged by a lack of national consensus on prioritising justice and accountability. This stems from a key dilemma that accompanied the signing of the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement the inclusion of former warlords in post-war governance. Before his death on 28 November 2024, a notable example was Senator Prince Johnson who led the notorious Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia rebel group and became a powerbroker in post-war presidential elections. Prosecuting Mr Johnson and other warlords risked antagonising their support base and destabilising Liberia. Mr Johnson remained a deeply popular figure in his native Nimba County and even ran for president in 2011, though he came a distant third with about 12% of the vote. With the passage of time and Mr Johnsons death, however, this risk has considerably subsided, offering Liberia an opportunity to ensure criminal accountability of perpetrators and deliver justice to victims and survivors. Justice delivery is key to addressing the culture of impunity, some sources tell ISS Today, which has remained entrenched in post-war Liberia and continues to undermine public trust and confidence in governance institutions, including the courts. It is also necessary for reassuring victims, survivors and their families. It would contribute to national reconciliation, which has eluded Liberia through lack of prioritisation. Moreover, Liberias laws do not provide for statutes of limitation for war crimes and crimes against humanity. So there are no deadlines for charging and prosecuting perpetrators, which allows the OWEC to follow through with its plans to issue the first set of indictments in 2027. Trials in courts elsewhere that apply universal jurisdiction have continued to close the impunity gap for crimes committed in Liberia, as evidenced by convictions secured in courts in France, Switzerland, and The Netherlands, and the case against Martina Johnson in Belgium. In April 2022, however, a Finnish court acquitted Gibril Massaquoi, former Sierra Leonean Revolutionary United Front rebel group commander, of charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Liberia due to lack of evidence. Aside from the difficulty of prosecuting politically powerful former warlords, Liberia also faced the challenge of balancing post-war reconstruction with justice and accountability. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberias first democratically elected post-war president, who herself was recommended for a 30-year ban from public office for financially supporting former president Charles Taylors rebellion, prioritised economic recovery and infrastructural development. Achieving these goals was contingent on attracting international support, including investments in the national resource sector and debt forgiveness. Ms Sirleafs administration consistently argued that Liberians had moved on from war-era issues, although it sought to promote restorative justice through the non-prosecutorial Palava Hub programme. Her successor, George Weah, also de-emphasised justice and accountability. Although he sought legislative advice to establish the court and voiced support for it in his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in September 2019, he retracted his support on returning to Liberia. Mr Weah reportedly argued that accountability had to be balanced with other imperatives, including development. However, this focus on post-war reconstructive recovery and development did not result in improved livelihoods, even if it came at the expense of justice and accountability. Liberia remains among the worlds least developed countries, consistently ranking lowest in the United Nations Development Programmes Human Development Index since the end of the war. This has not only resulted in difficult living conditions and created public discontent, often leading to protests, but sources told ISS Today it had compounded the lack of national reconciliation. While much of this underdevelopment is not entirely the doing of post-war governments and can be attributed to disruptions caused by the 2014 Ebola epidemic and COVID-19 pandemic, the situation shows that choosing reconstruction over justice and accountability does not guarantee positive outcomes. Even if such an approach saw improved livelihoods, its sustainability would still depend on long-term stability that could only be guaranteed by meaningful delivery of justice. As Liberians debate the merits of the bills introduced in the senate, the government must fast-track its efforts to promote justice and accountability. In doing so, it must seek international financial and technical support to strengthen the OWEC to develop a roadmap based on lessons learnt from past challenges. To ensure national buy-in, the roadmap should be developed through an inclusive consultative process involving all relevant stakeholders, including political actors, civil society, and representatives of victims and survivors. Sampson Kwarkye, Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) (This article was published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish.) The House of Representatives erupted into a tense and chaotic session on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over the appropriate procedure for handling a damning Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report alleging that the Central Bank of Nigeria failed to remit about N16 trillion in government revenues. The uproar began shortly after the PAC Chairperson, Bamidele Salam, informed the chamber that the CBN had ignored multiple invitations to clarify huge discrepancies uncovered in its management of the Remita revenue collection system and operating surpluses spanning several years. Mr Salam sought the leave of the House to invite the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, to appear before the chamber at plenary to address the revelations. However, several lawmakers immediately opposed the proposal, insisting that a different process should be adopted. While some argued that the matter should be handled by an ad-hoc committee, others demanded a formal summons directing the CBN Governor to appear before the PAC rather than the full House. A third group pushed for the governor to face the Committee of the Whole, citing the magnitude of the alleged unremitted funds. Tension boils over The disagreement quickly escalated into a shouting match. Members rose from their seats, gesticulating and arguing across party lines as order broke down. The Chief Whip, Usman Kumo, and the Minority Whip made repeated attempts to pacify agitated members, moving from row to row to calm tempers, but their efforts barely made a dent. Speaker Abbas Tajudeen repeatedly hit his gavel and appealed for decorum, describing the conduct as very unparliamentary. He warned that persistent disorderliness could lead to disciplinary action. We are honourable members; we do not have to be shouting as if we are in the market, the speaker said. If someone brings an unpopular amendment, allow him to land. At the end, it will be put to question. Shouting does not take away your right. If you continue this behaviour, believe me sincerely, we will take you to Ethics. I do not want to set an example in this House, but you are forcing me. The speaker stressed that Nigerians were watching and that the House must conduct itself with dignity. Motion to summon CBN Governor passes After several minutes of heated exchanges, a lawmaker from Borno, Ahmed Jaha, moved a motion that the CBN Governor and all relevant stakeholders be summoned to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, with sanctions to follow if they fail to comply. The motion was adopted through a voice vote. Mr Jaha argued that transferring the matter to the Committee of the Whole would undermine the statutory role of the Public Accounts Committee and embolden public officials to disregard legislative invitations. Sada Soli (APC, Katsina) added that the executive arm must treat the issue with utmost seriousness, especially as the findings emanated from a constitutional committee chaired by an opposition lawmaker. What led to the rowdy session The uproar was triggered by a motion titled Non-Remittance of over Five Trillion Naira Operating Surplus and Eleven Trillion Naira Government Revenue by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), raised by Mr Salam. In laying the motion, the PAC chairman explained that the committee, while reviewing the Auditor-Generals 2022 report and examining the administration of the Remita platform from March 2015 to April 2016, uncovered disturbing infractions. The committee found that the CBN had an undisputed operating surplus of N5.2 trillion owed to the federal government from 2016 to 2022 that remained unremitted. It also identified a discrepancy in refunds of collected charges, where the CBN collected N954.3 million but refunded virtually nothing, leaving an interest-adjusted outstanding amount of N3.28 billion. READ ALSO: Senate requests Tinubu to exempt lawmakers from police withdrawal directive Findings further showed conflicting revenue records, as CBNs claims of N8.7 billion collected through Remita sharply contrasted with PACs computation of N19.8 billion from the same data, creating an unexplained gap of N11.09 billion. A migration discrepancy of N2.686 trillion was also discovered within the CBNs core banking system, reportedly outstanding and payable to the Federal Governments Asset Recovery Account. Mr Salam noted that cumulatively, the committee established that the CBN owes the federal government more than N11 trillion, aside from other unresolved issues. He added that the apex bank had consistently failed to honour formal invitations to explain the discrepancies or remit the outstanding funds, an action he described as troubling at a time of acute revenue shortages, insecurity, and mounting national obligations. House resolution The House resolved to summon the CBN Governor to appear before the PAC on Tuesday, 16 December, to provide explanations and present a clear plan for the immediate remittance of all outstanding revenues into designated government accounts. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed ministers and senior officials to seek his approval before requesting police escorts for official assignments. Mr Tinubu gave the directive at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House, Abuja. He said security lapses often occur when officers are reassigned without adequate replacement planning, stressing the need for tighter coordination among agencies. I have told the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and I hope the Minister of police affairs is here to implement the directive. If you have any problem with security, because of the nature of your assignment, please contact the IGP and get my clearance, he reiterated. The president also ordered the Minister of Interior to work with the IGP and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to fill the gaps created by officers deployed on special duties. The minister of interior should liaise with the I-GP and Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers, who are on special security duties, so that you dont leave people exposed, he said. He instructed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and the State Security Service (SSS) to review the nations security structure and implement necessary adjustments. The NSA and the DSS (SSS) should provide further information, he said. Mr Tinubu said the directive must be enforced immediately due to the heightened security threats across the country. The president said some officials face high exposure risks, adding that forest guards must also be equipped to strengthen community protection. I know some of our people are exposed, and I understand that we have to make exceptional provision for them. The civil defence are equally armed and I want to know from NSA if we are to arm our forest guards too. We should take it very seriously, he said. Mr Tinubu also asked the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, to engage the National Economic Council on reviving grazing reserves and developing ranches as part of livestock reform. The president said resolving recurring herderfarmer conflicts requires turning salvageable lands into productive livestock hubs. We must eliminate the possibility of conflicts and turn the livestock reform into economically viable development. The opportunity is there, lets utilise it, he said. He added that states must drive the process in line with constitutional land ownership. On 23 November, President Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers assigned to VIPs across the country. The Special Protection Unit of the Nigeria Police Force has since begun implementing the directive. Recently, the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed that 11,566 personnel attached to VIPs had been recalled following the presidential directive. Earlier today, the Senate requested that President Tinubu exempt lawmakers from the directive. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday met with APC governorship aspirants in Osun State. However, one notable absentee, according to details of the meeting shared by the presidency, is Iyiola Omisore, a former deputy governor and former senator in the state. PREMIUM TIMES reports that Wednesdays meeting occurred five days after the presidents party disqualified seven of the nine governorship aspirants in the state, including Mr Omisore. According to a report of the APC screening committee for the Osun governorship election, the affected aspirants failed to satisfy the partys mandatory nomination requirements, particularly the rule mandating sponsorship by at least five fully registered and financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area in Osun State. Mr Omisore, who was considered a strong contender for the APC governorship ticket, has rejected his disqualification and announced that he will appeal the decision of the screening committee. The disqualification of the seven aspirants is believed to have caused bad blood among party faithfuls; thus, the need for the meeting with the president. At the end of the meeting attended by eight of the aspirants, they agreed to adopt a consensus candidate, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga wrote in a statement after the meeting. That we unanimously agree to abide by the partys decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025, Mr Onanuga quoted a statement by the eight aspirants as stating. Only two aspirants, Mulikat Jimoh and Munirudeen Oyebanji, were cleared by the screening committee, with one of the two expected to be the consensus candidate. The APC candidate will challenge the candidates of other parties, including incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, who recently defected to the Accord Party from the PDP and is now the Accord Party candidate. Mr Onanuga did not state why Mr Omisore was absent from Wednesdays meeting, nor whether he agreed to a consensus candidacy. Mr Omisore was the APC national secretary when Mr Tinubu won the partys presidential primary in 2023, but he appears not to enjoy the presidents support for his governorship bid. Wednesdays meeting was also attended by the APC leadership, including the national chairman of the party, Nentawe Yilwatda. The aspirants in attendance also agreed to work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State, the presidential spokesperson wrote. Read the full statement by Mr Onanuga on the meeting below, ahead of next years governorship election in Osun. STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT TINUBU MEETS OSUN APC GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRANTS, HARPS ON PARTY UNITY, CONSENSUS BUILDING President Bola Tinubu has met with All Progressives Congress leaders and governorship aspirants in Osun State and appealed for unity and consensus-building ahead of the partys primary on December 13. The president met with the aspirants at the State House, Abuja, on Monday night. The Osun State governorship aspirants who attended the meeting with the President include former Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji. Also in attendance at the meeting were the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Chairman of the Progressive Governors, Hope Uzodimma; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. President Tinubu, who praised all the aspirants for their contributions to the APC in Osun State, urged them to close ranks and support the consensus candidate the party will present for the governorship election in the state. He also advised them to avoid the internal bickering and disunity that caused the party to lose the last election in the state to the Peoples Democratic Party. While harping on the importance of party supremacy, President Tinubu charged the aspirants to allow it to prevail in choosing the flagbearer, noting that only the party can benefit from it when it wins elections. You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility. I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the National leadership of APC to win the coming election, President Tinubu assured. At the end of the meeting, a joint statement was issued in which the aspirants and the leaders committed to support the candidate who would emerge at the primary. READ ALSO: Remi Tinubu posts cryptic message after backlash over impolite gesture toward Osun governor Here is the statement signed by all the aspirants and the APC leaders: We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows: 1. That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the partys flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State. 2. That we unanimously agree to abide by the partys decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025. 3. That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed. 4. That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party. 5. That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State. We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) December 10, 2025 President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Abuja said the directive to redeploy police officers working with VIPs, VVIPs and ministers was not negotiable, admonishing all ministers to ensure immediate compliance. Speaking at the opening of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House Council Chamber, the president warned against non-compliance. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignments, please contact the IGP and get my clearance, he said. President Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egebtokun, to follow up on the implementation of the order. The president noted that police officers were trained to protect the lives and property of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society, and the protection of a select group of VIPs and VVIPs was not their responsibility. President Tinubu said the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will make arrangements for the replacement of police officers by the Civil Defence Corps. The National Security and Civil Defence Corps are trained for VIP protection, and they are armed too, he added. The president noted that the police would be mobilised appropriately to tackle the countrys security challenges. He said the entire structure will be reviewed to better address vulnerable citizens and communities. We face challenges here and there of Kidnapping, banditry and terrorism. We need all forces utilised. I know some people are exposed; we will make the exceptions. The Civil Defence is very much around, the president stated. President Tinubu said ministers should meet the Inspector General of Police and get his clearance for special assignments that require police protection. NSA take this very seriously, he added. The president also urged the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is the Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC), to further sensitise governors and other stakeholders on the implementation of the reforms on ranching. READ ALSO; Senate requests Tinubu to exempt lawmakers from police withdrawal directive President Tinubu directed the Minister, Idi Muktar Maiha, to commence the mobilisation process, with particular emphasis on areas facing conflict. The Minister of Livestock, see which village or grazing area can be rehabilitated for ranching. We must eliminate this area of conflict and make the livestock reform economically viable. The opportunity is there, lets utilise it. You should emphasise the constitutional requirement that the land belongs to the state, he added. The president said villages and communities facing conflicts must be salvaged. The president noted that implementing ranching will reduce conflicts between herders and farmers and attacks on the most vulnerable members of society. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) December 10, 2025 Terrorism kingpin Bello Turji was reportedly devastated on Monday following the killing of a top lieutenant, Kallamu Buzu, by Nigerian security forces in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Mr Turji was reportedly deeply touched by the news of the killing, threatening revenge and allegedly blaming another lieutenant for the lapses that led to Mr Buzus death during a failed mission targeting local traders in Sabon Birni. Residents said the slain terrorist leader had served as Mr Turjis emissary in the area, terrorising rice farmers and collecting levies on behalf of Mr Turji. The Nigerian Army confirmed that troops of the 8 Division and Sector 2 Joint Task Force of Operation Hadarin Daji ambushed and killed 11 bandits, recovering a substantial cache of arms. While the army did not name those killed in the ambush, the operation was done by the strike team deployed for counter-banditry and counter-terrorism operations in the wider troubled North-west region. The army statement detailed that the bold and tactical operation was conducted near Kurawa village in the Sabon Birni Local Government Area. The ambush disrupted a planned attack on Tara village, an area the army described as a critical cross-movement point for terrorist and bandit elements. The statement further indicated that the troops acted on precise, credible intelligence, enabling a swift response and the execution of a well-coordinated ambush, engaging the bandits in an intense firefight. The operation resulted in the killing of 11 bandits, while others fled with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered eight AK-47 rifles, five extra magazines, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, the statement added. Community celebrates kingpin death Mr Buzus death, along with that of several fighters loyal to Mr Turji, is being celebrated by residents of Sabon Birni LGA, whom he had terrorised for years. Basharu Altine, a resident and head of the Sokoto movement for social justice and good governance, said the deceased terrorised residents in the eastern flank of Sabon Birni and communities around the Nigeria/Niger Republic border over the last three years. Mr Altine told PREMIUM TIMES that the deceased, along with another kingpin, Dan Jargaba, and others, carried sophisticated weapons and had planned to attack Fadamun Tara and Kurawa villages. However, due to timely intelligence, local vigilantes and soldiers engaged them in a fierce gun battle. He stated that the gun battle resulted in the killing of Messrs Buzu and Dan Jargaba, alongside eight other terrorists. Mr Altine warned residents and security operatives to remain on alert regarding the possibility of revenge by Mr Turji. Mr Turjis group has carried out numerous kidnappings and terror attacks across the zone, particularly in the Sabon Birni axis. In a previous operation in January, the military had killed Mr Turjis second-in-command, Aminu Kanawa. Government response The Government of Sokoto State commended the gallant officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces for yet another significant success in the ongoing fight against banditry across the state. The governors aide on security, Ahmed Usman, said the troops killed several bandits who were attempting to ambush traders travelling from Tarah village to the weekly market in Sabon Birni. Mr Usman praised the swift response, professionalism, and courage displayed by the military personnel, stating that it averted what could have been a tragic incident and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and property. The State Government deeply appreciates this effort and acknowledges the consistent sacrifices being made by our security forces. We encourage them to sustain the momentum and intensify operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements not only from Sokoto State but also from the entire North-West subregion, Mr Usman said. He also urged residents to remain firm and courageous, stressing that timely intelligence is essential and that communities should actively support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements or behaviour. Sokoto State, especially its eastern corridor, has emerged as a frontline state in Nigerias spiralling security challenge, with the Sabon Birni Local Government Area recognised as a perennial flashpoint for banditry and abductions. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is pursuing its mandate with renewed commitment, the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said on Wednesday in Abuja at the occasion commemorating its 30th anniversary this years International Human Rights Day. As Nigerias National Human Rights Institution, we recommit ourselves today to the mandate that has guided us for 30 years to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of all persons in Nigeria. This Years event is a special one. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of Nigerias National Human Rights Institution. Hence, we proudly celebrate 30 years of service to humanity since our establishment in 1995, Mr Ojukwu, a senior lawyer, said. International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on 10 December to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948. It serves as a global call to action to uphold everyones fundamental rights, dignity, and freedom from discrimination, This years International Human Rights Day is themed Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials. According to the United Nations, the theme is necessary to re-emphasise the values of human rights as a unifying solution to the challenging and uncertain times. Wednesdays event, organised by the NHRC and its partners, started in Abuja with a street walk from Eagles Square to the commissions headquarters. Mr Ojukwu noted that the walk wa symbolic to amplify the sentiment of freedom, equality, and justice in Nigeria. Our walk today is not rooted in protest, but in unity; not in anger, but with resolve to uphold human rights, he said. He added that Not as spectators, but as active participants in shaping a Nigeria where every right is protected, every voice matters, and no one is left behind in the promotion and protection of human rights. The event climaxed with with an award presentation and fiesta at the NHRCs headquarters. Notable attendees included United Nations Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, and Senior Human Rights Adviser to the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, Adwoa Kufuor. In his speech read out at the event by Mr Fall, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said upholding human rights is the bedrock for every society. Despite this, there have been grave violations that signal a flagrant disregard for rights, and a callous indifference to human suffering. However, this challenge is not insurmountable but enormous and requires the input of civil society, governments, and stakeholders, he said. This work depends on all people, everywhere, taking a stand. When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up for us, we keep human rights alive. Our rights should never take second place to profit or power. Let us unite to protect them, for the dignity and freedom of all, the UN chief said. Award presentation The days event culminated in the presentation of awards to journalists and civil society organisations for their contributions to the defence of human rights. Mr Ojukwu noted that the event was special because it allowed the Commission to recognise outstanding partners who have supported the work of the Commission. Falmata Daniel of PREMIUM TIMES, Michael Olugbode of ThisDay, and Emeka Amafor received the 2025 Human Rights Media Award. Similarly, the NHRC awarded the UNHCR and Dorothy Njemanze for their contributions to human rights. Mr Ojukwu noted that the award represents a tribute of courage and consistency to the cause of human rights. Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise the procurement of attack helicopters, armoured personnel carriers and gun trucks for the Nigerian military to strengthen its fight against insurgency. Mr Ndume, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the president, said that improved welfare for military personnel is equally critical to sustaining their efforts against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security challenges. In a statement on Wednesday, the senator acknowledged an improvement in cooperation among the armed forces and other security agencies but insisted that more support is needed. I can see visible improvements in terms of cooperation between the armed forces and other security agencies. That is very commendable. There is visible improvement in the kitting of the military in terms of new arms, uniforms, protection helmets, boots and bulletproof vests. However, the government must still do more by prioritising the arms and ammunition needed at the theatre of operations. They need to procure more attack helicopters, add more Armoured Personnel Carriers and Gun trucks, he said. Improvement in the military operations Mr Ndume, who has often criticised Mr Tinubus administration, acknowledged that the countrys security situation has improved since the president declared an emergency on insecurity. He said forest guards under the State Security Service (SSS) have intensified surveillance in forests following the presidents directive and commended the administration for the initiative. The directive to engage Forest Guards, coupled with their training, has gone a long way to complement efforts of the Nigerian Army, and they are happy with that too. The senator also noted that the salaries of military personnel have been doubled but argued that the remuneration is still inadequate compared to what their counterparts earn in other West African countries. Their salary has been doubled, but it is still not enough compared to other armed forces in the sub-region, he added. Mr Ndume further commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum for his sustained investment in security operations in the state, urging other northern governors to emulate his efforts. He has invested over N100 billion, supporting the Nigerian Army, the Civilian JTF, Police and other Security Agencies. That has complemented the efforts of the Nigerian Army. Thats very commendable. I urge other governors in the North to emulate him, he added. Call for improved military operations Calls for improved military hardware are not new. Over the years, lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly have repeatedly criticised the delays in defence procurement and the inadequate equipment available to troops battling insurgents and bandits. During his screening by the Senate on 3 December, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, also lamented the insufficient funding available for military operations. Although the Tinubu administration has introduced several security initiatives, including the reorganisation of the security architecture, the strengthening of forest guard operations and the recruitment of additional military personnel. However, there are concerns about the countrys capacity to match the firepower and mobility of non-state armed groups. Some commentators argue that despite these measures, poor welfare, inadequate support systems and low morale among frontline soldiers continue to undermine operational effectiveness. The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) has urged the hospital management to address the doctor shortage, warning that the situation is straining services and significantly undermining patient care. The call was made during the associations pre-2025 Annual General Meeting and election briefing in Awka, Anambra State, where members emphasised the urgency of resolving staffing gaps ahead of the 11 December meeting. ARD-COOUTH President Joy Okwumuo urged management to fulfil its commitment to recruit and replace consultants, resident doctors, and house officers as a practical measure to reduce workload and prevent burnout. Nigeria faces an acute shortage of doctors and other health workers, as many of them prefer to work abroad for better pay and living conditions. In many states in Nigeria, the few doctors in government hospitals also own and run private medical facilities. Mrs Okwumuo noted a growing concern over the unresolved specialist allowances owed to some resident doctors, stressing that colleagues in other southeastern state teaching hospitals had already received theirs, which deepened frustration and widened disparities. The association renewed its appeal to the Anambra State Government to implement the November 2025 reviewed Consolidated Medical Salary Structure specialist allowances for all resident doctors and consultants as a measure to discourage brain drain. Members condemned the deteriorating call-room conditions, inadequate recruitment of house officers, and poor living quarters lacking water and electricity, warning that failure to address these issues would threaten morale, training quality, and overall service delivery. The association also denounced the physical assault of a member, criticising managements handling of the incident and warning that any future occurrence could prompt industrial action to safeguard members safety and dignity. ARD-COOUTH announced plans to acquire a bus to support official engagements, improve logistics for conferences and community outreach, and enhance operational coordination, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in capacity. Resident doctors at the COOUTH had embarked on a seven-day warning strike in September to demand better working conditions (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Tuesday that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State voluntarily quit the party to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP denied claims that Mr Fubara was abandoned during his political rift with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In a statement, the PDPs National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, suggested that Mr Fubaras decision may be linked to the trauma of the political crisis he faced, which he said could have caused temporary amnesia. Everyone who has followed the developments that culminated in this uneventful defection, will recall that the Governor willingly travelled the path that took him to this destination. Having done so voluntarily, he cannot turn around and accuse our party, or any other person or group of abandoning or not protecting him. Whilst a person who is at a crossroad of threats of existential proportion, will most likely suffer from temporary amnesia caused by trauma, the Governor should have nothing less than praise for our party, civil society organisations, and all Nigerians who freely stood up in his defence since this crisis started until he capitulated. It is our prayer that the Governor should not suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with his captor. In all, despite these, we pity the Governor and wish him well, he said. Fubaras defection Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Fubara announced his defection to the APC during a meeting with government officials at the Government House, Port Harcourt. The announcement was after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said that his decision to defect to the APC was to enable him to offer full support to President Tinubu, who is a member of the APC. The governors move came a few days after 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the speaker, dumped the PDP for the APC. The defection is the latest chapter in the prolonged political crisis rooted in the tussle for control of the states political structure between Messrs Fubara and Wike. The feud split the state assembly into two factions, 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr Wike, and four lawmakers aligned with the governor. The crisis escalated to a state of emergency, declared by President Tinubu, leading to the six-month suspension of the governor, his deputy and all elected officials in the state. In June, the president brokered a peace deal between Mr Fubara and the FCT minister, ending the emergency rule and reinstating the suspended officials. The governor and lawmakers resumed duty on 18 September 2025. Nigerias democracy is dysfunctional PDP Mr Ememobong said the Rivers crisis shows the fragility of Nigerias democratic institutions. Furthermore, the Rivers situation is a testament to the dysfunctional nature of our democracy, where individuals are bigger and stronger than institutions and can use the apparatus of the Federal Government to obfuscate political life out of their opponents and bring them to their knees. Democracy is terribly threatened by acts of this kind, and all well-meaning people should unify in condemning this progressive decline of democratic norms, he said. He said that the PDP would resist attempts by the APC to allegedly force Nigeria into a one-party state. Finally, we reiterate to Nigerians and the global community that with the unrelenting disposition of the ruling party towards the attainment of a one-party state, and the constriction of the political space, democracy is under severe attack in Nigeria. Everyone must rise together to oppose this ignoble trip toward electoral authoritarianism. The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) on Tuesday honoured reporters, photographers and cartoonists whose works demonstrated courage, public-interest focus and high-impact reporting at the 20th edition of its annual awards held in Lagos. The event celebrated outstanding storytelling across online, print, television, photo and editorial cartoon categories, spotlighting journalists who exposed corruption, environmental hazards, failure of public institutions and human-rights abuses across Nigeria. The 2025 Judges Board, chaired by Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Director, Institute of Continuing Education, University of Lagos, noted that the diversity and depth of the winning entries reaffirmed journalisms critical role in strengthening democracy and holding power to account. In the online category, the top prize went to Theophilus Adedokun for his report revealing how coal mining activities linked to Dangote Group polluted multiple rivers in Benue State, causing deaths, disease outbreaks and water scarcity. His investigation combined extensive fieldwork with laboratory analysis of water samples and a review of regulatory documents. HumAngles Kunle Adebajo emerged runner-up for his investigation into how online fundraising channels fuelled the armed struggle of the proscribed IPOB. Isah Ismaila, also of HumAngle, was commended for Lost Homes, No Aid, an expose on the humanitarian crisis affecting displaced communities in Niger State. No awards were issued in the radio category, while the television category produced one winner, Trust TVs Muslim Yusuf. His undercover documentary, Inside Abujas Drug Problem, exposed a thriving narcotics market in the Federal Capital Territory and prompted the Nigerian Senate to call for a state of emergency on drug abuse just one week after its broadcast. In the print category, Afeez Hanafi of Daily Trust, emerged the winner with his undercover investigation exposing regulatory failures that allow use of fake certificates and qualifications to permeate critical sectors such as education. Kingsley Jeremiah of The Guardian was named runner-up for a report on the deepening malnutrition crisis among children in northern Nigeria. Journalists Ann Godwin, Tina Agosi Todo, Osahon Julius and Monday Osayande, also of The Guardian, received commendation for an extensive series on abandoned projects across the South-south region. The photo category was dominated by Punch photojournalist Elliot Ovadje, who received both a commendation and the top prize. His works documented sharp inequalities in the Niger Delta and the devastating impact of an oil and gas spill in Buguma, Rivers State. African Angles Ugonma Ogbu-Matthias was named runner-up for capturing the grim realities of nomadic pupils in Abujas Yagoji community, where children still learn under trees without classrooms or basic learning materials. In the editorial cartoon category, Victor Asowata of The Will Newspaper secured both winner and runner-up positions for works critiquing government neglect of the health sector and misaligned policing priorities. New Telegraphs Chukwuemeka Emenike earned commendation for his satirical piece on Nigerias recurring institutional glitches. Two honorary recognitions were also presented. Retired President of the Court of Appeal, Ayo Salami, received the Human Rights Defender Award for his unwavering commitment to judicial integrity and due process. Celebrated poet, essayist and journalist Odia Ofeimun was honoured with the Lifetime Award for Journalistic Excellence, acknowledging more than four decades of literary, journalistic and civic contributions that have shaped Nigerias cultural and intellectual life. Need to protect excellent journalism Delivering the opening remarks, veteran journalist and co-founder of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dapo Olorunyomi, reflected on the origins of the Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting and the urgent need to protect the democratic meaning of journalism. He traced the awards roots to the early 2000s when Nigeria was emerging from decades of military rule and the media was struggling to reclaim its place as a pillar of accountability. According to him, the award was born from the conviction that journalism had been central both to Nigerias independence struggle and to the resistance that ended military dictatorship. It was therefore necessary, he said, to build an institution that could strengthen professional excellence and recognise courageous reporting. Mr Olorunyomi, who founded the WSCIJ, paid tributes to the individuals who helped shape the award, from partners who supported early training programmes to Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, whom he described as one of the greatest storytellers and defenders of freedom in our region. He warned that journalism now faces a new generation of existential threats, synthetic intelligence, deteriorating economic conditions, shrinking civic space, and oppressive laws but maintained that the profession has always risen to its defining moments. He called for renewed commitment to public-interest reporting and announced expanded training programmes aimed at equipping young journalists for the future. Democracy would be impossible, practically impossible, if people dont have good journalism. And good journalism can only be made with the spirit of public good, he said. A new report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre has revealed the vast scale of corruption in Nigeria, documenting 100 high-profile cases involving public officials and private individuals. According to the compendium, allegedly stolen amounts are reported in multiple currencies: N1.387 trillion, $53.84 billion, and 1 million. The report, unveiled Tuesday by the HEDA Resource Centre in Lagos, referenced pending court cases involving former governors, ministers, senators, and other public officials accused of fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, and abuse of office. Notable high-profile cases PREMIUM TIMES reviewed the compendium and found that the cases include one involving former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, who is accused of money laundering involving N4 billion in public fund. Former Accountant-General of the Federation Ahmed Idris is facing trial over alleged N109 billion fraud. In contrast, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello faces N110 billion in fraud charges and property forfeiture worth N80.2 billion. Former Minister of Power and Steel Olu Agunloye is also undergoing prosecution for a $6 billion scheme tied to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Plant, while former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke faces allegations of $20 billion in fraud and property forfeiture. Other notable cases include Ali Bello and Daudu Sulaimans N10 billion fraud case and Fatuyi Yemi Phillips N43.5 billion misappropriation allegations. Prominent former governors also appear in the compendium. Former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, who is a serving senator, also faces N7.6 billion money laundering allegations. Former Taraba Darius Ishaku and former Abia State State Governor Theodore Orji are linked to N27 billion and N60.85 billion fraud cases, respectively, while former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam faces allegations involving N3.1 billion money laundering. The compendium also listed cases involving corporate and agency officials. Former AMCON Managing Director Ahmed Kuru faces N33.8 billion in money laundering charges, while former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele is also facing corruption charges in different courts in Lagos and Abuja. Patterns and agency involvement According to the report, fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement dominate high-profile financial misconduct, often accompanied by abuse of office. It added that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting 76 per cent of these cases, while the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) handles 16 per cent. Other agencies involved include the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Analysis shows former governors account for 16 per cent of defendants, former ministers and advisers 7 per cent, senators 1 per cent, and other public officials 76 per cent. Most cases (58 per cent) are ongoing; 11 per cent have resulted in sentencing, and 9 per cent involve property seizures. Fraud accounts for 54 per cent of charges, money laundering 20 per cent, and misappropriation or mismanagement 8 per cent. The report said corruption increases the cost of doing business, discourages investment, and undermines economic and political decisions, contributing to underdevelopment, insurgency, forced migration, and widespread poverty. HEDA researchers compiled the report by reviewing all available sources on 100 high-profile cases, pdating the data with current information, and analysing it using IBM SPSS Version 23 to produce tables, histograms, and visualisations. Nigerias intractable corruption crisis Transparency International has consistently ranked Nigeria among the worlds most corrupt nations. In the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), the country placed 150th with 24 points. Nigeria, however, recorded a slight improvement in the CPI released in January 2024 by Transparency International (TI), moving five places up to 145 out of 180 countries assessed. Apart from climbing from its previous 150th position, the country also gained one point, scoring 25 out of a possible 100 in the 2023 CPI results. The CPI, arguably the worlds most widely referenced corruption ranking, measures perceived levels of corruption in the public sector. It is scored on a scale of zero to 100, where zero represents highly corrupt and 100 indicates a very clean system. Small fluctuations or changes in a countrys CPI score are not usually significant, TI, the Berlin-based non-profit organisation focused on combating corruption globally, stated. Despite the marginal improvement, TI noted that Nigerias 25 points place it below the Sub-Saharan African average of 33 points. Seychelles (71 points) remains the top performer in the region, followed by Cabo Verde (64) and Botswana (59). At the bottom of the index are Equatorial Guinea (17), South Sudan (13) and Somalia (11), all showing no signs of improvement. Nigeria shares its 145th position with Liberia, Madagascar and Mozambique. Cases of corruption and related challenges in justice systems in the region range from reports of bribery to extortion and political interference in justice systems of countries like Nigeria (25), to the dismissal and imprisonment of magistrates accused of corruption in Burundi (20), and all the way to the denial of justice for victims of human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (20), TI reported. Youth as catalysts of integrity In his keynote address at the unveiling event, former Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman Muhyi Magaji urged Nigerian youths to champion integrity in the fight against corruption. Speaking on the theme, Youth as Catalysts of Integrity: Building a Corruption-Free Future for Nigeria, Mr Magaji said high unemployment and limited opportunities often encourage tolerance for corrupt practices. He encouraged youths to embrace honesty, fairness, and civic responsibility and use education and social media to strengthen transparency. Integrity pays. No matter what. No matter how long, Mr Magaji said, calling for active youth participation in national development and anti-corruption efforts. The event drew civil society leaders, government representatives, legal practitioners, media professionals, and youth advocates. A panel of youth leaders and law students echoed this message, emphasising the critical role of young Nigerians in shaping the countrys future leadership. Moderated by Mayowa Shobo of HEDA, the panel featured Anyawu Chinwe of the Lagos State Young Lawyers Association, Adigun Olalekan of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Lagos Chapter, and law students Abdullahi Adesina and Ajiri Peter from the Lagos State University and the University of Lagos, respectively. The panel highlighted that youths, who constitute 60 to 65 per cent of Nigerias population, are uniquely positioned to influence governance and serve as advocates for transparency. Ms Anyawu stressed the importance of positive role models, saying, If they are involved in politics from now, they are going to be in front of the leaders in the future. Mr Adesina emphasised ethics education as a means to guide youths toward corruption-free leadership, while Mr Peter pointed out that corruption exists in everyday actions, including favouritism, queue-jumping, and abuse of office. The panellists also linked economic empowerment to anti-corruption efforts, noting that unemployment and financial hardship often push youths into unethical survival strategies. Ms Anyawu advised young people to define personal boundaries and rely on moral guidance from family and religious institutions. Mr Olalekan encouraged youth training and skills development initiatives as platforms for self-reliance. Corruption, a development crisis Speaking on the broader context of corruption, Adeola Soetan, a public affairs analyst, described Nigerias corruption landscape as both beautiful and awkward during the compendium presentation. He cited high-profile cases, including embezzlement by public officials and business leaders, and underscored systemic issues such as judicial delays, political interference, and technical legal manoeuvres that allow perpetrators to evade accountability. He praised whistleblowers, civil society, and anti-corruption agencies like the EFCC and ICPC for their roles in exposing malpractices. HEDA Executive Secretary Sulaimon Arigbabu, in his welcome remarks, said the unveiling of the ninth edition of the compendium reaffirms the organisations commitment to accountability, transparency, and civic engagement. He described corruption as not merely a financial crime but a development crisis that erodes public trust and deprives citizens of essential services. He encouraged youths, lawyers, media professionals, and civil society actors to use the compendium as a tool for advocacy, research, and public enlightenment. Representatives of key institutions also delivered goodwill messages. Nita Chikura, representing ICPC Chairman Musa Aliyu, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged stronger youth involvement, citing programmes such as Anti-Corruption Clubs in schools and Student Anti-Corruption Vanguards in tertiary institutions. Zandra Eguavoen of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) highlighted the role of youths in national value renewal and civic responsibility, while Oluwakemi Peters of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) called for collective action across sectors to combat corruption and protect consumer rights. Mary Omonoyan of ICPC further encouraged youths to adopt innovative approaches, using digital platforms and tech initiatives to expose corrupt acts, promote accountability, and foster social responsibility. She warned against prioritising material wealth over civic and moral obligations, urging parents and communities to instil ethical values in children from an early age. Concluding the event, stakeholders agreed that corruption can only be effectively tackled through collective engagement, ethical leadership, and practical initiatives. They reaffirmed the centrality of Nigerian youths in driving a culture of integrity and shaping a corruption-free future. United States Congressman Riley Moore has called for stronger international engagement with Nigerias worsening displacement crisis after a visit to several internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Benue State. Mr Moore, who was in the state earlier in the week, said he met dozens of people who described attacks that forced them from their homes and left entire families dead. Writing on X on Wednesday, the congressman said the accounts he heard from survivors would remain with me for the rest of my life. He said one woman told him she was forced to watch as her husband and five children were killed. Another said her child was ripped from her womb during an attack that claimed the rest of her family. A man he met said his relatives were hacked to death and that his arm was permanently damaged while attempting to flee. Mr Moore said more than 600,000 displaced Christians are currently living in camps across Benue, a state that has endured years of recurring violence involving armed groups and farming communities. Mr Moore also held meetings with the Bishop of Makurdi, Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu of Katsina-Ala, and Tiv traditional ruler James Ioruza. He described the engagement as deeply moving, adding that the United States will not ignore what we heard from local communities. The visit forms part of a growing wave of international commentary on the crisis. Security consultations in Abuja Mr Moore said his trip to Nigeria included talks in Abuja with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and other senior officials. He said discussions centred on terrorism in the North-east and persistent killings in the Middle Belt, which he described as priority issues for both President Donald Trump and himself. He also praised the recent rescue of more than 100 abducted Catholic schoolchildren, noting what he described as progress through what he called an established joint US-Nigeria task force. The NSA confirmed meeting the US delegation as part of ongoing counter-terrorism and security consultations. Mr Ribadu said the talks followed earlier engagements in Washington and covered regional stability and ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between both countries. This renewed diplomatic activity comes amid heightened tensions between Abuja and Washington following the Trump administrations redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged religious freedom violations. Prior disputes over claims of Christian genocide Mr Moores visit follows months of debate in the United States and Nigeria over whether the violence constitutes a campaign of genocide against Christians. On 15 October, former mayor of Blanco, Texas, Mike Arnold, presented a report in Abuja insisting that the killings and displacement in northern and central Nigeria amount to genocide. Mr Arnold, founder of Africa Arise International, said the conclusion was based on more than five years of field visits, interviews and documentation. He told journalists he had made 15 trips to Nigeria since 2010, including six investigative missions since 2019. He said he interviewed governors, ministers, traditional rulers and former presidents, and recorded about 80 hours of testimony in communities affected by attacks in Bokkos, Jos, and Gwoza. Mr Arnold argued that Nigerias deterioration from relative stability in 2010 to widespread displacement was the result of political manipulation and foreign interference. He alleged that fighters from Libya and the Sahel arrived after the 2011 Arab Spring and joined Boko Haram and ISWAP in a calculated campaign of radical Islamic conquest. He claimed more than four million Nigerians have been displaced, mostly Christians, and criticised officials for describing the situation as farmer-herder clashes, which he called a cynical euphemism. His position was immediately rejected at the briefing by Reno Omokri, a former presidential spokesperson, who described the claim of genocide as inaccurate. Khalid Aliyu, secretary-general of Jamaat Nasril Islam (JNI), was also present. Trumps warning and threat of military action The debate escalated further on 1 November when President Trump threatened to cut off aid to Nigeria and ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action. In a social media post, he accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians and warned of fast, vicious and sweet action if the killings continue. He also described Nigeria as a country of particular concern, a designation the administration had announced earlier. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded by reaffirming Nigerias constitutional protection of all faiths and denied that the state encourages religious persecution. He said Nigeria remains willing to work with the United States, adding that religious freedom has always been a core tenet of our collective identity. US government documents estimate Nigerias population at about 225 million, with Muslims representing about 50 percent and Christians about 48 percent. The rest belong to other faiths or none. Rising diplomatic scrutiny Mr Moores visit to Benue came days after the US House Subcommittee on Africa held a public hearing on the implications of the redesignation, and shortly after Trump instructed Congressman Moore and the House Appropriations Committee to investigate reports of Christian killings and report back to the White House. The federal government has repeatedly rejected allegations of systematic persecution of Christians, insisting that insecurity affects citizens of all faiths and is driven by multiple factors including banditry, terrorism, and long-running land and resource disputes. What remains clear is that the testimonies recorded in Benue this week, the political disputes in Abuja in October, and Washingtons increasingly forceful rhetoric in November have now converged, placing Nigerias internal security crisis under intensified international scrutiny. A police sergeant, Ruya Auta, has been sentenced to death for the shooting of 20-year-old University of Jos student, Rinji Bobo Bala. The verdict, delivered five years after the incident, was handed down by the Plateau State Chief Judge. David Mann, on Tuesday. The ruling is one of the rare cases in Nigeria where a police officer has been held accountable for an extrajudicial killing. The night of the shooting The case traces back to the night of 12 May 2020, when Mr Auta, part of a joint security patrol enforcing COVID-19 lockdown rules in Jos, stopped Mr Rinji and two friends near Hwolshe in Jos. Court records and witness testimonies indicate that the officers searched the young men, found nothing incriminating, but accused them of violating lockdown regulations. What followed, according to witnesses, was intimidation and brief detainment. After ordering the boys to run, Mr Auta fired his rifle. The bullet struck Mr Rinji from behind, killing him instantly. He was unarmed and fleeing as instructed. There was no threat, a prosecution source told PREMIUM TIMES. This was not an accident. It was unlawful force. Public outrage and early investigation The killing sparked public anger, amplified on social media, well before the #EndSARS protests thrust police brutality into national attention. As civil society groups and student organisations called for justice, the police announced Mr Autas arrest, an unusually swift response for such cases. However, after the initial uproar, the case stalled. Between 2020 and 2022, prosecutors struggled with missing case files, unavailable witnesses, and repeated adjournments. COVID-19 restrictions compounded delays, while the Ministry of Justice took nearly three years to issue a fiat empowering a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Garba Pwul to lead the prosecution. A long stretch of inactivity nearly buried the matter, a judicial official said. Case momentum restored Momentum returned in 2023 when the chief judge issued directives to accelerate stalled criminal cases. Key witnesses returned, and forensic experts testified that the bullet was fired from close range, striking Mr Rinji from behind, contradicting claims of accidental discharge. Medical experts confirmed the trajectory aligned with a fleeing victim, and friends of Mr Rinji recounted the beatings and the moment the shots were fired. By late 2024, the prosecution had firmly established that Mr Auta had abused his authority, applied excessive force, and caused the unlawful death of a civilian. The verdict On 9 December, Justice Mann delivered a judgment that stunned the courtroom. The prosecution has established beyond reasonable doubt that the shooting was intentional, he ruled, sentencing Auta to death by hanging or lethal injection. For Mr Rinjis father, Peter Bala, the verdict brings a measure of closure. We are not celebrating another mans death, he told PREMIUM TIMES. But the judgment shows that truth finally prevailed. The family maintained a low profile throughout the proceedings, insisting only that the state fulfil its duty to their son. Speaking after the judgment, Mr Pwul (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, said the verdict reflected the strength of the prosecutions case. The judgment was actually expected, as the convict did not deny the offence. He claimed it was an accidental discharge, but evidence established that the shooting was intentional, Mr Pwul said. Mr Bala, father of the deceased, expressed mixed emotions over the ruling. No sane person would celebrate the death of another human being, but the law must take its course, he said, adding that he hopes the judgment serves as a deterrent to negligent security officers. The Attorney-General of the Federations office on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah on N2.5 billion fraud charges. She was arraigned before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja alongside Gloria Odita, with whom the former minister faces another pending N5 billion money laundering trial before another court. Wednesdays charges alleged that the two defendants committed the offence in January 2014, just about a month before Ms Oduah was forced out of office over a procurement scandal. Ms Oduah served as Minister of Aviation from 2 July 2011 to 12 February 2014 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. She also represented Anambra North Senatorial twice, in 2015 and 2019. The five charges filed against her and her co-defendant accused them of fraudulently obtaining N2.5 billion disguised as cost of technical supervision and security from the Ministry of Aviation. One the counts alleged that defendants obtained the whopping sum N2.5 billion (N2,469,030,738.9) from the federal aviation ministry through Broad Waters Resource Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited by false pretence. The prosecution alleged that the defendants knew that representing the money as cost of technical supervision and security integrated and logistics support services was false. The charge said the offence was contrary to sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of The Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. The duo pleaded not guilty to all the charges after they were read to them. Bail Thereafter, Ms Oduahs lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), applied for her bail conditions, contending that the defendant is a well-known figure. Similarly, Ms Oditas lawyer, Wale Balogun, also a SAN, urged the court to grant his client bail. Mr Balogun informed the judge that the defendants had complied with the bail conditions in a sister case before the Federal High Court in Abuja where all travel documents were deposited. The prosecution team, personally led by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, also a SAN, did not oppose the motion for their bail but asked the court to set a definite date. He said he would rather request a date for trial to commence, while he called on the judge to compel the defendants to submit their travel documents. The trial judge, Hamza Muazu, granted bail to the defendants on self-recognition and instructed that their travel documents be submitted to the court. Ms Oduahs counsel subsequently requested her travel documents. The judge expressed readiness to grant the request if the defendant applied for permission to travel. But he also indicated that granting the request will be subject to presentation of her case to the satisfaction of the court. He therefore adjourned the case to 12 and 13 February 2026 for the commencement of the trial. Ex-minister faces another trial Ms Oduah is facing separate N5 billion fraud charges alongside Ms Odita, Chinese construction giant CCECC, and others, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Others named in the case as defendants are Nwosu Nnamdi and Chukwuma Irene Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Ltd and Sobora International Ltd. Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the case with 25 counts on 17 December 2020, the arraignment did not take place until 21 July 2023, due to dilatory tactics stalling proceedings. The trial, which started before a judge, Inyang Ekwo, who is now serving a one-year suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC), has made little progress since the arraignment. This newspaper reported that the 25 counts in the case centred on allegations that the defendants committed money laundering involving about N5 billion (N5,052,415,984) between February and June 2014. The indictment also includes conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring, taking control and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts. Specifically, the prosecution alleged in two of the 25 counts that Ms Oduah and Ms Odita opened anonymous Private Banking Nominee dollar and naira accounts with First Bank, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 11(4) (a) of the same Act. PREMIUM TIMES review of the charges showed that CCECC Nigeria Limited allegedly transferred over N2.5 billion into the naira account of a Private Banking Nominee between 31 March and 6 June 2014. In seven of the counts where CCECC is indicted singly and along with Ms Oduah and Ms Oditah, the company was accused of conspiring with the women to commit money laundering, and directly transferring to Private Banking Nominee account various sums of money totalling N2,583,385,246 which it reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: fraud The defendants denied all the charges. Two members of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State have resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), widening the wave of opposition lawmakers crossing over to the governing party in recent days. The lawmakers Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency) and Obuku Oforji (Yenogoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency) announced their departure in separate letters read by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, during Wednesdays plenary. Their defection comes barely 24 hours after Mansur Jega, who represents Aliero/Gwandu/Jega Constituency of Kebbi State, also dumped the PDP for the APC, citing unresolved internal rifts. In his letter, Mr Ambaiowei, who is serving his first term in the House, said his decision was driven by what he described as division at the national level of the PDP, which he said had cascaded across the partys structures, leaving members confused over which faction controls the organisation. This decision is borne out of the division at the national level of the PDP, which has sprinkled across the various structures and state chapters of the party, creating confusion as to which faction is in charge of the party structures, he wrote. With these uncertainties, it has become difficult to perform my role and effectively represent my constituency. Consequently, this decision has become pertinent to offer true representation to the good people of Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, while also contributing meaningfully to national development under the All-Progressive Congress. Mr Oforji offered similar reasons, describing his exit from the PDP as a response to the partys lingering crisis, which he said had eroded its internal cohesion and undermined its effectiveness as a political institution. We are all aware of the protracted crisis in my former party, the PDP. It is on this premise that I have decided to defect to the All Progressive Congress, APC, he said in his letter to the Speaker. He, however, expressed gratitude to the PDP for his political rise, saying, I remain deeply grateful to my former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the platform and the opportunities it provided me to serve in various capacities. On 3 November, the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, dumped the PDP for the APC. Since then, lawmakers from the state in the National Assembly have also been defecting to the APC, citing a crisis in the opposition party. The defections represent a fresh setback for the PDP, which has struggled to resolve leadership disputes and unify its national structure since the aftermath of the 2023 general election. Similar divisions have triggered a string of resignations and defections in recent months, especially in states with intensified factional battles. With Wednesdays development, the APC strengthens its numbers in the House, where it already holds a comfortable majority. Nigerias First Lady, Remi Tinubu, has responded to the latest criticism for impolitely instructing Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State to stop singing before delivering his speech at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The event, where Mrs Tinubu was installed by the Ooni as Yeye Asiwaju, invoking her husbands Asiwaju traditional title, was held in Ile-Ife on Sunday. In her post shared on her Facebook page early Tuesday, Mrs Tinubu, who appeared unremorseful about her action, framed the backlash from a wide cross-section of Nigerians as weaving controversy out of what she generically dubbed minor missteps. Those entrusted with leadership understand their duties and how to steer the affairs of society. More often, it is the followers and critics who scrutinise every step, amplify minor missteps, and turn them into needless controversy. Osun le tente, she stated. The message came after a video capturing the controversial scene from the event went viral on social media. The video showed the first lady walking up to Governor Adeleke, about to deliver his speech, on the podium and magisterially asking him to stop singing, while giving him five minutes to deliver his speech. But after a momentary stop of his worship song, apparently out of courtesy, the governor continued singing as the first lady made her way back to her seat. Just before reaching her seat, Mrs Tinubu pivoted, returning to the governor to hammer home her instruction with a subtle threat to take the microphone if he continued with his song. In the encounter which went on in Yoruba, the governor, in an unquestioning surrender, tried to make light of the situation. They have asked me to stop observing the protocol, he said, while Mrs Tinubu returned to her seat. The governor then proceeded with his speech. The incident drew widespread attention online, with many Nigerians accusing her of embarrassing the governor, while others argued the incident had been misinterpreted. Mrs Tinubu did not directly reference the viral clip in her Tuesdays post, but her remarks were widely viewed as a response to the backlash over the exchange. Reactions Reacting to the controversial encounter, Facebook user, Akintunde Babatunde, called out the First Lady to apologise publicly. You know I am not a fan of many Nigerian politicians, and I have often argued that the Governor of Osun State needs to read the room better and carry himself more consistently in a truly gubernatorial manner. That said, what happened here is distasteful to watch. This was an event in Yorubaland, a culture that prides itself on omoluabi values. Beyond that, the governor was the host of the event. Even if he were not, there is something called basic human decency in how we deal with people. Sadly, I have come to realize that this is a principle many Nigerians no longer live by. The do you know who I am mentality has eaten very deep, exposing how classless and entitled many have become. To see this level of disrespect shown to a sitting state governor on live television is deeply troubling. Regardless of political differences, he deserves a public apology, he added. Evans Ifeanyi wrote that if the governor had sung On Your Mandate, We Shall Stand, she likely would not have noticed, accusing her of being too power-drunk. Ali Onuabuchi imagined a scenario in which President Tinubu was corrected by a woman while speaking abroad. Imagine that Tinubu goes to another country and starts chewing his words as usual and a woman asks him to go straight to his point, he said. Another Facebook user said, With due respect ma has president BAT never dance on stage while making his presentations? Birthday Greetings An hour before her cryptic post, Mrs Tinubu had congratulated Titilola Adeleke, wife of the Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, on her 60th birthday. She said she was joining the governor, her children and family, and other well-wishers to mark the milestone. She praised Mrs Adelekes efforts in supporting residents of Osun State through the Renewed Hope Initiative and acknowledged the impact of her work. I pray this special day is filled with joy, love and cherished moments. May you celebrate many more years in divine health, peace, joy and happiness. Happy 60th birthday, Your Excellency. Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, the post read. However, the birthday post, which attracted over 1,000 comments, drew criticism from many users who faulted the first lady for not apologising to Governor Adeleke. Amid the backlash, some users praised the Adeleke family for their maturity and composure despite the public embarrassment. Calls and messages sent to the known number of the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, went unanswered. The governor or the Osun State Government has not issued a public statement on the development. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said the proposed reserved seats for women in Nigerias legislatures amounts to a weak negotiation that fails to match the scale of womens political contributions in the country. Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim said this on Tuesday at the Beijing+30 Womens Summit in Abuja, convened by the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement (AIPLA), in collaboration with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLNNigeria) and Womanifesto. The reserved seats bill seeks to create special legislative seats for women in both the national and state assemblies. It proposes 37 additional seats for women in the House of Representatives, one for each state and the FCT, 37 seats in the Senate, and three seats per state in the Houses of Assembly (one for each senatorial district). These new seats would not restrict women from contesting in existing constituencies. Lawmakers introduced the bill following years of public criticism of Nigerias poor global ranking on womens political representation, despite women forming almost half of the population. We are negotiating for less Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim welcomed the renewed effort but argued that the proposal still short-changes Nigerian women. She said that although she supports the idea of the reserved seats bill, she does not fully agree with it because she believes it limits womens potential. According to her, women deserve far more and should not settle for a watered-down compromise. She dismissed the argument that Nigeria should start small, noting that countries with strong female representation pursued bold reforms from the outset. She added that women form the backbone of the electorate and play a decisive role in elections, questioning why they continue to accept limited political power despite their numbers and influence. A defining step PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim, speaking in Abuja on 4 December, described the Special Seats Bill as a defining step toward correcting Nigerias long-standing gender imbalance in governance. She highlighted the scale of womens underrepresentation, noting that although Nigeria has over 104 million women, only 21 women currently serve in the National Assembly, four senators and 17 members of the House of Representatives. She added that only 48 of the countrys 991 state lawmakers are women, and that 13 states have no female legislators at all. She told the audience that these gaps were not a reflection of womens competence or capacity, but the product of decades of structural and systemic barriers that continue to shut women out of political decision-making. Structural challenges limiting women Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted systemic barriers that keep women out of politics. She said men often benefit from political godfathers, collaborative structures, advance planning, and significantly more financial backing. She argued that women were trying to bargain for political space without real leverage, making the entire process fundamentally flawed. Mrs Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that Nigerias poor performance on global gender representation indices often exposes her to embarrassment at international forums, where delegates question the countrys low number of elected women. She said she hopes this will improve while she is still in office so she can hold her head high, but questioned whether the current approach truly addresses the underlying problems. Calling for the sustained efforts to improve womens representation and rights, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, co-founder of AIPLA and former Ekiti First Lady, said Nigerias poor performance on global gender equality indicators remains a major barrier to womens advancement. She said the institute would continue to push for stronger awareness of womens rights, gender justice, and feminist leadership development. A group of former federal lawmakers, under the banner of the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a political party. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025, was initiated by the groups National Coordinator, Raphael Igbokwe, who deposed to an affidavit alleging that the ADC has failed to meet constitutional and statutory requirements to retain its status as a political party. Mr Igbokwe, who represented Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency of Imo State in the 7th and 8th House of Representatives, argued that the ADC did not secure 25 per cent of votes in any state during the last presidential election. He noted that the party failed to win any seat in the August bye-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a performance he said fell below the minimum legal threshold. The plaintiffs, therefore, requested that the court declare the ADCs failure to meet the requirements of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, and that INEC deregister it. The request is anchored on the powers granted to INEC under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Section 222 outlines the conditions an association must meet to operate as a political party, including proper registration of national officers and submission of its constitution to INEC. Under Section 225A (a), (b), and (c), INEC may deregister a party if it breaches registration requirements or fails to attain the minimum prescribed electoral performance, such as failing to secure at least 25 per cent of votes in one state in a presidential election or failing to win any ward, state or national legislative seat, or councillorship position. INEC had previously deregistered 74 political parties in February 2020 for poor performance in the 2019 general elections. The Supreme Court affirmed the deregistration in May 2021 in a case filed by the National Unity Party, one of the affected parties. ADC as a coalition The ADC currently has one member in the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa Moro Federal Constituency of Kogi State. The party has no representation in the Senate. Recently, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ADC as part of a coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, is part of the coalition, but has not formally registered as a member of the ADC. The ADC maintains that the coalition seeks to prevent Nigeria from drifting toward a one-party state and to build a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 ADC presidential candidate, scored 81,919 votes, placing fifth overall. Mr Kachikwu and others opposed the takeover of the party by the Atiku-led coalition earlier in the year. Other members of the coalition are former Senate President, David Mark, who is its national chairman, former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, former AGF, Abubakar Malami, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. A handful of Bachama youths protested in front of the NHRC headquarters in Abuja against the killing of women in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State on Wednesday. Some protesters converged on the front of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday to register their grievances and demand justice over the killing of women allegedly by soldiers in Lamurde Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State. The protest against the killings, which reportedly occurred on Monday, coincided with an event commemorating the International Human Rights Day at the NHRC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday. The protesters numbering nine, all dressed in black, identified themselves as Bwatiye youths residing in Abuja. The ethnic group is also referred to as the Bachama people, the tribe of the women who were reportedly killed. Some of them brandished placards with inscriptions capturing some their demands. Justice must be served for Bachama women killed!. Another read, Military protection of citizens must be a priority. Speaking on behalf of the group, Richard Christopher told PREMIUM TIMES decried the recent incident in Lamurde local government area, where, he said, soldiers brutally killed 10 women. We are peacefully demonstrating the need for peace to return to LamurdeSo, we are here to register our plight at the Nigerian Human Rights Commission here in Abuja so that our voice will be heard, he said. Mr Christopher also said his group would lodge an official complaint at the NHRC to seek redress. Daily Trust reported on Tuesday that seven women were killed while 11 others injured after soldiers fired shots during the womens protest against alleged delayed an biased intervention of the military in a conflict between the Bachama and Chobo communities in the area of Nigerias north-eastern state. The women were said to have blocked the movement of troops into the area after accusing security agencies of biased interventions in favour of the Chobo community. According to the newspaper, the military allegedly fired shots into the crowd, and four of the women died on the spot, while three others died in the hospital. It was further learnt that 11 others, who were injured, are currently receiving treatment. However, the Nigerian Army denied the allegations in a statement on Tuesday. The Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai / 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Olusegun Abidoye, described the reported killing of the women protesters blamed on soldiers as baseless. Mr Olusegun confirmed the death of only two women which he attributed to a militia group. He said the troops had a confrontation with members of a militia group fighting for one of the warring communities, while some women tried to block the troops passage to secure the local government secretariat. During the confrontation, Mr Abidoye said the troops neutralised eight militia members and later saw the bodies of two women, whose deaths he attributed to the militia group. NHRC condemns the killing Meanwhile, the NHRC condemned the killing of the women in a statement on Tuesday evening. According to the commission, such actions amount to grave violations of human right. READ ALSO: Adamawa confirms eight deaths from suspected Buruli ulcer outbreak The commission said the act of violence was even more embarrassing as it comes during the global 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women and three days to the Human Rights Day. The NHRC noted that the killings, whether allegedly by the armed forces or non-state actors, are condemnable. It therefore called on all responsible authorities to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killings and to ensure there is no recurrence. Also, commission demanded that the federal government review security protocols to prevent excessive use of force and measures for reparation and psychological support be made available to survivors and families of victims. The NHRC also urged the Adamawa State Government to initiate an urgent peace-building mechanism to resolve the inter-communal conflicts in the state. A magistrate court in Enugu State has remanded a 51-year-old man for allegedly killing his cousin, who accused him of raping her and threatening to kill her and her family members. PREMIUM TIMES reported that before Uloma Nwangwu was killed, she had escaped from a room in Ibeku-Opi in Nsukka LGA, where the defendant, Emeka Nwangwu, had locked her up. The deceased was receiving treatment in a pharmacy shop in the university town of Nsukka when Mr Nwangwu allegedly attacked and struck her head repeatedly on the floor, which resulted in her death. Arraignment The defendant was arraigned before the magistrate court on Wednesday on a one-count charge of murder, Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesperson in Enugu State, said in a statement on Wednesday evening. Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said the arraignment of the defendant followed the conclusion of investigations by the State Criminal Investigation Department of the police. He said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, ordered Mr Nwangwus prosecution following the incident and subsequent conclusion of investigations. The court ordered his remand and directed that the case file be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice, through the Directorate of Public Prosecution, for review and legal advice, he said. READ ALSO: Tinubu directs ministers to obtain presidential clearance for police escorts The spokesperson said the police commissioner sympathised once again with the family of the deceased for the loss. The police chief urged them to find comfort in the fact that justice is already in motion, citing the defendants arraignment and subsequent remand in prison. The killing PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Nwangwu, a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Group, allegedly attacked the victim at the pharmacy shop, which resulted in her death. The incident happened on 1 December 2025, about three days after the 19-year-old reported at the Umabor Divisional Police Headquarters that Mr Nwangwu was allegedly raping her and threatening to kill her and all her family members. This newspaper also detailed how negligence by the police and her familys inaction led to the death of the victim. When I reflect on the year, I do not see isolated trips or separate assignments, but a long journey that brought many threads together. The year carried me from landfills to lecture halls and from field visits in remote places to high-level meetings with climate leaders. And my background as a geologist shape how I understand progress. In geology, you learn that mountains form from layers of sediment that accumulate over long periods. Some layers look insignificant on their own, but together they become something powerful. The year 2025 began in a way that set the tone for everything that followed. On a cold January morning in Arlington, Texas, I stood outside the lecture hall of the International Solid Waste Association Winter School with a cup of coffee warming my hands, while the winter air pressed against my face. I had just finished listening to a series of discussions that spilled across topics such as the circular economy and landfill engineering. The hall vibrated with voices from many regions, each accent carrying a distinct experience. During a break, as I exchanged thoughts with colleagues, I sensed the magnitude of what lay ahead. It was not a vague feeling but a quiet certainty that the year was going to stretch me in new ways. I could already see the sense of responsibility that comes with shaping a path for methane mitigation across the continent. That moment in January was the beginning of a year that tested my endurance and deepened my resolve. When February arrived, Accra greeted me with its humid air and restless vibrancy. At the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), I spoke about how Ghana could finance methane reduction in its oil and gas sector. My audience consisted of government officials, academics, private sector actors, etc. While standing at the podium, I remembered how my background once involved long hours of studying rock layers and tracing their stories through time. This memory guided my thinking as I explained how financing structures must be layered with the same precision used in geology. I thought that a poorly placed financial assumption can cause a collapse, just as easily as a weak geological layer can undermine a structure. Later that same month, I met with directors and staff of the Ghana Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to support the development of the countrys methane mitigation guidelines in the oil and gas sector. Some discussions were friendly and some were intense, but all of them were grounded in responsibility. But one quiet moment with a director has stayed with me, as he leaned slightly forward and said, If we get this right, we are changing policy, but at the same time, we are also changing lives. These words became a steady reminder as the year unfolded. April brought me back to Ghana with renewed urgency. At Ghanas Petroleum Commission in Accra, and the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, attention shifted toward a question that seemed simple but carried enormous weight: Does the country have a real energy strategy that can be defended at all levels? And the subsequent conversations we had in addressing that question were always linked to people and livelihoods. That same month, I was in Abuja for a session with the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) on the new European Union (EU) Methane Regulation. My contribution centered on the implications and opportunities for African producers. I thought of the workers I had seen in various oil fields across West Africa, and how the decisions taken in faraway places such as Brussels would soon affect their daily routines and how they may never meet the people making these rules. May transported me to Madrid, where the methane team in my organisation gathered for several days. Our work is spread across many regions, and we could sometimes operate under intense pressure, so the meeting felt like an important pause. As a team, we compared experiences and shared concerns, but most importantly, encouraged each other. It was less about formal presentations and more about strengthening our sense of purpose. Shortly after Madrid, I was in Cote dIvoire for Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) training. At the Kossihouen Landfill, I watched how a drone and a mobile monitoring equipment cut through the warm air as it detected emissions. At the Foxtrot facility, screens illuminated methane measurements in real time. In the island of Jacqueville, surrounded by forest, I reflected on the deep past held within that landscape, as I wondered what future generations would think of these early attempts to curb emissions and reshape how Africa engages with energy and environmental responsibility. September carried me to the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa. There, at a high-level roundtable on Africas renewable transition, I spoke about the essential role of methane abatement in financing discussions. The hall was expansive and filled with delegates from across the continent. My message was that methane is a challenge, but also a source of opportunity if addressed with purpose. June unfolded through the forests and city streets of Gabon. I spent time in Libreville presenting the development of a methane emissions inventory we had prepared for the country. The meeting involved long exchanges with government agencies as we refined assumptions and verified the numbers. The process felt like returning to the discipline of field mapping in Geology, where small corrections slowly sharpened the full picture. Later in June, I returned to Libreville to finalise this important work that had stretched across nearly three years. We presented a monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) framework to officials who had been part of the journey from the beginning. Although the room was warm and the hours were long, yet there was a sense of a collective breakthrough. July again took me to Accra, where I worked with the EPA to refine methane guidelines that would soon appear before parliament. We read through each paragraph with care, as each word had consequences for both the industry and regulators. I could feel the weight of expectation from people who hoped these guidelines would create both just compliance and real environmental progress. August marked a major moment in Ghanas methane journey. In Kumasi, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), we facilitated the launch of an organics diversion pilot. The project was carried out with the Brew Hammond Energy Centre and Safisana Ghana. The objective was to divert waste from landfills and process it through new streams that could reduce emissions and create economic value. We followed the workers and students as they hauled waste away from dumping sites. I could imagine how the strong smell of decomposing materials could mix unexpectedly with a feeling of hope. Perhaps it was one of the few times when policy becomes something you can touch or smell. Later in the month at the Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) workshop in Abuja, I gave presentations on methane reduction and regulatory design. The panel sessions were lively and at times intense. The encounters were constructive and served as a reminder that progress often comes through honest disagreement. Soon after, at the Future of Energy Conference in Accra, I spoke again about aligning governance and financing with methane mitigation. I drew examples from Gabon, Cote dIvoire, and Nigeria hoping to make the discussion real and relevant. September carried me to the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa. There, at a high-level roundtable on Africas renewable transition, I spoke about the essential role of methane abatement in financing discussions. The hall was expansive and filled with delegates from across the continent. My message was that methane is a challenge, but also a source of opportunity if addressed with purpose. At a side event focused on equitable pathways to methane abatement, I emphasised the importance of an African owned framing, especially in light of the EU Methane Regulation. After a long day of discussions, an older man approached me. He had listened quietly throughout the event. His simple encouragement, that he liked my way of thinking and that I should keep going, carried a depth that stayed with me for months. In November, I took part in the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Roundtable in Abuja. The gathering brought voices from Africa, Europe, and the United States, all intent on discussing the path from methane pledges to measurable progress. When the roundtable ended, I helped coordinate a meeting between Ghanas oil and gas regulators and their counterparts in Nigeria. The objective was for both countries to share experiences and for Ghana to learn from Nigerias early progress on implementing methane guidelines. October brought me back to Accra for what became one of the defining moments of the year. Together with the EPA and other partners from the Ghanaian government and private sector, we hosted the final stakeholder consultation on the methane guidelines. This gathering represented the accumulation of almost three years of technical support and policy engagement that culminated in the passage of the Environmental Protection (Petroleum) Regulations of 2025. Many of the conversations that month carried emotional weight as people from industry, civil society, and government offices discussed how best to apply new rules that could reshape the countrys engagement with methane. When the final session ended and participants stepped outdoors exchanging firm handshakes and warm conversations, I felt a change in the air. Something new was taking shape as the feedback from this consultation will now guide the remaining steps of the guidelines and serve as the foundation for the next phase of cooperation in Ghana, to ensure the regulations are fully understood and can deliver real results. In November, I took part in the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Roundtable in Abuja. The gathering brought voices from Africa, Europe, and the United States, all intent on discussing the path from methane pledges to measurable progress. When the roundtable ended, I helped coordinate a meeting between Ghanas oil and gas regulators and their counterparts in Nigeria. The objective was for both countries to share experiences and for Ghana to learn from Nigerias early progress on implementing methane guidelines. The conversations were practical and direct, and they opened new possibilities for cooperation. By late November and into December, my year had taken me to Saudi Arabia where I performed the lesser hajj known as Umrah and spent time in the Kingdom. I began in Madinah, a city that holds a unique place in the heart of every Muslim. Walking through the serene streets and offering my greetings to the Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, felt like standing in the presence of history. From Madinah, I traveled to Mecca to complete the rites of Umrah. My days were spent praying in the Masjid Al Haram, reflecting on life, and giving thanks for blessings that are sometimes easy to overlook in busy seasons of work. One cannot have too much of Madinah or Mecca. You simply return as often as you can, whenever life opens the door. When I reflect on the year, I do not see isolated trips or separate assignments, but a long journey that brought many threads together. The year carried me from landfills to lecture halls and from field visits in remote places to high-level meetings with climate leaders. And my background as a geologist shape how I understand progress. In geology, you learn that mountains form from layers of sediment that accumulate over long periods. Some layers look insignificant on their own, but together they become something powerful. This is how I now see climate work. Everything I did was a layer and none of them defines the mountain on their own, but all of them contribute to its formation. I also think often of the workers at oil fields in Nigeria, the families who live near landfills in Ghana and Cote dIvoire, the policymakers in Gabon, all striving to create stronger systems, and the younger people across Africa whose futures depend on the choices we make today. And with those thoughts, I can imagine that the work is not abstract, as it is tied to the hope that tomorrow can be kinder than today. The year 2025 may have left me tired in body but strengthened in conviction. It affirmed that the path of climate action is demanding but meaningful. As I step into 2026, my task is to continue building the layers that will create a future where African states can turn their climate commitments into real achievements, and I look forward to that with excitement. I am now respectfully and openly challenging Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah to an open, independently moderated debate on whether a genocide is taking place against Christians and indigenous populations in Northern Nigeria The debate should be held at a location and time that is safe and convenient for both of us. This is not a contest for pride nor a celebration of intellect. It is a sacrament of truth, an interrogation of facts, memory, and the ennoblement of moral responsibility. Growing up and as an investigative journalist and activist, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto was one of the voices that inspired me. I have never met him, and despite repeated attempts, he has never granted me an interview or contributed to my work. Regardless, I had profound admiration for him. Mr Kukah was one of Northern Nigerias most outspoken public critics of mass massacres, religious persecution, and state failure, long before and after being elected a bishop. With remarkable moral clarity, he spoke to power from the pulpit, in public discussions, and through the National Peace Committee, which he co-founded. For Instance, on 7 August, 2020, Kukah was quoted by an international organisation, Aid to the Church in Need, to have said that Genocide is happening in Nigeria. He also told the Association for Catholic Information in Africa, It is genocide indeed. When his Christmas message enraged President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2020, as reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Bishop Kukah was in his elements, accusing the administration of failing to uphold its most fundamental constitutional duty: protecting lives and property. Kukah spoke at the time as someone unafraid of the state or death itself. That was the Kukah that many victims trusted, even from far away. But he was not a lone voice among his colleagues. In the course of my job as an academic and an investigative journalist, I have met several Catholic leaders whose boldness matched their principles, such as the late Bishop Joseph Bagobiri of Kafanchan, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Diocese of Makurdi, and Bishop Stephen Mamza of the Diocese of Yola. What struck me is that they all speak about the same tragedies in the North-Central and the wider North-East. Their words are unambiguous. They have always described what has been happening as a deadly campaign against Christians and indigenous communities, which has gone far beyond spontaneous clashes or isolated reprisals, as many conventional media have framed them. In April 2016, Bishop Bagobiri delivered this same message to the United Nations during a forum organised by the Holy Sees Permanent Observer Mission and international human rights partners at the UN Headquarters in New York. Before the world, he spoke of entire villages being overrun, communities being relocated, churches being destroyed, and lives being lost in a pattern that was too consistent to be coincidental. He warned that what was happening in Southern Kaduna and the larger Middle Belt had the characteristics of systematic persecution and coordinated violence and cited a declaration by the leader of the Boko Haram sect (Abubakar Shekau) that the war (waged by Boko Haram) is not political. It is religious. It is between Muslims and unbelievers (arna). Bishop Bagobiri never retracted those comments till his death in 2018. I knew Bagobiri personally. I met him at Heathrow Airport in London in 2009, on my way back to Nigeria from a University of Westminster programme, years before I began writing about the massacres in 2014. He was warm, intellectually deep, and remarkably humble. We exchanged numbers and remained in touch till he died. He never used nice words to hide the horror he witnessed. Also, Bishop Anagbe has not stopped telling the world how Gods flock under him has been depleted and places of worship and communities sacked and occupied by Fulani militia in Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states. He has addressed the US Congressional Committee twice and spoken at the Vatican as well. In the North-East, at the height of Boko Harams onslaught across Adamawa State, Bishop Mamza opened the doors of the Catholic Diocese of Yola to the hunted and homeless. For years, hundreds of Christians and Muslims sought refuge at the camp he established. Even when bombs rained, and villages were emptied, he never stopped telling the truth about what was going on, never softened the reality of the terror brought on ordinary people, and never sacrificed the truth for safety. The truth that revisionists refuse to acknowledge is that those who kill and overrun communities do not perform incantations, pour libations, or use the name of Jesus while committing these crimes. They shout Allahu Akbar, consciously establishing that they are doing the work of God by killing, raping, maiming and taking over homes and farms of their victims. One of the most destructive distortions of this tragedy is what is now commonly reported as balanced killings or reprisals on both sides. Staging isolated acts of retaliatory violence or pointing out kidnappings in unrelated contexts cannot obscure the fundamental truth of how this crisis began and has persisted. No Christian community in Northern Nigeria has ever been accused of planning and launching an extermination campaign against its Muslim neighbours. Even Bishop Kukah cannot refute this historical fact. When Boko Haram started as a deadly terrorist group, its primary and persistent targets were Christians and Christian-populated areas, and they made their mission very clear: to establish a caliphate. The first set of schoolgirls was abducted from Chibok, a largely Christian town in Borno State. Bishop Kukahs native southern Kaduna has frequently been drenched in blood, not because its people plotted a war, but rather because they were attacked in their own homes and sometimes in their sleep. His Grace cannot pinpoint a time in this protracted nightmare when his own relatives organised and carried out an attack against their Muslim neighbours, except during desperate actions of self-defence following repeated massacres. It would be an inversion of truth and history for anyone to blame the Southern Kaduna people for being killed in their homes and farms. I did not leave Nigeria in 2021 because I got tired of the country. I did not leave for a better life in another country. I escaped after people who assisted me in investigating the mass killings of Christians and indigenous communities in Bishop Kukahs Southern Kaduna were being hunted down and killed. In some instances, entire households were massacred. These sources were not non-living things. They were human beings whose only crime was to tell the truth about a coordinated terror campaign against them. Before I fled, I did not know that documenting killings in Nigeria could result in death. Now I understand, and that understanding is something I take around with me every day. To understand the full ramifications of what happened before ActionAid Nigeria assisted me to escape the country, read the Untold Story of Endless Massacre, Plunder by Suspected Fulani Herdsmen (Part 1, Part II, Part III, and Part IV). It is sad that Bishop Kukahs voice, which once resonated with conviction, now appears cautious. While I am not sure about what changed him, I do know what has not: the mass graves that keep multiplying, the number of orphans that continue to increase, the displaced that keep moving into camps, and the killers that keep returning to the same places with impunity. Given his moral constancy in the past, I am pained and surprised by Bishop Kukahs recent stance and subtle revisionism. The same man who once described government failure with specificity now seems to shy from using the word genocide completely. He now claims that even the massacre of millions would not constitute genocide if specific intent could not be established. In communication studies, we say that the medium is the message. When people of the same ethnic or belief system repeatedly invoke the name of their deity while slaughtering innocent women, children, and the elderly of a different faith and ethnicity, and then seize their lands and properties, the highly respected man of God must ask himself: What clearer proof of intent can anyone seek? It is sad that Bishop Kukahs voice, which once resonated with conviction, now appears cautious. While I am not sure about what changed him, I do know what has not: the mass graves that keep multiplying, the number of orphans that continue to increase, the displaced that keep moving into camps, and the killers that keep returning to the same places with impunity. While revisionists and politically correct public commentators continue to deny the overwhelming and mounting evidence of a genocide against Christians in Nigerias North-Central, North-East, and North-West, an inconvenient fact is staring them in the face. That reality was provided not by Christian activists, but by a Northern newspaper with strong regional roots and reputation. That newspaper is the Daily Trust. The papers editorial, titled Genocide on the Mambila, was uncompromising. It clearly referred to the 2017 attacks on Fulani villages in Taraba State as genocide. The paper, which wrote the editorial based on accounts by Fulani community members, said more than 200 people were murdered, 180 villages were looted and burnt, and around 4,000 livestock were butchered or injured. Based on these data alone, the Daily Trust arrived at the fact that there was moral and legal justification that a genocide had been committed under Nigerian and international law. The question that begs to be asked is: Suppose the killing of perhaps 200 people and the destruction of property on the Mambila Plateau constitute genocide, what do we call the systematic, deliberate and continued massacre of thousands, displacements of millions and occupation of Christian communities in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Borno, Nasarawa, and several other states over the last 10 years? In Plateau and Benue alone, entire Christian communities have been wiped off the map in a series of planned attacks. Churches in Southern Kaduna have been burnt, priests murdered, and villages destroyed. In Borno, Boko Haram specifically targeted Christians and Christian-populated communities, kidnapping schoolgirls, beheading believers, and destroying churches. In Taraba and Nasarawa, predominantly Christian rural communities have been subjected to persistent night raids, mass murders, and land seizures. The death toll is in thousands, not hundreds. The displaced now number in the millions, not just a few thousands. However, the term genocide has suddenly become too strong, politicised, or unhelpful. This selective use of words exposes a dangerous double standard. When the Fulani are killed, and cattle are lost, genocide is immediately recognised. When Christians are affected, and ancestral lands are destroyed on a much bigger scale and over a much longer length of time, we are told that it is simply farmer-herder clashes, communal conflicts, or general insecurity. The same moral standard does not apply to Christian victims. Many Islamic clerics and public commentators may claim that Sharia does not affect Christians, but the reality on the ground paints a different and more complex picture. In principle, Sharia should not affect Christians, but in reality, Christians in many parts of the North are constantly in danger. They are denied land rights, their businesses are destroyed, they are barred from political authority, attacked without consequence, and they are denied justice after mass murders. When religious and ethnic allegiances influence law enforcement, neutral laws are meaningless. The obvious pattern, the clear goal, and the terrifying consistency of the brutality are what strengthen the case for genocide. It is also important to mention that traditional order has been destroyed in Bishop Kukahs Southern Kaduna, where emirs now preside over indigenous district heads and entire Christian communities are increasingly being subjected to Islamic rulership against their will. It was under the administration of Malam Nasir El-Rufai that such wicked policies were made and forced down the throats of Christians. Unlike the respected Bishop Kukah and his army of revisionists, I know that genocide cannot be defined by the number of people killed in a deliberate balancing of violence. It does not involve mind-reading. It is defined as the systematic attempt to wipe out a people, either whole or partially. Accordingly, the deliberate, sustained and bloody invasion of Christian villages across wide stretches of northern Nigeria matches the definition far more accurately than the Mambila incident, which Daily Trust itself classified as genocide. When you look at how attacks are carried out in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, and Southern Kaduna, a clear pattern emerges midnight raids, mass killings, village burnings, community displacement, and the occupation of villages and farms. Aside from kidnapping, which affects people across the country, the massacres and displacements are specifically targeted at Christian communities, and the violence has been ongoing for more than a decade. Unlike the respected Bishop Kukah and his army of revisionists, I know that genocide cannot be defined by the number of people killed in a deliberate balancing of violence. It does not involve mind-reading. It is defined as the systematic attempt to wipe out a people, either whole or partially. Accordingly, the deliberate, sustained and bloody invasion of Christian villages across wide stretches of northern Nigeria matches the definition far more accurately than the Mambila incident, which Daily Trust itself classified as genocide. Those who today deny that a genocide against Christians is taking place must be ashamed of their intellectual and moral inconsistencies. How can 200 deaths and the damage to cattle constitute genocide, but the massacre of thousands, the burning of hundreds of villages, the destruction of churches, and the permanent displacement of entire people do not? Just how can it make sense? This is not an academic argument for me. I am writing this, conscious of the blood of people whose names I know and whose voices I recorded before they were silenced. I have followed survivors trails, walked through the ruins of once-bubbling villages, and watched the powerful machinery of official denial grind steadily over mass graves, swathes of occupied villages, and IDP camps. Investigating the massacres has cost me a business I co-founded, my home and personal well-being. It forced me into exile. It may yet cost me my life. But I refuse to allow the truth to be massaged, coated and explained away through political correctness. For this reason, I am now respectfully and openly challenging Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah to an open, independently moderated debate on whether a genocide is taking place against Christians and indigenous populations in Northern Nigeria. The debate should be held at a location and time that is safe and convenient for both of us. This is not a contest for pride nor a celebration of intellect. It is a sacrament of truth, an interrogation of facts, memory, and the ennoblement of moral responsibility. Instead of propaganda and whitewashed data, I will bring field evidence, survivor accounts, displacement records, attack chronologies, and documentation of burnt churches and villages gathered over years of daring investigation. Let the entire world listen to us and judge us. Let God judge us, too. It is unholy for anyone to use neutral remarks during times of mass violence. When influential voices muddle definitions, criminals become more confident. When genocide is portrayed as a conflict, the victims are silently abandoned. When diplomacy obscures the truth, the next massacre becomes easy to plan and carry out. Silence kills. Ambiguity kills. Historical revisionism kills. Bishop Kukah once understood these truths with moral clarity. That is why the present contradiction is so significant. As I prepare for this debate, I am convinced that one day, history will judge everyone who lived through this troubling season. It will ask who spoke when it was dangerous to talk, who remained silent when silence was safer, and who adjusted their language while graves are still fresh and wounds are still obvious. I chose my side long ago against the sound of gunshots and the smell of burning communities. Bishop Kukah now has the opportunity to choose anew, not in theory, but in the full light of truth. Until then, I will continue to stand where I have always been: With the dead, the displaced, the voiceless, and the living who still dare to remember. Bishop Matthew Kukah must come to the debate. Ibanga Isine is a multiple award-wining investigative journalist and an advocate of free speech and good governance. As a Northerner from a minority group, his rise to the powerful position of CDS was unexpected; securing a second opportunity to command the entire security apparatus goes beyond conventional political logic. No wonder, his reappointment is likened to lightning striking twice. Those who think a sack from government is about incompetence and lack of capacity should think twice, going by the reappointment of former CDS Christopher Gwabin Musa as Defence minister. Within six weeks, the man with the highest rank in the army metamorphosed into the highest ranked man in the defence architecture of the country. His uniform was also swapped from khaki to civilian clothing. Such is the overnight transformation, that pundits question the saying that lightning does not strike twice. With General Musa (rtd), it did. And such is the power of providence; some call it destiny. That you are down today does not mean you are out forever. Yes, it is also politics. And with politics, everything including appointments, reappointments and sack are in a state of flux is unpredictable, uncertain and not reliable. For General Chris Musa, everything providence, politics and intrigues played out, but there must be something about his personality. Many appointees wont have the easy ride he had during his second coming with either critics, the civil society or media. Have we not seen how pressures were brought to bear on some appointees, leading the authorities to drop such individuals. Neither netizens of the social media, the political class and pundits pushed back at General Musas return, even if it would not change anything. When he was relieved of his position, to enhance security across the country, with President Bola Tinubu emphasising the need for professionalism, vigilance and comradeship in the Armed Forces, many were not convinced. Instead they were like well, the man (Musa) did his utmost best but since shuffling and reshuffling is the Presidents prerogative as so constitutionally provided, who are we to question his actions or deeds? In the end, it was that same President who recanted. Then the security excuse for which he was shown the way out resurged in intensity. In between, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern, and one that decimates its Christian population through genocide and threatened guns-ablazing on the terrorists killing his brethren. Instead of thawing, the attacks became incessant. Then came renewed church attacks and the abduction of school children from a Catholic school in Niger State the biggest ever and also from a girls school in Kebbi State. And for the same reason of nipping insecurity in the bud, a General Musa had to come to judgment. Yet, others attributed his temporary fall from grace to the rumours of a coup, which were dismissed as false by the Presidency. Coup attempt or not, heads did roll in the military, and the then CDS Musa was one of them. In addition, CDS Musas Aljareeza interview, in which he blamed the international community for its conspiracy and possible complicity, went viral. On the regrouping of Boko Haram, he noted that over 120,000 insurgents who surrendered came with hard currency. Where did they get it from? How are they funded? How did they get the training? How did they get the equipment, and how was Boko Haram able to sustain themselves for 15 years? He asked the Aljazeera presenter, adding that the UN may have to come in to trace and track their funding, since, according to him, it is an international flow beyond Nigerias control. The rhetorical questions were puzzling, as much as the your guess is good as mine retort to the journalists question on whose interest is it to destabilise Nigeria? For all these, who knows whose toes General Musa stepped on? Did he say too much? Perhaps! All these confusions have got people talking about possible American influence in General Musa being given a second chance by President Tinubu to come conclude a job he so passionately spoke about and defended. His tenure marked courage as he never shied away from straight-talking. Whatever might have led to his first exit is immaterial at this point in time. However, it is hoped that his mistakes would serve as guardrails in his subsequent actions. One of them is the need for him to talk less and do more. Indeed, the referenced interview above is loaded and it left many unclear about his motives. Going forward, he may need to exercise caution. Notwithstanding his failure to completely eradicate insurgency, CG Musa was credited to have revamped the counter-insurgency operation that shifted from a reactive stance to a more proactive counter-insurgency strategy leveraging advanced surveillance that neutralised key insurgent commanders. Under his watch, Operations Hadin Kai was said to have liberated over 1500 hostages and reclaimed strategic territories. His tenure witnessed the introduction of mobile strike teams rapid-response units, with night vision and armoured mobility, which enabled swift incursions into insurgent strongholds. His non-kinetic efforts included deradicalisation programmes leading to the surrender of over 2,000 insurgents in 2024, an indication of a holistic approach to security and peace-building, despite the criticisms that have trailed the programme. By far, his most impactful stride is in the area of military-civilian interaction, while seeking to restore trust and cooperation. He adopted an open-door leadership style; encouraging dialogue with civil society, youth leaders, traditional rulers, not just service chiefs, while reframing national security as inclusive and participatory. General Musa was credited to have supported military-led community investments in humanitarian infrastructure (schools, clinics, particularly in areas affected by conflict), and vocational training for youth as alternatives to insurgent recruitment. He also prioritised troop welfare and professionalisation and focused on welfare, training in ethics/human rights, and internal reforms to boost morale and discipline. These might have once again endeared him to the president who either put politics aside or played high-wire politics to recall General Musa. Meanwhile, General Musa should remember that policy-making and operations are not alike. His second coming is another litmus test to showcase his style of leadership out of his military command structure and comfort zone. As a Northerner from a minority group, his rise to the powerful position of CDS was unexpected; securing a second opportunity to command the entire security apparatus goes beyond conventional political logic. No wonder, his reappointment is likened to lightning striking twice. Zainab Suleiman Okino (FNGE) chairs the Blueprint Editorial Board. She is a syndicated columnist and can be reached via: [email protected] The 9th of December is observed as the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day, commemorating the signing of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC, 2003). Series of activities, including youth focused dialogues, are held all over the world to promote the Global Anti-Corruption Agenda. Several of such activities were held in Nigeria, demonstrating the role of the youth in fighting corruption, promoting integrity and safeguarding democracy. I had the privilege to moderate a robust conversation of enlightened youth at a forum organised by the JuriTrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research and Document, today in Abuja, Nigeria to mark the UN Anti-Corruption Day. I am a strong advocate for youth participation in governance, in particular in anti-corruption because I believe that the youth should not just be considered as leaders of tomorrow, but of today and architects of tomorrow for a better society. The dialogue went beyond theory to sharing of practical and lived experiences and recommendations, to actionable solutions in the context of deepening the fight against corruption and strengthening democracy and good governance in Nigeria. From the outset, I was amazed by the quality of the audience for three reasons: First, there was a good gender balance of panellists and discussants; secondly, majority of the participants were young lawyers with vibrant ideas and unflinching passion for Nigeria; and thirdly, it was a constructive dialogue of the Genzees, which raised my expectations and optimism regarding the role of the youth in anti-corruption, democracy and participatory governance. The most important remark that mesmerised me was the consensus among participants that a nation cannot defeat corruption if corruption decides who leads it. This is a value loaded message which revibrated throughout the discussion and this is an important message with regard to the character and morality of our leaders, which should be the essential criteria for leadership selection. The forum observed inter alia, that: There is sufficient legal foundation for youth participation, not only in fighting corruption, but in overall governance and development of the country. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, and other anti-corruption legislation are fairly comprehensive but their effectiveness and real time enforcement remain problematic and the results far below expectations. Accountability is not only holding the government responsible but everyone being responsible and accountable. Leadership by example as a pillar of integrity is crucial. Yet, integrity is earned, not bought. The various challenges in dealing with corruption, including institutional resistance, financial and technical limitations, as well as inherited tribal and religious sentiments have created structural societal biases making the fight against corruption a herculean task in Nigeria. The youth must seize the opportunity to protect their future by getting involved in governance, including the courage to demand for accountability from leaders. They must also be role models in leadership at whatever level they find themselves. Overall, participants unanimously agreed that despite the challenges of getting the opportunity to effect the change, the youth remain the last hope and can change the narrative, noting some exemplary contributions to anti-corruption, including: The use of digital platforms like the work of BudgIT in increasing budget transparency in Nigeria; the use of Corruption Trackers Apps and SMS Tools which have been successful in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana; Youth Led Integrity Elections Observation and Monitoring, leading to transparent, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Zambia, Kenya and Ghana; and Active Youth Anti-Corruption Ambassadors in Liberia and Sierra Leone, focused on police bribery, local government procurement fraud and mismanagement of resources meant for war-affected youth. The EndSars and BadGovernance protests in Nigeria were cited as examples of youth legitimate expression of rights and demand for accountability. However, the youth must be conscious of their future rather than seeing themselves as victims of corruption to be able to make a significant change in society. Recommendation Participants at the Youth Forum noted the legal foundation for youth involvement in anti-corruption and called for the strengthening of the anti-corruption frameworks, including access to whistleblower protection by law. Other recommendations include: Going beyond criminalization and making corruption a capital offence, punishable by death as obtained in China Empowering the youth to be more active in anti-corruption and governance Prioritizing the use of digital technology for preventive purposes by reducing human contacts in procurement, revenue generation, etc Establishing and strengthening specialized courts and expediting prosecution of corruption cases Improving the quality of investigation as a function of good prosecution Naming and shaming corrupt officials, in addition to conviction deterrence Appointing capable, competent and meritorious persons to lead the fight against corruption Following, recovering and returning stolen assets to Nigeria. Combating corruption is a shared responsibility. The Youth Forum was hosted by JuriTrust with the support of MacArthur Foundation which underscores the need for developed countries, donor agencies and other international partners to support developing countries in preventing illicit financial flows and recovering the proceeds of crime. Abdullahi Shehu, a professor of Criminology and Security Studies, former director general of the ECOWAS Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) and former Nigerian ambassador to the Russian Federation, wrote from Abuja. The 16 ward councillors of the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Council, Enugu State, have acknowledged the development projects executed in the council area by the LGA Chairman, Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze. The councillors made the acknowledgement during an interactive session on Monday, 9 December, with the council chairman at the Igbo-Eze South Local Government Council Secretariat. The ongoing reconstruction of the Igbo-Eze Souths council secretariat into an ultra-modern edifice, the paving of the access road in the secretariat premises, water borehole projects across the wards, the extensive road grading and soil stabilisation initiatives and the restoration of electricity supply in many communities were among the projects acknowledged by the councillors. The councillors also acknowledged other life-transforming projects embarked upon by the chairman, Mr Ukwueze. They commended the peace, stability and sense of inclusiveness that have flourished under Mr Ukwuezes administration. Mr Ukwueze thanked the councillors for their steadfast support and collaboration despite the various challenges that have confronted the local government and the people. He reminded them that although their tenure was gradually coming to an end, they must continue to see this period as a gateway to broader opportunities. The governance philosophy of His Excellency (Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State) teaches us that every phase of service, when approached with excellence and innovation, becomes a stepping stone to greater possibilities, the chairman said, while reaffirming their shared commitment to the transformative leadership inspired by the governance model of Governor Mbah. He encouraged the councillors to take full ownership of the ongoing projects in their respective wards and closely monitor them. Effective oversight at the community level is essential to sustaining the momentum of development and delivering outcomes that reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda we collectively uphold. Indeed, we have grown into a formidable union. Our bond transcends official roles and will endure even beyond public office. Above everything else, we remain an indivisible family committed to accelerating growth, deepening peace and driving the transformation of Igbo-Eze South in alignment with what My Principal, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, a man I usually describe as a modern wonder in the realms of governance, is doing in the state, the chairman added. Human Rights Day often centres on themes of dignity, equity, and freedom. Yet for many Nigerians, these rights are not debated in courtrooms they are expressed in the ability to access nutritious food, build meaningful livelihoods, and secure a healthy future for their families. Nutrition, in this sense, becomes a fundamental human right. Despite a growing population and rising nutrition needs, Nigeria faces a pressing dairy reality. The country remains heavily dependent on dairy imports, leaving nutritional access vulnerable and local capacity underdeveloped. This is not just an economic concern; it is a human one. When families cannot easily access affordable, high-quality dairy, the foundations of health and development are weakened. It is within this context that Arla Nigeria operates not merely as a dairy company, but as a nutrition powerhouse committed to nourishing a nation. Our ambition extends beyond selling products. We are working to build the foundations of a stronger, more resilient local dairy sector that supports food security, economic participation, and national progress. At the heart of our efforts is the Damau Integrated Dairy Farm in Kaduna State a fully operational modern farm designed to demonstrate what responsible, efficient, and scalable dairy production can look like in Nigeria. Arla Nigeria produces its own milk on-site, ensuring quality, safety, and consistency as we continue building the systems required for a sustainable local value chain. In fact, until our yoghurt factory launches, the reverse is true: some stakeholders purchase milk from us. But infrastructure alone is not the story. What truly matters is the human impact surrounding the farm. Arla Nigeria has been intentional about engaging and empowering the communities around Damau. By creating employment opportunities for local residents, providing skills development, and contributing to community growth, we are ensuring that the benefits of dairy development extend beyond production lines. This is development rooted in people where progress is measured in livelihoods improved and opportunities created. As Arla Nigeria continues to expand operations, our long-term commitment remains clear: to contribute meaningfully to local milk sourcing and value chain development, strengthening Nigerias capacity to feed itself. Backward integration is not a slogan for Arla Foods; it is a structured pathway with building responsibly and sustainably. From farm systems to future household milk initiatives, the goal is to create a model that supports farmers, enhances productivity, and drives economic inclusion in the years ahead. On Human Rights Day, the conversation often revolves around preventing harm avoiding exploitation, ensuring fair labour, and upholding ethical standards. These are essential, but they are only the beginning. True respect for human rights means creating enabling systems that allow people to thrive. With Arla Foods, that begins with nutrition. Milk is a super food, rich in essential nutrients that support growth and development. Ensuring access to such nutrition contributes directly to national well-being and productivity. When we help secure a healthier population, we strengthen the foundation for education, economic participation, and long-term prosperity. This is why Arla believes that dairy is not just food it is nutrition, livelihood, and progress. By investing in sustainable production, community development, and future local sourcing capabilities, Arla Nigeria is contributing to food security and economic growth in a tangible, measurable way. Ultimately, ethical business is not defined by corporate language or labels. It is defined by the stability, nourishment, and dignity it brings to peoples lives. As Nigeria celebrates Human Rights Day, let us recognise that the right to nutrition and the opportunity to build a better future are among the most powerful rights we can help protect. Leadership is not about sitting in an office. It is about going to the people. Those were the quiet but powerful words Governor Dikko Umaru Radda shared as he concluded his nine-day, 34Local Government toura journey that did more than assess development projects. It revealed the heart of a state, the resilience of its people, and the sincerity of a leader who believes governance must touch lives, not headlines. But what does it really mean for a governor to step into every LGA, from the bustling metropolis to the most remote village? And what did Governor Radda discover in these nine days that reshaped his mission for Katsina? The answer began unfolding the moment he entered the first communitythousands of citizens lining the roads, waving, praying, cheering. Not out of obligation. Out of genuine connection. And everywhere he went, something else stood out: the impact of the Community Development Programme was visible in every ward and every village. Banners hung proudly in all the LGAs, welcoming him with a single name they now call him The Community Governor. What does it say when ordinary people leave their farms, shops, and homes just to welcome their leader? It says they trust him. It says they believe in where he is taking them. And this trust was evident from the very beginning of the tour starting in the Funtua Zone. In Danja, where the journey began, the Governor met community leaders and inspected agriculture, health, education, and security projects, officially kicking off the statewide grassroots assessment. Malumfashi witnessed the empowerment of 1,859 residents with 176 million in grants and tools. Kafur hosted livelihood interventions. In Sabuwa, he flagged off the 18.5bn SabuwaTashar BawaRafin Iwa Road and empowered 1,500 women, youths, and schoolchildren. Dandume rolled out a multi-ward empowerment scheme, while Bakori strengthened basic education through learning materials. In Funtua, 360 residents received work tools and grants. Kankara distributed irrigation tools, vehicles, motorcycles, and POS machines. Musawas farmers and artisans received fertilizers, equipment, and cash. In Matazu, he commissioned agriculture and water projects but also supervised rescue operations following a tragic accident that claimed four lives. Each moment was proof that this tour was not a photo showbut deliberate grassroots governance. In each local government, the atmosphere was the same: traditional rulers seated with dignity, youths lined up with expectation, elderly women shedding tears of joy, farmers offering blessings. The governor listenednot as a superior, but as a son of the land. He sat with district heads, spoke with traders, inspected clinics, schools, rural roads, market stalls, and water points. The tour was not ceremonial. It was intentional. And in the Daura Zone, this intentionality deepened. Bindawa welcomed him with solar pumps, motorcycles, books for studentsand 600 opposition decampees. Kankia received 250m road projects and new water commitments. Kusada gained fertilizers and farming tools. Ingawa received a 4.4m scholarship for 204 students and a 30m X-ray machine. Daura witnessed major milestonesfrom the 13.5km Western Bypass to the upgraded Federal Teaching Hospital to over 1,200 empowered beneficiaries. Sandamu, Baure, Zango, Maiadua, Dutsi, Mashi, and Mani each showcased empowerment that could be touched and felt: motorcycles for youths, grinding machines for women, fertilizers for farmers, livestock for families, and cash support for the vulnerable. And just as striking was the presence of the Community Security Watch Corps. They were everywherevisible, organized, alertshowing in real time how communities were actively protecting their own environment. The Governor was seeing his actions live, witnessing how a policy on paper had become a living system on the ground. Lets ask ourselves: how many governors in Nigeria take nine straight days to reach every LGA, face the people directly, and hear their truth without filters? This is what genuine leadership looks like. Everywhere he went, the Governor encountered a storysometimes inspiring, sometimes painful. In Funtua, a widow told him how local empowerment programs helped her start a small grain business. In Daura, a group of youths proudly showcased machines they received from their council chairman. In Danmusa, where the Katsina Zone began, thousands welcomed him as he oversaw the distribution of 1,000 bags of rice, 11 vehicles, 100 motorcycles, 100 POS machines, and more. He then ordered the engineers to inspect the DanmusaYantumaki Road that is now scheduled for reconstruction. And behind each story was a quiet reality: local government autonomy is working in Katsina. The empowerment continued across the entire Katsina Zone. In Safana, 1,322 beneficiaries received tricycles, tools, flour bags, and cashthe largest empowerment so far. In Dutsinma, the town that shaped my life, 1,000 more residents benefited. Kurfi saw 3,445 beneficiaries and updates on major projects. Batsari and Wagini gained five new secondary schools and a cassava processing centre. Jibia received a new maternity ward and hospital upgrades. Kaita celebrated a 1bn Federal Government-approved Earth Dam. Batagarawa received new projects and strengthened traditional institutions. Charanchi gained new roads and a massive empowerment package. Rimi received 30.8m assistance and a new central mosque. And the grand finale in Katsina LGA sealed the message with upgraded Legislative Chambers, new offices, a modern ICT Centre, new official vehicles, and a new Primary Healthcare Centreall accompanied by reassurances on the 34bn Health Imaging Centre. Business mogul Alhaji Dahiru Mangal declared boldly: We will stand behind you until 2031. Motorcycles. Grinding machines. Fertilizers. Livestock. Cash interventions. This wasnt theory on paper. It was empowerment you could touch, see, and feel. Think about ithow many states talk about autonomy but deliver nothing at the grassroots? Governor Radda saw progress, but he also confronted challenges. Communities pleaded for more rural access roads. Some asked for health posts. Others requested water schemes, school renovations, and farming support. And the governor responded the only way true leaders doby acknowledging, documenting, and promising to act, not with speeches, but with commitment. By the last day of the tour, it became clear that the people were not welcoming a convoy. They were receiving a covenant. In several frontline communities, traditional rulers spoke of improved security and renewed calm. Youth groups expressed gratitude for job creation initiatives. Womens cooperatives shared how economic interventions had changed their homes. Everywhere, progress was visiblebut so was the hunger for more. Governor Radda often paused during the tour to reflect with his team: If the people trust us, we must honour that trust with hard work. Let this sink in: how many governors come away from tours with lists of action points, not political pledges? This is what responsibility looks like. As the Governor returned to Katsina, children chased the convoy, mothers waved, youths shouted blessings, and elders whispered prayers. The entire journey had become more than an assessment tourit became a reaffirmation of the bond between a leader and his people. So, what does the tour truly mean for Katsina? It means the people are seen. It means their concerns matter. It means development is no longer abstract. It is lived. It is real. It is happening. Under Governor Raddas Building Your Future agenda, is Katsina moving forward? The evidence says yes. Is Katsina strengthening local governance? The empowerment programs say yes. Is Katsina improving security cooperation? Frontline communities say yes. Is Katsina advancing rural development? The cries of gratitude from villages say yes. Is Katsina becoming a model of people-centered leadership? The 34-LGA tour says yes. And as Katsina marches into 2026 and beyond, the question is no longer whether the state can rise. The real question is: who will keep up with it? Because when a state leads with sincerity, accountability, and courage, everyone benefits. Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dismissed allegations of a rift between him and the state lawmakers. Mr Fubara spoke on Wednesday at the commissioning of the extended and dualised 28.4-kilometre Ahoada-Omoku Road, which was broadcast on TVC, a Lagos-based television station. There were rumours that the governor had been avoiding the lawmakers because of the alleged rift between them. But speaking on the allegation, Mr Fubara dismissed the rumoured rift and explained that contrary to the claims, he had made arrangements to have a meeting with the lawmakers soon. The governor explained that the plan was for his predecessor, the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, along with elder statesman Ferdinand Alabraba and other leaders, to convene the meeting. Anyone alleging that Fubara declined to meet with the lawmakers or rejected proposals relating to them is not telling the truth, he said. Defection The alleged rift between Mr Fubara and the Rivers lawmakers became public shortly before the governor defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday. The Rivers governor announced his defection to the APC at a meeting with some stakeholders at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He had said his decision to defect to the APC from the PDP was to enable him to offer full support to President Bola Tinubu, who is a member of the APC. Mr Fubaras defection came after a closed-door meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday. The governor contended that his decision to join the APC was not driven by personal ambition, but rather a move to achieve peace in the state and ensure steady progress. His defection to the APC came days after the Rivers State Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, and 15 others also joined the party from the PDP. Allegations of negligence The allegation of a rift between Mr Fubara and the Rivers lawmakers gained momentum recently when the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, slammed the governor over reported neglect of public primary and secondary schools in the state. Mr Amaewhule said it was a sad commentary that public schools in the oil-rich state have deteriorated to the point where vandals have taken over school premises, pupils learn without teachers, and one teacher is forced to teach two classes. Governor Ademola Adeleke has been confirmed as the Accord Partys governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election after delegates unanimously endorsed him in a primary held on Wednesday in the state. According to the partys national organising secretary and chairman of the screening committee, Ibe ThankGod, all 150 accredited delegates participated in the primary. While five of the ballots were declared invalid, the rest of 145 were counted as valid votes, all of which went to governor Adeleke, the party officials said. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview, Mr ThankGod said although the governor was the only aspirant, the party maintained that its internal rules required a formal confirmation vote rather than an automatic ticket. He said delegates were therefore required to validate his candidature, which they did unanimously, leading to his declaration as winner and presentation of the party flag. Being the sole candidate does not give you an automatic ticket. The delegates will also have to confirm you. So today the delegates overwhelmingly confirmed him as the flag bearer of Accord, Mr ThankGod explained. He added that the process which was transparent and unanimous had in attendance the deputy governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Kazeem Akinleye, and other political office holders. Key national leaders of the party were present, including the National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, who presented the certificate of return and victory to Governor Adeleke. Mr Mgbudem said the primary confirmed Accord as a party of due process and internal democracy. He described the emergence of Governor Adeleke as divine even as he expressed strong optimism that Governor Adeleke will resoundingly win his re-election. The Osun State governorship election is scheduled to be held on 8 August 2026. The governor announced his emergence as Accords candidate in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday. With his emergence as the partys candidate, Mr Adeleke has beaten the 15 December deadline fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for all political parties interested in the governorship poll to conclude their primaries. He used the occasion to unveil an upgraded five point agenda for the 2026 race. According to Mr Rasheed, the five points are integrated citizens and workers welfare; infrastructure consolidation for economic prosperity; Increased agro-Industrial expansion for youth empowerment; innovations for health, education and social care; and Improved Business Environment for Job Creation. We are today launching the battle for continuity of progress, good governance and democratic dividends. My candidacy signals the sustenance of the golden movement when the light of development continues to shine across our state. We vow never to relent in the rewarding service to our people. We note today as the point of resolution never to go back to the dark days but to advance further into the journey of modernisation. For a long time, Osun has witnessed failed promises. In the last three years, we actualise the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Ours is a government of talk and do, he said. 2026 poll On Monday, 1 December, Governor Adeleke announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He cited the national leadership crisis within the party as the reason for his resignation. Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with immediate effect. I thank the Peoples Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the Peoples Democratic Party, the governor stated in the letter titled Resignation of my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A week later on Tuesday, he announced his move to the Accord as the platform where he would seek reelection in the Osun State governorship election, although he said he had quietly joined the party since 6 November, in the same manner he claimed to have left the PDP earlier on 4 November. A PREMIUM TIMES report had detailed the circumstances that prompted the governors decision to leave the PDP and factors that ruled out the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), parties with considerable presence in the state, as an option in his search for a new party. The analysis concluded that Accord remained his most viable option. Responding to questions on the partys confidence ahead of the poll, Mr ThankGod said Mr Adeleke remains a formidable contender going into 2026, adding that the governors policy record closely mirrors Accords ideological focus on welfare and human development. He argued that Governor Adelekes defection to Accord does not diminish his support base. He is not a showman. He doesnt brag about the projects he has accomplished or done. These projects speak for themselves It has to do with the people of Osun who know him already. Our party is bent on welfarism It is the only party whose manifesto is friendly to the masses It has to do with putting food on the table of the masses. Accord manifesto is all centered on the welfarism of the masses, he said. Run on your records, Adeleke challenges opponents Governor Adeleke challenged likely opponents to run on their records. In their days in governments, what were their deliverables to the people of Osun State ? How did they run or manage the state? What legacy did they leave for the people? the governor asked. In their days in power, they failed the people; they failed their party; they even failed themselves. Today, the people reject them. Even their own party men and women are up in arms against them. I am proud to run on my records of achievements of the last three years. Despite harassment and blockages, my administration outperforms, outshines and surpasses the records of the opposition. I have raised the bar of governance beyond rhetorics and deceits. Our achievements can be seen and felt by the people. That Osun moved from number 33 under the APC government to number 7 under my leadership in a national examination rating cannot be disputed. That my government reduces the Osun infrastructure deficit from over 80 percent in 2022 by over 40 percent as of 2025 is attested to by many experts. That we paid over 40 percent of Osun inherited debt is confirmed by the Debt Management Office. That we came first in access to primary health care across the South west is in the public domain. Boasting about his achievements in office, he said, on his watch, governance delivery in Osun State proved governance can be real, that leadership can actually serve the people, that there are leaders still committed to the service of the people. I belong to that circle of leaders who prioritises meeting the aspirations and needs of our people. To the good people of Osun, the 2026 race is not just about running on our records, we are bringing new innovations and new packages to take our people to new levels of development. I am bold to announce that I have substantially delivered on my five point agenda which I promised the people of Osun state in 2022, the governor noted. ST. LOUIS, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Graybar, a leading distributor of electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products and provider of related supply chain management and logistics services, today announced the election of Andrew C. Ipson and Danna B. Stone to its Board of Directors. Ipson, who currently serves as Senior Vice President - Supply Chain Management, has 27 years of industry experience. He joined Graybar in 2008 as a Branch Manager in California, and was promoted to Director, Electrical Sales in 2017. He was named Vice President - Strategic Accounts in 2021 and later served as District Vice President in St. Louis. Ipson was promoted to his current role earlier this year, and he will assume the expanded role of Senior Vice President - Sales and Service on January 1, 2026. Stone, who currently serves as Senior Vice President - Marketing, has 26 years of industry experience. She joined Graybar in 2014 as Vice President - Strategic Accounts. She became District Vice President in St. Louis in 2015 and was named Vice President - Category Management in 2022. She was named Vice President - Marketing in 2024 and promoted into her current role earlier this year. "Andy and Danna are proven leaders who have extensive business experience and a strong commitment to Graybar's values and employee ownership culture," said Graybar's Chairman, President and CEO Kathleen M. Mazzarella. "As they join Graybar's Board of Directors, I am confident that they will continue to provide the strategic direction and valuable insights that are vital to our company's long-term growth and transformation." Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, industrial, automation and connectivity products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 350 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR. Media Contact: Tim Sommer (314) 578-7672 [email protected] SOURCE Graybar LAS VEGAS, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Goodman Law Group is proud to announce that Attorney Ross C. Goodman has been selected to the 2025 Best of Las Vegas list in the categories of Criminal Defense and DUI Defense. Best of Las Vegas is one of the region's most widely recognized community-voted honors, produced annually by the Las Vegas Review-Journal and distributed to more than 360,000 readers throughout Southern Nevada. The program highlights top professionals and businesses across more than 500 categories, reflecting the community's most trusted and respected service providers. Goodman's recognition reflects the strong local support he has earned through decades of high-level criminal defense work in the Las Vegas community. A Recognized Leader in Nevada Criminal Defense Ross C. Goodman is one of Nevada's most credentialed and widely respected defense attorneys. He is one of only two lawyers in the state to hold both of the following distinctions: Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Advocacy by the State Bar of Nevada Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) These certifications represent the highest level of tested and peer-reviewed excellence available to a criminal trial lawyer in the United States. Across nearly 30 years of practice, Goodman has earned a reputation for disciplined preparation, strategic litigation, and a long record of successful outcomes in high-stakes matters involving DUI, domestic violence, sexual assault, felony battery, weapons allegations, and complex investigations. He has secured hundreds of dismissals, reductions, and acquittals in courts throughout Nevada. Deep Las Vegas Roots and Community Commitment A lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Goodman is the son of former Las Vegas mayors Oscar B. Goodman and Carolyn Goodman, whose combined service shaped more than two decades of city leadership. His familiarity with the region's courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies gives clients meaningful insight into how cases develop and how they can be successfully resolved. Before entering private practice, Goodman served as a Major in the United States Marine Corps, where he gained the discipline, precision, and leadership qualities that define his approach to criminal defense today. About Goodman Law Group Goodman Law Group provides strategic, disciplined criminal defense for clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, and courts across Nevada. The firm represents professionals, military members, public figures, and individuals confronting the most serious criminal allegations. For more information, visit: www.goodmanlawgroup.com. Contact: Ross Goodman [email protected] SOURCE Goodman Law Group Two-day London programme to convene 1,000+ executives from global enterprise, government and climate-tech innovation to accelerate net-zero transformation LONDON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BizClik, the global media and events company, announces The Net Zero Summits, a landmark dual-event programme taking place 45 March 2026 at the QEII Centre in Westminster, London. The integrated summits - Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit and Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - will bring together senior leaders from enterprise, government, NGOs and climate-tech innovators to advance net-zero strategy, decarbonisation and resilient value-chain transformation. The Net Zero Summit The co-located summits reflect the growing need for cross-functional climate action, reinforcing the critical link between sustainability leadership, responsible procurement and net-zero supply-chain operations. Together, they will host 1,000+ in-person attendees, feature 50+ expert speakers, deliver 10 themed content tracks, and offer 4 executive workshops designed for leaders shaping net-zero transformation across global organisations. Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 Returning to London As part of BizClik's global Sustainability LIVE portfolio, the 2026 edition will feature senior sustainability executives from some of the world's most influential organisations, including: Chief Sustainability Officer, European Space Agency Head of Sustainability, NVIDIA Global Head of Sustainability, Schneider Electric Chief AI Officer, Met Office Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2 Chief Sustainability Officer, Odfjell Speakers will share how they are responding to rising regulatory demands, scaling decarbonisation initiatives, improving climate reporting and accelerating innovation across complex global operations. Key themes include: Net-zero strategy and transition frameworks Climate governance, ESG disclosure and risk management Scope 3 emissions reduction Emerging climate technologies and AI Circular economy transformation Renewable energy, electrification and clean transport Attendees will gain strategic insight into meeting net-zero targets, building climate-resilient operations, and navigating evolving ESG requirements. The programme includes case studies, leadership exchanges and tools designed to support real-world climate action. Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE: The Net Zero Summit 2026 Returning to London Running alongside Sustainability LIVE, the 2026 PSC summit will unite procurement, supply chain, operations and logistics leaders working at the centre of global decarbonisation. Cross Focus Access Net Zero and Decarbonisation Reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions across value chains. Supply-Chain Resilience and Risk Management Managing geopolitical risk, freight volatility and global disruption. Digital Procurement & AI Transformation Using automation, predictive analytics and AI to drive efficiency and visibility. Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chains Responsible sourcing, supplier due diligence and ESG-aligned procurement. Global Logistics and Freight Decarbonisation Optimising multimodal logistics and sustainable transport networks. Leadership and Strategy Execution Supporting CPOs, CSCOs and transformation leads in delivering measurable net-zero outcomes. Workshops and sessions will provide practical insight, benchmarking tools and actionable frameworks for building future-ready supply chains aligned with corporate climate commitments. A Unified Platform for Net-Zero Leadership The co-location of Sustainability LIVE and PSC LIVE forms one of Europe's most comprehensive net-zero leadership gatherings, enabling sustainability, procurement and supply-chain teams to collaborate in a shared environment. The dual-event structure supports organisations working to reduce emissions, improve climate reporting, enhance responsible sourcing and embed ESG across global operations. Driving Decarbonisation Throughout 2026 With regulatory pressure intensifying and net-zero targets approaching, the Net Zero Summits offer a timely platform for senior leaders to connect, share data, and access expert insight to accelerate climate-aligned transformation. The summits form part of BizClik's wider Sustainability LIVE global event series , hosted throughout the year in London, New York, Chicago and across key international markets. Registration Now Open Tickets for The Net Zero Summits 2026 including in-person and virtual options, are available now. All delegates receive access to keynote sessions, panels, workshops, partner showcases and networking zones. A single ticket to either summit provides entry to both co-located events. Choose the ticket aligned with your industry focus and enjoy access to the full combined programme. About Sustainability LIVE Sustainability LIVE is BizClik's international event series focused on sustainability, ESG, climate action and responsible business transformation. The portfolio connects global leaders with the data, technology and strategies shaping a sustainable future. About Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE is BizClik's flagship event series for procurement, supply-chain, sourcing and logistics executives, delivering insight on digital transformation, resilience, ethics and sustainable operations. About BizClik BizClik is a global digital media and events company producing sector-specific content across sustainability, procurement, supply chain, technology, fintech, AI, energy and more. Through digital magazines, websites, newsletters, research and world-class events, BizClik connects enterprise leaders with the insight needed to drive strategic transformation. Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2841767/The_Net_Zero_Summit.jpg SOURCE BizClik Media SYRACUSE, N.Y., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Abhishek Chopra, Founder and CEO of BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi), has been awarded 'Venture Deal of the Year' at the 2025 Upstate Capital Awards Night, recognizing the company's strategic funding round and contributions to establishing Syracuse as a quantum innovation hub. The Upstate Capital Awards honor leaders and transactions driving innovation and impact across New York's venture capital, private equity, and M&A ecosystem. This year's ceremony celebrated individuals and companies shaping the region's investment landscape and economic growth. BQP's recognition highlights momentum in building quantum infrastructure that bridges today's computational needs with tomorrow's quantum-native applications. The Syracuse-based startup works with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Department of Defense, IBM, and Intel to accelerate computational fluid dynamics, digital twin workflows, and optimization for aerospace, defense, and semiconductor applications. "We are really grateful for this recognition and what it represents for our team in Syracuse and across Upstate New York," said Abhishek Chopra, Founder and CEO of BQP. "Being recognized alongside leaders driving impact across the region validates our team's work and Syracuse's emergence as a quantum technology hub. It feels like a shared win for everyone helping grow a quantum tech community here. We look forward to what 2026 has in store for BQP." BQP's platform enables organizations to run quantum simulations that deliver significant performance improvements on classical hardware while maintaining compatibility with future quantum systems. In July, BQP led an oversubscribed $5M oversubscribed seed round. The round was led by Monta Vista Capital, with participation from Empire State Development's New York Ventures, New York State's venture capital arm, Arc Ventures, Armory Square Ventures, Emergent Ventures, Alumni Ventures, Arka Venture Labs, Transpose Platform, Gainangels, and Pranatech Venture Capital. The round also saw participation from key angel investors and existing investors, including Paradigm Shift Capital and Griffiss Institute, as part of the Mojave Aerospace Accelerator Fund. The company recently demonstrated a hybrid quantum-classical workflow with Classiq and NVIDIA, showcasing how quantum-compatible methods integrate into existing HPC pipelines used across aerospace and defense. BQP's work with AFRL and defense partners positions the Upstate New York corridor as a strategic center for quantum innovation. BQP's growth has been supported by NY Ventures/Empire State Development, reinforcing New York State's commitment to advancing quantum technology and attracting top-tier talent to the region. The awards ceremony will take place at the 2025 Holiday Party & Awards Night, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across New York's venture capital, private equity, and M&A communities. About BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi) BQP (formerly BosonQ Psi) is a quantum-first simulation company building the next generation of digital twin platforms for mission-critical applications. Headquartered in Syracuse, NY, with a technology hub in Bangalore, India, BQP supports faster, more efficient engineering decisions across aerospace, defense, semiconductors, and energy. Its core platform, BQPhy, integrates into existing engineering workflows and runs on today's infrastructure - no quantum hardware required. By combining probabilistic algorithms from quantum information science with proprietary solvers, BQPhy enables breakthroughs in optimization, machine learning, and physics-based (CFD) simulations. BQP works closely with leading partners, including the Department of Defense, Air Force Research Laboratory, IBM, Intel, Moog, and IAI North America. For more information, visit www.BQPsim.com Media Contact: Ludington Media on behalf of BQP [email protected] (551) 795-5950 SOURCE BQP METRO CHICAGO, Ill., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- John Koudounis, President and CEO of Calamos Investments LLC, a leading global investment manager, announced six key additions to the firm's leadership team as part of its continued strategic expansion, including Robert "Bob" Parise Jr. as SVP, Director of Institutional and Intermediary Sales, and Paul Ticu as SVP, Head of Asset Allocation and Client Solutions. The new hires strengthen Calamos' capabilities across asset allocation, client solutions, and distribution. According to CEO John Koudounis, "The additions of Bob, Paul, and our new team members reinforces our commitment to building a leadership team with expansive experience and deep industry expertise. We remain committed to excellence, innovation, and client service and continue to build a leadership team to facilitate the growth of the firm." Robert Parise, Jr., was named SVP, Director of Institutional and Intermediary Sales: Parise oversees investment product distribution and placement across institutional and intermediary channels, reporting to the firm's Chief Distribution Officer, Thomas Kiley. Parise joins Calamos from Northern Trust Asset Management, where he worked for nearly a decade, leading multiple sales teams, most recently overseeing the Global Institutional Client Group. Parise brings over thirty years of financial industry experience from Northern Trust, JP Morgan Asset Management, and predecessor firms. Paul Ticu, Calamos SVP, Head of Asset Allocation and Client Solutions: Ticu is the primary liaison for CIO relationships, the head of model portfolio management and strategy, and a member of the Investment Committee, reporting to the firm's Chief Operating Officer, Dan Dufresne. Ticu brings extensive experience from his most recent role as Senior Portfolio Strategist at BlackRock. Prior to that, Ticu served as Portfolio Manager, Head of Global Macro and Asset Allocation at Saudi Aramco Investment Management. The firm's expansion also includes team members: Jordan Rosenfeld, VP, Co-Portfolio Manager ETFs : Rosenfeld joined the Calamos portfolio management team after serving as Senior Director, Portfolio Manager for Milliman where he led the ETF Advisory Team and served as co-head portfolio manager for all of Milliman's ETF and options-based mutual funds and sub-advisory mandates. : Rosenfeld joined the Calamos portfolio management team after serving as Senior Director, Portfolio Manager for Milliman where he led the ETF Advisory Team and served as co-head portfolio manager for all of Milliman's ETF and options-based mutual funds and sub-advisory mandates. Gregory Jones, VP, National Accounts Manager: Jones joined Calamos after serving as Director & Senior Relationship Management at BlackRock for the last eight years. While at BlackRock, Jones acted as a senior relationship manager, responsible for platform sales in private banks, independent RIAs, and wirehouses. Jones joined Calamos after serving as Director & Senior Relationship Management at BlackRock for the last eight years. While at BlackRock, Jones acted as a senior relationship manager, responsible for platform sales in private banks, independent RIAs, and wirehouses. Grant Einhorn, VP, National Accounts Manager. Einhorn joined Calamos from BlackRock where he spent over 17 years in various sales and relationship management roles, most recently as senior relationship manager in investment due diligence. Einhorn joined Calamos from BlackRock where he spent over 17 years in various sales and relationship management roles, most recently as senior relationship manager in investment due diligence. Adam Jacobs, VP, Director of Investment Operations. Jacobs joined Calamos from Artisan Partners, where he led and managed the Fixed Income and Alternatives middle office teams. About Calamos Calamos Investments is a diversified global investment firm offering innovative investment strategies, including alternatives, multi-asset, convertible, fixed income, private credit, equity, and sustainable equity. With more than $46 billion in AUM, including $20+ billion in liquid alternatives assets as of September 30, 2025, the firm offers strategies through ETFs, mutual funds, closed-end funds, interval funds, UCITS funds and separately managed portfolios. Clients include financial advisors, wealth management platforms, pension funds, foundations & endowments, and individuals, globally. Headquartered in the Chicago metropolitan area, the firm also has offices in New York, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Portland (Oregon), and the Miami area. For more information, visit us on LinkedIn , on Twitter ( Calamos ), on Instagram (@calamos_investments), or at www.calamos.com . 2025 Calamos Investments LLC. All Rights Reserved. Calamos and Calamos Investments are registered trademarks of Calamos Investments LLC. SOURCE Calamos Investments DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) today announced the relaunch of its U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, now a part of the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative. The USDA grant program was transitioned into the current AMP initiative, focused on Farmer-First priorities. Thanks to its strong emphasis on supporting dairy farmers, CDRF's grant will move forward as part of this new federal initiative, building upon California's efforts to enhance agricultural resiliency. The Dairy Plus Program provides incentive funding for advanced manure management technologies, technical assistance, and measurement of environmental benefits, while working to create new market opportunities for sustainably produced commodities. At the center of this effort is the Dairy Plus Program, managed by CDRF and the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS). The Dairy Plus Program provides incentive funding for advanced manure management technologies, technical assistance, and measurement of environmental benefits, while working to create new market opportunities for sustainably produced commodities. The Dairy Plus program helps producers to reduce emissions, address nitrogen and salt surpluses, and tackle other key environmental challenges. Through collaboration with the CDFA-OARS, California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), cooperatives, technology providers, academic partners, and others, the project aims to strengthen both environmental outcomes and the economic resilience of California dairy farms. In 2024, CDRF and CDFA awarded a total of $16.7 million to fund 14 California dairy farm projects, aligned with the state's Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) and Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP). With the relaunch under AMP, the program is now positioned to invest an additional $58 million in upcoming project opportunities. Selectees from among the 2024 Dairy Plus Program applications will soon be awarded, for a total of up to $26.8 million, with details of this announcement to be shared from CDFA later this month. Additionally, a third solicitation for project applications is expected to open in early 2026. "California dairy families are committed to sustainability, and this effort builds upon their reputation for innovation and continual improvement," said Denise Mullinax, Executive Director of CDRF. "With Advancing Markets for Producers, we are not only helping farmers adopt state-of-the-art practices but also ensuring they can access new markets that recognize California's leadership in planet-smart dairy farming." The relaunch comes at a pivotal time, as dairy farmers face increasing regulatory, environmental, and market pressures. With USDA and CDFA support and broad dairy sector collaboration, this AMP initiative will expand implementation of practices that promote long-term sustainability and create new revenue opportunities for dairy farmers. For more information on the Advancing Markets for Producers and the Dairy Plus Program, visit cdrf.org. About California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) The California Dairy Research Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability, innovation, and resiliency in the California dairy industry through research, partnerships, and outreach. SOURCE California Dairy Research Foundation COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CathVision, a medical technology company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes in cardiac electrophysiology through high-fidelity signal acquisition and intelligent software, today announced two major milestones: the appointment of Eric Thepaut as independent Chairman of the Board, and the commercial release of Version 3.5 of the ECGenius System. Eric Thepaut Appointed Independent Chairman of the Board Eric Thepaut, Chairman in CathVision. Eric Thepaut joins CathVision following his recent retirement from Boston Scientific Corporation, where he served as President, EMEA. He brings extensive leadership experience in finance, global commercial operations, and organizational development, with a long track record of scaling teams and businesses across multiple geographies. He led the integration and growth of many acquisitions as well as launched many new technologies. Most recently, he oversaw the successful launch of the company's first Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) device, advancing treatment options for electrophysiologists and improving outcomes for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation. "I am pleased to join a very strong team that is delivering a new generation of EP recording technology," said Eric Thepaut, Independent Chairman of the Board. "CathVision's high-signal-quality ECGenius System, combined with its clinical module suite, Cardialytics, has tremendous potential to help electrophysiologists improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The recently completed prospective clinical study with PFAnalyzer module gives promise that we will bring electrophysiology back to PFA " Eric added: "With ECGenius and Cardialytics FDA-cleared in 2023, and ECGenius CE-marked in 2025, CathVision is now preparing its commercial growth in the United States and Europe. This is an exciting moment for the company, and I look forward to supporting the team as CathVision expands its clinical and commercial footprint." CathVision Releases ECGenius Software Version 3.5 CathVision also announced the commercial availability of Version 3.5 of the ECGenius Software. This release introduces hardware and software enhancements designed to improve workflow efficiency and system performance, while maintaining the system's existing intended use. Selected updates in Version 3.5 include: User Interface Flexibility: Options for page reordering, catheter renaming, polarity visualization, and analog output gain adjustment. Options for page reordering, catheter renaming, polarity visualization, and analog output gain adjustment. IT Integration Features: Archiving studies in DICOM format and reading patient information from hospital worklists. Archiving studies in DICOM format and reading patient information from hospital worklists. Hardware Refinements: Adjustments to reduce post-pacing artifacts. Adjustments to reduce post-pacing artifacts. 12-Lead ECG Capture Workflow: Streamlined capture directly to the event log for improved documentation efficiency. "These updates reflect feedback from physicians and clinical engineers," said Mads Emil Matthiesen. "Version 3.5 strengthens the ECGenius System platform and supports ongoing development of clinical modules." About CathVision CathVision develops advanced electrophysiology recording technology and intelligent software designed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Through high-fidelity signal acquisition and AI-driven analytics, CathVision aims to provide physicians with greater clarity, consistency, and confidence during ablation procedures. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842487/Eric_Thepaut.jpg SOURCE CathVision CertaPro Has Raised Over $830,000 for Paint it Pink Since 2019 AUDUBON, Pa., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CertaPro Painters, North America's Most Referred Painting Company, has raised $130,000 for breast cancer research as part of its annual Paint it Pink campaign. For the seventh consecutive year, CertaPro Painters partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and Breast Cancer Canada (BCC) to help raise money in support of breast cancer research. Since 2019, CertaPro's Paint it Pink has raised more than $830,000, which equates to covering over 330 patients' enrollments into clinical trials through BCRF. With support from 139 CertaPro Painters franchisees, a percentage of every painting project completed between October 1 and November 30 was donated to Paint it Pink. The donations will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Breast Cancer Canada. A percentage of every painting project completed between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30 was donated to the BCRF and BCC. Post this "The inspiration behind Paint it Pink came from a heartfelt journey of loss and a desire to make a difference," said Mike Stone, president & CEO, CertaPro Painters. "At CertaPro, we are committed to standing by those affected by breast cancer, including our employees and franchisees. Our Paint it Pink initiative embodies our commitment to community support, allowing us to put our core values into action." CertaPro's Paint it Pink campaign is amplified by local businesses, who "paint themselves pink" to raise awareness in their communities. The CertaPro corporate team participates through fundraising initiatives, such as its annual step challenge, and by producing awareness-building content, including this year's campaign video. For more information about Paint it Pink, visit https://certapro.com/paint-it-pink. About CertaPro Painters CertaPro Painters was founded in 1992 and specializes in providing commercial and residential services through 445 franchise territories. Its success is based on exceeding customer expectations by delivering certainty at every juncture of a painting job from start to finish. To join CertaPro Painters or learn more, visit https://certapro.com/. SOURCE CertaPro Painters NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report by Asian Women Development Plan International: A new research report titled "Changes in Federal Workforce Policy and Their Implications for Women and Minority Employees" has been released examining how recent federal workforce changes are affecting women and minority groups across the United States. The report analyzes employment challenges following the January 2025 issuance of Executive Order 14173, which dismantled federal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs. According to the report, while recent federal employee surveys showed improving engagement and job satisfaction through mid 2024, workforce experts and employee advocates have warned that the 2025 rollback of DEI initiatives and proposed workforce reductions could increase turnover risks for minority employees. Similar to private corporations that reported being worse off after abandoning diversity programs, Surveys and federal workforce reports indicate increased concerns about discrimination among federal employees in recent years, alongside a nationwide rise in EEOC discrimination charges, which grew by more than nine percent in 2024. Recent national surveys show that a clear majority of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults oppose eliminating federal agencies and cutting federal DEI programs, recognizing that minority communities rely heavily on government services and civil rights protections. The report traces U.S. diversity policy back to Kennedy's 1961 Affirmative Action directive and Biden's 2021 DEIA initiative, noting that President Trump's 2025 executive order has been widely viewed as a significant shift from prior federal diversity efforts. While recent federal data indicate rising minority and female participation, analysis of Office of Personnel Management FedScope data shows that, as of 2024, people of color make up about 41 percent of the federal workforce and women about 46 percent, yet deep inequalities persist. White males still comprise nearly half of Senior Executive Service (SES) members, and women account for only about one third of the most senior roles. Gender based pay gaps are also significantly larger among older federal employees, with EEOC research showing that age related differences alone can contribute more than 10,000 dollars annually to the gap for workers age forty and over, and women facing substantially wider disparities than men in similar roles. At the intersection of race and gender, disparities appear more pronounced. Black and Hispanic women face systemic barriers to promotion and significantly lower pay than both white men and women, despite comparable qualifications. Hispanic women experience the steepest decline in representation at higher grades. While institutional reforms have improved representation, existing disparities in advancement opportunities remain evident across demographic groups. The report also highlights that frequent institutional disruptions, reclassifications, and administrative variability have contributed to uncertainty among employees, particularly within minority groups. Although the U.S. federal government has made notable progress over the past decades in advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA), the politicization of the civil service and the cyclical reversal of policy that results from changes in administration continuously impose challenges on minority groups. Research demonstrates that frequent institutional disruptions and job reclassifications correlate with reduced trust and lower willingness to remain in service among minority employees, who often connect career development concerns to systemic instability. The discontinuity further amplifies the structural disadvantages faced by minority civil servants in career advancement. Citing findings from the MissionSquare Research Institute, the report notes that more than half of state and local government workers have considered leaving their jobs, with younger and Black employees especially likely to look elsewhere. In workplaces where employees do not experience inclusive or multicultural support, minority and female staff report lower trust and higher turnover intentions. One survey of prospective state government workers described a deep sense of uncertainty during lengthy recruitment and funding approval processes. Reference: Changes in Federal Workforce Policy and Their Implications for Women and Minority Employees SOURCE Asian Women Development Plan International LEHI, Utah, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CoDev announced that it has been named to the inaugural Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2025 list, compiled by Great Place To Work in partnership with Fortune. CoDev ranked 95th among organizations recognized for building high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures across the ASEAN region. The inaugural list is based on more than 550,000 employee survey responses and independent evaluation of trust, leadership behavior, and consistency of workplace experience across markets. CoDev's Great Place To Work profile reports that 92% of employees consider it a great workplace, compared to 65% at a typical company in the Philippines. Recognition for People-First Offshore Team Culture CoDev has operated for more than 15 years across multiple cities in the Philippines, supporting U.S. companies with long-term offshore software development and support teams. Its ranking reflects sustained investment in employee well-being, development, and stability within a global work environment. "This recognition reflects the voices of our people," said Landon Essig, CoDev's CEO. "Our focus has always been on creating a workplace where trusted relationships, career growth, and long-term client success align." Elements Evaluated by Fortune & Great Place To Work Companies were assessed on: Employee trust, fairness, and respect Leadership credibility and workplace consistency Opportunities for professional growth Regional presence and culture strength CoDev was previously named one of the Philippines' Best Workplaces in IT-BPM, reinforcing its momentum as a culture-driven organization. Commitment to Employees and Clients CoDev continues to focus on engagement programs, leadership development, mental health and flexibility initiatives, and long-term career pathways for Philippine-based teams. The company provides recruitment, HR, facilities, and ongoing support software engineers, operations specialists, and marketing professionals working with U.S. clients. "Offshore development depends on trust," Essig added. "Our goal is to create an environment where teams have the clarity and support they need to do their best work." About CoDev CoDev connects organizations with offshore software development support, and go-to-market teams across the Philippines. Founded in 2010, the company partners with clients seeking long-term, high-performing distributed teams supported by local HR, IT, and engagement programs. More information is available at https://www.codev.com. Media Contact Rachel Libby [email protected] SOURCE CoDev HOUSTON, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cooper Machinery Services ("Cooper") is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Altronic, LLC ("Altronic"), a global leader in advanced ignition, control, and instrumentation systems for OEMs and operators worldwide. This partnership marks an important step in expanding Cooper's technical capabilities while creating new opportunities for Altronic to advance its technologies and accelerate growth. Together, the companies support a large, long-lived installed base of critical infrastructure, and by bringing together Cooper's industry experience and broad aftermarket support network with Altronic's longstanding engineering innovation, they will explore ways to improve product development and bolster operational reliability for the customers who depend on this equipment. "Partnering with Altronic aligns with Cooper's ongoing commitment to being an engineering solutions led organization, providing customers with dependable and forward-looking engine solutions," said Scott Buckhout, CEO of Cooper. "Altronic has a strong engineering culture and deep industry experience, and we look forward to working together with David Lepley and his team to support advancements across the engine ecosystem." David Lepley, President and CTO of Altronic, added: "Cooper and Altronic share a long history of collaboration, and this partnership supports our efforts to continue innovating and delivering meaningful value to customers while contributing to the ongoing evolution of our critical technologies." Press contact: Kenny Pucheu 713-354-1900 http://www.cooperservices.com SOURCE Cooper INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crossen Law Firm is proud to announce a $725,000 recovery for an Indiana worker who sustained a traumatic brain injury after a preventable fall on the job. Severe Injury Caused by Lack of Basic Safety Measures The client, an older gentleman performing routine duties, fell and struck his head on concrete when his employer failed to install a required safety ramp or railing along the building's side, basic precautions that would have prevented the accident. The fall resulted in a significant traumatic brain injury requiring emergency surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Recognizing the seriousness of the injury, Crossen Law Firm became involved immediately to ensure the client received top-tier medical care. The firm coordinated treatment with trusted providers located close to the client's home, allowing him to remain near family while undergoing critical recovery. This early intervention proved vital. Through consistent therapy and specialized medical support, the client made an exceptional recovery, an outcome rarely seen with injuries of this magnitude. Life-Altering Impact and Disability Determination Despite his remarkable progress, the injury's long-term effects prevent him from returning to work in any capacity. Medical professionals assigned him a 65% whole person permanent partial impairment rating and determined he is permanently and totally disabled. Even so, he has regained the ability to live at home and to care for himself and his family independently. $725,000 Resolution Secures Long-Term Stability Crossen Law Firm aggressively pursued compensation reflecting the severity of the injury, the client's permanent disability, and his loss of earning capacity. The case ultimately resolved for $725,000, providing essential financial security for the client and his loved ones. "This case reflects our commitment to standing by injured workers from day one," Attorney Trevor Crossen said. "Basic safety measures could have prevented this tragedy. Our mission is to ensure that those harmed by negligence receive both the medical support and financial compensation they deserve." About Crossen Law Firm Crossen Law Firm represents injured workers and accident victims across Indiana. With deep experience in workplace injury cases, the firm is committed to delivering personalized attention, coordinated medical care, and aggressive legal advocacy to every client. To learn more about Crossen Law Firm's services, visit www.crossenlawfirm.com . Media Contact: Mary McGraw Crossen Law Firm 4661 Lisborn Drive Carmel, IN 46033 Phone: (463) 292-2185 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Crossen Law Firm Carrington to guide strategic and operational scale-up as demand accelerates for reliable onsite power generation solutions for data centers and other critical sectors HOUSTON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enchanted Rock, a national leader in onsite power generation and microgrid solutions, today announced that John Carrington has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Carrington has served as Executive Chairman of the company's Board of Directors since June 2025, a period marked by significant growth in demand for Enchanted Rock's scalable, ultra-low emission power solutions. John Carrington, CEO of Enchanted Rock Carrington is a seasoned energy and technology executive with decades of experience scaling high-growth companies and bringing advanced power technologies to market. He most recently served as CEO of Stem, Inc., where he led the company through its IPO and rapid commercial expansion. His career also includes senior leadership roles at Miasole, First Solar and GE, where he drove substantial global growth across energy and industrial markets. "The U.S. energy landscape is undergoing a profound shift. As electrification accelerates and digital infrastructure grows, customers need power solutions that are fast to deploy, resilient and flexible," said Hans Kobler, Managing Partner at Energy Impact Partners and member of Enchanted Rock's board of directors. "John brings the strategic vision and leadership experience required for this next chapter and, together with Enchanted Rock's strong executive team, he is well positioned to guide the company through a pivotal stage of growth and innovation." As CEO, Carrington will lead Enchanted Rock through its next phase of strategy, sales and growth initiatives, strengthening its ability to meet rapidly increasing utility-scale power requirements from data centers, critical infrastructure, and commercial and industrial customers nationwide. "I'm proud to join a leadership team known for technical excellence and execution, and with our company-wide commitment to innovation, we are well positioned to navigate this moment of unprecedented demand and advance our mission alongside our customers nationwide," said Carrington. "Enchanted Rock's technology platform delivers resilient, clean and scalable ultra-low-emissions onsite power that solves some of the most urgent challenges facing our country today. I'm energized by the strong momentum and growing market demand for our solutions, and we remain committed to providing data centers and other critical sectors with the reliable power essential to their operations." Corey Amthor, who has been serving as CEO since June 2025, will return to his role as President, leading the daily operations of the business. Under Amthor's leadership as CEO, Enchanted Rock achieved a record backlog and positioned itself as a trusted provider of resilient, ultra-low emissions power solutions. Building on this strong foundation, Carrington and Amthor will partner to drive the company's next phase of growth, combining their complementary expertise to scale operations and deliver critical power solutions nationwide. "Corey remains a central leader in the company's operational execution and delivery performance, areas that have been foundational to Enchanted Rock's market momentum," said Carrington. The recent expansion of the Board of Director and Carrington's appointment reflects Enchanted Rock's ongoing commitment to strengthening its leadership structure to support sustained growth, enhance strategic capabilities and advance the scalable delivery of critical power solutions. About Enchanted Rock Enchanted Rock is a recognized leader in reliable, large-scale on-site power and microgrid solutions that help critical operations maintain uptime during grid outages caused by extreme weather, infrastructure failures, cyberattacks and other disruptions. Trusted by data centers, healthcare systems, utilities, manufacturers, and government, Enchanted Rock also supports overall grid reliability by providing dispatchable, flexible capacity. Its natural gas generators offer a lower emission, scalable alternative to diesel. All systems are monitored and optimized 24/7 through the company's proprietary GraniteEcosystem software platform. Learn more at www.enchantedrock.com or follow Enchanted Rock on LinkedIn. Media Contact: Tiffany McKinnie, Account Manager, Interdependence [email protected] (407) 451-2812 [email protected] SOURCE Enchanted Rock Demonstration underscores Europe's commitment to secure, resilient, multi-orbit military satellite communications SINT-NIKLAAS, Belgium, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ST Engineering iDirect's EU Satcom Centre of Excellence, ST Engineering iDirect Europe, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, today announced that the European Protected Waveform (EPW) consortium has successfully completed over-the-air testing, marking a critical milestone in Europe's pursuit of strategic autonomy in secure military communications. Conducted on November 26-27, 2025 at Universitat der Bundeswehr Munchen, Germany, the demonstrations validated EPW's ability to safeguard military satellite communications against jamming, cyber threats, and unauthorised access across both GEO and LEO satellite configurations. Demonstration underscores Europe's commitment to secure, resilient, multi-orbit military satellite communications Belgian National Armaments Director, Major General Filip Borremans, highlighted the importance of this milestone, "The successful EPW demonstrations perfectly illustrate the mission of the European Defence Fund, enabling Member States to achieve collectively what none could accomplish alone. By uniting 19 partners from 13 nations, the consortium has demonstrated that European collaboration delivers both technical excellence and strategic autonomy. Secure satellite communications are a cornerstone of modern defence, and EPW proves that through coordinated European investment, we can develop sovereign solutions that strengthen our collective security." This milestone underscores the critical need for standards-based, interoperable, secure communications in modern military operations. As cyber threats from state and non-state actors intensify and missions span increasingly dispersed theaters, robust and resilient infrastructure has become indispensable. Designed with security, agility, efficiency, and interoperability at its core, the EPW empowers European military forces to maintain secure communicationswhether operating independently or in coalitionadapting seamlessly to diverse operational demands and geographic challenges. Co-funded by the European Union through the European Defence Fund, the programme unites industry and academia from across Europe under the leadership of Belgium's Ministry of Defence, with ST Engineering iDirect Europe as the consortium lead. This collaborative effort is tackling both current and emerging challenges in military satellite communications, including evolving security threats, growing demands for higher throughput, and the need for enhanced mobility solutions. "The EPW consortium's successful completion of this major milestone, demonstrated live and witnessed by supporting military end-users, represents a critical step toward the next phase of the EPW programme," said Koen Willems, Vice President, EU Programmes, at ST Engineering iDirect Europe. "This achievement paves the way for the prototyping and testing of the final capability, which will deliver secure and resilient communications for Europe. It underscores the consortium's unwavering commitment to advancing Europe's strategic autonomy in military communications through innovation and collaboration." The European Protected Waveform is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of ST Engineering iDirect Europe only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. About the European Protected Waveform (EPW) Program The European Protected Waveform is a European Defence Fund program co-funded by the European Union, with a total estimated cost of 29.9 million and a maximum EU contribution of 25 million. Over its 39-month duration, the program aims to develop secure waveform standards for future-proof satellite communications, addressing challenges such as joint and dispersed operations, mobility requirements, and the integration of both GEO and NGSO satellites. About the European Defence Fund The European Defence Fund (EDF) supports collaborative defense research and development projects across EU Member States, strengthening Europe's technological and industrial defense capabilities while promoting cooperation and interoperability. About ST Engineering iDirect Europe ST Engineering iDirect Europe, located in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, is ST Engineering iDirect's EU Satcom Center of Excellence specialising in the development of ground segment technology and solutions specifically for the EU. As a legal Belgian entity, ST Engineering iDirect Europe has its own board of directors to comply to the guidelines and conditions as put forward by the EU Commission and the Belgian Government. With over 35 years of experience, the ST Engineering iDirect portfolio of high-value product lines and services in addition to a dedicated team of domain specialists, and a ISO9001 certified manufacturing center the team has a portfolio of capabilities to cater to the specific needs of European funded satcoms programs. For more information visit https://www.idirect.net/st-engineering-idirect-europe/ SOURCE ST Engineering iDirect The Foundation recognizes Emmanuel Eziakor, Rishi Dhanasekaram, Ryanne Teng, and Sammar Iqbal who are ardently pursuing degrees in the healthcare field. May this scholarship empower them to achieve extraordinary heights. MIAMI, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future ("For A Bright Future") ("FABF"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the needs of underserved students, proudly announces the 2025 recipients of its Healthcare Scholarship. This year, Emmanuel Eziakor, Rishi Dhanasekaram, Ryanne Teng, and Sammar Iqbal have been selected for their outstanding dedication to advancing healthcare and their communities. The Healthcare Scholarship from For A Bright Future supports exceptional students pursuing impactful careers in medicine, nursing, biomedical engineering, and allied health fields. These scholars exemplify resilience, leadership, and a commitment to serving underserved populations. Emmanuel Eziakor, pursuing Osteopathic Medicine and Health Services Administration at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, is passionate about integrating nutritional psychiatry with Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine to improve mental and physical health in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. "This scholarship is an incredible honor and strengthens my commitment to becoming a psychiatrist who helps advance diversity in medicine, knowing that representation leads to better patient trust and outcomes. Your support brings me one step closer to serving communities in need and becoming the physician I aspire to be," said Emmanuel Eziakor. Rishi Dhanasekaram, studying Biomedical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, aspires to become a physician-scientist focused on neurodegenerative disease research and advocacy for the ALS community. "I am truly grateful to the For a Bright Future Foundation for awarding me a Healthcare Scholarship. Your generous support inspires me to pursue my goals and continue working toward making a meaningful impact in healthcare and the communities I serve," said Rishi Dhanasekaram. Ryanne Teng, a Nursing student at San Jose State University and former valedictorian, has worked extensively in HIV advocacy and education, particularly among marginalized youth in the Philippines. She aims to pursue a PhD and lead research addressing stigma and treatment access. "To be receiving a scholarship supporting healthcare students makes me feel seen and validated not only as a student but as a future healthcare worker. This privilege inspires me to keep striving to give back the same compassion and validation to my patients as a future nurse," said Ryanne Teng. Sammar Iqbal, pursuing a Master's in Physician Assistant Studies at Dominican University of California, is committed to bridging healthcare gaps for underserved communities through empathy and patient education. "This Scholarship is a spark of hope me that indeed my family's dream of being the first in my family to pursue medicine is possible. I am excited to give back to my community and work even harder for the sake of foundations like FABF who believe in me and my passion," said Sammar Iqbal. In 2025, the foundation received over 10,000 applications, underscoring the critical demand for educational support. Scholarships are awarded through a rigorous evaluation process led by expert reviewers who seek students excelling academically and demonstrating a passion for community impact. The Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to Scholarship Committee Chairwoman Susie Hernandez, Vice-Chairwoman Jennifer Oddo, and the Healthcare Scholarship selection team: David Dame, Partner at Sorenson Capital Partners; Deborah Hernandez, Recreation Manager at City of Martinez; Jane Buckingham, Retired Therapist; Joey Hasson, In-House Counsel at Black Dragon Capital; Kenny Stivers, CEO at GenAspire. Gina Rogoto, FABF's Senior Vice President of Operations and Programs, oversees the outreach and selection process that ensures scholarships reach the most deserving candidates. Contact: Gina Rogoto, SVP of Operations & Programs , For A Bright Future Email: [email protected] About Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future ("For A Bright Future") ("FABF") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering underrepresented youth through scholarships, mentorship, and resources in education, healthcare, the arts, and leadership. Founded by Louis Hernandez Jr., CEO of Black Dragon Capital, FABF's mission is to illuminate the path to success for students who face systemic barriers, fostering the next generation of innovators, educators, and community leaders. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit https://www.fabff.org/. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram. SOURCE Louis Hernandez Jr.'s Foundation For A Bright Future 34-member international panel led by experts at Cincinnati Children's offers first consensus guidelines that seek to improve self-care and reduce unnecessary emergency visits CINCINNATI, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new international set of guidelines offers the first consensus recommendations to clarify when people with severe allergies should self-administer epinephrine (adrenaline) injections and newly approved non-injectable epinephrine (neffy) and whether they can safely stay home afterwards instead of calling 911. Developed by a panel of 34 experts from seven countries, the new guidelines were published Dec. 10, 2025, in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). Their work could influence how millions of people who carry emergency epinephrine manage their health. Timothy Dribin, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children's and the lead author of the guidelines, collaborated with Hugh Sampson, MD, of the Mount Sinai Health System, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to convene the expert panel. David Schnadower, MD, MPH, director of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Cincinnati Children's, served as senior author. "This is a game-changer in anaphylaxis management," Dribin says. "By improving the rate of epinephrine use and clarifying EMS activation, we can significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions and fatalities, ultimately saving lives and ensuring patients who need emergency department care receive it, while those who do not can remain in the community." Why These Guidelines Matter Millions of children and adults have been prescribed epinephrine injectors to use in case they experience severe allergies to foods, insect stings, medications, and other triggers. These severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis, can strike suddenly and escalate rapidly. Yet, until now, patients and caregivers have faced confusing, inconsistent advice about when to use epinephrine and whether to seek emergency help. This uncertainty has led to both underuse and overuse of epinephrine, along with unnecessary emergency department visits, and, in some cases, preventable deaths. Currently, research indicates that only 21% of children and just 7% of adults with anaphylaxis receive epinephrine before coming to the hospital. "That's an indication of widespread underuse of these life-saving medications. We hope to see that improve," Dribin says. Meanwhile, people who use their injectors often feel better quickly. Yet the care plans provided by their doctors nearly always urge patients to go the hospital for further follow-up, including calling an ambulance to get there. As a result, large numbers of successfully self-treated people wind up spending hours away from school or work "just in case." In fact, many experts fear that the hassles and costs involved in follow-up hospital visits are making people reluctant to use their injectors when needed, Dribin says. The reason behind previous recommendations for follow-up hospital visits has been that a small percentage of people who feel better initially after using an injector later can experience a sudden bounce-back of severe symptoms that require emergency interventions. The new recommendations offer guidance on how to better manage that concern. "It is critical patients receive appropriate epinephrine as the first line treatment for anaphylaxis. This work empowers patients who live with allergic diseases and helps to ensure they receive the right care, at the right time, every time," says Marcus Shaker, MD, MSc, an allergy expert with the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine and a member of the review panel. What's Changing Clear Criteria for Epinephrine Use: The new guidelines provide specific, symptom-based recommendations for when to administer epinephrine, moving beyond vague "when in doubt" advice. They account for severity across organ systems and include modifiers such as history of severe reactions, and distance from medical care. For example, many people who feel better after taking one dose of epinephrine can safely stay at homeas long as they have a second injector pen, a person available to use it, and they live within 30 minutes of a hospital, Dribin says. EMS Activation Guidance: For the first time, the guidelines distinguish which situations require immediate EMS activation and which can be safely managed at home, reducing unnecessary emergency visits while ensuring safety for those at highest risk. For the first time, the guidelines distinguish which situations require immediate EMS activation and which can be safely managed at home, reducing unnecessary emergency visits while ensuring safety for those at highest risk. Technology Integration: The recommendations are designed for integration into patient-facing apps and decision-support tools. What's next? Beyond sharing the new guidelines to hospitals, emergency responders and community groups, the AAFA is working to develop an app that people carrying epinephrine or who help care for patients who carry epinephrine, such as childcare workers and teachers, can use during urgent situations. A launch date has not been set. SOURCE Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center BEIJING, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Guiding new development practices with achievements in theoretical innovation is a distinctive feature of China's development in the new era, and has become a key to decoding how the Chinese economy has withstood winds and storms and continued to grow stronger. The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Monday held a meeting to analyze and study the economic work of 2026. It called for having a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, doing a good job in economic work according to local conditions, and pursuing high-quality and sustainable development. This sums up the regular pattern of new-era development practices and provides methodological guidance for doing a good job in economic work. Adhering to the principle of proceeding from reality is both the starting and end points for analyzing problems, making decisions, and carrying out work. The key to put this into practice lies in tailoring the work to local conditions. In November 2013, during an inspection tour of Hunan, President Xi Jinping visited Shibadong Village, where he first put forward the concept of "targeted poverty alleviation." This concept of tailoring relief policies to different local conditions has become a guiding principle in China's fight against poverty, according to Xinhua. In March 2024, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed developing new quality productive forces according to local conditions during the second session of the 14th National People's Congress. Localities should take into account their own resource endowment, industrial foundation and scientific research conditions in promoting the development of new industries, models and growth drivers in a selective manner, Xinhua reported. From a strategic and tactical perspective, the correct application of strategy and tactics is the secret to the CPC's success in making lasting achievements and overcoming risks and challenges. Tailoring work to local conditions is an effective way to organically combine strategic firmness with tactical flexibility. "The centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee is the fundamental guarantee for carrying out economic work well." In governing a large party and a large country like ours, nothing can be accomplished without the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, and without the unity of thought and action of the entire Party and the nation. Strategic decisions made by the CPC Central Committee must be unconditionally implemented by all regions and departments without any deviations, shortcuts, or distortions. At the same time, it is necessary to formulate strategies according to local conditions and adapt to the situation to seize the strategic initiative. From both theoretical and practical perspectives, integrating theory with practice is a practical requirement of the Party's innovative theories, and adapting to local conditions is an important way to uphold the integration of theory with practice and solve practical problems. Answering questions and guiding solutions to problems is the fundamental task of theory, which requires creative application of Marxist standpoints, viewpoints, and methods. How to do a good job in economic work according to local conditions? It's key to gain a deeper understanding of the dialectical approach of Xi Jinping Thought on Economy through three pairs of relationships - between one region and the whole nation, between seizing opportunities and differentiating positions, and between competition and cooperation. Long-term development The CPC Central Committee always views issues from a macro perspective. Leading cadres must be mindful of the nation's most important interests, proceed from reality, tailor measures to local conditions, and make calculations based on the big picture. Food security concerns the national interest. For Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, continuing to serve as China's granary is as glorious and important as being the cutting-edge tech hub of the Yangtze River Delta. Heilongjiang has persistently prioritized increasing grain output and improving grain quality, achieving a 4.4 percent growth in agricultural output in the first three quarters of 2025. Ecological civilization is crucial for long-term development. Protecting the ecological environment of the Sanjiangyuan area, known as "China's water tower," is vital. In this regard, Northwest China's Qinghai Province has focused on cultivating a modern industrial system that reflects local characteristics and advantages, and is continuously building a national clean energy industry hub. Under the overall leadership of the CPC Central Committee, all regions should not simply follow others or imitate them, but rather identify their own strengths and how to leverage their strengths while mitigating their weaknesses. South China's Guangdong Province has deepened the integration of scientific and industrial innovation, implemented a combination of measures, and maintained the top spot in China's foreign trade for 39 consecutive years. East China's Shandong Province has vigorously implemented its "No. 1 industrial economy project," with high-tech output as a share of large-scale industry rising from 45.1 percent in 2020 to 55.3 percent in the first three quarters of 2025. Major economic powerhouses shoulder greater responsibilities, while leveraging their own strengths and advantages. By clearly defining one's own positioning within the overall national landscape, accurately identifying the convergence points between local strengths and the needs of the whole nation, continuously enhancing the ability to "plan for one's own domain," and consciously integrating into the "big chessboard" of the nation, we can together play the grand symphony of high-quality development. Balanced development One must have grand ambitions and actively seize opportunities for development, while also being realistic and adept at developing in a differentiated manner. Seizing strategic development opportunities underscores strategic and forward-looking thinking. Under the "two overall situations," standing still means falling behind, and even slow progress means regression. Only by planning scientifically on the basis of local realities and making early arrangements can regions grasp strategic opportunities. By leveraging its natural endowments, Ningde, East China's Fujian Province, has made "good use of mountains and seas," with the marine industry output surpassing 110 billion yuan ($15.6 billion). CATL's establishment has spurred growth, while SAIC has built green factories, and new industrialization has shifted toward "new" and "green" - all demonstrate how adapting to local conditions, seizing development opportunities, and taking the lead can lead to leapfrog development. Differentiated development highlights unique positioning and characteristics. Given China's vast regional disparities and uneven development, only by playing to strengths and avoiding weaknesses can wasteful internal competition be avoided. Southwest China's Guizhou Province harnessed its "cool climate" to build data infrastructure and foster digital industry clusters; North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region chased "wind" and "sun," with its installed capacity of new energy exceeding 150 million kilowatts. Finding one's right position based on the realities to create what others lack and improve what others already have opens up new development space. Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) elevate development of new quality productive forces according to local conditions to a more prominent strategic position. By taking a path of reasonable division of labor and optimized development based on the conditions of each region, we can lay a solid foundation and accumulate momentum for high-quality development. Coordinated development We should base our efforts on local realities to leverage strengths, while strengthening systemic thinking and promoting coordinated development. The Yangtze River Economic Belt covers 11 provinces and municipalities. While leveraging their own advantages to pursue their own development, these regions also shoulder the common task of promoting high-quality development. Placing one's own development within the broader framework of coordinated development creates a multiplier effect. The majority of the forward fuselage section is manufactured in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province; the landing gear system is assembled in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province; more than 100 components are supplied by enterprises in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province; and final assembly takes place in Shanghai - the C919 large aircraft industrial chain thrives along the Yangtze River. Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces in Southwest China pioneered a joint legislative model; East China's Anhui and Zhejiang provinces have explored cross-provincial ecological compensation mechanisms, helping the basin's ecological environment continue to improve. Today, the Yangtze Economic Belt links land and sea, connects eastern and western parts of China, and coordinates high-quality development with high-level environmental protection, becoming the main artery for smooth domestic and international dual circulation. Recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan call for "enhancing coordinated regional development" and "promoting inter-regional linkage." Together, tailoring to local conditions and coordinated development form a key path for regions to break development bottlenecks and expand the space for development. Coordination means complementary advantages and inter-regional linkage for common progress. Coordination breaks down barriers and integrates development to expand space. Coordination also means aligned steps and mutual pursuit for win-win outcomes. As we stride toward the 15th Five-Year Plan period, we must continue to arm our minds and guide practice with the Party's innovative theories, carry out economic work according to local conditions, enable "the lead horse" to bring along "the whole herd in full gallop," and turn the strengths of coordinated development into a winning momentum for high-quality development. In this way, the Chinese economy will surge forward with vigorous momentum and advance steadily toward lasting prosperity. SOURCE Global Times New technology addresses data bottleneck as private markets accelerate toward $25 trillion by 2030 LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldslate today announced the commercial launch of its AI-native decision intelligence platform, built to solve one of private markets' most persistent challenges: transforming unstructured deal information into reliable data. The platform reads and interprets complex deal documents with human-like comprehension at machine speed, converting text-heavy files into a structured, auditable database that fuels faster and more informed investment decisions. Charles Chien, Goldslate Founder and CEO Goldslate's platform addresses a foundational data infrastructure gap across the private markets ecosystem. By transforming document chaos into institutional-grade decision intelligence, Goldslate positions itself as critical infrastructure for the industry's next phase of growth. The launch of its AI-native platform represents a new category of investment technology designed for the front office in private markets. Its specialized AI agents understand investment context to extract and calculate more than 100 critical metrics, from loan-to-cost ratios and cap rates to property attributes and rent roll details, directly from offering memorandums and other deal documents. Operating autonomously, Goldslate eliminates the need for manual tagging or offshore data teams while maintaining more than 97 percent accuracy through a multi-agent verification system. This enables immediate scalability, consistency, and data security, giving investment teams a durable competitive advantage through superior market intelligence. "What makes Goldslate unique is that we do not just run AI on top of messy inputs. Our platform first creates a structured, auditable foundation, then generates insights from it, so deal teams can actually trust what they are seeing," said Charles Chien, CEO and founder of Goldslate. "Our front office focus means we are expanding the capacity of deal teams rather than just enhancing post-execution functions. As private markets accelerate toward $25 trillion, investment managers need AI-native solutions like Goldslate to keep pace." Private markets managers using Goldslate to optimize their market intelligence are reporting significant gains in increasing deal review capacity while freeing investment teams to focus on deeper, more strategic evaluations of high-potential opportunities. Canyon Partners Real Estate, the real estate arm of $29 billion global alternative asset manager Canyon Partners, has leveraged Goldslate's capabilities to increase efficiency across its deal analysis process, leveraging the power of AI to drive faster, deeper insights. About Goldslate Goldslate is the decision-intelligence platform for private markets, unifying data, models, and workflows so investment teams can evaluate deals, document decisions, and monitor portfolios across private credit, real estate, and other alternative assets. Goldslate creates a firmwide, auditable data foundation that powers reliable AI-driven insights, enabling teams to process more deals, capture richer information, and deliver greater transparency without reliance on manual tagging or offshore analyst teams. Media Contact [email protected] Sales Contact [email protected] SOURCE Goldslate ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Focus School Software today announced that Hanford Elementary School District, located in Hanford, California, has selected Focus as its next-generation Student Information System (SIS) through the California EdTech Joint Powers Authority (JPA) purchasing vehicle. The district will transition from its current SIS, Synergy, to Focus in a strategic move to modernize its data systems, improve user experience, and reduce administrative burden on staff. Serving over 5,700 students across 11 schools, Hanford Elementary prioritized a platform offering intuitive workflows, robust self-service capabilities, exceptional customer support, and a unified experience for parents, students, and staff. By consolidating multiple tools into Focus, the district will reduce the number of separate applications required, simplifying communication and daily tasks for families and educators. By purchasing through the California EdTech JPA, the district leveraged a streamlined, compliant procurement process to select the SIS solution that best aligns with its needs. "We are honored to partner with Hanford Elementary School District as they modernize their student information systems," said Andrew Schmadeke, CEO of Focus School Software. "Districts like Hanford are recognizing the need for flexible, easy-to-use technology that empowers their teams and communities, rather than requiring constant vendor intervention." Key Drivers for Hanford's Selection of Focus: Superior Customer Support Responsive, knowledgeable support reducing reliance on vendor engineering for routine updates. Ease of Use Modern, intuitive interface for staff, families, and administrators. Expanded Self-Service Tools Configurable forms, online enrollment, and flexible workflows built to district specifications. Unified User Experience Consolidation of systems into a single platform, reducing the number of apps parents, students, and staff need to use. Robust Third-Party Integrations Simplified API and SFTP capabilities empowering Hanford to manage integrations directly. Competitive Procurement Leveraging the California EdTech JPA to secure best-value pricing and terms. This selection underscores Focus School Software's commitment to serving California districts with comprehensive, easy-to-manage SIS solutions that reduce IT bottlenecks and elevate the end-user experience. About Hanford Elementary School District Hanford Elementary serves over 5,700 students in the heart of California's Central Valley. The district's mission is to ensure each student achieves academic success and personal growth through high-quality instruction, innovation, and family engagement. Learn more at www.hanfordesd.org. About Focus School Software Focus School Software is a leading provider of scalable, web-based Student Information Systems for K-12 education. Serving over 3.5 million students in 15 states, Focus offers configurable SIS, ERP, and Gradebook solutions designed to improve efficiency, compliance, and user experience. Learn more at www.focusschoolsoftware.com. Media Contact: John Uhler Focus School Software Email: [email protected] Correction: An earlier version of this release incorrectly stated 8 instead of 11 schools in the 2nd paragraph. SOURCE Focus School Software NEWTOWN, Conn., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been 13 years since the world was shaken by the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 26 precious lives including 20 first-graders were taken in the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting. In the wake of this unimaginable tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) was founded to create a safer future for all children. On this 13th Remembrance, in a time when widespread anxieties about school violence have remained high, SHP seeks to honor the lives that were stolen by sharing a message of hope and change: 13 Years of Impact and Hope: On the 13th remembrance of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise is focused on emphasizing that gun violence and school shootings are preventable when we know the signs. On the 13th remembrance of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Sandy Hook Promise is focused on emphasizing that gun violence and school shootings are preventable when we know the signs. Proven Prevention Programs, Reaching Classrooms Nationwide: SHP's Know the Signs programs, which train youth and adults to recognize and act on warning signs of violence or self-harm, have engaged more than 44 million participants since 2014, successfully thwarting at least 19 possible school shootings and preventing more than 1,100 youth suicides. This includes more than 22.2 million participants in the Start with Hello program, which addresses social isolation, and 8.1 million participants in the Say Something program, which teaches the warning signs of potential violence and self-harm. More than 4,700 youth-led SAVE Promise Clubs in elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide are helping students connect and look out for one another. SHP's programs, which train youth and adults to recognize and act on warning signs of violence or self-harm, have engaged more than 44 million participants since 2014, successfully thwarting at least 19 possible school shootings and preventing more than 1,100 youth suicides. This includes more than 22.2 million participants in the program, which addresses social isolation, and 8.1 million participants in the program, which teaches the warning signs of potential violence and self-harm. More than 4,700 youth-led SAVE Promise Clubs in elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide are helping students connect and look out for one another. Advancing Advocacy and Legislation on the Federal and State Level: Sandy Hook Promise continues to champion bipartisan policies like the STOP School Violence Act and other state and federal legislation to enhance school safety, youth mental health support, and responsible gun storage practices. Sandy Hook Promise continues to champion bipartisan policies like the STOP School Violence Act and other state and federal legislation to enhance school safety, youth mental health support, and responsible gun storage practices. A Call to Action and Collective Responsibility: SHP urges communities to take tangible steps in violence prevention efforts, including participating in life-saving programs, advocating for safer policies, and promoting secure firearm storage as part of the December Days of Action initiative. School shootings and many other acts of violence are being prevented because of collaborative, research-backed, and proactive solutions. While data indicates a potential decline in overall school shooting incidents this year compared to the elevated levels observed in 2021 through 2024, the fear and trauma for parents, educators, and communities remains palpable. A survey conducted earlier this year found that 80% of parents feel the ongoing threat of school violence has moderately or greatly impacted the childhood experience in America, and nearly 40% think about the possibility of a school shooting at their child's school on a weekly or even daily basis. "13 years ago, our lives were forever changed. Through our pain, and frankly, through our rage in coming to understand just how preventable school shootings really are, we found a steadfast purpose: to empower generations to become upstanders in violence prevention. To equip communities with the knowledge and skills to recognize the warning signs and save lives, so no other family would ever experience the devastation of a school shooting," said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. "We don't have to accept school shootings as part of life in America -- there's so much we can do. There are proven, evidence-informed actions that educators, parents, and community leaders can take right now to build safer learning environments for all," Hockley said. Meeting Today's Challenges The effectiveness of Sandy Hook Promise's prevention work is grounded in its adaptability, ensuring that programs meet the unique individual needs of schools and communities. The age-appropriate Know the Signs programs provide youth and adults with critical tools to recognize warning signs of potential violence or self-harm and take action to intervene. These programs also help schools create more welcoming environments, addressing social isolation by fostering student connections. More than 44 million youth and adults have participated in the Know the Signs programs since they were first launched in 2014. This includes more than 22.2 million participants in the Start with Hello program, which addresses social isolation, and 8.1 million participants in the Say Something program, which teaches the warning signs of potential violence and self-harm. And more than 4,700 youth-led SAVE Promise Clubs in elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide are helping students connect and look out for one another. For parents, educators, and community members seeking tangible steps to strengthen school safety, these programs offer a reliable framework for action. They are available to most schools and youth organizations at no cost. And they are proven to save lives. Saving Young Lives More than 9.5 million youth and adults nationwide have been trained to recognize warning signs and report those concerning behaviors via the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (ARS). This awareness has resulted in more than 356,000 anonymous tips being reported since the ARS was launched in 2018 with research suggesting more than 90% of tips are submitted by youth. The top five tip types reported in 2025 included Bullying/Cyberbullying, Drug Use/Distribution, Harassment, Cutting/Self-Harm, Suicide/Suicide Ideation. Because of the ARS and the Say Something training that undergirds it, at least 19 possible school shooting attacks have been averted since 2018. Also, at least 1,096 young lives have been saved from suicide, and more than 6,322 mental health interventions have brought help to students in crisis. The Say Something ARS is the only nonprofit anonymous reporting system that exclusively serves school communities with a National Crisis Center staffed 24/7/365 by highly trained Crisis Counselors. Advocating for Nonpartisan, Life-Saving Policies This year, the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund (SHPAF) continued its track record of successful work to advance bipartisan policies in the areas of safe firearm access, youth mental health, and school safety. These advocacy efforts ensure that proactive prevention remains a priority in legislative efforts, putting the safety of children first. "Our founding Promise is to protect children, which means advocating daily for policies that prevent the threat of being shot, whether in a classroom, at home, or in the community," said Mark Barden, co-founder of SHP and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. "Our message to parents, educators, community leaders is clear: whether you own a gun or not, you have the power to protect children from gun violence. Remind your legislators that protecting kids is something everyone believes in. Our kids deserve better from us." This year at the federal level, amidst a period of national budget cuts, SHPAF and members of SHP's National Youth Advisory Board advocated for continued funding of the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act, more commonly known as the STOP School Violence Act. Members of Congress demonstrated their support for this act by including a level funded investment of $135 million in draft appropriations bills. The SHPAF worked with Republicans and Democrats to write and pass this legislation in 2018 during President Trump's first term. Also at the federal level, the SHPAF supported the reintroduction of the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act (H.R. 2577) in the House of Representatives. Led by Reps. John Rutherford (R-FL) and Joe Neguse (D-CO), this bill will strengthen state-based expert centers, establishing a vital link between district administrators, communities, and state-based professionals. At the state level, one of the major policy achievements this year was the passage of House Bill 268 in Georgia, which was modeled in part after SHP's Safety and Violence Education for Students Act (SAVE Students Act). This legislation passed with strong bipartisan support roughly six months after the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in 2024. Under the new law, all Georgia public school students in grades 6 through 12 will receive one hour of suicide and violence prevention training, and Georgia schools will now be required to implement an anonymous reporting system. Driving Culture Change Since Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, the national narrative around gun violence has shifted from inevitable to preventable. The emphasis on proactive measures that stop gun violence has consistently grown since the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, largely due to on-going efforts to elevate warning signs education. For the last decade, Sandy Hook Promise has released public service announcements (PSAs) to help drive awareness that "gun violence is preventable when you know the signs." This year's PSA, "A Teddy Bear's Dream," depicts a child purchasing a teddy bear from a store. Shown through the bear's eyes, it imagines playful days and happy memories in the child's arms. However, audiences quickly learn this won't be the case, as this bear was instead purchased to be placed at a memorial for a school shooting. In studies that were conducted after the PSA's release, viewers overwhelmingly agreed that the problem is a universal concern. Kids deserve to be kids, and beloved symbols of childhood should never be associated with tragedies. This symbolic story brought people together and reinforced the belief that prevention is the most effective pathway forward. People across the political spectrum are coming together to advocate for solutions that keep kids safe. Today there are more than 24,000 Promise Leaders from communities in all 50 states. These are volunteers who take grassroots actions in their local areas to end gun violence and support school safety. To read more about the progress SHP made this year to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence, please read the 2025 Annual Impact Report. Know the Signs, Become the Hope To honor the 13th Remembrance, Sandy Hook Promise urges everyone youth and adults alike to take tangible steps to protect their community from gun violence and other acts of harm. Nearly 13 million people have made the Sandy Hook Promise to protect children from gun violence. For more information about ways to take action, spread hope, support life-saving policies in your state, and implement programs that keep kids safe, please visit sandyhookpromise.org. Note: No interviews or public appearance will be conducted on December 14 and 15, 2025, as Sandy Hook Promise devotes this time to remembering the precious lives taken by gun violence. To assist journalists covering the Remembrance, Sandy Hook Promise has compiled b-roll with additional commentary from our co-founders and additional resources that can be found in the newsroom. For a password to access these online materials, please email [email protected]. Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP's mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed "Know the Signs" prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SOURCE Sandy Hook Promise The independent program - backed by its technology partners Infineon and Intel - addresses the missing link of closer collaboration between startups and corporates to help European deep tech founders move faster from "Pre to B" - taking breakthrough innovation to breakout success. Europe's missing link: an independent, multi-partner scale-up program connecting startups and corporates to bridge the continent's deep tech growth funding gap. an independent, multi-partner scale-up program connecting startups and corporates to bridge the continent's deep tech growth funding gap. Founder-first and non-dilutive: enabling startups to scale faster without giving up equity. enabling startups to scale faster without giving up equity. From Pre-Seed to Series B: focused on turning early-stage deep tech ventures into globally competitive scale-ups. focused on turning early-stage deep tech ventures into globally competitive scale-ups. Collective impact: built on collaboration between world-leading technology firms such as Infineon and Intel, and a network of 300+ senior industry mentors. built on collaboration between world-leading technology firms such as Infineon and Intel, and a network of 300+ senior industry mentors. Pan-European mission: strengthening Europe's sovereignty across critical frontier technologies. DRESDEN, Germany, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ignite Next today announced its launch as Europe's new scale-up program for deep tech innovation, designed to bridge the gap between early-stage founders and industrial-scale success. Created by the team behind the renowned Intel Ignite program and now independently operated, Ignite Next introduces a new collaborative model - bringing together the global leading technology players, including Infineon and Intel, to support the continent's most ambitious deep tech founders. Rather than operating as a traditional accelerator, Ignite Next positions itself as the missing link between startups and industry - a hands-on, non-dilutive program helping founders scale IP-heavy breakthrough technologies from Pre-Seed to Series B and beyond. Its independent structure allows the team to work with multiple partners in even greater depth across a broad range of frontier technologies, from semiconductors, photonics, advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI, through to quantum computing. A new model for Europe's deep tech scale-ups: Europe's deep tech startups face a persistent challenge: strong scientific foundations and early funding, but limited industrial collaboration and scale-up support. Ignite Next directly addresses this gap between innovation and market success, enabling founders to reach commercial scale faster through direct access to relevant industry expertise and decision makers from strategic partners. "We're building the bridge that Europe's deep tech founders have long needed," said Markus Bohl, CEO and co-founder of Ignite Next. "Ignite Next brings world-class technology partners and founders together to turn scientific breakthroughs into successful businesses at scale - helping startups move faster from Pre to B, from inventions with potential to companies with global impact." Ignite Next's non-dilutive, founder-first structure ensures startups can scale without sacrificing ownership, while its high-touch approach - guided by more than 300 senior industry mentors - gives founders direct access to technical expertise, market insight, and investor readiness support. Dr. Daniel Schall, CEO, Black Semiconductor, commented: "Ignite Next enables deep tech founders to move faster and build strong momentum by pairing genuine technical expertise with hands-on leadership experiencedelivering founder-level insight, focus, and connections." A virtuous circle of impact for startups, corporates and the deeptech community alike: A clear north star: startup success - achieved through non-dilutive and high-touch support, and deep sector expertise. Startups scale faster - attracting stronger investor interest and higher valuations. VCs are recommending the program, leading to highly selective admissions. Partners benefit through early access to technologies, talent, and collaboration opportunities. The entire ecosystem strengthens - reinforcing Europe's competitiveness in deep tech. Nicolas Autret, Partner, Walden Catalyst, added: "Only 6% of global AI funding and 5% of quantum investment go to European companies - that's the gap the Draghi Report warned about. Ignite Next tackles exactly this problem by helping Europe's deep tech founders scale faster, without giving up equity. It's the kind of competence and collaboration Europe needs to stay competitive on the global stage." Independence and collaboration - the next phase of Ignite: Ignite Next builds on a proven blueprint of technical depth, senior mentorship, and focus on tangible commercial outcomes - now strengthened by its independent, multi-partner setup. "We're keeping everything that made Ignite successful - the technical depth, the selectivity, and the focus on the commercial impact - but with the ability to provide even more relevancy via our complementary, multi-partner set-up," said Alois Eder, CTO and co-founder. "Independence means we can connect an even wider and stronger network of experts to our startups, offering broader and deeper technology coverage, better market access, and stronger outcomes for Europe's innovation sectors." Each cohort is highly selective, typically drawing over 300 applications for just ten places. Startups are mostly referred to the program by leading venture capital investors and chosen for their potential to become Europe's next scale-up success stories. Alumni from the Ignite model include Black Semiconductor, Proxima Fusion, Corintis, Quantum Diamonds, Cerabyte, and Space Forge - each proving Europe's outstanding capabilities in frontier technologies. Dr. Francesco Sciortino, CEO of Proxima Fusion, added: "The Ignite Next team has been instrumental to Proxima's journey from lab breakthrough to tangible traction. The team consistently had our back - combining technical guidance and company building advice with real industry access." Partners driving Europe's deep tech future: Ignite Next is backed by its core technology partners Infineon and Intel, who provide strategic industry expertise, infrastructure and technology access as well as technical and commercial mentorship. With technologies evolving faster and across more domains than ever, these partnerships give corporates early access to disruptive innovations, insight into emerging trends, and opportunities to influence technology roadmaps. "At Infineon, we are committed to empowering Europe's deep tech startups," said Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon Technologies AG. "With Ignite Next, we are uniting leading technology partners to back the continent's most ambitious founders and strengthen the importance of Europe as a world-class innovation hub. Together, we turn today's European startups into tomorrow's global tech champions." Additional corporate and institutional partners are set to join in the coming months, further strengthening Ignite Next's value proposition to founders. All partnerships are long-term, offering startups sustained support while reinforcing a lasting commitment to Europe's deep tech ecosystem and supply chain resilience. Europe first - but globally connected: While the pan-European program is closely connected to the 45 most important deep tech hotspots in Europe, Ignite Next deliberately chose to headquarter the program in Dresden, at the heart of Silicon Saxony. The region is not only home to one-third of Europe's chip production, but with TU Dresden also the university producing the most patents in Germany. With this Ignite Next opens up unmatched collaboration opportunities for startups and investors alike within one of the continent's most important, vibrant, and fastest growing semiconductor ecosystems. Dirk Panter, Saxony's State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Action: "It is testament to the strength and importance of the ecosystem in (Silicon) Saxony that an internationally renowned program with world-leading partners in the hightech industry will be based and run out of Dresden. We are happy to welcome Ignite Next and its deep tech startups in the heartland of Europe's semiconductor industry - and are convinced that this is the right place to build and scale global deep tech category leaders." Its location underscores the program's pan-European ambition: uniting industrial, academic, and venture networks to scale European innovation globally. While Europe remains its core focus, Ignite Next welcomes startups from around the world. Each three-month cohort provides deep technical mentorship, commercial validation, and investor engagement, helping startups reach product-market fit, go-to-market readiness, and Series A and B funding faster. Michiel Scheffer, President, European Innovation Council, commented: "I'm happy to see that Ignite Next is specifically designed to support European deep tech startups to reach the breakout stage. This is exactly in line with what the EIC and me personally are strong proponents of: we need to build scale-ups for Europe critical technologies that aim for global leadership positions in their field. In Europe, we have the talent, the IP, and the opportunity to achieve that if we manage to provide the right funding and industrial support for this. I'm convinced that Ignite Next will play a significant role in this." About Ignite Next: Ignite Next is Europe's scale-up program for deep tech innovation, founded by the former Intel Ignite leadership team and now independently operated. The program accelerates early-stage, high-impact startups developing breakthrough technologies in semiconductors, physical AI, advanced computing, and other frontier domains. Non-dilutive and founder-first, Ignite Next partners with leading technology companies - including Infineon and Intel - to connect startups with world-class technical and business expertise, turning breakthrough innovation into breakout success. Media contact: Harry Ashcroft | Perseid PR [email protected] +44 7429 108277 SOURCE Ignite Next SAN DIEGO, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego-based designer and entrepreneur Brittany Williams, Owner, CEO, President, and Lead Designer of Designed for Luxury, is redefining what it means to create memorable, elevated experiences. After spending half her life decorating for loved ones and those in need, Williams has transformed her passion into a thriving, full-service event design company known for crafting custom, luxurious environments for any occasion. Designed for Luxury's Brittany Williams specializes in custom event decor tailored to each clients unique space and vision Designed for Luxury specializes in custom event decor tailored to each client's unique space and vision. Every design is personalized from start to finish, with Williams offering a seamless process: she creates the concept, sources all materials (or works with those provided by the client), executes the full setup, and handles the complete breakdown. In addition to decor and styling, the company offers custom charcuterie boards, elevated table settings, florals, and an expanding inventory of specialty rentals, including floral backdrops and a photo booth. In 2026, Williams will also debut two new experiential additions: a mobile bar and champagne wall. Designed for Luxury serves a wide range of occasions, including: Private events Proposals & anniversaries Corporate events Dinner parties Holidays Weddings Themed parties and more With a strong focus on service, Williams prioritizes client satisfaction at every step, checking in throughout the planning and design process to ensure the final experience feels magical, meaningful, and effortless. "I love transforming spaces in ways that feel magical and luxurious," Williams continued, "designing environments that elevate every detail and become the backdrop for unforgettable moments and lifelong memories." While proudly rooted in San Diego, Designed for Luxury also serves clients across Southern California and is available for travel nationwide. For more information or to book an event, visit DesignedForLuxuryCo.com . About Designed for Luxury Designed for Luxury is a San Diego-based event design company founded by Brittany Williams, specializing in curated event styling, custom decor, and luxury experiential add-ons. With a passion for creating timeless and memorable moments, the company transforms spaces for events of all kinds, from intimate gatherings to large-scale celebrations. SOURCE Designed for Luxury SAN DIEGO, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, PLLP, is investigating whether RXO, Inc. (NYSE: RXO) or certain of its officers and directors violated federal securities laws by misrepresenting or failing to timely disclose material information to investors. What if I purchased RXO securities? If you purchased RXO securities and suffered losses, join our investigation now: [Click Here to Join the Investigation ] Or for more information, contact Jim Baker at [email protected] or (619) 814-4471. There is no cost or obligation to you. About Johnson Fistel, PLLP | Top Law Firm, Securities Fraud, Investors Rights: Johnson Fistel, PLLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, Georgia, Idaho, and Colorado. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. We also extend our services to foreign investors who have purchased on US exchanges. Stay updated with news on stock drops and learn how Johnson Fistel, PLLP can help you recover your losses. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonfistel.com. Achievements: In 2024, Johnson Fistel was honored to be ranked in the Top 10 Plaintiff Law Firms by the ISS Securities Class Action Services. This recognition underscores our effectiveness in advocating for investors, having recovered approximately $90,725,000 for aggrieved clients in cases where we served as lead or co-lead counsel. This notable accomplishment marks the eighth occasion our firm has been recognized as a top plaintiffs' securities law firm in the United States, as determined by the total dollar value of final recoveries. Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Johnson Fistel, PLLP has paid for the dissemination of this promotional communication, and Frank J. Johnson is the attorney responsible for its content. Contact: Johnson Fistel, PLLP 501 W. Broadway, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101 James Baker, Investor Relations or Frank J. Johnson, Esq., (619) 814-4471 [email protected] or [email protected] SOURCE Johnson Fistel, PLLP - Reaffirms top position in the industry for 5 consecutive years, governance structure competitiveness, systematic supply chain management highly rated SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KT&G(KRX: 033780) obtained a "AAA" ESG rating from the global investment decision support company MSCI(Morgan Stanley Capital International), the highest rating in history for any industry player. Every year, MSCI classifies 8,500 publicly listed companies by industry and evaluates ESG status, issuing 7 types of ratings from top AAA rating to bottom CCC ratings. Institutional investors and asset managers refer to MSCI's ratings in order to analyze a company's sustainability and ESG competitiveness. KT&G was evaluated by MSCI among 9 global tobacco companies across the world and secured its ESG Leader position within the industry by receiving the top-tier rating "AAA". Previously, KT&G's industry top-tier ESG competitive was acknowledged through the award of a "AA" rating for four consecutive years. The key elements that contributed to the top rating this year include excellent governance structure, systematic supply chain management, responsible marketing execution, and faithful implementation of environmental management visions. The fact that KT&G established exemplary governance structure conventions through actions such as separating CEO and board chairperson roles based on competitiveness coming from 75% outside director board composition and operating independent permanent and non-permanent committees was given special recognition. Furthermore, KT&G was ranked number one among 9 companies for "supply chain labor management" category due to its systematic diligence activities and management and monitoring execution. It was also given a higher score relative to other industry players for its actions including expansion of on-site water reclamation infrastructure and execution of responsible marketing. Young-ah Shim, Director of KT&G's ESG Management Office, stated that "by obtaining a AAA rating for the first time in the industry, KT&G will now be recognized for its systematic ESG management performance in the capital market. Going forward, KT&G will continue to focus on realization of environmental management principles and active supply chain management based on its global standard governance competitiveness." SOURCE KT&G Corporation Certification affirms Lightbeam's commitment to quality, innovation, and enabling clients' success in value-based care programs DALLAS, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightbeam Health Solutions, the proven, AI-enabled solutions and services leader in population health management, today announced that its Lightbeam Platform has achieved Population Health Management (PHM) Prevalidation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). This recognition highlights Lightbeam's commitment to delivering industry-leading solutions that streamline care management, improve patient outcomes, and reduce administrative burden for health plans and provider organizations. NCQA PHM Prevalidation recognizes Lightbeam for delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that support clients success in value-based care. The Lightbeam Platform has been prevalidated by NCQA for Population Health Management (PHM) elements, helping client organizations achieve automatic credit in NCQA PHM surveys when implementing the solution in accordance with NCQA guidelines. This prevalidation includes credit eligibility for Lightbeam clients and prospects in two categories: Eligible for Automatic Credit and Organization Support. Clients using Lightbeam's platform can now benefit from reduced administrative burden in their Health Plan, Population Health Program, Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organization, and Case Management Accreditation surveys. "Achieving NCQA PHM Prevalidation is a significant milestone for Lightbeam," said Shelley Davis, MSN, RNC, CCM, Vice President of Clinical Strategy at Lightbeam Health Solutions. "We're proud to be one of the few vendors with this prevalidated status, reflecting our ongoing investment in delivering a comprehensive platform, competitive AI-enabled solutions and services that empowers healthcare organizations to manage population health more efficiently, improve quality outcomes, and navigate complex accreditation requirements with confidence." NCQA's Population Health Management Prevalidation reviews population health management tools, data integration tools, risk stratification tools, care management systems tools, and other related health technology solutions providing functionality that completely meets or support factor-level requirements within applicable NCQA Population Health Management in Health Plan Accreditation Standards. Organizations interested in learning how the Lightbeam Platform can help streamline population health management, improve quality outcomes, and leverage NCQA PHM Prevalidation for reduced survey burden can visit www.lightbeamhealth.com or contact Lightbeam Health Solutions at [email protected] for more information and a personalized demonstration. About NCQA NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Web site (www.ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices. About Lightbeam Health Solutions Lightbeam Health is a proven, AI-enabled platform, solutions, and services leader for population health management. Lightbeam's AI-enabled population health platform arms payers and providers with the data-driven solutions and services they need to facilitate care orchestration and improve patient outcomes while finding success in all value-based arrangements. Lightbeam Health services ACO REACH, MSSP ACO, Medicare Advantage, traditional Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial populations across the country. For more information, visit www.lightbeamhealth.com and follow Lightbeam on LinkedIn and X (Twitter). Lightbeam Health Contact: Amanda Hunt [email protected] SOURCE Lightbeam Health Solutions Manufacturers Gain Integrated CAD/CAM-to-Machine Solution Accelerating Prove Out Processes and Enabling Faster Machine Deployment TOLLAND, Conn., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mastercam and DMG MORI Technium USA today announced a partnership that will bring enhanced manufacturing efficiency to machine shops across the United States. Under this agreement, DMG MORI Technium will bundle Mastercam's industry-leading post processing software with select CNC machines, providing customers with an integrated solution that streamlines programming and accelerates time to production. The partnership encompasses DMG MORI Technium's most advanced machine platforms, including: Mastercam and DMG MORI announced a partnership that will bring enhanced manufacturing efficiency to machine shops across the United States. CMX 1100 V, vertical milling machines, and NHX, horizontal milling centers; both platforms are Made in the USA with US and globally sourced materials. DMU and DMU monoBLOCK - 5-axis milling machines NLX - universal turning centers NTX - Turn-Mill centers Customers purchasing these machines will receive Mastercam post processors specifically optimized for their equipment, ensuring seamless communication between CAD/CAM programming and machine operation. "This partnership represents a significant step forward in delivering complete manufacturing solutions to our customers," said Satoshi Tanaka, President at DMG MORI Technium USA. "By bundling Mastercam post processors with our machines, we're eliminating a critical integration challenge and enabling manufacturers to achieve faster setup times and more reliable production outcomes." Mastercam's post processing technology translates CAM toolpaths into machine-specific G-code, ensuring optimal performance and accuracy. The pre-configured post processors included with DMG MORI Technium USA machines are tailored to each model's specific capabilities, taking advantage of advanced features such as multi-axis positioning, high-speed machining cycles, and collision avoidance strategies. "Collaborating with DMG MORI Technium USA allows us to extend mutually validated proven post processing capabilities directly to end users at the point of machine purchase," said Stas Mylek, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Mastercam. "This partnership speeds up the prove-out process and therefore time to deployment, which are both invaluable for driving productivity metrics on the shop floor." The bundled post processors will be available immediately with new machine purchases across the United States. Existing DMG MORI Technium USA customers interested in Mastercam post processing solutions can contact their local representative for more information. DMG MORI Technium USA, a member of the global DMG MORI Group, delivers advanced software solutions that directly enhance the performance and value of machine tools. A key focus area is CAM programming, where we bring deep expertise and innovation. In the United States, DMG MORI Technium USA has proudly supported and delivered Mastercam products for over 20 years, particularly in the Denver region. "As a machine tool builder, we possess unmatched insight into our equipmentan advantage that allows us to offer tailored, high-impact solutions to end users. This partnership with Mastercam reflects our commitment to combining world-class software with deep machine knowledge to drive productivity and precision across the manufacturing landscape," explains Satoshi Tanaka, President of DMG MORI Technium USA. For more information, contact Melanie Frenkel, Sr. Media Director, Berkeley Communications, phone: 760.421.7719, or email: [email protected]. About DMG MORI DMG MORI is a leading global manufacturer of high-precision machine tools and is represented in 44 countries with 124 sales and service locations, including 17 production plants. In the "Global One Company", more than 13,500 employees are driving the development of holistic solutions in the manufacturing industry. Our portfolio covers sustainable manufacturing solutions based on the technologies Turning, Milling, Grinding, Boring, as well as Ultrasonic, Lasertec, and Additive Manufacturing. With technology integration, end-to-end automation, and digitization solutions, we make it possible to increase productivity and resource efficiency at the same time. About Mastercam Shaping the Future of Manufacturing, Mastercam is the world's leading provider of CAD/CAM solutions. As part of Sandvik, we empower manufacturers to enhance productivity, streamline processes, and drive innovation. With a global network of resellers and an extensive developer community, Mastercam continues to set industry standards by delivering comprehensive, connected solutions across the manufacturing enterprise. We lead the way with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled expertise. Discover more at www.mastercam.com, follow us on LinkedIn, and join the conversation with #mastercam. Phone: 800.228.2877 CNC Software, LLC Outside USA: +1 860.875.5006 671 Old Post Road Fax: +1 860.872.1565 Tolland, Connecticut 06084 USA www.mastercam.com SOURCE Mastercam NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. and KAMPALA, Uganda, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MindHYVE.ai, Inc. and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) have announced a groundbreaking partnership that positions East Africa as a leader in global AI fluency, ethical AI adoption, and workforce transformation. This collaboration marks one of the most ambitious regional initiatives for AI literacy and agentic learning ever undertaken on the African continent. MindHYVE.ai IUCEA: Strengthening East Africas Workforce Through AI Literacy at Scale. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, IUCEA, which represents over 170 universities across the East African Community, will act as a regional advocate and facilitator for MindHYVE's agentic education technologies. This partnership will enable universities throughout the region to access world-class AI reasoning platforms, certified learning programs, and training for future skills. A Continental Momentum Shift Toward an AI-Ready Generation Africa has the world's youngest population. East Africa alone holds tens of millions of young people whose creativity, resilience, and adaptability are unmatched. This partnership recognizes that the future of the region's economic power depends on one critical factor: AI literacy and workforce readiness at scale. Through the collaboration, MindHYVE.ai will: Deliver 50 certified courses from The Dawn Directive California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI's) flagship AI literacy and fluency program powered by ArthurAI, MindHYVE's agentic learning platform." Deploy ArthurAI, the world's first agentic educational intelligence system, in selected IUCEA member universities as part of a region-wide adaptive-learning pilot. Provide California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI), recognized AI literacy and fluency certifications, co-branded with IUCEA. Train instructors and institutional leaders through capacity-building and Train-the-Trainer programs to sustain long-term adoption. The partnership's aim is clear: equip East Africa's next generation of students, educators, and professionals with the skills required to thrive in an AI-mediated global economy. Vision Rooted in Ethical AI, Equity & Explainability MindHYVE's technological philosophy reasoning-first intelligence, transparency, moral alignment, and explainability mirrors IUCEA's commitment to equitable access and quality education. The program embeds: Privacy-by-design safeguards, Ethical AI modules, Fairness and gender-equity principles, Compliance with national, regional, and international standards. This ensures AI adoption is not only powerful but responsible, inclusive, and ethically governed. Quotes From Leadership Prof. Idris A. Rai, Acting Executive Secretary, IUCEA "This partnership marks a defining moment for East Africa. Equipping our universities, our educators, and our students with AI literacy and ethical AI fluency is essential for our region's advancement. Through this collaboration, we strengthen our collective capacity to compete, innovate, and lead in the global digital economy." Bill Faruki, Founder & CEO, MindHYVE.ai "East Africa is one of the most important regions in the world for the future of ethical AI. Its youth, its universities, and its shared commitment to progress make it a natural leader in the global knowledge economy. Through our partnership with IUCEA, we are not simply deploying technology we are helping build a continental foundation for reasoning, transparency, and human-aligned intelligence. This is how a generation leapfrogs. This is how a region becomes a force in the AI century." This MoU establishes a two-year framework for cooperation and shared governance, supported by a Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) that will oversee implementation, pilot evaluation, and evidence-based scaling. Looking ahead, IUCEA and MindHYVE.ai will explore deeper integrations, expanded curricula, cross-border academic mobility initiatives, and the potential creation of an East African Center of Excellence for AI Fluency & Ethical Agentic Systems. About IUCEA The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is dedicated to enhancing the integration and quality of higher education across the East African Community. Its primary focus is to harmonize the diverse higher education systems of member countries, which includes developing standardized curricula and ensuring that academic programs meet regional and international quality benchmarks. About MindHYVE.ai MindHYVE.ai is redefining the boundaries of intelligence by engineering autonomous systems and deploying domain-specific AGI agents across real-world sectors. Powered by the Ava-Fusion large reasoning model and architected for agent coordination, swarm intelligence, and adaptive autonomy, MindHYVE's technology stack is revolutionizing law, medicine, finance, education, and governance. With operations in North America, Asia, and Africa, MindHYVE.ai is on a mission to democratize access to transformative intelligence and architect the infrastructure for post-scarcity economies. Backed by HYVE Labs, the company continues to shape the future of agentic systems on a global scale. Website: www.mindhyve.ai | Email: [email protected] | Contact: +1 (949) 200-8668 Media Contact: Marc Ortiz Email: [email protected] SOURCE MindHYVE.ai, Inc. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Etihad Etisalat (Mobily), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading telecom, media and technology pioneer, Monday celebrated its 20th anniversary with its new corporate strategy for the period throughout 2030 aimed at strengthening customer experience leadership by deepening and scaling integration of artificial intelligence across the fabric of its internal operations, improving operational efficiency, and expanding digital infrastructurein alignment with Saudi Vision 2030's objectives toward a thriving and sustainable digital economy. Mobily CEO Engineer Nezar Banabeela (center stage) reaffirms the companys customer centricity embodied in the launch of its new slogan Ever Closer and new corporate strategy at Mobily 20th Anniversary event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia picture courtesy of Mobily. (PRNewsfoto/Mobily) The announcement of the new strategy came on the sidelines of Mobily's 20th Anniversary celebration, where the company reaffirmed its customer centricity embodied in its new slogan "Ever Closer." Attending Mobily's 20th Anniversary celebrations held in Riyadh, were dignitaries, senior government officials, business leaders, and customers, as well as senior members of the press corps and social media influencers. Marking their two decades of achievements, the company ran a documentary film highlighting milestones, and local, regional and international successes, locally, regionally, and internationally, casting lights on its pioneering role in supporting and enabling digital transformation across the Kingdom. Commenting on this occasion, Eng. Nezar Banabeela, Chief Executive Officer of Mobily, said: "Today, we celebrate 20 years of excellence and innovation, and the launch of our new strategy, our roadmap for a better digital future. This strategy focuses on greater investment in artificial intelligence to deliver more advanced and accessible digital services to serve the diverse needs of our wide array of customers, allowing us to continue to pioneer experiences based on the latest technologies." Banabeela added: "Today's 20th Anniversary is not just about celebrating our achievements, it is the start of a new phase of sustainable innovation, where we reaffirm our commitment to upgrading our digital infrastructure and widening the scope of our services in alignment with the rapid pace of evolution in the telecom, media and technology, and address the aspirations of our customers." And noted: "Mobily played a vital role in in supporting digital transformation and sustainable development in the Kingdom over the past two decades, through its continuous investment advanced technologies and delivering innovation solutions improving the digital quality of life for its customers." Through this, Mobily affirms its role as a trusted digitization partner for national transformation, contributing to strengthening the Kingdom's position as a global hub. Media Contact Mohanad Albahli Mobily Director of Media Relations and Public Relations [email protected] +966 (50) 6551133 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842802/Mobily.jpg SOURCE Mobily The innovative fund, exclusive to members of the NeighborWorks America network, closed with $110.4 million in LIHTC equity, which will assist community-driven non-profits in addressing the nation's affordable housing crisis. CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NeighborWorks Capital, a national non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and National Equity Fund (NEF), a leading non-profit multi-family, affordable, real estate investment manager, announced the closing of its inaugural NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund. Launched in April 2024, the first-of-its-kind equity fund raised $110.4 million to support 7 developments across the country, creating 517 units of affordable housing. A History of Intentional, Impactful Collaboration NEF + NeighborWorks Partnership Roadmap NeighborWorks Capital Logo "Developing long-term partnerships is the key to NEF's success, and our extensive history with NeighborWorks organizations is a prime example of that commitment," said Matt Reilein, President and CEO of NEF. "We set out to intentionally and creatively help these community-driven organizations navigate LIHTC processes and resources with the simple goal of developing more affordable housing for families in need. We are proud to have closed the inaugural NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund, which epitomizes the collective mission of NEF and NeighborWorks Capital to provide high impact capital to increase access to affordable housing in rural, suburban and urban markets across the country." After more than 30 years of working with NeighborWorks organizations, NEF leadership saw an opportunity to collaborate with NeighborWorks Capital, a CDFI connecting NeighborWorks organizations with human, financial, and intellectual capital to expand economic opportunities in under-resourced communities across the country. "Partnering with NEF brings together our deep understanding of the NeighborWorks network with NEF's decades of LIHTC expertise and unmatched infrastructure," said Jim Peffley, CEO of NeighborWorks Capital. "It is a natural partnership because our missions are tightly aligned. Both organizations are fully committed to supporting and empowering community-focused nonprofit developers. They have been an excellent partner in developing this new fund, and our model of collaboration is an example of the innovative thinking needed in times like these. Nonprofits should lean on each other's unique skill sets and infrastructure to grow our impact in new ways. NEF has demonstrated a vision for doing just that." Empowering Community-Driven Non-Profits The inaugural fund benefits a variety of high-performing community-based non-profit organizations within the NeighborWorks network by providing access to transparent, equitable LIHTC terms, consistent capital and alignment with NEF's mission. "Each year, NeighborWorks organizations are the largest producers of affordable rental housing, by far. Last year, their production exceeded that of the top nine for-profit developers combined," said Peffley. "With the NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund, these organizations now have access to equitable and transparent LIHTC terms that were once out of reach, empowering them to advance projects faster, more efficiently, and with long-term impact for the communities they serve. This is only the start of the capital advantage we want to build for these organizations. We want our next fund to reach even more organizations and communities. The residents they serve deserve every possible opportunity to create a better life." In addition to the developments directly benefiting from this fund, another 19 projects representing more than 1,300 units were placed into other NEF funds that offered unique benefits to those developments. NEF and NeighborWorks Capital are committed to expanding the number of organizations that benefit from this partnership and extending geographic reach. Investing in Brighter Futures The fund was supported through equity investments from five collaborative investor partners, including: Capital One, First Citizens Bank, Northern Trust, Wells Fargo, and Wintrust. "First Citizens Bank is proud to partner with National Equity Fund and NeighborWorks Capital on the launch of the NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund," said Fiona Hsu, Head of Community Development Finance for First Citizens Bank. "We remain dedicated to investing in affordable housing as part of our ongoing commitment to build lasting financial security and long-term stability in the communities where we live and work." Several investors noted the importance of working with organizations like NEF and those within the NeighborWorks America network that share in a mission-oriented approach to deploying socially impactful capital solutions. "Investing in this fund aligns with our belief that community development is strongest when capital and mission work together," said Eduardo Aldana, Vice President at Wintrust Community Development. "We're pleased to help expand equitable LIHTC resources that accelerate projects, strengthen non-profit developers, and increase affordable housing where it's needed most." "We applaud NeighborWorks Capital and National Equity Fund two mission-driven organizations and long-time Capital One partners for launching the inaugural NeighborWorks Capital Equity Fund," said Desiree Francis, Head of Community Finance at Capital One. "By expanding access to capital for national and community-based nonprofit developers, this fund will help preserve and create more stable, affordable homes ensuring families across the country have the foundation they need to thrive." Looking Forward For NEF and NeighborWorks Capital, the strong commitment from investors emphasized the need to prioritize true community-driven nonprofit developers that advance residents' priorities, allowing a more equitable playing field for all. The two organizations also acknowledge the need for a continuation of the fund to sustain such capital advantages and to create and preserve more affordable housing across the country. "As a pioneering real estate investment manager and LIHTC syndicator, National Equity Fund has a responsibility to lead and advocate for innovative approaches to solve long-standing imbalances in the marketplace," said Liz Hibbard, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets at NEF. "The inaugural fund not only served this purpose, but it helped enable community-based non-profits that are often overlooked, under-banked and under-served. As we move forward, our hope is to continue leveling the playing field through additional funds that will ultimately create a society where increased access to affordable housing empowers every individual and family to reach their full potential." About National Equity Fund, Inc. (NEF) NEF is a proven non-profit real estate investment manager for multi-family affordable housing with a mission to create and deliver innovative, collaborative financial solutions to expand the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Through its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) syndication platform and its lending and investing platforms, NEF generates opportunities rooted in its vision that increased access to affordable housing empowers every individual and family to reach their full potential. Beyond LIHTC, NEF offers additional financial solutions to help close the affordable housing gap in multiple ways that are mission-aligned. Deep expertise in pre-development, preservation, and workforce lending further assists partners to expand their efforts to provide low-income and middle-income affordable housing. NEF promises responsive capital solutions, leveraging its comprehensive infrastructure and extensive experience to create meaningful social impact and positive financial returns. Since being founded in 1987, NEF has invested over $27.2 billion, representing nearly 260,000 new or preserved affordable homes for individuals, families, and communities in need across the country. NEF is Chicago-based and has donated more than $260 million in grants to support its affiliate LISC's nationwide community development work. To learn more about NEF's impact, innovative financial solutions, and opportunities, visit www.nefinc.org. About NeighborWorks Capital For more than 25 years, NeighborWorks Capital - a national non-profit, certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) - has served the NeighborWorks America network of nearly 250 strong, capable non-profit housing and community development organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NeighborWorks Capital supports affordable housing development, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, and community services across the country. S&P Global Ratings has assigned NeighborWorks Capital an issuer credit rating of "A+/Positive," citing strong capital adequacy, profitability, liquidity, and financial management. NeighborWorks Capital has been Aeris-rated since 2011 and currently holds a four-star Impact Management rating as well as an AA Financial Strength and Performance Rating, indicating robust financial capability and risk management. NeighborWorks Capital is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, gaining access to competitively priced financing and affordable housing and community development grants. For more information, visit: https://www.neighborworkscapital.org. SOURCE National Equity Fund Generations Apart on Change research report reveals that Gen Z workers are consistently the most positive about organizational change. They report higher optimism about how changes from process updates to reorganizations improve their organizations and their day-to-day work. In contrast, Gen X and Baby Boomer workers are far less likely to view change as beneficial, often seeing new initiatives as disruptive or adding to already heavy workloads. "These findings underscore something leaders can't ignore: change today is a multigenerational experience and employees aren't starting from the same place," said Melissa Jezior, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting. "Gen Z tends to see change as possibility, while more experienced employees see it through the lens of promises made and disappointments delivered. Leaders who understand these differences and then design change strategies that combine clarity, empathy, and authenticity will dramatically increase their chances of achieving durable, meaningful transformation." Key findings from the research include: Only 25% of employees say their organization effectively manages major changes across the workforce, with little variance across generations. Gen Z is the most optimistic workforce cohort, with 70% saying process changes made their organization better, compared to 36% of Gen X and 45% of Baby Boomer workers. Gen X stands out as the most skeptical generation, with only 3% reporting that return-to-office changes improved their organizations, representing the largest generational gap in the survey. Younger employees are more motivated by social factors during change: 27% of Gen Z and 23% of Millennials say workplace friends are their most influential change supporters, compared to just 1112% of older employees. Older generations feel less supported during change, with only 18% of Baby Boomers and 20% of Gen X saying their organizations make change easy to embrace. Across all generations, the two most important drivers of change acceptance are understanding the reason for the change and effective communication. "The findings point to a fundamental shift: a one-size-fits-all approach to change management is no longer sufficient," Jezior added. "To make change stick, leaders need to manage organizational change as a multi-generational experience, anchored in a shared purpose and tied to the different motivations, needs, and expectations that each generation brings to work." "Smart leaders will use this research as a roadmap. The organizations that succeed will be those that anchor employees in a shared purpose, tailoring the support, communication, and engagement strategies to meet people where they are," Jezior explained. The report outlines several actionable steps for leaders, including turning Gen Z's optimism into cross-generational influence, meaningfully engaging more experienced workers who may feel skeptical or fatigued by repeated change efforts, and empowering managers to act as the essential bridge between generational needs. The findings are from the 2025 Eagle Hill Consulting State of Organizational Change Management survey conducted by Ipsos from August 2125, 2025. The nationally representative sample includes 1,448 U.S. adults, ages 18 and older, employed full- or part-time. Eagle Hill Consulting LLC is an award-winning business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Organizational Performance, Business Intelligence, Technology Enablement, Talent, and Change Management. The company's expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and global nonprofits. Eagle Hill has offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, Boston, MA, and Seattle, WA. More information is available at www.eaglehillconsulting.com. SOURCE Eagle Hill Consulting LLC DALLAS, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NiTEO Products, a leading formulator, packager and marketer of household and automotive chemical brands, today announced the acquisition of Faultless Brands ("Faultless") from Architect Equity. Faultless, based in Kansas City, Missouri, for over 138 years, is the leading manufacturer of category defining brands to the household products industry. These brands include Faultless, Niagara and Magic, which are the market share leaders in fabric care, and Bon Ami, a scratch-free powder cleanser known for its ability to clean without harsh chemicals. The transaction supports NiTEO's strategic objective of building and growing a portfolio of high efficacy, branded household and automotive products. The Faultless acquisition will expand NiTEO's Household Products division and further enhance its position as a leading branded products business serving the home care market. John Rabenhorst, NiTEO CEO and a Highlander Principal, stated, "We are excited to combine such an iconic portfolio of brands into NiTEO to accelerate our success as a leader within household products. Faultless, Niagara, Magic, and Bon Ami are highly recognizable, efficacious products that are top performers in their respective categories. We are looking forward to building upon the 138-year-old heritage of the portfolio and continuing to take these brands to new heights." Jeff L. Hull, Highlander President and CEO, said, "This acquisition reconfirms our strategy of executing strategic add-on acquisitions that enhance and expand NiTEO's existing business and branded product offerings in the home care segment. Building a house of brands within the household category to complement our automotive products will allow us to enhance existing NiTEO relationships and unlock additional revenue opportunities for our existing brands. We are continuing to evaluate M&A opportunities and expect to make additional acquisitions going forward." Canaccord Genuity served as exclusive financial advisor to Faultless Brands in the transaction. Monroe Capital LLC provided senior financing facilities and NMP Capital provided mezzanine debt and equity in support of the transaction. About Faultless Brands Faultless Brands is a collection of consumer products and brands encompassing fabric care, household cleaning, and commercial laundry products. Made in the USA, the Faultless and Niagara starch brands and Bon Ami Cleanser have rich heritages and remain top sellers in today's competitive market. Other Faultless brands include Magic and Kleen King. The company was founded in 1887 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit faultlessbrands.com. About NiTEO Products NiTEO is a premier formulator, packager and marketer of highly regarded household and automotive appearance and performance/maintenance chemical brands. These include APF in the car wash category; CarBrite in the professional appearance category; and the Pyroil, Motor Medic and Cyclo brands in the automotive maintenance and performance category, and FOLEX and OZIUM in the household products category. For more information, visit www.niteoproducts.com. About Highlander Partners Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with more than $3 billion in assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience. Highlander Partners employs a buy and build investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. Additional information about Highlander at www.highlander-partners.com. SOURCE Highlander Partners, L.P. DENVER, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions leader, today announced it has been named a Leader in the 20252026 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance Consulting Services Vendor Assessment (US53936925, December 2025). The IDC MarketScape evaluated cybersecurity GRC service providers worldwide. According to the IDC MarketScape, "For organizations looking for a partner that can elevate GRC from checkbox compliance to a strategic, business-driven program, Optiv offers a differentiated value proposition in the cybersecurity governance, risk and compliance marketplace." Philip Harris, research director, IDC's GRC Services and Software program and author of this MarketScape elaborated, "Optiv distinguishes itself by elevating GRC from a tactical obligation to a strategic business enabler. By tightly aligning governance frameworks, risk management and compliance requirements with organizational objectives, Optiv helps clients embed GRC into everyday operations to achieve true strategic oversight. This holistic, business-driven approach is a key reason for its recognition." The IDC MarketScape also noted Optiv's strengths: Security-anchored GRC: Optiv starts from control effectiveness and maps to obligations where priorities are pragmatic and risk based, yielding faster hardening. Tool selection and integration pace: Optiv provides integrated playbooks, reducing friction between platforms, as well as spreadsheets to guide operating workflows. Clients can achieve measurable improvements within several quarters. Outcome-focused managed services: Optiv SLAs are connected to risk and evidence metrics, where operations stay grounded in results, not activity. These SLAs also keep programs accountable. "At Optiv, we believe cybersecurity risk is business risk, and GRC is central to that view," said John Hurley, Optiv CRO. "Our 'Advise, Deploy and Operate' model guides clients through the full life cycle of modern GRC, helping them integrate governance, risk and compliance into broader resilience initiatives that ultimately accelerate business outcomes." Kathryn Hall, Optiv's senior vice president of services, added, "Optiv is the world's largest convener of security technology companies, supported by an extensive partner ecosystem of more than 450 leading vendors. This ecosystem, combined with our vendor-agnostic integration model and unwavering focus on client outcomes, uniquely positions us to meet clients where they are, tailor programs to their environments, and help them modernize and operationalize GRC at scale. We are proud to be recognized by the IDC MarketScape and remain committed to advancing secure, lasting success for our customers." To read the 20252026 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance Consulting Services excerpt, go to: https://www.optiv.com/insights/discover/downloads/optiv-named-leader-idc-marketscape-cyber-grc-consulting-services. For the latest news and updates from Optiv, visit https://www.optiv.com/newsroom. Follow Optiv LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/optiv-inc Facebook: www.facebook.com/optivinc YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OptivInc Blog: https://www.optiv.com/explore-optiv-insights/blog Optiv Security: Secure greatness. Optiv is the cyber advisory and solutions leader, delivering strategic and technical expertise to nearly 6,000 companies across every major industry. We partner with organizations to advise, deploy and operate complete cybersecurity programs from strategy and managed security services to risk, integration and technology solutions. With clients at the center of our unmatched ecosystem of people, products, partners and programs, we accelerate business progress like no other company can. At Optiv, we manage cyber risk so you can secure your full potential. For more information, visit www.optiv.com. About IDC MarketScape: IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors. Doc #US53936925, December 2025 SOURCE Optiv Security Inc. Ohio patients empowered to compare prices, save on care, fight surprise bills COLUMBUS, Ohio,, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) announced the Ohio Hospital Price Finder Tool, empowering Ohioans with free access to all available Ohio hospital prices so they can compare options, prevent overcharges, and have recourse for surprise bills. The new online tool allows patients, employers, unions, and researchers in the Buckeye State to search all available hospital prices by procedure and code at OhioHospitalPrices.org. "With the Ohio Hospital Price Finder, Ohio patients will be able to take full advantage of the state's new price transparency law with the ability to see and compare prices up front," said PRA Founder and Chairman Cynthia Fisher. "By providing free access to all available Ohio hospital prices, this tool empowers Ohioans to spot wide price variations, seek affordable care, and benefit from greater financial certainty. We encourage all Ohio healthcare consumers to use it before care to compare and save." On April 3, 2025, Ohio House Bill 173 went into effect and made Ohio the first state in the nation to codify the federal rule enacted by President Donald J. Trump requiring hospitals to post upfront prices in dollars and cents so that patients can protect themselves from overcharges and choose affordable care. The bipartisan bill was signed by Governor Mike DeWine on January 3, 2025. One patient for whom the Ohio Hospital Price Finder Tool would have made a difference is Tracey Owens from Norton, Ohio. After paying $17,000 for surgery, she learned the same procedure costs approximately $8,000 at other hospitals. According to Owens, "It goes without saying that if I could have had access to hospital prices beforehand, I would have never agreed to this surgery at this hospital. I would have shopped for a quality, less expensive alternative." According to PRA's research, prices nationwide for the same procedure vary by an average range of more than 10 times within the same hospital and by an average range of more than 31 times across different hospitals in the same state. On the eve of H.B. 173 going into effect, PRA co-hosted a press conference in the Ohio Statehouse with its legislative sponsors, Rep. Tim Barhorst and Rep. Ron Ferguson, to promote the benefits of hospital price transparency to all Ohio patients. About PatientRightsAdvocate.org PatientRightsAdvocate.org (PRA) is a leading national healthcare price transparency organization dedicated to ushering in systemwide transparency through advocacy, testimony, media, legal research, and grassroots campaigns. PRA believes that the availability and visibility of actual, upfront healthcare prices will greatly lower costs for patients and employers through a functional, competitive healthcare marketplace. SOURCE Patient Rights Advocate FRIENDSHIP, Wis., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pinnacle Packaging, Inc. and three Friendship-based small businessesPrimitive Chick's, Glassic Dee-Sign, and The House Art Builtdelivered holiday spirit early this year by decorating the village's lamp poles during a special community beautification day in late November. From left, Angie Kossman, co-owner of Primitive Chick's, Dee Riege of Glassic Dee-Sign and co-owner of Primitive Chick's, and Nicole DeJoris, president of Pinnacle Packaging, participate in the Village of Friendship, Wisconsin's special community beautification day in late November. They, along with Michelle Gacuma of The House Art Built, decorated the village's lamp posts for the holidays. This marks the village's first year launching the initiative. Nicole DeJoris, president of Pinnacle Packaging, a supplier of stock and custom packaging solutions for businesses, shared that she and the other participating business owners were inspired by the village's invitation to help brighten Friendship's downtown corridor with garland, lighting, ribbons, ornaments, and signagecreating a festive experience for residents, families, and visitors. "This beautification effort is a visual gift to the community. It uplifts the downtown district, supports foot traffic for local shops, and sends a warm holiday welcome to everyone who lives, works, or visits here," DeJoris said. "We believe small businesses can be powerful force-multipliers in creating positive, festive experiences for our town. The holiday season is the perfect time to bond, give back, and elevate local pride." The participating businesses contributed eight to ten hours of volunteer time to complete the project. Angie Kossman, co-owner of Primitive Chick'sa shop offering antiques, stylish decor, and boutique treasuressaid she hoped the decorated poles brought "a little extra joy to the village this season. I'm so grateful for the hands and hearts that made it possible, and I know next year will shine even brighter as we continue building on this tradition together." Michelle Gacuma, owner of The House Art Built, which sells furniture and home decor, added: "I appreciate the opportunity to decorate one of Friendship's light poles this year and share a touch of my creative work with the community." Rounding out the team of participating business owners was Dee Riege, co-owner of Primitive Chick's and owner of Glassic Dee-Sign, which provides repurposed home decor and gift items. "I was disappointed to hear that Friendship wouldn't have street decorations this yearbut when I was asked to decorate one of the poles, I didn't hesitate," Riege said. "I was happy to contribute a little cheer, and I hope this event continues to grow into something truly special." DeJoris noted that the project was more than just decorationit strengthened camaraderie, sparked new connections, and built a deeper sense of community among local businesses and residents. Pinnacle Packaging, which also operates a location in Lombard, Illinois, helped usher in the holiday season there as well by sponsoring the Candy Cane Lane Holiday Market, presented by the Lombard Chamber of Commerce and The Schiller Team on Dec. 6. The family-friendly event, held in downtown Lombard, featured holiday characters, a food truck, and seasonal shopping. "Being part of this initiative truly moved me," said DeJoris. "When small businesses come together to brighten our village, it creates a sense of connection that lasts long after the decorations are up. Seeing families smile and neighbors pause to take it all in reminded me why community matters so much. These moments show how powerful it is when we lift each other up, and I'm grateful to help bring a little extra joy to our town this season." About Pinnacle Packaging At Pinnacle Packaging, we stand behind our products so we can go above and beyond expectations. With over 20 years in the packaging industry, we are committed to providing customers with the latest supply and packaging design information. Our goal is to offer custom packaging solutions, timely delivery, and ensure businesses are prepared with the best resources to leave a lasting impression. Pinnacle Packaging is a proud member of both the Adams County Chamber of Commerce and the Lombard Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit this link. Media Contact Marie Lazzara JJR Marketing 630-400-3361 [email protected] SOURCE Pinnacle Packaging ATLANTA, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CoreNet Global, the leading association for corporate real estate professionals, today announced that Scott Wiley will step down as Chief Executive Officer, effective 2 January 2026. The Board of Directors thanks Scott for his service and leadership during a period of meaningful evolution for the association. To ensure continuity and a firm commitment to delivering on its strategy, the Board has appointed Jeri Ballard as Interim CEO, effective 15 December. Ballard brings a wealth of experience in corporate real estate and is a former board member of the CoreNet Board of Directors, serving on numerous committees and leading key association initiatives throughout her tenure. She was most recently the EVP Real Estate, Business Operations Centers & Corporate Travel for Shell plc. She was responsible for leading teams that delivered real estate and facilities management services to Shell businesses around the world. Ballard will work closely with the Board and staff to maintain momentum across CoreNet Global's new vision incorporating strategic programs, refreshed events, and renewed chapter and member engagement while a global search for the next CEO is conducted. "We appreciate Scott Wiley's contributions and wish him well in his next chapter," said David Chang, MCR, CoreNet Global Board Chair. "CoreNet Global is thrilled to have someone of Jeri Ballard's caliber as our Interim CEO to lead CoreNet Global during this transition. Jeri brings expertise in corporate real estate, as well as serving as a long-standing volunteer with selfless commitment to CoreNet. We are confident that these skills will allow her to continue to advance CoreNet Global's progress on its new strategic priorities for its members." CoreNet Global remains highly focused and committed to delivering value to members and advancing the corporate real estate profession worldwide. About CoreNet Global CoreNet Global is the leading association for corporate real estate professionals, representing nearly 10,000 members in 50 countries worldwide. The organization provides education, networking, and research to support industry professionals in navigating workplace and business challenges. For more information, please visit corenetglobal.org. SOURCE CoreNet Global SONOMA, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sol Rei Wine, a women-owned boutique wine producer crafting award-winning, pure artisan wines, today announced the opening of its new tasting room in downtown Sonoma. Known for its low-histamine, low-sulfite wines that are third-party lab verified to contain no detectable pesticide, fungicide, or herbicide residues, Sol Rei is dedicated to purity and elevated craftsmanship in the premium wine category. To showcase the wines, the tasting room is designed as an airy, nature-inspired retreat where guests can "go beyond the glass" and connect with the craft, the land, and the stories behind each wine. A mural on the back wall depicts Northern California wine grapes sourced by Sol Rei, while a wine grapevine is embedded into the front of the baran artistic tribute to the vineyards themselves. These details underscore Sol Rei's commitment to sourcing sustainably and organically farmed grapes and to using hand-harvesting and low-input winemaking that preserve purity, aromatics, and natural character. "Whether it is the ambience in our tasting room or the wines that we make, our focus is our customers who love wine yet seek balance and wellbeing in their lives," said founder Katherine Kitzmiller. "We take pride in offering wines that reflect the integrity of the land and pure winemaking, while providing an intimate, authentic tasting experience." A Founder's Mission Rooted in Craft and Wellbeing At the age of 63, Kitzmiller pivoted from plans for a quiet retirement tending a hobby vineyard to launching Sol Rei Wine after a personal health issue sharpened her focus on clean winemaking. Working with a team of veteran winemakers, along with performing extensive wine analysis at an accredited third-party lab, the Sol Rei team was able to successfully create artisan wines with very low levels of histamines, low sulfites, with the added assurance that the wines were free of trace pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Award-Winning Portfolio With their first vintage in 2023, Sol Rei Wine has rapidly earned national recognition. The 2023 Private Reserve Red was recently awarded Editor's Choice by Wine Enthusiast (Oct. 2025). Sol Rei's Syrah and Private Reserve Red also received Double Gold and Gold Medals at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The current portfolio includes Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel, a Private Reserve red blend of Mencia and Petite Sirah, and a sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Sonoma Tasting Room Grand Opening on December 11, 2025 To celebrate the opening, the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sonoma will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 11 from 46 p.m., at the Sol Rei Wine tasting room. Located just steps from Sonoma Plaza, down a brick walkway framed by verdant arches, flowers, and fountains, this serene setting embodies Sol Rei Wine's focus on nature, craft, and wellbeing - creating a peaceful retreat in the heart of Sonoma. Sol Rei Tasting Room Information Address: 25 East Napa Street, Suite E, Sonoma, CA Hours: Daily 11 a.m.5 p.m. (Closed Tuesdays) Walk-ins welcome; reservations encouraged for parties of 6+. Website: www.solreiwine.com Instagram: @solreiwine About Sol Rei Wine Sol Rei Wine is a women-owned boutique wine producer in Northern California with an uncompromising focus on creating pure artisan wine. With its first vintage released in 2023, Sol Rei offers premium, low-histamine, low-sulfite wines that are lab-tested to be free of detectable pesticide residues. Guided by award-winning winemakers, the brand's mission is to elevate connection, wellbeing, and the art of intentional living through exceptional wine. SOURCE Sol Rei Wine Limited-time, limited-supply promotion reinforces the brand's commitment to helping with real travel problems during the busiest travel period of the year. NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Solgaard, the luggage and travel gear brand known for its innovative, solution-driven designs that reduce packing and travel frictions, is stepping up its commitment to 'problem solving' for travelers this holiday season with the launch of its "Holiday Lost Luggage" promotion. Announced today, the limited-time initiative will allow eligible customers to receive select new luggage if their luggage is documented as permanently lost due to airline mishandling during the 2025 holiday travel period, offering relief and reassurance for customers and U.S. travelers during the busiest (and often most chaotic) time of year. Solgaard Launches Lost Luggage Holiday Promotion for U.S. Travelers. (Credit: Solgaard) That need is real: globally, the baggage mishandling rate of lost, damaged, delayed and stolen/pilfered baggage remains at about 6.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, despite improvements in industry systems (SITA, 2024). Through Solgaard's Holiday Lost Luggage promotion, eligible existing Solgaard U.S. customers ages 18 and older who experience permanently lost baggage due to airline mishandling between Nov. 26, 2025, and Jan. 2, 2026, can submit a claim through the brand's online portal by Feb. 2, 2026, to receive a replacement of their lost Solgaard luggage or backpack or the closest available equivalent, while supplies last. In addition, all qualifying U.S. residents ages 18 and older who lose non-Solgaard luggage due to airline mishandling during the same period may also submit a claim to receive a complimentary luggage or backpack Solgaard item, as selected by Solgaard, while supplies last. The promotion is limited to one claim per person. Approved claims will be fulfilled within 30 days of verification, and standard shipping timelines will apply. This initiative reflects Solgaard's ongoing commitment to helping travelers navigate the holiday travel period with confidence. "Anyone who's lost a bag knows it's more than an inconvenience; it disrupts your plans. This program is our way of saying: you don't have to face that alone. We're here to step in with support that's genuinely helpful during a season when travel can feel unpredictable," said Adrian Solgaard, Founder and CEO of Solgaard. To learn more about the Solgaard "Holiday Lost Luggage" promotion and see full Terms and Conditions, please visit: www.solgaard.co/pages/lost-luggage. About Solgaard: A design-driven brand using business as a force for good. Solgaard's award-winning sustainable product portfolio includes luggage, backpacks, bags, and solar tech accessories, each uniquely engineered to offer seamless personal organization and reduce common packing and travel frictions, optimizing life on the go. Pioneers of utilizing recycled materials in its fabrics (Shore-Tex) and travel gear (including the award-winning Carry-On Closet), Solgaard's sustainable, proprietary recycled materials featured throughout the brand's premium luggage and accessories promote efficiency and circularity. Relentless in his pursuit to create an economic engine for good, Norwegian Canadian entrepreneur and designer, Adrian Solgaard, founded Solgaard in 2016. Solgaard is B Corp Certified. Learn more at www.solgaard.co. Media Contact: [email protected] Media Assets: Download high-resolution images and b-roll footage. SOURCE Solgaard LONDON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celsa, one of the largest green long steel producers in Europe, has announced the successful completion of its refinancing. As part of the transaction, Celsa is issuing 600m of HoldCo PIK notes, co-led by funds managed by Strategic Value Partners, LLC and its affiliates (together, "SVP"), alongside a 1.2bn issuance of senior secured bonds. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Celsa has production facilities in Spain, France and Poland that use Electric Arc Furnaces ("EAF") that enable 94% of materials used in production to be recycled, with a waste recovery rate of 98%. This sustainable approach along, with its vertical integration into scrap sourcing and downstream activities, means that Celsa can produce steel with c.20% of the CO2 emissions of its competitors. Celsa's low-emission approach is expected to create a competitive advantage for the firm ahead of anticipated European Union changes that will reduce free CO2 allowances for European industrial producers as of January 1, 2026. "The completion of our debt refinancing marks the final milestone in the operational and financial transformation we began in 2023," said Jordi Cazorla, CEO of Celsa Group. "We are entering a favourable environment and are now able to capitalize on the positive market and expected regulatory developments in the near term. The continued support of our shareholders and financing partners remains invaluable throughout this journey." SVP co-led the financial restructuring of Celsa in 2022 and subsequently became a significant minority shareholder. Since then, Celsa, under a new management team, board and shareholder base, has successfully completed a financial and operational turnaround, with shareholders contributing more than 900m of equity to facilitate the development of a comprehensive value-creation plan and complete the refinancing of the company. "SVP is delighted to be able to support Celsa's successful refinancing," said Alvaro Fabian, Managing Director, European Investment Team at SVP. "We have been proud to be a strong partner with Jordi and his team over the last two years, overhauling Celsa's operations so that it is outperforming our original value creation plan. The business is now well positioned to take advantage of significant tailwinds in the coming years including the positive outlook for one of its main markets, construction, that will present an opportunity to strengthen its financial performance." Celsa generated sales of 3,352m and Adjusted EBITDA of 451m in the twelve months to September 2025 and employs 5,232 people. Looking ahead, SVP believes that a number of factors will continue to strengthen Celsa's financial performance, in particular: The delivery of a comprehensive and well-advanced value-creation plan looking to provide cost and revenue enhancements. The recent announcement by the European Union of a proposal to reduce steel import quotas into the EU by 47% and to double tariffs above quota levels from 25% to 50%, which is expected to increase utilization for EU producers and positively impact steel margins. A positive outlook for the construction industry in Celsa's main markets. Construction represents 85% of Celsa's end sales and is expected to grow by 3.4% in Spain and 5.2% annually in Poland between 2024 and 2027. About Strategic Value Partners SVP is a global alternative investment firm that focuses on special situations, private equity, opportunistic credit and financing opportunities. The firm uses a combination of sourcing, financial and operational expertise to unlock value in its portfolio companies. Today SVP manages approximately $22bn in assets under management and, since inception, has invested more than $57bn of capital. Established by Victor Khosla in 2001, the firm has over 200 employees, including more than 100 investment professionals, across its main offices in Greenwich (CT), New York and London, with presence in Tokyo and Dubai. Learn more at www.svpglobal.com. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Strategic Value Partners ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) today announces new additions to a high-powered lineup of government speakers at CES 2026, the world's most powerful tech event. Speakers include Presidential Science & Technology Advisor Michael Kratsios; U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen; Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O'Neill; Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg; Under Secretary for Science Dr. Dario Gil; Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt; U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson; and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr. (PRNewsfoto/Consumer Technology Association) (PRNewsfoto/Consumer Technology Association) "We are thrilled to welcome these architects of U.S. technology policy and enforcement to CES 2026," said Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair, CTA. "Technology is the engine of the American economy, and these leaders recognize industry and government must work together to boost American innovation and competitiveness." The President's Science & Technology Advisor Michael Kratsios will join CTA President Kinsey Fabrizio for a fireside chat on America's AI Future at the new CES Foundry on Wednesday, January 7 at 11:30 a.m. PST. Senator Jacky Rosen will join other sitting U.S. Senators for a session on Friday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m. PST. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Jim O'Neill will share Administration priorities to accelerate breakthroughs in digital health during "Innovating Health: Policy for a Tech-Driven Future" on Tuesday, January 6 at 2:20 p.m. PST. Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will take the Great Minds stage to discuss how tech, security, and statecraft shape U.S. competitiveness amid global challenges, from AI and semiconductors to China, on Thursday, January 8 at 1:00 p.m. PST. Under Secretary for Science and Genesis Mission Director Dr. Dario Gil will speak as part of CES policy programming about key technology research efforts at the U.S. Department of Energy. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade William Kimmitt will speak on trade policy and U.S. global leadership. FCC Chair Brendan Carr and FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson will participate in fireside chats with CTA CEO and Vice Chair Gary Shapiro on how their agencies are navigating the rapidly changing tech landscape as part of the "Conversation with a Commissioner" series, beginning Thursday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. PST. "CES is where the world comes to do business and define the future of technology," said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. "With policymakers from around the globe joining us in Las Vegas, the conversations at CES will set the innovation agenda for the year ahead." Other senior U.S. federal officials slated to discuss tech policy at CES 2026 include: Anna Gomez , Commissioner, FCC , Commissioner, FCC Jonathan Morrison , Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) , Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) Conner Prochaska , Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) , Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Arielle Roth , Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) , Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Dr. Michelle Tarver , Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration , Director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Olivia Trusty, Commissioner, FCC These speakers join more than 175 international, federal, state and local government officials and staff who will participate in the Leaders in Technology Program and attend the Innovation Policy Summit (IPS) at CES. These programs gather top innovators and policymakers to discuss the future of policy on a range of pressing technology and innovation issues, including artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, competition, cybersecurity, energy, health, quantum, trade, and more. The conversations at CES 2026 will also animate conversations on global technology policy around the globe, with government leaders and attendees from 150 countries, regions, and territories in attendance. These international leaders include Ambassador Jovita Neliupsiene, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States; Johannes Bahrke, Digital Counselor, Delegation of the EU to the United States; Hyung Du Choi, Vice Chair of AI ICT Committee, National Assembly; Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Government of Ontario; Hubert Han, Counsellor (Digital), Embassy of Singapore; and Caitlin Higgins Ni Chinneide, Consul General, Consulate General of Ireland to the South Western United States. View the IPS schedule here. Please note that the CES 2026 schedule is subject to change. Attendees can stay current by checking CES.tech and by downloading and checking the official CES 2026 app. About CES: CES is the most powerful tech event in the world the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This is where the world's biggest brands do business and meet new partners, and the sharpest innovators hit the stage. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES features every aspect of the tech sector. CES 2026 takes place Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas. Learn more at CES.tech and follow CES on social. About Consumer Technology Association (CTA): As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators from startups to global brands helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES the most powerful tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech. SOURCE Consumer Technology Association WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network, a nonprofit that advocates for veteran-owned businesses, participated in a hearing Wednesday held by the House Committee on Small Business. VIB CEO Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner spoke during the session titled, "From Service to Startup: Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurs." "I feel honored and humbled to represent the 3,600 veteran businessowners in our network," said Aguilera-Gardiner. "We are thankful to the lawmakers who invited us in our nation's capital including Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of New York. When a veteran succeeds in business, they not only hire other veterans. They reinvest in their local communities and strengthen the national supply chain." Wednesday's hearing analyzed the importance and the contributions of veteran entrepreneurs in today's economy, while identifying key opportunities to support their businesses. Lawmakers listened to how veteran entrepreneurs use the programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA) for certifications and access to capital. Today, there are nearly two million veteran-owned businesses in the United States. These companies employ more than five million Americans and generate approximately $1 trillion in annual receipts. To view the hearing online, visit The House Committee on Small Business' YouTube channel. About The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that advocates for all Veteran Businesses including SDVOSBs and DVBEs. We help Veteran businesses build connections between Corporations, Government Agencies, and Prime Contractors looking to create partnerships for contracting opportunities. We believe all Veterans in Business can succeed together. SOURCE Veterans In Business (VIB) Network About this content About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Oliver Haill Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Stephen Gunnion Stephen Gunnion is a senior financial journalist and broadcaster at Proactive Investors. He has more than 25 years of experience in television, radio and print media, anchoring on a number of television channels including South Africa's Business Day TV, CNBC Africa and the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where he was the economics editor. He has also worked for Daily Maverick, Bloomberg, the Business Day newspaper and Investors' Chronicle. Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Proactive Proactive leads the world in up-to-the-minute, multi-media news provision, events organisation, investor relations management and investor research Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Jonathan Jackson Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Fouad Haidar Fouad is a trilingual broadcast journalist & content producer/presenter for Proactive. He has a Communication & Media degree from the University of Western Australia & a Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He's worked in Dubai for 7 years reporting on Hollywood A-listers & producing a daily morning show. Back in Australia, he's worked as a weather and lifestyle presenter for Sky News Australia before moving into business and... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. About this content About Lisa Uhlman Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. 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 New Delhi, Dec 10 : President Droupadi Murmu will share her thoughts on 'Dignity for All' when she chairs the NHRC's event to commemorate the Human Rights Day on Wednesday. President Murmu is expected to shed light on responsive governance and efficient public service delivery as key to ensuring basic amenities, justice, liberty, equality and dignity for all, said the official in a statement. NHRC Chairperson V. Ramasubramanian and P. K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, would also attend the event. To mark this day, aligning with the theme chosen by the UN for this year's Human Rights Day, 'Everyday Essentials', the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will also organise a National Conference on 'Ensuring Everyday Essentials: Public Services and Dignity for All'. Mishra will deliver the keynote address for this conference. An NHRC statement said that the conference's theme resonates with the country's developmental journey, underscoring that human rights are not abstract aspirations. They are the everyday essentials that determine one's quality of life through essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, justice, financial inclusion and social protection. The Commission believes that responsive governance and efficient public services are essential to ensure uniform access to basic amenities and fulfil the constitutional promise of justice, liberty, equality and dignity for everyone. In recent years, the country has made remarkable progress in expanding access to basic amenities through initiatives such as PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Ayushman Bharat, National Education Policy, Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme and others. However, these welfare policies need to be continuously supplemented with reinforced efforts to ensure that there are no gaps in access, awareness and accountability. The two sessions of the Conference- 'Basic Amenities to all: A Human Rights Approach' and 'Ensuring Public Services and Dignity For All' aim to discuss these aspects. Eminent domain experts, Secretaries to the Government of India and other senior officials are expected to speak and deliberate on these initiatives in these two sessions. Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10 since 1950, commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Seoul, Dec 10 : South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday met with foreign ministers from Pacific Island countries and pledged to deepen cooperation on climate change and other shared global challenges. Lee held talks with the top diplomats from 15 Pacific Island nations and the secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, who were in Seoul for the sixth Korea-Pacific Islands foreign ministers' meeting. "As a responsible member of the global community, the Republic of Korea is committed to taking the lead in addressing the pressing challenges facing humanity," Lee said, referring to South Korea's official name. "We will respond proactively to the shared threat of the climate crisis and to support vulnerable countries in achieving self-sustaining growth based on Korea's own development experience to build a better future together," he added. Lee also highlighted Korea's growing strategic ties with the region, noting its role as a major source of tuna and a key fisheries hub, as well as its significant potential for expanded cooperation in the mineral and energy sectors, Yonhap news agency reported. During the ministerial meeting hosted by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun on Tuesday, the top diplomats adopted a joint statement committing to enhanced cooperation on climate change and environmental issues, as well as oceans, maritime affairs and fisheries. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun had said that South Korea will strengthen cooperation with the Pacific Island countries in areas of climate change, and digital and development projects to help tackle regional challenges. Cho made the pledge during the sixth Korea-Pacific Islands foreign ministers' meeting in Seoul, noting that Seoul has doubled its official development assistance this year compared with 2023. "We will continue to advance cooperation tailored to local needs, supporting priorities such as climate resilience, digital capacity and resource management," Cho said in opening remarks. Pacific Island countries place climate change at the top of their foreign policy agenda as rising sea levels pose an existential threat to the islands within decades. Lee welcomed the outcome and expressed hope for continued communication and exchanges through high-level consultations. South Korea has steadily expanded its engagement with Pacific Island countries since establishing diplomatic relations beginning with Tonga in 1970. Sydney, Dec 10 : Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s came into effect on Wednesday, with 10 major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X, required to prevent them from holding accounts. In a video message to students around Australia on Tuesday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the government has made the change to support children who have grown up with algorithms, endless social media feeds and the pressure they bring. He also encouraged students to make the most of the upcoming school holidays rather than spending all their time scrolling on their phones. "Start a new sport, learn a new instrument, or read that book that has been sitting there on your shelf for some time," Albanese said. "And importantly, spend quality time with your friends and your family. Face to face." The Australian federal parliament passed the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 in November last year, requiring certain social media platforms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent children under 16 from having accounts, Xinhua news agency reported. Platforms that fail to comply face fines worth up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (about $32.8 million). There are no penalties for under-16s who access an age-restricted social media platform, or for their parents or carers. So far, 10 social media platforms have been instructed to enforce the ban -- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit. Authorities may update the list as needed. A recent poll shows broad public backing for a social media ban, with 73 per cent of Australians supportive. Yet, only 26 per cent express confidence that the measure will work, and 68 per cent believe children will get around it. Support is highest among teachers (84 per cent) and parents (75 per cent), but drops to 62 per cent among those aged 16 to 24, according to the poll released in early December by Pureprofile, an Australia-based global data, insights and digital media company. Despite agreeing to comply, most of the social media platforms oppose the measure, arguing that the ban is difficult to implement and could drive young people into dark corners of the internet. Global online forum Reddit said on Tuesday that it would comply with the law, but disagrees about its "scope, effectiveness, and privacy implications." Australia's teen social media ban has drawn international interest, with countries including Denmark, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia and New Zealand reportedly considering similar measures. Washington, Dec 10 : The US-India strategic partnership -- long viewed in Washington as a cornerstone for stability in the Indo-Pacific -- has come under unusually sharp scrutiny as leading analysts warned lawmakers that the relationship faces its most serious political and economic headwinds in years. In prepared remarks submitted to a Congressional committee ahead of a hearing on India on Wednesday, three India experts told the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on South and Central Asia that while defence, technology, and maritime cooperation continue to deepen, the partnership has been destabilised by tariffs, trade disputes, and the Trump administration's renewed high-level outreach to Pakistan's military leadership. Sameer Lalwani from the German Marshall Fund said the United States views India as "a major power -- and one of the most consequential in the 21st century -- given our shared interests, democratic institutions, and visions of international order". India, he said, is "poised to become a pole in the international system", offering the United States strategic economic opportunity, technological scale, and expanding military capability. On the Indo-Pacific, he stressed that the two countries "both seek a multipolar Asia that checks the pacing challenge of China, and its attempts at coercion, military aggression, or geopolitical dominance". India's forward posture along the Line of Actual Control, he said, reflects its effort "to defend its borders and deter further Chinese aggression or 'salami-slicing' incursions". Lalwani warned that India-China relations remain "largely adversarial", shaped by "economic coercion", "violent border clashes in 2020", and "recent battlefield collusion with Pakistan's military campaign against India". India's ties with Russia, he noted, are narrowing to "hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, and conventional weapons", with New Delhi "decisively tilting towards America" in maritime security and emerging technologies. Jeff Smith of the Heritage Foundation described the India-US partnership as "one enduring success" amid two decades of American foreign-policy turbulence but said 2025 had been "challenging" for bilateral ties. He traced the downturn to the administration's tariff actions, an India-Pakistan confrontation in May, and the political fallout from Washington's embrace of Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir. Smith said expectations were high after Prime Minister Modi's February visit to Washington, but "three things then happened to derail this positive momentum". These included "25 per cent 'liberation day' tariffs", India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-based terrorists, and a US intervention portrayed at home as equating India with Pakistan. When a second tariff linked to Russian oil followed, Smith said, it left "pro-American voices in New Delhi on the defensive". Dhruva Jaishankar of ORF America testified that bilateral progress is now "at a political standstill". primarily due to "differences over (i) trade and tariffs and (ii) renewed US engagement with Pakistan's military leadership". He warned that this environment "risks jeopardising mutually-beneficial cooperation on trade, technology, energy, and defence cooperation" outlined earlier this year by President Trump and Prime Minister Modi. On the tariff dispute, he noted that "India was imposed a tariff of 25 per cent, which took effect on August 7," followed by another 25 per cent tied to Russian oil purchases. With a Bilateral Trade Agreement largely negotiated but unannounced, India now confronts "among the highest" tariff levels applied to any major US partner -- a situation he said "prevents further opportunities at broadening and deepening the economic partnership." Yet Jaishankar emphasised that cooperation has not stalled across the board. He cited the new "10-Year Defense Framework Agreement", recent approvals for Javelin missiles and Excalibur munitions, and major exercises from Diego Garcia to Alaska. Joint work in space, AI, and energy has also advanced despite strained politics. Singapore, Dec 10 : A spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, according to a statement issued by the ministry. "Singapore is deeply concerned by the recent resumption of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and reports of casualties on both sides. We call on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, following the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration," the spokesperson said in response to media queries. "This is important for the long-term relationship between Cambodia and Thailand, and the broader interests of ASEAN," the spokesperson added. The statement also advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions. Singaporeans in Cambodia and Thailand were advised to monitor official news sources, follow local government advisories and remain vigilant for their personal safety, Xinhua news agency reported. On Tuesday, Cambodia said that a total of 514 schools in border provinces have been shut down due to ongoing border clashes with Thailand. "As of December 9, 2025, 514 schools have closed, affecting approximately 130,000 students and 4,650 teachers," the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport had said in a press release. The main affected provinces are Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Banteay Meanchey, the press release said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said on Tuesday that seven Cambodian civilians were killed in this conflict. Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said at least 16,568 Cambodian families with 54,550 people have fled their homes near the border for safe shelters. Cambodia's Defence Ministry, in a press release on Tuesday said that the Thai army continued to fire at Cambodian forces and civilians throughout the night of Monday and early Tuesday, leaving two Cambodian civilians travelling on the national road dead. It added that since 04:45 a.m. on Tuesday, the Thai army continued to attack Cambodia's Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat provinces. Less than two months after Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint peace declaration, violent border clashes broke out again, with artillery fire reported in several areas and residents in multiple provinces rushing to evacuate. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Coimbatore, Dec 10 : The long-awaited restoration of the Sanganoor Canal continues to crawl forward nearly four years after it was ceremonially launched, with major portions of the 11-km waterway still incomplete due to delays in execution and persistent hurdles in clearing encroachments. The project was inaugurated in November 2021 by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his visit to Coimbatore, soon after the DMK government assumed office. The canal, which cuts through the heart of the city, has remained dry and severely polluted for decades. The rejuvenation project raised hopes of transforming it into a functional urban waterway with improved drainage, pedestrian facilities and parallel service roads. The first phase of the restoration covered a 2.3-km stretch from Mettupalayam Road to Sathyamangalam Road and was sanctioned for Rs 49 crore. A second package for a 1-km extension, estimated at Rs 30.3 crore, was later shelved. The project scope included the construction of gabion and retaining walls, strengthening embankments with reinforced concrete, laying chip stones along the canal bed, along with pedestrian walkways and service roads on both sides. However, progress on the ground has been sluggish. Works came to a standstill for nearly 10 months from August 2022 as families living along the canal banks had not been provided alternative housing. In the absence of timely relocation support from the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, civic officials were unable to remove encroachments required for road construction. Work resumed only in June 2023, but the pace has remained slow since then. Officials of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation said that gabion and retaining walls have now been completed along the entire 2.5-km stretch, including an additional 200 metres up to the Rathinapuri bridge, based on instructions from the Directorate of Municipal Administration. However, road works continue to be hampered by pending evictions. Around 200 houses were identified along this stretch. Of these, about 100 families have already been provided alternative accommodation, while 20 applications are under verification. Nearly 80 families are still awaiting relocation. So far, only 300 metres of BT road and about 1.5 km of water-bound macadam road have been completed. Meanwhile, in March 2025, the civic body submitted a fresh proposal seeking Rs 235 crore for the next 6.5-km phase of the project. The expanded plan aims to provide uninterrupted road connectivity from Mettupalayam Road to Trichy Road via Sathyamangalam and Avinashi Roads, potentially turning the canal corridor into a major new urban mobility route for Coimbatore. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to India, marking his second visit this year aimed at deepening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Welcoming the Italian Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs( MEA) took to X, stating, "His engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will further strengthen India-Italy Strategic Partnership." During his visit, Tajani will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday. He will travel to Mumbai and attend official engagements on Thursday, according to a media advisory issued by the MEA. Tajani is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday, following the conclusion of his engagements in India. Earlier in April, during his visit to India, Tajani and EAM Jaishankar reviewed the growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries under the ambit of Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29, which included the areas of trade and investment, defence and security, space, science and technology, clean energy transition, culture, tourism and people to people ties. According to the MEA, both sides expressed satisfaction at regular high-level interactions and exchanges, and noted the vast potential of cooperation between India and Italy in areas of AI, cyber, telecom, digital technologies, renewable energy, biofuels, education and academic collaborations, scientific research and mobility of youth and professionals, among others. The Ministers reiterated their commitment to elevating the bilateral strategic partnership and ensuring concrete outcomes from the JSAP. Earlier on November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg and discussed deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. An Indonesian trainee talks with a doctor of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Guo Gang) LANZHOU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Wearing a white coat and a face mask, Indonesian trainee Fadli Ilhami followed the instructions of a Chinese doctor who was showing him how to operate a coronary angiography. Fadli, 32, is one of nine Indonesian doctors who relocated to Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, to participate in a one-year fellowship and medical specialists training program offered by the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the First Hospital of Lanzhou University. Fadli said that he has been provided with a valuable opportunity for further study since he could deal with a variety of different cases in Lanzhou, helping him gain both experience and confidence in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). "I'm deeply motivated to master PCI, with a clear vision of becoming a seasoned expert in this field," said Fadli. The hospital has arranged experienced mentors for one-on-one guidance, combining theory and practice to boost the specialist skills of trainees, said Bai Ming, vice president at the hospital and also a leading expert in treating cardiovascular diseases. Bai's team has persistently carried out in-depth research and extensive practice in the field of interventional cardiology over a long period of time. The heart center at this hospital is considered the premier cardiovascular care hub in northwest China. "The goal is to train them to master diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of cardiovascular interventional procedures," Bai noted. According to the Indonesian government, cardiovascular diseases claim around 500,000 lives each year in that country. One reason for this high mortality rate in Indonesia is the shortage of heart specialists trained in interventional cardiology. Santi Putri Ramdhani, 40, also an Indonesian trainee, is confident she will be able to perform operations in her country once she returns to Indonesia. "There are so many cases I have already performed in this hospital. All of our mentors are very supportive and they are very generous to share their knowledge, including technical skills, clinical judgment and decision-making," said Santi. Xu Jizhe, an associate chief physician at the hospital and a mentor in the training program, offered knowledge regarding foundational theories and core technologies of PCI to trainees. Fundamental procedures such as preoperative preparation and patient surface cleaning and disinfection, as well as advanced technological interventions including stent implantation, have been included in the training, which will last until next March, Xu said. He added that, in accordance with training requirements, each trainee needs to participate in and study 300 cases of cardiovascular interventional procedures, and so far, they have finished over 200 cases. Hariman Kristian Sitanggang, another trainee from Indonesia, expressed his gratitude to the mentoring team and voiced hope that more clinic programs would be on offer for Indonesian doctors in the future, since this kind of program is a crucial step toward reducing the number of deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases. "The Chinese doctors are very professional and patient. They not only taught us really helpful medical knowledge, but also treated us like a family, which meant a lot to us," he said. The trainees told Xinhua that they look forward to treating patients with cardiovascular diseases after returning home armed with medical techniques they learned in China, which should enable them to save more lives. Bai Ming (C), vice president of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, talks with Indonesian trainees in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 1, 2025. (Xinhua/Guo Gang) Ernakulam, Dec 10 : The mysterious death of 19-year-old aviation student Chithrapriya, who went missing from Mundangamattam near Malayattoor, has now been confirmed as a brutal murder, with her boyfriend Alan confessing to the crime, police said. The accused has been taken into custody by the Kalady Police after he admitted to killing the girl by striking her on the head with a stone while under the influence of alcohol. According to the police, the murder followed a heated argument triggered by suspicion, which escalated fatally due to the accused being in an intoxicated state. During sustained interrogation, Alan confessed that the crime was committed in the early hours of Sunday during a drunken dispute. Investigators said the confession came after crucial CCTV footage showed Chithrapriya travelling on a bike with Alan around 1.53 a.m., with another biker seen following them. Chithrapriya, a first-year aviation degree student in Bengaluru, had returned home on vacation. She was reported missing on Saturday night after leaving home, saying she was going to a nearby shop. When she failed to return, her family filed a complaint early Sunday morning. Four days later, on Tuesday afternoon around 2.30 p.m., her partially decomposed body was found in a deserted plot near Kurappilly slope, barely one kilometre from her residence. The body was located after locals and co-workers of her mother, who works in a catering unit, noticed a strong foul smell emanating from an abandoned rubber plantation near Sebiur Road, close to Malayattoor Manappattu Chira. Police recovered a blood-stained stone near the body, strengthening the murder theory. A deep wound was found on the back of her head, consistent with blunt-force trauma. A dog squad, fingerprint experts and senior police officials were deployed at the scene for forensic examination. Initially, Alan had told police that he dropped Chithrapriya off on his bike and was released after questioning. However, after the body was discovered, he was retaken into custody and subjected to sustained interrogation, during which he broke down and confessed to the crime. Police said a comprehensive investigation is underway to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine whether any other individuals were involved. The post-mortem examination has been completed, and the final report is awaited to confirm the cause of death. Sagar, Dec 10 : At least four Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) of Madhya Pradesh Police died in a road accident in Sagar district in the wee hours on Wednesday. The tragic accident occurred on the National Highway (NH-44) in the Bandari Malthon area when police personnel were returning from Balaghat to Morena. The vehicle of the jawans collided with a loaded truck, resulting in the on-the-spot death of four jawans. According to police, the deceased have been identified as Praduman Dikshit, Aman Kaurav, Parmal Tomar and Vinod Sharma. The deceased included both team members of the dog and bomb squads of the state police. SI Rajeev Chauhan was severely injured and admitted to Bansal Hospital in Bhopal, according to preliminary information shared by police. Three of them were residents of Morena, while one hailed from the adjoining Bhind district. One sniffer dog was also injured in the incident. While police jawans were heading towards Morena via Sagar on NH-44, their vehicle collided with a truck-container. However, the cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained. The police vehicle was completely crushed in the accident, and the bodies were stuck in it. The police team had to use a JCB machine to cut the vehicle's door and pull out the bodies from the mangled vehicle. The police have detained the truck-container driver and are interrogating him at a police station. Later, senior police and district administration also reached the spot and began an investigation. The police said the bodies of the deceased were removed from the vehicle and have been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation was underway. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved family. In a post on the social media platform X, Dr Yadav said, "Four policemen returning from an anti-Naxal operation were killed in a horrific road accident in Sagar district." He paid tributes to the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Srinagar, Dec 10 : The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday that it has filed a charge sheet in the land fraud case in the court of law against four accused persons. A statement issued by the Crime Branch Kashmir said, "The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Crime Branch Kashmir has submitted a charge sheet in FIR No. 18/2025 under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120-B of the IPC before the Hon'ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, against four accused individuals involved in a major land fraud case." The charge sheet was filed against Shabir Ahmad Ganie, Bashir Ahmad Ganie, Javeed Ahmad Hakak (then Patwari), and a deceased Patwari, for their alleged role in preparing and using fake land documents to cheat innocent purchasers. The case originated from a joint complaint filed by multiple victims who had purchased eight Kanals of land through brokers. Of this, four Kanals were shown transferred in the name of one complainant under Khasra No. 92, two Kanals in the name of another under Khasra No. 99, and the remaining two Kanals in the name of the third complainant's father. The statement mentioned that despite the purported transfers, no legitimate documents were provided to the victims. Subsequent verification revealed that the mutation numbers shared by the brokers were forged and fabricated. During the investigation at Police Station EOW Srinagar, it emerged that the accused, acting in criminal conspiracy, had prepared fake land documents and misled the complainants into believing the transactions were genuine. In doing so, they extracted Rs 25 lakh, causing substantial financial loss to the victims, the officials said. "The probe established prima facie evidence of cheating, forgery, destruction of evidence, and criminal conspiracy. Subsequently, the charge sheet has been produced before the court for judicial determination. The EOW reiterates its commitment to protecting citizens from economic crimes and ensuring justice through professional and thorough investigations," the statement added. North Goa: The charred interior of Romeo Lane restaurant and nightclub after a fire, triggered by a cylinder blast, destroyed everything inside at Arpora in North Goa district on Sunday, December 7, 2025.. Image Source: IANS New Delhi, Dec 10 : Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the Goa nightclub where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives, have filed a petition for anticipatory bail in Delhi's Rohini Court to avoid arrest. The petition will be heard later in the day. Meanwhile, the Luthra brothers continue to remain absconding. A blue corner INTERPOL notice has been issued against both of them as efforts to trace their whereabouts continue. Earlier on Tuesday, the Goa Police detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub. With Gupta's detention, the total number of people taken into custody in the case has now risen to six, police officials said on Wednesday. Other arrests include the nightclub's chief general manager, Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and an employee, Bharat Kohli. Investigations have revealed that Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra are suspected to have fled to Phuket in Thailand in what police described as a well-planned escape executed within five hours of the deadly inferno. As the police continued their search for the two brothers on Monday without success, a raiding team of Goa investigators visited their homes in Delhi and pasted notices on the walls. According to police inputs, the two boarded an IndiGo flight to Phuket at around 5.30 a.m. on Sunday in an apparent attempt to evade arrest or questioning after the fire that broke out around midnight. A Look Out Circular against the Luthra brothers was issued later on Sunday evening, several hours after they had already flown to Thailand at around 5 a.m. The massive fire at the club claimed 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of seven victims are yet to be officially confirmed. Six other people sustained injuries in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment. Police officials said the club, located near the backwaters of the Arpora River, had a narrow entry and exit, which became one of the major reasons why many victims were unable to escape the inferno in time. The blaze erupted around midnight on Sunday at the club situated in the bustling Baga area, which draws large crowds owing to its proximity to one of Goa's most frequented beaches. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, Dec 10 : Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India, claiming that the ECI itself appeared to be confused during the Special Intensive Revision process, which is still in progress in 12 states and union territories. Speaking to IANS, Ram Gopal Yadav said, "In the SIR, we believe the Election Commission itself is confused. On a large scale, BLOs have marked people as absent, permanently displaced, or even deceased. Some of those who have been shown as dead may in fact still be alive." He added, "If the situation continues on such a large scale, votes will be cut." Yadav further said, "The most dangerous part of this is that a voter registered in 2003, who continues to be a voter in 2025, does not need to submit any documents as per the Election Commission's rules. They only need to fill out a form to remain a voter. There are lakhs of such cases. For example, I have been voting since 1967, long before 2003, and I will continue voting in 2025. Yet we have been placed in Category C, and now we will receive notices asking for documents. On one hand, the Election Commission says no documents are needed; on the other hand, to reduce the workload of officials, staff, and collectors, everyone has been placed in Category C." "Before cutting any vote, it is necessary to issue a notice. The SDM said that notices were sent, but people never received them. If you do not receive the notice, you cannot respond, and your vote will be cut. Already, two to three lakh votes have been cut, and this number may increase by another two to three lakh. Only 50 per cent of the votes may remain. This is the real issue, and people are not understanding it," he told IANS. Meanwhile, on December 1, the Election Commission extended the timeline for SIR Phase 2 across all 12 states and UTs, allowing an additional week for booth-level officers (BLOs) to share the list of absent, shifted, dead, and duplicate electors with booth-level agents (BLAs) of political parties before the publication of the draft electoral roll, ensuring full transparency. The enumeration period will now continue until December 11 instead of the earlier December 4. The draft electoral roll will be published on December 16 instead of December 9. Claims and objections can be submitted until January 15, 2026, and the final roll will be published on February 14 (earlier February 7). Phnom Penh, Dec 10 : Over 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe zones as border conflict with Thailand has entered a fourth day, a Cambodian defence spokesperson said on Wednesday. The total number of displaced people is 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. She said the Thai army had used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodian military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning. At least seven Cambodian civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in this conflict, according to Socheata, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier in the day, a spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, according to a statement issued by the ministry. "Singapore is deeply concerned by the recent resumption of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and reports of casualties on both sides. We call on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, following the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration," the spokesperson said in response to media queries. "This is important for the long-term relationship between Cambodia and Thailand, and the broader interests of ASEAN," the spokesperson added. The statement also advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions. Singaporeans in Cambodia and Thailand were advised to monitor official news sources, follow local government advisories and remain vigilant for their personal safety. On Tuesday, Cambodia said that a total of 514 schools in border provinces have been shut down due to ongoing border clashes with Thailand. "As of December 9, 2025, 514 schools have closed, affecting approximately 130,000 students and 4,650 teachers," the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport had said in a press release. The main affected provinces are Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, and Banteay Meanchey, the press release said. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said on Tuesday that seven Cambodian civilians were killed in this conflict. Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said at least 16,568 Cambodian families with 54,550 people have fled their homes near the border for safe shelters. Cambodia's Defence Ministry, in a press release on Tuesday said that the Thai army continued to fire at Cambodian forces and civilians throughout the night of Monday and early Tuesday, leaving two Cambodian civilians travelling on the national road dead. Canberra, Dec 10 : Residents of a coastal community in the northeast of the Australian island state of Tasmania have been told to leave immediately due to the threat posed by a bushfire that has destroyed two structures. An emergency warning issued by the Tasmania Fire Service (TFA) on Wednesday morning for Stieglitz, a coastal town 190 kilometres northeast of the state capital of Hobart with a population of around 600, said that a nearby uncontrolled fire is expected to put lives in danger and could destroy homes, reports Xinhua news agency. It said that the safest way for residents to survive is to leave immediately. "There is expected to be thick smoke and showers of embers, which may cause fires all around you. Spot fires may threaten your home before the main fire arrives. Smoke and ash may make it difficult to see and breathe," the TFS said. Earlier, authorities announced that more than 30 homes had been damaged or destroyed by a bushfire in Tasmania. Authorities on Sunday night said that 19 homes had been destroyed and another 14 had been damaged by the fire in the small coastal town of Dolphin Sands, located 105 kilometres northeast of Hobart, the state capital. Tasmania's Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Jeremy Smith, said at a press conference that over 120 assets, including outbuildings, garages and electricity infrastructure, had sustained damage. The fire had been contained as of Monday morning local time, according to the Tasmania Fire Service, but residents who evacuated the area have been warned it is not yet safe to return due to the threat posed by forecast damaging winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Incident Controller Michael Goldsmith said on Monday that hazardous trees, damaged infrastructure and debris could still cause serious harm. An updated emergency warning issued on Monday said that fire investigation and hazard identification activities were underway. Anyone who remains in Dolphin Sands has been advised to continue monitoring conditions and be ready to act if the situation escalates. Tasmania Police said that emergency services were checking on the welfare of residents who stayed behind and ensuring they had the necessary supplies. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Kolkata, Dec 10 : In a rare and worrying development, Kolkata has overtaken Delhi in air pollution levels, with the city recording hazardous air quality on Tuesday night. The Air Quality Index (AQI) at Victoria Memorial -- located in the city's Maidan area -- stood at 342 ('very poor' to 'hazardous' range), significantly worse than Delhi's reading of 299 ('poor'). The unusually high AQI in the heart of Kolkata has triggered concern among environmental experts, especially since Delhi is typically regarded as the country's pollution hotspot. Environmental technologist Somendra Mohan Ghosh attributed the city's worsening air quality to four unchecked pollution sources in and around the Maidan. Speaking to IANS, Ghosh identified biomass burning, ongoing underground metro construction, older vehicles above 15 years plying on the adjacent Maa flyover, and the use of coal and firewood by roadside food stalls in the nearby Esplanade bus stand area as key contributors to the pollution spike. "This has happened due to negligence," Ghosh said. "Construction is underway around Victoria Memorial, but metro rail authorities have not adopted eco-friendly practices. Regular water-sprinkling should have been carried out to settle dust. Similarly, it is the state government's responsibility to restrict old diesel vehicles on the Maa flyover. Dust emissions from these vehicles are settling over the Maidan and creating a pollution bubble," Ghosh told IANS. He further criticised the lack of enforcement over biomass burning on the Maidan and the continued use of coal and firewood by makeshift eateries, which have aggravated the situation. "The state government needs to take a firm stand. This is a serious situation that demands urgent intervention," Ghosh said. "Sprinkling water on trees around Victoria Memorial will help them trap more dust during winter, preventing it from circulating freely. Special attention is needed because high pollution levels pose health risks to patients at the nearby SSKM Hospital. Moreover, Victoria Memorial is a heritage precinct that must be protected," he said further. Caracas, Dec 10 : The US government is waging "psychological warfare" against Venezuela following the failure of its economic sanctions, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil said. "They are now resorting to psychological warfare, to military psychological warfare," Gil said on Tuesday (local time) during the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America, an event being held in Caracas. As part of its new strategy, he said, the United States is using "economic power, military power and, above all, media power to wage an unprecedented psychological war" against Venezuela and the region. We are facing "a very important challenge in the history of our republics in our region," Gil said, adding that more than 500 delegates from some 50 countries across all continents are participating in the gathering. The event, organised by the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace of Venezuela, will focus on key issues such as the US military threat, transnational crime in the region, and the Monroe Doctrine, a policy revived by Washington to "generate domination" in the region, said Gil. Since the end of August, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, describing it as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking, which Venezuela has denounced as an attempt to engineer regime change in the South American country, reports Xinhua news agency. Earlier on December 1, US President Donald Trump met with his top national security advisors at the White House Oval Office to weigh next steps, including potential land attacks on Venezuela. According to media reports, Trump had set November 28 as a deadline for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power and leave the oil-rich South American country with his family during a phone call between the two on November 21, but Maduro refused to comply. During the phone call, Maduro declined the ultimatum, demanding "global amnesty" for himself and others. New Delhi, Dec 10 : With the Indian agencies cracking down heavily on the narcotics trade, Intelligence Bureau officials have warned about an uptick in the smuggling of fake currency notes. In the past two weeks, several operations have been carried out in various parts of the country in which fake currency rackets have been busted. The fake currency mafia is controlled by the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate, which is based in Pakistan. While the syndicate is trying to find newer routes and partners to further the narcotics trade, it is also stepping up operations relating to fake Indian currency. The ISI needs funds to resurrect its terror groups, which were largely beaten down during Operation Sindoor. The fake currency racket had taken a slight backseat for some years, but now there are full-fledged plans to resume operations on a very large scale. Malda in West Bengal remains the main hub for this racket in India. Now with an unfriendly regime in place in Bangladesh, the ISI sees an opportunity to scale up operations. All the fake currency that is being printed in Pakistan is first routed into Bangladesh. The ISI finds no problem in routing fake notes into Bangladesh, as Islamabad and Dhaka have close ties today. The sea route has been opened up, and the visa process is much simpler for Pakistanis, and this is being taken advantage of by the ISI. From Bangladesh, the operatives push the fake currency into Malda, following which it is circulated across the country. Officials report that apart from West Bengal, mini modules have been set up in various parts of the country. The notes are transported either from Malda or Murshidabad in West Bengal to the rest of the country. An official said there has been an increase in such cases, as the ISI and D-Syndicate are pushing it massively. There is a desperate need for funds as the ISI is not only trying to revive terror groups in Pakistan, but is also creating another front in Bangladesh. It wants to engage India on both fronts, and hence the simultaneous push is being made, the official explained. These gangs operating the racket in India have been coming up with various ways to push fake notes into the market. In Gujarat, a gang that was running a money-doubling scam was busted. It was found that victims were lured into the scheme, and they were given fake Indian currency. This gang was operating mainly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, the probe has revealed. While the Bangladesh-West Bengal route is the primary one for this racket, there is also a fresh push to smuggle these notes through the UAE into Kerala. Over the years, Kasargod in Kerala has become a major hub for smuggling fake currency notes. M.B. Moosa, Abdul Rahman, K.M. Hamza, Kallatra Abdul Ha Khader Haji, Irabhim Soopi, K.S. Abdullah, and Kadavath Atta are the ones who have been running this racket. The notes from Pakistan would reach these persons through the UAE route. Officials say that the Kerala route is one of the hardest to control. There is a huge rush at the airports owing to the number of people visiting the Gulf nations. The ISI has taken advantage of the stress on the security mechanism at these airports in Kerala. Most of the time, these persons get away because the customs formations are understaffed. This makes checking everyone difficult. Further, the detection has also become very difficult owing to the quality of the notes that are being printed. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the notes are printed in government printing presses in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Multan, and Peshawar. These are the same places where the official Pakistani Rupee is also printed. Hence, the quality of the Indian notes being printed in Pakistan is of very superior quality, and this is making detection a challenge, the officer explained. The gravity of the problem in India, courtesy this fresh push by Dawood and the ISI, can be seen in a report published by the US State Department. "India faces an increasing inflow of high-quality counterfeit currency, which is produced primarily in Pakistan but smuggled to India through multiple international routes. Criminal networks exchange counterfeit currency for genuine notes, which not only facilitates money laundering but also represents a threat to the Indian economy," the report says. BAGHDAD, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Wednesday directed the allocation of emergency funds and relief assistance to Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region following a wave of severe weather and heavy flooding that struck the region and neighboring provinces. According to a statement by his media office, al-Sudani instructed the Finance Ministry to allocate an emergency fund and tasked the National Center for Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management "to provide the necessary assistance and support" to ensure the provision of all required relief supplies for people in the Kurdistan Region. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, have affected several Iraqi provinces, resulting in damaged infrastructure, the submersion of some areas, and the loss of lives and injuries, according to local media reports. In a separate statement, the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command (JOC), said that al-Sudani had directed the establishment of an advanced command center between the provinces of Kirkuk and Salahuddin, and the deployment of aircraft to carry out evacuation operations as soon as weather conditions improve. Bengaluru, Dec 10 : Jailed Kannada film star Darshan has told his supporters that time will resolve all questions surrounding him and urged them to back his new film Devil, which is set for release on Friday. His message was conveyed on social media through his wife Vijayalakshmi, as he remains in jail in connection with the fan murder case. In the note shared online, Darshan said, "This message comes straight from my heart, carried to you all by Viji (my wife). She has been updating me every single time about each one of you, your love, your concern, your tireless support, and your unstoppable promotions across the state. Even from a distance, I feel your presence with me every moment." Darshan said that he wanted to tell the supporters not to worry about anything people said and not to let any noise, rumour or negativity disturb them. He added that they were his strength and his family, and that he was standing at that moment only because of the trust they had placed in him. "At this point in my life, my biggest power is you. All I want is for you to worry less and channel that love and energy towards what truly matters, our movie 'Devil'," said the Kannada star. "I am who I am because of you all. And I know, not just believe but know, that you will shower 'Devil' with the same immense love you have always shown me. Even in my absence, I want you to answer every question, every doubt, every voice, not with words but with the roaring success of this film. That will be our statement," he added. He further said, "Hearing about promotions, your dedication, your unity fills me with pride and emotion. I cannot wait for the day I meet you all again, look you in the eyes and thank you for standing like a wall around me. Just as you believe in me, I believe in each one of you. And remember, time has its own way of speaking the truth. Time will answer everything. Until then, keep your heads high, your hearts strong and your love unshakable." Responding to claims of misconduct in jail, Vijayalakshmi stated online that the allegations about Darshan's behaviour in jail were baseless. "Darshan has not assaulted anyone in jail. I visited the prison and spoke to the officials. All the allegations against him have been made intentionally," she claimed. "Rumours about Darshan have caused me pain. The truth may remain silent for a while, but it will never bow down. Lies tend to echo loudly," she said. However, sources in the Bengaluru Central Prison claimed that Darshan is facing accusations from fellow inmates who are co-accused in the murder case. Officials alleged that his behaviour changed after certain previous facilities were withdrawn. According to the account provided by the prison staff, Darshan has been rude to some inmates and has allegedly kicked the co-accused while they were asleep. Two of his associates, Jagadish and Anukumar, reportedly asked to be shifted to Chitradurga district jail, saying they were unable to tolerate the harassment. Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, for the alleged kidnapping and murder of Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga. Police said that the victim had sent obscene and abusive messages to Pavithra, expressing anger over her continued association with the actor. After photographs showing what appeared to be preferential treatment inside the Bengaluru jail emerged, Darshan was shifted to Ballari Central Prison. The police later filed a 3,991-page charge sheet in court on September 4, 2024, along with an additional charge sheet. Darshan was released on bail on October 30, 2024, after spending 131 days in custody. However, the bail was cancelled by the Supreme Court following an appeal by the Karnataka Police, and he, Pavithra and others were taken back into custody. New Delhi, Dec 10 : CPI(M) MP Amraram on Wednesday said that it is the responsibility of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) to be present during Parliament sessions, amid reports that Rahul Gandhi is slated to visit Germany during the ongoing Winter Session. According to recent media reports, Gandhi is expected to travel to Germany, where he plans to meet members of the Indian diaspora as well as German government ministers. The timing of the visit has sparked a political debate over his role as the LoP while Parliament is in session. When asked about the possible reason behind Gandhi's overseas visit, CPI(M) MP Amraram told IANS, "Only he might know why he is leaving during the session. I believe it is the duty of the Leader of the Opposition to be present here whenever Parliament is in session." Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also came down heavily on Rahul Gandhi over his foreign travels, alleging that he is frequently abroad when Parliament is in session. "Gandhi later claims that he didn't get a chance to speak in Parliament. However, in reality, he is often absent," Joshi said, calling him "a part-time, non-serious political leader". Taking his criticism further, the Union Minister added, "Let him go. He is mostly abroad whenever Parliament is in session. Later, he claims he doesn't get a chance to speak, but the truth is, he isn't even here... He is a part-time, non-serious political leader." With the Winter Session of Parliament scheduled to continue until December 19, the proposed timing of Gandhi's visit has raised fresh questions about his commitment to parliamentary responsibilities as the Leader of the Opposition. Meanwhile, NCP(SCP) Maharashtra MLA Rohit Pawar defended Rahul Gandhi, questioning why the foreign visit should become controversial. Speaking to reporters, Pawar said, "Why is there a problem with it (foreign visit). There are other Opposition MPs in Parliament who are raising the questions; the ruling party should answer them. As far as Rahul Gandhi is concerned, whenever he goes abroad, he visits a university or speaks with Indians there. But why he has gone to Germany this time, I cannot specifically mention. We will only know later why he went there." Gandhi has previously voiced concern over the government's alleged discouragement of foreign dignitaries from meeting him in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition. However, the government countered that decisions about meetings with dignitaries lie solely with the visiting delegations, not with Indian authorities, and points to recent instances where Gandhi did meet visiting foreign leaders. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed New Delhi, Dec 10 : As Deepawali was included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, India on Wednesday welcomed the decision and called it a joyous moment. Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took to social media 'X' and said, "A joyous moment as Deepavali, the festival of lights, marking the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom Ayodhya, which is celebrated globally, is added to the @UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list." Earlier in the day, UNESCO announced the development on its official X handle, stating: "BREAKING. New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India. Congratulations!" A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries, including India's Deepavali festival, were examined during the week-long key session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which began at Delhi's Red Fort on Monday. The 20th session of the Committee is being held at the iconic Mughal-era monument from December 8 to 13. This marks the first time India is hosting a session of the UNESCO panel. The Red Fort has been designated as the main venue, where top dignitaries and international representatives will witness cultural performances, ceremonial lighting of diyas, and curated exhibitions showcasing traditional arts associated with the festival. To ensure the city reflects the festive spirit, the Delhi government has been instructed to illuminate key buildings, install decorative lighting, place diyas across public spaces, and organise cultural programmes in various districts. The aim is to make the national capital appear as if it is glowing in full Diwali splendour. Chhath Puja -- a festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God -- was also nominated for UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The Union Ministry of Culture has written to the Sangeet Natak Akademi to review a proposal received in this regard and take appropriate action. India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including the Kumbh Mela, Kolkata's Durga Puja, Gujarat's Garba, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Ramman, and Kutiyattam. With Deepavali's inclusion, India's cultural prestige on the global stage receives a further boost. UNESCO established the Intangible Cultural Heritage List to ensure better protection of important cultural practices around the world and to create wider awareness of their significance. The list encompasses living expressions and traditions, including skills, knowledge, expressions, representations, and practices, as well as the artefacts, objects, instruments, and cultural spaces associated with them, which communities or individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Wednesday that people in India and around the world are thrilled that Deepawali has been added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He said that humanity should always be guided by the principles of Lord Ram. PM Modi took to the social media platform X and wrote, "People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival's global popularity even further." "May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity," he added. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also took to social media X and said, "A historic day for India. Deepavali has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. During the tenure of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, India's cultural heritage is receiving unprecedented global recognition and this milestone strengthens that journey." "This honour celebrates the universal message of our festival of lights: hope over despair, harmony over division, and light for all. My gratitude to UNESCO and to every custodian of our timeless traditions. Jai Hind," he added. UNESCO announced the development on its official X handle, posting: "BREAKING. New inscription on the #IntangibleHeritage List: Deepavali, #India. Congratulations!" A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries, including India's Deepavali festival, were assessed during the week-long key session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which began at Delhi's Red Fort on Monday. The 20th session of the Committee is being held at the iconic Mughal-era monument from December 8 to 13. This is also the first time India is hosting a session of the UNESCO panel. India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including the Kumbh Mela, Kolkata's Durga Puja, Gujarat's Garba, Yoga, Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Ramman, and Kutiyattam. With Deepavali's inclusion, India's cultural prestige on the global stage gains a significant boost. Kabul, Dec 10 : At least two commuters were killed and 16 others injured in multiple traffic accidents reported across Afghanistan over the past 24 hours, local police confirmed on Wednesday. In northern Baghlan province's Dushi district, a head-on collision between two vehicles claimed one life and left four people injured. In eastern Wardak province, two separate incidents resulted in one fatality and five injuries. Seven people sustained injuries in another crash in the Hazrat Sultan district of northern Samangan province. Authorities attributed the accidents primarily to reckless driving, warning that driver negligence on overcrowded and poorly maintained roads continues to claim lives, Xinhua News Agency reported. The latest incidents follow two separate accidents on Monday and Sunday in northern Faryab and Kunduz provinces that killed five people and injured 23 others, including women and children. On December 8, at least two passengers lost their lives, and 20 others sustained injuries when a bus overturned in northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province, local police reported. The incident occurred in the Ali Abad district along the highway linking northern Badakhshan province to the capital Kabul late on December 8, and was caused by reckless driving, provincial police spokesman Jumaddin Khaksar said. Police and emergency services quickly responded, transporting the injured to nearby health centres for treatment, Khaksar added. The crash follows another fatal accident earlier in the week. On Wednesday, four commuters were killed and two others injured after their vehicle plunged into a river in northern Badakhshan province. Thousands of people die in traffic accidents across Afghanistan each year, often due to reckless driving, overloaded vehicles, poor road conditions, lack of traffic signs, and dilapidated highways. On December 4, one commuter was killed, and 12 others were injured when two cars collided with each other in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, provincial police spokesman Mohammad Yunus Yusufzai said. Blaming reckless driving for the accident, the official added that three women were among the injured, some in critical condition. On November 23, a road accident killed 10 people and injured more than 10 in Afghanistan's western Herat province, the statement of the provincial police office said. A crash occurred along the Herat-Kandahar highway, one of the country's busiest routes connecting the western and southern regions, according to the statement. A car collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle, killing 10 commuters and injuring over 10 others. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The situation in Bangladesh ahead of a very crucial February election remains fluid. Given the current mood in the nation, there is no clear winner, and the scales are tilting at a very rapid pace. While the mood in the country is fast evolving, Indian agencies are keeping a close watch on the developments. There are ample Intelligence reports that suggest the elections would be marred by both violence and a massive misinformation campaign. The Election Commission of Bangladesh has been busy trying to deal with the problem, but Indian officials say that it is only set to get worse closer to the elections. External influence, Artificial Intelligence, and deepfake videos threaten the elections in Bangladesh, officials in India have pointed out. While this issue is a major one for Bangladesh, there is a worry for India as well. There are several fake videos that are in circulation, where a misinformation campaign against India has been launched. There are many elements controlled by the ISI that are creating fake videos about India and how it is meddling in the elections in Bangladesh. This needs to be urgently addressed, says an official, while also adding that there is also an attempt to create trouble in the northeast. These elements will try and target the northeastern states with fake information, officials say. This issue has been an irritant ever since the caretaker of the interim government, Mohammad Yunus, raised the issue during his meeting with Chinese officials. There are parties in Bangladesh who will attempt to whip up an anti-India sentiment among their voters. This is something similar on the lines of what Pakistan does. Adding to this problem is the major push that the ISI is making to ensure that the Jamaat-e-Islami wins the elections. To achieve this, the ISI has been meddling in Bangladeshas affairs. The ISI would ideally want the Jamaat at the helm with Yunus having some role to play in the government, Bangladesh watchers say. The opinion polls at first were completely in favour of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). However, the recent ones suggest that the Jamaat is a very close second. The pre-election assessment report of the International Republican Institute (IRI), a US-based think-tank, states that the support for the Awami League has evaporated. A surprise element in most of these polls is that a majority of the people are happy with the performance of Yunus. While the opinion of the people keeps changing, Indian officials say that the real problem that the authorities in Bangladesh have to counter is the fake narrative that is being set. There have been voter suppression attempts that are being made. Two independent candidates, Beauty Begum and Abdullah Nahid, had to clarify that they were still in the race. The clarification came in the wake of a deepfake video of the two being circulated, claiming that they were withdrawing their nominations. A deepfake video of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman also did the rounds, in which he is shown urging the people not to criticise Israelas actions in Gaza. This was clearly aimed at damaging him politically at a time when he faces an election in a Muslim majority country. There have also been deepfake videos in which the police are shown urging people to boycott the elections. Calls for attacks on the Opposition leaders by circulating deepfake videos have also been reported. Indian officials say that Bangladesh does not have a strong mechanism to deal with this problem. The digital literacy rate is low, and the fact-checkers are too slow, as a result of which removal gets delayed. The Election Commission of Bangladesh said that a central cell to combat artificial intelligence (AI) generated misinformation and disinformation during the upcoming national elections is being set up. Indian Intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the developments and warn that a manipulated election would be a concern. Further, all-out attempts are being made ahead of the elections to circulate deepfake videos trying to create problems in India, especially in the Northeast, officials say. Jaipur, Dec 10 : Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday highlighted Rajasthan's rapid growth and urged the diaspora to become global brand ambassadors of the state. Speaking at the event to mark the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas, he said, "Of the Rs 35 lakh crore MoUs signed during Rising Rajasthan, one-fourth have already been implemented. I urge all expatriate Rajasthanis to become global brand ambassadors of the state." He further said, "Over 1 crore Rajasthani expatriates live worldwide. If each contributes, Rajasthan will become India's No. 1 state." The event was inaugurated in Jaipur by Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, marking a major milestone for the state's global diaspora outreach. Top industrialists from India and abroad are attending the event, where the Rajasthan government will sign MoUs worth Rs 1 lakh crore across multiple sectors. The Union Minister praised the state government's collaboration with the Centre, and CM Sharma's "innovation-driven governance". Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, state Industries Minister, said, "We have created 37 industrial areas and 2,000 industrial plots. Our government is committed to ease of doing business. These new policies reflect that vision." During the inaugural session, Rathore said that the government will release 13 new policies aimed at accelerating investments. "These policies will make doing business easier than ever before," he said. A key highlight came from Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, who announced plans to develop a 200-industry park in Rajasthan, assuring that the park will provide seamless access to electricity, water, land, and raw materials - all essential for large-scale industrial operations. More than 8,000 people have registered for the event at JECC, with around 1,000 attendees present during the inaugural session. To manage the event smoothly, 50 Rajasthan Administrative Services officers have been deployed for protocol and coordination. The event will feature the screening of a special film highlighting Rajasthan's bond with its global diaspora, sectoral sessions on renewable energy, tourism, education, industry, health, water, and mining, an open house session scheduled for the evening and unveiling of the state's Vision 2047 inside the 'Progress Path Hall', featuring heritage-themed designs of stepwells, havelis, and state's renewable energy advancements. Nagpur, Dec 10 : Electric vehicles travelling on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway and the Atal Setu will receive a toll waiver within the next eight days. The state government will also refund the toll already collected from EV owners on these three roads since August 22, 2025, provided vehicle owners submit receipts as proof of payment. The issue came up during the Question Hour in the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday. Legislators from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition drew attention to the toll exemption announced under the Maharashtra Electric Vehicles Policy 2025. They said the policy clearly grants a full toll waiver for passenger EVs and electric buses on major expressways such as Atal Setu and Samruddhi Mahamarg. Members argued that the exemption is meant to encourage adoption of green transport by lowering operational costs for individual users, commercial fleets, and public service providers. They noted that despite the policy and a government resolution, tolls continued to be collected from EVs and urged immediate correction. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pointed out that the policy had taken effect from August 2025. "If even a single EV is being charged toll, then it is illegal," he said. He directed the state government to put a complete enforcement system in place within eight days. The Speaker further said, "The state is promoting EVs and giving a commitment to the people of toll waiver through its policy. Not a single EV should be charged toll in the next eight days. Also, the system should be put in place to return the money charged from EV car owners." Responding on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Dadaji Bhuse informed the House that the state had formally announced the EV policy on May 23, 2025, with implementation beginning on August 22, 2025. He explained that technical integration is essential for the waiver to apply. "To ensure the toll fee waiver, the FASTag of EVs needs to be registered with Vahan and must be included in the toll system for the waiver. The implementation began three months ago. There have been some instances where toll was deducted. We are trying to speed it up and implement the process effectively," Bhuse said. The minister assured the Assembly that the state government would implement the directives given by the Speaker. Bengaluru, Dec 10 : The Congress-led government in Karnataka on Wednesday tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, in the Assembly. State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil presented the Bill amid strong opposition from BJP leaders. Afterwards, BJP members continued to protest its introduction. When Speaker U.T. Khader put the Bill to a vote, he stated that the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2025, had been tabled and those in favour could say "yes", while those opposed could say "no". BJP leaders shouted that they would never agree to the tabling of the Bill. Some of them argued that the Bill was completely unnecessary and demanded that the matter be discussed in the House. Following the uproar, Speaker U. T. Khader adjourned the House for 10 minutes. The Karnataka cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, cleared the bill recently aimed at curbing hate speech and related offences during its meeting. Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill seeks to prevent hate speech and hate crimes and reduce their impact on individuals, groups and the wider community. Leaders of the BJP have already claimed that the legislation is aimed at leaders associated with Hindutva groups, particularly in the communally sensitive coastal belt. The Congress-led government proposed the Bill after a series of communal revenge killings in the Mangaluru district of coastal Karnataka drew national attention. The government has also set up a special force to contain violence in the region, and separate wings are monitoring social media activity that could lead to unrest. The bill proposes imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both, for those found guilty of committing a hate crime. It states that such offences will be non-cognisable and non-bailable and will be tried before a first-class magistrate. According to the draft, a person will be considered to have committed a hate crime if they cause harm, incite harm or spread hatred against someone based on religion, race, caste, community, sex, gender, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe. Any act driven by prejudice or intolerance against these identities will fall within the offence. Earlier, speaking to reporters, Home Minister G. Parameshwara clarified that the legislation was not designed to target the Bharatiya Janata Party or its leaders. Asked whether the move was directed at the BJP, he said, "This is not meant to target the BJP. We will not be in power permanently. Governments change. Whoever comes to power, the law will remain in place." He added, "Why should we target the BJP? The bill does not contain any reference to the BJP or any other political party, such as the Congress or Janata Dal (Secular). It is being brought up considering the present-day necessity. It will strengthen the existing laws." He noted that certain provisions were being added to the current legal framework. Nagpur, Dec 10 : Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday turned down the demand made by former Speaker and senior Congress legislator Nana Patole to initiate the impeachment proceedings against the State Election Commissioner (SEC). Patole has alleged "chaos and irregularities" surrounding the recent local body elections in the state. The Speaker, in his ruling, said that Patole's demand was out of the scope of the state Assembly and not in line with the recent Supreme Court judgement relating to the impeachment of a high court judge. Patole accused the SEC of "strangling democracy in broad daylight" and claimed the confusion and distress among voters were due to the SEC's irresponsibility. He referred to Article 243 of the Constitution, arguing that if the irregularities are acknowledged, impeachment proceedings must be initiated. The Congress leader argued that since the Chief Minister himself acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the irregularities, impeachment proceedings must be initiated under Article 243 of the Constitution. He had earlier publicly challenged the ruling Mahayuti government to bring the motion, stating that if they failed to act, it would imply they were "shielding the SEC". Recently, CM Fadnavis expressed displeasure over the SEC decision to postpone local body polls in some constituencies across the state till December 20. "I am unable to understand how they are interpreting rules to do this. I have spoken to several experts, including a lawyer, and so far, as I know, there is no provision to postpone polls a day before elections are scheduled," he added. Shiv Sena(UBT) slammed the SEC for abruptly postponing elections before voting was scheduled to begin in 24 nagar parishads and 154 wards in 76 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats to December 20, saying that the move is a calculated political manoeuvre. "The democratic process in Maharashtra has been thrown into disarray. The SEC has proven that its mind is not in the right place, and it does not possess the authority to postpone elections so suddenly," the part had said. In a particularly harsh critique, the Thackeray camp in the party mouthpiece 'Saamana' editorial labelled the SEC a "joker" in the political game, asserting that the government, and "especially the BJP, has made the Election Commission its joker". Furthermore, it has been a "planned mess and chaos", with the sole objective being to ensure a "benefit for the BJP". BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of Turkmenistan, Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy Peng Qinghua will attend the High-Level International Forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust to be held in Turkmenistan on Dec. 12, the Chinese foreign ministry announced on Wednesday. Peng is vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Chennai, Dec 10 : The General Council and Executive Committee of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Wednesday passed a series of key political resolutions declaring party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections and granting him full authority to finalise alliance decisions. The meetings were held at a private hall in Vanagaram on the outskirts of Chennai. With party chairman Tamil Makan Hussain absent due to ill health, Deputy General Secretary K.P. Munusamy presided over the sessions. A total of 16 resolutions were unanimously adopted during the General Council meeting. One of the most significant resolutions authorised EPS to form alliances on behalf of the party. The council formally approved the continuation of the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and endorsed an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to defeat the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 2026. The resolution stated that only parties that accept the leadership and objectives of the alliance would be included. It also indicated that decisions on the possible entry of leaders such as T.T.V. Dhinakaran and O. Panneerselvam into the NDA would rest solely with EPS. Another resolution formally endorsed EPS as the Chief Ministerial candidate for 2026, effectively projecting him as the NDAas face for the Tamil Nadu election. The General Council also adopted a resolution condemning what it described as the "authoritarian attitude" of the ruling establishment for allegedly attempting to interfere with the judiciary. It emphasised that the independence of the judicial system must be protected and governments should not overstep constitutional limits. However, observers noted that the resolution did not make any direct reference to the Tirupparankundram issue, which has sparked political debate in recent weeks. On infrastructure, the AIADMK urged the Union government to immediately approve Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, and blamed the DMK government for failing to submit the required data properly for seeking clearance. The party also welcomed the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls and demanded that irregularities be removed to ensure a clean and accurate list of eligible voters. The resolutions mark a decisive political assertion by the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Lucknow, Dec 10 : A CBI Court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced Vijay Kumar Dwivedi, a former Office Assistant at the University Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET) under Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (BBAU), to four years' rigorous imprisonment in a bribery case. Lucknow, Dec 10 (IANS) A CBI Court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced Vijay Kumar Dwivedi, a former Office Assistant at the University Institute of Engineering & Technology (UIET) under Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar University (BBAU), to four yearsa rigorous imprisonment in a bribery case. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on him, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in an official statement issued on Wednesday. The conviction was pronounced on December 9, the statement said. According to the CBI, the case originated from a complaint filed by a contractual assistant professor of UIET, who alleged that Dwivedi had demanded an undue advantage of Rs 50,000 in exchange for facilitating the extension of the contractual appointment of the assistant professor. The accused claimed that the extension would be processed through the Director of UIET and demanded a bribe to ensure the renewal. Acting on the complaint, the CBI registered the case on June 2, 2017, and laid a trap. During the trap, Dwivedi was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount from the complainant assistant professor. The agency subsequently arrested him. Following the completion of the investigation, the CBI filed a charge sheet against Dwivedi on August 1, 2017. The prosecution presented evidence, including witness testimonies, trap proceedings, and recovered money, to establish the guilt of the accused. After a detailed trial, the CBI Court found Dwivedi guilty of demanding and accepting illegal gratification and sentenced him to four yearsa imprisonment. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 30,000. The judgment, the agency said, reinforces the CBIas commitment to combating corruption in public institutions. The CBI actively investigates bribery cases, leading to convictions of public servants and private individuals for demanding or accepting bribes, with punishments including imprisonment and hefty fines. Thiruvananthapuram Dec 10 : The standoff between Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the Pinarayi Vijayan government over the appointment of Vice Chancellors to the Technological and Digital Universities deepened on Wednesday after high-level talks failed to yield any consensus. Law Minister P. Rajeev and Higher Education Minister R. Bindu met the Governor at the Lok Bhavan as part of a reconciliation effort initiated following stern observations by the Supreme Court. However, the hour-long meeting ended without a breakthrough, with both sides sticking firmly to their positions. Governor Arlekar reiterated that the candidates he had proposed were fully qualified and questioned the Ministers on why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not attend the discussions. He also said he was not given a clear explanation of how the Chief Minister determined the order of priority in his recommendations. The dispute escalated after the Governor recently filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the Chief Ministeras nominees. While the Chief Minister had recommended C. Satheesh Kumar for the Kerala Technological University and Saji Gopinath for the Digital University, the Governor insisted on appointing Ciza Thomas to the Technological University and Dr Priya Chandran to the Digital University. The Governor was unhappy with the Chief Minister for sidelining merit and excluding Thomas. The Supreme Court, which is hearing the case, has expressed strong displeasure at the continuing deadlock. A bench headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala warned that if no consensus is reached based on the lists submitted by the two search committees headed by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, the court would itself proceed with the Vice Chancellor appointments. The state government has maintained that appointments must be made strictly from the panel submitted by the Chief Minister, while asserting its willingness for a negotiated settlement. With the latest round of talks also failing, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court, whose next move is expected to decisively shape the outcome of the high-profile constitutional tussle. To cool things down, Rajeeve, after the failed meeting with the Governor, said discussions would continue. Bangkok/Phnom Penh, Dec 10 : Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far, reports Xinhua news agency. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. According to Thai media, fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have forced over 800 schools and many hospitals to temporarily close in Thailand's border provinces. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Meanwhile, a Cambodian defence spokesperson said on Wednesday that over 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe zones as border conflict with Thailand has entered a fourth day. The total number of displaced people is 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. She said the Thai army had used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodian military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning. At least seven Cambodian civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in this conflict, according to Socheata. A spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, according to a statement issued by the ministry. "Singapore is deeply concerned by the recent resumption of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and reports of casualties on both sides. We call on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, following the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration," the spokesperson said in response to media queries. "This is important for the long-term relationship between Cambodia and Thailand, and the broader interests of ASEAN," the spokesperson added. The statement also advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions. Singaporeans in Cambodia and Thailand were advised to monitor official news sources, follow local government advisories and remain vigilant for their personal safety. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The total installed renewable energy (RE) capacity in India reached 250.64 GW (as on October 31), with solar energy constituting a major chunk, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. The solar energy capacity increased from 2.82 GW in March 2014 to 129.92 GW, wind energy capacity increased from 21.04 GW in March 2014 to 53.60 GW, and biomass power capacity has increased from 8.18 GW in March 2014 to 11.61 GW within the given period, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik, said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. India is a key driver of this explosive global surge in renewable energy. In the last 11 years, the countryas solar capacity has grown from 2.8 GW to nearly 130 GW, a rise of more than 4,500 per cent. Between 2022 and 2024 alone, India contributed 46 GW to global solar additions, becoming the third-largest contributor. The country recorded its highest-ever addition of non-fossil capacity in the current financial year at 31.25 GW, including 24.28 GW of solar. According to reports, the share of Indiaas electricity generation from renewable energy (RE) capacity, including large hydro, is expected to cross 35 per cent by FY30 from 22.1 per cent in FY25, with expected incremental capacity addition of around 200 GW between FY25 and FY30. This, in turn, also hinges on the extent of implementation of the ongoing project pipeline, where the projects are bid out and the PPAs are signed, the development of adequate transmission connectivity infrastructure as well as timely bidding for new RE projects, along with the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signing by Central nodal agencies, states the report by rating agency ICRA. With global mechanisms now shaping industrial competitiveness, Indiaas shift towards renewable energy has become even more urgent and strategically important. Chitradurga : , Dec 10 (IANS) In a troubling development, the samadhi of Renukaswamy -- the fan who was allegedly murdered by Kannada actor Darshan and his associates -- has been found vandalised at a burial ground in Chitradurga district. The incident came to light on Wednesday. The granite nameplate on the samadhi, which displayed Renukaswamy's name along with his birth and death dates, has been broken, and parts of the structure itself appear damaged. The vandalism occurred at the Jogimatti burial ground in Chitradurga city. Authorities said it is unclear when the damage took place. Family members said they were unaware of the incident until informed. Preliminary inquiries indicate that the damage may have occurred during the construction of a new layout in the vicinity, though police are also investigating the possibility of deliberate vandalism by miscreants. Sources indicated that the incident may have occurred as far back as September 14. The incident has raised concerns locally, prompting the police to launch a detailed investigation. Renukaswamy, a resident of Chitradurga, was allegedly kidnapped and murdered on June 11, 2024. Kannada superstar Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested in connection with the case. Investigators claim Renukaswamy had sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda, upset over Darshan's relationship with her despite his marriage. Darshan was earlier shifted to the Ballari prison after photographs suggesting he was receiving "royal treatment" inside the Bengaluru Central Prison surfaced. He currently faces three FIRs related to the case. Police filed a 3,991-page charge sheet along with an additional charge sheet before the court on September 4, 2024. After spending 131 days in custody, Darshan was released on bail on October 30, 2024. However, following an appeal by Karnataka Police, the Supreme Court cancelled the bail, leading to the re-arrest of Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and the other accused. A local court in Karnataka has since framed charges against Darshan, Pavithra, and the 15 co-accused in the high-profile case. All of them have denied the charges. Darshan has been charged under IPC Section 302 for murder, Section 355 for causing grievous injuries, Section 120B for criminal conspiracy, Section 204 for destruction of evidence, and Section 359 for kidnapping. He also faces charges under Sections 143, 147, 148, and 149 of unlawful assembly and related offences. Nagpur, Dec 10 : Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Excise Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday said that both foreign retail liquor outlets and country liquor shops will be required to obtain mandatory consent from registered housing societies before commencing operations. He also directed that the new policy be implemented across the state. "This permission from registered societies will now be compulsory for both categories of liquor shops. The policy must be enforced uniformly throughout Maharashtra," Deputy CM Pawar told the Assembly while responding to a question raised by BJP legislator Shankar Jagtap. Jagtap sought a cancellation of the licences of liquor shops operating in the Chinchwada"Kalewadi area of Pune district. During the discussion, Jagtap said that a shop in Sahyadri Society had started operations in violation of norms. He said the building was incomplete when permission was granted, and the licence had been issued on the basis of incomplete documents. He demanded action against those responsible. Pawar reiterated the mandatory requirement of society consent for liquor outlets and informed the House about the action taken regarding the two shops against which complaints had been received. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the Legislative Assembly that Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 people died of rabies between 2021 and 2023. Deputy CM Shinde made the disclosure in a written reply to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Sunil Prabhu, amid concerns over the rising number of stray dogs, especially in major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Kalyan-Dombivli. Deputy CM Shinde said there has been a significant increase in dog bite incidents in both rural and urban areas. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, around 30 people succumbed to rabies after dog bites, he said. "Maharashtra has recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 people died of rabies between 2021 and 2023," Deputy CM Shinde said on his written reply during the question hour. Replying to another query, DCM Shinde said local bodies have been directed to intensify animal birth control and anti-rabies vaccination programmes in accordance with Supreme Court directions issued in August 2024. The Urban Development Department issued instructions to all civic bodies on November 14, while similar directions were given to rural local bodies on November 27. He further said the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023, are being implemented across the state following government orders issued in March this year. On compensation to the families of those who died due to rabies and on delays in controlling the stray dog population, the Deputy Chief Minister said the matter does not arise at present. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed a fiery and impassioned intervention from BJP MP and acclaimed film actress Kangana Ranaut, who mounted a strong defence of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Speaking during the debate on electoral reforms on Wednesday, the Mandi MP dismissed opposition allegations of "vote chori" as baseless propaganda, arguing that the exercise was essential both to safeguard women's dignity in the digital age and to cleanse electoral rolls of infiltrators and fraudulent entries. Reflecting on her own experience in Parliament, Ranaut described the past year as deeply troubling. "Every day has been a spectacle; we have been intimidated, threatened, and subjected to relentless attacks from the opposition members. We come here to learn and contribute, but they rarely allow us to proceed," she said. Ranaut accused the opposition of deliberately disrupting parliamentary proceedings over SIR for the past year. "I expected a grand revelation from Rahul Gandhi, but once again, the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke about the same foreign woman whose photo was allegedly used 22 times on voter IDs. That woman herself has clarified that she has never been to India. I apologise on behalf of this House to her," she said. The opposition benches trolled her, displayed her photographs, which is an attack on the dignity of a woman, she said, adding, "Every mahila, every woman, is entitled to her dignity." She went on to highlight the Modi government's initiatives for women, invoking the Prime Minister's flagship campaign 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' and numerous other schemes aimed at empowering women across the country. Turning her attention to the opposition's demand for paper ballots, Ranaut reminded the House of the infamous Indira Gandhi versus Rajnarayan case. "Indira Gandhi was caught in a scam and ordered to vacate her position overnight. Those who now harp on paper ballots seem to have forgotten history," she remarked pointedly. Defending the government's record, Ranaut asserted that Prime Minister Modi was committed to uplifting the poor and farmers. "He is not hacking EVMs; he is hacking the hearts of the people," she quipped, drawing applause from the Treasury benches. Turning her attack directly on the Congress, Ranaut accused its leaders of hypocrisy. "Priyanka Gandhi ji, yes, people are sometimes at the mercy of others, but this country's laws are not meant to protect political dynasties. Sonia Gandhi voted without citizenship papers -- that is on record since 1983. Is this democracy?" she asked sharply. Pivoting to the core of the debate, Ranaut hailed SIR as a vital "cleaning process" for electoral integrity, citing Bihar's example, where over 60 lakh entries were deleted. "Just like it happened in Bihar, our government has cancelled at least 60 lakh voters -- migrants or other questionable entries. Voter IDs were scrubbed, and turnout reached 67 per cent. This cleaning must be carried out nationwide," she emphasised and said, "One nation, one election must be introduced in our country." Ahmedabad, Dec 10 : Ahead of Uttarayan 2026, the Ahmedabad district administration and city police have launched an intensive crackdown on the sale and use of banned Chinese manjha, seizing material worth over Rs 8 lakh in a series of coordinated operations across the city. Alongside the enforcement drive, authorities have rolled out public awareness campaigns at schools, public spaces and key localities to educate citizens about the dangers posed by the deadly thread. According to a public notice issued by the Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), police have seized Chinese manjha worth Rs 8,46,650 so far. The haul includes 2,145 spools of Chinese thread and 40 firkis. Ramol Police Station reported the largest seizure, confiscating 2,040 spools valued at Rs 8,16,000. Sarkhej Police recovered 40 firkis worth Rs 8,000, while Amraiwadi Police seized 90 spools valued at Rs 18,900. Shaherkotda Police confiscated 15 spools worth Rs 3,750. An autorickshaw valued at Rs 1,70,000 was also seized as case property. Cases have been registered primarily under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Gujarat Police Act. As part of the awareness initiative, police teams interacted with students and residents using posters and banners to highlight the risks of Chinese manjha and encourage safer kite-flying practices. The administration and police have appealed to citizens to celebrate Uttarayan responsibly and report any information regarding the sale or use of the prohibited thread to the nearest police station. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) conducted surprise inspections at eight medical stores in Ahmedabad for allegedly selling cough syrup without a doctoras prescription. All eight outlets have been issued show-cause notices and asked to submit an immediate explanation. The crackdown is part of the FDCA's ongoing efforts to ensure that citizens receive safe and quality medicines. Officials said strict action is being taken across the state against those violating drug safety laws. The inspection covered medical stores across Ghatlodia, Satellite, Vejalpur and Prahladnagar, including Apollo Pharmacy (Ghatlodia), Krishna Medical, Solcure Pharmacy, Namnidhi Pharma, Nam: Wellness, Natraj Medical, Apollo Pharmacy (Vejalpur) and Apollo Pharmacy (Prahladnagar). New Delhi, Dec 10 : There has been a steep decline in accidents on Indian Railways, with the number of "consequential train accidents" coming down from 135 in 2013-14 to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 10 in 2025-16 till November this year, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Wednesday. The minister highlighted that the number of consequential train accidents during the period 2004-14 was 1711 (average 171 per annum), which has declined to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 10 in 2025-26 (up to November 2025). In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he further stated that another important index showing improved safety in train operations is Accidents Per Million Train Kilometre (APMTKM), which has reduced from 0.11 in 2014-15 to 0.03 in 2024-25, indicating an improvement of approximately 73 per cent during this period. Vaishnaw highlighted various safety measures taken by the Indian Railways to enhance safety in train operations. He said that the budgetary outlay for safety-related activities had been enhanced nearly 3-fold from Rs 39,463 crore in 2014-15 to over Rs 1.16 lakh crore in 2025-26 in order to reduce the risk of accidents on the rail network. Electrical and electronic Interlocking Systems with centralised operation of points and signals have been provided at 6,656 stations up to October 31, 2025, to reduce the risk of accidents that occur due to human failure. Besides, interlocking of level crossing (LC) gates has been provided at 10,098 Level Crossing Gates up to October 31 this year for enhancing safety at LC gates. Complete Track Circuiting of stations to enhance safety by verification of track occupancy by electrical means has also been provided at 6,661 stations up to October-end, the minister said. The minister further highlighted that the high-tech Kavach safety system was adopted in July 2020 to bring down the occurrence of accidents. The latest Kavach version has been successfully commissioned on the Palwal-Mathura-KotaNagda section (633 Rkm) on the Delhi-Mumbai route, and on the Howrah-Bardhaman section (105 RKm) on the Delhi-Howrah route. Kavach implementation has been taken up in the balance sections of the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah routes. Further, Kavach implementation has been taken up on 15,512 RKm covering all GQ, GD, HDN and identified sections of Indian Railways. All locomotives are equipped with Vigilance Control Devices (VCD) to improve the alertness of Loco Pilots. Retro-reflective sigma boards are provided on the mast, which is located two OHE masts prior to the signals in electrified territories, to alert the crew about the signal ahead when visibility is low due to foggy weather in order to prevent accidents. A GPS-based Fog Safety Device (FSD) is also provided to loco pilots in fog-affected areas, which enables loco pilots to know the distance of the approaching landmarks such as signals and level crossing gates, the minister said. Modern track structure consisting of high tensile strength rails, prestressed concrete sleepers with elastic fastening, is being used while carrying out primary track renewals. Mechanisation of track-laying activity through the use of track machines has helped to reduce human errors. Indian Railways is also maximising the supply of 130m/260m long rail panels for increasing the progress of rail renewal and avoiding welding of joints, thereby improving safety. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection testing of rails to detect flaws and timely removal of defective rails, laying of longer rails, minimising the use of Alumino Thermic Welding, and adoption of better welding technology for rails is also ensuring greater safety, the minister pointed out. Monitoring of track geometry, patrolling of railway tracks to look out for weld/rail fractures and inspections at regular intervals are carried out to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices. Web-based online monitoring system of track assets, viz. Track database and decision support system, have been adopted to decide rationalised maintenance requirements and optimise inputs are other steps that have been taken to prevent accidents, the minister added. LA PAZ, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and nine injured in a bus accident Tuesday near the community of Sevaruyo in Bolivia's southwestern Oruro Department, local authorities said. The bus veered off the road and overturned on a curve along the interdepartmental highway linking Oruro with the department of Potosi, said Hugo Mier, an officer in the Traffic Accident Division. Mier said the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Premilitary findings suggest the driver may have lost control on the curve, though mechanical failure or speeding have not been ruled out. Dharamsala, Dec 10 : The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Wednesday hoped that China may cease its destructive policies and instead turn towards a peaceful resolution of the Sino-Tibetan conflict through the mutually beneficial 'middle-way' policy. In a statement to mark the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize upon the Dalai Lama, the supreme leader of the Tibetan people, the Tibetan government-in-exile said, "We hope that the government of the People's Republic of China, driven as it is by hatred, greed, and ignorance in its pursuit of eradicating Tibetan national identity and destroying Tibet's environment, will soon encounter the companionship of compassion, kindness, and wisdom." The Tibetan government-in-exile celebrates December 10 every year as International Human Rights Day. Also, they are observing globally this year as the "Year of Compassion" in alignment with the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama. "Today also marks International Human Rights Day. We express our solidarity with all those around the world who are denied their basic human rights and extend our hope that those who oppress these rights will gain a sense of right and wrong," said the CTA. "Through the understanding of compassion, may they come to respect every human life, listen to every human voice, and honour every human aspiration," ir said. Penpa Tsering, leader of the government-in-exile, also extended warmest felicitations to the distinguished guests, friends and supporters of Tibet across the world, especially to Tibetans, both inside and outside the region. He said at a time when the world "is shrouded in the darkness of conflict, hatred, and fear, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's philosophy of peace, rooted in compassion, wisdom, and a profound sense of universal responsibility, has illuminated a viable path toward genuine and lasting peace". "It needs no elaboration that the primary purpose of observing this historic occasion is to devote ourselves to the study and implementation of these timeless teachings," he said. The CTA prayed for the long life of the Dalai Lama and the flourishing of his enlightened activities for world peace, human solidarity, and the resolution of the just cause of Tibet. "We also pray that His Holiness's teaching of compassion becomes the spiritual foundation and the essence of practice for all humanity," it added. In 1959, the occupying Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa and forced the 14th Dalai Lama and over 80,000 Tibetans into exile in India and neighbouring countries. On reaching India after a three-week treacherous journey, the Dalai Lama took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in Uttarakhand. Currently, the Tibetan government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala, where a community of Tibetans lives in exile with the Dalai Lama, hoping to sustain their struggle to secure complete autonomy in their Chinese-ruled homeland, Tibet. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Union government over the widespread cancellations and delays of Indigo flights, asking why the situation was allowed to precipitate into a nationwide turmoil that stranded lakhs of passengers and inflicted losses on the national economy. A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent judicial probe into the episode, remarked that the crisis is not confined to causing inconvenience to passengers but also affects the economy of the country. "We appreciate the steps taken by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). However, what bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leaving lakhs of passengers unattended at airports. Such a situation is not confined to causing inconvenience to the passengers but also affects the economy of the country, as in the present day, fast movement of passengers is an important aspect to keep the economy functioning," the CJ Upadhyaya-led Bench observed in its order. During the hearing, the Delhi High Court asked the Centre to explain the legal provisions available to act against errant airlines. Referring to powers vested in the DGCA and the Centre under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, the bench asked: "In case an airline fails to adhere to directions, what is the provision available to you? Are you helpless? We want to know under which provision or policy decision you would take action against them?" In response, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared for the Centre government, submitted that a high-level committee had been constituted and that the DGCA had issued a show-cause notice to Indigo, which had "apologised profusely". The law officer added that fare caps were imposed within two days of the crisis. However, the Delhi High Court noted that ticket prices had already skyrocketed to Rs. 30-40,000 by then. "If there was a crisis, how could other airlines take advantage? How was this allowed?" it asked. On the other hand, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for Indigo, said the disruption was a first-time event in 19 years of the airlineas operations and was caused by "multiple factors", including technical issues. Directing strict adherence to the DGCAas compensation rules, the Delhi High Court said Indigo must "immediately" begin compensating passengers, adding that compensation should not be limited to cancellations but must account for the "agony caused by hostile staff and prolonged delays". Taking note of inadequacies in the PIL, the CJ-led bench remarked it was invoking its jurisdiction in view of the public interest involved. The matter will be heard next on January 22, 2026, with the high court directing that the inquiry report, if ready, be placed before it in a sealed cover. --IANS pds/vd New Delhi, Dec 10 : US Deputy Trade Representative (USTR) Rick Switzer, who arrived in India to engage in high-level discussions with top officials, met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri here, before his meetings with the Commerce and Industry Ministry officials. In his meeting with Misri, the discussions covered the broad India-US economic and technology partnership and ongoing trade negotiations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. Discussions covered the strong Indiaa"U.S. economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains," the MEA said in an X post. The visit of the US delegation, led by newly-appointed Switzer and the chief negotiator for the India trade deal, Brendan Lynch, has renewed hopes for the conclusion of the India-US trade deal. Earlier, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had said India is hopeful of clinching the first tranche of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the United States by the end of this year, as most issues have already been resolved. According to him, the country is "optimistic of finding a solution within this calendar year" and "there are areas which are non-negotiable for India". India is negotiating two deals with the US -- one for a trade deal and the other to address additional reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US. The trade pact regarding tariff-related issues will cover both the 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs and the 25 per cent oil tariffs. Agrawal said that the trade deal will be beneficial for Indian exports when higher US tariffs are removed. Indiaas exports to the US have increased, Agrawal informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Thursday. He said that the two countries have been holding regular virtual rounds of talks on the BTA, and the first stage of India-US trade talks is progressing swiftly. Seoul, Dec 10 : South Korea and the United States are maintaining a "very close" partnership on all North Korea-related issues, acting US Ambassador to Seoul Kevin Kim said Wednesday, as the allies are seeking a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on the North. Kim made the remark after he met Jeong Yeon-doo, head of the office of strategy and intelligence at the Foreign Ministry, to discuss Seoul and Washington's policy on North Korea. "The United States and Korea are closely coordinating on all issues, but it's very productive as always, and we have a very close partnership on all North Korea-related issues," Kim told reporters, when asked if the two diplomats discussed launching a task force on North Korea policy, Yonhap News Agency reported. But Kim declined to comment when asked whether the US is concerned about Lee's proposed policy goal to seek a "nuclear-free Korean Peninsula". The allies are in talks to hold a regular meeting on coordinating their policy on North Korea as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to mend frayed ties with the North and resume inter-Korean talks. Last month, Jeong was appointed to the vice-ministerial post responsible for intelligence and North Korean nuclear issues. On December 8, a US envoy reaffirmed that "complete denuclearisation" of North Korea remains the policy shared with South Korea, after a new US security strategy document showed the phrase was absent. Ambassador Kim made the mark following his meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo, days after the Donald Trump administration released its latest National Security Strategy (NSS). The document includes no mention of North Korea and contains no language reaffirming the US commitment to its denuclearisation, unlike the 2017 and 2022 versions, raising concerns that North Korea issues could be pushed to the sidelines. "President Trump and President Lee (Jae Myung) reiterated their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea in the joint fact sheet," Kim told reporters when asked about the NSS, referring to the joint summit document recently released by the allies. "That is our Korea policy right now," he said. Kim said North Korea was among the issues discussed during his meeting with Park, including ways to "best coordinate" on related and other issues. Kim also noted that Seoul has reaffirmed the importance of coordination on joint military exercises, apparently referring to growing calls in South Korea to adjust the drills with the US as leverage to bring Pyongyang back to dialogue. "(Defence) Minister Ahn previously reiterated the absolute critical nature of coordinating on joint military exercises. I think the words that he used were that military exercises are like the lifeline of a military. That's our expectation moving forward," he said. Asked if the US is open to revising the nuclear energy pact to allow Seoul to enrich uranium and reprocess spent fuel, the envoy said the two sides are "still in discussions". "We are going to do our best to implement the joint fact sheet," Kim said. The joint fact sheet lays out the commitments on trade, investment, security and other issues made during the two recent summits between President Lee and US President Trump in August and October. In the document, the US states support for the process that will lead to South Korea's civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful use, consistent with their existing bilateral nuclear energy pact and subject to US legal requirements. In the recent high-level talks in Washington, Seoul and Washington agreed to launch working groups for follow-up talks on the joint fact sheet. Belagavi, Dec 10 : Amid the leadership "tussle" in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the party high command's decision is final. He was speaking after garlanding and offering floral tributes to the portrait of late leader S. Nijalingappa at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi on the occasion of his birth anniversary. When asked whether he would continue as Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah responded that the decision of the party's senior leadership would be final. Earlier, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had asserted that he would remain in office for the full five-year term. His son, Congress MLC Yathindra, also stirred controversy by stating that the high command had rejected Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar's demand to become Chief Minister and that his father would continue in the post for the entire five years. Responding to questions on whether MLAs had sought revisions to the guarantee schemes, the Chief Minister clarified that "there has been no discussion on guarantees in the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting." "Is it possible to share all details of the CLP meeting with the media?" he asked. However, sources revealed that both the camps of CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar have been asked not to issue any statement over leadership and the CM's post. Sources also stated that MLAs vehemently opposed the five guarantee schemes and urged to provide funds for developing their constituencies. CM Siddaramaiah also stated that he had written to the Prime Minister urging the Centre to fix a Minimum Support Price for tur dal. Siddaramaiah described former Chief Minister late S. Nijalingappa as one of Karnatakaas finest political leaders, calling him a capable and honest statesman. "Nijalingappa was a capable and principled person. He remained honest till the very end and was an extraordinary political leader Karnataka has seen." He noted that Nijalingappa had served as the Chief Minister of Karnataka and as the President of the undivided Congress at the AICC. "Nijalingappa had political differences with then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and went on to form a separate party. He was a leader who firmly opposed corruption," Siddaramaiah said. He added that Nijalingappa played an important role in the unification of Karnataka. "The ideals of an honest and courageous leader like him continue to guide us. On his birth anniversary, the government remembers and honours him," he said. Shivakumar offered floral tributes to Nijalingappa's portrait at the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi. Jaipur, Dec 10 : The Rajasthan government marked the inaugural Pravasi Rajasthani Divas with major economic announcements and the signing of business agreements worth Rs 1 lakh crore at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inaugurated the first-ever Pravasi Rajasthani Divas, urging expatriate Rajasthanis to invest and work in their home state. "Everything has changed here in two years. Industries are receiving all required facilities," he said, announcing 14 new Rajasthan chapters to connect NRIs with local opportunities. Union Industry Minister Piyush Goyal appealed to the global Rajasthani diaspora to become brand ambassadors for the state. The Union Minister said, "More than one crore Rajasthani NRIs live around the world. If each one contributes, no power can stop Rajasthan from becoming India's number one state." Rajasthan Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said Rajasthan should not be underestimated. "Do not consider Rajasthan dry and hungry. The people here are capable, and this land has immense potential," he said. He urged expatriates to return and contribute to the state's development. Kataria highlighted the state's rich mineral wealth, including recent gold discoveries in Banswara's Bhukhia village, which have boosted Rajasthan's mining prospects. Chief Minister Sharma announced several initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, supporting industry, and improving infrastructure. Highlighting the government's pro-investor outlook, he said a dedicated department for NRIs has been created to assist investors from the diaspora. He added that the state has provided 92,000 government jobs in two years, with a corruption-free recruitment process and "no exam paper leaks." Sharma also assured industries of 24-hour uninterrupted power supply in the near future and underlined the progress of major water projects, including the Ram Jal Setu scheme and an agreement for Yamuna water supply that will benefit several districts. Rajasthan Industry Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore detailed the government's focus on expanding industrial infrastructure. He announced the creation of 37 new industrial areas and over 2,000 industrial plots, along with multiple new policies aimed at simplifying processes and boosting ease of doing business. The summit also featured vibrant Kalbelia and Kacchi Ghodi dance performances, welcoming guests with Rajasthan's traditional charm. An exhibition showcasing the state's heritage, craftsmanship, and business strengths was set up in the Pragati Path Hall, visited by the Governor, Chief Minister, and dignitaries. The event saw strong participation with over 8,000 registrations and nearly 1,000 attendees present during the inauguration. Several overseas Rajasthanis and industry stalwarts were honoured at the ceremony. A special attraction of the summit was the 'Progress Path Hall', which showcased the state's long-term Vision 2047, including advancements in renewable energy, heritage architectural models, and futuristic infrastructure plans that reflect Rajasthan's aspirations for the next two decades. Kochi, Dec 10 : The Kerala High Court on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the disappearance of Suraj Lama, an Indian citizen who went missing from Kochi Airport post his deportation from Kuwait. The court underscored that the protection of every citizen is a constitutional obligation and sought detailed explanations from the police and airport authorities over the apparent lapses in handling the case. A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha made the observations while hearing a habeas corpus plea filed by the missing man's son. Describing the situation as "shocking", the Bench noted that a citizen who returned safely to the country after deportation had subsequently disappeared, with current reports even suggesting that he may be dead. The court was informed that a body had been recovered from Kalamassery and that scientific tests, including DNA profiling, were underway to determine whether it belonged to Suraj Lama. "We are concerned as citizens and not merely as judges. This can happen to any citizen," the Bench remarked, expressing deep anguish over the developments. Raising serious questions over the conduct of the authorities, the court pointed to the responsibility cast on law enforcement under the Mental Health Act to take into protective custody any person found roaming the streets in a vulnerable condition. "When a person is seen roaming the streets, we must take him into protective custody. The Mental Health Act is for that purpose. There are clear responsibilities given to the SHOs and the police," the court said. The Bench criticised what it described as an indifferent approach by the authorities, observing that a vulnerable individual was allegedly allowed to move around without care or protection. The court also directed that a "real, cogent explanation" be provided by the airport authorities regarding how the deported citizen was handled upon arrival. "As we say every time, this case is taken up, we are still hopeful that this man is alive," the court added. Emphasising the gravity of the issue, the Bench said, "For us, this is extremely shocking. We can't take this lightly because every citizen is invaluable, and we have possibly lost a life. Everybody is answerable." Counsel for the petitioner supported the court's concerns, pointing out that despite the registration of a missing-person FIR, the man had come into contact with the police on two occasions before being shifted to the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital. The case has been posted for further hearing on Thursday to consider reports from the Superintendent of Medical College and the State Police chief. Kolkata, Dec 10 : Satyajit Ghosh, son of Bhola Ghosh, one of the key witnesses against now suspended Trinamool Congress leader from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Sheikh Shahjahan, was killed in a road accident on Wednesday while he was accompanying his father to the court to get his statements recorded there. Shahnur Molla, the driver of the car in which the witness and his deceased son were travelling, was also killed in the accident. However, the witness, Bhola Ghosh, had a close shave. The accident happened on Basanti Highway -- a state highway -- when a truck collided at full speed with the car in which the witness and his son were travelling. The impact of the collision was such that the car fell into the roadside gutter. Satyajit Ghosh and Shahnur Molla died on the spot. Both Bhola Ghosh and his elder son Biswajit Ghosh claimed that it was not a simple case of an accident. "The manner in which the truck collided with our car creates doubts that the aim was to kill me, since I am a witness in the case. I became senseless for some time after the collision. Everything seems to be pre-planned. I wish the police administration to investigate the matter properly." The witness's elder son, Biswajit Ghosh, said that he doubted two close associates of Sheikh Shahjahan, namely Moslem Khan and Sabita Roy, masterminded the plot to kill his father so that he could not get his statements recorded against Shahjahan. The cops of the Basirhat Police District have started an investigation into the matter. However, the police said that till Wednesday afternoon, they have not received any official complaint claiming foul play in the matter. BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, issued a social media statement on the matter. "This is the state of the law-and-order situation in West Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. One of the witnesses in the Sheikh Shahjahan case is grievously injured in a tragic accident in Sandeshkhali. Two more people lost their lives in the incident. The accident occurred at around 7 a.m. this morning in the Najat area of Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas. Today, a hearing in the Sheikh Shahjahan case was scheduled in court. One of the key witnesses, Bhola Ghosh, was travelling with his son along Basanti Road to testify when a truck coming from the opposite direction rammed into their car," Malviya's statement read. "It is obvious that Shahjahan is eliminating witnesses one by one while sitting in jail. Is there any room for doubt that he has Mamata Banerjee's patronage?" Malviya added. Shahjahan is currently in judicial custody on various charges, which include masterminding the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials at Sandeshkhali last year, illegal grabbing of land at Sandeshkhali, and sexual exploitation of the local women. New Delhi, Dec 10 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the batch of petitions filed by student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd. Saleem Khan, challenging the Delhi High Court's refusal to grant them bail in the alleged "larger conspiracy" case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on the batch of petitions filed by student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, along with Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Shadab Ahmed, and Mohd. Saleem Khan, challenging the Delhi High Court's refusal to grant them bail in the alleged "larger conspiracy" case linked to the 2020 Delhi riots. The accused, facing charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), have been in custody for more than five years. After hearing both sides, a bench comprising Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria reserved judgment and directed the petitioners as well as the prosecution to file any additional documents supporting their arguments by December 18. In an earlier hearing, opposing the bail petitions, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Delhi Police, had submitted that the violence was a "well-designed, well-crafted" attack on national sovereignty and not a spontaneous communal clash. "Your lordships were told, there was a protest, and it resulted in communal riots. First of all, I would like the myth to be busted. This was not a spontaneous riot but well-designed, well-crafted, orchestrated, preplanned, choreographed riots, and that will emerge from the evidence collected," he argued. "This was not a spontaneous act of violence; this was an attack against the sovereignty of the nationI say this with a sense of responsibility," the SG added, claiming that evidence, including speeches and WhatsApp chats, revealed a "clear and discernible attempt to divide the society on communal lines". He also sought to place reliance on WhatsApp chats recovered by the Delhi Police, which allegedly show "how the property is to be damaged, how money is to be collected," adding that it was "a systematic and synchronised attempt to divide the society and divide the nation." SG Mehta argued that the delay in the trial proceedings was attributable to the accused since they were "not cooperating" and "each of them argued for 4-5 days for opposing framing of charges". "Now, in all cases where it's difficult to defend on facts, the mechanism is to delay the trial and not to go into the merits and say 'give me bail'. This has become a pattern," he added. The Delhi Police, in its detailed counter-affidavit, had described Khalid as one of the "key conspirators" and a "mentor" to others, including Sharjeel Imam, and stated the conspiracy was pre-planned to be executed at the time of US President Donald Trump's official visit to India to draw "international media" attention. On September 2, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the bail pleas of Imam, Khalid and several others accused in the 2020 city riots "larger conspiracy" case. --IANS pds/vd Chennai, Dec 10 : Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday launched the second phase of the party's intensive grassroots campaign titled "My Booth, Victory Booth", asserting that no matter who attempts to challenge Tamil Nadu politically, the DMK's cadre strength at every polling station will deliver a decisive response. Chennai, Dec 10 (IANS) Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Wednesday launched the second phase of the party's intensive grassroots campaign titled "My Booth, Victory Booth", asserting that no matter who attempts to challenge Tamil Nadu politically, the DMK's cadre strength at every polling station will deliver a decisive response. In a sharp political message aimed at the BJP leadership, Stalin said that the "black-and-red army" of the DMK would ensure a fitting lesson at every booth. With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections drawing closer, political activity across the state has intensified. As part of its early election preparations, the DMK had rolled out the "My Booth, Winning Booth" initiative to strengthen booth-level organisation and improve voter outreach. During the first phase, booth committee members were instructed to actively participate in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across all 68,463 polling stations in the state. The second phase of the campaign was formally inaugurated by M.K. Stalin at Alwarpet in Chennai. As per the new campaign plan, DMK workers will carry out public discussions, street-corner meetings and door-to-door voter verification drives across Tamil Nadu for one month, up to January 10. The campaign aims to mobilise and energise nearly 6.8 lakh DMK booth committee members deployed across all 68,463 polling stations. The party has set a clear objective of securing a minimum of 440 votes at every polling station as part of its booth-level victory strategy. In a post on his official X handle, the CM said that regardless of the number of political strategies drawn up in New Delhi, no one should assume that Tamil Nadu can be politically conquered. Referring indirectly to Home Minister Amit Shah, Stalin remarked that arrogance from Delhi would not work in Tamil Nadu and that the state remains politically unconquerable. He further stated that the DMK's disciplined cadre, symbolised by its black-and-red identity, would ensure a strong political reply at every polling booth. The Chief Minister also emphasised that Tamil Nadu's political consciousness and Dravidian legacy cannot be undermined by external pressure or centralised political ambitions. The launch of the second phase marks a critical escalation in the DMK's election preparedness, focusing sharply on booth-level consolidation as the cornerstone of its 2026 campaign strategy. BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon on Wednesday signed a financing package with the European Union (EU) worth 132 million euros (about 153.6 million U.S. dollars), aimed at enhancing security and border management, according to a statement by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance. Finance Minister Yassine Jaber said the EU funding targets Lebanon's key priorities, including border control, combating smuggling, strengthening the rule of law, and improving the operational capacity of security and administrative institutions. He added that the agreements were developed based on jointly defined standards that emphasize governance, transparency, integrity, human rights protections, and oversight mechanisms to ensure the effective use of funds. Jaber said that the Ministry of Finance aims to secure international assistance while ensuring a sound administrative and financial environment for project implementation without imposing additional burdens on the treasury. EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele noted that 55 million euros will be provided in the first tranche. She said the support will benefit the Lebanese military and security forces, with programs targeting organized crime, cybercrime, terrorism, and integrated border management on land, at airports, and in the maritime domain. Belagavi, Dec 10 : Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka on Wednesday criticised the Congress-led government in the state over the leadership tussle, stressing that the members of the grand old party should first sit down, and decide who is the Chief Minister. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Ashoka said: "If a king takes one step forward, soldiers take two. But here there is no leadership. One MLA says Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar is the 'Chief Minister'. There is a confusion about the leadership. Eating 'idli vada' won't solve problems. Saying 'I am CM' on streets doesn't bring dignity to the Chief Minister's post. Sit properly and decide who is CM." Talking about transgenders, he said: "Society looks down on them a lot. Therefore, the government should consider providing at least 0.5 per cent reservation for transgenders." About the plight and issues of the North Karnataka region, Ashoka stated: "The problems of North Karnataka are mentioned in the Dr. Nanjundappa report. Last time in the Assembly, CM Siddaramaiah said he would give a report in six months. A committee was formed under Prof. Govindarao, but even after 12 months, the report has not come." "Under KKRDB funding, Rs 900 crore was to be given for building district taluk hospitals, PHCs, CHCs. Where is the progress on that?" Ashoka questioned. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about industrial promotion. But 216 factories are still in the establishment stage. Under the commerce and industries department, 221 factories are in the same situation. Cotton factory development, tourism development, raising the Almatti reservoir to 224 meters by acquiring 73,603 acres, etc., were mentioned. But none of these have been implemented," he said. The senior BJP leader said that to implement the project of raising the Almatti reservoir, guarantee schemes need to be suspended or 20 per cent fund cuts in all departments are required, as suggested by the Finance Department. "This proposal has also gone to the Cabinet. It proposes cuts of Rs 2,176 crore in urban development, Rs 874 crore in rural development, and Rs 833 crore in scheduled caste welfare. Now, CM Siddaramaiah must act as per his word. No minister has gone to North Karnataka. Such ministers should be changed," he said. Ashoka further said that Rs 26,578 crore was allocated to the rural development department, of which Rs 7,049 crore has been released, and only 19.63 per cent has been spent. "Rs 2,440 crore was given to the Forest Department, Rs 1,215 crore released, and Rs 791 crore spent. Rs 270 crore to youth empowerment, Rs 145 crore released, and Rs 40 crore (14 per cent) spent. Rs 3,157 crore to planning department, Rs 1,081 crore (19 per cent) spent. Rs 26,678 crore to urban development, Rs 5,366 crore (19 per cent) spent. Money is being saved in all departments," he claimed. He also said that "in Kalyana Karnataka, in 2024-25, fifty-three degree colleges have had zero results". "Five Morarji Desai residential schools also have zero results. The Chief Minister said he would fill 21,000 teacher posts, but that hasn't happened. In this region, 50,244 children are malnourished. While per capita income in Bengaluru is Rs 7 lakh, in Kalaburagi it is Rs 1.43 lakh," he said. "Water from the Tungabhadra reservoir gate flowed to Andhra Pradesh. This problem occurred because 33 gates were not installed. When I visited, the contractors said Rs 12 crore bill has not been paid. Despite padayatras and bandhs, the government did not take action. Due to this, two crops have been lost. Therefore, Rs 25,000 per acre compensation should be provided," Ashoka demanded. Amaravati, Dec 10 : The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed CID and ACB to take legal action in the Parakamani theft case at Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple, Tirumala. The court allowed Directors General of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to register the FIRs to take action as per law. Both the CID and ACB have been authorised to probe the compromise in the Lok Adalat and the assets of accused C. V. Ravi Kumar. Both agencies were directed to mutually exchange information during the investigation. They were also asked to share the information with the Income Tax and the Enforcement Directorate. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which probed the Parakamani theft case, had submitted its report to the court on December 2. Additional Director General, CID, Ravi Shankar Ayyanar, who headed the SIT, submitted the report in a sealed cover. The CID had launched the probe after the High Court issued orders on a petition challenging the closure of the Parakamani theft case in the Lok Adalat. Ravi Kumar, an employee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), was caught while stealing $920 from Parakamani (coins and currency notes counting centre) in April 2023. The theft case registered at the Tirumala police station was transferred to the Lok Adalat, where a compromise settlement formula was reached in September 2023 after Ravi Kumar volunteered to donate seven properties worth Rs 40 crore, all of them located in Tirupati and Chennai, in the name of the TTD. A petition was filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court alleging that there was no investigation into the theft case as the then-governing board of the TTD had closed the case after a compromise in the Lok Adalat. Petitioner Macherla Sreenivas sought an investigation into the closure of the case. The SIT, which launched the investigation in October, questioned former TTD Chairpersons B. Karunakar Reddy and Y.V. Subba Reddy, former TTD executive officer Dharma Reddy, and several other TTD and police officials. In a related development, the High Court on Wednesday directed CID to submit a report of the post-mortem examination of Y. Satish Kumar, the complainant in the theft case. A former Assistant Vigilance and Security Officer (AVSO) of the TTD and complainant in the theft case, Satish Kumar, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on the railway tracks at Komali village near Tadipatri in Anantapur district on November 14. Postmortem revealed that he had been hit on the back of his head with a sharp object. Nagpur, Dec 10 : As many as 11 Maoists carrying a combined reward of Rs 82 lakh surrendered before the police in Maharashtra's Maoist-hit Gadchiroli on Wednesday, marking a major success for the state police in its efforts to weaken the red rebels' influence in the region. Officials said all 11 Maoists had been involved in violent activities for decades together and were active across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. They all surrendered before Maharashtra Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla at an event organised in Gadchiroli. Of the 11, four of them surrendered along with their weapons and Maoist uniforms. Prominent among them was Ramesh, also known as Bhima or Baju Guddi Lekami, who had carried a reward of Rs 16 lakh and 88 cases registered against him in Gadchiroli alone, including 43 encounters, eight arson cases and 37 other offences. His involvement in cases in other states is under verification. He had joined the banned organisation in 2004. Apart from the DGP, senior police officers, including Additional DGP (Special Operations) Chhering Dorje, were also present on the occasion. They were on a two-day visit to Gadchiroli from Tuesday. The police said that growing disillusionment with Maoist ideology and frustration with the violence inflicted on civilians have pushed many members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) to consider rehabilitation under the state's Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy, introduced in 2005. According to officials, 783 Maoists have surrendered before the Gadchiroli Police so far under this programme. The latest development follows two major mass surrenders earlier this year. On January 1 this year, 11 Maoists, including Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee member Tarakka Sidam, surrendered before the state leadership. Later, on October 15, Politburo and central committee member Mallojula Venugopal Rao, also known as Bhupathi or Sonu, along with 61 senior cadres, surrendered before Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The police said these setbacks have significantly weakened Maoist influence across Gadchiroli and the wider Dandakaranya region. During the DGP's visit, a programme was held at Eklavya Hall, where C-60 officers and personnel were felicitated for their role in securing the surrender of 61 Maoists in the Laheri forest area. The DGP said, "These officers and personnel, without regard for their own lives, entered an extremely remote forest area and achieved remarkable success." She appealed to remaining armed cadres to lay down their weapons and "join the mainstream of democracy to live a life of dignity." The DGP also released a guidebook titled "Project Udaan A Glimpse of Development: Government Scheme Handbook", prepared by the Gadchiroli Police to help officers share information about state welfare schemes in remote regions. Kolkata, Dec 10 : A man in Nadia district's Hanskhali area of West Bengal has been accused of trying to register the name of his Bangladeshi wife by using the voter card of his first wife with whom he has separated. The matter came to light on Wednesday after the first wife lodged a complaint against her husband. The complaint was filed with the Hanskhali Police Station and the Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) of Ranaghat, Bharat Singh. According to sources, Ashok Roy's wife, Usha Roy, a resident of the Shyamnagar Mathpara area of Hanskhali in Nadia district, had left the house due to her husband's torture. They are yet to separate legally. However, Ashok married another woman in between, whom neighbours claimed is a Bangladeshi national. It has been alleged that Ashok stole the EPIC (voter) card of his first wife and tried to register his second wife's name using Usha's identity. Usha, who had left her husband's house with her child, got to know about this through neighbours. She also came to know that her husband had married a Bangladeshi woman. Speaking to reporters, Usha said that when she went to get the enumeration form for the SIR exercise, she came to know that her husband had already taken the form, filled it and submitted it. Hearing this, she went to her husband to enquire. However, Ashok chased her away. "My EPIC number, name, age and address have been used to get a Bangladeshi woman a voter card. My husband has just changed the picture and put the picture of his Bangladeshi wife. Today, I have filed a written complaint against him at the Hanskhali Police Station and the SDO of Ranaghat," said Usha. It has been learned that Ashok's second wife's name is Beauty Roy. Both of them were not at home after the allegations were raised. Ashok's brother, Nabakumar Roy, said: "Ashok has done something wrong. He used the picture of his second wife in the EPIC number of his first wife." Meanwhile, local Booth Level Officer (BLO) Biswajit Bar also said that the matter has come to their attention. "Despite the fact that the EPIC numbers of both are the same, the photographs are different. The matter is being looked into," said the BLO. Berlin, Dec 10 : Shafi Burfat, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue of what he described as Pakistan's "extremist-controlled nuclear arsenal" at international forums and draw global attention to Islamabad's state-sponsored terrorism and radicalisation. Berlin, Dec 10 (IANS) Shafi Burfat, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue of what he described as Pakistan's "extremist-controlled nuclear arsenal" at international forums and draw global attention to Islamabad's state-sponsored terrorism and radicalisation. In a detailed appeal Burfat said, "With deep respect and an unshakable commitment to peace, dignity, and regional stability, I submit this comprehensive appeal on behalf of the people of Sindh, an ancient civilization, a distinct nation, and a people who today stand at the frontline of suffering under Pakistan's militarized, extremist-driven, and structurally artificial state system." "This appeal is not merely a political statement. It is a warning. It is an alarm for humanity. It is the voice of a nation struggling to survive under an oppressive, radicalised, and dangerously unstable state," he added. Burfat argued that Pakistan's Sindh province faces a grave existential threat under the country's "extremist, militarised, and fundamentally corrupt state structure". With Pakistan's "radicalised, jihadist-influenced military elite" controlling nuclear weapons through opaque and irresponsible command systems, he warned that the country represents not only a danger to Sindh but a destabilising force for the wider region and the world. Expressing concern, Burfat stated that the escalating nuclear danger under Pakistan's "radicalised" army is no longer about whether extremist groups might seize nuclear weapons. Instead, he claimed, " the alarming truth is that extremism now occupies the highest command of Pakistan's military structure itself". He further alleged that the Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir embodies an "openly radicalised ideological orientation, a jihadist-influenced worldview, a deeply confrontational mindset, a rigid, anti-democratic, anti-civilizational perspective." "Under such leadership, Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not secure. They are not rationally controlled. They are susceptible to ideological misuse. They pose an existential risk to regional and global peace," the Sindhi leader emphasised. Burfat accused the Pakistani military establishment of using "religious extremism" as an official instrument of state strategy for decades. He stated that this has created and funded jihadist organisations, trained militants for cross-border terrorism in India, and supported extremist networks in the Kashmir region. Burfat asserted that a stable future for the region is impossible as long as Pakistan's "extremist state structure and its toxic presence" continue to endanger neighbouring nations, regional stability, and humanity at large. "The civilised world must expose, confront, and dismantle this dangerous system. Until Pakistan's extremism, terrorism, and irresponsible nuclear posture are eliminated, its existence will remain a perpetual threat to the region and to global peace," he concluded. Chennai, Dec 10 : Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday said Tamil Nadu is likely to witness a coalition government after the 2026 Assembly elections, as no single political party appears poised to secure an absolute majority. Addressing the media, Dhinakaran said the current political landscape in the state pointed clearly towards a fractured mandate. While all parties naturally nurture the ambition of forming a government on their own, the prevailing ground reality suggested that a coalition arrangement would be inevitable. "Whatever alliance takes shape, no party is likely to cross the majority mark on its own. A coalition government will be unavoidable," he said. He further observed that if a full-fledged political alliance were to be formed under actor Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), it could pose a serious political challenge to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led coalition. His comments come amid growing speculation about new political alignments ahead of the crucial 2026 polls. Responding to questions about his recent meeting with former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai, Dhinakaran sought to dispel any political inference. He clarified that the meeting in Coimbatore was strictly personal in nature. "We are long-time friends. There was nothing political about that meeting," he said. On Annamalai's allegation that 125 Hindu temples had been demolished, the AMMK leader said he would refrain from commenting without verifying the facts. He added that political organisations must function responsibly and avoid creating unnecessary friction among communities living beyond religious boundaries. Dhinakaran also reiterated his call for unity among the loyal followers of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. "All those who truly follow Amma must come together under one front," he said, adding, "You know O. Panneerselvam's position," in an apparent reference to the internal realignments within the AIADMK camp. Commenting on the law-and-order situation in the State, Dhinakaran alleged that incidents of murder and robbery had increased due to the growing drug menace. He also expressed concern over women's safety, claiming it had deteriorated significantly. On future political strategies, he said decisions on alliances would be formally announced within the next two months. While confirming that talks were underway with a few parties for a possible tie-up, he declined to reveal the names at this stage. Bengaluru, Dec 10 : The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said that it will take up in January 2026 a series of petitions opposing the state government's order requiring all registered industrial units to provide paid menstrual leave, noting that the issue holds public significance. The bench headed by Justice M. Jyothi made the remark while passing the order in this regard. Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty cited Article 42 of the Constitution, noting that it deals with ensuring fair and humane working conditions as well as maternity relief. He also pointed to Article 15(3) and a Supreme Court directive asking states to extend such benefits. The Advocate General further argued that Karnataka has a progressive legislature, and that menstrual leave is provided in many countries around the world. He added that the Law Commission has studied the issue in detail and that all stakeholders were consulted before the government issued the notification. The court observed orally: "You have already filed a detailed objection. Hereas what we will do: Petitioner's advocate Prashanth, review it and submit a rejoinder if needed. We must hear both sides -- those supporting the order and those opposing it." The petitioner's lawyer responded that arguments could proceed in the meantime and requested that the government not take further action until then. However, the Advocate General insisted: "We will implement the order fully." At that point, the court noted: "This issue is of public significance. We will take it up for hearing after the winter break." After the discussion, the court dictated its formal order. The Advocate General (AG) appeared and informed the court that the government has already filed its objections in the Bangalore Hotels Association case, and requested that those objections be treated as applicable to the other connected cases as well. The court said that if the petitioners want to file a rejoinder, they may do so. The petitioners' lawyer also submitted a memo stating that certain important questions of law have been raised in the case. The court acknowledged this and placed the memo on record. Earlier, the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order staying the government notification directing registered industrial establishments to provide one-day menstrual leave for working women and directed the government to file objections. The order was passed while looking into the petition questioning the government order by the Bangalore Hotels Association and Management of Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited. The case will be relisted after the winter vacation. The Bench has also allowed petitioners to seek modification of the order later. The Bench asked whether the government had consulted or heard from the management before issuing the notification. The counsel said it had not. After that, the court issued the interim order. The government notification, issued on November 20, mandated industrial establishments to provide paid menstrual leave to women employees. The petitioners' counsel argued that the government had issued an executive order directing establishments to grant menstrual leave. The counsel pointed out that the laws governing industries already provide a complete leave policy, and none of those laws contain any provision that requires employers to provide menstrual leave. The petition seeking to quash the government order states that the establishments are registered under different labour laws - such as the Factories Act, the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, the Plantations Labour Act, the Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, and the Motor Transport Workers Act. Under these laws, employees are allowed only 12 days of leave per year. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is set to travel to Germany later this month, where he will interact with the Indian diaspora at an event in Berlin. His visit, scheduled from December 15 to 20, coincides with the Winter Session of Parliament, which is set to conclude on December 19. According to the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), Gandhi will address a major diaspora gathering in Berlin on December 17 as part of an event organised by the IOC's European chapters. "We are honoured to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025," Ausaf Khan, President of the Indian Overseas Congress, Austria, said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Khan said the event would bring together presidents of IOC units from across Europe and serve as a platform to deliberate on strengthening the Congress organisation internationally, addressing key concerns of non-resident Indians, and exploring how the IOC can expand its reach and amplify the party's ideology abroad. "We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Dr Arathi Krishna and other esteemed leaders," the statement added. The announcement comes amid renewed attacks from the BJP, which has accused Rahul Gandhi of frequently travelling abroad and neglecting his responsibilities in Parliament. BJP leaders have dubbed him the "Leader of Paryatan". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi criticised Gandhi for planning a foreign visit during the ongoing session of Parliament. "He spends time abroad when Parliament is in session and later says he doesn't get a chance to speak. He is a part-time, non-serious political leader," Joshi alleged. The Congress, however, hit back sharply. Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra defended her brother's travel plans, saying the BJP's criticism was hypocritical. "Modiji spends almost half his working time outside the country. Why are they raising questions about the Leader of the Opposition travelling?" she asked. The Germany visit is part of Rahul Gandhi's broader international outreach strategy, which has included recent engagements with diaspora communities in the US, UK and Southeast Asia. Ahmedabad, Dec 10 : In a major escalation of its efforts to disrupt cyber fraud networks, the Crime Branch has intensified its statewide crackdown on "mule accounts" - bank accounts which used to channel and launder proceeds of online crime. As part of the ongoing operation, the agency has initiated proceedings to register three FIRs, signalling a tougher stance not only against cybercriminals but also against those who enable their activities. The Crime Branch has released updated operational details on the ongoing crackdown. According to officials, more than 34 mule accounts have been identified so far and are now under detailed scrutiny. The process of registering three separate FIRs against individuals involved in operating these illegal accounts has already begun. Investigators are also probing the role of personnel from two different banks to determine whether negligence or complicity facilitated the misuse of these accounts. In addition, 18 SIM card vendors who allegedly issued SIM cards through fraudulent methods to support mule account operations are under active investigation. Comprehensive financial and digital analysis of the seized accounts and their wider network is currently in progress as the probe expands. The registered cases focus on individuals and organised groups involved in renting out or operating mule accounts that serve as vital financial pipelines for cyber scams. Investigators have also widened the probe to examine the role of financial institutions, scrutinising whether bank officials were complicit - either through deliberate collusion or serious negligence - in facilitating the opening and misuse of these accounts. The crackdown also places significant emphasis on regulatory accountability. Where banks, digital platforms, or other intermediaries are found to have breached mandatory compliance norms - such as KYC procedures or monitoring suspicious transactions - the Crime Branch will escalate the matter to the Gujarat Cyber Tribunal (Adjudicating Officer). Formal reports will be filed to ensure that non-compliant entities face appropriate legal and financial penalties. Alongside enforcement, the Crime Branch is prioritising support for victims. Acknowledging that institutional lapses often contribute to financial fraud, the agency will assist eligible citizens in filing compensation claims against negligent intermediaries, helping victims pursue recovery of their losses. The intensified drive represents a comprehensive approach - one aimed at dismantling the ecosystem that sustains cybercrime, enforcing accountability at every level, and safeguarding the financial rights of citizens. Ahmedabad, Dec 10 : The grand valedictory ceremony of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 - Software Edition, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE, was held at Shivanand Ashram, Ahmedabad, in the encouraging presence of Minister of State for Education, Rivaba R. Jadeja. Ahmedabad, Dec 10 (IANS) The grand valedictory ceremony of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Software Edition, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE, was held at Shivanand Ashram, Ahmedabad, in the encouraging presence of Minister of State for Education, Rivaba R. Jadeja. Gujarat Technological University (GTU), in collaboration with ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC-ISRO), successfully hosted the national-level finale for the eighth consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to innovation, technology, and nation-building. Smart India Hackathon, regarded as the world's largest open innovation platform, aims to boost practical learning, problem-solving abilities, design thinking, and the application of modern technologies among students across India. The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr K. N. Kher, Registrar of GTU, who highlighted the university's achievement of hosting the SIH finale for eight continuous years. Dignitaries were then felicitated in recognition of their contributions to the field of education and innovation. In his inspiring address, Dr Nilesh M. Desai, Director, SACISRO, shed light on India's rapid advancements in quantum computing, satellite technology, and emerging deep-tech sectors. He urged students to actively pursue research and industry-relevant skills, noting the crucial role of institutions like GTU in shaping India's technological future. Padma Shri Dr Ganpatbhai Patel, President and Patron-in-Chief of Ganpat University, emphasised the deep interconnections between business, technology, and nation-building. He praised the students' innovative problem-solving mindset and forward-thinking approach. GTU Vice Chancellor Dr Rajul K. Gajjar, in her keynote address, outlined the university's NEP 2020aligned initiatives focused on strengthening the startup ecosystem, encouraging interdisciplinary innovation, and inspiring students to think beyond traditional academic boundaries. Minister Rivaba R. Jadeja, the chief guest, delivered a motivating address highlighting women's entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and the scientific legacy of Dr Vikram Sarabhai. "India's future does not lie in government buildings but in our laboratories, research centres, and the innovative minds of our youth," she said. She also stressed the need to enhance skill-based learning, research orientation, technology adoption, and the startup culture in education. The ceremony concluded with the announcement of winners from the SIH 2025 GTU Nodal Centre by Chandraprakash, Project Director, SACISRO. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday called for urgent action to safeguard 5 million children displaced by conflict in Sudan, where famine has been declared in parts of Darfur and Kordofan regions. UNICEF estimates that 10 million people have been displaced in Sudan -- half of them children, marking the highest level of child displacement in the world. The agency said children trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, including in Darfur and Kordofan, are especially vulnerable as access to food, safe water and medical supplies has been largely cut off. Newly displaced children arrive exhausted, dehydrated and in urgent need of protection, nutrition and medical support. "Children in Sudan are living through unrelenting violence, hunger and fear," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, who is visiting the country. "Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, including horrific levels of sexual violence. They need protection, services, and global solidarity." Russell said that during a stop in Kassala, she met women and adolescent girls receiving psychosocial support and skills training at a UNICEF-supported center. Many fled violence and found care and safety at the center. But similar services are extremely limited in Darfur and Kordofan due to ongoing insecurity. In North Darfur, fighting in and around El Fasher has forced more than 106,000 people to flee since late October, overwhelming reception sites and turning areas like Tawila into vast informal settlements. Despite ongoing support efforts, insecurity continues to impede UNICEF's humanitarian response. Famine conditions have been confirmed in parts of Darfur and Kordofan and risk spreading further. Families attempting to escape conflict zones face dangerous routes and many arrive in safer areas distressed. Children in front-line areas are often left without psychosocial care, support for survivors of gender-based violence, and other basic services. UNICEF said recent efforts include identifying and registering unaccompanied and separated children, leading to more than 200 reunifications in North Darfur; providing gender-based violence support such as psychosocial care, referrals and cash assistance; and offering psychological support to thousands of children and caregivers in high-risk locations. The agency has also restored access to safe water for hundreds of thousands of people and is using mobile clinics and partner facilities to provide health and nutrition services, and respond to disease outbreaks, including cholera. The United Nations continues to call for an immediate end to the violence and urges all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety and dignity of every child and civilian. Ahmedabad, Dec 10 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday approved significant decisions aimed at accelerating balanced and inclusive economic growth across the state. CM Patel approved the decisions at the state cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar. Briefing the media, Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani announced the clearance of the Regional Economic Master Plan (EMP) for six economic regions in the state - an ambitious framework designed to ensure equitable development across all 33 districts. Vaghani said the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047', to which Gujarat is firmly committed. The newly-approved master plan will serve as a critical roadmap to drive region-specific growth, infrastructure expansion and industrial competitiveness. To ensure seamless execution, the cabinet has also approved the appointment of a senior officer as EMP Coordinator (Nodal Officer) for each of the six regions. These coordinators will act as the central link between government departments, industry stakeholders, local administrations and the stateas high-level think tank, Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT). GRIT will provide strategic foresight and data-driven recommendations to strengthen the implementation of regional plans. Its inputs, along with the EMP, are expected to form the foundation of the stateas long-term development blueprints - 'Viksit Gujarat @ 2047' and 'Gujarat @ 2035'. Under the new appointments, the state government has designated senior officials as Regional Economic Master Plan Coordinators to ensure smooth implementation across the state's six economic regions. Industries Commissioner P. Swaroop will oversee coordination for Central Gujarat, while Rajendra Kumar, Secretary of the Tourism Department, will lead the Saurashtra Region. The Kutch Region will be supervised by Rajkumar Beniwal, VC and CEO of the Gujarat Maritime Board, and Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal will coordinate efforts for South Gujarat. For the Coastal Saurashtra Region, oversight has been assigned to Dhaval Patel, Commissioner of Geology and Mining, whereas Pravina D.K., Managing Director of GIDC, will be responsible for driving development initiatives in North Gujarat. These EMP Coordinators will ensure coordination across departments, timely execution of flagship projects, and continuous monitoring of region-wise progress. The cabinet's decision marks a significant step toward building a more balanced, future-ready economic architecture for Gujarat - one that prioritises regional strengths, inclusive development and long-term competitiveness. New Delhi, December 10 : In a significant development in Afghanistan, three major political blocs opposing the Taliban have "reached an agreement and are speaking with a unified voice to address the current crisis", a report said. The Afghanistan International news website quoted National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan spokesman Abdullah Qarluq claiming that the three major "political movements opposing the Taliban have reached an agreement and are speaking with a unified voice to address the current crisis". The Council, formed as an anti-Taliban platform after the fall of Kabul in 2021, includes leaders such as Ahmad Massoud, Ata Mohammad Noor, and Yunus Qanuni. Other similar movements involved in this coordination reportedly are the Afghanistan National Movement for Peace and Justice, led by Hanif Atmar, and the National Assembly for Salvation, led by Mohammad Mohaqiq, Abdul Rashid Dostum and other leaders. Spokespersons for these movements reportedly said that for the first time, a broad spectrum of jihadist leaders and technocrats from the former government have come together. They described the agreement as a "golden opportunity for establishing lasting peace", added the report. It suggested the talks had taken place at Tehran's behest, saying: "Recently, some anti-Taliban political figures have travelled to Iran," adding that Taliban Minister of Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadim, a close ally of Hibatullah Akhundzada, has also travelled to Iran. Similar attempts were made earlier, too, with at least one confirmed instance in 2022, when Iran hosted discussions between Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and leaders of the opposition blocs. However, there have been no reports earlier on any headway. Members of these anti-Taliban groups have either had an association with the Mujahedin administration in Kabul after the withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989-90, or subsequent governments. Among the leaders is the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the astute warrior who announced himself as Defence Minister in the initial Mujahedin administration. He was assassinated by the Taliban in 2001. Part of this anti-Taliban movement also is Dostum, who was a general in the erstwhile Najibullah government, but later joined the Mujahedin administration. The two leaders, Afghan International said in a separate report, had also joined others among opposition groups, calling for UN-supervised intra-Afghan peace talks. The joint statement, issued under the title "National Consensus of Afghan Political Parties and Movements," was released on Tuesday, during an online meeting aimed at presenting a shared proposal for resolving Afghanistan's current crisis. This was amidst Iran's reported efforts at getting representatives from the Taliban administration to sit across the table with the resistance leaders for a possible reconciliation. Most of the opposition leaders are either in hiding in Afghanistan or taking shelter elsewhere, with their followers launching guerrilla attacks on Kabul's current rulers. However, according to Afghanistan International, a joint "National Consensus" declaration may be released soon. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday mounted a strong defence of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, tracing its history back to the early years of India's democracy and accusing the Congress of misleading the public about the exercise. "Till 2004, no one objected to SIR. It is a process by which we can improve elections and make our democracy healthy. If the voter list is corrupt, how can we expect to conduct free and fair elections?" Shah asked. He added that the Constitution clearly defines the powers of the Election Commission, the process of preparing voter lists, and provisions for changes or improvements. "When these provisions were made, our party did not even exist," he pointed out. Shah argued that duplicate entries are a common error and must be corrected. "Should a voter be able to vote in more than one place? This is a process to cleanse the election process," he said. Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing debate on electoral reforms, HM Shah said the first SIR was conducted in 1952 under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, followed by revisions in 1957 and 1961. The process continued under Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1965 and 1966, and later under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1983-84, 1987 and 1989. It was also carried out during the tenure of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao in 199293 and 1995, and under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002-03. After 2004, Shah said, the latest revision took place in 2025 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He alleged that the Opposition was worried because SIR would remove the names of illegal immigrants who, he claimed, formed part of their support base. "Should illegal immigrants participate in elections in India?" he asked. The debate, which began Tuesday, has been marked by sharp exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches. Rahul Gandhi, visibly angered by HM Shah's remarks, challenged him to debate the Congress's press conferences. HM Shah retorted that Gandhi's November 5 statement was exaggerated, pointing to examples such as Bihar voter Minta Devi, who admitted she had mistakenly filled out her online form. "When you win, the Election Commission is great; when you lose, it is incompetent. Such double standards will not work," HM Shah said. Escalating his attack, Shah alleged that "some families are hereditary vote thieves," naming Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. When Gandhi attempted to interrupt, HM Shah shot back, "Don't interrupt." The exchanges underscored the deepening divide between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA Bloc over electoral reforms, with SIR emerging as the latest flashpoint in the battle over credibility and transparency in India's democratic process. Thiruvananthapuram Dec 10 : Escalating the political confrontation with Kerala's Left Democratic Front government, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday openly challenged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to a public debate on the issues the latter has raised at a venue and date of his choosing. In a strongly worded statement, Satheesan said he was ready to face a public discussion on all questions raised by the Chief Minister. "You may decide the place and date. I hope you will accept my proposal," he said, underlining his confidence in addressing the allegations and counter-allegations in an open forum. Satheesan reminded the Chief Minister that two individuals are currently in jail in connection with the theft of gold-plated structures, doors, guardian deity sculptures and other priceless valuables from the sanctum sanctorum at the Sabarimala temple. Accusing the government of shielding those involved, he said the audacity with which the CPI-M leadership continues to attack the Congress and the UDF despite this was "astonishing". Responding to the Chief Minister's remarks on a series of sexual assault allegations involving a Congress MLA, Satheesan asserted that the Congress in Kerala had taken an unprecedented stand by acting decisively. In contrast, he accused the Chief Minister of conveniently forgetting the misconduct of two ministers in his first Cabinet and pointed out that two persons facing sexual misconduct allegations still enjoy the Chief Minister's public support. The Leader of Opposition further raised pointed questions about the Chief Minister's Political Secretary, alleging undue control over the police machinery from within the Chief Minister's Office. He also referred to a recent complaint submitted by a woman from the film industry against a CPI-M leader who had been honoured with legislative status, questioning why the complaint was allegedly kept pending for days before being handed over to the police. Satheesan alleged that the ruling party was protecting more than a dozen individuals facing sexual and criminal charges while targeting the Opposition for taking what he described as principled action. "I stand firmly by my statement. It is the Chief Minister and his party who are on the defensive," he said. Welcoming the Chief Minister's apparent willingness for a debate, Satheesan said healthy public discussions form the essence of democracy and reiterated his demand for an open, transparent exchange of views before the people of Kerala. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, opened the National Conference on 'Ensuring Everyday Essentials - Public Services and Dignity for All' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi by asserting that good governance itself must be regarded as a fundamental right. New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) Dr PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, opened the National Conference on 'Ensuring Everyday Essentials Public Services and Dignity for All' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi by asserting that good governance itself must be regarded as a fundamental right. He stressed that efficiency, transparency, grievance redressal and timely service delivery are not simply administrative functions but the very essence of human dignity in a democracy. Speaking on World Human Rights Day -- National Conference on Ensuring Everyday Essentials Public Services and Dignity for All at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, he reminded the gathering that the occasion is not merely ceremonial but a call to reflect on how dignity is experienced in everyday life, through access to food, water, shelter, education, justice and now also privacy, mobility, clean environment and digital inclusion. Dr Mishra declared that good governance itself must be seen as a fundamental right. He stressed that efficiency, transparency, grievance redressal and timely service delivery are not simply administrative ideals but the very foundation of human dignity in a modern democracy. His keynote address coincided with World Human Rights Day, which he described as a moment not only of commemoration but of reflection on how dignity is experienced in everyday life. Dr Mishra recalled Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, which guarantees the right to an adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and social security in times of vulnerability. He reminded the audience of India's historic role in shaping the Declaration, particularly the contribution of Dr Hansa Mehta, who ensured that it affirmed "all human beings are born free and equal," a decisive step for gender equality. He argued that rights must be realised through access to food, water, shelter, education and justice, and that the understanding of human rights has expanded from civil and political freedoms to social, economic and cultural entitlements, now extending to technology, digital systems, environmental concerns and new vulnerabilities. Dignity today, Dr Mishra observed, is shaped not only by freedoms but also by access to privacy, mobility, a clean environment and digital inclusion. He situated this vision within India's civilizational ethos, noting that concepts such as dharma, nyaya, karuna and seva emphasised righteous conduct and welfare, while ahimsa encouraged restraint and "vasudhaiva kutumbakam" fostered belonging to a larger human family. These principles influenced the framing of the Constitution, from universal adult franchise and enforceable rights to directive principles prioritising education, health, livelihood and welfare. Reflecting on the decade prior to 2014, he said India pursued a rights-based approach through legislations such as the Right to Education Act, MGNREGA and the National Food Security Act, but enacting rights without effective delivery undermined credibility. Since 2014, the government has emphasised a saturation approach, ensuring no eligible beneficiary is left out. This marked a shift from paper rights to implemented rights, supported by digital infrastructure, direct benefit transfers and outreach campaigns such as the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. Poverty alleviation, he stressed, is the most effective human rights intervention, with 25 crore Indians lifted out of poverty in the last decade, corroborated by the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 202324. Concluding his address, Dr Mishra urged institutions to adopt frameworks for emerging challenges as India advances towards Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted climate change, environmental justice, data protection, algorithmic fairness, responsible AI, gig work vulnerabilities and digital surveillance as pressing concerns. He envisioned a modern, inclusive nation with liveable cities and vibrant villages, stressing citizen-centred governance, responsible technology use and collective action to ensure dignity, justice and development for all. Washington, Dec 10 : Tara Chand, President of Baloch American Congress, on Wednesday drew the international community's attention to atrocities committed by Pakistan's "radical Islamic army" in Balochistan as the world observed International Human Rights Day. Washington, Dec 10 (IANS) Tara Chand, President of Baloch American Congress, on Wednesday drew the international community's attention to atrocities committed by Pakistan's "radical Islamic army" in Balochistan as the world observed International Human Rights Day. "Today is Human Rights Day around the world, and we want to remind the international community that Pakistan's radical Islamic army has committed serious atrocities in Balochistan. Mahrang Baloch and the BYC leadership have been illegally imprisoned by military agencies for months without any charges. Nasreen Baloch, Mehjeen Baloch, Fauzia Baloch, and thousands of innocent Baloch students, lecturers, professors, doctors, and political workers are forcibly abducted and taken to secret torture camps," the Baloch leader posted on X "There is no legal process. The army treats the Baloch people as if they are its slaves. For years, it has been abusing the Baloch nation while plundering the natural resources of Balochistan," he added. Chand accused the Pakistani army of attempting to impose a strict religious ideology in Balochistan and mould the region into a radical Islamic society. He stressed that while the world remains silent, the people of Balochistan are protesting these serious abuses. "These actions are serious violations of human rights. The oppression in Balochistan has reached its peak. The world must stand with the Baloch people, demand an end to these injustices, and call for the withdrawal of the Pakistani army from Balochistan," the Baloch leader emphasised. Meanwhile, human rights body Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, highlighted the ongoing and systematic human rights violations by Pakistani authorities in Balochistan. "Despite global commitments to uphold human dignity, the people of Balochistan continue to face enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions and suppression of fundamental freedoms," BVJ stated. "The ongoing violations in Balochistan not only undermine the rule of law but also threaten regional stability and global human rights norms," it noted. The rights body urged the United Nations to acknowledge the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan publicly and demand accountability for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Additionally, it called on the UN to deploy independent monitoring mechanisms to investigate and report on violations; and to support the Baloch people in securing their basic rights to life, liberty, and freedom of expression. Nagpur, Dec 10 : Maharashtra Revenue Minister and BJP Election In-charge for local body polls Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday announced that the Mahayuti alliance partners BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP will together contest the upcoming elections to the 32 Zilla Parishads and 29 Municipal Corporations, saying that the unity among the three parties will remain intact. "The unity of the Mahayuti will remain intact in the Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation elections. We have set a goal to achieve 51 per cent of the votes and win, and the Mahayuti will contest these elections together," he said. Minister Bawankule was speaking to reporters after a meeting attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BJP State President Ravindra Chavan, and himself. "Instructions have been given to all district-level leaders to complete the Mahayuti's structure at the local level. While some issues may arise on 5 to 10 per cent of the seats locally, Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde will personally sit and take the final decision there," he said. Minister Bawankule further said that the Mahayuti is also prepared for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. "Although the Shiv Sena has demanded 90 to 100 seats, the decision on seat-sharing will be taken after examining technical aspects. For this purpose, a committee comprising four office-bearers each from the BJP and Shiv Sena, along with representatives of the Mahayuti, will meet and discuss," he added. He clarified that where differences of opinion occur, senior leaders will find a solution. Furthermore, the decision on the Mayor's post in Mumbai will be taken jointly by CM Fadnavis and DCMs Shinde, and Ajit Pawar. Minister Bawankule stressed that Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is an integral part of the Mahayuti and will fight the upcoming battles alongside them. He clarified that in the past local self-government elections, there were some "differences of opinion" among workers in a few places, but those have now been completely resolved. "We had no 'heartbreak', only election-related 'differences of opinion'," he asserted. Bawankule's statement comes in the wake of allegations of poaching made by the Shiv Sena and BJP leaders during the recently held elections to 264 nagar parishads and nagar panchayats. Besides, in several local bodies, the three partners contested against each other, which led to verbal duels among them during the election campaign. Speaking on the issue of a separate Vidarbha and its development, Minister Bawankule sharply criticised the Congress. He stated that since Devendra Fadnavis' government came to power in 2014, Vidarbha has seen rapid development. "The BJP believes that small states can develop, and our aim is to give full justice to Vidarbha. The Congress's decline in this region is due to its neglect of Vidarbha," he said. He also clarified that the Forest Department headquarters (Forest office) will not be shifted to Mumbai, as Vidarbha has the largest forest cover. Dhaka, Dec 10 : Officials and employees from various ministries and divisions working at the Bangladesh Secretariat confined Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed inside his office on Wednesday as they have long been demanding various allowances, local media reported. According to officials who were present there, a group of employees gathered in front of the adviseras office on the fourth floor of the building, leading the Bangladesh daily Dhaka Tribune reported. Employees, led by Badiul Kabir, a factional president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Combined Council, confined Salehuddin Ahmed inside his office at Bangladesh's Ministry of Finance. Speaking to Dhaka Tribune, Kabir stated that Secretariat employees have been demanding various allowances for a long time, adding that they will not leave until the government releases an official gazette announcing the benefits. On December 3, Bangladesh secretariat employees said that they will launch a tougher movement from January 10 if the government does not issue a gazette notification on the pay commission by December. The employees issued the warning in a memorandum sent to the financial adviser by the organisationas secretary general, Nizam Uddin Ahmed, Bangladesh's media outlet bdNews24 reported. As per the memorandum, the government employees had high expectations about the National Pay Commission-2025, formed by the current interim government. However, the organisation stated that an atmosphere of uncertainty has emerged at the final stage and termed it unfavourable for fulfilling their legitimate demands. The council has called for restructuring the existing 20-grade pay scale into 10 phases with 1:4 ratios. As per the memorandum, the lower-grade employees were facing difficulties due to the increasing prices of commodities and the rising cost of living. Delays in enforcing the pay commission report have further increased the frustration among government officials. The three key demands raised by the organisations are implementation of the 9th pay scale, introduction of secretariat allowance and introduction of secretariat ration allowance. Jaipur, Dec 10 : Union Power Minister Manohar Lal expressed confidence that a legal resolution will soon be achieved regarding the expansion of transmission lines in Western Rajasthan in light of the Great Indian Bustard conservation case. He informed that the Green Energy CorridorIII has been approved by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and a 115-gigawatt system is being developed in Rajasthan under the central transmission network. This expansion, he said, makes it clear that the "energy sector super highway" of India will pass through Rajasthan. Manohar Lal was addressing a special session on battery energy storage at the JECC on the occasion of Pravasi Rajasthani Divas on Wednesday. He also appreciated the strong initiatives being taken by the state government for the advancement of the solar energy sector. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said Rajasthan has emerged as a leading force not only in India but also globally in the renewable energy landscape. The state today ranks first in the country in both solar and overall renewable energy capacity. He noted that the knowledge, investment, and global reach of expatriate Rajasthanis are invaluable in accelerating this transformation. The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to making Rajasthan self-reliant in the energy sector and has taken several major steps to transform the state from an energy consumer into an energy provider. He highlighted that 23,386 hectares of land have been allotted for renewable energy projects and parks, enabling the development of 10,202 MW of capacity. He added that an additional 51,808 hectares have been allocated to the Renewable Energy Corporation and the Power Generation Corporation for solar parks with a capacity of 26,784 MWforming the backbone for upcoming gigawatt-scale projects. Approval has also been granted for 964 MW of captive solar plants and 1,514 MW of solar projects for industries and major consumers, ensuring clean, affordable, and long-term energy security. Speaking about PM-KUSUM, the Chief Minister said the scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has empowered farmers by turning them into energy providers. Rajasthan leads the country under this programme. Work orders have been issued for 5,002 solar projects with a capacity of 10,533 MW under PM-KUSUM Components A and C, and 1,019 projects (2,272 MW) have already been installed. Rajasthan ranks first nationwide in Component-A. Food Minister Sumit Godara said solar energy projects have significantly improved livelihoods in Western Rajasthan. Minister of State for Energy (Independent Charge) Hiralal Nagar said battery energy storage systems are being rapidly expanded to meet peak power demand, with a 6,000 MW storage system under development. Revenue Minister Hemant Meena, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Principal Secretary (Energy) Ajitabh Sharma, and representatives from various energy-sector organisations and state power corporations were also present. Patna, Dec 10 : The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) suffered another major political setback on Wednesday after senior leader and former Bihar minister Vijay Krishna resigned from all party positions, including its primary membership. He sent his resignation letter to RJD national president Lalu Prasad Yadav, stating, "I have decided to withdraw from party politics and active politics. Therefore, I am resigning from the primary membership and all positions of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. Please accept." Vijay Krishna has long been regarded as one of the RJD's influential leaders. He shot to prominence after defeating JD-U veteran Nitish Kumar in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from the Barh constituency. Despite being an active and prominent figure within the party for years, growing dissatisfaction with the leadership is believed to have prompted his exit. His political journey, however, has seen significant controversy. In the 1999 Lok Sabha elections, Vijay Krishna accused Nitish Kumar of rigging the polls. He later approached the court, but his petition was dismissed. In 2004, he successfully contested from Barh, once again taking on Nitish Kumar and winning the seat. Vijay Krishna's career took a dramatic turn in 2009 when transporter Satyendra Singh was murdered in the Krishnapuri police station area of Patna. Vijay Krishna, his son Chanakya, and two others were named as accused in the case. In 2013, a Patna civil court convicted them and sentenced them to life imprisonment. After spending nearly 10 years in jail, Vijay Krishna received major relief from the Patna High Court. In May 2022, the court set aside the life sentence awarded to him and his son Chanakya, acquitting them in the murder case. His resignation is being seen as a significant jolt to the RJD, particularly at a time when the party is already grappling with internal challenges and a shifting political landscape in Bihar. Following the RJD's crushing defeat in the Bihar Assembly elections, several leaders have been named as having left Lalu Yadav's party. In such a situation, Vijay Krishna, one of Nitish Kumar's biggest political rivals, leaving RJD is being considered a big blow for Lalu-Tejaswi. YANGON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have arrested 10 suspects involved in an alleged smuggling of timber across the country in the past week, state-owned daily The Mirror reported on Wednesday. From Dec. 1 to 7, the authorities arrested the suspects and seized 115.76 tons of timber, seven vehicles, and machines, the report said. The confiscated timber included 11.46 tons of teak, 13.5 tons of hardwood and 90.8 tons of other types of timber, it said. The Forest Department under the country's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation has been cracking down on illegal logging and the trading of forest products in various ways, it added. New Delhi, Dec 10 : In a major setback for absconding Goa nightclub owners Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, a Delhi court on Wednesday refused to grant them interim protection from arrest in connection with the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, which claimed 25 lives. The brothers had sought transit anticipatory bail from the Rohini court to avoid arrest by the Goa Police; however, their plea was rejected after strong objections were raised by the prosecution. Having already fled the country, the Luthra brothers continue to remain untraceable. A Blue Corner Interpol Notice has been issued to help locate them, even as teams in India and abroad intensify efforts to track their movements. According to investigators, the duo is suspected to have escaped to Thailand's Phuket in a "well-planned" operation executed within five hours of the deadly inferno. Police inputs indicate that the brothers boarded an IndiGo flight to Phuket around 5.30 a.m. on Sunday in an apparent attempt to evade arrest or questioning after the fire that broke out around midnight. A Lookout Circular was issued only later that evening, several hours after they had already flown to Thailand. Earlier on Tuesday, the Goa Police detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four co-owners of Birch by Romeo Lane. With his detention, the total number of people taken into custody has risen to six. Others arrested include Chief General Manager Rajiv Modak, General Manager Vivek Singh, Bar Manager Rajiv Singhania, Gate Manager Riyanshu Thakur, and employee Bharat Kohli. On Monday, Goa Police teams also visited the Luthra brothersa residences in Delhi, pasting notices on the walls. The massive fire a" which tore through the club located near the Arpora River backwaters a" claimed 25 lives, including four tourists and 14 staff members. The identities of seven victims are yet to be formally confirmed. Six others injured in the incident are undergoing treatment. According to police officials, the club had a narrow entry and exit, which became one of the major reasons why many victims were unable to escape the inferno in time. The blaze erupted around midnight on Sunday at the club situated in the bustling Baga area, which draws large crowds owing to its proximity to one of Goa's most frequented beaches. --IANS pds/vd Jaipur, Dec 10 : Rajasthan Police said on Wednesday that cybercriminals have devised a new method of online fraud by sending fake traffic challan messages to vehicle owners. Additional Director General of Police (Cyber Crime), Vijay Kumar Singh, said that fraudsters are sending deceptive messages from non-government numbers, claiming that recipients have pending traffic violation fines. ADG Singh explained that these messages pressure recipients into making immediate payments with warnings such as: "Reminder: Outstanding traffic violation fine. Pay immediately to avoid extra penalties or legal action." He said that the SMS includes a fake link, and once the user clicks on it and attempts payment, there is a high risk of their bank account being compromised. He added that the Cyber Crime Branch has issued guidelines to help citizens recognise fraudulent websites. "Scammers often create domains that closely resemble government websitesfor example, using govt.in instead of gov.in, or inc.in instead of nic.in. Authentic government portals typically use .gov.in, .nic.in, or .org.in domains. Sudden pop-up messages urging users to click for payments or special schemes are also a strong indication of fraud," he said. He further added that the department has urged the public not to click on links received through SMS from unknown numbers. "Citizens are advised never to share banking passwords, OTPs, or personal details with anyone, nor to call the numbers provided in such suspicious messages," he said. He said that police have always emphasised that cyber awareness remains the strongest defence against such scams. "If you encounter fraud or receive a suspicious message, take prompt action," he said. He said that report such incidents by calling the cyber helpline 1930, or contact the cyber help desk at 9256001930 / 9257510100. "Complaints can also be filed via the national cybercrime reporting portal https://cybercrime.gov.in or at the nearest police station/cyber police station," he said. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah, mounting a sharp defence of the SIR and the broader electoral reform push, on Wednesday also asserted that neither the law nor democratic norms bar individuals with an RSS ideology from holding key positions in government. Responding to opposition allegations during a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, Shah said: "They (opposition) said people with an RSS ideology are appointed to important positions. So what's the objection? Is there any law in this country that says people with an RSS ideology cannot hold important posts? The Prime Minister follows the RSS ideology, the Home Minister follows the RSS ideology, and they came to power through the people's mandate, not by your grace.: As the house took up the debate on election reforms, he accused the opposition of spreading "falsehoods" about SIR as he questioned whether democracy could remain safe if "the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister are decided by 'ghuspethiye' (infiltrators)". His remarks triggered uproar, with opposition MPs staging a walkout mid-speech, prompting the Home Minister to remark that they chose to leave instead of hearing a response. Defending the need for electoral cleansing, Shah recounted what he called historical instances of "voter chori", including the selection of India's first Prime Minister. "Sardar Patel got 28 votes, and Jawaharlal Nehru got 2 votes, but Nehru became the Prime Minister," he said, insisting that the opposition resists references to history. He also launched a pointed attack on West Bengal over the issue of infiltration, noting that of the 2,216-km IndiaBangladesh border, 1,653 km is already fenced. "Only 563 km is left, and it falls entirely in West Bengal. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat -- everywhere fencing is done. Only Bengal is left," he said, accusing the state's ruling Trinamool Congress of joining the Congress in a "Save the Infiltrators Yatra" like that of Bihar. Reiterating the NDA's stance, he said: "Even if they boycott this two hundred times, we will not allow a single illegal infiltrator to stay in this country. Our policy is to detect, delete their names from voter lists, and deport (them)." Jaipur, Dec 10 : Emphasising the need for a framework that recognises the emotional and cultural commitment of Non-Resident Rajasthanis, a call was made for the Rajasthan government to introduce a dedicated Social Investment Policy-one that encourages contributions towards preserving ancestral havelis, supporting schools, hospitals, heritage assets and community initiatives, beyond the scope of industrial investment. Jaipur, Dec 10 (IANS) Emphasising the need for a framework that recognises the emotional and cultural commitment of Non-Resident Rajasthanis, a call was made for the Rajasthan government to introduce a dedicated Social Investment Policyone that encourages contributions towards preserving ancestral havelis, supporting schools, hospitals, heritage assets and community initiatives, beyond the scope of industrial investment. This appeal was made at the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas today by Kolkata-based culturalist, author and social worker, Sundeep Bhutoria. Bhutoria was invited by the Government of Rajasthan as a State Guest to speak in the session "From Roots to Routes: Transforming the NRRs into Tourism Ambassadors." He said that NRRs share a deep emotional bond with their homeland, and this connection is what brings them back time and again. "We are not the state government's vote bank. We are ambassadors of Rajasthan's culture, tourism and heritage, no matter where we live," he said, highlighting how traditions like wearing poshaks and safas continue across the globe. He suggested establishing a Public Private Partnership model with companies, organisations and individuals to operationalise tourism desks and information centres, many of which currently function without personnel. Commenting on Rajasthan's rising popularity as a film destination, Bhutoria said that despite the state being one of the world's most majestic shooting locations, it lacks a dedicated film studio. While films are shot here, post-production teams still need to travel to cities like Mumbai. He expressed hope that the New Tourism Policy unveiled today will finally address the long-pending need for a dedicated film studio in Rajasthan. The event was attended by Minister of Culture, Government of India, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma; Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister, Diya Kumari; Urban Development & Housing Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Jhabar Singh Kharra; Animal Husbandry Minister, Government of Rajasthan, Joraram Kumawat; Chairman of Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Promotion Authority, Omkar Singh Lakhawat; Managing Director, India Tourism Development Corporation, Mugdha Sinha and Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Art and Culture, Praveen Gupta. Bhutoria served as the Secretary of the Kolkata Chapter of Rajasthan Foundation for over 10 years. He has been an active promoter of cultural activities across India as well as in Rajasthan and Jaipur. He has played a key role in taking Indian art, literature and culture beyond India to Europe, the United States and West Asia. He is also dedicated to the preservation of Indian folk arts and cultural heritage. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered a stinging rebuttal to the Congress in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, asserting that the party's repeated electoral defeats stem directly from its opposition to landmark decisions of the Modi government, most prominently the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. "You opposed the abrogation of Article 370, you opposed the CAA, you opposed the abolition of triple talaq, you opposed surgical strikes, and above all, you opposed the Ram Mandir. That is exactly why the people rejected you again and again," HM Shah declared amid loud thumping of desks by NDA members. The Home Minister warned that the Congress's current campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists and One Nation One Election (ONOE) would only deepen its electoral isolation. "Continue opposing SIR, and you will not just remain decimated in Bihar you will be wiped out in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu too in the coming elections," he predicted. HM Shah credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's massive victories to tangible welfare delivery rather than any manipulation. "Modi ji ensured free ration, gas cylinders, tap water and electricity to 60 crore people and built world-class infrastructure. The public is rewarding performance with votes. Janata is Ishwar and you dare to call this mandate 'vote chori'?" he asked, drawing sharp protests from opposition benches. Describing the day's debate as a golden opportunity, HM Shah said the government had comprehensively exposed what he termed "one-sided lies" being spread by the Congress about the Election Commission's voter list purification drive. "Every false narrative you built around SIR has been demolished today on the floor of this House," he asserted. The Home Minister's aggressive counter-offensive came amid the ongoing Winter Session confrontation over electoral reforms, with the opposition accusing the Centre of using SIR to disenfranchise marginalised communities ahead of crucial state polls. Shah, however, framed the exercise as essential for electoral integrity and national security, vowing that the NDA would press ahead undeterred. After his address, the House adjourned for the day. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Wednesday and noted that the two countries are strategic partners and bound by a "growing and solid friendship." Tajani stated that India and Italy will strengthen their commitment to achieving peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Following their meeting, Tajani, in a post on X, wrote, "In New Delhi, I had a very friendly meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Italy and India are countries bound by a growing and solid friendship, mutually strategic partners. The goal is to have more India in Italy and more Italy in India, also through the IMEC corridor that links our two countries through Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. With our Governments, we will strengthen the commitment to achieve peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East." Italian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to India, marking his second visit this year aimed at deepening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to the visiting minister. "Warm welcome to Italy's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, on his arrival in New Delhi. This is his second visit to India this year. His engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will further strengthen India-Italy Strategic Partnership," Jaiswal posted on X. During his visit to India, Tajani is scheduled to hold talks with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in Mumbai. Tajani is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday, following the conclusion of his engagements in India. On November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa's Johannesburg and discussed deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. Following the meeting, PM Modi in a post on X wrote, "Had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The India-Italy Strategic Partnership is growing from strength to strength, greatly benefitting the people of our nations." In another post on X, PM Modi said: "We discussed further advancing our cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education." "India and Italy are announcing a Joint Initiative for cooperation in combating the financing of terrorism. This is a necessary and timely effort, which will strengthen humanityas fight against terrorism and its support networks," he added. In September, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Tajani on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York and discussed bilateral ties, developments in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific. New Delhi, Dec 10 : India's Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer held discussions here on Wednesday on the proposed bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. "The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement," the Commerce Ministry's Department of Commerce said in a post on X. Switzer arrived in New Delhi along with a team of US officials for two days of trade discussions with their Indian counterparts. Ahead of his meeting with the Commerce Ministry officials, Switzer met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and their discussions covered the strong IndiaUS economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains, the MEA spokesperson said. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal struck an optimistic note ahead of the official meeting, saying that "talks are continuously progressing with the US as India is moving ahead towards signing a bilateral trade agreement". Commerce Secretary Agrawal said last month that India and the US are "nearing closure" of their talks for signing the first tranche of the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement. He told journalists that the two countries have been holding regular virtual rounds of talks on the BTA. Although no formal deadlines can be set on the issue, the first stage of the trade talks is progressing swiftly, he added. US President Donald Trump sent positive signals on strengthening US-India relations in November, raising fresh hopes that a bilateral trade agreement between the world's two largest democracies could be signed soon. Trump told reporters at the White House that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi were "going great" and that a visit to Delhi could take place next year. He said that he plans to "lower tariffs" imposed on India "at some point", indicating that a breakthrough in the trade talks could come soon. "I think we're pretty close to doing a deal (with India) that's good for everybody,: Trump said, in answer to a question from the media, at the ceremony for swearing in Sergio Gor as the new US Ambassador to India. However, India has made it clear that it would not compromise on the interests of farmers, the dairy sector, and workers in trade deals that it signs with other countries. India has already started buying more oil and gas from the US. The move is aimed at reducing India's trade surplus with the US, an issue that had figured in the earlier rounds of trade talks. In this context, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri had announced that India's public sector oil companies have successfully concluded a one-year structured contract to import around 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the US Gulf Coast during 2026. This represents close to 10 per cent of India's annual LPG imports and marks the first such structured LPG contract with the US for the Indian market. The minister described the decision "as a historic development," noting that one of the world's largest and fastest growing LPG markets has now opened up to the United States. Kabul, Dec 10 : Afghan police have arrested an individual on charges of drug smuggling and confiscated 16 kg of opium in northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, provincial police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said Wednesday. The arrest took place during an operation in the Kishim district of the province. Police found the suspect in possession of the contraband and have taken him into custody for further investigation, the official said, Xinhua News Agency reported. The latest operation highlights continued counter-narcotics efforts aimed at disrupting trafficking networks and reducing the flow of illegal drugs in the region. On November 30, local police said that a consignment of illegal drugs was seized in western Afghanistan's Nimroz province and its owner taken into custody. The alleged drug smuggler, according to the official, was attempting to take 3 kg of methamphetamine out of the province, but police foiled the attempt and took him into custody, spokesman for the provincial police office Mawlawi Gul Mohammad Qudrat said. The Afghan government, which outlawed cultivation of illegal crops including poppy and hashish in 2022, has vowed to continue the war against drugs, their production, process and trafficking until the once drug-producing nation becomes free of the drug menace. On November 16, the Ministry of Interior Affairs stated that Afghan counter-narcotics police seized a quantity of illicit drugs, including crystal meth, and arrested 21 suspected smugglers in separate operations across multiple provinces. The seizure included 86 kg of raw hashish, 5 kg of crystal meth, a quantity of methamphetamine, stimulant tablets, and some other types of narcotics. The drugs were discovered during a series of routine police operations, said the statement. 21 individuals were arrested in connection with the cases, it noted. The police will not allow anyone to produce, purchase, or smuggle illegal drugs in the country, the Ministry said, reaffirming its commitment to combating the narcotics trade. On November 14, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said that Afghan Police had arrested a suspected drug smuggler and confiscated illicit narcotics during an operation in the northern Takhar province. According to the official, the suspect was detained while attempting to transport crystal methamphetamine and other chemicals used in heroin production to Taluqan, the provincial capital, where he allegedly planned to sell the materials. The suspect was placed in custody for further investigation, the spokesman added. Chennai, Dec 10 : The makers of director Dhinesh Kalaiselvan's upcoming action thriller 'Mahasenha', featuring actor Vemal in the lead, have now disclosed the look and character name of actress Srushti Dange in the film. Taking to her social media timelines, actress Srushti Dange, who plays the female lead in the film, shared her character poster, which revealed that she played a character called Bommi. She also wrote, "Introducing Bommi from Yaali Malai (Kurangani) #Mahasenha universe. Dec 12 This Friday." The film, which is being produced by Marudham Productions, is an action thriller that will be rooted in nature, spirituality, and forest mythology. Apart from Srushti Dange and Vemal, the film will also feature Yogi Babu, Mahima Gupta, John Vijay, Kabir Duhan Singh, Alfred Jose, Ilakkiya, and Vijay Siyon in pivotal roles, along with Sena the elephant, which plays a significant and symbolic part in the story. Written and directed by Dhinesh Kalaiselvan, the film will explore the eternal conflict between divine natural forces and human greed. The story, sources say, is set deep within the forests of Gudalur, Wayanad, Kollimalai and Ooty. Speaking about the project, director Dhinesh Kalaiselvan had said, "Mahasenha is not just a film about the jungle a" itas a story about faith, power, and the harmony between man and nature. I wanted to explore how greed disturbs this divine balance, and how spirituality restores it. Every frame of this film reflects our respect for nature and the belief that divinity exists in every living being. The forest itself is a character a" alive, emotional, and powerful." The film has been designed as a visually rich cinematic experience, combining real forest landscapes, stunning CGI artistry, and a deeply emotional human narrative. On the technical front, the film has a background score by Uday Prakash and cinematography by D R Manas Babu. Editing for the film is by Nagooran Ramasandiran and stunts have been choreographed by Ram Kumar. Dances in the film have been choreographed by Dastha and Ameer. Art direction for the film is by V.S. Dinesh Kumar. Phnom Penh/Bangkok, Dec 10 : Nine Cambodian civilians had been killed as of 12:00 pm, and 46 others wounded in the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday. He said in a Facebook post that more than 127,000 Cambodian people have fled their homes near the border with Thailand for safe shelters. The Cambodian Ministry of Defence said in a press release that the Thai military fired two shells into a primary school in Banteay Meanchey province on Wednesday afternoon, Xinhua News Agency reported. Also on Wednesday, Thailand's military announced that it would impose a curfew in four border districts of Sa Kaeo province with immediate effect. In an official statement, the military said the curfew was to safeguard public order, security and stability in the area, as well as to protect residents from external threats. All residents from the four districts are not allowed to go out between 7:00 pm and 5:00 am local time the following day. Meanwhile, Thailand's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday issued a travel advisory, urging Thai nationals to consider leaving Cambodia if they have no essential reason to remain, and those without essential needs to refrain from travelling to Cambodia at this time. According to the ministry, there are approximately 600 to 1,200 Thai nationals currently in Cambodia. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Meanwhile, a Cambodian defence spokesperson said on Wednesday that over 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe zones as border conflict with Thailand has entered a fourth day. The total number of displaced people is 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cambodian Defence Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. She said the Thai army had used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodian military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning. LANZHOU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A new study by Chinese scientists has advanced understanding of the mechanism and impact of permafrost collapse, particularly thaw slumps, on the alpine ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, according to the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Conducted by NIEER researchers, this study evaluated the impact of thaw slumps on alpine grassland ecosystems via systematic field observations and analysis. Its findings have been published in the journal Catena, the NIEER said. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the world's largest high-altitude permafrost region, featuring a unique and fragile alpine ecosystem. In recent years, climate warming and changes in precipitation patterns have been accelerating the degradation of permafrost on this plateau, leading to the expansion of thaw slumps and other thermokarst landforms. Thaw slumps significantly affect carbon and nitrogen migration processes, microbial community structure and alpine ecosystem functions. They do so by altering soil texture and moisture conditions. Thaw slumps also enhance soil carbon pool release and strengthen the positive feedback effect of climate warming, according to Jiang Guanli, a researcher at the NIEER. The NIEER researchers carried out this study to trace thaw slumps' path of regulation of the soil-vegetation feedback process. They conducted the study in the Beiluhe and Fenghuoshan permafrost regions in the interior of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Both these regions are situated at an altitude of over 4,600 meters above sea level. They selected four typical areas containing thaw slump landforms. Researchers carried out vegetation surveys and soil sampling, obtained the gross primary productivity (GPP) of the alpine ecosystem, and systematically evaluated the impact of thaw slumps on the soil-vegetation-CO2 flux in these alpine ecosystems. Their study results indicated that thaw slumps on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau have triggered a sequential series of reactions from soil structure to ecosystem function, doing so by reshaping the surface microtopography. Thaw slumps mainly affect the ecosystem function of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau through the path of soil texture, soil moisture and soil substrate-vegetation-GPP. Incorporating patch-scale heterogeneity and slump age is therefore essential for forecasting the carbon dynamics of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the study revealed. Thaw slumps are among the main thermokarst landforms found on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. "Our study addressed the previous knowledge gap in permafrost collapse, particularly thaw slumps, on the plateau. This is of importance in better understanding and preserving the plateau ecosystem," said Jiang. Jiang added that the study provides reliable measured evidence for understanding changes in carbon sinks on the plateau, by proposing and quantifying the chain of a specific influence path of thaw slumps on soil, vegetation and carbon sinks. "Furthermore, the study proposes new ideas that will be helpful for more accurately assessing the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in terms of dual carbon goals and the global carbon budget," Jiang explained. Nagpur, Dec 10 : The Development Plan Apex Committee meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, approved the construction of a new road and a bridge over the Bhima river between the sacrifice site (Balidan Sthal) of Swarajya Rakshak Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Tulapur (Taluka Haveli, Pune district) and his memorial site (Samadhi Sthal) in Mouje Vadhu Budruk (Taluka Shirur). Fadnavis also directed that the suggestions of the villagers should be taken into consideration while implementing the development plan for Tulapur, the sacrifice site, and Vadhu Budruk, the memorial site, of Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who is the deity of the entire Maharashtra. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and MLA Dnyaneshwar Katke were present at the meeting. Fadnavis said that a large number of citizens visit Tulapur and Vadhu Budruk to pay respects at the sacrifice and memorial sites of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Therefore, the Tulapur - Vadhu Bu road should be connected by a bridge over the Bhima River. Currently, the road is 14 kilometres long, and it takes citizens 30 to 40 minutes to travel from Tulapur to Vadhu Budruk. By constructing the bridge over the Bhima River, the road will be reduced to six and a half kilometres. This will reduce the distance between the two sites and save citizens' time. According to the Chief Minister, the bridge over the Bhima River should include a 'Viewing Gallery'. The design of the bridge, the construction of the riverbank (Ghat), and the quality of the work should be such that they evoke the history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's era. The Chief Minister also instructed that the lighting and beautification on the riverbank and the bridge should be of high quality, and guides should be trained at the site. They should be well-informed about the entire historical context. Development works should be carried out in such a way that everyone who visits is reminded of the glorious history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the width of the bridge over the Bhima River should be adequate for traffic. The bridge and the viewing gallery should be constructed in a way that everyone who visits wants to see it. The process of land acquisition for the proposed Tulapur to Vadhu Budruk road should start. He added that the development should be such that every citizen who has faith in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj will desire to visit again to learn about his history. According to the government release, work is underway for a museum, a 10D show auditorium with 82-seat capacity, an administrative building, a library, souvenir shops, an entrance gate, a 350-meter-long riverbank (Ghat), parking, restrooms, and a cafeteria. There is also a plan to erect a 100-foot-tall Hindavi Swarajya flag at both Tulapur and Vadhu Budruk. Mumbai, Dec 10 : Actress Shraddha Arya, who predominantly works in television, recently attended the Indian Navy's Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony in Mumbai. Mumbai, Dec 10 (IANS) Actress Shraddha Arya, who predominantly works in television, recently attended the Indian Navy's Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony in Mumbai. On Wednesday, the actress took to her Instagram, and shared a series of pictures from the ceremony. She wrote in the caption, "The Indian Navy's Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony at the Gateway of India was absolutely phenomenal! A perfect blend of heritage, music, and naval excellence. Swipe to feel the pride". The ceremony had many attractions including a chopper show, and a light show at the Gateway of India. The Indian Navy's Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony is a spectacular annual display of military precision, maritime heritage, and ceremonial tradition. Held at key naval stations, the event marks the symbolic end of the day's activities, a practice rooted in 17th-century battlefield signals. The ceremony features impeccably coordinated performances by the Naval Band, including stirring martial tunes, patriotic melodies, and traditional naval compositions. Sailors execute synchronized drills, rifle displays, and ceremonial movements that highlight discipline and teamwork. The "Tattoo" segment showcases dynamic formations, sometimes accompanied by illuminated backdrops or laser projections celebrating India's naval legacy. Naval aircraft fly-pasts or ship lighting are occasionally included, depending on the venue. The ceremony brings together service personnel, dignitaries, and civilians, offering a rare glimpse into the Navy's ceremonial excellence. Blending music, pageantry, and tradition, the Beating Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony stands as a proud representation of the Indian Navy's spirit, honour, and enduring maritime culture. Shraddha's husband, Rahul Nagal is in the Navy. The couple tied the knot on November 16, 2021 in a private but widely celebrated ceremony in Delhi. Their marriage drew attention for its simplicity and genuine warmth, contrasting the usual glamour of television-industry weddings. Since then, the two have largely kept their relationship away from the public eye, maintaining a low-profile presence on social media. In November 2024, Shraddha and Rahul welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, marking a significant milestone in their family life. Their marriage continues to be seen as steady, grounded, and affectionate. Lucknow, Dec 10 : In a significant push toward modernising public education, Varanasi is set to launch an advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Lab at PM Shri Rajkiya Queens Inter College. The facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, aims to provide students with practical exposure to AI, electronics, robotics, and other emerging fields. The robotics lab at Queens Collegeclaimed to be Uttar Pradesh's firsthas already been completed. The initiative has been made possible through the efforts of the college's former student, Prof. Dharmendra Singh, currently the Director of IIIT Vadodara. Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh, the modern facility is expected to become a milestone in promoting innovation and scientific thinking among students of government schools across Varanasi. The upcoming AI and Robotics Lab will offer project-based learning, hands-on experimentation, and instructor-led training by certified experts. Through this, students will gain skills in creativity, problem-solving, logical reasoning, and engineering concepts, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. According to the school principal, Sumit Kumar Srivastava, the initiative has been inspired by Prof. Dharmendra Singh. Talking to IANS, he said that the project aligns closely with the vision of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to strengthen technological education in government institutions. "This is a major step forward. In this lab, students will learn to build robots, work on AI, drone-making, and even explore electric vehicles, mobile and laptop repair, and more. Operations are expected to begin early in the New Year (2026). Initially, the facility will serve our Rajkiya Vidyalaya. A total of 31 government schools in Banaras will be part of the training programme. An MoU with IIIT Vadodara is also in the pipeline, making us the first school in the state to do so. This will greatly benefit students," he noted. Ganesh, a student involved in an earlier robotics project, expressed excitement about the new facility. Speaking to IANS, he said, "We had built a robot earlier, but with this AI lab, we can make it far more advanced. The lab will provide new resources such as drone-making tools and other technologies. This will help me upgrade my robot. It's a big step for us." Guwahati, Dec 10 : Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday took stock of the preparedness of the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Naharkatia in Assam, where he is set to kickstart several key development projects. PM Modi will visit Assamas Naharkatia on December 21 to lay the foundation stone of a major new urea production facility at the Namrup Fertiliser Plant, a project projected to significantly boost the regionas industrial ecosystem and agricultural support systems. The proposed unit, with an estimated annual capacity of 1.2 million metric tonnes, is being positioned as one of the most critical fertiliser infrastructure upgrades in the Northeast in recent decades. CM Sarma argued that the project, once completed, will not only strengthen domestic urea availability but also create large-scale employment and develop ancillary industrial networks across upper Assam. The Assam government has assured that construction is expected to be completed within three years of commencement. Ahead of the Prime Ministeras visit, the Chief Minister today undertook a comprehensive review of preparations at the venue and inspected security arrangements being drawn up for the high-profile event. Sarma held detailed discussions with senior officials of the Assam Police, district administration and departments responsible for logistics and event management. During his visit, the Chief Minister also chaired a meeting with top state government officials, including Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, to ensure that inter-departmental coordination remains seamless in the run-up to the Prime Ministeras programme. Ministers Piyush Hazarika and Prashant Phukan, along with Naharkatiya MLA Tarang Gogoi, accompanied the Chief Minister during the review. According to preliminary schedules, the Prime Minister is expected to address a public meeting at the venue on December 21 at 10.30 a.m., where he is likely to outline the significance of the new fertiliser project and highlight the Centreas continued focus on boosting industrial and agricultural growth in the Northeast. Officials said security protocols have been intensified, with multiple agencies working simultaneously to streamline crowd management, traffic control, and emergency response systems. Final touches to the stage, access roads, public seating areas and technical infrastructure are underway to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. The Namrup fertiliser complex, one of Indiaas oldest, has long required modernisation. The new urea project, state officials said, marks a decisive push toward revitalising the facility and transforming it into a modern, energy-efficient unit capable of meeting the fertiliser needs of the region for years to come. --IANS tdr/dan Kolkata, Dec 10 : A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday seeking a direction to stop the construction of a Babri Masjid-styled mosque in Murshidabad district by suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir. The PIL has been filed before the bench of the Calcutta High Court's acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul. The petition was admitted and the matter is likely to be heard next week. According to the petitioner, the name Babri Masjid is related to the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in Ayodhya. As a result, the atmosphere of communal harmony in the state may be disrupted and social unrest may arise if the mosque is built. Besides, the petitioner also raised questions on how suspended Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir, who is also an MLA, is carrying out this construction work without the permission of the district administration. The petitioner claimed the Trinamool MLA's action will violate the fundamental rights provided in Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution. Therefore, the court should immediately order a stay on the construction of this mosque. It may be noted that for the last one week, a controversy has erupted over Kabir's decision to lay the foundation stone of a Babri Masjid-style mosque in Murshidabad district's Beldanga. On December 4, the Trinamool Congress leadership suspended Kabir from the party for anti-party activities. Despite his suspension, Kabir went ahead with his programme on December 6 and laid the foundation stone for the mosque. Humayun Kabir said that the construction of the Babri Masjid will start in the first week of February in Beldanga. Quran will be recited by one lakh voices a day before the construction of the mosque begins. Notably, on December 4, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that the people of Murshidabad will never accept "politics of riots". Her remarks came hours after her party, the Trinamool Congress, suspended Kabir for allegedly pursuing communal politics over his plan to lay the foundation of a mosque on the lines of the demolished Babri Masjid in the state's Murshidabad district. Addressing a public meeting in Berhampore in Murshidabad district, CM Banerjee said: "Trinamool Congress does not practise communal politics and is firmly against it. We cannot forget the history of Murshidabad. Siraj-ud-Daulah is revered in every home here. This district is the land of the Nawabs. It has holy places of all religions. People remember Siraj. The people of Murshidabad will not accept the politics of riots." Belagavi, Dec 10 : The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case has submitted its investigation report to the Karnataka government on Wednesday. The SIT has already filed a preliminary chargesheet in a local court in Mangaluru district. Sources stated that the report has given a clean chit to the temple management and claims that the complainant, in collusion with certain activists, had conspired against the temple authorities. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that he has not read what is contained in the copy of the charge sheet. "Whatever action has to be taken under the law will be taken by the government. Ultimately, the truth has come out. This conspiracy took place due to big differences between the BJP and the RSS," he said. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Dharmasthala case had filed a 3,900-page charge sheet against Chinnaiah, known as mask man, the complainant in the case, activists Mahesh Shetty Thimarody, Girish Mattennavar, T. Jayanth, and Vittala Gowda, all activists, and Sujatha Bhat, before a Belthangady court in Dakshina Kannada on Nov 21. They have been charged with giving false evidence, forgery and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The Supreme Court on May 5, 2025, had rejected the public interest litigation plea filed by Chinniah seeking an investigation into the burial of many bodies in Dharmasthala village between 1995 and 2014. Earlier, in a major development on July 11, Chinnaiahthen known as an unidentified complainantappeared before a court in Mangaluru district and recorded his statement. He claimed that he had been forced to bury the bodies of women and girls who were raped and murdered in Dharmasthala. He requested that the bodies be exhumed in his presence and alleged that the victims bore clear signs of sexual assault. According to him, the bodies were found without clothing or undergarments and had injuries consistent with violent sexual abuse. These revelations sent shockwaves across Karnataka. Following his claims, a retired Supreme Court judge and several activists demanded a Supreme Court or High Courtmonitored SIT probe into the alleged Dharmasthala murders, which may involve the deaths of multiple women, girls, and destitute men. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Oman's Ambassador to India, Issa Saleh Abdullah Saleh Alshibani, said on Wednesday that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is likely to be signed soon, will provide an easy gateway for promoting trade and investment between the two countries. New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) Omanas Ambassador to India, Issa Saleh Abdullah Saleh Alshibani, said on Wednesday that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is likely to be signed soon, will provide an easy gateway for promoting trade and investment between the two countries. "A comprehensive economic agreement usually is a platform that makes an easy gateway for investments and would also serve to simplify a lot of the engagements in terms of investments. I think it's also one way of supporting the bilateral trade between the two countries. According to statistics, we have seen an increase in the bilateral trade," the Ambassador said in an exclusive interview with IANS. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to visit Oman next week to mark the celebration of 70 years of diplomatic relations, he expects bilateral collaboration between the two countries to grow stronger across various sectors. On the Suhar Investment Forum 2026 event to be held in February, the envoy said: "It's more of a progressive kind of event. When I met with the Suhar team, they mentioned that this year they will be focusing on sector-wise industries. It will also include visits to the different sites of the Suhar Port and Suhar Industrial Zone." He said that this would be an opportunity for most of the Indian businesses to have an actual look on the ground as to what the development industries that are already existing and what are the opportunities that would lie in terms of the future that matches with Oman's vision of 2040. On the more than 20 Jaguar fighter jets that Oman is transferring to India, the Ambassador said: "I think this reflects how deep the defence relationship between India and Oman is. We are the first and maybe the only country that has conducted joint training between all the different forces. I think this is where it shows how deep this relationship is. The Jaguars have been in Oman for decades. It's one of the trustworthy air fighters. I think this shows how strong the relationship is in terms of defence and closeness between the two countries." The Oman Air Force will be transferring its over 20 Jaguar fighter-bombers to the IAF to be broken up and used as spares. The IAF has six squadrons of the Jaguar, with each of them having 18-20 warplanes, and it is one of the few countries in the world that still uses this Anglo-French-made jet. Jaipur, Dec 10 : The Rajasthan government on Wednesday formally unveiled the ambitious Rajasthan Tourism Policy-2025, coinciding with the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas celebrations. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma released the policy during a tourism session at the JECC complex in Sitapura, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, senior officials, members of the Non-Resident Rajasthani community and key tourism stakeholders. Chief Minister Sharma described the new policy as a "visionary document" that will guide Rajasthan toward becoming a national and global leader in tourism. He said the policy will boost investment, innovation, employment, and community participation, and is a major step toward realising the goals of Developed Rajasthan 2047. He announced that a dedicated policy implementation unit will ensure the timely execution of all initiatives. To encourage swift tourism development, the state has prioritised the PPP model and ease of doing business. A single-window digital portal will be set up for all tourism-related permissions. An integrated digital platform for grading tourism businesses and monitoring activities will also be developed. The Chief Minister added that the annual Rajasthan Tourism Awards will be instituted, along with scholarships for tourism education and skill incentives for tourism enterprises. Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said the policy aims to position the state as a globally competitive and tourist-friendly destination. Connecting Rajasthan's culture, heritage, art, and natural diversity with the expectations of modern tourists is the government's top priority, she added. Calling the policy a comprehensive roadmap, she said it will boost employment and accelerate emerging sectors such as digital tourism, religious circuits, astro-tourism, adventure tourism, and wellness tourism. The government's vision includes strengthening infrastructure, modernising facilities, enhancing safety, and deploying advanced digital and AI-based tools in tourism management. The policy proposes Special Tourism Zones (STZs) in select districts, based on a plug-and-play model where the government provides core infrastructure while private players offer hospitality services. Facilities at major temples will be upgraded under the Krishna Gaman Path and Braj-Dwarka pilgrimage routes. Wildlife and religious tourism hubs will be developed in coordination with the Forest and Devasthan Departments. The government will introduce 3D laser scanning of monuments, VR experiences, digital museums, and light-and-sound shows. Enhanced digital outreach through new tourism films, influencer collaborations, and social media campaigns will form a major part of the strategy. A new tourism web portal, mobile app, chatbot, digital maps, and guidebooks will be launched to improve tourist convenience. In each district, the District Tourism Development Committee (DTDC), chaired by the Collector, will function as the local Destination Management Organisation (DMO). Regular meetings will be held to resolve issues, especially during peak tourist seasons. Rajasthan will introduce hop-on hop-off buses, prepaid taxi booths, e-scooters, rental bicycles, and guided e-vehicle services in major tourist cities. A Rajasthan Travel Card will offer integrated access to multiple transport modes. The policy expands tourism opportunities through astro-tourism, food festivals, eco-tourism, adventure sports, bird-watching circuits, valour-themed circuits, and the development of a film city and multi-purpose event stadiums. Iconic events like the Pushkar Fair, Maru Festival, and Lake Festival will be made even more vibrant. New initiatives for heritage preservation will focus on manuscripts, tribal culture, textiles, and traditional crafts, complemented by expanded wellness and cultural tourism offerings. Palakkad : , Dec 10 (IANS) Speculation is mounting if Congress's sacked Palakkad legislator Rahul Mamkootathil, who is facing two separate rape cases, will surface in the city on polling day to exercise his franchise in the local body polls after securing anticipatory bail in the second case. Sources indicate that Mamkootathil, who has been absconding for the past 14 days, is likely to arrive in Palakkad on Thursday to cast his vote at St. Sebastianas School, Kunnathurmedu, where he is enrolled as a voter in Booth No. 2 of Ward No. 24 under the Palakkad Municipality. The buzz follows a major legal development earlier on Wednesday when the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court granted Rahul anticipatory bail with strict conditions in the second rape case. The order requires him to appear before the investigating officer every Monday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and cooperate fully with the probe. The court further directed that if he is arrested in the second case, he should be released on bail immediately. The case dates back to November 27, when a young woman submitted a complaint to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing Mamkootathil of sexual assault. Soon after the complaint surfaced, the MLA reportedly went into hiding, triggering a police search. His Congress, which had suspended him, subsequently expelled him from the party. In this case, the Kerala High Court last week ruled that he should not be arrested till the bail plea is finally disposed of on December 15. With bail now in hand in the second case, indications are that Mamkootathil may re-emerge publicly, beginning with voting in the local body elections. Police officials say that they will be able to record his arrest in the first case only if the High Court either lifts the stay on arrest or rejects his bail plea. Until then, Mamkootathil remains protected by court orders in both cases. Meanwhile, the police have intensified the investigation and added more charges against him, including sections related to stalking, unlawful restraint and criminal trespass. At the same time, the prosecution on Wednesday has decided to challenge the sessions courtas bail order in the second rape case. Officials confirmed that an appeal will be filed before the higher court as soon as the certified copy of the order is received. With polling day approaching, all eyes are now on Palakkad, both to see if Mamkootathil will indeed appear at the booth and how the unfolding legal battle will shape the next phase of the case. Hyderabad, Dec 10 : A neurosurgeon and two hospital employees are among five persons booked by Hyderabad Police in connection with the death of two men due to anaesthetic injection. A week after two men were found dead in an autorickshaw in the Chandrayangutta area, police on Wednesday announced that they had cracked the case and arrested three persons involved in illegally procuring, selling, and administering an anaesthesia drug. According to police, S. Jaipal Reddy, a neurosurgeon and Chairman and MD of ABS Hospitals and his assistant Mohammed Vikaruddin failed to secure Atranium injections after a surgery, which gave a chance to ward boy Choude Akash to steal the leftover injections, which were later illegally sold and ultimately led to the deaths of two persons. K. Sreekanth, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, South East Zone, announced the details of the case at a press conference. The accused have been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Syed Irfan (27) and Jhangir Khan (25), both autorickshaw drivers, were found dead in an autorickshaw under the limits of Chandrayangutta Police Station on December 3. Investigations revealed that they collapsed and died after taking the Atranium 25 mg injection. Police cracked the case based on the statement of Saif Bin Akram, who had survived after taking one ml injection along with the deceased. Police investigation revealed that on the night of December 2, Syed Irfan and Saif Bin Akram contacted their friend Jahangir Khan requesting for aTerminea injection, which they were habitually using. Jahangir approached his friend Yamjala Kalyan, who in turn contacted Jarpati Shiva Shankar alias Chintu, an autorickshaw driver known to supply such substances. Shiva informed that Termine was unavailable but sent photos of Atranium 25 mg anaesthesia injections. Jahangir purchased the same. Around midnight, Irfan and Saif purchased two syringes from a medical shop and reached MBNR X Road, where they met Jahangir and Kalyan. All of them proceeded in an auto to Chandrayangutta. At the spot, Jahangir produced four Atranium 25 mg ampoules, and Irfan filled three syringes (02 ml A2, 05 ml A1) with Atranium. Irfan first injected 1 ml into Saif Bin Akram, who immediately felt dizzy. Out of fear, Kalyan fled from the scene. After some time, Saif regained consciousness and noticed that Irfan and Jahangir had taken the remaining injections and had fallen unconscious. Based on Saifas statement, police apprehended Kalyan, a band player, who used to contact Shiva for the Termine injection. On December 2, Kalyan, accompanied by Jahangir, went to Shivaas residence and purchased four Atranium ampoules for Rs 2,000. Shiva admitted that, like Kalyan, he too was addicted to ganja, liquor, and Termine injections. He used to buy Termine injections from his friend Akash and resell them to Kalyan and others. Akash, also a drug addict, had been working in ABS hospital, Chikkadpally, as a ward boy since November 15. He admitted that during OT cleaning duties at ABS Hospital on November 26, he had stolen a pack of four Atranium 25 mg ampoules and hid them at his residence. The next day, he sold the ampoules to Shiva. Police said neurosurgeon Jaipal Reddy, on November 25, had ordered 25 injections of Atranium 25 mg from a pharmacy. The next day, he used four injections on a patient for a surgery and left the remaining in the OT without taking precautionary measures to secure them. This lapse and negligence in securing controlled drugs gave a chance to Akash to steal the leftover injections, which were later illegally sold and misused, ultimately leading to the deaths of Jahangir and Syed Irfan, police said. The hospital management also failed to generate a proper bill for the Atranium 25 mg injections and thus violated the rules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Mohammed Vikaruddin, studying GNM at a nursing school, has been working as a surgeonas assistant at ABS Hospital for the past one year. On November 26, he arranged all medicines in the OT, including 25 vials of Atranium 25 mg, but after the surgery on a patient, he did not take precautions to secure the remaining vials. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Friends of Global Governance is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision, said Chinese foreign minister spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday. Guo made the remarks after China's Permanent Mission to the UN announced on Tuesday the inauguration of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the platform of the UN. Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative during the SCO Tianjin Summit, charting the course for the reform of the global governance system and providing invaluable stability and certainty for the turbulent world, Guo told a regular press briefing, adding that the initiative received extensive recognition and positive response from the international community. Guo said that China initiated the Group of Friends of Global Governance to bring parties together for closer exchanges and cooperation on major issues on global governance, and draw on collective wisdom and mobilize joint efforts for reforming and improving global governance. He further pointed out that participating countries highly recognized and supported the Global Governance Initiative, commended China's leading role in global governance, warmly congratulated on the inauguration of the group, and expressed hopes that the group will provide new impetus for upholding multilateralism and reforming and improving the global governance system. Guo said that after the meeting, the 43 founding members of the group issued a joint statement, stressing they will jointly uphold the legacy won by the World War II, reinforce the role of the UN, address global challenges and respond to the yearning of the peoples. "Global governance is a matter for all. It bears on the vital interests of every country and calls for everyone to participate, engage in decision-making and share the fruits," said Guo, adding that the group is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision. "We also support the group to enhance exchanges and cooperation with various countries, the UN Secretariat and relevant international organizations, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and make new contribution to world peace and development," said the spokesperson. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday expressed surprise over the Opposition's repeated demands for an end to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters' list without addressing issues of electoral reforms that the Lok Sabha discussion specifically intended to discuss. SIR, he contended, is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), and it is the poll body that can answer specific queries, not the government. He said that as per Article 324 (1) of the Constitution of India, the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President shall be vested in a Commission (the ECI). He also pointed out that there are legal provisions for the poll body to establish the fact that any person on the electoral roll is a citizen of India, or not. The Home Minister said that Article 326 in the Constitution mentions elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assemblies of States (Vidhan Sabha) to be based on adult suffrage. According to this, he said, voting right can be exercised by a person who is a citizen of India, is not less than 18 years of age, and is not otherwise disqualified under the Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice. "Among the conditions listed, citizenship and residence are entitlements to be registered as a voter at any such election," he said. The Home Minister further said that Article 327 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to make provision with respect to elections to Legislatures, where subject to its provisions, the House may "from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in Connection with, elections to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State including the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies and all other matters necessary for securing the due constitution of such House or Houses. Shah said that it was on the demand of the Opposition that a discussion was held in Parliament, where the MPs were expected to discuss electoral reforms, and with the consent of the House, enact or rectify any law needed to strengthen the poll process. "Instead, they chose to reiterate doubts over the conduct of SIR and raise allegations over disenfranchisement of what they consider bonafide voters by the ECI to help the government," he said. The Home Minister said that there have been protests inside and outside the Parliament over SIR despite the process having been held nine times, mostly under a Congress government, since the first election was held. "Opposition MPs have even marched to the ECI office in Delhi, demanding the poll body's clarifications on the revision process," he said. Shah pointed out that when the ECI invited a delegation to meet them and air their grievances, the leaders refused, asking it to allow all the protesters in. "Late November, before the Winter Session of Parliament convened, a delegation of MPs from the Trinamool Congress did sit face-to-face with the Chief Election Commissioner and his colleagues to discuss the SIR process currently underway in 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal," he said. Shah said that phase one of the current round of SIR has already been completed in Bihar, where Assembly elections were held recently, without any significant protests from the Opposition parties over "mass disenfranchisement" after its end. Itanagar, Dec 10 : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Wednesday, described the Tibetan leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, as 'a true beacon of peace' and paid glowing tributes to the iconic spiritual leader. To mark the 36th anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize upon the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government-in-exile celebrates December 10 every year as International Human Rights Day. Also, they are observing globally this year as the "Year of Compassion" in alignment with the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Khandu said the anniversary was being celebrated at Chamleng, Tawang Monastery, and reflected on the enduring global relevance of the Dalai Lama's teachings. Taking to his official X account, the Arunachal Chief Minister said: "Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize conferred on His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama at Chamleng, Tawang Monastery. A true beacon of peace, may His Holiness's timeless message of compassion and harmony continue to spread across the world." In another post on the X, Khandu said: "On this sacred day marking the 36th Anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, may we allow the spirit of Ahimsa to settle within us, guiding our thoughts, shaping our actions, and reminding us that peace truly begins with how we treat one another. Long Live His Holiness." The Dalai Lama was conferred the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 in recognition of his steadfast commitment to non-violence, compassion and peaceful dialogue. The anniversary holds special significance in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in Tawang, one of the most important centres of Tibetan Buddhism in India, which shares deep spiritual and cultural ties with the Tibetan spiritual leader. In 1959, the occupying Chinese troops suppressed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa and forced the 14th Dalai Lama and over 80,000 Tibetans into exile in India and neighbouring countries. On reaching India after a three-week treacherous journey, the Dalai Lama took up residence for about a year in Mussoorie in Uttarakhand. Currently, the Tibetan government-in-exile is based in Dharamsala, where a community of Tibetans lives in exile with the Dalai Lama, hoping to sustain their struggle to secure complete autonomy in their Chinese-ruled homeland, Tibet. Nagpur, Dec 10 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday in the state council announced that the government will establish a study group for transport planning and E-Challan policy. Considering the rising number of vehicles in Mumbai and the surrounding areas, it is essential to adopt modern technology for transport planning and issuance of e-challans. He was replying to a question regarding traffic constables issuing e-challans using their personal mobile phones was raised by legislator Sunil Shinde. Minister of State Yogesh Kadam informed that the government is considering providing official cameras to constables. Adding to this, the Chief Minister announced the formation of a study group. Members Prasad Lad, Satej Patil, Bhai Jagtap, Adv. Anil Parab and Manisha Kayande participated in the related discussion. Providing further details on transport planning, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the Development Control Regulations (DCR) of Mumbai do not adequately account for two-wheelers. The government will examine whether changes can be made in this regard. The system will be upgraded to ensure that vehicle owners receive e-challan notifications promptly. As pending fines become difficult to recover after a certain period, the government plans to hold Lok Adalats and recover 50 per cent of the dues through a compromise under an amnesty scheme. The possibility of linking penalty payments with FASTag will also be explored. He also added that since vehicle owners in slum areas of Mumbai do not have designated parking spaces and are compelled to park on roads, this aspect will also be considered in the upcoming policy draft. Minister of State Yogesh Kadam further informed that traffic constables have been instructed not to take photos using private mobile phones, and disciplinary action has been taken in Chandrapur in such a case. Meanwhile, Minister of Industry Uday Samant, who is assigned the Urban Development Department during legislative proceedings, informed the Legislative Council that the remaining payment to Sthapatya Consultancy India Private Limited, the firm appointed for the property survey in the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) limits, will be made only after a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities in its work. The Minister was responding to a Calling Attention Motion raised by legislator Amit Gorkhe regarding the city-wide property survey carried out by the private contractor under the PCMC Tax Assessment and Collection Department. Legislator Umatai Khapre also participated in the discussion with supplementary questions. Minister Samant said the company was awarded a contract worth Rs 47.95 crore to survey 5,80,000 properties. The survey identified an additional 3,70,213 new properties. The PCMC approved an additional expenditure of Rs 29.09 crore for this increased workload. However, only Rs 12 crore has been paid to the company so far. He revealed that irregularities were noted during the survey, specifically regarding the change in the classification of some properties from 'Residential' to 'Commercial'. He confirmed that an inquiry into these irregularities will be conducted by the officer currently holding the charge of the Municipal Commissioner. The decision to pay the remaining dues to the company will be taken only after the completion of this investigation. Guwahati, Dec 10 : Meghalaya has been witnessing faster economic progress, and it is the second fastest growing economy after the southern state Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Wednesday. Sangma today inaugurated the 4th Edition of the Tri Hills Ensemble at Ward's Lake, Shillong. The festival celebrates the craft, culture, and cuisine of the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos. In his address, the Chief Minister commended the Department of Arts & Culture for creating a festival that brings us back to our roots, highlights different aspects of our culture, showcases them to the world, and ensures that the identity and legacy of our people are celebrated and preserved. Sangma pointed out that while Meghalaya continues to achieve rapid economic progress - the second fastest growing economy in the country after Tamil Nadu - preserving cultural identity must remain central to development. He emphasised the significance of the Tri Hills Ensemble, noting that this year's theme, "Rivers, Roots, and Revival," reflects the rediscovery of lost traditions, including rowing and boating competitions once held in Dawki and other areas. The Chief Minister stressed the need for deeper documentation of tribal histories, languages, rituals, dance forms, and migratory origins. Highlighting cultural gaps, he noted, "In Garo culture alone, there are multiple drum beats and different steps for the Wangala that only drummers can distinguish, but there is no documentation," urging further research through initiatives like the Chief Minister's Research Grant. Sangma also encouraged schools to stage plays on Meghalaya's heroes, such as Tirot Sing, Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan Sangma, to instil a sense of pride and unity among the youth. He concluded by expressing hope for stronger cultural exchanges and extended his best wishes to all participants and awardees. Meanwhile, Minister of Arts & Culture, Sanbor Shullai, stated that the festival honours the enduring heritage of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo people, celebrating their culture, language, music, cuisine, and craftsmanship. He noted that the Meghalaya Arts and Heritage Awards recognise both masters and innovators preserving identity, as well as young achievers representing new excellence. He also acknowledged cultural research and documentation projects, including the Chief Minister's Research Grant, which ensures the preservation of cultural knowledge for future generations. Discussing the revival of traditional boat races, he described it as a return to a heritage that brings together men, youth, performers, artisans, and organisers in a collective effort to keep culture alive. --IANS tdr/dan Guwahati, Dec 10 : Amidst the melody of Bhupen Hazarika's timeless creation 'Swahid Pranamu Tumak' reverberating in the air, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday inaugurated the Swahid Smarak Kshetra at Paschim Boragaon in Guwahati on the occasion of the observance of Swahid Divas, observed to remember the martyrs of the Assam agitation. Smarak Kshetra, which is built as a heartfelt tribute to the sons and daughters of Assam, laid down their lives to protect Assam's identity. Sarma offered gratitude to martyrs of the Assam Movement at Swahid Pranam Jyoti and interacted with the families of the martyrs. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said that the historic Assam Movement, which focused on the expulsion of foreigners, began during a difficult moment in Assam. The movement has held a decisive place in the history of the state for many years. It expressed the patriotism and sacrifice of the people of Assam and marked a major struggle to protect the identity, pride, language, culture, and heritage of the people of Assam. Each martyr who gave his life in the struggle to protect Assam's identity remains revered, and their lives inspire everybody. "Meanwhile, the people of Assam had resolved that they would not allow elections to take place until the names of foreign nationals were removed from the electoral rolls. They urged all political parties and potential candidates to stay away from the election," he added. Sarma said that on the sacred day of Swahid Divas, the grateful people of Assam remember the sacrifice of the martyrs of the Assam Movement with deep respect and vow to take a resolve. The Chief Minister said that construction of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra began in Guwahati on 10 December 2019. The memorial was built on 150 bighas of land for Rs. 170 crore. The Chief Minister also said that this year's observance of Swahid Divas carries special significance. He stated that long after the Assam Movement, the people lacked security, and fresh threats loomed large against the people, land, and identity. Assamese people felt unsafe in Assam. Sarma said, "The lack of courage for implementation of the provisions of the Assam Accord weakened the people. Strangers entered Assam illegally. They encroached upon the land of namghars and satras. Even the land of the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev at Bardowa was not spared. They infiltrated Kaziranga, killed rhinos one by one, and tried to crush the pride of the people of Assam. They attacked the cultural heritage of the Assamese people, targeted their economic independence, looted forest resources, and even assaulted Assamese girls." The Chief Minister said that these incidents created despair in the minds of the people. He observed that a section of people surrendered to the strangers in the name of communal harmony. As a result, a pall of gloom had begun to settle over the state. --IANS tdr/dan Jaipur, Dec 10 : The police had to resort to cane-charge and fire tear-gas shells in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh on Wednesday as farmers protesting the construction of an ethanol factory in Tibbi town clashed with the security forces. The confrontation turned violent as protesters used tractors to demolish the boundary wall of the under-construction ethanol producing plant. Police resorted to cane-charge and fired tear-gas shells to disperse the crowd. Enraged farmers vandalised multiple vehicles and set at least 10 of them on fire. Several people, including policemen, were injured in the clashes. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, who had reached the site to support the farmers, was injured in the lathi-charge and later admitted to Hanumangarh District Hospital. In view of the unrest, the administration shut down internet services in Tibbi and nearby villages. Schools and shops were also ordered closed. The confrontation began earlier in the day when farmers gathered outside the SDM office demanding an immediate halt to construction at the ethanol plant. After talks with the administration failed -- largely due to the authorities' refusal to issue a written assurance to stop the work -- the protesters marched towards Rathi Kheda village around 4 p.m. Within minutes, chaos unfolded at the factory site. Farmers breached the wall with tractors and entered the premises, leading to stone-pelting, arson and a forceful police response. Dune Ethanol Private Limited, registered in Chandigarh and established in 2020, plans to set up a 40-MW grain-based ethanol plant in Hanumangarh. The project is part of India's ongoing Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. The company's directors are Jatinder Arora and Robin Jindal. Protesters set fire to one JCB, seven cars and two motorcycles. One was a government police vehicle; the rest were privately owned, including reportedly some belonging to policemen. The police have not issued an official statement yet. A five-member farmer committee, including Shabnam Godara, Nitin Dhaka, Sukhjit Chattha, Jagjit Jaggi and Indrajit, then held talks with DSP Meenakshi in the evening. The committee demanded a written order halting construction; however, the administration declined. Protesters then gathered at Gurudwara Sahib to plan further action. Congress leader Shabnam Godara, CPI-M leader Jagjit Jaggi and others continued to camp at the factory gate, insisting on written assurance that construction would be stopped. Earlier, farmer leaders had summoned the District Collector by 2 p.m. to demand a written halt to construction. The administration's refusal triggered the march toward the factory. Ethanol Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti members used tractors to pull down the factory wall. When police attempted to disperse them, protesters hurled stones, injuring nearly a dozen policemen. The injured were taken to the Tibbi Community Health Centre. Farmers broke the boundary wall and entered the site. Police fired tear-gas shells, and some police vehicles were also set on fire. Several opposition leaders MP Kuldeep Indora, MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, former MLA Balwan Poonia, CPI(M)'s Mangej Chaudhary, and farmer leaders from Haryana and Punjab attended the protest meeting. Congress leaders like former CM Ashok Gehlot, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and LoP Tika Ram Jully condemned the police's lathi-charge on farmers. "Why does the BJP government have so much hatred for farmers?" questioned Gehlot. Kolkata, Dec 10 : Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint (PC) against P.K. Enterprises under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, at a special PMLA court in Kolkata in connection with a bank fraud case, the central agency informed on Wednesday. The complaint has been filed against P.K. Enterprises proprietor, Prasenjit Das, son of late Purnendu Das -- whom ED has identified as the orchestrator of the bank forgery-- Chandan Sarkar, Laltu Saha and three others. According to a statement issued by ED on Wednesday, the agency initiated an investigation into the matter based on an FIR registered by the banking and securities fraud cell of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to ED, during investigation it was revealed that that Late Purnendu Das through his proprietorship firm had availed packing credit facility of Rs 8 crore and foreign bill negotiation facility of Rs 25 crore from erstwhile Allahabad Bank, which had now been merged with Indian Bank, for export of onions to Bangladesh and caused wrongful loss of Rs 26.72 crore to the bank by submitting forged export bills. ED further claimed that the sight bills under letters of credit opened at various banks of Bangladesh and negotiated for the said proprietorship entity by the erstwhile Allahabad Bank aggregating to an amount of Rs 25 crore became overdue. When Allahabad Bank asked for the payment of the export bills, the banks of Bangladesh, which opened the letters of credit, refused payment, citing non-receipt of goods as the reason, ED claimed. According to it, Late Purnendu diverted loan proceeds to the account of his son's proprietorship firm, P.K. Enterprise, and in his personal accounts, resulting in the siphoning of the funds availed from the erstwhile Allahabad Bank. He also issued 70 bearer cheques in the name of different suppliers of goods (onions), including himself, and withdrew cash using those 70 bearer cheques through employees of the entity owned by him. "Earlier in this case, a provisional attachment order had been issued in the case attaching five immovable properties worth Rs 34.42 lakh (approx.)," the ED statement read. Washington, Dec 10 : A young Indian girl from San Jose remains in a coma after a devastating accident earlier this month, prompting an outpouring of support from community groups as her father struggles alone to navigate medical and legal challenges far from home. Arti Singh, who was returning from a professional networking event, was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road near her home on November 9. She has remained unconscious since the collision and is undergoing intensive treatment at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Centre, where doctors have performed major surgeries to her neck and stomach to support her breathing and feeding, a media release said. "My daughter is still not opening her eyes. I talk to her every day, hoping she can hear me. I have no one here - just her, and the hope that she will wake up," her father, Sumiran Singh, said. Sitting continuously by her bedside, he added, "I don't know who he is. I don't know anything else. I just want answers," Singh said. The San Jose Police Department said the collision was not a hit-and-run. However, the driver's identity has not been released, the media release said. Singh said he was only informed that the driver was a man in his 50s and was uninsured at the time of the crash. Police have provided no updates on his condition or potential charges, leaving the family frustrated by the lack of information. It said Singh, who has no relatives or support network in the Bay Area, has struggled to cope with the cascading medical, logistical, and legal demands following the accident. He does not have access to Arti's documents, devices, or personal belongings, which complicates communication and day-to-day decisions. Community supporters said language barriers and unfamiliar processes have made his situation even more precarious. The Overseas Organisation for Better Bihar (O2B2), a community group active in Northern California, learned about the accident and immediately stepped in to support him. "This is every parent's nightmare," a representative said. "Singh is alone here with no family support. Our community is doing everything possible to make sure he is not left to struggle in silence." The group has been accompanying him to hospital meetings, offices, and agencies, while also launching a fundraising campaign to cover accommodation, transport, meals, and other basic needs. "This situation is heartbreaking," an O2B2 spokesperson said. "Singh has no one here. No relatives. No support. When we met him, he didn't even know where he would sleep. We cannot let a father struggle alone in a foreign land while his daughter fights for her life. We are calling upon the Indian community in the Bay Area to step up to help Arti Singh and her father in whatever way possible." Community volunteers have echoed the call for wider assistance and greater transparency from local authorities. "We are praying for Arti every moment," a volunteer said. "We want her to wake up. And we want her father to know he is not alone." Community leader Ajay Bhutoria is also raising the matter with the District Attorney's office while coordinating support for the family. As Arti remains in critical condition, messages of solidarity and prayers have been pouring in from across California and beyond. Her father continues to hold vigil at her bedside, whispering to her through tears: "Wake up, beta. I'm right here." Accidents involving pedestrians have been a growing concern in several U.S. cities, including across California, where dense traffic corridors and limited crossings have prompted repeated calls for improved safety measures. Indian students and young professionals in the Bay Area - one of the largest diaspora hubs in the United States - often rely heavily on walking or shared transport, increasing their exposure to road-related risks. The Indian consulate in San Francisco has, in recent years, expanded outreach to families affected by medical emergencies, accidents, and legal distress, reflecting the growing Indian population in the region. Community organisations, including volunteer-run cultural and regional groups, routinely mobilise to support individuals facing emergencies far from home. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India and Italy are making steady progress across multiple areas of cooperation as he met Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, in the national capital. The meeting comes at a time when both nations are working to operationalise the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029, a roadmap that seeks to expand their partnership well beyond traditional areas. PM Modi, in a post on X, said he conveyed appreciation for the "proactive steps" being taken by both governments to advance collaboration in fields such as trade, investment, research, innovation, defence, space, connectivity, counter-terrorism, education and people-to-people ties. He described the India-Italy relationship as one that "continues to get stronger", adding that the deepening engagement benefits not only both countries but also contributes positively to the global community. "Delighted to meet Italyas Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today. Conveyed appreciation for the proactive steps being taken by both sides towards implementation of the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 across key sectors such as trade, investment, research, innovation, defence, space, connectivity, counter-terrorism, education and people-to-people ties. India-Italy friendship continues to get stronger, greatly benefiting our people and the global community," PM Modi's post on X read. India and Italy elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in 2023, laying the groundwork for an ambitious long-term agenda now being operationalised through the 2025a"2029 plan. Earlier on Wednesday, Tajani noted that the two countries are strategic partners and bound by a "growing and solid friendship." He stated that India and Italy will strengthen their commitment to achieving peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Following their meeting, Tajani, in a post on X, wrote: "In New Delhi, I had a very friendly meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Italy and India are countries bound by a growing and solid friendship, mutually strategic partners. The goal is to have more India in Italy and more Italy in India, also through the IMEC corridor that links our two countries through Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. With our Governments, we will strengthen the commitment to achieve peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East." Antonio Tajani arrived in Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to India, marking his second visit this year aimed at deepening the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal extended a warm welcome to the visiting minister. "Warm welcome to Italy's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, on his arrival in New Delhi. This is his second visit to India this year. His engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will further strengthen India-Italy Strategic Partnership," Jaiswal posted on X. During his visit to India, Tajani is scheduled to hold talks with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in Mumbai. Tajani is scheduled to depart from Mumbai on Friday, following the conclusion of his engagements in India. On November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and discussed deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, including trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. New Delhi, Dec 10 : Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has reconstituted the Supreme Court's Artificial Intelligence Committee, assigning it the mandate to steer the adoption, development, and deployment of AI tools across the higher judiciary and subordinate courts, an official statement said on Wednesday. According to the statement, the revised panel will be chaired by apex court judge Justice P.S. Narasimha, with Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court; Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. of the Kerala High Court; Justice Anoop Chitkara of the Punjab & Haryana High Court; and Justice Suraj Govindaraj of the Karnataka High Court as its members. Anupam Patra, OSD (Registrar) (Technology), Supreme Court, will serve as the Committee's Member-Secretary and Convenor, while Ashish J. Shiradhonkar, Member (Systems), eCommittee of the Supreme Court, has been included as a Special Invitee. The CJI has tasked the Committee with continuing to "guide and oversee initiatives relating to the adoption, development, and deployment of artificial intelligence tools and systems" in the Supreme Court and the subordinate judiciary, the statement said, adding that the broader objective is to enhance efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in the justice delivery system. The reconstitution comes days after the government informed the Lok Sabha that, although the Supreme Court had constituted an AI Committee to explore the use of emerging technologies in the judicial domain, no formal policy or guidelines have yet been issued as AI tools remain in a controlled pilot phase. Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal had told Parliament that the judiciary was proceeding cautiously, flagging concerns relating to algorithmic bias, language and translation limitations, data privacy and security, and the need for manual verification of AI-generated outputs. At present, in the pilot phase of AI-based solutions, the eCommittee of the Supreme Court reports no systemic bias, unintended content, or other issues, he added. MoS Meghwal said the e-Committee of the Supreme Court has already developed limited-use AI tools, including the Legal Research Analysis Assistant (LegRAA) and Digital Courts 2.1 with voice-to-text (ASR-SHRUTI) and translation (PANINI) features, to support judges in research, documentation, and case management. The minister also highlighted the growing challenge of fabricated and morphed digital content being submitted before courts, noting that such offences are prosecuted under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. --IANS pds/dan FRANKFURT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Total sales in Germany's chemical and pharmaceutical industry declined slightly this year, and the weakness is expected to persist into 2026, the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) said here on Wednesday. The industry faced a difficult year in 2025, with production and sales dropping by 0.5 percent and 1 percent respectively, VCI President Markus Steilemann told an annual press conference. "Industry is sending out an SOS. 2025 was another very difficult year for our sector, and the outlook isn't getting any brighter," Steilemann said. The chemical sector performed notably worse than the pharmaceutical segment. Chemical production fell by 2.5 percent and sales dropped by 3 percent, according to a VCI release. Capacity utilization remains at a historic low of 70 percent, and half of the companies surveyed reported insufficient orders. In contrast, the pharmaceutical industry managed to grow in 2025, with production increasing by 3 percent and revenue rising by more than 4 percent. A recent survey conducted by the association painted a gloomy picture for the industry. Up to 20 percent of companies plan to relocate or shut down production entirely, while one in ten intends to close whole sites. More than 40 percent expect further declines in domestic sales, and almost half anticipate a continued deterioration in earnings. Expecting stagnation in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector in 2026, the VCI is urging Germany and the European Union to adopt measures to address the challenges facing the industry. The association has put forward a six-point proposal aimed at safeguarding supply, reducing costs, boosting investment, and enhancing innovation to maintain competitiveness. The VCI is Europe's largest association for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. With 23 specialized associations and seven regional associations, it represents the interests of around 2,300 companies. Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 : The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deliberated on the party's roadmap for the days ahead during a crucial state-level organisational workshop held at the party's headquarters in Odisha on Wednesday. Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 (IANS) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) deliberated on the partyas roadmap for the days ahead during a crucial state-level organisational workshop held at the partyas headquarters in Odisha on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, State President Manmohan Samal, BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, State In-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, Co-in-charge Lata Usendi, along with other senior leaders, were present during the workshop. All state office-bearers, Morcha heads, district in-charges and district presidents also participated in the crucial workshop. Speaking to the media persons about the workshop, the State General Secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said that the BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and a prosperous Odisha. He said the party regularly organises such workshops to take the people-oriented work of the Central and State governments to the public, and to coordinate welfare schemes with the party organisation for the development of the country and Odisha. Tripathy said the people of Odisha have immense faith in the BJP and see the party as pivotal to the stateas future. He noted that the discussions held during the workshop focused on strengthening the organisation, expanding its reach, and enhancing the role of party workers in the development of both Odisha and the nation. The partyas National General Secretary (Organisation), B.L. Santhosh, is on a multi-day tour of the state to review and strengthen party operations. He will hold detailed discussions with the newly constituted team of office-bearers in multiple phases. According to the party sources, Santosh will hold several meetings with the BJP state president, state organisation secretary, and newly appointed general secretaries, vice-presidents, and secretaries. He is likely to also interact with the heads of the partyas seven frontal organisations, district in-charges and district presidents during the visit. Mumbai, Dec 11 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested two more contractors in the alleged Rs 65 crore Mithi River desilting scam, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five, the Mumbai Police said. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sunil Upadhaya (54) and Mahesh Purohit (48), both of whom, according to investigators, secured desilting work orders using bogus Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). The Mumbai Police said the two contractors were produced before the Esplanade Court earlier in the day and have been remanded in police custody till December 16 for further questioning. The police told the court that custodial questioning was necessary to examine the documents used to obtain the contracts, financial transactions linked to the allegedly fraudulent work orders, and the network of individuals involved. The alleged scam pertains to desilting work awarded for the Mithi River, a crucial flood-control channel that runs through various parts of Mumbai. Preliminary findings indicate that several contractors may have submitted fabricated MOUs, false claims of capacity, or manipulated project documentation to secure desilting tenders, while the on-ground work was either inadequately carried out or not executed as per sanctioned norms. Earlier, three other accused had been arrested in connection with the case. With the latest arrests of Upadhaya and Purohit, investigators believe they are expanding the probe into the tendering process, the approvals chain, and possible collusion among contractors. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on August 2 announced that it froze assets worth over Rs 47 crore in follow-up raids across Mumbai in connection with the Mithi River Desilting Scam. The search operations, conducted on July 31 by EDas Mumbai Zonal Office, covered eight locations linked to BMC contractors and a civic engineer. According to the agency, the searches were conducted at the premises of contractors -- M/s Acute Designs, M/s Kailash Construction Company, M/s Nikhil Construction Co, M/s N A Construction Pvt Ltd, M/s J.R.S Infrastructure -- and BMC engineer Prashant Krishna Tayshete. The operation led to the freezing of over Rs 47 crore held in various bank accounts, fixed deposits, and demat accounts. During the raids, officials also seized digital devices, property-related records, and other incriminating documents deemed crucial for further investigation. The case stems from an FIR registered at Azad Maidan Police Station, which alleges that 13 individuals and entities -- including the aforementioned contractors and BMC officials -- caused a loss of Rs 65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The ED stated that preliminary evidence indicates widespread irregularities in the desilting works of the Mithi River. Contractors allegedly submitted forged documents, including fake MoUs with landowners and No-Objection Certificates from Gram Panchayats for silt dumping sites. Investigators also found that civic officials misused their positions for personal gain, particularly in the procurement and deployment of silt pushers and multipurpose amphibious pontoon machines introduced in BMC tenders during 2021-22. Earlier, on June 6, the agency had raided 18 locations in connection with the same case. With the latest action, the total amount of proceeds of crime frozen or seized has reached Rs 49.8 crore. Customers consistently highlight the depth, precision, and reliability of the NetZoom Visio Stencil Library, updated every week and supported by rapid, request-driven shape creation. 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Media Contact Marketing Department, NetZoom, Inc., 1 630-281-6464, [email protected], https://visiostencils.com/ SOURCE NetZoom, Inc. Janine O'Malley at FSG has acquired Like the Moon We Rise by Annabelle Cormack, a debut YA fantasy following Auriel, an indentured servant-witch who is offered a bargain by the haughty Prince Ambrose: pretend to be the enchantress prophesied to liberate his people from the cruel Empress, and live a life of freedom, luxury and power. But the more Auriel learns about the Empress, the less sure she is that she's the enemy. And the more she learns about Ambrose, the less sure she is that she can trust him. The first book in the trilogy is set for winter 2027; Molly Ker Hawn at David Higham Associates did the three-book, six-figure deal for North American rights. Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press has bought Kiersten White's Wilde and Wicked along with a sequel, in which a girl reluctantly accepts a boarding school scholarship, only to discover she's the heir to a notorious magical bloodline everyone thought was destroyed. As she unravels her dark legacy and a generations-spanning mystery, she's caught between the school's golden boy and his dangerously magnetic twin. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Michelle Wolfson at Wolfson Literary sold world English rights. Holly West at Feiwel and Friends has acquired Aiden Thomas's Stray Gods, a YA fantasy in which a trio of cursed teens navigate the gang-ruled streets of a neon-drenched city, while battling their own monstrous powers. Publication is scheduled for fall 2029; Jennifer March Soloway at Starling Literary + Media brokered the six-figure deal for world rights. Jenny Lopez at Sourcebooks Fire has bought, in a two-book deal, world rights to Kaitlin Reilly's debut novel, Look What You Did, a YA thriller about a teen who must confront her own buried trauma to clear her friend's name of murder and expose the dark secrets of her small town. Publication is planned for fall 2026; Jillian Davis at Kaplan Stahler Literary negotiated the deal. Amy Fitzgerald at Lerner/Carolrhoda has acquired North American English rights to Annabelle Steele's YA novel Being Amani, originally published in the U.K. The protagonist's abusive estranged father resurfaces, asking for a second chance to be part of her life, just as she's embarking on her first romantic relationshipand noticing some troubling similarities between her dad and her new boyfriend. Publication is set for fall 2026; Petula Chaplin at Petula Chaplin Rights Agency did the deal on behalf of Hashtag Press and MMS Sales Agency. Polo Orozco at Putnam has bought Deadly Little Lessons, a YA thriller by Danielle Valentine (How to Survive Your Murder). Pitched as Squid Game meets boarding school, the story is set at an academy where students are put through a twisted test of human resilience, and in order to graduate, they first need to survive. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Hillary Jacobson at CAA sold world English rights. Rose Pleuler at HarperAlley has acquired world rights to Body Count, a YA graphic novel by Andy Schlebecker (l.) and David Chippendale (c.), illustrated by V. Vireak (r.). The story follows Noah and Kevin, a new college couple whose spring break road trip is derailed by a zombie apocalypseleading the pair to find romance and revenge confronting their homophobic hometown and their fears about being gay. Publication is tentatively slated for spring 2028; Elise Howard at DeFiore & Company represented the authors and illustrator. David Levithan and Talia Seidenfeld at Scholastic have bought two novels by Barbara Dee (Maybe He Just Likes You); Sam Palazzi will edit. Nothing to See Here follows four eighth graders who team up and start posting fake rumors as an experiment to show everyone the dangers of online gossip after an online incident forces a student to leave their middle school. Your Eyes Are Like Two Clouds is the story of a non-literary seventh grader who uses AI to compose love poems which he sends anonymously to his crush, who mistakenly believes they're written by her own crush. Publication is planned for fall 2026 and fall 2027 respectively; Jill Grinberg at Jill Grinberg Literary Management did the two-book deal for North American rights. Kate Fletcher at Candlewick Press has acquired author-illustrator Lisa Anchin's Maud and the Very Eventful Week, a quirky, slightly gothic early reader featuring little vampire Maud and her busy week, during which she operates a spider-and-juice stand, discovers a giant tooth, encounters a haunted teapot, and hosts a yard sale. Publication is set for summer 2026; Andrea Morrison at Writers House brokered the deal for world rights. Ryan G. Van Cleave at Bushel & Peck has bought world English rights to Unsinkable by Fred Koehler, an illustrated middle grade novel following a boy adrift on a storm-damaged boat, a story of survival, courage, and the quiet power of hope. Publication is scheduled for 2028; the author represented himself. Sally Morgridge at Holiday House has acquired world rights to chapter book series Orion & Cosmo by Stephanie Ward (l.), illustrated by Jessica Goecke. The dual POV series stars a space-obsessed boy who needs to find his missing astronaut mother, and the Martian who arrives on Earth just in time to help. Books one and two will publish in fall 2027, and book three will publish in spring 2028; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary represented the author, and Christie Megill at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator. Ann Kelley at Random House Studio has bought Andrea Zuill's picture book, Not a Kitty, a humorous story about Fig the possum, whose act of playing dead goes awry when she gets mistaken as a cat by an enthusiastic girl. Publication is slated for spring 2027; Erzsi Deak at Hen&ink Literary sold world rights. Meredith Mundy at Abrams Appleseed has acquired world rights to When Is NOW?, a picture book written and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (Marabella's Moment), in which a little pig, worn out by life's hectic pace, learns to live in the moment and notice the NOW. Publication is planned for spring 2027; the author-illustrator represented herself. Kate O'Sullivan at Clarion has bought world rights to What Is the Wind? by Gideon Sterer (l.) (If You Make a Call on a Banana Phone), illustrated by Guojing (The House That Floated), a picture book ode in alliverative verse to the wonder of the wind that explores its many formsfrom a welcome breeze to its whines and whistles. Publication is scheduled for fall 2026; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author, and Isabel Atherton at Creative Authors represented the artist. Cheryl Klein while at Algonquin Young Readers acquired world rights to a nonfiction picture book by Kate Messner (l.) and co-author Ruth Rappaport-Kristal (c.), illustrated by Kelly Wu (r.), titled Ice Cream for Breakfast, the true story of the origins of Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, a global day of sweet celebration, to be edited by Samantha Gentry at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Publication is set for winter 2028; Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary represented the authors, and Wendi Gu at Hannigan Getzler Literary represented the artist. Elizabeth Schleisman at Beaming Books has bought world English rights to Not Again, Dragon Chen! by Amanda Adams (l.), illustrated by Wazza Pink, a picture book about a boy and his imaginary dragon's tantrums, and their journeys to learning how to navigate big emotions. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Eve Adler at Red Fox Literary represented the author, and Christina Doffing at Astound US represented the illustrator. Kortney Nash at Godwin Books has acquired Louangie Bou-Montes's next YA fantasy novel, The Art of Dying, pitched as Daisy Jones and the Six meets Sinners in 1975 New England. A newly turned vampire has a chance to regain her humanity if she can track down the person who murdered her and "turn" him. But the longer she spends consumed by the dark, the more she wonders if recovering her full humanity is possible. Publication is slated for fall 2027; Saritza Hernandez at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for world English rights. Elizabeth Stranahan at Random House has bought Seven Dishes to Fall in Love by debut author Kate Emilie, in an eight-way auction. This speculative contemporary novel, aimed at fans of You've Reached Sam and If I Stay, follows teenager Zoe who becomes suspended between life and death and must untangle her life-altering regret before her death becomes permanent. Publication is scheduled for summer 2027, with a second book in summer 2028; Alyssa Reuben at WME sold North American rights. Elizabeth Lynch at Penguin Workshop has acquired, at auction, Daughter of Spiders by Valerie Kemp. This debut middle grade novel starts a fantasy adventure series featuring a girl who discovers she's the daughter of the West African trickster god of stories, Anansi, and she is the only person who can rescue himor else the story of her life will be erased. Book one is set for spring 2028; Chelsea Eberly at Greenhouse Literary Agency did the three-book, six-figure deal for North American rights on behalf of Working Partners. Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary now represents the author. Ryan G. Van Cleave at Bushel & Peck has bought Serenity and the Soul in the Wall by Maria Linn, winner of the Ready Chapter 1 Middle Grade Challenge. The contemporary fantasy follows a girl who discovers the soul of her family's seaside motel and must awaken its spirit to save her family during a deadly storm. Publication is planned for 2028; Ready Chapter 1 sold world English rights. Susan Rich at Little, Brown has acquired two debut picture books by Rosie Pink, I Love Everything! and Lucky Day in a new series, Daisy Sunshine, about Daisy and her friends Summerfly and Bear-Bear embracing love and gratitude in a colorful, cozy world. Publication for book one is slated for fall 2026, and winter 2027 for book two; Kirsten Hall at Catbird Productions negotiated the deal for world rights. Andrea Welch at S&S/Beach Lane Books has bought world rights to I'm a Star!, a nonfiction picture book by Katie Slivensky (l.), illustrated by Steph Stilwell, an astronomy tale with humor, heart, and plenty of stellar facts, told from the viewpoint of one of our galaxy's newest and most enthusiastic stars. Publication is anticipated in spring 2028; Ammi-Joan Paquette at Aevitas Creative Management represented the author, and Aliza Hoover at the CAT Agency represented the illustrator. Harriet Birkinshaw at Post Wave has acquired The Mender by Louise Greig (l.), illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger (Otto and the Story Tree). The Mender spends her nights humming a lullaby as she sews stars back into the sky and pours red into fading roses, gently stitching up the broken pieces of the world, until she herself begins to unravel, and finds her lullaby echoed back to her. Publication is scheduled for 2027; the author represented herself, and Kait Feldmann at KT Literary represented the illustrator. Arthur Levine at Levine Querido has bought world rights to Yingcheng's Two Hats by Erica Lyons (l.), illustrated by Sally Deng, a picture book that tells the story of Kaifeng's Zhou Yingcheng, also known as Moshe ben Avram, the highest- ranking Chinese Jew in the Imperial system who, in the 1600s, managed to conquer rebels, sponsor schools, rebuild his synagogue, and represent the best of both of his identities. Publication is set for spring 2027; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author, and Tracy Marchini at Tracy Marchini Literary,represented the illustrator. Simon & Schuster Australia and New Zealand has appointed Jane Curry as its next managing director, effective January 19. Curry succeeds Dan Ruffino, who announced his resignation last month after more than a decade in the role. Ruffino oversaw the company's acquisition, last year, of Melbourne-based independent publisher Affirm Press. Curry is currently managing director of Sydney-based independent publisher Ventura Press, and has held executive leadership roles at Quarto ANZ, Macmillan, and Weldon Publishing. She has also served on the boards of the Australian Copyright Agency, the Brisbane Writers Festival, and the Australian Publishers Association. Curry will report to Perminder Mann, CEO of S&S UK & International. Mann joined S&S in May after serving as CEO of Bonnier Books. "Her deep understanding of the local publishing landscape, from author care to market dynamics, combined with her extensive experience in distribution-driven publishing, gives her a unique and powerful perspective on how to grow and future-proof a modern publishing operation..." Mann said of Curry, in a statement. "These qualities, along with her reputation for integrity, collaboration, and strategic clarity, make her the perfect person to lead our ANZ business into its next exciting chapter." A version of this article appeared on BookBrunch. KABUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A three-day exhibition aimed at promoting modern farming technologies has opened in eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, local media outlet TOLOnews reported Wednesday. According to the report, the exhibition features a broad range of modern agricultural equipment, including compact tractors, seeders, harvesters, and advanced irrigation systems. The machinery on display is designed to suit Afghanistan's varied terrain and support the needs of small-scale farmers. Such exhibitions provide farmers with vital access to new technologies at a time when the country is striving to strengthen food security and modernize its agricultural sector, the report said. It added that increased mechanization could enhance productivity and contribute to greater economic stability in rural communities. A U.S.-supported regime change in Venezuela feels increasingly inevitable, and it will most likely end in disaster for both the United States and the Venezuelan people. After rounds of deep sanctions, suffocating diplomatic and economic pressure, and two pretend presidents, the U.S. Maximum Pressure Campaign has escalated into something far more dangerous than when it arguably began in 2014. Already, a Naval Carrier Strike Group is posted on Venezuelas coast, and B-52s have carried out 22 known strikes on fishing boats in the Caribbean, killing at least 83 civilians and foreign nationals in operations that many experts say violate domestic and international laws. U.S. officials have reportedly conveyed to Nicolas Maduro that he must leave now if he wants safe passage for himself and his family, with Russia likely to be his best guarantee of asylum. Washington has placed a $50 million bounty on the presidents head, blocked humanitarian aid to the country, pushed personal sanctions on senior officials, and thrown its weight behind the most hardline faction of the Venezuelan opposition, which for decades had only been welcomed in the most hawkish halls of the Beltway. The Trump administration is fast-marching toward its own destruction. The likely power vacuum created by Maduros fall would create an immense migratory and humanitarian crisis, empower armed groups and rival great powers like China, Russia, and Iran, and lock Washington into another Forever War in a region already skeptical of American interventions. Sanctions, pressure, and bombings are among Washingtons favorite strategies for regime change. But unlike the pressure campaign until now, this escalation is more maximalist. The Trump administration, particularly hawks like Marco Rubio and Richard Grenell, seems ready to stomp out the Chavista snake once and for all. Still, no matter how many Day Zero plans Machado and the hardliners offer, the situation would not resemble Panama and Chile, like many hawks have been floating, but would likely be closer to Iraq and Afghanistan post-intervention. The fallout would be looting, riots, violence, decay, and anarchy. There is also the possibility that the coup fails or stagnates, like the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba or Operation Gideon in Venezuela in 2020, in which case, the U.S. and Trump would be completely and utterly humiliated. Despite Maduros immense unpopularity, international support for regime change is astonishingly thin. Latin Americas major powers, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, oppose a military intervention. The regions moderates, including governments traditionally skeptical of Caracas, want negotiations and humanitarian openings, not military strikes. Pope Leo has also voiced concern, and may travel to Venezuela at some point if necessary. In Washington, Democrats and most of the American public oppose escalation. Support for regime change, such as it exists, largely comes from a narrow coalition, namely, a few right-wing factions in the region, a few of Venezuelas most hardline exiled activists, and a cluster of hawks in Washington. Notably, even many neoconservatives who backed maximum pressure on Venezuela are urging against direct military action. However, they have been some of the loudest voices in the media. Dont fall for the manufactured consent. A forced collapse of the Maduro government would likely not create stability and promote democracy, like Venezuelan hardline exile Rafael de la Cruz opined in the Wall Street Journal this week. Venezuela today is already fragmented by armed actors. The ELN, dissident FARC factions, and the Tren de Aragua criminal network all control significant swaths of territory and economic activity. They govern border crossings, mining zones, cocaine routes, extortion markets, and entire townships. If state authority collapsed suddenly, these groups, along with dozens of smaller colectivos and local armies, would rush to fill the vacuum. The Chavistas, including the now millions of armed militias, would probably not go down easy. Even a U.S. government war game says it would be a complete and utter mess. The Venezuelan hardliners vision for rapid shock therapy eradicating Chavismo, dismantling social programs, prosecuting political opponents, purging the military, and imposing sweeping austerity would alienate the millions of lower-income Venezuelans who remain the backbone of Chavismo, and who are the largest socio-economic group left in the country. There is also the problem of the 300,000 military and paramilitary forces. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of Maduros clientelism and corruption, and have gotten immensely rich and powerful as a result. The Bolivarian Forces would likely fight any U.S. attempt to dismantle their status. Even more, Chavista voters distrust the opposition, fear violent revenge politics, and vividly remember the 1989 Caracazo massacre, when neoliberal reforms triggered mass protests and state killings. Machados model would all but guarantee social upheaval and a repeat of the conditions that gave rise to Chavez in the first place. So, best-case scenario, if all goes according to plan, we might have another Chavez in a decade or two. Thats not exactly a win. A coup or interventionby air, sea, or special forceswould trigger the very humanitarian and migratory disaster the U.S. warns about. The Trump administration has stressed fears of mass, uncontrolled migration and even issued a travel ban on Venezuelans, but intervention would make that scenario far more likely: millions would flee, many would die, and armed actors would spread along migrant routes. A collapsing state could generate refugee flows exceeding those after 2014, much of it directed toward the Caribbean and the U.S. coastline. Given that migration and foreign policy are Trumps strongest issues, the result would be both a political and humanitarian nightmare. There is another way, where everyone (but the hawks) wins. This would mean working directly with moderates inside the opposition, including figures such as Henri Falcon, Leopoldo Lopez, and Henrique Capriles, who are committed political and economic liberals, but have been willing to work with Maduro and the U.S. to get concessions for the people and move the country forward. These actors are not perfect, but they have shown a willingness to negotiate, accept incremental democratic openings, and operate within institutional frameworks rather than outside them. Most importantly, they would not throw Venezuela and its people into the ash heap of history. Co-opting these opposition figures also means cooperating with the Maduro government on specific, verifiable goals like humanitarian corridors, reforming the armed forces, fighting cartels, electoral guarantees, prisoner releases, curbing migration, energy deals, anti-corruption efforts, and demilitarization around mining zones. This is precisely the approach pursued by Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and others. They have extracted far more from Caracas through dialogue than Washington has through coercion. This is a real political and diplomatic opportunity for Trump, who prides himself on making peace deals, rather than starting or continuing foreign wars. For all his macho posturing and authoritarianism, Maduro has repeatedly signaled that he wants a deal with Washington. He has offered oil, mining concessions, security cooperation, and even direct dialogue with Trump himself. Maduro fears that the United States is willing to kill or topple him. That fear can be used to get concessions and build lasting peace and partnership. Yes, Maduro probably did not win the last two elections, and he is an unpopular tyrant, but toppling him is far too costly and dangerous. A military or covert intervention in Venezuela would not be cheap, quick, or morally defensible as hawkish propaganda suggests. It would, however, alienate nearly every government in the hemisphere (and Americas partners in the Western world), reinforce the belief that the U.S. brings only war while China brings development, and trap Washington in an open-ended quagmire to fill a power vacuum that armed groups are perfectly positioned to exploit. There is still time to choose a path that avoids catastrophe. Joseph Bouchard is a PhD student, journalist, and researcher from Quebec covering security and geopolitics in Latin America. His articles have appeared in Reason, The Diplomat, The National Interest, Le Devoir, and Responsible Statecraft, among others. Instagram / Arie Luyendyk Jr. By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/10/2025 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 Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Arie Luyendyk Jr. has announced his plans to undergo a second vasectomy two months after welcoming his fourth child with wife Lauren Burnham Arie, 44, took to Instagram on December 5 and posted a video in which he was calling a doctor's office.While speaking to the receptionist, Arie wrote over the footage, "Making THAT call for the third time... Need a punch card."Arie could be heard saying that he wanted to schedule another vasectomy as Adele's "Hello" played in the background."Snip snap, snip snap," he quipped with a smile.After settling on a date for the procedure, Arie told the receptionist "sounds good" and gave the camera a thumbs up."She's probably heard it a thousand times lol," Arie captioned his funny post.Arie and Lauren, who fell in love on 's 22nd season and got married in January 2019, share daughter Alessi , 6, and four-year-old twins Senna and Lux. They also have a two-month-old baby girl named Livvy.Arie announced in February 2022 that he had his first vasectomy following the birth of three kids.But Arie clearly had a change of heart a couple of years later.In Spring 2024, the former racecar driver admitted during a Q&A session with fans via Instagram Stories that he was open to the idea of expanding his family even further, according to People."A year ago I would have said 100% no way but I'm feeling more and more like I rushed the vasectomy," Arie confessed over a photo of Alessi at the time."Don't know yet what the future holds but [right now] I'm loving this stage with them."Arie then chose to reverse his first vasectomy in July 2024, although he didn't announce the news until February 2025."We said that we were done having kids like, I don't know, a couple years ago," Lauren explained in the couple's YouTube announcement at the time. "But I think we're going to do it one more time."Arie went on to explain, "As you guys know, I got the vasectomy after the twins were born, and ever since then, I don't know, I think I rushed it. Honestly, it's more on me. I think having the twins was hard at first."Arie gushed about how all of his kids were at "the best age" and so he thought to himself, "Dang it, I think we could do this again."Arie and Lauren then announced Lauren's pregnancy with Baby No. 4 in March 2025. One month later, the pair shared with the world that they were expecting another baby girl.Livvy was born on September 18 , and the couple called her their "sweet little angel girl."Lauren had finished Arie's season of in second place when Arie actually chose Becca Kufrin as his winner and popped the question to Becca during the Final Rose Ceremony, which aired in March 2018.But weeks after getting engaged, Arie decided to dump Becca because he claimed he was still in love with Lauren , and then he begged Lauren for a second chance.Once Lauren took the real estate agent back, Arie proposed marriage in March 2018 on : After the Final Rose after Season 22 aired on ABC.Arie and Lauren subsequently moved into their first home together in Phoenix, AZ, in April of that year. They went on to split their time between Arizona and Hawaii.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group Sonja Morgan A handful of iconic The Real Housewives of New York City cast members will be reuniting for a brand new show on E!. Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyers guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, were not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers dont dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyers guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audienceensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether youre selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. Celebrations come in many forms parties, family gatherings, a hug from a friend but food is often the centerpiece. A meal can bring people together, spark conversations and mark milestones in a memorable way. With fall graduation around the corner, choosing the right place to celebrate should go beyond whats on the plate. HARARE, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese investment in infrastructure and energy is key to Zimbabwe's development goals, a Zimbabwean economist has said. In a recent interview with Xinhua, Zimbabwean expert Brains Muchemwa said that cooperation with China in channeling investments toward key economic enablers will further make Zimbabwe an attractive investment destination. "When you look at the key enablers, in particular infrastructure and energy, that is where we definitely need more investment. More investment in terms of road construction, more investment in terms of power generation, in particular renewable energy, especially when you look at energy as an enabler for economic development," he said. Muchemwa said that the influx of Chinese investment in key economic sectors will help lower the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe and uplift the economy into an upper-middle-income status, a goal that the Zimbabwean government aspires to achieve under its Vision 2030. "We have not been getting a lot of investments, especially from the West, on our key projects," he said. "The Vision 2030 targets definitely will need serious investors and serious investment that will be able to create not only jobs but also the physical infrastructure, and that you will probably get from Chinese investors." According to the economist, Chinese investment is crucial for Zimbabwe's energy and infrastructure by funding major national projects, including the Hwange Thermal Power Station expansion, the Kariba South Hydro Power Station, and the upgrades of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport. China is one of Zimbabwe's major sources of foreign investment. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, China's non-financial direct investment in Zimbabwe reached 55.54 million U.S. dollars in 2024. Bilateral trade between China and Zimbabwe totaled 3.802 billion dollars in 2024, up 23.9 percent year on year. "The key energy and infrastructure projects significantly boosted power generation and connectivity in the country," he said. With vast reserves of mineral resources, Zimbabwe can benefit from Chinese investment through value addition, Muchemwa said, adding that Chinese investors' involvement will help Zimbabwe secure more technology, increase mineral exports and create jobs. Looking ahead to Zimbabwe's upcoming second National Development Strategy, a five-year economic plan, Muchemwa said China's experience offers useful lessons. "I think what is important is that we need to learn from how the Chinese have been implementing their plans so that Zimbabwe can benefit from that," he added. After a gap of more than three years, the central government has agreed to resume the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) works in West Bengal with immediate effect, but subject to mandatory adherence to stringent conditions. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh These include a prohibition on any work valued at more than 20 lakh, compulsory 100 per cent electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification of all workers, and mandatory pre-estimation field visits for all works before they are undertaken. The order to resume MGNREGA work in the state was issued a few days ago. The Department of Rural Development hereby resumes the prospective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in the State of West Bengal with immediate effect. "However, such resumption is subject to mandatory adherence to the special conditions and regulatory measures, as directed by the high court, to ensure transparency and integrity in implementation, the order said. For the current financial year (2025-26), the state government is required to submit the labour Budget proposal within 30 days of receiving the official order, it added. Among other conditions mandatory for the resumption of MGNREGA works, the Centre said that job cards must be reviewed and updated within one month from the schemes resumption. West Bengal will be allotted the labour Budget on a quarterly basis, based on performance and compliance with the special conditions imposed by the department. All funds released under the wage component of MGNREGA will only be credited into the bank accounts of workers using the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS)-enabled direct benefit transfer protocol. The state has to ensure 100 per cent Aadhaar seeding and APBS enablement of all workers, the order said. The state government must also conduct a performance audit of material and administrative funds each year through the Principal Accountant General. For all works undertaken, mandatory detailed project reports must be approved by the district magistrates, even for projects within the 20 lakh cap. No more than 10 ongoing works per gram panchayat shall be undertaken at any given time, with no exemptions allowed at the panchayat level. All staff involved in pre-estimation of field works must be geotagged and time-stamped. The circular also says that MGNREGA works will be automatically suspended if muster rolls are not filled within one month. Such suspension can only be revoked by the district magistrate with proper justification. The district magistrate and the block development officers shall act as the district programme coordinator and programme officers, respectively, for all districts and blocks, the order said. It also directed the state government to ensure time-bound action against delinquent officials or other Mahatma Gandhi NREGS functionaries, including prompt investigations, financial recovery within 60 days of detection, filing of first information reports, and initiation of appropriate departmental disciplinary actions. The state shall ensure strict adherence to the advisories issued by this ministry from time to time and ensure regular conduct of social audits of all works and expenditures, as mandated under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS, and upload all reports, the order read. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time this year. Satya's visit was focused on India's AI roadmap, backed by a $17.5 billion commitment for infrastructure and skill-building. IMAGE: Satya meets Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Photograph: @satyanadella X/ANI Photo IMAGE: Earlier this year, on January 6, 2025, Modi had met Satya to discuss AI, tech innovation and Microsoft's expansion plans for India. Photograph: ANI Photo Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff EPF doesn't just build your retirement fund -- it also provides free life insurance up to Rs 7 lakh under the EDLI scheme. Kindly note that this illustration generated using Microsoft Copilot has only been posted for representational purposes. In the previous part of this EPF Explainer series, we discussed nominations and inheritance rules, showing how EPF balances are passed to nominees. But what happens if a member passes away unexpectedly during service? That's where the Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme comes into play. EDLI is a life-insurance benefit linked to your EPF account, providing families with a lump-sum payout in the event of the untimely demise of an active employee. It underlines that EPF isn't just a retirement corpus -- it also serves as a safety net via EDLI. What is EDLI? EDLI stands for Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme. It is administered by EPFO under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. All eligible employees working in establishments covered under EPF/EPFO are automatically covered -- no separate enrollment or premium payment is required from the employee. The employer alone contributes for EDLI. Thus, being an EPF member (i.e. working in an EPF-covered establishment) automatically gives you EDLI coverage for life-insurance benefits. Key Features and Payout Ceiling The EDLI benefit is computed based on the 'applicable monthly wage' (basic + DA), but this is capped at Rs 15,000/month for the purpose of calculating the insurance cover -- even if actual salary is higher. Employer's contribution to EDLI is 0.5% of basic + DA, subject to the Rs 15,000 ceiling. The maximum death-benefit payable under EDLI for a covered member is Rs 7 lakh (lump sum to nominee or legal heir) in the event of death during service. The scheme also guarantees a minimum benefit, ensuring that even for low balances or short service, a baseline amount is available. How the EDLI Benefit Is Calculated (external link) The commonly used formula: Benefit = (Average monthly salary for last 12 months, capped at Rs 15,000) 30 + bonus The 'assurance benefit' (or additional fixed amount) is currently Rs 2.5 lakh Example: If an employee's average salary in the last 12 months is Rs 15,000, the benefit works out as (15,000 30) + 250,000 = Rs 700,000 (subject to overall cap) If the average salary is Rs 12,000, the benefit will be (12,000 30) + 250,000 = Rs 610,000 The scheme also allows for an alternate calculation based on the average progressive PF balance during the preceding 12 months, and the higher of the two (salary-based or PF-balance-based) may apply. Who Is Covered EDLI applies to active employees who are members of EPFO under a covered establishment. Employees do not pay anything toward this insurance -- the employer funds it fully. On the death of a covered employee during service, the insurance payout goes to the registered nominee (as per EPF nomination records) or, if no nomination exists, to legal heirs. How to Claim EDLI In the event of death, the nominee or legal heir can file a claim through the employer or directly via EPFO's online systems. Required documents generally include the death certificate, nominee's ID proof, bank details, and EPF account information. Payout is a lump sum meant to provide immediate financial support for the family. EPFO aims to settle EDLI claims within 20-30 days, though this can vary depending on verification or KYC issues. Why EDLI Matters It ensures EPF membership provides more than just retirement savings -- it also offers life-insurance protection. Since it is employer-funded and automatic, employees receive cover without any premium payment. The capped but meaningful payout of up to Rs 7 lakh gives crucial support to families of workers, particularly in low- and middle-income segments. EDLI complements other EPFO benefits: EPF for retirement savings and EPS for pension income, creating a broad social-security safety net for India's workforce. Part 1: Payslip To Pension To Long-Term Wealth: How EPF Works Part 2: EPF Secrets Revealed: Where Your 12% Goes Part 3: EPF@8.25%: Is It Really Worth It? Part 4: How EPS Turns Part Of Your PF Into Lifelong Income Part 5: EPF: How To Withdraw Smart, Protect Your Corpus Part 6: Your EPF Can Fund Housing, Surgery, Education... Part 7: Who Gets Your PF Money After You... You can ask your personal finance questions to rediffGURUS HERE 'If at all human beings require a religion, the future religion will be Hinduism.' IMAGE: The Bateshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh. All photographs: Kind courtesy KK Muhammed/Facebook "If India continues as a secular country today, it is only because it is a Hindu majority country. Had it been a Muslim majority country, it would never have been a secular country," archaeologist K K Muhammed -- a member of the archaeological team under Professor B B Lal who excavated the Babri Masjid site and discovered remains of a temple there -- tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier. "Muslims should be large hearted enough to hand over Gyanvapi and Mathura to the Hindus. And Hindus should stop going after every mosque," adds Mr Muhammed. Do you feel disappointed that after being in power for more than a decade, the BJP, a party that claims to be the custodians of heritage and talks about a 5,000-year-old culture, did not do much for the preservation of Indian heritage? Indeed. Not just me, but many people who are associated with archaeology, heritage and culture, are disappointed with the performance of this government and the ministry. They have neglected India's cultural heritage. The first 5 years were very bad, that is from 2014-2019, from the point of view of the financial power of the Superintendent Archaeologist who had to carry out conservation work. Under the Congress government, the amount allotted to the Superintendent Archaeologist for the conservation of a monument was Rs 25 lakhs. This was reduced to Rs 3 lakhs when the BJP came to power in 2014. This was not enough to even to raise a scaffolding, for example in Mahabalipuram, Gingee or Fort St George. IMAGE: K K Muhammed, former Regional Director, Archaeological Survey of India. Did the government state the reason for reducing the amount so drastically? No. The power was kept in Delhi, which brought down the tempo of conservation drastically. But you could not argue with them. There was no justification to the argument put forward by them and it was not convincing for them also. There was a lot of hue and cry. Ultimately, the amount was raised in 2019 after the next election. But we lost 5 precious long years in work. I had retired by then. I considered myself lucky that I retired in 2012. For 5 years, most of the important conservation work came to a situation where they just dragged on, for lack of funds. It was a kind of melancholic existence for archaeology as what the government gave was a pitiable amount. Though the government increased the amount after 5 years, we couldn't get back the 5 years we had lost. By then, the conservation work that was going on at various places had got badly affected. You described the last 11 years as the dark age for Indian archaeology... Yes, I did. The last 11 years were a dark age for Indian archaeology. You need visionaries combined with dynamism at the helm of affairs to understand archaeology. If you had, things would not have gone the way it did, especially when you talk about the glorious civilisation and have slogans like 'Bharat Ka Gaurav Ithihas', etc. IMAGE: K K Muhammad discusses the Ibadat Khana and its excavation in Fatehpur Sikri. How do you compare earlier governments with the present one as far as preserving India's cultural heritage? The earlier governments were far better than the present BJP government. Credit has to be given to the Congress period because they never interfered with the archaeology department. Many of the people who were dealing with archaeology were experts, and the government had given them a free hand to work. So, they were able to push through decisions and they were experts in the field. The most important thing for conservation is the availability of finance, If finance is not there, nothing could be done. I was working at the Bateshwar temple complex in Chambal in MP, and with the help of the dacoits, we were able to do very good work. We had done conservation work of around 90 temples there during the Congress period. But during the 11 years of BJP rule, only 10 temples were restored. Is the political class ignorant, or is it just apathy? They think they are the last words in culture. Custodians of culture! With no knowledge of how to deal with these issues results in management problems. During the Vajpayee government also, the committed people could push things through. You need people with vision and dynamism to understand archaeology which is lacking in today's government. From the archaeologist's point of view, what is more important? Conservation or excavation? Conservation and excavation should go hand in hand. Excavations are important because with rapid urbanisation, we are losing many important sites. Along with that, conservation of various monuments has to take place. When we spoke two years ago, you had said that the BJP government was not interested in issues like heritage. Does that outlook continue? They don't seem to have the kind of commitment they propagate or project. When you are in the Opposition, you talk about civilisation, culture, etc, but once you are in power, you forget all that. IMAGE: The Bateshwar temple in Madhya Pradesh. When we spoke two years ago, and recently also, you said Muslims should give Gyanvapi and Mathura to Hindus. Should we be talking about the construction of new temples when development is the need of the hour? India is a religious country. India is also a spiritual country. Religion plays a very important role in India. Religion unifies people. Gyanvapi and Mathura are as important to the Hindu community as Mecca and Medina are for Muslims. These two places have just two mosques for the Muslims. They are not associated with Prophet Mohammed or any of the spiritual leaders of Islam. For Hindus, it is the birthplace of Krishna and Lord Shiva, and you cannot change this to another place. So, Muslims should understand the emotional spirit of the Hindu community. I often say that it was like giving Pakistan exclusively to the Muslim community during Partition. If India continues as a secular country today, it is only because it is a Hindu majority country. Had it been a Muslim majority country, it would never have been a secular country. I don't stand for the BJP or the RSS. I stand for the millions of Hindus. Have you been to Gyanvapi? No. I haven't. If you stand before the Nandi looking at the mosque, you feel pathetic. These are some of the emotional issues which you cannot circumvent by saying that you are in the modern age. Muslims should be large hearted enough to hand over these places to the Hindus. And Hindus, on their part, should stop going after every mosque. Will this not open a Pandora's box? Absolutely not. That's the Communists' narrative to complicate the issue. In the case of Ayodhya also, Muslims were ready to hand over the place, but the Communists, who were not archaeologists, complicated the issue. If you don't involve Communist historians in religious issues like this, things will happen smoothly. Hinduism is a very accommodative religion; you can go to the temple or not go to the temple. It's immaterial who you worship. It's not like any sematic religions. You don't have such a large-hearted religion. So, if at all human beings require a religion, the future religion will be Hinduism. When I say Hinduism, it includes Buddhism, Jainism and even Confucianism or Taoism. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff India's Deepavali -- the festival of lights -- was on Wednesday inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, sparking celebrations to mark the earning of the coveted tag. IMAGE: Girls dressed in traditional attire decorate a rangoli on the occasion of Diwali. Photograph: ANI Photo The decision was taken during a key meeting of UNESCO being hosted at the Red Fort in Delhi. Chants of 'Jai Hind', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' rent the air as UNESCO announced that the celebrated festival has been added to the prestigious list after a discussion by its committee. Artistes dressed in different traditional attire performed in front of the main stage while images of the Deepavali festival played on the big screen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO's Intangible Heritage List, saying it will contribute to the festival's global popularity. "People in India and around the world are thrilled," PM Modi said in a post on X, responding to a post from UNESCO listing Deepavali in its Intangible Heritage List. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat delivered a statement on behalf of the country right after the inscription was announced during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). This is the sixteenth element from India to be inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Fifteen other elements already inscribed on this UNESCO list include the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting and Ramlila - the traditional performance of the epic 'Ramayana'. Shekhawat and other members of the Indian contingent sported a traditional headgear to mark the occasion. "Deepavali" -- the festival of lights -- is one of the timeless festivals of India which is also now celebrated in many other parts of the world. On this occasion, people decorate their homes with traditional lamps or 'diya', and buildings are illuminated, presenting a dazzling sight at night. India had sent the Deepavali nomination dossier to UNESCO in 2023 for the 2024-25 cycle. "For every Indian, Deepavali is deeply emotional, it is felt, lived, absorbed across generations," Shekhawat said in his address. The Union minister said that with this inscription, "UNESCO honours the eternal human longing for renewal, peace and the triumph of good". He said from potters to artisans, millions of hands keep this heritage alive. This UNESCO tag is also a responsibility, and "we must ensure Deepavali remains a living heritage," Shekhawat said. Our children must know that Deepavali is the festival of Ram Rajya, i e, good governance, he said. He said that on the coming Deepavali, people should "light and extra lamp, a lamp of gratitude, a lamp of peace, a lamp of shared humanity, and a lamp of good governance". Shekhawat, in his address, invoked the Sanskrit chant of 'Tamso Maa Jyotirgamaya' (from darkness take me to light) and ended it with, "Jai Hind, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Raja Ram Chandra Ji ki Jai". This is the first time that India is hosting a session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The 20th session of the panel is underway from December 8 to 13 at the Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pakistani diplomat Shoaib Sarwar Sandhu, who is posted at the country's High Commission here, in an interaction with PTI, said, "My congratulations to India on Deepavali inscription". A day ago, Boreendo or Bhorindo, an ancient dying folk musical instrument and its melodies, knowledge, and skills, from Pakistan, Paraguay's ancestral ceramic craftsmanship and Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya, among 11 elements, were inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. A total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries will be examined during the course of the nearly week-long key session of UNESCO. On Tuesday, the traditional saree weaving art of Tangail from Bangladesh and Behzad's style of miniature painting from Afghanistan were among the elements inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The skills and practices of making 'Bisht' (men's Abaa or gown), a transnational nomination, were also inscribed on this list. On Wednesday, other fresh inscriptions in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity category included, Al-Muhaibis: social practices and traditions associated with it, from Iraq; Al-Mihrass tree: knowledge, skills and rituals associated with it, from Jordan; and the Diwaniya, a unifying cultural practice in Kuwait. Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the main accused and owners of the Goa nightclub where a massive blaze claimed 25 lives, booked tickets to Thailand within an hour of learning about the fire at their establishment, officials said on Wednesday. IMAGE: An outside view of the Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant, in Arpora on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab According to the investigation by the Goa police, both Luthra brothers booked their tickets for Phuket in Thailand through a travel portal at 1.17 am of December 7. At this time, police and administration were battling the blaze at the nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' at Arpora in North Goa, and trying to rescue their staff. On Wednesday, the Luthras failed to get an interim relief as a Delhi court posted their plea for an anticipatory bail for Thursday. The two left in an IndiGo plane for Phuket in the early hours of Sunday. United States President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan "were going at it" and he ended the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, repeating the claim once again. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump salutes as he arrives to deliver remarks on the US economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania on December 9, 2025. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Trump has so far repeated the claim nearly 70 times that he stopped the conflict in May between India and Pakistan. "In 10 months, I ended eight wars, including Kosovo (and) Serbia, Pakistan and India, they were going at it. Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia. Armenia and Azerbaijan," Trump said on Tuesday in remarks to his supporters at a rally on the economy in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. India has consistently denied any third-party intervention in resolving the conflict. Meanwhile, Trump said Cambodia and Thailand have started fighting again and "tomorrow", he will make a phone call to those countries. "Who else could say I'm going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia. They are going at it. But I'll do it. So we're making peace through strength. That's what we're doing," Trump said. On immigration, Trump said that for the first time in 50 years, "we now have reverse migration, which means more jobs, better wages and higher income for American citizens, not for illegal aliens." He said that he has announced a permanent pause on "Third World migration", including from "hellholes" like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and many other countries. Why can't we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few. Let's have a few from Denmark. Do you mind sending us a few people? Send us some nice people. Do you mind? But we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. The only thing they're good at is going after ships. Last month, Trump had said he would permanently pause" migration from all Third World Countries and deport foreign nationals who are a security risk as his administration intensified its crackdown on immigration in the wake of the killing of a National Guard member by Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal. US Citizenship and Immigration Services issued new guidance allowing for negative, country-specific factors to be considered when vetting aliens from 19 high-risk countries. These countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela and Yemen. These are the same countries that were subject to a travel ban announced by Trump in a proclamation issued in June this year. The proclamation Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats' restricted and limited the entry of nationals of these countries into the US and applied to both immigrants and nonimmigrants. A combative Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at the opposition in the Lok Sabha for its campaign against Special Intensive Revision (SIR), saying the issue has been raked up as it can no longer win elections by 'corrupt practices', and asserted that the reason for Congress' defeat in polls was its leadership, not electronic voting machines (EVMs) or 'vote chori'. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaks in Lok Sabha during the winter session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab In his intervention in the debate on election reforms, Shah alleged that the opposition wanted to keep the avaidh ghuspathiye (illegal immigrants) in the voter list and hence the SIR issue was raised, but the Narendra Modi government's policy is clear -- detect all aliens, delete their names from the voters list and throw them out of the country. Shah gave a point-by-point rebuttal to the opposition's charges on SIR during his 90-minute speech, which also saw Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi interrupting the home minister to challenge him to debate with him on his three press conferences on 'vote chori', leading to heated exchanges between the two leaders, and a walkout by the opposition some time later. Seeking to corner the Congress, Shah claimed that there were three instances of 'vote chori' by Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. "Post Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was backed by 28 persons, while Jawaharlal Nehru was supported by two persons and yet Nehru became the prime minister, this was vote chori," he said. Shah said the second 'vote chori' was by Indira Gandhi, when she granted herself immunity after the court set aside her election. He said the dispute of the third 'vote chori' has just reached the civil courts on how Sonia Gandhi 'became a voter before becoming a citizen of India', a remark that invited sharp reactions from the Congress benches. Targeting the Congress, Shah said the reason for its poll losses was its leadership. "If someone asks a question in a presser, he is dubbed as a Bharatiya Janata Party agent, if they lose a case, they accuse the judge, if they lose an election, they blame EVMs. Now, when the EVM blame does not hold, they brought up vote chori... still, they lost Bihar. Now the reason for your defeat is your leadership and not EVM or voters' list," the home minister said. "They think no one holds them accountable, bhagwan kare, I am proved wrong and one day Congress workers seek their accountability," he said. Shah also accused the opposition of spreading falsehoods on SIR of electoral rolls and launched a strong defence of the exercise, asking whether democracy can be safe when the prime minister and the chief ministers are decided by ghuspathiye. Interrupting his speech, Rahul Gandhi challenged the home minister to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged 'vote chori' by the BJP in collusion with the Election Commission. Fiery exchanges were witnessed with Shah and Gandhi trading barbs. "Let us have a debate on my press conference. Amit Shah ji, I challenge you to have a debate on the three press conferences," the Congress leader said. Shah shot back that he will not frame his speech according to the wishes of the Leader of Opposition and also not change the sequence of his argument on someone else's demand. When the opposition MPs walked out during his speech, Shah said no matter how many times they boycott, the National Democratic Alliance will continue with its policy of 'detect, delete and deport' illegal immigrants. The opposition wants to normalise and formalise the 'ghuspathiye' and add them to the electoral rolls, he alleged. Shah said the NDA won the recent assembly elections in Bihar, where SIR was conducted ahead of the polls, despite the opposition's objections to the Election Commission's exercise. He also told the members of Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam that if they continue to oppose SIR in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, they will be wiped out in the next year's assembly polls. Shah said no party opposed SIR between 1952 and 2004. The home minister said the first SIR was conducted in 1952, when Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister and the Congress was in power. "Then it happened in 1957 when Nehru was there, the third happened in 1961 and Nehru was there. "Then it happened during Lal Bahadur Shastri's time, then again during Indira Gandhi's time, Rajiv Gandhi's time, Narasimha Rao's time, and then in 2002 during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time which continued till Manmohan Singh's time," he said. "No party had opposed this process because it is a process of keeping elections clean and keeping democracy healthy," Shah said. He said the objective of SIR rolls is to remove from voter list those who have died, add names of those who have turned 18 and delete foreign nationals one by one. "I want to say to the House and people -- can a country's democracy be safe when the prime minister and the chief minister are decided by ghuspathiye," Shah said. The BJP leader said the opposition thinks it is tarnishing the the government's image by levelling allegations but they are tarnishing the image of India's democracy. "They kept on doing 'vote chori, vote chori', and took out 'ghuspathiye bachao yatra' and we won by 2/3rd majority in Bihar," he said, claiming the opposition is worried as people of the country do not vote for them and SIR will delete names of illegal immigrants who back them. The new tradition is that if they lose, they defame the EC and electoral rolls, he said, adding it is not good for the country's democracy. "If electoral rolls were corrupted, why did you contest elections?" Shah asked the opposition in the Lok Sabha. He said the BJP has lost more elections than it has won, but it never questioned the Election Commission. "EVMs stopped election chori and that is why they are worried. Their method of election was not mandate but corrupt practices, and they have been fully exposed," he said, replying to demands by opposition MPs during the debate to revert to the paper ballot system. Participating in the debate, Congress' K C Venugopal questioned the government on excluding the Chief Justice of India from the committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and fellow Election Commissioners. Senior BJP leader and former Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asserted that when an elected government headed by the prime minister can be trusted with the nuclear button, why can't it be the case when selecting a good CEC or EC. He also warned that a return to the old system of paper ballot would mean going back to the days of booth capturing. Trinamool Congress leader Satabdi Roy accused the government of turning a respectable word 'SIR' into a 'Gabbar Singh-like' fearful figure and torture for voters. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP Asaduddin Owaisi alleged that the SIR is nothing but 'backdoor NRC' and a 'mala fide exercise' to selectively disenfranchise people on the basis of religion. In his speech, Shah said the EVMs were used for the first time in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and then in the 2009 elections and on both occasions, the Congress won, but they started complaining only after the 2014 loss. "The tradition of electoral loss began in 2014 and the Congress blamed EVMs, which were brought by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989," he said. Stressing that the BJP and NDA never run away from a discussion in Parliament, he said a debate was agreed on electoral reforms, but the majority of opposition members talked of SIR. "I believe discussion on SIR cannot be held because it comes under the Election Commission," Shah said. "One-sided falsehoods were being propagated in the last four months on SIR and efforts were made to mislead people," he alleged. Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed "bowed before the British." Photograph: @ShashiTharoor/X Tharoor said that he will NOT accept the "Veer Savarkar Award" and also won't attend the event where it will be presented in the absence of clarifications about its nature or the organisation presenting it. Tharoor, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, also said that "it was irresponsible on the part of the organisers to announce my name without my having agreed to receive it". Earlier in the day, Congress leader K Muraleedharan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that no party member, including Tharoor, should accept any award in the name of Veer Savarkar "as he had bowed before the British." Muraleedharan said that he does not believe that Tharoor will accept the award as doing so would insult and embarrass the Congress party. Tharoor later told reporters in the national capital that he heard about the award on Tuesday and that he was not going for the ceremony. "I heard about it yesterday only. I am not going. I am not here," he said in response to a question on Wednesday on his participation in the award ceremony. Subsequently, in a post on social media platform 'X', the Congress MP said, "In the absence of clarifications about the nature of the award, the organisation presenting it or any other contextual details, the question of my attending the event today or accepting the award does not arise." He further said that he learned from media reports that he was named as a recipient of the award when he went to Kerala to vote in the local body polls on Tuesday. He said he had clarified then that he was neither aware of, nor had accepted, such an award. "Despite that, today in Delhi, some media outlets continue to ask the same question. Therefore, I am issuing this statement to clarify the matter unequivocally," Tharoor added. Following Tharoor's statement, Aji Krishnan, the secretary of the Highrange Rural Development Society (HRDS) India which is presenting the award, told a TV channel that the Congress MP was informed about the matter well in advance. He said that representatives of HRDS India and the chairman of the award jury had met Tharoor at his residence to invite him and the MP had asked for a list of the other recipients of the award. "We gave him the list. He has not yet informed us that he will not come for the event. Perhaps he is scared as the Congress has made it an issue," Krishnan claimed. Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev said it was Tharoor's decision whether to accept the award or not. Tharoor was chosen as one of the recipients of the inaugural Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, instituted by HRDS India, on Wednesday in New Delhi. On Tuesday, he had said that he heard about the award through the media and that he was not aware who was giving it. "I am not aware of anything related to the award. Let me find out what it is," he had said. GUANGZHOU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A total of 12 people were killed in a residential building fire on Tuesday night in Shantou City, south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities said Wednesday. The blaze erupted at around 9:20 p.m. in the city's Chaonan District and was extinguished by around 10 p.m., according to the district's fire department. Twenty people were trapped in the blaze, according to local authorities. Eight were rescued, eight were pronounced dead at the scene, and four died in hospital despite emergency treatment. Preliminary investigations show that the building was a four-story, self-built concrete structure, with the fire affecting about 150 square meters. Authorities in Shantou have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, as well as citywide safety inspections. The city has rolled out measures to strengthen follow-up work, scene analysis and the inspection of potential safety hazards across Shantou. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not need to manipulate voting systems to win elections because 'he has hacked the hearts of the people'. IMAGE: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut speaks to media at the parliament premises, in New Delhi. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Participating in a discussion on 'Election Reforms', Ranaut said the past year had been 'deeply worrying' because of what she described as daily disruptions by opposition members. She said watching them often felt 'traumatic', adding that MPs had repeatedly 'jumped into the Well, shouted 'SIR, SIR', created a spectacle, tried intimidation and misbehaved in every possible way'. Ranaut said that the disruptions prevented Parliament from functioning. "Maybe, barring the last two or three days, they did not let the House run at all. We are representatives of the people; we come here to learn, especially as new MPs," she said, accusing the Opposition MPs of turning every session into theatre. On allegations of EVM tampering, Ranaut said Congress leaders were unwilling to accept electoral defeats. "Let me tell the Congress people that the Prime Minister does not hack EVMs, he hacked people's hearts," she said. She mocked demands for a return to the paper ballot system, calling it an 'outdated relic of another era'. The MP from Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh also took a dig at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saying she was expecting a 'grand revelation' from him after hearing the same allegations throughout the year. Instead, she said, Gandhi 'kept speaking in metaphors about khadi, threads and people'. Ranaut criticised the opposition benches for displaying a photograph of a woman of 'foreign origin' during the debate, despite House rules prohibiting the use of placards. "As a woman, I want to say every woman is entitled to her dignity," she said, adding that the woman in question had clarified multiple times on social media that she had 'never been to India'and had 'nothing to do with the Haryana elections'. "Yet they flashed her image here without any evidence. That is a violation of personality rights. On behalf of this House, I apologise to her," she said. Accusing the opposition of 'routinely insulting women', Ranaut contrasted their approach with that of the Modi government. She cited schemes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the construction of household toilets and free cooking gas connections as examples of initiatives that empowered women. Ranaut also attacked Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for saying the government should 'leave the past behind'. She said the Congress 'cannot escape its own history', alleging that senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had voted in elections even before acquiring Indian citizenship. "This family has always been steeped in entitlement," she said, adding that Priyanka Gandhi should 'remember both the past and the present'. It's not every day that Union Home Minister Amit A Shah forsakes lunch sent from his home and eats lunch in the Parliament canteen. IMAGE: Amitbhai's lunch companions included Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai (who could replace Nitish Kumar when he steps down as Bihar chief minister) and Anil Baluni, the BJP MP from Uttarkhand. Photographs: Video Grab/ANI Photo Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff The Delhi high court on Wednesday questioned the central government for not taking timely action to check the crisis caused by IndiGo flight cancellations and asked why the situation was allowed to precipitate, with lakhs of passengers stranded and other airlines charging hefty fares. IMAGE: Passengers look at the screens at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal 3, in New Delhi. Photograph: Naveen Sharma/ANI Photo "The question is why, at all, this crisis arose and what have you been doing?" a bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said and directed the government and the airline to take steps to adequately compensate the affected persons. The court asked the authorities if they were 'helpless' or they could have taken action against IndiGo after it failed to implement Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, including pilot rest rules, by November 1 -- which they blamed for the crisis. The high court said that besides the trouble and harassment caused to the stranded passengers, the question is of the losses caused to the country's economy. Raising the issue of surge pricing, the bench also asked how other airlines could take advantage of the crisis situation and charge hefty sums for tickets from the passengers. "The ticket which was available for Rs 5,000, the prices went up to Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. If there was a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it (ticket price) go up to Rs 35,000 and Rs 39,000? How could other airlines start charging? It's like a pound of flesh, how could this happen," asked the bench, which heard the matter for more than one-and-a-half hours. The bench directed that by January 22, the next date of hearing, if the inquiry initiated by a committee into the disruption in flight operations over the past week is complete, its report should be submitted to the court in a sealed cover. "We appreciate the steps taken by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA, but what bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leading to the stranding of lakhs of passengers unattended at airports across the country. "This has not only caused inconvenience to the passengers but also affected the economy, as in the present day, fast movement of passengers is an important aspect to keep the economy functioning," the bench said. The court was informed by the counsel for the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that the statutory mechanism was totally in place and a show-cause notice was issued to IndiGo, which apologised profusely. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the ministry and DGCA, said the crisis precipitated on account of various non-compliances of the guidelines issued by the authorities from time to time, including flight duty hours of crew members. He said the unprecedented price surge has been controlled and capped, which had never been done before. He added that from time to time, the authorities have asked IndiGo for the timely implementation of Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) provisions. He said repeated extensions were given to airlines to implement FDTL rules, which include pilot rest rules, and when the deadline of November 1 came, other airlines fell in line but IndiGo did not. To this, the bench said, "In case any airline failed to adhere, what is the provision available to you? Are you helpless? So you are expressing your inability. What action could you have taken against them for failure to adhere?" The court, which was hearing a PIL seeking directions to the Centre to provide support and refunds to passengers affected by the cancellation of hundreds of flights by IndiGo, said these steps have been taken by the government once the crisis erupted. "The question is why, at all, this crisis arose and what have you been doing?" it said. Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, representing IndiGo, informed the court that the crisis occurred on account of a multitude of factors, including unforeseen issues like technical glitches and adverse weather conditions in North India. The court directed the airline to make immediate arrangements for compensating the stranded passengers, not only for the cancellation of flights but for other troubles caused to them. "What about the agony? Because they faced hostile staff. Think of those who got stranded for a week," it told Sethi. "Since a committee has already been constituted where IndiGo will have an opportunity to put forth its case, we refrain from making any observation as to the reason for the disruptions of flight operations of the airline. "While we have taken cognisance of the issue in public interest, we make it clear that the observations are aimed to ensure that best public interest is served both by the government and IndiGo," the bench said. The court directed the authorities to ensure that the situation normalises soon and all airlines employ an adequate number of pilots so that FDTL provisions are followed. It further asked the government why it did not implement FDTL rules in time and questioned whether the failure to timely implement the rules would not compromise passengers' safety. "If a pilot is supposed to make two landings in a night and he is doing six. This means he is compromising with passengers' safety," the bench said. The court was hearing a PIL filed by advocates Akhil Rana and Utkarsh Sharma seeking a judicial inquiry into the IndiGo crisis. The plea also sought fair compensation to people whose flights were cancelled and relief for people stuck at the airports. The court, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which the PIL was filed without any research and documentation. On Wednesday, IndiGo cancelled nearly 220 flights at three major airports. IndiGo has been facing heat from both the government and the passengers for cancelling hundreds of flights since December 2, citing regulatory changes in the pilots' flight duty. BRATTLEBORO Education, housing and infrastructure are agreed to be important ongoing priorities for legislators in the new session as they t Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Tim Stevenson is a community organizer with Post Oil Solutions from Athens (bereal@vermontel.net), and is the author of Resilience and Resistance: Building Sustainable Communities for a Post Oil Age and Transformative Activism: A Values Revolution in Everyday Life in a Time of Societal Collapse, and is currently at work on a book about mutual care communities. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. SINGAPORE, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, according to a statement issued by the ministry. "Singapore is deeply concerned by the recent resumption of clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border and reports of casualties on both sides. We call on both countries to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue and negotiations, following the spirit and principles of the Joint Declaration," the spokesperson said in response to media queries. "This is important for the long-term relationship between Cambodia and Thailand, and the broader interests of ASEAN," the spokesperson added. The statement also advised Singaporeans to defer all travel to the conflict areas in the Thai-Cambodian border regions. Singaporeans in Cambodia and Thailand were advised to monitor official news sources, follow local government advisories and remain vigilant for their personal safety. The US will allow Nvidias H200 AI chips to be exported to China with a 25 percent fee, a policy shift that could redirect global demand toward one of the worlds largest AI markets and intensify competition for already limited GPU inventories. The move raises fresh questions about whether enterprise buyers planning 2026 infrastructure upgrades should brace for higher prices or longer lead times if H200 supply tightens again. We will protect National Security, create American Jobs, and keep Americas lead in AI, US President Donald Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. Trump stopped short of allowing exports of Nvidias fastest chips, however, saying, Nvidias US Customers are already moving forward with their incredible, highly advanced Blackwell chips, and soon, Rubin, neither of which are part of this deal. He did not say how many H200 units will be cleared or how export vetting will work, leaving analysts to gauge whether even a partial reopening of the Chinese market could tighten availability for buyers in the US and Europe. Trump added that the Commerce Department is finalising the details, noting that the same approach will apply to AMD, Intel, and other GREAT American Companies. Shifting demand scenarios What remains unclear is how much demand Chinese firms will actually generate, given Beijings recent efforts to steer its tech companies away from US chips. Charlie Dai, VP and principal analyst at Forrester, said renewed H200 access is likely to have only a modest impact on global supply, as China is prioritising domestic AI chips and the H200 remains below Nvidias latest Blackwell-class systems in performance and appeal. For decades, millions of Afghans fleeing war, persecution, and poverty have sought refuge in neighboring Iran. But crossing the 921-kilometer-long border has become increasingly dangerous for many Afghans as the Iranian authorities violently crack down on illegal migrants. At least 10 Afghans were shot dead by Iranian border guards on December 1, according to Taliban officials, after they entered Iran illegally from western Afghanistan's Farah Province. It's the latest in a growing number of deadly incidents where Afghan refugees and migrants have been shot and killed after crossing into Iran. 'Dead Bodies' The bodies of the slain Afghans were handed over to their families on December 2. Taliban officials said the 10 Afghans were killed while trying to cross the border during the night. Two members of the group are still missing, they said. The deaths triggered angry protests in Herat, the largest city in western Afghanistan. Protestors, some of whom knew the victims, said they were young men who were seeking jobs in Iran to provide for their impoverished families back home. Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the Talibans governor for Herat, told local media that protecting human life at border areas is a fundamental principle of good neighborly relations. Islamjar said the killings on the Iranian border have sparked public outrage and are a serious concern for the Taliban government and urged Tehran to conduct a transparent and comprehensive investigation. Iranian officials have not commented on the incident. Sayed Suleiman Agha Bahir, the Talibans deputy governor in the neighboring southwestern province of Nimroz, said that the bodies of over 100 Afghans killed while crossing Iran have been handed over to them in recent months. On some days we receive up to five dead bodies, he told local media last week. History Of Violence The shootings on December 1 were not an isolated incident. In November, seven Afghans were shot dead by border guards near the Iranian city of Saravan, according to the human rights group Haalvsh. It also reported the killing of at least six Afghans, including children, in Irans Sistan-Baluchistan Province, which borders Afghanistan, in September. In October 2024, the United Nations' mission in Afghanistan called for an investigation into reports that dozens of Afghan migrants had been shot and killed on the Afghanistan-Iran border. The shootings highlight the risks Afghans are willing to take to escape poverty and the dire economic situation in their country. The Talibans seizure of power in 2021 worsened one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises. Without international development assistance, the Afghan economy has further shrunk as joblessness and poverty rise. Meanwhile, the hard-line Islamist group has committed gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and torture, leading to an exodus to neighboring countries. The rugged and desolate Iranian border -- used by drug traffickers and human smugglers -- has long been dangerous. But the rising number of Afghans killed illegally crossing the border have coincided with Irans renewed push to deport millions of Afghan refugees and migrants. In the first eight months of the year, Tehran deported 1.1 million Afghans, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Thats in addition to the around 1 million Afghans who were evicted from the country last year. Iran has set a deadline until the end of the year for all undocumented Afghans to leave the country. UNHCR estimates that some 4 million Afghans, most of them undocumented, live in Iran. Maher Mohmand, an Afghan human rights activist, said people are leaving Afghanistan because of hunger and because of poverty. He said that international humanitarian conventions require Tehran to care for all Afghans arriving on its territory. Instead of killing them, [Iran should] provide them with [economic] opportunities, Mohmand added. An Austrian court ruled that Dmytro Firtash, a Ukrainian oligarch who is under house arrest in Vienna after being indicted on bribery charges in the United States more than a decade ago, cannot be extradited, ending a winding legal saga for the businessman. A lower court had put Firtash's extradition on hold last year, citing new evidence. Prosecutors last year appealed that decision. On December 10, the Vienna Higher Regional Court dismissed that appeal on technical grounds. It was unclear if and when Firtash would be released from house arrest. A spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The decision most likely means the end of the US Justice Department prosecution against him, as well. Firtash was indicted a grand jury in 2013 on bribery charges related to an Indian businessman and valuable metals for supply to Boeing. The Justice Department had no immediate comment on the court ruling. Corridors Of Influence A tycoon who made his fortune in part based on murky natural gas deals involving Russia's state gas giant Gazprom and Ukraine's pipeline network, Firtash was at the height of his influence in Ukraine in the 2000s during the presidency of Viktor Yushchenko. He later became a major funder of Yushchenko rival Viktor Yanukovych, who went on to become Ukraine's president. In State Department cables, US diplomats described Firtash as having links to Russian organized crime, including a notorious crime boss named Semyon Mogilevich. Firtash and his lawyers have denied those links. In March 2014, about a month after Yanukovych fled Ukraine following months of street protests, Firtash was arrested in Vienna, then released to house arrest after posting bail of $174 million. In a July 2017 filing submitted in US federal court as part of the bribery case, Justice Department prosecutors described Firtash as an "upper-echelon [associate] of Russian organized crime." While under house arrest, Firtash was briefly drawn into political drama in Washington during the first term of President Donald Trump. One of Trump's lawyers, Rudy Guiliani, persuaded Firtash to hire two US lawyers with ties to the Trump Justice Department. The lawyers later then obtained a statement from a former Ukrainian prosecutor-general that tried to implicate Trump's rival, Joe Biden, in a scheme involving his son Hunter and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings. The prosecutor's statement said it was written at the behest of Firtash's lawyers. Firtash faces embezzlement charges in Ukraine related to the natural gas trade. Last year, Britain barred him from entering the country, and announced it was freezing his assets there for "the bribing of public officials to obtain mining licenses, and...the misappropriation of property from the gas transport network of Ukraine." For decades, Russia's manned space flight program was an engineering marvel, a low-tech, no-frills system that reliably and safely ferried scores of astronauts and cosmonauts into orbit. With the US space shuttle fleet grounded in 2011, Soyuz and Progress vehicles were the workhorses for the International Space Station (ISS), trucking supplies to the station and bringing men and women back to Earth, while also providing booster power to keep it in orbit and oriented. In recent years, however, Russia's overall space program has taken a series of hits, its reputation battered by corruption scandals, dwindling funding, not-insignificant accidents, and management accused of putting politics above science. The latest blow? As a Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American blasted off from the storied Baikonur complex last month, a major component of the launchpad -- called a maintenance or service cabin failed to move out from under the blast of exhaust from the ascending rocket. Its not yet clear whether human error or a technical mishap was to blame, but the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, said repairs would be needed. The problem is that this specific site - Launchpad 31/6 - is the only one at Baikonur capable of carrying out manned Soyuz launches. Experts say best case scenario is repairs will take a few months; its also possible it could take years. If that thing is destroyed, its going to take them time to be able to launch rockets again, said Terry Virts, a former NASA astronaut and ISS commander who flew on a Soyuz launched from Baikonur, and with all of their effort going into their war machine, Im not sure if they will be able to launch anytime soon. Although they are Russians and they tend to make do, he added. While US private companies like SpaceX and Boeing can ship people - including Russian cosmonauts -- -- and small cargos back and forth to the station, they cant handle the Russian-built Progress crafts, which are used to keep it properly oriented. Other non-Russian vehicles -- Northrop Grummans Cygnus; the Japanese HTV-X; Boeings Starliner could make up some of the difference, said Scott Pace, director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, in Washington. Not likely to be a problem in the short term but could be a problem if there is a long gap in Progress missions, he said. I've heard a range of estimates for the time to repair the site: ranging from an optimistic six months to a pessimistic two years. We simply no longer have spaceports and launch complexes capable of carrying out manned launches, said Vadim Lukashevich, a space industry expert and former designer with the Sukhoi Design Bureau, a major aerospace manufacturer. Russia has found itself in a situation where the weakest link is breaking, and everything has broken, he told BFM.ru, a Russian news portal. Better Days Baikonur has been synonymous with the Soviet and Russian space programs for nearly seven decades. The sprawling complex in the steppes of southern Kazakhstan has hurled hundreds of rockets -- and ballistic missiles skyward, playing a part in some of history's greatest spaceflight achievements: Sputnik, the world's first satellite; Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space. The complex outlived the Soviet collapse; Russia now leases the facility from Kazakhstan. In the years before private space companies began flying to the ISS, Baikonur was the only place that could handle getting people and cargo into orbit. The facility was home to reliable, low-cost launches for commercial satellites, netting Russia nearly $10 billion in revenue over the past 25 years, according to one estimate. After Russia seized Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, Western countries, including the United States, began hitting Russian companies and top officials with sanctions. Still, NASA and Roscosmos continued to cooperate in operating the ISS. Roscosmoss reputation was dented by a series of mishaps, including a still-unexplained man-made hole found on a Russian-built module at the station; an emergency landing of crew members returning to Earth; and a scandal involving the demotion of a respected cosmonaut. For years, the agency was headed by Dmitry Rogozin, a bombastic nationalist former lawmaker. Under his watch, Roscosmos constructed a new facility to replace Baikonur -- the Vostochny cosmodrome, in the Far Eastern region of Amur. That project, however, was plagued by massive cost overruns and corruption investigations; construction workers walked off the job in 2017, some going on hunger strike in protest at unpaid wages. Last month, part of the Vostochny complex suffered blackouts after a local power provider cut off electricity due to unpaid bills. Rogozin made several eyebrow-raising comments during his tenure, including suggesting that the man-made hole found in the Russian capsule was drilled deliberately by an American astronaut. He allowed three cosmonauts on the station to pose with the flags of separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, which drew an unusual public rebuke from NASA. Shortly after, he was pushed out of his job, replaced with a more technocratic former deputy prime minister. In a statement issued after the November 27 launch incident, NASA said it was "aware Roscosmos is inspecting" the facility but referred further questions to the Russian agency. "NASA coordinates closely with its international partners, including Roscosmos, for the safe operations of the International Space Station and its crew members," a spokesman said. 'It's Hard To Say How Realistic That Is' Punishing Western sanctions, imposed in response to Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022, curtailed Roscosmoss ability to acquire technology and equipment to maintain its aging infrastructure. The technology on which the Soyuz and Progress vehicles are designed is largely homegrown, developed and manufactured by Russias own industrial suppliers. To some degree, that insulates the space program from disruptions due to the separation from global markets. Authorities may try to scavenge parts and equipment from other facilities at Baikonur or otherwise, some experts said: Vostochny, for example, or a facility called Plesetsk, in Russias far north, which handles satellite and missile launches. Roscosmos itself has ordered the repairs to be completed by April, a time frame that many experts are skeptical of. If the work proceeds quickly, they might still be able to complete it, said Nurlan Aselkan, editor in chief and publisher of the Kazakh journal Space Research and Technology. Its hard to say how realistic that is, he said, though engineers may have already found a replacement to the damaged cabin, at an aerospace military base in Russias Tambov region, and are now rushing to deliver it to Kazakhstan. The incident also served as a wake-up call for the beleaguered Russian agency to scale back its plans, Aselkan said. I believe that, to a certain extent, this accident pushed Roscosmos toward realism, because it created a situation where these ambitions -- the creation of an entire new infrastructure, new rockets, new ships at the Far Eastern [Vostochny] cosmodrome -- were inconsistent with capabilities, he said. For all this, he said, Baikonur will remain the main cosmodrome for Roscosmos for the foreseeable future. On December 9, a Soyuz capsule shepherding two Russians and one American back to Earth from the ISS banged down onto the Kazakh steppes safely - as countless have done in years past. European Union ambassadors on December 10 decided on further sanctions against Russia, with a new package adding several individuals and entities to its sprawling blacklist adopted in response to the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. While not a sweeping sanctions package involving sectoral restrictive measures hitting Moscow as in the past, the new measures focus on five individuals involved in the global oil business in an attempt to hit Russia as it trades below the G7-imposed oil price cap that currently stands at $47.60 per barrel. The official document, seen by RFE/RL, blacklists Azerbaijani businessman Talat Safarov. Safarov is the CEO of 2Rivers Group, a UAE based oil-trading group that according to Brussels is active in shipments and exports of Russian oil, notably from the state-owned energy giant Rosneft, by concealing the actual origin of the oil. Shadow Fleet Pakistani businessman Murtaza Ali Lakhani is also targeted after being deemed to control "vessels transporting crude oil or petroleum products, originating in Russia or being exported from Russia, while practicing irregular and high-risk shipping practices." Such practices include using ships without proper insurance and switching off naval trackers while sailing. Three Russian individuals are also targeted as are four companies. Two of those firms are based in the United Arab Emirates and are believed to have been involved recently in transporting Russian oil in recent times. A Vietnamese-based company and a Russian one are also listed for owning or managing tankers that are part of the Russian shadow fleet. In a separate move, Brussels is also set on December 12 to list 43 boats it believes are part of the actual shadow fleet. The list, which currently has over 500 vessels on it, bars those boats from being serviced in any way in any EU port. EU ambassadors also agreed to target people who they believe have carried out destabilizing activities on behalf of Russia around the globe. The updated list includes John Mark Dougan, a dual American-Russian citizen and former deputy sheriff from Florida who settled in Russia nearly a decade ago. He is accused of participating in pro-Kremlin digital information operations from Moscow with the goal of "influencing elections, discrediting political figures and manipulating public discourse in Western countries." A former colonel in the Swiss Army, Jacques Baud, is also listed for acting "as a mouthpiece for pro-Russian propaganda and making conspiracy theories, for example accusing Ukraine of orchestrating its own invasion in order to join NATO." Former French military officer Xavier Moreau is listed for similar actions. Others being sanctioned include Dmitry Suslov, Fyodor Lukyanov and Andrei Sushentsov, who are all described as foreign policy analysts with close links to the Valdai discussion club. They are accused of spreading Kremlin-linked disinformation. A number officials with Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) are listed and accused of being responsible for various cyberattacks in recent years against both Ukraine and EU member states. Iranian border guards shot and killed at least 10 Afghans who entered Iran illegally in early December, according to Taliban officials. As RFE/RL's Safiullah Stanikzai explains, it is part of a growing border crackdown by Iran and highlights the dire economic situation that Afghans are desperate to escape. The past year was another bleak one for journalists, with dozens killed and hundreds more behind bars around the world, according to media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In its annual round-up for 2025, RSF says that 67 reporters had been killed, 503 detained, 135 missing, and 20 held hostage as of December 1. As in previous years, Russia was considered one of the worst places for journalists, ranking only behind China in the number of reporters it has incarcerated, with 48 journalists in detention. Belarus and Iran also remain among the worlds top jailers, with 33 and 21 journalists imprisoned respectively, placing both inside RSFs global top 10. Russia, however, stands out not only for its numbers but for the increasing severity of its pressure on the press. Many reporters there have been imprisoned on controversial charges ranging from extremism to allegedly spreading false information about the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. For example, in what RSF described as a sham process and the first collective trial of journalists in Vladimir Putins Russia, Konstantin Gabov, Sergei Karelin, Antonina Favorskaya, and Artyom Kriger were each sentenced to five and a half years in prison in April for collaborating with an extremist organization due to their coverage of opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who died in prison in February 2024. The worsening media situation in Russia has also forced many journalists into exile, and nearly 70 of them have been targeted by arrests or convictions in absentia in the past three years 30 of them in 2025 alone, RSF reports. 'Choked By Censorship' Beyond Russia, Moscow has also contributed to Ukraine becoming one of the worlds deadliest countries for media workers, with RSF saying the Russian army continues to target reporters there, resulting in fatalities from missile strikes, artillery fire, and occupation-related violence. In October 2025, French photojournalist Antoni Lallican and Ukrainian journalist Heorhiy Ivanchenko were targeted by Russian drones in eastern Ukraine. Lallican was killed instantly, while Ivanchenko lost a leg. That same month, reporters Alyona Hramova and Yevhen Karmazin were killed in a Russian drone strike that injured their colleague Oleksandr Kolychev. Elsewhere in RFE/RLs coverage area, the report outlines similarly severe pressures on independent journalism. RSF has documented the near-total dismantling of independent media under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, with women journalists being disproportionately targeted. Since August 2021, more than 165 media professionals have been arrested -- including 25 in 2025 -- and the media monitor says journalism has been choked by relentless censorship. The RSF report also highlights how many governments have continued to weaponize courts, police, and security services against the press. In one high-profile case in Georgia, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli faced trial for supposedly resisting or using violence against a law enforcement officer. She was eventually sentenced to two years in prison in August, after what RSF called an unfair trial characterized by numerous procedural irregularities. According to the media watchdog, Amaglobeli -- who jointly won this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought -- is the first woman journalist to be imprisoned in Georgia since independence due to political motives, which RSF described as a symptom of the serious shift towards authoritarianism in this former Soviet republic in the Caucasus. In neighboring Azerbaijan, RSF highlighted the case of Sevinj Vagifgizi, the editor of the independent media outlet Abzas Media, who was sentenced along with six of her colleagues to nine years in prison after an unfair and politically motivated trial based on trumped-up charges of smuggling foreign currency. According to the report, 25 journalists are currently behind bars in Azerbaijan, 20 of them arrested since 1 December 2024. 'Complete Impunity' Meanwhile, in the Balkans, RSF said 98 journalists were physically assaulted in Serbia while covering widespread anti-corruption protests. It said that around half of these attacks were carried out by the police with complete impunity, in a climate shaped by President Aleksandar Vucics verbal attacks against the press. Despite the deteriorating media landscape generally, RSF also pointed to some positive developments, including the release of nine Belarusian journalists, among them RFE/RLs Ihar Losik, as well as Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khylyuk, who was freed from Russian detention in August. Overall though, these were just a few bright spots in an otherwise grim state of affairs. Outside RFE/RLs coverage region, RSF notes that China continues to be the worlds leading jailer of journalists with 121 reporters in prison, while in Burma the military junta has intensified its repression of independent media. In the Middle East, Gaza once again ranked among the worlds deadliest environments for the press, with journalists killed in air strikes, artillery fire, and cross-border attacks. Taken together, the data underscores what RSF describes as a steadily worsening climate in which journalists have gradually become collateral victims, inconvenient observers, bargaining chips, pawns in diplomatic games, men and women to be eliminated. TASHKENT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan plans to reduce its national poverty rate to 4.5 percent by 2026, the country announced Tuesday. Uzbekistan's poverty rate stood at 8.9 percent at the start of this year and is expected to decline to 6 percent by year-end, with a further target of reduction to 4.5 percent for next year, according to a statement released by the presidential press service. The country, with a population of over 38 million, plans to strengthen community-level initiatives, including expanding services that support sustainable employment, creating new income sources, offering vocational training, and encouraging entrepreneurship among residents, read the statement. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in September 2024 that poverty reduction in Uzbekistan would become "a nationwide movement." In September 2025, Mirziyoyev said that the country aims to eliminate absolute poverty by 2030. Flyers have appeared in the Iranian capital, Tehran, offering lucrative contracts to men who join Russia's war effort in Ukraine. The Russian Embassy in Tehran has said the advertisements -- which offer Iranian men aged 18 to 45 signing bonuses of up to $20,000 and monthly salaries of around $2,000 -- are fake. While the authenticity of the flyers has been contested by Moscow, Russia is known to have used shadowy networks to recruit thousands of foreigners to fight in Ukraine, including from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Cuba. RFE/RL's Radio Farda called the WhatsApp number provided in the advertisements. The unidentified individual who replied said the flyers were part of an "official" Russian recruitment campaign and asserted -- without evidence -- that it was "coordinated" with the Iranian authorities. 'Forged And Criminal' The flyers appearing in Tehran say the Russian Defense Ministry is recruiting for various roles, including soldiers, drone operators, and drivers. The advertisements offer high salaries and bonuses to recruits, including flights to Russia, free housing, medical care, and unspecified commissions. While the advertisements are targeted toward men, it does offer jobs to women with medical training. The Persian-language advertisements provide contact information, including an e-mail address, an Armenian WhatsApp number, and a Telegram channel. When Radio Farda contacted the WhatsApp number, its call was rejected. After sending a follow-up voice message requesting additional information, an unidentified individual -- who later described himself as a "simple admin" -- responded via a text message, claiming to be in Moscow. The unidentified individual said the flyers were part of an official Russian recruitment campaign in Iran. The individual also said the Iranian authorities were aware of the campaign. The Telegram channel advertised in the flyer -- Join To Russian Army For Foreigners -- posts in Russian, English, Persian, and Arabic. It was launched on November 4 and has over 2,000 subscribers. One message in English and Persian states that Russia's Defense Ministry is "opening its doors to foreign citizens ready to sign a contract and serve with honor." It adds, "We welcome you even if you don't speak Russian." Another post on the channel includes a photo of two men whose faces have been covered by smileys. The caption reads, "Our guys from Iran, welcome to Russia." The post is dated December 7. The Russian Embassy in Tehran, in a statement issued on December 9, said the flyers were "forged and criminal in nature." "Neither the embassy nor any of the official structures of the Russian state have any connection with this letter," said the statement, which was carried by Iranian media. 'Well-Established History' John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program and the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Radio Farda that while he could not speak to the authenticity of the flyers, "Russia has a well-established history of recruiting foreigners from a wide variety of countries to fight in Ukraine." Hardie said Russian recruiters have targeted men in poorer countries. These recruits often receive very little training before being sent to the front lines, he said. Nicole Grajweski, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Nuclear Policy Program, said the flyers do not follow Russia's usual playbook. "It is unclear if the pamphlets are authentic or if Russia would resort to such a sloppy measure for recruitment," she said. She added that if Russia needed additional manpower, it would likely do so with the implicit approval or even involvement of the Iranian government. The Iranian authorities have not publicly reacted to the flyers. Sustaining Troop Levels Russia has expanded its recruitment of foreign fighters as it tries to sustain its troop levels amid mounting casualties in Ukraine. Ukraine claims Moscow has recruited at least 18,000 foreign fighters from 128 countries. More than 11,000 North Koreans are also serving in the war as part of a military cooperation agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang. Russia has recruited people from Cuba, Syria, Jordan, Nepal, India, Kenya, and Central Asian countries using a combination of coercion, bribery, and deception, experts say. The surge in foreign recruitment reflects Russia's reluctance to order another mobilization after the chaotic September 2022 draft prompted a mass exodus of Russians. Western estimates suggest Russia's military has suffered more than 1 million casualties since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Iran appears to be an obvious recruitment ground. The country of 88 million people is witnessing rising unemployment and growing poverty as the economy struggles under crippling US sanctions. Iran and Russia, despite mistrust and a troubled history, have also deepened relations in recent years. The Islamic republic has provided Russia with drones that Moscow has used in Ukraine. Iran is also home to millions of Afghan refugees and migrants, and Russian recruiters appear to have targeted members of the marginalized community. Former members of the Afghan armed forces who reside in Iran, including elite commandos trained by the United States, have previously said they were considering fighting as mercenaries in Ukraine. Three former Afghan generals told the Associated Press in 2022 that Russia was seeking to form a "foreign legion" and offering monthly salaries of around $1,500. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to hold elections in his war-torn country if the United States and other allies can provide the security necessary to ensure the vote can be held safely. The White House has been pushing for Ukraine to hold elections -- US President Donald Trump told Politico in an interview published on December 9 that "it's time"-- even though Ukraine's constitution doesn't allow for elections during wartime. In a shift from previous statements, Zelenskyy told reporters on December 9 that he would push parliament to draft legislation allowing for elections during martial law. A vote could follow in 60 to 90 days once there are security guarantees in place to make sure voting would be safe for Ukrainians. "I'm asking now, and stating this openly, for the US, perhaps with our European partners, to help me ensure the security needed to hold elections," Zelenskyy said. "I personally have the will and readiness for this," he said. Zelenskyy's comments come amid intense negotiations aimed at ending Russia's all-out war on Ukraine, launched in February 2022. Ukrainian officials have been pushing back on a US-drafted peace plan that was seen as heavily favoring Russia. The possibility of holding elections has been regularly dismissed, with officials saying it would be impossible given daily Russian air strikes across the country, thousands of soldiers battling on the front lines, and millions of Ukrainians displaced. Opinion polls show most Ukrainians are against holding wartime elections, though with the last elections held in 2019 some want changes in the government to bring in fresh ideas. Widely popular, Zelenskyy's support has slipped in recent weeks amid a major corruption scandal that led to the resignation of an influential adviser, Andriy Yermak. On the battlefield and in negotiations, Russian officials believe they have the upper hand, and the 28-point plan proposed by the United States echoes most of the hard-line positions that Moscow has held since before the invasion. "First and foremost, we are working toward peace, not a cease-fire," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying. "A sustainable, guaranteed, long-term peace, achieved by signing relevant documents, is an absolute priority." Zelenskyy traveled to Italy on December 9, the latest stop on a continental tour aimed at shoring up support from European allies who are unenthusiastic about Washington's proposal. In a post to social media, he said Ukraine and its European partners will soon present the United States with "refined documents" on the peace plan. "The Ukrainian and European components are now more developed, and we are ready to present them to our partners in the US," he wrote. "Together with the Americans, we expect to swiftly make the potential steps as doable as possible," he said. There are several major sticking points in the back-and-forth negotiations including the size of Ukraine's armed forces, Western security guarantees, and Russia's insistence that Ukraine be permanently barred from seeking NATO membership. Zelenskyy told Bloomberg News that US-led talks on a potential peace deal have yet to produce agreement on territorial control in the eastern region known as the Donbas, where Russia is demanding that Ukraine cede land it continues to hold despite years of attacks. Earlier, Zelenskyy held talks in London and Brussels, which followed three days of meetings between Ukrainian and US officials near Miami. In the speech at UN Security Council on December 9, Ukraine's ambassador said Ukraine is not "for sale." "Our territory and our sovereignty are not for sale. We're not at the Christmas bazaar," Andriy Melnyk said during an open briefing. "Russia wants Ukraine to capitulate, as we just heard. Russia wants us to surrender. But my reply to you would be: 'You'll get a bagel hole, not Ukraine,'" Melnyk said. He was responding to earlier comments by Russia's ambassador, who insisted that Russia would achieve its goals in Ukraine, either by force or by diplomacy. Ukraine's top military commander stated that Ukrainian troops continue to control part of Pokrovsk, a strategic city in the Donbas region that Russia has claimed it captured. "The defense of Pokrovsk continues, our forces control nearly 13 square kilometers in the northern part of the city," General Oleksandr Syrskiy wrote on Facebook. "Myrnohrad is not encircled. In Kupyansk, our successful counter-sabotage operation is ongoing." The White House peace proposal, and the belief that it heavily favors Russian interests, has drawn criticism from some Republican lawmakers in Congress. President Vladimir Putin "is mocking President Trump and buying time to keep killing Ukrainian families," Representative Joe Wilson said. KABUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were injured in a rare wolf attack in a village in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, late Tuesday night, a local health official said Wednesday, highlighting growing concerns over the impact of environmental degradation on wildlife behavior. The incident occurred when a hungry wolf entered a residential area in Surubi Sasma region of Naziyan district, attacking villagers and wounding seven individuals, according to Naqibullah Rahimi, spokesman for the provincial public health department. All the injured were rapidly taken to a nearby health facility for treatment, Rahimi said. The attack comes amid a surge in human-wildlife conflicts as harsh winter conditions force predators, including wolves and leopards, down from Afghanistan's rugged mountains into populated areas in search of food. Earlier, a leopard carried out a nocturnal raid on a remote village in northern Badakhshan province, killing 45 sheep in a single assault on local herders' livestock a couple of days ago. Cooney's Homevalue, which has three offices in Roscommon, has won the Best Merchanting Store in Connacht at a recent awards ceremony in Galway. The fourth-generation chain of builders merchants stores scooped the honours at the United Hardwares 6th annual United in Excellence Awards held at The Galmont Hotel. Cooneys Homevalue has outlets in Castlerea, Elphin, Tibohine, Athenry and Ballina. The United in Excellence Awards, which had a number of honours up for grabs on the evening, brought together more than 250 guests from across the United Hardware network. The awards recognise outstanding achievement and innovation among Irish hardware and builders merchant stores. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a cheque for more than 60,000 to Barretstown, United Hardwares national charity partner. The charity supports life changing programmes for children and families affected by serious illness. Modi said India's youth will harness AI to drive progress, create solutions for global issues, and contribute towards a better planet. File Photo. The move is also aligned with India's vision of becoming a digitally empowered society, promoting innovation and technological self-reliance Satya Nadella Meets PM Modi, Microsoft Commits USD 17.5B to Indias AI Future On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Microsoft made a historic commitment to invest in India. It marks the largest investment ever by the company in Asia. This announcement was made after a high-profile meeting between Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi. Advertisement After the meeting, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nadella said, 'Thank you, PM @narendramodi ji, for an inspiring conversation on Indias AI opportunity.' To support the countrys ambitions, Microsoft is committing USDa17.5abillion, our largest investment ever in Asia, to help build the infrastructure, skills, and sovereign capabilities needed for Indias AI-first future. The planned investment, which is about INRa1.5alakhacrore, will mainly focus on strengthening Indias artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, digital skills, and sovereign technology capabilities. Microsoft focuses on supporting the development of next-generation AI solutions to help both public and private sectors adopt advanced technologies efficiently. Prime Minister Modi appreciated this move. He highlighted that Indias AI potential is attracting global attention. He expressed satisfaction at Microsoft choosing India for its largest Asia investment and emphasised the role of the countrys youth in leveraging such opportunities. Modi said Indias youth will harness AI to drive progress, create solutions for global issues, and contribute towards a better planet. Advertisement Some of the shifts that can happen with these major investments are likely to be significant employment opportunities, bolster Indias digital ecosystem, and improve the nations competitiveness in AI and cloud computing. Microsofts investment highlights confidence in India as a strategic hub for technological innovation and digital transformation. According to industry analysts, this step is a major boost for Indias technology sector. It positions the country as a global leader in AI development. The move is also aligned with Indias vision of becoming a digitally empowered society, promoting innovation and technological self-reliance. With this initiative, Microsoft strengthens its footprint in India and signals the growing importance of emerging markets in the global technology landscape. The investment is likely to create opportunities for further collaborations, skill development programmes, and large-scale AI infrastructure projects across the country. Advertisement A special component of this programme now provides dedicated free bus service for girls in about 200 government schools across Punjab. File Photo. It especially helps lower- and middle-income women by saving daily transport costs, allowing these savings to be spent on other family needs Mann Government Empowers Punjab Women with Expanded Free Bus Service for Schoolgirls Advertisement Chandigarh - Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns visionary leadership, the Punjab government has taken a historic step toward womens empowerment and social inclusion by launching a free bus service for all women in the state. This ambitious public welfare scheme allows every woman- whether a student, working professional, homemaker, or senior citizento travel free on Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Roadways buses. The initiative benefits millions daily, increasing the number of female passengers on public transport and promoting economic independence and mobility for women. A special component of this programme now provides dedicated free bus service for girls in about 200 government schools across Punjab. This service ensures their safety and reduces the financial burden on families. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains shared that 10,448 students benefit from this school transport, including 7,698 girls and 2,740 boys. The service operates in 118 Schools of Eminence and other government schools, emphasising that the free bus service for schoolgirls is one part of a larger scheme benefiting all women in Punjab. Advertisement This comprehensive plan covers all government buses in the state, aiming to remove economic barriers to travel for women seeking education, employment, healthcare, or social activities. It especially helps lower- and middle-income women by saving daily transport costs, allowing these savings to be spent on other family needs. Many girls now travel safely to school over distances ranging from 10 to over 20 kilometres, which was previously risky and costly, leading to many dropouts. The government covers 80% of transport costs, with parents paying a minimal amount. Bus services are managed locally, ensuring transparency and community involvement. Chief Minister Mann emphasised equal opportunities for all women and stated this service not only relieves financial stress but also empowers women socially. Thousands of working women, nurses, teachers, and college students also benefit from the scheme. For example, a working woman from Ludhiana saves INR 3,000-4,000 monthly on commuting, which she spends on her childrens education. Advertisement The school bus service is part of the broader Schools of Eminence programme, which has enhanced government school facilities and raised enrolments significantly. Experts and activists praise the scheme as a social and economic revolution supporting womens independence and equality. Punjabs free bus service is bringing real change to millions, making it a model of womens empowerment, economic inclusion, and educational justice. The AAP's mockery triggered a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). File Photo. The video was captioned to convey that people in Delhi are now measuring pollution with a thermometer. AAP Mocks Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Over AQI Temperature Remark, BJP Hits Back On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) publicly mocked Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for equating the citys Air Quality Index (AQI) to temperature. According to the report, Gupta referred to AQI as temperature during a public event. Advertisement AAP leaders, including MLA Sanjeev Jha and the partys Delhi president, Saurabh Bharadwaj, shared a video on social media platform X in response, in which Jha is shown humorously measuring AQI using a thermometer while Bharadwaj expresses mock shock. The video was captioned to convey that people in Delhi are now measuring pollution with a thermometer. The AAPs mockery triggered a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor condemned the AAP behaviour. He said that Delhiites were shocked by senior AAP leaders like Bharadwaj and Sanjeev Jha ridiculing the CM over what he described as a minor slip. He challenged the AAP to answer for what he called the serious mistakes of their own leadership, particularly pointing towards errors committed by former CM Arvind Kejriwal over the years. If AAP persists in mocking the chief minister over this verbal error, it would reflect petty politics, Kapoor said. He suggested the party should apologise, or else it should brace itself for electoral repercussions in future Assembly and municipal elections. Advertisement In the midst of Delhis deepening air pollution crisis The incident has triggered wider discussion about public communication and sensitivity. According to observers, such gaffes, especially from high officeholders, can erode credibility on serious hardships like air quality, which directly impacts public health. Through social-media satire, AAP mocked Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for equating AQI to temperature. BJP, in its sharp response, called it a petty ridicule and demanded an apology, turning a verbal error into a political controversy. Source: The Tribune Advertisement The Mann government has provided the people with an honest alternative, one that continues to enjoy public trust. File Photo. They are championing a drug-free Punjab, improving education, and advocating for farmers' rights. Congress Sold Punjab CM Post, Mann Brings INR 500 Crore Investment Chandigarh - Recently, a shocking statement emerged in Punjab politics. The wife of a senior Congress leader created a stir by openly stating that becoming Chief Minister (CM) in Punjab requires paying a "suitcase" of INR 500 crore or more. Hearing this, every Punjabi has a painful question: will someone who becomes CM by paying INR 500 crore think about Punjab? Why would a person spend such a large sum? The simple answer is: to recover! Advertisement When a leader spends thousands of crores of rupees to gain power, his priority is not to serve the people of Punjab but to recoup his investment by multiplying it many times over. At such a time, the Mann government's simplicity, transparency, and honest image emerge as a ray of hope. No lavish expenditures, no burden of corruption allegations just a simple message: Politics must be brought out of palaces and down to the common people. The Mann government's commitment to power not royalty but service to the people seems even more valuable in today's environment. Punjab needs such leadership one with the people at heart, not bargains in its pocket. Power truly becomes service when power is secured not by purchase but by the trust of the people. What will happen to the poor? Will such a leader care about the common man's broken roads, the poor condition of farmers, or the unemployed youth? No! Their focus will be solely on big contracts, scams, and filling the coffers of their "masters". This allegation is a dark stain not just on one party but on the entire political system. It shows that politics is no longer about "service" but about "the biggest investment". This is the pinnacle of institutionalised corruption. It's heartbreaking to think that the chair on which the oath of development, education, and law and order is sworn in for the land of Punjab's gurus has now reached a price of INR 500 crore? The people of Punjab must now think! We don't want politics where the Chief Minister's post is sold at auction. We want a leader who becomes Chief Minister not through money, but through service, honesty, and hard work. In such a situation, when such serious allegations surface, it becomes even more important to commend the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for its honesty and public welfare efforts. While there's talk of a INR 500 crore "suitcase", Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is focused on bringing INR 500 crore worth of investment to Punjab from countries like Japan. This INR 500 crore investment brings employment to Punjab's youth and development to the state. Whereas a suitcase of INR 500 crore only encourages corruption and public exploitation. The Mann government has provided the people with an honest alternative, one that continues to enjoy public trust. This government operates with a spirit of "service", not "extortion". Advertisement If politics is to be clean and people-centric, we must support the Mann government, which is honest and works for the common man. INR 500 crore politics will lead Punjab to ruin, while only the politics of public service can transform it into a "golden state". In such an environment, where politics has been reduced to a "black business", we must applaud the current Bhagwant Mann government (AAP) as an honest alternative for the people of Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's government has repeatedly proven that power is for the service of the people, not for personal gain. They are championing a drug-free Punjab, improving education, and advocating for farmers' rights. This government is bringing INR 500 crore worth of investment to Punjab, providing jobs to the youthnot looting the public with INR 500 crore worth of suitcases! While the politics of INR 500 crore is deceiving Punjab, the Mann government's policies are proving that the Chief Minister's chair cannot be bought but rather earned through public trust. This isn't just about being better; it's about bringing back morality, transparency, and accountability to the public. Punjab has rejected the "musical chairs" politics of five years, one party in power for five years, and the other for five years, together looting the state. This thinking is the foundation of new politicsand that's why many people are saying today: "Mann governmentPunjab's hope." This is major relief for Jalandhar residents who have long been demanding improvements in the sanitation system. File Photo. The approval of sanitation workers for Jalandhar Corporation is a significant step in this direction. Mann Governments Historic Sanitation Worker Approval After 35 Years Chandigarh, December 10, 2025- The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab has made a historic decision by approving the recruitment of 1,196 sanitation workers for Jalandhar Municipal Corporation. This approval comes after a long wait of 35 years and represents a significant achievement for the citys sanitation system. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Manns leadership, this initiative by the Punjab government is an excellent example of people-centred governance, committed towards solving the basic problems of citizens. Advertisement This historic decision is expected to bring revolutionary changes to Jalandhars sanitation management system. The Municipal Corporation, which has been struggling with a shortage of sanitation workers for decades, will now receive adequate manpower, ensuring cleanliness in every corner of the city. This step by the Punjab government will not only improve the citys cleanliness but also provide employment opportunities to local youth. Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns visionary thinking and continuous support have made this important decision possible. Since coming to power in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party government has prioritised addressing public problems. The approval of sanitation workers for Jalandhar Corporation is a significant step in this direction. The government has always kept public interest issues paramount and has made concrete efforts to implement a people-centred approach at the ground level. This decision proves that the Punjab government believes in fulfilling its promises. This is major relief for Jalandhar residents who have long been demanding improvements in the sanitation system. The appointment of 1,196 sanitation workers will ensure regular cleaning in all city wards. This will bring notable improvements in waste management, street cleaning, and cleanliness of public spaces. Experts believe this step will help develop Jalandhar into a clean and healthy city, improving citizens quality of life. Advertisement The Punjab governments decision will not only strengthen the sanitation system but also provide new employment opportunities to local unemployed youth. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has stated on several occasions that the governments objective is to provide better living standards to every citizen. The recruitment of sanitation workers will provide economic security to hundreds of families and bring positive changes to their lives. This initiative is an important step toward social justice and inclusive development. Local residents have welcomed this decision by the Punjab government and praised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Citizens believe this decision resolves a long-pending issue and will improve the citys image. On social media, people have praised this initiative, saying the Aam Aadmi Party government is truly working for the people. Public response clearly indicates this decision was made keeping ground-level needs in mind. The Aam Aadmi Party government has taken several important steps to improve education, health, infrastructure development, and municipal services in Punjab. The approval of sanitation workers for Jalandhar Corporation is an important link in this chain. The government aims to make every city and village in the state clean, safe, and developed. Efforts in this direction are ensuring Punjabs overall development, and people are directly benefiting from government policies. Advertisement Experts believe that sanitation is not merely a municipal service but is also linked to public health and environmental protection. Increasing the number of sanitation workers in Jalandhar will help prevent diseases and keep the citys environment clean. This initiative by the Punjab government aligns with the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission and demonstrates the state governments commitment to effectively implementing central government schemes at the ground level. This historic decision by the Punjab government sets an example not only for Jalandhar but for the entire state. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns leadership, the government has proven it does not hesitate to make long-term and bold decisions to solve public problems. This approval, granted after 35 years of waiting, will add a new chapter to Jalandhars history and play a crucial role in establishing the city as a clean, beautiful, and vibrant municipality. This decision is an excellent example of the Aam Aadmi Partys people-centred governance system. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Entrepreneurs from both sides of the Taiwan Strait will have in-depth exchanges and discussions on the integrated development of industrial and supply chains across the Strait, a spokesperson said on Wednesday. The 2025 annual conference of the Cross-Strait CEO Summit will be held on Dec. 16 and 17 in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, according to Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. About 800 people, including members of the summit, entrepreneurs, experts and scholars from across the Strait, will attend the event, Chen added. This is the first initiative of its kind in India that is bringing transparency to property registration. File Photo. These are 10 most revolutionary steps taken by the Punjab government. Punjabs Anti-Corruption Revolution: Mann Governments Top 10 Decisions Advertisement Chandigarh, December 9, 2025- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Manns government has launched a campaign against corruption that is not only changing the face of the state but also setting a new example for the entire country. Since coming to power, the Mann government has taken several big and revolutionary steps to eliminate corruption from its roots, which have brought positive changes in the lives of common people. Statistics also confirm that Punjab is moving forward rapidly in this new era of transparency and accountability. Today, the people of Punjab are saying with open hearts that this is the government we needed one that works for us, not one that loots us. These are 10 most revolutionary steps taken by the Punjab government. The first and most important step is the launch of the Anti-Corruption Helpline number 9501200200, which was launched on March 23, 2022, on Shaheed Bhagat Singhs martyrdom day. The Chief Minister called it his personal WhatsApp number and said that if any officer asks for a bribe, dont refuse, but make a video or audio recording and send it to this number. This bold initiative was inspired by the Delhi model, and today this helpline has become the peoples biggest weapon against corruption in Punjab. Thousands of complaints have been registered through this helpline, and action has been taken against dozens of corrupt officials. The second major step is the launch of the Easy Registry portal, which has brought about a complete transformation in the property registration process. Launched in November 2024, under this scheme, citizens can now register their property at any sub-registrar office in their district, and the entire process is completed within 48 hours. Chief Minister Mann said that for decades, property registration was considered a complex and time-consuming process, which was dominated by bribery. Now, for just 500 rupees, a sale deed can be prepared online, and real-time updates are received via WhatsApp. This is the first initiative of its kind in India that is bringing transparency to property registration. Advertisement The third important step is the complete digitisation of Jamabandi and land records. The Punjab government has made property records available online through the [jamabandi.punjab.gov.in](http://jamabandi.punjab.gov.in) portal. Citizens can now obtain their documents from home for a nominal fee of just 20 rupees. Earlier, there was a network of middlemen and corrupt officials in the Revenue Department, where bribes had to be paid for every small and big task. Now with everything online, the scope for bribery has been eliminated. Special helplines 8184900002 for the Revenue Department and 9464100168 for NRIs have also been issued. The fourth major step is the implementation of the Aap Di Sarkar, Aap De Dwar and Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwar schemes. Launched in February 2024, under this scheme, more than 11,600 camps have been organised across Punjab, where 44 important government services, such as residential certificates, caste certificates, income certificates, birth-death certificates, pensions, labour registration, etc., have been made available in every village and neighbourhood. The Chief Minister said, Now people wont have to run around government offices. Government officials will go to peoples doorsteps to provide services. Four camps are organised daily in every tehsil, where important officials like the SDM, Tehsildar, DSSO, DFSO, and SHO are present. The fifth step is the establishment of the Chief Ministers Window (CM Window), which was launched in all districts in June 2024. This is an unprecedented initiative that ensures direct dialogue between citizens and the government. The Chief Minister has directly held Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and SSPs accountable and made it clear that they will be directly responsible for any incident of corruption or negligence in their jurisdiction. The Chief Minister warned, We must keep a close watch on administrative processes and take immediate action on any misconduct. This approach reflects the Mann governments strictness against corruption. Advertisement The sixth important step is strengthening the Punjab Vigilance Bureau and granting it autonomy. The Vigilance Bureau has taken action in dozens of major corruption cases in 2024. In September 2024, an ASI was caught red-handed taking bribes; in August 2024, a cooperative inspector was arrested for taking a bribe of 15,000 rupees; a PSPCL junior engineer was caught taking a bribe of 11,500 rupees via Google Pay; a police inspector was arrested for taking a bribe of 6 lakh rupees; and in the Jalandhar Improvement Trust land acquisition scam involving 5.49 crore rupees, a retired PCS officer was arrested. These actions are creating fear among corrupt officials. The seventh major step is the Doorstep Delivery Service (DSD), which was launched in December 2023 under the name Bhagwant Mann Sarkar Tuhade Dwar. Under this scheme, citizens can call 1076 to make an appointment at their convenience and receive 43 important government services at home. This scheme is an important step toward making Government to Citizen (G2C) services easier. The Chief Minister said, We want people not to have to wait for hours in government offices. Now the government will reach their homes. Millions of people have benefited from this scheme. The eighth step is the strict compliance with the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Act 2021 and Punjab Anti-Red Tape Rules 2022. Under these rules, provisions have been made to eliminate unnecessary red tape and delays in government departments. Now a fixed time limit has been set for all services, and if any officer delays work without valid reason, disciplinary action is taken against them. This law is proving effective in preventing unnecessary delays and corruption. Advertisement The ninth important step is the strict compliance with the e-procurement and e-tendering system. The Punjab government has made online tendering mandatory in all departments, which has brought transparency to the tender process. Earlier, large-scale corruption occurred in manual tendering, there was collusion between contractors and officials, and work was given at higher rates. Now with the online process, accountability is fixed at every stage, and eligible contractors from any corner of the country can bid. The tenth and most effective step is strict action against officers who collude with police and drug traffickers. The Mann government has made it clear that police personnel who take bribes and conspire with the drug mafia will not be spared. The effect of this strictness is that there is an atmosphere of fear among corrupt officials, and they now hesitate to openly demand bribes. The impact of these ten major steps is also clearly visible in Punjabs revenue. In August 2024, the Punjab government received revenue of 440.92 crore rupees from land and property registration, which is 26 percent more than August 2023s 349.26 crore rupees. This increase is proof that reducing corruption has not only provided relief to the public but has also increased the government treasury. Earlier, middlemen and corrupt officials would pocket the money; now that money is going into the government treasury. The people of Punjab are very happy with these initiatives of the Mann government. Balwinder Singh, a farmer from Ludhiana, says, Earlier we had to bribe the patwari to get jamabandi issued. Now I can get it online from my mobile while sitting at home. This government is truly honest. Sukhwinder Kaur, a woman social worker from Jalandhar, says, The Aap Di Sarkar, Aap De Dwar scheme has given great relief to poor women in villages. Now they dont have to run around tehsils. Officials come to the village themselves and make pensions and other certificates. Experts believe that these steps taken by the Mann government will produce far-reaching results. Dr Amarjeet Singh, a professor in the Political Science Department at Punjab University, says, Making government services transparent and accessible using technology is a revolutionary step. It not only prevents corruption but also increases public trust in the government. The Mann government has proved that if there is political will, corruption can be eliminated. These initiatives of the Mann government have become a topic of discussion not only in Punjab but also in other states of the country. Many states have expressed a desire to adopt the Punjab model. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, Our dream is that Punjab becomes a corruption-free state. The ten major steps we have taken are in this direction. We promise the public that whoever is involved in corruption will not be spared. He further said, We have to make Punjab a real Punjab, not London, Paris or California, where honesty and hard work are valued. The Mann government has also made it clear that this campaign is being run in the public interest, not with a spirit of political revenge. The Chief Minister said, I dont have a red diary like the old governments, only a green diary. We wont take revenge on anyone, but whoever loots the people and treasury of Punjab will have to account for their sins. This statement raises great hope among the public that the Mann government is truly serious about fighting corruption. The Punjab government is now planning to further strengthen the anti-corruption campaign. More government services will soon be brought online, and the digital payment system will be further strengthened. According to sources connected with the Chief Ministers Office, a new mobile app will be launched through which citizens can directly register their complaints and track them in real time. In addition, camera surveillance and digital attendance systems are also being implemented in all departments so that officials can be held accountable. The anti-corruption campaign launched by the Mann government in Punjab is a historic initiative that will prove significant in making Punjab the countrys most transparent and corruption-free state in the coming times. Through ten major steps, the Mann government has proved that if there is willpower, proper use of technology, and the public is taken along, then an evil like corruption can be eliminated from its roots. The people of Punjab can say with pride today that this government is for us, at our doorstep, in our service. Romania and the newcomers cultural bridges in a changing society 2025 was the third consecutive year when Romania recorded more emigrants than immigrants. Foreign workers (photo Guilherme Cunha Unsplash) Iulia Hau, 10.12.2025, 14:00 The year 2025 was the third consecutive year in which Romania registered more emigrants than immigrants. Researcher Anatolie Cosciug believes that this change is due to a combination of factors, including labor market needs, social perceptions and attitudes towards migrants, and national and European migration policies. At the same time, according to a recent study published by the Economic and Social Council, recruiters say that most companies that hired foreign workers recorded an increase in turnover, higher productivity and superior financial performance. These changes are also reflected in the social plan. In the capital Bucharest, for example, more and more entrepreneurs are diversifying the streets with new flavors and colors through restaurants and fast-foods with African and Asian specialties, through grocery stores with exotic products, bars, and barbershops. However, the distance between them and us remains considerable. This year, cultural workers, organizations and NGOs supported by the National Cultural Fund Administration launched the first cultural and community projects aimed at bringing together foreigners and the host society. The Legal Resources Center (CRJ), active since 1999, is one of the initiators. In recent months, through research, working groups and theater performances, the stories of newcomers have been presented, contributing to building a social environment that understands and respects their complex life and migration experiences. Georgiana Badescu, the project coordinator, has dedicated her last year to understanding the needs and difficulties facing migrants in Romania and to identifying innovative ways in which they can tell their stories: I felt a lack of representation of life stories in the public space, in the sense that the average Romanian citizen knew this kind of otherness, of foreigners, through the news, through the media, so indirectly. And I didnt feel that there were necessarily authentic stories or their authentic voice in the public space. It seemed to me that they were susceptible to discrimination, both from the state and from the population, which is perhaps scared of something new. And I think I felt the need to have some outlines, at least in the initial phase, to see what they feel, where they are located and to have something included on the public agenda. And thats where the idea of research came from, from which a show, a childrens book and a documentary would emerge. Through the study A Day in the Life of a Migrant Worker, the authors analyzed migrants perceptions of the Romanian legal system, as well as how they experience their relationship with Romanian citizens and their families back home. The research highlighted a stark contrast between the Romanian legal framework, which is clear and robust, with elaborate provisions, and the reality migrants face. Based on the issues identified in the interviews, director and actress Crista Bilciu created an immersive cultural performance, held right inside the organization: We had 10 performances in 3 days. Each performance had around 15-20 participants. What we tried with the show was to have each citizen go through the stages of life that the non-EU workers had outlined during the research interviews. There were 10 active points, starting with the visa interview, where I asked them questions that the migrants told me during the research. One of them, which I remember, was of a migrant worker who was getting a work permit for construction and whom the interviewer asked to show his hands to see if his hands were worked. And then the Romanian spectator would go through these stages: the visa interview, the boss, then we would give them delivery bags and a map with which they had to navigate the entire house, where it was dark and they only had a UV flashlight, with which they could discover hidden messages on the walls that were the migrants testimonies. More then to the doctor, where we tried to somehow portray a situation that we encountered with a migrant, namely that of visiting the doctor and finding out that, in fact, the employer never paid his taxes and he was not insured. A room of solitude, where they could listen to a voice message in Bengali and Romanian, sent by one of the workers to his mother. Georgiana Badescu says that, after each performance, the participants remained outside the premises, to discuss, debate, surprised by a reality they had not imagined. After the performance, CRJ produced a childrens book, inspired by the story of a food delivery man who constantly carries a video camera with him in order to be able to see his two-year-old child at home. The CRJ representative believes that cultural bridges created with migrant communities should continue to be a priority for the National Cultural Fund Administration and other funders. In her opinion, culture is the best way to reduce discrimination, increase awareness and build relationships between communities. Culture and art, the specialist argues, are an extraordinary way to bring people together. (EE) December 10, 2025 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 10.12.2025, 13:55 Government. In Bucharest, the National Tripartite Council, comprising representatives of the government, trade unions, and employers, is discussing today the minimum wage for next year. Trade unionists point out that freezing the minimum wage would violate national and European legislation, while SME Romania is calling for the minimum wage to be maintained at 4,050 lei gross (800 euros). The employers point of view is also supported by Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who recently said that economic and budgetary realities do not allow for an increase next year. In contrast, the PSD, part of the governing coalition, wants to increase the minimum wage and believes that the measure is, first and foremost, fair to employees and, secondly, necessary for the economy. On the other hand, education unions are organizing a protest in the capital, dissatisfied with the fiscal and budgetary measures adopted by the government in the fall. CCR. The Constitutional Court of Romania is discussing today the High Court of Cassation and Justices referral regarding the Bolojan governments new draft law on the reform of magistrates pensions. The judges of the Supreme Court consider, in principle, that this law discriminates against magistrates compared to other categories of beneficiaries of service pensions, brutally violates the independence of the judiciary, and effectively eliminates the service pension for magistrates. The bill, for which the executive has assumed responsibility in Parliament, gradually increases the retirement age for magistrates to 65 and limits their pension to 70% of their last net salary. It has been rejected by the Superior Council of Magistracy. The previous law proposed by the government was rejected by the Constitutional Court on procedural grounds. The reform of magistrates pensions is a milestone in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Motion. In Bucharest, AUR parliamentarians today submitted a simple motion to the Senate against Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu. The initiators accuse the environment leadership of ignorance, irresponsibility, and lack of a centralized plan for managing repeated crisis situations. The debate and vote on the document will take place on December 15. Also on Monday, the Bucharest Parliament will debate and vote on a motion of no confidence against the government, initiated by a group of parliamentarians elected last December on the SOS Romania and POT lists, who have now left these parties. They would like to remove USR from government. However, the parties in the ruling coalition (PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR) have given assurances that the motion will not be voted on. Visit. Romanian President Nicusor Dan, on his first visit to France as head of state, discussed with his counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, how French companies can contribute to the major investments that Romania is preparing in the defense industry through the European SAFE program. Nicusor Dan did not rule out the possibility of increasing the French military presence in Romania in the future, but no decision has been made in this regard yet. He invited the Elysee leader to visit Romania next year, and Emmanuel Macron accepted the invitation. Human Rights Day. Romania is and will remain active in the international communitys efforts to affirm and respect human rights and increase societys resilience, which are essential elements for protecting fundamental rights and ensuring peoples well-being. The message was conveyed on Wednesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest on the occasion of International Human Rights Day. According to the MFA, this year marks 80 years since the establishment of the United Nations and 70 years since Romania joined the UN. For 75 years, the celebration of International Human Rights Day has contributed to raising awareness that respect for and promotion of human rights have the capacity to positively transform the societies in which we live, so that every person can enjoy peace, democracy, and sustainable development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added. Candidacy. Romania has submitted its candidacy to host the future European Union Customs Authority, an institution that will support member states in simplifying customs procedures and ensure the efficient collection of taxes and duties through a digital platform that will centralize and manage all EU customs data. In the dossier submitted to the European Commission, the Ministry of Finance emphasized that Romania is one of the countries with the longest external border in the Union and manages a significant volume of trade flows annually. Alongside our country, Belgium, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal have also submitted their candidacies. Defense. Romania and Germany have a solid relationship in the field of defense. Germany is one of Bucharests most important allies, a reliable ally and a key contributor to Romanias security, said Secretary of State for Defense Policy Sorin Dan-Moldovan. He met with his German counterpart Nils Schmid at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base 57 (southeast), who said that the modernization of the Romanian Army has Germanys full support. (MI) Romanian-German military cooperation Germany reiterates its commitment to protecting NATO's Eastern Flank. Photo: fb.com / com Sorin Moldovan Bogdan Matei, 10.12.2025, 13:50 The upgrade of the Romanian Army has Germanys full support, said the state secretary Nils Schmidt during a visit to the 57th Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base near the Black Sea. He had a meeting on Tuesday with the state secretary with the Romanian defence ministry Sorin-Dan Moldovan. The talks focused on opportunities to extend cooperation in the field of defence, including air policing missions carried out by German pilots alongside the Romanian Air Forces, in the context of threats to regional and international security. The two officials emphasised that vigilance must be increased, given the growing number of incidents in which (most likely Russian) drones have flown over Romanian territory. As Nils Schmidt pointed out, at the end of November Eurofighter aircraft took off three times in a single day to protect NATO airspace. Cooperation is also increasingly intense in the defence industry, he added, and voiced satisfaction with the cooperation opportunities with Romanian partners in the implementation of SAFE. In turn, Sorin-Dan Moldovan said: Sorin-Dan Moldovan: We are interested in developing the cooperation between Romania and Germany within the framework of the SAFE financial instrument. We are exploring together with our German partner new ways of working together in upgrading defence capabilities, strengthening the deterrence and defence posture at the Black Sea and support for Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Rheinmetalls plan to open a plant in Brasov is just one of the joint defence projects of Romania and Germany. According to German experts, it will be the worlds state-of-the-art powder producer, following an investment of half a billion euros which will create about 700 new jobs. Part of the new factorys supply chain will be local. Beyond the strictly technical dimension of the bilateral cooperation, Romanian media also note a rather embarrassing detail concerning the Mihail Kogalniceanu visit. Originally, one of the heavyweights of the German government, the defence minister Boris Pistorius was expected to attend. According to a statement from the Romanian defence ministry, his visit to the air base, a multinational-capability site which is critical for the Allied defence posture on the Eastern Flank, was to highlight Germanys constant commitment to Romanias security. But Pistorius changed his plans, and the media speculate that this was because of political troubles in Bucharest. Recently, the defence minister Ionut Mosteanu (USR) resigned over controversies concerning his resume, in which he included a university degree that he simply did not have, and the post has been temporarily taken over by his party fellow Radu Miruta, the head of the economy ministry. (AMP) The Romanian Presidents Visit to France Romanian President Nicusor Dan paid a two-day visit to France Nicu;or Dan, primit la Paris de omologul sau, Emmanuel Macron / Foto: presidency.ro Leyla Cheamil, 10.12.2025, 14:00 Romanian President Nicusor Dan paid a two-day visit to France, where he was received with military honors by his counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. We have a long history and we have a very steady future, President Dan said on Tuesday, in a press conference, after meeting with the French President, adding that the talks during his working visit were very cordial. The two presidents discussed how French companies can contribute to the major investments that Romania is preparing in the defense industry. Nicusor Dan explained that, in the face of current security challenges, there is a strong European force, capable of mobilizing at any time to defend Romania. He did not rule out the possibility of supplementing the French military presence in Romania in the future, but, for now, no decision has been made in this regard. According to President Dan, in terms of equipping the Romanian Army, there is the option of purchasing weapons and equipment produced on our continent through the joint European SAFE program. We want the procurement made under the SAFE program to be produced in Europe, and as much as possible located in Romania. There are discussions, negotiations between the Ministry of Defense and the interested companies, said Nicusor Dan. We have worked a lot together, in recent months, for the bilateral relationship, for our Europe, for Ukraine, said, in turn, French President Emmanuel Macron, who accepted the invitation of his Romanian counterpart to visit Romania next year. The two heads of state also discussed the economy, and the leader from the Elysee stressed that French investments in Romania are long-term strategic investments and not speculative ones. In fact, President Nicusor Dan had, on Tuesday, talks with representatives of French economic companies, organized by the French Enterprise Movement. On the other hand, he met with the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, with whom he attended the inauguration of the Nicolae Titulescu Alley in the Monceau Park in Paris, in memory of the great Romanian diplomat, a moment that marked the 145 years of Romanian-French diplomatic ties. The two discussed the numerous cooperation projects in the fields of economy, education, but also on topics related to the Romanian community in the French capital, as stated by Nicusor Dan. Bucharest and Paris are associated through numerous cultural and historical ties, through architecture and art. Today, we want to orient our cooperation towards the future, through economy, education and advanced technologies, in order to find solutions to the development challenges of large cities, Nicusor Dan said. On Monday, on the first evening of his visit, the Romanian President met, at the Romanian Embassy in Paris, with Romanians living in France. (EE) Social media ban for children aged below 16 has taken effect in Australia on Wednesday. A new law that the Australian government labeled as "world-leading" requires social media companies to block access to under-16s from having account in ten social media platforms - including TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, X, Threads, Snapchat, Kick, Twitch, Instagram and Reddit. The social media companies that run these platforms who fail to take "reasonable steps" to enforce the new rules are liable to pay fines of up to $49.5 million Australian dollars (US$33 million), reports say. The government says the first if its kind ban in the world is aimed at protecting children from addictive algorithms, online predators, and digital bullies. According to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it was a proud day for Australia. "This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies. They are asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind," he told ABC Wednesday. "Generations have survived without being on social media before," Albanese told Channel Seven's Sunrise program, noting that mental issues are on the rise due to addiction to social media usage. "This is families taking back control, parents getting more peace of mind. But young people as well being able to enjoy their childhood." BBC reported that deactivated accounts of children under the restricted age group will be removed from public domain, but they will become active once users turn 16, subject to verification of data to prove it. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Tech and e-commerce major Amazon.com Inc. announced Wednesday its plans to invest more than $35 billion across all its businesses in India through 2030, aiming mainly to advance AI innovation and create more than 1 million jobs. The company, which so far has invested $40 billion in the country, expects to focus on expansion as well as three strategic pillars, such as AI-driven digitization, export growth and job creation. The move comes after Amazon in late November announced plans to invest up to $50 billion to expand AI and high-performance computing capacity for U.S. government clients through Amazon Web Services. Amazon, at the sixth edition of the Amazon Smbhav Summit in New Delhi, added that the latest Indian investment will boost cumulative exports to $80 billion, and deliver AI benefits to 15 million small businesses. Amazon Web Services or AWS is helping organisations across India's public and private sector leverage its agentic AI capabilities, it said. By 2030, the company plans to generate an additional 1 million direct, indirect, induced, and seasonal jobs through business expansion as well as its growing fulfillment and delivery network. In 2030, the company will support 3.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs. The Economic Impact Report by Keystone Strategy revealed Amazon as the largest foreign investor in India, the largest enabler of ecommerce exports, and among the top job creators in the country. The company recently said that Amazon India AI initiatives would benefit 15 million small businesses, and AI literacy program for 4 million government school students by 2030. The investment would offer the benefits of AI to students, entrepreneurs, and customers across India, with a view to supporting the government's vision of "AI for All". The company noted that its $40 billion investment in India so far, including compensation to employees and the development of infrastructure, has digitized 12 million small businesses and enabled $20 billion in exports. The investment has been used towards building physical and digital infrastructure, including fulfilment centers, transportation networks, data centers, digital payments infrastructure and development. It has also supported approximately 2.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs across industries in India in 2024. Amit Agarwal, Senior VP Emerging Markets, Amazon, said, "We have invested at scale in growing the physical and digital infrastructure for small businesses in India, creating millions of jobs, and taking Made-in-India global... Looking ahead, we're excited to continue being a catalyst for India's growth, as we democratize access to AI for millions of Indians and quadruple cumulative ecommerce exports enabled to $80 billion by 2030. In 2030, Amazon businesses will support 3.8 million direct, indirect, induced and seasonal jobs." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The European Commission has adopted a new 30 million EURO package for the people of Belarus. It supports independent media, civil society and human rights organisations, keeping the possibility of a democratic Belarus alive by promoting civic empowerment, protecting human rights and developing Belarus' human capital. With this package, EU assistance to Belarusian civil society since the sham 2020 elections now amounts to 200 million euros. The decision was announced by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus' democratic forces, at a high-level conference in the European Parliament. Developed in close consultation with Belarusian democratic forces and civil society, the new package will assist victims of repression, support journalists providing trusted information, and promote efforts to ensure accountability for the crimes of the Lukashenka regime, the European Commission said. It demanded that while the recent release of political prisoners is a positive step, all political detainees must be released unconditionally and allowed to live without intimidation. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A new study revealed that children who spend a lot of time on social media may have more trouble concentrating and could be more likely to develop symptoms of ADHD. Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet followed more than 8,000 U.S. children from ages 9-10 to 14. The children reported how much time they spent on social media, watching TV or online videos, and playing video games. Their parents rated their attention levels and hyperactivity. The researchers found that the children, on average, spent 2.3 hours a day watching TV or videos, 1.4 hours on social media, and 1.5 hours playing video games. Also, they noted that heavy use of social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Messenger was linked to gradually increasing attention problems. However, this link was not found for watching TV or playing video games. Torkel Klingberg, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute, explained, "Our study suggests that it is specifically social media that affects children's ability to concentrate." "Social media entails constant distractions in the form of messages and notifications, and the mere thought of whether a message has arrived can act as a mental distraction. This affects the ability to stay focused and could explain the association." The researchers emphasized that this does not mean all children who use social media will develop attention issues, but it does raise questions about whether age limits and platform designs need to be reconsidered. Social media use increased sharply from 30 minutes a day at age 9 to 2.5 hours a day at age 13, even though most platforms require users to be at least 13. "We hope that our findings will help parents and policymakers make well-informed decisions on healthy digital consumption that support children's cognitive development," said study author Samson Nivins, a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institute. Notably, the researchers will continue to follow the children after age 14 to see if the trend continues. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Health News This photo taken on Nov. 5, 2025 shows a view of a production line of Pengling Co., Ltd. in the town of Zhongtang, on the outskirts of Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) TIANJIN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- On the outskirts of Tianjin, far from the container terminals that embody the northern Chinese municipality's industrial might, lies the town of Zhongtang -- a place with modest geographic endowments but an outsized reputation. Amid a bustling boom of complete-automobile manufacturing, the town's specialty is quite prosaic: automotive rubber hoses. Today, it stands as one of China's largest production bases for them. The town's client roster reads like a who's who of the global automotive industry, ranging from global auto behemoths like Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Toyota to domestic new energy vehicle (NEV) makers like BYD and Nio. This impressive lineup earned Zhongtang a coveted spot on China's inaugural list of specialized towns. As China's electric-vehicle boom reshapes global auto supply chains, Zhongtang's component manufacturers are accelerating in lockstep with the market's transformation. Pengling Co., Ltd., a hometown firm specializing in fluid lines and thermal-management modules for NEVs, exemplifies this industry transformation. "Our order books are full through the end of next year," said Gao Xianhua, the firm's vice president. The firm's financial performance underscores its success: Last year, it recorded profits and tax contributions exceeding 30 million yuan (approximately 4.24 million U.S. dollars), and in the first three quarters of this year alone, it nearly matched that annual benchmark. This momentum is particularly remarkable in an industry where component suppliers typically operate on razor-thin margins. China's auto market -- the world's largest for the last 16 years -- registered sales of over 31 million vehicles in 2024, including more than 12 million NEVs. The country accounted for over 70 percent of global NEV sales in 2024, with its supply chain dominance fundamentally reshaping industrial geography worldwide. As assembly plants expand in coastal hubs like Tianjin, which is home to major joint ventures including Toyota and Volkswagen, towns such as Zhongtang have become integral nodes in global production networks. "'Good soil' is why we've been able to take root and flourish," Gao said, citing the dense concentration of automakers in the region, coupled with proactive government support through matchmaking initiatives, tax incentives, and talent recruitment programs. Zhongtang's industrial ecosystem is remarkably comprehensive for a town of its scale. Encompassing everything from doors, glass and interiors to brake pads, springs and chassis components, the town hosts nearly all major auto part categories. The town hosts 15 sizable parts manufacturers and expects total output to exceed 4 billion yuan by 2025. The rapid growth of NEVs has fostered a new generation of suppliers. Many Zhongtang-based manufacturers have experienced rapid growth by producing parts tailored to electric drivetrains and lightweight chassis. Some local companies have now begun exporting their products overseas, having strengthened their technological capabilities as Chinese NEV brands expand into markets ranging from Southeast Asia to Europe, according to local authorities. Local government has not left such growth to chance. With many small firms facing high upfront construction costs and inadequate facilities, the town has established a standardized industrial park featuring "move-in-and-produce" facilities. This initiative enables startups to rapidly scale up their operations. The industrial park has already incubated 28 companies. One of them, Tianjin Zhongguan Automobile Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd., began its journey in these rented workshops and is now investing in its own facilities. "This park has effectively served as an incubator for us," said Li Xingqiu, the company's technical director, highlighting its role in the firm's early growth. As established companies transition out of the park to occupy their own purpose-built plants, vacated workshops are promptly allocated to new entrants. This creates a sustainable "incubate, grow, scale, replace" cycle -- a model of cluster-based development that prioritizes ecosystem building over isolated firm subsidies. Keeping pace with China's competitive auto sector, Zhongtang's chain-driven development model has enabled this once-unremarkable town to unexpectedly assume a pivotal role in the country's industrial tale, said Wang Yin, associate professor of Tianjin University of Finance and Economics. "From robust policy support, a meticulously planned network of specialized industrial parks to the seamless integration of digital and intelligent technologies, Zhongtang presents a clear blueprint for other Chinese towns aspiring to cultivate distinctive local industries," Wang added. Workers operate at a workshop of Tianjin Zhongguan Automobile Parts Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in the town of Zhongtang, on the outskirts of Tianjin, north China, Nov. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) A staff member checks an automotive rubber hose at a workshop of Pengling Co., Ltd. in the town of Zhongtang, on the outskirts of Tianjin, north China, Nov. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Uber has spent years encouraging its drivers to switch to electric vehicles by offering bonuses and incentives for each ride. But recently, the company has been quietly pulling back on those programs, which has meant lower earnings for many drivers. For example, Levi Spires in Syracuse decided to buy a Tesla after taking advantage of a $2,000 promotion and earned about $3,500 in EV bonuses over two years. However, those incentives ended last week, prompting him to rethink his reliance on Uber for income. This cutback is happening even though Uber is falling short of its own climate goals. Currently, only around 40 percent of trips in London are electric, while it's about 15 percent in Europe and just 9 percent in North America. Meanwhile, Uber's emissions have nearly doubled over the past three years, now surpassing those of Denmark. Despite this, the monthly EV bonuses, the $1 per ride incentive in North America, and certain rider-funded EV programs in London and France have all been scaled back. Drivers who invested in more expensive electric vehicles, thinking they would receive long-term support, now find themselves burdened with those costs. Uber claims it continues to support electrification through its Uber Electric program, which offers negotiated discounts on EVs and a limited $4,000 bonus for switching. However, former policy leaders and climate advocates argue that only strict government mandates will compel Uber to make a complete transition to an electric fleet. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Paramount, a Skydance Corporation (PSKY) Wednesday sent a letter to the shareholders of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) stating why Paramount's $30.00 per share all-cash offer to acquire all of WBD is superior to WBD's transaction with Netflix (NFLX). "Our public offer - identical to the terms we presented to WBD privately - delivers superior value and a faster, more certain path to completion than the transaction announced with Netflix. It Is Not Too Late To Realize The Benefits Of Paramount's Proposal If You Choose To Act Now And Tender Your Shares," the company said in the letter. The company added that its offer is financially superior to Netflix's transaction, which provides WBD shareholders with lower value, less cash and significantly less certainty. On its face, Netflix is offering WBD shareholders $23.25 per share in cash, $4.50 in stock and a share in WBD's Global Networks spin-off. In reality, however, the total value is materially lower than advertised. The company also noted that its offer is not subject to any financing conditions and will be financed by $41 billion of new equity backstopped by the Ellison family and RedBird Capital and $54 billion of debt commitments from Bank of America, Citi and Apollo. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News An interdisciplinary panel discuss the topic: "Reimagining Health Futures: Integrating Culture, Technology and Precision Medicine in a Transforming Healthcare Landscape" By Lance Myburgh Scientific progress rarely moves in a straight line. When global attention shifts, entire research fields can lose momentum, leaving gaps that become apparent only decades later. Diseases once thought manageable resurface with new force. Novel pathogens emerge. Health systems struggle to keep pace with technological and social change. These pressures make sustained, contextually grounded research essential, particularly in countries carrying a high burden of infectious and chronic disease. It is within this landscape that Rhodes Universitys Faculty of Pharmacy convened its 2025 Research Symposium, a two-day examination of how discovery, innovation and community impact intersect. Themed From Discovery to Community: Advancing Research towards a Healthier Future, the event brought together academics, students and partners to examine research that connects scientific innovation with public impact. The Dean of Pharmacy, Professor Sandile Khamanga, opened the symposium by sharpening the purpose of the gathering. The work that you do is relevant work, he reminded participants. It should be locally relevant but also have clear optics for where it is going. With the faculty approaching its 70th anniversary, he encouraged researchers to anchor their work in the Sustainable Development Goals. By 2030, he said, we should be able to say how our work touches the Sustainable Development Goals. On day one, a keynote delivered by Rhodes Universitys Professor Setshaba Khanye, a medicinal chemist working in early-stage drug discovery, explored the scientific and human stakes of developing new tuberculosis (TB) treatments. We still have ongoing projects, he said, and we are hoping they will yield something meaningful. TB is not an abstract problem. It is a real issue that has affected people close to me. He spoke of family members who had died from TB, and of the side effects endured by one relative from life-saving medication. His address underscored the cost of decades of lost innovation and the continuing need for treatments that are safe, affordable and suited to low-resource settings. On day two, keynote speaker and biochemistry professor, Adrienne Edkins, shifted the lens to proteostasis and molecular chaperones as therapeutic targets in infectious and non-communicable diseases. Her lecture demonstrated how advances in molecular biology and cell regulation are opening new therapeutic possibilities across disease areas. Invited speaker, Rural Health Advocacy Projects Dr Vatiswa Henge-Daweti discussed pharmacogenomics a very important branch medicine that enable healthcare providers to select the most effective drugs and optimal dosages for each patient, while minimising the risk of adverse side effects. A central feature of the programme was the interdisciplinary panel discussion, Reimagining Health Futures: Integrating Culture, Technology and Precision Medicine in a Transforming Healthcare Landscape, which spanned contributions from biomedical biotechnology, anthropology, nanotechnology, pharmaceutics and pharmacology. The conversation examined how South Africas health system is being reshaped by cultural dynamics, emerging technologies and shifting patient expectations. It reinforced a theme woven throughout the symposium: scientific progress must remain anchored in context and community. Behind the research was also a network of partners who helped make the event possible. The Faculty of Pharmacy acknowledged the generous support of Microsep, National Separations, Anatech, Hanna Instruments and United Scientific, whose contributions strengthened both the programme and the opportunities available to students and staff. Across the two days, postgraduate researchers presented work in line with the events theme, spanning analytical chemistry, drug formulation, traditional medicine, AI-enabled pharmacy education, mental health, and the future of medication adherence. Their contributions further reflected the symposiums sub-themes: modern drug discovery, computational modelling, therapeutic evaluation, and the role of pharmacy practice in improving wellness across communities. Their hard work and novel contributions were awarded in a prize-giving, with winners identified as: 5 min oral presentation (PhD candidates) - Mr Siphumze Bani 10 min oral presentations (Masters and PhD)- Ms Lorah Dzimwasha 5min oral presentations (Masters candidates) - Ms Bridget Mtetwa What emerged over the two days was a portrait of a university advancing research that serves the public good. At a time when global scientific priorities often tilt toward wealthier nations and more profitable diseases, Rhodes University is investing in fields that many institutions once set aside, but which the world urgently needs to solve. As Professor Khamanga told fellow pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists, Do not underestimate yourself. At Rhodes University, that instruction reads less like encouragement and more like direction. Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and president of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, meets with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Dec. 9, 2025. At the invitation of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, Peng led a Chinese delegation during a visit to Brunei from Tuesday to Wednesday. Peng met with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, and Haji Abdul Rahman, speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam. He also attended the event "Civil Dialogue on Contributing People-to-People Strength to the Building of a China-Brunei Community with a Shared Future." (Xinhua/Li Meng) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Brunei have pledged to strengthen cooperation in various fields and promote the building of a China-Brunei community with a shared future, during a Chinese delegation's visit to Brunei from Tuesday to Wednesday. Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and president of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, who was leading the delegation, met with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, and Haji Abdul Rahman, speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam. Peng said that the traditional friendship between China and Brunei has a long history. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, bilateral relations have been continuously elevated and upgraded in recent years. China stands ready to work with Brunei to implement the important common understandings reached between the two countries' leaders, carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, pursue common development, and advance the building of a China-Brunei community with a shared future, Peng said. The Brunei side said that it places high importance on developing relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and stands ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China across the board, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and jointly advance the building of a Brunei-China community with a shared future. During the visit, Peng also attended the event "Civil Dialogue on Contributing People-to-People Strength to the Building of a China-Brunei Community with a Shared Future." Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and president of the Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament, meets with Haji Abdul Rahman, speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Dec. 9, 2025. At the invitation of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam, Peng led a Chinese delegation during a visit to Brunei from Tuesday to Wednesday. Peng met with Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, and Haji Abdul Rahman, speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam. He also attended the event "Civil Dialogue on Contributing People-to-People Strength to the Building of a China-Brunei Community with a Shared Future." (Xinhua/Li Meng) HANOI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's capital Hanoi has proposed a range of financial support schemes to encourage residents and businesses to shift from gasoline-powered to electric vehicles, local daily VnEconomy reported Wednesday. Dao Viet Long, deputy director of the municipal Department of Construction, noted that owners of gasoline-powered motorbikes who switch to electric models would receive support covering 20 percent of the vehicle's value, capped at 5 million Vietnamese dong (about 192 U.S. dollars). Low-income households could receive support covering up to 100 percent of the vehicle's value, with a maximum of 20 million dong (about 768 dollars), while near-poor households may be eligible for 80 percent support, up to 15 million dong (about 576 dollars). The city would also cover 50 percent of the registration fee for converted motorbikes. Low-income and near-poor households would receive full support, the report said. YANGON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 8.59 million stimulant tablets in central Myanmar's Mandalay region, the state-owned daily Myanma Alinn reported on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotics police intercepted a vehicle in Pyin Oo Lwin township, Mandalay region on Nov. 29 and confiscated 2.39 million stimulant tablets, the report said. A follow-up search on the same day led to the seizure of an additional 6.2 million tablets hidden in bushes in the same township, the report said. The report said four suspects were arrested, three who were in the vehicle and a fourth individual. Investigation showed that the narcotics were being transported from Shan state to Taungup town in Rakhine state, it said. The suspects have been charged under the country's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, and further investigation is ongoing, it added. SANYA, China, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has been playing an important role in promoting international maritime cooperation and safeguarding the world's oceans, a Maldives official said Wednesday. Maldives' Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Ahmed Aarim Mohamed, made the remarks during the ongoing 6th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance in Sanya, a resort city in China's southernmost island province of Hainan. In particular, "for small island nations such as the Maldives, China's example of aligning coastal development with environmental stewardship is deeply inspiring," he noted. Mohamed said the Maldives attaches great significance to China's visionary call for a maritime community with a shared future. "These words speak to a truth that we feel deeply at home: the ocean connects us, sustains us, and binds our futures together," he said. The Maldives is focusing on its Vision 2040, an ambitious roadmap to build a resilient economy and achieve developed nation status. In this context, "for both the Maldives and China, the ocean is not only a shared space, but also a shared opportunity to advance development, climate resilience, and ecological civilization," he said. The symposium in Sanya has gathered more than 300 experts, government officials, diplomats and representatives of international organizations from over 30 countries and regions. NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Senior United Nations officials on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, highlighting its role in revitalizing global action on the planetary crises of climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and waste. The remarks were made during Multilateral Environmental Agreements Day, held on the sidelines of the ongoing seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. UNEA-7 President Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri said the current wave of geopolitical shifts calls for nations to promote cooperation and consensus while tackling planetary threats. "We need to deepen dialogue, share experiences, and pursue our collective goal of finding solutions to the rapidly evolving ecological crisis," he said. "A safer and more resilient planet is within reach if we strengthen multilateral environmental agreements." Dedicating a full day to multilateral environment agreements during UNEA-7 underscores the centrality of a rules-based international system in advancing the global green agenda, Al-Amri said. Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, said that multilateral environmental agreements have withstood geopolitical tremors, presenting hope to the community of nations keen to chart a new roadmap for green and inclusive growth. According to Andersen, global treaties and conventions that promote a fairer planet, free from emissions and pollution, have retained their relevance despite the changing geopolitical landscape. "The issue at hand is strengthening the tapestry of global environmental governance to spur stronger, faster, and more coordinated action across the three planetary crises of climate change, nature and land, biodiversity loss, desertification, pollution, and waste," Andersen said. Joswa Aoudou, president of the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, said that vibrant multilateralism holds the key to stabilizing the climate and tackling declining soil and water health linked to chemical pollution. He stressed the urgency of repurposing multilateral environmental agreements and enhancing their capacity to respond to ecological threats that are detrimental to human and ecosystem health. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Wednesday said that the year 2025 saw the overall stable implementation of assistance policies across the country, firmly securing the baseline to prevent a large-scale return to poverty. In 2025, China identified and assisted over 7 million individuals through its monitoring system, effectively eliminating their risk of returning to poverty, the ministry said. It also said that education, health care, housing and drinking water security have been enhanced steadily for those who have emerged from poverty. To date, 832 counties that have shaken off poverty have each developed two to three leading industries with distinctive advantages and strong driving force. Employment of Chinese people who have been lifted out of poverty has remained stable at over 30 million, securing more than two-thirds of the total incomes of households that have bid farewell to poverty. In the first three quarters of 2025, the per capita disposable income of rural residents in counties having bid farewell to poverty reached 13,158 yuan (1,859.71 U.S. dollars), outpacing the growth rate of China's rural areas by 0.5 percentage points. Shares in Delivery Hero raced ahead on Wednesday, after the online takeaway food company said it was assessing a range of options aimed at reversing the stocks long-term underperformance. In an open letter to shareholders, chair Kristin Skogen Lund and chief executive Niklas Ostberg acknowledged both the share price and valuation of the Berlin-based business was "disappointing for all of us". Delivery Hero debuted on the Frankfurt stock exchange amid much fanfare in 2017, raising 1bn. But the stock has consistently underperformed in recent years, losing 81% over the last five years and 21% in the year to date. Lund and Ostberg wrote: "We want to reassure our shareholders that the company remains fully committed to addressing this matter. "Together, the management and supervisory boards will continue to make the required efforts to drive long-term shareholder value. "With this objective in mind, Delivery Hero has retained financial and legal advisors, who have been supporting us in recent months in proactively assessing various strategic optionswith the aim of making Delivery Hero an even stronger company and unlocking shareholder value." Options being considered include the potential sale of selected assets and country operations; assessing certain strategic partnerships; evaluating capital market transactions; and reviewing value-enhancing capital structure and allocation. As at 1030 GMT, the stock had put on 8%. Delivery Hero has faced a number of headwinds recently, including intensifying competition in some regions, including Asia and the Middle East and North Africa, high costs and regulatory challenges. In the summer, it and fellow delivery firm Glovo were fined 329m by the European Commission following a lengthy probe, for taking part in an "online food delivery cartel". However, Lund and Ostberg said the company was now operationally "in a much stronger position today than ever before", including pivoting to a profitable growth strategy and streamlining its cost structure. London stocks were set to fall at the open on Wednesday ahead of the latest policy announcement from the US Federal Reserve, which is widely expected to cut rates by 25 basis points. The FTSE 100 was called to open around 25 points lower. Danske Bank said: "We expect Powell to verbally push back against continuation of sequential rate cuts in early 2026. "The updated rate projections, or 'dots', will likely reflect varied views within the FOMC, while macroeconomic projections will see only cosmetic changes. The Fed may also take further steps to support liquidity." In corporate news, Berkeley Group posted weaker interim revenues and profits amid a very challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environment. Revenues at the blue chip housebuilder came in at 1.2bn in the six months to 31 October, down from 1.3bn a year previously, while pre-tax profits fell 7.7% to 254m. However, net cash was 5m higher, at 342m, and net asset value per share rose 5% to 37.63. Executive chair Rob Perrins called it a highly creditable performancein a very challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environment. The firm also said it remained on track to meet full-year profit guidance. Ventilation products manufacturer Volution Group said that trading in the first four months of FY26 had been positive, with organic revenue growth of around 5% at constant currency. Volution, which said all three regions delivered organic growth against a varied but generally challenging backdrop, said total revenues for the period were up more than 30%, including a 25% contribution from its recent acquisition of Fantech and a small foreign exchange benefit. The $50bn merger of Anglo American and Canadas Teck Resources has been overwhelmingly approved by both sets of shareholders, the companies said. Anglo investors voted 99% in favour, while in Vancouver Tecks class A common stockholders approved the deal by more than 99%, while 90% of votes from class B shareholders approved it. Under the deal, Anglo will own 62.4% of the combined group, with Teck shareholders owning the rest. The primary listing will stay in London, but the merged groups headquarters will be in Vancouver. The merger still has to gain approval from regulators and the Canadian government. The premium that the UK pays to borrow money compared with its international peers may be coming to an end as markets grow more confident about the governments plans, a thinktank has suggested. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) said that the chancellor Rachel Reevess announcement in the autumn budget that she would be more than doubling the UKs financial headroom by 2030 from 9.9bn to 22bn had begun to assure bond markets about Labours fiscal approach. Guardian Channel 4 has raided Sky for its new chief executive as the broadcaster faces the prospect of a takeover of ITV by Comcast that would pose the biggest threat in its four-decade history. Its board is understood to have agreed the appointment of Priya Dogra, the head of Skys advertising, data and new revenue, as its new chief executive. Guardian Ed Milibands plans to build the Sizewell C nuclear power station are facing a High Court legal threat over claims it will destroy a rare bird habitat. Activists are seeking a judicial review to force the Government to revisit plans for the project, which they say is being built on land occupied by endangered marsh harriers. In a hearing on Tuesday, the Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) campaign group raised concerns over Sizewell Cs plans to build 10-metre-high flood defences on Suffolk marshland. Telegraph US defence giant Anduril is planning to build fighter drones for the British Army on the Isle of Wight as defence chiefs seek to embrace the age of autonomous warfare. The company founded by Palmer Luckey, the billionaire US inventor has agreed a deal with GKN Aerospace that could see it manufacture the aircrafts bodies in Cowes. Telegraph Elon Musks SpaceX is said to be preparing for an initial public offering that would be one of the biggest public listings to date. SpaceXs leaders and advisers are pursuing a listing of the rocket maker as soon as next year that would target a valuation of about $1.5 trillion, Bloomberg News reported. That valuation would put it close to Saudi Aramcos record when it listed in 2019 at a valuation of $1.7 trillion. The Times Independent booksellers across the U.S. shared their enthusiasm for #IndiesFirst and #SmallBusinessSaturday on social media over the weekend as their communities stepped up to support them. Here's a sampling from the big weekend: RJ Julia Booksellers, Madison, Conn.: "Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, and we are reflecting on what makes our community so special. Every book stacked, every corner curated, and every suggestion shared is done with love by our family of booksellers. When you walk through our doors and choose a local shop, you are helping to keep these unique, cozy, and personal spaces alive for everyone. We can't wait to share the warmth with you tomorrow! Happy holidays, book lovers." At the Snail on the Wall The Snail on the Wall, Huntsville, Ala.: "At a local bookstore, Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are about the PEOPLE: our Snail team, our customers, our local coffee brewer, a favorite author who visits while in town, even our UPS delivery drivers who've become friends. Thanks to all who came today--and we look forward to seeing more of you on Small Business Saturday!" Cindelle's Bookstore, Plainfield, N.J.: "Small Business Saturday hits a tad bit different this year because of the strides we've made in the brick and mortar space. When I started Cindelle's 6 years ago, I had no idea the impact we would have in Plainfield and I'm so grateful for customers, community members, book lovers, friends, and family who constantly support us. Small Businesses are the backbones of the community.... This Small Business Saturday, be sure to support your favorite small businesses. The journey may be long, but the work is rewarding." Chapters Books & Gifts, Seward, Neb.: "Hannah is making our Small Business Saturday Specials look good." Ten Trees Books, Natick, Mass.: "Join us for our first Small Business Saturday in our new space! We are so excited to welcome you into the shop today to experience it with you!... Thank you for supporting our small business today, and every day." Read My Lips Bookshop, Marquette, Mich.: "How Small Business Saturday has us feeling. Can't wait to see you at the store today! Books Are Magic, Brooklyn, N.Y.: "Today is the Hamnet Book Crawl and Small Business Saturday! The first 10 people to stop by either of our locations get a free copy of Hamnet, exclusive merch, and passes to see the movie! We'll see you soon." At White Whale Books White Whale Books, Pittsburgh, Pa.: "It's Small Business Saturday and these cutie patooties are ready for you! We love you, Pittsburgh!" Loganberry Books, Shaker Heights, Ohio: "Thanks for shopping local today and all year long! We love doing what we do, and are grateful to you, our beautiful, curious, well-read customers, for keeping us here." The Story Collective, St. Joseph, Mo.: "Happy Small Business Saturday!... It's a great day to #shoplocal in #downtownstjomo." At Janke Book Stoire Janke Book Store, Wausau Wis.: "Embracing the spirit of Small Business Saturday! By supporting our family-owned businesses, we're empowering our community and fostering growth." Sulfur Books, Clifton Springs, N.Y.: "Stop by today for Small Business Saturday!" Wellesley Books, Wellesley, Mass.: "Welcome to the start of the holiday shopping season. Our staff is ready to help you find the best books, perfect gifts and treats for all of your friends and family. Thank you for supporting your locally owned independent bookstore. We wouldnt be here without you! At Copperfish Books Copperfish Books, Punta, Gorda, Fla.: "Happy Small Business Saturday! We're kicking off the day with mimosas and now all we need is YOU! Be sure to stop in for some bookish fun! Our prize wheel will be spinning, special deals, great gift suggestions, and free gift wrapping! Thank you so much for your support!" Back Again Bookshop, Myrtle Beach, S.C.: "We can't wait to see your smiling face at the bookshop this Small Business Saturday! Behind every small business is a family, and our family appreciates everything you do to support our dreams and keep the magic of local bookstores alive. We rely heavily on a good holiday season to help us through the slow winter months--so please consider buying some of your gifts from the bookshop this weekend!" Temasek commits $50 Billion to India Expansion plans span finance, tech, healthcare, and renewables Chairman meets FM Sitharaman to discuss new opportunities Singapore-based investment firm Temasek is preparing to deepen its presence in India, reaffirming its $50 billion cumulative exposure and signaling strong expansion plans for the years ahead. Temasek Chairman Teo Chee Hean met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi to discuss fresh investment opportunities across key sectors. During the meeting, the company outlined its focus on financial services, consumer markets, healthcare innovation, technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy. Teo called India a win-win opportunity and highlighted the countrys fast-growing market, strong economic fundamentals, and increasing global relevance. The Finance Ministry said both leaders reviewed broad investment prospects across the length and breadth of the country, reflecting Indias push to attract long-term strategic capital. Temasek, which already holds one of the largest sovereign investment exposures in India, views the country as a core market in its global portfolio. Also Read: Microsoft Announces $17.5 Billion Investment to Power India's AI Push The firms renewed interest aligns with Indias ongoing efforts to strengthen its manufacturing base, boost clean energy projects, accelerate digital growth, and expand access to quality healthcare. Temaseks diversified sector strategy indicates confidence in Indias ability to drive sustained economic expansion. With global investors increasingly looking toward India amid shifting geopolitical and supply-chain patterns, Temaseks long-term commitment reinforces the nations position as a preferred investment destination in Asia. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Five Staten Island intersections were listed among the 118 most dangerous in New York City, according to crash data released Tuesday by safe-streets advocates a tally that comes as the City Council weighs a controversial bill to improve intersection safety. Transportation Alternatives, a nonprofit that advocates for public transit and safer streets, released data on Tuesday highlighting the most dangerous intersections. As indicated on its website, the nonprofits mission is to reclaim New York City from cars, transforming our streets into safe, sustainable, and equitable places to walk, bike, take transit, gather, and thrive. According to its data, there are 118 intersections where five or more New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured since Jan. 1, 2022. The intersection of Victory Boulevard and Clove Road in Sunnyside is one of the most dangerous intersections on Staten Island, according to data collected by Transportation Alternatives since Jan. 1, 2022. This photo shows the intersection on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) While the intersection of Hunton Street and Richmond Road was deemed the most dangerous obstructed intersection on Staten Island, the group identified a handful of crossroads where at least five people suffered injuries since the start of 2022. Here are the five most dangerous intersections on Staten Island, according to Transportation Alternatives: Victory Boulevard and Loop Road in Willowbrook: 8 fatalities/serious injuries Victory Boulevard and Canterbury Avenue in Willowbrook: 8 fatalities/serious injuries Victory Boulevard and Clove Road in Sunnyside: 8 fatalities/serious injuries Hunton Street and Richmond Road in Dongan Hills: 7 fatalities/serious injuries Goethals Road North and South Avenue in Mariners Harbor: 6 fatalities/serious injuries The intersection of Victory Boulevard and Canterbury Avenue in Willowbrook is one of the most dangerous intersections on Staten Island, according to data collected by Transportation Alternatives since Jan. 1, 2022. This photo shows the intersection on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) In New York, a serious injury includes death, dismemberment, significant disfigurement, fractures, and other conditions. It also includes injuries that prevent someone from doing their normal daily activities for at least 90 days within a 180-day period. A spokesperson for Transportation Alternatives told the Advance/SILive.com that serious injury data is taken from the Department of Transportation; fatality data is tracked by the nonprofit and regularly cross-checked with the Department of Transportation and the NYPD. In February, the Advance/SILive.com identified the 10 most dangerous intersections in the borough in 2024. Those intersections were previously ranked by the number of reported vehicle collisions that resulted in at least one injury. The intersection of Victory Boulevard and Clove Road was the only junction highlighted by Transportation Alternatives that made the February ranking. The intersection of Richmond Road and Hunton Street in Dongan Hills is one of the most dangerous intersections on Staten Island, according to data collected by Transportation Alternatives since Jan. 1, 2022. This photo shows the intersection on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) The fate of universal daylighting This latest data from Transportation Alternatives comes as the City Council has less than two weeks left in this term to consider a bill that would require universal daylighting at every intersection in the city. The bill in question, Intro 1138, would ban parking within a certain distance of any intersection with a crosswalk a process known as daylighting. We cant afford to wait any longer for safe intersections, said Ben Furnas, executive director at Transportation Alternatives. Every day, over a million students go to schools across New York City, and every day they have to cross dangerous intersections. Speaker [Adrienne] Adams is sitting on legislation that could transform our city into one where its safer for everyone to get around, but she needs to call the vote. Its time to decide: does she want her legacy to be obstruction and danger, or better and safer streets for children. There has yet to be a vote on the legislation since the introduction of the bill in December of 2024, as noted by Transportation Alternatives. In that time, over 1,800 New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured at intersections, the nonprofit added. The intersection of Goethals Road N and South Avenue in Mariners Harbor is one of the most dangerous intersections on Staten Island, according to data collected by Transportation Alternatives since Jan. 1, 2022. (Google) Those against the bill, such as Borough President Vito Fossella, argue that while daylighting may be necessary at certain intersections, applying it everywhere is a one-size-fits-all solution. Opponents have pointed out that the Department of Transportation already daylights problematic intersections on a case-by-case basis, which is how they say the safety upgrades should be implemented. Of the intersections identified by Transportation Alternatives, Hunton Street and Richmond Road was the most dangerous intersection that could be subject to daylighting; the intersections ranked higher are either already daylit or ineligible for daylighting, a spokesperson for the nonprofit said. KAMPALA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has received eight southern white rhinos from South Africa to boost long-term population growth of the species in the East African country. Basil Ajer, director of tourism development, received the rhinos at Entebbe International Airport, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) said in a statement issued on Tuesday. The animals were donated by African Parks, a non-profit conservation organization. The arrival of the rhinos, four males and four females, highlights Uganda's growing credibility in global wildlife conservation and tourism development, Ajer was quoted as saying in the statement. He said that the donation aligns with Uganda's National Rhino Conservation and Management Strategy, which seeks to strengthen genetic diversity, expand rhino range, and secure the species for future generations. Commissioner of Biodiversity Management John Makombo described the donation as a significant reinforcement of Uganda's conservation initiatives. "Beyond conservation, this donation strengthens Uganda's profile as a competitive nature-based tourism destination and a trusted partner in international wildlife conservation," Makombo was quoted as saying. The animals were moved to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for mandatory quarantine, veterinary care, and acclimatization before being fully integrated with the existing rhino population, the statement said. With the arrival of these eight new rhinos, Uganda's total rhino population now reaches 59, according to the UWA, a state-run conservation agency. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York City Fire Department has announced a year-long commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11 to honor the fallen and fulfill its promise to never forget. Members of the department gathered at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George Tuesday afternoon to announce the major effort to honor the sacrifice of both the 343 members killed on 9/11 and the more than 400 members who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses. This is a massive undertaking that will attract the attention of people from around the world, said First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra. First Deputy Commissioner Mark Guerra addresses the crowd at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence The main large-scale ceremony will be held on Sept. 9, 2026 at the stadium, which is not far from the Postcards Memorial. The commemoration will include the release of a 25th-anniversary health report to share updated data on the long-term health impacts of 9/11 on department members. A short film will also be produced to honor the life and legacy of the FDNY chaplain, the Rev. Mychal Judge, the first recorded victim of the attacks. The film will explore his legacy of kindness, service and leadership, which is said to resonate throughout the department today. It is hard to grasp that 25 years have passed since this departments darkest days,' Guerra said. While a quarter of a century has passed, it still in many ways feels like yesterday. As we plan these events, weve tried to be thoughtful and respectful and carry the honor and tradition of the FDNY into everything we do because we want to show the world and the FDNY families that when we do this and when we say things like we will never forget, we truly mean it. Scheduled commemorative events are listed for the upcoming year. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence The department will launch a special podcast series on its FDNY Pro platform, hosted by actor Gary Sinise. In the series, Sinise will feature first-hand stories of bravery and survival from FDNY members. The podcasts will offer personal and powerful perspectives on the events of 9/11 and its aftermath. The series will be available for listening even after the anniversary month has passed. To manage the significant undertaking, a committee in formation has been immediately appointed to handle the details of all planned events. The committee is composed of high-ranking FDNY officials, including FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, Chief of Department John Esposito and Guerra. The department's year-long commemoration will include a ceremony at SIUH Community Park, near the Postcards Memorial in September 2026. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence It also includes the FDNY Foundation, representatives from public information, medical services, family assistance, and the ceremonial unit. Guerra emphasized that the departments mission since 9/11 has been to remember the lives lost, protect the legacy of the fallen, and evolve into a smarter, safer and more prepared department. Pictured here are the names of the 343 members killed on 9/11 and the more than 400 members who have since died from 9/11-related illnesses memorialized on a firetruck. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence 9/11 was a turning point in so many ways for the FDNY and for the foundation,' said Matt D. Libero of the FDNY Foundation. Clearly, there was a renewed appreciation for the incredible danger that the men and women of the FDNY face every single day while protecting the lives and property in a city this large where truly anything can happen. Some of the citys greatest firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics were lost that day, and their loss is still felt. Matt D. Libero, of the FDNY Foundation, addresses the crowd at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park in St. George on the afternoon of Dec. 9, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence As part of the tribute, the FDNY will unveil a special commemorative emblem to be affixed to memorial fire and EMS apparatus and featured at events throughout the year. A patch version will be available for purchase at the FDNY shop, with all proceeds supporting the FDNY Foundation. Since 9/11, the foundation has provided the department over $200 million and our objective is to raise even more than that over the coming years, Libero said. As the official not-for-profit arm of the FDNY, the foundations dual mission is to promote fire safety education and to bridge the funding gap for the departments critical needs, including advanced training and equipment. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A man accused of impersonating a police officer during a 2023 car stop on Staten Island told the real cops arresting him that he was an investigator with special skills, authorities allege in newly-obtained court documents. Joel Lacrete, 42, of Rockland County, is due back in court Dec. 15 on charges that include criminal impersonation and criminal possession of a weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney declined to comment Tuesday. The case meanwhile is finally moving forward after delays involving a mental health evaluation, records show. The defendant was pulled over in 2023 near Forest and South avenues in Mariners Harbor. (Google Maps0 Allegedly claimed to investigate wire fraud The incident unfolded just before 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2023, near Forest and South avenues in Mariners Harbor, according to the criminal complaint. NYPD officers pulled over the defendant in a black 2021 BMW. The license plate allegedly had a plastic license plate cover, which is forbidden in New York. Police allege Lacrete, of E. Route 59 in Nanuet, falsely identified himself as an investigator with a government agency. According to court documents, he allegedly stated in part, I work with the department of investigation fraud investigation unit; Im the organizer. I investigate wire fraud. The department of investigation gives me cases, I handle a lot of the cases. Im part of the background. They come to me to investigate. Yesterday, @NYPD121Pct officers made an unlikely arrest while conducting a traffic stop! An individual who was impersonating a city investigator & illegally possessed a police scanner and switchblade. That same individual was also out on an out-of-state probation. pic.twitter.com/eiWJsvvFpt NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) September 1, 2023 A search of the defendants vehicle revealed a police vest with his name printed on it, a fake badge in the center console, a police scanner and a spring-loaded switchblade, police allege. Following his arrest, the NYPD took to Twitter, formerly known as X, with photos of the items. Mental health exam, prior arrest Since the defendants arrest, he was examined by mental health experts to determine if he was mentally fit to comprehend charges filed against him. At a Dec. 1 hearing, Justice Mario F. Mattei determined Lacrete was fit to proceed after hearing from experts and attorneys handling the case. The defendant has a prior conviction in Brooklyn for third-degree grand larceny, according to court documents. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics help to locate a 60-year-old man who has been reported missing from Graniteville. Joseph Galiano was last seen leaving his residence on the 1300 block of Richmond Avenue at around 10:30 a.m. on Monday, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Police described the man as standing about 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighing about 250 pounds. He has a light complexion, brown eyes and is bald. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, black pants and white sneakers. Police provided a photo of the man to the media. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this individual is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Pete Davidson is almost in his Staten Island dad era. The comedian and actor, whos expecting his first child with girlfriend Elsie Hewitt, is already thinking about what to name the baby, and hes surprisingly traditional about it. Davidson told People that he and Hewitt are leaning firmly away from the celebrity tradition of choosing a quirky name. For a while, we were like, should we do that weird Hollywood thing where its like a color or something? he said. And then I think were more into the Staten Island normal. That normal includes familiar names from his hometown borough. Mikey, Johnny, Tommy, Mark or Amy, Bridget, Maggie sort of route, because thats missing, I miss that, Davidson said. Remember when you were growing up, you knew like seven Franks? Of course, in classic Pete fashion, theres still room for a twist: We were thinking the middle name could be a little fun, he said. The Staten Island native, 32, and the model, 29, reportedly got together in March and made their red carpet debut two months later at the Endometriosis Foundations Blossom Ball in New York City. In July, Hewitt announced the news of her pregnancy on Instagram with a carousel of photos and videos of the couple, including Davidson with a hand on her stomach, a sonogram image and a SpongeBob meme that read: One of yall hiding your pregnancy I can feel it. She captioned the post: welp now everyone knows we had sex. If their social media moments have told us anything, Davidson and Hewitt are not shy about being all in. Hewitt recently said she knew from their very first dinner date that hed be the father of her children, saying, I was like, Okay, dont think Im crazy, but I just know youre going to be the father of my children. According to Davidson, she wasnt alone in that instinct. You know those things that you think, and youre not supposed to say them yet, we both just say them, Davidson told People. So, it was nice to meet someone like that. Just very straightforward and not wasting time. We definitely didnt waste time. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. It was an emotional, fiery affair at a Community Board 3 meeting on Tuesday, as Great Kills residents and one state elected official confronted a local developer over a project that would not have been possible if not for the City of Yes. The exchange centered around plans to demolish an existing single-family home on the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue and build five, two-family homes in its place. The project, which would not have been permitted in past years, is now legal due to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text amendments, which loosened some restrictions on what can be developed where, including permitting high-density development in transit hubs and town centers, in an effort to create more housing across the city. State Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican who represents Staten Island, kicked off the discussion by highlighting his past efforts on the City Council to downzone the South Shore in an attempt to prevent overdevelopment. I thought if I had left office then, after we did the last [downzoning], that Id have this wonderful legacy and never have to look back. I really never imagined that something this disgusting, this offensive and this anti-democratic would happen. But here we are. And so thats what Im talking about. The City of Yes is a mess, Lanza said. The same people from a certain party that care about saying they care about diversity dont believe in the diversity of neighborhoods. I love that New York City has the skyscrapers of Manhattan, but I also love that we have the front yards, backyards and trees and parts of Staten Island and they ought to respect that, he added. The senator went on to address Christopher Stout, a New York City developer who owns the Oakdale Street property, arguing that just because the law permits the project, doesnt mean he should move forward with it if its overwhelmingly opposed by the community. Christopher Stout, a local developer, listens as residents express their concerns during a Community Board 3 meeting about his plans to demolish a single-family home located at the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue in Great Kills and construct five two-family homes on the lot. The meeting was held at the CYO MIV Center at Mount Loretto, in Pleasant Plains on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Owen Reiter Stout, who grew up in the Great Kills neighborhood where the project is located, noted that there are already several semi-detached homes in the neighborhood, including the one he was raised in. He also emphasized the City of Yes zoning changes only allow these types of density increases at a select number of Staten Island sites that meet specific requirements in an effort to ease fears that the entire neighborhood would be overdeveloped overnight. Its only about 150 properties that this could happen to and that would mean that tomorrow 150 people would have to sell their homes. It will not happen. So if you were to take this zoning and say everything thats allowed arrives tomorrow, that would be a big problem, said Stout. He also noted that under the new City of Yes rules, he could have elected to build a small apartment building at the location, but opted for townhouses to keep the property more in line with the rest of the neighborhood. Stout also argued that if local builders dont develop these types of properties, builders from other boroughs, with less concern for the existing neighborhood, would swoop in to build apartments. If we were to do the impossible and say no builders on Staten Island are going to do these projects, which would never happen, we got 100% of the people to say were not doing it, you know whats going to happen? A developer from Brooklyn, Queens or the Bronx is going to come in and absolutely develop it, Stout said. All the other borough developers are used to building apartment buildings. It will come before your eyes if you make all the Staten Island developers say were not doing it, he added. Residents in attendance did not appear moved by Stouts testimony, with several taking the mic to voice their concerns about how the project would impact the character and safety of their neighborhood. Replacing a single-family home with housing for 10 families drastically changes the dynamics of our street. Ten new families could easily introduce 20 or more additional vehicles, increased traffic, noise and congestion. With that level of density, how can we maintain the same level of safety for our children, said one resident. How can I feel confident letting my kids continue to play outside the way that they do today? This fight is not about me because Im 51 years old and Ive lived a life. This fight is about my children and their children... This is for my grandchildren. Theyre going to come here...and theyre going to have an opportunity, hopefully, to live in a community thats close, said another. The bottom line here, in my mind, is greed. Greed was a common aspersion cast toward Stout throughout the meeting, with one resident going so far as to say, If you were my son, what I would say to you to do, I would say you need to make a decision based on integrity, not money. A police officer directs a member of the audience to leave a Community Board 3 meeting attended by residents opposed to a local developers plans to demolish a one-family home on the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue in Great Kills and construct five two-family homes on the lot. The meeting was held at the CYO MIV Center at Mount Loretto, in Pleasant Plains on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Owen Reiter The meeting became heated at times, with members of the crowd shouting over each other at various points, community board officials needing to rein in the discussion and one resident needing to be escorted out following an outburst. Despite all the commotion, the Department of Buildings has already approved an application to reallocate the existing one zoning lot and one tax lot into one zoning lot and five tax lots, paving the way for the project to move forward. And while Stout previously scrapped plans for a similar project on Uncas Avenue in response to community pushback, he has told the Advance/SILive.com he has no plans to reverse course on this project. President Donald Trump repeated the unsubstantiated claim that Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., married her brother to get into the United States and suggested she go back to Somalia. In an interview with Politicos Dasha Burns, the president invoked Omars name when asked about the type of immigrants he wants to come to America. I want to see people that contribute. I dont want to see Somalia. I dont want to see a woman that, you know, marries her brother to get in and then becomes a congressman and does nothing but complain. All she does is complain, complain, complain, and yet her countrys a mess, Trump said, according to a transcript of the interview released Tuesday. Somebody check on Ilhan Omar. President Trump is going off on her for marrying her brother and complaining for a living. "I don't want Somalia. I don't want to see a woman that marries her brother, becomes a congressman, does nothing but complain. pic.twitter.com/BMQ3Kfuk9L Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 9, 2025 Omar, one of Trumps fiercest critics, emigrated to the United States from Somalia as a child with her family in 1995. Trump said Somalia is one of the worst countries in the world. Let her go back, fix up her own country, the president said. Its not the first time Trump has alleged that Omar married her brother. When he issued the claim in 2019, The New York Times delved into the allegations, finding that no proof has emerged substantiating these claims. The rumors that Omar married her brother started in 2016 when she ran for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, according to the Times. According to Minnesota marriage records, Omar wed Ahmed Nur Said Elmi in 2009. While addressing the rumors in 2016, Omar said Elmi was a British citizen, adding that the couple obtained a religious divorce in 2011. Elmi then returned to England, according to Omar. In 2016, a blog called PowerLine cited a now-deleted post on an internet forum that claimed Mr. Elmi is Ms. Omars brother," the Times reported. In 2018, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Omar showed a reporter cellphone images of documents from her familys entry into the United States in 1995. They listed her father and siblings by order of birth, with Ms. Omar listed as the youngest of seven children. Mr. Elmis name did not appear in the documents. According to the couples marriage certificate, he is also three years younger than Ms. Omar, whose mother died when she was 2 years old" the Times reporting on the claims went on to say. President Donald Trump had an awkward bathroom moment aboard Air Force One on Tuesday. The president was repeatedly hit by a bathroom door while speaking with reporters, Huff Post reported. Trump was talking to the press and had just cautioned a member of the gaggle to take it easy with that thing, possibly a boom microphone. Its a government plane, but I like to take care of it, the president said. It was then that the bathroom door opened and then quickly closed behind Trump, slightly bumping the commander-in-chief. Hello, Trump quipped with a smile. Somebodys in there. The president then knocked on the bathroom door, saying, Cmon out. But Trump remained in the way while the person inside the restroom, said to be a presidential staffer, tried to exit. An extended video clip showed the person attempting yet again without success to escape from the commode. The person was eventually able to exit. .@POTUS: "You're going to have to take it easy with that thing. It's a government plane, but I like to take care of it." ALWAYS WATCHING OUT FOR THE TAXPAYER! pic.twitter.com/i31QMF62XL Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 9, 2025 Trump kept his sense of humor during the encounter, but critics were quick to dump on the president. The toilet just wanted Trump back inside, one joker quipped on the Mediaite site. Trumps not gonna let somebody in the bathroom stop him from lying, wrote another. Next to an open bathroom door is about the only time Trump isnt to blame for the stench, another social media poster joked. The bathroom event happened ahead of the presidents flight to Monroe County, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Sun reported. Reporters had been asking Trump who he planned to nominate to head up the Federal Reserve. The president said he has a pretty good idea but declined to reveal his pick. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China will work with all parties to uphold an open, stable and predictable international trade environment, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Tuesday. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. China firmly supports the multilateral trading system centered on the WTO and opposes unilateralism and protectionism, He said. He further emphasized that China will actively participate in reform of the WTO, continuously promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and work with all parties to sustain an open, stable and predictable international trade environment. Okonjo-Iweala said the multilateral trading system provides global trade with stability and resilience. The director-general also expressed hope that all parties would strengthen dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the WTO. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Advertisement BusinessCompaniesMergers & acquisitions MAGA influencers urge Trump to kill Netflix deal over streamers Obama ties Will Oremus and Scott Nover December 10, 2025 10:28am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points Right-wing influencers are attacking Netflix over its ties to Barack Obama amidst its $US83 billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery. The critics point to Obamas 2018 production deal and Susan Rice being on the board. Conservative podcaster Johnson called Netflixs planned $125 billion deal the most dangerous media consolidation in American history. Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, is involved in a competing Paramount Skydance bid, which also has financing from sovereign wealth funds. As the Trump administration eyes duelling bids by Netflix and Paramount to buy the entertainment giant Warner Bros Discovery, a cadre of right-wing influencers are launching broadsides against Netflix for its ties to former president Barack Obama. This is all about the Obamas taking over media, activist Jack Posobiec wrote on X, pointing to a deal Netflix struck in 2018 with Barack and Michelle Obamas production company, Higher Ground. In a post that has been reshared nearly 10,000 times on Elon Musks social media platform, conservative podcaster Benny Johnson called Netflixs $US83 billion ($125 billion) deal to buy Warner Bros the most dangerous media consolidation in American history. He suggested that the Democrat super-donors that run Netflix will now own a monopoly on childrens entertainment. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama signed a multi-year deal with Netflix in 2018 to provide TV series, documentaries and movies to the streaming platform. AP The right-wing chorus, which includes Trumps self-described loyalty enforcer Laura Loomer, has also focused on Susan Rice, Obamas former national security adviser and UN ambassador, who sits on the streaming giants board of directors. Advertisement The commentariats push to paint Netflix as aligned with Democrats and a liberal agenda adds to a swirl of controversy and intrigue circling what would be one of the largest media mergers in recent history. It amounts to an online appeal from the right to a Trump administration that has the authority to review a deal of this size under antitrust laws and has shown itself willing to intervene in media deals - and to lend an ear to right-wing influencers. Johnson, Posobiec and Loomer are part of an ascendant class of conspiracy-minded, pro-Trump new-media commentators that has enjoyed special access to the administration. Whether their message about Netflix is finding an audience in the White House is not yet clear. This is all about the Obamas taking over media. Right-wing activist Jack Posobiec I have no idea what theyre thinking, Loomer said via text message when asked if Trump officials are listening to her criticisms of the deal. Posobiec said via text message he hasnt spoken directly to anyone at the White House about his concerns either, but said hes been highlighting the issue on his show and pointing out the Woke themes in its programming that he claims werent there before the Obamas deal with Netflix. The White House declined to comment on the right-wing critique. Advertisement Trump told reporters on Monday that he didnt know enough about Paramounts bid to weigh in on it. None of them are particularly great friends of mine, he said, in an apparent reference to Paramount chief executive David Ellison and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. I want to do whats right. Netflix declined to comment for this story. A spokesperson for Barack Obama also declined to comment. Related Article Opinion Donald Trump Hail to the king: Trump will steer battle for the future of Hollywood Elizabeth Knight Business columnist Warner Bros spent months evaluating bids from Comcast, Netflix, and Paramount Skydance, now run by Ellison, the son of Trump ally and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison. It entered a deal with Netflix on Friday, rejecting Paramount Skydances bid for the entire company, including CNN and other cable channels that WBD has said it would spin off. Trump praised Netflixs Sarandos on Sunday but told reporters that Netflixs market share in streaming could be a problem and that hed be personally involved in any regulatory approval process. Advertisement Paramount Skydance on Monday launched its own, unsolicited bid to take over Warner Bros Discovery. The company told investors that its deal, which features financial backing from Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, would have a quicker pathway to regulatory approval. Sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have also pledged financing. Barack and Michelle Obama launched Higher Ground in 2018 as part of a multiyear agreement with Netflix to provide TV series, documentaries and movies for the streaming platform. The couple said at the time that its goal was not to directly counter Trump, who at the time was in his first term, but rather to highlight inspirational stories of people making a difference in their communities. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. View post on X Among the titles Higher Ground has produced for Netflix are the 2019 film American Factory, which won an Academy Award for best documentary; Becoming, a 2020 documentary about Michelle Obama based on her memoir of the same name; and Leave the World Behind, an apocalyptic thriller starring Julia Roberts. It also produced Rustin, a biographical film about civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, for which actor Colman Domingo received an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a leading role. Netflix and Higher Ground extended their partnership last year in a deal that gives the streamer a first look at any of the production companys projects. Higher Ground has also produced programs for others including Walt Disneys 20th Century Studios and entered an agreement with Spotify to produce podcasts in 2019. Advertisement Despite Higher Grounds successes, most of Netflixs top shows and movies - such as Squid Game, Wednesday and Stranger Things - have no connection to the production company. The streaming giants highest-profile deals have been with showrunners such as Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy, not the former president. Loomer was among the first high-profile influencers to highlight the Obamas influence on Netflix, tweeting last month: If Netflix is allowed to buy Warner Bros and Trumps administration doesnt kill off the merger, CNN will be transformed into the Obama News Network, featuring shows hosted by Michelle Obama where she lectures Americans about how racist and sexist we are. Related Article Streaming Michelle Obama's Becoming documentary to hit Netflix In fact, the proposed Netflix purchase would leave CNN and other WBD cable assets in a separate company. In a more recent blog post, Loomer didnt mention CNN but suggested the deal was intended to lay the groundwork for a presidential run by Michelle Obama. Opposition to Netflix from the right isnt entirely new. In October, Musk urged his more than 220 million followers on X to cancel Netflix for the health of your kids, sharing a meme that suggested the streaming company pushes a transgender woke agenda. Advertisement He was responding to social media posts that drew attention to a short-lived Netflix animated series that featured a transgender character and indicated that the shows creator had criticised the slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On the other hand, in 2021, Netflix faced a backlash from transgender communities and their allies over a David Chappelle comedy special in which he said that gender is a fact and criticised LGBTQ+ people as too sensitive. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A Natasha Liu Bordizzo is ready to come home. After a decade in Hollywood, where she has starred in everything from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, to The Society, The Voyeurs and the Star Wars series Ahsoka, she now sees more opportunities at home. For people who look like me there werent really many jobs [in Australia] 10 years ago Now there are more opportunities for people of colour, says Liu Bordizzo. Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Barbara in He Had It Coming. The project that lured her back makes a dramatic change from the action-adventure, interstellar fantasy and erotic thrillers that have been her bread and butter. An eight-part gender-warfare crime comedy, fuelled by feminist rage, set at a university, He Had It Coming marks Liu Bordizzos first comedic role. Editor's pick Australian TV Is your favourite TV show back next year? Heres everything on our screens in 2026 Based on my heritage [Liu Bordizzos mother is Chinese and her Australian father is of Italian descent] I started off doing martial-arts action roles, which I loved, but I also didnt want to be pigeonholed, she says. Im a goofy person but I was always playing the cool action girl. So it was very cool to show another side. And the script is hilarious. We were just laughing every day on set. Written by Gretel Vella (Class of 07), produced by Chloe Rickard (No Activity, Squinters) and directed by Rachel House (the Heartbreak High actor from New Zealand, making her series directing debut), with a cast that includes Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets), Duncan Fellows, Mabel Li, Cody Simpson and Miah Madden, the series takes a riotous approach to a disturbing issue misogyny and sexual assault on campus. Advertisement Liu Bordizzo is Barbara, an influencer undertaking a fine arts degree on the side. Her favourite hashtag is girl power but her personal politics dont quite align with her branding. A chance encounter with shy English exchange student Elise (British actor Lydia West), who makes feminist protest art, locks the pair in a dangerous tryst. After drinks at the student bar a statue gets desecrated and a male student widely known as a sex pest winds up dead. Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Mandalorian warrior Sabine Wren in Star Wars: Ahsoka. Originally, Gretel and [screenwriter and actor] Craig Anderson were going to make a horror, says Liu Bordizzo. But it was all too heavy. Then, in talking to focus groups with young women who had been through sexual assault but dealt with it with humour, they were inspired to create a comedy. Related Article Streaming Bit of a Grinch: Claudia Karvan hates Christmas movies, but she made one anyway Its one of my favourite things as an actor, to have content that is heavy but also takes the edge off with comedy, and youre living between two worlds Its also part of real life. When you go through a traumatic experience, healing is oftentimes laughing and finding joy again. The series is filmed at the former Parramatta Girls Home, which closed in 1974 after public outcry over the abuse that occurred there. It was almost restorative to shoot a show like this there, says Liu Bordizzo. I think we all had to come to terms in our own minds with what that meant. And it was very special. Ultimately, it only felt good and right. Advertisement One of her favourite scenes with West involves the aforementioned statue. Spoiler alert: it does not end well for the statue. That was so much fun! Honestly, I was not expecting for my first hit to knock this guys cock off Generally speaking, I dont like [vandalism]. But if its a really silly statue that stands for something really problematic, maybe Ill make an exception. In Barbara, Liu Bordizzo sees a little of her younger self: Shes got a repressed exterior. Shes very avoidant. Snr Constable Shepherd (Liv Hewson) and Barbara (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in He Had It Coming. Unlike Barbara, she is selective about what she posts online. Obviously its more prevalent when you have a public-facing career. But I think we all have to deal with our presence online, she says. Are we showing our day-to-day lives? Is it purely work? Are we going to get political? Are we going to talk about important issues? I think its an ebb and flow. Sometimes I feel like sharing more than others. Sometimes I have the emotional availability to read more news and take on the heavy things going on in the world. And other times I dont have the space for that. Everyone just has to figure out how social media can have a healthy position in their lives. And I think we should all be on it less. At home in Sydney, Liu Bordizzo flies under the radar. Advertisement Im not hanging out anywhere that anyones going to see me. Im with my parents, she says. Im going to the park. I am going to my local ocean pool. Im not in the sceney areas. Elise (Lydia West) and Barbara (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) in He Had It Coming. When she is stopped for a selfie, its likely to be by Star Wars fans. Its a different beast because people watch it with their parents and grandparents, she says. Its been passed on and continues and is world-building. It is such a blessing because its not just a job; its part of your life forever. Related Article Review What to stream this week: Netflixs samurai extravaganza and five more picks Hollywood will have to wait as Liu Bordizzo fulfils her yearning to be part of the Australian stories that we are and we grew up with. This was my first time shooting in Sydney. I got to come home to my mums cooking every night, and bring my dad to set for the first time, she says. Liv Hewson and I were talking about how the Australian creative community is really specific. Its hard to pin down what Australian culture actually is. But we want to be part of figuring that out. And I just love being home. I really do. Advertisement Collection After-work drinks? Try one of these 12 hot new Melbourne bars Post-5pm, beeline for mango and sake cocktails on a resurrected city rooftop, $15 martinis that come with a loyalty card, and fried goats cheese at a St Kilda newcomer built for group hangs. Advertisement Eating outRegional guides The Good Food Guide to a road trip through Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast From restaurants and bars to bakeries and burger joints, here are our top picks for spending a delicious few days in this rapidly changing coastal region. Erina Starkey December 11, 2025 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Every cafe, bakery, bar, pub and restaurant featured in the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2026 in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. See all stories . Maybe its the winding curves of Waterfall Way or the laid-back, long-haired locals who never seem to be in a rush, but theres something about the NSW Mid North Coast that makes you want to slow down and go with the flow. Just dont sleep on making reservations at the restaurants, cafes and bars. Some venues require an early start (Peach & Wolf), others call for an unexpected pullover (Pitstop Hamburgers) or a detour to a neighbouring town (Peaches). And while you might be many kilometres from a major city, bookings are still essential. Heres everything to plan ahead for, so you can relax and enjoy once youre there. The sourdough pizza bases at Charlies are fermented for 72 hours. Charlies at Church, Bellingen The bohemian village of Bellingen doesnt believe in rushing not even when it comes to pizza. At Charlies at Church, a green and gold-hued trattoria in the heart of town, the pizza-making process stretches over three days, with sourdough left to cold-ferment to develop flavour and form supple chew. Once ready, the base is spread with slow-simmered San Marzano tomato sauce, then smeared with smoked ricotta or scattered with purple violetta artichoke hearts. The same time and care goes into the pasta, which is made daily, and served with a fall-apart Dorrigo lamb shoulder, or a fermented chilli vodka sauce. If you cant get a spot in the dining room, theres always takeaway. Advertisement 7 Church Street, Bellingen, charliesbellingen.com.au Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Fiume in Bellingen is now open during the day. Fiume, Bellingen If you get the sense that this Bellingen cafe used to be a restaurant, youre not wrong. The dining room, all olive green and honey timbers, is warm and inviting, while the smart, produce-driven menu hints at its former life as a Good Food Guide-listed bistro. Owners Fiona Richardson and Megs Black have since shifted the venue to daytime trade, with the exception of one dinner service on Saturday night. You can now wake up to a blue swimmer crab omelette with chilli katta sambol or sardines with pickled beets on locally made Darkwood sourdough. The menu is just as suited to a single-origin coffee on Loma beans as it is to a natural wine from Tumbarumba. 58 Hyde Street, Bellingen, fiumebellingen.com.au Advertisement The side balcony at Brunos. Brunos, Bellingen Brunos looks like any other weatherboard cottage in the backstreets of Bellingen, but step inside, and youre met with a warm, firelit dining room and open kitchen lined with jars of pickles and ferments. Local couple Genevieve and Genaro Benmayor bought into the business in 2024 and, along with founder Oliver Gluck, theyve kept the standards of this Good Food Guide favourite impressively high. Head chef Jesse Dolman makes the most of the valleys produce, from steak tartare made with Dorrigo beef to fruity, chargrilled peppers from Autarky Farm, served with whipped ricotta and sesame-crusted flatbread. The side balcony is the prime perch, where locals gather over blackberry sours and the house lager brewed by Woolgoolgas Woopi Brewing Co. 2 Oak Street, Bellingen, brunosbellingen.com.au Pitstop Hamburgers smash burgers and shakes. Advertisement Pitstop Hamburgers, Thora Midway between Bellingen and Dorrigo lies the blink-and-youll-miss-it town of Thora, home to the Thora General Store a post office, petrol station, bottle-o and now, a burger bar. Chef Giuseppe Gruwez, formerly of Sixpenny, has taken over the shops kitchen and back deck, where he flips smash burgers made with local beef, cheese, onion, pickles, and a sweet, tangy Mississippi comeback sauce, with the option to add on a spicy fried slice of pineapple. Crinkle-cut chips cooked in beef tallow and ice-cold strawberry milkshakes topped with whipped cream and sprinkles add to the nostalgic milk bar vibes. 2656 Waterfall Way, Thora, @pitstop.hamburgers Peaches Patisserie in Dorrigo. Peaches, Dorrigo Advertisement If youre planning a trip to Dorrigo, make sure it falls on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday, when Peaches patisserie is open. This mint-green bake shop is worth the detour, with glass cabinets brimming with cardamom twists, pistachio doughnuts, and rhubarb and custard crumble pies crafted by Beth OLoughlin, who trained in Melbourne before returning to her home town. The local favourite is the ham and cheese croissant made with locally smoked ham and a black garlic and mustard bechamel just follow the crumbs. If youre planning a hike around Dangar Falls, the apple fritters travel well. 53 Hickory Street, Dorrigo, peachespatisserie.com.au Mortys fried chicken burger. Mortys Joint, Sawtell Bianca Wendt and Ric Divola have stepped away from Bar Que Sera in Sawtell, but you can still catch their cooking at Mortys Joint next door. Morty, their blue cattle dog, can usually be found sunbathing out the front or wandering table to table collecting pats (and fries). Whole free-range birds are broken down to make the Nashville-style MFC (Mortys Fried Chicken), which is twice-fried, doused in duck fat chilli oil and served as a two-piece feed or loaded onto a burger with yuzu mayo and slaw. Other cuts become popcorn chicken, soy and sesame wings, panko-crusted schnitzels and chicken gravy. This is a proper locals hangout, complete with drink specials, drag bingo, weekly trivia and live music. Advertisement 63 First Avenue, Sawtell, mortys-joint.com The Stunned Mullet serves a set menu only. The Stunned Mullet, Port Macquarie You might be a little open-mouthed at the name, but this 20-year-old stalwart isnt battering mugil cephalus. Instead, youre more likely to find Glacier 51 toothfish in a shiitake suimono an umami-rich broth brightened with anise and chilli, or fried king prawns, propped tail-up on a bed of roasted oat flakes. While seafood is a strength, the menu roams widely, from spice-rubbed quail to Tajima wagyu. Tufted banquettes and sleek copper lighting set a polished tone, while walls lined with bottles hint at the depth of the wine program. The list spans more than 60 pages (or rather, iPad screens) filled with prized finds curated over two decades by owner and collector Lou Perri. 24 William Street, Port Macquarie, thestunnedmullet.com.au Advertisement Seafood is a feature of the menu at Banks Cafe. Banks Cafe, Port Macquarie For breakfast by the water, nowhere will get you closer to the edge than Banks Cafe. This converted beach house has cocooning white interiors and a sunny timber deck, while picnic tables and striped umbrellas are set along the banks of the Hastings River. Its prime pelican territory, so keep an eye on your blue swimmer crab scrambled eggs and butter-poached prawn croissants. Open all day, the menu features beer-battered fish and chips for lunch, and pan-seared barramundi with fennel beurre blanc in the evening. Book ahead if you can the queues can also bank up. 9 Mcinherney Close, Port Macquarie, bankscafe.com.au Spaghetti with mussels, tomatoes, lemon butter sauce and mullet roe. Advertisement Stef & Co Osteria, Coffs Harbour Chef Stefano Mazzina is the Stef; pasta-maker Vito Di Grusa and bar manager Roberto Volgo are the Co. Together, they run a three-in-one Italian precinct at Coffs Harbour development The Promenade. Theres a cafe and bakery for cornettos, fagottino pastry parcels and pizza slices. The osteria is the spot for pasta the standout being the pici aglione, tossed through a bright sauce of San Marzano tomatoes and sweet elephant garlic. Cannoli shells are baked onsite and filled to order with either sweet ricotta or savoury tuna tartare. After dinner, head downstairs to the cocktail bar, where theres live music every Sunday. 319-321 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour, stefandco.com.au Peach and Wolf Bakery, Coffs Harbour Advertisement Not to be confused with Peaches in Dorrigo, this bakery-cafe now has two locations in Coffs Harbour and a kiosk in Woolgoolga, and its where the locals stop for an Allpress coffee after a beach run. Youll find pain au chocolat and brulee tarts in the cabinet, but the bestseller is the cinnie scroll a coiled, cultured butter croissant crusted in cinnamon sugar. The monkey bread is its bigger, pull-apart cousin, swirled with vanilla and butterscotch custard. 29/87 Ocean Parade and 27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour, peachandwolfbakery.square.site MA Services Group owner and chief executive Micky Ahuja with messages he sent an employee. MA Services boss Micky Ahuja is accused of harassing vulnerable women who worked for him. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The chief executive of a national security company that provides thousands of guards for leading retailers, AFL clubs and major events has allegedly harassed, bullied and intimidated highly vulnerable female employees, some of whom were offered money in exchange for sex. Micky Ahuja, who is also owner of MA Services Group, is implicated in multiple incidents involving women and alleged impropriety, including hounding a vulnerable single mother for sexual favours offering cash payments of $1000 in return. Happy to pay. Asked a zillion times already, Ahuja messaged Rachael (not her real name) after he learnt she was separating from one of Ahujas senior managers, whom she had accused of domestic violence. When Rachael resisted, Ahuja continued to pressure her, saying in one message: Youre being stubborn lol. In a second case, Ahuja has been accused of serious sexual harassment involving another vulnerable woman who worked for him, Jennifer (not her real name). Ahuja also allegedly repeatedly offered Jennifer who reported to him money in return for sex. A former MA executive linked to the Finks outlaw motorcycle gang is accused of later attempting to discredit the woman by spreading falsehoods. Advertisement Advertisement Now Ahujas dealings with women are under serious scrutiny amid allegations against him that have similarities to other recent corporate scandals involving the mistreatment of women by CEOs. In addition to the sex-for-payment offers involving Jennifer and Rachael, this masthead has uncovered a third case involving MA Services allegedly sending three of its male managers including Finks bikie gang associate Tim Jones to the family home of a female employee Carly (not her real name) when she was on stress leave, to demand the return of her company car and property. The unannounced visit by Jones and the two men, partly captured on video obtained by this masthead, exacerbated the mental trauma of Carly, who told Ahuja in an email that her children called me in tears due to the distressing and dangerous conduct of the three men from MA. Tim Jones, who has managed businesses on behalf of Finks bikie gang boss Ali Bilal and owns the ACT property where Bilal lives. Jones was the former national health and safety manager for Ahuja and MA Services. But multiple MA insiders have confirmed he leveraged his role at MA to promote labour hire firm Safe Hands which is controlled by the Finks in Australia and Nauru. In addition to his visit to Carlys home, Jones is also accused of seeking to discredit the woman who accused Ahuja of sexual harassment and bullying. Ahujas alleged approaches to vulnerable women under financial pressure are revealed in disappearing Snapchat messages photographed and recently obtained by this masthead. Advertisement Ahuja sent them to Rachael, who had recently separated from one of his senior employees. The messages capture him repeatedly pressuring Rachael to engage in a sexual relationship in exchange for money and describing the proposed arrangement as his little deal. Well I want you. Want to make love, kiss those lips lets make a deal? he said in the messages. $1000 for everytime [sic] we catch up. Its high time now. You dont have anything to worry about. During the conversations with Rachael, Ahuja offered to pay for a babysitter and driver, while bank records show Ahuja transferred $1000 to her account in July 2022, despite Rachael never meeting up with Ahuja. The payment was described as a refund. I can send Uber Hotel room So I can finally play with you. Wanted you since the first time I saw you. Let me know Happy to pay. He also paid for a hotel room at Crown for Rachael, but she made an excuse to avoid seeing him. Advertisement Ahujas messages show he not only knew Rachael was under financial pressure but that she was also alleging Ahujas senior employee was engaging in domestic violence. The male employee, still employed in a senior role at MA Services, was ultimately charged by police for breaching an intervention order (IVO) taken out by Rachael. Court records show he admitted his conduct to avoid a criminal conviction. Ahuja appears to be aware in his messages that Rachael was dealing with the strain of her separation and the IVO. Well were in the same boat here. With both having a lot to lose. And a bit to gain, he said in a message. Imagine anyone finding out. Sleeping with my employees ex. WTF. Come on. When Rachael responded that Im still legally his wife, Ahuja responded: Hahaha there you go. So come see me. Let me make love to you. Rachael, who asked to have her identity protected, told this masthead it was deeply distressing that Ahuja had pursued her so aggressively when she was grappling with a marriage breakdown and financial problems. Advertisement Advertisement Exclusive NationalNSWCrime Woman, 21, critical after horror police pursuit smash, teen charged Patrick Begley Updated December 11, 2025 10:00am ,first published 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Three women are in hospital, including a 21-year-old in a critical condition, after their car was crashed into during a police pursuit in Sydneys south-west on Wednesday night The horror crash is part of a growing trend, according to new figures, which show the number of collisions related to high-speed police chases have more than doubled in a decade. Loading Officers are launching nearly three times as many pursuits as they were in 2014, when one coroner compared the practice to Russian roulette. Over the same period, the police force has rejected seven separate calls from the NSW Coroners Court to restrict the use of pursuits to better protect public safety. Advertisement A 21-year-old passenger of the BMW sedan is in hospital in a critical condition. Nine News The crash in Liverpool on Wednesday night occurred after police twice pursued a Ford ute, which was allegedly speeding, had failed to stop at a red light and failed to stop for police, NSW Police said in a statement. Police allege the ute sped through another red light and collided with a BMW sedan and a Toyota hatchback shortly after 11pm. A 21-year-old female passenger of the sedan was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, while the 21-year-old female driver and another female passenger were in serious conditions. The allegedly unlicensed 17-year-old driver of the ute, which police say was stolen, was taken to hospital as a precaution and arrested upon his release on Thursday morning. Advertisement He has been charged with eight offences including two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm escaping pursuit, police said in a statement. Yearly totals for injuries and fatalities related to pursuits have fluctuated, but in the past 10 years NSW has recorded 568 injuries and 24 deaths. Among those killed was father-of-two Harri Jokinen, who was driving on a stretch of NSW highway just outside the ACT in December 2021 when a speeding driver being pursued by police crashed into his van. Elisabeth Adamsons partner Harri Jokinen was killed in 2021 when his car was struck by another involved in a high-speed police pursuit. The response from NSW Police is so thoroughly inadequate, Elisabeth Adamson, Jokinens widow, told the Herald. Its just crushing. Advertisement Adamson had told the coroners court in a statement, I am devastated we dont get to grow old together. Jokinens daughter Lisa testified that she wished she, too, had been killed that day. Related Article Exclusive Crime The rising, deadly toll of high-speed police chases Deputy State Coroner Rebecca Hosking found the police pursuit was excessively risky and should not have been authorised. The coroner recommended that NSW Police should adopt a new standard: chasing only when satisfied that a serious risk to health and safety existed before an attempt to stop a vehicle. But in a response released last week, NSW Police warned that threshold could lead to unintended adverse consequences. Advertisement Several traffic offences may not meet this threshold for pursuits in every circumstance, Commissioner Mal Lanyon wrote in a letter to Attorney-General Michael Daley. Lanyon said all traffic offences pose significant risks to the community and efforts should be made by police to stop drivers contravening the law. Adamson, who is due to meet the commissioner next week, said the pursuit rules were lax and contradicted the core mission of NSW Police, which is to protect public safety. NSW Police says it does not keep count of how many police officers and innocent bystanders are hurt or killed as a result of pursuits. Outside the NSW Coroners Court at Lidcombe, Lisa Jokinen embraces her late fathers partner. Jessica Hromas Last financial year, NSW recorded 5029 chases, 468 collisions, 36 injuries and three deaths, according to the latest police annual report. Advertisement Media reports indicate at least seven people have been killed as a result of pursuits since January. They include a 19-year-old motorcyclist and a 20-year-old motorcyclist, who crashed in separate incidents after allegedly failing to stop for police. An officer involved in the pursuit of 16-year-old Aboriginal boy Jai Kalani Wright, who crashed and died in Alexandria in 2022, was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death last month. Andrew Stark, 48, was killed in a crash during a police pursuit in Gunnedah in 2022. NSW Police are allowed to chase even when the suspected offence would be punishable by a fine. Officers launch most pursuits in response to suspected traffic offences or failures to stop for random breath tests. Father-of-three Andrew Stark, from Gunnedah in the states north, was killed in a crash in 2022 when he failed to stop for police, who had noticed his car was not registered. Advertisement In 2014, Deputy State Coroner Hugh Dillon called for major reforms to what he called a Russian roulette pursuit policy after an inquest into the death of Hamish Raj, 21, who crashed his motorbike during a chase. Police took nine years to officially reject the key recommendations. Road safety and public confidence may be undermined if there was a public perception that the road rules are not being enforced, former commissioner Karen Webb wrote in a 2023 response. It could encourage minor traffic offenders not to pull over for police if they think they will not be pursued. Webb added that it could lead to resentment from other motorists who might ask why am I being fined just because I did the right thing and pulled over. Advertisement Other states have significantly tightened their pursuit rules, including Queensland in 2011. Australian Federal Police officers are allowed to pursue in cases of serious public health and safety risks or offending that has caused serious injury or death. Related Article Police Father of two killed after excessively risky NSW police car chase A spokeswoman for NSW Police declined to say why pursuit and collision numbers had risen sharply, referring only to unnamed operational factors. The spokeswoman said all pursuits were subject to strict oversight and that the safety of the public, the offending driver, passengers, road users and officers was the primary focus of NSW Police. Ultimately, police assess and respond to the individual circumstances of the pursuit and offending driver, she said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Police have revealed the horrific details leading up to the moment a pregnant woman was allegedly run over in an alleged domestic violence-related attack in south-west Sydney, as a man is charged with causing life-threatening injuries. The couple were arguing as they parked outside their property on Maddison Court in Narellan Vale on Wednesday morning, with the fight continuing as they entered their home. Police allege the man, 36-year-old Carl Loxley, broke a TV before smashing a glass vase over the womans head. Carl Loxley will face court on Thursday. Facebook The woman called Triple Zero at 8.35am and ran outside for help. Loxley is then alleged to have reversed into the woman in the couples Mazda sedan, running her over, before fleeing. The 36-year-old woman was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition, with injuries to her face, internal injuries and a broken pelvis. BANGKOK, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's 1st Army Area Command said Wednesday that its army task force and air force launched a joint aerial strike with an F-16 fighter jet on a Cambodian military base across the border from Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province. According to Thai media reports on Wednesday, as the scope of Thailand-Cambodia clashes expands, the Royal Thai Navy has mobilized its maritime, ground and air units to defend the Chanthaburi-Trat border area. Reports noted that navy patrol ships have been deployed to the area for round-the-clock patrols and surveillance, on standby for any escalation. The navy also warned all Thai fishing vessels to avoid the maritime border with Cambodia and to report any Cambodian warship sightings immediately. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told local media in Bangkok on Wednesday that he had not received any contact or coordination from the Cambodian side and that it was not the right time for negotiations at present. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told foreign media on Tuesday that the current situation was not suitable for third-party mediation, and that Cambodia had a responsibility to take the lead in de-escalating tensions. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. Advertisement Updated NationalQueenslandLady Gaga The reason Lady Gaga fans were stuck for hours outside Suncorp Stadium Julius Dennis Updated December 10, 2025 12:03pm ,first published December 10, 2025 9:06am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Technical issues left thousands of Lady Gaga fans locked out Suncorp Stadium last night, with the show beginning nearly an hour late. Problems were discovered during the stars soundcheck, resulting in the gates opening at 5.50pm instead of 5pm as planned. The disruption led to some fans queuing outside Suncorp for another two hours. Concertgoers were forced to queue for hours outside Suncorp Stadium. Cameron Atfield Lines to enter the stadium stretched almost to Milton train station, with thousands joining unsigned queues in the hope it would end at their nominated gate. Advertisement The line to get into Gate B, on the Milton Road end, stretched all the way to Caxton Street. In the Brisbane summer heat and humidity, some tempers were frayed as anxiety rose with the scheduled 7pm showtime already passed, many fans voiced concern they would miss the start. Some had travelled from interstate and were considering their recourse options before finally making it inside with just minutes to spare. This delay resulted in a backlog of patrons queuing on the stadiums external plazas, a Suncorp Stadium spokesman said. Advertisement This backlog exacerbated the already delayed entry, resulting in patrons experiencing unusually long wait times. The spokesman said 95 per cent of ticket holders were in the venue by 7.40pm when Gaga took the stage, 40 minutes later than advertised. But many were still stranded outside, with some filming what they could see of the show from the stadiums plaza outside the gates. The venue, as always, will perform an extensive debrief with all stakeholders in the coming days, the spokesman said. Advertisement Em Davies said she did not reach the standing area on the stadium floor until 8.04pm, when Gaga was into her third song. Related Article Pop culture Serial pest booted from Lady Gagas Brisbane show before it begins I have been to many concerts at Suncorp, like Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Justin Bieber, and never experienced lines that long, she said. People kept pushing in, whispers of people fainting because it was 30 degree[s] ... no one knew what was going on. Davies said her tickets had not yet been scanned when she heard the show starting and once through the gates, she had to line up again for a standing-area wristband. Advertisement There were further queues to get down to the field, [with] no help or assistance from any staff there, she said. We finally got down to the field 24 minutes after Gaga started, which for $212 tickets isnt good enough. Fans were stuck outside in the hot sun. Cameron Atfield Davies said she had already contacted Ticketmaster and would be reaching out to Suncorp Stadium for at least a partial refund. Another concertgoer caught in the long queue said there were no issues when she saw British superstar Ed Sheeran perform at Suncorp in 2023. Advertisement Ive never seen anything like this, she said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaCourts Accused Cobblebank murderer motivated by revenge, court told Erin Pearson December 10, 2025 6:35pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The 16-year-old boy accused of killing 15-year-old Dau Akueng on a Cobblebank street was motivated by revenge for a 2024 murder, prosecutors say. The accused was refused bail in the Supreme Court on Wednesday over the group knife attack, which police say was in retaliation for the December 2024 killing of 18-year-old Kon Hsu Sein at Kurunjang. Hsu Seins left hand was cut off, as was Daus, with prosecutors linking the crimes. The victims of the Cobblebank attacks, Chol Achiek, 12, and his friend, Dau Akueng, 15, were not known to their eight attackers and had no known gang affiliations, the court heard, when they were set upon after getting off a bus just before 8pm on September 6. Chol and Dau had been walking with a third friend, who was 14, when a group of eight teenagers armed with machetes attacked them. Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, were attacked and killed in Cobblebank. Advertisement The 14-year-old fled to safety, but Chol and Dau were stabbed to death within 150 metres of each other. Police at the time described the scene as one of the worst knife crimes they had seen, prompting the state to outlaw machetes. On Wednesday, the teen applying for bail, who was 15 at the time of the Cobblebank murders, was accused of being armed with a machete with a group of others when he allegedly attacked Dau. He has not been charged with Chols murder. In assessing the bail application, Supreme Court Justice James Elliott set out the police case, telling the court that on September 6, one of the eight co-accused had collected the seven others from locations including Caroline Springs, Sydenham and Thornhill Park in an allegedly stolen Nissan X-Trail. When he was picked up, its alleged the now-16-year-old, who applied for bail, was armed with an object resembling a machete when he got into the boot. Advertisement Elliott said that at 7.28pm, the car had stopped alongside a teenage boy walking in the area and when demands had been made of him, he dropped his backpack and ran into a nearby home. Daus father, Elbino Akueng. Luis Enrique Ascui At 7.37pm, the car had then stopped outside a fast-food store in Melton South, Elliott said. There, six occupants got out and demanded to know if males inside the store were in a gang. Elliott said that when they said they were not, the group had left. At 7.40pm, Chol, 12, Dau, 14, and a 14-year-old friend boarded a bus from Melton railway station, alighting at Bridge Road in Cobblebank at 7.51pm. Elliott said the carload of armed teenagers had performed a U-turn and pulled up alongside the trio. Advertisement Five attackers began chasing Chol as the 14-year-old escaped. The judge said the five attackers had caught up with 12-year-old Chol and stabbed him to death. At the same time, two others chased Dau on foot as the car followed closely behind. After killing Chol, the judge said those five attackers had joined in the armed attack on Dau. The group had then fled in the car, the judge said. The accused applying for bail then allegedly used his grandmothers phone to order an Uber home. A search of the accuseds house later uncovered a blood-spattered pair of grey tracksuit pants allegedly connecting him to the murder scene. Advertisement The court heard autopsies had found Dau had 72 injuries and Chol five injuries in the fatal attack. Daus hand was also cut off. A mourner at the vigil to honour Chol Achiek, 12, and Dau Akueng, 15, who were fatally stabbed in Cobblebank. Justin McManus Police believe the killings were part of a retaliation attack for the December 2024 murder of Kon Hsu Sein, at Kurunjang. His left hand, the court heard, had also been cut off. Detective Senior Constable Jarrod Brookman, from the homicide squad, said one of the other alleged Cobblebank killers had also been a witness in the Kurunjang homicide case. Brookman said the motive for the Cobblebank attack was youth gang culture, specifically targeted at young Sudanese males in response to the December 2024 killing of Sein. Advertisement Kons left hand was severed. Daus left hand was severed, Brookman said. In opposing bail, Crown prosecutor Kristie Churchill said the boy applying for bail had been keeping in company with other young people known to carry machetes, dating back to September 2024. A search of his phone, she said, had uncovered him posing for photos with machetes and using gang signs with others. Churchill said the victims families lived in fear, with some seeking out home security and others making plans to leave the area. They are terrified, Churchill said. The prosecutor labelled the deaths as horrendous and violent, and said the victims were not known to their killers or affiliated with any gangs. Advertisement The knife that the accused boy was captured on CCTV carrying on the night had also not been found, she said. The motivation for this attack was retribution, revenge. There is no evidence or information that those tensions have abated or ceased, she said. The risk is simply too great. Defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, said rehabilitation must be front of mind when considering bail applications for children. Mandy said his client had been threatened in custody, where men aged up to 23 were being held in youth detention, and that he was unable to look after himself physically. Advertisement This included, the court heard, being stood over for canteen money in youth detention. Mandy said if bailed, his client had strong family support from his mother and grandmother in Victoria and father in Queensland, with his long-term rehabilitation a primary concern. The grandmother, a security officer, had also offered a $100,000 surety, with a proposed bail address on the Gold Coast. The risk of any gang-related activity has to be reduced if hes granted bail to live in Queensland, Mandy said. He knows he would let everyone down if he were to behave badly. Advertisement A conviction for murder is not inevitable. Justice James Elliott ultimately refused to bail the 16-year-old, telling the court the risk to the community was too high. Editor's pick Exclusive Media & marketing Vanishing act: The Anika Wells expenses exclusive pulled by News Corp A 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with Chols murder A 19-year-old Thornhill man, two 16-year-old males, and this accused boy were charged with Daus murder. Advertisement The 16-year-old will return to the childrens court in February. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. Advertisement NationalVictoriaHealthcare Hospital exhausted blood supply in attempt to save wellness influencer after freebirth Henrietta Cook December 10, 2025 12:22pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A A major Melbourne hospital exhausted its entire supply of a key blood type in a desperate bid to save wellness influencer Stacey Warnecke after she suffered catastrophic bleeding following a freebirth. Warnecke, 30, is believed to have died from complications of a postpartum haemorrhage after giving birth to her son, Axel, in a water bath at her Seaford home on September 29, the Coroners Court heard on Wednesday. Stacey Warnecke died in September after giving birth at home. Instagram The freebirth was attended by Emily Lal, a doula since banned from providing health services by the Health Complaints Commission. The court heard that when police visited the home to photograph the scene, they were told Lal had extensively cleaned the site of the tragic birth. Advertisement Counsel assisting the coroner Rachel Ellyard said the young mother appeared well after giving birth at 3am but rapidly deteriorated after she passed the placenta and began losing a large volume of blood. Loading She lay down, she asked for pillows and was having trouble breathing, she said. The young mother was asked if she wanted an ambulance, but she refused. She complained of more blood loss, Ellyard said. Advertisement Related Article Women's health Freebirthing, wild pregnancies and the banned birth keeper The next time she was asked if she wanted an ambulance, Warnecke agreed. The first paramedic, who arrived at the house at 4.26am, found Warnecke lying on the floor next to the birthing pool in a small, dark room. Stacey was agitated. She appeared yellow and short of breath, Ellyard told the hearing. Warnecke was rushed to Frankston Hospital by ambulance in a critical condition at 5am. She was accompanied by her husband Nathan, Lal and their newborn son. Advertisement A total of 24 clinicians mounted an extensive effort to save Warnecke over the next six hours, inserting a balloon to stem the bleeding, and performing an emergency hysterectomy and a procedure to remove a large amount of fluid that had gathered in a sac around her heart. Nutrition influencer Stacey Warnecke died in September. Instagram She was intubated, given CPR and blood transfusions. She suffered several cardiac arrests and died in the intensive care unit about 11am. As a measure of how severe her presentation was, and how hard clinicians worked to save her, the hospitals supply of her blood type was completely exhausted, Ellyard said. It must have been a profoundly complicated and distressing experience for all those trying to care for her. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Healthcare Inside freebirthing: Empowerment, distrust and a growing dogma The court heard that after Warnecke died, Lal, known online as The Authentic Birthkeeper, refused to provide a statement to police. Ellyard said the evidence suggested that Warnecke had died from complications related to a postpartum haemorrhage. There has been an anecdotal rise in freebirths since the pandemic fuelled scepticism in some parts of the country about conventional medicine. Freebirthing, also known as unassisted or wild birth, is the practice of giving birth outside the medical system, often at home. Advertisement The court heard Warnecke was profoundly affected by the COVID vaccine mandates of 2021. Her concerns about these mandates, combined with her existing views about living a healthy, natural life, influenced her decisions about care for herself during pregnancy, Ellyard said. Throughout her pregnancy, the nutritionist received no medical care. She had no ultrasounds and did not consult a midwife or obstetrician. The coronial inquiry will investigate the cause of Warneckes death, the extent to which doulas can advertise themselves, and the impact of freebirths on the health system. It will also examine the maternity care available for women who dont want to give birth in hospital and the contact between Warnecke and Lal in the lead up to Axels birth. Advertisement Staceys pregnancy was a great happiness for her and her husband, Ellyard told the court. She really wanted to be a mother. Coroner Therese McCarthy described Warneckes death as a tragedy that was recent and raw. In addition to grieving, the family has a little person with them who has a challenge ahead of him as he navigates his life in these tragic circumstances, she said. In October, Victorias Health Complaints Commission issued a public warning about Lal and said she was under investigation after allegations were made that she is facilitating and/or participating in home births which may put both mothers and babies at risk. Warneckes case will return to court in March. Get the days breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaLocal council My identity was dismissed: Teen scrubbed from Bayside newsletter over Palestine necklace Gemma Grant December 10, 2025 7:25pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A A teenage council volunteer with Palestinian heritage has been wiped from a Bayside Council newsletter because she was wearing a necklace pendant depicting Palestine in the photos. Zaina Amro, then 16, was originally featured twice in the October/November edition of the two-monthly Lets Talk Bayside magazine, but was removed after complaints from members of the public about the necklace. Zaina Amro wearing her Palestine pendant necklace. Justin McManus The Hampton teenagers photo was pulled from the cover and replaced by a tradesman, and her interview inside the magazine was also scrapped. Delivery of physical copies was stopped after reaching only two Bayside suburbs before being reprinted. The online version was updated to remove any mention of the teenager. Advertisement Zaina, who was 14 when she started volunteering for council programs, said she cried when she learnt of the councils decision. I was completely erased from the magazine. And my identity was dismissed, she said. The original and updated cover of the October/November newsletter. Justin McManus, Bayside Council I dont understand how [the council] could make such a quick decision like this without considering me or my feelings. The pendant is in the shape of historical Palestine and features the Palestinian flag. The word Palestine is also written on the pendant in Arabic. Advertisement In a statement published online on Wednesday, Bayside City Council called the necklace a political symbol and said the picture went against council media policy requirements to remain neutral. Council remains committed to promoting social cohesion and inclusivity and will continue to ensure the neutrality of council communications, the statement said. Nine complaints from the public over the newsletters cover image were submitted to the council as public questions, according to the minutes of an October 14 meeting. Zaina, who turned 17 this week, won the councils Julian Gurrieri Memorial Award in May for her volunteer work and was approached to be in Lets Talk Bayside three months later. It felt really good having my achievements being recognised by the community and members of the council I felt very honoured and proud of myself, she said. A webpage announcing the award win has since been taken offline. Advertisement Less than a week after the edition was published in early October, Zainas mother received a call from a council staff member saying members of the public had complained about the teenagers necklace. Zaina said her inclusion within the newsletter was not political in nature but focused on the local library program and her volunteering efforts. It didnt make any sense to me whatsoever it just felt like they dismissed all the work and the effort I put into helping the council and the community, she said. In the days following the removal, Zaina said she was scared to leave the house or catch public transport because the complainants live in the Bayside area. She said she felt unsafe. Members of the community who complained about me know my face and name. And I know nothing about them, she said. Advertisement The Palestine pendant necklace. Justin McManus When [the council] decided to remove me I felt like they were just prioritising the needs of themselves and the people who complained. In survey data collated by The Age during local council elections last October, all seven current Bayside councillors said that councils shouldnt be responsible for making statements on issues such as tackling antisemitism or the conflict in Gaza. During a September 16 meeting this year, Bayside Council unanimously passed a motion endorsing the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. The council voted to provide things such as increased awareness, advocacy, community engagement and public education that addresses but is not limited to antisemitism. Advertisement Despite several meetings with council staff, Zaina said she still felt the situation was unresolved, including her request for a public apology. She is unsure what will happen next. Council should be supporting us young people they cant be putting on their [statements of] council values that theyre diverse, inclusive and socially cohesive, but then go and do this to someone, she said. They were just worrying about their own reputation, rather than looking at how this would impact a young girl. Get the days breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalWABurswood Another local council moves to formally oppose Burswood racetrack Hamish Hastie December 11, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The City of South Perth will decide whether to formalise its opposition to the $217 million Burswood racetrack at a council meeting next week, with the councillor behind the motion warning it could bring more hoons to South Perth. Both the Town of Victoria Park and City of Perth have already formally rejected the state governments plans to build the racetrack, and South Perth will debate a motion brought forward by Councillor Andre Brender-A-Brandis to follow suit at next weeks council meeting. An aerial view of the Burswood Racetrack precinct known as Perth Park. WA Government The Perth Park precinct is wholly encompassed within the Town of Victoria Park and is about 2 kilometres away from the nearest border. However, Brender-A-Brandis said the project would impact South Perth residents by noise, odour, light pollution, traffic and loss of public amenity. He took aim at the environmental impacts and questioned how accurate the governments business case and funding projections were while railing against the anti-social behaviour it may bring to the city. Advertisement Antisocial behaviour has been raised as an issue in the Mill Point Ward, characterised as hooning, his motion read. Related Article Updated Planning and development Perth locals react to new images of controversial planned racetrack, entertainment precinct Residents have complained about the disturbance emanating from noisy gas sniffers parked on the median strip directly below bedrooms, with car engines running and being revved, music blaring and skid marks as they leave. Motorplex spectators being car enthusiasts, may exacerbate the existing issues currently being experienced in South Perth. The Save Burswood Park alliance presented at the citys agenda briefing session on Tuesday, urging the council to support the motion at next weeks council meeting. Advertisement In their response to Brender-A-Brandis motion, South Perth council staff agreed the racetrack may have an impact on the environment and amenity for residents and may increase traffic along Canning Highway on event days. However, they warned the council supporting the motion could impact its relationship with the state government. Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon has had several public stoushes with Planning Minister John Carey and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti since the project was first floated ahead of the March 8 state election. The state government is pressing ahead with the racetrack and earlier this month put out a tender for a hospitality provider to set up shop in the pavilion, which forms part of the pit-lane multi-use building. The tender closed on Tuesday, but it has drawn criticism from the Greens and opposition over a requirement that interested parties sign a confidentiality agreement if they want to access the tender documents. Advertisement The community should be concerned about the level of secrecy being applied to this project, WA Greens planning spokesman Brad Pettitt said. Related Article Updated Supercars Saffioti decries grubby attacks as EPA declines Burswood racetrack assessment Does Burswood Park really need another giant function space, given the Camfield a huge function venue already exists adjacent to the stadium? Reading between the lines of this tender, Id expect the WA government are looking for a hospitality group to pay for the construction of the Pavilion at Perth Park and then receive some kind of benefit ongoing free rent or payment as a way of keeping the upfront capital costs to the promised $217.5 million. We need to remember that this tender is part of a public proposal being put forward in a way that does not have community support; it is simply outrageous that this tender process is not proceeding with the highest levels of transparency. Advertisement Saffioti said confidentiality agreements were standard practice for commercial negotiations like this. Whether its stopping off for a post-game beer or grabbing a bite to eat before a show at the new amphitheatre, the new hospitality venue will complement the Perth Park Precinct and present an exciting opportunity for private sector operators, she said. It was clear through the consultation process that a hospitality venue would complement the park, and were now very keen to hear the ideas and proposals from the industry experts. Saffiotis office has been contacted for further comment regarding the City of South Perth motion. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition 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: Burswood Supercars Hamish Hastie is WAtoday's state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism. or email. Connect via X Advertisement NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has personally intervened to end the stalemate on workers compensation reforms, which will include freezing insurance premiums for 18 months, sparing businesses from big price rises. In the first big policy win for the new leader, Sloane has brokered a deal with Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, also managing to convince her shadow treasurer, Damien Tudehope, to shift his long-held opposition to one key element that has been part of the six-month stand-off. NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has landed her first major win. Steven Siewert The NSW Labor government had been pushing to have reforms to the states troubled workers compensation scheme finalised by the end of the year but failed after the changes were blocked in the upper house. A major sticking point was the proposal to curtail injured workers access to the scheme, which Tudehope would not consider until Sloanes intervention. Advertisement Tudehope was not present at a media event to announce the compromise on Thursday, despite being the Coalitions spokesperson on workers compensation issues. When asked if Tudehope would still be the opposition treasury spokesman by Christmas, Sloane said she was yet to work through the details of her new shadow cabinet. Her reshuffle is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Liberal MP Damien Tudehope. Dominic Lorrimer I want Damien to continue to play a senior role in our team. I have not had discussions with the team about what that looks like yet, she said. Under Sloanes deal, new legislation would see the state insurer icare freeze premiums at the current rate for 18 months while the Chief Psychiatrist finalises a report into how to better determine psychological impairment replacing the whole of person impairment, or WPI. Advertisement Sloanes deal would see workers cut off from regular compensation payments after 3 years (instead of 2) unless they can prove a WPI of at least 25 per cent. The government had wanted that rate to be 31 per cent, which would have excluded a significant number of workers. Mookhey has argued reforms are critical to address an increasingly unsustainable compensation scheme where a doubling of psychological injury claims has placed significant pressure on the systems financial viability, resulting in rising premiums for businesses and charities. Most psychologically injured workers cut off from support under the reforms would return to work, the treasurer said, but he also foreshadowed some would shift onto federal programs like the NDIS. That is the reason why there is a DSP [Disability Support Pension] and other forms of federal assistance and support. We are not expecting those numbers to be particularly high, he said. Asked how many injured workers would no longer access compensation under the reforms, Mookhey did not provide a figure, instead saying weve provided multiple scenario analysis extensively to the parliament. Advertisement The government has been incredibly candid and incredibly transparent about how this scheme is going to be expected to work, but youre right to say it is complex, and so were happy to provide as many scenario analyses we have, he said. Tudehope was subjected to a sustained attack by Business NSW over his opposition to the governments reforms, later conceding the campaign had caused concern to his colleagues. Editor's pick Opinion Political expenses Politicians work damn hard. Lets be careful about shredding their perks Alexandra Smith State Political Editor Business NSW chief executive Dan Hunter had pleaded with MPs to resolve the impasse to ensure businesses did not go into Christmas with the threat of increased premiums hanging over their heads. On Thursday, he praised the deal as a common-sense approach. A senior Liberal MP, who was extensively briefed on the changes but not authorised to speak publicly before the announcement, said it was a new approach for the opposition. Advertisement We have returned to core Liberal values backing enterprise, small business and fiscal responsibility, the MP said. Kellie managed to achieve even greater protections for workers than either the unions or independents could convince Mookhey to accept. Its a win-win great for business and good for workers. This is a new standard for how the opposition will engage. We wont be another party of protest. There is a newfound seriousness about returning to government. After the government failed to reform the workers compensation scheme, Premier Chris Minns said efforts to limit workers compensation insurance premium rises were over and he attacked the Coalition as the so-called party of small business. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsNSWPolitical expenses Opinion Politicians work damn hard. Lets be careful about shredding their perks Alexandra Smith State Political Editor December 11, 2025 5:00am December 11, 2025 5:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A It is an uncomfortable truth, but here we go. Most politicians work damn hard. I have been covering politics for much of my lengthy journalism career, and most MPs who have crossed my path went into public life to make the world a little better. Not all (disgraced former NSW minister Eddie Obeid springs to mind), but most. Few of us may want to hear a spirited defence of MPs, but the reality is their job can be relentless. Communications Minister Anika Wells arrives for a press conference on Wednesday before attending an event at Kirribilli House to mark the worlds first social media ban for under-16s. Kate Geraghty At this time of year, for example, MPs are doing the tedious rounds of school presentation days. Sitting through your own offsprings speech day is trying enough, save for that short moment when you take a photo of your kid on stage. But MPs have to turn up for other peoples kids. There are after-hours events, weekend community commitments, meet-and-greets. Tiresome. There are perks, yes. But the job is rarely glamorous; nor is it all that well paid, given what is demanded of our elected officials. And our expectations are high, which is why there are two crucial aspects of politics that must be well managed. Judgment and optics. Advertisement Too often politicians fail both. Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells reckless decision to ask a taxpayer-funded driver to sit around for hours, racking up charges by the minute, while she was at the Australian Open tennis, was inexcusable. Same with her decision to leave a Comcar limousine waiting for nearly 10 hours while she attended the NRL and NRLW grand finals. Related Article Updated Political expenses Albanese digs in on MPs entitlements saga as more Wells spending comes to light Wells wasted public money. The optics were terrible. In a cost-of-living crisis, how can she justify such extravagances? The same question can be raised for the exorbitant cost of flights to New York for Wells, in her role as communications minister, to deliver a speech to world leaders on the social media ban. No one has been able to satisfactorily explain why it cost almost $100,000 for her, a staffer and a public servant to fly to the US. Just because something is within the rules does not make it right. In NSW, former transport minister Jo Haylen made the foolish decision earlier this year to use her taxpayer-funded driver to ferry a group of mates, including Housing Minister Rose Jackson, to the Hunter Valley for a boozy birthday lunch. Within the rules, but poor judgment. Haylen paid the price and lost her position on Premier Chris Minns frontbench. And the rules around NSW drivers were changed. Advertisement While Wells has rightly been questioned about her spending decisions, which she has now referred to federal parliaments expenses watchdog, family reunion travel is different and should be treated so. The rules around this entitlement exist to make family life more manageable, especially for parents with young children. And thats a good thing, particularly for women who enter politics. Related Article Editorial Anika Wells Wells expenses a costly distraction from admirable social media ban The Herald's View Editorial Wells has three young children who live in Brisbane. As an MP and minister, she would be away from home for about three months, in total, each year. She did not break any rules when she flew her husband, Finn McCarthy, to join her at three AFL grand finals (although, again, the optics werent good). Nor did she breach any guidelines when McCarthy and their children joined her for a weekend at a Thredbo ski resort. Wells was there for work. Under the family reunion rules, federal MPs can claim three return business-class flights a year for family members flying between their home and a city other than Canberra, as well as the value of nine business-class flights to Canberra. Wells is not alone in making use of this entitlement and as the feverish discussion of big spenders dominates debate in the final weeks of the year, other MPs have also been pulled in. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland, who also has a young family, billed taxpayers $21,685 for flights and travel allowance for a week-long family trip to Perth during the 2023 NSW school holidays. Plenty of other MPs, men included, have charged family trips back to us, the taxpayers. Advertisement The role of a federal MP presents more challenges, as regards their expenses, than it does for state politicians. Both have functions, late nights. But for the federal MP, there is a second home in Canberra and unavoidable travel. Not to be overly sympathetic, but if we want to attract high-quality people (especially women) from different backgrounds to public life, then we need to make politics manageable. Helping them keep their families, and indeed relationships, together is not unreasonable. If entitlements such as the family reunion payments are not working, then we must find another way. MPs could be paid more, for example, and they could manage their budgets as they felt fit. But I suspect the optics would still win the debate and not in the politicians favour. Alexandra Smith is state political editor. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Racing Victorias chief vet Dr Grace Forbes wants to return to work in a safe, bully-free environment after being on personal leave for almost six months, the Fair Work Commission heard on Wednesday. Forbes lodged an application with the commission for an order to stop bullying, claiming she had been pressured by the governing body to pass international horses fit to run in the Melbourne Cup. Racing Victorias chief vet Grace Forbes is on leave. Credit: Getty Her anti-bullying application will be heard over the next two days by Commissioner Trevor Clarke after a marathon mediation session failed to resolve the dispute on Wednesday. Clarke ruled that the case would begin on Thursday morning, despite an application by Racing Victorias legal counsel Tim Dowling to have the hearing dismissed on jurisdictional grounds. A talented metropolitan-based mare returning for just her second start will be out to lower the boom on an in-form and rival neighbour when they clash at Thursdays Kembla meeting. Outta Line, a four-year-old daughter of Pierro in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable at Randwick, hasnt started since a commanding debut win at Wyong in early July. Trainer Gai Waterhouse. Credit: Kate Geraghty That day as a three-year-old she led all the way over 1350m before being spelled. Now connections are treading a similar path ahead of her first summer run in a very competitive Benchmark 64 Hcp for the fillies and mares over 1400m to close the program. Advertisement TechnologySocial media I tried making new social media accounts as an under-16. Things are still messy Tim Biggs December 10, 2025 10:19am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Some social media apps designated as age-restricted by Australias new laws appear to be struggling to vet new users, despite the effective ban on under-16s signing up for the platforms coming into effect on Wednesday. Testing the apps ability to block underage users is complicated because each one employs its own range of age assurance measures, some of which are invisible to the user. This means that when a new user signs up for the first time, there is presumably a range of checks happening in the background to verify theyre over 16, regardless of when they say their birthday is. Loading On X which reportedly plans to vet the age of users by implementing its Grok AI somehow I was blocked from creating a new account with a birthdate in 2011, although there were no pop-ups or information indicating it was complying with Australian law, just a generic error message. However, if I changed the birthdate to 1988, I was allowed in right away, with no facial verification or obvious age-assurance measures. Instagram would not let me create a new account for an under-16 user, showing error messages if I tried. On the app, I easily created a new account claiming I was born in 1997, but a long pause when accepting the terms and conditions indicates the system may have been running a background check and was satisfied I was over 16. When I tried to create an account claiming I was 16, it asked me to upload a photo of my ID. Advertisement On Reddit, I was able to create a new account claiming I was 16, and there were no questions asked. TikTok blocked the creation of a new account with a birthdate indicating I was under 16, then subsequently blocked the creation of any new account, indicating my device or network address may have been blacklisted after the first attempt. Oddly, I got an identical block message when I tried to sign up to Snapchat, so I wasnt able to get to any facial verification or ID check. Even after some under-16s were blocked from YouTube, my eight-year-old was allowed in. YouTube is an interesting case because it sent messages to existing under-16 users explaining theyll be removed from the app. But this morning, I activated YouTube for my eight-year-old sons account without any issue; as of 10am, it still has full access to the site. This may be because of the added complexity in how Google accounts work, with child accounts connected to and governed by parent accounts. Google said all viewers under 16 would be automatically signed out, but indicated its changes may take a few days to fully roll out. I had never activated YouTube for my sons account before today, but he has had a Google account for years, so its arguably an edge case. I gave permission for the account to access full YouTube, but it does have his real 2017 birthdate associated with it, and you can see in the screenshot above that its already suggesting videos to him based on his age. Advertisement Speaking on Today on Wednesday morning, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the rollout of age assurance measures was always going to be messy. Editor's pick Opinion Social media Social media ban shouldnt be judged by its impact on day one Tim Biggs Consumer Technology Writer There are going to be technology teething issues, and it takes a while to replicate through these major systems, she said. We may see some cases, we may see some blatant non-compliance, but weve got plans for that. And you know, the action wont be immediate. Of course, kids who are legitimately under 16 are getting a better glimpse at how the measures are working out. Online, some are confirming that their accounts are being systematically shut down, while others are gloating that theyve been so far unaffected, or even that they were able to pass facial scanning and continue to pose as an over-16. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here. NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto has launched the expanded Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, which is the world's largest rhino conservation reserve. Ruto said the site, which began with just three rhinos 40 years ago, now hosts more than 200 rhinos and is expected to boost tourism and strengthen species protection. "This will directly advance our national targets of 1,450 rhinos by 2030 and 2,000 rhinos by 2037," he said during the launch on Tuesday in Taita Taveta, southeastern Kenya. According to Ruto, with more space, stronger security, improved genetic diversity, and lower density, Kenya is now ready to raise the annual growth rate of the black rhino population from 5 percent to 8 percent. Now covering 3,200 square kilometers, Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary is the largest rhino sanctuary in the world and a major step forward for wildlife conservation, climate resilience, and nature-based economic growth, he said. Ruto described the expansion as a strategic national investment that brings together wildlife protection, national security, climate action, and sustainable development. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya is home to about 2,000 rhinos, including over 1,000 black rhinos and 1,000 southern white rhinos. About 78 percent of the global eastern black rhino population live in Kenya. The expanded sanctuary brings together 150 black rhinos from the former Ngulia Sanctuary and 50 others from the Tsavo West Intensive Protection Zone, creating a founder population of 200 animals, the largest intact black rhino population in Kenya, the KWS said. It said the enlarged sanctuary restores ecological balance, supports long-term population growth, and strengthens Tsavo's position as a leading conservation and tourism destination. Ruto noted that the Tsavo landscape once supported over 8,000 black rhinos before poaching reduced the population to fewer than 20 by 1989, a crisis era that led to the creation of the KWS. KWS Director General Erustus Kanga said the transition from a compact sanctuary to a fully connected landscape was made possible through extensive ecological planning, an advanced long-range wide area network and very-high-frequency tracking systems, artificial-intelligence-supported surveillance, and upgraded ranger infrastructure. This transformation has been made possible through the strong technical and financial support of the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion Program, the lead partner behind Kenya's landscape-scale rhino recovery efforts, he said. Success will be measured both in rhino population recovery and in improved livelihoods created through tourism, youth employment, and community partnerships, Kanga said. Advertisement Updated WorldCentral AmericaVenezuela crisis US seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela Aamer Madhani and Konstantin Toropin Updated December 11, 2025 2:24pm ,first published December 11, 2025 8:03am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points The United States has seized the Guyana-flagged oil tanker Skipper off the coast of Venezuela. The seizure was conducted by the US Coast Guard with support from the US Navy. The move appears aimed at disrupting Venezuelas oil exports and increasing pressure on President Nicolas Maduro. Washington: The United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela amid mounting tensions with the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. A team of special forces, coast guards and Marines stormed aboard the crude carrier named Skipper just after dawn on Wednesday, US media reported, citing military sources. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, [the] largest one ever seized, actually, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House. The move is the Trump administrations latest effort to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narco-terrorism in the US. American forces have conducted a series of deadly military strikes in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean on boats that Washington alleges are carrying drugs. Advertisement Responding to the tanker seizure, Venezuela accused the US in a statement of blatant theft and international piracy, adding that Washingtons policy of aggression was part of a deliberate plan to plunder our energy resources. Related Article USA Hegseth said boat military destroyed was carrying drugs to the US. It was heading to Suriname Speaking in Washington, Trump said other things are happening, but did not offer additional details, saying he would comment further later. According to US broadcaster CBS, citing military sources, the operation began about 6am US time (10pm AEDT) on Wednesday, after the tanker had just left port in Venezuela. The mission was launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which arrived in the region weeks ago as part of a broader build-up of American forces, the sources told CBS. Advertisement The operation involved two helicopters, special operations forces, 10 members of the US Coast Guard and 10 Marines, the sources said. The boarding team was composed of the Coast Guards Maritime Security and Response Team, an elite maritime interdiction unit based in Chesapeake, Virginia. Footage posted to social media by US Attorney-General Pam Bondi showed US personnel landing on the ships deck by helicopter. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues, Bondi said in an X post. A still image from footage of the seizure of the Skipper posted on social media by US Attorney-General Pam Bondi. AP According to ship-tracking site Marine Traffic, the Skipper is 332.9 metres long and sails under the flag of Guyana. The vessel is classed as a very large crude carrier, capable of transporting up to 320,000 deadweight tonnes of oil. Advertisement Latest positional data showed the ship about 100 kilometres off the coast of Venezuela, but a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery and photographs suggested it may have tried to conceal its whereabouts by broadcasting falsified location data. Although the vessels location transponder suggested it was anchored in the Atlantic Ocean near Guyana and Suriname, the Times found that from late October to at least December 4, the tanker was actually hundreds of kilometres away off the coast of Venezuela. Formerly named Adisa, the vessel was sanctioned by the US in 2022 over accusations of belonging to a sophisticated network of ghost tankers that smuggled crude oil on behalf of Irans Revolutionary Guard and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group. Data provided by TankerTrackers.com shows multiple trips to Iran and Venezuela over the last two years. Advertisement Venezuela has the worlds largest proven oil reserves, and its economy relies on oil production of about 1 million barrels a day. Locked out of global oil markets by US sanctions, the state-owned oil company sells most of its output at a steep discount to refiners in China via a complex network of shadowy intermediaries, many of which are shell companies registered in jurisdictions known for secrecy. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks to supporters at an event commemorating the Battle of Santa Isabel on Wednesday. AP The buyers deploy ghost tankers that hide their location and hand off their valuable cargoes in the middle of the ocean before they reach their final destination. A day earlier, the US military flew a pair of fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela in what appeared to be the closest that warplanes had come to the South American countrys airspace since the start of the administrations pressure campaign. Advertisement Washington has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades, and Trump has said land attacks are coming soon, but has not offered any details on location. Related Article Explainer Venezuela crisis Why is the US attacking Venezuela? Among the concessions the US has made to Maduro during past negotiations was approval for oil giant Chevron to resume pumping and exporting Venezuelan oil. The corporations activities in the South American country provided a financial lifeline to Maduros government. Speaking at a rally on Wednesday, Maduro said anyone who wants Venezuelan oil must respect the law and that Venezuela would never again be an oil colony, the BBC reported. Channelling the 1988 Bobby McFerrin hit, Maduro also addressed American citizens who are against the war, telling them dont worry, be happy. Advertisement Not war, be happy. Not, not crazy war, not, be happy. The BBC said it was unclear whether Maduro knew of the tankers seizure before the rally. During a November phone call between the two leaders, Trump reportedly offered Maduro and his family safe passage out of Caracas if he relinquished power immediately. But Washington was unwilling to agree to Maduros demands, which included legal amnesty and the removal of US sanctions for him and over 100 Venezuelan officials. Oil futures rose following news of the tanker seizure. After trading in negative territory, Brent crude futures rose US27, or 0.4 per cent, to settle at $US62.21 ($93.70) a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained US21, also 0.4 per cent, to close at $US58.46 per barrel. Venezuelan Nobel winner misses ceremony Advertisement In a separate development, Venezuelas opposition leader Maria Corina Machado appeared in public for the first time in almost a year after missing the ceremony in Norway in which she was to receive this years Nobel Peace Prize. Machado waved to supporters at a hotel in Oslo hours after her daughter accepted the award on her behalf in a ceremony that became a rally for democracy and an indictment of Venezuelas government. Maria Corina Machado waves at the Grand Hotel in Oslo. AP In an audio recording of a phone call published on the Nobel website ahead of the event, Machado explained she would be delayed and expressed gratitude to the many people who had risked their lives for her to travel to Norway. Machado had been in hiding since January 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in an anti-Maduro protest in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. Advertisement AP, Reuters Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldEuropeImmigration No mass migration: European right-wing populists seize on Trumps decay claims David Crowe December 11, 2025 6:40am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A London: Donald Trump has gained emphatic support from European political leaders who aim to seize or hold power by tapping into discontent on migration and social change, as they back his warning about the decay of their countries. French right-wing leader Jordan Bardella endorsed the US presidents warnings about Europe and vowed to end mass migration if his party, the National Rally, increases its support and one day gains the presidency. Jordan Bardella, president of Frances National Rally, left, with parliamentary party leader Marine Le Pen. Bloomberg Germanys far-right party, the Alternative fur Deutschland, or AfD, is sending a delegation to the US this week to meet Trump supporters as part of what it calls a conservative renaissance that will stop migration. The moves highlight the appeal of opposition parties that promise deeper cuts to the migrant intake than many national leaders, who are already trying to slow the numbers because of popular protests against asylum seekers. Advertisement The White House set off a fierce debate in recent days by issuing a national security statement that warned of a civilisational erasure of Europe because of mass migration, while Trump blamed weak leaders for destroying their countries. Related Article Immigration Theyre weak: Trump slams Europe on migration, tightens screws on Ukraine Bardella, president of the National Rally party and a potential candidate to replace French President Emmanuel Macron in 2027, said he agreed with Trumps remarks. To a large extent, I share that assessment, he told the BBC in a podcast interview released on Wednesday. It is true that mass immigration and the laxity of our leaders over the past 30 years regarding migration policies are today disrupting the power balance of European societies, Western societies, and particularly the French society, he said. Advertisement And, of course, when you open the floodgates of immigration, then you bring in people. And through family reunification, you bring in even more people who also come with their culture, their language, their customs and their way of life. Related Article Foreign relations A shocking wake-up call: Trumps foreign policy manifesto savages Europe, lets Australia off hook Look, I do not see France as a country that must be closed, but I believe that we must control our immigration, and I believe that tomorrow and the day after, France should no longer be a country of mass immigration. While Bardella did not name particular nationalities he wanted to turn away, he said he grew up in a region with a large amount of immigration from Africa and North Africa. Trump named migrants from the Middle East and the Congo as examples of the problem in an interview with Politico that explicitly linked his concerns about European civilisation with the arrival of people from non-white cultures. Advertisement The European Union says 9.9 per cent of the 449.3 million people living in the bloc were born outside the EU. This figure does not include children born in the EU to migrant families. Migrants made up 10.3 per cent of the French population in 2021, the countrys statistics agency said, compared with 6.5 per cent in 1968. Some European leaders deplored Trumps remarks, with European Council President Antonio Costa urging the US president to show respect in dealing with allies. Loading The EU commissioner responsible for defence, Andrius Kubilius, said the White House security document reflected a school of thought in the US that believed a divided Europe meant a stronger America. Lets hope that also today there will be enough prudence on American soil not to fight against the emerging power of European unity, he said. Advertisement A draft version of the White House statement, reported by several news outlets but not verified by this masthead, is said to have gone further than the final document in seeking to split the EU. The reports said the draft named Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland as countries that could work with the US and pull away from the EU. And we should support parties, movements, and intellectual and cultural figures who seek sovereignty and preservation/restoration of traditional European ways of lifewhile remaining pro-American, said the draft reported online. French police enter the water at Gravelines to try to stop migrants boarding small boats in June. Getty Images Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is seeking re-election next year, kept up his attack on the EU leaders in Brussels and named migration as a key issue. Its about time for a change of direction in the faltering Brusselian command centre, he wrote on X, without naming Trump. Theres no shame in following those who have done things right. Be more like Hungary: secure, competitive, migrant-free. Advertisement Political leaders are trying to toughen border policies without echoing Trumps rhetoric or aligning themselves with a Make Europe Great Again variant of the US presidents movement. The AfD confirmed to The Guardian that it was sending members to meet Republicans in New York and Washington this week. The AfD is fighting alongside its international friends for a conservative renaissance, the partys foreign policy spokesperson, Markus Frohnmaier, said. While the AfD failed to gain enough seats to take power in the national elections in Germany this year, it is aiming for success in state elections due next year. Frances National Rally, led in parliament by Marine Le Pen and formed from the right-wing movement led by her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, is seeking to present itself as a mainstream party by rejecting the antisemitism of its earlier incarnation. Advertisement Bardella visited Israel in March and publicly condemned the genocidal enterprise of the Holocaust, while also paying his respects at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem and the site of the Nova music festival massacre, where Hamas killed Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Related Article Analysis Immigration Denmarks new Iron Lady wants more missiles and fewer migrants. Will Europe follow her lead? French polling firm Odoxa found last month that Bardella could win the presidency because 35 to 36 per cent of voters said they would choose him in the first round of the election. Still, Odoxa cautioned that candidates who did well in the first round had lost in the one-on-one presidential election. Marine Le Pen was blocked from seeking public office for five years when a court found her guilty of misusing funds. She is appealing that ruling and could be the partys presidential candidate if her appeal succeeds. Macron is currently serving his second term and cannot run again. Knowing that voters oppose high migration, the EU released new policies this week that aimed to harden borders against asylum seekers. Advertisement British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen went further on Tuesday by calling for changes to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) so authorities had more scope to reject asylum seekers. Starmer is under significant pressure from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who met Bardella in London on Wednesday. Bardella promised to help a Farage government stop asylum seekers crossing the English Channel. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaCourts Whats your name? Moment police found Mangione eating McDonalds after shooting David Voreacos and Patricia Hurtado December 10, 2025 3:10pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points State prosecutors have released a video of the December 9 police encounter with suspect Luigi Mangione in a Pennsylvania McDonalds. In his seized backpack, authorities reportedly found the murder weapon, a silencer, and writings about planning the New York killing. Mangiones lawyers are attempting to suppress this evidence, arguing police questioned him improperly before reading him his rights. New York: State prosecutors have released a video excerpt of the first police encounter in December last year with Luigi Mangione, then the main suspect in the New York shooting of a healthcare executive five days earlier. The video shows Joseph Detwiler, an officer in Altoona, Pennsylvania, questioning Mangione after a McDonalds restaurant manager had called police to say he resembled the suspect wanted for the killing of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024. Police find Luigi Mangione in a McDonalds in Pennsylvania. AP Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office have played that excerpt, and dozens of others, over the past week in a pretrial hearing. Mangiones lawyers have tried to suppress the evidence, arguing that police improperly questioned him before reading him his rights, and then illegally searched his backpack without a warrant. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The pretrial hearing, which resumes for a sixth day on Thursday, applies only to the state case. His lawyers are making a similar push to exclude the evidence from his federal case, in which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Advertisement In the backpack seized at the McDonalds, authorities say they found the gun used to shoot Thompson, a silencer, a gun magazine, a passport and a notebook with writings they say show that Mangione planned the killing. The writings also shed new light on the steps Mangione may have taken or planned to take to avoid capture after Thompsons killing last year, and underscore that Mangiones stop in Altoona, a city of about 44,000 people about 370 kilometres west of Manhattan, was meant to be only temporary. Loading Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, said one note. Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows, said another. Thompson, 50, was killed as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for his companys investor conference. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind and then fleeing. Over the next hours and days, police released photos of a suspect, first showing him in a mask and hooded coat and then his face and thick eyebrows. Advertisement According to prosecutors, Mangione fled to Newark, New Jersey, immediately after the shooting and took a train to Philadelphia. Among the evidence shown at the pretrial hearing was a Philadelphia transit pass purchased at 1.06pm little more than six hours after the shooting and a ticket for a Greyhound bus, booked under the name Sam Dawson, leaving Philadelphia at 6.30pm and arriving in Pittsburgh at 11.55pm. Police in Altoona responded to the McDonalds call on December 9 last year after a manager called 911 to relay concerns from customers who thought that Mangione, eating breakfast in a back corner, resembled the man wanted for killing Thompson. Luigi Mangione in court on Monday. AP On the call, played in court, the manager could be heard saying that, because Mangione was wearing a medical mask, she could only see his eyebrows and that she searched online for a photo of the suspect for comparison. Police officers who gave evidence at the hearing this week say it had been raining that day and the bag they found on Mangione, and items inside it, were wet. They were heard on the body-worn camera footage played in court theorising that Mangione had got soaked walking from the citys bus station. Advertisement Taken from a body camera worn by another officer, the video excerpt, which goes for two minutes and 14 seconds, shows Detwiler walking up to Mangione as he sat in the rear of the McDonalds, wearing a blue mask, a tan cap and a black jacket. Do you mind lowering your mask? Detwiler said to Mangione. Whats your name? Luigi Mangione eats breakfast in the bodycam footage. AP Police ask Luigi Mangione to lower his mask. AP Mangione said his name was Mark Rosario, and Detwiler asked him for identification. He handed the officer a fake New Jersey drivers licence, which is visible in the video. Advertisement Mangione was charged in Pennsylvania with forgery, giving a false ID to police and possessing a gun without a licence. State and federal prosecutors in New York later charged him with murder. He pleaded not guilty. Related Article Crime Inside Luigi Mangiones missing months Mangiones lawyers had said that releasing the video would prejudice Mangiones right to a fair trial. Judge Gregory Carro ruled last week that he would seal the videos until the trial started, when the media could apply for their release. A coalition of media outlets, including Bloomberg News, moved last week to secure the release of the videos. In response to a request for comment on the release of the footage, Mangiones lawyers referred to a letter they sent to the judge earlier on Tuesday. Providing the body-worn camera footage to the media to be repeatedly played before Mr Mangiones state and federal trials creates a substantial probability that Mr Mangiones right to a fair trial will be prejudiced by potential jurors seeing this footage in the media, the lawyers wrote. Advertisement Bloomberg, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Courts USA Guns in America PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday morning, December 8, 2025, the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, together with Chief Prosecutor M. Ridderbeks and the Chief of Police Carl John, held an urgent meeting at KPSM police station during an active, coordinated law enforcement operation. The visit was timed to support the operational work underway and to receive direct briefings from the teams executing ongoing enforcement actions. Minister Tackling, Chief Prosecutor Ridderbeks, and Chief of Police John met with operation leaders to reinforce the governments full backing and to ensure they have the resources and interagency cooperation required. Their presence underscored the Government of Sint Maartens commitment to a firm, united, and uncompromising approach to public safety. Both officials expressed appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of the officers involved and reiterated that the safety of residents and visitors remains the governments highest priority. On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, Minister Tackling convened an urgent high-level coordination meeting at the KPSM station with the leadership of the Coast Guard, Immigration, Customs, and Police (KPSM). The purpose of the meeting was to synchronize operational strategies across all agencies, ensuring a unified response and accelerated cooperation in the ongoing fight against criminal activity. Effective law enforcement requires unity of purpose, stated Minister Tackling. Todays coordination ensures every agency is aligned, sharing intelligence, and acting together with a clear, common strategy to protect our communities. Additionally, the Minister made clear that the Justice Chain must act as a single, coordinated system, with shared responsibility at every level. She reaffirmed that resilience must come not only from the government, but from the justice chain as a whole. The meeting solidified the governments comprehensive approach to public safety, bringing the collective capacity of all law enforcement bodies under a strengthened, unified operational framework. PHILIPSBURG:--- Increasing concern is being voiced regarding the overall performance and direction of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI) under the leadership of Secretary General Mr. Kenson Plaisimond, who assumed the position on September 1st, 2024. The recently issued report by the General Audit Chamber of St. Maarten highlighted significant shortcomings, citing that the Secretary General does not possess the technical expertise required to manage the Ministry or evaluate building permits effectively one of VROMIs core responsibilities. Research further indicates that Mr. Plaisimonds professional background is limited to a Bachelors degree in ICT, with no prior managerial experience overseeing a ministry of this scale or complexity. Staff Morale and Internal Operations Deteriorating Since his appointment, there has been no Ministry plan, strategic direction, or formal outline presented by the Secretary General on how he intends to address the challenges facing VROMI. Staff members within the Ministry report low morale, lack of motivation, and increasingly heavy workloads, stemming from chronic understaffing and an absence of administrative leadership. Sources within VROMI describe the internal climate as uncertain and directionless, noting that operational matters are often delayed or left unattended. Deteriorating Public Infrastructure and Delayed Responses Across the island, residents and businesses continue to express frustration with: - Proliferating potholes and declining roadway conditions - Delayed or insufficient repairs to critical infrastructure - Persistent flooding issues, even during moderate rainfall - Slow response times to public concerns Despite the urgency of these matters, there has been no comprehensive strategy communicated by the Ministry on how these challenges will be resolved. Outstanding Policy Matters Remain Unaddressed The community also awaits clarity and follow-up on the Deedum Arrest and the Land Issuance Policy, both of which remain unresolved and have yet to be formally presented to Parliament. Stakeholders emphasize that these matters carry significant implications for governance, public trust, and land management across St. Maarten. Travel Without Tangible Outcomes Since taking office, Mr. Plaisimond has frequently accompanied the Minister of VROMI, Mr. Patrice Gumbs Jr., on official travel. However, Ministry staff and the public alike question the lack of measurable results, noting that key problems continue to escalate despite these trips. A Call for Immediate Action With escalating operational deficiencies, worsening public infrastructure, and declining staff morale, stakeholders stress that urgent corrective action is needed. Effective leadership, technical competency, and a clear strategic plan are essential to restoring the Ministrys capacity to serve the people of St. Maarten. PHILIPSBURG:--- Preventive measures to address firearm violence are currently in place across Sint Maarten and will continue into the foreseeable future. Under the order issued by the Prosecutors Office Sint Maarten OM SXM, police officers may open bags and packages, search vehicles, and request cooperation from individuals for clothing searches in publicly accessible areas. These measures are designed to detect illegal firearms, disrupt criminal activity such as armed robberies, and strengthen public safety across all communities. Investigations indicate that illegal firearms are being brought onto the island through various channels, contributing to increased violence and public safety risks. As part of the response, the Prosecutors Office has ordered the continuation of preventive searches through Monday, December 15, 2025, with further extensions expected. Police have seized over 70 illegal firearms since early 2024, underscoring both the scale of the challenge and the active work of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM). Targeted controls and earlier preventive search operations have proven effective in removing weapons from circulation. Gun violence remains a serious concern, with multiple injuries and fatalities recorded since 2024 and several cases showing links to criminal groups operating across the DutchFrench border and the wider region. Firearms are also being used within drug-related networks, driven by shifting trafficking routes through the Caribbean. The Prosecutors Office, together with KPSM, reaffirms its commitment to combating gun violence and protecting residents and visitors. KIEV, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that his country will be ready for elections in 60 to 90 days if the United States and Europe guarantee security for such a vote, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. "Moreover, I ask now, and I declare this openly, that the United States help me, possibly together with European colleagues, to ensure security for the elections. And then in the next 60-90 days, Ukraine will be ready to hold elections. I personally have the will and readiness for this," Zelensky told reporters. The president also noted that the issue of elections in Ukraine depends primarily on Ukrainians, not on the people of other countries. He said that while the United States is not yet ready for Ukraine to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, negotiations on providing stable security guarantees are underway. By Victor Ing, Special to The Post On October 8, 2025, the Minister of Public Safety introduced to Parliament Bill C-12, entitled the Strengthening of Canadas Immigration System and Borders Act. Bill C-12 provides sweeping powers to the government to control all facets of immigration processing, affecting both potential immigrants as well as those already living in Canada. Suffice it to say, there has been no shortage of concern over exactly how the government plans on using these incredible powers, but in this blog, we will provide an overview of what the buzz is about and why some of the concern may be overblown. Bill C-12 grants extraordinary powers to vary or cancel existing visas and permits, to suspend the intake of new immigration applications, and even eliminate application backlogs if it is Canadas public interest. Understandably, this aspect of Bill C-12 has garnered significant attention because it affects not only those already living in Canada but also would-be immigrants who may already be in an immigration processing queue or expecting to file applications soon. Initially, there was no definition of what the public interest means, which caused all sorts of confusion, including whether the Liberal government plans to use these powers to keep people in Canada, rather than to remove them. Indeed, while defending the Bill in its original state, the current Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Lena Diab, stated that Bill C-12 was purposefully written using vague language to give the government maximum flexibility to deal with matters in the public interest. From a legal perspective, the original content of Bill C-12 is highly problematic because it is a basic tenet of good governance that laws should be clear and easy to understand, so that everybody knows what to expect and can conduct themselves accordingly. Writing a vague law just means that the lawmaker hasnt properly identified the issue theyre attempting to solve, and that is precisely why there has been significant effort made by Members of Parliament since October to introduce amendments to Bill C-12 that would put some safeguards on how the government exercises these powers. Through these efforts, the definition of the public interest has now been narrowed to include: administrative errors, fraud, public health, public safety or national security. Having narrowed the definition of the public interest, is there still a compelling case to make for passing Bill C-12 into law? The government says that Bill C-12 will help them respond to crises and unexpected events. Yet, the past has shown that weve been able to deal with all sorts of issues without such a power grab. For example, when Canada wants to control immigration levels and, by extension, immigration processing times, it has used tools like annual caps and come up with novel immigration models like the now 10-year-old Express Entry system with great success. We also already have a history of pausing the intake of new applications when we decide that its in our best interests, such as last years sudden announcement that the immigration department suspended the intake of new Self-Employed business applications in order to address backlogs and reassess program requirements. Likewise, there is precedent for cancelling large backlogs of unprocessed immigration applications to deal with changing labour market needs. If, on the other hand, youre looking at removing bad actors like those who came to Canada fraudulently, there are already legal mechanisms in place to deport them. If we are being objective about the issue, Canada doesnt generally have a problem identifying wrongdoers who should be deported, but it does have a clearly documented problem of deporting people because it is extremely difficult and costly to ensure that people leave Canada when they are supposed to. As recent reporting from CTV News shows, Canada has more than 33,000 removal warrants in its inventory, with more than 10,000 warrants that have been active for more than a year. In other words, if we reach the point of needing to cancel somebodys immigration permit, then its already too late! The damage is done. Allowing the government to cancel visas or permits en masse, or cancelling pending applications en masse, merely serves to cover up the greater problem that our underlying immigration programs and policies have failed. On top of that, it will only create more immigration litigation, which our courts cannot handle. Given the limited benefits that I anticipate Bill C-12 will confer, we also have to think about the potential harm that it can do. Canada is going through a bit of soul-searching these days, as we reflect on our current level of immigration and what the right balance is. Though we have been very fortunate as a country to be viewed as a top destination for immigration, we should not take that for granted. Bill C-12, whether intentionally or not, sends a signal to the rest of the world that Canada is no longer welcoming to newcomers. As a nation, we havent suddenly stopped needing newcomers, but we should be more circumspect in terms of the kinds of newcomers we need and make sure we enact policies that allow newcomers to thrive. Instead, Bill C-12 unnecessarily creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, and this sort of immigration policy is highly unpopular. Look no further than last spring when international students made headlines in British Columbia for protesting sudden and unilateral changes made by the BC Provincial Nominee Program that jeopardized the eligibility of certain masters students to qualify for permanent residence based on a promise that they would get access to a streamlined immigration pathway if they successfully graduate from a local university offering post-graduate degrees in high-demand sectors. Protesters called this a betrayal and lamented that they would have looked at other university options if they had known that sudden changes like this could happen. As a Canadian immigration lawyer, I have firsthand experience about just how much immigrating to Canada means for many clients. I cannot imagine advising clients on their Canadian immigration options under Bill C-12s shadow, where rules, requirements, and processing times are subject to change without notice. The passing of Bill C-12 into law will not fix any of the problems currently afflicting our immigration system. If we want to address immigration fraud, then we should pass laws that deter bad conduct. We should hold wrongdoers accountable, including unscrupulous actors and third-party representatives who take advantage of unsuspecting domestic and overseas clients. Before we take steps to suspend the intake of new applications or cancel thousands of pending applications, we ought to embrace the hard but necessary work of reviewing our existing immigration programs and policies to ensure that they reflect our current needs and values. The government should not get a free mulligan in the form of Bill C-12 to fix its mistakes at the expense of those who immigrate to Canada at great cost and at the expense of Canadas reputation on the world stage. Victor Ing is a lawyer of the Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre. He provides a full range of immigration services. For more information, go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected]. Press Release from Business Wire: L&T Technology Services (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 PUNE, Dec 10, 2025 (BSW) - L&T Technology Services (BSE: 540115, NSE: LTTS),a global leader in AI, Digital & ER&D Consulting Services, today announced the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Global Development Center - APAC as part of a multi-year engagement with PALFINGER, an Austria-headquartered global pioneer in innovative crane and lifting solutions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209416315/en/ From PALFINGER, the ceremony was attended by Alexander Susanek (COO), Andreas Hille (Senior Vice President, Product Line Management and Engineering), Santhosh Rao (Senior Vice President Regional Sales & Service, Asia Pacific) and Arun C Bhongale (General Manager, SCM and Procurement). From LTTS, Mritunjay Singh (COO), Dr. Oliver Moron (Vice President, EU-DACH), Mohideen Farouk (Sales Director, EU-DACH), Jayant Joshi (Delivery Head, T&OH), Tejas B Shah (Delivery Head, Agriculture & Material Handling) and Sachin Nikam (Delivery Manager) were present. Anchored within LTTS' Mobility segment, the GDC is set to accelerate PALFINGER's global and India-focused product development by leveraging LTTS' deep expertise and AI-driven engineering processes. Beyond driving innovation and speed-to-market, this initiative underscores both companies' commitment to advancing technology leadership while supporting PALFINGER's broader growth strategy for India and the Asia-Pacific region. The newly inaugurated GDC represents a major expansion in the collaboration between LTTS and PALFINGER. LTTS will deliver an integrated suite of engineering and digital capabilities spanning embedded software development, PLM migration, advanced CAE simulations and Digital Mock-up. Such capabilities will strengthen PALFINGER's product portfolio suite and its sourcing and localization programs. With AI seamlessly embedded across engineering workflows, from design automation and simulation to predictive intelligence, the partnership will enable PALFINGER to accelerate product development cycles, improve operational efficiencies and enhance responsiveness to its global clientele. Senior leaders from both organizations honored the inauguration of the GDC in Pune with their presence. Alexander Susanek, COO, PALFINGER, added, "By partnering with LTTS, we are significantly expanding our engineering capacity in a key market for future growth. This investment is a direct expression of Reach Higher, our Strategy 2030+, and strengthens our presence in strategically important regions like APAC with India at the forefront. It's a strong signal of our commitment to Lifetime Excellence through global integration and local empowerment." Alind Saxena, Executive Director and President, Mobility and Tech, L&T Technology Services, said, "PALFINGER is a global innovator with an ambitious strategy for the future and we are proud to support their journey with our deep engineering expertise in AI-led digital transformation. The new GDC in Pune will serve as a strategic innovation hub bringing together AI-powered simulation and embedded engineering to help PALFINGER build future-ready solutions while achieving faster development and improved cost competitiveness." About L&T Technology Services Ltd L&T Technology Services (LTTS) is a global leader in AI, Digital & ER&D Consulting Services. A listed subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), we offer design, development, testing, and sustenance services across products and processes. Purposeful. Agile. Innovation. is how we drive growth across the Mobility, Sustainability and Tech segments. Our customer base includes 69 Fortune 500 companies and 57 top ER&D companies across industrial products, medical devices, transportation, telecom & hi-tech, and process industries. Headquartered in India, we have over 23,670 employees across 23 global design centers, 30 global sales offices, and 105 innovation labs, as of September 30, 2025. For more information, please visit https://www.LTTS.com/ ABOUT PALFINGER AG With innovative lifting solutions, PALFINGER sets standards worldwide. The leading technology and engineering company turns customer needs into seamlessly integrated solutions. A broad product portfolio and regional footprint drive balanced profitable growth. With its promise of Lifetime Excellence, PALFINGER delivers top performance throughout the entire product lifecycle. Around 12,350 employees, 30 international manufacturing sites, and a global distribution and service network ensure worldwide proximity to the market. PALFINGER AG has been listed on the Vienna stock exchange since 1999 and achieved revenue of EUR 2.36 billion in 2024. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251209416315/en/ Contact Media Contact:Aniruddha BasuL&T Technology Services LimitedE: [email protected] Media Contact:Elisabeth Egle | Senior PR Specialist | PALFINGER AGM +43 664 85 13218 | [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Thredd (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 SINGAPORE, Dec 10, 2025 (BSW) - Thredd , the leading next-generation global payments processor, today announced that Netbank , the Philippines' first fully regulated embedded banking platform, has selected Thredd to launch its new Cards-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution, enabling fintechs, e-wallets and banks to rapidly deploy modern, flexible card issuing across both consumer and commercial segments. Netbank's CaaS solution leverages Thredd's comprehensive full-stack card issuing platform, supporting both virtual and physical cards with advanced spend controls, real-time card creation APIs, a robust card management system, an intuitive operations portal, and seamless integration with Google Pay. This partnership empowers Netbank's clients to deliver innovative card products tailored to the evolving needs of the Philippine market. Recent central bank and third-party data demonstrate that the Philippines is experiencing significant growth in digital payments volume and value as it accelerates its transition toward a cashless economy, with an estimated compound annual growth of 13.8% in digital payments through 2033. "The Philippines presents a dynamic growth opportunity, particularly in social commerce, micro merchants, and the SME/SMB segment," said Jim McCarthy, CEO, Thredd. "Our partnership with Netbank will enable a new wave of consumer and commercial use cases, including expense and disbursement cards, as well as gig economy and contractor payout solutions, supporting the country's digital transformation." "By partnering with Thredd, we are enabling our fintech and EMI partners across the Philippines to quickly and easily launch modern card propositions. This is already a commonly demanded product from our 120+ fintech partners," said Gus Poston, Founder of Netbank, adding, "This collaboration accelerates our mission to drive financial innovation and inclusion nationwide." About Netbank Netbank is the first fully regulated bank focused on embedded banking in Southeast Asia. It provides banking services, on a fully white-labelled basis, to allow Filipino fintechs to grow fast and reduce their costs, thus accelerating financial inclusion and innovation. It provides simple, creative, low-cost solutions so that fintechs can open accounts, offer loans and manage payments. To learn more, go to www.netbank.ph, or contact [email protected]. About Thredd Thredd is the trusted, AI-first, cloud-enabled issuer processing platform powering the next generation of global payments. Through a single API, unified platform, Thredd delivers debit, credit, digital wallet and ledger capabilities to over 100 fintech, digital banks and embedded finance providers, across 47 countries, processing billions of transactions annually. With a global operating footprint, local expertise, and AI integrated into every layer of its platform, Thredd has been purpose-built for speed, scale and modern issuance models, setting the standard for market entry, client experience, security, regulatory rigour and operational resilience. Learn more at www.thredd.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210562237/en/ Contact Simeon LandoChief Marketing Officer[email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Abu Dhabi Investment Office (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 ABU DHABI, Dec 10, 2025 (BSW) - Abu Dhabi has launched the FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA) cluster to accelerate the development of next-generation financial and investment solutions and expand the emirate's role as a global capital hub. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the cluster is a core pillar of Abu Dhabi's long-term economic diversification agenda. By 2045, FIDA is projected to contribute an additional USD 15.2 billion to Abu Dhabi's direct GDP, generate 8,000 skilled jobs and attract at least USD 4.6 billion in investment, cementing the emirate's position as a destination for innovative and resilient financial systems. FIDA brings together high-growth areas where technology, regulation and capital intersect, including fintech, digital assets, insurance, reinsurance and alternative investments. It aims to position Abu Dhabi as a preferred jurisdiction for global firms seeking to design, test and scale new financial products within a stable, forward-looking regulatory environment. H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said: "Abu Dhabi's economic strategy is built on the long-term horizon planning and the principle that capital, talent and innovation must flow through world-class infrastructure. The FIDA cluster is a structural investment for the future. By coordinating efforts across regulators, sovereign capital, financial institutions and innovators, FIDA strengthens the foundations of next generation finance and reinforces Abu Dhabi global positioning as the Capital of Capital." H.E. Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, commented: "FIDA marks a step-change in Abu Dhabi's role in global finance. We have the architecture of a global financial centre where digital innovation, fintech transformation and next-generation technologies meets long-term capital and forward-looking regulation from the outset. By bringing sovereign investors, regulators, global institutions and technology innovators into a single, connected cluster, Abu Dhabi is the preferred home for those building the future of digital assets, AI-powered financial solutions, and breakthrough fintech platforms." The cluster's integrated programme pillars are designed to create a comprehensive, globally competitive financial ecosystem. FIDA will advance institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure and fintech platforms that meet international standards, expand insurance and reinsurance capacity to serve sophisticated risk management needs and establish consumer-protected long-term savings frameworks that strengthen financial resilience. It will also broaden access to diverse funding channels for small and medium-sized enterprises, including alternative lending, venture debt and growth capital solutions. Sustainable finance is embedded across the cluster, with an emphasis on developing green and transition finance instruments aligned with Abu Dhabi's net-zero commitments. FIDA will also expand the emirate's alternative assets landscape, creating a supportive environment for private equity, venture capital and real estate vehicles targeting global institutional investors. The cluster provides tailored financial infrastructure for priority sectors including food and water innovation through the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster, life sciences through the Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM) cluster and mobility through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. This ensures innovative companies across the economy can access appropriate financing, manage risk and scale effectively. Abu Dhabi's position as the "Capital of Capital" is underpinned by USD 1.8 trillion in sovereign wealth, world-class regulatory frameworks and an extensive network of double-taxation, investment protection and trade agreements. Firms operating within FIDA benefit from efficient, treaty-backed access to major global markets across Europe, North America and Asia. This combination of capital depth, regulatory clarity and international connectivity positions Abu Dhabi to lead in fintech, reinsurance and alternative assets. FIDA brings together a coordinated ecosystem of partners spanning regulation, financing, infrastructure, innovation and talent development. Regulatory oversight is led by the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, ADGM and the Securities and Commodities Authority, which will collaborate to ensure cohesive and future-ready financial governance. Financing partners, including sovereign wealth funds, family offices and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, will provide access to capital at different stages of growth. Infrastructure institutions covering pensions, payments, credit and insurance will support the delivery of global-standard financial products and services. An innovation and R&D network led by Hub71, UAE University, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Emirates Institute of Finance and ADGM Academy will focus on translating research into commercially viable financial technologies. The talent development network will advance skills in actuarial science, fintech engineering, quantitative finance and related disciplines, further strengthening Abu Dhabi's role as a pioneering financial solutions hub. FIDA reinforces Abu Dhabi's status as a next-generation global financial centre and advances the emirate's ambition to become the preferred destination for those building the future of finance and investment management. Source:AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210272808/en/ Contact Neil Luis00971505422125 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. Intel sees record EU fine reduced further Brussels, Belgium, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 The EU General Court dealt a blow to the European Commission on Wednesday in reducing what was initially a record fine against US chipmaker Intel to 237 million euros ($276 million) -- a quarter of the original sum. Brussels imposed an initial 1.06-billion-euro fine on the group in 2009, then a record amount, for abusing its dominant market position between 2002 and 2007 and attempting to drive its only serious competitor, AMD, out of the microprocessor market. Intel has since engaged in lengthy legal proceedings to have the fine overturned. In 2022, it won its case when the General Court, based in Luxembourg, partially invalidated the penalty and ordered the Commission to reassess the total fine. In September 2023, Brussels set a new amount of 376 million euros. But the US group again appealed. In the new ruling published Wednesday, the court said it had "substantially upheld the 2023 decision", but reduced the fine to 237 million euros. The court justified the move citing, firstly, the "relatively limited number of computers" affected by certain restrictions Intel imposed on computer manufacturers such as Acer and Lenovo to hinder AMD. Secondly, it cited a 12-month interval between "some of the anti-competitive practices". fpo/mad/cw/jhb UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday urged UN member states to contribute to the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to "keep hope alive for millions of people who depend on us." "We meet in very difficult times," with humanitarian needs rising and crises multiplying, Guterres said in his remarks to the high-level pledging event on the CERF for 2026. While CERF is the world body's flexible, first-responder fund, the humanitarian system's tank is "running on empty," he said. According to the UN chief, since 2006, CERF has provided nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars in life-saving assistance in more than 100 countries -- working with over 20 UN agencies and hundreds of partners and reaching tens of millions of people every year. This year alone, CERF has allocated some 110 million dollars to neglected and underfunded emergencies, from Afghanistan to Somalia and beyond, he said. The Fund stepped in as soon as humanitarian access opened in Gaza, and helped scale up support for 2.5 million people in Sudan, he said, adding that as Hurricane Melissa approached the Caribbean, the Fund helped countries act early, providing funds, evacuation support and essential supplies that gave families invaluable time before the landfall. "It remains one of our most efficient instruments -- with strong oversight and a proven record of getting funds where they are most needed, when they are most needed," said Guterres. However, the humanitarian system faces its greatest test today, the UN secretary-general warned, adding that "across the system, we are stretching every dollar as far as it can go." In 2025, donor contributions fell sharply, and this year's projected contributions are expected to be the lowest since 2015, he said. "This is a moment when we are asked to do more and more, with less and less," said Guterres, urging member states to reach the 1 billion dollar target for CERF endorsed by the UN General Assembly and keep humanitarian funding predictable for the years ahead. "In creating CERF 20 years ago, the international community made a simple promise: when disaster strikes, help will come," he said. Crew killed in Sudan army plane crash: military sources Port Sudan, Sudan, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2025 A Sudanese military transport aircraft crashed on Tuesday while attempting to land at an air base in the country's east, killing all members of its crew, two military sources told AFP. The Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane went down as it attempted to land at the Osman Digna Air Base in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan after experiencing a "technical malfunction", according to a military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief the media. "All members of the aircraft's crew were killed in the crash," another military source said, also anonymously. The Sudanese army has not disclosed how many personnel were on board and no official casualty figures have been released. The Il-76, a Soviet-designed heavy transport aircraft, has long served as a workhorse of the military and is used to move supplies and personnel across frontlines. The incident came as Sudan remains engulfed in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Since April 2023, the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been locked in a brutal power struggle that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 12 million. Millions more have been left in need of humanitarian assistance as fighting continues across multiple fronts. North Korea fires artillery salvo in military training, South says Seoul, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 North Korea fired 10 artillery shells from a multiple rocket launcher system this week, South Korea's military said Wednesday. The rockets were fired towards the Yellow Sea from the west of the Korean peninsula on Tuesday, an official from Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff told AFP. The salvo was part of the North Korean military's regular wintertime exercises, Yonhap News Agency reported citing military officials. North Korea has not commented on the launch, which came the same day it kicked off a key meeting of its ruling party's central committee. That meeting, led by leader Kim Jong Un, will discuss key policy issues as well as plan for an upcoming party congress -- North Korea's first in four years. The launch also comes a week after South Korea's dovish President Lee Jae Myung said he felt an apology was due to the North over his predecessor's alleged order to send drones and propaganda leaflets across the border. Pyongyang has not responded to the overture from Lee, who has sought to mend fractured ties with the North. North Korea last fired multiple artillery rockets last month, just hours before US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the border separating it from the South. It also fired similar weapons minutes before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November. Salvadoran military officers face trial for 1981 massacre San Salvador, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 A group of Salvadoran military officers will face trial for a 1981 massacre in which the state launched an attack on leftist guerrillas and killed nearly 1,000 civilians, a victims' advocacy group said Tuesday. Soldiers from the Atlacatl Battalion executed 986 people, including 558 children, in northeastern El Mozote and neighboring communities between December 9 and 13, 1981. The victims were accused of collaborating with the leftist Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN). Rights group Cristosal reported 13 of the alleged perpetrators will face trial, according to a resolution issued November 26 by the Investigative Court of the city of San Francisco Gotera. Former Defense Minister Jose Guillermo Garcia and 12 other officers will be tried for charges of murder and rape unless they are able to successfully appeal the trial, according to Cristosal. The progress in the El Mozote case "has been made possible thanks to the crucial testimonial evidence courageously provided by the survivors of the massacre and forensic investigations," Cristosal said. No date has been set in the latest trial, but 92-year-old Garcia and two other former military leaders have already been sentenced to prison for the murder of four Dutch journalists in March 1982. In that case, the three defendants were sentenced to 60 years but will serve the 30-year maximum legally allowed. In July, Cristosal suspended operations in El Salvador, citing escalating repression of humanitarian activists under Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, and continued operations from Guatemala. South Korea protests over China, Russia aircraft incursions Seoul, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 South Korea said it had lodged a protest with representatives of China and Russia on Wednesday, a day after Seoul said those countries' warplanes had entered its air defence zone. Seoul said the complaint had been lodged with the defence attaches of both countries in the South Korean capital. "Our military will continue to respond actively to the activities of neighbouring countries' aircraft within the KADIZ in compliance with international law," said Lee Kwang-suk, director general of the International Policy Bureau at Seoul's defence ministry, referring to the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone. South Korea said Tuesday it had deployed "fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies" in response to the Chinese and Russia incursion into the KADIZ. The planes were spotted before they entered the air defence identification zone, defined as a broader area in which countries police aircraft for security reasons but which does not constitute their airspace. Beijing later in the day confirmed it had organised drills with Russia's military according to "annual cooperation plans". And Moscow also described it as a routine exercise, saying it lasted eight hours and that some foreign fighter jets followed the Russian and Chinese aircraft. Since 2019, China and Russia have regularly flown military aircraft into South Korea's air defence zone without prior notice, citing joint exercises. In November last year, Seoul scrambled jets as five Chinese and six Russian military planes flew through its air defence zone. Similar incidents occurred in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022. South Korea, Japan protest over China, Russia aircraft incursions Seoul, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 South Korea and Japan reacted furiously on Wednesday after Chinese and Russian military aircraft conducted joint patrols around the two countries, with both Seoul and Tokyo scrambling jets. South Korea said it had lodged a protest with representatives of China and Russia, while Japan said it had conveyed its "serious concerns" over national security. According to Tokyo, two Russian Tu-95 nuclear-capable bombers on Tuesday flew from the Sea of Japan to rendezvous with two Chinese H-6 bombers in the East China Sea, then conducted a joint flight around the country. The incident comes as Japan is locked in a dispute with China over comments Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made about Taiwan. The bombers' joint flights were "clearly intended as a show of force against our nation", defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi wrote on X Wednesday. Top government spokesman Minoru Kihara said that Tokyo had "conveyed to both China and Russia our serious concerns over our national security through diplomatic channels". Seoul said Tuesday the Russian and Chinese warplanes entered its air defence zone and that a complaint had been lodged with the defence attaches of both countries in the South Korean capital. "Our military will continue to respond actively to the activities of neighbouring countries' aircraft within the KADIZ in compliance with international law," said Lee Kwang-suk, director general of the International Policy Bureau at Seoul's defence ministry, referring to the Korea Air Defence Identification Zone. South Korea also said it deployed "fighter jets to take tactical measures in preparation for any contingencies" in response to the Chinese and Russian incursion into the KADIZ. The planes were spotted before they entered the air defence identification zone, defined as a broader area in which countries police aircraft for security reasons but which does not constitute their airspace. Japan's defence ministry also scrambled fighter jets to intercept the warplanes. - 'Routine exercise' - Beijing later Tuesday confirmed it had organised drills with Russia's military according to "annual cooperation plans". Moscow also described it as a routine exercise, saying it lasted eight hours and that some foreign fighter jets followed the Russian and Chinese aircraft. Since 2019 China and Russia have regularly flown military aircraft into South Korea's air defence zone without prior notice, citing joint exercises. In November last year Seoul scrambled jets as five Chinese and six Russian military planes flew through its air defence zone. Similar incidents occurred in June and December 2023, and in May and November 2022. Meanwhile Tokyo said Monday it had scrambled jets in response to repeated takeoff and landing exercises involving fighter jets and military helicopters from China's Liaoning aircraft carrier as it cruised in international waters near Japan. It also summoned Beijing's ambassador after military aircraft from the Liaoning locked radar onto Japanese jets, the latest incident in the row ignited by Takaichi's comments backing Taiwan. Takaichi suggested last month that Japan would intervene militarily in any Chinese attack on the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out seizing by force. French special forces helped Benin after attempted coup: military Cotonou, Benin, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 French special forces provided support to Beninese troops who put down an attempted coup at the weekend, the head of the country's republican guard told AFP on Wednesday. Dieudonne Djimon Tevoedjre said Beninese troops were "truly valiant and faced the enemy all day", after a group of soldiers announced on state television that they had ousted President Patrice Talon early on Sunday. "French special forces were sent from Abidjan, used for mopping up operations after the Beninese army had done the job," the commander added in a telephone interview. On Tuesday, the French presidency said it had supported the authorities in Benin as part of a regional effort that included Nigerian air strikes against coup plotters. An aide to President Emmanuel Macron said France provided "surveillance, observation and logistical support" assistance to the military, at the request of the government, without confirming or denying the presence of French troops. Sunday's attempted coup came after a wave of military takeovers in west Africa, including in Benin's northern neighbours Niger and Burkina Faso. The coups have severely eroded French influence and presence in its former colonies. - 'The worst could have happened' - Colonel Tevoedjre, who personally led the response on the ground to an attack on Talon's official residence, estimated the number of mutineers involved at about 100. He said they had "considerable resources", including armoured vehicles, but despite counting on the element of surprise did not receive wider support from the army at large. "We had the spontaneous support of other units, which were deployed throughout the day to retake control of areas and strategic points in Cotonou," he added. Air strikes came later in the day when the rebel soldiers were holed up in a camp in a residential area of the economic capital. French special troops were involved, notably to "avoid collateral damage", Tevoedjre said. He did not provide a toll of casualties but said the rebels were "left with bodies and wounded" after "fierce fighting" when they attacked Talon's residence. "The worst could have happened. As soldiers and as people committed to the republic, we simply did our duty," he added. At least a dozen soldiers have been arrested. The alleged ringleader of the putsch is said to have fled to neighbouring Togo. Talon, who is due to leave office next April after two terms, appeared on state television on Sunday evening, stating that the situation was "completely under control". His 10 years in power have seen solid economic growth in Benin but also a surge in jihadist violence in the north and a rise in authoritarianism. On Wednesday, several hundred Talon supporters gathered in Cotonou to condemn the coup and express their full support for the president, according to an AFP journalist at the scene. Talon's designated successor is Finance Minister Romuald Wadagni and is the overwhelming favourite in the poll, from which the main opposition party is excluded. Creating a European defence industry a tough call: Airbus Paris, France, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 The head of Airbus on Wednesday said constructing a European defence industry, especially around a future joint fighter jet, was a struggle, urging manufacturers and governments to improve cooperation. Guillaume Faury told France Inter radio that the industry was a "real uphill battle" but added: "When we manage to work together, we achieve some pretty good things." He said he believes that the SCAF fighter jet programme, for which French aircraft manufacturer Dassault is the main contractor, with Airbus also involved on behalf of German and Spanish manufacturers, "will happen." But he said he regretted an ongoing "fairly significant disagreement" with Dassault "on how to conduct the aircraft's development". For Faury, "the SCAF is a combat system which comprises an aircraft, drones, what we call a combat cloud, and a digital system connecting all the components. "The manner of cooperation for each of pillar is not yet finalised," he added. In September, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier said the French group was capable of developing the sixth-generation aircraft "on its own" and said there should be review of the project's three-way partnership. "With any cooperation, you must develop something that benefits all parties involved," Faury responded. "If one party says it's on my terms or not, that's not very conducive" to collaborative success, he argued. "Today, we're caught between two opposing visions... We need to be able to develop an aircraft which meets the needs of the French, but also the Germans and the Spanish." According to the German government website, the three countries' defence ministers -- Boris Pistorius of Germany, Catherine Vautrin of France, and Margarita Robles of Spain -- are scheduled to meet Friday in Berlin. Their agenda has not been revealed, however. During a visit to Berlin a month ago, French President Emmanuel Macron referred to an "obligation to achieve results" regarding the FCAS, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed the need to reach a decision by year end. im-clp/pyv/cw/phz Airbus Group Colombian leader calls for Venezuelan transitional government Bogota, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 Colombian President Gustavo Petro called Wednesday for a general amnesty paving the way for a transitional government in neighboring Venezuela. He made the call on the same day that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Petro said President Nicolas Maduro "must accept that the response to external aggression is not just military readiness but a democratic revolution." He added that the best way for a country to defend itself was "with more democracy," not "more repression." Petro, Colombia's first-ever leftist president, has pushed for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis in neighboring Venezuela which reached fever pitch with Maduro's claim to a third presidential term last year, rejected by much of the international community. Maduro rival and Machado stand-in Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won by a July 2024 election by a landslide according to the opposition's own count in the absence of an official public tally. Gonzalez Urrutia went into exile and Machado lives in hiding in Venezuela. "The problem in Venezuela is democracy, and it's time for a general amnesty and a transitional government that includes everyone," Petro wrote on X Wednesday. Petro has criticized a US military deployment within striking distance of Venezuela -- which Maduro believes is aimed at toppling him. President Donald Trump has, without providing evidence, has accused Petro of being involved in drug trafficking and has hit the Colombian leader and his family with financial sanctions. Honduran military vows to guarantee transfer of presidential power Tegucigalpa, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 The Honduran military vowed Wednesday to ensure a peaceful transfer of power regardless of who wins a November 30 presidential election in which votes are still being counted amid interference claims. The armed forces of the Central American country have intervened in politics in the past and carried out several coups d'etat, most recently in 2009 when they ousted then-president Manuel Zelaya -- husband of incumbent leftist leader Xiomara Castro. "We have been clear," armed forces chief Roosevelt Hernandez insisted Wednesday. "We have said we will support and recognize the results" that emerge from the count underway by the CNE electoral council, with two right-wingers neck-and-neck. Hernandez, who is close to the outgoing government, told Televicentro that the military would "ensure... the transfer of the presidency of the republic." Right-wing businessman Nasry Asfura, backed by US President Donald Trump, has a razor-thin lead in the count over TV personality Salvador Nasralla. Suspicions of interference have been fueled by successive computer failures that have stalled tallying, which the CNE legally has a month to complete. Nasralla has claimed fraud in the process, backed by outgoing Castro and the trailing leftist candidate Rixi Moncada, who has called for an election annulment. The Chinese government website launched the online initiative, Share Your Views on 2026 China's Government Work Report, on Dec 10, 2025. The initiative aims to solicit public opinions and suggestions on government work. It will run through to the annual sessions of the national legislature and the national political advisory body in 2026. The initiative covers 10 topics, including economy and trade, finance, innovation and digitalization, travel in China, and live in China. Suggestions can be submitted via english.www.gov.cn, its app and participating websites and platforms, and will be forwarded to the draft team of the Government Work Report and relevant departments for further consideration. 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 Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, was named by the MoD as the soldier killed on Tuesday morning in Ukraine (Ministry of Defence/PA)Undated family handout photo issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment, who has been named by the MoD as the soldier killed on Tuesday morning in Ukraine as he watched the testing of a new defensive capability. Issue date: Wednesday December 10, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Family Handout/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. But Dr Streather stressed that hospitals already face the triple pressure from staff being off sick due to the flu, dealing with the huge wave of the virus, and as they try to get patients off wards and home to avoid them having to stay in during the Christmas period. Photo taken on May 23, 2025 shows European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 50 percent tax on all imports from the European Union as well a 25 percent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are made in the United States. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) The EU's antitrust investigation against U.S. tech giants and the U.S. putting down the EU in its National Security Strategy expose a growing split in transatlantic relations. BRUSSELS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- From Europe's sweeping crackdown on American big tech to a hard-edged new U.S. national security strategy, transatlantic tensions are mounting. In the past week, the European Commission opened two antitrust investigations into U.S. tech giant Google and Meta, and fined Elon Musk's platform X 120 million euros (about 139.49 million U.S. dollars) in its first non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Simultaneously, the White House published a new National Security Strategy warning that Europe faces the "prospect of civilizational erasure." This has triggered an unusually sharp backlash from European leaders. Analysts say the rift between the United States and Europe is widening, a trend that is reinforcing Europe's drive for greater "strategic autonomy" and making the split increasingly difficult to reverse. DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY DISPUTE On Dec. 5, the European Commission issued its first non-compliance decision under the DSA, fining X 120 million euros for the deceptive design of its blue checkmark, a lack of transparency in its advertising repository, and failing to provide researchers with access to public data. X owner Elon Musk then blasted the European Union (EU) for the fine, warning that his response would target the officials responsible for the penalty. This file photo taken on Feb. 19, 2025 shows Elon Musk holding a stuffed Air Force One toy upon arrival on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on May 28 that he is leaving his government role as an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has condemned the fine as an attack on American companies and an act of censorship against Americans online. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau argued that the EU's regulatory stance could damage shared Western security and values. However, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen has insisted the law "has nothing to do with censorship." On Tuesday, the Commission opened a separate antitrust investigation into whether Google has breached EU anticompetitive rules. U.S. National Public Radio said that Europe has been striving to establish itself as the global authority for digital regulation. The Trump administration has pushed back against perceived curbs on U.S. companies' profits, highlighting a growing division over the concept of digital sovereignty, which has transformed long-standing allies into competitors. U.S. SECURITY STRATEGY RATTLES EUROPE While the tech battles have exposed an economic rift, the new U.S. National Security Strategy has raised the issues of identity and values. Several U.S. and European outlets have pointed out that in the 30-page document, barely two and a half pages are devoted to Europe, a level of neglect they say no previous U.S. strategy document has shown toward its European allies. Photo taken on December 2, 2025 shows the White House, in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) Analysts believe the new Strategy underlines how Europe is being pushed down the list of U.S. priorities. "For Trump, however, Europe seems increasingly irrelevant or, on a bad day, even an adversary," said Leonard A. Schuette, an international security program fellow at the Belfer Center at the Harvard Kennedy School. Some experts also argue that the strategy extends the rift into the realm of the shared values that once underpinned the transatlantic security alliance. The Financial Times reported that the document "highlights the ideological gulf that has opened up between Washington and its traditional allies." The Strategy also calls on the U.S. to "cultivate resistance within European nations" to what it describes as Europe's current trajectory, and commends far-right "patriotic" parties across the continent. Liana Fix, a senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations, pointed out that the document frames Europe's problems in "civilizational" terms, which is radically different from any past administration's view of Europe. Fix concluded that it "marks the end of the transatlantic alliance based on liberal values." STRATEGIC AUTONOMY BECOMING MORE URGENT Europe's drive for strategic autonomy is looking more urgent than ever, faced with tariff threats, tech enforcement battles, and the new U.S. strategy document. U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks to reporters during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Oct. 1, 2025. Vance warned on Wednesday that a prolonged federal government shutdown will lead to layoffs, blaming the Democrats for the current stalemate. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) From U.S. Vice President JD Vance's blunt criticism of Europe at the Munich Security Conference early this year, to the U.S. tendency to bypass European allies in negotiations on Ukraine, the pattern of "America First" decisions has pushed Europe toward strengthening its own strategic autonomy. In recent months, the EU has invoked its digital regulations to launch a series of enforcement actions against major U.S. tech firms. Analysts describe these moves as a direct response to the U.S. use of tariff threats to interfere with the bloc's digital regulatory agenda. At the same time, several European countries have begun raising defense budgets and expanding joint military cooperation in an effort to reduce long-standing dependence on the U.S. in security and defense. A recent paper published by the European Union Institute for Security Studies warns that Europe is not facing a "storm that will pass." It is a multi-round contest in which power, alliances, and resilience are built over time, the paper said. To prepare for what comes next, the paper urges Europe to "collect more cards and learn to play them smartly," including boosting defense capabilities, investing in strategic industries, and rebuilding Europe's economic security, so it can safeguard its own security and democratic future. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) The UK and Denmark are among a number of countries grappling with migration problems which are pushing for changes in the way the treaty is interpreted, notably in its Article 3 protection against inhuman or degrading treatment and the Article 8 right to a family life. In a warning to other leaders, Sir Keir and Ms Frederiksen added: Europe has faced big tests before and we have overcome them by acting together. Now we must do so again. Otherwise, the forces that seek to divide us will grow stronger. Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UKs refugee and migrant rights programme director, said: There is a dreadful irony in our Justice Secretary working with his counterparts to remove or reduce rights on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It shows how far we have drifted from the moral resolve of the last century, when our grandparents determined that the fact we are all born free and equal must be protected in law. Aukus is too significant and the stakes are too high for it to be allowed to drift. Our driving focus now is overcoming any barriers to delivery. And the UK is all in. Kate Nash tells MPs: I sell pictures of my bum on the internet to fund my tour Kate Nash tells MPs: I sell pictures of my bum to fund my tour Were obviously keeping a very close eye on the way that this is playing out in Australia because we know that young people are really struggling with the amount of time that they spend online and what is happening to them online, Ms Nandy told Sky News. According to the BBC, which attended the summit, agreeing to the rule changes meant agreeing not to proceed with a vote on whether Israel could compete, with Swedish broadcaster SVT claiming that the vote was not specific to the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN. by Dames Alexander Sinaga WEST TANJUNG JABUNG, Indonesia, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- In the quiet peatland districts of West Tanjung Jabung Regency in Indonesia's Jambi province, a subtle yet significant transformation is unfolding among smallholder farmers who have long cultivated one of the world's most overlooked coffee varieties: Liberica. For decades, Liberica has remained on the margins of global coffee culture. But in the coastal lowlands of Jambi, where deep, waterlogged and acidic soils pose challenges for most commercial crops, the hardy Liberica tree thrives. Its deep roots, tall structure and resilience have tied the crop to the cultural memory of local communities. Farmers in West Tanjung Jabung even have a name that reflects this connection: kopi liberika tungkal, which links the bean closely to their regional identity and heritage. "Liberica survives where other coffees die," said Harihadi, a 41-year-old coffee farmer from Mekar Jaya village. "It's part of our landscape. It's part of our family history." Like many Indonesians, Harihadi uses a single name. For over eight years, he has run a community cafe in his village. The cafe has grown into a hub of creativity and connection, a vibrant space far removed from what the land used to be. "Before this cafe was built, this place was nothing but wilderness," he recalled. Today, the cafe hosts barista workshops, art exhibitions, live music and youth gatherings. It has become a symbol of how a community and its traditional crop can evolve together. The shift toward value-added Liberica, however, was not easy. For years, farmers sold only green beans, lacking the equipment, skills and market access needed to process and market higher-value products. Change began in 2016 with the involvement of PetroChina International Jabung Ltd. The company, which operates the Jabung Working Area, one of Jambi's major oil and gas blocks, started working with Mekar Jaya farmers. The company, the international arm of China National Petroleum Corporation, introduced training and support to help farmers process, market and promote Liberica as a specialty coffee. Since 2017, PetroChina's community development initiatives have focused on strengthening every stage of the Liberica value chain, from post-harvest processing and disease control to sustainable cultivation. Although Liberica is produced in smaller quantities than Arabica or Robusta, its distinct flavor has positioned it as a rising specialty product. Market interest has grown accordingly. Prices for local Liberica green beans now reach around 85,000 Indonesian rupiahs (about 5.1 U.S. dollars) per kg, reflecting both growing demand and limited national competition. In Mekar Jaya, where Liberica is part of everyday life, farmers say their beans are increasingly recognized as a premium offering. Ahmad Ramadlan, corporate social responsibility and community development supervisor at PetroChina International Jabung Ltd., said the company's vision goes beyond coffee marketing. "Liberica is not just a commodity, but a regional identity," Ramadlan said. "We are not just building an outlet, we are building the capacity of farmers and MSMEs so they can become independent, grow stronger and innovate from upstream to downstream." In Mekar Jaya, that vision is beginning to take shape. At Harihadi's cafe, young people gather to taste, learn and experiment, while farmers speak with newfound pride about their crop. Across the waterlogged peatlands of West Tanjung Jabung, a once-forgotten bean is carving out a future, supported by tradition, resilience and a growing belief that Liberica's moment has arrived. Austin attorney Mikal Watts stands in front of a memorial at a playground in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, where he says a Russian missile struck and "blew up a bunch of kids" on April 4. He and other lawyers have filed lawsuits against Texas companies that allegedly supplied semiconductor components used in Russian missiles and drones to injure and kill civilians in Ukraine. Watts is shown in a video he took while visiting Ukraine in recent days. Facebook screengrab Two Texas-based companies and two with major operations in the state illegally supplied semiconductor components used in Russian missiles and Iranian drones that attacked civilians in Ukraine, according to five lawsuits filed Wednesday. The suits were filed in state District Court in Dallas by a legal team led by Austin lawyer Mikal Watts on behalf of individuals and families who were either injured or had relatives killed in attacks. San Antonio attorney James Jamie Shaw also is part of the team. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The companies targeted are manufacturers Texas Instruments Inc. of Dallas and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) and Intel Corp., California companies that both have a significant presence in Austin. Mansfield-based Mouser Electronics Inc., a distributor, also is a defendant. They are being sued for gross negligence, wrongful death, fraudulent concealment and conspiracy to evade and/or violate export restrictions to Russia and Iran. Watts team represents about 20 plaintiffs, including 14 people who were killed and six who were injured. Each lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages. The companies had not yet been served with the suits. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source We deeply respect the legal process and will respond to this matter in court, versus the media, Kevin Hess, senior vice president of marketing at Mouser Electronics, said in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The other companies didnt respond to requests for comment The United States of America has provided $175 billion in security assistance to Ukraine as it attempts to defend itself from Russian aggression, Watts said during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington. But most of the damage were seeing there now is being caused by missiles and drones guided to their targets by American chip technology thats being illegally exported into Russia. MORE ON WATTS: Camp Mystic gets high-profile lawyer to defend it against flood lawsuits The weapons have negated the value of the U.S.s security expenditures in Ukraine, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Killing kids Watts just returned from a nine-day investigative trip to Ukraine, including a stop in Kryvyi Rhi, where he posted a video on Facebook in front of a memorial at a playground in a residential neighborhood. It had been struck by a Russian missile that blew up a bunch of kids, he said. We now have a war strategy that is designed to focus on kids, Watts said in Washington. The Russians are focused on kids, attacking kids, killing kids, crushing the parents. Its just the saddest thing youve ever seen. While the plaintiffs seek compensation for their damages, he said his clients primary goal is to stop U.S. technology from being used in weapons attacking their country. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The companies have made no effort to restrict distribution of the chips other than to check the box to say that Im not directly selling to a guy named Vladimir Putin, he said. But they know full well that these chips are getting there. Part of the purpose of the press conference was to embarrass the companies into doing what is right, Watts said. Ive learned if you can assemble large numbers of plaintiffs and provide litigation pressure, its going to get real expensive. His law firm touts that it has collected settlement recoveries exceeding $7 billion. That includes one last year of as much as $2.2 billion to resolve claims by about 80,000 people who alleged a discontinued version of the heartburn drug Zantac caused cancer. While at his former firm, he headed up a legal team that obtained a $13.5 billion settlement against PG&E Corp. on behalf of thousands of victims of the California wildfires in 2017 and 2018. The allegations The plaintiffs allege the companies committed domestic corporate negligence in allowing their microchips, processors and programmable devices to be illegally diverted to Russia and Iran. The components enable the Russian military to remotely pilot missiles and drones to locations where Ukrainian citizens, including Plaintiffs, are vulnerable and defenseless from a military attack. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Residents react after viewing the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on an apartment building during a combined missile and drone air attack in June in Kyiv, Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky/Associated Press The companies, by willfully ignoring the diversion of their products, have chosen to maximize profit ahead of their duties to take reasonable steps to keep their products out of the wrong hands, the complaints say. American companies are prohibited by law from selling their technology, directly or indirectly, to Russia and Iran or companies in those nations. U.S. companies also are required by law to ensure that their technology is not sold through intermediaries to Russia and Iran. The defendants have had extensive notice from government agencies, the media and elsewhere that their products are being diverted for weapons programs in Russia and Iran, the suits say. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nearly 15,000 Ukrainians have been killed and more than 39,000 injured since Russias invasion in February 2022, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Despite two years of savage, criminal aggression, and two years of sanctions, American technology is still fueling Russias murderous war against Ukraine, the suit says. The illicit flood of semiconductors into Russia is enabled by the knowing neglect or willful ignorance of American companies. It borders on intentional disregard. Plaintiffs cite only Texas state-law claims in their suit and do not allege any federal or international-law claims. The suit wasnt filed in Ukraine because its not a safe or adequate forum to litigate the claims, given its an active war zone that would expose parties in the case to risks of injury or death, the plaintiffs say. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The U.S. companies owed a common-law duty of care under Texas law to the Ukrainians, the plaintiffs say, noting that Ukraine relinquished its nuclear weapons program in 1994 in exchange for security assurances from the United States. Forensic inspections of debris from Russian weapons systems, including missiles and drones, have repeatedly identified microchips manufactured by Texas Instruments, AMD, Intel or their affiliates, the suits say. Hospital attack The named plaintiffs in one of the lawsuits were injured during a July 8, 2024, attack on Ukraines childrens hospital in Kyiv. Livdmyia Dmytrivna and Oksana Fomeniuk each had a child who was receiving kidney dialysis treatment at the time of the blast. Dr. Olha Babicheva and nurse Viktoriia Didovets, who were injured while tending to the children, also are named plaintiffs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Babicheva, appearing by video at Wednesday's event in Washington, recounted the morning of the attack. We had, together with the doctors, to get down (in the basement) to finalize the procedure of hemodialysis for the children, she said through a translator. After that, I could hear an explosion and I dont remember anything after that I came to my senses the next morning. She suffered a skull bone injury, an orbital bone fracture and extensive arm injuries, leaving her with no feeling in her right arm. She suffers from dizziness and falls down frequently, the suit says. She also no longer conducts medical conferences because she does not speak well and has forgotten medical terminology. Didovets sustained damage to her liver and a pelvic fracture, and was unable to walk for months. She is unable to flex her right foot and cannot walk normally, the suit says. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The two minor children eventually received new kidneys, Watts said. According to Finbold, Americans remain the biggest spenders on OnlyFans, paying nearly $2.64 billion on the platform in 2025.(Photo Illustration by Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images A data source called OnlyGuider recently dropped its "OnlyFans Wrapped 2025" analysis, and according to the report, Texans ahem spend a lot of money on the platform. Per the report, OnlyFans made a revenue of $7.2 billion, a boost from $6.6 billion in 2024. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The OnlyGuider report indicates that, on average, 10,000 Americans spent a combined $77,334 on OnlyFans nationwide, equaling roughly $7.73 per individual. But what slice of that consists of Texans? Here's what to know. How much did Americans spend per day on OnlyFans? According to OnlyGuider, Americans continue to be OnlyFans biggest spenders, contributing an estimated $2.64 billion to the platform in 2025. 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 Using year-to-date revenue data from OnlyGuider (covering 334 days of 2025), Finbold analyzed OnlyFans average U.S. earnings on a daily, hourly and per-second basis. The Finbold analysis reveals that U.S. users spend approximately $237 million per month, $55 million per week and $7.9 million per day on the platform. That breaks down to roughly $329,000 per hour, $5,483 per minute or about $91 every second. What Texas cities are spending money on OnlyFans? OnlyFans calculated 2025s Top 20 Spending Cities in North & South America (Per Capita). Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin, Dallas and Houston made the list of cities spending money on OnlyFans in this region. Here is where they ranked. Rank City 2025 Spend (Per 10k) 2024 Spend (Per 10k) % Change 1 Atlanta $525,475.69 $515,470.62 1.94% 2 Orlando $466,430.19 $443,542.73 5.16% 3 Miami $374,921.38 $363,951.79 3.01% 4 Washington DC $352,885.86 $377,998.33 -6.64% 5 Minneapolis $337,268.01 $327,400.10 3.01% 6 Denver $296,498.98 $290,853.63 1.94% 7 Seattle $288,159.15 $282,672.59 1.94% 8 Las Vegas $258,607.76 $243,434.01 6.23% 9 Boston $212,351.59 $204,013.38 4.09% 10 Dallas $201,308.83 $203,915.33 -1.28% 11 Baltimore $197,684.43 $189,922.15 4.09% 12 Portland $179,752.94 $176,330.44 1.94% 13 Austin $179,230.56 $177,688.41 0.87% 14 Los Angeles $178,447.27 $175,049.63 1.94% 15 Chicago $173,650.63 $170,344.31 1.94% 16 San Diego $149,549.03 $148,262.27 0.87% 17 Vancouver, Canada $144,906.44 $137,795.96 5.16% 18 Houston $138,801.86 $133,351.67 4.09% 19 Nashville $138,576.17 $145,102.02 -4.50% 20 New Orleans $136,850.50 $128,820.83 6.23% What was the methodology? According to data from OnlyGuider, to pinpoint where the $7.2 billion economy truly resides, they developed a proprietary financial model that blends search intent, traffic quality, and verified revenue data. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here is how they do so: They harvested over two years of monthly search volumes for OnlyFans across 216 countries and 300+ cities using the Google Ads API, filtering for high-intent traffic. They weighted search volumes by conversion quality for each location. A search from Switzerland converts differently than one from a non-payment-supported region. According to OnlyFans, this allowed them to allocate the global $7.2bn revenue pot accurately across national borders. To model city-level spend, they calculated a Revenue Per Search (RPS) for every country (National Revenue / National Search Volume). They then applied this RPS to city-specific search volumes to generate granular urban revenue estimates. What is OnlyFans? OnlyFans is a subscription-driven social media site where creators offer exclusive contentoften adult, but also spanning fitness, music, cooking, and moreto paying subscribers. Users subscribe or tip to access posts, and the platform takes a 20% share, enabling creators to earn directly from their audiences. Advertisement Article continues below this ad FILE An Austin police car follows a driverless Tesla robotaxi in early July in Austin. Federal data show the companys vehicles were involved in four crashes in the city during September. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Elon Musk is doubling down on his promise that Tesla robotaxis in Austin will be entirely driverless by the end of the year. During an event for his artificial intelligence company xAI, the Tesla Inc. CEO said Tuesday the companys ride-hailing fleet will be fully autonomous in about three weeks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I think its pretty much a solved problem, were just going through validation right now, Musk said. He first teased the idea in October that the front passenger seat safety monitors would be removed by the end of the year. Theyve been there since the service launched in June with an invitation-only rider list. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The three-week countdown is coming as Musk says Tesla will double the size of its Austin-area fleet this month. That would bring it to about 60 Model Y robotaxis operating in a service area of about 173 square miles potentially relieving the long wait list for a ride through the Tesla Robotaxi app. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It falls far short of Musks earlier claim that 500 robotaxis would be on the streets in Austin by the end of the year. Hes also said there would be about a thousand robotaxis operating in the San Francisco Bay Area by the end of 2025. If Tesla removes its safety monitors, it will join Waymo as the only widely available fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Austin. Waymo, the industry-leader, is currently servicing five U.S. metros with plans to expand into more next year, including San Antonio and Dallas. Both Waymo and Tesla have received criticism about road safety and operations, with Waymo taking flak recently after its robotaxis were found to have illegally passed stopped Austin ISD school buses 20 times since August. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Teslas robotaxis operate differently than other autonomous vehicles, relying solely on cameras and machine-learning technology rather than also relying on lidar or radar sensors. The Austin automakers approach has drawn criticism from advocates who say Teslas less expensive and more scalable method comes at the expense of road safety. Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke speak on the panel for "Blue Moon" at Deadline Contenders Film: Los Angeles held at the Directors Guild of America on November 15, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Deadline via Getty Images Austin-based filmmaker Richard Linklater will head into awards season with two films in the running for one of the Golden Globes top categories. At Mondays announcement of the 2026 nominations, both Blue Moon and Nouvelle Vague secured spots in the race for best motion picture musical or comedy ahead of the Jan. 11 ceremony. The recognition marks a notable moment for the filmmaker, whose career stretching from Slacker and Dazed and Confused to Boyhood and the Before trilogy has long been defined by experiments with time and structure and an insistence on finding drama in everyday experience. This years contenders continue that trajectory, each revisiting history through a personal, stylized lens. Advertisement Article continues below this ad How Linklaters period pieces fit into this years Golden Globes lineup Richard Linklater, Andrew Scott, Margaret Qualley and Ethan Hawke pose for photographers on the red carpet for the film "Blue Moon" presented in competition of the 75th Berlinale. STEFANIE LOOS/AFP via Getty Images Blue Moon tracks a single night in the life of 1940s lyricist Lorenz Hart, capturing the songwriters creative peak and personal unraveling on the eve of a major Broadway opening. Ethan Hawke, who stars as Hart, has been widely praised for the performance. He earned a nomination for best actor in a musical or comedy. Zoey Deutch stars as Jean Seberg and Guillaume Marbeck as Jean Luc Godard in Richard Linklater's "Nouvelle Vague." PROVIDED BY JEAN-LOUIS FERNANDEZ/NETFLIX Nouvelle Vague shifts to midcentury Paris, reconstructing the chaotic and freewheeling shoot of Jean-Luc Godards Breathless. Shot in black-and-white and made with a French cast and crew, the film mirrors the New Waves aesthetic while tracing the moment when Godard transitioned from critic to director. Linklater uses the project to explore how early innovators reshaped what films could be. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Globes film field is led this year by Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another with nine nominations, followed by Joachim Triers Sentimental Value (eight), Sinners (seven), Hamnet (six), and both Wicked: For Good and Frankenstein with five each. On the television side, The White Lotus earned six nominations, topping the field. British drama Adolescence followed with five, and both Severance and Only Murders in the Building received four each. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People dine at Mercado Sin Nombre in Austin, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Two Austin eateries have landed on the New York Times lists of the best dishes and best desserts of the year, highlighting the citys reputation as one of the countrys most dynamic food destinations. The lists remind readers that some of the citys most influential cooking is happening in its smallest spaces an alley cafe redefining Mexican-inflected pastries and a food truck introducing many Austinites to Indonesian comfort dishes for the first time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Bad Honey Bunny at Mercado Sin Nombre The Bad Honey Bunny at Mercado Sin Nombre was a New York Times highlight in its 2025 most memorable dishes list. Matthew Odam / Austin American-Statesman The New York Times named Mercado Sin Nombres Bad Honey Bunny one of its most memorable dishes of 2025, praising its precision and perfume. Food reporter Priya Krishna wrote that the coiled pastry looks almost cartoonishly perfect, adding that the heady scent of cardamom and honey hits you before you even take a bite. Despite its beauty, she noted, the $7 bun tastes every bit as plush and elegant as it appears. The national recognition may come as no surprise to Austin diners whove already discovered the cafe tucked behind a nondescript alley off Pleasant Valley Road. But for many, Mercado Sin Nombre still feels like a secret. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Mercado Sin Nombre owner Julian Maltby, second from right, with executive chef Aurora Torrado-Arroyo, left to right, front-of-house manager Juan Riojas and kitchen manager Daniel Martinez Faccio on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Austin American-Statesman restaurant critic Matthew Odam has argued that the cafe defies expectations for a walk-up window. Calling it one of the great hidden gems of Austin, Odam wrote that just a few bites and a slight investigation lets you know that there is much more to Julian Maltbys coffee shop than meets the eye. While Maltby emphasizes Mexican corn and coffee traditions, Odam notes that the food program is being helmed by the kind of major talent you expect at award-winning restaurants, not walk-up windows. The NYT nod suggests the rest of the country is now catching up. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ketan hitam at Yenis Fusion On the dessert side, The New York Times singled out the ketan hitam a warm black rice pudding from Yenis Fusion, the Indonesian food truck on Burnet Road. Krishna described the dish as barely sweet, lush with coconut milk, and the gentlest way to end a meal, emphasizing the aromatics of pandan and its soothing, porridge-like texture. But the story behind Yenis Fusion is just as compelling as its desserts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Yeni Rosdiyani moved to Texas in 2011 and opened her first food operation, Yeni's Fusion, in 2021. Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman Odam has chronicled chef-owner Yeni Rosdiyanis mission to bring Indonesian cuisine to Austin, a city with far more Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Japanese options than Indonesian ones. She has a point, Odam wrote. The city has no shortage of [those cuisines] but I only know of one Austin restaurant serving a menu of Indonesian dishes. Rosdiyani, who grew up in Java, has become, in his view, the best possible ambassador for the flavors she grew up cooking with her father. Kitsu Nori will serve a variety of nigiri, handrolls and cold and hot tastings. PROVIDED BY MIDNIGHT MARKETING AGENCY James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Qui is making his return to the Austin sushi world. Take two. And this time with a unique twist. After leaving his short-lived partnership at the since-closed Top Roe due to philosophical differences with some first-time partners, the chef who helped open Uchi and Uchiko and won Top Chef is opening a handroll sushi bar in a familiar South Austin retail center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Qui will open Kitsu Nori at 2310 S. Lamar on Saturday (next door to his former East Side King, which will become Qui-led pizzeria Roselle in 2026). The intimate space, which will feature sushi bar seating and a handful of tables, will take a unique approach to sushi. The chef, who operates restaurants in Houston and Miami, intends to eventually serve sushi made only with fish from coastal waters around North America, from ocean trout to lobster, scallops and uni. Our end goal is to do a different kind of sushi bar thats accessible. I feel like if youve gone to one omakase in town, youve gone to all of them. With the exception of Tsuke Edomae, theyre all doing the same stuff and telling you the same story when you go and eat there: Ive got a plug in Japan; this came in fresh, flown-in everyday from Japan. Come on. Theres three companies that theyre ordering it from. Were all getting this same stuff, Qui said. Chef Paul Qui served as the opening executive chef at Uchiko and later won "Top Chef." MATTHEW ODAM/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Qui acknowledges that Japan is home to some exceptional fish, but believes America is overlooked when it comes to quality seafood. He laughs at the idea that sourcing seasonally and locally is a slight to tradition. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its the most Japanese thing to do to make it with American ingredients, Qui said. In addition to eventually sourcing fish from waters closer to home (the opening menu will feature some European and Japanese fish), Qui also intends to take a new approach to other components, such as the all-important sushi vinegar. With a mind toward health, Qui intends to serve a red vinegar colored by beet juice, which he says will give natural sweetness to the vinegar lower the amount of added sugars found in most sushi vinegar. Sushis been around the U.S. for so long. Theres smarter ways to do this, Qui said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Chef Paul Qui intends to eventually serve a menu with fish sourced only from North America. PROVIDED BY MIDNIGHT MARKETING AGENCY Kitsu Nori, which Qui says will use automated machines to deliver rice with consistent texture and temperature while keeping costs manageable, will serve several open-faced handroll sets, along with a roster of nigiri pieces and hot dishes. The opening menu includes salmon, tuna, lobster, crab and Maine scallop. The restaurant will be open Tuesday-Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m., taking reservations on OpenTable, along with walk-ins. The space will also include a large courtyard bar behind the restaurant, eventually to be shared with pizzeria Roselle, which will be run by longtime Qui friend Bill Norris, one of the early trailblazers of the Austin cocktail scene at places like Midnight Cowboy. Qui says he is taking cues from the Japanese philosophy of ikebana, the art of floral arrangement, in creating the sushi pieces. The space, colored in deep blues, features handmade pecan tables from Quis partner, John Park with stripes of gold running through them that echo kintsugi, the Japanese art of reforming broken pottery with gold bonding. Advertisement Article continues below this ad That design element is significant for Qui, who has spent more time over the past year reengaging with the Austin restaurant scene for the first time since he was arrested for domestic violence in 2016. The charges were later dropped. Amy Lopez cooks dinner alongside Kiana Young, 7, at their former home in Austin. The Lopez family has since moved into a roomier affordable housing community but they need basic items to fill the home like bed frames, mattresses and kitchen items. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Amy Lopez and her four kids are enjoying settling to their new, larger, safer home in North Austin. Lopez, who parents her kids 15-year-old Major, 12-year-old Aliyha, 11-year-old Paris and 7-year-old Kiana solo, has been applying for housing assistance since 2002, and her latest round of funding just ran out. But it hasnt stopped her from pursuing a better life for her children, whose father isnt in the picture. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Lopez family is one of 12 families featured in the Statesman's Season for Caring program, which highlights the needs of people in our community and raises funds to help these families as well as hundreds of others through local nonprofits. Lopez was nominated by Foundation for the Homeless. Since the American-Statesman last checked in with Lopez, she and her kids moved up the street to an affordable housing community that allows her to give her family more space while still letting her rebuild her credit score as she works toward moving into a house. The kids love it, Lopez said, saying the apartments are brand new, very spacious better, bigger and well worth it for her family. 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 But the family is still in need of assistance to fill up that spacious apartment with must-need items for Lopez and the kids. Major still needs a desk, Lopez said, and she needs a mattress for herself and a bed frame and bunk bed for the girls. The kids enjoy playing video games, so Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles would help bring them together, and other necessities like bath towels, skin care items and electric toothbrushes will assist with personal hygiene. The family also still needs a Christmas tree just weeks ahead of the holiday. From left, Amy Lopez and her children, Kiana Young, 7, Paris Young, 11, Aliyha Young, 12 and Major Young, 15, at their home in November. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman The family has been living in an apartment for the past two years after some time experiencing homelessness and living in a shelter, so assistance getting many of the basics cookware, a blender, clothes will help Lopez put money toward the rent on the new apartment and work toward finding a more permanent stable home for her family. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To find out more about the family or to give an item on the wish list, contact Foundation for the Homeless. 512-453-6570, foundationhomeless.org. Statesman Season for Caring logo American-Statesman About Season for Caring Major Young, 15, plays video games as Paris Young, 11, watches at their home in Austin, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Their mother Amy Lopez was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding has come to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Aliyha Young, 12, draws anime in her bedroom in Austin, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Her mother Amy Lopez was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding has come to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Kiana Young, 7, looks at homework while Paris Young, 11, relaxes in their bedroom in Austin, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Their mother Amy Lopez was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding has come to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Amy Lopez cooks dinner alongside Kiana Young, 7, at their home in Austin, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. Amy was able to get housing through Foundation for the Homeless, but that funding has come to an end. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman 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. On Saturday, P. Terry's is donating 100% of the profits at its Central Texas restaurants to Season for Caring. Find more stories at statesman.com/seasonforcaring. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 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. Use the form below or click here: https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 06: Jen Shah is seen leaving Manhattan federal court after receiving a 6.5 year sentence for conspiracy to commit wire fraud on January 06, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images) Gotham/GC Images "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Jen Shah walked free from a Bryan, Texas prison on Wednesday, according to reports. Shah, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to her role in a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme. She was sentenced to 78 months, or 6.5 years, in prison in early 2023. As of her release, she served 33 months (or roughly two years, 10 months) before she left the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF SALT LAKE CITY -- Season:3 -- Pictured: (l-r) Whitney Rose, Lisa Barlow, Jen Shah, Meredith Marks, Heather Gay -- (Photo by: Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty Images) Bravo/Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty Ima In an exclusive story, PEOPLE confirmed that Shah was transferred to "community confinement overseen by the Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) Phoenix residential Reentry Management (RRM) Office." The BOP statement went on to clarify that this means Shah will either be in home confinement or a halfway house. The BOP declined to share Shah's precise location for "safety and security reasons." According to the Department of Justice, from at least 2012 until her arrest in March 2021, Shah was an "integral leader" of the telemarketing scheme that victimized thousands. The scheme consisted of selling "business services" to victims, and Shah's role was primarily to provide "leads" on victims to sales teams perpetrating the scheme. Many of those victims were elderly or otherwise vulnerable and were "defrauded over and over again until they had nothing left" under Shah's leadership, according to the DOJ. She also made "extravagant steps" to conceal her crimes, directing others to lie, putting business accounts in others' names, requiring cash payments and asking people to delete text messages and electronic documents, the DOJ said, calling it a "yearslong, comprehensive effort to hide her continued role in the scheme." "She and her co-conspirators persisted in their conduct until the victims bank accounts were empty, their credit cards were at their limits, and there was nothing more to take," a DOJ press release from January 2023 reads in part. Advertisement Article continues below this ad THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF SALT LAKE CITY -- Season:3 -- Pictured: Jen Shah -- (Photo by: Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty Images) Bravo/Chris Haston/Bravo via Getty Ima Shah's assistant, Stuart Smith, was also charged in relation to the scheme and pleaded guilty. He was released from prison on Aug. 29. In addition to her jail sentence, Shah was sentenced to five years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $6.5 million, 30 luxury items and 78 counterfeit luxury items. She also was required to pay $6,645,251 in restitution. 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 BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said on Wednesday he had declined an invitation from his Iranian counterpart to visit Iran, suggesting instead that the meeting take place in a "neutral third country." Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi extended the invitation last week, seeking talks on bilateral ties. In a written response to Araghchi, Rajji said that declining the invitation "does not signify a refusal to engage in dialogue; rather, the appropriate atmosphere for such a visit is not currently available," according to the Lebanese National News Agency. Rajji reiterated his invitation for Araghchi to hold a meeting in a mutually agreed-upon neutral third country. He expressed Lebanon's "full readiness to establish a new phase of constructive relations between Lebanon and Iran, provided they are based exclusively on mutual respect for the independence and sovereignty of each state, and on non-interference in internal affairs in any form and under any pretext." The minister stressed his "firm conviction that building a strong state is not possible unless the state alone, through its national army, holds the exclusive right to bear arms and retains exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace." Rajji also said that the Iranian minister "will always be welcome to visit Lebanon." While Lebanon and Iran maintain diplomatic relations, their ties have frequently been strained due to regional factors. Lebanon's political leadership has consistently stressed the need for non-interference, expressing concerns about Iran's support for Hezbollah. Hundreds of Austin residents walk and twirl under the Zilker Holiday Tree at the 59th Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Zilker Park on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Austin. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Texas may not be accustomed to white Christmases, but that doesnt stop its residents from going all out during the holiday season. Not one but two Texas cities were recently named the most festive in the country. Heres the history behind the Christmas lights tradition, and which Texas cities steal the spotlight. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Where to see holiday lights in Austin: A guide to 2025's brightest displays How did the tradition of outdoor Christmas decorations begin? See history of holiday light displays Whether its strands of lights or huge inflatables, the tradition of decorating the exteriors of homes for Christmas traces back to the late 19th century. The idea was born out of a 1600s German tradition of putting candles on indoor Christmas trees, symbolizing hope and celebration. Then, the invention of the light bulb changed everything. When Thomas Edison created the first light bulb in 1879, people began exploring safer options for decorative lighting. In 1882 Edward H. Johnson, a friend and colleague to Edison, famously displayed the first know electrically lit Christmas tree. Visible from outside his New York home, Johnsons new decorations sparked ideas for outdoor Christmas displays, according to the Library of Congress. By the early 20th century, electric companies were encouraging holiday lighting in an effort to promote the adoption of electricity. 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 Community light displays emerged in the 1910s and 1920s, and it was these displays that convinced homeowners that such outdoor displays were safe. Smithsonian Magazine reports residential outdoor decorations flourished between the 1920s and 1950s alongside suburban growth, as mass-manufactured decorations and weatherproof light strings made the process more practical and affordable. In the 1960s and beyond, the practice was further spurred by large-scale displays, neighborhood competitions and synchronized light shows. Congress Avenue features holiday lights in this image taken by American-Statesman photographer Neal Douglass on Jan. 1, 1947. Provided by Austin History Center 4 Texas cities among top 20 with the most festive homes, 2025 The Thumbtack Blog has released its annual ranking for the most festive cities in the U.S. Austin took the crown for the fourth consecutive year, with Dallas once again following close behind. A total of four Texas cities ranked in the top 20. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From Texas to Florida, the South is setting the standard for holiday spirit, and in true Texas fashion, bigger is definitely brighter, the blogs 2025 ranking reads. Mild winters and a strong sense of community keep the Lone Star State shining at the top. The Light Park in Austin is open seven days a week, including holidays, with hours from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Provided by Light Park Austin The numbers in parentheses indicate the citys 2024 ranking. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 24: Kailez Campbell, UniversityA of Minnesota student, attends at a press conference outside the appeals court hearing where GOP attorneys general seek to block the income-based student loan repayment plan, SAVE on October 24, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for We The 45 Million) Adam Bettcher/Getty Images for We The 45 Milli Donald Trump's administration has an agreement with Missouri that could end the SAVE plan for millions of student loan borrowers. The Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, introduced in 2023, is an income-driven repayment program designed to support borrowers facing high-interest student debt. It lowers monthly payments based on a borrowers income and family size, prevents interest from accumulating beyond what they can afford, and speeds up loan forgiveness for some low-income borrowers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to a Tuesday press release from the Department of Education, as part of the agreement with the Trump administration, the Department will not enroll any new borrowers in the SAVE Plan, deny any pending applications, and move all SAVE borrowers into a new repayment plan. Per the press release, more than 7 million student loan borrowers are affected by the change. The SAVE program has been paused since February, following the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in favor of Missouri, which challenged the Biden administrations plan. What will happen to my student loans? According to the Department of Education, if the court approves the parties joint proposal, borrowers currently enrolled in the SAVE plan will have a limited timeframe to choose a new, authorized repayment plan and resume making student loan payments. 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 According to the department, borrowers are advised to use FSAs Loan Simulator tool to estimate their monthly payments, review their repayment options and select the plan that best aligns with their needs and goals. Why was the SAVE plan challenged? The SAVE plan faced legal challenges largely from Republican-led states, which argued the SAVE plan was an unlawful expansion of executive authority. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Their lawsuits resulted in court injunctions that halted new enrollment and created uncertainty and financial strain for borrowers. Critics also accused the administration of misleading borrowers with unrealistic assurances, while opponents contended the plan placed an unfair burden on taxpayers. "For four years, the Biden Administration sought to unlawfully shift student loan debt onto American taxpayers, many of whom either never took out a loan to finance their postsecondary education or never even went to college themselves, simply for a political win to prop up a failing Administration, said Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent. How did the SAVE plan work? The SAVE Plan decreases monthly payments by increasing the income exemption from 150% to 225% of the poverty line, officials said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Studentaid.gov shared a case of how much money borrowers can save: "For example, 225% of the Poverty Guideline amount for a family size of one (in the 48 contiguous states) is $32,800, which means that if your annual income is equal to or less than $32,800 and your family size is just yourself, your discretionary income is $0 and your monthly payment will be $0. The same is true for a family size of four with an annual income of $67,500 or less," it said. How much student loan debt do Texans have? The U.S. Department of Education reports that Texans have the second-highest amount of student debt, behind Californians. 3.8 million students owe $33,400 on average. Fewer than 20% of Texas borrowers are on an income-driven repayment plan. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'These loans are ultimately so we can make money to contribute to the economy.' See what borrowers are saying about the SAVE plan Comment byu/SterlingVII from discussion inEconomics Comment byu/SterlingVII from discussion inEconomics Comment byu/SterlingVII from discussion inEconomics Julianna Duennes Russ is a breaking and trending news reporter at the Austin American-Statesman. She covered business as a Dow Jones intern for the San Antonio Express-News and has bylines with the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She holds Bachelors degrees in journalism, international affairs and comparative literature from the University of Georgia, where she also earned a certificate in sports media. When shes not writing, you can find Julianna strolling Zilker Park or cuddling with her orange cat, Colby. Reach out to her at julianna.russ@statesman.com with news or notes. Maj. Blaine McGraw awaits a preliminary hearing and is currently in custody at the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas. American-Statesman file An Army obstetrician-gynecologist who was placed on leave in October for alleged sexual misconduct has now been formally charged with violations involving dozens of victims, the U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel said Tuesday. Maj. Blaine McGraw, 47, was working at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood in Central Texas when he was accused of secretly recording at least 44 female victims, most of them patients, and conducting medically unnecessary examinations without the presence of another practitioner. One alleged victim was not a patient, with the recording allegedly taking place at a private, off-post residence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The alleged behavior took place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2025, according to the independent counsel responsible for prosecuting the case. The U.S. Army OSTC has filed four charges and 61 counts against McGraw. The case includes 54 specifications of indecent visual recording, five specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer, one specification of willful disobedience of a superior officer and one specification of making a false official statement. McGraw was taken into custody Dec. 2 and is being held in the Bell County Jail in Belton, about 60 miles north of Austin. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source In a letter dated Dec. 4, Texas-based law firm National Trial Law wrote to U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, as well as U.S. Reps. John Carter and Roger Williams, requesting a formal investigation from the Department of Defense. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Given the extent of these allegations, the Army cannot be allowed to conduct its own investigation," the letter reads in part. "The Army must also be investigated for its failure to supervise and prevent these horrible violations from occurring over many years and across potentially thousands of patients." In a news release the same day, Fort Hood said the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigations Division "has conducted extensive investigative efforts, both on and off the installation, including but not limited to interviews, law enforcement actions, and digital media examinations" and promised a "thorough and complete investigation." Civil litigation While criminal charges are a recent development, victims have already filed civil lawsuits against McGraw. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In one petition, a victim said McGraw pretended to receive a call from a nurse before slipping his phone into his breast pocket with the camera facing outward to record her. Victims have also accused McGraw of inappropriate sexual touching under the guise of medical care, including medically unnecessary breast and genital examinations, according to another lawsuit. McGraw was suspended Oct. 17, the same day the allegations were made, Fort Hood said in its initial statement. A lawsuit filed by the Cobos Law Firm in Bell County District Court alleges McGraw had been the subject of complaints during his time working at both Tripler and Darnall medical centers. The petition accuses the Army of giving cover to a predator in uniform. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Army investigators reportedly recovered thousands of intimate photographs and videos from McGraws phone, taken over multiple years and depicting non-consenting patients, many of whom remain unidentified, according to the petition. At a Tuesday news conference, the Cobos Law Firm said it is now representing more than 80 alleged victims, calling it possibly the largest sexual assault case in U.S. military history and claiming that there could be "thousands" of victims across the military. Two of McGraw's alleged victims also spoke at the news conference, identifying themselves as Jane Doe One and Jane Doe Two. The first woman called McGraw "a man who used his position, his uniform and the authority of this institution to exploit the women he was supposed to care for." "This is not about one doctor," she said. "This is about a system that repeatedly shows indifference toward women and women's health. The gravity of what happened to us reflects a culture where women's safety is treated like an afterthought, where warning signs are ignored and complaints disappear." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The second Jane Doe described visiting Darnall Army Medical Center for a sinus infection while she was 24 weeks pregnant last year, that she had "made it clear many times, many, many, many times" that she was uncomfortable seeing a male doctor due to a history of sexual assault and domestic abuse. "That request was ignored," she said, adding that she was put into a room with McGraw. "I had asked for a chaperone and got told everyone was busy," she said. She claimed McGraw touched her repeatedly without her consent and that she refused an "unnecessary pelvic exam" four times. She said since the alleged events, she's suffered from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety attacks. Andrew Cobos, the firm's principal attorney, called on Congress to pass legislation requiring chaperones at all military OBGYN appointments and echoed the request in National Trial Law's letter to conduct a full investigation into how McGraw was allowed to practice. Advertisement Article continues below this ad More than 1,400 patients contacted In a Nov. 10 statement, Fort Hood said the medical center expedited referrals and sent official notification letters to all patients McGraw had seen while working there. The base commander told NBC News that more than 1,400 letters were sent. The letters included contact information for the Criminal Investigation Division and the medical center for patients wishing to report additional information or request support. The medical center also added call center support staff to assist in fielding patient questions. In addition to the criminal investigation from Army CID, multiple additional investigations are underway to examine all facets of the issue, including systems, clinical processes, policies, and other areas, the base said in a statement. These investigations are intended to ensure that the rigorous standards in place were followed. Fort Hood recognizes the great trust and responsibility inherent in caring for our Soldiers, Families, and beneficiaries, and will continue to care for everyone involved throughout this process, the statement added. Advertisement Article continues below this ad McGraw's military service timeline McGraw completed his medical residency at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu before moving to Fort Hood in 2023. He first joined the Army in 2007, serving as a rifle platoon leader in Fort Campbell, Ky. The Army released his full service records as part of the investigation, detailing his military history: July 2024 present: OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas March 2024 July 2024: OB-GYN staff physician, 11 MD Field Hospital (Iraq/Syria) OB-GYN staff physician, 11 MD Field Hospital (Iraq/Syria) August 2023 July 2024: OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas OB-GYN physician, Headquarters Company, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas July 2020 August 2023: OB-GYN resident, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii OB-GYN resident, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii June 2019 July 2020: OB-GYN intern, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii OB-GYN intern, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii August 2013 June 2019: Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. November 2012 August 2013: Battalion physician assistant (Afghanistan), 2-327 IN, 1BCT, 101st AIRBORNE, Fort Campbell, Ky. Battalion physician assistant (Afghanistan), 2-327 IN, 1BCT, 101st AIRBORNE, Fort Campbell, Ky. October 2011 November 2012: Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. Battalion physician assistant, 2-327IN, Fort Campbell, Ky. September 2010 October 2011: Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Campbell, Ky. Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Campbell, Ky. August 2009 September 2010: Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Sam Houston, Texas Student, Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Fort Sam Houston, Texas December 2008 August 2009: Battalion S1, Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. Battalion S1, Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. February 2007 December 2008: Combat advisor/executive officer (Iraq), Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. Combat advisor/executive officer (Iraq), Headquarters Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. February 2007 September 2007: Rifle platoon leader, Bravo Company, 1-327 IN Fort Campbell, Ky. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What happens next? A preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled, but under military law, such a hearing is required before charges can go to trial by general court-martial. A neutral hearing officer will be appointed to review the evidence, assess witness credibility and determine probable cause. The OTSC will then use the neutral officer's report to decide whether to move the case to trial by general court-marshal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sculpture Monochrome for Austin, pictured in 2015, sits in front of the Norman Hackerman Building that houses labs for the College of Natural Sciences. The College of Natural Sciences could absorb Information Studies, currently in its own school, according to an email sent by leaders of both schools. American-Statesman File The University of Texass School of Information could merge into a new school housed within the College of Natural Sciences, according to an email sent by university administrators to students in November. The new school would combine the Computer Science, Statistics and Data Sciences and Information fields of study with an aim to provide one consolidated center of excellence. But the proposal raises questions about the future of the School of Information, which has existed under different names since 1948. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The UT System Board of Regents and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must sign off on the consolidation before it goes into effect. College of Natural Sciences Dean David Vanden Bout and Interim Dean of School of Information Soo Young Rieh announced the potential change in an email to both college communities before Thanksgiving, writing that the new school will combine related fields of study to optimize the impact researchers and students can have. Central to this vision are enhanced resources, newly formalized collaborations and fresh attention to the role our collective disciplines play in the Universitys next era of innovation, the school leaders wrote. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The deans said many details remain under development but the leaders are committed to keeping all current academic credentials for current and prospective students intact and to preserving departmental autonomy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The University of Texas declined to comment beyond the details of the email. The School of Information focuses on a human-centered approach to technology and information. The small school is ranked sixth nationally by U.S. News & World Report with about 750 total students and offers six major concentrations to specialize in within its undergraduate informatics degree, school librarian certificate, masters and doctoral programs. The College of Natural Sciences is one of the largest science colleges in the nation, boasting the largest undergraduate research program at a single university with 12 departments, 13,000 students and 15 undergraduate majors. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Both academic units have collaborated as the university expanded its investment in studying the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence. UT boasts dozens of AI-related research initiatives throughout colleges and departments, including research into its ethical implications. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu along with other members of the Texas House are joined by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as they speak about Texas Republican plans to redraw the state's U.S. House map during a press conference at the Democratic Party of DuPage County office in Carol Stream, IL on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Mark Black/Associated Press A national Democratic organization will include Texas in a $50 million effort to wrest statehouse seats from the Republican column, saying the Democrats' gains in other states during last month's elections show more opportunities for success even in areas where GOP has gone all but unchallenged. No specific dollar amount has yet been seat aside for Texas, but adding the state to the national effort is significant because Democrats have been outnumbered in both chambers of the Legislature for more than 20 years and haven't won a statewide election since 1994. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It has long been the practice by national Democratic organizations and candidates to tap Texas donors to help in out-of-state races while remaining reluctant to invest resources into Texas Democrats. State Rep. Christina Morales of Houston, who is leading the Democrats' effort to protect the Texas House seats they already hold and to help flip vulnerable GOP seats next year, said Democrats could match or exceed their performance from the 2018 midterms, during President Donald Trump's first term in the White House. Democrats that year flipped a record 12 seats in the Texas House and two seats in the state Senate. "I think we have a better chance than we did in 2018," Morales said. "People are very frustrated. They thought that this administration was going to be about making things affordable, helping the working class and they were duped." Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source READ MORE: Here are the major candidates running in Texas and Austin in the 2026 midterm Advertisement Article continues below this ad Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Committee, said the recent sweeps by the party in elections in New Jersey and Virginia suggest Republicans could be facing a 2026 midterm comparable to that of 2010, when Democrats were pummeled nationwide during then-President Barrack Obama's first term. In Texas, Democrats headed into the 2010 cycle needing to flip just one state House seat to win a majority. But once the results were tallied, they were outnumbered 101-49 in the lower chamber. 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fundamentally transform state legislative power, including making inroads in Texas," Williams said in a statement. "By adding Texas to the DLCCs target map, we are expanding our winning strategy to chip away at Republican power and create lasting power in statehouses all across the country." Advertisement Article continues below this ad People participate in the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 9, 2025. The U.S. government is waging "psychological warfare" against Venezuela following the failure of its economic sanctions, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil said Tuesday. "They are now resorting to psychological warfare, to military psychological warfare," Gil said during the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America, an event being held in Caracas. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua) CARACAS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government is waging "psychological warfare" against Venezuela following the failure of its economic sanctions, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil said Tuesday. "They are now resorting to psychological warfare, to military psychological warfare," Gil said during the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America, an event being held in Caracas. As part of its new strategy, he said, the United States is using "economic power, military power and, above all, media power to wage an unprecedented psychological war" against Venezuela and the region. We are facing "a very important challenge in the history of our republics in our region," Gil said, adding that more than 500 delegates from some 50 countries across all continents are participating in the gathering. The event, organized by the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace of Venezuela, will focus on key issues such as the U.S. military threat, transnational crime in the region, and the Monroe Doctrine, a policy revived by Washington to "generate domination" in the region, said Gil. Since the end of August, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, describing it as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking, which Venezuela has denounced as an attempt to engineer regime change in the South American country. Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil (R) speaks during the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 9, 2025. The U.S. government is waging "psychological warfare" against Venezuela following the failure of its economic sanctions, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil said Tuesday. "They are now resorting to psychological warfare, to military psychological warfare," Gil said during the opening of the People's Assembly for Peace and Sovereignty of Our America, an event being held in Caracas. (Photo by Marcos Salgado/Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for once again challenging the one-China principle and distorting history and international law. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference that the DPP was using the invalid San Francisco Peace Treaty to recycle its secessionist narrative in an attempt to mislead the public and challenge the internationally recognized one-China principle. A series of international legal documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly affirm China's sovereignty over Taiwan, Chen said. The replacement of the Republic of China by the People's Republic of China constituted a change in government rather than a change in China's status as a subject of international law, he added, indicating that Taiwan's status as part of China remains unchanged. The so-called San Francisco Peace Treaty, reached without China's participation, had no authority to determine Taiwan's status or any other matters involving China's sovereign rights and territory, Chen said. China, he noted, declared from the outset that it would never recognize the treaty. A docent briefs visitors on exhibits at a photo exhibition titled "Magnificent Xinjiang, Glorious Journey" at the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan, Dec. 10, 2025. The photo exhibition commemorating the 70th founding anniversary of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region opened here Wednesday. Over 200 people from various sectors in China and Kazakhstan attended the opening ceremony and viewed the displays. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua) ASTANA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition commemorating the 70th founding anniversary of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region opened Wednesday at the National Museum of Kazakhstan. Over 200 people from various sectors in China and Kazakhstan attended the opening ceremony and viewed the displays. The exhibition, titled "Magnificent Xinjiang, Glorious Journey," features 70 photos highlighting the region's natural scenery, ethnic unity, development and revitalization, and foreign exchanges. Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin said the exhibition offers a concentrated display of Xinjiang's magnificent landscapes, rich cultural heritage and notable development achievements. Han added that China's forthcoming 15th Five-Year Plan will create new opportunities for global development, and that Xinjiang will continue deepening cooperation with Kazakhstan across various fields to help usher in the next golden 30 years of China-Kazakhstan relations. Berik Abdigaliuly, director of the National Museum of Kazakhstan, said the successful opening of the exhibition stands as a vivid example of people-to-people connectivity and harmonious exchanges of spirit and wisdom between the two peoples, and will further promote cultural and people-to-people cooperation. At the opening ceremony, the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan also donated a collection of books on Chinese modernization to the museum. Running through Dec. 28, the exhibition is jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan, Xinhua News Agency's Astana Branch, the National Museum of Kazakhstan, and the sustainable development earth foundation, an environmental NGO in Kazakhstan. A woman visits a photo exhibition titled "Magnificent Xinjiang, Glorious Journey" at the National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan, Dec. 10, 2025. The photo exhibition commemorating the 70th founding anniversary of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region opened here Wednesday. Over 200 people from various sectors in China and Kazakhstan attended the opening ceremony and viewed the displays. (Photo by Kalizhan Ospanov/Xinhua) TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the provisions of a China-mediated 2023 agreement on the resumption of bilateral diplomatic relations. The third meeting of the trilateral committee of Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, responsible for follow-ups on the implementation of the Beijing agreement, was convened in the Iranian capital on Tuesday, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. It noted that the Iranian and the Saudi sides highlighted their commitment to fully implementing the provisions of the Beijing agreement and making constant efforts to strengthen bilateral relations. Both sides pledged to uphold the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and international law, including principles requiring respect for the two states' sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and security. Iran and Saudi Arabia welcomed the continuation of China's positive role in the implementation of the agreement and highlighted the importance of Beijing's support and follow-ups in that regard, the statement said. According to the statement, the three countries welcomed the "continuous progress" made in the Iran-Saudi Arabia ties as well as the existing opportunities for direct contacts between the two countries at all levels and in all sectors. They also emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among regional countries to ensure security, stability, peace and economic progress. Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations in April 2023 under the mediation of Beijing. Riyadh had severed ties with Tehran in 2016 after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following the kingdom's execution of a Shiite cleric. Airmen prepare Operation Christmas Drop bundles at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2025. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam Airmen from the United States and Canada prepared dozens of colorful supply bundles Wednesday at the home of the Air Forces 36th Wing as part of the Defense Departments longest running humanitarian-aid mission. Service members and civilian volunteers decorated 270 bundles on Monday with images of Christmas trees, Santas, sleighs, elves and other holiday symbols before they were parachuted to Pacific islanders this week as part of Operation Christmas Drop. The bundles typically contain essentials like food, water, medical supplies, fishing gear and clothing but some toys, too. Now in its 74th year, the annual mission began during the 1952 Christmas season, when the crew of a B-29 Superfortress flying near Guam spotted islanders waving from below and dropped supplies as an act of goodwill. The mission drops provisions each year for 56,000 people across 59 islands, according to a Monday news release from the 374th Airlift Wing of Yokota Air Base, Japan. To kick off the mission that day officials loaded a bundle into a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, also from Yokota. U.S. airlifter crews will fly Christmas Drop sorties until Friday alongside planes from Canada, Japan and South Korea, wing spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Macaiah Honable said by email Wednesday. Seven aircraft from the four nations are delivering bundles with a total weight of 82,000 pounds to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Honable said. Operation Christmas Drop delivers more than just supplies, Aren Palik, vice president of the Federated States of Micronesia, said in the wings release. It delivers hope, connection and the reassurance that even across a vast ocean, we remain part of one family. It is an accomplishment that speaks to the steadfast commitment of the United States and its Pacific partners to care for our people and our communities. Airmen cant truly grasp the impact of the mission until they see families waving and jumping up down in excitement as planes fly by, 374th Airlift Wing commander Col. Richard McElhaney said in the release. While this is an amazing humanitarian mission, its also an invaluable training event for participating air crews, he said. This training and the work we do here matters and translates to our readiness. Decorated Operation Christmas Drop bundles are staged inside a hangar at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2025. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) Airmen dropping the supplies conduct valuable low-level flight, precision-airdrop and logistical coordination training, skills that strengthen the ability to execute rapid global airlift missions across the Indo-Pacific, according to the release. The people of the Federated States of Micronesia extend our deepest gratitude, Palik said in the release. Beyond the food, tools, fishing gear, school supplies and gifts, you deliver something far more valuable: the spirit of compassion that defines this Christmas season. A U.S. C-130J Super Hercules on the flight line at Katunayake Air Base, Sri Lanka, as part of U.S. for Cyclone Ditwah relief operations in this undated photo. (U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka) The U.S. sent military aircraft and personnel to Sri Lanka and pledged $2 million to assist recovery efforts after a devastating tropical cyclone hit the island nation last month. Heavy rains from Cyclone Ditwah triggered flooding and mudslides Nov. 27 in Sri Lanka, displacing nearly 78,000 people, the Associated Press reported Nov. 30. The death toll has since risen to 639, and 203 remain missing, according to a report Wednesday on the Sri Lanka Ministry of Defenses website. Two C-130J Super Hercules airlifters and an unspecified number of airmen with the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrived Sunday at Katunayake Air Base, according to the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is prepared to leverage its strategic airlift capabilities to support U.S. government disaster response efforts and deliver critical humanitarian assistance to affected communities, an unsigned email from the group said Wednesday. The aircraft will provide airlift and logistics support to the Sri Lankan military as it moves emergency relief supplies including temporary shelter materials, water, food, sanitation and hygiene items to areas affected by the cyclone, the embassy said in a news release Sunday. U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, center, and Sri Lankas Deputy Minister of Defense K.P. Aruna Jayasekara welcome U.S. Air Force airmen at Katunayake Air Base, Sri Lanka, Dec. 7, 2025. (U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka) Airmen with the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and Marines with the III Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa also will provide support, the release said. Approximately 10 Marines from the III MEF command element and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing are working in Sri Lanka, III MEF spokesman 2nd Lt. James Selcke said by email Wednesday. The forward presence and rapid response posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command enabled immediate coordination and a swift delivery of assistance to affected regions, underscoring the U.S. commitment to Sri Lanka as a partner and friend during times of crisis, he wrote. The United States is here to take on some heavy lifting bringing American airlift and logistics muscle to push critical supplies into the hardest-hit areas so Sri Lankas frontline teams can stay focused on people, not transportation, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said in the release. The United States stands steadfast with Sri Lanka in this challenging time, committed to supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts. The U.S. announced $2 million to support disaster response efforts within three days of Cyclone Ditwahs landfall, according to the release. The funds will help provide emergency shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, and health services. An additional $2.1 million in airlift supplies and equipment, including fuel trucks, forklifts, flood lights, ground power units and portable cargo-loading platforms, was also provided to Sri Lankas air force, according to the release. Army prosecutors preferred four charges with 61 counts against Maj. Blaine McGraw, 47, who was assigned to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas. (Rodney Jackson/Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center) A Fort Hood OB-GYN was charged Tuesday with more than 50 counts of secretly recording dozens of women he saw as patients at the on-post hospital, the Army said. Army prosecutors preferred four charges with 61 counts against Maj. Blaine McGraw, 47, who was assigned to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas, until his suspension Oct. 17 for similar allegations. He has been under criminal investigation since then as investigators combed through digital evidence. He is charged with 54 counts of indecent visual recording, five counts of conduct unbecoming an officer, willful disobedience of a superior officer and making a false official statement, according to the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, which will prosecute the case. The next step will be a preliminary hearing to review the evidence and determine whether the charges will move to a court-martial. The hearing is similar to the grand jury process for an indictment in civilian courts. The alleged criminal offenses occurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1 and involve 44 women, according to prosecutors. All but one were patients of McGraw. One victim was secretly recorded at a home in a civilian community near Fort Hood. Through close collaboration with Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division investigators, [Office of Special Trial Counsel] thoroughly evaluated the evidence and carefully considered all the facts before preferring charges in this case, the office said in a statement. As this case remains an open investigation, OSTC prosecutors will continue to coordinate with Army CID as the case progresses to determine if additional charges are warranted. McGraw was placed last week into pretrial confinement at Bell County Jail after violating orders from his commander. Prior to that he was in an inpatient treatment facility, according to Bell County court records. McGraw also faces a lawsuit in Bell County court from a patient who filed the complaint under the name Jane Doe. The woman described how McGraw pretended to take a call on his phone, then placed the phone in the breast pocket of his clothing. From there, his phone recorded a breast and pelvic exam he conducted on the woman, according to the 13-page lawsuit. The Army contacted roughly 3,000 former patients of McGraws to notify them of the investigation and encouraged them to fill out a questionnaire about their experiences with him. Those patients saw McGraw at Fort Hood as well as his previous duty station, Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Fort Hood hospital officials first received a report about McGraw on Oct. 17, and he was immediately suspended, according to base officials. Army Criminal Investigation Division arrived within hours to begin its investigation, which has included sifting through more than half a terabyte of digital media. A caisson horse made an appearance as part of a ribbon-cutting hosted by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington to showcase interim stables for the Caisson Detachment on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) ARLINGTON, Va. The U.S. Army Military District of Washington hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall for its interim stables for the Caisson Detachment during renovations to the historic barns. Designed with input from equine experts, the facility provides state-of-the-art accommodations for the horses while ensuring continued support for funeral missions at Arlington National Cemetery. The Caisson Detachment of the U.S. Armys 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is the militarys only full-time mounted unit, honoring fallen service members with horse-drawn escorts at Arlington. Standing here in this wonderful building, this beautiful new facility, we are looking at the results of long, hard work over the last few months, Col. Thomas J. Kilbride, regimental commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, said at the ceremony. In the finer details throughout the project, the flooring, the stable doors, the open air, everything from the layout to the construction, we can see how much effort has gone into this. This is not just a set of new buildings, but a renewed commitment to the mission, the heritage, and the solemn promise that the Caisson represents every single day. A ribbon is cut as the U.S. Army Military District of Washington unveils interim stables for the Caisson Detachment on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Staff Sgt. Esther Kang of the U.S. Army Chorus sings the Star Spangled Banner during the opening of the interim stables for the Caisson Detachment on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) A stable showcases the history of the Cassion Detachment at the interim stables on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Col. Thomas J. Kilbride, regimental commander of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, was among the speakers on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Col. Jason Crawford, the commanding officer of the Caisson Detachment, made note of the changes with the unit since he joined. Ive been around the Caisson Detachment longer than most, and Ive been around horses all my life, he said. When I started here as one of the vets nearly three years ago, things looked very different. As you see today, theyre almost unrecognizable from what they were, and the herd itself has changed. When I walk through the barns now, the horses are more active and more engaged with everyone. I see their personalities, I see their energy. Most importantly, I see happy and healthy horses, and horses that share a bond with our soldiers, just as our soldiers bond with them. Brig. Gen. Antoinette Gant, commanding general of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, closed the ceremony. This facility is a visual symbol of our unwavering commitment to the excellence that is expected and that our veterans truly deserve, she said. Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro at the National Theatre of Venezuela in Caracas on Nov. 22, 2025. (Juan Barreto, AFP, Getty Images via TNS) (Tribune News Service) Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolas Maduro. The flyover carried out despite the Venezuelan regimes possession of a number of Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries took place less than 100 miles northeast of Maracaibo, Venezuelas second-largest city. Thousands of Venezuelans tracked the aircraft online through specialized tracking websites, watching as the jets traced a bow-tie-shaped pattern over the gulf. The fighters remained inside Venezuelan airspace for at least 40 minutes at an altitude of roughly 25,000 feet before heading north and leaving the area. The U.S. fighter jets flew between two key regions for Venezuelas energy sector, Zulia and Falcon states. Lake Maracaibo, whose 5,000 square miles make it of the largest fresh bodies of water on the continent, is the cradle of reserves of some 150 billion barrels of crude oil. The flight trails left by U.S. fighter planes, according to flight applications such as FlightRadar24, show them flying at the northern top of Lake of Maracaibo, over the waters of the Gulf of Venezuela, right between the cities of La Guajira, in Zulia, and Coro, the capital of Falcon. The U.S. display comes as Washington continues to build its military presence in the Caribbean, heightening tensions with Caracas. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has accused the Trump administration of preparing acts of aggression under the cover of counternarcotics operations. Venezuela has responded to what analysts describe as the largest U.S. deployment in the region in decades by declaring a state of emergency, activating its armed forces and Bolivarian militias, and showcasing what security experts say is one of Latin Americas most layered though unevenly functioning air defense networks. At the center of that system are Russian-built S-300VM long-range missile batteries, believed to be deployed in three battalions protecting Caracas and key industrial corridors. While it is not known where the fighter jets came from, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is in the area and is capable of carrying dozens of F8E/F Super Hornet fighters. As part of Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. has placed an estimated 15,000 to 16,000 U.S. troops near Venezuelan waters. Washington maintains the mission is aimed at curbing narcotrafficking. Caracas insists it is a prelude to regime change. The area overflown by the U.S. jets on Tuesday is particularly important for fishing and the waters are also crossed by oil tankers that load and unload crude oil at the refineries in Zulia and Falcon. Zulia, one of the most populous states in Venezuela, shares a border with Colombia. Falcon, in the northwestern part of Venezuela, is home to the crude refineries of Amuay and Cardon, key for the domestic fuel market and the nations hydrocarbon sector. The city of Maracaibo is home to one of the main military air bases in western Venezuela, the Rafael Urdaneta Air Base. On its social networks, the air based had announced Monday that the general commander of the Venezuelan Air Force visited its facilities to inaugurate a dining room and dormitories, an act that was attended by civil authorities, including Zulia Gov. Luis Caldera, a supporter of Maduros government. The Venezuelan Air Force reported last Friday that it had intercepted a hostile aircraft that entered the airspace of the state of Apure, about 259 miles from the capital Caracas, which had its transponder turned off, did not present a flight plan and was forced to land by three Venezuelan F16 fighters. A Miami Herald correspondent in Venezuela contributed to this story. 2025 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CANBERRA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Australia's total electricity generation and storage capacity will need to triple by 2050 in order to keep up with demand, according to a report published by the energy market operator on Wednesday. The Australian Energy Market Operator on Wednesday released the draft version of the 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP), projecting that total electricity generation and storage capacity will need to increase from 92 gigawatts (GW) currently to 190 GW by 2035 and 297 GW by 2050. The ISP, a roadmap for the least-cost and efficient development of the National Electricity Market that is updated every two years, projected that grid-scale wind and solar generation capacity will increase five-fold from 23 GW currently to 120 GW in 2050. In the same time frame, electricity storage capacity, including batteries, virtual power plants and pumped hydro, is projected to increase from 12 GW to 55 GW, and the total generation capacity of distributed solar photovoltaic such as rooftop systems is expected to increase from 25 GW to 87 GW. The report said that around 6,000 kilometers of new transmission lines will be needed by 2050, representing an about 13.6 percent extension of the current network. It estimated the annualized capital cost through 2050 for grid-scale generation, storage, transmission and distribution at 128 billion Australian dollars (about 85 billion U.S. dollars) under the least-cost optimal development path. Transmission investments of around 9 billion Australian dollars would save consumers an additional 22 billion Australian dollars in avoided costs and deliver emissions reductions valued at 2 billion Australian dollars, the report said. It projected that the generation capacity of Australia's fleet of coal-fired power stations will decline from 21 GW currently to 7 GW by 2035 and 0 GW by 2050. A South Korean KF-16 Fighting Falcon launches from an air base in July 2019. (South Korea Air Force) South Korea lodged a stern protest Wednesday with representatives of Russia and China over flights by nine of their military aircraft into the South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone the previous day, according to the countrys Ministry of National Defense. Lee Kwangsuk, director general of the International Policy Bureau, lodged the protest with the Chinese and Russian military attaches to South Korea, a ministry spokesman said in a text message to reporters Wednesday. Our military will actively respond to other foreign aircraft activities in the [Korean Air Defense Identification Zone] in accordance with international law, the message states. South Korea scrambled fighters to meet the aircraft from China and Russia that approached over the seas east and south of the country on Tuesday, according to the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff. Around 10 a.m., seven Russian aircraft followed by two Chinese aircraft entered and exited the air defense identification zone, according to a ministry text message to reporters Tuesday. The Russian and Chinese aircraft did not enter South Korean airspace, and the aircraft were detected in advance of them entering the identification zone, according to the joint chiefs. The zone is not territorial airspace but a wide swath where incoming flights are expected to identify themselves for security purposes. South Korean air force fighters took off to meet the incoming Russian and Chinese flights to cover contingencies, according to the joint chiefs. Chinas National Defense Ministry said its military and the Russians made their 10th joint strategic air patrol over the East China Sea and western Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, according to a post on the ministry website. A video with the post purported to show Chinese fighters, bombers and a surveillance plane taking off Tuesday. The joint patrol was part of the two countries annual cooperation plan, according to the post. The Russians and Chinese last made a joint patrol on Nov. 29, 2024, when 11 of their aircraft entered and exited the zone. On March 20, Russian military aircraft entered the zone several times and came within 12 miles of South Korean territorial air space, according to the South Korean Ministry of National Defense at the time. The Russian pilots did not provide advance notice of their approach or respond to South Korean communications, according to the ministry. Russian aircraft entered the zone eight times between March 11 and 20, according to the ministry. Helen Patton, the granddaughter of Gen. George S. Patton Jr., sticks a small sign to a wall in Mannheim, Germany, Dec. 9, 2025, where her grandfather was involved in a car crash on Dec. 9, 1945. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) MANNHEIM, Germany Eighty years after a traffic accident in postwar Germany fatally injured Gen. George S. Patton Jr., a small group including his granddaughter gathered Tuesday at the crash site to reflect on the World War II icons legacy. Patton, one of the U.S. militarys most aggressive and effective battlefield commanders, died Dec. 21, 1945, from injuries sustained in the crash on the outskirts of Mannheim. His granddaughter, Helen Patton, joined U.S. service members and local German officials Tuesday at the unmarked intersection where the accident occurred, just months after Germanys surrender. Eighty years later, your presence here proves that his legacy continues to resonate, to provoke reflection and even, remarkably, to bring people together, Patton told the attendees. The fact that people of such varied backgrounds and cultures are compelled to meet at this exact point is a profound indication that Patton continues to forge liberation, reconciliation for every generation, she added. General George S. Patton, Jr., seen here as the commander of U.S. Third Army in 1945, died in December of that year from injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Germany. (National Archives) Gen. George S. Patton Jr., was riding in this 1938 Cadillac when he was fatally injured in a traffic accident in Germany, Dec. 9, 1945. He died Dec. 21. (U.S. Army) A copy of Stars and Stripes from Sept. 1945, which included a story about Gen. George S. Patton Jr., three months before his death, was shown during a ceremony on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mannheim, Germany, to mark 80 years since Patton was involved in a car crash that led to his death. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) The enlisted men pallbearers carry the casket of Gen. George S. Patton on to the Luxembourg American Cemetery grounds toward the burial plot, Dec. 24, 1945. (Richard Hood/U.S. Army) On Dec. 9, 1945, Patton, then serving as the U.S. military governor of Bavaria, was riding in the back of a Cadillac Model 75 staff car while traveling for a hunting trip when the vehicle, driven by Pvt. Horace Woodring, collided with a U.S. Army truck at a railroad crossing. Patton, who was unrestrained, struck his head on a partition separating the front and rear compartments of the vehicle and suffered a severe spinal injury, according to an Army investigation. He was rushed to a U.S. military hospital in nearby Heidelberg, where doctors determined he had broken his neck and was paralyzed from the waist down. Despite showing some progress in the hospital, he died less than two weeks later. He was the only person seriously injured in the accident. Mannheim First Mayor Diana Pretzell said at Tuesdays ceremony that Patton continues to be remembered, even in Germany, for his role in defeating the Nazis. He shaped the history of the Second World War a lot, and we are thankful for this, for giving peace to Europe, Pretzell said, adding that Pattons legacy is particularly significant today as war has returned to Europe. In these times, we really need peace, and we need to get away from the totalitarian regimes all over the world that we are still facing, Pretzell said. Col. William Prince, chief of staff of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, attends a ceremony in Mannheim, Germany, Dec. 9, 2025, at the site where Gen. George S. Patton Jr. was involved in a car crash 80 years ago that led to his death. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A color guard comprised of soldiers from the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participate in a ceremony Dec. 9, 2025, at the site in Mannheim, Germany, were Gen. George S. Patton Jr. was involved in a car crash that led to his death 80 years ago. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Helen Patton, the granddaughter of Gen. George S. Patton Jr., sits in the back of a Cadillac Model 75 in Mannheim, Germany, Dec. 9, 2025. Pattons grandfather was driving in a Cadillac Model 75 that crashed in Mannheim 80 years ago and led to his death. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A refurbished Cadillac similar to the vehicle Patton was riding in at the time of the crash was on display at the ceremony, along with a color guard comprised of soldiers from the Germany-based 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. When it comes to Gen. Pattons legacy in Europe, I think about his leadership style specifically, taking action and seizing initiative, and so we try to channel that, said Capt. Alec Watkins, the commands public affairs officer and officer in charge of the color guard. Pattons military career spanned three major conflicts. He took part in the 1916 Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa in Mexico, fought in France during World War I where he was wounded and later commanded U.S. forces in North Africa, Sicily and Western Europe during World War II. He is best known for leading the U.S. Third Army during the liberation of France in 1944, particularly its rapid advance after the Normandy breakout and its role in relieving Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. His emphasis on speed, initiative and relentless offense left a lasting mark on U.S. Army maneuver doctrine. Col. William Prince, chief of staff of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, said Pattons influence is still felt by U.S. troops, especially those stationed in Europe. Look around, were here talking about Gen. Patton 80 years after he passed, Prince said. Hes a legend and he left a legacy for others to emulate and also learn from. Patton was buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial near Hamm, Luxembourg, on Christmas Eve 1945, at the request of his wife, Beatrice, so that he could rest among soldiers of the Third Army who were killed during the Battle of the Bulge. While conspiracy theories later circulated about Pattons death, fueled in part by his outspoken criticism of the Soviet Union, official investigations ruled the Mannheim crash an accident. Pattons transformation into an American icon occurred gradually after World War II, shaped in part by the Cold War and the reassessment of his views in that context. His courage both on the battlefield and the last days of his life still inspire those who seek not only answers, but also meaning, Helen Patton said at the crash site, where she unveiled a small sign describing her grandfathers accident. So as we pause together, may we not only consider the mystery of how he died, but also to honor the clarity with which he lived. U.S. Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade carry out live fire exercises with an M119 Howitzer during an exercise at Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia, October 25, 2025. Language in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Pentagon to establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force by Sept. 30, 2026. (Jose Lora/U.S. Army) The Pentagon would be required to better protect troops from the effects of weapons blasts by assigning dedicated blast safety officers across every branch of the military under a provision in the annual defense policy bill thats moving through Congress. If implemented, the introduction of dedicated blast safety officers would be the latest government measure aimed at protecting troops from the effects of blasts on the brain, as growing evidence has pushed the military to increasingly acknowledge, track and manage blast exposure as a force-wide safety and readiness issue. Language in the compromise version of the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense to establish blast safety officer positions in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force by Sept. 30, 2026. The officers would be responsible for monitoring and managing exposure to loud blasts during military activities where explosive or heavy-weapons use presents a risk. They would receive training and maintain certification in blast safety, but the legislation does not specify whether the positions would be filled by commissioned officers, enlisted troops, civilians, or medical personnel. The directive comes amid a growing body of research over the past decade linking repeated blast exposure to measurable changes in brain structure, function and biological markers, even in the absence of a diagnosable concussion. The research has drawn particular concern for troops in specialties such as artillery, mortars and breaching, whose duties can involve frequent exposure to low-level blast overpressure during training and operations. The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, dated Dec. 7, stipulates that blast safety officers will oversee blast exposure monitoring programs, ensure troops receive training on blast-related health risks and mitigation measures, and coordinate the use of protective equipment and wearable sensors. The officers are also tasked with maintaining long-term exposure records and coordinating medical follow-up for troops exposed to blasts, integrating that data into existing Defense Department occupational and environmental health systems, according to the document. The bill also directs the services to assign blast safety officers to any component where blast overpressure hazards are reasonably anticipated and to ensure those officers are trained and certified in blast safety. In an earlier version of the bill released in August, the House Armed Services Committee signaled concern about the issue, writing that it remains concerned about the impact of blast overpressure exposure on service members and their brain health. The committee cited experiences in training and operational environments that demonstrate possible adverse effects on brain health and cognitive performance including headaches, decreased reaction time, attention difficulty and memory loss resulting from both acute and chronic exposure to blast overpressure. The Defense Health Agency describes blast overpressure as the rapid increase in air pressure caused by an explosion, producing a shock wave that moves outward from the blast source. The agency notes that while high-level blast overpressure can result from combat explosions, repeated exposure to lower-level blast overpressure, such as from firing heavy weapons during training, may also pose health risks over time. Those risks include headaches, dizziness, slowed thinking, and concentration or memory problems, according to the agency. In August 2024, the Defense Department released new guidance that included minimum safe distances for troops using certain weapons, including mortars, howitzers and breaching explosives. That action followed direction in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Defense Department to create a Warfighter Brain Health Initiative that, among other tasks, identified and disseminated blast exposure and overpressure safety thresholds, monitored service members blast histories, and modified high-risk training to reduce the effects of repetitive blast exposure. John Keith Taylor sits aboard a T-38 jet in 1980 during Air Force training in Wichita, Texas, to become a maintenance technician. When Taylor sought disability compensation for tumors after he left military service in 1984, the Department of Veterans Affairs instead ordered a medical exam to evaluate him for scars. (John Keith Taylor) WASHINGTON John Keith Taylor developed dozens of painful tumors on his torso, arms and legs as an aircraft maintenance technician in the Air Force who handled jet fuel, hydraulic fluid and other chemicals more than 40 years ago. But when Taylor sought disability compensation for the tumors after he left military service in 1984, the Department of Veterans Affairs instead ordered a medical exam to evaluate him for scars, not for the tumors embedded in muscle tissue that impaired his mobility. He was denied a disability rating for scars without ever having an evaluation of the tumors, which was the focus of his claim for benefits. After decades of frustration, Taylor is now working with a veterans service organization to correct the error in the VA claims file that led to subsequent denials of benefits as he sought disability compensation for his actual medical condition. It was a continual miscalculation and error that led to a 0% disability rating, said Cindy Taylor, his wife. The 64-year-old Arizona veteran is hardly alone with the problems he has experienced with oversight of the VAs system for disability medical exams. Known as comp and pension exams, the evaluations are critical for determining benefits for millions of veterans with service-related illnesses and injuries. The VA outsources more than 90% of the disability medical exams under a $13 billion multiyear contract. But lawmakers say they are fielding a growing number of complaints from veterans about errors in VAs orders that send veterans to the exams, as the number of disability claims has grown. In fiscal 2024, more than 2.5 million exams were completed, the VA said. John Keith Taylor is shown in 1980 after Air Force basic training in Texas. Taylor, who sought disability compensation for painful tumors upon leaving the military in 1984, said a mislabeled order by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a medical evaluation called a comp and pension exam led to a denial for benefits. (John Keith Taylor) Taylor said the VA has continued to evaluate his patient records for scars, even though he is seeking compensation for Dercums disease. The debilitating condition causes loss of movement, neurological problems, pain, swelling and fatigue. Its very clear he applied for [benefits to treat] painful tumors, and they came back with a zero rating for painful scars. It is baffling, Cindy Taylor said. Each time I requested a redress, I submitted new documentation showing the diagnosis and treatment for tumors, said Taylor, who refiled claims in 1990, 1997, 2009 and 2017. But he continued to receive a disability rating of 0% for scars. Army veteran Richard Oliver, 73, of North Carolina, said he was misdirected by the VA to a medical disability exam for bladder cancer when he actually had kidney cancer. The exam was supposed to be for his kidney cancer and chronic kidney disease. But they [the VA] sent the wrong exam request. It was for the wrong body part, said Michell Oliver, Richards wife. The VA said this month at a hearing of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on disability assistance and memorial affairs that it has strengthened internal reviews to address wrong orders for disability exams, scheduling mistakes and incomplete patient records reported by veterans affecting the quality of the exams. If an exam is wrong, incomplete, inaccurate or delayed, the veteran might not receive the benefits they earned from their service, said Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, committee chairman. In Taylors case, delays in fixing a simple error in his VA claims file persisted for decades, as he tried periodically to correct the problem, he said. They mislabeled me as seeking compensation for scars and kept mislabeling me when I filed again, Taylor said. My military medical files are replete with doctors notes about the tumors, said Taylor, who was stationed from 1980 to 1984 at Williams Air Force Base, in Arizona. The base closed in 1993 after being listed as a Superfund cleanup site because of jet fuel in the drinking water. I drank the water even though it smelled like jet fuel. We had no other drinking source, said Taylor, whose tumors have been connected to the contamination on base. The VA has conceded there is a strong possibility that my problems are related to the harmful chemical exposures. In 2023, when Taylor refiled his disability claim for service-connected tumors, he again was directed by the VA to a medical evaluation for scars. The nurse said to me, Oh, youre here for scars, Taylor said. Although Taylor discussed the tumors and related medical reports in his file, the nurse said the VA order was to clinically review scars for disability compensation. The rating came back zero. Taylor is now working with an accredited veterans service officer through a nonprofit veterans organization to correct his file and resubmit his claim. The officers provide free help to guide veterans through the claims process. It is a supplemental claim that will add even more information to the voluminous records that are already there, Taylor said. We love our country and think the military is great, but the VA is broken, Cindy Taylor said. It is a convoluted system that discourages and intimidates veterans from applying for benefits. If you dont mark every single box, they will deny and kick it back to the starting gate. MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia will respond to any deployment of European military forces in Ukraine as well as to attempts to seize Russian assets in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday. Speaking at a government hour session in the Federation Council, Lavrov said Moscow was prepared for retaliatory measures if European countries take what he called "hostile steps." "As President (Vladimir Putin) emphasized, we are not going to fight with Europe. We have no such thoughts," Lavrov said. "But we will respond to any hostile steps, including the deployment of European military contingents in Ukraine and the expropriation of Russian assets, and we are already ready for this response." The foreign minister said that the West is not united on the Ukrainian settlement and accused Europe of delaying the process of reaching a diplomatic resolution in Ukraine. European discussions on possible security commitments to Ukraine and debates over the use of frozen Russian assets have intensified in recent months. The G7 countries said on Monday that they will continue to develop, in line with their respective legal frameworks, a wide range of financing options to support Ukraine, including the potential use of the full value of immobilized Russian assets. The 35-year-old man who died of a heart attack on Sunday in a call shop in Torremolinos was Tasered by two devices used by the National Police. According to the version of the police and the shop owner, the deceased had attempted to rob the establishment, which is why the security forces were mobilised to the scene, where they reportedly found him "in an advanced state of agitation". The man's family, however, have said that his intention had not been to rob and that his death is an "injustice". The incident happened on the evening of 7 December. According to the police, the owner of the establishment had called them, stating that he had locked a perpetrator who had tried to rob him inside the call shop. Footage posted on social media shows part of the police intervention. It can be seen how the deceased is standing behind the counter of the shop, holding two mobile phones and ignoring police instructions. Police sources state that the man was "throwing objects" at the officers, while "hitting" other items inside. A rapid deployment patrol of the National Police first arrived at the scene. The police tried to restrain the individual. When their attempts proved unsuccessful, two other police officers were mobilised. According to the same sources, they continued trying to put him in handcuffs while "he was moving, shouting and kicking". It was then that one of the police reportedly used his Taser on the man's leg, which apparently had no effect on him. The police took the man to the ground, where the struggle continued. The suspect was Tasered twice more by another police officer and then they managed to put him in handcuffs. According to the police version, the medical emergency service had already been mobilised by that point. They had asked for an ambulance to go to the scene and give the suspect tranquilisers. However, he was no longer responding to stimuli by the time the ambulance arrived. The man suffered a heart attack and died despite the efforts of both the police and the medical staff. The forensic police and the judicial committee were called to the scene to remove the body, which has been transferred to the institute of legal medicine of Malaga (IML) for an autopsy. The results will determine the cause of the cardiac arrest and shed more light on the case. The man's family describe what happened as an "injustice". They have already taken legal action against the police. The deceased's wife insists that his intention was not to steal. "He took a taxi and then his phone went out. As he couldn't pay, he told the taxi driver that he was going to charge it at the call shop," she says. 'He took a taxi and then his phone went out. As he couldn't pay, he told the taxi driver that he was going charge it at the shop' According to her, her husband asked the shop owner "for a charger that he was going to pay for later". The establishment manager, however, thought that it was a lie and got scared. She calls the actions of the police "disproportionate when he had done nothing". Most police unions have come out in defence of the officers, highlighting their "professional" approach given "the state of high agitation" of the individual. The provincial secretary of Jupol in Malaga, Enrique Picarzo, told SUR that the police went because they had received a call about "a violent person" who "they had to restrain". According to Picarzo, their professional performance was "brilliant". In addition, he highlighted the difficulty of "taking decisions in two seconds, especially in a heated environment". Spokesperson for the national executive of the unified police union (Sup) Ana Alarcon defends the use of Tasers when the police cannot restrain an individual using the minimum necessary force. She guarantees that the camera that police officers have attached to their chest always "starts to record" the moment they take out a Taser. Jeremy DeChario is a believer in making slow, incremental progress every day. That could describe his career trajectory from part-time cashier to CEO of the Syracuse Cooperative Market. DeChario followed his partner, Natalie Stetson, to Syracuse about 15 years ago while she was in graduate school. An acquaintance suggested DeChario apply for a job in the grocery department at the co-op, 618 Kensington Road. I didnt get the job, he says. But there was another opening at the front end. He was hired. Over time, DeChario took on more responsibilities, first as store manager, then operations manager in 2012, then general manager in 2014. In 2021, the co-op opened a second location inside Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina St., becoming downtowns first full-service grocery store. DeCharios job title recently was changed to CEO to better reflect his role in the cooperative. A co-op exists to serve the needs of its members, customers and community. The Syracuse Real-Food Co-op, as it was called then, began in 1972 as a member-owned health food store offering natural products not stocked by traditional grocery stores. Today, the co-op sells natural groceries, fresh produce, bulk foods, meat, cheese and prepared foods. But also, we have mac and cheese, if you want mac and cheese, DeChario says. The co-op has about 2,500 active members and governed by an 11-member board of directors. Anyone can join for $100 but you dont have to be a member to shop there. The stores small in square footage, large in ambition employ about 45 people and will top $4 million in sales this fiscal year. DeChario, 40, Stetson and their 6-year-old son live in the Westcott neighborhood of Syracuse. (I interviewed Stetson, executive director of the Erie Canal Museum, in June.) Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Exterior entrance (facing South Clinton Street) at the Syracuse Cooperative Market, the new full-service grocery opening April 14 at the Salt City Market, 484 S. Salina St. in downtown Syracuse. Don Cazentre Don Cazentre Tell me briefly about your journey to the CEO role. You were just looking for part-time work when you moved here. Now youre running the place. I came here for Natalies grad school. What do you do with a B.A. in English? I had done some activism around food and environmentalism in my college career. I moved here with no job and no friends. We were connected with somebody who said, Youre going to get out of bed tomorrow morning and were going to go the co-op and youre going to apply. I didnt get the job. My first interviews were for grocery. [They said] we arent going to hire you for grocery, but youd fit well in front end. When it came time to decide what to do next, I had a full-time job and benefits in the post-2008 financial crisis [economy]. It was: Lets stick around and see how it works. And its been great. What is a co-op? Its an economic framework for businesses to work for the mutual benefit of our members. In the 1970s, when the co-op was founded, it was really about access to food. Vegetarian food like tofu wasnt in a mainstream grocery store. It was purely member-driven on getting the right pricing or the right quality or [products]. Co-ops are really about when many people come together to do something that one person alone couldnt do to solve a community need [such as] housing, food, financial services with credit unions, utilities. All of these different things operate under the same broad economic framework that focuses on meeting the needs of your members. When we opened our downtown store, we didnt go to big banks for financing. We financed everything from our members and we pay our interest back to our members. Our bottom line isnt necessarily net income. Its also our ability to serve our community. Are you supposed to make a profit or are you just trying to break even? Its a values vs. value conversation. We have to do well to do good. So, we want to make a profit. But we also recognize that were not the only ones selling groceries. There are standards and we charge the absolute lowest amount we can to be an extant business. The biggest challenge in the grocery industry right now, especially for independents, is immense consolidation. [DeChario dives into a discussion of the federal governments retreat from enforcing the anti-monopoly Robinson-Patman Act. But thats another story.] Critics of big supermarkets say theyre made for maximizing sales, not giving people the best nutrition. How are co-ops different? The really dark part of the entire food industry is [that] we sell food as products, not food as food. Just this morning, California filed suit against processed food manufacturers. Weve had a very long discussion internally about what healthy looks like because were supposed to be the health store, right? We have legacy customers who think healthy is kale. More and more, the thinking has moved to: It isnt our job to pass value judgments on peoples choices in food. Its a paternalistic approach to [say], thats not healthy, you should have kale instead. But healthy is culture. Healthy is joy. We want to sell the best food, but we also want to sell food that people want to buy. So, its a balance. Where we do beat the competitors is our focus on local, quality products and fair trade. But also, we have mac and cheese, if you want mac and cheese. The Syracuse Cooperative Market, at 618 Kensington Road in Syracuse's Westcott neighborhood, is opening its second location at downtown's Salt City Market in April 14. Jacob Pucci Did you have leadership roles growing up? Who and what influenced you in developing your leadership abilities? I have been in leadership programs since I was a kid. I was very active in scouting growing up. Im an Eagle Scout. One of the things that I most liked about that was a leadership program with outdoor adventures. Theres a big difference when peoples lives depend on [you], whether its climbing or doing whitewater or trekking or whatever. I dont want it to sound dramatic, but you do make life-or-death decisions in some of those places. For my part, it was always about modeling leadership and elevating folks in that, as well. I cant be everywhere on the rope line but you have to trust your team. How has that carried over into your professional life? I always joke that were all building a boat. We want to vet our ideas so that were trying to build a good boat. At the end of it, were all on the same team to do this. Its very much about making sure everybody knows the longer vision and how our roles in that impact our ability to realize it. It frees me up to not micromanage and to trust and empower people to make the decisions that they have more knowledge [to make]. Im very much focused on trusting people to do what weve agreed wed both do. What do you think employees need from their leaders? Everybody needs to know the score and the rules. Broadly speaking, everybody wants to do a good job. But people cant do a good job if they dont know how they fit into the broader picture of everything. I have my role to play to make sure that the co-op works and so does everybody else. [Also,] make people feel sincerely valued. It shouldnt be something that you have to say. I do very much value all the staff that we have at the co-op and we couldnt serve the community without the folks we have. Were really lucky. How do you spark innovation in your organization? There are not too many ways you can sell groceries. It is still very in-person business. For us, the innovation is more like novel approaches to novel problems. Were not a 120,000-square-foot grocery store in the suburbs with tons of parking. Were two small, urban grocery stores. Its looking at how we can sell more groceries in a limited space. Its new merchandising. Its trying new products. The easiest way to encourage that has been letting folks feel empowered and safe bringing up ideas. We always talk about it as a safe place to fail. [We also have] a really proactive approach to iterative development. [Someone says] I want to do this thing. How are we going to [do it]? How are we going to evaluate it to decide if it works? Who are we going to bring in to tell us what parts of it do and dont work in different parts of the store? Its a culture of regret, trying to be better at everything all the time. What advice would you give for effective leadership, especially for someone whos new to leadership? Trust your gut. Youve been elevated to this position to make decisions. Thats what leadership is your ability to make decisions. Something that I try to impart upon my new managers is: You have this role because youre entrusted with decision-making power in my stead or in a narrow field. Nothing is really all that permanent. Youll know how to do it better next time. But Id rather that a decision be made, exercising your best judgment, than be paralyzed and not know what to do. The only things that I really regretted are things that I didnt do soon enough, or I second-guessed my thoughts, or I let somebody talk me out of something that I knew I should do. Trusting your ability to make decisions is big and important. Whats the best piece of advice that a parent, a mentor or a boss ever gave you? My mom [Julie Losee] was a very big on mentoring growing up. It was a safe place to fail. [She would say:] Were going to do these things, and youre going to make mistakes. But if you learn from it, its generally not that catastrophic, hopefully. There was this one camping trip we went on with my Boy Scout troop. One of the patrols left their cooler in the parking lot. They got to camp and realized they didnt have any food. They were upset but they werent in any danger. They werent going to starve. They ended up having to wash dishes [for the other patrols] to get meals. Some of the parents were pretty incensed when they got back. But it was a consequence of their own decision. And you know what? They double-checked their food and everybody elses for the rest of the eight years they were in our scout troop. They never forgot it again. You have to let people make mistakes. You have to let people learn on their own. Thats really stuck with me. We always joke: Its just groceries. Were not dealing with life or death stakes here most of the time, hopefully. And neither are most leaders. Mistakes are good and theyre part of growth. I love to make a mistake that I can learn from. Jeremy DeChario, general manager of the Syracuse Real Food Co-op, pictured in 2014. The co-op changed its name to Syracuse Cooperative Market in 2017. (Don Cazentre | dcazentre@syracuse.com) Don Cazentre What advice would you give somebody starting a career now? A lot of the time, I wasnt sure that the co-op was going to be for me forever. Over time, [you realize] the positive impacts that you can have by the steady plod towards progress. Its not exciting sometimes. It doesnt feel good. It doesnt even feel like progress. Slow, incremental progress over time is going to get you to where you want to be. Its really hard. I dont like deferred gratification at all. But when you see what can be accomplished if you just do that, its awesome. It just feels really good. You followed your partner to Syracuse. Are there other reasons you choose to stay? Fifteen minutes in any direction, youre in nature. Im a pretty avid cyclist. I do bike packing. There are a ton of country roads to ride on. The Erie Canal trail is amazing. The first six years we lived here, we didnt have a car. I still ride my bike downtown most days. You can walk around pretty much anywhere pretty comfortably. And its only getting better. There are more cyclists and the infrastructure is improving. The people who choose to spend their time and life energy in Syracuse are a really authentic group of people. There is something about living in Syracuse that really resonated with me. For its size, it still has that small-town feel. And youre close to everything: Montreal, Toronto, New York, Philly, Boston. If I handed you a magic wand, whats one thing you would change about Syracuse? Selfishly, Id love it if we got more cool bands. Ive traveled for shows to Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, all over the place. Syracuse long-timers [express], I dont know, sardonic misery. This is where we are. I catch myself doing it and Im like, yeah, well, you could do something about it. We could just be boosters constantly, because its very easy to do. Most people who are miserable about it outwardly are actually big Syracuse fans. Thats just the way we show our affection. The weekly Conversation on Leadership features Q&A interviews about leadership, success and innovation. To suggest a candidate for Conversations on Leadership, email Marie Morelli at mmorelli@syracuse.com. Read previous entries in the series. Below Deck star Fraser Olender, 33, is urging fans to quit vaping after a terrifying health scare landed him in the hospital with a heart attack. Olender revealed in a Dec. 5 Instagram post that he experienced severe chest pains and difficulty breathing before being rushed for emergency care. After a week of consultations, specialists diagnosed him with vape poisoning, with vape poisoning, also known as an E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, which triggered a serious cardiac event. Whatever was in my vape caused me to have a coronary artery vasospasm. Medically, that means the arteries supplying blood to my heart suddenly clamped down, Olender wrote. That spasm reduced blood flow enough to cause an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), better known as a heart attacknot because of a blockage, but because my heart wasnt getting enough oxygen during the spasm. The Bravo star described the incident as terrifying. I have never experienced fear or pain like it, he stated. Olender emphasized the importance of sharing his experience to help others quit vaping, which he called a dangerous habit. Im grateful to still be recovering now, and Im sharing this because I never realized something like this could happen, he wrote. If this experience can help even one person rethink vaping, its worth telling. Olender said he will never vape again and urged others to stop immediately. I could have died for the sake of something so ridiculously stupid, so please do yourselves a favor and give it up toocold turkey, he wrote. That was NOT cute, not even for the plot. Olender, who has appeared in four seasons of Below Deck, made his debut during Season 9 as second stew. He was promoted to chief stew during Season 10 and has been a part of the crew up until Season 12. Below Deck is currently in hiatus, but Season 13, which was shot in Thailand, is set to air in 2026. Its unclear if Olender will return for the next installment. Syracuse, N.Y. As a two-family home in Syracuse was engulfed in flames, the man accused of setting the fire was across the street smoking a cigarette, watching it burn, according to prosecutors. A woman sleeping in the upstairs apartment died in the fire. Anthony Green, 60, is accused of first-degree murder for setting the fire at 2017 South Ave. that killed Shaquoiya T. Allison, 34, on June 20, 2024. New details of the allegations were revealed Tuesday as Greens trial began. Prosecutor Oksana Bugayov opened the trial by showing the jury a video of the fire. The video, filmed from a private camera across the street, shows a faint glow starting in the first-floor porch and quickly spreading. A figure, who prosecutors say is Green, can be seen leaving the house as the fire spread and slowly walking away. Green is accused of starting the fire to kill his partner, Lorraine Green, who had gone to visit with a group hanging out in the upstairs apartment. Prosecutors have said the couple had a history of domestic incidents. Bugayov said Green knew people were upstairs and did not warn anyone of the fire or call 911. The video shows the fire quickly getting out of control. Black smoke begins pouring from the home. The windows are blown out shortly before the blaze engulfs the front of the home. At the same time, Green walked to a nearby convenience store and chatted with the cashier before buying cigarettes, Bugayov said. A still photo from inside the store clearly shows Green at the counter as his house burns just a couple of blocks away. Green then walked toward a lot across from his still burning home and smoked a cigarette as he watched the chaos, Bugayov told the jury. All but one of the people in the second-floor apartment made it out safely. Allison was sleeping in the back room of the home when the fire broke out. Allisons girlfriend, Tonette Tierny, testified that she thought Allison was right behind the group of people escaping through the back staircase. Tierny told the jury she had to help Lorraine Green, who has a prosthetic leg, get out of the smoke-filled apartment. When she realized Allison was not following, she tried to go back inside but it was too late, she said. When firefighters reached Allison, she was unconscious and not breathing. She was rushed to Upstate University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Greens attorney, Patrick Hennessy, told the jury the prosecutions theory of the crime is just their best guess. Best guesses are not good enough, Hennessy said. He pointed out that the fire was ruled intentional by a process of eliminating common causes, such as electrical fires. They still do not know how the fire was started, he said. He said there is not enough evidence to show Green set the fire. There is also no evidence he intended to kill anyone, Hennessy said. He said the evidence presented will leave the jurors with questions and they will have to find Green not guilty. Bugayov told the jury they are allowed to look at Greens actions after the fire to determine his intent. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces the possibility of life in prison without the possibility of parole. A new movie filming in Syracuse is looking for local actors to fill seven specific roles. A casting call posted Tuesday by AND Casting says the day player roles are needed for an upcoming project under the working title Red Ink. The film will shoot 1940s-era scenes in Central New York in January 2026. Actors who would like to be considered must email casting director Annie Delano (annie@andcasting.com) with their name, headshot, contact info and the role they would like to audition for. If their photo passes the first round of submissions, audition requests will be sent out Thursday with further instructions; auditions will be due by Sunday night and all roles will be cast before Christmas. The roles include: MIDGE BAKER (40s60s. Female. White. Slightly rotund. Quirky & Comedic.) Midge is the lightning-fast, unflappable switchboard operator the hub through which half the citys news, gossip, and emergencies seem to pass. She sits at her post like an air-traffic controller of 1949 Manhattan, juggling blinking lights, frantic callers, and newsroom chaos with practiced ease.Looking for an actor with strong comedic undercurrents, quick hands, expressive reactions, and the ability to make a brief role instantly memorable. Shooting 1/6/26-1/14/26 with Saturday and Sunday off ***** RADIO ANNOUNCER (On Camera Actor) (40s70s. Male. Any ethnicity. Gaunt. Distinguished & Stoic.) The Radio Announcer delivers the closing broadcast of the film a calm, authoritative, era-accurate voice carrying the weight of a national crisis. Their tone is steady, measured, and unmistakably 1949: clipped consonants, rich mid-century radio cadence, and a sense of grave responsibility as they relay breaking news to the American public. Looking for an actor with exceptional vocal control, presence, and authenticity someone who can channel classic radio broadcasters (Edward R. Murrow, H.V. Kaltenborn, Gabriel Heatter, etc.) and make the final message land with both authority and poignancy. Works 1 Day on 1/14/26 ***** CARTOONIST (50s60s. Male. White.) A bullpen regular with a desk full of sketches and inked proofs. Has a direct interaction with Bob, showing him a political cartoon mid-draft. Must be comfortable physically handling drawing tools and creating the appearance of quick sketching. 12 short lines possible. Strong expressive face and comedic timing helpful. Works 1 Day: 1/15/26 ***** COPYWRITER CHARLES (40s50s. Male. Any Ethnicity.) Fast-talking bullpen staffers pitching headline ideas and story angles as Bob moves through the room. Must handle rapid-fire dialogue rhythm even if only delivering 12 lines. Comfortable with typewriters, paper handling, and bustling newsroom activity. Appears in multiple passes in the background of long takes. Works 1 Day: 1/12/26 ***** JUNIOR COPYWRITER (20s30s. Any gender. Any ethnicity.) An eager, quick-moving staff writer in the Verity bullpen. Still early in their career, they hustle to keep pace with the chaos typing, revising, pitching, and trying not to get steamrolled by senior editors. Sharp, energetic, and visibly invested in proving themselves. May deliver a quick pitched line or reaction. Must be comfortable with typewriters, fast paper handling, and overlapping dialogue rhythm. Appears in the bullpen during a major continuous-take sequence. Works 1 Day: 1/15/26 ***** PAPERBOY (18-25. Male. Any ethnicity.) A young newsboy brought into the Verity photo studio for a staged publicity shoot. Earnest, wide-eyed, and a little overwhelmed by the bustling grown-up world around him, but trying hard to look confident for the camera. Needs strong nonverbal presence, the ability to take direction on simple physical beats (posing, holding props, reacting to the crew), and comfort working in a busy set environment. Period feel is important polite, composed, and authentic to 1949. Works 1 Day: 1/15/26 ***** DESK JOCKEY (20s50s. Any gender. Any Ethnicity.) One of the bullpens continuously busy clerks on phones, taking messages, moving copy pages, or fielding calls. Highly energetic physical work and strong continuity presence required, as this actor appears repeatedly throughout the continuous shots. Silent acting but with specific beats. Works 1 Day 1/12/26 ***** All of the roles could potentially work more days as background actors, except Midge and the Radio Announcer, according to Delano. Additional opportunities for background actors/extras will be sent out in January to people who have signed up on andcasting.com. No travel will be provided by production or compensated for by the production; all day player actors must be local to Syracuse. All roles are paid SAG Scale; actors can be non-union or union to audition. Additional details, including the plot, director, cast, production company, and filming locations, have not been announced. The character descriptions, however, suggest the scenes will be set in 1949. OTTAWA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Canadian government on Tuesday pledged to invest 1.7 billion Canadian dollars (1.23 billion U.S. dollars) over the next 12 years to attract more than 1,000 of the world's top researchers to the country. According to a press release from the federal government, the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative will focus on research areas critical to Canada's sovereignty, resilience and long-term prosperity. It will cover advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity, and biotechnology and life sciences in the health sector. The priorities will also include clean technologies, environment and climate resilience, food and water security, manufacturing and advanced materials, and defense and dual-use technologies. Research that cuts across multiple priority areas is also eligible, the release added. This initiative represents one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind globally, uniquely designed to secure top research talent at exceptional speed and flexibility. These features will ensure Canada remains at the forefront of scientific innovation, said the release. "As other countries constrain academic freedoms and undermine cutting-edge research, Canada is investing in, and doubling down on, science," said Melanie Joly, Canada's Minister of Industry. Her comments are widely seen as a reference to the environment for science and immigration in the United States, marked by policies by the administration of President Donald Trump that created uncertainty for international researchers, including travel bans, increased difficulties in obtaining visas, and a de-emphasis on scientific fields such as climate change. Analysts said Canada aims to directly enhance its competitiveness in core industries and reduce its technological dependence on its southern neighbor. Canada faces a historic opportunity to attract world-leading researchers at a pivotal time for global innovation, said the release. Manlius, NY -- A Manlius pediatrician charged criminally with forging her sons vaccine records voluntarily withdrew a civil rights lawsuit against the state Wednesday morning. Dr. Shareen Ismail had sued state health officials in federal court last month, accusing them of wrongfully placing her on a public list of vaccine fraudsters. She demanded removal from the list. She voluntarily withdrew her lawsuit Wednesday morning, only hours after a syracuse.com | The Post-Standard story detailed the doctors fight with the state over her sons vaccination records. Ismail, 49, founded the Alexandre Centre for Childrens Health earlier this year. Its located on East Genesee Street across from Green Lakes State Park. Dr. Shareen Ismail founded the Alexandre Centre for Childrens Health in Manlius, N.Y. She was recently placed on a state blacklist of doctors suspected of vaccine fraud. She denies the claims. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com dennis nett | dnett@syracuse.com Withdrawing the civil lawsuit did not signal any admission of wrongdoing, her civil lawyer Chad Davenport told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Instead, it gives Ismail and her legal team more time to focus on her felony fraud charge. We have voluntarily dismissed the federal civil rights lawsuit without prejudice as of today, Davenport told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. This procedural step allows Dr. Ismail to focus her full attention and resources on resolving the pending criminal matter... Ismail was arrested Dec. 3 and charged with tampering with a public record, a felony, after authorities accused her of turning in fake vaccination records on behalf of her son to a Jamesville-DeWitt elementary school. Her criminal defense lawyer, Shaun Chase, told syracuse.com that he had a meeting set up with county prosecutors in the next day or two to discuss the case. Ismail is facing possible grand jury action and a potential prison sentence if convicted of tampering with a public record. Ismail is also embroiled in two other legal battles, Davenport, her civil lawyer, said. Following Ismails arrest, her ex-husband in Florida filed an emergency petition seeking custody of their son, whose vaccination records are in question. Davenport said that a hearing in Family Court was originally scheduled for Thursday, conflicting with an appearance on her civil rights lawsuit in Albany. This effectively forced Dr. Ismail into an impossible position where she would have had to choose between defending her constitutional rights in federal court or defending her parental rights in Family Court, he said. In addition to the criminal case and the custody battle, Ismail is also suing the J-D school district for not accepting her sons vaccine records, Davenport said. Ismail previously told syracuse.com that her son is unable to go to school because state health officials didnt believe his vaccination records are valid. Her son had spent three years at the Montessori School of Syracuse before administrators there became suspicious of his vaccine status. He was excluded from school on Sept. 16 and hasnt been back since. Ismail then attempted to send him to Tecumseh Elementary School, in DeWitt. But he was barred from attending there, too. She filed a lawsuit Nov. 25 seeking a state judge to order J-D to take him as a student. That case remains pending, Davenport said. Given all of those legal fights, Ismail decided to put off her civil rights lawsuit against the state, Davenport said. We will continue to vigorously defend Dr. Ismails rights on all fronts, Davenport concluded. Manlius, NY A pediatrician already on New Yorks watch list for vaccine fraud has been charged criminally with faking her sons vaccination records to try to get him into public school. Dr. Shareen Ismail, 49, of DeWitt, was arrested Dec. 3 and charged with tampering with a public record, a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, according to court records. Ismail, who opened the Alexandre Centre for Childrens Health in Manlius earlier this year, is accused of faking her sons vaccination records in an attempt to enroll him mid-year at Jamesville-DeWitts Tecumseh Elementary School. A month earlier, state health officials had put Ismail on its school vaccination fraud awareness list. That move suspends Ismails ability to record vaccinations in a state database and directs school districts to reject vaccination verifications from her office. In turn, Ismail sued the state, arguing health officials are weaponizing her openness to vaccine skeptics by falsely accusing her of criminal vaccine fraud. UPDATE: Manlius doctor on vaccine fraud list drops lawsuit against NY, plans to fight criminal charge In an extensive interview this week with syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, Ismail said her son was properly vaccinated to attend school. When asked if hed had the required vaccines, she responded: All of them. Ismail accused state health investigators of targeting her son because they didnt like her Alexandre Centre and her openness to vaccine skepticism. The moment I opened this office, he had a target on his back, Ismail said. So, you know, they went after him to get to me. The two legal cases one a federal civil rights claim and the other a local criminal complaint pit a state government with little patience for vaccine avoidance against a provider and some parents who are wary of government vaccine mandates. In the criminal case, Ismail is accused of providing faked documents from a Cortland clinic to enroll her child at Tecumseh, according to a criminal complaint. She was arraigned in DeWitt Town Court last week. But Ismail insisted to syracuse.com shed never faked anything. Totally not, she replied when asked if she forged vaccination records or medical exemptions. A week and a half before Ismails arrest, she had filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state, accusing health officials of unfairly placing her name on a state webpage of vaccine fraudsters. That website, called School Vaccination Fraud Awareness, includes Ismails name among 17 doctors statewide suspected or convicted of fraud. Her civil lawyer, Chad Davenport, has repeatedly denied those allegations, arguing that the state had no proof that Ismail had ever committed vaccine fraud on behalf of her child or any other child in her practice. He demanded that Ismails name be removed from the list. We unequivocally reject the (Health) Departments unfounded assertions and implications of fraud and misuse, Davenport wrote to state investigators in an email included in court papers. The facts demonstrate good-faith actions within a flawed system, not fraudulent intent. State health officials declined comment to syracuse.com. But investigators responded Tuesday in court papers that their questions into the vaccine status of Ismails son provided plenty of concern that she was engaging in fraud involving her own patients. Nine days after her lawsuit, Ismail was arrested after a DeWitt investigator wrote she was seen on video camera delivering vaccination records to Tecumseh Elementary School. The head of a Cortland-area pediatrics office identified in the boys vaccination records told police that the records were fake, according to court documents. Review of the records the Defendant offered for filing to Tecumseh Elementary School, were reviewed by the Chief Medical Officer of the Family Health Network, who confirmed them to be fraudulent and did not match the practices (sic) own records for the Defendants Child, DeWitt Police Investigator Jeffrey Conrad wrote. Ismail said her first trouble with authorities began in September when her son was excluded from the private Montessori School of Syracuse, in DeWitt, over questions surrounding his vaccination records. But state investigators say red flags started earlier than that. In July, a Montessori school administrator reported Ismail to stopvaxfraud@health.ny.gov, a tip line for suspected vaccine fraud, according to court papers. On July 8, the tipster reported that Ismail had previously declined to enroll her son at the Montessori school because of the schools immunization requirements, which comply with state law, according to a summary in court papers. She later changed her mind and submitted immunization papers in 2022 to enroll her son. In October 2024, Ismail submitted updated immunization papers that the school believed showed inconsistencies in the administration dates of multiple vaccines, the tipster added. In the state vaccination system, many of the childs vaccines were administered by the Pediatric Urgent Care of Rochester, state investigators wrote. Ismail previously worked at that urgent care. But investigators say that when they visited that urgent care, workers told them that, as an urgent care, they didnt provide routine vaccines, had no record of the boy being a patient there and no evidence that anyone including Ismail had been authorized to add the boys vaccinations to the system. The records Ismail later submitted to J-D included a different pediatric office, in Cortland, authorities say. Not only did the medical director of the Cortland office also say those records were forgeries, but that the records from Rochester and Cortland were inconsistent with one another, state investigators say. For now, Ismail remains open for business at the Alexandre Centre, 8016 E. Genesee St., nestled in a scenic gully across the street from Green Lakes State Park. She said she knows of no effort to challenge her medical license. Ismail remains free while her criminal case is awaiting possible grand jury action. While denying forgery, Ismail is unapologetic in offering a place where she says parents have total control within reason, she adds of their childs care. Parents entrust us to their childrens health, because we do offer them discretion and we do offer them a choice, to decide what they want to do for their own children, Ismail told syracuse.com. She estimated at least half of her parents are against giving their children the regular schedule of vaccines that is mandated by many pediatricians. She doesnt take insurance, giving her freedom to make unconventional choices about treatment. And, while she maintains that shes clear with parents about what vaccinations are required for school, she also thinks that parents wants should come first. State investigators point to that approach, as well as a Facebook ad for vaccine detoxification, as proof that Ismail is anti-vaccine and medically dubious, evidence that her vaccine records are suspect. They call the offices embrace of holistic medicine, among other things, as a dog whistle for vaccine fraudsters. Ismail acknowledges that the states interest is to have everyone vaccinated. After all, thats what public health officials say offers the best protection for society as a whole. But Ismail, a trained pediatric emergency doctor who graduated from Colgate University and earned her medical degree at Ross University in Barbados, says shes found a calling by standing up for parents choice, even if that breeds trouble. You have to stand up for your families or roll over, she said. Im just like, I choose to be a doctor and I choose to stand up for the health choices of my families. That was my choice. Rome, N.Y. - A woman who was found severely burned outside a fire that destroyed a Rome apartment building Tuesday has died, according to the Oneida County Sheriffs Office. Shes the second person to die from the fire that displaced 20 people, according to Kenneth White, the Rome Commissioner of Public Safety. The woman ran out of the building and collapsed in the snow where first responders tried to help her. She was initially transferred to Wynn Hospital in Utica in critical condition, White said. She was taken to the burn center at Upstate University Hospital. Shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriffs office announced she had died. The names people who died will be released at a later date, deputies said. The fire took place at the Countryside Apartments at 7108 Rome-Oriskany Road. Firefighters were first on the scene just after 4:30 a.m. First responders found heavy fire conditions on the west side of the building when they arrived. Deputies and State Police troopers worked together to evacuate the building, according to a news release from the sheriffs office. Eleven fire departments responded to the fire. One Rome firefighter suffered an injury to their hand fighting the fire, but no other first responders were hurt, White said. The American Red Cross helped displaced residents. A warming center was established at the All Saints Parish at 801 Hickory St, Rome. The sheriffs office, Rome Fire Department and state Office of Fire Prevention and Control are working to determine the cause of the fire. Editors note: Students at SUNY Upstate Medical University are learning more than how to be doctors, researchers and public health experts. They also are acquiring skills to advocate for their patients, communities and profession. Several students recently submitted letters to the editor addressing topics of concern to the Syracuse community. To the Editor: Lead exposure is a silent crisis in Central New York. Syracuse has one of the oldest collections of housing units in the nation, and thousands of families still rely on lead service lines that contaminate drinking water. No amount of lead is safe, especially for children, who can suffer irreversible effects on learning, behavior and long-term health. Federal infrastructure funding has created an unprecedented opportunity to replace these pipes. Yet implementation will take years, and many households remain at risk each passing day that its occupants ingest lead-containing water. Many in the community also arent fully aware of the dangers of lead exposure. Research shows that every dollar invested in lead prevention saves at least $17 and potentially up to $221 in avoided health and education costs. Our health is shaped not just by individual choices but by the environments we live in. Safe water is a right, not a privilege. Related: More on lead in Syracuse: Prioritize home inspections, address lifelong consequences (Your Letters) Syracuse residents deserve urgency. City leaders must prioritize lead pipe replacement and engage communities in improved awareness of this issue. Replacement of these pipes is crucial to protect our childrens health and futures. I urge policymakers and neighbors alike to continue to bring attention to this important issue and contribute to making the dangers of lead exposure more well understood in the Syracuse community. Clean water is a foundation of public health, and it should not depend on your ZIP code. Emma Covillon SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse On Nov. 22, a small child wearing only a diaper was seen running down the middle of Main Street in the hamlet of Perrysburg, Cattaraugus County, pursued by a handful of residents. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest ranger patrolling the area scooped up the runaway toddler and wrapped the child in his coat due to the cold, 40-degree temperature. The child was unable to tell the ranger where they lived, so the ranger carried the child 150 yards down Main Street until he noticed a house with an open front door. After a brief investigation, the ranger learned that although childs grandmother was inside the home, she was unaware her grandchild had taken off down the street. New York State Police arrived on the scene to conduct interviews. The following reports are excerpted from DEC: Rangers rescued an injured hiker on Nov. 21 who had twisted their ankle on an icy section of trail at the summit of Ampersand Mountain. NYS DEC On the evening of Nov. 21, a 54-year-old hiker from Tupper Lake twisted their ankle on an icy stretch of trail at the summit of Ampersand Mountain. They werent wearing traction devices. Rangers splinted the injured ankle, provided pain medication and warm liquids, and pulled the patient on a sled to the trailhead. Rangers remind hikers to prepare for all winter weather conditions. Even if its relatively warm at the trailhead, theres snow and ice at higher elevations. A hiker became hypothermic on Couchsachraga Peak in the Santanoni Range on Nov. 22. Rangers advised the hikers companions over the phone to rehydrate, rewarm, and keep their friend moving. The group made it to Bradley Pond lean-to overnight and were all in good health the next day. A 78-year-old hiker from Ticonderoga was overdue on Nov. 22 from a hike on Potter Mountain. Their car was still at the trailhead at 7 p.m. Rangers found the hiker, who forgot to pack a flashlight, in good health off Short Swing trail at 10 p.m. Rangers and EMS personnel attend to a 56-year-old hiker who started having chest pain while hiking in the Lake George Wild Forest on Nov. 29. NYS DEC A 56-year-old from Gansevoort started having chest pain while hiking in the Lake George Wild Forest on Nov. 29. Rangers along with local rescue personnel used a wheeled litter to transport the hiker to the trailhead where they turned over care to Bolton EMS. On the afternoon of Nov. 28, a 55-year-old from Maryland slipped and fell while climbing Hadley Mountain, injuring their wrist. Rangers reached the hiker and provided microspikes and trekking poles due to the icy trail conditions. EMS transported the patient to the hospital. Rangers ticketed a property owner for leaving a fire unattended on Dec. 1 in Wassaic that produced large plumes of smoke and flames. NYS DEC A fire in Wassaic produced large plumes of smoke and flames in Wassaic on Dec. 1. The source was a large pile of brush covered with dirt, allegedly left unattended by workers on-site hours earlier. Fire crews broke up the fire with an excavator. A ranger wrote one ticket for the unattended fire. A 57-year-old from NYC got lost on Nov. 29 while visiting a friend who lives near the base of the Samuels Point, a trailless peak in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. The hiker bushwhacked almost to the summit before dark but became disoriented in the thick vegetation after losing a cell phone signal. The hiker used the satellite messenger feature on the phone to message a friend in NYC to call 911. Rangers found the hiker, provided food and warm clothes, and guided them out of the woods. On Nov. 29, rangers assisted state and local police in a search for a missing 71-year-old hunter in the town of Nassau. Family members expected the hunter to be home well before dark since he typically hunted only in the early morning hours. A ranger found tracks in the snow leading to the hunter, who was dead. Hoags Corners Fire Department assisted with the carry out. The administration of President Donald Trump plans to end a student loan forgiveness program first launched by former President Joe Biden. The administration on Tuesday announced a legal settlement that will end the program, known as the Saving on a Valuable Education plan, or SAVE. The end of SAVE will affect millions of borrowers, according to USA Today. The settlement comes in response to red states that sued to stop the program in 2024. The deal must still be approved by the courts. If it is, it will require that no new borrowers are enrolled in SAVE. The Education Department will also deny any pending SAVE applications and move current borrowers into different repayment plans, according to USA Today. SAVE tied loan repayments to borrowers incomes and brought some monthly bills to $0. The Biden administration hailed it as the most affordable student loan payment plan in history. Borrowers were eligible to have their student loan debt canceled after as little as 10 years of payments, according to CNN. The law is clear: if you take out a loan, you must pay it back, Undersecretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a statement, according to NPR. Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies. Borrowers will have a limited amount of time to choose a new payment plan, NPR said. Theyll have the option to switch into a fixed payment plan or a different plan based on income. Moving millions of borrowers to new plans will be challenging. Its gonna be bumpy, said Scott Buchanan, head of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, according to NPR. Remember, SAVE borrowers have not been in repayment for years. Theyre gonna have a ton of questions and will need a ton of hand-holding to get back into repayment. Trump has made changes to multiple student loan programs since returning to office. He has clamped down in some cases, while at other times opening a path to forgiveness for other borrowers. John Annese, New York Daily News (TNS) A jealous husband from Upstate New York who brutally beat his wife on a cruise to the Bahamas, breaking her nose and eye socket, prosecutors allege, was hit with federal charges when the ship returned to Brooklyn. Noel Igor Gomez Saint Kitts, 32, and his wife departed Brooklyn on the MSC Meraviglia on Nov. 23. Six days into the trip he flipped out after he thought another man was looking at her, according to a criminal complaint. Saint Kitts accused her of cheating on him, and at 3 a.m. on Nov. 29, while the ship was traveling in international waters, around 100 miles off the coast of North Carolina, he attacked her, the feds allege. He grabbed his wifes throat and squeezed tight enough to leave finger-shaped bruises on her neck, then started punching her head so hard he fractured her orbital bone and nose, the feds allege. He kicked her repeatedly in the stomach, causing her to vomit blood, according to a complaint. Saint Kitts then called the cruise concierge to their cabin, saying his wife had a nosebleed. But cruise ship employees noticed she was bleeding from the face and that his knuckles were covered in blood, the feds allege. He told them he only remembered punching her twice, according to police. The ship was on its way back to Red Hook, and when it docked on Nov. 30, NYPD officers and EMT medics were waiting. Saint Kitts, who has a past domestic violence arrest involving his wife in upstate Clinton County, N.Y., violated a judges limited protective order that barred him from committing any crimes against her, according to the feds. He lives in Plattsburgh, N.Y., where he works at a factory, law enforcement sources said. Saint Kitts is charged with assault under federal maritime law because he was at sea. On Thursday, a Brooklyn Federal Court judge ordered him held without bail. His lawyer did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday. 2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Oman and Lebanon have agreed to deepen cooperation across a wide range of sectors, according to a joint statement issued Wednesday at the conclusion of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's official visit to the Sultanate. The statement followed two rounds of talks between Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Aoun, during which the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in politics, economy, investment, banking, tourism, transport, and logistics. The leaders instructed their governments to begin early preparations for the first session of the Omani-Lebanese Joint Committee, to be held in Muscat and headed by the foreign ministers of both countries, and to work towards signing agreements and memoranda of understanding that would enhance cooperation between the two countries. According to the Oman News Agency, trade between Oman and Lebanon grew by 29.4 percent in the first half of 2025, while the number of Lebanese companies registered in Oman exceeded 1,035 as of September. On regional issues, both sides urged an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and reiterated the call for a complete withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese and Arab territories. Oman reaffirmed its full support for Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as its commitment to strengthening Lebanese state institutions -- particularly the armed forces and legitimate security agencies -- and to backing ongoing economic, financial, and administrative reforms. The two countries also reiterated the Arab position calling for an end to the "Israeli occupation" and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The United States had a surprising detour in its policy on chip exports, as President Donald Trump said Nvidia can indeed sell some more high-end chips to approved customers in China. However, it comes under very strict conditions and a hefty 25% export tariff. Nvidia H200 Chips Cleared for China With Heavy Restrictions Under the new rule, Nvidia can supply its H200 chips in China. These chips represent the company's second most powerful processors, which give a huge performance jump from the previous export-compliant models. For context, H200 chips run up to six times faster than the downgraded H20 models previously allowed, according to Reuters. The Blackwell B200 chips remain prohibited as they represent Nvidia's most advanced AI hardware. The approved Chinese customers must absorb a 25% export tariff on each purchase of H200. That move expanded China's legal access to more powerful AI computing power, but the real industry leader, the B200, remains off-limits. Black Market Chips Still Challenge Export Control Goals Despite official restrictions, reports indicate that more than $1 billion worth of B200 chips have already entered China through black-market channels. This would raise questions about the efficiency of the export controls in the US and suggest that demand for cutting-edge AI chips in China is unstoppable. The legal introduction of the H200 may quell some of this underground activity, but tariff and political pressure may yet hobble widespread adoption. Will Chinese Companies Actually Buy the H200? While Nvidia is now cleared to ship more sophisticated chips, it is not yet obvious whether Chinese firms will seek them out. The Chinese government has told local firms again to steer clear of US technology in favor of homegrown independence regarding AI hardware. In response, Huawei has accelerated efforts to match Nvidia and AMD in three years, per GSM Arena. Although analysts debate this aggressively ambitious timeline, it indicates a strategic focus by China on homegrown AI acceleration and reduced reliance on US semiconductor giants. SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, is preparing for a major public offering next year that could raise more than $25 billion and value the company at over $1 trillion. According to a source familiar with the plans, SpaceX has begun talks with banks about launching the initial public offering (IPO), which may take place around June or July. This move would mark one of the biggest listings in history. So far, only Saudi Aramco has reached a similar valuation, debuting with a market value of about $1.7 trillion in 2019, Yahoo reported. SpaceX hopes to join that elite group as it expands its rapidly growing Starlink satellite internet business. Musk previously said in 2020 that SpaceX would eventually list Starlink once its earnings became more predictable. The company now believes the time is right. Although SpaceX did not respond immediately to requests for comment, the plan has gained attention because of the ambitious goals attached to it. SpaceX is moving ahead with plans for an initial public offering that would seek to raise significantly more than $30 billion, people familiar with the matter said, in a transaction that would make it the biggest listing of all time At $1.5 Trillion valuation which would pic.twitter.com/9gTONdfW6d Susan Li (@SusanLiTV) December 9, 2025 SpaceX IPO Funds Set to Drive New Space Tech Projects Money raised from the public offering is expected to support the company's next wave of technological projects. One major idea involves building space-based data centers. Musk has shown interest in this concept, which would rely on powerful computer chips placed in orbit. SpaceX hopes these innovations could strengthen Starlink and open new opportunities in space technology. Starlink remains the backbone of SpaceX's financial growth. According to Reuters, analysts predict the company will earn about $15 billion in revenue in 2025, with earnings rising to between $22 billion and $24 billion by 2026. Most of this income is expected to come from Starlink subscriptions, which provide internet access to homes, businesses, and remote areas around the world. Recent media reports also claimed that SpaceX was starting a secondary share sale that could value the company at $800 billion. This would place it in direct competition with OpenAI for the title of most valuable private firm. Musk, however, dismissed those reports, calling them inaccurate. Originally published on vcpost.com KINSHASA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The March 23 Movement (M23) has entered the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the rebel group said in a statement on Wednesday. "We confirm that the city of Uvira is now liberated," M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said on the social media platform X, calling on residents to resume activities with complete calm. Since Wednesday morning, rebel forces were reportedly seen on the northern outskirts of Uvira before advancing into several neighborhoods. Residents told Xinhua that they saw individuals identified as M23 fighters moving through the city. The DRC government has yet to comment on the latest development in Uvira. However, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said late Tuesday that authorities were closely monitoring the situation around Uvira. In a statement issued Wednesday morning, the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) rejected the rebel claim as "a diversion" aimed at spreading panic. "The city and its surroundings remain under the control of the loyalist army," said Mbuyi Kalonji Reagan, FARDC spokesperson in the region, calling on residents "to remain calm and vigilant." Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu Province, has served as a temporary administrative center since the fall of Bukavu. A key commercial hub bordering Burundi, its strategic importance is heightened by its proximity to the Great Katanga region, one of the country's main economic zones. Burundi has closed its border with the DRC in response to the situation in Uvira, near Burundi's economic capital Bujumbura, Congolese security sources said Wednesday. On Monday, Bruno Lemarquis, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the DRC, warned of a rapidly escalating situation in South Kivu, saying heavy-weapon clashes between Dec. 2 and 7 killed at least 74 people and displaced more than 200,000, with thousands fleeing toward Burundi and Rwanda. Brazil moves closer to curbing Indigenous land claims in constitution Brasilia, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 Brazilian lawmakers moved closer Tuesday toward changing the constitution to limit Indigenous peoples' rights over their ancestral lands, despite expert claims that they are a key bulwark against global warming. Land rights for native peoples have been a point of contention in Brazil for years due to the country's powerful agricultural sector and its allies in the predominantly conservative parliament. The country has already curbed land claims through the so-called "time frame" rule that means Indigenous peoples can only have protected reserves on lands they physically occupied when the constitution was enacted in 1988. Proponents say the measure will resolve uncertainty about land demarcation, while opponents say it will open native peoples' lands to economic exploitation. The Senate advanced Tuesday a proposed amendment, by 52 votes to 15, that would enshrine the time frame rule in the constitution itself. The text now moves to the Chamber of Deputies for approval. The vote came ahead of the start of a Supreme Court case centered on the application of the time frame rule in demarcating Indigenous lands. The court declared the rule unconstitutional in 2023, in a victory for Indigenous movements. But Congress passed it into law anyway, despite that decision and the vetoes of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Brazil is home to 1.7 million Indigenous people, out of a total population of over 200 million. Indigenous communities argue that many of Brazil's native inhabitants were expelled from ancestral homelands throughout the country's history, particularly during its military dictatorship of 1964 to 1985. Since returning to power in 2023, Lula has approved 16 Indigenous territories, granting native peoples the right to occupy and exclusively use their natural resources. Experts say that such territories work as a shield against climate-related threats like deforestation and fires. EU agrees deal to cut emissions 90 percent by 2040 Brussels, Belgium, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 European Union countries and lawmakers reached a final deal Wednesday on an ambitious target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, allowing carbon credits bought outside the continent to help reach the goal. A number of countries, led by Italy, had expressed concern at the target of reducing the 27-nation bloc's emissions by 90 percent from 1990 levels by 2040. The final deal allows for five percent of cuts to be accounted for through carbon credits acquired for projects outside Europe. Activist groups have accused the EU of simply sending the climate change campaign offshore. Further down the road, the EU could if needed eventually allow member states to make up a further five percent of their targets via credits from international carbon markets. Under pressure from Poland and Hungary, the deal also put back by one year to 2028 an emissions trading system for road transport and heating buildings. Behind only China, the United States and India in terms of emissions, the EU has been the most committed of the major polluters to climate action and has already cut emissions by 37 percent compared to 1990 levels. The deal still has to be given formal approval by the 27 EU states and by the EU parliament. TotalEnergies rejects farmer claims in Belgian climate lawsuit Brussels, Belgium, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 TotalEnergies pushed back Wednesday at accusations it is failing to act fast enough on climate change, in a landmark court case brought by a Belgian farmer demanding a faster shift to renewables. Hugues Falys, a farmer and union leader from Belgium's western Hainaut province, blames the French oil giant for its role in a series of extreme weather events linked to global warming that caused losses to his farm. Backed by campaign groups including Greenpeace, Falys is seeking 130,000 euros in damages and wants TotalEnergies to halt all new global exploration for fossil fuels including oil and gas. Making their case in a commercial court in the city of Tournai, the company's lawyers called it "absurd" to single out an oil firm for allegedly dragging its feet on the energy transition -- stressing the overarching role of governments in steering climate policy. "What needs to fall are global emissions, and states have a central role in shifting demand toward a decarbonised system," said lawyer Francoise Labrousse. "It's a bit easy to blame energy producers for pollution and warming," she said. "TotalEnergies doesn't sell tractors, cars or boilers," Labrousse argued, describing the group's strategy to meet the EU's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 as "ambitious and effective". Falys is the first person to bring a climate case against a multinational company in Belgium, arguing that four extreme weather events linked to global warming between 2016 and 2020 harmed his business. Among the NGOs backing his case, the Human Rights League (LDH) is demanding a "transformation" of TotalEnergies' practices, accusing the firm of dodging costs linked to increasingly frequent extreme weather. Sebastien Champagne, another lawyer for the energy giant, dismissed the demands as "shock tactics" by pressure groups he said were "instrumentalising the judiciary." In Belgium, commercial courts -- which handle disputes between companies -- are composed of a professional judge assisted by two lay judges drawn from the business world. The case began in mid-November but was suspended due to a personal issue involving the judge. It resumed this month with a newly composed bench and is set to continue in January, with a ruling expected by late April. TotalEnergies, along with other oil giants, is a frequent target for climate and human rights activists. mad/ec/ub/cw Press Release from Business Wire: CSC (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 WILMINGTON, Dec 10, 2025 (BSW) - Global project finance is entering a transformative era, driven by soaring demand for energy capacity, accelerated digitalization and large-scale infrastructure upgrades, reshaping investment priorities worldwide. These insights come from new research commissioned by CSC , based on responses from 200 project finance professionals, revealing a market shifting toward more complex, capital-intensive projects and a greater reliance on private capital. CSC's latest report, Project Finance at an Inflection Point: Adapting to New Realities1, reveals a sector that is rapidly expanding in both scale and complexity driven by capital increasingly targeting long-term, strategically critical assets. Infrastructure emerged as the strongest area for future growth, identified by 70% of respondents, followed by renewables (48%), and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) with 43%. Within renewables, wind tops expectations at 50%, while renewable natural gas and green hydrogen each stand at 41%, underscoring the accelerating momentum of energy transition technologies. Regionally, Europe leads the global outlook, with 39% of respondents anticipating significant growth over the next three years, followed by the U.K. (35%), Asia Pacific (32%), and North America (31%), reflecting a broadly diversified global investment pipeline. Surging power consumption, driven largely by data centers supporting artificial intelligence and rapid digitalization, is reshaping investment priorities. Energy, TMT, transportation and social infrastructure, along with critical minerals, are poised to anchor the next wave of project finance activity. "AI will likely drive an unprecedented surge in project financing, particularly for data centers and associated infrastructure," said Christian Oakley-White, managing director and Head of Project Finance at CSC. "As data center usage shifts from cloud services to generative AI, the requirements for computing power, energy, and financing will grow exponentially. Unlike cloud infrastructure, which was largely funded through Big Tech's internal cashflows, the estimated $1.5 trillion gap created by AI's capacity demands will require a far broader investor base and financing structures-from private equity and sovereign wealth funds to bank loans, public debt markets, and private credit." Financing sources are already diversifying. More than half of respondents (53%) now identify private equity as a primary source of equity funding alongside infrastructure funds and development finance institutions, while 38% point to private credit as an increasingly important contributor. On the debt side, private debt (45%) is closely aligned with infrastructure platforms (48%) as well as both local (45%) and international (42%) syndicated loans. Accelerating activity is bringing heightened execution pressures. KYC requirements are cited by 80% of respondents as the biggest challenge, followed by tight financing deadlines (69%) and regulatory compliance (67%). As a result, respondents are placing greater value on operational support: 60% cite innovative technology solutions offering real-time transparency as the most critical capability in a trust and agency partner, while 58% emphasize the importance of comprehensive administrative and bespoke services to manage complex, cross-border, multi-stakeholder transactions. "The global demand for new energy, infrastructure, and digital capacity is outpacing traditional financing channels," said Bryan Gartenberg, managing director, global sales head of Project Finance and Loan Agency, CSC. "Private capital is stepping in to bridge the gap, but today's deals demand more than funding alone. Stakeholders need partners with deep expertise and operational discipline to manage complex, cross-border transactions. Outsourcing to experienced trust and agency providers is becoming essential to deliver large-scale projects with speed and confidence." To receive a copy of CSC's Project Finance at an Inflection Point: Adapting to New Realities report, please download it atcscglobal.com/service/resources/project-finance-report-2026 ENDS 1CSC, in partnership with PureProfile, surveyed 200 project finance professionals in the Americas, the U.K., Europe, and Asia Pacific to understand their views on the trends shaping project finance and the challenges. About CSC CSC is the leading provider of business administration and compliance solutions, offering industry-leading expertise and unmatched global reach to alternative fund managers and capital markets participants. Leveraging deep institutional experience and a tailored approach, CSC delivers a comprehensive suite of fund administration, trust, agency, and compliance services to support a wide range of private and public market transactions, complex fund strategies, and scalable operations. As the trusted partner of choice for more than 70% of the PEI 300 and 90% of the Fortune 500(R), CSC helps clients navigate operational and transactional complexities across more than 140 jurisdictions and various asset classes. With extensive worldwide capabilities, our expert teams provide solutions tailored to each client's needs. Privately held and professionally managed since 1899, we combine global reach, local expertise, and innovative solutions to help our clients succeed. We are the business behind business(R). Learn more at cscglobal.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251210995702/en/ Contact Citigate Dewe RogersonHassan Ali / Thomas Dalton[email protected] CSCKatie Scott-KurtiHead of Brand and Communications[email protected] CSC News Room 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. Damaged pipeline causes 'large oil spill' in Germany Berlin, Dec 10 (AFP) Dec 10, 2025 An oil pipeline of the major PCK refinery was damaged in the German state of Brandenburg on Wednesday, resulting in a "large oil spill", a spokesman for the state's environment ministry said. The PCK refinery near the border with Poland is majority-owned by Rosneft Deutschland, a local subsidiary of the Russian oil giant, and managed through a trusteeship by the German government. While no one was seriously injured as a result of the spill, an environment ministry spokesperson said the crude may have entered local rivers. "An accident occurred on a PCK pipeline near Gramzow/Zehnebeck... Emergency services are on site. No information can be provided at this time about the cause or the exact extent of the damage," the spokesman said. State environment minister Hanka Mittelstaedt will visit the site on Thursday morning to assess the damage, he added. Local newspaper Maerkische Oderzeitung reported that oil was gushing "in a fountain about 10 to 12 metres high" (33 to 39 feet) near the municipality of Gramzow. At least two refinery employees were "splashed with oil" as a result of the spill, but did not require hospitalisation, a regional fire department spokesperson told AFP. Around 100 firefighters had been deployed to the scene, and tankers were sucking up the stray oil, another spokesperson at the scene told AFP, insisting the situation was under control. A spokeswoman for the PCK refinery, which supplies oil to Berlin and the surrounding region, said emergency services, including firefighters and a hazardous materials unit, were on site and trying to contain the damage. "The safety of all those involved and the protection of the environment are the top priorities," the spokeswoman said. "According to initial findings, the incident was caused by preparatory work for a planned safety test on the pipeline tomorrow," she added. "Deliberate external influence can be ruled out at this stage." Matthias Bruck, a spokesman for the regional environment ministry, said: "We don't yet know the extent of the damage, but we suspect it is very significant." "We fear that oil may have reached the Welse, a tributary of the Oder" river, he told newspaper Bild, adding that firefighters had deployed floating barriers to contain the spill. In response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Germany's government placed Russian fossil-fuel behemoth Rosneft's German assets under the trusteeship of the federal energy regulator in September 2022. But Berlin has struggled to find a permanent solution, and has been forced to extend the trusteeship every six months while it hunts for a buyer. fec/sbk/jhb TASHKENT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan's GDP was expected to grow by 7.5 percent in 2025, local media reported on Tuesday, citing an analysis by the Center for Economic Research and Reforms of Uzbekistan. The center has raised its GDP growth forecast for Uzbekistan in 2025 to 7.5 percent, 0.8 percentage points higher than the estimate in June. Over the first nine months of this year, Uzbekistan's economy grew by 7.6 percent, with stable development in the industrial sector, services, agriculture, construction and foreign trade, it said. In September, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that Uzbekistan aims to join the ranks of upper-middle-income countries by 2030. Nnena Kalu, a Glasgow-born neurodivergent artist who produces improvised sculptures from miles of old video tape and other discarded materials, was the surprise winner of the Turner Prize 2025, announced at a gala dinner in Bradford last night. Much has been made, and rightly so, of the fact that Kalu is the first learning-disabled artist to be nominated for the Turner Prize, let alone win it. Her victory, though, is seismic not only for equality and diversity reasons, but for the emphasis her work places on the visual, tactile and experiential in art values that have lost primacy in recent years, when the prize has been dominated by artists recontextualising existing objects. Last years recipient, Jasleen Kaur, won with a Ford Escort draped in a giant doily. This most recent incarnation of Britains biggest art prize seems to herald the welcome return of artists physically making things. Also in the business of making things is Iraq-born Mohammed Sami, who had been the bookies clear favourite to win. A leading figure in what is widely regarded as a revival in British painting, Sami creates enigmatic meditations on his home countrys war-torn history. Reviewing his exhibition in September this year, I singled out a vast and eerily peopleless battlescape, The Hunters Return, as feeling like Apocalypse Now via computer games, with a touch of Monet. While many of the new works in Britains painting revival are more than a shade slapdash, Samis mastery of texture and mood is evident even to viewers who are not fully attuned to contemporary art. Yet if Sami appeared to many including, I have to say, myself to be a shoo in for the prize, a reward for his technical accomplishment would have seemed a painfully retrogressive move for an institution that has made a virtue of championing the obscure, the difficult, and the downright perverse. Kalus art in total contrast not only to Samis, but to just about everything else that has been promoted by the Turner Prize in recent years revolves, literally, around an apparently artless joy in the business of making. The London-based, Nigerian-heritage artist, who is autistic and has complex support needs, winds random discarded materials cloth, cling film, paper, tape, card around a central core to create entirely abstract structures, which are endlessly reconfigured and suspended throughout the gallery like so many raggedy, writhing caterpillars. If this eternally repetitive winding rhythm is innate to Kalu, as one of the facilitators who support her work observed in an accompanying video, it is, as they also concede, always the same rhythm. open image in gallery Works of art: Nnena Kalus suspended sculptures hang from the ceiling of Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford ( David Levene ) Awarding the prize, the Turner jury praised Kalus lively translation of expressive gesture into captivating abstract sculpture and drawing, noting her finesse of scale, composition and colour in creating her works powerful presence. Certainly, there is a sense of life-affirming uplift, on entering Kalus part of the Bradford exhibition, that makes Samis complex paintings feel a shade arid, even academic in comparison. If this years Turner is genuinely about a return to making, Kalu offers us that idea in its purest, most exuberant form. There may be no capital I ideas in her work, per se, but equally theres no posturing or painful politicising, no pretence that the work is anything more or less than it appears. In my original review, I argued that Sami was a more appropriate choice for the award on the grounds based on observation of other awards that a win for Kalu could subject a vulnerable artist to a potentially degrading media spectacle and conceivably damaging scrutiny. Whenever art involves the support of facilitators, there are inevitable questions about the degree of assistance involved, the facilitators motivations, and the potential for exploitation though I am not for a moment suggesting there is anything remotely improper in Kalus case. But neurodivergent people should be as free as anyone else to participate fully in Britains cultural life. Depriving an artist of an award that would serve as an example and an encouragement to others, on the grounds of trying to protect them, would, of course, be absurd. And if such a win raised constructive questions about the role of facilitators in the disabled arts community, so much the better. As Kalus longstanding facilitator Charlotte Hollinshead told The Guardian at the time of Kalus nomination, Its seismic. Someone said to me the other day, Its like someones just thrown a bomb into the Turner Prize and it is like that. A good bomb. Over and above the disability issues surrounding her win, Kalus work reminds us that no matter how much art may illuminate our perspectives on history, politics, human relationships and the natural world, the visual and the sensual come first. And she demonstrates that lesson against all odds. A group show of the 2025 shortlisted artists work is running at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford until 22 February 2026 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 Autistic artist Nnena Kalu has been awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, a victory hailed by a disability charity as "long overdue" and "richly deserved." The 59-year-old Scottish artist, who communicates with limited verbal expression, makes history as the first artist with a learning disability to secure the prestigious award, which includes a 25,000 prize. Stephanie Tyrrell, head of arts and wellbeing at Sense, underscored the profound significance of Kalus win. "Nnenas sculptures are huge, beautiful and so impactful. Now she is finally being celebrated on the national and international stage and its both richly deserved and long overdue," Tyrrell stated. She added that Kalus success demonstrates "what disabled people can achieve, given opportunities and support," urging that "talented disabled artists can no longer be overlooked." Sense expressed hope that the 2025 Turner Prize would usher in "a new beginning, where many more disabled artists are given the chance to shine." Kalu, a resident artist at ActionSpaces studio, which supports learning disabled artists across London at Studio Voltaire, triumphed over fellow shortlisted artists Rene Matic, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa. open image in gallery Nnena Kalu won for this years Turner Prize an award ceremony in Bradford ( PA Media ) ActionSpace, with whom Kalu has worked since 1999, celebrated her win, noting: "Her Turner Prize win is not only a recognition of her extraordinary talent, but also a celebration of what long-term, artist-centred support can make possible for learning-disabled artists." The artist received the award for her installation Hanging Sculpture 1-10, a piece commissioned by Manifesta 15 Barcelona for a disused power station, and her contribution to Conversations, a group exhibition at Liverpools Walker Art Gallery. Known for her large-scale abstract drawings and hanging sculptures, Kalu was presented with the prize by Steven Frayne, the magician formerly known as Dynamo, at a ceremony held in Bradford, this years UK City of Culture. open image in gallery Installation view of Nnena Kalus presentation at the Turner Prize 2025, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery ( David Levene ) The jury, chaired by Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson, lauded Kalus "bold and compelling work," commending the "lively translation of expressive gesture" evident in her abstract sculptures and drawings, alongside her mastery of scale, composition, and colour. During the emotional award ceremony, Kalus artistic facilitator, Charlotte Hollinshead, who assists her communication, hailed her as a "superstar," revealing that Kalus work is often created to disco music played "as loud as possible." Hollinshead spoke passionately about the "long, often very frustrating journey" to challenge preconceptions about differently-abled and learning-disabled artists, who she described as "an important creative community, so undervalued." open image in gallery Drawing 29, 2022 by Nnena Kalu ( David Levene ) She highlighted Kalus personal struggle: "Nnena has faced an incredible amount of discrimination, which continues to this day, so hopefully this award smashes that prejudice away. Nnena Kalu, youve made history." Hollinshead playfully added that Kalu was "ready to accept her call from the palace to accept her damehood," as the artist blew kisses to the audience. Works by all four Turner Prize finalists are currently on display at a free exhibition at Bradfords Cartwright Hall Art Gallery until 22 February. The Turner Prize 2026 is scheduled to be held at MIMA, Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. Previous recipients include sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor (1991), artist Damien Hirst (1995), and filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen (1999). 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 Hollywood actor Daniel Craig has revealed he is "working harder" than ever before and "enjoying it more" in his post-James Bond career. The 57-year-old, famed for his portrayal of 007 in five films including Casino Royale and No Time to Die, spoke to Radio Times about his newfound professional freedom. Craig explained that he is now embracing roles he might previously have hesitated over. "Im not saying no to things that I might have been a little bit wary about before," he stated. open image in gallery Craig played Bond in five different films ( PA ) Craig reflected on how the shadow of Bond influenced his choices: "When the Bond thing was going on in my life, the juxtaposition between that and another role would sometimes feel self-conscious." This shift has allowed him to pursue "really interesting, different stuff," leading to his current satisfaction. Since concluding his tenure as the iconic spy, Craig has diversified his portfolio, notably starring as detective Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out series and as William Lee in Luca Guadagninos 2024 romance Queer. He is set to reprise his role as Blanc in the upcoming Wake Up Dead Mean: A Knives Out Mystery, the third instalment from American filmmaker Rian Johnson. The film boasts a stellar cast including Glenn Close, Josh OConnor, and Mila Kunis. Expressing his enthusiasm for the whodunit franchise, Craig affirmed his desire to continue: "Of course, I would love to continue working with him (Johnson). As long as Rian keeps inventing it the way he does, then Im in." The new film follows the success of 2019s Knives Out and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, both of which featured acclaimed ensembles. open image in gallery Daniel Craig with Josh OConnor in Wake Up Dead Man ( 2025 Netflix, Inc. ) In a four-star review, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey wrote: Whats clear, three films in, is that Johnson has crafted an ideal formula, rigid in some ways and malleable in others. Wake Up Dead Man is more sober than Glass Onion, more tonally aligned with Knives Out, not as clever as either in its solution and a little baggier in its delivery, yet more soulful in its concerns. All of that feels relatively negligible. The point is that this series is yet to stumble. The full interview with Daniel Craig can be found in the Radio Times Christmas Issue. 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 Emily Watson has revealed she was once told off by Dame Angela Lansbury, who questioned how she would be able to bring up her children if she was never there. The two actors were working together on an ITV adaptation of Little Women when Watson was summoned to her co-stars trailer. Watson, who got her big break in Lars Von Triers 1996 film Breaking the Waves, played matriarch Marmee March in the 2017 miniseries. Lansbury, who was 92 at the time, starred as the familys wealthy relative, Aunt March. open image in gallery Emily Watson plays Shakespeares mother in Hamnet ( Getty Images ) In a new interview with The Times, Watson recalled one particularly memorable moment on set. I once got very told off by Angela Lansbury, she said. On the first day, I got summoned to her trailer for lunch. She said, I want to know what sort of mother you are. When asked why Lansbury asked that question, Watson replied: Because Im an actress, and how are you going to guide your children through becoming adults if youre never there? At the time, Watsons children were aged 11 and eight, and she added that they loved that job, because it meant they got to hear Michael Gambon fart in his trailer. Watson, 58, is now starring in Chloe Zhaos Oscar-tipped movie Hamnet, which picked up an accolade at the Toronto International Film Festival in September - putting it on track for an Academy Awards nod. open image in gallery Dame Angela Lansbury died in 2022 ( PA Archive ) Hamnet stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as the playwrights wife, Agnes. The film follows the couple as they struggle with the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, and is an adaptation of Maggie OFarrells 2020 novel of the same name. Watson - who played Mescals mother in the 2022 psychological drama Gods Creatures - stars as Shakespeares mother, Mary. At the 2025 British Independent Film Awards earlier this month, Mescal presented Watson with the Richard Harris Award for her outstanding contribution to British film. Describing her as one of the greatest actors of all time, Mescal said: To spend time watching Emily work is a privilege. Emily gives us her entire heart and leaves it in front of the camera for us to watch every single time. She also previously worked alongside Buckley in the hit five-part drama, Chernobyl. 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 Jeff Garcia, the stand-up comedian best known for voicing Sheen Estevez in the Jimmy Neutron film and television franchise, has died. He was 50. As a voice actor he also played Pip the Mouse in the 2006 animated comedy Barnyard. Garcias death was confirmed by his son, fellow comedian Joseph Jojo Garcia, who wrote on Instagram: With a very heavy heart, I would like to inform everybody that my father, Jeff Garcia, has passed away. My father was a unique soul. He was unapologetically himself and I will always admire the love, compassion, and drive that he had. He taught me so much and gave me advice that I live by every single day. The statement continued: He was a Father, Son, Uncle, Cousin, Brother, but most of all, he was my best friend. I would call him every day. I would tell him about the plans I had in comedy and my life. He believed in me, in a way that nobody else did. Garcia was born on May 3, 1975 in Irvine, California. He began his stand-up career in the early 1990s, and had guest roles in television shows including Caroline in the City and Dangerous Minds. He made his film debut as the voice of Sheen Estevez in the 2001 animated movie Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and reprised the character in the Nickelodeon spin-off shows The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius and Planet Sheen. His film credits also included voice roles in Happy Feet, Marmaduke and Rio. Garcias son added in his statement: The talent my father possessed was truly one of a kind. From voice acting to stand up comedy, he shined with his quick wit, brash humor, and charm. He has made such an impact on peoples lives internationally, whether you grew up watching Jimmy Neutron, or shared a laugh with him at one of his shows. According to TMZ, multiple sources confirmed that Garcia was taken off life support on Tuesday night at a Southern California hospital while surrounded by family and friends. He was pronounced dead early Wednesday, December 10. Garcia had reportedly suffered a string of medical complications in the months leading up to his death, including a brain aneurysm earlier this year during which he also fell and struck his head. He recovered from the aneurysm, but suffered a stroke several weeks ago. He is survived by his former wife Lisa Garcia, who he was married to from 2002 to 2013, and their two children, Savannah and Joseph. by Mei Xin On Nov. 19, a mobilization meeting was held in Beijing before China launched the latest round of national ecological and environmental inspections. After the meeting, ten inspection teams were dispatched to carry out routine inspections in regions including Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, as well as five major state-owned enterprises. Meanwhile, another set of missions will focus on the ecological protection of the Grand Canal, an iconic and historical waterway running through eight provinces, from Beijing in the north all the way to Zhejiang Province in the south. This epitomizes the range of efforts that China is making to build a beautiful home for the Chinese people. In the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development adopted in October, a resounding message was sent: "Green development is a defining feature of Chinese modernization." Guided by the philosophy that "Green is Gold," China will advance the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality by coordinating actions to cut carbon, reduce pollution, expand green capacity, and promote growth. To drive this comprehensive green transformation, the Recommendations outline four key priorities. A CARBON-CENTERED POLICY FRAMEWORK It features dual controls on both total carbon emissions and emission intensity. Accelerating its establishment will serve as a key steering mechanism for China's green transition, enabling a shift from controlling overall energy consumption to more precise, quality-based carbon management. This will allow China to pursue its emission-reduction goals more directly and effectively. To that end, a complete set of mechanisms will be established, including carbon performance assessments for local governments, carbon management for industries, enterprises, and projects, and product-level carbon footprint tracking. Together, these systems will form an integrated network of incentives and constraints that align all sectors toward emission reduction. A GREEN AND LOW-CARBON ENERGY SYSTEM The aim of the Chinese government is that by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, most of the new electricity demand will be met by new clean-energy generation. To that end, China will pursue three main pathways: 1. Expanding non-fossil energy and accelerating the construction of major wind, solar, hydro as well as nuclear power bases, while developing biomass, geothermal, and ocean energy according to local conditions. 2. Making fossil fuels cleaner, shifting the role of coal-fired power from a basic source of supply to a flexible, supporting one. 3. Building a modern power system, ensuring that green electricity can be generated, transmitted, and fully used through coordinated upgrades in generation, grids, and end-use systems. GREENING INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE China is pursuing a dual strategy of industrial "addition and subtraction," simultaneously bolstering new green growth engines and phasing out outdated, high-polluting capacity. Specifically, China will expand the green and low-carbon industrial chain. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China plans to build about 100 national-level zero-carbon industrial parks and implement targeted energy-saving and emission-cutting campaigns in key sectors such as steel, non-ferrous metals and petrochemicals. These efforts are projected to save over 150 million tonnes of standard coal and cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 400 million tonnes. PROMOTING GREEN PRODUCTION AND LIFESTYLES The transition will change how goods are made and how people live. On the production side, by 2030, the annual reuse of major solid wastes is expected to reach 4.5 billion tonnes. Energy-saving retrofits of buildings and municipal facilities will accelerate, and rail-and-water transport will take a larger share of bulk cargo. On the consumer side, nationwide campaigns will promote low-carbon, living-saving food, water and electricity, sorting household waste and using green products and services to make sustainable lifestyles part of everyday life. TOWARD A BEAUTIFUL CHINA These four pillars will move China toward its long-term vision: a green economy, a cleaner environment, with ecological well-being and economic prosperity reinforcing each other. Looking ahead, a "Beautiful China" -- with bluer skies, greener mountains and cleaner waters -- is moving from vision to reality, offering a vivid illustration of a modernization path where humanity and nature truly thrive together. Editor's note: Mei Xin is an observer of international affairs. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Xinhua News Agency. 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 Kate Winslet has admitted that it wasnt easy to get Helen Mirren to star as the dying matriarch in her directorial debut. Written by Winslets 21-year-old son Joe Anders, Goodbye June is about four adult children who are forced to reunite in the wake of the failing health of their mother during Christmastime. Joined by her two co-stars, Andrea Riseborough and Toni Collette, on Wednesdays episode of The View, Winslet shared that she and her son had originally created a wishlist of actors they would like to play each character. They all said yes, the Titanic star shared, noting that Mirren was the last person she spoke to about the movie. It was not easy, and yet it was very straightforward, she added of getting the British icon to sign on. After describing the movie to Mirren, she recalled the 1923 star warning her that she has two personal rules: I dont want to play anyone with dementia, and I dont want to play someone whos dying. open image in gallery (L-R) Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet in the latter's directorial debut, 'Goodbye June' ( Kimberley French/Netflix ) open image in gallery Goodbye June is partly inspired by the death of Winslets own mother in 2017 ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images ) That was exactly the role Winslet had in mind for the Oscar-winning actor. So I said to her, Look, I dont need to send [the script] to you. Thank you for speaking, Winslet recalled. She said, No, send it. I think it sounds really lovely. A week later, the Emmy-winning Mare of Easttown alum received an email from Mirren, saying, Ill break my rule. Id love to support you. In Goodbye June, which will be released Friday on Netflix, Winslet plays one of Junes daughters, Julia, alongside Riseborough, Collette, and Johnny Flynn as her siblings. Harry Potter star Timothy Spall portrays their father, Bernie. Shooting the movie, inspired in part by the death of her own mother, took a deep and personal toll on Winslet. Her mother, Sally Bridges-Winslet, died in 2017 from ovarian cancer. It wasnt necessarily cathartic, but there were days when I was literally reliving what happened when I lost my own mum, even though our film is fictional. And I would find myself strangely trying to almost hide in a funny way, Winslet said on a recent episode of the Happy Place podcast. So in the more intimate scenes, perhaps between Helen Mirren and Tim Spall, you know, I would just sit very quietly in the room that we were shooting in and I would hide behind Max, our lovely focus puller, and I would just sit with him quietly watching his monitor and sort of crying on his back. Of making her long-awaited directorial debut, Winslet said: I felt proud of myself, as a woman, at this time of my life, I just turned 50, and to be doing something that I watched so many men do before and Id seen male actors transition into directing and have done really successfully and largely without any judgment or scrutiny, and its just not the same for girls. It feels like for you personally, not only is this an amazing challenge for you to make that switch, but also youre doing it on behalf of women to help this cultural shift in the very male-dominated Hollywood directing scene. 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 Fans on Monday might have been startled after spotting an engagement notice in The Boston Globe announcing the forthcoming nuptials of Hollywood stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Given both actors well-known relationships with Tom Holland and Suki Waterhouse, respectively, the formal portrait seemed like a bombshell, or at the very least confusing, until the names Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson provided the giveaway. The advert was, in fact, a playful teaser for the pairs new film, slipped into the Globes Living/Arts section after editors were asked to hold the TV Critics Corner column to accommodate it. Once the ruse became clear, the notice turned out to be the poster for The Drama, the forthcoming A24 film in which Zendaya and Pattinson play an engaged couple. The announcement reproduced the same portrait used on the films poster and carried the headline Emma Harwood and Charlie Thompson Engaged, an image later shared by both A24 and Zendaya on social media. According to IMDb, the film will follow a happily engaged couple whose relationship is put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails. The trailer for the film is expected to be released on Wednesday. Not much is known about the film, but the notice did offer a few details about the fictional couple. Zendayas Emma Harwood is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Roger Harwood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who placed the announcement in the paper. Mr Harwood is a decorated military veteran, and Emma is listed as a 2013 Portside High School graduate and a 2017 honours graduate of Boston University with a BA in English, currently working at a bookstore called Mission Books. Charlie Thompson (Pattinson), the son of Mr and Mrs Alan Thompson of London, is a 2004 graduate of Eaton College and the director of the fictional Cambridge Art Museum. According to the notice, Thompson also has a PhD in Art History from Tufts University, but The Boston Globe reported that the university only offers an MA in the subject, citing the universitys website. A Globe source told the paper that they only agreed to host the fake notice because the new movie is set in Boston and was also filmed there. The notice added that the couple will wed on 3 April 2026, which is also the films release date. Poster for the upcoming A24 film starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson ( A24 ) Not much else is known about the romantic drama, which is directed and written by Kristoffer Borgli and features Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, and Hailey Gates as supporting cast. Earlier this year, Pattinson said in an interview that he went crazy over one scene in The Drama, which Zendaya had to help him through. We had a scene together that was driving me crazy, Pattinson said in an interview with the French magazine Premiere. I was desperately looking for its meaning, writing pages and pages of textual analysis. I ended up calling Zendaya the night before shooting the scene, he said. I shared my doubts with her, I spoke for two hours, and after a while, very calmly, she made me understand that the line just said what it meant to say, that there was no hidden meaning. And there I was going crazy for three days, he added. Pattinson and Zendaya are also starring together in the third instalment of the Dune series, as well as Christopher Nolans The Odyssey, both set to be released in 2026. 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 Jacob Elordi has confessed his doubts about Euphorias accessibility ahead of its third season. The Frankenstein actor, 28, questioned the response to the hit HBO show while speaking to actor Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, during the pairs Variety & CNN Actors on Actors interview released Tuesday. After Paltrow told him that she first watched him in Euphoria with her children, 21-year-old Apple Martin and 19-year-old Moses Martin, despite their warnings, Elordi then asked her if she found the show alarming to watch as a parent due to its intense subject matters. It seems so extreme to me when I watch the show that I don't know how it's relatable, he said. Paltrow agreed with his sentiment. Euphoria ruffled feathers when it first debuted in 2019 over its graphic nudity and sex scenes as well as depictions of teenaged characters dealing with adult themes like substance abuse and trauma. open image in gallery Jacob Elordi said he is not sure if hit HBO show 'Euphoria' is relatable ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Elordi spoke to actor Gwyneth Paltrow in Variety & CNN Actors on Actors annual interview ( Getty Images ) However, the Marty Supreme actor told Elordi that the polarizing topics did not stop her family from connecting with the show, which stars Zendaya as a high schooler dealing with drug addiction and relapses. I wasnt alarmed. My kids sort of werent going down those paths. But I think there were things they felt were depicted really accurately. Not the extremes, but you know the relational stuff and the social media stuff, Paltrow said. Elordi then told Paltrow that he just finished filming the new season of the show, which is set to be released in spring 2026 and is a completely different thing. When Paltrow asked if his character, Nate Jacobs, is nicer, the Australian actor responded: I really do think so. Whether it works or not, I dont know. Theres a chance that what Ive done is not good. His cryptic response is the latest in a string of bizarrely vague teasers about what viewers can expect from the new installment of the show. Elordis co-star, Sydney Sweeney, teased a religious theme for the upcoming episodes and said the characters find God. Sam Levinson, the shows creator, said the long-awaited season will see a five-year jump that brings viewers along as Sweeneys character, Cassie Howard, ties the knot with Nate. I feel strongly this is our best season yet, Levinson said recently. I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. Im confirming it. And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night. In addition to its main star-studded cast from the first two seasons, the new season of the show is expected to feature guest stars including Chappell Roan, Rosalia, and Trisha Paytas. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum Jen Shah has been released from prison early, but her freedom will not buy her way back into the Bravo universe. Shah, 52, walked free Wednesday morning from Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, after serving less than three years of her six-and-half-year sentence, her representative confirmed to People. The reality star was arrested in March 2021 for her role in a nationwide telemarketing fraud that targeted elderly people. After initially denying her involvement, Shah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2022. In 2012 to March 2021 in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere I agreed with others to commit wire fraud, Shah admitted in a statement when she pleaded guilty. I knew this was wrong. I knew many people were harmed and Im so sorry. Shah was initially sentenced to 78 months in prison. Her sentence was reduced multiple times due to good behavior while behind bars, participation in prison programming, and the financial payments she has started to pay her victims, prison officials said. Shah has been ordered to pay $6.5 million total in restitution. Now out of prison 45 months early, Shah will return to her home or be transferred to a halfway house, where she is expected to finish her sentence under supervision. open image in gallery Jen Shah has been released early from Prison ( Chad Kirkland/Bravo ) open image in gallery Shah pleaded guilty to wire fraud in July 2022 ( AP ) But life will not return to normal for the RHOSLC alum, who was in the middle of filming season two of the show when she was arrested. Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen said in September that there is no chance that the disgraced entrepreneur will return to the show after her conviction, according to a video taken behind the scenes of his talk show, Watch What Happens Live. Jen Shah, I never want to see again, Cohen, 57, told the audience during a Q&A at WWHL. Shah last appeared on the show during season three in 2023. RHOSLC is now airing season six on Bravo, and recently wrapped filming its highly anticipated reunion. While Shah will not return to the beloved spinoff, her representatives told People last month that the fraudster is looking forward to spending time with her husband and two sons after her stay at the Texas prison, which also houses high-profile inmates like Elizabeth Holmes and Ghislaine Maxwell. Everyone's very grateful for the [Bureau of Prisons] decision, especially because it means Jen will be able to reunite with her family for the holidays, Shah's manager, Chris Giovanni, told the outlet at the time. It's a gift she doesn't take for granted. 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 has been released three weeks after he was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to bring illegal drugs into Japan. Harris, 36, was intercepted at the Naha Airport in Okinawa on November 16 after a customs agent allegedly found 0.78 grams of a crystal substance containing MDMA inside his tote bag. According to a statement from a spokesperson for the Tomishiro Police Station in Okinawas Tomigusuku City, Harris was released Monday, reported The New York Times. The spokesperson did not respond to NYTs query on whether he had been charged. However, a spokesperson for Harris told the paper he was not charged and will be staying in Japan to write and research an upcoming project. The Independent has reached out to representatives for Harris for comment. Harris had flown to Okinawa for sightseeing, arriving from London with a layover in Taiwan. The prefecture, located about 1,500 km southwest of Tokyo, is a well-known tourist destination famed for its beaches. Under Japans narcotics laws, possession of even small quantities of banned substances can lead to severe penalties, and the police passed the case to the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office last week. If found guilty, Harris would have been facing up to seven years in prison. Indie film Erupcja starring Charli XCX and Harris was screened at the Red Sea festival in Saudi Arabia, where he was supposed to appear ( Getty Images ) The Emily in Paris actor was previously scheduled to appear at the Red Sea festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which began on 4 December and runs through December 13; it appears to have been cancelled. The indie film Erupcja starring Charli XCX and Harris, which he also collaborated on the screenplay for, was screened at the festival. 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. 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 Paramount Picturess X account has been hacked to display a very clear message seemingly regarding their recent move to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. The studios social media profile briefly said proud arm of the fascist regime in its bio Tuesday on X, as first reported byVariety. The bio has since been changed back to simply say The official X account for Paramount Pictures. Paramount did not immediately return The Independents request for comment. The hack on Paramounts X account, which has over three million followers, came just one day after it was announced that David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance, launched a hostile bid for WBD, rivaling Netflixs $72 billion buyout offer. Paramount is going straight to WBD with an all-cash offer, bidding $30 per share. Meanwhile, Netflix offered $27.75 per share Friday and a mix of cash and stock. open image in gallery Paramount Pictures's X account bio read 'Proud arm of the fascist regime' ( via X ) open image in gallery Paramount Pictures's X account was hacked Tuesday afternoon ( AFP via Getty Images ) Amid growing fears from streamers and calls from labor unions to block the merger, others are worried that Ellisons efforts to buy WBD are an attempt to impress his longtime family friend President Donald Trump. Trump previously said a massive deal like Netflix and WBDs could raise problems for the market, suggesting that he might need to intervene. Theres no question about it. It could be a problem," Trump said Sunday at the Kennedy Center Honors. He added that the deal had to go through a process and well see what happens. However, Trump made that comment before Paramount launched the hostile bid Monday. Throughout the bidding war, Ellison reportedly felt he had a Trump card in his back pocket due to his and his fathers close relationship with the president. Ellison, the son of billionaire Larry Ellison, has been consistently praised by Trump since he took charge of Paramount in August. Plus, Trumps son-in-law is one of the investors on Ellisons team. The bidding war for WBD has become increasingly bitter as execs appear to be jumping through hoops to please Trump in hopes of clearing the presidents administrations regulatory reviews. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos made a secret make a secret trip to the White House earlier this year to chat up Trump, while Larry Ellison reportedly had recent discussions with the Trump administration about firing hosts who Trump does not like on CNN, which is owned by Paramount. 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 Australia has officially banned teens from using social media until theyre 16, leaving many to wonder if the U.S. could follow its lead. The social media ban, which took effect December 10 in Australia, requires 10 of the largest social networks, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, to turn anyone under the age of 16 away. If any of these platforms fail to take the steps to block children from having accounts, the companies will face fines of up to $49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.9 million USD). Many children in Australia are unhappy about the ban, with one teen tweeting ahead of time that theyll have no more contact with the rest of the world and another 15-year-old saying he has no idea how hell keep in touch with his long-distance friends. Despite the discourse, many mental health experts in the U.S. believe that Australia is actually taking a step in the right direction, given how addictive social media apps can be for children. Speaking to The Independent, New York City-based psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert explained how hes seen social media negatively impacted childrens developing minds. They keep kids locked into reward loops that heighten anxiety, shorten attention spans, and create a constant sense of comparison. Im also seeing more teens who struggle with face-to-face communication because so much of their social life has moved online, Alpert, author of Therapy Nation, said. open image in gallery Mental health experts believe that the U.S. could also ban children from social media until 16 ( Getty Images ) He also acknowledged that if the U.S. banned young kids from using social media, it would reduce cyberbullying and experiencing the constant social comparison that undermines self-esteem. This would also give childrens developing brains a chance to mature before they are hooked to Instagram and TikTok. It gives kids space to develop real-world social skills. When kids spend less time online, they spend more time interacting in person, dealing with conflict, and learning how to read social cues, he added. Those are foundational skills that many teens today are missing because so much of their social life happens on a screen. Research has continued to find that social media harms kids well-being. In a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, researches found that as children, aged nine to 13, increased their daily social media use from an average of seven to 73 minutes over three years, their symptoms of depression rose by 35 percent. Earlier this month, doctors at UC San Francisco also found that just an hour spent on a social media app each day can knock down test scores by one or two points for students between the ages of nine and 13. Students who spent as many as four hours per day on social media saw up to a five-point drop on their tests. Dr. Gail Saltz, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the NY Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of medicine, told The Independent that she understands Australian teens' frustrations about being barred from social media, since they no longer have the freedom to use the apps they want. However, just like Alpert, she believes that the cons of kids using social media before the age of 16 outweigh the pros. open image in gallery Experts note that kids who spent too much time on social media experience heighten anxiety, shorten attention spans, and create a constant sense of comparison ( Getty Images ) Kids become addicted to social media quite easily. The jury is out as to whether the impact on the brains of young people whose brains are still developing may permanent changes in neurocircuitry, she added. So from a youth health perspective, delaying as long as possible the participation in social media is very beneficial. According to Saltz, 16 is also the most suitable age for children in the U.S. and other countries to create social media accounts. This ban took child development and the risks like bullying, etc. into account and chose 16, she noted. Maturity of the child, judgment of the child, susceptibility, mental health all influence when they are ready. Many U.S. states are already putting restrictions on social media usage for kids. Last year, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that prohibits social media platforms from knowingly providing certain feeds to children without parental consent. In October, he also signed a bill that requires social media apps to display health warning labels for minors and check childrens ages. Also last year, Maryland governor Wes Moore started the Maryland Kids Code, which seeks to limit data that could be collected from children online and protect them from being flooded with harmful material they were not trying to find. However, it has faced several legal challenges, with tech groups claiming the act infringes on their free speech rights. 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 Every winter, respiratory viruses, especially influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, put huge pressure on healthcare systems throughout Europe. In a typical season, flu causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases, and anywhere from 15,000 to 70,000 deaths per year on the continent. All age groups are affected, although children have the highest infection rates and are often the first to catch the disease and spread it in their homes. It is estimated that up to 20% of the population contracts flu each year. The flu viruses that normally infect humans belong mainly to two types: influenza A (the most variable, responsible for most seasonal epidemics and all known flu pandemics) and influenza B (which circulates almost exclusively in humans). There are many different subtypes of influenza A, depending on how their haemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) proteins combine. The subtypes currently circulating in humans are H1N1 (including the 2009 pandemic variant, which is now seasonal) and H3N2. These subtypes can vary each season due to small mutations or antigenic drift. Influenza B has two lineages: B/Victoria and B/Yamagata. B/Yamagata has hardly been detected since 2020. The flu virus variability is why vaccines are prepared each year with a mix of three (or four) of the viruses that circulated the previous year. Whats happening this autumn? The flu season has started a few weeks earlier than in previous years. Japan, for instance, has been recording an unusually high number of cases since October. In the European Union, flu is appearing unusually early. In Spain, for instance, the epidemic threshold has already been exceeded, a few weeks earlier than expected. open image in gallery Subclade K of A/H3N2 (formerly known as J.2.4.1) has now been detected on all continents ( Getty ) Another new development is the clear predominance of the A/H3N2 virus, specifically the subclade K. Although the A/H1N1 virus predominated this year in the southern hemisphere and the subclade K of A/H3N2 only took off at the end, it ended up being predominant in the United Kingdom and Japan: nearly 90% of flu samples in these countries are now A/H3N2 K. The United States and Canada seem to be following a similar trend. Subclade K of A/H3N2 (formerly known as J.2.4.1) has now been detected on all continents. It accounted for one-third of all A/H3N2 viruses analysed between May and November 2025 worldwide, and almost half in the EU. Subclade K: different, but not necessarily more harmful The genetic changes in subclade K of the A/H3N2 virus do not come from recombination or mixing of viruses, and do not represent a major change. It is actually the same H3N2 virus that has been circulating among humans since 1968, but with some mutations in its genes. This is to be expected, as each season the flu virus evolves (through mutation) to escape our immune systems. Some years it is more successful than others. About the author Ignacio Lopez-Goni, Catedratico de Microbiologia. Miembro de la Sociedad Espanola de Microbiologia (SEM), Universidad de Navarra. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. Mutations in this new subclade do not appear to affect the efficacy of antiviral drugs, nor are they associated with increased virulence or disease severity. In fact, the East Asian countries now reporting a decline in subclade K cases have not experienced unusually high severity of illness. Furthermore, analyses suggest that the subclade K strains circulating in these countries do not differ from those currently present in the EU. The good news, therefore, is that subclade K does not seem to be more virulent or cause more severe disease. Does this mean more cases? A/H3N2 has not been the dominant influenza virus in recent seasons it has usually been A/H1N1. This could lead to lower immunity in the population due to a lack of recent exposure to A/H3N2. Symptoms of flu NHS Flu symptoms come on very quickly and can include: a sudden high temperature an aching body feeling tired or exhausted a dry cough a sore throat a headache difficulty sleeping loss of appetite diarrhoea or tummy pain feeling sick and being sick In addition, seasons dominated by this pathogen tend to be more severe, with lower vaccine efficacy and more serious cases in older adults than in seasons dominated by A/H1N1. Vaccine protection To create flu vaccines, scientists use data from the previous year to predict which strains of the virus are likely to be most prevalent over the coming year. This seasons vaccine was designed to protect against two subtypes of A/H1N1, influenza B, and a type of A/H3N2 that predates the new subclade K. Some analyses show a divergence of subclade K from the vaccine strain of H3N2, although data on vaccine effectiveness in the real world is currently limited. If vaccine efficacy is reduced, we can expect more cases of flu. Monitoring this season is crucial to determine how much protection vaccines are providing. open image in gallery This seasons vaccine was designed to protect against two subtypes of A/H1N1, influenza B, and a type of A/H3N2 ( Getty ) However, even if a less vaccine-matched A/H3N2 virus becomes predominant this winter, immunisation is still expected to provide protection against severe illness and therefore remains an essential public health tool. At present, the risk to the general population appears to be moderate, but higher for people who are more likely to develop severe disease (mainly those over 65, with other illnesses, pregnant women, or those who are immunocompromised). Therefore, although subclade K of the A/H3N2 virus does not appear to be more virulent, the fact that the flu season has arrived a few weeks early and that the most prevalent strain is A/H3N2 suggests that this will be a more difficult season, with a higher number of hospitalisations and greater pressure on health services. My recommendation: get vaccinated ASAP Even in seasons when the vaccine is less effective, it still offers some protection, and it is the most effective weapon we have for reducing the risk of serious illness. For all these reasons, the vaccine is recommended for everyone who is eligible. Furthermore, this years flu epidemic has arrived early, and it takes a few weeks after receiving the immunisation for defences against the virus to become fully active. This means you should get the vaccine without delay. Lastly, it is important to emphasise the importance of hand washing and wearing a mask if you suspect you are infected. This will prevent the spread of infection to those who are most vulnerable. 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 Kerry Kennedy continues to honor the legacy of her late father, Robert F. Kennedy, in numerous ways, including through the human rights organization that bears his name. RFK, who served as the former attorney general, was assassinated while running for president in 1968. Kerry was just eight years old. Now, as a human rights lawyer and activist who has publicly disavowed and dissociated from her brother, RFK Jr., following his support of Donald Trump, Kerry, 66, has made it her mission to keep fighting for the country her father loved. Speaking to The Independent Tuesday evening at the RFK Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala held in New York City, Kerry shared the importance of the organizations work as human rights continue to be stripped from people across the country. He said when he was running for president, he said, Love, peace, and compassion towards those who suffer. That's what the United States should stand for, and that's what I'll do if I'm elected President of the United States, she said of her late father. open image in gallery Kerry Kennedy at the 2025 Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Gala in New York City ( Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of H ) open image in gallery Martin Cabrera Jr., Kerry Kennedy, Stephen Colbert, Dolores Huerta, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, and Darren Walker attend the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights' 2025 Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 09, 2025 in New York City ( Getty Images for RFK Ripple Of H ) Thats what we need today, she emphasized. We are a good country. We are a great country, but we're doing things that are not consistent with our values. I had spent quite a bit of time this summer at immigration facilities throughout Louisiana, Kerry continued, referring to the multiple centers set up by Trump as part of his mass deportation movement. I talked to women who had been sexually assaulted and raped. I talked to people who had their healthcare taken from them. I talked to women who said they were making sandwiches and they saw rats running across the line of sandwiches. Thats not who we are, she said. We can do better and thats what tonights about. An outspoken member of the Kennedy dynasty, Kerry has repeatedly called for the removal of her brother, RFK Jr., as Trumps Health and Human Services secretary. During his first year in the role, Kennedy has radically overhauled the federal health policy, including gutting the CDC and making significant and controversial changes to vaccine guidelines. Kerry said in 2024 that her brother set fire to my fathers memory when he defected to the Republican Party, and argued in September this year that Americans are at risk now, like never before. She was on hand to greet this years RFK Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award Gala honorees, including Stephen Colbert, Earvin Magic Johnson, Darren Walker, and Martin Cabrera, Jr. She also spoke about her cousin, Tatiana Schlossberg, who recently announced her terminal cancer diagnosis, telling Hello! Magazine, You know, she was so incredibly brave to express herself, and right now we're all holding her in our hearts, and holding Caroline in our hearts. 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 Pamela Anderson has finally confirmed that she dated Liam Neeson after months of speculation surrounding the release of their film, The Naked Gun. The two actors turned heads in July when they cozied up together on the red carpet during the press tour for their movie. While dating rumors began to swirl shortly after Neeson said he was madly in love with Anderson, neither of them publicly addressed the romance. Now, Anderson is responding to the dating rumors for the first time sharing that she and her former co-star had a brief romance. If you must know, Liam and I were romantically involved for a short while but only after we finished filming [The Naked Gun], the Baywatch alum said during an interview with People, published Tuesday. She explained that she and the actor spent an intimate week at his home in upstate New York, where she had her own room. At the time, both their assistants and respective family members stopped by. open image in gallery Pamela Anderson confirms she and Liam Neeson dated after filming The Naked Gun ( AFP via Getty Images ) The pair also went to a tiny French restaurant, where the Taken star introduced Anderson as the future Mrs. Neeson. Anderson said after the romantic lost week, she and Neeson didnt continue their relationship. We went our separate ways to work on other films, she explained. However, when the press tour for The Naked Gun began in July, the pair reconnected, exchanging a kiss on the cheek and holding hands on the red carpet. They took many playful swipes at the romance rumors at the time, even faking a kiss on Today, and having fun together. Both actors gushed about working together. Shes great in the movie, shes terrific, Neeson told Colbert in July about Anderson. She loves to cook, she loves to bake. She made me sourdough loaves during the shoot, bran loaves which I love. As the press tour continued, many critics accused the two of being in a fake relationship to drive up curiosity ahead of The Naked Guns release. However, Anderson denied those claims in September and maintains there was a genuine connection. I always was laughing when people thought, Oh, thats a publicity stunt. Im like, A publicity stunt? This is real. We have real feelings, The Last Showgirl star explained to People. open image in gallery Pamela Anderson says she and Liam Neeson are better as friends ( Getty Images ) I adore Liam, she added. But we are better friends, in full honesty. Anderson last saw Neeson in August, when he surprised her at the Williamstown Theater Festival where she was performing in Tennessee Williams Camino Real. He is such a supporter of this new trajectory in my career and kindly tells me he is very proud of me, she told People. Im sure we will always be in each others lives. MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and two others injured in Ukrainian strikes on a district hospital in the Kherson region, local authorities said Wednesday. All the victims are hospital employees, with one seriously wounded man remaining in intensive care, said Vladimir Saldo, head of the region. The strikes also caused significant damage to one of the hospital's buildings, Saldo added. Saatva classic mattress design and features Even before the mattress arrived, I was impressed by Saatva and its service. I received an email to schedule the delivery on a day that suited me and received a two-hour time slot. When it arrived (on time), it was delivered unboxed by the movers and placed on my bed, minimizing any need to maneuver it around. But when you do need to move it (it needs to be rotated every six months), there are handles on the side, and its fairly easy for two people to do. What also struck me was the lack of a chemical smell that many other mattresses Ive tested in the past have had. I tested the 11 1/2-inch, luxury firm classic mattress (Eva Waite-Taylor/The Independent) Depending on your sleeping position and size, it comes in three firmness levels: plush soft, luxury firm, and firm. Plush soft has a cushiony feel and is ideal for side sleepers and lighter people, luxury firm provides a medium firmness for all sleepers (and crucially, its said to be best for couples who cant agree on a firmness, which is why I ended up opting for this one), and firm for stomach and back sleepers, or heavier people. There are also two heights to choose from (11 1/2-inch and 14 1/2-inch I opted for the former, and it was a good fit for my queen-size bed frame), making it easier to pair with your bed frame. That being said, Id certainly recommend measuring which of the depths would fit best in your space, as the 11 1/2-inch feels high, even without a foundation. Both depths are packed with the brands premium layers. Speaking of layers, the mattress is made of sturdy, luxury materials. Without getting too technical, the innerspring features a supportive and durable coil base layer, which is wrapped in foam to deliver edge support, followed by more coils for pressure relief and a sliver of memory foam for back support. To complete it all is a luxe 3-inch pillow top, providing the perfect level of cushioning without being too soft. With its premium gold stitching, it certainly looks the part. Saatva classic mattress comfort and movement isolation As mentioned, I tested the 11 1/2-inch luxury firm queen mattress. I tend to prefer cushiony, hug-like softness, but I compromised for my partner, who favors a firm mattress. I was skeptical about how Id find this new level of firmness, but I found it to be supremely comfortable, delivering hotel-quality luxury at home. I also felt the benefits of the supportive technology at work, waking up with no aches and pains. The medium firmness of the mattress aids spinal alignment and provides excellent support (Eva Waite-Taylor/The Independent) It also has a decent amount of bounce, making moving around on it fairly easy but that does mean the movement isolation isnt the best Ive tested. To really assess this, I placed a glass of water on the mattress as I moved around slightly, and the glass sloshed about slightly. While not a deal-breaker, I can certainly feel my partner wriggling at night, so its something to consider if you are a light sleeper. As for Saatvas claims that the luxury firm is a good all-rounder, despite sleeping position or size and shape, Id say that the brand is on safe ground with this statement. Both my partner and I have found it a dream to sleep on, and Im glad I was forced to compromise on the firmness. Saatva classic mattress temperature regulation Where temperature regulation is concerned, I have yet to test it during the summer months, but even when it has been unseasonably warm in my apartment at night, Ive woken up sweat-free and slept comfortably. While its by no means a cooling mattress, its construction means that its breathable this is thanks to the dual-coil design that allows air to flow throughout the different layers and disperses body heat. Of course, when the warmer weather does (finally) arrive, Ill update this review with my findings on how it works to regulate temperature. Saatva classic mattress price The cost of Saatvas mattress has increased in recent years. That said, although its most certainly on the more premium side, I think its still very much worth its price tag if your budget stretches. The price changes depending on the size of the mattress, with the cost (before any discounts) of a twin being $1,399, going up to $2,998 for a split cal spring. Right now, you can save more than $300 on the Saatva classic mattress. Thirteen-year-old Ella from Sydney uses social media to stay in touch with her friends and to help her sleep. Hitting play on an autonomous sensory meridian response video (ASMR), which features soothing sounds like whispering or clinking to provoke relaxation and appease insomnia and anxiety, has become a ritual to help her drift off after a long day at school. I was listening to those videos nightly, she says of the habit. It was my routine. Now its gone. Today, Australia has become the first country in the world to ban children and teenagers under 16 from using social media after the law was successfully passed this summer. Apps including Metas Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X (Twitter), TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat are included, as well as Amazon-owned live streaming service Twitch. Tech companies will face fines of up to A$49.5m (25m) for non-compliance, with Meta already beginning to shut down thousands of accounts belonging to children under 16 a week before the deadline. Michael Wippa Wipfli, an Australian radio presenter, comedian and father of three under-16s, was among those who led the campaign to bring the history-making legislation into effect. [Social media] was the number one topic, not only keeping parents up at night but, coming up on the sidelines of every sporting field, he says. Very quickly, this became the largest petition ever signed on this topic globally I think a lot of people were shocked to know that the law previously said children could be online at 13. That was, really, made up by tech companies. open image in gallery End of an era: Australia will become the first country in the world to ban children under 16 from using social media ( Getty ) We spoke to a lot of professionals, paediatricians, developmental paediatricians, parents and educators to find out if were able to give these children another three years 36 months to grow and develop in a healthy teenage way, he says, explaining the groundwork that was done ahead of the law. My kids, Ted is 10, Jack is nine, and Francesa is five What weve been saying a lot is, we need to give these kids a chance to get to know themselves before the world does, Wippa adds. Clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein, whose research helped inform and shape the under-16s social media ban, says evidence has shown that, despite use of videos like ASMR, excessive reliance on social media is linked to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, loneliness, sleep disruption and academic difficulties. Far from being a source of protection, these platforms amplify self-focus, insecurity and impair brain functioning in the early years of high school before teens have the hardware to restrain thinking thoughtfully about their use, she adds. Ellas mum, Sally, who works closely with an MP in her position in an Electoral Office on the outskirts of Sydney, was initially on board with the social media ban until she heard more about the planned rollout. I thought it was a fabulous idea. I was concerned my own children were spending too much time on social media, and as a parent when their phone is in their hand its hard to police that Unfortunately, I began to realise the legislation seemed very rushed It didnt seem like the input of the under-16s was taken into account. As well as her concerns over losing her nightly ASMR videos, Ella has been worrying about the increased social isolation that could come from the ban. I usually send my friends relatable videos and post some videos on a private account, she says. A lot of my friends are really worried about the ban. I have one whose childhood friend lives in a different country. She communicates with her a lot on TikTok and Snapchat. Nobody wants it to happen. open image in gallery Many children are worried about how theyll communicate with their friends ( Getty ) Two nights before the ban was set to come into effect, Ella shared a TikTok video lamenting the fact that the 10 December launch date coincided with International Human Rights Day. At the time of writing, the post has over 44,000 likes, 1,300 comments, 5,300 shares and over 258,000 views. This country has turned into a dictatorship, one person commented. So, I only have a few more hours enjoying my favourite part of the day? another user mourned. Like weaning oneself off of any addiction, Sally suggests that going cold turkey may not have been the best idea. To just say, Lets take social media away is going to be highly anxiety-inducing, she says. Its what theyre used to. To just rip it away from children with no discussion, no suggestion of what to do instead, is totally the wrong way to go about it. You need proper planning. Proper counselling. That wouldve been wonderful and could have been introduced. Additionally, Dr Einstein says one law is simply not enough to make effective change. History shows that single measures rarely shift deeply ingrained behaviours, she says. Just as tobacco control requires taxation, advertising restrictions, public education, and smoke-free environments, protecting children from social media harms will require a multi-layered strategy. Einstein nods to equipping parents and schools with knowledge, time and money to make changes as a critical additional step, as well as introducing a duty of care regulation on social media sites, so all Australians not just children can feel better about tech use. Lets be clear, this regulation signifies the start, not the end of our efforts to find balance. Wipfli acknowledges that his blanket ban on all under-16s may not be perfect. Many parents and critics have already informed him that children are able to get around the ban using VPNs (virtual private networks) or even putting a photo of their parent or a celebrity in front of the age verification screening camera. Nobody expects it to be perfect, he claims. Theres always going to be a way around things, but we have to start somewhere. There is no silver bullet. We need to change behaviour. So, we need education. Thatll be the next step. open image in gallery Some parents have criticised social media being ripped away from teens without any counselling or support ( Getty ) Could a social media ban be coming to the UK? Wipfli says there has been interest in his campaign among leaders from Britain, Europe, Japan and the Philippines. A petition was launched in the UK, which secured over 100,000 signatures, meaning it was debated in parliament this February. The government is not currently minded to support a ban for children under 16, came the response. Instead, the priority was said to be working with Ofcom to effectively implement the divisive Online Safety Act 2023 so all social media users can benefit from much-needed protections and tech companies can be fined up to 18m or 10 per cent of their revenue worldwide (whichever amounts to more) for non-compliance. Yet, for all of its addictiveness, there are stats to show that social media in the age of AI slop posts and Keir Starmer having a TikTok account might not be that cool any more, anyway. Although slop might give users an easy hit of dopamine, this endless brainrot content may ultimately be turning people away from screens in favour of more analogue pursuits. Time spent on social media, in fact, peaked in 2022 and has since gone into steady decline, according to an analysis conducted for the Financial Times by digital audience insights company GWI. Usage among adults aged 16 and older now sits at around two hours and 20 minutes per day. Still high, but down almost 10 per cent compared to three years ago. Interestingly, the study found that usage is down most significantly among teenagers and twentysomething users. In an essay for The New Yorker this summer, writer Kyle Chayka suggested that society is careening towards what he calls posting zero, aka a point where people feel that its not even worth their time to share their lives online. Gen Z users are embracing this silence and spearheading the posting zero movement by either walking away from social media apps completely, sharing only to private accounts for their close friends, or opting to scroll in silence rather than share themselves. Seemingly, for teenage and young adult users, we may have approached a stage with social media where the experience of being online is so debased thanks to AI-generated content that users have actually been snapped out of their doomscrolling stupor and encouraged to look out of the window and go touch grass instead. Yes, social media is dangerous, but what could really finish it off is when a generation calls it out for what it is: boring. The ban is the start but the banality will be the finish. 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 Target is preparing customers for a busy holiday season with its next-day delivery service. The retailer is expanding its next-day delivery of online orders to more markets throughout the U.S., according to a Wednesday press release. This means that shoppers will be able to receive their purchases the day after theyre ordered in about 30 metro areas. Part of the reason for the service expansion, Target explained, is to make holiday shopping quicker and easier. Most items eligible for shipping at Target are eligible for next-day delivery, Targets release reads. That includes hundreds of thousands of items 85 percent of what we sell in Target stores. Customers can receive next-day delivery for no additional cost on orders over $35. Members of Targets reward program, Target Circle 360, or those who use the brands store payment card, Target Circle Card, for purchase, dont need to pay extra for next-day delivery. Target is expanding its next-day delivery service to make holiday shopping quicker and easier ( Getty Images ) The next-day delivery service is now available in cities nationwide, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, Atlanta, New York City, and Seattle. You can find the full list of 35 major U.S. metropolitan areas that have the Target delivery service here. Aside from next-day delivery, Target also offers same-day delivery, giving shoppers their items within three hours, that has reached 80 percent of the U.S. population, according to the retailer. The retailers two-day shipping option has reached 99 percent of the U.S. population. The expansion of Targets delivery service comes one month after it announced a billion-dollar plan to revamp stores. Incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke said the company will invest about $5 billion in upgrades next year, which is a roughly $1 billion increase year-on-year. The money will go toward improving stores, updating product selection, and strengthening Targets website and digital systems. Mission 1 through 10 is to get back to growth for us, Fiddelke told reporters in a call, according to the Wall Street Journal. Shoppers have complained recently about messy stores, empty shelves, and less exciting products, the outlet reported. Target said it wants to fix those issues through better store experiences, more appealing merchandise, and updated technology. Executives said the additional investment is necessary after the company logged its 12th consecutive quarter of weak or falling sales. Target also said it cut prices on 3,000 everyday items ahead of the holidays and revealed plans to offer trendy exclusives like trading cards and Stranger Things merchandise. 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 Wendy Williamss lawyer, Joe Tacopina, has claimed that her conservatorship is officially coming to an end. The former TV host, 61, was first placed into a guardianship, with Sabrina Morrissey appointed as her court-ordered guardian, in 2022, to protect Williams from financial abuse as her bank felt she was being exploited. She was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and progressive aphasia the following year, a diagnosis Williams has publicly denied. Now, Tacopina has claimed that Williams will be out of the conservatorship by the end of the year. [Williams] does not have frontotemporal dementia, so that should be game, set, match, the attorney said during an interview with ABCs Nightline, published Tuesday. The plan is this: there are guardianship attorneys, and were watching and waiting, and theyve assured Wendy by years end shell be out of guardianship, he added. open image in gallery Wendy Williams lawyer reiterates she does not have frontotemporal dementia, confirming her guardianship will end by the new year ( Getty Images for SiriusXM ) Tacopinas comments come one month after TMZ reported that Williams underwent a series of medical tests in New York City, with a neurologist determining that her frontotemporal dementia diagnosis was inaccurate. Frontotemporal dementia which is the condition actor Bruce Willis has mainly affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are associated with personality, behavior, and language, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms can include difficulty speaking, loss of inhibition, muscle weakness, tremor, or trouble walking. Williams has previously spoken about her desire to end the conservatorship. During a pre-taped interview on The View, which aired in March, she discussed a hospital visit that took place after she issued a cry for help to paparazzi from the assisted living facility where she was staying. I was having a little agita, she told the hosts. Look, where I live, at that memory unit on this floor, you know, I just needed a breath of fresh air. I needed to see the doctors. So thats why I went to the hospital. open image in gallery Wendy Williams told The View that she's desperate to ditch her guardianship and move on with my life ( The View ) Besides getting some blood drawn for my thyroid, Williams said that she passed a cognitive test with flying colors, which she said proved she no longer needed a conservatorship. It was my choice to get an independent evaluation on my incapacitation, which I dont have it, she exclaimed. How dare they say I have incapacitation?! I do not. In January, she also denied being cognitively impaired, while comparing the care facility shes living in to a prison. I am definitely isolated. To talk to these people who live here, that is not my cup of tea... Im in this place where the people are in their Nineties and their Eighties and their Seventies Theres something wrong with these people here on this floor, she said at the time, while calling into The Breakfast Club radio show Williams is best known for her eponymously titled chat show, The Wendy Williams Show, which she hosted from 2008 to 2021. She stepped away as host due to medical issues, with numerous guest hosts filling in. The show was ultimately cancelled in 2022. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Army gynecologist has been charged with secretly recording 44 female patients while conducting intimate exams. Army Major Blaine McGraw was a doctor at Fort Hood in Texas, where he allegedly filmed his patients from January 1, 2025, to December 1. According to a press release from the base, he was taken into pretrial confinement on December 2 after violating the conditions of liberty imposed by his commander. A CNN report uncovered McGraws alleged abuse, which was reported after a combat veteran had attended an appointment with his wife. The veteran spotted the gynecologists phone sticking out of the doctors pocket, the camera lens facing outward. When they had entered the room, the phone was not in McGraws pocket. open image in gallery The majority of the recordings are believed to have been filmed at Fort Hood ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Investigators told CNN that the veteran realized that McGraw was recording the session when he glimpsed his phone screen. Shortly after, he informed the hospital staff and ran into the hotel lobby. I just caught a doctor recording my wifes vagina, he allegedly shouted, prompting an urgent investigation into McGraws actions. A lawsuit filed against McGraw and seen by CNN revealed that the doctors phone contained thousands of pictures and videos taken over the course of multiple years, depicting scores of female patients, many of whom remain unidentified. He now faces a slew of charges, including 54 counts or alleged instances of indecent visual recording, according to a statement from the Office of Special Trial Counsel, seen by Stars and Stripes. open image in gallery Blaine McGraw has been formally charged for allegedly recording 44 patients during gynecology appointments ( Bell County Sheriff's Office ) He has also been charged with five counts of conduct unbecoming of an officer, one count of wilful disobedience of a superior officer, and one count of making a false statement. McGraws attorney, Daniel Conway, told NBC News that he has not yet seen the charging documents. "I am aware that they cover non-contact recording allegations," Conway said. "We expect the charges will cover offenses for which Dr. McGraw was cooperative with law enforcement. We continue to be cooperative while maintaining that no non-medically touching occurred." According to a lawsuit seen by CBS News, a plaintiff also accused the doctor of using his "position of trust to sexually exploit, manipulate, and secretly record women under his care." The unnamed woman, identified only as Jane Doe in the court document, had booked an appointment with McGraw because she was experiencing pelvic pain. Her attorneys alleged in the filing that McGraw "groped, touched, and examined Doe in ways that had nothing to do with healing," during seven or eight sessions. He also allegedly ordered nurses to be sent out of the room for Does appointments. A hotline has been established by officials at Fort Hood and McGraw's former post at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. Patients at both bases have also been sent letters informing them of the investigation and urged to contact the hotline to file a complaint. The Independent has contacted the Office of Special Trial Counsel and Daniel Conway for further comment. 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 detailed to-do list and travel plans found during Luigi Mangiones arrest, and revealed in court this week, shed new light on his alleged efforts to evade capture. Following UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons killing last year, the instructions included plucking eyebrows, buying less conspicuous shoes, and taking a bus or train west towards Cincinnati and St. Louis. Mangione also planned to move late at night and avoid surveillance cameras. Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, said one note. Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows, said another. The notes, including a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the run, were shown on Monday at a pretrial hearing as Mangiones lawyers attempted to prevent prosecutors from using evidence seized during his December 9 2024 arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Excerpts of body-worn camera footage of the arrest, previously unseen by the press or the public, were released on Tuesday. Police said they discovered the notes in Mangiones backpack, along with a 9mm handgun that prosecutors said matches the one used to kill Thompson five days earlier; a loaded gun magazine and silencer; and a notebook containing entries in similar handwriting, in which he purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive. Mangiones lawyers havent disputed the authenticity of the notes or the provenance of the gun, pocket knife, fake ID, drivers license, passport, credit cards, AirPods, protein bar, travel toothpaste, flash drives and other items seized from him and his backpack. But they argue that anything found in the bag should be barred because police didnt have a search warrant and lacked the grounds to justify a warrantless search. Prosecutors contend the search was legal officers said they were checking for a bomb and that police eventually obtained a warrant. open image in gallery This image, taken from video released by state police, shows Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania ( AP ) The notes, along with other evidence highlighted at the pretrial hearing, underscore that Mangiones stop in Altoona, a city of around 44,000 people about 230 miles (370km) west of Manhattan, was only meant to be temporary. One note said to check for red eyes from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio or part-way to Cincinnati (get off early, it read). The map drawn below shows lines linking those cities, as well as other possible destinations, including Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis. Thompson, 50, was killed as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for his companys investor conference on December 4, 2024. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind and then fleeing the area. Over the next hours and days, police released photos of a suspect first showing him in a mask and hooded coat, and then his face and thick eyebrows. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The pretrial hearing, which resumes for a sixth day on Thursday, applies only to the state case. His lawyers are making a similar push to exclude the evidence from his federal case, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Among the notes revealed this week was one with a heading 12/5 and a starred entry that said: buy black shoes (white stripes too distinctive). Another, also written in to-do list style, suggested spending more than three hours away from surveillance cameras and using different modes of transportation to Break CAM continuity and avoid tracking. Below that, it said: check reports for current situation, a possible reference to news reports about the search for Thompsons killer. open image in gallery Mangione appears in Manhattan Supreme Court for a hearing in the Thompson murder case ( Reuters ) According to prosecutors, Mangione fled to Newark, New Jersey, immediately after the shooting and took a train to Philadelphia. Among the evidence shown at the pretrial hearing was a Philadelphia transit pass purchased at 1:06 p.m. a little more than six hours after the shooting and a ticket for a Greyhound bus, booked under the name Sam Dawson, leaving Philadelphia at 6:30 p.m. and arriving in Pittsburgh at 11:55 p.m. A note with the heading 12/8 lists a number of tasks, including an apparent trip to Best Buy to purchase a digital camera and accessories, hot meal + water bottles, and trash bag(s). Under 12/9, the day of Mangiones arrest, the note lists tasks including Sheetz, an Altoona-based convenience store chain, masks and AAA bats. Under Future TO DO, it listed intel checkin and survival kit. Mangione had a Sheetz hoagie in his backpack when he was arrested, along with a loaf of Italian bread from a local deli, according to police officers testifying Monday and Tuesday. It had been raining, and the bag and items inside it were wet, the officers said. They were heard on body-worn camera footage played in court theorizing that Mangione had gotten soaked walking from the citys bus station. Police responded to the McDonalds after a manager called 911 to relay concerns from customers who thought that Mangione, eating breakfast in a back corner, resembled the man wanted for killing Thompson. On the call, played in court, the manager could be heard saying that because Mangione was wearing a medical mask, she could only see his eyebrows and that she had searched online for a photo of the suspect for comparison. Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox testified on Tuesday that Mangione, the Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family, expressed concern for the 911 callers wellbeing. Fox said Mangione asked if police had planned on releasing her name, which they didnt. The officer recalled him saying: It would be bad for her and there would be a lot of people that would be upset. At another point, Fox said, a shackled Mangione stumbled while trying to keep up with the brisk-moving officer. Fox said he apologized and said, I forgot you were shackled. He said Mangione responded: Its OK, Im going to have to get used to it. 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 hip-hop artist and influencer has been charged with multiple rapes after allegedly luring women into a vacant Pacific Palisades home damaged by devastating wildfires where he was pretending to live, authorities say. Clinton Adams, also known as Clintnlord, is charged with three felony counts of forcible rape and one count of assault with intent to commit rape, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. These allegations describe predatory attacks carried out in an area still affected by the aftermath of the January wildfires, LA County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. Taking advantage of a historic disaster and causing severe harm to two women is despicable. These women showed courage by coming forward to report their assaults. Adams, 32, was arrested November 19 and remains in custody. Police released his photo his last week as they continue to search for more alleged victims. Prosecutors allege that Adams met women locally and brought them on separate occasions to a Pacific Palisades property that he claimed was his home, where he sexually assaulted at least two of them. open image in gallery Clinton Adams was arrested in November and is charged with three felony counts of forcible rape and one count of assault with intent to commit rape ( Los Angeles Police Department ) The property had been vacated due to smoke damage from Januarys wildfires. Investigators say Adams broke in and used the empty house without the owners knowledge. He was transient when we arrested him, LAPD Detective Brent Hopkins said. The homeowners did not give him permission to be in their home. Hopkins said Adams is believed to have frequented the Westside area of LA and met his alleged victims in the area. We believe there may be other victims out there, the detective added. The first alleged assault occurred June 29, and the second allegedly took place on August 7 and 8, according to court records. Both victims reported the alleged attacks to the LAPD and identified Adams by name, Hopkins said. The Palisades fire destroyed more than 6,800 structures, killed 12 people and left hundreds more homes uninhabitable because of smoke damage, the Los Angeles Times reported. Authorities say Adams knew the house was unoccupied and exploited the ongoing aftermath of the disaster. open image in gallery Clinton Adams, also known as Clintn Lord, walks the runway the Seventh Annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show at Moonlight Studios on February 1, 2023 in New York City. He now faces multiple felony rape charges ( Getty Images for Blue Jacket Fas ) Adams has a high-profile persona online, posting photos from events such as the BET Awards and fashion runway shows, while promoting his work with designer brands and music collaborations, including an appearance on a track titled Ay Caramba. Investigators say that his public persona contrasts sharply with the allegations. Taking advantage of a historic disaster and causing severe harm to two women is despicable, the DA said. These women showed courage by coming forward to report their assaults. Adams has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $1.475 million bail. He will next appear in court in January. If convicted, he faces 90 years to life in prison. Court and jail records show Adams has had prior encounters with law enforcement, including arrests in California and Florida, and has spent time on probation. He has also been the subject of a restraining order in Florida. The case remains under investigation and authorities urge anyone with information or who believes they may have been victimized to contact Officer Lee with the LAPD at 213-473-0420. 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 Michigan couple accused of murdering their pregnant daughter and cutting her baby from her womb allegedly placed the fetus in a blue lunch cooler and tossed it in the trash, according to newly released probable cause affidavits. The disturbing detail is among new information disclosed this week in court documents filed in court in Wexford County, where a sheriffs deputy testified under oath about the horrific slaying of 22-year-old Rebecca Park and her unborn child. Park, who was 38 weeks pregnant, was last seen on November 3. Her disappearance prompted a massive community search in Wexford County. On November 25, her remains were found in Manistee National Forest, near Boon, Michigan. The babys body was not with her. Cortney Bartholomew, 40, Parks biological mother, and Bradly Bartholomew, 47, her stepfather, told investigators multiple, shifting accounts of how Park was killed and how her baby was removed from her body, at times blaming each other, before both were charged in the case. Prosecutors allege the couple lured Park to their home in Boon on November 3 before driving her into the woods behind the house, where they are accused of forcing her to the ground, stabbing her to death and slicing her open to remove the baby from her womb. open image in gallery Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and Brad Bartholomew, 47, are accused of murdering Rebecca Park and cutting her baby from her womb ( Missaukee County Sheriffs Office ) According to the affidavits obtained by the Detroit Free Press, the couple each accused multiple other people in Parks disappearance during interviews with authorities before and after her body was discovered. Text messages cited in the documents also show that Cortney Bartholomew told her sister on October 28, days before Park was reported missing, that she had given birth to a premature baby boy named Ashton Lee Bartholomew who was in the NICU in Grand Rapids. On November 3, the day investigators believe Park was killed, Cortney Bartholomew texted again, claiming the baby had died. After learning investigators were treating the case as a homicide and that each spouse was accusing the other, Cortney Bartholomew eventually partially admitted involvement. She first claimed her husband told her, I slit her fucking throat, b**** deserved it, according to the affidavit. Later, she said her husband carried out the killing and brought the baby back to the house. Brad took her, he brought the baby back, I tried, I didnt, I couldnt, I tried, I tried to save my grandson, she told detectives while crying, according to the affidavit. Bradly Bartholomew told detectives it was his wife who first placed the baby in a garbage bag and then into the cooler, and that the babys body was later disposed of near a property where logging had recently occurred. Cortney Bartholomew is accused of later admitting to cutting the baby from Parks womb with a hunting knife, claiming it was an attempt to save him, but denied stabbing Park. She told detectives her husband said of the baby: Oh, I stuck him in a cooler, stuck him in a trash bag, threw him in the trash. The hunting knife, she said, was later disposed of in a dumpster in Cadillac. Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey told the court on December 2 that the couple researched how to carry out the killing and created a plan before carrying it out. But the couple had also offered dueling explanations about the motive. Cortney Bartholomew told detectives her husband planned the killing as part of a revenge plot against Parks fiance, who she said triggered a sex offender registry investigation that sent Bradly Bartholomew back to jail. Bradly Bartholomew told detectives his wife was driven by jealousy and desire for the unborn child, saying, Cortney was mad because Rebecca was always bad mouthing her and wouldnt give her a chance to be a mom, and that Cortney wanted the baby for herself. He told investigators he did not believe the baby was alive after being removed from his mother and never heard him cry. After unsuccessful attempts at CPR, he accused his wife of saying, The b**** killed my baby, referring to Park. open image in gallery Rebecca Parks body was found in Manistee National Forest, near Boon, Michigan on November 25 ( Wexford County Sheriff's Office ) Stephanie Park, Rebecca Parks adoptive mother, told the Free Press her daughter was lured to the home by Cortney Bartholomew with the promise of inheritance money on November 3. Cortney Bartholomew initially told investigators an unknown friend picked Park up that night. She later suggested an older man, then Parks fiance, and later multiple others as possible suspects. Bradly Bartholomew initially denied being home that night, though search warrant data from his phone contradicted that claim, police said. He later told investigators that Parks sister discussed needing to get Rebecca out of the picture, then claimed the sister later admitted to killing her an account detectives did not corroborate. Both Cortney Bartholomew and Bradly Bartholomew face multiple charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, unlawful imprisonment, conspiracy, assault of a pregnant woman with intent to cause miscarriage or stillbirth, and moving a dead body. 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 Texan mother and father accused of beating her three-year-old son to death have had their criminal charge upgraded to capital murder. Chelsea Berg, 30, and her boyfriend Christopher Alexander, 30, were initially arrested on October 14 after their son was admitted to the hospital in Collin County. At the time, Dawson Zamora, 3, was treated for severe brain trauma and extensive bruising by medics. According to an arrest warrant seen by WCSC, Alexander claimed that he had discovered the child with the injuries after hearing a thud at home. However, inconsistencies between the extent of the three-year-olds injuries and Alexanders story led medics to report the incident to the Collin County authorities. Both Berg and Alexander were arrested, with the mom being released shortly after. open image in gallery Chelsea Berg has been charged with the murder of her son Dawson Zamora ( Collin County Jail ) Dawson died two months later on his father, Dahrian Zamoras, birthday on December 7. "My son Dawson has passed away," the father wrote on Facebook. "He held on to spend one last birthday with me and refused to go until then." Berg was rearrested a day later, with the upgraded charge of capital murder. In Texas, capital murder comes with a sentence of life in prison without parole. Police documents seen by WCSC found that Berg had sent a series of texts to Alexander, which suggest that she was aware that he had allegedly harmed the 3-year-old in the past. 100000% serious. You bruise him, hurt him, and cause damage every single time you are alone with him, one text read. There hasnt been a single time youve been alone with him where he hasnt been hurt. open image in gallery Christopher Alexander claimed that he discovered the three year old, with his extensive injuries, after hearing a thud ( Collin County Jail ) Alexander, who has been held at the Collin County Jail, also faces two additional charges. According to the jails roster, he has been charged with stalking and tampering with physical evidence. Neither Alexander nor Berg has been given the opportunity to post bail, according to the jail roster. Meanwhile, Dahrian Zamora has confirmed that he is planning a funeral for his son. Im 31 years old having to bury my three-year-old son and I obviously wasnt prepared for this because we shouldnt have to bury our children, he wrote on Facebook. I havent lost a family member, or a friend and now this is my first experience of death. He urged readers to keep his daughter, Harper, in their prayers and claimed that his sons death could have been prevented. He should have been protected and now he was murdered, he added. My THREE YEAR OLD MURDERED and Im left carrying this and I dont know where to go from here. The Independent has contacted the Collin County Sheriffs Office for further comment. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved important results in advancing the work related to the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, promoting the protection of aquatic life, resettling fishermen who have given up fishing, and contributing to ecological conservation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Wednesday. The ministry, in collaboration with relevant departments, has rolled out assistance measures to secure the livelihoods of former fishermen. By the end of September, all 142,000 fishermen who have the ability and willingness to work have been reemployed, and all 220,000 eligible fishermen have been enrolled in the endowment insurance scheme. With strengthened protection and restoration efforts, the aquatic biodiversity of the Yangtze River has continued to see improvements. In 2025, more than 970,000 Chinese sturgeons were released, with more than 60 percent of individuals already entering the ocean through the Yangtze River estuary. China has also promoted the restoration of important and key habitats, strictly managed the protected areas of aquatic germplasm resources, and carried out restocking in a scientific manner, according to the ministry. To improve biodiversity along the Yangtze, China imposed a full fishing ban in 332 conservation areas of the river basin in January 2020. Protection measures were later expanded to a 10-year moratorium along the river's main streams and major tributaries, a ban which took effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Advertisement Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Hot Chili eyes shallow starter-pit at Chilean copper-gold play Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Andrew Todd December 10, 2025 3:17pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Hot Chili has confirmed broad, high-grade, copper-gold near surface at its emerging La Verde porphyry discovery in Chile, hinting at the possibility of a starter pit. By supplying its flagship Costa Fuego monster project nearby with rich ore, the game-changing option could materially strengthen its opening years of production. The company says phase two diamond drilling extended the eastern flank of La Verde and has outlined a clear up-dip expansion directly above the new gold-rich zone reported last month. A diamond drill rig working at Hot Chilis La Verde copper-gold discovery in Chiles Atacama region. Latest assays from diamond drilling to extend the promising recent hits have returned an additional 47m at 0.57 per cent copper and 0.12 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 247.5m depth. Further down the same hole, the drill bit hit a 28-metre section running 0.49 per cent copper and 0.15g/t gold from 316m, separated from the upper intersection with a narrow non-mineralised dyke. The full hole now stands at 317m grading 0.38 per cent copper and 0.1 g/t gold from just 32 m downhole. Advertisement Two further diamond holes have been drilled from the same pad, up-dip of last months standout 529-metre intercept, with both holes logging wide intervals of visible copper porphyry mineralisation from surface to their respective end-of-hole depths. Assays for these holes and four others are in the lab. Addition of a higher-grade starter pit would significantly strengthen the front-end of Costa Fuegos 20-year mine. Hot Chili managing director Christian Easterday Hot Chili has now completed eight holes for 2900m of drilling in the campaign, with every diamond hole reportedly intersecting broad widths of visual porphyry-style copper-gold mineralisation. The company says the results point to the convergence of several mineralised lenses into a single, major, coherent higher-grade core that now reaches close to surface. This is exactly the geometry required for a potential higher-grade starter pit, which could then feed the planned Costa Fuego 20-year processing hub just 30 kilometres up the road. Advertisement Hot Chili managing director Christian Easterday said: Addition of a higher-grade starter pit would significantly strengthen the front-end of Costa Fuegos 20-year mine schedule and be a game changer for scale and economics. Costa Fuego is rapidly shaping as a low-risk, coastal contender to adjacent major copper developments in the Huasco Region and Vicuna District of the high Andes. Hot Chilis November intersection at La Verde, really put the market on notice, with a staggering 529m intercept grading 0.41 per cent copper and 0.21g/t gold. The hit sent the companys stock soaring by almost 50 per cent in two weeks to $1.25 a share. Market pundits have clearly understood the significance of La Verde to the broader Costa Fuego story. Copper-gold porphyry monsters all along South Americas west coast regularly drop like flies as major takeover targets from the likes of BHP, to Lundin Mining and even a $1.7 billion bid for SolGolds Cascabel porphyry by Jiangxi Copper Corporation just last week. Costa Fuego remains one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits outside the majors, hosting a combined 798-million-tonne resource grading 0.45 per cent copper equivalent. That inventory carries 2.9 million tonnes of contained copper, 2.6 million ounces of gold, 12.9 million ounces of silver and 68,000 tonnes of molybdenum. A recent pre-feasibility study at Costa Fuego outlined average annual production at a whopping 95,000 tonnes of copper and 48,000 ounces of gold over the first 14 years of production, generating a post-tax net present value of A$1.81 billion at a conservative A$6.50 per pound copper price now A$8.20. Advertisement With assays to come and a cluster of look-alike magnetic targets still to test, La Verde keeps adding momentum to an already compelling coastal copper development for Hot Chili, at a time when the global hunt for new porphyry supply monsters shows no sign of slowing. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Bulls N' Bears Sharemarket Shares BISHKEK, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kyrgyzstan said it has approved the voting results of the early parliamentary elections, with 87 candidates elected, according to a resolution it adopted Wednesday. The CEC recognized the elections in 30 multi-member constituencies, but the results in the 13th constituency were declared invalid due to violations of electoral law, the resolution said. A total of 1,584,446 voters participated in the vote, representing 36.90 percent of the more than 4 million citizens registered on the voter list. The CEC opened 2,492 polling stations, 27 remote voting stations across the country and 100 polling stations abroad. According to the CEC, 460 candidates participated in the elections held in 30 multi-member constituencies, with three deputies elected in each under a majoritarian system. On Sept. 25, Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted to dissolve itself, citing concerns over the close timing of the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. On Sept. 30, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree to hold parliamentary elections on Nov. 30. Kyrgyzstan's unicameral parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, consists of 90 members elected for five-year terms. Advertisement Exclusive BusinessCompaniesMedia & marketing Vanishing act: The Anika Wells expenses exclusive pulled by News Corp Calum Jaspan December 10, 2025 11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A It was a red-hot political exclusive that triggered a week of searing coverage about Communication and Sport Minister Anika Wells expenses. So why did News Corp, the news organisation that had the scoop, pull it down a few hours later? News Corps free mass-market news site, news.com.au, was the first to publish details of Wells $100,000 trip to New York under the headline Eye-watering cost to spruik social media ban last Tuesday evening, before mysteriously sending the link dead shortly after. Communications Minister Anika Wells (right) and Courier Mail editor Melanie Pilling (second from the right) with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others in New York in September. AAP But sources with insight into the publishing decision have told On Background the story was pulled by editor-in-chief of Free News and Lifestyle Mick Carroll because it jarred with News Corps advocacy through its Let Them Be Kids campaign for the Albanese governments social media ban for under-16s. Advertisement The story, produced by News Corps NewsWire service and published to news.com.au, was based on a Senate Estimates questions on notice document leaked to the journalists that included details of Wells itinerary during the trip and the substantial costs. What the document also included, but which wasnt mentioned in the short-lived story, was a NYC meeting between Wells and News Corps Let Them Be Kids campaign, fronted by The Courier Mails weekend editor Melanie Pilling, who was also present in New York. Launched with a petition in 2024, News Corp has claimed its Let Them Be Kids campaign directly led to the world-first social media ban for children under 16. Wells trip to New York in September was designed as an opportunity to sell the campaign to the world at the UN event alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and the key members of the campaign who were there to celebrate the moment. Kevin Rudd, Australias ambassador to the US (second from left) with (from left) Michael Wippa Wipfli of Nova, Emma Mason from the Let Them Be Kids campaign and News Corps Melanie Pilling in New York in September. Dominic Lorrimer Pilling was pictured alongside Albanese, Wells and other members of the campaign outside the UN. Both politicians also thanked the campaign in their doorstop media press conference. Advertisement So you see the dilemma for the News Corp editors? While the story and its critical tone in highlighting Wells use of taxpayer funds was arguably fair, she made the trip to promote the ban News Corp says it was central in establishing. Ultimately, the exclusive was retracted after a few hours online. A Google search from Wednesday afternoon, the day after the story was published. The Sydney Morning Herald However, by that time, the story had already been shared widely within a Press Gallery WhatsApp chat containing almost 200 journalists. The link to the story went dead and remains so. With no live link come Wednesday morning, it was then reported by 2GBs Ben Fordham as an exclusive just hours before Wells was due to appear at the National Press Club, a week before the ban was due to go live. The story snowballed into a barrage of questions for Wells, and the subsequent expenses scandal that followed. Advertisement Since then, there has been a slew of stories published regarding Wells use of taxpayer funds for trips for her and her family (its worth noting that all of these trips appear to be within the guidelines). Theyve come from multiple media sources including this masthead, The Australian Financial Review, Guardian Australia, ABC and other outlets. Click on the story, and it was nowhere to be found. SMH It was not until Friday evening, three days after the initial news.com.au article, that The Daily Telegraph wrote the first story published by a News Corp metro masthead about the unfolding government crisis, appearing in its Saturday paper. The Australian and Sky News Australia covered the story on the day of the Press Club appearance, and have done so since, but they were not involved in the Let Them Be Kids campaign. A number of sources, both in the Press Gallery and in the federal opposition, have noted the softer tone from some News Corp outlets since the expenses saga has unfolded. Advertisement The Let Them Be Kids campaign in The Daily Telegraph on Friday, three days after the first expenses story was published by news.com.au. News Corp On Sunday, the News Corp tabloids national weekend political editor James Campbell defended Wells in a piece titled Lay off Anika, shes done absolutely nothing wrong, exonerating her for each of the then-reported uses of public funds for personal events. The coverage has turned more critical in the days since, however. On Background tried to speak to Carroll and Pilling directly about why such an important exclusive was pulled. The comment we got came from a corporate spin doctor. A News Corp spokesperson confirmed the story was removed, but said all the companys publications have been covering the debate about Wells travel expenses closely and prominently on their print front pages and digital home pages. They also rejected any suggestion of government interference or executive influence. Advertisement With one particular story, there was an editorial decision to review its publication. All decisions on editorial coverage have been made by editorial independent of government interference or executive directive, the spokesperson said. The world-first social media ban came into effect on Wednesday, and has been described as a legacy-shaping policy for the Labor Party and for Wells. It was prompted and has been championed by the News Corp campaign, alongside a campaign 36 Months led by Nova presenter Michael Wippa Wipfli, arguing for the minimum age for social media usage be raised from 13 to 16. Nova is also owned privately by News Corp chair Lachlan Murdoch. Let Them Be Kids and 36 Months were both launched in May 2024, the former splashed across the front pages of the companys metro tabloid newspapers at the time and in the lead-up to the ban going live this week. Both launched petitions urging the government to impose a minimum age to access social media. The tabloids homepages also featured countdowns to the ban going live this week. Advertisement On Sunday, The Daily Telegraph detailed the inception of policy itself and how it successfully lobbied this government. It started with an intimate dinner at the Lodge in September 2024 between Emma Mason, the mother of Matilda Rosewarne who took her own life as a 15-year-old after sustained online bullying; Pilling; Courier Mail editor Chris Jones; Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon; and Albaneses press secretary, Fiona Sugden. Pilling found herself arguing for a social media ban up to the age of 16, rather than 14 or 15. At some point, it occurred to her that she and Albanese were not talking about the question of a ban. They were talking about the details of a ban, the story on Sunday read. I knew then that this was probably going to happen, Pilling told The Daily Telegraph. That was a pretty pivotal moment in the process. Pilling then went on to front and lead the campaign, which ultimately resulted in the bill that comes into effect on Wednesday. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Read the full and final On Background column for the year this Friday. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Advertisement CultureMusicPop culture Serial pest booted from Lady Gagas Brisbane show before it begins Chris Hook December 10, 2025 11:21am 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 A A A The Australian serial pest who grabbed Ariana Grande on the red carpet at a Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore last month has now been kicked out of Lady Gagas concert in Brisbane on Tuesday night before the show even began. Johnson Wen revealed news of his removal via his Instagram page. Instagram Johnson Wen posted news of his removal to his Pyjama Man Instagram page, noting the show did not start until 8pm and fans already at the venue had been booing him. Footage across TikTok showed the 26-year-old being marched out of the mosh-pit area by two security guards to the sounds of cheers from the crowd. He appears to be wearing a wig in the footage, and images shared across social media suggest Wen had attempted to disguise himself with the wig, sunglasses and a fake moustache. Advertisement A Suncorp Stadium spokesperson said the venue had been made aware by the tour that a known serial offender may attempt to attend and disrupt tonights concert. In the interest of the artists safety this individual was deemed a person of interest and not to be allowed to attend, they said. Due to the excellent work by the venues diligent security team, an individual matching the description was identified and passed on to police before the show began. The latest incident comes just weeks after Wen jumped the barriers at the Wicked: For Good premiere at Singapores Universal Studios and ambushed Ariana Grande on the yellow carpet. Alarming video shows Wen grabbing Grande and pulling the visibly alarmed star towards him. Grandes co-star Cynthia Erivo then pushes Wen away from Grande, while actress Michelle Yeoh pulls Grande into her arms. Advertisement Security guards are then seen grabbing Wen and holding him to the ground, before escorting him away. Wen was detained, sentenced to nine days in prison then deported from Singapore. Singapore district judge Christopher Goh said Wen had shown a pattern of behaviour which suggests that you will do it again, AFP reported at the time. You seem to be attention-seeking, thinking only of yourself and not the safety of others when committing these acts, Goh told Wen. The confronting scene as Wen grabbed Ariana Grande in Singapore. Instagram Advertisement Wen, who appeared in court via video link and pleaded guilty, said: I wont do it again, Your Honour. I am going to stop getting into trouble. Last week, Wen posted video of the Singapore incident with the comment: Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You. Who is Johnson Wen? Wen has disrupted several high-profile events over the years, seeking social media traction by posting video of his antics. In June, he rushed the stage as Katy Perry performed at Sydneys Qudos Bank Arena as part of her Lifetimes tour, managing to get an arm around the singer before security intervened and removed him from the stage. Advertisement Wen with a bemused Katy Perry during her Sydney concert last June. Screenshot A visibly shaken Perry moved away from him while telling the audience: Theres never going to be another show like this, so just enjoy it! He was banned from the Sydney Olympic Park precinct for six months over the incident. Wen later told 9News he would no longer be performing such stunts. Related Article Updated Lady Gaga The reason Lady Gaga fans were stuck for hours outside Suncorp Stadium Advertisement I said let me get on stage with you, then she ]Katy Perry] freaked out because she realised I wasnt a performer, Wen said. I was about to do like extra Fortnite moves, but security got there too quick. Im planning to quit forever because you get in way too much trouble for it, especially me, because Ive done it so many times. In 2024, Wen rushed the stage and hugged Canadian performer, The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) during his show at Melbournes Marvel Stadium before he was removed. Earlier that year, Wen invaded the track and delayed the mens 100m final at the Paris Olympics, and in 2023 he approached Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli after storming the pitch at the Cricket World Cup Final in Ahmedabad. View post on X Advertisement Last week, during Gagas run of Marvel Stadium shows in Melbourne, video circulating on social media appeared to show a staff member holding a piece of paper displaying a photograph of Wen. Lady Gaga is due to play Sydneys Accor Stadium on Friday and Saturday this week. A venue spokesperson said a full security overlay would be in place for the concerts. There will be a strong security presence across the venue to ensure the safety of all attendees, they said. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement EnvironmentClimate changeGas Faced with looming shortfalls, Victoria opens the way for new gas Bianca Hall and Kieran Rooney December 10, 2025 3:11pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A The Allan government has approved exploration licences for two new gas projects in the Otway and Gippsland basins, inviting the private sector to tender to develop new onshore and offshore reserves. It will prioritise applications by companies willing to rely on existing seismic data, and which do not intend to conduct fresh seismic blasting. Seaspray Beach in Gippsland. Getty Images The announcement was welcomed by energy producers advocating for more gas to prevent looming shortfalls, but met with dismay from environment groups and locals who fought a long-running campaign against the bid by Lakes Oil (now Lakes Blue Energy) to drill for oil near Seaspray. That campaign concluded when the Victorian government permanently banned fracking in 2017. Advertisement The Gippsland Basin onshore exploration permit area is next to Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park, covering a 199-square-kilometre area between Woodside and Seaspray. Environment Victoria senior climate and energy adviser Dr Kat Lucas-Healey questioned whether the projects would not rely upon seismic testing, and said they would undermine Victorias emissions reduction targets. Seaspray locals create a human sign declaring their opposition to gas exploration in 2013. Cameron Cope The government has completely ignored community concerns about seismic blasting and risks to Gippslands groundwater in opening up these tenders. These are serious, lasting impacts and for what? For the last dregs of Victorian gas, Lucas-Healey said. Victoria is the biggest consumer of gas in the country, with an estimated 2 million homes and businesses connected to the fossil fuel. Gas accounts for about 17 per cent of the states emissions. Advertisement The government has identified the transition from gas as a key priority. It says home and small business consumption of gas fell by 13.5 per cent between 2022 and 2023, and by another 4.5 per cent in 2024. However, a recent report on the community consultation undertaken on the gas exploration licences justified the new projects, arguing that transitioning away from fossil gas requires a coordinated approach to ensure an orderly transition. The government has identified moving away from gas as a priority. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has warned of a looming domestic gas shortfall, with the Albanese government expected to make an announcement within days on a national reservation that would secure more domestic supply from exports. Such a move will be supported by the Victorian government, which in September urged the Commonwealth to intervene, alleging the states supplies had been drained after supplying the east coast with gas for decades. Advertisement But the risk of ongoing shortfalls, and the fact gas will be used more frequently in electricity generation to supplement gaps in renewables, has also prompted governments to look at other measures to prevent price increases. Related Article Opinion Gas crisis Energy producers want to reserve gas for Australia but it must come from new supplies Samantha McCulloch Australian Energy Producers CEO Victorias exploration licences are the latest example of the state adjusting its rhetoric on gas to acknowledge these issues. Grattan Institute energy and climate change director Alison Reeve said while Victoria had a road map in place for transitioning from gas, the transition wasnt happening fast enough compared with the decline of existing gas fields. You dont know how fast the demand is going to decline, particularly because that rate of decline is in some ways in the governments hands, she said. Advertisement A Victorian government spokesperson said the release was a response to industry requests. Weve always said gas is part of our energy transition but legacy supplies from Victorias Bass Strait are dwindling and prices are going up. Thats why were reducing demand for gas and saving Victorians money on their energy bills through electrification and working to bring online new supply, they said. Companies are encouraged to reduce the impact of their exploration activities using existing data and reduce the need for seismic surveys where possible. Australian Energy Producers, which lobbies for gas and oil companies, welcomed the decision to release exploration permits and said it was the first release since 2018. Victorian director Peter Kos said shortfalls could occur as soon as 2027 and said the permits were an essential first step in unlocking new domestic supplies. Advertisement Related Article Electricity Renewables delays drive electricity cost blow out Natural gas from the Bass Strait has reliably powered Victorian homes and industry since the 1960s, but those legacy fields are now in decline. New discoveries are essential to replace that supply and ensure the states energy security, he said. Kos said the government should commit to regular releases of exploration permits to encourage confidence in investment. Ursula Alquier was the Victorian coordinator for the Lock the Gate Alliance who led the successful campaign against fracking and unconventional gas drilling a decade ago. She said there were only tight and unconventional gas reserves in the Seaspray region, and that these could only be accessed by fracking. Advertisement Coal-seam gas, which is present in that area of Gippsland, can only be accessed by fracturing the coal seam. There is no social licence for this to happen in either of these regions. The offshore Otway Basin reserve is next to the ecologically sensitive Bay of Islands Coastal Park, and covers an area of 54 square kilometres between Warrnambool and Port Campbell. Stanley Woodhouse, offshore fossil gas campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said the community response to the governments consultation on exploration permits had been swift and damning. Victorians made it clear they do not want new gas exploration and drilling in our delicate ecosystems, he said. Regardless, the Allan government is putting the permits out to tender. Once again Labor has ignored the community and bowed to industry pressure, using the falsehood of the East Coast gas crisis to strong-arm communities into accepting unwanted, unnecessary fossil fuel projects. Advertisement Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said further gas exploration was welcome, but the Victorian government had failed to secure supply over the decade that Labor had been in power. It is no surprise that after 11 years in government, were running short of gas, he said. Freja Leonard, methane and fossil fuels campaigner with the Australian Conservation Foundation, said the two communities directly affected by the potential gas exploration sites had both made it clear that they dont want new gas projects in their areas. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalSocial media Opinion I wrote the book on anxious kids. It doesnt matter if this ban isnt perfect Jonathan Haidt Author, social psychologist Updated December 10, 2025 3:00pm , first published 11:30am Updated December 10, 2025 3:00pm ,first published 11:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Australia has just enacted one of the most important reforms in the international movement to protect kids from the industrial-scale harms caused by social media companies. Today, Australias Online Safety Amendment, which raises the age from 13 to 16 at which children can sign a contract with these companies (the terms of service agreement), officially came into effect. Now, children will still be able to view content on YouTube, TikTok and most other platforms without an account just as adults can. However, they will have to wait to agree to give their data away and expose themselves to manipulative design. This policy has the support of parents in Australia and around the world. Its popular because most parents dont want their children using social media, yet many feel that they have no choice: if they hold the line and keep their kids off while everyone elses kids are on, then their kids will be isolated. Illustration by Simon Letch A common criticism of the policy has been that it is a ban so severe that it will block children from watching videos on YouTube and teachers from using YouTube videos in their classes. This is false; contrary to their claims, the law does not block kids from accessing content. In the words of the eSafety Commissioner, Its not a ban, its a delay to having accounts. This distinction matters. When a user creates an account, they enter into a contractual relationship with a platform and authorise a company to collect data, personalise an infinite feed around their behaviour, push notifications designed to capture their attention, expose them to direct messages from strangers, and incentivise them to stay online far longer than they intend. Much like a 13-year-old child cannot sign up for a credit card, this policy change clarifies that children should not be locked into digital contracts. Developmental science and common sense tell us that children struggle to weigh short-term rewards against long-term costs. A design that exploits this imbalance should be off-limits. Legislators around the world are cheering on Australia as similar policies are considered around the world. Social media companies will be eager to seize on any issues that arise during the rollout. Given this predictable tactic on their part, a few points are worth keeping in mind as this monumental legislation comes into effect. Advertisement A common critique of this sort of legislative move is that determined kids will find workarounds. Some will. That has always been true. But the goal here is not perfect enforcement; it is shifting the default environment so that children are not pressured into digital spaces they dont actually want because they dont want to be left out. Related Article Social media Parents need help: US Republicans back Australias social media ban as tech groups attack In one study from the University of Chicago, teens valued social media only because others were using it and they preferred (and were willing to pay for) a world where nobody uses social media. We work with numerous youth groups which recognise the perils of the phone-based childhood and want solutions. Many describe regret, anxiety or the sense that they would quit if everyone else would quit too. Behavioral economists studying teenage platform use reach the same conclusion: many adolescents are stuck in a collective-action trap a situation where individuals keep doing something primarily because they fear being left out if they stop. This is why policy matters. Children and families should not have to fight this battle alone. Responsibility lies with platforms, whose design and data practices currently shape childrens daily experiences far more than any individual family can counteract. Children should still be able to have wide access to information online and this law will protect childhood without restricting access to information. Requiring children to use platforms logged out dramatically reduces the most manipulative or developmentally risky design features including direct messages, personalisation, notifications, behavioral profiling, targeted advertising and unwanted contact. Advertisement This is safety by design, something Australia has championed internationally, bravely being the first, risking criticism and punishment from powerful companies. Instead of relying on armies of moderators to clean up harm after it occurs, safety by design reduces the likelihood of harm in the first place by removing the features that most often generate it. Related Article Parenting Rachael braced herself when she cut off her daughters screen time. This is what surprised her Change is difficult. There will be a transition period when many kids lose access to their accounts, and some accounts may be mistakenly deleted and later restored. It will take time to adjust to this new reality. But as weve seen with phone-free schools, kids adapt quickly. Before long, stories emerge of students feeling freer, less distracted, and more present, with more time and energy for the things that matter to them. And yes, implementation will be far from perfect in the initial weeks, but it will get better. Research and innovation will help shape and improve the policy as it goes on. Even with these challenges, the alternative is far worse. Without action, we leave yet another generation to grow up under the rule of a handful of tech companies whose business models depend on capturing as much of childrens time and attention as possible. Australia has long been a global leader in online safety, and the enforcement of this new law is a continuation of that leadership. This policy is grounded in developmental science, consistent with young peoples own reported experiences, and responsive to the collective-action constraints parents face every day. Advertisement Advertisement More social media ban stories Follow our live blog: All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. Your questions answered: How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. A family talks the ban: Tech bros have stolen my family v Dad sits in bed on it watching Youtube. A family has a very honest conversation about the impact of social media on their lives. Advertisement NationalNSWPlanning There will be 6.5m Sydney residents by 2045. Heres where theyre going to live Megan Gorrey December 10, 2025 6:03pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Sydneys supply of new jobs will be turbocharged around dozens of residential and transport hubs under critical plans to guide development for an extra 1.2 million residents in the next 20 years. The Minns governments draft Sydney Plan cements its strategy to organise the fast-growing population around more than 40 interconnected centres to provide most jobs and services. The NSW government wants to arrest Sydneys urban sprawl and build more homes around train stations. Wolter Peeters Those centres would be spread across the city and anchored by the Sydney and Parramatta central business districts, as well as the emerging city of Bradfield near the future Western Sydney Airport. Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the plan, released on Wednesday, would guide land use planning, and housing and employment growth in 33 local government areas in Sydney. Scully said it would provide long-term certainty for residents, councils, businesses and investors. Advertisement It delivers clear direction on how and where new jobs and homes should be located to make living in the city more affordable while driving the growth of Australias largest economy, he said. Related Article Property development Councils accuse Albanese government of preferencing inner-city housing The draft plan builds on the Minns governments major changes to planning legislation aimed at arresting the sprawl of housing on Sydneys fringes by increasing density near train stations and bus interchanges under its transport-oriented development and low- and mid-rise housing policies. The state government is aiming to deliver 377,000 new homes by mid-2029 as agreed under the National Housing Accord, although it has conceded it may miss its targets. Sydney is expected to contribute 264,000 of those homes. The targets are part of the federal governments push to deliver 1.2 million homes in the same period, which is already about 60,000 homes behind schedule. The government said most residential density would continue to be concentrated near existing infrastructure and amenities in Sydneys east. Advertisement Population will continue to be highest in the east of the city due to existing infrastructure over the next 20 years and beyond, while the west is expected to see an increase in growth in the long term as new areas become more serviced and more liveable, the draft plan said. The draft strategy also emphasises the scale of the planning challenges ahead in a fast-growing city predicted to be home to 6.5 million people in the next two decades. It said a growing and changing population, as well as rising housing costs, increasingly affected residents living choices. The draft Sydney Plan envisages 43 interconnected centres for homes, jobs and services, anchored by the established Sydney and Parramatta CBDS, as well as the emerging city of Bradfield near the future Western Sydney Airport. NSW government The citys current 5.3 million population is forecast to surge by 23 per cent by 2045, an increase largely driven by overseas migration. An ageing population means nearly half a million people will be aged 65 or older, and shrinking households have driven more families to choose apartment living. Accessibility to a choice of affordable housing, jobs and services have an impact on the opportunities available to people. Advertisement While commute times vary across the region, imbalances in housing and location of jobs extend these commutes for many people, particularly for communities in the west. Scully said that, as well as planning for housing growth, the government wanted to build homes close to employment centres. Protecting and strengthening employment and industrial lands will further provide critical spaces that support jobs, local manufacturing, innovation and economic prosperity, he said. The plan forecasts the citys working age population will increase by nearly 19 per cent in the next 20 years, while employment is expected to surge by about 700,000 jobs in the same period. It said the rapid jobs growth would open additional opportunities in business services, education, health and manufacturing industries to become even more accessible in the west as new transport infrastructure comes online. Advertisement The draft strategy is one of four regional plans that will be prepared to guide future development in NSW. Related Article City life Cities change: The plan for thousands of new homes in inner Sydney revealed It will be open for consultation until late February, and finalised next year. Councils will have to modify their local planning controls to fit with the plan. Once finalised, the document will replace the regional plan released by the former Greater Sydney Commission in 2018. It planned for a metropolis of three separate but connected cities: the Eastern City near the CBD, the Central City around Parramatta and Olympic Park, and the Western City. The plan mandates the five-year housing targets set by the state government for the 33 councils. Every council must have an affordable housing contribution scheme in place by 2027. Advertisement Urban Development Institute of Australia NSW chief executive Stuart Ayres said both greenfield homes and new units, underpinned by clear local council housing targets, would be critical to boosting supply. The draft plan highlights the need to keep delivering infrastructure to support housing growth. Planning Institute of Australia NSW president Sue Weatherley said the plan was a mechanism to align growth, infrastructure and investment. These reforms can set the foundations for more liveable, resilient and equitable communities, but only if they are shaped through shared vision, shared responsibility and genuine collaboration. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalNetwork outage Banking services restored after thousands of customers hit by Westpac outage Isabel McMillan Updated December 10, 2025 5:21pm ,first published 3:58pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Westpacs internet banking services have been restored after thousands of customers were unable to access their accounts on Wednesday afternoon. The outage, which hit customers around 12.30pm, affected eftpos terminals and online banking across Australia, including through apps or other browsers. Photo: Edwina Pickles At 4.30pm, Westpac confirmed the outage had been restored. Our retail and mobile banking services have now been restored, and EFTPOS payments are working as usual, a spokesperson said. We are working to resolve any remaining issues affecting our business clients and apologise for the inconvenience. Advertisement Westpac warned urged customers to be vigilant as some scammers may be trying to impersonate bank employees offering help. Earlier in the day, Westpac confirmed the bank was aware some customers are experiencing intermittent issues accessing banking services. Were working to restore services as quickly as possible and apologise to customers for the inconvenience, a spokesperson said. Customers at Westpac and Westpac-owned the Bank of Melbourne, St George Bank and Bank SA took to social media to express their frustration. I was just stuck at the servo, one woman said. I couldnt pay via POS, cant access app, had to go through browser, but then it wouldnt let me confirm security via SMS or phone as I was trying to Pay ID the attendant, so that didnt work. I tried an ATM, that didnt work either. Advertisement Another St George Bank customer said she was at a branch and told to quickly use the ATM before it goes down. Some customers received a notification when opening their banking app that they wouldnt be able to access their accounts Mobile banking is currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, the alert said. According to DownDetector, as many as 1000 people reported outages at 1.24pm on Wednesday. Get alerts on breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Advertisement Letters NationalVictoriaLetters Leave Wells alone. Being a politician is tough work December 10, 2025 8:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Photo: Cathy Wilcox 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. I am outraged by the outrage directed at Anika Wells. It is disgraceful behaviour to crucify this woman like this. Being a federal politician requires long hours and a lot of travel. Wont somebody think of her children? Have Australians lost their collective minds? If being a federal politician is such a rort, why dont those condemning her do it? Poor form all round, methinks. Matthew Costigan, Mentone When in a mess, order an inquiry In one episode of the satirical British comedy series The Thick of It the minister is getting a really bad press for his ownership of an apartment in a swish part of London that stays empty most of the year. This is a bad look because the government is also trying to sell a new housing policy that targets absentee owners. The PMs foulmouthed enforcer, Malcolm Tucker, raises the possibility of the ministers resignation over the affair, but in the end the minister is saved because Tucker and the PM have decided on an inquiry, headed by a respected member of Lords. The minister, aware of why inquiries are held, cannot thank Tucker enough for saving his career. The Albanese governments version of an inquiry is the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority, which, as national affairs editor Rob Harris (9/12) no doubt correctly predicts, will find she acted entirely within the rules. Chris Gymer, Metcalfe Waiting for common sense to arrive Well, theres rules, theres common sense, and theres consideration for other people. So leaving drivers waiting for 10 hours (Wells left car waiting for hours when attending NRL grand final, 9/12) when there are these other things called taxis, uber, and public transport, hardly passes the pub test, or the values that I was raised with to do the right thing; the impact on others should be considered and the wasting of public funds (even if the rules allow it at times). And if judgment is out on these matters because the letter of the law allows it, what about judgment on much more serious issues? Peta Colebatch, Hawthorn Advertisement Couldnt the driver have been sent home? My problem with Anika Wells is not the big money, but the small money. How outrageous to keep a Commonwealth car driver waiting for seven hours while she watched a tennis match. Surely she could have told the driver to go home and wait for a call to pick her up. John Rome, Mt Lawley, WA The pub test fails miserably Anika Wells use of perks, agreed by the politically favoured few, not only doesnt meet the pub test, it does not meet any level of constraint, political acumen or understanding of the affordability crisis. Wells was elected to reduce the pressure on Australians, not add to it. Tom Stafford, Wheelers Hill Steady on, she didnt take a helicopter . . . The way some sections of the media are going on about Anika Wells use of entitlements youd think she had taken a taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend a party fundraiser, or bought a holiday apartment while on official business. Robert Shields, Hawthorn East Putting the Wells into welter Anika Wells may have been within the rules but she made, in the vernacular, a welter of it, so it doesnt pass a pub test. Campbell Laughlin, Berwick THE FORUM Advertisement Bans ripple-effects Congratulations to Shona Hendley (Role models and collaborators: How to help kids through the ban, 9/12). I think many young people will have a genuine emotional reaction to the ban. For some, this will look like grief because social media has become their social ecosystem. Others will feel anger, frustration, or simply fear of missing out. We also need to acknowledge there will be teenagers who feel relief. The data shows many kids hate the pressure constant comparison, the performance mentality, the fear of being frozen out. But they havent known how to step away. The ban gives them an enforced circuit-breaker. Were talking here about a withdrawal process from something designed to be addictive. Dopamine didnt switch off neatly on December 10. Expect irritability, boredom, restlessness. These are normal and temporary. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, child and adolescent psychologist, Melbourne Importance of VicHealth VicHealths work is regarded internationally as unique in global health (Pleas to spare VicHealth from axe in cost-cutting, 8/12). It is not just a health promotion funding body but rather an innovator, thought leader and evidence creator in a highly challenged and constrained area of the health budget. It works beyond the traditional territory of the Health Department with community groups, sports and arts organisations, councils, commerce, industry and the media. It has authenticity, trust, skills, networks and a can-do-now approach that is hard to find in government. Importantly, it can take a medium- to long-term view of the drivers of the health and wellbeing and is not limited to the short termism of electoral cycles and the populisms of the day. This is why it was set up as an independent statutory body by the Victorian parliament with tri-partisan support, and still continues to demonstrate its relevance. If, as the government says, investment in health promotion and disease prevention is not to be cut there will be pitiful savings to harvest. However, what will be cut are coalitions and support across diverse sectors and the community, challenging vested interests from whatever source, and championing new ways of promoting better health for all Victorians. Professor John Catford, former chair of VicHealth Whiff of indulgence Regarding Sport Minister Anika Wells seemingly extravagant use of family reunion entitlements, The Ages editorial (10-12) sensibly maintains If no rules broken, the system must change. Taken in isolation, each one of six examples of such entitlements could well be justified, but collectively the overall effect smells of arrogance and self-indulgence. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be furious that this controversy is cramping his governments opportunity to spruik its world-leading social media ban for under 16s, for which, ironically, Wells is the minister responsible. Kevin Burke, Sandringham Bring them home Yes, the 37 women and children, Australian citizens, abandoned in the detention camps in Syria should be brought back to Australia (Labors political timidity on show, 10/12). I have no sympathy for their political beliefs and oppose the reasons they went to Syria in the first place. But we dont know the extent of their compliance or enforcement by conservative families and/or husbands at the time. These children should not be tarred with the sins of their parents and leaving them in Syria, with their mothers, may end up radicalising them in the long term. Bring them home, ensure they are supported and monitored as seems fit, but lets end their misery. Denise Stevens, St Kilda History awaits I couldnt agree more with columnist Michael Bachelards description of Labors political timidity. This applies not only to rescuing the Australian women and children stuck in refugee camps in Syria but to much larger issues affecting the nation. Anthony Albanese has been PM for 3 years, but he has barely made a mark on society. He is competent and has a list of minor reforms to his credit, but he is neither loved, like Hawke, nor disliked, like Morrison in his last year. He has won a second term not because of any great achievements in the first, but because Dutton and the LNP were unelectable. The PM needs to show he has the courage to tackle the challenges facing the nation, particularly growing inequality (reform the tax system?), home ownership (cancel negative gearing?), closing the gap for First Nations citizens and finding a better solution to the refugee problem, which is costing the taxpayer billions of dollars and putting people in inhumane conditions. Radical solutions to these issues would likely win support from the Greens and some independents in the Senate. Next year is your chance, prime minister, to do something history and the nation will remember you for. Edmund Doogue, Crawley, WA Advertisement Ignore the hate The anti-immigration brigade hark back to our White Australia policy and want to blame those who are different for taking jobs, housing, education, medical care etc away from those whove worked hard for these things. Bigotry, selfishness, greed and hatred ascend while compassion, generosity and care for the less fortunate descend. Those who whip up fear of the other are doing it for their own ignorant ends and should be ignored. Don Jordan, Mt Waverley The ills of society It must be time for serious reflection as we approach Christmas and we hear on one hand (from the Salvos), that there will be more people who will struggle to put food on the table this Christmas let alone share in traditional gift giving. On the other hand we read of the apparent wastefulness within some political ranks rationalised as being within the rules or guidelines. This wastefulness is good political fodder for the media and is in dollar terms of little consequence when compared with the waste we have seen on things like some infrastructure projects and our Commonwealth Games fiasco. How is it that in a country as rich as ours we allow the situation flagged by the Salvos to happen? We seem to have adopted many American ways. Have we now adopted the idea that if you are poor, it must be your fault, which many in America see as rational? Something is seriously wrong with our society. Charles Griss, Balwyn The real AUKUS deal Defence Minister Richard Marles says of AUKUS, We are really clear about what America is asking of us and what we are asking of America (Marles silent on US review of AUKUS, 10/12). Marles would not provide any further details. However, Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge says the US gets billions in public funds from Australia, it gets to use Australia as a free real estate for its military, and in exchange it owes Australia nothing but the vague idea that one day, second-hand nuclear submarines might have an Australian flag painted on them. That pretty well sums it up. Leigh Ackland, Deepdene The roots of housing crisis There are two major contributors to the housing crisis. Immigration is not a third. First, the building of housing is largely determined by where developers see they can make a buck, regardless of what is already on a site and what amenities and infrastructure might or might not be in place already. Second, housing as an investment means housing is built to suit investors needs, not the needs of those wanting a home. Consequently, we get raised costs for both home buyers and renters. Until we stop the tail wagging the dog in both those scenarios, the housing crisis will continue. Margaret Callinan, Hawthorn Being healthy bears fruit Why would anyone need to buy unhealthy, ultra-processed, sugary snacks for babies and toddlers (Toddler, baby snacks set up children for sugar addiction, 10/12)? We already have an exciting range of healthy, natural options that come in their own biodegradable packaging. These wonder snacks are called fruit. April Baragwanath, Geelong Advertisement Independent studies Columnist Isaac Gross independent economic evaluation of the Metro Tunnel project (10/12) is pertinent. In addition to the major questions about the economic issues, there are also significant concerns about the Metro Tunnels effects on the net accessibility, convenience and travel times for many passengers on the directly affected Pakenham, Cranbourne and Sunbury lines. Surely, it is now time to have expert, independent evaluation studies to identify the best cost-benefit options for improving Melbournes future transport infrastructure. In the meantime, work on the Suburban Rail Loop project should be paused as soon as possible, before umpteen billions of dollars are sunk down another far more massive tunnel, and, in the process, a whole host of other valuable government services are curtailed and Victoria is sunk even deeper into debt. David Langmore, Traralgon Wise counsel I applaud the social media ban for young people, but are they being offered counselling for withdrawal from this addiction? Suzanne Palmer-Holton, Seaford Dumb and dumber US President Donald Trump has said that some leaders are smart and some are stupid. He ought to know. Barry Revill, Moorabbin Advertisement Photo: Matt Golding AND ANOTHER THING State politics The rejuvenation of the state opposition under new leader Jess Wilson failed at the first hurdle (High emotion as Coalition wont say sorry, 10/12). Phil Alexander, Eltham The Liberals oppose sorry and treaty, but say they will work towards better outcomes for Indigenous Victorians. Its a line often used by state and federal Liberals. But there hasnt been evidence of how this will be done. Marie Nash, Balwyn Advertisement Re apology to First Nations people, given recent evidence of Peter Duttons unprecedented unpopularity, Jess Wilson may have been better advised to distance herself from his tactics, rather than aping them. Helmut Simon, Thomson Re the apology, thank you Jacinta Allan. What a heart-felt Christmas present for us all. Pat Rivett, Ferntree Gully Federal politics Re Anika Wells, I cant help thinking there but for the grace of God go I. Except, of course, I have never had my chauffeur wait for me at the tennis for seven hours. Neale Meagher, Malvern Politicians claiming they dont set the rules in relation to expenses, is a cop out. Malcolm McDonald, Burwood Barnaby, please explain. Paul Miller, Albury Advertisement Furthermore Re Donald Trumps FIFA peace award, if he is to be bestowed any award at all it should be the Big Cheese Award For Making America Grate Again. Donald Hirst, Armadale After a day exploring the Metro tunnel and associated stations one can only be amazed at this engineering feat. All of Melbourne should be proud of such visionary infrastructure. Arthur Pritchard, Ascot Vale Cheer up teenagers. All is not lost. You can read a book, go to an art gallery, watch old movies, try a Rubiks cube or play Scrabble. Vacuum your room. The alternatives to being mesmerised by your phone are staggering. Myra Fisher, Brighton East Ali Agha arrived in Australia nearly two years ago as a refugee from Afghanistan. After overcoming significant challenges, he achieved an ATAR of 93.1. Ali, his mother and brothers were separated from their father for 13 years, before the family were reunited in Australia at the beginning of 2024. Ali Agha arrived in Australia nearly two years ago as a refugee from Afghanistan. He was initially enrolled at Copperfield College in Melbournes north-west in year 10, as he faced significant language barriers. But after working diligently to improve, Ali moved up to year 11 halfway through 2024, meaning he could graduate this year. His scores should be enough to get him into a bachelor of science with a masters in biomedical engineering at the University of Melbourne next year. Eventually, he wants to be a doctor. When I was living in Afghanistan, I saw people who really needed medical treatment and other healthcare, and it was not available to them, he said. There are not many doctors back there, and not many public hospitals for people In the very remote villages, where its very hard to access healthcare, people can walk two or three hundred kilometres just to get to hospital. He juggled his year 12 studies with working close to full-time hours each week at Officeworks. My teachers tried to convince me to work less, but I told them, no I cant. No one wants to work in year 12 but I have to, he said. I had to work while studying because I have to save money for uni fees because my family is not able to pay them. His principal, Nick Adamou, said Ali had shown an unwavering commitment to his education. Twenty-two per cent of Copperfield College students obtained an ATAR over 80 this year, and the school had a median study score of 28. Advertisement NationalWACourts Perth man fined for Nazi salute outside pub after March for Australia rally Rebecca Peppiatt December 10, 2025 7:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A A white supremacist who was filmed by fellow patrons at a Perth pub performing Nazi gestures and making racial slurs after Augusts March for Australia rally has been fined. As he exited Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Daniel Stocks told waiting media he was proud to be a neo-Nazi. Daniel Stocks leaving Perth Magistrates Court following an earlier appearance. 9 News Perth Stocks was overheard by patrons at Fenians Irish Pub making racial slurs while socialising with a group of people from the National Socialist Network after the rally. He also performed a Nazi salute while being filmed by onlookers. The 36-year-old was arrested in Jurien Bay in mid-October and charged with making a Nazi gesture in a public place. Advertisement At the time, Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia said Stocks alleged actions were unAustralian. He needs to take a good long look at himself, Papalia said. On Wednesday, Stocks pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $1800, plus costs. Mosman Park council candidate narrowly avoids jail over Nazi salute A second Perth man also escaped jail time on Wednesday after he was charged with making a Nazi salute and assaulting a police officer. Advertisement Samuel Croll, 21, was out in Fremantle on October 3 when he approached two men and assaulted them unprovoked. The fight escalated and, when the police intervened, Croll lashed out at the officer. Samuel Croll ran for a spot on council in the Town of Mosman Park. Croll ran for the Town of Mosman Park council in Octobers local government elections, but failed to get elected. On Wednesday, Perth Magistrates Court was told that after he was taken to Fremantle Police Station, Croll began yelling racial slurs at officers. He slapped the right side of his chest and raised his hand up in a Nazi salute, yelling, f--- the Jews and heil Hitler, prosecutors told the court. Advertisement Crolls actions were all captured on CCTV. Related Article Local government Man charged with performing Nazi salute throws hat in ring for WA council elections On Wednesday, the charge of made a Nazi gesture that would be visible in a public place was dropped, but Croll was still charged with conduct intended to racially harass in relation to an earlier incident where he was yelling racial Jewish slurs during an online live stream. While sentencing Croll, Magistrate Andrew Matthews said making a Nazi salute was a serious offence and parliament intended for it to be dealt with harshly as a deterrent. As much as it has seemed to gain traction in Australia, it is something to be condemned, Matthews said. Advertisement Unfortunately, we may see more offences of this kind if the community continues to put up with people who make these choices. Why dont you choose to lead a more pro-social life, find your kicks some other way? Matthews sentenced Croll to eight months in prison for assaulting the police officer but suspended the term for 12 months. He was fined $1000 for the racial harassment, plus another $500 for his other charges. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities were criticized for imposing a one-year ban on popular social media app Rednote by a mainland official, who said the ban has "trampled on democracy and undermined the freedom" of people in Taiwan. At a regular press conference, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the ban has deprived Taiwan people -- especially the young ones -- of their right to access information and their freedom to use social media platforms, and has seriously harmed the livelihoods of those on the island who depend on the app for their income. The Shanghai-headquartered Rednote is a popular social media platform among Chinese-speaking communities. The majority of its users seek tips on fashion, beauty, travel, and other parts of everyday life. The app has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, and about 70 percent are under the age of 35. Chen said friendly interactions on the app have helped Taiwan's young people learn about what is really going on in the mainland. The ban has punctured the information "echo chamber" deliberately constructed by the DPP authorities, the spokesman said. It has countered their smear campaign to vilify the mainland and exposed their fear and anxiety, he added. Advertisement Exclusive NationalWAFIFA Perths historic AC Milan match for points game in tatters Owen Leonard and Connor McGoverne December 10, 2025 9:15pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Perths push to host a landmark clash between Italian football giants AC Milan and Como in February at Optus Stadium is in tatters. The historic match-up was set to be the first European league match played for points on foreign soil, and was in October reluctantly approved by the continents governing body UEFA. Italian soccer giants AC Milan were lined up for an historic Serie A fixture in Perth. Giuseppe Cottini/AC Milan However, Western Australias proposed hosting of the Serie A showdown has not cleared final hurdles, with the sports global authority FIFA failing to tick it off. It is unclear why the match has not been given final approval, but the proposal faced significant backlash from fans opposed to playing league games overseas. Advertisement AC Milan first began a search for a host in February because of the unavailability of the clubs 75,000-seat stadium, San Siro, due to the Winter Olympics. The club had already established a strong relationship with the WA government having played pre-season friendlies in Perth, while Australia was viewed as a favourable destination with a strong fan base. It placed Optus Stadium in the box seat for hosting rights to the watershed clash, which was scheduled to be played in the middle of an action-packed fortnight for the ground, including an Ed Sheeran concert on February 1 and AFLs State of Origin blockbuster on February 14. Sport and recreation minister Rita Saffioti said the state government had been working through a complex approvals process involving five governing sport bodies. A number of conditions have been placed on the sanctioning of the game, very late in the piece, conditions that we believe are extremely difficult to meet. However we are working through those with FIFA, she said. Advertisement We recognise this game represents an incredible opportunity to market Perth and Western Australia to a global audience, like never before. Our efforts to secure this world-first match have already generated hundreds of millions of dollars worth of coverage in global media, highlighting how big this event would be for our state. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Key points Children under 16 have been blocked from their social media accounts after world-first laws came into effect on December 10. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese championed the historic ban as a profound, globally influential cultural reform. While hundreds of thousands of accounts were deactivated, many young users evaded restrictions and posted videos mocking the governments rollout. Hundreds of thousands of young Australians have been booted off apps such as Instagram and Snapchat, while others have evaded the federal governments social media ban on its first day and left messages mocking Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his TikTok page. But the prime minister declared victory on Wednesday as he gave a formal address at his Kirribilli residence that heralded the under-16 social media ban as one of Australias greatest ever reforms that would soon lead to change across the globe. Loading This will make an enormous difference. It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced. Its a profound reform which will continue to reverberate around the world, in coming months, to assist not just this generation but generations to come, Albanese said. It wont be perfect. This is a big change ... Success is the fact that its happening. Success is the fact that were having this discussion. Parents are talking to their children around the breakfast table. Teachers... will be speaking to their students. Advertisement About a million teenagers between 13 and 16 woke on Wednesday wondering whether their social media accounts would be deleted on the day that 10 tech platforms Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit were required to stop under-16s signing up and show proof they were removing underage accounts. Children are bragging online about still being able to access social media Content creators made farewell videos on their pages some set to the lyrics of Adeles Skyfall, when she sings this is the end while others triumphantly noted their continuing presence on the apps. They posted comments with timestamps saying they were still here, or quoted lyrics to Elton Johns hit Im Still Standing. It didnt work bud, one underage user commented on Albaneses TikTok post about the ban. Albanese, Communications Minister Anika Wells and eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant all stressed the bans first months would be messy and families shouldnt expect perfection, as teens bragged online about escaping the first round of deactivations. Advertisement Australian users are facing a disjointed mix of AI analysis, video selfies and government-ID checks to prove they are over 16. X, formerly known as Twitter, is taking a unique AI-driven approach by relying on its Grok model to estimate user ages based on account behaviour, a wildly different approach from competitors relying on biometrics. Related Article Social media Australia social media ban as it happened: PM lauds decision as children under 16 barred from social media in world-first; Wells says more than 200,000 TikTok accounts deactivated Meta and TikTok have begun enforcing verify or purge mandates using third-party facial age-estimation tools, while Snapchat is routing users through banking-grade digital ID systems like ConnectID. Wells said teenagers who retained their account access on Wednesday shouldnt expect to stay undetected until they turned 16. Just because they might have avoided it today, doesnt mean they will be able to avoid it in a weeks time or a months time. The social media platforms have to go back and routinely check under-16 accounts, she said. Advertisement The minister said she was measuring success in three ways: having a national conversation about social media habits, the fact 10 other countries have said they will follow Australias lead, and the number of deactivated accounts. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House on Wednesday. Kate Geraghty Tech platforms and the eSafety Commission on Wednesday said it was too early to share data, although Wells said 200,000 TikTok accounts had already been removed. Were going to see hundreds of thousands [more] across the next few days and weeks, she said. We are measuring that through writing to the platforms tomorrow... Were going to them every month to make sure that downward trend is happening. Wells told radio earlier in the day the transition would be rough for teenagers, but for very good reason. Advertisement We hope that teens will be feeling the effects of real-world connections and wont be feeling so shackled to the online life, she said. Fourteen-year-old Ryan Angler spent his first day without social media riding his bike after he was banned from Snapchat. Ryan Angler, 14, rides his bike at Bondi Beach after the social media ban began. Louise Kennerley I just wanted to meet up with all my friends, but I couldnt really because I dont have their numbers before we lost social media, the Sydney teenager said. Now Im going to try to get all the numbers from school. Advertisement Ryan said he was bummed to lose access but was now looking to other activities. Ive just been riding around on my bike, playing games on my computer and laying down on my bed [since the ban] because I couldnt do anything, he said. Ill probably do more fishing, I want to do it more. Im keen to have more time to focus on it. But it was a more difficult day for 11-year-old Wyatt Thompson, in the regional NSW mining town Broken Hill. Theres a lot of implications there to not having any access to it, his mother, Krystle Evans, said. Wyatt Thompson, 11, who lives in Broken Hill, says his main way of contacting his friends is through social media. Em Jensen Melbourne teaching assistant Tania Kaniz said some students were feeling anxious. I dont see anyone whos really happy. Some of the students are saying, like, They shouldnt ban it but Im OK, she said. Advertisement Alternative social media apps that are not covered by the ban, Lemon8, Yope and Coverstor, dominated the Apple app stores list of top free apps in Australia on Wednesday. Inman Grant said she would issue notices to the 10 platforms on Thursday already included in the ban, requesting data about the number of accounts that were deactivated, releasing that information to the public before Christmas. Related Article Opinion Social media I wrote the book on anxious kids. It doesnt matter if this ban isnt perfect Jonathan Haidt Author, social psychologist It will form the baseline against which well measure compliance, she said. As we said many times, were not expecting flawlessness. We have built in allowances for that. Enforcement will target systemic failures after rigorous investigation and under our own terms and our own time. These isolated cases of teenage creativity, circumvention, spooling, and other ingenious ways that people will push boundaries will continue to fill newspaper pages, but we wont be deterred, were playing the long game, she said. Advertisement Advertisement PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Queensland to slap ankle monitors on 10-year-olds on bail Julius Dennis Updated December 10, 2025 7:51pm ,first published 12:12pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Queensland children as young as 10 could be fitted with ankle monitors when applying for bail in a further expansion of the LNP governments tough on crime agenda. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber introduced the laws in parliament on Wednesday following a trial that focused on serious youth offenders aged between 15 and 17 in certain parts of the state. First-time offenders can be fitted with an electronic monitoring device if the court thinks its appropriate for community safety, she said. Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber. Jamila Filippone Gerber said the new laws would apply to children as young as 10 on bail, with courts given the discretion to apply the monitors after considering a suitability assessment from police. Advertisement She said there were currently 32 youths wearing the monitors on bail. The report assessing the success of the trial was also tabled in parliament on Wednesday, which Gerber said showed the monitors were a significant deterrent to reoffending. Related Article Child safety Former Labor ministers grilled over delayed child protection scheme Premier David Crisafulli said the laws would help police track repeat offenders. No rollout of GPS trackers means every person behaves, but its another option, he said. Later in parliament, Crisafulli brushed off potential criticism about the low age threshold and concerns the devices would further stigmatise vulnerable children. Advertisement Theres a way around it dont offend, he said. I know whats going to happen, because those opposite dont have their heart in it. They dont believe in stronger laws. Gerber said the number of serious repeat youth offenders had dropped in the state by 16 per cent in the state. Between December 13, 2024, and September 30 this year, there were 378 serious repeat youth offenders, a drop from 451 for the same period 12 months before. Advertisement Youth detention centres were at 70 per cent capacity following the opening of the Wacol Remand Centre in Brisbanes south-west in March. Debbie Kilroy, head of advocacy organisation Sisters Inside, said the devices would funnel children into deeper criminalisation. Instead of building the supports young people need to thrive, we are building the digital cages that will follow them into adulthood, she said. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaMental health Abolition of lived experience test for mental health leaders alarms industry Rachel Eddie December 10, 2025 7:30pm 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 A A A A requirement for leaders in mental healthcare to have lived experience has been slashed by the Allan government in what industry figures say is an alarming step backwards. The restructure of two bodies established as part of the royal commission also triggered concern that some of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissions oversight powers were being dismantled, which the government disputes. Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes release the government response to the Silver review. Wayne Taylor Self Help Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) chief executive Clare Davies wrote to Premier Jacinta Allan on Monday to oppose the alarming revelation that the commission would lose three of its four commissioners. The government as part of its Silver review to find savings in the public service is also removing one of two chief executives from the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Advertisement They have abolished the need for any of the leadership positions to be filled by people who have been affected by mental health challenges. Davies, in her letter to the premier, said the royal commission was unequivocal that people with lived experience had to be at the centre of reform and that the change would compromise quality. Eliminating these roles would dismantle mechanisms designed to uphold accountability and co-design, directly contradicting the royal commissions recommendations, she wrote. Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) secretary Paul Healey called it a betrayal and claimed the system was now worse than before the 2021 Royal Commission into Victorias Mental Health System. Lived experience voices are being erased, and the system they fought to improve is being pushed backwards. Our members are on the frontlines seeing the damage every day, Healey said. Advertisement Legislation tabled in parliament also clarifies the commissions monitoring and reporting functions. Its ability to oversee the quality and safety of the system will be limited to responding to complaints. The commission will also lose its responsibility to oversee outcomes for the community, to instead focus on system outcomes. Related Article Mental health More kids in crisis, suicides rise: Despair as tsunami of psychiatric ill-health sweeps Victoria The minister will now set the commissions objectives each year, and it will only be able to access data from health services, though the government rejects any of the proposed changes will limit its oversight powers. The commissions most recent annual report, published on Tuesday, tracked progress the government had made but was largely reliant on publicly available data. The Department of Health very recently provided additional information, the report said, which the commission said it included despite having insufficient time to consider the information fully. Advertisement Pru Howell-Jay, chair of the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC), said the governments proposed changes would clearly limit the commissions capacity to oversee progress. This decision reverses the royal commission recommendation. It takes us back to pre-royal commission, which is really disappointing, Howell-Jay told The Age. Howell-Jay submitted her own mental health story to the royal commission. It took a lot of courage, she said. It came with a lot of hope for change, for a better system. We were promised that all the recommendations would be implemented So many people put their heart on the line, reliving their trauma for change. And now were feeling like, what was it for? Advertisement Vrinda Edan, chief executive of VMIAC, said there had been no collaboration, no consultation, no partnering with us and no seeking our view on the overhaul. She said the council understood the governments budget constraints but that there were better ways of finding savings. VMIAC was questioning whether the government had an ongoing commitment to implementing the royal commission, Edan said. We havent formed a full view yet. Tandem Carers acting chief executive Jane Dunne said the advocacy group for carers and support people was deeply concerned. We are seeking urgent clarity on how a strong carer perspective will remain embedded in Victorias mental health reforms, and whether these changes reflect a shift away from a government commitment to the royal commissions vision to centre lived experience in system transformation. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Healthcare Bone-headed decision: Government under pressure to spare VicHealth from axe Mental Health Victoria chief executive Phillipa Thomas said it was still unclear whether funding to implement the recommendations was having the intended impact and whether progress against the royal commission was being adequately tracked. A Victorian government spokesman said the state was leading the nation in mental health reform. Were not wasting a minute building a system that works for every Victorian, no matter where they live, he said. The proposed changes are about strengthening leadership and accountability in the mental health system. Advertisement The commission will remain a critical part of our oversight framework, and these changes will focus the commission on the areas where it can have the greatest impact safeguarding rights, resolving complaints and helping improve the mental health system. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. A New Zealand police officer who interrupted his London holiday to detain four people after they allegedly threw custard at the Crown Jewels says he was pretty sure his arrests would stick, despite the fact he was almost 20,000 kilometres away from his usual jurisdiction. Senior Constable Mark Strongman was lining up with his family to see the Crown Jewels on Saturday as part of a European holiday when he heard a commotion ahead of him. He then saw a substance reportedly custard and fruit crumble had been thrown over a display case holding the Imperial State Crown, and immediately switched into work mode. Take Back Power activists pose in front of a dessert-smeared Crown Jewels case at the Tower of London. The State Crown was not damaged during the custard and crumble incident. Take Back Power I walked up to the two female suspects and introduced myself, informing them that I was arresting them for criminal behaviour and advised them of their rights, Strongman, who usually works with commercial vehicle safety in New Zealand, said. I took an oath to the Crown so I figured my arrests procedures would stick. Advertisement WorldEuropeUK Stakeknife: British agent inside IRA committed murders with MI5s knowledge Sylvia Hui December 10, 2025 11:58am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points A final report into the activities of Stakeknifea top British spy embedded within IRA reveals that UK security services (MI5) had greater and earlier knowledge of his crimes than previously admitted. The report outlines a decades-long suppression of truth regarding the agents involvement in murder, abduction, and torture. He was considered the crown jewel of British intelligence, paid hundreds of thousands of pounds, and died without ever being charged or convicted of any offences. London: The United Kingdoms security services protected a top spy planted within the Irish Republican Army when they knew he was wanted by police for murder, and continued to suppress the truth about the agent decades after Northern Irelands bloody conflict, a new report reveals. A final report into the actions of the notorious agent codenamed Stakeknife a senior IRA member who passed information to British intelligence during the conflict known as the Troubles revealed that Britains MI5 intelligence agency had greater and earlier knowledge of his activities than previously known. Freddie Scappaticci, who is believed to be the British agent codenamed Stakeknife, was a double agent in the IRA from the 1970s to the early 1990s. The 164-page report links Stakeknife widely believed to be the senior IRA member Freddie Scappaticci, described by Londons Telegraph as an executioner to the IRAs ruthless internal security unit. Operating for decades from the 1970s, he was allegedly involved in more than a dozen killings, abductions and torture but even now, the UK government refuses to confirm the agents identity, maintaining protocol. Advertisement Scappaticci died at age 77 in 2023 without ever being charged or convicted of any offences during the Troubles. Senior military figures treated him as the crown jewel of British intelligence, and he had a reputation as the goose that laid the golden eggs, according to the Telegraph. He was paid hundreds of thousands of pounds by the British Army and a military unit known as the Rat Hole was established to assist with his management. The police investigation known as Operation Kenova examined about 100 killings and abductions linked to the IRAs notorious nutting squad, which was responsible for interrogating, torturing and killing people suspected of passing information to British security forces during the conflict. While the probe began in 2016, the new report revealed MI5 provided fresh material as recently as last year. It showed that Stakeknifes handlers twice flew him out of Northern Ireland for holidays when they knew he was wanted for conspiracy to murder and false imprisonment. MI5 director general Ken McCallum said he was sorry for the late discoveries, but maintained that no files were deliberately withheld. He offered sympathies to the victims and families of those who were tortured or killed by the IRA. Advertisement MI5 retrieved and provided to the Kenova investigation a very large volume of historical records, he said. Regrettably, after this extensive disclosure process was complete, we discovered additional relevant information. MI5 informed Kenova and shared the material without delay. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaks to the media in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after the release of the Kenova report on Tuesday. Getty Images Jon Boutcher, the chief constable of Northern Irelands police force, said the late disclosure of the files was a serious organisational failure on the part of MI5 that undermined the trust of victims and their families. The organisations role in running Stakeknife was far from peripheral, as had been claimed, he said. Advertisement Boutcher said while the spy was an important source of intelligence, he was also involved in the most serious and inexcusable criminality while operating as an agent, including murders. He added that the governments refusal to officially name the agent was untenable and bordering on farce. Paul Wilson, whose father Thomas Emmanuel Wilson was killed by the IRA in 1987. Getty Images The families of some of those killed by the ISU said Kenova missed a key detail in not naming Stakeknife. You cant investigate the agent known as Stakeknife, spend all the money, and then not find out who he is that seems like a gaping own goal, said Paul Wilson, whose father Thomas Emmanuel Wilson was killed in 1987. Advertisement Moira Todd, whose brother Eugene Simons disappeared in 1981, said her family had searched for years trying to find him, but authorities knew all along what had happened to him. His body was found years later by chance in a shallow grave in County Louth. Its 45 years ago, almost to the day, since my brother was taken and tortured by Stakeknife. He was murdered after. The authorities had all the details, she said. Moira Todds brother Eugene Simons disappeared in 1981. His body was found in a shallow grave years later. Getty Images I just want someone to take me into a room and tell me the truth. If they want a non-disclosure agreement, Ill sign it. I just want to know the truth. Forty-five years on, Im sitting here, really none the wiser, and hearing about the truth being suppressed, and the government avoiding accountability, and its just totally frustrating. Advertisement The inquirys author, Sir Iain Livingstone, called on authorities to make an exception and name Stakeknife, arguing it was in the public interest. Operation Kenova found that the cultivation and recruitment of Stakeknife started in the 1970s, and he continued to operate as an agent into the 1990s. It discovered more than 3500 intelligence reports from the spy, but found that authorities often appeared to prioritise the protection of the agent at the expense of others who were harmed or killed. A relative of a victim holds a copy of the Kenova report. Getty Images The Telegraph reported that the Kenova report estimated that the number of lives saved by his intelligence-gathering was between the high single figures and low double figures. Livingstone, concluded it was likely that Stakeknifes actions resulted in more lives being lost than were saved. However, some British military figures questioned that. Advertisement Colonel Tim Collins, a former British Army officer who served with the SAS and as commander of the Royal Irish Regiment during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, said agents such as Stakeknife helped prevent wider bloodshed. The report lays bare a catalogue of failures operational, ethical and institutional that cannot be ignored, he said, writing for the Telegraph. Kenova head Sir Iain Livingstone. Getty Images The question is not whether agent-handling was perfect. It wasnt. The question is whether it was necessary. And it was because the alternative was far worse. Colonel Philip Ingram, a former officer in army intelligence who claimed to have known some of Stakeknifes handlers insisted the agent would have saved more people than investigators have claimed. Advertisement Whats impossible to put out are those he will have saved indirectly by other operations being disrupted or the right comments [that] pushed other potential operations in another direction. Stakeknife and other agents will have saved hundreds if not thousands of lives, he told the Telegraph. The 1998 Good Friday Agreement largely ended the conflict involving Irish republican and British loyalist militants and the UK security forces that left 3600 people dead, some 50,000 wounded, and thousands bereaved. AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: UK Northern Ireland Ireland Crime Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaTrump's America Australians to be forced to provide their social media to enter the US Michael Koziol Updated December 11, 2025 4:50pm ,first published December 11, 2025 5:29am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Washington: Australian travellers will be forced to provide their social media details to US authorities to enter the country under the popular Visa Waiver Program, as part of new Trump administration rules for enhanced vetting of foreigners. Applying for a visa waiver is also set to get more complicated, with authorities planning to collect far more detailed information including five years of phone numbers, 10 years of email addresses, IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photos, biometrics, and information about family members. Travellers using the ESTA program would be forced to provide five years worth of social media details under the new rules. Getty Images Australia is one of 42 countries with access to the Visa Waiver Program, allowing visitors to enter the US for 90 days by obtaining a waiver, known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which is available quickly and costs only $US40 ($60). A notice filed by US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security overnight is seeking comment on a proposal that will require ESTA applicants to provide the names of their social media accounts for the past five years. Advertisement Currently, ESTA applicants may voluntarily provide their social media history, and are prompted for their Facebook profile, LinkedIn name, Instagram handle and Twitter/X identification but it is not yet mandatory. CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an ESTA application, the notice filed overnight said. The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is overseeing the administrations immigration crackdown. AP It says the change is designed to comply an executive order from President Donald Trump in January, titled: Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. That order compelled authorities to re-establish a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and procedures, consistent with the uniform baseline that existed on January 19, 2021 [the last day of Trumps first term] that will be used for any alien seeking a visa or immigration benefit of any kind. Advertisement CBP will also add several high-value data fields to the ESTA application when feasible. These fields include: phone numbers for the past five years, email addresses for the past 10 years, IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photos, family member names, numbers, dates of birth, places of birth and place of residence, biometrics such as face, fingerprint, DNA and iris, and business contact details. The changes are open to public comment for the next 60 days and must be approved by the powerful Office of Management and Budget, run by Trump appointee Russell Vought. More than 1 million Australians visited the United States in 2024. Australia is one of 42 countries with access to the Visa Waiver Program for short stays. Getty US immigration advisory firm Fragomen says that if the changes are implemented, visitors to the US should be aware they will be asked for a higher level of personal detail and become subject to a social media review. The increase in data collection could also mean that ESTA applicants would face an increased likelihood of being flagged for closer scrutiny and/or would experience longer waits for ESTA approval, Fragomen says. Advertisement Related Article Opinion USA Ludicrous list of new entry requirements might make US travel too hard Anthony Dennis Editor, Traveller The United States, like Australia, is a sovereign nation, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Thursday. They have a right to set the rules which are there. And we give advice on Smartraveller to Australians travelling to destinations overseas about what are the expectations of particular countries so we comply with laws. This is a decision that the United States is making. We recognise that. More than 1 million Australians travelled to the US in 2024, with most using the Visa Waiver Program for short stays. From January to October this year, 810,000 Australians have entered the US down 5.6 per cent, US data says. For tourist visas, the number is down 6.4 per cent. A spokesperson for Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said visa conditions were a matter for the country that issues them. Advertisement Other countries on the program that will be affected by the new policy include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and Qatar. In June, Australian man Alistair Kitchen was detained and questioned at the US border about pro-Palestinian protests he attended while studying at Columbia University, and which he wrote about on his blog. US President Donald Trump dances on Tuesday after speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania at which he resurrected his previous complaints about shithole countries. AP He said he was questioned about his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and ultimately deported back to Australia after admitting to past drug use. The latest move expands on the Trump administrations immigration crackdown following the shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington in November, over which an Afghan refugee has been charged. Advertisement Related Article FIFA World Cup The US expects fans to flock to the World Cup. But has Trump scored an own goal? The US plans to expand the travel ban that Trump applied in June to 19 countries, including 12 that are subject to a complete ban and seven that have a partial one. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, local time, Trump resurrected his infamous description of shithole countries, which was leaked from a meeting with lawmakers during his first term. We had a meeting, and I say, Why is it that we only take people from shithole countries? Trump told the rally. Why cant we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few but we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. Advertisement With Brittany Busch Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaTrade wars Opinion Tariff rescue: Trump gives Band-Aids to the farmers he hurt Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist December 10, 2025 12:03pm December 10, 2025 12:03pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A This week Donald Trump announced an $18 billion bailout of US farmers, saying that it wouldnt have been possible without the revenue from his tariffs. It seemed to escape him that the $US12 billion aid package wouldnt have been necessary if not for his tariffs. The tariffs are taking in, you know, hundreds of billions of dollars, and were giving some up to farmers because they were mistreated by other countries, for maybe the right reasons, maybe wrong reasons, he said, when announcing the package. It was Trumps tariffs on everyone, but most notably China, that largely shut US farmers out of key markets. AP This money would not be possible without the tariffs. Without it, we wouldnt be able to help you, he said, without a trace of any awareness of the reality that he is actually compensating them for some of financial hurt he and his beloved tariffs have inflicted on them. It was Trumps tariffs on everyone, but most notably China, that largely shut US farmers out of key markets. Advertisement Soybean farmers, in particular, who export about half of their production about 60 per cent of which used to be sold to China before Trumps first trade war in 2018 saw US exports largely displaced by Brazilian production have seen their exports to that market plummet by 33 per cent compared with last year. After Trump and Xi Jinping agreed a form of trade truce in late October, China did pledge to buy 12 million tonnes of soybeans this year and 25 million tonnes a year for the next three years but, so far within sight of the end of the year it has bought less than 3 million tonnes. With a record harvest, but prices about half what they were before the 2018 trade hostilities, soybeans are piling up in US storage facilities. US crop receipts are their lowest since 2007 and farm bankruptcies have leapt by 20 per cent this year. Agricultural economists have estimated that US farmers will lose $44 billion this year, so the one-off bridge payments (which is how the administration refers to them) are a Band-Aid for the farmers woes, not a solution. Advertisement This is not the first time Trump has had to pay farmers compensation for his tariff. During the trade war in his first term, he handed out $US23 billion of aid. The farmers would, youd assume, prefer to be able to trade freely rather than rely on government charity. Related Article Opinion Donald Trump Hail to the king: Trump will steer battle for the future of Hollywood Elizabeth Knight Business columnist Trump and his officials have described the payments as a bridge to tide the farmers over until China delivers on its promises, even though the experience of the 2020 phase one trade deal, in which China made similar promises that it didnt meet, suggests theres a possibility that it will be a bridge to nowhere. Its consistent, however, with the administrations broader assertions that Americans only have to wait initially it was supposed to be this year, now its next year and beyond for the benefits of the tariffs to flow. The administration has previously rolled back tariffs on coffee, bananas, tomatoes and other foods that the US doesnt produce in significant quantities in an attempt to blunt the impact of tariffs-induced spikes in prices and the cost of living for US households Advertisement Now it is subsidising its own agricultural production, while blaming the Biden administration and other countries for the losses of markets and the affordability crisis for middle and lower income household in the US that its own policies have created. Trump doesnt seem to be able to connect the dots between the cause and the effect. The hardship being experienced by US farmers isnt only due to the closure of the Chinese market to their products after the April 2 Liberation Day tariffs. Its not just a revenue problem. Their input costs have risen sharply because fertiliser prices and farm machinery prices, among other items, have also jumped because of Trumps tariffs. The administration lowered the tariffs on some fertilisers last month in an implicit recognition of their impact, although Trump this week threatened very severe tariffs on Canadian potash in order to boost domestic production of fertilisers. About 95 per cent of Canadas potash is exported, with about 50 per cent of those export volumes directed to the US. A tariff on potash would flow through to another hike in farm costs. Farm machinery prices have risen because Trump slapped 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium and tariffs on other imported items used in their manufacture. About a quarter of the components in a John Deere tractor are imported. Advertisement Trump, predictably, blames Joe Bidens environmental rules for the rising cost of farm machinery and has said he will wind them back. You buy it, its got so much equipment on it for the environmental, it doesnt do anything except it makes the equipment much more expensive and much more complicated to work, he said on Tuesday. John Deere has said that Trumps tariffs, particularly those on steel and aluminium, will cost it $US600 million this year. It has laid off about 240 workers this year in response. The other challenge for US farmers is labour. Trumps aggressive crackdown on undocumented immigrants has produced a shortage of labour and forced up labour costs. More than 40 per cent of US crop workers lack legal status. So, the tariffs have closed markets and reduced farm income while the tariffs and immigration policies have driven up costs. The bailout might help some farmers limp on into next year, but they arent a long-term response to the bind the farmers find themselves in. Advertisement The lost markets, higher fertiliser and machinery costs and shrunken pool of labour are structural changes to the economics of American farms that cant easily, or readily, be unwound. Related Article Opinion Active investing From AI to Bitcoin: These five trends will dominate markets in 2026 Even if China does buy more soybeans and other agricultural commodities, it will buy much less than it did before Trump decided tariffs had magical qualities, able to fix the US trade deficit, rebuild the US manufacturing base, reduce US deficits and debt, fund $2000 dividends to households and even enable the abolishment of US income taxes. Oh, and bail out farmers. China helped build the infrastructure in Brazil than has enabled it to displace the US as its major supplier of soybeans. It has also begun buying the beans from Argentina, much to the chagrin of the US farmers, who saw their administration give that country a $US20 billion bailout package that helped it sell up to $US7 billion of soybeans to China. Having been burned twice by Trumps tariffs, China will maintain the diversity of supply it has helped create. Its market, and those of other countries hit by the tariffs, will never be as open to US producers as they once were. Advertisement That has longer-term implications for the size and structure of the already heavily subsidised US agricultural sector, none of them pleasant. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon. Advertisement WorldOceaniaSocial media Parents need help: US Republicans back Australias social media ban as tech groups attack Michael Koziol Updated December 10, 2025 6:00pm ,first published December 10, 2025 10:51am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Key points Republican senator Josh Hawley strongly backs an Australia-style ban, believing American parents would welcome the age restriction for social media. Potential Democratic presidential contender Rahm Emanuel also supported the world-first move, arguing adults, not algorithms, should raise children. However, technology lobby groups in the US are actively fighting the policy, claiming it will severely disadvantage US-based companies and is intrusive. Washington: Australias ban on social media for children has galvanised advocates for change in the United States, including a key Republican senator and potential Democratic presidential candidate who have backed the policy for adoption in the US. At the same time, technology lobby groups have gone on the attack. One circulated a briefing paper that says the policy will severely disadvantage US-based companies and disproportionately isolate marginalised young people, including regional and LGBTQ teenagers. Australia has become the worlds first country to enact a ban on social media for under-16s. Getty Images Republican senator Josh Hawley, who sits on the Senate judiciary committee and is an advocate for harsher restrictions on social media, told this masthead American parents would welcome an Australia-style ban. I like it. Ive supported age limits here in the US for kids on social media, he said. I say this as a parent Parents need help, and they feel like theyre swimming upstream when everybody else has social media. Advertisement My kids dont have it, but they go over to somebodys house and they have it its difficult. An age limit for when kids can use social media would work. I think parents would welcome it. Hawley, who wrote a book called The Tyranny of Big Tech while in office, said he had been in contact with Australian stakeholders about the ban, but declined to say whom. Republican senator Josh Hawley says he would support a social media ban for children in the United States. Bloomberg Barack Obamas former chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel, a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, also threw his support behind the Australian world-first move, comparing it to banning phones in schools or regulations to reduce teen smoking. No child under the age of 16 should have access to social media, Emanuel wrote on X. When it comes to our adolescents, its either going to be adults or the algorithms that raise our kids. Advertisement TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and others are too powerful, too addictive, too alluring and too often target our young kids. Parents cannot fight Big Tech alone. Emanuel who is a former mayor of Chicago and was until this year the US ambassador to Japan has said he is in training for a potential 2028 presidential run. Senator Bernie Sanders says Australia is brave to enact the social media ban. Bloomberg Veteran independent senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, told this masthead: I applaud Australia for having the courage to understand the impact that social media is having on children. But asked if it was something he would support for American families, Sanders said: Thats something Id have to think about. Advertisement Other Democrats were also uncertain about the idea. Senator Richard Blumenthal, who also sits on the Senate judiciary committee and participated in a hearing on online safety on Wednesday (AEDT), said age verification doesnt really work without really intrusive and strict methods of collecting information and then storing it which could be problematic. Republican senator Ted Cruz pointed this masthead to an existing bill he is backing, the Kids Off Social Media Act, which would prohibit children under 13 from creating accounts. He said that was a more appropriate age cut-off. Photo: Matt Golding Members of Congress are exploring measures to protect children from online harm, including from social media, and can expect to come under intense lobbying to push them away from an Australia-style ban. On Wednesday, the Computer and Communications Industry Association circulated a briefing paper that said Australias policy deployed structurally over-broad tools that carried serious consequences for privacy, free speech, competition and global digital trade. Advertisement Because the Acts model is already spreading internationally, the US has a strategic interest in shaping implementation and promoting evidence-based, trade-facilitating alternatives, the briefing paper said. Without careful engagement, the [ban] may become a global precedent for discriminatory regulation of US digital services. Loading The lobby groups briefing note highlights that Australia is actively promoting its model abroad, including Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses speech to the United Nations, and says several other countries are considering a version of the policy. This heightens the risk that minimum-age bans become a standard regulatory lever used to target foreign businesses, condition market access, or compel proprietary disclosures under the guise of online safety, the group tells lawmakers. Advertisement The warning about discriminatory treatment of US companies comes as the Trump administration condemns policies it views as targeting American tech giants, including numerous Australian government initiatives. Related Article Social media Australia social media ban as it happened: PM lauds decision as children under 16 barred from social media in world-first; Wells says more than 200,000 TikTok accounts deactivated The Australian Financial Review reported last month that US State Department deputy secretary Christopher Landau and the US Trade Representative had contacted Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd to complain about new laws requiring streaming services to invest a certain percentage of earnings or spending on local content, among other matters. The Australian ban is also shaping a debate in the British parliament about whether to copy the changes across the UK, after a former British schools minister revealed plans to put the same kind of law to parliament in Westminster. John Nash, who was a Conservative minister from 2013 to 2017, said Britain should adopt the Australian model. Advertisement Today, Australia is making a brave stand, banning children under 16 from social media, he wrote in The Times of London. He noted that several European countries were also aiming to do the same, and that the European Parliament backed the idea. His conclusion: Britain is being left behind. Related Article Social media I tried making new social media accounts as an under-16. Things are still messy The stumbling block for Nash is Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is showing no signs of picking up the policy from his friend Albanese. There is a chance, however, that support will build among backbench MPs in Westminster, just as it did in Australia. With David Crowe More social media ban stories Follow our live blog: All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. All the latest news on the world-first social media ban is here. From how Australian teens are reacting to whether over-16s have had their social media accounts blocked, and what our politicians are saying. Your questions answered: How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. How will age verification work? Why are X so silent? Where does my social media account go? Can I reactivate it? And much more. We have answered your most asked questions. A family talks the ban: Tech bros have stolen my family v Dad sits in bed on it watching Youtube. A family has a very honest conversation about the impact of social media on their lives. Kia PV5 Cargo earns the top five-star rating in the 2025 Euro NCAP Commercial Van Safety assessment Strong performance across key categories, including Occupant Protection, Safety Assist/Crash Avoidance and Post-Crash Safety Standard ADAS technologies including AEB, Lane Support System and Speed Assistance System deliver high performance in demanding real-world test scenarios Latest recognition follows a series of global accolades, including 2026 International Van of the Year (IVOTY) and 2026 Top Gear Awards SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 8, 2025 -- Kia today announced that the Kia PV5 Cargo has achieved the highest possible five-star rating in the 2025 Euro NCAP Commercial Van Safety assessment, reaffirming the model's leadership in delivering safe and practical electric mobility for commercial customers across Europe. Euro NCAP reported that the PV5 Cargo delivered a consistently strong performance across all major evaluation areas, including occupant protection, safety assist & crash avoidance and post-crash safety. This result positions the PV5 Cargo among Europe's safest commercial vans and continues Kia's track record of top-tier Euro NCAP results following the EV6 (2022), EV9 (2023), and EV3 (2025). "The PV5 opens a new chapter in practical, electrified mobility, offering generous space and modular versatility for everyday use. Achieving the top Euro NCAP five-star rating is clear validation of its safety performance and will serve as strong momentum as Kia expands its PBV lineup across Europe." Sangdae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of PBV Business Division Advanced safety technologies as standard across Europe Euro NCAP highlighted the strong performance of the PV5's standard Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which detects pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Demonstrated strong responsiveness in vehicle-to-vehicle scenarios, even at higher speeds Avoided collisions in most pedestrian and cyclist test cases Provides additional protection for pedestrians behind the vehicle The Lane Support System (LSS) was praised for its gentle steering corrections and more assertive interventions in critical situations to prevent unintended road departure. Euro NCAP noted that overall LSS performance was "good." The Speed Assistance System (SAS) uses digital maps and a forward-facing camera to identify local speed limits and present clear information to the driver, enabling appropriate speed management. A standard seatbelt reminder for both front seats further enhances safety compliance. SOURCE Kia Corporation BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China has not yet engaged in discussions with the British side on specific issues such as the date of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. It's reported that Starmer will visit China from January 29 to 31, 2026, with his itinerary including stops in Beijing and Shanghai. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing that China attaches great importance to improving and developing China-UK relations and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the UK. 2026 SUBARU UNCHARTED EV STARTING AT $34,995 MSRP Estimated range of more than 300 miles on a single charge Uncharted Sport and GT offer 338 horsepower from powerful dual-motor drivetrain with Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE Dual-Mode System Charge time from 10-80% in approximately 28 minutes with charging speeds up to 150 kW and standard NACS charging port Available at retailers nationwide early next year, starting at $34,995 MSRP, lowest entry price across Subaru's EV lineup CAMDEN,NJ: Subaru of America, Inc. announced pricing on the all-new 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV arriving at retailers early next year. The all-new, all-electric compact crossover offers agile performance, standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive on most models, and an available manufacturer-estimated range of more than 300 miles on a single charge. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted starts at $34,995 MSRP, the lowest entry price across Subaru's EV lineup. Every 2026 Subaru Uncharted is equipped with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, a 14-inch Subaru Multimedia System featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and distraction mitigation system. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted also comes standard with a suite of Subaru EyeSight driver-assistance technologies, a power rear gate, and an all-weather package. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is available in three trim levels: Premium FWD, Sport, and GT. The entry-level Uncharted Premium FWD model will be offered in limited numbers. It is front-wheel-drive only with an estimated range of more than 300 miles and 221 horsepower. Uncharted Sport and GT models are equipped with standard Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE, an estimated range of more than 285 miles and 338 horsepower, which is more than the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV. All trim levels of the 2026 Subaru Uncharted feature a high-capacity 74.7-kWh lithium-ion battery. Its battery preconditioning system shared with the all-new 2026 Solterra and 2026 Trailseeker can prepare the battery for optimal charging in cold-weather climates at speeds up to 150 kW. An 11-kW onboard charger offers quick charging at home. All 2026 Uncharted models feature a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port, which unlocks access to more than 25,000 charging stations across the U.S. Tailored Capability Subaru's first all-electric CUV emphasizes spirited yet efficient performance, boasting up to 338 horsepower from dual electric motors located on the front and rear axles on Sport and GT trim levels, and responsive handling, all balanced by a Subaru-tuned suspension. Compared to the Solterra EV, the all-new Subaru Uncharted is nearly 7 inches shorter but offers more than 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. In the city, the Subaru Uncharted is highly maneuverable due to its Crosstrek-like turning radius. Subaru engineers developed the impressive straight-line stability, handling, and grip on loose surfaces such as gravel, dirt, or snow through extensive chassis development for the Uncharted. Built with lightweight and rigid high-strength steel, structural support from its underfloor batteries, aerodynamic enhancements, and specifically tuned suspension components, the Subaru Uncharted offers confident handling on various terrains. 2026 Subaru Uncharted Premium FWD Starting at $34,995 MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted Premium FWD offers a wide array of standard equipment and safety features. Those include EyeSight driver-assist technologies, such as available Pre-Collision Braking, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitors, Lane Departure Alert, Emergency Stop Assist, Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control, and distraction mitigation system. Its front-wheel drive powertrain delivers an estimated range of more than 300 miles and 221 horsepower. It rides on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with gloss black covers, and a standard power rear liftgate simplifies loading and unloading cargo. Eco and Snow drive modes are standard, as well as an All-Weather Package that includes heated front seats, heated power exterior mirrors, and windshield wiper de-icer. LED headlights with headlight washers illuminate the road ahead. Other creature comforts include a digital key, customizable ambient interior lighting, dual wireless cell phone chargers, dual front and rear USB-C charging ports, 120-volt AC power outlet, cloth interior upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 7-inch LCD gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and more. 2026 Subaru Uncharted Sport The 2026 Uncharted Sport builds on the impressive features found in the Uncharted Premium FWD and adds an uprated powertrain and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE Dual-Mode System for $39,795 MSRP. The Subaru Uncharted Sport offers 338 horsepower from dual electric motors located on the front and rear axles and more than 285 miles of manufacturer-estimated range. Low-profile roof rails, a 360-degree heated leather steering wheel, a power rear gate, and StarTex upholstery enhance functionality, while a 360-degree surround-view monitor, Traffic Jam Assist, and Lane Change Assist add to the suite of advanced safety features found in the Subaru Uncharted. Driver seat memory with voice-activated adjustment and an 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat add to the list of convenience features included in Uncharted Sport. 2026 Subaru Uncharted GT At the top of the lineup, the Uncharted GT adds unique styling features and upgraded interior amenities for $43,795 MSRP. It features a panoramic glass roof with a motorized sunshade, ventilated front seats, Harman Kardon speaker system, optional two-tone paint (available on select colors), 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels with gunmetal finish, heated rear outboard seats, and a digital rearview mirror with HomeLink. The GT trim level offers 338 horsepower from dual electric motors located on the front and rear axles and more than 270 miles of manufacturer-estimated range. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is available in five exterior colors: Coastal Wolf Gray Metallic, Habanero Orange Metallic, Cosmic White Pearl, Astro Black Mica, and Metropolis Gray. Coastal Wolf Gray Metallic, Habanero Orange Metallic, Cosmic White Pearl, and Metropolis Gray exterior colors are available with a two-tone roof on Uncharted GT models. The 2026 Subaru Uncharted is assembled in Japan. 2026 Subaru Uncharted Model/Trim Transmission MSRP Uncharted Premium FWD SST $34,995 Uncharted Sport SST $39,795 Uncharted GT SST $43,795 Uncharted Paint Options Premium Paint $475 Premium + Two-Tone Paint $970 Buick Takes Andrew To "Best Of The Bay 2025" By Andrew Frankl Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief The Auto Channel Regular readers will recall that the highly respected Western Automotive Journalists (WAJ) group held its third Best of the Bay Near Petaluma in California a few weeks ago. I was pleased to have been asked to participate, but all well and good I had to get there somehow. Luckily the good people at GM came to my rescue with their elegant SUV-the Buick Enclave. It has been redesigned and as you can see from the photo all the better for it. The engine is a turbocharged 4 cylinder just like in the Chevy Traverse and the GMC Arcadia. I am not a huge fan of that power and bewaring in mind that I was driving alone without luggage or passengers the 23 miles per gallon gas engine was nothing to write home about. On the other hand the Buick Avenir version which I had was pretty luxurious although not quite up to European standards. BMW, Mercedes and Audi come to mind. Consequently it is more in line with Cadillacs XT6. Colleagues put it beyond Volvos XC90, Lexus GX and Lexuss TX. People Ive talked to suggest the entry-level at 48 thousand level is probably the best value, and I cannot disagree. Most people with a large family tend to be conscious of costs and are more interested in comfort and safety than fancy trimmings which young children would make a mess of in five minutes. The Buick that took me to the 14 car-14 journalist test came with all-wheel drive on 22 inch wheels. In typical Buick fashion it had a soft, compliant ride which would be perfect for a large family driving long distances on highways Such as San Francisco to San Diego. I would definitely not recommend for mountain passes after a large lunch. I am always asked would I buy what I have been testing. In this instance the answer has to be no. I dont have a a large family and I dont drive long distances. GM have some brilliant engineers and make some amazing cars and trucks. This is not one of them although millions and millions of people would love to have one, I am just not one of them. And before you ask what would I love from GMs stable it has to be Chevrolets ZR1. Yes, I know these two are chalk and cheese but having driven sport cars for 50 years or so my inclination is to put pedal to the metal just like I did in Cannonball. As for breaking the record round the Nurburgring in under 7 minutes-that is amazing. Also let us not forget that another arm of GM-Cadillac are about to enter Grand Prix racing so the engineering talent is very much there. On a totally different subject I would like to share is the latest trick in the restaurant business. I can only speak for Northern California but this adding-on gizmo is getting out of control. Not only do waiters hover over you with their machine with 18, 20 or 22 written on them they often charge extra for things that would have been part of the meal,. Main course let us say 30 dollars=pretty high itself but then mushrooms extra, Brussels sprouts extra and so on. So by the time you add it up your 30 dollar dinner is more like 45 and then the 20 percent which many people pay like lambs. In Europe tips tend to go from 10 to 12 to 15 percent maximum with a zero option as well. The alternative of court is to cook at home which many times is far more preferable. JIUQUAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday launched the Lijian-1 -- also known as Kinetica-1 Y11 -- carrier rocket carrying nine satellites, including three for international users. The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. It sent the satellites into their planned orbits successfully. INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS "This launch has delivered payloads for international clients from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Nepal," said Meng Xiangfu, deputy chief commander of the Lijian-1 mission. The UAE-led satellite, 813, is designed to observe soil, the climate and the environment. Meanwhile, the SPNEX, developed by Egypt, will be used to monitor climate change impacts and ionospheric dynamics. Notably, the Slippers2Sat is an educational project spearheaded by a Nepali non-profit organization in partnership with the Amateur Radio Digital Communications Foundation. Aimed at inspiring and supporting science education, the project specifically targets marginalized communities, impoverished populations and indigenous groups in Nepal. Its core objective is to empower middle school students to independently design and develop Nepal's third 1U CubeSat. CAS Space, Lijian-1's developer, has now served a total of 32 satellite customers, including 26 domestic and six international clients, Meng said. Industry experts have noted that international operations have become a key growth engine for China's commercial space sector. The Lijian-1 mission showcases the technical strength of the country's commercial aerospace sector while offering global clients a new choice in the industry. GRID SATELLITE The launch also deployed Jixing High-Resolution 07D01, China's first remote-sensing satellite for the power industry. With a spatial resolution of more than 0.5 meters, the satellite enables precise monitoring of the structural conditions of power grid equipment such as transmission lines and pylons. The satellite can perform continuous east-west strip observations, covering over 200 kilometers of a transmission corridor in a single pass, according to the State Grid Electric Power Engineering Research Institute, one of its designers. Compared to current satellite systems, this new satellite is expected to enhance survey precision for transmission projects and line inspections by more than fivefold. The satellite supports diverse applications, from managing ultra-high voltage (UHV) projects and assessing environmental impacts in transmission networks to inspecting critical power corridors, issuing disaster warnings and evaluating post-disaster damage. Also in the launch payload were two remote-sensing satellites dedicated to water resource monitoring, urban management and digital transformation in a district in Hefei, the capital city of east China's Anhui Province. SMART ROCKET TECHNOLOGY The Lijian-1 rocket used for this mission incorporates intelligent design in its control algorithms and software, giving it what its chief designer Shi Xiaoning described as "the ability to think." These capabilities include autonomous status detection and real-time trajectory adjustment during flight deviations to ensure accurate satellite delivery, Shi said. "By integrating cloud platforms and big data, the system autonomously collects and processes ground test data," Shi added. "It incorporates automated verification of data accuracy and operational limits, facilitating fully remote, single-command launch operations without the need for on-site personnel." The rocket's control system was engineered with a unified architecture integrating control, telemetry, safety monitoring, and external measurement functions. This innovative design approach mitigates traditional design constraints, minimizes functional redundancies, and reduces both onboard and ground hardware requirements. The outcome is a more versatile, efficient and cost-effective system. Batukbhai Jewellers, Nagpur Metro join hands to promote Maha Card Business Reporter : In a unique outreach initiative aimed at encouraging citizens to shift towards public transport, MahaMetro Nagpur has partnered with a local business conglomerate, M/s Batukbhai Jewellers, to promote the usage of Nagpur Metro for seamless commuting experience. Under this initiative, Bharat Sheth of M/s Batukbhai Sons Jewellers Pvt. Ltd. has purchased 100 Maha Cards from Nagpur Metro to be gifted to their customers as a special incentive on jewellery purchases. Initially 100 Maha Cards were formally handed over to him by Shravan Hardikar, MD, Maha Metro. This collaboration reflects the growing trust and confidence that the business community is placing in Nagpur Metro as a reliable, efficient, and customer-friendly mode of public transport. This collaboration is testimony to the fact that the businesses are actively contributing to the promotion of sustainable urban mobility and social responsibility. Cabinet approves major development push for Bundelkhand Staff Reporter : DURING the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav at Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre in Khajuraho on Tuesday, the Government approved several important decisions that will directly impact development in Bundelkhand. The Chief Minister was felicitated by Cabinet members for bringing forward key decisions that prioritise development of Bundelkhand. A major announcement was approval of a special industrial incentive package for proposed Maswasi Grant industrial area in Sagar. The package is expected to attract investments of Rs 24,240 crore and create more than 29,000 jobs. To make the region investor-friendly, land allotment and annual lease rates have been fixed at Rs 1 per sq m, while development charges can be paid in 20 equal annual installments. A maintenance fee of Rs 8 per sq m per year has also been set. In a major relief to industries, the Cabinet approved 100% reimbursement of stamp duty and registration fees, along with five years of electricity duty exemption once production begins. The package will remain in effect for five years, though cement manufacturing units will not be covered. In a major road infrastructure decision, the Cabinet approved Rs 2,059 crore for upgradation and construction of 76.68-km SagarDamoh road into a four-lane highway under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). An additional Rs 323.41 crore will be spent on land acquisition and related works. The project includes construction of 13 underpasses, 3 major bridges, 9 medium bridges, a railway overbridge and a total of 55 junctions. Once completed, this road is expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and support economic activity between Sagar and Damoh districts. To strengthen medical education and healthcare services, the Cabinet approved 990 regular and 615 outsourced posts for the new Government medical colleges coming up in Damoh, Chhatarpur and Budhni. Each college will get 330 regular and 205 outsourced posts to ensure smooth operation of these upcoming medical institutions. In the field of wildlife conservation, the Cabinet gave in-principle approval to develop Virangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Nauradehi as third cheetah habitat in Madhya Pradesh. The State currently has 31 cheetahs and eight more are expected to arrive from Botswana in January 2026. With this decision, Nauradehi will join Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary in hosting cheetahs, which is expected to boost wildlife tourism and conservation efforts. The Cabinet approved Rs 165.06 crore for Jhapan Nala Medium Irrigation Project in Tendukheda tehsil, Damoh district. The project will provide irrigation to 3,600 hectares across 17 villages, helping improve crop yields and agricultural productivity. The Cabinet approved upgradation of 12 health institutions in 11 districts, including Neemuch, Shajapur, Ujjain, Khandwa, Panna, Khargone, Singrauli, Rewa, Betul, Anuppur and Sagar. These upgrades include converting sub-health centres, PHCs and CHCs into higher-capacity hospitals, with some facilities being expanded up to 100 beds. For smooth operation of these upgraded hospitals, 345 regular, 3 contractual and 136 outsourced posts have been sanctioned. Annual cost of running these facilities will be Rs 27.17 crore: In a move aimed at providing global job opportunities, the Cabinet approved a project to send 600 youths from the Other Backward Classes to Japan and Germany for employment over the next two years using Social Impact Bond (SIB) model. To improve firefighting capacity, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs 397.54 crore for the expansion and modernisation of fire services in the state, with 75% funds coming from the Centre and 25% from the State. Cambodia vows fierce fight against Thailand Each side blames the other for firing the first shots on Sunday night A Thai Buddhist monk uses his computer while taking shelter in Buriram province, Thailand on Tuesday after he fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers. (AP/PTI) SURIN(Thailand) : CAMBODIAS powerful Senate President Hun Sen on Tuesday vowed that his country would carry out a fierce fight against Thailand as a second day of widespread renewed combat between the Southeast Asian neighbours drove tens of thousands of people to flee border areas. Fighting broke out following a skirmish in which one Thai soldier was killed on Sunday, despite a ceasefire that ended five days of fighting in July over competing territorial claims along their border, which resulted in dozens of civilian and military dead on both sides, and the evacuation of over 1,00,000 civilians. In a statement posted to Facebook and Telegram, Hun Sen claimed that his country had refrained from firing back on Monday, but overnight began to shoot back at Thai forces. He wrote that a strategy of concentrating on where Thailand was advancing would allow Cambodia to to weaken and destroy enemy forces through counterattacks. Thailands army said, Cambodian forces had fired artillery at a village in Sa Kaeo province early on Tuesday morning, though the strike caused no casualties. Thailand says that Cambodian forces also fired at its troops on Sunday and Monday, as each side blames the other for firing the first shots. Cambodia wants peace, but Cambodia is forced to fight back to defend its territory, Hun Sen said. Hun Sen was Cambodias long-serving prime minister until 2023, when he was succeeded by his son Hun Manet, but is still widely seen as the countrys de facto leader. Cambodias military announced Tuesday that the new fighting had killed seven civilians and wounded 20. A spokesperson for the Thai military announced Tuesday that one solder had been killed and 29 wounded in the new fighting. Speaking at a news conference, Thai Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri said the navy was strengthening its position in eastern Thailand near the border with Cambodia. Thailand on Monday carried out airstrikes along the frontier, which it said were a defensive action targeting military installations. Surasant said such operation would continue until attacks stop. EC legally has no right to hold SIR: Tewari NEW DELHI : Mandate a 100 pc counting of VVPAT slips or revert to paper ballots THE Election Commission has no legal basis to conduct the SIR and it must be stopped, Congress MP Manish Tewari said on Tuesday and made a slew of suggestions for election reforms, including either mandating a 100 per cent counting of VVPAT slips or reverting to paper ballots. Initiating the discussion on Election Reforms in the Lok Sabha, Tewari also called for disallowing direct cash transfers to people ahead of polls and adding two members -- the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and the Chief Justice of India -- to the existing three-member panel to select the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners. The Congress leader said the 2023 law stipulates that the panel to select the election commission and the two election commissoners should comprise the Prime Minister, the leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Cabinet Minister. Tewari also attacked the Government over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. I have to say with regret that the Special Intensive Revision (of electoral rolls) is being discussed throughout the country. The SIR is happening in many states, but I am saying with a lot of responsibility that legally, EC has no right to conduct SIR. This is just a right to the EC that if there is anything wrong with the electoral roll of a constituency, it can correct it for reasons that need to be recorded in writing and made public. Only then you can conduct SIR, you cannot do SIR for the whole of Bihar, or for the whole of Kerala, or for the whole of West Bengal, the Congress leader said. Lower minimum age to contest elections from 25 to 18: Shrikant Shinde SHIV Sena leader Shrikant Shinde on Tuesday made a strong demand for lowering the minimum age to contest Lok Sabha and Assembly elections from 25 to 18 years and allow remote voting for migrant voters. Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Lok Sabha, Shinde also said the Election Commission should introduce a common electoral roll for all elections and usher in simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. If a person is eligible to cast his vote after attaining 18 years of age, he should also be eligible to contest the elections, Shinde said. Census will include question on reasons for migration: Govt THE Census 2027 will also include questions related to the duration of stay at the current residence and the reason for migration, Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that in the Census information of every individual is collected at the place where they are found during the period of enumeration. The Minister was responding to a question from a member on whether any special provisions are being made for counting migrant workers and temporary residents during the Census-2027 and whether a separate data collection process is proposed for the same. The Minister said migration data is collected for each and every individual based on their place of birth and place of last residence. The Census also collects information on the duration of stay at the current residence and the reason for migration. Questionnaire for Census is notified before conducting field work by the Central Government through the Official Gazette, he said. Centre to expand crop insurance to cover losses due to wild animals, inundation: UNION Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday assured the Lok Sabha during Question Hour that the Government has expanded the ambit of the crop insurance scheme to cover losses caused not only by natural calamities but also by inundations and wild and stray animals. The assurance came in reply to questions raised by Nareshchandra Uttam Patel of the Samajwadi Party from Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. He sought clarity on how the Government plans to address crop losses that often fall outside traditional definitions of natural calamities. Responding to questions raised during the session, Chouhan emphasised that the Government has introduced several amendments to make the scheme more farmer-friendly and responsive to ground realities. Explaining the changes, the minister said that earlier the tehsil was considered the unit for assessing crop losses, but now the village has been made the unit. This shift, he noted, allows for more precise identification of affected areas and ensures that even localised calamities are taken into account. If a single unit of the field faces losses on account of local calamities, we reimburse the loss through the crop insurance scheme as farmers have no fault of their own, Chouhan stated. He added that the inclusion of damages caused by wild and stray animals, along with inundation, reflects the Governments commitment to addressing the diverse challenges faced by cultivators. The Minister highlighted that the State Governments are adopting crop-cutting experiments and weather-based crop insurance models to ensure accurate compensation. He pointed out that when the crop loss is more than 35 per cent, Rs 17,000 per acre is given for agricultural crop losses, while perennial crops are compensated at Rs 22,500 per acre. These measures, he said, are designed to provide timely relief and safeguard farmers against unforeseen risks. Chouhans reply underlined the Governments broader vision of strengthening rural resilience and ensuring that farmers are not left vulnerable to factors beyond their control. By expanding the scope of the crop insurance scheme, the Government aims to instil confidence among cultivators and reinforce its commitment to agricultural welfare. The announcement is expected to provide significant relief to farmers across the country, particularly those in regions frequently affected by stray animal incursions and seasonal flooding, thereby strengthening the safety net for Indias agrarian economy. CHONGQING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A forum marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) Charter was held in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Wednesday, bringing together nearly 90 human rights experts and scholars from home and abroad. Lu Guangjin, vice president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, said at the event that China's human rights endeavors have made continuous progress over the past decade, with their global influence increasing steadily. China has been working to improve people's livelihoods, and to protect and promote human rights through development, enabling its people to share more of the fruits of development, Lu added. "This represents China's successful experience." The 2025 Li Buyun Law Prize ceremony was held alongside the forum, with Zhang Yonghe, executive dean of the Human Rights Institute at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, receiving this year's award. The Li Buyun Law Prize recognizes individuals and organizations who have made eminent contributions to Chinese and international legal studies and legal education exchange. It was established in 2013 by the Shanghai Institute of Finance and Law in honor of Li Buyun, a pioneer in human rights law research in China. Speaking at the ceremony, Krisztina Karsai, a law professor at the University of Szeged in Hungary, commended Zhang as one of the most influential voices in the field of human rights law in China. She highlighted Zhang's decades of work in bridging theory with practice, and in promoting exchange between legal traditions around the world. Wednesday's event also saw the launch of the Chinese and English editions of "Women in China's New Era," a book featuring 30 real-life stories of Chinese women who have pursued their aspirations and realized personal value. The UN Charter -- the founding document of the UN -- was signed in June 1945 and came into force in October of the same year. Facing repeated defeats, Oppn finds flaws with EVMs, SIR: BJP MP in LS NEW DELHI : A BJP member in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday asked the Opposition to introspect instead of questioning the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines and the reason behind holding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opening the debate on Election Reforms in the Lok Sabha for the BJP, Sanjay Jaiswal also said that despite Oppositions claims that his party will benefit most from simultaneous polls, the reality is that it will possibly be the other way round. But since the BJPs core philosophy is nation first, the party supports holding Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together, Jaiswal said. While BJP leaders work overtime during elections, Congress leaders believe in tourism and remain absent during actual campaigning, the BJP MP from Paschim Champaran, Bihar, said. He also said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a campaign on vote chori ahead of Bihar elections but did not rake up the governance policies of the NDA, which had been ruling the State for years. Jaiswal claimed the electorate of Bihar was confused about the vote theft claims, as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the State proved that no eligible voter was left behind. Urging the Opposition to introspect on its strategies, Jaiswal said they instead accuse the SIR and challenge the reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for their defeat after every election. EVMs were introduced by Rajiv Gandhi: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey hit out at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the LS on Tuesday over his attack on EVMs, saying the voting machines were introduced in the country by his father, late Rajiv Gandhi, during a pilot project in 1987. Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Lower House of Parliament, the Godda (Jharkhand) MP said how can Gandhi claim that the Election Commission (EC) is colluding with those in power to shape elections when the Congress has historically rewarded those who were at the helm of affairs at the poll body. All Opposition parties spoke about EVMs.... I want to tell the House that the EVMs were first introduced by the Congress. (Former Prime Minister) Rajiv Gandhi had brought EVMs as part of a pilot project in 1987 and then, in 1991, the Narasimha Rao government introduced the electronic machines for voting, he said. Five from Nagpur held in city for illegal ammunition trade Staff Reporter : Bargi Police have arrested five accused hailing from Nagpur for illegal ammunition trade and seized 14 live cartridges, five mobile handsets and a Scorpio SUV from them. The arrested have been identified as Uzair Parvez (38), son of Abdul Khalid, a resident of Rai Aasiyana Apartments, Mankapur, Nagpur, Maharashtra; Kasif Khan (28), son of Asif Khan, resident of Prashant Colony, Gitti Khadan, Nagpur; Ashmit Anil Khote (26), a resident of Thakkar Gram, Panch Pavali, Nagpur; Shubham Kotangle (25), a resident of Bejannagar, Nagpur and Jayghosh Heeralal Temburane (30), a resident of Dhammadeep Nagar, Nagpur. Under a planned operation, Bargi Police have arrested five accused hailing from Nagpur who reached Jabalpur to sell illegal cartridges. SHO of Bargi Police Station (Trainee DSP) Hemant Kumar, informed that on December 8, police received information that some individuals had arrived in a black, unregistered Scorpio with Mahakal written on the rear window. They were reportedly waiting for customers to sell cartridges near Parmeshwar Dhaba, Mandla Bypass Road, ManegaonMangeli. A police team immediately raided the location. The suspicious black Scorpio was found parked and five individuals were seen sitting together at the dhaba. On noticing the police, they attempted to escape but were quickly surrounded and apprehended. On questioning, they admitted to having come from Nagpur and were waiting for their associate. A personal search led to the recovery from Uzair Parvez 6 cartridges, 1 Bebo mobile phone, from Kasif Khan 2 cartridges, 1 Narzo mobile phone, Ashmit Khote 2 cartridges, 1 Apple mobile phone, Shubham Kotangle 2 cartridges, 1 Realme mobile phone and from Jayghosh Temburane 2 cartridges, 1 Apple mobile phone. The Scorpio vehicle bearing MH-35P-7202 on the number plate but without actual registration plates was found at the Contd on page 2 Minister Munde orders inquiry into faulty STPs in Naag river basin Staff Reporter : Pankaja Munde, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, on Tuesday announced formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the malfunctioning of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Naag River basin. While replying to a call attention motion in the Legislative Council, she said the problem is not limited to Nagpur. In many parts of the State, STPs are not working properly, or contractors are running them for less than 24 hours to save money, she said. The committee will study the issue and submit a detailed report. The issue was raised by MLCs Dr Parinay Fuke, Prasad Lad, Uma Khapre and Dr Niranjan Dawkhare. In her reply, Minister Munde said pollution had been neglected for years. She expressed concern that Nagpur, one of the fastest-growing cities, has 11 out of 13 STPs not functioning along the Naag River. Similar complaints have been received from Pune and other cities. She also informed that a Rs 1,900-crore Naag River Abatement Project has been launched to reduce pollution in the river. The inquiry committee will examine the matter and submit its findings, she added. During the discussion, Dr Fuke said he was not satisfied with the Governments earlier response. He pointed out severe pollution in the Gosikhurd dam is due to contaminated water entering it through the Wainganga river, which in turn receives water from Naag river. The Members also stated during the discussion that the Gosikhurd National Irrigation Project provides irrigation and drinking water to Bhandara, Nagpur and Chandrapur districts which covers about 2.5 lakh hectares. Untreated sewage and industrial waste from the Naag river flows into the Kanhan and Wainganga rivers and eventually into the Gosikhurd dam. This polluted water reduces agricultural productivity, leads to salt and fluoride buildup in soil and causes diseases in animals and increases the risk of kidney, skin, and other illnesses in humans, they said. It is also harming the livelihoods of fishermen. The contamination has affected agriculture and drinking water sources across three districts, they categorically stated. Despite repeated protests by the Gosikhurd Project Affected Struggle Committee and several political parties, no strong action has been taken. MLCs demanded that the Government speed up the Rs 1,900-crore project to clean the Naag river and take immediate steps to treat the river water. Opposition stages protest on farmers issue in Vidhan Bhavan Staff Reporter : Farmers issue became the matter of talk in the Vidhan Bhavan premises on Tuesday as Opposition members staged a protest on the steps of Vidhan Bhavan on the second day of the State Legislatures Winter Session, demanding a complete loan waiver for farmers. Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Congress Vijay Wadettiwar, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) Shashikant Shinde, among others, gathered on the steps of the Vidhan Bhavan and raised slogans. They also showed banners and placards during the protest. Opposition leaders accused the Government of delaying the purchase of soyabean, which resulted in farmers selling the produce at Rs 4,000, well below the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,328. They demanded a complete loan waiver for cultivators who had suffered losses. Opposition leaders are accusing that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is taking orders from Centre but he is not sending the report of total loss suffered by farmers due to crop loss during monsoon season to the Central Government. Political temperature soars in MP after ministers brother arrested in drug case Senior Special Correspondent : Ahead of ministers performance report on completion of Dr Mohan Yadav Governments two years, arrest of State Urban Development Ministers sibling and relative in a drug case stirred political cauldron in the State, with the Opposition Congress claiming that the main accused is brother of a State minister, pointed towards deteriorating law and order situation in the State other side the Minister distanced herself from the accused. Anil Bagri was taken into custody on Monday, following a police raid that allegedly uncovered 46 kg of cannabis hidden in rice sacks. The seizure, valued at nearly Rs 9.23 lakh, came from a tin shed adjacent to the residence of alleged distributor Pankaj Singh Baghel in Rampur Baghelan area. A case was registered under NDPS Act. Minister Pratima Bagri said, Police are doing their job and criminals who have done wrong, whether they are someones relative or not, cannot be spared. Police administration is carrying out its duties and all decisions will be made accordingly. The strictest action will be taken. The arrest followed a tip-off that led investigators to what appears to be a broader smuggling operation. Under questioning, Baghel implicated both Anil Bagri and another suspect, Shailendra Singh, as his suppliers according to police. State Congress and its various wings launched a series of attacks on the Minister and the State Government over alleged involvement of Ministers family members. State Congress President Jitu Patwari alleged that now, BJP Minister Pratima Bagris brother-in-law and brother have been arrested for selling a large consignment of marijuana. Madhya Pradesh alone in the entire country aims to generate revenue of Rs 17,000 crore from liquor sales and is surpassing even Punjab in illegal drug trade. Patwari demanded, Minister Pratima Bagri should resign immediately. It seems that opposition is not going to give up the issue soon. NSUI staged a strong protest against growing drug network in the State and the Governments silence following the arrest of Pratima Bagris brother. NSUI alleged that despite the arrest of Minister Pratima Bagris brother with approximately 50 kg of marijuana, the Government is refraining from taking action, which clearly demonstrates that the drug network operates under Governments protection in Madhya Pradesh. NSUI State President Ashutosh Chouksey questioned the Chief Minister, If approximately 50 kg of marijuana was found in the possession of Minister Pratima Bagris brother, will Chief Minister Mohan Yadav accept Minister Pratima Bagris resignation from the ministerial post? Will he also send a JCB to her house? The State Government is attempting to suppress the entire matter. Chaukse said he wanted to go to the Chief Ministers residence with a garland of marijuana so he could directly ask the Chief Minister, When drug networks are operating from the homes of his ministers, its clear that the Madhya Pradesh Government is protecting the drug racket operating in the State. During the protest, police arrested approximately 50 NSUI workers, including the State President and Vice-President. NSUI warned that if the Government does not take action against the entire drug network and Minister Pratima Bagri does not resign, the agitation will be intensified across the State. Probe in Depth THERE is a serious need of an in-depth probe to bring out the truth in the assertion by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha that the then Congress President Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1937), pushed by Barrister Mohammad Ali Jinnah, agreed to withdraw some stanzas from the national song Vande Mataram since those parts might hurt the religious sentiments of the Muslims. Therefore, for decades, those later stanzas were never recited whenever Vande Mataram was sung anywhere in the country. That the omission was restored later is another part of the story, all right. But it is important for the people to know what the truth has been so that they have the right and complete idea about the thought-process that dominated Indian psyche for long. For, the Prime Minister and his Bharatiya Janata Party and the National Democratic Alliance made a concerted attack in both Houses of the Parliament on that alleged surrender of Pandit Nehru before Barrister Jinnah for a strange reason. Hence the need to bring out what the truth has been. It must be admitted that a lot of parts of the history of Indias long struggle for Independence have got mired in controversy, thanks to much distortion of facts for political reasons by people who formed the ruling class in post-Independence India. The core of all those allegations is that those who were in power tried to snuff out some historical truths that they felt were unpalatable to them and unacceptable to their interests. Victims of that tendency include Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Even the national song Vande Mataram was not spared, as the allegation goes. When the body of such allegations has become too big to be ignored, it has become necessary to initiate a detailed investigation into history of those tumultuous times so that the subsequent generations of Indian people know the story of that time as it is -- without distortion. When the allegation about Pandit Nehrus acquiescence in the case of Vande Mataram was made by the Prime Minister, the Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) protested vociferously and said that the Government was trying to distract national attention from real issues such as joblessness and rising costs etc, and utilising Vande Mataram issue to kick-start preparations for West Bengal legislative polls due soon. Though nobody takes such allegations by the Opposition seriously, it is important that the nation must know what the truth actually is about whether some parts of Vande Mataram were deliberately withdrawn on insistence of Barrister Mohammad Ali Jinnah (who later founded Pakistan). It is, however, true that many historical documents such as personal letters, political resolutions in Congress party conventions, speeches etc show that the Congress did agree to withdraw some parts of Vande Mataram song only to stave off the so-called angry sentiments of the Muslim community, as described by Barrister Jinnah. If that was really so, then it must be considered as a classic case of Muslim appeasement by the Congress party -- its current protests notwithstanding. However, the statement by Congress MP Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra says that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was not singularly responsible for the omission of certain parts of Vande Mataram, but the Congress Working Committee (CWC), too, had passed a resolution to that effect. This makes the case all the more serious -- and therefore the nation has every right to know the truth as it has been. There are reasons to believe -- or suspect -- that many such distortions affect the real story of the struggle for Independence. Hence the need for a detailed investigation. There is no need to politicalise the issue. What is actually needed is a non-partisan investigation of certain parts of the actual story. Such an investigation would serve the right national cause. Proprietor booked for sale of banned, expired pesticides Staff Reporter : The Department of Farmer Welfare and Agriculture has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the proprietor of Jai Maa Mamta Krishi Kendra, located in Budhuwa village, Sihora development block, concerning the sale of banned and expired pesticides. The FIR was lodged at the Majhgawan police station. According to information received from Deputy Director of Agriculture, Dr S K Nigam, an unannounced inspection of M/s Jai Maa Mamta Krishi Kendra was conducted on December 5 by Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer, Sihora, Manisha Patel and Senior Agricultural Development Officer, J S Rathore. During the inspection, the establishment was found not to be maintaining a proper stock register. The centre was storing and selling pesticides from manufacturing companies not listed on the establishments pesticide license. The inspection at Jai Maa Mamta Krishi Kendra resulted in the seizure of two main categories of non-compliant materials including expired products and banned products. The team discovered twenty-one (21) expired pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides and a stock of 51 bottles (100 ml each) of Nuvacron (Nuvacron, containing Monocrotophos) was found. The manufacture, sale, and use of this product have been banned by the Government of India since August 8, 2018. The expired and prohibited chemicals were seized and entrusted to the proprietor for custody, with strict instructions restricting their sale and purchase. The Deputy Director, Agriculture, stated that the FIR was filed against the proprietor of Jai Maa Mamta Krishi Kendra, Rakesh Tiwari, by Jai Pal Singh Rathore of the Agriculture Department. The charges have been registered under Sections 29(1)(a), 29(1)(d), and 29(2) of the Insecticides Act, 1968, pertaining to the sale of banned and expired pesticide products. Red Fort blast: NIA searches in Anantnag, Kulgam SRINAGAR : THE National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted searches at several places in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Jammu and Kashmir as part of its probe into the November 10 blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, officials said. They said the NIA sleuths, assisted by police and CRPF, brought along two of the accused, Dr Adeel Rather and Jasir Bilal Wani, arrested in connection with a white collar terror module. The searches were carried out at the instance of the two accused who had told the investigators about hideouts in the Mattan forest area of Anantnag and in Wanpora in the Qazigund area of Kulgam. J&K Police, with the help of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana police, busted the white collar terror module in the first week of November. Eight people, including three doctors, were arrested and 2,900 kg of explosives were seized with the uncovering of the interstate module involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The 2,900 kg of explosives included ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur. Of this, 360 kg of inflammable material and some arms and ammunition were recovered from the rented accommodation of one of the accused in Faridabad. NIA arrests one more doctor who harboured Dr Umar: THE National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing the white-collar terror module linked to the Delhi car blast, arrested one more doctor for allegedly harbouring Dr Umar-un-Nabi, the suicide bomber, and destroying evidence in the conspiracy hatched by banned Jaish-e-Mohammed group, officials said on Tuesday. States Hirabai Baghel gets Handicrafts Awardfrom President Murmu Staff Reporter : President of India Droupadi Murmu presented National Handicrafts Awards for year 2023 to Hirabai Jhareka Baghel, hailing from Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district of Chhattisgarh, in a function held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi Tuesday. Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh presided over the function. The award ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Addressing the programme, President Murmu said that art reflects our memories of the past, experiences of the present, and aspirations for the future. Humans have been expressing their emotions through painting or sculpture since ancient times. Art connects people to culture. Art also connects people with each other, she added. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated Hirabai Jhareka Baghel. Sai wrote on his X, It is a moment of great pride for the entire Chhattisgarh that Dhokra-Bell Metal craftswoman Hirabai Jhareka Baghel of Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district was honoured with the National Handicraft Award by President of India Droupadi Murmu Ji at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This achievement of Mrs. Baghel, who came from the forest village Panchayat Baigindih and gave new heights to the identity of Chhattisgarh across the country with her unique metal art and she re-establishes the shine of our rich folk art, tradition and rural talent on the national stage. This is an honour for every craftsman in Chhattisgarh. Our government is continuously committed to art preservation, training, and market expansion. Hearty congratulations to Mrs. Baghel and best wishes for a bright future, he added. STRAY DOGS MENACE: Govt to convene special meetings to address issue Staff Reporter : The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday announced that special meetings would be held to address the increasing incidents of stray dog attacks in urban areas, following demands raised across party lines in the state legislature. The decision came after a Calling Attention Motion was raised regarding the growing threats posed by stray dogs in cities, with legislators seeking strict and urgent measures. Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, in a written reply, stated that Mumbai has an estimated 90,757 stray dogs, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) operates only eight shelters. There were around 11.88 lakh stray dogs and only 105 shelters across the 29 municipal corporation areas in the State, she said. BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar pressed for increasing the number of shelters and asked whether vacant Government plots could be used for creating additional facilities. Misal said that the administration was complying with the Supreme Courts directions on the matter. However, legislators cutting across party lines expressed dissatisfaction and demanded concrete steps. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu remarked that even public representatives were unsafe while visiting their constituencies due to stray dog attacks. Why is there so much opposition to the sterilisation of dogs? When a legislator visits his constituency, dogs chase him. The Government should implement the solutions urgently, Prabhu said. As the demands continued, Misal assured the House that a meeting involving concerned legislators and officials would be convened to formulate actionable measures. PHNOM PENH, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Over 100,000 Cambodian villagers have fled their homes for safe zones as border conflict with Thailand has entered a fourth day, a Cambodian defense spokesperson said on Wednesday. The total number of displaced people is 101,129, including infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with disabilities, Cambodian Defense Ministry's Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said in a press briefing. She said the Thai army had used heavy and destructive weapons, including F-16 fighter jets, to attack Cambodian military positions and civilian areas from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning. At least seven Cambodian civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in this conflict, according to Socheata. Tangail saree weaving art of Bdesh, miniature painting style of Afghanistan get UNESCO tag NEW DELHI : THE traditional saree weaving art of Tangail from Bangladesh and Behzads style of miniature painting from Afghanistan were among the elements which were inscribed on Tuesday on UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The skills and practices of making Bisht (mens Abaa or gown), a transnational nomination, also earned the coveted tag during a key meeting held by UNESCO in Delhi. The 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) is being held at the Red Fort from December 8 to 13. Earlier in the day, Boreendo, an ancient dying folk musical instrument and its melodies from Pakistan, Paraguays ancestral ceramic craftsmanship and Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community of Kenya are among the several elements which were inscribed on UNESCOs List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Joropo, a lively festive tradition of Venezuela; festivity of the Virgen of Guadalupe - Patroness of Sucre, Plurinational State of Bolivia; Cuarteto: music, dance and lyrics in the city of Cordoba, Argentina, also earned a place on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. of Humanity. Behzads style of miniature painting from Afghanistan and Brussels rod marionette tradition from Belgium were also added to this list of UNESCO. Behzads style of miniature painting, named after the 15th century artist whose techniques, use of perspective and colour made him one of the most famous painters of his time. It is a source of pride for the people of Afghanistan. It is transmitted through apprenticeship, in universities and in public and private institutions. The practice contributes to the transmission of foundational stories, myths, values and morals, according to UNESCO. This is the first time that India is hosting a session of the UNESCO panel. The committee will examine a total of 67 nominations submitted by nearly 80 countries for inscription on UNESCOs intangible cultural heritage lists during the course of this session, according to the Paris-headquartered world body. LHASA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A gathering was held on Tuesday at Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, according to Xizang Daily. Panchen Rinpoche is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China. Tashilhunpo Monastery has been Panchen Rinpoche's traditional seat. During the gathering, representatives of monks from the monastery, monastic representatives from other monasteries in Xigaze, representatives of Panchen Rinpoche's relatives, and representatives of the general public presented gifts to the Living Buddha. The three-hour event also featured traditional religious dances and sutra chanting by monks, who later presented hada, a white silk scarf symbolizing respect and blessings, to the attendees. Lin Rui, deputy head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said at the gathering that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to Panchen Rinpoche's well-being, noting that General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping has received visits from Panchen Rinpoche twice and expressed his earnest expectations. The General Secretary's important speeches not only provide significant guidance for the healthy development of Panchen Rinpoche but also chart the course for the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism, Lin said, adding that since his enthronement, Panchen Rinpoche has made remarkable progress and earned widespread praise from various social sectors. At the gathering, Panchen Rinpoche pointed out that in 1995, the central government approved and confirmed his enthronement as the reincarnation of the late 10th Panchen Erdeni. This process strictly followed religious rituals and historical conventions, fully demonstrating the firm resolve of the CPC in fully implementing policies on freedom of religious belief, and vigorously safeguarding the historical authority of the central government over the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism and its lawful management of the process. The commemorative ceremony was also attended by representatives from Tibetan Buddhist circles in Xizang, as well as representatives from Tibetan Buddhist communities in Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces. A day earlier, Panchen Rinpoche attended a seminar in Xigaze on the Living Buddha reincarnation. Panchen Rinpoche said at the seminar that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism must adhere to the principle of law-based management. He stated that the "Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas" provided a fundamental basis for advancing reincarnation affairs. Ensuring that reincarnation processes are conducted in accordance with laws and regulations is crucial for maintaining the validity and purity of the Living Buddhas' reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism. The Living Buddha further stressed the principle of adhering to religious rituals, noting that only by following these established rites can the reincarnation process gain the support of the Tibetan Buddhist community and the faith of the broader religious followers. The principle of following historical conventions was also underscored. Panchen Rinpoche said that China's successive central governments have implemented strict management of reincarnation, forming a comprehensive set of historical conventions. Upholding these conventions is essential for fully reflecting national sovereignty and governmental authority, safeguarding national unity and ethnic solidarity, maintaining social harmony and stability and promoting the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism, he stressed. The search and confirmation of a Living Buddha's reincarnation must adhere to the key principles of "search within the Chinese territory, drawing lots from the golden urn, and approval by the central government." The process must remain free from interference or control by any organizations or individuals abroad. The sanctity and authority of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism can be upheld only by fully leveraging the leading role of Buddhist associations and the exemplary role of eminent monks, he added. Panchen Rinpoche emphasized that only by upholding the leadership of the CPC and continuously improving the rule of law in religious affairs governance can the sound development of Tibetan Buddhism be ensured, thereby earning the heartfelt support of religious followers. Chang Zang, the resident vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, said that the promulgation and implementation of the "Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas" have played a vital role in maintaining the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism and promoting its sound development. "We will remain committed to the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation and provide active guidance to Tibetan Buddhism so that it can adapt to socialist society, contributing to its sound development and the religious, social, and ethnic harmony," he said. Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD. acquired a new stake in RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor acquired 10,270 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $2,495,000. RenaissanceRe comprises about 0.3% of Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD.s holdings, making the stock its 8th largest position. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of RNR. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of RenaissanceRe by 707.1% during the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 113 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in RenaissanceRe by 160.0% in the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 117 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 72 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank increased its stake in RenaissanceRe by 80.9% in the 2nd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 123 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 151.7% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 146 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its position in RenaissanceRe by 43.1% in the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 186 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 56 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock. Get RenaissanceRe alerts: RenaissanceRe Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NYSE RNR opened at $263.34 on Wednesday. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a 12-month low of $219.00 and a 12-month high of $274.80. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $258.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $248.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.14 billion, a PE ratio of 7.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The insurance provider reported $15.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.49 by $6.13. RenaissanceRe had a return on equity of 16.83% and a net margin of 14.23%.The firm had revenue of $3.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.97 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $10.23 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 26.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. RenaissanceRes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 4.45%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have commented on RNR shares. BMO Capital Markets restated an outperform rating and issued a $303.00 target price on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research note on Friday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on RenaissanceRe from $278.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on RenaissanceRe from $280.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, November 17th. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of RenaissanceRe in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on RenaissanceRe from $265.00 to $272.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $285.92. Read Our Latest Research Report on RenaissanceRe RenaissanceRe Company Profile (Free Report) RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RNR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for RenaissanceRe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RenaissanceRe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Amcor PLC (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the fourteen ratings firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $10.9111. Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AMCR shares. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded shares of Amcor from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $10.20 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on shares of Amcor in a research report on Friday, September 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $10.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of Amcor in a report on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a sector perform rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Amcor in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on Amcor from $11.00 to $10.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Friday, August 15th. Get Amcor alerts: Read Our Latest Report on AMCR Amcor Stock Down 1.9% Shares of NYSE AMCR opened at $8.10 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.62. Amcor has a 1 year low of $7.66 and a 1 year high of $10.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $8.24 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.74. Amcor (NYSE:AMCR Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.19. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.77 billion. Amcor had a net margin of 3.34% and a return on equity of 17.35%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 71.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.16 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Amcor will post 0.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Amcor Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th will be paid a $0.13 dividend. This is a boost from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 28th. Amcors payout ratio is currently 152.94%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Amcor Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Amcor by 5.3% in the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 20,689 shares of the companys stock worth $190,000 after buying an additional 1,035 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its position in shares of Amcor by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 26,179 shares of the companys stock worth $241,000 after acquiring an additional 1,049 shares in the last quarter. South Dakota Investment Council lifted its stake in shares of Amcor by 6.6% in the 2nd quarter. South Dakota Investment Council now owns 19,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 1,202 shares during the period. First County Bank CT boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 5.8% during the third quarter. First County Bank CT now owns 23,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 1,275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of Amcor by 3.3% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 40,471 shares of the companys stock valued at $331,000 after purchasing an additional 1,305 shares in the last quarter. 45.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Amcor Company Profile (Get Free Report) Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Amcor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amcor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) insider Jennifer Foyle sold 243,047 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.30, for a total value of $5,906,042.10. Following the sale, the insider owned 191,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,659,549.30. This represents a 55.90% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. American Eagle Outfitters Price Performance NYSE AEO traded up $1.47 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $23.89. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,440,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,122,772. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 0.59. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has a one year low of $9.27 and a one year high of $24.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.05 billion, a PE ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 1.44. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $17.61 and a 200 day moving average of $14.34. Get American Eagle Outfitters alerts: American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The apparel retailer reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $1.36 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.32 billion. American Eagle Outfitters had a return on equity of 13.82% and a net margin of 3.90%.American Eagle Outfitterss revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.48 EPS. Analysts expect that American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. will post 1.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Eagle Outfitters Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be given a $0.125 dividend. This represents a $0.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. American Eagle Outfitterss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.10%. AEO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research raised American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup upped their price target on shares of American Eagle Outfitters from $18.00 to $23.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley set a $23.00 target price on American Eagle Outfitters in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of American Eagle Outfitters from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, September 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.10. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AEO Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Eagle Outfitters Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of AEO. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL raised its stake in American Eagle Outfitters by 50.0% in the third quarter. Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL now owns 1,500 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters during the 3rd quarter valued at about $297,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its holdings in American Eagle Outfitters by 68.8% in the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,116 shares of the apparel retailers stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 1,270 shares during the period. Oberweis Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 3rd quarter valued at $8,281,000. Finally, Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Eagle Outfitters in the 3rd quarter valued at about $188,000. Institutional investors own 97.33% of the companys stock. About American Eagle Outfitters (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands. Further Reading 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. Hafnia (NYSE:HAFN Get Free Report) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (OTCMKTS:NPNYY Get Free Report) are both transportation companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current ratings for Hafnia and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Hafnia alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hafnia 0 1 1 1 3.00 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha 0 1 0 0 2.00 Hafnia presently has a consensus target price of $6.50, suggesting a potential upside of 16.38%. Given Hafnias stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Hafnia is more favorable than Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha. Risk & Volatility Dividends Hafnia has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha has a beta of 1.11, suggesting that its stock price is 11% more volatile than the S&P 500. Hafnia pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 10.4%. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha pays an annual dividend of $0.19 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Hafnia pays out 95.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha pays out 19.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Profitability This table compares Hafnia and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaishas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hafnia 29.50% 13.50% 8.46% Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha 12.71% 10.11% 6.82% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Hafnia and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaishas revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hafnia $2.22 billion 1.27 $774.03 million $0.61 9.16 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha $17.00 billion 0.78 $1.51 billion $0.96 6.39 Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha has higher revenue and earnings than Hafnia. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hafnia, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Hafnia beats Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks. About Hafnia (Get Free Report) Hafnia Limited owns and operates oil product tankers in Bermuda. It operates through Long Range II, Long Range I, Medium Range (MR), Handy size, and Specialized segments. The company transports clean and dirty, refined oil products, vegetable oil, and easy chemicals to national and international oil companies, and chemical companies, as well as trading and utility companies; and owns and operates 200 vessels. It provides ship owning, ship-management, investment, management, corporate support, and agency office services. In addition, the company provides integrated shipping platform, including technical management, commercial and chartering services, pool management, and large-scale bunker desk services. Hafnia Limited is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. About Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (Get Free Report) Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha provides various logistics services worldwide. It operates through Liner & Logistics Business, Bulk Shipping Business, and Other Business segments. The company offers liner trading services, such as container shipping, and terminal and stevedoring services for containerships, car carriers, and cruise ships; and air cargo transportation services. It also provides bulk shipping services comprising transport services for finished automobiles, heavy construction machines, and used cars; transportation services for bulk freight, including iron ore, coal, and wood chips; and transportation services for crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, and coal. In addition, the company is involved in the upstream areas of the supply chain for oil and natural gas. Further, it operates Asuka II, a luxury cruise ship; and manages commercial and residential buildings. Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha was incorporated in 1885 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Receive News & Ratings for Hafnia Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hafnia and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (NYSE:ARI Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be given a dividend of 0.25 per share by the real estate investment trust on Thursday, January 15th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 9.9%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has decreased its dividend by an average of 0.1%annually over the last three years. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a dividend payout ratio of 98.0% meaning its dividend is currently covered by earnings, but may not be in the future if the companys earnings tumble. Get Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance alerts: Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Stock Performance Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance stock traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $10.07. The company had a trading volume of 37,344 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,041,076. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $10.00 and a 200 day moving average of $10.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 90.32 and a quick ratio of 90.32. The firm has a market cap of $1.40 billion, a PE ratio of 11.31, a PEG ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 1.54. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance has a one year low of $7.70 and a one year high of $11.11. Insider Activity Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance ( NYSE:ARI Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $63.88 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $49.15 million. Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance had a return on equity of 8.34% and a net margin of 51.40%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance will post 0.63 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, CEO Stuart Rothstein sold 52,073 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.78, for a total value of $561,346.94. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 281,781 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,037,599.18. This trade represents a 15.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 1,047.8% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,145 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 2,871 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 55.6% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,059 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,451 shares during the last quarter. McElhenny Sheffield Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance in the second quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance during the third quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance by 94.1% during the first quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 5,909 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 2,864 shares during the last quarter. 54.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance (Get Free Report) Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) that originates, acquires, invests in, and manages commercial first mortgage loans, subordinate financings, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Several brokerages have updated their recommendations and price targets on shares of Bank of Montreal (TSE: BMO) in the last few weeks: 12/8/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Raymond James Financial, Inc. from C$182.00 to C$183.00. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Scotiabank from C$179.00 to C$187.00. They now have a sector perform rating on the stock. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Desjardins from C$177.00 to C$180.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at TD Securities from C$182.00 to C$184.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from C$177.00 to C$181.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Bank of America Corporation from C$179.00 to C$183.00. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. from C$192.00 to C$201.00. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from C$181.00 to C$182.00. 12/5/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$163.00 to C$178.00. 12/1/2025 Bank of Montreal was downgraded by analysts at Natl Bk Canada from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. 11/25/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Jefferies Financial Group Inc. from C$173.00 to C$181.00. They now have a hold rating on the stock. 11/25/2025 Bank of Montreal was given a new C$179.00 price target on by analysts at Scotiabank. They now have a sector perform rating on the stock. 11/25/2025 Bank of Montreal was given a new C$182.00 price target on by analysts at Raymond James Financial, Inc.. They now have a market perform rating on the stock. 11/24/2025 Bank of Montreal was upgraded by analysts at Raymond James Financial, Inc. to a hold rating. 11/24/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at Barclays PLC from C$157.00 to C$177.00. They now have an equal weight rating on the stock. 11/19/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at CIBC from C$180.00 to C$192.00. 11/17/2025 Bank of Montreal was downgraded by analysts at National Bankshares, Inc. from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating. They now have a C$181.00 price target on the stock, up previously from C$173.00. 11/10/2025 Bank of Montreal had its price target raised by analysts at TD Securities from C$170.00 to C$182.00. Bank of Montreal Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 26th were paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 30th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.7%. Bank of Montreals payout ratio is presently 55.74%. Insider Transactions at Bank of Montreal In related news, insider Alan Tannenbaum sold 9,824 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$175.12, for a total transaction of C$1,720,408.35. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Bank of Montreal is a diversified financial-services provider based in North America, operating four business segments: Canadian personal and commercial banking, U.S. P&C banking, wealth management, and capital markets. Read More 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. Devotees of Sawa culture carry a sacred vase during the Ngondo Festival in Douala, Cameroon, on Dec. 7, 2025. Thousands recently gathered along the banks of the Wouri River in Cameroon's commercial hub, Douala, to witness the Ngondo Festival, as the Sawa community's iconic river ritual marked its first anniversary as a globally renowned intangible cultural heritage. (Xinhua/Kepseu) by Arison Tamfu, Wang Ze YAOUNDE, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Thousands recently gathered along the banks of the Wouri River in Cameroon's commercial hub, Douala, to witness the Ngondo Festival, as the Sawa community's iconic river ritual marked its first anniversary as a globally renowned intangible cultural heritage. During the ritual, a devotee of Sawa culture plunged into the river from a canoe, carrying a vase filled with the community's wishes. He was believed to meet "mermaids" before returning with a spiritual message for the Sawa people, specifically, and for Cameroon as a whole. The festival was officially inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024. For the Sawa people, the UNESCO recognition carries significant weight. "Ngondo's inscription is a major step forward -- a milestone in showcasing our rich cultural heritage and commitment to protect it," said Valere Epee Lottin, a respected patriarch of the Sawa community. Mark Nguale Mano, who described himself as the commander of custodians of Sawa culture, said that "Ngondo represents our culture, our tradition, our way of life and our very existence, our dignity." "UNESCO recognizes Ngondo and places it within its innermost circle of world culture. Today, we are recognized as a reality that unites. We consider every child of Cameroon to be part of Ngondo," the 52-year-old local said after performing an impressive acrobatic dance. Jacques Eyoum Madiba, a Ngondo historian and patriarch of the Sawa community, expressed immense pride and joy over the UNESCO recognition. "It is now up to us to strive to be worthy of what our ancestors have given us: to educate children in our culture, to understand how our society is structured, to feel the sense of belonging to our community, and to undertake ambitious initiatives that will inspire others," said the 76-year-old senior. Over the past weekend, visitors and tourists also enjoyed a range of activities, including a caravan through traditional Sawa districts with artistic performances, traditional wrestling competitions, canoe races, a crafts and trade fair, and a beauty pageant. "It's an honor to participate in the Ngondo Festival. It proves that tradition, our African culture, doesn't die, and that young people are interested in culture to perpetuate cultural values," said 23-year-old Michel Olivier Ebelle Elokan, participating in the festival for the 15th time. Authorities hoped that the festival's success would inspire greater efforts to protect other significant natural and cultural sites in the Central African nation and encourage more global recognition of the country's rich heritage. "Ngondo's inscription is a high point of recognition of our rich cultural diversity," said Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mkpatt, Cameroon's minister of arts and culture. "We still have Gourna and Fantasia from the Sudano-Sahelian cultural area, Mvet from the Fang-Beti and Achu from the Grassfields cultural areas under study for inscription." Annually observed in the first week of December, the Ngondo Festival has evolved from a commemorative gathering since its inaugural edition in 1949 into a vibrant celebration blending ritual, heritage, and community pride. This year, when the messenger emerged from the river, he brought a message of caution and hope, which read, "We are at the dawn of a new era, with its turbulence, but also its share of opportunities." Bank of Nova Scotia (The) (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $72.28 and last traded at $72.0450, with a volume of 116371 shares. The stock had previously closed at $71.70. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Bank of Nova Scotia from $86.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings cut Bank of Nova Scotia from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on Bank of Nova Scotia in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Bank of Nova Scotia from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, August 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $97.00. Get Bank of Nova Scotia alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Bank of Nova Scotia Bank of Nova Scotia Price Performance The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $66.45 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $89.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.94 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.04. Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE:BNS Get Free Report) (TSE:BNS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 2nd. The bank reported $1.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.33 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $6.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.85 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia had a return on equity of 12.10% and a net margin of 10.60%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 15.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.57 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Bank of Nova Scotia will post 4.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of Nova Scotia Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 6th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 6th. Bank of Nova Scotias dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 78.11%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Nova Scotia Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD acquired a new stake in Bank of Nova Scotia during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Cypress Capital Management LLC WY bought a new position in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia in the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia during the third quarter worth $35,000. Virtus Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Bank of Nova Scotia during the third quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in Bank of Nova Scotia in the third quarter valued at about $45,000. 49.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Bank of Nova Scotia Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth Management, and Global Banking and Markets segments. Read More 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. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd (OTCMKTS:BZQIF Get Free Report)s share price traded up 3.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $1.87 and last traded at $1.87. 200 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 90% from the average session volume of 2,022 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.81. Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Stock Up 3.3% The business has a 50 day moving average of $1.80 and a 200 day moving average of $1.77. About Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication (Get Free Report) Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp. Ltd provides communications services to business and private customers in Israel. It operates through Domestic fixed-line communications, Cellular Communication, Internet, International Communication, and ICT Solutions, and Multi-Channel Television segments. The company offers telephony services, including basic telephony services on the household telephone line, as well as associated services, such as voice mail and caller ID; national numbering services; and transmission and data-communication services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chow Tai Fook (OTCMKTS:CJEWY Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $18.00, but opened at $15.60. Chow Tai Fook shares last traded at $15.60, with a volume of 395 shares traded. Chow Tai Fook Stock Performance The companys 50-day moving average price is $18.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $18.12. Chow Tai Fook Company Profile (Get Free Report) Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells jewelry products in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Cambodia, Canada, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam. The company offers gem-set, platinum and k-gold jewelry, and gold jewelry and products under the CHOW TAI FOOK, HEARTS ON FIRE, ENZO, MONOLOGUE, and SOINLOVE brands. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chow Tai Fook Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chow Tai Fook and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Culp (NYSE:CULP Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The textile maker reported ($0.30) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.18) by ($0.12), Zacks reports. Culp had a negative return on equity of 11.68% and a negative net margin of 5.82%.The company had revenue of $53.20 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $53.11 million. Culp Stock Performance Shares of Culp stock opened at $3.89 on Thursday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $4.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.19. The company has a current ratio of 1.86, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market capitalization of $49.01 million, a PE ratio of -4.01 and a beta of 1.04. Culp has a 12 month low of $3.42 and a 12 month high of $5.94. Get Culp alerts: Insider Activity In other Culp news, CEO Robert George Iv Culp purchased 7,428 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $4.42 per share, for a total transaction of $32,831.76. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 111,458 shares of the companys stock, valued at $492,644.36. The trade was a 7.14% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders bought 15,147 shares of company stock valued at $66,292 in the last ninety days. 7.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Culp Analyst Ratings Changes Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its stake in Culp by 16.5% during the 3rd quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 40,652 shares of the textile makers stock worth $181,000 after purchasing an additional 5,762 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. increased its position in shares of Culp by 3.9% during the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 201,191 shares of the textile makers stock worth $897,000 after acquiring an additional 7,620 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Culp by 1.0% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 507,062 shares of the textile makers stock worth $2,261,000 after acquiring an additional 5,019 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in Culp by 10.0% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 694,888 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $2,731,000 after acquiring an additional 62,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in Culp in the 3rd quarter valued at $6,642,000. 75.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Culp in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Sell. Read Our Latest Analysis on CULP About Culp (Get Free Report) Culp, Inc manufactures, sources, markets, and sells mattress fabrics, sewn covers, and cut and sewn kits for use in mattresses, foundations, and other bedding products in the United States, North America, the Far East, Asia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Mattress Fabrics and Upholstery Fabrics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Culp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Culp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 11.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 271,940 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after buying an additional 26,891 shares during the quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $29,209,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management boosted its stake in Boston Scientific by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management now owns 2,711 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $291,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Boston Scientific in the second quarter valued at approximately $794,000. L2 Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 5.5% during the second quarter. L2 Asset Management LLC now owns 6,626 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $712,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the last quarter. Vega Investment Solutions boosted its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 36.4% during the second quarter. Vega Investment Solutions now owns 18,239 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $1,959,000 after buying an additional 4,868 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in Boston Scientific during the second quarter worth $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.07% of the companys stock. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BSX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Leerink Partners raised their price objective on Boston Scientific from $127.00 to $128.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $129.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $124.00 target price on shares of Boston Scientific in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b-) rating on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Boston Scientific presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $123.77. Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.47, for a total transaction of $4,973,500.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 178,342 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,739,678.74. This represents a 21.90% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 17,313 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $101.55, for a total transaction of $1,758,135.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 23,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,396,580. The trade was a 42.32% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 143,095 shares of company stock worth $14,228,950. 0.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Boston Scientific Trading Down 1.4% Shares of BSX stock opened at $92.52 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $99.10 and a 200-day moving average of $101.86. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Boston Scientific Corporation has a 12-month low of $85.98 and a 12-month high of $109.50. The firm has a market cap of $137.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.48, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.67. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The medical equipment provider reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 19.46% and a net margin of 14.43%.The business had revenue of $5.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.97 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.63 earnings per share. Boston Scientifics revenue for the quarter was up 20.3% on a year-over-year basis. Boston Scientific has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.020-3.040 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.770-0.790 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific Corporation will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year. Boston Scientific Profile (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through two segments, MedSurg and Cardiovascular. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions, such as resolution clips, biliary stent systems, stents and electrocautery enhanced delivery systems, direct visualization systems, digital catheters, and single-use duodenoscopes; devices to treat urological conditions, including ureteral stents, catheters, baskets, guidewires, sheaths, balloons, single-use digital flexible ureteroscopes, holmium laser systems, artificial urinary sphincter, laser system, fiber, and hydrogel systems; and devices to treat neurological movement disorders and manage chronic pain, such as spinal cord stimulator system, proprietary programming software, radiofrequency generator, indirect decompression systems, practice optimization tools, and deep brain stimulation system. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BMO Capital Markets upgraded shares of Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on DAL. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Delta Air Lines in a report on Thursday, December 4th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Delta Air Lines from $72.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $63.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of Delta Air Lines from $74.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, December 2nd. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane boosted their price objective on Delta Air Lines from $70.00 to $85.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Monday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-one have issued a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $73.40. Get Delta Air Lines alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on DAL Delta Air Lines Stock Up 1.5% DAL opened at $68.43 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $60.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.65. Delta Air Lines has a twelve month low of $34.74 and a twelve month high of $69.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a current ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market cap of $44.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.37. Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 15th. The transportation company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter. Delta Air Lines had a return on equity of 23.83% and a net margin of 7.36%.The company had revenue of $8.40 billion for the quarter. Research analysts forecast that Delta Air Lines will post 7.63 EPS for the current year. Delta Air Lines Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, November 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 16th were paid a $0.1875 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 16th. This represents a $0.75 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Delta Air Liness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 10.56%. Insider Transactions at Delta Air Lines In other Delta Air Lines news, SVP William C. Carroll sold 14,010 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total value of $858,112.50. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 15,816 shares in the company, valued at $968,730. This represents a 46.97% 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. Also, EVP John E. Laughter sold 23,323 shares of Delta Air Lines stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.33, for a total value of $1,453,722.59. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 81,109 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,055,523.97. This represents a 22.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.96% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Delta Air Lines Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 3.3% in the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 5,493 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $312,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC increased its position in Delta Air Lines by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC now owns 5,871 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $362,000 after buying an additional 181 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Delta Air Lines by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,844 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $386,000 after buying an additional 196 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Delta Air Lines by 1.2% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 16,237 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $921,000 after acquiring an additional 197 shares during the period. Finally, JT Stratford LLC grew its stake in shares of Delta Air Lines by 1.2% in the first quarter. JT Stratford LLC now owns 16,403 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $715,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 69.93% of the companys stock. Delta Air Lines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Delta Air Lines, Inc provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Airline and Refinery. Its domestic network centered on core hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, as well as coastal hub positions in Boston, Los Angeles, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, and Seattle; and international network centered on hubs and market presence in Amsterdam, Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Sao Paulo, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Delta Air Lines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delta Air Lines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD. cut its position in Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report) by 30.8% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 45,000 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 20,000 shares during the quarter. Ally Financial accounts for 0.2% of Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD.s holdings in Ally Financial were worth $1,753,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 33.5% in the 1st quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 140,047 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,108,000 after acquiring an additional 35,144 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE raised its position in Ally Financial by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 14,472 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $528,000 after purchasing an additional 496 shares during the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its stake in Ally Financial by 0.4% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 214,592 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,826,000 after purchasing an additional 868 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Ally Financial by 120.6% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 409,435 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $14,932,000 after purchasing an additional 223,799 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT acquired a new stake in shares of Ally Financial in the first quarter valued at $74,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.76% of the companys stock. Get Ally Financial alerts: Insider Transactions at Ally Financial In other news, insider Kathleen L. Patterson sold 29,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.86, for a total transaction of $1,184,940.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 100,203 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,094,294.58. The trade was a 22.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth ALLY has been the topic of several research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Ally Financial from $42.00 to $43.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Ally Financial from $59.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Ally Financial from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Ally Financial from $45.00 to $47.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Finally, TD Cowen upgraded Ally Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price objective for the company from $43.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Monday, October 20th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $45.67. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Ally Financial Ally Financial Trading Down 0.8% Shares of NYSE ALLY opened at $42.33 on Wednesday. Ally Financial Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $29.52 and a fifty-two week high of $44.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.50, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $39.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.37. Ally Financial (NYSE:ALLY Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter. Ally Financial had a net margin of 8.10% and a return on equity of 9.96%. On average, analysts predict that Ally Financial Inc. will post 3.57 EPS for the current year. Ally Financial Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 31st were paid a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 31st. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.8%. Ally Financials dividend payout ratio is presently 72.29%. Ally Financial Company Profile (Free Report) Ally Financial Inc, a digital financial-services company, provides various digital financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda. The company operates through Automotive Finance Operations, Insurance Operations, Mortgage Finance Operations, and Corporate Finance Operations segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ALLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE:ALLY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Ally Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ally Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NVST Get Free Report)s share price was up 5.6% on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $21.80 and last traded at $21.7690. Approximately 530,669 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 78% from the average daily volume of 2,368,679 shares. The stock had previously closed at $20.62. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms recently commented on NVST. Barclays started coverage on Envista in a research note on Monday. They set an overweight rating and a $24.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus set a $25.00 price objective on shares of Envista in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research cut Envista from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Envista from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Finally, Evercore ISI reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Envista in a research note on Friday, October 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Envista currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.54. Get Envista alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Report on NVST Envista Stock Up 5.0% The company has a market capitalization of $3.56 billion, a PE ratio of 241.24, a PEG ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 2.37. The stocks 50 day moving average is $20.08 and its 200 day moving average is $20.05. Envista (NYSE:NVST Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $669.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $639.49 million. Envista had a return on equity of 5.90% and a net margin of 0.58%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.12 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Envista Holdings Corporation will post 1 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Envista A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Profit Investment Management LLC grew its position in Envista by 36.2% during the second quarter. Profit Investment Management LLC now owns 173,788 shares of the companys stock worth $3,396,000 after buying an additional 46,191 shares in the last quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Envista by 7.2% during the second quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 2,459,082 shares of the companys stock worth $48,050,000 after purchasing an additional 164,825 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio bought a new position in shares of Envista in the first quarter worth approximately $1,433,000. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in Envista by 47.4% in the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 47,597 shares of the companys stock valued at $822,000 after purchasing an additional 15,312 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Envista by 39.5% during the second quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 66,018 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,346,000 after purchasing an additional 18,699 shares during the last quarter. Envista Company Profile (Get Free Report) Envista Holdings Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells dental products in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Specialty Products & Technologies, and Equipment & Consumables. The Specialty Products & Technologies segment offers dental implant systems, guided surgery systems, biomaterials, and prefabricated and custom-built prosthetics to oral surgeons, prosthodontists and periodontists, and general dentist; and brackets and wires, tubes and bands, archwires, clear aligners, digital orthodontic treatments, retainers, and other orthodontic laboratory products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Envista Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Envista and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Flowserve Corporation (NYSE:FLS Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have issued a buy recommendation and one has 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 $75.3333. FLS has been the topic of a number of research reports. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Flowserve from $65.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Flowserve from $68.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Flowserve from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Flowserve from $66.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Flowserve from $64.00 to $71.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Get Flowserve alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Flowserve Flowserve Stock Up 1.6% Shares of NYSE:FLS opened at $72.42 on Wednesday. Flowserve has a 1 year low of $37.34 and a 1 year high of $73.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 2.10 and a quick ratio of 1.54. The businesss 50-day moving average is $62.36 and its 200-day moving average is $56.11. The company has a market capitalization of $9.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 1.30. Flowserve (NYSE:FLS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The industrial products company reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.80 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.21 billion. Flowserve had a return on equity of 19.41% and a net margin of 9.66%.The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.62 earnings per share. Flowserve has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.400-3.500 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Flowserve will post 3.18 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling at Flowserve In related news, insider Lamar L. Duhon sold 1,609 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.51, for a total value of $111,841.59. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 15,116 shares in the company, valued at $1,050,713.16. This trade represents a 9.62% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Susan Claire Hudson sold 10,667 shares of Flowserve stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.01, for a total transaction of $746,796.67. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 6,589 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $461,295.89. The trade was a 61.82% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 59,276 shares of company stock valued at $4,196,578. Company insiders own 0.72% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in FLS. TD Private Client Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Flowserve during the second quarter worth about $25,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Flowserve in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. BOKF NA bought a new position in Flowserve in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Hilltop National Bank acquired a new position in Flowserve during the 2nd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc boosted its stake in Flowserve by 1,289.6% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 667 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 619 shares during the last quarter. 93.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Flowserve Company Profile (Get Free Report) Flowserve Corporation designs, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates through Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD) segments. The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services; and equipment services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines and in the oil and gas production and process markets. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Flowserve Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Flowserve and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WINTON GROUP Ltd boosted its position in shares of Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW Free Report) by 43.8% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 232,550 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 70,874 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltds holdings in Genworth Financial were worth $1,809,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Voya Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Genworth Financial by 5.8% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 874,022 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,197,000 after purchasing an additional 47,832 shares in the last quarter. Caxton Associates LLP bought a new position in shares of Genworth Financial during the 1st quarter worth about $3,990,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of Genworth Financial by 117.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 46,976 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $375,000 after acquiring an additional 25,341 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Genworth Financial by 7.6% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 427,993 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,034,000 after buying an additional 30,260 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Clare Market Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Genworth Financial during the 2nd quarter valued at about $521,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.85% of the companys stock. Get Genworth Financial alerts: Genworth Financial Price Performance Shares of GNW stock opened at $8.79 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firms 50 day moving average is $8.61 and its 200-day moving average is $8.19. Genworth Financial, Inc. has a 1 year low of $5.99 and a 1 year high of $9.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.58 and a beta of 1.02. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Genworth Financial ( NYSE:GNW Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $0.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.06 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter. Genworth Financial had a return on equity of 1.56% and a net margin of 3.01%. A number of brokerages have commented on GNW. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Genworth Financial from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 15th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Genworth Financial in a report on Monday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on Genworth Financial from $9.50 to $10.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $10.00. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on GNW Genworth Financial Profile (Free Report) Genworth Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides mortgage and long-term care insurance products in the United States and internationally. It operates in three segments: Enact, Long-Term Care Insurance, and Life and Annuities. The Enact segment offers private mortgage insurance products primarily insuring prime-based, individually underwritten residential mortgage loans; and pool mortgage insurance products. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GNW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Genworth Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genworth Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. THE HAGUE, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A substantial terrorist threat persists in the Netherlands, the country's principal counterterrorism authority said on Tuesday. "The likelihood of a terrorist attack in the Netherlands is real; therefore, the threat level remains at 4 (substantial)," the Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) stated in its latest semi-annual Terrorist Threat Assessment for the Netherlands report. Radicalization of local individuals remains a serious cause for concern, the report said, noting that radicalization takes place primarily online -- across open and closed platforms, including social media, gaming platforms, and chat groups. "Since 2020, terrorist attacks in Europe have almost exclusively been carried out by lone actors," Acting National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security Wieke Vink said. "Preventing terrorist crimes and detecting early signals that may indicate terrorism or extremism remain the government's highest priority," Minister of Justice and Security Foort van Oosten said in a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives. SSAB (OTCMKTS:SSAAY Get Free Report) and ThyssenKrupp (OTCMKTS:TKAMY Get Free Report) are both mid-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and dividends. Earnings & Valuation This table compares SSAB and ThyssenKrupps revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get SSAB alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio SSAB $9.78 billion 0.76 $617.08 million $0.25 15.00 ThyssenKrupp $38.01 billion 0.17 -$1.63 billion ($1.42) -7.33 Profitability SSAB has higher earnings, but lower revenue than ThyssenKrupp. ThyssenKrupp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SSAB, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. This table compares SSAB and ThyssenKrupps net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SSAB 5.17% 7.33% 4.77% ThyssenKrupp -2.40% -7.90% -2.80% Dividends SSAB pays an annual dividend of $0.09 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. ThyssenKrupp pays an annual dividend of $0.10 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. SSAB pays out 36.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. ThyssenKrupp pays out -7.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for SSAB and ThyssenKrupp, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SSAB 0 2 2 0 2.50 ThyssenKrupp 1 2 1 1 2.40 Volatility and Risk SSAB has a beta of 1.33, indicating that its share price is 33% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, ThyssenKrupp has a beta of 1.06, indicating that its share price is 6% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary SSAB beats ThyssenKrupp on 11 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About SSAB (Get Free Report) SSAB AB (publ) produces and sells steel products in Sweden, Finland, Rest of Europe, the United States, and internationally. It operates through five segments: SSAB Special Steels, SSAB Europe, SSAB Americas, Tibnor, and Ruukki Construction. The SSAB Special Steels segment offers quenched and tempered steels, and advanced high-strength steel products for steel and plate production. The SSAB Europe segment provides strip, heavy plate, and tubular products. The SSAB Americas segment sells heavy plates for steel and plate production. The Tibnor segment distributes a range of steel and non-ferrous metals in the Nordics and Baltics. The Ruukki Construction segment produces and sells energy-efficient building and construction solutions. It markets its steel products under the Strenx, Hardox, Docol, GreenCoat, Toolox, Armox, Duroxite, SSAB AM, SSAB Boron, SSAB Domex, SSAB Form, SSAB Laser, SSAB Weathering, Cor-Ten, and SSAB Multisteel brands. The company's products are used by customers in the heavy transport, construction and infrastructure, industrial applications, construction machinery, energy, and material handling markets. SSAB AB (publ) was founded in 1878 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. About ThyssenKrupp (Get Free Report) thyssenkrupp AG operates as an industrial and technology company in Germany and internationally. It operates through five segments: Automotive Technology, Decarbon Technologies, Materials Services, Steel Europe, and Marine Systems. The Automotive Technology segment offers components, systems, and automation solutions for vehicle manufacturing, such as axle assembly, body in white, camshafts and electric engine components, dampers, dies, springs and stabilizers, crankshafts and conrods, steering, and undercarriages. The Decarbon Technologies segment provides slewing bearings and rings, green ammonia and methanol, chemical and cement plants, high pressure processing, and refinery services, as well as green hydrogen. The Marine System segment manufactures submarines, naval services, and naval surface vessels. The Material Services segment offers 3D-printing/additive manufacturing, alloys, infrastructure project and services, industrial minerals, logistics services, metals, nonferrous metals, plastics, rolled steel, special ores, and stainless steel. The Steel Europe segment manufactures composite materials, electrical steel, hot strips, organic coated strips and sheet, packaging steel, precision steel strip, and sheet and coated products. thyssenkrupp AG was founded in 1811 and is headquartered in Essen, Germany. Receive News & Ratings for SSAB Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SSAB and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hippo (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) had its price target increased by investment analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $33.00 to $34.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a market perform rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods target price suggests a potential upside of 12.12% from the stocks previous close. Several other brokerages also recently issued reports on HIPO. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Hippo from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d-) rating on shares of Hippo in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Hippo from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 11th. JMP Securities set a $45.00 target price on shares of Hippo and gave the stock a market outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Hippo in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Hippo presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $37.50. Get Hippo alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on HIPO Hippo Trading Up 1.1% Shares of HIPO opened at $30.32 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 0.94. Hippo has a 52-week low of $19.92 and a 52-week high of $38.98. The firm has a market cap of $768.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.38 and a beta of 1.57. The businesss fifty day moving average is $34.16 and its 200-day moving average is $31.38. Hippo (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $0.70 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.04 by $0.66. Hippo had a negative return on equity of 5.89% and a net margin of 21.30%.The firm had revenue of $120.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $117.75 million. Equities analysts anticipate that Hippo will post -3.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling In other Hippo news, CFO Guy Zeltser sold 1,819 shares of Hippo stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.16, for a total value of $58,499.04. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 68,860 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,214,537.60. The trade was a 2.57% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 10.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Hippo Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL bought a new stake in shares of Hippo in the 3rd quarter valued at $963,000. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hippo during the third quarter valued at about $5,842,000. Voleon Capital Management LP bought a new position in shares of Hippo during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,048,000. Westerly Capital Management LLC increased its position in Hippo by 3.7% in the 3rd quarter. Westerly Capital Management LLC now owns 338,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,222,000 after buying an additional 12,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new position in Hippo during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $125,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 43.01% of the companys stock. About Hippo (Get Free Report) Hippo Holdings Inc provides property and casualty insurance products to individuals and business customers primarily in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Services, Insurance-as-a-Service, and Hippo Home Insurance Program. Its insurance products include homeowners' insurance against risks of fire, wind, and theft, as well as other personal lines policies from third party carriers; and personal and commercial, as well as home, auto, cyber, small business, life, specialty lines, and other insurance products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hippo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hippo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hudbay Minerals (TSE:HBM Get Free Report) (NYSE:HBM) had its target price boosted by equities research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$26.00 to C$28.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas price objective suggests a potential upside of 11.42% from the companys previous close. A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of Hudbay Minerals from C$23.00 to C$24.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Hudbay Minerals to a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 8th. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Hudbay Minerals from C$17.00 to C$18.50 in a research report on Thursday, August 21st. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Hudbay Minerals from C$26.50 to C$26.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Hudbay Minerals from C$27.00 to C$31.00 in a report on Monday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and eight have given a Buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Hudbay Minerals has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of C$23.02. Get Hudbay Minerals alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Hudbay Minerals Hudbay Minerals Stock Up 3.2% Shares of Hudbay Minerals stock traded up C$0.77 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting C$25.13. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,075,338 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,756,597. Hudbay Minerals has a 1-year low of C$8.49 and a 1-year high of C$25.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.39. The firm has a market capitalization of C$9.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.66, a PEG ratio of 3.97 and a beta of 2.07. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of C$22.66 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$17.72. Hudbay Minerals (TSE:HBM Get Free Report) (NYSE:HBM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 12th. The mining company reported C$0.03 earnings per share for the quarter. Hudbay Minerals had a return on equity of 3.74% and a net margin of 4.23%.The firm had revenue of C$0.35 million for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Hudbay Minerals will post 1.1220575 earnings per share for the current year. Hudbay Minerals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hudbay Minerals Inc is a Canadian mining company with its operations, property developments, and exploration activities across the United States. The major mines that Hudbay operates are located in Manitoba, Canada, Arizona, United States; and Peru. The company is principally focused on the discovery, production, and marketing of base and precious metals. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hudbay Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudbay Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC trimmed its position in Champion Homes, Inc. (NYSE:SKY Free Report) by 75.2% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 61,461 shares of the companys stock after selling 185,997 shares during the period. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC owned about 0.11% of Champion Homes worth $3,848,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SKY. State Street Corp boosted its stake in shares of Champion Homes by 4.0% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,579,091 shares of the companys stock worth $161,477,000 after acquiring an additional 98,659 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in Champion Homes by 50.8% during the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,945,434 shares of the companys stock worth $121,804,000 after purchasing an additional 655,505 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Champion Homes by 67.1% during the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,716,459 shares of the companys stock worth $162,652,000 after buying an additional 689,265 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Champion Homes by 63.7% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,007,639 shares of the companys stock valued at $95,484,000 after buying an additional 392,159 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Champion Homes by 2.8% in the second quarter. Burgundy Asset Management Ltd. now owns 835,176 shares of the companys stock worth $52,290,000 after buying an additional 22,972 shares in the last quarter. Get Champion Homes alerts: Champion Homes Stock Performance NYSE:SKY opened at $84.54 on Wednesday. Champion Homes, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $59.44 and a fifty-two week high of $110.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 1.77 and a current ratio of 2.60. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $76.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.96 and a beta of 1.06. Analyst Ratings Changes Champion Homes ( NYSE:SKY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.81 by $0.20. Champion Homes had a return on equity of 14.36% and a net margin of 8.41%.The company had revenue of $684.43 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $636.96 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.93 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Champion Homes, Inc. will post 3.63 EPS for the current year. SKY has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Champion Homes in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Champion Homes from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Champion Homes from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of Champion Homes from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the company from $85.00 to $91.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Barclays raised Champion Homes from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $79.00 to $100.00 in a research note on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $95.50. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on SKY Insider Transactions at Champion Homes In other Champion Homes news, EVP Joseph A. Kimmell sold 1,812 shares of Champion Homes stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $82.04, for a total value of $148,656.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 55,977 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,592,353.08. The trade was a 3.14% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 1.20% of the companys stock. About Champion Homes (Free Report) Skyline Champion Corporation produces and sells factory-built housing in North America. The company offers manufactured and modular homes, park models RVs, accessory dwelling units, and modular buildings for the multi-family and hospitality sectors. It builds homes under the Skyline Homes, Champion Home Builders, Genesis Homes, Athens Park Models, Dutch Housing, Atlantic Homes, Excel Homes, Homes of Merit, New Era, Redman Homes, ScotBilt Homes, Shore Park, Silvercrest, and Titan Homes brands in the United States; and Moduline and SRI Homes brand names in western Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Champion Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Champion Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC decreased its holdings in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC Free Report) by 26.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 29,034 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 10,283 shares during the quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $1,374,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Bank of America by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 148,176,755 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,982,863,000 after purchasing an additional 403,652 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Bank of America during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,091,641,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Bank of America by 5.2% during the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 51,405,673 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,432,516,000 after acquiring an additional 2,557,943 shares during the period. Amundi raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 39,233,293 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,637,205,000 after acquiring an additional 1,413,313 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Bank of America by 0.6% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 31,956,699 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,333,351,000 after acquiring an additional 188,638 shares in the last quarter. 70.71% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently weighed in on BAC. Daiwa Capital Markets upped their price target on Bank of America from $54.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Bank of America from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Argus upped their price objective on shares of Bank of America from $53.00 to $58.00 in a report on Friday, October 17th. Seaport Global Securities raised their target price on shares of Bank of America from $59.00 to $66.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued an outperform rating and issued a $58.00 price target (up from $57.00) on shares of Bank of America in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Twenty-three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $57.77. Bank of America Price Performance NYSE BAC opened at $53.52 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.79. The company has a market capitalization of $390.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.58 and a beta of 1.30. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $52.15 and a 200 day moving average of $49.30. Bank of America Corporation has a one year low of $33.06 and a one year high of $54.83. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.06 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.93 by $0.13. Bank of America had a net margin of 15.70% and a return on equity of 10.76%. The firm had revenue of $5.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27.05 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.81 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current year. Bank of America Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. Bank of Americas dividend payout ratio is presently 30.52%. About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in shares of Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI) by 160.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 401,566 shares of the business services providers stock after purchasing an additional 247,252 shares during the quarter. Invesco Ltd.s holdings in Thomson Reuters were worth $80,767,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Curio Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 16,200.0% in the second quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 163 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Thomson Reuters in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in Thomson Reuters in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new position in Thomson Reuters during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Thomson Reuters by 30.9% in the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 309 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $62,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.31% of the companys stock. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on TRI shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Thomson Reuters from $178.00 to $160.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. CIBC set a $198.00 price objective on shares of Thomson Reuters and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Scotiabank reissued an outperform rating and set a $189.00 target price (down previously from $200.00) on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley set a $172.00 price target on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Thomson Reuters in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $195.27. Thomson Reuters Stock Down 0.8% TRI stock opened at $128.65 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $145.53 and a two-hundred day moving average of $172.55. Thomson Reuters Co. has a 12 month low of $128.59 and a 12 month high of $218.42. The company has a market cap of $57.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.31, a PEG ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 0.80. Thomson Reuters (NYSE:TRI Get Free Report) (TSE:TRI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The business services provider reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.81 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 14.62% and a net margin of 30.45%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.80 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 3.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Thomson Reuters Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th will be issued a $0.595 dividend. This represents a $2.38 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 18th. Thomson Reuterss payout ratio is presently 61.18%. About Thomson Reuters (Free Report) Thomson Reuters Corporation engages in the provision of business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TRI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Thomson Reuters Co. (NYSE:TRI Free Report) (TSE:TRI). Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (NYSE:LAR Get Free Report) traded down 5.9% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $5.08 and last traded at $5.09. 1,170,905 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 36% from the average session volume of 1,832,915 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.41. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Scotiabank lifted their price target on Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $3.50 to $4.25 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 12th. Zacks Research upgraded Lithium Americas (Argentina) from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d) rating on shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Cormark raised Lithium Americas (Argentina) to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Lithium Americas (Argentina) from $2.50 to $4.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $4.25. Get Lithium Americas (Argentina) alerts: View Our Latest Report on LAR Lithium Americas (Argentina) Price Performance The stocks 50 day moving average is $4.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $3.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $847.21 million and a P/E ratio of -10.44. Lithium Americas (Argentina) (NYSE:LAR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 10th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by ($0.01). As a group, equities research analysts expect that Lithium Americas will post -0.05 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lithium Americas (Argentina) Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LAR. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) by 119.3% during the third quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 9,594,157 shares of the companys stock worth $32,045,000 after acquiring an additional 5,219,416 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) by 9.3% in the 2nd quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 4,786,166 shares of the companys stock worth $9,975,000 after purchasing an additional 408,065 shares during the period. CenterBook Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) by 102.1% in the 3rd quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 4,200,238 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,029,000 after purchasing an additional 2,122,035 shares during the last quarter. Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas (Argentina) during the first quarter worth $5,368,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. raised its stake in Lithium Americas (Argentina) by 6.1% during the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,332,308 shares of the companys stock worth $7,790,000 after buying an additional 133,572 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.17% of the companys stock. Lithium Americas (Argentina) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Lithium Argentina AG, a resource and materials company, focuses on advancing lithium projects in Argentina. The company owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province; and the Pastos Grandes project located in Salta Province of Argentina. The company was formerly known as Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lithium Americas (Argentina) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithium Americas (Argentina) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Magna International Inc. (TSE:MG Get Free Report) (NYSE:MGA) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is C$61.00. A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Magna International to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Citigroup upgraded Magna International to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Get Magna International alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on MG Magna International Price Performance MG stock opened at C$68.32 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$66.58 and a 200-day moving average of C$60.96. The firm has a market capitalization of C$19.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.45 and a beta of 1.86. Magna International has a 12 month low of C$43.25 and a 12 month high of C$71.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 61.81. Magna International (TSE:MG Get Free Report) (NYSE:MGA) last posted its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C$1.33 earnings per share for the quarter. Magna International had a net margin of 2.52% and a return on equity of 9.11%. The business had revenue of C$14.57 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Magna International will post 8.8948171 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Magna International Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 28th were given a $0.485 dividend. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is 52.88%. Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Magna International prides itself on a highly entrepreneurial culture and a corporate constitution that outlines distribution of profits to various stakeholders. This automotive suppliers product groups include exteriors, interiors, seating, roof systems, body and chassis, powertrain, vision and electronic systems, closure systems, electric vehicle systems, tooling and engineering, and contracted vehicle assembly. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Magna International Inc. (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) shares hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $51.41 and last traded at $51.0870, with a volume of 1151675 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $49.29. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Magna International in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Magna International from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Sunday, November 9th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Magna International from $47.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an in-line rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on Magna International from $49.00 to $52.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, TD Securities upped their price target on Magna International from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.33. Get Magna International alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Magna International Magna International Trading Up 3.6% The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.18. The companys 50 day moving average is $47.54 and its 200 day moving average is $44.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.96 and a beta of 1.53. Magna International (NYSE:MGA Get Free Report) (TSE:MG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $1.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.24 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $10.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.03 billion. Magna International had a net margin of 2.50% and a return on equity of 11.88%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.28 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Magna International Inc. will post 5.87 EPS for the current fiscal year. Magna International Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were issued a $0.485 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.8%. Magna Internationals dividend payout ratio is 53.01%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Magna International Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in MGA. Achmea Investment Management B.V. acquired a new stake in shares of Magna International in the third quarter valued at $8,606,000. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in Magna International during the 3rd quarter worth about $112,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its holdings in Magna International by 196.9% during the 3rd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 139,659 shares of the companys stock worth $6,620,000 after acquiring an additional 92,613 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC increased its position in Magna International by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 14,241 shares of the companys stock valued at $675,000 after acquiring an additional 246 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Community Bank N.A. bought a new position in shares of Magna International in the third quarter worth about $29,000. Institutional investors own 67.49% of the companys stock. Magna International Company Profile (Get Free Report) Magna International Inc designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. It operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Magna International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Magna International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Maven Securities LTD bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY 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 9,758 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $700,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Innealta Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 179.5% in the second quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 27,391 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,966,000 after acquiring an additional 17,590 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $76,000. Total Wealth Planning & Management Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at about $481,000. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 8,895 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $481,000 after purchasing an additional 612 shares during the period. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI South Korea ETF by 36.0% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 3,447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $186,000 after purchasing an additional 912 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 49.22% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI South Korea ETF alerts: iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Trading Up 0.5% Shares of EWY opened at $95.57 on Wednesday. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF has a 12 month low of $48.49 and a 12 month high of $100.79. The firms 50 day moving average is $90.70 and its 200-day moving average is $78.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.90 billion, a PE ratio of 10.35 and a beta of 1.22. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI South Korea Capped 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 MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Stock Market Division of the Korean Exchange. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HANOI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's National Assembly has passed a new population law introducing measures to encourage childbirth and maintain a replacement-level fertility rate, local daily Tuoi Tre reported Wednesday. Under the new law, women will be entitled to seven months of maternity leave for their second child, one month longer than the current policy. Fathers will be granted 10 working days of paternity leave. The legislation also stipulates financial support for women who have two children before the age of 35, and gives households with two or more biological children priority in accessing social housing for purchase or rent. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading activity on Wednesday. Traders bought 169,201 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 503% compared to the average daily volume of 28,043 call options. Medical Properties Trust Stock Up 1.2% Shares of MPW traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $5.52. The stock had a trading volume of 9,544,675 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,740,070. The company has a market cap of $3.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.67 and a beta of 1.44. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $5.25 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $4.72. Medical Properties Trust has a 1-year low of $3.51 and a 1-year high of $6.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.06, a current ratio of 2.68 and a quick ratio of 2.68. Get Medical Properties Trust alerts: Medical Properties Trust (NYSE:MPW Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.16 by ($0.03). Medical Properties Trust had a negative net margin of 75.76% and a negative return on equity of 14.82%. The business had revenue of $237.52 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $244.89 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.16 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Medical Properties Trust will post 0.78 earnings per share for the current year. Medical Properties Trust Increases Dividend Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 8th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 11th will be paid a dividend of $0.09 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 11th. This is a positive change from Medical Properties Trusts previous quarterly dividend of $0.08. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.5%. Medical Properties Trusts dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -27.12%. A number of research firms have issued reports on MPW. Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Medical Properties Trust in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research raised Medical Properties Trust from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Wall Street Zen lowered Medical Properties Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Medical Properties Trust from $4.50 to $5.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $5.63. View Our Latest Research Report on MPW Hedge Funds Weigh In On Medical Properties Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MPW. Eastern Bank acquired a new stake in Medical Properties Trust during the third quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Medical Properties Trust by 346.5% in the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 7,274 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 5,645 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Medical Properties Trust in the 3rd quarter valued at $37,000. Rothschild Investment LLC acquired a new stake in Medical Properties Trust during the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. purchased a new stake in Medical Properties Trust in the first quarter valued at $41,000. 71.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Medical Properties Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Medical Properties Trust, Inc is a self-advised real estate investment trust formed in 2003 to acquire and develop net-leased hospital facilities. From its inception in Birmingham, Alabama, the Company has grown to become one of the world's largest owners of hospital real estate with 441 facilities and approximately 44,000 licensed beds as of September 30, 2023. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Medical Properties Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Medical Properties Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Australia Bank Ltd. (OTCMKTS:NABZY Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $13.59, but opened at $13.1650. National Australia Bank shares last traded at $13.6150, with a volume of 11,666 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded National Australia Bank to a strong sell rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. National Bankshares began coverage on shares of National Australia Bank in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. They issued a sell rating and a $38.00 price objective on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Sell rating, According to MarketBeat, National Australia Bank presently has a consensus rating of Sell and a consensus price target of $38.00. Get National Australia Bank alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on NABZY National Australia Bank Trading Up 0.3% National Australia Bank Company Profile The stocks 50 day moving average is $13.96 and its 200 day moving average is $13.45. (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. Read More 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. Natixis boosted its stake in Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report) by 61.3% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 29,040 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 11,041 shares during the period. Natixis holdings in Essex Property Trust were worth $8,230,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cetera Investment Advisers lifted its position in shares of Essex Property Trust by 25.2% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 3,775 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,157,000 after purchasing an additional 761 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC bought a new position in Essex Property Trust in the first quarter worth about $244,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in Essex Property Trust by 44.7% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 59,491 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $18,238,000 after buying an additional 18,391 shares in the last quarter. Forsta AP Fonden lifted its holdings in Essex Property Trust by 2.6% in the first quarter. Forsta AP Fonden now owns 11,800 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,618,000 after buying an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in Essex Property Trust during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 96.51% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Essex Property Trust alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have recently issued reports on ESS shares. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Essex Property Trust in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. They issued an overweight rating and a $300.00 target price for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $304.00 to $285.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Evercore ISI lowered their price objective on Essex Property Trust from $279.00 to $271.00 and set a cautious rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. BNP Paribas cut shares of Essex Property Trust from an outperform rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Essex Property Trust from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Essex Property Trust presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $291.53. Essex Property Trust Trading Down 0.1% Essex Property Trust stock opened at $252.00 on Wednesday. Essex Property Trust, Inc. has a 12 month low of $243.25 and a 12 month high of $316.29. The company has a market capitalization of $16.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 6.12 and a beta of 0.72. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $258.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $268.65. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15. Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $3.97 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.96 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $473.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $472.11 million. Essex Property Trust had a return on equity of 14.68% and a net margin of 45.46%.During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.91 EPS. Essex Property Trust has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.930-4.030 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 15.890-15.990 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Essex Property Trust, Inc. will post 15.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Essex Property Trust Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 2nd will be paid a $2.57 dividend. This represents a $10.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Essex Property Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently 78.12%. About Essex Property Trust (Free Report) Essex Property Trust, Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 252 apartment communities comprising approximately 62,000 apartment homes with an additional property in active development. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ESS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Essex Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Essex Property Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Essex Property Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Natixis trimmed its holdings in Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR Free Report) by 73.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 42,895 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 118,714 shares during the quarter. Natixis holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $6,324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. bought a new position in shares of Extra Space Storage in the first quarter worth about $29,000. Chung Wu Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. MTM Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage in the second quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new position in Extra Space Storage in the 1st quarter worth approximately $50,000. Institutional investors own 99.11% of the companys stock. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Extra Space Storage news, CEO Joseph D. Margolis sold 7,500 shares of Extra Space Storage stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.41, for a total transaction of $1,060,575.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 19,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,794,261.60. The trade was a 27.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 1.36% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have commented on EXR shares. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $165.00 to $150.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 22nd. Evercore ISI reaffirmed a cautious rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Extra Space Storage in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Truist Financial lowered their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $158.00 to $150.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 19th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price objective on Extra Space Storage from $148.00 to $146.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 7th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $147.53. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Extra Space Storage Extra Space Storage Price Performance Shares of EXR opened at $126.63 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $26.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.27. Extra Space Storage Inc has a 1 year low of $121.03 and a 1 year high of $164.51. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $137.87 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $142.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.24, a quick ratio of 0.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $858.46 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $736.26 million. Extra Space Storage had a net margin of 28.40% and a return on equity of 6.56%. Extra Space Storages revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.07 EPS. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Extra Space Storage Inc will post 8.1 earnings per share for the current year. Extra Space Storage Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a $1.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.1%. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio is currently 144.64%. About Extra Space Storage (Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EXR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Extra Space Storage Inc (NYSE:EXR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Natixis boosted its position in The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report) by 367.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 103,890 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 81,661 shares during the period. Natixis holdings in Bank of New York Mellon were worth $9,465,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon during the second quarter valued at about $1,081,847,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 26.3% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 5,053,744 shares of the banks stock worth $423,858,000 after acquiring an additional 1,052,145 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 257.6% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,236,255 shares of the banks stock worth $103,685,000 after acquiring an additional 890,593 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 37.7% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 3,244,204 shares of the banks stock worth $266,349,000 after acquiring an additional 887,361 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bank of New York Mellon by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 18,898,373 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,717,074,000 after purchasing an additional 785,478 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.31% of the companys stock. Get Bank of New York Mellon alerts: Bank of New York Mellon Stock Performance NYSE:BK opened at $115.97 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $108.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $102.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $80.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.12. The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation has a 12-month low of $70.46 and a 12-month high of $117.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.70, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Bank of New York Mellon Dividend Announcement Bank of New York Mellon ( NYSE:BK Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 26th. The bank reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 12.86%.The business had revenue of $4.38 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts forecast that The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation will post 6.96 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 7th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 27th were issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 27th. Bank of New York Mellons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.59%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth BK has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on shares of Bank of New York Mellon in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. They set an outperform rating and a $125.00 target price for the company. TD Cowen upped their price target on Bank of New York Mellon from $130.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $106.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Bank of New York Mellon from $92.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Bank of New York Mellon from $120.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.29. Read Our Latest Stock Report on BK About Bank of New York Mellon (Free Report) The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation provides a range of financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Securities Services, Market and Wealth Services, Investment and Wealth Management, and other segments. The Securities Services segment offers custody, trust and depositary, accounting, exchange-traded funds, middle-office solutions, transfer agency, services for private equity and real estate funds, foreign exchange, securities lending, liquidity/lending services, and data analytics. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of New York Mellon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of New York Mellon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Night Squared LP bought a new stake in Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 119,503 shares of the casino operators stock, valued at approximately $5,200,000. Las Vegas Sands comprises 2.3% of Night Squared LPs holdings, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,153,220 shares of the casino operators stock worth $83,179,000 after purchasing an additional 15,158 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG increased its holdings in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 21.1% in the first quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 1,629,899 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $62,963,000 after purchasing an additional 283,455 shares during the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in Las Vegas Sands by 36.3% during the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 222,899 shares of the casino operators stock worth $8,611,000 after buying an additional 59,310 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 9.1% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 9,442,798 shares of the casino operators stock worth $364,775,000 after buying an additional 790,952 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in Las Vegas Sands in the 1st quarter valued at $183,836,000. 39.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Insider Transactions at Las Vegas Sands In related news, Director Irwin Chafetz sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $69.76, for a total transaction of $2,092,800.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 70,949 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,949,402.24. This represents a 29.72% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Robert G. Goldstein sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.17, for a total value of $7,017,000.00. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last three months, insiders have sold 2,704,062 shares of company stock worth $168,024,845. 1.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In LVS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Zacks Research upgraded Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, September 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $60.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $56.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Las Vegas Sands in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an equal weight rating and a $66.00 price target for the company. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $65.80. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Las Vegas Sands Las Vegas Sands Trading Down 1.0% Shares of LVS stock opened at $66.42 on Wednesday. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a 1-year low of $30.18 and a 1-year high of $70.45. The firm has a market cap of $44.91 billion, a PE ratio of 30.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a 50-day moving average of $59.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $53.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.42, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The casino operator reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.62 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.04 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a net margin of 12.69% and a return on equity of 73.14%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 24.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.44 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 EPS for the current year. Las Vegas Sands Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 12th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 4th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, November 4th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Las Vegas Sandss payout ratio is presently 45.25%. Las Vegas Sands Profile (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report). 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. Nokian Renkaat Oyj (OTCMKTS:NKRKY Get Free Report) traded down 2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as low as $4.99 and last traded at $4.99. 1,955 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 59% from the average session volume of 4,727 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.09. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of Nokian Renkaat Oyj in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Nokian Renkaat Oyj presently has a consensus rating of Hold. Get Nokian Renkaat Oyj alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on NKRKY Nokian Renkaat Oyj Trading Down 2.0% The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $4.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $4.37. Nokian Renkaat Oyj (OTCMKTS:NKRKY Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.02 EPS for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $402.23 million for the quarter. About Nokian Renkaat Oyj (Get Free Report) Nokian Renkaat Oyj develops and manufactures tires in Finland, Nordics, the rest of Europe, the Americas, and internationally. It operates through Passenger Car Tyres, Heavy Tyres, and Vianor segments. The Passenger Car Tyres segment develops and produces summer, winter, and all-season tires for cars and vans. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nokian Renkaat Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokian Renkaat Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nomura Holdings Inc ADR (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $8.08 and last traded at $8.0750, with a volume of 27681 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $7.78. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In NMR has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c+) rating on shares of Nomura in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Nomura from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Nomura alerts: View Our Latest Report on Nomura Nomura Price Performance The businesss 50 day moving average is $7.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.81 billion, a PE ratio of 9.70, a P/E/G ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.71, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 1.13. Nomura (NYSE:NMR Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.17 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $3.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.02 billion. Nomura had a net margin of 8.07% and a return on equity of 10.23%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Nomura Holdings Inc ADR will post 0.76 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nomura A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NMR. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Nomura by 97.9% in the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 147,113 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,070,000 after purchasing an additional 72,786 shares in the last quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Nomura by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC now owns 48,214 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $351,000 after buying an additional 3,688 shares during the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in Nomura in the third quarter worth approximately $142,000. Mariner LLC grew its position in Nomura by 16.7% during the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 350,647 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,549,000 after acquiring an additional 50,247 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC grew its position in Nomura by 27.3% during the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 934,345 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $6,793,000 after acquiring an additional 200,364 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 15.14% of the companys stock. About Nomura (Get Free Report) Nomura Holdings, Inc provides various financial services to individuals, corporations, financial institutions, governments, and governmental agencies worldwide. It operates through three segments: Retail, Investment Management, and Wholesale. The Retail segment offers various financial products and investment consultation services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Nomura Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nomura and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ossiam lifted its position in ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE:OKE Free Report) by 482.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,346 shares of the utilities providers stock after acquiring an additional 15,196 shares during the quarter. Ossiams holdings in ONEOK were worth $1,498,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Access Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of ONEOK in the second quarter valued at $33,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in ONEOK during the second quarter valued at $34,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in ONEOK by 2,466.7% in the 1st quarter. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 385 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Trust Co. of Toledo NA OH acquired a new stake in ONEOK during the 2nd quarter worth about $42,000. Finally, MTM Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in ONEOK during the 2nd quarter valued at about $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.13% of the companys stock. Get ONEOK alerts: ONEOK Price Performance Shares of ONEOK stock opened at $74.95 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.75. The company has a market cap of $47.16 billion, a PE ratio of 13.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.59 and a beta of 0.95. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $70.22 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $75.28. ONEOK, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $64.02 and a fifty-two week high of $111.02. ONEOK Announces Dividend ONEOK ( NYSE:OKE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The utilities provider reported $1.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.48 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $8.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.23 billion. ONEOK had a return on equity of 15.12% and a net margin of 10.58%.During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. ONEOK has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.970-5.770 EPS. Analysts expect that ONEOK, Inc. will post 5.07 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 14th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 3rd were issued a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 3rd. This represents a $4.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.5%. ONEOKs dividend payout ratio is presently 75.74%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages recently commented on OKE. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of ONEOK from $122.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of ONEOK from $78.00 to $76.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Stifel Nicolaus set a $94.00 price target on shares of ONEOK in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $82.00 price objective (down from $100.00) on shares of ONEOK in a report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their target price on ONEOK from $94.00 to $88.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $88.00. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ONEOK Insider Activity In other news, Director Brian L. Derksen acquired 2,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $66.00 per share, with a total value of $165,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 21,200 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,399,200. This represents a 13.37% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders. ONEOK Profile (Free Report) ONEOK, Inc engages in gathering, processing, fractionation, storage, transportation, and marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. It operates through four segments: Natural Gas Gathering and Processing, Natural Gas Liquids, Natural Gas Pipelines, and Refined Products and Crude. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for ONEOK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ONEOK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ossiam lifted its position in shares of Smurfit Westrock PLC (NYSE:SW Free Report) by 659.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 46,485 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 40,364 shares during the quarter. Ossiams holdings in Smurfit Westrock were worth $2,006,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of SW. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in Smurfit Westrock by 9.1% in the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 31,109 shares of the companys stock worth $1,342,000 after buying an additional 2,590 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Smurfit Westrock by 239,874.0% in the second quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 119,987 shares of the companys stock worth $5,177,000 after acquiring an additional 119,937 shares during the period. Jump Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Smurfit Westrock in the second quarter worth about $940,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in shares of Smurfit Westrock by 17.2% during the second quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 3,331 shares of the companys stock worth $144,000 after purchasing an additional 489 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its stake in Smurfit Westrock by 59.6% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,087,814 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,239,000 after purchasing an additional 1,152,904 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.38% of the companys stock. Get Smurfit Westrock alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating and issued a $52.00 price target on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Truist Financial reduced their price objective 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. Seaport Res Ptn raised shares of Smurfit Westrock from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Smurfit Westrock from $52.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on shares of Smurfit Westrock in a research note on Monday, September 15th. They set a buy rating and a $60.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $53.60. Smurfit Westrock Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:SW opened at $35.30 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $38.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $42.38. Smurfit Westrock PLC has a 52 week low of $32.73 and a 52 week high of $56.05. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $18.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.68 and a beta of 1.10. Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results 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 net margin of 2.40% and a return on equity of 6.21%. The business had revenue of $8 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.89 billion. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Smurfit Westrock PLC will post 3.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Smurfit Westrock Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th will be given a dividend of $0.4308 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Smurfit Westrocks dividend payout ratio is 120.28%. About Smurfit Westrock (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. Recommended Stories 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. This video screenshot shows Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri speaking at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 10, 2025. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. (Xinhua) BANGKOK, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. According to Thai media, fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia have forced over 800 schools and many hospitals to temporarily close in Thailand's border provinces. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. This video screenshot shows Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri speaking at a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 10, 2025. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. (Xinhua) This photo provided by Royal Thai Army shows patients and staff evacuating to shelters at a hospital where rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed nearby, in Surin province, Thailand on Dec. 10, 2025. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. (Royal Thai Army/Handout via Xinhua) This photo provided by Royal Thai Army shows a view of the hospital where rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed nearby, in Surin province, Thailand on Dec. 10, 2025. Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said Wednesday that the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia had forced over 400,000 Thai residents across seven provinces to evacuate. Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command stated on social media that, beginning at 5:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, exchanges of fire occurred in multiple areas along the border in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, with no casualties reported so far. The statement added that at around 8:40 a.m. local time, BM-21 rockets fired from the Cambodian side landed near a hospital in Surin province, prompting the evacuation of patients and staff to shelters. (Royal Thai Army/Handout via Xinhua) Petro Matad Limited (LON:MATD Get Free Report)s share price was up 13.6% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as GBX 1.05 and last traded at GBX 1.02. Approximately 6,073,769 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 38% from the average daily volume of 9,808,544 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.90. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Shore Capital reissued a house stock rating on shares of Petro Matad in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Get Petro Matad alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MATD Petro Matad Price Performance Petro Matad Company Profile The firm has a market cap of 18.80 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.50 and a beta of 2.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 1.12 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 1.07. (Get Free Report) Petro Matad is a company focused on delivery of energy in Mongolia from both the hydrocarbon and renewables sectors. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Petro Matad Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Petro Matad and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 5.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 850,494 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 40,505 shares during the quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s holdings in Pfizer were worth $20,616,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PFE. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. purchased a new position in Pfizer in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Curio Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of Pfizer by 36,600.0% in the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 1,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,098 shares during the period. Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Harbor Asset Planning Inc. purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Performance Pfizer stock opened at $25.36 on Wednesday. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.92 and a 52 week high of $27.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market cap of $144.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.74 and a beta of 0.46. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $25.21 and a 200-day moving average of $24.73. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.79 by $0.08. Pfizer had a net margin of 15.65% and a return on equity of 20.17%. The firm had revenue of $16.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.94 billion. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.000-3.150 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 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 given a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.8%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.00%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have commented on PFE. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a neutral rating and set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Guggenheim upped their price target on Pfizer from $33.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $33.00 to $32.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Scotiabank began coverage on shares of Pfizer in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set a sector outperform rating and a $30.00 price target for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, twelve have given 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 Hold and an average target price of $28.39. Check Out Our Latest Report on PFE About Pfizer (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $143.76 and last traded at $143.6680, with a volume of 1338119 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $139.88. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages recently weighed in on PSX. Wolfe Research raised their price objective on Phillips 66 from $158.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $160.00 price target on shares of Phillips 66 in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Bank of America cut shares of Phillips 66 from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $144.00 to $147.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of Phillips 66 in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lifted their target price on shares of Phillips 66 from $153.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and thirteen have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $147.88. Get Phillips 66 alerts: View Our Latest Report on Phillips 66 Phillips 66 Price Performance The stock has a market cap of $57.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.73 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $135.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.84. Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The oil and gas company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.14 by $0.38. Phillips 66 had a return on equity of 5.53% and a net margin of 1.12%.The business had revenue of $33.69 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.29 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.04 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Phillips 66 will post 6.8 EPS for the current year. Phillips 66 Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. Phillips 66s payout ratio is 131.15%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, EVP Brian Mandell sold 25,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.04, for a total transaction of $3,571,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 56,838 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,959,593.52. This trade represents a 30.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Vanessa Allen Sutherland sold 4,393 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, September 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $140.00, for a total value of $615,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 34,587 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,842,180. This represents a 11.27% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 86,093 shares of company stock worth $11,933,256 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.22% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Phillips 66 Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Allworth Financial LP lifted its position in shares of Phillips 66 by 11.2% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 18,414 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $2,505,000 after purchasing an additional 1,855 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in Phillips 66 by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 8,294 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,128,000 after purchasing an additional 545 shares during the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd lifted its holdings in Phillips 66 by 16.5% during the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 57,476 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $7,818,000 after buying an additional 8,134 shares in the last quarter. Investment Research Partners LLC acquired a new position in Phillips 66 during the 3rd quarter worth $375,000. Finally, KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new position in Phillips 66 in the 3rd quarter valued at $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.93% of the companys stock. Phillips 66 Company Profile (Get Free Report) Phillips 66 operates as an energy manufacturing and logistics company in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Midstream, Chemicals, Refining, and Marketing and Specialties (M&S). The Midstream segment transports crude oil and other feedstocks; delivers refined petroleum products to market; provides terminaling and storage services for crude oil and refined petroleum products; transports, stores, fractionates, exports, and markets natural gas liquids; provides other fee-based processing services; and gathers, processes, transports, and markets natural gas. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Phillips 66 Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Phillips 66 and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Prudential Public Limited Company (NYSE:PUK Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. PUK has been the subject of several research reports. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of Prudential Public in a research report on Monday, September 8th. Wall Street Zen cut Prudential Public from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, August 30th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of Prudential Public in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. UBS Group reiterated a buy rating on shares of Prudential Public in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Prudential Public in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Get Prudential Public alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on PUK Hedge Funds Weigh In On Prudential Public Prudential Public Stock Performance Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new stake in Prudential Public in the 1st quarter worth approximately $274,000. LPL Financial LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Prudential Public by 144.6% during the first quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 76,542 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,646,000 after purchasing an additional 45,248 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Prudential Public by 66.6% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 25,968 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $558,000 after purchasing an additional 10,380 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Prudential Public by 20.3% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 17,466 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $376,000 after purchasing an additional 2,945 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Prudential Public by 10.2% during the first quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 102,397 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,202,000 after buying an additional 9,479 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.90% of the companys stock. Shares of PUK opened at $29.14 on Friday. Prudential Public has a 12-month low of $14.39 and a 12-month high of $29.82. The company has a 50-day moving average of $28.08 and a two-hundred day moving average of $26.42. Prudential Public Company Profile (Get Free Report) Prudential plc, through its subsidiaries, provides life and health insurance, and asset management solutions to individuals in Asia and Africa. The company was founded in 1848 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltd trimmed its position in Kontoor Brands, Inc. (NYSE:KTB Free Report) by 72.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 9,200 shares of the companys stock after selling 24,600 shares during the quarter. Quantedge Capital Pte Ltds holdings in Kontoor Brands were worth $607,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new position in Kontoor Brands during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Kontoor Brands during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $35,000. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of Kontoor Brands during the 1st quarter worth approximately $94,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Kontoor Brands by 118.6% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,469 shares of the companys stock worth $97,000 after acquiring an additional 797 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Kontoor Brands by 240.8% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,745 shares of the companys stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 1,233 shares during the period. 93.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Kontoor Brands alerts: Kontoor Brands Stock Performance NYSE KTB opened at $67.32 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $77.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.72. Kontoor Brands, Inc. has a 12-month low of $50.00 and a 12-month high of $96.80. The company has a market capitalization of $3.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.35 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.53. Kontoor Brands Increases Dividend Kontoor Brands ( NYSE:KTB Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.44 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.35 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $853.22 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $879.10 million. Kontoor Brands had a net margin of 7.68% and a return on equity of 63.21%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 27.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.37 earnings per share. Kontoor Brands has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.500-5.500 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.640-1.640 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Kontoor Brands, Inc. will post 4.82 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 8th will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 8th. This is a positive change from Kontoor Brandss previous quarterly dividend of $0.52. Kontoor Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently 54.64%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have commented on KTB shares. Baird R W raised shares of Kontoor Brands to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 17th. Robert W. Baird started coverage on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research note on Friday, October 17th. They set an outperform rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Kontoor Brands from $114.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Kontoor Brands from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Kontoor Brands in a research report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.25. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Kontoor Brands About Kontoor Brands (Free Report) Kontoor Brands, Inc, a lifestyle apparel company, designs, produces, procures, markets, distributes, and licenses denim, apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler and Lee brands. The company operates through two segments: Wrangler and Lee. It licenses and sells apparel under the Rock & Republic brand name. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Kontoor Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kontoor Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd lifted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 54.5% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,195,796 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after buying an additional 422,039 shares during the period. Motorola Solutions makes up 0.5% of Qube Research & Technologies Ltds holdings, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Qube Research & Technologies Ltds holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $502,784,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the second quarter valued at $872,307,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in Motorola Solutions during the 2nd quarter valued at about $230,743,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Motorola Solutions by 1.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,885,593 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $9,202,016,000 after acquiring an additional 384,479 shares during the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC raised its position in Motorola Solutions by 49.1% during the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 746,011 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $325,558,000 after acquiring an additional 245,739 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions in the second quarter valued at about $87,162,000. 84.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MSI opened at $371.73 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $61.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.83, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $409.73 and a 200-day simple moving average of $429.59. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 52 week low of $365.40 and a 52 week high of $492.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.59. Motorola Solutions Increases Dividend Motorola Solutions ( NYSE:MSI Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The communications equipment provider reported $4.06 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.85 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $3.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.99 billion. Motorola Solutions had a return on equity of 118.48% and a net margin of 18.71%.The firms revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.74 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 13.55 EPS for the current year. 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 paid a dividend of $1.21 per share. This is an increase from Motorola Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.01. This represents a $4.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 34.99%. Insider Buying and Selling at Motorola Solutions In related news, SVP James A. Niewiara sold 1,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $485.43, for a total value of $825,231.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 14,542 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,059,123.06. This trade represents a 10.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $483.50, for a total transaction of $24,175,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 46,936 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,693,556. The trade was a 51.58% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.44% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on MSI. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $509.00 to $495.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Weiss Ratings downgraded Motorola Solutions from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research report on Monday. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $500.00 to $525.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Piper Sandler reiterated a neutral rating and set a $465.00 price objective (down previously from $495.00) on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Northcoast Research raised shares of Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $450.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $495.00. View Our Latest Research Report on MSI Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by equities research analysts at Bank of America from $194.00 to $196.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the financial services providers stock. Bank of Americas target price suggests a potential upside of 18.47% from the companys current price. Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. JMP Securities raised their target price on shares of Raymond James Financial from $185.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a market outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. TD Cowen upped their target price on Raymond James Financial from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets increased 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 research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Finally, Citigroup restated an outperform rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Raymond James Financial currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $180.90. Get Raymond James Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on Raymond James Financial Raymond James Financial Stock Up 0.3% RJF traded up $0.51 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $165.44. The company had a trading volume of 300,046 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,263,981. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $160.70 and its 200 day moving average price is $160.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.07 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Raymond James Financial has a 12 month low of $117.57 and a 12 month high of $177.66. The company has a market cap of $32.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.09, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.99. Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 22nd. The financial services provider reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $3.73 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.64 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.95 EPS. Raymond James Financials revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Raymond James Financial will post 11.17 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Raymond James Financial Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Raymond James Financial by 60.8% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 542 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Raymond James Financial during the 1st quarter valued at $111,368,000. Public Sector Pension Investment Board raised its stake in shares of Raymond James Financial by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Public Sector Pension Investment Board now owns 49,295 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $6,848,000 after purchasing an additional 1,788 shares during the period. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Raymond James Financial by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 62,720 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $8,713,000 after buying an additional 2,985 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Raymond James Financial by 2.8% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 153,556 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $21,332,000 after buying an additional 4,128 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.83% of the companys stock. Raymond James Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Raymond James Financial, Inc, a financial holding company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the underwriting, distribution, trading, and brokerage of equity and debt securities, and the sale of mutual funds and other investment products in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Private Client Group, Capital Markets, Asset Management, RJ Bank, and Other segments. Further Reading 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. EastGroup Properties, Inc. (NYSE:EGP Free Report) Investment analysts at KeyCorp issued their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of EastGroup Properties in a research note issued on Thursday, December 4th. KeyCorp analyst T. Thomas expects that the real estate investment trust will post earnings of $8.97 per share for the year. KeyCorp currently has a Overweight rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. The consensus estimate for EastGroup Properties current full-year earnings is $8.94 per share. Get EastGroup Properties alerts: EastGroup Properties (NYSE:EGP Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The real estate investment trust reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $182.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $181.88 million. EastGroup Properties had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 35.58%.EastGroup Propertiess revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.13 earnings per share. EastGroup Properties has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.940-8.980 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.300-2.340 EPS. Other research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on EastGroup Properties from $180.00 to $179.00 and set an in-line rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of EastGroup Properties from $177.00 to $188.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. BNP Paribas Exane raised shares of EastGroup Properties from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $207.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of EastGroup Properties from $187.00 to $196.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald upped their target price on shares of EastGroup Properties from $190.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, October 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, EastGroup Properties presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $190.89. Read Our Latest Report on EastGroup Properties EastGroup Properties Stock Performance Shares of EGP opened at $179.21 on Monday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $176.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $170.56. The company has a quick ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42. EastGroup Properties has a 52 week low of $137.67 and a 52 week high of $188.89. The stock has a market cap of $9.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.65, a PEG ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.11. Insider Buying and Selling In other EastGroup Properties news, EVP Richard Reid Dunbar sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total transaction of $350,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,630 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,610,250. This represents a 8.84% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On EastGroup Properties Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Canton Hathaway LLC grew its holdings in EastGroup Properties by 31.6% during the 3rd quarter. Canton Hathaway LLC now owns 250 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of EastGroup Properties by 5.6% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,161 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $205,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of EastGroup Properties by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 3,668 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $613,000 after acquiring an additional 68 shares during the last quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC grew its holdings in shares of EastGroup Properties by 7.5% in the second quarter. Virtus Investment Advisers LLC now owns 999 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $167,000 after purchasing an additional 70 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV increased its position in EastGroup Properties by 3.1% in the third quarter. Azzad Asset Management Inc. ADV now owns 2,361 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $400,000 after purchasing an additional 71 shares during the last quarter. 92.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. EastGroup Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) EastGroup Properties, Inc (NYSE: EGP), a member of the S&P Mid-Cap 400 and Russell 1000 Indexes, is a self-administered equity real estate investment trust focused on the development, acquisition and operation of industrial properties in major Sunbelt markets throughout the United States with an emphasis in the states of Florida, Texas, Arizona, California and North Carolina. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EastGroup Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EastGroup Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bombardier, Inc. Class B (TSE:BBD.B Get Free Report) had its target price increased by stock analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from C$230.00 to C$263.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price suggests a potential upside of 23.96% from the companys current price. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. CIBC boosted their price target on Bombardier, Inc. Class B from C$222.00 to C$230.00 in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Desjardins increased their target price on Bombardier, Inc. Class B from C$236.00 to C$239.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. TD Securities boosted their price target on Bombardier, Inc. Class B from C$181.00 to C$197.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Bombardier, Inc. Class B from C$225.00 to C$240.00 in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their target price on shares of Bombardier, Inc. Class B from C$234.00 to C$263.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of C$228.00. Get Bombardier Inc. Class B alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Bombardier, Inc. Class B Bombardier, Inc. Class B Price Performance Bombardier, Inc. Class B Company Profile Bombardier, Inc. Class B stock traded down C$10.08 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting C$212.17. The companys stock had a trading volume of 336,836 shares, compared to its average volume of 526,218. The company has a market cap of C$21.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.50, a PEG ratio of 6.26 and a beta of 1.38. Bombardier, Inc. Class B has a 1-year low of C$71.79 and a 1-year high of C$236.23. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$206.40 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$168.29. (Get Free Report) Bombardier Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells transportation equipment worldwide. Bombardier Inc was incorporated in 1902 and is based in Dorval, Canada. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bombardier Inc. Class B Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bombardier Inc. Class B and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Maricann Group (CNSX:MARI Get Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by equities research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from $6.00 to $16.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Beacon Securities raised their price target on Maricann Group from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 26th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on shares of Maricann Group from $6.50 to $11.50 in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Maricann Group from $12.00 to $13.00 in a research note on Wednesday, August 27th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $13.30. Get Maricann Group alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on MARI Maricann Group Stock Performance Maricann Group Company Profile Maricann Group has a twelve month low of $0.87 and a twelve month high of $3.60. (Get Free Report) Maricann Group Inc, formerly Danbel Industries Corporation, is a Canada-based integrated producer and distributor of marijuana for medical purposes. As one of approximately 43 companies with a federal license to cultivate cannabis and one of approximately 30 independent licensed producers with a federal license to process and distribute cannabis, the Companys services a patient base with more than 8,000 registered patients. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Maricann Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Maricann Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MANILA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Unsafe injecting practices linked to the absence of harm reduction or safe protection services are putting people who inject drugs in Fiji at significantly higher risk of HIV infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday, as the Pacific island nation confronts one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics globally. A new rapid assessment, funded by The Global Fund, found widespread reuse and sharing of needles and syringes due to the lack of needle and syringe programs (NSPs) in the country. All interview participants reported having reused injecting equipment previously used by someone else, a behavior that sharply heightens the risk of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other injection-related infections. The study provides the most detailed picture yet of drug use and health-seeking behaviors among people who inject drugs in Fiji. It draws on quantitative data, 56 one-on-one interviews, and five talanoas-traditional community dialogue sessions, with 50 key informants from civil society, healthcare, law enforcement, faith-based groups, and government ministries. Fiji, with a population of under 1 million, has seen HIV cases surge rapidly in recent years. The country recorded 1,583 new HIV cases in 2024, while 1,226 cases were reported in just the first half of 2025. UNAIDS estimates show the total number of people living with HIV climbed from around 2,000 in 2020 to an estimated 6,100 in 2024. Nearly half (48 percent) of people who began treatment in 2024 were people who inject drugs, underscoring the disproportionate toll on this community. Methamphetamine was identified as the most commonly injected drug. Alarmingly, many participants said their first injection, often using potentially contaminated equipment, occurred the first time they tried methamphetamine. Low awareness of HIV and limited access to testing and treatment further compound the risks. While media reports have highlighted "bluetoothing," a dangerous practice involving the sharing of blood between users after one person has injected drugs, researchers found little evidence of its occurrence. The far more prevalent threat, they said, is routine needle sharing driven by a lack of sterile supplies. The assessment's top recommendation is the urgent rollout of sterile needle and syringe distribution, a cornerstone of harm reduction strategies proven globally to prevent HIV transmission. In response to the escalating crisis, Fiji's Ministry of Health and Medical Services, together with WHO, the United Nations Development Programme, and other partners, is implementing an HIV Surge Strategy (2024-2027) and an HIV Outbreak Response Plan. These initiatives aim to expand testing and treatment services, strengthen outreach to key populations, and accelerate the introduction of harm-reduction measures, including NSPs. Health authorities warn that without swift action, Fiji could see HIV cases rise dramatically in the coming years, deepening health and social consequences across the country. Mexico Fund, Inc. (The) (NYSE:MXF Get Free Report) major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 15,492 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 5th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $19.59 per share, for a total transaction of $303,488.28. Following the acquisition, the insider directly owned 1,627,158 shares in the company, valued at approximately $31,876,025.22. The trade was a 0.96% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own 10% or more of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Saba Capital Management, L.P. also recently made the following trade(s): Get Mexico Fund alerts: On Monday, December 8th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 2,403 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $19.63 per share, with a total value of $47,170.89. On Thursday, December 4th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 698 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $19.58 per share, with a total value of $13,666.84. On Tuesday, December 2nd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 299 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $19.44 per share, for a total transaction of $5,812.56. On Monday, December 1st, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 10,902 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $19.45 per share, for a total transaction of $212,043.90. On Tuesday, November 25th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 1,869 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $19.10 per share, with a total value of $35,697.90. On Friday, November 21st, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 200 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $18.76 per share, with a total value of $3,752.00. On Tuesday, November 18th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. acquired 47,273 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $19.15 per share, for a total transaction of $905,277.95. On Monday, November 17th, Saba Capital Management, L.P. bought 13,451 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The stock was purchased at an average price of $18.94 per share, with a total value of $254,761.94. On Thursday, October 23rd, Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 506 shares of Mexico Fund stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of $18.64 per share, for a total transaction of $9,431.84. Mexico Fund Stock Performance Shares of MXF opened at $19.88 on Wednesday. Mexico Fund, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $13.10 and a fifty-two week high of $19.91. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $19.15 and a 200-day moving average price of $18.28. Mexico Fund Announces Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, October 22nd were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, October 22nd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.0%. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Alpine Global Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mexico Fund in the 3rd quarter valued at about $265,000. Verition Fund Management LLC increased its stake in Mexico Fund by 21.7% in the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 99,508 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,960,000 after purchasing an additional 17,747 shares during the period. Scotia Capital Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Mexico Fund by 127.8% during the third quarter. Scotia Capital Inc. now owns 25,381 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $500,000 after purchasing an additional 14,241 shares during the period. Uhlmann Price Securities LLC grew its holdings in shares of Mexico Fund by 2.5% in the third quarter. Uhlmann Price Securities LLC now owns 104,067 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,050,000 after purchasing an additional 2,583 shares during the last quarter. Finally, North Ground Capital purchased a new position in shares of Mexico Fund in the third quarter worth $608,000. Mexico Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Mexico Fund, Inc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Impulsora del Fondo Mexico, S.C. It primarily invests in public equity markets of Mexico. The fund seeks to invest its portfolio across diversified sectors. The Mexico Fund, Inc was formed in June 01, 1981 and is domiciled in Maryland, United States. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Mexico Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mexico Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snowflake Inc. (NYSE:SNOW Free Report) Equities researchers at Scotiabank raised their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Snowflake in a research note issued on Thursday, December 4th. Scotiabank analyst P. Colville now forecasts that the company will post earnings of ($2.33) per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of ($2.37). Scotiabank has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Snowflakes current full-year earnings is ($2.36) per share. Get Snowflake alerts: Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on SNOW. Weiss Ratings restated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Snowflake in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Macquarie lifted their price objective on Snowflake from $235.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. DA Davidson restated a buy rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on Snowflake from $212.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Snowflake in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty-five have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $274.78. Snowflake Stock Down 1.0% Snowflake stock opened at $222.98 on Monday. Snowflake has a twelve month low of $120.10 and a twelve month high of $280.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.48 and a current ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market cap of $75.55 billion, a PE ratio of -55.19 and a beta of 1.09. The firms 50 day moving average price is $251.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $227.19. Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.04. Snowflake had a negative net margin of 30.76% and a negative return on equity of 45.91%. The business had revenue of $1.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.18 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.20 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 28.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP Christian Kleinerman sold 10,000 shares of Snowflake stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.53, for a total transaction of $2,495,300.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 512,450 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $127,871,648.50. This trade represents a 1.91% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Michael L. Speiser sold 403 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $230.65, for a total value of $92,951.95. Following the sale, the director owned 24,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,656,460.60. This represents a 1.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 218,819 shares of company stock valued at $52,823,885 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 6.80% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Snowflake Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Berkshire Capital Holdings Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Snowflake by 71,500.0% in the 1st quarter. Berkshire Capital Holdings Inc. now owns 7,160 shares of the companys stock worth $1,047,000 after acquiring an additional 7,150 shares in the last quarter. OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING Corp Ltd acquired a new stake in Snowflake during the 2nd quarter valued at $6,845,000. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new position in Snowflake in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,900,134,000. Bank of Hawaii acquired a new position in Snowflake in the first quarter worth $1,019,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Snowflake by 26.5% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,088,288 shares of the companys stock worth $451,384,000 after purchasing an additional 647,176 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.10% of the companys stock. About Snowflake (Get Free Report) Snowflake Inc provides a cloud-based data platform for various organizations in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers Data Cloud, which enables customers to consolidate data into a single source of truth to drive meaningful business insights, build data-driven applications, and share data and data products, as well as applies artificial intelligence (AI) for solving business problems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Snowflake Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snowflake and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Singapore Exchange Limited (OTCMKTS:SPXCF Get Free Report) shares shot up 4.1% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $13.70 and last traded at $13.70. 606 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 87% from the average session volume of 4,838 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.16. Singapore Exchange Price Performance The business has a 50 day moving average price of $13.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.54. Singapore Exchange Company Profile (Get Free Report) Singapore Exchange Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated securities and derivatives exchange, and related clearing houses in Singapore. It operates through Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities; Equities; and Data, Connectivity, and Indices segments. The Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities segment offers fixed income issuer, trading and clearing, and collateral management services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Singapore Exchange Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Singapore Exchange and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stamos Capital Partners L.P. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 20,335 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,132,000. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. MYDA Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares MSCI India ETF in the first quarter valued at about $1,030,000. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 0.9% in the first quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 76,219 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,923,000 after acquiring an additional 690 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI India ETF by 99.9% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 544,839 shares of the companys stock worth $28,048,000 after acquiring an additional 272,219 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new stake in iShares MSCI India ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $416,000. Finally, Delos Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in iShares MSCI India ETF by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 42,226 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,174,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI India ETF alerts: iShares MSCI India ETF Trading Up 4.6% INDA opened at $53.27 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $53.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $53.86. iShares MSCI India ETF has a 1-year low of $47.60 and a 1-year high of $59.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.25 billion, a PE ratio of 25.20 and a beta of 0.48. About iShares MSCI India ETF The iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI India index, a market-cap-weighted index of the top 85% of firms in the Indian securities market. INDA was launched on Feb 2, 2012 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding INDA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI India ETF (BATS:INDA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI India ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp trimmed its holdings in The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL Free Report) by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,774,049 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 129,843 shares during the quarter. State Street Corp owned 4.47% of Allstate worth $2,381,801,000 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. Arlington Trust Co LLC boosted its holdings in Allstate by 261.8% in the 2nd quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 123 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 89 shares during the period. Clearstead Trust LLC raised its position in shares of Allstate by 3,800.0% during the second quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 156 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 152 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its position in shares of Allstate by 315.0% during the second quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 166 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in shares of Allstate in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Finally, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Allstate during the second quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors own 76.47% of the companys stock. Get Allstate alerts: Allstate Stock Up 0.0% Shares of NYSE ALL opened at $200.94 on Wednesday. The Allstate Corporation has a 52-week low of $176.00 and a 52-week high of $215.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 0.43. The business has a fifty day moving average of $204.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $202.41. The stock has a market cap of $52.58 billion, a PE ratio of 6.50, a PEG ratio of 0.38 and a beta of 0.25. Allstate Dividend Announcement Allstate ( NYSE:ALL Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $11.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $5.48 by $5.69. Allstate had a net margin of 12.53% and a return on equity of 35.42%. The business had revenue of $17.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.59 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.91 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 3.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Allstate Corporation will post 18.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $1.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 1st. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Allstates dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.95%. Insider Activity at Allstate In related news, insider Suren Gupta sold 21,871 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $215.21, for a total transaction of $4,706,857.91. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 100,646 shares in the company, valued at $21,660,025.66. This represents a 17.85% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 28,807 shares of company stock valued at $6,198,726. 1.70% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Allstate in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup upgraded Allstate to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Allstate from $254.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Allstate from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Roth Capital raised their price objective on shares of Allstate from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $237.92. Get Our Latest Research Report on ALL About Allstate (Free Report) The Allstate Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides property and casualty, and other insurance products in the United States and Canada. It operates in five segments: Allstate Protection; Protection Services; Allstate Health and Benefits; Run-off Property-Liability; and Corporate and Other segments. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Allstate Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Allstate and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report) by 1.1% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,743,493 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 117,646 shares during the quarter. State Street Corp owned 4.19% of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. worth $3,439,207,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AJG. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 31,096,542 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $9,954,625,000 after purchasing an additional 685,278 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in the second quarter worth $1,536,230,000. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 4.9% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,959,673 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,021,798,000 after purchasing an additional 137,354 shares during the period. WCM Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 5.5% during the second quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC now owns 2,464,662 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $783,097,000 after buying an additional 128,071 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,381,835 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $762,473,000 after buying an additional 94,940 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.53% of the companys stock. Get Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. alerts: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Stock Up 0.8% NYSE AJG opened at $239.76 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $267.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $294.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.06. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has a one year low of $236.70 and a one year high of $351.23. The firm has a market cap of $61.57 billion, a PE ratio of 35.84 and a beta of 0.69. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Announces Dividend Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ( NYSE:AJG Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.32 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.19). Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. had a return on equity of 11.98% and a net margin of 13.58%.The business had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.34 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.26 EPS. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s revenue for the quarter was up 20.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will post 11.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a $0.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.s payout ratio is currently 38.86%. Insider Activity at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. In other news, VP Michael Robert Pesch acquired 4,000 shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $247.12 per share, with a total value of $988,480.00. Following the acquisition, the vice president owned 41,849 shares in the company, valued at $10,341,724.88. This represents a 10.57% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Douglas K. Howell sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, September 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $299.54, for a total value of $2,396,320.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 100,777 shares in the company, valued at $30,186,742.58. The trade was a 7.35% 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 21,250 shares of company stock valued at $6,071,365 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AJG. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $361.00 to $315.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. from $340.00 to $295.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 13th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. They issued an outperform rating and a $291.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $314.87. View Our Latest Analysis on Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Company Profile (Free Report) Arthur J. Gallagher & Co engages in the provision of insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage, consulting, and third-party claims settlement and administration services. It operates through the following segments: Brokerage, Risk Management, and Corporate. The Brokerage segment consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AJG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State Street Corp reduced its stake in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 2.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 30,768,576 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 735,322 shares during the quarter. State Street Corp owned 5.64% of EOG Resources worth $3,680,229,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 6.3% in the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 6,077,928 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $779,433,000 after buying an additional 358,916 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in EOG Resources by 3.9% in the 1st quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 5,909,297 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $757,808,000 after acquiring an additional 223,294 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in shares of EOG Resources by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,911,741 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $629,789,000 after acquiring an additional 36,777 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,494,503 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $537,588,000 after purchasing an additional 294,641 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP increased its position in shares of EOG Resources by 64.1% during the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,728,128 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $445,921,000 after purchasing an additional 1,456,928 shares during the period. 89.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get EOG Resources alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts recently commented on EOG shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of EOG Resources from $142.00 to $144.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $127.00 to $126.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Raymond James Financial restated a strong-buy rating and set a $153.00 price target on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Melius initiated coverage on EOG Resources in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a buy rating and a $173.00 price objective on the stock. 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 company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $139.50. EOG Resources Price Performance NYSE:EOG opened at $109.30 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market cap of $59.31 billion, a PE ratio of 10.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.35 and a beta of 0.49. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $102.52 and a 12 month high of $138.18. The companys 50-day moving average price is $108.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $115.06. EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The energy exploration company reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $5.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.48 billion. EOG Resources had a net margin of 24.49% and a return on equity of 19.80%. EOG Resourcess quarterly revenue was down 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.89 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 EPS for the current fiscal year. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 16th will be paid a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $4.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.7%. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is currently 40.64%. 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. Further Reading 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. SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 13,124 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,051,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 2,735,254.3% in the 2nd quarter. Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt now owns 949,769,723 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $76,095,550,000 after purchasing an additional 949,735,001 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 0.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 302,092,955 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $24,203,688,000 after buying an additional 1,341,222 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the second quarter worth about $3,990,551,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 0.6% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 20,497,429 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,471,259,000 after buying an additional 128,207 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its stake in Wells Fargo & Company by 54.9% during the second quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 16,635,681 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,332,851,000 after acquiring an additional 5,894,747 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock. Get Wells Fargo & Company alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth WFC has been the subject of a number of research reports. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $97.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, October 4th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $95.00 to $93.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $90.00 to $93.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Wells Fargo & Company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $90.04. Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $88.85 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $278.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.61, a P/E/G ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.11. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $84.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $81.41. Wells Fargo & Company has a 52-week low of $58.42 and a 52-week high of $91.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.73 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.55 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $21.44 billion for 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%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 5.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wells Fargo & Company Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 7th were issued a dividend of $0.45 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 7th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Wells Fargo & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.61%. 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. See Also 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. Barclays upgraded shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NYSE:TEVA Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on TEVA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $26.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $28.00 to $31.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries from $23.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. Scotiabank began coverage on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a report on Friday, December 5th. They issued a sector outperform rating and a $35.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $30.25. Get Teva Pharmaceutical Industries alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Price Performance Insider Activity at Teva Pharmaceutical Industries NYSE:TEVA opened at $28.56 on Monday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $22.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.37. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has a 52 week low of $12.47 and a 52 week high of $29.10. The stock has a market cap of $32.75 billion, a PE ratio of 47.59, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a quick ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.31. In other news, Director Roberto Mignone sold 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $11,934,450. The trade was a 28.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.55% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 40.3% in the third quarter. Cromwell Holdings LLC now owns 2,191 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its position in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 3,715.8% during the second quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 2,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after buying an additional 2,824 shares during the period. MAI Capital Management grew its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 26.8% during the second quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 3,293 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 697 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rothschild Investment LLC grew its stake in shares of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries by 97.0% during the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 2,738 shares of the companys stock valued at $55,000 after buying an additional 1,348 shares during the last quarter. 54.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Get Free Report) Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, Israel, and internationally. It offers generic medicines in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams; sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in parenteral and solid dosage forms; and generic products with medical devices and combination products. Featured Articles 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. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSE:GLU Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Monday, August 25th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be given a dividend of 0.10 per share on Friday, December 19th. This represents a c) annualized dividend and a yield of 6.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GLU opened at $18.52 on Wednesday. The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust has a 52-week low of $14.07 and a 52-week high of $18.70. The companys 50 day moving average price is $18.23 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.77. Get The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cornerstone Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust during the second quarter worth approximately $36,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $94,000. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors grew its position in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 17.2% during the 3rd quarter. Bay Colony Advisory Group Inc d b a Bay Colony Advisors now owns 17,407 shares of the companys stock worth $315,000 after buying an additional 2,552 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. lifted its position in shares of The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 29.4% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 17,668 shares of the companys stock valued at $306,000 after acquiring an additional 4,015 shares during the period. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust by 5.1% during the third quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 76,419 shares of the companys stock worth $1,383,000 after acquiring an additional 3,721 shares in the last quarter. About The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched by GAMCO Investors, Inc It is managed by Gabelli Funds, LLC. The fund invests in public equity markets across the globe. It primarily invests in stocks of companies involved to a substantial extent in providing products, services, or equipment for the generation or distribution of electricity, gas, or water and infrastructure operations, and in equity securities including preferred securities of companies in other industries, in each case in such securities that are expected to pay periodic dividends. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China has amassed 5 million invention patents, emphasizing quality over quantity Xinhua) 08:38, December 10, 2025 BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China has become the first country to amass over 5 million valid domestic invention patents, and its international patent applications submitted via the Patent Cooperation Treaty have led globally for six consecutive years, the country's top intellectual property (IP) regulator said on Tuesday. By June 2025, the number of high-value invention patents per 10,000 people in China had reached 15.3, surpassing the goal of 12 set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) ahead of schedule, according to the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). The technology transfer rate among universities and research institutions has risen steadily. Notably, the industrialization rate of enterprise invention patents increased from 44.9 percent in 2020 to 53.3 percent in 2024. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's IP landscape has undergone a strategic shift from emphasizing quantity accumulation to pursuing quality enhancement, according to the CNIPA. This transition has accelerated the commercialization of high-value patents, illustrating the country's innovation-driven development and laying a solid foundation to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology over the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Yazidi Foundation Calls on Iraq to Secure Return of IDPs Baghdad -- On the international day dedicated to honoring the victims of genocide, the International Yazidi Foundation for Combating Genocide renewed attention to the suffering of Yazidis in Iraq, stressing that "the wounds of genocide remain open, despite more than a decade having passed since the crime committed against them in Shigur (Sengal / Sinjar) in 2014." In a statement, the Foundation said that Iraq, with its long history and diverse social fabric, has over the decades witnessed genocides and serious violations targeting Yezidis, as well as Assyrians, in addition to Shias, Kurds, Faylis, Shabaks, and other communities. The statement emphasized that the common thread linking these crimes, despite differences in time and perpetrators, is the targeting of identity and efforts to erase existence and destroy the social and cultural fabric of entire communities. It stressed that the Yezidi tragedy is far from over, as thousands of women and children remain missing and the effects of the crimes committed against the community are still visible in displacement camps, destroyed villages, and in the lives of those carrying the burden of pain and deprivation. The Foundation called for intensified efforts to free those still in captivity, describing this as a moral and national obligation that cannot be delayed. It also stressed that compensating victims and rebuilding devastated areas are essential steps toward achieving transitional justice and preventing the recurrence of such crimes. In this context, the Foundation urged the Iraqi government to exert maximum effort to create the conditions necessary for the safe and sustainable return of the displaced to Shigur by ensuring security, providing basic services, clearing landmines, and reconstructing infrastructure, measures that would guarantee a dignified life and restore hope to thousands of waiting families. Sinjar's infrastructure remains in severe disrepair, with progress on reconstruction slow and uneven. Large parts of the water, electricity, health, and education systems are still nonfunctional or only partially restored, leaving many neighborhoods without reliable power or piped water and forcing families to rely on generators and water trucks. Roads, homes, and public buildings destroyed during the war have not been rebuilt at the scale required, and understaffed clinics and damaged schools limit access to basic services. These conditions make daily life extremely difficult for those who have returned and actively deter large-scale return of the displaced. The continued presence of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) has become a major obstacle to stabilization and recovery. Armed groups maintain checkpoints, control movement, and interfere in local administration, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and lawlessness. Their dominance undermines civilian governance, discourages international investment in reconstruction, and fuels fears of arbitrary detention, extortion, and land seizure. The resulting fragmented security environment has prevented the implementation of meaningful local authority and stalled efforts to normalize life in the district. The displacement of Assyrians from Shigur has become effectively permanent for much of the community. Churches, homes, and community infrastructure were destroyed during ISIS' occupation, but unlike some other groups, most Assyrian families have not returned due to insecurity, lack of services, and fear of militia harassment and property confiscation linked to PMF-aligned actors. Assyrian IDPs relocated to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) or emigrated abroad, accelerating the collapse of the community's historic presence in the region. Today, only a very small number of Assyrian families remain, and demographic change driven by insecurity and weak governance continues to reshape Shigur. HAIKOU, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 International Symposium on the Peaceful Use of Space Technology -- Health (IPSPACE 2025) kicked off Tuesday in Boao, a coastal town in China's island province of Hainan. About 50 experts and astronauts from home and abroad have been invited to the three-day event to discuss topics including the peaceful use of space technology, and the opportunities and challenges facing global space cooperation. Experts at the symposium have highlighted the importance of international cooperation on promoting the sustainable growth of the space sector. Driss El Hadani, deputy director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, said that space is "the largest infrastructure shared by all humanity." Addressing common challenges such as limited orbital resources and the growing threat of space debris require joint efforts. "I am pleased to see some organizations and institutions are already conducting relevant research on these issues," he said. Luo Ge, general director of the China Association of Remote Sensing Application, said that the development of the space industry cannot rely on isolated efforts. Enhanced global cooperation will accelerate China's aerospace development and share its benefits with all participating nations, he noted. Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli echoed that sentiment. He noted that humankind needs to seek common aerospace development through cooperation, and drive mutual improvement through competition. Thomson Reuters Co. (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI)s share price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as C$182.38 and last traded at C$182.82, with a volume of 27685 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$184.66. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have recently commented on TRI. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Huber Research raised Thomson Reuters to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. TD Securities raised Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from C$275.00 to C$285.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 28th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Thomson Reuters from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Strong Buy and an average target price of C$265.80. Get Thomson Reuters alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on TRI Thomson Reuters Price Performance The stock has a market cap of C$79.30 billion, a PE ratio of 45.83, a P/E/G ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.28, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.94. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$203.85 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$238.46. Thomson Reuters (TSE:TRI Get Free Report) (NYSE:TRI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$0.85 EPS for the quarter. Thomson Reuters had a return on equity of 20.19% and a net margin of 32.12%.The business had revenue of C$2.48 billion for the quarter. Research analysts expect that Thomson Reuters Co. will post 5.6395803 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Thomson Reuters (Get Free Report) Thomson Reuters is the result of the $17.6 billion megamerger of Canadas Thomson and the United Kingdoms Reuters Group in 2008 and the 2018 carve-out of its finance and risk business, Refinitiv, in which it holds a 45% stake. In 2019, the company agreed to exchange its 45% stake in Refinitiv for a 15% stake in LSE. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Thomson Reuters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thomson Reuters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. (NYSE:TR Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, December 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 24th will be given a dividend of 0.09 per share on Thursday, January 8th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 24th. Tootsie Roll Industries has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.0%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 3 years. Get Tootsie Roll Industries alerts: Tootsie Roll Industries Stock Up 1.2% Shares of TR traded up $0.46 on Wednesday, hitting $37.63. 9,993 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 169,566. Tootsie Roll Industries has a 1 year low of $28.67 and a 1 year high of $44.27. The stocks 50 day moving average is $39.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $38.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.15 and a beta of 0.44. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Tootsie Roll Industries ( NYSE:TR Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $0.49 earnings per share for the quarter. Tootsie Roll Industries had a return on equity of 10.53% and a net margin of 12.99%.The company had revenue of $232.71 million during the quarter. Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its position in Tootsie Roll Industries by 13.4% during the third quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 16,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $663,000 after acquiring an additional 1,901 shares during the period. Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Tootsie Roll Industries during the 3rd quarter worth about $592,000. Verition Fund Management LLC increased its position in Tootsie Roll Industries by 75.8% during the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 12,166 shares of the companys stock worth $510,000 after purchasing an additional 5,244 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC raised its holdings in Tootsie Roll Industries by 121.9% in the third quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 328,323 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,763,000 after buying an additional 180,351 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC lifted its position in Tootsie Roll Industries by 6.0% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 94,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,950,000 after buying an additional 5,304 shares in the last quarter. 14.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Tootsie Roll Industries (Get Free Report) Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. It sells its products under the Tootsie Roll, Tootsie Fruit Rolls, Frooties, Tootsie Pops, Tootsie Mini Pops, Child's Play, Caramel Apple Pops, Charms, Blow-Pop, Charms Mini Pops, Cella's, Dots, Junior Mints, Charleston Chew, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Babies, Andes, Fluffy Stuff, Dubble Bubble, Razzles, Cry Baby, NIK-L-NIP, and Tutsi Pop trademarks. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tootsie Roll Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tootsie Roll Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:TMQ Get Free Report)s share price was down 6.8% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $4.38 and last traded at $4.3450. Approximately 804,131 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 4,189,623 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.66. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have commented on TMQ shares. Cormark cut Trilogy Metals from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating and issued a $5.50 price objective on shares of Trilogy Metals in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Cowen restated a hold rating on shares of Trilogy Metals in a report on Tuesday, October 7th. Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of Trilogy Metals from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised shares of Trilogy Metals to a buy rating and set a $10.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $7.75. Get Trilogy Metals alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Trilogy Metals Trilogy Metals Price Performance Insiders Place Their Bets The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $4.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $2.73. The stock has a market cap of $762.12 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -89.26 and a beta of 1.16. In other Trilogy Metals news, Director James Gowans sold 100,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.50, for a total transaction of $750,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 234,046 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,755,345. This trade represents a 29.94% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director William Beckwith Hayden sold 200,000 shares of Trilogy Metals stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $6.61, for a total transaction of $1,322,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 382,685 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,529,547.85. This trade represents a 34.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 1,064,506 shares of company stock worth $7,275,194 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 15.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Trilogy Metals A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of TMQ. Old West Investment Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Trilogy Metals by 61.1% in the first quarter. Old West Investment Management LLC now owns 12,611,879 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $19,611,000 after acquiring an additional 4,781,670 shares during the period. TSP Capital Management Group LLC raised its stake in Trilogy Metals by 9.1% in the 3rd quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 6,715,000 shares of the mining companys stock worth $14,102,000 after purchasing an additional 562,500 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Trilogy Metals by 33.0% in the 3rd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 3,625,129 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $7,613,000 after purchasing an additional 899,656 shares during the period. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC grew its position in shares of Trilogy Metals by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Goehring & Rozencwajg Associates LLC now owns 1,338,321 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,845,000 after purchasing an additional 58,812 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Trilogy Metals by 80.3% during the 3rd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,013,517 shares of the mining companys stock worth $2,128,000 after purchasing an additional 451,437 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.75% of the companys stock. Trilogy Metals Company Profile (Get Free Report) Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, engages in the exploration and development of mineral properties in the United States. The company explores for copper, cobalt, lead, zinc, gold, and silver properties. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Trilogy Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trilogy Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sirios Capital Management L P decreased its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST Free Report) by 10.3% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 119,527 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,753 shares during the period. Vistra accounts for 3.4% of Sirios Capital Management L Ps holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Sirios Capital Management L Ps holdings in Vistra were worth $23,166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC purchased a new position in Vistra during the 1st quarter worth $316,000. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 249.9% in the first quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 19,962 shares of the companys stock worth $2,344,000 after acquiring an additional 14,257 shares in the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra during the first quarter worth about $39,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra during the first quarter worth about $558,000. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the first quarter valued at about $209,149,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Vistra alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms recently commented on VST. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Vistra from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Vistra from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, September 5th. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Vistra from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $250.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued an overweight rating and a $238.00 target price for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and issued a $225.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $233.20. Vistra Trading Down 0.7% Shares of NYSE:VST opened at $164.92 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74. Vistra Corp. has a 12-month low of $90.51 and a 12-month high of $219.82. The business has a 50 day moving average of $187.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $189.98. The company has a market capitalization of $55.88 billion, a PE ratio of 59.54, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.39. Vistra (NYSE:VST Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.78 by ($0.03). Vistra had a net margin of 6.70% and a return on equity of 64.04%. The firm had revenue of $4.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.60 billion. As a group, analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current year. Vistra Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be given a $0.227 dividend. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Vistras previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 22nd. Vistras payout ratio is currently 32.49%. Insider Activity In other Vistra news, CEO James A. Burke sold 21,935 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $186.53, for a total transaction of $4,091,535.55. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 271,074 shares in the company, valued at approximately $50,563,433.22. This represents a 7.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.86, for a total value of $9,456,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 306,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $51,772,476. This trade represents a 15.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 848,747 shares of company stock valued at $169,308,902. Insiders own 1.42% of the companys stock. Vistra Profile (Free Report) Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wartsila (OTCMKTS:WRTBY Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $7.30 and last traded at $7.28, with a volume of 1752 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.04. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reissued a sell rating on shares of Wartsila in a research report on Monday, October 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Wartsila in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Barclays reissued an underweight rating on shares of Wartsila in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Reduce. Get Wartsila alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Wartsila Wartsila Stock Up 3.4% The stock has a market capitalization of $21.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.09 and a beta of 1.21. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $6.32 and a 200 day moving average of $5.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. Wartsila (OTCMKTS:WRTBY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. Wartsila had a net margin of 8.89% and a return on equity of 23.64%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Wartsila will post 0.18 earnings per share for the current year. Wartsila Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, September 18th were issued a dividend of $0.0231 per share. This represents a yield of 72.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 17th. Wartsilas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 13.64%. About Wartsila (Get Free Report) Wartsila Oyj Abp offers technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets worldwide. It offers engine power plant products, such as gas, multi-fuel, and diesel engines; GEMS Digital Energy Platform, a smart software platform that monitors, controls, and optimizes energy assets on site and portfolio levels; GridSolv Quantum, a fully integrated energy storage solution, which enables ease of deployment and sustainable energy optimization; GEMS Power Plant Controllers; GEMS Fleet Director, which provides centralized real-time visibility into a global fleet of power plants; and GEMS Grid Controller that conducts intelligent grid control and optimized power management for microgrids of various sizes. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Wartsila Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wartsila and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WINTON GROUP Ltd grew its holdings in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 49.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 25,316 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 8,370 shares during the period. WINTON GROUP Ltds holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $2,310,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Charles Schwab in the second quarter valued at about $25,000. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 97.9% during the 1st quarter. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC now owns 386 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 191 shares during the last quarter. Stone House Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Charles Schwab during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Activest Wealth Management lifted its stake in Charles Schwab by 6,650.0% in the 1st quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 405 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.38% of the companys stock. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the transaction, the insider owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total transaction of $301,056.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,168,454. This trade represents a 20.49% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 6.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. Charles Schwab Price Performance SCHW stock opened at $94.17 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $93.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $93.30. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a 12-month low of $65.88 and a 12-month high of $99.59. The firm has a market cap of $167.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.05, a PEG ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.96. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.02% and a net margin of 35.93%.The company had revenue of $6.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.71 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 earnings per share for the current year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 14th were given a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.29%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research cut shares of Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $114.00 target price on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Friday, October 17th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Charles Schwab from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $107.11. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Charles Schwab Charles Schwab Company Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WINTON GROUP Ltd lowered its position in Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report) by 31.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,652 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,144 shares during the quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltds holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $2,035,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Icon Advisers Inc. Co. acquired a new position in Trane Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Trane Technologies during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in Trane Technologies by 1,016.7% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 67 shares of the companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Saudi Central Bank acquired a new stake in Trane Technologies during the first quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Dagco Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Trane Technologies in the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. 82.97% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Trane Technologies alerts: Trane Technologies Price Performance TT stock opened at $399.34 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $420.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $424.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 0.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $88.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 1.19. Trane Technologies plc has a 1 year low of $298.15 and a 1 year high of $476.18. Trane Technologies Announces Dividend Trane Technologies ( NYSE:TT Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $3.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.80 by $0.08. Trane Technologies had a net margin of 13.93% and a return on equity of 37.04%. The firm had revenue of $5.74 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.37 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Trane Technologies has set its FY 2025 guidance at 12.950-13.050 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Trane Technologies plc will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 5th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Trane Technologiess payout ratio is presently 28.92%. Insider Buying and Selling In other Trane Technologies news, CAO Elizabeth A. Elwell sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $440.00, for a total value of $264,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,148 shares in the company, valued at $3,145,120. This trade represents a 7.74% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.14% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades TT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Bank of America upgraded shares of Trane Technologies from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $490.00 to $550.00 in a report on Thursday, November 13th. Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Trane Technologies from $485.00 to $495.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $407.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b) rating on shares of Trane Technologies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Trane Technologies from $467.00 to $469.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $470.07. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Trane Technologies Trane Technologies Profile (Free Report) Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Trane Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trane Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund (NYSEARCA:DOL Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $64.67 and last traded at $64.8140, with a volume of 24545 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $63.84. WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $696.70 million, a PE ratio of 13.89 and a beta of 0.71. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $63.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $61.43. Get WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DOL. Cascade Financial Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund by 8.1% during the first quarter. Cascade Financial Partners LLC now owns 216,164 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $11,904,000 after purchasing an additional 16,178 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund by 48.6% during the first quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 31,840 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,753,000 after purchasing an additional 10,409 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund by 7.8% in the first quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 115,248 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $6,347,000 after purchasing an additional 8,328 shares during the period. Royal Bank of Canada raised its position in WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund by 2.6% in the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 270,829 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $14,915,000 after acquiring an additional 6,791 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund by 27.6% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 5,246 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $289,000 after acquiring an additional 1,136 shares during the last quarter. WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund Company Profile WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund (the Fund) seeks investment results that closely correspond to the price and yield performance of the WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Index (the Index). The Index is a fundamentally weighted index that measures the performance of the large-capitalization segment of the dividend-paying market in the industrialized world outside the United States and Canada. Read More Receive News & Ratings for WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WisdomTree International LargeCap Dividend Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) was downgraded by Zacks Research from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday,Zacks.com reports. A number of other brokerages have also commented on PRI. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of Primerica from $320.00 to $315.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b-) rating on shares of Primerica in a research note on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Primerica from $293.00 to $283.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 11th. BMO Capital Markets raised Primerica from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $292.00 to $318.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Primerica from $306.00 to $301.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 17th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Primerica has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $301.80. Get Primerica alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Primerica Primerica Stock Performance Shares of PRI stock opened at $253.05 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $8.08 billion, a PE ratio of 11.63 and a beta of 0.90. Primerica has a 52-week low of $230.98 and a 52-week high of $298.75. The businesss fifty day moving average is $261.39 and its 200 day moving average is $265.47. Primerica (NYSE:PRI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The financial services provider reported $6.33 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.52 by $0.81. The firm had revenue of $838.88 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $817.81 million. Primerica had a return on equity of 31.75% and a net margin of 22.36%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.83 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Primerica will post 20.6 EPS for the current fiscal year. Primerica declared that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, November 19th that permits the company to repurchase $475.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 5.8% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Joel M. Babbit sold 700 shares of Primerica stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $255.00, for a total value of $178,500.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 8,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,142,000. This trade represents a 7.69% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, President Peter W. Schneider sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $255.30, for a total value of $510,600.00. Following the transaction, the president directly owned 7,301 shares in the company, valued at $1,863,945.30. This trade represents a 21.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 5,200 shares of company stock valued at $1,338,225 over the last ninety days. 0.61% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Headlands Technologies LLC boosted its stake in shares of Primerica by 2,300.0% during the 1st quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 168 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 161 shares in the last quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Primerica by 30.5% in the 1st quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 6,873 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,956,000 after acquiring an additional 1,607 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Primerica in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Primerica by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 152,062 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $43,266,000 after purchasing an additional 13,759 shares during the period. Finally, Virtu Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of Primerica during the first quarter valued at approximately $618,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Primerica (Get Free Report) Primerica, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services to middle-income households in the United States and Canada. The company operates in four segments: Term Life Insurance; Investment and Savings Products; Senior Health; and Corporate and Other Distributed Products. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Primerica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Primerica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Okeanis Eco Tankers (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Monday,Zacks.com reports. Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on ECO. Wall Street Zen raised Okeanis Eco Tankers from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, November 15th. B. Riley increased their price target on Okeanis Eco Tankers from $35.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers in a report on Monday. UBS Group downgraded shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Friday, November 14th. Finally, Clarkson Capital upgraded shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Okeanis Eco Tankers currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $37.00. Get Okeanis Eco Tankers alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Okeanis Eco Tankers Okeanis Eco Tankers Stock Performance ECO stock traded down $0.50 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $35.65. The company had a trading volume of 29,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 183,037. The firm has a market cap of $1.15 billion, a PE ratio of 14.91 and a beta of -0.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 2.00. Okeanis Eco Tankers has a 12 month low of $17.91 and a 12 month high of $39.77. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $33.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $28.19. Okeanis Eco Tankers (NYSE:ECO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 13th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by $0.48. Okeanis Eco Tankers had a net margin of 21.92% and a return on equity of 18.05%. The firm had revenue of $90.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $51.29 million. On average, analysts forecast that Okeanis Eco Tankers will post 1.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of ECO. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in Okeanis Eco Tankers by 108.2% in the second quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 420,789 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,144,000 after purchasing an additional 218,717 shares in the last quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 210.9% in the 1st quarter. Semmax Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 122,529 shares of the companys stock worth $2,906,000 after buying an additional 83,122 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 56.8% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 150,568 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,328,000 after buying an additional 54,528 shares in the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its holdings in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers by 517.5% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 58,678 shares of the companys stock worth $1,718,000 after acquiring an additional 49,176 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Militia Capital Partners LP bought a new stake in shares of Okeanis Eco Tankers during the 3rd quarter worth $1,024,000. About Okeanis Eco Tankers (Get Free Report) Okeanis Eco Tankers Corp., a shipping company, owns and operates tanker vessels worldwide. It operates a fleet of 14 tanker vessels comprising six modern Suezmax tankers and eight modern VLCC tankers focusing on the transportation of crude oil. The company was incorporated in 2018 and is based in Neo Faliro, Greece. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Okeanis Eco Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the third of its kind in less than two decades, was issued on Wednesday. The Chinese government released the first such document in November 2008 and the second in November 2016. The latest policy paper said China stands ready to join hands with Latin America and the Caribbean to promote the five programs on solidarity, development, civilization, peace and people-to-people connectivity to advance shared development and revitalization, and write a new chapter in building a China-LAC community with a shared future. The Chinese government released China's third policy paper on LAC to draw experience, plan the future, elaborate China's policy on LAC, and take the relations and cooperation between the two sides in various fields to a new level. The policy paper consists of three parts, namely "Latin America and the Caribbean: A Land Full of Vibrancy and Hope," "The Flourishing Relations Between China and Latin America and the Caribbean" and "Joining Hands to Promote the Five Programs for Building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future." Cai Wei, China's assistant minister of foreign affairs, said at the launch ceremony that this policy paper reviews the vibrant growth of China-LAC relations and lays out China's policy proposals going forward for exchanges and cooperation in over 40 areas. It also responds actively to LAC countries' needs and concerns in terms of trade, investment, finance, sci-tech, innovation, climate change and more. "This shows the great importance China attaches to this relationship and its deep commitment to pursuing common development with LAC countries," Cai said, adding that this policy paper will serve as a road map and guidebook for China-LAC relations in the new era. Martin Charles, dean of diplomatic corps of LAC countries in China and ambassador of Dominica to China, said the implementation of the policy paper will be fundamental in continuing the advancement of a China-LAC community with a shared future, and will have direct impacts on cooperation in infrastructure construction, education, culture, agriculture and other areas. Yes its essential for fairness and democratic stability Maybe but only if both major parties commit in law No the current system gives needed flexibility Vote View Results BRUSSELS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) negotiators agreed late on Tuesday to a binding 2040 climate target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels, a European Parliament press release said. Lawmakers from the European Parliament and EU member states reached a provisional political deal to amend the EU Climate Law and set a new intermediate target between the bloc's existing 2030 and 2050 climate goals, according to the statement. Under the deal, member states will have more flexibility in how they meet the 2040 objective. From 2036, up to five percentage points of the overall emissions reduction may be achieved using high-quality international carbon credits that comply with the Paris Agreement. The deal also allows domestic permanent carbon removals to be used to offset hard-to-abate emissions in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to achieve targets as cost-effectively as possible. The introduction of the EU's new emissions trading system for fuels in buildings, road transport and additional sectors, known as ETS2, will be postponed by one year from 2027 to 2028 under the agreement. The European Commission will review progress towards the 2040 goal every two years, assessing the latest scientific evidence, technological developments and impacts on the EU's global competitiveness, the parliament said. Depending on its findings, the Commission could propose changes to the Climate Law, including revising the 2040 target or adding further measures to strengthen the policy framework. The provisional agreement must still be formally approved by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. It will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU's Official Journal. The existing European Climate Law makes climate neutrality by 2050 a legal obligation for all member states and sets a binding target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. JERUSALEM, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Bolivia have restored diplomatic relations about two years after Bolivia cut ties over Israel's military onslaught in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement that its foreign minister, Gideon Sa'ar, and his Bolivian counterpart, Fernando Aramayo, signed a Joint Communique in Washington, D.C., to renew diplomatic relations between the two countries. "We agreed to reestablish full diplomatic relations and to appoint ambassadors in a timely manner," Sa'ar said during the signing ceremony, according to the statement. The ministers also exchanged mutual invitations for government and private-sector representatives to "explore new opportunities for cooperation." "We committed our two Foreign Ministries to ongoing dialogue on bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues," Sa'ar added. In October 2023, Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel, accusing it of committing crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip. TAIPEI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese character "ba," which means both "dismiss" and "stop," was chosen as Taiwan's most representative word of 2025 in a poll that drew over 78,000 votes. The poll, organized by Taiwan's United Daily News, gathered 60 candidate characters recommended by people from various sectors before opening a public voting process, which ran from Nov. 13 to Dec. 8. In addition to "ba," which won more than 15,000 votes, words such as "deceit," "flood," "support," "chaos," "split" and "tax" were among the 10 candidates that received the most votes. The character "ba" was recommended by Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, lawmakers Chang Chi-kai and Ko Chih-en, and a high school teacher. In July and August this year, two rounds of recall votes targeting a number of legislators of the Chinese Kuomintang party and one suspended mayor failed to pass. This was the 18th annual vote for Taiwan's character of the year. Other characters chosen in recent years include "greed," "shortage," "rise," "stay-at-home," "epidemic" and "disorder." Orangefield High School students had an exciting and eye opening experience at the Junior Achievement Finance Park program. This interactive, real world financial education initiative helps high school students build essential money management skills through both classroom learning and a hands on budgeting simulation. During the simulation, students were assigned a career, income level, family scenario and monthly expenses. They were then challenged to create and balance a realistic budget while making real life financial decisions related to housing, transportation, groceries, education, childcare, healthcare and savings. Students navigated various stages of life, from their teenage years through young adulthood, working adulthood and nearing retirement. Many quickly discovered how easy it is to underestimate expenses and how fast a paycheck can be spent. The Orangefield High School Senior students would like to thank Mrs. Jennifer Womack from Junior Achievement for sponsoring Finance Park and to the local businesses that supported our students throughout this valuable learning experience: Stellar Bank, Capital One Bank and Entergy. Your partnership helps prepare us for a successful financial future. Numit Kappa: The first rebel and the rise of political consciousness in ancient Manipur | A historical reading of the Numit Kappa reveals a deep political wisdom rooted in Meitei civilization Dr Abul Khair Choudhury (Moijing Mayum) When we turn the pages of history to search for the roots of democracy, human rights, and the courage to question authority, our eyes often wander to the Westto the ancient agoras of Greece, the Roman Senate, or the signing of the Magna Carta in England. We have been conditioned by colonial education to believe that the concepts of "liberty," "resistance against tyranny," and the "rights of the common man" are modern imports brought to our shores by outsiders. However, if we look inward, deep into the fertile soil of our own ancestral knowledge, we find that the Mei- tei civilization had codified these very principles nearly two thousand years ago. The ancient Manipuri literature, preserved in the vast and sacred corpus of the Puyas written in the indigenous Meetei Mayek script, is not merely a collection of folklore, grand- mothers tales, or ritual hymns. It is a sophisticated archive of a civilizations political, social, and ecological philosophy. These texts, inscribed on agar-wood bark (Agor) and handmade paper (Che), survived centuries of upheaval to whisper the wisdom of our forefathers to us. Among these texts, the Numit Kappa (literally, "The Shooting of the Sun") stands as a towering monument. While often catego- rized by outsiders as a simple cosmogonic myth explaining the creation of night and day, a closer, critical reading reveals it to be one of the world's earliest and most profound manifestos of political consciousness. It is a story that proves the Meitei common people of ancient Kanglei-pak were not passive subjects, but politically conscious citizens who under- stood that the legitimacy of a King is bound by his duty to the people. The Myth of the Two Suns To understand the political weight of this text, we must first revisit the narrative that has been chanted by our Maibas (priests) and Penakhongbas (minstrels) for centuries. The Numit Kappa tells of a primordial time when the world was besieged by a terrifying phenomenon : "Two Suns" shone in the sky simultaneously. In this mythical age, the sunsTaohuireng and his brotherrose and set in a relentless relay. When one sank in the west, the other rose immediately in the east. There was no night. There was no cooling shadow. The earth was subjected to an eternal, scorching day. The text describes the ecological devastation vividly: the heat was so intense that the paddy withered in the fields, the rivers ran dry, and the earth cracked. But the suffering was not just environmental; it was deeply social. Because there was no night, there was no time for rest. The natural rhythm of life was broken. Men and women toiled ceaselessly under the watchful, burning eyes of the two suns. It is in this landscape of despair that our hero emerges. He is not a God, nor a prince, nor a General of the royal army. He is Khwai Nungjeng Piba (also known in some versions as the servant Ekma Haodongla). He is a Naichaa servant. Decoding the Allegory: The Burden of Double Sovereignty Our learned scholars and historians (Maichous) have long peeled back the layers of this myth to reveal the hard history underneath. In the political lexicon of ancient Kangleipak, the "Sun" (Korou) was the metaphor for the "King" (Ningthou). The King was the source of life, the burning center of the state, and the dispenser of justice. Therefore, the "Two Suns" appearing simultaneously is widely interpreted as a historical period of "Double Sovereignty." This likely references a time of intense inter-clan conflict, possibly between the powerful Khuman and Ning- thouja clans, where two rulers claimed supremacy over the valley at the same time. For the common people, this duality was not a matter of court intrigue; it was a matter of survival. Two Kings meant two tax collectors. Two Kings meant two sets of laws. Two Kings meant double the forced labor (Lallup). The "heat" that burned the paddy was the heat of political oppression. The text uses the metaphor of the scorching sun to describe a State machinery that had become too heavy, too demanding, and too present in the lives of its subjects. The Working Class Hero and the Politics of Rest Khwai Nungjeng Piba is perhaps one of the earliest "working-class heroes" in world literature. His motivation for the uprising (Ihou) is strikingly modern. He does not plot against the suns because he wants to become the sun himself. He does not seek the throne. His grievance is grounded in the domestic reality of the common man. In a poignant verse that echoes through the centuries, he laments his inability to live a human life. He complains that because the suns never set, he has to fetch wood twice and carry paddy twice. He cries out: "I cannot rear my children. I cannot see my wife." This single line is revolutionary. It asserts that the Private Sphere (the family, the home, the raising of children) has a sanctity that the Public Sphere (the State, the King, the labor) must respect. Khwai Nungjeng Piba argues that a political system that destroys the work-life balance of the common man, that separates a father from his children and a husband from his wife, is a system that has lost its right to exist. It suggests that the ultimate goal of governance is not the glory of the ruler, but the happiness of the household. The Role of Women: The Silent Revolutionaries The Numit Kappa also offers a fascinating glimpse into the role of women in the ancient Meitei psyche. The revolution of Khwai Nungjeng Piba is not a solitary male endeavor; it is a community effort, rooted in the partnership of marriage. Before he takes the shot, Khwai Nungjeng Piba must train. He crafts a bow from bambooa weapon born of the indigenous soil, not a divine gift from the heavens. But to test his aim, he calls upon his wife, Haonu Changkanu. In a scene that is both terrifying and symbolic of absolute trust, he asks her to place a water pot on her head. He shoots the pot. He then shoots the earring from her ear. While a surface reading might see this as perilous, a deeper literary analysis reveals Haonu Changkanu as the silent backbone of the resistance. She stands still. She accepts the mortal risk. She understands that to bring down the tyranny of the suns, the family unit must be steely in its resolve. Her stillness is as important as his action. It symbolizes that the common peoplemen and women alike were united in their willingness to face danger to secure their freedom. Furthermore, after the violence, it is the female divinities who restore order. When the surviving sun hides in a cave out of fear, plunging the world into chaos and darkness, it is not the male warriors who coax him out. It is the Goddess Panthoibi. Through ritual, diplomacy, and reassurance, she negotiates a new social contract. She brings the sun back, but on the condition that he shines gently. This reflects the ancient Meitei understanding that while male energy might be needed to overthrow tyranny, female energy is essential to build peace and restore society. The Right to Revolt The climax of the epicthe shooting of the sun Tao- huirengis an act of regicide. In most ancient cultures, the King was considered inviolable, a repre- sentative of God on earth. To kill a King was a sin. Yet, the Numit Kappa celebrates this act. When Khwai Nungjeng Piba releases his arrow, he is not portrayed as a villain or a traitor. He is the restorer of balance. The text essentially codifies the Right to Revolt. It teaches that sovereignty is conditional. The King exists to warm the earth, to make the crops grow, and to sustain the people. If he instead burns the crops and enslaves the people, he ceases to be a King and becomes a monster. And monsters, even celestial ones, can be shot. This "Arrow of Accountability" is the legacy of our ancestors. They did not believe in blind submission. They believed that the Motherland (Ima Leibak) was superior to the Ruler (Ningthou). If the Ruler threatens the survival of the Land and its people, the Ruler must go. From Narrative to Ritual: The Wisdom of Chupsaba It is also significant to note how this text has survived. It is not just a story told around fires; it is a liturgical text used in the Chupsaba ritual. This ritual is performed to cleanse a household or community after an "unnatural" or violent death. Why recite a story of assassination to heal trauma ? The genius of the Meitei worldview lies here. The ritual acknowledges that violence (the shooting of the sun) was necessary to end suffering, but it also acknowledges that violence disrupts the cosmic order. The ritual recitation serves to "cool down" the heat of the event. It reminds the community that while the sun was shot, the light was eventually restored. It transforms a narrative of political violence into a narrative of healing and continuity. It tells us that after the revolution, we must find a way to live again. Conclusion: The Need for a Modern Khwai Nungjeng Piba As we stand in the 21st century, the ancient wisdom of Numit Kappa feels startlingly relevant. Today, modern Meitei society stands at a critical crossroads. We are often surrounded by the "heat" of confusion, internal conflict, and external challenges. We are often confused by conflicting leaders and conflic- ting narratives, much like the ancient Praja caught between rival kings. In these turbulent times, our Community (Furup) is in dire need of the spirit of Khwai Nungjeng Piba. We do not need more princes fighting for power. We need "conscious citizens"ordinary men and women who love their families and their motherland enough to stand up for the truth. We need individuals who are not swayed by emotion alone, but who possess the clarity to distinguish between the 'False Sun' that burns us and the 'True Sun' that gives us life. We need the courage to craft our own bows from the bamboo of our education and our unity. Just as Khwai Nungjeng Piba used his skill to restore balance to the cosmos, today's generation must use their political consciousness to guide Manipur towards a future of peace, dignity. Numit Kappa is not a relic to be kept in a museum or worshipped from afar. It is a living guide. It is a call to action for every Meitei to awaken their consciousness and steer our Ima Leibak toward a future where the sun warms, but does not burn. Governor pays tribute to martyrs and Veer Naris | IMPHAL, Dec 10: A delegation of 20 ex-servicemen led by Lt Gen KH Singh (Retd) called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day. During the meeting, the Governor and the ex-servicemen paid their respects to the martyrs, Veer Naris and armed forces personnel who have made supreme sacrifices for the Nation. The delegation informed the Governor about welfare activities and initiatives undertaken by the Rajya Sainik Board, Manipur to support ex-servicemen and their families. Col Gopendra Singh Puyam (Retd), secretary, Rajya Sainik Board expressed gratitude to the Governor for his support. The meeting highlighted the commitment to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families, and the importance of honouring the sacrifices of armed forces personnel. Interesting emerging patternReady for the high profile visit | The pattern in the emerging reality is interesting. It could be a series of coin- cidences or it could be something which have been crafted or drawn up by some of the best brains in the business of drawing up chess moves, which only a certified grandmaster would have the mental resources to do so and this is what is significant. Back in November, Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi stressed on the point of normalcy returning to Manipur and topped this off with the more than subtle hint that President Drou-padi Murmu may visit Manipur. Then came the move of Raj Bhavan to organise the State level Sangai Festival, a festival which had been given the miss in 2023 and 2024, though it ended in a sort of a fiasco, following the call to boycott the festival from IDPs who were and are still languishing in different relief centres set up across the length and breadth of Manipur. Then came the much publicised and much appreciated move of MLA Yumnam Khemchand to visit a relief centre opened for displaced Kuki people and this looks set to be rounded off with the visit of President Droupadi Murmu. If one goes back to November 17 when the COAS hinted at the likely visit of the President to Manipur, it came qualified with the term, if peace prevails/continues. And that if is today no longer a prefix to the visit of the President, for Manipur is all set to roll out the red carpet for the high profile visit. The strategy at work seems to be neatly falling into a pattern, a pattern which would help in making the world understand that Manipur has taken steps nearer to the understanding of normalcy and Delhi seems to have set the whizboys to brainstorm and work this out. True to the seat or position of the President, nothing is expected to be heard on the state of uncertainty prevailing in Manipur, but the very fact that the President is set to touch down here on a two day visit will ring out the right chord, a line which Delhi is intent on strumming. To actuate the walk towards normalcy, the Government will obviously need to study how to take the visit of Yumnam Khem-chand to the Kuki relief centre to the next level. Sit and talk, as suggested by a Kuki chief, the interview of which has been shared widely on the social media, should be taken as one of the most practical suggestions ever mooted. It remains to be seen whether Raj Bhavan or the people who matter in the PR regime have taken note of the observation of the Kuki chief, but such a line has been spoken out and the visit of the President is prehaps the right time to see how Manipur can proceed from this suggestion. Talk-this should precede the march towards normalcy for dialogue is the roadmap towards normalcy. It says something profound that the need to talk has been sounded not by any of the political leaders of the day, not by the different champions on either side of the clash divide, but a village chief. No magic formula in place to restore normalcy, but a talk, a dialogue is perhaps the most feasible first step towards normalcy and this would not have blown over the head of New Delhi and the PR regime in Manipur. And while the scheduled visit of the President falls in place with the line that situation has improved and is improving, Delhi will need to do more than ensure high profile visits to the State. This much is clear but ultimately for normalcy to become a reality the first meaningful step should come from the stakeholders, the people of Manipur. Yumnam Khemchand has taken the first meaningful step towards breaking the ice and one wonders why not one single BJP MLA has come forward to publicly acknowledge the initiative of the Singjamei AC MLA. Or is it a case of better politics to maintain a selective silence on the matter and study how things progress from the visit ? Whatever the case maybe, the visit was significant and one only hopes that it is the beginning of something better. Holding the Sangai Festival despite the strong opposition, the visit of Khemchand to a relief centre opened for Kuki IDPs, the scheduled visit of the President of India, all fit neatly into a package and whether this package is being scripted or not, one cannot help but note the developments that have emerged in the last few days. And to come back to line suggested by the said Kuki chief, a dialogue is the need of the hour. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China actively participates in human rights affairs in the United Nations (UN) and has broad-based exchange and cooperation in human rights with other countries, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson here Wednesday, adding that China is willing to inject more force for good into human rights development in the world. December 10 marks the Human Rights Day. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular news briefing while responding to a query on China's progress in promoting and protecting human rights and China's efforts to enhance international human rights cooperation. Guo said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. The UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 77 years ago and established the Human Rights Day 75 years ago, which embody humanity's ambitious dream -- the full enjoyment of human rights by all people. The vision of promoting and protecting human rights is taking deeper roots. "China always attaches great importance to respecting and protecting human rights and pursues a human rights development path that meets the trend of the times and suits its national conditions," Guo said. Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has made remarkable achievements in national development, advanced the whole-process people's democracy, effectively and fully implemented the rule of law, enjoyed thriving cultural programs and industries, better ensured people's well-being, consolidated gains in poverty elimination, steadily improved the ecological environment, and elevated the protection of various human rights to a new stage, he added. The spokesperson said that as a constructive player, China actively participates in human rights affairs in the UN and has broad-based exchange and cooperation in human rights with other countries. Guo said that the Second Workshop on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is being hosted by China in Beijing. Representatives from over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, and officials and experts from the UN attended the workshop. They have had in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights. In October 2025, the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. This has drawn a blueprint for China's economic and social development in the next five years and demonstrated China's vision of having mutually beneficial cooperation with the rest of the world, the spokesperson added. "To advance Chinese modernization will also give a boost to all-round development of human rights in China," said Guo, adding that China will actively implement the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and inject more force for good into human rights development in the world. He said that some countries politicize and weaponize human rights issues, which amount to a grave challenge to global human rights governance. Certain country refuses to repent for its past crimes, such as bacterial warfare, the forced recruitment of "comfort women" and the massacre of civilians during its war of aggression. Rather, they continue to infringe on the rights of indigenous people, such as the Ainu and indigenous Ryukyuans, and adopt policies that discriminate against foreigners. "We urge the relevant country to face up to and resolve their own severe human rights issues, take a constructive part in the international cooperation in human rights, and stop interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of so-called human rights issues," Guo said. WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Pentagon has activated the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (West-Hemcom) after the White House issued a document outlining the National Security Strategy, according to a U.S. Defense Department news release on Wednesday. The command united U.S. Army Forces Command, U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South into a single, four-star operational headquarters, said the release, adding that an activation ceremony was held on Dec. 5 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Army Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, who previously served as the U.S. Army's deputy chief of staff for Operations, Plans and Training, assumed command of West-Hemcom, it said. "The newly established command is an operational warfighting theater command headquarters overseeing all Army plans, posture, operations and power projection in support of U.S. Northern and Southern Commands -- and aligned with national strategic priorities," said the release. "By February 2026, the new command will reach its initial operational capability and will be assigned to Southcom and Northcom to prepare to accept theater Army authorities and responsibilities," it noted. "Following initial operational capability, U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South will inactivate." It is expected that if all conditions are met, West-Hemcom will reach full operational capability by summer 2026, said the release. "The United States must be preeminent in the Western Hemisphere as a condition of our security and prosperity -- a condition that allows us to assert ourselves confidently where and when we need to in the region," said the National Security Strategy issued by the White House on Thursday. The document is widely regarded as a formal statement of U.S. President Donald Trump's foreign policy vision for his second term. Donald Trump may have fired another salvo by threatening to impose further tariffs on Indian rice exports to the US yesterday, but as far as India is concerned, that is the least of its worries as far as the worlds most eaten staple is concerned. India is involved in a long-drawn out battle over the origin story of the famed fragrant long grain rice called Basmati and by all indications, it is losing. ALSO READ | Besides Kashmir, cricket, the other India-Pakistan war you didnt know about! The immediate danger to rice exports from India, New Delhi, is the worlds biggest exporter of rice, stems from a Washington meeting of the US President on Wednesday with a farmers group, whereby it was brought to his notice that cheap imports were making rice cultivation in America uncompetitive. With India already labouring under 50% tariffs on about half the goods it exports to the US and the trade deal talks still rambling along, it did hit headlines and cause worry lines in the corridors of power in the Indian capital. However, in reality, experts dont give much credence to the latest threat due to two reasons. One is Trumps seemingly random threats that seem to have a method in its madness, and that is aimed at blindsiding the rival side into folding fast. It wasnt lost on anyone that the latest utterances came even as American trade negotiators Brendan Lynch and Rick Switzer were set to land in Delhi today, Wednesday. Secondly, rice exports from India are just about 392 million dollars, and that constitutes only 3% of its total rice exports all over the world. And they anyway already attract duties of more than 50%. But beyond tariffs, India does face a major problem when it comes to rice, or at least, its most famous and cherished rice varietal the basmati rice. It has been fighting an uphill battle over the intellectual property (IP) and geographical indication (GI) tag over the origin of basmati, and by all accounts, it is losing. And to none other than its bete noire, Pakistan. The basmati rice is cultivated primarily anywhere from the foothills of the Himalayas in Indias Gangetic plain, in the fertile farmlands of Punjab, and in Sindh. The issue? Since the partition when Punjab was split between India and Pakistan, both nations have been at odds over who is the rightful owner of billing themselves as the home of basmati. The fight is similar to France fighting hard to limit the use of the Champagne term only to sparkling white wine from the vineyards of the Champagne region of Northeastern France. Problems came to a head a few years ago when India had to cut down its production and export of basmati rice, a vacuum which Pakistani Basmati rice cleverly stepped into. Then Indias Commerce ministry committed what, in hindsight, was the next blunder it tried to stake its claim for GI tag for Basmati rice in foreign courts. The result has not been favourable to New Delhi. Earlier this year, New Zealand and Australia both accepted Pakistans claim that basmati originated from the Hafizabad district of Pakistani Punjab. Kenya also struck down Indian claims, allowing trade marks with Basmati to be registered. Adding insult to injury, the European Union accepted that long grain rice from Sindh could be marketed as Basmati, despite Indias vehement opposition. However, a final decision from Brussels may still be pending, while it figures out a smooth way to extricate itself out of the situation given a choice, it would have preferred to accept Basmati as from both India and Pakistan, but the pending trade deal with India, as well as historical precedence, means it will have to tread carefully so as not to ruffle both countries. Beyond national pride, there is a lot of economics also riding on GI tags, since they often come with zero duty. For example, in the recently concluded India-UK free trade deal, heritage Feni from Goa was given such a status, which ensures it can be exported from Goa to the UK at no additional tariff. The same is the status both countries covet when it comes to Basmati as well. And the stakes are mighty high at last years figures, Pakistan is catching up with 4 billion dollars worth of basmati exports to Indias 5 billion dollars. Indias main export markets include the Gulf countries as well as Iran and some countries in Africa, spurred equally by the demands from the diaspora as well as the global popularity of biryani and pilaf (pulao) dishes in recent years. Uber India on Wednesday forayed into the B2B logistics space through Uber Direct and launched Bangalore Metro ticketing. Both will be powered by the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network. The company says the integration will strengthen interoperability. By connecting Uber Direct to ONDC, we are enabling any e-commerce operator large or small to access multiple logistics providers. Uber is simply one option among many, said Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia on the sidelines of a media interaction in Bengaluru. How Uber Direct is different from Uber Courier? As Uber expands its logistics portfolio to the ONDC network, the company has also clarified how its new B2B offering differs from the existing consumer-facing delivery option. Unlike Uber Courier, which is booked directly by customers in the Uber app, Uber Direct operates behind the scenes as a logistics engine for businesses. Orders are placed by users on a seller's app or website, and the delivery is fulfilled by Uber Direct without the consumer interacting with Uber until the delivery partner arrives. This makes Uber Direct, powered by ONDC, a standardised, plug-and-play solution for enterprises that need reliable, flexible, and scalable delivery support. Singh pointed out that the ONDC network allows operators to originate demand from multiple sources and select from a variety of service providers, effectively unbundling logistics and giving businesses the freedom to choose the best solution for their needs. It is about creating a level playing field and fostering healthy competition across the logistics ecosystem. The integration will also drive Uber to innovate and enhance efficiency. Being part of ONDC pushes us to think harder about technology solutions, service affordability, and operational efficiency. We are now competing alongside multiple providers, which ultimately benefits the end consumer and the enterprise, observed Singh. The product went live in Bengaluru on Wednesday on open digital rails of the ONDC network, with drivers fulfilling grocery deliveries for brands such as Zepto and KPN Farm Fresh. Uber Direct will be expanded to food delivery within a couple of weeks, fulfilling deliveries for global brands such as KFC, Burger King, Taco Bell, and popular Indian names such as Rebel Foods. Metro ticketing on Uber, also powered by ONDC, has already seen strong growth in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, with more riders planning, and paying for public transport within a single app. Bengaluru marks an important next step in this journey for Uber. Now, Uber users in Bengaluru can purchase QR-based metro tickets and access real-time information for the Bangalore Metro (BMRCL) within the Uber app, using UPI as the exclusive payment method. "Ultimately, the winners are consumers, who gain affordable and reliable delivery options; businesses, which can access multiple service providers; and the ecosystem at large, which benefits from a more open, competitive, and innovative logistics framework," added Singh. Experts point out that Uber's participation in ONDC could serve as a model for balancing private innovation with public digital infrastructure. By ensuring interoperability and choice, it addresses concerns that large-scale private platforms might overshadow smaller logistics startups. Ubers continued expansion on the ONDC Network, first with Metro ticketing in multiple cities and now with the official launch of Uber Direct, demonstrates the true potential of interoperable digital commerce. Uber Direct will provide a standardised, plug-and-play logistics layer for businesses, fostering efficiency and innovation in the B2B space across the network, remarked Vibhor Jain, acting CEO and COO, ONDC. Uber says that it is focused on solving mobility and logistics challenges for Indians, showcasing how technology can simplify everyday movement and commerce. Transit ticketing and Uber Direct, powered by ONDC network, showcases as to how the company is diversifying its solutions to meet evolving needs. More metro integrations and Uber Direct city launches are planned for 2026 as Uber aims to deepen its commitment to India. TEHRAN, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday that three members of its Ground Force were killed in a "terrorist" attack in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. The three were killed by members of "terrorist and hostile groups" while on a mission protecting Iran's border in Lar area, northeast of the provincial capital Zahedan, and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the assailants, the IRGC reported through its official news outlet Sepah News, without specifying the victims' identities nor the assailants' affiliation. Bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, Sistan and Baluchestan province has witnessed several "terrorist" attacks on both civilians and security forces in recent years. Following President Vladimir Putin's New Delhi visit, Russia has reportedly approved a Transfer of Technology (ToT) arrangement that will let India manufacture the Su-57E engines. As per the agreement between the two time-tested allies, India will be allowed to integrate its weapons to the system. READ MORE DEFENCE STORIES WITH 'FORTRESS INDIA' - CLICK HERE The Izdeliye 177S thrust-vectoring turbofan engines of the Su-57E jets will be manufactured at Hindustan Aeronautics Limiteds (HAL) Koraput Division in Odisha, the report said. While THE WEEK couldn't independently verify the reports, it is indeed good news for India as it will let the country join an elite group with the industrial capability to develop fifth-generation fighter propulsion indigenously alongside Russia, the United States and China. ALSO READ | Russia ships out fifth-generation fighter Su-57 to mystery foreign client. It was pitched to India too Reports available online say that the Izdeliye 177 (Izdeliye 117S) is the specific Russian fighter jet engine model known for high-performance, two-shaft, low-bypass turbofan engine that features thrust-vectoring control (TVC) . It lets the Sukhois perform extreme, low-speed, high angle-of-attack manoeuvres and significantly enhances both survivability and fuel efficiency during deep-penetration missions. It was reported earlier in November that Russia offered India "unrestricted access" to technology for the new fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet ahead of Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. Facility audits at the HAL Koraput are slated to begin in early 2026, followed by joint prototype integration in 2028 and full serial production by 2029, the report said. The objective is reportedly synchronising engine availability with anticipated timelines for both Su-57E acquisitions and AMCA Mk-1 flight testing. India's roadmap for the engine production The initial production phases will be jointly supervised by India and Russia before HAL is handed absolute autonomy over a period of time as indigenous content thresholds are met, the Defense Security Asia report said. The development is also vital due to the fact that the 177S can ensure fleet-wide benefits by becoming an upgrade for the existing AL-31FP engines on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI. This can provide a 1518 per cent thrust increase and extend mean time between overhauls and bring down life-cycle costs. ALSO READ | Can HAL make Russian fifth-generation fighter Sukhoi Su-57 in India? Here's what experts observed The SU 57 , the best FIGHTER JET currently in operation in the World ! https://t.co/5fjpEDJm7u pic.twitter.com/mSXWXpufp3 (@SMO_VZ) October 27, 2025 The reports also underline the fact that Moscow has also agreed "explicitly" to let India's preferred weapon systems, including Astra beyond-visual-range missiles and BrahMos cruise missiles, be integrated into it. Russia will provide India with full production drawings, process documentation, and test-bed methodologies required for local manufacture and life-cycle management of the fifth-generation engine, Defense Security Asia said in a report on Tuesday. ALSO READ | Russia-China ties: Stealth is the name of the game in Zhuhai airshow "Unlike earlier arrangements that compartmentalised sensitive sub-systems, the 177S transfer explicitly includes access to single-crystal turbine blade casting techniques, thermal barrier coatings capable of sustaining turbine inlet temperatures approaching 1,800 degrees Celsius, and digitally integrated FADEC control logic with hydromechanical redundancy. These capabilities are not merely incremental upgrades but foundational technologies that directly feed into Indias parallel ambitions under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, where propulsion has long been acknowledged as the critical bottleneck," the report read. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made a fresh arrest in connection with the deadly Delhi Red Fort blast on Tuesday. The arrested doctor has been remanded to NIA custody for a week. According to NIA, Dr Bilal Naseer Malla of Baramulla was arrested in Delhi on Tuesday. Malla is the eighth arrest to be made in connection with the "white-collar module." "NIA found him involved in the conspiracy behind the terrorist attack that killed 15 persons and injured several others in the Red Fort area," the investigation agency said. Investigators charged "Bilal had knowingly harboured the deceased accused, Umar Un Nabi, by providing him logistical support." The central probe agency is also accused of destroying evidence related to the terror attack. "NIA is continuing with its investigation into the conspiracy behind the deadly terror act. The anti-terror agency is working closely with various central and state agencies to unravel all the threads of the conspiracy," it said. The NIA produced Bilal before a designated court of Principal District and Sessions Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna. The court remanded him to NIA custody for seven days, PTI reported. The court on Tuesday also extended the NIA custody of Amir Rashid Ali, another accused in the Red Fort blast case. As many as 15 people died in a deadly blast near the Red Fort in the national capital on November 10. A slow-moving car burst into flames near the busy Red Fort signal on the day. The blast occurred hours after security forces from Jammu and Kashmir unveiled a terror module spread over three states. Investigators also seized 2,900 kilos of ammonium nitrate and ammunition from Al Falah University in Faridabad during the probe. There was growing buzz that Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief and Chief Minister Hemant Soren might break ties with the Congress and move towards the BJP, especially after his reported meeting with a senior BJP leader in Delhi last week. Although the media chatter has since quietened, sources indicate that the JMM is weighing the possibility of aligning with the BJP in order to secure smoother financial coordination with the Centre ruled by the saffron party, and push ahead with its developmental promises to the people of the state. However, a section of political observers believes the JMM may find it difficult to walk away easily from its natural allies and stitch up an alliance with the BJP, primarily because of its core vote base. The party draws significant support from Muslims and Christians, who form a crucial part of Jharkhands electorate. Notably, the state has around 15 per cent Muslims and over 4 per cent Christians. FROM THE MAGAZINE | Before 2019, the #BJP government was there, and they used to call it a double-engine sarkar. If people were satisfied, why did they choose Hemant ji and the #INDIAbloc parties?"- Kalpana Soren,@JmmJharkhand leader Read the story by @SoniMishra20 pic.twitter.com/oPPkBM7O1v THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) May 22, 2024 Yet another section of analysts believe that the JMM may ultimately be forced to compromise due to its financial constraints and pressure building up to deliver on its promises to the people. A political analyst noted, Hemant Soren wants to survive, and for that he needs support from the Centre. To get that support, he may have to align with them. If an opportunist alliance is in the offing, a section believes it may also not last long as JMM can take no chances of losing its core electorate. If his electorate is something he (Soren) wants to retain, he can just break the alliance with the BJP before the next assembly elections and then try to win back his electorate. Regional parties often switch sides and still manage to convince their voters, just the way Nitish Kumar has been doing it, said the analyst. According to sources, the JMM and BJP may be inching towards a deal or understanding, the contours of which are not clear yet, and the parties may be looking for an appropriate time to stitch the same. All eyes are on whether the state is headed for a political change after the Parliament winter session is over. The episode has also triggered a wave of speculation in political circles. It has unsettled a section of Congress legislators, with some claiming that a few MLAs may be worried about their political fortunes if the winds change. Talking to THE WEEK, a top leader in the state argued that there is not much benefit for the JMM in allying with the BJP. According to him, Soren knows he wont enjoy the same freedom there as he currently does with the Congress. He (Soren) may rather try to capitalise on the sentiment and try to increase his flock if more MLAs are keen to join him from Congress, the leader said, adding that Soren is still upset over Bihar, where the RJDCongress alliance did not reciprocate the gesture of seat-sharing. The JMM, he said, had sacrificed some seats in Jharkhand to accommodate the RJD. Such a move could also suit the BJP and give it fodder against the ruling coalition, sources said. Another senior Congress leader said, The JMM has been holding meetings to test the waters, but that does not necessarily mean anything can influence the decision at the top. Only a handful of senior leaders in both the JMM and the BJP would actually know what is happening. However, the way things have unfolded within the JMM clearly suggests that they are preparing for some changes. According to Congress leaders, there is also pressure of cases slapped against Soren by central agencies. A section argues that the alliance remains solid as it was in November 2024 when the assembly elections were held. Notably, when the media was abuzz with the reports, Congress general secretary (organisation) publicly clarified on social media that the JMMCongress alliance remains rock-solid. However, there was no such statement from the JMM camp keeping ambiguity on the matter alive. In a post on X, K.C. Venugopal said that he had spoken to the chief minister and asserted the stability of the alliance in the state. "Let there be no doubts, our INDIA alliance in Jharkhand is rock-solid, cohesive, and fully committed to advancing people-centric welfare policies that reflect the aspirations of every citizen of Jharkhand...." Only time will tell whether Jharkhand will witness a Nitish Kumar-style switch or the JMM will break away from the Congress or whether the party will stand its ground and continue with the alliance. All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Wednesday that the party-led alliance will return to power in Tamil Nadu, winning 210 seats. The key Dravidian party is set to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Addressing AIADMK's general council at Chennai on Wednesday, Palaniswami said, "The AIADMK-led alliance will win 210 seats. You all should extend your cooperation for us to emerge victorious in next year's polls." Elections to the 234-seat assembly are scheduled to take place in April-May next year. #WATCH | Chennai | AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami leaves from the Srivaari hall after the party's Council and Executive Committee meeting concludes, ahead of 2026 Tamil Nadu elections. pic.twitter.com/RCBwfEWYuU ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2025 Palaniswami slammed the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu and said it has lost its popularity amongst the people. The Opposition leader said the DMK, which has been critical of his party's alliance with the BJP, "couldn't say anything about the 'golden rule' of the AIADMK regime." Palaniswami charged the DMK had announced welfare schemes like free laptops to students to overcome its unpopularity. "Why should you give the free laptops now? Colleges had reopened five months ago. As you lost the popularity among the public and fearing that you might lose the next year's poll, you (DMK) announced that free laptops will be given to 10 lakh students," he charged. Palaniswami said the party-led alliance lost the 2021 assembly polls due to DMK's conspiracy, and the party lost by a small margin in 43 seats. AIADMK allied with the BJP in the 2021 polls. While the party contested from 190 seats, the BJP contested from 20 seats. Jawaharlal Nehru's election as prime minister despite Sardar Vallabhai Patel gaining majority votes was the first instance of 'vote chori', charged Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The home minister launched a scathing attack against the Opposition Congress during the debate on electoral reforms in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. During his speech, Shah accused the Congress-led Opposition of selective criticism against the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines. Shah charged that Congress started questioning the election process and EVMs only after it started losing polls since 2014. "Reason for electoral loss is your leadership, not EVM or electoral rolls," he charged. Targeting the Gandhi family, Shah charged, "I would like to tell you about three incidents of voter chori. First, after independence, the prime minister of the country was to be elected. Sardar Patel got 28 votes and Jawaharlal Nehru got two. But Jawaharlal Nehru became the prime minister." "The second 'vote chori' was by Indira Gandhi, when she granted herself immunity after court set aside her election from Rae Bareli. And, the dispute of third 'vote chori' has just reached the civil courts, on how Sonia Gandhi became a voter even before becoming citizen of India," Shah alleged. Shah said the SIR of electoral rolls is being conducted to ensure a clean voter list, and to remove infiltrators from the roll. "The Opposition wants to normalise and formalise the 'ghuspathiye' (infiltrators) and add them to the electoral rolls," he alleged. "I want to say to the House and people -- can a country's democracy be safe when the prime minister and the chief minister are decided by 'ghuspathiye'," Shah questioned. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, challenged the home minister to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged "vote chori" by the BJP in collusion with the Election Commission. "I had asked a question yesterday. For the first time in India's history, a decision was taken that election commissioners will be given full immunity. He (Shah) must tell us the thinking behind this. He talked of Haryana, he gave one example, but there are numerous examples (of vote chori)," Gandhi said. "Let us have a debate on my press conference. Amit Shah ji, I challenge you to have a debate on the three press conferences," Gandhi challenged. However, the Opposition later staged a walkout from the house during Shah's address. "They walked out over infiltrators. Our policy is 'detect, delete and deport'. Their policy is 'normalise infiltration, grant them recognition, include them in the vote list during election and formalise this," Shah alleged. Police on Tuesday detained Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of the nightclub 'Birch by Romeo Lane' in Goa, where a devastating fire claimed 25 lives last week. He is the sixth person to be held in connection with the case. Gupta was detained from Delhi. Earlier, a lookout circular had been issued against him after the probe team failed to find him at his residence in the national capital when it visited there. The police had already arrested five personsthe nightclub's chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli. #WATCH | Goa: A portion of the Romeo Lane restaurant located in the Vagator area is being demolished. It is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane, where a fire tragedy claimed 25 lives on December 7. "We will demolish the encroachment on the pic.twitter.com/YoZHQgg6cy ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025 Meanwhile, all three other owners of the nightclubSaurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra and Surinder Kumar Khoslaare on the run. Police have found that the Luthra brothers fled to Phuket in Thailand hours after the incident. The probe team is now coordinating with the Interpol Division of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to apprehend the duo. A blue corner notice has been issued against the absconding accused #WATCH | On the Goa nightclub fire tragedy, Goa Police DIG Varsha Sharma (C&R) says, "LoC has been issued against them (Luthra brothers). They are not in India. We are taking the help of Interpol and CBI to bring them back." pic.twitter.com/mCHvW3VieP ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025 At least 25 people, including four tourists, were killed in the devastating fire that struck the nightclub in North Goa on Saturday night. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant alleged that the nightclub had not complied with fire safety norms. The popular party venue at Arpora village, around 25 km from the state capital Panaji, opened last year. The Delhi court has refused to give interim relief to the Luthra brothers, the owners of the Goa nightclub Birch by Romeo Lane, which burned down this week, killing 25. The two had appealed for an anticipatory bail of four weeks, citing health concerns from Thailand early on Wednesday. The Rohini Court of Delhi sought a response from the Goa government on the transit anticipatory bail filed by Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra. The matter was listed for December 11. The brothers said that they are seeking protection to come back to Goa and approach the courts in Goa for further relief, as they apprehend arrest after landing in Delhi. They said that the culpability of the incident cannot be attributed to them, as the local managers of the club have already been arrested. They also said that the state in engaging in a witch hunt as they were not the owners of the club in question and were only licensees. They said that they did not manage the day-to-day operations of the Arpora nightclub that caught fire. The brothers also told the Delhi court on Wednesday that they had not fled the country and they were on Thailand for work as they could not return to India as they feared arrest. Indian authorities are in touch with Thai officials to geolocate the two brothers who are currently in Phuket to get them deported based on an arrest warrant instead of going through an extradition process, which might take longer. The two had left for Thailand about 6 hours after the fire at the club on a flight at 5:03 am on Sunday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma used the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas (PRD) in Jaipur to present his two-year tenure as a phase of administrative stability, faster policy execution and investment-led development, while inviting domestic and overseas Rajasthanis to strengthen their economic and cultural ties with the state. Last year, at the Rising Rajasthan summit, the state signed MoUs worth 35 lakh crore to boost the economy and promote Rajasthans advantages, including land availability and improving infrastructure. Building on that momentum, the government is now courting wealthy Rajasthani business families to invest back in the state. The phrase Jahan na pahunche bailgadi, wahan pahunche Marwari (Marwaris reach places where even the old bullock cart could not) was used several times, including by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, to describe the communitys resilience and business reach. The governments pitch is based on the emotional connection that NRRs retain with their ancestral land. The event, held at the JECC complex, brought together Union ministers, governors, industrial leaders and hundreds of overseas Rajasthanis, who were offered discussions, local cuisine and cultural performances. Urging NRRs to reconnect with the state, Sharma said: I request you to visit your homeland at least twice a year to remain connected with your roots. He added that regardless of where they reside in the world, Pravasi Rajasthanis remain deeply connected to their roots and have brought immense pride to Rajasthan nationally and internationally. Sharma completes two years in office on December 15, which is also his birthday. The CM said the state had made progress in several sectors over the past two years, with water security being one of his key achievements. We raised the issue of water scarcity and assured that Rajasthan will not face any further problems. Works worth 26,000 crore have been launched in the Ramjal Setu link project, he said. He said farmers in 22 districts were now receiving daytime electricity, supported by rising power generation. We have taken several steps to support the farming community, he said, adding that generation capacity had increased by 6,363 MW. Ensuring uninterrupted power for industries was also a priority, he added. Responding to a frequent Opposition allegation, Sharma highlighted improvements in law and order. He claimed a 20 per cent reduction in crime rates and a 10 per cent fall in crimes against women. On recruitment reforms, he said, In the past two years, not a single paper leak has occurred, a promise we had made to the youths of the state. He said the government had delivered on its employment promises by providing more than 90,000 government jobs, with recruitment underway for 1.53 lakh posts and 20,000 more to be announced. He added that one million women had benefited from the PM Matru Vandana Yojana, two million had received skill training, and more than 1.2 million had become Lakhpati Didis. Rajasthans development pitch Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said Rajasthan had combined administrative decisiveness and social cohesion under Sharmas leadership. He said investors trusted the state because every promise is honoured. He added that no power in the world can stop Rajasthan becoming Indias number one state, citing the demographic dividend and the pace of industrial project execution. Sharma said more than Rs 8 lakh crore worth of projects had become operational in the last two years. He said Rajasthan had launched over 24 new policies and was emerging as the most preferred state for investment in the country. He pointed to the development of a Rs 23,000-crore transmission network, a solar capacity of 22,860 MW and progress on the Mahi-Banswara nuclear project. Infrastructure expansion has been central to the states plans. Sharma said more than 36,000 kilometres of roads had been built in two years, a new phase of Jaipur Metro was progressing, the greenfield airport in Kota was advancing and airport expansion was underway elsewhere. New container depots and logistics facilities were being developed across several cities. He also said 20 crore trees had been planted, with nurseries planned in every panchayat. To deepen engagement with NRRs, Sharma announced 14 new chapters of the Rajasthan Foundation, including nine overseas. He said the newly created Department of Domestic and Overseas Rajasthani Affairs (DORA) would act as a platform for cooperation, cultural exchange and investment. A new Non-Resident Rajasthani Policy was launched to provide a structured roadmap for identity, facilitation and investment. Vedanta founder Anil Agarwal announced major future investments and backed the states development pitch. Just as Punjab feeds the nation, Rajasthan has the capacity to supply the world with minerals and natural resources in the years to come, he said. Agarwal said Vedanta would double its production in zinc, lead, silver, oil and gas and renewable energy with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. He said the group was establishing a Zinc International Industrial Park that could host 200 industries, offering electricity, water, raw materials and infrastructure to support MSMEs and downstream sectors. Vedanta is also setting up north Indias first phosphate fertiliser plant in Rajasthan. Sharma announced that the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit would return in 2026. Across the days addresses, the focus on dependability, water security, infrastructure, renewable capacity, investment pipelines and diaspora outreach highlighted the states attempt to present Rajasthan as stable, responsive and ready for large-scale capital. In his maiden public rally at Puducherry on Tuesday, actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay took potshots at the DMK, asking the people not to believe the party, which is known for not fulfilling the promises made during the elections. Vijays attack was deliberately directed at the DMK, although the Dravidian party doesnt have a role in the Puducherry administration. Though Vijay chose to attack the BJP, which is in coalition with the NR Congress government in Puducherry, he thanked Chief Minister Rangasamy for providing security to his rally. Vijay effusively praised Rangasamy and his government, even as he took a dig at the ruling BJP in the Centre for not releasing funds to the Union territory. In his 7.5-minute-long speech, he lavishly praised Rangasamy, attacked the BJP mildly and heavily criticised the DMK. Unlike Karur, Vijay reached the rally venue on time, and it was ensured that only 5,000 people entered the ground after scanning the QR code, as the public meeting was tightly regulated. Thanks to the lessons learnt after the Karur stampede, which killed 41 people. Vijay didnt criticise Rangasamy or his NR Congress. In fact, at the very beginning of his speech, he asked the DMK government in Tamil Nadu to learn from Rangasamy about administration and how to provide security for a public rally organised by a political party. Visuals of Rangasamy watching Vijays rally on his mobile phone also went viral. Vijay, who has had a long rapport with Rangasamy, seems to believe that the NR Congress and his TVK could come together and fight the upcoming 2026 election. NR Congress, which is in coalition with the BJP in Puducherry, has had several ups and downs and run-ins with the BJP in these five years. Chandrika Priyangas resignation from the cabinet, John Kumars induction into the cabinet, and Kumar continuing as a minister without a portfolio for over months make the cracks in the alliance apparent. Vijay, in fact, touched upon these aspects, particularly John Kumar continuing in the cabinet without a portfolio. Through his speech, Vijay seems to have indicated TVKs intention to forge an alliance with NR Congress in the run-up to the 2026 assembly election. The actor-politician appears to believe that his popularity, combined with Rangasamys simplicity, could help his party woo voters in Puducherry. Vijay recalled how AIADMK first captured power in Puducherry in 1974 before MGR took charge as chief minister in 1977 in Tamil Nadu. He indicated that winning Puducherry is the way to enter Tamil Nadu. Winning Puducherry is easy compared to contesting in a tough terrain like Tamil Nadu. With just 30 assembly constituencies, the voting pattern in Puducherry is completely different from Tamil Nadu. By aligning with a party native to Puducherry, like Rangasamys NR Congress, Vijay believes that his party can win at least get a few MLAs. In fact, during his speech, Vijay recalled the demand for statehood for Puducherry and that the resolution demeaning statehood was passed 16 times in the assembly. The Kerala governments attempt to persuade Governor Rajendra Arlekar in the dispute over the appointment of vice chancellors to the Digital University and Kerala Technological University (KTU) has failed. Although ministers P. Rajeev and R. Bindu met the governor at Raj Bhavan and held discussions on Tuesday, the talks yielded no outcome. The governor also questioned why the chief minister himself did not attend the discussions. As directed by the Supreme Court, two separate search-cum-selection committeesboth headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Sudhanshu Dhuliahad earlier shortlisted candidates for the vice chancellor posts at both universities. The Chief Minister subsequently recommended C. Sathish Kumar for KTU and Saji Gopinath for the Digital University of Kerala (DUK). However, Governor Arlekar filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court rejecting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans recommendations. In the affidavit, the Governor stated that he recommends Ciza Thomas for KTU and Priya Chandran for DUK. The Governors choice is backed by the logic that these two are the only candidates common to both panels. He also noted that no documents detailing the credentials of the candidates recommended by the Chief Minister had been provided to him. Today, as the minister visited the Governor, the latter remained firm in his position that appointments would not be made based on the list submitted by the chief minister. Arlekar also told the ministers that despite seeking detailed explanations on how the chief minister determined the order of priority in the list, the government has so far been unwilling to provide them. The Supreme Court had recently stated that if the government and the Governor fail to resolve the issue through discussion, the court would directly appoint the vice chancellors. The ministers visited Raj Bhavan to meet the governor, as the case is scheduled to come up again before the Supreme Court tomorrow. It seems like a consensus is possible only if the Chief Minister agrees to drop Saji Gopinath and the Governor agrees to drop Cissy Thomas. However, both sides remain rigid in their positions. WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military has intercepted and taken control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday. "As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large. Largest one ever seized, actually," Trump said at a White House event. U.S. forces carried out a "judicial enforcement action on a stateless vessel" that was last docked in Venezuela, according to a Bloomberg report, citing a senior U.S. official. International oil prices moved higher on news of the seizure, with Brent crude climbing as much as 0.8 percent in London trading, said the report. Trump has recently reiterated that the U.S. military is to start strikes on land targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean "very soon," escalating tension between the United States and Venezuela. The Pentagon has carried out at least 22 known strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since September, killing at least 87 people aboard. Washington has deployed around a dozen warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea, which shares a significant amount of coastline with Venezuela. The region has not seen such a massive U.S. military presence for at least three decades. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned Washington's actions as attempts to overthrow his government and expand the U.S. military influence in Latin America. The first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas (PRD) in Jaipur was not only a cultural homecoming. The state government used the platform to outline a coordinated development agenda across mining, energy, tourism, education and health. The underlying message was that the diaspora is no longer viewed simply as a sentimental constituency but as an economic partner whose capital, networks and technical expertise are needed for the states long-term strategy. Across the sectoral discussions as part of PRD, the direction of the states development push became clear. The common thread was preparation for Viksit Rajasthan 2047. Mining: Critical minerals at core of industrial ambition The mining session signalled Rajasthans intent to move beyond raw extraction towards becoming a key part of Indias strategic minerals ecosystem. The government highlighted that Rajasthan produces 58 of the countrys 82 identified minerals, including 15 critical minerals such as rare earth elements, potash, lead-zinc and fluorite. The state also drew attention to deposits of emerald, fluorite and newly identified gold reserves in Banswara. MoUs with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIT Hyderabad reflect a shift towards scientific, data-based exploration. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma described mining as the backbone of Rajasthans industrialisation. Our government is committed to transforming this potential into progress, he said. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy added that a mineral exchange was planned to improve transparency and reduce dependence on imports. The government wants the sector to drive rural employment, district-level industrial clusters and export capacity. It also acknowledged the need for safeguards and community engagement, with Minister Babu Lal Kharadi assuring that residents of mineral-rich tribal districts would receive priority in employment. Energy: Rajasthan as a renewable energy pivot The energy session showed how assertively Rajasthan is positioning itself within Indias clean energy framework. Union Power Minister Manohar Lals assertion that the sunrise of green energy will begin from Rajasthan was anchored in recent policy moves. The approval of Green Energy Corridor-III and the extension of central transmission networks through the state point to a structural transition: Rajasthan is emerging not only as a leader in solar energy but also as a key link in the national grid. Chief Minister Sharma outlined land allocations for gigawatt-scale solar parks, expansion under PM-KUSUM and the development of battery storage capacity. He said the state now leads the country in solar and total renewable energy capacity and is moving towards surplus power generation. He reiterated the governments commitment to providing daytime electricity to farmers by 2027 and to scaling up battery storage to meet peak demand. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) were described as both a bottleneck and an opportunity. Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma said that traditional grid expansion alone could not address future needs. The appeal to the diaspora was straightforward: Bring investment and technical expertise to storage, manufacturing and R&D. Tourism: Heritage, experiences and a new policy Tourism remains one of Rajasthans strongest economic sectors, and at PRD the government sought to update this narrative through the launch of the Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2025. The policy focuses on heritage conservation, new circuits and investment facilitation. By identifying more than 600 havelis for restoration and inviting diaspora participation, the government reframed heritage as an investment opportunity. Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari described the diaspora as cultural ambassadors, while Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Rajasthan would feature prominently among Indias emerging global-standard destinations. He also welcomed the addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO intangible heritage list. The objective is to shift tourism from a sentiment-driven sector to a competitive industry supported by policy clarity. Education: Building a knowledge economy The education session outlined Rajasthans strategy for a skills-oriented, technology-supported system designed to prepare students for global competition. The chief minister listed expansions in public education, including 71 new government colleges, 21 new polytechnics, smart classrooms, digital libraries and science and mathematics labs. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav stressed digital literacy and foundational learning. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa underlined the governments focus on innovation and exposure for students. Industry and academic leaders noted that while Rajasthan has expanded capacity, the next step is to improve learning outcomes, research quality and industry linkages. Speakers from IIT Jodhpur, IIM Udaipur and BITS Pilani highlighted the need to align higher education with emerging fields such as med-tech, AI and startups. The diaspora was encouraged to support scholarships, rural school development and international partnerships. Health: Expansion of state-supported infra The discussions on health pointed to a two-track strategy: Strengthening public health systems while encouraging private and diaspora-led investment in tertiary care, med-tech and diagnostics. The chief minister referred to free medicines, diagnostics, Ayushman-linked cashless treatment and the rapid expansion of medical colleges. Rajasthans claim of moving towards SDG-3 and universal health coverage by 2030 is significant given its demographic challenges. Health Minister Gajendra Singh spoke of large-scale recruitment to fill workforce shortages while Social Justice Minister Avinash Gehlot framed health investment as essential to economic productivity. Women and Child Development Minister Dr Manju Bhatnagar emphasised maternal and child health indicators and sought diaspora involvement in nutrition and digital monitoring initiatives. Participation from industry leaders, including digital health and diagnostics firms, indicated the governments preference for a hybrid model: A strong public backbone with private and diaspora-supported innovation layered on top. Diaspora engagement: Towards structured partnership The launch of the NRR Policy 2025 and the Rajasthan Development Support Portal (RDSP) marks a shift towards systematic engagement with the diaspora. The new policy introduces structured mechanisms for grievance redressal, investment facilitation, cultural linkages and district-level development support. Union Minister Shekhawat underlined Rajasthans comparative advantages, from land and raw materials to renewable energy and growing water security. Chief Minister Sharma highlighted heritage preservation and religious sites as areas where diaspora support could have visible impact. Industries Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore described diaspora investors as captains of change and presented RDSP as a tool linking philanthropy with development needs. Representation from domestic and international chapters suggested the government intends PRD to evolve into a single annual platform for investment, collaboration and policy communication. While granting bail to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday pointed out contradictory statements made by the survivor and the involvement of political figures in the matter. The public prosecutor's allegation that it was rape and not sexual intercourse by deception also raised further legal questions. Denying the allegations, Rahul's lawyer said the claims levelled by the prosecution are false, frivolous, and politically motivated. To support this argument, his counsel pointed out that the victim had initially approached the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph instead of filing a formal police complaint. The defence argued that the survivor had shown no intention of pursuing criminal action and refrained from filing a complaint for some time. Besides this, the defence highlighted a discrepancy in the survivor's police statement, where she initially expressed fear and a lack of interest in proceeding with the case, but this part was later crossed out. This, the defence argues, could indicate that the complaint was filed under external pressure. The central claim in the case is that the survivor was subjected to forceful sexual intercourse by Rahul, which allegedly led to severe physical and emotional trauma. According to the survivors complaint, she went voluntarily with Rahul to discuss future plans, but a brutal sexual assault followed. The survivor allegedly experienced a panic attack during the assault, which caused her to struggle to breathe and required her to take medication. She also mentioned suffering physical injuries, including cuts and bruises. However, despite this, the victim allegedly requested Rahul to reaffirm his commitment to marriage after the assault. But he allegedly denied any such intention, stating that he had no plans to marry anyone at that moment. The survivor's statement given to the police contains contradictions in relation to the complaint. While she mentioned the assault and its aftermath in detail in the complaint, her police statement offered a slightly different version of events. According to the police statement, the survivor indicated that discussions about a marriage proposal were deferred to a later time, rather than being categorically rejected, as initially stated by Rahul in his communications with her. In her police statement, the victim also clarified that, despite the alleged incident, the two continued to maintain contact through Telegram and phone calls. The victim herself stated that after the alleged assault, Rahul had continued to express love and even proposed marriage to her. The survivor also said that after reaching home, she had to take medication for the injuries caused by Rahul, but in her police statement, she indicated that she did not seek medical treatment immediately, fearing her family might find out about the assault. Further complicating the case is the evidence provided by the investigation officer, which includes a printout of chat screenshots between Rahul and the survivor. While some parts of the chats are masked, it appears that the two continued to communicate even after the alleged assault. They discussed the nature of their relationship. However, the prosecution has not yet provided any conclusive evidence that definitively supports the allegation of rape. The court noted that while the survivor's statement must be examined in full, there appears to be no prima facie material to prove that the sexual intercourse was non-consensual. It observed that whether the survivors consent was coerced or obtained against her will remains a matter for further investigation and evidence. While the allegations of rape cannot be ruled out at this stage, the contradictions in the survivors statements and the potential political dimensions of the case are crucial points of contention, said the court. It cautioned against prematurely implicating Rahul in such a serious crime without clear prima facie evidence. An uneasy calm prevailed in Odishas Malkangiri district on Tuesday after residents of two villages clashed with each other following the recovery of a headless body of a tribal woman. One person has been arrested in connection with the murder. Several people were injured, and around 200 houses were damaged in the clashes, prompting the government to issue prohibitory orders in the two villages. On Tuesday, authorities extended the suspension of internet services until 12 pm on December 10. As per the request of Collector and District Magistrate, Malkangiri, the Home Department hereby extends prohibition of the use and access of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X and any other through internet and other medium of data services for another 18 hours up to 12 PM of 10.12.2025 in Malkangiri district, said an official notification. Odisha | Prohibition on the use and access of social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X and any other through internet and other medium of data services has been extended for another 18 hours upto 12 pm of 10 December in Malkangiri district. pic.twitter.com/NY40Vp42dv ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2025 The deceased woman has been identified as Laka Podiami, a 51-year-old widow. The family members buried her body after the postmortem examination, though the severed head is yet to be found. As per the tradition of the Koya tribals, an artificial head made of clay was fitted on the body before it was laid to rest, said reports. Police arrested Subha Ranjan Mandal (42) on Tuesday on charges of murder. He has reportedly confessed to the crime and said he had thrown the torso and the severed head into the river Poteru. The body was recovered on December 4. Ravi Podiai, the victims son, said his mother went missing on December 1, and they filed a police complaint on December 3. Podiai said Mandal, the accused, was a sharecropper in their field. He has killed my mother when we asked him not to cultivate our land anymore, the son claimed, he was quoted as saying by PTI news agency. Situation under control The clashes erupted on Sunday afternoon when tribals of Rakhalguda village allegedly attacked MV-26 village, a Bengali settler's area. Bengali settlers' leader Gourang Karmakar alleged that at least 200 houses have been affected in the clash, of which 150 dwelling units have been set on fire. He urged the administration to provide compensation, as most of the affected persons were innocent, poor people. Both parties agreed to maintain peace after the authorities held at least three rounds of discussion with them. District Collector Somesh Kumar Upadhyay said the situation was under control and there was no fresh incident of violence. The family will be given Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The situation was under control, and there was no fresh violence in either of the two villages under Korkunda police station area, Upadhyay told reporters. The Mulund Police in Mumbai have filed a first information report (FIR) against 367 people in the illegal birth certificates scam case. The FIR has been filed under Sections 336(3), 340(2), 318(4), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 23 of the Birth Registration Act. The FIR alleged that the accused, many of whom are reportedly Bangladeshi immigrants, obtained the certificates through fraudulent means. #Bangladeshi Birth Certificate Scam Mulund Mumbai Police Station registered FIR 1158 of 9/12/2025 under BNS sections 336(3) 340(2) 318(4) 3(5) & Birth Registration Act Section 23 against Najma Khatun Ashraf Ahmed Ausaf Mohammed Gousiya Parveen Others applying with pic.twitter.com/y0kiBDODhD Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) December 10, 2025 Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya had filed a complaint, alleging that several Bangladeshi nationals were forging documents to obtain birth certificates. Talking to reporters, Somaiya hailed the recent arrest of Bangladeshi nationals from the state and expressed hope that the whole racket would be busted in the coming days. "He (Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis) has instructed the whole Maharashtra Police ATS and district administrations to take strict action against the Rohingya Muslims from Bangladesh who have settled here illegally. I feel that this whole racket will be busted in the coming days," Somaiya said. In November, Jalgaon Police had reportedly arrested 43 Bangladeshi nationals for allegedly forging court orders to obtain birth certificates. The case involves the theft of court documents and court seals from the executive magistrates office. In July, the Maharashtra government said it had cancelled over 42,000 birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi immigrants staying illegally in the state. The recent Israeli raid on a vacant United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees compound in East Jerusalem has ignited a fresh wave of international criticism and intensified an already fraught confrontation between the Israeli authorities and the UN agency. Jerusalem municipal officials, supported by police, raided the site in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, long administered by UNRWA, on December 8. Officers brought in motorcycles, trucks and forklifts, seized furniture, computers and other equipment, cut communications and removed the UN flag before raising the Israeli flag over the building. The Jerusalem municipality characterised the operation as a standard enforcement action to recover what it asserted were longstanding unpaid municipal occupancy taxes known as arnona. According to the municipality, UNRWA had accumulated property tax arrears amounting to roughly $3.4 million despite repeated warnings. The officials insisted that after many reminders and opportunities for the agency to resolve the debt, the authorities were left with no option but to intervene and secure the assets. UNRWA flatly rejected the municipalitys claims. The agency argued that under the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which Israel has ratified, all UN properties and assets are exempt from taxation imposed by a host country. A spokesperson stated that the agency held no such debts and that the premises remained legally inviolable regardless of the steps taken by the Israeli authorities. Agency leaders reiterated that UN compounds cannot be entered, searched or seized by domestic authorities and that the removal of property and the raising of a national flag constituted a clear breach of international law. The agencys Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, condemned the raid as a direct violation of Israels obligations as a UN member state. He warned that the action set a dangerous precedent that could threaten UN operations worldwide. The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, issued a similar response. He stressed that the site continues to be recognised as United Nations property and demanded that Israel restore and uphold the compounds inviolability without delay. The raid came at a time of increasing pressure on the agency from the Israeli government. The building raided had been empty since early in the year after Israeli authorities ordered UNRWA to cease operations within Israel and vacate all premises. In October 2024, the Knesset passed legislation banning UNRWA from conducting activities on Israeli territory. That measure was accompanied by protests outside various UNRWA facilities, as well as arson attacks and other forms of harassment. Critics of the law argued that it was part of a broader effort by Israel to dismantle the agency altogether. That effort intensified following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, senior Israeli officials have accused UNRWA of collusion with militant groups. Israel has alleged that some employees were involved in the attack and that a significant proportion of the agencys staff in Gaza have links to proscribed organisations. Israeli authorities have also said they discovered a Hamas data centre beneath UNRWAs headquarters in Gaza and have claimed that militants operated from or stored weapons in UNRWA schools. Former hostages have given accounts of being held in buildings associated with the agency. UNRWA has denied the allegations and has asked for independent investigations, insisting that it has dismissed staff members in the past when credible evidence was presented. In October, the International Court of Justice found the Israeli claims unsubstantiated, although the ruling did little to reduce political pressure. Several major donors suspended funding in response to the allegations, prompting a severe financial crisis within an agency that already faced significant operational challenges during the war in Gaza. The withholding of funds has had profound effects on the delivery of food, medical care and shelter at a time when conditions in Gaza remain catastrophic. UNRWA was founded in 1949 to provide assistance to Palestinians displaced during the creation of Israel the previous year. Today, it remains the largest humanitarian organisation working in Gaza and the West Bank and also operates in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. The agency provides education, health care and social services to millions of registered Palestinian refugees. For many Palestinians, the agencys presence is inseparable from the right of return recognised by the international community and its protection is viewed as essential to preserving that claim. The storming of the East Jerusalem compound highlights the unresolved clash between Israels assertion of domestic jurisdiction and its commitments under international law. For the municipality, the building is subject to local tax regulations, while for UNRWA and the wider UN system, the premises enjoy immunity and must remain untouched by domestic law enforcement. Equity Residential (NYSE:EQR Get Free Report) and BRT Apartments (NYSE:BRT 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 dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability and risk. Institutional & Insider Ownership 92.7% of Equity Residential shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 29.1% of BRT Apartments shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Equity Residential shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 40.2% of BRT Apartments shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Equity Residential alerts: Dividends Equity Residential pays an annual dividend of $2.77 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. BRT Apartments pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.9%. Equity Residential pays out 91.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. BRT Apartments pays out -196.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Equity Residential has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years. BRT Apartments is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Equity Residential 37.58% 10.30% 5.54% BRT Apartments -10.02% -4.96% -1.37% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Equity Residential and BRT Apartments net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Equity Residential and BRT Apartmentss revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Residential $2.98 billion 7.66 $1.04 billion $3.03 19.81 BRT Apartments $95.63 million 2.88 -$9.79 million ($0.51) -28.44 Equity Residential has higher revenue and earnings than BRT Apartments. BRT Apartments is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Equity Residential, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Volatility and Risk Equity Residential has a beta of 0.75, suggesting that its share price is 25% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BRT Apartments has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Equity Residential and BRT Apartments, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Residential 0 11 8 0 2.42 BRT Apartments 1 1 2 0 2.25 Equity Residential currently has a consensus price target of $70.02, indicating a potential upside of 16.65%. BRT Apartments has a consensus price target of $19.75, indicating a potential upside of 36.16%. Given BRT Apartments higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe BRT Apartments is more favorable than Equity Residential. Summary Equity Residential beats BRT Apartments on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Equity Residential (Get Free Report) Equity Residential is committed to creating communities where people thrive. The Company, a member of the S&P 500, is focused on the acquisition, development and management of residential properties located in and around dynamic cities that attract affluent long-term renters. Equity Residential owns or has investments in 305 properties consisting of 80,683 apartment units, with an established presence in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, and an expanding presence in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Austin. About BRT Apartments (Get Free Report) BRT Apartments Corp. is a real estate investment trust. It engages in the ownership, operation, and holding interests in joint ventures that own and operate multi-family properties. The company was founded in June 1972 and is headquartered in Great Neck, NY. Receive News & Ratings for Equity Residential Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Residential and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. North West (TSE:NWC Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported C$0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of C$634.32 million during the quarter. North West had a net margin of 5.14% and a return on equity of 18.43%. North West Stock Up 1.6% North West stock traded up C$0.76 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting C$49.58. 123,837 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 137,183. The firm has a market cap of C$2.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of -0.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 59.78, a current ratio of 2.16 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$47.25 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$48.88. North West has a 1 year low of C$44.48 and a 1 year high of C$57.95. Get North West alerts: North West Cuts Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, October 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 29th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. North Wests payout ratio is presently 56.34%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on NWC shares. CIBC lowered their price target on shares of North West from C$59.00 to C$58.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price target on North West from C$60.00 to C$58.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and four have assigned a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of C$59.75. Read Our Latest Stock Report on North West About North West (Get Free Report) The North West Co Inc is a Canada-based company that is principally engaged in retail business in underserved rural communities and urban neighborhoods. The company provides food, family apparel, housewares, appliances, and outdoor products, with food products accounting for the majority of the companys revenue. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for North West Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for North West and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MicroSectors FANG+ 3X Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:FNGU Get Free Report)s stock price was up 0.6% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $30.00 and last traded at $29.88. Approximately 2,682,262 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 45% from the average daily volume of 4,884,014 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.69. MicroSectors FANG+ 3X Leveraged ETN Stock Up 0.6% The firms 50 day moving average is $29.68 and its 200-day moving average is $87.59. The firm has a market cap of $119.52 million, a PE ratio of 37.17 and a beta of 4.68. MicroSectors FANG+ 3X Leveraged ETN Company Profile (Get Free Report) The MicroSectors FANG+ Index 3X Leveraged ETN (FNGU) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NYSE FANG+ index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology and consumer discretionary companies. FNGU was launched on Jan 22, 2018 and is issued by REX Microsectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for MicroSectors FANG+ 3X Leveraged ETN Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MicroSectors FANG+ 3X Leveraged ETN and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of Buy from the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $126.00. ENS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Enersys from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Oppenheimer reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Enersys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Get Enersys alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Enersys Institutional Investors Weigh In On Enersys Enersys Stock Up 0.0% Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in Enersys during the third quarter worth $25,000. BNP PARIBAS ASSET MANAGEMENT Holding S.A. acquired a new position in shares of Enersys during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in shares of Enersys by 442.2% in the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 244 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Enersys by 2,500.0% in the first quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 338 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 325 shares during the period. Finally, Gen Wealth Partners Inc acquired a new stake in Enersys during the first quarter worth about $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 94.93% of the companys stock. ENS stock opened at $147.12 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.21, a P/E/G ratio of 0.95 and a beta of 1.10. Enersys has a 52 week low of $76.57 and a 52 week high of $149.34. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $129.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $106.86. 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 posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.36 by $0.20. Enersys had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 9.05%.The company had revenue of $951.30 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $890.27 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.12 EPS. Enersyss quarterly revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. Enersys has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.81 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Enersys will post 9.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Enersys Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 12th will be issued a dividend of $0.2625 per share. This represents a $1.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 12th. Enersyss payout ratio is currently 12.28%. Enersys Company Profile (Get 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. See Also 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. Guo Fang (3rd L), Chinese vice minister of ecology and environment, speaks at a press conference on the Chinese-backed Kunming Biopersity Fund (KBF) on the sidelines of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec 10, 2025. Conservation of natural habitats has gained momentum thanks to the operationalization of the Chinese-backed Kunming Biopersity Fund (KBF) launched in May 2024, officials said on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) NAIROBI, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Conservation of natural habitats has gained momentum thanks to the operationalization of the Chinese-backed Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) launched in May 2024, officials said on Wednesday. They highlighted milestones achieved since the fund's launch at an event held on the sidelines of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly underway in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Guo Fang, Chinese vice minister of ecology and environment, said the implementation of the KBF has gained steam, reaffirming China's commitment to multilateralism that strengthens ecological protection. "As the first international biodiversity fund initiated by a developing country and specifically for other developing countries, the KBF has injected new momentum into global collaborative action, driving more resources into biodiversity protection," Guo said. She added that the fund has adhered to the principles of good governance and transparency to ensure that recipient countries benefit from enhanced conservation of their natural assets. In October, the KBF endorsed 22 projects worth over 27 million U.S. dollars in 34 countries to help meet commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, said Elizabeth Mrema, deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Program. "The KBF is helping to address the 342 billion dollars annual finance gap for nature-based solutions and will continue building synergies with other funds and initiatives to advance country-driven implementation for the benefit of people and planet," Mrema said. Some of the milestones achieved since the launch of the KBF include the establishment of an independent technical advisory group, a call for catalytic and full-scale projects, and the endorsement of manuals to ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency, Mrema added. Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala, secretary of the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka, said that KBF projects will help the country address threats to vital ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and marine life linked to invasive species. "With the support of the KBF, we now have the means to move from decades of fragmented efforts to a unified national biosecurity system that can protect our natural heritage for generations to come," he added. Shares of Intact Financial Co. (TSE:IFC Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the ten research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12-month target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$317.91. A number of brokerages recently commented on IFC. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Intact Financial from C$352.00 to C$358.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on shares of Intact Financial from C$324.00 to C$304.00 in a report on Thursday, November 6th. CIBC lowered their price target on shares of Intact Financial from C$315.00 to C$288.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Intact Financial from C$315.00 to C$320.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, TD Securities reduced their target price on Intact Financial from C$359.00 to C$346.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. Get Intact Financial alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Intact Financial Intact Financial Price Performance IFC opened at C$276.36 on Friday. Intact Financial has a 1-year low of C$250.28 and a 1-year high of C$317.35. The stock has a market cap of C$49.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.18. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is C$272.09 and its 200 day simple moving average is C$285.31. Intact Financial (TSE:IFC Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported C$4.46 earnings per share for the quarter. Intact Financial had a return on equity of 13.13% and a net margin of 8.60%.The company had revenue of C$6.45 billion for the quarter. Research analysts expect that Intact Financial will post 16.1721014 EPS for the current fiscal year. Intact Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Intact Financial Corp is a property and casualty insurance company that provides written premiums in Canada. The company distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through a network of brokers and a wholly-owned subsidiary, BrokerLink, and directly to consumers through Belairdirect. Most of the companys direct premiums are written in the personal automotive space. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Intact Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intact Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 91,591 shares of the shipping companys stock, valued at approximately $10,199,000. Norges Bank owned approximately 0.29% of Matson as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Matson by 67.1% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 254 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in Matson during the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. State of Wyoming raised its holdings in Matson by 495.3% during the 1st quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 381 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 317 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc raised its holdings in Matson by 42.6% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 442 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 132 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC bought a new position in Matson in the first quarter valued at approximately $78,000. 84.76% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Matson alerts: Matson Trading Up 1.1% Shares of NYSE:MATX opened at $116.32 on Wednesday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $102.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.83. Matson, Inc. has a one year low of $86.97 and a one year high of $154.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.63 billion, a PE ratio of 8.85 and a beta of 1.33. Matson Announces Dividend Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The shipping company reported $4.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.25 by $0.99. The company had revenue of $880.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $837.72 million. Matson had a return on equity of 16.23% and a net margin of 12.70%.Matsons revenue for the quarter was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.89 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Matson, Inc. will post 13.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 6th were issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 6th. Matsons dividend payout ratio is presently 10.96%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MATX has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of Matson in a research report on Monday. Stephens increased their target price on Matson from $160.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Matson from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, September 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised Matson from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $142.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Matson has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $141.75. View Our Latest Report on Matson About Matson (Free Report) Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of ocean transportation and logistics services. It operates through two segments, Ocean Transportation and Logistics. The Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MATX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF (BATS:GSID Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $66.5778 and last traded at $68.1490, with a volume of 6319 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $66.2753. Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF Trading Up 2.6% The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $67.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.55. The stock has a market capitalization of $904.68 million, a P/E ratio of 16.38 and a beta of 0.84. Get Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 60,795 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,047,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. 3Chopt Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF in the third quarter worth $54,000. Drive Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF by 2.2% during the second quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 41,403 shares of the companys stock worth $2,651,000 after buying an additional 896 shares in the last quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC increased its holdings in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF by 16.5% in the 3rd quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 22,892 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,524,000 after buying an additional 3,244 shares during the period. Finally, Citadel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $439,000. About Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF The Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF (GSID) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an index of developed markets ex-North American equities, selected and weighted by market capitalization. GSID was launched on May 12, 2020 and is managed by Goldman Sachs. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Goldman Sachs MarketBeta International Equity ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SA raised its stake in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report) by 35.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 24,122 shares of the transportation companys stock after acquiring an additional 6,263 shares during the period. Lombard Odier Asset Management Switzerland SAs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $2,435,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in UPS. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in United Parcel Service by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 66,905,138 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $6,753,405,000 after buying an additional 768,912 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 1.5% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 30,774,530 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $3,106,381,000 after acquiring an additional 444,384 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.0% during the second quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 25,792,139 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,603,459,000 after acquiring an additional 746,667 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 4.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 16,623,834 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,675,733,000 after acquiring an additional 762,407 shares during the period. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new stake in United Parcel Service in the 2nd quarter valued at $851,842,000. 60.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get United Parcel Service alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on UPS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of United Parcel Service from $85.00 to $97.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on United Parcel Service from $83.00 to $81.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 26th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on United Parcel Service from $91.00 to $96.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup upped their price target on United Parcel Service from $112.00 to $120.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d+) rating on shares of United Parcel Service in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, sixteen have given a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, United Parcel Service presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $110.00. United Parcel Service Trading Up 1.5% NYSE:UPS opened at $96.99 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $91.51 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $92.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.99, a PEG ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.30. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $82.00 and a 1 year high of $136.99. United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The transportation company reported $1.74 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.43. The company had revenue of $21.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.94 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.15% and a return on equity of 40.07%. The businesss revenue was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.76 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. United Parcel Service Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were given a dividend of $1.64 per share. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.8%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 101.39%. United Parcel Service Profile (Free Report) United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UPS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for United Parcel Service Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United Parcel Service and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Night Squared LP bought a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG Free Report) during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund bought 27,785 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $1,560,000. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Corient IA LLC acquired a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 1st quarter worth approximately $753,000. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 32.4% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 75,368 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $3,784,000 after purchasing an additional 18,458 shares in the last quarter. Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill during the 2nd quarter worth $2,579,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in Chipotle Mexican Grill by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,596,483 shares of the restaurant operators stock worth $145,793,000 after buying an additional 171,466 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dillon & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill by 5.1% during the second quarter. Dillon & Associates Inc. now owns 287,433 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $16,096,000 after acquiring an additional 14,037 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.30% of the companys stock. Get Chipotle Mexican Grill alerts: Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Up 0.4% Shares of CMG stock opened at $33.75 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $44.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.86, a PEG ratio of 3.43 and a beta of 0.99. The business has a 50 day moving average of $35.95 and a two-hundred day moving average of $43.18. 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 announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The restaurant operator reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.29. The business had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.06 billion. Chipotle Mexican Grill had a return on equity of 45.39% and a net margin of 13.04%.The businesss revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.27 EPS. Analysts expect that Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. will post 1.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of brokerages have weighed in on CMG. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $59.00 to $50.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Northcoast Research downgraded shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and issued a $40.00 target price (down previously from $52.00) on shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. KeyCorp lowered their price objective on Chipotle Mexican Grill from $52.00 to $45.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have issued a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $49.81. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Chipotle Mexican Grill 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. Further Reading 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. Sirios Capital Management L P grew its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 94.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 58,426 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after purchasing an additional 28,406 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories comprises approximately 1.2% of Sirios Capital Management L Ps portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Sirios Capital Management L Ps holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $7,947,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 2nd quarter worth $3,026,180,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 13,347.0% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,056,934 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $823,804,000 after buying an additional 6,011,891 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 12.8% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 29,763,415 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,948,117,000 after buying an additional 3,371,113 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 172,800,851 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $23,502,644,000 after buying an additional 2,977,715 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 180.7% in the second quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,063,443 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $416,659,000 after acquiring an additional 1,972,097 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance Shares of ABT opened at $121.15 on Wednesday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $110.86 and a 52-week high of $141.23. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $128.05 and its 200 day simple moving average is $130.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $210.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.22 and a beta of 0.72. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 15th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.30. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.60% and a net margin of 31.88%.The firm had revenue of $11.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.40 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.21 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2025 guidance at 5.120-5.180 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, October 15th were given a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 29.57%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently commented on ABT. Daiwa Capital Markets lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $134.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $149.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $141.00 to $146.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. BTIG Research restated a buy rating and issued a $145.00 target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $147.00. Read Our Latest Stock Report on Abbott Laboratories Abbott Laboratories Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The company provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Menieres disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $235.00 to $265.00 in a report released on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the information technology services providers stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price would suggest a potential downside of 1.44% from the stocks previous close. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Accenture from $330.00 to $270.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. HSBC decreased their price objective on Accenture from $240.00 to $215.00 in a report on Friday, September 26th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Accenture in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their price target on shares of Accenture from $250.00 to $255.00 in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Accenture from $325.00 to $270.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have given a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $291.96. Get Accenture alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on Accenture Accenture Stock Down 0.2% ACN opened at $268.88 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $248.86 and a 200-day moving average of $265.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $177.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16. Accenture has a 1-year low of $229.40 and a 1-year high of $398.35. Accenture (NYSE:ACN Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, September 25th. The information technology services provider reported $3.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.98 by $0.05. Accenture had a net margin of 11.02% and a return on equity of 26.45%. The firm had revenue of $17.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.34 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.66 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Accenture has set its FY 2026 guidance at 13.190-13.570 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Accenture will post 12.73 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Accenture In related news, CEO Julie Spellman Sweet sold 9,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $249.57, for a total value of $2,246,130.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 23,516 shares in the company, valued at $5,868,888.12. The trade was a 27.68% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Ryoji Sekido sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $249.47, for a total value of $623,675.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,390 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $346,763.30. The trade was a 64.27% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 33,319 shares of company stock worth $8,335,225. Corporate insiders own 0.02% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Accenture A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Accenture during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,658,000. C WorldWide Group Holding A S boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 35.9% during the 2nd quarter. C WorldWide Group Holding A S now owns 8,148 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $2,435,000 after purchasing an additional 2,151 shares in the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp grew its stake in Accenture by 7.0% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 436,202 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $130,376,000 after purchasing an additional 28,685 shares during the period. Redwood Investments LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 6.2% in the first quarter. Redwood Investments LLC now owns 22,087 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $6,892,000 after purchasing an additional 1,287 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in Accenture in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,216,850,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the companys stock. Accenture Company Profile (Get Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management; intelligent automation comprising robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents; and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprising turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) had its price objective raised by investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $265.00 to $275.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the financial services providers stock. Jefferies Financial Groups target price would indicate a potential upside of 19.33% from the companys current price. Several other brokerages also recently commented on COF. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $258.00 to $261.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Zacks Research lowered Capital One Financial from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Wolfe Research started coverage on Capital One Financial in a research note on Monday. They set an outperform rating and a $270.00 target price on the stock. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $245.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $260.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 12th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $262.70. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on COF Capital One Financial Trading Down 0.2% Shares of Capital One Financial stock opened at $230.45 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 1.03 and a quick ratio of 1.03. Capital One Financial has a 1 year low of $143.22 and a 1 year high of $234.96. The firm has a market cap of $146.50 billion, a PE ratio of 97.12, a PEG ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $216.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $214.22. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share for the quarter. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 2.24%.The firm had revenue of $15.46 billion during the quarter. Analysts expect that Capital One Financial will post 15.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Capital One Financial news, insider Neal Blinde sold 43,200 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $221.83, for a total transaction of $9,583,056.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 73,020 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,198,026.60. This trade represents a 37.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider Lia Dean sold 3,269 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $218.15, for a total value of $713,132.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 69,855 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,238,868.25. This represents a 4.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 280,218 shares of company stock valued at $62,395,804. Insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Capital One Financial Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its stake in Capital One Financial by 588,668.3% in the 2nd quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 117,447,497 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,988,129,000 after purchasing an additional 117,427,549 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Capital One Financial by 0.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,537,167 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,018,671,000 after buying an additional 156,254 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Capital One Financial by 63.4% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,780,128 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,910,500,000 after buying an additional 10,776,843 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 64.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,008,841 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,970,628,000 after buying an additional 5,474,328 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 12.8% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,838,304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,516,587,000 after buying an additional 1,339,215 shares during the last quarter. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Capital One Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation operates as the financial services holding company for the Capital One, National Association, which engages in the provision of various financial products and services in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Credit Card, Consumer Banking, and Commercial Banking. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Israel ETF (NYSEARCA:EIS Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $109.69 and last traded at $109.2740, with a volume of 6086 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $109.25. iShares MSCI Israel ETF Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $536.31 million, a P/E ratio of 13.79 and a beta of 1.03. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $102.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $95.69. Get iShares MSCI Israel ETF alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On iShares MSCI Israel ETF A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EIS. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 49.8% during the third quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC now owns 301 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Creative Planning increased its position in iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 2,976 shares of the companys stock valued at $298,000 after buying an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 21.7% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 572 shares of the companys stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp raised its stake in iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 3,576 shares of the companys stock worth $359,000 after buying an additional 111 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI Israel ETF by 5.0% in the third quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 3,061 shares of the companys stock worth $307,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. iShares MSCI Israel ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Israel ETF (EIS) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI Israel Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Israeli firms. EIS was launched on Mar 26, 2008 and is managed by BlackRock. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Israel ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Israel ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, December 9th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a dividend of 0.425 per share by the apparel and home fashions retailer on Thursday, March 5th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. TJX Companies has increased its dividend payment by an average of 0.1%per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 5 years. TJX Companies has a dividend payout ratio of 34.3% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect TJX Companies to earn $4.58 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $1.70 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 37.1%. Get TJX Companies alerts: TJX Companies Trading Up 1.5% Shares of TJX stock traded up $2.25 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $155.93. 1,330,034 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,271,627. The stock has a market cap of $173.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.41, a PEG ratio of 3.44 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. TJX Companies has a fifty-two week low of $112.10 and a fifty-two week high of $155.92. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $145.65 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $135.93. Insiders Place Their Bets TJX Companies ( NYSE:TJX Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.The firm had revenue of $15.12 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.80 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Equities analysts expect that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,362,896.80. This represents a 2.20% 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, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total value of $3,686,365.53. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. The trade was a 4.55% 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 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of TJX Companies Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TJX. Saranac Partners Ltd acquired a new position in shares of TJX Companies during the third quarter worth $7,502,000. Allworth Financial LP grew its holdings in TJX Companies by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 37,752 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $5,457,000 after purchasing an additional 4,095 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its stake in TJX Companies by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 47,299 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $6,869,000 after buying an additional 567 shares during the period. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd lifted its holdings in TJX Companies by 19.9% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 341,023 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $49,291,000 after buying an additional 56,535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stillwater Wealth Management Group purchased a new position in TJX Companies in the 3rd quarter valued at about $3,236,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock. About TJX Companies (Get Free Report) The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Guests attend the closing ceremony of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2024-2025 in Malacca, Malaysia, Dec. 10, 2025. The closing ceremony, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, was held from Tuesday to Wednesday. About 300 participants from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Chinese ministries, 11 Chinese provincial-level regions, as well as the ASEAN-China Center, ASEAN Secretariat and some friendship organizations in ASEAN countries attended the event. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) KUALA LUMPUR, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The closing ceremony of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2024-2025, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, was held in Malacca, Malaysia, from Tuesday to Wednesday. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sent a congratulatory letter to the event. Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, led the Chinese delegation and delivered remarks. About 300 participants from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Chinese ministries, 11 Chinese provincial-level regions, as well as the ASEAN-China Center, ASEAN Secretariat and some friendship organizations in ASEAN countries attended the event. The event kicked off along Jonker Street in Malacca with drum performances and lion dances as guests toured the historic quarter to revisit the long-standing friendship between Malaysia and China before jointly planting a China-ASEAN Friendship Tree. During the closing ceremony, awards were presented to the top ten projects and best-organized programs for the year. A China-ASEAN people-to-people exchange roundtable was also held. Over the past two years, China and ASEAN jointly staged nearly 200 high-level, high-impact and widely welcomed people-to-people exchange activities. Dancers perform at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2024-2025 in Malacca, Malaysia, Dec. 10, 2025. The closing ceremony, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, was held from Tuesday to Wednesday. About 300 participants from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Chinese ministries, 11 Chinese provincial-level regions, as well as the ASEAN-China Center, ASEAN Secretariat and some friendship organizations in ASEAN countries attended the event. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) had its target price hoisted by investment analysts at Bank of America from $88.00 to $91.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an underperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Bank of Americas price target suggests a potential downside of 4.57% from the stocks current price. SCHW has been the topic of several other reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of Charles Schwab from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. Barclays upped their price objective on Charles Schwab from $114.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Charles Schwab from $112.00 to $113.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a market outperform rating and issued a $110.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Charles Schwab in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $107.37. Get Charles Schwab alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on SCHW Charles Schwab Trading Up 1.3% SCHW traded up $1.20 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $95.36. The stock had a trading volume of 2,302,183 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,629,846. The stock has a market capitalization of $169.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.96. Charles Schwab has a 52 week low of $65.88 and a 52 week high of $99.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $93.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $93.30. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $1.31 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.25 by $0.06. Charles Schwab had a return on equity of 21.02% and a net margin of 35.93%.The firm had revenue of $6.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.93 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.71 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 26.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Charles Schwab will post 4.22 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, insider Jonathan S. Beatty sold 3,072 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $98.00, for a total value of $301,056.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 11,923 shares in the company, valued at $1,168,454. The trade was a 20.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,205 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.33, for a total transaction of $299,122.65. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 34,778 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,245,830.74. This represents a 8.44% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of SCHW. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 190,538 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $17,387,000 after acquiring an additional 40,275 shares during the last quarter. Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC bought a new position in shares of Charles Schwab in the first quarter worth approximately $79,605,000. Figure 8 Investment Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in Charles Schwab in the second quarter valued at approximately $924,000. PFG Investments LLC lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 10.2% during the second quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 5,951 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $543,000 after purchasing an additional 550 shares during the last quarter. Finally, W.H. Cornerstone Investments Inc. purchased a new position in Charles Schwab in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $246,000. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Charles Schwab Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AGF Management (TSE:AGF.B Get Free Report) has been assigned a C$18.00 target price by research analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada in a note issued to investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas price target suggests a potential upside of 18.34% from the stocks previous close. Several other analysts have also weighed in on the company. Desjardins upped their target price on AGF Management from C$16.50 to C$17.75 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of AGF Management from C$12.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of AGF Management from C$14.50 to C$16.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. TD Securities lifted their target price on shares of AGF Management from C$17.00 to C$18.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Scotiabank increased their price target on shares of AGF Management from C$15.00 to C$16.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AGF Management has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$16.79. Get AGF Management alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AGF.B AGF Management Price Performance AGF.B stock traded up C$0.01 during trading on Wednesday, reaching C$15.21. 129,434 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 83,712. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.27, a quick ratio of 1.75 and a current ratio of 1.19. The stocks 50 day moving average price is C$14.04 and its 200 day moving average price is C$13.11. AGF Management has a 52-week low of C$8.65 and a 52-week high of C$15.50. The company has a market cap of C$968.19 million, a P/E ratio of 9.11, a PEG ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 1.43. AGF Management (TSE:AGF.B Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, September 24th. The company reported C$0.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of C$107.50 million during the quarter. AGF Management had a net margin of 16.58% and a return on equity of 7.64%. As a group, analysts predict that AGF Management will post 1.5610119 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About AGF Management (Get Free Report) AGF Management is a Canadian-based asset manager with operations and investments in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Asia. At the end of May 2022, the firm had CAD 40.3 billion in total assets under management. AGF Managements funds are weighted more heavily toward equities, with just over two thirds of retail AUM being equity related. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for AGF Management Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AGF Management and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IMTM Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $49.18 and last traded at $49.2950, with a volume of 295178 shares. The stock had previously closed at $48.74. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $3.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.95 and a beta of 0.81. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $47.79 and a 200-day moving average of $46.53. Get iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Comerica Bank increased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 1.5% in the 3rd quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 14,291 shares of the companys stock worth $684,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. grew its position in iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 14,597 shares of the companys stock worth $667,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 2.2% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 12,564 shares of the companys stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares during the period. Sweeney & Michel LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 5.5% during the third quarter. Sweeney & Michel LLC now owns 5,261 shares of the companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 14.2% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $102,000 after buying an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. About iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF The iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA Momentum index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries, ex-US. The momentum-selected stocks are weighted by market cap and momentum. IMTM was launched on Jan 13, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Industria de Diseno Textil SA (OTCMKTS:IDEXY Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $16.03 and last traded at $16.01, with a volume of 203596 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $15.74. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of Industria de Diseno Textil from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised Industria de Diseno Textil from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and one has assigned a Buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Strong Buy. Get Industria de Diseno Textil alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on IDEXY Industria de Diseno Textil Price Performance The company has a market capitalization of $199.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.03 and a beta of 0.96. The firms fifty day moving average price is $14.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.38. Industria de Diseno Textil (OTCMKTS:IDEXY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, December 3rd. The company reported $0.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by ($0.16). Industria de Diseno Textil had a return on equity of 33.70% and a net margin of 15.40%.The firm had revenue of $11.44 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.27 billion. On average, research analysts predict that Industria de Diseno Textil SA will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current year. Industria de Diseno Textil Company Profile (Get Free Report) Industria de Diseno Textil, SA engages in the retail and online distribution of clothing, footwear, accessories, and household products. The company sells its products under the Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Oysho, and Zara Home brands. It is also involved in the textile manufacturing, logistics, design, insurance, construction, and real estate businesses, as well as provides financial services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Industria de Diseno Textil Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Industria de Diseno Textil and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $58.49 and last traded at $58.36, with a volume of 1839011 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $57.69. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Price Performance The company has a 50 day moving average of $56.78 and a 200-day moving average of $55.47. The company has a market cap of $1.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.82 and a beta of 0.81. Get iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 1.2% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 17,026 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $882,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 78.6% during the 1st quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 12,825 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $664,000 after acquiring an additional 5,643 shares during the last quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 13.1% during the 1st quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 6,806 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $353,000 after acquiring an additional 787 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 16.5% in the first quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 25,680 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,330,000 after acquiring an additional 3,642 shares in the last quarter. 68.30% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped 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 MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $68.05 and last traded at $67.94, with a volume of 109341 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $67.11. iShares Europe ETF Trading Up 1.3% The stock has a market capitalization of $1.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $66.33 and a 200 day moving average price of $64.60. Get iShares Europe ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in iShares Europe ETF in the second quarter valued at $59,097,000. Jane Street Group LLC raised its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 121.3% in the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 358,224 shares of the companys stock worth $22,658,000 after purchasing an additional 196,368 shares during the period. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in iShares Europe ETF during the second quarter worth approximately $12,411,000. TABR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $11,155,000. Finally, Black Swift Group LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Europe ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $11,131,000. iShares Europe ETF Company Profile iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations launched its first-ever Decade of Sustainable Transport (2026-2035) and the associated Implementation Plan on Wednesday. A special event, bringing together transport leaders from governments, the UN system, local authorities, the private sector, civil society and youth organizations from around the world, was held at the UN headquarters in New York. "This consultative and inclusive process has opened new avenues for cooperation, and we have been privileged to lead it," said UN Under-Secretary-General Li Junhua, who leads the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). The Implementation Plan, prepared by UN DESA and outlining six focus areas and means of implementation, is the result of a participatory consultation process and provides a roadmap to align policies, finance, technology and data with sustainable transport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals, according to a press release issued by the United Nations. Sustainable transport is about cleaner mobility and safer systems, extending markets, shaping access to jobs, schools and health care, and enabling the movements of goods and services, the release said. It is fundamental to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, with synergies to poverty eradication, good health, climate action, gender equality, education and beyond. With transport demand set to more than double by 2050, mobility-related choices made in the coming decade can lock in sustainable development pathways, it said. The launch event also unveiled 83 concrete commitments submitted from around the world, including a major push toward clean and fairer mobility, active mobility, zero-emission road transport, transport-related capacity building, transport data and reporting, among others, according to the release. In 2023, the UN General Assembly designated 2026 as the start of the first UN Decade of Sustainable Transport. BEIRUT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- In Beirut, the Lebanese capital scarred by war and battered by economic collapse, a community of artists is turning personal and collective hardship into works that convey creative defiance and persistent belief in the resilience of the city's cultural spirit. For Syrian painter Lina Deeb, who has returned to Beirut after first exhibiting her work in the city in 2019, the city offers a vital space for connection. Deeb's elongated figures and muted tones translate the friction of life in Syria onto canvas. "The artist is shaped by their environment," Deeb said. "Through my work, we are affected by what surrounds us, and we, in turn, affect others. Every new painting is a fresh birth." She said she has found in Beirut an understanding audience that inspires her to keep creating. Lebanese artist Riwa Ghsoub has been confronting the daily logistical challenges of creating in Beirut, such as power cuts, high costs, and instability, by choosing to stay in the city and practice her meticulous string art. "I can go showcase my art elsewhere, but staying here is part of the message," she explained, noting that each piece has become an act of resistance. "It's challenging the misery. People still want to see effort, precision, and color. Art reminds them that life continues," Ghsoub said. Ara Azad, an Armenian-Lebanese painter, channels Beirut's turbulent history into his abstract works, transforming the tension and instability of growing up during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) into bold strokes and delicate structures. For him, exhibiting locally is an act of cultural continuity. "Even when the city is going through hardship, there is still diversity, conversation, and curiosity. That is why artists come back," he said. Meanwhile, Syrian artist Sameer Al Safadi has been focusing on capturing movement and gesture, depicting dancers and musicians to express vitality amidst burdens. "Through the expressions on their faces and the movements of their hands, you see the hardships people are trying to overcome," he observed. For Al Safadi, creating art is a necessity. "Art purifies and offers a vision of the future. As long as artists create, continuity exists," he said. Lebanon is in the middle of a severe, multi-faceted crisis marked by economic collapse, political instability, and increased conflict, leading to widespread poverty, food insecurity, and displacement, particularly after 13 months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah that ended in November last year. According to a report published in July by the UN Development Program, before the conflict, Lebanon had already been suffering from six years of economic and social crises, and the conflict itself cut private sector employment by 25 percent and average earnings by 15 percent nationwide. "The Human Development Index rank of Lebanon regressed to 2010 levels, marking a 14-year setback due to the overlapping crises," the report said, adding that the conflict had also "caused catastrophic damage to the country's physical capital, with 90,076 structures affected, including homes, businesses and critical infrastructure." With a large number of people remaining displaced in Lebanon due to ongoing insecurity and destroyed infrastructure even after the ceasefire reached in November 2024, some 1.6 million people are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity, it noted. RTE's Director General has said the Irish broadcaster is looking at outsourcing its Lottery programming. Speaking in the Oireachtas today, Kevin Bakhurst said "radio, sport, news and current affairs will remain in-house," but that the Lotto would be sourced elsewhere, according to The Journal. "That costs us a lot of money to do, and there's a better way to do it and it also enables us to let a few more people leave who we couldn't leave this year," he said. Kevin Bakhurst was being questioned by Social Democrats TD, Sinead Gibney, when he also revealed that the feasibility of certain popular shows is being looked at. "We've already talked about Fair City and The Late Late publicly," he said. READ NEXT: 'Live cockroaches, filthy kitchens' - 14 food businesses in Ireland forced to close in November Fair City will have to be made off-site as RTE's presence on the Donnybrook campus slowly reduces. Expressions of interest will be sought from those in the independent sector, according to the Irish Independent. The national broadcaster is also looking at whether it will continue to operate as a "fully independent" or "hybrid" service. Deputy Gibney asked whether any other programmes were being assessed and was told that "there are a few smaller things, yes." One of those is the studio mass on Sunday, which will be replaced. RTE is working with an independent production company that will create religious services programming. Probably not . . . Given that most of the funding will go to politically connected activists. However . . . Here's a peek at the plan that we've watched FAIL over the past 7 years of Mayor Q's administration. Check-it . . . "Kansas City will deploy neighborhood outreach teams to five communities with the highest violence rates as part of a new $2 million violence prevention initiative. "The city passed the initiative on Tuesday to place teams in Ruskin Heights, Independence Plaza, North Town Fork Creek, Marlborough Heights and Ivanhoe. The Violence Prevention Fund is paying for the program." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KCTV5: Kansas City will launch $2M violence prevention initiative in 5 high-crime neighborhoods A peek at pending legislation and tribute to a right-wing talker assassinated this year . . . Check-it: The Kansas Senates first piece of proposed legislation for 2026 seeks to honor Charlie Kirk. The Republican resolution proposes establishing Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day on Oct. 14, the late right-wing political activists birthday. Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at a Utah college campus. The Senates resolution is rooted in honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. It describes his legacy as an example of the importance of free speech, the First Amendment and civil debate. The resolution also condemns Kirks killing and extends condolences to his family. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Reflector: Proposed Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day among first bills filed ahead of Kansas 2026 session Developing . . . The latest spate of local gunfire turned deadly . . . Here are the first deets that KCPD is sharing with media as KCMO homicide numbers are down compared to last year but still trend upward over the past 7 years: Homicide 3100 block of Kensington Tonight just after 10:15pm officers were dispatched to the 3100 block of Kensington on a nature unknown call. 911 received a call to the location asking for help from an unknown caller. On arrival officers contacted people in the area that heard the sound of a disturbance followed by what they thought was possible gunfire. Officers checked the area and located an adult male unresponsive on the ground next to a residence. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS took over treatment and declared the victim deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation indicates the victim appears to have been shot. Investigation further appears the victim had an interaction at the location with unknown suspect(s) that led to gunfire striking the victim. Homicide detectives are at the scene and investigating this case as a homicide. They are also working with crime scene investigators to process the scene and gather evidence. If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. ############ Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Man killed in homicide after interaction near 31st and Kensington Kansas City Police were called to the 3100 block of Kensington after someone called 911 asking for help. Kansas City police looking for suspect in deadly East Side shooting A man was shot and killed in the East Side of Kansas City near 31st and Kensington on Tuesday night, and police are searching for the suspect Developing . . . Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The use of appropriate technological solutions is a priority for the extension of the service life of old oil and gas infrastructure, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations (SOCAR MGO) Nariman Mehdiyev told Trend on the sidelines of the event "Asset Integrity & Corrosion and Coatings Conference" dedicated to the oil and gas sector in Baku today. According to him, the event focuses on bringing together specialists working in the oil and gas sector to discuss modern technological solutions that ensure the long-term operation of existing platforms. Mehdiyev pointed out that a lot of the current infrastructure is falling apart, and its out of the question to swap it all out at once. According to him, the primary goal is therefore to extend the service life of this infrastructure and conduct operations more efficiently. "We've been cooperating with some of the companies participating in this event for many years, while we're meeting with others for the first time. There are companies whose technologies we plan to use in the future," he explained. The CTO also mentioned that a few oil and gas facilities from the Soviet era are still kicking around and in operation. "The time has come to upgrade some of these facilities. In this context, the infrastructure must either be modernized or specific steps must be taken to extend its service life. The corresponding measures are already being implemented." Mehdiyev also pointed out that preventative measures against corrosion and other risks are taken into account at the design stage for Azerbaijan's new oil and gas export pipelines. "Therefore, such problems are virtually nonexistent on such pipelines. The primary focus is on the old infrastructure. If modern methods are not applied to the old infrastructure, there is a risk of its rapid failure. The general design life of such facilities is 25-30 years. However, during this period, pipelines and other facilities must be regularly maintained. Using new technologies, it's possible to extend the service life of the infrastructure even further," he added. SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations (SMGO) is a subsidiary of SOCAR tasked with the management and operation of Azerbaijan's national and international gas transportation infrastructure, encompassing pipelines (SCP, TANAP, TAP), storage facilities, and the commercial and technical supervision of principal export routes. It serves as the legal successor to the former SOCAR Midstream Operations (SMO), established in 2015, and concentrates on the efficient and secure distribution of gas through Southern Gas Corridor initiatives. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel LISBON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's exports to the United States fell by 50 million euros (about 58 million U.S. dollars) year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, reaching their lowest level since the second quarter of 2023, according to data released Wednesday by the National Institute of Statistics of Portugal (INE). Quarter-on-quarter, exports to the United States declined by 13 million euros, a drop of 1 percent, extending the downward trend observed since the beginning of the year amid evolving U.S. tariff policy. On the import side, Portugal's purchases from the United States decreased by 12 million euros year-on-year, a fall of 2 percent, and dropped by 57 million euros quarter-on-quarter, down 8.6 percent. According to the institute, trade flows with the United States remain "marked by uncertainty linked to U.S. tariff policy," which continues to influence bilateral goods exchanges. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the Trade Envoy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Azerbaijan and Central Asia, Lord Alderdice, Trend reports. Lord Alderdice congratulated the head of state on the results achieved in Washington regarding the advancement of the peace agenda between Azerbaijan and Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations, highlighting the historical significance of reaching agreements between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and emphasizing the role of President Donald Trump in this process. The head of state noted that he would continue his efforts to advance Azerbaijans peace agenda as the initiator of this process, emphasizing that peace can contribute to the development of the regions economic potential. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and bp, spanning more than 30 years. During the conversation, the sides underscored the successful development of relations between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland based on strategic partnership, friendship, and trust, noting the vast potential for enhancing cooperation in political, economic, trade, investment, energy, including renewable energy, defense industry, education, and other spheres. They underlined the importance of reciprocal visits at various levels in strengthening bilateral relations. The British companies participation in the restoration and reconstruction efforts carried out in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, as well as their contributions to these efforts, were hailed at the meeting. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Iran's Ardabil Province can establish economic relations with other countries through Azerbaijan, the governor of the province, Masoud Emami Yeganeh, told Trend. He said that one of the priorities the current government of Iran (in power since August 2024) and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, are seriously focusing on is the development of relations between the border provinces and neighboring countries in various fields. He believes that one can really make hay while the sun shines with border diplomacy, especially since Ardabil Province, nestled in the northwest of Iran, boasts a 370 km long border with Azerbaijan. "By developing economic and trade relations with Azerbaijan, Ardabil Province can establish economic relations with the countries of the South Caucasus, member states of the Eurasian Economic Union, and countries of Eastern Europe through Azerbaijan. In this context Ardabil Province has focused on economic development by establishing relations with investors from various countries over the past year. During the discussions within the framework of the visit to Azerbaijan, a special place was given to the activities of the recently commissioned Ardabil Free Trade and Industrial Zone. This zone can create an opportunity for the establishment of a joint trade and industrial zone between the two countries. The relevant discussions are underway between the two countries," he noted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. On December 10, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov met with the delegation led by Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Viktor Mahmudov and the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Shukhrat Khalmukhamedov, who are on an official visit to Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense said in a statement, Trend reports. First, the guests visited the graves of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, Heydar Aliyev, and prominent ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva, in the Alley of Honor, laid wreaths and flowers at their graves, and honored their memory. The delegation then visited the Victory Park and laid a wreath at the Victory Monument. During the official welcoming ceremony held at the Ministry of Defense, following the passage along the honor guard, the national anthems of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan were performed. In accordance with protocol, the Book of Honor was signed. At the meeting between the delegations of the two countries, Colonel General Z.Hasanov emphasized that the bilateral military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is built on friendly and fraternal relations. The heads of the Uzbek delegation mentioned that cooperation in the military sphere between the two countries contributes to the development and further strengthening of both armies. At the meeting, the sides discussed Azerbaijani-Uzbek cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military-educational fields, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest in the defense sphere. At the end of the meeting, the bilateral military cooperation plan for 2026 was signed between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan. As part of the official visit, the Uzbek delegation also got acquainted with the main activity areas of the subordinate main departments and departments at the General Staff of the Azerbaijan Army, and the guests questions were answered. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Azerbaijan Business Development Fund has been transformed into an Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC), Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the fund, subordinate to the Ministry of Economy, was reorganized by transforming into an OJSC, and its charter was approved. Azerbaijan Business Development Fund OJSC is the legal successor of the public legal entity of the same name; its rights and obligations, as well as property, are transferred to the company. The company will operate as a state-owned commercial legal entity, tasked with supporting the development of the non-oil and gas sector, enhancing financial backing for entrepreneurship, and promoting investment activities. Overall management of the company's operations will be overseen by a five-member Supervisory Board, while day-to-day management responsibilities will be executed by the Board of Directors, comprising a chairman and four deputies. According to the decree, the powers of the companys general meeting are allocated among the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Economy, and the Supervisory Board. Until the completion of state registration, the fund will continue functioning as a public legal entity. The decree ratifies the charter of the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund, amends certain existing decrees and orders, and strengthens regulatory and legal measures concerning the protection and utilization of state property. Additionally, the decree introduces innovations in the procedures for utilizing the funds resources, applying financing mechanisms within the non-oil and gas sectors, and addressing other organizational matters. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Secretary of the Security Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ramil Usubov met with Secretary of the Security Council under the President of Uzbekistan Viktor Makhmudov, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, on December 10, the Security Council said in a statement, Trend reports. At the meeting, it was highlighted that, in an era marked by frequent conflicts, military-political challenges, and global threats, the significance of cooperation and joint efforts was underscored. In line with the political will of the respective heads of state, President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a strategic partnership and productive collaboration between the two brotherly nations has flourished across various sectors. The discussion also emphasized the importance of further strengthening and expanding bilateral ties in the military and technical domains, including the mutual exchange of expertise. There was a shared belief that these efforts would unlock new opportunities for enhancing stability and security, not only in the South Caucasus but also throughout Central Asia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The Digital Economy Development Strategy for 2026-2029 has been approved, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan is obliged to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the measures provided for in the Strategy, annually inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the progress of the measures provided for in the Strategy, take the necessary measures to coordinate the current concept, strategy, state program, action plan and other similar documents with the Strategy, as well as resolve other issues arising in the in connection with this decree. In addition, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the measures provided for in the Strategy shall be carried out by the Center for Economic Reforms and Communications Analysis at the behest of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan should take appropriate measures to ensure the necessary financial resources in the process of annual preparation of the state budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan to finance the measures provided for in the Strategy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, departed today for an official visit to Hungary, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MFA. According to the information provided, the visit will feature the third session of the Azerbaijan-Hungary Strategic Dialogue on December 11, alongside discussions between Minister Bayramov and Peter Szijjarto, Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as well as other high-ranking officials. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, Trend reports. ''Dear Mr. President, I express my deep gratitude to you for your kind letter. I highly value your sincere words and acknowledgment of our efforts for peace and stability. Your continued commitment to resolving conflicts, your personal involvement in advancing dialogue, and your contributions to reducing tensions in various parts of the world, in my firm belief, fully merit the highest international recognition, including the Nobel Peace Prize. Your leadership, guided by determination and responsibility, is a true example of service in the promotion of global peace. I am confident that, through sustained dialogue and cooperation, our partnership will continue to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, and prosperity in our countries and beyond. Please accept my sincere appreciation for the spirit of mutual respect and the attention expressed in your letter,'' the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. On December 10, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on the margins of the international conference titled The Role of Women in Modern Society: Promoting International Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Turkmenistan, Trend reports. The meeting emphasized that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as cooperation between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Zamin International Public Foundation, contribute to the development of high-level ties between the two countries. The sides underlined the importance of the international conference in Turkmenistan in promoting the active involvement of women in political and economic life, as well as expanding multilateral dialogue and partnerships. The discussion also highlighted the significance of strengthening the role of women across various sectors, including education and healthcare, to ensure sustainable development. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Hikmet Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, met in Baku with Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Assistant to the President, wrote on his X page, Trend reports. ''The discussion covered bilateral relations as well as regional and international matters of mutual interest,'' the post reads. BUCHAREST, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Romania's Constitutional Court on Wednesday cleared a tax-hike package to take effect on Jan. 1, dismissing an appeal by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) against the sweeping fiscal law backed by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The Court ruled AUR's challenge to the local tax increases unfounded, allowing the government's reform package to enter into force at the start of next year. The reform had first been pushed through by a confidence vote in September but was struck down on procedural grounds, forcing parliament to revise the legislation. AUR then filed a second challenge, temporarily delaying its entry into force and complicating work on the 2025 budget. To avoid a budget setback, the government requested the Court to move its hearing from early 2025 to Dec. 10. Under the law, property taxes on homes and apartments will rise by roughly 80 percent, vehicle taxes will be tied to pollution standards, and cryptocurrency transactions will face a 16 percent levy. Stock-market gains will also be more heavily taxed. A new 25-lei (5.8 U.S. dollars) fee will apply to parcels valued under 150 euros arriving from outside the European Union. The legislation further allows authorities to declare companies without a Romanian bank account inactive, with dissolution possible after one year, and requires all businesses to accept card payments. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova met with Lord John Alderdice, the United Kingdom's trade envoy to Azerbaijan, who is visiting the country on December 10, the parliamentary press service told Trend. The meeting highlighted that bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom spans the economy, trade, energy, including renewable energy, education, the defense industry, and other sectors. The importance of high-level visits in strengthening ties was emphasized, noting President Ilham Aliyevs visits to the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmers trip to Azerbaijan last year to attend COP29. Gafarova welcomed the steady growth of interparliamentary cooperation, recalling her official visit to the United Kingdom in two thousand twenty-two and highlighting the value of the meetings held during that trip. She noted that the Parliament maintains one of its largest working groups on relations with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, emphasizing the importance of sustained mutual visits and active dialogue between legislative bodies. Lord Alderdice thanked the Speaker for the meeting, spoke about the expanding cooperation across multiple sectors, and underlined the need to further strengthen interparliamentary engagement. He also highlighted Azerbaijans advantageous geostrategic position, its role in the Middle Corridor, opportunities for new collaboration, and the importance of COP29, hosted in Azerbaijan. The sides stressed the strong potential for expanding cooperation in economic, political, educational, renewable energy, interparliamentary, and other areas. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. On December 10, an international conference titled The Role of Women in Modern Society: Promoting International Cooperation for Sustainable Development was held in the Awaza National Tourist Zone in Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, Trend reports. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva participated in the conference. The guests first toured an exhibition showcasing Turkmenistans rich cultural heritage and todays achievements. The exposition included stands visually presenting the countrys successes in various fields and highlighting womens active participation in state-building, the economy, science, education, and healthcare. The conference brought together representatives of international organizations and experts to discuss key initiatives on strengthening the role of women and promoting the global sustainable development agenda. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Oguljahan Atabayeva, Vice-President for Medical Activities of the Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children in Need of Guardianship, expressed confidence that the conference would be held in an active and constructive dialogue environment. She noted that the event would serve as an effective platform for promoting initiatives based on the idea of commitment to humanism. It is women who teach our children the values of life and instill a culture of peace and respect. Their support is fundamental for a humane society. It is necessary to establish an international network of centers supporting women and children to ensure comprehensive assistance. Providing medical and psychological help to children, social and legal support to women, rapid humanitarian aid, and the formation of mobile medical teams are among the important issues, Oguljahan Atabayeva emphasized. She also spoke about the importance of womens active participation in social, political, and economic processes. Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva Tatiana Valovaya noted that this year marks three important anniversaries the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, and the 30th anniversary of the international recognition of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality status. Turkmenistans neutrality status forms the basis of the countrys foreign policy aimed at dialogue, mediation, and the development of cooperation. Women in Turkmenistan play a significant role in these processes. They represent the country at the UN and other international organizations, participate in negotiations, and contribute to the expansion of multilateral dialogue. Women also actively participate in parliament on issues of education, science, culture, youth policy, social protection, and healthcare, the Director-General highlighted. Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, noted that womens rights are protected in their country and stated that free masters programs for girls and women, as well as scholarships for studying at the worlds leading universities, have been established. Currently, 35 percent of students studying abroad with state funding are women. We have also created a unique accelerator program that provides women entrepreneurs with quality financing, mentoring, and access to global experience, she said. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva noted in her speech that womens leadership, knowledge, and experience are crucial for the sustainable development of society. Leyla Aliyeva provided information about the activities of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, including its international projects. The Foundation has implemented school construction and reconstruction projects in a number of countries, including China, Georgia, Egypt, Russia, Romania, Vietnam, and the Netherlands. Programs for the reconstruction of a girls school and school infrastructure in Pakistan, as well as the supply of information technology equipment in Kenya and Rwanda, have been carried out. She also highlighted projects in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Honduras supporting girls education and development. Expressing satisfaction that women hold a special place in modern society, the Vice-President of the Foundation stated that they are guardians of family values and cultural traditions. Leyla Aliyeva noted that the Foundations activities cover important areas such as science, education, healthcare, culture, and ecology, and that local and international projects have been implemented in these areas over the past period. During her speech, she also addressed the problem of the significant drop in the Caspian Sea level, a shared concern: The decrease in the Caspian Sea level seriously affects the lives of marine creatures such as sturgeon, golden fish, and seals. Pollution of the Caspian waters continues to worsen their condition. This is a global problem that we must address together, and I believe we can save our sea. Other speakers discussed the role of women in society, noting that they are the main bearers and guardians of cultural values, customs, traditions, and moral norms. Emphasizing the importance of maximally involving womens potential in political and economic life to achieve sustainable development, the speakers noted that such conferences are an important platform for multilateral dialogue. The necessity of strengthening partnerships between state institutions, civil society, and international organizations to eliminate obstacles preventing the full realization of womens potential was highlighted. The conference continued with panel sessions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The next round of political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation took place in Baku, Trend reports. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov, while the Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin. The parties exchanged views on the current state of bilateral relations, agenda items, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. It was noted that the agreements reached at the meeting of the two leaders in Dushanbe on October 9 serve as a foundation for ongoing bilateral political dialogue. During the consultations, prospects for cooperation in economic, trade, humanitarian, and other areas, as well as collaboration within regional platforms, were discussed. The Russian side was also provided with detailed information on the bilateral normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The 3rd Industrial Safety Summit, held under the theme 'Turning Point' at the Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard, was co-organized by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, SOCAR, and the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association (AISA), Trend reports. The main goal of the summit was to serve as a strategic platform for discussing new approaches, innovations, and best practices that have emerged against the backdrop of industrial safety, technological innovation, climate change, and social transformation. Addressing the event, Vusal Aghayev, head of the State Agency for Supervision of Safe Operations in Industry and Mining of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, noted that industrial safety is not only a technical issue, but also one of the main pillars of national security, sustainable development, and, most importantly, the protection of human life. He said that in accordance with the strategic development course set by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the priority tasks are to improve the safety culture in the country, minimize risks, and strengthen innovation-oriented management. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is implementing these priorities consistently, comprehensively, and proactively. Further, Orkhan Khalilzade, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association, emphasized that the real turning point for the Azerbaijani industry is not following AI and technological innovations, but joining the ranks of leading countries that have made industrial safety an integral part of their activities. In his speech, SOCAR Downstream Management CEO Emil Alkhasli noted that safety in the oil and gas sector is not only an integral part of the production process, but also an integral part of corporate culture. He said that SOCAR continues to apply innovative approaches in this area in accordance with international standards. Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, who participated in the summit, talked about the importance of industrial safety as a key factor in the sustainable development of enterprises and the importance of strengthening mechanisms to support entrepreneurs in this area. Other speakers also highlighted the importance of developing a culture of industrial safety in Azerbaijan and supporting efforts to transition the country's business environment to a safer and more sustainable future by sharing best practices in this area. As part of the Industrial Safety Summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed on trilateral cooperation in the field of industrial safety, occupational health and safety, and the environment between the Ministry of Emergency Situations, SOCAR, and the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association. Under the memorandum, the parties will work together on safety standards, ISO management systems, and ESG principles. The summit, which also featured a panel discussion entitled Red Line and an interactive discussion session entitled Safe Conversations, was organized with the participation of up to 10 speakers and moderators, as well as more than 300 executives, managers, and decision-makers. The event concluded with an awards ceremony, the Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection Award, where awards in various categories were presented to individuals, companies, and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the field of occupational safety, environmental protection, and the environment. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev met with Assistant Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Commerce William Kimmitt and Jeffrey Kessler, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport told Trend. The meeting discussed the prospects for cooperation between the two countries and emphasized a favorable environment for investment in Azerbaijan. An exchange of views on the development of the Middle Corridor and Zangezur corridors, as well as the imminent launch of the TRIPP project, was also held. Discussions encompassed synergies in the domains of digital transformation, machine learning paradigms, and information security frameworks. The U.S. authorities articulated their preparedness to facilitate assistance in navigating the current challenges associated with the exportation of U.S.-manufactured digital commodities to Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The implementation of Presidential Decree No. 718, issued on June 3, 2019, by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on the development of the Government Cloud (G-Cloud) and the provision of cloud services, is ongoing. Under the Decree, the Azerbaijan Land Transport Agency (AYNA) is the latest government institution to transfer its information systems and resources to the Government Cloud. The Agency has fully migrated its information systems and resources to the Baku Data Center operated by AzInTelecom LLC, one of the companies of AZCON Holding. As a result, AYNA has ensured high availability of its critical systems. AzInTelecom provided AYNA with cloud services, including Virtual Server IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) and Backup BaaS (Backup-as-a-Service). In addition, the Agency is also provided with SPLA-licensed Microsoft products and SIP telephony services. Within the framework of the project, the full or partial migration of state institutions IT systems to the Main Data Center in Baku and the Backup Data Center in Yevlakh is carried out. As a result of the migration, institutions benefit from reduced IT costs and improved performance of their information systems. The process also ensures enhanced information security, a more resilient IT infrastructure, high-quality service delivery, and 24/7 monitoring. It should be noted that AzInTelecom LLC is the first organization in the South Caucasus region to obtain the TIER III certification, which defines international standards for cloud services. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Modern industrial safety isn't just a technical issue, Head of the State Agency for Safe Conduct of Work in Industry and Mining Control Vusal Aghayev said at the 3rd Industrial Safety Summit, jointly organized by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, SOCAR, and the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association (AISA), in Baku today, Trend reports. According to him, digital transformation, the rapid development of artificial intelligence, the reshaping of global supply chains, and the impact of climate factors are completely rewriting the structure of risks in the industrial environment. He noted that reality demands more agile, advanced, and responsible decisions. "Today, industrial safety is one of the fundamental pillars of national security, stability, resilience, and most importantlythe protection of human life. The strategic course set by President Ilham Aliyev prioritizes enhancing the culture of safety in the country, minimizing risks, and strengthening innovation-driven management. The Ministry of Emergency Situations is implementing this course consistently, comprehensively, and proactively, the official explained. Aghayev pointed out that innovative monitoring devices, artificial intelligence-based risk analyses, and automated production processes are the main pillars that determine the future of the industry. The success of this transformation is possible through only one patha strong, effective, and reliable partnership between the public and private sectors. In this regard, the activities and initiatives of the Azerbaijan Industrial Safety Association carry special importance for the sustainable development of the ecosystem. In the coming years, we have big and ambitious goals ahead of us: updating safety standards to meet international requirements, strengthening the highly skilled workforce potential, expanding the digital monitoring infrastructure, andmost importantlysolidifying the culture of safe behavior across all sectors of society, he added. The State Agency for Safe Conduct of Work in Industry and Mining Control (Azerbaijan) is an executive entity under the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) responsible for regulating and enforcing technical safety policies, conducting inspections, preventing emergencies, and offering expertise in industrial and mining operations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The Middle Corridor further boosts the importance of the region, enabling fast and safe cargo transportation, Deputy Director General of Trend International News Agency and Deputy Chairman of the Baku Network Research Center Sahil Karimli said at a panel on "The future of the Caucasus and the Middle Corridor: economy, transport, and energy" held in Ankara, Turkiye, Trend reports. Karimli emphasized that the Caucasus region is a strategic bridge between Europe and Asia. "Global trade flows are changing, and a new order is forming in the world. In this context, the Central Corridor further increases the importance of the region. The economic importance of the Central Corridor is primarily related to the increase in trade turnover. It allows for faster and safer transportation of goods from East to West. The South Caucasus countries will increase their economic revenue as transit countries, and the volume of trade in the region will expand," he explained. According to him, the development of ports, railways, and customs checkpoints along the corridor will also lead to the creation of new jobs. "Regional integration will be strengthened, and joint infrastructure projects will further elevate economic cooperation between our countries. The South Caucasus will become a trade center. The Middle Corridor plays a strategic role as an alternative to both the Northern and Southern corridors and reduces risks for international companies. Time loss in cargo transportation is prevented. The Middle Corridor is shorter than the traditional sea route, which reduces delivery time and transportation costs," he pointed out. Karimli underlined the important role of the Middle Corridor in Europe's energy security. "Diversification of energy sources is a strategic goal for Europe, and the South Caucasus is a key link in the realization of this goal. The South Caucasus and the Middle Corridor further strengthen their strategic position on the trade, transport, and energy map of the 21st century. The region is not only a transit area but also an important platform for global economic security, energy diversity, and international cooperation," he also said. Karimli highlighted that infrastructure development, economic integration, and stability are the main factors further increasing this importance. "Azerbaijan and Turkiye are two brotherly states that cooperate deeply in both political and economic spheres. We are always by each other's side," he added. To note, a panel on the topic "The future of the Caucasus and the Middle Corridor: economy, transport, and energy" was held with the organization of the Gazi University Turkish World Application and Research Center, in cooperation with the Azerbaijan Center for Analysis of International Relations and the Turkish Policy and Strategic Research Foundation (TURKPAV). At the event, Gazi University Rector Prof. Dr. Ugur Unal, Deputy Head of Mission of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Ankara - Counselor Eldar Aliyev, Chairman of the Commission on Public Works, Development, Transportation, and Tourism of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, AK Party Trabzon MP Adil Karaismailoglu, Deputy Chairman of the Baku Network Research Center Sahil Karimli, expert of the Azerbaijan International Relations and Analysis Center Fuad Abdullayev, editor of the Azerbaijan State Television Mahir Garibov, and many guests attended. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Comprehensive investigative measures were carried out based on information received about the creation of illegal armed groups consisting of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and their use by foreign special services for reconnaissance, disorganization, terrorist, and sabotage purposes, Trend reports via the press service of the State Security Service. With the appropriate measures taken, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan who were involved in organizing the activities of an illegal armed formation outside the borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the targeting of officials of a foreign state, and the commission of other criminal acts within that formation, and who considered themselves representatives of the criminal world, were identified and exposed. After the location of the hideout of Amid Mammadov, born in 1995, who was suspected of committing the above-mentioned criminal acts on the territory of a foreign state, was established, he was detained as a result of operational search measures, brought to the Republic of Azerbaijan, and taken into custody. Additionally, Nurlan Safarov, born in 1997, and Edik Israfilov, born in 1983, both suspected of involvement in these criminal activities, were apprehended and held accountable under criminal law. The individuals in question were charged pursuant to Articles 12.1 and 279.1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which pertain to participation in the activities of armed groups not authorized by Azerbaijani law outside the country's borders. Following a court order, they were placed in custody. Further details regarding ongoing actions and additional individuals held criminally responsible will be disclosed to the public in due course. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. On December 9, the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau officially inaugurated its office in Istanbul, Turkiye, the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan told Trend. The opening ceremony was attended by Fuad Naghiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency; Narmina Mustafayeva, Consul General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Istanbul; Florian Sengstschmid, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau; as well as representatives of the tourism industry and media from both Turkiye and Azerbaijan. In his address, Naghiyev emphasized that the establishment of the office heralds a new phase in the development of bilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey. He highlighted that this initiative will play a significant role in further promoting Azerbaijan's tourism brand within Turkey. Naghiyev also noted the growing interest among Turkish tourists in Azerbaijan, with Turkish nationals consistently ranking as the second-largest group of foreign visitors to the country over the past five years. The event was complemented by a cultural program, during which tourism industry representatives from both nations engaged in discussions on enhancing regional cooperation and further strengthening tourism ties. Meanwhile, during the first eleven months of 2025, the number of Turkish citizens visiting Azerbaijan surpassed 416,000, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year, 2024. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel OSLO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store held separate bilateral meetings on Wednesday with the presidents of Ecuador, Panama, and Paraguay, discussing regional stability, trade, and international cooperation, the Norwegian government said in a press release. During the meeting with President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Jose Raul Mulino of Panama, and President Santiago Pena of Paraguay respectively, Store addressed the current political landscape in Latin America, with a specific focus on Venezuela. "Everyone is, of course, concerned about the situation in Venezuela and the country's future," the Norwegian prime minister said. He emphasized that it is in the interest of all parties to find lasting solutions that respect international law. The discussions also covered the importance of preserving the multilateral system, as well as cooperation on safe shipping, climate change, and environmental protection. Economic ties were a central theme of the talks. Store highlighted Norway's long-standing tradition of cooperation with the region and discussed the free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), which was signed in September this year. The agreement will significantly improve market access for Norwegian exports to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with most tariffs on industrial and fisheries products to be removed once it enters into force. "This agreement will create opportunities for Norwegian businesses in the countries to which the agreement applies. It is important for Norwegian companies and Norwegian jobs," said Store. A working meeting was held between the management of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, a company within AZCON Holding, and the Hungarian airline Wizz Air to discuss the expansion of the route network between Azerbaijan and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the launch of direct Baku Bratislava (Slovakia) flights, as well as the addition of Bucharest (Romania) and Warsaw (Poland) routes to the network. The sides also evaluated opportunities for Wizz Air to operate flights from regional airports of Azerbaijan and assessed potential basing models. This approach provides fresh impetus for the development of tourism, the enhancement of business mobility, and the strengthening of international connectivity across the regions of the country. The launch of flights is planned for the near future. At the initial stage, services are expected to be operated to Bratislava, Bucharest, and Warsaw. Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC and Wizz Air, having achieved tangible progress in opening new routes, will continue active consultations on the next phases of cooperation. The goal is to form a broader, more competitive, and more accessible route network, thereby reinforcing Azerbaijans civil aviation position both regionally and globally. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The court has rejected a motion to alter the pre-trial detention of Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), who was detained during an operation by the State Security Service (SSS), Trend reports. The Sabail District Court reviewed the motion today and issued its ruling, ultimately denying the request. The Sabail District Court had previously ordered pre-trial detention for Ali Karimli for a period of two months and 15 days. The Baku Court of Appeal upheld this decision. Ali Karimli, chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP), and Mammad Ibrahimli, a member of the partys Presidium, were questioned at the State Security Service (STS) as part of the ongoing investigation. Following searches at their homes, both were taken to the STS. Karimli has been charged under Article 278.1 of the Criminal Code (actions aimed at the violent seizure of power and violent change of the constitutional order of the state). After a search of their home, they were subsequently remanded to the jurisdiction of the State Security Service. Accordingly, the raid on the residences of Karimli and Ibrahim pertains to the criminal case involving Ramiz Mehdiyev, now under investigation by the STS. Former Head of the Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev has been charged under Articles 278.1 (actions aimed at seizing state power), 274 (high treason), and 193-1.3.2 (legalization of criminally obtained property) of the Criminal Code. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Within the 2025 Individual Partnership Cooperation Programme (IPCP) between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and NATO, the second coordination meeting of the Partner Capacity Coherence Initiative was held in Baku between experts of the Mobile Training Team from NATOs Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and specialists of the Ministry, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Major General Vugar Aliverdiyev noted that, to familiarize Azerbaijani servicemen with NATO standards and provide them with knowledge on operational planning, command-and-control procedures, as well as operational and tactical-level planning and execution of NATO-format exercises, training courses are regularly conducted within the Azerbaijan-NATO IPCP through the initiative of the Mobile Training Team. The sides expressed confidence that the planned exercise will further deepen Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation, enhance the Azerbaijan Armys level of operational training in line with NATO standards, strengthen collective security, and make a significant contribution to peace and stability in the region. It was noted that the professional activities of the Azerbaijan Armys servicemen in peacekeeping missions, as well as in other areas as part of a partnership with NATO, are assessed positively. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on a number of other issues of mutual interest and signed a protocol of mutual understanding on the conduct of the exercise. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Ali Asadov, Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and Chairman of the Economic Council and the Supervisory Board of Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH), chaired a meeting on December 10 to discuss SOCARs projects, funding sources, and development prospects, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. The agenda encompassed a comprehensive presentation on SOCARs sustainable operations, its ongoing projects and their future development prospects, as well as the funding sources for project execution, the companys debt portfolio, and other pertinent matters. Rovshan Najaf, the President of SOCAR, led the presentation, addressing each item on the agenda. The meeting also featured statements from Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy; Israfil Mammadov, Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ); and Ruslan Alikhanov, Chief Executive Officer of AIH. Members of the Economic Council and the AIH Supervisory Board engaged in a thorough discussion of the topics presented. At the meeting's conclusion, taking into account the views and recommendations of the board members, relevant directives were issued to both SOCAR and SOFAZ. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The international conference on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property, jointly organized by the Intellectual Property Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), continued its work in Baku on December 10, Trend reports. The second day of the conference featured presentations by foreign experts on several key topics, including Overview: Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Policy, Patenting of Inventions Related to Artificial Intelligence (Intellectual Property Objects Created with or by Artificial Intelligence), Application of Artificial Intelligence as a Tool in the Patent System: Use of Artificial Intelligence in Expertise and Management Processes, and Intellectual Property Policy on Artificial Intelligence: Issues of Patent Authorship (Inventiveness) and Ownership of Rights. A roundtable discussion on Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Objects was also held. Speakers underscored the expanding influence of artificial intelligence technologies on intellectual property systems. They outlined contemporary approaches to defining the legal status, authorship, and ownership of AI-generated creations, emphasizing the need for clear and adaptable regulatory frameworks. Experts also detailed the innovative solutions being implemented by patent offices and highlighted the practical challenges that arise as AI tools become increasingly integrated into examination and management processes. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Iran set to launch development of its Yadavaran oil field Iran plans to launch the development of its Yadavaran oil field in mid-January. The project will involve drilling and upgrading 24 new wells, with a goal to boost production by 42,000 barrels per day. The development will be carried out by Iran's Bina-EPC Company and Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 10. International rating agency S&P Global has upgraded the credit rating of the Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex (AMMC) to BB-/Stable/ from B+/Stable/, Trend reports. The upgrade reflects the recent improvement in Uzbekistans sovereign rating and S&Ps reassessment of the likelihood of government support to "high" from "moderately high." According to S&P, AMMC is preparing to launch one of the largest industrial projects in Uzbekistana nearly $5 billion copper and gold mine with an ore-processing facility developed under close government supervision. Upon commissioning, the initiative will significantly augment the enterprise's ore-processing throughput, effectively more than doubling its operational capacity. Simultaneously, AMMC is orchestrating the construction of a novel copper smelter, highlighting the regulatory bodies proactive engagement in sculpting its strategic evolution. In light of the buoyant valuations for gold and copper commodities, S&P has observed that AMMC's independent fiscal metrics continue to lag behind those of its industry counterparts. The agency anticipates that the funds from operations (FFO) to debt ratio will remain within the 20-30% bandwidth, given that significant capital expenditures and dividend distributions will constrain deleveraging efforts. Dividend disbursements are projected to contract from a full 100% of net earnings to 80%, yet they will continue to augment gross and adjusted leverage, underscoring the jurisdiction's dependency on the firm's fiscal allocations. The stable outlook indicates that S&P does not anticipate a rating change over the next 12 months. The agency expects that, as the new copper-concentrate facility ramps up, AMMCs production volumes and EBITDA will grow, while its credit metrics remain broadly in line with the current rating category. S&P sees several risks that could trigger a downgrade. These include a marked increase in debt; operational setbacks that reduce output and EBITDA, for example, if gold or copper prices fall; or a deterioration in liquidity if internally generated cash flow is insufficient to cover upcoming debt maturities and investment needs. An upgrade is viewed as unlikely in the near term. S&P would consider raising the rating only if AMMC significantly reduced leverage, scaled back investment spending, and started generating sustained positive free operating cash flow, supporting a stronger stand-alone credit profile. In its qualitative assessment, S&P notes that AMMCs issuer credit rating is BB-/Stable/, with a stand-alone credit profile of b+. The companys business risk is assessed as weak, country risk as high, and industry risk as moderately high. Its competitive position is viewed as fair, while financial risk and leverage are considered aggressive. Liquidity is assessed as adequate, and management and governance as moderately negative. AMMC benefits from a high likelihood of government support, which provides an uplift to the stand-alone profile, while the final rating remains aligned with Uzbekistans sovereign rating of BB. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Iran is implementing projects worth $550 million aimed at optimizing energy consumption at its oil refineries, Trend reports, citing the National Iranian Oil Products Refining and Distribution Company (NIORDC) The focus of these projects is on applying energy consumption standards and ensuring that all refineries adhere to these standards based on their energy usage. Current data indicates that energy utilization across the nations petroleum refining facilities, aside from operational demands, hovers at an approximate threshold of 60 million barrels of crude oil annually. Iran is presently engaged in the operation of ten oil refineries, boasting a crude oil processing throughput of roughly 2.37 million barrels per day. Moreover, considering the elevated energy demand during the summer months and the augmented gas consumption in the winter season, the imperative to enhance energy efficiency across diverse sectors continues to be a paramount focus within the nation. --- Follow the author on X: @BaghishovElnur ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 10. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) and Eurasian Logistics Park (ELP) have launched one of Kazakhstans largest international-class A warehouse complexes, Trend reports via the EDB. The newly established logistics hub encompasses over 50,000 square meters of storage space and is strategically situated at the intersection of key transport routes along the Western ChinaWestern Europe corridor. Its principal advantages include proximity to the Big Almaty Ring Road interchange (5 km), the international airport (approximately 20 km), and a 35-minute connection to the center of Almaty. Financing for the project commenced in 2024 through the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), which provided 16.6 billion tenge (approximately $32.7 million) for the construction of the Eurasian Logistics Park. The total investment in the project amounts to 22.1 billion tenge ($43.5 million). Sergey Ignatov, Senior Managing Director and Head of the EDB Project Unit, emphasized, "For the EDB, this initiative constitutes a systemic contribution to the development of Eurasias logistics network. The project is designed to generate growth drivers rather than merely serve as storage facilities: it reduces costs, accelerates delivery, and ultimately enhances the affordability of goods for millions of consumers from Almaty to Minsk. The Eurasian Logistics Park represents a tangible cornerstone in the foundation of our strategic mega-project the Eurasian Agricultural Goods Distribution System." The project was executed by Aurora Development with the participation of co-investor Sudakov Group. According to EDB analysts, demand for e-commerce warehouse space in Eurasia could increase from 2.9 million m to 22.827.3 million m by 2040. Overall, demand for modern warehouse space in the region is expected to nearly double by 2040, surpassing 120 million m. The EDB is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. By July 2025, the EDBs cumulative portfolio comprised 319 projects with a total investment of $19.1 billion. The conversions from tenge to USD are derived from the official exchange rate established by the National Bank of Kazakhstan, which, as of December 3, 2025, stands at 1 USD = 508.2 tenge. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The second day of the event "Asset Integrity & Corrosion and Coatings Conference," dedicated to the oil and gas sector, was held in Baku, Trend reports. The event brought together prominent industry experts, company executives, and technology providers to engage in discussions on the latest advancements in asset integrity protection, corrosion control, and protective coating technologies. Participants explored the current state of the industry, examining the risks, technical solutions, and global best practices. Erkin Aksu, Chief Integration Engineer for Corrosion and Cathodic Protection (CP) at the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), emphasized the critical role of corrosion control in ensuring pipeline safety and integrity. He explained, As part of the risk-based approach (RBI), corrosion risk is assessed by analyzing cathodic protection measurements, line inspection data, and soil type along the pipeline route. This data is then used to develop a risk matrix, identifying sections that require inspection and the frequency of these inspections. This methodology not only optimizes costs but also extends the service life of the assets. Aksu highlighted that the primary challenges for long-distance pipelines include both internal and external corrosion, as well as the degradation of coatings. Failure to address these issues promptly can result in accidents, production interruptions, environmental hazards, and substantial financial losses. At TANAP, engineers continuously monitor the performance of coating and cathodic protection systems, coordinate field measurements and external surveys, and analyze inspection data to assess external corrosion and metal loss. All findings are digitally recorded and monitored through a GIS platform, he added. Meanwhile, Suleyman Suleymanov, head of the integration management department at Energizer Azerbaijan, stated that Azerbaijan has broad prospects for developing energy efficiency. According to him, analysis of the country's energy market in recent years shows that energy efficiency, energy monitoring, and sustainable development are becoming the next important stage: "Companies operating in the energy supply and rental sectors have focused on making more efficient use of existing resources. As part of a tender announced by the Ministry of Energy last year, energy audits were planned in the residential and industrial sectors, including factories. To this end, data was collected from more than 40 energy-intensive enterprises, and some of them underwent a detailed energy audit as a pilot project. The conducted analysis showed that the country has significant potential in the field of energy efficiency. Currently, work is underway on cogeneration projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy. He also emphasized that, in addition to this, local companies are participating in a technical assistance project on decarbonization of heating systems and integration of renewable energy sources, financed by the Asian Development Bank. The expert also noted that energy efficiency, unlike renewable energy projects, is not a visually tangible area: Although solar or wind power plants can be seen physically, the results of energy efficiency are more evident in the form of reduced consumption and economical use of resources. At the same time, while renewable energy projects usually require high capital investments, energy efficiency is achieved through proper analysis and optimization of existing infrastructure. Projects implemented within the framework of public-private partnerships contribute to the development of energy efficiency, and we plan to continue working in this direction, Suleymanov added. According to the director/general manager of the Azerbaijani division of the international corporation National Oilwell Varco (NOV), one of the world leaders in the production of equipment and technologies for the oil and gas industry, NOV Azerbaijan LLC, Gerard Dennehy, Azerbaijan has geothermal resources, especially in Karabakh, and the use of a special coating for pipes improves the efficiency of drilling these geothermal wells. According to him, the technology of thermal insulation of pipes using a special coating is recommended for deep and high-temperature wells, and also increases the efficiency of drilling in geothermal projects. I believe that Azerbaijan has resources, especially in Karabakh, that can be used. And thanks to special pipe coating, it is possible to obtain significantly more benefits when drilling geothermal wells, he stated. Gerard Dennehy recalled that the TK-liner system, developed by Tuboscope more than 25 years ago, is widely used, and today, about 70 million feet of pipe are equipped with similar liners. He also noted the importance of the TK-Ring, which ensures unobstructed flow and safe descent of tools into the well. More than 500 representatives from over 20 countries participated in the event. Over 50 speakers presented at the conference, and more than 25 companies showcased their technological solutions. In total, there were over 50 technical sessions, several panel discussions, and various networking events. LISBON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A majority of the musicians and performers competing in Festival da Cancao 2026 (Song Festival 2026) announced on Wednesday that they will refuse to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 if they win the national competition, in protest against Israel's participation. According to Lusa News Agency, 17 artists signed a joint statement declaring that they will not take part in Eurovision should they become Portugal's representatives. "With words and with songs, we act within the possibilities we have. We do not condone the violation of Human Rights," they wrote, criticizing decision of Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP), Portugal's public service broadcaster to support Israel's participation during the Dec. 4 vote at the European Broadcasting Union's general assembly. The artists expressed shock that Israel was not banned from participating, despite, according to the UN, committing acts of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The 60th Festival da Cancao will take place in February and March 2026, with winner of this national competition, organized by RTP, is expected to represent Portugal at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled for May in Austria. Opposition to Portugal's participation in Eurovision 2026 is growing across multiple sectors. Multiple employee representative bodies within RTP have called on the broadcaster's management to withdraw from Eurovision, arguing that allowing Israel to continue participating amounts to the "normalization" of a country accused of serious human rights violations. Salvador Sobral, Portugal's 2017 Eurovision winner, also criticized RTP's decision on social media, accusing the broadcaster of "institutional cowardice" for simultaneously participating in Eurovision while planning to broadcast a concert on Wednesday to raise funds for Gaza, in which he himself will take part. Public opposition continues to grow. A petition launched on Dec. 5 demanding RTP, and therefore Portugal, withdraw from Eurovision 2026 as long as Israel remains in the competition has already gathered more than 22,000 signatures. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is setting up a new investment platform aimed at attracting capital from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to projects across Central Asia, Trend reports via EDB. As part of this effort, the bank has opened a representative office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the UAE capitals international financial centre. The opening ceremony was attended by ADGM Authority CEO Salem Al Darei and EDB Chairman Nikolai Podguzov. According to the bank, the Abu Dhabi office will allow it to work more directly with regulators, sovereign wealth funds and other institutional investors in the Gulf. A specialized infrastructure credit fund will form a central part of the new platform. Registered under ADGM jurisdiction, the fund will focus on debt financing of EDB-backed infrastructure projects in Central Asia and is intended to provide Middle Eastern and international investors with a structured, regulated means to invest in the region. The banks move follows a year of increasing engagement with Gulf markets. In 2025, the EDB placed two dirham-denominated bond issues: a $50 million equivalent offering on the Astana International Exchange in April, and a $54 million equivalent placement in the UAE in June with the participation of First Abu Dhabi Bank and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. To note, a joint forecast by the EDB, the Islamic Development Bank and the London Stock Exchange projects Islamic banking assets in the region to reach $6.3 billion by 2033, with sukuk issuance expected to grow to $5.6 billion. 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. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 10. Uzbekistan and Turkiye have discussed expanding the participation of Turkish investments and capital in the Uzbek market, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan. The issue was raised during a meeting between representatives of the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, officials of the Uzbek Embassy in Turkiye, and representatives of Turkish business circles operating in Uzbekistan. The meeting focused on comprehensive preparations for the upcoming session of the Uzbek-Turkish High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, as well as on exploring new areas for expanding Turkish capital involvement in bilateral cooperation. The sides also went over existing challenges tied to rolling out joint projects and initiatives, along with steps to boost the business environment and investment conditions further. At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to consistently develop and expand bilateral cooperation ties and to continue systematic interaction in the identified priority areas. Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkiye amounted to $2.43 billion from January through October 2025. According to official data, this figure shows a slight decrease compared to the $2.46 billion recorded in the same period of 2024. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 10. On December 1112, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Trend reports via Kremlin. The primary purpose of President Putin's visit is to participate in a high-level forum dedicated to celebrating several significant international milestones: the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Day of Neutrality, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans permanent neutrality. During the forum, the Russian President is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of foreign states. These discussions are expected to focus on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties, as well as addressing regional and international cooperation. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The Ardabil-Parsabad railway line in Ardabil Province in northwest Iran could enhance railway connections and freight transportation between the province and Azerbaijan, the governor of Ardabil Province, Masoud Emami Yeganeh, said in an interview with Trend. He posits that the Ardabil-Parsabad railway corridor is classified as the subsequent segment of the Ardabil-Mianeh rail network. Emami Yeganeh indicated that a segment of the research pertaining to the development of the roughly 270 km Ardabil-Parsabad railway corridor has been finalized. The governor stressed that collaborative efforts are presently in motion with Irans Planning and Budget Organization (PBO) to secure the requisite technical licensing for the development of this railway infrastructure. "One of the issues currently prioritized by the Ardabil governorate is the construction of a railway terminal in the village of Tazekand in Parsabad district. This terminal is located opposite the Imishli district of Azerbaijan. There will be close coordination with that region. Over the past years, an agreement regarding this railway has been reached between the two countries. The Iranian government has expressed its approval of this railway. This line could facilitate the development of railway connections between Ardabil province and Azerbaijan. The railway will also provide Ardabil province with access to the South Caucasus, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and Eastern European countries via rail," he concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, December 10. Japan and Kyrgyzstan discussed the final draft of the Master Plan for developing value chains in vegetable production and selected crops using a cluster-based approach, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. The discussion took place during a session of the Working Group on food value chains, convened under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and chaired by Deputy Minister Bekten Bekbolotov. The Master Plan was developed as part of the national Program for the Development of the Food and Processing Industry for 20232027. According to reports, the document is designed to serve as a practical tool for improving production efficiency, enhancing the processing and promotion of agricultural products, boosting the sector's investment attractiveness, and fostering the growth of cluster-based agriculture in the country. Earlier, Bakyt Torobaev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, announced that Kyrgyzstan is preparing to launch a Unified Personal Account for all agricultural service users. Torobaev explained that this new system is being developed to provide a unified digital platform, offering farmers, processors, and exporters a single point of contact for all interactions with government agencies. Through this platform, users will be able to submit applications, upload documents, process payments, track service statuses, and obtain electronic certificates and protocols without the need to visit state institutions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Samaddin Asadov, met with a delegation from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) under the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China, to discuss prospects for expanding cooperation in the transport and logistics fields, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport. Asadov emphasized that Azerbaijan was one of the pioneering nations to endorse the Belt and Road Initiative and regards the Middle Corridor as a critical element of this global project. The Deputy Minister elaborated on the substantial investments made in the country's transport infrastructure and highlighted the major connectivity projects undertaken over the past two decades. He underscored that close cooperation with regional countries has greatly enhanced the efficiency of transit routes. During the meeting, the Chinese delegation was also briefed on the progress of the Zangezur corridor project. It was emphasized that the development of this corridor will play a pivotal role in diversifying regional communications and fostering enduring peace and prosperity in the region. The parties acknowledged the substantial potential for deepening cooperation in transport and communications, sharing expertise, and launching new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral ties. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, December 10. Turkmenistan and Spain held diplomatic consultations focused on expanding bilateral relations, Trend reports via the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov met with Ricardo Martinez Vazquez, Ambassador of Spain to Turkmenistan (with residence in Moscow), who arrived in Ashgabat to take part in events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistans neutrality and the International Day of Neutrality. During the talks, the sides reviewed the current agenda of Turkmen-Spanish cooperation and exchanged views on prospects for further interaction. According to the ministry, both countries team up effectively within international and regional organizations, especially the UN, which shows in their backing of each other on various initiatives. In April 2025, Turkmenistan and Spain convened in Madrid for interministerial negotiations. The meeting discussed issues of political dialogue, expansion of trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation, and interaction in international organizations, including the UN, as well as the creation of mechanisms for bilateral interaction, including intergovernmental commissions or business councils. Issues related to promoting Turkmenistan's tourism potential were also discussed. The Year of Peace and Trust (2025) is a UN-declared observance initiated by Turkmenistan to promote global cooperation, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. The International Neutrality Day is a separate, annual UN-recognized day celebrated on December 12, first declared in 2017 to acknowledge the principle of neutrality in international relations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 10. Uzbekistan aims to increase the share of cashless payments made by the population in the trade and services sectors to 75% by 2030, Trend reports via the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. The initiative is stipulated in a presidential decree signed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and forms part of a broader strategy titled On Additional Measures to Promote Cashless Payments and Reduce the Share of the Shadow Economy. In addition, the decree sets the following key targets for reducing the share of the shadow economy by 2030: to reduce the share of the unobserved economy in relation to gross domestic product by 1.3 times; to raise the share of employment in the formal sector of the economy in the total economically active population to 64%; to improve Uzbekistans position by at least 30 places in both the Index of Economic Freedom and the Corruption Perceptions Index. Uzbekistan initiated the modernization of cashless payments around 2004 with the launch of the Uzcard system, gaining momentum after 2017 due to market reforms. The formalization of e-money occurred in 2020, leading to significant digital growth and aiming for widespread electronic/QR code payments by 2026. Key developments include the launch of the card processing system around 2004, increased use of salary cards from 2015 through 2017, and the government's "Digital Uzbekistan 2030" initiative post-2017, which expanded ATMs and POS terminals. The first e-money system, OSON, was registered in June 2020, and the ongoing 2020s have seen a substantial rise in digital payments and contactless technologies, with mandates for unified QR codes and cashless public transport expected by 2025/2026. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, December 10. Tajikistan called on major development institutions to expand financial support for the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Plant and other priority national projects during a dedicated investment forum held on the sidelines of the Financial Development Conference in Riyadh, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance. The funding event brought together representatives of the Islamic Development Bank, the Qatar Fund for Development, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and other international institutions. Tajikistans Minister of Finance, Fayziddin Qahhorzoda, delivered an extensive briefing on the current financing structure of the Rogun HPP, the progress of construction, and the role of international partners already participating in the project. A video presentation showcasing the latest construction stages of the hydropower plant was also demonstrated. Qahhorzoda emphasized the strategic and regional importance of Rogun, noting that its full completion would significantly strengthen energy stability across Central Asia. Given this significance, representatives of participating financial institutions were encouraged to intensify their engagement and consider additional mechanisms to support the next phase of construction. The forum also addressed financing needs for Tajikistans broader social infrastructure agenda, positioning the meeting as a platform for strengthening cooperation with Gulf and international development partners. Rogun HPP is designed to have an installed capacity of 3,780 MW (six units of 630 MW each), making it the largest hydropower facility in Central Asia. It is expected to generate an average of 14.4 to 17.1 billion kWh of electricity annually. Two generating units are already operational (Unit 1 in 2018 and Unit 2 in 2019), and a third is scheduled to begin operation by late 2025. Construction work is over 50% complete. The estimated total cost for the full completion of the Rogun HPP ranges between $6.4 billion (S&P Global Ratings estimate) and $10.9 billion (optimistic projection as of late 2025), with official World Bank studies estimating the completion cost at $4.8 billion back in 2021. Since 2008, the government of Tajikistan has invested over $5.04 billion into the project from both public and external sources. Tajikistan is actively seeking to raise a total of approximately $3 billion in grants and loans for the remaining construction phases. The appeal to the Gulf and international funds is intended to fill this gap. The discussions in Riyadh aim to build on major commitments already secured from development partners. Earlier the World Bank (WB) approved an initial $350 million grant as part of a larger multi-phase program. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) approved a financing program with a total envelope of $500 million, while the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) signed financing agreements worth $150 million. BEIJING, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China strongly deplores and firmly rejects the UK's political manipulation under the pretext of cybersecurity, and has lodged serious protests with the UK side both in Beijing and London, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday. Guo made the remarks at a daily news briefing when commenting on the report that the UK government on Tuesday announced sanctions on two China-based companies, alleging that they have carried out cyberattacks against the UK and its allies and that their activities are linked to the Chinese government. China stands against hacking and fights such activities in accordance with the law, Guo said, adding that China firmly oppose spreading disinformation out of political agenda. Noting that China is the biggest victim of cyberattacks, Guo said that a few months ago, China exposed a case about the U.S. National Security Agency carrying out cyberattacks and infiltration against China's National Time Service Center. He said it needs to be noted that the UK was exactly one of the springboards the U.S. used to launch the above-mentioned cyberattacks on China, adding that China has provided relevant information to the UK side. The UK and the U.S. are both members of the "Five Eyes" and NATO, Guo said, expressing the hope that the UK will explain its role in the U.S.'s cyberattacks against China's key information infrastructure. The world faces common challenges in cybersecurity, the spokesperson said, urging the UK to correct its wrongdoing at once, abandon double standards and attempts to politicize the issue, and work with China in a truly responsible and constructive manner to jointly uphold peace, stability and prosperity in the cyberspace. EBRD extends new loan to support MSMEs in Uzbekistan The EBRD is facilitating a financial infusion of up to $70 million to Hamkorbank, aimed at enhancing the operational capacity and growth potential of Uzbekistans micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Azerbaijan's Deputy Minister of Economy Samad Bashirli met with Head of the Eurasia Division of the Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) William Thompson to discuss future cooperation directions, the Ministry of Economy said in a statement, Trend reports. The meeting emphasized that cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OECD has been developing steadily over the years. At the meeting, participants recognized the partnership's tangible outcomes in a variety of sectors, including but not limited to digitalization, supporting economic diversification, developing small and medium-sized businesses, and linking foreign investors with local suppliers. In addition, the discussion highlighted the role that high-level meetings, webinars, and seminars played in the partnership's development. The parties held a dialogue regarding prospective synergies between Azerbaijan and the OECD, exploring avenues for collaboration in corporate governance frameworks, financial ecosystems, trade dynamics, and ancillary sectors. Azerbaijan engages with the OECD through a partnership initiated in 2009, focusing on economic reforms and governance under the Eastern Europe and South Caucasus Initiative. Key cooperation areas include economic diversification away from hydrocarbons, taxation transparency achieving a "compliant" status, SME development, corporate governance improvements, anti-corruption measures, and investment promotion. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, December 10. Tajikistan and Kuwait reviewed prospects for strengthening cooperation in economics, trade, and investment during a meeting in Kuwait City between Tajikistans Ambassador Zubaydullo Zubaydzoda and Kuwaits Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy Dr. Subaikh Abdulaziz Abdulmuhsin Al-Muhaizim, Trend reports via the Embassy of Tajikistan in Kuwait. Dr. Al-Muhaizim, who also serves as Acting Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Affairs and Investment, as well as Co-Chair of the TajikistanKuwait Joint Intergovernmental Commission, discussed with the ambassador the implementation of the outcomes of the Commissions fourth meeting on economic, trade, scientific, and technical cooperation. The sides exchanged views on advancing mutually beneficial initiatives and reaffirmed their interest in expanding collaboration across key sectors. They also underscored the importance of maintaining active dialogue within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission to support ongoing projects and identify new opportunities for partnership. The primary axis of cooperation is development assistance provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). To date, the KFAED has allocated approximately $200 million to finance critical infrastructure projects in Tajikistan across key sectors. A recent, major commitment highlights this relationship. In December 2024, the KFAED signed a loan agreement to allocate $100 million in financing for the construction of the Rogun HPP (disbursed in six tranches). This direct investment solidifies Kuwait's role in Tajikistan's energy security strategy. The meeting specifically addressed the implementation of the outcomes of the Fourth Session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission (held in early 2025). Key results from that session included the development of a draft roadmap to expand cooperation in trade, investment, and tourism; discussions on launching direct flights between Dushanbe and Kuwait; consideration of a proposal to create a joint airline with Kuwaiti investment to modernize aviation infrastructure. Despite robust financial cooperation, the direct bilateral trade volume remains very low. Tajikistan's exports to Kuwait in 2024 totaled only around $43,260, primarily consisting of articles of apparel and edible fruits, indicating vast untapped potential for commercial exchange that the Intergovernmental Commission aims to unlock. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. WSI, a company headquartered in the U.S. and part of Avail Infrastructure Solutions, is exploring business opportunities in Azerbaijan, Stanislav Rybakov, Key Account Manager at WSI, told Trend He made the remark on the sidelines of the Asset Integrity Corrosion and Coatings Conference (AICC) in Baku. Rybakov began by outlining the company's core focus, stating, "Our primary services revolve around equipment maintenance for oil refineries, particularly for pressure vessels. We specialize in extending the operational lifespan of equipment, including distillation columns, hydrocrackers, and delayed coker units." The company representative further explained that WSI is actively exploring business opportunities in Azerbaijan and the broader region, seeking local partners to facilitate the implementation of its services. "We focus exclusively on providing services rather than supplying products. Our participation in this conference is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the market, local regulations, and assessing potential for entry," he emphasized. Stanislav Rybakov also highlighted WSI's global presence, with ongoing projects across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Singapore, and Taiwan. He concluded by noting the company's intention to closely analyze the Caspian region market to identify and explore new opportunities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. U.S. Zerust Integrity Solutions company plans to provide anti-corrosion services at a number of oil and gas facilities and platforms, including Heydar Aliyev Refinery, in Azerbaijan next year, Ruslan Jafarov, the company's manager for the Caspian region, told Trend on the sidelines of the event "Asset Integrity & Corrosion and Coatings Conference" in Baku today. He articulated the organization's operational engagements in the Azerbaijani market. "We have been operating in Azerbaijan for more than five years. The head office of our 50-year-old enterprise is located in the U.S., and we provide our products and services in 70 countries. We focus on preventing corrosion in any factories and enterprises with our chemical products. As a result, we increase the life of those enterprises by up to 10 years," Jafarov explained. The company official noted their activities at the Sangachal terminal so far in connection with participation in strategically important projects in Azerbaijan and emphasized that they are evaluating the following proposals. "Currently, we provide anti-corrosion services on several oil and gas platforms in the country. We are holding joint meetings with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). In our negotiations, we are discussing the provision of our products and services at the Heydar Aliyev Oil Refinery and its affiliated enterprises for the next year," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. On December 10, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with Saipem S.p.A. CEO Alessandro Puliti to discuss expanding ongoing collaboration on energy projects in Azerbaijan, Trend reports via SOCAR. During the meeting, appreciation was expressed for the ongoing collaboration between SOCAR and Saipem S.p.A. Discussions focused on potential opportunities for further partnership on projects currently being carried out by Saipem S.p.A. in Azerbaijan. The meeting also facilitated an exchange of perspectives on future steps aimed at strengthening and expanding the mutual partnership. SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic) and Saipem S.p.A. have a strong, ongoing partnership in Azerbaijan's energy sector, collaborating on major offshore projects like the Shah Deniz compression project (with BP) and redevelopment of fields like Bahar & Gum Deniz, involving significant EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation) work, utilizing local assets, and discussing future energy transition projects, highlighting mutual commitment to Azerbaijan's energy development. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Azerbaijans Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, met with Turkiyes Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, within the framework of the 5th meeting of energy ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Istanbul, Trend reports via the country's Energy Ministry. At the meeting, the parties expressed satisfaction with the progress of energy cooperation over the past year. They discussed the current state of collaboration in hydrocarbons, renewable energy, and regional energy connectivity projects. It was highlighted that Azerbaijan had exported 594 million kWh of electricity to Turkiye during the first ten months of the year. In light of the increasing demand for electricity in Turkiye, the importance of establishing electricity interconnectors between the two countries was emphasized. In this regard, the potential implementation of the Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan)-Turkiye Energy Hub project was explored, both through direct connections from Nakhchivan and via the Zangezur Corridor. Moreover, opportunities for further collaboration with Turkiye under the framework of the Central Asia-Azerbaijan Green Energy Corridor were assessed. These initiatives are anticipated to significantly enhance energy ties within the OTS framework. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Photo: Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 10. Kazakhstans banking sector is expected to remain resilient in 2026, supported by the countrys continued economic expansion, specifically 5.6% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026, Trend reports via Fitch Ratings. According to the organization, both stronger oil output and steady development outside Kazakhstan's mining industry will help underpin financial results. Despite pressures on interest margins and a slowdown in consumer lending growth, overall profitability is expected to remain strong. Fitch highlights that high policy rates, manageable credit costs, and ample opportunities for loan issuance will continue to support revenue generation. The agency further anticipates that banks will sustain solid capital and liquidity positions. The sectors average Tier 1 capital ratio is projected to remain near 20%, supported by robust earnings and moderate growth in risk-weighted assets. Liquidity buffers are expected to stay substantial, bolstered by significant holdings of high-quality liquid securities, while limited reliance on wholesale borrowings reduces refinancing risks. However, certain regulatory factors may slightly hinder performance. Recent macroprudential measures aimed at curbing retail lending are already dampening risk-taking appetite, and the gradual increase in reserve requirements through the third quarter of 2026 may raise funding costs and exert downward pressure on margins. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 10. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev will visit Ashgabat on December 11-12, according to a report from the press service of the Kazakh president, Trend reports. Tokayev will participate in the forum dedicated to the International Year of Peace and Trust, the International Neutrality Day, and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. On November 25, during the official visit of Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov to Kazakhstan, the two presidents signed a joint statement, and members of the official delegations exchanged several intergovernmental and interagency documents. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan were established on October 5, 1992. The Year of Peace and Trust (2025) is a United Nations-declared celebration initiated by Turkmenistan to foster worldwide cooperation, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan's permanent neutrality. The International Neutrality Day is an annual, UN-recognized observance held on December 12, originally proclaimed in 2017 to honor the ideal of neutrality in international affairs. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Astana is preparing for the visit of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with the transport sector expected to be an important, if not key, topic of discussion. Kazakhstan and Iran are participants in the eastern branch of the International North-South Transport Corridor, which connects Russia and Central Asia with the ports of the Persian Gulf and India. In 2024, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan signed a roadmap for the synchronized development of the corridor for 2024-2025. The implementation of the measures is expected to increase the corridors capacity to 15 million tons by 2027 and 20 million tons by 2030. However, despite the progressive development of transport cooperation, a number of unresolved issues remain. Specifically, UN ESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) representative Azhar Jaimurzina Ducrest, previously stated in an interview with Trend that it is necessary to reassess the bottlenecks on the North-South route and eliminate the accumulated restrictions of recent years. Kazakhstans Minister of Transport, Nurlan Sauynbaev, announced at a recent briefing that a meeting with his Iranian counterpart is being prepared, during which Astana plans to raise the issue of Iranian vessels access to Kazakh ports. This issue is complicated by international sanctions imposed on Iran. Restrictions, including those from the U.S., create risks for the use of Iranian vessels in international trade, directly impacting logistics in the Caspian region. An additional challenge for regional connectivity remains the environmental situation: the persistent drop in the Caspian Sea level has sharply reduced the loading capacity of Kazakhstans ports of Aktau and Kuryk, with vessels only able to load up to 30% of their capacity. This problem also affects Iran, making it a significant topic for bilateral discussions. Kazakhstan is actively expanding its presence in the southern ports of Iran. Astana is interested in establishing a logistics center in the Bandar Abbas region, and in May 2025, Kazakhstans railway freight operators announced plans to build a terminal and logistics hub at the Shahid Rajaee port. Both sides have also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. These projects are aimed at reinforcing Kazakhstans position in the international transport network and boosting Central Asias transit potential. An important factor in the development of trade was the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Iran and the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union), which came into force on May 15, 2025. It grants Iran preferential access to 90% of the commodity nomenclature, and average import duties for goods from the EAEU have been reduced from 20% to 4.5%. According to the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran grew by 44% in January-September 2025, reaching $310.8 million. Iran also remains an important market for Kazakh grain, with shipments totalling over 1 million tons in the 2024/2025 marketing year- a significant increase compared to 86,000 tons the previous year. Iran has also shown interest in participating in road construction projects in Kazakhstan, which could significantly expand transport infrastructure. Kazakhstan, for its part, is ready to provide Iranian investors with financial incentives and investment guarantees. Masoud Pezeshkians visit to Astana could be a turning point in deepening the transport partnership between the two countries. Removing restrictions, developing port and land infrastructure, and leveraging the opportunities presented by the free trade agreement could elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level and substantially increase freight traffic between the two nations. People wearing face masks are seen in Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain, on Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Catalonia region reinstated the mandatory use of face masks in hospitals and health and residential care centers on Wednesday. The measure has been approved for an initial period of 15 calendar days. According to the Catalan health department, the decision was prompted by "a very significant increase in acute respiratory infections" across the northeastern region. The mandatory use of face masks in hospitals and health centers had not been in place in any part of Spain since July 2023, when the Spanish government lifted the requirement nationwide as the COVID-19 pandemic eased. Under the latest measure, face masks are mandatory for workers, patients and visitors in hospitals, all healthcare centers, mental health facilities, and residential centers for the elderly or people with disabilities. Hospitalized patients are exempt from wearing masks when they are in private rooms. The requirement was approved on Tuesday by the Catalan government's Executive Council and took effect on Wednesday following its publication in the Official Gazette. The incidence of influenza cases is currently higher than at the peak of the past three flu seasons, the Catalan health department said. Hospital admissions have already surpassed the maximum recorded in the 2022-2023 season and are on track to exceed those of the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons as well. A woman wearing a face mask is pictured in Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain, on Dec. 11, 2025. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua) ASTANA, Kazakhstan, December 10. Kazakhstan has agreed to redirect 58,000 tons of oil from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline system through the port of Aktau to Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), Trend reports via KazTransOil. "The increase in oil supplies to export destinations in December 2025 compared to the initial transportation schedule approved by the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is as follows: Atyrau - Samara - by 232,000 tons; China by 72,000 tons; the port of Aktau (in the direction of Baku Tbilisi Ceyhan) by 58,000 tons," the information says. The company noted that the deliveries were agreed with international partners and shippers. In addition, during December 2025, the company will provide oil companies with the opportunity to temporarily store oil in the tank farm for safekeeping. On November 29, at 06:06 Astana time, CPCs marine infrastructure facilities at the port of Novorossiysk were targeted by unmanned vessels. The attack caused significant damage to the VPU-2 remote mooring device, which has since been taken out of service pending comprehensive repair and restoration. CPC transports crude oil from three major Kazakhstani fields: Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak. In 2024, the transhipment volume reached approximately 63 million tons of oil. BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. Three members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, also called SEPAH) were killed today in Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran during an armed incident involving terrorist groups, Trend reports via the IRGC. According to the report, the IRGC members were killed in an armed clash in the Lar border area of Zahedan city in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Law enforcement agencies are actively engaged in the pursuit of the individuals implicated in the recent terrorist incident, who have absconded from the operational theater. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SANYA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The ecological conditions of Hainan Island's coastal waters remain generally favorable, with seawater quality consistently ranking among the highest in China and biodiversity maintained at a relatively high level, according to a report. The Report on Marine Ecological Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, released on Wednesday by the South China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources, summarizes and showcases the achievements in marine ecological protection and sustainable development of Hainan Island. The report compiles continuous monitoring data from 2020 to 2024 on the water quality of Hainan Island's coastal waters, marine sediments, and marine biodiversity, as well as monitoring data from key distribution areas of seven typical marine ecosystems. These data are used to systematically analyze the marine ecological conditions of Hainan Island. The Hainan Free Trade Port is preparing for island-wide special customs operations starting Dec. 18. The report was released at the 6th Symposium on Global Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, which opened in Sanya, Hainan Province, on Wednesday. More than 300 guests from over 30 countries and regions attended the symposium, including experts, scholars, government officials, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations. During the two-day event, participants will engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as building a stable and sustainable global ocean governance system, managing maritime disputes, and sustaining peace in the South China Sea. ACEP internship program builds Alaskas next workforce Yuri Bult-Ito Fairbanks-based interns gather in summer 2025 in front of UAFs Usibelli Building, which houses the Alaska Center for Energy and Powers Fairbanks office. The Alaska Center for Energy and Power summer internship program is accepting applications for summer 2026. The program offers undergraduate interns opportunities to engage in the energy ecosystem of Alaska through projects in marine, geothermal or high-latitude solar energy, heat pumps, cyberinfrastructure or data analysis. For 10 weeks, interns gain hands-on research experience in Fairbanks or Anchorage and skill development in applied energy research under faculty mentorship. By providing mentorship and hands-on experiences, we are creating pathways for students to bring their lived experience in Alaska to grow skills that address complex energy challenges in our state, said Annalise Gerlach, ACEP program architect, education and workforce development lead. The program offers three tracks: Research Experiences for Undergrads, for students embarking on their first research experience, supported by the National Science Foundation. ACEP Undergraduate Summer Internship, for experienced students interested in an advanced research project, supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research. Utility-Research Partnerships, a new track for research conducted by ACEP and local utility collaborators. These internship projects build out a network of innovators and creative thinkers, building our future homegrown workforce in Alaska, added Gerlach. ACEP has employed over 200 summer interns since 2008. In 2025, 17 students were selected for the internship from 162 applicants from around the nation. Past ACEP interns have gone on to careers in areas including energy development, engineering and policy, and some of the past interns are now mentoring the next generation. Students interested in learning more about the internship and projects should visit the 2026 internship program page. Visit ACEPs internship program website to learn about past intern projects. The application period is open through Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. Successful applicants will be offered interviews in mid-February. ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Patty Eagan, pmeagan@alaska.edu 120-26 Allgood also went on to help build the Healthy Bites program as UCs student body vice president. Healthy Bites allows students to apply for funds to be added to their university ID card that can be used to purchase healthy snacks at UC markets. Embraced by UC, the program continues to this day, providing food access at six different locations, including two satellite campuses. Allgood continued expanding food justice programming at UC as a graduate assistant helping to run the BCP. Today, she is employed at American University as its first-ever student support coordinator, transforming its pantry, The Market, from a sterile distribution site into what she calls a cultural and resource hub that is rooted in dignity. One of her favorite aspects is helping students learn to cook meals using the ingredients they receive at The Market. Everything I know now and all the ways Ive been able to transform The Market at AU is thanks to what I learned at the Bearcats Pantry, she said. Allgoods commitment, said Jenny Hyest, director of UCs Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, is what made her stand out to the Marshall Commission. The authenticity of her application was unmistakable, said Hyest. Food access isnt just something Taylor does. Its who she is. There can be no question that she will drive real change in this field. She has to because it is just that urgent to her. She has such clarity clarity of voice, of vision and of purpose. Shell Plc is planning to dissolve a partnership with Russia's Rosneft PJSC through which the two oil giants jointly own a stake in a pipeline from Kazakhstan. Bloomberg reported this in an article, according to Ukrinform. According to people familiar with the matter, if the process is successful, Shell will still retain its stake in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), but it will no longer be held jointly with the Russian energy giant, which is under sanctions. In March 2022, Shell pledged to gradually withdraw from the Russian oil and gas market due to Russia's war against Ukraine. According to the sources, Shell has no plans to quit the wider CPC venture. Shell's total stake in CPC is 7.4%, according to the company's website. That includes 3.75% through the venture with Rosneft, 1.75% through direct participation and 2% through its affiliate BG Overseas Holding Ltd. CPC carries Kazakh barrels to the Black Sea coast through Russia, and its shareholders include several global oil majors, as well as Russia's largest producers Rosneft and Lukoil PJSC, both sanctioned by the US. The Rosneft-Shell JV owns 7.4% in the consortium. In the recent months, the CPC infrastructure has been a target of multiple drone attacks. The strikes have led to temporary halts and curtailments in oil loadings, and the latest attack shut in one out of three CPC moorings, key for the facility's operations. Ukraine didn't explicitly take responsibility for the attacks, although Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry said it was in touch with Ukrainian officials via diplomatic channels over the incidents.. As reported earlier, after another strike by Ukraine's Defense Forces on Novorossiysk (Russia) on the night of November 29, Kazakhstan began urgently seeking ways to reroute its oil exports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry called on Ukraine to take measures to "prevent similar incidents in the future." Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated that, considering Kazakhstan's concerns regarding CPC infrastructure, none of Ukraine's actions are directed against third parties. Photo: Julian Hochgesang on Unsplash Russia has been waging a hybrid war against Germany for years, so work is currently underway to strengthen the army and improve the civil defense system. This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Martin Schelleis, Federal Commissioner for Crisis Resilience, Security Policy, and Civil-Military Cooperation of the Order of Malta in Germany, retired Lieutenant General of the Bundeswehr. For many years, we have been observing Russia's increasingly aggressive hybrid war against Germany. Cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, espionage, including with the use of drones, have become commonplace, Schelleis said. The agency's interlocutor, who served in the army for 46 years, noted that the current priority is to strengthen the Bundeswehr, which, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plan, should become the most powerful conventional armed forces in Europe, at least in Western Europe. To achieve these goals, EUR 154 billion is planned to be spent on defense by 2029 and another 66 billion on defense infrastructure, which is more than double the current amounts. So, there is enough money, now we need to recruit personnel very quickly today there are 184,000, the goal is 260,000 produce materials and construct buildings. The regulatory framework is being adjusted everywhere to speed up implementation, Schelleis said. The former military commander noted that defense, which has been largely neglected in Germany since 1990, is attracting more and more attention as its shortcomings become apparent. He also acknowledged that Germany has quite decent capabilities, but they are mostly focused on protection against disasters in peacetime. Now they have to be made fit for war in terms of quality and quantity, he stressed. Schelleis expressed hope that with the adoption of the KRITIS framework law [Critical Infrastructure Act] and the implementation of EU Directive NIS 2 [updated version of the EU Directive on the security of network and information systems], an expanded legal basis for the protection of critical infrastructure has been created. Now it needs to be filled with content. As reported, Western, in particular German, intelligence services warn that Russia may attack Europe by the end of the decade. The occupation authorities in the Russian-held part of Kherson region are negotiating with Belarus to transfer sections of the Azov-Black Sea coast under the guise of developing resorts. This is according to the National Resistance Center (NRC), Ukrinform reports. Volodymyr Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of the region, publicly declared his willingness to grant Belarus part of the Azov-Black Sea coastline supposedly for the construction of sanatoriums and recreation facilities, describing the area as an ideal place for resort development, the report says. The NRC reports that Volodymyr Saldo, the Moscow-installed head of the region, publicly declared his willingness to grant Belarus part of the coastline for building sanatoriums and recreation facilities calling the area an ideal place for resort development. According to Saldo, discussions on transferring shoreline plots have already taken place. However, the NRC warns that this rhetoric masks a clear intention to dispose of Ukrainian territory and to involve a third country in controlling it. Its sources say talks with Belarusian organizations have been underway since at least summer 2024. At closed meetings, occupation officials reportedly discussed specific coastal areas between Henichesk and the Arabat Spit that could be handed over for long-term use. In private, Saldo frames the potential transfer as a trade for Minsks political loyalty, which would give Russia a pretext to legitimize Belarusian presence in the region. According to the NRC, the resort narrative is simply a cover story. The territories would in fact serve as dual-use sites logistics hubs, restricted facilities, and deployment points for Russian and Belarusian security forces. Such activity, it notes, allows the Kremlin to cement military and political control, bring in allied forces, and circumvent international law while entrenching itself on Ukrainian soil. The occupiers view Kherson region as a resource zone, with resort rhetoric serving only as a facade for strengthening the military and political presence of allied forces, the NRC stressed. As reported by Ukrinform, under the Kremlins Effective Region project, a new structure will oversee the activities of puppet administrations in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Estonia began digitalizing public services as soon as it restored its independence. Today, 100% of services are available online and accessible to Ukrainian refugees as well. Petra Holm, a digital transformation adviser at e-Estonia, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. "We started digitalizing as soon as we got our independence back as a national strategy. There was not much else we could have succeeded at, because there are few people and natural resources in Estonia. We needed to find a way to build a lean state and try not to become as heavily bureaucratic as established democracies," she said. Holm noted that technologies were a way for Estonians to build an efficient state and added that any interaction with the state has a digital option. The exception is certain municipal-level services, which vary by region. "Quality of life is the reason we built the digital state. We want people not to waste time, energy, brain cells, and nerves on interacting with it. Things should be automatic, efficient, and hopefully one day proactive," the adviser said. She explained that in a proactive system, public services are provided automatically for example, child benefits without requiring an application. Holm added that individuals who arrive in Estonia legally, including those with refugee status, immediately receive an ID card and gain access to the digital infrastructure. BUDAPEST, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hungary will not implement the European Union's new migration pact and will refuse to accept any migrants under the scheme, senior government officials said on Wednesday. Gergely Gulyas, head of the Prime Minister's Office, told reporters that EU interior and justice ministers had adopted an implementing decision defining the number of asylum seekers and reception capacity allocated to Hungary. On Monday, the European Council reached a political agreement on the 2026 migration "Solidarity Pool," which provides for the relocation of 21,000 asylum seekers across member states and includes 420 million euros (489.5 million U.S. dollars) in financial contributions. Gulyas said the mechanism could "in a crisis situation allow the unlimited redistribution of migrants," a prospect the Hungarian government considers unacceptable. "Hungary will not implement the migration pact, and will not accept a single migrant," he said. He added that the government had followed "the most democratic procedure" by holding a referendum in which, according to him, an "overwhelming majority" rejected mandatory migrant resettlement. For this reason, he argued, the EU cannot decide "with whom Hungarians should live together." Prime Minister Viktor Orban also criticized the decision, calling it "a new, absurd, and unjust attack against Hungary" in comments posted on social media. He said the pact would oblige Hungary to either take in migrants from other EU countries or pay a financial contribution starting next July. "I want to make it absolutely clear once and for all that as long as Hungary has a national government, we will not implement this outrageous decision," Orban said. He added that next April's elections would determine whether Hungarians want "a government that will strike a deal with Brussels and accept the migration pact, or ... a migrant-free Hungary." Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama delivers a speech at the World Health Expo Leaders Africa Summit in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 9, 2025. TO GO WITH "Ghanaian president urges private sector to co-invest in Africa's health industrialization" (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) ACCRA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday urged private sector players to collaborate with African governments in co-investing in the continent's health industrialization to enhance healthcare and service delivery. At the opening of the two-day World Health Expo Leaders Africa Summit in Accra, the Ghanian capital, Mahama said that Africa seeks a new partnership paradigm, one that is defined not by dependency, but by co-investment, innovation, and shared values. "So we call on vaccine manufacturers to partner with us to build African vaccine production hubs. We call on pharmaceutical companies to expand into biologics, generics, and essential medicine manufacturing in Africa," Mahama said. He also urged diagnostics innovators, biotechnology firms, and medical device producers to establish assembly plants with research and development centers and fabrication facilities in Africa to ensure easy access for African health institutions. Mahama said the continent has learned valuable lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, when the continent was often last to receive support during global health emergencies, underscoring the need for a paradigm shift. Highlighting the African Continental Free Trade Area as a unified market of about 1.3 billion people, Mahama noted a growing innovation ecosystem and the African Medicines Agency's role in strengthening regulatory alignment. He expressed confidence in the imagination and ingenuity of young African innovators, artificial intelligence developers, medical technology creators, and digital health entrepreneurs to shape the future of Africa's healthcare and build a new health order. The summit is attended by health officials from various African countries, as well as representatives from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and allied organizations. An exhibitor checks a patient monitoring machine at the World Health Expo Leaders Africa Summit in Accra, Ghana, on Dec. 9, 2025. TO GO WITH "Ghanaian president urges private sector to co-invest in Africa's health industrialization" (Photo by Seth/Xinhua) The political firestorm surrounding a University of Oklahoma psychology assignment took an unexpected turn this week after the head of the Oklahoma Federation of College Republicans publicly rejected claims of ideological discrimination and instead defended the professor who gave student Samantha Fulnecky a failing grade. In a statement later removed from X, chairman Conner Tranquill said the paper that sparked national attention was academically 'indefensible' and that the zero was 'demonstrably correct'. The case, which has drawn coverage from local outlets to political commentators, centres on Fulnecky's claim that she received a zero because of her religious and conservative beliefs. She has since appeared on local news stations asserting she was discriminated against, while Turning Point USA's OU chapter amplified her story as an example of ideological bias on campus. But Tranquill, one of the state's most visible young conservative leaders, argued the opposite insisting the assignment failed on academic grounds alone. A Rare Public Reprimand From Within the Party In his statement, Tranquill criticised not only the essay but the decision of TPUSA's OU chapter to elevate it publicly, calling the move 'a serious lapse in judgment'. He wrote that the paper failed to meet foundational college-level requirements, noting that it did not cite its primary source the Bible and did not address the assignment's academic objective. 'We are not the party of participation trophies,' he added, arguing that conservative student groups weaken their credibility when they rally behind poor-quality work. That unusually candid tone led observers to remark that it was 'rare when you see a Republican go off script and speak truth', as one viral Reddit comment put it. However, within hours of posting the message, Tranquill's X account was set to private for a time, and the statement could no longer be publicly accessed. Some users speculated he had faced internal pressure, while others suggested he had grown tired of online backlash. His silence since the post's removal has only intensified questions about how the controversy is playing inside Oklahoma's conservative student circles. Currently, Tanner's profile is set back to public, but his profile photo says he will be away from the platform for 90 days. University Investigation Continues as Professor Placed on Leave OU confirmed that the essay dispute is the subject of an active investigation, and the professor involved has been placed on administrative leave as per university protocol. The school also clarified that Fulnecky's zero will not affect her academic standing while the review is ongoing. The university's decision to temporarily remove the professor from classroom duties has further fuelled online speculation, with some arguing it validates Fulnecky's discrimination claims. Others say it reflects standard procedure rather than wrongdoing a measure taken routinely to ensure neutrality during academic disputes. Student reactions on social platforms remain divided. Supporters of Fulnecky argue that even poorly executed assignments should not be grounds for ideological bias, while critics counter that academic standards must be enforced consistently. Across platforms like Reddit, many users expressed that regardless of politics, the essay did not meet basic expectations for a college-level submission. Fulnecky Takes Her Case Public as Debate Widens While the investigation unfolds, Fulnecky has been using airtime on local news outlets to describe herself as an advocate for students who feel silenced in academic environments, firm on defending her faith in public. Her media appearances frame the controversy as part of a broader struggle for ideological representation in higher education, a message resonating strongly with conservative audiences. But Tranquill's statement has complicated that narrative. His insistence that conservative movements must not conflate political identity with academic performance introduced a tension many on the right are now openly debating: whether the push to defend students ideologically risks undercutting long-term efforts to demonstrate academic rigour and intellectual credibility. What remains clear is that the controversy has moved far beyond a single psychology essay. It now sits at the intersection of student politics, academic standards, and national debates over bias in higher education with both sides claiming the incident supports their broader worldview. Originally published on IBTimes UK Martin University, Indiana's only Predominantly Black Institution of higher education and a 48-year lifeline for low-income, first-generation college students in Indianapolis, will suspend all operations on December 13leaving 164 students scrambling to complete degrees and community leaders mourning the loss of an institution that served the city's most vulnerable learners. The Board of Trustees announced the "pause" in operations Tuesday, citing crushing financial challenges, enrollment collapse, and the absence of any endowment to cushion the blow. While university officials carefully avoided calling it a permanent "closure," stating that discussions continue about carrying forward Martin's mission, higher education experts and community members recognize the grim reality: institutions that pause operations rarely reopen. "To see Martin University go would be an atrocity for the state of Indiana," State Representative John L. Bartlett, a Democrat from Indianapolis who previously served as board chair for Martin University and earned his degree there in 2010, told local media. "This is directly out of [President] Trump and Gov. Braun's agenda." The closure, effective at the end of the current fall semester, represents not just the loss of a university but the elimination of Indiana's only predominantly Black institutiona designation separate from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) because Martin was founded after the 1964 cutoff date for that federal classification. For students like psychology majors preparing to graduate in May, the news delivered just weeks before final exams represents a devastating disruption to carefully laid plans. "It's going to affect me drastically," one student told WISH-TV. "If there's no way to fix our outcome for us so we can continue to graduate, therefore we will have to apply to other schools." A Mission Born From Civil Rights Martin University's story began in 1977 when Boniface Hardin and Jane Edward Schilling founded what was originally called Martin Center College. The institution grew organizationally out of the Martin Center, a nonprofit human services agency, with a specific mission: serve low-income, minority, and adult learners who had few other options. The university's name honored two figures committed to racial justice: civil rights movement leader Martin Luther King Jr. and St. Martin de Porres, the 16th-17th century Peruvian saint who worked to achieve racial harmony and is considered the patron saint of mixed-race people. From its campus at 2186 North Sherman Drive on Indianapolis's near southeast side, Martin University carved out a unique niche in Indiana higher education. While the state has dozens of colleges and universities, none specifically targeted the population Martin served: working adults, often with families, who needed flexible schedules, affordable tuition, and supportive services like on-campus childcare to pursue degrees while balancing jobs and family responsibilities. "It just gives us an opportunity to do things. People that come from the hood, the neighborhoods, the low poverty...we need this," student Sasha Ashmore told WISH-TV. "So if we can get any help to keep Martin University open...I'm also a student that wants to go back for my master's degree." Sasha Townsend, another student, highlighted the critical role of Martin's childcare services: "With them closing their doors, and not offering any more classes in the spring, it will affect me and my child. It's very flexible that I can bring my child with me." The Numbers Tell a Devastating Story Federal data paint a picture of an institution struggling long before its final closure announcement: Enrollment: Just 164 undergraduate studentsa catastrophically low number for any university Financial Need: 75% of students receive income-based Pell grants (maximum family income typically under $60,000) Graduation Rate: 15%among the lowest for any accredited US institution Endowment: $0no financial cushion whatsoever Annual Cost: Approximately $13,500 after Martin lowered tuition in 2023 to improve accessibility The low enrollment meant fixed costsbuildings, utilities, administrative staff, accreditation feeswere spread across too few students paying tuition. At 164 students paying roughly $13,500 annually, gross tuition revenue would total approximately $2.2 millionbarely enough to cover basic operations, let alone faculty salaries, student services, facilities maintenance, and the myriad costs of running an accredited university. The 15% graduation rate, while alarming on paper, reflects Martin's student population rather than necessarily indicating institutional failure. Non-traditional adult learnersstudents balancing work, family, and educationface completion barriers that traditional 18-22-year-old residential students don't encounter. Job losses, family emergencies, childcare disruptions, and financial crises can derail degree completion even when students desperately want to finish. But low graduation rates create a vicious cycle: prospective students see the numbers and choose other institutions, enrollment drops further, financial pressures intensify, and institutional capacity to support struggling students deteriorates. The State Funding Fight The proximate cause of Martin's closure can be traced to state budget decisions in 2025. Former Governor Eric Holcomb had provided Martin University with $5 million in one-time funding in the 2023-2025 budget cyclea lifeline that kept the struggling institution afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic's aftermath and its continued enrollment challenges. When Governor Mike Braun proposed his 2025 budget, Martin University was conspicuously absent. The $5 million in state supportrepresenting a substantial portion of the university's total operating budgetsimply disappeared. Community members and lawmakers raised alarm bells immediately. Protests and advocacy efforts followed, with supporters demanding Braun meet with Martin leadership and reconsider the funding elimination. Braun eventually visited Martin University and met with community members, but ultimately, his budget did not include any funding for the institution. In February, Braun explained that Martin still had approximately $1.5 million remaining from the previous grant and suggested he'd planned on supporting Martin in creating more workforce-focused degrees and programsessentially offering potential future support contingent on institutional changes while eliminating existing support. For an institution with just 164 students, no endowment, and already teetering on financial collapse, losing $5 million in annual state support while being told to restructure curriculum was an impossible calculus. Representative Bartlett's statement connecting Martin's closure to "Trump and Gov. Braun's agenda" reflects widespread perception among progressive advocates that small institutions serving primarily low-income Black students are being systematically defunded while resources flow to workforce training programs and institutions with politically connected leadership. The President's Departure Adding to Martin's instability, President Sean Huddleston stepped down effective November 28, 2025just eleven days before the closure announcementafter six years leading the institution. Board Chairman Joseph Perkins praised Huddleston's efforts, noting he "worked tirelessly" up to his last day exploring ways to keep Martin open. Huddleston officially left "to pursue other opportunities," though the timing suggests he recognized the university's situation was unsalvageable. Losing institutional leadership weeks before a closure announcement is rarely coincidental. Presidents typically depart troubled institutions either because they've exhausted all options and see no path forward, or because boards want to make changes but discover the underlying problems are structural rather than leadership-related. Martin had also planned to launch a fully online campus in early 2026an expansion that might have attracted students beyond Indianapolis and provided enrollment growth to offset declining on-campus numbers. That plan is now presumably dead alongside the institution itself. Students Left in Limbo For the 164 currently enrolled students, the closure announcement creates immediate crises: December Graduates: Students scheduled to complete degrees in December will presumably receive diplomas as planned, though questions remain about institutional support for transcripts and credential verification once operations cease. May Graduates: Students on track to finish in spring 2025 face the worst situation. They're months from completion but won't have a spring semester to finish required courses. Will they transfer to other institutions and complete there? Will Martin arrange teach-out agreements with other schools? Will their credits even transfer? Earlier-Stage Students: Those with two or three years remaining face starting over or transferring with uncertain credit acceptance. Will Indiana universities accept Martin's credits? What about students in specialized programs like addiction counseling or urban ministries that aren't widely offered elsewhere? Financial Aid: Students receiving Pell grants will presumably be able to use those funds at other institutions, but what about Martin-specific scholarships or aid packages? Do those simply disappear? Childcare: Students like Sasha Townsend who relied on Martin's on-campus childcare to make education possible will need to find alternative arrangementsan expense and logistical challenge that may force some to abandon degree pursuits entirely. Community Ties: Adult learners often choose institutions near home and work. Transferring to other Indianapolis universities may require different schedules, longer commutes, or programs that don't accommodate working adults' needs. Martin representatives stated that "clear degree completion options will be provided to all students as soon as they're confirmed" and that students will "continue to have access to their transcripts." But as of the closure announcement, no specific teach-out agreements or completion pathways had been publicly identified. The uncertainty itself becomes an obstacle. Students facing spring semester need to register at other institutions now, apply for financial aid, arrange schedules, and make childcare and work arrangementsbut they can't do that without knowing what credits will transfer and what programs will accept them. What Happens to Indiana's Only Black Institution? The designation of "Indiana's only Predominantly Black Institution" carries significant weight beyond demographics. HBCUs and PBIs serve essential functions in American higher education. They graduate disproportionate percentages of Black professionalsincluding teachers, nurses, social workers, and community leaders who return to serve their communities. They create campus environments where Black students aren't tokenized or isolated. They maintain institutional cultures that understand first-generation students' challenges and systemic barriers facing low-income families. When Martin University closes, Indiana loses its only institution specifically designed to serve these populations. Yes, other Indiana universities enroll Black students, but none were founded with that mission, none structure programs specifically around the needs of low-income adult learners, and none can replace Martin's role in Indianapolis's Black community. State Representative Gregory Porter, a Democrat from Indianapolis, emphasized the gravity of Martin's pause: "The key word is pause, and we hope we can get our act together as a city and as an institution to move forward to continue to give first generation students the opportunity to go to school, and help non-traditional students and for the students who have some college to go back." The optimism about resurrection seems misplaced given higher education's historical precedent. Small private institutions that close due to financial collapse rarely reopen. The infrastructure disperses, accreditation lapses, faculty and staff find other employment, students transfer elsewhere, and the institutional knowledge and culture that made the place unique simply evaporates. The National Context: Small College Apocalypse Martin University's closure fits a troubling national pattern. Small private institutions, particularly those serving low-income students without substantial endowments, are facing existential pressures: Enrollment Demographics: The "enrollment cliff"declining numbers of college-age students due to birth rate drops following the 2008 recessionis hitting hardest at institutions that can't be selective. Financial Aid Challenges: Students who would benefit most from higher education often can't afford it even with Pell grants, while institutions struggle to provide additional aid. Competition: Online programs, community colleges, and workforce training alternatives are luring students away from traditional four-year degrees. Outcome Pressures: Low graduation rates and weak employment outcomes trigger federal scrutiny, accreditation warnings, and reputational damage that further reduces enrollment. COVID Aftermath: The pandemic devastated enrollment at institutions serving non-traditional adult learners, many of whom dropped out due to job losses, family crises, or childcare disruptions and never returned. Martin checked every box on the vulnerability list: small, private, no endowment, serving primarily low-income students, low graduation rates, enrollment collapse, and loss of state funding. The wonder isn't that it closed, but that it survived as long as it did. The Political Dimension Representative Bartlett's statement blaming "Trump and Gov. Braun's agenda" reflects bitter political divisions over higher education funding priorities. Conservative policymakers, including Braun, have emphasized workforce development, practical job training, and "return on investment" metrics for higher education spending. From this perspective, universities with 15% graduation rates and unclear employment outcomes for graduates represent poor uses of taxpayer funds. Progressive advocates counter that education's value extends beyond immediate job placement, that institutions serving disadvantaged populations face structural challenges that simplistic metrics don't capture, and that eliminating the only institution serving Indiana's Black community represents abandonment of equity commitments. The Trump administration's broader higher education policiesfunding freezes for universities over antisemitism allegations, diversity program elimination, and "merit-based" funding prioritiescreate a national context where small institutions serving primarily minority students feel targeted. Whether Martin's closure stems from deliberate policy choices to defund such institutions or from broader enrollment and financial trends that would have doomed the university regardless of state support depends largely on political perspective. What's undeniable is that state funding elimination accelerated the timeline, with the university unable to survive even one budget cycle without that support. Last-Ditch Fundraising Martin University has launched a donation campaign seeking community support to sustain operations through December. Board Chairman Perkins's statement emphasized that "A primary need of Martin's is for more community support. This includes funding for its vast first-generation college students who are fighting courageously to make a better life for their families." The request for donations to fund operations "through December" itself signals the desperate situation. Universities typically operate on budgets planned years in advance. When you're asking for donations to make it through the current month, institutional collapse is essentially complete. The December fundraising timeline also suggests the university is attempting to: Pay faculty and staff through semester's end Complete fall semester obligations to students Maintain facilities until students leave campus Fund administrative operations needed for transcript production and student support during transition Whether the community can or will provide sufficient funding remains unclear, though the broader question is what purpose such funding serves if operations are pausing regardless. Keeping the lights on for three additional weeks doesn't solve the underlying enrollment and revenue problems that made closure inevitable. The Last Days Martin University's last day of classes is Friday, December 13, 2025. After 48 years of operation, that's how it endsnot with celebration or ceremony, but with scrambling students, uncertain faculty, and community members mourning the loss of an institution that served people and populations that larger, wealthier universities often overlook. Alumni President Dwight A. McGill Sr. issued a statement acknowledging the pain: "I'm writing to share news that weighs heavily on many of us who hold Martin University close to our hearts. The Board of Trustees has announced a 'pause' in university operations effective Friday, December 12." For the students, faculty, staff, and community members who invested in Martin's mission, the "pause" language offers little comfort. They understand that in higher education, pausing operations is almost always permanent. "I would hate to see it go. I hope there is something that can be done, whatever can be done," student Sasha Townsend told reporters, capturing the helpless hope of a community watching something precious slip away despite desperate wishes otherwise. Indiana's only Predominantly Black Institution, founded to serve those the state's other universities too often ignored, will close its doors in days. The question now isn't whether Martin University will reopen, but what will fill the void it leavesand whether anyone will bother trying. The University of Wyoming has established the Presidents AI Across the University Commission, a strategic initiative to guide and coordinate the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across academics, research and administration. Building on existing efforts in the Office of the Provost and elsewhere, the commission will provide leadership in guiding AI policy development; supporting educators, researchers and staff in deploying AI best practices; and fostering an understanding of AIs impact across the entire university. Its mission is to ensure that AI adoption at UW aligns with the universitys strategic priorities; meets the needs of faculty, researchers, staff and students; and is implemented ethically and compliantly. The 12-member commission -- chaired by Jeff Hamerlinck, associate director of the School of Computing and current Presidents Fellow -- includes people from across the university, including representatives of the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Associated Students of UW. The duration of the commission is open-ended, with initial appointment terms for commission members running through Dec. 31, 2026. AI is transforming every aspect of society, and UW is committed to leading responsibly in this space, President Ed Seidel says. This commission will ensure that our approach to AI reflects our mission and priorities, and positions the university for success in teaching, research and service to the state. Five thematic committees within the commission will further broaden campus participation and input, including the Teaching and Learning with AI Committee, a group already established by the Office of the Provost with more than 30 members and several active working groups. Other committees will focus on academic hiring regarding AI; AI-related research and development opportunities; AI services and tools; and external collaborations. With how quickly the AI landscape is evolving, its important to be coordinated in both identifying and understanding needs -- and responding in an appropriate and adequately resourced manner, Hamerlinck says. The commission aims to facilitate such an approach. The commissions first major deliverable, UW and AI Today, is scheduled to be completed by June 15, providing a strategic framework for UWs AI policy, investments and best practices over the ensuing two years. AI is transforming industries, education and public services worldwide. For Wyoming, embracing AI is critical to future economic diversification and workforce development, as well as improved government operations, health care delivery and resource management, benefiting communities across the state, UW leaders say. By leading in responsible AI adoption, UW aims to empower Wyomings people and institutions to thrive in a technology-driven future. Additional details on the commissions work will be available soon on the UW Office of the President webpages. RABAT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 people were killed and 16 others injured when two buildings collapsed in the city of Fes in Morocco early on Wednesday, the state news agency said. KINSHASA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The March 23 Movement (M23) has entered the strategic city of Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the rebel group said in a statement on Wednesday. "We confirm that the city of Uvira is now liberated," M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka said on the social media platform X, calling on residents to resume activities with complete calm. Meanwhile, the DRC government has yet to comment on the latest development in Uvira. Since Wednesday morning, rebel forces were reportedly seen on the northern outskirts of Uvira before advancing into several neighborhoods. Residents told Xinhua that they saw individuals identified as M23 fighters moving through the city. Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu Province, has served as a temporary administrative center since the fall of Bukavu. Strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake at 36 km depth 10 Dec 14:55 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes. 10 Dec 14:59: Now using data updates from EMSC ... [show all] ... 10 Dec 14:59: Magnitude recalculated from 5.6 to 5.5. 10 Dec 15:00: Magnitude recalculated from 5.5 to 5.6. 10 Dec 15:00: Magnitude recalculated from 5.6 to 5.7. 10 Dec 15:02: Magnitude recalculated from 5.7 to 5.8. 10 Dec 15:03: Magnitude recalculated from 5.8 to 5.9. 10 Dec 15:04: Magnitude recalculated from 5.9 to 6.5. 10 Dec 15:04: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 15.00 to 33.00 km (from 9.3 to 21 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 149 km (93 mi) towards ESE. 10 Dec 15:06: Epicenter location corrected by 3.6 km (2.2 mi) towards NW. 10 Dec 15:08: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 33.00 to 57.00 km (from 21 to 35 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 85 km (53 mi) towards NNW. 10 Dec 15:10: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 57.00 to 34.40 km (from 35 to 21 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 81 km (51 mi) towards SSE. 10 Dec 15:20: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 34.70 to 31.40 km (from 22 to 19.5 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 0.7 km (0.4 mi) towards ESE. 10 Dec 15:32: Now using data updates from USGS Update Wed, 10 Dec 2025, 15:06 Significant magnitude 6.5 earthquake 107 km northeast of Hachinohe, Japan A second report was later issued by Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which listed it as a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Other agencies reporting the same quake include the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake at magnitude 6.0, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) at magnitude 6.0, and France's Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS) at magnitude 5.9. Generally quakes of this magnitude are recorded by more than one agency and the results can vary, with subsequent reports that come in after the first one often showing more accuracy. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc. In Hitokawame (pop. 24,300) located 106 km from the epicenter, Hachinohe (pop. 239,000) 107 km away, Misawa (pop. 42,800) 109 km away, Towada (pop. 60,700) 126 km away, Mutsu (pop. 56,200) 129 km away, Aomori (pop. 298,400) 162 km away, and Aomori (pop. 298,400) 162 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking. VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported a magnitude 6.5 quake in Japan near Hachinohe, Hachinohe Shi, Aomori, only 14 minutes ago. The earthquake hit after midnight on Thursday, December 11th, 2025, at 12:52 am local time at a moderately shallow depth of 33. km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.A second report was later issued by Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), which listed it as a magnitude 5.8 earthquake. Other agencies reporting the same quake include the citizen-seismograph network of RaspberryShake at magnitude 6.0, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) at magnitude 6.0, and France's Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS) at magnitude 5.9.Generally quakes of this magnitude are recorded by more than one agency and the results can vary, with subsequent reports that come in after the first one often showing more accuracy.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.In Hitokawame (pop. 24,300) located 106 km from the epicenter, Hachinohe (pop. 239,000) 107 km away, Misawa (pop. 42,800) 109 km away, Towada (pop. 60,700) 126 km away, Mutsu (pop. 56,200) 129 km away, Aomori (pop. 298,400) 162 km away, and Aomori (pop. 298,400) 162 km away, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake. Update Wed, 10 Dec 2025, 14:58 Seismic-like event, possible earthquake, reported few minutes ago near Odate, Akita, Japan Unconfirmed quake or seismic-like event reported: Akita, 28 km east of Aomori, Aomori, Japan, 6 minutes ago We are receiving unverified early reports of ground shaking possibly caused by seismic activity in or near Odate, Akita, Japan on 10 Dec 2025 (GMT) at approximately 14:52 GMT. There are no details yet on the magnitude or depth of this possible quake. If confirmed, we can expect more accurate data to emerge in the next few minutes. The location, magnitude and time mentioned are indicative, based on our best-fit seismic model. They are temporary until our AllQuakes monitoring service receives more exact scientific data from a national or international seismological agency. Check back here shortly and stay safe. Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Android | iOS and get one of the fastest seismic alerts online: Earthquake details Date & time Dec 10, 2025 14:52:24 UTC - Local time at epicenter Thursday, Dec 11, 2025, at 12:52 am (GMT +10) Status confirmed (manually revised) Magnitude 5.7 Depth 36.1 km Epicenter latitude / longitude 40.8471N / 142.7117E Shimokita-gun, Aomori, Japan Seismic antipode 40.8471S / 37.288W Quality 145 seismic stations Shaking intensity V Moderate shaking near epicenter Felt 17 reports Primary data source USGS (United States Geological Survey) Nearest volcano Osore-yama (142 km / 88 mi) Weather at epicenter at time of quake Clear Sky -2.7C (27 F), humidity: 88%, wind: 1 m/s (2 kts) from E Estimated seismic energy released 2.2 x 1013 joules (6.22 gigawatt hours, equivalent to 5351 tons of TNT or 0.3 atomic bombs!) | equivalent to ONE quake of magnitude 5.7 | about seismic energy [ show map ] [ smaller ] [ bigger ] Quake possibly felt by 3.2 million people According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 3.2 million people across Japan . For most people (95.7%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III). Approx. 130,000 people were in areas with According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 3.2 million people across. For most people (95.7%), the quake might only have felt as barely noticeable or weak shaking if at all (intensities I-III). Approx. 130,000 people were in areas with light shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas. MMI Level Shaking (3,238,800 in total) (3,238,800 in total) Possible damage I Not felt None II Very weak (5.48%) 177,400 None III Weak (90.27%) 2,923,700 Probably none IV Light (4.25%) 137,700 None or minor only V Moderate Minor VI Strong Minor to Moderate VII Very strong Moderate VIII Severe Significant IX Violent Heavy X Extreme Catastrophic Estimated number of people exposed to shaking from the earthquake by intensity (data coverage corresponding to attached map) Map of expected ground shaking intensity according to the MMI scale (shakemap, source: USGS) Map with population density (from white to black) in the area around the quake's epicenter (source: USGS) Alert level for this earthquake: Level GREEN Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that the risk of fatalities and damage from this earthquake is low. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: The maximum expected ground shaking from this quake was unlikely to reach dangerous levels over populated areas; it should not have surpassed intensity IV ( Light ) on the MMI scale significantly. ) on the MMI scale significantly. A large number of people was exposed to shaking from the quake, but only to weak intensities. shaking (intensity IV), the highest intensity this quake likely produced over inhabited areas.Based on seismic and statistical models, USGS estimates that. The main factors that contribute to this evaluation are: Comment Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction. A magnitude 7.7 earthquake 424 km northwest of this event struck Hokkaido Nansei-Oki, Japan on July 12, 1993 (UTC), with estimated population exposures of 84,000 at intensity VII and 4,000 at intensity VIII, resulting in a reported 230 fatalities. Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and fires that might have contributed to losses. Source: USGS Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. Expected fatalities The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level The risk of fatalities from this quake is considered low and classified as Level GREEN , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there are no direct fatalities as effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%. Expected economic damage The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level , the lowest on a color scale from Green (low) to Red (very high). USGS estimates that there is a 65.3% chance that there areas effect of shaking and a 30.2% chance that between 1 and 10 fatalities occurred. The likelihood that there are more than 100 fatalities is less than 1%.The economic impact of this earthquake is expected to be minimal or small (Level GREEN ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). ). Only light damage if any should have occurred. USGS calculates an 65.3% chance of total economic loss in the range of 0-1 million US Dollars and a 30.2% risk of losses between 1 and 10 million US Dollars. Total economic loss from this quake is not likely to surpass 10 million US Dollars (less than 1% chance). Ground shaking from this quake Map of estimated ground shaking (source:USGS) Ground accelleration map for this quake Map of estimated ground accelleration (source:USGS) Most recent quakes Top 20 past 24 hrs Quakes in Japan Compare Quake Data Data for the same earthquake as reported by different agencies The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag Depth Time GMT 2025-12-10 Epicenter Agency 5.7 36 km 22 mi 6.4 km 14:52:24.213 108 km NE of Kuji, Japan Epicenter uncertainty: 6.8 km USGS (United States Geological Survey) 5.82 0.4 10 km 6.2 mi (*) 14:52:21.932 0.19s Event of magnitude 5.8, near of Sapporo 20 km (12 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 4 km RENASS (Reseau National de Surveillance Sismique (ReNaSS)) 5.8 32 km 20 mi 14:52:24.6 Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan 2.9 km (1.8 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 3.3 km GFZ (German Research Centre for Geosciences) 6.0 48 km 30 mi 14:52:26 Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan 7 km (4.4 mi) epicenter difference with USGS RaspberryShake (RaspberryShake) 5.8 0.2 32 km 20 mi 14:52:24.188 Near east coast of eastern Honshu, Japan [Sea: Japan] 16 km (9.9 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 7.5 km INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia) 5.6 43 km 27 mi 2.5 km 14:52:25.417 0.27s Near East Coast of Honshu, Japan 5.5 km (3.4 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 4.1 km GeoAu (Geoscience Australia ) 5.7 37 km 23 mi 14:52:24.66 0.26s NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN 7.9 km (4.9 mi) epicenter difference with USGS Epicenter uncertainty: 4.6 km EMSC (European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre) 5.7 36 km 22 mi 14:52:24 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN 0 km (0 mi) epicenter difference with USGS IRIS (Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology) Notes: (*) A depth given as 10 km often means that the the depth of the quake could be not determined with sufficient accuracy. We write in response to the joint letter dated 20 November 2025 from the Permanent Representatives of France, Germany and the United Kingdom (the E3) (S/2025/759), and wish to recall the joint letter by the Foreign Ministers of the Peoples Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation circulated on 2 September 2025 (A/79/1004S/2025/546), which explicitly set out our positions in regard to the snapback mechanism as follows: At the inception of JCPOA, when the snapback mechanism was established, it could hardly be foreseen that the United States would be the first to break its obligations. The United States decision in May 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from JCPOA and undermine the resolution fundamentally affected the modalities of triggering the snapback mechanism, which can no longer be used in relation to Iran without properly addressing and resolving in advance the significant non performance by the United States. Germany, France and the United Kingdom, as well as the European Union, not only agreed to comply with the illegal discriminatory United States sanctions against Iran but also imposed their own restrictive measures in breach of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) and JCPOA, despite their obligations therein, including in the run-up to the Transition Day on 18 October 2023. It would be worth recalling, in this context, a key principle of international law endorsed by the International Court of Justice that a party which disowns or does not fulfil its own obligations cannot be recognized as retaining the rights which it claims to derive from the relationship. In contrast, Irans remedial measures, including its suspension of implementation of JCPOA commitments, were taken strictly in response to the United States withdrawal and violation of all its commitments and after an extended period of Irans continued compliance and the E3/European Union inaction in redressing the situation. Reciprocal steps taken by Iran cannot serve as a basis for triggering the snapback mechanism. It is unacceptable that this mechanism is misused to reward the United States withdrawal and the subsequent failure by the E3/European Union to uphold their obligations, including those that were set forth in the statement following the meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission held on 25 May 2018. Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) is indivisible, and JCPOA is an inseparable part of it. To that effect, paragraph 11 of the resolution does not exist in isolation from paragraphs 36 and 37 of JCPOA. In fact, the E3 is not entitled to invoke paragraph 11 and send a notification to the Security Council of an issue that it believes constitutes significant non-performance of commitments under JCPOA before the requirements of paragraph 36 are fulfilled. Claims by the E3 that it has exhausted the procedure set forth in paragraph 36 of JCPOA are false. In fact, the JCPOA Joint Commission was not convened to consider the communication of Germany, France and the United Kingdom dated 14 January 2020. The dispute resolution mechanism was not activated due to some procedural gaps that, in turn, made it impossible to review the issue at the ministerial level or in the Advisory Board. Since the requirements of paragraphs 36 and 37 are not met, the communication by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom cannot be considered as a notification submitted by a JCPOA participant State under paragraph 11 of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015). Therefore, we reaffirm that the attempt by the E3 to trigger the so-called snapback is, by default, legally and procedurally flawed, and the claims made by the E3 in their above-mentioned letter are irrelevant and unfounded. Against this backdrop, we reaffirm that, in accordance with operative paragraph 8 of Security Council resolution 2231 (2015), all its provisions have been terminated after 18 October 2025. We reiterate that the full and timely conclusion of resolution 2231 (2015) marks the end of the Security Councils consideration of the Iranian nuclear issue and contributes to strengthening the authority of the Council and credibility of multilateral diplomacy. The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Peoples Republic of China and the Russian Federation remain fully committed to constructive diplomatic engagement with all Council members. We stand ready to support collective efforts to uphold the exclusively peaceful nature of Irans nuclear programme. We emphasize that it is essential for all relevant parties to stay committed to finding a political settlement that accommodates the concerns of all parties through diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principles of mutual respect, and to refrain from unilateral sanctions, threat of force or any other action that may escalate the situation, and that all countries should contribute to creating a favourable atmosphere and conditions for diplomatic efforts. We would appreciate it if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council. BUJUMBURA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Burundi has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels advanced into Uvira, a strategic city in eastern DRC and located near Burundi's economic capital Bujumbura, Congolese security sources said Wednesday. Fugitive ends up behind bars after the mayor of an Italian town spotted him posing among the statues in a Christmas crib. A man on the run from police in Italy was arrested on Saturday in Galatone, in the southern Puglia region, after he was discovered posing as a statue in a large-scale Nativity scene. The man, a 38-year-old from Ghana, was first spotted in the crib scene by none other than the town's mayor, Flavio Filoni, according to local news outlet LeccePrima. Filoni was passing by the Nativity scene in Piazza Santissimo Crocifisso when he noticed the incredibly lifelike figure, whose realistic features made him initially consider contacting the organisers to congratulate them. Upon closer inspection however, the mayor realised that the figure was in fact a man and not a statue. Filoni then called on another town official to assist him in persuading the man to leave the Nativity scene. They reportedly met resistance from the man who, apparently confused, claimed the crib was his home. After abandoning this idea the man entered the nearby church where he attempted to get undressed, by which stage the police intervened and took him to the station in Nardo. It was there that the police discovered that the man had been issued with a nine-month prison order in Bologna for aggravated assault and resisting a public official. He was arrested on the spot and taken to Lecce prison. Italy successful in bid to have Italian cuisine recognised by UNESCO. Italian cuisine has been officially recognised as a cultural treasure by UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural body announced during an assembly in New Delhi on Wednesday. The successful bid, which was launched in 2023 by the ministries of culture and agriculture, followed an initial green light from UNESCO last month. Italian cuisine will now be added to the UNESCO list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' as Italy becomes the first country to have its cuisine recognised in its entirety, rather than a single recipe or culinary tradition. Italy's bid underlined the close links between Italian food, culture and lifestyle, hailing the country's cuisine as a social ritual that binds families and communities together. In making its decision, UNESCO said Italian cuisine is a "cultural and social blend of culinary traditions," "a way of caring for oneself and others, expressing love and rediscovering one's cultural roots, offering communities an outlet to share their history and describe the world around them." "It is a communal activity that emphasises intimacy with food, respect for ingredients, and shared moments around the table" - UNESCO said - "People of all ages and genders participate, exchanging recipes, suggestions and stories, with grandparents often passing down traditional dishes to their grandchildren". L@UNESCO ha riconosciuto la Cucina Italiana Patrimonio dellUmanita: una notizia che ci riempie di orgoglio.#IntangibleHeritage #LivingHeritage pic.twitter.com/Axumwl6N0u Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) December 10, 2025 In a video post on X, Italian premier Giorgia Meloni said that news of the UNESCO recognition "fills us with pride". "We are the first in the world to receive this recognition, which honours who we are and our identity" - Meloni said - "Because or us Italians, cuisine is not just food or a collection of recipes. It is much more: it is culture, tradition, work, and richness." Welcoming the result, Italian agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida said the recognition "celebrates the strength of our culture, which is our national identity", adding: "Today, Italy has won, and it's a celebration that belongs to everyone because it speaks to our roots, our creativity and our ability to transform tradition into reality." Italy recently boosted its candidature with an open-air lunch in the Roman Forum attended by Meloni, Lollobrigida and culture minister Alessandro Giuli. Meloni, who appeared live on the Domenica In television show during the lunch, praised Italian cuisine as "one of the most extraordinary things we have, expressing our culture, our identity, our tradition, but also our strength." Italy's successful bid for Italian cuisine is set to register a boost in tourist numbers, according to industry groups, with research showing that locations linked to food traditions recognised by UNESCO are more attractive to visitors. Italy now has 21 traditions inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, nine of which are related to the agri-food sector, including truffle hunting and the art of the Neapolitan pizza maker or pizzaiuolo. BUJUMBURA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Burundi has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) after the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels advanced into Uvira, a strategic city in eastern DRC located near Burundi's economic capital, Bujumbura, Congolese security sources said Wednesday. The M23 said in a statement that its fighters have entered Uvira. "We confirm that the city of Uvira is now liberated," M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka posted on X, urging residents to resume their activities calmly. However, the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) dismissed the claim as "a diversion" intended to cause panic. "The city and its surroundings remain under the control of the loyalist army," said regional FARDC spokesperson Mbuyi Kalonji Reagan, calling on residents to remain calm and vigilant. Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu Province, has served as a temporary administrative center since the province's capital, Bukavu, was taken over by the M23 earlier this year. Bordering Burundi, Uvira is a key commercial hub and a gateway to the Great Katanga region, one of the DRC's main economic zones. Between Dec. 5 and 9, nearly 38,000 asylum seekers crossed from the DRC into Burundi to escape insecurity in the east, Burundi National Radio and Television reported Wednesday. Eoin Reynolds A jury has viewed CCTV footage of the moment a father of four fatally stabbed a man outside his home in what he later told gardai was an act in defence of his family and his property. The trial also heard on Wednesday that the accused man, Patrick Murphy, seemed "slightly nervous" when gardai knocked on his door within hours of the death of 20-year-old Jordan Ronan and "muttered" under his breath, saying: "This is a load of bol****s." Mr Murphy (37), of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, has accepted that he stabbed Mr Ronan, causing his death, but has pleaded not guilty to his murder. Patricia McLaughlin SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the jury at the Central Criminal Court that Mr Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest in the early hours of the morning on July 26th, 2024. In her opening speech last week, Ms McLaughlin said Mr Murphy later told gardai that he was acting in defence of his family and his property. On Wednesday, Gda Dara Kelly told Ms McLaughlin that he compiled CCTV footage taken from three houses on Drumcairn Avenue and a Ring doorbell attached to Mr Murphy's house. Gda Kelly identified the accused and deceased in the footage between 3.07am and shortly before 3.13am. Gda Kelly agreed with Ronan Kennedy SC, for the defence, that prior to arriving at Mr Murphy's house, Mr Ronan could be seen walking up a driveway where he tried the door of a car before leaving. On arrival at Mr Murphy's house, Mr Ronan entered the driveway, activating "convenience lights" in Mr Murphy's van, the witness said. Gda Kelly agreed that from 3.08am, the footage showed a light flickering and movement inside Mr Murphy's van before Mr Ronan moved to a BMW 2-Series belonging to Mr Murphy's partner. At 3.12am, Gda Kelly said Mr Murphy appeared at the front door of his house and nine seconds later - the "altercation" with Mr Ronan already having happened - Mr Murphy could be seen standing back away from the car. Under reexamination, Gda Kelly told Ms McLaughlin that the footage shows Mr Murphy running from his house to the BMW and pulling open the door. Gda James Cullen told Ms McLaughlin that he arrived at the Drumcairn area at 2.58am that morning and found members of Dublin Fire Brigade attempting CPR on a male, who the garda recognised immediately as Jordan Ronan. A fire brigade member handed Gda Cullen a Revolut Card registered to Patrick Murphy, which had been found on the deceased. Gda Cullen said he was not aware of any association between Mr Murphy and Mr Ronan. Later that morning, Gda Cullen went to Mr Murphy's house on Drumcairn Parade and asked him to make a statement about the theft of his Revolut card. While taking the statement, Gda Cullen heard Mr Murphy "mutter under his breath", saying: "This is a load of boll***s." Gda Cullen said the accused's leg was shaking and he seemed "slightly nervous". Mr Murphy told Gda Cullen that he was going for a job interview that morning and said it was "ridiculous" that he was still up and that it felt like he had done something wrong. Gda Cullen agreed with Mr Kennedy that Mr Murphy was polite and courteous at all times. Inspector Barry Houlihan arrived at Mr Murphy's house before Gda Cullen. He noted a white Transit Van in the drive and found the slide door on the side was unlocked. When Insp Houlihan knocked on the front door, Mr Murphy's partner answered and said that Mr Murphy was in bed. When Mr Murphy came outside, he confirmed he had left his Revolut card in the Transit van and agreed to allow gardai to carry out a technical examination. Det Inspector Houlihan noted that Mr Murphy appeared nervous and didn't seem like someone who had just woken up. His hair was neatly combed with a fresh parting, he said, and he was "fresh looking and fresh smelling". Insp Houlihan agreed with Mr Kennedy that Mr Murphy had four children, including an infant in the house at the time. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury of five women and seven men. Convicted con artist Catherine O'Brien has had her sentencing pushed back - only days after appealing for a Waterford court to bring forward the date. The 48-year-old was due to be produced from Limerick Prison to Waterford Circuit Court on Wednesday, December 10, before Judge Eugene O'Kelly. O'Brien, of An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was found guilty of deception after a three-week trial in July 2025. She was charged with dishonestly by deception inducing a man to give her 20,000 to purchase a horse, 1,100 for insurance and 984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland. The jury heard that the victim had been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and suffered a stroke. O'Brien was deemed medically unfit to attend her previously scheduled hearing in November. Judge O'Kelly pushed the matter back to January. Last week, O'Brien's legal team requested that her sentence date be brought forward, alleging that the Prison Services couldn't properly facilitate her sentence via video link. On Wednesday, December 10, Waterford Circuit Court received a letter claiming that the defendant was in hospital. Defence counsel Ronan O'Carroll BL said that the letter had been written by a doctor who was not O'Brien's "treating doctor" and she was no longer in need of medical attention. Judge O'Kelly said: "I am satisfied that the doctor says whatever ailment she had no longer seems to be an issue. Presumably she's being brought back to Limerick Prison. "I am in the middle of two trials, I have afforded her many opportunities to be sentenced but unfortunately due to her medical conditions it hasn't happened. Are you saying I drop everything to sentence her?" Mr O'Carroll denied the assertion and said that there was a concern about the "lawfulness" of O'Brien's detention because Limerick Prison "couldn't facilitate" a video-link hearing while she was at hospital. Judge O'Kelly commented: "Your client has had many bench warrants and she has absented herself numerous times." The matter has gone back to its original date of January 14, 2026. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme A mother of two has been given a seven-month suspended sentence for stealing toys from Aldi. Shannon Connors (29), of 18 Beech Drive, Greenfields, Waterford, pleaded guilty to theft at Aldi, City Square, Waterford, on September 13, 2025, at a sitting of Waterford District Court before Judge Cephas Power. Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that on the day of the incident, the defendant entered the supermarket with a buggy and two children. She placed the toys valued at 12.96 under the buggy, paid for other items and left the store. The court heard that the defendant had over 100 previous convictions, including 29 for theft, as well as burglary, possession of drugs with the intention to sell or supply and criminal damage. Acting for the defendant, solicitor Derrick Connors said that the woman has two children on the autism spectrum and that they had, unbeknownst to the defendant, put the toys under the buggy. Mr Connors said that his client was distracted by the children while shopping and it wasnt a deliberate act. Ms Connors only realised afterwards and apologised. However, Judge Power noted the number of previous convictions and that she had been prosecuted for a similar offence earlier this year. He sentenced her to seven months in prison, but suspended it for 12 months in light of the fact that her children were dependent on her. Funded under the Court Reporting Scheme Gerard Couzens A Spanish judge has decided there is enough evidence to charge Gerry The Monk Hutch - and asked public prosecutors if they want to formally accuse him of money laundering. Well-placed sources said last month, after it emerged the alleged crime boss planned to run as a candidate in the upcoming Dublin Central by-election, that the long-running criminal probe he has been the focus of following his arrest in Lanzarote in October 2024 was nearing its end. The 62-year-old spent nearly a fortnight on remand in prison on the holiday island, along with another suspect who was among nine people held as part of a money laundering investigation. Today, the Canary Islands High Court confirmed public prosecutors had been asked by the investigating judge heading the case whether they intended to indict Hutch. Officials said in a statement: The Investigating Court Two of Arrecife, Lanzarote, has converted the preliminary proceedings initiated against an Irish citizen investigated as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang for alleged money laundering into summary proceedings. The suspect was held in preventive detention between 25 October and 4 November and is currently on provisional release on bail. A total of 10 people are under investigation in the case. The proceedings have been referred to the Public Prosecutor's Office for it to report on whether or not to proceed to trial and, if so, to issue a provisional indictment. The identities of the persons under investigation are protected by the Organic Law on Data Protection. In response to questions from Irish and British journalists in recent weeks, the criminal proceedings are in no way affected by the fact that the main suspect has announced or confirmed that he is standing for election in his country. Preliminary proceedings become summary proceedings when the magistrate or investigating judge, after examining all the evidence deemed relevant, considers that there is reasonable evidence of criminality to bring criminal proceedings against the persons under investigation. In cases where the sentence that could be requested in abstract terms is less than nine years' imprisonment, summary proceedings are chosen. If the request could exceed this, a preliminary investigation would be initiated. By court order, the ruling is not being made public. Any trial, if it ends up going ahead, would be unlikely to take place before the by-election, Hutchs second attempt to take a seat in the Dail following his previous bid last year, when he used his political aspirations to secure bail after a month in Lanzarotes tough Tahiche Prison. But the timing of the end of the long-running investigation at a court in the Lanzarote capital Arrecife, could mean that when it comes round to poll day, public prosecutors will have already released their indictment calling for prison time for Hutch on conviction if he is ordered to stand trial. A secrecy order, preventing the Irishmans defence team from accessing full case files and public officials from making any detailed comment about the money laundering and criminal gang allegations he was facing, was in place for several months at the start of the court investigation. The Canary Islands High Court confirmed last month: The investigation led by Arrecifes Court of Instruction is still in its preliminary phase, in which the investigating magistrate is still probing whether crimes have been committed and if so who should answer for those offences. But the secrecy order that was in place has now been lifted. A well-placed insider who has been involved in the case said at the time: The investigation is nearing its end. Hutch could find out in a matter of weeks if there is a criminal case with formal charges laid. Another source added: A trial if charges are forthcoming wont happen any time soon, but if as expected, the judge rules in the run-up to Christmas or early in the New Year, public prosecutors will react very soon afterwards. If the judge recommends charges and trial, Hutch could well be going into the Dublin by-election with the real threat of prison hanging over his head. Hutch, beaten in last Novembers General Election, Labours Marie Sherlock in the race for the four-seater Dublin Central constituency after she received a few thousand transfers from both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in the last two counts to keep him out, has yet to make any official comment about his new Dail bid. But his associates have reactivated once-dormant Instagram and TikTok accounts used during his previous campaign. One of the main arguments accepted by public prosecutors and the investigating judge probing Hutch over alleged money laundering offences, who let him out of prison following his October 23 2024, arrest and incarceration and attached no travel ban to his release, was that it would harm his election chances. Hutch had to pay a 100,000 bail bond before he was allowed out of jail on November 4 last year. The Irishman was one of nine people accused of belonging to a 'criminal money-laundering gang' arrested during raids by police in Lanzarote and mainland Spain. One of the properties searched was Hutchs 450,000 penthouse in the popular Costa del Sol holiday resort of Fuengirola, where the Irishman was spotted the same day he was released after flying to Malaga from his Canaries home. A judge remanded Gerry and an alleged right-hand man to prison following behind-closed-doors court appearances, but released the other seven suspects on bail. In a statement the day of Hutchs release, court officials said: The Irish citizen remanded in custody in Lanzarote on October 25th as the alleged leader of an international criminal gang has been provisionally released on bail of EUROS 100,000 this morning, November 4th, after Court of Instruction Number Two in Arrecife upheld his appeal against the imprisonment order. The investigating magistrate took this decision after receiving a report from the Public Prosecutor's Office, which was favourable to the appeal. The Irish citizen is being investigated as the alleged perpetrator of a money laundering offence committed in the context of a criminal organisation. The Lanzarote court ruling follows claims from Garda sources earlier this week that they expected the case against Gerry Hutch to be dropped very soon. A well-placed source in Lanzarote said today: The investigating judges decision shows quite the opposite. The ball is now in the court of Spanish public prosecutors, and they will have to say whether they intend indicting Hutch. But the fact they are being asked and the judge clearly considers there is enough evidence to bring criminal proceedings against the people who have been investigated demonstrates things haven't gone cold or even lukewarm." Coral scientists capture larvae during this years annual coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A The worlds largest sex act unfolded in spectacular fashion on Tuesday night as the Great Barrier Reef undergoes its annual spawning event, with corals releasing billions of eggs and clouds of sperm into the sea off the coast of Queensland to seed the next generation of the reef. Its the one time of year the ecosystem under dire threat from climate change fights back with a soupy storm of fertility amid the fragility. And it reeks. Its a bit funky, University of Technology Sydney coral ecologist Dr Jen Matthews said. The sperm degrades quite quickly, and bacteria sets in. And so within a few hours, what you start to smell is decaying sperm. That has, as you can imagine, a very horrible smell. Loading Underwater, however, its an awe-inspiring breeding binge as the dark reef grows so dense with flurries of eggs that divers cant see their hands in front of their faces. Youre diving underwater and everything is black, and looking at these corals, they look very calm. Then all of a sudden, within 15 minutes, the whole water is filled with these little pink balls, Matthews said. It looks like its snowing upside down. Its really quite spectacular. Advertisement The synchronous spawning across the Japan-sized ecosystem occurs in a few big batches, always a few days after a full moon in November and December. Corals in warmer waters closer to shore spawned in November, while many of the corals that spawned on Tuesday night are further out to sea. The corals internal clock is so precise that even those taken from reefs and reared in labs for research and restoration spawn at the same time as their wild counterparts. Divers swim through the underwater snowstorm unleashed by the yearly spawning at Moore Reef. Calypso Productions/Tourism and Events Queensland Eggs and sperm float through coral with a one-in-a-million chance of fertilisation. Calypso Productions/Tourism and Events Queensland A marine biologist from tourism company Sunlover Reef Cruises monitors Tuesday nights spawning. Calypso Productions/Tourism and Events Queensland Its dictated by the lunar cycle, sunset times, day length, the rate of ocean warming that precedes the heat of the summer, plus tides, coral restoration scientist Dr Carly Randall from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) said. Those things coalesce, the coral sense them, and synchronise their spawning down to the minute on a given night. Advertisement As the reef faces rapid coral decline and chronic bleaching due to ocean waters driven abnormally hot by the burning of fossil fuels, the spawning also triggers a frenzy of scientific activity. Coral researchers rush to help boost the chances of new corals seeding by capturing clouds of coral gametes in floating pools, which takes chances of fertilisation from one in a million to one in 10,000. Corals release billions of eggs and clouds of sperm in a spectacular synchronised spawning based on the lunar cycle. The Reef Co-Operative Others are focused on gathering and rearing the larvae from the few corals that lived through back-to-back bleaching events in places such as Lizard Island; the offspring of these hardy survivors may better withstand future heat. Matthews research focus was partly inspired when she was pregnant with her daughter, Cora (named for coral). I was thinking about how nutrition is so important for humans in that early life stage. What if we could feed coral babies? Coral larvae were long considered almost as inanimate seeds, but we know now they can move and eat. Advertisement Matthews tested a range of fats that could work as coral baby foods, including Omega-3-rich fish oils and sterols. Turns out well-fed coral larvae swim faster and further, and are more resistant to heat. Dr Jen Matthews, coral scientist at the University of Technology Sydney, tests supplements on baby coral. Hadley England/UTS We found that we could double their survival, and thats under both normal and heat stress conditions. Matthews hopes nourishing larvae and young coral with food could one day make a large-scale difference in reef restoration. Meanwhile, Randall at AIMS and her team will begin work rearing the larvae that spawned from their coral brood stock on Tuesday night. It takes them about a week to develop before theyre ready to settle, when the tiny larvae swim down to the substrate, to begin growing as fixed coral, she said. The corals are then married up with the symbiotic algae that gives the animals their colour and energy before theyre dropped back out as babies onto the reef. Prominent coral scientists have debated whether restoration efforts are worth it given climate action is nowhere near fast enough to arrest the Great Barrier Reefs major threat, arguing money and attention should focus on slashing fossil fuels. The early life of a newly settled coral (bottom centre) is a battle for space with algae and other marine organisms. Janie Barrett Advertisement Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaForeign relations Opinion Secrecy over Pentagon review suggests theres stuff in there Australia doesnt want to talk about Michael Koziol North America correspondent December 9, 2025 9:18am December 9, 2025 9:18am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share A A A Given President Donald Trumps clear and emphatic commitment to the AUKUS agreement, now might be the time for an honest and open conversation about how each party believes the pact could be improved. As observed by US congressman Joe Courtney, a long-time friend of Australia and strong AUKUS supporter, the deal struck under Joe Biden, Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson has survived changes of government in all three countries. Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US War Secretary Pete Hegseth ahead of their meeting. Bloomberg It enjoys bipartisan support, and its full steam ahead, as Trump said. So, why is the Australian government so cagey about it? Canberra is in possession of the Pentagons five-month review of AUKUS, and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong discussed it with their US counterparts on Tuesday (AEDT) as they met for the 35th AUSMIN dialogue in Washington. Advertisement We are constantly showered with babble about how strong the alliance is, and how wonderful and important AUKUS will be and yet, both sides refuse to let the public in on key details about where it is heading. The Pentagon, which at one stage dangled the possibility of briefings for interested reporters, is suggesting no version of its review will be made public. Thats very unfortunate and shows disregard for Australia and the UK. Related Article Opinion Defence and national security Australia needs to grasp chance to reset defence expectations with the US Jennifer Parker Defence and national security expert Nor would Rubio or Hegseth answer questions when they briefly addressed reporters at the State Department on Tuesday. Marles and Wong at least took questions later. But the answers left much to be desired. Marles refused 12 times to provide details about what the review says, other than to say it is about finding ways to do AUKUS better. That could be anything from minor tweaks to wholesale changes. The reluctance to engage on this suggests theres stuff in there the Australians dont want to talk about. Advertisement The deputy PM makes the point that its an American document, and so its up to the Americans to make it public or talk about what it contains. That has the ring of fairness to it, but in that case, the Australian government has a duty to the Australian public to demand more transparency from the Americans, and to provide it if they refuse. When asked whether he thought the review should be made public, Marles said: Im not going to be drawn on that. Effectively, we are being told to trust the government in Canberra and, in turn, to trust the administration in Washington and leave it for them to sort out. Most of what we learn about AUKUS and the industrial realities surrounding it, we are finding out via the US Congress rather than via our own parliament. Malcolm Turnbull, former PM Sure, governments do this all the time. They sit on secrets until they decide what to do, and theyre ready to announce a response. And this is a defence deal hardly the realm of transparency at the best of times. Advertisement But its also a deal thats costing Australian taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars, and is central to their future security. The level of disregard on display for the voting public is immense, and they deserve better. Of course it should be [made public]. Were spending so much money, says former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, an AUKUS critic. You build trust with truth and transparency. Of the three parliaments ours has been the least curious and the least informed, but has the most at risk. Turnbull praised Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy for saying last week that he was clear-eyed about the challenges surrounding the lagging production rate of US nuclear submarines. Related Article Foreign relations US allies that dont step up will face consequences, Hegseth warns on eve of Ausmin Thats good, but I dont think the Australian public understand those risks, Turnbull said. Most of what we learn about AUKUS and the industrial realities surrounding it, we are finding out via the US Congress rather than via our own parliament. Advertisement In lieu of the reviews publication, Australians will have to rely on whatever imperfect information reporters can glean from sources in the US, UK and at home. But politicians cant then turn around and accuse journalists of muckraking or negativity when they had the opportunity to just put the truth on the table to begin with. 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. RABAT, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from the collapse of two residential buildings in the Moroccan city of Fez has risen to 22, the public prosecutor said on Wednesday, revising an earlier figure of 19. The incident occurred late on Tuesday in the Al-Mustaqbal neighbourhood when an unoccupied building collapsed, triggering the collapse of an adjacent four-story structure, the prosecutor said. The second building was hosting a traditional Aqiqah celebration marking a birth. Women and children were among the victims. Sixteen other people were injured, with some in serious condition. Authorities said the toll could rise as rescue operations continue. Judicial police have opened an investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor to determine the cause of the collapse. Preliminary findings show the two buildings were constructed in 2006. Local officials said the structures were built under so-called "self-construction" schemes for residents of the Ain Smen area as part of the "Fez, City Without Slums" program. The disaster has renewed concerns over building safety in Morocco. In January, Secretary of State for Housing Adib Ben Ibrahim said about 38,800 buildings nationwide were at risk of collapse. Fez, Morocco's third-largest city, has seen protests in recent months over poor living conditions and public services. The collapse is among the deadliest building accidents in the country since a minaret fell in the historic city of Meknes in 2010, killing 41 people. ACCRA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The government of Ghana on Wednesday deported three Israeli nationals in retaliation for a similar action by the Israeli government, according to a press release. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ghana took the action after three Ghanaians were reportedly deported from Israel under unacceptable circumstances. "The government of Ghana will continue to safeguard the dignity of its nationals and also that of other nationals," the statement said. The statement said that the charge d'affaires ad interim at the Israeli Embassy in Ghana was summoned to the ministry, in the absence of Israel's ambassador, and that both governments agreed to pursue an amicable resolution to the impasse. "We in Ghana deeply value our relations with all friendly countries and expect our citizens to be treated with dignity and respect just the same way as other governments expect us to treat their nationals," it added. TOKYO, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan has once again staged a clumsy political spectacle by accusing Chinese naval vessels of locking their radar on Japanese assets, aiming to depict China as a regional destabilizer and validate its own military growth. On Saturday, China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation conducted normal flight training in the public waters east of the Miyako Strait -- an area where all nations enjoy freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law. The Chinese side notified nearby Japanese vessels well in advance of its flight training. Unfortunately, that didn't stop Japanese military aircraft from repeatedly approaching the training zones despite repeated notifications and pre-warnings from the Chinese side, seriously disrupting routine exercises and endangering flight safety. Ignoring all facts, Japan remained silent about its own provocations. This latest incident is not the first time the Japanese side has cried wolf and shifted blame. In June, Japan conducted close-in reconnaissance of the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong, which was conducting routine training in the Pacific Ocean, but then accused a Chinese fighter jet of adopting an "abnormal approach" to a Japanese patrol plane. In recent years, Japan has consistently made up "external threats" as a pretext to justify the expansion of its offensive weaponry. Earlier in November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Japan's right wing said it could intervene militarily on the Taiwan issue, claiming China could pose a threat to Japan's survival. This rhetoric is not merely an affront to China's core interests and sovereignty, but a calculated ploy to reset Japan's security identity and normalize military expansion. Of particular concern is the revival of militarist thinking in Japan in recent years. Supported by revisionist groups seeking a return to imperial "glory," Takaichi has accelerated Japan's military ambitions by advocating significant increases in defense spending and loosening restrictions on arms exports. Recent discussions about revisiting Japan's long-standing non-nuclear principles further signal an effort to extend the country's military reach well beyond postwar limits, posing risks to regional stability and potentially drawing the country into conflicts of its own making. Eighty years ago, peace-loving countries worldwide paid a monumental price to defeat fascism in Japan. With the spectre of militarism still rearing its ugly head, the world should stay utmost vigilant over Japan's ambitions. The Japanese government must end its provocations that jeopardize regional peace and stability, and drop its illusion that somehow it can undermine the post-war world order. If Tokyo reverts to militarism, it will face staunch opposition from the Chinese people and the wider international community and end up in absolute failure. SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's presidential office reaffirmed Tuesday that the country's easternmost islets of Dokdo are unequivocally South Korean territory, rejecting Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's renewed claim over the islets in the East Sea, Yonhap news reported Tuesday. A senior presidential official dismissed Takaichi's remarks made during a parliamentary session earlier in the day, stressing that no territorial dispute exists over Dokdo. "Dokdo is an integral part of Korean territory historically, geographically and under international law," the official said. "We will sternly and firmly respond to Japan's unjust claims over Dokdo." During the Japanese House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting held Tuesday, Takaichi echoed a claim raised by a ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker that the islets, called Takeshima by Japan, are under "illegal occupation" by South Korea. Takaichi argued that the islets constituted Japan's "inherent territory" and said her government would work to reinforce its position both at home and abroad, reported The Chosun Daily Tuesday. According to Yonhap, it marked Seoul's first strong response to Tokyo since President Lee Jae-myung took office in June. South Korea has long protested against Japan's renewed territorial claims to the disputed islets lying halfway between the two countries, called Dokdo by South Korea and Takeshima by Japan. South Korea restored its sovereignty over Dokdo after the Korean Peninsula's liberation from the 1910-1945 Japanese colonization. Seoul has since been in effective control of the islets, with a small police detachment deployed. South Koreans see Japan's territorial claims to the islets as a denial of colonial history since Dokdo was the first territory forcibly occupied by Japan. Leesville, LA (71446) Today Cloudy and damp with rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Thunder possible. Low 42F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.. Tonight Cloudy and damp with rain early...then becoming partly cloudy. Thunder possible. Low 42F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Nine Cambodian civilians had been killed as of 12:00 p.m. and 46 others wounded in the ongoing Cambodia-Thailand border conflict, Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday. He said in a Facebook post that more than 127,000 Cambodian people have fled their homes near the border with Thailand for safe shelters. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense said in a press release that the Thai military fired two shells into a primary school in Banteay Meanchey province on Wednesday afternoon. Also on Wednesday, Thailand's military announced that it would impose a curfew in four border districts of Sa Kaeo province with immediate effect. In an official statement, the military said the curfew was to safeguard public order, security and stability in the area, as well as to protect local residents from external threats. All residents from the four districts are not allowed to go out between 7:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time the following day. Meanwhile, Thailand's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday issued a travel advisory, urging Thai nationals to consider leaving Cambodia if they have no essential reason to remain, and those without essential needs to refrain from traveling to Cambodia at this time. According to the ministry, there are approximately 600 to 1,200 Thai nationals currently in Cambodia. The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict has reignited since Sunday afternoon. Both sides accused the other of initiating the attack and confirmed casualties. A total of 14 closure orders were served on food businesses by the FSAI in November. In Mayo, a closure order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation Regulations, 2020 for: Coffee Shack (Closed area: The room in the building at the rear of the Coffee Shack, Station Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, being used as a food store) (Take Away), Station Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Greg Dempsey, chief executive of the FSAI, said that takeaway businesses account for almost a quarter of all businesses served with Enforcement orders so far in 2025. To support this sector, the FSAI has launched a dedicated section on its website for starting and running a takeaway business, Mr Dempsey said. The resource includes guidance tailored specifically to takeaway operations, highlights the most frequent compliance issues in Ireland, and provides practical advice on how to prevent and control them. He added that Novembers Enforcement Orders serve as a reminder that all food businesses must maintain the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times, especially during the Christmas and New Year periods. Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility on owners, managers, and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times, Mr Dempsey said. During the busy festive period, it is especially important that food businesses have proper procedures in place to manage increased demands and pressures. All food businesses must comply with their legal requirement to notify the competent authorities prior to operating to ensure there are adequate food safety processes, procedures and facilities in place. Ken Foxe More than 70 assaults have been reported at the countrys main centre for young offenders, with attacks on both staff and other residents. The Oberstown Children Detention Campus said there had been a total of 38 assaults last year, 33 involving child-on-child violence and five attacks on a staff member. In the first nine months of this year, that trend has been reversed, according to figures released under FOI. They show there were 35 attacks in total, 12 involving only children and 23 where a staff member was assaulted. Oberstown said since the beginning of last year, there had also been 51 weapons seizures, with a drop evident this year. There were 33 weapons recovered last year, but in the first nine months of this year, the figure was 18. The North Dublin detention centre reported just seven seizures of drugs, five during 2024 and a further two in the first three-quarters of 2025. In total, Oberstown said there had been 443 notifiable incidents over the past two years, which are classed in severity from Grade I to Grade III. However, there were no Grade I events, which include death, imminent death or situations involving evacuation or closure. The detention centre said there had been five cases that were classified as Grade II. These are critical incidents which include an injury to a child or adult that required emergency care, significant property damage, or escape. It also covers any case where criminal charges may result, or civil litigation was likely to result. An explanatory note said: Incidents which might attract rapid or heightened media interest or be potentially sensitive should also be considered critical incidents. There were a total of 438 Grade III reports, which are classified internally as significant incidents. A note said: Such incidents should not involve the emergency services, should not involve serious injuries and should not involve any serious property damage. Non-return from home leave should be treated as Grade III unless incident escalates [and] re-grading is needed. Asked about the records, a statement from Oberstown said: The safety and well-being of our staff and young people is paramount. Every incident is taken seriously and reviewed thoroughly in line with our established protocols. It is important to acknowledge the overall downward trend in incidents across the campus in 2025. Compared to 2024, there has been a reduction in the total number of notifiable incidents, drug seizures and weapon seizures. The statement said there were 14,274 occupied room nights in 2024 and 10,600 in the first nine months of this year. It added: We recognise the impact that any incident can have and remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment. Parish remembers its departed The parish community has recorded the passing of many much-loved residents and former residents over the past year, the. In November 2024, the community lost Pia Gill of Greenfields and Raymond Gallagher of Cloonkedagh Road. December saw the passing of Micheal McNicholas of Cloondolagh and Celine Jordan, also of Cloonkedagh Road. The new year began with several bereavements in January 2025, including Rosaleen McNicholas of Treenagleragh; Sonny Aidan and Vincent Creighton of Ballinamore; James (Jimmy) Walsh of Derrycleagh; and Attracta Ivers of Treenkeel. In February, the parish recorded the deaths of Ann McNicholas of Main Street, Anthony Regan of Manchester and Cuiltbo, Margaret Higgins of Thomas Street, and Martin OBrien of Castleroyan. In March, the passing of Brendan Reilly of Churchpark was marked, followed in April by the death of Seamus Brennan of Cleragh. May brought the losses of Sylvia Smith of Thornhill, John Regan of Cuiltbo, and Megan Ivers of New York, while June saw the deaths of Maureen Walsh of Chapel Street and Annie (Anne) Heneghan of Station Cottage. The month of July included the passing of John (Jack) Corley of The Pines; Vincent Forde of Kent and Cordarragh; Ann Conlon of London and Treenagleragh; and Michael McDonagh of Yorkshire and Canbrack. In August, the parish community noted the death of Julianne Kelly of Canbrack. In September, the deaths of Shane Freeman of Altbawn Crescent and Cordarragh, Johnny Roughneen of Reading and Belfast, Anne Cunnane of Knock Road, and Michael Walsh of Pulronaghane were recorded. October brought further losses, including Des Lydon of Derrynalecka, Tommy Govin of Thomas Street, Frank Walsh of Birmingham and Cullilea West, Tom Morley of Greenfields, Tommy Ivers of Bristol and Cleragh, and Mick McGonagle of Cleveland, Ohio. Finally, in November, the parish lost Christina Sheridan of Cleragh, Anne OHora of Treenagleragh, Kathleen Handsberry of London and Derryclaugh, Pat Browne of Carrick, Winnie McDermott of Manchester and Treenkeel, Tom McHugh of Ballinacostello and Ballure, and PJ Carolan of Woods. The parish community continues to remember all those who died during the year, along with their families, in prayer and with deep respect. St Aidan's raffle The Parents Association of St Aidans National School, Kiltimagh, extends warm Christmas greetings to the community and is delighted to announce its annual Christmas Raffle. The event has been made possible thanks to the generosity of numerous local businesses, whose ongoing support is greatly appreciated. The association encourages everyone to consider shopping locally this festive season as a way to support businesses that consistently give back to the community. The raffle offers parents, guardians, family members, friends, school staff, and the wider community the chance to win a range of exciting prizes designed to bring Christmas cheer. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to St Aidans NS, helping to enhance the school experience for its students. The draw is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Winners will be contacted regarding prize collection once all winning tickets have been drawn. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased online through their social media pages. The Parents Association thanks everyone for their continued support and wishes the community a happy and peaceful Christmas. 261 car for 20 Victim Assistance, the national charity supporting victims of crime and trauma, is calling on the public to get behind its biggest fundraising initiative to date, a Christmas raffle offering a Nissan Qashqai Hybrid as the top prize. The car, supplied by Cleary Nissan Kiltimagh, is valued at 44,000, making this one of the most significant charity raffles in the region this year. Tickets are 20 each or three for 50, a price described by many supporters as exceptional value. Tickets are available now through victimassistance.ie, and the draw will take place on December 20, 2025. Tom Brophy, chairperson of the Federation of Victim Assistance, said the raffle is gaining strong support as the draw date approaches. The draw is picking up really, really good momentum, Tom told the Western People. People are getting genuinely interested as we come into the final few weeks. When they look at the prize, theyre saying, Wow, what a present this would make for someone at Christmas. Tom appealed for a strong final push from the public. He said the organisation relies entirely on fundraising, as it receives no government funding, and described this raffle as the most ambitious awareness and fundraising campaign Victim Assistance has ever undertaken. Were making a huge appeal now for as many people as possible to support an organisation dedicated to helping victims of crime and trauma, not just in Mayo, but right across the whole island of Ireland, he said. He explained that the response from the public has been deeply encouraging. Many people who had quietly carried the impact of crime or trauma for years have come forward to support the charity. According to Mr. Brophy, these individuals have told him they are contributing because the work of Victim Assistance is absolutely amazing and deserving of support. A lot of people are saying, No problem. 20 for the chance of getting a 44,000 is great value, he said. He stressed that while most people may never need Victim Assistance, having the service available is crucial. The charity supports those affected by domestic violence, elder abuse, coercive control, scams, bullying, assault, neighbour disputes, and more. Services include telephone support, face-to-face meetings, court accompaniment, onward referrals, and guidance on victims rights. The aim of the raffle is to secure funding to keep the organisations office open throughout 2026 and into 2027. We dont get any money from the State, but were not going to cry about it, Tom said. Were fit and well and able to raise our own funds. And this campaign has created awareness across the whole country. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who has contributed so far. We have to thank all the people whove put their hands in their pockets and said theyll support this charity because they believe in what we do. Further information about the raffle, volunteering opportunities, or any of the services provided by Victim Assistance is available at victimassistance.ie or by contacting the office at 094-90-00251. Joe and Tom are card winners The weekly 25 Card Drive saw another lively evening of friendly competition, with several familiar faces among the prize winners. First place was taken by Joe Boyle and Tom Conroy, who performed consistently throughout the night. Second place went to Francis McNicholas and Martin Regan, while third place was claimed by Mary McGaugh and Miko Sheridan. The Last 10 prize was won by Teresa Coleman and Danny Doherty, and the spot prize went to John Clancy and Pius Forde. Raffle winners on the night were Patricia Hyland, Tom Conroy, Patsy Flatley, and John Clancy. Miriam wins 50-50 Miriam McNicholas from Kiltimagh was the winner of last weeks Kiltimagh-Knock United 50-50 draw, receiving a prize of 320. The club congratulated Miriam and extended its thanks to all who continue to support the draw each week. Entries purchased online and through local shops and pubs make an important contribution to the running of KKUs teams and facilities. Laurens GAA win Lauren Kelly claimed 764 in the latest Kiltimagh GAA 50-50 draw. The club congratulated Lauren on her win and expressed appreciation to everyone who entered. Proceeds from the draw help fund team development and ongoing improvements at Gilmartin Park. Tickets remain available online, in local shops and pubs, and from club sellers throughout Kiltimagh. Derrys merry with Poker prize Round 10 of the Winter Poker League saw Derry OSullivan take the honours in Teach OHora last week. He finished ahead of runner-up Martin Regan, with Michael Sheridan in third place and Paul Walsh fourth. The remaining finalists were Gerry Groarke in fifth, followed by Marcella Gilmartin, Pat Boyle, Keith Lydon and league leader Adam Earley completing the top nine. Despite finishing ninth on the night, Adam Earley remains comfortably ahead on the league table with 189 points. Derry OSullivan moves into second place on 150 points. The rest of the top twelve currently stands as follows: Julian Keane 147, Andy Quinn 147, Paul Walsh 146, Martin Regan 145, Michael Sheridan 145, Keith Lydon 144, Michael Higgins 131, Gerry Groarke 124, Marcella Gilmartin 121 and Kieran McGee 121. Entry to each round remains 50, which includes a rebuy or add-on. 5 from each buy-in and rebuy/add-on is added to the league final prize pool, with the balance paid out on the night. At the end of the league, the top twelve players plus two qualifiers will contest the Grand Final for an expected prize pool of approximately 3,500. The late Teresa Smith, Thornhill The death has occurred of Teresa Smith (nee Conlon) of Thornhill, Kiltimagh. Teresa died peacefully on November 27, surrounded by her family, in the loving care of the staff at Claremount Nursing Home. Teresa was predeceased by her beloved husband Reginald, her daughter Sylvia, her parents Martin and Bridget Conlon (nee Coleman), and her siblings Jim, Mary, Joe, Johnny, Julia and Winnie. Teresa is deeply missed by her sister Ann Gordon; her sons Martin, Desmond and Christopher; daughters-in-law Ana and Juliana; her cherished grandchildren Alex, Rachel, Daniel, Martin, Charlie and Katie; her extended family, neighbours and friends. Teresas remains reposed at OHoras Funeral Home on Wednesday, 3rd December, with removal to the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh. Funeral Mass took place last Thursday, December 4, followed by burial in Kilkinure Cemetery. May she rest in peace. KABUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces confiscated 187 kg of illegal narcotics during a counter-narcotics operation in eastern Ghazni province, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Wednesday. The seizure took place in the vicinity of Gelan district, where authorities intercepted a consignment intended to be smuggled from the northern part of the country to the south, according to the ministry's statement. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, and their cases have been referred to judicial authorities for further investigation and prosecution. In a separate development, police in the capital Kabul detained 52 individuals on Sunday during multiple operations targeting the sale, purchase, and trafficking of illicit drugs. The Afghan government has reiterated its commitment to intensifying the nationwide campaign against drug production, trafficking, and abuse. Allentown, PA (18103) Today Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78.. Tonight Increasing clouds. There is a slight chance for a little snow late, mainly south of I-78. ST. PETERSBURG, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Russia must confront major long-term challenges to create a coordinated national strategy by mid-century for the Arctic's sustainable development, an official said Tuesday. Speaking at the 15th International Forum Arctic: Today and the Future, Andrei Chibis, governor of Russia's Murmansk Oblast, said the region's rising geopolitical and economic importance requires Russia to move beyond short-term measures and adopt an integrated, presidential-level framework capable of aligning all actors involved in Arctic affairs. Chibis said the first challenge is maintaining cargo volumes along the Northern Sea Route and the emerging Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor after 2035, noting that Russia risks a decline in volumes unless new mining, energy, and deep-processing projects are launched promptly to form a stable, long-term cargo base. The second challenge is reversing the long-term population decline across Russia's Arctic territories. While Murmansk managed to achieve positive migration for the first time since 1989, overall Arctic population numbers continue to fall, he said. Chibis also stressed the importance of improving the quality of life, expanding housing construction and advancing modern urban master plans for key Arctic towns. The third challenge is coordinating the large and diverse system of agencies, regions and companies operating across the vast area, which covers one-third of Russia's territory and spans 10 federal subjects, the governor said. To meet these challenges, Chibis proposed creating a comprehensive Arctic development program with a planning horizon through 2050, supported by a dedicated development institution. Such a body, either by strengthening existing structures or by establishing a new Arctic Development Corporation, could issue Arctic bonds, attract private and foreign investment, and assume part of the risk of large-scale projects. UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for collective efforts to establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture in the context of the Ukraine crisis. Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on Ukraine. The Ukraine issue has now entered a critical phase. Discussions at the international level are increasingly converging on negotiation and moving closer to peace. China welcomes such progress, supports all efforts toward peace, and hopes that the international community will work together to achieve an early political settlement of the crisis, he said. Sun called on the parties concerned to seize on the positive momentum and strive for a just, lasting, and binding peace agreement as soon as possible. "While the parties concerned had reached the Minsk Agreements, the Ukraine crisis still erupted, the underlying reason being the failure to properly address their respective security concerns and tackle the root causes of the conflict," said Sun. "Any new peace agreement must draw on this lesson." China calls on all parties to adequately address the root causes of the conflict; to establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture; and to bear in mind the principle of indivisible security, he said. Sun also called for the protection of civilians. He said China will continue to play a constructive role in advancing a political resolution of the crisis. NEPTTP celebrates postgrad success The National e-Science Postgraduate Teaching and Training Platform is proud to announce its achievements in advancing postgraduate education in e-Science. Funded by the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI), managed by the National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System (NICIS), who in turn report to the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA), and hosted by Wits University, NEPTTP has established itself as a cornerstone in building South Africas capacity for computational and data-driven science, with a mission to develop skilled researchers and professionals who can drive innovation in these areas. About the programme NEPTTP is a consortium of six node institutions, dedicated to supporting students pursuing MA and MSc degrees in e-Science. The platform provides financial assistance, academic mentorship and supervision, and access to a collaborative teaching environment that brings together expertise from multiple disciplines. This approach ensures that graduates are prepared for the challenges of data-intensive research, computational modelling, and advanced analytics areas vital to South Africas scientific and industrial development. How it started NEPTTP was launched in 2018 with a vision to strengthen South Africas research infrastructure and human capital in the field of data science. Recognising the growing role of big data and advanced computing in solving complex national and global challenges, DSTI initiated the programme with Wits University as the host institution. Since then, the platform has expanded its footprint, offering opportunities to students across its network of nodes and creating a dynamic environment of collaboration and shared expertise. Graduation success To date, NEPTTP has supported 257 postgraduate students, of which 68% have graduated so far, while others are nearing completion of their final year research projects. The University of Venda stands out in particular, with a 75% graduation rate for the MSc degree over first six cohorts, and the MA degree at Wits University also with 75% graduation rate. Research projects have delved into widely multi-disciplinary areas, from stock trading and political sciences to molecular biology and development studies; from mathematics and mechanical engineering to psychology and statistical sciences. Where are they now Alumni of the programme have gone on to careers in academia, commerce, and finance. Several are now undertaking their PhDs at South African universities, while others are data scientists in technology and finance, or working in academia as lecturers and project managers. A growing number are also gaining recognition from publishing in high-impact journals, collaborating with other national researchers, and representing South Africa in the Data Science arena. The future of NEPTTP The future of NEPTTP is at a pivotal point. Over the past three funding cycles, the programme has been highly impactful, breaking new ground by bridging the humanities and sciences across institutions. While the current funding ends with the 2025 cohort, the capacity built at participating universities ensures that elements of the programme can continue. Wits University, in particular, is well-positioned to sustain high-quality data science training through its MA and expanding portfolio of MSc programmes in Computer Science, as well as the highly subscribed PGDip in Data Science, which has broadened access for students from diverse backgrounds. Other nodes, including the Universities of Venda and Limpopo, and North-West University, have also expressed their commitment to continuing aspects of the MSc and MA degrees. Encouragingly, both the DSTI and DIRISA have voiced support for seeing this continuation, and discussions on new funding models are emerging, giving hope that the collaborative spirit and vision of NEPTTP will endure in new forms. New Wits-CNRS agreement strengthens scientific ties Wits University and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) launched the first joint International Research Centre (IRC) in Africa. This comes at a moment when multilateralism and shared scientific endeavours to solve critical, intersecting global challenges are crucial. Wits is only one of seven IRCs worldwide. Although the CNRS has an extensive international research network, only a small number of IRCs have been established. Professor Antoine Petit, CEO of the CNRS, said the decision to designate Wits as an IRC reflects strategic confidence and a shared belief in science's role in society. Wits has demonstrated outstanding scientific strength and a deep commitment to the next generation of researchers. This is why we chose Wits as our first African partner, said Petit. He added that the strong relationship with the Wits Vice Chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, and the remarkable level of joint research output were central to CNRSs decision. The IRC is the product of a partnership that began in 2021, when Wits and the CNRS signed a Memorandum of Understanding to open new pathways for collaboration, particularly in early-career research development. A joint PhD programme was launched, scientific workshops held, and publications co-authored. In four years, 400 articles have been co-published across paleosciences, physics, mathematics, global change and environmental sciences. Doctoral and postdoctoral work will continue to sit at the heart of our partnership. Through collective research, we can help address the complexity of climate change, biodiversity loss, energy transitions and global health threats. The Wits-CNRS IRC signals a joint commitment by South Africa and France to uphold the integrity of science and invest in the next generation of researchers who will carry this work forward, explained Petit. Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Wits, hosted the launch ceremony, while Alain Mermet, Head of the CNRS European and International Office, delivered an opening address on behalf of the CNRS. Representing the Faculty of Science, Deputy Dean Professor Willem Conradie described the IRC as a platform for continental and global collaboration that strengthens interdisciplinary research and supports mobility and mentorship across institutions. The newly appointed Co-Directors of the IRC, Professors Marion Bamford and Laurent Bruxelles, spoke to the vision that will guide the centre. They explained that the IRC is intended not only as a research structure but also as a training environment that nurtures early-career researchers, strengthens postgraduate programmes, and builds new pathways between South Africa and France. Presentations from researchers across the four pillars illustrated the breadth of collaboration. Work in paleosciences, physics, mathematics and environmental science has already produced substantial joint outputs, with many projects now incorporating Artificial Intelligence as a core methodological and transversal tool. In his address at the Memorandum of Agreement signing, Vilakazi explained that AI for science will be one of the defining themes of the next decades and will reshape research from astronomical data analysis to mathematical modelling to palaeoecological reconstruction. The new IRC and the further cementing of our relationship with the CNRS highlights Wits commitment to scientific leadership, African scholarship and global cooperation. The Wits-CNRS IRC stands for the idea that strong science must be built collaboratively and that Africa plays a central role in shaping global knowledge. This IRC is a powerful statement in favour of multilateral science and African research excellence to solve common challenges. Wits is honoured to partner with the CNRS, and we are committed to ensuring that this IRC becomes a home for frontier discoveries and new opportunities for young researchers, said Vilakazi. The Wits-CNRS IRC aims to be a continental hub for high-impact research, data-intensive discovery and transformative education. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- "Weak" people are leading a "decaying" group of nations in Europe, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview published by Politico on Tuesday. "I think they're weak ... But I also think that they want to be so politically correct," Trump said in the interview with Politico at the White House on Monday. "I think they don't know what to do," the president claimed. "Europe doesn't know what to do." Without a change in border policy, some European states "will not be viable countries any longer," said Trump, describing cities like London and Paris as creaking under the burden of migration from the Middle East and Africa. The president said he put little stock in the role of European leaders in seeking to end the Ukraine crisis. "They talk, but they don't produce, and the war just keeps going on and on." Russia was obviously in a stronger position than Ukraine, Trump told the media outlet, while renewing his call for Ukraine to hold new elections. In the National Security Strategy released last Thursday, the Trump administration vowed to "cultivate resistance" to the European status quo on immigration and other politically volatile issues. "Allies do not threaten to interfere in the democratic life or the domestic political choices of these allies," European Council President Antonio Costa responded to the U.S. national security document on Monday. Students in Oregon and Minnesota walked out of class this week to protest ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) kidnapping operations in their communities and across the country. Following the mass walkouts in North Carolina last month, the actions this week reveal widespread revulsion and opposition to attacks on immigrants among large sections of youth. On Tuesday morning, hundreds of students at Burnsville High School, located about 15 miles south of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, walked out of class to protest ICE raids in their community. Video shows students carrying signs and chanting, No more ICE! No more ICE! The walkout was triggered in part by a raid on a multi-family home in Burnsville this past weekend. On December 6, more than a dozen heavily armed immigration agents raided the home, shattering doors and breaking locks in the process. In the course of the raid, immigration agents disappeared four people, three of whom left behind children. Speaking to local media, a family living upstairs was able to prove their citizenship to prevent being kidnapped, but a young couple living downstairs were taken by immigration thugs when they returned home from the grocery store, leaving their 7-year-old child behind. According to an attorney representing the parents, the father of the 7-year-old has a valid work permit yet was still taken by ICE. Home video footage of an ICE raid on a multi-family home in Burnsville, Minnesota, December 6, 2025. During the same raid, ICE agents also arrested two other men, one of whom leaves behind a pregnant wife. Speaking to NBC KARE 11 in Spanish, the pregnant mother said, They opened the door for me, when I went out, they were pointing their guns at me. My daughter was with me, and I had the little boy asleep on my shoulder. Hundreds of students also walked out of class on Monday morning across high schools in Washington County, Oregon, to protest ongoing immigration raids in their community and across the country. Of the over 611,000 people that call Washington County home, some 105,000 were born outside the United States. Major cities in the county, located to the west of Portland, include Hillsboro (110,000), Beaverton (98,000), Tigard (55,000) and Forest Grove (27,000). Walkouts occurred Monday at high schools located in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Forest Grove. Students carried signs that read: Education not deportation and Stop separating families. Independent journalist Alissa Azar reported on the ground at Beaverton High in Oregon and estimated that 100 students participated in the walkout. She stated that students were demanding their schools coordinate actions with other districts to warn of ICE presence and help coordinate community responses, including through already existing volunteer rapid response teams. Through the cold rain, students marched from the high school to the local public library chanting, We will not put up with ICE! One sign carried by a student read, [Republican National Committee]/[Democratic National Committee] Both fund ICE. Both Will Pay. Azar reported a student told her, We would be able to do a lot more if more schools would just contact the response teams. We have been urging [Beaverton School District, BSD] to act on this through protests, countless emails, voicing our concerns at board meetingsThey straight up ignored a letter with over 500 community signatures. The student continued, The current [Beaverton School District] communication plan for ICE activity is a joke. It mocks the BSD families who are too afraid to walk their kids home from the bus, that community members are escorting kids home for them. [Beaverton School District] sent out an email today about the walkout but cant alert families of ICE activity?! Mia Flores Martinez, a sophomore at Southridge High School, told Oregon Public Radio (OPR) that ICE agents had arrested someone in her neighborhood before school started Monday morning. It really made our neighborhood shake with fear, she recalled. People cant go out. People cant go to work. Emily, another student who participated in the walkouts, told OPR she knows tons of kids who have been impacted by this having to go get groceries for their parents, having to take care of the household, them being the head of the household now because their parents are too afraid to go outside. Emily said she knew several students who had to return to Mexico in order to reunite with their family after they were deported. It was a really upsetting moment because their family had to leave behind everything at their home in order to come here and give their children a better life, but now they have to go back. In addition to terrorizing longtime community members and separating families, ICE thugs continue to illegally detain and assault US citizens. Early Tuesday morning, a 55-year-old American citizen was taken by ICE while she was filming them in north Minneapolis. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) News reported that Susan Tincher was taken by ICE after she responded to an alert from a local group she is a part of that ICE was conducting operations in the Willard Hay neighborhood. Tincher, armed with a cell phone and standing 5 foot 4 inches tall, said she approached what appeared to be an ICE agent standing on the sidewalk across the street from a house that was being raided. Tincher said she asked the person if they were with ICE. The person did not identify himself but simply yelled, Get back. Tincher did not move, at which point multiple agents descended on her. She told MPR News, Pretty soon they were throwing me on the ground and handcuffing me and then putting me in their unmarked truck. She guessed the whole interaction happened in a matter of seconds. There were other watchers, who were asking me what my name was and everything, she said, so I identified myself to them, then I started yelling, Help! because I was being kidnapped. Video reviewed by MPR News shows three agents taking Tincher as other ICE watchers yell, Where are you taking her? In the video reviewed by the outlet, none of the agents appear to respond. While Tincher was handcuffed in the vehicle, ICE thugs menaced and threatened her saying that if she did not watch herself, they were going to pull over and pepper spray her. Jim Tincher, Susans husband, told the outlet he did not know where his wife was for hours. He said it is incredible to see that the government can do this, arrest somebody for doing nothing illegal, and throw her down, handcuff her. He added that seeing video of his wife being thrown down to the ground and handcuffed was chilling. After several hours, Jim Tincher was able to locate his wife at the Whipple Federal Building and picked her up. Susan said that while she was detained, agents cut off her wedding ring and held her in leg shackles with seven other people. She has marks on her wrists and neck due to agents actions. Even after being illegally detained, Susan Tincher told MPR News she will not stop supporting immigrants. Im just so concerned about our neighbors, our peaceable neighbors being abducted and the worries their families are going through, she said. I just dont want this to be happening in our country. The raids in Minnesota are part of a fascist and racist campaign launched by the Trump administration aimed at stoking fear and dividing the working class. Since the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in D.C. last month, Trump has embarked on a concerted campaign to paint all people from Somalia as uniquely criminal and subhuman. Minneapolis-St. Paul is home to the largest Somali diaspora outside of Africa and is also represented in Congress by Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar, the first Somali American elected to Congress. At a tiny fascist rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump again attacked Somalis and Omar. Speaking on the former, Trump grunted, They oughta get em the hell out of here. They hate our country. Referring to Omar, he said, And she hates our country and [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] hates our country. They all do. Trump later mocked Omars little turban and accused her of doing nothing but bitch. He again accused her of being in the country illegally, prompting the small crowd of human dust to chant, Send her back! Are you a GM Factory Zero worker? Fill out the form at the end of this article for assistance in building a rank-and-file committee to fight the layoffs and defend every workers job. Factory Zero workers leave plant on December 1, 2025 With the final day of work fast approaching for 1,140 workers slated for permanent layoff at General Motors Factory Zero in Detroit, the United Auto Workers leadership is maintaining a complicit silence. Though the sprawling assembly plant is less than five miles from the UAWs national Solidarity House headquarters, UAW President Shawn Fain and his underlings have not called for any action to oppose the layoffs or even scheduled a rank-and-file meeting. GM is slashing production by half at its flagship EV plant that straddles the border between Detroit and the enclave of Hamtramck. These job cuts, which GM now calls permanent, are cascading through supplier plants in the Detroit area, leading to hundreds of additional layoffs. This is part of a brutal wave of downsizing in the auto industry since the supposed record contract negotiated by the UAW in 2023. This includes the mass firing of thousands of temp workers and layoffs at major plants in the Detroit area and throughout the country. It is time to draw the line and defend the right to a secure job and living standard, said Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman, a leading member of the International Workers Alliance of Rank and File Committees (IWA-RFC). Lehman continued: The GM Factory Zero layoffs are another devastating blow to Detroit and the surrounding region. This attack slashes family incomes in a city already wracked by high poverty and unemployment. While UAW President Fain spoke of a just transition to EVs, these layoffs again show that management and its political allies will throw workers away the moment profits demand it. Mayor-elect of Detroit Mary Sheffield, who has been promoted by the unions, boasts about the corporate driven comeback of Detroit, but she had said nothing and will not do anything to defend GM workers. But workers are not responsible for falling EV sales, Trumps decisions to end tax credits, his trade war measures or the danger of another economic recessionand we must not be the ones to pay for it! GM is spending billions on executive salaries, stock buybacks and its new headquarters in downtown Detroit. The stock market is booming, the financial oligarchy is looting society, and Elon Musk could be the worlds first trillionaire. If our livelihoods are to be protected it is up to shop floor workers ourselves to take action. I urge workers at Factory Zero to immediately establish a rank-and-file committee to organize a fight to stop the layoffs. Workers must demand an immediate membership meeting, led by the most trusted and militant workers, to map out a strategy to defend every job. This includes organizing immediate strike action and mass protests to rally workers throughout the Detroit area to demand no layoffs, the shortening of the workweek with no loss of pay and democratic control over production. Instead of fighting to defend our jobs, Fain has joined the fascist Trump in pitting American workers against our brothers and sisters in Canada, Mexico and globally. At my plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania where the UAW sold out our strike in 2023, the UAW is colluding with managements job cutting while they tell us that Mexican workers are taking our jobs. Fain blames unfair trade, not capitalism for the closure of the CNH plant in Burlington, Iowa. We will not win just as American workers. We need to reach out to our co-workers in the US and globally if were going to defeat the transnational corporations. A veteran Factory Zero worker told the WSWS, I don't understand the lack of communication, by the UAW. Theyre doing this on purpose. If we dont make 1,850 in hours, GM gets part of our profit sharing back. Theyll be getting a huge chunk of our bonus next March. Thats how I see it. With all these layoffs, they are lining their pockets. This is not the first time GM has threatened closure of this plant, which GM built in the 1980s on top of the historic Poletown neighborhood whose residents were evicted. In 2019, the factory, then known as Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly, was one of several plants GM threatened with closure. While the Detroit plant was spared under terms of the 2019 contact, the UAW signed off on the closure of the Lordstown Assembly Plant in Ohio at the cost of thousands of jobs. The layoffs at Factory Zero will have a ripple effect on supplier plants and small businesses in the areaAvancez in Hazel Park is laying off 143 workers; Dana Thermal Products has closed its plant in Auburn Hills cutting 200 jobs; Autokinition is cutting 133 jobs, and Yanfeng another 192. As part of the same EV downsizing Ultium Cells Ohio faces 550 indefinite and 850 temporary layoffs, while Ultium Cells Tennessee will see 700 temporary reductions. Underscoring the collaboration of the UAW in imposing the layoffs at Factory Zero, UAW Local 22 officials told a WSWS reporter they could not give any statements and directed all questions concerning the upcoming layoffs to the UAW international. As of this writing Solidarity House had not responded to the inquiry from the WSWS. According to a report by MSN, the Factory Zero cuts will have a particularly heavy impact on the adjacent Detroit enclave of Hamtramck. The author states, Economic modeling suggests Factory Zeros impact could reach $425 to $550 million annually in regional losses. The report warns that in the city of Hamtramck local businesses could lose $456,000 to $684,000 monthly in worker spending, totaling $5.5 million to $8.2 million annually. Municipal revenues could drop $4 to $5 million, including lost taxes and reduced sales revenue. The citys fragile economic ecosystem faces cascading consequences from a single plants operational reduction. Average compensation at Factory Zero reaches $60,000 annually. Supplemental Unemployment Benefits cover 50 to 75 percent of wages for the first year, then decline. After two years, income falls to $362 weekly under Michigan unemployment insurance, creating a 62 percent reduction for many families. This income collapse risks mortgage and rent defaults across the community, the report stated. Enormous anger over job cuts under conditions of the escalating cost of living is building. Videos of Factory Zero workers speaking out against the cuts published by the World Socialist Web Site on social media have gained hundreds of thousands of views. This underscores the potential support GM workers would win if they took independent action to defend their jobs. Dan posted, I retired from GM in 2019 with 37.5 years, I was laid off the 1st time with 1 year seniority. Called back to work 5 years later, worked 3 years, laid off again. 2 years later got called back to work in a place called Saturn in Tennessee... We were called GM gypsies going from one plant to the other just to work for a year or two and have the rug pulled out from under you again just when you thought alright Im back making good money and benefits for you and your family! Another worker commented: Im praying for my brothers and sisters. I work at Stellantis we went through layoffs last year from September until October and then again right before Christmas time. I know the feeling over the years Ive been laid off since I worked there. Im grateful for my job but I dont put all of my trust in any company in todays economy. You have to have multiple jobs or incomes. I wouldnt be surprised in the next few years as we get closer to the end of our contract that these companies replace half of the workforce with AI and robots. Im hoping our people in all of the Big Three prepare for that. Patrick posted Its disgusting firing loyal people at Holiday time just to save a few bucks. Candace added, GMs making tons of money, but they dont care about their workers just as long as theyre making money Another wrote, I wouldnt work for GM if they paid me a million dollars! I just saw an old man who retired from there back in 99 and they took his pension from him because they were having financial issues, which had his health insurance tied to it and his wife died because of it. Then took all of his life insurance and left him with only $10,000. A fight to oppose the layoffs will win tremendous support in the working class. But this requires independent organization and leadership. Workers who want to take up the fight to build a rank-and-file committee to defend jobs, should fill out the form below. Apartment blocks are pictured in Duesseldorf, Germany, Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Germany is Europe's largest property market, where hundreds of thousands of apartments are missing and rents are rising. [AP Photo/Martin Meissner] According to a press release issued in November by the Federal Working Group on Assistance for the Homeless (BAGW), the number of people without housing in Germany has, for the first time, risen to at least 1,029,000 in 2024. This increase directly reflects the policies of the federal and state governments, which are driving through savage social cutbacks to finance insane levels of military rearmament. In 2023 there were 928,000 people without housing in Germanyan increase of 101,000, or 10.9 percent, in just one year. The development between 2022 and 2023 was even more drastic: the number rose from 607,000 to 928,000, an increase of 52.9 percent. It must be borne in mind that these are only the official figures. The real number is far higher. The estimates are based on the annual housing emergency reporting from North Rhine-Westphalia, which records rates of people without housing at the level of districts, towns and municipalities and extrapolates them for the whole of Germany based on population figures. Of the more than 1 million people currently without housing, around 840,000 are accommodated within the so-called emergency housing assistance system, that is, in municipal shelters. Seventy-four percentaround 765,000 peopleare adults. Around 26 percent are children and young people, who are mostly housed together with their parents. In total, around 820,000 people affected do not hold German citizenship. War refugees from Ukraine make up the largest group, accounting for around 25 percent. While the federal government is doing everything to escalate the war against Russia, deporting ever more Ukrainians and sending them back to the slaughter of war, refugees here are forced to live under miserable conditions. Under the former coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens and Liberal Democratic Party (FDP), a special fund of 100 billion was created for military rearmament. The current government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, comprised of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats, is now pursuing the aim of transforming Germany into a major military power. With the support of the Left Party (Die Linke), it has agreed a gigantic special fund of 1 trillion for military rearmament and war infrastructure. The war budget for next year provides for an increase to 108 billion and is set to rise to 153 billion by 2029. These sums are being financed through massive social cuts. Homelessness in the Federal Republic of Germany has reached a record high and there is no end in sight, explains Susanne Hahmann, chair of the BAGW. The causes are well known: too little affordable housing, poverty and looming cuts in the social security system. These cuts are being pushed forward by federal and state governments. There is less and less money available for social purposes. Rents have been rising rapidly for years, social housing is disappearing, and poverty is increasing steadily. If those experiencing housing poverty are included, around one in five people in Germany was already affected by poverty last year. A tiny minority of just 0.6 percent of the population now owns 45 percent of total wealth. The number of forced evictions is also rising, with the result that more and more people are losing their homes. The causes of losing ones home include rent and energy arrears, conflicts in the housing environment, evictions on grounds of own use by landlords, separation or divorce, and the need to move to a different area. The substantial cuts to emergency housing assistance are an additional problem. According to the BAGW, 17 percent of facilities and services are affected by or threatened with cuts. In addition, there are planned tougher sanctions within the new basic income support scheme (Burgergeld). If appointments at Jobcentres are missed, benefits, including rent payments, can be sharply reduced or even cut completely. Social welfare organisations fear that this will drastically exacerbate homelessness. It is not only through the familiar harassment practised by Jobcentres that rent payments will be cut. People dependent on benefits will also find it even harder to obtain housing at all in future. Because landlords now also know: renting to those receiving Burgergeld carries the risk that the authority may no longer pay the rent, said Michaela Engelmeier of the German Social Association (SoVD). More than a third of all tenants are already spending over 30 percent of their net income on housing. Around 6 million tenants are even paying more than 40 percent of their net income on housing costs. Households on low incomes are especially overburdened, with 37.5 percent in an extreme situation, according to the 2025 rent report of the German Tenants Association. In addition, around 6.3 percent of tenants are unable to heat their homes adequately. Facilities for people without housing are increasingly being used by people in work. Almost 15 percent now have a job, an increase of 2 percentage points compared to 2015. The bold declarations from federal and state governments that homelessness and rough sleeping in Germany will be overcome by 2030 are sheer cynicism. Berlins Senate administration recently stated that the so-called needs forecast for accommodation, which currently stands at around 55,000 places, will rise to more than 85,000 by the end of 2029. This corresponds to an increase of 55 percent. In 1995 there were still 2.7 million social housing units in Germany. Thirty years later, fewer than 1 million remain. In Berlin, the number of social housing units fell from 340,000 in 2000 to around 85,000 todayonly a quarter of the original stockas a result of selloffs by state governments of the SPD and the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) or its successor, the Left Party. In 2024 there were 2,495 forced evictions in Berlin, an increase of 5.3 percent compared to 2023, when there were 2,369. Across Germany, the number of forced evictions rose over the same period from 32,669 to 35,028 in 2024 (an increase of 7.2 percent). For the beginning of 2026, the municipal housing companies in Berlin have announced substantial rent increases for around 99,000 households, between 2.5 and 5.5 percent. The practices of unscrupulous property corporations are further fuelling the precarious situation on the housing market. The property giant Vonovia has been forced to withdraw recent rent increases of 15 percent. The blue-chip company, listed on the DAX stock index, had justified this brutal increase in tens of thousands of cases by inventing fictitious features not provided for in the local rent index. Recently, the Berlin Regional Court ruled that this practice was unlawful. However, as Vonovia has pointed out, tenants must accept the unlawful rent rise if they have already agreed to it. 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. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reneged on his earlier statement that he would have no problem with releasing the full video of the September 2 murder of 11 unarmed civilians in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela. In a bald-faced lie, he declared, I didnt say that. Trump now says he has left the decision with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, declaring, Whatever Hegseth wants to do is OK with me. Hegseth, however, risks being caught in multiple lies by the release of further details about the strikes. Last week he said, I did not personally see survivors after the first strike and has asserted that I didnt stick around to view the second strike. Both claims are highly dubious, and the first is likely to be proven false by the release of the video. Trump hurled insults at the reporter who asked about his earlier pledge, calling her fake news, obnoxious and terrible for asking him about his earlier statement that whatever they have, wed certainly release no problem. Trumps comments came after NBC confirmed earlier reporting by the Washington Post that Hegseth had given an explicit verbal order to kill everyone on board the boat, claiming that they were on a list of terrorism suspects. Hegseth ordered the US military on September 2 to kill all 11 people on board the boat, NBC wrote. Last week, the New York Times reported that the full video, shown to two congressional committees in closed-door hearings, shows 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 Pentagons law of war manual declares that soldiers have a duty to refuse to carry out clearly illegal orders, such as killing shipwrecked sailors. Orders to fire upon the shipwrecked would be clearly illegal, the manual declares. The Geneva Conventions states that persons who are at sea and who are wounded, sick or shipwrecked shall not be murdered or exterminated. The September 2 strike was the first of a series of murders carried out off the coast of Venezuela. Since then, the White House has ordered 22 lethal military strikes against civilians on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, killing 87 people. In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union demanded the release of documents related to the strike. The public deserves to know how our government is justifying the cold-blooded murder of civilians as lawful and why it believes it can hand out get-out-of-jail-free cards to people committing these crimes, said ACLU attorney Jeffrey Stein. The Trump administration is displacing the fundamental mandates of international law with the phony wartime rhetoric of a basic autocrat, Baher Azmy, a spokesperson for the Center for Constitutional Rights, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement. The lawsuit asserts that the US military may not summarily kill civilians who are merely suspected of smuggling drugs. In an interview on CNNs State of the Union, Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth noted that everything that they have done has been illegal. Its illegal under international law. Its illegal under the Geneva Convention. And it certainly is even illegal under domestic law. She added, It was essentially murder with that double-tap strike. Despite such statements, the Democrats have done nothing to seriously oppose Trumps killing spree in the Pacific. Lawmakers have included a provision in the massive military spending bill, National Defense Authorization Act, which is expected to shortly pass the House of Representatives and thence proceed to the Senate, that would reduce the travel budget for Hegseth by 25 percent unless the full video is released. This is an absurd farce. Even if this token measure passes, Hegseth could easily appropriate the money necessary to cover any shortfalls. This is intended as a cover for the total inaction by the Democratic Party as the Trump administration carries out murder on the high seas day after day and prepares to launch a major new war against Venezuela. These preparations are far-advanced and accelerating. In an interview with Politico on Tuesday, Trump said of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, His days are numbered. When asked if he would rule out an American ground invasion, Trump replied, I dont want to. The Trump administration has surged military assets off the coast of Venezuela, approved covert military actions inside the country in October and last month pledged to begin ground attacks very soon. On Tuesday, two US fighter jets, launched from the USS Gerald R. Ford stationed off the coast of Venezuela, circled the Gulf of Venezuela and came within 20 nautical miles of Venezuelan territory. The move follows similar overflights by nuclear-capable B-52 and B-1 bombers. In a report Tuesday, CNN asserted that the Trump administration is working on day-after plans in the event Maduro is ousted from power, pointing to how far-reaching the US plans for regime change are. It declared, Publicly, officials have said that the goal of the military buildup in the Caribbean and the drug boat strikes is to drive down the flow of drugs into the US, but the internal planning is a clear signal of Trumps consideration of forcing out Maduro. Last week, the Trump administration published a new National Security Strategy that places central emphasis on US domination of Latin America as a supply base 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. The document makes clear that the Trump administration is seeking to reduce Latin America to colonial slavery through war, regime change, economic strangulation and other destabilization operations. The criminality of Trumps murders on the high seas is just a foretaste of the vast crimes that this administration is hoping to unleash on the people of Latin America. On Monday, Barnaby Joyce joined the far-right One Nation party, having resigned from the National Party in a statement he delivered on the floor of parliament in late November. The defection had been in the works for months, with Joyce openly raising it in the media and holding meetings with One Nations leader Pauline Hanson. Barnaby Joyce and Pauline Hanson [Photo: One Nation] Much of the commentary has focussed on Joyces personal ambition. In his parliamentary statement, he likened his position on the backbench to an ejector chair from the building. Joyce and National Party leader David Littleproud are longtime factional opponents, with their antagonism such that they reportedly avoid being in the same room together. Whatever the role of such immediate factors, however, they are expressions of more fundamental processes. Joyces defection is yet another expression of the crisis of the Coalition, the formation composed of the Nationals and the Liberal Party, which has been a central pillar of the two-party system throughout the post-World War II period. Notwithstanding his current position on the backbench, Joyce is a prominent figure, having been a previous National leader and deputy prime minister. In the federal election in May this year, the Liberals suffered a wipeout. The urban-based party secured just nine out of 88 metropolitan seats, deepening a tendency that had been apparent in the previous two elections. Underlying the crisis is the collapse of the Liberals previous social constituency. The broad-based middle-class, on which it previously rested, no longer exists after decades of widening social polarisation. That has been expressed in the loss of a number of blue-ribbon seats, with Teal independents gaining support on the basis of pro-business policies and bogus appeals to environmental concerns. The May defeat has been followed by factional warfare within the Liberal Party, ructions between the two parties of the Coalition and conflicts over political direction which have assumed an existential character. Joyces decision to join One Nation points to the trajectory. Whatever the twists and turns of the various intrigues, the lurch has been towards more openly far-right politics, both within the Coalition and more broadly in the political establishment. The infighting within the Liberals has centred on the push by prominent MPs for a far-right pitch. That included the Coalitions ditching of any nominal commitment to reducing carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, calls for a more aggressive anti-immigrant campaign and for the promotion of an Australia first nationalism. A factor, impelling this push within the Coalition, as well as Joyces defection, is that One Nation is polling at record levels. A Guardian Essential Poll, released this morning, showed One Nation on 17 percent of the primary vote, or half that of the governing Labor Party and only nine percentage points behind the Coalition, which is at record lows of around 26 percent. The polling suggests that amid its disarray, a layer of former Coalition voters and potentially members are shifting their support to One Nation. In his statement announcing that he was joining that party, Joyce rolled off its various far-right positions, as well as making a populist pitch to growing discontent including particularly over the cost-of-living crisis. Joyce declared that immigration had removed the capacity for Australians to buy a home, have a family and increase our population by our own means. In a scarcely-veiled dogwhistle to anti-immigrant racism, he added: a nation can have multiple faiths, race and colour but not multiple cultures. Joyce derided any measures to address climate change as ludicrous quest to change the weather. Appearing on the Australian Broadcasting Corporations 7:30 program the night of his defection, Joyce made clear that he is consciously drawing on the playbook of far-right populist forces that have gained traction internationally. Joyce was asked if he saw parallels between One Nation and Nigel Farages Reform party in the United Kingdom. Under conditions where the Labour Party government of Keir Starmer is inflicting deep-going, pro-business austerity, Reform has come to prominence on the basis of populist anti-immigrant demagogy, with some polling indicating it is on track to displace the Conservatives as the main opposition. Joyce said he did see the parallels and added that he thought Australia was late to the party. Whether it's Farage in the UK, whether it's [Marine] Le Pen in France, whether it's [Giorgia] Meloni in Italy, whether it's the MAGA movement within the Republican movement in the United States, this is a phenomenon across the world. Those right-wing formations have simultaneously capitalised on discontent with the pro-business policies of social-democratic and liberal parties, and have been promoted by sections of the ruling elite as a means of shifting towards more openly authoritarian forms of rule. The pronounced swing to the right, exemplified by Trumps attempts to establish a fascistic dictatorship in the US, is a means of imposing the program of the capitalist class, of war and social austerity, and of repressing the inevitable resistance from the working class. For years, sections of the Australian corporate and media establishment have toyed with the development of such a movement. Since Hanson was reelected in 2015, the notoriously xenophobic One Nation has centred its agitation on the vilification of immigrants, particularly Muslims, capitalising on the official promotion of Islamophobia throughout the bogus war on terror. Days before Joyces defection, Hanson repeated an earlier stunt of wearing an Islamic burkha into the Senate, as part of her bid to have it banned. One Nation was active in the right-wing anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine movement, promoted by segments of the establishment as a battering ram to overturn successful public health measures and ensure the reopening of the economy so that full corporate profit-making activities could resume. Hanson and One Nation participated in the anti-immigrant March for Australia in August, the largest far-right mobilisation in decades, which the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network played a central role in organising. One Nation has also closely identified itself with Trump. Last November, Hanson was at Trump's Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago resort. Also present was Gina Rinehart, the mining mogul who is Australias wealthiest individual. Rinehart has for some time been calling for the establishment of a Trump-style movement in Australia. She has financially backed more right-wing elements of the Coalition, with her Hancock Prospecting Ltd. donating $A500,000 to Coalition entities in the 2023-24 financial year. Rinehart supported the Coalitions campaign for the May federal election, in which Liberal leader Peter Dutton floated several Trumpian policies, such as mass public sector job cuts and the establishment of a domestic nuclear power industry. The association of the Coalition with Trump played a central role in its rout. The obvious question is whether Rinehart and other right-wing ruling-class figures are looking around for a new formation, in the wake of the Coalitions defeat. Hanson has previously met with Rinehart and in 2024 she was the guest of honour at a One Nation fundraiser for its effort in that years Queensland election. The longstanding descriptions of Joyce as a maverick or even an agrarian socialist serve to cover the reality that over the course of his political career, he has acted as a determined representative of specific corporate interests, particularly agribusiness and the fossil fuel companies. When Joyce left the Senate and sought a House of Representatives seat at the 2013 election, Rinehart funded his campaign to the tune of $50,000. A controversy erupted in 2017 when Rinehart bestowed Joyce, then deputy prime minister, with a champion of farming award and provided him with $40,000. Amid denunciations for having too close a relationship with the mining mogul, Joyce returned the money. Notably, and unusually, Hansons statement welcoming Joyce to One Nation was posted on the website of Hancock Prospecting. Whatever emerges out of the crisis of the Coalition, whether it be One Nation or another formation, Joyces defection is a warning that sections of the political and media establishment are setting about developing a far-right formation. As the May federal election showed, there is mass hostility to Trump and the far-right agenda that he personifies. Far-right forces, however, are given continuous succour, above all by the Labor government and its affiliated trade union bureaucracy. Labor is spearheading a campaign against refugees and immigrants, including demonising them for all elements of a social crisis caused by its own pro-business policies, in rhetoric very similar to that of Joyce and One Nation. At the same time, by inflicting austerity, Labor is creating the discontent to which the far-right appeals. The only way to defeat the lurch to the right is to build a socialist movement of the working class, independent of and opposed to the entire political establishment. Such a movement must defend immigrants and refugees, oppose the relentless promotion of nationalist militarism and fight for the abolition of the capitalist system itself, which amid a global breakdown is returning to all the filth and the horrors of the 1930s and 40s. Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states of the group attended the launch meeting, which was chaired by Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. Guided by the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) proposed at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus" Meeting in September, China has promoted the establishment of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, said Fu in his remarks. China hopes to join hands with all partners to deepen exchanges and cooperation on major global governance issues, pool collective strength, uphold the banner of multilateralism, and work together for a future of fairness, he said. The Group of Friends of Global Governance is open to all UN member states, welcomes more like-minded countries on board, and encourages members to strengthen engagement and cooperation with other countries, the UN secretariat, and relevant international organizations, he added. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the Group of Friends of Global Governance said its establishment marks a significant step in implementing the GGI, and provides an inclusive platform that draws on collective wisdom and mobilizes joint efforts for reforming and improving the global governance system. "Through this Group, we commit to deepening dialogue and coordination on global governance issues, engaging with relevant stakeholders, amplifying our collective voice, building and expanding consensus, and delivering concrete outcomes that respond to the yearnings of our peoples and the legitimate aspirations of our nations," it said. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Representatives from nearly 40 founding member states attend a meeting to launch the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York, on Dec. 9, 2025. The Group of Friends of Global Governance was officially established at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhang Fengguo) Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Bogdan Syrotiuk, 26, a leader of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), the Trotskyist youth movement in Ukraine affiliated with the ICFI, in April 2023 The campaign to free the Ukrainian socialist Bogdan Syrotiuk has reached an important turning point with the publication of a forensic linguistic analysis that shatters the fraudulent case against him. Commissioned by Syrotiuks defense attorneys, the 65-page report by Professor Yuri Borisovich Irkhinone of Ukraines most prominent criminologistsdemonstrates unequivocally that the charge of state treason is a political frame-up aimed at outlawing socialist and internationalist opposition to the NATOUkraine war against Russia. Syrotiuk, 26, is a leading member of the Young Guard of Bolshevik-Leninists (YGBL), the Trotskyist youth movement in Ukraine affiliated with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). He was arrested in April 2024 and charged under wartime statutes with state treason, a crime carrying a sentence of 15 years to life. The evidence consists almost entirely of political analyses published by the WSWS and the YGBLdenounced as Russian propaganda because they oppose both the NATO-backed war and the capitalist regimes in Kiev and Moscow. For years, Ukrainian courts have weaponized so-called linguistic expertise to criminalize dissent. State-appointed experts scour political texts searching for phrases that can be twisted into proof of a supposed crime. In Bogdans case, the official expert, functioning as an arm of the Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU), declared that his writings supported Russias invasion. But Professor Irkhins independent review is a devastating repudiation of this fraudulent conclusion. From that standpoint it also will be an important tool before the European Court of Human Rights, which accepted Bogdans case earlier this year. After examining more than a dozen WSWS and YGBL publicationsincluding articles by Syrotiuk, speeches at the 2023 International May Day Rally and statements on the Gaza genocideIrkhin concluded: There are no statements, phrases, sentences, or word combinations that contain public calls aimed at undermining the national security of Ukraine and NO statements that have signs of propaganda aimed at supporting the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. (Emphasis in original) The reports thoroughness and Irkhins staturehe is a widely cited criminologist and former deputy head of the psychological service of Ukraines Interior Ministryforced even a hostile court in Pervomaisk to order a third expert review. This is far from a guarantee of justice, but it constitutes a significant legal blow to the SBU and a major advance for the international campaign demanding Syrotiuks release. The implications of this development extend far beyond Bogdans individual defense. From its inception, the prosecution of Syrotiuk has been a political show trial aimed at banning opposition to the war. The SBUs case rests on the reactionary premise that any critique of NATO, denunciation of the Putin regime from the left or call for the unity of Russian and Ukrainian workers constitutes treason. In their attempt to criminalize internationalism, the authorities effectively placed the WSWS itself on trial. This strategy has now exploded in their hands. Irkhins report confirms what every honest reader already knows. In analyzing statements produced by Bogdan and fellow YGBL leading member Andrei Ritsky to the 2023 May Day rally, Irkin concluded: The speeches express the position of the Trotskyist movement, which condemns both the policies of the US and NATO and the actions of Putins regime, viewing the war as a consequence of the global crisis of capitalism and imperialist rivalry. The text contains criticism of historical Ukrainian nationalism and the cult of the OUN-UPA, as well as condemnation of Putins regime and the Russian oligarchy as heirs to Stalinism. Both speeches contain a call for the unification of the international working class on the basis of the anti-war movement and revolutionary internationalism. One YGBL statement that prosecutors themselves cited condemns Putins adventurist invasion of Ukraine and calls for the creation of an international anti-war youth movement. Irkhin notes that this language clearly indicates the absence of any support or justification for the Russian Federations armed aggression. Instead, it expresses solidarity with the anti-war movement of youth and workers and advocates the unification of the working class across national borders. Every text examined reaches the same conclusion. There is no treasononly a consistent, principled socialist opposition to the war and the capitalist system that produces it. This is precisely what the Ukrainian regime and its imperialist sponsors seek to criminalize. The timing of this blow to the prosecution is politically significant. The NATO-Ukraine war is in deep crisis. After sacrificing hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian lives and exhausting tens of billions of dollars, the much-heralded NATO offensive has failed catastrophically. Zelenskys government, which rules on the basis of martial law, is disintegrating under corruption scandals, and he has dismissed his closest confidant, Andriy Yermak. European governments, facing mass opposition at home, openly accuse Washington of strategic betrayal. These internal fractures are driving both the Zelensky regime and NATO to ever more desperate and reckless measures. The European imperialist powersabove all, Germany and Franceare sharply escalating discussions about the deployment of troops to Ukraine, the expansion of long-range strike capabilities and the shift to wartime economies. The Ukrainian states persecution of Bogdan Syrotiuk is an integral part of this broader war policy. The imperialist powers fear above all the emergence of a conscious, internationalist movement of workers and youth against the war. They intend to silence those who oppose the propaganda lies used to justify the slaughter and who fight to unite the working class across borders. The assault on Bogdan is part of a global campaign against socialist and anti-war movements, as the ruling class turns to authoritarianism in preparation for a far larger and more catastrophic conflict. In Germany, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP) has been targeted by the intelligence agencies for its Marxist program and opposition to militarism. In the United States, the fascistic Trump movement is threatening to classify anti-capitalism and anti-Christianity as forms of terrorism, while targeting immigrants, political opponents and left-wing activists. Across Europe, governments are resurrecting wartime censorship laws and criminalizing opposition to the genocide against the Palestinians. The refutation of the frame-up provided by Irkhins report places immense responsibility on the international working class. The fight for Bogdans freedom is inseparable from the struggle to build a conscious, organized movement against the drive to world war. As the WSWS wrote when Bogdan was first arrested: The fight for Bogdans freedom must be taken up by workers, students and all those who are committed to the defense of democratic rights and opposed to the escalation of imperialist wars that, unless stopped, threaten humanity with a nuclear catastrophe. This warning is even more urgent today. We call on workers, youth, students, artists and intellectuals around the world to: Share this perspective and expose the fraudulent character of the charges. Sign and distribute the petition demanding Bogdans immediate release. Organize meetings and discussions in schools, universities and workplaces. Donate to support the international campaign. And above all, join the International Committee of the Fourth International, the world party of socialist revolution. The fight to free Bogdan Syrotiuk is in essence the struggle to mobilize the working class in Ukraine, Russia and internationally against the war. His defense is inseparable from the struggle to build a global movement of the working class capable of ending the system that is plunging humanity toward catastrophe. Hendrick Streeck , via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5] [Photo by Frank Burkhardt, CC BY 2.5 Following the recent statement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democratic Union, CDU) that Germany can no longer afford the welfare state, the CDU and Social Democratic Party (SPD) coalition are pushing through drastic cuts to social services which will be at the heart of the federal budget for next year. The abolition of the citizens income scheme was only the first step. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) has recently called for an Agenda 2030. According to Reiche, this should include far-reaching measures such as raising the retirement age to 70, abolishing payment of wages in the event of illness and a reduction of protections against dismissal. Proposals for drastic cuts in public healthcare have been widely discussed in the media for months. Now the German governments drug commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) has underlined the inhumane and de facto murderous measures the ruling class is prepared to take by proposing drastic cuts to medical care for the elderly. Speaking to the right-wing broadcaster Welt TV, he raised the question of whether elderly people should still be prescribed expensive medication. He said there are phases in life when certain medications should no longer be used. He cited the example of a 100-year-old man suffering from cancer and asked, Do we really want to use these expensive drugs in such a case? Cynically, he reported on the death of his father, who had lung cancer, and lamented that so much money had been spent in the weeks before his death. After these disgusting statements met with widespread criticism, Streeck followed up with a guest article in the Rheinische Post. In it, he criticised the proposition that prolonging life is always the highest goal, spoke out against alleged over-treatment, and even went so far as to make the grotesque statement that it is not uncommon for older people to be operated to death. Streeck is notorious for his contempt for human life. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, he advocated a radical policy of allowing the virus to spread and spoke out against even limited mitigation measures. Streeck is calling for fundamental cuts in public healthcare. Health is not an all-inclusive service provided by the state, according to the drug commissioner. Germans go to the doctor too often, causing unnecessary costs. Streecks outrageous demands for cuts in care for the elderly received no open support from the federal government or other parties. However, this does not mean that they are averse to drastically restricting healthcare at the expense of patients and employees. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) rejected Streecks demands, and deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer stated that this is not the position of the federal government. In fact, however, the Ministry of Health under Warken is currently working on drastic cuts. A bill already passed by the Bundestag to curb spending on hospitals was rejected last week by the countrys second chamber, the Bundesrat, which passed the measure on to the mediation committee. The bill was intended to save 1.8 billion by limiting hospital spending. This would have had a considerable effect on hospitals, which are already under great financial pressure. At the same time, it would also have had a negative impact on funding in subsequent years. There are repeated disputes between the federal and state governments regarding hospital financing and planning, which is essentially a matter for the individual states. There have been numerous hospital closures in recent years. Last year there were 24, and this year there could be even more. More than 80 percent of hospitals in Germany are now in the red, and several have already filed for bankruptcy, reported Christian Schuchardt (CDU), chief executive of the German Association of Cities, at the beginning of November. The 4 billion in emergency aid originally promised for hospitals with deficits is being used to reduce the deficit in the statutory health insurance system. Overall, local authorities in Germany have a huge budget deficit of over 30 billion and, in addition to maintaining hospitals, some of them have to raise additional sums running into hundreds of millions of euros. In October 2023, the previous government, at the initiative of Health Minister Lauterbach (SPD), decided on the so-called hospital reform, with the aim of closing hospitals across the board and creating a profit-optimised hospital landscape. Lauterbach responded to Streecks demands with a call for further cuts to hospitals. In a social media post, he wrote, Age rationing of expensive drugs is ethically untenable and unnecessary. We waste a lot of money on expensive and poor hospital care, where a lot can be saved if reforms are not watered down. There is no shortage of proposals to reduce costs at the expense of patients and healthcare workers. The reintroduction of the practice fee for local doctors, increased co-payments for medicines, the introduction of a primary care model or further cuts in statutory health insurance benefits are among the most discussed measures. The deficit in the statutory health insurance funds is cited as the main reason for this. In the first half of this year, statutory health insurance expenditure amounted to 174.9 billion, while revenue was only just under 169.1 billion. This resulted in a deficit of 5.8 billion for this period. Apart from the fact that this deficit is mainly due to stagnating wages, the two-tier system in health insurance and the market mechanisms in the healthcare sector supported by all parties, is small compared to military spending. This latter sum amounted to 78 billion in 2024 and is set to rise significantly in 2025. The war budget has more than doubled in recent years, from 50.3 billion (2022) to 108 billion next year. During the same period, the health budget has been reduced from 64.3 billion to 20.1 billionless than one-third the previous level. Massive cuts are to be made in healthcare, as in all other social sectors, in order to invest more funds in internal and external rearmament. In addition, if the federal government has its way, every aspect of society is to be militarised. To this end, the healthcare system is also to be made fit for war. At the beginning of November, Bavarias Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) called for the healthcare system to be prepared for crises and war: I believe a nationwide health security summit with all stakeholders is necessary. To protect hospitals against sabotage and cyber attacks, nearly 3 billion would have to be invested, as well as up to 15 billion in the event of war. A secure and stable healthcare system is the backbone of a successful overall defence, emphasised the Bavarian health minister. These figures come from a study commissioned by the German Hospital Association (DKG) from the Institute for Health Care Business (HCB) and the German Hospital Institute (DKI). The study assumes that in the event of a NATO war scenario, up to 1,000 wounded people would need to be treated daily in Germany, 22 percent of whom would require intensive care beds. Among other things, the study proposes the extensive construction of underground medical stations, such as those that exist in Israel. A large part of the measures are to be implemented by 2027 in order to achieve the necessary resilience. Although the study refers to a defence scenario, it is clear that these plans have nothing to do with defence, but are part of the German governments comprehensive war plans against Russia. The upheavals in the global trading system flowing from US president Trumps tariff war against China and much of the rest of world are reflected in the trade surplus figures announced by Beijing on Monday. In the first 11 months of this year Chinas trade surplus reached $1.08 trillion beating the previous record of $993 billion for 2024 with still a month to go. The Wall Street Journal characterised it as a remarkable figure, never before seen in recorded economic history. Shipping containers ready for transport at the Guangzhou Port in the Nansha district in southern China's Guangdong province on April 17, 2025. [AP Photo/Ng Han Guan] The tariffs imposed by Trump on Chinese exports to the US, now averaging around 37 percent, have brought a reduction of exports of around one fifth. But this decline was more than compensated by the surge in Chinese exports to other markets. The Chinese trade surplus for the month of November surged to $111.68 billion, the third highest level on record, and a 21.7 percent increase on the same period last year. If the Trump administration believed that its tariff measures would constrict Chinas trade, then it badly miscalculated. So far this year Chinese exports to Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America have risen by 26 percent, 14 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively. Exports to the European Union are up by 15 percent. Southeast Asia is a crucial destination for Chinese exports, some of which are aimed at skirting around the imposts imposed on its goods by the US. The Financial Times (FT) reported over the weekend that Chinese exports to this region are growing at almost twice the rate of the past four years, as Donald Trumps trade war pushes Beijing to tighten trade links with its neighbours. In the first nine months of this year Chinese exports to the six largest economies in the regionIndonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysiahave risen by 23.5 percent for the first nine months of this year. The trend has been evident for some time, but it appears to be accelerating. Roland Rajah, an economist at the Australian-based Lowy Institute told the FT the general China shock that has been going for a few years has been amplified through US tariff deflection this year. China has been accused of dumping its products in the region but according to Rajahs research much of what they are exporting is actually pro-growth. As much as 60 percent of exports were components for products manufactured in the region that were exported to other countries. In other words, Chinese exports are part of the operation of a global supply chain, rather than finished products. The US has said it could target these operations by introducing a 40 percent trans-shipment tariff on goods that start their journey onto world markets from China. One of the fastest growing areas in finished goods is cars which is hitting Japan. The market share of Japanese companies in the regions auto market has fallen from 77 percent in the 2010s to 62 percent in 2025, with car buyers shifting in droves to more affordable electric vehicles made by the Chinese company BYD, according to the FT. Apart from the superiority and lower cost of Chinese manufacturing in a range of products from pharmaceuticals, steel, solar panels, EVs and a vast array of high-tech products, Chinese exports have benefited from what is considered to be the undervaluation of its currency, the renminbi, possibly by as much as 30 percent. This is the result of deflationary conditions in China where prices have been flat or even falling in some cases. In contrast, producer prices charged by factories in Europe have risen by 35 percent and by 26 percent in the US over the past five years. This divergence is giving rise to increased trade tensions, especially with Europe. This was on display during the visit to China by French president Emmanuel Macron last week, despite the efforts to cultivate an air of bonhomie with the exchange of gifts. At a joint press conference with Chinas president Xi Jinping, Macron declared that the imbalances in trade were becoming unbearable. Macron expanded on his remarks in an interview with the financial newspaper Les Echos on his return to France. He said European industry was facing a life or death moment, hit on the one side by a protectionist US and on other by a super-competitive China. Macron made an appeal to China to aid European industry, saying: The Chinese have to do in Europe what the Europeans did 25 years ago by investing in China. I am trying to explain to the Chinese that their trade surplus is untenable and that they are killing their customers, mainly by not importing much from us. We recognise that they are very good in some areas. But we cant be constantly importing, he said. At present Macron appears to be trying to lessen confrontation, calling for the mutual dismantling of our aggressive policies such as restrictions on the export of semiconductor machines on the European side and limitations on the export of rare earths on the Chinese side. But he warned that time was running out. If they dont react, in the coming months we Europeans will be obliged to take strong measures and decouple, like the US, like for example tariffs on Chinese products, he said, indicating that he had discussed the issue with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Plans for restrictions by the EU are already well under way. A draft law is due to be submitted today under which the EU is considering setting a made in Europe content of up to 70 percent for certain products, including cars. According to a report in the FT, the policy would cost EU companies more than 10 billion annually by pushing them to buy more expensive European components. The plan is being overseen by Stephane Sejourne, Frances executive vice-president for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy at the European Commission. It is an expression of how far and how fast the Trump trade war has overturned the post-war international trade and investment framework in less than a year and replaced it with an increasingly dog-eat-dog. Sejourne indicated last month that he had the same agenda as Trump on re-industrialisation and that the only difference was it may be pursued by means other than tariffs. NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A student was killed and another injured in a stabbing following a fight at a high school in the U.S. state of North Carolina on Tuesday, police said. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough told a news conference that there had been a "loss of life" after an "altercation" between two students at North Forsyth High School, adding that an investigation is underway. The injured student was treated at a hospital and released, according to a sheriff's office spokesperson. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein described the incident as "shocking and horrible." "North Carolinians need to be safe wherever they are -- especially in school," Stein wrote on social media platform X. "We must never stop working toward a safer North Carolina." Authorities said the school will be closed on Wednesday, and that crisis counseling will be available to faculty, staff and students. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets entered Venezuelan airspace on Tuesday, circling for about 40 minutes, according to a report from the Miami Herald, a newspaper based in the U.S. state of Florida. FlightRadar24 showed them flying over the northern tip of Lake Maracaibo, above the waters of the Gulf of Venezuela, right between the cities of La Guajira, in Zulia, and Coro, the capital of Falcon state, said the report. Zulia and Falcon are among the key regions for Venezuela's energy sector. Thousands of Venezuelans tracked the aircraft online through specialized tracking websites, watching as the jets traced a bow-tie-shaped pattern over the gulf, said the report, noting the jets flew at an altitude of roughly 25,000 feet (about 7,620 meters). Lake Maracaibo, covering 5,000 square miles (about 12,950 square km), is one of the largest bodies of water in the Americas and the heart of reserves containing some 150 billion barrels of crude oil, the report noted. The flyover is less than 100 miles (about 161 km) northeast of Maracaibo, Venezuela's second-largest city and home to the Rafael Urdaneta Air Base, one of the main military air bases in western Venezuela. In an interview with Politico on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly declined to rule out sending U.S. troops into oil-rich Venezuela as part of an effort to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. "I don't want to rule in or out. I don't talk about it," Trump said of deploying ground troops, "I don't want to talk to you about military strategy." Trump has recently reiterated that the U.S. military is to start strikes on land targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean "very soon," escalating tension between the United States and Venezuela. The Pentagon has carried out at least 22 known strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since September, killing at least 87 people aboard. Washington has deployed around a dozen warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea, which shares a significant amount of coastline with Venezuela. The region has not seen such a massive U.S. military presence for at least three decades. Critics, including multiple lawmakers at the U.S. Capitol, have questioned whether counternarcotics are indeed the only U.S. motive and the legality of the U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean. Maduro has repeatedly condemned Washington's actions as attempts to overthrow his government and expand the U.S. military influence in Latin America. MEXICO CITY, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that the country will hold a meeting with the United States to avert a potential additional 5 percent tariff proposed due to Mexico's failure to meet its water delivery obligations under a 1944 bilateral treaty. "I am convinced that, as on other occasions, we will reach an agreement for the benefit of the United States and for the benefit of Mexico," Sheinbaum said during a press conference at the National Palace, adding that a virtual bilateral meeting was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Water Commission, and the International Boundary and Water Commission will take part in the meeting. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose the tariff, citing Mexico's failure to meet the terms of the 1944 water distribution agreement. Under the treaty, Mexico is required to deliver 2.185 billion cubic meters of water from the Rio Grande to the United States every five years, while receiving 1.850 billion cubic meters annually from the Colorado River. Trump accused Mexico of owing the United States more than 800,000 acre-feet of water (986.4 million cubic meters), saying that it was harming U.S. agriculture and livestock. He set a deadline for Mexico to release 200,000 acre-feet (246.6 million cubic meters) by Dec. 31, 2025, with the remaining amount to be delivered soon after. Mexico, however, has delivered only one-third of the agreed amount for the current cycle, due to an "extraordinary" drought between 2022 and 2023, according to Roberto Velasco, Undersecretary for North America at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he could extend anti-drug military operations to Mexico and Colombia, Politico reported Tuesday. In an interview with Politico at the White House on Monday, Trump declined to rule out putting U.S. troops into Venezuela. "I don't want to rule in or out. I don't talk about it," Trump said of deploying ground troops. "I don't want to talk to you about military strategy." In recent months, Washington has deployed around a dozen warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea. The region has not witnessed such a massive U.S. military presence for at least three decades. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has repeatedly denounced Washington's so-called anti-drug operations as attempts to overthrow his government and expand U.S. military influence in Latin America. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the U.S. government of "murder" for killing suspected drug traffickers at sea. "Do you know how difficult it is to be yourself?" Netflix's Jay Kelly, the latest movie from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story), stars George Clooney as an iconic actor not unlike Clooney himself. As with so many of Baumbach's movies, it's a prickly, wryly humorous exploration of a difficult person who's coming to realize how much they've alienated those around them. As the film unfolds, Jay's career falls by the wayside as he considers his legacy both in a personal and professional sense. After an encounter with his bitter ex-colleague Timothy (Billy Crudup) that ends in fisticuffs, he decides to bail on a major new film just days before production and attend a tribute to his career in Tuscany. This sends his team of handlers scurrying to deal with the fallout of the fight and the financial consequences of him leaving the project. Advertisement Advertisement What follows is a meditation on fame, friendship, and family that's equal parts funny and sad. Below, we break down the film's ending and what it all means. Does Timothy sue Jay? Peter Mountain/Netflix Billy Crudup as Timothy in 'Jay Kelly' Billy Crudup as Timothy in 'Jay Kelly' He tries to, though it's squashed by Jay's manager Ron (Adam Sandler), who utilizes underhanded means to make it go away. Still, Jay feels bad. He wants to apologize, but his team tells him to let it go. That's hard for Jay, who's reckoning with the wreckage caused by him placing his career ahead of everything else. Timothy, after all, was among the first ghosts to trigger Jay's spiral. Jay is initially thrilled to run into Timothy at the funeral of Peter Schneider (Jim Broadbent), the director who gave him his big break. But Timothy has an axe to grind. He was the one who brought Jay to the audition that scored him that big break, but Timothy's career never took off. Advertisement Advertisement "You kinda stole my life," he says. It gets more personal when Timothy, who's friendly with Jay's older daughter Jessica (Riley Keough), tells Jay that she thinks of him as an "empty vessel." Outside, the pair get into a fight that leaves Timothy with a broken nose and Jay with a black eye. Later, we see Jay's team managing the narrative of the tussle. Liz (Laura Dern), his publicist, grows exhausted by Jay's behavior and quits. Ron gets it. He and Liz used to be an item, but their romance was ruined due to their professional commitments to Jay. Soon, Ron comes to realize that his relationship with Jay, which blurs between the personal and professional, has come at a cost to his own happiness. Does Jay reconcile with Jessica? Peter Mountain/Netflix George Clooney as Jay Kelly and Riley Keough as Jessica in 'Jay Kelly' George Clooney as Jay Kelly and Riley Keough as Jessica in 'Jay Kelly' No. Jay's relations with his father (Stacy Keach) and two daughters, Jessica and Daisy (Grace Edwards), only grow more fractured throughout the film, despite his efforts to fly them to the tribute. But his relationship with Jessica has suffered the most. Advertisement Advertisement Jessica, who worked as an actress for years before flaming out due to insecurity, isn't shy about her resentments. Jay, after all, cheated on her mom with one of his old costars, Daphne (Eve Hewson), shattering the family unit. Lonely and desperate in Italy, Jay calls Jessica in desperation. "I just want you to come with me to see what I did, to be there to celebrate," he says. "It's got to have meant something." Her response cuts to the bone: "What if it didn't?" He tries to rationalize his failures as a father, but eventually admits that it all boils down to him choosing his career over his family. "There's no other way to do it," he says. "But it was supposed to be temporary, until I had what I wanted. Then I had to keep it." She replies, "I'm going to have a good life, just not with you." To her, he's no longer her father, but simply a movie star. She punctuates this by asking for an autograph for her son's teacher. What happens at the end of Jay Kelly? Netflix George Clooney as Jay Kelly and Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick in 'Jay Kelly' George Clooney as Jay Kelly and Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick in 'Jay Kelly' After a winding odyssey through France and Italy, Jay arrives in Tuscany for the tribute. Though he's surrounded by starstruck fans, he's joined only by Ron. It's a bittersweet result; these two men who are ostensibly business partners now realize that they're closer to each other than anyone else in their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Onscreen, a reel highlighting Jay's many performances over the years unfolds. Interestingly, the clips we see are all from actual Clooney films, including Out of Sight (1998), Three Kings (1999), Up in the Air (2009), and The Midnight Sky (2020), among others. Jay looks around at the enraptured faces in the crowd. Among them, he sees ghosts from his past, including Timothy and Daphne, as well as the younger versions of Jay and Timothy that we see in flashbacks (played by Charlie Rowe and Louis Partridge, respectively). Jay retreats into his memories, witnessing teenage versions of Jessica and Daisy performing a show in their backyard. In the memory, Jay is grabbing a bag and preparing to leave, only barely paying attention. But then he stops and really watches them, smiling. Did he really do that or is that just how he wants to remember it? It's unclear. As everyone rises for a standing ovation, a teary-eyed Jay stays seated, then looks directly at the camera. "Can I go again?" he asks. "I'd like another one." Advertisement Advertisement The line references the film's opening moments, when Jay is filming a death scene on a film set. Then, he was speaking to the director, who assures him the take was good. Here, however, Jay is speaking existentially. He'd like to do his life over again, to not only relive the joys but to correct all of his mistakes. Where can I watch Jay Kelly? Jay Kelly is now streaming on Netflix. Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter. Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly A sprawling Colorado property long owned by Emmy-winning comedy writer Tom Patchett has just hit the market. Nestled in Box Canyon on the picturesque Specie Mesa surrounded by rugged peaks and alpine meadows, about 45 minutes outside of Telluride, the 107-acre spread is asking a speck under $3.2 million, with Allison Templin of Telluride Properties holding the listing. Custom-built during the late 1990s and early 2000s by Patchettbest known for co-creating the 1980s sitcom ALF with Paul Fusco, the puppeteer behind the furry, wise-cracking alien from the planet Melmacthe gated retreat within the Top of the World subdivision sits on two parcels of U.S. Forest Service-adjacent land and includes a main house, a guest cottage, a fishing cabin, and an art barn totaling roughly 2,700 square feet. More from Robb Report 1006 Top of The World Tom Patchett House CO RELATED: A Remote Colorado Estate With Two Homes and 6 Guest Cabins Hits the Market for $22.4 Million Advertisement Advertisement A single bedroom and bath can be found inside the corrugated metal-clad primary dwelling, which also features a window-lined living area topped with an exposed beam cathedral ceiling and warmed by a bright red retro fireplace. The small kitchen is outfitted with stainless countertops and appliances, open shelving, a vintage range, and a portable butcher block-topped island. Elsewhere is a guest cottage, which comes with a wood-paneled en-suite bedroom sporting a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, plus a rustic fishing cabin alongside a spring-fed pond. Making its own unique mark on the eclectic getaway is a soaring art barn with a loft accessible via a ladder and lots of whimsical antique memorabilia, from a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket chandelier to an Elvis Presley lamp. The decorative objects are not included as part of the sale but can be negotiated for purchase separately. 1006 Top of The World Tom Patchett House CO RELATED: This Historic Stone Home in Colorado by Architect Charles Klauder Can Be Yours for $2.5 Million Patchett, whose career has also included stints as a writer and producer on the Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart shows, told Homes.com he and his wife, Carol, are selling because they are preparing to downsize to a condo they own in Telluride. We havent spent as much time [there] as we used to because grandchildren have appeared on the Gulf Coast, he said, so we spend a lot of time flying over the property to get wherever they are. Advertisement Advertisement Added Carol, who particularly enjoyed the propertys elk, ducks, and flowers, Its not like any other place. So, it needs to go to someone who understands how cool and how intimate and how special the buildings are. And then, at the same time, loves the vast, open view. Click here for more photos of the rustic compound. 1006 Top of The World Tom Patchett House CO Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration can not deploy members of the California National Guard in Los Angeles and must return control of the troops to the state. According to the ruling by U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco, the Trump administration still retains control of approximately 300 California National Guard members six months after protests erupted in Southern California over an immigration crackdown. The court stays the order until noon on next Monday, and the Trump administration is expected to appeal. In June, Breyer issued a temporary restraining order saying U.S. President Donald Trump overstepped his bounds in ordering the deployment of roughly 4,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay just hours after Breyer's decision. The dramatic legal reversal capped a day of courtroom confrontation between the Trump administration and California over the unprecedented federal takeover of state military forces. Breyer also ruled in September that the Trump administration violated a 19th-century law barring the use of soldiers for civilian law enforcement when it deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in June. By late October, the Trump administration had withdrawn most of the troops, reducing the number of federalized National Guard members in Los Angeles to only several hundred. As of now, 100 federalized California National Guard members remain "at various locations throughout Los Angeles providing rapid response protection to federal facilities, functions, and personnel," Breyer's ruling stated. Bad Bunny has been spotted in Mexico. Grammy-award winning recording artist Bad Bunny sat front row at a CMLL event on Tuesday, with a Mistico mask aiming to keep his identity a secret. That secret eventually came to light when Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre confirmed him to be the person behind the mask. Should have taken more pictures!!! CMLL wrote on Instagram alongside images of Bad Bunny under the disguise. The multi-award-winning Bad Bunny lived The Worlds Greatest Wrestling up close, vibrating with every fall and every key and rocking none less than the mask of the King of Silver and Gold, Mistico! A unique evening that confirms that the magic of Arena Mexico conquers the whole world. Bunny is quite familiar with the professional wrestling world thanks to previous in-ring appearances under the WWE banner. The rapper made his wrestling debut at WrestleMania 37, where he and Damian Priest bested The Miz and John Morrison. Across the next two years, he returned to WWE for a surprise appearance in the Mens Royal Rumble, then a San Juan Street Foght against Priest at Backlash 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Mistico, the current CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion, main-evented Tuesdays CMLL show in Mexico City in Best Two-Out-Three Falls tag team match alongside Titan. Together, the pair defeated Los Hermanos Chavez (Angel de Oro and Niebla Roja). RELATED: Damian Priest Reveals Whats Preventing Bad Bunny From Returning To WWE The post Bad Bunny Wears Disguise To Attend Wrestling Event appeared first on Wrestlezone. Bonnie Blue, the OnlyFans star, was recently released from jail in Bali after her arrest for allegedly violating Indonesias strict anti-pornography laws but the drama is far from over. Reports suggest she could face a hefty prison sentence, a massive fine, or even deportation. The arrest happened last week after authorities raided a rental studio in Bali, following tips from concerned citizens. Bonnie Blue, along with 17 male tourists, was taken into custody in connection with a controversial Bang Bus tour. She has since been released, but her passport remains confiscated while immigration authorities continue their investigation. Advertisement Advertisement According to News.com.au, if prosecuted and found guilty, Blue could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of six billion rupiahroughly $541,000. But experts say theres a chance she may avoid jail time. Philo Dellano, managing partner at Jakarta-based PNB Immigration, suggests deportation could be on the table instead. She is being detained by the police, which means they can proceed to prosecute her, Dellano explained. But in my opinion, if there is an invisible hand that requests that she be deported, she can be transferred to the nearest immigration office, from where she will be deported from Indonesia. Dellano added that prosecuting Blue isnt straightforward since the pornography industry she works in is largely profit-driven and controlled by other entities. He theorized that this may have been why she came to Bali in the first place, noting that if something bad happened, as it has, she could be deported easily. He also suggested authorities might wait for media attention to die down before making a final decision, potentially as late as January or February. This isnt the first time foreigners have faced legal trouble in Bali over adult content. Dellano said outcomes often depend on the influence of the invisible hand behind the individuals involved. Blue has long leaned into shock value. Earlier this year, she made headlines for another stunt where she claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 men in a single day. A number I am very proud of, she previously stated. NEED TO KNOW Zachery Ty Bryan was released from custody on Dec. 10 following his Nov. 29th arrest for allegedly violating his probation for a prior domestic violence conviction He entered a denial on that charge during an arraignment on Dec. 3 and has been given a new court date for later this month to address the incident His fiancee, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was also arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence, reckless endangering and reckless driving Zachery Ty Bryan is no longer behind bars. According to online records obtained by PEOPLE from the Oregon Judicial Department and Lane County's Sheriff's Office (LCSO), the Home Improvement alum, 44, was released from Lane County Community Corrections in Eugene, Ore. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. He had been in custody for nearly two weeks after getting arrested for allegedly violating probation connected to a prior assault conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Records indicate that the charges which Bryan denied at his arraignment on Dec. 3 have been cleared. He is set to return to court for a probation violation hearing on Dec. 15. PEOPLE has reached out to Bryan's attorney for comment. The actor and his fiancee, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, were both arrested on Nov. 29. Cartwright was later arraigned and pleaded not guilty to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and three counts of reckless driving. Horry County Sheriff's Office Zachery Ty Bryan booked by the Horry County Sheriff's Office in January 2025 Zachery Ty Bryan booked by the Horry County Sheriff's Office in January 2025 The LCSO detailed the incident that led to the arrests in a Facebook post on Dec. 1, revealing that police were responding to a report of reckless endangering when they found Bryan, Cartwright and their three children in a pickup truck near a popular Oregon campsite. Advertisement Advertisement They were driving together in the area, the LCSO said. At some point Bryan got out of the pickup truck and began walking on Big Fall Creek Road. Cartwright then attempted to run over Bryan, crashing the truck with the children inside into the ditch. Bryan was able to move out of the way and avoid injury. No one inside the pickup was injured." "Deputies interviewed Bryan and Cartwright. Deputies observed signs both were impaired, the LCSO continued. Deputies also interviewed witnesses contacted on scene. Per a court order from a prior case, Bryan was not supposed to be in contact with Cartwright." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The LCSO ended by stating that "after additional investigation, Cartwright was arrested for Attempted Assault in the 1st Degree, three counts of Recklessly Endangering, and DUII. Bryan was arrested for a probation violation on an original charge of Assault in the 4th Degree. The involved children were placed with a family member." Advertisement Advertisement Bryan was initially denied bail and given an end of sentence date of Dec. 3, when he was first booked by the LCSO on Nov. 29. However, he was later transferred to Lane County Community Corrections on a detainer. Per Lane County, This program houses offenders in a structured setting, allowing them to leave the premises for work or other approved activities such as drug treatment. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic Zachery Ty Bryan in Santa Monica, Calif. on Nov. 13, 2016 Zachery Ty Bryan in Santa Monica, Calif. on Nov. 13, 2016 Bryan and Cartwright have been engaged since November 2021 and share daughter Kennedy, 3, and twins Parker and Sequoia, 2. This latest run-in with the law marked the Hammer of the Gods stars sixth arrest in five years amid the pairs history of legal issues. In 2021, Bryan pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges of domestic violence after being accused of strangling a woman. In 2023, he pled guilty to fourth degree felony assault. Then, in 2024, he was arrested twice on DUI charges. Advertisement Advertisement In January of this year, Bryan allegations of second-degree domestic violence from Myrtle Beach police in South Carolina. In a police report obtained by PEOPLE, the arresting officer said a woman, who PEOPLE reported to be Cartwright, "stated that she was assaulted" by Bryan and the two "live together and have children in common." She further alleged that Bryan "choked her and punched her in the face multiple times," and that there were "others" involved who were "inside the home during the incident." If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Meghan Markles father has received a letter that she wrote to him, the Duchess's spokesperson said today. It follows the news last week that she had reached out to Thomas Markle, with it later transpiring that she had sent an email and that he had not received it. Meghans spokesperson said today that it had been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days. The spokesperson added that, With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands. It was clarified to journalists that this correspondence was a letter. Thomas Markle, 81, is currently in hospital in the Philippines, where he now lives, after having his left leg amputated below the knee in what was described as life-or-death surgery due to a blood clot. Following his operation, he gave an interview to the Mail on Sunday in which the newspaper reported he appealed to his daughter to see him one more time before I die. The same Mail journalist, who describes Mr. Markle as a friend, reported earlier this week that Thomas Markle had been moved out of intensive care. Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, a spokesperson for Meghan told T&C that she had reached out to her father. At the time, it was unclear if she had actually made contact with him. It was subsequently revealed that she had emailed him and he was said not to have received it. A source close to Meghan also said that she had called round hospitals in the Philippines in search of her father and asked journalists for help contacting him as she no longer has a phone number for him. Meghan has been estranged from her father since her 2018 wedding, which he did not attend due to ill health. He has never met his son-in-law Harry or his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet. You Might Also Like NEED TO KNOW The man who accosted Ariana Grande at the Wicked premiere in Singapore was kicked out of a Lady Gaga concert in Australia Videos of Johnson Wen being escorted out of the venue by security have been shared online Wen has become known for crashing celebrity events Less than one month after he accosted Ariana Grande on the yellow brick carpet at the Wicked premiere in Singapore, Johnson Wen was kicked out of a Lady Gaga concert in Australia. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, videos posted to social media appeared to show Wen, who goes by "Pyjama Man" on Instagram, getting escorted out of the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, ahead of Gaga's latest Mayhem Ball stop. In the videos, fans boo Wen as security appears to remove him from the premises. Advertisement Advertisement Wen, 26, confirmed his removal on his Instagram Story, where he wrote, "Got kicked out of Lady Gaga concert! The show doesnt start till 8 p.m.! The early fans were booing me. PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Gaga and the Suncorp Stadium for comment. Samir Hussein/Getty Lady Gaga on Sept. 29, 2025, in London Lady Gaga on Sept. 29, 2025, in London Wen made headlines on Nov. 13, when footage of him jumping a barricade and rushing Grande, 32, at the Wicked premiere in Singapore hit the internet. Videos from the incident show Grande's costar, Cynthia Erivo, placing herself between him and the pop star. After the altercation, the Australian man posted a video from the incident to his Instagram, writing, @arianagrande @wickedmovie Dear Ariana Grande Thank You for letting me Jump on the Yellow Carpet with You . Advertisement Advertisement Following the incident, Wen spent nine days in jail after pleading guilty to one charge of public nuisance on Nov. 17. He was subsequently deported back to Australia, after being banned from Singapore, according to the BBC News, CBS News and ABC News, all of which cited the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and local media. During a Nov. 20 episode of the Today show, Erivo, 38, shared what was going through her mind when she saw the fan rushing Grande. "I was really thinking, I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe," Erivo explained. "Im sure he didnt mean us harm, but I just, you never know with those things and I wanted to make sure that she was okay. That was my first instinct." @bellephai13/TikTok Johnson Wan rushes Ariana Grande at 'Wicked' premiere Johnson Wan rushes Ariana Grande at 'Wicked' premiere 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. Wen has become known for crashing events. He previously jumped on stage with Katy Perry, the Weeknd and the Chainsmokers. Advertisement Advertisement Grande has not yet spoken out about the incident, however, she has been candid in the past about dealing with PTSD following the 2017 bombing at her Manchester concert, which killed 22 people. "Yeah, its a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well," Grande told British Vogue in 2018. Its hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss I feel like I shouldnt even be talking about my own experience like I shouldnt even say anything. I dont think Ill ever know how to talk about it and not cry. Read the original article on People Actor Marlon Wayans thoughts on the new Diddy documentary sparked outrage and a petty back-and-forth with 50 Cent. Marlon Wayans is clarifying the narratives being spread about him on social media. Last night, the comedian and actor took to social media to address the growing backlash he received for sharing his thoughts on Sean Combs: The Reckoning, the latest documentary produced by Curtis 50 Cent Jackson. Im gonna make it abundantly clear. Im not here defending Diddy, Wayans told his followers. I got dragged into this because somebody asked me a question, and I had an opinion. Nobodys wrong for giving an opinion about any subject, period. Im not here defending Diddy. Dont let the narrative fool you. This comes in response to social media users reacting to clips of Wayans discussing the viral documentary. In a series of interviews, the comedian reflected on how Combs and Jacksons personal issues could have skewed the narrative in the Netflix documentary. Advertisement Advertisement You can create any narrative as a producer, as a director, and as a storyteller. It doesnt mean its true, he said at the time. So for me50 and Puff have a long-term beef. Its personal. Its between him and Puff. And before its between him and Puff, its between both of them and God. Just the way Puff is down on his luck, and 50 is kicking a man when hes down. If luck ever turns on 50 youve got to be careful what you put out. Theres karma to every action that you do. In an interview with Big Boy, he added, Right now, the man is serving time. He went before the court. The court said this. He got to do five years in pen? Let him do his five years. You wanna bury him further? [50 Cent and Diddy] have their personal beef, and it consciously runs very deep. I prefer they just get in the ring and fight, than to do this, you know what I mean? Sean Diddy Combs was sentenced to 50 months (just over 4 years) in October 2025 for two counts of transporting people across state lines for prostitution. So let me get this straight, they mad that 50 for EXPOSING Diddy n his sick n disgusting ways but not mad at Diddy for being sick n disgusting? So ppl are ok wit all the sick sh!t that Diddy did! THE INDUSTRY IS ONE SICK ASS DISGUSTING PLACE TO IN! https://t.co/sW65ioerBe DontDrinkTheRedKoolaid (@ThaGirlAnna) December 9, 2025 Kickin a man while hes down a wild choice of words considering all the optics https://t.co/5ksBNDcZNG pic.twitter.com/wBoJlchxKe AceVane (@AcEvAne) December 9, 2025 After sparking a wave of outrage from fans and a petty back-and-forth between him and the rapper, Wayans stands firmly behind what he said. Advertisement Advertisement Once again, somebodys creating narratives. This is my point. So please, look at the whole clip that I did, and then look at what happens with the narrative. Thats what Im telling you. Yall people dont be sheep. Use your brain, use your freedom of thought, your freedom of speech, and dont ever let nobody bully you. More must-reads: UPDATE 12/10/25, 5:40 a.m. ET: Meghan Markle has successfully delivered a letter to her father, Thomas Markle, following his lower leg amputation. With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands, a spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex told Us Weekly on Wednesday, December 10. Original story: Meghan Markle took matters into her own hands in an attempt to contact her estranged father, Thomas Markle, amid his health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Us Weekly understands that Meghan, 44, called hospitals in the Philippines after learning that Thomas, 81, was hospitalized and had his leg amputated after suffering a blood clot. In addition to searching various hospitals, Meghan wrote a letter to her father. Us understands that the Duchess of Sussex is hopeful the message will arrive to Thomas in the next 24 hours. The Times was first to report. Inside Meghan Markles Relationship With Father Thomas Markle Sr. Amid His Health Trouble Thomas son, Thomas Markle Jr., revealed last week that his father underwent a serious surgery. My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated, Thomas Jr., 59, told the Daily Mail on Friday, December 5. There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death. Advertisement Advertisement That same day, Us confirmed that Meghan reached out to her father in the wake of his surgery. The following day, Thomas told the Daily Mail that he was confused to hear that Meghan attempted to contact him. While Thomas was unaware his daughter reached out, he shared that he was hopeful for a reconciliation. Of course I want to speak to [Meghan], but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances, Thomas told the outlet in an interview published on Saturday, December 6. Ive always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I dont want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband too. Meghan Markles Family Guide: Meet the Duchess of Sussexs Parents and Siblings Advertisement Advertisement Meghan and Thomas became estranged before she married Prince Harry in 2018. The father-daughter duo had a falling out when Thomas admitted to staging photos of a suit fitting. However, Thomas daughter Samantha later told U.K. talk show Loose Women that she was entirely the culprit in setting up the photo op and did it to help paint her dad in a positive light. As we know, the media can take very unflattering photographs of people on their casual days and blow it way out of proportion. I said, You know, the world has no idea youre getting in shape, doing healthy things. They dont photograph you buying vegetables and PH water. They photograph you as unflattering ways as they can, she recalled in 2018. So, I said, Really, you need to show the world that youre getting in shape and doing great healthy things. So, I suggested [the photo]. Theres a lot of scrutiny that it was money-motivated, it was not. It was my suggestion that to benefit him and to benefit the royal family that everyone looked good and they depict you as you are in shape and doing healthy things. Thomas ultimately did not attend Meghan and Harrys wedding because he underwent heart surgery days before. The years-long estrangement between Meghan Markle and her father may be nearing its conclusion amid his recent health battle. The Duchess of Sussex and Thomas Markle stopped talking in 2018 shortly before the former actress became a part of the Royal Family. She cut off contact with her dad after he staged paparazzi photos ahead of her union with Prince Harry. Although Thomas Markle made several attempts to reconnect with Meghan Markle, it took a near-death experience to open the doors of communication. However, a third party's interference may delay a possible reunion between father and daughter. Meghan Markle Writes To Her Father After His Health Ordeal MEGA According to new reports, a spokesman for Meghan confirmed she had made contact with her dad after multiple failed attempts. "With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands," the rep claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Meghan penned a letter to her father days after his emergency surgery. She had reportedly tried to reach him on December 5 via email as news of his health spread; however, her efforts never made it to Thomas in the Philippines. PEOPLE claimed Meghan's efforts continued with several attempts to pinpoint the hospital her father was recovering at by making personal phone calls to multiple facilities in the Philippines. Her team also contacted those close to Thomas for the best way to communicate during his recovery. Why The Duchess Of Sussex Finds It Challenging To Contact Her Father Lisa OConnor/AFF-USA.com / MEGA Meghan cannot reach her father by phone because he is not currently in possession of his phone at the hospital. Even if he had his phone, the Duchess of Sussex allegedly did not have a working phone number, making calls impossible. Besides the lack of a phone, Meghan wouldn't want to risk having a third party listening in during her calls with Thomas. The Daily Mail reporter, Caroline Graham, had been by the Markle patriarch's side since last week and remains by his bedside, sharing updates on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Meghan did not appreciate the reporter's involvement, with her spokesperson blaming Graham for the delay in communications between the father and daughter. "It has been exceedingly difficult for the Duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days," the rep alleged. The Former Working Royal's Father Needed Someone By His Side Rachpoot/MEGA Meghan's spokesperson slammed the reporter for not leaving Thomas's bedside while "broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries." Despite these words, Graham didn't appear out of thin air and force her way into the Markle patriarch's life. A spokesperson for the Daily Mail's parent company, DMG Media, shed light on Graham's relationship with Thomas in a statement to the BBC. The rep claimed the pair have been close pals since 2018, presumably kicking things off after Thomas's estrangement from Meghan. Thomas seemed to place a great deal of trust in Graham as he allegedly contacted her immediately after realizing he needed emergency surgery. He asked the reporter to travel to the Philippines to be by his side, a claim Graham echoed, alleging Thomas called her before his children. Thomas Markle Begged For Another Chance To Reunite With His Daughter dehoy! Agency / MEGA The Blast covered Thomas's medical emergency, reporting that he was admitted at the intensive care unit of a teaching hospital in Cebu, Philippines, after suffering a severe infection that damaged his leg. The aftermath saw doctors rushing to amputate Meghan's father's leg to save his life. Advertisement Advertisement The health scare did a number on Thomas as he feared he might soon take his last breath and immediately began pleading for another chance to reconcile with his daughter before it was too late. He also begged for a chance to meet his son-in-law and grandchildren. Thomas claimed he never changed his phone number because he had been waiting for the day Meghan would decide to call. As stated, the duo became estranged after Thomas staged paparazzi photos for money in the days leading up to her wedding to Harry, and lied about it. Meghan Markle's Brother Pleads For Compassion Amid Their Father's Health Struggles dehoy! Agency / MEGA Following the Markle patriarch's hospitalization, his son Thomas Markle Jr. opened up about his health ordeal. The Blast shared that he recalled taking his father to a hospital close to their home for a checkup, only to find out that his life was in danger. Then they rushed him to a bigger hospital for the emergency surgery, with Thomas Sr.'s daughter, Samantha Markle, claiming the operation marked one of many health ordeals. She noted her father "has been through two heart attacks, a stroke, and an earthquake." Both siblings asked for prayers for their father's recovery, but Thomas Jr. believed the patriarch would feel much better following the end of his years-long estrangement with his daughter. "My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life," he said. WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military has intercepted and taken control of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday. _ Settlement money Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor gave Virginia Giuffre is reportedly missing. Following the alleged victim's death, her family claimed her estate is only worth $312,000, leaving millions from the disgraced royal unaccounted for. Keep reading to learn more... MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more top news Supplied by Capital Pictures / MEGA _ After Virginia Giuffre took her life in April, her sons filed a claim in the Supreme Court of Western Australia stating that the estate is only worth $312,000, The Times reported. Lawyers for the activist's children allege the value is held in a family trust, a ranch in Neergabby, Australia, two cars, a horse, jewelry and the future rights to royalties from her posthumously published book. However, Giuffre's attorney, Karrie Louden, as well as her housekeeper, Cheryl Myers, filed a counterclaim alleging the value should be higher. MEGA _ According to Daily Express, Virginia Giuffre received five settlement payouts from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from 2010 through to 2023 after she accused him of misconduct when she was underage. The former Duke of York denied any allegations of wrongdoing but still shelled out money. The cash was allegedly issued through the Witty River Family Trust, which Giuffre and her estranged husband, Robert Giuffre, were co-directors of with equal shares. @virginiarobertsrising11/Instagram _ As the whereabouts of the cash are investigated, Virginia Giuffre's sons are trying to stop Robert Giuffre from taking the money. In an unsigned email from the mother of three before her passing, entitled "implied will," she specified that she wanted her estate divided among her children and her housekeeper, Cheryl Myers. A hearing for the suit is set for February. MEGA Advertisement Advertisement _ Following more shocking allegations in Virginia Giuffre's posthumous tell-all about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, the 65-year-old was stripped of his royal titles. "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," a statement from Buckingham Palace and King Charles III read. "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse." If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Shortly after her arrest on suspicion of creating pornographic content in Bali, Indonesia, Bonnie Blue, real name Tia Billinger, gave a five-word reply after being asked if she would continue making adult content in Bali. This is hardly the first controversy that the adult star has been involved in. Bonnie Blue reacts to question about making more content Bonnie Blue was recently arrested in Bali, Indonesia, on suspicion of creating pornographic content in the country. This is in strict violation of the countrys laws and could lead to up to 15 years in prison. Blue was detained in a police raid on a rental studio after public complaints about her filming explicit content with tourists and barely legal boys. She had been promoting a BangBus tour on social media, which also invited participants to join. Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Blue has been released from custody, but reports state that her passport has been seized by the authorities. After her arrest, Blue was asked if she would continue making adult content in Bali. The former OnlyFans star had a cheeky reply to this. Subscribe and youll find out, she fired back, defiant of her present status in the country. Blue, however, confirmed that the BangBus was over. In a video obtained by DailyMail, Blue can be seen walking into the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office in Jimbaran, south of Kuta. She did not answer when asked if she would be going back home soon. Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Head, Winarko, confirmed that the former OnlyFans star was still being investigated. Badung Police, meanwhile, confirmed that when they raided Blues studio, they found several cameras, condoms, sexual enhancement pills, and USB drives. Advertisement Advertisement A year ago, Blue was banned from Australia for her plans of filming pornographic content with barely legal schoolboys. If found guilty in Indonesia, Bonnie Blue could face up to 15 years imprisonment and fines up to $541,000. Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on Mandatory. The post OnlyFans Bonnie Blue Has Five Word Reaction to Making More NSFW Content appeared first on Reality Tea. OnlyFans Sophie Rain recently took to social media to criticize Bonnie Blue, who could face a jail sentence in Indonesia for 15 years if found guilty. Blue and 17 Australian men were arrested for violating the anti-pornographic law in Bali. During the raid, several items, including professional cameras, contraceptives, her alleged Bonnie Blue Bangbus truck, and erectile drugs, were found. Sophie Rain comments on Bonnie Blue getting arrested Rain took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her thoughts on Blues arrest. She retweeted news from a user called OHOUR, who posted the news with the headline, Bonnie Blue facing 15 years in prison for grooming children in Bali. Replying to the news, she wrote, you would think after getting banned from OnlyFans she would learn from her mistakes. Aside from her arrest and the seizure of specific items, her Instagram account was also taken down after she was found soliciting schoolies to teens for adult activities. If found guilty, she could face jail time of 15 years or have to pay a fine of 6 billion rupiah. (via Daily Mail) Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, in conversation at Bangin Out, Rain opened up about the difference between an OnlyFans creator and a pornographic star. She said, Everyone just immediately assumes that we do porn. And I think the most that any of us has shown is like a bikini, like a really scandalous bikini top. Like we dont do a lot. She explains that she and her fellow Bop House members are working to change how people view OnlyFans creators, emphasizing that theyre not typical adult stars, but individuals finding success while trying not to cross boundaries. Subtly shading Blue, she added, And thats also why I feel like the term bop came around because like were not your average porn star that everyone thinks like were not doing like what Bonnie Blue is doing. Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on Mandatory. The post Onlyfans Sophie Rain Calls Out Bonnie Blue for Her Mistakes appeared first on Reality Tea. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are expected to spend the Christmas season away from their parents, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, according to a royal expert who described the family's relationship as "tense." Andrew and Sarah have been uninvited from the royal festivities at Sandringham due to the scandal they've been at the center of since the release of Virginia Giuffre's Nobody's Girl memoir. The fallout prompted Andrew to lose his Prince and Duke of York titles, and both he and his ex-wife have been evicted from Royal Lodge. Advertisement Advertisement As a result, royal biographer Andrew Lownie tells Cosmopolitan UK that Beatrice and Eugenie may opt to distance themselves and "go to Sandringham and muck in with the big party rather than with their parents." "[Beatrice and Eugenie] know where their bread is buttered, and they want to keep in with them," he said of how the Princesses are likely to side with the Royal Family as the scandal continues to develop. Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images "Beatrice and Eugenie's business careers have predicated on their remaining Princesses and remaining in the royal fold," the Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York author went on. "So we will see them want to maintain that." There is also a possibility that Beatrice and Eugenie will skip Christmas with the royals altogether. "Last year, Eugenie went to her husband's family," Lownie tells Cosmopolitan UK, adding that the pair may already have "commitments with their in-laws." Advertisement Advertisement With Christmas fast approaching, we won't have to wait long to find out where Beatrice and Eugenie decide to spend the Big Day... You Might Also Like The Swedish royal family stepped out in full formal style for this years Nobel Prize ceremony and banquet in Stockholm, an event known for elegant evening gowns, glittering tiaras, and time-honored traditions. Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, and Princess Madeleine attended, continuing the royals long association with the annual gathering. The Nobel Prizes have been awarded on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobels death, since 1901. In keeping with Nobels will, the prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature are presented in Stockholm, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. Princess Ingrid Alexandra made her debut at the Norwegian sides event earlier on Wednesday, marking a notable milestone in her preparation as the countrys future monarch. During the Stockholm ceremony, each laureate is introduced with an address describing their work before King Carl XVI Gustaf presents the laureate with a diploma and medal. The evening then moves to a banquet at Stockholm City Hall, a tradition dating back to 1930. More than 1,300 people usually attend, including hundreds of students. Members of the Swedish royal family, led by the King and Queen, serve as guests of honor at both the ceremony and the banquet. Advertisement Advertisement Below, see the standout moments and finest jewels worn by the Swedish royals at the special event: Queen Silvia Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Queen Silvia wore a tiara that goes by many names, although it is most commonly known as Queen Sofias (or Sophias) Tiara. It is also known as the Nine Prong Tiara given the number of diamond prong elements pointing outward. The diadem is named for its original owner, Queen Sofia, the German-born Queen consort of King Oscar II, who was the monarch of Sweden from 1872 until his death in 1907 and Norway from 1872 to 1905. Queen Silvia has frequently worn this tiara, including at the Nobel Prize Ceremonies in 2018 and 2023. Crown Princess Victoria Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Crown Princess Victoria wore one of her favorite tiaras, the Baden Fringe Tiara. The sparkler originally belonged to another princess of the same name, Princess Viktoria of Baden. As noted by The Royal Watcher , the future Queen of Sweden (who lived from 1862 to 1930), contributed a significant number of jewels to the Swedish royal familys coffers, when she married the future King Gustav V of Sweden in 1881. Princess Viktoria received this headpiece as a wedding present from her parents, Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden and Princess Louise of Prussia, and the design was inspired by the kokoshniks (traditional Russian headdresses) seen in the Russian royal court. Many ladies of the Swedish royal family have worn this number in recent years, including Queen Silvia and even King Carl Gustavs sister, Princess Christina. Crown Princess Victoria has been wearing the Baden Fringe Tiara since she was a teenager, but its most famous appearance perhaps is in her 2010 engagement photo to her now-husband, Prince Daniel. Princess Madeleine Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images Much like Princess Anne and the Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Madeleine loves an aquamarine tiara. The Princess has turned to the Aquamarine Kokoshnik Tiara many, many times over the years. Similar to the Baden Fringe Tiara, this sparkler also takes inspiration from Russian headdresses dating as far back as the 17th century, although People notes it was likely custom-made during the second half of the 19th century by German court jewelers, Robert and Louis Koch. The diamond and aquamarine gemstones form a distinctive half-moon or kokoshnik shape, and it also has a matching brooch. Princess Madeleine also wore this tiara to the Nobel Prizes in 2018 and 2019, and Crown Princess Victoria wore it to the 2017 Nobel Prize Awards. You Might Also Like Tyra Banks has always been theatrical. But her latest eccentric behavior in an Australian drag club has some fans worried about her sobriety. The former top model went on a wild and slurred rant about Santa Claus on stage. While many were concerned, fans defended Tyra, saying that she always fully commits to a bit. Tyra Banks caused concern with some of her on-stage behavior Tyra Banks was spotted in Sydney, Australia ranting about Santa Claus on stage with drag queens while promoting her SMiZE & Dream ice cream brand. pic.twitter.com/1ZJAHlZcNE The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 8, 2025 Tyra was in Australia promoting her SMiZE & DREAM ice cream when she was recorded at a drag club. She was on stage wearing a bright yellow wig to match her yellow Santa hat. The former Americas Next Top Model host and past Victorias Secret angel went on a wild rant about Santa. She told a crazy story about St. Nick trying to make a version of her ice cream with the cookies and milk left out by kids on Christmas Eve. Advertisement Advertisement Child, he aint biting that cookie. He aint sipping that cream. He taking a bowl from your cabinet and putting a little bit of cookie in a little bit of that milk, and he mixing it up, Tyra shared. And then he put it in your freezer. He trying to make it taste like Santa SMiZE, and it tastes like Santa sh*t! Her strange story and slight slurring as she went off about magic reindeer and adding a bit of a quirky rap made people worry for her long-term sobriety and worry if she was on drugs. More clips showed the former host of Dancing with the Stars getting increasingly crazier, as well as shots of the audience looking shocked. She even said, I think Im going crazy, during the video. Many netizens expressed concern over her actions. A user claimed Tyra must have been high, while others wondered if the entrepreneur was on drugs? However, Tyra fans also came to her defense. Advertisement Advertisement One commenter pointed out, This is normal Tyra. Yall must have forgotten when she faked rabies on The Tyra Show back in the day. She knows how to commit. TELL US WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TYRAS BEHAVIOR? WAS SHE COMMITTING TO A BIT, OR WAS SOMETHING WRONG? The post Tyra Banks Defended by Fans After Strange Santa Rant in Sydney appeared first on Reality Tea. NEED TO KNOW After years of alleged abuse, Sally McNeil shot her husband, Ray McNeil, dead in 1995 The bodybuilder and her two children, Shantina and John, participated in a 2022 Netflix docuseries that examined Sally's relationship, the shooting and the legal proceedings that followed In the docuseries, John claimed that he and his sister not only witnessed Ray allegedly abuse their mom, but were reportedly victims themselves Sally McNeil's two children not only witnessed the alleged abuse their mother suffered at the hands of her husband, Ray McNeil, but were reportedly also victims themselves. The bodybuilder welcomed daughter Shantina and son John in 1983 and 1985, respectively, with her first husband, Anthony "Tony" Lowden. The pair finalized their divorce in May 1987, and Sally eventually married fellow Marine and bodybuilder, Ray, who raised Shantina and John as stepchildren. Advertisement Advertisement Killer Sally, which was released on Netflix in 2022, explores Sally's allegedly abusive marriage to Ray that ultimately ended when she shot and killed him on Valentine's Day in 1995. The docuseries includes archived footage from the police interrogation room during the night Ray was killed. In it, John who was in fourth grade at the time of the incident told his mom, Remember that police officer [said] if you thought that he was gonna kill you, that was self-defense, because of the marks on you. Just tell them that. Sally was eventually arrested for murder and went on to serve 24 years in prison before being granted parole in May 2020. So, where are Sally McNeil's children today? Here's everything to know about Shantina and John Lowden's lives after their mom was arrested for killing their stepfather. Shantina and John were welcomed during Sallys first marriage, but Ray became their stepfather Courtesy of Netflix Sally McNeil and Ray McNeil. Sally McNeil and Ray McNeil. Shantina shared in the Netflix docuseries that her biological father wasn't around after he and Sally got divorced. After her mom found love with Ray, she and her brother began calling him "Dad," Shantina said. Advertisement Advertisement My mom was beyond in love with my stepdad Ray. Totally wholeheartedly, just nose wide open, Shantina said in Killer Sally. "I loved Ray. He was very charismatic." Shantina also shared that as a family of four, they had "a lot of good times" and were "goofy" together. The siblings shared in Killer Sally that they were heavily involved in the bodybuilding community, from cheering on their parents at competitions to even once joining their stepfather onstage after a victory. They witnessed Rays alleged abuse toward their mom Courtesy of Netflix Sally McNeil. Sally McNeil. Sally and Ray's relationship was tumultuous from the start. As Sally alleged in the Netflix docuseries, Ray abused her throughout their marriage sometimes in front of Shantina and John. Advertisement Advertisement She claimed in Killer Sally that Ray once broke her nose in front of her children. Sally filed a report with her commanding officer, but claimed that Ray beat her until she promised to drop the charges. Meanwhile, Shantina shared in the docuseries that between 8 and 12 years old, she "knew that something was not right" within their household and how they were living, claiming her stepfather was "very physically abusive" to her mother. Shantina and John were also allegedly victims of Rays abuse Courtesy of Netflix Ray McNeil. Ray McNeil. In Killer Sally, John alleged that his relationship with Ray was "a very violent one." "He used to abuse and beat me a lot, especially when my mother was gone," he said. Advertisement Advertisement John recalled that on the first day he came home from kindergarten, Ray allegedly spanked him with a belt for getting in trouble for talking at school that day. "Whenever my sister and I both did something wrong, Ray would bring both of us into the room and he would spank one of us and make the other one watch," he said. "I remember how torturous it used to be for me as a kid to have to sit there and watch him abuse the crap out of my sister and to know that I was next." John continued, "I really hated him. He was literally like the devil to me." Shantina was home during Ray and Sallys fight on Valentines Day that led to her stepfather's death Courtesy of Netflix Sally McNeil. Sally McNeil. Sally killed Ray with a shotgun on Valentine's Day in 1995. Earlier in the night, the pair had gotten into a fight, with Sally saying in the docuseries that Ray hit her and then choked her. (Sally later told police she believed Ray had a girlfriend, as shown in archival footage in Killer Sally.) Advertisement Advertisement In the docuseries, Shantina said that she had retreated to her room after Ray got home that night, and could hear her mom gasping for air during their fight. Sally became afraid that she wouldn't "make it through" the night and ultimately retrieved a shotgun from her bedroom and loaded it in the hallway. She claimed she told Ray to get out, but when he declined, she shot him twice, she said in Killer Sally. "I just shot my husband because he just beat me up," Sally can be heard saying in a 911 call played in the docuseries. Ray was still breathing when Sally called 911, but died hours after being airlifted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, Calif. Where are Sally McNeils children now? Courtesy of Netflix (2) John Jr. Lowden ; Shantina Lowden. John Jr. Lowden ; Shantina Lowden. In March 1996, Sally was convicted of second-degree murder and later received a sentence of 19 years to life. After her arrest, Shantina and John were sent to live with Sally's parents in Allentown, Pa., and remained there after their mom's sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement After getting out of prison, Sally reconnected with both of her children. In fact, John walked Sally down the aisle at her wedding to Norfleet Stewart, per footage shown in Killer Sally. Shantina joined the U.S. Army and started a family. WFMZ reported that she surprised her then-6-year-old son at his elementary school when she returned home from Afghanistan in October 2014. John went on to complete coursework at Cal State and Bakersfield University before joining the U.S. military. He dedicated 11 years of service to the U.S. Army as a Special Forces weapons sergeant and was deployed to Afghanistan five times before being medically discharged in 2016. He was formerly married to Lynette Lapin and was a father to three children: Arianna Lowden, Caleb Garcia and Jocelyn Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement John died on Feb. 28, 2024, per his obituary. According to WJBF, he was found dead with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. In March 2024, Robert Ward was arrested in connection with John's murder. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Pamela Anderson is one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood, but the star admitted she has thought a lot about changing her name. Sometimes I don't want to be Pamela Anderson, the Naked Gun actress candidly said during a December 2025 interview with Vogue Scandinavia. I want to be Pamela Hyytiainen. I would like to change my name, but they wont let me. The confession shocked some fans, who have come to know and love the Baywatch star under her given name. But the name Hyytiainen has deep roots in her family's history and has a sentimental meaning for Anderson, one that shes looking to embrace and share more details about. Advertisement Advertisement Scroll below for everything Anderson has said about wanting to change her name. Why Does Pamela Anderson Want to Change Her Name? Andersons Finnish grandfather, Herman Hyytiainen, was a huge inspiration to her growing up, with his whimsical personality as someone who found joy in nature and folklore. He was the closest person to me in my life, she told Vogue Scandinavia in December 2025 of their bond. The actress explained that when her family immigrated from Finland to Canada more than a century ago, they changed their last name from Hyytiainen to Anderson. They used the surname Anderson from then on. Pamela Anderson Through the Years: Photos of the Baywatch Stars Transformation From Then to Now Pamela Anderson Learned Finnish as a Child Pamela was born in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Barry and Carol Anderson in 1967. Her grandfather taught her Finnish, and she carried a Finnish dictionary around with her as a child. Herman always encouraged her to embrace her creative side. Advertisement Advertisement My imagination has run wild with me over the years. Ive been trying different people on for size, Pamela said in her Vogue spread. You have to peel it all back, many times, and start over and over again. Herman died when Pamela was 11 years old, and she felt like her connection to her roots slipped away. It kind of left with him, she reflected. Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Valentino Pamela Anderson Visited Finland Pamela was inspired to visit Finland with her father to spend time with her relatives in 2007. I just wanted to go to feel that connection. Id love to go back to Finland, maybe with my sons, she remembered. To find out more about myself, to explore that side of me. Maybe we will change my name and go back, to answer to my roots. It feels distant, but its a part of me. Advertisement Advertisement Pamela, who shares sons Brandon and Dylan with ex-husband Tommy Lee, said she has always been proud to tell people Im Finnish, even before I knew what that really meant. Years after the memorable visit, she briefly opened up about her Finnish roots once more. My grandfather was a healer from Finland, Pamela told Esquire in April 2015. My real last name is Hyytiainen. He changed it to Anderson when he came to Canada. All of his brothers changed their names, too, so I have a feeling that maybe something bad happened in Finland. Buffalo 8 has secured worldwide rights to The Worlds Happiest Man, the Bhutanese-Nepali-American drama starring Oscar and Emmy nominee Bruce Dern. A trailer has been unveiled. Dern (Nebraska, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) stars alongside Nepali stalwarts Haribansha Acharya and Dayahang Rai in the ensemble drama from writer-director Binod Paudel. The cast also includes Aditi Pyakurel, Joes Pandey, Richa Ghimire, Pooja Chand, Anuradha Majumder, Bimal Subedi, Gurpreet Singh and Tom Crain. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Set in Akron, Ohio, the film centers on Bishnu, a Bhutanese Nepali who has built a new life in America but dreams of returning to Bhutan one final time. After receiving a devastating visa denial, Bishnu dies unexpectedly, triggering a spiritual, emotional and cultural reckoning across three generations of his family as they debate how to honor him and what home truly means. Paudel, known for Bulbul and Awaken Eyes, draws from Bhutanese-Nepali diaspora experiences and the communitys significant presence in the American Midwest. The film participated in the 2019 Busan Asian Project Market. Paudel produced alongside Rajendra Thakurathi, Amitabh Joshi, Kirtana Banskota and Abeeral Thapa. L.N. Adhikari, Kaushila Karmacharya, Ramesh Bhatta and Apaar Shrestha serve as executive producers. Buffalo 8 will handle the launch across TVOD and digital platforms, with a broader international rollout planned through early 2026. Advertisement Advertisement The film will be available for pre-order on Fandango at Home starting Dec. 26, ahead of its Jan. 9, 2026, on-demand release in the U.S. The film will debut on Amazon, Fandango at Home, Verizon Fios and major cable providers, with additional territories and platforms to follow. Watch the trailer here: Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For nearly 20 years, the identities and reputations of documentary directors Craig and Brent Renaud were inextricable. Known to the journalism and filmmaking communities as the Renaud Brothers, the Arkansas-based siblings built an oeuvre of empathetic, incisive documentaries that often sent them to the worlds most dangerous places, from war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan to parts of Mexico plagued by cartels. When Brent was killed on March 13, 2022 while covering the war in Ukraine, Craig was understandably devastated but he also knew exactly what his brother would want him to do. Brent and I had many conversations about the what-ifs,' Craig Renaud told IndieWires Filmmaker Toolkit podcast. What if we get captured? What if we get kidnapped? What if one of us dies? What do we do? And we [decided], we always keep filming. More from IndieWire Advertisement Advertisement With that in mind, Craig picked up his camera at the worst point in his life and began shooting what would become Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud an extraordinary tribute not only to Brent and his work but also to all journalists who have lost their lives in pursuit of the truth. Like all of the Renaud Brothers collaborations, the movie is unflinching in its depiction of the ravages of war, making it absolutely essential viewing, but also undeniably difficult to watch. In making the documentary, Craig stayed true to his and his brothers body of work, which stares with unblinking eyes at the repercussions of violence. But because of that he was forced to confront the most difficult moments of his career, including using footage of his own brothers murdered body in the film and then watching it on screen. He also faced the challenge of deciding how much to feature himself in the documentary and depart from the observational style of filmmaking that dominates the Renaud Brothers work. I was not comfortable being in the film a lot, just as I know Brent would not be comfortable being the center of a piece like this, Craig said. Its not what weve ever done as verite documentary filmmakers, but it was a necessary part of the story of us as brothers to show that. Ultimately, he decided to film everything as he took his brothers body on the journey to its final resting place, leaving the decisions about what to leave in and what to take out for the editorial process. Craig watched the footage hundreds of times with his mentor and executive producer, documentarian Jon Alpert, as they tried to find the right balance. The director said that while he wanted the film to be a larger tribute to journalists who had been killed, he also also wanted it to be a story about his brother. And indeed, part of the greatness of Armed Only With a Camera is how clearly and concisely it gets across what made Brent a unique filmmaker. Advertisement Advertisement He was compassionate and the hardest working filmmaker and journalist Ive ever known, Craig said, adding that it was even difficult at times to work with Brent because of how much he pushed himself. Looking back, it feels like he was one of those people that knew he was on borrowed time. He was just very driven, but mostly, he was driven by the work. He really wanted to show what it was like for people caught in these conflicts, whether that was in Chicago or in Afghanistan. He really wanted to get to people and let them tell their own stories. In Armed Only With a Camera, Craig honors that ambition by allowing Brent to speak for himself via archival footage and home movies, as well as through scenes from the documentaries the brothers made together. Structurally, the film is as elegant as it is concise, telling Brents story by interweaving pieces of his biography with the narrative of his body being brought home. The result is an emotionally and thematically dense story thats as nourishing, sprawling, and upsetting as a great feature can be in a compact 37 minutes. It was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do, Craig said, referring specifically to making Armed Only With a Camera without the filmmaking partner upon whom he had relied for the majority of his career. But it was also very cathartic and healing. As long as I was editing and working on this film, in a lot of ways, I felt like Brent was still alive and right there with me. I would be editing the scene of seeing his body in the coffin, but then the next minute, I hit play and Brents crossing a river between Guatemala and Mexico, or its him with his dog, and hes very much alive. Now, Craig is figuring out how to move forward as a filmmaker without Brent. We have a great team that Brent and I have worked with over the years, and theyll continue to work with me. But it is different, Craig said. My entire identity has been the Renaud Brothers throughout my whole career. Thats different now. Craig felt it was appropriate to share his directing credit on Armed Only With a Camera with his brother, given how much Brent informed the process and how much of the late documentarians own footage comprised the film. Advertisement Advertisement Soon, Ill be filming new projects as a sole entity, but I always feel his presence, Craig said. I can hear his voice when Im filming; I can hear his voice in the edit room. So I will continue the brand of the Renaud Brothers, whether Brents here or not. Armed Only With A Camera is currently streaming on HBO Max. To hear the entire conversation with Craig Renaud and make sure you dont miss a single episode of Filmmaker Toolkit, subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Key Points Berkshire Hathaway is a widely diversified conglomerate. In some ways, the company is run similarly to a mutual fund. Berkshire Hathaway is sitting on a massive pool of cash that can fund future growth. 10 stocks we like better than Berkshire Hathaway When 2026 gets underway, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) will see the biggest change in its business in decades. That is when investing icon Warren Buffett hands the CEO reins to Greg Abel. Don't fret, however, because Abel is being given a huge parting gift. Here's one very large reason why now is a great time to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock. Not such a big handover The media has made a very big deal over Buffett's decision to retire as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. That's not surprising, given his long history of success in running the company. However, it is important to note that he isn't stepping away and cutting all ties. He will remain the chairman of the board of directors. This is important. Image source: The Motley Fool. Currently, Buffett is Abel's boss. After Abel takes over the role of CEO, Buffett will still be his boss. The new CEO is likely to have free rein to manage the company as he sees fit, but only within reason. Buffett tends to be a hands-off manager, but he isn't an absentee manager. He will likely make himself available to Abel as needed and provide a backstop if things start to go south. Abel needs to prove himself, but he isn't flying solo. Furthermore, Abel isn't entering the role with no experience. He has worked for Berkshire Hathaway for decades. He has spent the last few years as the designated heir apparent, meaning he's likely been deeply involved in major decisions. Basically, he's well-trained in Buffett's investment approach. Given the success Buffett has achieved, it is highly unlikely that Abel tries to reinvent the wheel. Abel is starting with a huge backstop The primary reason to buy Berkshire Hathaway, even during this time of transition, is found on the balance sheet. It isn't really one reason; it is 381 billion reasons. That's the size of the cash hoard Abel is being handed as of the third quarter of 2025. That $381 billion provides several benefits. It means there's some leeway for Abel to make a mistake or two. It will provide support to the company when, not if, a bear market comes along. And it gives Abel plenty of firepower to buy companies, either outright or in part, in the public market. This is exactly what Buffett has long done as he's built his successful track record. With the holidays rapidly approaching, The Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" is underway, perfect for those looking to celebrate the cold season from the comfort of their couch. Whether an old holiday favorite or a brand new premiere, many of the Hallmark holiday movies airing this season are set in a small New England town. While Hallmark often opts for fictional settings in Vermont or Massachusetts, the channel has two Christmastime movies set in Rhode Island: "A Season for Miracles" from 1999, and "A Newport Christmas," a brand new film which premiered this year. Ready to cozy up with a feel-good movie featuring wintry Rhode Island? Here's how to watch the two Hallmark Christmas movies set in Rhode Island, in order of worst to best ranking from IMDb. See what Christmas was like in the Gilded Age at the Newport mansions, which are all decked out for the holidays. The newest Rhode Island Hallmark movie follows Ella, "a charitable and spirited Newport socialite in 1905 who dreams of using her wealth to start a foundation to help others in town." Advertisement Advertisement One night, after learning of her father's plans for her to get engaged to a stranger at the upcoming Christmas Eve ball, Ella goes for a nighttime sail to clear her head and wishes for a different life as a comet passes through the sky. Ella wakes up in 2025, where she meets sailor and local Newport historian Nick. "As she spends time there and gets a glimpse at what her future in 1905 appears to be, she becomes reluctant to return, especially since she and Nick have grown close and she now knows how true love feels," the movie description reads. "But the legacy Ella built in her time and the course of Newport's history risks being erased the longer she stays in the present, so the two plot a course for her trip back through time." IMDb rating: 7.1 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 12/14 at 8 a.m. or 12/23 at 2 p.m. on The Hallmark Channel Advertisement Advertisement Filmed in RI: 'The Real Housewives of Rhode Island' cast confirmed. Here's who will be on the show The older of the two Hallmark holiday movies set in the Ocean State, "A Season for Miracles" tells the story of a homeless family who experience Christmas miracles with the help of an angel in the fictional town of Bethlehem, Rhode Island. Stars from this Hallmark Hall of Fame film include Patty Duke, Laura Dern, Carla Gugino, Lynn Redgrave and Kathy Baker. IMDb rating: 7.6 Where to watch: Prime Video with add-on, Hallmark+, 12/21 at 10 p.m. or 12/25 at 10 a.m. on The Hallmark Channel This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 2 Hallmark Christmas movies are set in Rhode Island. How to watch NEED TO KNOW Yanic Truesdale played Dragonfly Inn concierge Michel Gerard on Gilmore Girls Truesdale recalls getting Amy Sherman-Palladino's feedback on Michel's French accent The actor, 55, talks about the community that was the heart of the action of the show, and talks about how the fans have brought it into real life, cementing its legacy Yanic Truesdale is proud to be part of the Gilmore Girls legacy. On the second episode of NPR and PBS member station Connecticut Public's podcast series, Generation Gilmore Girls, hosted by Connecticut native and audio journalist Chloe Wynne, the host chatted with Yanic Truesdale about the continued community around the show. Advertisement Advertisement Truesdale, 55, poured himself into his role as snarky concierge Michel Gerard, but not without the help of showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino. Recalling how he refined Michel's accent, he shared, "It was a compromised accent because the accent that I wanted to do was even more Parisian, where the French, they don't know how to do the 'Th's." 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. Patrick Ecclesine/The WB Michel and Lorelai Michel and Lorelai He continued, "But Amy thought it was very hard to understand, so I kind of pulled back, and I would say the first couple of years, I literally would say she was always like, 'Oh, honey, I can't understand you.' It was always a thing, which was a bit challenging for me." Advertisement Advertisement Truesdale pushed through and was rewarded with a beautiful fan outpouring of love for Michel, one that continues to this day. "I think it's every actor's dream to have at least a character, a film, a movie, a series, a play that defines them that people remember decades later, like a moment in time where you can... I always think like, when I'll die, on the news, they'll say, 'Yanic Truesdale, who played Michel in Gilmore Girls,' " he shared. Truesdale called the show's popularity "a beautiful thing and I'm very appreciative of it." Warner Bros. Yanic Truesdale's first appearance as Michel Gerard on "Gilmore Girls" Yanic Truesdale's first appearance as Michel Gerard on "Gilmore Girls" Of the fans, he continued, "I can't tell you, it's thousands of people by now told me like, 'When I went through this,' or, 'I had cancer,' or, 'I had lost my mom or had a breakup,' or 'I lost my job,' or, 'I had a depression,' or this or that. 'And your show helped me.' And that is to me, wow, really, really meaningful that the show can do that for people." Advertisement Advertisement Truesdale loves how loyal the Gilmore Girls fandom has stayed, and how it's even grown over time. The actor believes the community aspect, felt in every corner of Stars Hollow, is to credit for the longevity. "I think we have lost the sense of community. I took the train the other day, which is something I rarely do in the subway, and I was wondering how it's going to be just as far as people recognizing me, if it was going to be too much. And then I realized that no one looks at each other anymore, everyone looks at their phone," he said. "The show is very much about a community and a sense of community and helping each other and all that, and I think people are lacking that and perhaps they're yearning for it." Of the podcast conversation, Wynne told PEOPLE exclusively how everyone she's spoken with for the series has had thoughts similar to Truesdale's, "Hosting this podcast showed me just how deeply Gilmore Girls has woven itself into peoples lives. Fans told our team they turned to the show in moments of upheaval, not just for comfort, but for a sense of safety and belonging something that feels especially important right now." Advertisement Advertisement She continued, "Talking to the actors Ive only seen on my TV screen was amazing! Theyre thoughtful, grounded people who had no idea, 25 years ago, that this little show would spark such longevity. Hosting this project has been a joy and a reminder of the quiet power storytelling has to shape us!" The first two episodes of Generation Gilmore Girls are now available, with the final installments to be released on December 9 and 16. Follow Generation Gilmore Girls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find podcasts. Read the original article on People The final stretch of holiday travel for the year is upon us, and it'll be a busy one. For the winter holidays between Dec. 20 and Jan. 1, around 122.4 million Americans are expected to travel exceeding last year's 119.7 million and setting a new record, according to AAA. While most will hit the road for their year-end trips, around 8.03 million are expected to fly. There is also increased demand for cruising, up 25% from 2019. Advertisement Advertisement "Year-end travel is a mix of family road trips, friend getaways, and tropical vacations," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, in a statement. "Holiday celebrations look different for everyone, but a common thread is the desire to travel, whether its returning to your hometown or exploring new destinations." Here's what to know about holiday travel. You may miss your flight if you do this: This is not the time to test the 'airport theory' Are holiday flights more expensive this year? Yes, with a round-trip domestic flight averaging nearly $900 about 7% more expensive compared with last year, according to AAA. The most expensive days to fly are those leading up to Christmas and New Year's, as people fit in one last getaway. Advertisement Advertisement According to Cirium data, flight prices for the holiday season are more stable than in 2024, as more budget carriers have fewer excess seats to fill this year. What are the busiest days to fly for Christmas and New Year's? People can expect airports to be the most crowded on Dec. 26, with more than 3.1 million seats scheduled for U.S. domestic flights, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company. The other busiest days to fly for year-end trips include Dec. 21, 22, 28 and 29. Conversely, those who have some flexibility in their travel plans and can fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's can enjoy airports at their quietest for the holiday season as they have the least amount of scheduled seats. An aft-facing Owner's Suite in Norwegian Cruise Line's Haven. Haven guests can grab a drink a private bar. The Haven features private elevators only accessible by keycard. The Iconic Suite in Celebrity Cruises' Retreat. Celebrity's Retreat guests can dine at Luminae, an exclusive restaurant. Celebrity Cruises' Retreat Lounge. MSC Yacht Club guests can relax in the private Top Sail Lounge. A Deluxe Grand Suite in MSC's Yacht Club. MSC's Yacht Club has private outdoor deck space. Princess Cruises' Sanctuary Collection gives guests access to an adults-only pool area. Sanctuary Collection fares include the cruise line's Princess Premier package, with spirits and wine, specialty dining and more. Private onboard spaces are just some of the perks of Princess' Sanctuary Collection. Look inside cruise ships-within-a-ship on Norwegian, Princess and MSC 1 of 12 An aft-facing Owner's Suite in Norwegian Cruise Line's Haven. What are the best times to drive for the holidays? As usual, the least amount of traffic will be on the holidays themselves: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Advertisement Advertisement To bypass the worst congestion, avoid driving after 9 p.m. on Dec. 20 and before 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 through Dec. 23. After Christmas, traffic will be lighter before 11 a.m. from Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 and before 10 a.m. on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30. What are the worst times to drive for the holidays? Christmas week is anticipated to have more traffic than New Year's, with the busiest days expected to be the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas and the day after the holiday, according to INRIX. As many embark on their Christmas trips, the worst traffic will be between noon and 8 p.m. on Dec. 20, and then 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Dec. 21 through Dec. 23. Drivers can expect heavy traffic between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Dec. 28; noon and 8 p.m. on Dec. 29; and noon and 7 p.m. on Dec. 30. Peak congestion times for routes in or out of major US cities Atlanta Worst route: Atlanta to Augusta via I-20 E Worst day: Dec. 22 Worst time: 3:15 p.m. Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 12 minutes Travel time increase: 51% Boston Worst route: Boston to Portsmouth via I-95 N Worst day: Dec. 20 Worst time: 3:30 p.m. Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 43 minutes Travel time increase: 126% Denver Worst route: Fort Collins to Denver via I-25 S Worst day: Dec. 26 Worst time: 12:45 p.m. Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 40 minutes Travel time increase: 97% Houston Worst route: Galveston to Houston via I-45 North Worst day: Dec. 23 Worst time: 5:45 p.m. Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 33 minutes Travel time increase: 82% Los Angeles Worst route: Los Angeles to Palm Springs via I-10 E Worst day: Dec. 26 Worst time: 5:45 p.m. Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 25 minutes Travel time increase: 89% New York Worst route: New York to the Hamptons via Long Island Expressway East Worst day: Dec. 22 Worst time: 4:15 p.m. Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 23 minutes Travel time increase: 90% San Francisco Worst route: San Francisco to Sacramento via I-80 E Worst day: Dec. 23 Worst time: 5 p.m. Estimated travel time: 3 hours, 16 minutes Travel time increase: 80% Washington Worst route: Washington to Baltimore via Baltimore-Washington Parkway North Worst day: Dec. 20 Worst time: 4:15 p.m. Estimated travel time: 1 hour, 43 minutes Travel time increase: 133% (This story was updated to add new information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The worst days to travel for Christmas, New Year's 2025 Hawaii has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S., attracting over 9 million visitors in 2024. These visitors come from around America and across the world, with many countries, such as Australia, seeing the archipelago state as the premier vacation spot in the U.S. Who can blame them when Hawaii boasts places like Waianae, a coastal gem offering pristine ocean views, dolphin watching, and snorkeling? But tourism is changing quickly in Hawaii. The state has already done a lot of work to cut down on tourist numbers while increasing their spending. Declining tourism and increased spending means saving more for your next Hawaii vacation, but it's not the only change you need to consider before you spend your hard-earned money on flights and accommodation. Expert Hawaii travel bloggers and local Hawaiian news outlets have been covering these changes closely in recent articles. Some changes are less impactful than others, so instead of inundating you with every little thing you might need to know, here are the five biggest changes affecting Hawaii vacations in 2026. These shifts in booking, costs, and local systems and rules are pretty significant compared to what travelers have experienced up until now. They don't necessarily rule out Hawaii as a destination, but they may make you rethink how you want to plan your next trip. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The 5 Cheapest Islands In Hawaii For Your Next Tropical Vacation Hawaii's 'green fee' will make accommodation more expensive A luxury resort with palm trees, pools, gardens, and villas overlooking the ocean in Hawaii - Billy McDonald/Shutterstock As of January 1, 2026, anyone visiting Hawaii will have to pay more for hotels and vacation rentals. A bill was recently passed to increase room tax for these properties by 0.75% (from 9.25% to 10%). Known as the "green fee," this increase in tax is intended to fund Hawaii's efforts to reduce the effects of climate change. The money will go towards restoring beaches and native forest and making the state's infrastructure better suited to extreme weather conditions. Passengers on cruise ships may not be able to avoid the additional tax either. If it passes through the senate, this part of the bill will bring in an 11% room tax for all cruise passengers. Although this will increase the cost of a Hawaii vacation, it's a small price to pay for helping protect this state from more climate disasters. The wildfires in Maui were particularly devastating, resulting in over 100 deaths and the destruction of thousands of buildings. Although Lahaina, Hawaii's former capital that was destroyed by wildfires, is now thriving, preventing deaths in the future remains a top priority for the state. Higher taxes may also result in more devoted travelers visiting Hawaii, mainly those who care about preserving the environment they're visiting instead of those who use and abuse it. "The more you cultivate good environmental policy, and the more you invest in perfecting our lived space, the more likely it is [Hawaii's] going to have actually lifelong, committed travelers," Hawaii Governor Josh Green was quoted saying by AP News. Hawaii seems to be following a worldwide trend here. Other countries have had taxes for tourists for many years already, including Greece, the Maldives, New Zealand, and Spain. Certain state parks will cost more to enter People walking to Akaka Falls past palm trees and fronds in Hawaii - Douglas Zimmerman/Shutterstock Continuing with the trend of spending more while in Hawaii, parking fees are being added to more state parks on the islands. After adding parking fees to four more state parks in November 2025, Hawaii now has 14 state parks where you need to pay at most $10 per vehicle and $5 per person (sometimes you only pay per vehicle). These fees are only for tourists; the state parks remain free for residents. Advertisement Advertisement For a family of four with school-aged children or older, this means paying $30 every time they want to see one of Hawaii's natural attractions. Maui is one such destination implementing this $10 parking fee at three of its Kamaole Beach parks, some of the best places in the world to catch the elusive green flash at sunset. Other state parks with the parking and visitor fees include Waianapanapa, Iao Valley, Makena, Akaka Falls, and Hapuna Beach (that last one is a breathtaking Hawaiian beach that's consistently ranked in the world's top 10). Since the fee system for non-residents was implemented in 2019, state parks have been increasingly added under its umbrella. This includes must-see attractions that have generated millions of dollars for the state. This significant revenue success makes it likely that more state parks will be added in the future. Hawaii insists the money is important for reducing crowds, preserving ecosystems, and maintaining the parks. However, the increased costs and inconsistent fee structures leave some travelers feeling confused, limited, and a bit exhausted three things you probably don't want while on vacation. Your favorite vacation rental may no longer exist Vacation rental condos with gardens, balconies and palm trees in Hawaii - bluestork/Shutterstock Along with increasing room taxes for vacation rentals, Hawaii is also cracking down on which properties on certain islands are actually legally allowed to be used as accommodation by holidaymakers. Many of Hawaii's most popular destinations, including Maui, Big Island, and Honolulu, are now enforcing stricter regulations on short-term rentals and fining or banning any that don't comply. Maui alone plans on banning thousands of vacation rentals in the hopes that these properties will become homes for residents. Each island seems to have its own approach to this crackdown, and some keep sending out mixed signals on whether they're shutting down rentals or saving them. This is causing confusion among travelers and doubts about whether accommodation they've already booked for 2026 will even still be running. On Big Island, vacation rental owners are being fined up to $10,000 a day for not complying with registration laws that are yet to be finalized. Honolulu, meanwhile, is trying to help vacationers find legal rentals instead of removing the illegal options. Advertisement Advertisement While certain short-term rental owners are definitely doing the wrong thing -- disobeying rules and ignoring fines and demands to stop others may simply be the unlucky losers of new apartment zone classifications. These rules will likely take years to be finalized and enforced, so little may change in 2026. However, if you're concerned about the risks of booking a vacation rental, you might be better off in a hotel or resort. Your hard-earned HawaiianMiles points might offer less value A Hawaiian Airlines passenger plane flying in the sky - Kevin Carter/Getty Images If you were a HawaiianMiles member, you probably already know about the shift from this beloved frequent flyer rewards club to the uncertainty of Atmos Rewards with Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines. This shift took place in October 2025, and it remains to be seen whether it will provide more value for members who have already achieved a high status and sizable bank of points with HawaiianMiles. Certain features of Atmos have people questioning whether they're going to earn as many points and get as much value from redeeming them with this new program. While your HawaiianMiles transfer to Atmos with the same face value (one-to-one), you may have to spend around 1,000 more points when redeeming them for interisland flights. This essentially makes them less valuable. You may also find it harder to amass more points on flights to and from Hawaii, due to Atmos removing the 500-mile minimum earning for short-haul flights that made HawaiianMiles so attractive. You have a few options here. You can choose to stick it out with Atmos Rewards and remain loyal to these airlines while accepting the pros and cons of the new program's changes. If you decided to jump ship and be more mercurial when booking flights, you wouldn't be the only one. Many travelers are reportedly forgoing airline loyalty to simply find the best prices for flights. There are plenty of options out there, including United Airlines, one of the five best airlines that fly to Hawaii. Winter may now be the worst time to visit A crowded Waikiki Beach full of people during February - Pamela Au/Shutterstock While it may make sense to escape winter's cold and dreary weather with a trip to Hawaii, these peak-season months are becoming increasingly overcrowded and expensive. Due to the aforementioned changes to room taxes and illegal holiday rentals, finding accommodation during this time could be difficult. And whatever you do manage to get will probably be overpriced compared to other months of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Non-peak months might be more worthy of your attention. Timing your trip for spring or fall could help you avoid sharing Hawaii's beaches, state parks, and restaurants with crowds of other tourists. Airfares and hotels also tend to be cheaper during the shoulder seasons. For some islands, such as Honolulu, airfares can drop as much as 15% compared to summer, as Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations, told Travel + Leisure. If you really want to go away somewhere during winter, you could look elsewhere in the U.S. Amelia Island in Florida is a sunny December escape that becomes a Christmas wonderland. You could also lean into the wintry weather by heading somewhere snowy, such as a journey on the Pocono Winter Wonderland Express, Pennsylvania's round-trip train ride through the Pocono Mountains that has festive snow globe vibes. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. You see them every day on your commute, parked at the grocery store, and racing past on the highway. Car logos are so familiar that we barely give them a second glance, but these tiny emblems are packed with fascinating stories, clever symbolism, and hidden meanings that most drivers never notice. Let's take a closer look at some automotive badges that have more going on than meets the eye. BMW: More Than Just Propellers Image Credit: NorthSky Films / Shutterstock.com. Most people think BMW's circular logo represents a spinning airplane propeller, referencing the company's aircraft engine manufacturing roots. Advertisement Advertisement While BMW did make airplane engines, the logo actually shows the colors of the Bavarian flag: blue and white in alternating quarters. The propeller connection is a happy coincidence that the company has embraced over the years, but the real meaning celebrates BMW's German heritage from the Free State of Bavaria. Mercedes-Benz: A Three-Way Promise Image Credit: hkhtt hj / Shutterstock.com. That iconic three-pointed star isn't just a sleek design choice: it represents Mercedes-Benz's original ambition to create engines for land, sea, and air transportation. Each point symbolizes one of these domains, reflecting the company's early vision of universal motorization. It's a bold statement of engineering confidence that proved remarkably prescient, considering how Mercedes engines have indeed powered everything from cars to boats to aircraft, according to Mercedes. Audi: Olympic Inspiration Image Credit: TY Lim / Shutterstock.com. The four interlocking rings of Audi tell the story of a corporate merger that created automotive history. Each ring represents one of the four companies that joined together in 1932: Audi, Horch, DKW, and Wanderer, forming Auto Union AG. Advertisement Advertisement The overlapping design suggests unity and cooperation, often compared to the Olympic rings, but actually represent the Auto Union merger. Subaru: A Stellar Family Image Credit: Tobias Arhelger / Shutterstock.com. Look closely at Subaru's badge and you'll see a cluster of six stars, which isn't random celestial decoration. The logo depicts the Pleiades star constellation, known as "Subaru" in Japanese, but there's a deeper meaning at play. The large star represents Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent company), while the five smaller stars symbolize the five companies that merged to form the automotive division, creating one unified family under the Subaru name. Toyota: Hidden Letters in Plain Sight Image Credit: emirhankaramuk / Shutterstock.com. Toyota's overlapping ovals create more than just an attractive geometric pattern they cleverly spell out the company name. The inner ovals can be read as a stylized "T" for Toyota, while the outer oval completes the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the three ovals represent the hearts of customers, the heart of the product, and the heart of progress in technology, embodying Toyota's customer-focused philosophy. Hyundai: A Handshake Deal Image Credit: emirhankaramuk / Shutterstock.com. While it might look like a simple italic "H," Hyundai's logo actually represents two people shaking hands. The slanted oval shows a customer and company representative reaching an agreement, symbolizing trust and satisfaction. This human-centered approach to branding reflects Hyundai's emphasis on customer relationships and their commitment to reliable service and products. Volvo: Ancient Strength Image Credit: Chatchai Somwat / Shutterstock.com. Volvo's arrow pointing diagonally upward comes from an ancient symbol for iron: the same symbol used in chemistry and alchemy. The Swedish automaker chose this emblem to represent the strength and durability of Swedish steel, which was renowned throughout Europe. Advertisement Advertisement The diagonal line also doubles as the symbol for Mars, the Roman god of war, further emphasizing themes of strength and resilience that define the Volvo brand. Peugeot: A Lion's Evolution Image Credit: : arda savasciogullari / Shutterstock.com. Peugeot's lion has been prowling on their vehicles since 1847, making it one of the world's oldest automotive logos. Originally designed for the company's steel tools business, the lion symbolized the strength, flexibility, and sharpness of their saw blades. When Peugeot moved into automobiles, they kept the lion but evolved its pose over the decades: from standing to walking to the current streamlined profile that suggests speed and forward motion. The Art of Automotive Storytelling Image Credit: Audi. These hidden meanings remind us that car logos are more than just brand identification: they're compressed corporate autobiographies, telling stories of heritage, values, and aspirations in symbols small enough to fit on a hood ornament. The next time you're stuck in traffic, take a moment to decode the messages surrounding you. You might discover that every parking lot is actually a gallery of miniature masterpieces, each one sharing a unique story about the company behind the wheel. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Stockholm transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season. Wandering through Swedens historic capital city at Christmastime is like stepping into the picturesque village scene of a snow globe. More than 40 streets and squares are dressed up with lights and decorations, but the city especially comes alive through its annual holiday markets. Shopping the stalls of handmade crafts is designer Nathan Turners version of a treasure hunt. Born and raised in California, Turner grew up celebrating his familys Northern European heritage through their Christmas traditionsfrom food to decorations. His partner, designer Eric Hughes, also has Scandinavian roots, and last December, the couple traveled to Stockholm to shop the famous markets. (See how Turner and Hughes incorporated their spectacular finds into the holiday decor of their Ojai, California, home here.) Andrew Purcell How does a designer navigate Stockholms Christmas markets? Turner shares where to visit, what to look for, and how to carry your haul back home. Plus, his recommendations for more must-visit shops, the luxury hotel thats as cozy as a bed-and-breakfast, and where to catch a St. Lucia concert. The Markets After landing in Stockholm, Turner recommends taking the train from the airport directly to the city center, where Scandi Christmas magic awaits. He describes Stockholms markets as a total fantasy. There are many markets spread throughout the city, but he and Hughes prioritized two during their trip: Skansen and Stortoget's market at Gamla Stan. Courtesy of Nathan Turner Skansen is Swedens oldest open-air museum, dating back to 1891, and its regular exhibitions celebrate the countrys cultural history. Meanwhile, Gamla Stan is Stockholms original city center, and its Christmas market began in 1837. At both, visitors can shop stalls filled with traditional goods like handcrafted wares and homemade sweets. There was not a piece of plastic in sight! Turner says. Advertisement Advertisement He found three-pronged Christmas candles to add to his collection, along with straw starbursts, decoupage ornaments, Dala horses, and more. Turner rolls up an extra duffel bag in his suitcase for bringing all these finds home. Hardier items can be checked in the extra duffel, while he packs anything fragile in his carry-on (like an antique hand-painted glassware set with Christmas gnomes). Andrew Purcell If you have time for one more, Turner suggests visiting the market at the Royal Stables at Drottningholm Palace. Be sure to check the markets websites before you go, as times can vary by day. And youll want to bundle up, advises Turner. Dress for brisk Scandinavian winter weather because the markets are hosted outdoors. He swears by Fjallravens Skogso Padded Jacket for staying warm. More Cant-Miss Shops Of course, the shopping does not stop at the markets. Swedish interior design shop Svenskt Tenn is a must-visit. (It was also named one of VERANDAs Worlds Most Beautiful Shops). Turner also recommends textile designer Cathy Nordstroms eponymous studio for pillows, lampshades, and other home goods. Advertisement Advertisement When youre exhausted from the cold elements of the outdoor markets, go to the department store NK. Its a great place to spend an afternoon, shop around, and grab a coffee and cardamom bun, he says. Shop the housewares section for an incredible selection, the designer says, of holiday decor you wont find in the States. After visiting the Stortorgets market at Gamla Stan, walk around the corner to Mobel Hansson, a family-run antiques store thats a treasure trove of glassware, dinnerware, and more. Courtesy of Nathan Turner Book Cozy Accommodations Settle in at Ett Hem during your visit to Stockholm. Housed in a 1910 Arts & Crafts townhouse, this luxury boutique hotel was once a private residence and lovingly transformed by interior designer Ilse Crawford. This hotel is next level, says Turner. Ett Hem creates a home-like experience that you wont find anywhere else. The hotels neighborhood locationas well as the home-cooked meals served in welcoming living spacesadds to the residential feel of the experience. Our favorite place to eat was in the kitchen, as the chefs prepared our meal behind us, or by the fireplace in the entry, says Turner. Courtesy of Nathan Turner Dine Like a Local Restaurang Prinsen has been a Stockholm establishment since 1897 and serves elevated takes on classic pub fare. For a traditional julbord feast, book a table at Den Gyldene Freden. No trip to Stockholm for Turner and Hughes is complete without visiting the Ostermalms Saluhall, a historic food hall. It was here that Turner found the oversize gingerbread hearts he hung in the outdoor kitchen of his Ojai home. He also picked up a princess cake from Tysta Mari and grabbed a bite at local-favorite Lisa Elmqvists fish counter. Courtesy of Nathan Turner Experience a St. Lucia Concert Turners birthday falls on St. Lucia Day (December 13), a Nordic festival of lights that coincides with the Christmas season. Celebratory St. Lucia concerts are held throughout the month. Book a ticket at famous cathedrals like Storkyrkan or Oscarskyrkan. Turner and Hughes attended a more intimate concert with local friends at the baroque Katarina Kryrka. Meet the Expert Nathan Turner is an author and interior designer based in Los Angeles. Visit his showroom in West Hollywood, and shop his line of California-inspired wallcoverings and textiles. You Might Also Like Looking to buy into Idahos most expensive zip code? Try Ketchum if you can. As usual, the Blaine County resort towns of Ketchum and Sun Valley boasted the states highest median home list price through the first 11 months of 2025, according to the real estate brokerage RH Advisors. Looking for third place? Head to Coolin population 138 in the extreme northern reaches of the Idaho Panhandle, about 35 miles from the Canadian border. Advertisement Advertisement The median list price for a home in Ketchums 83340 ZIP code stands at $2.28 million, according to an analysis of listing from RH Advisors website RealtyHop.com. Ketchums northwest neighbor Sun Valley boaststhe second-highest price, with median homes just under $1.5 million. The analysis used listings from RH Advisors website RealtyHop.com. Coolin, an unincorporated village on the southeast bank of Priest Lake in northern Bonner County, wasnt far behind. Homes in its 83821 ZIP listed for a median price of $1.41 million, the report found. The ZIP code covers the east bank of Priest Lake, a popular summer destination less than two hours northeast of Spokane. All three markets are buoyed by the same industry: tourism. Together, Ketchum and Sun Valley serve as home base for the Sun Valley Resort, Americas first destination ski area, now celebrating its 90th season. And, like much of Idaho, both saw huge boosts in demand for homes drive up prices during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, before the pandemic, homes in Ketchum sold for $688,250, according to a 2024 Ketchum city report using data from the Sun Valley Board of Realtors. That same report found that only 9% of people employed by Ketchum lived within the city limits. The towns of Ketchum and Sun Valley serve as home base for the Sun Valley Resort ski area on Bald Mountain. (Mark Dee) Ketchums list price, while tops in the state, is actually down from July 2024 peaks. Back then, the median home went for $3.4 million, according to data from the real estate site Redfin. The median list price in Ada County was roughly $615,900 in September 2025, the most recent data available from Realtor.com, an online listing site. Nationwide, Idahos top destinations cant compare to the priciest addresses. Fisher Island, a barrier island off of Miami, topped the list at $10.8 million before a trio of California ZIPs. Atherton, in Californias Silicon Valley, came next at $10.35 million. Santa Barbara, Newport Beach and the Long Island, New York, village of Sagaponack rounded out the top five. After just one day of visiting Morocco, I quickly learned that mint tea is more than just a beverage. In this North African country, tea is a key symbol of hospitality, served as a warm welcome when entering a home or business. I was offered a glass of Moroccan tea when checking in to my hot air balloon tour, checking into my Riad, and even when walking into some stores. Beyond the delicious taste of this warm tea and its cultural significance, whats even more fascinating is the unique way it is poured. Moroccans pour their tea in a very distinct fashion, pouring from at least a foot above the glass. I quickly became intrigued by this interesting technique, inspiring me to learn more about how this technique came about and its purpose. Cultural significance of tea Tea in Morocco is a symbol of hospitality, friendship, and tradition. It is deeply integrated into our daily life, says Mehdi, Co-founder at TerraFez, a handmade ceramic and brass workshop in Morocco. As a ceramic workshop, TerraFez makes traditional Moroccan tea pots, called Berrad, in ceramic, brass, and copper (and is directly involved with tea culture every day). The tea ritual occurs throughout the day, before work, during work, before school, when friends or family visit, and before bed as family members gather. And it is enjoyed by the wealthy and the poor alike, he shares. Most Moroccans drink tea several times a day, depending on whom they meet and their daily activities. Advertisement Advertisement When you enter a Moroccan home, tea is prepared and served almost immediately, and refusing it can be seen as discourteous. The act of serving tea is unconsciously seen as a way to build and strengthen relationships, bringing people together regardless of their background, Mehdi shares. How Moroccan tea is poured If you visit Morocco and observe how tea is poured, youll find it is always poured from a distance. While pouring tea this way certainly makes for a fancy show, this isnt the only purpose behind the technique. According to Mehdi, the primary reason is to create texture, as the high pour creates a foamy top called Rezza. The foam helps trap the minty aroma of the tea and prevent it from oxidizing too quickly, he shares. Additionally, pouring from a distance helps the tea cool slightly, so it can be drunk immediately, since boiling water is used to steep the tea during preparation. Though the Moroccan way of pouring tea may seem easy, it actually poses a few challenges for beginners. The Moroccan way of pouring the tea is more of a muscle memory kind of skill, but it also involves the quality of the tea pot used. The challenge is to aim the stream of scalding hot tea into a small glass from a height of up to 20 inches without splashing any drops (or as few as possible). Splashing is considered clumsy and messy, for apparent reasons, he shares. Beginners usually start low (around 5 to 7 inches) and work their way up as they get more comfortable with it. What the high pour symbolizes Shutterstock Beyond its practical effect, the high pour of Moroccan tea also carries a cultural significance. Mehdi shares that the high pour displays respect: the higher the pour, the more respect it shows the guest. It also signifies abundance and generosity, as the host pours the tea with enthusiasm. In Moroccan culture, a low pour of tea suggests a rush and a lack of ceremony, so most hosts will try to pour high to convey more celebration. A slice of paradise sitting north of the Arctic Circle, Norway's Haukland Beach (known as Hauklandstranda, to locals) may just be one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. Located in the incredible Lofoten Islands, this stunning beach boasts crystal clear yet chilly water that never warms above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Hauklandstranda's powdery white sand, dramatic mountain backdrop, and turquoise water mirror the sky, so it's no wonder the beach is often voted one of the best in Norway. It brings together a rare combination of coastal serenity and alpine awe, catering to those who seek isolation. In the summer, the landscape stretches under an endless daylight that's made possible by the midnight sun. This is arguably the best time of year to visit Norway, but winter brings Arctic magic and the beach becomes a quiet snow-dusted cove illuminated by the Northern Lights. It doesn't matter if you're visiting in July or January; standing on Haukland Beach always makes you feel like you're on another planet. Unlike the bustling shores of famous beaches along the Mediterranean, Hauklandstranda is a truly scenic expanse of raw nature, making it one of Europe's most idyllic coastal settings. The easiest way to get to Haukland is to fly into Leknes Airport (LKN), which offers daily flights from Oslo via Bod. From the airport, it is just a 10-minute drive away. Rental cars and allow you to explore more of the area on your own terms, but they can be expensive especially in the summer. The most budget-friendly way to get to the beach is via the local bus 765, but it runs very few times per day and operates around locals' school and work schedules. Traveling around the Lofoten Islands without a car can be very limiting, so picking up a rental is your best bet. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 14 Of The World's Most Dangerous Places To Swim Things to see and do near Haukland Beach hiker enjoying the nature view of Haukland Beach - Pawel Kazmierczak/Shutterstock Haukland Beach is a hub of adventures and awaits you with some of Norway's best hikes. Perhaps surprisingly, the best trails don't require too much effort but offer high scenic rewards. The trail up to Mannen the best peak overlooking the beach takes about 1.5 hours and is easily one of the most popular hikes in the area. It's a short but relatively technical and steep climb that lets you enjoy exhilarating panoramic views of the sea and surrounding peaks. To extend your journey, there's a coastal path connecting Haukland and Uttakleiv Beach in just 30 minutes that offers plenty of great photo opportunities along the way. Uttakleiv is a go-to spot for those who love stargazing or chasing auroras, and there's even a basic campsite where you can set up for the night. However, this is only a comfortable option over the summer, as amenities like bathrooms and water stations close over the winter. The Lofotr Viking Museum is another nearby attraction you wouldn't want to miss. This historical site is located in Borg, only about 20 minutes from the beach by car. From interactive exhibits and Viking ships to boathouses and the longest reconstructed longhouse in the world, the museum lets you immerse yourself in ancient Norse culture. Where to stay and when to visit Hauklandstranda two bears at the beautiful Haukland Beach - ALESSANDRO GIAMELLO/Shutterstock Great accommodation can be one of the highlights of any vacation. Haukland Beach House is a cozy coastal villa that's just five minutes away from the beach and can accommodate families or groups of up to six people. If you're a surfer, however, or someone who wants a boutique cabin vibe, an alternative option is Unstad Arctic Surf, which is a 30-minute drive away. For budget travelers, there are affordable guesthouses and cabins in nearby Leknes as well, which are often more budget-friendly as they're farther from the beach. Advertisement Advertisement The weather in Lofoten can be unstable, switching between sunshine, rain, wind, and even snow within a single day. So it's wise to bring layers, sturdy shoes, and a waterproof jacket; likewise, pay attention to the weather forecast beforehand. If you visit over the summer, when most visitors come to Hauklandstranda, you can still avoid the crowds by heading out early in the morning or later in the evening. You could also opt to visit in the shoulder seasons in late spring or early autumn when there are fewer tourists. For more picture-perfect getaways in Norway, add Nordfjord to your itinerary. 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. 24 Hours in Police Custody has released a new special focused on the murders of father and son Gary and Josh Dunmore in March 2023. The two-part special explores the case in detail, including the arrest of Stephen Alderton, who was charged with the murders. In the documentary, viewers are given insight into the case from the first emergency call to the investigation into the shooting, Alderton's arrest and interrogation by police. For those curious to learn more, here is what you need to know about the case. The murders of Gary and Josh Dunmore A still from 24 Hours in Police Custody: A Family Vendetta. (Channel 4) On the evening of 29 March 2023, Josh Dunmore was shot twice at his home in Meridian Close, Bluntisham. He was the former partner of Alderton's daughter, with whom he had a son. 30 minutes later, his father, Gary Dunmore, was shot and killed at his home in The Row, Sutton. Advertisement Advertisement At the time, police called the murders "targeted" attacks, and it was later revealed in court that the killings came two days after a family court hearing. Following the killings, Alderton was "rapidly identified" as the suspect, prosecutor Peter Gair said in court, per the BBC. Alderton was living in a motorhome, and the vehicle was found by a number plate recognition camera, which led police to him. Josh Dunmore and his father Gary Dunmore were murdered at their respective homes in Cambridgeshire in March 2023. (Getty) (Sam Russell - PA Images via Getty Images) He was stopped by armed officers on the M5 near Worcester the same night as the murders. When he was arrested, he told police that sometimes you have to do what you have to do even if its wrong in the eyes of the law. During the investigation, police found Alderton had written in a message that he had "a shortlist of people I intend to murder." Advertisement Advertisement After his arrest, Alderton pleaded guilty to two counts of murder. What happened to Stephen Alderton? Stephen Alderton pictured in 24 Hours in Police Custody: A Family Vendetta, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. (Channel 4) During the case, it was revealed that Alderton committed the murders over his "distorted beliefs" about family court proceedings involving his grandson, "following what was an interim and not final hearing on 27 March". It was confirmed that Alderton's daughter, Samantha Stephen, had requested to "move their seven-year-old child from the jurisdiction of the court by emigrating to the USA." After her split from Dunmore, she married Paul Stephen, a member of the US Air Force who was set to be redeployed to the US. Alderton's daughter had "sought permission of the family court, and Joshua opposed the application". Advertisement Advertisement Adrian Langdale KC shared a letter from Alderton to the court, which, per the BBC, said: "If I could turn back time, I would. I regret there are not enough words of remorse I can offer to the families affected by this crime." The accused added that he was "not the person that this conflict and the family courts have driven me to become", and wrote: "I've never been a violent person, I do not have a criminal record. I've been a respectable, law-abiding citizen all my life. "What happened to me on 29 March, I do not know." Alderton was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. After delivering the sentence, the judge in the case told Alderton: "You took the decision to take the law into your own hands and end the lives of two innocent men." In January 2024, Alderton's sentence was raised by the Court of Appeal to a minimum of 30 years served in prison. 24 Hours in Police Custody: A Family Vendetta continues at 9pm on Channel 4. Key Points Weight loss drugs are the big story in the pharmaceutical industry today, but other opportunities exist, too. Bristol Myers Squibb isn't focused on weight loss, has an attractive yield, and continues to cover its dividend. Merck is also focused outside of weight loss and has an attractive yield and a very strong dividend. 10 stocks we like better than Bristol Myers Squibb If you see news about the pharmaceutical industry today and it isn't directly about GLP-1 weight loss drugs, it's likely to include at least a mention of this new class of medications. GLP-1 drugs are an exciting development, for sure. However, Wall Street has a bad habit of getting so myopically focused on one thing that stock prices become irrational. This is why you might want to look at Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Merck (NYSE: MRK) today. Here's a look at each one. The GLP-1 poster child You need to have a reference point when you examine valuations. Right now, the best reference point is GLP-1 leader Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY). There's no question the company is doing exceptionally well right now, having taken the pole position in a hot new drug niche with Mounjaro and Zepbound. Image source: Getty Images. However, investors are well aware of this fact and have pushed the share price up accordingly. Today, Eli Lilly's price-to-earnings ratio is just shy of 50, which is actually a hair below the five-year average of 53. But 50 is a shockingly large P/E. And it's important to recognize that the company's two GLP-1 drugs already make up more than 50% of revenue. That's a troubling number, noting that Eli Lilly took the pole position away from Novo Nordisk in the GLP-1 race, which shows that sustained industry dominance isn't guaranteed. Two other options in the pharma sector A key fact in the pharmaceutical sector is that new drugs receive patent protection, which enables drugmakers to generate substantial profit. However, when those drugs lose their patent protections, the outsize profits come to an end. This is known as a patent cliff, and it's a common phenomenon within the pharmaceutical sector. In other words, all drug companies are on a continual quest for new drugs. Eli Lilly is in the spotlight today, but at some point in the future, other drugmakers will be more interesting. This is why you might want to consider Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb as discounted alternatives to an in-the-spotlight drugmaker like Eli Lilly. Notably, Merck's focus is on cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and infectious diseases. Bristol Myers Squibb is centered on cardio, cancer, and immune disorders drugs. They aren't really competing with Eli Lilly in the GLP-1 race, and thus, investors, broadly speaking, have been less attuned to what's happening at the companies. The 1980s was the last decade to witness air-to-air combat on a large scale, and the fighters of this age were impressively capable machines. Advances in radar, missile and human-machine interface technology produced extremely potent machines that were far easier to fly and fight in than their 1960s forebears. In the past, enemy aircraft had been safe hiding in the clutter of ground returns (flying low could hide you from earlier radars) but by the mid-80s many fighters had a look-down/shoot down capability (the ability to detect and shoot down an air target moving below the horizon) making the sky a far more dangerous place. Here are 10 of the most potent air-to-air fighters of 1985: 10: BAe Sea Harrier FRS. Mk 1 BAe Sea Harrier FRS. Mk 1 The Sea Harrier is the oddest aircraft on this list: its top speed was half that of the other aircraft, it could only carry half the number of missiles and its radar had half the detection range. Yet, it managed to perform extremely well in the air-to-air role in the Falklands War of 1982. Advertisement Advertisement Its virtues were its high thrust-to-weight ratio and that it was small and smokeless, but the main reasons for its success were its highly-trained pilots and the excellent AIM-9L heat-seeking missile that the Americans supplied to the British at the last moment in time for the Falkands, thanks to the influence of Anglophile US Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger. The Sea Harrier could also operate in weather conditions that would have kept any other carrier fighters on or under the deck. 10: BAe Sea Harrier FRS. Mk 1 BAe Sea Harrier FRS. Mk 1 The Harrier was the first operational vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fighter aircraft, earning it the nickname of the Jump Jet. The Harrier family pioneered the use of vectored thrust for abrupt decelerations and unexpected manoeuvres in the dogfight, though these have not been used in actual air combat. The Sea Harrier was a modified variant of the Harrier for use on Britains relatively small aircraft carriers. A small fighter that could carry two powerful 30-mm cannon and four of the best short range air-to-air missiles of the time, only a fool would underestimate the plucky Sea Harrier. The Sea Harriers shot down 20 Argentinian aircraft in the Falklands versus no air-to-air losses of their own. 9: Dassault Mirage F1 Dassault Mirage F1 Frances resurrection after World War II saw the creation of a world-class jet fighter industry. Of this military production renaissance, the most significant contribution was the Mirage series of combat aircraft from the Dassault company. Not only excellent aircraft, they proved a success on the export market, especially for nations wishing to avoid (or refused the opportunity of) buying aircraft from the US or Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement The F1 dropped the iconic delta (triangular) wing of earlier Mirages in favour of a clever conventional swept wing that rectified some of the failings of the delta. The improvements included reducing the runway length required and the weight and drag of the wing. 9: Dassault Mirage F1 Dassault Mirage F1 The French Dassault Mirage F1 proved itself a formidable fighter in the Iran-Iraq War destroying 35 Iranian aircraft in air-to-air combat: one jet alone claimed a dozen on its own. In this long bloody war, the F1 also downed several F-14s, making it the first type to bring down the mighty Tomcat. In service with the South African Air Force it was fitted with a helmet-cueing system (the missile could fire where the pilot was looking to save time in a fight) and the Kukri short range air-to-air missile. These South African Mirages were one of the very first aircraft to use helmet cueing, making it a particularly nasty dogfight opponent. 8: Saab JA37 Viggen Saab JA37 Viggen Swedens neutral status during the Cold War led this Scandinavian-European nation to produce a slew of innovative and extremely potent warplanes. Among them was the Viggen, the first operational fighter aircraft with the canard delta (a triangular wing with the tail control surfaces in front) configuration. Advertisement Advertisement Intended to operate away from large airbases in times of war, the Viggen was designed for short take-offs and landings from dispersed bases with small rough airstrips or even reinforced sections of motorway. The initial bomber attack version, the AJ 37 was followed by a fighter interceptor variant, the JA 37. 8: Saab JA37 Viggen Saab JA37 Viggen Though not the highest performance airframe in terms of climb or agility, the Swedish JA37 was one of the worlds best-equipped fighters in 1985. At this time the Viggen had just received a secure datalink allowing the sharing of encrypted information. This innovation, years ahead of other nations gave the fighter an enormous edge in situational awareness. Its electronic warfare equipment was also world-class. The Sky Flash, that armed the JA37, was the arguably the best medium range missile in the world and its cannon, the 30mm Oerlikon, was extremely powerful. The Viggens agility was however inferior to the new generation of Soviet, US and French fighters. 7: Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000C Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000C Described by many that have flown it as a perfect machine, the ultimate Mirage was an absolute thoroughbred. Fast, agile and easy to fly, it is a well-balanced design and formidable warplane. The fly-by-wire system (a system that takes the pilot's desired directional control and lets a computer decide the best control surfaces to use to achieve the result) had cured most of the worst vices associated with the delta wing. Advertisement Advertisement In 1985 the Mirage was fitted with the unimpressive Thomson-CSF RDM (Radar Doppler Multifunction) which had a limited look down/shoot capability and the Matra Super 530F semi-active radar guided missile. 7: Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000C Dassault-Breguet Mirage 2000C The instantaneous turn rate of the Mirage 2000 was described by an Indian Air Force pilot as the Best in the class, I dont think there is any fighter comes any close, this needs to be measured with roll and rate of onset of the turn (called tau). In a common language, it means when I spot a bogey how fast can I bank to the required degree, initiate a turn and point towards him. In this regard Mirage 2000 is the best. Though a capable fighter- the design was not close to the formidable machine it would become later in its life. 6: General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon Whereas earlier fighters like the F-4 Phantom II were large and cumbersome, the US General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon was a small nimble fighter, designed to excel in the within-visual- range dogfight. This required a massive thrust-to-weight ratio to give the aircraft outstanding acceleration and manoeuvrability, and also the ability to keep its energy level high in a dogfight. The pilot has the least obstructed view of any fighter thanks to a big bubble canopy with no obstructions. 6: General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon The F-16 did not have a beyond-visual-range (a weapon that can hit a target beyond the distance a pilot can see) weapon until the Sparrow-capable Block 25 of mid-1984; but in 1985, it was still an immature model riddled with software problems. Despite this, the F-16C was an extremely agile, long-ranged aircraft and a daunting opponent for any fighter in the world in the close-range dogfight. Like the F-15, the F-16s first saw combat with the Israeli air force; a Syrian Mi-8 and MiG-21 were shot down in 1981. Advertisement Advertisement In the 1982 Lebanon War, Israel claimed to shoot down 44 enemy aircraft for the F-16 for no losses; a large number of the aircraft destroyed were Syrian MiG-21 and 23s. And the F-16 was not just an air-to-air specialist; in June 1981 eight Israeli F-16s bombed and destroyed an unfinished nuclear reactor at Osirak in Iraq; the task took two minutes and the planes escaped with no losses. 5: Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum The Soviet Union fielded two new tactical fighter types in the 1980s that caused NATO much alarm. The larger of these was the Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker and the smaller the MiG-29. Both types shared a similar overall configuration with underslung intakes and twin-tails, and demonstrated exceptional manoeuvrability. The MiG-29 was tough and cheap, lacking the refinement of American fighters but compensating in extreme performance and the ability to operate from rougher airbases and tolerate worse treatment. It lacked a sophisticated cockpit but featured innovative systems including auxiliary air intakes above the wing roots to protect the engine from debris, and an infra search and track sensor combined with a laser range finder. 5: Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum The MiG-29 of 1985 would have been able to destroy most F-16s at arms length, armed as it was with medium range R-27 missiles: most F-16s had nothing more potent than short-ranged Sidewinders. Opponents that got closer to the MiG-29 would face an almost unbeatable fighter armed with the worlds best short range air-to-air missile, with an unprecedented off-boreshot (the ability to engage targets in a wide arc rather than just directly in front of the aircraft) capability cued by a helmet look, shoot system (something the West would not have until the 1990s). Advertisement Advertisement Its manoeuvrability was breath-taking due to extremely powerful and tolerant engines, and advanced aerodynamics. Its weaknesses were a short-range, poor man-machine interface and smoky engines. Remarkably, early MiG-29s did not include a fly-by-wire system. 4: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet The Hornet is an American a relatively lightweight fighter able to operate from aircraft carriers. We spoke to a former Hornet pilot who noted, The Hornets instantaneous turn was as good or better than any jet that I flew against. He also opined that, The Hornet was excellent at high alpha flying. High alpha flying refers to flying in a nose up position, which can enable a gun or missile shot in a dogfight. 4: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet In 1985 the F/A-18 had the most user-friendly cockpit in the world, the best multi-mode radar and the best low-speed manoeuvrability of any western fighter. Unlike the F-16, it had a mature Sparrow medium range missile capability, an extremely significant capability. The F/A-18 set new standards for a multirole fighter that Europe and Russia could only follow. Advertisement Advertisement Its weaknesses lay in its disappointing range and its relatively mediocre performance at high speed and high altitude compared to aircraft like the US McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle or Soviet Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker. 3: Grumman F-14A Tomcat Grumman F-14A Tomcat Americas Grumman F-14 Tomcat flew with both the US Navy from the decks of its aircraft carriers, and with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) from land bases (which it continues to do today), a legacy of the 1970s when America and Iran were friends. The F-14s most notable weapon was the ultra-long-range AIM-54 Phoenix missile, capable of destroying hostile aircraft 100 miles away (at least in theory). For the air-to-air role it also carried AIM-9M short range missiles and AIM-7M Sparrow medium-range missiles and the M61 gun. The main problem with the F-14A was its unreliable Pratt & Whitney TF30 engines, which were prone to stalling, and were insufficiently powerful to get the most out the airframe. The F-14, was also not as agile as the F-15 or Su-27. 3: Grumman F-14A Tomcat Grumman F-14A Tomcat However, the F-14 proved very effective in the Iran/Iraq War. By 1985, the most successful F-14 pilot, Jalil Zandi of the IRIAF, had downed seven Iraqi aircraft including Mirage F1s, Su-22s, MiG-21s and MiG-23s. Advertisement Advertisement The F-14 was the elite fighter of the IRIAF and it is claimed that it destroyed 160 Iraqi aircraft including 58 MiG-23s, 23 MiG-21s, nine MiG-25s, 33 Dassault Mirage F1s, 23 Su-17s and five Tu-22s making it arguably the greatest fighter aircraft of the 1980s. 2: Sukhoi Su-27 Sukhoi Su-27 After a slow development period, the Su-27 began entering service with the Soviet air force in 1985. In terms of agility and manoeuvrability, the Su-27 was the best fighter of 1985, and even superior to the F-15, especially at lower speeds. Its manoeuvrability was virtually unbeatable, and combined as it was with the same helmet/R-73 missile combination as the MiG-29, it would have proved almost invincible in the close-range dogfight. It had an impressive range, though at maximum weight it was not a particularly agile aircraft. 2: Sukhoi Su-27 Sukhoi Su-27 It also had a large weapon load, normally consisting of six R-27 medium-ranged missiles and two R-73s short range missiles, backed up by an extremely accurate 30-mm cannon. Another system it shared with the MiG-29 was a combined infra-red search and track (IRST) and laser range finder sensor. Advertisement Advertisement At this time IRSTs were out of vogue with western air forces and offered Soviet fighters an advantage in silent passive detection enabling the Su-27 to sneak up on an enemy aircraft. In 1985 the Su-27 was just bedding into frontline service and just misses the top spot through a lack of maturity. 1: McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle The earlier F-15A, though excellent in many ways, suffered from an immature radar and disappointing endurance. The F-15C, which entered service in 1979 rectified these problems and demonstrated McDonnell Douglas mastery of fighter design. The Eagles air superiority was achieved through a mixture of unprecedented manoeuvrability and acceleration, and advanced avionics, making it the benchmark of 1980s fighters. The F-15 was an uncompromised air superiority fighter, designed to excel in both within- and beyond visual range engagements. For the first time, USAF had a fighter with a thrust-to-weight ratio that exceeded unity at combat weight. 1: McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle The brute force of the F-15s large APG-63 radar gave it excellent detection range and a hearty resilience to electronic countermeasures. The aircraft was fast, and armed with up to eight air-to-air missiles and a M61 rotary cannon with 940 rounds. The first production Multistage Improvement Program (MSIP) F-15C was produced in 1985, which carried an upgraded central computer, the Programmable Armament Control Set, allowing for advanced versions of the AIM-7, AIM-9, as well as provision for the forthcoming AIM-120A missiles. In 1985 the Su-27 was still finding its legs, but the F-15 was combat proven; Israeli F-15s had scored multiple kills with no reported losses. 1: McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle In producing a top ten, I dont hesitate to add all the normal disclaimers: each aircraft has strengths and weaknesses at different heights, speeds and in different situations; as always, pilot quality and tactics are more important than hardware. The ordering one to ten has involved consideration but is ultimately arbitrary. Aircraft considered that failed to make the grade included Israel's Kfir C2, which deserves an honourable mention, but was pipped to the number ten slot by the Sea Harrier. Several F-4 Phantom variants (3 pictured along with an F-15)could have been included, despite the airframe being passed its prime. The RAFs Tornado F.Mk 2/3 were flying in late 1985 but were immature - lacking as they were a functional radar or even the provision for chaff and flares. Though at a push the Tornado ADV and F-14 interceptors can be described as fighters, the MiG-31 seems a trifle too specialised to be featured but was certainly an impressive machine that is worth a mention. Upgraded MiG-21s would have given half the aircraft on this list a run for their money in the merge, but were too poorly equipped to make selection. Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> The 11th annual Bull City Foodraiser is underway, as reports show that 1 in 5 children in North Carolina is food insecure. "That sounds so cliche that they are trying to make ends meet, but they really are," said Lakewood Elementary School media coordinator Turquoise Lejeune Parker. Parker is the founder of the annual food drive and has worked to tackle food insecurity for more than a decade. There is intentionality behind the food that was selected for distribution, as organizers hope to make it easy for them to access. Advertisement Advertisement "Cheerios, peanut butter, black beans, baked beans, corn, tuna, and chicken," she said. On Tuesday, Parker received a heartfelt letter from Gov. Josh Stein on how appreciative he is to watch her feed children in Durham. The gymnasium at Lakewood Elementary transformed into the main operations center with a crucial mission of bagging up non-perishable items as Durham Public Schools students prepare to head home for Christmas break. The goal is to feed nearly 5,000 DPS families at 12 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. "I have unpacked green beans and ramen noodles. I helped clean up trash and things like that," said Durham County Commissioner Michelle Burton. Advertisement Advertisement She was among dozens who volunteered their time working in shifts to help pull this off, including students from North Carolina Central University and Duke University, as well as local Divine 9 organizations. "We understand right now that children are really struggling for food. We make sure that we are being here for this initiative and others throughout the city to help satisfy the need," said Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Zeta Omega chapter president Carrissa Dixon. This effort is made possible through donations. Organizers collected more than 35 tons of food for families. "For the fundraising piece of it, we've had several hundred people donate online. We have folks on Bluesky from around the world who contribute. Then, we have some extra folks who say, based on how many donors you get, I will match dollar for dollar what you raise," said organizer T. Greg Doucette. Students will receive their bags of food from Wednesday through Friday. More than a dozen alleged gang members have been arrested, and charged in a string of horrific shootings and assaults in Harlem and Upper Manhattan, one of which, prosecutors say, claimed the life of an innocent 16-year-old boy. "There are 13 defendants, two adolescent offenders (AO) under our law," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Dandre Murray and Zakaria Camara are two alleged members of a gang, who according to the Manhattan DA's office, were so intent with taking out rivals they would start shooting anytime and anyplace in Harlem. Advertisement Advertisement "This alleged conduct is in a word, unacceptable. This brazen violence occurred in the middle of our streets, putting countless innocent bystanders at risk," Bragg said. Murray and Camara were in court Wednesday afternoon, arraigned on an 66-count indictment that is 47 pages long, for conspiracy, attempted murder, assault and weapons charges. Thirteen suspects have been accused in 10 shootings and assaults from February 2021 to July of this year. "It's the concerted action. It is the working together and with the stated purpose, we allege, of working against another group," Bragg said. Advertisement Advertisement In July 2024, near West 148th Street and Bradhurst Avenue in Hamilton Heights, prosecutors say members walked up to Tresaun Clements, yelling and demanding to know who he was and where he was from. "They approached him to rob him, surrounded him, punched him. He was in a coma and later died several weeks later." Back in January, prosecutors say the gang members smuggled scapples into the courthouse and slashed rival gang members on the 13th floor, the same floor where Murray and Camara were arraigned on Wednesday. "The violence, even came to this very location with defendants coming inside our courts and slashing, we allege, two rivals right here at 100 Center Street," Bragg said. Advertisement Advertisement Only Murray and Camara were arraigned on Wednesday. The other suspects are expected to be arraigned on Thursday. One suspect has yet to be arrested. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Two Cook County sheriff's deputies were shot at outside of Mt. Sinai Hospital Wednesday morning, Chicago police and the sheriff's office said. The shooting took place at about 3:36 a.m. in the 1500-block of South California Avenue in Douglass Park. Police said two men, ages 27 and 28, were driving north when a silver sedan approached and someone inside opened fire. The vehicle the men were in was struck, but no one was injured, police said. Advertisement Advertisement SEE ALSO: Man shot, killed by officer investigating stolen vehicle on North Side, Chicago police say The Cook County Sheriff's Office confirmed that both men are deputies who were on-duty. The office originally said the deputies were off-duty. The suspect's vehicle then drove east. No one is in custody and Area Four detectives are investigating. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood Two Pasadena ISD students have been charged after records state they allegedly conspired to participate in a school shooting. Emilio Lopez, 17, and a juvenile are accused of conspiring to carry out the shooting at Pasadena Memorial High School. According to records, an investigation into the case began on Nov. 25 after a parent reported that her daughter received alarming screenshots showing the two students discussing plans for mass violence at the school on Dec. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses, including a student and an anonymous friend, confirmed the Instagram accounts used in the messages belonged to the alleged suspects. Records state that screenshots showed the teens were talking about guns, ammunition, planning the attack strategically, and "beating the cops to their office." Another witness reported receiving a text from one of the suspects stating, "Don't come to school on Monday." In addition, Lopez had allegedly posted photos of himself holding guns on Instagram around the same time. Authorities also confirmed Lopez had a social media threat earlier this year and a prior juvenile assault arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit capital murder. Their next court appearance is just after the first of 2026. Eyewitness News reached out to Pasadena ISD, which sent the following statement: Pasadena ISD is aware of the arrest of two students who allegedly conspired to commit acts of violence. Parents and staff of Pasadena Memorial High School were immediately notified of the situation during the Thanksgiving break. At this time, there is no active threat to Pasadena Memorial High School. The District continues to cooperate fully with authorities. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Pasadena ISD Police Department, the Pasadena Police Department, and the US Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force for their professionalism and immediate response to the threat. Advertisement Advertisement Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all. We are thankful for our community's continued partnership in promoting safety. For news updates, follow Miya Shay on Facebook, X and Instagram. 2 Planes Abort Landings at Last Possible Moment amid Extreme Winds in Heart-Stopping Video NEED TO KNOW Two planes aborted near-landings at Dublin Airport on Dec. 9 as Storm Bram brought dangerous winds to the area Video footage showed one of the planes, an Aer Lingus flight coming from Seattle, swaying side to side as it attempted to land. A second plane can be seen being blown almost perpendicular to the runway upon approach before taking back off Dublin Airport shared on X the same day that 91 flights were cancelled, while 10 flights had to be diverted to other airports as a result of the storm Two planes had to abort their landings just seconds before touching down at Dublin Airport amid the powerful Storm Bram that hit the U.K. earlier this week. In footage captured by an eyewitness on Tuesday, Dec. 9, an Aer Lingus plane is seen swaying from side to side as it approaches the runway. As it gets within feet of the tarmac, the nose of the aircraft suddenly shoots upward and it ascends back up into the sky. That flight was en route to the Irish capital from Seattle, according to Storyful. Advertisement Advertisement Additional footage shows a second smaller plane descending at an angle almost perpendicular to the runway it's meant to land on due to the wind gusts before it tips back up and aborts its landing as well. The airline and departure location of that aircraft was not identified. Suzanne Kavanagh via Storyful Aer Lingus flight approaching runway at Dublin Airport Aer Lingus flight approaching runway at Dublin Airport According to information shared on FlightAware, the only flight from Seattle to Dublin on Dec. 9 was Aer Lingus EI52, which departed from the Washington city on Monday, Dec. 8 at 9:45 p.m. local time. While it was initially supposed to land in Dublin on Tuesday, it appears to have been diverted to Shannon, which is located on the western coast of Ireland, where it landed at 3:49 p.m. local time. The storm had a significant impact on flights landing in Ireland, Dublin Airport said in a Dec. 9 statement shared to its X account. According to the post, 91 flights were cancelled by a number of airlines, which included 49 inbound and 42 outbound flights. There were also 10 flights that had to be diverted to other airports due to the storm. Suzanne Kavanagh via Storyful Aer Lingus flight aborts landing at Dublin Airport amid Storm Bram Aer Lingus flight aborts landing at Dublin Airport amid Storm Bram Challenging wind conditions have meant some aircraft have been unable to land and take-off at Dublin Airport for extended periods this afternoon, Dublin Airport wrote. Further disruption is possible later this evening as wind speeds are expected to remain strong. Suzanne Kavanagh via Storyful Smaller plane aborts landing at Dublin Airport Smaller plane aborts landing at Dublin Airport Storm Bram wreaked havoc on the U.K. when it hit parts of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England earlier this week, BBC reports. Advertisement Advertisement The storm brought heavy rainfall and extreme winds that reached up to 80 mph, leaving thousands of people without power across the U.K. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Suzanne Kavanagh via Storyful Planes abort landings at Dublin Airport amid Storm Bram Planes abort landings at Dublin Airport amid Storm Bram In October, flights were impacted by a similar storm that hit the U.K. and other parts of Europe with extreme wind and rain. A United Airlines flight from Newark, N.J., to London was forced to abort its landing amid Storm Benjamin, video footage previously obtained by PEOPLE showed. Advertisement Advertisement Footage of the incident appeared to show the plane's landing gear nearly touching the runway before the aircraft shot back upwards. Earlier in the video, taken from outside the airport, the wings of the passenger jet were seen swaying back and forth as it neared the runway, indicating strong gusts. Read the original article on People VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The arrests of two 18-year-old Cox High School students last week on assault charges stemmed from a fight, court documents indicate. The two students, Hunter Faison and Cash Osler, were arrested Dec. 4 on assault charges, according to Virginia Beach Police. Faison has been charged with simple assault by mob and malicious wounding, while Osler was also charged with simple assault by mob. 10 On Your Side has reached out to police for additional details, but have not received any. Advertisement Advertisement They did confirm the teens were arrested at Cox High School. Court documents revealed that this is all in connection to a fight of some sort. A man who wishes to remain anonymous reached out to 10 On Your Side, saying his child was recently attacked by a group of people at a homecoming party. He said two of them were Osler and Faison, and the man believes his child was not the groups first victim. The man said he doesnt want anyone else to go through this. Other local residents had the same reaction. Hunter Faison. (Photo courtesy: Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office) Cash Osler (Photo courtesy: Virginia Beach Sheriffs Office) Virginia Beach City Public Schools had no comment on the matter. We have no information to share regarding this police matter, a VB Schools spokesperson said. We understand you have been in touch with VBPD. Advertisement Advertisement 10 On Your Side received court documents stating a protective order was filed Monday against Osler. He is supposed to appear in court Dec. 19. A local resident said while the details are limited, a situation like this is shocking. Its sad to hear this in our day and time with our children, the resident said. Wishing nothing but the best for the child that was apparently jumped and just praying for the kids who have been potentially accused of this that, going forward, that this is not something theyll continue to do and something they use to turn their lives around and do the right thing. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. 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 WAVY.com. Recommendations for discipline against Boston police officers are sitting for months without action, according to a 25 Investigates review of the citys independent police accountability system. 25 Investigates found the independent office created to improve police transparency is investigating citizen complaints and making recommendations, but some believe Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox is ignoring them. Its really hard to hold police officers accountable, said Annemarie Grant, who filed a complaint against a Boston Police sergeant in 2023 and says there is still no resolution. Advertisement Advertisement 25 Investigates first met Grant in the fall of 2024. At that point, she had been waiting a year for OPAT Bostons Office of Police Accountability and Transparency to investigate her complaint against the sergeant she claimed had bullied her nephew. Cell phone captured parts of the alleged incident. 25 Investigates is not identifying the officer because the case remains pending. After 25 Investigates reporting last year, OPAT reviewed her case. In November 2024, OPATs Civilian Review Board recommended the sergeant face a 5- to 30-day suspension. And what happened to that recommendation? Kavanaugh asked. Advertisement Advertisement Nothing as far as I can tell, Grant said. Ive reached out to OPAT several times since the recommendation came out asking them what the status was with Commissioner Cox. 25 Investigates found a pattern of delays when it comes to Boston Police responding to OPAT disciplinary recommendations. According to OPATs most recent annual report, the Civilian Review Board heard 19 cases during fiscal year 2025. Eight cases were sustained, including 19 sustained allegations. In June, OPAT received responses from Commissioner Cox to four of the eight sustained cases, referring all four to the departments Internal Affairs unit to evaluate the CRBs findings and recommended discipline to determine whether the Department concurs and whether any additional action is warranted. When asked, OPATs executive director Evandro Carvalho provided 25 Investigates with updated data, saying they are still waiting for responses to eight sustained cases dating back to April 2024. Advertisement Advertisement He noted the Commissioner has provided several responses recently to more recent cases, mostly indicating OPATs reports were now being sent to BPDs Internal Affairs Division for review/investigation OPAT Civilian Review Board member Joshua Dankoff says some people come to OPAT specifically to avoid Internal Affairs. People came to the OPAT office specifically to not go to internal affairs, and it seems like a roundabout and quite frankly not terribly respectful of the communitys wishes, Dankoff said. Dankoff said the recommendations the board sends to the commissioner largely arent being followed and in some cases, the board isnt getting any response at all. Advertisement Advertisement The city council created this office out of an interest in having police accountability and transparency, and that shouldnt be undermined by slowing down the process, he said. 25 Investigates requested an interview with Commissioner Cox. BPD did not directly respond to our request. In September, OPATs full Civilian Review Board sent a communication to the commissioner raising concern about the status of their recommendations. It stated in part: Boston cannot move forward with a police accountability system that is ignored by police leadership and employees. What is that message do you think to the community and to your board? Kavanaugh asked Dankoff. Advertisement Advertisement Its a concerning message that cases can sit for so long after theyve been reviewed and investigated from the CRB side, Dankoff said. For Grant, whose case has lingered for more than two years, the delays speak to a broader problem. He doesnt respect OPAT as a board. He doesnt respect the Boston community who wanted OPAT in place, and that its just more smoke and mirrors for the community, she said. In their letter, the Civilian Review Board also said some Boston police officers are not cooperating with investigations. 25 Investigates sent multiple written requests to the Boston Police Department asking to speak with Commissioner Cox. Two hours before our story was set to air Tuesday, December 9th on Boston 25, we received the following written statement from a department spokesperson: The Boston Police Department appreciates the work that OPAT and the Civilian Review Board perform. We understand the concerns raised about instances where officers or civilian employees declined to participate in OPAT-initiated interviews. While the Department supports meaningful civilian oversight, we must also comply with state law, collective bargaining agreements, and Department Rules and Procedures governing the conduct of administrative investigations. Massachusetts General Laws, Civil Service rules and guidance, and collective bargaining agreements take precedence over municipal ordinances and govern the Departments ability to sustain allegations or issue disciplinary action. Under this framework, the Department cannot sustain an allegation or impose discipline solely on the basis of OPAT or CRB findings without an Internal Affairs investigation. Even in instances where the Commissioner agrees with OPATs findings and conclusions, the Police Department must conduct its own investigation before a finding can be sustained or discipline imposed. With this procedural framework in mind, moving forward we have requested that OPAT share with the Department the evidence and materials relied upon in reaching its findings. Transparent exchange of information is essential to ensuring accuracy, fairness, and consistency across our review processes, which is a goal both agencies share. We also acknowledge OPATs concerns regarding delays in departmental responses. The Department has taken several steps to reduce backlogs and improve coordination. Moving forward, OPAT will receive written notice in every case explaining whether a CRB recommendation is adopted, modified, or not implemented, along with a clear explanation for the decision. Boston Police Department spokesperson Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Three Allegheny County residents are among the eight people charged with cocaine and fentanyl trafficking. A federal grand jury in Pittsburgh indicted the individuals on charges of violating federal narcotics and firearm laws, according to the Department of Justice. These are the defendants: Derrick Lyman, 59, of McKeesport Daniel Jackson, 48, of Penn Hills Devlin Clifford, 46, of Monroeville Robert East, 69, of Delaware, Ohio Jose Sanchez-Polanco, 43, of Lawrence, Mass. Ernesto Castillo, 29, of Lynwood, Calif. Ricardo Escalona, 41, of Winter Park, Fla. Dionisio Gonzalez-Diaz, 57, of Homestead, Fla. Advertisement Advertisement The indictment alleges that Castillo and Escalona possessed with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on May 28, 2024, and June 6, 2024, respectively. Also, the indictment alleges that the defendants all conspired to distribute or possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl on June 27, 2024. Jackson is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, while Clifford is charged with possessing with intent to distribute 500 kilograms or more of cocaine. Lyman, Jackson and Clifford are charged with possessing a firearm while prohibited due to a prior drug trafficking conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Lyman and Clifford could face between 15 years and life in prison and/or a fine of up to $20 million. Jackson and the other defendants could face between 10 years and life in prison and/or a fine of up to $10 million. For the firearm charge, Lyman, Jackson and Clifford could face between five years and life in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs and transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the U.S. and abroad. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW A 39-year-old man convicted sex offender, was arrested by police for violating a final removal order. The Butler County Sheriffs Office was notified by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that 39-year-old Magdiel Lopez Rodriquez of Hamilton has a final order of removal outstanding since October 2021, according to a spokesperson. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez, originally from Cuba, was not residing at the location that he provided to the Sheriffs Office Sex Offender Registration and Notification Division (S.O.R.N.) following his conviction of sexual battery. He also gave a false address to the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. Rodrigez was arrested when he came to the Butler County Sheriffs Office to speak with a detective regarding the discrepancies in his reported address. He was arrested on an active ICE detainer as well as an Adult Parole Authority Holder. Additional charges related to S.O.R.N. violations are forthcoming from the sheriffs office. Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Richard K. Jones said Rodriguezs actions were disgraceful. In Butler County, we will not tolerate that. We will work with our federal partners every single day to make sure offenders like this are found, held accountable, and removed, said Jones. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Well have at least a $2 trillion deficit this year, Johnson warned, "That compares to prior to the pandemic. President Trump had deficits about $800 billion. Obama, in his last four years, $550 billion a year. Now were $2 trillion? Completely unacceptable. We have to start focusing on that and doing something about it. Republican Sen. Ron Johnson also said in an interview with Fox Businesss Maria Bartiromo the country "can't afford" Trump's $2,000 dividend idea, Look, we cant afford it. I wish we were in a position to return the American public their money, but were not. As of Sept. 30, the federal government had generated $195 billion in tariff-related revenue, according to officials , which compared to the possible payout of the dividend check proposal would come up short. Erica York, a policy expert at the Tax Foundation, said in a post on X, "If the cutoff is $100,000, 150M adults would qualify, for a cost near $300 billion. If kids qualify, that grows. Only problem, new tariffs have raised $120 billion so far." Trump said last month, "The tariffs allow us to give a dividend, if we want to do that. Now we're going to do a dividend, and we're also reducing debt we have because of Biden and others; we have $37 trillion in debt," said Trump. "So we're going to be doing a dividend, which people will enjoy and spend and do what they want. But we're also going to be reducing debt very substantially." Last week, Trump also said the tariff revenue could eventually be "so great" that the government could cease levying income taxes, "I believe that at some point in the not too distant future, you won't even have income tax to pay, because the money we're taking in is so great, it's so enormous, that you're not going to have income tax to pay. Whether you get rid of it or just keep it around for fun or have it really low, much lower than it is now, but you won't be paying income taxes." In early November, the president began floating the idea of issuing a $2,000 dividend to "middle income people and lower income people" from the "hundreds of millions of dollars" collected with promises of tariff rebate checks. During his Tuesday, Dec. 2, cabinet meeting , President Donald Trump said "Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever, and we're going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs, as we have taken in literally trillions of dollars." Adding, "We're going to be giving a nice dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt." Story Continues The Congressional Budget Office last month projected the federal deficit would hit $1.8 trillion for 2025, according to news reports. However, officials note that in theory, Trump and his administration could potentially look to make the payout based on "anticipated" tariff revenue as the Treasury Department has forecast $3 trillion in tariff revenue over the next decade. Note that Trump's $2,000 tariff dividend payment is still being floated with no formal proposal and little details thus far. Here's when and what to know about Trump's tariff dividend checks and who would be eligible for the $2000 stimulus check. Are we getting a fourth stimulus check 2025? Trump previously floated the idea of using part of the government revenue being generated by the new tariffs and returning it to taxpayers of a certain income level in the form of a rebate check, similar to the stimulus checks sent during the pandemic, back in July. That tariff rebate check idea was then introduced in a bill by Sen. Josh Hawley, called the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, that would send checks between $600 and $2,400 to American taxpayer families. However, it has not passed through Congress as of yet. In February, Trump also said he would consider the plan to pay out $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers in the form of a DOGE dividend during a summit in Miami. He explained it as using part of the 20% of the savings identified by Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and giving it back to taxpayers. However, he has not shared any further specifics or details about the possible DOGE dividend or its certainty since then. There were three prior stimulus checks tied to COVID-era stimulus programs, the third and last of which had an April 15, 2025 deadline to claim. The opportunities to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020) or the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021) or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) have now passed. A rebate is a partial refund of the purchase price that a consumer paid, often upon meeting certain conditions, while a dividend by definition, is a distribution of profits by a corporation to its shareholders and refund is a payment made back to a user that previously paid for something. A stimulus check, on the other hand, is a direct payment to encourage spending and stimulate the economy by putting money directly into the consumers' hands. While speculation about a fourth stimulus check has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud. When will the $2000 tariff dividend payment be paid? Trump's $2,000 tariff dividend payment is still being floated with no formal proposal and little details thus far; however, he has made clear that the payments would not be issued before the holidays this year, but rather sometime in 2026, before the midterms. In November, Trump vowed to issue dividend checks to "individuals of moderate income" sometime in 2026, before the midterm elections. Adding, "We've taken in hundreds of millions of dollars in tariff money. We're going to be issuing dividends later on. Somewhere prior to, you know, probably in the middle of next year, a little bit later than that. Of thousands of dollars for individuals of moderate income, middle income." Who would be eligible for Trump's $2000 tariff dividend? Based on Trump's recent comments about the $2,000 tariff dividend, the income qualifications would exclude "high income people." "We're going to issue a dividend to our middle income people and lower income people of about $2,000," Trump said on Nov. 10. "And we're going to use the remaining tariffs to lower our debt." During two prior pandemic-era stimulus checks authorized by Trump, they were made available to individuals bringing in as much as $75,000 per year and couples earning up to $150,000 and higher earners were eligible for smaller payments. What is considered middle class income in America? The middle class is defined as those earning up to double the median household income, while high-income earners can make 10 times that or more. Lower income is often defined as those making 150% of the federal poverty level or less. Pew's Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the 2024 median household income was $83,730. Using Pew's definition of middle class as households that earn between two-thirds and double the median household income, the middle class consists of people making somewhere between $55,820 and $167,460 in 2024. Those earning less than $55,820 make up the lower-income bracket, while those earning more than the $167,460 make up the upper-income bracket. However, income class can be directly impacted and influenced by family size and location as the median income can look very different in all 50 states depending on their cost of living. States with the highest median household incomes exceeding $95,000 include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, New Hampshire and California, according to SmartAsset, while states with the lowest median household incomes below $60,000 were Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia and Mississippi. Cities with the highest median income were Arlington, Virginia and San Jose, California where it exceeded $136,000 versus Cleveland, Ohio or Detroit, Michigan where it was less than $40,000. You can find your income class via Pew Research Center's income calculator or click here. Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Check your $2000 tariff rebate eligibility; is check coming in 2025? Indiana's shiny new technology park in Lebanon, often described as a desert due to its lack of water resources, could soon see an influx in the realm of 25 million gallons of water a day, some of which could come from the Eagle Creek Reservoir. Citizens Energy, a utility that services much of the Indianapolis area, formally began the $700 million dollar water project at the beginning of 2025 to supply Boone County's so-called LEAP district. Scrutiny increased this fall as homeowners whose properties overlay the pipeline route began receiving letters informing them they needed to sell property easements to Citizens Energy or legal action might ensue. When members of the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee heard about the letters, they realized some of the project's water supply would be drawn from the reservoir. This plan sparked outcry among residents and local consumer advocacy groups who feared tapping the reservoir for water would affect the health of the park's ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement The concerns were not necessarily new. For the past year, residents and others have cited numerous concerns about the project, including its cost, wastewater plan and the general lack of information available to the public. More recently, however, as Citizens Energy has increased its outreach to organizations like the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee, some fears have been alleviated while concerns about transparency linger. Some also still question the utility's water usage plan for Eagle Creek Reservoir and how it will impact nearby wildlife. "Our conversation with Citizens was a really good start," said Lou Ann Baker, who sits on the committee. "But there were some deeper dive questions that we would still like to see some scientific information on, regarding flow, regarding capacity, regarding potential impacts on the reservoir." How we got here Citizens Energy, a non-profit utility, said the state of Indiana approached the company "a couple of years ago" to ask if they could provide water for a large economic development project in Boone County. Advertisement Advertisement The Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace (LEAP) Innovation District is the state's up-and-coming technology park, populated by companies like Eli Lilly. The state hopes to attract more industry to the park, which would necessitate even more water in Lebanon, whose current daily water supply maxes out near 5 million gallons. After some back and forth with the state, Citizens Energy eventually agreed to service 25 million gallons a day to Lebanon Utilities. The Lebanon based utility will then provide water to the city and the LEAP district. But before Citizens Energy signed on officially, the company had two conditions. "The first condition was it couldn't compromise a water supply for Central Indiana. We had to be able to meet the water supply use for our customers and communities, not just for today, but in the future," said Michael Strohl, the senior vice president & chief customer officer at Citizens Energy. "The second condition is Citizens water customers couldn't pay for our project in Boone County." Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the project will be financed through the State Revolving Fund, loans typically reserved for projects that improve drinking water infrastructure for Indiana communities. Citizens Energy said the project cost will likely fall somewhere between $550 and $560 million, with a cost ceiling of $700 million. Despite the hefty price tag, Citizens Energy said that one of the stipulations of the contract is that the utility is not expected to pay the loans back. Kerwin Olson, the executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, was initially skeptical of the project but said some of his concerns were alleviated after he sat down with Citizens this week. "It actually could be somewhat beneficial to Citizens's customers in the long run with respect to a significant amount of infrastructure being built at no cost to citizens ratepayers," he said. " That's not necessarily a bad thing." Olson added that while he feels better about Citizens's plan to supply water to Lebanon today than he did a year ago, he still has reservations about the LEAP district in general and its seemingly voracious appetite for water and energy. Water, pipes and pumps The Citizens Lebanon Water Supply Program is an umbrella term for several projects Citizens will undertake to deliver water to Lebanon, and the utility said construction will likely push forward in earnest in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Construction plans include tweaks to two existing water treatment plants in an effort to expand their daily capacity. Citizens will also install 53 miles of water mains, hence the letters sent to property owners northwest of Indianapolis, adding four new boosters and seven new storage tanks. The company aims to deliver up to two million gallons a day to Lebanon by 2027, up to 10 million gallons by 2028 and finally, a maximum delivery of 25 million gallons daily by 2031. Typically, the system will only be delivering half of that maximum capacity, said Jeff Willman, Citizens's vice president of water operations. The water itself will be derived from multiple sources because Citizens's 10 water treatment plants run concurrently, Willman said. But when the TW Moses Treatment Plant near the Eagle Creek Reservoir was flagged for expansion under the project, the utility's plans for the popular reservoir drew special interest. Advertisement Advertisement Willman said the plant's capacity will expand by six million gallons in daily treatment capacity, from 24 to 30 million gallons, but the plant will likely shift from actually treating an average of 10 million gallons a day to 12. Some of this extra water could be pulled from Eagle Creek Reservoir, which is owned by the city of Indianapolis and already used as a water source for many Hoosiers. Baker and her colleague on the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee, Martin Risch, have spent the last several weeks digging into how the project might impact the reservoir. "We'd like a little more than, 'Oh, trust us, it's all gonna be okay,'" Baker said. A key sticking point is the amount of water in the reservoir. In an old water utility pamphlet, Baker and Risch read that Eagle Creek holds about 5.5 billion gallons of water. Citizens officials say the capacity is closer to 8 billion based on a water survey from 1975 and a more recent evaluation by consultants. Advertisement Advertisement Risch, a retired hydrologist, said that clarifying the discrepancy is important before Citizens Energy begins to pull more water for the district. He worries that draining too much water could harm the ecosystems on which migrating birds. The utility, on the other hand, says water levels will not be impacted. One way to resolve this, Baker and Risch say, would be with an updated water survey with publicly accessible results. "We are hopefully optimistic that (Citizens's) transparency pledge is going to continue as we're asking and seeking additional information on the projects that impact the park and the reservoir," Baker said, adding "this lack of transparency causes trust issues with information that is eventually provided." IndyStar's environmental reporting is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Sophie Hartley is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach her at sophie.hartley@indystar.com or on X at @sophienhartley. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: The state's biggest tech park will receive millions of gallons of water daily from Central Indiana The man accused of intentionally setting the Oak Fire was released from the Mariposa County jail in a wheelchair on Monday, now watched by law enforcement through the use of an ankle monitor. The release of 73-year-old Edward Wackerman upset many in the community who are still dealing with the fire's devastation. "It's a slap in the face," Oak Fire victim, Jacob Hawley, said. Wackerman is accused of starting the Oak Fire in July 2022, burning over 19,000 acres, destroying 127 homes and shattering generations of Mariposa residents. Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of families are still not in their homes yet," Hawley explained. "They still don't have power to these homes that these people lost. Living in trailers on generators." Jacob Hawley was one of many whose life was forever changed that day, and he feels like he's now reliving the horrors. "The day of the fire, we lost a home. Your kids call you and ask, 'How's everything going? Have you heard anything about the house?' and you say 'Everything's gone, kids.'" Wackerman previously pleaded not guilty to several felony charges, including aggravated arson. Advertisement Advertisement "It was so devastating for so many different families to lose their homes and stuff they've had their whole life. Just for this guy to be released on an ankle monitor is very sad and heartbreaking," Mariposa resident Destini Thompson said. His attorney tells Action News a judge granted his request for release because Wackerman is no longer a threat to the community because he's confined to a wheelchair and the jail cannot provide the care he needs. Sheriff Jeremy Briese says his office did everything it could to prevent the release. "We had plans to find other facilities to meet the needs that were presented by the defense," Sheriff Briese explained. Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Briese says those plans were presented to the lawyers, but ultimately rejected. "The captain was told by the prosecutor: it isn't up to the sheriff. It's up to the prosecutor, the defense and the judge," the sheriff stated. The sheriff, alongside many in Mariposa, stand firm against Wackerman's release. Action News reached out to the Department of Justice, which is handling the case, but did not hear back. Wackerman will be back in court on January 12. For news and weather updates, follow Tiffany Olin on Facebook, X and Instagram. CHICAGO Carey Carlock never imagined shed have so much trouble finding a therapist for her teenage child. She was a hospital CEO, on the board of a prominent local mental health organization and well connected. Yet the Oak Park mother couldnt locate a therapist in her community who took her health insurance. I found that to just be completely unacceptable, said Carlock, whose experience led her to change careers and open a new therapy practice in 2021 that now has six locations. Advertisement Advertisement Now, she and others are hoping a recently passed bill will make it easier for people across Illinois to find therapists who take private insurance. In recent years, many therapists have stopped taking insurance because of what they describe as low payment rates and administrative hoops that can make it difficult to treat patients a situation that has left many patients either skipping behavioral health care or paying entirely out of pocket. The newly passed bill aims to address those issues by setting into law a formula outlining how much insurers must pay therapists for their services. This is an affordability bill, said bill sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago. Its not affordable when you pay your monthly premium and then you have to pay $250 out of pocket for your monthly therapy. The bill also aims to cut red tape. It would bar insurers from requiring therapists to submit more documentation to get reimbursed for 60-minute sessions as compared with shorter sessions; require insurers to cover multiple behavioral health services for an individual patient in one day; and require them to cover services provided by therapists in training who are supervised by licensed professionals. The bill also aims to shorten the time it takes for therapists to join insurance plans networks. Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed despite opposition from insurance industry representatives, who worry that it will mean higher costs for all members and who are against what they say is a precedent of reimbursement rates being set in statute. Gov. JB Pritzkers office also initially expressed concern about the bill earlier this year, but remained neutral after changes were made to the legislation. The governors office will review the final bill before the governor takes action, a spokesperson for the office said. If Pritzker signs the bill into law, it would apply to about 2.5 million people in Illinois who have state-regulated health insurance plans, starting in January 2027, LaPointe said. Large companies typically have self-funded plans, which are regulated by the federal government, not the state. The bill also would not apply to people with HMOs. The bills passage this fall came after several years of work by LaPointe and advocates for better access to behavioral health care. Thresholds, which serves people with serious mental health and substance use disorders in Illinois, brought the bill to LaPointe, said Heather ODonnell, who was previously at Thresholds and now is DuPage County Health Department director of behavioral health strategy. Advertisement Advertisement I think this bill hit home with people, ODonnell said. Elected officials hear from their constituents all the time about how hard it is to find a therapist, psychologist (or) social worker that takes their insurance. Many have their own personal experiences with the issue. Previous versions of the bill would have required insurers in Illinois to pay in-network therapists 141% of what Medicare pays for therapy and substance use disorder services. The formula in the version of the bill that passed this fall should get reimbursements to the ballpark of 141% of Medicare reimbursements, LaPointe said. The bill was also changed, prior to passage, so that it would not apply to state employee health plans. The reason we carved out state employees is because the original version of the bill to include state employees would have allegedly raised costs for the state employee health plan, LaPointe said. We have always disputed that and the reason weve disputed that is because behavioral health care spending makes up a tiny percentage of overall health care spending. Advertisement Advertisement Also, she said, better access to behavioral health care can save money on physical health care in the long run. LaPointe said compromises were necessary to pass the bill. That carve-out, however, shows part of the problem with the bill, said Laura Minzer, president of the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council, which opposed the bill. The bill could increase costs for everyone else on state-regulated, private plans, she said. The council supported the other parts of the bill, but opposed the attempt to mandate reimbursement rates in law, Minzer said. Insurance industry group AHIP also opposed the bill for similar reasons, and said in a statement it will continue to work with policymakers to advance solutions that improve affordability and access to mental health and substance abuse care. Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the bill, however, say it could make a real difference when it comes to access to therapists in Illinois. Federal and state parity laws already require insurance companies to cover behavioral health and physical health care equitably and though those laws were important, more work was needed, said Mark Ishaug, president and CEO of Thresholds. Primary care doctors were paid about 24% more than behavioral health providers for similar services during office visits, by PPO insurance plans, in 2017, according to a 2019 report from consulting and actuarial firm Milliman commissioned by the Mental Health Treatment and Research Institute. The newly passed bill could help address that inequity, advocates say. Advertisement Advertisement It is such a game changer for not only therapists but those seeking services and wanting to use their benefits that they pay into, said Carlock, with Mosaic Counseling and Wellness. She said her practice already accepts insurance. But the practice accepts insurance in order to help as many patients as possible, not because its a good business decision, Carlock said. Monika Sharma, a licensed clinical psychologist, owned a group practice for more than 10 years that took private insurance. Last year, under mounting costs and stagnant insurance reimbursements, she closed that practice. The payment and reimbursement we got just wasnt cutting it anymore, Sharma said. She said she also felt buried under the weight of administrative issues related to insurance. She decided to go into practice on her own and no longer accepts private insurance. Advertisement Advertisement When I was running the group practice I felt like I got far away from why I entered this field, Sharma said. Now it was about playing according to their rules, which I never agreed to in the first place. Its a system that felt skewed to favor them and their profits and not favor clients or patients. If the newly passed bill becomes law, Sharma said she may consider taking insurance again so she can serve more patients. ____ On Saturday, Dec. 6, a convenience store manager in Louisiana locked out a group of Border Patrol agents, denying them entry to the store. Wayne Davis, who is assistant manager of the store in Kenner, was helping a customer when he noticed two unmarked SUVs pull into the parking lot and stop at the front of the store. After seeing agents wearing border patrol vests exit the two vehicles, Davis locked the door from behind the counter as the agents approached, WWL Louisiana reported. Video goes viral of Louisiana store manager who locked out Border Patrol agents The agents kept trying to open the door, looking at Davis through the store window in confusion. This is when Davis began recording, WWL Louisiana reported. Advertisement Advertisement In the video, Davis is seen raising his middle finger to the agents outside before moving from his place behind the counter and standing at the entrance of the store. From behind the store's closed door, Davis begins goading the agents lingering outside near the store's front. "What do you want man, you want some chicken? You ain't getting it here... Go somewhere else, you ain't getting no chicken," Davis taunts. After noticing Davis recording on his cellphone from within the store, one of the only agents seen without facial coverings turns his back to the door. "Dang, you don't wanna show your face now?... I know you can hear me... Why you not showing your face? You wanted to show your face everywhere else," Davis provokes while still recording. Advertisement Advertisement Davis told WWL Louisiana that, at this point, he realized the agent was Gregory Bovino, who is commander of Border Patrol and has been in New Orleans as part of Operation Catahoula Crunch. "Bye, bye," Davis said facetiously while waving from behind the store's locked door as agents retreated back into their vehicles. Davis is seen in the video raising his middle finger once more as the unmarked SUVS drive away and exit the parking lot Can businesses refuse entry to Border Patrol agents? Federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on Aug. 5, 2025, in New York City. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruits signing bonuses of up to $50,000 and student loan forgiveness as the agency is seeking to meet U.S. President Donald Trump's goal of hiring 10,000 new ICE agents and deporting a million people a year. Louisiana state law dictates interfering with immigration operations a felony offense, considering interfering actions an obstruction of justice. However, businesses generally retain the right to refuse service to any person for any reason, unless that person belongs to a protected class, which immigration enforcement agents are not a part of. Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, if a business denies immigration enforcement agents entry, they cannot forcibly enter unless there is a judicial warrant signed by a judge, according to the ACLU. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Kenner, Louisiana store owner denies Border Patrol agents MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) The state supreme court has granted a request by former Decatur Police Officer Mac Marquette to have oral arguments heard in his third attempt to have his charges thrown out. Marquette is arguing he acted in self-defense the night he killed Stephen Perkins during a botched repossesion of Perkinss truck. Two lower courts, the Morgan County Circuit Court and the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, have already rejected the self-defense claim. Those courts have said a jury should decide if Marquettes killing of Perkins was justified. Advertisement Advertisement Alabama Supreme Court records show that oral arguments in this appeal are set for January 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. The arguments will take place at the University of Alabama. His murder trial in Morgan County is set for January 26, 2026, but that will more than likely be moved back due to his appeal. 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 WHNT.com. A field in eastern England has revealed evidence of the earliest known instance of humans creating and controlling fire, a significant find that archaeologists say illuminates a dramatic turning point in the human story. In Barnham, Suffolk, the discovery of baked earth that formed a hearth, heat-shattered flint axes and two fragments of pyrite a type of stone used to create sparks for lighting tinder indicates that early humans, most likely Neanderthals, were able to make and maintain fires. This is a 400,000-year-old site where we have the earliest evidence of making fire, not just in Britain or Europe, but in fact, anywhere else in the world, said Nick Ashton, curator of Palaeolithic collections at the British Museum in a news briefing. Ashton is senior author of a study on the Barnham site that was published Wednesday in the journal Nature. Advertisement Advertisement Its the most exciting discovery of my 40-year career, he added. An artist's impression of sparks made by striking the pyrite against flint. By Craig Williams The Trustees of the British Museum - Craig Williams/The Trustees of the British Museum When and where humans began deliberately making fire and cooking food are among the biggest questions that have long stumped researchers of human origins. The ability to make a fire would have allowed the humans living at Barnham to keep warm, deter wild animals and routinely cook their food, which would have made it more nutritious. And being able to control the fire could have brought practical benefits, such as the development of adhesives and other technologies, and provided a focus for social interaction such as storytelling. The artifacts uncovered at the site are 350,000 years older than the previous known evidence of fire-making in the archaeological record, which was from a site in northern France. Ashton noted, however, that its unlikely the ability to light a fire first emerged at Barnham. Advertisement Advertisement I think many of us had a hunch that there was regular use of fire in Europe around 400,000 years ago. But we didnt have the evidence, Ashton said. The excavation site at Barnham, Suffolk. - Jordan Mansfield Determining how and when humans first learned to master fire is challenging for archaeologists. Evidence of fire rarely survives. Ash and charcoal can easily be blown away and baked sediments can erode. Its also difficult to distinguish been a natural and human-made fire. For example, artifacts indicate the presence of fires at sites inhabited by humans in Israel, Kenya and South Africa that date from 800,000 years to more than 1 million years ago, according to the study. However, its difficult to rule out the possibility they were wildfires that werent started by humans. Early humans probably began harnessing fire caused by lightning strikes or other natural causes, perhaps by conserving embers for a period of time, but it would have been an unpredictable resource, according to the study. Advertisement Advertisement The finds at Barnham, however, suggest that its inhabitants were able to routinely and deliberately light and use fire. Archaeologists working near the remains of the 400,000-year-old campfire. - Jordan Mansfield Smoking gun The team analyzed the reddened sediment from Barnham and determined its chemical properties differed from those you would expect in a natural fire. For example, the signature of hydrocarbons suggested higher temperatures from the focused burning of wood, rather than landscape-wide burning. Mineral alteration of the sediment also suggested repeated burning at the same location. However, the smoking gun was the two pieces of iron pyrite, sometimes called fools gold, which can be used to strike flint, creating sparks that could have lit tinder such as dry fungus. The naturally occurring mineral wasnt available in the immediate environment, suggesting that these people understood its fire-lighting properties and had sought out the mineral, the researchers reported in the study. What is impressive about this research is the wide range of analytical methods brought to bear on the problem, said John McNabb, a professor of palaeolithic archaeology at the Centre for the Archaeology of Human Origins at the University of Southampton. He wasnt involved in the study. Advertisement Advertisement Fire brings many benefits. It can be a tool for defence. It can help make your food more nutritious. It can extend the day and make your working time more productive for longer. Fire can help bind individuals into societies, McNabb said via email. But if you do not control it, then you are still at the mercy of the landscape all its benefits may be transient. Control fire and you begin to control the world around you. A heat-shattered handaxe, one of two found close to the 400,000-year-old hearth. - Jordan Mansfield The flint axes confirm human presence at the site although no hominin bones have been found at Barnham. Study coauthor Chris Stringer, research leader in human evolution at the Natural History Museum in London, said that early Neanderthals were known to have lived about 80 miles away in Swanscombe, Kent, at the same time period, making them the most likely candidate to have made fire at the site. They likely came to Britain from Europe, which at that time was connected by a land bridge, he said. One of the interesting aspects now is to use the techniques that have shown fire-making at Barnham and see whether, if we look at other sites in more detail, we can even find the same thing at other sites in in Britain, in Europe, maybe even beyond, Stringer said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com After more than an hour of impassioned public testimonies, the Arlington City Council voted to uphold a suspension on discrimination protections for people in the city who identify as LGBTQ+ over fears that keeping them might make the North Texas city a target of the Republican-controlled White House. The razor-thin 5-4 vote bars language in the citys ordinance passed in 2021 that prevents employers and lodging businesses from discriminating against people for their sexual orientation or gender identity. The council suspended the ordinance in September amid worry that more than $60 million in federal dollars the city planned to use on city services, including public safety, parks, and roads, could be lost if they kept it. I assure you all that in spite of the vote tonight, the City of Arlington remains committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable community for all residents, and ensuring that no one individual faces discrimination, said Arlington Mayor Jim Ross after the vote. I pledge to each and every one of yall that we will continue to collaborate with community leaders, council members and city staff to reach a solution that is palatable to all. Advertisement Advertisement The city of nearly 400,000 is the first known municipality to act under the threat of President Donald Trumps scrutiny. The administration has, in its first year, used executive orders to compel governments across the U.S. to remove language that includes transgender people, gender identity, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Federal policy experts have been skeptical of the tactic, warning that acting on executive orders which are not written or passed by either chamber of the U.S. Congress is premature. Conservative leaders argue Trumps orders recalibrate the effects of previous ones by former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Arlington officials have said that keeping the ordinance could expose them to consequences. The city already lost a $50,000 grant that contained the word inclusive earlier this year. Experts on LGBTQ+ history and policy told The Texas Tribune that undoing discrimination protections further erodes a decades-long effort to expand LGBTQ+ rights. Some of Arlingtons City Council members during Tuesday nights meeting expressed doubts about whether the discrimination protections were legally enforceable. Rebecca Boxall, who represents downtown Arlington on the council, called the ordinance bad policy. Advertisement Advertisement From the very beginning, it was unenforceable at the city level. We cant enforce federal law at the city level, she said. The way I looked at it, and a lot of you mentioned protections, it does not offer protection. So in that respect, its just misleading. Its just plain misleading. Ash Hall, policy and advocacy strategist for LGBTQIA+ rights at the American Civil Liberty Unions Texas chapter, said during public commentary that the ordinance offers the city the authority to investigate and mediate discrimination claims. Such ordinances, Hall added, make it clear that those who engage in discrimination should not expect cities to side with them. Nondiscrimination ordinances both serve to give residents an indication of a citys values and to make it clear what kind of behavior is expected in areas like housing and public accommodations. The vote came after residents, community and business leaders 34 in support of reinstating the ordinance and 11 opposed to the removal shared how scrapping the ordinance could make families think twice about living in Arlington and how keeping it could endanger the citys coffers. Advertisement Advertisement These kinds of policies go beyond legal implications, Dallas Schwab, a resident, told councilmembers during his testimony Tuesday. You are telling people who is worthy of protection, and when you tell someone they are unworthy, they just might believe you. Kathi Arocha, another resident who testified before the City Council, said that keeping the ordinance would risk losing money. Establishing the city ordinance that cannot override state and federal laws extends beyond federal guidelines, and could unintentionally place at risk federal funding, Arocha said. And that funding supports essential programs, such as housing assistance for roughly 400,000 residents, and some for LGBTQ+ people themselves. MEMPHIS, Tenn. An armed Memphis man was arrested at Collierville High School following a traffic crash in the parking lot of the schools campus Tuesday, according to the Collierville Police Department (CPD). Darien Williams, 18, is charged with possession of a weapon on school property and possession of a controlled substance. Mugshot of Darien Williams Courtesy: CPD CPD says that after an investigation was conducted, officers discovered that Williams was an occupant of one of the vehicles involved in the accident and had a handgun and a vape containing THC on him. Advertisement Advertisement 13-year-old shot in head after MS town Christmas parade, grandmother says Williams was immediately taken into custody. CPD believes it does not appear that Williams was on the school grounds to cause harm, and said he was waiting for his friend to be dismissed from school. 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 WREG.com. The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) revealed that 40% of taxpayers who use cryptoasset platforms are evading crypto taxes or are at high risk of non-compliance, the Canadian Press reported December 7. The news outlet said it received an emailed statement from CRA saying it has 35 auditors in its cryptoasset program, working on over 230 files, which have resulted in "significant taxes earned by audit," including $100 million in the past three years. The CRA acknowledged legal limitations in Canada, stating it believes "there is no way to reliably identify taxpayers operating in the crypto space and assess compliance" with income tax reporting obligations. These challenges drove the CRA's efforts to compel disclosures from platforms like Dapper Labs. The government had expressed particular concern over taxpayers using the Vancouver-based firm to evade taxes, but due to a lack of clear CRA regulations, the company was not fully held accountable, The Canadian Press said. According to Canadian Press, Dapper Labs did not deny the investigation, although it did not fully comply either; authorities sought information on Dappers top 18,000 users, but negotiations between company officials, lawyers, and officials saw the number reduced to only 2,500. CoinDesk contacted Dapper Labs and the CRA for comment but no response was immediately received. In light of the limitations, the countrys Department of Finance announced in late October the introduction of new legislation by Spring 2026. Fraud and financial crime are evolving rapidly, and so must our response, Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, said on October 20, when announcing the new law. Whether its launching a new Federal Anti-Fraud Strategy, establishing a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency to combat financial crimes, or addressing economic abuse, our government is committed to safeguarding the financial security of every Canadian. Meanwhile, Canadas financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, has been actively enforcing anti-money laundering laws, fining Seychelles-based crypto exchange Peken Global Ltd., operating as KuCoin, more than $19.5 million for failing to register as a foreign money services business in the country. The U.S. Army on Tuesday charged a OB-GYN with secretly filming the medical exams of dozens of people. The U.S. Army Office of Special Trial Counsel preferred four charges and 61 specifications against Maj. Blaine McGraw, the Armys Office of Special Trial Counsel said in a statement, adding that the offenses occurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2025 and that there were 44 victims. Over 50 of the specifications were for indecent visual record, five were of conduct unbecoming of an officer, one was for willful disobedience of a superior officer and one was for making a false statement. Advertisement Advertisement The Army said that the majority of alleged incidents happened during examinations with female patients at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood, Texas, and that one victim not a patient was unknowingly recorded at a private home. The doctor is currently being held in a Texas jail on pre-trial confinement after apparently violating conditions of the commander, the Army said in a separate statement. McGraw was also accused of sexual misconduct, including the secret filming of a breast and pelvic exam, in a 13-page civil lawsuit filed in November in Bell County, Texas. Protect our Defenders, a national nonprofit organization that combats sexual violence in the military, said in a Tuesday statement that it is representing victims in the case and provided a link for other potential victims to seek legal help at no cost. Advertisement Advertisement Before he practiced at Fort Hood, McGraw treated patients at the medical center in Hawaii from June 2019 to June 2023. Tripler announced last month that it was planning to notify McGraws former patients about the investigation and about how to contact Army investigators and reach out to the hospital for support. Survivors of military abuse deserve justice, accountability, and independent support. The situation at Fort Hood is a sobering reminder that servicemembers can still face profound risks from individuals they should be able to trust, said Nancy Parrish, the organizations CEO. Bristol Myers Squibbs golcadomide, a first-in-class, oral CELMoD (cereblon E3 ligase modulator), has shown compelling activity as monotherapy and in combination with rituximab in patients with heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) in the Phase I/II CC-99282-NHL-001 study (NCT03930953). Relapsed or refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL) remains a therapeutic challenge despite recent advances in CAR-T cell therapies and bispecific antibodies. The treatment landscape continues to seek oral, chemotherapy-free regimens that deliver deep responses as treatment remains fragmented by toxicity, limited durability in later lines and accessibility challenges. Bristol Myers Squibbs golcadomide, a first-in-class, oral CELMoD, has shown compelling activity as a monotherapy and in combination with rituximab in patients with heavily pretreated R/R FL in the Phase I/II CC-99282-NHL-001 study (NCT03930953). Golcadomide induces a closed, active conformation of cereblon, leading to potent degradation of Ikaros and Aiolos. This results in both direct tumour cytotoxicity and immune stimulation, distinguishing golcadomide mechanistically from priorgeneration immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide. At the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2025 Annual Meeting, held from 6 to 9 December in Orlando, Florida and online, updated data from the extended follow-up of Part B Cohort D was presented. Among 56 efficacy-evaluable patients, the overall response rate (ORR) was 89%, including a 61% complete response rate (CRR). Activity was dose-dependent, with the 0.4mg regimen achieving a 97% ORR and 78% CRR, compared with the 0.2mg dose, which achieved a 77% ORR and 41% CRR. Responses were maintained across difficult-to-treat subgroups, including those with prior lenalidomide exposure and prior T-cell-redirecting therapies, where response rates remained between 91% and 100%. Early durability signals were notable, with more than 12-month remissions observed even in heavily pretreated patients. Advertisement Advertisement Safety was manageable and aligned with golcadomides on-target effects. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia occurred in 59% of patients with the 0.2mg dose and in 68% of patients with the 0.4mg dose, with lower rates of anaemia and febrile neutropenia in both groups. No patients discontinued treatment or died due to golcadomide-related toxicity. Golcadomides performance is being closely watched as it represents the most mature CELMoD data in indolent lymphomas. Its oral administration and fixed-duration dosing provide significant advantages over CAR-T therapies and bispecifics, both of which require hospital-based delivery and ongoing safety monitoring. The ongoing Phase III GOLSEEK-4 study will determine whether the golcadomide + rituximab combination therapy can establish itself as a chemotherapy-free standard in second-line or later FL. A positive outcome could drive a shift toward outpatient, fixed-duration immunomodulatory regimens, particularly in regions with limited access to CAR T-cell therapies. While the efficacy signal at the 0.4mg dose has been notable, sustained remission data and effective management of myelosuppression will be key to long-term adoption. The CELMoD class also faces internal portfolio competition as Bristol Myers Squibb develops iberdomide and mezigdomide across haematologic malignancies. Nonetheless, golcadomides preferential lymphoid organ distribution and encouraging tolerability profile may position it as the leading CELMoD for Bcell lymphomas. According to GlobalDatas analyst consensus forecast, golcadomide is projected to achieve annual sales of $200 million by 2031 if Phase III results confirm durable benefit, with potential to modestly shift market share away from bispecific antibodies and later-line cellular therapies. "ASH 2025: golcadomide + rituximab combo shows standout potential in R/R FL" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. California Attorney General Rob Bonta is reportedly exploring a run for California governor, after previously saying he would not be going for the job. According to POLITICO, Bonta is "strongly considering" joining the already-crowded race of candidates vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom once his term ends. When reporters asked the attorney general about his considerations on Monday, Bonta said, "I have nothing to announce today." Advertisement Advertisement "I'm grateful for the very robust and strong encouragement I'm getting from many across California to consider enter the race," he said at a San Francisco press conference. "But as of today, I have not entered the race." It's a shift from public remarks he made at the end of October. "I am staying out of the governor's race," Bonta told reporters in Sacramento on October 28. "I am honored, grateful. It's a privilege to serve as AG any time - and particularly in these times. This is the most important moment and the most important job I've ever had. I want to give everything I have to it. My time, my attention, my passion, my energy, my focus." Political consultant Jim Ross said it's difficult to know for certain if Bonta is serious about entering the race. Advertisement Advertisement "He's been calling around, kind of checking temperature and what people think and and getting ideas is what I hear. But, you know, nothing concrete," Ross said. "At this point, anybody could win this race." A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows more than a third of likely voters are either "very closely" or "fairly closely" following news about the Governor's race. The same survey also found former Rep. Katie Porter leads Democrats with 21% support, followed by former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra at 14% The poll was conducted early November, before billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell announced their candidacies. Australia has become the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for children and young people under the age of 16. They are no longer allowed to have their own accounts on major social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit and YouTube. "This is indeed a proud day to be Australian," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement "It is one of the biggest social and cultural changes that our nation has faced," he said, adding that the law would help give children a normal childhood, provide parents with peace of mind and serve as an example for other countries. Affected companies had a year to introduce age verification measures, and violations will result in heavy fines. Messaging services such as WhatsApp, emails, online games and educational offerings are exempt. Albanese's government wants to protect young people from risks such as cyberbullying, problematic consumption and distressing content with the law that came into force on Wednesday. Albanese: 'It won't be perfect' Critics claim that the ban is disproportionate, and a legal challenge to it has already been filed with the Supreme Court. Many are convinced that teenagers will simply switch to other services, where risks and checks are even more difficult to monitor. Advertisement Advertisement "It won't be perfect. This is a big change," Albanese said. "Success is the fact that it's happening. Success is the fact that we're having this discussion." According to Australian media reports, social media platform Reddit is preparing to challenge the ban in court. The company had earlier said it would comply with the rules despite disagreeing with the terms of the law. Other countries are considering following Australia's lead. In November, Denmark announced an agreement to restrict children under 15 from using certain social media platforms over concerns about youth mental health. In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "inspired" by Australia's "common sense" move to introduce age restrictions. An Austrian court has convicted former billionaire Rene Benko for a second time of harming his creditors, handing the founder of the collapsed Signa real estate and retail empire a suspended prison sentence of 15 months. The 48-year-old had been accused of attempting to conceal cash and luxury watches worth around 370,000 ($430,000) from creditors. The regional court in Innsbruck ruled that it had been only partially proven that Benko concealed the watches. Advertisement Advertisement Of the original 11 watches that the prosecution claimed belonged to Benko, the judge considered only two watches and some cufflinks to be part of the 48-year-old's assets. The offence he was charged with, known as "fraudulent bankruptcy," had carried a potential prison sentence of up to 10 years. Benko's wife, Nathalie, who was also charged, was acquitted. He had already been sentenced in October to two years in prison for the same offence. Once that earlier ruling becomes final, the court will merge the two verdicts into a single overall sentence, which under Austrian law is not calculated by simply adding up the terms. Defence denies charges At the start of the one-day trial, defence lawyers sought to dismantle the prosecution's case. Benko's lawyer, Norbert Wess, said the charges were unproven and amounted to "hocus-pocus." Advertisement Advertisement Nathalie Benkos lawyer, Michael Hohenauer, said the investigation had been conducted in an "incredibly one-sided" manner and argued there were plausible explanations for the transactions in question. Prosecutors had told the court that the couple had stashed away 11 watches worth almost 250,000 and 120,000 in cash in a specially purchased safe around the time of Benko's insolvency in March 2024. Nathalie Benko organized the purchase of the safe, which was installed at the home of her relatives, they said. A former security employee of the Benkos had told investigators about the safe. Disputed watch gifts Prosecutors also questioned Benkos claim that he had gifted four watches each to his two sons, then aged 6 and 11, at Christmas 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Christmas photos from that year showed age-appropriate gifts, a senior prosecutor said, adding that expensive watches and cufflinks were not among them. The defence argued that gifts of expensive watches were not unusual among extremely wealthy families and said Benko was at the height of his success at the time. In delivering Wednesdays ruling, the presiding judge said that, in theory, multiple scenarios were possible, meaning it could not be proven that Benko had sought to conceal all 11 watches from his creditors. The judge also ruled that the 120,000 in cash had not been in the investor's possession. Advertisement Advertisement The court said that meant the amount of damages in case stood at 100,000, not the 370,000 alleged by prosecutors. Further charges against Benko Two months ago, Benko was found guilty of concealing assets by transferring 300,000 to his mother. The two cases in which Benko has been convicted represent only a small part of the broader allegations under investigation by Vienna prosecutors. The holding company of the highly complex Signa real estate and retail group filed for insolvency in November 2023. Benko has been in custody since January. Austrian former billionaire Rene Benko is back in court on Wednesday, facing allegations linked to the collapse of Signa Group, the property giant he founded. The 48-year-old is accused of attempting to conceal cash and luxury watches worth around 370,000 ($430,000) from creditors, according to the indictment. Benko's wife, Nathalie, has also been charged and is suspected of helping him hide the money and valuables. Her lawyer said ahead of the trial that the former model would plead not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement The penalty for so-called "fraudulent bankruptcy," as the offence is known in Austria, is up to 10 years' imprisonment. It is possible that a verdict will be handed down on the first day of the trial at the Innsbruck Regional Court. Benko was already sentenced to two years in prison in October on similar charges. That ruling is not yet legally binding, and Benko maintains his innocence. The two cases represent only a small part of the broader allegations under investigation by Vienna prosecutors. The holding company of the highly complex Signa real estate and retail group filed for insolvency in November 2023. Benko has been in custody since January. Austrian former billionaire Rene Benko returned to court on Wednesday, facing allegations linked to the collapse of Signa Group, the property giant he founded. The 48-year-old is accused of attempting to conceal cash and luxury watches worth around 370,000 ($430,000) from creditors, according to the indictment. Benko's wife, Nathalie, has also been charged and is suspected of helping him hide the money and valuables. Her lawyer said ahead of the trial that the former model would plead not guilty. Advertisement Advertisement At the start of the trial at Innsbruck Regional Court, Rene Benko's defence lawyer rejected the charges, saying the prosecution's allegation is unsubstantiated and "hocus pocus." Nathalie Benko's lawyer called the investigation "incredibly one-sided." Prosecutors had previously told the court that the couple had stashed away 120,000 in cash and 11 watches worth almost 250,000 in a specially purchased safe around the time of Benko's insolvency in March 2024. Nathalie Benko organized the purchase of the safe, which was installed at the home of her relatives, they charged. Advertisement Advertisement A former security employee of the Benkos had told investigators about the safe. The penalty for so-called "fraudulent bankruptcy," as the offence is known in Austria, is up to 10 years' imprisonment. It is possible that a verdict will be handed down later on Wednesday. Christmas photos as evidence Benko claimed that he had already given four watches to his two sons, then aged 6 and 11, for Christmas in 2021. However, the senior public prosecutor said Christmas photos from 2021 show gifts that would have been appropriate for the children's ages. "Expensive watches and cufflinks were not among them." Further charges against Benko The former billionaire was already sentenced to two years in prison in October on similar charges. That ruling is not yet legally binding, and Benko maintains his innocence. Advertisement Advertisement The two cases represent only a small part of the broader allegations under investigation by Vienna prosecutors. The holding company of the highly complex Signa real estate and retail group filed for insolvency in November 2023. Rene Benko has been in custody since January. Israel Airports Authority says the disruption is not linked to Storm Byron; travelers asked to be patient as technicians work to restore service on Wednesday. A technical malfunction in Ben-Gurion Airports Terminal 3 baggage-sorting system stopped suitcases from being sent to aircraft on Wednesday morning, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) said. The fault caused luggage to pile up at check-in counters, delaying the check-in process and some departures, according to the authority. Footage shared with Walla showed Israir check-in counters stacked with suitcases that could not be routed to aircraft holds, creating bottlenecks along the departures level. The IAA said teams were operating an alternative workflow while repairs were underway. Baggage backlog at check-in The malfunction led to a visible backlog of baggage at Terminal 3 counters as ground handlers slowed intake until suitcases could be cleared to the sorting area. Passengers reported longer processing times at the check-in hall, though flights continued operating with adjustments to loading procedures. Advertisement Advertisement According to the IAA, contingency measures were activated to move luggage manually where possible and prioritize near-term departures. The authority did not provide a timeline for full restoration. The fault in the Terminal 3 baggage-sorting system is not connected to Storm Byron, the IAA said, noting that technical teams were working to resolve the issue and that an alternative mode of operation had been implemented pending a fix. The authority asked travelers to remain patient and follow instructions posted in the terminal. Passengers at Ben Gurion International Airport, June 06, 2022. (credit: GILI YAARI/FLASH90) We regret the temporary inconvenience. Such faults can occur occasionally, and we are doing everything possible to maintain operational continuity, the IAA said. Storm Byron causes Tel-Aviv bound flight to reroute Earlier on Wednesday, a Tel Aviv-bound flight was rerouted due to Storm Byron but landed safely at Ben-Gurion, underscoring wider weather-related impacts in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Terminal 3 is undergoing upgrades aimed at easing congestion and improving passenger flow, including an expanded duty-free area andborder-control improvements. Operational strains have periodically affected luggage handling this year, with staffing-related slowdowns and labor actions noted in July 2025 and during a separate June 2025 strike. We regret the temporary inconvenience we ask passengers to be patient and to follow terminal guidance, the IAA said. The precise origins of domesticated cats have puzzled generations of scientists. Recently, genetic analysis pinpointed North African wildcats as the most likely direct ancestor of the feline friends that now share our homes and steal our hearts. That study also indicated that early domestic cats spread across the globe far later than previously thought. But this pet picture gets even more complex: Long before the cats we know and love today evolved, some human communities may have formed friendships with wildcats that never morphed into house cats. This includes people in whats now Europe more than two millennia ago. A new study suggests this also seems to be the case for early Chinese farming settlements, where people lived near the native leopard cat for around 3,500 years. An international team of scientists published a genetic analysis of feline remains from Chinese archaeological sites in Cell Genomics. Read more: The Mystery of the Cave Cats Previously, researchers thought that 5,400-year-old cat remains found at a human settlement in whats now western China belonged to domestic cats, but later genetic studies found these remains belonged to leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis). Advertisement Advertisement These wee cats are native to various parts of Asia. Some scientists have suggested that domestic cats got to China during the Han Dynasty, which spanned 202 B.C. to 220 A.D., according to a bone found in the ancient capital of Changan City thats now located in Chinas Shaanxi Provincebut its tricky to tell bones from domestic and wild felines apart with the naked eye. Now, to clear up the confusion surrounding Chinese cat history, researchers studied genetic information extracted from 22 ancient cat bones from China dated between 3500 B.C. and 1800 A.D. These remains comprised nearly all of the small cat remains dug up from archaeological sites across China. The studys conclusions rewrite the history of cats in the region. For example, the researchers found that bones from around the Han Dynasty period didnt in fact belong to domestic cats. This means that fully domesticated cats may not have arrived in China until around 1,400 years ago, likely carted around by Silk Road merchants. The authors noted that domestic cats seem to be one of the most recent imports to China, as Eurasian domesticated animals like goats, sheep, and cattle appeared between about 3000 and 2000 B.C. Instead, they tied feline remains from some earlier human villages to leopard cats. These kitties seem to have bonded with people by gobbling up small rodents, which rid farms of pests. This intimate and mutually beneficial relationship is documented in ancient Chinese art, including paintings and plates. Advertisement Advertisement Unlike the domestic cats now inextricably woven into peoples daily lives, the study pointed out that the relationship between humans and leopard cats eventually tapered off and the creatures retreated to their natural habitats. This coincided with the Han Dynastys collapse amid chillier and drier conditions, reduced farming yields, and social unrest. The findings suggest that domestic cats only came on the scene six centuries later via tradersthe winning feline species to claim the hearts of the Chinese people, and communities around the world. Enjoying Nautilus? Subscribe to our free newsletter. This story was originally featured on Nautilus. A Tacoma-based organization will receive $2.5 million from a Bezos-owned fund to help continue its fight against homelessness in Pierce County. On Dec. 1, Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County announced it was awarded a $2.5 grant from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos through the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund to help end homelessness for families in Washington state. Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County is one of 32 organizations around the country to receive the annual grant, which this year allocated a total of $102.5 million. Advertisement Advertisement Since 2018, the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund has awarded $850 million to organizations helping families and children experiencing homelessness. Associated Ministries of Pierce County is the second Pierce County-based organization to receive an award. Michael Yoder is the executive director of Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County. Yoder told The News Tribune his organization was invited to apply for the grant funding after being recognized by one of the funds advisors. Associated Ministries is contracted by Pierce County to provide several homelessness-response services, including rapid-rehousing, eviction prevention and case management. It also is a large part of the Coordinated Entry intake a system which serves as the front door for the regions housing services . While Yoder said the organization does not know specifically how the grant funding will be used, he said the money will open up opportunities for something non-profits rarely are able to invest in innovation. Advertisement Advertisement Theres just no stomach in the nonprofit industry for innovation or research and development. When a donor gives a dollar, whether its a foundation, or a private person or a government contract, there is an expected outcome that must be achieved by that dollar, he told The News Tribune. It is the only industry in the world where you cant actually experiment on things. Yoder said the $2.5 million in funding will be administered over a five-year period and can be used flexibly, but it will not be used to backfill existing programs. Yoder said, that among other things, he wants to invest in people to help families navigate resources and find opportunities they might not have known were available. So much of the time people just dont know the right door to go in to get what is available, he said. Its amazing to me how much earned tax credits go unclaimed because people dont know how to file. Advertisement Advertisement He also praised Shiloh Baptist Church in Tacomas Hilltop neighborhood for finding a way to construct affordable housing on property it owned . Yoder said he would like to find ways to assist other religious congregations in developing their own affordable housing. Thats permanent. Thats ongoing, long-lasting change that can help families in a way that will out last the grant period, he said. In the meantime, Yoder said Associated Ministries would work to provide vouchers for housing and shelter for families, as there are not enough shelter options appropriate for families . I dont know how Im going to spend innovation money in year two because Im going to figure out whats working and where we see the needle moving, he said. Yoder said that even though the funding is significant in assisting Associated Ministries in its fight against homelessness, it does not lessen its need for support from the community. They used to want things like sneakers, gadgets and gift cards. But this year, all that Gen Z seems to want for Christmas is crypto. According to a recent survey, 45% of Gen Z say they would love to unwrap cryptocurrency gifts on Christmas morning, which is nearly double the rate of all Americans at 28% (1). Must Read With Bitcoin prices dipping to around $92,000 after peaking at more than $125,000 back in October 2025 (2), many young people seem to think this is the right time to buy into this asset class. Plus, the Trump administrations pro-crypto attitude, with the president signing an executive order designed to support the U.S. crypto industry (3), seems to be alluring to young investors. Meanwhile, many in Gen Z report tight budgets in todays economy. In fact, a report from January 2025 found that 69% of Gen Z live paycheck to paycheck (4). With that in mind, getting crypto as a gift as opposed to buying it themselves may make a lot of sense for young investors. But is buying cryptocurrency for the Gen Zers in your life really a good idea? Pros and cons of crypto gifts While receiving cryptocurrency as a gift could potentially offer large returns with no out-of-pocket costs, crypto may not be the best financial asset for young people who may still be learning how to invest and manage money. Cryptocurrency is a highly volatile asset class, with a valuation thats often subjected to massive swings up and down. With this in mind, giving the gift of crypto is basically akin to sticking a lottery ticket in a Christmas card. While it may seem like a nice gesture, the sheer amount of uncertainty and volatility surrounding crypto means its impossible to tell if your gift will skyrocket or plummet in value. Beyond the potential for giving a gift that loses value, managing a crypto asset requires a certain amount of know-how. Of course, a Gen Z crypto gift recipient can always learn how to access and safely store their new asset, but some young investors may not be up for the task. Unlike traditional banking where the banks provide security that protects your money the investor is responsible for their own security when investing in crypto. This responsibility is a very important part of owning digital assets, and if a young investor were to misplace or mismanage their crypto, recovery could be very difficult. Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) and BioNTech's pumitamig has displayed promising efficacy and safety during a mid-stage trial in front and second-line triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). During the ongoing Phase II study (NCT06449222), the bispecific antibody triggered a nine-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate of 59.3% across 39 efficacy-evaluable patients who received a combination of pumitamig and chemotherapy agent, Abraxane (nab-placlitaxel). Alongside its PFS impact, pumitamig triggered a confirmed objective response (cORR) in 61.5% of patients while 71.8% achieved unconfirmed ORR. Advertisement Advertisement Of the 39 patients enrolled in the first cohort, 92.3% experienced disease control. Current data suggest that this impact was independent of a patients PD-L1 expression levels, as well as their previous treatment experience. Pumitamigs impact was also dose-dependent, with higher doses correlating to a stronger anti-tumour response. At the time of analysis, median overall survival (OS) and duration of response (DoR) were not mature. Alongside its promising efficacy, pumitamig plus chemotherapy was fairly well tolerated, with severe treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) rated Grade 3 or above occurring in 42.54% of the patients in the first cohort. There were no deaths related to pumitamig reported during the study. Advertisement Advertisement The data was presented during the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, taking place on 9-12 December in Texas, US. PD-L1xVEGF combo piques pharma interest Checkpoint inhibitors have been a resounding success story within the immuno-oncology sector, with programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1)-targeting drugs such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) by Merck & Co (MSD) and BMSs Opdivo (nivolumab) ranking as the first and third best-selling drugs in the segment in 2024. While checkpoint inhibitors display strong efficacy on their own, companies are now looking to combine their anti-tumour activity with other promising targets. This includes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies, which have also been a popular monotherapeutic target in solid tumours. Dr Balasz Halmos, thoracic oncologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Centre, previously told Clinical Trials Arena that PD-1xVEGF bispecifics were drawing a lot of interest from thoracic oncologists as they have shown strong activity in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Halmos highlighted Akesos ivonescimab as a drug to watch in NSCLC, but it is also being investigated in TNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Pfizer has also bet on the PD-1VEGF drug class, as it recently secured the exclusive global licence to 3SBios SSGJ-707 for $1.25bn in July 2025. The bispecific is currently in global development for NSCLC, metastatic colorectal cancer and gynaecological tumours. Meanwhile, MSD is also betting on a PD-1xVEGF bispecific, having secured the global licence to LaNova Medicines LM-299 in 2024 for up to $2.7bn. "BioNTech and BMS bispecific touts 59.3% nine-month PFS in TNBC" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. After around-freezing temperatures and a round of wet snow in Milwaukee Dec. 9-10, temperatures will drop significantly the rest of the week and into the weekend, meteorologists say. Aidan Kuroski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said weekend temperatures will dip to bitter cold around minus 3 or minus 4 degrees Saturday, Dec. 13 and minus 5 to minus 13 degrees Sunday, Dec. 14. However, the "real feel" temperature will be even lower, he said in the double-digit negatives, potentially feeling as cold as minus 30 degrees Dec. 14. Advertisement Advertisement "Fortunately, it's happening over the weekend, so impacts will be primarily more localized," he said. "Shelters, things like that will be potentially high volume ... but you're not going to see impacts to schools." Along with the negative temps, more snow is anticipated through the rest of the week. However, meteorologists say there's not likely to be significant accumulation One of those systems may be a "quick hitter" in southeastern Wisconsin the night of Thursday, Dec. 11, Kuroski said. "There is a bit of uncertainty on where that's going to end up tracking, but there is some potential there that we get some additional snow there," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Taylor Patterson, another meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said that system isn't likely to bring more than "a couple tenths of an inch" of snow to Milwaukee County. After wet snow overnight Dec. 9-10, National Weather Service meteorologists and the city of Milwaukee warned people to be cautious while driving on slick roads. "It's a wet, slushy snow, and especially backroads are going to take a while to clear, so just take extra time if you're going to be driving around today," Patterson said. Wind gusts reaching 30 to 40 mph Dec. 10 may also cause driving hazards, according to the National Weather Service. Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee weather forecast is bitter cold, light snow Kristen Ansleigh Godwin, 38, of Blackshear, was arrested by the Blackshear Police Department on Tuesday in connection with the theft of approximately $10,000 from the Pierce County High School Competition Cheer Booster Program. Godwin has been charged with one count of Felony Theft by Taking after financial discrepancies were discovered during a routine review of the booster programs accounts, Blackshear police Chief Chris Wright said. The funds were privately raised through booster club activities and did not involve any public or taxpayer money, the chief said. The investigation revealed that the funds were misappropriated through various means, including failure to deposit cash from fundraising events, unauthorized transfers of booster club money into personal accounts, personal use of a booster club debit card, and improper cash withdrawals, the chief said. Advertisement Advertisement An internal inquiry by school officials led to a formal criminal investigation by the Blackshear Police Department, which determined the extent of the alleged theft, police said. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The Boston Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating a missing 16-year-old out of Mattapan. Kaleah Bailey-Cannady was last seen near Rugby Road in Mattapan at 5 p.m. on November 22, according to police. Bailey-Cannady is approximately 51 tall and weighs about 110 lbs, according to officials. She was last seen wearing a black jacket with pink pants according to Boston Police, who also say she is known to frequent Spencer Street in Dorchester. Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with any information is asked to call Boston Police at 617-343-5607. The Boston Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating missing 16-year-old Kaleah Bailey-Cannady, of Mattapan. Photo Credit: Boston Police Department 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 West Yorkshire police arrested Jon Richelieu-Booth at his home after someone complained about a LinkedIn photo he posted of himself legally holding a gun while on vacation in Florida. He spent the night in a cell. Police initially cited allegations of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as stalking. Those charges were quickly dropped, but then he was accused of a public order offense related to a different social media post, though police never specified which one. After months of legal trouble, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped that charge too. The post Brickbat: Vacation Photos appeared first on Reason.com. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The star system GK Persei, home of an infamous nova explosion, seen by the Chandra X-ray telescope. An even brighter nova is due to erupt from V Sagittae in the next century. | Credit: NASA Goddard An incredibly luminous star system that has long baffled astronomers could soon light up the sky with the nuclear brilliance of thousands of suns, new research suggests. When that happens, the results may be visible from Earth with the naked eye in day or night. The star system, called V Sagittae, is composed of a white dwarf the dense core of a dead, sun-like star and a more-massive stellar companion, located about 10,000 light-years away, in the constellation Sagitta, the arrow. The voracious white dwarf is gorging on material from its companion "at a rate never seen before," the team said in a statement . Advertisement Advertisement These two stars are locked in an extraterrestrial tango so tight that they orbit each other in just 12.3 hours, swinging gradually closer with each orbit, according to the statement. Now, researchers have confirmed that the doomed dance will eventually end with the two stars crashing together and producing a supernova so bright it will be visible during the day. "The matter accumulating on the white dwarf is likely to produce a nova outburst in the coming years, during which V Sagittae would become visible with the naked eye," Pablo Rodriguez-Gil , a professor at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands in Spain and co-author of the study, said in a statement. Understanding the beast An illustration of a nova: an explosion that occurs when a white dwarf star siphons too much material from its larger stellar companion. | Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Garlick, M. Zamani In a study published in November in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society , an international research team led by the University of Turku in Finland analyzed the light emitted by V Sagittae to better understand exactly what type of beast it may be. These data were gathered over a 120-day observation period by the X-Shooter spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, situated at an altitude of 8,600 feet (2,600 meters) atop Cerro Paranal in Chile's Atacama Desert. Advertisement Advertisement Spectrographs like X-Shooter collect incoming light from celestial objects and then separate that light into its constituent wavelengths. This provides a spectrum that reveals the object's chemical composition, since each atom and molecule absorbs and reflects a certain wavelength of light. For perspective, think of how a prism splits white light into its constituent colors to produce a rainbow. This spectral data helped the researchers re-analyze V Sagittae's characteristics. Previously, in a study from 1965, astronomers calculated that its two stars were 0.7 and 2.8 solar masses, though this is a controversial conclusion. To constrain stellar sizes, this more recent study considered factors like orbital period to suggest that the entire system may be below 2.1 solar masses, with both the white dwarf and its companion each weighing in at around 1 solar mass. Phil Charles , a professor emeritus of astronomy at the University of Southampton and co-author of the study, described the confusion surrounding this "very important system." The uncertainty stems from V Sagittae's complicated, constantly fluctuating light emissions, which are "more likely due to fast outflows" rather than the stars' orbital motions, making it hard to pin down their sizes. Advertisement Advertisement "From our study we show that no one has yet been able to uniquely identify the orbital motion of each component, and hence we don't yet have a good measure of each star's mass." Charles told Live Science via email. An orbiting nuke The researchers also identified V Sagittae as a supersoft X-ray source (SSS), meaning it generates lower-energy X-rays compared with hard sources like active black holes and colliding neutron stars. Classical SSS are composed of an accreting white dwarf and a more massive star whose gas is overspilling and falling onto the white dwarf. V Sagittae's prodigious gravitational appetite is causing a sustained thermonuclear reaction on the white dwarf's surface, turning it into an orbiting nuke and the brightest SSS in the galaxy, researchers said in a statement . In fact, even during its fainter phases V Sagittae is 100 times brighter than other variable star systems. The speed of the infalling material in the white dwarf's accretion disk shifts dramatically and unpredictably, sometimes in just days, as it struggles to consume all the material it pilfers from its partner, the team said in a separate statement . Advertisement Advertisement As a result, a significant amount of material has escaped and formed a ring, or halo, of gas that encircles both stars, composing a "circumbinary disk" with a radius that may span about two to four times the separation between the two stars. A daytime supernova V Saggitae's chaotic accretion and extreme brightness are signs of its imminent, violent death, which will be prefaced by an explosive appetizer, as it were, offering a promising scenario for hopeful stargazers: a nova explosion. Novae occur when an accreting white dwarf engulfs too much material and then explosively ejects it from their surface. These stellar explosions do not destroy their white dwarfs but are nonetheless stunning, with the average nova shining hundreds of thousands of times as brightly as the sun. Since they do not destroy their white dwarfs, these novae can reoccur across thousands or millions of years. related stories Advertisement Advertisement 1st supernovas may have flooded the early universe with water making life possible just 100 million years after the Big Bang 'We had less than a 2% chance to find this': James Webb telescope uncovers baffling 'Big Wheel', one of the most massive galaxies in the early universe Did a supernova 6 million years ago kickstart evolution in Africa? New study offers a clue Yet this spectacular sight will only be a prelude to the main event. When the stars spiral into each other and smash together, they'll produce a "supernova explosion so bright it'll be visible from Earth even in the daytime," adds Rodriguez-Gil. Advertisement Advertisement This ultimately brilliant finale may occur as early as 2067 , according to a 2020 study from Louisiana State University, which predicted V Saggitae's demise based on the decreasing orbital period of its stars. Charles concludes that if the "[observed] period decline continues then it must happen, but stellar evolution is hard to predict exactly, so that might easily change!" Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A British soldier has died in Ukraine in what London's Ministry of Defense has called "a tragic accident." The unidentified member of Britain's Armed Forces died Tuesday morning while "observing Ukrainian forces test a new defensive capability, away from the front lines," the ministry said in a statement. "The family has been notified and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time." Advertisement Advertisement Britain has no combat troops deployed in the Ukraine-Russia war, but as a close ally of Kyiv, has played a leading supporting role by providing weapons, military equipment and training to Ukrainian forces. Little information about the circumstances of the soldier's death has been made public. "My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of the member of our Armed Forces who sadly lost their life today," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement. "Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten." Defense Secretary John Healy said he was "devastated" by the soldier's death, and offered their thoughts to their family and friends. Advertisement Advertisement "Our hearts go out to them," he said. The announcement comes a day after Starmer and other key European leaders hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in London, amid a U.S.-led push to secure an end to the war. The investigation into a man accused of stealing checks in the mail and cashing them to pocket more than $150,000 is widening. Police say the suspect stole the checks from postal mailboxes across metro Atlanta and out of state. Its pretty significant, hes obviously been doing this for a while, Lt. Stewart Webb with the Oakwood Police Department said. Webb said Xavier Jackson is a veteran mail thief, and the department got wind of him a few weeks back. Advertisement Advertisement Postal investigators told Web that a suspect had been seen digging into a drive-through mailbox behind the Oakwood Post Office. He said the man would plug up the mail slot to catch deposited mail before it could drop into the box. TRENDING STORIES: Based on our surveillance of the box, we were able to catch a suspect reaching into the slot and pulling out the mail and driving off from that location, Webb said. Advertisement Advertisement A week later, armed with a warrant, police searched Jacksons Buford home. They say they found a pile of suspected stolen mail, over 300 pieces, and checks that had been altered. He would take those, he would wash them, put his information on there, write them back out to him for other amounts, and then upload or deposit them into his banking accounts, Webb said. Police said the suspect stole over $150,000 from his victims, businesses, and individuals, and not just in Georgia. He has been traveling to different states committing these crimes, thefts from these post offices, Webb said. Regular postal customers told Channel 2s Tom Regan that what happened is appalling. Advertisement Advertisement This is a little community, and you just dont think of that kind of thing going on here, customer Beverly Runsick said. I personally take all my mail and deposit it inside the building just for a scenario like this, customer Richard Ferguson said. Jackson is currently free on bond. Police say he has a prior arrest for mail theft. Calvin Klein, owned by US fashion retailer PVH Corp, has launched a new global flagship store in the SoHo district of New York City. The opening represents the brands return to a flagship store presence in one of its founding cities and forms part of its wider international store expansion strategy. Located at 530 Broadway, the store spans more than 3,000ft of retail space and follows the brands recent flagship openings in Paris and Tokyo. Advertisement Advertisement Calvin Klein global brand president David Savman stated: We are proud to return to one of the worlds most fashionable cities and the birthplace of our iconic brand with an elevated retail expression. This new global flagship, located just steps from our landmark Houston Street billboard, is a tribute to Calvin Kleins New York heritage. It represents both the evolution of our retail experience and a tangible expression of the world of Calvin Klein. The SoHo outlet has been developed using a custom design concept influenced by New York City loft-style apartments, featuring a mix of industrial elements and minimalist interiors. The outlet focuses on denim and underwear as its main categories, alongside mens and womens clothing and accessories. Advertisement Advertisement Selected items from the Calvin Klein Collection will be available during specific periods beginning in spring 2026. The store will also carry a limited-edition capsule exclusive to the location. This range includes T-shirts, fleece sweatshirts, hats and tote bags featuring custom Calvin Klein Soho branding. PVH Corp CEO Stefan Larsson added: New York is central to the DNA of the Calvin Klein brand. This homecoming is a key milestone as we build Calvin Klein into one of the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world. Step by step, were deepening brand relevance, driving consumer engagement and strengthening brand positioning across North America and globally. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Calvin Klein-branded products generated $9bn in retail sales worldwide. "Calvin Klein opens flagship store in New Yorks SoHo " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The time between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays brings about the "Giving Season," when charitable giving is often done at higher rates. The giving season, which encompasses November and December, saw $592.5 billion in donations in 2024, according to a 2025 report from J.P. Morgan Wealth Management. And with the giving season upon us, WalletHub, a personal finance company, has ranked the 50 states from most to least charitable. To determine the most and least charitable state (and all the rest in between), WalletHub compared each state across 17 key indicators of charitable behavior, ranging from the volunteer rate to the share of income donated and the share of sheltered homeless. Advertisement Advertisement After all comparisons were made, Wyoming was named the most charitable state, while New Mexico was dubbed the least charitable of the 50 states. Kentucky landed in the middle of the pack, ranking as the 34th most charitable state overall. It scored 27th in volunteering and service and 37th in charitable giving. More: Want to give back this holiday? Here are 29 places to donate, volunteer in Louisville And while the commonwealth may not have taken home the title of most charitable state, there's still plenty of organizations around the state that benefit from charitable giving and volunteerism. Advertisement Advertisement Here are five places in Kentucky to volunteer or donate to this holiday season: Catholic Charities of Louisville, the social service ministry of the Archdiocese of Louisville, serves those in need with a wide range of outreach programs that assist neighbors of all races, backgrounds, and beliefs. This holiday season, it needs monetary donations and donations from its Amazon Wish List. You can purchase items and have them shipped directly to the office. Donations should be under $50 and unwrapped so families can shop for themselves. It also needs gift cards in $25 increments to Walmart, Kroger, and VISA. Also, volunteer drivers are needed to assist Migration and Refugee Services' clients in getting to/from appointments. Catholic Charities is also seeing youth mentors to work with students ages 9-14 and long-term care ombudsman and administrative help. And help in the pantry stocking shelves, sorting donations and help delivering meals. Though the government shutdown is over, there is critical need for food. Monetary donations are needed to help purchase food. Advertisement Advertisement LOCATION: 2911 S. Fourth St.; cclou.org The Dare to Care Food Bank is the leading nonprofit social service agency addressing the hunger needs of Kentuckiana. It partners with emergency kitchens, shelters, and food pantries to get food into the hands of those who need it. Dare to Care Food Bank says every $1 helps provide up to two meals. The food bank is seeking monetary donations. To donate, go online and use PayPal or Venmo to donate or make your check payable to: Dare to Care Food Bank. Send to Dare to Care Food Bank, P.O. Box 35458, Louisville, KY, 40232. Volunteers are needed to help prepare meals in the community kitchen, help distribute food where needed, and help in the warehouse. Volunteer opportunities are listed on its website. LOCATION: 5803 Fern Valley Road; daretocare.org Goodwill Industries of Kentucky help those with disabilities or other disadvantages achieve and maintain employment to gain a better quality of life. For more than 100 years, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky has been widely recognized for accepting and reselling gently used items that are donated to its retail locations. Needed are donations of clothing, accessories, shoes, books, media, household goods, kitchenware, decor, furniture, and more. Advertisement Advertisement LOCATION: 2820 W Broadway, 6201 Preston Highway, 909 E Broadway, goodwillky.org. More Christmas news: 15 places to take a photo with Santa this Christmas in Louisville Home of the Innocents enriches the lives of children and families with hope, health, and happiness. Programs include residential and community-based behavioral health services, therapeutic foster care and adoption services, supportive services for homeless young adults, and long-term care for medically complex or terminally ill children. It has a wish list on its website (donated items must be new). Items can be donated in person or purchased directly from the Amazon and Walmart wish list (homeoftheinnocents.org/get-involved/wish-lists/) and shipped straight to the facility. Monetary donations are also needed. For more information, visit the website. It also offers volunteer opportunities at the Kosair for Kids Complex Care Center, Residential Treatment & Emergency Shelter program and its Foster Care & Adoption program. Adult and junior volunteers (ages 13-17) are needed. Volunteer opportunities are available online. Advertisement Advertisement LOCATION: 1100 E. Market St.; homeoftheinnocents.org Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families of children receiving healthcare at area medical facilities. Monetary donations are needed to help with cleaning supplies, meals, rooms, and more. It has a wish list, an Amazon Wish List, and a holiday wish list on its website. You can drop off donations daily. To schedule your drop-off, contact Katie Shipley at Katie@rmhck.org or 502-371-1442. You can also ship your donations directly. For more information, contact the front desk at 502-581-1416. Volunteers are also needed to help at the house, check guestrooms, help with light cleaning, organize donations, help prepare meals for the families, and more. More information is available online. LOCATION: 550 S. First St.; rmhc-kentuckiana.org Advertisement Advertisement Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is the most charitable state? How charitable is Kentucky? The fund has maintained its monthly distributions for the past 12 years. Its top holdings are in the utilities, energy and real estate sectors. Additionally, it holds net assets of around $653.32 million. Moreover, it also has a competitive expense ratio of 0.45%. The Global X SuperDividend U.S. ETF (DIV) pulls in a yield of about 6.70%. And it accomplishes this by investing in the 50 highest dividend paying companies in the United States. But DIV also screens companies that have low betas compared to the S&P 500 index. This could provide low volatility returns. PFFs main holdings are in the financial, industrial and utilities sectors. Its top holdings include companies like Boeing, Wells Fargo and Citigroup. The iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) generates a yield of about 6.46%. It invests in a variety of stocks, as well as preferred stocks which share some of the characteristics of bonds. Some key dividend ETFs are generating around 2% to 3% yields. But we found some paying more than 5%. So lets take a closer look. But it can be difficult and time consuming to analyze and handpick individual dividend paying stocks. Thats why many investors seek out dividend paying exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These professionally managed funds invest in a handful of dividend paying stocks, offering instant diversification. But as with dividend stocks, dividend ETFs have varying yields. Generating a steady and hefty stream of income is a key factor in any investing strategy. And to reach this goal, many turn to dividend paying stocks. A dividend is a regular payment a company makes to shareholders out of its profits. If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, there are three quick questions causing many Americans to realize they can retire earlier than expected. take 5 minutes to learn more here Global X SuperDividend US ETF (DIV) yields 6.70% by investing in the 50 highest dividend paying US companies. DIV has maintained monthly distributions for 12 years. iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) yields 6.46% and holds $14.65B in net assets. PFF invests in financials and preferred stocks with top holdings including Boeing and Wells Fargo. Story Continues iShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (DVYE) The iShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF (DVYE) has an impressive yield of 9.59%. It can provide your portfolio with global diversification. The fund invests in 100 companies in emerging market countries. These companies are diversified across various sectors including financials, energy and utilities. The fund has net assets of about $942.72 million. And it has an expense ratio of 0.50%. In addition, DVYE has an overall Morningstar rating of three stars and has earned its silver medal. Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY) The Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY) operates a bit differently than the other ETFs on our list. It invests in real estate investment trusts (REITs). These are companies that own and operate income-generating real estate like apartment complexes, shopping malls and warehouses. REITs also pay dividends from the income they generate. And the KBWY has a yield of around 9.50%. The fund aims to invest in small and mid cap equity REITs that have competitive dividend yields. Moreover, the fund holds net assets of about $252.07 million. Additionally, it has an expense ratio of 0.35%. But while the KBWY was included in this list for its high yield, its important to note its performance has not been too impressive. It has delivered a negative 1-year return of around 22.11%. So you should carefully execute your due diligence when deciding whether to include KBWY in your portfolio. Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (XSHD) The Invesco S&P SmallCap High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (XSHD) has a yield of around 6.70%. It invests in small cap companies that have historically generated high dividend yields with low volatility in the past 12 months. Its main holdings are in the financial, real estate and utilities sectors. The funds holdings are rebalanced and reconstituted semi-annually on the last business day in January and July. Moreover, the XSHD has net assets of $74.1 million. And it carries an expense ratio of 0.30%. How to choose the right dividend paying ETF While these are some of the highest yielding ETFs we found, yield isnt the only thing. In fact, chasing a high yield can pose some risk. Some struggling companies offer higher yields to attract investors. And keep in mind that ETF fund managers can lower or eliminate yields at any time. So its also important to look at other factors. For instance, take a look at the funds past performance and its holdings. A well diversified fund invests in stocks across many sectors. And you should also keep an eye on expense ratios as high fees can eat away at your returns. The New Report Shaking Up Retirement Plans You may think retirement is about picking the best stocks or ETFs, but youd be wrong. Even great investments can be a liability in retirement. Its a simple difference between accumulating vs distributing, and it makes all the difference. The good news? After answering three quick questions many Americans are reworking their portfolios and finding they can retire earlier than expected. If youre thinking about retiring or know someone who is, take 5 minutes to learn more here. The Utah Republican Partys bid to reverse the states redistricting law just got a big boost. Turning Point Action, one of the most extensive get-out-the-vote operations in the West, will work with Utah GOP chair Rob Axson to overturn the law known as Proposition 4, the Deseret News has confirmed. In a statement to the Deseret News, Turning Point Action COO Tyler Bowyer said that the organization, which has hundreds of full-time staff, is all in on Utah and will do a bunch of support to promote the GOPs initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Turning Point Action will show up to support the president and it will likely result in us permanently sticking around Utah thanks to this, Bowyer said. This is the first time Turning Point Action has gotten involved in a Utah election outside of endorsements. The Utah Republican Party worked with the group during the 2024 presidential election to send volunteers to help knock doors in Nevada and Arizona. Since drawing national attention last year for its ballot-chasing effort that increased turnout for President Donald Trump in swing states like Arizona, Turning Point has turned its focus to redistricting battles across the country. On Friday, Turning Point Action activists filled the Indiana statehouse to encourage Republican state senators to pass a new congressional district map eliminating the states two Democrat-leaning seats or else face a primary challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Now the nonprofit group, founded by conservative activist Charlie Kirk who died on Sept. 10 in Utah, will bring its expertise in door-knocking and campaigning to the Beehive State to convince Utah voters to reverse their approval of the 2018 Better Boundaries initiative. Turning Point Action has been a force for good wherever they have engaged, Axson told the Deseret News. They have been a strong partner with me and the Utah Republican Party. We have many things in the works to keep Utah red and our youth inspired. What is Prop 4? The Utah GOP announced in October it would seek to challenge the seven-year old law in the same way it was approved by filing an initiative application with the Lieutenant Governors Office sponsored by Axson, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Attorney General Derek Brown. Utah voters passed Prop 4 in 2018 with 50.3% of the vote. The law established a commission to recommend new congressional maps to the Legislature, outlined redistricting requirements to prevent partisan gerrymandering and allowed individuals to sue over noncompliance. Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Legislature passed a law in 2020 making the commissions proposals advisory, and in 2021 adopted a map critics said did not follow Prop 4s intent because it appeared to split up the Democratic vote in Salt Lake County, making congressional seats less competitive. But GOP officials argue that 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibsons interpretation of Prop 4, and the Utah Supreme Courts 2024 decision preventing lawmakers from amending some ballot initiatives, upset the separation of powers in Utah by giving judges the final say over electoral boundaries. On Nov. 10, Republicans worst fears were realized when Gibson rejected lawmakers attempt to comply with Prop 4 and picked an uncompetitive map drawn by the nonprofit plaintiffs that created a deeply Democratic seat in Salt Lake County without the Legislatures approval. Why an initiative? While states like Texas and California engaged in mid-cycle redistricting to gerrymander congressional seats before the 2026 midterm elections, Axson said that Utah Republicans are attempting to preserve accountable governance in response to a court ruling. Advertisement Advertisement This is a cause that should be apolitical, Axson said. This is something that Republicans, Democrats, unaffiliated voters, should be up in arms about when you have our very system of government being upended by a process which is disrespecting the constitutional structure. There is legitimate debate over whether lawmakers need an independently appointed board to help oversee map-drawing, Axson said. A recent Sutherland Institute poll found that a majority of Utah voters want the Legislature to select maps with the help of an advisory committee or commission. But over the past year, courts have created a new status quo, according to Axson, that could allow special interest groups to implement their own congressional districts through litigation as long as the judge determines that their map is a better fit for their interpretation of Prop 4. How is the GOP gathering signatures? To place the question of whether to repeal Prop 4 on the 2026 general election ballot, the Utah GOP must gather nearly 141,000 valid signatures, equivalent to 8% of the number of active registered voters in the state, by Feb. 14. Advertisement Advertisement The party has already gathered many tens of thousands of signatures, according to Axson, with the help of nearly 1,000 volunteers and 200-250 hired gatherers. The signatures must be verified by county clerks before March 7. This multimillion-dollar operation will be funneled through the GOPs political interest committee, Utahns for Representative Government, which so far has received $4.35 million from one source: Securing American Greatness Inc., The Massachusetts-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit group donated over $50 million to the top PACs for President Donald Trump in 2024, and was previously managed by Trump campaign adviser Taylor Budowich. Axson said the group, which is not required to reveal its donors as long as campaigns are not its primary activity, is committed to fighting for appropriate governance and defending Americas future. Patriot Grassroots To meet the February deadline, the Utah GOP has contracted with Patriot Grassroots to help gather signatures. The conservative group received over $27 million from Trump-aligned PACs in 2024 to increase GOP turnout in battleground states. Advertisement Advertisement Axson has pushed back against the idea that the GOP is relying on out-of-state money and activists to influence the vote on repealing Prop 4 something GOP officials criticized the group Better Boundaries of doing in 2018, when it benefitted from progressive nonprofit funding. The Patriot Grassroots leadership team has extensive ties to Utah, said the groups president Elijah Day, who graduated from Southern Utah University in 2019. A lot of people like to try to paint it like theres outside groups coming into Utah, Day told the Deseret News. But the reality is, Patriot Grassroots, or at least the people in charge of running this thing, are not just some outside group. Ive been involved in Utah my whole life. Patriot Grassroots employees are paid hourly to go door-to-door, or to approach Utahns at storefronts with a short pitch on why voters should ensure that redistricting authority remains with elected representatives. If asked, they must provide the language of the initiative and a document with instructions on how to remove ones signature after signing. A Chicago woman, who is a U.S. citizen, testified in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday about her experience being dragged out of her car and taken into custody by federal agents. Dayanne Figueroa told a group of senators that on Oct. 10, she had just dropped off her son at school when an SUV rammed into hers. Once she was stopped, she says masked men dragged her out of her car. A video posted on YouTube that has been seen more than 42,000 times shows what happened. Figueroa was one of five U.S. citizens who testified. Figueroa said she suffered severe bruising, nerve damage and aggravated injuries to her leg. A majority of the Chicago City Council introduced an alternative budget proposal on Wednesday and scheduled a series of meetings over the next two weeks to pass a budget before Christmas. However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing back and vows to keep fighting for his plan and his controversial corporate head tax. Young people ABC7 talked to on Wednesday said the new proposed budget could threaten to take away the opportunities, they say, have made the city safer. Earlier this week, Mayor Johnson called the bluff of his opponents and challenged them to put their plan on the table. On Wednesday, they served it up, putting him on notice it's time to negotiate. Advertisement Advertisement The corporate head tax, that takes aim at 175 of the largest companies in the city, remains one of the central sticking points for the opposition alders. It's one of many concerns addressed in the 78-page revised revenue ordinance they filed Wednesday. "Our amendments follow our core principles, no borrowing for operating expenses, no shorting our pension obligations, no job killing head tax and a commitment to real structural efficiencies that prevent long term harm," said Ald. Nicole Lee, Budget Committee Vice Chair. Political analyst Laura Washington talks about a potential Chicago government shutdown. The garbage collection fee, now $9.50 a month, would only be raised to $15 per month, instead of the original proposal to raise it to $18. Advertisement Advertisement "We were told time and time again to put something up in the board, and we have at this point, and we know that there's still a lot of work to do," Ald. Lee said. Mayor Johnson says he'll veto any budget with higher garbage fees. "I don't support a budget that places such an incredible burden on working people," Johnson said. VP of Policy at the Better Governmnt Association Bryan Zarou joined ABC7 to discuss on Saturday. READ MORE | Chicago budget discussions reach stalemate, raising possibility of 1st-ever city government shutdown Currently, 27 alders have signed on in support of the alternate revenue plan, the same number it took to pass last year's budget. However, they need 34 to prevent a mayoral veto. Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to continue to work with our colleagues to get that number as high as we can, if the mayor goes for a veto that's on him, then he's going to be the one, you know, driving this city toward the fiscal cliff," 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack said. Mayor Johnson is pushing back, saying his door is always open, but he's adamant about his head tax, which will fund community safety programs and summer youth jobs. "The door is always open, but the goal is to make sure that we're passing a budget that's balanced, but it also has to challenge our efforts to ensure that we are driving violence down in this city, and that's ultimately what we are challenging corporations to help us do collectively," Johnson said. Chicago's youth took their Christmas wish list straight to City Hall Wednesday night. The list was intended for the alderpersons behind the alternative budget proposal that some young people say threatens to take away more than 5,000 summer jobs. Advertisement Advertisement "We refuse to be ignored. We refuse to let our opportunities be cut," said Isabella Garcia with Palenque LSNA. The youth activists say the alternative budget and new curfew ordinance are not the solutions to violence. "These Alders want to stunt youth growth and they would rather give you a curfew, instead of jobs," said Miracle Boyd with People's Unity Platform. "We have made so much progress on youth jobs and are coming off one of the safest summers in Chicago since 1965. We simply cannot afford to roll back our efforts." The new revenue proposal is expected to undergo changes before it's brought up for a vote. The council has scheduled five City Council meetings through Dec. 23, including four next week, to make sure they have plenty of opportunities for budget votes. Classes and final exams were suspended after a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University (KSU) on Tuesday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] KSU wrote in a social media post that the university has suspended all classes, final exams, and campus activities for the remainder of the week. As previously reported by News Center 7, a person was killed, and another was critically injured after a shooting at KSUs campus around 3:35 p.m. on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement KSU said in a statement that both victims were students. The university added that students were allowed to return home if they chose to do so. TRENDING STORIES: >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting at Kentucky State University; suspect not a student Frankfort Police confirmed Tuesday night that a suspect is in custody. Jacob Lee Bard of Evans, Indiana, has been charged in connection with Tuesdays shooting, according to our news partner, WCPO, in Cincinnati. Advertisement Advertisement He has been charged with murder and first-degree assault. Online jail records indicate that he is in the Franklin County Regional Jail in Frankfort, Kentucky. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The story of Gilman, Colorado, reads like a horror movie. The setting: a small Rocky Mountain town in 1984. The characters: the residents of a centuries-old mining community. The plot: the soil is contaminated with deadly toxins, and authorities flood the town, urging people to evacuate. Locals leave with whatever they can, and as they drive away, look longingly at the rows of ranch homes they've left behind. Silent roads are stippled with empty buildings. Above them, at the top of a dirt hill, looms a massive processing plant, a grim symbol of the district's environmental collapse. Like St. Elmo, one of the American West's best-preserved ghost towns, this place casts a haunting spell. The real history of Gilman was a bit less dramatic, but it ended the same way. The town was founded in 1886, and workers moved to the area to mine zinc, copper, silver, and gold. Over the next century, they would extract 10 million tons of material. Production started to decline in the 1960s, and by the time the Environmental Protection Agency arrived in the mid-80s, mine runoff had tarnished Gilman's groundwater. The landscape was so deadly that residents were ordered to leave, and the town's collapse has since served as a cautionary tale about unregulated industry. The remains of Gilman still hug the steep slopes of Battle Mountain. Its ruins now stand on private property, which is off-limits to visitors. But you can still stop and see Gilman from the shoulder of Highway 24, which runs parallel to the site. There's a broad gravel area to park on, which overlooks a building-studded valley. Stopping there is free, and it's the only legal way to see Gilman's remains. Bring binoculars, or better yet, a telephoto lens. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 Closed American Amusement Parks Thrill Seekers Still Get Nostalgic For What Gilman, Colorado, looks like today A view overlooking abandoned houses on the grassy slopes of Gilman, Colorado - Defranc16/Shutterstock Gilman is hardly alone when it comes to abandoned Colorado towns. Seven hundred ghost towns were scattered across the state as of 2018, representing a wide range of industries and eras. Intrepid explorers have made their way into Gilman, photographing and filming the town's crumbling remains. What's so unsettling about these images is how contemporary they all look. The buildings aren't frontier shacks, but split-level homes you could find in modern-day suburbs. Young trespassers have left patches of graffiti on the old walls. Many of these roads are still paved in modern asphalt, although their surfaces are cracked after countless winters without maintenance, with mature evergreens growing through their cracks. At its peak, nearly 9,000 people lived on this ridge, overlooking the confluence of Rock Creek and the Eagle River. Today, even that modest population is hard to imagine. A few rows of gutted houses are still visible on the grassy terraces, but they offer only a vague impression of what life there was once like. Gilman feels more remote than it is. Highway 24 weaves its way through the mountains and connects with Interstate 70, the main motorway between Denver and the major western Colorado town of Grand Junction. If you're already seeking the ultimate destinations to visit on a trip through Colorado, this site is surprisingly close to some of the state's major landmarks. Just 20 minutes from Gilman is the world-famous ski town of Vail, which draws 2.8 million visitors every year. Advertisement Advertisement Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Heres a conundrum for Republican politicians going into 2026, and even 2028. What do you do when youve turned the GOP into a Trump-branded, populist, antiestablishment party but you now control the government and its not going very well? One time-tested answer: ritual human sacrifice. Which is why the next year is going to be a miserable one for House Speaker Mike Johnson. Lets set the scene. The job of speaker never really has been nonpartisan. Whats changed in recent decades is that more and more power has been concentrated in the speakers office while, at the same time, the speaker is expected to defer to the presidents agenda when the same party holds the White House. This was the trend before Johnson got the job, but hes taken it to extremes we've never witnessed. Advertisement Advertisement Also, the speakers partisanship traditionally is focused on protecting the political interests of caucus members, not the president. And its usually tempered by the obligation to defend the integrity of the institution. Johnson has subordinated both obligations to the White Houses agenda to a remarkable degree. President Trump took political ownership of the economy with his Liberation Day hooey in April and Congress let him, despite the fact various laws and the Constitution itself require Congress to play a major, even leading, role on trade. Johnson then kept the House in recess throughout the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, at the White Houses behest, letting the GOP look AWOL and impotent. Now, Johnsons defenders deny hes just Trumps yes-man. Because Johnsons a team player, they say, he voices his objections and concerns behind the scenes, not wanting to defy the president publicly. For instance, Johnson has reportedly told the White House the House GOP has no appetite for extending Obamacare premium subsidies. Advertisement Advertisement But this just compounds the problem. By quietly coordinating with the White House, theres nothing to dispel the impression that Johnson, and, by extension, the entire GOP caucus, owns the status quo. Of course, being a rubber stamp for Trump and taking credit for the status quo wouldnt be a problem for Republicans if Trumps Golden Age talk about the economy and the country felt true. It doesnt. Six in 10 Americans now think the country is on the wrong track . In fairness, the economy isnt doing terribly. But whatever its strengths, they arent being felt by many Americans. Thats why affordability has become the mantra everywhere in Washington except for the White House, where Trump says the economy has never been better and calls concerns about affordability a hoax . Trump literally is borrowing a page from President Biden, who also told voters not to believe their lying eyes or wallets about the cost of living. Consumer sentiment, according to the University of Michigan, remains near historic lows . Trumps overall approval rating is 41% , while independents and even some Trump voters are breaking from him. According to Gallup, fewer than 3 in 10 Americans think the economy is getting better, even as Trump continues to insist were living in a Golden Age. Advertisement Advertisement But Trumps hold over the base of the Republican party and right-wing media is still very strong. So the last thing any of them can do is directly attack the president and his policies, particularly when the House GOP either endorsed or pliantly acquiesced to them. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) openly defied Trump on the issue of the Epstein files, and shortly thereafter announced her retirement from Congress. So what do you do when you need to prove youre not a tool of the establishment and author of the status quo? Find a scapegoat. And right now, Johnson might as well be tied to a stake in the lions den . Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) wanted to run for governor of New York by attacking the new socialist mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani. But Trump just launched a lovefest with him in the Oval Office. So now Stefanik is attacking Johnson. So too is Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who's running for governor in South Carolina. I certainly think that the current leadership, and specifically the speaker, needs to change the way that he approaches the job, endangered GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) told CNN. We need to actually go back to leading the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement In a sense this is unfair to Johnson. Hes got the job only because he was willing to be Trumps valet. But one of the first rules of the Trumpified GOP is that Trump never can fail, he only can be failed. Which is why Johnson is being set up to be MAGAs fall guy. It would take a heart of stone not to laugh. X: @JonahDispatch If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Dec. 9MITCHELL A Mitchell city councilman wants to ensure renters have a safe place to live, and local property managers are wary about a new rental housing inspection code after the city disregarded their input earlier this year. A new rental ordinance is in the works by Council Vice President Tim Goldammer. In June, the Mitchell City Council rejected a rental inspection ordinance on its second reading after receiving feedback from Mitchell-based property owners and managers. Goldammer told the Mitchell Republic he is meeting with local property managers to get input on changing the city's code, and that changes are still pending based on those conversations. Goldammer is hopeful to bring this to the council in the new year. Advertisement Advertisement "I want to make sure that I'm hearing all of their concerns and am addressing them before I bring something forward," Goldammer said. Goldammer wants the city to know who is responsible for any given rental property in Mitchell in case a property owner or manager would need to be contacted. Goldammer envisions a registration that is updated as property owners change. This may mean a duplication of information with the already available county's property registry, but Goldammer noted that an LLC owning a property may not give the correct contact information for the responsible property manager. This would not be a license program, as previously presented. Goldammer proposes updating the existing city code to include renter complaint-driven housing inspections. Goldammer is considering what would make a rental unsafe for habitable living. In this case, the city would step in as a third party mediator when a renter doesn't feel like they have an option outside of legal recourse, according to Goldammer. Advertisement Advertisement For Goldammer, the issue is about tenant safety in a potential life-threatening or uninhabitable property. Goldammer noted every rental property needs to meet a certain minimum standard of quality of life that makes them livable. "That's what I care about," Goldammer said. Some property managers believe the city's earlier rental housing code was an overreach. The city's first call when there's a nuisance problem should be to call the landlord directly, according to South Dakota Multi Housing Association (SDMHA) Executive Director Denise Hanzlik. In regards to the rental ordinance, SDMHA provides housing education to the city of Mitchell and advocates for rental property owner rights. Advertisement Advertisement "If you have trouble property owners, then go to them. Don't make this across the board for everybody," Hanzlik said. Rental inspections should be performed by rental property owners, not the city of Mitchell, according to Hanzlik. Angie Andersen, AJ Management property manager, questioned why the city of Mitchell pays for a full-time nuisance code enforcer and a building code inspector, and is also considering charging fees to property owners to pay for a rental inspector. The city isn't using its resources properly, according to Andersen. "There's just better ways of doing it than what route that they're trying to take," Andersen said. Advertisement Advertisement Any additional code enforcement personnel, full time or part time, would be a 2027 budget item, according to Goldammer. These personnel would enforce both residential and commercial code. "These are the details that I don't have worked out," Goldammer said. Holding rental property owners accountable is possible through strengthening the existing city nuisance code, according to Hanzlik. Andersen suggested the city of Mitchell give more authority to the nuisance code enforcer. Historically, a complaint must be filed with the city before the nuisance code enforcer can address potential violations. Under the complaint-based system, a nuisance code enforcer could inspect a property if a rental resident makes the complaint. Hanzlik believes that rental residents should be willing to open up their door and let the city come in to do the inspection if they made a complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Goldammer noted most renters would not want to be evicted if their housing was uninhabitable, and that may be a problem for renters reporting issues. More could be done to help renters out, he said. Goldammer referenced public feedback to the rental inspection ordinance. Good rental properties and property managers shouldn't be taxed with fines, fees or other costs to punish them because other people's rentals are not of livable quality, Goldammer noted. "I think that a lot of rental companies in town do a good job," Goldammer said. Fines or fees will be specific in Goldammer's ordinance, and updating property safety issue items will be fix-it ticket driven. The previous rental ordinance was vague and called for a rental license application and for fees and fines to be decided at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Goldammer proposes property owners would have 30 days to resolve this issue or show that they are resolving the issue to not face a dollar fine amount. Andersen noted that the landlords who were on the rental inspection task force weren't told about the previous ordinance until it was scheduled for a second reading to go before the Mitchell City Council. A rough draft wasn't provided to the task force, according to Andersen. Property owners were surprised by what was in the ordinance. According to previous rental inspection task force meetings, older rentals were grandfathered in and would not have to update egress windows. In the previous rental ordinance, if a rental is vacant for 6 months or is sold, egress windows will have to be updated to present code. If sold, a costly window renovation would have to happen to comply with the rental housing code. An estimated 41% of Mitchell residents live in a rental, according to a Advertisement Advertisement 2025 economic report from the South Dakota Secretary of State's office. This means roughly 3,100 rentals would be included in the rental housing code. This would take a lot of apartment complexes out of commission, Andersen said. The way the previous ordinance was written means the older properties could possibly be shut down if the owner tries to sell, according to Andersen. "I'm worried that they're going to eradicate the affordable housing in this town," Andersen said. Egress windows is something that Goldammer wants to work with property managers on. "My personal opinion is that as long as things are spelled out in leases there should not be those concerns," Goldammer said. Advertisement Advertisement According to Goldammer, if property owners are not willing to spell it out in a lease then they know that it's not habitable. Hanzlik noted the way the previous ordinance was worded, a rental could be inspected every year. In other South Dakota cities that have this type of ordinance, an inspection is every three to four years, according to Hanzlik. In addition, Hanzlik noted that some of the Mitchell City Council members are rental property owners and that it would be a conflict of interest for a council member to vote on a rental housing ordinance while owning rental properties. Mitchell has both people who can afford new housing and people who can't, according to Andersen. "I think we need to take care of all of them equally," Andersen said. The family of 16-year-old Luis Tario and Gastonia Police detectives are seeking public assistance to locate him after he went missing on Oct. 31. An anonymous donor is offering a $5,000 reward for information. Since Luis Tario left home in a 2017 Nissan SUV and the vehicle has not been spotted on cameras anywhere in the southeastern United States. Luis Tarios family believes he left home during a mental health crisis, heightening concerns for his safety. He wrote messages to his family indicating sadness and said he was headed somewhere rural nearby. Advertisement Advertisement The Gastonia Police Department released new photos of Luis Tario on Wednesday, hoping someone might recognize him. He is 6-foot-1 and weighs 200 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a gray T-shirt with black sweatpants. The Belmont Police Department has donated space on a Highway 74 digital billboard in Cramerton to aid in the search. Anyone who sees the vehicle, a dark gray 2017 Nissan Rogue SUV with NC tag 3CH33RS, is urged to call the authorities immediately. Its so painful Police have been searching for the SUV utilizing cameras across the country. We have access to about 6,000 cameras that we can run this plate through, said Assistant Chief Nancy Brogden, Gastonia Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement They have turned up nothing, which is unusual. That concerns family members more. The leads have dried up and its been already so long, said his sister, Nataly Tario. They are thrilled for the billboard and the anonymous donation. Just take some time and help me bring my son back. Its so hard. Its so painful, said his mother, Evelyn Tario. They got another tip Wednesday afternoon and hope it will be something police can use. All other tips have come up empty. One of those is going to end up being my son, said his father, Alfredo Tario. They hope he is home in time for Christmas. It would mean the world, the father said. It would mean that we are complete again. Detective D. Whitlock is the contact for any information regarding Luis Tarios whereabouts, and can be reached at 704-866-6702. VIDEO: Donations drop for Gaston County charities, toy drive impacted Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, addresses the board and members of the public during a regular meeting Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Charleston, West Virginia. (West Virginia Board of Education livestream screenshot) As West Virginia education officials signed off on another round of school consolidations Wednesday, Board of Education President Paul Hardesty repeated a call to lawmakers that they fix the school aid formula he said is to blame for the closures. We continue to hemorrhage enrollment, Hardesty said. The last time the school funding formula was addressed was 1982 in the Recht decision, and its based solely on population. Somebody, somehow, some way, is going to have to factor in that we have rural counties with large square mileage, but not a lot of kids. That has to become factored in somewhere in that formula. Advertisement Advertisement The board of education approved the closures of about a dozen schools in Barbour, Logan, Randolph, Roane, Upshur and Wetzel counties. Under the current school funding formula, counties receive state funding based on the number of students. Schools in nearly every county have lost 2.5% of students in the past year, Superintendent Michelle Blatt told the board in November. School officials have pointed to the states ongoing population decline as a major reason for the enrollment drop. Students are also opting out of public schools to use the states broad school voucher program, the Hope Scholarship. Use of the Hope Scholarship doubled in the 2024 school year compared to the year before, according to West Virginia MetroNews. Advertisement Advertisement According to the state Department of Education, 16 public schools closed in 2024, up from nine in 2023 and five in 2022. We have to get a legislative fix with regards to the formula, or were going to continue to have tough conversations as were having today, Hardesty said. Twenty-seven people signed up to speak at Wednesdays regular board of education meeting. Several people used their two minutes of allotted time to discuss the impacts the school closures will have on their communities. Amber Anderson, a special education teacher at Rock Cave Elementary, which is set to close, said the Upshur County school is a family, a safe haven and the heart of the community. Advertisement Advertisement First of all, I must ask, what price could ever justify risking a students future or tearing out the heart of a community? Anderson said. We, the educators at Rock Cave, know our students, their strengths, their challenges, their dreams and what helps them thrive. Anderson said her students will go from sharing a classroom with eight students to one with 30 when the school is consolidated at French Creek Elementary School. Small class sizes at Rock Cave allow us to meet [student] needs, she said. A larger school will not. Jeff Mace, president of the Roane County Board of Education, told board members school closures would lead to an increased rate of special education needs in his county. The county plans to close Geary Elementary Middle School and Walton Elementary Middle School and consolidate students into Spencer Elementary and Spencer Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Those that can leave will leave, he said. Those that cant leave have needs, and we have to deal with that in our county. Thats going to drive up the cost per pupil, because we will have a greater percentage of special needs children in our public school system. Mace said state lawmakers dont understand how schools are required to operate. Public schools cannot be competitive because they have a large number of laws and regulations to follow, he said. We implore your help to help us inform legislators so that we can go through and increase the knowledge of what is happening to not just Roane County, but all these counties, he said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Accenture and Anthropic have extended their partnership with the goal of advancing AI deployment for enterprises. Under this arrangement, the companies will establish the Accenture Anthropic Business Group, which will involve training approximately 30,000 Accenture professionals on Anthropics Claude AI model. These trained professionals are expected to help clients move from initial AI pilot projects to broader enterprise-scale implementations. As part of the partnership, Accenture and Anthropic are introducing a joint product for chief information officers (CIOs). This offering is designed to help measure value and facilitate widespread adoption of AI-powered software development within their engineering organisations. Claude Code will be central to this solution, working alongside Accentures frameworks for productivity measurement, workflow redesign, and ongoing change management and training. The aim is to allow companies to bring new products to market more quickly and improve development timelines. Anthropic CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei said: AI is changing how almost everyone works, and enterprises need both cutting-edge AI and trusted expertise to deploy it at scale. Accenture brings deep enterprise transformation experience, and Anthropic brings the most capable models. Our new partnership means that tens of thousands of Accenture developers will be using Claude Code, making this our largest ever deployment - and the new Accenture Anthropic Business Group will help enterprise clients use our smartest AI models to make major productivity gains. The companies are also collaborating on sector-specific solutions for highly regulated industries such as financial services, life sciences, healthcare, and the public sector. In financial services, Claude AI can be used to automate compliance processes using document analysis combined with Accentures regulatory knowledge. In healthcare and life sciences, the technology will help researchers analyse data and manage clinical trials. In the public sector, AI agents could assist citizens in navigating government services while maintaining privacy and compliance standards. To support client engagement, Accenture plans to incorporate Claude into its network of Innovation Hubs. These centres will allow clients to prototype and test AI solutions before deploying them more widely. Both companies will also invest in the creation of a Claude Center of Excellence within Accenture for the joint development of new AI offerings tailored to industry requirements and regulatory standards. Last week, Costco nominated Gina Raimondo to its board of directors, a former Biden administration official who has expressed skepticism about President Donald Trumps handling of tariffs. The announcement of Raimondo, who led the Commerce Department and played a significant role in U.S. trade policy, came less than a week after Costco sued the Trump administration to ensure its eligibility for a full refund if the Supreme Court strikes down tariffs. Costco isn't even pretending anymore. They're openly stacking the board with Democratic operatives while waging legal war against the administration's economic agenda, Lebanese Australian entrepreneur Mario Nawfal, an influential commentator on U.S. politics, said in a social media post on X that garnered more than 200,00 views. Vote with your wallet accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement This was not the first time Costco took a position out of step with the administration. Despite mounting pressure from Trump and anti-diversity, equity and inclusion activists, earlier this year, Costco doubled down on its DEI policies even as other corporations abandoned theirs. Presidents wield considerable influence over the corporate world, but none more than Trump. His expansive use of executive power and iron grip on the GOP base has given him an unusual sway over how businesses operate. CEOs make pilgrimages to the Oval Office, bearing gifts and promises of donations to Trump projects. Can Costco continue to dodge the volatile politics of the Trump era? Its rebuke of Trumps signature economic policy has sowed discord in its otherwise faithful ranks. Customers walk in the parking lot outside a Costco store on December 02, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Can Costco duck Trump backlash? In a public Facebook group called Costco Uncensored, the usual chatter about free samples, $1.50 hot dogs and product picks and pans turned to politics as word of the lawsuit spread, generating hundreds of dueling comments per post. Advertisement Advertisement Costco suing government over tariffs! I will be canceling my card, one person posted. Haha, responded a commenter. I am glad one corporation is standing up to the dictatorship. Costco has my business. As political infighting made the usual arguments over Costco's lenient return policy look tame by comparison, tempers boiled. I will cancel my membership and boycott them permanently, one person replied on a post about the tariffs lawsuit. Scoffed another: Costco isnt an airport, you dont have to announce your departure before leaving over the tariff lawsuit. From DEI to tariffs, is Costco woke? During a September earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip said Costco has tried to insulate members from steep tariff hikes and has kept prices for many goods from surging. Advertisement Advertisement We have absorbed costs ourselves and challenged ourselves to offset those costs to protect the member, he said. President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport in Avoca, Pennsylvania, on December 9, 2025. In its lawsuit, Costco took issue with the pell-mell manner by which these on-again/off-again tariffs were threatened, modified, suspended and re-imposed, with the markets gyrating in response. Still, Paul Argenti, a professor of corporate communication at Dartmouths Tuck School of Business, said Costco is not taking much of a political risk. What Costco is doing is not what I would consider very woke or something to get fired up about, Argenti said. Costco knows who they are, they have a strong set of values and they are sticking to them. In the end, they are going to be rewarded for that. Tariffs unpopular with Americans In an interview with Politico this week, Trump gave himself an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus grade on the economy. Tariffs, however, are broadly unpopular with Americans. The interior of a 152,000-square-foot Costco warehouse in St. Johns County, Florida. A Yahoo/YouGov poll conducted Nov. 21-24 found that 52% of Americans say tariffs have done more harm to the economy in the short-term, and 43% said they've had longer-term negative effects. Just 26% said tariffs have done short-term good, and 32% said they have had positive long-term effects. Advertisement Advertisement Trump voters have also soured on tariffs, with 22% saying tariffs are boosting the economy now and in the long term, according to a Politico poll, also conducted in November. More than a third 36% said tariffs are harming the economy now but will benefit it over time. Do politics influence Costco shoppers? In a retail world filled with fickle shoppers, Costco commands cult-like allegiance. That copious goodwill is the result of members believing that Costco has their back. Costco stocks far fewer items than most giant retailers but lures value-minded shoppers with a curated assortment of quality goods at low prices, ranging from wagyu beef and Dubai chocolates to laundry soap and toilet paper. Members show off their Kirkland Signature-branded clothing and dash off to Costco several times a week to cruise the aisles and munch on samples. Market research firm Kantar estimates Costco clears $530,000 in sales per minute in the United States. And Costco raked in almost $270 million in membership fees alone last year. Kantar data shows that 95% of Costco members plan to renew their membership. The politics of the day seem to have little bearing on that decision. Advertisement Advertisement When Costco stood by its diversity policies, anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck said he expected "a good deal" of members would cancel their memberships. While some in its famously loyal membership base groused, Costco suffered no discernible political consequences. Costco members are unlikely to change their minds now, said David Primo, professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester in New York in large part because when you walk into a Costco, you dont feel like you are being preached to. Republican voters still largely support Trump's tariffs, and Raimondo is a former President Joe Biden appointee, so on its face, these would seem to be risky moves. But its important to remember that Costco is different from brands like Target or Bud Light that have been caught in conservative crosshairs, Primo said. Its consumer base is fiercely loyal, in part because there are fewer substitutes for its mix of offerings. Boycotting Target is easy. Boycotting Costco would require a lifestyle adjustment for many. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Costco suing Trump sparks political discord among loyal members Amid backlash from residents in the western part of Palm Beach County, commissioners voted Dec. 10 to postpone a hearing until April to determine the fate of a 1.8-million square-foot data center near the Arden community. This data center, proposed along the north side of Southern Boulevard west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, would be an Artificial Intelligence hyperscale one, a large facility designed to handle substantial amounts of data and computing tasks. Instead of a public hearing on the merits of the project, speakers at the commission hearing were limited to commenting on whether a postponement should be granted. At issue is the level of noise and emissions that would come from the diesel backup generators. The proposed hyperscale data center will use thousands of servers and specialized hardware to process huge amounts of data and rely on advanced cooling systems to keep the servers running, Advertisement Advertisement County Mayor Sara Baxter, who represents the western communities, said the applicant, PBA Holdings LLC, agreed to the postponement. Baxter called on the applicant to meet with the community to explain the project before it returns to the commission to seek approval. People hold signs during the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. The board voted to postpone Project Tango application discussions until April 2026. Residents of Arden, a master-planned development expected to include more than 2,000 homes across 1,210 acres, say they have collected nearly 4,000 signatures on petitions opposing the project. They packed the commission meeting room with many of them happy with the postponement, but some were bothered by the inconvenience of the delay caused by the postponement. Ben Brown attended the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. Brown is a vocal opponent of the project and an Arden resident with two children who attend Saddle View Elementary School. Ben Brown, an Arden resident who opposed the postponement, objected to the commission's decision to restrict speakers to commenting on only the move to postpone the hearing. They were not allowed to comment on the merits of the project. Brian M. Seymour, left, attorney with south Florida law firm Gunster attended the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. "We are all here to give you our perspective," he said. "It is not fair for you not to hear from us. You heard from the developer. You need to kill this today." People hold signs during the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. The board voted to postpone Project Tango application discussions until April 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Shay Hoffman said he has children attending a nearby elementary school. "If your kids were attending that school, you would oppose this. Let's not postpone this. This should be a hard no now," he told commissioners. Commissioner Maria Sachs, who represents south county, drew applause when she called for the project to be rejected, but there was no support for her recommendation. Ernie Cox, representing the applicant for Project Tango talks during the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. Where does Gov. DeSantis stand on data center developments? Sachs noted that Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature are considering bills that would prevent AI data centers from being built near residential areas. Ernie Cox, a spokesman for PBA Holdings, said his company agreed to the postponement to prepare a preliminary noise analysis and to explain the project to area residents. Nathan Galang, Greenacres, voices opposition during the Board of County Commissioners Zoning Hearing on the Project Tango agenda item in county commission chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on December 10, 2025. Residents have suggested that the data center, called Project Tango, would destroy the rural character of the areas west of Wellington. Advertisement Advertisement The applicant needs the county to grant a variance to reduce the parking spaces required and to update a previously approved master plan for the business park that would house the data center. Residents complained that the project was placed on the consent list on Dec. 10, a move that could have resulted in a vote without any discussion. The data center would be adjacent to a Florida Power & Light Co. energy plant. The applicant said it already has an agreement with FPL to provide electrical power. Can the data center builder keep the noise to an acceptable level? The biggest concern for Arden residents is noise. They are worried the thousands of servers in the data center could produce levels unacceptable to their community and the nearby Saddle Brook Elementary School. This is too close to a residential development and to the school, Franklin Trujillo said. Advertisement Advertisement County planners said the concerns of residents could be addressed before the project is built. Their staff report concluded that the data center operation would require substantial power consumption and large amounts of water for server cooling. Cox, in an interview, said he understands the issues raised by residents. Arden is a master-planned development expected to include more than 2,000 homes across 1,210 acres. MORE: AI data center planned in Loxahatchee area; Arden residents on edge MORE: As western suburbs boom in PB County, new Fire Rescue stations improving response times "If I looked at the internet and saw how some of them have been built, I would be concerned as well," he said. "This one will be very different, and we will ensure that there will not be an impact on Arden. Advertisement Advertisement The county had approved the site for warehouses and a data center in 2017, but the data center was not then of the size and scale now being proposed. Because of the new scale and size, parking spaces would be reduced to one per parking space per 2,000 square feet. Without the variance, Cox said the project would require parking for every 250 square feet, which would force the applicant to build garages that would remain mostly unused. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County residents on edge as data center hearing postponed Miami voters on Tuesday elected Eileen Higgins as the citys next mayor, ending nearly three decades of Republican control and marking a rare Democratic breakthrough in one of Floridas most politically watched cities. Higgins, a county commissioner, defeated former city manager Emilio Gonzalez by roughly 59 percent to 41 percent, according to preliminary results. Miami had not elected a Democrat to the post since 1997, and the runoff, the citys first since 2001, drew an unusual level of national attention for a formally nonpartisan contest. Higgins also became the first ever woman to be elected mayor of Miami. Higgins framed the result as a response to both local concerns and a broader frustration and fear with political rhetoric in the country. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations, she told the Associated Press after her victory speech. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. Advertisement Advertisement In the campaigns final stretch, Gonzalez received support from prominent statewide and national figures. President Donald Trump endorsed him in a lengthy Truth Social post that emphasized his record in federal immigration leadership and promised he would fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment. Emilio T. Gonzales has my Complete and Total Endorsement. MIAMI: Early Voting is December 5th through December 7th, and Election Day is December 9th. GET OUT AND VOTE FOR EMILIO HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN, Trump wrote. The president carried Miami-Dade County by 11 points in 2024, though his opponent Kamala Harris narrowly won the city of Miami. Despite the national spotlights, Higgins centered her campaign on local issues such as housing affordability, transit, climate resilience, and government transparency. Her margin in the runoff suggests those themes resonated after she led a 13-candidate field in Novembers first round. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Political observers noted that Miamis mayor has relatively limited executive power, and that a single municipal race does not necessarily signal broader political realignment. Still, the rarity of the outcome stood out in a city where Republicans have dominated municipal leadership for nearly 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement The Miami result comes amid a broader wave of Democratic success in 2025 off-year races, including the election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City mayor. In November, Democrats won decisive gubernatorial victories in Virginia and in New Jersey. Meanwhile, in a special House election in Tennessee, Democrats significantly narrowed a deep-red districts margin compared with 2024. National Democrats were quick to highlight the symbolic significance and emphasize what it might mean for Novembers midterms. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries celebrated the result on X, posting: No Democrat has been elected Mayor of Miami in nearly 30 years. Until tonight. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Eileen Higgins on crushing Donald Trumps candidate! We are coming for the three South Florida Republicans next. The post Crushing Trumps candidate: Miami elects first Democratic mayor in nearly 30 years appeared first on Salon.com. Daiichi Sankyo has announced the dosing of first patient in the DESTINY-Ovarian01 Phase III trials randomisation phase, assessing Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) with bevacizumab versus bevacizumab alone as first-line maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer. The trial focuses on patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressing (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 3+/2+/1+) advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer, following initial treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. This randomised, multi-centre, global, open-label, Phase III trial is assessing the safety and efficacy of the Enhertu (5.4mg/kg) combination in the indicated population. Advertisement Advertisement Prior to randomisation, a non-randomised safety run-in phase assessed the safety profile of the combination. The trials primary endpoint is progression-free survival (PFS) as determined by blinded independent central review in the HER2 IHC 3+/2+ population. Overall survival (OS) in the same population is the key secondary endpoint. Other secondary endpoints include PFS and OS in the broader HER2 IHC 3+/2+/1+ population, as well as investigator-assessed PFS in both HER2 subgroups. Nearly 580 participants will be enrolled at sites across Europe, Asia, South America, and North America. The study is being conducted in partnership with the European Network of Gynecological Oncological Trial Groups (ENGOT), with Spanish group GEICO as the lead ENGOT organisation, The GOG Foundation, and Asia-Pacific Gynecologic Oncology Trials Group (APGOT). Advertisement Advertisement Enhertu is a HER2 directed exatecan derivative (DXd) antibody drug conjugate, jointly commercialised and developed with AstraZeneca and discovered by Daiichi Sankyo. Daiichi Sankyo late-stage oncology clinical development head Abderrahmane Laadem said: Results from the ovarian cancer cohort of DESTINY-PanTumor02 demonstrated clinically meaningful and durable responses in previously treated patients with HER2 expressing advanced ovarian cancer, supporting the development of Enhertu in earlier lines of therapy. In March 2025, Enhertu showed clinically meaningful improvement in the DESTINY-Gastric04 Phase III trial, regarding the primary endpoint of OS in individuals with gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. "Daiichi Sankyo announces first patient dosed in Phase III trial of Enhertu" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. CNN political commentator David Axelrod said President Donald Trump is engaged in an exercise in denial when it comes to the economy, and added that it will hurt congressional Republicans in the midterms. On Tuesday, Politico released an interview with the president, who gave the economy a grade of A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus. I wonder what grade you would give your economy, Politicos Dasha Burns said to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement A-plus? Burns reacted. Yeah, A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus, Trump replied, revising the grade upward. He then insisted that he inherited a total mess and claimed that prices are coming down substantially. Anderson Cooper aired the clip on Tuesdays AC360 on CNN, as well as a snippet of a three-time Trump voter who says the president is not doing enough to bring down costs. The host also showed a clip of the president calling the idea of affordability a hoax. As AC360 aired, Trump held a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, ostensibly to discuss affordability, though the president digressed many times in typical fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Axe, will this speech be enough to change perception? Cooper asked. The political strategist responded: Well, Ill tell you what. If I were his advisers, his political advisers, the people who actually go out and poll and do these things, I would be cringing watching this whole day unfold, because this was an exercise in denial. You know what his plus, plus, plus, plus, plus [is]? Thats people looking at their bills. Thats how they feel. You cannot jawbone people into feeling what their life experience is telling them isnt true. And you know, I was in the Obama white house during the Great Recession. We got there at the peak of it, and we thought we were making progress. And, you know, but every time you try to claim progress, you just people resented it because they were living the reality of the crisis. And they hadnt felt, they didnt feel as if we were coming out of it. And thats he is completely digging a hole. The other people who should be worried are Republican members of Congress who have to run next year because this is doing them no good. A few hours earlier on CNN, Jake Tapper responded to Trump giving the economy an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus by noting that Americans have a largely unfavorable view of the economy. The reality, however, is that Americans continue to struggle with rising costs and are increasingly holding Trump responsible, Tapper noted on The Lead. A recent CBS News survey shows just 36% of Americans approve of Trumps handling of the economy. Thats not an A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus. Thats an F. Watch above via CNN. The post David Axelrod Says Trump Is Damaging Congressional Republicans: He Is Completely Digging a Hole first appeared on Mediaite. The state is now officially investigating how Daytona Beach spends tax dollars, as Channel 9 is asking city commissioners why the majority of them voted against their own auditor making the issue a priority. The states audit is in direct response to our deep dive into the citys credit cards, travel and car allowances. Twice since November, Commissioner Stacy Cantu has asked for the citys auditor to prioritize an investigation into the citys credit cards, and both times she was outvoted. However, when we were in Tallahassee yesterday, the state announced that this audit was being moved to the top of the list. Advertisement Advertisement Over the phone Tuesday, Commissioner Ken Strickland told us he wasnt making any more comments until the audit is done. Last week, he had a different response. I would like to see the state mind their own business; we will take care of it. We are working on it as I speak right now, Strickland told us then. We also reached out to commissioners Monica Paris, Paula Reed, Danette Henry, and Quanita May. Last week, Paris told us she would support an outside audit, but hasnt said anything since the state made it official. May, Reed, and Henry havent responded once. We first started reaching out to them on November 12th and have followed up on various issues related to our investigation three times. Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Derrick Henry has maintained he isnt concerned about the citys finances. He shared a statement today: As Mayor, I welcome the operational audit approved by Floridas Auditor General. We are confident in our financial management and view this as an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and accountability. We will provide full cooperation and access to resources, ensuring a comprehensive review. This process allows us to address any misconceptions, rebuild trust with our residents and business partners, and continue driving Daytona Beach forward. We are committed to addressing any findings and maintaining the citys positive trajectory. The city manager had a similar response, saying: Advertisement Advertisement As City Manager, I take our responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars very seriously. The City of Daytona Beach welcomes the states Auditor General to conduct an operational audit of our city. JLACs unanimous decision to support Senator Tom Wrights request for this review underscores the importance of protecting public resources and maintaining confidence in local government. We recognize questions have been raised about the citys handling of public funds, and we see this as an opportunity to correct misinformation, identify areas where we can do better and reinforce internal controls. Our staff will provide complete access to records, systems and personnel, so the audit team can thoroughly evaluate our policies and financial practices. We are committed to transparency and accountability, and we welcome constructive recommendations that will help us improve how we serve the public. Senator Tom Wirght who asked for the state audit said hes concerned with how defensive the city has been throughout this process. He asked for the investigation into the citys finances to be made a top priority. Today, the Auditor Generals office sent us a statement explaining how the process would play out. Advertisement Advertisement An operational audit, which is defined in Section 11.45(1)(i), Florida Statutes, as an audit whose purpose is to evaluate managements performance in establishing and maintaining internal controls, including controls designed to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse, and in administering assigned responsibilities in accordance with applicable laws, administrative rules, contracts, grant agreements, and other guidelines. Operational audits must be conducted in accordance with government auditing standards. Such audits examine internal controls that are designed and placed in operation to promote and encourage the achievement of managements control objectives in the categories of compliance, economic and efficient operations, reliability of financial records and reports, and safeguarding of assets, and identify weaknesses in those internal controls. During the next few weeks, we will establish the scope of our audit to address the concerns of Senator Wright, for example, usage of building permit collections and purchasing cards. Once we establish the audit scope, we will reach out to the City regarding the audit process and to establish onsite working space and will start requesting documentation shortly thereafter. The time to complete an audit is variable, but we typically release our final report approximately one year after starting an audit. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DeepSeek's founder and CEO, Liang Wenfeng, has been listed among the top 10 "people who shaped science in 2025" by the British journal Nature, which hailed the 40-year-old entrepreneur as a "Chinese finance whizz" whose breakthrough artificial intelligence models had stunned the world. The Nature's 10 profile of Liang recognised the disruption caused in January by the release of DeepSeek-R1, a reasoning model that showed how "the United States was not as far ahead in AI as many experts had thought". Hangzhou-based DeepSeek, a spin-off from Liang's High-Flyer Quantitative Fund, made headlines early this year for roiling the US stock market. On January 27, a massive sell-off wiped out nearly US$1 trillion in tech stocks, including US$600 billion from Nvidia alone. 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. The performance of DeepSeek's R1 and V3, released in December, rivalled that of OpenAI's offerings at a fraction of the training cost, which cast doubt on the assumptions that underpinned the high valuations of US semiconductor and AI companies. Training costs for Meta Platforms' Llama 3 405B model, for example, were more than 10 times greater, according to Nature. DeepSeek's open-source models, which are downloaded and built on for free, have been "a boon for researchers who want to adapt algorithms to their own field", according to Nature. That development had "prompted other companies in China and the US to follow suit by releasing their own open models". Advertisement Advertisement In many ways, "DeepSeek has been hugely influential", said Adina Yakefu, a researcher at AI developer platform Hugging Face, in the Nature profile. The building in Hangzhou, the capital of eastern Zhejiang province, houses the headquarters of acclaimed Chinese artificial intelligence start-up DeepSeek. Photo: AFP alt=The building in Hangzhou, the capital of eastern Zhejiang province, houses the headquarters of acclaimed Chinese artificial intelligence start-up DeepSeek. Photo: AFP> That assessment underscored the strides being made by Chinese developers in spite of US tech restrictions barring mainland firms' access to advanced AI chips. In September, DeepSeek's engineers published in Nature the details of how R1 was built and trained. That made R1 the first major large language model to undergo the scrutiny of peer review, according to the scientific journal. Advertisement Advertisement "By releasing its recipe, DeepSeek taught other AI researchers how to train a reasoning model," Nature said. Another distinguished Chinese personality on this year's Nature's 10 list was Du Mengran, a geoscientist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering in Sanya, a city on the southern island province of Hainan. Du and her colleagues explored the hadal zone - the lowermost layer of the ocean, found beyond depths of 6km. "At the bottom of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench northeast of Japan, Du and her team discovered the deepest-known ecosystem with animals on the planet during dives in 2024", which they described this year in Nature, the journal said. The other luminaries in the Nature's 10 list included microbiologist and immunologist Susan Monarez, who briefly served as director of the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; Precious Matsoso, who navigated fractious negotiations to establish the first global pandemic treaty; and systems biologist Yifat Merbl, who uncovered immune system insights from cellular waste. Advertisement Advertisement Also on the list were entomologist Luciano Moreira, who is breeding billions of mosquitoes to fight disease in Brazil; Sarah Tabrizi, the neurologist behind a gene-targeting therapy for those suffering from Huntington's disease; Achal Agrawal, who helped raise awareness about research integrity breaches in India; physicist Tony Tyson, who led the development of the Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile; and KJ Muldoon, a baby whose life was saved by the first personalised CRISPR therapy - a revolutionary gene-editing tool. 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. Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolas Maduro. The flyover carried out despite the Venezuelan regimes possession of a number of Russian-made anti-aircraft batteries took place less than 100 miles northeast of Maracaibo, Venezuelas second-largest city. Thousands of Venezuelans tracked the aircraft online through specialized tracking websites, watching as the jets traced a bow-tie-shaped pattern over the gulf. The fighters remained inside Venezuelan airspace for at least 40 minutes at an altitude of roughly 25,000 feet before heading north and leaving the area. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. fighter jets flew between two key regions for Venezuelas energy sector, Zulia and Falcon states. Lake Maracaibo, whose 5,000 square miles make it of the largest fresh bodies of water on the continent, is the cradle of reserves containing several billions barrels of crude oil. An F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, taxis on the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea. @CVN78_GRFord U.S. military forces are pic.twitter.com/6Foog7X4Vf U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 9, 2025 The flight trails left by U.S. fighter planes, according to flight applications such as FlightRadar24, show them flying at the northern top of Lake of Maracaibo, over the waters of the Gulf of Venezuela, right between the cities of La Guajira, in Zulia, and Coro, the capital of Falcon. The U.S. display comes as Washington continues to build its military presence in the Caribbean, heightening tensions with Caracas. Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has accused the Trump administration of preparing acts of aggression under the cover of counter-narcotics operations. Venezuela has responded to what analysts describe as the largest U.S. deployment in the region in decades by declaring a state of emergency, activating its armed forces and Bolivarian militias, and showcasing what security experts say is one of Latin Americas most layered though unevenly functioning air defense networks. Advertisement Advertisement At the center of that system are Russian-built S-300VM long-range missile batteries, believed to be deployed in three battalions protecting Caracas and key industrial corridors. While it is not known where the fighter jets came from, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, is in the arear and is capable of carrying dozens of F8E/F Super Hornet fighters. As part of Operation Southern Spear, the U.S. has placed an estimated 15,000 to 16,000 U.S. troops near Venezuelan waters. Washington maintains the mission is aimed at curbing narcotrafficking. Caracas insists it is a prelude to regime change. The area overflown by the U.S. jets on Tuesday is particularly important for fishing and the waters are also crossed by oil tankers that load and unload crude oil at the refineries in Zulia and Falcon. Advertisement Advertisement Zulia, one of the most populous states in Venezuela, shares a border with Colombia. Falcon, in the northwestern part of Venezuela, is home to the crude refineries of Amuay and Cardon, key for the domestic fuel market and the nations hydrocarbon sector. The city of Maracaibo is home to one of the main military air bases in western Venezuela, the Rafael Urdaneta Air Base. On its social networks, the air based had announced on Monday that the general commander of the Venezuelan Air Force visited its facilities to inaugurate a dining room and dormitories, an act that was attended by civil authorities, including Zulia Governor Luis Caldera, a supporter of Maduros government. The Venezuelan Air Force reported last Friday that it had intercepted a hostile aircraft that entered the airspace of the state of Apure, about 259 miles from the capital Caracas, which had its transponder turned off, did not present a flight plan and was forced to land by three Venezuelan F16 fighters. A Miami Herald correspondent in Venezuela contributed to this story. Democrat Eric Gisler claimed victory in a special election for Georgias state House District 121, defeating Republican Mack Dutch Guest by approximately 200 votes. Gislers win marks a significant upset in a historically Republican district, with unofficial returns showing he led Guest in a contest with over 11,000 votes cast. The victory is part of a broader trend of Democratic successes in 2025, fueled by dissatisfaction with Republican President Donald Trump. I think we had the right message for the time, Gisler told The Associated Press, attributing his win to Democratic enthusiasm and some Republicans seeking change. Advertisement Advertisement A lot of what I would call traditional conservatives held their nose and voted Republican last year on the promise of low prices and whatever else they were selling, Gisler said. But they hadnt received that. TRENDING STORIES: The race in House District 121 was held to replace Republican Marcus Wiedower, who resigned to focus on business interests. The district includes parts of Oconee County and Athens-Clarke County, areas with mixed political leanings. Advertisement Advertisement Gisler, a Watkinsville resident and owner of a gourmet olive oil store, campaigned on improving health care and increasing affordability. Guest, president of a trucking company, focused on public safety and tax cuts, with endorsements from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Democrats have seen success in other races, including statewide special elections in Georgia and governors races in Virginia and New Jersey. The GOP majority in the Georgia House is expected to decrease, marking a shift in political dynamics. Gislers victory in District 121 reflects a shift in voter sentiment in Georgia, with implications for the states political landscape as Democrats continue to gain ground. Advertisement Advertisement Robert Sinners, a spokesperson with the secretary of states office, said there could be a few provisional ballots left before the tally is finalized. Information from the Associated Press used for this article. Th Democratic bill would fund special education reimbursement on a sum sufficient model instead of a sum certain model. An empty high school classroom. (Dan Forer | Getty Images) Democratic lawmakers are proposing a bill to ensure that school districts get reimbursed for their special education costs at the rates projected when the current state budget was signed. The 2025-27 state budget, passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Tony Evers in July, provided funding that was estimated to bring the reimbursement rate to a historic 42% in the first year of the budget and 45% in the second year. However, recent estimates show the funding set aside will not be enough to meet that rate. Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin currently uses a sum certain funding model for its special education reimbursement rate, meaning payments to schools come from a fixed pot of money set aside in the budget. If schools spend more than estimated, there is no increase in reimbursement and the rate falls. The Department of Public Instruction notified school districts in November that the initial special education reimbursement payments this year will be about 35% of their costs. This will not be the final reimbursement rate. The Democratic bill would change state education funding to a sum sufficient model, meaning the amount of money provided by the state would meet shifting costs to maintain a set reimbursement rate. Rep. Angelina Cruz (D-Racine) said in a statement that the bill gives Republican lawmakers the opportunity to prove that they were serious about providing a special education reimbursement at the rate that they proposed in the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Imagine your employer choosing to pay you for less than half of the work youve done, Cruz said. Thats the position were putting our public schools in. This level of reimbursement is not what our schools want or need, and its not what our children with disabilities deserve. At the very least, we must keep our promise. Rep. Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) said school districts deserve a higher reimbursement rate, noting that many advocates including state Superintendent Jill Underly called for a 90% reimbursement rate in the state budget, and Democratic lawmakers, who are seeking to win control of the Legislature in 2026, would pursue making that a reality in the future. When Democrats control the Legislature, we will fight for full, fair funding in the budget. But right now, this bill ends the broken promises, Phelps said. It prevents another year of shortfalls and tells kids, families and districts that they can count on the state to keep its word. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Dec 9 (Reuters) - Accenture (ACN) and Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) on Tuesday announced an expansion of their partnership through a new business group where around 30,000 of the consulting giant's employees will be trained on the AI startup's Claude model. The tie-up reflects enterprise efforts across industries to upskill their workforce on artificial intelligence technologies, as companies look to boost productivity and streamline operations. More from Yahoo Scout Why are consulting firms racing to strengthen AI capabilities? How does this partnership fit Accenture's broader transformation strategy? How do enterprise AI partnerships reflect workforce transformation trends? What joint AI offerings are planned for regulated sectors? The move mirrors Accenture's deal with OpenAI (OPAI.PVT), announced last week, where it would train hundreds of thousands of its IT workers on ChatGPT Enterprise and work to integrate the technology into workflows. "Our new partnership means that tens of thousands of Accenture developers will be using Claude Code, making this our largest ever deployment," said Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei. Consulting firms are racing to strengthen AI capabilities as clients expand the technology's use beyond chatbots to overhaul core operations and drive demand for packaged services like coding assistants, automated workflows, and multi-step task systems. Accenture and Anthropic will also launch new joint offerings for regulated sectors such as financial services, health and life sciences, and the public sector - areas where AI adoption has lagged due to compliance and data-handling rules. Sign up for Yahoo Finance Breaking News By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe The consulting firm in September had unveiled a six-month $865 million restructuring to realign its workforce and operations as demand shifts toward digital and AI services. (Reporting by Arnav Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo) Democrat Eileen Higgins is projected to win a runoff for the Miami mayors office, delivering yet another decisive rebuke of President Donald Trump. As of Tuesday evening, Higgins, a county commissioner, had secured 59% of the vote and was poised to defeat Republican-backed Emilio Gonzalez, a former city manager. News: Poll Shows Democrats With A Huge Advantage Going Into The Midterms While the race was technically nonpartisan, prominent Democrats, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), had weighed in to back Higgins. At the same time, Republicans, including President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, had done the same for Gonzalez. Advertisement Advertisement Higginss win is a major boost for Democrats, given the gains that Trump made in Miami-Dade County during his 2024 run against former Vice President Kamala Harris. Last year, Trump won 55% of the countys votes after winning just 46% in 2020. Higgins will also be the first Democrat and first non-Hispanic person to hold the citys mayoral office in roughly 30 years. Eileen Higgins speaks with supporters before canvassing a neighborhood for votes on Dec. 8, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle via Getty Images Her victory adds to other successes that Democrats have seen in places like Virginia and New Jersey in 2025, and further bolsters the partys momentum going into next years midterms. It also points to solid support for Democrats from Latino voters, who comprise 64% of the electorate in Miami-Dade County. Thats significant, given the inroads Trump had made with Latino voters in the region in 2024. News: A New Illinois Law Seeks To Protect Immigrants Amid Trump's Crackdowns Higginss campaign addressed both local issues, including affordable housing, and national ones, such as the Trump administrations aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. Advertisement Advertisement What I will tell our congressional delegation and every person serving in Congress and the Senate is this immigration, these tactics, theyre not only cruel, I grew up Catholic, I think theyre also sinful, she told CBS News. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out his Floridians First budget proposal Wednesday in Orlando, calling for more than $1.5 billion in funding for teacher pay increases and a continuation of his key environmental and law enforcement initiatives. As he approaches his final year in office, DeSantis said he wants a $117 billion spending plan, about the same as the current years budget. What the budget does is it builds off the success that weve had, he said at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This budget is entitled Floridians First because that is the focus of it. It is putting our people first and making sure we are good stewards but also making sure the needs that we have are being addressed. Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis said his budget proposal continues many of his top objectives, including $5,000 law enforcement recruitment bonuses, springs and Everglades restoration and expedited roadwork to alleviate traffic bottlenecks near Walt Disney World and elsewhere in the state. The proposal, which covers the fiscal year starting July 1, is a recommendation to the state Legislature. The Legislature may incorporate some or none of the governors recommendations during its 60-day session that starts Jan. 13. This year, the Legislature had to go into overtime before it resolved its clashes over state spending priorities. The governor last year requested a $115.6 billion budget. He signed a $117.4 billion budget in June, after vetoing $567 million from the Legislative budget bill. Advertisement Advertisement His budget request this year is $117.36 billion DeSantis highlighted his administrations efforts to boost teacher pay and recruit college faculty. His proposal includes $30.6 billion for K-12 public schools, nearly $6 billion in operating funds for state colleges and universities, and $1.7 billion for early childhood education. It sets aside $1.56 billion for teacher pay increases and $100 million for recruitment and retention of university faculty. The teacher pay money DeSantis has pushed has boosted starting pay for Floridas public school teachers but left school districts with little money to hike salaries for veteran instructors. As a result, Floridas average starting teacher salary of $48,639 ranks 17th in the nation, but its overall average teacher salary of $54,785 ranks 50th, according to the National Education Association. The Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union, slammed DeSantis budget proposal soon after it was released, saying it continues to support policies that divert money from public schools to school voucher programs and private schools. Advertisement Advertisement While the Governor continues to tout record investments in educator pay, the lived experiences of educators tell a different story, the unions statement reads. Eight years of broken promises have left them in a financial crisis, struggling to afford rent, homeowners insurance, groceries, healthcare, childcare, and other basic day-to-day expenses. Other highlights include nearly $30 billion for the Florida Department of Transportation and the states transportation work program; $13.5 million in pay raises for state law enforcement; $25 million for law enforcement recruitment bonuses; and $1.4 billion for Everglades and water quality projects. DeSantis said the rainy day fund tripled since he took office with the states total reserves nearing $17 billion. The first budget DeSantis signed as governor in 2019 totaled $91 billion in overall spending. Advertisement Advertisement At the Orlando event, DeSantis also reiterated his support for a push to eliminate property taxes on Floridians primary residences. He said his budget proposal includes funding to help offset any property tax losses for rural, fiscally constrained counties. A package of resolutions is moving through the Florida House that could lead to amendments on the 2026 ballot that would modify property taxes, including providing an additional exemption for homesteaded properties that have property insurance to totally eliminating non-school property taxes for all homesteaded properties. Ballot items would need the support of at least 60% of voters to pass. Orlando Sentinel staff writer Jeffrey Schweers contributed to this report. Arturo Gamboa receives a hug after speaking to reporters in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Annie Knox, Utah News Dispatch) For almost six months, Arturo Gamboa stayed silent. Now that prosecutors agree he committed no crime in connection with a fatal shooting at Salt Lake Citys No Kings protest in June, he is starting to share his view of what happened that day. At a news conference Tuesday, Gamboa said he carried a rifle at the protest to peacefully exercise his First and Second Amendment rights and didnt plan to harm anyone. Advertisement Advertisement I did not fire a single shot. I did not have any ammunition in the rifle. However, the blame was placed squarely on my shoulders, Gamboa told reporters in a measured voice, speaking publicly about the shooting and his subsequent arrest for the first time. Arturo Gamboa receives medical attention after being taken into police custody after a shooting at the No Kings protest in Salt Lake City on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Salt Lake City police arrested him for investigation of murder at the June 14 protest, saying an armed safety volunteer saw Gamboa manipulate his rifle and shot at Gamboa, wounding him and accidentally killing innocent bystander Afa Ah Loo in the process. Nearly six months after the protest, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced last week he would not charge Gamboa with any crime. The same day, Gill filed a charge of manslaughter against the safety volunteer, Matthew Scott Alder, in the death of Ah Loo. Gamboa spent six days in jail, his attorney noted Tuesday, but Alder has not spent any time behind bars as authorities say he has cooperated with them. Advertisement Advertisement His attorney Greg Skordas told reporters his client was a victim. Skordas displayed large pictures at the news conference of two wounds from a bullet entering and exiting Gamboas abdomen, saying they illustrate that Gamboa was bent down when hes shot. Hes running for his life when hes shot. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Skordas said he understands why some people were alarmed when they saw Gamboa carrying a gun at the protest in Salt Lake City. But what caused some concern in this case wasnt Arturo carrying a gun, so much as a large Hispanic man was carrying a gun, Skordas said. Advertisement Advertisement Asked if he believes racial bias played a role, Gamboa referenced a history of such bias against people of color in the United States and said, I have no doubt that played a factor because it has always played a factor. He told reporters he believes the reality of the situation is that you will see those biases once again in the leniency that is shown to the perpetrator, rather than what was shown to me. In response to Gamboas comments on racial bias, Gill said in a statement that his office acted based on the evidence and in line with its ethical obligations. His prosecutors got approval from a judge to hold Gamboa in jail for longer than they did, Gill said, but they agreed to his release from jail on June 20 and drafted the court order that allowed him to walk free within a week of his arrest. Gill called the case a perfect storm created by Utahs strong self-defense laws and gun laws allowing people to openly carry their weapons in public. Advertisement Advertisement Gamboa wants to recoup medical debt of more than $10,000 but isnt suing anyone yet, Skordas said, because he doesnt want to interfere with Ah Loos family recovering any damages they may be entitled to. Gamboa described being shackled while in jail, wearing handcuffs, a waste chain, leg cuffs, and wearing a chain leash. He spoke of irreparable damage to your psyche, to have never had encounters with police outside of trying to demand justice for oppression and wrongdoings, but to never have been in a jail facility, never been into a prison, to then be chained and bound. He said he wants to see large-scale changes to the prison system and to laws giving police broad immunity from liability, though he didnt suggest specifics. On a personal level, he said, I think that its going to be a lot of healing, a lot of therapy. Given the international publicity of the case, Gamboa added, my life is forever changed. The Trump administration has removed Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the National Park Services free admission days, sparking emotional reactions from the community. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The decision means that visitors will now have to pay to visit the MLK National Historical Park in Atlanta on these previously free admission days. The administration added Flag Day, which coincides with President Trumps birthday, as a new free admission day. Advertisement Advertisement Push has come to shove. This should not be allowed, said Marcus Payne, a resident who broke down in tears discussing the decision. Martin Luther King III expressed disappointment. The decision to remove free entry on this day, as well as on Juneteenth, is beyond disappointing and contradicts the very inclusion these holidays represent, Martin Luther King III wrote. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Bernice King commented on social media, expressing greater disappointment with systemic issues than with the park entry fee change. Im far, far more disappointed (and mournful) that the United States continues to perpetuate poverty, militarism (yielding genocide), and racism than I am by National Park entry no longer being free on MLK Day, Bernice King wrote. Political analyst Bill Crane noted the financial strain on the National Park Service but acknowledged the sensitivity of the holiday selection. The National Park Service is straining for revenue, Krane said. I dont think its intentionally a message but its definitely sending a message to African Americans that you and your holidays do not matter. Advertisement Advertisement Its dishonorable, and as a veteran, I dont know how any of us can stand for this, Payne said. Im more confused on why you want to go ahead and do something like this, resident Julian Roberts told Channel 2s Audrey Washington. The Interior Secretary defended the policy change, stating it ensures taxpayers continue to enjoy affordable access. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEED TO KNOW A fit and well man was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke caused by blood pressure that was sky high After he was discharged, his blood pressure began to rise again, and upon a follow-up visit, he shared with his doctors that he consumes 8 energy drinks a day The man was drinking more than 3 times the recommended amount of caffeine A fit and well mans habit of downing 8 energy drinks a day caused him to have a stroke and hes left with lingering damage. A 54-year-old warehouse worker arrived to the emergency room with numbness, weakness on his left side, and ataxia (trouble with balance and movement), according to a case report in BMJ Journals. He was normally fit and well, the report says except for his blood pressure. Advertisement Advertisement His blood pressure was sky high about 254 over 150 millimeters yet when you looked at him youd never know it, because he looked so well. Thats why we call hypertension the silent killer, Dr. Sunil Munshi, a consulting physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the United Kingdom, and senior author of the report, told CNN. Getty Stock image of a patient in a hospital bed. Stock image of a patient in a hospital bed. Normal blood pressure for a man his age is less than 120 over less than 80, per the American Heart Association. His numbers are classified as a hypertensive emergency. The blood pressure had caused a stroke in the deeper part of the brain, the thalamus, which explains the unsteadiness, Munshi told the outlet. The man, a warehouse worker from the Sherwood district of the English city of Nottingham, was admitted and treated with five different medications to make his blood pressure drop. After he was discharged, his blood pressure began to increase again, leaving doctors baffled until, as Munshi shares, he told doctors about his energy drink habit. Advertisement Advertisement Each day he consumed eight highly potent energy drinks to stay alert for his job two cans at four different times during the day, Munshi told CNN. Each of the drinks contained 160 milligrams of caffeine. Suddenly the diagnosis was clear. The Mayo Clinic says that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day seems safe for most adults; the patient was drinking more than three times that amount. Too much caffeine can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to a study from the American College of Cardiology. Shutterstock / New Africa Stock image of the tops of energy drinks. Stock image of the tops of energy drinks. 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. He stopped drinking the energy drinks (the specific brand was not identified in the study), and his blood pressure returned to normal. But the lingering impact of his stroke and energy drink habit remain, he told his doctors, per CNN. Advertisement Advertisement I obviously wasnt aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself, he said, explaining hes been left with numbness [in my] left hand side hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years. As Munshi explained, there are other ingredients in energy drinks that can contribute to health problems. Energy drinks that contain caffeine plus taurine produce significantly higher blood pressure than caffeine alone, he said. They also contain high levels of glucose we know sugar damages the blood vessels in diabetes which leads to heart damage. Read the original article on People (Photo by Getty Images) Loudoun County Public Schools could be at risk of losing federal funding, after the U.S. Department of Justice claimed the school board did not protect the religious rights of two Christian students accused of violating Loudouns transgender-access policy, the agency announced in a lawsuit on Monday. The outcome of the lawsuit could affect how all school divisions that receive federal funds must protect students civil rights. Loudoun schools declined to comment due to the pending litigation. Advertisement Advertisement The agency alleges that LCPS applied its Policy 8040, which requires students and faculty to accept and promote gender inclusivity, to two students the department identified as male Christians. The male students had said they felt uncomfortable in March after a student assigned female at birth changed clothes in a boys locker room and recorded the event. LCPS suspended the boys for 10 days and ordered them to submit to a Comprehensive Student Support Plan, which the agency says further violates the boys right to free exercise of religion at school. The penalty was suspended after a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in favor of the students, blocking the school division from enforcing the suspension while the court case proceeds and preventing the harassment finding from going on the students records. Students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement. Loudoun Countys decision to advance and promote gender ideology tramples on the rights of religious students who cannot embrace ideas that deny biological reality. The case was a centerpiece of Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears campaign this year, after Gov. Glenn Youngkin directed the Office of the Attorney General to investigate the school systems claims against the students in May. By June, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced that his offices investigation had been referred to the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice for further review. His office described the school systems actions as a retaliatory Title IX investigation targeting the three Stone Bridge High School students. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights found that LCPS violated Title IX and retaliated against the male students by not handling sexual-harassment complaints equally. Loudouns transgender-access policy, or Policy 8040, has been a source of contention since a 2021 bathroom assault case involving a male student who was found guilty of attacking two female students at different schools over six months. In the first incident, the male student was wearing a skirt when he assaulted a female student in a girls bathroom, although theres no evidence that he identified as female. Stone Bridge High School, one of the schools where the assaults took place, is where the latest locker room incident occurred. In 2023, Loudoun County Public Schools launched a pilot program to improve restroom privacy and safety. The initiative was designed to increase accessibility and provide students with the option of using multi-fixture, gender-specific restrooms or single-occupancy restrooms across all LCPS facilities. Stone Bridge was not included in the pilot. Advertisement Advertisement Loudoun County Public Schools declined to comment due to pending litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. High-risk status The school systems prospect of losing federal funds can also be connected to a change the Department of Education made in August to how Loudoun County and four other school divisions would receive federal funds. On Aug. 19, the Office of Civil Rights determined that five Virginia school divisions Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County Public Schools violated Title IX by allowing students to access sex-segregated facilities based on gender identity rather than biological sex through their respective transgender policies. The Youngkin administration overhauled the transgender student model policies for all schools in Virginia, however, some like those in Northern Virginia opted not to accept them. Advertisement Advertisement Since the school divisions rejected signing an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education to resolve the violations and rescind the policies, they were placed on high-risk status, with the condition that all federal funding they would receive be done by reimbursement only. In August, the agency halted giving money for financial assistance to the districts. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON The Federal Highway Administration is calling on the private sector to come up with the additional money needed to relieve one of the countrys top freight chokepoints. The American Legion Memorial Bridge along the Capital Beltway outside Washington, D.C. the primary East Coast bypass for long-distance trucks is costing the freight industry an estimated $43 million in delays due to congestion. But because the state of Maryland does not have the money to replace it, FHWA has put out an information request seeking innovative project delivery methods to get the project moving. Advertisement Advertisement Public-private partnerships (P3s) help address public funding constraints by enabling projects to be financed over longer periods, transferring appropriate risks to the private sector, reducing lifecycle costs through private-sector efficiencies, and leveraging private capital to support upfront construction, FHWA states in a notice posted on Wednesday. [Transportation] Secretary [Sean] Duffy has emphasized a commitment to making the United States the worlds leading destination for private infrastructure investment. Collaboration with the private sector also introduces additional due diligence and diversifies funding sources, enhancing both accountability and project delivery. The 60-year old bridge is located on the west side of the beltway, and the chokepoint it creates ranks the corridor at Number 19 on the American Transportation Research Institutes Top 100 truck bottlenecks. FHWA noted that the bridge carries average annual daily traffic of over 216,000 vehicles and 21,400 heavy trucks per day, with peak speeds frequently falling to roughly 15 mph. Congestion at the Bridge is prolonged and recurring, which translates directly into measurable costs, FHWA noted. Advertisement Advertisement Freight-dependent industries (transportation, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing support) represent a major component of the regional economy, collectively contributing about 19% of the regions Gross Domestic Product (over $660 billion in 2022). Recurring congestion along this high-volume freight corridor drives up business operating costs, reduces economic competitiveness, and ultimately increases costs for consumers. FHWA emphasized that the information request, which is open for comments until Feb. 9, 2026, will help the agencys internal reviews of the project and be provided to Maryland, which owns the bridge, for further consideration. Questions to which FHWA seeks responses include: How has congestion around the American Legion Memorial Bridge affected your daily commute, fuel consumption, travel time, and reliability? What direct and indirect economic impacts have you observed (e.g., reduced productivity, increased freight or delivery costs, missed appointments or shipments, lost sales, increased vehicle operating costs)? Has the congestion around the American Legion Memorial Bridge affected your stress levels, health, and overall quality of life? Which travel patterns (work-based trips, school routes, emergency services, chores, errands) are most disrupted by the congestion? Are there specific days, times, or circumstances in which the congestion is acutely observed? What kind of wear and tear on your vehicle have you had to address as a result of the congestion? Related articles: Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher. The post DOT wants private sector to end $43M freight bottleneck appeared first on FreightWaves. A Durham judge is facing domestic violence charges. Durham County Chief District Court Judge Clayton Jones is facing a misdemeanor charge of assault on a female and misdemeanor domestic violence after an alleged fight at an Advance Auto store. Jones allegedly took a woman to get some work done on her car on Nov. 29. An apparent argument ensued between the two that day, and Jones is accused of allegedly grabbing her by the neck. Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the woman called 911 but hung up. 911 operators reportedly called back twice but got no answer. Jones' attorneys called the accusations against him false. "These events that led to the false accusation happened at a local business," his attorneys, Bill Thomas and Kellie Mannette, said in part. "During the exhaustive police investigation, not a single eyewitness was found at the business who supported the false claim of assault. Being a judge comes with the public eye and additional scrutiny. Judge Jones deeply respects the court process and expects to be quickly vindicated in this matter." ABC11 also learned that the woman had a protective order against Jones that expires Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Jones was released on a $500 bond. The case has been given a change of venue and was moved to Guilford County with a Jan. 15 court date. Judge Doretta L. Walker, a district court judge, has been appointed on a temporary basis to replace Jones during his absence. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App A contingent of six U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets, roughly a full squadron, is now forward-deployed at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico. This is a particularly notable addition to the ongoing build-up of U.S. forces in the region that goes beyond a typical show of force and a general bolstering of capacity to support current counter-drug operations. Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, #UnitedStates ( ) We now have visual confirmation of the arrival of the 6x @USNavy EA-18 Growlers in Ceiba. They join the @USMC F-35B Lightning IIs at the base, and their sisters currently deployed upon the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). https://t.co/PdlkHKLiCApic.twitter.com/iUQkDGYlq0 SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) December 10, 2025 The EA-18Gs now in Puerto Rico are critical force multipliers. Their deployment is indicative of what one would see in the lead-up to a kinetic operation centered heavily on strikes on targets in inland areas, such as ones the United States might carry out in Venezuela in the future. Growlers could provide electronic warfare support for platforms launching standoff attacks or penetrating through enemy air defenses to get closer to their objectives. The jets could also help ensure the survivability of standoff munitions themselves. A stock picture of a pair of EA-18G Growlers. Air National Guard Other mission sets, including the insertion and/or extraction of special operations forces or other ground units, as well as combat search and rescue, would benefit from Growler support. In the context of Venezuela, as TWZ has previously explored in detail, the elements that currently make up that countrys air defense network do present varying degrees of threats that U.S. mission planners would have to take into account in any such operations. Does this mean strikes are soon to begin in Venezuela, no it doesn't, but it is among the most interesting movements we have seen that would point to preparing for this. More on Venezuela's air defense capabilities here: https://t.co/IYAm9hIu0z Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) December 9, 2025 And these would likely be land based, not deployed to augment the carrier air wing directly. Standard stuff for the EA community. Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) December 9, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Just yesterday, TWZ highlighted the role that Growlers could play in future operations aimed at Venezuela after a pair of those jets took part in a new major show of force off the coast of that nation. As part of that mission, two F/A-18 Super Hornets flew right into the middle of the Gulf of Venezuela, which is bounded on three sides by that countrys national territory. You can read more about those sorties in our previous reporting here. Certainly a show of force there with the US Navy F/A-18s https://t.co/ToBu3FXN7H pic.twitter.com/a3BMSnNwaC SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) December 9, 2025 There had already been signs that a deployment of EA-18Gs to Puerto Rico was in progress earlier in the week. Online flight tracking data and other open-source information had pointed to U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tankers dragging a group of Growlers from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island in Washington State toward the Caribbean. Video said to show those aircraft touching down at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads base, also now known as Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport, appeared on social media late last night. Reuters subsequently published a picture, seen earlier in this story, offering further visual confirmation that these aircraft are indeed Growlers. The paint job on one of the jets points more specifically to the aircraft belonging to Electronic Attack Squadron 132 (VAQ-132). TWZ has reached out to the Navy and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) for more information. RCH077 (#AE5FA5) and RCH078 (#AE574F) are currently flying a round-trip out of McConnell AFB (KIAB) in support of Coronet South 810. They are dragging FEUD(?)51 flight of at least 6x F18s, likely E/A-18Gs from NAS Whidbey, to the Caribbean. https://t.co/JJlPUsuqFupic.twitter.com/m2aGXXWjPM LatAmMilMovements (@LatAmMilMVMTs) December 9, 2025 The picture from Reuters shows some of the EA-18Gs now in Puerto Rico are carrying new AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) electronic warfare pods under their wings. Other Growlers in the contingent have older AN/ALQ-99 types. With the transition from the ALQ-99 to the ALQ-249 still underway, this mixture of pods is commonly seen among deployed Growler units. A pair of EA-18G Growlers seen on board the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in November 2025. The jet on the left is carrying AN/ALQ-249(V)1 pods, while the one on the right has the older AN/ALQ-99s. USN NGJ-MB, with its new active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas and modular open-architecture design, represents a significant leap in capability over its predecessor. It offers increased jamming capability at higher power and longer ranges than the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jammer System, as well as the ability to rapidly update hardware and software to counter rapidly evolving threat capabilities, according to a report the Pentagons Office of the Director of Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) released earlier this year. An AN/ALQ-249(V)1 NGJ-MB pod. Raytheon Advertisement Advertisement NGJ-MB, with its new active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas and modular open-architecture design, represents a significant leap in capability over its predecessor. It offers increased jamming capability at higher power and longer ranges than the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jammer System, as well as the ability to rapidly update hardware and software to counter rapidly evolving threat capabilities, according to a report the Pentagons Office of the Director of Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) released earlier this year. The new pod is designed to improve EA-18G capabilities against modern, advanced RF [radiofrequency] threats, communications, datalinks, and non-traditional RF targets, a previous DOT&E report had also explained. The ALQ-249 is designed to deny, degrade, or deceive the enemys use of the electromagnetic spectrum by employing both reactive and preemptive jamming techniques while enhancing the friendly forces use of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Growlers electronic warfare suite also allows for the collection of intelligence data that can be used to help glean insights into adversary capabilities and to create so-called Electronic Orders of Battle outlining the disposition of their forces in a given area. The latter information is especially useful for mapping out air defense networks and communications nodes as part of planning for future strike operations. The EA-18Gs can also directly attack enemy air defense assets, as well as other targets on the surface, using AGM-88-series anti-radiation missiles. The Navy jets are also able to carry AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), primarily for self-defense. All of this underscores the specialized capabilities the Growlers provide, which do not fall directly in line with the demands of current enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the region. The centerpiece of those efforts so far has been controversial strikes on small boats alleged to be involved in drug smuggling. A US Navy EA-18G carrying a pair of AGM-88-series anti-radiation missiles under its wings, as well as two AIM-120 AMRAAMs on the fuselage stations outboard of its engine intakes. USN As noted, EA-18Gs Electronic Attack Squadron 142 (VAQ-142), also based at NAS Whidbey Island, was already in the Caribbean before yesterday. Those jets arrived in November along with the rest of the air wing aboard the Navys supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford. A typical Growler squadron consists of five to seven jets, including when embarked on a carrier, meaning the number of these jets now in the region has effectively doubled. It is also worth mentioning here that EA-18Gs regularly operate from bases on land. An EA-18 Growler seen on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford in November 2025. USN Ford and its air wing are just a part of the significant array of forces the United States has already amassed in the region, with a host of other surface warships, crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and ground forces being present, as well. Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters and other aircraft have already been operating from Puerto Rico for months now. In total, there are some 15,000 American military personnel forward-deployed across the Caribbean, which also includes a major special operations component. Advertisement Advertisement All this being said, whether or not U.S. President Donald Trumps administration decides to pursue direct military action in Venezuela remains to be seen. American authorities have made it no secret that a maximum pressure campaign against Maduros regime is very much underway. U.S. and other foreign officials have called for him to step down. The Venezuelan leader is also alleged to have ties to an entity referred to as the Cartel of the Suns, which is now also designated as a terrorist organization, and has been under indictment in the United States on narcotics and other charges since 2020. American authorities are currently offering a $50 million bounty for information leading to his arrest. His [Maduros] days are numbered, President Trump said yesterday during an interview with Politicos Dasha Burns when asked if he would like to see the Venezuelan leader out of power. During a recent interview Trump is asked about removing Maduro from power, He refuses to rule out any options and says Maduros days are numbered Trump also added that he wanted The people of Venezuela to be treated well#Venezuela pic.twitter.com/TPCV0huV6F CNW (@ConflictsW) December 9, 2025 In that same interview, Trump declined to say how far the U.S. government might be willing to go to achieve that aim, but also declined to rule out the possibility of a ground invasion or other military action. TWZ has previously explored what American ground operations and/or strikes against targets inside Venezuela might entail. With the new contingent of Growlers now on the ground in Puerto Rico, it may not be long before it becomes more apparent what role they have to play in operations in the region. Update, 4:05 PM EST: In another new development regarding the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Venezuela, President Donald Trump has confirmed the seizure today of an oil tanker off the coast of the South American country. Advertisement Advertisement Weve just seized a tanker on [sic] the coast of Venezuela, Trump told members of the press at the start of a meeting with business leaders. And other things are happening. Youll be seeing that later. Trump: "It's been an interesting day from the standpoint of news. As you probably know, we've just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Largest one ever seized actually. And other things are happening." pic.twitter.com/wyOYMKCJTT Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 10, 2025 Trump did not name the ship or otherwise elaborate. Reuters had earlier reported that the U.S. Coast Guard had led the interdiction of the tanker, citing unnamed U.S. officials. A British maritime risk firm, Vanguard, told that outlet that the vessel in question is believed to be named Skipper. The seizure is said to be ostensibly linked to U.S. sanctions on the trade of Iranian oil. British maritime risk management group Vanguard said the tanker Skipper was believed to have been seized off Venezuela early on Wednesday. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the tanker for what Washington said was involvement in Iranian oil trading when it was called the Adisa. Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) December 10, 2025 Politico has reported that the seized tanker was bound for Cuba, citing an unnamed source. Update, 7:15 PM EST: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has shared video footage, seen below, of the seizure of the tanker off the coast of Venezuela today. Personnel are seen rappelling onto the deck of the ship from a Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter. Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025 Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, Bondi wrote in an accompanying post on social media. For multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securelyand our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues. CBS News has also now reported that the Navy helicopters used in the operation, which also included U.S. Marines, launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. MORE via @CBSNews: The helicopters used in the US seizure of the oil tanker had launched from the USS Gerald Ford, per sources. The boarding team was comprised of Coast Guards Maritime Security and Response Team (MSRT), an elite maritime-interdiction unit based on the East Coast Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) December 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Contact the author: joe@twz.com A scale model of the Airbus Blended-Wing Body concept aircraft, which would run on hydrogen. Richard Baker/In Pictures via Getty Images Airbus' CEO said the next generation of commercial aircraft could look like the B-2 bomber. The design combines the fuselage and wings into one giant wing with the cabin built inside. It promises better fuel burn and passenger space, but it may have few windows. The future of aviation could look surprisingly similar to the triangular paper airplanes you folded as a kid. More from Yahoo Scout Why has Airbus delayed its ZEROe timeline significantly? What are the key advantages of blended-wing body aircraft? How are aviation startups competing with Airbus and Boeing? What challenges do BWB designs face for passenger acceptance? In an interview with Tobias Fuchs and Martin Murphy at the German newspaper Bild, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said that over the next 30 or 40 years, planemakers may abandon the traditional tube-and-wing layout for a single, thick wing with the passenger cabin built inside. This design known as a "blended-wing body," or BWB distributes lift across the entire sweeping wing, allowing for heavier carrying capacity and greater efficiency than conventional jets. Faury said a widebody aircraft would be "better suited" for the concept. He added that the BWB benefits come with trade-offs, including the possibility of eliminating windows. Passengers wouldn't receive any natural light, and some could get disoriented or experience claustrophobia. A rendering of the proposed economy section of Airbus' ZEROe BWB. Airbus Emergency evacuations could also be challenging: passengers and crew would have no view of what's going on outside, and those in the cabin center would be farther from exits than on today's jets. Faury's comments are the latest sign that Airbus sees opportunity in the blended-wing design, an area where it faces competition from new aircraft makers seeking to beat Airbus to market. The BWB design has a long history. The Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bomber often cited as the best-known "flying wing" aircraft first flew in 1989. Although the BWB concept dates back even further, renewed interest emerged in the early 1990s when McDonnell Douglas explored a blended-wing transport idea that eventually evolved into the BWB-17 in partnership with NASA. After McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997, Boeing continued the work with NASA to produce the X-48 series of subscale demonstrators until the program ended in 2013. The X-48 series was remotely piloted. Heritage Space/Heritage Images via Getty Images But, to date, no full-size passenger BWB has been certified or flown, and Boeing has not announced plans to develop its own. For its part, Airbus has been exploring BWBs since 2017, and the company's 200-person design is a key pillar of its ZEROe initiative for zero-emission aviation. In 2019, the company flew a small-scale demonstrator that showed potential major fuel savings estimated at around 20% and new cabin layouts made possible by the wider interior. The long-term vision includes running these aircraft on hydrogen rather than traditional jet fuel. Miami voters elected Eileen Higgins as their next mayor on Dec. 9. She is the first Democrat to win the office in decades and the first ever woman to hold the role. While the Miami mayoral position is non-partisan, Higgins' success in the mayoral runoff was a major moment for Democrats, who have defeated GOP rivals in several 2025 off-year elections. Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, votes at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Voters in NYC are voting for who will be replacing Mayor Eric Adams between the front runner New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. More than 735,000 people have voted early, according to the Board of Elections, more than four times as many as in the 2021 contest. This election also has other city offices on the ballot, as well as six proposals. Independent mayoral candidate and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo departs after voting at a polling location at the High School of Art and Design in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Nov. 4, 2025. Election workers transport ballots on a cart during a special election on redistricting at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center in City of Industry, California, November 4, 2025. A display shows an advertisement for betting on the New York City mayoral election, featuring Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani and Independent candidate for New York City mayor and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in Times Square, in New York City, November 4, 2025. A poll worker poses for a photo during Pennsylvania Municipal Election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2025. Mary Wellington, from left, with Ventura County Elections Division, helps first-time voter Makailee Lindbergh, 18, cast her provisional ballot on Proposition 50 at the Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn in Thousand Oaks, California on Nov. 4, 2025. New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), (L) is cheered by supporters as she exits the polling center after casting her vote on Nov. 4, 2025 in Montclair, New Jersey. Sherrill faces off against Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, in a tightly contested race for New Jersey governor. A person exits a polling center after casting her vote on Nov. 4, 2025 in Montclair, New Jersey. Virginia voters cast their ballots at Robius Elementary School Nov. 4, 2025 in Midlothian, Virginia. Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger faces off against Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the Commonwealth of Virginias off-year election for governor and other statewide offices on November 4, a race that will lead to the first female governor in the commonwealths history. Bob Elsea, poll clerk at Ward 6 Precinct 1 at Trinity United Methodist Church, shouts out "polls are open" at 7 a.m. during election day in Anderson, South Carolina., Nov. 4, 2025. Shunmuga Sankaran displays the sticker he recieved while voting at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey on Nov. 4, 2025. Michael Powers, 63, of Pontiac, votes at precinct nine in the gymnasium at the Kennedy School in Pontiac, Michigan on Nov. 4, 2025. The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. smiles as he waits to turn in his ballot alongside his wife Robin Kinloch early on Election Day inside Chrysler Elementary School in Detroit on Nov. 4, 2025. People vote at the Old Portage Masonic Temple on Nov. 4, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Eight people are vying for four seats on the Akron Public School District board. Election officials check in mail-in votes at the Buttonwood Warming House polling station in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Election workers process mail-in ballots at the Lebanon County Courthouse in Pennsylvania on Nov. 4, 2025. MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 4: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (C) submits his ballot with his daughter Freida Frey as he holds his child Estelle Frey at a polling place on Election Day on November 4, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey is seeking reelection to his third term in office as he is opposed by three other local Democrats. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Voters cast their ballots in the municipal election on Nov. 4, 2025, at Holly Tree Elementary in Wilmington, North Carolina. Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins talks with election worker Rhonda Lewis Warren before voting at the Runyon Heights Community House in Yonkers Nov. 4, 2025. Jenkins is running for his first full four-year term for County Executive after winning a special election earlier this year to replace former County Executive George Latimer who had been elected to the U.S. Congress. Mayor Mitch Colvin hugs a voter at a polling site at Cliffdale Recreation Center in Fayetteville on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Hope Mills Commissioner Bryan Marley, left to right, Hope Mills Mayor Jessie Bellflowers and Chilleko Hurst talk outside a polling site at Hope Mills Recreation Center in Hope Mills on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Shortly before 6 a..m., a voter arrives to cast their ballot at Cherry Hill East High School in Cherry Hill, NJ, on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. New Yorkers vote to pick their new mayor at an election site in a church in Manhattan on November 4, 2025 in New York City. The latest polls show the front-runner continues to be Zohran Mamdani, holding a clear lead over independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Hope Mills Commissioners candidate Ronald Starling talks to a voter outside a polling site at Hope Mills Recreation Center in Hope Mills, North Carolina on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. People register to vote at the Lakewood Municipal Building Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025. New Jersey voters decide on who will be the next governor of New Jersey, in addition to the Assembly, and county and local elections. Keith Sjostrand holds his granddaughter, Ila Barrett, 2, while poll worker, Kathleen Forman hands her a voting sticking. Behind them Ila's great-grandfather, Donald Sjostrand, watches with a smile.The family voted at Licking County Church of God in Newark, Ohio, Nov 4, 2025. Two days before election day, Lakewood, NJ, voters and their families wait to cast their early ballots late Sunday afternoon, November 2, 2025, at the Municipal Building on 3rd Street. First time poll worker, Benita Neely, dances with her arms in the air to call people over to drop their ballots in the ballot box at Cherry Valley Elementary in Newark, Ohio, Nov 4, 2025. A volunteer for the Working Families Party speaks to a voter during the Pennsylvania Municipal Election in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 4, 2025. Michael Lopez, 13, takes a selfie with his mother, Olga, after she voted at Burncot High School on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The photo was for Michael, an 8th grader at Burncoat Middle School, to receive extra credit in Steven Mendard's social studies class which was learning about the election process. Bruce Williams fills out a ballot during Election Day at China Grove AME Church in Madison, Miss., on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. Election workers extract ballots as part of ballot processing during a special election on redistricting at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center in City of Industry, California, November 4, 2025. See candidates and constituents cast their ballots on Election Day 2025 1 of 32 Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji, votes at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts on Nov. 4, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Voters in NYC are voting for who will be replacing Mayor Eric Adams between the front runner New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. More than 735,000 people have voted early, according to the Board of Elections, more than four times as many as in the 2021 contest. This election also has other city offices on the ballot, as well as six proposals. It could also be another warning sign for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who endorsed Higgins losing opponent, Emilio Gonzalez. Trump flipped Miami-Dade County, which includes the city of Miami, in the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about Miami's incoming mayor. Who is Eileen Higgins? Eileen Higgins wins Miami mayoral runoff, becoming the citys first woman ever and first Democrat elected in nearly 30 years. Higgins, 61, is a former Miami-Dade County commissioner and represented a district that included the Cuban enclave of Little Havana. She was first elected to the seat in 2018 and relinquished it this year to run in the mayoral race. Higgins resigned from the commission due to Floridas resign-to-run law, which requires an elected official to resign from office before they run for a different elected position. She was the commissions longest-serving member. Throughout her campaign, Higgins has focused on local issues and her previous record as a commissioner who helped expand affordable housing and secure funding for expansions of two rapid transit lines. City of Miami Mayoral candidate Eileen Higgins, and former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried speak to supporters before she canvasses a neighborhood for votes on Dec. 08, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Higgins said in an interview with USA TODAY she has relied on support from members of all parties and would govern with that in mind. Advertisement Advertisement I lead with my Democratic values, but I serve everybody, she said, before her victory. I never asked you what political party you are, and I never asked you if you voted for me. This isnt the first time Higgins has tried to run for another office, after a short attempt for a congressional district in 2022. Higgins ended her campaign in May only a few days after announcing her intention to run for Florida's 27th district seat. At the time, she said she wanted to avoid a Democratic primary against the partys eventual nominee, Annette Taddeo. Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Eileen Higgins? Democrat wins Miami mayoral election Elena Kagan knows why the Supreme Court majority wrongly supported Texas redistricting effort Its emblematic of the Supreme Courts increasingly tenuous legitimacy and image of rank partisanship that no one was surprised last week when it blocked a district court order overturning Texas recently redrawn congressional maps. The new maps were intended to benefit Republicans and potentially flip five House seats from Democratic to Republicans, so, of course, the courts 6-3 conservative majority ruled in their favor. That the courts conservative justices simply ignore the law and lower-court decisions when they hurt Republicans and create new legal doctrines when it benefits the GOP is no longer news. In a clinical 16-page dissent, Justice Elena Kagan laid out in withering detail how her fellow justices ignored the law, past precedent and common sense. Indeed, in a clinical 16-page dissent, Justice Elena Kagan laid out in withering detail how her fellow justices ignored the law, past precedent and common sense in giving Texas Republicans a political boost. The conservative majority isnt even pretending its not putting its finger on the scale to help the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Texas Republicans redrew the states congressional maps this year in a brazen and cynical effort to flip five House seats to the GOP next year. A host of progressive groups quickly sued, claiming Texas had violated the 14th and 15th amendments in using used racial data in its gerrymandering process. A U.S. district judge appointed by President Donald Trump conducted an exhaustive nine-day hearing, heard testimony from 23 witnesses and pored over more than 3,000 pages of evidence. Then, he issued a 160-page decision that found overwhelming evidence that Texas had, indeed, created a racial gerrymander and he blocked the maps. Yet, Kagan wrote,this Court reverses that judgment based on its perusal, over a holiday weekend, of a cold paper record. Considering how breezily they dismissed the district court judges ruling, its hard to imagine the conservative majority even bothered to read the opinion. If they did glance at it, they did so with minds already made up. To step back a moment, in 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that while distasteful, unjust and incompatible with democratic principles, excessive partisan gerrymandering was beyond the reach of the federal courts and thus legal. And in a concurring opinion in the Texas case, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that state Republicans were motivated by partisan advantage pure and simple. Advertisement Advertisement But the evidence uncovered by the district court suggests this simply isnt true. The district court found repeated instances of Texas legislators admitting the new districts were drawn along racial lines. The evidence that emerged in trial of the GOPs racial intent was overwhelming. For example, in direct testimony, Texas mapmaker argued that he was motivated by the goal of delivering Texas Republicans more House seats but then acknowledged that he had racial data available at the press of a key on his redistricting software. The new maps constructed three majority Black or majority-Hispanic districts, by the smallest amount possible in some cases, less than half a percentage point. Kagans dissent notes that an expert witness testified she had generated tens of thousands of congressional maps that benefit Republicans and dont use racial data and not one of them had racial demographics that looked anything like those in the 2025 Map. Moreover, the district court found repeated instances of Texas legislators admitting the new districts were drawn along racial lines. For example, the Republican who introduced the bill redrawing the maps said, [W]e created four out of five new seats to have a Hispanic majority. I would say thats great. Advertisement Advertisement This wasnt even a close call, and yet, in a few paragraphs, the Supreme Court breezily dismissed the district courts findings of fact. Amazingly, Alito went a step further and attacked the plaintiffs for using false claims of racial gerrymandering for partisan ends. By this logic, the blatant partisans are not the Texas Republicans who redrew the states maps to give themselves a clear political advantage, but rather those who argued, correctly according to the district court, that Texas maps were motivated by racial intent. What is particularly galling about the decision, as Kagan notes, is that under the courts precedents, it is required to give significant deference to a lower courts findings of fact regarding a racial gerrymander. The 6-3 conservative majority simply ignored that standard. Kagan chastises her colleagues for acting like we know better than the court that actually listened to the evidence. Compounding the courts terrible decision is the main rationale used by the majority. The District Court improperly inserted itself into an active primary campaign, causing much confusion and upsetting the delicate federal-state balance in elections, the Supreme Courts majority wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Here the court is obliquely referring to the Purcell principle, which establishes that courts should avoid making decisions too close to an election as it might cause voter confusion. Those of you reading that last paragraph might be confused. Its December 2025. As Kagan dryly notes, Texas is not on the eve of an election. If SCOTUS had upheld the district courts decision, then Texas would use the same House maps from 2022 and 2024. One might even argue that alllowing Republicans to change that map creates far greater voter confusion. The Supreme Courts reasoning is ludicrous and also incredibly dangerous. If Purcell prevents changing electoral law nearly a year before the election, said Kagan, then it gives every State the opportunity to hold an unlawful election. Advertisement Advertisement That means that Indiana and Florida, two Republican-run states that are currently considering redrawing their House maps, could create racial gerrymanders and, according to the Supreme Court, there is no legal discourse to stop them. Whats to prevent Florida from utilizing Jim Crow tactics, such as demanding voters pass a literacy test or adopting poll taxes? The court has, in effect, given Republican states carte blanche to disenfranchise minority voters and ignore the Voting Rights Act. At the end of her dissent, Kagan chastises her colleagues for acting like we know better than the court that actually listened to the evidence and issued a decision. I cannot think of a reason why, she said. But Kagan is being far too kind. She knows exactly why as do the rest of us. The conservative majority of the Supreme Court is, in effect, an arm of the Republican Party, intent on helping the GOP, the law be damned. The law is no longer the law. The law is whatever is good for Republicans. The post Elena Kagan knows why the Supreme Court majority wrongly supported Texas redistricting effort appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now Elon Musk has revealed that he wouldnt give his widely panned Department of Government Efficiency project another go. On Tuesday, the billionaire told MAGA podcaster Katie Miller the wife of top White House aide Stephen Miller and a former adviser for DOGE that his federal cost-cutting crusade was a little bit and somewhat successful. When asked if hed give DOGE another go, Musk sighed. Advertisement Advertisement I mean, no, I dont think so, he said. ...I think instead of doing DOGE, I would have basically built worked on my companies, essentially. And they wouldnt have been burning the cars. Earlier this year, Tesla vehicles saw a surge in violent attacks. Musks companies also faced mass protests after he took a chainsaw-wielding approach to federal spending, agencies and jobs. Musk bid farewell to the DOGE gig in May, only for his feud with President Donald Trump to ignite on social media days later. The two appeared to make up while attending the memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September. DOGE is estimated to have cost the federal government over $21 billion, while cuts to foreign aid programs, as backed by DOGE, led to over 672,000 deaths, according to one estimate. Advertisement Advertisement DOGE has since been disbanded, as of November, per Reuters. Critics on social media went after Musk over his DOGE takeaways: Who would have guessed taking a flamethrower to functioning government agencies without any thought of ramifications was a bad idea? Colby Blair (@ColbyBlair83) December 9, 2025 So, @elonmusk admits he's a loser. Destroyed so many jobs, took so much of our data, and used DOGE to help his own companies. https://t.co/10nGzXvVii Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) December 10, 2025 After he got what he was looking for, of course. https://t.co/628T0442Wm Maria I. Puerta Riera (@Maripuerta) December 10, 2025 U.S. NATIONAL DEBT, JANUARY 2025: $36.1 trillion U.S. NATIONAL DEBT, DECEMBER 2025: $38.4 trillion https://t.co/e1sPpJSbXv Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) December 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement So he wasted a bunch of our money too... https://t.co/nVUYuhZN1g Marcus dOsint (@WarFrontIntel) December 10, 2025 wouldnt do it again as if he just tried a new dish at a restaurant instead of having taken a sledgehammer to US soft power. Corbo Lab at Washington University in St. Louis (@CorboLab) December 9, 2025 Some what successful in heading off investigations, in data reaping, in ensuring no competition for government contracts, in creating chaos, in punishing opposition or in breaking as much **** as possible? MiTcH (@MiTcH_ArTs) December 10, 2025 Pulleeze. It was 100% successful in shutting down every government investigation into him and his companies. Grace Alexander (@GraceAl38236563) December 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Related... Read the original on HuffPost Tech billionaire Elon Musk said in a podcast interview on Dec. 9 that the Department of Government Efficiency was "somewhat successful," but he would not return to the initiative again. Speaking on "The Katie Miller Podcast," the SpaceX and Tesla CEO said the Department of Government Efficiency known as DOGE had only been a "little bit successful" in its goal to save taxpayers' money and reduce spending and regulations. The controversial initiative, a brainchild of Musk, laid off thousands of government workers but failed to deliver on its promises to cut the federal budget. "We were somewhat successful," Musk told Katie Miller, who worked as an advisor and spokesperson for DOGE earlier this year and is married to Stephen Miller, the White House's deputy chief of staff. "We stopped a lot of funding that really just made no sense, that was just entirely wasteful," Musk added. "For example, there was probably $100, maybe $200 billion worth of zombie payments per year, which simply by enforcing that there be a payment code and an explanation for the payment, the payment would not go out." Advertisement Advertisement When asked if he would do DOGE again, Musk said he doesn't think so and believes he could have focused on his other ventures and "they wouldn't have been burning the cars." In a backlash against Musk and his DOGE efforts earlier this year, Tesla dealerships and individual vehicles were vandalized, and dozens of protests erupted across the country. Musk gained political influence after backing President Donald Trump during the 2024 election and became one of his campaign's largest funders. Earlier this summer, Musk left the White House after a public feud with Trump. What was Elon Musk's DOGE? What to know after cost-cutting initiative ends. Disbandment of DOGE The name DOGE, Musk said, was "a made-up name" that was "based on internet suggestions." Within DOGE's first 100 days, it led to layoffs and buyouts that left thousands of federal workers out of their jobs. Advertisement Advertisement With Trump's support, Musk claimed that DOGE would reduce government spending. He initially said the agency would cut $2 trillion within its first year before revising that to $1 trillion. In April, Musk significantly lowered that figure and said at a cabinet meeting that the agency would cut $150 billion in spending over the next fiscal year. DOGE claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures since its creation. But outside financial experts have said they could not verify that figure because the agency has not provided access to its accounting methods. Elon Musk's rise and fall: From Trump's chainsaw-wielding sidekick to a swift exit Musk also repeatedly touted the agency's work on his X platform and, at one point, brandished a chainsaw to promote his efforts to cut government jobs. "This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy," Musk said, holding the chainsaw above his head at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland in February. Advertisement Advertisement But the initiative was short-lived. After about four months as a "special government employee," Musk announced in May he was departing the Trump administration. In November, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Scott Kupor, said in a social media post that DOGE does "not have centralized leadership." Kupor previously confirmed to Reuters, which first reported the initiative no longer exists, that DOGE was no longer a "centralized entity." The agency was less than a year old when it disbanded. Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elon Musk calls DOGE 'somewhat successful' but would not do it again Hanging Christmas lights can be a hasslebut imagine putting up 25,000 of them. Thats exactly what Ashley and Jason Garneau do every year, earning them the nickname the Griswolds of their Swanton, Vermont, neighborhood. The Garneau family transforms their home and yard into a dazzling holiday spectacle, complete with colorful lights synced to popular Christmas tunes. Visitors can simply pull up, park, and tune in to a dedicated radio station to enjoy the show. Advertisement Advertisement This year, the family wanted to make their display even more meaningful. They partnered with Swanton School to launch a holiday toy drive aimed at helping local families in need. The school alone has just been wonderful for us, said Ashley Garneau told WPTZ-TV. Principal Yeshua Pastina, in his first year at the school, says the partnership is making a real difference. Its already a great opportunity for our community to have this great light show, Pastina said. And now we get to help out some kids that could really use it around the holidays. In just a few weeks, the Garneaus have collected more than two dozen toys and raised $150 in donations. All monetary contributions will go toward purchasing additional toys. Advertisement Advertisement Every night when the light show ends, I come out and check the toy bin, Ashley said. When theres stuff in there, I just get really excited. Donations can be dropped off at Swanton School or at the Garneau familys home at 3 Shetland Lane until December 15. The family hopes to make the toy drive an annual tradition. If it takes off, its something Id like to do every year, Ashley said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW LUTEPAA, Estonia Across the snowy and muddy forests of eastern Estonia, NATO and Russia are locked in a staring match. Its here, the frontier between a country with a population smaller than Viennas and the largest nuclear power in the world, that many analysts fear Russian President Vladimir Putin may one day be inclined to conduct a limited invasion into NATO. The mood at the border here is tense and silent. Stretching inland from the tall barbed-wire fence is a border regime area patrolled by special police units and dotted with guard towers. There are just a few villages in this zone many of them Russian-speaking connected by deserted but immaculately maintained roads. Until this fall, this border was home to an oddity that served as a reminder that, despite the politics, the people here have long been connected. Estonian Road 178, built in Soviet times, cuts through Russian territory in two separate spots, connecting several towns to the regional center of Varska. A low-key agreement between the local border guards on either side of the fence meant that residents could use the road without checks, provided they stayed in their vehicles and would not stop in the approximately one kilometer of Russian territory that they traversed. Advertisement Advertisement This arrangement, never codified in official government policy on either side, came to an abrupt end on Oct. 10. We saw a bigger group of soldiers. Some of them most of them had equipment like regular soldiers, not border guard uniforms and equipment, said Renet Merdikes, the Border Police captain in charge of this stretch of the border known as the Saatse Kordon. Merdikes has worked all along the frontier for the past thirteen years. We havent before seen this kind of unit around, he added. This photo shows a group of Russian soldiers, according to Estonian authorities, on the road through the Saatse Boot on the border between Estonia and Russia on Oct. 10, 2025. (Estonian Police and Border Guard Board) Merdikes counted eleven Russian men in uniforms, who had come from different directions and loitered for a while in the Saatse Boot, the piece of Russian territory that juts into Estonia and through which the road cuts. They were even on the strip of tarmac itself, he said, all the while Estonian vehicles were still using it to get from Sesniki to Lutepaa, two tiny villages on the southern and northern end, respectively, of the Russian pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Estonian authorities quickly closed the road. It hasnt reopened since. We didnt want to wait for the first serious incident, said Merdikes. We cant do anything on the Russian territory, we cant protect our citizens. Strained ties The soldiers ultimately left not long after they arrived, having walked around the area for a while and seemingly doing nothing else. Merdikes says that the Estonians picked up a hotline to their Russian counterparts, set up to defuse potential emergency incidents, asking for an explanation. They were told that there was nothing out of the ordinary and it was usual activities. Initially, the road was blocked with a street sign, then concrete barriers and a temporary fence were set up. This week, a permanent fence has been constructed, sealing off the two road segments for good. Work has also started on replacement routes, with the longer of the two stretches set to be done by late next year, an expedited schedule pushed by the Estonian government for a project that was already underway to rectify the peculiar cross-border arrangement. The Estonian road that led through Russian territory until October 2025, with temporary barriers blocking passage, as seen on Nov. 22. A few weeks later, a permanent fence was installed in their place. (Linus Holler/staff) Until about 35 years ago, this line separating Russia from Estonia, which follows a river, the middle of a lake and then cuts through a series of forests, marshlands and Road 178, mattered relatively little. Since being invaded by the Soviet Union in 1940, and for five decades thereafter, the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic was just one of 15 constituent republics of the worlds preeminent communist state. The frontier between Estonia and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic which everyone understood was the dominant power in the union was just an internal border of the same country. Advertisement Advertisement Personal ties across the border remained close even after the dissolution of the Union, and pragmatic arrangements like the one in the Saatse Boot were par for the course. Until Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, even the Estonian border guards themselves would make use of the road leading through Russia. Now, they have to take a detour to go around, out of an abundance of caution, the border guard captain said. A map of Estonia. (Nzeemin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Annotated by Linus Holler) A closeup map of the Even before the Soviet Union, under the Tsarist Russian Empire, Estonia had been under some form of Russian control for centuries. Legacies of the countries complicated but nonetheless shared past are plentiful a large Russian Orthodox church, part of the Kremlin-aligned Moscow patriarchate, stands opposite the Estonian parliament in the capital Tallinn; census data shows that two in every three Estonians live in Soviet-era apartment blocks; and ethnic Russians make up more than a fifth of the population. Still, Estonias national identity is distinct and specifically European. Its heritage is linked to the Hanseatic League and the traders of the Baltic Sea, and its language carries strong traces of both Finnish and German. Museums in Tallinn, are quick to point out these historic connections and relativize ties to Russia, the Soviet period being described as a phase of Russian occupation. Practically no Soviet symbols or iconography remain even in remote backwaters, with round hammer-and-sickle plaques removed from buildings, leaving conspicuous circles, and statues of Lenin scrapped. The divided city But ties across the border dont disappear overnight. In Narva, a city in northeastern Estonia that is also its largest border town, there is a constant flow of people walking across the border to and from the twin city of Ivangorod, on the eastern Russian bank of the river, even now in late 2025. The crossing has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2022, ostensibly for construction works, although none were visible in mid-November three years later. Instead, the bridge has been fortified with tank barriers, electronic gates capable of closing within seconds, and a generous helping of barbed wire on all sides. The bridge leading from Narva to Russia's Ivangorod (in the distance), now barricaded with anti-vehicle barriers, is still open to pedestrian traffic under strict conditions in late 2025. (Linus Holler/staff) A little farther south, a seldom-used railroad bridge forms another physical connection between the two countries, spanning a gorge forged by the Narva River. Advertisement Advertisement Since Jan. 1, 2023,, a year into Russias invasion of Ukraine, Estonia has suspended all cross-border rail traffic from and to the east. A bored-looking Russian border guard, Kalashnikov rifle slung over his shoulder and dressed in a thick camouflage coat, observed this Defense News reporter through his binoculars as he snapped pictures of Russian fishermen braving the cold and reeling in a meager haul on his side of the river. The soldier was the only sign of activity on the once-busy railroad bridge. A Russian border guard looks through his binoculars at the railroad bridge across the border between Narva, Estonia, and Ivangorod, Russia in November 2025. (Linus Holler/staff) Just south of the city, next to the abandoned Soviet textile mill that used to employ 13,000 people, a dam spans the river. No crossing of the border is intended here, as is made clear by the razor wire and two opposing guard towers, myriad cameras and warning signs with a big red exclamation mark on a bright yellow background. There were several other people on this dam on a blustery late November day, just short of the fence, pacing up and down and speaking into their phones in Russian. The manmade peninsula, it seems, juts far enough into Russias cell network to make domestic phone calls with a Russian number. Geopolitics has hardened this previously porous border, but the connections across it are similarly entrenched. The dam in the south of Narva is heavily guarded, but also serves as a point from which Estonians can connect with Russia's mobile networks. The Orthodox church in the distance stands on Russian soil. (Linus Holler/staff) But they are becoming harder to maintain. Many crossing points have been indefinitely closed and others are open only to pedestrians or specific types of travelers, and sanctions have ground cross-border economic activity to an effective halt. Advertisement Advertisement The frontier itself is being fortified, too. Border building is ongoing right now, said Merdikes. A modern fence is already installed along most of the land border. In the Saatse area, the current project is to create a gapless string of cameras to observe every meter of the fence. Our goal is that we have eyes throughout the border so we know where to react, said Merdikes. We are the first eyes on the border in case something happens. Fortress Baltics Beyond the immediate fence, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have teamed up to construct what they dub the Baltic Defense Line. The project was announced in January 2024, and construction is now ongoing in all three Baltic Republics. Primarily meant to deter and, if necessary, slow a Russian invasion, it will consist of a series of anti-tank obstacles, dragons teeth, barbed wire coils, bunkers and areas designated for laying landmines should the situation necessitate. Estonia alone plans to build 600 bunkers along its frontier with Russia, and the other Baltic states are expected to follow suit. The plans are being coordinated multilaterally between the countries and within the framework of NATO, according to the Estonian government. Advertisement Advertisement The war in Ukraine has shown that taking back already conquered territories is extremely difficult and comes at great cost of human lives, time and material resources, said the Estonian National Defence Investment Center ECDI in a report outlining the large peacetime construction project. In addition to equipment, ammunition and manpower, we need physical installations to defend our countries efficiently. Estonia expects to spend around 60 million ($70 million) on the project. It is meant to be completed by the end of 2027, according to the head of infrastructure at the Center for Defense Investments, Kadi-Kai Kollo. This represents a delay of about a year due to unexpected complications in developing the modular bunkers that are to serve as the main backstop of the fortifications. We have seen different estimates on how quickly Russia can rebuild its military, we need to use this time wisely the time to make all the necessary preparations is now, the ECDI report said. The last remaining Soviets On the Soviet-built House of Culture in Sillamae, a grand Stalinist building, hangs a conspicuous sign featuring a blue triangle on an orange base. Scattered around Estonian towns, this sign marks that the building has a publicly accessible bomb shelter. The symbols started appearing in June 2022 as a direct consequence of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the fears it caused in Estonia. Within six months, shelter spots for more than 60,000 residents were marked accordingly. In the case of war, they would seek refuge in World War-era citadels, parking lots, and under schools and hospitals. The main avenue of the formerly secret city of Sillamae, Estonia, has seen better days. (Linus Holler/staff) Sillamae is emblematic of the difficult relationship with the big neighbor to the east. The town on the northern coast of Estonia was constructed from scratch under strict secrecy by the Soviet Union. It housed one of the countrys main uranium enrichment plants, creating the fuel for 70,000 Soviet atomic bombs as well as the civilian nuclear power plants that dotted the empires territory. Advertisement Advertisement In Soviet times, it was a closed city not marked on any official maps and requiring a special permit to enter. Back then, the stores were always well stocked, and you could get whatever you wanted, recalls Larisa, a resident who moved here in 1985, just before Soviet premier Gorbachevs policy of radical reform changed everything. Today, the town is largely forgotten, and the grand, palatial architecture of the workers apartment complexes with a splendid view of the ocean is coming apart. Its hard to say whether life was better in the Soviet Union or now in the European Union, Larisa said. People adapt. Like most people in this part of the country Sillamae is just half an hours drive from the border Larisa speaks Russian at home, even though she is originally from Ukraine. At the time she moved here due to her husbands work as a driver, it was all one country. Advertisement Advertisement My motherland no longer exists, she said while going for a Sunday stroll along the Baltic promenade, her favorite place in town. Her passports are Estonian and Ukrainian. To her, the border, located just 25 kilometers to the east, is a distant thought. I havent crossed it in many years; I have no reason to, she says. I dont even know whether it is still open. Fears of invasion Its here and especially in nearby Narva, right on the border, that some analysts worry Putin might try to test the Wests resolve with a limited incursion, perhaps modeled on how he annexed Crimea in 2014. The area is ethnically primarily Russian, its population is Russian-speaking. Bruno Kahl, the head of Germanys Federal Intelligence Service (BND), has said that Putin may initiate such a scenario to test NATOs resolve on its collective defense provision in the form of Article 5, sparking a grey-zone conflict that doesnt quite meet the bar for other alliance members to feel comfortable engaging in war with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Others, especially Estonians, have pushed back on the idea, saying such a scenario is improbable given the risks associated and the precautions that the country has taken. Estonia will defend itself and is counting on its allies to come to its aid, is the governments message. Would a U.S. president risk dying for Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius? spy chief Kahl asked in an interview with Germany-based Table Media June. We are quite certain and we have intelligence to back this up that Ukraine is only the first step. The NATO commitment to collective defense is going to be challenged. Narva, Estonia, in November 2025. (Linus Holler/staff) Whether its here or elsewhere along NATOs extensive frontier with Russia or if it never happens at all the border in Estonia will remain tense for the foreseeable future. New fences will appear, bunkers will be buried, and cross-border connections will be strained. But fundamentally, none of this is new. Russias presence just to the east has been a constant for many years. Some things dont happen overnight, said Merdikes, the border police chief from Saatse. For us, we patrol the border. At the border, its quite calm but still, we have to be ready and look for any changes to the threat level. KYIV, UKraine (AP) The European Unions enlargement chief said Wednesday she is confident Hungary will not derail Ukraines path to membership, which she described as "inevitable. Im not worried, Commissioner Marta Kos told reporters while visiting a thermal power plant in Western Ukraine that was badly damaged by Russias campaign against civilian infrastructure. I would be worried if there were real concerns. On EU membership of Ukraine which is inevitable I see this as a political anchor of security guarantees, she said, noting that There has never been a war on the territory of the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine hopes to join the bloc by the end of the decade and remains frustrated that its path to NATO membership looks uncertain. Kyiv applied for EU membership in 2022 shortly after Russias full-scale invasion. Now, Commissioner Kos is convening an informal meeting of European affairs ministers Thursday to prepare for the next stage of accession talks. Kos hinted that the process could move even faster, saying The quicker the reforms which are needed will be done, the quicker the process can be. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has opposed launching membership talks while the war continues. Yet, Kos dismissed his objections saying We do not need Orban to do the reforms which are necessary for Ukraine to become a member of the EU." Advertisement Advertisement The Slovenian diplomat toured the heavily damaged power plant, where heavy machinery was blackened, control panels melted and a giant hole gaped in the roof of one of the main buildings. Andrii, a turbine operator on duty during a recent attack, described the chaos that followed. The first thing you feel is a huge rush of adrenaline. Theres heavy smoke, loud noise, pressure you cant hear your colleagues, he said. Damaged equipment means escaping steam and high-temperature feedwater. At first its very difficult to orient yourself in the smoke. Company officials asked that the plants location and the full names of employees not be published for security reasons. Advertisement Advertisement The thermal power plant is one of six operated by private utility DTEK that have sustained major damage from relentless Russian drone and missile attacks in recent weeks. Kos praised the resilience of power workers and Ukrainians in general. There is no other more resistant nation in the world which I know than the Ukrainians, she said, recalling Russian President Vladimir Putins expectation of a quick victory. Putin said it would take one week. But here we are and its been nearly four years, so you are already the winners." ___ Andriy Popovych contributed. Dec 10 (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN) plans to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030 to expand its operations by boosting artificial intelligence capabilities and increasing exports, the U.S. e-commerce giant said on Wednesday, as global tech firms deepen their presence in Asia's third-largest economy. Major U.S. tech firms have poured billions of dollars into India this year, underscoring the country's emergence as a strategic hub for cloud, AI and deeptech growth. Microsoft pledged an investment of $17.5 billion in India for AI and cloud infrastructure by 2030 on Tuesday, marking its largest investment in Asia, while Google has committed $15 billion over the next five years to build AI data centers. Amazon's investments are "strategically aligned with India's national priorities and will focus on expanding AI capabilities, enhancing logistics infrastructure, supporting small business growth and creating jobs," the company said in a statement. Amazon has ramped up spending in the country to compete with Walmart-backed Flipkart and the retail arm of billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries. The e-commerce giant, which has invested $40 billion in India since 2010, announced a $26 billion investment in 2023. Sign up for Yahoo Finance Breaking News By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe Amazon said it plans to create 1 million additional job opportunities in India by 2030. The firm also said it has helped generate more than $20 billion in cumulative exports for sellers in India in the last ten years, and plans to increase that to $80 billion by 2030. India, the world's most populous nation, is a critical market for Amazon, due to its rapidly expanding internet user base. (Reporting by Kashish Tandon in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala) Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that he has signed 34 bills into law, including a bill requiring judges to sentence offenders to at least 10 years in prison if convicted of a human trafficking crime and 15 years for a child trafficking crime. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that he has signed 34 bills into law, including a bill requiring judges to sentence offenders to at least 10 years in prison if convicted of a human trafficking crime and 15 years for a child trafficking crime. The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation. Crimes of this nature most especially when it comes to our kids should be punishable by the full extent of the law, Evers said in a statement. With this bill, we are helping ensure that were protecting some of our most vulnerable youth and holding predators accountable, most especially when they prey on our kids. Advertisement Advertisement The bill includes increases to the maximum amounts of prison time a person can receive for human and child trafficking crimes, and it allows more time for prosecution of human trafficking crimes. Human trafficking involves using force, fraud or coercion for labor, services or a commercial sex act. Trafficking of a child can involve a knowing attempt to recruit a child for commercial sex acts. Wisconsin trafficking law also bans benefiting from trafficking or knowingly receiving compensation from the earnings of debt bondage, a prostitute or a commercial sex act. Last month, the Wisconsin Examiner reported on lawmakers reasons for supporting the bill, such as preventing human traffickers from doing further harm. Rep. Jerry OConnor (R-Fond Du Lac) cited cases that appeared to have taken place in other states in which people convicted of sex trafficking received between six and eight years in prison. The Examiner reported on criminal justice advocacy groups and attorneys criticisms of the mandatory minimums, including a concern from attorneys that judges would sentence people who are trafficking victims themselves to the mandatory minimum punishment without being able to consider whether the person deserved a lighter sentence because their trafficking crime was influenced by their trafficker. The bill didnt contain an exception to the mandatory minimum for that type of situation. While Wisconsin law allows a defense in court for people who committed a crime as a direct result of trafficking, that didnt allay critics concerns. Advertisement Advertisement The anti-sex trafficking organization Shared Hope International gave Wisconsin law failing grades on multiple categories relevant to survivors of child sex trafficking: protection from unjust criminalization, legal relief and survivor-centered supports. The analysis was based on laws enacted as of July 1. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) An altercation between two students at North Forsyth High School turned deadly on Tuesday morning. This is what we know so far. Student altercation turns deadly Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools operated on a two-hour delay due to winter weather on Tuesday morning and the first bell rang at 10:55 a.m. at North Forsyth. The deadly stabbing took place just moments later. On Tuesday morning, a large law enforcement and EMS presence was seen at the school. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said that the SRO at North Forsyth sent out a communication that he needed all hands on deck at around 11:04 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Kimbrough confirmed in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that there was a loss of life as a result of an altercation between two students. Kimbrough shared another statement on Tuesday night, confirming that a stabbing had taken place. Winston-Salem Police Department Chief William Penn also spoke at the Tuesday afternoon press conference, saying it was a dark day for our city. He also criticized people for purportedly sharing a video of the deadly stabbing online, urging people to please think about the insensitive nature of what youre doing. This is not the time to clout chase. Newly sworn-in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Don Phipps spoke at the Tuesday afternoon press conference and confirmed that North Forsyth will be closed for students on Wednesday due to the deadly stabbing. A crisis team will be on the premises. Today is the worst nightmare of any educator, Phipps said. We hurt when our students hurt, and this is the ultimate hurt that we can possibly feel. Advertisement Advertisement Phipps was scheduled to have a speaking engagement at a local church at noon on Tuesday. However, those plans were altered due to the deadly stabbing. Phipps also reached out to families at North Forsyth in an email on Tuesday afternoon. Violence has no place at our schools, he said in part. We are calling on our community to surround our students and staff with kindness and care at this moment. The WS/FCS Board of Education was scheduled to meet on Tuesday evening and that meeting is being rescheduled. The name of the student who was killed or anyone involved has yet to be released by investigators. However, the families of those involved have been notified and there is no danger to the community. Advertisement Advertisement It is not yet clear whether or not the weapons detection system was being used at North Forsyth on Tuesday morning. It is also not known what kind of weapon was used in the stabbing. Public reaction North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called the stabbing shocking and horrible and said he is praying for the students and their loved ones. Kimbrough asked for prayers for the families and community, calling it another sad day in Forsyth County, and describing the call that the NFHS SRO made to the sheriffs office. Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines said, On behalf of the City of Winston-Salem, I extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and the North Forsyth High School community during this time of immeasurable loss. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday evening, Kimbrough shared a statement on social media, urging parents to talk to their children and love them. He also asked again for prayers for the community. All of us are hurting. I need your prayers. The school system needs your prayers. The students at North Forsyth need your prayers. Theres a family who child will be getting on the bus about now on the way home, but hes not. He lost his life in a stabbing incident at the school, Kimbrough said. NFHS parents picked up their children from a reunification site after the stabbing. Hilda Foster, a grandparent of an NFHS student, spoke to FOX8 while students and parents were being reunited. Advertisement Advertisement It was just devastating to have something like this happen today, she said. Its sad that were coming to this. I just hate that this world is this way. I really do. I hope that well all come together in unity and great faith. Foster says her grandchild called her mother and said she was scared when she heard people screaming in the school. Thats not something that you want to hear from your child at school, Foster said. She urged parents to talk to their children and listen to them. Students were taken by bus from campus to the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum to safely reunite with their parents. Advertisement Advertisement As students waited inside the coliseum, parents lined up outside. Parents were handed reunification forms to complete and had to show photo identification to be reunited with their children. Many parents say the hours following the incident were scary and nerve-wracking. It was scary. One thing she did was she reassured me that she was safe. I think the most horrendous part is that the kids are sitting around the video of what happened and what occurred, and the trauma that they would continue to feel seeing that video here, and people talk of the incident is just a very, very traumatic situation, said Ebony Berry, a parent. One mother says not only was her son inside the school at the time, but her husband also works there, and he called her earlier that morning asking her to pray. Advertisement Advertisement She described the fear and uncertainty of waiting for updates, saying it was hard not knowing what was happening or when she would hear from either her son or her husband. I absolutely think that some therapy sessions are going to need to be had. More than just a counselor coming in. Theyre all going to need some therapy and some counseling, said Crystal Hopper, a parent. Parents and students were eventually reunited before Tuesday evening at the coliseum. Many embraced after a long and emotional day. The hardest part was standing there waiting on him. I just needed to put my eyes on him to make sure that he was Ok because, as kids, they dont process things the same way that we do Putting my arms around him made all the difference, Hopper said. Advertisement Advertisement Many parents are worried about the heartache students are now left with. Im so sad right now because my son knows who they are. Im hurt right now. Im hurt. All I know is that I hope they have grief counselors there for the rest of the school year for these students. School had just started this morning, and these students is going to need a lot of support right now, said Tracy Russell, a parent. Those are two kids who did something very bad. I dont think that reflects on everyone at the school and the building and all of the students, all of the faculty. I dont think thats a reflection of them directly. But at this current moment, I dont feel safe, said Wayne Graham, a parent. 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 FOX8 WGHP. By Humeyra Pamuk WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's administration wants the International Criminal Court to amend its founding document to ensure it does not investigate the Republican president and his top officials, a Trump administration official said, threatening new U.S. sanctions on the court if it did not. If the court does not act on this U.S. demand and two others - dropping investigations of Israeli leaders over the Gaza war and formally ending an earlier probe of U.S. troops over their actions in Afghanistan - Washington may penalize more ICC officials and could sanction the court itself, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Sanctioning the court would significantly escalate the U.S. campaign against the ICC, which has long been criticized by U.S. officials including both Republicans and Democrats, who say the court infringes on U.S. sovereignty. The Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Washington has communicated its demands to ICC members, some of whom are U.S. allies, and has also made them known to the court. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC in 2002 as a court of last resort, with the power to prosecute heads of state. The demand and the threat to resume the U.S. sanctions campaign towards the court have not been previously reported. WASHINGTON FEARS ACTION AFTER TRUMP'S TERM ENDS Advertisement Advertisement ICC judges issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Ibrahim al-Masri last November for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. In March 2020, prosecutors opened an investigation in Afghanistan that included possible crimes by U.S. troops. Since 2021, the court has deprioritized looking into the role of the U.S. but it has not formally ended its probe. To force the war tribunal to drop these charges, the U.S. earlier this year slapped sanctions on nine ICC officials, including judges and prosecutors. But it has stopped short of imposing sanctions on the court as an entity, which would severely disrupt the tribunal's work. "There is growing concern ... that in 2029 the ICC will turn its attention to the president, to the vice president, to the secretary of war and others, and pursue prosecutions against them," the Trump administration official said. Advertisement Advertisement "That is unacceptable, and we will not allow it to happen." The White House had no immediate comment on the matter. Any effort to change the Rome Statute to accommodate the U.S. demand would be slow and difficult, requiring approval of two-thirds of countries that have ratified the Rome Statute. "Amendments to the Rome Statute are within the prerogative of States Parties," the ICC's public affairs unit, which speaks on behalf of the court and its presidency, said in response to Reuters' questions. It did not address a question on whether Washington has reached out to seek a prosecution immunity for Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Sanctions applied to the court as an entity could affect its basic day-to-day operations, from its ability to pay staff to access to bank accounts and routine office software on its computers. 'OPEN CHATTER' ABOUT TARGETING TRUMP The ICC is the world's permanent war crimes tribunal with 125 member states, including the entire EU but excluding major powers China, Russia and the United States, among others. The court's mandate allows it to prosecute individuals for alleged crimes committed by them or nationals under their command on the territory of a member state, including sitting heads of state. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump official did not say what issues the administration worries could become the subject of an ICC investigation. But the official cited "open chatter" in the international legal community that the court could target Trump and his top officials in 2029, when the Republican president's term ends. "The solution is that they need to change the Rome Statute to make very clear that they don't have jurisdiction," the official said. Starting in September, the U.S. military has waged a campaign of deadly strikes against suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coasts of Latin America, killing more than 80 people. Members of Congress have said they will investigate whether the U.S. military broke the law by allegedly killing two survivors of a strike on a suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean. The White House has defended the strike as lawful. Advertisement Advertisement When asked if the administration was making this demand from the ICC over concerns that the court might pursue charges against U.S. leaders over its conduct in Venezuela, the official declined to elaborate. The ICC's two deputy prosecutors told Reuters on Friday they had not received any requests to investigate U.S. actions regarding Venezuela. The U.S. official also declined to say when Washington began conveying this demand to the court and member states. Enshrining blanket immunity for specific individuals would be seen as undermining the court's founding principles and would need approval by the court's governing body, the Assembly of States Parties. Advertisement Advertisement While most amendments require the support of two-thirds of members to pass, fundamental changes to the court's jurisdiction would require an even larger majority to be implemented, according to the court's statute. (Additional reporting by Anthony Deutsch and Stephanie Van den Berg in the Hague, Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington) As construction continues on Burger Boy's original St. Mary's Street location, plans for another addition to the San Antonio burger chain are already underway. Burger Boy recently confirmed on social media where it will be heading next for its 11th location. In a recent Instagram reel, a Burger Boy spokesperson shared the company's excitement for the new location while standing in front of the restaurant's construction site off 1604 near Marbach Road. Advertisement Advertisement "NEW LOCATION ALERT!! Are you READY for what's coming? We're excited to announce our next project: Burger Boy is headed to Marbach & 1604! Big things are cookingStay tuned, San Antonio!" the business wrote in the caption of the Instagram reel. The Triple Boy from Burger Boy is a triple-meat burger with the option of adding cheese, jalapenos and bacon for an extra charge. (Mike Sutter/Staff) A project details page registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reveals that the new Burger Boy will cost an estimated $1.1 million to construction from the ground up, with a tentative completion date of July 31, 2026. The exact address is listed as 2304 Loop 1604 S., San Antonio, TX 78245 on the project details page. Earlier this year, Burger Boy opened its 10th location on Walzem Road in the Windcrest area. The San Antonio chain is currently working on rebuilding its iconic St. Mary's Strip restaurant, which experienced significant damage in a fire in August 2025. The latter is on track to reopen at the top of 2026. This article originally published at Famed San Antonio burger joint expands to booming San Antonio corridor. The family of a 22-year-old Rutgers University student missing for nearly three weeks is urging the arrest of a man who was charged with threatening him this summer and was the last person to see him. Mortimer Wortman was last seen on surveillance footage Nov. 21 getting into Adam Zalouks car in the parking lot of Regional Day School in Jackson, his brother Ivan Marks said. On Monday, a judge postponed a hearing at the Ocean County Courthouse for Zalouk, 33, who faces charges for allegedly threatening Wortman with a knife and ramming his car during a July 26 incident in Point Pleasant, Marks said. Advertisement Advertisement According to an affidavit of probable cause, Zalouk allegedly asked Wortman for a sexual favor, and when he refused, Zalouk became irate and threatened him with the knife by advancing toward him with the blade extended. Zalouk then reportedly carved the word slut into Wortmans car, before ramming the back of the vehicle twice, the affidavit states. Wortman captured the incident on video. Zalouk was charged with third-degree terroristic threats, third- and fourth-degree weapons offenses and fourth-degree criminal mischief, according to online court records. The hearing is unrelated to Wortmans disappearance, but it comes as the familys search for answers intensifies and as they point to Zalouk, who they say has a history of stalking Wortman. Advertisement Advertisement They werent even supposed to be in contact, and Adam has the most motive of anybody, Marks said. So were just confused as to why is he not arrested? An attorney representing Zalouk did not return requests for comment. The Jackson Police Department referred inquiries to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office, which stated the investigation is ongoing and did not respond to specific questions. According to Marks, Wortman and Zalouk met up at Regional Day School the night Wortman disappeared. The two reportedly drove behind the school in Zalouks car and went into the Colliers Mill, a wooded nature preserve, toward a fire pit. Advertisement Advertisement Wortman and Zalouk then allegedly got into a heated argument before Wortman ran off into the woods, Marks said, relaying Zalouks version of the events. Marks said Zalouk reported Wortman missing around 12 p.m. the following day. However, Wortmans family is not convinced that Zalouks account is entirely accurate, Marks said. I know he knows more than what hes saying, Marks said. Theres just so many moving things that they just point towards Adam, and Adam has no answers. Marks also alleges Zalouk stalked and harassed Wortman in the months leading up to his disappearance by hanging around outside the family home. Advertisement Advertisement The nature of their relationship is unclear, Marks said, though he believes they may have met on a dating app and started seeing each other within the past year. Marks said police confirmed Zalouk and Wortman spent the Thursday before his disappearance at a hotel in Cookstown. Mortimer Wortman with family Wortmans sudden disappearance is out of character for the college senior, who is close with his family and involved on campus, according to Marks. He was very invested in his family, a really good kid, Marks said. Never the runaway type. He was just always such a bubbly, positive person, Marks said. Because Wortman is an agriculture major at Rutgers who is familiar with the woods in Jackson, Marks said his family believes it is unlikely he would have gotten lost there. He believes law enforcement should expand their search, including into Staten Island, where Zalouk lives. Advertisement Advertisement They searched the woods in its entirety this past weekend, so that kind of stamped that hes not in the woods, Marks said. Marks said the community has stepped in to provide support and resources as the family has organized search parties and spread the word through social media. A GoFundMe campaign launched by Marks had raised more than $20,000 as of Tuesday to support the search and hire a private investigator. Im honestly not sure where things are going to go now moving forward, Marks said. Were going to try and stay positive and try and look around for other avenues. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Federal funding is set to help Avery County rebuild its senior center, which was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Helene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has allocated $3.4 million to Avery County to rebuild the senior center and repair the administrative offices damaged by the storm. Ohh its great. Its very great when you just dont feel like fixing your own food, said Joyce Brewer, a resident near Newland who appreciates the assistance. Advertisement Advertisement ALSO READ: After Helene, solar provided power to western NC, now theyre getting permanent systems Phillip Adams from the Avery Senior Center emphasized the importance of the center, stating, Were very big into health promotions, chronic disease management, social security, and Medicare. All those other programs seniors need. Ruth Shirley, a volunteer at the senior center, expressed gratitude for FEMAs help, saying, The senior center is one of the unrecognized heroes in this county. The things that they do. The home health ... making sure they get the prescriptions, going shopping for them. The Avery County Senior Center serves over a thousand people annually, providing hundreds of meals each week. Since the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, the center has had to relocate twice and is currently operating from a restaurant near Elk Park. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the senior center, the county administrative offices suffered heavy water damage and remain in need of repair. FEMAs funding will also be used to waterproof these offices. Avery County is seeking an additional $5 million in grant money to assist with construction costs for the new senior center. However, no timeline has been set for when construction will begin or how long it will take. Other areas in Western North Carolina are also receiving federal funds for recovery projects. Asheville is allocated $10.7 million for various projects, while Spruce Pine will receive $1.2 million to repair its water and wastewater distribution systems. Beech Mountain is set to receive $1.6 million in aid. Advertisement Advertisement The federal assistance is expected to help Avery County restore vital services for its senior population, though the timeline for completion remains uncertain. VIDEO: After Helene, solar provided power to western N.C., now theyre getting permanent systems North Carolina's state fire marshal is warning residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide, a gas with potentially deadly consequences. "Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly," state fire marshal Brian Taylor told WECT News 6. "It can build up in homes without warning. The best way to protect your family is with working carbon monoxide alarms and proper maintenance of heating equipment." Furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves, and fireplaces are all common sources of carbon monoxide in the home. Vehicle exhaust from attached garages and portable generators can also emit this gas into homes. Advertisement Advertisement Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, and shortness of breath, according to Mayo Clinic. It can also cause loss of consciousness and death. To avoid these outcomes, Taylor urged people to test, replace, and install smoke alarms. Taylor also noted that people should never use portable generators inside due to carbon monoxide risks. But even outdoor stationary generators can cause this gas to seep into the home, according to a federal report. An effective way to avoid these risks is by pairing solar panels with battery storage, which effectively acts as a power generator. TCD's Solar Explorer can help you make sense of the options available and connect you with trusted partners. Advertisement Advertisement Over the long term, solar could save you hundreds of dollars on energy bills each year and protect you from rising energy costs. With the help of the Solar Explorer, you could even save up to $10,000 on the installation of your new solar panel system thanks to competitive bidding from vetted installers. Meanwhile, pairing solar panels with other electric appliances, such as heat pumps, can lower your costs even further. TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you find the right system for your home and budget. If you're not quite ready for a big investment, Solar Explorer can also connect you with trusted partners that offer $0 down solar panel subscription options. Advertisement Advertisement For instance, Palmetto's LightReach leasing program lets you lease solar panels with no money down while helping cut utility rates by up to 20%. EnergySage is another Solar Explorer partner that provides tools that can help you take advantage of incentives, get competitive bids, and connect with installers. 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. Firefighters are responding to a reported house fire in Riverside Tuesday night, a Huber Heights dispatcher confirmed. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The fire was reported in the 140 block of Ellington Road around 11:30 p.m. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by News Center 7, Riverside fire crews responded to a house fire at the same location early Tuesday morning. Riverside Fire Chief Mark Miller said the initial fire is being investigated as suspicious and is under investigation by the Ohio State Fire Marshals Office and Riverside police. News Center 7 is working to learn more and will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 10Several property owners are set to go before the Flathead County Planning Board for zoning changes or proposed subdivisions on Wednesday. Four applications will be heard by the board, which meets at 6 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the South Campus Building at 40 11th St. W., Kalispell. Nick and Rita Erickson are seeking to rezone a nearly 3-acre property at 507 Solberg Drive in Evergreen from R-2 (one limited family residential) to R-5 (two-family residential). The zone amendment would allow the development of 23 single-family residential lots or up to 47 residential units, if designed as duplexes. Advertisement Advertisement The Ericksons indicated in their application the zone change would support higher population density and curb the county's housing shortage. Several neighboring properties have already changed to R-5 zoning, according to the staff report. The property is located along Solberg Drive and Harmony Road, and both roads are anticipated to successfully absorb the increase in traffic, according to the staff report. Average daily trips are anticipated to go up to 217 and 338 trips, respectively. However, the staff report also notes that once "limiting factors and infrastructure have been included, the number of units and traffic generation estimates may be significantly less." The property is currently served by the Evergreen Water and Sewer District for a single-family home. The proposed multi-family under the zone change would need approval from the sewer district for water and sewer upgrades, according to the staff report. IN PURSUIT of providing more affordable housing, Chanson Jones of 109 West LLC wants to change current zoning on his 10-acre property located at 109 W. Reserve Dr. in Evergreen from R-2 (one family limited residential) to B-2/EEO (business general/Evergreen enterprise overlay). Advertisement Advertisement The zone change would allow Jones to build multi-family dwellings in response to Flathead Valley's housing shortage, according to the staff report. At full build-out, the proposed amendment could provide an additional 200 dwelling units on the 10-acre property. The amendment could add 600 to 2,000 additional daily trips to West Reserve Drive's current 15,758 average daily trips, according to the staff report. West Reserve Drive is the primary access point to the property. Review by the Montana Department of Transportation of the project will be needed. THE PLANNING Board will also consider a proposed subdivision, McDonald Estates, to build 27 single-family residential lots on 37.26 acres of property located at 4625 Trumble Creek Road near Columbia Falls. The property, owned by Lee McDonald, currently has one single-family dwelling. The lots would be served by individual septic systems and a new public water supply system, according to the staff report. Advertisement Advertisement Columbia Falls Rural Fire District opposed the installation of individual 2,500-gallon water tanks, since multiple tanks scattered across the lots would hinder fire suppression efforts. Instead, it recommended a single 30,000-gallon fill station to serve the subdivision. The intersection at Trumble Creek Road and Montana 40 currently faces heavy traffic congestion in the afternoon on weekdays. The Flathead County and Road Department said the subdivision won't significantly change the level of traffic at this intersection but will still impact drivers' habits and result in longer delays. The subdivision is predicted to add 18 new average daily trips during morning peak hour on weekdays and 24 new trips during the afternoon peak hour on weekdays. It will add an overall 245 new weekday daily vehicle trips, according to the staff report. In 2025, Trumble Creek Road had 514 average daily trips within the area of the proposed subdivision, according to the county road department. In 2023, Montana 40 had 13,795 annual average daily traffic, according to the Montana Department of Transportation. Advertisement Advertisement LAST ON the board's agenda is an application for a proposed subdivision called The Ranches at Elk Meadows. The subdivision will include the construction of 14 lots, which includes 13 residential lots and one Equine Activity Center on 97 acres of property, located at 1605 Middle Road near Columbia Falls. K Bell Enterprises is the listed applicant on the preliminary plat application. Each residential lot will be built on 3 to 8 acres, served by a system of individual wells and septic systems, and the equine center will be built on 32.7 acres. Reporter Hannah Shields can be reached at 758-4439 or [email protected]. Far-right Senator Flavio Bolsonaro has reaffirmed his commitment to running in Brazils 2026 presidential race, despite criticism that he appeared to be openly haggling over whether to remain a candidate. On Tuesday, Bolsonaro met with reporters outside federal police headquarters in the capital Brasilia, where his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, is serving a 27-year sentence for attempting to foment a coup. The younger Bolsonaro said he conveyed to his father that he would not shrink from the 2026 race. Advertisement Advertisement I told him this candidacy is irreversible, Flavio said. And in his own words, We will not turn back. Now it is time to talk to people, so we can have the right people on our side. The senator also attempted to clear up the comments that sparked the initial controversy. On Sunday, Flavio raised eyebrows when he told Brazilian media that he could exit the race for the right price. Theres a possibility I wont go all the way, Flavio said at the time. I have a price for that. I will negotiate. He declined to name what that price would be, but his comments were widely interpreted to be a reference to his fathers imprisonment. In September, a panel on Brazils Supreme Court convicted Jair of five charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2022 presidential election, including one count of seeking the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Jair lost the 2022 race to current Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a left-wing leader who has announced he will run for a fourth term in 2026. In November, the Supreme Court panel ordered Jair to be taken into custody to begin his sentence, after the ex-president admitted to damaging his ankle monitor. Separately, in 2023, Brazils Supreme Electoral Tribunal ruled that Jair should be barred from holding public office for eight years, as a penalty for misusing the presidential office to spread election falsehoods. Since his detention, Jair has backed his eldest sons candidacy in the 2026 race. Liberal Party (PL) president Valdemar Costa Neto also confirmed on Friday that Jairs endorsement meant that Flavio would indeed lead the partys ticket. Advertisement Advertisement Flavio has since received other right-wing endorsements, including from Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas, who was previously considered a frontrunner to represent the PL. But Flavios comments on Sunday have thrown his nascent candidacy into doubt. Critics, including from Lulas Workers Party, have seized upon Flavios suggestion of a price to question his ethics and commitment. No one launches a candidacy one day, and the next day says, Look, I can negotiate,' Edinho Silva, the president of the Workers Party, told reporters. Its not just me. No one would take it seriously. But Flavio on Tuesday dismissed the attacks and reaffirmed he would stay in the race, while fighting for his fathers freedom. My price is Bolsonaro free and on the ballot, he said. In other words, there is no price. Heavy rain has flooded tents in the Gaza Strip on a large scale after a storm system struck the region, reports said on Wednesday. Israel and the Palestinian territories have been hit by hours of rain and high winds, exacerbating conditions for the many in the devastated Gaza Strip who are currently living in tents. Photos on social media showed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip attempting to bail water out of their tents with buckets and pots. Children are shown standing ankle-deep and barefoot in water. Advertisement Advertisement Citing aid officials, Israel's Haaretz newspaper reported that many tents had collapsed. People were seeking shelter in overcrowded public buildings with no heating, it said. Ahmed Abu Ramad, a 42-year-old Palestinian living in a tent in the south of the Gaza Strip, told dpa he feared his tent could collapse. "I spent the whole night holding the main pole with both hands," he said. His wife held their five children close to keep them warm, as water poured in from all sides. Maha al-Sein, a 33-year-old woman, said she was living with her family in a room in a partially collapsed building in Gaza City and that her children had worried that the roof could fall in. Israeli media reported that passengers aboard a yacht on its way to Cyprus from Israel were listed as missing after contact was lost. A flight from Cyprus to Israel was forced to divert over Lebanese territory, even though Israel and Lebanon are still formally at war. The storm is expected to last until Friday. A displaced Palestinian woman walks in a flooded tent camp following heavy rains in Gaza City. Matar Al-Zaq/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Florida could be poised for a major boost to its rural communities. Lawmakers are reintroducing the Rural Renaissance plan in the 2026 legislative session, aiming to boost rural communities across the state. Sponsored by Senate President Ben Albritton, the bill is expected to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. It focuses on enhancing key services in rural areas, including healthcare, education, transportation, and local economies. Advertisement Advertisement The entire idea of supporting rural Florida is worth the conversation. My hope, obviously, is that it gets passed this year, Albritton said. If approved, the bill would assist doctors in establishing practices in small towns, offer student loan relief for rural educators, and fund new road and infrastructure projects throughout Florida. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. As college applications start to roll in for students, the question of how to pay for it is something every parent and student worries about. But through a new Gary partnership, thats a question some students may no longer have to worry about. The initiative, a partnership with Hard Rock Casino, the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, and Indiana University Northwest, will provide eligible graduating students in 2025 and 2026 with full tuition coverage for up to four years at the university. In Gary, the promise of tuition-free access to Indiana University Northwest could help more local students attend college. Organizers say the new scholarship is designed to remove one of the largest barriers to college and make enrollment financially possible for more families. Advertisement Advertisement The Do Well By Doing Good Scholarship was an idea that Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana President Matt Schuffert shared with Urban League of Northwest Indiana President Vanessa Allen-McCloud. Because of their existing relationship, she said she immediately understood his vision for Gary students. He wanted to provide an opportunity for students to receive scholarships, Allen-McCloud said. Theres a need to provide opportunities for funding and financial resources for students that may not be able to afford getting their education. A Gary native and Indiana University Northwest alumnus, Schuffert said the program was a way to give back to Garys youth. IUN is Garys University, he said. They do great things there and offer a very diverse campus. Advertisement Advertisement Administered through the Urban League, the scholarship will be available to Gary high school students attending public, charter, private, faith-based, or home schools. This includes Gary residents who attend schools in neighboring cities. To qualify, students must earn a 2.5 GPA, earn a Core 40 diploma, complete 30 to 40 hours of community service, volunteer work, or a leadership role, and plan to attend Indiana University Northwest as a first-year student pursuing a two-year or four-year degree. Program leaders expect to award about 30 scholarships per year, depending on the number of applicants. As long as students maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and are eligible for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as FAFSA, the scholarship will cover four years of tuition, which is currently valued at $8,774 per year, according to university estimates. Its important because it will give them a hand up and not a handout, McCloud said. Advertisement Advertisement Promotion for the program has ramped up to let Gary students know about the scholarship. A few Gary buses are wrapped with advertisements using the phrase free ride as a play on words referencing the scholarships tuition coverage. Its an invitation for our students to know that they can go to school right here in our city and receive a degree, McCloud said. Chelsea Whittington, chief of public and community relations for the Gary Community School Corporation, said she remembers being at West Side Leadership Academy when her counselors persistently pushed her to complete every available scholarship application. Because of the impact that effort had on her future, she said the district is now taking the same approach with todays students. We have to hound them and let them know were doing this because its in their best interest, Whittington said. Working closely with principals, counselors, and English teachers, officials hope to help ensure students applications can be submitted. In her words, the students may be tired of seeing them, but they wont stop: Who doesnt want a full ride to college in this day and age? Advertisement Advertisement According to the Indiana University Northwest website, 44% of students in 2022-2023 graduated with no student loan debt. Its a number that university officials hope to increase as more students are accepted to this scholarship program. When you set limits, you dont get the full potential, stated Dorothy Frink, interim vice chancellor for enrollment management and student affairs at Indiana University Northwest. A graduate of Gary Roosevelt who left and returned to the community, Frink said she understands the importance of pushing local students to do better. Having a formal education, whether its two years or four, will help them and help the city, she said. The more individuals we have here with degrees, the better it is to get businesses to come here. For more information about this scholarship, visit urbanleagueofnwi.org. The post Gary Students Get a New Route to Tuition-Free College at IUN appeared first on Capital B Gary. A McDonalds 17-year-old employee has died after police say another teen shot him inside the restaurant. The Elberton Police Department responded to the McDonalds inside city limits about 10:19 p.m. Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police found an employee lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators said it appears he was shot after an argument with the suspect in the lobby. Advertisement Advertisement Officers and paramedics tried lifesaving measures on the employee before he was taken to the hospital. He later died at Elbert Memorial Hospital. TRENDING STORIES: The suspected shooter had already left the restaurant when officers arrived. Police say the 15-year-old suspect later turned himself in at the police department. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the GBI at 1-800-597-8477 or call the Elberton Police Department at 706-213-3130. Advertisement Advertisement Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the GBI for more information about the case, and the victim. Police have not identified the victim. In a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, Mikesh Patel, the local McDonalds owner/operator in Elberton said: We are devastated by the loss of our crew member and by this senseless act of violence. Our hearts are with their family, friends, and loved ones, and we are providing support and resources to our crew during this incredibly difficult time. We will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ATLANTA (AP) Democrat Eric Gisler claimed an upset victory Tuesday in a special election in a historically Republican Georgia state House district. Gisler said he was the winner of the contest, in which he was leading Republican Mack Dutch Guest by about 200 votes out of more than 11,000 in final unofficial returns. Robert Sinners, a spokesperson with the secretary of state's office, said there could be a few provisional ballots left before the tally is finalized. Advertisement Advertisement I think we had the right message for the time, Gisler told The Associated Press in a phone interview. He credited his win to Democratic enthusiasm but also said some Republicans were looking for a change. A lot of what I would call traditional conservatives held their nose and voted Republican last year on the promise of low prices and whatever else they were selling," Gisler said. "But they hadnt received that. Guest did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment late Tuesday. Democrats have seen a number of electoral successes in 2025 as the party's voters have been eager to express dissatisfaction with Republican President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement In Georgia in November, they romped to two blowouts in statewide special elections for the Public Service Commission, unseating two incumbent Republicans in campaigns driven by discontent over rising electricity costs. Nationwide, Democrats won governor's races by broad margins in Virginia and New Jersey. On Tuesday a Democrat defeated a Trump-endorsed Republican in the officially nonpartisan race for Miami mayor, becoming the first from his party to win the post in nearly 30 years. Democrats have also performed strongly in some races they lost, such as a Tennessee U.S. House race last week and a Georgia state Senate race in September. Republicans remain firmly in control of the Georgia House, but their majority is likely fall to 99-81 when lawmakers return in January. Also Tuesday, voters in a second, heavily Republican district in Atlanta's northwest suburbs sent Republican Bill Fincher and Democrat Scott Sanders to a Jan. 6 runoff to fill a vacancy created when Rep. Mandi Ballinger died. Advertisement Advertisement The GOP majority is down from 119 Republicans in 2015. It would be the first time the GOP holds fewer than 100 seats in the lower chamber since 2005, when they won control for the first time since Reconstruction. The race between Gisler and Guest in House District 121 in the Athens area northeast of Atlanta was held to replace Republican Marcus Wiedower, who was in the seat since 2018 but resigned in the middle of this term to focus on business interests. Most of the district is in Oconee County, a Republican suburb of Athens, reaching into heavily Democratic Athens-Clarke County. Republicans gerrymandered Athens-Clarke to include one strongly Democratic district, parceling out the rest of the county into three seats intended to be Republican. Gisler ran against Wiedower in 2024, losing 61% to 39%. This year was Guest's first time running for office. Advertisement Advertisement A Democrat briefly won control of the district in a 2017 special election but lost to Wiedower in 2018. Gisler, a 49-year-old Watkinsville resident, works for an insurance technology company and owns a gourmet olive oil store. He campaigned on improving health care, increasing affordability and reinvesting Georgia's surplus funds Guest is the president of a trucking company and touted his community ties, promising to improve public safety and cut taxes. He was endorsed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, an Athens native, and raised far more in campaign contributions than Gisler. Georgia National Guard troops have returned home from Washington, D.C., after completing a mission that involved patrolling the streets of the nations capital. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The mission, which lasted three months, involved 318 Georgia soldiers who helped free up D.C. Metropolitan Police Department resources by patrolling one sector of the city. Their presence allowed local police to focus on some of the citys toughest areas. Advertisement Advertisement Colonel John Turk, commander of Task Force Bulldawg, stated that Georgia soldiers encountered violent situations but were able to resolve them using interpersonal skills without drawing firearms. Not often, but largely we were able to use interpersonal skills to dissolve situations, said Turk. The return of the troops was marked by the landing of two C-130J aircraft at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Cobb County, bringing back 125 soldiers. These were the first of four scheduled flights to return a total of 225 soldiers. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The mission was federally funded with the consent of the governor, according to Maj. General Dwayne Wilson, commanding general of the Georgia National Guard. This mission is federally funded so federally funded with the consent of the governor, said Wilson. During their time in D.C., Georgia Army Guard Sgt. First Class and Fulton County Sheriffs Deputy Dontarious Dorsey was commended by the D.C. Police Chief for preventing a stabbing while on patrol in southeast D.C. Turk mentioned that the presence of Georgia soldiers in D.C. helped expedite emergency response times, potentially saving lives. Advertisement Advertisement Being able to have the pre our presence there got EMT and local law enforcement on the scene that much quicker, Turk explained. The troops return comes shortly after a tragic incident in D.C., where a gunman ambushed two West Virginia Guard members, killing one. This incident inspired renewed vigilance among the Georgia soldiers. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] German students have said Australia's social media ban for young people under 16 is the wrong approach, and that education rather than prohibition should come first. Banning something cannot be the first solution of an education policy, said Quentin Gartner of the German National Students' Conference. "The first step should always be to teach young people skills," he said, adding that it's crucial to educate minors on how to behave responsibly on social media. Australia's law, which came into effect on Wednesday, bars children and teens under 16 from holding accounts on major platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Australian authorities say the measure aims to protect minors from online risks. Germany is debating a similar approach. Advertisement Advertisement Gartner, 18, who served as secretary general of the National Students' Conference until November, said age restrictions would not solve the problem. "If we talk about social media regulations or bans, we need a society-wide approach," he told dpa. "Then we have to say that society as a whole cannot cope with this. But then we need other formats," he said. He called for schools to provide trained professionals who educate students on healthy sleep routines, the mechanics of social media and misinformation. "It's not that we are unaware our screen time is harmful," Gartner said. Millions of children and teenagers want help, he said, which is why demand for guidance is high. The German government intends to issue an official rejection to some of the Afghans currently waiting in Pakistan for permission to enter Germany, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said in Berlin on Wednesday. They would be told that "there is no political interest in acceptance any longer," she said in response to a question. The spokeswoman referred to German legislation in this respect. Around 90 Afghans who worked for German institutions in Afghanistan and their relatives, along with around 580 people seen as being at particular danger from the Taliban government could still be accepted, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Ministry stressed, however, that within this group entry could be refused should security doubts emerge during a check conducted beforehand. Another charter flight is believed to be planned for next week from Islamabad to Germany. The government allowed 192 people to fly out of Islamabad last week on the first charter flight since it took office in May. Afghans had previously travelled to Germany on standard commercial flights. The Interior Ministry is in contact with a few people in possession of permission to enter who are now considering accepting a money offer to withdraw their application. Pakistan has allowed Germany time for the procedure only up to the end of the year, after which the Afghans are to be deported. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Germany's Constitutional Court ordered the authorities to take an immediate decision on a visa application made by a former Afghan judge and his family, saying the case was exceptional and urgent. The man is a former Afghan supreme court judge. He is accompanied by his wife and their four children. By Emilio Parodi MILAN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Amazon has agreed with Italy's tax collection agency to pay 510 million euros ($582 million) to settle a tax dispute, two sources close to the matter said on Wednesday, in one of a number of cases involving the company in Italy. However, in an unusual development, Milan's prosecutors are in disagreement with the accord between the revenue agency and the U.S. tech company and plan to continue their criminal investigation, two other sources said. More from Yahoo Scout How does Amazon view Italy's regulatory environment for investors? What is Amazon's 510 million euro tax settlement about? What other tax investigations is Amazon facing in Italy? Why are Milan prosecutors continuing their criminal investigation? Amazon confirmed the settlement, but did not specify how much it would pay and criticised the Italian regulatory environment. "We will forcefully defend our position on the potential ungrounded criminal case," the company said in a statement. "Unpredictable regulatory environments, disproportionate penalties, and protracted legal proceedings are increasingly affecting Italy's attractiveness as an investment destination," it added. The Milan prosecutors, who suspect evasion amounting to some 1.2 billion euros related to 2019-2021, expect to wrap up their probe early next year, according to the second two sources familiar with the investigation. Prosecutors are also conducting two other investigations into the company - one involving alleged tax evasion relating to 2021-2024, and another centred on alleged customs and tax fraud involving Chinese imports. An Italian Amazon unit this month paid compensation and scrapped a monitoring system for delivery staff, ending a separate probe into alleged tax fraud and illegal labour practices. The group paid around 180 million euros ($210 million) to Italian tax authorities in that case, joining more than 30 other companies who have over the past two years reached settlements to close similar investigations. ($1 = 0.8592 euros) (Reporting by Emilio Parodi, writing by Gavin Jones and Keith Weir, editing by Crispian Balmer) President Donald Trump warned Colombian President Gustavo Petro he better wise up because hes next in what would be an expansion of the administrations efforts to stop alleged drug smuggling operations in the Caribbean. While speaking to reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Trump was asked about Petros criticism of U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. Petro has referred to the efforts as barbarian. Trump has defended the strikes, alleging that the boats are headed to the United States and pose a direct threat. Hes accused Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro, whose election victory has been contested, of being behind the drug smuggling operations. Advertisement Advertisement The president warned Petro hes the next one in the administrations sights. Trump has blasted Petro before, calling him a thug. He said on Wednesday: Hes been fairly hostile to the United States and I havent given a lot of thought. Hes gonna have himself some big problems if he doesnt wise up. Did he say Colombias producing a lot of drugs? They have cocaine factories that they make cocaine, as you know, and they sell it right into the United States. So he better wise up or hell be next. Hell be next. I hope hes listening. Hes gonna be next. Because we dont like people when they kill people and they sell drugs, they kill [people] in the United States, and Colombia is a major manufacturer of drugs, meaning cocaine in particular, as you know. In October, Trump similarly blasted Petro and threatened serious action against Colombia. Hes hurt his country very badly, theyre doing very poorly, Colombia, the president said at the time. They make cocaine they have cocaine factories. They grow all sorts of crap thats drugs, bad drugs coming into the United States, goes generally through Mexico. And he better watch it, or well take very serious action against him and his country. Watch above via Fox News. The post Hes Going to be Next! Trump Angrily Threatens to Target the Leader of Another South American Country first appeared on Mediaite. Oklahomas Republican governor, Kevin Stitt, criticized the Trump administration for its handling of wind energy projects during a Semafor event focused on permitting reform. Its very disappointing, Stitt told Semafors Ben Smith when asked about the administrations efforts to kill wind projects, like a nearly-finished project in Rhode Island and Connecticut. That just looks like politics when youre canceling those. Stitt also criticized the Obama and Biden administrations for killing the Keystone XL pipeline, and said that Americans are generally frustrated with the uncertainty around energy projects as administrations transition from one to the next. Advertisement Advertisement I think most Americans theyre so frustrated with the pendulum swinging from one side to another, he said. Stitt said he has raised the issue of wind projects in conversations with Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Weve got to be agnostic on these issues, he continued. His comments came soon after a federal judge struck down President Donald Trumps order halting wind projects on federal lands and waters. Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., also expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of a permitting deal in Congress next year, during separate interviews with Semafors Burgess Everett. Advertisement Advertisement Lee, who leads the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, described himself as guardedly optimistic about the prospect of a breakthrough. He cited conversations he is having with Heinrich and others across the aisle and said that he has talked to Senate leadership. Permitting reform could absolutely be on the Senate floor next year, Lee said. Still, theres reason to be skeptical, after a bipartisan deal passed out of the Senate last year only to be blocked by the House. Lee said members ran out of game clock last time and that he believes there is more urgency now, citing the growing power demands of data centers amid the artificial intelligence race. Heinrich, the top Democrat on the committee, said he is optimistic that this is a space where were more aligned than maybe some of the other spaces. He added that hes more worried about the Trump administrations action stopping projects than about Congress lack of agreement on the issue of permitting reform. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem holds a press conference in Minneapolis to discuss ICE operations and immigration enforcement in Minnesota on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday urged U.S. Secretary of Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem to review all recent arrests in Minnesota after reports that at least two U.S. citizens were detained this week in the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign. On Tuesday, a man alleged that federal immigration officers chased him on foot in Minneapolis Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, tackled him and arrested him even though hes a U.S. citizen, the Sahan Journal reported. Mubashir, who declined to share his last name, said he offered to show officers his I.D. and said he was a citizen multiple times. The officers ignored him, Mubashir said. Advertisement Advertisement A 55-year-old woman, who is a U.S. citizen, was also arrested in Minneapolis Tuesday after confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over the arrest of her neighbors, according to MPR News. In his letter to Noem, Walz said the arrests raise concerns about the due process rights of U.S citizens. The forcefulness, lack of communication and unlawful practices displayed by your agents will not be tolerated in Minnesota, Walz told Noem in his letter. Walz urged the Homeland Security secretary to find out whether agents possessed a warrant authorizing search and seizure. Any federal agents who acted unlawfully should be placed on administrative leave, Walz wrote. Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota governor, who is seeking reelection to a third term next year, also asked that Noem clarify the legal standard for citizen observing law enforcement interactions, ensure ICE agents receive clear guidance about respecting the civil rights of U.S. citizens and to reassess the broader surge enforcement strategy. The Trump administration has ramped up the presence of federal agents in Minnesota in the past two weeks. Its unclear how many people have been detained by ICE. DHS has identified 19 people arrested by agents who are allegedly in the U.S. illegally and have criminal records. Our states safety and community trust depend not only on effective law enforcement, but on justice, fairness and respect for civil liberties, Walz said in his letter. We cannot allow public trust to be further damaged by detaining citizens under unclear or questionable circumstances. Governor Ron DeSantis spoke on Wednesday, outlining his plan for next years Florida budget during a discussion at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando. The governor announced that the upcoming budget will be lower than last years, yet it will maintain a focus on key areas, such as education. DeSantis highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in these sectors despite the reduced budget. Governor DeSantis also mentioned the significance of protecting the environment as part of the budget plan. However, specific measures for environmental protection were not detailed during the discussion. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A South Carolina atheist is suing for the right to serve as a poll worker without having to swear an oath to God. James Reel alleges a requirement that citizens make a statement of belief in a monotheistic deity or forgo working at the polls violates the constitutional rights of nontheists or those who worship more than one deity. The Greenville County resident became passionate about defending the American form of governing after observing negative political rhetoric during the 2020 election designed to undermine public trust in the electoral process, according to his suit. Reel decided to train as a poll worker. Advertisement Advertisement But after completing three online courses in December 2023 and beginning in-person training, Reel learned he would be required to take an oath that ends with "so help me God." He asked instead to be allowed to use a secular affirmation, which is a solemn vow without reference to a religious deity, but election officials denied the request. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national nonprofit based in Madison, Wis., stepped in last year to help. In letters to the South Carolina Election Commission and the Greenville County Voter Registration and Elections Board in late 2024 and early 2025, foundation staff attorney Madeline Ziegler said Reel does not want to profess a belief in a god, "which would make a mockery out of the oath and the solemn promise to support both the federal and state constitutions." The distinction between an oath and affirmation is critical because the opportunity to substitute an affirmation is required under federal law, Ziegler said. Advertisement Advertisement "Article 6 of the United States Constitution prohibits the government from requiring any kind of religious test for public office, including to volunteer as a poll worker," she wrote. The required oath of office for public officials is in Article III, Section 26 of the South Carolina Constitution and in Title 7, Chapter 13 of the state code. It says: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am duly qualified, according to the Constitution of this State, to exercise the duties of the office to which I have been appointed, and that I will, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of this State and of the United States. So help me God." To be appointed as a poll worker, state code requires citizens to take a training course conducted by one of the 46 county boards of voter registration and elections. Howard Knapp, the now former executive director of the election commission, said current policies and procedures make no particular reference to the contents of the oath, which must be signed by the prospective poll worker. Advertisement Advertisement Although the commission has the authority to set policy on the conduct of elections by the county boards, "this grant of authority does not extend to a power to create election related policies and procedures that contradict explicit statutory requirements, and then instruct the county boards to ignore what is clearly stated in the code," Knapp said in a January letter. He added the commission has limited oversight authority over the boards, which are independent county government offices. Bob Schaffner, chairman of the Greenville County Voter Registration and Elections Board, responded to the foundation that the board is subject to South Carolina laws and standard procedures determined by the State Election Commission in the Poll Manager Handbook issued to all poll workers. The board is unaware of any specific complaint and the issue has never been raised in his 28 years of service, said Schaffner, who recently retired. He said in a March letter that the South Carolina attorney general might be a better agency to get clarification on state law. Advertisement Advertisement After the requests for a secular affirmation were rejected, South Carolina attorney Steven Edward Buckingham and foundation attorneys Sam Grover and Kyle Steinberg acting as co-counsel filed suit on Reel's behalf. The suit, filed Oct. 8 in United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, names as defendants Jenny Wooten, executive director of the South Carolina State Election Commission; Conway Belangia, director of Voter Registration & Elections in Greenville County; and the Greenville County Voter Registration & Elections Board. Wooten and Belangia are being sued in their official capacities. The lawsuit alleges violations of Article VI and the First Amendment's free speech, free exercise of religion and establishment of religion clauses. Reel is seeking a permanent injunction against requiring poll workers to swear "so help me God" and the provision of a secular affirmation. The suit says the state of South Carolina routinely allows attorneys, jurors, witnesses and many others to make a secular affirmation as a matter of conscience. Advertisement Advertisement The oath mandate bars a growing number of people from serving as poll workers, according to the suit, which cites a 2024 Pew Research Center report that says about 28% of the population is religiously unaffiliated. In South Carolina, approximately 16% are unaffiliated. Foundation Co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor called the oath requirement a "discriminatory and blatantly unconstitutional practice." "Jim Reel, a veteran who wants to continue serving his community as a poll worker, should be congratulated, not barred simply because he is an atheist," Gaylor said. In answers to the suit filed late last month, the defendants deny they are violating individuals' rights and assert their actions in their official capacity were taken in good faith in compliance with existing state law and the South Carolina Constitution. They also argue they have immunity from being sued and ask that the suit be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit and foundation letters cite previous complaints about requirements to swear an oath referencing a belief in God to qualify to serve in a position or run for an office. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 1961 that the states and the federal government could not force a person to profess a belief or disbelief in any religion because the requirement violated the Constitution. The justices found in favor of Roy Torcaso, a Maryland man whose appointment as a notary public was revoked after he refused to take an oath declaring the existence of God. In 1992, Herb Silverman's application to be a notary public in South Carolina was denied because he crossed out the words "so help me God" on the form. He filed suit, and the state Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that the religious test requirement to hold public office violated the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement The foundation has brought two similar lawsuits recently. James Tosone, a nontheist, ran unsuccessfully for the New Jersey Senate in 2017 and 2021 and for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, and each time, he had to swear "so help me God" because there was no secular option for candidates for public office. Since 2022, Tosone had sought to run for election, but was no longer willing to take the oath. The foundation, which alleged the secretary of state and the state of New Jersey were coercing a statement of belief in a monotheistic deity by requiring nontheists or those who worship more than one deity to swear "so help me God, filed suit in federal court in October 2023. The suit was settled in about a month after the state agreed to adopt a secular affirmation option. In 2021, the foundation sued Alabama for requiring people who were registering to vote to sign an oath on a form that concluded, "so help me God." A settlement allowed voters to check a box declining to include those four words. Blanding's turtles are considered endangered in New Hampshire. Some of their habitat along Ayers Pond in Barrington will be preserved through the state's Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. (Photo by Bob Grif/Getty Images) About 2,800 acres of forest and open space across New Hampshire are set to be conserved as part of this years Land and Community Heritage Investment Program. The tracts include working forests, wetlands, grassland, and other valuable wildlife habitat, ranging in size from 24 to 990 acres, according to a statement by Paula Bellemore, the programs executive director. The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program also provides funding for conservation of historic buildings including museums and antique buildings that remain in use, such as the little red schoolhouse in Croydon and the home of poet Robert Frost, both of which also received funding this cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Grant awards to all 31 projects totaled $3.5 million. Eleven of the projects are primarily focused on land conservation. Among these is the planned preservation of 410 acres along Ayers Pond in Barrington, including the last undeveloped stretch of shoreline on the pond, according to the statement. The habitat is a home to species including loons and Blandings turtles, which are considered endangered in New Hampshire. The property will be placed into conservation with the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire. Also receiving funding was an effort to preserve of 655 acres in the Nelson Highlands Forest in southwestern New Hampshire that will help fill in conservation lands in the Quabbin-to-Cardigan corridor, a stretch of wildlands between the Quabbin Reservoir outside Amherst, Massachusetts, and Cardigan Mountain in Orange, New Hampshire. The tract includes habitat for animals including moose, bobcats and bears, and unique ecosystems including high-elevation spruce forests, according to the release. Other land conservation projects funded: 28 and 24 acre parcels in and near the Great Bay estuary; 56 acres in Farmington; 101 acres in Kingston; 133 acres in Madbury; 141 acres in Mason; 31 acres in Northumberland; 205 acres in Nottingham; and 990 acres in Springfield. Advertisement Advertisement The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program was created in 2000 and is funded through a $25 surcharge on deeds, mortgages, mortgage discharges, and plans processed at county registries of deeds. The program has so far provided 646 grants for historic building and land conservation, contributing to the conservation of more than 247,000 acres, according to the release. To claim the grants, communities must put forward a portion of funding themselves. Strategic public investment in land and heritage yields lasting benefits in community vitality, environmental health, and economic resilience, said Bellemore in the statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX There they floated. Scared. Traumatized. Six people had just survived the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 into a bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., in January 1982. They hung on to the jet's damaged tail section in the freezing water. Five of them would live because the sixth, one-by-one, would hand them a life ring attached to a rope hanging from a helicopter. When the copter came back a sixth time, the man had slipped into the water to his death. This hero, under normal circumstances, was terrified of the water and couldn't swim. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities believed it was Arland Williams Jr., 46, a former Boca Raton bank president, who'd flown into Washington to consult with a superior at the Federal Reserve. Williams at that time was a bank examiner working for the Fed in Atlanta. DC plane clash: How Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac in 1982 Arland Williams, 44, who died in the 1982 Air Florida crash in Washington D.C. The Boeing 737 on Jan. 13, 1982 couldn't climb high enough during takeoff from what was then Washington National Airport because of icing on the wings amid a blizzard. On a January day 43 years later, another jet would collide with an Army helicopter on its descent to Reagan Washington National, killing all 67 people on the two aircraft. It, too, would send people into the icy Potomac. Advertisement Advertisement Officials were never able to say definitively that Williams was the hero who saved the five lone survivors of the crash, but evidence suggests he was. He was the only person of the 78 people who perished 74 on the plane and four commuters on the 14th Street Bridge to die from drowning and exposure to the cold. The description from a helicopter paramedic, who said he came as close as a foot from the man, fit Williams. The Air Florida jet's tail is pulled from the Potomac River after it crashed in January 1982. The five survivors were: Kelly Duncan, 22, a flight attendant based in Miami. She didn't remember seeing the man handing over the life ring. She was so cold her temperature didn't register on thermometer when she reached the shore, a relative said. Priscilla Tirado, 23, a Spanish woman who had lost her husband, Jose, and her 2-month-old son, Jason, in the crash. They had been on their way to Fort Lauderdale before heading back to Spain. Joseph Stiley, 42, of Alexandria, Virginia, a pilot for General Telephone & Electronics heading to Tampa for business. Patricia Felch, 27, of Herndon, Virginia, Stiley's secretary. Bert Hamilton, 43, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, flying to Tampa on business for Fairchild Industries. Advertisement Advertisement The flight's final destination was Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a stopover in Tampa. Williams had been on his way to Tampa to celebrate the birthday of his fiancee's son. Carole Biggs launched a campaign to get official recognition for Williams' heroism. But Park Service officials were concerned about asking their employees to take a risk of getting the identification wrong. Williams' 16-year-old son, Arland "Trey" Williams III, had been watching the news reports of the crash with his 17-year-old sister, Leslie Ann, and his mother, Williams' ex-wife, not knowing his father was onboard. Advertisement Advertisement "If he did die that way, I'm very proud he did," the teen said the next day. Williams had been the president of First Community Bank of Boca Raton six years earlier, then had taken the job at the Fed. He'd moved to Palm Beach County in 1972 to work for First National Bank & Trust Co. in Lake Worth and was transferred to be president of the Boca Raton bank from 1973 to 1975. His friend, William McDonald, had convinced Williams to come to South Florida after they'd roomed together as assistant bank examiners in Indianapolis. "I thought about Arland when I found out he was on the plane and when I heard there was a hero and they described him, I just knew it was Arland," William McDonald of Jupiter, who'd known Williams for years, said in 1982. Advertisement Advertisement "The best news in the wake of all this is that the hero could be Arland that makes me feel good." Holly Baltz, who has a passion for history, is a former editor at The Palm Beach Post. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 1982 Air Florida crash hero who saved 5 had been Boca Raton banker A hiker detailed his experience seeking out an orchard of American chestnut trees in the Lesesne State Forest in Virginia. For most people, this might not seem like such a big deal, but for scientists, environmentalists, and conservation groups, getting a glimpse at nature's past is refreshing. It also signals quite the comeback for a species once thought to be all but lost. The hiker, Eric Wallace, detailed in his article for Backpacker that the Virginia Department of Forestry planted an orchard of American chestnut trees in Lesesne in the 1970s. According to Cassie Stark, the regional science coordinator for the American Chestnut Foundation, it remains the largest and oldest experimental planting of the species in the U.S. But that's not where the story begins. Advertisement Advertisement When European settlers first arrived in North America, the American chestnut was everywhere. It dominated eastern forests, fed wildlife with its abundant nuts, and served as a key source of strong, rot-resistant lumber. Telephone poles were actually made from chestnut trees, many of which are still standing today, according to TACF. "This was the tree of early America," wrote author Susan Freinkel in her book, "American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree." "It's impossible to understate the importance of American chestnuts for the developing U.S." That changed dramatically in the late 19th century, when a fungus accidentally introduced from imported Japanese chestnut trees began spreading through forests. Within decades, billions of American chestnuts had died, and the species seemed destined to survive only as stumps that continued to sprout but never reached maturity. The American chestnut was considered extinct. After decades of conservation efforts, that's why modern sightings of thriving trees and orchards are so encouraging. From breeding programs and forest monitoring to managing blight-resistant hybrids, the work is beginning to pay off. Advertisement Advertisement The comeback of the chestnut also highlights a bigger environmental win: Restoring threatened species strengthens the ecosystems we rely on. When species disappear, the natural systems that filter water, store carbon, and support biodiversity start to break down. Reintroducing these species helps rebuild those networks and makes forests more resilient to climate change, pests, and disease. So while Wallace's discovery might seem like a small moment, it's part of a much larger story. The American chestnut's slow return shows why protecting threatened species remains crucial to preserving nature. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club. Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Department of Homeland Security has inked a deal to buy six Boeing 737 planes to deport immigrants. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has used charter planes in the past for deportation flights, but this deal will allow it to operate its own fleet. The money comes from the $170 billion that Congress authorized for Trump's immigration control plans in a spending bill earlier this year, according to the Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement In late October, DHS announced it had deported nearly 600,000 people this year. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to The Post that the planes would save money "by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns." She said it would save $279 million in taxpayer dollars, though she didn't elaborate. "We are delighted to see The Washington Post is highlighting the Trump administration's cost-effective and innovative ways of delivering on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens," she said in a statement. She added that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "are committed to quickly and efficiently getting criminal illegal aliens OUT of our country." Advertisement Advertisement In November, The Wall Street Journal reported that Noem and her chief adviser, Corey Lewandowski, directed ICE officials to buy 10 planes from Spirit Airlines for deportation flights and their own travel. But Spirit didn't own the planes, which did not have engines. The DHS contract is with Virginia-based Daedalus Aviation, created in February 2024, according to corporate records, The Post reported. Daedalus's website says it "offers a full range of commercial and charter aviation services" and "provides comprehensive responsive flight operations tailored to the unique needs of each mission." John Sandweg, former acting director of ICE under President Barack Obama, said the purchase shows that ICE has a lot of money, but isn't likely to be cost-effective. "It's so much easier to issue a contract to a company that already manages a fleet of airplanes," Sandweg told The Post. "So this move I'm surprised by because what the administration wants to accomplish, by and large, can be accomplished through charter flights already." ABU DHABI/SINGAPORE, Dec 10 - Asian investors are piling into Gulf bonds and loans this year, reflecting both deepening trade and finance ties with the fast-growing region and an uncertain outlook elsewhere, including the world's top two economies, the United States and China. Bond issuance in the Middle East and North Africa region jumped 20% year-on-year to $126 billion in the first nine months of this year, according to LSEG data, with full-year records in sight both for the region and broader emerging market debt sales outside China. More from Yahoo Scout What drives Asian allocation increases in Gulf debt? How do Gulf bonds compare to Asian credits? Why are Asian investors increasing Gulf bond investments? How much has Middle East bond issuance grown? That growth, driven largely by the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, represents both rising financing needs linked to oil- and gas-producing economies' efforts to diversify, and growing demand from Asian investors reshuffling their portfolios. "Clearly there has been a shift with Chinese investors actively diversifying away from U.S.-based investments," said Nour Safa, head of debt capital markets for the Middle East and North Africa at HSBC in Dubai. Chinese investors have become more comfortable with the region and were now doubling down on investments in both bonds and loans, which have seen particularly strong demand from Asia, Safa said. Middle East loans syndicated in Asia-Pacific more than tripled to over $16 billion year-to-date from less than $5 billion last year, LSEG data showed. With China's economy slowing and Washington's tariff-centred policies making investors rethink their exposure to the vast pool of U.S. assets, the Gulf appeals with its stability and solid growth prospects. The IMF projects the region will grow 3.9% this year and growth will accelerate to 4.3% in 2026. In contrast, global growth, projected at 3.2% in 2025, is seen slowing to 3.1% next year. "Investors are being more cautious about U.S. Treasuries and are diversifying into several alternate markets," said Oliver Holt, Nomuras head of debt syndication in Singapore, with high-rated government-backed Middle East issuers often catching investor attention. Deepening economic ties are also helping with Gulf-Asia trade rising 15% to a record $516 billion last year, around double the value of the region's trade with the West, according to London-based Asia House. ASIA TAKES BIGGER BOND ALLOCATIONS Ritesh Agarwal, Emirates NBD Capital's head of debt capital markets, said Asian institutions - hedge funds, asset managers and private banks - have driven a rise in the region's debt allocations over the past 12 to 18 months. According to Agarwal, average Asian allocation in Gulf debt issues now ranged between 15% and 20%, up from 5% to 7% in early 2024. He said that while the majority of investors were not from mainland China, Chinese capital was flowing through Asian accounts in Hong Kong, Singapore and, for Islamic bonds, Malaysia. Modern humans belong to a small minority of monogamous mammals and, in terms of partner fidelity, rank between the Eurasian beaver and the white-handed gibbon. That's the conclusion of evolutionary anthropologist Mark Dyble of the University of Cambridge from a comparison with 34 other mammal species. He examined the offspring of these species for the ratio of full siblings to half siblings, that is, those sharing only one parent. Advertisement Advertisement For humans the share of full siblings averages about 66%. For comparison, the world leader in monogamy, the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus), topping the chart at 100% monogamous. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) stands at 85%, and the Damaraland mole-rat (Fukomys damarensis) and the Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) each at just under 80%. Humans rank just below the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber, 73%) and just above the white-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar, just under 64%), Dyble wrote in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. The large majority of mammals are non-monogamous and include the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) and the European badger (Meles meles), each with roughly 20% full siblings. Advertisement Advertisement The tail end of the list includes the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) at 4%, the orca (Orcinus orca) at 3%, and various macaque species at roughly 1% to 2%. At the very bottom stands the Soay sheep, where full siblings account for just 0.6%. "Monogamy is the dominant mating pattern in our species," Dyble said in a statement from his university. The vast majority of other mammals take a far more promiscuous approach to mating, he said, noting that only 9% of mammal species are monogamous. To determine a species monogamy level, Dyble compared sibling data from genetic studies across mammals. While somewhat coarse given the patchy data, he said it was the most direct and concrete method. Monogamy applies to humans even in societies where men have multiple wives or women have multiple husbands, it said. There is huge cultural diversity in human mating and marriage practices, Dyble said. But even the extremes in this spectrum are above what we see in most non-monogamous species, he added. Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, our closest relatives, the great apes, show strong promiscuity. In the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) full siblings account for around 6%, and in the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) just 4%, similar to dolphins. A high-ranking monogamous non-human primate is the moustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) of the Amazon. In this callitrichid species, full siblings make up 78% of offspring. Dyble argues that human monogamy favoured the development of large kin networks. That was the first step towards the creation of large societies and networks of cultural exchange, which in turn were crucial to human success. In the league of monogomy, humans sit somewhere between beavers and white-handed gibbons, with about 66% of siblings being full siblings, a Cambridge study has found. What does this say about how we form families, and how unusual are we among other mammals? Julian Stratenschulte/dpa The world leader in monogamy is the humble mouse, one genus of which has an astonishing 100% rate of monogamy, research shows. Sina Schuldt/dpa In the league of monogomy, humans sit somewhere between beavers and white-handed gibbons, with about 66% of siblings being full siblings, a Cambridge study has found. What does this say about how we form families, and how unusual are we among other mammals? Patrick Pleul/dpa In the league of monogomy, humans sit somewhere between beavers and white-handed gibbons, with about 66% of siblings being full siblings, a Cambridge study has found. What does this say about how we form families, and how unusual are we among other mammals? Patrick Pleul/dpa Advertisement Advertisement In the league of monogomy, humans sit somewhere between beavers and white-handed gibbons, with about 66% of siblings being full siblings, a Cambridge study has found. What does this say about how we form families, and how unusual are we among other mammals? Paul Zinken/dpa LAKE WORTH BEACH A vigil will take place Dec. 11 at the Guatemalan-Maya Center in honor of an unaccounted number of people detained this week during immigration-enforcement operations in central Palm Beach County. Local activists recorded on Dec. 8 a series of sweeps including roadblocks set up along busy roadways between Lake Worth Beach and Lantana and an attempted raid by Border Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol officers at a residential construction project along 10th Ave North that includes affordable housing. At the building site, videos shared on social-media platforms showed a chaotic scene with workers in neon shirts sprinting from the worksite to hide behind nearby trees. One activist, Mariana Blanco, the director of the Guatemalan-Maya Center, could be heard yelling out to the targeted workers their rights and urging people to close their doors. Advertisement Advertisement Others, including residents and legal observers, stood along the road by the worksite urging officers not to enter what they pointed out was private property. On the video, one officer is heard threatening Blanco with arrest while another passing in a highway patrol cruiser demanded through a loudspeaker that she step away from the street. The scene at nearby road blocks was less chaotic but equally traumatic, witnesses and voices heard on videos reported. Immigration agents questioned drivers and people walking by while children, left behind when their parents were apprehended and carted away, cried after being separated from their mothers and fathers. Immigration crackdown: He played Jesus on Good Friday. Ten days later, he was deported. Immigration sweeps in central Palm Beach County come at politically fraught moment The Palm Beach Post has reached out to the Florida Highway Patrol, Border Patrol and Immigrations Customs Enforcement for comment on the Dec. 8 operations. The agencies did not immediately respond. Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear how many people were detained during the immigration enforcement action, but the PEACE short for People Engaged in Active Community Efforts social-justice group estimates at least 50 people were detained. Among those taken into custody was a 19-year U.S. citizen who was released from detention hours later, Blanco said. "It was a mass operation where they were racially profiled drivers, said Blanco. "When they arrived to the construction site to attempt to raid it, there were too many people watching. We blocked it." The crackdowns, however, come as political and civic support for the Trump administration's aggressive deportation and removal program suffers fissures even in the president's home state. Advertisement Advertisement Florida's Catholic clergy, for example, have spoken out against President Donald Trump's immigration campaign and on Nov. 12, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joined with a statement opposing the "indiscriminate" actions. "We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people," the statement said. "We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement." On Dec. 7, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Miami Republican, blistered the administration's policy as "un-American" in a statement. All of this follows months of actions that activists and others have decried as departing from what the Trump administration initially said was a roundup of undocumented people with criminal records. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, as ICE officials themselves have conceded, their focus is on anyone in the United States without permission. The apprehensions have also included untold numbers of people who were in the country with permission while their asylum and immigration claims were before U.S. courts. Round-ups have also detained, wrongly, people who are either permanent residents or citizens of the United States. Immigration: He lived an immigrant's nightmare. One problem: He's a citizen, got his arrest on video A photo from the scene of an immigration enforcement action in central Palm Beach County on Dec. 8, 2025. Immigration sweeps have been ramped up in Palm Beach County The videos from the Lake Worth Beach area follow what has been called a ramping-up of immigration enforcement operations in Palm Beach County. Previously, Border Patrol and FHP deputies targeted landscaping and construction vehicles and Hispanic neighborhoods in Jupiter and central Palm Beach County. The Dec. 8 immigration raid at the construction site of Lake Worth Station, an apartment complex that will feature workforce housing units at 906 G St., off 10th Ave North. Advertisement Advertisement Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner Christopher McVoy said the raid is an example of how immigration enforcement operations aren't going after "the worst of the worst" but instead after vulnerable immigrants who are the workers and neighbors in their communities. "Here we have a large site that some of it is workforce housing, and FHP is interfering with that construction process by conducting raids on a construction site," McVoy said. "It makes no sense." McVoy also lamented the zeroing-in on construction workers in a county needing labor to work on building sites. "That is the opposite of economic development," McVoy added. "People want things to be built, and here you're raiding the construction site. Why?" Advertisement Advertisement Blanco and Mcvoy said the Dec. 8 immigration enforcement operations have deepened an already growing fear among immigrant communities across Palm Beach County. The immigration enforcement operations that are changing the character of the Lake Worth Beach area will affect the economy, with people choosing not to leave their homes, children not showing up to school and businesses loosing employees and customers, McVoy said. Before, McVoy said, he frequently saw people walking down the streets of Lake Worth Beach wearing traditional Hispanic garments, such as colorful Guatemalan ruanas. Now, that sight is rare. "It's a hit for our community economically," McVoy said. "All of that is a loss to the city." ICE detains at least 50 in immigration raids in Lake Worth Beach. Mark Glass, commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, left, and Madison Sheahan, deputy director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, speak at the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations center in November. On the morning of Dec. 8, the Guatemalan-Mayan Center's Blanco said she received an alarming call. Advertisement Advertisement At 7 a.m., a center staff member watched as FHP conducted traffic stops and detained multiple people in Lake Worth Beach. Officers had also set up checkpoints from 10th Ave North to Lantana Road. The officers were asking drivers and area residents walking by for their legal statuses, Blanco said people told her. When Blanco arrived at the first checkpoint, she said she saw a group of Border Patrol, FHP and ICE agents in both unmarked and official vehicles. But when Blanco drove by the FHP station in Lantana and saw a school bus-style transport vehicle, she feared something bigger was coming. "They were planning on picking up an obscene amount of people because they had this massive school bus." Blanco said. "And (on Dec. 8), their operation wasn't just a few hours. It was all-day." Blanco and her team followed FHP police cruisers all morning and stopped at various checkpoints until her phone rang again at noon. In that call, a Lake Worth Beach resident tipped Blanco that unmarked vehicles were swarming the construction site along 10th Avenue North. Advertisement Advertisement When they arrived, Blanco saw a group of vehicles circling a landscaping truck. "Down the block, there's the construction site, and we start seeing a bunch of men running," Blanco said. "And then cop cars showed up from all different sides." The property owners, local activist and area residents were dispersed along the road pleading with officers not to take workers until the first FHP and BP cruisers began pulling away. McVoy, who showed up at one of the road blocks in Lake Worth Beach, said officers refused to show warrants to those individuals they were seeking to detain. Advertisement Advertisement The Guatemalan-Maya Center team continued following FHP and Border Patrol vehicles into the night. At about 6 p.m., its staffers took a break and returned to the construction site, where there was still a police presence. They said they escorted the workers out in a car caravan to protect them. "It was devastating," Blanco said. "They took so many people. How many children got home from school to find their parents are not coming home?" Vigils to be held at GMC and FHP Lantana station The Guatemalan-Mayan Center will host a vigil at 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 at its headquarters at 1776 Lake Worth Road. PEACE will hold a prayer vigil at 10:30 on Dec. 13 outside the FHP station in Lantana. "We will pray for the mothers and fathers torn from their children," PEACE said in a written statement. "We will pray for the communities living in fear and isolation. We will pray for our elected officials hearts to soften towards the plight of our brothers and sisters." PEACE's member groups included multiple religious congregations across the county. In its statement, it added the event is not a protest but a prayer vigil, led by their clergy and asked people not to bring signs. The group advised people who are unsure of the immigration status to use their best judgement on attending. Valentina Palm covers immigration and the western communities of Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: ICE targets workers at South Florida housing construction project Iceland has said it will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, after organiser the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said Israel could participate in the event. The announcement on Wednesday was made by Iceland's public broadcaster, RUV. "Given the public debate in this country and the reactions to the decision of the EBU that was taken last week it is clear that neither joy nor peace will prevail regarding the participation of RUV in Eurovision. It is therefore the conclusion of RUV to notify the EBU today that RUV will not take part in Eurovision next year," the broadcaster said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement The press release, which was signed by RUV director general Stefan Eiriksson, said the EBU's decision to allow Israeli public broadcaster KAN to take part had caused disunity. The statement didnt say whether the annual music programme Songvakeppnin, which is used to select Iceland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, would take place next year. That programme, first broadcast in 1981, pre-dates Iceland's participation in Eurovision by five years. Local media in Iceland said a crowd had gathered outside the RUV headquarters in Reykjavik to show their support for the decision. Yuval Raphael from Israel holds her countrys flag onstage during the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, 17 May, 2025 - AP Photo Other countries withdraw The announcement from RUV comes a week after four other countries announced they were pulling out of next year's Eurovision in protest against Israels participation. Advertisement Advertisement Spain, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Ireland all said they wouldnt participate after the EBU, the body that runs Eurovision, met to discuss concerns about Israels participation, which is opposed by some countries due to its conduct of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS said that the participation of Israel "is no longer compatible with the responsibility we bear as a public broadcaster." "Culture connects, but not at any cost. What happened last year touches our boundaries. Universal values like humanity and a free press have been seriously violated and are non-negotiable for us...the independence and unifying nature of the Eurovision Song Contest can no longer be taken for granted," said AVROTROS Director General Taco Zimmerman. JJ, from Austria, stands on the stage with his trophy after winning the Grand Final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, 18 May, 2025 - AP Photo Spain's state broadcaster RTVE said that the country is pulling out after the EBU voted to let Israel participate in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement "We would like to express our serious doubts about the participation of Israeli broadcaster KAN in Eurovision 2026," said RTVEs Secretary General Alfonso Morales during the EBU's general assembly. The pullouts came after members of the EBU voted to adopt more rigid voting rules in response to allegations that Israel had manipulated the vote in favour of their contestant. The feel-good pop music gala that draws more than 100 million viewers every year has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas war for the past two years. Related Advertisement Advertisement The EBU, a group of public broadcasters from 56 countries that runs Eurovision, held its twice-yearly general assembly where some countries called for Israel to be excluded over alleged interference in voting and its conduct in the war against Hamas in Gaza. "Eurovision is becoming a bit of a fractured event," said Paul Jordan, an expert on the contest known as Dr Eurovision. "The slogan is 'United by Music'...unfortunately it's disunited through politics...It's become quite a messy and toxic situation," he said. The mission reportedly failed to identify Mengistu, and also did not detect Hamas' preparations for an attack, sources familiar with the matter told KAN. The IDF carried out a special mission to locate Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu on October 6, 2023, a day before the October 7 massacre, according to a report by Israeli public broadcaster KAN News on Wednesday. The mission reportedly failed to identify Mengistu, and also did not detect Hamas' preparations for an attack, sources familiar with the matter told KAN. Advertisement Advertisement The report also noted that the Mengistu family had not been informed of the mission while it was happening, and that they only learned of it long after it had occured. Mengistu came back home earlier this year, during the ceasefire reached with Hamas in February 2025, after 11 years of captivity in Gaza. Former hostage, Avera Mengistu, reunited with his family after 10 years of Hamas captivity (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO) Who is Avera Mengistu? Mengistu is an Ethiopian Israeli who immigrated to the country at the age of 5 with his family as part of Operation Solomon. He grew up in Ashkelon. He suffered from lifelong mental health issues and crossed voluntarily into the Gaza Strip on September 7, 2014. Authorities believe that his mental decline was due to the death of his older brother, Michael, who suffered from anorexia and died at the age of 29. Advertisement Advertisement The now-38-year-old was 28 years old when he crossed into northern Gaza after fighting with his mother, according to Human Rights Watch. Hamas captured him after he crossed and claimed that he was a soldier, a claim his family heavily disputed. According to KAN, a gag order was placed for a year on the events that led to his kidnapping. The report noted that soldiers allowed him to cross the border while monitoring him. Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report. Immigrant students across the US have experienced increased bullying, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdowns causing declines in attendance and a culture of fear among immigrant students in public schools, according to a new survey of high school principals. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeless Institute for Democracy, Education and Access (Idea) conducted a nationally representative survey of more than 600 principals about the toll of raids and deportations, and how schools were responding. Many principals described a climate of distress, the report found, with 70.4% reporting that students from immigrant families have expressed concerns about their well-being or the well-being of their families. A majority of public high schools experienced declines in attendance and learning of students from immigrant families, the report said, with 57.8% of principals reporting that immigrant parents and guardians had left the community during the school year. Advertisement Advertisement Related: After ICE took students parents, these teachers began rising at dawn to keep watch: We said, hell no Some principals reported that they were unsure what had happened to a few of their students from immigrant families, the report said. And 63.8% of principals said students had missed school due to policies or political rhetoric related to immigrants. Principals said students were impacted by ICE enforcement efforts in their communities, but also by a growing anti-immigrant atmosphere among the student population. More than one-third of the principals said students from immigrant families had reported being bullied or harassed, with one Minnesota principal saying: There has been definitely an uptick in comments made by white students, white male students, to our Hispanic students: Can I see your papers? A Nebraska principal described an increase in students use of hostile and derogatory language toward Latino students, with taunts like: Go back home. A Michigan principal recounted students saying: Your parents are border hoppers, adding that she had taken disciplinary action against bullying. Advertisement Advertisement The survey, conducted over the summer, also found the vast majority of schools were taking actions to address the needs of their immigrant populations as best as they can, with 77.6% of principals saying they created a school plan to respond to visits from federal agents. Nearly half of the principals said they had plans to address the needs of students if their guardians are deported. Principals are telling stories of students being dropped off at school and worrying that will be the last time they see their parents. Its devastating, John Rogers, Idea director and lead researcher, said in an interview. He said he was struck by the fact that so many school leaders were preparing for that outcome: It speaks to a normalization of a system that is being put in place that creates extraordinary trauma. One principal compared the stress of worrying about ICE showing up to the anxiety of fearing mass shooters. Rogers said he expected to see these concerns in a city like Los Angeles, which has a large immigrant population and has been an aggressive target of the federal government. But the survey found consequences in schools across the nation in a diverse range of communities, he said. Advertisement Advertisement High school principals are charged both by professional standards and moral obligation to ensure that students feel safe, and its clear students feeling safe at school is essential for their learning, Rogers said. At the same time, they realize their power is limited they cant control what is going on outside of school. A Massachusetts principal surveyed said: There is something just so fundamentally wrong about this we continue to strive to make school a safe place where all students can thrive, but this task has become increasingly challenging. In an email late Wednesday after publication, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, accused UCLA of shameful fear mongering, saying: Those blaming ICE for students getting bullied and low attendance at schools are creating a climate of fear and smearing law enforcement. ICE is not going to schools to make arrests of children, McLaughlin said. If someone with a criminal record were to flee into a school, she added, there may be a situation where an arrest is made to protect public safety. But this has not happened. In a San Jose federal courtroom, a judge heard a local case with nationwide implications. A federal class-action lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the Department of Justice seeks to put a stop to a policy of detaining immigrants the government previously determined were neither dangerous nor a flight risk. The policy implemented this year allows ICE to detain people, who have not been determined to be a danger to the community or a threat to flee, at check-in appointments and at immigration court. Advertisement Advertisement The class-action lawsuit seeks to end this policy. Bree Bernwanger, Senior Staff Attorney with the ACLU of Northern California, says the case of Frescia Garro Pinchi is an example of why that policy is problematic. "It's about what ICE, what police can do and why they can throw someone into jail," Bernwanger said. "We have all seen the images of ICE agents going into immigration courts and grabbing people out of their family's arms for no reason. That is something that should concern us all." MORE: Immigrant rights groups protest, demand Marin Co. Sheriff's Office stop cooperating with ICE Garro Pinchi is a Hayward resident who left Peru and is seeking asylum based on her sexuality. Advertisement Advertisement In July, she was detained while attending her immigration court hearing in San Francisco. After filing a petition for her arrest, Berwanger said the government was asked by U.S. Federal Court Judge Casey Pitts what reason they had to detain Garro Pinchi. "They said, 'nothing. We just think we have discretion to detain her,'" Bernwanger said. "That explains what they have been doing when they sweep people up who have been following the rules and complying with the law and that's what has to stop." Tuesday in U.S. federal court, the government justified their position. The DOJ did not provide a formal comment after the hearing despite our request. MORE: Federal judge orders SF ICE building to improve 'inhumane' conditions immediately But during court, their lawyers said arrest is part of the risk of being here illegally and that laws on detention give them the ability to detain at their discretion. Advertisement Advertisement Jordan Wells, a Senior Staff Attorney at the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, argued this presents a catch 22 - offering immigrants and asylum seekers the choice of giving up an immigration case or giving up their freedom. "It's not that ICE can never do this. It's that they have to have a policy that's well-reasoned," Wells said. "And, as with so many of the policies under this administration, they declare an emergency or declare an invasion and they just start moving fast and breaking stuff." The ACLU formally requested to pause this policy while the lawsuit plays out in court. Judge Pitts will mull over the arguments made during this hearing. While he says there is some urgency to this matter, a final decision may take several weeks. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live A Cincinnati immigration attorney who claimed a U.S. Department and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer gave her Taco Bells phone number when she sought help for clients faces a six-count indictment related to a recent OVI conviction. Trisha Chatterjee, 27, of Dayton, is charged with three counts each of forgery and tampering with records, according to a copy of her indictment. This comes just over a year after Cincinnati police charged her Dec. 7, 2024, with OVI on Hatch Street in Mt. Adams, her ticket shows. Advertisement Advertisement She refused to take a breathalyzer test, according to the ticket, but the court docket shows she was recently convicted. Now Chatterjee is accused of purposely trying to mislead police and city prosecutors about how she became impaired and falsifying records to try to back up her claim in an attempt to corrupt the outcome of her OVI case, her indictment shows. According to the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office, While the case was pending, the defendant provided fake medical records to the city prosecutors office in an attempt to claim her impairment was due to a date rape drug. It was discovered that on three separate occasions, she provided false information via email to city prosecutors related to those fake medical records. Chatterjee declined to comment or refer us to her attorney. Advertisement Advertisement The dates Chatterjee is accused of forging the records are on Feb. 23, March 10, and on or about April 17-18, her indictment shows. The location of the offense is listed at Cincinnati City Hall on Plum Street Downtown, where the city prosecutors office is located, according to the county prosecutors office. So far, no court dates are scheduled in the case, and its not clear if Chatterjee is going to turn herself in or be arrested. Chatterjee made national news earlier this year when she claimed in a TikTok post that went viral that an ICE officer gave her a phone number to the fast-food chain when she sought help for her detained clients. Advertisement Advertisement A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, denied that and called it a lie and smear. ICE, according to McLaughlins X post, even attempted to reach out to her to get her information on her clients. She was provided several avenues to directly contact ICE and help resolve any issues, but she has made no attempt to contact the agency. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Immigration lawyer who claimed ICE gave her Taco Bells number indicted An Indiana County firefighter was honored for his quick action during a house fire. In a social media post, the Creekside Volunteer Fire Company recognized Jason Bazala, who found a fire on the porch of his workplace in Indiana. The fire company says Bazala worked to extinguish the fire, saving the building and the people inside from harm. Bazala is a 21-year life member of Creekside VFC, the post says. He is a consistent top responder and has served as lieutenant and captain of the company. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The St. John Center in downtown Louisville provides housing for 200 formerly homeless people and also runs a day center for people who are still on the streets. (Photo provided) The Trump administration has withdrawn a funding-change notice that had raised fears in Kentucky of a new wave of homelessness, but the fate of the affected housing programs remains unsettled. An hour before a court hearing on two lawsuits challenging the new policy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it was rescinding a Nov. 13 notice announcing the change, prompting a federal judge to say, It feels like intentional chaos. Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, said Kentucky organizations welcomed the notice of rescission that HUD posted on its website Monday but still face uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement She said its unclear how HUD intends to ensure that 2026 project renewals that currently house Kentuckians do not run out of funding. Bush said the federal government should continue to fund projects that bridge the gap between high rents, low incomes, and permanent disabling conditions, like permanent supportive housing, not create more homelessness through instability and uncertainty. On Nov. 13 HUD issued a notice of an abrupt shift in funding priorities from permanent to transitional housing. At stake is $3.9 billion in federal aid to combat homelessness. The change threatened to return formerly homeless Kentuckians, many of them disabled, to the streets, warned leaders of nonprofits that provide housing and other aid. The change would have put more than 2,000 Kentucky households at risk of becoming homeless again, according to an analysis by the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Advertisement Advertisement HUDs about-face came as a surprise to U.S. District Judge Mary S. McElroy of Rhode Island, who was set to hear arguments Monday in a request for a temporary restraining order to pause the earlier HUD decision, reports the Rhode Island Current. Theres a process and procedure thats laid out, said McElroy, a Trump appointee. Its not by tweets or by last-minute orders or last-minute withdrawals. An attorney for the plaintiffs, Zane Muller, assistant attorney general for the state of Washington, said during the virtual hearing that he learned of the rescission through our providers and [electronic filing], not through opposing counsel. Pardis Gheibi, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney representing HUD, told McElroy the notice was filed with the court as soon as it was published. She did not have the answer when McElroy wanted to know who at HUD made the decision to rescind the funding notice and when. Advertisement Advertisement We didnt have the chance to confer with plaintiffs counsel but the rescission happened this afternoon, Gheibi told the judge. McElroy scheduled the next hearing for Dec. 19. She also tasked HUD with producing the administrative record on the grant funding policy, ideally within a week though Gheibi had asked if it could wait until after the holidays. McElroy said if the administration could work quickly to rescind the funding notice, they can work quickly to give the court the documents she requested. People can work overtime if they need to, McElroy said. I do, they do, Im sure you do. The Rhode Island Current, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network, contributed to this story. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chinese firms are expanding in Vietnam, leading investment inflows and sending record shipments to Hanoi in defiance of U.S. calls for decoupling, as the Communist neighbours beef up ties. Recent steps that Hanoi had long resisted on security grounds include sensitive tech contracts for Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and ZTE; approval of Chinese loans for high-speed rail links; and Chinese-made COMAC planes cleared by regulators for a leading airline. More from Yahoo Scout What sensitive tech contracts has Vietnam approved for China? What risks does closer China-Vietnam ties pose to relations? How much has Chinese trade with Vietnam grown recently? What technology transfers are happening between Chinese companies? Hanoi's overtures to Beijing may reflect its long-standing policy of balancing foreign ties after pledges made to Washington in trade talks, said Alexander Vuving of the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. But if the trend continues, Vietnam "may become a 'torn country' rather than a 'swing state'," he added, citing risks to Western relations. While the Southeast Asian nation opened its economy to U.S. multinationals and technology after Washington lifted its embargo in the 1990s, it stayed cautious over China, after their 1979 war and disputes over South China Sea boundaries. Now Beijing's influence is rising and U.S. ties are strained by tariffs. Chinese firms make pledges to transfer technology, rare until now, and increasingly view Vietnam as a consumer market rather than just an assembly base, a Reuters review of data and industry interviews showed. The shift has been turbocharged by tariffs of 20% imposed by Washington, said Phan Xuan Dung, a researcher at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. "Vietnamese officials were displeased by what they saw as punitive U.S. measures, and this pushed them to hedge by leaning economically further into China," he added. Vietnam's foreign ministry and the White House did not respond to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said economic cooperation benefits both countries. RECORD IMPORTS FROM CHINA Despite U.S. pressure to curb reliance on Chinese technology and components, imports from China stood at about $168 billion through November, up nearly 30% on the year and already well above all of 2024, itself a record year, Vietnamese data shows. Nearly one-third are electronic parts, often re-exported in goods bound for the United States. Consumer imports, including vegetables and cars, are also climbing. Fading anti-China sentiment among younger Vietnamese is helping drive the surge, dovetailing with Beijing's push to find new markets amid U.S. tariffs, and emboldening Chinese companies to take on domestic champions. President Donald Trump was in Pennsylvania on Dec. 9 talking up his record on affordability, as other eyes were on Florida for the Miami mayoral race. Republicans have been up against warning signs of a blue wave in the 2026 midterm elections, after Democrats overperformed in several elections this year. Trump is also facing complaints he hasn't been doing enough on the economy, and he defended his record in the Poconos on Tuesday night, the first of a series of rallies he is expected to do ahead of the midterm. But in Miami, the candidate he backed for mayor lost to the first Democrat to win the office in nearly 30 years. So how are voters feeling about Trump's job performance? Here is what to know about his approval ratings in key states. Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump slams 'stupid people,' defends economic record in Pennsylvania rally President Donald Trump looks at the crowd upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump acknowledges the crowd at an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administrations economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump enters to deliver remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. President Trump was discussing his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. President Trump was discussing his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. Attendees wait for the arrival of US President Donald Trump to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump cheers attendees upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. Trump touts economic agenda, promises lower prices at Pennsylvania rally 1 of 10 President Donald Trump looks at the crowd upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. Trump's approval rating flips negative in 2 Republican-leaning states Trump has a net positive approval rating in 22 states, according to Morning Consult, which gathers polls over the course of three months to get a look at state-level data among registered voters. The Dec. 5 update has two fewer above-water states compared to the previous month's update. Ohio and Iowa, which were considered Republican strongholds in the 2024 election, were the two states where Trump lost his standing with voters, according to Morning Consult. The pollster also found Trump's disapproval grew to second-term highs in these 2024 swing states: Arizona (51%), Georgia (50%), Michigan and North Carolina (52% each) and Wisconsin (54%). His approval rating is negative in all the swing states. In Pennsylvania, 47% approve of Trump's job performance and 50% disapprove. In Florida, 50% approve of Trump's job performance, compared to 46% who disapprove. What is Trump's average approval rating? Averages based on RealClearPolitics and New York Times aggregators show Trump's approval rating is net negative, but improving after a sharp drop last month. Advertisement Advertisement As of Jan. 27, 50.5% approved, giving Trump a net positive rating until March 13, when it flipped to net negative with 47.8% approval, compared to 48.5% disapproval, RealClearPolitics graphics show. The approval rating reached a low on April 29 at 45.1% approval, which fell around Trump's 100-day mark. It reached a new low of 42.3% on Nov. 14, as the controversy on Jeffrey Epstein's emails heated up following the end of the government shutdown. The following week, his disapproval also ticked up to a term high of 55.6% on Nov. 21. As of Dec. 9, RealClearPolitics found 43.9% approve and 52.8% disapprove. The New York Times aggregator showed Trump's approval fell from 52% approval in January to 44% approval in April, and then mostly held steady for months. According to the Times, Trump's term low is 41% approval, which he first reached on Nov. 12. His disapproval also notched up to 56% on Nov. 19, a high for this term per the aggregator. As of Dec. 10, 43% approve and 54% disapprove, per the New York Times. How does President Donald Trump's approval rating compare to past presidents? In a Gallup poll conducted from Nov. 3-25, 36% approved of Trump's job performance. A historical analysis by Gallup shows Trump's approval ratings in November of his first years in office both as the 45th and 47th presidents are lower than any other modern president at the same time in their administrations. Here is how his November approval compares to other presidents in November of their first year of their terms, according to Gallup: Advertisement Advertisement Joe Biden (November 2021) - 42% approve Trump (November 2017) - 37% approve Barack Obama (November 2009) - 51% approve George W. Bush (November 2001) - 87% approve Bill Clinton (November 1993) - 49% approve George H.W. Bush (November 1989) - 70% approve Ronald Reagan (November 1981) - 52% approve Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Donald Trump's approval rating? See state comparisons. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian's trip is part of a broader Iranian outreach to countries in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian prepared for his trip to Kazakhstan on Wednesday morning. Iranian state media IRNA says he is scheduled to depart Tehran for Kazakhstan on Wednesday for a two-day tour of Central Asia which will later take him to Turkmenistan. The trip is part of a broader Iranian outreach to countries in Central Asia. Kazakhstan announced it would join the Abraham Accords in early November. Israel maintains positive ties with several countries in Central Asia. Advertisement Advertisement The five countries that historically make up Central Asia are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. In 2022, Iran opened a drone factory in Tajikistan. The Central Asia countries were once part of the Soviet Union. Since the 1990s, they have faced various outreach efforts by regional countries. For instance, some of them have seen increased interest from Turkey in forming ties with Turkish-speaking countries. They also have ties with China and Russia. During the US involvement in Afghanistan, some benefited from US interests. However, since the US withdrawal, they have felt a power vacuum. Iran is one country that wants to step into the vacuum. Iranian state media said thatIrans president will also attend a conference in Turkmenistan. The confab is called the International Year of Peace and Trust, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with a number of leaders from other participating countries, IRNA said. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during an interview in Tehran, Iran, August 28, 2025. (credit: IRAN'S PRESIDENTIAL WEBSITE/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS) Iranian outreach efforts seek to expand diplomatic relationships in the region Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei, Chief of Staff to the Iranian President, discussed details of President Masoud Pezeshkians upcoming two-day trip to Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. IRNA noted that speaking to reporters on the sidelines of Wednesdays cabinet meeting, Haji-Mirzaei explained that the presidents first stop will be Kazakhstan for an official bilateral visit. According to the official, several cooperation agreements focused on expanding trade between the two countries are set to be signed during this trip. Advertisement Advertisement The report noted that he added that a delegation of ministers will accompany President Pezeshkian, engaging in follow-up meetings and negotiations in key areas including transportation, commerce, and economic cooperation. Haji-Mirzaei also noted that a large delegation from Irans Chamber of Commerce has already traveled to Kazakhstan ahead of the visit. Iran seeks to discuss partnerships in several areas in Kazakhstan. A joint meeting with Iranian and Kazakh merchants, attended by the president, is also scheduled, he added. In Turkmenistan, it appears that the Iranian leader will deliver an official address at the event and hold bilateral meetings with a number of presidents and prime ministers. Further details of the meetings will be released afterward. The report comes amidst Iranian outreach to Belarus, Armenia, and Russia. For instance, Iranian state media also revealed that Iranian and Russian parliamentarians have discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing that such collaboration would help promote peace in the region and beyond amid unilateral policies pursued by Western governments. In addition, Khalil Shirgholami, Iran's new ambassador to Armenia, met with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday before departing for his mission. Irans Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also says Iran has no limitations on developing relations with Belarus. Israels military has carried out waves of air attacks in southern Lebanon, causing damage to several homes, according to Lebanese state media, as anger mounts over repeated Israeli violations of a ceasefire with Hezbollah agreed upon last year. Lebanons National News Agency reported late on Monday that Israeli jets targeted Mount Safi, the town of Jbaa, the Zefta Valley, and the area between Azza and Rumin Arki in several waves. There was no immediate report of casualties. Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military, in a post on X, said it struck several sites linked to Hezbollah, including a special operations training compound used by its elite Radwan Force. The military said several buildings and a rocket-launching site were also hit. The attacks come days after Israel and Lebanon dispatched civilian envoys to a military committee tasked with overseeing their ceasefire, a step towards a months-old demand by the United States, which has been urging the two countries to broaden their talks. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Friday that his country has adopted the option of negotiations with Israel, and that the talks were aimed at stopping Israels continued attacks on his country. Advertisement Advertisement The current ceasefire, brokered by Washington in 2024, ended more than a year of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah. But Israel has continued to strike Lebanon on a near-daily basis. A United Nations report released in November said that at least 127 civilians, including children, have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire went into effect. UN officials have warned that the strikes amount to war crimes. Tensions spiked further last week when Israel bombed Beiruts southern suburbs, killing Hezbollahs top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabtabai. The group, still weakened after last years conflict, has yet to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Israel has accused Lebanon of not doing enough to compel Hezbollah to relinquish its arsenal across the country, a claim the Lebanese government denies. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said last week that Lebanon wanted to see the ceasefire monitoring mechanism play a more robust role in verifying Israels claims that Hezbollah is rearming, as well as the work of the Lebanese army in dismantling the armed groups infrastructure. Asked whether that meant Lebanon would accept US and French troops on the ground as part of a verification mechanism, Salam said, Of course. The continued Israeli strikes have raised fears in Lebanon that the Israeli military could expand its air campaign further. Hezbollah has said it is unwilling to let go of its arms as long as Israel continues its strikes on Lebanese territory and its occupation of five points in the countrys south. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Kalman Ber is currently visiting Jewish communities in Germany to mark the Hanukkah festival, starting in Hamburg and going on to Bremen, Hanover, Munich and Berlin. It is his first visit to Germany. In Hamburg, Ber enquired about plans for the reconstruction of the Bornplatz Synagogue, a topic that will be raised in talks with Carola Veit, president of the city-state's parliament, in the Hamburg City Hall. Advertisement Advertisement After signing the guest book, Ber was to attend a session of the Hamburg parliament. Inaugurated in 1908, the Bornplatz Synagogue was once the largest synagogue in northern Germany with place for 1,200 worshippers. It was set alight and destroyed in the Nazi pogroms of November 1938. Its demolition was ordered a year later and was carried out at the expense of the Jewish community. In 2019, the German government set aside 600,000 ($700,000) for a feasibility study on reconstructing the synagogue on its original site, and in September 2023, the city parliament transferred ownership to the Jewish community. The winning design for the new building is to follow closely the design of the original. The German parliament has set aside more than 13 million for the reconstruction. Sheikh Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israels Druze community, also drew the diplomats attention to the crimes committed against Druze women in the attacks on Sweida and the nearby Druze villages. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) was presented with evidence that Syrian Druze women were sexually assaulted during the recent waves of attacks committed by Damascus-backed militia groups in southern Syria. The testimonies and evidence were presented to a panel after Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, outlined the sexual violence and terrorism enacted on the Syrian community. Advertisement Advertisement The panel had met to discuss how employing AI can "safely and ethically" amplify survivor testimonies. AI was used to alter the faces of five separate survivors, so they could testify to the UN without compromising their anonymity. The testimonies presented included the lived experience of 14-year-old Noor from Sweida. Explaining that AI was helping to anonymize her story to protect her life, the testimony described how, in July, a masked ISIS member entered her home. He took off her clothes, she recounted, and forced her to stand on a small freezer while he beat her so severely that her teeth were damaged. Ignoring her screams, Noor testified to how he raped her and how 20 people had entered her home to threaten her family. Israel's Druze provide a voice to Syrian women "They violated women and girls inside their own homes and abducted others as captives without accountability," Sheikh Tarif told the panel, while asserting that "silence and denial" only served to "guarantee victory" to those who enacted the "sexual terrorism." Advertisement Advertisement "Today, out of duty, ethics, and responsibility, we choose disclosure over silence, compassion and acceptance over blame and shame. We lift from our survivors the burden of stigma and forced guilt," he said, adding that the guilt and stigma belonged only to the men who carried out the sexual violence. The UN must do more to address the war crimes and ethnic cleansing being carried out in Syria and help free the Druze hostages abducted during the waves of attacks, Sheikh Tarif demanded during his Monday address at the UN. Part of the UNs efforts, the sheikh demanded, should see the return of the hundreds of thousands of Druze civilians displaced by the repeated attacks committed by the new Syrian regime and Bedouin gangs. He asked that the UN support the Syrian Druze communitys right to determine its own path and destiny, to manage its own affairs without any external interference. Advertisement Advertisement Describing the "international silence" as "frightening," Sheikh Tarif said he was speaking on behalf of all the minorities who "live under the weight of terrorism." "Five months ago, Sweida was subjected to a brutal and systematic terrorist campaign with a single and clear objective: to carry out a collective ethnic cleansing of the Syrian Druze community," he explained. "To erase its identity, its uniqueness and its history in the Middle East." Speaking on the brutality of the attacks, Sheikh Tarif condemned the burning, looting, killing, kidnapping, and rapes carried out during the waves of attacks. "Behind these so-called 'lawless groups,' as misleading media would have the world believe, stands the government which turned a blind eye and loosened the reins before the first target, the alawites," he continued, explaining how the regime later allowed attacks against Christian churches and, soon after, the Druze. Syrian Druze massacred under Damascus regime Thousands of people were killed in the waves of attacks on the Druze community, and an estimated 120,000 people were displaced. Advertisement Advertisement Invading members of the Syrian regime and surrounding gangs also took men, women, and children hostage. While the exact number of people currently being held hostage is unknown, Israels embassy to the UN places the current figure above 300. Beyond the attacks, Druze activists in Israel and in Syria have described the medical and resource embargoes arbitrarily imposed on the villages. Authorities have reportedly restricted the entry of medicine, medical equipment, and food into the Druze villages, according to the Druze control and command center in Israels North, and the activists. Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin allegedly maintained personal contact with Salam without reporting the relationship to the proper authorities and is also suspected of sharing police information Commander of Israel's Lahav 433 national crime unit, Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin, is suspected of acting in a conflict of interest during an investigation involving the Bakri crime organization, it was revealed on Wednesday following the lifting of a gag order by Israel Police. In an investigation dubbed by police as the ''Maze of Money" case, Benjamin allegedly maintained personal contact with Nazareth mayor Ali Salam without reporting the relationship to proper authorities, and shared sensitive police information. Advertisement Advertisement After learning that evidence had been gathered against him, Benjamin reportedly contacted northern district police officials to have the investigation materials concerning him reassigned to another unit. He is currently being questioned on suspicion of breach of trust and abuse of office. The Police Investigation Department (PID) has imposed restrictions on him, including a ban on contacting other parties involved in the case. The investigation is being conducted by an exposure team and remains ongoing. Israeli police arrested senior Bakri crime group members and municipal officials in Nazareth overnight in the Maze of Money case targeting extortion and money laundering. (CREDIT: ISRAEL POLICE) Israel Police detain senior members of Bakri crime group in Nazareth Overnight, police detained senior members of the Bakri crime organization, along with businesspeople and municipal officials in Nazareth, in a major investigation into alleged extortion, money laundering, and municipal financial manipulation, also known as the Maze of Money case, Israel Police stated on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement The operation, led by the Northern District Central Unit (YAMAR), involved hundreds of district police officers and Border Police fighters, with support from Israel Police operational forces, according to the statement. The suspects are believed to have transferred large sums of money to the organization, harming the citys economy and residents quality of life. Police said evidence indicates the group pressured municipal employees to participate in illicit fund transfers. Northern District Commander, CommissionerMeir Eliyahu, said in a video released by police, Today we are settling accounts with another crime organization operating in the Northern District. About a week ago, we cracked the Prince case and settled accounts with the Abultivi organization and the Hariri organization. Today, we are breaking open the Maze of Money case and settling accounts with the Bakri organization. He described the group as a group that engaged in extortion of businesses, in murder incidents, and inserted its hands into a municipal authority with the intention of toppling the authority and squeezing it to its last drop of blood. Advertisement Advertisement Eliyahu added, We have many more actions we still need to take, but we are determined to bring security to the residents of the Northern District. We said, and I repeat, we are warning you, take your filthy claws off innocent civilians. The Bakri organization has been linked to extortion, tender takeovers, and violent murders across northern Israel. Police said they plan to request an extension of remand for the main suspects at the NazarethNof Hagalil Magistrates Court. Italy's right-wing government hopes that EU plans to tighten rules for asylum seekers will present a new opportunity for its controversial offshore migration facilities in Albania. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told the ll Messaggero newspaper in comments published Wednesday that the reception centre in the port city of Shengjin and the deportation centre in Ghader should be "fully operational" by mid-2026. Italy established the facilities in 2023. The plan was to use the camps to process the asylum claims of migrants who were picked up in the Mediterranean by the Italian coastguard. Advertisement Advertisement If accepted, people would be allowed to travel on to Italy, while those who were rejected would be sent back to countries deemed safe. However, the process has suffered a series of legal defeats in Italian and European courts, meaning the facilities have remained largely empty. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government hopes that this will change in the coming months, after EU member states agreed in Brussels on Monday to tighten the rules for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected and process deportations more efficiently. The details of the new rules are to be finalized in negotiations with the European Parliament. If approved, they would also make it possible for countries to set up repatriation centres outside the European Union, including in Albania. Italy's left-wing opposition has called for the expensive camps - estimated to cost around 130 million per year ($150 million) - to be closed. JACKSON TWP. Police are investigating a shooting in a parking lot at The Strip shopping center. Police Chief Mark Brink said in a news release that officers were called there at approximately 8:49 p.m. Dec. 9. "Upon arrival, officers discovered that there was disturbance between two male acquaintances," he wrote. "One of the males did brandish a firearm and fired a single shot at the other male." He said the shooter fled before police arrived. Advertisement Advertisement There were no reported injuries or property damage. It is not clear what the dispute was about as the area features numerous retail stores and restaurants. Brink said on the morning of Dec. 10 that no more information would be released at the time. Strip Club incident: Akron man charged after shooting at Jackson Township strip club This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jackson Township police investigate gunshot at The Strip shopping area The S&P 500 will end the year in the green again, notching strong gains, but Q4 tells a different story. The past three months have been marked by choppier trading, sluggish gains, and a market thats clearly under considerable pressure following two years of double-digit surges. Thats exactly why Oppenheimers new 8,100 target for 2026 lands as a genuine surprise. Not only does it edge past the consensus, but its also the most bullish forecast among major Wall Street firms, calling for roughly 18% upside even as the index limps its way to next year. The firm is banking big on earnings strength and economic resilience, betting AI and corporate profits will continue pushing the benchmark higher. Investors have clearly been searching for some much-needed direction, and such an outlier of a target demands attention. Q4 stays choppy, making Oppenheimers bold 8,100 target the surprise bullish outlier on Wall Street.Shutterstock-Yu Xichao Xichao/Shutterstock Oppenheimer plants the flag with a Street-high 8,100 call Oppenheimers massive 8,100 projection on the S&P 500 essentially resets the conversation. It assumes the S&P 500 could tack on another 18% from here, spearheaded by solid corporate earnings rising to nearly $305 a share by 2026. The Wall Street firm feels that beneath all the noise, the economic data point to resilience, suggesting that the current transitional period could set things up for a stronger leg of growth. Further, FactSets late-November Q3 earnings tally showed S&P 500 revenue jumping 8.4%, the quickest pace since Q3 2022. All eleven sectors it tracked even posted superb year-over-year gains. Additionally, Oppenheimer analysts believe that AI spending is a legitimate long-term tailwind driving corporate profits higher. If the fundamentals remain sturdy, the rally doesnt need to cool and should continue widening. Where the rest of Wall Street lands That said, heres how other big houses are lining up on the S&P 500s year-end 2026 target: Bank of America: 7,100 , the most conservative of the calls, implying low-single-digit upside from current levels. JPMorgan: 7,500 , leaning on 13% to 15% earnings growth over the next few years. HSBC: 7,500 , forecasting that the AI trade will broaden beyond the current mega-cap leaders. RBC: 7,750 , calling for solid EPS growth along with modest valuation support from lower rates. Morgan Stanley: 7,800 , linking its call to a rolling recovery along with a new bull-market earnings cycle. Deutsche Bank:8,000, looking for 14% earnings growth and mid-teens total returns. Perhaps the clear outlier from the list is BofAs cautious call, built on the idea that the market will hit what it calls an AI air pocket in 2026. Depending on who you asked, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crocketts decision this week to run for Senate meant one of two things. In the eyes of some pundits and politicos, the Dallas Democrats nomination would spell doom for her partys chances of winning a statewide race for the first time in over three decades. To others, she is a fighter and gifted communicator whose expand-the-electorate strategy is worth trying in a state where Democrats of all stripes and styles have failed. In interviews with over a dozen Texas Democratic operatives, perspectives on Crocketts strengths and liabilities and how they would play in a general election were varied. Crockett has said she can defeat whoever emerges from the GOP Senate primary by speaking to infrequent voters and motivating them to turn out for her. Some said her authentic communication style and well-established reputation for going toe-to-toe with Republicans can help do exactly that. Advertisement Advertisement But others say she would need to attract voters who cast their ballots for President Donald Trump, in a state the president carried last November by nearly 14 percentage points a gap that some argue cannot be bridged by high Democratic turnout alone, and that Crockett is too polarizing to achieve. Crockett, a second-term congresswoman who inspires both fierce fandom and deep disdain, has staked her political career on her statewide viability. On Monday, the last day for candidates to file for the 2026 ballot, she officially joined the U.S. Senate primary setting up a marquee battle March 3 against state Rep. James Talarico, an Austin Democrat and progressive aspiring Presbyterian minister who, like Crockett, has assembled an impressive social media following and fundraising apparatus of his own. At stake is not just the U.S. Senate race, but competitive seats further down the ballot for the U.S. House and the state Legislature. Though Texas Democrats are still smarting from another round of blowout defeats last year, 2026 marks the first midterm with Trump in the White House since 2018, when Beto ORourkes narrow Senate loss generated a wave of down-ballot wins for Democrats. Fiery, quick-witted and adept at generating viral moments, Crockett is well-known to the Democratic base in Texas and around the country. As Democrats have struggled with unscripted forums, finding their digital voice and authentic presentation, Crockett, a frequent presence on cable television and in long-form interviews, is regarded among the base as an invigorating and clear communicator, never robotic or boring. Operatives agree she will be a strong fundraiser and a formidable primary candidate. And her backers argue her status as a household name including in the White House is a strength. Advertisement Advertisement Jasmine Crockett is the most talked about member of the United States Congress, House or Senate, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a bastion of Houston politics, said at Crocketts launch event. And why are they talking about her? Because she talks back. She will expand our base. Shes a great communicator. She has shown that she can raise money. But critics say that while Crockett may drive disengaged Democrats to the polls, she will also inspire independents and Republicans to come out against her a phenomenon she can ill afford in a red state. They worry that 2026 a Trump midterm year, with a hotly contested Republican primary that will leave the eventual GOP nominee bruised and battered is too promising an opportunity to run a candidate known for clapping back against members of the dominant party in the state. Nancy Zdunkewicz, an Austin-based Democratic pollster unaffiliated with either campaign, said Crockett is well-known to Republican voters, many of whom have negative views of her. A successful candidate will motivate the base, persuade swing voters and demoralize Republicans, Zdunkewicz said. On the last point, she worries Crockett would have the opposite effect. My concern with her is that, in a year where were already anticipating that theres going to be greater Democratic turnout and enthusiasm in response to this administration, as we saw in 2018 are we giving [Republicans] an incentive to turn out, where they otherwise wouldve stayed home? Zdunkewicz said. Advertisement Advertisement Monique Alcala, a former executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, also voiced concerns about Crocketts electability and whether she can turn out or flip enough infrequent voters needed to win statewide. Alcala said she worries that Crocketts brand of politics and her limited record of legislative accomplishments may not activate those populations. I dont think that theyre looking for somebody that is going to be a firebrand, Alcala said. I think that theyre looking for somebody thats going to get things done. And I think that Crockett has not made that a priority of hers in Congress. Crockett has said she is running because she believes the opposite that she can turn out infrequent voters and expand the electorate. She has said her internal polling reflects that belief and insisted for weeks that she would only run statewide if the data showed a path to victory but she has not shared any of those numbers publicly. Her campaign wants a high-turnout election, believing it would benefit her. Asked in a Monday night CNN interview how she planned to attract Trump voters, Crockett said she planned to focus her message on affordability, and added, I dont know that well necessarily convert all of Trumps supporters. Thats not our goal. Advertisement Advertisement Already, Republicans who have made no secret that they would prefer to face her over Talarico are tying her to down-ballot Democrats running in some of the most competitive seats in the country. Sen. John Cornyn, the Texas Republican who would face Crockett in November if he survives his primary, told Semafor her bid is a gift. One Republican operative told The Texas Tribune that the mood yesterday in the GOP was on par with Christmas morning. Crocketts previous comments about key voting blocs in Texas will likely take center stage in Republican advertising, such as when she described some Latino voters anti-immigrant attitudes as a slave mentality in an interview with Vanity Fair a year ago. And she once criticized the right as a violent group that attract[s] violent actors. But Crockett has remained unfazed by the doubters. Were used to [people] telling us what I cant do, Crockett said at her campaign kickoff event Monday. But they have no idea what Crocketts crew will do. And so I just want to be clear for all the haters in the back, listen up real loud: Were gonna get this thing done. Turnout vs. persuasion The graveyard of failed Texas Democrats from the last 30 years is littered with statewide candidates of all stripes moderates, progressives, big fundraisers, national figures, military and law enforcement veterans, profane celebrities, lawyers, business owners and those of all race and ethnicity. Advertisement Advertisement None have won. Numerous operatives said a successful statewide Texas race requires both turning out as many Democratic voters as possible including infrequent voters and persuading swing voters. Some think Crockett can do both; others concede she may juice turnout but that she may struggle with independents and Trump voters. Katherine Fischer, director of the Democratic-aligned Texas Majority PAC, said she agrees that Crockett will be able to turn out voters who have rarely or never cast a ballot. But, she added, doing so is a heavy lift and can only succeed if the candidate also wins over swing voters. I believe that she will really motivate Democrats to turn out and vote, Fischer said. Will she have persuasive capabilities? Well have to see. Advertisement Advertisement Rebecca Marques, who has worked in Texas Democratic politics for years, including on ORourkes 2022 gubernatorial bid, said she believes in Crocketts campaign because the Dallas Democrat is stylistically attractive to infrequent Democratic voters and swing voters, many of whom are younger, Latino or Asian. Crockett, she said, comes off as a fighter who speaks to peoples frustrations, like ORourke and, paradoxically, Trump. I actually think her arguments and the way she speaks is closer [to those voters], Marques said. She has an easier time bridging how she campaigns and speaks to that unlikely voter base and the swing voters we think we could peel off in a general Latinos, Asians, maybe poor young white folks that are not ideologically in one camp or another, and are most focused on their economic ability. Marques also said she does not think Crockett would uniquely whip up Republican turnout if she wins the nomination. She believes the right is already fired up because of their dramatic Republican primary and the possibility that Attorney General Ken Paxton a GOP firebrand who is popular among the base and hopes to unseat Cornyn in March may be the nominee. Some strategists dismissed Crocketts chances outright, noting that she never needed crossover appeal with Republicans to win her solidly Democratic districts in the Texas House and Congress. Talarico, by contrast, flipped a state House seat in 2018 before switching to a safer blue seat in Austin for the 2022 cycle after his district was made redder through redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement This is not a base mobilization election Trump carried Texas by 14 points its about who can create a big enough coalition to win, Eric Koch, a Democratic strategist who has done campaign work in Texas, said via text. Talarico can do that, Crockett cant. Matt Angle, a longtime Texas Democratic operative and founder of the Lone Star Project, said Crocketts biggest asset is her ability to communicate effectively with voters, while her biggest challenge will be coming across as a Texas Democrat rather than a national Democrat, given her massive profile. She unquestionably has communication skills and excites our base in a way thats absolutely necessary, Angle said. The challenge for her is to build beyond that. Can she reach out to some people who have dismissed Democrats, either because they just dont think theyre going to win, or because they dont think they talk to them about the right issues? Down-ballot races The Democrat who came closest to winning a statewide race in Texas this century was ORourke, who lost by less than 3 percentage points in 2018, reviving dormant Democratic dreams of a blue Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Though ORourke lost, one of his lasting legacies is the array of down-ballot races Democrats won that cycle, in part by relying on the high turnout he generated through motivating infrequent voters. Riding the blue wave, Democrats flipped two U.S. House seats, two Texas Senate seats and 12 state House seats. Whoever emerges as next years Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate will carry the same responsibility of helping down-ballot Democrats in tough races or, at the very least, not harming their prospects. Republicans see Crockett as a useful liability to be pinned on Democrats whose seats they are targeting in 2026, including the two South Texas congressional districts represented by U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen. Democrats, meanwhile, are targeting U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg, who also represents the region, making the southern part of the state a critical battleground for control of the House. The National Republican Campaign Committee the House GOPs campaign arm has already sought to tie Gonzalez to Crockett, as has one of his prospective GOP opponents, Eric Flores. Gonzalez is running for reelection to a district that Trump would have carried by 10 points, after Republicans in the state Legislature redrew the boundaries over the summer to be more favorable for the GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Radical Jasmine Crockett is electoral kryptonite and now vulnerable Texas Democrats are stuck sharing a ticket with her, NRCC spokesperson Reilly Richardson said. Whether they cave and endorse her before the primary or wait until shes officially coronated as Democrats next statewide loser, her toxic brand will hurt Texas Democrats down the ballot next year. The NRCCs internal polling, shared with The Texas Tribune, found that Crocketts image was underwater in a summer survey of 50 battleground districts across the country, though the group did not disclose her exact margin. Her name identification was 75%. Marques said Crockett was a frequently requested surrogate for South Texas stops on ORourkes 2022 campaign. Rather than being a drag, she believes Crockett can help juice turnout, allowing vulnerable Democrats to take advantage of that while maintaining distinct political brands. Cameron County Democratic Chair Jared Hockema runs the local party in a Rio Grande Valley county that voted for Trump last year, shifting 10 percentage points to the right and voting for a Republican presidential nominee for only the third time since 1980. Hockema said he does not worry about negative down-ballot impact from either Senate nominee; if anything, he said the primary will excite people. I never subscribed to the idea that youve got to be careful what you talk about, Hockema said. Thats why were in the place we are. We need to be courageous to talk about the issues that matter to people. And both of those folks do that. Japan and South Korea scrambled jets on Tuesday in response to a joint Chinese-Russian bomber patrol over international waters near both of those nations. Though part of an annual bilateral exercise, the flights come as tensions between China and Japan are heightened over the latters increasing signals of support for Taiwan. Two Russian Tu-95 Bear turboprop bombers flew south from the Sea of Japan into the East China Sea, the Japanese Defense Ministry (MoD) said. After flying between west of Japan and southeast of South Korea, they joined two Chinese H-6 series bombers near Okinawa Japan. Japanese Defense Ministry They then conducted a long-distance joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Shikoku, according to the ministry. Advertisement Advertisement The bombers were joined by four Chinese J-16 Flanker multirole fighter derivatives when these bombers flew back and forth between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island, the Japanese MoD noted. The Bear bombers later flew back along the same route north into the Sea of Japan while the Chinese jets flew back toward China. A Russian Tu-95M Bear turboprop bomber. (Crown Copyright) Crown Copyright A Chinese H-6 bomber attends a flight rehearsal ahead of the 2025 Changchun Air Show on September 16, 2025 in Changchun, Jilin Province of China. (Photo by Cao Nan/VCG via Getty Images) VCG Chinese J-16 fighter jets perform a maneuver flight demonstration during flight performance at the aviation open-day activities of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and the Changchun Air Show 2025 on September 19, 2025 in Changchun, Jilin Province of China. (Photo by Zhang Xiangyi/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images) In addition to those flights, the Japanese said one Russian A-50 Mainstay early warning and control aircraft and two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighters were also spotted north of Japan in the Sea of Japan, the MoD stated. In response, fighter jets from the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces Southwest Air Defense Command and other units were scrambled, the MoD explained, without providing details about where jets flew. The Beriev A-50U Mainstay airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft. (Photo by: aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) aviation-images.com Advertisement Advertisement South Korea also sent fighters aloft as the Chinese-Russian joint flight briefly flew into its Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ), according to the Yonhap News Agency. Two Chinese military planes and seven Russian aircraft successively entered the KADIZ at around 10 a.m. prompting the military to dispatch Air Force fighter jets in preparation for a possible accidental situation, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The JCS did not identify what kind of aircraft took part in the joint Chinese-Russian flight, but bombers and fighters intermittently entered and left the KADIZ for about an hour before completely retreating from the air defense zone. Joint Chinese-Russian flights in this area are not new. Since 2019, the two countries have sent their military planes into the KADIZ once or twice a year during joint exercises, without prior notice, Yonhap explained. Advertisement Advertisement The last such flight took place in November 2024 when 11 military planes from both China and Russia entered the KADIZ together, Yonhap noted. As we previously reported, the first such flight took place in June 2019 and resulted in South Korean jets firing about 360 20mm cannon shells in a series of warning shots after a Russian Mainstay violated airspace South Korea claims above a small group of islets, which it refers to as Dokdo. Japan also claims these as its national territory, calling them collectively Takeshima, and registered its own complaint at the time that the Mainstay had violated Japanese national airspace. While this was the 10th joint flight, it came as China and Japan are locked in an intensifying dispute over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis comments that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would be considered an existential threat to Tokyo. Beijing considers the breakaway island nation to be part of China and has made it clear that it will take back Taiwan peacefully or through military means. Meanwhile, it sees growing militancy from Japan, whose armed forces are designed for self-protection in the wake of World War II, as an increasing threat. The flareup manifested itself on Saturday, when Chinese J-15 fighters launched from the aircraft carrier Liaoning near Okinawa and locked radar on two Japanese F-15 Eagle fighters. While both sides acknowledge the incident took place, there is a dispute about who caused it and how it was handled. A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15 Eagle. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers) A Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15J flies alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 while waiting to be refueled over Okinawa. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brooke P. Beers Japan claims its fighters were targeted while flying a safe distance from the Liaoning and its escorts, which were conducting training missions in the area. China claims that the Japanese fighters were interfering with the training, which sparked the incident. Advertisement Advertisement The issue carried into Tuesday, when China released what it says was a call between its carrier group and the Japanese warning them away. Japan had previously complained China did not answer a deconfliction hotline. Chinese Navy Ship (CNS) Type 001 aircraft carrier Liaoning. (Photo by Roy Issa/South China Morning Post via Getty Images) Roy Issa All this comes amid growing Chinese consternation about Japans plans to place additional weaponry on Yonaguni Island, located about 70 miles from Taiwan. Japan is increasing its military presence on Yonaguni Island, located 70 miles east of Taiwan. Google Earth Last week, the Japanese MoD announced plans to deploy an electronic warfare [EW] air-defense unit capable of disrupting aircraft communications on the island of Yonaguni in Okinawa prefecture, the Japanese Nikkei news outlet reported. The publication did not identify what type of EW system. In November, we noted that Japan wanted to install an air defense system on Yonaguni that was likely the beginning of an increasing militarization of the island given its proximity to Taiwan. You can read more about that in our initial story here. Advertisement Advertisement These flights are part of an increasing level of military cooperation between China and Russia. Last year, two Chinese H-6-series aircraft flew with a pair of Russian Bear bombers through a portion of the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) around Alaska. It marked the first time Chinese H-6s of any kind have operated in this part of the world. Similar maritime flotillas have occurred at an increasing rate, as well. While the joint Chinese-Russian bomber patrol near Japan and South Korea has become routine and is planned to continue, the growing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo show no signs of abating. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com J.P. Morgan Chase is considering relocating to the new South Station Tower in Boston, but the move is pending a building permit. The Boston Globe reports that the company currently employs approximately 2,200 people in Massachusetts, with its main office located at Rowes Wharf. The potential move to South Station Tower is pending the acquisition of a building permit. The relocation comes at a time when Boston is facing challenges in filling commercial spaces, a situation exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement JP Morgan Chase has not yet commented on the planned move. 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 By David Shepardson Dec 10 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge rejected on Wednesday a bid by President Donald Trump's administration to throw out a lawsuit filed by a California agency to challenge the cancellation of more than $4 billion in federal grants for the state's high-speed rail project linking Los Angeles and San Francisco. Sacramento-based U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd rejected the Justice Department argument that the July lawsuit by the California High Speed-Rail Authority was brought in the wrong legal venue and should have been filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit by the state agency responsible for developing the high-speed rail system challenged the grant cancellation as an "arbitrary and capricious" abuse of authority. In August, the Transportation Department canceled another $175 million for four projects that are part of California's high-speed rail project, following the cancellation of $4 billion in federal grants. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, is a prominent critic of the Republican president. The funding cuts have emerged as the latest hurdle in the 16-year effort to link Los Angeles and San Francisco by a three-hour train ride, a project that would deliver the fastest passenger rail service in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement The rail system, whose first $10 billion bond issue was approved by California voters in 2008, has built more than 50 major railway structures, including bridges, overpasses, under-crossings and viaducts, and completed 70 miles (113 km) of guideway for the project. In November, the California High-Speed Rail Authority said it was seeking requests for proposals for a $3.5 billion plan to deliver high-speed rail track and systems. The route originally was supposed to be completed by 2020 at a cost of $33 billion. But the projected cost has risen to $89 billion to $128 billion, and the start of service is now expected by 2033. A previous move by Trump in 2019 during his first term as president to revoke $929 million in federal grants was challenged by the state, leading to a settlement in 2021 under Democratic President Joe Biden restoring the full amount. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Editing by Franklin Paul and Will Dunham) WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday unveiled additional federal criminal charges against a Ukrainian national accused of participating in cyberattacks and other computer intrusions against key infrastructure in support of Russian interests. The defendant, Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova, 33, was charged in a second indictment in the federal court in Los Angeles for her alleged support for a group the Justice Department identified as NoName057(16). Dubranova earlier this year was extradited to the United States on charges tied to a group federal authorities named as the CyberArmyofRussia_Reborn (CARR). Advertisement Advertisement Dubranova has been charged in the indictments with conspiracy to damage protected computers. She has pleaded not guilty in both cases, the Justice Department said, and is scheduled for a February 2026 trial in the NoName matter and April for the matter involving CARR. A defense lawyer for Dubranova was not immediately reachable for comment. Todays actions demonstrate the Departments commitment to disrupting malicious Russian cyber activity - whether conducted directly by state actors or their criminal proxies, John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Departments national security division, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors have alleged Russia backed CARR and NoName with financial support. A representative from the Russian embassy in the United States was not immediately reached for comment. Federal officials said the alleged cyberattacks targeted services including food and water systems, and posed national security risks. NoName has claimed credit for hundreds of cyberattacks around the world, prosecutors said. The U.S. State Department is offering potential rewards of up to $2 million for information on individuals associated with CARR and up to $10 million for information on individuals associated with NoName. (Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Michael Perry) The idea that government should be transparent is not a new thing in our nation. It has been of fundamental importance to us as a free people. Indeed, Thomas Jefferson said at the founding of the United States that Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. Florida, the Sunshine State, was once known as a beacon of government transparency and was historically home to the most transparent and accountable governments in the country. Sunshine was Floridas nickname, but also fundamental to its government. Political sign. Access to government records and meetings is constitutionally guaranteed to every Floridian. Open government fosters good government as transparency leads to accountability. The glowing light of the Sun led Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis to say, Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman. Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, now, as noted by David Cuillier, director of the Freedom of Information Project at the Brechner Center for the Advancement of the First Amendment at the University of Florida, Florida government is growing ever darker, and the clouds of secrecy are spreading throughout the United States, even into our local governments. An Orlando Sentinel editorial correctly noted that an ugly trend in Florida government one that seems to be based on a conviction that politicians and bureaucrats have the right to conduct public business and spend public money under a veil of privacy. The editorial further stated that public records requests that once would have been considered routine are now being . . . stalled for months, even years to avoid public scrutiny. For example, several months ago, a 32-year-old guest at Epic Universe died following a ride on Stardust Racers. The Medical Examiner said that "multiple blunt impact injuries" caused the death. Reporters investigated the tragedy. The rides operator said it was really sorry for this poor family and guy, but we dont know yet what really happened, but that the ride worked very well and as intended. That statement provided little solace. Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted an investigation concluding that its findings align with those shared by the operator. Reporters further pressed into the matter, asking for copies of the inspection reports that led the state to reach its conclusion. Although concluding safety, the state said that it had no responsive records. That response was tortuously inadequate and leaves much in the dark. At the local level, a just-elected Daytona Beach Shores commissioner, as a result of violating the Florida Constitution no less, was forced from his office. He was still paid by the City after leaving office. He was required to pay back his unearned salary. Then, outside of the public view, he asked the City Commission to appoint him back to his position. In holding the position open to reappoint the Constitution-violating commissioner, the City Commission violated the city charters requirement that vacancies be promptly filled. The city commission gave the departed commissioner his position back. When asked for records about these events, the city says that it had none. It took my formal legal petition to cause the city attorney to disclose what the city had done. The same city unusually posted the photo of its mayor on a city electronic sign while the Mayor campaigns for the Volusia County Council. The city enhanced the photo after several months. A request for records about the action resulted in the city having no records. The signs apparently just happened. Advertisement Advertisement The citizens of Florida are guaranteed an open and transparent government. The above events at the state and local levels show how far officials have gone to keep citizens in the dark. They just dont make any records and don't answer any questions from citizens. Politicians undermine our democratic values by putting a veil over government action. Those are not the actions of well-meaning public servants who want good government supported by good people. Jefferson said that Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. Citizens respond with virtue when government is open and transparent. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: For good government, add sunshine Republican Emilio Gonzalez and Democrat Eileen Higgins are facing off Tuesday in a runoff election that will decide who will run Miami, the second-largest city in Florida, in whats seen as another bellwether of the national mood ahead of 2026. Gonzalez, a former Miami city manager who served on President Trumps Homeland Security Department transition team, is running against Higgins, a former Miami-Dade County commissioner, to succeed incumbent Mayor Francis Suarez (R), a former presidential candidate who is term-limited. The two were forced into a runoff since no candidate received at least half the vote in November. Democrats feel hopeful they can pull off a win in the mayoral race, which is technically nonpartisan, as Higgins placed first with almost double the votes cast for second-place winner Gonzalez. Advertisement Advertisement The election has become a testing ground for both parties ahead of the midterm elections, as Democrats look to notch another overperformance in a Republican area and demonstrate their political momentum. Heres what to know about the Miami mayoral runoff: Democrats see it as another bellwether Democrats see this mayoral race as another bellwether for the party and its political strength ahead of the 2026 midterms. Though mayoral races are typically hyperlocal affairs, national Democrats and Republicans have waded into the race. Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin announced last month that the national party was going all-in to support Higginss candidacy, including through hosting virtual phone banking and using their national volunteer base for voter outreach efforts. Advertisement Advertisement National and local Democrats alike have also campaigned with her or publicly endorsed her, including former GOP Rep. David Jolly (Fla.), whos now running as a Democrat for Florida governor; former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel; former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Meanwhile, Republicans like Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have endorsed Gonzalez. A Democrat hasnt served as mayor of Miami in close to 30 years, but the party sees reason to be optimistic. For one, in November, Higgins placed first with 36 percent of the vote, while Gonzalez placed second at close to 20 percent. Ken Russell, a former Miami city commissioner and Democrat, placed third at close to 18 percent of the vote; after he lost the race, he endorsed Higgins. Advertisement Advertisement Several Republican candidates have also since backed Gonzalez, including former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez and former Miami-Dade community council member Christian Cevallos. Former Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly won the city last year over President Trump, and the party has also improved their voter turnout in off-year elections. The Miami mayoral race, of course, is not an accurate predictor of the 2026 midterms and next years political developments. But Democrats believe a win in the Republican-held seat could foreshadow a good election night for the party next year if the trend continues. Republican paints himself as underdog Despite the fact that Miami has elected Republican mayors over the last few decades, Gonzalez has been painting himself as the underdog in the contest. Advertisement Advertisement Every day, I wake up thinking Im 20 points behind, the former Miami city manager told The New York Times in an interview published on Monday. Other Republicans are also bracing for a challenging fight, with some in the party concerned about what the special election results in Tennessee earlier this month might mean for the GOP moving forward. Rep. Matt Van Epps (R-Tenn.) defeated Democrat Aftyn Behn by 9 points in a race for Tennessees 7th Congressional District, a House seat that Trump and former Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) each won by double digits. My expectation is, it probably doesnt perform for Republicans, but we have to do what we have to do, fight in every place, Evan Power, chair of the Florida GOP, told Politico last week. All eyes on Latino vote One key voting bloc political observers will be watching for is the Latino and Hispanic vote; the demographic makes up 70 percent of Miami-Dade Countys population. The county notably flipped red in 2024, going for Trump by close to 12 points during the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement In general, one takeaway from the 2024 election was how well Republicans performed with Latino and Hispanic voters. Harris narrowly won Latino voters by 5 points in November, according to exit polling from CNN a far cry from the 33 points former President Biden won the demographic by in 2020. Yet, some polling has suggested Latino voters are souring on the president since the election. Polling from the Pew Research Center released last month, for example, showed Latinos giving Trump a 27 percent approval rating and a 70 percent disapproval rating. Pew also found that Latinos who supported Trump gave him a 93 percent approval rating when he first took office for a second term, but that approval rating has since dropped to 81 percent. 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. The president told a Pennsylvania crowd, Black people love Trump, as he railed against Somali immigrants and touted the U.S. economy, which is disproportionately harming Black Americans. In an attempt to dismiss criticisms that calling U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Somali immigrants garbage wasnt racist or discriminatory, President Donald Trump made an off-the-cuff remark about Black Americans and scams. While delivering remarks at a Tuesday night rally to tout his economic policies and discuss affordability in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, Trump accused Democrats of turning Pennsylvania into a dumping ground for hundreds of thousands of migrants from the most dysfunctional places on earth, like Somalia, and gave them billions and billions of your taxpayer dollars. But we didnt really give it. It was stolen. And those people should go to jail. Advertisement Advertisement Trump and the White House have escalated their anti-immigration rhetoric in recent weeks following the shooting of National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., committed by an Afghan national, as well as a recent report about a few dozen Somalis in Minnesota committing fraud with COVID-19 funds. The Trump administration has used these headline-grabbing moments to suggest that its strict immigration enforcement should be scaled up. Its a scam. And its headed up by the crooked congresswoman, the president said of Omar, also seemingly referring to Minnesota. He continued, She said, How dare you say that about me? Its discrimination.' Trump then switched gears to talking about Black Americans more broadly. Let me tell you, Black people love Trump. I got the biggest vote, said the president, seemingly referring to his increased share of support from Black voters in the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement I got the biggest vote with Black people. They know a scam better than anybody. They knowwhat it is to be scammed, he added. While Trump notably increased his support among Black voters in the 2024 election, from 8% to 15%, according to Pew Research, an overwhelming majority of Black Americans supported Kamala Harris over Trump. Whats more, Trumps share of the Black vote, while the most in half a century for a Republican, is hardly as large as that of previous Republican presidents in the pre-New Deal era, when the Republican Party garnered 30-70% of Black voters. (Photo: Getty Images) President Trump went on to claim the country has had the best 10 months ever in the history of the presidency. He argued, For the first time in 50 years, we now have reverse migration, which means more jobs, better wages, and higher income for American citizens, not for illegal aliens. U.S. Rep. Omar, whom Trump has repeatedly attacked in recent days, excoriated the presidents insults about her and other immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help. Since he has no economic policies to tout, hes resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead. He continues to be a national embarrassment, the congresswoman wrote on X. Despite his administrations ramp-up of immigration enforcement, including mass deportations, it has not resulted in improved economic conditions for Black Americans. Since Trump took office for his second term, the Black unemployment rate has steadily increased to 7.5%, which is nearly double the national rate and the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. According to a report from the Center on American Progress, Trumps economic policies, including his global tariffs, are disproportionately harming Black Americans and Black businesses. Whats more, Trumps crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, and cuts to the federal workforce and public education have resulted in job losses and threaten to narrow pathways to economic and social mobility for Black Americans. Advertisement Advertisement MAGAnomics continue to be a failure, and Trumps economy, by every measure, continues to be inferior. The overall grade of his presidency continues to be a failure, Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright told theGrio. Truth be told, were now seeing the continued stages of a lame duck presidency by Donald Trump. We see fractures in the MAGA bone, and you see folks willing to not only take a stand. More must-reads: The La Crosse County Medical Examiner's Office determined that college student Eliotte Heinz died in an accidental drowning in the Mississippi River after leaving a downtown La Crosse bar this summer. Heinz, 22, was found dead by a person on July 23 near Brownsville, Minnesota. She was reported missing three days earlier. Eliotte Heinz An autopsy report states no evidence of trauma was seen. Her blood tested negative for drugs but positive for alcohol. According to the report, she had a blood alcohol level of 0.193, which is more than twice the legal driving limit in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement The Viterbo University graduate student was last seen around 3:20 a.m. in the 500 block of Front Street South after leaving a bar. Surveillance footage showed Heinz leaving the bar alone and not appearing to be in distress, according to authorities. Additional camera footage captured her walking toward the river embankment. Her smartwatch logged its final steps at 4:30 a.m. and recorded a last heart rate reading at 7:30 a.m. on July 20. Investigators found her cellphone along the path she had been walking, and a search of the device revealed no signs of foul play or suicidal ideation, the report states. Before Heinz's body was discovered, authorities and residents scoured the region for days, searching for the native of Hortonville, a village in the Fox Valley. Advertisement Advertisement The La Crosse Police Department previously also ruled out foul play on July 25. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: La Crosse graduate student's death ruled accidental drowning BEIJING, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chinese rare earth producer Ningbo Jintian Copper said on Wednesday it had secured streamlined licences for magnet product exports. The new "general licences" are designed to allow more exports under year-long permits for individual customers following an agreement after a meeting between China's President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump in late October. More from Yahoo Scout What prompted China to introduce these licensing changes? What are China's new streamlined rare earth export licences? Which industries rely on Chinese rare earth magnet products? How did export controls impact rare earth magnet shipments? Ningbo Jintian Copper's rare earth magnet products are used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, robots, consumer electronics and medical equipment, it said on an investor interactive platform. Reuters reported last week that at least three Chinese rare earth magnet makers including JL Mag Rare Earth, Ningbo Yunsheng and Beijing Zhongke San Huan High-Tech had secured the licences enabling them to accelerate exports to some customers. Beijing added several rare earth elements and magnets to its export control list in early April, requiring a dual-use licence for exports. China's exports of rare earth magnets slumped in April and May, forcing some global automakers to shutter parts of production. The new streamlined licence will not replace the existing dual-use licensing regime. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom. Editing by Jan Harvey and Mark Potter) AUSTIN (KXAN) Regular hike-and-bike trail users may have noticed a shallower-than-normal Lady Bird Lake this week. That wasnt a trick of the eyes; the lake was lowered by about a foot for cleaning and maintenance at Longhorn Dam. Austin Water posted on social media saying the lake would be lowered by a foot starting at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to give boat and diver teams better access to the gates at the dam. The utility said lake levels should return to normal by Wednesday evening, Dec. 10. Crews needed access to Longhorn Dams nine automatic bascule gates so that they could remove Zebra Mussels from them, an Austin Water spokesperson said via email. Austin Water lowered the lake level in consultation with the Lower Colorado River Authority. Advertisement Advertisement MAP: 34 lakes across Texas are now infested with zebra mussels This specific maintenance project is conducted once a year and has been an annual task for more than five years, according to Austin Water. Austin Water gradually lowered the level of Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 9, 2025 to remove Zebra Mussels from Longhorn Dam. Lake levels were expected to return to normal by the evening of Dec. 10, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Water gradually lowered the level of Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 9, 2025 to remove Zebra Mussels from Longhorn Dam. Lake levels were expected to return to normal by the evening of Dec. 10, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Water gradually lowered the level of Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 9, 2025 to remove Zebra Mussels from Longhorn Dam. Lake levels were expected to return to normal by the evening of Dec. 10, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Water gradually lowered the level of Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 9, 2025 to remove Zebra Mussels from Longhorn Dam. Lake levels were expected to return to normal by the evening of Dec. 10, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) Austin Water gradually lowered the level of Lady Bird Lake on Dec. 9, 2025 to remove Zebra Mussels from Longhorn Dam. Lake levels were expected to return to normal by the evening of Dec. 10, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) The Austin Water spokesperson also said that because the lake is only being lowered one foot for a short period of time, there are no expected negative impacts to native mussels or other wildlife. We take care as to monitor the amount of water and the speed at which water is released to avoid any damage or harm to wildlife, the spokesperson said. Austin Water explained that the lake is lowered by opening a gate at Longhorn Dam to allow a controlled amount of water to flow through, then, when its time to refill the lake, Austin Water partners with the LCRA to release water to bring the level of Ladybird Lake back to the typical operating level. Advertisement Advertisement Zebra mussels are a kind of aquatic invasive species in Texas that can attach to boats and hitch a ride to new lakes. More than 30 lakes across Texas are infested with zebra mussels, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The United States seized a large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela amid ongoing tensions between President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The tanker was seized during a "judicial enforcement action on a stateless vessel" that had docked in Venezuela, Bloomberg reported. "Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a late-afternoon post on X. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials sanctioned the oil tanker several years ago due to its "involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations," Bondi explained. "This seizure, completed off the coast of Venezuela, was conducted safely and securely -- and our investigation alongside the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the transport of sanctioned oil continues." According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on Wednesday, the FBI, Homeland Security, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant off the coast of Venezuela for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Screengrab via U.S. Attorney General/UPI Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. For multiple... pic.twitter.com/dNr0oAGl5x Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 10, 2025 Attorney General Pam Bondi said the FBI, Homeland Security, Coast Guard and Defense Department executed a seizure warrant off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran. Screengrab via U.S. Attorney General/UPI U.S. military personnel seized the tanker by fast-roping from a helicopter to board it, Bloomberg reported. Trump earlier confirmed the tanker's seizure at the start of a 2 p.m. EST roundtable at the White House. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the United States years ago sanctioned the oil tanker for transporting sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran and seized it on Wednesday. Screengrab via U.S. Attorney General/UPI Advertisement Advertisement "We've just seized a tanker off the coast of Venezuela -- the largest tanker ever seized," Trump said at the start of the roundtable meeting. He said "it was seized for a very good reason" and the "appropriate people" would address the matter when asked for more information by a reporter. U.S. Navy forces are patrolling the Caribbean now as part of the U.S. effort against Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro. File Photo by PO2 Triniti Lersch/U.S. Navy The vessel's seizure occurred as the Trump administration has been applying pressure on Maduro, whom Trump has accused of being a narco-trafficker and of stealing the country's 2024 presidential election by declaring himself the winner. The Trump administration has designated Cartel de los Soles aka Cartel of the Sun a foreign terrorist organization that includes many Venezuelan military and government officials among its leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a carrier strike group to join other U.S. Navy vessels in the Caribbean Sea amid ongoing strikes against small craft departing Venezuela and other nations that are alleged tobe carrying illicit drugs. The oil tanker's seizure and the presence of the U.S. military in international waters near Venezuela are likely to discourage oil companies from transporting Venezuelan crude oil. "Shippers will likely be much more cautious and hesitant about loading Venezuelan crude going forward," Kpler oil analyst Matt Smith told CNBC. Rystad Energy's Jorge Leon, who is in charge of the firm's geopolitical analysis, told Bloomberg the U.S. seizure of a "Venezuelan tanker" is a "clear escalation from financial sanctions to physical interdiction." Advertisement Advertisement The seizure "raises the stakes for Caracas and anyone facilitating its exports," Leon said. The Trump administration also has advised international airlines to be cautious when approaching Venezuela, which has caused many to suspend operations there. WASHINGTON Members of Congress are ramping up pressure on military leaders to show them unedited video of the much-scrutinized lethal strikes in September on suspected drug smuggling boats from Venezuela. The "Gang of Eight," a bipartisan group of top lawmakers that routinely receives briefings on classified intelligence matters, discussed the controversial operation during a Dec. 9 meeting with top brass. During the sit-down, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, said he asked Secretary of War (formerly Defense) Pete Hegseth to show every member of Congress the entirety of the footage. Hegseth responded, according to Schumer, that the military would need more time to review it. Advertisement Advertisement "In my view, they've studied it enough," Schumer said. "Congress ought to be able to see it." Secretary of War, formerly of Defense, Pete Hegseth arrives at the U.S. Capitol for a Dec. 9 meeting with House and Senate leaders about strikes carried out by the military on suspected drug boats from Venezuela. Read more: Trump says Venezuela sends US lethal drugs, but data tells different story The briefing comes days after the congressional committees overseeing the Pentagon released a draft of their annual defense policy bill that also included a more forceful push for the footage. They tucked into the must-pass legislation a provision that would withhold a quarter of Hegseth's travel funds if unedited videos of the boat strikes aren't provided to lawmakers. 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. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump's notes as he attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. The misspelled name card for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is seen during a meeting of Trumps' Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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. President Donald Trump speaks alongside (L-R) U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy during a meeting of his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Also pictured, from left, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary for Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (C) speaks during a Cabinet Meeting held by President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. (L-R) Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and secretary of Interior Doug Burgum look on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (2nd-R) looks on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks, during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump (L) during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Trump holds December Cabinet meeting as Hegseth faces scrutiny 1 of 13 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. The bipartisan push for more information about the incident follows concerns in recent weeks from lawmakers, even some Republicans, about the way the September strikes, which killed 11 people, were carried out. Advertisement Advertisement Amid reports that the military proceeded to authorize lethal force even though there were survivors on board, several GOP lawmakers have publicly worried the operation could have violated international laws. Hegseth and other top government officials have stressed it was conducted within the bounds of the military's authority. Read more: Hegseth defends second strike on alleged drug boats amid criticism Contributing: Reuters 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: Lawmakers ramp up pressure to see unedited video of boat strikes A key Florida Senate committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation Wednesday aimed at fixing fundamental problems in the states $4 billion school voucher program. The measure came in response to a scathing report from the auditor generals office that detailed how the funding model allowed thousands of students and millions of dollars to go unaccounted for during the 2024-25 academic year. Key recommendations in the bill (SB 318) include keeping the money for vouchers separated from the budget for public schools. Lawmakers rolled the voucher funds into the general education budget in 2023, as they expanded the program so all Florida schoolchildren could be eligible. But the scrambled funding doesnt work, and to ignore the audit finding would be legislative malpractice, said bill sponsor Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville. Advertisement Advertisement This bill is an appropriate step to safeguarding and sustaining our school choice program, he said. Gaetz acknowledged establishing a stand-alone line item for vouchers has yet to gain traction in the House, where a similar proposal failed last spring. But the concept gained support from Gov. Ron DeSantis in the budget proposal he unveiled Wednesday. This is a smart and balanced solution, one that respects the growth of the scholarship program while ensuring that public schools are funded accurately and fairly, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said during a news conference with DeSantis in Orlando. Im glad this governors budget aligns with that recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Along with segregating the funding, the Senate would take several other steps toward making the system more accountable. It would require a state-issued identification number for all students to be used on all voucher documentation as a way to avoid confusion over a childs status. It would mandate that a student be validated and in an eligible program in order to get funds released. It would streamline application and funding deadlines, and it would have families confirm their childrens school choice 10 times a year, all in order to better ensure that the right money is sent to the right place at the right time, as Gaetz put it. Members of the public who spoke on the proposal largely favored the concepts. Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine praised the lawmakers for identifying the problems and taking seriously their fiduciary responsibility with taxpayer money. She questioned when the Legislature might also take a look at the academic side of the program and demand more performance accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers long have resisted requiring voucher recipients to sit for the same tests as public school students, saying families show which programs are successful by staying or leaving. Chris Pello, president of the Florida Coalition of Scholarship Schools, called the use of a universal unique student ID system critically important, saying it would strongly help clear up the situation that found schools and families scrambling to get their funding. But even as they lauded the voucher system, some parents and private school operators raised concerns that the bill might overload families with too many requirements. Some suggested that a software change might fix the tracking issues better than having parents reconfirm their status every two to three weeks as proposed. Florida stands for family, said Pam Olsen, a homeschooling advocate. This bill adds so much more bureaucracy to families. Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz had responses for the naysayers. Even if the right software exists, he said, the state would need time to acquire and implement it, while the problems must be fixed as soon as possible. Gaetz noted that the states voluntary prekindergarten program has required parents to report their childrens status monthly to keep their vouchers. No casualties have been reported, he said. The state has a stewardship responsibility, Gaetz said, and asking for the reports is not a major barrier. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, said he did not believe the bill would fix the underlying trouble he sees with what he called the voucher scheme that the state is undermining public education. At the same time, he backed the measure as needed to address the failings that the audit report revealed. Advertisement Advertisement The funding did not follow the students as we were told. Its unacceptable, Smith said, criticizing the Legislatures rush to create universal vouchers without all the necessary safeguards. Were doing this because we must. Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, was more forgiving. We are No. 1 when it comes to family empowerment, when it comes to school choice, Harrell said. But no system is perfect. ... When we dont get it right to start with, thats all right. We get a glitch bill to fix what we didnt quite see. That bill next heads to the Senate floor. The House is still working on its own version of the legislation. Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of shooting another man to death inside a Columbus park back in 2020. The murder trial of Justin Reeves moved into its third day in Muscogee County Superior Court. Kendrick Young was shot to death on July 3, 2020, at the Columbus Water Works Park on Third Avenue. Despite Reeves having a murder warrant, he eluded arrest until 2023 when he was pulled over for a traffic stop in Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement While awaiting trial and out on bond, he fled to Maryland. With the nickname D.C., Reeves was arrested in Prince Georges County, Maryland, near the nations capital. He was brought back to Columbus earlier this year. The trial was scheduled for June in front of Superior Court Judge Gil McBride, but was delayed until this week because of Reeves fleeing the state. Today, Columbus Police Lt. Kelly Phillips testified. Defense Attorney Bentley Adams IV tried to poke holes in the detectives testimony and pointed to other potential suspects. Adams asked about one person police talked to then ruled out as a suspect. Advertisement Advertisement The state played an interview that Phillips did with the suspect in 2023 for the jury. In that interview, Reeves talked about a prior altercation with Young, but he also pointed to another man as the killer. 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 WRBL. Raji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialog with Iran. Lebanon's Foreign Minister Youssef Raji said on Wednesday he had declined an invitation to visit Tehran for now, proposing instead talks with Iran in a mutually agreed neutral third country, Lebanese state news agency NNA reported. Raji cited "current conditions" for the decision not to go to Iran, without elaborating, and stressed that the move did not mean rejection of dialogue with Iran. He did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for additional comment. Advertisement Advertisement Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had extended the invitation last week, seeking talks on bilateral ties. Raji said Lebanon stood ready to open a new phase of constructive relations with Iran, on the condition that ties be based strictly on mutual respect, full recognition of each country's independence and sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs under any pretext. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, September 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY) In an apparent reference to calls to disarm Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed movement allied for decades to Iran, Raji added that no strong state could be built unless the government held the exclusive right to hold weapons. Hezbollah under mounting domestic and international pressure Hezbollah, once a dominant political force with wide influence over the Lebanese state, was severely weakened by Israeli strikes last year that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. It has been under mounting domestic and international pressure to surrender its weapons and place all arms under state control. In August, Iran's top security official Ali Larijani visited Beirut, warning Lebanon not to "confuse its enemies with its friends." In June, Foreign Minister Araqchi said Tehran sought a "new page" in ties. Is it legal to carry a Taser in Michigan? What about a stun gun? They are not the same thing, though an internet search may turn up a different answer ... which makes understanding state law tricky. In Michigan, one is legal for residents to carry and use for self defense, and the other isn't. Here's what state law says. Stun guns, Tasers? What's the difference? Stun guns are handheld devices that emit electrical currents at close quarters, meaning the device must touch skin to deliver a shock. Advertisement Advertisement Tasers, a specific brand of weapon, are intended to work from a distance, transmitting an electric shock when two small darts are fired though the chamber. The darts are connected to tethers that shoot out of the Taser. Which is legal? Stun guns are illegal in Michigan, according to attorney Donald Smith of Kalamazoo-based Willis Law. Tasers were, too, until the Michigan Court of Appeals determined in 2012 that a state law enacting a total ban on Tasers and stun guns was unconstitutional (People v. Yanna). Later that year, the Michigan Legislature changed state law to allow residents with a Michigan Concealed Pistol License to carry Tasers. Stun guns, however, are still banned in Michigan. Why are Tasers legal in Michigan, but not stun guns? An August 2012 legal update by the Michigan State Police, issued after the Legislature's action, notes that for a device to qualify under the amended statute, it must contain tracking information police can use to trace the user. Tasers comply with this requirement, shooting small pieces of what appears to be confetti encoded with a serial number "traceable to the purchaser through records kept by the manufacturer." The device manufacturer must "have a policy of providing that identification and tracking information to a police agency upon written request by that agency (e.g., Taser)," according to the memo. "Therefore, devices that do not dispense this material are not lawful to possess (e.g., stun guns, stun batons, stun canes, stun flashlights)." In other words, Tasers are legal because police can use those serial numbers to track the weapon's user, a necessary criteria under Michigan's statute. Advertisement Advertisement There have been efforts in the Legislature to legalize stun guns, but those have been unsuccessful. Is it legal? "Is it Legal?" a recurring feature that publishes every week on freep.com, aims to help readers understand laws in Michigan and in their communities. Do you have a question about what's legal and what isn't in Michigan? Email isitlegal@freepress.com and we'll look into it for you. Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Are Tasers and stun guns illegal in Michigan? What the law says A Russian military Antonov An-22 Cock heavy transport aircraft crashed in the Ivanovo region, around 125 miles northeast of Moscow today, killing the entire crew. The incident is notable especially for the fact that the Soviet-era plane had been widely reported as retired, roughly 18 months ago. Exactly why the aircraft was still flying is unclear, but it does raise some questions about the overall status of the Russian Aerospace Forces transport arm. According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, the countrys main federal investigating authority, the turboprop-powered airlifter went down near the village of Ivankovo. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the An-22 breaking apart in mid-air, with parts of the fuselage falling into a reservoir near the village. A video posted to social media purportedly shows a salvage team removing fragments of the aircraft from the Uvodskoye Reservoir. A screencap from a video posted to the Supernova+ channel on Telegram purportedly shows a salvage team removing fragments of the An-22 from the Uvodskoye Reservoir. t.me/supernova_plus The Investigative Committee of Russia has so far not disclosed how many people were on board, although the state-run TASS news agency puts the number at seven, and unconfirmed reports on social media provide names for each. Advertisement Advertisement Russian state media quoted the Russian Ministry of Defense as saying that the An-22 was undergoing a test flight following repairs when it crashed, suggesting it was in the process of being returned to service. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that search crews were deployed to the crash site and an investigation was opened into the accident. The approximate location of the crash, near the village of Ivankovo, in the Ivanovo region, around 125 miles northeast of Moscow. Google Earth Citing anonymous sources, the Kommersant business newspaper reported that the accident was likely caused by a technical malfunction. Back in August of last year, there were unconfirmed reports that Russia had finally ceased operations of its An-22 fleet altogether. At this time, it was suggested that the last example, registration number RF-09309, built in 1974, was flown from its home base of Migalovo in the Tver region of western Russia, to Yekaterinburg in the Ural Federal District on August 16, 2024. It was expected to be put on permanent display at the military museum in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. However, no An-22 is visible in recent satellite imagery of the collection, suggesting those plans may have changed. From August 16. Final flight of Antei RF-09309 #14245D. Russia is retiring their An-22s. This one is slated to become part of a museum. Pic by Artyom Kuzhlev pic.twitter.com/nvbO3BQjGZ Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) August 24, 2024 Potentially, RF-09309 is the same aircraft that crashed today, or it could have been one of the other four An-22s that were reportedly still active with the Russian Aerospace Forces 196th Military Transport Aviation Regiment as of June 2024. Advertisement Advertisement At that point, Gen. Vladimir Venediktov, the commander of Military Transport Aviation, told Russias state-owned VGTRK broadcaster that the An-22 was headed for retirement before the end of that year. That the An-22 survived that long, let alone that an example was still flying as of today, is somewhat remarkable. As you can read about in detail here, the An-22 was designed and built by the Antonov company based in Kyiv, in what was then the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The prototype flew on February 27, 1965, at which point it was the worlds heaviest aircraft. In common with the Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bomber, the An-22 was powered by four huge Kuznetsov NK-12MA turboprops, each rated at more than 14,805 horsepower and driving eight-blade contra-rotating propellers, more than 20 feet in diameter. Advertisement Advertisement The powerplant gave the An-22 a distinctive mechanical roar, as heard in the video below. In all, 68 An-22s were completed, including two prototypes, between 1966 and 1976. Service entry with the Soviet military was in January 1969, and the aircraft was especially valued for its ability to accommodate outsized loads. Up to more than 132,000 pounds of cargo could be carried. Alternatively, the An-22s cargo hold had space for 151 paratroopers or 292 standard troops, carried on two decks. However, the main cargo hold was not pressurized, except for a forward cabin with seating for 29 personnel. Items of cargo included complete missile systems, as well as large and heavy military vehicles, via the large loading ramp at the rear. The aircraft could also operate from austere airfields if required. Advertisement Advertisement By the early 2000s, it already looked like the An-22s career was nearly over, with just nine airworthy examples at Migalovo. It was now outnumbered by the far more capable, jet-powered An-124 Condor, which had entered service in the 1980s as the worlds heaviest production transport aircraft, capable of carrying a normal load of 300,000 pounds. A Russian An-124 flies above the Kremlin in Moscow, on May 5, 2015, during a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade. Photo by VASILY MAXIMOV / AFP VASILY MAXIMOV However, the Russian military chose to keep the An-22, even in limited numbers, since it was cheaper to operate than the An-124, but had a much bigger hold than the Ilyushin Il-76 Candid. Plans to modernize the surviving An-22s failed, however, with the result that the active Russian Aerospace Forces fleet dwindled to five. A sixth was still operated by the Antonov Design Bureau in Kyiv until it was reportedly damaged beyond repair during fighting at Hostomel Airport at the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Advertisement Advertisement The fact that at least one An-22 was apparently being prepared to return to active service with the Russian Aerospace Forces appears to paint a bleak picture of its air transport arm. While it still operates significant numbers of Il-76s, in terms of heavy transports, Russia has also failed to reinstate production of the An-124. The main problem has been a lack of suitable engines the original D-18T turbofan is manufactured by Motor Sich at its plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Meanwhile, Motor Sich is also the only company capable of overhauling these engines, reducing the availability of the Russian An-124 fleet. This factor also may have driven the An-22s planned return to service. An An-22 at the airport of the Black Sea resort of Adler outside Sochi, in southern Russia. SERGEI POLUNIN/AFP via Getty Images SERGEI POLUNIN Plans to develop an all-new, all-Russian successor to the Ukrainian-designed An-124 have so far also failed to materialize. Overall, the Russian transport aircraft fleet is aging fast, and this may also have contributed to other recent accidents. Advertisement Advertisement In July of this year, a civilian-operated Antonov An-24 Coke twin-turboprop regional airliner crashed near Tynda in the Amur region of eastern Russia. All 42 passengers and six crew members on board died. The aircraft, long obsolete, had been manufactured in 1976. In the same month, two people were killed after an An-2 Colt utility transport crashed in southern Russias Krasnodar region. The An-2 was first flown in 1947, and the Soviet Union and Russia have collectively failed to develop a suitable successor for a type that remains in widespread use. There have also been other Russian transport aircraft losses that may or may not be connected to the conflict in Ukraine, as well as pinpoint attacks on these aircraft by long-range Ukrainian drone strikes. At the same time, the fleet, in general, is likely suffering from the effects of sanctions, especially when it comes to readiness levels. Advertisement Advertisement With the war in Ukraine still raging, the Russian militarys demand for heavy-lift air transport is only going to continue. Whatever the reason for todays crash, it is a blow to the Russian Aerospace Forces. Apart from the slim possibility that a contractor might try and obtain the remaining aircraft to exploit their unique capabilities, it seems altogether unlikely that the An-22 will find a way back into regular service after this latest incident. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Half a year after its grand opening, Longmonts village for homeless military veterans is enjoying a special season of giving. VCP Longmont, a tiny home village operated by the nonprofit Veterans Community Project, was finished earlier this year. The community at 3095 Mountain Brook Drive includes 26 tiny homes where veterans can live for free as they take steps toward permanent housing. Construction on the village took roughly five years, with veterans moving in as the homes were built. In June, the grand opening celebration marked the completion of the neighborhood, and featured remarks from individuals excited about the villages future. Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday was Colorado Gives Day an initiative that encourages people to donate to nonprofits around the state. This year, donations to VCP Longmont for the Colorado Gives Day campaign were matched up to $8,000. The lights on houses and the community center are seen at the Veterans Community Project in Longmont on Tuesday. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer) VCP Longmont met its $30,000 goal before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Jennifer Seybold, executive director of VCP Longmont, said the donations will support VCP Longmonts case management program, which is aimed at helping the residents achieve their financial and personal goals. The village expected to have 14 residents soon three people were slated to move in Wednesday. The heart of our mission is our case management services, Seybold said. This money really goes toward that work that directly helps people have one-on-one support and a bunch of resources as they work on building things back up. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday evening, people were also invited to visit VCP Longmont for its third annual Light the Village celebration. The event forgoes a traditional tree lighting ceremony and lights the tiny homes around the community, instead. An American flag is illuminated by holiday lights at the Veterans Community Project in Longmont on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer) Lighting up the houses is extra meaningful this year, Seybold explained, since this is the first time all 26 homes could be turned on at the same time. Last year, while construction was underway, only 13 homes could participate, since those were the only ones with electricity at the time. Although yesterday was Colorado Gives Day, people can still support VCP Longmont by visiting vcp.org and applying their gifts to the Longmont location. Seybold said upwards of 40% of the years donations come in during November and December. Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Gives is an important part of that and definitely builds momentum, she said. Seybold said shes always blown away by the enthusiasm shown for VCP Longmont. This community always shows up, she said. Were just really thankful to be able to do this work alongside our community. Related Articles * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Nanas Dim Sum to donate opening-day proceeds to Longmont Humane Society\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Recovery Cafe Longmont announces search for new executive director\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 Advertisement Advertisement * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Boulders EFAA awarded $5 million grant to fight homelessness\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Colorado nonprofits encrypt messages, lock doors to ward off federal threats. Will they come after you?\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 * \u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center seeks help after Colo. 52 crash\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009\u0009 Suppression hearings in the murder case against accused UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione took a sharp turn this week as defense attorneys zeroed in on 11 minutes of missing body-camera footage and an evidence handoff that occurred outside police recording. Mangione, 27, is charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan street in December 2024. He has pleaded not guilty in both state and federal court. Prosecutors say he fled New York and was arrested five days later at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where officers searched his backpack and ultimately recovered a loaded handgun and suppressor. But according to this weeks testimony, the gun did not appear until a second search of the backpack conducted after the body-cam gap. Advertisement Advertisement Officer Christy Wasser, whose testimony has become the centerpiece of the suppression fight this week, acknowledged Monday that her camera was off for roughly 11 minutes as officers transported Mangiones belongings from the McDonalds to the police station, per Rolling Stone. The missing segment includes the moment Wasser said she transferred custody of a bag of evidence to another officer, Stephen Fox, an exchange that was not recorded. Fox reportedly testified that officers typically dont have their body cams activated when transporting evidence or driving without a suspect. When Wassers camera was switched back on, footage shows her entering the police station still wearing the same gloves from the original search. She briefly opened the main compartment of the bag, which she had already inspected at the McDonalds, then moved to a front pouch she had not previously opened on film. There, she discovers a loaded handgun. You and Officer Fox were slicing things open at McDonalds, but somehow didnt see the gun right on top, defense attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, suggesting the possibility that the weapon was planted, per People. Wasser denied the allegation. Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyers also challenged Wassers claim that she feared the backpack contained a bomb, pointing out that officers never evacuated the restaurant or summoned a bomb squad. Body-cam footage played in court showed officers casually parsing through the bag while others joked, whistled along to Christmas music, and chatted with Mangione, who continued eating breakfast. Prosecutors unveiled what they called Mangiones to-do list, a handwritten set of notes and a map allegedly detailing his plan to flee Pennsylvania. Prosecutors argued the notebook, recovered from the same backpack, demonstrates consciousness of guilt. The hearing has stretched far longer than expected, with Judge Gregory Carro urging both sides to move faster after five days of testimony from officers, prosecutors, and jail staff. About seven of roughly 30 witnesses have taken the stand so far, as of the time of this writing. The proceeding will decide whether the backpack search, conducted without a warrant and before Mangione received Miranda warnings, violated his constitutional rights. A ruling suppressing the gun, notes, and related evidence could dramatically alter the prosecutions case. Mangione remains held in federal custody in Brooklyn. This hearing follows a prior order from Carro dismissing the terrorism charges against Mangione, per The Dallas Express. John Ternus , Apples senior vice president of hardware engineering, has emerged as the leading internal candidate to replace Cook. Ternus, 50, joined Apples product design team in 2001 and has overseen hardware engineering for every generation of iPad, the latest iPhone lineup, and AirPods. He played a crucial role in the Macs transition to Apple silicon. The scale of the turnover has been striking, but the timing appears connected to succession planning. Both Bloomberg and the Financial Times have reported that Apple is ramping up efforts to prepare for Cook, who turned 65 in November, to potentially retire in 2026. He has led the company since 2011 and grown its market cap from roughly $350 billion to $4 trillion. But perhaps the biggest change at the top this year has been chief operating officer Jeff Williams , who decided to retire in July after 27 years with Apple. He was long considered the top candidate to succeed CEO Tim Cook. Also this summer, CFO Luca Maestri stepped back from his role to instead oversee corporate services starting in the new year, while Kevan Parekh took over as CFO. Speaking of Meta, Mark Zuckerbergs social media empire has been the beneficiary of Apples exodus. Billy Sorrentino , another senior design director, chose to leave for Meta with Dye, and Ruoming Pang , who headed Apples AI foundation models team, also left for Meta in July, taking approximately 100 engineers with him. Ke Yang , who led AI-driven web search for Siri, and Jian Zhang , Apples AI robotics lead, also left for Meta this year. The iPhone maker announced last week that Lisa Jackson, its vice president of environment, policy, and social initiatives, will retire in January, while Kate Adams, who has served as general counsel since 2017, will retire late next year. These departures follow a cascade of recent exits including that of AI chief John Giannandrea , who announced his retirement this month, and Alan Dye , the head of user interface design since 2015, who left to join Meta . Bloomberg also reported that Johny Srouji , Apples chief chip architect for Apple silicon, is mulling an exit, but the 61-year-old executive threw cold water on those rumors Monday, saying: I love my team, I love my job at Apple, in a memo to staffers. Apple is experiencing its most extensive leadership transformation since visionary CEO and cofounder Steve Jobs died in 2011, with a wave of departures across artificial intelligence, design, legal, operations, and financial divisions that will reshape one of the worlds most valuable companies. Story Continues The choice of Ternus would mark a departure from Apples recent operational focus under Cook. While Cook and Williams both had operational backgrounds with expertise in global supply chains, Ternus brings technical hardware expertise. His selection would signal that Apple is prioritizing product innovation as it faces challenges in new categories like the Vision Pro and competition in artificial intelligence. Apples new AI leadership Apple is bringing in Amar Subramanya, a veteran of both Google and Microsoft, to lead its AI efforts. Subramanya spent 16 years at Google, eventually becoming head of engineering for Googles AI assistant, Gemini, before a brief stint at Microsoft as corporate vice president of AI. He will oversee Apple Foundation Models, machine learning research, and AI safety, reporting to software chief Craig Federighi. Subramanyas hire signals Apples determination to accelerate its AI capabilities after falling behind competitors like Google and OpenAI. His experience building large language models at Google positions him to help Apple develop competitive generative AI products, a critical battleground for tech companies in the coming years. Apples new design leadership On the design front, Stephen Lemay is replacing Dye as the head of user interface design. Lemay has been with Apple since 1999 and played a key role in designing every major Apple interface from the original iPhone to the latest operating systems. The promotion of Lemay has reportedly been met with enthusiasm inside Apple. Blogger and podcaster John Gruber, who has covered Apple for decades and has deep ties within the company, wrote that employees are borderline giddy about Lemay taking over. Sources Ive spoken to whove worked with Lemay at Apple speak highly of him, particularly his attention to detail and craftsmanship, Gruber wrote. Those things have been sorely lacking in the Dye era. This internal promotion contrasts sharply with how Dyes departure was received. Dye had overseen UI design for a decade but faced internal criticism over design direction and product quality. Lemays appointment represents a return to the companys design-first philosophy that characterized Apples earlier innovation phases. Apples new operations and supply-chain leadership Sabih Khan, who has been with Apple for 30 years, took over as chief operating officer in July, succeeding Williams. Khan joined the executive team as senior vice president of operations in 2019 and has overseen Apples global supply chain for the past six years. Khan will also oversee environmental and social initiatives, taking on some of Lisa Jacksons former responsibilities. Khans appointment represents continuity in operations while consolidating responsibilities across the executive suite. His deep knowledge of Apples manufacturing and logistics networks positions him to navigate ongoing supply-chain challenges, particularly as the company diversifies production beyond China. Apples new legal and regulatory leadership Jennifer Newstead, currently Metas chief legal officer and a former legal advisor to the U.S. State Department, will become Apples general counsel on March 1, 2026. In a consolidation of responsibilities, Newstead will oversee both legal and government affairs, effectively merging the roles previously held by Adams and Jackson. Newstead brings significant international law and regulatory expertise at a critical time for Apple. The company faces increasing scrutiny from antitrust regulators worldwide, particularly in the European Union and the United States. The Justice Department and 16 attorneys general filed an antitrust suit against Apple last March, alleging the companys policies hamper competition and make it difficult for consumers to switch phones. A trial date is not yet set, but suffice to say Newsteads work will be cut out for her once she starts. Her appointment underscores Apples focus on navigating complex regulatory environments while addressing regulatory challenges around AI development and data privacy. Her experience in government affairs at Meta, where she managed relations with policymakers globally, makes her well-suited to handle Apples expanding regulatory obligations. Apples new financial leadership Kevan Parekh assumed the chief financial officer role on Jan. 1, 2025, replacing Luca Maestri, who had held the position since 2014. Parekh brought deep familiarity with Apples financial operations, having worked in the companys finance division previously. His transition to CFO continues Apples pattern of promoting experienced insiders to top roles, though his tenure also reflects the companys need for steady financial stewardship amid market volatility and shifting investor expectations. Apples inflection point The departures span functions critical to Apples competitive position. Beyond the visible departures, Apple has lost significant talent in AI research to its competition in Silicon Valley, namely Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Apple is attempting to address this through high-profile hires like Subramanya, but the scale of departures suggests internal friction or strategic shifts that pushed executives to explore opportunities elsewhere. The consolidation of responsibilitiesparticularly having Newstead oversee both legal and government affairs, and Khan handling operations and environmental initiativessuggests Apple is also tightening its executive structure. This could be driven by cost considerations or by a desire to create clearer lines of authority as the company prepares for potential leadership transitions. Despite the upheaval, Apple is positioning these changes as strategic rather than reactive. The transitions of Williams, Maestri, and others were described as long-planned successions in company announcements. Cook has publicly praised the incoming leaders and emphasized continuity, even as Apple assembles what amounts to an entirely new leadership team for its next chapter. Cook himself remains a question mark. While some reports suggest he could retire in 2026, the executive has been adamant about his plans. In January, Cook told CNBC he would never retire, at least not in the traditional way, adding he would always want to work. Still, all the reliable reporting since that on-air interview points to scenarios in which Cook will step back from day-to-day operations. Looking ahead Whether this new generation can maintain Apples innovation momentum while navigating AI competition, regulatory pressure, and the eventual departure of Cook himself remains the defining question for the companys future. The success of Ternus, Newstead, Lemay, Khan, and Subramanya will determine whether Apple can accelerate its AI capabilities, maintain design excellence, navigate regulatory challenges, and sustain the companys position as one of the worlds leading tech companies. The changes also reflect a shift in Apples strategic priorities. Under Cook, the company has excelled in operational efficiency and global supply-chain management. But under Ternusif he indeed becomes CEOthe company may place greater emphasis on hardware innovation and product differentiation, particularly in emerging categories where AI and design intersect. The appointment of Subramanya to lead AI, combined with the ascendance of Lemay in design, suggests Apple is doubling down on what made it successful in the first place: breakthrough products with cutting-edge technology and thoughtful design. It all suggests 2026 will be a pivotal year for Apple, which is expected to accelerate its AI efforts, roll out new phone designs, and fend off regulators to secure long-term positioning in a rapidly changing landscape. For this story, Fortune journalists used generative AI as a research tool. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Pluck eyebrows. Buy less conspicuous shoes. Take a bus or a train west toward Cincinnati and St. Louis. Move around late at night. Stay away from surveillance cameras. A to-do list and travel plans found during Luigi Mangiones arrest and revealed in court this week shed new light on the steps he may have taken or planned to take to avoid capture after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons killing last year. Keep momentum, FBI slower overnight, said one note. Change hat, shoes, pluck eyebrows, said another. Advertisement Advertisement The notes, including a hand-drawn map and tactics for surviving on the lam, were shown on Monday at a pretrial hearing as Mangiones bid to prevent prosecutors from using evidence seized during his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Excerpts of body-worn camera footage of the arrest, previously unseen by the press or the public, were released on Tuesday. Police said they discovered the notes in Mangiones backpack, along with a 9 mm handgun that prosecutors said matches the one used to kill Thompson five days earlier; a loaded gun magazine and silencer; and a notebook in similar handwriting which he purportedly described his intent to wack a health insurance executive. Mangiones lawyers havent disputed the authenticity of the notes or the provenance of the gun, pocket knife, fake ID, drivers license, passport, credit cards, AirPods, protein bar, travel toothpaste, flash drives and other items seized from him and his backpack. Advertisement Advertisement But they argue that anything found in the bag should be barred because police didnt have a search warrant and lacked the grounds to justify a warrantless search. Prosecutors contend the search was legal officers said they were checking for a bomb and that police eventually obtained a warrant. The notes, along with other evidence highlighted at the pretrial hearing, underscore that Mangiones stop in Altoona, a city of about 44,000 people about 230 miles (370 kilometers) west of Manhattan, was only meant to be temporary. One note said to check for red eyes from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Ohio or part way to Cincinnati (get off early, it reads). The map drawn below shows lines linking those cities, as well as other possible destinations, including Detroit, Indianapolis and St. Louis. Thompson, 50, was killed as he walked to a Manhattan hotel for his companys investor conference on Dec. 4, 2024. Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind and then fleeing the area. Over the next hours and days, police released photos of a suspect first showing him in a mask and hooded coat and then his face and thick eyebrows. Advertisement Advertisement Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to state and federal murder charges. The pretrial hearing, which resumes for a sixth day on Thursday, applies only to the state case. His lawyers are making a similar push to exclude the evidence from his federal case, where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Among the notes revealed this week was one with a heading 12/5 and a starred entry that said: buy black shoes (white stripes too distinctive). Another, also written in to-do list style, suggested spending more than three hours away from surveillance cameras and using different modes of transportation to Break CAM continuity and avoid tracking. Below that, it said: check reports for current situation, a possible reference to news reports about the search for Thompsons killer. According to prosecutors, Mangione fled to Newark, New Jersey, immediately after the shooting and took a train to Philadelphia. Among the evidence shown at the pretrial hearing was a Philadelphia transit pass purchased at 1:06 p.m. a little more than six hours after the shooting and a ticket for a Greyhound bus, booked under the name Sam Dawson, leaving Philadelphia at 6:30 p.m. and arriving in Pittsburgh at 11:55 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement A note with the heading 12/8 lists a number of tasks, including an apparent trip to Best Buy to purchase a digital camera and accessories, hot meal + water bottles, and trash bag(s). Under 12/9, the day of Mangiones arrest, the note lists tasks including Sheetz, an Altoona-based convenience store chain, masks and AAA bats. Under Future TO DO, it listed intel checkin and survival kit. Mangione had a Sheetz hoagie in his backpack when he was arrested, along with a loaf of Italian bread from a local deli, according to police officers testifying Monday and Tuesday. It had been raining, and the bag and items inside it were wet, the officers said. They were heard on body-worn camera footage played in court theorizing that Mangione had gotten soaked walking from the citys bus station. Police responded to the McDonalds after a manager called 911 to relay concerns from customers who thought that Mangione, eating breakfast in a back corner, resembled the man wanted for killing Thompson. On the call, played in court, the manager could be heard saying that because Mangione was wearing a medical mask, she could only see his eyebrows and that she searched online for a photo of the suspect for comparison. Altoona Police Officer Stephen Fox testified on Tuesday that Mangione, the Ivy League-educated scion of a wealthy Maryland family, expressed concern for the 911 callers wellbeing. Fox said Mangione asked if police had planned on releasing her name, which they didnt. The officer recalled him saying: It would be bad for her and there would be a lot of people that would be upset. Advertisement Advertisement At another point, Fox said, a shackled Mangione stumbled while trying to keep up with the brisk-moving officer. Fox said he apologized and said, I forgot you were shackled. He said Mangione responded: Its OK, Im going to have to get used to it. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has revealed more details of the ongoing efforts to arm M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks with the Switchblade series of loitering munitions, via a system known as Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH). After industry-funded trials, the company now hopes to win a U.S. Army contract for further tests of an improved version of the system. GDLS also recently released a photo showing the launch of one of the loitering munitions from a pop-up canister mounted on the tanks turret, where it replaces the standard loader sponson box. NEWS : General Dynamics Land Systems and @aerovironment successfully demonstrate PERCH loitering munitions launcher Full release: https://t.co/Ci0WhXcOdd#ThePowerToWinpic.twitter.com/kGdWEqi5ld General Dynamics Land Systems (@GD_LandSystems) December 5, 2025 These disclosures follow the demonstration of the PERCH system, which integrates the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions into the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, the latest variant of the tank in U.S. Army service. PERCH can also be integrated on Stryker 88 infantry carrier vehicles, and potentially other platforms. The launcher can hold three Switchblade 300s and one 600 at the same time. Advertisement Advertisement PERCH was developed by GDLS and AeroVironment, which produces the Switchblade, and it was demonstrated from October 26-30 at the Armys Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event at Fort Hood, Texas. MARS was spearheaded by the 36th Engineer Brigade and III Armored Corps, and focused on soldiers using autonomous technology to complete breaching operations, reducing the overall risk they were exposed to. U.S. Army soldiers look on during a live-fire demonstration of breaching operations as part of the Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 30, 2025. U.S. Army Photo by SGT Gabriel Villalobos Sgt. Gabriel Villalobos As a modular system, PERCH is designed to be simply bolted onto an armored vehicle; in the case of the Abrams, it is fixed in place using existing attachment points. In the MARS event, PERCH was operated via a tablet interface, although GDLS says that future iterations will be fully integrated with existing vehicle computer systems. By utilizing the Switchblade, PERCH provides the vehicle with not only extended-range surveillance but also over-the-horizon lethality. In certain circumstances, this can even be extended to beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), in which the loitering munition is used in an autonomous, preprogrammed mode to fly a route and/or hit a fixed target. As we have outlined in the past, the Switchblade 300 is a relatively small loitering munition, a type of weapon also often referred to as a kamikaze drone, and can carry a four-pound high-explosive warhead. It has a maximum range of just over six miles and can stay aloft for around 15 minutes. A member of the U.S. Marine Corps fires an early version of the Switchblade 300. U.S. Marine Corps A camera in the nose allows the operator to see what the drone sees right up until near the moment of impact. The human at the controls can make course corrections and even wave off an attack entirely for any reason, up until the final moments of flight. During the final part of its terminal attack run, once locked onto its target, the loitering munition is controlled autonomously in order to hit its target even after losing connection with its controller while very low over the ground. Advertisement Advertisement The larger and longer-ranged Switchblade 600 can provide long-range, higher-endurance reconnaissance and strike capabilities and is equipped with the same multipurpose warhead used in Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). While the -300 model can go after light vehicles and personnel, the -600 can kill armor and destroy structures. Both versions of the loitering munition have seen notable service in Ukraine, including against Russian armor. The flexibility of the Abrams/Switchblade combo was proven at the MARS event, which saw users complete a complex obstacle breach, with the loitering munitions used for extended-range reconnaissance and over-the-horizon targeting of high-value targets. PERCH allows units to deploy Switchblade loitering munitions far forward on the battlefield while remaining covered and concealed themselves, explained Jim Pasquarette, vice president for U.S. strategy and business development at GDLS, in a subsequent press release. We have seen a lot of soldier interest in this readymade, effective concept, and we look forward to future demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Providing combat vehicles with an easily mounted, combat-proven loitering munition system is a quick way of extending their reach and therefore their survivability. In the case of the Abrams, PERCH allows the tank to deliver precise effects through indirect fire, including engaging targets from protected positions at long distances, in which it would be unable to use its main gun. At the same time, hosting these loitering munitions gives the tank an organic extended-range surveillance capability, meaning it can scout ahead for potential threats or other hazards without having to rely on information provided by other units. Pairing the loitering munitions with a drone relay/receiver that could stay airborne above the Abrams (even tethered to it) would provide a further benefit, extending the line-of-sight connectivity significantly, especially in complex terrain. Such a system could also provide localized overwatch and enhanced situational awareness. A mockup of PERCH loaded with Switchblade loitering munitions on an exhibition display stand. GDLS Overall, the appearance of PERCH is long overdue. Adding drones of this kind to armor gives them a new standoff indirect fire capability and a critical scouting tool, all in one modular and easy to use package. Advertisement Advertisement While the long-term future of PERCH with the Army is not yet determined, it is notable that, while the MARS event involved a demonstration that was funded by industry, the next phase of testing looks like it will be paid for by the Pentagon. Last week, it was reported that GDLS was in talks with the Army to provide an upgraded version of PERCH for testing in the second half of next year. Advances planned for the new version include making it easier to reload the loitering munitions. A GDLS spokesperson told Janes that, if a deal is struck, the upgraded PERCH would be integrated into a tank as part of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Teams Pegasus Forge exercise in the latter part of 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Provided that it is a success, the next evaluation could pave the way to more Army Abrams tanks getting a Switchblade loitering munition capability via the PERCH launcher. Regardless of progress with PERCH, it seems ever more likely that loitering munitions will become a standard fit on armor on the battlefields of the future. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Cooking your Christmas dinner and missing that one key ingredient? In Massachusetts, you'll have a tough time finding an open grocery store on Dec. 25. Due to colonial-era laws, Massachusetts grocery stores cannot legally open on Christmas Day, which falls on a Thursday this year. And, while smaller convenience stores are allowed to open on Christmas, some might still opt to close in observance of the December holiday. You should check a shop's hours or call ahead before heading over. Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about Massachusetts grocery stores on Christmas Day. Are grocery stores open on Christmas in MA? In Massachusetts, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Christmas, as it is a restricted holiday under the state's "Blue Laws." That means that stores like Stop & Shop, Big Y, Roche Bros., Market Basket, Hannaford, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Price Rite, ALDI and Whole Foods will all be closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, this year. Liquor stores will also be closed on Christmas Day. Why aren't Massachusetts grocery stores open on Christmas? Grocery stores in Massachusetts are not allowed to open on Christmas Day due to "Blue Laws," which have Puritan influences and date back to the colonial days. Advertisement Advertisement Massachusetts' Blue Laws dictate which businesses can legally open on Sundays and certain holidays. And Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the restricted holidays for grocery stores, according to the state. There are no laws against Massachusetts grocery stores being open on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), but many chains still operate under limited hours that day. Grocery store file photo. Which businesses are allowed to open on Christmas? Convenience stores? Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Christmas. You might be able to grab a couple of groceries from a small convenience store. According to the Blue Laws, food stores that dont have more than three employees, including the owner, working at one time may open on Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It's best to call ahead and check. Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Is Trader Joe open Christmas Day? ALDI? MA 2025 grocery store hours PORT ST. LUCIE A 67-year-old man died following a traffic-related incident involving a pedestrian and a flatbed semi-truck, according to Port St. Lucie Police on Dec. 10. Port St. Lucie Police said the incident happened in the area of Southeast Veterans Memorial Parkway and South U.S. 1. Officer Brandon Martinez, police spokesperson, said investigators were called about 8:24 a.m. to the incident. Police stated rescue officials took the pedestrian, identified as a 67-year-old man, to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement 'Suspicious behavior': New details in parade, gun, body armor case Deadly incident: Girl, 6, dies after incident at Urban Air adventure park, police said Officer Brittany McNally, police spokesperson, said the pedestrian was crossing U.S. 1 from west to east, not in a crosswalk, when he was struck by the truck, which was traveling north on U.S. 1. Police ask that anyone who saw the incident or has video to call Officer B. Thompson at 772-871-5000. Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Man, 67, dead after traffic incident on U.S. 1, police said A man has been charged with shooting and killing a woman in a "domestic disturbance," Chicago police said. The shooting happened on Monday at about 2:37 a.m. in the 9600-block of S. Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood, police said. Officers responded to a call of a "domestic disturbance," and found a 27-year-old woman with multiple gunshot wounds. The woman died at the scene, police said. Joel Quintero Cristian, 29, was taken into police custody shortly after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement He is facing two felony charges for murder. The video in the player above is from a previous report. A woman was shot to death in a domestic disturbance on Monday, Chicago police said. Police said a weapon was recovered at the scene. Quintero Cristian is due in court on Wednesday for a detention hearing. You can contact the Illinois domestic violence hotline at 1-877-863-6338 click here for more information. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A man is dead after being shot inside a Papa Johns in Ohio on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 11 p.m. at a Cincinnati Papa Johns on W. 8th Street, according to our news partner WCPO in Cincinnati. Officers identified the victim as 23-year-old Nawaf Althawadi. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement A photo from the scene shows the area surrounded by yellow caution tape. When officers arrived, they found Althawadi suffering from a gunshot wound. Cincinnati Police told WCPO that the victim died at the scene. Officers have arrested 21-year-old Murphy Tilk. Hamilton County jail records indicate that he was arrested on murder charges. His first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday. The shooting remains under investigation. Photo contributed by Hamilton County Jail [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dec. 10A Waynesville man was arrested and charged with allegedly setting multiple fires in the Beantown area off Jonathan Creek after an altercation with a woman who owned property in the area. Larry Wayne Riddle, 37, of Waynesville, was charged with two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brushlands, or woodlands with intent to damage property, one count of felony burning personal property, one count of misdemeanor communicating threats and one count of misdemeanor injury to personal property. Riddle allegedly started multiple fires back in November, including one at a property on Beantown Road that has been at the center of controversy. The woman who owned the property allowed it to be used as an encampment by those down on their luck, resulting in multiple trash, sanitation and nuisance violations, including a court-ordered cleanup. Advertisement Advertisement Riddle threatened the woman who owned the property, saying "that he was going to burn down her house with her in it," and damaged the front door to her home, according to charging documents. In addition to setting fire to the property, Riddle burned a couple's Acura RDX SUV, according to the charges. Neighbors in the usually peaceful Beantown Road area along Jonathan Creek were shocked to witness the car fire. "You couldn't miss it, it was a huge blaze, and then it was exploding and the windows were blowing out," said Gary Mehalick. "It was a big deal." He and others watched as sirens arrived and firefighters got to work putting out the flames around the car. Mehalick said it took about an hour to extinguish the full fire, leaving the charred remnants behind in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement "The car was engulfed, just like you see in the movies, you know," Mehalick added. Riddle is also charged with setting fire to a property in the White Oak community. Riddle also has previously pending charges of possession of methamphetamine dating back to the end of September. In addition to his Haywood County charges, Riddle is also being held on an extradition warrant to Jefferson County, Tennessee, for a felony theft charge. A man has pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI charges that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old woman. The crash happened in December 2023 in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood after the car fled from police. State troopers spotted Sharron Murray driving recklessly west on 71st Street at Union Avenue, police said. Troopers said they tried to stop the vehicle, but it fled at a high rate of speed and crashed into five parked cars at 71st Street and Francisco Avenue, police said. Advertisement Advertisement The video in the player above is from a previous report. Nasiah Harris, 19, was a passenger in the vehicle. She died in the hospital. Two years after the deadly crash, Murray pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI resulting in death. He was sentenced to eight years at IDOC. Authorities at the time said they recovered a gun from the suspect's car. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A man was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer investigating a stolen vehicle on the North Side Tuesday night, CPD said. The incident occurred at about 10:25 p.m. in the 5700-block of North Washtenaw Avenue in West Ridge. Police said tactical officers were investigating a stolen sedan that was parked and unoccupied when a dark-colored sedan with two men and a woman pulled alongside it. The two men got out of the dark-colored sedan and attempted to enter the stolen sedan, which appeared to be a white BMW, when officers approached, police said. Advertisement Advertisement One man fled on foot while the other got back into a sedan, police said. After directing him to get out of the vehicle, police said the man refused and there was a struggle. During the struggle, police said the man accelerated the car, dragging the officer. The officer fired their gun and struck the man in the head while the vehicle crashed into an unoccupied parked car, police said. The wounded man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. He has not yet been identified. An officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, police said. SEE ALSO: 2 Cook County deputies shot at outside Mt. Sinai Hospital, Chicago police say Advertisement Advertisement The stolen vehicle was towed away Wednesday. "I'm glad the cop wasn't hurt," neighbor David said. "I'm glad the cop got the guy. I'm glad I wasn't outside when it happened, but what are you going to do?" David said the stolen vehicle has been in the area for the past couple days, coming and going at different times. He said he didn't recognize the man behind the wheel. "The last three days I think," David said. "It was parked cockeyed. It took my spot that I just shoveled out, so." Those who woke up to gunshots were thankful police were nearby. "My wife woke up and saw it," David said. A woman was taken into custody and two firearms were recovered at the scene, police said. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the shooting. INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood Gov. Wes Moore is leaving the door open for the Maryland General Assembly to consider other business when it meets on Dec. 16 to elect a new House speaker. In that discussion, Maryland Republicans want to highlight veto overrides and redistricting, a debate that has raised concerns among the GOP about potentially eliminating the states lone Republican congressional district. Moore signed an executive order on Tuesday calling for a special session on Dec. 16 to elect the next House speaker, following Del. Adrienne A. Jones resignation last week. House Democrats are also scheduled to meet behind closed doors to select a nominee for speaker on the same day. In a statement announcing this order, Moores office said, The General Assembly may also consider other business to be resolved prior to the beginning of the 2026 legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Caucus Chair Del. Emily Shetty will preside over the process, which will involve adopting a new set of rules to beat the short timeline in which Democrats need to pick a speaker before the General Assembly returns to Annapolis for the 2026 Legislative Session on Jan. 14, 2026. Hopeful candidates also will make their case to their colleagues, who will then vote on their choice for the job. A successful speaker nominee will have a majority of the caucus votes. So far, Del. Joseline Pena-Melnyk is the frontrunner and sole delegate seeking the Houses top job. Pena-Melnyk already has obtained the support of many of her colleagues, who have pointed to her chairmanship of the House Healthcare and Government Operations Committee as evidence of why she should lead the chamber. The Senate received the governors proclamation calling a special session next week. The Senate supports our colleagues in the House of Delegates and is looking forward to joining them as they elect a new speaker, a spokesperson for Senate President Bill Ferguson told The Baltimore Sun on a phone call Tuesday. Redistricting talks would be premature House Republicans say this speaker election is less controversial than when Jones won the role, following the death of Michael E. Busch in 2019. But they said they are preparing for other issues to be raised. Advertisement Advertisement When looking at the governors press release, he did mention that other business could be taken up. I would imagine hes referring to the several vetoes that he did in the previous legislative session this year, but another area of concern particularly for our [GOP] members is redistricting, House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy told The Sun Tuesday, adding that the session announcement is very short notice. The Senate is constitutionally required to consider veto overrides in the special session next week. Maryland State Sen. Arthur Ellis and State Sen. Antonio Hayes, both Democrats, told The Sun that all vetoes are being considered. A senior Senate staffer, however, said that redistricting wont be discussed during the special session. The Baltimore Sun obtained a list of veto overrides the Senate plans to consider on Dec. 16 that was discussed during a private Senate Democratic Caucus meeting on Tuesday this includes overriding Moores vetoes on a bill to create a commission to study reparations and a bill mandating the University of Maryland to study the environmental impact of building data centers in the state, among 23 other bills Moore vetoed. Advertisement Advertisement On why redistricting wont be considered in the upcoming special session, Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon, a Democrat, told The Sun, It would be premature. Moon has said he would sponsor redistricting legislation in the House. The special session is really being called so that we get situated quickly with a new speaker. The governors redistricting advisory commission is still meeting. Theres one more [public listening session] scheduled on the 12th, Moon said in a phone interview with The Baltimore Sun. So we are still awaiting a decision, if any, as to whats going to be recommended for mid-decade redistricting. Moon added that although House Democrats leadership team has been discussing how to navigate veto overrides and other legislation for some time now, House Democrats still need a leader to decide their exact course of action in the 2026 legislative session. The veto overrides must be taken up, so we need a leader in place to start managing through those decisions as well as how to navigate the current fiscal situation, Moon said. All of those spell out a scenario where the house saw a desire to have this vacancy filled ASAP. Advertisement Advertisement Del. Susan McComas, a Harford County Republican, said the GOP had planned a caucus meeting Dec. 11 to discuss legislative priorities and a shared platform, but she is unsure how the agenda might change now that the special session has been called. _____ The Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company will have a new CEO in 2026, the company announced on Wednesday. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Henrique Braun, 57, will take over as CEO, effective March 31, 2026. Current CEO James Quincey, who has led the company for nine years, will transition to Executive Chairman of the Board. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Braun joined Coca-Cola in 1996 and has served as President of the Greater China and South Korea, Brazil and Latin America operating units. He has served in his current role as EVP and COO since Jan. 1, 2025. Im honored to take on this new role and have tremendous appreciation for everything James has done to lead the company, Braun said. I will focus on continuing the momentum weve built with our system. Well work to unlock future growth in partnership with our bottlers. Im excited about the future of our business and see huge opportunities in a fast-changing global market. He also holds an MBA from Georgia State University. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The company highlighted Quinceys leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and the addition of more than 10 billion-dollar brands. James Quincey is a transformative leader, said David Weinberg, Coca-Colas lead independent director. James set and executed a strategy that has built Coca-Colas status as a global leader." The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy sector, has added three more communities, including Framingham, to its Home Modernization Navigator pilot program, according to a community announcement. The program offers residents personalized support to improve their homes and lower energy bills, according to the announcement. It launched in Springfield and Lowell, and is now extending to Framingham, Chelsea and Lynn. It will expand into Taunton in January, according to the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement The Home Modernization Navigator pilot program aims to break down barriers that prevent families from making necessary home upgrades, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper said in a statement. Earth Day inspiration: Four Mass. communities are uniquely tackling climate change. The program provides one-on-one guidance through phone calls, video chats and community office hours, according to the announcement. Residents can receive assistance in identifying goals; accessing incentives and financing; and understanding technical aspects of various home improvements, including appliances, yard equipment, clean electricity, electrical upgrades, energy bill savings, heating and cooling, transportation and weatherization. Who benefits from the Home Modernization Navigator program? The initiative prioritizes engagement with renters, rental property owners, low-income households and residents who speak languages other than English, addressing gaps in participation in clean energy programs and ensuring equitable access to savings and comfort. Advertisement Advertisement MassCEC interim CEO Jennifer Le Blond said the program simplifies the process of modernizing homes, offering residents confidence in taking steps toward efficient, electrified and affordable living. MassCEC is committed to helping every Massachusetts resident modernize their home in ways that are good for their wallet and their health, Le Blond said in a statement. The Home Modernization Navigator simplifies what can be a complex process offering one-on-one support so residents can confidently take the next step toward efficient, electrified and affordable homes. Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, praised the expansion of the program as an important step forward in energy efficiency efforts. Massachusetts is a leader in energy efficiency, because we know these investments bring down the cost of energy bills and help the climate, she said in a statement. The Home Modernization Navigator is a proven tool, and its expansion to Framingham and beyond is an important step forward. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll administration and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for advancing this work, and Im eager to see the difference it will make for families across the commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds. For more information about the Home Modernization Navigator, visit goclean.masscec.com/home-modernization-navigator. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MassCEC expands home energy upgrade program to Framingham When Laura Brelsford began riding the MBTA between Cambridge and Boston in the early 2000s, she found the systems accessibility deplorable for people like her who use a wheelchair or other mobility device. Broken elevators hampered easy travel between the subways and the ground level. Buses were not always equipped to board riders in wheelchairs. Some drivers blew off boarding disabled riders altogether. All told, a regular commute could routinely take 45 minutes or an hour more than it should, Brelsford, now the MBTAs assistant general manager for system-wide accessibility, said. If I were visiting friends or on my way to an appointment using the bus, it wasnt unusual that I would have to wait for the third bus on a route because either the lift would be broken or the operator just would not want to make the effort to board me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement But the system is in a very different state today, Brelsford said. The MBTA has spent roughly two decades fulfilling some 200 requirements for accessibility upgrades and reforms established in a settlement agreement to a class-action lawsuit brought by disabled riders. With the T now meeting a substantial portion of the required improvements, top transit officials and the judge overseeing the case met Wednesday with disabled riders and advocates to turn the page to a new phase of the settlements implementation. I really think that [the MBTA] is to be commended, said Burt Pusch, a Boston resident and former university professor who uses a powerchair. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. MBTA often shortened to Daniels-Finegold was brought in 2002 by riders who could not safely use the transit network because of their disabilities. In a 2006 settlement agreement, the plaintiffs and T declared a mutual commitment to bringing the transit system into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. What the T accomplished The settlement created a Department of System-Wide Accessibility within the T, which oversees accessibility standards on the bus, subway, ferry and commuter rail and reviews all construction projects for compliance. When the lawsuit was filed, disabled riders could not rely on the elevators at T stations. In 2005, elevators were running 94% of the time, a rate that Brelsford said hid how often broken elevators disrupted disabled riders travel. Advertisement Advertisement Thats like an A-minus, she said. But while many elevators were operational, those at some of the most-trafficked stations were out more often than they were running. A disabled rider relying on perhaps a half-dozen elevators over the course of their commute was likely to encounter one that was broken. The elevator service was reliably unreliable, Brelsford said. It was essentially unusable. Since 2006, the T has added 105 new elevators across its system, with dozens more on the way. By 2008, elevators were running 99.5% of the time, a level that remained until COVID-19-related disruptions to the supply chain for replacement parts. In 2005, bus operators denied service to disabled riders 11% of the time. By 2023, the number was under 0.5%. Riders with disabilities were prevented from boarding buses due to broken lifts or ramps 19% of the time, a rate that has since been cut to roughly zero, according to the T. Advertisement Advertisement Wheeled mobility devices were not being secured on buses using four straps 91% of the time in 2005. By 2023, that was happening on 6% of rides. In 2005, 15% of destination signs were missing or incorrect. Just over 1% were as of 2023. We are truly a fundamentally different agency than we were, Brelsford said. The majority of the T system is now accessible, including the entire Red, Orange and Silver Lines and the ferry network. Almost all of the Blue Line is accessible, and accessibility upgrades are ongoing across the Green Line and Commuter Rail. The T is also cracking down on cars parked in bus stops, which can prevent disabled riders from safely and easily boarding the buses, by installing automated ticketing cameras on public buses. Officials said they would provide an upgrade on the new ticketing program in January. Advertisement Advertisement Retired Superior Court Judge Patrick King has served as the court-appointed monitor of the Ts compliance since the settlement agreement was enacted. Under a next generation agreement between the plaintiffs and the MBTA, the citizen-led Riders Transportation Access Group, or RTAG, will take over oversight of the agreement from King. The remaining work to meet full compliance includes constructing a fully accessible connection between the Red and Orange Lines at Downtown Crossing, implementing disability training for police officers and formally codifying a range of internal accessibility design guidelines. MBTA General Manager and interim Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng pledged that the T would continue its accessibility upgrades. Advertisement Advertisement We will never exhale, he said at Wednesdays public meeting, held in the State Transportation Building in Boston. Ahead of the meeting, the room was filled with T officials and the plaintiffs supporters. Some attendees entered in wheelchairs or powerchairs, carrying canes or holding the arm of aides. The conclusion of Kings responsibilities was bittersweet, he said with an emotion-laden voice. He was pleased with the progress that had been made, but saddened to be ending his work with the group of people who had pushed the Ts accessibility standards forward. Many in the room, plaintiffs in the case and transit officials alike, stood in applause as the judge concluded his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement This is a Massachusetts thing, where you have a group of activists in union with the leadership, said Bill Henning, the executive director at the Boston Center for Independent Living, whose organization was a plaintiff in the lawsuit. He urged those in the room to continue their commitment to fulfilling the lawsuits goals. So did Pusch, the Boston resident who uses a powerchair. Even the best-intentioned programs can lose the scrutiny that a lawsuit demands, he said. But Pusch was adamant: The T has done a very good job. More MBTA news Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Carrie Elizabeth Romney, the sister-in-law of former presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, died by suicide, according to a report from the medical examiner. Romney, 64, was found dead by authorities at around 8:30 p.m. PST on Oct. 10, outside a parking garage in Santa Clarita, Calif. The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner listed the manner of death as "suicide" in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement "A deputy medical examiner completed an examination of Ms. Romney on October 11, and the cause and manner of death were certified on December 9," the release said. The medical examiner determined the cause of death was blunt traumatic injuries that occurred after falling from the rooftop of the parking structure. She was pronounced dead at 8:37 p.m. by responding paramedics. Following her death, Mitt Romney asked for privacy in a statement that said: "Our family is heartbroken by the loss of Carrie, who brought warmth and love to all of our lives." She was married to Mitt Romney's older brother, Scott Romney. Deputies in Montgomery County are looking for a woman accused of stealing over $830,000 from a local medical practice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Jamie Grant, 45, of Marysville, was indicted on Wednesday by a Montgomery County grand jury on one count of aggravated theft (over $750,000). The charge stems from an investigation that began in July 2025, when the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office was called out to a local medical practice regarding concerns about employee theft, according to the sheriffs office. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Grant worked as the practices business manager and was responsible for duties such as billing and payroll. The practice began to notice numerous unauthorized transactions. Throughout the investigation, Grant admitted to using the businesss funds for personal expenses, the sheriffs office wrote on social media. Detectives determined that she had misappropriated more than $834,000 from the practice over the course of several years. Following her indictment, Grant is now wanted in connection with the investigation. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Regional Dispatch Center at (937) 225-4357. Anonymous tips can be sent to Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at (937) 222-STOP (7867). [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Justice A.A. Birch Building in Nashville, in which a Community Corrections program has operated. (Photo: Brad Freeman, Metropolitan Nashville General Sessions Court) Davidson County General Sessions Court judges are asking for additional security at the A.A. Birch Building in Nashville, citing "threats" by a Tennessee congressman. (Photo: Brad Freeman, Metropolitan Nashville General Sessions Court) Metro Nashville General Sessions Court judges are asking for heightened security following inflammatory comments by a U.S. representative who excoriated them in connection with the case of a man charged with raping a woman who later died after earlier charges against him were dismissed. The judges issued a statement Tuesday saying they directed increased security at the Justice A.A. Birch Courthouse in downtown Nashville in response to remarks by Ogles that appeared intended to incite violence against elected officials in Davidson County. Advertisement Advertisement We stand united in condemning any language or actions that target judges with threats of violence as a means of expressing political disagreement. In light of the numerous acts of political violence witnessed in recent years, the statements made by Mr. Ogles are unacceptable, the judges said in a joint statement. The group of judges also sent a formal request to Gov. Bill Lee seeking immediate steps for public safety and security around the courthouse. They made the requests after 5th District U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles posted a comment on social media about Somali migrant Muhammad A. Muhammad who is charged with raping a woman at a Nolensville church. She later died. Ogles said the man had been arrested more than 12 times, mostly on minor charges that were dismissed, according to the post on X, formerly Twitter, initially reported by WSMV. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessees 5th Congressional District called for Davidson County judges to be impeached. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Every judge and prosecutor who let him off the hook was a Democrat. As long as local liberals are running things in Middle Tennessee, we are at war. The state should impeach all of the judges. Send the (Tennessee National Guard)guard to Nashville, Ogles said in the post that included pictures of judges. The 5th District congressman has followed the lead of President Donald Trump in going after immigrants, including Somalians. The man charged in this case reportedly has legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Ogles previously criticized Metro Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell for his opposition to a federal sweep of South Nashville streets in May for immigrant residents. The governor deployed National Guard troops to Memphis in September following a memo by President Donald Trump to reduce crime in the city with a task force of hundreds of local, state and federal officers. Early Wednesday, Ogles continued to rail against the jurists, saying on Facebook, If woke Davidson judges want more security in Nashville, they should join me in calling for the National Guard. In their letter to Lee, the judges said incidents of political violence have increased in recent years and urged him to boost security. Advertisement Advertisement The reckless use of violent rhetoric, such as that displayed by Mr. Ogles can embolden the most extreme elements and lead to tragic consequences, their letter said. The governors office didnt respond to questions Wednesday about increasing security at the courthouse. DavidsonGeneralSesionsJudgesStatement_120925 SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez and House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) announced a lawsuit against former Western New Mexico University President Joseph Shepard and WNMUs then-Board of Regents in January. (Nadav Soroker/Searchlight New Mexico) Mediation between former Western New Mexico University President Joseph Shepard and New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is scheduled for January one year after the AG first filed suit against Shepard and university regents for allegedly engaging in a pattern of greed, self-dealing, and arrogance. The mediation talks have the potential to bring an end to the first of several state lawsuits and investigations concerning Shepard, his use of taxpayer dollars and the former regents decision to award him nearly $2 million in severance. Advertisement Advertisement My goal is to get us into a mediation where we can kind of put this situation in the rearview mirror, John Wertheim, vice chair of the WNMU Board of Regents, told Source NM Monday. How it began In late 2023, news reports detailed how Shepard and other university leaders used taxpayer dollars at home and abroad. In New Mexico, Shepard spent nearly $28,000 of university money on furniture from Seret and Sons, a downtown Santa Fe icon, to furnish his on-campus home. Internationally, he and others lodged at upscale resorts in the name of courting international students. At the time, though, WNMU only had 64 international students, more than one-third of which hailed from Mexico. The New Mexico Higher Education Department and Office of the State Auditor quickly informed Shepard they were opening investigations of their own. In November of 2024, the state auditor released a report that detailed more than $360,000 of wasteful and improper spending, including on a trip to a Ritz-Carlton resort in Palm Springs, California. Shepard resigns A month later, Shepard announced his resignation. At a public meeting, university regents voted to give him a $1.9 million severance payment and a contract to teach business ethics. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham subsequently called on the regents to resign over their tone-deaf decision to approve a $1.9 million severance package and their appalling disconnect from the needs of our state. Advertisement Advertisement Then, in January, Torrez sued Shepard and the regents in a bid to claw back the severance payment and nullify the teaching contract. Newly appointed regents have since voted to axe that deal and at the time said they hoped it would spark settlement talks. Much of the litigation and lawmaking surrounding Shepard focused on events that the news media unearthed. But in June, the New Mexico State Ethics Commission sued Shepard following an investigation of its own. The lawsuit accused him of misappropriating at least $177,000 meant for an ADA-compliant ramp and walkway and instead spending it to construct a patio near his on-campus house that he later used to host events related to his daughters wedding. Shepard has denied any wrongdoing in each case. He did not respond to a request for comment. Shepard fights back with new attorneys When state agencies took action against Shepard, he hired Santa Fe-based lawyer John Anderson, who served as U.S. attorney for New Mexico under the first Trump administration, to defend him. When he decided to file his own lawsuit, though, court filings listed the names of different attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 30, he sued the university as well as several current and former state officials including Siah Correa Hemphill, a Democrat who formerly represented Silver City in the state Senate; State Auditor Joseph Maestas; Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup), who leads the Senate Finance Committee and stood by Torrez during the reform announcement; Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque); and regents Vice Chair John Wertheim, a lawyer who has worked as an adviser to several New Mexico governors. A lawyer representing the defendants has asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, citing legislative immunity for the current and former lawmakers. Shepard is represented in his suit by A. Blair Dunn an Albuquerque-based lawyer who unsuccessfully ran for state attorney general as a Libertarian in the 2018 election and Jared Vander Dussen who lost the 2020 Republican primary for New Mexicos first congressional district, which ultimately went to Deb Haaland. The suit alleges that state lawmakers in 2022 agreed to send $500,000 to WNMU with the understanding that the university would then give it to a struggling charter school on its campus. It alleges that lawmakers acted inappropriately in the following legislative session by passing a bill that gave the funding directly to WNMU but did not direct university officials to pass it along to the charter school as they had previously agreed. Since those directions were absent, the suit says Shepard refused to transfer the funds. Advertisement Advertisement He alleges that when he spoke out about it, lawmakers coordinated a smear campaign against him. Dunn in an email to Source NM would not comment on the case. Editors note: The new lawsuit discussed in this story also criticizes prior reporting by Source senior reporter Joshua Bowling. Zimmerman Library at the University of New Mexico on Sept. 7, 2023. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source New Mexico) The New Mexico Higher Education Department on Wednesday asked lawmakers for $1.5 billion to fund public colleges and universities across the state. The departments budget request prioritized creating free access to high school equivalency testing, as well as loan forgiveness for teachers and healthcare workers. Department Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, who presented the budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee, said that of the $1.5 billion requested, more than $1.3 billion will go directly to higher education institutions. The funding will maintain the Opportunity Scholarship, which covers fees and program costs for state residents who take at least six credit hours of instruction at a public college or university, and cover testing fees for New Mexico adults who want to earn high school equivalency credentials through tests such as the GED. State lawmakers earlier this year passed legislation to make these tests, which the state estimates cost $145 each, free for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez said college enrollment has increased for four consecutive years in New Mexico, while it declined nationally from 2020 to 2023. The nearly 114,000 residents across the state are pursuing educational paths ranging from career training certificates to graduate degrees at public institutions this semester, an increase of 3.6% from 2024, she said. Im incredibly proud of this department, Rodriguez told lawmakers. Oftentimes you hear were last in education. That is not the case for higher education, adult education and early childhood education. The proposed HED budget for the upcoming fiscal year represents a 3% increase in new money and a $30 million increase to base funding. Rodriguez proposed directing $976.7 million of the request to instruction and general funding and $128.3 million to research and public service projects. The budget proposal included new appropriation requests, including $25 million for a health professionals loan repayment program; $5 million for a teacher loan repayment program; $5 million for adult education programs; $3 million for the New Mexico Longitudinal Data System, which analyzes education and workforce data to guide policy discussions; and $1.25 million to cover high school equivalency testing fees across the state. Advertisement Advertisement The new spending comes as the Trump administration moves to eliminate a Biden-era loan forgiveness program. Representatives from the Council of University Presidents and New Mexico Association of Community Colleges also presented a unified budget request for higher education institutions across the state. They credited the Lottery and Opportunity scholarships for ranking New Mexico fifth-lowest for student debt in the nation. The group sought funding for employee pay raises, campus safety, cybersecurity, building renewal and replacement equipment renewal and replacement. Cybersecurity was of particular concern to the group, whose officials cited an April cyberattack at Western New Mexico University. Russian hackers at the time appeared to gain access to the Silver City universitys internal network and claimed to have access to sensitive employee payroll data, Social Security numbers and drivers licenses. Miamis new mayor, Eileen Higgins, hailed it as a new day for the city after the Democrat ended three decades of Republican rule on Tuesday night in a stunning election triumph. In reality, the result is more of a seismic shifting of sands given the magnitude of her victory over the Donald Trump-backed Republican candidate, Emilio Gonzalez, in the most populous city in Miami-Dade county, which the president won in 2024 by 12%. Higgins won the run-off with almost 60% of the vote, according to preliminary results reported Wednesday by the Miami Herald. More than just further evidence of a growing national backlash against Trumps policies on the national stage, particularly immigration, her win has reset Miamis political landscape in a manner not seen in some ways in 28 years, and in others not at all. Advertisement Advertisement Higgins is the first woman to hold the office; the first Democrat to win it in 28 years; and the first non-Hispanic candidate since the 1990s. As if to bookend neatly the passing back of the Republican torch, the outgoing incumbent, Francis Suarez, is the son of the most recent Democratic Miami mayor, Xavier Suarez, who was elected in 1997. Miami chose a new direction, Higgins told supporters during her victory party at the Miami Womans Club. You chose competence over chaos, results over excuses and a city government that finally works for you. In later comments to the Associated Press, she expressed her belief that the vociferous backing of Trump and Floridas Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, for Gonzalez had backfired. While Miami has not seen the same level of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as other US cities, other elements of aggressive immigration policies pursued by Trump and DeSantis resonated in a city where almost 60% of the population is foreign born. Higgins played heavily on that during her campaign, noting how the elimination of temporary protected status (TPS) and humanitarian parole programs were affecting Miamis large pockets of Venezuelans, Haitians and Cubans. Advertisement Advertisement She also tied in DeSantiss notorious immigration jail in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz and its alleged human rights violations and harsh conditions for detainees awaiting deportation. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations, Higgins told the Associated Press following her victory speech. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. The swing back towards Democrats was notable given that Hispanic voters contributed to the red wave that last year saw Trump become the first Republican presidential candidate to win Miami-Dade county since 1988. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican member of Congress who represents parts of Miami, gave perhaps the strongest warning of what was to happen on Tuesday in a video she posted to X last month. Advertisement Advertisement The Hispanic vote is not guaranteed, Salazar said. Hispanics married President Trump, but they are only dating the GOP. Salazar, whose seat is among those targeted by Democrats in next years midterms, has also warned that voters were likely to turn on Republicans supporting the crackdown on immigrants who had been in the US with no criminal records, and pursuing the elimination of healthcare premium subsidies. Laura Kelley, chair of the Miami-Dade Democratic party, said Higginss victory fully reflected the shifting moods of voters, and said Trump and DeSantiss heavyweight support for Gonzalez had turned an ostensibly non-partisan race into a full-on referendum of Republican politics at the state and national levels. She said that would continue as DeSantis pushes on with redistricting plans to benefit his party next year. Advertisement Advertisement The people are going to see this as what it is a blatant power grab but what I think theyre going to find is that this is a huge mistake, especially here in south Florida, she said. You can see that people are shifting, that Trump and DeSantis are becoming increasingly unpopular. And that is going to continue, unfortunately, as our communities continue to suffer under these policies, where theyre seeing their family members being shipped away to state-run detention facilities, where the state is enforcing federal immigration law and draconian, indiscriminate ICE raids and detentions that affect every single one of us in this community. A more simple assessment of Higginss win, and what it says about the region a year before the midterms, came from David Jolly, a former Republican representative running as a Democrat to succeed DeSantis as governor when he is termed out of office in January 2027. Change is here. Its sweeping the nation, and its sweeping Florida, he told the Associated Press. Eileen Higgins will be the next mayor of the city of Miami, breaking a nearly 30-year Republican streak in holding the nonpartisan seat and giving Democrats another example of strong performance in elections during the first year of President Donald Trumps second term. Higgins, a former county commissioner, will defeat city manager Emilio Gonzalez, who was endorsed by Trump. She won Tuesdays runoff after leading the first round of voting on November 4 with 35% of the vote to Gonzalezs 19%. Democrats are already riding a wave of momentum after a dominant performance in Novembers off-year elections and over-performing their 2024 results in Tennessees 7th Congressional District, shrinking a 22-point 2024 margin to single digits in a special election last week. Advertisement Advertisement While Miamis mayor holds little formal power, the person in the role serves as a high-profile ambassador for the city, which has a large Latino population and has been at the epicenter of debates over immigration detention and efforts led by Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. We are facing rhetoric from elected officials that is so dehumanizing and cruel, especially against immigrant populations, Higgins told The Associated Press after her victory speech Tuesday night. The residents of Miami were ready to be done with that. Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, congratulated Higgins in a statement Tuesday, writing, I am thrilled for Eileen and cannot think of a better person to shatter Miamis glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to lead the city in its 129-year history. The Miami skyline rises above the Wynwood neighborhood on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. - Carl Juste/The Miami Herald/TNS/Getty Images/File Affordability was a key issue throughout the campaign, especially relevant in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Capitalizing on the Democrats national focus on the topic as of late, Higgins supported building more affordable housing. Gonzalez backed a DeSantis-supported plan that would eliminate property taxes for primary residences. Advertisement Advertisement My opponent is keen on building, building, building, Gonzalez said in an interview with CNN. She wants to put a skyscraper in every corner then calling it affordable housing, which is a misnomer, because very rarely is it truly affordable. Immigration came up frequently in debates. Miami is home to the Krome immigrant detention center, which has gained notoriety for overcrowding and subpar conditions. Gonzalez said in a debate last month he supports federal law enforcement rounding up people who commit crimes. Higgins, in the same debate, denounced US Immigration and Customs Enforcements actions in Miami as inhumane and cruel and criticized the detention center DeSantis opened and nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz. This is the first year ever where residents have told me theyre afraid, right? Higgins said in an earlier interview with CNN. I cant go an hour when I am at community events without meeting someone whose brother, sister, aunt, uncle, was either taken to Alligator Alcatraz or who knows where? They dont even know where they are. Miami Dade College's possible site of the proposed Trump presidential library in Miami, Florida, on September 23. - Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS/Getty Images/File Higgins will take office amid an ongoing legal battle over the land where Trumps presidential library is supposed to be built. Miami-Dade College voted for a second time this month to cede valuable downtown property to the foundation for the library. The college is being sued by an activist who alleges it violated Floridas open government law, and a judge temporarily blocked the sale. A trial is scheduled for August. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats are already riding on a new wave of momentum after a dominant performance in November and a recent special election in Tennessees 7th District, where even with a loss they shrunk Trumps 22-point 2024 margin to single digits. A Higgins win will add even more enthusiasm to the party right before turning the calendar to 2026 and the midterms. Miami-Dade County, which encompasses Miami and some of its surrounding suburbs, voted Republican in 2024 after long being a Democratic stronghold. Trump became the first Republican presidential to win Miami-Dade since 1988. This swing was predicted in many ways by DeSantis significant reelection margin there in 2022, beating Democrat Charlie Crist by 11 percentage points. Higgins wont be the only mayor in town. The city of Miami and Miami-Dade County both elect mayors. Miami-Dade is led by is Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, a Democrat although the position is officially nonpartisan. She oversees the whole of the county, including dealing with broader, county-wide issues concerning Miami proper. This story has been updated with additional reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Democratic Members of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. Dec. 10, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Navigating the slushy and slippery roads in Lansing on Wednesday, members of the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee met to hear testimony on a wide range of bills, including a bill from Sen. Rosemary Bayer aimed at preventing suicide. The West Bloomfield Democrats Senate Bill 539 would require the Michigan State Police to create and maintain both a temporary and an indefinite do-not-sell firearms list where individuals can voluntarily add their names, as well as a process for someone to have their name removed from the indefinite list if their addition was not voluntary. Advertisement Advertisement Adding another persons name to a do-not-sell list would be considered a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Individuals can ask their local clerk or police to add them to one of the lists, Bayer said. While names on the temporary list expire after 180 days, names on the indefinite do-not-sell-list remain there until a person asks for their name to be removed. The state police would also be required to make applications for the lists available to health professionals free of charge. As in many medical situations, with suicide, prevention is the best prescription, Bayer said, noting that mental health providers suggest patients with suicidal ideation remove suicide tools from their home and workplace. Advertisement Advertisement Anything that causes a delay in acting on suicidal thoughts can be, and frequently have been, a lifesaver, Bayer said. Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield) testifies before the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety. Dec. 10, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Suicides attempts made using a firearm are deadly in 90% of cases, Bayer said, and that her bill would help save lives by placing that method farther away. Alongside Bayers testimony, committee members welcomed comments from Fredrick Vars, a law professor at the University of Alabama. Vars shared the story of Donna Nathan, a woman who died by suicide using a firearm shed purchased the same day. Her death prompted her daughter to advocate for voluntary do-not-sell list laws, also known as Donnas Law. Advertisement Advertisement Suicide claimed the lives of 1,530 Michigan residents in the most recent year for which data are available, 2023, Vars said. Fifty-six percent of those deaths involved a firearm. Gun suicides get less attention than mass shootings, but they outnumber all types of gun homicide by thousands of victims. Our veterans are among the hardest hit. Vars said the bill would not infringe on anyones Second Amendment rights, as nobody would be forced to participate or would have their firearms taken away. This is simply not gun control. Its self control, Vars said. The law has already been enacted in five states, Vars said: Washington, Virginia, Utah, Delaware and Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally only 10% of people who survive a serious suicide attempt go on to die by suicide, Vars said. If you can just prevent that one fatal attempt, at the outset, youre saving a life, not just delaying a suicide, Vars said. Vars also shared that as someone with bipolar disorder, hed like to have these laws available to sign himself up. An alarming 15% of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide, Vars said. If I had easy access to a gun at certain points in my life, I might already be one of them. Dr. Brian Stork, a board member for the Michigan State Medical Society, underscored Vars story, noting that one of his colleagues had talked about his one bipolar diagnosis and treatment while they were discussing the bill. Advertisement Advertisement This is a colleague of mine whos very functional, who I work with on a regular basis, whose professional skills are to be admired, Stork said. I just think it speaks to the fact that all of us suffer, all of us have times of crisis, all of us need times of grace, and all of us sometimes need time. Voluntary do-not-sell-lists empower individuals to protect themselves during moments when they know they may be vulnerable. It is a compassionate, common sense and trauma-informed approach to saving lives. Dr. Brian Stork, a member of the Michigan State Medical Societys board, testified in support of laws to create a voluntary do-not-sell list for firearms intended to prevent suicide. Dec. 10, 2025 | Screenshot Human trafficking legislation moved forward While members of the committee did not vote on Bayers bill, the four Democratic members present at Wednesdays meeting voted to refer a set of policies put forth by Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) and Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township) to the Senate floor for further consideration. In September, Damoose joined state Reps. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) and Carol Glanville (D-Walker), Sen. Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills) and Attorney General Dana Nessel in announcing a package of bills to address human trafficking and support survivors. Damooses Senate Bill 520 modifies the Michigan Penal Code to increase penalties for human trafficking, making the penalty involving a minor or involving kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, or death a felony punishable by up to life imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000. All other human trafficking violations would be punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000. Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 521 would bring those changes into the states sentencing guidelines. Shinks Senate Bill 705 raises the age when a person can be charged with misdemeanor or felony penalties under the state law criminalizing prostitution from 16 to 18. While the bill increases the maximum prison terms and fines for facilitating prostitution, it also allows a person who is found guilty of facilitating prostitution to be placed on probation, requiring them to participate in a mandatory human trafficking awareness program. Renewable energy company BayWa r.e. said it has closed financing for a solar-plus-storage installation in San Diego County, California. The group on December 9 said the Jacumba Valley Ranch (JVR) Energy Park is expected to enter commercial operation in 2026. BayWa r.e., headquartered in Munich, Germany, with its U.S. operations based in California, said overall funding commitments for the project total about $416 million. The JVR facility includes 90 MWac/127 MWdc of solar and 70 MWac/280 MWh of battery storage. It will supply power through San Diego Community Power, a public agency with power delivery and services managed by San Diego Gas & Electric. The company on Tuesday said construction is underway on the project after a recent groundbreaking. BayWa r.e. called JVR one of Southern California's most significant renewable energy infrastructure investments. The project has a signed tax credit transfer agreement with a large, unnamed corporate buyer. "Today, BayWa r.e. Americas celebrates the result of years of collaboration with our partners and stakeholders. Our team, local officials, permitting and financing partners, and our EPC [engineering, procurement, construction] and construction teams shared a clear goal: deliver a reliable, cost-efficient energy project that adds new capacity to the grid and creates lasting value for San Diego County," said Geoff Fallon, interim CEO and COO of BayWa r.e. Americas. "Breaking ground on JVR Energy Park reflects that shared effort, and we're deeply grateful to everyone who helped make it possible." JVR secured a construction-to-term loan facility led by Paris, France-headquartered financial services groups Societe Generale. It also received a preferred equity investment from funds managed by Wafra Inc., a New York-based global alternative investment manager. Acadia Infrastructure Capital, L.P., a North American power infrastructure investment manager, invested preferred equity in JVR alongside Wafra. "Our investment in JVR Energy Park demonstrates Wafra's ability to deliver creative capital solutions that advance large-scale power solutions," said Anthony Peek, managing director at Wafra. Ben Droz, director at Acadia, said, "We're proud to partner with BayWa r.e. Americas on a structure that advances both financial and community outcomes in the San Diego area." Officials said construction of JVR Energy Park will create more than 350 union construction jobs through project labor agreements, with long-term operational roles to follow. BayWa r.e. has also committed $4 million in direct investment to Jacumba Valley, which is being directed by input from the Jacumba Community Sponsorship Group, the County of San Diego, and a local resident survey. A fire protection agreement with the San Diego County Fire Authority designates five acres of project land for a new Jacumba fire station. The project also includes a 435-acre biological open space easement and avoids sensitive habitats, wetlands, and jurisdictional waters. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Microsoft, Meta, Google and Apple were among the 13 companies that received a warning from a bipartisan group of state attorneys general, according to a letter from the state leaders, who said their chatbots' "delusional outputs" could be violating state laws. The letter was made public on Wednesday. In it, dozens of attorneys general said the chatbots "encouraged users' delusions," creating mental health risks for kids and adults. They pointed to media reports about a teen confiding in an AI chatbot about his suicide plan. They called on the companies to allow independent audits of their products, adding that state and federal regulators should be able to review them. Advertisement Advertisement Microsoft and Google declined to comment on the letter. Meta and Apple did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. States are locked in a battle with Washington over AI regulation. The Trump administration is seeking to bar states from passing their own laws governing the technology. Dozens of state attorneys general from both political parties have pushed back, urging congressional leaders to reject the ban. (Reporting by Courtney Rozen; Editing by Aurora Ellis) JUBA, South Sudan (AP) Dozens of people were killed Tuesday evening in a drone strike near Sudans largest oil processing facility carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces, according to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The RSF, which has been fighting Sudans military since 2023, said the oil field in Heglig was attacked a day after the RSF seized the facility near the border with South Sudan. Both sides told The Associated Press that the exact number of dead and wounded could not immediately be confirmed. Local news outlets reported seven tribal leaders and dozens of RSF troopers were killed. Advertisement Advertisement South Sudanese soldiers were among the dead in the attack by a Turkish-made Akinci drone, according to the RSF, which condemned the attack as a violation of international law. Two Sudanese military officials confirmed the drone strike, which they said targeted RSF fighters. The government of South Sudans Unity State confirmed three South Sudanese soldiers were killed. A South Sudanese solider, who witnessed the strike and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, estimated 25 people were killed. South Sudanese commander Johnson Olony said in a statement that South Sudanese forces may have been sent to secure Heglig after its capture. South Sudans military spokesperson declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement South Sudan relies entirely on Sudanese pipelines to export its oil and has seen production repeatedly disrupted by the conflict, worsening its economic crisis. Sudanese soldiers and oil workers began evacuating Heglig on Monday and the RSF took control of the facility without resistance. By Tuesday, about 3,900 Sudanese soldiers had surrendered their weapons to South Sudanese forces after crossing into Rubkona County, according to Unity States information ministry. Video from South Sudans state broadcaster showed tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery among the weapons handed over. Thousands of civilians from Sudan began crossing the border into South Sudan on Sunday and were still arriving Wednesday, the South Sudan government said, adding that the exact number was not yet known. South Sudan insists it remains neutral in the conflict despite accusations of siding with the RSF. Advertisement Advertisement Hegligs capture is the latest in a string of RSF territorial gains, including the October fall of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur and the Sudanese armys last stronghold in Darfur. The war, which began in April 2023, has killed an estimated 150,000 people, displaced millions and triggered multiple famines. Both sides face allegations of atrocities. The capture of Heglig, a vital state asset, could be a significant bargaining chip for the RSF, analysts said. But the opaque nature of oil finances makes it difficult to determine how much the SAF, RSF or South Sudan will be impacted economically over the short term. ___ Sam Magdy contributed from Cairo, Egypt. The death of former Sen. Mitt Romney's sister-in-law has been ruled a suicide, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Tuesday. Carrie Elizabeth Romney, 64, of Valencia, was found dead around 9 p.m. Oct. 10 in the 24000 block of Town Center Drive, according to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Carrie Romney died from blunt traumatic injuries after falling from the rooftop of a parking structure in Valencia, according to the medical examiner. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement The manner of death was deemed "suicide." Mitt Romney was the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and was the GOP nominee in the 2012 presidential election. He served as senator of Utah from 2019 to 2025. Carrie Romney was married to Romney's brother, George Scott Romney. According to court records, George Scott Romney filed for divorce in June. City News Service contributed to this report. If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three-digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org. Southern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area, received more snow than rain overnight from Dec. 9 into Dec. 10, according to weather reports. Aidan Kuroski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, said around 6:30 a.m. that the Milwaukee area received at least a half inch of snowfall overnight, but totals won't be in until later in the morning. At most, he said, some areas of southeastern Wisconsin may get another 1.5 inches over the course of the morning if there is lake effect enhancement. Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service predicted 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight in Milwaukee and another half inch during the morning commute. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties until 9 a.m. Profession of winter hazards "This event had impacts for the snow, but in addition, some ice as well. Overnight, we got some freezing drizzle, so people might see a glaze of ice on their cars," Kuroski said. He said driving may be hazardous throughout the day Dec. 10 due to wet snow and freezing. "The slushy accumulations can actually be more dangerous particularly for driving, because your car doesn't quite reach the ground all the time," Kuroski said. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Kuroski said gusty winds throughout the morning Dec. 10 may reach up to 30 or 40 mph, and a drop in temperatures later in the day could freeze areas of roads, causing them to become slick. The city of Milwaukee said in a statement that crews have been out overnight treating roads. "We encourage drivers to use caution during the morning commute. Snow may linger into the late morning, but it is expected to move out of the area by this afternoon. Crews will remain active throughout the event and will continue operations afterward for clean-up," the city's statement says. There may be flurries in the afternoon on Dec. 10, but the next chance for accumulating snow is Dec. 11. Across Wisconsin, more than 20 counties were under a winter storm warning overnight as several inches were expected in some places. Advertisement Advertisement After the snowfall, the primary hazard this upcoming weekend will be bitter cold temperatures, Kuroski said. On Saturday Dec. 13, temperatures across southern Wisconsin are expected to reach as low as -3 to -4 degrees, with a "real feel" of -15 to -25 degrees. Sunday, Dec. 14 is expected to be even colder, as low as -5 degrees with a "real feel" of -25 to -30 degrees. More: Stay up to date on Wisconsin's winter weather with USA TODAY Network text message updates See the weather radar for Wisconsin What to do in a winter storm During a winter storm, NWS advises staying inside, stocking up on food and water, and charging essential devices in case of power outages. Advertisement Advertisement If you are without shelter, you can visit the 211 Wisconsin website or call 211 to locate nearby warming services. Wisconsin road conditions NWS advises against driving during a storm, as snow, sleet or ice can create dangerous driving conditions. For live updates on winter road conditions and accidents in Wisconsin, check out the 511 Wisconsin map. If you must drive, here are some guidelines for navigating icy roads, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation: Keep safe distances between snow plows and large trucks. Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn't obscured. Also keep a safe distance behind trucks on the highway, since pieces of snow or ice can fly off the top of commercial vehicles driving fast. Clear snow and ice from your vehicle's windows, roof, hood and front and rear lights. You can do this by warming up the car and then using a snow brush and ice scraper to clear the snow and ice. Drive slowly, allowing extra travel time and leaving extra distance between vehicles. Turn on your low-beam headlights. State law requires drivers to turn on their vehicle's low-beam headlights any time weather or other conditions make it difficult to see objects 500 feet ahead, WisDOT says. Use brakes early and carefully. With anti-lock-brakes, use firm, steady pressure and gently steer. Never use cruise control in winter weather. Watch out for bridge decks and overpasses. These areas can be especially slippery when the roads ice over. What is a winter storm warning? A winter storm warning is more severe than a watch or advisory. Here are what the different alerts mean, according to NWS: Advertisement Advertisement A winter storm warning means snow, sleet or ice is expected, so take action. A winter storm watch means those conditions are possible, so be prepared. A winter weather advisory means wintery weather is expected, so be careful. See the latest weather alerts and forecasts here. This story was updated to add information. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mix of overnight snow, rain in Milwaukee making for messy morning commute A Monroe charter school has been ordered to close immediately after state review board members uncovered it was operating illegally. They claim Monroe Charter Academy, a K-8 school, has been remote for more than a month without permission while awaiting relocation to a new campus in Matthews. ALSO READ >> Better direction: Parent, school director explain why more NC parents are choosing charter schools Advertisement Advertisement According to The Charlotte Observer, the move was initially approved by the North Carolina Charter Schools Review Board, but the school was missing its educational certificate of occupancy to move in. The schools principal blames hurdles in the approval process for the delay. The school has been operating remotely since Nov. 17, exceeding the typical allowance of five remote instructional days for charter schools, according to the Observer. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction froze the schools state funding on Friday, forcing it to rely on local and leftover funds. Monroe Charter Academy leaders appeared before the review board Tuesday to request a seven-year charter renewal, but board members voted unanimously to revoke the schools charter instead. Without a charter, Monroe Charter Academy faces immediate closure. VIDEO: Parents scramble as Monroe charter school shuts down The House of Delegates chamber in session. (File photo by Bruce DePuyt/Maryland Matters) Maryland lawmakers will return to Annapolis next week for a special session to elect a new House speaker, but they will also take up veto overrides in a session that could veer into other business. Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Tuesday afternoon issued an executive order for the legislative session that said the session is being called to elect a new House Speaker following Adrienne A. Joness announcement last week that she would step down following six historic years in service to the speakership. Advertisement Advertisement Moore called for the session to begin Dec. 16 the same day the House Democratic Caucus is scheduled to meet in the morning to pick a replacement for Jones from its ranks. The presumptive front-runner is House Health and Government Operations Chair Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel), who emerged as the top candidate over the weekend after three competitors withdrew from consideration and pledged their support to her. Left open is the potential to consider other legislation. By law, the House and Senate also have to take up veto overrides during the special session. Moore in May vetoed 30 bills, including one that would have created a commission to study reparations. He also vetoed a bill that called for studying the financial impacts of climate change in Maryland and the potential effects of data center development, as well as a bill to create a planning office focused on the states energy needs. All three are likely targets for overrides, but the reparations bill, in particular, is expected to draw a sharp rebuke from lawmakers, who passed the measure by veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Moore said in his veto message that the state does not need another study on the legacy of slavery in our state, saying it is time to act. But many critics were like then-Speaker Jones, who said our past is not some distant chapter but that reconciling the pain and injustice of the past is our moral obligation and essential to progress. Advertisement Advertisement The House and Senate are not limited in other legislation they could consider. Traditionally, the House and Senate have limited their work in special sessions. Other bills typically are banished to the Rules Committee. This year could be different. First, Moore has left on the table the possibility of using a special session to pass midcycle congressional redistricting. The Governors Redistricting Advisory Commission has met three times to take public testimony, and has a fourth hearing Friday, but so far has not produced any recommendations or any proposed redistricting maps. The redistricting push was sparked by Texas decision, at the urging of President Donald Trump, to redraw boundaries of its congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections to give Republicans a chance to pick up five more seats in the state. Since then, other states have followed suit, with blue states like Maryland being pressured to act to offset the Texas changes. Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland House has appeared poised to move on a bill. The fate of the legislation in the Senate is less certain. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) is opposed to midcycle redistricting, which he said could backfire on Democrats who currently hold seven of the states eight U.S. House seats. Ferguson appears to have the backing of his caucus and is unlikely to allow such a bill to reach the floor. The House and Senate could also consider legislation next week directed at federal policies, including bills on 287(g) agreements which allow sheriffs departments to act in conjunction with federal immigration authorities as well as prohibitions on the use of masks by federal agents and other legislation. The calling of a special session will also mean that not only will lawmakers likely have to revise any personal travel plans they may have had, but they will also have to cancel any scheduled fundraising events while the legislature is meeting. Lawmakers and the states constitutional officers including the governor, comptroller, attorney general and treasurer, are barred from soliciting or accepting donations during any session of the Maryland General Assembly. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A judge sentenced a woman Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years, in a missing mans murder trial. A jury in November found Danetta Knoblauch guilty of killing Melvin Cooksey. Prosecutors presented 25 witnesses and around 750 pieces of evidence in the weeklong trial, including evidence from cell phone tower records tracking her phones and Cookseys phone. Advertisement Advertisement Crime scene testimony and evidence, as well as GBI crime lab witnesses presenting DNA evidence, implicated her in Cookseys death. Text messages, social media messages, interviews and body camera footage were also presented to the jury. Because of the tireless work of the prosecution team and the lead investigators, the person responsible for this senseless and heinous crime has been convicted, said Alcovy Judicial Circuit District Attorney Randy McGinley in a statement. Newton County deputies responded to a fire at Cookseys home in February 2023 but could not find him, leading to a missing person alert. Investigators later said the fire had been intentionally set using propane tanks. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Cooksey was paralyzed on his left side and required medical equipment and services left inside the house. Advertisement Advertisement In May of that year, hikers discovered human remains more than 130 miles away in Fannin County. investigators were able to identify the remains as Cooksey by the serial number on a pacemaker. Officials identified Knoblauch as a suspect, and she was caught in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after a long standoff with police. She had her child with her at the time. She was charged at the time with a violent attack on a man with a sledgehammer in Kansas. Further investigation linked her to Cookseys death, and she was extradited to Newton County Jail in July of the same year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Two left lanes of the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge will be closed Dec. 13 while crews repair a pothole, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The closure will last from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., per a WSDOT news release. Drivers heading from Tacoma toward Gig Harbor should plan for delays on state Route 16 leading up to the bridge, the release said. Crews identified the pothole Nov. 19 and temporarily filled it Nov. 20, according to WSDOT. Advertisement Advertisement The upcoming lane closures are needed to complete a longer-term fix, the release said. WSDOT may reschedule the repairs in the event of high winds or heavy rains, according to the release. Lane closures on the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge brought the afternoon commute to a slog Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, for travelers heading from Tacoma to Gig Harbor, Wash. Washington State Department of Transportation/Courtesy (Washington State Department of Transportation/Courtesy) The westbound span of the bridge was finished in 1950 and has required many rounds of repairs over the last two years, as reported by The News Tribune. The repairs for the pothole will be in a different spot than repairs completed earlier this year and last year, the release said. WSDOT spokesperson Cara Mitchell addressed the cause of the pothole in an email Monday. The westbound bridge has joints that allow the span to move, she wrote. This movement causes wear and tear on the bridge deck pavement, which can result in potholes on the bridge surface. These joints are quickly approaching the end of their usable life. In a June 2024 blog post, WSDOT reported that designs have been completed for a project to repair the expansion joints and extend the useful life of the bridge, but that work has been delayed until at least 2026 due to a lack of funding. More than 70 years after he took part in the longest dogfight in Navy history, scoring four aerial victories, Royce Williams might finally get the Medal of Honor. Over the weekend, Congress released the text for the compromise National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill outlining spending plans and goals. This year, it is a record $901 billion. Nestled into the large defense appropriations bill is Sec. 591, which would upgrade Williams Navy Cross to the Medal of Honor for acts of valor during the Korean War. Those acts involve taking on seven Soviet MiG-15s in a 35-minute dogfight almost singlehandedly, in a battle that was kept under wraps for years despite Williams achievements. Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 18, 1952, Williams then a Navy lieutenant flying in his Grumman F9F-5 Panther for his second mission that day was with three other aviators over the Sea of Japan when seven Soviet Air Force fighter planes emerged. Two of the American planes had to return to their ships due to mechanical issues, leaving just Williams and his wingman in the skies as the Soviets closed in. As they flew by, Williams let out a burst of his F9Fs guns, scoring a hit. One MiG went down, with Williams wingman breaking off to chase it. Royce Williams was now alone, against six Soviet pilots in jets that were more advanced than his. Top Stories This Week Military Life Under new law, Medal of Honor recipients will receive $67,500 annual stipend By Nicholas Slayton News This is why the top Marine general doesnt wear the commandants cover By Jeff Schogol News Army pilots face low morale and survivor remorse amid massive cuts By Patty Nieberg Over the course of 35 minutes, Williams banked and weaved his Panther, trying to avoid getting in the MiGs sights. He quickly downed a second Soviet jet, and kept using his maneuverability to line up passing shots with his limited ammo. He took out a third. Then he heavily damaged another that was eventually lost. In the moment I was a fighter pilot doing my job, Williams told Task & Purpose in 2022. I was only shooting what I had. Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, he ran out of ammunition and was forced to break off. He flew back to the Navy task force which fired on him at first, mistaking him for the many more Soviet planes that had outnumbered him and managed to land. After-action inspections found 263 bullet holes in his Panther. Somehow, Williams and the plane survived. For his actions in the wild dogfight that day, Williams was awarded a Silver Star. But his actions were covered up and his official victories listed as downing one enemy plane and damaging another over fears it could heighten U.S.-Soviet tensions. So for the rest of his career, which included actions in Vietnam and commanding a ship, his record stayed that way, the truth kept hidden. It was only in the 21st century that retired Capt. Williams story came out. For more than a decade, there has been a push to get Williams the Medal of Honor, with backers including retired Rear Adm. Doniphan Shelton and members of Congress. Three years ago, in December 2022, then-Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro upgraded his Silver Star to a Navy Cross, saying that Williams clearly distinguished himself during a high-risk mission and deserve[s] proper recognition. Williams received the award in January 2023. The text in this years defense spending bill would authorize awarding Williams, who is now 100, the Medal of Honor and waive any time limitations on presenting him with the award. Voting on the bill is expected this month. N.C. Gov. Josh Stein announces the reversal of Medicaid cuts Dec. 10, 2025. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline) Two successful lawsuits restoring full Medicaid payments to health providers and more lawsuits in the legal pipeline led to his decision to reverse rate cuts imposed this fall, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein announced Wednesday. In October, the state Department of Health and Human Services reduced rates for medical services between 3% and 10%, saying the cuts were needed because Republican legislators had not provided enough money to cover increased costs for the entire fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Legislative leaders have stepped up their criticism of the cuts in recent weeks, saying theyre unnecessary and accusing Stein of playing politics with health care. Republican budget writers said Medicaid had enough money to last until April without cutting rates. In the last month, judges in two cases reversed cuts to autism therapy providers and adult care facilities personal care services. Three more lawsuits have been filed, Stein said, and more were coming. DHHS saw the writing on the wall, he said. So the department is restoring all provider rates to where they were before the cuts took place. Stein did, however, note that the program would run out of money before the end of its fiscal year. Payments will be restored retroactive to Oct. 1, DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said. A spokesman for DHHS told NC Newsline later that coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss would also resume. Advertisement Advertisement More than 3 million North Carolinians use Medicaid as their health insurance. Rural residents are more likely to rely on Medicaid than their urban counterparts. Health care providers stood behind Stein and Sangvai as they announced the reversal. Several thanked them for restoring rates. Medicaid pays for 25% of primary care visits, said Dr. Benjamin Simmons, president of the NC Academy of Family Physicians. Without adequate funding, many practices faced the difficult possibility of closing their doors or laying off staff, jeopardizing care for all North Carolinians, Simmons said. Before the press conference started, Tim Rogers, president and CEO of the Association for Home & Hospice Care of North Carolina, stepped away for his spot next to other providers to tell NC Newsline, We were one day away from launching our lawsuit. This helps. Advertisement Advertisement After Sangvai announced the rate cuts in August, Republicans tried but failed to provide the health insurance program with more money. House and Senate leaders deadlocked over spending provisions unrelated to Medicaid funding that Senate leaders included in their proposal. In November, Republican leaders rejected Steins call for a special session to increase Medicaid funding. At Wednesdays event, Stein once again criticized Republicans for failing to fully fund Medicaid or pass a comprehensive state budget. Legislators have said over and over that they will fund Medicaid, Stein said. Its time to stop talking about funding Medicaid. Its time to start fund Medicaid. Its not about politics. Its about peoples lives. Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), a key Senate health budget writer, was in the audience for the announcement. He said he was disappointed in Steins tone and his laying blame on Republican legislators. Advertisement Advertisement I would rather work with people than attack people, Burgin said. The state has faced similar issues with Medicaid funding in past years, Burgin said, and its always been resolved. The rate cuts were an overreaction, Burgin said. People lost their jobs because of rate cuts he said, and they put providers through anguish. In a statement, House Republicans slammed the cuts as disastrous and unnecessary, casting doubt on the likelihood that the Medicaid program would in fact run out of money, but pledging to quickly provide more funds if it does. Gov. Stein manufactured a crisis out of thin air, and regular North Carolinians paid the price for it, said Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson, one of the Houses top DHHS budget writers. Im glad hes finally cleaning up his mess, but it shouldve never gotten this far. People deserve steady leadership, not political games. This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: More from Yahoo Scout What challenges face the home goods retail sector? What leadership changes are happening at Bed Bath & Beyond? What are analysts' expectations for the rebranded company? How will the Brand House Collective merger impact operations? Dive Insight: Bed Bath & Beyond and The Brand House Collective arent waiting for their agreement to close to build up their leadership team. Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman and principal executive officer at Bed Bath & Beyond, called Gomezs hire a major addition as we enter 2026 and said she will bring operational precision. The merger is a culmination of deals that has included the un-branding and re-branding of Bed Bath & Beyond, the acquisition of Kirklands IP for $5 million, the acquisition of Kirklands Home for $10 million and the formation of The Brand House Collective. The flurry of activity comes amid a significant slowdown in the sales of home goods. The space enjoyed a boom during the pandemic as people focused on their abodes and worked from home, but sales flattened as daily life normalized. More recently, tariffs and general economic uncertainty have further challenged the sector. Some 40 stores will close as part of the Bed Bath & Beyond-Brand House Collective tie-up, and Jefferies analysts led by Jonathan Matuszewski expect the company to pick up the pace on the plan to convert Kirkland stores to Bed Bath & Beyond locations. Lemonis involvement with the company has steadily increased since he joined the board in 2023 and within months, became executive chairman. Under his leadership, the company upgraded its technology infrastructure, sharpened its view of customer data, and optimized fixed cost expenses, Matuszewski said in a Nov. 24 client note. The analysts see potential in the reincarnation of the Bed Bath brand on a larger stage, with plans for more than 200 stores. But they believe the company is a 'show me' story with significant change taking place, which yields execution risk in an intensifying competitive backdrop. Research focused on human remains found at the Troisieme caverne of Goyet, a cave site in present-day Belgium that contains one of the largest known assemblages of Neanderthal bones in northern EU. Neanderthals living in northern Europe during the Late Pleistocene may have been deliberately targeted, killed, and cannibalized by other human groups, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports. The findings challenge long-held assumptions that Neanderthal cannibalism was primarily ritualistic or driven by extreme survival conditions. Advertisement Advertisement This peer-reviewed study was initially published in the academic journal Scientific Reports. The research focused on human remains found at the Troisieme caverne of Goyet, a cave site in present-day Belgium that contains one of the largest known assemblages of Neanderthal bones in northern Europe. Previous studies had identified cut marks and bone fractures consistent with cannibalism. Still, the new analysis goes further by examining who the victims were and whether their deaths reflected selective targeting. The skull of the child from Israel's Skhul Cave, showing the typical cranial curvature of Homo sapiens. (credit: TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY) Researchers identify remains of six Neanderthals Using a combination of ancient DNA analysis, stable isotope testing, and detailed measurements of long bones, researchers identified the remains of at least six Neanderthals. These included four adult or adolescent females and two juveniles. The distribution, the authors say, is highly unusual. Advertisement Advertisement The demographic profile does not reflect natural mortality, the study found, noting that adult males, typically overrepresented in accidental deaths or violent encounters, were largely absent. Instead, females and children dominated the sample. The victims' physical characteristics were further evident. Long-bone analysis indicated that female individuals were generally shorter and less robust than males in other known Neanderthal populations. Structural markers associated with high mobility were also largely absent, despite isotopic evidence indicating that these individuals were not local to the Goyet area. That combination, non-local origin, physical gracility, and demographic skew, suggests the victims were selected rather than randomly encountered, the researchers concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Evidence on the bones themselves supports this interpretation. The Neanderthal remains showed systematic cut marks, impact fractures, and signs of marrow extraction that closely matched the treatment of animal bones found at the same site. Several human bones were also repurposed as retouchers, commonly used to shape stone implements. The processing of human remains followed the same patterns as prey animals, the authors wrote, pointing to nutritional cannibalism rather than burial rituals or symbolic behavior. Taken together, the findings suggest episodes of exocannibalism, or the killing and consumption of individuals from outside ones own group. The researchers argue this likely reflects violent intergroup conflict, possibly driven by territorial competition, population stress, or broader social instability during the period. Advertisement Advertisement The remains date to between roughly 41,000 and 45,000 years ago, a time of significant upheaval in Europe. Neanderthal populations were declining, climates were fluctuating, and early modern humans were expanding across the continent. While the study does not identify the perpetrators, it raises the possibility that Neanderthals were sometimes preyed upon by other human groups, including both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. The authors caution against interpreting the findings as evidence of uniquely violent behavior. Cannibalism has been documented across human history in a range of contexts, including warfare, survival situations, and cultural practices. However, the clear selectivity at Goyet sets this site apart. This study changes how we think about cannibalism in prehistory, the researchers wrote, emphasizing that it was not always an act of desperation, but in some cases a deliberate and organized practice embedded in social conflict. Advertisement Advertisement By demonstrating that Neanderthals themselves could be targeted as prey, the study adds a new dimension to our understanding of their social world, one shaped not only by cooperation and care but also by competition and violence. As researchers continue to reexamine old collections with new tools, the authors suggest similar patterns may yet emerge at other sites across Ice Age Europe. It took just 36 hours of rain over the Dec. 5-7 weekend to fill in the gaping canyon at Lake Jackson where Porter Sink drained down around Thanksgiving. Drone photos taken from various boat landings and over the lake on Dec. 8 showed rainfall had filled in much of the sink basin, extending into the surrounding lake bed, but much of the lake is still exposed. The National Weather Service Tallahassee reported Dec. 8 that the rainy weather from Dec. 4-Dec. 7 brought rain totals of 2-3 inches in the Tallahassee area. Advertisement Advertisement Media producer Vaughn Wilson, who captured drone photos of the lake after the rains, estimated that about 75 percent of the lakebed is still exposed: "It always comes back," he wrote on Facebook. "It's just dramatic to see so much water disappearing." The weekend's steady but gentle precipitation nearly set a record, according to NWS, "the 36 consecutive hours of rain (>=Trace) at TLH ending 7 p.m. Sunday was the 2nd longest such stretch on record!" The NWS noted that the longest rainy period on record was associated with 2012 Tropical Storm Debby, so Tallahassee's wet weekend "amounted to the most consecutive hours of rain on record outside of a tropical system." Debby Drencher 2012 rainmaker doused Florida, flooded homes and spawned skeeters Advertisement Advertisement Lake Jackson's dry-out in November came amid an ongoing extraordinary drought in the state capital. Where is Lake Jackson? Lake Jackson is in north-central Leon County, Florida, just northwest of Tallahassee, stretching along U.S. Highway 27. How often has the lake dried up? Lake Jackson has drained down, or dried up, at least a dozen times since 1837. Native Americans called it Okeeheepkee, or "disappearing waters." Hernando DeSotos scribes made no mention of it when the conquistadors wintered in present-day Tallahassee in 1539. They did describe a savannah and big plain where Lake Jackson sits today. And a British trader who worked north Florida in the 1740s, also made no mention of the lake. Advertisement Advertisement But early settlers made note of the lake. Especially when it disappeared in 1836. And it repeated the feat in 1886, 1909, 1932, 1956, 1982,1999, 2006, 2012 and in 2021. Lake Jackson is a rain-fed lake. Its beds are dotted with sinkholes which drain into the aquifer. Why does the dry-down happen? Is it only caused by drought? A drone's eye view of Lake Jackson from Shuckers Cove Dec. 8, 2025, reveals the receding waters that have exposed much of the lake bed after draining into Porter Sink. The photos were taken after days of rain filled in portions of the lakebed but failed to make a dent in an exception drought gripping the region. Lake Jackson is a closed basin with no major creeks or streams to supply water. Drought is the primary factor for the lake bottom to be revealed. The limestone outcroppings were revealed in 2012, but only briefly after Tropical Storm Debby arrived later in June. The lake also drained down in 2021. A common misperception is that it dries every 20 or so years, but the simple answer is that the lake bottom is exposed during extensive local droughts; there's no particular time table and depending if drought conditions persist, the Lake Jackson moonscape may return. Advertisement Advertisement This story contains previously published material that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Near record 36-hour rainy spell refills Lake Jackson's Porter Sink State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst, right. Oct. 30, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amhersts arraignment was postponed for a week after he tried to file a no contest plea without showing up, using a waiver which isnt allowed, according to the judge. The Nebraska State Patrol cited McKeon for misdemeanor public indecency in late October after investigating an allegation by a legislative staffer attending an end-of-session party this spring in Lincoln. State Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst. (Courtesy of Nebraska Unicameral Information Office) Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon downgraded his charge to misdemeanor disturbing the peace, with his first court date set for Lancaster County Court on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement The trial stems from a September report the Patrol received that alleges McKeon made inappropriate contact with [the staffers] buttocks with his hand, over the top of her clothing, Patrol spokesman Cody Thomas said at the time. The Examiner is aware of the alleged victims name but is not publishing it because it is the policy of States Newsroom and the Examiner not to identify people who say they have been abused unless they wish to talk publicly. McKeons attorney Perry Pirsch said Tuesday that McKeon would likely plead no contest to the charge, which would allow him to accept any coming penalties without admitting guilt, and would waive his right to a trial. However, at Wednesdays arraignment, Lancaster County Court Judge Matthew Acton said you cant file a no contest plea through a waiver. On the request of the prosecutor Delaney Baumgartner, Acton postponed McKeons arraignment to Dec. 17. Advertisement Advertisement In response to the delay, Pirsch said he doesnt believe it should matter whether McKeon attends the arraignment because hes shown hes willing to plead no contest. I dont know why anyone would care, Pirsch said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE McKeon is a registered Republican who was elected to the officially nonpartisan Legislature in 2024, replacing former State Sen. Fred Meyer of St. Paul. Since news broke about McKeons citation, state officials including Gov. Jim Pillen have called for McKeons resignation, but McKeon has said he will not resign. Pirsch said filing a no contest waiver would help McKeon put the matter behind him and to focus on the upcoming legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement McKeon is also facing a potential civil lawsuit from the staffer making the allegation, and an internal investigation within the Nebraska Legislature. The Executive Board, which is in charge of handling disciplinary procedures within the Legislature, is expected to meet as early as Saturday on the situation. Pirsch has said the downgraded charge more accurately reflects McKeons perspective of the incident. Pirsch said McKeon is guilty of nothing but an off-color joke and a pat on the back. The change from a public indecency charge to disturbing the peace cuts the maximum possible penalties McKeon would face in half. Disturbing the peace, a Class III misdemeanor, comes with a maximum sentence of three months behind bars, a $500 fine, or both. Pirsch said he expects McKeon will be asked to pay a small fine, and the matter will be forgotten. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advocates, detainees and new data show the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia, pictured Nov. 19, 2025, has housed fewer ICE detainees since its contract expired on Oct. 31. (Patrick Lohmann/Source NM) The number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees held at an Estancia jail has decreased sharply since its contract with the federal government expired Oct. 31, according to newly released data. The number of detainees dropped from a peak of up to 700 detainees in May to approximately 340 as of late November, according to data from the Deportation Data Project, run by a team of lawyers and academics who analyze ICE data they receive via public records requests. Advertisement Advertisement According to that data and interviews with people with regular access to the jail, the decline began on or shortly after Oct. 31, when an intergovernmental service agreement between ICE and Torrance County expired without explanation. The contracts expiration means ICE no longer pays roughly $2.5 million monthly to private contractor CoreCivic, Torrance County officials said during a County Commission meeting Wednesday in Estancia. Officials told Source New Mexico they are concerned about the potential economic implications for the county, which relies on the jail as a major employer and tax revenue source, if the population continues to decline and no contract extension is reached. While the expiration and subsequent detainee decline have no immediate financial implications for the county, County Manager Jordan Barela said he is keenly interested in what a new contract might say and what that could mean for the jails future. The big financial obligation would be if the facility closed, because we lose that guaranteed revenue and, two, now we incur the expenses of having to transport our inmates miles away to other counties, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant advocates, however, said they remain concerned that CoreCivic, the private company, no longer has any financial incentive or legal reason to provide adequate care at a facility they say already has a long history of substandard care. Conditions there could continue to decline, and its alarming that hundreds of people are being held in New Mexico under no apparent authority, Zoe Bowman, managing attorney at the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center, which has clients at the jail, told Source New Mexico. The expiration has renewed calls from advocates and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) that ICE immediately stop housing detainees in Torrance County. Standard operating procedures require that ICE remove all detainees and equipment absent a contract, and Heinrich has pressed ICEs director to explain what legal authority it has to continue holding detainees. The decrease in population identified in the Deportation Data Project has continued into December, according to PJ Podesta, a senior program manager for Innovation Law Lab, which conducts weekly jail visits. His best estimate is that 250 ICE detainees are at the jail, based on conversations with detainees in different pods. The decline is striking, Bowman said, given that the number of ICE detainees is increasing or staying level at New Mexicos other two ICE detention facilities in Milan and Chaparral, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearing House, along with other facilities across the country amid President Donald Trumps mass deportation push. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is doing absolutely everything they can to detain as many people as possible and fill ICE detention beds, she said. Podesta and Rogelio Bolufe, a Cuban immigrant detained at the facility who says hes also witnessed the decline, told Source that they believe the reduction in population is because CoreCivic is not admitting new detainees, while ICE is transferring detainees out at the usual rate. The detainees Podesta has been able to track from Estancia have mostly ended up at Camp East Montana, an ICE detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Source New Mexico asked ICE and CoreCivic on Tuesday about whether a decrease has occurred and, if so, what the reason might be behind it, including whether the expired contract played a role. Source also asked what a decline in detainees could mean for the future of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement An ICE spokesperson did not respond to Source New Mexicos request for comment. CoreCivic spokesperson Brian Todd did not address those questions in an emailed response to Source New Mexico, though he noted that the population may fluctuate week to week at the jail. But there is nothing out of the ordinary and our operations have remained unchanged, he said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said hes less concerned about President Trump potentially running for a third term in office, pointing to the 79-year-olds age and potential well-being. Ive softened, to your question, on this notion of a third Trump term because time of life and state of mind, Newsom, a likely 2028 presidential contender, said in an interview on The Jack Cocchiarella Show this weekend. His regime is going to be measured not in decades, but in years, Newsom continued, saying, with an audible sigh, And thats comforting. Advertisement Advertisement The California governor said, however, that the president could still push his preferred candidate in the coming election, warning fellow Democrats to be on the lookout for Republicans trying to rig the 2028 race. Newsom floated several possible candidates, including Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any of Trumps children. Thats why we have to be mindful of JD Vance. And we have to be mindful that they could try to rig that election for whoever he decides. Is it Vance-Rubio, Rubio-Vance? Is it his son? Is it, you know, daughter? I mean, Im serious. I mean, which member of the family is it? Barron? The remarks come amid questions about whether the president would try to launch a campaign for a third term in office, a prospect prohibited by the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of his comment on a third Trump term, concern about which he called not illegitimate, Newsom warned that free and fair elections remain the paramount issue. I completely believe that this notion of fair and free elections that issue is the issue that will define the 2026 midterm in the context that that question is on the line, whether or not therell be fair and free elections going forward even in 2026, Newsom said. Trumps rigging the elections as it relates to the strategy with the redistricting, he claimed, saying it is key that Democrats retake the House in the midterms. 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. The index measures municipal performance across 11 areas tied directly to daily life, including education oversight, gender-segregated events, religious budgets, and transparency. Hod Hasharon ranked first in NGO Israel Hofsheets 2025 Municipal Freedom Index, overtaking last years winner Givatayim, in the eighth edition of the nationwide survey evaluating how much freedom Israels cities provide residents in areas under municipal control. The report, released Tuesday, shows widening gaps between liberal and conservative municipalities, particularly around oversight of educational content, gender-segregated events, and support for pluralistic communities. Advertisement Advertisement The index, which covers 40 cities and added five new entrants this year, measures municipal performance across 11 areas tied directly to daily life, also including religious budgets, support for non-Orthodox Jewish communities, civil burial, civil partnership registries, Shabbat commerce, public transportation on Shabbat, LGBTQ+ services, swimming pool segregation, and transparency. Each area reflects practical authority that local governments hold and the degree of freedom residents experience in their city. Israel Hofsheet (Free Israel) emphasized that 2025 once again saw religion-and-state issues dominate public discourse despite the ongoing multifront war. Israelis stranded abroad during Irans attack struggled to return because flights would not operate on Shabbat, LGBTQ+ widowed spouses of fallen soldiers fought for civil recognition, and burial rights for people of different faiths resurfaced as a national pain point. Against this backdrop, the NGO argued that local authorities often became one of the strongest lines of defense for residents seeking liberal policies. Hod Hasharon, led by Mayor Amir Kochavi, rose from second to first following major advances in school-content oversight, particularly the monitoring of external programs after the Education Ministrys Geffen database revealed widespread use of ideological initiatives promoting anti-LGBTQ messaging, gender segregation, and discouraging womens military service. The city also expanded support for non-Orthodox Jewish communities and scored near-perfectly on LGBTQ+ services, gender-segregation protections, and Shabbat-related freedom. Givatayim, last years top city, slipped to second but remained strongly positioned. It continued to reduce the cost of religious services and to refuse funding for gender-segregated events, while maintaining broad support for LGBTQ+ residents. Its ability to provide accessible public information and transparency still requires improvement, the index shows. An orthodox Jewish man rides an electric scooter in central Tel Aviv. August 7, 2023. (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90) Tel Aviv and Ramat Hasharon shared third place. Tel Aviv gained three index points and Ramat Hasharon climbed five spots after amending commerce bylaws around the BIG Glilot complex, strengthening ties to pluralistic Jewish organizations, and improving education oversight. Tel Avivs earlier civil partnership registry once a model of municipal innovation was halted this year, preventing it from achieving a higher ranking. Advertisement Advertisement Ashkelon recorded the most dramatic upward move, rising seven places due to improved education oversight and growing religious pluralism, even as it regressed on gender-segregated events. Bat Yam and Petah Tikva saw the largest declines, both falling 11 places, after substantial rollbacks in parental notification on educational materials taught in schools, as well as the vetting of external school programs, leaving them far behind neighboring cities. Netivot debuted in last place with just three points, one of the lowest scores ever recorded for a non-ultra-Orthodox (haredi) municipality. Despite having a low socioeconomic ranking, the city allocated 1.6% of its entire municipal budget to religious services, including funding ten commemorative events that serve only the Orthodox stream. It provided no support for non-Orthodox Jewish communities, offered no mechanisms to prevent gender segregation, and operated both of its municipal pools under fully segregated schedules with no mixed-swimming hours. Religious pluralism, education, and gender segregation Five cities appeared in the index for the first time: Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, Karmiel, Pardes Hanna-Karkur, and Netivot. Of them, Kiryat Bialik performed the strongest, entering at ninth place with particularly high scores in education, LGBTQ+ services, and Shabbat transportation. Karmiel offers Shabbat transport to its BIG Center but spends at least 1.5% of its budget on religious services. Kiryat Motzkin also benefits from Shabbat public transportation but showed deep structural shortcomings in pluralistic support and in honoring its own stated prohibition on gender-segregated events. Pardes Hanna-Karkur, despite an influx of Tel Aviv residents, remains completely closed on Shabbat and did not perform strongly on religious pluralism. Across the country, education oversight showed a clear split. Cities such as Hod Hasharon, Givatayim, Eilat, and Ashkelon improved transparency and parental notification on educational content. In Petah Tikva and Bat Yam, oversight and reporting have all but disappeared, while Ashdod, Dimona, Lod, Acre, Kiryat Gat, and Rehovot also raised concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Gender-segregated events revealed widespread discrepancies: 14 cities including Ashdod, Eilat, Holon, Kfar Saba, and Raanana claimed none had occurred, but monitoring found otherwise. Only eight cities fully honored their stated commitments. Religious budgets expanded sharply in conservative municipalities, with Netivot, Lod, and Herzliya marking some of the highest proportional expenditures. Subsidized segregated swimming rose nationwide, particularly in Herzliya and Lod. Tel Aviv continues to subsidize segregated hours; in one pool, only men received segregated times, effectively giving them access to all hours while women were entirely excluded. Shabbat transportation remained unchanged this year. Even major secular cities such as Rishon Lezion and Bat Yam still offer no public transportation on Shabbat, meaning many residents continue to depend on private cars despite the widespread availability of regional Naim BaSofash routes. Uri Keidar, Israel Hofsheets executive director, said the findings show that in the face of the most extreme and religious government Israel has ever known, local leaders have increasingly become essential defenders of liberal democratic values. The index, he said, gives residents a clear measuring stick by which to assess their municipal leaderships commitments to freedom and pluralism. By Paul Sandle LONDON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Nick Clegg, the former president of global affairs at Meta and deputy prime minister of Britain, has joined founder-led venture capital firm HIRO Capital to invest in spatial AI innovation in Europe, the firm said on Wednesday. Clegg will join HIRO's general partners Luke Alvarez, Cherry Freeman and British computer games legend Ian Livingstone in the new HIRO III fund, which is aiming to have more than 500 million euros ($582 million) to deploy. Advertisement Advertisement Yann LeCun, who recently announced he was standing down as Meta's chief AI scientist, will join HIRO's advisory board, it said. Clegg, who left Meta in January, said there was a shared belief in the HIRO team that the next stage of technology would be focused on spatial, immersive computing platforms, which underpin technologies like robotics, augmented reality and self-driving cars. "There's a great deal of expertise, deep laboratory and academic research in Europe, which can and will become increasingly relevant," he said in an interview on Wednesday. Pessimism about Europe's prospects versus the U.S. or China was overdone, he said, pointing to a growing pipeline of opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement "We're still an affluent continent of 500 million-plus people with some of the best researchers and labs in the world, (and) we actually have an increasingly vibrant tech startup scene," he said. He said the team had already identified opportunities in robotics, sports and gaming, and defence, as well as spatial computing technologies such as orientation, navigation and autonomy. The fund will deploy between 5 million euros and 50 million euros in investments, targeting a gap for scale-up capital in Europe, the firm said. ($1 = 0.8589 euros) (Reporting by Paul Sandle. Editing by Mark Potter) PAPIRI, Nigeria (AP) Several parents welcomed the return late Tuesday night of their children, who were abducted last month when gunmen stormed their school. It has not been easy for me... But today, in fact, I have a little bit of joy, especially because there is still one abducted. But I am now happy with this one that I have gotten," Luka Illaya, one of the parents in the hall, told The Associated Press. One of his sons was released, while another remains with the abductors. His son, who hugged him tightly, is one of the 100 students released over the weekend after they were abducted from a Nigerian Catholic school on Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement The Papiri school abductions, where more than 300 students and staff were taken, was the latest in a string of mass abductions that have rocked Nigeria in the past decade. Days earlier, 25 students were also abducted in nearby Kebbi state. The government did not release any details about the released Papiri students and the fate of at least 150 other children and staff who remain in captivity. Fifty of the students escaped in the hours following the abductions. We thank all the security agencies that helped in the rescue of our children. We are pleading that God should give them more strength to be able to rescue the remaining children, Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang, the principal of the school, said. No group has claimed responsibility for the abductions. Advertisement Advertisement Analysts say school children are a target for armed groups seeking a high ransom from the government and communities. Such abductions have often commanded national and international attention, with the pope last month calling for the release of the Papiri students in a Sunday address from the Vatican. Since 2014, when Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from Chibok, there have been at least a dozen mass school abductions with at least 1,799 students kidnapped, according to an AP tally. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on X earlier this week called on security agencies and governors to do more to protect children from falling into the hands of abductors, saying students should no longer be sitting ducks. EDENTON, N.C. (WAVY) An Edenton woman told 10 On Your Side she had an encounter that was too close for comfort with an escaped inmate Monday morning. It was around 7:30 a.m. when 75-year-old Marie Steinburg left her home to head to work. But when she approached her car in the driveway that she thought she locked the night before, she noticed something wasnt right. I clicked the unlock, and it must have scared the guy, because the next thing I know, I saw something moving in my back seat and I backed away because I thought, somebody is in my car,' Marie Steinburg said. Advertisement Advertisement That somebody was escaped inmate Charles Babb, who used a small hand-held edged weapon to escape the Chowan County Detention Center Sunday evening, according to police. Charles Edward Babb. Photo courtesy: Chowan County Sheriffs Office Steinburg said she heard the emergency notice about the escape that night and quickly realized that this was the man that authorities were looking for. He was still in his orange jumpsuit and wrapped in one of the blankets from the loft above their garage. He kept saying, Im sorry, Im sorry, Im sorry. Im so cold. Im so cold. And, you know, I was startled and I know he was too, Marie Steinburg said. And I said, Well, hey, let me go in and get you a coat. I thought, Ill try the mother act because I didnt know whether he was dangerous or not. Advertisement Advertisement The two talked back and forth, with Babb asking Steinburg if she had a phone and if there was a McDonalds close by. I figured if I was nice to him, hed be nice to me, Marie Steinburg said. I dont know, I just figured that that was the thing to do because I didnt know if he really was dangerous. He then began backing out of Steinburgs driveway and eventually took off as she went back inside and got her husband to call 911. Authorities later found Babb close by and took him back into custody. Charles Edward Babb was apprehended on Dec. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy: Edenton Police Dept. And of all the houses in Edenton to end up at, he picked the home of former State Senator Bob Steinberg, who pushed for prison reform during his 10 years in politics. Advertisement Advertisement It worked out the way it was supposed to work out. And thank God everybody was safe, Bob Steinburg said. I was very proud of my wife. I mean, the way she handled it as Im hearing about this now, from her and others, is that she really did a great job trying to not alarm the young man, but at least have a conversation with him. Photo courtesy: Bob and Marie Steinburg Babb did leave behind some souvenirs for the Steinburgs jail-issued slides, a facemask and a valuable lesson. That lesson? Marie Steinburg will be making sure her doors are locked from now on. Its one of those things that we learned, Marie Steinburg said. The Chowan County Sheriffs Office announced a full investigation will be made into this incident to ensure that something like this doesnt happen again. 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 WAVY.com. Good morning. CFO turnover continues in the Fortune 500, and now its reached one of the most watched companies in American business: Berkshire Hathaway. Marc Hamburg, the longtime SVP and CFO at Berkshire, will retire on June 1, 2027, after 40 years of service, the massive American conglomerate and holding company announced on Monday. Hamburg, who joined Berkshire in 1987, will be succeeded by Charles C. Chang, who was appointed SVP and CFO effective June 1, 2026. Chang is currently SVP, CFO, and director of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. He will work with Hamburg during a transition period. More from Yahoo Scout What leadership changes are happening at Berkshire Hathaway? Why did Berkshire Hathaway choose Chang as CFO? What is Marc Hamburg's legacy at Berkshire Hathaway? What concerns do analysts have about Berkshire's transition? These leadership changes come as legendary investor Warren Buffett prepares to step down as CEO at the end of the year. Berkshire announced in May 2025 that Buffett will be succeeded by Greg Abel, vice chairman of its non-insurance operations. Buffett will remain with the company as chairman of the board after the transition. Having worked with Hamburg for decades, Buffett praised him in a statement: Marc has been indispensable to Berkshire and to me. His integrity and judgment are priceless. He has done more for this company than many of our shareholders will ever know. His impact has been extraordinary. Hamburg has maintained a low profile while leading the finance organization of one of the most successful and renowned companies in the Fortune 500. Berkshire consistently ranks in the top 10 on the list. Abel, whose tenure as CEO will soon begin, joined Buffetts ecosystem a quarter-century ago when Berkshire entered the energy field. As CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy starting in 2008, the business grew significantly to include a vast portfolio of utilities, pipelines, natural gas plants, and wind and solar farms, Fortune reported. Since 2018, Abel has served as vice chairman of Berkshires non-insurance operations. Chang, 56, joined Berkshire Hathaway Energy in October 2024; now he will join Abel as his strategic partner in leading the entire firm. Chang was previously a partner in PricewaterhouseCooperss energy practice, working with large multinational energy companies. He has 34 years of experience in accounting, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting, mergers and acquisitions, and sustainability. Analysts expect more turnover ahead Meyer Shields, managing director at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, an investment bank and broker-dealer, wrote in a note on Monday that the primary takeaway from Berkshires announced leadership changes is that no matter how desirable consistency ischange is inevitable when a 50-year-plus CEO steps back. Novartis has reported positive outcomes from the VAYHIT2 Phase III trial assessing ianalumab plus eltrombopag to treat patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who had prior corticosteroid treatment. The trial results showed that four once-monthly doses of ianalumab (9mg/kg) plus eltrombopag extended disease control by 45%, based on the time to treatment failure (TTF) compared to placebo plus eltrombopag. Median TTF for the ianalumab plus eltrombopag group was 13.0 months, 2.8 times longer than the 4.7 months seen in the placebo group. Advertisement Advertisement At six months, 62% of patients given ianalumab at 9mg/kg in combination with eltrombopag experienced sustained improvements in platelet counts while 39% of those in the placebo group reached this outcome, fulfilling the key secondary endpoint. Additionally, patients in the ianalumab group reported a mean reduction in fatigue of 7.7 points on the PROMIS Fatigue scale, compared to a 3.6-point reduction among those receiving placebo. VAYHIT2 tested two ianalumab doses. The 9mg/kg dose showed statistically significant improvements in both primary and key secondary endpoints while the 3mg/kg dose achieved significant improvement in the primary endpoint. Ianalumab was observed to be well tolerated and no new safety signals were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Infusion-related reactions and headache were the most common adverse events. Neutropenia was seen more frequently with ianalumab but resolved without intervention. No adverse event resulted in permanent discontinuation. Novartis oncology development global head Mark Rutstein said: B cells drive the autoimmune response that leads to platelet destruction and increased bleeding risk in ITP. The novel dual mechanism of action of ianalumab aims to deplete B cells while blocking their survival signals. Guided by our decades-long experience advancing ITP care, the VAYHIT2 findings underscore the potential of ianalumab to deliver durable control with a short course of four once-monthly doses, offering patients the possibility of achieving disease stability without ongoing treatment. VAYHIT2 is the third positive Phase III study for ianalumab, after previous studies involving adults with active Sjogren's disease. Advertisement Advertisement The company intends to submit the data from VAYHIT2, along with results from the ongoing first-line ITP trial, VAYHIT1, in 2027. In June 2025, Novartis reported positive outcomes from the multi-centre Phase IIIB APPULSE-PNH study of oral Fabhalta (iptacopan) in adults with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). "Novartis reports positive data from VAYHIT2 trial for immune thrombocytopenia" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. NEW YORK A federal judge on Wednesday approved the Justice Departments request to unseal grand jury material in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, in light of the new law requiring the department to disclose nearly all of the investigative records into the late disgraced financier. In a four-page order, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, an appointee of President Bill Clinton, wrote that the new law supersedes existing regulations requiring grand jury material to be kept secret. His ruling comes after two federal judges have ordered grand jury documents concerning Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, his co-conspirator and a convicted sex trafficker, to be made public. Advertisement Advertisement The grand jury material will add to thehundreds of thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents expected to be released by the Justice Department, but it is unlikely to disclose much new information about the sex trafficking ring allegedly operated by Epstein because, judges have said, the material is limited in scope. As with the other judges who approved the unsealing requests, Berman expressed concern about protecting the identities of the victims during the disclosure, writing that clearly victims safety and privacy are paramount. Hammonasset Beach State Park, Connecticut's largest shoreline park, is enduring rising sea levels, its salt marshes, trails, and campsites eroding amid intensifying storms. What's happening? Sea levels in Connecticut could rise another 1.8 feet by 2050, reshaping the park, according to the Connecticut Post. Within lies a series of salt marshes, crucial habitats that shelter birds and fish and act as a barrier against floods, protecting the shoreline. Advertisement Advertisement The marshes have been disappearing faster. "In the past 90 years, the park has lost about 27 acres of salt marsh," the Post reported. "[Erosion] is now eating away at marshland by as much as 9 feet per year." Marsh migration is another problem in the park, as low-lying marshes are swallowed by open water when saltwater pushes further inland. This imbalance shifts ecosystems, wiping out existing habitats and land. The report cited a study by the National Audubon Society on the potential extent of the impact, predicting that salt marsh migration alone will affect 87 campsites by 2100. Advertisement Advertisement An additional 22 miles of roads, trails, and buildings may also be adversely impacted. Why is this concerning? Rapid erosion and habitat loss at Hammonasset are the result of an overheating planet. Combined, they endanger natural habitats and those who live in them, and burning dirty fuels worsens the pollution that causes temperatures and sea levels to rise. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Extreme weather events are vastly exacerbated by a volatile climate. Coastal flooding and storm surges not only devastate nature but also damage infrastructure. The loss of salt marshes leaves shorelines, fish, and bird species vulnerable and threatens recreational community resources like Hammonasset. What's being done about marsh migration? Preservation groups with Audubon's Connecticut chapter are launching a restoration effort at Hammonasset. Advertisement Advertisement It includes replacing old, undersized culverts with larger culverts 5 to 8 feet wide, capable of handling increased water flow and allowing more natural nutrient movement. "They'll be able to withstand powerful storms and water flowing in with the sea level rise," said Jack Matthias, Audubon Connecticut's coastal resilience manager. The efforts may involve building dunes or "living shorelines." The groups could also establish bird habitats, combat erosion, and redistribute sediment, raising marsh elevation. Matthias emphasized the community's role. "It's the most visited park in Connecticut and people love it. We just want to make sure we're involving everyone who cares about Hammonasset." Advertisement Advertisement Culvert construction is expected to begin in October 2026, funded by a $2.5 million grant. Further fundraising for dune designs is expected by August 2027. These conservation efforts are building defenses against future climate impacts. 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 Oklahoma Democratic Party is working with the State Election Board to ensure independent voter access to its primary ballot after the board "blindsided" the party and said all primary elections would be closed in 2026 and 2027. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Paul Ziriax, Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary, said no political party filed a notice to allow independents to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries during the 2026-2027 election years. But the Democratic Party voted in June to continue allowing independents in its primaries, the party said in a news release following the Ziriax's statement. The State Election Board was notified of this decision on Aug. 4, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Oklahoma Democrats welcome Independents in our elections," said Erin Brewer, OKDEMS chair, in the release. "We value their voices in selecting our general election candidates. We are working with the State Election Board to correct this error and exploring legal counsel if necessary." More: Keating for Oklahoma governor 2026? A familiar name enters Republican race Lauren Craig, Oklahoma Democratic Party executive director, told The Oklahoman that the party emailed the Election Board on Aug. 4 the minutes from its June 29 State Convention where the party voted to continue its policy of including independents in its primaries. The Oklahoman reviewed that Aug. 4 email that confirmed Kati Cain, Oklahoma Democratic Party state secretary, sent the Election Board the convention minutes that included the party's vote to keep its primary open to independents. Cain's email also included the party's request to change its emblem. Advertisement Advertisement Misha Mohr, spokesperson for the Election Board, said on Oct. 30, the board mailed to the state chair of each recognized party a letter regarding the deadline to open their primary elections. Craig said Wednesday was the first time the state Democratic Party saw the letter. "We're just very blindsided that we didn't even get a phone call breaking this 10 year precedent," she said. "Somebody didn't even say, 'Hey, maybe we should give them a ring and make sure this is what they are upholding.'" The Republican and Libertarian primaries have remained closed, though Democrats have allowed independents to participate since 2016. Between Nov. 1-30 in every odd-numbered year, state law allows the three parties the opportunity to open their primaries to independents during the next two election years, according to a news release from the Election Board. The board extended its deadline to Dec. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Craig said the state Democratic Party appreciates the work of the Election Board, adding that the party is committed to ensuring independent voter access to its primary ballot. Open primary supporters gathering signatures in Oklahoma The miscommunication between the State Election Board and the Oklahoma Democratic Party come as supporters for open primary elections are gathering signatures in the state. State Question 836 seeks to open primary elections in Oklahoma to all voters, regardless of party registration. The proposal needs 172,993 signatures by registered Oklahoma voters to make it onto a state ballot. If successful, voters would see all candidates with their party registration listed on one ballot during primary elections. The two candidates with the most votes would advance to the general election. The state question would not affect presidential primaries. Which Oklahoma elections are on the ballot in 2026? Next year, Oklahomans will vote on several statewide seats, including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor and inspector and superintendent of public instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Oklahomans will also decide whether to replace Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin in the U.S. Senate along with all five of Oklahoma's Republican representatives in Congress. In 2026, the primary election will be June 16. The runoff primary election will be Aug. 25. The general election will be Nov. 3. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Democrats close 2026-27 primaries to independent voters The single-shot, percussion-style pistols known as derringers have almost certainly not been used in violent crimes since the 19th-century old west in the US but police allege that a robber clad in pajama pants brandished one of those weapons at an Oklahoma liquor store recently. Dyllon Redfern, 24, stands accused of going into Primos Wine and Spirits in Tulsa on the night of 5 December but being turned away from buying anything because he did not have his identification. Store employees later told Tulsa police that Redfern, who was in pajama pants and a hooded sweatshirt, left and came back with what they described as an old timey musket, pointed the gun at them and demanded cash as well as their IDs. Early the next morning, someone at a QuikTrip store in the same shopping center reported seeing Redfern. Officers who searched the area found him in a nearby parking garage, carrying cash and an ID stolen from Primos as well as an antique gun. Advertisement Advertisement Tulsa police said in a Facebook statement that they booked Redfern with first-degree robbery. They noted that the derringer they purportedly seized from him was known as a muff or pocket pistol, and published a picture of it. Perhaps the most infamous use of that style of small, easily concealable pistol was the 14 April 1865 assassination of president Abraham Lincoln in Washington DC at the hands of Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. The Tulsa polices statement invited Facebook users with expertise on antique guns to chime in on Redferns arrest. One commenter noted that the scrolling on the derringer suggested it was manufactured in about the 1850s and was possibly worth more than there was in that cash register. Advertisement Advertisement Another said its possible there were only about 500 of those particular guns ever made, and that it appeared to be a very rare and valuable weapon. Others debated which character from the old western-set video game Red Dead Redemption 2 Redfern most resembled. Redfern would face at least 10 years in prison if eventually convicted of first-degree robbery, according to Oklahoma state law. Old Rochester schools teamed up with the Boston Celtics and Project 351 this fall, kicking off student-led leadership and equity workshops that culminated in a Nov. 14 Playbook Immersion Summit at the Auerbach Center, according to a community announcement. The Playbook Initiative connects student leaders in grades 4 through 12 from Old Rochester Regional High School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, Sippican Elementary School, Old Hammondtown School and Rochester Memorial School. The program began with two student-led workshops and continued with the Playbook Immersion Summit, which ORR Assistant Principal and Playbook coordinator Lauren Millette attended alongside two student trainers, junior Olivia Thompson and sophomore Luc Silveira, according to the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Students heard from Celtics leaders and staff, including Brad Stevens, Brian Scalabrine and Xavier Tillman Sr., while taking part in training on community building, leadership and racial equity. Statewide programs have long-standing roots Old Rochester Regional High School Assistant Principal and Playbook Coordinator Lauren Millette, along with student trainers Olivia Thompson and Luc Silveira, attended the Playbook Immersion Summit at the Auerbach Center on Nov. 14. (Courtesy of Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55) On Oct. 22, Project 351 Influencers from all three elementary schools participated in a morning of leadership training at Old Rochester. Leaders ran activities focusing on effective leadership traits. Students then broke into small groups to talk through scenarios when they would utilize those skills. Watching our students take the lead has been one of the best parts of this work, Millette said in the announcement. They show up prepared, they listen to one another and they create a space where their peers feel comfortable speaking up. Students build confidence during these workshops that they take back into our classrooms. Students also supporting students When students lead other students, the learning feels immediate and real, said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz. These workshops help young people find their voice and practice leadership in a supportive setting. It has been powerful to watch the growth across all grade levels. Advertisement Advertisement At the elementary school level, principals also saw an impact. It was a great day of learning about one another's feelings, and what makes us feel excited, brave or confident, said Rochester Memorial School Principal Heidi Letendre. The students engaged in great conversations around inclusiveness. Congratulations to the high school team for putting on a great workshop for our young leaders in the making. Our partnership with Project 351 and the Playbook Initiative gives students a chance to build community through meaningful dialogue, Sippican Principal Lynn Dessert said. These experiences help them understand their role in shaping a school where everyone feels seen. Project 351 selects ORRJHS student ambassadors Staff members have also chosen three ORR Junior High Project 351 Ambassadors, one from each town: Lilah Silveira of Marion; Elliot Jacobsen of Mattapoisett and Delaney Vieira of Rochester. Advertisement Advertisement These ambassadors will join eighth-grade leaders from all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns for a year of service and statewide leadership training inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.s vision of the Beloved Community. Our students step into this work ready to learn and listen, which results in building stronger school communities, Superintendent Michael S. Nelson said. The Playbook Initiative gives them the tools to lead with empathy. It also shows them that their voice matters in shaping a place where every student feels like they belong. This story was created by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Old Rochester schools launch Playbook and Project 351 By Will Dunham Dec 10 (Reuters) - Scientists have discovered the oldest-known evidence of fire-making by prehistoric humans in the English county of Suffolk - a hearth apparently made by Neanderthals about 415,000 years ago - revealing that this milestone for our evolutionary lineage occurred far earlier than previously known. At an old clay pit for making bricks near the village of Barnham, the researchers found a patch of heated clay, some heat-shattered flint handaxes and two pieces of iron pyrite - a mineral that creates sparks when struck against flint to ignite tinder - that they identified as a repeatedly used campfire. Advertisement Advertisement It was situated near a watering hole where these humans encamped. "We think humans brought pyrite to the site with the intention of making fire. And this has huge implications pushing back the earliest fire-making," said archaeologist Nick Ashton, curator of Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum in London and leader of the research published on Wednesday in the journal Nature. Until now, the earliest-known evidence of fire-making was from about 50,000 years ago at a site in northern France, also attributed to Neanderthals. The controlled use of fire was a landmark event for the human evolutionary lineage, not only for cooking and providing protection from predators but for providing warmth that enabled hunter-gatherers to thrive in areas with colder environs. Advertisement Advertisement "Places like Britain, for example," British Museum archaeologist and study co-author Rob Davis said. Through cooking, our forerunners were able to eliminate pathogens from meat and toxins from edible roots and tubers. Cooking made these foods more tender and digestible, freeing up bodily energy from the gut to fuel development of the brain. Being able to consume a greater range of foods supported better survival and allowed for feeding larger groups of humans, according to the researchers. Fire also may have contributed to social evolution. The use of fire at nighttime allowed these humans to gather and socialize, perhaps engaging in storytelling and developing language and belief systems. Advertisement Advertisement "The campfire becomes a social hub," Davis said. "We're a species who have used fire to really shape the world around us," Davis said, noting that the new findings show that this trait is something our species Homo sapiens has in common with the Neanderthals and possibly other large-brained human relatives living at that time like the Denisovans. The Palaeolithic, or Old Stone Age, site at Barnham dates to before the earliest-known Homo sapiens fossils in Africa. The researchers believe that Neanderthals, our close evolutionary cousins, were the fire-makers, another piece of evidence showing the intelligence and ingenuity of these archaic humans long maligned in popular culture. Advertisement Advertisement Paleoanthropologist and study co-author Chris Stringer said no human fossil remains were found at the Barnham site. But Stringer noted that pieces of a human skull about 400,000 years old characteristic of a Neanderthal were found in the mid-20th century less than 100 miles (160 km) to the south at a town called Swanscombe. Stringer said the Swanscombe skull fragments match Neanderthal fossils from a site called Sima de los Huesos, meaning "Pit of the Bones," near Burgos in Spain, dating to about 430,000 years ago. "Thus the Barnham fire-makers were very likely to have been early Neanderthals, like Swanscombe and the Sima people," Stringer said. Neanderthals went extinct roughly 39,000 years ago not long after Homo sapiens swept through the European territory they called home. Their legacy lives on in the genomes of most people on Earth, thanks to interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals before their disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Previous archaeological work at the site has given scientists a good understanding of what the place was like at the time the hearth was made, with a rich array of animals from elephants to smaller mammals and birds, and evidence of human activity in the form of cut marks on animal bones. There is archaeological evidence from Africa dating to more than a million years ago of humans using naturally occurring fire - from wildfires or lightning strikes - but those sites lacked evidence of deliberate fire-making. The researchers spent four years conducting tests to show that the evidence from Barnham was of deliberately made fire. They said numerous pieces of evidence demonstrated this including geochemical testing that revealed there had been temperatures of more than 700 degrees Celsius (1290 degrees Fahrenheit) with repeated fire-use in the same location. (Reporting by Will Dunham in Washington; Editing by Daniel Wallis) A Massachusetts woman has pleaded guilty in connection with a disturbing scheme involving human remains stolen from the Harvard Medical School morgue in Boston. Katrina MacLean, 46, of Bradford, admitted to investigators that she sold human remains through her shop, Kats Creepy Creations, located in the North Shore city of Peabody. Prosecutors say MacLean obtained the remains with the help of Cedric Lodge, the former manager of the morgue for Harvards Anatomical Gifts Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Lodge admitted he stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations. An investigation revealed that the Lodge took the stolen body parts to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire, from where his wife, Denise, then sold the remains to MacLean. According to court documents, MacLean purchased two dissected faces for $600 in 2020. Kats Creepy Creations sold dolls and Creations that shock the mind & shake the soul. Creepy dolls, Oddities, Bone Art, the businesss Instagram page previously stated. As part of her plea deal, MacLean is expected to be sentenced to 12 months in prison. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The PIJ said it has closed the file on Gaza hostages, claiming that it had handed over the final remains of captives on December 2 with the return of Sudthisak Rinthalaks remains. Israeli officials say the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) knows where the remains of the last Israeli hostage, police officer St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili are being held and continues to demand his return, Ynet reported on Wednesday. An Israeli official told Ynet, There are people in the Islamic Jihad organization who know where Ran [Gvili] is. A conversation took place with a senior figure among the mediators, and a strong message was delivered from Israel. We shared information on the matter in talks held by the POW and Missing Persons Coordinator, Gal Hirsch, in Cairo last Thursday, and we will not relent until Ran is buried in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement The official added, The issue of Rans return is not a tactical event; it is a highly significant matter in the implementation of the agreement. The Islamic Jihads claim is false. We take the statement very seriously and strongly reject it. Hamas is obligated to return all the fallen, and responsibility lies with them. Even after the announcement yesterday, searches continued, and we insist that he be returned. Hamas terrorists escort members of the Red Cross towards an area within the Yellow Line in Gaza City, November 20, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/DAWOUD ABU ALKAS) The PIJ said it has closed the file on Gaza hostages, claiming in a Telegram post on Tuesday that it had handed over the final remains of captives on December 2, spokesperson Abu Hamza of the groups al-Quds Brigades said. PIJ's statement 'unacceptable' According to N12, Israeli officials remain skeptical of the PIJs claims. Gal Hirsch sent a message to mediators stating, Islamic Jihads statement is unacceptable to us. There are those who know where Ran is being held. We will not let this go. Israeli authorities have reportedly set a condition for Hamas and the mediators. Without Gvilis return, the next phase of the agreement cannot proceed. Hirsch added, We will not relent until he is returned to his grave in Israel." When the Palm Coast City Council voted last week to increase the citys animal control and pet licensing fees, a resident called on the city to better inform pet owners about the requirement and its potential mutual benefit. In addition to being a source of revenue to the city, there are some advantages pet owners might not have without a license for their pets. But with only 6,216 pets officially licensed (a requirement per city code) in a city with more than 100,000 residents, it is likely several pet owners may not be aware they might need one. Advertisement Advertisement Pet fees increased: Palm Coast increases pet licensing fees amid municipal shelter effort An annual fee to register a pet can be a financial onus for some residents, but there are ways pet owners and the community as a whole can benefit from pets being licensed, according to the city. Why does Palm Coast require pet licensing fees? Like several other cities in Florida, Palm Coast requires pet owners to pay an annual license fee for each pet they own. With the recent increases, a general license fee for a pet went from $10 to $35. For spayed and neutered pets, the fee increased from $5 to $25. An inquistive kitten peers out from her cage at the Flagler Humane Society, Friday, July 11, 2025. The dangerous dog fee jumped from $120 to $300. According to city code, a dangerous dog means any dog that has attacked and severely injured a person; more than once severely injured or killed another pet while off its owners property; or chased or approached a person on public grounds in a menacing fashion. Advertisement Advertisement The city makes those determinations about a pet based on animal control authority records, other animal control or law enforcement authorities. Why does Palm Coast require licensed dogs be vaccinated? Licensing means ensuring pets are vaccinated appropriately for their safety, as well as the safety of the community, according to the city. Doing so can be beneficial to pet owners individually and to the community. According to Much Ado About Doodle, a Virginia-based professional doodle breeding and training company, vaccination proves that your pet is safe and healthy. David Conley bonds with Beethoven a dachshund mix he is adopting from the Flagler Humane Society, Friday, July 11, 2025. It also lets everyone know your pup doesnt have rabies, which means animal control officers or a Good Samaritan will be more likely to help out in a lost dog situation, according to the companys website. Advertisement Advertisement Humane Society: Decision on whether to create new animal services in Flagler County could come Wednesday In addition, licensed pets have a city tag which can be worn on their collars. If Animal Control officers take a lost pet to the local partnering shelter, the Flagler Humane Society, its owner can be easily identified and the two quickly reunited. How much does Palm Coast raise from animal control and pet licensing fees? With the recently increased fees, which are set to take effect in February 2026, city staff estimates the economic benefit to the city will be approximately $195,720 in revenue, according to a city agenda document. The increase was made to align Palm Coasts fees with neighboring municipalities and assist with the growing needs of animal control. Advertisement Advertisement With only 6,216 pets currently licensed, the city could potentially collect more revenue from unlicensed pets. It is unclear how city code enforcement and animal control can enforce the licensing requirement for pets in Palm Coast if the city has no access to records of the animal. Failure to comply with City Codes may result in the issuance of a citation and further Code Enforcement action, according to Animal Control. The News-Journal has reached out to the citys code enforcement division for comment. To register and license your pet in Palm Coast, visit the pet licensing portal at palmcoast.gov/animal-control or call Animal Control at 386-986-2520. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Why did Palm Coast increase animal control and pet licensing fees? By Nell Mackenzie, Tala Ramadan and Utkarsh Shetti ABU DHABI, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Big investors attending Abu Dhabi Finance Week voiced concern over the high valuations attached to AI-related companies but said that investment in the infrastructure crucial to the sector's long-term success cannot be dismissed. Technology leviathans such as Alphabet, Meta and Oracle have rushed to debt markets in recent months to keep pace in the Artificial Intelligence race, adding to unease about an AI bubble. For some of the most powerful personalities in finance attending this week's state-backed finance conference in Abu Dhabi, AI was the stand-out topic. Here's what some of them had to say: FRANKLIN TEMPLETON CEO JENNY JOHNSON: EARLY DAYS Johnson characterised recent market activity and worries about an AI-related bubble as the early days of the gold rush. "Who cares? So, there's seven stocks. We're talking about one of the greatest technological changes in our lifetime and it's a bit like saying the picks and shovels (in the gold rush) got really expensive," Johnson said on a conference panel. "We haven't even begun to see the impact of AI," she said, adding that it would take some years before the technology would become transformative and meaningful enough to appear in company earnings, echoing policymakers and economists who continue to assess AI's impact on productivity, labour markets and corporate earnings. Franklin Templeton manages investments totalling about $1.7 trillion. BLACKSTONE CEO STEPHEN SCHWARZMAN: WATCH ELECTRICITY Trillion-dollar alternative asset manager Blackstone's (BX.N) Schwarzman noted how AI now touches almost every part of economic activity, with massive capital expenditure and demands on electricity. "We're going to have to theoretically double the size of our electricity grid to deal with this. That's a big thing ... to create electricity, you have to have a lot of other things happen in society," he told the conference. ADIC CIO FOR PUBLIC MARKETS SHIV SRINIVASAN: OPPORTUNITY The Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC) sovereign wealth fund is among big Middle East investors that view AI-related stocks as a good opportunity despite soaring valuations. "I like AI and biotech, they have been big winners. I continue to like them," said Srinivasan. The industry is in the middle of its journey, he added. TCI FOUNDER CHRIS HOHN: WAIT A MINUTE Some hedge fund managers questioned how positive AI would be on companies and their stocks. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) A parent of a Kentucky State University student has been charged with murder in an on campus shooting that killed one student and critically injured another. Jacob Lee Bard was at the school's campus in Frankfort on Tuesday and fired shots at the victims at a residence hall, police said in a statement. Investigators said the shooting was isolated, but they have not publicly shared details of the circumstances or a possible motive. The shooting killed 19-year-old DeJon Fox of Indianapolis. A second student who was shot remains in critical condition, but his name has not been released, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Bard, 48, was booked into jail on murder and first-degree assault charges. Police said Bard is from Evansville, Indiana, which is about 150 miles (241 kilometers) west of Frankfort. Bard is being represented by a public defender at the Franklin County Department of Public Advocacy, which declined to talk about his case Wednesday. University police officers were near the scene of the altercation that ended with the shooting and immediately arrested Bard, police said. Investigators have watched video taken by others at the scene and surveillance footage. Asked by reporters about alleged videos showing a fight involving Bards sons preceded the shooting or whether Bard might have come to campus to talk to administrators about his sons' safety, Frankfort Assistant Police Chief Scott Tracy refused to say what may have led to the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Its really too early in the investigation right now to really give any details that led up to it. A lot of it would be speculation, Tracy said Wednesday. The shooting happened at Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall. It was the second shooting in four months near the student residence. Someone fired multiple shots from a vehicle on Aug. 17, striking two people that the university said werent students. Frankfort police said one victim was treated for minor injuries and a second sustained serious injuries. The dorm and at least one vehicle were damaged by gunfire. University President Koffi C. Akakpo said the school brought in more police officers after the first shooting and will evaluate whether more needs to be done to keep students safe once the investigation into the latest shooting is complete, Advertisement Advertisement The campus is a safe place, Akakpo said at the news conference. Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the schools creation in 1886. The school sits about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) east of the Capitol building in Frankfort. A crash briefly shut down a part of a busy Allegheny County roadway during rush hour on Wednesday. PennDOT announced Route 50 (Washington Pike) closed in both directions between Thoms Run Road and the I-79 interchange in Collier Township due to a multi-vehicle crash around 5:30 p.m. 511 cameras showed a large emergency response in the area. The roadway reopened by 6:15 p.m. But there may be residual delays. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA via AP Images Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is less popular among black voters than former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke was in 2016, according to a new poll amplified on social media. Just 4% of black voters said they would support Buttigieg if the 2028 Democratic presidential primary were held today, according to the Fall 2025 Yale Youth Poll. Social media users were quick to point out that former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke received more support from black voters after announcing his Louisiana Senate campaign in 2016, with 14% of black voters backing Duke at the time. Blacks supported the Grand Wizard of the KKK over 3x more than they do Pete Buttigieg. https://t.co/kO9DQofE7W pic.twitter.com/YmXsCuStxS Magills (@magills_) December 9, 2025 Former Grand Wizard. Maybe the former status made the difference. El Mike (@jaiboregio) December 9, 2025 Former Grand Wizard. Maybe the former status made the difference. El Mike (@jaiboregio) December 9, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement While Buttigieg was one of the least popular potential candidates among black Democrats, according to the Yale poll, he still managed to receive more support than Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (0%) and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz (1%). Former Vice President Kamala Harris was overwhelmingly the most popular candidate among black Democrats at 47%, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 12% and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) at 9%. White, Hispanic, and Asian Democrats all expressed preference for Newsom over Harris, with white Democrats choosing Buttigieg as their second-favorite candidate. Buttigieg received the most support from elderly voters, with 18% of Democrats aged 65 or older backing him for president. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans, meanwhile, overwhelmingly favored Vice President JD Vance for president in 2028, with 51% expressing support for him as a candidate. Vance was followed by Donald Trump Jr. at 8%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 6%, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley at 5%, Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 5%, and Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tied with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at 3% each. Carlson was the second-most popular Republican among young voters aged 18 to 22, beaten only by Vance. The post Social Media Users Point Out Pete Buttigieg Less Popular Among Black People Than Ex-KKK Leader David Duke Was in 2016 first appeared on Mediaite. Pierce County prosecutors have charged seven people with drug crimes connected to an allegedly illegal marijuana operation after a Sheriffs Office investigation discovered over 1,000 plants growing at a house in the Frederickson area and dozens of pounds of cannabis product. Search warrants were carried out Dec. 5 in Frederickson, Spanaway and at an address just southwest of Puyallup, according to charging documents filed Tuesday in Superior Court. A fourth search warrant was executed Dec. 8 at an address that appears to be east of Puyallup. In all, court documents say, 2,160 marijuana plants were found in various stages of growth at the Frederickson and Spanaway residences. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators found $15,818 at the house southwest of Puyallup, where there were no growing plants but evidence of a recent grow operation, including garbage bags full of harvested marijuana plant scraps. Detectives believe the home they searched Dec. 8 was being used to grow weed and was in the process of being disassembled. The search recovered equipment such as lights, air filters, ballasts, fans and chemicals. All seven defendants have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, unlawful use of a building for drug purposes and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Defense attorneys for the suspects were not listed in court records Tuesday. The defendants are: Yifeng Chen, 37 Yonghong Wu, 36 Wei Feng Chen, 70 Hau Kuen Chiu, 63 Yilong Yilong Liang, 40 Aiyu Li, 38 Zhuowei Liang, 63 Advertisement Advertisement All the defendants were booked into jail when the search warrants were completed, but only Yifeng Chen, Zhuowei Liang and Aiyu Li remained in custody Tuesday evening, with arraignment hearings set for Wednesday afternoon. Court records show the other defendants are scheduled to enter pleas to their charges Dec. 23. Cannabis is legal in Washington, but Sheriffs Office deputy Carly Cappetto said in a Facebook post that unlicensed marijuana grows are illegal and can be dangerous. The Sheriffs Offices Special Investigations Unit (SIU) began its inquiry into the allegedly illegal grows in fall 2023, according to incident reports included in the probable cause document. SIU members conducted hours of surveillance on the residences, primarily Yifeng Chen, who owns the properties just outside Puyallup and in Spanaway. Marijuana plants part of an allegedly illegal grow operation were seized at houses in Pierce County on Dec. 5, 2025, following an investigation by the Sheriffs Offices Special Investigations Unit. (Pierce County Sheriffs Office) Yifeng Chen was allegedly seen traveling from the residences to marijuana-supply shops and Home Depot, where records state he appeared to be purchasing building supplies often used to set up indoor marijuana grows. Investigators said he was also sometimes accompanied by his father, Wei Peng Chen; his mother, Hau Kuen Chiu; and his wife, Yonghong Wu. Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office, the Lakewood Police Department and a team of special agents from Homeland Security Investigations reportedly carried out the search warrants. The locations included the 7500 block of 184th Street East, the 8100 block of 113th Street Court East, the 2200 block of 45th Avenue East and an address on Sierra Drive East. The reports note that a pistol and a shotgun registered to Yifeng Chen were found at the house on 184th Street in Frederickson. Yilong Yiang was located at that residence, and he allegedly told a deputy who spoke Mandarin that hed lived there for about a year with his father, Zhuowei Liang, and his wife, Aiyu Li. According to charging documents, he said his family was paid $3,000 to $4,000 per month to live there and keep it safe from burglars. Yifeng Chen allegedly told investigators that he worked for a legal marijuana retailer in Monroe called Wing Sing. The Washington State Department of Revenues business license database does not appear to show a business by that name. Deputies reported finding more than $2,000 on his person when he was arrested. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks to attendees of a meeting in Mead, Neb., with community members receiving an update on private cleanup efforts with state help of the former AltEn ethanol plant. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Governor's Office) MEAD, Neb. Years of private efforts to clean up wet cake pollution from a Nebraska ethanol plant that turned pesticide-coated seed corn into fuel inched in recent weeks toward resolution. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen on Tuesday visited with Mead residents to tout the states progress in working with six seed companies now running the former AltEn ethanol plants cleanup, the AltEn Facility Response Group. Advertisement Advertisement Pillen told locals who have fought for state attention that he is proud of the work that removed a roughly 165,000-ton mountain of mixed material that included about 84,000 tons of contaminated byproduct. Work continues to clear polluted lagoons and groundwater. Nebraska tried regulating AltEn into compliance but eventually shut it down in February 2021, filing a separate state-led lawsuit that year against the plant that is still being negotiated for settlement. A wastewater spill followed days later. Seed companies that had been working with the company took over cleanup. Essentially, the company running AltEn had thought it could burn the seeds hot enough to leave no trace of the pesticides in the waste byproduct of fuel production, but tests found neonicotinoid levels too high. Piles of contaminated waste grain sit at the closed AltEn ethanol facility. They have since been removed. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner) Jesse Bradley, the director of the states water and environmental regulator, said much work remains to be done but that the state would continue to focus its work on safety for nearby residents of Mead. Advertisement Advertisement The state says its next steps include remedial action plans and agreements for addressing remaining contaminated groundwater, solids in the lagoon pits and other soil that needs fixing. Those steps, plus last months settlement of a separate federal lawsuit between agricultural chemical producers and the former plant and its overseers, could help resolve a separate state lawsuit that has been paused for settlement negotiations in Saunders County District Court. The lawsuit, from the Nebraska Attorney Generals Office, accuses AltEn of using and improperly disposing of pesticide-treated seed corn, not ordinary field corn as its permit described, and alleges improper byproduct storage and disposal. Settlement details might not be disclosed, but court documents hint that the AltEn propertys current and future owners will have to accept restrictive environmental rules on the land and groundwater. Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Water, Energy and Environment, the states water and environmental regulator, uses such regulatory tools to reduce the health risks of pollution to people and animals. Part of the deal means that the state maintains access to check samples of the propertys land and water for contamination levels and monitor for problems that could impact water used for agriculture. The deal placed limitations on the industrial propertys future use. Among them: restrictions that wont let the land, even after remediation wraps up, be used for homes, schools or child care facilities. Saunders County Board member Bill Reece, a member of the Mead group working with the state and seed companies on the cleanup effort, praised local resilience. Neighbors faced chemical smells, sores and more. Advertisement Advertisement They know their town is worth standing up for, and were glad to see the progress that has been made at AltEn, he said. He credited the state and seed companies for keeping Mead residents in the loop. The governor, who owns a hog operation based in Columbus, said cleanup of the AltEn site was among his top priorities since becoming governor in 2023. He is Nebraskas first farmer-governor in more than a century. Im proud of the fact that when we got involved, a lot of people rolled up their sleeves and collaborated to fix this problem, Pillen said. He stressed that the cleanup is privately funded. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Poland plans to work more closely with Germany on ground-based defence systems to combat drones. Pawe Zalewski, a minister in the Polish Defence Ministry, announced the collaboration on the SAM air defence system on Wednesday after a meeting with his German counterpart Nils Schmid at Malbork military airfield. "We would like to draw on and make use of Germany's experience in this area," said Zalewski. "The aim now is to shoot down drones or render them harmless in a cheaper, more cost-effective way," he said. Advertisement Advertisement The use of cheap drones has significantly changed the economics of the battlefield, he said, calling for Poland's air defence system to be strengthened. Schmid expressed his openness to further cooperation, explaining that drone defence will be organized using a mix of different weapon systems. "I am sure that we, as European allies, will work very closely together on this." He thanked the German Eurofighter crew stationed at the military airfield and support personnel for their efforts in serving as a deterrent and defence against threats. Last week, the German Air Force again deployed fighter jets to Poland to strengthen the protection of NATO's eastern flank. Advertisement Advertisement The deployment is a response to recent airspace violations by Russian fighter jets in the Baltic Sea region and the entry of kamikaze drones into NATO territory. German fighter jets were previously deployed in August and September at the site, which is located about 60 kilometres south-east of Gdansk and 80 kilometres from the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad. The German deployment includes around 150 men and women serving as pilots, technicians, logisticians, security personnel and military police. The deployment is initially planned to last until March. Additional much-needed MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters are likely headed to Ukraine, with Poland in talks to provide the country with its last remaining examples. Poland already donated 14 of its MiG-29s to Ukraine, after becoming the first country to commit to supplying combat jets to Kyiv. The new package should also involve the transfer of drone and missile technology from Ukraine to Poland. In a statement on X, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces confirmed that talks regarding the exchange of MiG-29s are underway. Informujemy, ze trwaja rozmowy ze strona ukrainska na temat przekazania samolotow MIG-29. Przekazywanie samolotow zwiazane jest z osiaganiem przez nie docelowych resursow eksploatacyjnych oraz brakiem perspektywy ich dalszej modernizacji w Siach Zbrojnych RP. Informujemy pic.twitter.com/35obeH37rP Sztab Generalny WP (@SztabGenWP) December 9, 2025 The transfer of these aircraft is related to the fact that they have reached their target service life and there are no prospects for their further modernization in the Polish Armed Forces, the statement says. Advertisement Advertisement The General Staff states that no final decision has been made, but notes that the donation of the fighters is in line with NATO policy of supporting Ukraine and maintaining security on NATOs eastern flank. The statement adds that tasks of the MiG-29 aircraft being withdrawn from service will be carried out by Polish Air Force F-16 fighters and FA-50 light combat aircraft. One of Polands F-16Ds with its conformal fuel tanks and enlarged spine prominently visible. Polish Ministry of Defense Interestingly, the talks also involve the transfer of selected drone and missile technologies to Poland. The aim is not only to compensate for the equipment, but above all to acquire and jointly develop new defense and industrial capabilities, the General Staff emphasizes. Advertisement Advertisement Discussions around the possible transfer of Polands last MiG-29 jets to Ukraine began back in July 2024. As of now, the Polish Air Force has 14 Fulcrums, comprising 11 single-seat MiG-29 fighters and three two-seat MiG-29UB combat trainers. Polish Fulcrums came from a variety of sources, as you can read about here. As well as original deliveries from the Soviet Union, Poland acquired former Czechoslovakian MiG-29s inherited by the Czech Republic, as well as upgraded examples that had previously been flown by the German Luftwaffe (and, before that, by East Germany). The remaining Polish aircraft are very much still active on the front line and in support of NATO. Advertisement Advertisement On two occasions in late October of this year, for example, Polish MiG-29s intercepted a Russian Il-20 Coot intelligence-gathering aircraft over the Baltic Sea. For the second time this week, a pair of MiG-29As with the Polish Air Force were scrambled earlier this morning from the 22nd Tactical Air Base in Malbork, in order to intercept and track a Russian Il-20M Coot-A Electronic Surveillance Aircraft operating over the Baltic Sea. pic.twitter.com/ZQdlYN9RKV OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 30, 2025 In March 2023, Warsaw announced it would transfer the first batch of 14 MiG-29s to Ukraine. The first four of these MiG-29s are reported to have arrived in Ukraine the following month. They were preceded by MiG-29s provided by Slovakia, which confirmed its donation soon after Poland. The Slovakian government approved the transfer of 13 MiG-29s to Ukraine, and the first arrived there in March 2023 the first tactical jets to be officially supplied to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Ukraine has apparently also received MiG-29 spare parts from other sources, too, with speculation that former Moldovan Fulcrums acquired by the United States might have been involved. As far as Ukraine is concerned, additional fighters are in great demand, with steady attrition since the conflict began. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine started the war with around 50 MiG-29s in operational service, assigned to two regiments. According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, since the start of the current conflict, 33 Ukrainian MiG-29s have been confirmed destroyed, and more damaged. The actual figure is almost certainly higher, as Oryx only tallies losses that are confirmed with visual evidence. A fully armed Ukrainian MiG-29 performs a combat mission in eastern Ukraine on August 1, 2023. Photo by Libkos/Getty Images LIBKOS The situation as regards the Su-27 Flanker is even more serious, with the Ukrainian Air Force having begun the war with around 32 operational examples, at least 19 of which have been confirmed as destroyed the most recent one earlier this week. Unlike the MiG-29, there is no potential source to help replace Flanker losses. Russia shot down another Su-27 over eastern Ukraine on Sunday. Lt. Col. Yevhenii Ivanov, the pilot, was killed. It's the 19th Su-27 loss since February 2022. Ukraine may have only 12-23 left. And unlike MiGs or F-16s, no ally operates Su-27sso there's no donor pipeline. The pic.twitter.com/fAMtilCYIl Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 9, 2025 Its worth noting that additional examples of both these types have also been brought back to airworthiness after local overhauls. At least some of these were returned to action after long periods standing dormant or in storage. Meanwhile, Ukraine has introduced more modern and capable F-16s and Mirage 2000s, but its significant that the MiG-29, in particular, remains a highly prized asset. This is a fact reflected in its continued adaptation to carry new weaponry, both Western-supplied and locally developed. With significant stocks of spares, weapons, and well-trained maintenance crews, the MiG-29 is regarded as easy to maintain and adapt. It is also well-suited to more austere operations, with the Ukrainian Air Force regularly moving the jets around between different operating locations, making it harder for the Russians to target them. A Ukrainian F-16AM takes off with a full load of six AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Ukrainian Air Force Kyivs need for more MiG-29s, from whatever source, was underscored by the appearance of at least one former Azerbaijani example earlier this year. As you can read about here, this was likely one of three Azerbaijani MiG-29s that were undergoing repair in Ukraine and were left stranded there after the full-scale invasion began. Advertisement Advertisement Should the final 14 Polish MiG-29s be supplied to Ukraine, which would appear to be a formality, the last source of NATO-owned Fulcrums is Bulgaria, which operates around a dozen examples. A Bulgarian MiG-29 at Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria, on February 17, 2022. Photo by Hristo Rusev/Getty Images Hristo Rusev In the past, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense ruled out a transfer of the jets to Ukraine, stating that such a move would lead to a deficit of capabilities. Now that the Bulgarian Air Force has started to receive the 16 F-16C/D Block 70 fighters that it has ordered, that situation could change. .@LockheedMartins first F-16 Block 70 jet for Bulgaria has arrived. With upgraded radar, avionics and weapon systems, the Fighting Falcon will deliver upgraded airpower to the Bulgarian Air Force and strengthen global security for decades to come. https://t.co/MYP08pQvUd Lockheed Martin News (@LMNews) April 2, 2025 Returning to the Polish Air Force, once the last MiG-29s have gone, it will be left with a combat fleet spearheaded by 47 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters, which will be upgraded to the F-16V configuration, as you can read about here. A Polish Air Force MiG-29, in the foreground, and one of its Block 52+ F-16Cs, in the background. Polish Armed Forces These are bolstered by 12 South Korean-made FA-50GFs that were delivered to Poland between July and December 2023. Another 36 of the more advanced FA-50PL aircraft are also on order. The Polish Air Force presents MiG-29 and FA-50 aircraft during a military parade to celebrate Polish Army Day in Warsaw, on August 15, 2023. Photo by Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto Dominika Zarzycka Advertisement Advertisement Starting next year, the first operational Polish fifth-generation fighter squadron is due to be established, with 32 F-35As on order and training already underway in the United States. Polish F-35 Production Begins Whats next for Poland? First aircraft delivered in 2024 First F-35 arrives in Poland in 2026 Receives all 32 aircraft in 2030 F-35 Lightning II (@thef35) April 12, 2023 There is also the possibility that Poland might further increase its fighter inventory, adding another new type in the shape of the F-15EX, the latest version of the Eagle. Boeing made an announcement about its pitch to sell an unspecified number of F-15EXs to Poland in 2023, as we wrote about at the time. Exactly what kinds of drone and missile technologies might find their way from Ukraine to Poland is unclear. However, the Polish Air Force is currently on something of a drone push, introducing the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 uncrewed aerial system, as also used by Ukraine, and these will ultimately be joined by three MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, providing much expanded capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement As well as a wide variety of homegrown drones of different sizes and capabilities, including suicide drones and loitering munitions, Ukraines counter-drone expertise could be of particular interest to Poland, which has faced multiple Russian drone incursions. Ukrainian interceptor drones STRILA and BUREWIY. STRILA can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h and destroy Russian Geran UAVs. BUREWIY is designed to shoot down Russia's Zala, Orlan and SuperCam ISR drones. https://t.co/YhGpNNoIHo pic.twitter.com/Vfp1yaCdxM Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) June 24, 2025 Long-range cruise missile or even ballistic missile technologies could also be involved in the technology-transfer talks. Whatever the case, the military relationship between Warsaw and Kyiv looks set to deepen further, both on a strategic level and, more immediately, with the likely transfer of badly needed MiG-29s for the Ukrainian Air Force. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Poland will hand over its remaining MiG-29 combat jets to Ukraine in exchange for new missile and drone technology, according to the Polish general staff, which described the move as a "donation." The handover of the jets thought to number just under a dozen is "part of the policy of the alliance in support of Ukraine and to maintain security on NATO's eastern flank," the general staff said on Tuesday evening. Poland is replacing its Soviet-era MiGs with F-16s from the United States and South Korean FA-50s. Advertisement Advertisement Talks on Ukrainian missile and drone technology were ongoing, the general staff said, with the main aim "the acquisition and joint development of new defence and industrial competences." Poland sent 10 MiG-29s to Ukraine in 2023. The transfer of the remaining jets has been planned since then. Ukraine's air force now has several dozen MiG-29s, which make up the largest component of its aircraft. It is currently taking delivery of F-16s and French Mirages. A home invasion suspect who threatened two teenagers after breaking into a Pittsburgh home has been identified and charged. Jerry Chambers, 59, is facing multiple charges, including burglary, robbery, theft by extortion and aggravated assault. Jerry Chambers Police said that when Chambers broke into the home on Beechwood Boulevard in Squirrel Hill on Nov. 29, there were two teens, ages 14 and 15, inside the home in an upstairs bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement One of the teens told police that the suspect came into the room, took both of their phones and demanded they take him to the master bedroom. Once in there, he asked where the jewelry was located and started pulling out drawers in the closet. According to the criminal complaint, Chambers then took one of the teens student ID cards and threatened to kill them if they talked to police. The parents of one of the teens, who own the home, were able to provide police with Ring camera video, which showed Chambers using a crowbar to break into the side door of the home and leaving the residence 15 minutes later. Pittsburgh Police are seeking the publics assistance in identifying a home invasion suspect who threatened two teenagers. Police said that Chambers got away with $19,000 in cash, the student ID, a fake Rolex and an envelope containing metal brackets. Advertisement Advertisement Pittsburgh police said they reviewed hours of video footage from city cameras and observed Chambers before and after the burglary as a passenger in a white GMC pickup truck. On Nov. 28, a day before the home invasion, police said that video shows Chambers and two other men attempting to steal the registration plate from a Ford pickup truck but were unsuccessful and left. The video shows a GMC pickup truck and a Chrysler car pulling in behind the Ford truck. On Dec. 1, authorities chased a truck later believed to be the vehicle involved in the alleged attempted license plate theft. Court records explained that a group of masked men attempted to steal an ATM from the Sheetz location in Cheswick. It is unclear if Chambers is directly involved in the attempted ATM theft. Police later learned that the white truck believed to be involved belonged to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and had been scheduled to be returned on Dec. 2 at the companys Verona location. Advertisement Advertisement Officers eventually spotted the vehicle on Dec. 2 in Verona, conducted a traffic stop and arrested the driver, identified as Chambers. Court records show Chambers has since been released on a nonmonetary bond. Chambers was not charged with the Pittsburgh home invasion until after his Verona arrest. Authorities said that Chambers has an extensive criminal history involving theft and burglary offenses dating back decades. Pittsburgh police said Chambers is a suspect in multiple felony cases that they are investigating between the months of August and November of this year. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Note: The missing person was reported found on Dec. 10. This article has been updated to protect privacy. OZARK, Mo. Police are currently searching for a teenager who went missing on Saturday, Dec. 6. According to an Ozark Police Department social media post, the missing teen was last seen around South Oriole Court and East Daniels Street in Ozark on Dec. 6. Investigators say that she may be in the Springfield area, according to the post. Advertisement Advertisement If you know any information on the missing teens location, call 911 or call Ozark police at 417-581-6600. 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Binance has laid off one of its employees after confirming they used insider information to promote a newly launched memecoin on the platforms official X account. The exchange said its internal audit department launched an investigation on Dec. 7 after receiving a report that a Binance staff member had posted promotional material for an on-chain token through the @BinanceFutures account just seconds after the tokens issuance at 05:29 am UTC. These actions constitute abuse of their position for personal gain and violate our policies and code of professional conduct, Binance said. The company described the incident as a case of employee misconduct, confirming the staff member had been immediately suspended pending further disciplinary action. $100K bounty for whistleblowers The worlds largest cryptocurrency trading exchange stated that it has also contacted authorities in the employees jurisdiction and plans to pursue legal action in accordance with applicable laws. Binance emphasized its zero tolerance stance toward internal misconduct and pledged to strengthen oversight to prevent future breaches. As part of the investigation, Binance stated that it has verified multiple valid reports submitted through its official whistleblowing channel and will distribute a $100,000 reward equally among the five verified whistleblowers. The exchange also thanked users who shared information publicly on X but clarified that future reports should be sent directly to its official audit email to ensure privacy and eligibility for rewards. Together, we can uphold a transparent, healthy ecosystem and build a safer trading environment for all users, Binance said. More News: Binance's history with insider trading Binance revealed on Mar. 23 that it had suspended a member of its Wallet team over allegations of using insider information obtained from a previous role at BNB Chain to engage in front-running, which is the act of trading tokens before their public launch. A Powerball ticket sold in Western Washington missed the jackpot but still won big, according to lottery officials. The lucky ticket was purchased at a convenience store in Sedro-Woolley, a spokesperson for Washingtons Lottery told The Bellingham Herald. The winning ticket matched four white balls and the red Powerball in the Saturday, Dec. 6, drawing, winning $50,000 according to the national Powerball website. Advertisement Advertisement A Powerball ticket sold in Eastern Washington also matched four white balls and the Powerball in Saturdays drawing to net a $50,000 prize, lottery officials said. Where were winning Powerball tickets sold? One of the winning Powerball tickets was sold at Handy Mart, 500 State St in Sedro-Woolley, according to the Washingtons Lottery spokesperson. Sedro-Woolley is about a 30-minute drive from Bellingham. The other lucky ticket was purchased at a Safeway grocery store at 121 West Walnut St. in Newport, the spokesman said. What were winning Powerball numbers? The numbers in the Powerball drawing on Saturday, Dec. 6, were 13, 14, 26, 28, 44 with a red Powerball of 7. The double play numbers were 4, 17, 29, 55, 56 with a red Powerball of 3. Advertisement Advertisement No one took home the grand prize but one Powerball ticket worth $2 million was sold in New Jersey, the national Powerball website said, while tickets worth $1 million each were sold in Florida, Georgia and Texas. The odds of winning the Powerball grand prize are 1 in 292,201,338, according to the Powerball website. When is the next Powerball drawing? The next Powerball drawing is on Monday, Dec. 8, at 7:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Whats the Powerball jackpot now? As of Monday, Dec. 8, the Powerball jackpot was $875 million, with an estimated cash value of $403.6 million. What to know about Powerball Powerball tickets are sold in 45 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Advertisement Advertisement Players can choose their own numbers or have them randomly selected. The jackpot is won by matching all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball, according to the Powerball website, which noted that the Powerball jackpot grows until it is won. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation on Tuesday terminated senior management of its economic development corporation after a tribal subsidiary secured a $29.9 million federal contract to design potential U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The prime contract, awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to KPB Services LLC, supports early-phase planning, including research, technical assessments and concept designs for secure structures that meet ICE operating requirements. The award does not involve construction or the operation of detention centers, according to federal procurement documents. Please support our year-end campaign. CLICK HERE TO DONATE. Advertisement Advertisement Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. In a joint statement, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC acknowledged community concerns about the Homeland Security contract and the process that led to its approval. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Prairie Band LLC understand the concerns raised about a recently awarded Department of Homeland Security planning contract that involves feasibility studies and technical assessments, the statement said. As a sovereign Nation, our values guide the decisions we make, and we acknowledge that this contract does not align with those principles. The Tribal Council and the board of Prairie Band LLC said they terminated senior members of the LLCs leadership team responsible for securing the award. Advertisement Advertisement Moving forward, we are also taking a closer look at the internal review and approval process for federal contracts, the statement said, adding that new safeguards and reporting requirements will be implemented to prevent similar issues. We recognize the weight this news carries for so many, as well as the feelings of anger, confusion and disappointment it caused. We hear those concerns, the Nation said. As a Nation, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure all future engagements align clearly with our values and mission. KPB Services was registered in April by Prairie Band LLC Executive Vice President Ernest Woodward as part of the corporations broader strategy to enter federal procurement markets. The firm had positioned itself to pursue planning and technical support contracts across multiple agencies, though the specific ICE-related work drew immediate backlash from tribal citizens once details became public. The Prairie Band contract reflects a broader pattern of Native entities securing federal immigration work. Alaska Native Corporations have held hundreds of millions of dollars in ICE contracts over the past decade, including detention facility operations, guard services and border patrol support. Advertisement Advertisement NANA Regional Corporation, one of Alaska's largest Alaska Native Corporations, has faced criticism over its growing role in immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration. Other Alaska Native Corporations, including subsidiaries of Bering Straits Native Corporation and Ahtna Inc., have operated ICE detention facilities in Texas and California. Doyon Ltd. previously held Homeland Security contracts but exited that work about a decade ago. Prairie Band LLC, wholly owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, oversees businesses in construction, professional services and government contracting. The $29.9 million award is among the largest federal contracts received by a Prairie Band enterprise and reflects a growing tribal presence in sectors historically dominated by private firms. Tribal officials said revenue from federal contracts supports government programs, economic development and long-term financial growth for the Nation, but emphasized that future opportunities must advance not conflict with the Nations core values. Editor's Note: Levi Rickert is a tribal citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Brian Edwards provided additional reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that Doyon Ltd. exited contracts with Homeland Security about a decade ago. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Founder and executive director of Turning Point USA Charlie Kirk speaks at the opening of the Turning Point Action conference on July 15, 2023, in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) TOPEKA The Kansas Senates first piece of proposed legislation for 2026 seeks to honor Charlie Kirk. The Republican resolution proposes establishing Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day on Oct. 14, the late right-wing political activists birthday. Kirk was shot and killed in September while speaking at a Utah college campus. Advertisement Advertisement The Senates resolution is rooted in honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. It describes his legacy as an example of the importance of free speech, the First Amendment and civil debate. The resolution also condemns Kirks killing and extends condolences to his family. We encourage Kansans to celebrate each Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day by exercising their freedom of speech and engaging in civil discourse to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk, the legislation reads. It has the support of all 31 Republican Senators. And it is the only bill in the Senate that has been filed ahead of the 2026 legislative session, which begins in January. Three bills have been prefiled in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bill Rhiley, a Wellington Republican, proposed House Bill 2409, which would shift school start dates after Labor Day. House Bill 2410, proposed by Salina Republican Rep. Steven Howe, allows public library districts to withdraw from a regional library system by petitioning the state library board. House Bill 2411 proposes a remedy for teacher shortages that reduces the amount of time retired teachers must wait following their retirement before a school district can hire them for certain positions. Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger, a Turon Republican, put forth the bill. The Commonwealth has officially rested its case in the murder trial of Brian Walshe. Walshe is accused of murdering his wife Ana on New Years Eve 2022 into 2023, dismembering her remains, and throwing them in area dumpsters. The defense says Walshe, who has since plead guilty to misleading police and disposing of his wifes remains, found Ana dead in their bed and panicked, but did not kill her. In a major day of testimony, two friends of Ana took the stand for the prosecution including Alyssa Kirby and Gem Mutlu. Mutlu was the last person to see Ana alive at a New Years party at the Cohasset home of Brian and Ana. Advertisement Advertisement According to Mutlu, he had met Brian first before being introduced to Ana, and the three had all become close friends. She was an exceptional human being, Mutlu said. Mutlu testified on Wednesday that it was a festive party on the night of December 31, 2022, and Brian and Ana were getting along. However, he tried to tell the jury that days before he had a long conversation with Ana and sensed that the couple were having marital problems. Even though Ana signed a champagne bottle with best wishes for the New Year, he sensed there was more going on. You all signed the champagne bottle, right? Mutlu was asked. Advertisement Advertisement I cannot know what was going on in their hearts and minds, he said. He also told the jury that he had learned Ana disappeared when Brian called him and told him she left because of a work emergency, using the word incredulous to describe his immediate reaction. Mutlu then asked what kind of work emergency could happen on New Years Day and then asked Brian if the couple had a fight. His response was, I do remember this vividly as well, his response was No, did it look like we had an argument? You were there, he said. Mutlu was visibly emotional as he described Ana rushing up to hug him the last time he saw her. He said he saw the couples kids as his own. Advertisement Advertisement A tearful Alyssa Kirby told the jury on the stand that she remembered seeing her friend Ana for the last time on December 29. Their marriage had been strained for a long time, and she was, she told me how upset she was. How frustrated she was, and how she was at a breaking point. Kirby also testified that Ana had told Brian that she had a crush on William Fastow, the man who she was having a secret affair with. Man who was in a relationship with Ana Walshe testifies at Brian Walshes murder trial Under cross examination, Kirby said Ana had told her that Brian did not get jealous. When she told me that I was surprised, she told me they were open and he wasnt jealous, said Kirby. Advertisement Advertisement Walshes attorneys have contested that the couple were in good shape at the time of Anas disappearance. As the prosecution rested, the defense made a motion to throw out the whole case in its entirety on the basis that the Commonwealth did not prove its case. Judge Diane Freniere denied the motion and said the evidence the prosecution had provided was now in the hands of the jury. On Wednesday, jurors also saw more surveillance video of Brian at Home Depot with a cart full of supplies wearing a mask and gloves. Jury sees chilling video of Brian Walshe buying tools, cleaning supplies at Lowes, CVS, Stop & Shop Advertisement Advertisement Walshe paid $455 in cash. Brian Walshes team is expected to call their witnesses tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. 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 Hamilton County could get dedicated attorneys to review allegations of wrongful convictions. Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich requested three new full-time staff members in the county budget to create a "fully functioning" conviction integrity unit that will work with organizations such as the Ohio Innocence Project and Beyond Guilt. "This will help us advance justice, ensure fair sentencing, and strengthen public trust in our criminal justice process," Pillich said at a Dec. 9 commissioners' meeting. Conviction integrity unit first launched in 2024 The prosecutor's office technically already has a conviction integrity unit, launched in 2024 by former prosecutor Melissa Powers after four homicide cases were overturned in the previous two years. Advertisement Advertisement Around the same time, an Enquirer investigation found several cases that relied on informant testimony later fell apart. Enquirer investigation: Cincinnati homicide cases unravel after deals with informants Experts told The Enquirer the unit did not adhere to best practices since it was run by longtime, in-house assistant prosecutors evaluating cases that were prosecuted by former or current colleagues. Pillich stressed the need to bring in people from a different jurisdiction to avoid conflicts of interests. She said it would cost from $250,000-$280,0000 for three positions. Pillich: Prosecutors aren't 'perfect' "We all know that we're not perfect, and people have the right to have their case reviewed. I can only have a fully functioning conviction integrity unit if we provide the staffing for it," Pillich said. Advertisement Advertisement Hamilton County Commission President Denise Driehaus said at the meeting that she's heard from constituents about the conviction integrity unit and she knows it's a priority for some members of the community. "We have very little money available to us to sort through anything outside of the administrator's recommendation, but I want to say that we are looking at your office in particular," she said. Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com or @eringlynn on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County could get a 'functioning' conviction integrity unit In a stunning special election upset that extends losses by Republicans around the United States in 2024 elections, Democrat Eric Gisler flipped a Georgia state House seat that President Donald Trump carried by 12 points, winning by fewer than 200 votes in a race that LGBTQ+ advocates are calling a decisive rebuke of far-right politics in a rapidly shifting suburban district. Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter. The victory in House District 121, which spans parts of Barrow, Jackson, and Madison counties along the outer edge east of metro Atlanta and the Interstate 85 corridor, marks one of the most dramatic legislative reversals in Georgias recent political history. Just last year, an anti-LGBTQ+ Republican incumbent won the seat with 61 percent of the vote, the Associated Press reports. For Democrats, flipping it required an aggressive turnout operation and a candidate who framed equality not as a niche issue but as a core civic value. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Lesbian Georgia legislator, first LGBTQ+ person elected in the South, is still showing up 25 years later Gisler embraced that argument from the center of his campaign. The Human Rights Campaign treated the special election as a proving ground for its strategy that voters are increasingly rejecting far-right culture-war politics in favor of stability and fairness. The group endorsed Gisler and ran a targeted mobilization effort that included volunteer canvassing, text banks, and digital advocacy. An HRC spokesperson said those efforts reached roughly 1,000 members in the district and another 7,000 identified Equality Voters. HRCs well-timed support secured the votes we needed to win this election and flip this seat, Gisler said in a statement to The Advocate, adding that full equality for all under the law is a common sense value and Im proud to have the support of the LGBTQ+ community. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Muslim legislator running for governor says Georgia deserves leaders who reject scapegoating trans people Bentley Hudgins, HRCs Georgia state director, said voters sent an unmistakable message. By electing Eric Gisler to represent State House District 121, Georgia voters sent a strong, resounding message that far-right cruelty and chaos are not welcome in our home, Hudgins said in a statement to The Advocate. Our neighbors voted for full equality under the law, for health care, for fair pay, for affordable groceries, and for the preservation of our country. The flip carries added weight as state legislatures across the South continue to debate measures targeting LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender youth. Georgia has been a frequent battleground in those fights, making the outcome of this race a closely watched test of whether such policies still motivate voters or increasingly repel them. In Virginia, where Republicans leaned heavily on anti-trans ads during this years gubernatorial campaign, Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger proved that those attacks are not successful when candidates stay focused on issues that affect most Americans, such as affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Related: Inside the fight against Trump in red states: It 'isn't just about Pride. It's about power' Gisler is expected to be sworn in later this month, joining a Democratic caucus that remains in the minority but has steadily narrowed the GOPs margin through races like this one. For LGBTQ+ advocates, the result offers more than symbolic vindication. It is a data point they argue cannot be ignored: in a district that once favored Trump by double digits, equality messaging did not just survive it won. This article originally appeared on Advocate: Proud pro-LGBTQ+ Democrat flips Republican state House seat in Georgia electoral upset RELATED A social media influencer and hip-hop artist is facing felony rape charges for allegedly sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles earlier this year, the district attorney's office announced Tuesday. Clinton Adams, who goes by "Clintnlord" on social media, has been charged with three felony counts of forcible rape and one felony count of assault with the intent to commit rape. The 32-year-old from Northridge has 376,000 followers on Instagram and nearly 155,000 on TikTok. Advertisement Advertisement According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Adams allegedly sexually assaulted two women he lured to a vacant area that was impacted by the January wildfires. The assaults allegedly occurred during separate incidents this past summer. "These allegations describe predatory attacks carried out in an area still affected by the aftermath of the January wildfires," said L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman in a statement. "Taking advantage of a historic disaster and causing severe harm to two women is despicable. These women showed courage by coming forward to report their assaults. Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone who believes they were victimized or may be a witness is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department to make a report. Prosecutors from our Sex Crimes Division will pursue this case with every resource necessary to seek justice, protect the public and ensure the defendant is held fully accountable." Adams pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on November 21 and his preliminary hearing is set for January 21. He's being held on $1.475 million bail. Advertisement Advertisement If convicted as charged, Adams faces a possible sentence of 90 years to life in prison. Meantime, the LAPD is asking the public's help to identify any possible additional victims or witnesses. Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Lee at 213-473-0420. You can also submit an anonymous tip by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) visiting LAPDOnline.org. Washington County government will host a ribbon-cutting at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16 for the Halfway Boulevard Extension project. The extension is intended to improve regional connectivity and support commercial and industrial growth, according to a community announcement. The new roadway comprises 3,250 linear feet of a four-lane open-section road. It connects Maryland Route 63 (Greencastle Pike) to the existing Halfway Boulevard at Newgate Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement The segment provides an alternative route between Interstate 81 and Interstate 70, enhancing access for heavy truck traffic. It also aims to facilitate future development in a key growth corridor of Washington County. The project was funded through a partnership that included the Appalachian Regional Commission, Bowman Development Corp., and the Maryland Department of Transportations District 6. Other contributors were Hitachi Rail, AC&T Fulton Family and Washington County government. Construction was completed by William C. Hetzer Inc., which served as the project contractor. The extension is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on surrounding road networks by offering an additional route for both local and through traffic. This improvement is particularly significant for businesses in the area that rely on efficient transportation for goods and services. Advertisement Advertisement The ceremony will take place at 16650 Halfway Blvd. in Hagerstown. It will run from 2:30 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the county's Public Relations and Marketing Department at pr@washco-md.net. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@usatodayco.com with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Ribbon-cutting planned for Halfway Boulevard Extension project Julio Rojas speaks with reporters during a Nov. 5, 2025, video call from El Salvador. Rojas was arrested in August in Olathe, where he had lived for nine years, and deported three weeks later. (Kansas Reflector screen capture) TOPEKA A roving patrol of federal agents chased Julio Rojas through the Olathe streets in August and, after capturing him, put a knee on his neck while they wrapped him in chains. Like most of the people detained as part of the Trump administrations mass deportation blitz, Rojas had no criminal record. The federal agents had no warrant for his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement As the 25-year-old bounced from Kansas City to Oklahoma to Louisiana during 23 days in custody, Rojas never had the chance to talk to an attorney and never appeared before a judge. He was placed on a plane at 2 a.m. one morning and flown to El Salvador, where he remains. What has impacted me the most is being separated from my child, and to lose everything I had built in 10 years, he said through an interpreter during a video call with reporters last month. Rojas was in custody when his son turned 7. The boy remains here with his mother, who has permanent residency. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has dramatically escalated efforts to round up immigrants at President Donald Trumps behest, often with disregard for their civil rights. The Trump administrations fast-track deportation policies have been challenged at least 362 times in federal district courts, The Conversation reported. It has lost 350 of those cases before 160 different judges. The administration continues to defend the lack of due process in deportation proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Rojas traumatic experience is typical of ICE activity in the region, said Genevra Alberti, an immigration attorney in Kansas City, Missouri. She described roving patrols in unmarked vehicles, with agents who wont identify themselves or show ID, and who dont explain why they are taking someone into custody. Some agents, she said, clearly get enjoyment out of arresting, detaining noncitizens, even those who have no criminal history and have families, and those people are just having a ball. In a different time, the subjects of those arrests would have thought they were being kidnapped for real, by actual criminals, because of the way this has been done, Alberti said. However, because they know that this is going on now, they just assume its ICE, but they dont know that for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Another rat to the count Rojas grew up in El Salvador and said he came to the United States at age 16 as an asylum seeker, trying to get away from gangs. He arrived in the Kansas City area in April 2016 and said he struggled to find adequate legal representation. He missed a key hearing, and a deportation order was issued. But as he determined to work through a bewildering appeals process, he made a home in Olathe, started a family, and went to work for Verizon and AT&T, installing internet, he said. His life was upended one morning in early August when four trucks approached him in his vehicle at an auto parts store. He said they pursued him for about 10 minutes before they stopped him. Advertisement Advertisement He recalled an agent with a gun in his hand. He was repeating, Get the f*** on the ground. Like, all the time, just yelling at me, Rojas said. So all that I did was that I kneeled. I put my hands up. And in no moment I was resisting. He came by, and he hit me in the back. And then he put his knee on my neck. The agents put chains on his waist, feet and hands, he said. Thats when this officer started saying, Theres another rat to the count, Rojas said. He was one of 32,364 people booked by ICE in August 2025, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a data collection center at Syracuse University. The data shows more than 70% of ICE detainees have no criminal record. Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Rojas only interaction with the law was a traffic ticket in 2018 for driving without a license. He paid the $100 fine. At the beginning, the administration began to say the only people who would be deported are the people who have crimes in the United States, Rojas said. But in this moment, how immigrants rights are being violated, all of those people who have a deportation order, it doesnt matter what the reason is. After he was taken into custody, Rojas said he overheard a call from Olathe police. They wanted to know why federal agents were chasing somebody through their jurisdiction. The federal agents response, according to Rojas: Tell that bitch to not mind our business. Advertisement Advertisement Olathe police Sgt. John Moncayo said we dont know anything about what occurred with Rojas. It appears that Mr. Rojas story is embellished quite a bit, as we do not have any information to support his claims, Moncayo said. Moncayo didnt answer a Kansas Reflector question about the police departments relationship with ICE. Making this normal Alberti, the immigration attorney, said she has clients who were pulled over by federal agents for literally no reason other than how they looked. Then, she said, they are arrested and detained. Some are no longer here. Some are still in custody. None has a criminal history. Advertisement Advertisement She described ICE enforcement in the Kanas City area as being on steroids. I have never seen or heard of this many sort of roving patrols happening here in this area before, she said. And what I mean by that is just ICE themselves pulling people over while theyre driving for no reason. ICE has no authority to pull people over for traffic infractions or anything like that, so they are literally just pulling them over because they look foreign. So basically, a lot of these people are just being pulled over for driving while brown. She said it is easy to run when you dont know who is chasing you. Rojas described his arrest as the moment he was most afraid in his life. ICE officers arent allowed to arrest someone without a warrant, Alberti said, unless they have probable cause to believe the person is a flight risk. But if someone has a removal order, as Rojas did, no warrant is needed. Advertisement Advertisement One of the scary things is ICE is making it normal to not identify yourself, Alberti said. I mean, on top of everything else, theyre wearing masks. Their faces are covered. They look like paramilitaries or bank robbers, for Gods sakes, and theyre making this normal. She urged people to pay attention to what is happening with immigration enforcement. Even people whose hearts are in the right places are overwhelmed by bad news and have stopped listening, she said. I get that its necessary for mental health purposes, maybe, to take a break once in a while from listening to the news and just hearing nothing but bad things all the time, Alberti said. But right now is not the time to do that. Take a day off and then go back and listen to whats going on, because apathy is going to ruin this country. Very harsh here Rojas said he wore the same clothes for eight days straight at the ICE detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana. At times he went without a toothbrush or blanket. He had one minute one time to make a phone call. Advertisement Advertisement At no moment did they ever present me with an arrest warrant, did they ever let me see a judge. They never told me anything, he said. One night at 8 p.m., officials took him from his cell, held him somewhere else for a few hours, handcuffed and shackled him with chains, then put him on a plane bound for San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. There, local authorities held him for eight hours to investigate whether he had any outstanding arrest warrants. Then they took him to a place called the house of the immigrant, where he was given clothes and shampoo. He misses his son, and hopes to return to the United States someday, in the most legal way possible. In this moment, I have been two months without a job. And with the very, very different way that I was easily employed in Kansas City, it is very harsh here, Rojas said. Roches oral selective oestrogen receptor degrader (SERD) has reduced the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 30% in oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive early-stage breast cancer in a Phase III trial. In the lidERA Breast Cancer study (NCT04961996), Roche investigated giredestrant as an adjuvant endocrine treatment in patients with ER-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, early-stage breast cancer. In interim data, presented at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium taking place on 9-12 December in San Antonio, Texas, adjuvant giredestrant significantly reduced the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 30%, compared with standard of care (SoC) endocrine therapy. Advertisement Advertisement The invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit was consistent across all clinically relevant subgroups. After three years of treatment, 92.4% of patients who received giredestrant were alive and free of invasive disease, compared with 89.6% in the SoC cohort. Giredestrant also demonstrated a 31% risk reduction of distant recurrence-free interval, meeting another key secondary endpoint. Overall survival (OS) data were immature at the time of analysis, but Roche said that there is a clear positive trend in favour of the study drug. The drug was well tolerated, with adverse events being manageable and consistent with the known safety profile. Advertisement Advertisement Dr Aditya Bardia, director of the breast oncology program and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and principal investigator of the lidERA trial, said: After almost 25 years, giredestrant has demonstrated superiority over existing endocrine therapies in the curative setting, highlighting its potential as a new standard-of-care endocrine therapy for patients with breast cancer. This is not the first win for giredestrant in a Phase III trial. In September 2025, Roche subsidiary Genentech said that treatment with giredestrant led to a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) in the evERA trial (NCT05306340). Based on data from the evERA trial, Roche said it would discuss its options with regulators. If approved, Clinical Trials Arena's parent company GlobalData predicts that sales of giredestrant will reach $1.04bn in 2031. Advertisement Advertisement Eli Lilly has also seen success with its oral SERD, imlunestrant, which cut the risk of disease progression or death by 38%; however, only a subset of patients benefited. Globally, the burden of breast cancer continues to grow, with 2.3 million women diagnosed and 670,000 dying from the disease every year. Breast cancer remains the number one cause of cancer-related deaths amongst women, and the second most common cancer type. Approximately 70% to 80% of all breast cancers are ER-positive, with around a third of patients experiencing recurrence on or after adjuvant endocrine therapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer. "Roche posts second Phase III win for oral SERD" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: BNY will integrate Google Cloud's Gemini Enterprise platform into Eliza, its proprietary agentic AI platform, the two companies said Monday. The move will let BNY's employees build agents to automate data analysis use cases such as parsing financial reports and analyzing historical trends, helping them to extract insights more efficiently, according to the announcement. By integrating with Gemini Enterprise, we continue to advance the capabilities embedded into Eliza, deepening the platform's agentic research, integrating data sources more seamlessly and securely and elevating the user experience, said Sarthak Pattanaik, chief data and AI officer at BNY, in the announcement. The integration underscores our goal to create capacity for our people to embed deeper analysis and strategic insights, adding value in their everyday delivery for clients. Dive Insight: Financial services firms have been working to deploy AI across operations, funding research to accelerate the technology's maturity. BNY is among the companies aiming to widen employee access to the tools in search of more productivity. Across the company, our people are working together to embed AI solutions into our workflows, said President and CEO Robin Vince during a Q3 2025 earnings call in October. The company had 117 AI solutions in production by the end of the third quarter, up 75% from the prior quarter, according to Vince. Use cases include business lead searches, software development, payment processing and other repetitive tasks. "We are also leveraging agentic AI to deploy digital employees," said Vince. "Over 100 of them are already working side-by-side with our people on tasks such as payment validations and code repairs. We believe our AI opportunity is significant, and we are pursuing it with urgency." The enterprise push to deploy AI has run into several roadblocks. For example, fewer than half of companies have established governance policies and frameworks, according to a Collibra report. Employee training around governance and compliance also lags behind adoption ambitions, according to the report. Analyst firm Evident Insights, which tracks AI adoption efforts across 50 leading global banks, in October ranked BNY in the top 10 institutions when it comes to AI transparency. The category monitors how much banks invest in responsible AI use and how their governance frameworks have evolved. Russian film director Alexander Sokurov delivered unusually blunt criticism of government policies in the presence of President Vladimir Putin, according to a video and transcript of a meeting of Putin's Human Rights Council released by the Kremlin. Sokurov, whose 2011 film "Faust" won the top prize at the Venice Film Festival, criticized the treatment of dissenting voices branded as "foreign agents" and denounced censorship in film and literature. At the Tuesday meeting, the acclaimed director said authorities were imposing requirements on creative professionals in film and literature that prevented them from carrying out artistic projects. Advertisement Advertisement He added that people were often not told why they were being treated harshly or uncompromisingly. Sokurov also referred to his own experience, saying he had not been given an explanation for why one of his films was banned. "When I experienced these processes under Soviet rule, I was always told why my film would not be shown in the Soviet Union," said the director. He called for a sustained and calm dialogue between the state and the artistic community. "Every week, we watch with concern to see who will be labelled a foreign agent next," Sokurov said, criticizing the classifications as humiliating. Advertisement Advertisement According to the transcript, Putin responded by saying relations between the state and the arts had always been difficult. He denied that the "foreign agent" designation had serious consequences in Russia. "The most important thing for us is simply that you disclose your sources of funding," Putin said. Russian authorities routinely label opposition figures, critics and independent organizations as "foreign agents." The Justice Ministry is no longer required to prove that a person or organization has received foreign funding in order to apply the designation. The ranks of U.S. government statisticians have been gutted in the past year due to layoffs and buyouts. That along with diminished funding and attacks on their independence have put at risk the data used to make informed decisions about everything from the nations economy to its demographics, according to a new report from outside experts released Wednesday. One agency lost 95% of its staff, while others dropped by about quarter to more than a third, due to government downsizing this year during President Donald Trumps first months in office, according to the report released by the American Statistical Association. Besides veteran employees with deep institutional knowledge, some of the cuts hit new hires meant to infuse new blood into the agencies, said the annual report. Things are getting a lot worse, Nancy Potok, a former U.S. chief statistician during the first Trump administration who was on the team that produced the report, said Wednesday. Its kind of dropping off the cliff there and in a really dire situation. Advertisement Advertisement The administrations Office of Management and Budget, home to the U.S. chief statistician who coordinates the system of gathering data, didnt respond Wednesday morning to an e-mailed inquiry about the report. However, when asked last month about concerns that the statistical agencies were getting politicized, Mark Calabria, who was appointed in July as the U.S. chief statistician, said: Everything in government is embedded in politics and is embedded in accountability. So these kinds of debates about independence and accountability, theyre oranges and apples to some extent, Calabria said during a forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. What you have is wanting to make sure that the data gives you the right answer. In the first months of the second Trump administration, thousands of federal government workers were shown the door as part of efforts by the White House and its Department of Government Efficiency. The White House also offered a deferred resignation proposal in exchange for financial incentives, like months of paid leave, to almost all federal employees who opted to leave their jobs. It also moved to lay off probationary employees those generally on the job for less than a year and who have yet to gain civil service protection. Advertisement Advertisement The statistical system is still functioning, but the threats are very serious, said Beth Jarosz, vice president of the Association of Public Data Users, who was not involved in the report. There are staffing reductions, contracted services that have been reduced. Were seeing that showing up in the cancellation of data products, the reduction in data collection on things like consumer prices. The team behind the report noted that they had a sparsity of information about the detailed impacts of the cuts since the agencies wouldn't provide them perhaps out of caution or because they are not allowed to communicate with outside entities. The hardest hit agency was the National Center for Education Statistics, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, which lost 95% of its staff. The agency tracks educational trends with the goal of improving outcomes, and the staff losses halted most of its data collection earlier in the year, according to the report. Many outside contracts have since been restored but with a reduced scope, the report said. The Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics workforce in the Social Security Administration was almost halved. The cuts eliminated retirement and disability research, among other things, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement The Energy Information Administration, the Economic Research Service in the Department of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service each lost between 25% and 40% of their staff. The cuts have resulted in discontinued or delayed reports about the energy industry and the cancellation of a survey about farmworkers and some state-specific agricultural reports. The nations largest statistical agency, the U.S. Census Bureau, lost at least 15% of its staff this year, according to the report. Besides the staff cuts, some barriers to the statistical agencies political independence were removed this year. The Trump administration made unsubstantiated claims of biased data; removed the heads of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Center for Education Statistics; failed to fill key leadership vacancies; and named political appointees who hold other jobs to fill in leadership positions that had been held by career civil servants, according to the report. These actions undermine public trust in federal statistics, the report said. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social Senate Democrats on the chamber's Armed Services Committee called the Pentagon's investigation into Senator Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, "an outright, brazen abuse of power" in a letter sent to Secretary of the Navy John Phelan on Dec. 9. "We believe this 'review' along with the Department of Defenses social media post announcing a 'thorough review' of Senator Kellys actions ... amount to a purely political exercise seeking to threaten legitimate and lawful actions by a duly elected Senator, and politicize our military justice system," according to the letter provided to USA TODAY. The Pentagon announced on Nov. 24 that it was investigating Kelly for "serious allegations of misconduct." The announcement came after Kelly joined five other Democratic lawmakers who released a video on Nov. 18 telling service members they have the right not to obey orders they believe are illegal. Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., answers questions during a town hall in Scottsdale on Medicaid cuts March 17, 2025. The letter notes that while military retirees generally remain subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, it calls a potential disciplinary action for "restating the law as articulated in the UCMJ" an " incredibly dangerous precedent." Advertisement Advertisement A Nov. 25 memo posted by the Department of Defense, under the moniker of the Department of War, states that Phelan is to brief Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the investigation "no later" than Dec. 10. USA TODAY reached out to Phelan's office for a response and did not receive an immediate response. A representative for the Republicans on the committee also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Senate Democrats attack impartiality of Kelly investigation The letter points to social media posts and public comments made by President Donald Trump and Hegseth to call the investigation "baseless and patently political." "While the Departments official statement suggests that the 'review' will be conducted 'ensuring due process and impartiality,' the President and his subordinates have made fair proceedings impossible," the letter reads. Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump accused the lawmakers in the video of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" in a Nov. 20 post to Truth Social but later claimed that he wasn't "threatening death" on them in a Nov. 21 interview on Fox News Radio. The letter is signed by 12 of the 13 Democrats on the committee, with Kelly being the lone member of the minority who didn't sign. USA TODAY reached out to Kelly for comment and did not receive an immediate response. 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. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting of his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump's notes as he attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks alongside President Donald Trump during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. The misspelled name card for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is seen during a meeting of Trumps' Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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. President Donald Trump speaks alongside (L-R) U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy during a meeting of his Cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Dec. 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Also pictured, from left, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary for Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (C) speaks during a Cabinet Meeting held by President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. (L-R) Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and secretary of Interior Doug Burgum look on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (2nd-R) looks on as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks, during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump (L) during a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Dec. 2, 2025. Trump holds December Cabinet meeting as Hegseth faces scrutiny 1 of 13 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. Kelly predicts Hegseth will 'take a hike' on investigation Kelly has taken a defiant stance following the announcement of the investigation. He scoffed at the possibility of facing a court-martial stemming from the investigation as he ridiculed President Donald Trump and Hegseth as unserious people during a Dec. 5 town hall event in Tucson. Advertisement Advertisement The former Navy combat pilot told the 200 people on hand that he expects Hegseth is just going to take a hike" on a court-martial. "Its certainly unconstitutional," Kelly said. "Theyre not serious people and Im not backing down." Kelly accused Trump of attempting to silence critical voices in the military and the country at a Dec. 1 press conference on Capitol Hill. They're trying to send a message to retired service members, to government employees, to members of the military, to elected officials, and to all Americans who are thinking about speaking up, you better keep your mouth shut, or else, Kelly said. Advertisement Advertisement Legal and military experts previously told USA TODAY that a case against Kelly faces major hurdles and would likely be "dead on arrival" in military courts. Contributing: Joey Garrison USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Senate Armed Services Dems call Kelly investigation 'abuse of power' U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, answers questions during a Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce event on Aug. 28, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, has requested an investigation into U.S. Postal Service delivery delays in South Dakota. Rounds asked Inspector General of the U.S. Postal Service Tammy Hull to find the root cause of mail problems in the state and consider the need for a regional processing facility in South Dakota, according to a news release Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Newspaper officials told South Dakota Searchlight in May that it took over a week for some publications to travel less than 100 miles away, and others reported lost deliveries. Rounds said the postmaster general told him earlier this year that processing facility issues in Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City caused mail delays in South Dakota, yet according to Rounds, none of those facilities handle South Dakotas intrastate mail. I believe these issues are caused by the flawed design of the USPS network, Rounds wrote in a letter to the Postal Service, which all but guarantees that mail traveling across or to South Dakota must travel in a circuitous manner through locations around and outside of the state. In a September article from the Tri-State Livestock News, the companys distribution manager Amy Oster said most newspapers being delivered to South Dakotans are sorted to Denver or Omaha. The Denver facility isnt equipped or updated to handle the additional mail supply, Oster said. The newspaper invested in private drop-offs in some South Dakota zip codes for faster service. Advertisement Advertisement The bulk of eastern South Dakotas outgoing mail distributions were outsourced to Fargo and Omaha, the Dakota Scout reported in 2024. Rounds added in the letter that, in addition to newspaper subscriptions, the delays are affecting mailed medicine. Rounds, along with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson, advocated against downsizing or reorganization of USPS processing in South Dakota last year, leading to the Postal Service pausing a controversial plan to downgrade the Huron processing center. Rounds introduced legislation to protect rural mail processing facilities and is carrying legislation to better inform constituents of proposed changes in service. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Author Vanessa Batters-Thompson, executive director of DC Appleseed is pictured with (left) Beth Halpern, chair of the DC Appleseed Board and (center) Brian Schwalb, attorney general for the District of Columbia. (Photo courtesy of DC Appleseed by Krista Boccio of rebelwithaview.com) South Carolina has doubled down and sent additional National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. as part of a second wave of federal deployment. We urge South Carolinians to ask what this effort is really accomplishing and at what cost. Deploying the National Guard may play well in headlines, but it doesnt build safer neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement In Washington, D.C., weve lived through the first phase of this federal surge. What we saw was a dramatic spike in low-level arrests and swarms of federal agents in public spaces, all under the banner of a so-called crime emergency. What followed was increased burdens on young people, overwhelmed courts, the cancellation of vital community activities and, most troubling of all, polling that showed the majority of residents felt less safe than before. Deploying the military is not a sustainable strategy for public safety. The presence of a badge or a uniform alone doesnt guarantee justice, and we can use federal tax dollars more effectively. Advertisement Advertisement When Congress slashes funding for violence interruption, youth programs, housing, and mental health services and then turns around and floods the streets with militarized agents, theyre not offering a solution. Theyre creating a short-term spectacle that ignores long-term needs. This year, major cities across the country saw encouraging reductions in violent crime. That happened because of years of investment in prevention, community-based support, and early intervention strategies. In Washington, weve seen the evidence: hospital-based violence intervention programs, youth engagement, behavioral health resources, and mentorship initiatives work. They create real, measurable safety by keeping people connected and supported. We are not naive. We know public safety is a serious concern for many communities, including in South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement But sustainable safety cannot be imposed from the outside in. It must be built from the ground up in close partnership with residents, local officials, and community organizations who understand whats happening on the ground. Thats why its so alarming to see this deployment move forward with no local consultation and no clear strategy. Policymakers should stop ignoring the data and start funding what works. Militarized solutions may be good for soundbites, but they do nothing to address the root causes of violence. Our community deserves more than posturing. Washington residents deserve the right to govern ourselves, including determining how best to achieve long-term safety. Washingtons voters overwhelmingly support public safety solutions built on trust and meaningful investment. Sending more National Guard to Washington might make headlines, but it wont make us safer. Pete Serrano is sworn in as interim U.S. Attorney for Eastern Washington on Aug. 11, 2025. The appointment was 120 days. (Photo courtesy of Pete Serrano, via X) Pete Serranos time as a federal prosecutor in eastern Washington ended Tuesday. His tenure with the U.S. Department of Justice may not be over. Tuesday marked Serranos final day as interim United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. He was appointed on Aug. 6 and sworn in five days later. He could serve up to 120 days while awaiting confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement But President Donald Trump never nominated Serrano, a Republican and 2024 candidate for state attorney general. Even had Trump done so, Serrano knew success was a long shot. Thats because Patty Murray, Washingtons senior Democratic senator, opposed his selection and declared in August that she would use a Senate maneuver known as the blue slip process to prevent the Pasco lawyer from getting confirmed to the federal post. Yet Serrano could soon be back in the job temporarily. Judges in the Eastern District can act to reappoint him as the U.S. attorney until the position is filled. There would be no time limit on his service. Advertisement Advertisement Or, the judges could appoint someone else. Theyll need to file a notice with the court clerk of any decision. Another possibility is the Trump administration finds Serrano a different federal position that does not require Senate confirmation. Serrano did not respond to multiple requests for comment this week. In the past, he pointed to the experience of Alina Habba, the presidents ill-fated choice to be New Jerseys top federal prosecutor, as a parallel to what might lie ahead. Habba was appointed in March, but New Jerseys two Democratic U.S. senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, declined to submit a blue slip supporting her confirmation. When her 120 days ran out, the U.S. District Court in New Jersey appointed a replacement rather than retain her. Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Habba, a former personal attorney for the president, has been engaged in an unsuccessful legal battle to remain in the job. She resigned Monday a week after a federal appeals court ruled against her. But that same day, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi hired her as a senior adviser. Serrano moved to Pasco in 2015 with his family. He worked as an environmental lawyer for the U.S. Department of Energy and at Energy Northwest before founding the conservative nonprofit Silent Majority Foundation, which has unsuccessfully challenged the states gun restrictions and COVID mandates. Serrano was elected to the Pasco City Council in 2017 and re-elected in 2021. He was running unopposed for re-election at the time of the appointment. He resigned from the city position in August. Because it was too late to have his name removed from ballots, he won and, if he chooses to be sworn in again, will be able to take part in the councils Jan. 5 meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Serranos exit, even briefly, represents the latest command change for the U.S. attorneys office in eastern Washington. He is the third person to hold down the job this year. Serrano took over for acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Van Marter, who assumed the position in July following the resignation of Richard Barker as the acting federal prosecutor. There are 93 U.S. attorneys nationwide. They prosecute federal criminal cases and work on civil litigation involving the federal government. Serrano supervised a staff of approximately 79 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel, according to the Department of Justice. The people were under constant observation while inside Gaza, the IDF assured. The suspects were then handed over to the Israel Police for processing. Several people crossed the border towards the Gaza Strip on Wednesday and were returned to Israel by IDF troops, the army said in a statement. The people were under constant observation while inside Gaza, the IDF said. "Troops present in the area were dispatched to the scene and returned them to Israel territory. The civilians were transferred to the Israel Police for further processing." Advertisement Advertisement The IDF also emphasized that "any entrance to combat zones is forbidden, endangers the civilians, and disturbs IDF operations in the area." Two terrorists killed while crossing Yellow Line In a separate event on Wednesday, the IDF killed two terrorists who were attempting to cross the Yellow Line border, which divides Gaza into Israeli and Palestinian-controlled areas. A yellow mark indicates the Yellow Line under the ceasefire deal, in Gaza City, November 2, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ebrahim Hajjaj) "The terrorists crossed the Yellow Line and approached the troops, posing an immediate threat to them," the military said. "Following the identification, the troops eliminated one of the terrorists in order to remove the threat," the statement added. NEED TO KNOW Toyah Cordingley vanished after walking her dog at Wangetti Beach in October 2018 She was found half-buried in sand dunes with a slashed throat and at least 26 stab wounds Rajwinder Singh fled to India the following day and was extradited years later on Monday, he was found guilty in her killing A former nurse who fled to India after 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley was found fatally stabbed and half-buried on a Queensland, Australia beach has been sentenced to life in prison seven years after the brutal killing. Rajwinder Singh, 41, was convicted Monday, Dec. 8, in the Supreme Court in Cairns at the end of a four-week retrial about eight months after a previous jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the BBC and The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Jurors deliberated for roughly seven hours before returning a unanimous decision, per the outlets. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, Justice Lincoln Crowley sentenced Singh to life in prison and set a 25-year non-parole period, per the ABC. Cordingley disappeared on Oct. 21, 2018, after driving to Wangetti Beach to walk her dog, PEOPLE previously reported. When she didnt return home that night, her family searched for her. Her father found her body the next morning half-buried in sand dunes, while the dog was located alive and tied tightly to a tree nearby. Her body was discovered with a slashed throat and at least 26 stab wounds, the court heard, per the ABC and BBC. She had been left in a shallow and sandy grave. Advertisement Advertisement Cordingleys killing rattled Far North Queensland. Hundreds marched against violence toward women, bumper stickers bearing her name appeared on cars and residents called for justice, the outlets reported. Outside court Monday, Cordingleys mother, Vanessa Gardiner, called the guilty verdict a long awaited day for us as a family, but not one to celebrate, the ABC reported. Today is a big piece of this journey that needed an ending and most of all, justice for our Toyah, she said, describing her daughter as a lovable, innocent, full of life young woman. We are different people now because of this tragedy, Gardiner added, per the outlet. We will always wonder what couldve been if her life was not cut so short. She said the family would never forgive Singh and noted there were multiple victims, including Toyahs partner and Singhs wife and children, who she said were collateral damage from this mans actions, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Inside the courtroom, Cordingleys father could be heard saying rot in hell, you bastard after the verdict was read, per the outlet, before he later thanked jurors, prosecutors and investigators for their work in the case. Todays verdict has delivered a form of justice but for us there can never be true justice because we live in a world without Toyah, he said. And the world will always be poorer for it. Queensland Police Queensland Police Inspector Sonia Smith said Cordingleys murder left a deep scar in the community and called the case one of the largest and most complex in Far North history, the ABC added. She said detectives made significant sacrifices to ensure no stone was left unturned. Singh, who is originally from Indias Punjab state, had been living in Innisfail at the time of the killing, PEOPLE previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators identified him as a person of interest when they realized the movements of his blue Alfa Romeo matched those of Cordingleys phone as it traveled away from the beach, per the ABC. During sentencing, Justice Crowley addressed the question of motive, saying it remained unknown but characterizing the murder as an opportunistic killing, the outlet reported. He said an obvious explanation for Singhs shocking and sickening act of violence was that Cordingley had stumbled upon him engaged in some type of disgraceful, embarrassing activity of a sexual and perverted nature at the secluded beach, prompting a confrontation. Singhs decision to take Cordingleys phone, Crowley said, raised the possibility that she may have recorded him or intended to report what she saw, per the ABC. Advertisement Advertisement The judge also called Singh a selfish and heartless individual who took flight like a gutless coward, saying he left Australia without even saying goodbye to his wife or children. The morning after Cordingley was killed, Singh booked a one-way flight to New Delhi and told a travel agent his grandfather was very sick before leaving his family behind, according to the ABC. His wife and three young children who depended on him financially did not hear from him for more than four years and ultimately lost their home, the outlet reported. Crowley said Singhs years in India prolonged the anguish of Cordingleys family and showed he had taken no responsibility for the crime. Prosecutors said DNA recovered from a stick at the scene was 3.8 billion times more likely to have come from Singh than from a random member of the public, and argued that the evidence pointed to him and eliminated others, the BBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement In late 2022, Queensland police offered a record $1 million reward for information leading to Singhs arrest, per the ABC and The Guardian. Weeks later, he was located at a Sikh Gurdwara in New Delhi. Singh did not contest extradition and returned to Australia in early 2023, the ABC reported. He was charged that March, The Guardian reported, and his first trial earlier this year ended in a hung jury, as previously detailed by PEOPLE. Before his extradition, Singh told the Australian Associated Press (AAP), I did not kill the woman, and said he wanted to reveal all the details in an Australian court, per The Guardian. A jury ultimately rejected that claim in his retrial. Read the original article on People Police said one person was killed and another injured in a shooting on Kentucky State Universitys campus Tuesday. One student who was shot at the residence hall, Whitney M. Young Jr. Hall, is in critical condition but is stable, according to the university. Officers responded to Kentucky State University around 3:35 p.m. local time for an active aggressor. The school is not immediately releasing the names of the students. Advertisement Advertisement We are in close contact with the families and are providing every available support to them, the school said in a statement, adding that counseling and support services are available. Gov. Andy Beshear said in a video message posted on the social media site X that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat. Violence has no place in our commonwealth or country. Lets please pray for the families affected and for our KSU students. Lets also pray for a world where these things dont happen, he said. Kentucky State is a public historically Black university with about 2,200 students. Lawmakers authorized the schools creation in 1886. Advertisement Advertisement The school sits about 2 miles east of the Capitol building. The Associated Press contributed to the report. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] "These discussions put the mining sector at the centre of political debates and resulted in new legislation, including a law that set standards for tailings dams," Minas Gerais Congressman Ze Silva tells Mining Technology. After these incidents, Brazil Congress conducted a significant investigation into the country's mining sector, which resulted in an extensive list of proposals to improve safety and reduce the environmental impact of mining in Brazil. In addition to the human toll, the incident which contaminated the Doce River and cut off water supplies to multiple cities is considered to be one of the largest environmental disasters in Brazilian history. Less than five years later, in 2019, one of Vales tailings dams at the Brazilian mining giants Feijao mine in Brumadinho collapsed, killing 272 people, making it the deadliest mining disaster Brazil has witnessed. Amid these rising global concerns, Brazil is striving to position itself as a leader in sustainable mining practices. This move comes after Brazil's mining sector was thrust onto the global stage following two mining disasters in the past decade: in 2015, the Fundao tailings dam at Samarco's iron ore mine near the city of Mariana ruptured, killing 19 people. Addressing concerns about how these resources are produced, and avoiding the pitfalls of critical minerals production in other regions amid concerns about water contamination, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions, has emerged as a key theme for business and lawmakers in Brazil. With these resources, Brazil is uniquely positioned to become a strategic supplier of minerals for the global energy transition. Lawmakers are working to improve the business environment in an effort to help companies take advantage of rising global demand for the products but also to help Brazil to move up the value chain and start sustainably processing critical minerals locally. Brazil has emerged as an important supplier of critical minerals, holding roughly 94% of the worlds niobium reserves, 22% of global graphite reserves, 16% of nickel reserves and 17% of rare earth elements. Lithium, the cornerstone of modern batteries, is also abundant in Brazil, and companies are scaling up production. Brazil stands at the forefront of the global energy transition thanks to its vast reserves of critical minerals. These resources have fast become the focus of geopolitical debates in recent years, as countries seek to guarantee supplies of minerals that are essential for clean technologies such as electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Story Continues This inspired members of Brazil's legislature to form the Sustainable Mining Caucus, which aims to help develop long-term, strategic planning for the sector. Congressman Silva has been spearheading debates over the creation of the National Critical Minerals Policy, which Congress is currently debating. Silva, who authored the bill, tells Mining Technology that the new plan aims to help position Brazil as a leader in sustainable critical minerals production and to demonstrate the country's potential to be a reliable partner in the global effort to guarantee supplies of these minerals. The proposal aims to define clear objectives and measurable indicators for Brazils critical minerals sector, enhancing transparency in data reporting and bolstering support for extraction and processing activities. It seeks to consolidate existing environmental licensing mechanisms to facilitate approvals and ensure alignment with sustainability and strategic priorities. The framework consists of three primary pillars. The first pillar, taxonomy, classifies critical and strategic minerals, identifies those essential to the energy transition, and incorporates concepts such as urban mining and junior mining enterprises. The second pillar, governance, establishes the Critical and Strategic Minerals Committee, which will formulate policy guidelines, prioritise projects, assist with environmental licensing, promote international collaboration, expand workforce training and improve geological mapping. The third pillar introduces financial and incentive tools for the sector. These include a Mineral Activity Guarantee Fund, organised as a private fund to provide credit risk coverage; a Federal Programme for Minerals Essential to the Energy Transition, which will allocate resources to mineral processing and urban mining; and a range of fiscal and regulatory incentives, from tax exemptions for technology usage to the integration of mining activities in infrastructure development frameworks, complemented by requirements for companies to invest in research and innovation. In parallel, Brazils Ministry of Development, Industry, Foreign Trade and Services has prepared a new map of opportunities to highlight the countrys potential in critical minerals. The initiative aims to guide investment, policy and international partnerships, ensuring that Brazil leverages its mineral wealth strategically while aligning with sustainability goals. It also emphasises the importance of adding value domestically, encouraging mineral processing and transformation rather than relying solely on raw exports. The ministry aims to position Brazil as a reliable supplier that avoids the environmental and social pitfalls seen in neighbouring mining countries such as Colombia, Peru and Venezuela. The private sector is also taking a leading role in assisting in shaping policy, in an effort to help speed up the sustainable development of the sector. In November, a group of companies in the sector, including PLS, Centaurus and Viridis, announced they were uniting to form Brazils Critical Minerals Association. Brazil has fantastic geological potential and skilled labour, but there are still challenges for the country to become a major global player in critical mining, Marisa Cesar, chairman of the association and director of corporate affairs and sustainability at mining company PLS, tells Mining Technology. She adds that the association was created to bring together companies working with minerals essential to the energy transition and to establish Brazil as a global reference, with innovation, socio-environmental responsibility and a stable regulatory environment. Lithium producers take the lead While politicians in Brasilia debate the next steps, companies are already investing in sustainability. One of the most notable examples is Sigma Lithium, a company operating in Minas Gerais. Sigma has pioneered a Quintuple Zero approach producing lithium without tailings dams, harmful chemicals, carbon emissions, fossil fuels or significant water consumption. Sigma is one of several companies eyeing the critical minerals potential of the Jequitinhonha Valley region of Minas Gerais state for their projects. The valley, referred to as the country's 'Lithium Valley', has set the standard for sustainable production in Brazil. Sigma's Grota do Cirilo project operates with 100% renewable hydropower, recycles 90% of its water and uses dry processing with gravity separation, avoiding tailings dams entirely. The company commissioned the plant in 2023, the same year it entered commercial operation. It has a mining and processing capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of lithium ore per year. Sigma is on track to produce 270,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate this year, with output set to double next year. Similarly, Australia's PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals) is also investing in sustainable lithium mining in the Jequitinhonha region, after acquiring mining company Latin Resources earlier this year. PLS has invested heavily in the local community, part of the companys Social and Environmental Development Plan. The plan includes a broad range of projects including the donation of medical equipment, support for the construction of a new landfill, investments in childcare as well as the creation of professional training courses. It is impossible to establish a mining project without engaging all stakeholders the community, the municipality, the federal and state governments, and non-governmental organisations," Cesar says. "To work effectively and ensure compliance, everyone must be involved." "Brazil eyes sustainable critical minerals potential" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. A shooting that left a man and a teenager dead on Tuesday in Germantown appears to be connected to a robbery that happened during the sale of a Rolex watch, Philadelphia police say. The shooting happened around 5:11 p.m. in the 500 block of West Queen Lane. Investigators say one of the victims, 30-year-old Tyree Ware, had recently advertised the Rolex for sale online. Police say Ware had driven to the location to meet 16-year-old Qua'Neef Lee and an unidentified male. Advertisement Advertisement There was also an unidentified man with Ware who was reportedly seen entering a nearby store while the transaction occurred. While in the car, an altercation erupts as police believe Lee and the man attempted to rob Ware of the watch. Qua'Neef Lee At some point after that, a shootout erupted, and police say three guns were used to fire 11 shots near Ware's car. Surveillance video from a nearby store captured part of the incident. The video shows Ware falling to the ground near his Nissan Maxima. A man then approached Ware and shot him twice in the chest as he lay in the street. Police said 16-year-old Qua'Neef Lee was also shot in the chest during the incident and found near the rear of the car. Advertisement Advertisement Both males were taken to the hospital, where they died. "He didn't hurt nobody. I just don't know what to say, I'm so lost," a relative of Lee, who asked to remain anonymous, told Action News. She said Lee would have turned 17 next week. "To all the young folks, put the guns down. Put them down. It's not necessary. Nobody can do something to you that bad that you have to kill them." Cornelio Mezquita, who owns the Queen La Mini Mart across the street, said he was devastated to learn Lee was one of the victims. "I've been here for 21 years. That boy feel like he's family," Mezquita said. "I find out around 8:30 when I get out the store. I receive a phone call from his grandma, and it destroyed my heart." Advertisement Advertisement Police recovered a 9mm handgun from the roadway next to Ware. Police say he had a permit to carry. A search is still ongoing for the two other weapons. Police are also looking for the man who was part of the attempted robbery, and also the man who arrived with Ware. Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. Snow and freezing weather with temperatures in the single digits will return to Central Indiana this week. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service warn Hoosiers can expect breezy conditions Sunday morning, Dec. 14, to push wind chills below zero. As temperatures plummet into the weekend, strong gusts and rain will give way to a dusting of snow. Wind chills, said forecasters on social media, could drop down to -15 degrees by Sunday. Those conditions precipitation and cold temperatures often combine to create sleet or freezing rain. Here's how to tell the difference. Sleet weather or freezing rain? What's the difference? While sleet and freezing rain start off as snowflakes, the difference between the two comes down to how much they melt and where it happens in the air or on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Sleet, according to NWS, is when falling snowflakes partially melt as they pass through a shallow layer of warm air. These slushy drops will freeze again after passing through a much deeper layer of colder air. The frozen raindrops can bounce as they hit the ground and sometimes accumulate like snow. What is freezing rain? Why is it dangerous? Freezing rain, on the other hand, is what happens when snowflakes hit a layer of warm air and melt completely. They don't have enough time to refreeze until they hit the ground, which can create dangerous travel conditions. Freezing rain is "supercooled," say meteorologists, and will instantly refreeze when it touches anything on the ground that's at or below 32 degrees. Freezing rain can lead to a glaze of ice on roads and sidewalks. Even light accumulations of freezing rain can be dangerous, says NWS, by causing vehicles to slip on roadways. Heavier amounts of freezing rain can damage trees and powerlines. Vehicles move south on Michigan Rd. in Zionsville, Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 on the first snowy day of this season. Could Central Indiana see freezing rain this week? Yes, here's when Central Indiana has a chance for freezing rain Monday night, Dec. 15, according to NWS. The high is expected to be around 26 with a low near 18 degrees. The chance for precipitation is 20%. Advertisement Advertisement Here's a more detailed look at the forecast. Central Indiana weather forecast, per NWS Wednesday: Rain showers before 1 p.m., then rain and snow showers likely. Temperature falling to around 34 by 5 p.m. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Mostly cloudy with snow showers possible and a low around 23. Thursday: Scattered flurries before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30 and a low around 25. Friday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33 and a low around 16. Saturday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 22 and low near 1. Advertisement Advertisement Sunday: Sunny and cold, with a high near 12 and a low around 1. Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26 and a low around 18. Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 36. Live weather radar for Central Indiana John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Cold weather returns to Indiana. What is 'sleet weather?' The state of Wisconsin has fined one retailer almost $13 million and other $450,000 for violating a law restricting vape sales that took effect in September and is being challenged in appeals court. Exclusive Tobacco, a four-store chain with a location in Oshkosh, was fined twice in October for selling products not on the state's approved list, which allows select brands like Juul, Blu, Vuse and Crossbar. The state Department of Revenue received complaints that the Oshkosh store was selling unlawful products. The DOR inspected Exclusive Tobacco and found it was selling vapes and tobacco products with an expired municipal license. Advertisement Advertisement The DOR then seized all products, including 1,244 illegal vapes. The new law imposes a $1,000 daily fine for each device not on the state's directory, totaling $1,244,000. A copy of the fine reviewed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel showed the fine was multiplied by 10 for the 10 days that passed between a warning and the time DOR returned to seize products, totaling more than $12.4 million that Exclusive Tobacco now owes the state. The DOR then received another complaint that the Oshkosh store continued selling illegal vapes, leading to a second inspection and a fine of $431,000. Exclusive Tobacco is appealing both fines, DOR spokeswoman Jennifer Bacon told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement The DOR issued a $450,000 fine to a second retailer, Dave'z Smoke N Vape LLC in Green Bay, also found to be selling without a municipal license. Neither store responded to interview requests. The DOR also gave 42 orders to remove illegal products to other stores and conducted 27 seizures, two of which involved retailers selling without a municipal license. In the initial weeks after the law went into effect Sept. 1, the DOR didn't issue fines or seize illegal products, to give retailers time to comply. Now, Bacon said, the department is following enforcement procedures established in the 2023 law. More: Vape sale restrictions in Wisconsin date to a 2023 law. Here's what to know about it. Advertisement Advertisement Bacon said the expired licenses didn't affect the fine amounts, but rather triggered the removal of all cigarettes, tobacco and vapes. Instead, the fines were based on the retailers selling vapes that aren't among the 303 products the state allows. Appeals case pending, while vape stores must adapt or close Most vape stores have adapted by clearing now-illegal products from their inventory and counting on other sales to make up for the loss. But they're still holding out hope for a court ruling that could strike down the law and bring more products back to their shelves. In September, U.S. District Court Judge William Conley denied a request to block the law. The industry plaintiff, Wisconsinites for Alternatives to Smoking and Tobacco, appealed that decision. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago is scheduled to hear oral arguments Dec. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Tyler Hall, the president of WiscoFAST and Johnny Vapes, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a ruling is expected in late January. Similar lawsuits have led to mixed outcomes: A federal court blocked Iowa's vape directory law in May, while Utah's was upheld in March. Hall and other vape store owners argue big tobacco companies lobbied for the law to push competitors out of the market. Wisconsin lobbying records show that happened in 2023, and experts have seen the same trend play out in other states. Public health advocates also question if the approach is effective because the law removed some products from the shelves but left others accessible, including to teens. Advertisement Advertisement State officials have defended the law as a "measured approach" to respond to the rapidly growing industry while balancing public safety. Xtreme Vape, formerly at 2242 Neva Road in Antigo, closed because of the new vape law, owner George Packard says. A "space for rent" sign is displayed at the premises on Oct. 11. Milwaukee-area smoke shop owners and employees interviewed in October said the bulk of their sales are in hemp-based products, so the vape law had a limited impact on their business. Still, they worried that upcoming state regulations and a sudden federal law change will soon ban those products, too. More: How Milwaukee smoke shops are handling Wisconsin's new vape law as confusion persists Other stores haven't been as lucky. George Packard, whose Antigo store made 90% of its sales in vapes, closed when the district court allowed the law to take effect. Advertisement Advertisement "We had six employees, and every one of them lost his job," Packard said. Even if the industry's appeal succeeds, Packard doesn't see himself reopening. The space will be rented out to another tenant, and his employees will have found other work. "It took three days to tear that store apart. We're sitting on probably $40,000 in merchandise that we can't do anything with," he told the Journal Sentinel in early October. "We can't sell it, because it's illegal." Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Smoke-shop chain fined almost $13 million under new Wisconsin vape law The units will be spread out between Hashmonaim, just over the Green Line in central Israel, and Givat Zeev and Beitar Illit near Jerusalem. Israel has given final approval for 764 housing units to be built in three settlements in Judea and Samaria, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party) said Wednesday. The move is part of an ongoing initiative to expand housing in the area, he said. Hashmonaim in the Binyamin region of Samaria, near the center of the country, will receive 478 housing units. Advertisement Advertisement The haredi (ultra-Orthodox) settlement of Betar Illit in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, south of Jerusalem, will receive 230 housing units. Givat Zeev in the Binyamin region of Samaria, northwest of Jerusalem, will receive 56 housing units. Since the start of the current governments term in 2022, 51,370 housing units have been approved for deposit and final authorization in Judea and Samaria, according to Smotrichs office. A Jewish settler walks past Israeli settlement construction sites around Givat Zeev and Ramat Givat Zeev in the West Bank, near Jerusalem June 30, 2020. (credit: AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS) Israel is 'continuing the revolution,' Smotrich says. Israel is continuing the revolution, Smotrich said. The initiative is part of a clear strategic move to strengthen the settlement enterprise and ensure continuity of life, security, and growth, he said. Advertisement Advertisement We plan and approve not with slogans but through orderly, consistent, and responsible work, he added. The initiative was Zionism in action, which connects security, settlement, and development with genuine commitment to the future of the State of Israel, Smotrich said. United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush said: The expansion of [Betar Illit] is good news for young couples and families living there. During the Oslo Accords signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s, the West Bank was split into three different designations. The split resulted in Area A, chiefly Palestinian towns and cities that are under full security and civilian control of the PA; Area B, which is under Israels security control but the Palestinians civilian control; and Area C, which is under Israeli security and civilian control. Advertisement Advertisement In August, Smotrich approved a major construction project in the Judea settlement of Maaleh Adumim, east of Jerusalem in an area known as E1, which is located in Area C. Israel views the majority of its settlements as legal under domestic law and built on state land according to legally viable government decisions. Smotrich has repeatedly called for Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria and requested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus support. Calls for sovereignty and annexation of the West Bank have resulted in international condemnation and backlash. In September, the United Arab Emirates said any annexation of the West Bank would constitute a redline for Abu Dhabi, which would severely undermine the spirit of the Abraham Accords that normalize relations between the two countries. Advertisement Advertisement In October, the Knesset approved a private members bill to apply Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria. The bill, titled Application of Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, 2025, was initiated by Noam MK Avi Maoz. It still needs to pass two additional readings in the Knesset plenum before it becomes law. Over the past month, there has been an increase in violence by settlers directed at Palestinians in various parts of the West Bank. China is willing to work with Southeast Asian countries to manage maritime disputes in the South China Sea and build a fair and just maritime order, a senior Chinese diplomat has said. Speaking in Sanya on the southern island province of Hainan, Sun Weidong, the vice-minister of foreign affairs, also hit out at the recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested last month that an attack on Taiwan by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) might qualify as a "survival-threatening situation" that could allow Japan to deploy its military forces. "For example, China's recovery of Taiwan from the Japanese aggression 80 years ago forms an important part of the post-war international order, yet the leader of Japan recently implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, citing the excuse of a 'survival-threatening situation'," Sun said at a forum on Wednesday. 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. "This is an open challenge to the post-war international order, and a retrogressive move doomed to fail," he told Chinese officials, scholars and foreign diplomats at the South China Sea symposium. Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons. On Wednesday, Sun also defended Beijing's decision to reject the 2016 arbitration ruling brought by the Philippines that denied the legal basis of most of China's "nine-dash line" claims in the South China Sea under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). Advertisement Advertisement Despite being a party to Unclos, China refused to participate in the arbitration proceedings and stated it would not accept any decision, arguing that the tribunal did not have the jurisdiction to rule on the sovereignty disputes. But the case has often been cited by rival claimants - as well as the US and other Western countries - as an example of China failing to abide by international law. Sun said the arbitration ruling had violated the principles of "state consent" and "pacta sunt servanda", the fundamentals in international law under which a country is only legally bound by rules it has voluntarily agreed to. Rather, he urged countries in the region to join together to improve maritime order. Advertisement Advertisement "We should uphold the international rule of law and build a fair and just maritime order," Sun said. "It is natural for neighbours to run into problems occasionally, but what is important is to manage differences and resolve disputes." Sun Weidong, Beijing's vice-minister of foreign affairs, has warned that confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea could threaten the region's security. Photo: Xinhua alt=Sun Weidong, Beijing's vice-minister of foreign affairs, has warned that confrontations between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea could threaten the region's security. Photo: Xinhua> That would mean that countries involved should "exercise restraint at sea and avoid unilateral actions that may escalate disputes or complicate the situation," he said without elaborating. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, he said claimants should maintain dialogue while working to strengthen "risk management and improve communication during emergencies to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation". The Chinese vice-foreign minister also reiterated the earlier goal of finalising negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) over the South China Sea code of conduct (COC) by next year. The China-Asean code of conduct for the South China Sea has been under negotiations since the early 2000s as a way to manage tensions in the strategically important waters, but little concrete progress has been made. In 2023, the foreign ministers of China and Asean member states agreed to finalise negotiations by mid-2026. Earlier, the Philippines, the chair of the Asean bloc next year, said it might propose more frequent meetings to fast-track negotiations and finally sign the COC with China. Advertisement Advertisement "This will be continuously discussed. If we need to have it on a weekly basis, of course we will propose this to Asean. It is no longer our decision; we'll ask the other Asean member states," Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said last month. However, hopes for an early conclusion appear to be dim as divisions remain deep including, for example, regarding key provisions such as scope, definitions and enforcement. Wu Shicun, founding president of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, a government-sponsored think tank, said the Philippines might have underestimated the difficulty, complexity and sensitivity of the consultations on the code of conduct. "Asean has expanded to 11 countries, adding China, that makes 12 countries. Getting all 12 countries to say yes on the same issue is, in my opinion, still quite challenging," Wu said in a separate panel discussion on building a stable and sustainable global ocean governance system. Advertisement Advertisement He added that disagreements had emerged regarding the original objectives of the code. "That is why China states that it can only be completed if the Asean countries and China meet each other halfway and eliminate external interference. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult." Beijing has accused Manila of making "intentional provocations", and Wu said these confrontations might further threaten the security of the South China Sea. Tensions have boiled over in the sea from time to time, particularly in the disputed waters between Beijing and Manila where coastguards have confronted and sometimes clashed with each other in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement In one of the most recent confrontations, the Philippines accused China of firing flares from Beijing-controlled Subi Reef in the Spratly Islands towards a Philippine plane undertaking a routine patrol on Saturday. "The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources aircraft recorded video footage of three flares fired from the reef toward the aircraft during its lawful overflight," said the Philippine Coast Guard, which carried out Saturday's surveillance flight with the fisheries agency. Beijing has occupied and developed Subi Reef, which is also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam. The reef is 26km (16 miles) from Thitu Island, a coral island known as Pagasa by the Philippines, which has occupied it and built a beaching ramp there. Subi Reef is one of the artificial islands China has built in the South China Sea and one of the "big three" outposts, transformed by Beijing into a key strategic base with a long runway, missile systems and radar. 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea will require advertisers to label their ads made with artificial intelligence technologies from next year as it seeks to curb a surge of deceptive promotions featuring fabricated experts or deep-faked celebrities endorsing food or pharmaceutical products on social media. Following a policy meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Wednesday, officials said they will ramp up screening and removal of problematic AI-generated ads and impose punitive fines, citing growing risks to consumers especially older people who struggle to tell whether content is AI-made. Lee Dong-hoon, director of economic and financial policy at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said in a briefing that such ads are disrupting the market order, and that swift action is now essential. Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who creates, edits, and posts AI-generated photos or videos will be required to label them as AI-made, and the users of the platform will be prohibited from removing or tampering with those labels, he said. AI-generated ads using digitally fabricated experts or deepfake videos and audios of celebrities, promoting everything from weight-loss pills and cosmetics to illegal gambling sites, have become staples across the South Korean spaces of YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms. The government will seek to revise the telecommunications act and other related laws so the AI-labeling requirement, along with strengthened monitoring and punitive measures, can take effect in early 2026. Companies operating the platforms will also be responsible for ensuring that advertisers comply with the labeling rules, Lee said. AI fuels surge in false ads Advertisement Advertisement Officials say its becoming increasingly difficult to monitor and detect the growing number of false ads fueled by AI. South Koreas Food and Drug Safety Ministry identified more than 96,700 illegal online ads of food and pharmaceutical products in 2024 and 68,950 through September this year, up from around 59,000 in 2023. The problem is also spreading into areas such as private education, cosmetics and illegal gambling services, leaving the Korea Consumer Agency and other watchdogs struggling to keep pace, the Government Policy Coordination Office said. Beyond deceptive ads and misinformation, South Korea is also grappling with sexual abuse enabled by AI and other digital technologies. A Seoul court last month sentenced a 33-year-old man to life in prison for running an online blackmail ring that sexually exploited or abused more than 200 victims, including many minors who were threatened with deepfakes and other manipulated sexual images and videos. Officials plan to raise fines and also introduce punitive penalties next year to discourage the creation of false AI-generated ads, saying those who knowingly distribute false or fabricated information online or through other telecommunications networks could be held liable for damages up to five times the losses incurred. Advertisement Advertisement Officials will also strengthen monitoring and faster takedown procedures, including enabling reviews within 24 hours and introducing an emergency process to block harmful ads even before deliberation is complete. They also plan to bolster the monitoring capabilities of the Food and Drug Safety Ministry and the Korea Consumer Agency using AI, of course. Despite risks, South Koreas love for AI grows Prime Minister Kim, Seouls No. 2 official behind President Lee Jae Myung, said during the policy meeting that its crucial to minimize the side effects of new technologies as the country embraces the AI era. The plans to label AI-generated ads were announced as Lee, in a separate meeting with business leaders, reiterated his governments ambitions for AI, pledging national efforts to strengthen South Koreas capabilities in advanced computer chips that power the global AI race. Advertisement Advertisement Government plans include more research and development spending on AI-specific chips and other advanced semiconductor products as well as expanding the countrys chip manufacturing hubs beyond metropolitan areas near the capital city of Seoul to the southern regions. South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, combined for more than 65% of the global memory chip market last year. The science and telecommunications ministry also said Wednesday it will require the countrys wireless carriers to transition to 5G standalone networks, which are seen as optimal for advanced AI applications because of their higher bandwidth and lower latency, as a condition for renewing their 3G and LTE licenses. HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Southeast Asia is a bright spot for the embattled offshore wind industry as it reels from U.S. President Donald Trumps push against renewable energy. The White House's policy pivot has thrown billions of dollars' worth of U.S. offshore wind projectsinto turmoil. Industry interest and investment are looking elsewhere, and developing regions with ample wind resources, like Southeast Asia, have the most to gain from this likely reshuffling, analysts say. Wind energy is essential to efforts to curb climate change, scientists say, as global temperatures drift perilously higher. Offshore wind, which uses turbines installed in the sea, is set to grow rapidly because it can harness stronger, steadier ocean winds to generate clean electricity, the International Energy Agency says. Advertisement Advertisement Southeast Asia, with its archipelago nations, long coastlines and consistently windy seas, is emerging as one of the worlds most promising regions for this technology. As energy demand continues to rise, the Philippines and Vietnam are building policy momentum that proponents hope will spur interest across the region. Those moves could turn Southeast Asia into a model for other developing nations seeking to use wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, said Rebecca Williams, with the Global Wind Energy Council. Asia and Southeast Asia are a beacon of hope for the industry, she said. Trump rattles the offshore wind industry Advertisement Advertisement Trump has actively sought to kill the U.S. offshore wind industry, one of his presidential campaign promises. He opposes using renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes burning fossil fuels for electricity, contending that climate change is a hoax. The White House has halted construction on major offshore wind farms, revoked and paused permits, canceled plans to use large areas of federal waters for wind energy and cut $679 million in federal funding for a dozen projects a complete reversal from former President Joe Biden's Administration. Trumps anti-renewable energy stance has shaken U.S. confidence in offshore wind projects. Advertisement Advertisement That has kickstarted an industry-wide search for other places to invest. Globally, wind energy generation is growing, led by China. It dominates wind power installations and manufactures more than half of the worlds wind turbines. Beijing is also emerging as a quiet force in the regions offshore wind buildout, supplying turbines and engineering expertise as countries race to tap their coastal wind potential. Were seeing more governments in the Global South, especially in countries in Asia, who havent had that background in offshore wind, now really step up, Williams said. Untapped potential for Asia-Pacific o ffshore wind Advertisement Advertisement Home to half of the global population, Asia is expected to account for much of the worlds future energy demand. Yet the region still relies heavily on fossil fuels, and wind generates barely 7% of Asia-Pacifics electricity, according to the IEA. The 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, a vast region that includes tiny Brunei to populous Indonesia, have no installed wind power capacity. So there's a lot of untapped potential up for grabs, said Amisha Patel, with the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, an organization of countries promoting offshore wind. Trump's rhetoric is disappointing given America's vast wind potential, but it hasn't slowed global wind power developments, and "Southeast Asia is stepping forward as the U.S. retreats, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Singapore announced a three-year plan for wind energy conferences to attract investment and become a regional hub for the industry. Asia is looking very, very attractive because of the momentum that were seeing there and the core understanding of the value of offshore wind, Patel said. The Philippines, Vietnam lead Southeast Asia The Philippines and Vietnam have an early advantage. The Philippines held its first offshore wind auction in November, allowing companies to bid and compete for the right to build 3.3 gigawatts of wind farms on designated seabeds. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that shifted offshore wind power from potential to reality, with clear rules and plans for how wind farms will connect to the grid, which ports they'll use and how equipment will be moved. Advertisement Advertisement The Philippines is ready to compete for global investment, she said in a statement. Filipino corporation ACEN partnered with Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in May to co-develop the nations first large-scale offshore wind project, aiming for up to 1 gigawatts in the central Philippine province of Camarines Sur. Vietnam has revived long-stalled offshore wind ambitions, issuing new rules and courting foreign investors. It revised its national power plan in April, targeting up to 17 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, and is speeding up marine zoning rules and updating permitting procedures. Regulatory delays led Norway's Equinor to withdraw from Vietnam in 2024, but investor confidence is slowly growing. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners is working with state-owned PetroVietnam on an offshore wind project in south-central Vietnam and Germanys PNE AG is planning a $4.6 billion, 2-gigawatt farm in Binh Dinh province. Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam is exploring regional projects. It signed a deal in May for a transmission line to export power to Singapore and Malaysia. China is also emerging as an important player in the region. State-owned Power China completed the Binh Dai offshore wind power project in Vietnam in November, according to the China's official Xinhua news agency. In the Philippines, Mingyang Smart Energy is exploring a 2-gigawatt project in Northern Luzon. Extreme weather is a challenge for offshore wind, especially in the Philippines and Vietnam, which endured an onslaught of deadly typhoons this year. But technology for disaster-resilient turbines exists, said Michael Hannibal of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. "Countries will just need to make sure offshore wind sites are adapted and made for the environment that they are to live with and stand in," he said. Advertisement Advertisement ___ Associated Press writer Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Virginia Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger signaled tacit approval of a plan moving through Virginias legislature to redraw the states congressional lines, but she stopped short of offering an enthusiastic embrace like fellow Democratic governors. I won the first district and the second district in November. And, so, with or without any sort of redistricting, I have my eyes on those districts and I know we can win them this November, Spanberger said. Both seats are held by Republicans, and Democrats are hoping to redistrict to give their candidates the edge in next years midterms. Its part of a national arms race begun by President Donald Trump, who is pushing red states around the country to gerrymander in favor of the GOP. To be very clear: I want to flip seats in the House of Representatives, and I know that we can because we just I just won those districts, Spanberger added. Advertisement Advertisement Spanberger, who won a resounding 15-point victory last month on a message of affordability, was addressing one of the most potent political issues in the state and nation Tuesday night during an interview at POLITICOs Transition of Power: Whats Next for Virginia event in Richmond. But, having defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, Spanberger said she wants to focus on the issues that propelled her to the commonwealths top post. I campaigned on affordability. I campaigned on improving our schools. I campaigned on basic governance. And so that is where I will be spending every minute of my energy into the future, Spanberger said. She isnt opposed to redistricting, saying there is value in reserving the option to be able to respond to the aggressive push underway in red states like Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to redistrict blue states have become key for top state Democrats to match Trumps power grab as the party remains locked out of leadership and influence across the federal government. And several potential 2028 presidential contenders, namely Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, used that fight to grow a national profile. As of late October, state lawmakers in Virginia signaled an appetite to do just that in their commonwealth a surprise late addition to national Democrats push to redraw congressional maps. The party has even more power following Novembers election, when Democrats won 64 seats in the House of Delegates, including 13 seats formerly held by Republicans, substantially increasing their margin in the bodys lower chamber. They will also maintain their majority in the state senate, whose members were not up for reelection this cycle. Spanberger largely avoided wading too deeply into the redistricting debate, especially as Election Day neared. If the redistricting measure is to pass the state legislature, the final approval is left with voters via a referendum not the governors signature. Prior to legislative leaders moves to begin their redistricting efforts, Spanberger said she had no plans to redraw Virginias maps. But, just a few months later in an interview with the Associated Press aboard her campaign bus, she backed her fellow Democrats efforts to keep alive the option of taking action into the future. Nick Donohue was tapped to become the next secretary of transportation in Virginia. (Courtesy Photo) Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday tapped transportation expert Nick Donohue as Virginias next transportation secretary, selecting the VCU graduate to help steer her administrations policies over the next four years. Spanbergers pick comes as she pushes an agenda focused on improving affordability, expanding opportunity and growing Virginias economy work unfolding amid new federal policy shifts that have created uncertainty in long-term transportation funding. Advertisement Advertisement The former deputy transportation secretary was recently heavily involved in developing a funding plan to create a new revenue stream to stabilize Metro service in Northern Virginia, support long-term investments and give jurisdictions, including Virginia, greater budget certainty. To strengthen our economy long into the future, we need to make sure Virginia has efficient infrastructure that allows families to get to work and school, businesses to transport their goods, and travelers to see all that the commonwealth has to offer, Spanberger said in a statement. In announcing Donohue, she added that Virginians deserve a visionary leader who understands the vital role that our transportation network plays in building a stronger, safer, and more prosperous commonwealth. She said his range of experience will help Virginia tackle transit challenges, improve network reliability and prepare for new opportunities ahead. Donohue, a Richmond native and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, said hes honored by the nomination. He has worked with state lawmakers and three former governors on transportation policy, including Interstate 81 and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Advertisement Advertisement He also helped modernize and expand mobility options such as Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express, and developed the SMART SCALE funding prioritization process for localities across the state. Transportation is ultimately about opportunity, connecting people to jobs, education, and the communities they call home, Donohue said. I am committed to ensuring every investment we make strengthens those connections. Spanbergers inauguration will take place in Richmond on Jan. 17, just days after the start of the 2026 General Assembly Session. She will replace Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who is prohibited by law from seeking a second consecutive term. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX By Andres Gonzalez, Manya Saini and Isla Binnie DUBAI/LONDON/NEW YORK, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Brookfield and Qai, an artificial intelligence company owned by Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, have formed a $20 billion joint venture to develop artificial intelligence infrastructure in Qatar and select international markets, the two groups said on Tuesday. More from Yahoo Scout What market outlook does QIA have for AI? What role does Qatar's sovereign wealth fund play? What is the purpose of the Brookfield-Qai joint venture? How significant is Brookfield's AI infrastructure investment commitment? The joint venture aims to position Qatar as a leading AI hub in the Middle East, they said, and plans to create an integrated compute centre expanding regional access to high-performance computing capabilities. The Gulf country's $526 billion sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), said on Monday it was setting up its own national AI company, Qai, following in the steps of regional peers the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as they invest to become global AI hubs outside of the U.S. and China. AI is reshaping global tech and attracting massive investments in both software and physical infrastructure, especially in the data centres needed to process the information. A McKinsey report from April estimated that a $5.2 trillion investment in data centres will be needed by 2030 to meet the worldwide demand for AI. Brookfield will invest in the joint venture with Qai through its recently launched Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Fund, which aims to invest up to $100 billion globally. In a separate interview not related to the announcements, QIA's head of funds Mohsin Pirzada told Reuters: "We've been investing in data centres since before it was in fashion." He said Qatar, as one of the world's biggest natural gas producers, benefited from increased demand for power to feed data centres. The sovereign fund has also invested in fast-growing companies in the sector including AI-driven analytics platform Databricks. QIA's Pirzada, asked whether he had any concerns about rising valuations for companies in the sector, said there may be a "shakeout", but that, in an echo of the 1990s dotcom bubble, it would leave a handful of market leaders and "a massive opportunity" for investors. "We continue to invest into the technologies and the rail guards that will support this innovation, the bricks and mortar," Pirzada said. (Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru, Federico Maccioni in Dubai, Andres Gonzalez in London and Isla Binnie in New York, Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala, Anousha Sakoui and Alison Williams) The Ohio Department of Development recently announced $18.7M in grants to help combat homelessness across the state. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The grants, sourced from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and Emergency Solutions Grant, will be distributed through the Homeless Crisis Response Program. Emergency shelters play such a critical role in the long-term health of our communities, Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik said. We know when people have a safe place to turn to in times of need, they have the foundation to get back on their feet. Thats what makes the work these agencies are doing so important, and were proud to have the opportunity to support that. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The states Homeless Crisis Response Program will help 40 emergency shelter agencies operating 41 shelters and 12 housing stability programs with these funds, according to the department. The department estimates that this will help over 25,000 Ohioans facing housing instability and homelessness find temporary emergency shelter and permanent housing. Several local organizations are receiving funding: Serve City (Butler County) will get over $348,000 to operate a 65-bed emergency shelter serving single men and women. Caring Kitchen (Champaign County) will get $95,900 to operate a 17-bed emergency shelter serving single men, women, and households with children. Clinton County Services for the Homeless, Inc. (Clinton County) will get $194,000 to run a 26-bed emergency shelter serving single men, women, and households with children in nearby counties. Family Promise of Greene County (Greene County) will receive $102,600 to manage a 46-bed emergency shelter serving households with children. The Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County, Inc. (Miami County) will get $293,600 to operate the Franklin House, a 22-bed shelter serving single women and households with children, and the Buckeye House, a 15-bed shelter serving single men. New Housing Ohio, Inc. (Warren County) will receive $161,200 to run a 14-bed emergency shelter serving single men and women. Advertisement Advertisement The Montgomery County Board of Commissioners also received $842,900 in grants as part of the housing stability program. These funds will help the county provide rapid re-housing assistance to eligible households in Montgomery County, according to the department. 300 households are expected to benefit from this two-year grant. For more information on the Ohio Department of Developments Homeless Crisis Response Program, click here. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Maryland State Board of Education meets Tuesday in Baltimore. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) The Maryland State Board of Education is considering changes to its current school rating system, that critics say does not show student growth but a rollout may not happen for another two years. The board reviewed a report Tuesday from the Accountability Advisory Committee that recommends eliminating the current star system. School leaders have also said the system, which give schools from one to four stars, does not adequately describe the quality of a school and shortchanges schools with a large number of low-income students, which dont earn as many stars as schools with students from higher-income families. Advertisement Advertisement The discussion comes as the states annual report card, released last month, showed a third straight year of slight improvements, with 43% of schools earning four or five stars in the 2024-25 school year. Thats up from 41% in 2023-24. Were taking a very deliberate approach on this, school board President Joshua Michael said during a meeting Tuesday, saying a rollout of a new system may not happen until the 2027-28 school year. Several recommendations were offered in the committees report that include rating schools with a common 1-4 scale that most states use, said Scott Marion, with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment. An example of a chart shows indicator scores would be converted into performance levels. A graphic shows an example of a rating system based on levels from one to four. (Photo courtesy of Maryland State Department of Education) Instead of you trying to figure out a student average, you could look and say, Oh, one [students] a level three. Ones a level two, Marion said. Whenever you draw a line, somebodys just over the line and somebodys just below the line, but it does help in communication. Advertisement Advertisement Another recommendation is to show student achievement in the lower-performing schools to be called an opportunity measure, which would evaluate students who received the lowest test scores one year but showed growth in the following year. If you incentivize this in certain ways, schools will get points for it, Marion said. Several board members accentuated that point. I would always think about two things: What is the performance of the system itself versus the performance of the student in that system? Board member James C. Bell Jr. said. Being able to address both of those things at the same time I think will make a great accountability system. Advertisement Advertisement Another recommendation is to create a standing advisory committee to address ongoing implementation and continuous improvement decisions. Board member Xiomara Medina said stakeholders such as those from student services and special education would be a part of that committee. Paul Lemle, president of the Maryland State Education Association, said the state should switch from the star system to the descriptive model used in Massachusetts. He said that model reduces stigma and supports targeted interventions aligned with continuous improvement. The current star system lends itself to oversimplification and indeed weaponization, perpetuating segregation and disinvestment in our communities, Lemle said to the board. These labels distort public perception and they place pressure on schools to focus on boosting ratings rather than meeting student needs. A final report is expected to be presented next month. No school on MLK Day The board unanimously voted to reject requests from Garrett and Queen Annes counties to have their public school students attend classes on Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a recognized state and federal holiday when schools and government offices are closed. Paul Lemle, president of the Maryland State Education Association, speaks before the state Board of Education on Tuesday. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) The superintendents from those two counties made the request after their schools were closed due to inclement weather, on Dec. 2 in Garrett County and Dec. 5 in Queen Annes. Advertisement Advertisement According to letters from both jurisdictions, 2025-26 school year calendars were approved earlier this year for two other make-up weather days on Feb. 16 (Presidents Day) and April 6. This provides an opportunity to recover instructional time prior to state assessments and national assessments, such as AP exams. This day will be beneficial for our students and teachers, Garrett County Superintendent Brenda E. McCartney wrote in a Dec. 2 letter. Teresa Dantzler, the state Department of Educations ombudsman, said the last time Maryland students went to school on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was during the 2011-12 school year. So, this would be the first time in over 10 years that students in Maryland would attend school on Martin Luther King Day? I have great concern with that, Michael said. Advertisement Advertisement Board Vice President Monica Goldson, a former CEO of Prince Georges County Public Schools, said make-up days usually begin in February. She said the state board did approve a waiver to let Queen Annes County schools remain open on Presidents Day this year, after schools closed there due to inclement weather. Im trying to put my former superintendents hat on and not cut them off at the knees, she said. I just think it was extremely too early to begin to start to take days away and then to set a precedent that has not been done in more than 10 years. The board also voted to invite local school leaders who want to request and schedule make-up days during this school year to attend the boards Jan. 27 meeting. The board also directed Superintendent Carey Wright to inform local superintendents that the state boards strong preference is to not schedule any make-up days for this school year and beyond on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The STCs growing power in southern Yemen, while unlikely to mitigate Houthi terrorism, could gift Israel a key ally in the region, particularly if an independent south joins the Abraham Accords. The UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in Yemen launched a military offensive across the south of the country last Tuesday. It took control of the oil- and resource-rich Hadramout Governorate, as well as other parts of the region, including Aden, by this Monday. This major power shift within Yemen which splintered into several sections during the civil war, while its front lines remained relatively stable could cause widespread regional ramifications. Advertisement Advertisement The STC joined together with the Saudi-backed and internationally recognized anti-Houthi government based out of Aden in 2022. STC President Aidarus al-Zubaidi was appointed as vice president of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). Tensions remained, however, as the STC was more separatist in its goals, while Saudi-backed factions wished to regain sovereignty over the whole of Yemen, including Houthi-controlled territories in the north. STC officials in Aden said other PLC leaders, including PLC President Rashad al-Alimi, had escaped to Riyadh before STC forces entered the historic capital of the defunct Peoples Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen). This was despite the STC ordering them to remain, senior STC official Amr al-Bidh told Reuters. The South Yemen flag flies as soldiers from the Southern Transitional Council stand guard outside the compound of the Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen, December 9, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Fawaz Salman) Saudi Arabia, for its part, has hosted PLC officials. The Saudi Foreign Ministrys director-general had met with the consul-general of Yemen in Jeddah on Monday, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, in a trilateral meeting with Iran and China, the three countries reaffirmed their support for a comprehensive political solution, the report said. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg met with Saudi, UAE, and UN Security Council representatives in Riyadh on Tuesday. He called for de-escalation through dialogue and said all actors should exercise restraint. Nevertheless, the STCs takeover will lead to a reduction in Saudi influence in Yemen. So far, tensions do not appear to have emerged between Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the developments. The STC is attempting to mitigate the risks posed by this, appeasing the Saudis. On Tuesday, Zubaidi held a meeting with STC leaders and praised the great support provided by the Saudi- and UAE-led anti-Houthi coalition and the efforts the two Arab powerhouses took that contributed to establishing security and stability. Advertisement Advertisement The UAEs position on Yemen is in line with Saudi Arabia in supporting a political process, a UAE official told Reuters on Monday. Thus, the relations between the two most influential Sunni countries in the region appear to remain stable at least in the short term. But a loss of Saudi influence in southern Yemen is liable to cause future tensions. Houthis unlikely to be weakened by STC's growth, independent South Yemen How are the Houthis reacting? Yemens Houthis are largely unaffected by this change militarily. To the terrorists based in northern Yemen, it makes little difference in the ongoing civil war whether they are fighting against Saudi-or UAE-backed forces, or other tribal or Jihadist elements present in southern Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement A key part of deterring and weakening the Houthis military, however, has been Saudi airstrikes against their infrastructure, especially in their capital, Sanaa. With weakened Saudi influence and motivation in the south, it may cause Riyadh to lower its priorities vis-a-vis attacking the Houthis. The Houthis are also not largely susceptible to a conventional military invasion, as their positions are defended by high mountain ranges, which are often only traversable by a single route. That gives them easily defensible positions against a potential STC push into the north. The STCs takeover will lead to further chaos and division, Mohammad Mansour, undersecretary of the Houthi Information Ministry, told Beirut-based and Houthi-run Almasirah TV. He blamed both the UAE and Saudi Arabia to differing degrees. The Arab Zionists wanted to prevent the raising of the Yemeni flag, Mansour said, adding that any future escalation would be a US-Israeli-British action, even if fought by proxy forces based out of Yemen. STC to push for independent South Yemen? Local reports have indicated that the STC, which adopted the defunct national flag of South Yemen, has erected that flag on government and official buildings across the region. Furthermore, STCs official social media appears to show rallies across the region of supporters calling for an independent South Yemen state. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Zubaidi, at Mondays STC meeting, said the next phase would be one of intensive work to build the institutions of the future South Arabian state. This does not mean an independent South Yemen is around the corner, however, as the STC greatly needs to stabilize its control over the territory, including the removal of the remnant al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terrorists, largely operating in Hadramout, as well as its relations with regional and international partners, with the goal of seeking legitimacy as the internationally recognized government. This may be why the STC wanted Alimi and other PLC leaders to remain in Aden, and their flight to Riyadh may weaken the STCs legitimacy in the eyes of their partners. The oil-rich area, however, along with UAE and likely increased international support, may lead to a future South Yemen state in the short to medium term. Opportunities for Israel, including oil, Abraham Accords expansion How does this affect Israel? Advertisement Advertisement Such developments are unlikely to directly affect Israel vis-a-vis Houthi terrorism, including launching ballistic missiles and attacking vessels in the Red Sea, as the Iran-backed terrorist group maintains the same amount of control as before. Zubaidi, while attending the UN General Assembly in September, however, told Abu Dhabis state-owned outlet, The National, that an independent South Yemen would join the Abraham Accords and establish relations with Israel. Before the Israel-Hamas War, the STC was advancing towards joining the Abraham Accords, he said at the time. When we have our southern state, we will make our own decisions, and I believe we will be part of these accords, Zubaidi said, adding that it might be contingent on an independent Palestinian state being established. If a South Yemen is declared, it could therefore lead to Israel gaining a key ally in the region, enhance its strategic position to weaken Irans influence in the Gulf of Aden and against the Houthis, and improve its resource ties with Arabian partners given southern Yemens rich supply of natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and natural minerals. North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is canceling Medicaid reimbursement rate reductions he initiated over two months ago, preserving in the short-term access to care for vulnerable patients while a political fight with Republican legislators to enact additional funding gets resolved. READ MORE: North Carolina Governor seeks to reverse Medicaid funding cuts Stein and state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai said at a Wednesday news conference that the state agency would restore reimbursement rates for doctors, hospitals and other medical providers of Medicaid services, which otherwise generally had been cut by 3% to 10% starting Oct. 1. Advertisement Advertisement The governor had said the reductions, while painful for some Medicaid patients and providers, were needed to deal with a funding shortfall for Medicaid, which serves more than 3 million people in the ninth-largest state. But legal challenges to the reductions resulting recently in judicial rulings demanding some rates return to pre-October levels made maintaining the reductions untenable. What has not changed is the program doesnt have enough money. What has changed is that the courts have made very clear that the rates have to go back, Stein told The Associated Press in an interview. The first-year governor said the reductions were unavoidable because a stopgap spending measure the legislature approved in the summer fell $319 million short of what was needed to address population changes and rising health care costs. The legislature forced these cuts onto the program, Stein said. It was absolutely nothing that the department or I wanted to have happen. Advertisement Advertisement But Republican legislators repeated Wednesday that Steins rate reductions were unnecessary and politically motivated, carried out early in the fiscal year when Medicaid funds were readily available. Stein manufactured a crisis out of thin air, and regular North Carolinians paid the price for it, GOP state Rep. Larry Potts, a health budget writer, said in a news release. Im glad hes finally cleaning up his mess, but it shouldve never gotten this far. Still, state House and Senate GOP leaders tried but could not work out this fall legislation to provide extra money that would buttress the program longer. Stein attempted to pressure lawmakers to approve funds even by formally calling a special legislative session last month. But House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger refused to convene it, saying Stein failed to meet qualifications for such an extraordinary meeting. Advertisement Advertisement The governor was pushed to relent as Medicaid consumers such as children with autism and providers like adult care homes successfully sued the health department so far and blocked certain rate reductions. A host of groups representing doctors and other service providers filed their own broader challenge last week. As part of the reversal, Sangvai said in an interview, the providers will receive retroactively reimbursements for the difference between the reduced and full rates for claims filed after the reductions took effect. Leaders of organizations representing physicians and services for people with intellectual disabilities, behavioral needs and others attending the news conference praised Stein for restoring the rates. They also described the results of the temporary reductions. They said some doctors declined to see additional Medicaid patients or reduced how many they would treat, providers cut services and family members of recipients had to quit their jobs to care for loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Many practices have faced the difficult possibility of closing their doors or laying off staff, jeopardizing care for all North Carolinians, not just those on Medicaid, said Dr. Benjamin Simmons, president of the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. The Medicaid shortfall continues, however, an offshoot of GOP leaders being unable to pass a conventional two-year budget. North Carolina remains the only state without an enacted budget, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Sangvai acknowledged the program would not run out of money until the spring. But he said restoring the rates means his agency is left only with scaling back or eliminating programs and services to find significant savings. Without full funding, vulnerable North Carolinians children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities could lose access to care that they rely on, Sangvai said Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement House and Senate Republicans separately agreed in September they would provide an additional $190 million to Medicaid. But they could not resolve differences over whether to keep spending now on a standalone childrens hospital and for rural health investments. Some GOP lawmakers said Wednesday there was still time for a solution. And Berger, the Senate leader, said separately that Steins administration had failed so far to consider cutting unessential expenses to ensure Medicaid operates efficiently. The legislature had already planned to convene next week, but any action or recorded votes is unlikely. VIDEO: FBI seizure part of Medicaid fraud probe involving Cedric Dean New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is running for Congress -- and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is ready to support him again. The duo cross-endorsed one another during New York City's ranked-choice mayoral primary. Mamdani's endorsement of Lander marked the mayor-elect's most high-profile incursion into national politics since his stunning victory. It comes as other progressives are hoping to capitalize on that momentum with a spate of challenges to moderate Democrats in 2026. Mamdani recently declined to endorse another close ally who was exploring a run against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Advertisement Advertisement "Brad's unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader," Mamdani said. "He has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and I'm proud to support him as I know he'll continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most." Lander's term as city comptroller ends on Dec. 31 after he decided not to seek reelection. Now, Lander is looking to represent New York's 10th District, which serves parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan. Along with Mamdani's endorsement, Lander also scored support from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Lander was also endorsed by New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday night, Lander was also endorsed by the New York Working Families Party. Lander touted his decades of public service as a housing organizer, City Councilmember and Comptroller. In his campaign announcement video, he vowed to be a stronger voice to oppose President Trump and included viral footage of his arrest at 26 Federal Plaza. Early this year, Lander drew national attention when he along with a group of state lawmakers were arrested while attempting to observe the conditions and treatment of immigrants at court in lower Manhattan. Lander opted to take his case to trial and pleaded not guilty on Friday to low-level misdemeanor charges of trespassing and blocking federal operations. Advertisement Advertisement "While our immigrant neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them," Lander referenced his arrest and pro-immigrant advocacy in his campaign launch video, which likens his attitude to Fred Rogers in "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." "Democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better," Lander emphasized. In a statement released Wednesday, the Lander campaign also said he "exposed Donald Trump's theft of $80 million in FEMA funds and forced the City into court to get it back ... saved taxpayers over $2.5 billion by rooting out fraud and waste and investing the City's pension funds wisely ... divested from fossil fuels, and invested in building or saving 50,000 affordable homes." The NY-10 congressional seat is currently held by Rep. Dan Goldman, also a Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday evening, Rep. Goldman said he is "laser-focused" on the Trump administration and that he has "no ill will towards" Lander. "Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they're doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He's proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year," a spokesperson for Rep. Goldman said. Goldman has also taken on the Trump administration and protested ICE raids and may have the upper hand in the race. "It's very, very difficult, just just by a statistical faction, to beat an incumbent Congress person," said political analyst Hank Sheinkopf. Advertisement Advertisement Sheinkopf says this congressional race reflects a broader theme of the Democratic party trying to figure out where it stands. "This is an attempt, obviously, by the left, to remove that center left and push the party all the way over to its extremes," Sheinkopf said. "If it's successful, well, it's the end of the center of the Democratic Party. Why? Because if it can happen in New York, it can happen any place else." And while Lander is texting supporters hoping to raise money, Goldman is an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and used $5 million of his own money in his last campaign. (The Associated Press contributed to this report.) Advertisement Advertisement ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court seems likely to eliminate one of the remaining checks on money in politics, a decision in line with recent rulings favoring First Amendment free speech rights over fears about potential corruption. In a challenge involving Vice President JD Vance, the court considered on Dec. 9 whether to scrap a rule aimed at preventing wealthy donors from bypassing limits on what they can give candidates by funneling money through political parties. The rule was passed in 1974 as part of Congress' response to the Watergate scandal and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2001. Advertisement Advertisement During two hours of oral arguments, the courts conservatives did not attack the GOPs argument that the law and the campaign finance landscape have changed since 2001. "The coordinated party spending limits are at war with this court's recent First Amendment cases," Noel Francisco, the lawyer representing the Republican Party, told the justices. Trump's Justice Department won't defend the rule The Justice Department stopped defending the federal rule after President Donald Trump took office. Roman Martinez, the lawyer the court appointed to defend the law, gave the justices a way to avoid ruling on what he called a highly politicized case. Advertisement Advertisement Because courts are only supposed to decide live controversies, the court doesnt need to get involved now, he said, because theres no imminent threat that the rule will be enforced by the federal government. No one thinks President Trump is going to enforce this law and target his own vice president, Martinez said. But Chief Justice John Roberts suggested thats not a sufficient reason to remain uninvolved in the matter. He asked Martinez whether it would be sound legal advice to tell Vance he could go ahead and violate the law while its still on the books. Vice President JD Vance waves at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on Feb. 20, 2025. Will the GOP go after more rules? Other conservative justices rejected Martinezs argument that if they side with the GOP in this case, they will be deluged with more challenges to the remaining campaign finance laws. Advertisement Advertisement He has basically told you that theyre going to keep litigating to knock down every single one of the restrictions, Martinez said of Francisco, the lawyer representing the Republicans. I didnt hear that, Justice Brett Kavanaugh responded. And Justice Samuel Alito emphasized theres only one campaign finance rule before the court today. So dont we have to decide this case and not speculate about what might come later? he asked Martinez. In response, Martinez said the Republican Party reiterates its opposition to other rules in written arguments. "Let's not be blind to reality," he added. Liberal justices raised concerns Only the courts three liberal justices appeared worried about future challenges to other rules. Advertisement Advertisement How can your argument be today that these limits can fall and it will be OK because the other limits exist, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked Francisco, if you cant make a representation that were still going to have those other limits? Francisco responded that, if nothing else, the federal law criminalizing bribery would still protect against corruption. U.S. President Richard Nixon (L), listened to by First lady Pat Nixon and daughter Tricia Nixon (R), says goodbye to family and staff in the White House East Room on August 9, 1974. Limits were enacted after Watergate At issue are limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for federal offices. In a landmark 1976 decision about the entire campaign finance law, the Supreme Court said limiting some types of campaign expenditures improperly restricts speech. But the court said Congress could regulate campaign contributions if it was being done to prevent corruption or the appearance of corruption. Advertisement Advertisement When a party pays for an ad at the request of a candidate, the court later said in the 2001 decision being reconsidered, that expenditure has the same effect as a direct contribution to the candidate, so it can be regulated. And because donors can give more to parties than they can to candidates, donors might use parties to get around the lower limits, increasing the possibility that a backer might expect something in return for the support, the court ruled. Supreme Court taking tougher approach to campaign finance rules But since that decision, the court has more strictly scrutinized campaign finance rules in a series of cases, including a 2022 ruling that contribution limits must be backed with actual evidence that they will prevent corruption. Francisco, the lawyer for the GOP, said there's no evidence of that with the coordinated spending limits. Advertisement Advertisement If this were a real problem, youd think theyd have evidence of it occurring one time in all of American history, he said. Yet they dont. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the courts most senior liberal justice, pointed to the dairy industrys indirect contributions to President Richard Nixon through party committees that she said were a motivation for campaign finance rules passed in the 1970s. And, in an apparent reference to billionaire Elon Musk, who became a special adviser to Trump after spending more than $238 million to help get him elected, Sotomayor asked if that didnt give the appearance of Musk getting a reward for his money. Francisco said no one has even remotely suggested that Musks super PAC spending was a bribe to get a position in the administration. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025. Other pending decisions could also affect elections The case is one of three the court is deciding in the coming months that could affect next years midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement The justices are also considering whether to curtail protections against racial discrimination in voting and whether mailed ballots must be received and not just postmarked by Election Day. In another case, the courts conservative supermajority already ruled that Texas can use a congressional map drawn to give Republicans an advantage in the midterms. That decision could spur more states to create new maps for partisan advantage. The GOP challenge to the coordinated spending limits was initiated in 2022 by Vance, when he was running for the Senate, and also by former Rep. Steve Chabot, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge, saying its hands were tied by the high courts 2001 decision. Advertisement Advertisement A decision in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission is expected by the end of June. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court may toss campaign finance limit targeted by Trump, GOP Deputies in Volusia County said a motorcycle gang member will be in court on Wednesday. Clinton Walker is set to appear in court following his arrest during Operation Mongolian Beef. Walker was one of 28 members arrested in July as part of the joint operation conducted by the Volusia County Sheriffs Office. The operation targeted the Mongols motorcycle gang, which has been linked to criminal activities in the area. Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office claims the group was involved in a shooting at a busy gas station in New Smyrna Beach during Bike Week in March. Channel 9 was present during the police raid at the Mongols Clubhouse in Edgewater, capturing exclusive footage of the operation. The shooting incident at the gas station involved rival motorcycle clubs, highlighting ongoing tensions between these groups. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Hundreds gather at the Minnesota State Capitol Monday, March 31, 2025 for a Trans Day of Visibility rally. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) The gender equity nonprofit Gender Justice sued Swift County and the Minnesota Department of Corrections Wednesday on behalf of a transgender teenage girl who was placed in a state-licensed group home that did not affirm her gender. The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, alleges that Swift County officials and the Minnesota Department of Corrections violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution by forcing the girl to stay in boys facilities, where she was subject to bullying and harassment on the basis of her gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota Human Rights Act protects Minnesotans from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender including gender identity in employment, housing, education, public benefits and more. The Department of Corrections and its Commissioner Paul Schnell are defendants in the lawsuit because the department licensed the group home in question. When the child, who is identified only by the initials S.R. in the lawsuit, entered foster care in 2020 at the age of 12, she told her mother she did not want to stay in a boys home because she was a transgender girl. The mother then requested that her child be placed in an LGBTQ-friendly home. The lawsuit alleges that Swift County instead placed her in a group home that assigned children sleeping arrangements and activities based on biological sex rather than gender. Boys in the home called the child slurs and harassed her by repeatedly asking her questions about her genitals, according to the complaint. When the child and her mother requested an alternative placement, their request was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Transgender youth in Minnesota have the right to safe and affirming care, including in the foster care system, said Sara Jane Baldwin, senior staff attorney at Gender Justice, in a press release. When a foster care facility discriminates against a child and the agencies overseeing it fail to act, thats a violation of the law and a betrayal of public trust. LGBTQ youth are over-represented in the child welfare system, accounting for approximately 20% of foster youth nationwide, according to a report by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The report found that LGBTQ youth are twice as likely as non-LGBTQ children to report mistreatment in out-of-home care. The complaint notes that after the girl returned to her mothers custody in June 2021, the childs therapist reported that her aggressive behaviors probably occurred due to a placement in a facility that was not set up for transgender youth. A spokesperson for the Minnesota Department of Corrections said the department does not comment on ongoing litigation. Swift County officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Texas authorities have increased the reward to $6,000 for information in the 1992 stabbing death of 81-year-old Raymond Ray Adolph Lightner in his Taylor home. The Texas Rangers are seeking fresh leads in the 33-year-old cold case. The renewed push comes as investigators apply modern DNA technology to evidence from the case. Texas officials believe community members hold crucial information that could finally identify Lightners killer. A home health worker discovered Lightners body on November 12, 1992, at his residence on Kimbro Street. The widower had recently returned from an assisted living center following glaucoma surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Lightner maintained regular contact with family in Taylor and Austin. He spoke with a relative and friend the evening before his death. The older adult was known for playing dominoes at a local lounge near his home. Initial interviews ruled out multiple suspects. Taylor Police and Texas Rangers continue actively investigating the murder. The increased reward applies only to tips received before the next featured cold case announcement. Tipsters must contact authorities through specific channels to qualify for rewards. They can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS or submit information online through the designated portal. Advertisement Advertisement The case is part of Texass bi-monthly cold case spotlight program. The initiative aims to generate new investigative leads for unsolved homicides across the state. Texas Crime Stoppers, funded by the Governors Public Safety Office, maintains information on over 140 cold cases. The Rangers Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program assists local agencies with murder cases that are not subject to a statute of limitations. BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Temu's European headquarters in Dublin were raided by EU regulators last week on concerns about potential Chinese state subsidies granted to the online retailer, a subsidiary of China's ecommerce giant PDD Holdings, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Temu did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The raid comes amid increasing concern within the EU over cheap imports from China, as low-value ecommerce shipments have flooded into the bloc thanks to a customs waiver on parcels worth less than 150 euros, which European retailers say gives platforms like Temu and Shein an unfair advantage. The EU executive plans to scrap that duty exemption by the end of next year. Advertisement Advertisement The European Commission's Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) takes aim at unfair foreign aid for companies with the goal of reining in competition from non-EU companies subsidised by their governments. The Commission can impose fines of up to 10% of a company's annual aggregated turnover for breaches. "We can confirm that the Commission has carried out an unannounced inspection at the premises of a company active in the e-commerce sector in the EU, under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation," a Commission spokesperson said. The Commission did not name the company or say where the raid took place. "SHOP LIKE A BILLIONAIRE" Advertisement Advertisement Temu has drawn in tens of millions of shoppers globally to its online store selling everything from smartphones to duvet covers and leggings at rock-bottom prices, prompting Amazon to launch rival "Amazon Haul". The platform, whose tagline is "shop like a billionaire", already has around 116 million average monthly users in the EU, according to Temu's latest transparency report, despite only launching in the market in April 2023. Raids are usually carried out when EU regulators have evidence of violations, either from whistleblowers or from their own investigations. They can lead to companies offering concessions or cooperating in return for reduced fines. It is not Temu's first run-in with European authorities. The Commission last year opened an investigation into Temu under the Digital Services Act, its regulation governing online platforms, and in July announced preliminary findings that Temu is not doing enough to prevent the sale of illegal products through its platform. Advertisement Advertisement Foreign subsidies may take the form of zero-interest loans and other below-cost financing, tax breaks, or preferential tax treatment, among others. China's trade surplus topped $1 trillion for the first time in November, with manufacturers redirecting more goods to non-U.S. markets due to tariffs, fuelling an export surge to Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels and Helen Reid in London; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle, Kirsten Donovan) Canadas tax authority has widened its crypto enforcement net, targeting 2,500 users of Vancouver-based NFT firm Dapper Labs in a probe tied to an estimated C$72 million ($54 million) in suspected unpaid taxes. The probe sits within a larger Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) campaign that has already generated more than C$100 million in recovered taxes through crypto audits over the past three years, according to a report by The Canadian Press Yet despite the growing sums involved, authorities confirm that no criminal charges have been laid in any crypto tax case since 2020, showing the gap between civil enforcement and criminal prosecution in Canadas digital asset sector. CRA Secures Rare Unnamed Persons Order in Dapper Labs Tax Probe The report stated that the CRA sought and received approval in September to compel Dapper Labs to disclose information tied to thousands of users under what is known as an unnamed persons requirement. The legal tool allows tax authorities to obtain records on an identifiable group of taxpayers without accusing the company itself of wrongdoing. Dapper, which operates one of the most prominent non-fungible token platforms and runs its own blockchain and digital wallets, did not oppose the application. The report shows the CRA initially sought information on roughly 18,000 Dapper users, but following negotiations, the scope was narrowed to 2,500 accounts. It marks only the second time Canadian courts have granted such an order against a domestic crypto firm, the first being issued against Coinsquare in 2020. In an affidavit supporting the application, CRA project lead Predrag Mizdrak said crypto markets are deeply embedded in the underground economy and present significant non-compliance risks. Internal agency figures show that about 15% of Canadian crypto users fail to file taxes on time or at all, while 30% of those who do file are classified as high risk for non-compliance. The agency estimates that up to 40% of taxpayers using crypto platforms fall into non-filing or high-risk categories. The CRA currently employs 35 dedicated cryptoasset auditors working across more than 230 files. Since 2020, five criminal investigations involving digital assets have been launched, with four still ongoing as of March. The agency says the cases are complex and often hinge on cross-border evidence and cooperation, contributing to long timelines and the absence of charges to date. Canada Prepares New Crypto Reporting Rules as Federal Crackdown Widens The crackdown on Dapper users comes as Canada tightens its wider crypto oversight. Under long-standing CRA policy, cryptocurrencies are treated as commodities rather than currencies. SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) Tens of thousands joined the latest massive protests across Bulgaria on Wednesday, accusing the government of widespread corruption and underscoring political rifts just weeks before the country is to join European nations that use the euro as the official currency at the start of next year. The demonstrations came after last weeks protests that were sparked by the governments budget plans for higher taxes, increased social security contributions and spending increases. The government later withdrew the controversial 2026 budget plan. The protesters' demands have since expanded to include calls for the center-right government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov to resign. Advertisement Advertisement In the capital, Sofia, protesters gathered on a central square where the parliament, the government and the presidency buildings are located. Chanting Resignation and Mafia, they called on Zhelyazkov's minority coalition Cabinet to step down. Students from Sofia's universities joined the protests, which organizers said outnumbered last week's rallies that drew over 50,000 people. Media estimates based on drone visuals put the number of protesters at over 100,000. At the core of the protesters' frustrations is the role of Bulgarian politician and oligarch Delyan Peevski, who has been sanctioned by both the United States and Britain, and whose MRF New Beginning party backs the government. Peevski has been accused by opponents of helping shaping government policy in line with oligarchic interests. No violence was reported and the protests ended peacefully. Advertisement Advertisement Also on Wednesday, the opposition coalition We Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria called for a no-confidence vote in the government. The vote, the sixth such motion by the opposition, will take place on Thursday. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev wrote on Facebook that Wednesday's demonstrations were in effect a vote of "no confidence in the Cabinet. Radev, an opponent of the government who hails from the political left, urged the lawmakers to listen to the people and to choose between the dignity of free voting and the shame of dependence when they vote on Thursday. Bulgaria is soon to become the 21st member of the eurozone, a euro currency union that is a key EU project aimed at deepening ties between member countries. The Balkan country of 6.4 million people is to make the switch from its national currency, the lev, to the euro on Jan. 1. A city in Texas has become the first in the nation to reverse existing antidiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. The Arlington City Council voted 5-4 Tuesday in favor of a revised ordinance that removes gender identity and expression and sexual orientation as protected characteristics from the city's anti-discrimination policy. Until now, the rule had shielded LGBTQ+ people against any direct or indirect exclusion, distinction, segregation, limitation, refusal, denial, or other differentiation in the treatment of a person or persons" in employment, housing, health care, and beyond. The clause had been temporarily suspended since August due to threats from Donald Trump's administration. Mayor Jim Ross joined councilmembers Nikkie Hunter, Barbara Odom-Wesley, and Andrew Piel in voting in favor of reinstating the ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement "For months, the public was told that the September suspension of Arlingtons Anti-Discrimination Chapter was necessary to protect federal grant funding," a spokesperson for the HELP Center for LGBTQ+ Health said in a statement. "That issue was fully resolved. The revised ordinance presented tonight drafted by the City Attorney protected every dollar of federal funds while restoring long-standing safeguards for all Arlington residents: women, men, children, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community." Related: Texas city delays vote on overturning LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination protections Trump officials threatened in August to revoke $65 million in federal grant money from the city if it did not remove language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion from its municipal code. Both Arlington and Fort Worth subsequently voted to end their DEI programs and rewrite ordinances to exclude phrases related to race and gender. Iowa removed gender identity from its state Civil Rights Act in February, making it the first state in the country to take away rights from a group previously protected in law. Arlington's reversal makes it the first individual city to do so. Advertisement Advertisement "By refusing to reinstate the Anti-Discrimination Chapter, these councilmembers knowingly continued to deny all local protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations for everyone in our city," the spokesperson continued. "Every Arlington resident, visitor and worker is now more vulnerable because of this vote. ... What happened tonight was a failure of leadership by five council members. Arlington deserves better than elected officials who hide behind excuses even after every concern they raised was solved." This article originally appeared on Advocate: Texas city votes to overturn LGBTQ+ antidiscrimination protections RELATED Kentucky's U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie was one of two House Republicans to vote against President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July. In March, Massie spoke to reporters after casting the sole Republican vote against a bill that averted a government shutdown. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) FRANKFORT A super PAC supporting U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie has won crucial backing from one of the biggest Republican mega-donors a man who has the wherewithal to offset millions of dollars that Republican President Donald Trump is trying to raise to beat Massie in the spring primary elections. That man is Jeff Yass, who recently and indirectly gave $1 million to a new super PAC that in recent weeks has been advertising in support of Massies reelection, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission. Those records show Yass has set aside millions more in what could potentially be used for additional independent spending to help reelect Massie. Advertisement Advertisement Trump recruited and has endorsed Shelbyville Republican Ed Gallrein, a former Navy Seal, to challenge the incumbent Massie who drew the presidents ire by differing with him on several high profile issues and House votes. Yass is co-founder of the Philadelphia-based trading firm Susquehanna International Group. Bloomberg reports he is worth $63 billion, making him the 27th wealthiest person in the world. Politically conservative with a libertarian streak, Yass has backed Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul since Pauls failed bid for the 2016 Republican nomination for president. And, according to the campaign finance watchdog group OpenSecrets, Yass has made more than $100 million in contributions to super PACs in the 2023-24 election cycle. Massie, a Republican from Vanceburg, has won election to the U.S. House in Kentuckys 4th District by wide margins seven times, but now is a target of the Republican president because he has strayed from the Trump line on several important votes. Most significantly, Massie opposed Trumps showcase public policy proposal, the Big Beautiful Bill Act, over concerns about the bills impact on the national debt. Massie drew widespread media attention over the summer and fall as the key Republican who successfully pushed to force a vote to require the Justice Department to release its records of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump opposed releasing the Epstein files until it became clear Congress would vote for their release. In June a new anti-Massie super PAC was created by Trump supporters, and it reported quickly raising $2 million that funded a media campaign attacking Massie over the summer. But reports filed recently with the FEC show that a new super PAC called Kentucky First PAC countered with a pro-Massie advertising campaign in late October. Advertisement Advertisement Those reports show the following steps: On Oct. 20 Yass contributed a whopping $7.5 million to a super PAC called Protect Freedom Political Action Committee. This super PAC was created in 2017 by political advisors to Paul that for the past five years has gotten 95% of its money (about $35 million) from Yass. Its cash on hand was down to about $114,000 until Yass provided the $7.5 million on Oct. 20. On Oct. 23 Protect Freedom donated $1 million to the new pro-Massie Kentucky First PAC. On Oct. 31 Kentucky First reported paying a bit over $1 million ($1,006,986 to be exact) to a company called Maverix Media, for the pro-Massie media campaign now going on in the district. Massies campaign declined to comment for this story. But in an article published by Roll Call on Monday, Massie said he is ready for an onslaught of attack ads from super PACs aligned with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement And he referred to some of the recent activity by super PACs in the campaign. The state of play now is that the anti-Massie super PAC has gone dark and has been dark for a few months, and a pro-Massie super PAC is spending a million dollars on ads right now in the congressional district, Massie told Roll Call. Gallreins campaign on Monday released a two-minute video introducing him to voters as a three-decade Navy SEAL officer and showing him working on his Shelby County farm. It accuses Massie of trying to undermine Trumps plan to save America. Michael Biundo, the spokesman for Protect Freedom, did not respond to a list of questions sent to him by the Kentucky Lantern. Advertisement Advertisement Deanna Hayes, treasurer for Kentucky First, did not return a phone message. No one at Susquehanna International Group returned an email seeking comment from Yass about his contribution to Protect Freedom. Yass may have funded additional support to help Massie through Protect Freedom beyond the $1 million contribution it made to Kentucky First PAC. Protect Freedom also listed in its recent report to the FEC that it had two major expenses: $508,000 paid to Maverix Media for a media buy and $500,000 for get out the vote efforts. However, the report does not identify the candidate who was supported, or opposed, by that independent spending. Advertisement Advertisement Protect Freedom reports having more than $5 million on hand. Yass surfaced as a player in elections involving Kentuckians in 2015 when he helped fund super PACs supporting Pauls presidential bid. In 2017 he started making regular contributions to the Paul-affiliated Protect Freedom PAC, which initially had several wealthy donors but since 2021 has almost exclusively been funded with contributions from Yass. In more recent years he has spent millions on independent advertising campaigns on Kentucky elections, including supporting the so-called school choice constitutional amendment last year and Republican Daniel Camerons 2023 campaign for governor. The school choice amendment was defeated and Cameron lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. DENVER (KDVR) Thousands of customers in Colorado across several electric companies are without power Tuesday as high winds blow through the foothills and Front Range. The winds, which prompted high wind warnings and road closures, could reach between 35 to 50 mph with gusts of 80 to 90 mph possible. Gilpin County already saw a 90-mph gust before 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. High winds cause traffic concerns across Colorado mountains, US 285 closed CORE Electric Cooperative outage area in Park County CORE Electric Cooperative reported just over 1,100 of their customers in Park County were without power, near where U.S. 285 has closed after a 75-mph gust was reported. Advertisement Advertisement Crews are assessing and will work as quickly as possible to restore service, CORE said in an X post. Additionally, over 4,700 Xcel Energy customers were without power across the foothills and in parts of the Denver metro area. Just after 3 p.m., Poudre Valley REA reported more than 5,000 members impacted, but said at about 4:24 p.m. that all members in the northwest service territory had their power restored. In Idaho Springs Tuesday morning, strong winds knocked a live power line onto a parked truck, causing a fire and shutting off power for most of the Idaho Springs area, police said. PulsePoint also said there were some wires down in Estes Park. Most businesses were also forced to temporarily close due to the outage, which Xcel reports has largely been restored in the area. There are still about 42 Xcel customers in Clear Creek County, just south of Idaho Springs, without power, and about 98 CORE Electric customers without power as of 4:43 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement We are running to get a ticket printed and the drink made before the power goes back out, said Misha Beaudin, who works at a local coffee shop. Not only is the wind obstructing power to the businesses, but its also creating dangerous conditions for drivers. Were moving around a lot, so you definitely have to be on your toes, I guess, traveler Abe Villanueva told FOX31. While the power companies have not said how long each individual outage will last, the high wind warnings in the area will last until midnight. FOX31s Heather Willard contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Twenty years prior to 1969 most air forces had been flying piston-engined fighters essentially no different from those of World War II. In the following twenty years, top speeds almost quadrupled and cannons were complemented with guided missiles capable of destroying an enemy thirty miles away. To survive the carnage of the Middle East and Vietnam air wars, aircraft became ever more potent and by 1969 had become extraordinarily sophisticated killing machines. The fighters of this time were also far more demanding and dangerous to their own pilots than todays generation of digital fighters, and these brutish machines were unforgiving of mistakes. Here are the 10 best fighters of 1969. 10: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer Like most MiG fighters, the 19 was a rough-and-ready hot-rod. Agile, powerful and capable of gut-wrenching acceleration it was also ill-equipped, unforgiving and brutal. Armed with three cannon and two K-13 missiles, a well flown MiG-19 remained an opponent to be respected in 1969, however its lack of a modern radar and modest top speed of Mach 1.22 put it at a distinct disadvantage. Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan Air Force MiG-19 pilot Wing Commander Irfan Masum told us We did not fear fighting any opposing aircraft. The Intel, at the time, was that we were most likely to face the Hawker Hunter in the war as that was the aircraft which was to cross over the border to do battlefield air-interdiction and airfield strikes. 10: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Farmer Masum continued, We pretty much knew what tactics to employ. Firstly, force the Hunter to get into a vertical plane combat where our superior thrust-to-weight ratio would give us a distinct advantage. Secondly, allow the Hunter to exit and then catch him with the MiG-19s excellent acceleration and let the heat-seeking Sidewinder missile do the rest. The type served in several air wars including Vietnam; Vietnam Peoples Air Force (VPAF) received their first MiG-19 at the end of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1968. The aircraft could easily outturn the Phantom (and out accelerate it up to Mach 1.2) and VPAF MiG-19 downed seven F-4 Phantom IIs. 9: Folland/HAL Gnat Folland/HAL Gnat Though highly specialised as a short-range dogfighter, the tiny and viciously manoeuvrable, Gnat developed a fierce reputation in the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war earning the nickname Sabre-slayer for shooting down seven Pakistani Canadair Sabres. During the Battle of Boyra, the Indian Air Force (IAF) Gnats downed two PAF Canadair Sabres in minutes and badly damaged another. Advertisement Advertisement Another notable dogfight over Srinagar airfield saw a lone Indian pilot hold out against six Sabres scoring hits on two of the Sabres in the process before himself being shot down. The lighter, more modern, Gnat with its higher thrust-to-weight ratio had an advantage against the Sabre in the vertical plane. 9: Folland/HAL Gnat Folland/HAL Gnat Created by British designer W. E. W. Petter, who was also responsible for the Lightning, this subsonic British pugilist punched well about its weight, but in a world of supersonic radar-equipped fighters it is questionable how effectively it would have performed against a well-equipped enemy. The Gnat was the smallest jet fighter to ever see service and may well have been the tightest turning it also had a climb rate twice that of the Sabre. The Gnat has knocked the F-86 out of our top ten, but the Sabre was still a respectable fighter in 69, notably where it was armed with Sidewinders.) 8: Joint place: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 These fighters each had huge advantages and disadvantages and were the hardest to place in the top 10. Advertisement Advertisement Any enemy foolish or ignorant enough opponent to fight the MiG-17 in the 300-330 knot regime was likely to learn a particularly nasty one-off lesson, as many did in Vietnam. Above 450 knots however, it was a pig and its equipment was primitive; without hydraulic assistance much of the MiG-17s manoeuvrability depended on the physical strength of its pilot The MiG-17 was very tough and extremely reliable, but by 1969 was verging on obsolescence. 8: Joint place: Dassault Super Mystere Dassault Super Mystere The French Super Mystere was Europes first supersonic fighter, but by 1969 was also showing its age, despite its good performance in the Middle East. It was liked by Israeli pilots and fought in the 1967 Six-Day War and it was said to be a decent counter to the MiG-19. During this conflict, Super Mysteres achieved a number of air victories: two IL-14, one MiG-17 and two MiG-21s. 8: Joint place: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Many would argue the F-104 Starfighter deserves a higher ranking, but the fact USAF did not use it as a fighter is revealing. That most operators used the aircraft in the fighter-bomber or maritime attack role point to the types limitation as a pure fighter, notably its famously poor agility. Its top speed of Mach 2+ was exceptional, its armament decent and it had a large cockpit with excellent visibility for the pilot. But its combat record was at best mediocre: on 6 September 1965, a Pakistani F-104 may have shot down an IAF Dassault Mystere IV and damaged another. The PAF achieved two victories, however, one of the F-104 Starfighters victims was a portly Breguet Alize of the Indian Navy, hardly the most challenging opponent. 7: Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter Though relegated to the fighter-bomber role in US hands, the Northrop F-5 was an extremely capable air-to-air fighter, in which role it served with several air forces in 1969 (including Taiwan). In this role it is closely comparable, and in some ways superior, to the Soviet MiG-21. Advertisement Advertisement Later Soviet studies of captured F-5s revealed the type to have superior manoeuvrability to the MiG-21, and more benign low speed and high angle of attack handling characteristics. Later, as a more advanced variant, it would indeed prove its mettle against the MiG-21 in the Ethio-Somali War. 7: Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter The F-5 was a very compact design that was excellent in many ways. It was easy to maintain, economical to operate and a formidable foe in a dogfight. Its combination of small size and rapid roll and turn rate made it an air-to-air fighter to be respected. Despite being ten years old in 1969 it was far from having its full potential realised, and yet to be given the radar or lead-in computing gunsight it needed to make the most this superb airframe. The American love of large high-tech fighters meant it missed out on what could well have been matured as a superior analogue to the MiG-21. 6: English Electric Lightning English Electric Lightning The fastest climbing and one of the most agile fighters on this list, the Lightning also boasted the best acceleration and highest service ceiling. The Lightning was a total rocketship; everything was sacrificed for performance, notably endurance and the number of missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Though it is the received wisdom that the Lightning F.Mk 2A was the best model, former Lightning pilot Ian Black noted that this is maybe a myth, and though the F.Mk 2A was the best for low level air defence over Germany, the best all-rounder was probably the F.Mk 6. 6: English Electric Lightning English Electric Lightning It was superior to the F-4 Phantom II in dogfight, a British Phantom pilot noted The Lightning pilot can out-turn you, he can out-climb you, but he aint going to be able to do it for very long. You can see him from a long distance, so you can get your shots off without him even seeing you. If that failed, it would be best to remain unseen. You wouldnt voluntarily get into a turning gunfight with a Lightning, as youre probably going to lose. Then whoever runs out of fuel first and its probably him- has lost the fight. 5: Saab 35 Draken Saab 35 Draken Delta wings, a data-link, a Mach 2 top speed, the ability to operate from short runways and an infra-red search and track sensor are common features for 21st century fighters but the Swedish J-35F(2) was boasting these way back in 1969! It was also rumoured to have the lowest radar cross section of its generation (the MiG-21 is another likely contender for this title). The Draken was a sneak preview into the future, remarkably it did all this with half the thrust of the Lightning (the Draken had one Avon, the British aircraft two). 5: Saab 35 Draken Saab 35 Draken However, the Draken was neither combat proven nor very agile, though uncoupling the flight control could allow pilots to perform what would later be known as the Cobra, a dramatic manoeuvre in which the nose is raised momentarily beyond the vertical position, before dropping back to normal flight. One F-15 pilot we spoke to was not impressed by the Draken, and after fighting against it in training described it as an underpowered MiG-21. Advertisement Advertisement Whereas the Falcon missile had a (perhaps unfair) bad reputation in US service it is believed that the Swedish version, the Rb 28 with its unique seeker-head, was a superior weapon. The J-35F(2) variant was the most capable Draken in 1969. 4: Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed Fast, agile, tough and small the MiG-21 was an excellent dogfighter and the most numerous supersonic jet fighter in history, with a staggering 11,000 produced in total. The mainstay of the Warsaw Pact air forces, it served with an unparalleled 56 air forces. The lightweight Mach 2 MiG fought in Vietnam and the Middle Eastern wars. In 1969 the most capable 21 was the SM, a comprehensively upgraded MiG-21S using the R13-300 engine and with a built-in GSh-23L cannon, as well as a considerably updated avionics package. The Vietnam War created 24 aces (pilots with five or more victories) of these, 13 were MiG-21 pilots, including Nguyen Van Coc the highest scoring pilot of the war with nine victories. 4: Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed The types greatest weaknesses were a poor endurance and lack of a medium-range weapon (though to be fair - few fighter types carried these in 1969). When ex-MiG-21 pilot Air Marshal M Matheswaran (retd) spoke to us he noted the types fantastic acceleration, electric instantaneous turn rate and tiny radar cross section. Advertisement Advertisement The Soviet Union had produced a small, cheap and rugged type that could take on the best fighters of the West, a remarkable achievement. As well as the cannon, it could carry two K-3 or K-13 heat-seeking missiles. 3. Dassault Mirage III 3. Dassault Mirage III The Mirage III proved itself devastatingly effective in Israeli hands in the 1960s. The French fighter was a dependable jack of all trades, according to Mirage III pilot Gonzalo OKelly, The Snecma Atar 9C was a very reliable engine, very resistant to compressor stalls and almost immune to flame out in flight. It was very easy to fly if you had enough speed, and stable around its envelope. We always flew with two supersonic fuel tanks, but the aircraft behaviour was very docile. It was also very strong. It had a landing gear that would have been strong enough for carrier landings and it wasnt unusual to see 30 people over the wings and fuselage posing for a photo. 3. Dassault Mirage III 3. Dassault Mirage III OKelly continued, We didnt need any ground support to start the engine, which was very good for detachments. It was very good at accelerating in a dive, no aircraft of that time could follow us. The aerodynamics were excellent but designed for high speed. Counting against the Mirage were its relative lack of power, and claustrophobic and cluttered cockpit. Advertisement Advertisement According to Israeli sources, during the Six Day War of 1967, a mere twelve Mirage IIIs shot down 48 aircraft. Air-to-air armament came in the form of two extremely powerful 30-mm DEFA cannon, two Matra R.550 Magic short-range infra-red guided missiles and one medium range radar-guided Matra R.530 air-to-air missile. 2: Vought F-8 Crusader Vought F-8 Crusader The US Navy adage, When youre out of Crusaders, youre out of fighters speaks volumes. The Crusader was an agile, responsive hotrod beloved by its pilots. Unencumbered by the weight that the long-range fleet defence origins had imposed on its service rival the F-4, the Crusader was a superior dogfighter. Vought wrapped the smallest lightest airframe around the most powerful engine, gave the pilot excellent visibility and created a machine that was a delight to fly and devilishly hard to beat in a dogfight. 2: Vought F-8 Crusader Vought F-8 Crusader The Crusader also carried internal guns throughout its career, a dangerous omission on earlier Phantoms, which earned the F-8 the nickname, The Last Gunfighter. According to its pilots it was simply unbeatable in the merge (the point where two aircraft become visual), though the Crusader had an inferior armament and radar to the larger F-4. Advertisement Advertisement Aerodynamically the French F-8E(FN) was superior to other variants, with significantly increased wing lift due to greater slat and flap deflection and the addition of a boundary layer control and enlarged stabilators. The US F-8L was probably the best equipped variant at this time. Armament consisted of four 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannons and AIM-9 Sidewinders heat-seeking missiles. 1: McDonnell Douglas Phantom II McDonnell Douglas Phantom II No surprises for the top spot, the fabulous Phantom was a vast ugly battleship of a fighter, quite unlike anything else flying. The Phantom had twice the airto-air weapon load of any other aircraft on this list, and as the F-4J, had a radar that was far superior to anything else. The Phantom also had an excellent range, was exceptionally tough and had the benefit of a two-man crew. It was the most powerful fighter on the list, with almost 36,000Ib of reheated thrust. Choosing the most formidable Phantom variant of the time is trickier its a toss-up between the F-4J with its (at the time) unique ability to look down and shoot down (its new fangled pulse doppler radar denied opponents the liberty of hiding from radar by flying low) and the internal gun toting F-4E. Though the F-4J and F-4E were technically the most formidable Phantoms of 69, they had yet to score a kill and both would have to wait to be blooded in air combat (the former scored its first kill in 1970, the latter in 72). (It should be noted that the (British) Royal Navys F-4K was also well-equipped.) 1: McDonnell Douglas Phantom II McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Disadvantages of the Phantom included a large size and smoky engines that made the aircraft easy to acquire visually, in this interview Gonzalo OKelly noted, it was very easy to spot Phantoms from 6 or 7 miles because that huge black smoke trail that their engines left behind (except in afterburner) and because it was a big bird. Flown and fought carefully by well-trained battle-hardened crews the Phantom was devastatingly effective and was certainly the best fighter in the world in the last year of the 1960s. The Phantom was responsible for 147 aerial victories in the Vietnam War, far more than any other US type. Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> By Patricia Zengerle, Bipasha Dey and Gnaneshwar Rajan WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's top national security advisers briefed members of Congress about the administration's campaign against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers on Tuesday, as the president suggested he could extend U.S. military operations to Mexico and Colombia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a classified briefing for Congress' "Gang of Eight" representing intelligence committee and Senate and House of Representatives leaders from both parties after members of Congress clamored for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats emerged from the meeting dissatisfied. "I asked them what their strategy is, and what they were doing, and again, did not get satisfying answers at all," Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told reporters after the briefing. Republicans mostly declined to comment beyond saying they were still studying the issues. Trump said in a wide-ranging interview with Politico conducted on Monday that he could extend anti-drug military operations to Mexico and Colombia and hinted at land operations in Venezuela. He also took aim at Europe, including another call for Ukrainian elections and support for Hungary's leader. Trump repeatedly declined to rule out sending troops into Venezuela as part of an effort to bring down President Nicolas Maduro. Asked if he would consider using force against targets in other countries where the drug trade is highly active, including Mexico and Colombia, Trump said: "I would. Advertisement Advertisement MONROE DOCTRINE 2.0 The U.S. military has massed much of its naval strength in the southern Caribbean since early September, conducting at least 22 strikes on boats in waters around Venezuela that have killed nearly 90 people. The campaign has come under heightened scrutiny in recent days as details emerged of a September 2 decision to launch a second strike on a suspected drug boat that killed survivors of the first attack. Trump's comments in the Politico interview reiterated much of his world view outlined in the sweeping national security strategy released last week that seeks to reframe the country's global role. Advertisement Advertisement That strategy, which aides called the Trump Corollary to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine asserting U.S. dominance in the Americas, focused on the U.S. reasserting itself in the Western Hemisphere while warning Europe that it must change course or face "erasure." "Theyre weak," Trump told Politico, referring to Europes political leaders. "They want to be so politically correct." A spokesperson for the European Commission, asked about Trump's comments, defended the bloc's leaders and said the region remained committed to their union despite challenges such as Russia's war in Ukraine and Trump's tariff policies. In the interview, Trump again said he thought it was time for Ukraine to hold elections as the war nears its four-year mark. Ukraine is expected to share a revised peace plan with the U.S. later on Tuesday, one day after hastily arranged talks with European leaders. Advertisement Advertisement He also said he did not offer a financial lifeline to the government of ally Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who met with Trump last month at the White House. "No, I didn't promise him, but he certainly asked for it," he said. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle in Washington and Bipasha Dey and Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Writing by Patricia Zengerle and Susan Heavey; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Chizu Nomiyama and Jamie Freed) President Donald Trump appeared to doze off during a roundtable event in the White Houses Cabinet Room on Monday. It marks the second time in less than a week that the 79-year-old president has been caught struggling to stay awake during an official event. Trump announced a multibillion-dollar aid package for U.S. farmers, who have been hurt by his global trade wars, at Mondays roundtable. But as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins began explaining the package, the elderly president slipped into a heavy-eyed daze. President Donald Trump appeared to nod off before snapping awake during a roundtable at the White House on Monday. / GIF by The Daily Beast/The White House At one point, he tilted his head toward Rollins, 53, only for his eyes to shut and his head to fall forward slightly before he jolted himself back awake. Advertisement Advertisement His struggle to stay awake carried on, his eyelids drooping and fluttering open again as Rollins detailed how $11 billion would be directed to her departments new assistance program for farmers. Thats when Trump suddenly snapped alive and interrupted Rollins, saying, Its $12 billion. The elderly president was visibly fighting off sleep during the roundtable, which was attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, as well as farmers and members of Congress. / Alex Wong/Getty Images Rollins explained to the president that $11 billion would be used to provide one-time payments to crop farmers by February of next year, with another $1 billion to be held back for crops not covered by the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Ahh, very tricky, a grinning Trump quipped in response. The 79-year-olds public dozing spellsincluding his nap time at an Oval Office event last monthhave only heightened scrutiny of his mental and physical fitness. / Alex Wong / Alex Wong/Getty Images Trump told the roundtable that the funds would come from tariff revenues. The event was also attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 63, as well as farmers and members of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston told the Daily Beast in a statement, The Daily Beast is a trash publication spreading lies daily about President Trump. Scenes of Trump fighting off sleep have become a recurring feature of his second term, including at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Trump kept leaning back and shutting his eyes as his secretaries took turns lavishing praise on him at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. / X/Daily Beast Cameras caught Trump repeatedly leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes, just moments after he insisted that he felt sharper than he had in decades. Ill tell you when theres something wrong. There will be someday, he said. Thats going to happen to all of us. But right now, I think I am sharper than I was 25 years ago, but who the hell knows? I took my physical. I got all As, everything. Advertisement Advertisement The presidents public dozing spellsincluding his nap during an Oval Office event last monthhave only heightened scrutiny of his mental and physical fitness. Trump, the oldest person ever inaugurated as president, was reportedly left fuming after a string of new reports zeroed in on signs of his apparent deteriorating health. Minneapolis teachers rallied outside the Minneapolis Public Schools central office during the first day of their strike on March 8, 2022. (Photo by Rilyn Eischens/Minnesota Reformer) The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools on Tuesday, alleging a provision in the districts union contract shielding teachers of color from seniority-based layoffs is discriminatory and violates the Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, marks the latest move in the Trump administrations campaign to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across education, business and government. Advertisement Advertisement The policy at issue requires the district to skip over teachers from underrepresented populations during seniority-based layoffs or involuntary reassignments. If the district calls back laid-off teachers, it must first reinstate teachers from those underrepresented populations. A spokeswoman for Minneapolis Public Schools said the district does not comment on active litigation. Minneapolis teachers union president Marcia Howard replied #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles, when reached by text for comment on the suit. The district adopted the policy in 2022 in its labor contract with the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers as part of a deal to end a 14-day strike. The teachers union pushed for the protections because teachers of color tend to be younger, and traditional last-in, first-out layoffs work against the districts goal of recruiting and retaining a more diverse teaching force. Advertisement Advertisement Around 20% of Minneapolis teachers are people of color, while roughly two-thirds of their students are. Studies have shown that a diverse teaching corps improves outcomes for students of all races. The union contract says the purpose of the policy is to remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination by the district, but the Department of Justice argues there isnt evidence of past discrimination. It also quotes Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, writing in a case over school desegregation programs, The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. The Minneapolis policy doesnt explicitly mention race a deliberate feature aimed at helping it withstand legal challenges and could apply to teachers from other underrepresented groups, such as LGBTQ and multilingual teachers. But the Department of Justice contends that underrepresented populations is just a proxy for race, color or national origin. The lawsuit also takes aim at memorandum of agreement in the union contract under which the district partners with Black Men Teach, a nonprofit devoted to expanding the number of Black male teachers. The agreement gives Black Men Teach fellows a concurrent hiring process for positions at Nellie Stone Johnson Community School and exempts them from layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice argues the arrangement is discriminatory because female and non-Black teachers are not eligible to be Black Men Teach fellows. Minneapolis Public Schools previously defended the policy in a separate lawsuit brought soon after its adoption by a city resident, Deborah Clapp, with backing from the conservative legal foundation Judicial Watch. Clapp argued she was harmed as a taxpayer having to fund a discriminatory policy. In January, the Minnesota Supreme Court tossed out her case, finding she didnt have standing, and her attorney vowed to appeal to President Donald Trump to investigate the blatant civil rights violation, Sahan Journal reported at the time. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation Department said Tuesday it will waive $16.7 million in fines issued to American Airlines under then President Joe Biden in 2024 as part of a settlement over the air carrier's treatment of disabled passengers, including failing to provide some with adequate assistance and mishandling wheelchairs. USDOT said it will instead require American to spend $16.8 million to benefit passengers with disabilities, including requiring American to buy 119 additional wheelchair lifts at Miami, Philadelphia, and Chicago O'Hare airports as well as mobile devices and software enhancements that will allow American to track and record passenger wheelchairs point-by-point as they move through the transport process. Advertisement Advertisement "This is a better solution than sending money to the U.S. Treasury because now real, tangible benefits will go to the traveling public," the department said. Under the original settlement in 2024, American agreed to pay $25 million in fines over three years and was credited with $25 million for investments to address the issues and goodwill compensation to impacted passengers, USDOT said last year. American said in a statement it is committed to supporting the independence of travelers with disabilities. "With this agreement, instead of money simply going to the U.S. Treasury, American will invest millions more to further improve the travel experience for customers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices," the airline said. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, USDOT said the fine was 25 times larger than the previous highest airline penalty for disability protection violations, setting a "new precedent" for future enforcement. The department said it uncovered cases of "unsafe physical assistance that at times resulted in injuries and undignified treatment of wheelchair users, in addition to repeated failures to provide prompt wheelchair assistance." American had also mishandled thousands of wheelchairs by damaging them or delaying their return, making it among the worst performers on that front among U.S. carriers, the department said. USDOT said American must complete purchases of wheelchair movers and lifts by December 2026 and implement the wheelchair tracking system by May 2027. Late on Friday, USDOT agreed to 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 that stranded more than 2 million passengers. The department cited Southwest's decision to invest over $1 billion in its operations in its decision to waive the remaining fine imposed during the Biden administration. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington) Trump announced a proposed settlement to officially end the SAVE student-loan repayment plan. If a court approves the settlement, borrowers on SAVE will have a limited time to enroll in a new plan and resume payments. The settlement ends over a year of litigation over the affordable repayment plan. The door is about to permanently close on a major student-loan repayment plan. On Tuesday, the Department of Education announced a proposed settlement with the State of Missouri, which, if approved, will officially end the SAVE student-loan repayment plan established by former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Biden rolled out the SAVE plan in July 2023, which was intended to provide student-loan borrowers with affordable monthly payments and a condensed timeline for debt relief. In April 2024, Missouri joined other GOP-led states in filing a lawsuit challenging the plan. Borrowers enrolled in the plan have been on forbearance since last summer, while the legal challenges continued. The department said in a press release that, should the court approve the settlement, the department will not enroll any new borrowers in SAVE, deny pending applications, and move all enrolled borrowers to existing repayment plans. How will the end of SAVE affect you? Business Insider wants to hear about the challenges, successes, and unique experiences you're facing with your student loans. Please fill out this form, and we'll be in touch. "The law is clear: if you take out a loan, you must pay it back," Under Secretary of Education Nicholas Kent said in a statement. "Thanks to the State of Missouri and other states fighting against this egregious federal overreach, American taxpayers can now rest assured they will no longer be forced to serve as collateral for illegal and irresponsible student loan policies." Advertisement Advertisement If the settlement is approved, the department said that borrowers enrolled in SAVE "will have a limited time" to select a new repayment plan and begin repaying their loans. The department and federal servicers are expected to reach out to SAVE borrowers in the coming months with more information. Trump's administration has indicated its intent to end the SAVE plan for months, with a phase-out of the plan by 2028. The announcement of this proposed settlement accelerates that timeline. On August 1, the Department of Education resumed interest charges on SAVE borrowers' accounts, and the Education Sec. Linda McMahon said at the time that she recommended borrowers transition to "a legally compliant repayment plan," like income-based repayment. The department is working to carry out changes to expand eligibility for income-based repayment, like removing the requirement to have partial financial hardship, which is set to be completed in December 2025. The "big beautiful" spending legislation that Trump signed into law also included plans to eliminate SAVE and introduce two repayment options for borrowers, effective July 2026. It's unclear when these changes will take effect. However, borrowers who leave SAVE will likely face higher monthly payments should they enroll in a different plan. Read the original article on Business Insider TORONTO (AP) Canada's ambassador to the U.S. for the last six years said Tuesday she's resigning next year as the two major trading partners plan to review the free trade agreement. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said in a letter it is the right time to put in place someone who will oversee talks about the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that is up review in 2026. More from Yahoo Scout Why is Canada's U.S. Ambassador resigning now? What caused Trump to end trade talks? What is the USMCA trade agreement review? How important is U.S.-Canada trade relationship? Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Hillman prepared the foundations for Canada in the upcoming review" of the agreement. Carney noted shes one of the longest-serving ambassadors to the United States in Canada's history. Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent Hillman to the embassy as deputy ambassador in 2017. She became the first woman to represent Canada as ambassador in the U.S. in 2019. Hillman helped lead the trade negotiations during U.S. President Donald Trumps first term as deputy and as ambassador worked with U.S. and Chinese officials to win the release of two Canadians detained in China. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, and Hillman had been leading trade talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said on social media that Hillman has been an awesome and well-respected contributor to the U.S.-Canada relationship. I value your friendship and wish you all the best in your next adventure. You will be missed, Hoekstra said. Trump ended trade talks with Carney in October after the Ontario provincial government ran an anti-tariff advertisement in the U.S., which upset the U.S. president. That followed a spring of acrimony, since abated, over Trump's insistence that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state. Asked this week when trade talks would resume, Trump said, we'll see. Canada is one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, and more than 75% of Canadas exports go to the U.S. Most exports to the U.S. are exempted by the USMCA trade agreement but that deal is up for review. Carney aims to double non-U.S. trade over the next decade. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. President Donald Trump has revealed a new nickname for his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, dubbing her Susie Trump at a Tuesday rally in Pennsylvania. Susie Trump, do you know Susie Trump? he asked attendees at the rally at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono. Sometimes referred to as Susie Wiles. Susie Trump, he continued, before going on a rant about the term chief of staff. Shes a great chief of staff, he said. They dont use the word chief of staff anymore because the Indians got extremely upset, but now the Indians actually want their name used, which is true, they never didnt want it used. The president gave a 90-minute-long address at a Tuesday rally in Mount Pocono. / Alex Wong/Getty Images It was unclear which Native Americans, if any, the president was referring to, although the San Francisco Unified School District phased out the use of chief in its job titles in 2022, citing concerns expressed by Native American members of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Trump went on to explain that Wiles had told him, We have to start campaigning, sir, prompting him to respond, I won! Already? We have to win the midterms, Trump quoted Wiles as saying, and youre the guy thats gonna take us over the midterms. Susie Wiles joined Trump's White House as his chief of staff after serving as his campaign manager in 2024. / Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Wiles discussed the White Houses revised strategy for next years midterms in a rare interview on Tuesday. Appearing on The Mom View, a YouTube channel run by the conservative group Moms of America, Wiles revealed her intention to make the president campaign like its 2024. Typically in the midterms, its not about whos sitting at the White Houseyou localize the election and you keep the federal officials out of it. Were actually going to turn that on its head and put him on the ballot because so many of those low propensity voters are Trump voters, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement We saw [during the off-year elections] what happens when hes not on the ballot and not active. I havent quite broken it to him yet, but hes going to campaign like its 2024 again. Wiles joined Trumps White House as his chief of staff following his inauguration in January, having previously served as his campaign manager for his 2024 presidential campaign. Prior to joining his campaign, she oversaw his fundraising apparatus, including as CEO of the Save America PAC. By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump has had several constructive interactions on trade with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the Latin American country seems to be a willing partner, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday. Greer told an event hosted by the Atlantic Council that the U.S. would like to have a better trade relationship with Brazil, but it would take both sides to make concessions. Advertisement Advertisement "We would like to in the near term have some kind of deal with Brazil. It may not solve every problem, but there are things that they can do. They seem to be quite willing partners," he said. "Of course it takes both sides' willingness to actually make concessions." Greer gave no further details on the timing or scope of a potential trade deal between the two countries. Relations between the two countries have improved in recent months after Trump last month removed 40% tariffs on several Brazilian food products, including coffee, cocoa and fruits, while leaving in place a 10% base tariff. Trump announced the higher tariffs in August to punish Brazil over the prosecution of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally and Lula's rival. Greer said Brazil had been a challenging and important trade partner historically, noting that the United States was investigating Brazil's tariffs and non-tariff policies as part of a probe into Brazil's alleged "unfair" trading practices. Advertisement Advertisement Those include suspected illegal deforestation of the Amazon, which USTR says harms the competitiveness of U.S. timber producers, and what it describes as Brazil's preferential tariff rates for U.S. competitors. Trump spoke with Lula about trade, the economy and fighting organized crime in a phone call last week, with Lula later saying he expected further reductions in tariffs. In addition, Trump had non-trade concerns about what he sees as the weaponization of law and judicial systems in Brazil, Greer said. On Tuesday, Lula stated that he told Trump that if the U.S. wants to help in the fight against organized crime in Brazil, the Trump administration should arrest a Brazilian businessman who lives in Miami, who Lula only identified by describing him as the country's biggest debtor and as "one of the big bosses of Brazilian organized crime." Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in September, Lula in a forceful speech delivered at the opening of the UN General Assembly also said that Brazilian sovereignty is non-negotiable, criticizing external attacks on the Brazilian judiciary and unilateral measures imposed on the country. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Aurora Ellis) Two weeks after a shooting that left one National Guard member dead near the White House, the surviving guardsman is showing signs of recovery, US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. Speaking in Mount Pocono in the US state of Pennsylvania, Trump said the man's mother had called to tell him her son had managed to get out of bed. "He didn't speak," Trump added, noting the guardsman had been hit in the head and was not yet able to talk. Trump also reaffirmed that the Afghan-born suspect faces the death penalty. The 29-year-old was shot and subdued at the scene. According to Trump, doctors fought to save his life so that he could later face the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Trump had earlier described the attack as "an act of terror." The shooting, which occurred in late November just a few blocks from the White House, killed a young female National Guard member from West Virginia. Before the woman's death, US Attorney General Pam Bondi had said she would seek the death penalty if anyone were to die. US media reported the suspect entered the country in 2021 and was granted asylum only in 2025 during Trump's administration. Following the attack, the US administration tightened its immigration stance, suspending all asylum decisions temporarily. The State Department also announced a halt on issuing visas to holders of Afghan passports. Six years ago, President Donald Trump vehemently denied calling Haiti, El Salvador and African nations "s---hole countries." But in his second term, Trump is now embracing the insult, as he continues to ramp up his anti-immigrant rhetoric. During a Dec. 9 rally in Pennsylvania meant to quell concerns with his base over his handling of the economy, Trump veered off into several rants against immigrants, particularly those from Somalia. The East African country, and the tens of thousands of Somali immigrants and Somali Americans who live in the United States, have landed in Trump's crosshairs in recent weeks. He has also targeted Somalis in each of his presidential campaigns. President Donald Trump looks at the crowd upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump acknowledges the crowd at an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administrations economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump arrives to deliver remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump enters to deliver remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. President Trump was discussing his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. President Trump was discussing his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an event at Mount Airy Casino Resort on Dec. 9, 2025, in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. Trump discussed his administration's economic agenda and its efforts to lower the cost of living. Attendees wait for the arrival of US President Donald Trump to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. President Donald Trump cheers attendees upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. Trump touts economic agenda, promises lower prices at Pennsylvania rally 1 of 10 President Donald Trump looks at the crowd upon his arrival to deliver remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 9, 2025. "I said, 'Why is it that we only take people from s---hole countries? Why can't we have some people from Norway, Sweden, just a few, let us have a few, from Denmark ... send us some nice people, do you mind?'" Trump said, smiling, to the packed crowd. Advertisement Advertisement But we always take people from Somalia, he said. Places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. He recounted the 2018 White House meeting exchange, which he denied in its aftermath, after he touted his recent pause on what he called "Third World migration" from "hellhole" countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti and Somalia. A crowd member yelled that they were 's---holes,' prompting the president to laugh and revisit the earlier controversy in his speech. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the U.S. economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2025. It marks the first time Trump has publicly acknowledged using the term that ignited widespread fury domestically and internationally during his first term. A United Nations spokesperson at the time called it "racist," echoing many other condemnations, and Democrats seized on the uproar to condemn the Republican president. The president's Pennsylvania speech comes after a series of anti-immigrant posts he made on social media Thanksgiving night, Nov. 27, announcing that his administration would "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries." The posts followed the Nov. 26 shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington, DC, in which the suspect was identified as an Afghan national. A National Guard member, Sarah Beckstrom, died in the attack, and another member was seriously wounded. People listen as President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the U.S. economy and affordability at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, U.S. December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst The president also used a word considered a slur that references people with developmental disabilities in the posts to describe Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and said refugees from Somalia were completely "taking over" Minnesota. He made other comments about the state's Somali immigrant population. Advertisement Advertisement Trump doubled down on these verbal attacks during his rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, interspersed with messages about the economy and tariff policies. He called Walz "one of the dumbest" state leaders in the country and laid into Rep. Ilhan Omar, referring to her "little turban" and saying she "does nothing but b----." Omar immigrated to the United States from Somalia. Contributing: Francesca Chambers and Joey Garrison Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Sign up for her daily politics newsletter here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump once denied saying 's---hole' countries. Now, he's embracing it WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as tensions mount with the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Using U.S. forces to take control of a merchant ship is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administrations latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the United States. The U.S. has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades and launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The campaign is facing growing scrutiny from Congress. Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually, Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding that "it was seized for a very good reason. Advertisement Advertisement Trump did not offer additional details. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, Well, we keep it, I guess. The seizure was led by the U.S. Coast Guard and supported by the Navy, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that it was conducted under U.S. law enforcement authority. Storming the oil tanker The Coast Guard members were taken to the oil tanker by helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the official said. The Ford is in the Caribbean Sea after arriving last month in a major show of force, joining a fleet of other warships. Advertisement Advertisement Video posted to social media by Attorney General Pam Bondi shows people fast-roping from one of the helicopters involved in the operation as it hovers just feet from the deck. The Coast Guard members can be seen later in the video moving throughout the superstructure of the ship with their weapons drawn. Bondi wrote that for multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations. Venezuelas government said in a statement that the seizure constitutes a blatant theft and an act of international piracy. Advertisement Advertisement Under these circumstances, the true reasons for the prolonged aggression against Venezuela have finally been revealed. It has always been about our natural resources, our oil, our energy, the resources that belong exclusively to the Venezuelan people, the statement said. Half of ship's oil is tied to Cuban importer The U.S. official identified the seized tanker as the Skipper. The ship departed Venezuela around Dec. 2 with about 2 million barrels of heavy crude, roughly half of it belonging to a Cuban state-run oil importer, according to documents from the state-owned company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA, that were provided on the condition of anonymity because the person did not have permission to share them. Advertisement Advertisement The Skipper was previously known as the M/T Adisa, according to ship tracking data. The Adisa was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 over accusations of belonging to a sophisticated network of shadow tankers that smuggled crude oil on behalf of Irans Revolutionary Guard and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group. The network was reportedly run by a Switzerland-based Ukrainian oil trader, the U.S. Treasury Department said at the time. Hitting Venezuela's sanctioned oil business Venezuela has the worlds largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day. PDVSA is the backbone of the countrys economy. Its reliance on intermediaries increased in 2020, when the first Trump administration expanded its maximum-pressure campaign on Venezuela with sanctions that threaten to lock out of the U.S. economy any individual or company that does business with Maduros government. Longtime allies Russia and Iran, both also sanctioned, have helped Venezuela skirt restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement The transactions usually involve a complex network of shadowy intermediaries. Many are shell companies, registered in jurisdictions known for secrecy. The buyers deploy so-called ghost tankers that hide their location and hand off their valuable cargoes in the middle of the ocean before they reach their final destination. Maduro did not address the seizure during a speech before a ruling-party organized demonstration in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. But he told supporters that the country is prepared to break the teeth of the North American empire if necessary. Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office. Democrat says the move is about regime change Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. seizing the oil tanker cast doubt on the administrations stated reasons for the military buildup and boat strikes. This shows that their whole cover story that this is about interdicting drugs is a big lie, the senator said. This is just one more piece of evidence that this is really about regime change by force. Vincent P. OHara, a naval historian and author of The Greatest Naval War Ever Fought, called the seizure very unusual and "provocative." Noting that the action will probably deter other ships from the Venezuela coastline, he said, "If you have no maritime traffic or access to that, then you have no economy. The seizure comes a day after the U.S. military flew a pair of fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela in what appeared to be the closest that warplanes had come to the South American countrys airspace. Trump has said land attacks are coming soon but has not offered more details. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes since early September, including a follow-up strike that killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit. Some legal experts and Democrats say that action may have violated the laws governing the use of deadly military force. Lawmakers are demanding to get unedited video from the strikes, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders at a classified briefing Tuesday that he was still weighing whether to release it. The Coast Guard referred a request for comment about the tanker seizure to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement ___ Goodman reported from Miami, and Garcia Cano from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report. BRUSSELS - A new U.S. national security strategy berating Europe has triggered a wave of acrimony across the Atlantic, enraging and dismaying European officials who say the document has turned the Trump administrations vitriol against European democracies into formal policy. President Donald Trumps push to halt the war in Ukraine on terms favorable to Russia and the European Unions announcement Friday of a roughly $140 million fine against X for violating the blocs digital rules, have fueled the fire, pushing transatlantic relations to their lowest point since Trump returned to the White House in January. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk, the owner of X, is calling for abolishing the E.U., and Trump supporters are railing against the 27-nation bloc. European officials describe the regulations as a matter of sovereignty and say they are trying to stop abuses by behemoth American technology companies. Tensions erupted after the U.S. strategy painted the E.U. as a bigger threat than Russia or China and said Europe risks civilizational erasure because of immigrants and progressive social policies. The document lays bare the depth of the rift in the 80-year-old Western alliance, European officials and analysts say, and serves as proof that European nations should strive for greater military independence. In one snarky retort, Polands foreign minister, Radosaw Sikorski, wrote that gun deaths are an interesting metric of erasure, noting there were nearly seven times as many per year in the United States as in the E.U. Other commentators have directed their ire at American food products banned in Europe because of chemical additives. From the start of Trumps term, the presidents inner circle has bashed Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance delivered the first broadside in February in a speech at the Munich Security Conference, in which he accused European governments of censoring political opponents, especially the far right, by restricting hate speech, and he alleged that they had created horrors by accepting too many immigrants. There have also been disputes over tariffs and regulation. Now its clear, Vances speech in Munich and the many tweets of President Trump have become official doctrine of the United States, and we must act accordingly, European Council President Antonio Costa said at an event in Paris on Monday. Costa urged Europe to understand that post-World War II alliances have changed and to get ready to protect ourselves not only against our adversaries, but also against the allies who challenge us. Efforts by European leaders to cajole Trump - reaching a deal on tariffs, agreeing to increase military spending, and taking over military and financial support of Ukraine - appear to have done little to change the views within his administration. The security document put it in writing. Advertisement Advertisement There is a growing recognition that their strategy did not work, said Nathalie Tocci, director of the Rome-based Institute for International Affairs and a former E.U. foreign policy adviser. Its becoming clearer that, obviously, its expressed by the Trump administration, but there seems to be a bigger MAGA sort of worldview in which Europe is identified as Public Enemy No. 1. Tocci said the U.S. strategy describes the continent as the only world region apparently in which democracy is under threat; echoes the great replacement theory - a baseless claim that White populations are deliberately being replaced by non-White immigrants; and buys into a narrative on Russia, which has blamed Europeans for its war in Ukraine. The whole thing is completely, I mean, off the bender, she said. The U.S. strategys embrace of European nationalist parties, and its promise of cultivating resistance to Europes current trajectory within European nations, also drew pushback. Advertisement Advertisement What we cannot accept is this threat of interference in Europes political life, Costa said in some of the most forceful comments from the blocs top echelons. Former E.U. commissioner Thierry Breton shared the sentiments, saying that the very shocking document puts it in black and white that the White House sees European institutions as an enemy it wants to destabilize. Breton said the administration seems to want a Europe that will be much more fragmented and so, evidently, weakened. Some European politicians and commentators spent the weekend responding to tirades from Musk and U.S. officials in a war of subtweets on X. A member of the European Parliament from Germany said the continent did not want a tech bro oligarchy. Another, from France, posted that Europe is not a colony of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement On the other side of the spat, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, fresh off a visit to NATO headquarters, complained about European nations pursuing all sorts of agendas that are often utterly adverse to U.S. interests and security. Landau mentioned economic suicide/climate fanaticism and disdain for national sovereignty. In subsequent posts, however, Landau described the charming Christmas market in central Brussels and shared a photo of Belgian french fries. The U.S. strategy published late last week - a mission statement that every administration publishes - accused the E.U. of seeking to undermine political liberty and sovereignty, lamenting censorship of free speech and loss of national identities in Europe. Unlike the strategy of Trumps first term, it did not focus on geopolitical challenges from Russia and China. Instead, it cited a need to reestablish strategic stability with Russia and cast the U.S. as a potential moderator between Moscow and Europe, rather than as the largest and leading member of the NATO alliance, which views Russia as a pernicious threat. Advertisement Advertisement The security strategy also derided unrealistic expectations of European leaders backing Ukraine against Russias invasion, and accused their unstable minority governments of subversion of democratic processes, without backing up the claim. The stark language laid out a vision of Europe that contradicts many views on the continent. An annual survey by Korber-Stiftung, a German nonprofit, found that 59 percent of Germans believe they can freely express their opinions but only about 35 percent believe this is also true for Americans. This is certainly not the first transatlantic rift. During George W. Bushs administration, there was a bitter split over the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and Trumps first term was also divisive. But polling this year suggests growing alienation, with more and more Europeans viewing ties with America negatively or even as adversarial. On Ukraine, recent polls also suggest that public support for Europes backing of Kyiv remains solid in countries such as Germany, Britain and France despite growing weariness amid economic difficulties and political pressure from the hard left and hard right. Advertisement Advertisement European leaders have pledged to boost ailing economies, cut red tape and embark on a defense buildup, although they may be sluggish and divided in following through. But many Europeans blasted the U.S. complaints as absurd. The Trump team has made no secret of its disdain. Trump once said the E.U. - a project long backed by the U.S. and designed to promote free trade and prevent military conflict on the continent - was formed to screw the United States. Top Trump advisers called Europeans pathetic and freeloading in a leaked chat. One irony is that even before the xenophobic lectures from Washington, many European governments had begun turning away from open-door immigration policies as embattled centrists seek to answer challenges from nationalist parties. But not everyone was displeased by the U.S. vision for Europe. Advertisement Advertisement The Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigrant, anti-Islam, Euroskeptic party classified by German authorities as extremist, cheered the security strategy as a foreign policy reality check for Europe, and especially for Germany. Hungarys Kremlin-friendly prime minister, Viktor Orban, meanwhile, praised Musk for holding the line against what he called an attack on X from the Brusselian overlords at the E.U. executive branch. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the fine on X an an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments, while Musk shared a slew of posts against the E.U., which he said should be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries. Replying to Musk, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted: Exactly. Advertisement Advertisement As Europeans fumed, Moscow welcomed aspects of the new U.S. strategy. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia hopes it will have a sobering effect on the European war party. Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman of Germanys Christian Democratic Union, the party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, said Trumps strategy echoes right radical parties in Europe with a pro-Kremlin line or sometimes it sounds like Putin talking about Europe. Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni - a conservative ally of Trump and Musk in politics and ideology - said in a TV interview that when you outsource security to someone else, you have to know theres a price to pay. Some, however, criticized E.U. and national leaders for not hitting back harder. Josep Borrell, the E.U.'s former top diplomat, on Tuesday called the U.S. strategy a declaration of political war and said Trump seems to want a subordinate White Europe divided into nations. Borrell called on European leaders to stop pretending that Trump is not our adversary, hiding behind a fearful and complacent silence, and instead assert the EUs sovereignty. - - - Beatriz Rios in Brussels; Stefano Pitrelli in Rome; Kate Brady in Berlin; Natalia Abbakumova in Riga, Latvia; Mary Ilyushina in Berlin; and Karla Adam in London contributed to this report. Related Content This musician taught an octopus to play the piano Molly Yehs embroidery cookies turn frosting dots into seasonal designs Minnesota, known for a warm welcome, turns icy for Somali immigrants Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The United States has blacklisted a network of four Colombians and four entities accused of recruiting former Colombian military personnel to fight in Sudan's civil war. The sanctions were announced Tuesday by the U.S. Treasury, which said the network was aiding the Rapid Support Forces, a breakaway paramilitary unit that has been accused of committing ethnic cleansing and genocide in the nearly 1,000-day-old conflict. The RSF has been waging war against the Sudanese Armed Forces since April 2023. According to the Treasury, the RSF has recruited hundreds of former Colombian military personnel since September 2024. Advertisement Advertisement The Colombian soldiers provide the RSF with tactical and technical expertise. They serve as infantry, artillerymen, drone pilots, vehicle operators and instructors, with some even training children, according to the Treasury. "The RSF has shown again and again that it is willing to target civilians -- including infants and young children. Its brutality has deepened the conflict and destabilized the region, creating the conditions for terrorist groups to grow," John Hurley, undersecretary for the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a statement. Colombian soldiers have aided the RSF in its late October capture of El Fasher in North Darfur following an 18-month assault, while committing alleged war crimes along the way, including mass killings, sexual violence and ethnically targeted torture. The Treasury identified and sanctioned Alvaro Andrew Quijano Becerra, a 58-year-old retired Colombian military officer, who is accused by the United States of playing a leading role in the network from the United Arab Emirates. His Bogota-founded International Services Agency was also sanctioned for seeking to fill drone operator, sniper and translator roles for the RSF via its website, group chats and town halls. Advertisement Advertisement Colombia-based employment agency Maine Global Corp., Colombia-based Comercializadora San Bendito and Panama-based Global Staffing S.A. were the other three entities sanctioned. The other three individuals blacklisted were Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, Quijano's 52-year-old wife; Mateo Andres Duque Botero, 50, the manager of Maine Global; and Monica Munoz Ucros, 49, Maine Global's alternate manager and manager of Comercializadora San Bendito. "Today's sanctions disrupt an important source of external support to the RSF, degrading its ability to use skilled Colombian fighters to prosecute violence against civilians," State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in a statement. Sanctions freeze U.S.-based assets of those named while barring U.S. persons from doing business with them. A Ukrainian security source said naval drones attacked and damaged an oil tanker on Wednesday. The tanker was part of Russia's "shadow fleet," which is used to move oil despite sanctions. Ukraine has attacked three of these ships in a matter of days as it targets Russia's energy sector. Ukrainian forces used naval drones packed with explosives to attack an oil tanker identified as part of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea on Wednesday, a security source told Business Insider. The naval drone strike on the tanker, Dashan, marks the third such attack in less than two weeks as Ukraine ramps up its long-range strike campaign against Russia's energy sector, increasingly gunning for ships at sea in addition to land-based oil facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Sea Baby naval drones hit the tanker and caused "critical damage" to the vessel, with early indications indicating that the strike completely disabled the vessel, the source in the Security Service of Ukraine, the country's main internal security agency, revealed on Wednesday. The SBU source, only authorized to speak anonymously to discuss sensitive military developments, said the Dashan was flying the Comoros flag and moving through Ukraine's exclusive economic zone in the direction of Novorossiysk, a Russian port city and major oil terminal. Publicly available ship-tracking data last showed the Dashan in the middle of the Black Sea. The tanker was sailing at maximum speed with its transponder turned off, the security source said. They added that the attack was carried out in cooperation with the Ukrainian navy and shared footage captured by the Sea Baby drones showing multiple hits on the ship. Several Western countries and the European Union have sanctioned the $30 million tanker, which has been used for Russian oil exports and is known to sail with its transponder switched off, Ukraine's HUR military intelligence agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Business Insider could not independently verify the extent of the damage. Russia's defense ministry and its embassy in the US did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The attack on Wednesday appears to mark the third time in the last two weeks that Ukraine has disabled a tanker belonging to the "shadow fleet." In late November, the SBU used naval drones to strike and damage two vessels before they loaded at Novorossiysk. The "shadow fleet" is a collection of hundreds of vessels that Moscow uses to transport oil and circumvent sanctions on its energy exports, a major source of revenue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged Kyiv's international partners to do more to prevent the ships from operating. "The SBU continues to take active measures to reduce the receipt of petrodollars to the budget of the Russian Federation," the security source said on Wednesday, according to a translation of their remarks shared with Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been stepping up its attacks against the Russian energy sector, the revenue from which fuels its war efforts, in recent months. Kyiv has used long-range drones to strike oil refineries and other facilities and infrastructure across the country. The three tanker attacks appear to reflect a new shift for Ukraine one that now increasingly attacks ships at sea rather than just land targets. Read the original article on Business Insider The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Wednesday that Israeli forces fired multiple bursts of machine-gun fire near a UN peacekeeping patrol along the UN-demarcated Blue Line, causing no casualties. "Attacks on or near peacekeepers constitute a serious violation of Resolution 1701," the statement said, urging Israel to halt what UNIFIL called aggressive behaviour toward forces mandated to maintain stability along the frontier. UN Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 Lebanon War. According to a statement, peacekeepers in vehicles were conducting a routine patrol near the village of Sarda on Tuesday when an Israeli Merkava tank opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement "One burst of 10 rounds was fired over the patrol, followed by four additional 10-round bursts landing nearby," the statement said. The mission said the peacekeepers immediately contacted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through UNIFIL liaison channels to demand an end to the shooting. UNIFIL noted that both the tank and the patrol were located inside Lebanese territory at the time. The incident comes amid a period of Israeli military activity along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where Israel has been carrying almost daily strikes against Pro-Iranian Hezbollah positions. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border fire, though both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the deal since then. Advertisement Advertisement A key element of the ceasefire agreement is the disarmament of Hezbollah, a politically sensitive process that has been sought unsuccessfully in Lebanon for decades. Israel and its northern neighbour remain formally in a state of war. Lebanon's president recently signalled openness to new negotiations with Israel. UNIFIL reiterated that its personnel remain committed to preventing further deterioration and maintaining channels of communication between the parties. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In 2018 U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke broke state fundraising records and sparked national attention with his campaign for a Texas Senate seat. The polls never had him as the favoriteFiveThirtyEight gave him a 23 percent chance by Election Daybut it was noteworthy that in Texas a Democrat was even close. Bolstered by the notoriously unlikable Ted Cruz and a national blue wave, ORourke lost by only 2.6 points. Not bad for an anti-gun Democrat in a seemingly deep-red state. In hindsight, ORourkes narrow loss was actually the cruelest thing he couldve done to the Democratic Party. It created a misleading impression that a long-dreamed-of blue Texas was right around the corner. That idea was emboldened in 2020, after Joe Biden lost the state by just 5.5 points. It was a larger loss than ORourkes had been, but it was arguably more impressive when you took into account the more Republican-friendly national environment. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats hopes were high, and they held on to them even after taking a step back during the 2022 midterms. Then came Kamala Harris 2024 Texas wipeout, when she lost to Donald Trump by 13.7 points. It was a massive regression, and it felt familiar. For years, optimistic Democratsbraced by near misseshad promised a blue Texas over the horizon. And, once again, when the big moment arrived, the state apparently returned to a deep-red hue. Not only did this seemingly destroy any hope that Texas was trending blue, but a core part of the blue Texas theorythat Hispanic and Latino voters would carry Democrats across the finish linehad been debunked. Trump won 55 percent of Latino voters in the state, a stunning swing from his 41 percent share in 2020. The blue Texas dream is widely scoffed at post-2024, with liberals themselves often the most skeptical of the idea. Theyll say theyve been promised that the state will flip one too many times, so dont you dare try to get their hopes up again. Conservatives, meanwhile, appear to see blue Texas as a total joke; whereas Cruzs 2024 Senate campaign ads took the idea seriously, in 2025 the White House urged Texas legislators to redraw their states congressional map in an attempt to grab Republicans five additional seats. Its a move that conveyed total confidence that Texas would remain in the GOPs hands. And so it is with some trepidation that I come to argue that the blue Texas dream is not over. Not only that, but theres a historical precedent for a state flipping from one partys bastion to the others playground. Advertisement Advertisement Lets begin with those electoral maps that Republicans redrew this summer, a move that took on additional salience last week after the Supreme Court upheld them for the upcoming election. Its not clear that this power grab will actually yield the party the five new seats its hoping to snagparticularly if the national political environment continues to favor Democrats in 2026. As elections analyst Eli McKown-Dawson noted, two of those five districts arent actually safe red: Texas 28th District can easily fall in a blue-wave environment, and its 34th could fall too if the Hispanic vote shifts back to Democrats. Given Hispanic and Latino Texans status as swing voters and their already-observable leftward shift in the 2025 elections, this hardly seems like a safe bet for the GOP. And considering that the recent Tennessee special election showed a district moving 13 points to the left, these 2024 Texas margins just arent that impressive. But when I talk about blue Texas, Im talking about something more ambitious than a wave election that flips a few House seats. Republicans moves in Texas suggest an assumption that the state will remain deep red in perpetuity. But it wasnt so long ago that the party believed it had a megastate in the bag, only to see it flip on them. Rewind 31 years, and youll find a California that had leaned Republican for over a generation. Voters elected not a single Democratic presidential candidate from 1968 to 1988 and only one Democratic governor from 1966 to 1998. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, later famous for repeatedly winning reelection on autopilot, actually lost her first statewide race to a Republican in 1990. Much like ORourkes 2018 defeat, Feinsteins 3.5-point loss was described by the Oakland Tribune as an impressive closing campaign that put her in the front ranks in an upcoming 1992 primary for the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement The California of 1990 isnt a perfect comparison with modern Texas. For one thing, its pro-choice Republican governor, Pete Wilson, started off more moderate than politicians like Greg Abbott and Cruz did. Still, its hard not to look at the next gubernatorial election in 1994 and not see some parallels to 2024. 1994 was the year Wilson won reelection by a much larger margin than his first time around, and he did so by tacking notably to the right on immigration. After his victory, he described the race as a sweeping mandate, and other GOP figures in the state certainly agreed: This is a glorious day to be a Republican, Wilsons attorney general told reporters. We have made a change in America and California thats going to last a long, long time. But a Democrat won the governors race four years later, and (give or take one Terminator) the party continued to win that seat for decades to come. Within one generation, Republicans had gone from the clear favorites in statewide elections to candidates barely taken seriously at all. This was not an instant switch but a culmination of a decadeslong trend, one that necessitated many steps forward and plenty of steps back. Colorado and Virginia would go through similar transformations in the 2000s, while Georgia and Arizona are on similar trajectories today. So why is it so hard to imagine Texas, a state that voted Republican by 23 points in 2004 and by only 5.5 points in 2020, going down the same path? The easiest explanation for all the doomerism is that the changing national environment has created a misleading picture. 2018 was a bluer year nationwide than 2020, which was a bluer year than 2022, which was itself a bluer year than 2024; Democrats vote share in Texas declined during this period at least partially because their vote share was declining everywhere. Its similar to the way Republicans California win in 94 grows less impressive when you remember that as the year of a historic national red-wave midterm. National trends can cloud ones takeaway from statewide elections; Wilson falsely interpreted his win as a sign that California was fully on board with his increasingly conservative, anti-immigrant platform, and that fundamental misread of his electorate paved the way for a Democrat to win big in 1998. The other reason for the blue Texas skepticism is that the Democrats dominance in California was fueled by its burgeoning Hispanic population. The transition helped contribute to the emerging Democratic majority theory, the idea that an increasingly diverse America would usher in an inevitable age of Democratic dominance. The theory was half right: The country has indeed gotten more diverse. But at the same time, many of its minority groups have shifted right. If Hispanic and Latino voters were still casting ballots like they did in 2016 (their estimated 20-point swing from 16 cost Democrats at least 400,000 votes in 24), Texas could already be an undeniable swing state; instead, Hispanic voters swung hard for Trump and helped him carry the state with ease. Advertisement Advertisement But while the evolution of the Hispanic vote is a complication in the blue Texas dream, it certainly doesnt kill it. After all, that transition is similar to what happened with Irish and Italian voting blocs during the mid-20th century. As Vox correspondent Christian Paz put it before the 2024 election, Hispanic and Latino Americans may simply be following the trends of previous waves of immigrant communities: assimilating, diffusing across the country, and becoming as ideologically and politically diverse as native-born and white Americans are. Just as Irish and Italian Americans went from reliable Democrats to less-predictable swing voters, so too are Hispanic Americans today. The transition may be messier given the sheer variety of Hispanic voters (hailing from over a dozen different major countries), but the general trend seems clear. And a demographic that swings in one direction can swing back just as quickly in the other. Nearly all recent polling data shows that Hispanic and Latino voters are souring on Trump, and these numbers have been backed up at least partially in the 2025 election results. Especially in states like New Jersey and Virginia, Latino-heavy districts have shown a major reversion toward Democrats. And as party strategist Chuck Rocha noted in an August interview for the Texas Tribune, the president has shown a unique strength with Hispanic voters that might not be replicable for other Republicans, nor may it help them much in the 2026 midterms. In 2024 Ted Cruz performed 4 to 6 points worse than Trump in the most Hispanic-heavy districts throughout the state; whose coattails will Texas Sen. John Cornyn be able to ride in 2026? Another common argument against blue Texas is the states apparent exodus of liberal voters combined with an influx of conservative voters. While there is a trend of political self-sorting in America that accelerated in the COVID era, the impact this has had on Texas appears overstated. Not only are far more people entering the state than leaving it, but the people entering (primarily young people of diverse backgrounds) are evidently motivated more by job opportunities and cost of living than by partisan politics. Its also the blue and purple metro areas that are booming in Texas, not the red rural counties. Just as Hispanic residents have been shown to vote more liberal when they live in liberal districts, so too do most other Americans. As long as most people are moving into Texas suburbs and cities, self-sorting migration is likely not enough to reverse the states blueward trend on its own. Perhaps the biggest factor holding back a blue Texas is voter apathy in the state. As the Texas Blue Action website notes with great frustration, the state already has enough registered Democrats to flip most of its recent statewide election results, but many of those registered Democrats arent voting. This logic could easily be flipped around on the advocacy group (there are plenty of registered Republicans in the state who dont vote either), but the general point stands: Voter turnout among Democrats tends to be lower than among Republicans in the state, further hurting Democrats chances. Texas has one of the lowest voter participation rates in the country, a fact that blue Texas skeptics constantly cite as proof that the state is unflippable. Advertisement Advertisement The obvious counter is to ask why voter apathy is so high in the first place. It cant be explained away by the states restrictive voter policies, as similarly restrictive states, such as Georgia and Florida, regularly see higher turnout. The difference is that those states are perceived as swing states and Texas isnt. People are more likely to turn out in elections when they think their votes matter, but Texas voters feel as if theirs dont. And although the states Republican voters get at least the satisfaction of being on the winning team, for its Democrats, voting can feel like an undignified, Sisyphean task. Whats the point in showing up if you think youre just going to lose again and again? This is why its so crucial for Democrats to not give up on Texas: A single win would deal a major blow to the perception that their statewide elections are a foregone conclusion. Much like how Georgias surprise 2020 flip led to a boost (relative to the nation) in voter turnout in 2024, a single win could energize Texas Dems get-out-the-vote efforts going forward. Both the 2026 state Senate race and gubernatorial race are too far out to say anything for certain, but the national blue-leaning midterm trend will make those contests Democrats best chance to win the state in over 30 years. Flipping Texas with the right candidate in a blue-wave midterm would hardly turn it into a blue state yet, but it would provide the much-needed proof that blue Texas isnt a delusion. Even if Democrats fail to win statewide in 2026, its important that they take the possibility seriously and continue putting in the work to make it happen. Winning Texas Senate seat could be crucial to regaining control of the U.S. Senate, and turning Texas into a purple state would radically shift the presidential electoral map in Democrats favor. After the 2030 census, Texas is expected to gain four electoral votes, while the heavy-blue states may lose up to nine of them; this math is devastating for Democrats unless they manage to put Texas on the table. Most importantly, Democrats need to believe in and strive for a blue Texas because persistent groundwork is vital for the long-term flipping of a state. Just as Stacey Abrams doomed 2018 gubernatorial campaign still paved the way for Democrats triumph in Georgia two years later, so too could the Democrats campaigns in 2026. Theres a decent chance that things wont work out as nicely for Texas, that flipping the state truly is a total nonstarter, as so many pundits insist. That doesnt mean, however, that the party should give up on it after having gained so much ground. Blue Texas is not guaranteed, but it is at least possible, and that should be more than enough reason to keep up the fight. A New Jersey drug maker is voluntarily recalling thousands of bottles of a prescription drug used to treat hypertension after discovering it could be cross-contaminated with another drug, The Hill reported. The recall is for more than 11,100 bottles of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets under the brand name Ziac. Testing of reserve samples showed the presence of ezetimibe, a drug used for high cholesterol, The Hill reported. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall with a Class lll risk level, suggesting that exposure to the medication is unlikely to cause health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, which has a U.S. headquarters in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, is recalling an undisclosed number of tablets, from 2.5 mg to 6.25 mg dosages, in various-sized bottles, manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, India, according to USA TODAY. The following packages are a part of this recall: Lot 17232401: 30-tablet bottles (NDC-68462-878-30). Expires Nov. 2025. Lot 17232401: 100-tablet bottles (NDC-68462-878-01). Expires Nov. 2025. Lot 17232401: 500-tablet bottles (NDC-68462-878-05). Expires Nov. 2025. Lot 17240974: 500-tablet bottles (NDC-68462-878-05). Expires May 2026. The FDA did not immediately respond to MassLives request for further details. More Business News Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. ISTANBUL (AP) The close relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has brought the countries closer to resolving issues that led to Turkey being kicked off the F-35 fighter jet program, the United States ambassador to Ankara said Wednesday. The positive relationship between President Trump and President Erdogan has created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade, Ambassador Tom Barrack wrote in a social media post. During Trumps first term, the U.S. removed NATO ally Turkey from the next-generation fighter program after Turkey purchased an air defense system from Russia. U.S. officials worried that Turkeys use of Russias S-400 missile system could be used to gather data on the capabilities of the F-35 and that the information could end up in Russian hands. Advertisement Advertisement Ankara has long sought to be readmitted to the project, which was developed by the U.S. and other NATO members. Erdogan has said Turkey invested $1.4 billion before it was suspended from the program in 2019. The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering Americas Adversaries Through Sanctions Act the following year. Barrack, who is also Trumps special envoy for Syria, said there were ongoing discussions with Turkiye regarding their desire to rejoin the F-35 program and their possession of the Russian-made S-400 air defense system. Using the Turkish governments preferred spelling for Turkey, he said the positive relationship between Trump and Erdogan had created a new atmosphere of cooperation, which has led to the most fruitful conversations we have had on this topic in nearly a decade. Our hope is that these talks will yield a breakthrough in the coming months that meets both the security requirements of the United States and Turkiye. Advertisement Advertisement While it has been excluded from receiving F-35s, Turkey has been looking elsewhere to bolster its air force, including Eurofighter Typhoons and U.S.-made F-16s. It is developing its own fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet, which is expected to enter service in 2028. In a meeting with Erdogan at the White House in September, Trump signaled that the U.S. might soon lift the ban on sales of F-35s to Ankara. The two leaders forged what Trump has described as a very good relationship during his first White House term. The Obama and Biden administrations kept Erdogan, who has ruled Turkey for 22 years, at arms length. U.S. officials cited concerns about Turkeys human rights record and the countrys ties with Russia. Tensions between Turkey and Israel, another important American ally, have made relations difficult with Turkey at times. Trump sees Erdogan as an intermediary in his efforts to find ends to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. U.S. and European leaders have followed Erdogan in embracing Syrias new interim government. By Jack Queen Dec 10 (Reuters) - A federal judge in California on Wednesday ordered an end to Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles and directed that they be returned to the control of the state's Democratic governor, finding that the Republican president had exceeded his authority. The ruling by San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer represented the latest legal setback for Trump in his efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Democratic-controlled cities, an extraordinary use of the military for domestic purposes. The U.S. Supreme Court could ultimately decide the issue. Advertisement Advertisement The judge found Trump overstepped his authority by taking control of California National Guard units and sending them to Los Angeles and elsewhere in response to protests against federal immigration authorities. Breyer said there was no evidence to support the administration's claim that the protests were a rebellion against the government that legally justified sending in troops. Breyer also rejected the administration's claim that courts have no power to review a president's decision to take control of state National Guard units during an emergency, saying this was an overly expansive view of presidential authority. "The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances. Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one," Breyer said, referring to the Trump administration. The judge's ruling came in a lawsuit filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent critic of Trump, that asked the court to block an August order by the administration taking federal control of 300 California National Guard troops through February 2, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement National Guard units are controlled by states but can be called into federal service under certain circumstances. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement issued after the judge's ruling that Trump has lawful authority to deploy troops in response to "violent riots" and that the administration would ultimately prevail on the issue. Newsom said in a statement that he looks forward to the troops being returned to state control after Trump deployed them against their own communities and diverted them from essential public safety missions. Trump has said troop deployments in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Memphis and Portland, Oregon are necessary to fight crime and protect federal property and personnel from protesters. Advertisement Advertisement Local leaders in those cities have said the deployments are unnecessary. They have accused Trump of exaggerating isolated episodes of violence at mostly peaceful protests to justify sending in troops. Judges overseeing lawsuits filed by those cities challenging the deployments have consistently ruled that the administration overstepped its authority and found that there is no evidence to support claims that troops are necessary to protect federal property from protesters. Trump started deploying troops in June amid protests against his hardline immigration policies including efforts to ramp up deportations of people living in the United States without legal authorization. He also deployed troops to Washington and took control of local police in response to what he said was rampant crime - though local crime statistics indicated otherwise - using his unique authority as president over the U.S. capital. Military officials have been winding down and scaling back the deployments in recent months as litigation has left them in limbo. Advertisement Advertisement A federal appeals court last week paused a judge's order that would have ended the deployment in Washington. The administration is appealing a judge's ruling in November that found Trump unlawfully ordered National Guard troops to Portland and has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a judge's order blocking the deployment of troops to the Chicago area. A state judge in Tennessee in November temporarily blocked the National Guard deployment to Memphis in a ruling against Republican Governor Bill Lee, who consented to the deployment. The state is appealing the decision. (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul, Chizu Nomiyama and Will Dunham) KYIV OBLAST, Ukraine I never expected to become a war crimes lawyer. I never imagined I would sit across from children whose mothers had been raped, men who had been tortured, families who watched their houses swallowed by flames, the walls melting into ruin. Before Russias full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, I worked in commercial law. My cases were about business contracts, not corpses. Then the war came, and everything changed. Russian forces were closing in on Kyiv, and I felt something inside me break. If no one recorded what was happening, the world would be able to deny it. So I picked up my phone, sat beside survivors and pressed record. I didnt work for an international institution. I was a Ukrainian lawyer with a belief that telling the truth was the only way to save something of our humanity. Since March 2022, I have interviewed people from across Ukraine stories told through tears, trembling hands and voices that sometimes fell silent from trauma. These testimonies have been used by Ukraines prosecutor general and even by the International Criminal Court. Advertisement Advertisement On this Dec. 10 Human Rights Day, justice is not an idea. It is a lifeline. Human rights are our everyday essentials. For most people, these essentials are invisible. For the people whose testimonies I record, they are the difference between being treated as human beings or as collateral damage. US-backed peace plan tells Ukrainians their suffering is negotiable President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin hold a news conference following their Ukraine-Russia war summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on Aug. 15, 2025. As the world debates a new U.S.-backed peace plan for Ukraine, including proposals that may allow amnesty or concessions without accountability, I am afraid. I fear a peace that abandons the people I represent. I fear a peace that tells survivors their suffering is negotiable. I fear a peace that lets international courts congratulate themselves while doing nothing to enforce their rulings. I fear a peace that teaches every aggressor not only Russia that mass slaughter and torture can be washed away by political convenience. Silence after atrocity does not create peace. It creates repetition. In 2023, I began representing victims in Ukrainian courts. Despite missile strikes, blackouts and the sounds of air raid sirens echoing through courtrooms, we pursued justice. In 2024 and 2025, we secured two convictions. A Russian soldier who committed sexual violence against a mother in front of her child in Kherson was sentenced to 11 years. A Russian officer who brutalized civilians near Kyiv received 10 years. Both verdicts awarded compensation to victims. For the families I represented, the verdicts were more than sentences; they restored the dignity they thought they had lost forever. Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Ukraine-Russia war is not about borders. We've watched it become about the survival of a national identity. Here is the truth the world must understand: These victories are fragile. Russia does not recognize our court decisions, so survivors still cannot receive the compensation they are owed. Justice exists on paper but not yet in reality. If the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice cannot enforce justice now, when will they ever? Arrest warrants mean nothing if the wanted person moves freely. Rulings are meaningless if the survivor receives nothing. Their credibility is not measured in journals or conferences, but in the lives of people who risked everything to testify. Peace without justice is a lie. Ukraine, Russia deal cannot ignore accountability. War crimes lawyer Yurii Bilous, right, interviews Ukrainians in Bucha after several civilian men were killed in this house in 2022, after Russia invaded Ukraine that February. I have stood with those people. I have walked into destroyed villages, sat in kitchens lit by a single candle during blackouts, listened to families describe what no family should ever describe. When they speak, they expect the world to listen. Listening must lead to action. Advertisement Advertisement Peace without justice will destroy the future we are fighting for. Every day, new war crimes appear: torture, unlawful detention, disappearances, executions, sexual violence, missiles hitting residential buildings like the ones in Ternopil destroyed the night I drafted this piece. The work is endless because the crimes are endless. Which is why any peace deal that ignores accountability is not a peace deal at all. It is a ceasefire with a loaded gun behind it. Opinion: War doesn't end with a ceasefire. Ukraine needs real disarmament, not a checkbox. If global leaders truly believe human rights are everyday essentials, then accountability and justice must be nonnegotiable. War crime convictions must be enforced beyond Ukraines borders. Survivors must see their justice realized, or they will rightly conclude that the world has abandoned them. Advertisement Advertisement I will keep recording. I founded Justice for Ukrainians to help victims navigate this impossible landscape. The work is unpaid. It depends on volunteers. And yet it continues, because people need someone who will not abandon them. Ukraine cannot do this alone. The world itself must decide whether justice matters. 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. Human Rights Day is not symbolic for me. On Dec. 10, 2022, I received Ukraines National Human Rights Award. I did not feel pride. I felt responsibility to every person whose story I recorded, and to every person who still waits for justice. Advertisement Advertisement I will continue this work for as long as it takes. Peace without justice is a lie. It is a promise to aggressors that the world will look away, that the blood spilled does not matter. Peace without accountability will shatter Ukraine, betray survivors and signal to the next tyrant that they, too, can act with impunity. Justice is the lifeline. Accountability is the sword. Without them, there will be no peace. Not for Ukraine. Not for the world. Windows have been broken in an apartment inside a residential building badly damaged during Russian missiles and drones strikes, on Nov. 25, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. A Russian missile and drone strike hit Kyiv overnight, causing civilian casualties. According to Kyiv authorities, at least 6 people died and 13 others, including one child, have been injured. The attack also led to widespread power outages in several parts of the city due to emergency measures taken by Ukraine's national energy provider, Ukrenergo. Emergency services have rescued 18 people from the rubble. In the morning, another missile strike using Kinzhal and Iskander systems was reported. This photograph shows the view from an apartment heavily damaged during Russian air attacks, on Nov. 25, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. A Russian missile and drone strike hit Kyiv overnight, causing civilian casualties. According to Kyiv authorities, at least 6 people died and 13 others, including one child, have been injured. The attack also led to widespread power outages in several parts of the city due to emergency measures taken by Ukraine's national energy provider, Ukrenergo. Emergency services have rescued 18 people from the rubble. In the morning, another missile strike using Kinzhal and Iskander systems was reported. A communal worker sweeps off debris in front of a residential building that was damaged during Russian strikes, on Nov. 25, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. A Russian missile and drone strike hit Kyiv overnight, causing civilian casualties. According to Kyiv authorities, at least 6 people died and 13 others, including one child, have been injured. The attack also led to widespread power outages in several parts of the city due to emergency measures taken by Ukraine's national energy provider, Ukrenergo. Emergency services have rescued 18 people from the rubble. In the morning, another missile strike using Kinzhal and Iskander systems was reported. People walk on a non-illuminated street during blackout hours in the southern city of Odesa, on Nov. 25, 2025, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A person walks down a non-illuminated street during blackout hours in the southern city of Odesa, on Nov. 25, 2025, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. People look out from the observation area overlooking the Podil neighborhood in downtown Kyiv, on Nov. 25, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian rescuers work in the damaged residential building following Russian missiles and drones strikes in Kyiv on Nov. 25, 2025, amid Russian invasion in Ukraine. Russia rained missiles and drones on Kyiv overnight, killing six people, as frantic diplomatic efforts over a draft US plan to end the war intensified. This photograph shows a crater at the site of an air attack in Zaporizhzhia, on Nov. 20, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A woman sells vegetables in a an underground passage during a blackout in Kyiv on Nov. 9, 2025, following Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Ukrainian crews scrambled on Nov. 9, 2025 to repair damage caused by one of the most devastating Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Moscow, which has escalated attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure in recent months, launched hundreds of drones at energy facilities across the country overnight into Nov. 8, 2025. This photograph shows a fire at the site of a Russian drone strike in the city of Chuguiv, Kharkiv region, early on Nov. 7, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This photograph taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows a destroyed apartment in a heavily damaged building following an air attack in Zaporizhzhia, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed one person, wounded 17 and caused emergency power outages across the country, Ukrainian authorities said on Oct. 30, 2025. Local residents stand outside a damaged building following an air attack in Zaporizhzhia on Oct. 30, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed one person, wounded 17 and caused emergency power outages across the country, Ukrainian authorities said on Oct. 30, 2025. Friends and colleagues kneel as servicemen from a guard of honor carry the coffin of late Ukrainian serviceman Kostiantyn Guzenko, 28, during farewell ceremony in central Kyiv on Nov. 7, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kostiantyn Guzenko was a famous Ukrainian art and documentary photographer, who joined the army in early 2024 and was serving as a staff sergeant with the press service of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade. Residents collect cardboards to repair their house's windows after a drone attack on Nov. 12, 2025 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said the area was hit by three Shahed drones, an Iranian-designed loitering munition used often by Russian forces, damaging a warehouse of the SAT transport company. Ukrainian emergency personnel work at the scene of a drone attack on Nov. 12, 2025 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said the area was hit by three Shahed drones, an Iranian-designed loitering munition used often by Russian forces, damaging a warehouse of the SAT transport company. See life in Ukraine after more than three years of war with Russia 1 of 15 Windows have been broken in an apartment inside a residential building badly damaged during Russian missiles and drones strikes, on Nov. 25, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. A Russian missile and drone strike hit Kyiv overnight, causing civilian casualties. According to Kyiv authorities, at least 6 people died and 13 others, including one child, have been injured. The attack also led to widespread power outages in several parts of the city due to emergency measures taken by Ukraine's national energy provider, Ukrenergo. Emergency services have rescued 18 people from the rubble. In the morning, another missile strike using Kinzhal and Iskander systems was reported. Yurii Bilous is a Ukrainian lawyer and human rights defender, and head of the nongovernmental organization Justice for Ukrainians. 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: In Ukraine, justice exists only on paper. Russia ignores it | Opinion A senior Democratic senator is calling for an investigation into potential insider trading by fossil-fuel billionaires close to the Trump administration, after a Guardian investigation raised questions about an unusual share buying spree. Robert Pender and Michael Sabel, the founders and co-chairs of Venture Global, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) company headquartered in Virginia, bought more than a million shares worth almost $12m each, just days after meeting with senior Trump officials in March. The meeting included Chris Wright, the energy secretary, who days later granted the company an export license essential for its expansion plans in Europe, the Guardian reported last week. Advertisement Advertisement Dirty oil and gas bucks are fueling the Trump administration, which should outrage all of us. This latest reporting portrays a pattern of pay-to-play donations and favorable actions by the administration, said Jeff Merkley, senator for Oregon and senior member of the Senate appropriations and budget committees. The timing of the stock trades certainly merits investigation for potential conflicts of interest and insider trading. The Guardian reported the unusual share-buying spree by the billionaire Republican donors, who took the company public three days after Trumps inauguration in January. In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Venture Global said the share acquisitions fully complied with SEC rules and regulations and the company strictly adhered to all laws, rules and regulations relating to our interactions with government officials. Advertisement Advertisement Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said: The president has never engaged, and will never engage, in conflicts of interest. Sabel was among about 20 people who attended an event in April 2024 at Trumps private club, Mar-a-Lago, when he reportedly requested $1bn in campaign donations from the fossil fuel industry in return for favorable legislation. Venture Global was among the top donors to Trumps inauguration, donating $1m, according to the Wall Street Journal. Individuals connected to Venture Global spent $860,000 on lobbying on Capitol Hill in 2024, and another $810,000 so far this year, according to Open Secrets, a non-profit campaign financial watchdog. This is more than 12-fold the previous high of $70,000 in 2019. On his first day back in the White House, Trump issued an executive order rolling back regulations to favor fossil fuel production, including LNG export licences, while revoking existing climate and clean energy policies. He withdrew the US from the global climate action treaty, the Paris agreement, and boycotted this years UN climate negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Still, 2025 is on track to be the third hottest in history, with catastrophic floods, fires and extreme temperatures killing Americans and causing billions of dollars in damages across the US. Altogether, the fossil industry and Trump team are producing expensive, dirty energy instead of cheaper, clean energy, said Merkley. The result is higher utility prices for American households, and accelerated climate chaos. Venture Global has been contacted for comment on the call for an investigation. By John Kruzel WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court grappled on Wednesday with a bid by Alabama officials to pursue the execution of an inmate convicted of a 1997 murder who a lower court found to be intellectually disabled and thus ineligible for the death penalty. The court heard arguments in the Republican-led state's appeal of the lower court's determination that Joseph Clifton Smith is intellectually disabled based on intelligence quotient, or IQ, test scores and expert testimony. Republican President Donald Trump's administration is backing the state in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Smith, now 55, was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of a man named Durk Van Dam in Alabama's Mobile County. Smith fatally beat the man with a hammer and saw in order to steal his boots, tools and $140, according to evidence in the case. The victim's body was found in his mud-bound Ford Ranger truck in an isolated, wooded area. Under a 2002 Supreme Court precedent, executing an intellectually disabled person violates the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. The current case centers on whether and how courts may consider the cumulative effect of multiple IQ scores in assessing a death row inmate's intellectual disability. Robert Overing, a lawyer for Alabama, said the lower courts too readily accepted defense evidence seeking to downplay the fact that at least some of Smith's IQ test scores were above the threshold for finding an intellectual disability. "Here, every identified method of handling multiple IQ scores favors the conclusion that Smith is not intellectually disabled," Overing told the justices, emphasizing that "IQ is the fruit of a multi-century enterprise to figure out the best possible estimate of intelligence." Advertisement Advertisement Overing faced pushback from some members of the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority. "I think what you've done is shift this to be all about the IQ test in a way that is not supported by our case law," liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson told Overing. Like many states, Alabama considers evidence of IQ test scores of 70 or below as part of the standard for determining intellectual disability. Supreme Court rulings in 2014 and 2017 allowed courts to consider IQ score ranges that are close to 70 along with other evidence of intellectual disability, such as testimony of "adaptive deficits." Smith had five IQ test scores, ranging from a high of 78 to a low of 72. A federal judge noted that Smith's lowest score could in fact be as low as 69, given the standard error of measurement, or SEM, of roughly plus or minus three IQ points. The judge then found that Smith had significant deficits from an early age in social and interpersonal skills, independent living and academics. Advertisement Advertisement INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING Seth Waxman, a lawyer for Smith, said the way the lower court determined the defendant's intellectual capacity generally aligned with the approach taken by other U.S. states with the death penalty. "If there are multiple scores whose SEM ranges individually reach 70 or below, you consider other evidence that is relevant to intellectual functioning," Waxman said. "That is a consensus." Conservative Justice Samuel Alito expressed skepticism at Waxman's suggestion of a clear consensus view. "How are we to determine what the national consensus is based on state court decisions that have struggled, that are struggling, to understand what this court has said" in prior decisions related to this issue, Alito asked. Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the judge's conclusions in 2023, setting aside Smith's death sentence. This prompted Alabama officials to file the first of two appeals to the Supreme Court in the case. The justices last year threw out the 11th Circuit's decision, saying that the lower court's evaluation of Smith's IQ scores can be read two ways, and required clarification. The 11th Circuit responded with an opinion clarifying that its evaluation was based on "a holistic approach to multiple IQ scores" that also considered additional relevant evidence, including expert testimony. This prompted the current appeal by Alabama officials to the Supreme Court. Harry Graver, representing Trump's administration, argued that the lower court erred by failing to properly weigh the competing evidence. Advertisement Advertisement "Even if you look at other evidence (beyond IQ scores), you still need to circle back and see how that weighs against the evidence on the other side of the scale. And in this context, that is going to be the multiple consistent IQ scores together," Graver said in response to questioning by liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June. (Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham) By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. trade agreement reached with Indonesia in July is at risk of collapsing because Jakarta has backtracked on several commitments it made as part of the deal, a U.S. official said on Tuesday. "They're reneging on what we agreed to in July," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, giving no details about which specific commitments Indonesia was now questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the comments, Indonesian officials said on Wednesday that the talks between two sides are still ongoing, with no specific issues arising during negotiations. "Dynamics in the negotiation process are normal. The Indonesian government hopes that an agreement can be reached soon that is beneficial to both parties," said Haryo Limanseto, a spokesperson for Indonesia's Ministry for Economic Affairs. The ministry is headed by Minister Airlangga Hartarto, the chief negotiator for the tariff talks between Indonesia and U.S. Earlier on Wednesday, an Indonesian government source said that harmonisation of language was required for the agreement. Advertisement Advertisement The two countries in July said Indonesia agreed to eliminate tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. goods and scrap all non-tariff barriers facing American firms, while the U.S. will drop threatened tariffs on Indonesian products to 19% from 32%. U.S. President Donald Trump first announced the deal on July 15, calling it "a huge win for our Automakers, Tech Companies, Workers, Farmers, Ranchers, and Manufacturers." But Indonesian officials have told U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that Jakarta cannot agree to some binding commitments and wants to reframe them, the U.S. official said. U.S. officials believe that would lead to worse agreements for the United States than recent deals it has struck with two other Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia and Cambodia, the official said, confirming details first reported earlier on Tuesday by the Financial Times. Advertisement Advertisement The FT reported U.S. officials believe Indonesia is backsliding on the elimination of non-tariff barriers on industrial and agricultural exports from the U.S. as well as commitments to take action on digital trade issues. No comment was immediately available from USTR. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week told a New York Times Dealbook event that Indonesia "was getting a little recalcitrant" on its trade deal with the United States, but did not elaborate. Malaysia, by contrast, had proven to be a good actor and had dropped thousands of line tariffs so trade between the U.S. and that country was flowing much better. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington, Ananda Teresia and Stefanno Sulaiman in Jakarta; Editing by Chris Reese and Lincoln Feast.) Rural Development grants from USDA will fund rural hospital and water system improvement in several Iowa towns. Pictured here is the Boyer River in Denison, where a rock dam will be installed to help recharge a well field. (Photo via Google Maps) The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced nearly $5 million in grants to help improve water access and health care facilities in rural Iowa communities. Fayette, Wayne, Taylor, Crawford and Pottawattamie counties are recipients of the grants announced Wednesday by Iowa Rural Development Director Mike Sexton. Advertisement Advertisement At Rural Development, we believe our Iowa farms and small towns are part of the bedrock that supports our country, Sexton said in a statement. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, USDA is helping to deliver more reliable water supplies and healthcare facilities to make rural Iowa a better place to live and work. The water system grants for Denison Municipal Utilities and the City of Macedonia follow several summers of water shortages, boil orders and water conservation orders in the southwestern municipalities. Denison received a $1 million grant to help construct a rock riffle dam to help recharge the utilitys well field, according to a news release. A rock riffle dam places rocks in a stream, in this case the East Boyer River, to control the grade of the stream. According to the release, the dam will help provide a more consistent water supply for the community, especially during drought conditions. Another grant, in the amount of $580,000, was awarded to the City of Macedonia for the construction of a new well into the citys existing well field. Currently, according to the release, the city has to reduce the pumping rate of the well during dry weather conditions and the supply is often insufficient for the city with 267 residents. Advertisement Advertisement The City of Clearfield was awarded a $29,000 grant to help complete an evaluation of the citys wastewater system. The release said the study is a necessary first step to determine the cost of alternative systems and system improvements. Two grants, through the Community Facilities grant program, will help to improve health care centers in Wayne County and Fayette County. A slightly more than $2 million grant to Wayne County Hospital in Corydon will fund a nearly 5,000-square-foot addition to the hospital for a modern dialysis center. Palmer Lutheran Health Center Inc. received $1.1 million to renovate obstetrics facilities at the Gunderson Heath System clinic in West Union. The announcement said the funding will improve delivery and postpartum resources for the area. Fayette County, like many rural areas, has few maternal health care options, according to mapping from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Utah Republican lawmakers voted on Tuesday to reject the states new court-ordered congressional map and to amend candidate and legal timelines to pave the way for a full appeal of the states yearslong redistricting case. But as state legislatures around the country wage bitter partisan battles over redrawing congressional maps, Beehive State lawmakers insisted that their concerns go far beyond the 2026 midterm elections. On Monday, Indiana state senators advanced a Republican bill that redrew congressional boundaries to eliminate the states two Democrat-leaning districts after President Donald Trump pressured GOP lawmakers to help keep the Majority in the House in D.C. Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, opponents of a new Missouri congressional map, drawn by GOP lawmakers in hopes of winning a formerly-Democratic seat in Kansas City, submitted more than 300,000 signatures in an attempt to put the map on hold until a referendum can be held. The moves follow last weeks U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing Texas Republicans to move forward with their mid-decade redistricting effort to create five new GOP-friendly seats. Similar measures have also passed in Missouri, Ohio and North Carolina. But it is not just Republican-controlled states. Democrats in California, Virginia and Maryland have considered new maps to further redraw congressional boundaries in their states in response to what has become an escalating tit-for-tat over political power. And Utah, with its recent court decision securing a +20 Democratic district, is often thrown into this category of Democratic Party wins. Advertisement Advertisement On Nov. 10, 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson called lawmakers attempt to comply with redistricting requirements an extreme partisan gerrymander, and picked a map drawn by nonprofit plaintiffs to create a Democratic-leaning district anchored in the northern portion of Salt Lake. Utahs Republican lawmakers argued their intentions in Tuesdays special session was to do the opposite of their counterparts in statehouses around the country: To limit the influence of national interest groups in shaping Utah policies, including on congressional maps and ballot initiatives. The people have lost their ability to have a representative government, said Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City. It is the first step of many steps that need to be taken to claw back the power that the people entrusted in us. What redistricting bills passed The League of Women Voters holds a rally in the rotunda of the Capitol prior to a special session of the Utah Legislature in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Democrats and Republicans gave impassioned speeches from the House and Senate floors of the Utah Capitol on Tuesday night framing the bills up for consideration as fundamental to the states representative form of government, and to the separation of powers. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers passed five pieces of legislation: three removed procedural obstacles to appeal the Legislatures redistricting lawsuit to the Utah Supreme Court, one delivered a harsh condemnation of the Utah judiciary and another repealed a law banning certain public sector union activities. SB2001 pushes back the congressional candidate filing deadline from the beginning of January to after the legislative session in March. It is intended to give candidates and election workers more time to adjust their plans based on the legal fate of Utahs congressional map. It will also separate the congressional filing period from the declaration of intent to gather signatures, which will remain the same, so that congressional hopefuls who currently serve in the state Legislature can act as if they are running for reelection until the 2026 maps are finalized. Criticism of this bill came from Republicans who disagreed with allowing congressional candidates to gather signatures from anywhere in the state to qualify for primary elections. Bill sponsors argued this change is necessary because candidates do not know what the final district boundaries are. Advertisement Advertisement SB2002 and SJR201 would change Utah civil code to expedite election-related cases directly to the Utah Supreme Court, instead of first going to district and circuit courts, and allows an appeal of a redistricting case to the high court even if the states attorney fees have yet to be resolved. While these changes apply specifically to Utahs redistricting case, bill sponsor Sen. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, said that this change would bring Utah in line with most other mid-size states which treat election cases differently to make sure they do not interfere with the election process timeline. Republican officials, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, have all claimed that Gibsons pattern of delaying her orders past deadlines has forced them into a difficult timeline to challenge her decision. Legislature harshly condemns judiciary Democrats, including several concerned citizens during a public hearing earlier in the day, accused the hurried changes to state procedure of being a way for Republicans to continue their ongoing effort to ignore Proposition 4, and maintain control over a partisan map-drawing process. Advertisement Advertisement This bill is another instance of the legislature trying to change the rules to benefit what we think is best, as opposed to letting the process play out, said Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy. Ive taken offense at a lot of things that have been said that those who dont agree with a certain viewpoint are somehow not upholding the Constitution. House Majority Leader Casey Snider, R-Paradise, points at Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy, as they and other members of Utahs Legislature gather at the Capitol in special session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The most spirited disagreement came during a discussion of a House resolution that sent a forceful message to the Utah judiciary, alleging the Utah Supreme Court had forged a legal precedent that would prevent the Legislature from amending ballot initiatives that harmed the state. (T)his super law doctrine contradicts over a century of Utah constitutional interpretation and, if unchecked, threatens the foundation of representative democracy by allowing courts to elevate ordinary statutes and personal preferences of unelected judges above the authority of the peoples elected legislators, the resolution stated. Democratic lawmakers, and multiple Republicans, took issue with the resolutions description of the Utah Supreme Court as engaging in an activist rewriting of the Utah Constitution, and its condemnation of Gibson for allowing special interest groups to impose a politically-driven map on the people of Utah. Advertisement Advertisement While its GOP proponents argued that the judiciary needed to know that their actions in relation to Proposition 4 had lost the trust of Utahns, Democrats said the criticisms were unfair, discounted fair interpretations of the state Constitution and harmed judicial institutions. Members of the Utah Senate have discussions as the Legislature gathers in special session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News House Majority Leader Casey Snider, R-Paradise, talks to House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, as they and the other members of Utahs Legislature gather at the Capitol in special session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, listens to a question as he and other members of Utahs Legislature gather at the Capitol in special session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The League of Women Voters holds a rally in the rotunda of the Capitol prior to a special session of the Utah Legislature in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, speaks as he and other members of Utahs Legislature gather at the Capitol for a special session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, gavels the House of Representatives to order as members of Utahs legislature gather at the Capitol for a special session in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News People protest the legislatures efforts to undo the states new congressional maps before a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) To the tune of Jingle Bells, more than 100 supporters of anti-gerrymandering efforts in Utah gathered outside the House and Senate chambers on Tuesday night and sang: Hear our voice; hear our voice; hear us as we say: Dont ignore the voters cause were fighting back today. While holding signs that read Gerrymandering is naughty and Make elections fair again, the protesters singing echoed throughout the Utah Capitols rotunda as lawmakers gaveled in for a special session largely focused on facilitating the Republican-controlled Legislatures legal fight against the states court-ordered redistricting process. Advertisement Advertisement The legal battle over drawing the states electoral boundaries has resulted in a congressional map that created a single Democratic-leaning district and three heavily Republican districts. To the tune of Jingle Bells, anti-gerrymandering supporters of Prop 4 sing Hear our voice, hear our voice ahead of tonights special session, where lawmakers will pass a set of bills meant to create time for their appeal against Judge Gibsons redistricting ruling #utpol pic.twitter.com/XfgCGfy1yh Katie McKellar (@KatieMcKellar1) December 10, 2025 During Tuesdays special session, the Legislature passed a series of bills aimed at creating a window of time to allow for a different congressional map to be put in place ahead of the 2026 elections if theyre able to successfully appeal the case to the Utah Supreme Court in coming months. In addition to approving legislation to delay congressional candidate filing deadlines and change court rules to ensure lawmakers appeal goes directly and quickly to the Utah Supreme Court, the Legislature also passed a scathing resolution that strongly condemned the courts actions in the redistricting case. The resolutions sponsor, House Majority Leader Casey Snider, R-Paradise, said on the House floor that the courts handling of the case has damaged trust in the institution. Advertisement Advertisement I am afraid that I cannot look my constituents in the eye and tell them they can trust this judiciary any longer, Snider said. The court has done this to themselves. The reputation that they have lost and now tarnished they have done and lost by themselves. Rep. Casey Snider, R-Paradise, speaks on the House floor during a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The resolution which isnt a binding law but rather a legislative measure to send a message says the Legislature rejects the court-ordered, special interest groups map and any map that does not reflect the will of the people through their elected legislators. It adds that the Legislature urges the judicial branch to safeguard and follow the text of the Utah Constitution. In their ongoing redistricting fight, Republican Utah lawmakers have accused 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson of violating the Utah Constitution when she picked a map that was drawn by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit and not adopted by the Legislature, which they argue has the sole authority to redistrict under the Utah Constitution. But Gibson, in a legal analysis filed Friday, addressed those criticisms, writing the remedial process she ordered and the courts authority in the matter is firmly rooted in both federal and state court precedent. Advertisement Advertisement While a state courts role in redistricting is new to Utah, this judicial function is neither new nor novel, Gibson wrote. It is well settled that when the political branches fail to enact lawful electoral maps, the judiciarys duty to provide an effective remedy is not discretionary. Instead, Gibson wrote the courts have a fundamental obligation to uphold constitutional rights and to ensure a lawful electoral map is in place, including by adopting one proposed by a party in the proceedings. How we got here While Republican Utah lawmakers continue to fight the redistricting rulings and accuse the judiciary of violating separation of powers, Gibsons court-ordered map was the result of a yearslong court battle over not only gerrymandering, but also Utahns constitutional rights to alter and reform their government through ballot initiative. Utahs redistricting lawsuit started years ago after pro-democracy groups including the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government and a handful of Salt Lake County voters sued. They alleged the Utah Legislature violated their constitutional rights after the Legislature repealed and replaced Proposition 4, a 2018 ballot initiative that voters narrowly approved to create an independent redistricting process with neutral map-drawing criteria. People protest the legislatures efforts to undo the states new congressional maps before a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The case wound its way through the courts for years before the Utah Supreme Court last year handed the plaintiffs a major win in a unanimous decision that sent the case back to Gibsons courtroom after she initially dismissed it. That ruling made clear the Legislatures power has limits when it comes to repealing or changing government reform ballot initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Supreme Courts decision incensed Republican lawmakers, who said it created super laws that lawmakers cant change, and top legislative leaders characterized it as a blow to the very fabric of our republic. That decision set the stage for the rest of the redistricting case and Gibsons most recent rulings. In recent months, the debate over Utahs redistricting process has reached a boiling point culminating in lawmakers heated clash with the judiciary. Special session debate In addition to the resolution condemning the courts, lawmakers passed the following bills to facilitate their appeal to the Utah Supreme Court: SB2001 : A bill sponsored by Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, and Rep. Karen Petersen, R-Clinton. For 2026 congressional candidates only, the bill delays the candidate filing period by about two months, to March 9-13. For congressional candidates gathering signatures to qualify for the ballot, the bill also allows those candidates to gather signatures statewide not just in the district theyre running for, as theyre required under current law. It would also set a window of time to file a notice of intent to gather signatures from Jan. 2 to March 13, with signature thresholds staying the same. SJR201 and SB2002: A resolution and bill sponsored by Sen. Brady Brammer, R-Provo, and Rep. Jefferson Burton, R-Salem, meant to change court procedures to ensure the states redistricting case appeal and other future cases relating to elections or redistricting dont get hung up on a dispute over attorney fees before the Utah Supreme Court can consider issues at the heart of the appeal. They also make clear the Utah Supreme Court has exclusive and original appellate jurisdiction on election and redistricting cases, meaning they cant defer the case to the Court of Appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats in the House and Senate argued against the resolution condemning the courts and the other bills. After Gibson voided the states 2021 congressional map as the result of an unconstitutional process and ordered a new map to be put in place in time for the 2026 elections, Rep. Doug Owens, D-Millcreek, said the court gave us an ample chance to follow the law by allowing the Legislature to submit a preferred map to the court for consideration. Rep. Doug Owens, D-Millcreek, speak on the House floor during a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) But the court found Legislatures map, known as map C (which was supported by the Utah Republican Party as the least damaging option) did not follow Proposition 4s neutral map-drawing criteria to the greatest extent practicable and was drawn in violation of Proposition 4 because lawmakers retained redistricting expert drew it with an application that had partisan data on display. And so she chose a map that followed neutral criteria, and it happens that it has a (district) with a Democratic majority, Owens said. The reality is that if you have a neutral map, it produces a Democratic-leaning district. Advertisement Advertisement But Republicans pointed out Gibsons map selection resulted in congressional districts that are highly partisan and uncompetitive, which they argued wasnt the intention of Proposition 4. We didnt create more competitive districts, said Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain. We created four districts where theres one party that will always win them. Hear our voice While GOP lawmakers focused on protecting their representative form of government from what they viewed as an activist attack from the judicial branch, the rally outside their chamber doors had a different message that lawmakers need to stop fighting and listen to Utahns who have been calling for fair maps and independent redistricting for years. The very people who are supposed to be representing us have chosen to fight us, said Sarah Buck, an activist with the progressive group Salt Lake Indivisible. Theres something so wrong with whats happening in this moment. Beth Allen, of Taylorsville, joins others as they protest the legislatures efforts to undo the states new congressional maps before a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries the anti-gerrymandering group that successfully sought Proposition 4 in 2018 said Tuesdays special session made it very clear that the Legislature is pretty incapable of being told no or following anyones rules but their own. Advertisement Advertisement They dont want to follow what the Constitution says. They dont want to follow what the courts say. They dont want to follow what the people have said through a ballot initiative process, Rasmussen said. The fact that the governor and lawmakers felt this matter was so important it required a special session is very telling how they feel about their power currently, she said. So its not a shock that this happened today, but it is disappointing that after eight years they continue to push back against everyone and everything thats saying, No, we dont want you to do this, she said. But theyre just going ahead anyway. Rasmussen said legislators should end the fighting and accept Gibsons court-ordered map so candidates and voters can have certainty ahead of the 2026 elections. Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, Utah is still a pretty red state, she said. We just want to make sure that everyone has equal footing. I mean, isnt that the point of our country, so that people can have an equal say in how their governments run? Thats all weve been fighting for this whole time. People watch from the gallery in the House Chamber during a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) A campaign to repeal a controversial law banning collective bargaining in public sector unions was fruitful but not at the polls, the way many Utahns expected. During a special session Tuesday evening, the Utah Legislature voted to repeal it with lawmakers arguing that the division surrounding the bill faded its real intent. Some Republicans rejected the proposal to repeal HB267, a law the Legislature approved this year that would have prohibited public sector unions from negotiating terms of employment with their employers. But ultimately, the House voted 60-9 and the Senate 26-1 to annul the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Spencer Cox is expected to sign the repeal bill as he already expressed support for it in a social media post ahead of the special session. During the special session, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, who sponsored both HB267 and the action to repeal it, said he believed the original legislation was good policy, but was overshadowed by misinformation and unnecessary division. Repealing HB267 doesnt mean that were abandoning the principles behind it, Teuscher said. It means that were choosing clarity over confusion, collaboration over conflict and long term stability over short term noise. Advertisement Advertisement The law was controversial from its inception and led to packed hallways and galleries during the last general session. It also awoke a massive signature-gathering effort in which over 5,000 volunteers collected about 320,000 signatures to qualify for a referendum to nullify the law. Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, speaks on the House floor during a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) That overwhelming public input, leaders from a coalition of public and private unions that organized the referendum efforts said, gave them leverage in the negotiations they held with lawmakers over the past month and a half to reach this conclusion. After the House vote, Renee Pinkney, president of the Utah Education Association, the states largest teachers union, said that if the repeal hadnt been successful at the Legislature, it would have had a good chance of going through at the ballot box. We know that we have the peoples support behind us, and we are going to continue working forward and adhering to the work group, Pinkney said. We said that we would enter into talks with the Legislature and try and lower the temperature, and we will adhere to that agreement. Let us know what you think... Overall, she said, their fight was about their students. Advertisement Advertisement We want our students to be successful. We want them to thrive. We want them to reach their full potential, and we know that we can do that through collective bargaining with our employers, Pinkney said. Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Holladay, a retired high school teacher, described the repeal as a tribute to nearly 300,000 Utah teachers who have done collective bargaining in the state for 15 years, and other public sector unions that stood by them. This is a very timely bill now, because this is a time when many teachers are not feeling valued by the Legislature and activist groups who are banning books and making scurrilous attacks on teachers and school librarians, she said. Gatekeepers rather than advocates While many celebrated the repeal, House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, lamented the repeal, which also deleted a provision that offered professional liability insurance for teachers, which in most cases is offered through unions. Advertisement Advertisement I just would like to caution that I think today, modern unions so often act as gatekeepers rather than advocates, Pierucci said, encouraging educators to reach legislators directly to come up with policy solutions for their challenges. Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, speaks on the House floor during a special session of the legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) I would still say to the teachers and the firefighters and policemen, we want to hear directly from you, not through your union leaders, Pierucci said, because theyre not always representing you in the best way, nor they have your best interest at heart. After hearing those remarks Teuscher said he felt compelled to share a story he heard in a town hall months ago. We had a teacher raise their hand and essentially say, every time the legislature goes into session, Im on suicide watch, Teuscher said. Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, that feeling doesnt stem from the Legislatures actions. Try to figure out who is telling you this, who is adding to this chaos and stress in your life, because it isnt the Legislature, he said. Repealing the law, Teuscher said, would ultimately allow something stronger to grow, and the state is committed to finding a solution that protects all public employees across the state. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A man restores a statue honoring a lunch counter sit-in in 1958 Oklahoma during the Civil Rights Movement at the Clara Luper National Sit-In Plaza in downtown Oklahoma City on Dec. 8, 2025. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) I found myself greatly disturbed by the despicable act of vandalism to the new monument in downtown Oklahoma City designed to celebrate our citys historic role in our nations sit-in movement. As photos in The Oklahoman revealed, less than a month after the monuments unveiling, someone used a key or a small pocket knife to scratch nearly every bronze sculpture in Clare Luper National Sit-in Plaza, which commemorates the first peaceful protest of Clara Luper, an Oklahoma City Public Schools teacher, and 13 Black students. Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Ive had the privilege of speaking with many of the participants of those sit-ins. I learned first hand from them about the struggles they faced while exercising their right to protest against disparate treatment based solely on race. Ive long felt a monument commemorating those peaceful protests was the least we could do so that we never forget that past where we judged people solely by the color of their skin. After all, for decades, Greensboro, N.C., has been falsely credited as the birthplace of our nations first nonviolent sit-in movements. In reality, the first sit-ins that pressed for the desegregation of white-owned businesses began in 1958 in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Citys sit-ins began nearly two years prior to the Greensboro ones. Its one reason why over a half a century later, I was one of a diverse crowd of thousands that attended the dedication of the Sit-in Plaza in downtown Oklahoma City to celebrate the inspiring history of the Katz Drug Store sit-ins. The life-sized sculpture of Luper, the 13 students and a drug store employee, also contains an empty mahogany stool that people can sit on. The artist designed it to encourage people to sit on it and shape a personal connection to the history that helped shape Oklahoma Citys role in the Civil Rights movement. Advertisement Advertisement The nations sit-in movement began after Luper and her daughter, Marilyn Luper Hildreth, returned from visiting a more integrated New York where they were allowed to eat with white people. When they returned home to a still segregated Oklahoma City, they unsuccessfully tried to persuade business owners to integrate restaurants. Luper, a 10-year-old Marilyn and 12 other kids launched a peaceful protest at Katz. Because it was located in a busy part of downtown, with a bus stop out front, Katz was a great site for grabbing public attention. Even Marilyn, their enthusiastic leader, recognized the danger they were taking on. The children politely asked the Katz waiters to serve them soft drinks. When their requests were denied, their sit-in continued for three days before the restaurant chain relented. Katz desegregated all 38 of its lunch counters in its five-state region. Advertisement Advertisement Afterward, every Saturday, a growing number of kids would sit-in at different stores and restaurants. In all, Luper was arrested 26 times in connection with her civil rights protests. Their efforts inspired sit-ins across the nation. Hildreth later said that the hardest thing for her to understand was how to accept that adults would spit on children, call them names and push them solely because of the color of their skin. A child myself at the time, I remember coming across one of those sit-ins. Ill never forget my fathers reaction to it. Our family had gone to a restaurant that had two rooms. The one in the front was designated for regular white people. The second, in the back, was a more expensive room for more affluent whites. The owner said we could eat in the elite room for the same price as the regular room, so we wouldnt have to sit with N in the front room. Advertisement Advertisement Deeply offended, my siblings and I repeatedly asked my father why the restaurant owner had used that racial slur. Our questions kept making our dad, a former boxer, more upset. Finally, our dad blew up, shouting theres not a gd reason! It took multiple cops to pull him off the restaurant owner. Being a white man, my father was not arrested. Years later, I interviewed Luper several times. When she took the time to speak to my high school class, a student asked her about a lesson I had taught which compared and contrasted Booker T. Washington to Malcolm X and the Harlem Renaissance to Martin Luther King Jr. traditions. My students were thrilled when Ms. Luper challenged our lesson. She argued that Booker T. Washington and Malcolm X deserved respect, but not as much as the tradition of nonviolent desegregation that Martin Luther King led. So, for me, the event commemorating Oklahoma Citys new Sit-in Plaza wasnt merely about an extremely important historical turning point. Advertisement Advertisement It was a call and a reminder that we can all fight for a better future. Mayor David Holt proclaimed that the opening celebrated the love, unity and the incredibly diverse crowd that reflects Oklahoma City. He said it is a celebration of something really important that happened in our history, but we also make history by making a statement about the city we want to be. But the vandalism of the 4-ton bronze sculpture at North Robinson Avenue and West Main Street is unfortunate proof that their work still isnt done. Public response to the vandalism was swift. My favorite was, The work she (Luper) led is clearly not finished. Advertisement Advertisement As William Faulkner once said, The past is never dead. Its not even past. The Clara Luper National Sit-in Plaza celebrates those who fought to make the future better for us all. But it and the vandalism serves as a reminder to us all that we cant let our guard down, that Lupers work isnt finished, and we must all continue fighting for the just society we need and deserve. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado didn't arrive in Norway early enough to receive her Nobel Peace Prize in person, but her trip elicited mixed feelings in her country, where many backed her precisely because she had not left her homeland. Machados daughter accepted the award on her behalf in a ceremony Wednesday that became a rally for democracy, and equally, an indictment of Venezuelas government, with attendees hearing in detail documented human rights abuses carried out against real or perceived opponents of President Nicolas Maduro. She wants to live in a free Venezuela, and she will never give up on that purpose, Ana Corina Sosa told the audience in Oslo before reading her mothers prepared remarks. That is why we all know, and I know, that she will be back in Venezuela very soon. Advertisement Advertisement Machado greeted supporters from an Oslo hotel balcony early Thursday after arriving in the Norwegian capital. Machado had not been seen in public since Jan. 9, when she was briefly detained after joining supporters in an anti-government protest in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. The following day, Maduro was sworn in to a third six-year term despite credible evidence that he lost the presidential election. Machado intended to challenge Maduro in last years contest, but the government barred her from running for office, forcing her to endorse retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez in her place. Before and after the election, many voters said they backed Machado and by extension Gonzalez because she had not gone into exile while the country came undone. On Wednesday, some Venezuelans understood her decision to depart while others questioned why she was awarded the Nobel. Advertisement Advertisement They say she left the country, if thats true, good for her, office worker Josefina Paez said in Caracas. That woman has made many sacrifices to fight for democracy, and its time she reunites with her family, with her children, and continues fighting from abroad. Meanwhile, shopkeeper Jose Hurtado called Machado a traitor for her support of U.S. President Donald Trump's policy toward Venezuela. Those awards are very discredited, he said. The ceremony took place as Trump continues a military operation in the Caribbean that has killed Venezuelans in international waters and threatens to strike Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez, who attended the ceremony in Oslo, sought asylum in Spain last year after a Venezuelan court issued a warrant for his arrest. His son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, is among the hundreds of people who are in prison for what human rights organizations have determined to be political reasons. Independent experts backed by the United Nations, Venezuelan nongovernmental organizations and other groups have documented extensively brutal government repression throughout Maduro's presidency. Jrgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel committee, told attendees about repeated instances of torture, including the experiences of children who were detained in the aftermath of the 2024 presidential election. The United Nations documented their experience as follows: Plastic bags pulled tight over their heads, electric shocks to the genitals, blows to the body so brutal it hurt the great, sexualized violence, cells so cold as to cause intense shivering, foul drinking water teeming with insects, screams that no one came to stop, he said. Watne Frydnes then called on Maduro to accept the election result and step down. Advertisement Advertisement Flight tracking data show that the plane Machado arrived on flew to Oslo from Bangor, Maine. A crowd waiting outside her hotel chanted Freedom! Freedom! and Thank you! Thank you! after seeing her, and together, they sang Venezuelas national anthem. It is unclear when and how Machado and Gonzalez could return to Venezuela. An opposition plan to get Gonzalez back ahead of the Jan. 10 ceremony that gave Maduro another term did not materialize. People are anxiously awaiting news about what will happen, about how Maria Corina receiving or not receiving the award will affect things, Caracas teacher Jose Murillo said. ___ Associated Press writer Jorge Rueda and video journalist Juan Pablo Arraez contributed to this report. Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott said Tuesday that Democrats are bullish on their ability to pass a new congressional map on the heels of a Supreme Court decision approving Texas partisan gerrymander. In an interview with POLITICOs Brakkton Booker, Scott said he feels comfortable that we have an opportunity to do a number of maps here in Virginia to allow for us to level the playing field as Republicans push ahead with redistricting efforts in Ohio, Missouri and several other states. I won't be lectured by Republicans while they stand quiet while Trump redistricts Texas, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, but then when it comes to Virginia they get holier than thou and get sanctimonious, Scott said Tuesday at POLITICO Transition of Power: What's Next for Virginia, held in Richmond. When they start lecturing Trump about what they're doing in Texas, Missouri, Indiana, North Carolina, I might listen to them, and they may have some credibility when it comes to Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, who have made a play at redistricting in places like California (where their constitutional amendment passed overwhelmingly), see Virginia as a prime target to counter Republican efforts in other states in light of the Supreme Court ruling. The courts conservative majority deemed Texas map permissible despite three of its justices concluding the lines were indisputably drawn for partisan advantage. After flipping the governors mansion and retaining control of both chambers of the states Legislature in last months statewide elections, Democrats are hoping to amend the states constitution to let lawmakers bypass the states independent redistricting commission and redraw congressional lines in their favor. That could net as many as five additional seats for Democrats, who currently hold six of the states 11 House seats. If both chambers pass the proposed amendment, it would need majority approval from Virginia voters before the 2026 congressional primaries. Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger said Tuesday that she remains open to redistricting but signaled that it will not be a priority for her when she takes office in January. Advertisement Advertisement At this point in time, I think leaving options open, continuing through the process it makes sense, because we still see other states taking steps to make real change in the space of redistricting, she told Booker at POLITICO Transition of Power. And so Virginia being able and reserving the option to be able to respond, I think there's value in that. But ultimately, nothing happens unless the people actually vote for it. Virginia Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle said the electoral outcome of a possible amendment will depend largely on the gambits timeline, speculating that Democrats may attempt to rig the time of year to vote by scheduling an election in the spring. I think we should stick with what Virginians told us, and that is nonpartisan redistricting, McDougle told POLITICO on Tuesday. So I have a little bit of a different opinion about the legal process than my friend, but I do think this will probably play out in the courts. McDougle supported a failed Republican effort to redraw the states congressional lines in 2012 but has since expressed opposition to mid-decade redistricting in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Despite GOP opposition, Scott expressed confidence that voters will support Democrats gerrymandering push as the tit-for-tat redistricting wars escalate across the country. I know Republicans. The last thing they want to see is a voter, Scott said. So of course they want to see a judge and not a voter, but if we take this thing to the ballot and we have a fair election, once again, I believe that the voters are going to be with us, because the voters know that Republicans are rigging these national elections at the congressional level. Their policies are so bad they can't run on them in the midterms, so they have to rig it. (Corrects spelling in paragraph 1) SEOUL, Dec 10 (Reuters) - South Korea's biggest online retailer Coupang said on Wednesday that its Chief Executive Officer Park Dae-jun has resigned, taking responsibility for a huge data breach at the company. Coupang said Harold Rogers, the chief administrative officer of its parent company in the United States, will take over as temporary CEO. More from Yahoo Scout Who will replace Park Dae-jun as CEO? How might this leadership change affect Coupang's operations? Why did Coupang's CEO Park Dae-jun resign? What was the scope of Coupang's data breach? (Reporting by Heejin KimEditing by Ed Davies) This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com The suicide rate among young adults in Washington State has risen by over 13% in the last decade, mirroring a national trend and highlighting the severe toll of the countrys ongoing mental health crisis. The analysis, which studied CDC data from 2014 to 2024, found that the suicide rate for Washington adults aged 18-27 reached 18.8 per 100,000 peoplea 13.3% increase during that period. This figure remains significantly higher than the national rate. Nationally, the suicide rate for the 18-27 age group saw a larger percentage increase of nearly 20%, rising from 13.8 to 16.4 deaths per 100,000 people. Despite the sharper national climb, the U.S. rate of 16.4 per 100,000 remains below Washingtons rate. Demographics and contributing factors The rising national rate coincides with Gen Z entering this age bracket as millennials exit it, and was largely driven by increases among black and Hispanic men, who together account for 85% of the total increase in suicide. Suicide became the second-highest cause of death for young Hispanics, surpassing homicide, and the No. 1 cause of death for young Asians, surpassing accidents. Advertisement Advertisement Theories for the widespread increase range from bullying on social media to the substitution of in-person socializing for online chatting, particularly since Gen Z was the first generation to grow up with the internet. Future job prospects are not guaranteed to surpass those of older generations, fueling economic despair. Among nonwhite men, cultural resistance to seeking help for depression a perception that they must be strong and not complain keeps many away from treatment, according to Stateline. Analysts also suggest that Gen Zs reputation as the anxious generation may stem from parental overprotection in the real world and insufficient guidance in the virtual one. Local and national policy response In Washington State, Seattle officials are actively working to address youth mental health. Voters recently approved an education levy that will fund the addition of five new school-based health centers to provide mental health care to K-12 students, both in person and virtually. The mental health crisis persists nationally, coinciding with reports that firearms are now involved in most youth suicides. Meanwhile, debate continues over federal spending priorities, which include proposed cuts to certain programs designed to assist vulnerable groups like LGBTQ+ youth, according to Axios Seattle. If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. A small plane made an emergency landing on Interstate 95 in Brevard County on Dec. 8, colliding with a 2023 Toyota Camry. The pilot of the small Beechcraft 55 airplane had reported engine problems moments earlier, federal authorities reported. Tailwinds Flying owns the plane out of Merritt Island, BCFR officials reported. Watch video of small airplane landing on top of a car in Florida In a video taken moments after the plane landed, a woman is seen being helped out of a wrecked Toyota Camry by the plane, as passersby ask how she is doing and an emergency worker says, God is good. Advertisement Advertisement "Do you know how much I loved my car?" the unidentified woman said, laughing nervously, the video showed. When, where did Florida plane crash occur? The highway landing took place at about 5:45 p.m. near mile marker 201 in the southbound lanes on Interstate 95 in Cocoa, Florida, about 45 minutes east of Orlando. Were there any fatalities in the Florida plane crash? There were no fatalities during the Dec. 8 plane crash. According to FOX Orlando, the pilot and a passenger on the aircraft, both 27 and from Orlando and Temple Terrace, respectively, weren't injured. As for the 57-year-old woman, who was behind the wheel of her Toyota Camry, Florida Highway Patrol said she was taken to Viera Hospital with what have been described as minor injuries. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Plane crash-lands on top of car in Florida. See video of landing Its the greatest cosmic murder mystery of the year: How did a black hole destroy a starand what kind of black hole is the culprit? Astronomers around the world have been on the case since July 2, when they received text messages alerting them that NASAs Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope had detected signals in gamma rays, the highest-energy form of light known. Gamma rays are a well-known signature of black holes destroying cosmic objects like stars. Thats because such events release a tremendous amount of energy. Normally, so-called gamma ray bursts, sudden flashes of extremely energetic radiation from the cosmos, last somewhere between a second and half an hour on average. This burst persisted for seven hours, making it the longest gamma ray burst ever recorded. Advertisement Advertisement Another strange clue came from the Einstein Probe, a Chinese and European satellite, which saw x-ray light brightening from the same location in the sky a day earlier. Normally cosmic explosions begin with the highest-energy light and then diminish in brightness, not the other way around. Nothing like this has been observed since the discovery of gamma rays in 1973. That made it a very unusual, exotic explosion that we probably had never seen before, says Eleonora Troja, astrophysicist at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata. The leading theories about how the stellar murder unfolded describe scenarios that have never been observed. For me personally, all the different things that it could have been are different versions of exciting, says Jonathan Carney, doctoral student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who led a study on the event published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. (The brightest blast ever seen in space continues to surprise scientists.) What we know about this gamma ray burst The mysterious cosmic event, called GRB 250702B, has so far generated 10 different papers on the preprint website arXiv.org, some of which are also now published in peer-reviewed journals. Scientists have been using all the tools at their disposal, both in space and on the ground, to investigate. Advertisement Advertisement We were all still working on Independence Day and writing proposals and trying to point all the telescopes we could at this part of the sky to really understand what was going on, says Brendan OConnor, astronomer at Carnegie Mellon University, who led another study on the event also in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. Initially, scientists thought the gamma ray signals could have come from inside the Milky Way, which would be simpler to explain. If it's within our own galaxy, it doesn't have to be anywhere near as powerful as if it's in a very distant galaxy because the brightness could be explained by a more run-of-the-mill cosmic event thats relatively close by, says Andrew Levan, an astrophysicist at Radboud University in the Netherlands. Follow-up observations quickly debunked that theory. Once NASAs Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory pinpointed where on the sky the event had taken place, the European Southern Observatorys Very Large Telescope in Chile found the fading afterglow next to a smudge the sky, and NASAs Hubble Space Telescope showed that smudge to be a previously unknown galaxy. Then the James Webb Space Telescope, which penetrates through thick cosmic dust using its infrared vision, helped the scientist-detective team figure out that light from the crime scene has been traveling toward us for 8 billion years. This was even brighter and more brilliant than youd have thought, because it was hidden behind so much dust in the galaxy, Levan says. NASAs James Webb Space Telescope gave astronomers their clearest view of GRB 250702Bs home, a large, extremely dusty galaxy around eight billion light-years away from Earth. In the zoomed inset, the bursts position (indicated with tick marks) near the top edge of the galaxys dark dust lane eliminates the possibility that the burst was associated with the supermassive black hole at the galaxys core. NASA/ESA/CSA/H. Sears, Rutgers. Image Processing: A. Pagan, STScI Scientists tracking this saga agree that the destruction of the star must have created a jet of particles shooting out of the crime scene at nearly the speed of light, which generated the gamma rays. The big mystery, says Levan, becomes: What is it that makes that jet happen in the first place? What's sitting in the middle there and actually powering that jet? Advertisement Advertisement Thats where scientists disagree. Black hole merges with star before eating it Some scientists say the gamma ray signal looks like others that have been seen from black holes with about 5 to 30 times the mass of our sunthe smallest black holes weve observed. If this fun-size black hole merged with a helium star, a star that has largely lost its outer hydrogen layer, something pretty gnarly would happen. Scientists say that the black hole would begin eating the star from the inside out, creating a jet of high-energy particles and light. When the feeding ends, only the black hole remains. That idea alone, I think, is pretty awesome, says Eric Burns, an astrophysicist at Louisiana State University who along with his colleagues present evidence for this hypothesis in a recent study in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. This should occur in the universe, even given how ridiculous it is, but it's just not something that we've conclusively seen before. Advertisement Advertisement The smoking gun supporting this narrative would have been observations of a supernovathat is, pieces of the star that were blown out into space instead of eaten. But the thick dust in the galaxy where this occurred, and the alignment with the Milky Way, could have obscured it, even from the view of the Webb telescope. (Are we living in a black hole?) Intermediate-mass black hole rips star apart Other scientists argue the forensic evidence could alternatively point to an intermediate mass black hole as the culprit. That would be scientifically exciting because most black holes in the universe are either stellar-mass or supermassiveweighing more than 100,000 suns. The ones in between, with masses of between 100 and 100,000 suns, are much harder to come by. In fact, there is still controversy about which, if any, known black holes really have an intermediate mass. In this scenario, the intense gravitational pull of a wandering intermediate mass black hole would have ripped apart a white dwarf, a formerly sunlike star that has reached the end of its life. This is a less dramatic way to destroy a star than exploding it from the inside. Advertisement Advertisement The problem with this explanation is that the variabilitythe ups and downs of the brightening of gamma raysseen by the Fermi Telescope has only ever been associated with stellar-mass black holes, Burns says. Specifically, bigger things just take longer for an event to affect the whole thing, Burns explains. In practical terms, this means a telescope cannot see brightening and dimming of light more quickly than the time it takes for light to cross the entire black hole. Given that Fermi saw variability on a one-second timescale, this indicates that the black hole has to be relatively small. While some scientists say the intermediate-mass black hole scenario cannot be ruled out, to me, this is more like horses versus unicorns, Burns says. Another option is that a stellar-mass black hole could have torn apart its companion star, a scenario called a micro-tidal disruption event that normally happens with supermassive black holes. This is more plausible than the culprit being an intermediate black hole, says Eliza Neights, a researcher at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center who led the work on the black hole eating a star paper with Burns. Still, she and Burns and their co-authors argue the rapid variability of the signal supports the idea that a black hole merged with a star, and then blew it up. Advertisement Advertisement (Heres how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space.) The case remains unsolved For now, quibbles around the black holes size and star-killing methods remain unresolved, and some say the jurys still out on one explanation versus another. Astronomers are currently looking for more clues about what happened by observing the aftermath of the stars destruction in x-rays and radio waves. Every time we open a new window on our universe, we understand that we were not understanding, Troja says. It's maybe a reminder of the awe, the awesomeness of our universe. Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Firefighters in South Carolina came to the rescue of a kitten that darted out into the road in front of a vehicle and ended up jumping up to hide in the undercarriage. The Bluffton Township Fire Department said on social media that a driver on Bluffton Parkway saw a kitten run out in front of his vehicle and pulled over to see if he had struck the animal. "They searched everywhere but couldn't find the kitten. Just as they started to drive again, they heard faint meowing coming from underneath the vehicle," the post said. Advertisement Advertisement The driver and his son drove to Fire Station 30 on Burnt Church Road, where the on-duty crew jumped in to assist. Tyler Williams, a senior mechanic with the department's maintenance shop, went underneath the vehicle and was able to locate the kitten's hiding spot. Williams "carefully worked with his tools to free her. After about ten minutes of patient, steady work, the tiny stowaway was safely rescued," the post said. The kitten, dubbed Flash by rescuers, was taken to the Beaufort County Animal Shelter, where she was said to be recovering from her ordeal and putting on weight. The kitten will soon be available for fostering or adoption. The prosecution in the murder trial of Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of killing his wife, Ana Walshe, on New Years Day 2023, rested its case on Wednesday after a key witness took the stand. In Brian Walshe murder trial, Prosecution rests. @boston25 #brianwalshetrial Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 10, 2025 Defense asked judge to throw out the case saying prosecution had not proven its case. Judge denied. Jury will decide fate of #BrianWalshe @boston25 Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 10, 2025 Watch live: Day 8 of testimony is underway Gem Mutlu, one of the last people to see Ana alive, was called to testify when jurors returned to Norfolk District Court in Dedham at 10 a.m. for Day 8 of the trial. Good morning. Im at Dedham Superior Court for #BrianWalshe trial. Gem Mutlu is set to testify before jury. But first, there's voir dire (questioning away from jury) of Gem. Testimony sched. to start 10AM, but they might be running late. @boston25 Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 10, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Gem Mutlu is now called to the stand in the #brianwalshe murder trial. @boston25 #brianwalshetrial Bob Ward Boston 25 (@Bward3) December 10, 2025 Follow Boston 25s Bob Ward on X for more updates from court Mutlu is a friend of the couple who attended their New Years Eve party. Prosecutors say people at that gathering were among the last to see Ana before she vanished. After Mutlus emotional testimony concluded, the Commonwealth continued calling witnesses. Walshe is charged with first-degree murder, but his defense claims Ana died of natural causes, and that he panicked upon finding her dead in their bed. The prosecution alleges that Walshe murdered his wife and dismembered her before dumping her body parts in dumpsters and cleaning up the house. Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the trial on Dec. 1, prosecutors have been presenting a slew of incriminating evidence to the jury. DNA discoveries Jurors have already been presented with significant evidence, including confirmation that blood found on several items recovered from a North Shore dumpster matched Ana Walshes DNA. Those items include slippers, a towel, a rug, the head of a hatchet, and a hacksaw. Under cross-examination, the defense argued that DNA evidence does not reveal how or when it was deposited, with the witness confirming that DNA cannot tell us how or when it was deposited on an item. Surveillance footage On Tuesday, the jury also viewed surveillance footage showing Walshe shopping the day after Ana disappeared. Advertisement Advertisement The video shows him buying rolled carpets and candles at a HomeGoods store in Norwell. According to a company security official, Walshe paid for those items using two TJX value cards belonging to Anacards she had received for merchandise returns in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Prosecutors on Monday played a video recorded on Jan. 1, 2023, about 15 hours after Ana disappeared, showing Walshe outside a Swampscott liquor store throwing away a trash bag. Minutes later, Walshe was seen at a Lowes in Danvers, wearing a black face mask and blue gloves, spending more than $460 on cleaning supplies and tools. Three days later, he was recorded at a Lowes in Weymouth with a child, possibly his son, buying a trash can. Blood evidence in the home, on tools Investigators discovered blood in the basement, on the basement stairs, and on a support beam. Jurors also saw a knife recovered from a kitchen cabinet above the refrigerator, which Massachusetts State Police say had blood on it. Advertisement Advertisement The jury was also shown blood-stained tools, including a hacksaw, hammer, hatchet, and hedge pruners, which prosecutors say were found in dumpsters near Walshes Cohasset apartment complex. Walshe has been accused of using those items to dismember Anas body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical examiner testimony A state medical examiner testified that without Anas body, he cannot determine the cause or manner of death. The defense claims Ana died of sudden unexpected death and that panicked. Prosecutors allege Walshe murdered Ana, dismembered her, and disposed of her remains in dumpsters. Affair and digital evidence Jurors also learned last week that Ana was having an affair. They reviewed emails and messages exchanged between Ana and William Fastow, a D.C. realtor, including communications on New Years Eve, hours before Ana disappeared. A state police trooper testified that Anas last message to Fastow was sent at midnight on New Years, and said he found no evidence that Walshe was aware of those messages. Advertisement Advertisement You did not see any communication between Ana Walshe and William Fastow?Not that I recall, the trooper testified. William Fastow, Ana Walshe's boyfriend, looks at a picture of Ana while on the witness stand during Brian Walshe's trial for murdering his wife Ana, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Matt Stone/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool) Grisly internet searches Jurors last week heard about troubling internet searches made on a device owned by the Walshe family, which were discovered by police after Ana Walshe went missing. The searches, made between New Years Day and January 4th, included queries such as "how to dispose of a body," how to get blood out of hardwood floors, and best tool to dismember. Trial coverage Boston 25 News is streaming the trial live every day on Boston25News.com, on X, on Facebook, and on YouTube. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * After months of scuttlebutt, Rep. Jasmine Crockett launched a Democratic U.S. Senate bid in Texas this week, setting up a primary fight against state Rep. James Talarico. * Incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn, seeing Crockett as a rival whod be easy to defeat in a general election, described her candidacy as a gift. * Speaking of the Lone Star State, Democratic Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas announced this week that he wont seek reelection next year. He will, however, be on the 2026 ballot. Veasey said hes running for Tarrant County judge. Advertisement Advertisement * An effort in Missouri to block a Republican-imposed gerrymandering scheme appears to be advancing: The People Not Politicians initiative, hoping to trigger a referendum process that could put the map in front of voters, turned in 305,000 signatures to Missouris Secretary of States Office on Tuesday, nearly triple the threshold needed to force a statewide vote. * In a bit of a surprise, Bruce Blakeman, a Republican county official, launched a gubernatorial campaign in New York this week. Hell face off against Rep. Elise Stefanik in a GOP primary next year. * Also in the Empire State, Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman has drawn a credible primary rival of his own: New York City Comptroller Brad Lander kicked off a congressional campaign Wednesday morning, months after coming up short in New York Citys mayoral race. * And in Virginia, where Democrat Tom Perriello scored a dramatic upset victory in 2008 before losing two years later, the former congressman has launched a comeback bid. Perriello, who served in several diplomatic posts in the Obama and Biden administrations, kicked off a campaign this week against Republican Rep. John McGuire. The post Wednesdays Campaign Round-Up, 12.10.25: Jasmine Crockett jolts Texas race appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now GRAFTON, W.Va. (AP) A West Virginia National Guard member who was fatally shot last month in the nations capital was laid to rest with full military honors in a private ceremony. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom's funeral took place Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Grafton, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement. The ceremony was deeply moving and reflected the strength, grace, and love of a remarkable young woman and the family and friends who surrounded her, Morrisey said. Advertisement Advertisement Beckstrom graduated with honors from Webster County High School in 2023 and joined the National Guard several weeks later. She served in the 863rd Military Police Company. Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe were ambushed as they patrolled a subway station three blocks from the White House on Nov. 26. She died the next day. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who was also shot during the confrontation, has been charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty. Morrisey has said Wolfe, who remains in a hospital in Washington, is slowly healing and his family expects he will be in acute care for another few weeks. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Crews are in the process of tearing down a former Family Fare in Grand Rapids to make way for a housing complex. Demolition of the empty grocery store at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street started Friday. The process is expected to be take a couple of weeks, Spencer Wierda, the president and director of development for SW Real Estate Investment, told News 8. Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) Once demolition is complete, crews will start building a housing complex with 168 new housing units across seven three-story buildings. It will include an even split of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Advertisement Advertisement Grand Rapids sees record $949 million in construction The Family Fare closed back in 2021 after operating at that location for more than 25 years. Building a new apartment complex at the property is a perfect reuse for a site that was currently being underutilized, Wierda said. FILE Family Fare on Breton Road near 44th Street on June 15, 2021. Crews work on demolishing a former Family Fare at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Dec. 10, 2025) The development includes the shopping center next door, which houses a Little Caesars and the Wasabi Sushi & Chinese restaurant. The two restaurants are set to remain as tenants, Wierda said, while around 5,800 square feet of the strip will be turned into a community center. Once complete, the project will also include 4,000 square feet of additional retail space. Advertisement Advertisement We really think a community-oriented retailer would fit great there, such as a day care or a learning center, Wierda said. Other amenities will include bike storage, a fitness center, coworking space, grilling stations and a dog park. A rendering of the housing complex under construction at 4325 Breton Road near 44th Street in Grand Rapids. (Courtesy of SW Real Estate Investment) Project leaders at the site of 4325 Breton Road. From left to right: Russ Downs, Kevin Krieger, and Brad Walsh of Orion Construction; Spencer Wierda and Scott Wierda of SW Real Estate Investment. (Courtesy of SW Real Estate Investment.) The first of the seven buildings is expected to be done in the first quarter of 2027, with the rest set to be ready for residents in the following four to five months, Wierda said. Tariff stabilization, layoff fears, data centers: Key economic outlook takeaways Some 49% will be income-restricted attainable units, aimed at households making 95 to 100% of the area median income. Advertisement Advertisement Grand Rapids needs housing at every price point and this project really helps move the needle in a meaningful way, Wierda said. Access to attainable housing directly impacts both our community through an economic perspective as well as a housing perspective and creating a place where more families can move to Grand Rapids is extremely important to us. The project is supported by Tax Increment Financing through the city of Grand Rapids. Building a new development on the vacant brownfield property will raise its value and property taxes; through TIF, the developer will be reimbursed the cost of fixing up the property through the additional taxes. Inside WOODTV.com: Building West Michigan Thats really moving the needle to spark development. Both the city and the state of Michigan are doing a great job at using this as a tool to really drive economic development within their communities, and theyre seeing it pay off, Wierda said. This is 168 units and its going to really start helping move that needle towards all the housing that we need in our community. Were really excited to be a part of the solution to solving Michigans housing need. 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 WOODTV.com. The Imperial Japanese Navy launched hundreds of fighters and bombers at Pearl Harbor in an effort to paralyze the main U.S. naval base for the Pacific Fleet near Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. Ironically, not a single U.S. aircraft carrier was sunk during the bombing. The very next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt went to Congress asking for a declaration of war against the Empire of Japan. Anyone familiar with this global conflagration will recognize Japan's military flag a white background with a sometimes offset red disc emitting 16 red rays (hence the comparison to the rising sun). It was used by the Imperial Japanese Army and adopted by the Imperial Navy in 1870. It's different from Japan's national flag a white background with the red disc, sans rays. Known as the Hinomaru (meaning the "circle of the sun"), versions of it date back to 701 AD, but it wasn't officially designated as the national flag until 1999. At the time of the Pearl Harbor bombing, U.S. airplanes used something similar at the core of their own insignia a red circle (sometimes called a "red ball") inside a white five-pointed star inside a blue circle, mimicking the colors of the American flag. Due to its similarity, American pilots feared they would mistake friendly planes for enemies and began painting over the red circle to eliminate any uncertainty. At the end of May 1942, orders came down to remove the red circle entirely from all combat aircraft. The following month, all U.S. military aircraft were mandated to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Top 10 WWII Fighter Aircraft, Ranked The color red caused real controversy A parked Japanese fighter plane displaying the rising sun flag - BFS Man/Wikimedia Commons The red circle on the Japanese flag and insignia represents the sun goddess Amaterasu, who is believed to be the ancestress of the Japanese imperial line. In 1854, Japanese vessels were ordered to fly the symbol so they wouldn't be mistaken for foreign enemies. In 1870, the Meiji government (which ruled between 1868 and 1912) was the first to use the Hinomaru flag as a symbol of a modern Japan. Meanwhile, in the United States, the first national insignia a red five-pointed star appeared on U.S. Army aircraft during the Mexican Punitive Expedition in 1916. In May 1917, the U.S. officially adopted as its national insignia a red circle within a white five-pointed star within a blue circle. However, that changed after the U.S. entered World War I in January 1918 to a roundel to match those of the Allied nations (but only used one) with a white circle inside a blue circle inside a red circle. That symbol was subsequently changed in April 1919 to a red-centered white star within a blue circle, with only a minor shade change to the blue circle happening in the 1920s. This remained the insignia until 1942, when they were all but forced to address the issue of the red ball. In June 1943, U.S. forces added rectangles to the left and right sides of the blue circle, along with a red border outlining the entire design. The pushback over the red border from air units still fighting Japanese forces was immediate, and in August, the border color was changed to blue. 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. Almost 90% of Utahns are leaving high school with a diploma in hand. And on the flip side, the states dropout rate has been sliced in half in recent years, from 16.2% to 8.5%, according to a report released by the Utah State Board of Education. The report revealed that Utahs overall four-year cohort graduation rate has risen to 89.9% for the 2025 cohort up from 88.8% for the 2024 cohort. Statistically, a one-percentage point increase might not seem significant but that point represents hundreds of Utah youth now better equipped with job skills, increased earning potential and a path to higher education. Advertisement Advertisement Such long-term trends, according to USBE, reflect the collective efforts of schools, educators, families and communities all partnering to help students stay on track and earn a high school diploma. Utahs students, families, and educators continue to demonstrate what is possible when high expectations are paired with strong support, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Molly Hart in a USBE release. We are especially encouraged to see meaningful gains for student groups that have historically faced barriers to graduation, alongside continued reductions in dropout rates statewide. The reported graduation rates for the 2025 cohort includes all students who started ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year, students with severe cognitive disabilities who have had their cohort reassigned to 2025, and students who transferred into the Utah public education system after ninth grade. Advertisement Advertisement The graduate category includes students who have earned a basic high school diploma, an Alternate Diploma for students with a significant cognitive disability, or an adult education high school diploma by Sept. 30 following the end of their cohort school year. The dropout category includes students who have not completed graduation requirements after withdrawing from school or being expelled. Graduation: Breaking down the rates by Utahs communities Students walk through Skyline High School in Millcreek on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News White students in Utah had the highest high school completion rate in 2025, with 92.1% meeting graduation requirements. Meanwhile, Black students in Utah achieved the largest bump in high school graduation rates, going from 80.6% in 2024 to 83.9% in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Pacific Islander and American Indian students also recorded graduation rate improvements. Pacific Islander rates increased from 81.9% to 85%, while American Indian graduation rates rose from 77.5% to 80.1%. American Indian and Black students had the largest dropout percentage decline in 2025. Hispanic/Latino students the school systems largest minority group also notched a slight graduation uptick in 2025, increasing from 81.8% to 83.2%. And Utah high school students classified as English learners have improved their graduation rate by more than 12% since 2017, hitting almost 80% for the 2025 cohort. Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, USBE is reporting graduation and dropout rates for Utah students in foster care, students experiencing homelessness and military-connected students. Ninety-seven percent of military-connected students in Utah are graduating from high school. Graduation rates are less encouraging among foster care and homeless youth: 62.8% and 72.8%, respectively. Confronting Utahs growing reading crisis While encouraged by rising high school graduation rates, Utah educators also face well-documented challenges. Students walk to class at Ben Lomond High School in Ogden on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News According to the most recent Nations Report Card, Utah students are generally outperforming their peers across the country. But reading scores among the states eighth graders continue to decline. Advertisement Advertisement According to data released by the National Assessment of Education Progress earlier this year, Beehive State students performed significantly higher in math than the national public average for both fourth and eighth graders in 2024. Utahs fourth and eighth graders also outperformed their national counterparts, on average, in reading. But while the average reading score of eighth grade students in Utah was higher than the average reading score for students in the nation, eighth graders in Utah are reading at lower levels than in earlier years. In a recent Deseret News opinion column, Utah education advocate Christine Ivory noted that less than half of Utahs third grade students (48%) are reading grade level. Advertisement Advertisement This quiet reading crisis in our state and across the nation will eventually explode into unskilled workers faced with limited possibilities. National data shows that only 31% of students are reading at or above grade level, wrote Ivory. A public policy focusing on improving reading rates for third graders is essential to Utahs strength and position, she added. The complexities involved in creating a sound, rigorous education system for our state will depend on a united effort to find solutions. Meanwhile, a legislative audit released late last year revealed a statewide gap between the performance of students who are in a group that traditionally struggles with academic proficiency, and those who arent. The audit classified underperforming student groups as those who have a higher than typical chance of performing below proficiency and who are economically disadvantaged, learning English, or racial or ethnic minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Such underperforming student groups frequently need the most growth and support, the report added. USBE has signaled commitment to identifying the causes of declining reading scores while implementing targeted efforts and proven strategies. Our focus is on ensuring measurable improvements in reading outcomes by working with schools to equip educators and students with tools and targeted training, said Darin Nielsen, deputy superintendent of student learning, in a state board report released earlier this year. We are committed to implementing evidence-based programs that address reading challenges early, providing intensive support where its needed most, and tracking progress to make sure every student has the opportunity to improve and succeed. January WTI crude oil (CLF26) today is down -0.91 (-1.51%), and January RBOB gasoline (RBF26) is down -0.0279 (-1.52%). Crude oil and gasoline prices are moving lower today, with gasoline falling to a 1.5-week low. Dollar strength today is undercutting energy prices. Also, today's weakness in stock prices weighs on confidence in the economic outlook and energy demand. Losses in crude are limited on expectations that restrictions on Russian energy exports will remain after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy said there was no accord yet to end the Russian-Ukrainian war. More News from Barchart On the bearish side for crude, Saudi Arabian state producer Aramco last Thursday cut the price of its Arab Light crude oil for Asian customers by 30 cents/bbl for January delivery, the lowest since January 2021, a sign of weakened energy demand. Geopolitical risks are supporting crude prices. Last Tuesday, Interfax reported that Russian President Putin threatened to attack ships from nations helping Ukraine if attacks on Russian vessels don't stop. Recently, four Russian tankers have been attacked by drones in the Black Sea. Also, President Trump said airspace over Venezuela should be considered closed and that the US may soon start targeting drug cartels within Venezuela. Venezuela is the world's 12th-largest oil producer. Reduced crude exports from Russia are underpinning crude prices. On November 19, Vortexa data showed Russia's oil product shipments fell to 1.7 million bpd in the first 15 days of November, the lowest in more than 3 years. Ukraine has targeted at least 28 Russian refineries over the past three months, exacerbating a fuel crunch in Russia and limiting Russia's crude export capabilities. Ukrainian drone and missile attacks over the weekend damaged a Russian Baltic Sea oil terminal, forcing it to close. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which carries 1.6 million bpd of Kazakhstan's crude exports, was forced to close after a pipeline was damaged at one of its moorings. New US and EU sanctions on Russian oil companies, infrastructure, and tankers have also curbed Russian oil exports. Crude also garnered support after OPEC+ on Sunday said it will stick with plans to pause production increases during Q1 of 2026. OPEC+ at its November 2 meeting announced that members will raise production by +137,000 bpd in December but will then pause the production hikes in Q1-2026 due to the emerging global oil surplus. The IEA in mid-October forecasted a record global oil surplus of 4.0 million bpd for 2026. OPEC+ is trying to restore all of the 2.2 million bpd production cut it made in early 2024, but still has another 1.2 million bpd of production left to restore. OPEC's November crude production fell by -10,000 bpd to 29.09 million bpd. Stuffy noses and bothersome coughs arent the only winter illness symptoms making the rounds right now. Lots of people are also getting sick with norovirus, an unpleasant stomach bug. The highly contagious virus is on the rise in many states across the country. What is norovirus? It is our most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and actually food-borne illness in the United States, said Dr. Brintha Vasagar, a family physician in Wisconsin. Health: Experts Warn These Early Dementia Signs Often Get Missed But Early Detection Makes A Big Difference Those are the two most common symptoms, but fever, body aches and stomachaches are sometimes reported, too. HuffPost Life delivers practical, reliable advice to navigate lifes challenges and make informed decisions. Support journalism that empowers you join our membership program today. We typically experience higher rates of norovirus from November to April, so were still pretty early in this season, Vasagar added. Advertisement Advertisement Norovirus cases are currently elevated, but a little lower than where they were by this time last year, said Dr. Camile Gooden, an internal medicine physician at NYU Langone HospitalSuffolk in New York. However, Recently, there has been a surge in norovirus ... were seeing more positive testing, Gooden added. This is due to a new strain of the virus. Health: Why You Wake Up Earlier As You Get Older The virus spreads easily and in different ways than other winter viruses. Heres what to know: Norovirus spreads through vomit and fecal particles. While common winter illnesses such as the flu and COVID-19 spread through coughs and sneezes, norovirus spreads differently. Advertisement Advertisement Traditionally, its [spread through] what we call the fecal-oral route, so stool to mouth, but its a pretty darn resilient virus, so its not like youre licking other peoples poop, said Dr. Ross Newman, a pediatrician based in Oregon and a medical communicator on social media. Instead, contaminated particles end up on peoples hands or surfaces they touch and can sometimes even spread through the air, he explained. Health: Norovirus Cases Are Surging. These Are The Most Common Symptoms Doctors Are Seeing Right Now. If someone who has norovirus doesnt wash their hands well after using the bathroom and then uses a towel to dry their hands, that towel can then become a carrier. Then, if a non-infected person uses that towel to dry their hands, they could pick up the virus. Advertisement Advertisement It can exist on surfaces for long periods of time ... it can be on blankets, gloves, clothing, hair, skin ... or it can just be from filthy hands, Newman added. Contaminated surfaces can become a source of spread, added Gooden, which is how norovirus commonly rips through places with long-term care settings, day cares and cruise ships all spaces where people are in close quarters and touching the same door handles, tables, light switches and toys. It can also spread through food. Norovirus can also spread through contaminated food, according to Gooden. If you eat food that has not been washed properly and is contaminated, you could also get ill, noted Gooden. Health: 9 Things Eye Doctors Would Never, Ever Ignore This could be from a sick person preparing the food or even from contaminated raw produce, she said. Advertisement Advertisement You want to make sure that when you are consuming raw vegetables and raw fruits, that those have been washed appropriately because sometimes, even on farms, there might be exposure through irrigation systems to norovirus, Gooden said. You dont need any fancy produce soaps, instead washing produce well with water is enough to kill the virus, Gooden said. Norovirus can also spread through shellfish that becomes contaminated by infected water. In this case, fully cooking shellfish can kill the virus, according to Vasagar. Health: If You Sleep In This 1 Position, Doctors Say You Need To Stop Immediately Hand sanitizer doesnt kill norovirus, which makes proper hand washing crucial for prevention. The best way to protect yourself is really to perform good hand washing and you have to use soap and water. You cant rely on hand sanitizers necessarily, especially if youve touched contaminated surfaces or have come in contact with someone who is ill with norovirus, Gooden said. Advertisement Advertisement A quick hand rinse isnt good enough; use hot water and soap, and wash your hands for the full Happy Birthday song, twice, Vasagar stressed. Most people dont wash their hands long enough to really be effective. Beyond hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces with bleach-based cleansers and washing linens frequently can kill the virus, Vasagar noted. This is especially important if someone in your home is sick. The spread is ... so contagious that youre really going to have to work hard to make sure everyone else in the family doesnt get it, Vasagar said. Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. Grace Cary via Getty Images If you get sick, stay home, hydrate and monitor for severe symptoms. The vomiting associated with norovirus is generally short-lived, 24 to 48 hours, but the diarrhea can last two weeks, Newman said. Advertisement Advertisement People are most contagious the first one or two days after their symptoms start, but they can shed the virus for weeks after that point, Newman added. If you get sick, stay home (and keep sick kids home) if youre able, all three experts told HuffPost. Also watch out for dehydration, which is the biggest concern with complications from most stomach bugs, Newman said. Youre losing a lot of fluids with vomiting, a lot of fluids with diarrhea, Vasagar said. Signs of dehydration include decreased urination, dizziness, dry mouth, and confusion and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, get to a doctor. To combat dehydration, drink plenty of fluids, whether thats water, tea, Gatorade or soup, Gooden noted. Even if youre throwing up, you should still drink small amounts of fluids. Advertisement Advertisement Its really important to monitor for any development of severe symptoms, Gooden said. If your symptoms continue beyond 72 hours, usually, thats a time that I would advise to reach out to your health care professional. If you have fevers, severe abdominal pain or develop blood in your stool, you should seek medical attention, Gooden added. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Though it may not come as a surprise to some, Wisconsin is home to one of the best holiday markets in the United States, according to a new ranking from USA TODAY's 10BEST. Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions over a variety of categories. Editors vet nominations and select the final nominees, which are then voted on by the public to determine the final list. Elkhart Lake's Old World Christmas Market was ranked No. 3 in the publication's list. Here's what USA TODAY had to say about the holiday staple: Advertisement Advertisement "While surrounded by fragrant evergreen boughs and twinkling lights in heated tents, visitors can shop for specialty artisan items, munch on schnitzel and apple strudel, and sip hot Gluhwein." The annual market is held at The Osthoff Resort, 101 Osthoff Ave., and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m until Dec. 14. Aside from doing some holiday shopping and trying traditional German fare, guests can have breakfast with Santa, make ornaments, take horse drawn carriage rides and more. For more information, you can visit Old World Christmas Market's website at https://osthoff.com/old-world-christmas-market/. Visitors peruse a variety of offerings from regional and international artisans at the Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake. More: Holiday pop-up bars bringing Christmas cheer to the Milwaukee area in 2025 What are the 10 best holiday markets in the U.S., according to USA TODAY? Here's the full top 10 list for Best Holiday Market category: Advertisement Advertisement Carmel Christkindlmarkt (Carmel, Indiana) El Paso WinterFest (El Paso, Texas) Old World Christmas Market (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin) Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Savannah Christmas Market (Savannah, Georgia) Roc Holiday Village (Rochester, New York) Christmas Village in Baltimore (Baltimore, Maryland) Denver Christkindlmarket (Denver, Colorado) Georgetown Christmas Market (Georgetown, Colorado) More: European-style holiday markets in the Milwaukee area and beyond in 2025 This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Elkhorn Christmas market named among best holiday markets in US Wisconsin's capital is home to one of the best public holiday light displays in the nation, according to a new ranking from USA TODAY's 10BEST. Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions over a variety of categories. Editors will vet the nominations and select the final nominees, which are then voted on by the public to determine the final list. Wisconsin Capitol's Holiday Tree was ranked No. 7 in the publication's list. Here's what USA TODAY had to say about the display: Advertisement Advertisement "For decades, a 35-foot local balsam fir tree has transformed the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda into a beacon of warmth and community spirit. Featuring thousands of thoughtful ornaments handmade by school kids from all around the state and more than 2,000 energy-saving LED lights, viewing the Capitol Holiday Tree is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit." A tree lighting ceremony was held Dec. 4, where Gov. Tony Evers delivered a speech. The 2025 holiday tree has been named "The Learning Tree" and is decorated with handmade ornaments celebrating educators, child care providers, administrators, custodians, school bus drivers, counselors, librarians, school staff, tutors and mentors. You can check out the holiday display for yourself at the Wisconsin State Capitol, at 2 E. Main St. in Madison. Advertisement Advertisement More: The Capitol tree is lit and on display. Here's what to know. Spectators observe the lit tree during the annual State Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 4, 2025, at the state Capitol in Madison. This years tree, themed The Learning Tree, features handmade student ornaments honoring educators. What are the 10 best public holiday light displays in the U.S., according to USA TODAY? Here's the full top 10 list for Best Public Holiday Light Displays category: Bentleyville "Tour of Lights" (Duluth, Minnesota) Christmas Village (Ogden, Utah) Chickasha Festival of Light (Chickasha, Oklahoma) Tinsel Trail (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) Keg Tree at Genesee Brew House (Rochester, New York) Holiday in Paradise (West Palm Beach, Florida) Capitol Holiday Tree (Madison, Wisconsin) Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (Riverside, California) Light Up the Holidays (Altamonte Springs, Florida) Circle of Lights (Indianapolis, Indiana) Laura Schulte contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Capitol tree named among best public holiday light displays A Wrightsville man convicted of sexually abusing a teenager multiple times during the summer of 2023 was sentenced to a minimum of nearly 20 years in prison recently, according to court records. Daniel K. Walton, 44, of the 100 block of Gilbert Lane, had been charged with multiple offenses, including rape forcible compulsion, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse - forcible compulsion, sexual assault and child pornography after the teen reported the abuse to a staff member for a youth group she attended. Walton, convicted in August, was sentenced to nineteen and a half to 39 years in state prison, according to court records. He was also ordered to serve three years of probation supervision upon his release. Advertisement Advertisement Previously: Police charge York County man with rape after teen reports sexual abuse to youth worker A police story: Shot on the job, a York cop had to make sure he was fit for duty, physically and mentally According to the criminal complaint filed by Lower Windsor Township police, the teen told a forensic interviewer "he raped me" and remained quiet for 30 seconds. She said she told Walton multiple times to stop. He told her "don't tell anybody," she told the interviewer. Police also accused of Walton of taking photographs of the girl from the waist down while she was not wearing clothing, according to the complaint. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Wrightsville PA man sentenced for 2023 rape of teen On the Wednesday, December 10, 2025 episode of The Excerpt podcast: After losing all 3 branches of power in 2024, Progressive Democrats are hungry for the opportunity to reshape the party along ideological, generational and other factional lines in 2026. USA TODAY Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey joins The Excerpt to discuss how progressives are changing the calculus in Washington. Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text. Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: After losing all three branches of power in 2024, progressive Democrats are hungry for the opportunity to reshape the party along ideological, generational, and other factional lines in 2026. Hello, and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, December 10th, 2025. Fueled by an increasing anger among Democratic voters in a splintered Republican base, the possibility of a Democratic controlled House looks increasingly likely for 2027. How might that thwart the success of President Donald Trump's second half agenda? Joining me to look at how progressives might change the calculus in Washington is USA TODAY chief political correspondent, Phillip M. Bailey. Phillip, thank you so much for coming back on the show. Advertisement Advertisement Phillip M. Bailey: Hey, Dana, how are you? Dana Taylor: It's good to see you. So let's start by looking at what some recent polling has revealed about how voters are feeling about President Trump and Republicans and Democrats in general. Phillip M. Bailey: For President Trump now, I guess 11 months since his return to power has really seen, I think his approval numbers shrink to numbers that he didn't even see in his first term. Poll after poll shows the American people are very frustrated with the lack of lowering prices. His own coalition is beginning to show some cracks. We see with, for example, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. We just recently did a sit down interview with 60 Minutes. And the two of them are having a back and forth. I think just recently, he again attacked her as a liar and as a traitor, as he calls her on social media. And as a result, we're seeing some of this take a plunge in his approval numbers. Advertisement Advertisement A recent New York Times analysis of polls found the president's approval numbers had fallen to about 42% while his disapprovals had risen to 55%. And this is the ebb and flow that presidents often go through, but I think for Donald Trump who so long really held his base and held his coalition intact to see this infighting, not just with Marjorie Taylor Green. But let's look at Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York and her recent criticisms of Speaker Mike Johnson. So just as MAGA is beginning to fray, Dana, and you're seeing this sort of people shoot off and go with the more America First, whether it's on foreign policy, whether it's on lack of affordability being tackled, whether it's issues with the tariffs and other issues that people on the right are having with them, Democrats are beginning to see some confidence and some bright spots almost a year after, really, many have predicted their demise after the 2024 presidential loss. Dana Taylor: Phillip, anger among voters is a big theme in your recent analysis. What's the political backdrop to this? What are you hearing from voters? Advertisement Advertisement Phillip M. Bailey: Well, look, I mean, Democrats are still really in the tank with voters overall. Poll after poll, survey after survey has shown voters are not really keen on the Democratic Party, but they have benefited, I think, largely from President Trump's failures in his own fraction coalition. What we're seeing though, Dana, is in... Pew Research came out with this month that Democrats are angrier than their GOP counterparts or independents. About 44% of Democrats and Democratic leaning independents are saying that they are angry toward the federal government. That's a record high since Pew Research really began measuring that back in 1997, way back during the Clinton administration. That's far exceeding what Republicans, when they were angry during the Obama years, about 38% who said they were angry at the federal government, about 35% of Republicans said the same thing during the Biden years. There is this emerging left leaning populism based on anger, not just at the Trump administration, but anger overall at the cost of living and other issues in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement So it's not just focused on Donald Trump. There's a wide range of things that Democrats and their allies are angry about, and that's going to show up, I think, first and foremost in these Democratic primary seasons. Those are the races that are going to really determine what the Democratic Party of the future is going to look like. You see more of the old guard, veteran Democrats retiring like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Of course, we all remember that during the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden, his age and acuity was often brought up, regularly brought up. And of course, that abysmal debate performance he had against Donald Trump last year only put that more into focus. So age has been something that's always been undergirding. I think the Democratic angst, but there are bigger issues than that as well, but still age is going to be something that you're going to see. I think a younger generation of progressives call attention to. Graham Platner, for example, one of the Senate candidates, Democratic candidates out in Maine, we had a chance to speak with him. And one of the things that he brings up is Medicare for All and taking on the billionaires, but his supporters and the polling shows this from groups that are aligned with Platner's campaign. They point out that this 40-year-old oyster farmer, former veteran, retired military member, 40 years old running against a Democratic primary against a 77-year-old incumbent governor, Janet Mills, who's backed by Chuck Schumer and more of the establishment side of the Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement You're seeing this up and down the ballot across the country where age is going to be, I think, a focus for younger Democrats. Will that be the leading feature? I don't necessarily think so, but it certainly is something that polls indicate from the progressive campaign committee and others who are supporting Platner. That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates. Dana Taylor: What are the progressive's primary motivating goals? Phillip M. Bailey: For the activists left and people who sit on the more progressive side, there are a number of issues besides just affordability. Medicare for all is certainly one that they still talk about finishing what Obamacare initially started. Remember, there are still a lot of raw progressives who feel upset about the fact there was a lack of a public option back in 2010. Advertisement Advertisement There's definitely a conversation about taking on the billionaire class. There's also one talking about Israel. That is something that you're going to see. Let's take, for example, Congressman Richie Torres out of New York who represents the Bronx. He's facing challengers who are straight up saying, look, not only is lack of action on affordability, lack of action maybe on taking on Donald Trump more aggressively, but they point to Torres's rabid support and open support for Israel. And that has something that was a major issue for people on the left during the 2024 presidential campaign. I think you're going to see a lot of these younger candidates running for Congress, running for Senate, running on the Democratic side, mentioning what happened and what took place in Gaza, Israel's war there. That's something that I think both unites, oddly enough, the MAGA base and parts of this new emerging progressive base as well. So you're going to see a lot of Democratic incumbents who might have been used to supporting Israel with no problem whatsoever, maybe hearing some wrangling from folks on the outside and the activist ranks, but those folks are now on the inside. They're coming into these primaries and there's a shift on the Democratic base when it comes to Israel, when it comes to what happened in Gaza. I think for a lot of incumbents who may be caught flatfooted or who have a history of supporting Israel, they're going to be challenged on that directly. Dana Taylor: Advertisement Advertisement Phillip, do you think progressive Democrats are influencing messaging by Republicans running in the midterms? Phillip M. Bailey: The Republicans have already indicated that they plan to paint a broad brush really with whoever comes out of these primaries, but particularly for those who are coming from the more left leaning progressive side, certainly some folks who are running as members of the Democratic socialists of America. Zohran Mamdani's face is already being plastered on ads in battleground congressional districts. I'm thinking of like Wisconsin three, for example, where you're going to see some of these tight purple seats where there's a chance to flip for Democrats. Remember, Democrats only need to flip about three seats to retake the House. It's a bit of a steeper hill on the Senate side, but on the House side of things, Democrats are a lot more bullish. And I feel like they believe that they can win that and they see that as the eyes on the prize for them. Advertisement Advertisement But I think for Republicans, when it comes to those races that are so, so close in those more purple leaning battleground districts, you're going to see Zohran Mamdani more so than Hakeem Jeffries or Chuck Schumer featured in Republican attack ads. Dana Taylor: So Phillip, are Democrats likely to win the House in 2026? And with a Republican majority in the Senate likely and a Republican in the White House, what might a Democratic led House accomplish in the two years before we have a new administration? Phillip M. Bailey: Look, there's always a generic poll that comes out right before these midterm elections. Mayors usually does these and they ask the question of generically voters, who would you want to see in your congressional seat? Would you support the generic Democratic candidate? Would you support the generic Republican candidate? In this situation this year, that question was asked in about 14 point margin Democrats lead that question. In years past, that's the highest margin they've had since 2017 when the next year they took and that so called Blue Wave took back the House and that really stunted a lot of Donald Trump's agenda and that's where he was first impeached. How this is going to be prosecuted, Dana, we got to pay attention to some of these congressional district and primary races. Is it going to be focused primarily just on policy and Medicare for all and foreign wars or are we going to be having a conversation about impeaching Donald Trump? Is there going to be a conversation about replacing Hakeem Jeffries as leader in the House? That all will be done here in the shuffle of these congressional races. I anticipate that everything will be on the table, but I think primarily what you're going to see, and when I talk to more progressive leaning groups of organizations like EMILY's List and PCC and others who are getting behind more left-leaning candidates, they're saying, "Look, the policy differences, there may not be a lot of daylight between these so called centrists and aggressive candidates or incumbents and challengers." In fact, when I talk to those activists with the PCC, they tell me that, look, there's not really an issue about ideology as much as emphasis on what issues do you care about, what story can you tell, and can you name villains? I anticipate that Israel and Gaza and the billionaire donor class are going to be the leading issues in these primary season campaigns for Democrats. We'll see what happens on the Republican side, because remember they have their own civil war that's beginning to brew. But I think for Democrats in particular, there's an itching for a clash. A lot of times Democrats have said in these past two election cycles in particular, feeling that the party establishment really picked or selected the candidates. That was a lot of that hand wringing in 2024. So I think there's a yearning for Democrats to have a free for all. There's not a real fear from this. When I talked to, for example, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin, he said to me right after their off year election victories in Virginia and New Jersey, he was saying, "Look, we're opening up this party. It's going to be a big tent." He really seemed to have a come one, come all onto the Democratic Party. So there doesn't seem to be as much fear of a problem on the Democratic side as there was even a year ago. I think they've accepted that, look, having a selection before the election isn't the best way to go about things and a free for all might be the cleansing of the power that Democrats need ahead of the 2026 midterms. Dana Taylor: Finally, do you think progressives might eventually help Democrats to unify the base with a cohesive platform in 2026, or is it too soon to tell? Phillip M. Bailey: Well, I think this is what you're going to see it come down to as well, not just ideology and policy differences, but also tactics. Zohran Mamdani more than I think than you've seen any left leaning candidate energize younger voters, energized a whole new group of voters. And I think this is where you see Democrats really ripping a page out of Donald Trump. Back in 2015/2016, Donald Trump didn't just accept what the current Republican Party was. He changed the Republican Party. He brought people into it with him. And I think that's what you see a lot of these more left-leaning candidates arguing is that whether it's Zohran Mamdani or someone at the national level ticket or someone at the local level, you have to have candidates who want people to come out and vote for them. You can't just have these stale, older Democrats who sort of want to go by the process, go by the rules. I think when you see these more Gen Z, millennial candidates, even some Gen X Democratic candidates running, they're running with the emphasis on we have to do things differently. I think, again, talking to Graham Platner out in Maine, his point to me was, "You can't expect to change a system and have the very same people who've always existed in that system change it." And he says, "For him, it's paramount that Chuck Schumer be replaced as the Democratic leader." How much of that will come up, I think we should also pay attention to, but I do think that we're going to see Democrats take some urgency from these new candidates who are going to bring in new voters. We'll see how, of course, how these primaries lay out. Not every primary challenger, left leaning primary challenger is going to win. We're going to see some incumbents with their name ID and their sort of bread and butter, tactical efforts prevailing some of these primaries. But if we see more of these challengers, who, by the way, Dana are already beginning to outraise some of these incumbents. I believe NBC News first reported that, look, when we look at the FEC reports coming out this quarter, you're seeing about nine incumbents being outraised by opponents. That's a sign that there's some need and a call for new blood in the Democratic Party. I think it hasn't heard from its constituents from its base in a while now. That base is angry, they want change, things cost way too much, and some folks are going to lose their job as a result. Dana Taylor: Phillip M. Bailey is a USA TODAY chief political correspondent. It's always good to talk to you, Phillip. Phillip M. Bailey: Dana, as always, thank you. Dana Taylor: Thanks to our senior producer, Kaely Monahan for her production assistance, our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. We'll be back tomorrow morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will the Democratic party see new success in 2026? | The Excerpt Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that his country has begun using homegrown Sapsan (which means peregrine falcon) ballistic missiles in combat against Russia. While the claim may be disinformation, such a weapon would give Ukraine a highly valuable new standoff strike option, unlike any other in its inventory. It would also not be subject to any foreign restrictions on its use, as it continues to be the case with many longer-ranged weapons supplied by the United States and other Western partners. Ukraine's Sapsan ballistic missile is now in combat, Zelenskyy confirms. Russians often mistake strikes for cruise missiles 480-kg warhead more than double ATACMS. Speed: 5.2 Mach. Expert verdict: "There's no way they can intercept it" https://t.co/QE3tKU0Ioypic.twitter.com/YhOQGJBcBH Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 10, 2025 Ukraine is already using the Neptune, the long-range Neptune, the Palyanytsya, the Flamingo. And also, the Sapsan, Ill be honest weve begun using it, Zelensky told journalists. The Ukrainian president added that he would not disclose how many of these weapons have been deployed, or what they targeted. Because for now we dont want the enemy to know all the precedents and all the details, Zelensky added. Advertisement Advertisement As well as the Sapsan, Zelensky referred to four domestically produced weapons that we already knew had been used operationally. These are the land-attack version of the Neptune anti-ship cruise missile, the extended-range version of the same weapon, known as the Long Neptune, the Palyanytsya jet-powered missile/drone hybrid, and the very long-range Flamingo cruise missile. President Zelensky showed the Palianytsia drone missile, which was first revealed yesterday. All of its specifications are classified. What is known from the information in the video: Palianytsia has a turbojet engine; is launched from a ground platform; the pic.twitter.com/GyIEVFw52Q Slava (@Heroiam_Slava) August 25, 2024 Its clear, too, that Zelensky wants to promote confusion among Russian authorities as to which of these weapons are being used in any given strike. There are many cases when our enemy believes a strike was carried out with a Neptune And let them continue thinking that, he added. With that in mind, we should also consider the possibility that the Sapsan has not actually been used in combat. So far, there doesnt seem to be any confirmed evidence of wreckage from impact sites in Russia, although the Russian Ministry of Defense has previously claimed that it successfully shot down examples of Ukrainian ballistic missiles over Crimea. #BREAKING Sergey Aksyonov, the Russian-installed head of Crimea claims Ukrainian Grom-2/Hrim-2 short-range ballistic missile was shot down over Crimea. pic.twitter.com/2p9k0iolQg Clash Report (@clashreport) May 6, 2023 On the other hand, using the Sapsan in combat would certainly make sense, given Ukraines extensive efforts to ramp up domestic arms production, with a particular focus on the ability to hit targets deeper inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement As well as the aforementioned long-range missiles, Ukraine has also made use of an extensive array of domestically produced long-range kamikaze drones, as well as other munitions that blur the line between those weapons and traditional cruise missiles, like the Peklo missile drone. As for Ukraines domestic ballistic missile program, the results remain much less clear, but we have been waiting to see a weapon of this kind deployed for a long time now. Perhaps, its development has also been accelerated by help from Western partners. In August of 2024, Zelensky announced the first successful test of a new domestically developed ballistic missile, now understood to be the Sapsan. Ukraine conducted the first sucessful test of a domestic-produced ballistic missile, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/Z4t675mQ27 Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) August 27, 2024 While details of the Sapsan remain scarce, the missile is closely related to the Hrim-2 (also written Grim-2 and which translates as Thunder-2 in English). Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the Hrim-2 was developed as an export version of the original Sapsan, which had been intended for Ukrainian use. The origins of the Hrim-2 and its immediate predecessors date back to the late 2000s, with development apparently accelerated after Russias annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. A rocket motor test associated with the design occurred in 2018, and the two-round, 10-wheeled transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) for the missile, or at least a mockup, appeared at a parade that same year. An image from a 2018 test of a rocket motor tied to the development of the Hrim-2/Sapsan missile. Government of Ukraine via Mil.in.ua An artists rendition of the Hrim-2 TEL (as offered for export) from the Ukroboronexport webpage with the 2015 copyright date. Ukroboronexport You can read more about what is known about the Hrim-2 and its development in this past War Zone piece, which followed speculation that Ukraine might have employed some of those missiles in an attack on Russias Saki Air Base in 2022. While we dont know what the Sapsan missile looks like, it is likely broadly similar to what weve seen of the Hrim-2 and preceding related designs, which, in turn, bear a superficial resemblance to Russias Iskander-M. A picture of a test article associated with the development of the Hrim-2/Sapsan or one of their predecessors. Pivdenne Design Bureau A Russian Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile. Russian Ministry of Defense Advertisement Advertisement In terms of performance, the Hrim-2 reportedly has a range of at least 174 miles (280 kilometers) and possibly up to 310 miles (500 kilometers), and the same could well hold true for the Sapsan. On the other hand, in 2023, Ukraines then-Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov also said that the country had a new long-range missile in development that could have a range of up to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). This could also have been a direct reference to the Sapsan. Regardless, it would seem highly likely that the Sapsan is in the category of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBM), which are traditionally defined as having maximum ranges of no more than 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). Since the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has had only limited access to ballistic missiles, and none of these have come from domestic production. Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been employing Soviet-era Tochka-U SRBMs, as well as even older Tochka types, both of which have the NATO reporting name SS-21 Scarab. These only have maximum ranges of 43 miles (70 kilometers) and 75 miles (120 kilometers), respectively, a fact that spurred the original development of the Sapsan/Hrim-2. Furthermore, Ukraine has been receiving small numbers of ATACMS from the United States, which it has used to good effect. Details from missile debris shown by Russia confirm Ukraine launched ATACMS at Voronezh region on November 18, marking the first use of U.S.-made missiles on Russian territory during Trumps presidency. According to the Russian MoD, S-400 and Pantsir-S1 systems helped repel the pic.twitter.com/8SeQCo9OEO NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) November 19, 2025 However, in common with additional types of ground and air-launched standoff munitions supplied to Ukraine by the U.S. government and other foreign partners, there are strict limitations imposed on the use of those weapons on targets deeper inside Russia. Putting all this together, the utility of a ballistic missile of domestic production becomes very clear, as part of a multi-pronged effort to strike key targets outside of Ukraines borders (as well as further beyond the front lines, in Russian-controlled territory). Advertisement Advertisement As we have noted in the past, a new source of ballistic missiles that are more capable and longer ranged than the Tochka family, and that are not subject to any Western restrictions like ATACMS, would be a key breakthrough for Ukraine. A battery of three Ukrainian Tochka-U SRBMs fly off towards their Russian targets, as a Ukrainian soldier with a Stinger MANPADS keeps watch for enemy drones https://t.co/68LnGr0W06 Jimmy Rushton (@JimmySecUK) June 23, 2022 While long-range drones, cruise missiles, and drone/missile hybrids are valuable, ballistic missiles offer the advantage of very high speeds in the terminal phase of flight. This makes them much harder for enemy air and missile defenses to defeat. Ballistic missiles with unitary high-explosive warheads can also burrow down deeper into hardened targets or impart greater force on reinforced structures above ground, like bridges, thanks to that speed. While we dont know how Ukraine has employed Sapsan so far, provided that it has, a likely scenario would see the ballistic missiles combined with other types of missiles and drones in complex attacks to make it even harder for enemy forces to deal with. This would follow the same pattern that Russia routinely uses in large-scale attacks on Ukrainian targets. If Ukraine is able to produce the Sapsan in meaningful numbers, and provided that it works to its full potential, the results could be significant, if its anything like the precedent set by Ukraines employment of American ATACMS. Seems like did another ATACMS strike near Kuban, Luhansk. Action starts at 03:50. A dud and 3 hits within a minute. pic.twitter.com/aGP4cWKY07 JB Schneider (@JohnB_Schneider) May 1, 2024 Even with the restrictions imposed by the U.S. government, Ukrainian ATACMS strikes have led to major changes in Russian operating procedures, especially at airbases within range of those missiles. It has also forced Russia to move additional air and missile defenses to the theater, including the S-500, the most advanced surface-to-air missile system in the countrys inventory today. Advertisement Advertisement At this point, we still need to await independent verification of the Sapsan ballistic missile being used in combat. However, the value of such a weapon for the Ukrainian military is unquestionable, providing a powerful new vector for launching standoff strikes into Russia without any foreign restrictions. Provided it is being used operationally, we likely wont have to wait too much longer for positive confirmation of this. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine could hold elections within the next three months in response to allegations by U.S. President Donald Trump that Kyiv was using the war as an excuse to stay in power. Speaking to reporters Tuesday evening, Zelensky said he was ready for elections and would seek to hold them on condition that the United States and other allies provided guarantees to keep voters safe at a time when Ukraine's cities were under attack day and night. "I'm asking now, and stating this openly, for the U.S. to help me. Together with our European partners, we can ensure the security needed to hold elections. If that happens, Ukraine will be ready to conduct elections in the next 60 to 90 days," said Zelensky. Advertisement Advertisement "I personally have the will and readiness for this," he added, saying that he had instructed lawmakers to come with proposals to amend legislation that currently prohibits the holding of elections while the country is under a state of martial law. "I'm waiting for proposals from our partners, expecting suggestions from our lawmakers, and I am ready to go to the elections," Zelensky said. Zelensky's comments came after Trump, in an interview with Politico, said "it's time" for Ukraine to hold an election because it was getting to the point where it was no longer a democracy. "I think it's an important time to hold an election. You know, they're using war not to hold an election, but I would think the Ukrainian people would, you know, should have that choice. And maybe Zelensky would win. I don't know who would win, but they haven't had an election in a long time," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement "You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore." Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, meaning that Zelensky has remained in office long beyond the expiration of his five-year term in May 2024. Zelensky said in September that he would not run for a second term, saying his goal was to serve his country amid a crisis and finish the war, not win elections. The offer represents a new position for his administration. For the first half of the war it completely rejected suggestions that elections should be held before relenting to U.S. pressure and saying toward the end of 2024 that it would consider holding elections if a cease-fire were implemented. Advertisement Advertisement A significant majority of Ukrainians say elections should be held only after the war ends, with only around a fifth in favor of elections following a cease-fire. Support for Zelensky is also down markedly, after a recent corruption scandal involving some of his close associates. Critics warn of numerous pitfalls of elections, ranging from the logistical issue of people being in the wrong places with large numbers of Ukrainians displaced internally, 4 million refugees overseas and 1 million mobilized in the military. There is also the question of how to include Ukrainians living in regions of the country occupied by Russia. "In order for these elections to be fair all of the people of Ukraine would need to be allowed to vote," Ukrainian opposition MP Lesia Vasylenko told the BBC. "Elections are never possible in wartime." Advertisement Advertisement The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand all held elections during World War II with only Britain effectively suspending democracy in favor of a government of national unity through July 1945. However, Britain was the only nation under direct, sustained attack and imminent threat of invasion. Tuesday's moves came amid a U.S. drive to broker a peace deal that was making little to no headway in bridging the gap between Moscow, which is demanding Ukraine cede territory and demilitarize and Kyiv, which has vowed not to give up land or cut the size of its military without cast-iron security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday he is ready for elections, after President Trump remarked his country should hold them. Since this question is raised today by the president of the United States of America, our partners, I will answer very briefly. Look, I am ready for elections, Zelensky told reporters, according to multiple outlets. The Ukrainian leader added that he would like the U.S. and possibly European allies to provide security for elections, which he said Ukraine could hold in 60 to 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement I personally have the will and readiness to do this, Zelensky noted. On Monday, Trump called on Zelensky to hold elections amid the ongoing war with Russia. In accordance with the Ukrainian constitution, the country has not held elections since Zelensky won the presidency in 2019, as he declared martial law after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Theyre using war not to hold an election. I would think the Ukrainian people should have that choice, the president told Politico. They talk about having a democracy, but it gets to the point where its not a democracy anymore. Trumps push comes amid his administrations attempts to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Advertisement Advertisement The president criticized Zelensky on Sunday for not yet reading the U.S.-backed peace plan. The Ukrainian president has stood firm against any land concessions in exchange for ending the war. I have to say that Im a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasnt yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago, Trump told reporters. His people love it, but he hasnt. Russias fine with it. 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. Eighteen people were rescued Tuesday along the Yakima and Naches rivers as rain in the Cascades has pushed up water levels. Rescuers, including U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crews from the Yakima Training Center, were picking up people trapped by the rising waters throughout the day. In one case, two homeless people found themselves trapped when the shoal they had camped on in the Yakima River was turned into an island by flooding, Yakima fire Capt. Jeremiah Stilley said. Yakima firefighters were initially called around 9:30 a.m. for a person stranded on an island. When the departments technical rescue crew arrived, debris being swept down the river made it too dangerous to deploy the departments rescue boat or raft, Stilley said, and a call was made to the countys Search and Rescue team, which then put in the call for the military helicopters. The helicopter arrived after noon and picked up Yakima firefighters, who were flown to the river. Two people were found on the island and rescued, Stilley said. Requests for the military helicopters have to go through the U.S. Air Forces Rescue Coordination Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, with the order to launch filtering back to the Training Center, a satellite garrison of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Nile-Cliffdell firefighters, Yakima sheriffs deputies and Yakima Office of Emergency Management also participated in the rescue of people along the Naches River, Yakima Valley Emergency Management Director Tony Miller said. Stilley said that in addition to the people, 15 dogs were rescued Tuesday. Army helicopters were searching for other people near Butterfield and Keys roads. Representatives of Camp Hope were aiding those rescued and providing blankets. Miller said the river rose to 3 feet above flood stage, and he said the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was reporting that rain was expected to continue into Wednesday. Yakima County commissioners have declared a state of emergency, Miller said. Miller also urged people not to attempt to drive through floodwaters lest they risk being swept away. Rescues continued Wednesday. Yakima County Sheriff's spokesman Casey Schilperoort said an Army helicopter would be rescuing two people and "a gaggle of animals" from the river in the area of Robertson Landing. Schilperoort said the two people were on an island in the river and refused rescue Tuesday, but changed their minds on Wednesday morning. Key Points Down more than 70% over the course of the past 12 months, many investors had seemingly given up hope on Polkadot. However, an inclusion by Bitwise in a key crypto ETF has investors reconsidering their thesis around this token. Here's what to make of this move, and whether Polkadot has big upside off its recent bottom. 10 stocks we like better than Polkadot Polkadot (CRYPTO: DOT) is one of the most impressive movers in today's cryptocurrency market, appreciating 7.6% over the past 24 hours, as of 7 p.m. ET. This move follows increasingly bullish momentum in the digital assets space, with the market capitalization of all cryptocurrencies rising 2.5% over the same time frame. However, for Polkadot, a token that has declined by more than 72% over the past year (inclusive of today's move), investors who have continued to buy on the way down have clearly been waiting for a significant move like this to justify their position. Today, there's one key catalyst reinvigorating investor interest in Polkadot specifically. Let's explore the catalyst that has the potential to significantly alter this token's near-term outlook. Key ETF inclusion sparking considerable investor interest Source: Getty Images. Polkadot is currently ranked the 29th-largest token by market capitalization, having surged into this position from 31st place essentially overnight, following news that Bitwise has included Polkadot in its Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF, which launched on Tuesday under the ticker BITW. Notably, this is the first ETF issued by one of the top asset managers in this sector which has decided to include Polkadot, a move that validates this open-source, sharded, multi-chain protocol. Polkadot's goal is to create an interoperable future, where specialized blockchains can interact with each other (rather than operating in idiosyncratic silos). Doing so could accelerate the innovation we're already seeing in this sector, making Polkadot one of the most closely watched mid-tier tokens in the market. At least, it was for quite some time. I think this ETF inclusion could prompt some investors to reassess whether their own portfolio allocations are sufficient, or whether some amount of Polkadot should be added to their portfolios. I'm talking about retail and institutional investors alike. For those looking to follow in the footsteps of money managers who make active decisions about which tokens to include in their ETFs, today's announcement is a significant development. Should you invest $1,000 in Polkadot right now? Before you buy stock in Polkadot, consider this: In this Dec. 2 photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner attend a meeting with Russia's president at the Kremlin in Moscow. Key Points D-Wave's stock suffered one of the worst declines among quantum computing companies in November. Shares have recovered somewhat in recent days after a Nobel laureate helped renew hopes that the U.S. government could invest in the industry. 10 stocks we like better than D-Wave Quantum While it was far from the only quantum computing company stock to see red in November, D-Wave Quantum's (NYSE: QBTS) 38.8% drop was one of the worst -- only Rigetti Computing's shares fell further. Thankfully for investors, shares of D-Wave have recovered somewhat in the first few days of December, but they remain more than 36.5% off their October high. Here's what's going on and what might be in store for the quantum company. November was a rough month for the whole market Concerns about an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble gripped the market for much of November as shareholders worried whether the technology's real-world value could justify the enormous capital being deployed to power AI. Investors want to see the math add up and are questioning how much premium they're willing to pay for the promise of future returns. While D-Wave isn't an AI stock per se, it has become caught up in the same hype cycle. And where real AI products are used in the real world, quantum computing is still in its early stages of development. And where AI companies have substantial revenues, most quantum computing companies have little to no sales to speak of, D-Wave included. As sentiment shifted from greed to fear, D-Wave investors began jumping ship, wondering whether a company generating tens of millions of dollars annually was really worth $10 billion. A Nobel Prize winner renews investment hopes The last few days have seen a major reversal as investors anticipate rate cutting from the Federal Reserve, and rumors of direct government investment are renewed. In October, a report claimed that the Trump administration was considering direct investments in quantum computing companies. Administration officials quickly denied the report. This week, however, a Bloomberg News interview with one of this year's Nobel Prize winners in physics breathed new life into the rumors. The researcher, who has visited the White House several times to speak with officials, said that the administration is deeply concerned over China's progress in quantum technology and that the White House is "now moving on to quantum," looking to ensure the industry has adequate support. Image source: Getty Images. While this could mean direct investment, it could mean many things, and investors trading on the news are speculating. I believe that is exactly what is driving most of the investment in D-Wave at this point: speculation. The reality is that D-Wave has a nearly $9 billion market capitalization, despite sales of just $24 million over the last 12 months -- a period during which it also reported a nearly $400 million net loss. By BRIANNE COOK [email protected] BESSEMER The Bessemer City Council on Monday voted to approve a total of $217,245.81 in payments to contractors for work associated with the pending new water tower. Councilman Bill McDonald voted against the approval on the grounds that the work had not been completed in time to use the tower over the winter. If youve got to leave it empty, and its going to stay empty for four months, whatever, and if theres no backup, why did we have to have it for a backup? he asked. Ben Tucker, who leads the citys Department of Public Works, said the tower is... Rescue boxes available on Lake Gogebic By BRENDA MOSELEY [email protected] LAKE GOGEBIC - A six-pound plastic bucket on the shores of Lake Gogebic could save a life this winter. Inside is a 50-foot rope, a personal flotation device, a set of ice picks, and thermal and space blankets - all essential gear for rescuing and warming someone who has fallen through the ice. Last year, with funding from its auxiliary, the Bergland Volunteer Fire Department built and installed three boxes to house the lifesaving buckets. One is located outside the Hoop n' Holler Tavern near Bergland, another at Bergland Township Park, and a third is b... FORT MEYERS, Fla. - Elizabeth Lynn "Betty" (nee Schiavetti) Johnson, a devoted mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Nov. 28, 2025, at the age of 78. Betty was known for her unwavering faith, her enduring spirit, her creative hobbies, and her knack for finding the very best deals. Born on Sept. 16, 1947, Betty was a lifelong resident of the Upper Peninsula, attending and graduating from St. Ambrose Catholic School. She furthered her education at Gogebic Community College. It was during this time that she met the love of her life, Arthur Johnson. They were married and established their home in Ironwood, Michigan, where they lovingly raised their three children: Gerald, Thomas and Beth Ann. Betty dedicated many years of her professional life to retail, starting at J.C. Penney's in Ironwood. When the local store closed, she bravely relocated to Merrill, Wisconsin, to be near her daughter, finishing her career with J.C. Penney's in Wausau, Wisconsin. Betty's time in retail provided her with an expert eye for value, ensuring she always had a good deal to share and that her children were always well-clothed for the school year. Her unwavering faith was paramount; she rarely missed a Sunday service, regardless of what town she was in. Upon retirement, Betty and Art became "snowbirds," finding their second beloved home in Pinellas Park, where they made many new friends and enjoyed countless sunny days together. Betty was a woman who was never without a hobby. Whether she was out in nature picking wild raspberries or mushrooms, creating detailed art through wood-burning, or painting, her hands were always busy. She truly cherished spending time with her family and friends, and she and Art shared many happy memories traveling and enjoyed going on cruises. Betty's spirit and love will forever be carried on by her loving children: Gerald "Jerry" (Cyndi) Johnson; Thomas (Jill) Johnson; and Beth Ann (Matt) Grefe. She is further survived by her cherished grandchildren, Cassie Weber, Evan Erspamer, Jerzy Johnson, Reid Supercynski-Johnson, Nate (fiancee Allie Becker), Henry Grefe and Lily Grefe. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Art Johnson; her parents, Benjamin and Harriet Schiavetti; her brother, Lil Benny; her in-laws, Eanar and Melissa Johnson; and her brother-in-law, Dennis Johnson. A Celebration of Betty's Life will be held at a later time, during the Memorial Day Weekend in 2026, when all family members will gather to spend time honoring her memory. Details will be shared with the family. The family has chosen the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood to honor Betty's legacy of life. To make an online condolence or for more information, visit McKevittPatrickFuneralHome.com. U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn, a registered nonpartisan, held a press conference in Lexington, Nebraska, on Dec. 9, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) LEXINGTON, Neb. Across the street from a Tyson beef plant set to close at the end of January, Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn accused the company of breaking a century-old law aimed at preventing anti-competitive behavior by meatpackers. Osborn, a registered nonpartisan running against U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., in 2026, pointed to his time as a former labor leader in an Omaha Kelloggs plant to say he knows what it feels like to give a company complete loyalty and said workers feel betrayed. He said Tysons quarterly earnings report wont feel the ripple effects that the town will face. Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks at an event at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Oct. 19, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) He said Tyson is trying to maximize profits at the expense of producers and customers in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act, a federal law passed in 1921. That law was meant to promote competitiveness and fair practices in the livestock, meat and poultry industries and ensure payment protection. The law also prohibits deception and fraud in those markets. Tyson officials had no immediate comment. Osborn called the move to close the plant and not sell it to a competitor market manipulation and said Tyson is destroying 5 percent of Americas beef processing capacity. Basel Musharbash, an antitrust lawyer from Texas, also spoke at the press conference, saying the law is on Lexingtons side. The legal analysis here is pretty straightforward, Musharbash said. The Lexington plant accounts for around 5% of the nations cattle. By shutting down a plant that slaughters such a large portion of the cattle in this region and the country, Tyson will single-handedly reshape the nations cattle markets from boom to bust. Musharbash said the move would force Nebraska ranchers to accept lower prices, and Tyson will be able to make higher profits. In response to the plant closure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told the Nebraska Examiner this week that it would continue to monitor the closure of the plant to ensure compliance with the Packers and Stockyards Act, including ensuring that livestock sellers are issued timely and accurate payments. A Lexington water tower on Dec. 9, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) Lexington, a west-central Nebraska city home to more than 10,000 people, has been dealing with the aftermath of Tysons decision to close the plant, which will result in the combined layoffs of up to 3,200 workers. Osborn asked where are state federal delegation. The people of Lexington need their elected officials to fight now more than ever, Osborn said. They dont have time for reports to come out and investigations to happen. The law thats been on the books for over 100 years should be enforced. So pick up the damn phone, call [U.S. Agriculture Secretary] Brooke Rollins and get the USDA to enforce the law. The consumer protection authority NKFH and the tax authority NAV recently inspected 500 packages ordered online from third countries at Budapest Airport and found that 60% were unsafe, according to a joint statement. The list of items included toys, cosmetics, textiles, Christmas decorations, and electric devices such as battery chargers. The inspection, part of the governments seven-point consumer protection plan, aims to prevent dangerous products from reaching Hungarian and EU consumers. Authorities stressed that holiday online shopping increases risks and that long-term border monitoring ensures both safety and market fairness. Online purchases from third countries in Hungary have risen sharply, with 2024 turnover reaching Ft 493 billion. International e-commerce sales grew by 80% last year and 28% in the first half of 2025, while turnover at domestic webshops expanded by around 10%. The NAV expects to handle 190 million packages of shipments with a value below 150, up 40% from 2024. Authorities warn that the growing volume of goods from abroad requires decisive regulatory measures. ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Pakistan's media is calling its new army chief a mullah. It is claimed that General Asim Munir is very connected to religion. He is the first such army chief. Those who remember Quran completely. Asif Munir is being discussed more about his religious knowledge than military service. There are many countries that are building an army of drones, China has also made its first drone army. The drone revolution has started in India, now the question is, will India be able to become a drone hub? The water level in lakes that supply drinking water to Mumbai has jumped to 94% mainly due to good rainfall received by Mumbai in this monsoon season. The addition of only one more percent of water in these lakes will make the stock of water in Mumbai sufficient for the entire year. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced that it will withdraw 10% water cut rule as soon as the water level touches 95%. Dennys, which closed 88 locations in 2024, is now closing over 150 stores across the U.S. by the end of 2025. We reported earlier this year that they were closing 90 stories, so this number has now increased. The closures come after Dennys agreed to sell the business for $620 million in November. The buyers include TGI Fridays owner TriArtisan Capital Advisors and investment firm Treville Capital Group, as well as Yadav Enterprises, which operates 550 restaurants in the country, according to Newsweek. Which Dennys locations are closing? The Dennys closures include a store in a Bay Area mall. The Santa Rosa restaurant announced its closure in a window memo, directing customers to another nearby Dennys, SFGate reported. Dennys currently has more than 1,300 restaurants nationwide and continues to open new locations in new markets, a Dennys spokesperson told SFGATE. Wed like to thank our team members and local community for their love of the Dennys brand. Dennys has also closed locations in Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. Heres a short list from Finance Buzz, via Newsweek: California 1000 W. Steele Lane, Santa Rosa 601 Hegenberger Road, Oakland 816 Mission Street, San Francisco Idaho 2580 Airport Way, Boise 607 Northside Blvd, Nampa Massachusetts 494 Lincoln St., Worcester Ohio U.S. State Route 250, Ashland 720 N. Lexington Springmill Road, Ontario Oregon 76 E. Goodfellow St., Ontario Pennsylvania 640 E Lincoln Hwy, Bucks County Texas 1348 I-35 N. Frontage Road, New Braunfels 607 Ave., Lubbock Dennys saw a 2.9% sales decline in the third quarter of 2025 According to Newsweek, CEO Kelli Valade said Dennys has been closing stores since 2023 to return to positive growth by 2026. In recent meetings, Newsweek reported that Dennys executives also discussed the need to close lower-volume restaurants. The executives said they have been able to improve the overall health of the brand by closing low-performing locations. The surgical and methodical approach, which began in 2023 and will be completed by the end of this year, was specifically designed to optimize and enhance the overall health of the franchise system with the goal of returning to net flat to positive growth by 2026, Valade said in an earnings call, according to Newsweek. Rationalizing the portfolio was the right thing to do, and were seeing the results that we wanted and expected from this process. The post Dennys Now Closing Over 150 Stores By 2025s End: Heres The Locations We Know Are Closing appeared first on Blavity. Based on Google's "Year in Search 2025" and IMDb data, the most searched and popular movies of 2025 were a mix of major franchises, surprise re-releases, and significant Indian cinema titles. A version of this story appeared in our The Guidance newsletter on December 8. Sign up here. Hey all, Liam here. On Sunday, Binance announced that its global business had received approval to operate in Abu Dhabi. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi licensed three of the companies entities, Binance said in a statement. They are an exchange, a clearing house, and a broker-dealer pretty much everything youd need for spot and derivatives trading, custody, and over-the-counter services. It will operate under the name Binance.com. Binance co-CEO Richard Teng called the move an important milestone for the company. The development raises a question: Did Abu Dhabi suddenly become Binances official headquarters? A company spokesperson didnt quite answer the question. An HQ is a physical or symbolic concept that doesnt fully capture how Binance operates, they told DL News on Monday. It feels a bit old-fashioned to us. This license is about regulatory clarity and legitimacy, not about centralising our global business in one location. While seemingly straightforward, Binance has dodged the question of a formal headquarters since its inception. But as it has grown into the biggest crypto exchange on the planet, regulators and politicians are calling for clarity. Other crypto exchanges dont seem to struggle with answering that question. Coinbase announced in November that it was moving its headquarters to Texas. Kraken moved to Wyoming in June. Yet Binance has so far opted for obfuscation whenever the topic has come up. After its founder, Changpeng Zhao, launched the exchange in Shanghai in 2017, a crypto ban in mainland China forced him to move the business to Japan. From there, the company moved to Malta, then set up corporate registrations in the Cayman Islands and Seychelles. It attempted to set up shop in Singapore in 2021, but eventually withdrew its licence application. Since then, its turned to the United Arab Emirates, namely Dubai. Instead of a global headquarters, company leadership has typically incorporated various firms in places where Binance was operating. Operations remain distributed Thats become a problem. Back in 2023, the Commodities and Futures Trading Commission pointed to the companys lack of a headquarters when it charged Zhao and several Binance entities with willful evasion of federal law. Zhao has stated that Binances headquarters is wherever he is located at any point in time, reflecting a deliberate approach to attempt to avoid regulation, the CFTC said. During an internal meeting, the agency said, Zhao explained that the company has operations incorporated in different jurisdictions to keep countries clean [of violations of law], adding thats the reason the company hasnt landed anywhere. ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company (EDR) have signed a five-year technical consultancy agreement, effective from January 2026. The agreement, signed on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, aims to boost the efficiency and sustainable operation of the Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway over the next five years. Speaking at the event, EDR Chief Executive Officer Takele Uma said that as per the agreement, CCECC will provide critical technical expertise as Ethiopia continues to embark on extensive projects, including highways, railways, and port development. "Our collaboration with CCECC and its rich experience in Ethiopia will help enhance the nation's railway network," Uma said, highlighting CCECC's commitment to linking the railway to key industrial parks along the route. Li Qingyong, chief executive officer of CCECC Ethiopia, said CCECC will offer key technical services, including rigorous quality evaluations and training, to enhance local workforce capabilities. "The objective is to empower Ethiopian technicians to independently manage and operate the railway infrastructure," Li said. The 752-km Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, also known as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, is Africa's first electrified trans-boundary rail line. Jointly constructed by China Railway Engineering Corporation and CCECC, it was inaugurated in 2018 as a Belt and Road Initiative project, greatly reducing the travel time between Ethiopia and Djibouti. In early December 2025, Manulife Financial Corporation completed a US$1 billion fixed-rate senior unsecured bond offering due December 11, 2035, and announced several senior leadership changes in its Asian operations, alongside regional recognition for its sustainability initiatives through an ACES Award win. Together, these moves highlight Manulifes push to deepen its Asia footprint, broaden funding sources, and integrate sustainability into how it grows and manages its business. Well now examine how Manulifes ACES sustainability award in Asia influences its existing investment narrative and long-term growth thesis. This technology could replace computers: discover 27 stocks that are working to make quantum computing a reality. Manulife Financial Investment Narrative Recap To own Manulife, you need to be comfortable with a newly refreshed management team leaning hard into Asia while balancing legacy risks in the U.S. and Hong Kong. The recent US$1,000,000,000 bond issue and ACES sustainability award do not materially change the near term focus on Asia growth as the key catalyst, or the looming eMPF fee compression and U.S. credit exposure as central risks. The ACES sustainability award in Asia ties in most directly with Manulifes push to grow fee based wealth and asset management, especially private markets and retirement solutions. For investors watching Asia as the main earnings growth engine, this recognition may help support brand strength and distribution in the region, but it does not remove the sensitivity to regulatory or cyclical slowdowns in markets such as Hong Kong and Mainland China. But investors also need to be aware that the expected hit to Hong Kong MPF fee income from eMPF starting in 2026 could... Read the full narrative on Manulife Financial (it's free!) Manulife Financial's narrative projects CA$55.3 billion revenue and CA$7.7 billion earnings by 2028. This requires 21.0% yearly revenue growth and an earnings increase of about CA$2.3 billion from CA$5.4 billion today. Uncover how Manulife Financial's forecasts yield a CA$51.87 fair value, a 6% upside to its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives TSX:MFC 1-Year Stock Price Chart Six Simply Wall St Community valuations for Manulife range from CA$51.87 to CA$116.32, showing how far apart individual views can be. When you weigh those against the reliance on strong Asia growth to support earnings and margins, it becomes clear why checking several viewpoints before forming your own view on the stock can be useful. Explore 6 other fair value estimates on Manulife Financial - why the stock might be worth just CA$51.87! With a market cap of $26.2 billion, Dover Corporation (DOV) is a global provider of equipment, components, software, and services across diverse industries. Its operations span five segments: Engineered Products, Clean Energy & Fueling, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions, and Climate & Sustainability Technologies, offering solutions for automotive, aerospace, industrial, and consumer markets. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally considered large-cap stocks, and Dover fits this criterion perfectly. The company delivers innovative technologies and services for fluid handling, refrigeration, product traceability, fueling, and industrial processing applications worldwide. More News from Barchart DOV stock has decreased nearly 14% from its 52-week high of $222.31. Shares of the Downers Grove, Illinois-based company have increased 7.5% over the past three months, outpacing the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLI) 2.1% rise over the same time frame. www.barchart.com In the longer term, DOV stock is up nearly 2% on a YTD basis, lagging behind XLIs 17.2% gain. Moreover, shares of Dover have declined 5.1% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLIs 9.8% return over the same time frame. Yet, the stock has been trading above its 50-day moving average since late October. www.barchart.com Shares of DOV climbed 8.1% on Oct. 23 because the company delivered stronger-than-expected operating results, including 5% revenue growth and a 15% increase in adjusted EPS to $2.62 in Q3 2025. Investors also reacted positively to Dovers robust order momentum, record consolidated segment margins, and 16% year-to-date growth in adjusted earnings. Confidence further improved after management raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $9.50 - $9.60. In comparison, DOV stock has outpaced its rival, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). ITW stock has dropped 2.1% on a YTD basis and 9.3% over the past 52 weeks. Despite DOVs outperformance relative to its industry peers, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy from the 18 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $215.18 suggests a premium of 12.5% to its current levels. On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Harley-Davidson (HOG) is one of Americas most iconic brands. You would think that the White Houses push to boost American manufacturing would be a boon to the Wisconsin company. The share price suggests not. More News from Barchart The motorcycle manufacturers stock is down over 25% in 2025, including 8% since the beginning of December. From its all-time high of $75.87 in November 2006, HOG has lost 70% of its value. With this kind of shareholder value destruction, its easy to overlook, especially when you consider that its Midwest peer, Polaris (PII), is up 40% year-to-date on a relative basis. Value investors should take a closer look. The stars appear ready to align. However, Id wait until late January before you buy. Here are three reasons why. The Fundamentals Arent Horrible Considering Consumer Confidence On Dec. 6, the University of Michigans Consumer Sentiment Index was released. There was a slight uptick, from 51.0 in November to 53.3 in December. However, thats down considerably, from 71.7 at the beginning of 2025. For context, when HOG stock hit its all-time high in November 2006, the index was 92.1, 73% higher than it is heading into 2026. Consumer confidence sucks. Thats never good for businesses courting discretionary income. That said, the companys latest quarter revealed some positives with Harley-Davidsons fundamentals. Source: Q3 2025 press release While the companys global retail motorcycle sales by unit volume were down 6% (5% in North America, its largest market), motorcycle sales revenue rose 34% to $822 million. Further, global shipments were up 33%, with a 62% increase in U.S. shipments. Thats indicative of a stronger market. Also, with a focus on higher-priced, higher-margin bikes, Harley-Davidson Motor Companys (HDMC) operating profit was only 2% lower than a year ago, despite higher input and tariff-related costs. The most significant gains were at Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS), which saw operating profits increase 472% to $439 million. That increase comes with an explanation. Harleys Financial Services Business Goes Asset Light During the third quarter, the company announced a transformational transaction in which HDFS sold over $5 billion of its receivables to KKR & Co. (KKR) and Pimco at a premium to par. Dec 10 (Reuters) - File hosting service provider Dropbox (DBX) said on Wednesday its chief financial officer Timothy Regan will step down after five years in the role and will be succeeded by Ross Tennenbaum, a senior executive at tax software company Avalara. The company's shares fell more than 5% in morning trading. Tennenbaum will join Dropbox as the company ramps up investment in artificial intelligence, including AI-powered tool Dropbox Dash, which connects apps such as Google Workspace and Slack to help manage files. His appointment as Dropbox CFO takes effect on December 16, the company said. Tennenbaum is currently president at Avalara and previously served as its CFO. Regan, who joined Dropbox in 2016 as chief accounting officer, helped guide the company through its 2018 initial public offering before becoming CFO in 2020. He will stay on as a non-executive employee of the company through March 15, 2026. The San Francisco, California-based company said it expects its fourth-quarter and full-year results to be in line with the guidance range it previously provided. Dropbox expects fourth-quarter revenue of $623 million to $626 million on a constant currency basis. The company also raised the midpoint of its forecast for annual revenue on a constant currency basis by $18 million, bringing the midpoint to $2.51 billion from $2.49 billion. In March, the Wall Street Journal reported that activist investor Half Moon Capital was pressuring Dropbox to scrap its dual-class structure, which gives CEO Drew Houston extra voting power. "We are continuing to evaluate the situation and plan to speak with management once the dust settles," a spokesperson for Half Moon Capital said. (Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid) This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Eli Lilly (LLY, Financials) is taking another big step to meet the fast-growing demand for its obesity and metabolic medicines. The company plans to invest $6 billion in a new manufacturing site in Huntsville, Alabama, where it will produce active pharmaceutical ingredients for several upcoming treatments. One of the most closely watched is orforglipron, Lilly's oral GLP-1 candidate that could give patients a pill option instead of injections for weight loss. The timing makes sense. Lilly has struggled to keep up with demand for its current GLP-1 drugs, with supply often falling short of what patients and doctors are looking for. Building a major U.S.-based facility is meant to help ease those constraints and create a more reliable production pipeline. The Alabama site is expected to support Lilly's long-term strategy in obesity and diabetes care. It also reflects a broader shift in the pharmaceutical industry, as more drugmakers move key manufacturing projects back to the United States after years of outsourcing. Investors will be watching for more details on construction progress, production capacity and how the new plant fits into Lilly's plans as orforglipron and other pipeline drugs move closer to potential approval. The SEC has closed its multi-year investigation into Ondo Finance without recommending any charges after examining whether the firms tokenized US Treasuries and ONDO token violated securities laws. As equity tokenization rises on the SECs agenda, the decision clears the way for Ondo to expand its operations nationwide. SEC Quietly Closes Ondo Case The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) signaled a continued shift in its enforcement posture after news broke that it had closed its investigation into tokenization firm Ondo Finance. Although the news became public on Monday, the dismissal occurred toward the end of last month. https://twitter.com/OndoFinance/status/1998015670278148283?s=20 According to reports, the SEC launched the probe in October 2023, under the leadership of former Chair Gary Gensler, to assess whether the firm had complied with securities laws. Now, under current Chair Paul Atkins, the SEC has taken a more pro-crypto direction. The closure of the Ondo probe exemplifies its ongoing rollback of several high-profile cases. The SEC now adds the Ondo investigation to the list of closed cases, alongside those involving Coinbase, Ripple, and Kraken. The move also shows heightened institutional interest in the potential of asset tokenization. Tokenization Gains Momentum in Washington Equity tokenization, once viewed cautiously by regulators, is now firmly on the SECs agenda. Last week, the SECs Investor Advisory Committee held a panel on how distributed ledgers could modernize public equity issuance and trading. It marked a notable departure from the enforcement-first posture of recent years. That institutional appetite mirrors the traction seen in the private sector. Tokenized US Treasuries have become one of the fastest-growing on-chain asset categories. Meanwhile, early tokenized equity products are beginning to draw interest from global investors. https://twitter.com/Jamie1Coutts/status/1975018790732939753?s=20 Ondo, an early participant in the tokenization sector, was among the firms to ride this regulatory shift. The closure of the SEC investigation now removes a degree of uncertainty for the company and for others pursuing tokenized real-world assets. Ondo said in a blog post that the decision enables it to proceed with plans to expand its US operations, supported by its acquisition of Oasis Pro, a broker-dealer and ATS operator. The firm is also scheduled to host its annual Ondo Summit in New York in February. There, it's expected to outline new tools and products focused on real-world asset tokenization. Read original story What the End of the SECs Ondo Finance Investigation Means for Tokenized Assets by Camila Grigera Naon at beincrypto.com The share price of Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NRGV) surged by 23.84% between November 28 and December 5, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week. Energy Vault Holdings (NRGV) Formally Enters the Swiss Market Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NRGV) develops and deploys utility-scale energy storage solutions in the United States, Australia, and internationally. Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NRGV) announced on December 4 that it has formally entered the Swiss market with the launch of FlexGrid, a new configuration of its B-VAULT battery energy storage system designed for commercial and industrial clients. The company signed two agreements for the system with Schindler Group and Energie Wettingen AG, with both projects operating under CKW Groups Flexpool Switzerlands most advanced and diversified flexibility network. NRGV continues to expand its global footprint, and its B-VAULT portfolio now exceeds 2 GWh of deployed or contracted systems across Europe, North America, and Asia. Gianmarco Zorloni, Director of Business Development at Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NRGV), stated: With the launch of B-VAULT FlexGrid, we are introducing a compact, modular, easy-to-install, and regulation-ready platform tailored for Europes evolving energy landscape. The combination of the Schindler and Wettingen projects illustrates our ability to serve both industrial customers and municipal utilities with a common technology base that adapts to diverse site conditions, from dense urban settings to utility-scale networks. These installations embody what B-VAULT FlexGrid was designed to do: deliver compact, compliant, and intelligent energy storage where its needed most, without compromise on performance or community impact. We look forward to continued expansion in the European market as we seek to address the continents evolving energy demands. Following recent gains, Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:NRGV) has now risen by over 85% since the beginning of 2025. While we acknowledge the potential of NRGV as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Renewable Energy Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. Car-and-truck rental company Enterprise Mobility announced it has completed the acquisition of truck lessor and dedicated operator Hogan. The deal adds rolling stock totaling more than 10,000 units to Enterprises portfolio and provides it an entrance into the heavy-truck market. Financial terms of the transaction were not provided. Both companies are family-owned businesses based in St. Louis, Missouri. Hogan provides a range of truck leasing and rental options on its fleet of tractors and trailers, straight trucks, refrigerated trucks, and cargo vans. The company also provides dedicated transportation and brokerage services. Hogan has over 3,000 employees at more than 50 locations across the U.S. With an expanded portfolio that now offers every vehicle class in North America, the business is well positioned to deliver custom mobility solutions to address each customers unique needs, said Chrissy Taylor, president and CEO of Enterprise Mobility, in a news release. Enterprise Mobility the parent of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo was already leasing Classes 1 through 6 vehicles. We arent just participating in commercial mobility, were a leader in service and breadth of offering, Taylor said. Hogan will continue to operate separately under the current leadership team. Through the combination, customers of both Enterprise Mobility and Hogan will gain access to a wider range of services, along with an enhanced network and fleet, said David Hogan, president of Hogan Transports. Hogan Truck Leasing is listed with 1,750 power units, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden: The post Enterprise enters heavy-truck market with Hogan acquisition appeared first on FreightWaves. By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - U.S. chipmaker Intel (INTC) lost its challenge against a 376 million euros ($438 million) EU antitrust fine imposed two years ago for thwarting rivals but gained some solace as Europe's second-highest court slashed the penalty by a third on Wednesday. The European Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, handed out the fine in 2023 after the tribunal threw out its earlier penalty of 1.06 billion euros imposed in 2009 for blocking Advanced Micro Devices. The 376 million euro fine concerned payments made by Intel to HP (HP), Acer and Lenovo (0992.HK, LNVGF, LNVGY) to halt or delay rival products between November 2002 and December 2006. Such payments are known as naked restrictions and are generally frowned on by regulators. "The General Court upholds the Commission's 2023 decision against Intel but reduces the fine by approximately 140 million euros," the Luxembourg-based tribunal said. Judges said a 237 million euro fine is a more appropriate reflection of the gravity and duration of the infringement at issue. They pointed to the relatively limited number of computers affected by Intel's restrictions and the 12-month gap separating some of those anti-competitive practices. Sign up for Yahoo Finance Breaking News By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe The Commission and Intel can appeal to the EU Court of Justice, Europe's highest, on points of law. The case is T-1129/23 Intel Corporation v Commission. ($1 = 0.8593 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun CheeEditing by Louise Rasmussen and Frances Kerry) By Marie Mannes STOCKHOLM, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Leaders from across Europe's electric car industry on Wednesday urged the European Commission to stick to its 2035 zero-emission target for new cars, warning that any retreat would undermine investment and widen the bloc's gap with China. The EU executive is set to unveil an automotive package on December 16 that could give more flexibility on CO2 targets and ease an effective ban on new sales of combustion-engine cars from 2035, something being pushed by German automakers and the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. In an open letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, campaign group E-Mobility Europe and ChargeUp Europe, backed by nearly 200 signatories such as Swedish automakers Polestar and Volvo Cars, called for the targets to be kept. "We are deeply concerned about recent efforts to dilute your objectives," the letter said, referring to intense lobbying efforts by the wider auto industry. The groups added that reopening the door to transitional technologies such as plug-in hybrids and CO2-neutral fuels would create uncertainty and slow the shift to electric vehicles, even as Chinese electric automakers streak ahead and cut costs. "Every delay in Europe only widens the gap with China," it added. The EU's automotive package has been subject to intense lobbying, with letters from both industry and campaigners flooding Brussels ahead of the announcement. (Reporting by Marie Mannes; Editing by Jan Harvey) Cynthia Erivo enters therapy after shooting a film. Cynthia Erivo turns to a therapist after a film shoot The 38-year-old actress stars alongside the likes of Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey in the Wicked film franchise, and Cynthia has revealed that she always turns to a therapist after shooting a movie. Asked if she has any rituals at the end of a movie, Cynthia told Variety: "Sleep. And then a therapy session. "Through the process, Im often holding onto emotions, and once the thing is released, I really allow myself to let it all go. "Last time, the end of the road was the Oscars. I was on a plane to South Africa to start a new movie, and I just cried the whole way and let myself be." Cynthia also makes a concerted effort to look after her physical health when she's working on a project. The actress shared: "When I get to a venue, I ask before we begin to make sure theres a treadmill in the room so I can get up in the morning theres no excuse and run. "I take every kind of tea that I need with me, all the protein bars, my vitamins: I always have them. Those things help me stay well and strong, and also stay bright and happy." Meanwhile, Cynthia recently revealed that she "made a pact" with Ariana Grande before shooting the Wicked movies. In her new book, Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told Theyre Too Much, Cynthia explained: "Before Wicked really started rolling, Ariana and I made a pact with each other. "We committed to protecting and caring for each other through this process. We hear often how female costars or really, any costars can sometimes let their egos get in the way until they battle each other, destroying the creative process for everyone involved. We were determined to do the opposite." Cynthia believes she shares a "strong synergy" with her co-star, who has become a close friend in recent years. She said: 'We were always looking out for each other. Our partnership was important. We shared a strong synergy, a commitment to authenticity, and that, combined with the natural connection we fostered both on and off set, allowed us to support each other emotionally and professionally." Investing.com -- Global Settlement Network (GSX) and Ubuntu Tribe on Wednesday launched a gold-backed, on-chain settlement corridor, aiming to cut AfricaEU transfer times from weeks to seconds and bring over $5 billion of gold on-chain. The partnership targets one of the most expensive payment routes in the world, where sending $200 into Sub-Saharan Africa still costs around 8% on average and can take several days to settle, according to World Bank remittance data cited by the companies. In an exclusive interview with Investing.coms Yasin Ebrahim, GSX CEO Ryan Kirkley described the initiative as a soft upgrade rather than a crypto overhaul. If you were to send money between two countries in Africa, you first send it to your bank. Your bank then sends it to their corresponding SWIFT bank in Europe, which then sends it to another correspondent bank before it reaches the destination country, Kirkley said. On average, the fees range from 2.8% to 7.8%, and it can take anywhere between three to fourteen business days," he said. The reliance on this costly, multi-bank relay stems from the U.S. dollars role as the de-facto global settlement asset in cross-border payments. Tokenization, the process of creating digital representations of real-world assets on a blockchain, offers a different path: value can move directly between parties without passing through the correspondent-bank chain. In GSXs corridor, that settlement asset is tokenized gold, a fully backed, auditable claim that can clear on-chain in seconds. The gold itself is issued through Ubuntu Tribe, whose regulated, LBMA-aligned reserves provide the underlying asset for settlement. How the corridor works to slash transaction times, remittance costs The corridor uses tokenized, LBMA-aligned gold as the settlement asset instead of relying on dollar-based correspondent banking. A Kenyan SME paying a Portuguese supplier, for example, would start with Kenyan shillings in a local bank account or mobile wallet. Through a regulated on-ramp integrated with GSXs network, those funds are converted into a fully backed digital asset, either GSXs reserve-backed stablecoin (SDGX) or Ubuntu Tribes gold-backed GIFT token. That token then moves over GSXs institutional blockchain and is redeemed on the European side through a licensed off-ramp into euros or another local currency rather than intermediary correspondent banks. This shift collapses a multi-bank, multi-day process into a single, programmable ledger. Settlement can be as quick as six seconds, with a six-minute upper bound, Kirkley said. By Stephen Nellis and Michael Martina SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Nvidia has built location verification technology that could indicate which country its chips are operating in, the company confirmed on Wednesday, a move that could help prevent its artificial intelligence chips from being smuggled into countries where their export is banned. The feature, which Nvidia has demonstrated privately in recent months but has not yet released, would be a software option that customers could install. It would tap into what are known as the confidential computing capabilities of its graphics processing units (GPUs). The software was built to allow customers to track a chip's overall computing performance - a common practice among companies that buy fleets of processors for large data centers - and would use the time delay in communicating with servers run by Nvidia to give a sense of the chip's location on par with what other internet-based services can provide, according to an Nvidia official. In a blog post the day after Reuters exclusively reported the existence of the software, Nvidia provided more details on how it would work, including that it plans to make it open-source, which would allow outside security researchers to examine it. "We're in the process of implementing a new software service that empowers data center operators to monitor the health and inventory of their entire AI GPU fleet," Nvidia said in a statement. "This customer-installed software agent leverages GPU telemetry to monitor fleet health, integrity and inventory." Nvidia on Wednesday also said there are "no features that allow Nvidia to remotely control or take action on registered systems" and that the telemetry data sent to Nvidia servers is "read only," meaning that the company's servers cannot write data back to the chip. "There is no feature within Nvidia GPUs that allow Nvidia or a remote actor to disable the Nvidia GPU," Nvidia said. "There is no kill switch." The feature will first be made available on Nvidia's latest "Blackwell" chips, which have more security features for a process called "attestation" than Nvidia's previous generations of Hopper and Ampere semiconductors, but Nvidia is examining options for those prior generations, according to the Nvidia official. If released, Nvidia's location update could address calls from the White House and lawmakers from both major political parties in the U.S. Congress for measures to prevent smuggling AI chips to China and other countries where their sale is restricted. Those calls have intensified as the Department of Justice has brought criminal cases against China-connected smuggling rings that were allegedly attempting to bring more than $160 million worth of Nvidia chips to China. By Eduardo Baptista BEIJING, Dec 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's move to allow exports to China of Nvidia's second-best artificial intelligence chip, the H200, will spur strong demand from the country's tech giants, research institutes, and its defence-industrial complex. Beijing has not yet confirmed whether it will allow the chip to be sold in China, but a Reuters review of more than 100 tenders and academic papers shows it is already being supplied to domestic buyers via the grey market. The analysis shows the nature of customers in China who will jump at the chance for legal bulk buys of the H200 chip, which is many times more powerful than any chip Nvidia is allowed to sell there. ELITE UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES China's leading universities all have research teams focused on AI development, and the number of high-end chips they have at their disposal directly affects talent recruitment and research. One professor at Beijing Jiaotong University advertises that his laboratory owns eight H200 chips, allowing for AI model research. Researchers at the state-backed Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Sun Yat-Sen, Tsinghua, and Shanghai Jiao Tong universities used four Nvidia H200 processors to train an AI model designed to detect whether an image is AI-generated, they showed in a paper published last month. In June, a state-run AI institute in the eastern city of Hefei issued a a tender for a server equipped with eight Nvidia H200 chips to power a "quantum AI model" project. Dozens of universities and research institutes nationwide have bought or sought to acquire H200 chips, the Reuters review showed. CHINESE MILITARY AND AFFILIATED ENTITIES China hawks in Washington have balked at Trump's moves to reverse the previous administration's export controls, saying the Chinese military would use Nvidia's most advanced AI chips to turbocharge its capabilities. The Reuters review suggests H200 chips are already making their way into the hands of the People's Liberation Army and closely-linked universities. In August, the PLA Air Force Medical University in Xian issued a tender for eight Nvidia H200 chips to train a large-language model training platform to support medical AI and biosurveillance research. On Monday, the School of Cyberspace Security at Beihang University, one of China's "Seven Sons", or universities under U.S. sanctions with a history of defence-related research, issued a tender seeking a supplier that could rent out H200-level computing power. As global markets navigate a landscape marked by cautious optimism and mixed economic signals, Asia presents intriguing opportunities for investors seeking growth beyond the well-trodden paths. In this environment, identifying stocks with robust fundamentals and innovative business models can be key to uncovering potential gems that might thrive despite broader market uncertainties. Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In Asia Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Jetwell Computer 34.75% 16.24% 27.51% Sinopower Semiconductor NA 0.10% -10.24% Shindaeyang Paper 10.96% 0.53% -8.77% VICOM NA 6.95% 4.06% Central Forest Group NA 5.20% 24.71% AzureWave Technologies 11.00% -1.30% 12.72% OpenWork NA 30.11% 29.99% MNtech 69.81% 10.24% -13.03% TSTE 37.68% 4.91% -5.78% Marusan Securities 3.64% 0.57% 3.44% Click here to see the full list of 2491 stocks from our Asian Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. Let's dive into some prime choices out of from the screener. Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Matrix Design Co., Ltd. operates in the space design and soft furnishing sectors in China, with a market capitalization of CN5.05 billion. Operations: Matrix Design generates revenue primarily from its space design and soft furnishing businesses in China. The company has a market capitalization of CN5.05 billion. Matrix Design, a small player in the market, has shown impressive growth with earnings surging by 71% over the past year, outpacing the Consumer Services industry's 12%. The company reported sales of CNY 505.61 million for nine months ending September 2025, up from CNY 382.7 million last year. Net income also rose to CNY 68.84 million from CNY 44.71 million previously. With no debt on its books and high-quality earnings, Matrix Design seems well-positioned despite recent share price volatility and a historical decline of earnings by an average of 47% annually over five years. SZSE:301365 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Dec 2025 Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: ADATA Technology Co., Ltd. is a global manufacturer and seller of memory products, with a market capitalization of NT$59.31 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its E-commerce Division, contributing NT$47.05 billion, while the Biotech Department adds NT$46.29 million. ADATA Technology, a nimble player in the tech space, has shown impressive numbers with recent earnings growth of 11.6%, outpacing the semiconductor industry average of 2.4%. Trading at a hefty discount of 75.7% below its estimated fair value, it stands as an attractive proposition for those looking for undervalued opportunities. The company's net income surged to TWD 1,760 million in Q3 2025 from TWD 590 million a year earlier, reflecting robust financial health and high-quality earnings. However, its net debt to equity ratio remains high at 108.1%, indicating potential leverage concerns despite strong EBIT coverage of interest payments at nearly eight times. UAE-based First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with European asset management company Amundi to boost its investment management offerings across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This collaboration will include a wide range of investment solutions across client segments, formats as well as asset classes. Under the partnership, FAB and Amundi will combine their strengths and expertise to deliver financial solutions to investors in the GCCs asset management sector. Also, the partnership is said to support the investment solutions and services to all client segments, including private, retail banking and institutional investors. First Abu Dhabi Bank Group CEO Hana Al Rostamani said: Our strategic partnership with Amundi is a key moment in FABs journey to advance our investment capabilities and bring best-in-class asset management solutions to our clients. By joining forces with one of the worlds leading asset managers, we are reinforcing FABs position as the UAEs global bank and a partner of choice for clients seeking international expertise and tailored solutions. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to delivering greater value, deepening client relationships, and supporting the UAEs ambitions as a regional and global financial hub. This is Amundis first partnership in the UAE and is expected to support the companys strategy to grow its presence in markets with high potential, such as the Middle East. In a separate development, UK-based digital wealth management platform Moneybox has partnered with Amundi to launch three investment funds aimed at pension customers. The collaboration will combine Moneyboxs customer-led product design with Amundis experience in multi-asset and exchange-traded fund (ETF) management. The funds are designed for pension customers seeking investment options that vary in risk and return, based on their retirement planning needs. Last month, Amundi acquired a 4.6% stake in private equity investment firm ICG and entered a long-term partnership to expand private markets access for wealth clients. "FAB signs MoU with Amundi to boost investment offerings in GCC " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. US-based commercial bank Flagstar Private Bank has launched two wealth-planning services, Family Advisory, Trusts, and Estate Planning, as well as Insurance, as part of its ongoing investment in private client and wealth management. The bank has appointed Carly Doshi as executive vice president and head of Family Advisory, Trusts, and Estate Planning service. Doshi will advise clients on matters such as income and estate planning, wealth transfer, philanthropy, family governance, family office advisory, and financial planning. Irene Bowers Blumberg has been appointed as Insurance executive vice president and head and will oversee and expand the insurance product suite. Flagstar Bank commercial and private banking SEVP, president Rich Raffetto said: By expanding our wealth capabilities with experts like Irene and Carly and building on significant leadership investments made earlier this yearincluding appointing Mark Pittsey to lead Flagstar's Private Banking and Wealth Management organisation and Brett Mitstifer as chief investment officerwe're strengthening our foundation to serve the full spectrum of clients' business and personal needs. These appointments reflect our commitment to investing in our people and capabilities to deliver a relationship-centred client experience. Flagstar Private Bank has also introduced a regional operating model with coverage across the Northeast, Southeast, and West regions. These three sector-focused verticals target legal and professional services, community markets, and innovation and private markets. Angelo Galati will lead legal and professional services, Steve Rochlin will lead innovation and private markets, and Meyer Eichler will lead community markets. In the Northeast, Flagstar has a significant presence in the New York metropolitan area, including a new private client office at 320 Park Avenue. The bank appointed Charlie Ryan, Richard Petrosky, and Michele Celestino as regional co-heads to lead client coverage in this market. In addition, Flagstar is expanding its presence in Florida and California, with a new office in Palm Beach and plans for a San Francisco location in 2026. The bank will appoint additional region heads for these markets. "Flagstar Private Bank launches new wealth planning services " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. By Lewis Jackson and Nora Eckert Dec 10 (Reuters) - Chinese rare-earth magnet suppliers to U.S. automaker Ford Motor were included in the first batch of new export licenses issued by Beijing to boost shipments and reduce shortages of the vital components, the carmaker said on Wednesday. The so-called general licenses were agreed after Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met in South Korea and will reportedly allow larger shipments with fewer hurdles under year-long permits for individual customers. Chinas introduction of rare-earth export controls in April forced companies to apply for licenses for every shipment, creating shortages that brought parts of the auto supply chain to a halt and handed Beijing enormous leverage in trade talks with Washington. Reuters reported last week that three Chinese magnet suppliers had licenses issued, but Ford appears to be the first foreign customer to acknowledge that suppliers have received approvals under the streamlined system. China has said little publicly about the new licenses, how they will work or who will receive them, raising fears among non-U.S. diplomats and producers that the licenses will be for U.S. customers primarily. Those concerns were heightened this week when Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that the country's automakers were not included in this first round. Many of those manufacturers, such as Volkswagen, have had ties with China for many years. Wadephul said that "quite a lot of work" was still needed to persuade Beijing to grant the new licenses to German companies. BMW said it is monitoring the issue of general licenses along with its suppliers. VW said its rare-earths supply is stable and it is not experiencing any shortages. Our suppliers are continuously working with their subcontractors to obtain the necessary export licenses, the automaker said. While the system agreed between Xi and Trump should accelerate exports for some customers, it remains to be seen how widely Beijing will issue licenses and whether customers in more sensitive sectors such as aerospace or semiconductors will qualify. China's rare-earth exports jumped in November. "While we are pleased that some of our suppliers have secured these approvals, we urge the U.S. and Chinese governments to continue their collaboration to fully resolve supply chain issues," Ford said in its statement to Reuters. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson, Nora Eckert and Christoph Steitz.Editing by Mike Colias, David Goodman and Nick Zieminski) By Laila Kearney and Lewis Jackson NEW YORK, Dec 10 - Gas turbine maker GE Vernova is working with the U.S. government to increase its stockpiles of the rare earth yttrium, CEO Scott Strazik said on Tuesday, as China's export controls of the vital element create shortages across energy, aerospace and semiconductors. GE Vernova - one of only three major makers of gas turbines globally - has yttrium inventories to last the rest of 2025 and into next year, Strazik said, although he did not disclose how long into next year supplies would last. The company is also investing in alternatives to replace certain rare earths used in production if it became necessary, although there were cost or performance trade-offs in some cases, he added. "We are very focused on it every day," Strazik said in response to a question about yttrium shortages at an investor day on Tuesday. "We're in good shape for the foreseeable future based on the fact that we have everything we need for this year into next year. But we will continue to be opportunistic whenever there's an opportunity to add to the inventory," he added. China, the main source of the element used in specialty alloys found in engines as well as coatings to shield against high temperatures like those found in gas turbines, restricted exports along with six other rare earths in April in retaliation for U.S. tariffs. While Washington and Beijing have since agreed to a new regime to speed up rare earth exports, yttrium users from aerospace to semiconductors complain about severe shortages, and prices outside China have risen 4,400% between January and November this year. (Reporting by Laila Kearney in New York and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman) We came across a bullish thesis on The GEO Group, Inc. on Valueinvestorsclub.com by BlueFIN24. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on GEO. The GEO Group, Inc.'s share was trading at $16.63 as of December 2nd. GEOs trailing and forward P/E were 9.54 and 24.04 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. GEO Expands Southeast Footprint with New Florida Detention Contract Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash The GEO Group, Inc. owns, leases, operates, and manages secure facilities, processing centers, and community-based reentry facilities in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. GEO has experienced significant market mispricing, as investor focus has shifted from its detention business to electronic monitoring, creating confusion around the companys growth trajectory. While post-election speculation centered on GEO winning contracts for idle detention facilities, recent data suggests that daily book-ins are now exceeding deportations, indicating growing demand for both detention beds and electronic monitoring. ICEs publicly available data, including biweekly reports on monitored individuals and facility utilization, shows that GEO is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. The company is the clear frontrunner for the ISAP V contract, which governs electronic monitoring for ICE and aligns closely with GEOs existing infrastructure, potentially generating $650$826 million in annual revenue. Meanwhile, GEOs idle facilities are being cleared for operations, with budget approvals now in place. Some facilities, such as D. Ray James, are operational, while others, including Flightline, are on the cusp of signing contracts, as indicated by recent job postings. The main bottleneck has been individual approval requirements for contracts over $100k, which is expected to ease as bed demand exceeds capacity. Once fully operational, these facilities are projected to reach capacity within a single quarter, adding substantial incremental earnings. Valuation remains compelling, with 2026 US Secure Services revenue estimated at $2.4 billion and electronic monitoring revenue around $720 million, leading to a projected EBITDA of $774.8 million. Applying a 10x multiple suggests a potential share price of $45.50, nearly doubling the current $20 price. With catalysts including ISAP V contract awards and facility signings, GEO is positioned for a re-rating, combining a reopening of its detention business with a ramp in electronic monitoring, creating a compelling risk/reward opportunity for investors. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on V.F. Corporation (VFC) by Fun-Imagination-2488 in April 2025, which highlighted the companys iconic brands, strategic leadership under Bracken Darrell, operational improvements, and focus on direct-to-consumer channels. The company's stock price has appreciated approximately by 51.71% since our coverage. This is because the thesis largely played out. BlueFIN24 shares a contrarian view but emphasizes market mispricing and growth opportunities in GEO Groups detention and electronic monitoring businesses. "Weak" people leading "decaying" Europe: Trump Xinhua) 08:57, December 10, 2025 WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- "Weak" people are leading a "decaying" group of nations in Europe, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview published by Politico on Tuesday. "I think they're weak ... But I also think that they want to be so politically correct," Trump said in the interview with Politico at the White House on Monday. "I think they don't know what to do," the president claimed. "Europe doesn't know what to do." Without a change in border policy, some European states "will not be viable countries any longer," said Trump, describing cities like London and Paris as creaking under the burden of migration from the Middle East and Africa. The president said he put little stock in the role of European leaders in seeking to end the Ukraine crisis. "They talk, but they don't produce, and the war just keeps going on and on." Russia was obviously in a stronger position than Ukraine, Trump told the media outlet, while renewing his call for Ukraine to hold new elections. In the National Security Strategy released last Thursday, the Trump administration vowed to "cultivate resistance" to the European status quo on immigration and other politically volatile issues. "Allies do not threaten to interfere in the democratic life or the domestic political choices of these allies," European Council President Antonio Costa responded to the U.S. national security document on Monday. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Gwyneth Paltrow's Oscars win "felt like something immense". Gwyneth Paltrow won her Oscar in the late 90s The 53-year-old star won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Shakespeare in Love, the 1998 romantic-comedy movie, and Gwyneth still remembers the success as a turning point in her life. Speaking to Jacob Elordi for Variety, Gwyneth shared: "It felt like something immense had happened. There was this massive energetic shift, and it was very overwhelming. I was only 26. "If I could go back and talk to myself at that age, I would just say, 'Take your time.' Just really get in touch with who you are to the greatest extent possible, and make decisions from that place. Slow down and work with great people, and dont beat yourself up so much along the way." Gwyneth enjoyed huge success early in her career, but she then stepped away from Hollywood in order to build her lifestyle brand, Goop. Gwyneth - who has returned to the movie business to star in Marty Supreme - admits that the industry has changed markedly in the last 30 years. She said: "Its changed quite a bit, and the business models have changed and the way its all commercialised." Meanwhile, Gwyneth previously observed that social media can be "incredibly anxiety-provoking". The actress acknowledges that it can be "difficult" to navigate social media platforms - but Gwyneth still isn't afraid to speak her mind online. The award-winning star - who has more than nine million Instagram followers - told Sky News: "I can't fake it. "If I'm going to go on there, I'm going to be myself and I'm going to be honest. That's me, for better or worse. I think I'm a very authentic person, one way or the other. So, you know, that's my style." Gwyneth stepped back from the movie business in recent years to focus on Goop. However, she always remained open to returning to the film industry. She said: "With my job as CEO at Goop, it takes up all of my time. But who knows? I'm not actively pursuing it. I am very busy with my day job, but I've learned enough not to say never." While in the vibe coding model, users and businesses pay for the compute and model usage of Replit's advanced AI features, such as Replit Agent. The subscription aspect of the revenue model involves two products: Replit Core (for individual users) and Teams/Enterprise for enterprise users. Finally, there is the marketplace model wherein Replit generates revenue by facilitating transactions within its community. Notably, Replit, founded in 2016, operates on a freemium model combined with a high-growth usage-based enterprise model, with three primary streams of revenue. These include the primary vibe coding avenue, then revenues from subscription plans, and finally the marketplace. Commenting on the partnership, Replit CEO Amjad Masad said, The goal for us, and Google, is to make enterprise vibe-coding a thing. We want to show the world that these tools are actually going to transform businesses and how people work. Instead of people working in silos, designers only doing design, product managers only write now anyone in the company can be entrepreneurial. Recently, tech titan and the cynosure of the AI trade, currently, Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL), announced a partnership with the vibe coding platform, Replit. Under the terms of the partnership, primarily focused on enterprise customers, Replit will expand the integration of Google's models into its platform to support vibe coding. Vibe coding is a new approach to software development where a user describes their project goal or desired app feature in plain, natural language, and an artificial intelligence model generates the functional code to achieve it. This essentially means that anyone can become a coder and build their own apps or digital platforms. Being conversant with complex coding languages is not a necessity. However, being clear with one's thought process will be. Artificial intelligence brought with it some home truths about how this revolutionary tech will affect the job market. While many clamored about the number of jobs that will disappear, optimists countered that argument that several new ones will be created. One of them is vibe coding. Story Continues All this has led to Replit having a user base of more than 40 million at the end of 2025, from just 750,000 in 2016, and a valuation of $3 billion, following its latest $250 million fundraise in September. Though Replit's growth has been noteworthy, it still lags its peers like Cursor ($29.3 billion) and Cognition AI ($10.2 billion) in terms of valuation today. Then what good will the expansion of this partnership do for Google? Well, for starters, the most direct reason is to put their cutting-edge AI models, like Gemini, to work in a highly visible and high-usage environment. Replit has tens of millions of users. Integrating Gemini into the Replit environment means every time a user prompts the AI to generate or debug code, it drives significant "token usage" on Google Cloud, which is a direct source of revenue for Google. Finally, this partnership provides Google with a massive, real-world data and feedback loop to continuously improve the performance, quality, and safety of its AI models for coding tasks. Alternatively, while this deal makes Google Cloud the primary cloud provider for the entire Replit platform, Google sees this as a way to turn non-coders (like product managers, designers, or business experts) into software creators, a relatively untapped market with serious monetization potential. Alphabet's Envious Financials With a new paradigm in revenue generation expected to be unlocked through this expansion of its existing partnership with Replit, Google's already robust financial position is expected to become stronger. Over the past decade, Alphabet has delivered strong, consistent expansion, posting compound annual growth rates of 18.31% for revenue and 23.43% for earnings per share. The stock has been on a tear this year as well, with it up about 65% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis, bringing its market cap to $3.9 trillion. www.barchart.com Coming back to the financials, the third quarter of 2025 continued that pattern of excellence, with the company comfortably exceeding estimates on both top and bottom lines. Total revenue reached $102.3 billion, reflecting 16% year-over-year (YoY) growth. Within that figure, Google Services contributed $87.1 billion (up 14%), while Cloud revenue advanced 34% in the same period to $15.2 billion. Earnings per share climbed 35.4% to $2.87 per share, well above the $2.26 consensus forecast. Search advertising, the traditional cornerstone, generated $56.6 billion, a solid 14.5% increase from the prior year. Cash generation remained exceptional in the quarter, too. Operating cash flow surged to $48.4 billion from $30.7 billion in the comparable quarter last year, and Alphabet closed September with $23.1 billion in cash and equivalents alongside zero short-term debt. That said, valuation metrics have become stretched not only relative to the broader sector but to their historical averages as well. The forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at 30.58, price-to-sales at 9.69, and price-to-cash-flow at 24.69, each markedly above its own five-year averages of 23.82, 5.89, and 7.39, respectively. Analyst Opinion on GOOGL Stock Thus, analysts have earmarked an overall rating of Strong Buy to the GOOGL stock, with a mean target price of $324.88. This indicates an upside potential of about 1.1% from current levels. Out of 54 analysts covering the stock, 43 have a Strong Buy rating, four have a Moderate Buy rating, and seven have a Hold rating. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Pathikrit Bose 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 South Korean manufacturer HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has selected Iridium Communications to provide satellite connectivity for its Hi MATE vehicle monitoring system. The integration allows HD Hyundai to extend the reach of Hi MATEs services, which include location tracking, diagnostic data, and geofencing, to new regions and markets worldwide. Hi MATE is used for remote management of excavators and wheel loaders by delivering information such as engine hours, fuel consumption, and other performance metrics. The solution monitors equipment to reduce downtime and support daily operations, and provides daily reports that notify operators in advance regarding equipment location and operational information. The addition of Iridiums satellite Internet-of-Things connection means users can monitor machinery in real time from remote sites where traditional network infrastructure is unavailable, said Iridium. Iridium operates a mobile satellite network that covers the planet, providing voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. Its technology offers an alternative to fixed on-site communications systems by enabling worldwide asset connectivity. The company supplies satellite links for customers in sectors where critical operational data must be transmitted reliably from distant or difficult-to-reach locations. Iridium also works with partner companies to deliver global communications services across a variety of industries. In 2024, Iridium expanded its service offering through the acquisition of Satelles, adding advanced PNT capabilities to its portfolio. The company is headquartered in Virginia, US. Iridium executive vice-president Tim Last said: As a leading equipment manufacturer, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has set the bar high for reliability by adding Iridium's low-latency, reliable connectivity to Hi MATE, enabling their customers to get critical data regardless of deployment conditions. With Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD), Hyundai's customers gain unmatched global coverage and mission-critical reliability, key advantages for equipment operating in even the most remote locations. In May this year, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment opened a factory at its Ulsan Campus in Dong-gu, South Korea. "HD Hyundai Construction Equipment adds Iridiums connectivity to Hi MATE" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. By Nell Mackenzie ABU DHABI, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Hedge fund Balyasny Asset Management's managing partner said on Tuesday that the largest tail risk for the year ahead is if artificial intelligence surprises on the upside or the downside. Dmitry Balyasny, managing partner and the firm's CIO, said if there was a fall-off in demand and AI companies --- especially so-called hyper-scalers -- changed their spending plans because they did not achieve the monetization they needed, this would be a surprise to the downside. Also, an outside risk the hedge fund manager was watching for was if the AI industry took off faster than expected. This could cause job losses before employees were able to retrain for other opportunities, Balyasny said during a fireside chat at Abu Dhabi Finance Week. "Either of those scenarios could create some instability, but I think the more likely outcome is that it continues to grow the way that it has," he said. Balyasny Asset Management manages $31 billion. Balyasny, discussing his newly office location in Abu Dhabi, said the city was at an earlier stage of development than New York or London but said the city was growing as a financial centre. He pointed to how much money was moving into the region, how talent was attracted to the lifestyle in Abu Dhabi and the city's commitment to AI and technology. The hedge fund returned 2.5% in November and is up 15.3% for the year so far, Reuters reported last week. (Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe) Is Now the Right Time to Finally Go Short on Oil Futures? - Behind the facade of calm oil markets, a gradual build-up in speculative positions could be undermining future prices of Brent or WTI as both benchmarks remain on their longest runs below their 100-day moving average in more than a year. - Open interest held in ICE Brent is now the highest in history 5.5 million contracts as of this week however investors hold more Dec 2026 contracts than any other month except for the prompt two, February and March, suggesting that the market wants to hedge itself against oversupply next year. - The risk is that a brief geopolitical event such as a potential Ukraine peace deal could suddenly prompt market participants to fully embrace their inner bear. - Hedge funds have been raising their short positions on crude for the past two months, with ICE Brent now posting the highest outright number of shorts on record (174,703 contracts in the week ending December 2). - CFTC is still taking its time publishing WTI positioning data that was delayed due to the US government shutdown; however recently published October data show that throughout the month hedge funds held a net negative position. Market Movers - Presenting its new 5-year plan, US oil firm ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) raised its 2030 production guidance by 100,000 b/d to 5.5 million boe/d, revising upwards its Permian Basin supply. - Norway's state oil company Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) announced two new gas and condensate discoveries in the North Sea, potentially containing up to 110 million barrels of oil equivalent. - Trading giant Vitol is reported to land a deal with Colombia to supply the Latin American country's new gas import terminal in Barranquilla, with the contract running for 5 years starting from 2027. - US oil major Chevron (NYSE:CVX) announced it would participate in Nigerias upcoming licensing round (offering 50 prospective blocks) and it would deploy a drilling rig there in 2026 as it plans to boost its West African exploration activity. - US gas-focused producer Antero Resources (NYSE:AR) said it would buy the producing gas assets of privately held HG Energy in a deal valued at $2.8 billion, boosting its portfolio across the Appalachian Basin. Tuesday, December 09, 2025 Oil prices continue to search for direction as a supply scare from Iraq turned out to be short-lived, with most market speculation centred around Ukraine peace talks and US Federal Reserve policy. With ICE Brent still hovering around $63 per barrel, the Feds last gathering in 2025 could provide some temporary upside to prices, however it is unlikely to fundamentally break the current stalemate. Most freight brokerages say they can handle whatever the market throws at them. Nearly two-thirds report feeling resilient despite rate swings, volume drops, and cash crunches, according to new research from FreightWaves and OTR Solutions. Digging deeper into the numbers, however, a different story emerges. About 68% of surveyed brokerages experienced financial stress over the past year. That gap between confidence and financial reality suggests there is a disconnect in how brokerages run their day-to-day operations. While brokerages identify financial stability and strong relationships as the cornerstones of resilience, many have overlooked how back-office operations directly impact their ability to maintain both. The scale of the manual burden For brokerages with skeleton crews handling back-office operations, manual tasks represent a significant constraint on growth and efficiency. Time spent on routine data entry and invoice verification cannot be redirected toward relationship building, strategic planning, or revenue-generating activities. The opportunity cost compounds over time, creating a widening gap between brokerages that have modernized their operations and those still relying on legacy approaches. When back office tasks are not automated, staff can spend hours every week focusing on checklist items that could be outsourced to technology, including tasks like invoice disputes and payment issues. This can drain resources and create an environment where teams are not able to optimize operations because they are too busy putting out fires. We see small back office teams doing heroic work week in and week out, and we wanted to shed a light on the real cost of that manual burden. When teams have to spend their time chasing PODs and reconciling invoices, they have less time for the true high value work thats needed in this heightened age of fraud. Automation is not about replacing people. It is about giving them the ability to leverage their best human characteristics, said Clayton Griffin, President of OTR Solutions. The automation gap persists The research also uncovered a striking gap between partial adoption and full implementation of automation. While 54% of brokerages report mostly automated accounts payable processes, only 2% have achieved full automation. The picture looks even more challenging for accounts receivable, where just 2% report full automation and 43% describe their processes as only partially automated with many manual steps remaining. This gap matters because Accounts Receivable directly affects the cash flow challenges that brokerages identified as their primary vulnerability. The timing mismatch between paying carriers quickly and waiting weeks or months for customer payments creates inherent risk. Brokerages that still manually process invoices, track down PODs, and chase customer payments face slower cash conversion cycles, more errors, and greater exposure to delayed payments. Centennial Banks parent company Home BancShares (HOMB) has reached a definitive agreement to purchase Mountain Commerce Bancorp in an all-stock transaction. The merger will see HOMB as the surviving entity. The agreement, approved unanimously by both companies' directors' boards, grants access to the Nashville, Knoxville, and Johnson City metropolitan statistical areas. According to the definitive merger agreement, Mountain Commerce shareholders will obtain 0.850 shares of HOMB stock for each Mountain Commerce common stock share they hold. These shareholders will also be eligible for quarterly dividends declared by Home BancShares, with record dates after the closure. Based on a volume-weighted average closing price per share of HOMB stock of $27.66 over the 20 days ending on 5 December 2025, the per share implied consideration value is $23.51, and the total implied value of the transaction is approximately $150.1m. This transaction aligns with HOMBs established merger and acquisition strategy. The company anticipates the deal will be immediately triple accretive, projecting increases to earnings per share of 1.4% in 2026 and 3% in 2027, as well as a 0.7% rise in book value per share and a 0.2% increase in tangible book value per share. Following the merger, HOMB expects to maintain a strong capital position and enhanced operating profile. The pro forma bank will have about $25bn, $17bn and $19.2bn in assets, loans and deposits, respectively. The merger is anticipated to close early in the first half of next year, contingent on customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals and approval by Mountain Commerce shareholders. Piper Sandler acted as financial advisor to Mountain Commerce and provided a fairness opinion, with Bass, Berry & Sims as legal advisor. Hovde Group served as financial advisor to Home BancShares and provided a fairness opinion, while DD&F Consulting Group acted as financial consultant and Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard as legal advisor. Mountain Commerce founder and CEO William Bill Edwards said: Mountain Commerce is proud to join forces with one of the top-performing banks in the country. This partnership provides resources, through HOMBs strong balance sheet and capital position, to allow our talented team of bankers to flourish. There is a lot more work to be done in Tennessee to take advantage of the market opportunity and we are eager and ready to grow. "Home BancShares to purchase Mountain Commerce Bancorp" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) is included among the 11 Worst Performing Dividend Stocks Year-to-Date. Homebuilders Face Choppy Market, Barclays Maintains Overweight on Owens Corning (OC) On December 8, Barclays reduced its price target for Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) to $130 from $131 and kept an Overweight rating on the stock. The update came as part of the firms 2026 outlook, and it updated its ratings and targets across the homebuilding and building products sector. Barclays expects another year of declines in single-family housing starts, and noted that the housing market remains far from balanced. The analyst added that this leaves homebuilder stocks volatile, with no cycle call to be made. In its earnings for the third quarter of 2025, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) highlighted challenging market conditions, which resulted in weakening residential trends in the US, impacting the companys volumes in repair and remodel and new construction product lines. However, the company plans to overcome these near-market dynamics by maintaining a high level of safety. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) Prattville, Alabama, as the location for its new shingle plant in the Southeastern US. The plant is set to serve an underserved market and improve service throughout the companys shingle network. In addition, from a cash point of view, the company also remained committed to delivering value to shareholders. During the quarter, it returned $278 million to investors through dividends and share repurchases. On December 4, Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) also announced a 15% hike in its quarterly dividend to $0.79 per share. Owens Corning (NYSE:OC) is an Ohio-based company that develops and manufactures insulation, roofing, and fiberglass composites and related products. While we acknowledge the potential of OC 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 Dividend Stocks Paying 4%+ Yield in 2025 and 14 Best US Stocks to Buy for Long Term Disclosure: None. ICEYE, a provider of satellite-powered disaster management solutions, and Munich Res Risk Management Partners (RMP) have entered a worldwide collaboration aimed at expanding the reach of ICEYE's natural catastrophe solutions. This partnership will see ICEYE's flood solutions integrate into RMPs Location Risk Intelligence Platform, enabling companies to evaluate and manage climate change and natural hazard-linked risks. The integration is set to improve the platforms capabilities in providing real-time flood risk analysis and reporting prior, during and after flood events. With access to ICEYEs data through this risk management platform, banks, insurers, real estate managers and corporations globally will be able to precisely evaluate and measure the impacts of the floods, supporting informed and quick decision-making. Beginning in January 2026, ICEYEs Flood Archive and Flood Early Warning solutions will be accessible through the Events feature of the Location Risk Intelligence Platform. This feature allows users to monitor historical as well as ongoing events using a mix of public domain and vendor-supplied data. ICEYE said that it will become the first commercial provider to deliver precise event data to the Munich Re platform, offering customers instant access to severity forecasts and promptly delivered measurements of the extent and depth of the flood hazards. Further ICEYE offerings such as Flood Rapid Impact, Flood Insights, Wildfire Insights and Hurricane Rapid Impact will also be available for resale by Munich Re to its global customer base. The alliance is also said to create a scalable model for incorporating data-driven hazard and damage analysis into event response services around the world. Head of Risk Management Partners at Munich Re Christof Reinert said: "Natural catastrophes are becoming more frequent and severe. Businesses need scalable solutions to manage these risks before, during and after disaster events strike. By integrating ICEYE into the platform, we provide even more comprehensive insights into natural risk disaster exposure. The flood event data is a substantial feature that can even improve our Location Risk Intelligence offering. This gives our customers a decisive advantage, enabling active risk management to safeguard investments and operations, while also strengthening resilience. ICEYE head of Re/Insurance Practice Anke Sielker said: "At ICEYE, innovation is at the heart of what we do. Integrating our flood intelligence into Location Risk Intelligence, Munich Res powerful analytics platform, represents a major step forward in how leading-edge data and technology can be combined to enable insurers and businesses to better understand and manage the rapidly evolving flood risk landscape. (Adds dropped word 'economy' in second bullet point) By Joe Cash BEIJING, Dec 10 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday urged China to make the "brave choice" of speeding up structural reform, as pressure grows on the world's second-largest economy to shift towards a consumption-led model and curb reliance on debt-driven exports. "China is simply too big to generate much (more) growth from exports, and continuing to depend on export-led growth risks furthering global trade tensions," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told a press conference concluding the Fund's regular review of the $19 trillion economy. "It requires brave choices and determined policy action," Georgieva added, while pressing Chinese policymakers to adopt a comprehensive macroeconomic policy package including additional fiscal stimulus and greater monetary easing, alongside targeted steps to rein in local government debt, resolve a protracted property crisis and improve social welfare provision. COST OF ENDING PROPERTY CRISIS Increased social spending and accelerating reform of China's internal passport "Hukou" system, which has largely tethered people's destinies to their place of origin since the 1950s, could boost consumption by up to 3 percentage points of GDP, she added. Meanwhile, bringing an end to the property crisis within the next three years - which weighs heavy on domestic demand as some 70% of Chinese household wealth is in real estate - will require China to spend 5% of GDP, the IMF forecasts. "We have been urging more attention for closure on this problem. We call them 'zombie firms'. Let the zombies go away," Georgieva said, encouraging officials to speed up the exit of unviable property developers from the market. Beijing closely watches the IMF's "Article IV" review for approval or criticism of its economic management, with its endorsement serving as a valuable counter amid rising tensions with major trading partners. TRADE TENSIONS Georgieva said it was not in China's interests to provoke its trading partners to impose curbs on Chinese imports over fears that a flood of cheap goods would devastate their manufacturing sectors. The IMF upgraded its China growth forecast for 2025 to 5%, from 4.8%, citing the production powerhouse's strong outbound shipments, also lifting its 2026 forecast to 4.5%, from 4.2%. Net exports constituted 1.1% of China's 5% growth for this year, the IMF chief said, while adding that the Chinese economy was on course to contribute 30% of global growth. (This article has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) The federal government recently arrested an Indiana couple for allegedly using insider information to profit from Cummins Inc.s $3.7 billion corporate acquisition of a company in 2022. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced on Dec. 9, that it had charged Fan Yang, 39, and Jing Tian, 37, of Indianapolis with two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. It's unclear if the couple has entered a plea. The case against them has not been uploaded to the federal government's court tracking system. Yang and Tian, who both worked for Cummins before the acquisition of Meritor, are accused of relaying information about the potential purchase to at least five other traders, court documents revealed. Based on Tian's LinkedIn, it appeared that he was still associated with Cummins as of Dec. 10, 2025. Neither Cummins, nor its legal department immediately responded to a request for comment about the case. The allegations of insider trading stem from Indiana-based Cummins, which designs, manufactures and distributes diesel engines and other vehicle components, the purchase of Meritor, a company that created axles, brakes and suspensions, among other products for defense industries and commercial vehicles. Knowledge of the negotiations was passed to two graduate students at Georgetown University, the wife of a student, a trader from China and her mother, who were all able to benefit from stock trades tied to the acquisition. As of publication, its unclear if the federal government has charged the other five people associated with the case. After the United States Securities and Exchange Commission reviewed the stocks purchased in the acquisition, the department flagged some sales. This tip led the FBIs Washington field office to launch an investigation, according to court documents. Agents discovered WeChat messages that showed Yang and her husband talking about their alleged insider trading behavior. We have over 100,000 in there. If the acquisition is completed with 3.5b, we can get a Tesla. Trade in and dont need a loan, Yang said in a text message outlined in court documents. Court documents reveal the couples scheme In 2020, Cummins initially reached out to Meritor, sharing interest in potentially acquiring the company. But later that year, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to shift global markets, Cummins ultimately terminated talks with Meritor, court documents reveal. It wasnt until late 2021, that Cummins rekindled the idea of purchasing Meritor and restarted negotiations between the two companies. Justin Theroux and his wife Nicole Brydon Bloom are expecting their first child together. Justin Theroux and Nicole Brydon Bloom are expecting their first child The 54-year-old actor and the 31-year-old actress tied the knot earlier this year, and the loved-up couple are now preparing to welcome their first child, according to People. Justin and Nicole have actually made a concerted effort to keep their romance out of the spotlight. However, it first emerged that they were dating in early 2023, when they were spotted together at a Netflix event. The celebrity duo was subsequently photographed sharing a kiss during a romantic date and they made their red carpet debut as a couple in 2024, at the Vanity Fair Oscars party. The pair got engaged in August 2024, and then tied the knot in March this year. Justin has made a conscious decision to keep his relationship private. The Hollywood star - who was married to actress Jennifer Aniston between 2015 and 2018 - previously explained why he wants to keep his love life out of the spotlight. Speaking to Esquire back in May 2023, Justin said: "I want all of my relationships to exist within the four walls of whatever room we're in. Having been in a public relationship, its much more fun not being in a public relationship." Justin dated Nicole for around two years before they married in Mexico. The couple chose the location for the wedding after spending a weekend at the hotel back in 2024 and Nicole told Vogue magazine it was the perfect destination for their nuptials. She shared: "We spent February 2024 in Mexico and fell in love with the chic, low-key hotel. The first time I set foot on their jungle paths that led straight out to the perfectly blue ocean, I knew I was somewhere wonderfully unique, secluded, and peaceful, so when choosing our wedding location, it seemed like the obvious place to celebrate. "We wanted our friends and family to have a taste of our dream weekend in the Mayan Riviera paradise." The pace of Moscow and Beijings involvement across the country picked up the more it looked like the U.S. might withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, or colloquially the nuclear deal), which it eventually did in May 2018. Just before then, Russia had stepped into the chaos caused by Iraqi Kurdistans vote for independence in September 2017 to enable Rosneft effectively to take control of the northern regions oil sector through means analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order . This more broadly allowed Russia to create further chaos in the political and financial dealings between the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan government in the north and the Federal Government of Iraq in the south. This in turn, provided Moscow with an opportunity to expand its presence in the south, and also did the same for its ally China. Because Beijing was in various stages of a Trade War with the U.S. at the time, it had to tread carefully in a country in which the U.S. was still active, which it did by using dozens of smaller contract-only awards on oil and gas fields rather than headline-grabbing exploration and development awards. The significance of this sea-change in Iraqs geopolitical leanings can barely be overstated. Following the increasing perception among the Iraqi people that the U.S. had overstayed its welcome after it removed Saddam Hussein as leader in 2003, Russia and China in that order looked to boost their influence across the country for three key reasons. First, it offers a huge repository of oil at the worlds joint lowest average lifting cost of $2-4 per barrel, together with large quantities of associated and non-associated gas. Second, it occupies the geographical heart of the region, lying west of Iran, north of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, east of Jordan and Syria (with its long Mediterranean coastline offering access to further critical sea routes), and south of Turkey (affording an entry into the European continent). And third, it is a key member of the Shia Crescent of Power geopolitical arc that stretches from Iran through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, where Shia communities and Iran-backed groups exert significant influence over regional politics, economics, and security. In short, if you are a global superpower or wannabe, Iraq is where you need to be. Iraqs Oil Ministry has revealed that it has sent out exclusive invitations to several major U.S. energy firms to develop the countrys huge West Qurna 2 oilfield following the withdrawal of Russian oil number two Lukoil after Washington ratcheted up sanctions on Moscow. Its a huge turnaround in the trajectory it [Iraq] had been headed with Russia and China, marking a massive win for us [the U.S.] and Europe, a senior legal source who works closely with the U.S. Treasury Department exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. Stay tuned therell be more of this to come, he added. Story Continues Once the U.S. formally ended its combat mission in Iraq in December 2021, then all brakes were off, with China dramatically pushing its new field acquisitions in the south, while Russia consolidated its agitator position in the north through Rosneft mainly and in the south, including the West Qurna 2 contract of its number two oil producer Lukoil. At the same time, continued U.S. and allied military presences in Iraq became the focus of heightened pressure from Iran-backed militias (with direct and/or indirect support from Russia and China), including through rocket fire, drone strikes, and roadside bombs. U.S. and other Western oil firms were under further pressure on their ongoing exploration and development work due to the legacy of endemic corruption running through Iraqs oil and gas business, and several began to downscale or withdraw in Iraq, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, and ENI. The aim of Russia and China at that point was to push out all Western firms from Iraq, so allowing Iran greater scope to extend its power across the region, as a proxy for Moscow and Beijing, at the expense of Washington, London, and Brussels and their former regional allies in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, among others. As exclusively revealed to OilPrice.com some years ago by a very high-ranking official from the Kremlin: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. On the other side of the superpower equation, the U.S. and its allies believe breaking the multi-layered links between Iraq and Iran will not only significantly weaken Baghdads neighbour but its key sponsors, China and Russia, too. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Iraqi Kurdistan region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran, as analysed extensively in my latest book. The West additionally sees this northern territory as a critical security bridge from NATO member Turkey into the Middle East and beyond. It is in this context that the downscaling of Rosnefts operations in Iraqs northern Kurdistan region and Lukoils withdrawal from West Qurna 2 in the south should be seen. By losing its majority stake in in the Kurdistan Pipeline Company, Rosneft also loses control over the feeder pipeline network within the Iraqi Kurdistan region which connects oil fields (such as Taq Taq and Tawke) to the border metering station at Fishkhabur. And at Fishkhabur, the pipeline links up with the main Iraq-Turkey Pipeline system that moves Iraqi oil west. Lukoils withdrawal from West Qurna 2 is no less impactful to Russia, as the field holds an estimated 13 billion barrels of recoverable reserves and produces 460,000-480,000 barrels per day (bpd) around 10% of Iraqs total output. Together, the two firms export approximately 3.1 million bpd of crude oil, which the West sees as vital to Russias ability to keep funding its war in Ukraine. For the West, Iraqs special invitation to U.S. firms to bid now for West Qurna 2 at the expense of forced-out Russian giant Lukoil further builds on the extraordinary gains its firms have made across the country in just the past year or two. Frances TotalEnergies holds the key to Iraqs ability to dramatically increase its oil output via the crucial Common Seawater Supply Project, as detailed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. And there are three other major projects included in its US$27 billion-dollar deal with Baghdad. The UKs BP is now in a strategically key position to act as a conduit for change in Iraqs north through its US$25 billion five-field deal recently formally activated. And there have been similar announcements from the U.S.s Chevron and ExxonMobil, among others. Both these firms are likely to feature in the ongoing process for West Qurna 2, according to a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. It may also be that at least one of them is set to reap extraordinary financial rewards too, as Ministry documents show that Lukoil had long been able to maintain sustainable production of 635,000 bpd on a sustained basis. Indeed, the source highlights that in test runs over extended periods in August and September 2017, Lukoil hit 650,000 bpd of production, although it kept it secret from the Ministry at the time. The Russian firm planned to negotiate a new per barrel remuneration rate (it was US$1.15 per barrel at the time) for the higher production rate before switching up operations to hit the output it already knew it could generate. Moscow made it clear that the firm might exit the site if a higher rate was not paid. They [the Oil Ministry] found out about the 650,000 production and told the Russians that it was fine if Lukoil wanted to leave but that before it did so it would pay compensation in lieu of the upfront investment that it promised in 2017 and promised again in 2019 as it was not meeting the time-sensitive oil production targets that it had agreed to, said the Iraq source. So they stayed, but now theyre out, never mind. By Simon Watkins 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. Italian bakery group LAlbero del Pane has attracted new capital from a group of investors to support its consolidation strategy in the countrys baked goods sector. The latest funding, the value of which has not been disclosed, includes participation from Unigrains Italia, BNP Paribas BNL Equity Investments, Hydra and Alexa Invest. Founded in 1979 by the Tedesco family, LAlbero del Pane manufactures and distributes a wide range of sweet and savoury bakery products, including biscuits, croissants, fresh pastries, seasonal items and bread substitutes. In a statement today (9 December), the baker said the funding will be used to speed up the groups development via organic and external growth projects. Chief executive Agazio Tedesco and the Tedesco family have also significantly reinvested in the business as part of the transaction. Agazio Tedesco said: Through this transaction, we are taking an ambitious step forward, relying on the support of Unigrains Italia, a financial partner specialised in the agri-food sector. This partnership will sustain us in pursuing our growth strategy, both organic and through external acquisitions. To meet its expansion goals, the baker said it aims to strengthen its management structure, bringing in specialist technical profiles to add expertise, enhance product quality and support the creation of new recipes. The company said targeted spending on equipment and people has allowed it to gradually broaden its portfolio, which now comprises more than 1,000 stock keeping units (SKUs). It added that it has recently increased production capacity and is continuing to extend its facilities. LAlbero del Pane currently operates three production plants with a combined surface area of around 40,000sqm and has a workforce of 230. Combined sales for LAlbero del Pane and its subsidiary Tedesco Srl reached about 63m ($73.3m) in 2024. Around 45% of revenue came from its own brands Ore Liete, GranArt and Piselli while exports accounted for 30% of turnover, with products shipped to more than 70 markets. Commenting on the deal, Unigrains Italia CEO Francesco Orazi said: We consider the baked goods sector to be a distinctive segment of the 'Made in Italy' tradition and believe it maintains high growth potential, whether organically or through acquisitions. For this reason, we intend to support LAlbero del Pane both commercially, by leveraging our network of relationships, and in terms of identifying potential acquisition targets. Banco BPM acted as the sole lender on the deal through its Reggio Emilia Corporate Banking Centre. Italy has attached stringent conditions on personal data protection to its approval of JD.coms acquisition of German electronics retailer Ceconomys Italian operations, according to a government ruling seen by Reuters. The approval was issued under Italys golden power rules, which allow the state to intervene in transactions involving assets considered strategically sensitive. The government approved the $2.5bn transaction in November 2025, subject to specific requirements. The deal includes the transfer of 144 retail outlets in Italy, most operating under the MediaWorld brand. Ceconomys Mediamarket, MediaMarktSaturn Platform Services Italia and Imtron Italia are also covered by the transaction. The Italian companies involved must ensure that customer data remain separate from JD.com and its subsidiaries. Personal data ust not be shared on a large scale with entities outside the European Union (EU), unless in full compliance with the conditions laid down by the government. The decision was supported by the scale of data held by Ceconomy in Italy, with records relating to 21.6 million customers. JD.com has committed to safeguarding Italian consumers personal information and storing it solely in European data facilities. Austria has also sought clarification from the Italian government on the implications of the deal. The Italian measures follow growing concern in several European capitals about the redirection of lower-priced Chinese goods to EU markets, as companies respond to shifts in global trade linked to tariff policies adopted by President Donald Trump. "Italy ties JD.coms Ceconomy deal to strict data safeguards " was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. TOKYO, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Japanese companies said strained diplomatic relations with China are their primary concern as they head into 2026, followed closely by U.S. trade policies, a Reuters survey showed on Thursday. Ties between the Asian neighbours have deteriorated since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament last month that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically governed Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response. Asked what makes companies most concerned when forecasting business conditions next year, a quarter of survey respondents chose ties with China, while 22% picked U.S. trade policies. China, along with the United States, is a leading trading partner and key supplier of rare earths used in areas as varied as autos, consumer electronics and defence. Deterioration in relations was on full display when Japan on Sunday said Chinese fighter jets had aimed radar at Japanese military aircraft - an account China disputed. The survey also showed 40% of companies expect earnings growth in the business year starting April 1, driven by factors such as progress in passing on costs and robust chip demand. About 33% of respondents see single-digit earnings gain next year while 7% forecast a double-digit jump. That compared with 14% that project an on-year decline and 46% who expect earnings to be largely unchanged. "The cost of labour and other expenses are rising, but passing on costs through prices has enabled us to secure profit," a manager at a transportation firm wrote in the survey. Multiple electronics manufacturers cited robust semiconductor demand for their bullish outlook. Industry group World Semiconductor Trade Statistics expects the global chip market, driven by artificial intelligence-related demand, to grow more than 26% to $975 billion in 2026. The poll was conducted by Nikkei Research for Reuters from November 26 through December 5. Nikkei Research reached out to 494 companies of which 236 responded on condition of anonymity. PRIME MINISTER'S SPENDING MOVE WINS APPROVAL Two-thirds of respondents welcomed the prime minister's plan to drop the annual primary budget balance as a fiscal consolidation goal, saying the decision was appropriate. Takaichi said she will work on setting a fiscal target encompassing several years to allow more flexible spending, essentially watering down a commitment to fiscal consolidation. The primary budget balance, which excludes new bond sales and debt-servicing costs, is a key gauge of how much policy measures can be financed without issuing debt. Jared Kushner has quietly reemerged as a player in one of the biggest takeover fights in modern Hollywood. Paramounts audacious, all-cash $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, announced Monday, names Kushners fully owned private equity firm, Affinity Partners, as one of four outside financing partners backing the offer, alongside the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. Axios first reported the involvement of Saudi and Gulf investment. The detail is buried in Paramounts tender offer, with Paramount listing the Public Investment Fund (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Limad Holding Company PJSC (Abu Dhabi), Qatar Investment Authority (Qatar), and Affinity Partners (Jared Kushner) as investors who would, under a successful deal scenario, hold nonvoting equity and forgo governance rights, including board seats. The filing also states that because these investors are structured without such rights, the Transaction will not be within CFIUSs jurisdiction, referring to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Reports have suggested that WBDs board opted for Netflixs deal as it lacked any foreign financing components and therefore faced no issues with CFIUS, a notably opaque and powerful antitrust tool that the government can employ to block controversial mergers. Both Paramount and Netflix are likely to increase their offers. Paramount CEO David Ellison said on CNBC that he told the CEO of Warner Bros., David Zaslav, that $30 per share wasnt the companys best and final offer. Kushners Middle Eastern ties Kushners inclusion reflects a broader fact pattern: Since leaving government, his firm has raised several billion dollars from Gulf investors and has participated in large private transactions involving capital from the same region. In September, his firm joined Silver Lake and Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund in the $55 billion agreement to take Electronic Arts private, the largest private-equity buyout in history. Wall Street Journal reporting shows Kushner helped connect Silver Lake with PIF leadership earlier in the year as discussions around an EA buyout accelerated. Affinity Partners ultimately took a roughly 5% stake in the transaction, alongside Silver Lake and PIF, which financed the majority of the equity. The EA deal marked the first time Kushners fund appeared in a major global technology buyout of that scale, and it involved the same Gulf investors who now appear in Paramounts financing package. Kushner has also remained active in Middle East political diplomacy, not just financial. He played a meaningful role in the administrations recent Israel-Gaza peace effort, brought in because of his involvement in negotiating the Abraham Accords during Trumps first term, which established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Gulf states including Saudi Arabia. The Gulf state is increasingly opening up, especially with regard to Western businesses, as highlighted by Barclays confirmation in late October at the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh that it was relocating its regional headquarters there. Separately at the forum, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid A. Al-Falih described the breakthroughs occurring under Vision 2030, the kingdoms economic transformation plan that is roughly nine years old. He said he saw 2025 as a pivotal moment, when the very foundations of global business are being shaken, in a way, and being rewritten before our own eyes. Key insight: The changes will impact fewer than 5% of customers in JPMorganChase's business banking segment, which has been steadily growing. Supporting data: From 2019 to 2024, business banking deposits at the bank grew by 72%. What's at stake: The fee changes come as the bank aims to capture greater wallet share of affluent and small-business customers. JPMorganChase is raising fees on one of its deposit products for small and midsize businesses for the first time in over eight years. America's biggest bank will increase monthly service fees and transaction fees on Chase Performance Business Checking accounts by 33% and 25%, respectively, beginning Jan. 1. The changes, which will also impact the Chase Performance Business Checking with interest accounts, also come with an increase in the fees on cash deposited per month. Fees can be waived for accounts that maintain an average beginning daily balance of at least $35,000. Fewer than 5% of business customers will be impacted by the changes, said a JPMorganChase spokesperson. "Our business customers have access to our strong suite of products, leading digital tools, extensive branch network, helpful bankers focused on customer service, and easy-to-use cash management tools," the spokesperson said in an email. "We periodically review our products and services to ensure we continue to deliver strong value to our customers." Marianne Lake, CEO of consumer and community banking at JPMorganChase, said at the company's investor day in May that it was "punching below its weight" in small business. "We have been focused on growing the premium and small-business segments, and are making progress with double-digit growth rates in each," Lake said at the time. From 2019 to 2024, business banking deposits at the bank grew by 72%, from $136 billion to $234 billion. Business banking is part of JPMorganChase's consumer and community banking business, which made up roughly 42% of its total revenue in 2024. From 2023 to 2024, net interest income from consumer and community banking deposits shrank by $3.7 billion, due to declines in both balances and margins. Monthly fees for the Chase Performance Business Checking accounts will go from $30 to $40, starting next year. The accounts allow for up to 250 debits and deposits with a banker per month. Fees for transactions exceeding that amount will rise from 40 cents each to 50 cents each. The accounts also allow for up to $20,000 in cash deposits per month, and fees for cash deposits in excess of that amount will increase from $2.50 to $3.00 per $1,000. The bank has also been raising fees in other parts of its business. Earlier this year, Chase raised the annual fee on its popular Sapphire Reserve credit card from $550 to $795. When the card debuted in 2016, the annual fee was $450. Kinder Morgan expects stronger financial results in 2026, forecasting an 8% increase in adjusted earnings per share and nearly $8.7 billion in adjusted EBITDA as its natural gas pipeline expansion program continues to underpin growth. The companys early guidance outlines Adjusted EPS of $1.37 and Adjusted EBITDA of $8.7 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 8% and 4%, respectively, versus its 2025 guidance issued last quarter. CEO Kim Dang attributed the gains to continued execution on expansion projects across its Natural Gas Pipelines segmentstill the backbone of KMIs portfolio as U.S. gas demand remains robust for LNG exports, power generation, and industrial consumption. Kinder Morgan also plans to raise its annualized dividend to $1.19 per share, marking its ninth consecutive year of increases. The company expects to end 2026 with leverage at 3.8x Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, keeping it at the low end of its long-term target and signaling headroom for opportunistic investments. Capex is set at $3.4 billion, focused primarily on natural gas infrastructure expansions and JV contributions. Management emphasized that discretionary spending would be funded largely through internally generated cash flow. The outlook underscores long-running sector trends: steady North American gas demand growth, strong utilization of existing pipeline and storage assets, and multiyear expansion cycles driven by LNG export capacity additions and winter reliability requirements. For Kinder Morgan, the largest natural gas transmission network operator in the U.S., these fundamentals remain the primary catalyst for organic growth. President Tom Martin said the company continues to benefit from strong natural gas market fundamentals, which support incremental expansions across its system. Kinder Morgans vast network79,000 miles of pipelines and more than 700 Bcf of working gas storagepositions it to capitalize on tightening U.S. gas logistics as new LNG terminals and regional load centers come online through the decade. The company noted that its board has preliminarily reviewed the 2026 budget, with formal approval expected at the January meeting coinciding with fourth-quarter earnings. A detailed Business Update presentation is scheduled for release later that month. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Peter Aliprantis, US head of private wealth for EQT EQT AB EQT is the world's second-largest private equity firm, but it's not a household name in the US. Peter Aliprantis, EQT's US private wealth head, aims to change that and attract affluent investors. He walked BI through the firm's plans to win over retail investors and why it's grown so much. EQT is one of the largest private equity investors in the world yet most wealthy Americans have barely heard of it. That's the uphill battle facing Peter Aliprantis, the Swedish firm's head of private wealth in the Americas, as EQT tries to pitch in a market dominated by Wall Street brands with plenty of CNBC airtime. "Most people in the United States are not familiar with us, and the way we say it, we're the best-kept secret," Aliprantis told Business Insider. Private Equity International ranked the firm as the second-largest private equity firm, with $312 billion of assets under management. It raised more than $113 billion in third-party private equity capital from 2020 to the end of 2024, putting it ahead of Blackstone, and just behind KKR so far this decade. Like many of its competitors, it's turning to private wealth as the newest source of growth. The industry's change of fundraising focus comes as private equity firms are slow to return cash to investors, and over-allocation among institutional investors means that institutional funding is slowing. But the same reasons that the firm isn't as well-known in America are actually an advantage, Aliprantis said. In a world where debt-heavy buyouts are proving more difficult and an increasingly concentrated American private market is pushing some to invest internationally, a global industrialist approach can be attractive. EQT has returned capital at a normal pace, with $23 billion in distributions for the year ending June 2025. The firm has also been building a private wealth business for the past four years, which accounts for 10% of its current assets. The firm has a goal to reach between 15-20% during its current $100 billion fundraising cycle, according to its second-quarter report. Aliprantis walked Business Insider through the firm's pitch to financial advisors and private wealth distribution networks, explaining why its global reach is a significant advantage in 2025. The key for EQT, Aliprantis said, is for the firm to offer individual investors the "exact same deals" it gives institutional investors. EQT's industrialist, international advantage EQT was founded in 1994 as a spin-off from industrial holding company Investor AB, but the firm's history stretches back to Sweden's Wallenberg family. The Wallenbergs, called the "Rockefellers of Europe," have created an empire of business holdings including massive stakes in Sweden's biggest firms, like ABB, AstraZeneca, or Saab. Image Credit: Mercedes. On December 8, 2025, the Korea Times reported that LG Energy Solution has landed a $1.4 billion contract to supply electric vehicle batteries to Mercedes-Benz, strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two companies. Major Contract: LGES Deepens Partnership with Mercedes-Benz The South Korean battery maker disclosed Monday that the deal is valued at roughly 8 percent of its revenue from last year. Under the agreement, LG Energy Solution will provide batteries for Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles sold in Europe and North America from March 1, 2028, through June 30, 2035. The company noted that the final contract value and terms could change depending on future discussions with the automaker. The new deal builds on a broader supply agreement signed in September. Under that earlier contract, LG Energy Solution committed to supplying a total of 107 gigawatt-hours of batteries to Mercedes-Benz. Of that amount, 75 GWh will be delivered to a Mercedes affiliate from July 30, 2029, through Dec. 31, 2037, while the remaining 32 GWh will be supplied to the automakers main group from Aug. 1, 2028, through Dec. 31, 2035. The partnership between the two companies continues to deepen. Last month, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong-myung and senior executives from LG Group affiliates met with Mercedes-Benz Chairman Ola Kaellenius at LGs headquarters in Seoul. Their discussions focused on software-defined vehicles, in-vehicle artificial intelligence systems, batteries, and future collaboration on integrated automotive components across LGs business units. Financial Health and Strategic Growth LG Energy Solutions profitability has been improving as it secures next-generation battery contracts with major automakers and expands local production capacity for energy storage systems. The company reported strong third quarter results, posting revenue of about 5.7 trillion won, or $3.89 billion, and an operating profit of 601.3 billion won. This marked its second straight profitable quarter even without U.S. Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. LG Energy Solution Ltd. is a battery company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. LGES is one of the largest battery makers in the world alongside CATL, Panasonic, SK Innovation, and Samsung SDI. (Image: LG Energy Solution) LG Is Supplier to a Growing Roster of Leading Global Automakers LG Energy Solution supplies batteries and battery cells to a growing roster of leading global automakers. Toyota is set to begin using LG Energy Solutions high nickel NCMA battery modules in battery electric vehicles assembled in the United States starting in 2025. China's Lingbao Gold Group has entered into agreements to acquire a 50% stake in Australia-based St Barbaras fully owned subsidiary, St Barbara Mining (SMBL), for A$370m ($245.57m) in cash. Upon completion, SMBL will hold an 80% interest in the Simberi gold project in Papua New Guinea (PNG), and an unincorporated joint venture (JV) over the Simberi gold project, known as the Simberi JV, will be established. In a parallel development, St Barbara has signed agreements with Kumul Mineral, under which Kumul will acquire a 20% stake in the Simberi gold project for A$100m. Following the transactions, St Barbara and Lingbao will each own 50% of SBML. This structure ensures that St Barbara is fully funded for its anticipated share of capital costs, materially reducing risk for the Simberi expansion project and speeding up the path to a final investment decision (FID) and increased production. Additionally, the development is de-risked through the strategic partnership with Lingbao, which brings extensive international gold mining expertise including commercial-scale gold concentrate smelting operations. The agreements are subject to approval from Chinese and PNG regulators, the extension of the Simberi mining lease, and both parties committing to a positive FID for the Simberi gold project. Completion is targeted for late in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026. Lingbao managing director and CEO Andrew Strelein said: The investments by Lingbao and Kumul in Simberi will help us accelerate the development of the Simberi expansion project and the delivery of its value to our shareholders and key stakeholders in PNG. This is a high-quality brownfields project with low capital intensity, a highly competitive operating cost structure and long-life resource that has potential to grow in the future. With Lingbao we have a committed, experienced and well-funded partner. In addition, we welcome Kumul to the project as a co-investor. St Barbara is now fully funded for its expected share of the development costs of the Simberi gold project and to advance its Atlantic assets in Canada, including the Touquoy reopening and the development of 15 Mile Processing Hub. "Lingbao to acquire 50% stake in St Barbara Mining" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Johnson Wen has been kicked out of a Lady Gaga concert weeks after being jailed for charging at Ariana Grande. A social media prankster was kicked out of a Lady Gaga gig before the show even started Last month, the 26-year-old social media prankster, who is known as Pyjama Man on Instagram, was sentenced to nine days in prison after rushing at Grande during a Wicked: For Good red carpet event in Singapore. Now, it's been revealed he was escorted out of Gaga's recent show at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. In footage stage by other concert goers from the Mayhem Ball gig, the Australian native was seen talking to security before being led out of the venue. The show hadn't started when he was forced to leave, and it's unclear what his plans were. On his own Instagram Story, Wen wrote: "Got kicked out of Lady Gaga concert! "The show doesn't start till 8pm! The early fans were booing me." In the past, he has made his name as a stage-crasher, having interrupted shows by the likes of The Weeknd, The Chainsmokers and Katy Perry. Last month, he jumped a security barrier, rushed over to Grande and put his arm around the Wicked actress before security and her co-star Cynthia Erivo intervened. He pleaded guilty to one charge of being a public nuisance and received a nine day jail sentence. According to the Singapore's English-langauge newspaper the Straits Times, he was put on a plane out of the South East Asian country on November 23, and has been barred from re-entering the nation. Prosecutors had described Pyjamaman - who had previously carried out similar stunts with the likes of Katy Perry and The Weeknd - as a "serial intruder", and a judge determined he had planned the incident in order to go viral on social media. The red carpet crasher had hinted about his plans before the premiere. Hee said: "I feel like I'm in a dream. "That's my best friend Ariana Grande and I'm going to meet her. I've been dreaming about that." Erivo was praised for her quick reactions to the gatecrasher, who she pushed away from Grande and recently explained she acted instinctively in order to protect her pal. Speaking on Today, the 38-year-old star previously said of the incident: "I was really thinking, I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe. "Im sure he didnt mean us harm, but I just, you never know with those things and I wanted to make sure that she was okay. That was my first instinct." National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that the Trump administration expects the US Supreme Court to rule in its favor in a case that challenges the legality of President Trump's tariffs. The court's decision could not only invalidate most of the tariffs but possibly force the government to issue refunds of up to $100 billion, which Hassett told Face the Nation would create major administrative problems. Hassett also said he thinks the $2,000 tariff rebate checks President Trump has floated seem much more likely to happen. "In the summer, I wasnt so sure that there was space for a check like that, but now Im pretty sure that there is," he said, adding he expects the president to bring a formal proposal to Congress in the new year. Meanwhile, Trump announced a $1,776 "warrior dividend" payment to nearly 1.5 million US service members in an address last week. Trump did not say how the program would be enacted or funded. But even before the "warrior dividend," Trump had floated at least nine different plans for how revenue from his tariffs could be spent, according to an analysis from Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul. In addition to the $2,000 tariff dividend checks, the promises included paying for the tax cuts that Republicans instituted over the summer. But after lifting some tariffs on items like coffee, oranges, and cocoa, monthly tariff revenues dropped, from $31.35 billion received in October to $30.76 billion last month. That marks the first decrease since Trump began implementing the duties. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet What else to know about Trump's tariffs: The US government announced on Tuesday that it plans to put tariffs on China's semiconductor industry, placing new duties on chips from Beijing from June 2027, though that delay is considered a signal that the Trump administration is looking to continue rebuilding ties with Beijing amid a broader trade truce. US companies looking to increase cash flow are hedging their bets on the Supreme Court case against President Trump's tariffs by selling their rights to collect government refunds of taxes to outside investors. Several US companies, such as Costco (COST), have filed lawsuits and claims to the US government for tariff refunds in the belief that Trump's tariffs will be struck down by the US Supreme Court. If the courts rule against Trump's tariffs, the president may be forced to repay billions of dollars in collected revenue from imports. The office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada and the US will launch formal discussions to review their free trade agreement in mid-January. But discussions on key sectors were unlikely, with Carney saying the issue would be covered in a planned review of the United States-Canada-Mexico (USMCA) trade pact next year. LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 183 updates The former chief engineer of Lucid Motors, Eric Bach, has sued the company for wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation, and claims one of the automakers top HR executives referred to him as a German Nazi. The federal lawsuit, filed Monday in the Northern District of California, claims Bach was stripped of his responsibilities overseeing the powertrain division in early 2025 as a result of an HR investigation into the companys workplace culture. Bach claims to have been targeted because of his German heritage. In our opinion, Mr. Bachs legal claims are absurd, the company said in a statement to TechCrunch. We are confident that the facts revealed through the course of litigation will establish the legitimate issues leading to Mr. Bachs termination. Bach first learned about the disparaging comment in mid-2025 months after the investigation into workplace culture was launched and after losing some responsibilities at the company, according to the complaint. He encouraged a co-worker to report the incident. Bach claims Lucid Motors confirmed the HR executive made the remark. Bach logged an internal complaint against another Lucid vice president for similarly racist behavior. He claims Lucid Motors retaliated by trying to force him to resign in October 2025. Lucid fired Bach on November 5, 2025, according to the lawsuit. Lucid Motors press release from that day only said he had departed. The lawsuit comes during a tricky moment for Lucid Motors. The company is burning through cash as it works to ramp up production of its second vehicle, the Gravity SUV. It is developing more affordable mass-market vehicles on a midsized platform slated to debut sometime in late 2026. Lucid has also been churning through executives. The companys VP of engineering left on the same day Bach claims to have been fired, as TechCrunch previously reported. Former CEO and CTO Peter Rawlinson suddenly resigned in February, and the company has still not named a permanent replacement. Lucids head of investor relations, Senior Vice President of Operations, Managing Director for Europe, and the Vice Presidents of Software Quality and Marketing all left within the last year, too. Bach, in the complaint, claims to have been ascendant before the internal investigation. An engineer who spent a decade with the company, Bach says he oversaw all hardware engineering, product management and corporate planning. Bach states that Lucids chairman Turqi Alnowaiser praised Bachs loyalty and dedication to the Company and expressed a desire to continue working with Bach. He also claims board member Andrew Liveris signaled that Bach would become Chief Technology Officer (the position is yours to lose) and that Bach could one day become Chief Executive Officer, according to the complaint. The fight over how the U.S. should regulate digital assets escalated this week after one of the countrys largest labor unions warned Congress that a new crypto bill could put retirement savings at risk. At the same time, Wall Street is beginning to experiment with tokenized stocks, the very scenario unions say the legislation fails to control. Tokenized stocks are digital versions of real company shares that live on a blockchain but still represent the same ownership and rights as traditional stock. Related: What are tokenized stocks? Explained AFT warns crypto market bill puts pensions at risk The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), a 1.8-million-member union, urged the Senate Banking Committee to withdraw the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, calling it as irresponsible as it is reckless, according to a letter obtained by CNBC. AFT President Randi Weingarten wrote: This bill exposes working families to economic risk and threatens the stability of their retirement security. Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). According to her, the bill would allow non-crypto companies to tokenize their stock, potentially slipping past existing securities rules. If that happens, pension plans that buy what looks like ordinary corporate equity could unknowingly be holding blockchain-issued assets with different risks. In her words: This loophole will have disastrous consequences: Pensions and 401(k) plans will end up having unsafe assets even if they were invested in traditional securities. Weingarten also argued that the draft bill strips the few safeguards that exist for crypto and erodes many protections for traditional securities, and that it could lay the groundwork for the next financial crisis. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) speaks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony for the "Harlem Hellfighters" of World War One on Capitol Hill on September 3, 2025 Lawmakers, meanwhile, say momentum is building. Speaking at the Blockchain Association Policy Summit this week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said: Nothing is holding up this bill. Tokenized stocks arrive as Superstate opens the door While AFT warns Congress about stock tokenization, a major fintech firm has already launched it. On Wednesday, Superstate - founded by Compound creator Robert Leshner - unveiled its Direct Issuance Programs, letting SEC-registered public companies issue newly minted tokenized shares on Ethereum and Solana. The program will allow companies to raise capital directly from investors paying in stablecoins, with tokens settling instantly and shareholder records updating onchain. Superstate CEO Leshner said: Sen. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has reignited her criticism of the Government-Enhanced National Infrastructure for Unified Stability (GENIUS) Act, a sweeping crypto-focused law signed during Donald Trumps second presidential term. The legislation, signed into law on July 18, establishes a federal framework for stablecoin regulation, marking the first major piece of crypto legislation enacted in the United States. Related: Wall Street's GENIUS Act could spell trouble for the largest stablecoin issuer From MAGA to quitting Congress Greene has long been a divisive political figure, widely recognized for her controversial rhetoric and history of promoting conspiracy theories. Once among Donald Trumps most ardent supporters, she has recently distanced herself from the former president over several key issues, including U.S. assistance to Ukraine, the handling of the government shutdown, and the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Trump, in turn, lashed out on social media, branding her Marjorie Traitor Greene and revoking his endorsement. In November 2025, Greene revealed she would step down from Congress, saying that loyalty should be a two-way street and expressing a desire to avoid what she described as a hateful primary. Throughout her career, Greene has drawn criticism for amplifying numerous baseless conspiracy theories. These have included support for the QAnon movement, suggestions that the 9/11 terrorist attacks and mass shootings in Parkland and Sandy Hook were orchestrated false flag events, and claims that the 2018 California wildfires were sparked by a Jewish banking family using a space laser. Greene refused to back the bill The GENIUS Act establishes reserve, transparency, and oversight standards for issuers of stablecoins, digital assets designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to traditional currencies, such as the U.S. dollar, or commodities like gold. Trump praised Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) for sponsoring the bill, which cleared the Senate on June 17 with a bipartisan vote of 6830 before passing the House on July 17. However, Greene was among a small group of lawmakers who voted against the measure. At the time, she took to X to explain her opposition, warning that the legislation could pave the way for a central bank digital currency (CBDC): Key Insights The projected fair value for MBB is 354 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity MBB's 200 share price signals that it might be 44% undervalued The 231 analyst price target for MBB is 35% less than our estimate of fair value Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of MBB SE (ETR:MBB) by taking the expected future cash flows and 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! We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. The Method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. 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. 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: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 Levered FCF (, Millions) 93.5m 94.3m 87.5m 83.5m 81.2m 80.1m 79.6m 79.7m 80.1m 80.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -7.20% Est @ -4.57% Est @ -2.73% Est @ -1.44% Est @ -0.54% Est @ 0.09% Est @ 0.53% Est @ 0.84% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.4% 88.7 84.9 74.8 67.7 62.5 58.5 55.2 52.4 50.0 47.8 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 642m We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 5.4%. McDermott has secured a subsea contract for a natural gas development project offshore Brunei Darussalam. The contract follows McDermotts completion of front-end engineering design (FEED), optimisation work and readiness planning for the project. McDermott will deliver engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) services for a subsea production system and related infrastructure including umbilicals, risers and flowlines. The subsea system will connect six wells to a floating production unit for natural gas extraction. Awarded by Petronas Carigali Brunei, this contract will also include EPCIC services for a gas export pipeline that will deliver feedstock to Bruneis liquefied natural gas sector. McDermott will manage the project from its engineering centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with support from other offices and project locations. McDermott subsea and floating facilities senior vice-president Mahesh Swaminathan said: Transitioning from FEED to a full EPCIC award underscores McDermott's engineering excellence and proven ability to deliver complex subsea projects across the region. It also reinforces McDermott's collaborative approach in working with customers to drive engineering value. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Petronas Carigali Brunei and its partners to advance this project safely and efficiently. Earlier this year, McDermott entered into a master services agreement for the Monkey Island LNG project in Louisiana, US. Under this agreement, McDermott will provide front-end engineering and planning services for the planned natural gas liquefaction facility. The initial phase of the project will include three LNG trains, each with a capacity of 5.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), resulting in a total capacity of 15.6mtpa. "McDermott awarded EPCIC contract for Brunei natural gas project " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. By Diego Ore MEXICO CITY, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Mexican lawmakers are slated to begin debate this week on a bill to raise tariffs on goods from China and other Asian countries, three ruling party lawmakers told Reuters, amid fierce opposition from China and Mexican business groups. The proposal would raise tariffs by up to 50% on imports of automobiles, textiles, clothing, plastics, steel and other products from China and other Asian countries that do not currently have a trade pact with Mexico, including India, South Korea, Thailand, and Indonesia. Mexico's Economy Ministry first outlined the proposed tariffs in September but the initiative struggled to gain widespread support in Congress, despite the ruling Morena party and its allies holding a significant majority. President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration says the measure aims to strengthen productive capacity, protect national employment and ensure that Mexico competes fairly in the global market addressing trade imbalances with China. "During these last few years our country faced trade distortions, unfair practices, and a growing dependence on imported inputs that affected national productive sectors," said Ricardo Monreal, the lower house leader for the ruling Morena party, on social media on Friday. The proposal would also bring an additional 70 billion pesos ($3.76 billion dollars) to state coffers, Deputy Minister for Revenues Carlos Lerma said in September as the government was preparing the measure. Neither Sheinbaum's office nor the Economy Ministry responded to requests for comment. A SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET IT DONE THIS YEAR Sheinbaum met privately at the National Palace with allies and legislators from her Morena party in late November and urged them to approve the bill before the end of the year, four sources familiar with the meeting told Reuters. "The instructions were to pass it before the congressional session ends on December 15," one of the sources said. This person, like the other sources, requested anonymity to discuss sensitive political matters and a private meeting that has not been previously reported. "There is a sense of urgency within the administration to get this done before the end of the year," the source added. Two of the sources said that the proposal to be taken up by lawmakers this week might be softer than the original bill, which stalled in the lower house of Congress this fall in the face of intense opposition from China and business groups. Industry associations have warned that the proposed tariffs would significantly increase production costs, given their heavy reliance on Chinese imports of machinery, components, and raw materials. The Middle East has a chance to become "the Switzerland of the 21st century" by embracing bitcoin-backed banking, credit, and digital money, said Strategy (MSTR) Executive Chairman Michael Saylor. In a wide-ranging presentation at Bitcoin MENA, Saylor urged the region to seize what he described as a $200 trillion opportunity by enabling banks to custody bitcoin, offer BTC-backed credit, and eventually launch yield-generating digital money products. If you are interested in making your nation the digital banking capital of the world ... if youd like to be the Switzerland of the 21st century, then these are the three ideas: the big, the bigger, and the biggest," Saylor told the audience. A big idea, said Saylor, was for sovereign wealth funds to invest in bitcoin. A bigger idea was to build banks that custody bitcoin and extend credit on it. The biggest idea was to create digital money accounts backed by BTC credit instruments, offering up to 8% yield with no volatility. You wont draw a little bit of bitcoin, Saylor said. You will actually pull billions and tens of billions and hundreds of billions and trillions of dollars of capital from people that dont understand bitcoin. Saylor claimed that the U.S. now leads the global regulatory shift toward bitcoin, pointing to what he described as near-unanimous support from government officials. There is a profound consensus amongst everyone running the United States, he said. Donald J. Trump says he is intent on making America the bitcoin superpower, the crypto capital of the world, the leader in digital assets. He added that he had spoken personally with the Vice President, the Secretary of the Treasury, the head of the SEC, the Commerce Secretary, and other top officials, all of whom, Saylor claimed, view bitcoin as a strategic asset. Saylor also said U.S. banks that once refused to touch bitcoin are now actively moving to support it. All of the large banks in the United States have gone from not banking bitcoin 12 months ago to, in the past six months, I have been approached by BNY, by Wells Fargo, by Bank of America, by Charles Schwab, by JPMorgan, by Citi, he said. They are all starting to issue credit against either Bitcoin or against Bitcoin derivatives like IBIT. Strategy holds more than 660,000 BTC and is now issuing a range of BTC-backed credit instruments, including perpetual preferred stocks and short-term notes that pay monthly dividends. We're converting 120 months or 240 months of duration into one month, he said. Pay me now. Saylor framed these innovations as the foundation for a new kind of financial system. Digital capital creates digital credit, and digital credit creates digital money, he said. Thats the killer app. Morgan Stanley recently upgraded General Motors to Overweight, highlighting strong operational execution, tighter capital discipline, large-scale share repurchases, and a shift toward higher-margin trucks and SUVs amid supply chain realignment and raised earnings guidance. At the same time, GM is reshaping its longer-term story with conversational AI-enabled vehicles, renewed U.S. manufacturing investment, and an ongoing EV slowdown that may temporarily favor its gasoline and hybrid lineup. Well now examine how Morgan Stanleys upgrade, built on GMs capital discipline and truck-heavy sales mix, reshapes the companys investment narrative. The best AI stocks today may lie beyond giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with these 27 smaller AI-focused companies with strong growth potential through early-stage innovation in machine learning, automation, and data intelligence that could fund your retirement. General Motors Investment Narrative Recap To own GM today, you need to believe its truck and SUV focused, cash generative core can fund a careful transition toward software and electrification, without overstretching the balance sheet. Morgan Stanleys upgrade leans into that near term catalyst of capital discipline and share repurchases, while the biggest current risk remains execution in EVs and software, where quality issues or delayed profitability could eat into the very cash flows funding this pivot; the latest news does not materially change that balance. The clearest tie to this upgrade is GMs completion of a US$10,000,000,000 accelerated share repurchase program and continued buybacks, which reinforce the story of tighter capital allocation and support for earnings per share. For investors focused on catalysts, this capital return program works alongside higher 2025 earnings and cash flow guidance as a key show me metric for whether GM can turn operational execution into durable value creation. Yet beneath the buybacks and higher truck margins, investors should still be aware of the risk that slower EV adoption and reduced incentives could... Read the full narrative on General Motors (it's free!) General Motors' narrative projects $185.3 billion revenue and $8.0 billion earnings by 2028. This assumes a 0.4% yearly revenue decline and an earnings increase of $1.5 billion from $6.5 billion today. Uncover how General Motors' forecasts yield a $76.12 fair value, in line with its current price. Exploring Other Perspectives GM 1-Year Stock Price Chart Eight fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community span roughly US$41.79 to US$96.38, showing how far apart individual views on GM can be. Against that spread, GMs emphasis on capital discipline and truck heavy profitability highlights how much the companys future performance may hinge on funding its EV and software ambitions without eroding those core cash flows, so it is worth exploring several of these perspectives side by side. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Rockstar Games decision to fire 31 Grand Theft Auto VI developers is deeply concerning and has confirmed ministers will investigate the allegations. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said Rockstar Games decision to fire 31 Grand Theft Auto VI developers is 'deeply concerning' and has confirmed ministers will investigate the allegations The dispute reached Westminster during Prime Ministers Questions, when Edinburgh MP Chris Murray challenged Starmer over the late-October dismissals at Rockstar North. Murray said the fired staff were given no evidence of wrongdoing and no union representation, adding that the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) believes the move amounted to union busting, as employees were allegedly organising the Rockstar Games Workers Union. Starmer backed the principle of union membership and said: Every worker has the right to join a trade union and we're determined to strengthen workers rights and ensure they don't face unfair consequences for being part of a union. Our ministers will look into the particular case that he [Murray] raises and will keep him updated. Rockstars parent company Take-Two Interactive has denied any anti-union motive, saying the employees were dismissed for gross misconduct, and for no other reason. But political and public pressure continues to mount. In Scotland, councillors are tabling motions urging support for the affected workers, while protests have been held outside Rockstar North and Take-Twos European offices. More than 200 current Rockstar developers have also signed a letter condemning the firings and calling for reinstatement. The IWGB has filed a legal claim, describing the situation as the most ruthless act of union busting in UK games industry history. The controversy lands as Rockstar navigates a sensitive period: GTA VI has been delayed to November 2026, and scrutiny is intensifying over a studio that has received more than 440 million in UK tax relief. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Microsoft on Tuesday outlined a $23 billion plan to boost artificial intelligence (AI) investments, with the bulk targeted at India. The tech giant will allocate $17.5 billion in India, its largest Asian investment to date, to expand AI infrastructure. The first new data center in India is expected to be operational by mid-2026, enhancing Microsoft's cloud footprint across the region, CEO Satya Nadella said. Globally, Microsoft will also invest more than C$7.5 billion (around $5.4 billion) in Canada over the next two years, part of a broader C$19 billion investment plan between 2023 and 2027. This includes capacity expansion for Azure Local, partnerships with AI startup Cohere, and a cybersecurity-focused Threat Intelligence Hub. Earlier this year, Microsoft committed $10 billion for AI infrastructure in Portugal and $15 billion in the United Arab Emirates. Analysts note the push aims to meet rising AI demand and bolster Microsoft against rivals such as Amazon and Alphabet. Despite record capital expenditure of nearly $35 billion in Q1, Microsoft cautioned that spending will likely increase through fiscal 2026, amid investor scrutiny over AI returns. TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks Paying 4%+ Yield in 2025. National Bank Raises TELUS (TU) Price Target to C$21.50, Keeps Outperform Rating On December 4, National Bank analyst Adam Shine raised the firms price target on TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU) to C$21.50 from C$21 and maintained an Outperform rating on the shares. In the third quarter of 2025, TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU) posted revenue of C$5.06 billion, up 0.2% from the same period last year. Though the revenue showed modest growth, its net income of C$437 million showed a staggering growth of 68% from the prior year period. This growth is backed by the companys stable subscription-based model. Telus TTech subscriber base grew by 5% over the last 12 months to 20.8 million. Its internet connections grew by 2% to 2.8 million. TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU) also provided a solid cash flow outlook in its recent earnings release. The company expects free cash flow (FCF) of $2.15 billion in 2025 and also aims to grow its FCF by at least 10% annually from 2026 to 2028. The preliminary guidance for 2026 projects FCF of $2.4 billion and capital expenditures of $2.3 billion. TELUS has paid $2.9 billion in dividends and share repurchases since 2004. However, the company is now pressing pause on its dividend growth at the current level. TELUS Corporation (NYSE:TU) is a major Canadian telecommunications and IT company that offers a wide range of services related to mobile, internet, and digital customer experiences. While we acknowledge the potential of TU 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 Blue Chip Dividend Stocks to Build a Passive Income Portfolio and 14 Best US Stocks to Buy for Long Term. Disclosure: None. Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery following the media giant's decision to accept Netflix's acquisition offer. Paramount on Monday appealed directly to Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders, making a $30 all-cash per share offer. That's higher than the $27.75 Netflix has agreed to pay, but the same price Paramount offered Warner in its formal bid. Paramount Skydance is hoping to acquire the totality of Warner Bros. Discovery, while the Netflix bid was only for the film studio and streaming business. This is the sixth bid Paramount Skydance has made for Warner Bros. Discovery. It totals out to $17.6 billion more than the Netflix offer. "WBD shareholders deserve an opportunity to consider our superior all-cash offer for their shares in the entire company," David Ellison, chairman and CEO of Paramount Skydance, said in a statement. "Our public offer, which is on the same terms we provided to the Warner Bros. Discovery Board of Directors in private, provides superior value, and a more certain and quicker path to completion. We believe the WBD Board of Directors is pursuing an inferior proposal which exposes shareholders to a mix of cash and stock, an uncertain future trading value of the Global Networks linear cable business and a challenging regulatory approval process." Paramount said Warner Bros. Discovery "never engaged meaningfully" with its proposals before. With the tender offer, Warner Bros. Discovery will be required to make a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, explaining why it chose Netflix and rejected Paramount. Paramount quickly garnered additional scrutiny for how it planned to finance the possible takeover. In an SEC filing, Paramount said it was relying on debt financing from a trio of sovereign wealth funds based in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners would also be involved in the deal. The filing said that the funding partners had agreed to give up "governance rights" including seats on the company board as part of a future agreement to avoid triggering a national security review from the U.S. government. Lawmakers have already warned that they have concerns that by combining Netflix and HBO Max, the new streaming service could have a lopsided amount of power in the streaming space. On Sunday, the White House weighed in, with President Donald Trump saying "Ill be involved in that decision" and that Netflix also owning HBO Max "could be a problem." "I'm incredibly grateful for the relations I have with the president," Ellison said on CNBC. "and I also believe he believes in competition. And allowing the number one streaming service to combine with the number three streaming service is anti-competitive." This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sales Decrease: Sales decreased by 0.5% compared to last year. Net Earnings Increase: Net earnings increased by 12.9% compared to last year. Same-Store Sales: Consolidated same-store sales decreased by 1.7%. Canadian Operations Sales: Sales decreased by 2%, with same-store sales down 2.8%. International Operations Sales: Sales were flat, with a 1% increase in same-store food sales offset by a 9.9% decrease in same-store general merchandise sales. Gross Profit Increase: Gross profit increased by 1.4%, with the gross profit rate up 64 basis points. Expenses Decrease: Expenses decreased by 1%, down 13 basis points as a rate to sales. One-Time Costs: $1.3 million incurred in one-time costs related to the Next 100 program. Release Date: December 10, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points The North West Co Inc (NNWWF) achieved a 12.9% increase in net earnings compared to last year, driven by improved gross profit rates and lower expenses. Gross profit increased by 1.4% for the quarter, with the gross profit rate up 64 basis points compared to the third quarter last year. The Next 100 program contributed positively by refining merchandise assortments and expanding the private label offering, which improved gross profit rates. Store labor productivity gains resulted in lower store staff costs as a percentage of sales, contributing to overall cost savings. The company successfully resumed operations in all stores impacted by wildfire evacuations, with only a modest decrease in sales for the quarter. Negative Points Sales in the quarter decreased by 0.5% compared to last year, primarily due to reduced childhood family services funding in Canada and a lower permanent fund dividend in Alaska. Consolidated same-store sales decreased by 1.7% this quarter, with Canadian operations sales down 2% and same-store sales down 2.8%. The elimination of funding for the Inuit child first food voucher program and a reduction in funding for Jordan's principal programs negatively impacted Canadian sales. International operations faced a 9.9% decrease in same-store general merchandise sales, despite a 1% increase in same-store food sales. The company incurred $1.3 million in one-time costs related to the execution of the Next 100 program, although these were offset by the benefits from the initiatives. Q & A Highlights Q: Can you help us understand the relative impact of the factors driving the same-store sales decline in Canada, and whether the decline in government funding is stable or worsening? A: The biggest impact on sales was the reduction in government funding, particularly from the ICFI and Jordan's Principle programs. This has been a consistent headwind. Additionally, there were disruptions in our supply chain due to a new system rollout, which led to higher out-of-stock levels. However, we are seeing improvements and expect to rebound strongly. (John King, CFO) Dec 9 (Reuters) - Beijing is set to limit access to Nvidia's advanced H200 chips despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to allow the export of the technology to China, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter. Regulators in Beijing have been discussing ways to permit limited access to the H200, Nvidia's second-best generation of artificial intelligence chips, according to the report. Such a move would add a hurdle to Nvidia and other top U.S. chipmakers' ability to address the China market, after Trump's Monday announcement appeared to settle a debate over whether these companies should keep their global lead by selling AI chips to China or withhold shipments. Nvidia shares, which had risen as much as 2% in premarket trading, pared gains after the report and were last up about 0.6%. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the report. Beijing has been pushing back against domestic firms' use of U.S. technology, especially Nvidia chips, as it retaliates against American restrictions. Earlier U.S. restrictions banned the sale of advanced AI processors to China, weighing on Nvidia's ability to grow in one of the world's largest markets for AI chips and development. The export of the H200 chips will be permitted with a 25% fee levied on such sales, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday. Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank, said the approval alone may have limited impact on Nvidia's business in China unless it is allowed to export other chip lines such as Blackwell or Rubin. Shares of AMD and Intel also pared gains and were last up about 0.3% in premarket trading. So far this year, Nvidia has gained nearly 40% compared with the S&P 500 benchmark index's 16.4% rise in the same period. (Reporting by Kanchana Chakravarty in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa; Editing by Arun Koyyur) Warner Bros Discovery owns the Hollywood studio behind franchises such as Harry Potter and Batman - Mario Tama/Getty Images Donald Trump has turned on Paramount Skydance as the Hollywood studio launches a $108bn (81bn) attempt to gatecrash Netflixs takeover of Warner Bros. Netflix emerged victorious from a fierce bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) last week, agreeing an $83bn deal expected to give the streaming giant access to franchises such as Harry Potter and Batman, as well as the HBO Max streaming service. Paramount responded with a hostile takeover bid on Monday, which it took straight to WBDs shareholders in an attempt to thwart Netflixs deal. Paramount said its $30-per-share cash bid was superior as it covered the entirety of WBD, including its TV networks such as CNN. It said its offer also provided shareholders with $18bn more in cash than the Netflix deal, which consists of a mixture of cash and shares. However, as Paramount outlined the details of its offer, President Trump mounted an attack on the media giant and its owners the Ellison family over a CBS News interview with his former political ally Marjorie Taylor Greene. Mr Trumps diatribe suggests the president could be turning on Paramount just as the studio launches its hostile takeover bid for WBD. In the interview with CBS Newss 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl, which aired on Sunday, Ms Greene, the Republican representative for Georgia, said Mr Trumps policies were not America First and accused Republicans of making fun of the US president behind his back but kissing his ass in public. Mr Trump, who has previously clashed with Ms Stahl over claims related to Hunter Bidens laptop, branded the journalist washed up and Trump-hating and demanded an apology from both her and 60 Minutes. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump wrote: My real problem with the show ... wasnt the low IQ traitor, it was that the new ownership of 60 Minutes, Paramount, would allow a show like this to air. THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP, who just paid me millions of Dollars for FAKE REPORTING about your favorite President, ME! Since they bought it, 60 Minutes has actually gotten WORSE! Trump and the Ellisons Mr Trumps role is crucial as the US president has said he will be personally involved in the decision of whether to approve Netflixs takeover. Paramount has provoked Donald Trumps ire just as it seeks to buy Warner Bros - Jeenah Moon/Reuters Mr Trump said on Monday that the merger, which will give Netflix control of the studio and streaming business behind hits such as Harry Potter and Succession, could be a problem due to the significant market share of the combined business. The president has previously been accused of using his influence over US media mergers to settle personal grievances. Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a hostile, $108.4 billion bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), days after Warner agreed to be acquired by Netflix for $82.7 billion. Paramount is going straight to WBDs shareholders with an all-cash offer of $30 per share, and it noted that its offer provides shareholders $18 billion more cash than the Netflix deal, which offered $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix shares for a total of $27.75 per share. Paramount is bidding for all of WBD, while Netflixs deal with the company only includes its Hollywood studios and streaming business. CNBC reported on Monday that these were the very terms from Paramount that WBDs board rejected a week ago. We believe the WBD Board of Directors is pursuing an inferior proposal which exposes shareholders to a mix of cash and stock, an uncertain future trading value of the Global Networks linear cable business and a challenging regulatory approval process, Paramount CEO David Ellison said in a statement. Paramounts offer is backstopped with equity financing from the Ellison family and the private-equity firm RedBird Capital, in addition to $54 billion of debt commitments from Bank of America, Citi, and Apollo. Netflix came out on top on Friday after winning a bidding war against Paramount and Comcast, but Paramounts hostile bid is sure to drag on the battle for one of Hollywoods most iconic studios, a fight which has already stretched out for months. Netflixs proposed deal has already raised antitrust questions, as it would combine two of the most popular streaming platforms into one. Additionally, President Donald Trump has said the deal could be a problem because of the size of the combined companies market share. A deal between WBD and Paramount would also likely raise similar concerns. Netflix agreed to pay WBD $5.8 billion if the deal doesnt go through. WBD would have to pay Netflix $2.8 billion if it decides to call off the deal. Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment. PepsiCo, which owns popular food and drink brands such as Pepsi, Quaker, Lays, Gatorade and Tostitos, has been struggling with low consumer demand over the past few months as many shoppers feel the weight of economic pressures. During the third quarter of this year, PepsiCos U.S. revenue from its food brands declined by 3% year over year as volume decreased by 4%, according to its latest earnings report. While the company saw U.S. revenue from its beverages increase by 2%, volume for these products declined by 3%. In an earnings call on Oct. 9, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta flagged that consumers are stressed all over the world and are being more cautious about their spending. When you look at low-income households or middle-income households, they're very stretched, said Laguarta. Fixed cost of living are going up around the world. He also noted that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious, shifting toward healthier food and beverage options. Consumers are much more informed about you know, the food and the drinks the ingredients in the foods and the drinks, and I think it's a secular trend as well that consumers will be more making choices based on clean labels, based on the ingredients in the food and not only the taste, but also the type of food that is in the brands, said Laguarta. PepsiCo struggled with low consumer demand during the third quarter of 2025.Shutterstock Shutterstock PepsiCo announces a new turnaround plan amid declining sales PepsiCo has been focused on removing seed oils, artificial colors, and flavors from its products to win back customers. It has also doubled down on offering lower prices to consumers through smaller-sized snack offerings; however, PepsiCo is now planning a more aggressive approach to improve its performance. The company has reached an agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management to scale back its product lineup in the U.S. and lower prices, according to a new press release. Under the agreement with Elliott Investment Management, PepsiCo will specifically focus on implementing sharper everyday value through a targeted approach on affordable price tiers by brand and channel. Related: Kroger CEO has a harsh solution to rising prices in stores We have the opportunity to reinvest in value in a more substantial way, said Laguarta in a call with analysts on Dec. 9. We're choosing to invest in everyday value, so reset the price, the consumer prices from our key bands. PepsiCos increased focus on making its brands more affordable comes at a time when more Americans are reevaluating their spending habits and worrying about rising grocery prices, according to a recent survey from LendingTree. How Americans are shopping for groceries in 2025: Approximately 61% of Americans have cited stress over paying for groceries. Also, 88% have adjusted their grocery shopping habits as they face higher costs. Specifically, 44% said theyre buying more generic brands, 38% are sticking to their shopping lists and 29% are paying closer attention to prices. Source: LendingTree In addition to lowering prices, PepsiCo will also focus more heavily on innovation by removing artificial colors and flavors from its products, providing simpler ingredients that include more protein, fiber and whole grains. The company will also double down on aggressively reducing operating costs, which includes pushing automation, digitalization and simplification initiatives. This also involves cutting its product lineup in the U.S. by 20% by early next year. The company didnt specify which products would be impacted. We appreciate our collaborative engagement with PepsiCos management team and the urgency they have demonstrated, said Elliott partner Marc Steinberg in the press release. We believe the plan announced today to invest in affordability, accelerate innovation and aggressively reduce costs will drive greater revenue and profit growth." The move comes after Elliott Investment Management, which has a $4 billion investment in PepsiCo, previously stated in a September letter to PepsiCos board of directors that the company needs an ambitious turnaround plan, as it has recently become a dramatic underperformer. PepsiCo sends a harsh message to employees As part of its efforts to slash costs, PepsiCo also plans to reduce its workforce, according to a recent report from Bloomberg. The company has also informed employees in several U.S.-based offices to work remotely this week, a move that typically precedes layoff announcements. More Retail: We will be making structural changes to our business that will affect some roles in the company, said Jennifer Wells, PepsiCo North America chief people officer, in a message to workers on Dec. 8. The upcoming layoffs follow PepsiCos decision to close two Frito-Lay facilities in Florida last month, resulting in over 450 workers losing their jobs. Many companies nationwide have been relying on layoffs to help cut costs, a trend that is expected to continue in 2026. How U.S. companies are planning job cuts in 2025 and 2026: In 2025, 39% of companies have already conducted layoffs, and 35% plan to reduce headcount by the end of the year. Additionally, 1 in 10 companies have enforced a hiring freeze, and 41% have even scaled back hiring. The primary reasons for hiring declines include economic uncertainty, trade policy, and AI adoption. Also, 6 in 10 companies will likely lay off employees in 2026, while 37% expect to replace roles with AI by the end of next year. Source: Resume.org There is a push toward leaner, more tech-ready workforces where cost efficiency and agility outweigh tenure or traditional career pathways, said Kara Dennison, head of career advising at Resume.org, in a statement. For professionals, this is a call to start reskilling, especially in AI and emerging technologies. PepsiCo is confident that the initiatives outlined in its turnaround plan will accelerate revenue growth in the U.S. The company expects its full-year 2026 organic revenue growth to range between 2% and 4%. It predicts that it will deliver the high end of that range during the second half of 2026. PepsiCos bold plan to improve its performance is raising eyebrows among analysts, with some remaining skeptical. In an analyst note obtained by Investing.com, Morgan Stanley analyst Dara Mohsenian said PepsiCo laid out 2026 goals that were likely slightly better than expected. Still, he warned that the guidance was not necessarily conservative, as the company is taking aggressive actions to reinvigorate OSG (organic sales growth), but many of the initiatives were more of a reiteration of prior plans. Related: Verizon CEO reveals mistakes that led to over 13,000 layoffs This story was originally published by TheStreet on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Discover a dangerous world of crazed mobsters, murder and betrayal as two amateur scammers are pulled into a criminal empire in slick new comedic British crime drama starring Tony Cook, Jonny Weldon and a feature debut from Dua Lipas rising star sister Rina Lipa A Gangsters Life Dive into the seedy underworld of organised crime and experience A Gangsters Life a sharp new British crime drama that pays homage to great gangster classics including Guy Ritchies Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and The Gentlemen. From award-winning cinematographer Zak Fenning (Fried) in his directorial debut, this slick gangster flick stars Tony Cook (You, Dune: Part Two) and Jonny Weldon (One Day, House of the Dragon) and introduces Dua Lipas sister Rina Lipa to the silver screen, with a standout performance as a cut-throat criminal, in an exciting feature debut, that makes her a one-to-watch rising star. The gritty and witty new mob movie also stars Tomi May (Anne Rices Talamasca: The Secret Order, Line of Duty), Christina Gkioka (Saint Dracula 3D), Bradley Turner (MobLand) and Sasha Latoya (Date Me Not.) and is set to arrive on UK digital 19 January, courtesy of Miracle Media. When low level scammers tough guy Ant (Cook) and cheeky chappie Dick (Weldon) cross vicious London gangster Emery (May), they are reluctantly recruited into his dark and dangerous world of criminal activity. The crew With their lives on the line and escape seemingly impossible, the chalk and cheese delinquents submit to Emery and his ruthless crew (Lipa and Turner), becoming pawns in their lethal game of gangs and violence. When one of the mob winds up dead, Ant and Dick face betrayal from one of their closest allies and must flee to Greece to escape the deadly wrath of the merciless boss. Leaving the past behind is easier said than done, and when trouble comes knocking at their door, will the pair be lucky enough to outrun death twice? Discover if you have what it takes to live A Gangsters Life in this endlessly entertaining new Brit gangster flick. On digital 19 January from Miracle Media by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk Plume Network, a modular blockchain dedicated to real-world assets (RWAs), has received a commercial license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Registration Authority, paving the way for expansion into the Middle East. The license allows Plume to scale RWA origination and distribution across the Middle East, Africa, and emerging markets, pending further approvals in ADGM, the UAE's premier international financial hub known for its progressive fintech and digital asset rules. This would help Plume, one of the leading blockchain by the number of RWA holders, establish a foothold in the region that's attracting global banks, fintech firms and asset managers, including BlackRock, Deutsche Bank and crypto firms like QCP. Abu Dhabi also hosts major sovereign wealth funds like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA, the world's largest with over $1 trillion AUM) and Mubadala Investment Company. The UAE and the broader Middle East are rapidly becoming global leaders in the tokenization of real-world assets, Chris Yin, co-founder and CEO of Plume, said in the press release shared with CoinDesk. The regions progressive regulatory frameworks, institutional openness to digital finance, and ambition to diversify beyond traditional commodities make it an ideal environment for innovation. At Plume, we see the Middle East not just as a market, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of compliant real-world tokenization," Yin added. The move builds on Plume's U.S. momentum, including a recent U.S. SEC transfer agent license for tokenized securities issuance and management. The latest ADGM approval is a general commercial license and does not authorize participation in regulated activities such as token issuance or custody. However, the firm is exploring partnership plans with local institutions and its own authorization for tokenization services. A permanent Abu Dhabi office is slated by year-end, with commercial announcements eyed for early 2026, alongside local hiring and ties to regional banks and fintechs. Plume's geographic focus spans the U.S., Asia, and Middle East, capitalizing on pro-RWA regimes in UAE's free zones like ADGM. To supercharge crypto access, Robinhood is aggressively expanding its cryptocurrency services. The company announced Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) staking for US customers, starting with New York users on 8 December 2025. The services kick off today, 9 December 2025. New Yorkers, who were previously restricted by strict state rules, can now join the action. The users will be able to earn yields by securing blockchain networks without technical glitches. The broker company saw surging platform volumes, exceeding $232 billion, in the past year. Robinhood is also rolling out perpetual futures contracts with up to 7x leverage for assets like XRP, Dogecoin (DOGE), and Sui (SUI) exclusively in Europe, alongside 1,000 tokenized US stocks and money market funds for 24/7 trading. In 2025, we showed whats possible when crypto meets transparency, access, and innovation, said Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Robinhood. Were taking that momentum into 2026 by building a faster, smarter, and more connected future for every investor. DISCOVER: 9+ Best High-Risk, High-Reward Crypto to Buy in 2025 European Users Score Big The European users certainly score big with new perpetual futures pairs on XRP, SOL, DOGE, SUI building on BTC and ETH launches all with up to 7x leverage for amplified trades. When we set out to expand our perpetual futures offering in the EU, we looked closely at customer behavior, requests, market standards, and the evolving regulatory environment, the company said. We found that many advanced traders want access and flexibility, but they also value transparency and guardrails. DISCOVER: Next 1000X Crypto Heres 10+ Crypto Tokens That Can Hit 1000x This Year Robinhood Enters Indonesia Through Two Acquisitions Robinhood is targeting 17 million crypto traders as it enters Indonesian market with dual acquisitions. The broker company has agreed to acquire Buana Capital Sekuritas a local brokerage firm, and a licensed digital asset firm PT Multi Digital Data (PT MDD). Indonesia already has more than 19 million capital market investors and 17 million crypto investors. We look forward to helping even more people participate in the financial system, said Steve Quirk, Chief Brokerage Officer at Robinhood. Indonesia represents a fast-growing market for trading, making it an exciting place to further Robinhoods mission to democratize finance for all, said Patrick Chan, Head of Asia at Robinhood. We look forward to bringing Indonesians the same innovative services that have earned the trust of Robinhood customers globally. The share price of Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) surged by 29.06% between November 28 and December 5, 2025, putting it among the Energy Stocks that Gained the Most This Week. Sable Offshore (SOC) Gained Over 29% This Week. Here is Why Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) is an independent upstream company focused on developing the Santa Ynez Unit in federal waters offshore California. After falling to an all-time low at the end of November, Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) bounced back after it asked the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to shift its Santa Ynez-Pentland Station pipeline under federal rather than state oversight, since it meets the definition of an interstate pipeline facility under the Pipeline Safety Act. If approved, the transition could allow the line to restart, since the Trump administration has reiterated its support for offshore drilling projects along the coast of California. Its also worth noting that if the aforementioned plan doesnt work out, Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE:SOC) has an alternative strategy in place, which would entail seeking federal clearance to transport the oil from the offshore platforms via shuttle tankers. While we acknowledge the potential of SOC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Renewable Energy Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 14 Best Utility Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. Disclosure: None. SEOUL, Dec 10 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung SDI said on Wednesday that its unit Samsung SDI America has signed a deal to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to a U.S. customer for energy storage systems, triggering a sharp rally in its shares. The contract is valued at more than 2 trillion won ($1.36 billion), it said in a statement, adding that deliveries will run for three years starting in 2027. Samsung SDI did not name the customer, describing it as an energy infrastructure development and operations company. The announcement sent Samsung SDI shares up as much as 6.1% in morning trade, versus the benchmark KOSPI's 0.1% fall. The prismatic LFP batteries to be supplied under the deal will be manufactured by converting existing production lines at Samsung SDI's U.S. plant, the battery maker said. Samsung SDI, which is jointly building and operating an electric vehicle battery plant with Stellantis to target the U.S. market, said it has been shifting some production lines to energy storage system batteries in response to changes in local demand. Energy storage batteries have a similar chemistry to automotive batteries and are used to power facilities such as data centres. South Korean battery makers are repurposing EV battery production lines to also produce energy storage systems as they face the phasing out of U.S. subsidies. ($1 = 1,468.9400 won) (Reporting by Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies) SEOUL, Dec 10 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung SDI said on Wednesday that its unit Samsung SDI America has signed a deal to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to a U.S. energy infrastructure development and operations company. The contract is valued at more than 2 trillion won ($1.36 billion), Samsung SDI said in a statement, adding that deliveries will run for three years starting in 2027. The company did not name the customer. The prismatic LFP batteries to be supplied under the deal will be manufactured by converting existing production lines at Samsung SDIs U.S. plant, the battery maker said. Samsung SDI, which is jointly building and operating an electric vehicle battery plant with Stellantis to target the U.S. EV market, said it has been shifting some production lines to energy storage system batteries in response to changes in local demand. Energy storage batteries have a similar chemistry to automotive batteries and are used to power facilities such as data centres. South Korean battery makers are repurposing EV battery production lines to also produce energy storage systems as they face the phasing out of U.S. subsidies. ($1 = 1,468.9400 won) (Reporting by Heekyong YangEditing by Ed Davies) The question everyone has been waiting for is whether Strategy (MSTR) will list a perpetual preferred equity, or "digital credit," in Japan. That question was put directly to executive chairman Michael Saylor at the bitcoin MENA conference by Metaplanet CEO Simon Gerovich. Saylors answer was, "not in the next twelve months, I will give you a twelve month head start". Gerovich raised the question as Metaplanet moves to introduce its own digital credit instruments into Japans largely "sleepy" perpetual preferred market. Japan currently has only five listed perpetual preferred equities, with All Nippon Airways (ANA) becoming the fifth, according to Gerovich. Metaplanet aims to become the sixth and seventh with its two new instruments, "Mercury" and "Mars." Mercury, which Gerovich described as Metaplanets version of Strategy's STRK, pays 4.9% in yen and includes convertibility. Gerovich contrasted this with Japanese bank deposits and money market funds that yield close to zero or roughly 50bps, highlighting that Mercury pays about ten times more. Mercury is in its pre IPO stage, and Gerovich hopes to list it by early 2026. Mars, the second instrument, is designed to mirror Strategy's STRC, which is a short duration high yield credit product. This exchange comes just as Strategy has recently expanded its own perpetual preferred program. The company now has four perpetual preferreds in the United States and recently launched its first outside the US, Stream (STRM), a euro denominated preferred. Gerovich also pointed out that Japan does not allow at the market share sales, ATM, like Strategy uses for both its common stock and perpetual preferreds. Metaplanet instead uses a similar mechanism known as a moving strike warrant (MSW), which it plans to apply to its perpetual preferred offerings. The two leaders also differed on how many bitcoin treasury companies should issue what Saylor calls digital credit. Saylor encouraged broad participation and cited Strive's (SATA) instrument, saying to expect a dozen issuers. Gerovich argued that the focus should be on balance sheet strength rather than the number of issuers, adding that Metaplanet intends to issue credit primarily in Japan and potentially across Asia, but not in other markets for now. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ended its regulatory probe into the tokenization giant Ondo Finance without any charges after two years of scrutiny. Ondo Finance is a tokenization platform that turns real-world assets (RWA) like stocks, funds, real estate, etc. into digital tokens via blockchain technology. Related: Ondo and Chainlink partner to bring financial institutions onchain Tokenization not only digitizes assets but also allows for 24/7 trading and fractional offerings, with Ondo Finance emerging as one of the most dominant players in the emerging market. The platform recently scored a major regulatory win when the SEC probe against it ended without any charges. During Joe Biden's term in the White House, the securities regulator led by Gary Gensler went after several leading crypto companies, including Ondo Finance, for alleged securities violations. In October 2023, the SEC launched an investigation into Ondo Finance for allegedly violating securities laws by tokenizing U.S. Treasury products and the potential classification of ONDO tokens as securities. But the regulatory body under new chair Paul Atkins closed its two-year probe in November without recommending any charges, journalist Eleanor Terrett reported. Ondo said it maintained the position that regulated and transparent tokenization models like Ondos are not only compatible with investor-protection principles but can strengthen them. More News: Ondo probe resolution reflects broader policy shift In a recent interview with Fox Business, Atkins said he expected the entire U.S. financial market to migrate to blockchain infrastructure within the next two years. The move comes amidst digital assets, digitalization, and tokenization of the market, he added. Ondo Finance also noted that the latest development reflects a "broader shift in U.S. policy" when regulators are reassessing Biden-era approaches to digital assets. Jeff from Austin thought his daughter had done everything right with her finances. She followed the baby steps, built an emergency fund, contributed to her retirement account and kept a strict budget. But a recent call to The Ramsey Show revealed how one hidden decision by her husband turned their family upside down. Financial Confession After A Major Blow My son-in-law came to confession to all of us, Jeff told co-hosts Rachel Cruze and Jade Warshaw. He did day trading and essentially was financing some of this through credit cards and he stacked up about $60,000 in debt and lost all of his savings. 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 Jeff, now retired after 30 years in business, said he had always been vocal about the importance of shared finances. But his daughter and son-in-law hadn't combined accounts. That lack of transparency became a major issue. His daughter discovered the financial hole only after checking her credit score and noticing a drop of 20 points. That led her to find one of her own credit cards had been maxed out by her husband. She had no idea until she stumbled across some information looking at her credit score that it had dropped, Jeff said. That's how she found out. The couple has two small children, including a baby. Jeff said his daughter is strong-willed and financially responsible. She's also never asked for financial help since graduating from college. 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 I'm trying to stay in my lane, he said. She does well at her job. She goes back to work from maternity leave this Monday. This is lying, Cruze said bluntly. And a level of gambling is kind of what day trading can end up being. The hosts urged Jeff not to get too involved, despite his closeness with his daughter. This is theirs to take care of, Cruze said. Dont meddle too deeply or its actually going to make it worse, Warshaw added. See Also: Earn While You Scroll: The Deloitte-Ranked #1 Software Company Growing 32,481% Is Opening Its $0.50/Share Round to Accredited Investors. While the $60,000 debt is serious, Jeff said the number didn't scare him. He believes that kind of financial setback can be managed over time with hard work and discipline. What troubled him more was the emotional toll, the broken trust between his daughter and her husband. With two small children and her return to work just around the corner, he worried about the added stress she'd be carrying. Soybeans are down 5 to 6 cents in the front months on Tuesday morning. Futures posted losses of 8 to 11 cents across most contracts on Monday. Open interest dropped 8,229 contracts on Monday. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 11 1/2 cents lower at $10.23. Soymeal futures were 20 cents to $1.30 in the red. Soy Oil futures saw 34 to 51 point losses. There were 6 deliveries against December soybean oil overnight. Monday mornings Export Inspections report showed a total of 1.018 MMT (37.41 mbu) of soybeans shipped in the week of 12/4. That was 41.4% below the same week last year and 10.6% above last weeks total. Mexico was the largest buyer of 132,050 MT, with 119,895 MT shipped to China and 91,171 MT to Indonesia. The marketing year total is now 12.9 MMT (473.98 mbu) of soybeans shipped, which is now 45.2% below the same period last year. More News from Barchart The backlog of USDA Export Sales reports showed data for the week ending on 11/6, with soybean bookings at 510,554 MT. That was a marketing year low, as most buyers were absent on the price rally, with a total of 232,000 MT sold to China in that week. WASDE data will be updated on Tuesday, as traders are looking for 306 mbu in US soybean ending stocks, up 16 mbu from the previous month if realized. Early on Tuesday morning, the Argentina economy minister announced the soybean export tax is to drop 2 points to 24%, with products down 2 points to 22.5%. Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $10.93 3/4, down 11 1/2 cents, currently down 6 cents Nearby Cash was $10.23, down 11 1/2 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.05 3/4, down 10 1/4 cents, currently down 5 3/4 cents May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.16 3/4, down 8 3/4 cents, currently down 5 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 Soybeans are showing 8 to 11 cent losses on Monday. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 10 1/2 cents lower at $10.24. Soymeal futures were are 50 cents to $1 in the red. Soy Oil futures are 45 to 50 points lower There were another 5 deliveries issued for December soybean meal overnight. USDA reported a private export sale of 132,000 MT of soybeans to China this morning. More News from Barchart This mornings Export Inspections report showed a total of 1.018 MMT (37.41 mbu) of soybeans shipped in the week of 12/4. That was 41.4% below the same week last year and 10.6% above last weeks total. Mexico was the largest buyer of 132,050 MT, with 119,895 MT shipped to China and 91,171 MT to Indonesia. The marketing year total is now 12.9 MMT (473.98 mbu) of soybeans shipped, which is now 45.2% below the same period last year. The backlog of USDA Export Sales reports showed data for the week ending on 11/6 this morning, with soybean bookings on the low side of estimates of 0.45-1.6 MMT at 510,554 MT. That was a marketing year low, as most buyers were absent on the price rally, with a total of 232,000 MT sold to China in that week. Soybean meal sales were just 93,483 MT, on the low side of 50,000 to 400,000 MT estimates. Bean oil sales were 12,549 MT, in the middle of 5,000 to 25,000 MT expectations. The CFTC Commitment of Trade data from the week of October 28 showed managed money ballooning (by 83,160 contracts) their net long position to 118,489 contracts around the President Trump/Xi meeting over a month ago. Commercials added 96,154 contracts to their net short position to 245,133 contacts as longs were exiting. That is the largest net short since May 2022. WASDE data will be updated on Tuesday, as traders are looking for 306 mbu in US soybean ending stocks, up 16 mbu from the previous month if realize. China imported a total of 8.11 MMT of soybean in November, a 14.5% drop from October. AgRural estimates the Brazilian soybean crop at 94% planted, behind the 95% paced from last year. Jan 26 Soybeans are at $10.94 3/4, down 10 1/2 cents, Nearby Cash is at $10.24, down 10 1/2 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans are at $11.06 1/4, down 9 3/4 cents, The Darkness have admitted their festive anthem Christmas Time (Dont Let The Bells End) was written on the fly after a drunken night out. Photo: Avalon Guitarist Dan Hawkins recalled how the bands label pushed for a seasonal single following their breakthrough success in the UK. He told NME: I was in the Met Bar getting horrendously drunk with Max Lousada, our A+R guy at the time. He said, Weve got to think about a Christmas single, havent we? What do you reckon: Love Is Only A Feeling? I told him, Well, its not a Christmas single, is it? He asked if we had one and I said Yeah but we didnt. The next day, en route to support Metallica at Dublins RDS Arena, the band threw themselves into the challenge. Hawkins bought fairy lights and Christmas jumpers for the bus, and the 2003 hit was quickly pieced together. He added: Justin had that chorus as a pissaround thing from years ago. We worked out how to turn it into a proper song and it was finished in a couple of hours in the back of the bus. We just blagged it, really. Despite its spontaneous origins, Hawkins said the band were determined to make a genuine Christmas single rather than simply adding sleigh bells to an existing track. He continued: At the time, I wanted to compete I wanted to be part of the race for Christmas. You can spot it a mile off when they just add some bells and the word Christmas to an average song. We wanted to do it properly. The track went on to become one of the bands most recognisable hits, cementing The Darkness in the pantheon of modern Christmas rock classics. The song narrowly missed out on the number one spot after being beaten by Gary Jules and Michael Andrews' cover of Tears For Fears' Mad World. Soybeans are trading with fractional gains across most contracts on Friday morning. Futures posted losses of 11 to 15 cents on Friday, with January down 32 cents on the week. Open interest was down 11,941 contracts, mainly in the January (16,299 contracts). The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was 14 1/4 cents lower at $10.34 1/2. Soymeal futures were down $3.50 to $4.20, with weekly loss of $11.30 for the January contracts. Soy Oil futures were steady to 17 points lower, with January down 36 points. There were another 5 deliveries issued for December soybean meal overnight. The CFTC Commitment of Trade data from the week of October 28 showed managed money ballooning (by 83,160 contracts) their net long position to 118,489 contracts around the President Trump/Xi meeting over a month ago. Commercials added 96,154 contracts to their net short position to 245,133 contacts as longs were exiting. That is the largest net short since May 2022. More News from Barchart The backlog of USDA Export Sales reports will have data for the week ending on 11/6 this morning, with soybean bookings estimated to total 0.45-1.6 MMT. A total of 132,000 MT sold to China and 117,000 MT to unknown destinations in that week are known through the daily reporting system. Soybean meal sales are seen at 50,000 to 400,000 MT, with 5,000 to 25,000 MT for bean oil. WASDE data will be updated on Tuesday, as traders are looking for 306 mbu in US soybean ending stocks, up 16 mbu from the previous month if realize. China imported a total of 8.11 MMT of soybean in November, a 14.5% drop from October. Argentina soybeans are estimated at 45% planted, according to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange just below the same point last year. AgRural estimates the Brazilian soybean crop at 94% planted, behind the 95% paced from last year. Jan 26 Soybeans closed at $11.05 1/4, down 14 1/4 cents, currently up cent Nearby Cash was $10.34 1/2, down 14 1/4 cents, Mar 26 Soybeans closed at $11.16, down 12 3/4 cents, currently unch cent May 26 Soybeans closed at $11.25 1/2, down 11 3/4 cents, currently up cent On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com MILAN, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Stellantis is set to end 2025 having made purchases worth over seven billion euros ($8.1 billion) from Italian suppliers, CEO Antonio Filosa said on Wednesday, suggesting output in the country could start growing again next year. In a plan to revive production in Italy presented a year ago, the Fiat-maker pledged to directly invest two billion euros in the country and make purchases worth six billion euros from local suppliers. "We are closing our accounts and this year we can celebrate having made two billion in investments and seven, not six, billion in purchases from Italian suppliers among systems, components, parts and services," Filosa said during the annual general meeting of Anfia, Italy's lobby group for auto parts makers. The group's production in Italy is expected to decline further in 2025, after it fell below half a million vehicles last year. Passenger car output of 283,000 units in 2024 was the lowest in almost 70 years. "It has been a difficult year... but this was a first step which will allow us to make further and more important ones in terms of local development and volumes for our suppliers," Filosa said. The CEO said growth and competitiveness would also depend on the outcome of a review the European Union is conducting on its carbon-emission rules, with a key Brussels decision due on Dec. 16. "These decisions will impact (the auto industry) over the next 10, 15, 20 years," said Filosa, who took up the role in June. EU governments, including Germany and Italy, and several automakers have been lobbying for softer regulation, which currently sets a goal to cut carbon emissions from new cars to zero by 2035, effectively banning sales of new combustion-engine vehicles. Filosa this month backed a call by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Brussels to allow exemptions for plug-in hybrids and highly efficient combustion engines beyond 2035, as automakers need more flexibility to battle slow electric-vehicle uptake and fierce competition from China. Stellantis Chairman John Elkann last month warned that the European car industry risked "irreversible decline" without softer rules. Industry proposals also include new goals for light commercial vehicle emissions, changes to regulation aimed at supporting production of small cars and measures to accelerate fleet renewal. ($1 = 0.8595 euros) (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing by Gavin Jones and Keith Weir) Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the 23rd edition of the annual Doha Forum, in Doha, Qatar, December 6, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/IBRAHEEM ABU MUSTAFA) President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, cooperation, and strengthening ties between the two brotherly countries. Syrias President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on December 9. The report on the call comes as Damascus and Riyadh work toward several key economic agreements. It also comes on the heels of the Doha Forum, where Sharaa spoke about Syria's future. Although not being directly linked to Saudi Arabia by land, the State has air and overland trade routes via Jordan and Iraq. If there were ever some level of normalization between Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, then its plausible that links could also include Israel, potentially revolutionizing the region economically. Syrian State media SANA said that President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed Tuesday in a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman joint cooperation, strengthening ties between the two brotherly countries. During the call, the Saudi crown prince extended his congratulations to President al-Sharaa on the first anniversary of Syrias Liberation Day, affirming the Kingdoms support for Syrias reconstruction efforts and commending the achievements made by the Syrian people in strengthening stability. He stressed Riyadhs keenness to continue enhancing fraternal cooperation with Syria in a way that contributes to development. SAUDI CROWN Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at the Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2025. (credit: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/REUTERS) After Assad's regime fell, Syria celebrates a new phase Syria is celebrating one year since the fall of the Assad regime. The country has made significant progress since then, re-integrating into the international community and receiving widespread sanctions relief from the US, the EU, and others. The two leaders reviewed aspects of bilateral relations and opportunities to expand them across various fields, in addition to discussing issues of mutual interest and ongoing efforts to bolster security, stability, and economic recovery in Syria, SANA noted. President al-Sharaa had previously met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on October 29 in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative conference, where they discussed ways to strengthen economic and investment cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international developments, the report said. In addition to the call with the Saudis, the Syrian Petroleum Company signed four strategic agreements with Saudi oil and gas service firms to expand production, enhance technical operations, and increase output across the country. Chinese social media and gaming giant Tencent Holdings has pulled out of US media group Paramount Skydance Corp's takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery to avoid heightened scrutiny of foreign investment in the United States, according to a filing on the US Securities and Exchange Commission's website. Tencent had pledged US$1 billion as part of Paramount's December 1 proposal to acquire Warner Bros, but the Shenzhen-based company was removed as a financing partner in Paramount's latest all-cash offer of US$30 per share announced on Monday. The change followed concerns from Warner Bros that Tencent's role as a non-US equity financier could trigger a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Paramount said in its filing. 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. "Tencent will no longer be a financing partner in the transaction," the company said in its revised proposal to Warner Bros dated December 4, and disclosed on Monday. Tencent did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Tencent's failed bid to take a financial role in a deal that could shape the future of Hollywood underscored how US regulatory oversight is narrowing the space for Chinese investment in big-ticket US media and technology deals. Hong Kong-listed Tencent, China's most valuable technology conglomerate, operates the super app WeChat - known as Weixin in mainland China - and runs blockbuster game titles including Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile and League of Legends. A man walks outside the Tencent headquarters in Nanshan district of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China. Photo: Reuters alt=A man walks outside the Tencent headquarters in Nanshan district of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China. Photo: Reuters> With a market capitalisation of about US$700 billion and more than US$20 billion in cash and equivalents as of the end of September, according to its latest results, Tencent has ample firepower for overseas acquisitions. It already holds stakes in several US tech and gaming firms, including Epic Games and Snap Inc. However, its activities in the US have drawn greater scrutiny since January 2025, when the US Department of Defence designated Tencent a "Chinese military company", a label the firm has strongly denied. Tencent's US$1 billion commitment was not central to Paramount's hostile bid for Warner Bros. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is the richest person in the world. While his net worth is slightly under $500 billion as of early December, he recently became the first person to have a personal fortune of over $500 billion after being the first to amass a net worth of $400 billion the year before. Much of his wealth comes from ownership stakes in various companies, including Tesla, an electric vehicle manufacturer. When Teslas stock value rises or falls, so does his net worth. Find Out: Self-Made Millionaires Suggest 5 Stocks You Should Never Sell Read Next: 6 Safe Accounts Proven To Grow Your Money Up To 13x Faster According to Forbes, Musk owns 12% of Teslas available shares, representing around one-quarter of his portfolios total value. Given Musks incredible wealth, its tempting to invest in Tesla as he did. However, if youre not careful, that strategy could prove costly. The Worst Way To Invest In Tesla Investing everything in a single stock, like Tesla, can yield big rewards. A good quarter, an innovative technology announcement or a stable rise in value over time can make you a lot of money. However, even if you think Tesla is the car of the future and believe in Musks ability to lead the company, putting all your money into Tesla stocks exposes you to significant risk. Every personal finance expert will tell you the key to good investing is diversification. This improves your investment portfolios overall performance while increasing stability. By spreading out your investments over stocks, bonds, commodities, cash and even cryptocurrency, youre protecting yourself in case one area drops. For example, earlier this year, Tesla encountered several challenges. Musk took the helm of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency, causing global boycotts and protests. Rival EV company BYD from China surpassed Tesla in global electric vehicle sales, becoming the worlds largest EV manufacturer. Also, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act cut out EV purchase credits from the governments budget. All of these occurrences negatively affected Teslas share value, meaning your entire portfolio would have dropped significantly without diversification. Use Musk himself as an example. He has diversified his portfolio to include several other companies to protect his net worth against a decline in the value of his Tesla shares. He owns a 42% stake in SpaceX, Twitter, Neuralink and The Boring Company. Learn More: This Boring Investment Could Be the Secret To Never Running Out of Retirement Income Why Tesla Is an Attractive Investment Since its drastic drop in value in April, Teslas stock price has jumped back up 85%, putting the stock at an annual positive return. The company remains an attractive investment opportunity to many. Confluent (CFLT) shares closed nearly 30% higher on Monday morning after International Business Machines (IBM) said its buying the California-based data streaming platform for $11 billion in cash. IBMs proposal values each CFLT share at a huge premium of $31. According to its press release, Confluent has the most capable technology to unlock the real-time value of data. More News from Barchart Despite the aforementioned surge, Confluent stock remains down over 20% versus its year-to-date high set in early February. www.barchart.com Why Is IBM Buying Confluent? IBM is spending billions on acquiring Confluent as it will enable the giant to tap on real-time data streaming and processing to feed and scale its current and future AI models/agents. Speaking with CNBC, its chief executive Arvind Krishna said this ability to have one layer, one control plane, I think, is going to unlock a lot. Wedbush Securities senior analyst Dan Ives also dubbed the transaction a strong move aimed at accelerating the giants artificial intelligence strategy. In a research note today, he maintained IBM shares at overweight with a price objective of $325, indicating potential upside of another 5% from here. Is There Any Upside Left in CFLT Stock? While the IBM development is positive for Confluent, its difficult to justify initiating a new position in it at current levels. Why? Because the market has priced in nearly the entire deal premium already, leaving little to no further upside in CFLT shares for new investors. More importantly, Confluent will go private once the aforementioned transaction closes in the first half of 2026. So, its highly unlikely that CFLT stock will trade at north of $31 unless a competing bidder unexpectedly enters the fray. Simply put, the window for outsized returns in this real-time data streaming company has already closed. IBM Didnt Undervalue Confluent Shares While the consensus rating on Confluent shares is somewhat irrelevant now, its worth mentioning that the mean target on them heading into Monday was nearly $28. This means CFLT stock wasnt broadly expected to trade above its current price anyways. www.barchart.com On the date of publication, Wajeeh Khan 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 Prominent economist Mark Zandi is newly worried about the weakening labor market and the potential for a recession. In an interview with Fortune published Wednesday, Zandi said many Americans already reside "on the financial edge." If the pace of layoffs accelerates, he said, then "it would certainly be a jobs recession." Unemployment has ticked up since the start of the year. It reached 4.4% in September from 4.0% in January, per the latest data available. It's a four-year peak that suggests more Americans are applying for jobs and not landing one. For younger workers between 20 and 24 years of age, that rate is more than double at 9.2%. Zandi pointed to a slowdown in the job market that began soon after President Donald Trump unveiled his double-digit global tariffs in April. "If you look at when job growth really came to a standstill, it is back soon after Liberation Day," he said. The latest JOLTS survey tracking turnover in the labor market released Tuesday showed layoffs creeping up to 1.2% in October, compared to 1.1% in September. Meanwhile, the hiring rate remained level at 3.2% with no change from the previous month. It's indicative of what economists and analysts have labeled a "low hire, low fire" job market. Yet one bright spot in the U.S. economy was the release of a separate survey from the National Federation of Independent Businesses showing small business optimism ticking up in November. More employers signaled plans to hire workers at the start of next year. President Donald Trump recently suggested that the U.S. could learn something from Australias superannuation retirement system. He didnt announce any official policy, but did say the administration is studying how Australia handles retirement as the U.S. looks for answers to Americas rising economic and aging-population pressures (1). Must Read How does Australias system work, and what could it mean for American workers? What is Australias super system? Trumps comments came during an event announcing a $6.25-billion gift from Michael and Susan Dell towards several initiatives, including so-called Trump Accounts, investment accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028. (Michael Dell founded and still chairs Dell Technologies, the maker of Dell computers). These accounts are said to help kids build early wealth, but they wont change retirement structures for adults (1). The superannuation comment was part of a broader discussion about long-term savings, and brings up questions about whether retirement saving in the U.S. should be automatic. Australias superannuation program has been around since 1992. According to the Australian government: Employers must contribute 12% of a workers ordinary earnings into a retirement fund. They can typically choose what fund the money is invested in. Workers can contribute more on top with a cap, but the 12% is automatic. The money stays invested until retirement age, and there are penalties applied if funds are accessed illegally (2). Because nearly every employer participates, the system captures almost the entire workforce. As a result, Australia now has one of the largest pension asset pools in the world (3), at roughly $4.1 trillion according to The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (4). Its not a perfect system. The rules can be complicated, and contributions are locked until retirement, and because its a defined-contribution system, individuals are still exposed to market risk (5). Theres also the worry that the super system could leave some older Australians in a tough spot, especially if they cant tap their savings until a set age and are dealing with health issues or cognitive decline (6). On Monday, President Trump announced via Truth Social that he will approve the sale of Nvidias (NVDA) H200 chips to certain companies in China and other countries. The move is a positive for Nvidia, which has been lobbying for the administration to approve the sale of more powerful chips to the country for months. But the response from investors and Wall Street more broadly has been rather muted. Thats because, as Deepwater Asset Management managing partner Gene Munster put it, this all feels a bit like deja vu. In April, the US banned the sale of Nvidias H20 chips to China, before approving exports of the processors in July. But instead of buying them up, China balked, claiming that the chips could pose a security risk to local firms. The general thinking is that the maneuver was meant to push the Trump administration to let Nvidia and its rivals ship newer, non-downgraded chips. And theres no guarantee the country wont do the same thing in an attempt to get Nvidias current top-of-the-line systems the H200 is two generations behind the current Blackwell-based B300. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang presents a Grace Blackwell NVLink72 as he delivers a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 6, 2025. (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) PATRICK T. FALLON via Getty Images Theres similarly no telling whether the US would halt sales of the chips as a means of retaliation against China if the countries ongoing trade negotiations go south. Even if [an agreement gets] approval, it's been clear that this has been a bargaining job, and it could get turned off anytime soon, Munster explained. That's like 101 of investing you want to sleep well at night. And this is the exact opposite. You're checking the time every hour here because you just don't know if we're on again, off again. And then theres the question of whether members of Congress will attempt to block shipments of H200s and other high-end chips. Critics have long argued that China could use US chips to train AI systems for military uses. Will they, wont they? The battle to get back into China is well worth it for Nvidia from a financial perspective. CEO Jensen Huang has said the country represents a total addressable market of some $50 billion. And those projections were based on the companys reduced chips. More powerful GPUs could net a larger chunk of AI sales. The only downside for Nvidia? Trump says the AI giant, and rivals, will have to pay the administration a 25% cut on the sale of chips destined for China. Thats up from Trumps originally planned 15%. Still, even with that 25% haircut, sales to China would benefit Nvidia. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang speaks on how AI infrastructure and AI factories that generate intelligence at scale are powering a new industrial revolution, at Washington Convention Center, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ASSOCIATED PRESS They're going from zero at this point, so anything above zero is positive, TECHnalysis founder and chief analyst Bob ODonnell told Yahoo Finance. Selling any chip in any quantity is a step up. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his long-promised gold card was officially going on sale, offering legal status and an eventual pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals paying $1 million and corporations ponying up twice that per foreign-born employee. A website accepting applications went live as Trump revealed the start of the program while surrounded by business leaders in the White House's Roosevelt Room. It is meant to replace EB-5 visas, which Congress created in 1990 to generate foreign investment and had been available to people who spend about $1 million on a company that employs at least 10 people. Trump sees the new version as a way for the U.S. to attract and retain top talent, all while generating revenue for federal coffers. He's been promoting the gold card program for months, and once suggested that each card would cost $5 million, though he more recently revised that to the $1 million and $2 million pricing scheme. The president said all funds taken in as part of the program will go to the U.S. government and predicted that billions would flow into an account run by the Treasury Department where we can do things positive for the country. The new program is actually a green card, effectively offering permanent legal residency with the chance for citizenship. Basically, it's a green card but much better," Trump said. Much more powerful, a much stronger path. The president made no mention of requirements for job creation for applying corporations or on overall caps on the program, which exist under the current EB-5 program. Instead, he said he'd heard complaints from business leaders who had been unable to recruit outstanding graduates from U.S. universities because they were from other countries and lacked permission to stay. You can't hire people from the best colleges because you don't know whether or not you can keep the person, Trump said. Trump has built his political career around clamping down on the U.S.-Mexico border and championing hard-line immigration policies. His second administration spent its first 10-plus months launching mass deportation pushes and sweeping immigration crackdowns that have targeted cities including Los Angeles and Charlotte. But he's also drawn criticism from leading voices of his Make America Great Again movement for repeatedly suggesting that skilled immigrants should be allowed into the U.S. something the gold card program could facilitate. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the program will include $15,000 for applicant vetting and that the thorough process used to scrutinize backgrounds would make sure these people absolutely qualify to be in America. Companies will be able to receive multiple cards, but will be limited to one individual per card, he said. Gene Simmons believes musicians are treated "worse than slaves" because they are not compensated by radio stations for playing their music. Gene Simmons has backed the American Music Fairness Act The KISS star made the declaration during his testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's Intellectual Property Subcommittee on Tuesday (09.12.25) as part of a hearing on the American Music Fairness Act which aims to force radio stations to pay artists for playing their songs - and Simmons insisted stars like Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby were given a raw deal. He told the committee: "Bing Crosby recorded perhaps one of the biggest songs of all time, White Christmas. What's more American than that? "Written by Irving Berlin. It's been on radio, AM and FM - later on FM; originally in AM - millions of times. "Every Christmas we, and around the world, are listening to 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas'. That's America's song. "Everyone received money - the radio station sold advertising, the plumber who fixed the plumbing got paid, the disc jockey got paid. The only person that was never paid for the airplay was Bing Crosby, which is astonishing ... " He added: "It's America's music that rules this planet. Elvis [Presley], baby, the king. Elvis, who sang hundreds and hundreds of songs ... Sadly Elvis never got a penny for all the times, all the millions of times that his music was played around the world ..." Gene went on to risk controversy by comparing the situation to slavery, saying: " It looks like a small issue. There are wars going on and everything, but our emissaries to the world are Elvis and Frank Sinatra. "And then when they find out we're not treating our stars right, in other words, worse than slaves Slaves get food and water. "Elvis and Bing Crosby and Sinatra got nothing for their performance. "You've got to change this now for our children and our children's children, and I know you will. The president will sign this once all you guys, respectfully, get your act together and put this across the board. Let's do the right thing. God bless, America." It comes just months after an open letter in support of the American Music Fairness Act was delivered to Congress. Stars who added their name to the letter included Aerosmith, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Joan Jett, Mariah Carey, Ozzy Osbourne and Stevie Nicks. As we approach the end of 2025, Canadian markets have experienced impressive double-digit gains, with investors closely monitoring central bank decisions and economic indicators for clues on future trends. In this environment, growth companies with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they often demonstrate strong alignment between management and shareholder interests, making them worth watching in a climbing market. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Canada Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Zedcor (TSXV:ZDC) 19.2% 122.6% West Red Lake Gold Mines (TSXV:WRLG) 11.1% 78% Stingray Group (TSX:RAY.A) 22.8% 33.9% Robex Resources (TSXV:RBX) 20.6% 97.7% Propel Holdings (TSX:PRL) 30.6% 30.6% goeasy (TSX:GSY) 21.7% 27.3% Enterprise Group (TSX:E) 34.2% 33.8% CEMATRIX (TSX:CEMX) 10.6% 58.3% California Nanotechnologies (TSXV:CNO) 18.2% 153% Almonty Industries (TSX:AII) 12.1% 63.4% Click here to see the full list of 46 stocks from our Fast Growing TSX Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Black Diamond Group Limited provides modular space and workforce accommodation solutions in Canada, the United States, and Australia, with a market cap of CA$955.55 million. Operations: The company generates revenue through its Workforce Solutions segment, which accounts for CA$202.72 million, and its Modular Space Solutions segment, contributing CA$242.93 million. Insider Ownership: 21.6% Black Diamond Group has demonstrated strong earnings growth, with net income rising to C$12.21 million in Q3 2025 from C$7.37 million a year ago. Despite high debt levels, the company is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value and is expected to outpace the Canadian market in revenue and earnings growth, forecasted at 17.6% and 21% annually, respectively. Insiders have recently been more active buyers than sellers, indicating confidence in future prospects. TSX:BDI Ownership Breakdown as at Dec 2025 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. is involved in the production and distribution of cannabis products both in the United States and internationally, with a market cap of approximately CA$2.90 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis, amounting to $1.28 billion. Global luxury hotel operator United Hospitality Management (UHM) has expanded its operations into India through the acquisition of boutique hospitality brand, Rosastays. With this move, UHM gains 17 properties in key leisure destinations such as Goa, Kasauli, Nainital, Pushkar and Shimla. UHM plans to rebrand select Rosastays properties under its umbrella between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, as per a release posted on Zawya. Deepika Arora will oversee the companys operations in India, bringing more than 20 years of industry experience to her new role and will support UHMs strategy to build its presence in South Asia. She has previously led initiatives for several international hotel brands. UHM India managing director Deepika Arora said: India is entering a transformative phase in travel and hospitality one that values authenticity, design, and differentiated guest experiences. UHMs entry will bring global systems, a strong owner-centric philosophy, and operational expertise that will accelerate growth for our partners. Our goal is to set new benchmarks across boutique, midscale, and luxury hospitality with India as a key driver of that growth. In addition to the latest additions, UHM has a development pipeline exceeding 700 keys, including projects undertaken with IHG Hotels & Resorts under the Garner brand. It also manages more than 30 years of luxury hospitality assets across Europe and the Middle East. UHM collaborates with major hospitality groups, including Accor, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Yotel and Wyndham. The companys portfolio includes hotels and resorts such as Hyatt Regency Lisbon, Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort a Vignette Collection by IHG, Sheraton Cascais Resort, The Creekside Hotel Dubai an Accor Hotel, Wyndham Residences The Palm, and Riva Beach Club at Palm Jumeirah Dubai. It also manages holiday homes and residences across the UAE. Beyond hotel management, UHM operates more than 60 dining venues across its global portfolio and incorporates wellness brands such as Serenity The Art of Wellbeing, Pure by Serenity and Active by Serenity gym facilities at sites in Europe and the Middle East. UHM Middle East, India and Southeast Asia COO Klaus Assmann said: India is among the worlds most dynamic hospitality markets. Our expansion here is a long-term investment in a region of immense potential. "UHM enters Indian market with Rosastays brand acquisition" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Italys UniCredit has initiated steps to reduce its presence in Russia, with several senior executives leaving and shedding a significant portion of its leasing assets, according to a report of Russian business daily Kommersant. Kirill Zhukov-Emelyanov, who led UniCredits Russian subsidiary for five years and worked at the bank for over two decades, has left his position. The banks corporate and investment banking chief Vadim Aparakhov and chief operating officer Olga Petrova have also resigned, the report said. In addition, UniCredit has sold almost all its long-term leasing portfolio from its subsidiary UniCredit Leasing to the Russia-based PR-Leasing. As part of the deal, contracts worth approximately Rbs3bn ($39m) were transferred, with the remaining portion expected to be settled soon. Rikom-Trust analytics head Oleg Abelev told Kommersant: The simultaneous departure of key top managers and the sale of a major asset is a clear sign the bank is preparing for a full withdrawal from the country. European regulators have urged UniCredit to scale down its Russian business to a level similar to Intesa, the other Italian bank still operating in the Russian market. UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel previously stated that the bank has made several attempts to exit Russia since 2022 but has faced challenges due to sanctions. Russian authorities are closely monitoring foreign banks for any actions that could lead to nationalisation, a move that could result in capital loss for these banks, reported Moscow Times. Companies from the UAE, including Asas Capital, Mada Capital and Inweasta, have expressed interest in the acquisition of UniCredits Russian subsidiary. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly authorised the sale of Citibanks remaining Russian operations to Renaissance Capital, through a presidential decree. Renaissance Capital is a domestic investment bank not subject to Western sanctions. After Western companies exited Russia in February 2022 due to Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Russian government has imposed strict requirements on foreign companies seeking to leave the country. This included significant reductions in asset valuations and mandatory contributions to the state budget, which have complicated the process for Western companies planning to leave the Russian market. UniCredit pulled out of its deal to buy Banco BPM in July, as the Italian government had made its approval contingent on UniCredit meeting a number of requirements, such as ceasing its operations in Russia. "UniCredit initiates steps to exit Russia " was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Key Takeaways The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has published new guidance letting banks act as crypto brokers. Under the new guidance, crypto exchanges face new competition from Wall Street. In Europe, banks have integrated crypto trading within retail banking apps. American banks will be able to act as crypto brokers under fresh guidance from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The rule change sets the stage for banks to integrate crypto trading into their offerings, bringing increased competition to a market currently dominated by specialized platforms. Banks Can Now Broker Crypto Under OCC Rule Change On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the OCC published Interpretive Letter #1188, confirming that banks can legally act as intermediaries in crypto asset transactions. The OCCs guidance marks the latest U.S. policy shift under Trump, enabling deeper integration of crypto into the traditional financial sector. The rule change follows the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC) move to repeal Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB121) earlier this year. Together, Interpretive Letter #1188 and the withdrawal of SAB 121 extend the scope of U.S. crypto banking to the full range of custody, investment, and brokerage services. From being unable to touch the stuff just a year ago, banks can now purchase and hold crypto for clients, and facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers. Exchanges Face New Competition With banks able to facilitate digital asset trading, exchanges face the prospect of increased competition from Wall Street. In Europe, a group of crypto-forward banks have emerged as rivals to the likes of Binance and Coinbase, either building their own exchange platforms, or integrating the feature into their existing banking apps. For instance, Revolut has aggressively expanded its crypto offering in recent years, chasing super-app status as it integrates payments, savings, credit cards, loans, trading, and investments under a unified platform. Revoluts multi-service model embodies the threat banks pose to traditional crypto exchanges. While professional traders are drawn to low fees, new features, and extensive listings, for the average retail investor, its hard to beat the convenience of using a single app for banking and crypto. Although Revolut launched in the U.S. in 2020, it has struggled to make inroads in a market where traditional banks still dominate, and local neobanks like Chime are more established. However, with the OCC setting the stage for U.S. banks to act as brokers, the European firm is well-positioned to move quickly to bring its established model stateside. The post US Banks Poised To Compete With Crypto Exchanges Following Regulatory Greenlight appeared first on ccn.com. The Australian state of Victoria has launched its first petroleum exploration tenders since 2018 in response to looming gas supply risks caused by declining production in existing fields. The tender applications have been invited for two areas: Area VIC/25-1 offshore the Otway Basin (Victorian waters) and Area VIC/25-2 onshore the Gippsland Basin. Tender applications can be submitted until 11 February 2026. According to the petroleum industry, these areas have the most interest for exploration. Bloomberg reported that the new exploration projects are intended to supply the domestic market and are not aimed at supporting exports. This move is part of a broader strategy to address increasing electricity demand in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria and South Australia, according to the report. The Australian Energy Market Operator forecast earlier this year that demand for gas on the east coast is expected to outpace supply from 2028. This projection has led to calls to compel liquefied natural gas exporters to redirect non-contracted supplies to the domestic market to address the shortfall. Environmental organisations opposed the governments decision on new gas exploration tenders due to the potential impact on the climate. Environment Victoria stated that the projects can have grave environmental impacts from seismic blasting, marine ecosystem damage and groundwater drawdown. Environment Victoria senior climate and energy advisor Kat Lucas-Healey said: The government has completely ignored community concerns about seismic blasting and risks to Gippslands groundwater in opening up these tenders. These are serious, lasting impacts and for what? For the last dregs of Victorian gas. Gas use in Victorian homes and businesses is plummeting as people switch to much cheaper and more efficient electric alternatives. Opening up new exploration of a rapidly diminishing resource only cultivates uncertainty, which costs households and businesses. In June, the Australian Financial Review reported that indigenous landowners mounted legal challenges against Santos A$3.6bn ($2.39bn) Narrabri gas project in NSW. In September, the Australian Government announced a 2035 target to reduce emissions by 6270% below 2005 levels. Australian Energy Producers has welcomed the Victorian Governments decision to invite tender applications for petroleum exploration permits in the Otway and Gippsland basins. Australian Energy Producers Victoria director Peter Kos said: Todays announcement is an essential first step in unlocking new domestic natural gas resources and demonstrates that the government is taking steps to address future energy challenges. Ken met Judy while recovering from Vietnam War injuries. She was a nursestrictly professional. Two months after his discharge, she gave him a chance. Now, 55 years later, hes caring for herand Fisher House is caring for them. Vietnam Veteran and wartime nurse care for each other over decades Ken MacMillan stayed at the Greater Los Angeles VA Fisher House while supporting his wife, Judy. GlobeNewswire Inc. Los Angeles, Dec. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ken MacMillan met Judy while being treated for injuries sustained during the Vietnam War. As a nurse, Judy wouldnt talk to him as anything other than a patient, despite his best efforts. I was in the hospital as I met her before we even talked to one another. I kept going back and trying to talk to her. She wouldn't talk to me as a patient, except as a patient. She wouldn't come near me. It wasnt until two months after he was released from Active Duty that she finally was open to getting to know him. Now, the couple has been married for 55 years, and Ken is caring for Judy through her medical journey. Initially, Ken was to serve in the intelligence community, but due to frequent travel to care for his mother who was being treated for cancer, he transferred to the Military Police. He served as an MP and a courier in Vietnam because of a high clearance that he received during his initial training in intelligence. Much of his time was spent doing convoy escort missions. As a Vietnam-era nurse, Judy cared for many patients that had been through extremely difficult injuries. During her service, she developed PTSD. Ken also has had many memories resurface in recent years, especially as he witnessed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ken is proud of his wifes service which he feels had even more challenges due to the attitudes that women in the military have had to face, especially at that time. For many years after they left the Army, the couple used private healthcare, but in the 90s, Ken and Judy decided to try the VA as they felt the private healthcare system had become more of a business and gave less personal treatment. They were pleasantly surprised by the care they received through the VA health care system. They used the local medical center in Morrow Bay, California unless more specialized care was needed. Then, Ken and Judy would either take the bus or drive to the Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System which was several hours away. In mid-December 2023, Judy was referred to LA where she was seen for migraines and backaches that led to more tests including a CT scan. They discovered swelling and blood on her brain that required drainage and other emergency procedures. When they learned she would need follow-on physical therapy and recovery care, they knew that the day trip would be a much longer stay. That same day, Ken was contacted by Fisher House thanks to a hospital social worker. By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, Dec 10 (Reuters) - French media conglomerate Vivendi made a last-ditch effort on Wednesday to stave off a potential EU antitrust fine, following charges it closed its acquisition of publisher Lagardere before receiving regulatory approval. Vivendi, represented by more than a dozen lawyers, made its case to senior competition officials and lawyers at the European Commission as well as French antitrust officials at a day-long closed hearing. Lagardere's lawyers were also present. All the participants declined to comment. The Commission, which acts as the EU competition watchdog, in its July charge sheet said Vivendi breached the standstill obligation set out in the bloc's merger rules. The company, which has rejected the charges, risks a fine of as much as 10% of its global annual revenue if found guilty of breaking EU rules. The Commission, which takes a tough line against procedural violations and has handed out stiff fines in recent years, is set to issue its decision next year. It cleared the Lagardere deal prior to opening the investigation. (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) PepsiCo's CEO is confident the company's plans to invest in product prices will help to improve its sales volumes in the US. On Monday (8 December), the US giant, which has been in talks with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, set out measures it hopes will improve its domestic performance. Speaking to analysts yesterday, PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said several times the company's plans to invest in price would help to boost volumes. Asked by Citi analyst Filippo Falorni what made the Pepsi Max owner confident volumes would respond to more promotions and and lower listed prices, Laguarta said PepsiCo had tested its plans with three of its "largest" US customers over the past three months, adding the business has "very good metrics that gives us the confidence". Laguarta said: "Now, as we have developed the plans for [2026] with our customers, we have the space gains allocated by our customers, because we see the volume growing." "It's a holistic space, price investment plan tested with our key customers over a meaningful period of time and that gives us quite a lot of confidence that the volume will come, which has positive impact obviously to the category but also to our leverage of fixed costs that will improve our operating margin." One of the key objectives laid out by PepsiCo on Monday was "implementing sharper everyday value". The Gatorade brand owner is looking to pursue a targeted approach on affordable price tiers by brand and channel aimed at stimulating growth and improving the purchase frequency of our mainstream brands. Laguarta did not delve into which specific brands might be affected by the pricing strategy during the call. While the bulk of the Mountain Dew maker's focus is on improving "marketplace competitiveness and financial performance" within its North American foods business, Laguarta also told analysts the group planned to invest in "affordability entry points" in its international business. Laguarta said: "In many of the emerging markets, we're seeing a bit of a disposable income squeeze and therefore consumers asking us to be even more affordable. We'll invest some of that productivity into affordability entry points but also into making our brands more known and preferred in international markets." In its statement on Monday, PepsiCo said the plan incorporates constructive engagement, noting it has the support of Elliott, which in September put pressure on the US-headquartered food and drinks giant to improve its financial performance. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) is among the Top 15 Lowest P/E Ratios of the S&P 500 in 2025. On November 21, Piper Sandler lowered its price target for the stock to $50 from $52, while keeping a Neutral rating. Wall Street Remains Cautious on Molson Coors Beverage Company (TAP) The firm said it was revising its price target, taking into account recent developments in GLP-1 drugs and regulatory factors affecting alcoholic products. Last month, President Trump announced agreements with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce prices of GLP-1 drugs for patients under the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 2026. As part of the deal, these companies will also offer the treatments at discounted rates on the TrumpRx.gov website, which is scheduled for launch in January next year. According to TipRanks, Piper Sandler believes these measures would make the drug more affordable, resulting in a growth in its usage. The firm anticipates that about one-fifth of the American population will be using the GLP-1 by 2028. In August, Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP)s then CEO and now Special Advisor, Gavin Hattersley, cited GLP-1 drugs and said that these were believed to be adversely impacting alcohol consumption. As of December 5, based on recommendations from 21 Wall Street analysts, the consensus holds a cautious view and a one-year average share price target of $50.81, representing an upside potential of 13%. Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP) manufactures, promotes, and sells beer and malt beverages in different parts of the world, including the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Middle East. While we acknowledge the potential of TAP as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 10 Best Drone Stocks to Buy Right Now and 8 Best Small-Cap Defense Stocks to Buy Right Now Disclosure: None. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images The AI trade has been hobbled by a handful of bearish concerns in the last few months. Fears of an AI bubble have percolated, while other concerns like GPU depreciation are also spooking Wall Street. Investment research firm Alpine Macro argues that the top three bearish takes are overblown for now. Bloated valuations, rapidly depreciating chips, and threats from abroad round out the bear case for AI in the waning days of 2025, but the top threats may be overblown for the time being. That's according to investment research firm Alpine Macro, which argues that investors can put aside worst fears about how the AI craze could be derailed. The firm said on Monday that GPU depreciation, capex spending, and leadership changes won't spoil the party just yet, and chief quantitative strategist Henry Wu, said the market should climb the lastest AI wall of worry. "These risks are, so far, contained and should not derail the AI story," Wu said. "We continue to see outperformance from the AI tech stack's bottleneck layers, which are irreplaceable supply-chain components with strong technology moats and high market concentration." The three questions examined by the researchers are as follows: Is AI capex spending a risk for investors? Are AI chips depreciating too quickly? Is the market nearing its next DeepSeek moment? According to Wu and his team, the answer to all three is "no." The strategist said that AI capex has increased significantly over the past year. While this may create some fears of excessive spending, he maintained that it likely doesn't mean the market is nearing a peak. "Major hyperscalers like Google and Nvidia compete to set industry standards and steer the direction of AI progress," Wu added. "Investing in clients and suppliers ensures closer integration of technology roadmaps with their ecosystems." Wu also noted that while concern of AI chip depreciation remains widespread, he sees it as similarly overblown. He highlighted growing demand both in the US and abroad, specifically from China's booming AI market. He noted that older AI chips don't decline in utility simply because newer ones are rolled out, but prices fall as the supply increases. In his view, the increasing AI chip supply means faster-than-expected productivity gains, which investors should regard as a positive. "A faster product cycle also implies accelerated productivity gains. New chips appear only with major improvements," he said. Wu's final question centers on threats from abroad, pointing specifically to China's DeekSeek AI model that rattled US markets in January. Ever since, investors have been concerned about a repeat of a cheaper AI model scrambling the thesis for US investors, but Wu says this, too, should be set aside for now. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are planning to perform a farewell dance together during the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special. Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are set to leave the BBC show The Strictly co-hosts previously announced that they are to leave the BBC show at the end of the current series, but Claudia and Tess are determined to go ot in style by performing a dance together. A TV source told The Sun newspaper: "Both hosts are the first to admit theyre not natural movers, certainly not compared to the pros theyre surrounded by every week. But they know this is a special occasion and this special routine is as much an opportunity for everyone on the show to say goodbye to Tess and Claudia as it is for the viewers at home. "What better way to bid farewell to Britains biggest dance show than with a good dance? "Bosses are keeping the details of the last dance a closely kept secret though theyre expecting it to be fun and celebratory in tone." Tess, 56, and Claudia, 53, previously announced their decision to quit Strictly via a joint statement. The co-hosts said: "We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. "We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show. Theyre the most brilliant team and well miss them every day. "We will cry when we say the last keep dancing but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza." Sarah James, the executive producer of Strictly Come Dancing, also paid a glowing tribute to the co-hosts. She said: "Tess and Claudia are quite simply the best duo of presenters in the business and we are so lucky to have had them as our Strictly anchors for so many years. "They have championed countless celebrities on the dancefloor, led us all through two series during the pandemic but more importantly they have a deep and genuine bond with the show and every single member of the team. The Strictly Family is often referred to and these women are the matriarchs of that family." Brown Brothers Harriman, an investment management company, released its Q3 2025 investor letter for the BBH Select Series - Mid Cap Fund. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. In the quarter, the fund decreased by -0.9% on a total return basis compared to the Russell Midcap Indexs 5.3% return. The Fund has decreased by a total return of -1.8%, YTD, compared to 10.4% for the Index. The third quarter experienced a boost in the low-quality rally that started late last year and gained momentum throughout 2025. For more information on the funds best picks in 2025, please check its top five holdings. In its third-quarter 2025 investor letter, BBH Select Series - Mid Cap Fund highlighted stocks such as Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB). Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) is a Luxembourg-based technology services company. The one-month return of Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) was 11.28%, and its shares lost 68.83% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On December 09, 2025, Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) stock closed at $68.74 per share, with a market capitalization of $3.028 billion. BBH Select Series - Mid Cap Fund stated the following regarding Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) in its third quarter 2025 investor letter: Key Points Earnings missed expectations due to tariffs. The company continues to expand in a healthy auto parts aftermarket. 10 stocks we like better than AutoZone AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) shares plunged on Tuesday, making it the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500 index at midday. What's going on? Well, the automotive replacement parts and accessories chain reported its first-quarter financial results on Tuesday morning and Wall Street was not impressed. While revenue in the quarter rose 8.2% from a year ago, to $4.6 billion, diluted earnings per share came in at $31.04, below last year's level and, more importantly, lower than the consensus analyst estimate of $32.71. In addition, analysts expected same-store sales -- a key metric for any retailer -- to rise 5.6% over last year, but growth was lower at 5.5%. The company blamed its falling earnings on tariffs. Image source: Getty Images. The auto parts chain continues to expand That said, the auto parts retailer opened 53 net new stores in the quarter -- including 12 in Mexico and two in Brazil -- and said it plans to aggressively open more through the rest of the fiscal year. It currently has a total of 7,710 stores, all of them in the U.S., Mexico, and Brazil. And the company is well positioned to benefit from a growing automotive aftermarket, which is expected to reach $576 billion this year in the U.S. and $2.3 billion globally. So investors might have overreacted on Tuesday. Should you invest $1,000 in AutoZone right now? Before you buy stock in AutoZone, 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 AutoZone 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 $521,550!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,904!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 981% 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 8, 2025 Matthew Benjamin has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Shares of AutoZone Suddenly Plunged was originally published by The Motley Fool Louisiana routinely ranks as the worst state for retirement , with affordability among the main detractors. This cost-of-living crisis cuts disproportionately deep in this southern state as nearly 19% of the population falls below the poverty line, according to Invest in Louisiana . Despite these financial challenges, the state government applies a staggering flat retail tax of 5%. Alone, that might not seem egregious, but the average local sales tax spikes to 5.11%. As you'll see, a handful of other states have regional retail premiums overshadowing the statewide duties. This double-whammy is crushing the affordability of Louisiana. Local sales tax rates vary widely, with some set at zero and others topping out at 7%. The analysis by the Tax Foundation found that the countrywide average sales tax clocks in at an eye-watering 7.52%. When excluding those that don't impose a statewide retail tax, this average spikes to 7.72%. Whether you're planning a cross-country vacation or looking for one of the cheapest states in the U.S. to retire , understanding the dynamic layout of America's sales tax rates can help you avoid surprise costs and protect your budget. After all, you can't really avoid sales taxes since they're applied to nearly every product and service you purchase, which is the whole point from the perspective of the government and you'll be hit hardest in these states. The sales tax landscape varies greatly throughout the country, with some states applying serious surcharges and others opting out of the tax altogether. In reality, you don't have to pay state sales tax in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Keep in mind, the financial break in these states sometimes only pertains to the state-level premium. For example, Alaska permits local governments to apply a sales tax, and even Montana has carveouts for resort taxes. Sales tax is an afterthought for most shoppers due to its ubiquity across the United States. The Tax Foundation indicates that 45 states levy sales tax on various goods and services, highlighting the prevalence of this retail surcharge. While it might not immediately be on the mind of the average American, this sneaky tax provides windfall revenue for governments. In fact, research estimates that nearly one-third of total state tax inflows derive from sales tax. Many people don't realize local governments are tacking on their own sales taxes, too. These regional premiums provide 13% of tax revenue for these local authorities, according to Tax Foundation data. Story Continues Overall, Louisiana's combined sales tax leads the nation at 10.11%, per the Tax Foundation. For context, the total state and local sales tax in Louisiana was 9.52% at the beginning of 2020 and 8.91% in the early stages of 2015. That's more than a percentage-point increase in only a decade, suggesting the problem isn't getting better. In total, the Pelican State brings in $5,497 per person, meaning that's how much the average Louisiana resident spends on sales tax annually. The Louisiana government doesn't offer many exemptions from its levels of sales tax, as most were wiped out or temporarily halted in 1986. However, consumers get a break on prescription drugs, utilities, and groceries. Tennessee Tennessee flag waving against a sunset sky. - zmotions/Shutterstock Tennessee's latest tourism boom might surprise you, especially after realizing how much visitors are paying in sales tax. Residents of the Volunteer State bear the true brunt of the state's high combined sales tax of 9.61%, the second highest in the U.S. according to the Tax Foundation. The average regional checkout charge is only around 2.61%, which is relatively moderate compared to the rest of the nation. Furthermore, there's not too much volatility within these regional premiums, as the highest local sales tax is 2.75%. It's the statewide sales tax rate of 7% that hikes the overall burden faced by residents and visitors alike. Tennessee levies the second-highest sales tax in the country, falling only behind California. Tennessee officials might want to flaunt the government's lack of a personal income tax, but this unusually high retail surcharge eats away at some of those potential savings. Historical data indicates that Tennessee has always suffered from elevated sales taxes, as combined rates stood at 9.53% in early 2020 and 9.45% in early 2015. Whether they're aware of it or not, the average Tennesseean contributes $4,731 annually to local and state governments via these sales taxes. Fortunately, residents can find some relief from these prohibitive sales taxes in some exempted products, including some healthcare-related equipment, prescription drugs, and items intended for resale. Groceries are still taxed, but at a lower rate than the state standard. Arkansas Arkansas state flag waving against a blue sky. - Abdullah jokhio/Shutterstock Arkansas is widely regarded as the least expensive U.S. state, yet far from one of the best places to live. Its immoderate sales tax contradicts the perceived affordability while reinforcing the off-putting nature of the state. Arkansas' base sales tax rate of 6.5% is the 9th highest in the nation, already heavily burdensome to residents. When you tack on the average regional retail premium of 2.98%, the combined sales tax rate of Arkansas spikes to the third-highest in the nation at 9.48%. That means virtually every purchase made within the state for a product or service comes with a nearly 10% add-on charge. This steep surcharge is nothing new for residents, with the Tax Foundation putting the combined sales tax sitting at 9.47% in early 2020 and 9.26% in early 2015. Stunningly, the average resident contributes $5,289 every year to local and state governments through this hidden tax. At least the Natural State manages that revenue well, only falling 33rd among the states with the highest debt burdens, according to the Reason Foundation. At the end of 2023, the state held $12 billion worth of debt, decently low compared to the rest of the country. The Arkansas government offers some exceptions for specific buyers, such as official government bodies, resellers, and specific nonprofits. Washington Washington state flag. - Poligrafistka/Getty Images Washington recently surpassed California as the state with the highest gas prices, but that's not where the state's affordability issues stop. The Evergreen State inhabits the fourth position among the states with the highest sales taxes, with a combined rate of 9.47%, only 1% from being tied for the third spot, per the Tax Foundation. Washington has held this fourth-place position for years, maintaining a 9.23% retail tax in mid-2020. Nearly a decade ago, in 2015, residents paid 8.9% in combined sales taxes. Today, the base rate is 6.5% tied for the 9th highest in the country and the average regional rate is 2.97%. These local rates top out at 4.10%. The Evergreen State sees sales tax receipts of $7,431 per capita annually. That means the average Washingtonian dedicates nearly $7,500 of their hard-earned dollars to the state's various levels of government. This exceptionally high per-capita sales tax revenue is mirrored by fiscally irresponsible debt management. In 2023, the Washington government reported $93.37 billion worth of debt, the 8th highest in the nation, per the Reason Foundation. The Evergreen State does apply some exclusions to certain products, giving residents a break from the sky-high sales taxes. Namely, medical expenses, farm purchases, interstate sales, credits, and deferrals are generally exempted. Alabama Alabama state flag flapping against a blue sky. - Torsten Asmus/Getty Images The minimum salary you need in Alabama to be "upper middle class" is relatively low, and the state is known for its low cost of living. The state government places a maximum income tax of 5%, fairly competitive for the U.S. Yet, Alabamians are still paying far above the national average at the checkout counter. At first glance, the base rate sales tax in the Yellowhammer State doesn't seem too burdensome, reaching only 4%. Alone, that's a relatively moderate premium, but it's the local surcharges that send the state's effective sales tax rate soaring. The average local sales tax is 5.44%, per the Tax Foundation, nearly 1.5% higher than the state-level sales tax. Overall, Alabama residents face a steep 9.44% combined sales tax on most goods and services. This rate has remained largely unchanged since early 2020 and remains within the top five-highest in the nation. At the beginning of 2015, the total sales tax was 8.91%. It's estimated that the average Alabamian spends $4,722 every year on state and local retail taxes. Unlike other states that offer some relief for certain organizations, Alabama levies its sales tax against virtually all nonprofit, civic, and charitable entities. The state even applies a 2% sales tax on groceries, a sensitive category many other states exempt, given its centrality to daily life. Oklahoma Oklahoma state flag waving against a blue sky. - Abdullah jokhio/Shutterstock Don't be fooled by Oklahoma's wide-open landscapes and remoteness. The state still applies one of the country's highest retail taxes. At the store and online, residents are required to hand over an additional 9.05% on average when combining state and local sales taxes, the 6th highest combined sales tax in the nation per the Tax Foundation. The state only places a base rate of 4.5%, placing it 37th in the nation. However, regional governments often apply a much higher premium on top. The average local sales tax stands at 4.55%, although it spikes to 7% in some extreme cases. For the past decade, residents of Oklahoma have been subject to this inflated obligation. At the beginning of 2020, the state's combined retail tax was 8.94%. Looking all the way back to early 2015, the rate still held at an elevated 8.77%. The real-life implications of these taxes can be seen in the government's revenues. Every year, the state rakes in $5,038 per person in retail charges alone. This hidden financial load feels disproportionately heavy in Oklahoma one of the three states with the lowest median salaries in the entire country. Residents have a median salary of $51,676, which means nearly 10% of their income is siphoned off by the state and local governments' high sales tax. Oklahoma offers a break through various exemptions, including for school transportation, goods intended for resale, certain forms of advertising, agricultural products, residential utilities, prescription drugs, and specific medical devices. California California state flag waving with a blue-sky background. - Koeppen Photo/Shutterstock Very few people will be surprised to see California on the list of the states with the highest sales taxes, but many may have expected the Golden State to occupy a higher ranking. You would be right if we were looking at state retail taxes in isolation. California's 7.25% state sales tax is indeed the highest in the country. However, consumers are spared by the relatively tame regional premiums. The average local sales tax rate is just 1.73%, although it can jump to 5.25% at its peak. This results in a combined sales tax rate of 8.98%, per the Tax Foundation. By now, Californians are used to their above-average retail obligations. Way back in 2015, the Golden State's combined sales tax still reached 8.44%. Even with a comparatively low checkout charge compared to these other states, the California government collects much more money per capita. The Golden State receives about $10,319 per person from its sales tax scheme. That financial pain is even more acute when you consider the higher cost of living in the state where $100 only has $87.42 of purchasing power. As is common among other sales-tax-heavy states, California exempts crucial goods, such as prescription drugs and groceries for personal consumption. Illinois Illinois state flag waving with a blue-sky background. - Abdullah jokhio/Shutterstock Illinois has a well-earned reputation as a high-tax state. To be sure, the Land of Lincoln has one of the highest property tax rates in the country. This tax-affinity firmly cemented Illinois among the top 10 states with the most crushing retail taxes, too. Residents are slapped with a combined rate of 8.92% for nearly all products and services. The state government applies a generalized flat rate of 6.25%, but many localities levy their own charges. At their peak, these local rates hit 4.75%, but they average out at 2.67%. Illinoisans haven't seen their total sales taxes dip below 8% for more than a decade, per the Tax Foundation. In total, the average resident hands the government $8,148 through these retail surcharges. For perspective, the median income is $81,702, meaning the government sucks out almost 10% of a resident's income. Illinois holds the unenviable status as the sole state in the country to levy sales tax on prescription drugs, usually a protected category. The silver lining is that medications are taxed at a significantly reduced rate of 1%, much lower than the state's standard sales tax rate. Kansas Kansas state flag waving with a blue-sky background. - Abdullah jokhio/Shutterstock Kansas could be another surprising state with one of the nation's highest sales taxes. The Sunflower State's base premium of 6.5% is the 9th highest in the U.S., per the Tax Foundation, albeit tied with various other states with identical tax rates. Regional governments sneak another few percentage points on top, putting the effective sales tax rate much higher. The average local checkout charge is 2.28%, but it can spike to 4.25% in some areas. Overall, Kansas residents are looking at an extra 8.78% tacked onto most of their bills. With all these extra equations, Kansas still maintains its position as the state with the 9th-highest sales tax in the country. For context, Jayhawkers saw a combined sales tax rate of 8.68% in early 2020 and 8.20% in early 2015. Moves of less than a percentage point might not seem like a lot, but they add up over time. For instance, the average Kansan will spend $6,326 on local and state retail taxes every year. Consider that the median household income in the state is only $72,639, below the national median, according to Income by Zip Code. The Kansas government outlines specific organizations that are exempt from sales taxes, including various nonprofits, some parent-teacher organizations, noncommercial radio or television stations, primary and secondary schools, nonprofit hospitals, and government entities. Only a few years ago, there was a sales tax applied to food, but recent legislation made these goods exempt as of January 1, 2025. New York New York state flag waving with a blue-sky background. - 2ndlookgraphics/Getty Images There are many retirement secrets you should know if you live in New York, but the state's high sales tax rate often falls under the radar. The Empire State isn't known for its affordability, and you can see why every time you check out of the store. The state's base retail tax rate of 4% is reasonable in isolation. In fact, it's among the lowest 10 in the nation. Still, the exceedingly high local taxes are where the problem lies. The average regional sales tax is a budget-breaking 4.54%. The silver lining is that New Yorkers don't experience much fluctuation in regional surcharges, as the peak is only 4.875%. Overall, these regional add-ons spike New York's combined sales tax rate to 8.54% per the Tax Foundation. It's the lowest on this list, but still higher than 40 other U.S. states. Residents have seen little relief over the years, as the premium has held strong at 8.52% in early 2020. At the beginning of 2015, the combined sales tax rate was still a wallet-pinching 8.48%. Despite occupying the bottom of these rankings, the Empire State collects the most sales tax per capita of any of the others. The Tax Foundation data found that New Yorkers pay a whopping $12,685 on average annually in retail surcharges. Luckily for residents and visitors, New York does offer some generous exemptions for various items, including medical items, food stamps, and foods intended for home consumption. Unlock your financial potential. Add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights! Read the original article on Money Digest. Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Jimmy Donaldson, also known as Mr. Beast on his incredibly successful YouTube channel, is no stranger to publicly handing out and receiving criticism on his various social media accounts. In 2024, a project to build 100 houses for needy families, was added to his resume of philanthropic endeavors. He has built a name for himself through his charitable actions, having previously paid for cataract surgery for 1,000 patients in need and given $10,000 away to an unhoused person among many other projects. Must Read Despite a reported net worth of more than $100 million, Donaldson was called to defend his recent charitable actions by his fans on social media. In his response on X.com, he called for the government to do more to fix the countrys housing problem. When we help people (such as funding cataract surgery for 1,000 people, building 100 houses, 100 wells, etc.), people get mad and say I shouldnt be doing this and governments should Yes, ideally a YouTuber isnt the one fixing these issues, but I'm not just gonna stand by and do nothing, Donaldson posted. Housing matters For Donaldson, its pretty clear his stance on housing is that its a human right. But the reality is that households that own real estate are disproportionately wealthier than those that dont. Real estate is an asset class thats provided incredible wealth accumulation over the long-term for those in high income brackets. New investing platforms are making it easier than ever to tap into the real estate market. For accredited investors, Homeshares gives access to the $36 trillion U.S. home equity market, which has historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. Gold (GC=F) futures opened at $4,309.10 per troy ounce Friday, 0.1% lower than Thursdays closing price of $4,313. Gold has not opened above $4,300 since Oct. 21. Central bank demand has been instrumental to golds gain this year, which now exceeds 63%. The demand will likely remain strong in 2026. More than 90% of central banks surveyed by the World Gold Council earlier this year said central bank reserves would increase over the next 12 months. A record 43% of respondents predicted an increase of their own gold reserves as well. The gold accumulation is partly driven by efforts to diversify away from the U.S. dollar. U.S. government bonds, once the choice asset for treasury reserves, have lost some appeal amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and an uncertain U.S. economic outlook. Gold price predictions for 2026 vary widely. Some see the yellow metal remaining below $4,000, while others expect an increase to above $5,000 per troy ounce. Current price of gold The opening price of gold futures Friday was 0.1% lower than Thursdays close. Heres a look at how the gold price has changed versus last week, month, and year: One week ago: +2.5% One month ago: +4.7% One year ago: +58.1% On Nov. 14, golds one-year gain was 63.4%. 24/7 gold price tracking: Don't forget you can monitor the current price of gold on Yahoo Finance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Want to learn more about the current top-performing companies in the gold industry? Explore a list of the top-performing companies in the gold industry using the Yahoo Finance Screener. You can create your own screeners with over 150 different screening criteria. Learn more: Gold vs. crypto: Which should investors own in debasement trade? How much gold should you own? A gold investment can add stability and inflation protection to your portfolio. But it can also dilute your gains when stock prices are rising quickly. Finding the right balance between golds diversification benefits and profiting from growth potential in other assets can be challenging. Even the experts are divided on how to achieve the correct balance. Below, five experts explain their recommended gold allocations, which range from 0% to 20%. Learn more: How to invest in gold in 4 steps No gold: Trade-off is too high Robert R. Johnson, professor at Creighton Universitys Heider College of Business, does not advocate gold investing. In his words, while having a small position in precious metals may dampen portfolio volatility in the short-run, the tradeoff between slightly dampened volatility and the lost long-term return is certainly not a prudent one, particularly for Gen Z/millennials with long investing time horizons. 2% to 5% allocation, depending on the situation Brett Elliott, director of content and SEO at American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX), recommends setting an allocation that aligns with your investing goals. Growth-oriented investors may be comfortable with an allocation of 10% or 15%, according to Elliott. But income investors will prefer a smaller position, because gold provides no yield. A 2% to 5% gold allocation can provide some resiliency without an excessive drag on income potential. Learn more: Who decides what gold is worth? How gold prices are determined. 5% to 8% gold allocation Blake McLaughlin, executive vice president at Axcap Ventures, said historical data support a gold allocation of 5% to 8%. Gold may not offer the outsized return potential of private investments, but the metal holds a set of attributes that are increasingly hard to ignore, according to McLaughlin. Those attributes include the metals resilience amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical unrest. 5% to 15% gold allocation Thomas Winmill, portfolio manager at Midas Funds, believes most investors will benefit from a long-term gold allocation of 5% to 15%. Winmill specifically advocates investing in gold mining companies through a mutual fund. Your risk tolerance and current mix of financial versus hard assets can guide you to an appropriate allocation, according to Winmill. Risk tolerance. Keep your allocation percentage low if you tend to panic in volatile cycles. Financial vs. hard assets. Financial assets are stocks and bonds. Hard assets include tangible items like real estate, gold, collectibles, classic cars, and equipment. If you have no home equity and your wealth is primarily in financial assets, you can set your gold allocation higher. Or, if your home is paid for and more valuable than your stock portfolio, gold investing may not be necessary. Learn more: Thinking of buying gold? Here's what investors should watch for. 20% gold allocation Vince Stanzione, CEO and founder at First Information, recommends a 20% gold allocation, specifically in physical gold or a gold ETF. Stanzione argues for a higher exposure to gold as a wealth protection strategy. As he says, gold keeps with inflation and gold retains its purchasing power, while paper currencies are devaluing around the world. Learn more: Gold IRA: Benefits, risks, and how it differs from a traditional IRA Price-of-gold chart Whether youre tracking the price of gold since last month or last year, the price-of-gold chart below shows the precious metals steady upward climb in value. Josh Hartnett and Kieran Culkin have signed up for Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand up to Cancer. Josh Hartnett and his wife Tamsin Egerton will feature on Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand up to Cancer The Oppenheimer actor will appear on Friday's (12.12.25) charity special of the Channel 4 show with his wife Tamsin Egerton as they settle down to watch some TV favourites, whilst the Succession star will be joined on the sofa by his spouse Jazz Charlton. The Hollywood stars and their partners are the first of four all-star pairings revealed for the show. Josh said: "Tamsin introduced me to Googlebox many years ago and I've been a fan ever since. Having the chance to sit with her, share a few laughs and inevitably say something that embarrasses us both, all while helping raise awareness for the worthiest of charities, is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. "I'm incredibly excited to be a part of it, and to support Stand up to Cancer." Tamsin added: "We first started watching Gogglebox during lockdown in 2020, I found it so comforting watching other families around the country watching TV 'with' us. It's such a great cross-section of the UK. "Ever since then, Josh and I have tried to watch it together whenever we can. I can't wait to snuggle up on the sofa with him for such an important cause as Stand up to Cancer." Josh lives in the UK with English actress Tamsin and their four children and previously revealed that his kids make fun of him for "being an American". The 47-year-old actor told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this year: "My kids love to give me crap about being an American because Im the only American in our house. Im a foreigner in my own home. "My middle one does a really good impersonation of me, [and] will just kind of turn to me and be like, Im Daddy, and I like pizza and I wont mow the lawn. As American as it gets." Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand up to Cancer airs Friday 12th December at 9pm. COMPANY NEWS: LogicMonitor, the AI-first hybrid observability platform powering the next generation of digital infrastructure, has announced a new partnership with SiS Technologies Pte Ltd, a value-added IT distributor based in Singapore. The partnership strengthens LogicMonitors regional presence and accelerates access to unified visibility and predictive intelligence for enterprises across Southeast Asia. Scaling regional momentum This partnership builds on the launch of LogicMonitors Singapore data centre and reflects the companys continued investment in one of the world's most advanced digital economies. Singapores commitment to digital resilience and smart infrastructure makes it an ideal market for LogicMonitors AI-first approach. Demand for real-time observability and intelligent automation continues to grow as more enterprises and service providers move to hybrid and multi-cloud architectures. LogicMonitors partnership with SiS Technologies positions both organisations to meet this demand with agility and local support. The partnership will deliver enhanced local expertise, logistics, and customer support, helping enterprises and service providers in Singapore and the wider region strengthen operational resilience and digital agility. Expanding AI-first hybrid observability LogicMonitor will draw on SiS Technologies deep market knowledge and extensive partner ecosystem to drive adoption of LM Envision, its AI-first hybrid observability platform. LM Envision brings together monitoring, log intelligence, and predictive insights from Edwin AI to transform telemetry into foresight and fast action. These capabilities help IT and business teams anticipate issues before they occur, unify their digital ecosystems, and shift from reactive firefighting to strategic focus. This is increasingly essential as enterprises manage growing complexity in hybrid environments. This partnership reflects LogicMonitors ongoing investment in the Asia-Pacific region and its goal to work closely with regional leaders who share its vision of empowering businesses through intelligent observability. The companys expansion comes as demand for unified monitoring and analytics increases among organisations managing complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Organisations across Southeast Asia face growing pressure to maintain resilience, security, and visibility, Richard Gerdis, vice president and general manager, Asia-Pacific, LogicMonitor said. Combining our industry-leading observability platform with SiS Technologies proven distribution capabilities and deep understanding of Singapores technology landscape will allow us to meet this demand. Partnering with SiS Technologies strengthens our ability to deliver local expertise, faster execution, and exceptional customer experiences across this rapidly advancing region. SiS Technologies is proud to announce this partnership with LogicMonitor as its authorised distributor in Singapore, Sam Chng, Managing Director of SiS Technologies Pte Ltd said. LogicMonitors AI-powered hybrid observability platform, LM Envision, aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver advanced IT and cybersecurity solutions to enterprises and service providers. Working with LogicMonitor strengthens SiS Technologies ability to empower our partners and customers with the visibility, efficiency, and innovation required to succeed in todays complex hybrid IT environments. Driving regional resilience and growth SiS Technologies has more than 30 years of experience in IT distribution and is recognised for its focus on cybersecurity, infrastructure, and networking technologies. The companys strong vendor relationships, consulting expertise, and reputation for excellence make it a trusted channel partner for world-class IT solutions. LogicMonitor will continue expanding its Asia-Pacific footprint in partnership with organisations that share its vision for AI-driven resilience and sustainable growth. As enterprises modernise and scale hybrid IT strategies, LogicMonitor remains committed to providing the observability intelligence needed to maintain performance, reliability, and operational excellence. About SiS Technologies As a value-added distributor, SiS Technologies not only provides a wide variety of IT products but also offers comprehensive IT consulting services. We take pride in delivering business solutions through our partners to our customers, contributing to the success of their businesses. Our success relies on our passionate and visionary management team. Among IT distributors in Singapore, SiS Technologies stands out with its deep focus on cybersecurity, cloud, networking, infrastructure, collaboration and AI technologies. With over 30 years of experience and a strong understanding of the evolving IT landscape, complemented by our established reputation and exceptional personnel, we are confident in representing and delivering world-class products and IT solutions. Learn more at www.sisdistribution.com.sg About LogicMonitor LogicMonitor is the AI-first hybrid observability platform powering the next generation of digital infrastructure. LogicMonitor delivers complete visibility and actionable intelligence across on-premises, cloud, and edge environments. By anticipating issues before they strike, optimizing resources in real time, and enabling faster, smarter decisions, LogicMonitor helps IT and business leaders protect margins, accelerate innovation, and deliver exceptional digital experiences without compromise. For more information, visit www.logicmonitor.com and our blog, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Youtube. GUEST OPINION: Australias announcement of a national AI capability plan and its emphasis on data is a welcome and important step. Policymakers have moved the conversation beyond raw compute and rightly signalled that data is central to any sovereign AI ambition. Recognising data as strategic infrastructure is the foundation for trustworthy, useful and competitive AI. However, recognising data is only the first step. The early public debate has understandably zoomed in on hyperscale facilities, GPU counts and latency - the visible elements of an AI ecosystem. But compute and chips are only half the story. The other half is the quality, governance and operational readiness of the data that feeds those machines. AI only performs as well as the data that fuels it. Without high-quality, well-integrated, and trusted data, even the most powerful models will underdeliver, producing biased, brittle or unusable outcomes. To turn Australias growing compute footprint into a genuine sovereign capability, we must build the invisible, but essential, data layer alongside it. Four practical principles should guide the next phase of implementation: Integration at scale: AI models require data from hundreds of sources - enterprise systems, public datasets, IoT streams and more. That data must be unified and accessible in forms that models can ingest rapidly and reliably. Quality and trust: Garbage in, garbage out is amplified at AI scale. Data cleansing, enrichment and validation arent optional, they are mission critical for accuracy and fairness. Governance and transparency: Regulators, citizens and customers will demand lineage, explainability and controls. Built-in metadata, provenance tracking and auditability are essential to demonstrate how models were trained and why they make the decisions they do. Continuous operationalisation: AI is not a one-off project. Pipelines must feed fresh data into training, retraining and deployment cycles so systems remain accurate and relevant. The good news is that these are solvable engineering and governance problems but they require targeted investment and a clear national posture. Australias plans should couple hardware commitments with funding, standards and incentives for the modern data management infrastructure that ensures data is discoverable, clean, secure and compliant. The Australian government is to be commended for elevating data in the national AI conversation. Now lets match that leadership with the practical, long-term data investments that will turn potential into performance and ensure Australias AI future is robust, responsible and nationally valuable. GUEST OPINION: Australian organisations are entering 2026 with a renewed focus on how travel and expense (T&E) activity supports business outcomes. Economic conditions remain uncertain, technology is evolving quickly, and expectations around financial accountability are rising. These pressures are shifting T&E management from a routine administrative function to an area that demands stronger oversight and more deliberate planning. AIs expanding role in travel and expense management Artificial intelligence is influencing this transition. Although AI is already used to streamline repetitive tasks, its capabilities are expanding rapidly. Many organisations are reconsidering how they process and verify expenses, as AI systems can now interpret information, validate claims, and assist staff with decisions in real time. This shift reflects a broader preference for systems that reduce administrative load and improve accuracy without adding complexity. Jonathan Beeby, managing director, SAP Concur Australia and New Zealand, said, AI is advancing at a rate that requires finance and operational leaders to review the foundations of their financial processes. The goal is to support staff with tools that improve accuracy, reduce ambiguity, and produce consistent information at the point of decision. Employee expectations are redefining compliance The quality of the employee experience is becoming a more significant factor in T&E outcomes. Staff expect the same level of ease and responsiveness that they experience in consumer technology. This means they want guided options, clear decisions, and minimal manual input. When systems are unmanageable, compliance declines, and employees choose alternatives that weaken policy adherence. This creates data gaps that limit an organisations ability to manage cost and risk effectively. Integrated platforms are streamlining T&E processes Another shift underway is the integration of T&E processes within everyday workplace platforms. More organisations are embedding travel booking and expense actions into systems such as Teams and Slack. This reduces the number of tools employees must navigate and improves the completeness of transaction data. It also supports the gradual move toward automated reconciliation, where AI can match transactions, interpret receipts, and settle claims without requiring a formal report from the user. Security risks are escalating across financial systems Security considerations are increasing in importance as these systems become more connected. Financial leaders are seeing higher volumes of AI-generated fraud attempts, including digitally fabricated receipts. Organisations need stronger controls that combine technology, governance, and human oversight. This requires closer coordination between finance and technology teams, as risk management is more effective when responsibilities and expectations are shared. Jonathan Beeby said, With systems becoming more intelligent, leaders need a clear understanding of how information is protected and validated. The risk environment is not static. Finance leaders require transparency across systems and processes so that activity can be monitored and managed with confidence. Cost control, culture, and strategy in 2026 Cost management will remain at the centre of T&E strategy in 2026. Although travel continues to play a role in commercial growth, organisations are applying more scrutiny to the value of each trip. AI-powered insights support leaders to examine travel behaviour more closely, identify unnecessary spending, and assess which types of travel are most likely to produce measurable outcomes. This shift supports more strategic decision-making and helps businesses allocate travel budgets to areas that matter most. For small and midsize organisations, progress will depend on targeted investment. Tools such as virtual cards, pre-spend controls, and automated policy compliance offer practical support for financial teams that are already managing heavy workloads. These capabilities strengthen governance and help maintain cash flow stability, particularly when economic conditions are unpredictable. Culture will also play a significant role in how T&E evolves during 2026. Organisations that encourage structured experimentation are better positioned to uncover useful applications for AI. A willingness to test, refine, and adjust processes allows teams to identify what works and to retire practices that no longer deliver value. This approach requires leadership commitment and clear communication, so staff understand the purpose and benefits of new methods. Jonathan Beeby said, Meaningful progress comes from measured trial and improvement. Leaders who support experimentation and allow teams to learn from the process will achieve stronger and more sustainable improvements than those who rely solely on top-down change. The year ahead will present both complexity and opportunity for Australian organisations. The convergence of technology developments, shifts in employee expectations, and the risk landscape is reshaping how travel and expense activities are managed. Organisations that stay informed, invest with purpose, and strengthen the alignment between finance, technology, and operational teams will be in a stronger position to navigate the year with clarity. Rubrik (NYSE: RBRK), the Security and AI Operations Company, released the results of its latest Rubrik Zero Labs report Identity Crisis: Understanding & Building Resilience Against Identity-Driven Threats. Australia Moving from AI Experimentation to Implementation The report reveals that 99 per cent of Australian organisations have integrated or plan to integrate AI models or AI agents into their identity infrastructure. Meanwhile, 98 per cent of local security leaders report identity-driven attacks as their top concernthe highest globally. The report findings are particularly concerning because AI agents, if compromised, grant threat actors direct access to sensitive systems and data, increasing the scale and speed of potential attacks. Therefore, organisations must prioritise securing AI agent identities and access controls to prevent devastating breaches. AI agents are a force multiplier the only question is whether that force is positive or negative, said Kavitha Mariappan, Chief Transformation Officer, Rubrik. When compromised and used maliciously, AI agents can cause 10 times the damage in one-tenth of the time. Weve already seen the impact compromised human identities can have, and its clear agentic identities are the next frontier. A costly reality check One of the most notable findings in this years report was that Australian organisations experienced the highest proportion of ransomware attacks globally (35 per cent). One reason for the high rate of ransomware attacks in the country appears to be because local organisations continue to pay their attackers. Of Australian organisations that experienced a ransomware attack in the past 12 months, 95 per cent reported paying a ransom to recover data or halt the attack, ranking second only to Singapore at 97 per cent. The figures in this report underline a sobering reality ransomware remains one of Australias most persistent and costly cyber threats. Traditional defences clearly arent enough, said David Rajkovic, Vice President, Rubrik A/NZ. It is critical for Australian organisations to adopt a proactive security posture, one that prioritises rapid recovery, because paying ransoms only fuels the criminal ecosystem. Prolonged recovery Despite nearly all Australian ransomware victims paying their attackers, the report finds that not a single Australian organisation (0 per cent) was able to recover and resume normal operations in less than an hour. Almost a quarter (23 per cent) took more than 24 hours to recover. No Australian organisation (0 per cent) believes they could recover full service operations in under 12 hours, and 34 per cent believe it would take at least a week to do so. In trying to recover identity infrastructure post compromise, more than three quarters (78 per cent) of Australian organisations believe it would take them more than 24 hours. Australian organisations are, however, looking to implement better resilience measures, with 92 per cent planning to hire professionals specifically to manage or improve digital identity management. Australian respondents also widely reported shifting toward using more cloud and SaaS-based services than any other nation (88 per cent). The report highlights a nation that understands the threats and is keen to forge ahead with innovation, but unfortunately our nation lacks investment into appropriate security controls, said Rajkovic. To prevent innovation from outpacing risk management as organisations adopt AI, mechanisms to monitor and audit agentic actions, enforce real-time guardrails for agentic changes, fine-tune agents for accuracy and, finally, undo agent mistakes will be critical. To read the full report, visit https://zerolabs.rubrik.com/. Methodology The Rubrik Zero Labs Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,625 IT Security Decision-Makers at companies of 500 or more employees with a 50/50 split of Directors/VPs and CIOs/CISOs. The research was conducted in three regions: US, EMEA (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands), and APAC (Japan, Australia, Singapore, India), between September 18th and September 29th, 2025, using an email invitation and an online survey. Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.9 percentage points for the EMEA region, and 4.4 percentage points for the APAC and US regions, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample. About Rubrik Rubrik (NYSE: RBRK) is on a mission to secure the worlds data. With Zero Trust Data Security, we help organizations achieve business resilience against cyberattacks, malicious insiders, and operational disruptions. Rubrik Security Cloud, powered by machine learning, secures data across enterprise, cloud, and SaaS applications. We help organizations uphold data integrity, deliver data availability that withstands adverse conditions, continuously monitor data risks and threats, and restore businesses with their data when infrastructure is attacked. Bigmate, a leader in AI-powered workplace safety and operational intelligence, has partnered with Equinix to deploy its Anomaly and Contamination Identification System (ACIS) a paradigm shift that turns traditional AI training approaches upside down. By leveraging Equinixs resilient digital infrastructure and robust cloud ecosystem, Bigmate can privately and securely interconnect with cloud providers and industry stakeholders to deliver real-time, AI-driven quality control for industries ranging from food processing to manufacturing. The deployment in Equinixs International Business Exchange (IBX) data centre in Sydney ensures Bigmate can continue to offer data sovereignty within Australia - a critical requirement for customers given the sensitivities of the data being collected and analysed. Equinix also provides the scalability and direct connectivity needed to support Bigmate's growth ambitions. Known for its core workplace safety solutions in high-risk industries, Bigmates new Anomaly Contaminant Identification System utilises the latest computer vision technology and AI to identify product defects, contaminants, and production inconsistencies during the manufacturing process with exceptional speed and accuracy. The AI-driven solution requires robust, secure, and low-latency infrastructure to process vast amounts of data efficiently and transform it into actionable intelligence. Using Equinix Fabric, a software-defined interconnection solution, Bigmate creates secure connections between its edge devices, cloud providers, and customer networks, allowing for flexible and scalable deployment of its ACIS platform across distributed locations. Equinix Internet Access (EIA) provides the dual-port resiliency needed to keep Bigmates systems running smoothly, offering scalable bandwidth to manage sudden data spikes during peak detection periods while ensuring the consistent low latency required by its real-time edge systems. Gregory Graham, Chief Operating Officer, Bigmate, said: ACIS fundamentally changes how businesses approach quality control instead of cataloguing endless defects, we teach the system what good looks like. This paradigm shift combined with Equinixs stable and proven high-performance foundation provides what we need to deliver this AI-driven capability to our customers. Importantly, it allows us to interconnect with our partners and customers privately and securely while scaling flexibly as we grow. Equinix's digital infrastructure enables Bigmate to offer its customers enhanced performance and security. By leveraging Equinix's carrier diverse ecosystem, Bigmate can establish direct, private interconnections, bypassing the public internet to ensure data integrity for sensitive production data. This is particularly critical for applications include detecting contaminants in food products or verifying the quality of palletised goods before shipment. In Australia, Bigmate works with major mining companies, such as BMA, amongst other customers like Infrabuild, Etex Group, Visy and Coronado Global. In the United States, Bigmate has active operations serving customers Ascend and Tyson Foods. Guy Danskine, Managing Director, Equinix Australia, said: "Equinix is pleased to support Bigmate as they bring innovative AI-powered solutions to market. This is another example of how digital infrastructure and interconnection provide the secure, scalable, and high-performance environment that empowers companies like Bigmate to set new standards for efficiency and quality while meeting customer data sovereignty needs. We look forward to supporting their continued growth, both here in Australia and internationally." Bigmate also plans to leverage Equinix's global data centre footprint to support its operations in North America and Europe, enabling faster rollouts for international clients and ensuring consistent, reliable service across regions. Key Facts Interview: French former lawmaker says he finds strong resonance in Chinese philosophical thought Xinhua) 09:17, December 10, 2025 PARIS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Eric Alauzet, former president of the France-China Friendship Group of the French National Assembly, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese philosophical thought deeply resonate with him, helping him better understand concepts such as the relationship between humanity and nature. In April 2023, Alauzet accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron on his state visit to China in his capacity as president of the France-China Friendship Group. Beyond his former parliamentary role, he is also an acupuncturist specializing in TCM and has long been drawn to Taoist philosophy. His path toward acupuncture began with his early medical training. After completing his studies in Nancy in eastern France, he grew skeptical of certain conventional Western medical approaches. It was then that he found inspiration in TCM principles such as the "unity of heaven and man" and the importance of adapting treatments to time, place and individual constitution. Alauzet recalled that French diplomat George Soulie de Morant introduced acupuncture to France in the 1960s, opening the door for initial explorations of this Eastern medical practice. However, its acceptance in the West was slow. Until the 1980s, French health authorities remained broadly doubtful about acupuncture. Later, when many patients, who had not found sufficient relief from conventional treatments, turned to acupuncture and saw improvements, its effectiveness gradually gained recognition. Sensing an opportunity, Alauzet enrolled in a newly established acupuncture program at a Paris university after seven years of studying Western medicine, completing three years of training before opening his own practice. Even during his years in parliament, he continued to dedicate several hours a week to acupuncture until his retirement. In 2024, during an international conference on TCM, Chinese representatives proposed a collaboration project to him. Then he was invited to Beijing as a special advisor for an acupuncture training program, accompanied by about 30 French doctors. As this Sino-French clinical exchange mechanism developed, his connection with China further deepened. Through acupuncture, Alauzet also immersed himself in Taoist philosophy. He said that reading traditional Chinese philosophical works such as "Tao Te Ching" resonated profoundly with him. The Taoist worldview -- which stresses the interconnectedness and the perpetual motion of all things -- offered him a valuable framework for understanding nature and life. Alauzet said he believes both France and China wield decisive influence on the international stage, noting that China boasts its large population and growing diplomatic influence while France plays a leading role in Europe. "These two countries ... have their own culture and particularities," Alauzet said, adding that it is "necessary" for both to play an even more important role in world peace and stability. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - Nahed was visiting Sudans capital, Khartoum, with her family to celebrate Eid, a major Islamic holiday, when the war broke out between the rival armies vying for control of her homeland For decades, I practiced medicine as a dermatologist and dermatopathologist, serving patients and teaching medical students at UC Irvine. I believed I could recognize addiction when I saw it. I was always alert for signs, such as the patient whose story didnt quite match the evidence, or whose habits hinted at something deeper. When alcohol came up in conversation, I learned early to quietly double whatever amount the patient reported; experience had taught me that honesty about drinking is rare. Yet even as I prided myself on awareness and compassion, I missed the most important diagnosis of all: my own. By all appearances, I was fine. I never missed work, my lab results looked good, and my patients liked me. I was what the world now calls a high-functioning alcoholic. But heres the uncomfortable truth: Theres really no such thing. Functioning only looks high until the facade cracks. Thats the blind spot medicine still has; the illusion that addiction has a certain look. We think well recognize it when we see it: the disheveled patient, the erratic employee, the slurred words, or trembling hands. But addiction, especially alcohol dependence, is far more insidious and often lives behind polished veneers, including in the medical community itself. The patients who look fine Doctors are trained to rely on observable evidence. We measure, we test, we quantify. But addiction isnt always quantifiable until its late-stage, and it doesnt respect professional credentials or good intentions. Many of our patients and colleagues live for years in what I call the zone of denial: drinking just enough to numb but not enough to crash. And as long as they look fine, we tend to let it go. I certainly did. I believed that as long as I could perform at a high level, my drinking couldnt be a problem. After all, I had a medical license, a family, a home, and a full practice. That illusion, that functioning protects us, is what keeps so many people, including doctors, from seeking help until the damage is undeniable. Why doctors miss it There are four main reasons the medical profession continues to miss high-functioning addiction, in patients and in ourselves. We underestimate alcohol: Even in 2025, alcohol remains the most normalized and socially accepted drug on the planet. Medical training emphasizes the dangers of opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, but alcohol often gets only a cursory mention. We warn patients about liver disease or drunk driving, yet rarely confront the broader neurochemical and behavioral dependence it creates. The science is clear: alcohol is a neurotoxin that affects nearly every organ system. But our cultural relationship with it clouds our clinical objectivity. Even in 2025, alcohol remains the most normalized and socially accepted drug on the planet. Medical training emphasizes the dangers of opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines, but alcohol often gets only a cursory mention. We warn patients about liver disease or drunk driving, yet rarely confront the broader neurochemical and behavioral dependence it creates. The science is clear: alcohol is a neurotoxin that affects nearly every organ system. But our cultural relationship with it clouds our clinical objectivity. We rely too heavily on lab results: Abnormal liver enzymes, macrocytosis, or elevated GGT levels might confirm suspicion, but by the time those markers appear, the disease has already advanced. Early-stage alcohol dependence often hides in plain sight. The absence of lab abnormalities isnt proof of wellness; its proof of how well the disease hides. Abnormal liver enzymes, macrocytosis, or elevated GGT levels might confirm suspicion, but by the time those markers appear, the disease has already advanced. Early-stage alcohol dependence often hides in plain sight. The absence of lab abnormalities isnt proof of wellness; its proof of how well the disease hides. Were uncomfortable talking about it: Addiction forces conversations that feel personal, even threatening. Many physicians, especially those who drink socially, fear hypocrisy, Who am I to judge?, so we avoid probing deeper. That avoidance protects our comfort, not our patients health. A brief, compassionate inquiry about drinking patterns can save lives, but only if were willing to ask the uncomfortable questions. Addiction forces conversations that feel personal, even threatening. Many physicians, especially those who drink socially, fear hypocrisy, Who am I to judge?, so we avoid probing deeper. That avoidance protects our comfort, not our patients health. A brief, compassionate inquiry about drinking patterns can save lives, but only if were willing to ask the uncomfortable questions. We see addiction as other: Medicine has long treated addiction as something separate from the rest of health, a behavioral issue, not a medical one. Despite years of neuroscience proving that addiction alters brain function, stigma still divides us from them. But the truth is that addiction doesnt discriminate. It infiltrates every demographic, profession, and level of education, including the medical field. What I wish I had known I wish Id known that denial doesnt look like denial when youre inside it. It feels rational. It feels like control. I told myself I was managing stress, that I deserved to unwind, that my drinking didnt affect anyone else. And because I was still performing, still the reliable doctor, husband, and father, I used my success as evidence that I couldnt possibly have a problem. Thats the paradox of high-functioning alcoholism: success becomes its camouflage. And unless physicians learn to recognize that pattern in themselves and their patients, well keep missing it. How medicine can evolve The solution isnt another lecture on substance abuse. Its a cultural shift within medicine itself, one that integrates addiction screening, education, and compassion into every level of care. Start early: Medical education should include more than a passing mention of alcohols neurobiological impact. Students should learn to recognize subtle dependence and be encouraged to examine their own biases around alcohol. Medical education should include more than a passing mention of alcohols neurobiological impact. Students should learn to recognize subtle dependence and be encouraged to examine their own biases around alcohol. Ask without accusation: Patients (and colleagues) are far more likely to open up when we approach with empathy instead of interrogation. Replace How much do you drink? with How is alcohol part of your daily life? Patients (and colleagues) are far more likely to open up when we approach with empathy instead of interrogation. Replace How much do you drink? with How is alcohol part of your daily life? Normalize help-seeking: Physicians fear professional repercussions if they admit to a problem. Medical boards and institutions must prioritize treatment over punishment. Addiction is a disease, and doctors deserve the same care we give others. Physicians fear professional repercussions if they admit to a problem. Medical boards and institutions must prioritize treatment over punishment. Addiction is a disease, and doctors deserve the same care we give others. Model honesty: When appropriate, clinicians who have found recovery can play a powerful role in destigmatizing addiction. Sharing that perspective, even subtly, tells patients: you are not alone, and this disease doesnt define you. Recovery and what comes after ADVERTISEMENT It took me years to confront my own dependence. Recovery was neither quick nor easy, but it clarified something I now believe with certainty: Medicine cant treat what it refuses to see. Every physician carries influence, the power to identify suffering early, to name what others cant, and to guide them toward help. But to use that power well, we have to look beyond the obvious signs and question our assumptions. Addiction doesnt always look like chaos. Sometimes it looks like competence. Sometimes it looks like us. When physicians start seeing that, when we stop separating addiction from medicine and start addressing it as an integral part of human health, well finally begin to heal not just our patients, but our profession. Jeff Herten is a dermatologist and dermatopathologist. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Fertility specialist Oluyemisi (Yemi) Famuyiwa discusses her article, How timing affects chemical exposure risks. Yemi introduces her fascinating concept of chrono-exposomics, explaining how the time of day you are exposed to environmental chemicals may be as important as the dose. She reveals how our bodys circadian rhythms (like liver detoxification and skin permeability) change over 24 hours, meaning the same exposure at 8 p.m. is not the same as at 8 a.m. Using the example of a manicure, Yemi explores how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like phthalates and TPO) in nail products might be absorbed more heavily in the evening, posing a unique risk to fertility and hormonal health. Learn the practical, evidence-informed adjustments you can make to align your self-care routines with your bodys natural schedule. Our presenting sponsor is Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Want to streamline your clinical documentation and take advantage of customizations that put you in control? What about the ability to surface information right at the point of care or automate tasks with just a click? Now, you can. Microsoft Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow, is transforming how clinicians work. Offering an extensible AI workspace and a single, integrated platform, Dragon Copilot can help you unlock new levels of efficiency. Plus, its backed by a proven track record and decades of clinical expertise, and its part of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, built on a foundation of trust. Ease your administrative burdens and stay focused on what matters most with Dragon Copilot, your AI assistant for clinical workflow. VISIT SPONSOR https://aka.ms/kevinmd SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi. Welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today, we welcome back Yemi Famuyiwa. She is a fertility specialist. In todays KevinMD article is How timing affects chemical exposure risks. Yemi, welcome back to the show. Yemi Famuyiwa: Thank you so much, Kevin. It is a pleasure. Kevin Pho: All right. Tell us what your latest article is about. ADVERTISEMENT Yemi Famuyiwa: My article is about looking at toxins and the effect on the reproductive axis. That is always one of the popular things that I like to dig into for my patients. I am always telling them about exposure, but then I took it a step further when I started reading other articles and I realized that the toxins can also be more potent or less potent depending on when the exposure occurs. That came from other studies that I was reading. When I read my articles, I started reading about the differences in exposure to certain things that have to do with timing. That is the origin of that story. Kevin Pho: All right. When you talk about toxins, what exactly are we talking about? Yemi Famuyiwa: We are talking about anything that is foreign to the body. It will be a xenobiotic. It is not manmade. So any chemicals, specifically chemicals that the human body is exposed to. We know that some of these toxins like phthalates and BPAs and this one that is more popular right now is TPO. They are not natural to your body. The body doesnt know what to do with it. We are talking about when your body comes into contact with this, either through what you do as a profession, what you put on your body to look pretty, or what you are exposed to in your everyday life. How is that assimilated into your cells? How does your body detoxify you? If it is not adequately removed or detoxified, what impact will it have on you, on your reproductive axis, and more? It has other effects body-wide. Kevin Pho: So in your article you say that the bodys circadian rhythms change over 24 hours. So things like liver detoxification and skin permeability mean it affects when the exposure is. So like if you are exposed to a toxin, say at 8:00 p.m., it is different from being exposed at 8:00 a.m. Is that correct? Yemi Famuyiwa: Right. A lot of that observation came from studies. They started in animals in the animal kingdom, and they noticed that the animals may metabolize certain things differently. For instance, if you look at insects (not that humans are insects), if you spray insecticides at a certain time of the night and day in their world, some of those sprays or chemicals are neutralized by the insects because their genes that metabolize them and break them down get revved up at a certain time of the day. So if you spray them at that time, well, you might as well just spray water because they have layered on super protection. Then at other times, that gene is downregulated and the insecticide is more effective. Take that one step further. There was actually a study they did in Europe where they took a group of people. They had them go to the grocery store and buy the normal fruits that they normally eat in a day. You are told to eat four or five servings of fruits. So you buy the normal fruits that you normally buy. They said to buy from the same store because they wanted to eliminate variability. But the only difference was you can consume those fruits, say in the morning between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m., or wait till 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. to consume them. Then they measured the urinary metabolites of residues of six insecticides that were sprayed on the fruits to protect them from insects. They found out that the individuals that ate those fruits in the morning had very negligible insecticide residue in their system. The ones that consumed theirs between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. had higher residues. What is the difference? Just when they ate. Well, you take it one step further. When you look at pharmaceutical companies, they call it chronopharmacodynamics, if you will. So they will say: Well, this medication, you need to take it in the morning. That medication, you need to take it in the evening. Why did they do that? They are looking at when that medication can be absorbed and utilized best, and they plan it over time because your liver breaks down a lot of these chemicals. Your CYP proteins and your glutathione transferases: the gene that regulates that is upregulated during the day. In the evening when you are supposed to be resting, your liver is not going to crank out those genes. So there is less biometabolism of those chemicals in the evening. Does that make sense? Kevin Pho: Yeah. So the rhythm that your body already has, when you plug on top of that your exposure, your exposure may be more potent at certain times of the day, especially with the reproductive system. Hormonal surges are vulnerable to the circadian rhythms, and then sometimes when you are exposed to these toxins can have these unique effects on these hormonal rhythms, right? Yemi Famuyiwa: Correct. The most common one that most people may know about is like in Europe recently, they banned TPO. It is used to create gel for women when they do their gel fingernails. It helps the gel stick and last longer. It is not the only one; it is just one of the many that can be used in the gel. Gels have been shown to be carcinogenic, so it was banned in Europe. They didnt ban gel per se. They just banned that key ingredient because they found it to be carcinogenic. There are other studies that have looked at individuals who work in nail salons and then measured the exposure of some of these chemicals in these individuals. So nail salon workers sometimes, if they dont protect themselves, tend to have higher residues of some of these chemicals. Also, some patients, if they freshly do their nails and they get tested, may have some of this residue. Should you stop doing gel? Try to avoid the TPO that is in it, and you can ask if they have TPO in them. That is one thing. Number two, your skin is more permeable to absorbing chemicals later on during the day. You can measure skin permeability. So maybe that might make you change when you go get your nails done. Maybe you might want to get it earlier in the day. Or maybe you might ask if they have an air cleaner venting system so that most of these chemicals are vented away from you. Knowing what to do is why I wrote that blog. Being aware of these chemicals and being aware that their effects may be more potent at different times of a day just gives you the power of choice. Then you have the conscious choice to make certain changes to protect yourself. Kevin Pho: Is this advice that you share with patients? For people who are trying to get pregnant, if they decide to do their nails, you suggest that maybe they could do it earlier today because their skin is less permeable during that time? Yemi Famuyiwa: Yeah, I do. I have started doing a lot of counseling for my patients. When I see a new patient, I run through all the chemical exposures they could go through. So most of my initial consultation is just sharing with them what could be affecting them. For instance, we know that some patients may have poor egg quality. Nowadays, I am seeing men with very bad sperm quality, so I try to run through with them things in their environment that are low-hanging fruits where you could try to make a change in your lifestyle. Will it translate directly into more births? I dont know. But when you know something can affect your system and when you know it is a foreign tissue to the body anyway and it can get absorbed, then that is just a low-hanging fruit that you can try to make changes in. Kevin Pho: So what other fertility-related advice do you give as it relates to timing of potential exposure to toxins? Yemi Famuyiwa: I go into more detail than just chemicals. I think we had this in one of your episodes before. I do talk about the recent evidence that shows that microplastics are absorbed into the human placenta. They found it in sperm and in testicular tissue. So then I tell them: Well, thats easy. Try not to heat warm food out of plastic because when you do, you are eating some plastic with your food. For hot beverages, use either glass or steel. Then for my gentlemen, we do know also that heat has an effect on sperm. So try to avoid concentrated heat around your waist, especially if you know that you are going to be trying to conceive with your partner anytime soon. Kevin Pho: Now, how about nail salon workers themselves? I am going to assume that many nail salon workers are women. What kind of advice do you have for them who work in a nail salon as it relates to their fertility? Yemi Famuyiwa: Number one: Is the location well vented? Are they wearing a mask? Protect themselves if they have to be exposed to these chemicals. Do they wear protective skin gloves? Make sure their mask is on. Make sure their salon is well aerated and vented. If it is not, then maybe talk to whoever owns the salon and say: Hey, listen, I heard this thing. Maybe we need to air this place out better. You can get air cleaners; during COVID-19, everybody bought those air cleaners. Most of them nowadays are almost medical grade. They have activated charcoal in there that can take volatile organic chemicals and clean it up. So for my patients that have to work in that environment, I think knowledge is power and doing just minor things to protect themselves helps. Kevin Pho: As far as you know, are there any studies that kind of show the fertility rates as it relates to the timing and circadian rhythm of the exposure to potential toxins? Yemi Famuyiwa: No, not timing. I have read a lot of articles with exposure and nail salon workers showing decreased fertility rates. I have read a lot about most of the studies right now being almost observational. The one I quoted you was a study where they just said: Oh wow, we found that these chemicals lingered based on timing. Now it would be interesting to take it one step further. I would imagine that would be very expensive to do because you are talking about a population study to say we are going to have a thousand people who are exposed in the morning and then compare it to another thousand or more exposed in the evening. That would be interesting to see, but it has not been done yet. I would think that would be the next extrapolation. Kevin Pho: We are talking to Yemi Famuyiwa, fertility specialist. Todays KevinMD article is How timing affects chemical exposure risks. Yemi, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Yemi Famuyiwa: Take-home message: Knowledge is power. If you cant avoid it, maybe consider when you are exposed to certain things. Kevin Pho: Yemi, again, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming back on the show. Yemi Famuyiwa: Thank you very much. The Hague, Netherlands (PANA) - As the world marks Human Rights Day on Wednesday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has affirmed that justice and human rights are closely linked Comparta este articulo The year 2025 is closing as one of the deadliest for the global press: 67 journalists were killed, according to the annual report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Gaza has solidified its place as the most lethal territory, followed by Mexico and Ukraine, in a landscape marked by wars, organized crime, and increasingly repressive governments. In this context, Gaza has once again become the epicenter of violence against the press. According to the RSF report, at least 29 journalists were killed in the Strip over the past year, all of them while carrying out their professional duties and at the hands of the Israeli Army, which the organization labels as the worst enemy of journalists. Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, nearly 220 media workers have been killed in Gazaa number without precedent in the recent history of journalism. Overall, nearly half of the 67 journalists killed worldwide (43%) died in Gaza between December 2024 and December 2025. Mexico: criminal violence and a deadly record for the press In Mexico, nine journalists were killed in 2025, the deadliest year for the profession in the country in at least three years. RSF denounces a troubling trend: the Mexicanization of Latin America, where organized crime is expanding, weakening institutions, and increasing impunity. Latin America accounts for 24% of journalist killings; if the Caribbean especially Haiti is included, the figure rises to 26%. Efe One year into President Claudia Sheinbaums term, RSF criticizes the Mexican governments failure to protect journalists despite its stated commitments. Ukraine and Sudan: correspondents trapped in ongoing wars In Ukraine, where the war continues nearly three years after the Russian invasion, three journalists were killed in drone attacks over the past year. RSF accuses the Russian army of continuing to target both domestic and international media professionals in violation of humanitarian norms. Sudan has also emerged as a particularly lethal war zone, marked by clashes between rival military forces and the complete absence of safety for the press. Mass imprisonments: China, Myanmar, and Russia lead As of December 1, 2025, 503 journalists were imprisoned in 47 countries, a figure that exposes the intensification of repressive policies and state control over information. China: 121 journalists detained Myanmar: 47 Russia: 48, including 26 foreign Ukrainian journalists Israel, for its part, holds 20 Palestinian journalists in detention, according to RSF. Kidnappings, disappearances, and the shadow of global censorship Twenty journalists remain kidnapped worldwide, all of them men. The countries with the most cases in 2025 were: Yemen: 9 kidnappings, seven of them by Houthi rebels Syria: dozens of reporters captured years ago remain missing Mali: one of the most dangerous hotspots for the press in the Sahel The number of missing journalists has risen to 135, including nine women. Some have been missing for more than 30 years. Countries with the highest number of disappearances: Syria: 37 Mexico: 28 Iraq: 12 RSF documented severe restrictions on press freedom during protests in countries as diverse as Nepal, Serbia, Indonesia, France, Ecuador, and Madagascar. In Ecuador, at least 55 journalists have been attacked since September 2025, both by law enforcement and armed civilians. One of the most serious incidents was the shooting that left Edison Muenala, journalist and producer at Apak TV, critically injured. Repression has forced dozens of journalists to flee countries such as Russia, Afghanistan, Belarus, and El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukeles policies have triggered a wave of repression against independent media, according to RSF. The biggest predators of press freedom in 2025 The annual predators list published in the fall identifies the main actors responsible for systematic attacks against press freedom. Leading the ranking: Vladimir Putin (Russia) Israeli armed forces Jalisco New Generation Cartel (Mexico) Myanmars military government Taliban supreme leader (Afghanistan) This list reflects the combination of authoritarianism, organized crime, and armed conflictthe main global threats to the press. djh > < 23:40 Jhansi BLO attempts suicide, family claims work pressure A gram rozgar sewak posted as a booth level officer (BLO) in the Mauranipur development block of Jhansi district allegedly attempted suicide on Wednesday by consuming pesticide, reportedly due to work-related pressure.He was first taken to the Mauranipur primary health centre and later referred... Read more > 23:13 Goa nightclub fire: MEA may revoke passports of Luthras The Ministry of External Affairs is considering revoking the passports of Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the Goa nightclub where 25 people were killed in a fire on December 6, following a request from the state government.Sources said on Wednesday that the ministry has received a... Read more > 22:20 Rupee falls 7 paise to close at 89.94 against US dollar The rupee depreciated 7 paise to close at 89.94 against the US dollar on Wednesday, tracking a negative trend in domestic equities and sustained foreign fund outflows.Forex traders said investors are in a wait-and-watch mode, awaiting clarity from the US Federal Reserve before taking decisive... Read more > 22:18 IndiGo sends DGCA revised schedule with reduced winter flights Crisis-hit domestic carrier IndiGo has submitted its revised flight schedule to aviation regulator DGCA after the government slashed its winter schedule by 10 per cent following the cancellation of thousands of flights.The airline, which has been under DGCA's intense scrutiny for disruptions in... Read more > 22:17 Looking forward to serving India with Starlink: Musk SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Wednesday said he is 'looking forward' to serving India with his satellite communication-based internet company, Starlink.'Looking forward to serving India with @Starlink!,' Musk said in a post on X.Musk's comment came in response to a post by Minister for Communications... Read more > 21:31 PM-led panel meets to select new CIC, Rahul dissents The committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to select the new Chief Information Commissioner met in New Delhi on Wednesday and is learnt to have decided on the appointment of CIC and eight Information Commissioners, with Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi apparently giving a... Read more > 21:20 Netanyahu calls Modi, briefs on West Asia situation Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations.Netanyahu called Modi and shared views on the situation in West Asia.PM Modi reaffirmed India's support for... Read more > 20:44 SIR: Parties to get list of dead, absent voters The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday said the booth-level agents appointed by political parties will be provided with a list of dead, shifted and dead voters before the publication of the draft voters' list in the 12 states and Union territories where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)... Read more > 20:18 Not protecting anyone: Fadnavis on HC's question in Pawar case Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that from the very beginning, the government's stand in the Pune land deal case, involving a firm linked to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's son Parth, was not to protect anyone, and assured that action will be taken against whoever is found... Read more > 20:09 Man moves court as wife decides to initiate 7-yr-old daughter into monkhood A Jain man has approached the family court in Surat seeking the custody of his seven-year-old daughter, claiming that his estranged wife has decided against his wishes that the child should take diksha as a monk.He should be appointed the girl's legal guardian to protect her interests, said the... Read more > 19:37 H1B visa interviews of thousands of applicants in India cancelled Illustration: Dado Ruvic/Reuters Pre-scheduled interviews of thousands of H-1B visa applicants slated for later this month in India have been abruptly postponed by several months apparently to scrutinise their social media posts and online profiles. Some of the applicants, whose visa appointments were scheduled next week,... Read more > 19:14 Salman Khan moves HC for protection of personality rights Bollywood actor Salman Khan has approached the Delhi high court seeking protection of his personality rights. The plea is scheduled to be heard on Thursday by Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora. Khan has moved the high court seeking to restrain various social media platforms and e-commerce... Read more > 18:41 Oppn walks out of Lok Sabha after Shah-Rahul spat Fiery exchanges erupted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as the Opposition staged a walkout during Home Minister Amit Shah's speech on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, prompting sharp words from both sides.Shah accused the Opposition of lacking the patience to discuss key... Read more > 17:53 DGCA to station 2 officials in IndiGo office Pic: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff Tightening the screw on Rahul Bhatia-controlled IndiGo, aviation safety regulator DGCA has set up an eight-member oversight team, following the airline cancelling flights in large numbers due to crew shortage. According to an order issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)... Read more > 17:30 Nightclub fire: Goa Police get 36-hr transit remand of Ajay Gupta A Delhi court on Wednesday allowed the Goa Police a 36-hour transit remand of Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub where a blaze left 25 people dead on December 6.Gupta was detained in Delhi for questioning in connection with the fire incident at the nightclub in... Read more > 17:23 US court reverses $ 1 bn damages order against Byju Raveendran A US bankruptcy court has reversed a USD 1 billion damages ruling against Byju Raveendran, according to a statement from the founders of Think and Learn Pvt Ltd -- the parent firm of ed-tech platform Byju's. The Delaware Court had, in a default ruling last month, ordered Raveendran to pay... Read more > 17:01 BSE Sensex: Top losers today Among the Sensex constituents, Eternal, Trent, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, UltraTech Cement, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance, Tata Consultancy Services, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Larsen & Toubro and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were the laggards.However, Tata Steel, Sun... Read more > 16:59 Sensex extends losses for 3rd day Benchmark stock index Sensex declined for the third straight day on Wednesday to close at a nearly month's low, dragged by a last-hour selloff in consumer durables, private banks and IT shares.In a volatile session, the 30-share BSE Sensex dropped by 275.01 points, or 0.32 per cent, to settle at... Read more > 16:57 SC reserves order on bail pleas of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on bail pleas of activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the UAPA case related to the alleged conspiracy behind the February 2020 riots in Delhi.A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N V Anjaria heard arguments from Solicitor General... Read more > 16:16 Not EVMs, Modi has hacked...: Kangana in LS BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not need to manipulate voting systems to win elections because he has hacked the hearts of the people. Participating in a discussion on 'Election Reforms', Ranaut said the past year had been... Read more > 16:01 11 Naxalites with Rs 82 lakh bounty surrender before Maha DGP Eleven senior Naxalites, carrying a collective reward of Rs 82 lakh, surrendered before Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Wednesday, officials said.Four of them were in 'uniform' when the cadres laid down their arms in front of the DGP, they said.The... Read more > 15:58 Prime witness in Sandeshkhali violence injured; son, driver killed in road accident Bholanath Ghosh, one of the prime witnesses in the attack on ED officials in Sandeshkhali and connected CBI cases which implicated now-jailed TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan, was critically injured when a truck collided with his car in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday, a senior... Read more > 15:43 Indian-origin man sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder in Australia An Indian-origin man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of a 24-year-old woman on a beach in Australia's Queensland in 2018, local media reported. The Supreme Court in Cairns on Monday found former nurse Rajwinder Singh, 41, guilty of killing Toyah Cordingley, ABC... Read more > 15:31 'Leader of Paryatan': BJP targets Rahul'; Priyanka reacts Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday hit back at the BJP for its criticism of Rahul Gandhi over his visit to Germany next week, asking why are they raising questions on the leader of opposition when Prime Minister Narendra Modi spends almost half of his working time outside the... Read more > 15:25 DGCA asks IndiGo CEO to appear on Thursday Aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed crisis-ridden IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to appear at its office on Thursday and submit a complete report, along with comprehensive data and updates, relating to the recent operational... Read more > 15:17 SpiceJet plans to add 100 more daily flights to meet winter demand Domestic carrier SpiceJet on Wednesday said it is planning to introduce up to 100 additional daily flights during the current winter schedule. The airline said it is looking to ramp up its flight operations amid the growing demand across key routes this winter, and also to ensure... Read more > 15:15 500 kg of beef seized from car in Nashik; 1 held Representative image Police have seized 500 kg of beef being transported illegally in a car in Maharashtra's Nashik district and arrested one person, officials said on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, activists of the Bajrang Dal tried to stop a car on its way to the city from Ahilyanagar on... Read more > 14:56 Reopen Nathula border trade, provide relief to affected communities: Sikkim BJP leader in RS BJP leader from Sikkim, Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, on Wednesday urged the Centre to urgently resume border trade through Nathula Pass, suspended since 2020, and to provide relief to affected border communities. Raising the matter during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Lepcha said the prolonged... Read more > 14:00 Expelled Congress MLA gets bail in 2nd rape case Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil A court in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil in a second case of sexual assault against him. The MLA's lawyer, advocate Ajithkumar (Sasthamangalam), confirmed the grant of relief to the legislator by the sessions... Read more > 13:21 Won't accept Savarkar award or attend event: Tharoor Pic: PTI Photo/Rediff archives Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday categorically stated that he would not accept an award named after VD Savarkar, nor attend a related event, even as a senior party colleague wanted the Congress MP to not accept any honour named after the ideologue whom he claimed bowed before the British. Tharoor... Read more > 13:10 Why situation precipitated, HC asks govt on IndiGo crisis The Delhi high court on Wednesday questioned the Central government as to why the situation that led to cancellation of a number of IndiGo flights precipitated, and termed it a crisis. The high court said besides trouble and harassment caused to the stranded passengers, the question is of... Read more > 12:57 Over 30L dog bite cases in Maha in 6 years: Shinde Maharashtra recorded more than 30 lakh cases of dog bites in the last six years, while 30 persons died of rabies between 2021 and 2023, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde informed the state assembly on Wednesday. Local bodies have been directed to intensify animal birth control and... Read more > 12:53 Goa nightclub fire: CM holds high-level meet ahead of Christmas, New Year celebrations In the wake of a nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with officials and tourism stakeholders to ensure strict safety measures ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.Officials of the North and South Goa district... Read more > 12:38 Voter cards found dumped in West Bengal's Nadia A sack containing Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) was found dumped beside National Highway 12 in West Bengal's Nadia district on Wednesday, police said.Local residents spotted the sack containing voter cards lying near a garbage dump in Shantipur and informed the police.A police team visited... Read more > 11:56 Diwali enters UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list India's Deepavali -- the festival of light -- was on Wednesday inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The decision was taken during a key meeting of UNESCO being hosted at the Red Fort in Delhi.This is the first time that India is... Read more > 11:53 Delhi school gets bomb threat call, evacuated A bomb threat call received at a private school in east Delhi's Laxmi Nagar on Wednesday morning triggered a swift emergency response and evacuation, an official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said. The threat call was received around 10.40 am, claiming that an explosive device had... Read more > 11:44 Goa nightclub fire: Luthra brothers move court for bail Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane restaurant in Goa, where 25 people died in a horrific fire, have filed a petition for anticipatory bail in Delhi's Rohini Court to avoid arrest.A hearing on the petition is scheduled for today.Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra, the... Read more > 11:20 I am just a partner: Arrested co-owner of Goa nightclub Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa where a massive fire killed 25 people, has spoken for the first time.I am just a partner. I don't know anything, Gupta said when he was being taken into custody.Earlier, a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against... Read more > 10:45 India, Pak were going at it, I ended war: Trump United States President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan were going at it and he ended the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, repeating the claim once again.Trump has so far repeated the claim nearly 70 times that he stopped the conflict in May between India and Pakistan.In 10... Read more > 10:41 Over 1 billion women faced childhood sexual violence in 2023: Lancet Over a billion women worldwide aged 15 and above had experienced sexual violence during childhood, while around 608 million were exposed to intimate partner violence in 2023, according to estimates published in The Lancet journal. Highest prevalence of both intimate partner and sexual... Read more > 10:02 Merchant falls asleep on train, loses gold jewellery worth Rs 5.53 crore A Mumbai-based gold merchant's jewellery worth over Rs 5.53 crore was stolen after he dozed off during his train journey from Solapur to the state capital, prompting the police to launch a probe, officials said on Tuesday. The incident occurred during the intervening night of... Read more > 10:00 Goa nightclub owner to be brought to Goa for questioning Ajay Gupta, one of the four owners of Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, who was detained in Delhi, will be brought to Goa on Wednesday for questioning in connection with a fire at the establishment that claimed 25 lives, a senior official said.Earlier, a Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued... Read more > 09:51 Bride seeks divorce, says groom 'physically incapable' A newly-married woman in Gorakhpur has sought divorce just three days after her marriage, alleging that her husband confessed on the wedding night that he was physically incapable of marital relations, police said on Wednesday. The bride's family claims a subsequent medical report... Read more > 09:05 'Hidden things are happening': Cong on IndiGo chaos Amid ongoing IndiGo cancellation fiasco, Congress leader KC Venugopal claimed that hidden things are happening and demanded an answer from the government on the exact action to be taken to alleviate the people's troubles. There are hidden things happening in this matter. There should... Read more > 08:29 Drop everything and focus on SIR: Yogi to BJP workers Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued a stern directive to BJP MLAs and party office-bearers: treat the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists as a top priority. Chairing a meeting with legislators and party leaders at the Annexe auditorium in... Read more > 01:02 Rahul to visit Germany from Dec 15-20, meet German ministers Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Germany from December 15 to 20 during which he will engage with the Indian diaspora and meet German government ministers, according to the Indian Overseas Congress. Gandhi's visit to Germany will offer a valuable platform to engage in dialogue... Read more > 00:21 Rajdhani TTE dies of heart attack on board in UP A travelling ticket examiner (TTE) aboard the Mumbai-Delhi 12953 August Kranti Rajdhani Express died of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday while the train was passing between Chhata and Kosi Kalan stations in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, officials said. Railway Protection Force... Read more > The Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, recently chaired the third meeting of the leading group on public administration reform, outlining the overall direction, objectives, and major measures for advancing the next stage of the reform, the Government Information Bureau stated. The meeting also reviewed the initial phase undertaken by the current-term Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) government over the past year. Speaking at the meeting, Sam stated that the government has been prioritizing strengthening coordination and overall planning in relation to the deepening of public administration reform, having created, in February, a leadership and coordination mechanism for the reform. Under that mechanism, the governmental structure has been streamlined, public services optimized, civil servants capabilities enhanced, the relevant legal framework improved, and the supervisory roles of the anti-corruption and audit bodies strengthened, he was quoted as saying. To date, several public departments have undergone mergers and reorganizations, and an essential administrative regulation the overall system for establishing and structuring public departments and entities has been developed and implemented. The CE stated that these measures serve as evidence that public administration reform has made a strong start, delivered tangible results in the initial phase, and received positive feedback and recognition from society. Sam also emphasized that the government will continue to focus on the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of governance, as outlined in the 2026 Policy Address, with the aim of advancing public administration reform efforts. Like this: Like Loading... A local delegation, including members from the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT), the Municipal Affairs Bureau, the Consumer Council, and representatives from the Macao Vegetable Wholesalers Association, recently toured several areas of Yongzhou city in Hunan province, China, to explore new sources of fresh produce suppliers for Macau. In a recent statement, the DSEDT said the visit occurred late last month, during which the delegation met with government departments and industry representatives and visited several vegetable planting sites that supply Hong Kong and Macau. The delegation also conducted on-site inspections of the vegetable planting and production processes, as well as transportation and logistics systems. According to DSEDT, Yongzhou city currently has 116 registered vegetable bases supplying Hong Kong and Macau, with products reaching Macau in just seven to eight hours after being harvested and processed. The group said it had held discussions to introduce varieties such as bok choy and taro to supply local markets, with the first batch of these products expected to arrive in Macau in the first quarter of next year. In the same statement, the group said its primary goal is to survey and expand supply sources so that both availability and prices of fresh horticultural products remain stable. RM Like this: Like Loading... The third phase of the governments talent recruitment program began accepting applications on December 2, with the Talent Development Committee announcing new scoring criteria aimed at attracting international talent. This includes professionals from Portuguese-speaking countries, along with recognition for degrees from key universities in Portugal and Brazil, qualifications in traditional Chinese medicine, and international work experience. According to the committee, a total of 854 individuals have been included in the Recommended Selection List during the first and second phases of the program. These introduced talents have subsequently joined key industries in Macau, including academics from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), gold medal athletes, and founders of listed companies relevant to critical sectors. The committee chair, Chief Executive (CE) Sam Hou Fai, noted that phased results have been achieved. The CE emphasized in his speech that the third phase of the program will further enhance Macaus competitiveness in attracting international talent. To support this goal, two cross-departmental working groups have been established to proactively identify and invite international talent interested in developing their careers in Macau. Support will be provided to incoming talent to facilitate their integration and success. Kong Chi Meng, secretary-general of the committee and director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, added that these working groups will coordinate talent recruitment with investment projects, assist talents in implementing their initiatives, and connect them with local business associations. Phase III of the program will accept applications until December 1 next year. The committee indicated that the overall framework will remain largely consistent with the first two phases. In conjunction with the launch of Phase III, the electronic application platform will be upgraded, application document requirements and guidelines will be standardized, and template examples will be provided to enhance transparency, allowing applicants to better understand the requirements. Three briefing sessions are planned from December this year to February next year, along with promotional videos and graphic materials to introduce program requirements and key considerations to applicants. Like this: Like Loading... Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Germany, has raised alarm over the escalation of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and urged the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to immediately halt offensive operations in the area Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) recently organized a four-day IEEE TALE 2025 conference, attracting hundreds of global experts in education, technology, and healthcare. The international event centered on Educational Technology and STEAM Integration for Educational Innovation and was supported by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT). Key discussions focused on adopting digital technologies, integrating artificial intelligence, and reforming STEAM education. Speakers emphasized Macaus expanding role as a hub for innovation and international collaboration in educational technology. MPU also stated it aims to deepen partnerships with global institutions and enhance Macaus influence in Asia-Pacific educational innovation. Like this: Like Loading... Higher tariffs have dealt a severe blow to the world economy, Chinas premier said yesterday, even as Chinas own trade surplus has surged past $1 trillion. Premier Li Qiang made the remarks at a forum of top international organizations held in Beijing while top Chinese leaders are attending an annual economic planning meeting. Starting from the beginning of this year, weve seen the stick of tariffs being wielded around the world with growing restrictive measures on the economy and trade, which have dealt a severe blow to the global economy, Li said, without mentioning U.S. President Donald Trump and his tariff hikes specifically. As the situation has unfolded, the damaging consequences of tariffs hurting both others and oneself have become increasingly evident, and calls from all sides to uphold free trade have grown ever stronger, Li told the gathering of top representatives from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. Trumps sharply higher tariffs on imports from China and other countries have dented Chinese exports to the U.S. but that has been offset by higher shipments to other global markets. Chinese customs figures reported Monday showed exports to the United States plunged 29% in November from a year earlier in the eighth straight months of declines. Meanwhile, Chinas trade surplus in dollar terms for 2025 had already exceeded $1 trillion as of November, while exports rose 5.9% from a year earlier. Trade friction between Beijing and Washington has eased somewhat after Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in late October during a regional economic summit in South Korea. The two sides agreed to dial back earlier steps and extend a truce in retaliatory measures for a year. With investments in technology rising, outpacing overall investments, Li called for collaborative innovation, saying we need to embrace an open mind and work hand in hand to pursue openness and cooperation. The Central Economic Work Conference, the annual planning meeting held this week, follows a top level meeting in October to draft Chinas plan for 2026-2030. It focused on Chinas aim to remain a global manufacturing power and build a stronger domestic economy that is more reliant on consumer spending and technological advances. Chinas economy grew at a 4.8% annual pace in the last quarter, the slowest pace in a year. However, economists expect growth to hit the official 2025 target of about 5%, thanks partly to strong exports. ELAINE KURTENBACH, BANGKOK, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Sands China celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Local Small, Medium, and Micro Suppliers Support Programme yesterday at The Londoner Macao, marking a decade of support for local businesses. The event also featured the 2025 Sands Supplier Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding suppliers, and included a networking session to encourage future collaboration between SMEs and company representatives. Over 10 years, the programme has generated MOP119.4 billion in procurement, with 83% sourced locally, involving 4,700 SMEs. A 10th-anniversary booklet was also unveiled at the event, showcasing success stories of local firms. Sands China CEO Grant Chum said, SMEs are a vital pillar of Macaus economy. [] For more than 20 years, Sands China has remained committed to supporting the growth of local SMEs by [] prioritizing local procurement and sharing expertise to help them develop independently. Macao Chamber of Commerce president Ma Chi Ngai added that the partnership with Sands has created a cooperative ecosystem of complementary strengths, supporting SMEs in digital transformation, brand upgrading, and international expansion. Through a series of innovative support measures, including large-scale exhibition platforms, professional training, and technical guidance, we have built a comprehensive support system to help SMEs enhance their capabilities, Ma said. The Supplier Excellence Awards honored seven local companies in categories including innovation, quality management, and service excellence. 40 long-term partners received appreciation certificates, recognizing decades of collaboration with Sands China. LV Like this: Like Loading... President Donald Trump said yesterday [Macau time] that he would allow Nvidia to sell an advanced type of computer chip used in the development of artificial intelligence to approved customers in China. There have been concerns about allowing advanced computer chips to be sold to China as it could help the country better compete against the U.S. in building out AI capabilities, but there has also been a desire to develop the AI ecosystem with American companies such as chipmaker Nvidia. The chip, known as the H200, is not Nvidias most advanced product. Those chips, called Blackwell and the upcoming Rubin, were not part of what Trump approved. Trump said on social media that he had informed Chinas leader Xi Jinping about his decision and President Xi responded positively! This policy will support American Jobs, strengthen U.S. Manufacturing, and benefit American Taxpayers, Trump said in his post. Nvidia said in a statement that it applauded Trumps decision, saying the choice would support domestic manufacturing and that by allowing the Commerce Department to vet commercial customers it would strike a thoughtful balance on economic and national security priorities. But a group of Democratic senators objected to the chip sales. Access to these chips would give Chinas military transformational technology to make its weapons more lethal, carry out more effective cyberattacks against American businesses and critical infrastructure, and strengthen their economic and manufacturing sector, said the statement. The group included Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. The senators noted that Chinese AI company DeepSeek recently said the lack of access to advanced American-designed chip was their biggest challenge in competing with U.S. companies involved in AI, with companies including OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity and Palantir making major investments in developing the technology. Trump said the Commerce Department was finalizing the details for other chipmakers such as AMD and Intel to sell their technologies abroad. The approval of the licenses to sell Nvidia H200 chips reflects the increasing power and close relationship that the companys founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, enjoys with the president. But there have been concerns that China will find ways to use the chips to develop its own AI products in ways that could pose national security risks for the U.S., a primary concern of the Biden administration that sought to limit exports. Nvidia has a market cap of $4.5 trillion and Trumps announcement appeared to drive the stock slightly higher in after hours trading. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The Public Security Police Force (PSP) reported multiple motorcycle accidents over the weekend, resulting in two fatalities. Both victims were local male riders in their twenties who died from injuries after being rushed to the hospital on Saturday and Monday, respectively. One fatal accident occurred when a motorcycle collided with two buses on Amizade Bridge, heading from Taipa to Macau. A female passenger on the motorcycle was also injured and hospitalized. The other incident took place near Rotunda Marginal, leading to the University of Macau (UM), with online reports suggesting he was a food delivery rider. Like this: Like Loading... From 22 to 23 November, our best congress to date took place in Wrocaw. With over 50 participants, including guests from the Revolutionary Communist International (RCI), it was the largest, most inspiring, and most professional event we have ever organised. [Originally published in Polish at czerwonyfront.org] The first day began with a bang: a session devoted to the life and ideas of Ted Grant. The unbroken thread of Marxism has brought us to where we are today, and both the Polish section of the RCI and the Polish working class have much to learn from comrade Grant, who mastered the method of dialectical materialism. This method, together with his unshakable faith in the historic power of the working class, helped him overcome the difficulties of working and living as a communist at a time when the forces of Marxism were at their most fragmented. Postwar economic growth, the dominance of reformism, and the Stalinist character of communist parties around the world created difficult conditions for spreading the ideas of genuine Marxism. Ted Grant, however, was not only able to predict the global crisis of the 1970s, contrary to the propaganda of capitalist success and the defeatism of the left at the time, but he was also able to devote himself fully to building a truly revolutionary workers' party. This is despite facing adversity, as well as the mistakes of the so-called leaders of the workers in the Stalinist parties, in the degenerated Fourth International, and in the reformist trade unions. Ted Grant was the only one who understood the development of capitalism after the war. This included the significance of Bonapartism and the colonial revolutions, the Tito-Stalin split and the Chinese revolution, as well as the nature of the Eastern Bloc regimes, including the Polish People's Republic. In the face of intensifying bourgeois propaganda, we are also faced today with the task of reaching a Marxist understanding of the significance of Trump and the role of China, the real reasons for the war in Ukraine, the prospects for the Middle East, the Gen Z revolutions, and many other momentous events. This legacy a genuine understanding of Marxism is the legacy of our organisation. The next session was devoted to world perspectives. Led by comrade Francesco of the International Secretariat of the RCI, it painted a picture of the organic and universal crisis of capitalism. Everyone present in the room felt that they could spend another week discussing the matter and still only scratch the surface of the staggering chaos currently unfolding around the world. After the introduction, delegates spoke on topics related to the situation in the Caucasus, Venezuela, the so-called Gen Z revolutions, and the growing polarisation and resulting outbreaks of class anger. These are not just interesting facts, but elements of the prevailing period of wars and revolutions that we must fully understand in order to act and strive to change this world for the better. All of this is having an increasingly direct impact on Poland. The Polish economy is stagnating, workers are being laid off, industrial production is at a record low, debt is rising, youth unemployment is the highest in the EU, public services are being cut back, housing is in chaos... we could go on and on. The prospects for Polish capitalism have never been worse. An in-depth analysis of the Polish economy closely linked to the German automotive industry, food exports, and the chemical industry shows how dangerous the situation will become for the ruling class when its foundations are shaken by the deteriorating situation in Europe and the world. Each of these areas is rife with contradictions, as well as imperialist conflicts such as between Germany and China, Ukraine and Poland, and... Israel. It has recently come to light that Poland supplies as much as 90 percent of the TNT used to manufacture bombs that Israel uses to strike Gaza and Yemen. This explains the hypocrisy of the Polish ruling class on the issue of the genocide of Palestinians, and the intensification of state propaganda, which is already struggling to get its message across about acts of Russian sabotage. The greatest threat to Polish workers remains Polish capitalists. These worsening conditions are met with an increasingly strong reaction from the working class. This year we had the longest strike in the private sector in the history of Polish capitalism (At the Jeremias factory in Gniezno), and during our congress another huge strike was taking place at the Valeo automotive factory in Chrzanow. The time has come for us to focus on building a party that will be able to intervene in the coming period of intensified class struggle. This task necessitates that we take a closer look at our history in order to understand the magnitude of the reckoning that the Polish working class must make with its native capitalists and Western imperialists. Therefore, the second day began with a session devoted to the history of the birth of the Solidarity movement (Solidarnosc), which rose in the 1980s to lead the most decisive attempt at carrying out a political revolution in the Eastern Bloc. It was not a counterrevolution or a coup d'etat, as capitalists and Stalinists alike try to paint it as, but an attempt worthy of our greatest admiration to wrest control of the country from the Stalinist bureaucrats. Its failure rests solely with its petty-bourgeois, vacillating leadership. But the real situation of dual power that existed in some cities is not something that can be erased from the memory of the Polish masses. The more the current situation reveals the urgent need for the working class to seize power, the more workers will look back on their previous battles and the legacy of real workers' power. Knowledge of the history of this period should be essential for every young activist who has only experienced life in capitalist Poland, with weak trade unions and relatively low social resistance to attacks by the ruling class. This state of affairs will not last forever, we can be sure of that! In a way, echoes of the methods of the August 1980 revolution were reflected in the 2019 teachers' strike, which saw the formation of strike committees and the centralisation of strike authorities against union bureaucracy. The Polish working class, robbed by bureaucrats and then finished off by the restoration of capitalism, will finally demand what is theirs. The next session was an organisational report and resolution, the purpose of which was to summarise and draw conclusions from our past year of building the organisation, and set tasks for the coming period. Over the past year, we have clearly grown in numbers it is possible that in the first months of 2026 we will celebrate the addition of the 100th member to our organisation. The map of Poland is slowly running out of places where we arent active! The last few months have been a period of intense work for us, from demonstrations and meetings to solidarity rallies and support for strikes. Our comrades have understood that the time has come to be bold, to strengthen our branches, and to take our activities even further onto the streets, to look into the eyes of an increasingly radicalised youth with a revolutionary newspaper in our hands. In the coming year, we will speak even more boldly and loudly about the fact that in order to stop the growing effects of the climate catastrophe, to end the genocide in Gaza and Sudan, to move away from xenophobic, far-right policies towards migrants, to have any prospect of a better life at all, capitalism must be destroyed. And we will not look for excuses to back down. The time has come to boldly move forward towards the historic task of organising the first revolutionary party in Poland, the likes of which our country has not seen in over a century. We want every person who joins us to be educated and familiar with the Marxist method / Image: Czerwony Front This year, we reorganised our approach to publishing to ensure a steady stream of high-quality articles and online content, and we established an editorial board for our newspaper, which now oversees the work on Revolution. We also emphasised that a deep understanding of Marxism remains the foundation on which we build. We want every person who joins us to be educated and familiar with the Marxist method, so that each of our members is able to put forward perspectives and know what to focus on in order to be as effective as possible in building the organisation. Our organisation is not a university where passive students listen to this or that professor. We are building a party of active and well-prepared Marxists. Only such a party can have any hope of overthrowing capitalism. What we need is to awaken revolutionary optimism in the face of widespread defeatism amongst much of the left. That is why we unashamedly focus on strengthening our understanding of revolutionary theory and, to that end, on our newspaper. We fought to achieve our goal of publishing a newspaper every two months, and we now have all the tools and political commitment to achieve that goal. While last year we sold only 80 copies of the newspaper in a similar period, we have now increased our circulation to 500 copies every two months. Why? Because Polish youth are hungry for a genuine, revolutionary press, free from capitalist lies and academic pomposity, but full of lively class struggle! Above all, it is the contribution of our comrades many of whom spoke at the congress for the first time that confirms our conviction that we are ready to fulfill our historic role. Each of the speeches confirmed that our focus on the ideas and methods of Marxism is correct. This leads to a clear understanding of our main goal to transform the enormous accumulated potential into a revolutionary reality. There are no shortcuts in our work. We will achieve our goals by picking up the pace and overcoming all obstacles in our path. This year's congress confirmed that our organisation has almost everything it needs! The only thing missing is you change that and join us! Tanzanias Prime minister appealed to citizens to remain at home on Tuesday, December 9, as activists mobilised for nationwide protests over the Governments handling of demonstrations linked to the October elections. While the United Nations and opposition groups assert that hundreds were killed in the unrest, authorities in Dodoma insist the figures are exaggerated. The protests were ignited by the exclusion of major opposition candidates, a process that preceded President Samia Suluhu Hassans declaration as winner of the presidential poll. With nearly 98% of the vote. In a video message released on December 8, via the government information centres X account, Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba encouraged the public to stay indoors on 9 December, the date mainland Tanzania marks its independence from Britain. He urged citizens without emergencies to rest and celebrate at home, even as the government cancelled official commemorations following online calls last month for mass demonstrations on Independence Day. The administration has acknowledged that fatalities occurred during the election-related unrest but has rejected claims of excessive force by security agencies. Police officials stated on Friday that any protest would be unlawful, arguing that they had not received formal notification from organisers. Witnesses in Dar es Salaam and Arusha reported heavy deployments of police and army personnel along major roads on Monday. President Hassan has appointed a commission to investigate the violence surrounding the elections, while continuing to deny allegations of wrongdoing by the security forces and accusing protesters of attempting to destabilise the state. The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) commenced on Monday, 8 December 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, with nearly 6,000 delegates from over 170 countries gathering to address escalating ecological threats. The five-day Conference, themed Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet, brings together environment officials, multilateral agencies, academia, industry, and Civil society to deliberate on urgent issues such as climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed highlighted the pressing need for decisive action to safeguard planetary health and ensure multilateral efforts yield tangible results. Delegates at UNEA-7 will examine 15 draft resolutions and three draft decisions aimed at enhancing glacier protection, promoting sustainable metal and mineral production, and reducing the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. Other key topics include circular economy strategies, transboundary freshwater management, migratory species, ocean governance, and climate justice. UNEA President Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Amri emphasised that science-driven consensus and strengthened multilateral agreements will guide discussions to foster global resilience. Kenyas Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, Deborah Barasa, underlined that the assembly will reinforce ongoing efforts to secure a safer, greener, and more resilient future. She noted that Kenya aims to use UNEA-7 as a platform to combat plastic pollution and accelerate green, inclusive economic growth. The conferences opening also featured a visual showcase of the Nairobi venue on 8 December 2025, reflecting the assemblys high-profile global participation. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - A social media ban for children under 16 came into effect in Australia on Wednesday, marking a global first The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo has accused Rwanda of breaching a US-brokered peace agreement signed in Washington, DC on 4 December 2025, undermining efforts to end the decades-long conflict in eastern Congo. Addressing Parliament on Monday, December 8, President Felix Tshisekedi alleged that, despite the formal commitments made in the US capital, Rwanda is already violating its commitments. He claimed that the day after the signing, the Rwandan army launched heavy-weapon fire from the Rwandan town of Bugarama into Congolese territory, causing extensive human and material damage in Kaziba, Katogota and Lubarika in South Kivu. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe dismissed the allegations as ridiculous, accusing Kinshasa of shifting blame. The Washington agreement, signed by Tshisekedi and President Paul Kagame, followed a preliminary peace accord reached in June by the foreign ministers of both countries under US mediation, with President Donald Trump hosting the officials. Kagame had hailed the deal as containing everything needed to end this conflict once and for all. However, Tshisekedi reminded lawmakers that the framework requires the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo, the dismantling of foreign armed groups including the FDLR, a cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a joint security mechanism. He reiterated Congos faith in the diplomatic track and affirmed Kinshasas commitment to implementing the accord, even as clashes between AFC-M23 rebels and government forces persisted on Monday in Masisi territory, North Kivu. The M23 resurgence in 2021 reignited long-running violence that has killed thousands and displaced millions, with Kinshasa and the UN continuing to accuse Rwanda of backing the rebels a claim Kigali denies. Separately, regional tensions intensified as Burundis Foreign Minister Edouard Bizimana on Monday accused Rwanda of continuing destabilising activities along the Congo border. He vowed that the roughly 15,000 Burundian troops deployed in eastern Congo would remain until their mission is fully accomplished. Bizimana alleged that Rwanda continues to deploy soldiers and attack Burundian forces operating in Congo, warning that any assault on Burundian citizens or troops will never be tolerated. Rwanda has yet to respond. Relations between the two neighbours deteriorated early last year after Burundi closed its border with Rwanda over accusations that Kigali was supporting Burundian rebels in Congo a charge Rwanda rejects. 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 In Estonia, breast cancer screening is offered from the age of 50, yet one-fifth of first diagnoses occur in younger women. A new clinical study has therefore been conducted to test better ways to detect the disease early. Despite widespread screening and continuously improving treatment options, breast cancer remains the most common malignant tumor among women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although incidence is increasingly observed among younger women, population-wide screening in this age group would not currently be cost-effective for various reasons. Through international collaboration, the BRIGHT clinical study was carried out with the aim of reducing late and fatal cases among women under 50. The study also assessed the acceptability of the new approach to both women and health care professionals. In Estonia, the project was led by the University of Tartu, the medical laboratory Antegenes, and Tartu University Hospital, with the Estonian Health Insurance Fund participating as an external partner. Parallel clinical studies were conducted in Sweden and Portugal, with clinical results to be published separately. The work appears in the journal Clinical Breast Cancer. According to Professor of Medical Genetics Neeme Tonisson, the project has received significant recognition across the medical and scientific community. Recently, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) awarded the project second place in the category for innovations with high social and economic impact. "This demonstrates that the project involved internationally recognized experts who succeeded in developing a new approach to address a health problem affecting many countries," Tonisson noted. Personalized, risk-based breast cancer screening Based on the results, the authors emphasize that when assessing breast cancer risk, it is essential to evaluate genetic predisposition more broadly, beyond only high-impact single gene variants. They highlight that current screening considers only female sex and age, even though multiple measurable risk indicators could guide screening more precisely. At the same time, they stress the importance of avoiding unnecessary procedures for women at low risk. The Estonian arm of the study included 799 healthy women aged 3549. Results showed that 330 women (41.3%) had a higher polygenic breast cancer risk than an average 50-year-old woman. These participants were advised to begin personalized breast cancer screening before age 50, with the starting age depending on each woman's individual risk level. Of these higher-risk women, 124 (37.6%) were recommended to begin screening this year, and 183 (55.5%) in the coming years. Among those who proceeded with screening, 14 benign tumors (15%) were detected, as well as one precancerous condition (1.1%) and one early breast cancer (1.1%). Among participants referred to a medical geneticist, four (4.4%) were diagnosed with a likely familial predisposition and also entered a personalized screening pathway. Researchers recommend enhancing screening programs After participating, women were more aware of genetic and non-genetic breast cancer risk factors and received information on prevention and early detection. Younger women identified as high-risk were offered intensified screening, helping to reduce complications arising from late-stage diagnosis, while unnecessary low-value screening of low-risk women was avoided. Oncologist Dr. Peeter Padrik noted that the European Commission has recommended lowering the starting age of breast cancer screening. "The personalized, risk-based model developed in the BRIGHT project aligns with this recommendationbut allows screening to be implemented far more efficiently by conserving health care resources and reducing unnecessary procedures," he explained. He added that personalized approaches aim not only for early detection but also for lowering future incidence through risk-reducing interventions. Lead author Madli Tamm highlighted that beyond the cancer cases found, patient feedback itself was invaluable. "In our study, women aged 3539 were statistically overrepresented compared with other age groups, indicating a strong interest among younger women in personalized screening options," she said. She added that the proposed service model also makes screening more convenient and broadly accessible through digital solutions: "We tested multiple communication channels, at-home DNA collection kits, and online delivery of resultsall of which were positively received by both health care professionals and study participants." In summary, the BRIGHT study demonstrated a feasible and easily scalable personalized breast cancer screening model, suitable for implementation in other countries as well. By improving prevention and early detection through accessible and accurate services, this approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes globally and reduce breast cancer mortality. More information Madli Tamm et al, Clinical Implementation Study of Genetic Risk-Based Breast Cancer Screening, Clinical Breast Cancer (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.clbc.2025.08.021 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: From 2003 to 2022, there was a more than doubling in low-capability pediatric hospitals, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Pediatrics. Kenneth A. Michelson, M.D., M.P.H., from Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, and colleagues examined the change in availability of pediatric-capable hospitals from 2003 to 2022 using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database. The annual proportion of hospitals was determined by pediatric capability level, defined by which of 24 services were provided (level 1: broadest range; level 4: minimal services). A mean of 3,927 hospitals were analyzed per year; in 2022, 67.3%, 39.7%, 47.0%, and 37.4% were nonprofit, urban teaching, small, and in the South, respectively. The researchers found that over time, there was a decrease in the number of high-capability hospitals. After adjustment for hospital characteristics, there were decreases in level 1, 2, and 3 hospitals (38%, 54%, and 48%, respectively) and an increase of 137% in level 4 hospitals. Fewer hospitals were capable in 2022 than 2003 for 17 of 24 capabilities (71%). The steepest declines for hospital-level specific services were seen for moderate-intensity services, including appendectomy, pneumonia hospitalization, and asthma hospitalization (50.5%, 42.3%, and 41.1%, respectively). Extracorporeal oxygenation, organ transplant, and Fontan surgery had the smallest changes (+0.8%, 0.0%, and 0.1%, respectively). "Fewer hospitals provide a range of pediatric services to children, limiting national capacity to provide pediatric hospital care across a range of conditions and complexity," the authors write. Publication details Michelle L. Macy et al, Underprioritized and Underfunded: Payment Policy Challenges Facing Hospitals Caring for Children, Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2025-073898 Journal information: Pediatrics Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: Representative cases of malformations of cortical development in BaraitserWinter-Cerebrofrontofacial Syndrome. Credit: EMBO Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44319-025-00647-7 Why do some children develop a brain that is too small (microcephaly)? An international research team involving the German Primate CenterLeibniz Institute for Primate Research (DPZ), Hannover Medical School (MHH), and the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics has used human brain organoids to investigate how changes in important structural proteins in the cell lead to this severe developmental disorder. Mutations in actin genes alter the way early progenitor cells divide in the brain. This reduces the number of these cells, which leads to reduced brain growth and smaller brain size. "Our findings provide the first cellular explanation for microcephaly in people with the rare Baraitser-Winter syndrome," says Indra Niehaus, research associate at Hannover Medical School and first author of the study published in EMBO Reports. A disruption in the 'internal cell scaffold' alters brain development Actin is a basic building block of the cytoskeleton, the internal support and transport structure of every cell. People with Baraitser-Winter syndrome carry a single gene mutation in one of two central actin genes. To investigate the effect of these mutations, the researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells from skin cells of Baraitser-Winter syndrome patients. From these, they formed three-dimensional brain organoids that replicate important steps in early human brain development. The results were clear: after 30 days of growth, the patient organoids were about a quarter smaller than the control organoids from healthy donors. The internal ventricle-like structures, where the progenitor cells are located and form early nerve cells, were also significantly smaller. Fewer progenitor cells in the early brain A closer look at the cell types in the organoids revealed a shift: the proportion of apical progenitor cells, i.e., the central progenitor cell population of the cerebral cortex, was significantly reduced. At the same time, there was an increase in basal progenitor cells, a type of daughter cell that normally only appears later in development. Cell divisions tilt in the wrong direction The team used high-resolution microscopy to analyze the division of the apical progenitor cells. Normally, these cells divide predominantly perpendicular to the surface of the ventricular zone. Only in this way are the cell components distributed evenly and two new apical progenitor cells are produced. In the patient organoids, this very process was disrupted: the proportion of vertical divisions was massively reduced. Instead, the majority of cells divided horizontally or at oblique angles. This altered orientation meant that the apical progenitor cells renewed themselves less frequently, detached from the ventricular zone more often, and transformed into basal progenitor cells. "Our analyses show very clearly that a change in the division orientation of the progenitor cells is the decisive trigger for the reduced brain size," says Michael Heide, group leader at the German Primate Center and last author of the study. "A single change in the cytoskeleton is sufficient to disrupt the course of early brain development." Finest structural deviations with major consequences Electron microscope images revealed further abnormalities: the cell shapes at the ventricular surface were irregular. There were more protrusions between neighboring cells. In addition, there was an unusually high amount of tubulin, another component of the cytoskeleton that plays an important role in cell division, at the cell junctions. Although the basic cell architecture was still recognizable, these changes could be enough to permanently disrupt the division orientation. Genetic evidence: A single mutation is enough To rule out the possibility that differences between patient and control organoids were caused by other genetic factors, the team conducted a control experiment: The healthy stem cell line was modified with CRISPR/Cas9 to carry exactly the same mutation as one of the Baraitser-Winter syndrome patients. The result: the brain organoids produced in this way showed the same malformations as the patient-derived organoidsa proof that the mutation itself is the cause. What does this mean for medicine and research? "Our findings help us understand how rare genetic disorders lead to complex brain malformations and highlight the potential of brain organoids for biomedical research," says Heide. "The therapeutic potential of this study lies in diagnostics, as our data helps to better classify genetic findings in patients. Since the disease affects early fetal development processes, interventions in humans would be complex. However, new drugs that influence the interaction between actin and microtubules could open up new approaches in the long term," says Nataliya Di Donato, Director of the Institute of Human Genetics at Hannover Medical School. Publication details Indra Niehaus et al, Cerebral organoids expressing mutant actin genes reveal cellular mechanism underlying microcephaly, EMBO Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44319-025-00647-7 Journal information: EMBO Reports Key medical concepts MicrocephalyCytoskeleton This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a rare but devastating genetic disorder. Those with the condition are often diagnosed between 5 and 15 years of age and live only into their 30s or 40s. There is no widely approved treatment that modifies the disease, and existing therapies may not be effective for all patients. Researchers from Mass General Brigham and the Broad Institute, who are seeking better drug therapies to improve outcomes, describe a genetic modifier of the diseasea key insight that points to a path for new treatment. Their findings are published in Nature. The investigators are using some of the most humble but important model organisms to understand and treat FA. FA occurs due to the loss of a key mitochondrial protein called frataxin, which is a part of the protein machinery that makes essential co-factors called iron sulfur clusters. In previous work, the Mootha lab showed that breathing low oxygen (hypoxia) can partially rescue frataxin loss in human cells, worms, and mice. "In this paper, instead of trying to pursue hypoxia to slow or postpone the disease as a therapy, we simply used it as a trick. We used it as a laboratory tool with which to discover genetic suppressors," said lead and co-corresponding author Joshua Meisel, a former postdoctoral fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham health care system. Meisel is now an assistant professor at Brandeis University. "The reason this is exciting is because the suppressor that we've identified, FDX2, is now a protein that can be targeted using more conventional medicines." Genetic discoveries in roundworm models To understand how cells might overcome the loss of frataxin, the researchers, including Nobel laureate Gary Ruvkun, Ph.D., used a tiny roundworm called C. elegans as a model. They created worms that completely lacked frataxin and grew them in low-oxygen conditions, which allowed these otherwise non-viable roundworms to survive. The team then randomly introduced genetic changes and looked for rare worms that could grow even when oxygen levels were higher (a normally lethal situation for frataxin-deficient worms). By sequencing the genomes of these survivors, the scientists identified specific mutations in two other mitochondrial genes, FDX2 and NFS1. They confirmed the effects of these mutations using advanced genetic engineering, biochemical tests in the lab, and experiments in both human cells and mice, to see if similar strategies could help in more complex organisms. How FDX2 and NFS1 mutations help The study found that certain mutations in FDX2 and NFS1 can "bypass" the need for frataxin, allowing cells to better produce essential iron-sulfur clusters even when frataxin is missing. These clusters are vital for energy production and other cell functions. The researchers showed that too much FDX2 can block this process, but reducing FDX2either by genetic mutation or by removing one copy of the generestores iron sulfur cluster synthesis and cell health. Potential for new treatment strategies "The balance between frataxin and FDX2 is key," said senior and co-corresponding author Vamsi Mootha, MD, of the Department of Molecular Biology and Center for Genome Medicine at MGH. Mootha is also an institute member and co-director of the Metabolism Program at Broad. "When you are born with too little frataxin, bringing down FDX2 a bit helps. So, it's a delicate balancing act to ensure proper biochemical homeostasis." Importantly, lowering FDX2 levels in a mouse model of FA improved neurological symptoms, suggesting a new potential treatment strategy. Overall, the work reveals that carefully adjusting the levels of proteins that genetically interact with frataxin could help counteract the effects of its loss in disease. While these findings are promising, the researchers note that the precise balance of frataxin and FDX2 needed for healthy cells may vary depending on the situation, and more work is needed to understand how this balance is regulated in people. Importantly, future studies will be needed to test whether adjusting FDX2 levels is safe and effective as a therapy for FA in more pre-clinical models before contemplating human trials. Publication details Vamsi Mootha, Mutations in mitochondrial ferredoxin FDX2 suppress frataxin deficiency, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09821-2. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09821-2 Journal information: Nature Key medical concepts Friedreich Ataxia Clinical categories NeurologyClinical genetics 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 Where you live may matter more than you think when it comes to your health. A new study has found that people living in neighborhoods with a high climate vulnerability index face a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabeteseven after accounting for personal health and lifestyle factors. The study, one of the largest to date, used the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI)a score that captures how vulnerable a neighborhood is to climate stressors such as extreme heat, storms and pollution, as well as socioeconomic stressors like poverty, housing quality, infrastructure and access to care. The work is published in the journal JAMA Network Open. The paper, titled "Climate Vulnerability Index and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in a Large Integrated Health Care System," was co-led by Dr. Jad Ardakani, clinical research fellow at the Houston Methodist Research Institute and Dr. Sadeer Al-Kindi, Houston Methodist medical director of environmental health and prevention. The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Disease Learning Health System (CVD-LHS) Registry. The analysis included more than 1 million adults aged 18 and older who had at least one outpatient visit (but without prior type 2 diabetes diagnosis). A follow-up encounter was undertaken between June 2016 and August 2023, with up to seven years of follow-up. "Integrating climate vulnerability into clinical data gives us a clearer view of the totality of environmental and social exposures shaping health," Al-Kindi said. "This work reveals risks that traditional factors overlook and helps us identify vulnerable communities earlier, so we can deliver truly targeted, preventive care." Over a seven-year period, adults in the most climate-vulnerable neighborhoods had a 23% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those in the least vulnerable areas. "Where you live matters for your diabetes risk," Ardakani said. "Climate stressors and socioeconomic conditions can shape health in powerful ways. Recognizing this helps us better target prevention for the communities that need it most." Even after the data analysis accounted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, insurance status, obesity, hypertension, cholesterol and baseline HbA1c (blood sugar), the association between climate vulnerability and diabetes risk remained strong. Senior co-author Dr. Khurram Nasir, the William A. Zoghbi, MD Centennial Chair in Cardiovascular Health, DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, said that the work reflects a commitment to reimagining population health. He added that understanding how climate and community conditions drive disease helps in building smarter and more equitable health systems. Publication details Jad Ardakani et al, Climate Vulnerability Index and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in a Large Integrated Health Care System, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.47119 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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 a new study, researchers from Japan demonstrate that COX7RP, a mitochondrial protein, may play a key role in enhancing mitochondrial energy efficiency, leading not only to longer lifespans but also an extended "healthspan" via numerous health benefits. Credit: Dr. Satoshi Inoue / Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan As life expectancy continues to climb globally, the focus of many people has moved from longevity alone to living in good health. This has drawn attention to the need to extend "healthspan," the period during which an individual maintains their vitality, independence, and good health, and is free from major age-related issues. Mitochondria are central to this goal as they produce the energy essential for life in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Given that many age-related diseases and aging itself are strongly linked to the decline of mitochondrial function, mitochondria are a prime target for research aimed at extending healthy longevity. The role of mitochondrial supercomplexes Mitochondrial energy production relies on compounds known as respiratory chain complexes, which facilitate proton and electron transfers, necessary for generating ATP. Scientists have long known that these complexes can group together into dynamic higher-order assemblies called supercomplexes, which are believed to boost respiratory efficiency. However, the evidence for a clear and causal link between these supercomplexes and direct health benefits is quite limited, especially in animal models. To address this knowledge gap, a research team has investigated the role of COX7RP, a mitochondrial protein involved in the formation of supercomplexes. Their latest study on this topic is published in the journal Aging Cell. The team was led by Satoshi Inoue from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Japan, with the study co-authored by Dr. Kazuhiro Ikeda from Saitama Medical University in Japan. Key findings from the COX7RP study "We previously identified COX7RP, a mitochondrial protein, as a key factor that promotes the formation of mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes, thereby enhancing energy production and reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidative stress in cells," explains Dr. Inoue. "Based on this, we investigated the role of COX7RP and mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes in regulating aging and anti-aging processes." The research team developed COX7RP-transgenic (COX7RP-Tg) mice models that were genetically engineered to express higher levels of COX7RP throughout their lives. This enabled the researchers to test the protein's impact on longevity, aging, and metabolism with great detail. Surprisingly, the COX7RP-Tg mice exhibited a significantly prolonged lifespan, with the average lifespan being 6.6% higher than that of wild-type mice. Beyond longevity, these transgenic mice also demonstrated numerous health benefits, suggesting an extension of their healthspan as well. In particular, the team observed improved glucose homeostasis through enhanced insulin sensitivity, along with healthier lipid profiles with reduced blood triglycerides and total cholesterol. Additional benefits included enhanced muscle endurance and lower fat accumulation in the liver. At the cellular level, the researchers further confirmed that COX7RP significantly improved mitochondrial performance. Tissues from the COX7RP-Tg mice showed increased formation of mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes, leading to the production of higher levels of ATP. Notably, a detailed analysis of white adipose tissue showed improvements in various aging-related biomarkers, such as higher levels of coenzyme NAD+ and lower levels of ROS, and the cellular aging marker -galactosidase. Additionally, with single-nucleus RNA sequencing on white adipose tissue of older mice, the team revealed lower expression of genes linked to age-related inflammatory responses, particularly genes related to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a prototypic characteristic of senescent cells. Implications for future therapies Together, these findings suggest that increasing the energy efficiency of mitochondria can delay and mitigate problems associated with aging. "Our study elucidated novel mitochondrial mechanisms underlying anti-aging and longevity, and provided new insights into strategies for promoting healthspan and extending lifespan," notes Dr. Inoue. "For instance, supplements and medications that enhance the assembly and function of mitochondrial respiratory supercomplexes may contribute to longevity expansion." Future studies on this topic could help establish mitochondrial supercomplexes as promising therapeutic targets and pave the way for novel interventions aimed at maintaining vitality and addressing age-related metabolic diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Publication details Kazuhiro Ikeda et al, Mitochondrial Respiratory Supercomplex Assembly FactorCOX7RPContributes to Lifespan Extension in Mice, Aging Cell (2025). DOI: 10.1111/acel.70294 Journal information: Aging Cell Clinical categories Healthy agingEndocrinology Provided by Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology 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: Illustration of antecedents, cases, dimensions, and consequences from concept analysis. Credit: International Journal of Drug Policy (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105070 In Canada, thousands of people use contaminated street opioids. To reduce overdoses, the country has been experimenting for the past 10 years with the distribution of pharmaceutical opioids as an alternative to illicit drugs. This method is often referred to as "safe supply" or "safer supply." What exactly do these terms, which emerged in the late 2010s and are central to Canadian harm reduction policies, mean? In a study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, a research team led by Universite de Montreal professors Dr. Julie Bruneau and Sarah Larney provide some answers. With the help of the study's first author, Uyen Do, who was then a research officer in their team, the two researchers distinguished two clearly defined categories of approaches that are included in the "safe or safer supply" concept. The first takes a medical approach (safer supply), and the other takes a community-based approach (safe supply), in which the safe supply, meaning substances that are tested for their content, is not supervised by health professionals. Until now, these two approaches have often been lumped together under a single concept, even though there are significant differences between the two, the researchers say. "We're proposing to clarify the definitions of each approach to guide clinical practice," said Bruneau, holder of a Canada Research Chair in addiction medicine. "Our study establishes a practical framework for better describing care models, testing them and thus identifying the most promising approaches according to contexts, local realities and people's profiles," she said. "It can also be used to determine which components of an existing or future program must be documented, so that the benefits and risks can be rigorously assessed." A framework for changing policies In their study, through a review of scientific literature and a concept analysis, the researchers uncover several limitations of current data: few longitudinal or experimental evaluations, insufficient characterization of target populations, a lack of information on unintended consequences such as diversion, and no analysis of implementation gaps between provinces. "Overdose in Canada must not be treated as a temporary emergency," said Larney. "It requires a nuanced and structured response based on scientific evidence in a field where health, social and ethical issues are sometimes marked by controversy and emotion." It's crucial for researchers that new approaches are well defined and documented so that they can be adapted and optimized during implementation and their impact measured, Bruneau added. By so doing, there could be considerable clinical and social benefits, such as improved access to care, a decrease in overdoses and less stigmatization of people who use drugs, the researchers say. Canada leads the way Canada has demonstrated its ability to innovate in the fight against opioid overdoses, they point out: it is currently the only country to experiment with safe supply on a large scale. "Now is the time to consolidate our leadership with more evidence," said Bruneau. "Our study could serve as a springboard for positioning the country as a world leader in harm reduction and addiction treatment. It could also strengthen the legitimacy of public-health interventions in the eyes of political bodies and the general public." The new study goes beyond ideological divisions to encourage research for practical and humane solutions to a crisis that has already claimed over 50,000 lives in Canada, she added. Publication details Uyen Do et al, A scoping review and concept analysis to inform Canada's safe(r) opioid supply research agenda, International Journal of Drug Policy (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105070 Journal information: International Journal of Drug Policy Key medical concepts Harm Reduction Clinical categories PsychiatryPreventive medicine 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 Offering screening for neurodivergence to people detained by the police could help ensure access to appropriate support and fairer treatment in the criminal justice system, say Cambridge researchers, after a study suggests that one in two individuals arrested and detained in London may have undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and one in 20 may have undiagnosed autism. Research has consistently found that neurodivergent individualsparticularly autistic people and those with ADHDare overrepresented within prison populations. There is also growing evidence of undiagnosed ADHD and autism among individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. However, estimates of the prevalence of the conditions within these settings differ. Study methods and screening process Dr. Tanya Procyshyn, a research associate at the Autism Research Center at the University of Cambridge, said, "To ensure fair treatment in the criminal justice system, we need to understand how neurodivergence affects interactions with the law. This can help avoid unnecessary criminalization of misunderstood behavior and ensure that potentially vulnerable individuals are able to access appropriate support." Dr. Procyshyn and Dion Brown, a senior Detective from the Metropolitan Police Service, co-led a study to explore the feasibility of screening arrested individuals for traits related to ADHD and autism and to examine the reason leading to the arrest. Over an eight-week period in 2024, people detained at six London Metropolitan Police custody centers were offered voluntary screening for ADHD and autism carried out on-site by a health care professional, detention officer, or arresting police officer. ADHD traits were assessed using a modified version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Autistic traits were assessed using the 10-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient. Although these tools are not diagnostic, they provide a practical method to flag individuals who may benefit from further assessment. The results are published in Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health. Key findings from the screening The majority of the 303 eligible individuals arrested (71%) consented to screening. Individuals who screened above the thresholds for ADHD or autistic traits were informed and given additional information on how to seek a formal diagnosis. Eight percent of arrested individuals had an existing diagnosis of ADHD, which is slightly higher than the prevalence of ADHD in the general population (5%). However, an additional one in two people (50%) without an existing ADHD diagnosis scored at or above the threshold for possible undiagnosed ADHD. Strikingly, this included 33 individuals (17%) whose scores suggested a very high number of ADHD traits. Nine individuals (4.2%) had an existing autism diagnosis, which again is slightly higher than the prevalence of autism in the general adult population (3%). An additional 5.4% scored at or above the threshold for possible undiagnosed autism. Links between neurodivergence and arrest reasons Regarding the reason leading to the arrest, six in 10 individuals (60%) arrested for drug offenses had an existing diagnosis or positive screening result for ADHD. Previous studies have found that some neurodivergent individuals may self-medicate with illegal substances. Several studies have also reported that people with ADHD are less likely to engage in criminal behavior when taking medication for ADHD, and this effect is thought to reflect improved impulse control. Potential benefits of early screening Dion Brown, a senior Detective from the Metropolitan Police Service, said, "Screening for ADHD and autism at the first point of contact with law enforcement benefits both the criminal justice system and the individuals involved. "Early identification helps officers interpret behaviors that might otherwise be misunderstood and ensures appropriate support is provided. This approach creates opportunities to divert vulnerable individuals away from the criminal justice process and towards the help they may need." Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Center at Cambridge, and a member of the team, added, "Screening for possible neurodivergence will allow more informed legal decision-making, taking into account cognitive and communicative differences. It can also help ensure defendants get access to legal protection and appropriate counsel. This could improve both the treatment and experiences of neurodivergent people in the criminal justice system and ultimately lead to fairer outcomes, including protection under the law, which is a basic human right." More information Neurodiversity in custody: Screening results for ADHD and autistic traits in individuals arrested by the London Metropolitan Police, Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health (2025). DOI: 10.1002/cbm.70018 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The workshop brought together public health scientists from 14 countries for an intensive five-day workshop on whole-genome sequencing to strengthen local capabilities and disease surveillance. Credit: Ebenezer Foster-Nyarko The African CDC has recently warned of a surge in cholera cases across the continent. Cholera, caused by certain strains of V. cholerae, is a waterborne infection that spreads rapidly, particularly in areas with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Africa bears the majority of the global burden of cholera, accounting for 46% of all cases and nearly 83% of all deaths. Yet, only about 1.3% of laboratories on the continent have the bacteriology capacity to confirm infections. In 2024, representatives from 14 African countries came together for a five-day intensive workshop on a whole-genome sequencing method called Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) aimed at strengthening cholera surveillance capabilities across the continent. The event was organized by PulseNet Africa, a network dedicated to combating food- and waterborne diseases, and hosted at the Medical Research Council Unit the Gambia at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). "The hands-on training approachwhere scientists brought DNA from their own archived, previously unsequenced isolates and used these real samples to learn the complete workflowproved exceptionally valuable," says Dr. Ebenezer Foster-Nyarko, a Research Fellow at LSHTM, Regional Co-Coordinator for PulseNet Africa and lead author of the study. "This comprehensive approach helped demystify genomic surveillance and demonstrated its immediate practical applications for public health." The study, published in Microbial Genomics, analyzed whole genome data from 104 isolates between 2010 and 2024 across Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa. Findings highlight substantial genetic diversity, the presence of distinct local clades, and widespread multi-drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics, such as quinolones and trimethoprim. In contrast, resistance to azithromycin and rifampicin remains low. According to Foster-Nyarko, this pattern reflects decades of heavy reliance on trimethoprim and quinolones in Africa and Asia, whereas azithromycin and rifampicin have only recently been introduced. "This emphasizes the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardshippreserving the effectiveness of remaining treatment options is critical to preventing further resistance," he notes. Although limited by the scarcity of available genomic data, the study provides an important snapshot of a wider issue. Continued capacity building through training workshops and establishing sustained regional collaborations will be vital, says Foster-Nyarko. The success of the 2024 workshop has already catalyzed significant developments in disease surveillance across Africa; "PulseNet Africa launched feasibility studies in January 2025 to enhance genomic monitoring of PulseNet pathogens, with particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance," says Foster-Nyarko. These efforts will expand ONT sequencing capacity beyond cholera to other foodborne diseases. "By building local expertise in genomic surveillance, African countries will have the tools and skills needed to independently monitor and respond to cholera and other foodborne pathogens, ultimately contributing to long-term improvements in public health systems across the continent." More information Ebenezer Foster-Nyarko et al, Genomic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Vibrio cholerae isolates from Africa: a PulseNet Africa initiative using nanopore sequencing to enhance genomic surveillance, Microbial Genomics (2025). DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001586 Provided by Microbiology Society Paris, France (PANA) - Despite significant progress in access to education, educational inequalities are widening due to the climate crisis, conflicts, and technological changes 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 The kidneys are among the most important organs of the human body. Every day they filter around 1,500 liters of blood, regulate electrolyte and fluid balance, control blood pressure and play a central role in detoxifying the body. Even minor functional impairments can have serious consequences for the entire organism. Patients undergoing major surgical procedures are particularly at risk. Acute kidney injury is one of the most common and serious complications, especially in patients in intensive care. It significantly increases the risk of long-term dialysis dependence, prolonged hospital stays and higher mortality. An international research team led by the University of Munster has now generated important findings that could be implemented directly in clinical care. The international, multicenter BigpAK-2 study, published in The Lancet, shows that a targeted preventive treatment protocol significantly reduces the occurrence of moderate and severe acute kidney injury after major surgery in high-risk patients identified by biomarkers. Biomarkers are specific molecules that indicate kidney damage. "The period immediately after surgery is crucial, as inflammatory responses, circulatory changes and the burden of medication place particular strain on the kidneys. We were able to show that a closely monitored, coordinated set of clinical measures provides effective protection in these first hours," explains Dr. Thilo von Groote, coordinator and senior author of the study. These measures included precise management of circulation and fluid balance, consistent monitoring of key renal parameters and the potential avoidance of nephrotoxic medications. Patients to whom this preventive strategy was applied were far less likely to develop moderate or severe postoperative kidney injury than those who received standard care. At the same time, no additional side effects were observed. "Acute kidney injury after surgery is a frequently underestimated problem," emphasizes Prof. Alexander Zarbock, director of the Department of Anesthesiology, Surgical Intensive Care Medicine and Pain Therapy at the University Hospital Munster (UKM) and lead author of the study. "We were able to show that the intervention can be implemented in hospitals across Europe. It does not require high-tech equipment, but rather early identification of high-risk patients using innovative biomarkers and a well-coordinated team that acts attentively in the first hours after surgery." The BigpAK-2 study is one of the largest investigations to date on the prevention of postoperative kidney injury. A total of 7,873 people at 34 European hospitals were examined after major surgical procedures, of whom 1,180 were classified as particularly at risk on the basis of clinical risk factors and positive biomarkers. The UKM served as the coordinating study center. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard care or the intervention group receiving the preventive care protocol. The study endpoint was the occurrence of moderate or severe acute kidney injury within the first 72 hours after surgery. For clinical practice, these new findings represent an important advance. The research team hopes that the results will be incorporated into international guidelines, thereby improving the care of millions of patients. Publication details Alexander Zarbock et al, A preventive care strategy to reduce moderate or severe acute kidney injury after major surgery (BigpAK-2); a multinational, randomised clinical trial, The Lancet (2025). DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(25)01717-9 Journal information: The Lancet Key medical concepts Acute Kidney InjuryBiomarkers 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: Study identifies two proteins that cancer seed cells use to avoid destruction by microglia when first arriving in the brain. Genetically removing these proteins revealed microglia's key role in eliminating cancer cells during early invasion. Credit: Kano Okada, Nagoya University Metastasis occurs when cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel through the bloodstream to form new tumors in other parts of the body. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death. Brain metastasis is particularly severe and affects 1030% of patients with advanced lung, breast, and melanoma cancers. While therapies exist for established brain tumors, there are limited strategies that directly target the very first cancer "seed cells" that enter and lodge in the brain. Our brains, however, are equipped with immune cells called microglia that rapidly respond to pathogens and cancer cells by engulfing and digesting them. Yet scientists could not explain why microglia sometimes fail to destroy incoming seed cells because they could not watch this critical interaction in real-time in the living brain. Now, for the first time in this setting, the exact moment when microglia engulfed seed cells trying to spread to the brain has been captured and visualized. Published in Cancer Research, the study identifies two proteins that seed cells use to avoid being destroyed by microglia when they first arrive. By genetically removing these proteins, researchers showed that microglia play a key role in eliminating cancer cells during the early stage of their arrival in the brain. Watching the battle: Advanced imaging shows how brain immune cells (microglia shown in green) either destroy or support cancer seed cells (orange). By blocking "don't eat me" signals (CD24/CD47) or modifying cellular signals (TGF-), researchers can reprogram microglia to destroy tumors instead of supporting them. Credit: Tsuji et al., 2025 Watching microglia and cancer cells interact in real-timea first for brain metastasis An international research team led by Dr. Takahiro Tsuji from the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine has studied seed cells that travel from the lung to the brain to understand how they behave when they enter the braina critical moment when microglia have a chance to destroy them. This window period lasts about 12 days, so by the time symptoms appear or imaging detects a problem, brain tumors have already formed. "We recorded the interactions between microglia and cancer cells in live mice using an advanced imaging technique called two-photon microscopy," Dr. Tsuji explained. "While some microglia actively destroyed tumor cells, others instead supported cancer cell survival and growth. To investigate this difference, we applied a newly developed 'opto-omics' approach, in which only the microglia physically interacting with tumor cells were selectively tagged with light, isolated, and analyzed." A way to stop cancer seed cells from outsmarting the brain's microglia When cancer cells arrive in the brain, they evade being destroyed by microglia by using "don't eat me" signals from two molecules, CD24 and CD47. When these molecules were removed, microglia digested the seed cells and brain tumors were significantly reduced. Furthermore, CD24 and CD47 were found in 50% of samples of human brain metastasis from lung cancer patients, indicating that the findings from this study have potential clinical relevance. "Some microglia receive signals that reprogram them to help tumors by building blood vessels and creating a protective environment that shields cancer from immune attack," senior author Professor Hiroaki Wake noted. "Understanding why some microglia destroy cancer while others support it at the very first encounter is key to developing better therapies." The researchers suggest a treatment strategy that removes CD24 and CD47 with antibodies or other therapies to eliminate cancer seed cells within the early stage when microglia can phagocytose cancer seeds. "This approach focuses on harnessing our brain's immune system to prevent metastasis at a very early stage, rather than treating tumors after they have already formed," Dr. Tsuji said. Looking ahead, the team is developing therapies to remove CD24 and CD47 that could work alone or alongside existing treatments. In parallel, they are creating biomarkers to identify patients most likely to benefit from early intervention. The researchers also plan to extend their imaging technology, which combines two-photon microscopy with opto-omics, to study metastasis in other cancers and organs. Publication details Microglia display heterogeneous initial responses to disseminated tumor cells, Cancer Research (2025). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-25-3425 Journal information: Cancer Research Clinical categories OncologyNeurology 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: For men with hemophilia B, receipt of gene therapy comprising an infusion of etranacogene dezaparvovec results in sustained endogenous factor IX expression and low annualized bleeding rates over five years, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the New England Journal of Medicine to coincide with the annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology, held from Dec. 6 to 9 in Orlando, Florida. Steven W. Pipe, M.D., from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and colleagues conducted an open-label, phase 3 study involving men with hemophilia B who received a single infusion of etranacogene dezaparvovec after a lead-in period (at least six months) of factor IX prophylaxis. The researchers found that the adjusted annualized bleeding rate for all bleeding events was 4.16 and 1.52 during the lead-in period and months 7 though 60 after gene therapy, respectively, in the full analysis population (54 participants), a reduction of 63%. Endogenous factor IX expression remained stable during the five-year follow-up period; the mean factor IX activity level was 36.1 15.7 IU/dL at five years, and the mean exogenous factor IX consumption for routine prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding events decreased by 96% from the lead-in period to months 7 through 60 after gene therapy. There was no substantial difference seen in efficacy for participants with and without adeno-associated virus serotype 5 neutralizing antibodies at baseline. "For those who have relied on frequent prophylactic infusions, achieving lasting bleed control from a single treatment offers the potential for greater day-to-day freedom and a life less burdened by the demands of ongoing therapy," Pipe said in a statement. Several authors disclosed ties to biopharmaceutical companies, including uniQure and CSL Behring, which funded the study. CSL Behring manufactures etranacogene dezaparvovec. Publication details Steven W. Pipe et al, Final Analysis of a Study of Etranacogene Dezaparvovec for Hemophilia B, New England Journal of Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2514332 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: How can we better protect a transplanted kidney? Credit: Wroclaw Medical University When we think of kidney transplantation, we usually focus on surgery, immunosuppressive drugs, and early post-operative tests. Much less attention is paid to what happens months or years later, when a silent damaging process may begin inside the transplanted organ. Under the microscope, a pathologist may detect changes indicating a specific form of rejection called microvascular inflammation (MVI)a subtype of antibody-mediated rejection that until recently was underestimated. Diagnosing it without biopsy remains very difficult. Even when standard blood tests, such as anti-HLA antibodies, are negative, a damaging process may still be occurring in the graft. This diagnostic gap inspired a research team from Wroclaw Medical University, led by Prof. Mirosaw Banasik, to investigate additional risk factorsespecially non-HLA antibodiesand to apply AI-based analytical tools. The study, conducted by Jakub Mizera, MD, is published in Frontiers in Immunology. At the University Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, more than 1,000 kidney transplant recipients are monitored long-term. Some have lived with their grafts for 2030 years. The goal is to understand why certain kidneys fail despite treatmentand how to prevent premature loss. Diagnostic criteria are changing A transplanted kidney is structurally complex. Damage in the glomeruli or capillaries is classified as microvascular inflammation, which harms the filtration structures of the organ. Since the 2022 update of the Banff Classification, MVI is considered a serious warning sign of possible antibody-mediated rejection. At the same time, evidence shows that antibody-mediated rejection accounts for over 50% of kidney graft losses. Yet classic diagnostics often fail: pathologists may see features of rejection in biopsy even when anti-HLA antibodies are absent. This discrepancy encouraged researchers to explore non-HLA antibodies, particularly those targeting the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R). Because the kidney experiences unavoidable ischemic injury during transplantation, molecules such as AT1R can become exposed, potentially triggering an immune response. Transplant archive and digital magnifying glasses The study included 167 patients who had previously undergone biopsy following graft dysfunction. Using Banff 2022 criteria, researchers assessed each sample for MVI while also measuring AT1R antibodies in blood. Two groups were formed: 79 patients with MVI 88 patients without MVI Nearly 50% of MVI patients had positive AT1R antibodies, compared with 24% without MVIsuggesting a strong association. The team then applied AI-based analyticsnot generative AI, but statistical modeling, ROC analysis, and association rule miningto determine at what antibody level the risk becomes clinically meaningful. Results showed that the highest quintile of AT1R (>12 U/ml) carried a distinctly elevated risk: MVI occurred in almost two-thirds of patients the risk was 37% higher than in the general study group. Thus, not all positive results are equally meaningfulonly high AT1R titers appear to be particularly dangerous. Ongoing research now includes antibody subclasses and additional non-HLA antibodies (ETAR, ETBR, PAR1, PAR2). The long-term vision is to create a comprehensive, AI-supported non-invasive immunological profile to detect early rejection risk without biopsy. AI as the new stethoscope of transplantology AI will not replace clinicians, but it can help them detect patterns hidden in complex datasets. Identifying new immunological risk factors may enable earlier intervention and extend graft lifespanreducing the need for retransplantation and improving organ availability for others. As Prof. Banasik emphasizes, the goal is to go beyond average survival times and ensure that more patients can benefit from long-lasting graft function. AI tools, including automated biopsy analysis and advanced data modeling, will likely become standard in transplant medicine. Publication details Jakub Mizera et al, Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antibodies as a contributor to microvascular inflammation in kidney transplant recipients: insights from statistical and artificial intelligence based approaches, Frontiers in Immunology (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1659939 Journal information: Frontiers in Immunology Provided by Wroclaw Medical University 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: Wearable chest-mounted patch and forehead-mounted pulse oximeter shown on a mannequin baby for illustration. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology A new, soft, all-in-one, wearable system has been designed for continuous wireless monitoring of neonatal health in low-resource settings. Developed by Georgia Tech researchers using advanced packaging technologies, the system features a chest-mounted patch and a forehead-mounted pulse oximeter that transmits real-time data to a smartphone app. The wearable device measures and records important clinical parameters such as heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, electrocardiograms, and blood oxygen saturation. Speedy detection of abnormal readings in resource-challenged neonatal units could significantly reduce newborn mortality rates. The device's pilot study,, published in npj Digital Medicine, demonstrated a significant improvement over current vital sign monitoring and recording methods by providing continuous oversight using less medical equipment while also reducing handwritten paper tracking. Vital signs are a group of the most crucial medical data that indicate the status of the body's life-sustaining functions. The pairing of this wearable system with a smartphone app automated the monitoring process and delivered a superior level of neonatal care compared to the current processes at Ethiopia's best hospital. Medical staff and parents also observed a reduced need to wake their babies when using the wearable monitoring system. In addition, after participating in the study, 84% of Ethiopian parents said they would use the device at home. The collaboration and inspiration behind the project "Professor Hong Yeo and I connected immediately after he gave a brief research talk about a new, wearable cardiac monitor for children," said Rudy Gleason. "I asked him if we could co-develop a wearable device for newborn babies in Ethiopia that measured not one, but a variety of vital signs. We both thought it was a great idea." Yeo and Gleason are faculty members in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech. And both are affiliated with Georgia Tech's Institute for People and Technology, which seeks to improve global health. In 2009, Gleason and his wife were in the process of adopting a baby from Ethiopia named Kennedy. Before they could bring her home, however, she diedthe result, Gleason said, of a seemingly preventable combination of malnutrition and diarrhea. "This loss redirected my academic teaching, research, and service activities at Georgia Tech," said Gleason. "Since then, I've spent most of my career focused on developing resource-appropriate biomedical devices to reduce maternal and child mortality." Community response and device design "When we started this latest study, Ethiopian parents were reluctant to participate. But once we recruited a few mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), everyone in the NICU community wanted their child to participate in our wearable health monitoring system." According to Yeo, "We designed the wearable patch as a safe, clinical-grade solution with minimal skin irritation. Its key design advantage lies in the use of nanomembranes, which allows the device to be soft and highly conformal to the baby's skin. Wearing the device helps to ensure critical events are not missed since the built-in automation acts as a force multiplier, freeing clinical staff to focus more on complex decision-making rather than manual data acquisition." "Rudy has a deep love for the people of Ethiopia. I feel fortunate to have met him as we embark on this project aimed at helping sick babies in the country. Without his support, I could not envision bringing this technology to Ethiopia," said Yeo. Impact and future potential in Ethiopia During the past decade, child mortality rates have decreased in Ethiopia, but newborn deaths have remained mostly unchanged. Both Yeo and Gleason feel their new wearable neonatal device could significantly lower mortality rates for newborns in Ethiopia as they advance this research. The study was conducted at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, in collaboration with Abebaw Fekadu, Ph.D., from the Center for Innovative Drug Development and Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT Africa Inc.), and neonatologist Asrat Demtse, M.D., from the TASH department of pediatrics. Publication details Lauren Zhou et al, Soft, all-in-one, nanomembrane wearable system for advancing neonatal health monitoring in Ethiopia, npj Digital Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41746-025-01974-8 Journal information: npj Digital Medicine Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States and Liberia on Tuesday signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under the America First Global Health Strategy A Mumbai Mirror article detailing alleged administrative lapses at VN Desai Hospital has triggered an unusually swift response from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), resulting in the withdrawal of Dr Jairaj Acharyas top charge. Acharya, who had been simultaneously holding two posts Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Medical Superintendent has now been stripped of the Superintendent role and continues only as SMO, marking a rare step in the civic health hierarchy. The original Mirror report highlighted operational disruptions, patient inconveniences, and management gaps under Dr Acharyas supervision. Although the article did not accuse him of misconduct, it raised sufficient concerns to prompt the civic body to begin a closer examination of the hospitals functioning. Senior officials said the publication made it impossible to ignore the issues, noting that what began as a routine verification quickly expanded into a broader audit of decision-making, internal communication, staff deployment, and service delivery. Sources familiar with the internal review said several concerns raised in the report were substantiated. These included delays in operations, inefficient handling of key departments, irregularities in tenders, and lapses that contributed to patient distress. Officials said the pattern of oversight was serious enough to warrant corrective action especially at a time when public health facilities are under intense scrutiny. The move stands out in a system where reshuffles are more common than disciplinary steps. This is not a routine transfer. Demoting a Medical Superintendent signals that something went very wrong, said a doctor who had earlier raised concerns about irregularities under Dr Acharya. Sharad Ughade, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Health), clarified that Dr Acharya had merely been relieved of the additional charge of Medical Superintendent and would now function in his earlier role. Using the word demotion is not appropriate, as the additional charge has only been withdrawn, he said. However, hospital staff are divided over the decision. Some believe the action was overdue, arguing that inefficiencies had been building for months and that patient frustration was increasing. Others feel the move is more about appearance than genuine reform, pointing out that administrative problems run deeper than the actions of one individual. The episode has revived questions about systemic weaknesses in municipal hospitals. Critics argue that VN Desai Hospitals situation reflects a broader pattern in which structural gaps go unaddressed until exposed by external scrutiny. Advocate Rajesh Chavan, a social activist, said stronger internal mechanisms are needed to identify problems before they are flagged by the press. Dr Jairaj Acharya did not respond to calls or messages from Mumbai Mirror seeking comment. For 42 years, Sanjiv Sarin led from the front. Working in the corporate sector, he took on several senior leadership roles across continents before retiring as CEO and MD of a global coffee company. Through it all, spirituality remained his fulcrum. His new book, The Other Side of the Mountain, with Speaking Tiger, delves into this journey while exploring what it takes to be a humane leader in a ruthlessly competitive environment. His tryst with spirituality, he says, really began in 1996 when he took an Art of Living course. But the leanings were always theremy younger sister was a special child and growing up with her made me sensitive, patient and seeking to understand the unsaid, Sarin says in an email interview. But there were other motivations, which came together, and led him to the course. One was for stress management and second, was to explore what Vandana, my wife, was seeking in her spiritual quest. The first course, he remembers, brought him a high level of calm. He took another advance course, and the sheer feeling of being overwhelmed, the continuous flow of tears at the end of it shook me. I knew a significant change had happened. At home, he remembers his children telling him that he was changing, and for the good. All this was before 26/11. An unexpected turn In early 2008, Sarins new job as executive director, projects, for the coffee company required him to travel weekly to Mumbai from Bengaluru, where he was based. At the time, the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai became his second home. On the fateful night of November 26, 2008, when terrorists attacked multiple locations in Mumbai, including the hotel, Sarin was staying there. He was watching the India versus England one-day match on TV when he heard rounds of gunfire. It was only when he switched to the news channels after receiving frantic calls from friends and family that he realised he was in deep trouble. In the midst of chaos, he meditated to stay calm, packed and labelled his bag, lined the wet towel under the door as smoke filtered in, backed up furniture to block the door, lay on the carpet patiently in readiness, in the moment with positive surrender, he says. When the fire brigade arrived, he requested them to reach out to other guests first. The Taj experience, he says, felt like a eureka momentit could easily have gone the other way. The frailty of life struck him, and this desire to make a difference in peoples lives only increased. Gaining new perspective Not too long after the incident, one of his employees at a conference asked Sarin what he expected from them. My answer was I would like them to become what they aspire to, and I would be happy to partner them in that journey. To enunciate this was a significant shift for him. In my early professional days, I would describe myself as bright, analytical, friendly but task-driven. Task mattered far more than relationships. Now, he was starting to walk that extra mile to listen and mentor. My focus on results was always there, but the path was changing, he insists. I could sense peoples difficulties. I was becoming a sensitive leader. He credits this to his spiritual quest. For Sarin, spirituality is about connecting with oneselfdecluttering the mind, clearing away confusion, and being open to experiencing the joy in the little things around us. It also enables us to empty our minds and sharpen our focus on what truly needs to be done. You become collaborative, seeking the best of what others have to offer. You are not competing with others because you are confident within yourself, and you are seeking solutions together. Today, as a practitioner and Art of Living teacher, Sarin has been able to help others regain confidence in themselves, and even learn how to negotiate charged, goal-driven environments. He believes that people want to see a leader who is calm and in control. I still recall one team member saying in a meeting boss ko gussa kyon nahin aata? Another one wrote to me after many years it is rare to have a leader listen to people across hierarchy even under pressure, says Sarin, which brings him to his parting lesson: There has to be an openness to hear other views. People want to feel heard and be a part of the process. Inyo County, CA A wildfire last month destroyed 30 homes in Mono County along the eastern Sierra Nevada. Governor Gavin Newsom, on Tuesday, proclaimed a State of Emergency to help with the cleanup efforts. The emergency proclamation includes provisions for expediting household hazardous waste and debris removal for affected homes and businesses. The Pack Fire was discovered on November 13 and burned 1,974 acres (cause still under investigation). It was south of Highway 395 in the area of the Inyo National Forest. It was fully contained on December 3. At its peak, 1,800 residents were under evacuation orders or warnings. The U.S. Small Business Administration has also approved Californias request for financial assistance to impacted community members, making low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by the Pack Fire. Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is eyeing a return to active politics after successfully registering his party, the National Economic Development Party (NEDP). Despite being impeached in 2020, Sonko is confident he can return to elective politics. He plans to take his case back to the Supreme Court, challenging the decision that upheld his impeachment. Sonkos impeachment traces back to December 2020, when Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to remove him from office. He initially approached the High Court to overturn the decision, but the Supreme Court confirmed his removal. Later, Sonko took his fight to the East African Court of Justice (EACJ), which ruled in his favor, declaring the impeachment illegal. Sonko, who previously served as Makadara MP, Nairobi Senator and later Governor, now wants the courts to review his case. Yes, I have exhausted all my appeals up to the Supreme Court, but then I have a very good case that is coming up for review in light of new evidence that is in my possession, he told journalists outside the office of the Registrar of Political Parties at Lion Place. Sonko claims he has obtained affidavits from MCAs who impeached him, where they confess that powerful government forces pressured them to vote for his removal. I have affidavits from some of the leaders disowning the impeachment; this is the new evidence I intend to file in court as I seek a review of the decision, Sonko said, noting that even the East African Court of Justice had disagreed with the Kenyan Supreme Court. In just 24 hours, the Supreme Court buried my political career, but its not yet over. Article 193 of the Constitution provides that you can only be locked out if you have exhausted all the appeals or reviews available. I am returning to court on a review basis and thus will be eligible to contest for any seat based on the pending review, the ex-governor added. On Tuesday morning, Sonko said his new NEDP will focus on recruiting young candidates to run for various positions across the country. This is not about Sonko but ordinary Kenyans. We will be holding a recruitment drive and hereby invite all Kenyans to this movement, which is a break from the past. The party plans to hold its formal launch on a different date. The flamboyant politician and businessman leads the NEDP party with former SONU leader Anthony Manyara and KEMU University Student leader Naomi Chebet Masai serving as his two deputies. John Nyamu chairs the party, while Ben Mulwa, Sonkos former personal assistant, serves as Secretary General. Eric Njoroge will serve as Deputy SG, Francis Wambua as Treasurer, Laura Mwende as Deputy Treasurer, Peterson Maina as National Organising Secretary and Joseph Kiangoi as Deputy Organising Secretary. As youths, we will no longer sit on the dining table or but we will be the ones to prepare the menu, Masai said, adding that the party will mainstream the youths in the countrys politics instead of using them as just voters. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has strongly defended the governments privatisation agenda, urging Kenyans to embrace the private sector as a key engine of national development. Speaking on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, during the launch of the Kenya Diaspora Investment Strategy 20252030 in Nairobi, Mudavadi said Kenyas economy has historically benefited whenever citizens supported bold reforms. Mudavadi pointed to Safaricom as a powerful example of how privatisation can transform a struggling state monopoly into a global force. He recalled the era of the Kenya Post and Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC), which operated as a government monopoly but was losing money and draining public resources. According to him, opening the sector to private players was the turning point. It is from that brave move that Kenyans made to embrace the private sector that made Safaricom the giant that it is today, Mudavadi said. He noted that Safaricom is now the largest private-sector investor in Ethiopia an achievement he said would have been impossible under full government control. Mudavadi reminded Kenyans that the State currently owns only about 33 percent of Safaricom, and the planned privatisation concerns only part of that stake. He explained that selling a portion allows the government to raise funds for development while giving ordinary Kenyans and investors more ownership through the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Mudavadi dismissed fears that reducing the States shareholding weakens national interests. He clarified that entities with government ownership at or below 33 percent are regarded as private companies, where the State acts as an investor, not a manager. Safaricom is not a parastatal. Safaricom is a private company, he said, adding that this fact is often misunderstood in discussions about privatisation. The Prime CS also cited Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) as a success story. KCB was once fully government-owned, and its directors even used blue number plates as a sign of parastatal status. When the government reduced its shareholding to about 33 percent, KCB transitioned into a publicly listed private company. Today, it ranks among the largest banks in East Africa, while the State continues to earn dividends from its remaining stake. Mudavadi used these examples to challenge what he described as widespread misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding privatisation. There is too much conspiracy theory every time privatization is discussed, he said. If you were to ask me, I would push and privatise even more. He urged citizens, both in Kenya and abroad, to understand the long-term benefits of private sector participation, including increased efficiency, better management, regional expansion, and higher economic output. He criticised politicians who often frame privatisation as selling the silverware, arguing that state assets lose their value when trapped in poor management systems. We politicians stand out there and say, ah, youre selling the silverware. What is the worth of a rose on a heap of garbage? he posed. Mudavadis sentiments come at a time when the government is advancing plans to privatise 11 state-owned enterprises, including the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Kenya Pipeline Company, New Kenya Cooperative Creameries, and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya. The Prime CS said privatisation remains one of the most effective tools to unlock investment and drive Kenyas next phase of economic growth. Nairobi police officers in plain clothes gunned down two suspected robbers on Tuesday afternoon after they attacked and robbed a man of an unknown amount of money along Moi Avenue, Nairobi. According to witnesses and police reports, a gang of five targeted a customer shortly after he withdrew an undisclosed sum of money from a bank. The suspects grabbed the cash and attempted to flee. Officers on patrol quickly responded to the incident and shot two of the suspects, while the remaining three escaped on foot during the midday confrontation. A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing, said Central Police Commander Stephene Nyakombo, who added that police have intensified operations in the city to curb gang-related crimes linked to similar past incidents. We have deployed more personnel to ensure safety for all in the city ahead of the festivities, Commander Nyakombo said. At the scene, police had to lob teargas to disperse onlookers before moving the bodies to the mortuary, where they will undergo autopsy. Authorities continue to urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as the investigation unfolds. Raila Odinga Junior, son of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has announced plans to restore his fathers iconic Hummer SUV, a vehicle that became a symbol of political power during the 2007 election campaign. My intention is to restore and take it to the museum at Kango Ka Jaramogi, Raila Junior told journalists, referring to the family mausoleum where his father was laid to rest. The Odinga family aims to transform the red Hummer, once a head-turning campaign vehicle, into a historical artifact that preserves a tangible piece of Kenyas political memory. The vehicle was gifted to Raila Odinga by benefactors supporting his presidential bid, notably Don Bosco Gichana. The SUV quickly became a political spectacle. Supporters chanted Hummer! Hummer! Hummer! as Raila Odinga rode through rallies, projecting an image of strength and influence that resonated nationwide. Over time, the Hummer transcended its role as a vehicle and evolved into a political brand, with the nickname Hammer (Nyundo) symbolizing Odingas power and appeal. After the 2007 election and the ensuing crisis, the vehicle gradually disappeared from public view, making only a brief appearance in 2008. Raila Juniors restoration plans have drawn praise from longtime Odinga aide Silas Jakakimba, who revealed he was among the first to see the vehicle before it became a campaign icon. One of the unknown stories about this hammer machine is that I was the first to lay my eyes on it, Jakakimba recalled. He described meeting Don Bosco Gichana and immediately recognizing the cars potential impact on Raila Odingas campaign. I told him, Ndugu, I have a feeling this car has the uniqueness wed covet for Jakoms campaign appearances. He responded, Do you think Mzee would like it too? I replied, If I tell you wed covet its impact in the terrains, rest assured PM would be aligned, Jakakimba narrated. Bosco later donated the vehicle to the campaign, which Jakakimba notes won the presidential vote by majority. Jakakimba applauded Raila Odinga Juniors move, calling it a timely and befitting decision. He added that placing the car at the Jaramogi Museum would safeguard a significant chapter of Raila Odingas political journey and his efforts to transform and turn around the governance architecture of the Republic of Kenya. President William Ruto has revealed plans to build five luxury hotels inside the newly expanded Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, marking a major shift toward high-end tourism aimed at increasing national revenue. Speaking during the commissioning of the sanctuary in Ngulia, Taita Taveta County, President Ruto said the hotels will target premium international tourists. He noted that accommodation charges will range between $500 and $1,000 per night, similar to the rates charged in top-tier Maasai Mara lodges. All tourists will now pay top dollar, which will be at an additional rate from the current rates. I have been briefed by the KWS that there will be five new hotels that will be built within this park, Ruto said. He stated that the government will no longer allow low-cost lodges within the sanctuary, insisting that upscale tourism is the strategy needed to maximize earnings that can support conservation and uplift communities living around Tsavo. Those will be high-end hotels that would mandate visitors to pay between USD 500 and USD 1000 per day. That is what will be paid and is also currently being paid in the Maasai Mara, he said. Ruto added: We have agreed in my directives to the KWS that there will be no hotels here charging Ksh.2,000 or Ksh.3,000. We want to raise our revenue so that it can reach the local community. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Ministry of Tourism will oversee the rollout of the high-end lodges and ensure they meet global standards. Government to Create Carbon Trading Zone Covering Tsavo East, West, and Galana Kulalu President Ruto also directed KWS and the Ministry of Tourism to develop a carbon credits trading framework that merges Tsavo East, Tsavo West, and Galana Kulalu into a single conservation and carbon-trading block. I also direct that the necessary team develop a carbon credits trading plan covering Tsavo East and West, Galana Kulalu to be made into a single zone so that we can have a harmonised zone to get carbon credits so that the locals can benefit, he said. The initiative is expected to generate additional income that will support conservation, community development, and climate resilience efforts. The Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, now expanded to more than 3,200 square kilometres, plays a crucial role in protecting Kenyas black rhinos. The expansion aims to ease overcrowding, which has long limited breeding and increased the risk of territorial clashes. We have in our custody nearly 78% of the global population of Eastern Black Rhino; this is not simply our conservation achievement; it is a sovereign responsibility of global significance, President Ruto said. Authorities plan to channel new revenue from hotels and carbon credits into strengthening wildlife security and improving infrastructure. Ongoing and future works include wildlife corridors, dams to help animals during droughts, upgraded roads, and enhanced ranger operations. Over 18,000 Jobs and Ksh. 6 Billion in Revenue Expected The expanded sanctuary is already creating hundreds of jobs in security, surveillance, logistics, construction, and roadworks. By 2030, officials project the project will create more than 18,000 jobs and generate over $45 million (Ksh. 6 billion) annually from conservancy and tourism-related activities. The government believes the combination of high-end tourism, enhanced conservation, and carbon trading will transform the Tsavo ecosystem into one of Africas most sustainable wildlife and economic zones. President William Ruto has announced the deployment of advanced AI-enabled cameras, drones, and aerial surveillance systems to safeguard the newly expanded Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, now recognized as the largest rhino sanctuary in the world. Speaking at the commissioning event in Ngulia, Taita Taveta County, Ruto emphasized Kenyas global responsibility in conserving the endangered Eastern Black Rhino, which constitutes nearly 78 percent of the worlds remaining population. We have in our custody nearly 78% of the global population of Eastern Black Rhino; this is not simply our conservation achievement; it is a sovereign responsibility of global significance, Ruto said. To protect the sanctuary, the government has deployed high-tech surveillance systems, including drones, AI-enabled cameras, aerial monitoring, long-range network connectivity, encrypted digital radio networks, patrol vehicles, and over 300 security personnel. A fixed-wing aircraft is also on standby for rapid response to threats. We have built more than 250 km of upgraded fencing, 40 new ranger houses and operational bases, open-access roads, catlines, firebreaks, and expanded water infrastructure across the landscape, the President added. Through the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion initiative, the government has invested over $4.7 million (Ksh. 607 million) to strengthen Tsavos protection, creating one of the most advanced wildlife security operations on the continent. Ruto explained that the sanctuary now spans more than 3,200 square kilometres, a move aimed at reducing congestion that has historically threatened rhino populations. Over 80 percent of Kenyas black rhinos had been living in overcrowded sanctuaries, limiting breeding potential and increasing territorial conflicts. Kenyas rhino population once plummeted to fewer than 20 animals in 1989 due to poaching, drought, and land pressure, prompting the creation of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to safeguard the species. Before the expansion, authorities conducted what Ruto described as the largest rhino monitoring and tagging exercise ever, safely immobilizing 90 rhinos and fitting 89 with digital identifiers and modern tracking devices to enable real-time monitoring of their movements, health, and security. The improved space, enhanced security, and reduced density now allow us to raise the national black rhino population growth rate from 5% to 8% annually, Ruto said. He added that the sanctuary expansion supports Kenyas conservation targets: 1,450 rhinos by 2030 and 2,000 by 2037. Currently, Kenya is home to approximately 2,100 rhinos, including 1,060 black rhinos, 1,040 southern white rhinos, and the last two northern white rhinos in the world. Beyond wildlife protection, Ruto highlighted the sanctuarys socio-economic impact. The project is generating jobs in ranger deployment, surveillance, construction, logistics, and roadworks, and by 2030, it is projected to create over 18,000 jobs and generate more than $45 million (Ksh. 6 billion) in conservancy and tourism revenue. We are redefining conservation in Kenya, not as a cost to taxpayers but as a national investment class. We will ensure that the community are not spectators in this journey but stakeholders in Kenyas green future, the President said. Individuals named Alyshea are often perceived as graceful, intelligent, and compassionate, with a natural elegance that draws others to them. They typically possess strong communication skills and emotional intelligence, allowing them to navigate social situations with ease and build meaningful relationships. Alysheas are frequently described as creative problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logic and intuition. Their noble name meaning often manifests in a sense of personal integrity and leadership qualities, though they tend to lead through inspiration rather than authority. Many Alysheas demonstrate artistic talents or appreciation for beauty in various forms, from visual arts to music and literature. They balance traditional values with modern perspectives, making them adaptable yet grounded individuals who value both heritage and innovation in their personal and professional lives. The unique spelling of the name often correlates with a desire for self-expression and individuality, while the classic roots provide a foundation of stability and tradition. This combination typically results in people who are both reliable and inventive, capable of honoring conventions while also pushing boundaries in constructive ways. More and more parents are opting out of having their newborn babies receive vitamin K shots, a study found, sparking concerns among health experts. Typically, infants are born with extremely low levels of vitamin K, which is a nutrient that the human body needs for blood to clot. This leaves babies at risk for severe bleeding early in their lives. Vitamin K Shots for Newborn Babies During the early 1960s, hospitals in the United States started to give newborns vitamin K shots within the first six hours of birth to prevent bleeding. This includes bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract or brain. A neonatologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dr. Kristan Scott, said that he and his co-authors in the study noticed an increase in parents opting out of vitamin K shots in their individual practices, which was the driving force behind the study. Despite this, Scott said that he did not fully expect the results of the research they conducted. He added that a rise in the number of parents refusing the vitamin K shots was not surprising, but rather, it was the degree to which it increased that caught him off guard, according to NBC News. The study analyzed electronic medical record data taken from Epic Systems' Cosmos database, which included whether or not an infant received a vitamin K shot. Researchers looked at more than 5 million babies who were born in 403 different hospitals in 50 states, from 2017 to 2024. They found that roughly 4% of the infants, which equated to about 200,000, who were born during that timeframe did not receive vitamin K shots. The number rose from less than 3% in 2017 to more than 5% in 2024. The researchers noticed that the trend was highest among non-Hispanic white babies. Spreading Vaccine Misinformation The study's findings come during a time of growing vaccine hesitancy and science denial among people living in the U.S. Many wellness influencers have repeatedly fueled skepticism by characterizing the vitamin K shot as unnecessary and questioning its lab-made ingredients, the Scientific American reported. A senior author of the study, Kevin Dysart, MD, noted that the country's health system is working tirelessly to educate parents to reverse vaccine misperceptions and promote best practices in care. On top of this, he emphasized that in 2025, CHOP joined Epic Cosmos, which acts as a learning healthcare system. This is so that providers and researchers are able to study collective patient experiences to discover various insights and improve care, as per PR Newswire. Cultural & Historical Significance Anbar holds significant cultural importance in Muslim societies, particularly in the Arab world and South Asia. The name is deeply rooted in Islamic history, with historical records showing its usage among early Muslim communities. It gained prominence through various historical figures and places, including the ancient city of Al-Anbar in Iraq, which played a crucial role in early Islamic civilization. The name's association with ambergris (also called 'anbar' in Arabic) connects it to luxury, trade, and traditional perfumery - industries that were central to medieval Islamic economies and cultural practices. Throughout Islamic history, the name has been borne by scholars, military leaders, and merchants, reflecting its cross-cultural appeal across different Muslim societies from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. The cultural resonance of Anbar extends beyond its literal meaning to encompass broader Islamic values. The name evokes images of the historic Silk Road trade routes where ambergris was a valuable commodity, symbolizing the interconnectedness of Muslim civilizations. In many traditional Muslim families, naming a child Anbar expresses hope for the child to develop rare qualities and make valuable contributions to their community. The name also carries geographical significance through its connection to the Iraqi province of Al-Anbar, which has been an important center of Islamic learning and culture for centuries, further cementing its place in Muslim cultural consciousness. Women named Arcelia are often perceived as possessing a rare combination of spiritual depth and practical wisdom. The name's meaning suggests someone who is both grounded and spiritually attuned, capable of creating sacred spaces in everyday life. They tend to be nurturing individuals who value relationships deeply, seeing each person as a 'treasure' worth understanding and cherishing. Their personality often reflects the name's dual nature - they can be both contemplative and actively engaged in their communities. Arcelias are typically known for their strong moral compass and intuitive understanding of others' needs. They often serve as peacemakers and confidantes, creating environments where people feel valued and heard. Their spiritual inclination doesn't necessarily mean religious devotion, but rather a deep appreciation for beauty, meaning, and human connection. They tend to be reliable, thoughtful individuals who approach life with both practicality and wonder, making them excellent friends, partners, and community members who bring a sense of sacredness to ordinary moments. Men named Ayman are typically perceived as blessed with good judgment and natural leadership abilities. Their association with 'the right side' often manifests as a strong moral compass and an innate sense of direction in life decisions. These individuals tend to be pragmatic problem-solvers who approach challenges with calm determination and practical wisdom. Ayman personalities usually exhibit reliability and trustworthiness, making them valued friends and colleagues who others turn to for advice and support. Their 'lucky' connotation often translates into an ability to recognize and capitalize on opportunities, combined with the wisdom to avoid potential pitfalls. While traditionally minded in their values, they adapt well to modern circumstances, creating a balance between respect for heritage and engagement with contemporary life. Their composed demeanor masks a strong will and determination when pursuing important goals, and they often serve as stabilizing influences in their families and communities. Cultural & Historical Significance Bardan has roots in early Christian communities of the British Isles, particularly among Celtic Christian traditions where names reflecting nature and animal symbolism were common. The name's connection to the boar, an animal of strength and courage in Celtic mythology, made it appealing to Christian families who valued these warrior virtues while maintaining their faith. During the medieval period, Bardan appeared in religious records as monks and missionaries carried the name throughout Europe, adapting to local languages while preserving its core meaning. The name represents a bridge between pre-Christian Celtic traditions and early Christianity, embodying the integration of native cultural elements with new religious beliefs. In Eastern Orthodox communities, variations of Bardan gained popularity as the name spread through missionary work, often given to children born into families with strong connections to both faith and the natural world. This cultural adaptability allowed Bardan to maintain relevance across different Christian traditions while preserving its original symbolic meaning of strength and protection. Individuals named Beathan are typically perceived as loyal, dependable, and possessing strong leadership qualities. The name's meaning suggests someone who is trustworthy and capable of handling responsibility, often displaying natural authority and decision-making abilities. They tend to be strategic thinkers who excel in positions where they can support and guide others, much like the 'right hand' to those in authority. Beathans are often characterized by their steadfast nature, showing remarkable consistency in their commitments and relationships. These individuals typically possess a calm demeanor under pressure and are known for their practical problem-solving skills. While they may not seek the spotlight, they often become indispensable to any team or organization due to their reliability and ability to execute plans effectively. Their strength lies in their capacity to be both supportive followers and capable leaders when the situation demands. The name carries an expectation of competence and trustworthiness that often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as those named Beathan tend to develop the very qualities their name suggests. Individuals named Burhleag typically exhibit a balanced combination of strength and gentleness, reflecting the name's dual meaning of fortress and meadow. They are often perceived as protective and steadfast, with a strong sense of duty and responsibility toward their community or family. This protective nature is tempered by a compassionate, nurturing side that creates safe spaces for others to grow and flourish. Burhleags tend to be practical problem-solvers who approach challenges with both strategic thinking and emotional intelligence. Their leadership style often involves creating structured environments where others feel secure enough to develop their talents. They value tradition and stability but are not rigid, showing adaptability when circumstances require change. This combination makes them excellent mediators and community builders who can both defend principles and foster growth. The name suggests someone who provides both protection and opportunitya person who establishes boundaries while encouraging development within those safe parameters. Individuals named Cenehard typically exhibit a strong sense of purpose and determination, often approaching challenges with strategic thinking and unwavering resolve. They tend to be natural leaders who inspire confidence through their consistency and reliability, demonstrating both physical courage and moral fortitude in difficult situations. While they may appear reserved initially, Cenehards develop deep, lasting relationships built on mutual respect and shared values. Their combination of practical wisdom and principled stance makes them effective in roles requiring both decisive action and ethical consideration. These individuals often possess a quiet intensity that manifests as protective loyalty toward those in their care and steadfast commitment to their chosen causes. The historical weight of the name seems to influence bearers toward traditional values while maintaining adaptability to modern contexts, creating a personality that honors heritage without being constrained by it. This balance between strength and sensitivity makes Cenehards particularly effective in leadership positions where both authority and empathy are required. Cultural & Historical Significance Chavivi holds deep significance in Hebrew culture as a name that embodies the concept of being cherished and beloved. Rooted in ancient Hebrew tradition, the name reflects the Jewish value of expressing love and affection within families and communities. Throughout Jewish history, names carrying meanings of love and endearment have been particularly valued, as they represent the emotional bonds that sustain families and communities through challenging times. The name Chavivi specifically conveys a sense of being treasured and precious, making it a meaningful choice that connects the bearer to generations of Jewish tradition emphasizing the importance of loving relationships and emotional connections. In traditional Jewish communities, such names were often given to express parents' profound affection for their child or to honor beloved family members, serving as a constant reminder of the love that surrounds the individual throughout their life. Individuals named Chumani are often perceived as gentle, nurturing, and deeply connected to nature. They typically exhibit a calm and reflective demeanor, much like the quiet morning dew that forms peacefully overnight. Their personality is characterized by a natural empathy and sensitivity to others' emotions, making them excellent listeners and compassionate friends. There's an inherent grace and purity in their approach to life, and they often possess a quiet strength that emerges in challenging situations. Chumani's tend to be creative, observant, and appreciative of beauty in small details that others might overlook. They have a refreshing presence that can calm tense situations and bring clarity to complex matters. While they may appear delicate at first, they demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability, much like dewdrops that can withstand various conditions while maintaining their essential nature. Their connection to traditional values often gives them a strong sense of identity and purpose, and they frequently become caretakers of cultural knowledge and environmental stewardship, embodying the gentle but persistent influence of their namesake. Cultural & Historical Significance Cormac is one of the most storied names in Irish history and mythology, deeply rooted in Gaelic tradition. The name gained prominence through Cormac mac Airt, the legendary High King of Ireland who ruled during what was considered Ireland's Golden Age in the 3rd century. He was celebrated in the Fenian Cycle as a wise and just ruler, often portrayed as the ideal Irish king who established law and order throughout the land. His reign was marked by prosperity and cultural achievement, making the name synonymous with leadership and wisdom in Irish folklore. The name's association with charioteering reflects the importance of chariots in ancient Celtic warfare and nobility, suggesting a connection to warrior aristocracy. Throughout Irish history, numerous kings and chieftains bore the name Cormac, particularly in Ulster and Connacht regions. The name maintained its prestige through the medieval period and experienced a revival during the Celtic Renaissance of the 19th and 20th centuries, symbolizing Irish cultural identity and heritage. Today, it represents a living connection to Ireland's ancient past while remaining relevant in contemporary society. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Individuals named Cuetzpalli are often characterized by remarkable adaptability and resilience, mirroring the lizard's ability to thrive in diverse environments. They typically demonstrate quick thinking and the capacity to regenerate emotionally from setbacks, showing particular strength in challenging circumstances. Their connection to the name's earthy origins often manifests as practical wisdom, patience, and a grounded approach to life's challenges. These individuals tend to be observant and intuitive, with an ability to read situations accurately before taking action. Cuetzpalli-named individuals often possess a quiet confidence and independence, preferring to move at their own pace while maintaining strong connections to their roots and traditions. This combination of adaptability and steadfastness makes them reliable in relationships and effective in navigating complex social or professional landscapes. They typically exhibit a balance between action and contemplation, knowing when to move quickly and when to remain still, much like the lizard that gives the name its meaning. Their personality often reflects the name's symbolic qualities of regeneration and transformation, showing an ability to grow and change while maintaining core identity. Cultural & Historical Significance Edyth is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name with deep Christian roots, particularly prominent in medieval England. The name gained significance through several royal and saintly bearers, most notably Saint Edyth of Wilton, the daughter of King Edgar the Peaceful, who became a nun and abbess renowned for her piety and charitable works. Her veneration helped establish the name's Christian associations throughout medieval Europe. During the Norman Conquest, the name maintained its prestige through Queen Edyth of Wessex, wife of Edward the Confessor, who was known for her political acumen and religious patronage. The name's combination of 'ead' (prosperity, happiness) and 'gy' (war, strife) reflects the Christian concept of spiritual warfare and the battle for salvation, making it particularly meaningful in religious contexts. Throughout history, Edyth has symbolized the balance between feminine grace and spiritual strength, serving as a testament to the power of faith in overcoming life's challenges. Women named Eleena are typically perceived as luminous personalities who naturally illuminate their surroundings with warmth and intelligence. They often possess a graceful confidence that combines traditional values with modern sensibilities, making them adaptable yet grounded individuals. Eleenas are frequently described as compassionate communicators with strong intuitive abilities, able to understand others' perspectives while maintaining their own principled stance. Their 'shining light' quality manifests in their tendency to inspire and uplift those around them, often taking on nurturing or mentoring roles in both personal and professional contexts. While they project elegance and poise, Eleenas typically harbor deep emotional intelligence and creative thinking that enables them to navigate complex situations with both wisdom and empathy. This combination of outward grace and inner strength makes them particularly effective in leadership positions where both people skills and strategic thinking are required. Their natural radiance often attracts others to them, creating social circles characterized by mutual support and intellectual stimulation. Individuals named Elek are typically perceived as protective, reliable, and intellectually curious. They often exhibit a natural inclination toward defending others, whether through physical protection, emotional support, or intellectual advocacy. This protective nature is balanced by a creative and artistic sensibility, making Eleks often drawn to fields that allow them to express their insights about human nature and society. Their personality combines practical wisdom with imaginative thinking, allowing them to approach problems from unique perspectives while maintaining a grounded, realistic outlook. Elek's tend to be loyal friends and partners who value deep, meaningful relationships over superficial connections. They often possess a quiet confidence that doesn't need constant validation, and they're typically respected for their integrity and consistent character. While they may appear reserved at first, those who know them well appreciate their dry wit, thoughtful observations, and steadfast support during challenging times. The name suggests someone who is both a thinker and a doersomeone who contemplates deeply but also acts decisively when protection or defense is required, whether for individuals, ideas, or principles they hold dear. Women named Elvyne are typically characterized by their gentle nature, strong moral compass, and innate kindness. They often possess a quiet strength and spiritual depth that draws others to them for guidance and comfort. Elvynes tend to be empathetic listeners with a natural ability to understand and support those around them, making them excellent friends and confidantes. Their personality combines practical wisdom with a touch of whimsy, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with both realism and hope. These individuals are often creative, intuitive, and value harmony in their relationships and communities. While they may be reserved in large social settings, Elvynes form deep, lasting bonds with those they trust and are known for their unwavering loyalty. They approach life with a sense of purpose and spiritual awareness, often finding fulfillment in service-oriented roles where they can make a positive difference. Their combination of sensitivity and resilience makes them particularly effective in caregiving professions, education, and community leadership roles where compassion and moral integrity are essential. Cultural & Historical Significance Erskine holds profound cultural significance in Scottish history, originating as a territorial surname from the lands of Erskine in Renfrewshire. The name is intrinsically linked to the powerful Erskine family, one of Scotland's most prominent noble families who held the Earldom of Mar and Kellie for centuries. This aristocratic connection gives the name an air of historical importance and social standing within Scottish culture. Throughout Scottish history, bearers of the Erskine name have been involved in pivotal national events including the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Jacobite uprisings, cementing its place in the nation's historical narrative. The name's transition from surname to given name reflects broader Scottish naming traditions where family names become first names to honor heritage and maintain family legacy. In modern Scottish culture, Erskine continues to symbolize connection to Scottish roots, particularly for diaspora communities seeking to preserve their cultural identity. The name also carries associations with the town of Erskine in Renfrewshire and the famous Erskine Bridge, further embedding it in Scottish geographical and cultural consciousness. Its continued usage, though uncommon, represents a living link to Scotland's feudal past and aristocratic traditions. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Gayla emerged in English-speaking Christian communities during the mid-20th century as a variation of Gail and Abigail. It carries Christian significance through its connection to Abigail, a wise and beautiful woman in the Old Testament known for her diplomacy and faithfulness. The name gained popularity in post-war America, reflecting the era's optimism and celebration of life's joyful moments. In Christian naming traditions, Gayla represents the celebration of God's blessings and the joyful spirit that believers are encouraged to cultivate. The name's association with festivity and gathering aligns with Christian values of community, fellowship, and the celebration of life's milestones within the church context. Throughout its usage, Gayla has maintained its connection to joyful Christian living, often chosen by parents who wish to imbue their daughter's identity with a sense of celebration and positive spirit rooted in faith traditions. Women named Geneve are typically perceived as sophisticated, intelligent, and culturally aware individuals. They often possess a natural elegance and diplomatic nature that allows them to navigate social situations with grace and poise. Geneves are frequently described as having strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, making them excellent communicators and mediators in both personal and professional contexts. Their personality often blends traditional values with modern perspectives, creating individuals who are both grounded and forward-thinking. Many Geneves demonstrate a love for learning, arts, and cultural exploration, often becoming well-traveled and multilingual. They tend to be reliable friends and partners, known for their loyalty and thoughtful nature, while maintaining an independent spirit that allows them to pursue their own ambitions and interests with determination and focus. This combination of traits makes Geneves particularly effective in careers requiring diplomacy, creativity, and interpersonal skills. Women named Gleda are typically characterized by their cheerful disposition and optimistic outlook on life. They often possess a natural ability to find joy in everyday situations and tend to spread positivity to those around them. Their happiness is usually grounded in strong personal values and spiritual beliefs, making them resilient during challenging times. Gledas are known for their warm, welcoming nature and ability to create harmonious environments where others feel comfortable and valued. In social settings, Gledas often serve as peacemakers and sources of encouragement. They exhibit strong empathy and intuition, allowing them to connect deeply with others while maintaining their own emotional balance. Their joyful nature is typically complemented by practical wisdom and a nurturing spirit, making them excellent caregivers and community builders. While generally gentle, they can display remarkable strength when defending their values or protecting loved ones, showing that their happiness stems from inner conviction rather than naivete. Professionally and personally, Gledas tend to be reliable, conscientious individuals who approach tasks with both enthusiasm and thoroughness. They often excel in roles that allow them to help others or create beauty and order. Their combination of cheerfulness and competence makes them valued team members and trusted friends. The name's association with happiness manifests in their ability to maintain perspective and find silver linings, even in difficult circumstances. Cultural & Historical Significance Goldwine is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that reflects the cultural values of early medieval England, where compound names combining elements like 'gold' with positive attributes were common among the nobility and warrior classes. The name embodies the Christian virtue of friendship and loyalty while also suggesting wealth and nobility, making it particularly suitable for individuals of high social standing in Anglo-Saxon society. During the Christianization of England, names like Goldwine maintained their pagan Germanic roots while being easily adaptable to Christian contexts, where 'gold' could symbolize spiritual wealth and divine favor. The name appears in historical records primarily from the 10th to 12th centuries, particularly in the Domesday Book and various monastic charters, indicating its usage among the landowning class and clergy. As Christianity became more established in England, the name's meaning evolved to incorporate Christian symbolism, with 'gold' representing the precious nature of faith and 'wine' (friend) reflecting the Christian ideal of brotherly love. The name's rarity in modern times preserves its historical authenticity and connection to England's pre-Norman Conquest heritage. ~ Multi-Campus Library System Powers Interoperability with FOLIO Migration ~ IPSWICH, Mass., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With multiple campuses across California, Alliant International University has begun implementing FOLIO to modernize its library workflows and enhance the research experience for students and faculty with EBSCO Information Services' (EBSCO) support. The university joins a growing network of institutions worldwide, using EBSCO-hosted FOLIO to streamline operations and drive innovation through open collaboration. After nearly 15 years on its previous ILS, Alliant is adopting FOLIO to modernize its library operations and bring greater efficiency to its six-campus system. The new platform will simplify workflows for staff and provide a consistent experience for users across California. Scott Zimmer, University Librarian at Alliant International University, says the new system supports the university's mission to advance scholarship and access. "FOLIO allows us to bring together our discovery, management and analytics tools into a single connected environment. Working with EBSCO gives us the flexibility to build on what already works well for our libraries while enhancing the experience for our users." Alliant's libraries already rely on integrated discovery, linking and collection management capabilities supported by EBSCO to connect users with trusted academic content across disciplines. Implementing FOLIO will bring these capabilities together in an open, interoperable environment, supported by powerful analytics, usage insights and holdings management to enable data-informed collection decisions across the system. The libraries' recent migration to EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) and Full Text Finder (FTF) helped lay the groundwork for this transition, creating a more efficient, phased implementation. Kathy McCarthy, EBSCO Director of SaaS Innovation, notes that Alliant's implementation demonstrates how libraries are utilizing multiple EBSCO solutions to enhance discovery and management. "Alliant International University's adoption of FOLIO, along with EDS, GOBI and Panorama, demonstrates the power of a connected, interoperable ecosystem. Together, these tools enable libraries to streamline operations, make informed decisions, and deliver a seamless experience for their users. We're proud to partner with Alliant as they continue to build a scalable, data-driven library environment." About EBSCO Information Services EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is a leading provider of online research content and search technologies serving academic, school and public libraries; healthcare and medical institutions; corporations; and government agencies around the world. From research, acquisition management, subscription services and discovery to clinical decision support and patient care, learning, and research and development, EBSCO provides institutions with access to content and resources to serve the information and workflow needs of their users and organizations. For more information, visit the EBSCO website. Visit our blog at EBSCOpost or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. SOURCE EBSCO Information Services Cultural & Historical Significance The name Hokee holds profound significance within Navajo culture, where names are not merely labels but carry spiritual weight and historical memory. In the Navajo tradition, 'Hokee' meaning 'abandoned' reflects the complex history of the Dine people, often referencing stories of survival during periods of forced relocation, hardship, or personal trials. This name serves as a testament to resilience, reminding the bearer of their ancestors' strength in overcoming adversity. Within the context of Navajo worldview, such names are not negative but rather acknowledge the reality of suffering while emphasizing the capacity to endure and transform hardship into strength. The name connects the individual to broader historical narratives of the Long Walk and other traumatic events, while simultaneously affirming the community's survival and continuity. It represents a cultural understanding that names can carry difficult truths while also embodying hope and the human capacity for renewal. Individuals named Leland are often perceived as grounded, practical, and deeply connected to nature and tradition. They typically exhibit a calm, steady demeanor that inspires confidence in others, combined with a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty. These traits align with the name's pastoral origins, suggesting someone who is both nurturing and dependable. Lelands are frequently described as having an analytical mind and methodical approach to problem-solving, making them excellent planners and organizers. They tend to value stability and consistency, yet possess an underlying creativity that emerges in their personal and professional pursuits. Their combination of earthy practicality and intellectual curiosity often makes them successful in fields requiring both technical skill and imaginative thinking. While sometimes reserved initially, Lelands form deep, lasting relationships and are known for their unwavering support of loved ones. The name suggests a person who builds rather than destroys, cultivates rather than consumes, and provides a stable foundation for growth in all aspects of life. Luned is typically characterized by her sharp intelligence, loyalty, and diplomatic skills. As Laudine's handmaiden, she demonstrates remarkable cleverness in navigating complex social situations, particularly in arranging the marriage between her mistress and Yvain despite the complicated circumstances. She possesses a pragmatic nature, understanding court politics and human psychology well enough to manipulate situations to achieve desired outcomes. Her loyalty to Laudine is absolute, yet she exercises independent judgment, sometimes acting in what she perceives as her mistress's best interests even when Laudine herself cannot see them. Luned exhibits courage in speaking truth to power and maintains her composure under pressure, making her an invaluable confidante and advisor. These traits combine to create a character who, while technically a servant, operates with the wisdom and agency of a much higher-ranking court figure. Her personality represents a medieval ideal of the trusted servantdiscreet, capable, and possessing both the loyalty to serve faithfully and the intelligence to guide wisely when necessary. Individuals named Mathilde are often characterized by a remarkable balance of strength and sensitivity, reflecting the name's warrior origins tempered by centuries of aristocratic refinement. They typically possess a quiet confidence that doesn't need to announce itself, combined with sharp intellect and observational skills that make them excellent judges of character and situations. Mathildes tend to be deeply principled yet pragmatic, able to stand firm in their convictions while remaining open to different perspectives. Their strength manifests not as aggression but as resiliencethe ability to endure challenges with grace and emerge stronger. They often have a strong aesthetic sense and appreciation for culture, whether in arts, literature, or traditions, and they value authenticity in relationships. While they can be reserved initially, those who earn their trust discover loyal friends and insightful companions who combine emotional depth with practical wisdom. This unique blend of characteristics makes Mathildes natural leaders who inspire through example rather than command. Women named Mikella are often perceived as strong-willed, compassionate individuals with natural leadership qualities. They typically exhibit a blend of traditional values and modern thinking, making them adaptable in various social situations. Mikellas are frequently described as protective of their loved ones, mirroring the archangel Michael's role as a defender. They tend to be determined and resilient when facing challenges, yet maintain a gentle and nurturing side that draws people to them. Many Mikellas demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills and often take on mediating roles in both personal and professional settings. Their inherent sense of justice and fairness, combined with their spiritual awareness, makes them trusted confidants and reliable friends who others naturally look to for guidance and support. The name seems to attract individuals who balance strength with sensitivity, creating personalities that are both formidable and approachable. This unique combination often leads Mikellas to excel in caregiving professions, education, leadership positions, or any field requiring both compassion and decisive action. People named Raymond are typically characterized by their analytical minds and protective instincts, living up to the name's meaning of 'wise protector.' They often display remarkable patience and methodical thinking, approaching problems with systematic analysis rather than impulsive reactions. This thoughtful nature makes them excellent advisors and problem-solvers in both personal and professional contexts. Raymonds tend to be deeply loyal to their families and principles, often serving as the stable foundation in relationships and organizations. Their protective quality manifests not just physically but emotionally and intellectuallythey create environments where others feel secure to grow and express themselves. While sometimes perceived as reserved or traditional, this often stems from their preference for observing and understanding before acting. Raymonds typically excel in careers requiring careful judgment and long-term planning, such as law, engineering, education, or management. Their combination of wisdom and protective instinct makes them natural leaders who inspire trust through competence rather than charisma alone. This personality profile has been reinforced through cultural representations, from Raymond Barone's dependable family man to Raymond Reddington's strategic mastermind in popular media. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Salton carries significant cultural weight within Christian communities, particularly those with English heritage. Originating as a locational surname, it reflects the medieval Christian tradition of naming individuals after their geographical surroundings, often tied to agricultural landscapes. This practice aligns with biblical themes of stewardship over the land and the importance of nature in spiritual life. The willow tree specifically holds Christian symbolism, representing both mourning and resilience, as referenced in Psalms and other scriptural texts. Throughout Christian history, names derived from natural elements have been favored for their connection to God's creation and the simplicity of rural life, which many early Christian communities embraced. The name's evolution from surname to given name in Christian families demonstrates the blending of English cultural heritage with religious identity, creating a name that speaks to both earthly roots and spiritual aspirations. In contemporary Christian naming practices, Salton represents a bridge between traditional values and modern ecological consciousness, appealing to families who value both their faith and environmental stewardship. Individuals named Stefn are typically perceived as grounded, reliable, and possessing strong foundational character. They often exhibit practical wisdom and steady determination, much like the 'stem' meaning suggests - providing support and stability in relationships and professional endeavors. These individuals tend to be methodical thinkers who approach challenges with systematic reasoning. Their strength lies in their consistency and ability to weather difficulties with remarkable resilience. While sometimes perceived as reserved, Stefns often reveal deep loyalty and unwavering commitment to their principles and loved ones once trust is established. They excel in roles requiring patience, structure, and long-term planning, often becoming the steady foundation upon which families, teams, and organizations can rely. Individuals bearing the name Telutci are typically characterized by a unique blend of strength and transformative energy. The bear aspect of their name suggests qualities of protection, groundedness, and quiet power. They often display remarkable resilience in facing challenges, much like the bear surviving harsh seasons. Their strength is not merely physical but extends to emotional and spiritual fortitude. These individuals tend to be deeply connected to their roots and traditions, often serving as pillars within their families and communities. The 'dust-making' dimension of the name adds another layer to their personality. They possess an innate ability to create movement and change in their environments. Unlike those who maintain the status quo, Telutchis are often catalysts for progress, stirring up necessary conversations and actions. However, this transformative quality is typically balanced with wisdom and timing - they understand when to act and when to observe. Their leadership style combines the bear's strategic patience with the dust's dynamic energy, making them effective in roles requiring both stability and innovation. They often excel as community organizers, cultural preservers, or environmental advocates where their natural inclinations toward protection and transformation can find meaningful expression. Individuals named Tlanextli are typically perceived as possessing an innate luminosity in their characterthey tend to be charismatic, intellectually bright, and spiritually aware. Their presence often illuminates social situations, making them natural leaders who inspire others through their vision and optimism. They exhibit a reflective nature, combining traditional wisdom with modern insight, and are often drawn to roles that involve teaching, healing, or creative expression. The radiant quality of their name manifests in their ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles, and they frequently become beacons of hope and innovation in their communities. While they can be intense and deeply philosophical, they balance this with practical wisdom and a strong sense of responsibility toward preserving cultural heritage and uplifting others. Their brilliance is not merely intellectual but also emotional and spiritual, enabling them to connect with diverse people and bridge cultural divides. They often display remarkable resilience, much like the enduring light their name represents, maintaining their inner radiance even during challenging circumstances. This combination of intellectual depth, cultural awareness, and emotional intelligence makes them particularly effective in roles that require both traditional knowledge and contemporary understanding. BAYPORT, Minn., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation (Andersen), manufacturer of America's most trusted brand of window and doors*, has announced it will acquire Bright Wood Corporation (Bright Wood), the largest independent manufacturer of window and patio door components and engineered dimensional lumber in the U.S. The Bright Wood business will continue to operate under local leadership. For more than 60 years, the family-owned company has been a critical supplier to the window and door industry, enabling growth and innovation. Under its new management, Bright Wood will continue to deliver the same industry-leading products and innovative solutions to its valued customers and the company looks forward to unlocking new opportunities to strengthen its longstanding customer relationships and growing together. "Andersen is grateful to the founding Stovall family for their generations of leadership and transformative contributions to the industry," said Chris Galvin, chairman and chief executive officer, Andersen Corporation. "Our investment in Bright Wood aims to ensure the company remains a valued supply partner to the fenestration industry for years to come." With headquarters in Madras, Oregon, Bright Wood has more than 1,000 employees across 28 processing plants and five locations in the U.S. Under this new ownership, Bright Wood will be led by well-known window and door industry leader, Pat Meyer, who will serve as Bright Wood's acting CEO, supported by several tenured members of the Bright Wood leadership team. Andersen will participate in board-level and executive-level governance but will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. This management structure is designed to sustain Bright Wood's position as a trusted source of wood and wood components to all current and future customers. "It has been our honor and privilege to own and operate Bright Wood Corporation for the past 65 years. We are grateful to the dedicated members of our team and business partners who enabled our success and the trust of our valued customers who inspired our innovation and made us the industry leader," said Kevin and Dallas Stovall, owners, Bright Wood Corporation. "Andersen shares our values of integrity, quality and shared success and we look forward to watching Bright Wood continue to thrive under its new leadership." *2024 Andersen brand surveys of U.S. contractors, builders, architects & homeowners ABOUT ANDERSEN Founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers, Andersen Corporation has built a century-long legacy of trust by delivering high-performance, reliable, and design-forward windows and doors. Empowering more than 13,000 employees every day to imagine what's possible and do what's right, Andersen is the largest window and door manufacturer in North America and America's #1 trusted window and door brand among builders, contractors, architects, and homeowners. * Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., privately held Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO, and MQ brands. Andersen operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Committed to sustainability, Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. For more information about the company, its initiatives, and products, visit us at andersenwindows.com. Follow Andersen Corporation on LinkedIn for more company news. SOURCE Andersen Corporation The name Valborga carries strong personality associations derived from its 'protecting ruler' meaning and historical bearers. Individuals with this name are typically perceived as possessing natural authority combined with deep protective instincts. They often exhibit the classic traits of a matriarchal figure - strong-willed yet compassionate, traditional yet adaptable, and fiercely loyal to their community. The 'ruler' component suggests organizational ability, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities, while 'protecting' indicates nurturing tendencies, empathy, and defensive strength. Valborgas are often seen as pillars of their communities, the people others turn to in crises because they combine clear-headed decision-making with genuine concern for others' welfare. They tend to be deeply connected to their heritage and family traditions while being progressive enough to adapt those traditions to modern contexts. Their strength is typically quiet rather than ostentatious - the steady, reliable presence that holds things together during turbulent times. This combination of traits makes them excellent in roles requiring both authority and compassion, from community leadership to healthcare and education. Cultural & Historical Significance Varney has deep roots in Celtic culture, particularly in regions of Britain and Ireland where alder trees held significant symbolic importance. The name originally denoted someone who lived near or was associated with an alder grove, which in Celtic tradition represented balance, protection, and connection to the spiritual world. Alder trees were considered sacred in Celtic mythology, often associated with Bran the Blessed and used in protective rituals and boundary markings. Throughout medieval England, the Varney family became established as a notable surname, with records dating back to the Norman period. The name appears in various historical documents, including the Domesday Book, indicating its early establishment in English society. During the Tudor and Stuart periods, several Varneys gained prominence as courtiers, merchants, and landowners, contributing to the name's aristocratic associations. The name also appears in regional folklore, particularly in stories involving nature spirits and guardians of sacred groves. Individuals named Vita are typically perceived as strong-willed, determined, and natural leaders within their communities. They often exhibit a protective nature toward family and community, combined with strategic thinking that allows them to navigate complex situations effectively. The name carries expectations of resilience and the ability to face adversity with courage, traits highly valued in traditional Luhya culture. These individuals are often seen as problem-solvers who can mediate conflicts while maintaining their principles. The warrior connotation of the name suggests someone who fights for what they believe in, whether in personal endeavors or community causes, embodying the balance between strength and wisdom that characterizes respected elders in African societies. This combination of traditional warrior values with modern leadership qualities makes Vita a name associated with both respect and responsibility. SIUs Paul Simon Institute hosts leading diplomat to discuss global challenges CARBONDALE, Ill. Jan Eliasson, a former Swedish and United Nations diplomat, will join Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute on Wednesday, Dec. 17, for a virtual discussion on the state of the world in 2025 and challenges facing the international system. Eliasson will join John Shaw, institute director, in giving his assessment of global affairs. The free, public discussion via Zoom begins at 10 a.m.; registration at paulsimoninstitute.org/events is required to view the conversation. The event is part of the institutes Understanding Our New World discussion series. Eliasson was a career Swedish diplomat and served as an adviser to the prime minister and his nation's ambassador to the United Nations, ambassador to the United States, deputy foreign minister and foreign minister. Eliasson served in more high-level U.N. positions than anyone in that organizations history. He was a special adviser to the secretary-general, president of the U.N. General Assembly, a special envoy to Darfur, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and deputy secretary-general. Jan Eliasson served at the pinnacle of global diplomacy for decades, Shaw said. He knows everyone, has done everything and understands the nuances of all of the most important global issues. We are eager to hear his views on the Trump administrations foreign policy, the war in Ukraine, climate change, the role of the U.N., the civil war in Sudan and many other international topics." Shaw has written two books about Eliasson. The Education of a Statesman: How Global Leaders Can Repair a Fractured World, released in 2024, examines Eliassons career, and The Ambassador: Inside the Life of a Working Diplomat, released in 2006, chronicles Eliassons work as Swedens ambassador to the United Nations. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Eliasson on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu. More information, including a list of the institutes upcoming events and past speakers and events, is available. U.S. military parachute falls onto children's center in Tokyo suburbs Xinhua) 09:32, December 10, 2025 TOKYO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. military parachute used during a training exercise at Yokota Air Base in November fell onto the grounds of a nearby children's community center in Fussa, western Tokyo, local media reported Tuesday. The Fussa municipal government plans to protest to both the U.S. military and the Japanese government, Kyodo News reported, citing city officials, adding that no injuries to residents were reported. Strong winds blew the main parachute and a pilot chute off course after the U.S. military personnel detached them during the training exercise on Nov. 20, the report said. The main parachute landed on the playground of the children's center, about 100 meters from the base, and U.S. military personnel retrieved it that night without obtaining permission from the city. On Dec. 1, a staff member at the children's center found the pilot chute on the facility's rooftop, which was then retrieved by city officials. The parachute drop exercise had only just resumed on Nov. 20, after being temporarily suspended when a U.S. army paratrooper landed in Hamura City, also in western Tokyo, beyond the drop zone at the Yokota base on Nov. 18. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - AtkinsRealis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear company with offices around the world, has hired Matt Talley as the company's new Senior Vice President of Resilience & Emergency Management in the U.S. and Latin America. Matt brings nearly three decades leading strategy, business development, and organizational growth across infrastructure, disaster recovery, and humanitarian operations. He has decades of experience serving as the Principal and Program Manager for FEMA's Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, Consolidated Resource Center, and Hazard Mitigation Programs, overseeing multi-billion-dollar federal portfolios that strengthened national recovery capabilities. Matt's proven ability to transform and scale businesses, coupled with his strategic foresight and culture of inclusive leadership, make him the exact leader we need to drive results for our clientsresults that help communities recover, rebuild, and thrive after crisis," said Steve Morriss, President, U.S., Latin America, and Minerals & Metals, AtkinsRealis. "Bringing an expert of Matt's stature on board demonstrates our commitment to growing a US business differentiated by the technical excellence of our people and our culture." Prior to joining AtkinsRealis, Matt served as a Senior Vice President at AECOM where he launched and scaled its humanitarian business into a nationally recognized $300M+ platform, leading large-scale recovery and resilience programs for FEMA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and state and municipal governments. Operations he designed, built and led include a $1B humanitarian emergency shelter in Pomona, CA, which housed more than 10,000 unaccompanied migrant children during COVID in 2021, and most recently, the City of Los Angeles' Wildlife Recovery Program, which was established following the Palisades wildfire earlier this year. Matt attended The College of William and Mary receiving an undergraduate degree in finance and later attended the law school at George Mason University, receiving a joint degree in Public Policy and Law. About AtkinsRealis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRealis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE AtkinsRealis Congress MP Manish Tewari raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over the growing trend of cash transfer schemes being used ahead of elections and demanded a constitutional amendment to restrict such practices for governments with high debt burdens. Speaking in the lower house on Tuesday, Tewari said that if the debt-to-GDP ratio of any state or the central government crosses 20 per cent, they should not be allowed to carry out cash transfers, stating that such practices put an unsustainable burden on the national exchequer and risk pushing the country into a financial crisis. "This growing trend of distributing money, that as elections approach the government starts transferring cash directly into people's accounts, what kind of democracy is this?" he said. "Is this what democracy has become, that 15 days before elections, 20 days before, a month, or even two months earlier, you start depositing money into people's accounts? And this is why I am concerned, there is a serious misuse of democracy, and a major manipulation of India's revenues," he added. The Congress MP stated that he had earlier raised inquiries in Parliament regarding the scale of borrowings by governments. "As of 24 March 2025, the combined liability of the central and state governments--their total debt--is Rs 2.67 lakh crore," he said. Highlighting the rising debt levels among states, Tewari said that in the financial year 2023-24, 18 out of 28 states have a debt-to-GDP ratio of more than 30 per cent. Tewari noted that under Articles 292 and 293 of the Constitution, the Parliament has the authority to fix borrowing limits for the central and state governments. Article 292 deals with borrowing by the Government of India, while Article 293 governs borrowing powers of state governments. He suggested that the Constitution requires one more provision. "There is a need to add one more Article -- Article 293A -- and it should specifically state that if the debt-to-GDP ratio of the central government or any state government is more than 20 per cent, ideally it should be 10 per cent--then that state government or the central government should not be allowed to make any cash transfers. You cannot win elections at the cost of the national exchequer or the state exchequer," Tewari said. He warned that allowing cash transfers by heavily indebted governments will "absolutely bankrupt our democracy and bankrupt our country." Calling it a "very important proposal," he cautioned that if this proposal is not implemented, "No state government will ever change. Elections come, and someone transfers Rs 20,000, someone Rs 15,000, someone Rs 35,000 into people's accounts, and they get elected again. Meanwhile, the debt of your state keeps rising, and there are several states in this country that take additional loans just to pay the interest on their existing debt," he cautioned. According to a report by Emkay Research, "The last 20 years have seen states' spending usually picking up post-elections.... Almost each of these states introduced new freebie schemes (especially for women), regardless of party lines, as such schemes have proven to be an election-winning strategy." The report observed that expenditure on welfare schemes and freebies tends to be "sticky," making it difficult to reduce once introduced, while new programs further increase the burden. Looking at the most recent cycle, the report pointed out that 10 major states went to polls in the last two years--five in FY24 and five in FY25. On average, these states saw the fiscal deficit-to-GDP rise by 1 percentage point in the election year compared to the previous year, and then remain flat in the following year. (ANI) Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella on Wednesday lauded India's unique ability to build a holistic technology ecosystem -the India Stack, calling the country's model a "virtuous cycle" that other nations cannot simply transplant. Speaking during his India visit here in the national capital, themed 'Leading in the New Age of AI', Nadella said that what makes the country exceptional is not any single digital innovation, but the synergy of its entire technological foundation. "One of the things that India has done very uniquely is somehow brought together a virtuous cycle from the policies, the programs, the technology stack and the Indian market," he said, noting that the private sector's full participation across payments, healthcare, and insurance has strengthened the ecosystem. "It's tremendous to see that virtuous cycle, it's not about any one thing," he said at the New Delhi event. "I had a chance to talk with the Prime Minister yesterday. One thing that India has done very uniquely is somehow brought together a virtuous cycle from the policies, the programs, the technology stack and the Indian market. It's the private sector participating fully. Whether it's in payments, whether it's in healthcare, whether it's in insurance, it's tremendous to see that that virtuous cycle, it's not about any one thing." Pivoting to artificial intelligence as an emerging technology, Nadella noted that adoption speed, rather than technological origin, will determine which countries and companies gain an advantage in the AI era. "I'm a firm believer that ultimately, when it comes to new technology, the rate of diffusion is the winner," he said. Citing academic work on technological waves, Nadella stressed that success has historically belonged not only to the creators of breakthrough innovations but also to those who adopt them fastest. "In fact, people who have studied historical technological waves and said which countries, which companies, which communities got ahead were not people who created the leading tech -- were really people who adopted the leading tech the fastest to create more leading tech." He added that, at present, nations worldwide are starting from a level playing field. "It's not like the models, 1100 models that I talked about are all available to every Indian organisation, as they are to every worldwide organisation." Nadella welcomed India's decision to anchor its upcoming global AI summit on the theme of "Impact." Responding to concerns that AI discourse often sidelines humans, Nadella agreed that preserving human agency is essential for AI deployment. "Thinking about how to interject humans in the loop with the agency and the ambition is going to be one of the bigger design issues," he said. Without solving this, "we will all be rate-limited in deploying any of this." On the question of technological sovereignty, a key concern for governments, Nadella argued for a flexible, portfolio-based strategy rather than a single rigid model. For India, he said, Microsoft provides a spectrum of options: the public cloud, public cloud with sovereign controls, private cloud configurations, and local partnerships such as the one with Jio."So the bottom line is, there's a menu," he summarised. Still, Nadella expressed optimism that India can lead globally in crafting a continually evolving sovereignty stack across semiconductor, model, and application layers. "You're doing things in the semiconductor layer, you're doing things in the model layer, you're doing in the app layer, that will continue to grow. And so that means every year, every day, there will be more options," he said, pointing to India. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced on Tuesday that the company will invest USD 17.5 billion in India to support the country's rapidly expanding artificial intelligence ecosystem, and to drive AI diffusion at population scale. The announcement followed Satya Nadella's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which the two leaders discussed the country's AI roadmap and growth priorities. Nadella called it Microsoft's "largest investment in Asia." (ANI) PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], December 10: When Indian professionals evaluate the future of finance, one qualification repeatedly stands at the epicentre of global relevance--the CPA (Certified Public Accountant). And in this growing movement, MILES Education has emerged as the most trusted gateway, shaping ambition with clarity, structure, and transparency. As thousands step into this international credential, the question is no longer "Should I pursue the CPA?" but rather "What does it take, financially, to reach the top--and who can guide me responsibly?"Understanding CPA Fees in India is not merely about calculating expenses. It is about understanding value, strategy, and the long-term return that a global credential yields. For India's finance talent, this journey begins with knowing the full spectrum--from training to evaluation, from exam registration to licensing. Across institutions, the range varies. But candidates consistently return to one name for reliability, mentorship, and transparency: MILES Education, widely acknowledged as the No.1 CPA Institute in India. And a major reason for this trust is how Miles breaks down the numbers with honesty while delivering unmatched outcomes. Unlike traditional training programs, Miles does not view CPA Course Fees as a transactional cost. Under the guidance of Mr. Varun Jain, often regarded as India's most influential CPA mentor, the institute positions fees as an investment--one that begins paying back within months of employment. His belief is simple yet profound: "If we can help students build competence, confidence, and global mobility, the return on investment will always outrun the fees." Today, thousands of alumni echo this sentiment as they shape careers across Big 4 firms, multinational finance teams, and U.S.-based operations. Still, transparency matters. And this is where fee clarity becomes vital. The overall structure of CPA Fees in India is divided across three areas: 1. Training, materials, and support2. Evaluation and application payments3. Exam registration and licensing payments This is where the Miles U.S. Pathway stands out. It simplifies eligibility, streamlines documentation, and guides candidates through the financial planning required for international certification. The pathway ensures that students know exactly what they will spend, when they will spend it, and how each stage contributes to final licensure. The institute's clarity on the US CPA Course Fees structure has made it the most referenced guide in the Indian CPA ecosystem. Students especially appreciate that Miles Education cpa fees include not only exam preparation but a powerful arsenal--masterclasses, Hollywood-style videos, mock exams, simulations, mentoring, and placement support in India and the U.S. Few institutes worldwide offer this level of integration. Equally important is understanding the granular breakdown of the CPA Exam Cost, which includes evaluation fees, application fees, exam section fees, and international testing charges. Candidates must also factor in the transition from exam completion to licensing--where renewal costs and CPE credits come into play. With Miles' structured roadmap, these numbers no longer feel intimidating; they feel manageable. For those looking into CPA Admission, the process can appear complex--especially when state-specific requirements differ. Academic evaluation, credit recognition, and transcript verification demand accuracy. This is precisely why students lean on Miles. The institute provides end-to-end handling, ensuring that CPA Admission never becomes a barrier to career dreams. When comparing institutions, students frequently assess whether the US CPA course fees in India are justified by outcomes. And this is where Miles' numbers speak louder than promotions: * 80%+ of India's CPAs are Miles alumni* 70,000+ global learners* 100+ university partnerships* 600+ employer collaborations* 1,000+ students placed in the U.S. These aren't statistics--they are proof of a system built on precision, mentorship, and global mobility. Beyond the finances, the real differentiator is Mr. Varun Jain himself. His mastery of the subject, his ability to decode complex concepts, and his unmatched clarity in teaching have turned him into a phenomenon among CPA aspirants. Students often describe him as the spark that turns uncertainty into ambition. His dedication ensures that Miles Education CPA fees are experienced not as a cost, but as a career-defining investment. Speaking about Miles' philosophy, Mr. Varun Jain, CEO of Miles Education, says: "At Miles, every learner is preparing not just for an exam, but for a global career. Our mission is to simplify the complex, amplify confidence, and ensure that every rupee invested delivers lifelong returns. When students succeed, India succeeds -- and that is the impact we are committed to creating." As India steps into an era of global finance, the willingness to invest in international credentials reflects a generation ready for leadership. And when the goal is global mobility, premium salaries, and cross-border opportunities, CPA Fees in India become more than justified--they become a strategic stepping stone. The nation's CPA movement is growing, and at its centre stands a partner who knows the journey better than anyone: MILES Education, shaping careers, elevating standards, and proving that the right investment can change everything. Contact: +91 90049 34566 Website: www.mileseducation.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.) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], December 10: Verification has become an important conversation across Indian cities as more households, landlords, and community associations take safety and compliance seriously. With rising movement, rapid urban growth, and frequent changes in rental and domestic staff arrangements, clarity about the people entering homes and properties is now a practical need rather than an optional step. Recent cases reported by major city police departments show that lapses in tenant documentation and unverified stays are becoming common. Similar concerns exist for households hiring domestic staff where identity details and background information are often unavailable or incomplete. This reality has encouraged families, landlords, brokers, and Resident Welfare Associations to adopt structured verification processes. Why tenant verification has become a priority Tenant verification offers a clear and responsible way for landlords to understand who is moving into their property. Police authorities in several Indian cities now encourage landlords to provide tenant details for record purposes. This process protects communities from potential risks and helps property owners avoid legal difficulties that arise when tenant information is incomplete. A proper tenant verification typically includes identity validation, address confirmation, and available background screening. These checks provide landlords with essential clarity before finalizing agreements. Tenant verification also reduces the chances of unauthorized occupancy, identity mismatch, and disputes with neighbors or building associations. As rental markets expand around commercial hubs, universities, and transit corridors, property owners are recognizing the value of a structured and transparent verification process. Why domestic help verification is essential for Indian households Indian families depend on domestic staff for support in daily routines. Maids, nannies, cooks, drivers, and caregivers enter private spaces, interact closely with family members, and often work in homes for extended periods. Families therefore prefer to ensure that the identity and background of new domestic staff are verified before they begin their duties. Domestic help verification involves checking identity documents, residential details, and available background information. This gives families peace of mind and helps them create a respectful and safe working environment. It also supports clarity during emergency checks or police documentation requirements in some cities. As more nuclear families and working parents depend on domestic support, the need for reliable verification has grown significantly. How DuVerify supports safer homes and responsible property management To make verification accessible, DuVerify offers a digital solution that allows households, landlords, and brokers to complete essential checks without visiting multiple offices or handling complicated paperwork. The platform simplifies identity verification, address validation, and background screening through a secure online process. Users can upload the required information digitally and receive a clear verification report that is easy to understand and share. DuVerify helps people complete checks quickly, which is particularly helpful during tenant onboarding, staff hiring, or PG admissions where time is limited. The service is designed for: * Landlords and individual property owners* Real estate brokers and channel partners* Housing societies and RWAs* Families hiring domestic staff* PG and hostel operators "DuVerify supports the wider effort to improve safety and trust within residential communities. As more people move between cities for education, work, and caregiving roles, digital verification provides an important tool for responsible home and property management," said Manoj Dharmani, Group CEO, DU Global. A growing national shift India is witnessing a steady shift towards responsible verification practices. Families want safety. Landlords want compliance. Brokers want transparency. Community bodies want reassurance. Police departments encourage structured documentation. Digital verification brings all these needs together in a way that is efficient, accessible, and easy to adopt. More information on tenant and domestic help verification is available at:www.dudigitalglobal.com/tenant-and-domestic-help-verification DU Global is a trusted bridge between people, governments, and opportunities worldwide. From visa facilitation and biometric enrollment to workforce recruitment and verification, we simplify the way citizens, businesses, and nations connect. With a footprint across 6 countries and a strong technology backbone, DU Global delivers secure, seamless, and customer-centric solutions that enhance mobility and trust. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) Audi CTO Geoffrey Bouquot: "UST ideal partner to strengthen Italdesign's solid foundation while opening new market opportunities" Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. to retain a stake in Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A. UST and Italdesign will work together to combine their complementary expertise for long-term, sustainable growth INGOLSTADT, Germany, MONCALIERI, Italy and ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Audi Group is entering into a strategic partnership with UST, a global transformation company specializing in AI-powered technology, design, and engineering. UST, headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California (USA), has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Italdesign. Italdesign's current parent company Lamborghini is part of the Audi Group and will retain a significant stake. As a result, Audi will remain a strategic partner of Italdesign in the long term, as well as an important client of the company. The majority takeover of Italdesign by UST creates a strong partnership that combines UST's expertise in automotive engineering, artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicle development, and digital ecosystem design with Italdesign's deep knowledge in vehicle and product design, engineering, prototyping, small series production, and automotive electronics. Together, the companies will be able to offer a comprehensive and integrated range of services from early concept and design to hardware and software development through to production systems. This combined capability is designed to support the development of fully modern, digitally enabled vehicles. In addition, UST and Italdesign intend to extend this integrated approach to a global scale. UST will enable Italdesign to expand their international presence across UST's global footprint in over 30 countries. As the new majority owner, UST will assume operational responsibility while honoring and building on Italdesign's Italian heritage, design culture, and the talent of its employees. Audi remains an important long-term partner of Italdesign, ensuring continuity and ongoing collaboration in the areas that have shaped Italdesign's reputation for more than five decades. Italdesign has been part of the Volkswagen Group since 2010. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. UST and Audi Group have not disclosed the investment value or other contract details. Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG: "For many years Italdesign has been a valued partner in our development network, contributing expertise from design to prototype and series development. We are confident our collaboration will continue to drive success and deliver strong results under the new ownership structure. UST is the ideal partner to strengthen Italdesign's solid foundation while opening new market opportunities. Together, we aim to ensure that Italdesign remains an innovator in automotive design and engineering." Krishna Sudheendra, Chief Executive Officer, UST: "Italdesign has shaped the way the world experiences mobility, and its legacy of design excellence is respected globally. We are grateful for the trust placed in us as we begin this next chapter together. Our role is to support Italdesign's vision, honor its heritage, and bring new capabilities that help the team continue to grow. We look forward to working side by side with Italdesign and our partners across the Audi Group to help build what comes next." Antonio Casu, Chief Executive Officer at Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A.: "This partnership will bring benefits to all parties involved. It will allow Italdesign to accelerate the expansion of its service portfolio in new markets and achieve deeper penetration in various international markets. Italdesign is aiming to become the first full integrator of hardware and software worldwide, both in the automotive sector and across other hightechnology industrial sectors." Gilroy Mathew, Chief Operating Officer, UST: "This acquisition reflects our bold vision to transform the mobility sector by combining Italdesign's renowned heritage in vehicle design and manufacturing with UST's expertise in vehicle electronics, embedded systems, and AI. This fusion of iconic design excellence and advanced digital engineering positions us at the forefront of automotive innovation - panning next-generation product design, simulations, vehicle electronics, connectivity, ADAS and hyper-personalization. We're positioned to drive the future of automotive innovation. Together, we'll collaborate with global OEMs to accelerate their evolution in the Software-Defined Vehicle era." About Audi Group The Audi Group is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium and luxury segment. The brands Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati produce at 22 locations in 13 countries. Audi and its partners are present in more than 100 markets worldwide. As of December 31, 2024, more than 88,000 people worked for the Audi Group, more than 55,000 of them at AUDI AG in Germany. With its attractive brands and numerous new models, the group is systematically pursuing its path toward becoming a provider of sustainable, fully networked premium mobility. For more information, visit www.audi.com/en. About ITALDESIGN Italdesign is a global player in design, engineering, and production, renowned for its customer-centric and method-driven approach to innovation in the automotive sector. It acts as a true system integrator and is one of the few one-stop shops in the automotive world. Headquartered in Moncalieri, Turin, Italy, in the heart of Vehicle Valley Piemonte, and with over 1,300 professionals across 10 international sites, Italdesign has been shaping the future of mobility, product, and transportation design for more than 57 years. The company offers end-to-end, vertical, and integrated solutions spanning from concept to series production. Focused in automotive, Italdesign's multidisciplinary teams deliver projects for established brands and emerging players, supporting the industrialization of new products with state-of-the-art methods and tools. Alongside its automotive legacy, with over 100 show cars and research prototypes and more than 300 production models realized over the years, the company's industrial design division has developed over 1,000 industrial and transportation design products, ranging from consumer goods to professional equipment and public transport solutions. For more information, visit www.italdesign.it. Media contact: Franco Bay +393337897749 [email protected] [email protected] About UST Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world's best companies and leading OEMs in the automotive industry to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, driven by AI, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our AI-driven digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering, R&D, products, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse expertise, innovation, and agility into our clients' organizationsdelivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impacttouching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com. Media Contacts, UST: Tinu Cherian Abraham +1 (949) 415-9857 Merrick Laravea +1 (949) 416-6212 Neha Misri +44-7341787926 Roshni Das K +91 7736795557 [email protected] Media Contacts, U.S. S&C PR +1-646.941.9139 [email protected] Makovsky [email protected] Media Contacts, India: [email protected] Media Contacts, U.K.: FTI Consulting [email protected] Media Contacts, Spain: Noizze Media Carmen Tapia / Ricardo Schell [email protected] / [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1422658/5665688/UST_Logo.jpg SOURCE UST VMPL New Delhi [India], December 10: LegalEdge by Toprankers launches a complete post-exam support system for CLAT 2026 aspirants. As the CLAT 2026 answer key goes live today and thousands of law aspirants anxiously refresh their screens, LegalEdge by Toprankers has rolled out a comprehensive, data-backed ecosystem to help students move confidently from "checking responses" to "planning college preferences". Bringing together its CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis, CLAT Rank Predictor Tool, expert-led live sessions, and detailed cut-off projections, LegalEdge is positioning itself as the go-to mentor for students in the crucial window between answer key, result, and counselling. From Answer Key Panic to Structured PlanEvery year, once the CLAT answer key is out, aspirants are flooded with questions: - "What will be my expected score?" - "What rank can this score translate into?" - "Do I stand a realistic chance at my dream NLU?" LegalEdge's CLAT 2026 post-exam initiative is designed to answer these questions precisely with clarity, transparency, and data. "We don't want students to rely on guesswork or rumours," said a senior mentor at LegalEdge. "The moment the CLAT 2026 answer key is out, our teams get to work on live analysis, normalisation scenarios, expected cut-offs, and rank predictions, so that each aspirant can see where they genuinely stand." A 360 Framework: From Answer Key to ResultLegalEdge has stitched together multiple expert-backed resources into a single, seamless journey: CLAT 2026 Answer Key Breakdown - Section-wise difficulty analysis - Ideal attempts for different target NLUs - Impact of tricky questions, ambiguous options, and surprise topics Score Estimation & Normalisation View - Guidance on calculating the raw score from the official answer key - Explanation of how normalisation and paper difficulty may impact final scores - Realistic expectations instead of inflated hopes or unnecessary panic CLAT Rank Predictor Tool & Score-Rank Mapping - A smart, data-driven CLAT Rank Predictor Tool to estimate all-India rank - Historical trends and current-year difficulty level combined for better accuracy - Score-to-rank bands to help aspirants understand where they truly stand in the crowd - Expected CLAT 2026 cut-off ranges for leading NLUs - Separate views for General, OBC, SC, ST and other key categories (where applicable) - Clear differentiation between safe, risky, and stretch options Live Strategy Sessions: "You've Checked the Key. Now What?" - Live post-answer-key sessions with LegalEdge experts - Guidance on how to shortlist NLUs and prepare for counselling - Action plans for students who may need to re-attempt CLAT next year Giving Students What They Need Most: Certainty in a Confusing PhaseThe period between the answer key release and the result declaration is often one of the most emotionally draining phases for CLAT aspirants. Rumoured cut-offs, viral "expected rank" posts, and scattered opinions only add to the confusion. LegalEdge's initiative aims to be the single credible source students can rely on. "We treat CLAT 2026 answer key analysis as seriously as the exam itself," said another LegalEdge academic expert. "Our goal is simple - in two to three hours, a student should be able to know their approximate score, likely rank range, and what that means for their NLU dreams. Once that's clear, planning becomes easy." Key Features of LegalEdge's CLAT 2026 Post-Exam Support - Instant access to expert-written CLAT 2026 Exam Analysis - User-friendly CLAT Rank Predictor Tool tailored for CLAT 2026 patterns - Expected cut-off matrices for top NLUs, backed by historical and current data - Live and recorded sessions decoding paper difficulty, attempts, and strategy Support Beyond Just Numbers While scores, ranks, cut-offs, and the final CLAT result form the backbone of post-exam planning, LegalEdge is also focusing on the emotional and strategic side of this journey. - Mentors address anxiety and self-doubt that often follow the answer key release. - Counsellors help students balance parental expectations and realistic options. - Repeat aspirants receive a structured roadmap for their next CLAT attempt based on their current performance and gaps. "A number on the screen doesn't define a student's potential," LegalEdge's counselling team emphasised. "We want every CLAT 2026 aspirant to know that - whether they convert their dream NLU this year or decide to give themselves one more chance - they are not alone in this phase." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) PRNewswire Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], December 10: Girish Kasaravalli, the legendary filmmaker and FTII alum, joined author Radha Chadha, Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, and cinematographer G.S. Bhaskar to discuss the book 'The Maker of Filmmakers' at Sabha, at an event hosted by the Bangalore International Centre. * The Bangalore International Centre hosted a special evening at Sabha, bringing together renowned FTII alumni, accompanied by a rare screening of student films featuring Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Shatrughan Sinha, and many more. Radha Chadha, whose latest book 'The Maker of Filmmakers: How Jagat Murari and FTII Changed Indian Cinema Forever' was published by Penguin India, chronicles the life of her father, Jagat Murari - the man who built the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and played a pivotal role in shaping a generation of iconic Indian filmmakers. The event, titled 'Adoor, Jaya, Shabana, Girish... How India's Finest Filmmakers Were Made', featured a discussion with acclaimed filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, cinematographer G.S. Bhaskar, and Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad. The conversation traced the extraordinary creative legacies of FTII's alumni, illustrating how the Institute shaped India's biggest filmmaking talent. The session explored the book's central question: What does it take to shape a filmmaker? How do you 'make' a Jaya Bachchan or an Adoor Gopalakrishnan? The evening featured a montage of rare student film clips, showcasing FTII alumni Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Subhash Ghai, Mani Kaul, and others during their student years. Radha Chadha reflected, "Over the years, their impact on Indian cinema has been quite astounding. Not only did they make a mark in Bollywood - they upped its standards - but they also triggered the New Wave, and we had this whole movement of art cinema." "The ambience there brings out the filmmaker in you," said Girish Kasaravalli, recalling his time at FTII and the influences that shaped his work. "I must really congratulate Radha for writing such a brilliant book. I learnt a lot about the setting up of FTII, and NFAI, and later DFF. I was really amazed at the way Jagat Murari ji connected with the students." G.S. Bhaskar spoke warmly about Jagat Murari, saying, "I was fortunate to interact with Murari saheb personally... What Andre Bazin did to French cinema and New Wave, Murari saheb did to Indian New Wave cinema through his work." He also shared insights into the art of filmmaking and reflected on his long-standing creative synergy with Girish Kasaravalli. Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad brought a unique perspective to the evening, recalling his exposure to world cinema during his father's tenure at FTII, calling it an "extraordinary engagement". "I pay tribute to Radha," he said about the book. "It's a masterpiece. Not only has she documented everything, like a researcher who sits in the archives and pulls out documents from another era, she also interviewed over a hundred people." The evening featured a special screening of an excerpt from Girish Kasaravalli's student diploma film Avsesh (1975), which won the National Award for Best Experimental Film in 1976. The film drew applause, and gave the audience a glimpse of Kasaravalli's artistic and visual mastery, that defined FTII's golden years. It was this spirit that Radha spoke to when she said of her father, "That's why I've called it 'The Maker of Filmmakers' - his quest was not just about the art and craft, but about that human being, and how to help him find that unique voice, and how to give him the courage to then use that voice to make a better world." In revisiting these stories and films, the evening at Sabha reaffirmed the legacy of FTII and the filmmakers shaped by Jagat Murari. Radha Chadha's book stands as a testament to this legacy, preserving the vision of the man who helped make Indian cinema the global powerhouse it is today. About the Book When Jagat Murari, a young film student in post-war America, found himself at the feet of one of cinema's true giants--Orson Welles--during the making of Macbeth in 1947, the lessons he absorbed on that set shaped not only his future but the future of Indian cinema. Returning to a newly independent India, Jagat went on to build the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) from the ground up. In The Maker of Filmmakers, Radha Chadha offers an intimate and meticulously researched portrait of her father--a celebrated documentary filmmaker--and the iconic film school he built. With uncanny consistency, FTII turned out top talent--Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Subhash Ghai, Shatrughan Sinha and Mani Kaul, and other cinema legends. His alumni became the leading names of Bollywood and beyond. They spearheaded the Indian New Wave, kick-started regional language cinema and helped usher television into the country. How did Jagat go about 'making' such extraordinary filmmakers? What was his secret formula? A gripping story of ambition, adversity and artistic brilliance--richly illustrated with rare photographs--The Maker of Filmmakers paints a vivid picture of how one man's vision and determination helped turn Indian cinema into the global powerhouse it is today. About the Author, Radha Chadha Radha Chadha is an author, columnist, speaker and one of Asia's foremost experts on marketing and consumer insights. Her book The Cult of the Luxury Brand: Inside Asia's Love Affair with Luxury was a bestseller, and is the go-to book for understanding luxury in Asia. After two decades at top advertising agencies--Ogilvy, JWT, Grey and Bates Asia--she founded her own brand consultancy in Hong Kong. For over a decade, Radha also wrote a widely read column for Mint, one of India's leading business newspapers. She holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, and a BA from St Stephen's College, Delhi. Radha grew up on the campus of the Film and Television Institute of India, where her father, Jagat Murari, shaped a generation of filmmakers. Media ManagerRitesh Verma+91 88604 08458info@chadha-strategy.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842404/The_Maker_of_Filmmakers.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed confidence that India and the European Union are committed to an early conclusion of their Free Trade Agreement, though he refrained from giving a specific timeline. "The air is pregnant with possibilities. While every agreement has many dynamics, I can say with certainty both sides are committed to an early conclusion of the agreement. Whether it happens in months or next week, let us wait and watch," Goyal told media persons on the sidelines of the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas here. The minister said EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic was in India for two days and held meetings with him, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The high-level EU delegation included Commissioner Sefcovic, Sabine Weyand, Director General DG Trade, Herve Delphin, EU Ambassador to India, Sofia Asteriadi, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Sefcovic, Mate Kander, Assistant to Director General Weyand, Christophe Kiener, EU Chief Negotiator, Petros Sourmelis, Head of Trade Section, EU Delegation to India and DG Trade India team members Luis Portero and Jorge Torres. "His team was in India for around eight days. We had very detailed discussions. The framework for FTA with EU is almost ready. Our discussion was very fruitful. I hope we will finalise it soon," Goyal said. The minister attributed the growing international interest in trade agreements with India to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive leadership, the country's strong democracy, and its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy. "Today, the entire world is seeing that with 140 crore Indians' skills and a young population creating demand, India has become the centre of global attraction," he said. Goyal highlighted that India produces 24 lakh science, technology, mathematics, and engineering graduates every year, making it an attractive destination for trade and investment. Providing an update on other trade negotiations, Goyal said Chile's minister had visited two days ago and progress was made toward an FTA. He said discussions with Israel were advancing, with both countries having appointed chief negotiators and formed negotiating teams. "We hope the first phase of the FTA with Israel will be completed soon," he added. The minister said talks with Oman are in their final stages, while New Zealand's minister is expected to arrive soon as those negotiations are also nearing completion. "Italy's Deputy Prime Minister is coming tomorrow. This is India's picture today. This is India's potential. This is India's bright future," Goyal concluded. (ANI) Google and the Telangana government launched the Google for Startups Hub at T-Hub in Hyderabad - a dedicated space to encourage the growing startup ecosystem to scale and deliver world-class innovations. This Google for Startups Hub is understandably the first such Hub launched within Telangana's broader incubation and innovation ecosystem. Google plans to engage regional startups from Telangana through the Hub, including free, year-long dedicated co-working seats for selected AI-first startups and a curated set of venture investors. Working together, the Telangana government and Google will support AI-first startups, foster talent, and create direct bridges to international markets. As part of the global Google for Startups network, the Hub is designed to support startups across their journey from incubation to innovation. It will provide founders with a combination of physical infrastructure, hands-on mentoring, AI expertise, and global visibility through the Google for Startups network. Startups will find a centre that supports them from early product ideas to scaling AI-first businesses responsibly across India and global markets. Through the Hub, founders will benefit from access to Google experts across AI/ML, product, UX, and go-to-market, who will conduct in-depth sessions for startups, student founders, and developers; support for women entrepreneurs, Tier-2 innovators, and university talent; and a community of startups, alumni, and investors that encourages collaboration, peer learning, and faster experimentation. The Google for Startups Hub in Hyderabad will have dedicated infrastructure and technology resources for supported startups selected jointly by Google and the Telangana government. It will also have networking areas and event spaces where founders, tech builders, investors, and ecosystem partners can connect for founder-focused sessions, workshops, market access programs and community events. The Google for Startups Hub was inaugurated by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industries today. The Chief Minister of Telangana, said, "By welcoming Google for Startups into Telangana Innovation and Start-up ecosystem, allocating a sprawling campus to Google for Startups Hub, we are laying the foundation of a globally competitive innovation ecosystem right here in Telangana. This is more than infrastructure. It is a promise that ideas conceived in Hyderabad Telangana will have the mentorship, technology and market access to scale globally. With our policy-vision, private-sector momentum and the world's best tech partners, Telangana is poised to become a launchpad for startups that are built here, for India, and for the world" D. Sridhar Babu, said: "With this launch, we're further expanding our innovation ecosystem--one designed not only to help startups build great technology products but to strengthen their entire capacity to innovate. Our aim is to provide founders and budding tech entrepreneurs with access to the tools, mentorship,market access programs and collaborative platforms they need to experiment boldly, scale efficiently, and compete globally". Sanjay Kumar, Special Chief Secretary for IT, Electronics and Communications, Industries and Commerce, Government of Telangana, said, "The Google for Startups Hub reflects Telangana's policy vision -- technology, talent, and global collaborations converging to power India's next wave of innovation. By working closely with Google, we are ensuring that we are ahead of our innovation curve and founders and innovators from across Telangana, including Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, can access world-class resources without leaving the State." Preeti Lobana, Country Manager, Google India, said, "At Google, our mission is to empower founders with the tools, technology, and mentorship they need to scale. Partnering with the Government of Telangana allows us to bring the full stack of Google support to this ecosystem - from AI capabilities on Google Cloud to Android, Play, Ads and our broader developer and startup programs. In Hyderabad, the Google for Startups Hub will nurture talent and act as an innovation flywheel for startups, helping the next generation of Indian founders use AI to solve real-world challenges, focus on deep-tech solutions and build responsibly for India and the world." (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], December 10: How often have you sat scrolling through flight deals to your dream destination? Sometimes, the dates align, and the fares are reasonable, but your bank balance makes you hesitate. Not any more! You can now book that trip before prices climb, and without dipping into your hard-earned savings. With travel on EMI using the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card, you can book your trip in minutes and convert the cost into manageable monthly payments. No stress, no waiting, just a confirmed booking and a payment plan that fits your salary cycle. Why planning travel without cash pressure matters now Travel costs have climbed steadily over the past few years. Airfares, hotel rates, and holiday packages now require significant upfront spending that can disrupt monthly budgets. Many families and solo travellers delay or cancel trips simply because they cannot pay the full amount at once, even when they can afford smaller monthly instalments. The Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card addresses this gap by offering a pre-qualified card loan offer amount that converts travel purchases into easy monthly payments. Instead of postponing your plans or draining savings, you can book immediately and repay over a tenure that suits your income. What you gain with travel on EMI * Book flights, hotels, and travel services now and pay later in fixed monthly instalments. * Choose flexible repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months to match your budget. * Access a pre-qualified card loan offer amount up to Rs. 3 lakh for multiple purchases. * Enjoy zero down payment promotions during festive seasons at partner stores and platforms. * Experience faster holiday planning with less financial stress and more control over spending. How travel on EMI works Travel on EMI allows you to convert the cost of flights, accommodation, or travel packages into equated monthly instalments at the time of checkout. Instead of paying the full fare upfront, you select a repayment tenure, and the amount is split into fixed monthly payments that appear on your statement. Why choose the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card for travel The Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card is designed to make purchases affordable without the burden of traditional credit card interest or large upfront payments. It offers a pre-qualified card loan offer amount up to Rs. 3 lakh, which you can use across flights, hotels, and travel services at over 1.5 lakh partner stores and all major e-commerce platforms. Three key features make this card particularly useful for travel planning: * First, instant approval means you can apply and receive your credit limit quickly, often within minutes if you meet eligibility criteria. * Second, the wide partner network includes leading online travel portals and offline stores in more than 4,000 cities across India. * Third, flexible tenures ranging from 3 to 60 months allow you to align your EMI payments with your salary schedule and financial commitments. Eligibility and online application Want your very own digital Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card? Apply online, eligibility and how to apply details are as follows: Eligibility criteria and documents required * Indian national aged between 21 and 65 years * Regular source of income * Good credit score per Bajaj Finserv risk policies * Valid documentation, including your PAN card, Aadhaar card, address proof, bank account information, and IFSC code for e-mandate registration Online application * Visit the official Bajaj Finserv website and locate the Insta EMI Card section. * Enter your mobile phone number and complete the OTP authentication to verify your identity. * Fill in the application form to know your pre-qualified card loan offer amount based on your profile. * Complete the KYC verification using your Aadhaar card or DigiLocker for instant document validation. * Pay the one-time joining fee of Rs. 530 and set up the e-mandate for automated monthly payments. * Your card is activated immediately and ready for use at partner stores and online platforms. If you prefer an offline application, visit any Bajaj Finserv partner store with the required documents. Once approved, pay the joining fee, and your card will be issued on the spot. Step-by-step online booking process for travel on EMI* Select your preferred flight, hotel, or travel package on a partner website or app. * Add the items to your cart and proceed to the payment page. * At checkout, select the Insta EMI Card as your payment method, then enter your card details. * Select a repayment tenure that fits your monthly budget, confirm the booking, and receive instant confirmation. * The total cost is now split into fixed monthly instalments. Before booking, prepare a simple checklist: * Confirm that the travel provider accepts the Insta EMI Card * Verify the available repayment tenures * Check for any ongoing zero down payment promotions and understand their terms * Ensure your card has a sufficient available credit limit for the purchase * Understand the terms and conditions, including the penal charges for late payment Tips for using credit and the Insta EMI Card responsiblyResponsible use of the Insta EMI Card protects your credit score and keeps your finances healthy. Follow these best practices to make the most of travel on EMI: * Budget for monthly instalments before booking to ensure that your monthly EMI commitment does not exceed 40% of your income. * Choose the shortest comfortable tenure to reduce the total interest or premium paid over the life of the loan. * Prevent missed payments, late fees, and damage to your credit score by setting up automatic deduction of EMIs on the due date. * Maintain at least 30% of your limit as a buffer for emergencies. * Review your monthly statements and track repayments regularly to avoid errors and stay on top of your financial commitments. Travel on EMI removes the financial barrier that stops many people from planning holidays when they want to. No more waiting for bonuses or year-end savings to fund your trips. Check your Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card eligibility on the official website and plan your next trip right away! (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.) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer, with discussions covering the strong India-US economic and technology partnership, besides ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. Discussions covered the strong India-U.S. economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. In yet another push towards the India-US bilateral engagement, the new US Deputy Ambassador for Trade, Rick Switzer, is in India to meet with senior officials in the government of India. Notably, several rounds of discussions have already taken place between both sides already. Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, stating that discussions are "progressing well" towards a bilateral trade agreement. Speaking on the sidelines of the Rajasthani Pravasi Divas here, Goyal said a US trade delegation has been in India since Tuesday and talks have been advancing positively. "All agreements have many diversified angles. Many dots have been connected," the minister said. Earlier, on November 28, the Commerce Secretary expressed confidence at the FICCI Annual General Meeting, stating, "I think our expectations....we are very optimistic and very hopeful that we should find a solution within this calendar year." The talks have progressed substantially, though the original target of completing the first tranche by fall 2025 was delayed due to new developments in US trade policy, including tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian goods. India has already signed 14 Free Trade Agreements and six Preferential Trade Agreements with trading partners and is currently negotiating FTAs with several countries, including the European Union. The road to the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) has been complicated by US tariff measures, with President Trump imposing a 25% tariff on Indian goods starting August 1, followed by another 25% increase days later, citing India's continued purchase of Russian oil as part of reciprocal tariffs on countries where the US faces trade deficits. (ANI) NewsVoir Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 10: Anant National University hosted its 7th Convocation, conferring degrees on 299 students from the Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Design, Anant Fellowship in Sustainability and Built Environment, MSc in Sustainability and Built Environment and Anant Fellowship in Climate Action. Padma Shri awardee and Chief Scientist and Co-founder of Zoho Corporation, Dr Sridhar Vembu, was the Chief Guest. Mr Ajay Piramal, President, Anant National University, Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi, Provost, Anant National University, and the members of the board were present during the convocation. "Coming to Anant National University has truly been a joy. The creativity and purpose-driven designs by Anant students blew my mind. I saw remarkable work--the kind of innovation our nation urgently needs," Dr Vembu shared, drawing the audience of students, faculty and families into deep engagement. He reflected on India's evolving design landscape, emphasising the importance of future-oriented thinking. "We often celebrate the achievements of our past, yet rarely do we pause to honour what we are building in the present. We must think beyond our own lifetimes and create for the future, and Anant is clearly teaching its students to do exactly that." Dr Vembu, who Co-founded Zoho in 1996 and led it as CEO for over twenty years, now helms the company's cutting-edge AI and deep-tech research--an evolution he describes as "the joy of building for tomorrow." Following his address, Mr Piramal, President of Anant National University, spoke about design as a powerful force for national transformation. "Design gives us the tools to reimagine industries, rebuild communities and renew our environment. It is how we transition from 'Make in India' as an aspiration to 'Design for India' as a philosophy," he said. Provost Dr Sanjeev Vidyarthi then addressed the 299 graduands from programmes spanning design, architecture, sustainability, climate action and fellowship tracks, situating their journey within India's moment of accelerating growth. "As you enter this new chapter, remember that there couldn't have been a better time to begin. India stands in a moment of remarkable opportunity. We are growing, innovating and moving with purpose toward becoming Viksit Bharat within just a few decades." He reinforced the generational responsibility the young designers carry, "You will be the builders of the Viksit Bharat, a sustainable, inclusive and globally recognised country. An India where design thinking shapes governance, industry and everyday life." This year's convocation also honoured exceptional achievers across Academic Excellence, Innovation, Best Graduation Project, Best Thesis, Best Live-Action Project and Best Student categories. To mark the graduating cohort's creative journey, the university transformed its entire campus into a vibrant, immersive exhibition space. Studios, galleries and auditoriums showcased an array of student-led innovations--from design prototypes and sustainability solutions to architectural models and climate-action initiatives--turning the university into a living museum of ideas shaping India's future. Learn more at www.anant.edu.in. Anant National University, India's premier design university, is dedicated to training students to devise solutions for global problems. Anant follows the DesignX pedagogy, where 'X' is the symbol drawn from mathematics, representing enhancement. This new learning approach multiplies traditional design pedagogy with liberal arts disciplines, emerging technologies and knowledge drawn from hands-on community experiences to help understand our world better and to devise impactful solutions. Our multidisciplinary undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in design, architecture, climate action and visual arts harness knowledge from various disciplines and traditional practices to integrate it with cutting-edge technology to address diverse challenges. We train our designers to become solutionaries -- revolutionary thinkers with a solution-oriented mindset. Anant National University has been recognised as the Centre of Excellence by the Government of Gujarat, highlighting our efforts to provide our students with world-class education, innovative pedagogy, high employability and enhanced entrepreneurial and research opportunities. Anant has also received the prestigious '5-Star Rating' in the category of Architecture and a '4-Star Rating' in the University category in the Gujarat State Institutional Rating Framework (GSIRF) 2023-24. These recognitions reinforce our commitment to creating a world-class institution of great eminence and excellence. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) In his letter, Siddaramaiah highlighted Karnataka's initiative to establish a "Quantum City" in Bengaluru, an integrated hub to drive the sustainable development of quantum technologies. "Karnataka has the ecosystem, talent, and research strength to build indigenous quantum materials, support national-level R&D, and drive innovation in quantum computers, communication, sensing and advanced materials. With support under the National Quantum Mission for dedicated material infrastructure and collaborative education-skill-research networks, Q-MINt can become a cornerstone of India's Quantum Era, strengthening technological sovereignty and creating long-term economic impact," the chief minister wrote on X, attaching the letter written to the prime minister, dated November 26, 2025. He emphasised that materials research is the backbone of quantum computing, communication, sensing, and advanced manufacturing, and that India must build indigenous capacity in quantum materials to secure technological sovereignty. The Chief Minister noted that the National Quantum Mission (NQM) has already recognised materials research as a dedicated vertical, and proposed that Q-MINt would serve as a national resource supporting research institutions, startups, deep-tech enterprises, and industries developing quantum technologies. Karnataka, with its strong ecosystem of premier R&D institutions and advanced manufacturing capabilities, is ideally positioned to lead this effort, the chief minister stated in a recent letter. The proposed Q-MINt programme seeks a capital investment of approximately Rs 150 crore under the NQM to establish local and distributed materials infrastructure, the letter said. Siddaramaiah also outlined plans to create national and international collaborative networks focusing on education, skill development, and innovation in quantum materials. Additionally, he proposed a sustainable R&D framework to encourage participation from both public and private sectors in emerging quantum technologies. Siddaramaiah wrote that, with the Centre's support, Q-MINt and the Quantum City initiative could become the cornerstone of India's leadership in the global quantum era. "By fostering indigenous development of quantum computers, communication networks, sensors, and materials, India can ensure long-term economic impact through innovation and exports," the letter added. Urging the Prime Minister to consider the proposal, the Chief Minister reaffirmed Karnataka's commitment to working closely with the Union Government to advance India's scientific and technological frontiers in the rapidly evolving quantum domain. (ANI) India and the US are making progress on their bilateral trade agreement, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal meeting US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer on Wednesday to discuss trade and economic ties. The two sides are working toward a mutually beneficial agreement to boost bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India on X posted, "Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met with U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. The two sides exchanged views on matters related to India-US trade and economic ties, including on the ongoing negotiations for a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement." The talks are focused on resolving issues such as US tariffs on Indian goods, particularly textiles, chemicals, and food items like shrimp, imposed due to India's purchase of Russian oil. India is seeking relief from these tariffs, while the US is pushing for lower tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods and greater market access for farm products like soybeans and grain sorghum. Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also met US Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer, with discussions covering the strong India-US economic and technology partnership, besides ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains. "Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met U.S. Deputy Trade Representative Rick Switzer. Discussions covered the strong India-U.S. economic and technology partnership, ongoing trade negotiations, and opportunities to boost two-way trade and resilient supply chains," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X. Rick Switzer is on a two-day visit to India from December 10 to 11. Regarding the trade deal, several rounds of discussions have already taken place between both sides. On November 28, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal had expressed confidence at the FICCI Annual General Meeting, stating, "I think our expectations....we are very optimistic and very hopeful that we should find a solution within this calendar year." "The talks have progressed substantially, though the original target of completing the first tranche by fall 2025 was delayed due to new developments in US trade policy, including tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian goods." India has already signed 14 Free Trade Agreements and six Preferential Trade Agreements with trading partners and is currently negotiating FTAs with several countries, including the European Union. (ANI) The Fertiliser Association of India (FAI) is seeking two key GST clarifications to alleviate the financial strain on the fertiliser industry, lower GST on raw materials like ammonia and sulphuric acid from 18% to 5%, matching the tax rate on final fertiliser products. Speaking to ANI, S Sankarasubramanian, Chairman of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), said this would reduce production costs and make fertilisers more competitive as GST-related issues are affecting phosphatic fertiliser makers. The FAI Chairman, however, added that recent tax reforms have eased but not eliminated the buildup of unused tax credits. "See, currently in phosphatic fertilisers the output fertiliser carries 5 per cent GST and input raw materials, which were at 18 per cent corrected to 5 per cent. Despite the recent cut, the structural distortion persists due to a value inversion. The output value of fertiliser includes a subsidy component that is not subject to GST. This inversion value of the GST leads to credit accumulation for the companies." Finished Phosphatic & Potassic (P&K) fertilisers are taxed at 5%, while key inputs like ammonia and sulphuric acid are taxed at 18%. The rate difference and fertiliser subsidies outside the GST supply value have created huge unutilized ITC, blocking working capital and hindering industry competitiveness. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the FAI Annual Seminar 2025, Sankarasubramanian appreciated the latest changes made by the finance ministry. "In the recent GST reforms, the finance ministry has changed the GST on key raw materials like ammonia and sulphuric acid from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. This has been helpful in reducing the credit accumulation," said the FAI Chairman He explained that the fundamental mismatch between input and output taxes continues to burden companies. "The industry has repeatedly sought government intervention. We request the Finance Ministry to issue clarification, and the industry has been represented through the Department of Fertilisers to seek a refund of accumulated credit for the phosphatic fertiliser segment. Hopefully, it should be resolved soon." Turning to subsidy reforms, he welcomed the government's move to shift to direct benefit transfer (DBT) directly to farmers instead of channelling subsidies through manufacturers. "Under the current direct benefit transfer scheme, the subsidy is being paid to the industry, and the farmers are getting fertilisers at subsidised rates," he said. He acknowledged that the Department of Fertilisers plans to run pilot trials. "We read about the recent announcement... They are going to try this out in some state in South India and certain districts," he said. "This will be a game changer." Sankarasubramanian said the move would empower farmers. "This gives the power of decision in the hands of farmers at what fertilisers to use," he said. "As an industry, we welcome this move and support the government." (ANI) "A Legacy of Impact A Future of Recovery" Will Revitalize Elizabeth Facility UNION, N.J., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services has officially launched a $2 million capital campaign titled A Legacy of Impact A Future of Recovery to renovate and expand its outpatient behavioral health center at 567 Morris Avenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey. The initiative comes at a critical time as Union County faces a growing behavioral health crisis and increasing demand for timely, integrated care. 567 Morris Avenue, Elizabeth NJ The newly renovated Center for Integrated Outpatient Services will feature expanded urgent care access, individual and group therapy spaces, medication management, and co-occurring substance use treatment. The building, which has served the community since 1997, will be completely reimagined to serve more youth and adults with greater efficiency, accessibility, and dignity. "This project is about more than modernizing a building; it's about ensuring that no one in our community falls through the cracks when they need help the most," said Cory Storch, President and CEO of Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services. "Timely, local, and compassionate care is not a luxuryit's a right." Bridgeway has already secured over $1 million in early support from lead donors including the Woods System of Care, The Hyde & Watson Foundation, E.J. Grassman, Columbia Bank, Rapps Pharmacy and others. The organization is now launching its public campaign to raise the remaining $1 million by the end of 2027. The campaign's new website, bridgewaybhscare.org/capital, features a video introduction, downloadable Case for Support, and campaign progress tracker. "This Center will be a lifeline for thousands of individuals and families across Union Countyproviding urgent mental health and substance use care, helping people return to work, school, and their communities," said Rob Spitzer, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending Team Leader at ConnectOne Bank, Bridgeway Board Member and Chair of the Capital Campaign. Bridgeway's Capital Campaign will directly fund: Renovation of an 8,000-square-foot outpatient facility Separate youth and adult waiting areas 8 individual counseling rooms 8 group therapy spaces Expanded urgent care access, 7 days a week Co-occurring mental health and substance use services On-site exam and medication rooms, telehealth spaces, and case management support "Everyone deserves access to care without delay. This campaign ensures we're not only responding to that needwe're meeting it with compassion, equity, and purpose," said Peter Pogany, RPh, Owner of Rapps Pharmacy; Honorary Chair of the Capital Campaign. To donate, follow campaign progress, or learn more, visit: https://bridgewaybhscare.org/capital About Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services is a nonprofit leader in recovery-focused mental health and substance use care. For over 50 years, Bridgeway has provided innovative, person-centered services across North and Central New Jerseyempowering individuals to achieve wellness, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose. SOURCE Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services Experts and innovators from across the Global South highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming sectors such as agriculture, public services, healthcare and education, while calling for deeper collaboration to scale these benefits sustainably. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit Innovation Dialogue 2025 in the national capital, Davide Menguzzato, Head of Impact & Business Development at DeepLeaf, emphasised how AI is already reshaping agricultural support for small farmers. "Imagine in the field with the simple use of a phone, the farmers can understand what happened to their crops and receive in a matter of seconds specific treatment recommendations, organic treatment, or active ingredient recommendation." "With the AI, we can democratise this by just putting an agronomist on every phone in a simple and efficient way... Leveraging AI for helping farmers is something important, but AI is going to be useful as well in healthcare, in education, and in all sectors." he said. Bhutan-based entrepreneur Ugyen Dendup, co-founder and CEO of NoMindBhutan said that AI solutions have significantly improved customer support efficiency. Talking about his startup, Dendup said, "We have been in this industry since 2022... We started as an AI startup, but we can see some differences in our clients' service. By partnering with us, our client has dropped around 17% of call numbers and reduced 78 per cent of live chat messages." Applications in healthcare were also in focus. Prathyusha Potharaju, Co-founder of Grailmaker Innovations, discussed how AI-driven customisation is aiding children with neurological conditions. "When it's a brain-based disorder, usually the tough part is customising the things. All our activities are highly customised... a lot of things are based on gesture interactions and object recognition, which becomes easier and very interactive with the child..." she said, adding, "When we are here and understand that we have a voice to say that this is what we are struggling with, it feels very warming... They are trying to represent, take our use cases and see how it even makes sense in the larger perspective," Potharaju added. Srinath Srinivasa, Dean of R&D at IIIT Bangalore, pointed to AI's sweeping impact across sectors. "AI is disrupting just about every field as we speak... We work with the government... to see how we can use AI in designing evidence-based policy interventions. We use AI for work in digital inclusion... The impact of AI is across the board, and it's going to change; it's going to create major disruption..." he said. Rashmi Abbigeri, Research Engineer at Metagov, said, "A lot of people are using general AI, the free version of that AI; it has a lot of guardrails already built in... It's been a well-organised event... I feel that what I took away from these breakthrough discussions was that if we can come together and define the objectives for education, healthcare, or agriculture, then we can see how we can use AI to help achieve that objective..." Experts painted a picture of an AI ecosystem rapidly advancing across developing economies--driven by innovation, collaboration and a growing emphasis on inclusive, accessible design. (ANI) Deepavali, the festival of lights, which is celebrated with vibrant decorations, festive gatherings, and spectacular firework displays across India, has long been a symbol of hope, light, and the victory of good over evil. Recognising the festival's cultural and social importance, UNESCO has officially added it to its Intangible Heritage List. Calling it a "proud moment", Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hailed it and said that "this signifies the importance of our ancient cultural ethos even in the modern era." "Proud moment for India as Deepavali enters into the UNESCO's intangible heritage list. This signifies the importance of our ancient cultural ethos even in the modern era. The festival of lights has inspired us since antiquity to believe in the victory of the good and the righteous. It is now profoundly heartening that it will now encourage global well-being. @UNESCO," Amit Shah wrote on X. https://x.com/AmitShah/status/1998678605484687450?s=20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the inscription of the festival of Diwali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. In a post on X, he said, "People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival's global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity. @UNESCO" https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1998642499200643262?s=20 UNESCO has inscribed the festival of Deepavali in its list of intangible cultural heritage, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on Wednesday. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1998634613099606442?s=20 Describing the festival, UNESCO said on its official website, "Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a light festival celebrated annually by diverse individuals and communities across India, that marks the last harvest of the year and the start of a new year and new season. Based on the lunar calendar, it falls on the new moon in October or November and lasts several days. It is a joyous occasion that symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During this time, people clean and decorate their homes and public spaces, light lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and offer prayers for prosperity and new beginnings". In 2008, Ramlila- the traditional performance of Ramayana was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the festival of Navroz from India was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage.Garba from Gujarat (2023), Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Yoga (2016), and the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014) are some of the other Indian elements on the list. Intangible cultural heritage, as UNESCO defines it, includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity. Passed down over generations, this heritage evolves, strengthening cultural identity and appreciation of diversity. For the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on October 17, 2003, during its 32nd General Conference in Paris. The Convention responded to global concerns that living cultural traditions, oral practices, performing arts, social customs, rituals, knowledge systems, and craftsmanship were increasingly threatened by globalisation, social change, and limited resources. (ANI) Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh recounted his first visit to the renowned RK Studios in Mumbai, where he met the late legendary Bollywood icon Raj Kapoor, who took him on a tour of the sets. In an interview with ANI, Taran Adarsh took a trip down memory lane to remember his first interaction with Raj Kapoor. "It was my first trip to RK Studios. And my father had said, if you want to build contacts, go visit studios. I was the second generation. So it was my first trip. I took a bus from Bandra to Chembur, RK Studios. When I reached there, I went to the studio. Nobody stopped me. Outside, a man was standing with a black umbrella. In the sun, a man was sitting in a kurta pyjama, and that was Raj Kapoor, sir. My first trip and my first meeting with Raj Kapoor sahab and he was sitting there," said Taran Adarsh. Further, Adarsh recalled that the legendary actor offered him lunch at their first meeting. "I gathered my courage and went to him and said, 'I am Adarsh (B.K. Adarsh) ji's son. I have come to meet you. This is the first time I have come to RK. He said, 'baitho baitho', " Taran added, "it was lunch break, and he (Raj Kapoor) asked 'khana khaya'" Raj Kapoor further invited Taran Adarsh to tour the sets of 'Prem Rog'. The actor showcased the production of the song 'Yeh Galiyaan, Yeh Chowbara' He further shared, "You know, in today's day and age, people don't even share their photographs of the film ki look reveal ho jaayyega ya actor ka character bahar aa jayega public domain mein before the film is out (Or the actor's character will come out in the public domain before the film is out). He took me inside the RK studios. He showed me the entire set. I said, What are you shooting? And he said, I'm shooting a song, which, later I realised, was Yeh Galiyaan, Yeh Chowabara, the track from the film 'Prem Rog'." 'Prem Rog', directed and produced by Raj Kapoor, stars Rishi Kapoor in the lead, portraying a man who falls in love with a widow played by Padmini Kolhapure. The screenplay, written by Jainendra Jain and Kamna Chandra, brings out the social challenges and prejudices surrounding widow remarriage in traditional Indian society. (ANI) Shah Rukh Khan was all praise for the Oscar entry of India 'Homebound' while describing it as a "gentle, honest and soulful" film. Taking to his X handle, Shah Rukh Khan praised the makers of Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer 'Homebound.' He wrote, "Homebound is gentle, honest and soulful. Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts world over by making something truly special!" https://x.com/iamsrk/status/1998710328117571950? 'Homebound' follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story grounded in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India. The film is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. Speaking about the same, Director Neeraj Ghaywan shared how his film explores the universal themes of connection and compassion as forms of quiet resistance. "After screening in competition at some of the world's most prestigious festivals and being loved by everyone, it has now found a home on Netflix, reaching audiences in 190 countries. I am truly excited for this opportunity and deeply value my long-standing relationship with Netflix throughout my career," he added, as per a press release. 'Homebound' has been receiving major accolades across film festivals and award shows. It also had a celebrated premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, followed by an impactful screening at TIFF, where it secured the Second Runner-Up spot for the International Audience Choice Award. India's proud contender for Oscars 2026, 'Homebound' is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra and co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, alongwith Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar acting as the Executive Producers. (ANI) In a post on X, the minister said the meeting focused on expanding India's technological capabilities and leveraging AI to improve governance and citizen services. "Met Microsoft CEO Mr. @satyanadella. Discussed the use of AI for public good, frontier technologies, and data sovereignty. Microsoft's landmark investment reflects India's rise as a reliable global technology partner. This partnership will drive the country's leap from digital to AI public infrastructure," he wrote on X. Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw welcomed the move, stating, "As Al reshapes the digital economy, India remains committed to innovation anchored in trust and sovereignty. Microsoft's landmark investment signals India's rise as a reliable technology partner for the world. This partnership will set new benchmarks and drive the country's leap from digital public infrastructure to AI public infrastructure." Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed Microsoft's significant investment in India's artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced that the company will invest $17.5 billion in India to boost the country's AI ecosystem, making it Microsoft's largest investment in Asia. Microsoft will also expand its existing data centre regions in Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune, enabling low-latency, mission-critical services for enterprises, startups and public institutions. Microsoft also announced that advanced AI tools will be integrated into the Ministry of Labour and Employment's e-Shram and National Career Service platforms, aimed at benefiting more than 310 million informal workers. Built on Azure OpenAI Service, these enhancements include multilingual support, AI-enabled job matching, predictive analytics and automated resume creation. On the skilling front, Microsoft said it is doubling its commitment to train 20 million Indians in AI skills by 2030. Through the ADVANTA (I) GE India initiative, led by Microsoft Elevate, 5.6 million individuals have been trained since January 2025, creating more than 125,000 job or entrepreneurial opportunities. The company further announced the introduction of Sovereign Public Cloud and Sovereign Private Cloud solutions for Indian customers, offering environments tailored to regulatory compliance and data governance. Microsoft 365 Copilot will also introduce in-country data processing by the end of 2025, making India one of the first global markets to receive the capability. (ANI) In a sharp political attack, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the ruling TDP Government of presenting "cooked" and misleading economic figures regarding the State's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). In a post shared on social media on Tuesday, Jagan alleged that the advance estimates released by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for the first half of FY 2025-26 were deliberately manipulated to project a false picture of robust economic performance. Jagan stated that while the Government may alter advance estimates, it cannot influence the audited State accounts prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). "The economic reality conveyed by the CAG accounts shows abysmally low revenue growth, unprecedented borrowings, low capital expenditure, weak consumption and investment, and alarming deficits," he said, accusing the Government of presiding over "rampant corruption" and plundering State revenues. https://x.com/ysjagan/status/1998384676428562943?s=46 Referring to Abraham Lincoln's famous quote about deception, i.e., "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time". Jagan said the TDP alliance was trying to mislead the public into believing the economy was booming, even as fiscal indicators told a different story. He posed a series of questions to Naidu. He asked, "If the economy is flourishing, why is the State facing severe fiscal stress?" Then he asked, "If GSDP growth under TDP (2014-19) was as strong as claimed, why has Andhra Pradesh's contribution to national GDP fallen from 4.78% (2019-24) to 4.45%?" The third and final question he asked was, "If the economy performed admirably under TDP earlier, why did the State's per-capita income ranking not improve?" Jagan urged the public to review the detailed slides he shared, which he said exposed the "truth" behind Naidu's performance claims and allegations against the YSRCP Government's 2019-24 tenure. The whole presentation was made available via the link in his post, intensifying the political debate over Andhra Pradesh's fiscal health and economic trajectory. (ANI) Outlining the Centre's multi-pronged strategy, Rai said 14,978 kilometres of road network have been built under two LWE-focused initiatives, the Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWEA). To improve digital and mobile connectivity in remote and sensitive districts, 9,050 telecom towers have also been commissioned. Highlighting steps toward inclusive development, the Minister said 46 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 49 Skill Development Centres (SDCs) have been established to enhance livelihood opportunities for local youth. In addition, 179 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) are now functional to provide quality education in tribal-dominated regions. Rai added that to strengthen financial inclusion, the Department of Posts has opened 6,025 post offices offering banking services in LWE-hit districts, while 1,804 new bank branches and 1,321 ATMs have also been established. Since 2017, the Centre has released 3,848.49 crores under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) scheme to bridge critical gaps in public infrastructure. On the security front, the Minister said the Centre continues to assist state governments with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) battalions, India Reserve Battalions, helicopter support, fortified police stations, intelligence sharing and modernisation of state police. Under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, 3,523.48 crores have been released since 2014-15 for operational needs, training, rehabilitation of surrendered cadres, and compensation for civilians and security personnel affected by LWE violence. Further, works worth 1,757 crores have been sanctioned under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for strengthening special forces, intelligence branches and district police, as well as constructing fortified police stations. Rai emphasised that the implementation of development and security initiatives is continuously reviewed to maximise their impact in restoring normalcy in LWE-affected regions. (ANI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Berlin visit has kicked off a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Calling him "Videsh Nayak", BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress leader for choosing a foreign tour over his duties as Leader of Opposition. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe. In a post shared on X, Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour ! Parliament is on till 19th Dec but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20! Rahul is LoP - leader of paryatan During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari," adding that Rahul Gandhi had similarly been away during the Bihar elections. "During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari," Poonawalla's X post further read. https://x.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1998583339100549351 Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party's global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party's ideological reach. Ausaf Khan, President of IOC Austria, said the organisation is "honoured" to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Dr. Arathi Krishna. "We are honored to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025. The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from across Europe, providing a unique platform to discuss key issues with Shri Rahul Gandhi, particularly on strengthening the Congress Party ,NRI issues and further exploring how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology. We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, Shri Sam Pitroda, Dr. Arathi Krishna, and other esteemed leaders. Ausaf Khan President IOC, Austria," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. https://x.com/INCOverseas/status/1998387358010662949 Moreover, Vikram Duhan, General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress UK, highlighted the broader diplomatic importance of the tour, saying Gandhi's engagements in Germany would foster discussions on India's global role and open opportunities for dialogue with German lawmakers and the Indian community abroad. "The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji,s visit to Germany will offer a valuable platform to engage in dialogue on India's global role, while fostering the exchange of ideas and opportunities with German legislators and members of the Indian diaspora. -Vikram Duhan General Secretary Indian Overseas Congress UK," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reiterated his allegations of "vote chori", accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling BJP to "shape elections". The Bharatiya Janata Party, meanwhile, accused the Congress of subverting the country's institutions through constitutional amendments during its regime. Addressing the Lower House of Parliament during a discussion on electoral reforms, Rahul Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government about the rationale for removing the Chief Justice of India from the committee to select the Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners. He also slammed the Centre for providing immunity to the CEC. (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday visited the Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur to offer prayers to the deity. Afterwards, the Chief Minister will proceed to the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) to attend the Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations set to be held today. Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav, Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria, and Governor of Rajasthan Hari Bhau Bagade will also be present at the event. The inaugural session will include prominent figures from the country's industrial sector, including Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal, Piramal Group Chairman Ajay Piramal, and Tata Power CEO and MD Praveer Sinha, who will share their views on investment in Rajasthan, industrial opportunities, and the state government's reforms. The program will witness the groundbreaking ceremony for new investment proposals (MoUs) worth Rs. 1 lakh crore. The Pravasi Rajasthani Day is being organsied in Jaipur on December 10 to strengthen the ties between the Karmabhoomi and Janmabhoomi of Rajasthanis living around the world. Earlier, on October 28, CM Bhajanlal Sharma, while addressing the Pravasi Rajasthani Meet in Kolkata, said that the day will celebrate the achievements of Rajasthanis to further strengthen their connection to their homeland. "This day will serve as a dedicated platform to celebrate the achievements of Pravsi Rajasthanis and deepen their connection with their homeland," CM Sharma said. He invited all Pravasi Rajasthanis to actively participate in the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas. Bhajanlal Sharma stated that Pravasi Rajasthanis have made a significant contribution to the economic development of West Bengal. The Chief Minister commended the Pravasi Rajasthani community for preserving Rajasthan's culture from generation to generation, saying their achievements are inspiring for the state's youth and future generations. He noted that the Rajasthan Foundation (RF) currently has 26 chapters operating in various states and countries around the world. The Chief Minister said that a dynamic, investor-friendly environment has been created in the state, leading to continued growth in industry, trade, and infrastructure development. He encouraged Pravasi Rajasthanis to invest in education, healthcare, tourism, and other emerging sectors to become partners in Rajasthan's development. Chief Minister Sharma said that Rajasthan has emerged as the country's leading textile hub, with over 1,500 factories operating. The state is the largest producer of polyester, viscose yarn, cotton, and wool, and ranks fourth in cotton production. "Our new Textile and Apparel Policy promotes innovation and employment generation," he said. He added that Rajasthan is home to approximately 85 minerals, and the state is the leading producer of zinc, lead, silver, marble, and sandstone in the country. He added that Rajasthan's stone heritage, from the Parliament House to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, is unparalleled. The state government has also implemented the Rajasthan Mineral Policy 2024 and the M-Sand Policy 2024 to expedite the auction of mineral blocks. The Rajasthan CM further noted that the state ranks first in India in the field of solar energy with an installed capacity of 34,555 MW. He added that land has recently been allotted for renewable energy projects with a capacity of 17 GW, demonstrating Rajasthan's leadership in sustainable development. The Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations will be held at JECC in Sitapura, Jaipur, today. (ANI) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday hit out at Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the latter's upcoming Germany visit amid the winter session of Parliament, saying that the Congress MP was a "part-time" political leader. "Rahul Gandhi always spends most of his time abroad whenever Parliament is in session and later says that he doesn't get a chance to speak. Even during the Bihar elections, he was abroad. He is a part-time, not serious political leader," Joshi told reporters here. Reacting to the allegations levelled by Gandhi regarding the Election Commission of India "colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)", the Union Minister said that Congress blames EVM and EC when they lose. "I want to ask him, what did you say when you won in Karnataka? When the INDI alliance won in Jharkhand, when you won in Telangana, what did you say? But when you lose, you blame the EVM, the Election Commission. They want to say that when there is a win, it's because of them, but when they lose, it's because of the system," Joshi said. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Berlin visit has kicked off a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe. Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party's global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party's ideological reach. Ausaf Khan, President of IOC Austria, said the organisation is "honoured" to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Arathi Krishna. "We are honoured to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025. The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from across Europe, providing a unique platform to discuss key issues with Rahul Gandhi, particularly on strengthening the Congress Party, NRI issues and further exploring how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology. We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, Shri Sam Pitroda, Dr. Arathi Krishna, and other esteemed leaders. Ausaf Khan President IOC, Austria," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. Calling him "Videsh Nayak", BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress leader for choosing a foreign tour over his duties as Leader of Opposition. In a post shared on X, Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour ! Parliament is on till 19th Dec but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20! Rahul is LoP - leader of paryatan During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari," adding that Rahul Gandhi had similarly been away during the Bihar elections. "During Bihar elections too he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari," Poonawalla's X post further read. (ANI) LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A short consumer alert video produced by Consumer Watchdog details Uber appearing to engage in surveillance pricing and questions whether it is lying about the practice. Consumer Watchdog's Justin Kloczko compared two identical Uber fares from the Chicago suburbs to the airport, yielding different prices. "Everything as far as I could telltime, route, duration, type of ride, locationwas the same. But the prices were different," said Kloczko in the video. "I was charged over a dollar more. Why?" According to multiple reports, Uber has repeatedly denied using surveillance pricing, including recently in the New York Times. Uber said it "did not consider anything beyond geographic factors and demand in setting prices." The video states: "So if Uber only considers "geography and demand" in fares, then why were the prices different for the same exact ride?" said Kloczko. "Was it because Uber knew I had a flight to catch that day? Was it because I was charging my low battery? Was it because they knew something about my financials? We can only speculate." The video discusses a new pricing disclosure law that has taken effect in the state of New York. "It requires retailers that use personalized pricing to post the following disclosure: "THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA." And Uber is one of those companies who started posting the disclosure. So it begs the question: what other personal data is Uber using that it isn't telling us about?" Consumer Watchdog sponsored California legislation this year that would ban the practice of surveillance pricing, AB 446 (Ward). The bill passed the Assembly but has not moved out of the Senate. SOURCE Consumer Watchdog Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday claimed that the entire IndiGo fiasco, leading to delays and cancellations, happened because of an order of the Civil Aviation Ministry. He was referring to the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "People need to think about why this whole thing happened. It happened after an order of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The airline's flight schedule has been cut by 10 per cent. Now, who will get this 10 per cent? Tata will get it. Tata ko Adani lene jaa rahe hai. Everybody knows it," Yadav told ANI. The DGCA on Tuesday directed IndiGo to reduce its flight operations by 5 per cent across sectors, citing the airline's failure to operate its winter schedule efficiently and a backlog of cancellations. The government, however, doubled the curtailment to 10 per cent. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Tuesday said that the flight operations were stabilising fast with airports reporting no "crowding or distress". He said that the safety in Civil Aviation remains non-negotiable. While speaking in Lok Sabha, Naidu said that IndiGo operated 1,800 flights yesterday, compared with merely 706 on December 5, suggesting the situation was expected to improve. The Minister said that the government was ensuring accountability as the DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo's senior leadership. He assured that strict action, as per the aircraft rules and act, will be taken against the culprits. "At the same time, accountability will be ensured. DGCA has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo's senior leadership and commenced a detailed enforcement investigation. Depending on the outcome, strict and appropriate action, as empowered under the aircraft rules and act, will be taken. No airline will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures and non-compliance with statutory provisions," Naidu said. He said the revised FDTL norms were being implemented for passenger safety, which is non-negotiable."Safety in Civil Aviation is non-negotiable. India is a member of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and remains committed to the highest global standards of safety. Revised flight duty time limitation, designed to prevent pilot fatigue, is being implemented. These reforms are essentially for passenger safety," Naidu said. The Minister revealed that IndiGo's "internal rostering disruptions" led to large-scale flight cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers. He said that IndiGo had earlier assured compliance with the FDTL norms. "DGCA adopted a phased-wise implementation plan in consultation with all the stakeholders. Phase 1 from July 2025, Phase 2 from November 1. Indigo had assured compliance with these norms and confirmed its preparedness to undertake its winter schedule. Despite this, prima facie it was observed that internal rostering disruptions led to large-scale cancellations, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers," Naidu said. (ANI) As Lok Sabha debates election reforms, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday said that the real culprit causing "mischief" amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was at the district level. Speaking to ANI, he said the actual people responsible for "diverting votes" were part of the administration and worked like a political party. He added that only the Election Commission can't be blamed, but it must take action on complaints. "Collectors and the Election Commission are responsible for conducting SIR, but the real culprits who are causing all the mischief are at the district level. I had told the Election Commission that you can issue any orders, but if the people sitting in Lucknow tell the Collector to cut the votes, no matter how much you say their votes should remain, they will get cut. We cannot just blame the Election Commission. The people connected to the administration who have started working like a party are the ones responsible for diverting these votes here and there," Yadav said. The SP MP argued that the independence of the judiciary was critical for election reforms while advocating large-scale reforms. "For electoral reforms, a few things are essential-- the appointment of the Election Commission and the independence of the judiciary. If there is mischief happening, the Supreme Court will say that we will not interfere in the Election Commission's work, even if they show someone alive as dead and vice versa. There is a need for reform on a larger scale," Yadav said. "I remember TN Seshan used to provide a particular route to each political party. Ballot boxes for a particular booth would follow a pre-decided route. A worker from a political party will accompany the officials to the place where the ballot boxes are submitted. Each party's agent will remain present when the ballot box is kept in the strong room. All this system has been done away with," he added. This comes as Lok Sabha continues discussion on the SIR exercise initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the eighth day of the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari opened the debate yesterday, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi extending the discussion from the opposition side, levelling serious accusations that the EC is colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to "shape elections". Gandhi said that vote theft was an anti-national act. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The upper house of Parliament is also set to take up discussion on electoral reforms after further discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on Wednesday. In Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to initiate the discussion on SIR. The opposition parties were demanding a debate on SIR for months, with Congress alleging discrepancies in the voter list. (ANI) Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Wednesday claimed that the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI) was "partial". Speaking to reporters here, he argued that Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue about duplication of votes in lakhs. Baghel said that voters' rights were being "looted". "The functioning of the Election Commission is not impartial, and many examples have already proved it. The entire country is standing against it, and Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue in the Lok Sabha. Where are these duplicate votes in lakhs coming from? These are all examples due to which the elections are being influenced. The rights of the voters are not being stolen; they are being looted," Baghel said. As Lok Sabha debates election reforms, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday said that the real culprit causing "mischief" amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was at the district level. Speaking to ANI, he said the actual people responsible for "diverting votes" were part of the administration and worked like a political party. He added that only the Election Commission can't be blamed, but it must take action on complaints. "Collectors and the Election Commission are responsible for conducting SIR, but the real culprits who are causing all the mischief are at the district level. I had told the Election Commission that you can issue any orders, but if the people sitting in Lucknow tell the Collector to cut the votes, no matter how much you say their votes should remain, they will get cut. We cannot just blame the Election Commission. The people connected to the administration who have started working like a party are the ones responsible for diverting these votes here and there," Yadav said. This comes as Lok Sabha continues discussion on the SIR exercise initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the eighth day of the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari opened the debate yesterday, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi extending the discussion from the opposition side, levelling serious accusations that the EC is colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to "shape elections". Gandhi said that vote theft was an anti-national act. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The upper house of Parliament is also set to take up discussion on electoral reforms after further discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on Wednesday. In Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to initiate the discussion on SIR. The opposition parties were demanding a debate on SIR for months, with Congress alleging discrepancies in the voter list. (ANI) The Special Intensive Revision process in Ayodhya has reached its final stage, with saints expressing strong enthusiasm, describing it as an important moment for national unity. Sitaram Das Ji Maharaj, the religious leader in Ayodhya, welcomed the SIR process, calling it an infallible remedy against the alleged ongoing infiltration in the country, and urged the public to participate in this campaign to purify the voter list. "This is an infallible remedy against the daily infiltration in our country, the continuous encroachment and occupation of our land. Under the leadership of the government administration, we have conducted public outreach, and the forms are reaching every household through BLOs. They are constantly contacting us, asking if anyone has been left out. They have come here three or four times, given the forms, and explained the process of filling out the SIR form," Sitaram Das ji told ANI. Vishnu Das Ji Maharaj, a saint from Ayodhya, stated that the Election Commission of India, through SIR, is taking measures to benefit the people and enhance the security of the nation. "SIR is a very good, and I would like to thank the Election Commission of India. I am very happy because the Election Commission is taking steps for the benefit of the people and for the security of the nation. All citizens of the nation have the right to vote....The ECI is giving proof of that. For a long time....The improvement in SIR is for a large society and for national security," he said. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha is set to continue discussions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise initiated by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on the eighth day of the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Senior Congress MP Manish Tewari opened the debate yesterday, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi extending the discussion from the opposition side, levelling serious accusations that the EC is colluding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to "shape elections".Gandhi said that vote theft was an anti-national act. Apart from Gandhi, Senior Congress leaders were listed to participate in the debate on election reforms, including KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Varsha Gaikwad, Mohammed Javaid, Ujjwal Raman Singh, Isa Khan, Ravi Mallu, Imran Masood, Gowaal Padavi, and S Jyotimani. A total of 10 hours has been earmarked for the entire discussion in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. (ANI) After two schools in the national capital received bomb threats earlier in the day, Sanskriti School also received a similar threatening email on Wednesday, which included references to the Khalistan movement. The message read, "Aaj 12:05PM Bo.mb Blast Hove Ga? Jhoothe Police Muqabale Khalistan Referendum Walian De In Punjab; Khalistan De Movement nu Delhi 2UN Tak Laye." Authorities are treating the threat seriously and have advised schools to ensure the safety of students and staff. Earlier today, the schools immediately issued a notice to parents to collect their students as a precaution. The notice outlined the phased dispersal of students to closely monitor and manage the situation without causing panic among students and parents. The notice issued by The Indian School read, "Dear Parents, the school has received a bomb threat via email. As a precautionary measure, the school is dispersing the children. You are requested to kindly come and collect your child as per the schedule below: Nursery to Class 2: 9:30 AM, Class 3 to 5: 9:45 AM, Class 6 to 8: 9:55 AM, Class 9 and above: 10:15 AM." At the same time, Ahlcon International School in New Delhi also received a bomb threat. It issued a similar notice to parents, advising them to coordinate with van drivers for safe, timely student pickup. The notice stated, "Dear Parent, kindly note that due to an email threat received this morning, we are arranging an early dispersal for all students (on footers/bus users/van users) at 11:30 a.m., keeping the safety of our students as our utmost priority. Parents are requested to kindly coordinate with the van drivers for timely pickup. Your patience and cooperation in this regard are highly appreciated. The competent authorities are being contacted for further instructions and clearance. From Ahlcon International school." (ANI) BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday took a sharp dig at Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over his upcoming visit to Germany, saying that "this person has no substance and strength of character". Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Ranaut said, "I don't keep track of his tours, nor do I read any news about him. So what can I say about his tours? But it's pretty obvious to everyone why his party has fallen to single digits." "I don't want to comment on this kind of character because you know that person has no substance, strength of character," she added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Berlin visit has kicked off a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe. Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party's global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party's ideological reach. Ausaf Khan, President of IOC Austria, said the organisation is "honoured" to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Arathi Krishna. "We are honoured to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025. The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from across Europe, providing a unique platform to discuss key issues with Rahul Gandhi, particularly on strengthening the Congress Party, NRI issues and further exploring how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology. We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, Shri Sam Pitroda, Dr. Arathi Krishna, and other esteemed leaders. Ausaf Khan President IOC, Austria," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. (ANI) The Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday arrived for the AIADMK General Council and executive committee meeting at the Srivaari Marriage Hall in Vanagaram, Chennai, bringing together more than 2,000 members and special invitees for a politically significant gathering just four months ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. The meeting is likely to focus on key political and organisational matters, including strategies to intensify campaigns against the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), approaches for the upcoming election, and decisions related to alliances. Discussions may also take place upon reuniting leaders who had earlier parted ways with the party, including former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam. Several resolutions are expected to be passed during the session, many of which are anticipated to target the DMK government on various issues. Meanwhile, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) President Vijay on Tuesday slammed DMK government over the statehood demand, alleging that the party's only job is to "cheat people." The TVK president urged the public not to believe the DMK and requested the people of Puducherry not to reject them. Addressing a large public rally in Uppalam Expo Ground in Puducherry, Vijay said, "Don't believe in DMK. Their job is just to cheat you. I urge the people of Puducherry not to reject us as some do in Tamil Nadu." Reiterating his party's solidarity with the people of Puducherry, he asserted that for his movement, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are inseparable despite being classified differently by the Union government. "For this union government, Tamil Nadu is a separate state and Puducherry is a separate Union Territory. But for us, all are the same. We may be different administratively, but we are one in spirit," he said. "Wherever we live in the world, we all share the same bond," he added. Highlighting Puducherry's cultural and political legacy, the TVK chief recalled, "It was here that Bharathiyar lived, and places like Vinayaka, Aravind Ashram, and Maatha are symbols of Tamil heritage. Even politically, in 1974, Puducherry formed its government before Tamil Nadu did in 1977 under MGR." (ANI) Ajay Gupta, the arrested accused in the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub fire incident, which claimed 25 lives, is being taken to the Saket district court in New Delhi for remand proceedings on Wednesday. He was detained by the Goa Police on Tuesday. The development comes days after the massive blaze broke out in the early hours of Sunday at a nightclub in Arpora, triggering a high-casualty incident and killing at least 25 people, most of whom were staff of the restaurant. The Government of Goa formed a committee to investigate the incident. Earlier, a Lookout Circular (LOC) was issued against Gupta. When the police team visited his residence in Delhi, he was found to be absconding; a non-bailable arrest warrant was subsequently issued against him. The district administration demolished part of the Romeo Lane restaurant in Vagator, Goa. The restaurant is owned by Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, who also own Birch by Romeo Lane. In a major development in the ongoing investigation into Goa's Romeo Lane fire incident, a 'blue corner notice' has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused, Gaurav Luthra and Saurabh Luthra, just two days after the incident took place, state police said on Tuesday. The brothers fled to Thailand after the fire, which claimed 25 lives, and are now being tracked by international authorities. Meanwhile, Goa Tourism's Rohan Khaunte said a strict investigation will be conducted from "down to top" and that "some heads need to roll." "The Goa Police has achieved a major breakthrough in the investigation of the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident. A Blue Corner Notice has been issued by INTERPOL against the absconding accused," Goa police said in a statement. (ANI) Showcased by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at IISF 2025, the mission aims to send Indian researchers to extreme ocean depths. Sharing the update on X on Tuesday, Singh wrote, "Here is India's ambitious plan to send one human deep-sea submersible, providentially around the same time when preparations are in the final stage to send a human into Space. Meet Matsya6000, India's first indigenously developed human deep-sea submersible, showcased by the Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES at IISF2025." Highlighting the ambitious timeline, Singh said that the submersible is targeting its first 500-metre manned dive in 2026, followed by a full-depth 6,000-metre mission in 2027. Once achieved, India will join the few nations with ultra-deep-sea exploration capability. "With a target for its first 500 m manned dive by 2026 and 6000 m by 2027, Matsya 6000 will put India among the few nations with ultra-deep-sea exploration capability," Singh's X post further read. https://x.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/1998417055486554510 Meanwhile, the IISF 2025 event recorded an impressive attendance of over 200,000 participants, comprising 1,800 students, 167 educators, and 32 resource individuals. This participation spanned several key activities, including the Hackathon, Gurukula, Science and Technology Village, Nari Shakti, Youth Science Congress, and the Thought Leaders' Roundtable. According to the release, specialised tracks such as New Age Technology, Blue Economy, Himalaya in Changing Climate, and Clean & Nuclear Energy also witnessed high engagement. The curtain-raiser alone saw more than 1,600 delegates, surpassing previous records. On the occasion of the Closing and Valedictory Ceremony of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, Panchkula, Haryana, Governor of Haryana Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, along with First Lady Mitra Ghosh, graced the event as the Chief Guest.D Senthil Pandiyan, IAS, Joint Secretary, MoES; Suryachandra A Rao, Director, IITM; Shiv Kumar Sharma, National Organising Secretary, VIBHA; and other dignitaries were also present. Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that IISF 2025 has powerfully demonstrated India's scientific strength and rising leadership in research and innovation. He noted that the festival reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to build a Viksit Bharat driven by science and technology. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reacting to the alleged tussle over the Chief Minister's post between him and DK Shivakumar, said they will abide by whatever decision is taken by the Congress high command in Delhi. "Whatever the High Command decides, that is what will happen," said Siddaramiah. During his visit to Belagavi, the Karnataka Chief Minister stated that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about tur dal and noted that there had been no discussion on the guarantee schemes. "Yes, I have written a letter regarding tur dal."Whatever happens in the CLP meeting, is it possible to discuss it here? Can everything be told to all of you?" added Siddaramiah. Meanwhile, the leadership tussle in Karnataka has become unstoppable, as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar continues to meet with MLAs, including Ministers HC Mahadevappa and Satish Jarakiholi, to garner support. Although Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar met twice for breakfast to reaffirm party unity and said the High Command would make a decision, the Congress Leadership has not provided any clarity to date. Siddaramaiah's silence is being seen as a sign of support from a group of senior leaders, including BK Hariprasad, Satish Jarakiholi, MB Patil, Bhyrati Suresh, Dinesh Gundu Rao, HC Mahadevappa, Zameer Ahmad, and others. However, DK Shivakumar's continued meetings with MLAs are still keeping the confusion of 'Leadership and CM change' intact in karnataka. However, the high command, led by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, is expected to make a decision soon. Both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar have expressed willingness to abide by the party's decision. Meanwhile, speculation over a possible leadership change in Karnataka began on November 20, when the Siddaramaiah-led government completed half its term. Siddaramaiah has maintained that he will serve the full five-year term, citing the mandate given by the people of Karnataka and reaffirming his commitment to implementing the party's promises, including the five guarantee schemes. Shivakumar, however, is pushing for a leadership change, citing a "secret agreement" among senior leaders under which he would take over as Chief Minister after 2.5 years. (ANI) CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two years after Commonwealth Edison botched its launch of a new billing system, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) said Wednesday it hopes to block Illinois' biggest electric utility from making customers, and not shareholders, cover nearly $50 million in spending to fix the ongoing problems. The utility watchdog made its argument as it challenges ComEd's push to increase delivery rates by a total of $268.5 million by the end of the year. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) last year approved a four-year rate plan for ComEd, but a provision in state regulatory law allows ComEd to petition ( Docket 25-0383 ) the ICC for higher rates in yearly "reconciliation" cases. A portion of the increase is to make up for higher rates that were approved earlier but had not yet been put in placehowever, tens of millions more are to recover excess spending for ComEd going over budget on capital expenditures. CUB filed testimony arguing that tucked away in ComEd's reconciliation rate-hike plan is an attempt by the utility to improperly win millions of dollars a year in higher rates in connection to problemsbilling delays, overcharges and other errorsComEd customers have experienced since the utility launched its new system in February of 2024. According to the testimony, the improper charges include: $9.3 million a year in higher rates to recover $49 million in spending to fix the billing system, about which CUB is still hearing consumer complaints. "It's ridiculous for ComEd to try to raise our rates in connection with billing problems the utility giant created itself," CUB Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said. "Customers shouldn't pay higher rates for ComEd's incompetence." CUB argued the billing problems also came into play in two instances where ComEd is seeking performance bonus payment, under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), that the utility has not earned, including: A $5.8 million incentive payment for reducing disconnections in certain lower-income ZIP codes. Under an order approving these performance incentive metrics, the ICC adopted a requirement proposed by CUB that the utility cannot collect this bonus for simply delaying disconnections. CUB argued the disconnection reductions were not due to improved affordability or customer assistance but to the fact that ComEd's error-prone billing system prevented it from disconnecting customers for nonpayment for most of 2024. A $3.5 million incentive payment ComEd argues it deserves for hitting a performance-metric target for customer service. CUB argued ComEd cannot claim this bonus because, amid the billing-system problems, the utility lost the data necessary to prove its claimed improvement. "Shame on ComEd," Moskowitz said. "The utility shouldn't benefit from its own failures." ComEd has had a number of run-ins with the ICC since its corruption scandal erupted in 2020. In 2022, state regulators ordered ComEd to pay a $38 million fine in connection with the scandal. (ComEd was fined $200 million by federal authorities in 2020, after admitting to a bribery scheme to pass legislation that implemented a "formula rate" system and hundreds of millions of dollars in rate hikes over a decade.) In December of 2023, under a new, four-year rate-setting system, the ICC rejected the utility's first proposed grid plan for, among other things, failing to prove affordability, and slashed its proposed rate hike by about $1 billion. ComEd refiled its grid plan, and in 2024 won $606 million in rate hikes, spread out through 2027. Now, it's asking for a $268.5 million increase in the reconciliation process: "We support ending this reconciliation benefit for utilities," Moskowitz said. "If ComEd blows through its budget in a given year, customers shouldn't have to pay the excess." In early November, two regulatory judges issued a "proposed order" in the casewhich is their recommendation on how the ICC should rule. The proposed order backed about $16.4 million in reductions for ComEd, and largely agreed with consumer advocates about the items connected to the billing system. CUB hopes the ICC follows those recommendations, and goes even further in the final order, expected no later than Dec. 20, with rates taking effect shortly after. CUB urged consumers to sign a petition against ComEd's wasteful spending or to call the ICC, at 1-800-524-0795. For more than 40 years the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) has been Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog group. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit CUB's website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org. SOURCE Citizens Utility Board Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sanjay Jaiswal on Wednesday took a jibe at Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi ahead of his Germany trip, saying that he would not give up the pleasure of going on foreign trips since his party was in the phase of extinction. "Bihar elections were going on, and he (Rahul Gandhi) was roaming around somewhere; today too, he is going to Europe, but there's nothing left in Congress now. Congress is in the phase of extinction, so why would he give up the pleasure of his foreign trips?" Jaiswal told ANI. Responding to allegations levelled by Gandhi regarding the Election Commission of India "colluding with the BJP", Jaiswal suggested that the LoP and Congress "look within themselves" instead of making accusations. "It's good that he (Rahul Gandhi) keeps making accusations because if he understands the truth, he will try to fix it. So, let him keep blaming the EVM and the Election Commission like this and not look within themselves-what could be better for us than this," Jaiswal said. BJP leaders have attacked Rahul Gandhi, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi calling Rahul Gandhi a "part-time" political leader. "Rahul Gandhi always spends most of his time abroad whenever Parliament is in session and later says that he doesn't get a chance to speak. Even during the Bihar elections, he was abroad. He is a part-time, not serious political leader," Joshi told reporters here. Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi took a dig at the BJP for criticising Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Germany visit amid the winter session of Parliament, saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spends half of his working time outside the country. "Modi spends almost half his working time outside the country. Why are they raising questions about the Leader of the Opposition travelling?" Gandhi told reporters here. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming visit to Berlin has sparked a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe. Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party's global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, the Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party's ideological reach. Ausaf Khan, President of IOC Austria, said the organisation is "honoured" to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Arathi Krishna. (ANI) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, speaking in Belagavi, claimed that there is a conspiracy against Dharmasthala, a place linked to allegations of mass murder, mass rape, and mass burial in the town. The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister stressed that such controversies can harm institutions that have stood for many generations. " I had openly stated in the Assembly that there is a conspiracy against Dharmasthala. But the truth has prevailed. The law has to take its own course. Such controversies can damage institutions that have been in place for many generations...There is a big difference between RSS and BJP, and even that is deeply rooted in this controversy..." Shivakumar told reporters. Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 31 ruled out a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the alleged mass burial case at Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala, saying the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was already investigating the matter. "Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade himself welcomed the formation of the SIT. The SIT was formed because the truth needs to come out. Otherwise, there would have always been a deadlock about Dharmasthala. The SIT has been formed to dispel this doubt. The complainant went before the court and gave 164 statements. Many organisations had demanded that an SIT be formed. Opposition parties had also welcomed this. SIT has been given full freedom and has been instructed to complete the investigation and submit a report. I think no further investigation is needed," Siddaramaiah told reporters. The BJP, however, has demanded that the probe be handed over to the NIA and has announced a state-wide mobilisation. Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra questioned the Chief Minister's 'haste' in addressing the Dharmasthala issue, pointing out that the government should have gathered information about the individual who made allegations and the organisations backing them. He suggested that the state intelligence or police should have conducted a preliminary investigation before any decisions were made. However, Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said the government would not interfere with the SIT's work. "If the investigation into the Dharmasthala case has to be completed quickly, that is the SIT's own decision. The SIT is already conducting the investigation, and until it is completed, they will not disclose any information. We will not interfere or give them any instructions," he said. Meanwhile, the complainant, who alleged that he had been forced to bury multiple bodies in Dharamsthala, was earlier arrested by the SIT after forensic analysis showed the bones he produced were of a man and not a woman, as he had claimed. (ANI) As Lok Sabha debates election reforms, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday labelled the Congress as the "sardaar of chors," sharply criticising the party during the ongoing debate on electoral reforms. Speaking to ANI,BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said, "Congress is the 'sardaar of chors', and no one takes Rahul Gandhi seriously...A grand temple in Ayodhya has been constructed, but have any Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi visited there? They only have an interest in their Muslim vote bank...This is the reason they are protesting against the SIR and EVMs..." Earlier, on Tuesday, MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that the Congress party had subverted multiple institutions through constitutional amendments in the 1970s, alleging that even the office of the President was "made toothless" through amendments during the Emergency. While the Lower House of Parliament discussed electoral reforms, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey dismissed Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi's earlier accusation that the current institutions have been "captured by the RSS". Dubey cited the 1976 Swaran Singh Committee, which led to the 42nd Amendment, saying it stripped the President of powers. He criticised Gandhi's claims, pointing out Congress's own history of influencing institutions and appointments. "In 1976, the Swaran Singh Committee was made, and they finished all institutions, which they are trying to do today too. In the Constitution, President is mentioned 121 times, and you will be surprised that with 1 amendment, Congress finished all the powers of the President. The president became a rubber stamp. Whatever the cabinet will say, the President will approve, the institution was finished," the BJP MP said. Dubey's statement came just after Rahul Gandhi addressed the House to talk about electoral reforms. Gandhi alleged that "institutions of India are captured, and I will come to the point that the Election Commission is captured". (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajnlal Sharma on Wednesday asserted that the government is working towards resolving water-related issues across the state, while addressing the public gathering at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) for the maiden 2025 Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work is underway across Rajasthan for water. I also want to tell you that yesterday we launched the "Bhumi Se Matrabhoomi" campaign..." He further extended gratitude to CR Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti India, for his decision to install tube wells across the villages in Rajasthan, stating that over 16,000 tube wells have already been installed. He underlined that the government is also making progress in the energy sector of the state. "I want to thank PM Modi, Minister CR Patil, for the decision to install four or five recharge tube wells in every village in Rajasthan, and our work is progressing. More than 16,000 tube wells have been installed... This will certainly increase our groundwater reserves. Similarly, our government is continuously working in the energy sector..." he added. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Bhupender Yadav also graced the event. The Pravasi Rajasthani Day has been organised in Jaipur on December 10 to strengthen the ties between the Karmabhoomi and Janmabhoomi of Rajasthanis living around the world. Earlier, on October 28, CM Bhajanlal Sharma, while addressing the Pravasi Rajasthani Meet in Kolkata, said that the day would celebrate the achievements of Rajasthanis to further strengthen their connection to their homeland. "This day will serve as a dedicated platform to celebrate the achievements of Pravsi Rajasthanis and deepen their connection with their homeland," CM Sharma said. He invited all Pravasi Rajasthanis to actively participate in the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas. Bhajan Lal Sharma stated that Pravasi Rajasthanis have made a significant contribution to the economic development of West Bengal. The Chief Minister commended the Pravasi Rajasthani community for preserving Rajasthan's culture from generation to generation, saying their achievements are inspiring for the state's youth and future generations. He noted that the Rajasthan Foundation (RF) currently has 26 chapters operating in various states and countries around the world. Chief Minister Sharma said that Rajasthan has emerged as the country's leading textile hub, with over 1,500 factories operating. The state is the largest producer of polyester, viscose yarn, cotton, and wool, and ranks fourth in cotton production. The Rajasthan CM further noted that the state ranks first in India in the field of solar energy with an installed capacity of 34,555 MW. He added that land has recently been allotted for renewable energy projects with a capacity of 17 GW, demonstrating Rajasthan's leadership in sustainable development. The Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations were held at JECC in Sitapura, Jaipur, today. (ANI) The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against 27 people and 3 companies on account of an investment fraud during the COVID-19 lockdown, amounting to crores. The names revealed in the HPZ Token Investment fraud case also include two Chinese nationals, Wan Jun and Li Anming, leading to revelations about other scams post-COVID-19. Assumed to be controlled by Chinese nationals, the entity that led the whole scam has moved crores from the Indian public by making false promises on fake apps about jobs, cryptocurrency and other investment opportunities. In just a few months, the people in the chargesheet had collected and transferred more than Rs 1000 crore. They made it possible through multiple shell companies, one of them being Shigoo Technologies, which was directly linked to Wan Jun, and so did several others. These cyber scam frauds are linked to a single syndicate abroad, as revealed in the investigation. The names of Wan Jun and Li Anming come after CBI had initially arrested 6 accused and looked further into their accomplices. They launched a fake mobile app called "HPZ Tokens" which promised that your investment would go towards cryptocurrency and result in enormous gains. What aided this fraud is the fact that the Indian public was still getting used to payment aggregators, which allow people to access digital money faster. They were also able to collect large sums of money by using the guise of a genuine company and transferring partial amounts to their investors to keep the scam going. Wan Jun was the director of Jilian Consultants India Pvt. Ltd., which acted as a subsidiary of the Chinese company Jilian Consultants. Along with Dortse, they had created and managed multiple companies to pool money together. After the scam, they turned the money into crypto and moved it out of the country without any hurdles. CBI states that they are steadfast in the ongoing investigation of this matter and are looking into other suspects to halt the rise of these cyber fraud networks with operations such as Chakra-V. They are working to make the Indian Digital economy realm even more secure for investors. (ANI) The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Wednesday proposed 16 resolutions, including one stating that there should be no government interference in the judicial system, following the impeachment motion moved in Parliament by the opposition MPs against Madras High Court judge Justice G.R. Swaminathan. The resolution stated "There should be no government involvement in judicial system. There should be no political involvement in judicial system. Condemns the act of government and officials who act and challenge against judicial system and verdicts. Other resolutions proposed included making Edappadi K. Palaniswami the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 2026. The party also urged the Union government to approve the Metro Rail projects for Madurai and Coimbatore, while condemning the DMK-led state government for allegedly failing to present the project proposals properly to the Centre. Additionally, the AIADMK welcomed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and called for the release of the verified voters' list by the Election Commission. The party also condemned the DMK government for failing to safeguard people during the recent monsoon rains and cyclone in North Chennai East. The AIADMK further criticised the DMK for not taking action against the Karnataka government regarding the construction of the Mekedatu dam project on the Cauvery River and reiterated its demand to implement the Mullai Periyar drinking water scheme. Meanwhile, following the detention of several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in connection with the Karthigai Deepam row, Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran on Sunday accused the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister of using the Tirupparankunram temple-mosque issue for vote-bank politics. Speaking to reporters, Nainar Nagendran said, "The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu always tells lies because he is focused only on the party's voting patterns. Yesterday was the memorial day of BR Ambedkar. He told really bad things in Madurai. His party people are criticising the court decision, which is not good. CM has the capacity to take action against those who are criticising the justice system. In Karthigai Deepam row, there's no issue on the Thiruparankundram hilltop; no Islamic people are against us. But only the CM is against this." Reacting to CM Stalin's statement that the "flame of equality" lit by Periyar in Madurai would burn forever, Nagendran said that, as an individual, he respected the Chief Minister and called the act a vote-bank strategy. "He is a good human being, but I cannot say the same about his governance. The court had permitted the lighting of the lamp based on the law. Instead of respecting that, Section 144 was imposed, which amounts to contempt. The CM is exploiting the matter politically. There was no situation where Muslims would be affected simply because of lighting a lamp. This is purely a vote-bank strategy," he said. The unrest broke out during the Hindu festival of Karthigai Deepam, when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police after state government officials failed to light the sacred lamp at the hilltop stone lamp pillar. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp be lit at the hilltop temple. Acting on a petition filed by a right-wing activist, Justice G.R. Swaminathan had instructed state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill. However, government officials maintained that this violated the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual observed for several years. (ANI) Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) MP Amra Ram on Wednesday lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for talking about removing infiltrators in the name of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Speaking to ANI, he said that the SIR ploy was nothing, but was initiated to "cut votes" of the political and religious minorities, including the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. "Prime Minister and Home Minister talk about infiltrators. 11 saal jhak mara rahe the kya? The government says 32,000 people didn't fill out the forms. Can the government tell us how many of them are infiltrators? All of this is being done to further communalism and benefit from it politically," Ram said. "SIR can be conducted only at the place where there is a complaint, not in the entire nation. SIR is ongoing in Rajasthan. In Adivasi areas, half of the villages get vacant. Lakhs of people from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities are not educated and can't fill the forms. This is why this SIR is only meant to cut votes of the SC, ST community, minorities and OBCs," he added. Extending support to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the CPI(M) MP said that "vote theft" was indeed anti-national. He also pointed out the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI), whom he said is non-partisan, in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He said that the Election Commission (EC) has become the "Modi Commission". "It (Vote Chori) is (anti-national). Earlier, the appointment of the CEC was made by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. They removed CJI and included a Union cabinet minister. It is not the Election Commission, but the Modi Commission," Ram said. Meanwhile, Union Minister SP Singh Baghel said that Rahul Gandhi appeared confused during his speech on SIR. "Yesterday, we heard the Leader of the Opposition speaking on SIR in the House, but he appeared confused. I had hoped that since he has experience of both winning and losing, he would share his experience as the Leader of the Opposition on electoral reforms, which would be in the interest of democracy, elections, and the public, but nothing like that happened," Baghel said. This comes as Lok Sabha continues discussion on the SIR exercise initiated by the ECI on the eighth day of the ongoing winter session of Parliament. Senior Congress MP KC Venugopal launched a scathing attack on the BJP in Lok Sabha today, saying the ruling party believed it could rule the country by using central investigative agencies and the ECI, among other institutions. The opposition parties were demanding a debate on SIR for months, with Congress alleging discrepancies in the voter list. (ANI) Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday paid tributes to freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari on his birth anniversary, describing him as a statesman of rare wisdom and a visionary whose contributions continue to shape the nation's democratic ethos. In a post shared on X, Radhakrishnan wrote, "On his birth anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to Shri C. Rajagopalachari ji, a statesman of exceptional wisdom, a freedom fighter, and a visionary who shaped India's public life with his clarity of thought and unwavering commitment to democratic values. His life and legacy remain a guiding light for all who strive for integrity, intellect, and service to the nation." https://x.com/VPIndia/status/1998584644346982636 Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid homage to freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari. Highlighting Rajaji as one of India's most influential public figures, Jaishankar noted that the freedom fighter's life and ideals continue to serve as a guiding light. EAM wrote on X, "Pay homage to Shri C. Rajagopalachari ji on his birth anniversary. A freedom fighter and one of India's most influential public minds, his life, thoughts and ideals continue to guide us. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, on his 147th birth anniversary. "Freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesman...these are some descriptions that come to the mind when one recalls C Rajagopalachari. Tributes to him on his birth anniversary. He remains one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century, who believed in creating value and upholding human dignity. Our nation remembers his enduring contributions with gratitude," PM Modi posted on X. The PM shared a photograph of the revered freedom fighter Rajaji and the 1922 edition of Young India, an English-language journal edited by Rajaji while Mahatma Gandhi was in jail. "On Rajaji's birth anniversary, sharing some interesting material from the archives, which includes a picture of a young Rajaji, the notification on his appointment as a Cabinet Minister, a picture with volunteers from the 1920s and a Young India edition from 1922 edited by Rajaji because Gandhi Ji was in jail," PM Modi said. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, born on December 10, 1878, in Madras Presidency, was a lawyer and intellectual among many other things. He is regarded as an early political comrade of Mahatma Gandhi, who left his legal practice to join the Indian National Congress and later participated in various protests against the British Crown. Most popularly, Rajagopalachari agitated against the Rowlatt Act, non-cooperation, and the Civil Disobedience movement. He was the last Governor-General of India. The office was abolished after India became a republic in 1950. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Madras on a Congress ticket. He was part of the sub-committee on minorities. He was conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. (ANI) Two schools in Delhi's Sadiq Nagar and Laxmi Nagar received a bomb threat on Wednesday, said Delhi Police. An investigation into the matter is underway. Additonally, the school Lovely Public Senior Secondary School, located in Priyadarshini Vihar, received a bomb threat via email on Wednesday. According to Aditya, a student at the school, they were in the middle of an exam when the bomb threat was reported, and all students were safely evacuated. "We were writing our exam, and suddenly we were asked to assemble in the ground. When we reached there, we saw students from all the classes present there. Police, Ambulance and Fire Brigade were also present there. We got to know that an email was received. All the students have been safely taken out of the school..." Aditya told ANI. Currently, teams of Delhi Police, Forensic Department, and Bomb Squad have arrived at the spot. Meanwhile, multiple schools in the national capital received a bomb threat via email on Wednesday. The schools immediately issued a notice to parents to collect their students as a precaution. The notice outlined the phased dispersal of students to closely monitor and manage the situation without causing panic among students and parents. The notice issued by The Indian School read, "Dear Parents, the school has received a bomb threat via email. As a precautionary measure, the school is dispersing the children. You are requested to kindly come and collect your child as per the schedule below: Nursery to Class 2: 9:30 AM, Class 3 to 5: 9:45 AM, Class 6 to 8: 9:55 AM, Class 9 and above: 10:15 AM. Ahlcon International School in New Delhi also received a bomb threat. It issued a similar notice to parents, advising them to coordinate with van drivers for safe, timely student pickup. The notice stated, "Dear Parent, kindly note that due to an email threat received this morning, we are arranging an early dispersal for all students (on footers/bus users/van users) at 11:30 a.m., keeping the safety of our students as our utmost priority. Parents are requested to kindly coordinate with the van drivers for timely pickup. Your patience and cooperation in this regard are highly appreciated. The competent authorities are being contacted for further instructions and clearance. From Ahlcon International school." (ANI) Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections, suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Humayun Kabir on Wednesday announced that he will unveil a new political party on December 22. Kabir declared that he intends to directly challenge West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's party in the upcoming polls. Speaking to ANI, Kabir said, "I will announce a new party on December 22. I will field candidates against Mamata Banerjee's party. Whoever becomes the CM, they will have to take Humayun Kabir's support for it to happen," he added. Meanwhile, suspended TMC MLA Humayun Kabir on December 6 laid the foundation stone for the construction of Babri Masjid in Murshidabad. 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". Clause (a) of Article 26 in the Indian Constitution grants every religious denomination the fundamental right "to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes". This is subject to public order, morality and health. Addressing the gathering in Murshidabad, 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." Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 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. 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. (ANI) PATH Brings Together Pharmacies and Pharmacists, Employers, Policymakers, and Other Healthcare Stakeholders to Chart a Healthier, More Sustainable Path for Pharmacy Care MONTVALE, N.J., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EmpiRx Health, the leading pharmacist-led pharmacy benefits management (PBM) company, today announced that it is launching Pharmacy Allies Transforming Healthcare (PATH), a new, national coalition established to help protect and empower community pharmacies and pharmacists. PATH brings together pharmacies and pharmacists, employers who sponsor benefits plans, policymakers, and other healthcare stakeholders with a shared commitment to building a more affordable and sustainable healthcare system in America. Community pharmacies are the backbone of our nation's healthcare system. However, independent community pharmacies are closing their doors at an alarming rate, limiting care options for communities across America. According to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), more than 5,800 pharmacies have closed since 2018. As a result, an estimated 45% of US counties are now considered to be pharmacy deserts, with rural communities being the hardest hit. Through PATH, EmpiRx Health is working to ignite a national movement that seeks to highlight the importance of trusted, affordable community pharmacies and pharmacists while advocating for PBM reform and other legislation that help protect their critical role in America's healthcare. "As a pharmacy care company that was founded on the revolutionary idea of putting pharmacists at the center of the PBM service model, EmpiRx Health passionately believes in pharmacies and pharmacists," said Danny Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer of EmpiRx Health. "That's why we're launching PATH. It's time to put the power back in the hands of our community pharmacists and chart a healthier, more affordable path for healthcare in America." The new PATH coalition is focusing on three key areas: Advocacy A primary focus of PATH's mission will be to advocate for PBM reform legislation that's designed to preserve community pharmacies and bring more transparency, fairness, and innovation to the PBM industry. PATH will also support measures that extend healthcare provider status to pharmacists, enabling them to practice at the top of their license and expand their vital clinical services. A primary focus of PATH's mission will be to advocate for PBM reform legislation that's designed to preserve community pharmacies and bring more transparency, fairness, and innovation to the PBM industry. PATH will also support measures that extend healthcare provider status to pharmacists, enabling them to practice at the top of their license and expand their vital clinical services. Education The PATH coalition will seek to educate key policy makers, regulators and other healthcare decision makers about the critical role of pharmacies and pharmacists. Education is a major part of preserving, protecting, and empowering community pharmacies. The PATH coalition will seek to educate key policy makers, regulators and other healthcare decision makers about the critical role of pharmacies and pharmacists. Education is a major part of preserving, protecting, and empowering community pharmacies. Activation PATH will also work to activate the various coalition members and their networks to work collaboratively on solving critical issues like skyrocketing drug costs and advancing PBM reform. "There's a reason why pharmacists are among the most trusted healthcare professionals," Sanchez continued. "They offer American families expert, affordable, and uniquely accessible healthcare advice, plus a growing menu of clinical services. We created the PATH coalition because pharmacies are increasingly being squeezed to the point where they have no choice but to shut their doors. It's imperative that we act now to preserve community pharmacies before their decline becomes irreversible." Healthcare Leaders Comment on the Launch of the PATH Coalition "The importance of community pharmacies to healthcare in America has never been more vital, which is why we welcome the support from the new PATH coalition. Yet, the unfortunate irony is the viability of community pharmacies is endangered due to mega-PBM business practices that benefit their bottom line to the detriment of patients. As a result, one out of every 8 neighborhoods in the United States is in a pharmacy desert. Congress must take action and pass the bipartisan, bicameral PBM reform legislation that is poised to pass." B. Douglas Hoey, Pharmacist, MBA, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association. "One cannot overestimate the importance of community pharmacies to the healthcare system. Patients visit their local pharmacy approximately 35 times per year, which compares to just four annual visits to their primary care provider. I commend EmpiRx Health for launching PATH in support of community pharmacies and pharmacists at this critical moment in America's healthcare." Jim Tsipakis R.Ph., former President, Supermarkets & Pharmacy, Giant Eagle "Community pharmacies are essential to our members especially when members are workers who are caregivers and require trusted healthcare services when they need it and as quickly as they need it. Pharmacists who serve our members within these community pharmacies are critical in the education, management, consultation, and accuracy of the essential healthcare services they provide. We applaud EmpiRx Health for joining with other healthcare stakeholders to launch PATH, whose very timely mission is to advocate for legislative reform and other measures that support community pharmacies." Silvana Stankus, Executive Director at New England Health Care Employees Welfare and Pension Funds, SEIU 1199 "Community pharmacies play a vital role in the health and well-being of our UFCW National Health and Welfare Fund participants and their families. They're often the most trusted and accessible point of care in the communities we serve. Supporting these pharmacies and ensuring fair PBM reform is critical not only for our members, but for the stability and integrity of the broader healthcare system. Access, affordability, and trust are at the heart of what we stand for, and community pharmacies are essential to that mission." Glenn Di Biasi, Fund Administrator, UFCW National Health and Welfare Fund "EmpiRx Health's PATH initiative is educating the American people on the value pharmacy provides as the key solution to improving patient care and reducing skyrocketing Healthcare costs. PATH showcases the value of clinical driven services and positive outcomes provided by the knowledge and education of pharmacists." Duane Jones, BS Pharm, Regional Pharmacy Supervisor and Clinical Program Director, Harps Food Stores, Inc., and Residency Site Coordinator, UAMS College of Pharmacy About PATH Pharmacy Allies Transforming Healthcare (PATH) is a newly formed coalition whose aim is to empower community pharmacies to chart a better path for healthcare in America. PATH brings together pharmacies, employers who sponsor health benefits plans, policymakers, and other healthcare stakeholders to advocate for the essential role pharmacy care plays in ensuring the health and well-being of patients and communities. PATH was founded by EmpiRx Health , the leading pharmacist-led PBM company. Through PATH, EmpiRx Health is helping to build a national movement around advancing PBM reform legislation to improve patient health outcomes, lower the costs of care, and elevate the critical role of community pharmacies and their pharmacists. For more information, visit www.abetterpath.co. About EmpiRx Health EmpiRx Health is the leading clinically-driven, customer-first pharmacy benefits management (PBM) company that puts the pharmacist at the center of the pharmacy care model. Leveraging our AI-powered pharmacy care platform, Clinically, EmpiRx Health's clinical pharmacists and client experience teams provide the highest quality care and service. This enables plan sponsors to measurably improve their member health outcomes while substantially reducing prescription drug costs. EmpiRx Health recently launched AllyRx, the first-ever national pharmacy care network specially designed for pharmacy and grocery retailers. With major offices in Montvale, NJ and Orlando, FL, EmpiRx Health celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024. To learn more, visit www.empirxhealth.com. More information on Clinically can be found at www.clinically.co, and AllyRx at www.allyrx.co. Contact: For EmpiRx Health: Stephanie Cox Phone: (201) 775-6971 Email: [email protected] SOURCE EmpiRx Health The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Pune Commissionerate on Monday seized over 2.29 kg of hydroponic marijuana valued at approximately Rs. 2.29 crore at Pune International Airport and arrested a passenger arriving from Bangkok, an official said. According to officials, AIU personnel intercepted the passenger who had arrived on IndiGo flight 6E-1096 from Bangkok based on profiling and specific intelligence inputs. A detailed examination of his checked-in baggage led to the recovery of 2,299.44 grams of hydroponic weed concealed in two air-tight sealed packets. The contraband was seized under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. The passenger was taken into custody, and further investigation is underway, officials added. On the same day, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra, during a targeted operation codenamed "Operation Hinterland Brew", according to an official press release. The operations conducted on December 7 and 8 resulted in the seizure of 128 kg of Mephedrone, valued at approximately Rs. 192 crore, along with 245 kilograms of precursor chemicals, raw materials, and a complete processing setup. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers conducted discreet surveillance, followed by a search operation in a remote, shrub-covered area of Karanja (Ghadge), nearly 60 km from Wardha. During the operation, officers uncovered a fully functional synthetic drug processing setup, including makeshift reactors, vessels, and other equipment used for the illicit manufacture of Mephedrone. The seizure comprised both finished product and precursor chemicals essential for its synthesis. According to the release, three persons operating the facility, including the mastermind, who also acted as the financier and chemist, along with his two associates, were apprehended. All three were found to be actively involved in the manufacturing and distribution network of Mephedrone, and have been arrested under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a nearly two-hour closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to finalise the key appointment to the Central Information Commission (CIC). The discussion also covered the selection of the Chief Information Commissioner, eight Information Commissioners , and the Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). Sources say during the discussion Rahul Gandhi has given a dissent note on the selection of the officials. Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming Berlin visit has kicked off a fresh political storm, with the BJP slamming him for going abroad even as the Lok Sabha continues its crucial winter session. Calling him "Videsh Nayak", BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla mocked the Congress leader for choosing a foreign tour over his duties as Leader of Opposition. Gandhi is scheduled to attend a major Indian Overseas Congress event in Berlin on December 17, where he will meet IOC leaders from across Europe. In a post shared on X, Shehzad Poonawalla said, "Once again Videsh Nayak is doing what he does best ! Going for a foreign tour ! Parliament is on till 19th Dec, but Reports suggest Rahul Gandhi to visit Germany from Dec 15-20! Rahul is LoP - leader of paryatan During Bihar elections, too, he was abroad & then in a Jungle Safari," adding that Rahul Gandhi had similarly been away during the Bihar elections. "During the Bihar elections too, he was abroad & then in Jungle Safari," Poonawalla's X post further read. Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has described the visit as a significant outreach initiative aimed at strengthening the party's global engagement. The IOC announced that Rahul Gandhi will address the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, where Presidents of IOC chapters across Europe will gather to discuss NRI issues, Congress Party strengthening, and strategies to expand the party's ideological reach. Ausaf Khan, President of IOC Austria, said the organisation is "honoured" to host Gandhi, noting the presence of senior leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Dr. Arathi Krishna. "We are honored to welcome Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament, who will be engaging with the Indian diaspora in Berlin on December 17, 2025. The event will bring together all Presidents of the Indian Overseas Congress from across Europe, providing a unique platform to discuss key issues with Shri Rahul Gandhi, particularly on strengthening the Congress Party ,NRI issues and further exploring how the IOC can play a pivotal role in connecting more people to the party and spreading its ideology. We look forward to receiving invaluable guidance from our senior leadership, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, Shri Sam Pitroda, Dr. Arathi Krishna, and other esteemed leaders. Ausaf Khan President IOC, Austria," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. Moreover, Vikram Duhan, General Secretary of the Indian Overseas Congress UK, highlighted the broader diplomatic importance of the tour, saying Gandhi's engagements in Germany would foster discussions on India's global role and open opportunities for dialogue with German lawmakers and the Indian community abroad. "The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Ji,s visit to Germany will offer a valuable platform to engage in dialogue on India's global role, while fostering the exchange of ideas and opportunities with German legislators and members of the Indian diaspora. -Vikram Duhan General Secretary Indian Overseas Congress UK," Indian Overseas Congress' X post read. (ANI) The Delhi Police on Wednesday informed the Rohini Court that accused brothers Gaurav and Saurav Luthra had left the country soon after the Goa club fire tragedy and a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) had already been issued against them by a Goa court. Opposing their plea for protection, the State submitted that the brothers were deliberately evading investigation and should not be granted any interim relief. The accused, however, told the Court through their counsel that they apprehend arrest immediately upon landing in India. They argued that they had travelled to Thailand for work-related reasons and now wished to return but feared custodial action. Their lawyers emphasised that the applicants only sought brief transit protection to approach the competent court in Goa. The Rohini Court took up the Transit anticipatory bail applications on Wednesday and questioned their maintainability, noting that the applicants were not presently within the territorial jurisdiction. Senior Advocates Siddharth Luthra and Tanveer Ahmad Mir, argued that the accused are permanent residents of Delhi and that courts outside the jurisdiction can issue notice in urgent matters involving interim anticipatory bail. State counsel reiterated that the brothers were absconding and sought time to file a detailed status report on their departure from India and the actions taken by Goa Police. The Court allowed the request and directed the State to place all relevant material on record before the next hearing. The defence pressed for temporary protection until Thursday, stating that the brothers wanted to return and exercise their legal remedies but feared coercive action. The State opposed the plea, relying on the NBW and the circumstances suggesting evasion. The Court without granting any interim protection fixed the matter for further hearing tomorrow. The Transit anticipatory bail plea of Gaurav and Saurav Luthra will be taken up at 12 noon on Thursday, when the Court will consider the State's status report and decide on the request for transit relief against the backdrop of the police's objections. The counsel for accused persons argued that authorities intend to impound the passports of the accused and arrest them at the airport, despite the fact that they had traveled abroad only to set up business ventures. They reiterated that the accused apprehend arrest and are seeking protection to exercise their legal remedies. It was highlighted that the club holds all necessary approvals, including a valid FSSAI license, state license, liquor license, and GST registration. The defense stressed that the tragic incident arose from a lady performer using cold pyros during her act, which led to the accident. The prosecution has now invoked Section 304 of the IPC, alleging culpable homicide. (ANI) Union Minister CR Patil attended the maiden 2025 Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC) on Wednesday. He said that Rs 77,000 crore has been allocated to a single project to meet the state's water requirements, and that in the near future, Rajasthan will have more water than other states in the country. Speaking to reporters, Patil said, "Rajasthan CM and the entire state are working to develop the state. For rainwater harvesting, 4 lakh 14 thousand structures have been built in eight months. They are aware of the scarcity of water. PM Modi is working to meet the state's water requirements. Rs 77,000 crores have been allocated to Rajasthan for a single project to meet water requirements. No other state has received so much water." "Under the MoU signed between Haryana and Rajasthan, the surplus water will be given to Rajasthan. In the future, I think Rajasthan will have the maximum water in comparison to the other states of the country. People of Rajasthan who have invested in other parts of the country would like to invest here too. This is a very good step that the state government has taken today. Atleast 100 investors have come from Surat only," he added. Earlier, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajnlal Sharma on Wednesday asserted that the government is working to resolve water-related issues across the state, while addressing a public gathering at the JECC for the maiden 2025 Pravasi Rajasthani Day celebrations. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, work is underway across Rajasthan for water. I also want to tell you that yesterday we launched the "Bhumi Se Matrabhoomi" campaign...," CM Sharma said. He further extended gratitude to CR Patil, Union Minister for Jal Shakti India, for his decision to install tube wells across the villages in Rajasthan, stating that over 16,000 tube wells have already been installed. He underlined that the government is also making progress in the energy sector of the state. "I want to thank PM Modi, Minister CR Patil, for the decision to install four or five recharge tube wells in every village in Rajasthan, and our work is progressing. More than 16,000 tube wells have been installed... This will certainly increase our groundwater reserves. Similarly, our government is continuously working in the energy sector..." he added. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Bhupender Yadav also graced the event. The Pravasi Rajasthani Day has been organised in Jaipur on December 10 to strengthen the ties between the Karmabhoomi and Janmabhoomi of Rajasthanis living around the world. Earlier, on October 28, CM Bhajanlal Sharma, while addressing the Pravasi Rajasthani Meet in Kolkata, said that the day would celebrate the achievements of Rajasthanis and further strengthen their connection to their homeland. "This day will serve as a dedicated platform to celebrate the achievements of Pravsi Rajasthanis and deepen their connection with their homeland," CM Sharma said. He invited all Pravasi Rajasthanis to participate in the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas actively. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at five places in Maharashtra's Baramati and Pune districts linked to an alleged multi-crore fraud in the dairy sector. The raids are underway at the premises belonging to Anand Satish Lokhande, Vidyanand Dairy Pvt Ltd and Vidyanand Agro Feed Pvt Ltd and professionals. The places being searched include two in Baramati, two in Pune and one in the Indapur area in Pune. ED's Mumbai zonal office is conducting the searches under section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act,2022, following its investigation based on three FIRs registered in the Maharashtra police. As per the FIRs, the total alleged financial fraud committed is Rs 108.30 crores. "It is alleged that Anand Satish Lokhande and his family members defrauded various innocent investors through entities such as Vidyanand Dairy Pvt Ltd, Vidyanand Agro Feed Pvt Ltd, and others by projecting the business of these entities as highly profitable ventures generating substantial revenues from dairy operations, cattle feed trading, and milk procurement," officials said. Relying on these representations, the officials, privy to the development, said the complainants invested substantial amounts in various schemes related to the aforesaid activities. "It is further alleged that after obtaining these funds, the accused did not utilise the money for the stated business purposes and instead diverted and circuitously routed the amounts through multiple accounts and entities," they added. Meanwhile in Delhi in a separate case, ED has filed a Prosecution Complaint or chargesheet against former Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain and 13 others in a Rs 17.70 crore money laundering case in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the award of four tenders related to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Besides Jain, the then Water Minister of Delhi and Chairman of DJB, the prosecution complaint is filed against the then Delhi Jal Board CEO Udit Prakash Rai, former DJB member Ajay, then Delhi Jal Board Chief Engineer Satish Chandra Vashishth, and other private persons and entities under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. (ANI) The fifth edition of Joint Military exercise "Exercise Harimau Shakti -2025" is being conducted in Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan. The exercise is being conducted from December 5 - 18. As part of the ongoing module, troops were introduced to Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism (CI/CT) concepts, followed by an in-depth lecture-cum-demonstration on patrolling techniques. Mixed teams executed joint patrolling rehearsals to refine coordination, enhance situational responsiveness and improve mission planning under simulated operational conditions. The exercise also featured discussions focused on sharpening decision-making and operational cohesion during dynamic scenarios. Ambush theory sessions and practical demonstrations were conducted to strengthen small-team offensive capabilities, while a structured Command Post Exercise (CPX) reinforced tactical planning and battlefield management skills. Slithering drills, showcasing critical heliborne insertion techniques suited for dense and restrictive terrain, further added to the realism and operational value of the exercise. With progressive modules including ambush manoeuvres, slithering demonstrations, live firing practices and seamless joint patrolling, Harimau Shakti 2025 continues to elevate tactical proficiency, modern warfare adaptability and combined combat readiness. The exercise stands as a testament to the deepening defence cooperation and mutual trust between India and Malaysia. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse the 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. (ANI) Former Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Punjab Director General of Police Dinkar Gupta joined the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar as a Professor of Practice, the institute informed on Wednesday. "Gupta brings to this premier teaching institute his vast expertise in a variety of key areas, including National Security & Defence Policy, Internal Security & Counterterrorism, Intelligence, Investigation of cases involving threats to national security, Infrastructure & Corporate Security, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Security, Public Policy, Strategic Planning & Innovation Governance," according to an official statement from IIT Ropar. IIT Ropar said that his extensive experience is expected to bring a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the institute. "He will help students get exposure to the practical aspects of their academic training. He will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia, government and strategic affairs, thereby empowering the young minds with the skill-based knowledge needed to partner in India's growth and development journey." "Besides mentoring students and researchers on the interface of technology, policy and national security, he will work closely with the faculty on research projects related to internal security, cyber security, AI-driven law enforcement, intelligence fusion and analysis, etc," added IIT Ropar. Gupta's career spans 37 years in the Indian Police Service (1987-2024), followed by a stint as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's counter-terror agency. He has held leadership roles at the national and state levels in national security, central and state intelligence, law enforcement, policing, and counterterrorism. The President of India has awarded him multiple medals for conspicuous gallantry and service. During his tenure, he has been posted as DG, NIA; DGP, Punjab; DG, Intelligence; and Punjab Addl. DGP (Law & Order, Security, etc.), and on central deputation with the Intelligence Bureau. Since retiring from NIA in March 2024, Dinkar Gupta has continued to contribute to public policy, strategic advisory, and governance through senior roles in both the public and private sectors. "These include his current assignments as Senior Advisor, Strategy, Innovation & Public Services, Tata Consultancy Services, and Advisor (Security). He is also guiding corporate policy as an Independent Director in several leading companies," the statement mentioned. Gupta has, over the years, also contributed significantly to academia, teaching, and innovation. He was a Visiting Adjunct Professor at the George Washington University & American University (Washington DC), and has also been associated with Chevening Gurukul Scholar (1999) and the London School of Economics. His notable innovations in policing, training, and investigation in India have made an exceptional difference to the domestic security infrastructure. In contrast, his participation in global security and counterterrorism symposia has given him an extraordinary understanding of the international security landscape. His career record includes training with Scotland Yard, the London Metropolitan Police, and the New York Police Department. He was also selected to represent India at the INTERPOL General Assembly in Vienna and appointed an expert on Indian Criminal Law by the UK Crown Prosecution Service. (ANI) The Ministry of Labour and Employment signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft in the presence of Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya and Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, in New Delhi on Wednesday. This collaboration represents a major step in expanding employment linkages, scaling AI-led skilling, and preparing India's workforce for global opportunities. A central feature of the partnership is Microsoft's commitment to encourage 15,000+ employers and partners from its extensive international network onto the Ministry's National Career Service (NCS) platform. This will significantly broaden formal job access, support high-growth sectors, and enable India to develop a skilled workforce not only for domestic demand but also for the world, strengthening pathways for international mobility of Indian professionals and youth. The MoU will also expand AI-driven skilling initiatives through DigiSaksham, equipping millions of young people with future-ready capabilities in AI, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and productivity tools. These efforts will contribute to building a workforce aligned with global standards and emerging industry needs. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya welcomed the partnership, noting that it reflects a shared ambition to leverage India's favourable demographic dividend and create a globally competitive, digitally skilled, and future-ready workforce. He emphasised that Microsoft's participation will accelerate job access, deepen skilling, and enhance India's leadership in global labour mobility. "India has achieved a historic milestone in social protection, with coverage rising from 19% in 2015 to an impressive 64.3% in 2025, benefiting over 94 crore citizens. By embedding AI into platforms like e-Shram and the National Career Service, we are fortifying social security and moving closer to our goal of social protection to 100 crore citizens by March 2026," Mandaviya further added. During the discussion, Nadella appreciated India's remarkable expansion of social protection coverage, noting that India has now reached 64.3% coverage, benefiting 940 million people. He specifically praised the e-Shram initiative for bringing millions of unorganised workers into the social protection net and strengthening India's ability to design worker-centric policies based on real-time data. Nadella also expressed Microsoft's interest in supporting India's journey toward building an Employment Digital Public Infrastructure (Employment DPI) and expressed Microsoft's willingness to support this journey in the next phase, acknowledging its potential to unlock private innovation and create interoperable solutions for labour markets at scale. Microsoft's strong Azure and AI capabilities align with the Ministry's priorities for strengthening the NCS platform, e-Shram analytics and labour market intelligence, and modernising employment services and job-matching systems. The MoU will help leverage Microsoft's partner ecosystem to widen employer outreach and enhance NCS adoption among industry, training partners, and institutions. (ANI) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called upon the Government of India, the National Medical Commission, and all healthcare institutions to take immediate action to protect both doctors and patients through fair, standardised, and enforceable working-hour regulations, IMA said in a press release. "The Indian Medical Association expressed deep concern over the continued absence of regulated working hours for doctors in India. In aviation, fatigue is formally recognised as a safety hazard, and strict duty-hour regulations exist because a tired pilot is a risk to human life. Yet, in healthcare, where decisions also determine life and death, fatigue is often dismissed as dedication, sacrifice, or professional expectation. This disparity is unacceptable, illogical, and unsafe," the release said. Doctors across the country, particularly residents and junior doctors, are routinely required to work extremely long, round-the-clock, uninterrupted shifts, often lasting 24-48 hours, IMA said in a press release. "Recent events, including the widely discussed case at R.G. Kar Medical College, have highlighted issues of safety, long working hours, and systemic neglect of basic protection mechanisms for medical professionals. The incident triggered national concern and legal scrutiny, serving as a reminder of how vulnerable exhausted doctors can become physically, mentally, and socially when forced to work under unsafe conditions," the IMA said in the release. It further emphasised that in spite of the Supreme Court's recommendations of 16 duty hours, CCTV Cameras, separate rest rooms for lady doctors, etc., nothing has been done so far. "The Indian Medical Association firmly believes that patient safety and doctor safety are interconnected. No healthcare system can function responsibly or ethically when its workforce is exhausted, unsupported, and deprived of humane working conditions. If regulated working hours are mandatory for pilots, to prevent fatigue-related errors, then India must ask: Why should the lives handled by doctors be treated differently?" IMA said in the release. IMA demanded the implementation of nationally enforceable duty-hour limits for all medical trainees and practising doctors, mandatory rest periods between shifts and humane rotational schedules, adequate staffing to prevent dependency on excessive overtime and strong institutional and legal safeguards to ensure workplace safety for healthcare workers. "Doctors are committed to saving lives, but they deserve dignity, rest, and safety while doing so. Fatigue cannot continue to be glorified as sacrifice. It is time to recognise it as a systemic flaw that needs urgent correction. The IMA calls upon the Government of India, the National Medical Commission, and all healthcare institutions to take immediate action to protect both doctors and patients through fair, standardised, and enforceable working-hour regulations," it said in the release. (ANI) BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday criticised the opposition for walking out from the Lok Sabha during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's speech during the discussion on the electoral reforms in the Lower House. Prasad said that the opposition MPs did not walk out on any other issue but when Amit Shah invoked the issue of infiltrators, they got hurt. He said, "There would have been an excellent discussion on SIR, electoral reforms. The opposition did not appeal for the Bihar elections. When Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about infiltrators, they walked out. They did not walk out on any other issue, but as soon as they heard about infiltrators, they ran away. They get hurt whenever there is a mention of infiltrators. But don't worry, necessary action will be taken." Opposition MPs on Wednesday staged a walkout in the Lower House (Lok Sabha) of Parliament amid Union Home Minister Amit Shah's reply to the discussion on electoral reforms. After their walkout, Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a jibe at the opposition, saying that they didn't walk out when he levelled allegations against former Prime Ministers Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, but walked out on the issue of infiltrators. "They can boycott 200 times, not even one infiltrator will be allowed to vote in this country...I was speaking about pushing infiltrators out of the country. I levelled numerous allegations against Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, his father (Rahul Gandhi), and Sonia ji; had they walked out at that time, it would have been logical. They walked out over infiltrators," Shah said. "Our policy is 'detect, delete and deport'. Their policy is 'normalise infiltration, grant them recognition, include them in the vote list during the election and formalise this..." he added. The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 11 am on December 11 (Thursday) after Shah's speech. Earlier in the Lower House, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also sparred over the allegations of 'vote chori' in the Parliament, with the latter challenging Shah to conduct debate on his three press conferences on his claims of 'voter Chori', to which the Home Minister retorted "Parliament won't function as per his wish." The heated exchange between the duo occurred when Rahul Gandhi interjected HM Shah while he was addressing the Lok Sabha on the discussion on electoral reforms. Slamming the opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, Shah stated that he has answers to all their allegations, including those raised by Gandhi in his three press conferences. (ANI) New Offering Delivers Income and Employment Insights from The Work Number ATLANTA, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax (NYSE: EFX) today announced the launch of Income Qualify, a new product that delivers income and employment insights from The Work Number to mortgage lenders during the prequalification and pre-approval phase as a value add alongside the Equifax consumer credit file. Currently lenders are limited in their ability to confidently make prequalification offers. Income Qualify provides verified income and employment data earlier in the process, empowering mortgage lenders to conduct an initial assessment faster and with less burden on the borrower. This helps reduce risk in the lending process and supports affordability in the home buying process. "Mortgage lenders are facing increased competition for qualified buyers. 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With this information available before origination, Income Qualify can help lenders assess borrowers earlier in the loan process. Additionally, it can help lenders manage costs by making more informed purchases of The Work Number at origination. Equifax is focused on developing innovative solutions that can help lenders reduce the cost of home ownership and help consumers build generational wealth, while providing deeper insights alongside its credit reporting products. As part of this effort, the organization also announced in October that it would offer VantageScore 4.0 mortgage credit scores at an over 50% reduction from FICO 2026 prices, committed to holding the $4.50 VantageScore score pricing for two years, and are offering free VantageScore credit scores with each FICO Score purchased from Equifax to help with conversion. For more information about Income Qualify, please view the product sheet . ABOUT EQUIFAX INC. At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by nearly 15,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit www.equifax.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dan Jenkins for Equifax Workforce Solutions [email protected] SOURCE Equifax Inc. Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba on Wednesday participated in the Lok Sabha debate on electoral reforms and stressed the need for utmost caution when rolling out the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in states with smaller populations, such as Sikkim. Citing the region's limited voter base, he warned that even minor fluctuations in voter numbers could significantly impact election outcomes. Subba said every step, from registration to verification, must be executed with precision, transparency, and sensitivity to local realities. He also underscored the need to factor in geographical diversity while shaping electoral reforms and determining Lok Sabha representation, noting that remote and hilly regions face unique structural and demographic challenges. "Embracing SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is important for strengthening electoral systems; its implementation must be carried out with utmost caution in States like Sikkim, where the voter base is comparatively small," the MP said, according to an official statement from his office. "Even minor changes in voter numbers can significantly influence electoral outcomes, and therefore, every step--from registration to verification--must be handled with precision, accountability, and sensitivity to local contexts," Subba said. He further highlighted that geographical diversity must be taken into account not only while making electoral reforms but also while considering representation in the Lok Sabha, "As remote, hilly, and sparsely populated regions face unique structural and demographic challenges," Subba said. He reiterated that electoral reforms should aim to enhance public trust and participation while safeguarding the distinct realities of smaller states. Earlier today, while Lok Sabha discussed electoral reforms, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sparred over the allegations of 'vote chori' in the Parliament, with the latter challenging Shah to conduct debate on his three press conferences pertaining to his claims of 'voter Chori', to which the Home Minister retorted "Parliament won't function as per his wish." The heated exchange between the duo occurred when Rahul Gandhi interjected HM Shah while he was addressing the Lok Sabha on the discussion on electoral reforms. Slamming the opposition over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Shah stated that he has answers for all their allegations, including Gandhi's three press conferences. "In his press conference, the LoP levelled allegations that the voter list is not corrected and needs to be rectified. So, what is SIR? It is the procedure to sanitise the voter list. He is opposing even when we are undertaking the process. Your defeat is certain; voter list doesn't have to do anything with it. He said that the BJP never has to face anti-incumbency. Anti-incumbency is only against those who work against the public interest. It is true that the BJP had to face anti-incumbency very rarely," Shah said. Interrupting the Home Minister, Rahul Gandhi challenged him to a debate on his three press conferences regarding the allegations of 'vote chori'. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP TR Baalu on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction over the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's reponse on the electoral reforms in the Lok Sabha, saying that the latter "should not start a quarrel". TR Baalu noted that Amit Shah did not answer about the "vote theft" allegations against the Centre during the Bihar Assembly elections "He has not answered about Bihar. How many people descended to Bihar from other countries, he has not responded to that. It is for the Home Minister to reply; he should not start a quarrel," he said. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi sparred over the allegations of 'vote chori' in the Parliament, with the latter challenging Shah to conduct a debate on his three press conferences pertaining to his claims of 'voter Chori', to which the Home Minister retorted, "Parliament won't function as per his wish." The heated exchange between the duo occurred when Rahul Gandhi interjected HM Shah while he was addressing the Lok Sabha on the discussion on electoral reforms. Slamming the opposition over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Shah stated that he has answers for all their allegations, including Gandhi's three press conferences. "In his press conference, the LoP levelled allegations that the voter list is not corrected and needs to be rectified. So, what is SIR? It is the procedure to sanitise the voter list. He is opposing even when we are undertaking the process...Your defeat is certain; voter list doesn't have to do anything with it. He said that the BJP never has to face anti-incumbency. Anti-incumbency is only against those who work against the public interest. It is true that the BJP had to face anti-incumbency very rarely...But it is not as if we have never lost any election after 2014...Double standards won't work in a democracy. When you win, EC is great. When you lose, EC is useless and works at BJP's behest. I have answers for various of their allegations, the three press conferences also," Shah said during the discussion. Interrupting the Home Minister, Rahul Gandhi challenged him to a debate on his three press conferences regarding the allegations of 'vote chori'. Responding to the LoP's remarks, Shah said the former would not decide the order of his speech and should remain patient. "The Leader of Opposition (LoP) asked for answers to his questions. 'You can't run the parliament with your obstinacy. I will decide the order of my speech. The parliament won't function like this. He should be patient. I will answer each and every point," he asserted. Rahul Gandhi has held at least three major press conferences since August 2025, where he alleged widespread "voter fraud and manipulation by the Election Commission (EC) in collusion with the ruling BJP." The conferences focused on alleged systematic voter deletion and duplicate entries in Karnataka and Haryana electoral rolls. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by it to probe higher payment of compensation to farmers for their land allegedly in connivance and collusion of officials from NOIDA must also investigate the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and others for the past 10-15 years. A bench of the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant and Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and N. Kotiswar Singh granted the SIT two more months to complete the investigation. The apex court said that farmers who have been given higher payments will not be penalised, and no coercive action will be taken against them. The bench said it had already clarified in its earlier orders that the probe is not to harass farmers but to investigate officials' connivance and collusion in making higher payments. The top court also took on record the SIT's status report, in which three months have been sought to complete the investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for NOIDA, said he intended to file an affidavit to present the authority's view on the matter. The top court had, on August 13, constituted an SIT of the Uttar Pradesh Police to conduct a preliminary enquiry into alleged collusion between NOIDA officials and builders over inflated land acquisition compensation for farmers. The apex court had also ordered a stay on project development in NOIDA until a prior Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the court's green bench approved the report. It had directed that the DGP of Uttar Pradesh shall constitute an SIT comprising three IPS officers to investigate the issues identified by the previous SIT. The new SIT shall immediately register preliminary enquiries and proceed to inquire into the points highlighted by the previous SIT, forensic experts, and the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) of the state police, the bench had ordered. If the SIT, after preliminary enquiry, finds that a prima facie cognisable offence was committed, it shall register the case and proceed further in accordance with law, said the apex court, also asking for a filing status report of the SIT. A copy of the SIT report shall be placed before the UP Chief Secretary, who, in turn, shall present it to the Council of Ministers for an appropriate decision, as stated in the order. It further stated that the Chief Secretary should also post the Chief Vigilance Officer in NOIDA, who should either be from the IPS cadre or on deputation from the CAG. The bench was hearing a case in which it had ordered an SIT probe while dealing with the anticipatory bail plea of a NOIDA law officer, following allegations that higher compensation was awarded to some landowners, even though they were not entitled. The SIT report has indicated that exorbitant compensation was paid to landowners in 20 cases and named erring officials of NOIDA. It also suggested examining the bank account details of officers, their family members, and landowners, as well as assets acquired by officers during the relevant period. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on the bail pleas filed by seven accused in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots, including Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, in the larger conspiracy case filed by Delhi police under the UAPA - Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. A bench of Justices Arvind Kumar and NV Anjaria asked both parties - the counsels representing the petitioners and the counsels representing the Delhi police - to file a convenience compilation which will include all the material presented in Court during the hearings, by December 18. During the hearing today, the Delhi police concluded its arguments challenging the bail pleas of all seven accused. The Delhi Police counter arguments came in response to the submissions made on behalf of all seven accused persons during earlier hearings in the top court. The decision in the matter has been reserved by the top court and is likely to be pronounced post December 18. On November 21, Delhi police had informed the Supreme Court that the trial of several accused persons in the 2020 Delhi riots case is likely to be concluded within two years. The Delhi police's clarification came during its arguments opposing the bail pleas of Khalid, Imam and five others accused in the 2020 Delhi riots case. After hearing part submissions made by the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) SV Raju, the bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria had posted the matter to be heard on November 24. ASG Raju stated that the initial chargesheet against the accused persons was filed on September 16, 2020, and a supplementary chargesheet was filed on November 22, 2020. The ASG also submitted that as per Section 16(1)(a) of the UAPA, whoever commits a terrorist act is liable to be punished, and the provisions provides for a minimum sentence of five years that could be extended for life. (ANI) As Assam observed Martyrs' Day on Wednesday, the family of Majuli's only member who laid down his life in the 1983 Assam Movement, Dandiram Bharali, has appealed to the government for proper road connectivity and basic transport facilities. Despite being one of the 855 deceased activists who laid down their lives during the historic movement, his family continues to live in difficult conditions due to the absence of a motorable road to their residence. The old house of martyr Bharali can only be reached through muddy, waterlogged paths in the middle of paddy fields. Except for the 108 ambulance service, even two-wheelers cannot access the area, severely affecting the family's daily life. A school-going child from the household often misses classes and examinations due to the deplorable road conditions. Speaking to ANI, Nagen Chandra Bharali, the late activist's brother, said, "Dandiram Bharali was the only martyr from Majuli during the 1983 Assam Movement. We don't need a gate in his name like other martyr families have--we just need a proper road. Our children are deprived of education, and even ambulances cannot reach us. Despite repeated appeals, we have received no support. People remember us only on Martyrs' Day, but our struggles continue throughout the year." Julie Bharali, another family member, said to ANI, "You have seen our old house and how we live. We have no proper road, no ambulance service. We request the government to improve transportation and communication facilities for us." Local youth Pranabjyoti Barik told ANI, "Since there is no road to the martyr's residence, the family cannot even attend felicitation programmes organised by the district administration on Martyrs' Day. Even the family's students face immense difficulty attending school. Authorities must not remember them only for a day; we urge the administration to ensure proper connectivity." Despite multiple governments in power over the decades, the family's plea for a proper road remains unaddressed. On Martyrs' Day, the family has once again renewed its appeal to the government for immediate intervention to ease their long-standing hardships. Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday urged people "not to employ or sell land" to any "unknown people" in the state during the inuaguration of Swahid Smarak in Boragaon, Guwahati, on the occasion of the Martyrs' Day of the Assam Movement. Assam CM dedicated the Swahid Smarak to the "martyrs" who stood up against the infiltrators who entered Assam from Bangladesh in 1979. "We laid the foundation stone of Jatiya Swahid Smarak on 10 December 2019. Sarbananda Sonowal was the Chief Minister at that time. Today, we have dedicated a beautiful Swahid Smarak in memory of the martyrs of the Assam Movement," he said. "December 10 is a holy day for us, a day to take a new resolution. I urge the people of Assam and the country not to sell your land to unknown people. Don't give jobs to unknown people in your industries, business establishments and don't bring unknown people to cultivate in your lands," Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Assam CM further informed about the construction of an auditorium at the time and outlined a plan for a digital library. "An auditorium with a capacity of 500 seats is being constructed here. I have a dream to construct a digital library of the Assam Movement and Assamese History where we can see the 5000-year-old history of our community," he said. According to the Chief Minister, the Swahid Smarak and Swahid Stamba were built for Rs 170 crore over more than 150 bighas of land at Pachim Boragaon. (ANI) Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, on Wednesday held an intensive strategy dialogue with Members of Parliament (MPs) from Gujarat on advancing the national mission for a 'TB-Mukt Bharat'. The interaction, organised under the "Parliamentarians Championing a TB Mukt Bharat" initiative, took place at Garvi Gujarat Bhawan on the sidelines of the Winter Session of Parliament, according to an official release from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Today's session witnessed the presence of Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Bambhaniya, along with MPs from both Houses, representing Gujarat. Addressing the parliamentarians, Nadda highlighted India's remarkable progress in the fight against tuberculosis under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that the country has achieved an approximate 21% reduction in TB incidence between 2015 and 2024, along with a treatment success rate of nearly 90%, surpassing global averages as reflected in recent WHO assessments. The Union Minister underscored that Gujarat, owing to its strong health systems, rapid adoption of innovations, and robust programme ownership, holds the potential to emerge as a leading State in implementing the next-generation TB elimination strategies. Calling upon MPs to anchor constituency-level interventions, Nadda outlined a set of specific parliamentary stewardship actions. These included: regular constituency scorecard reviews of TB indicators, convergence with State departments to strengthen implementation, institutionalisation of TB reviews through District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meetings and time-bound resolution of on-ground implementation bottlenecks. Nadda urged the MPs to integrate TB awareness with ongoing Jan Sampark initiatives, local media outreach, and public events to counter stigma and motivate people to seek early testing and treatment. The Minister further encouraged the organisation of constituency-level Ni-kshay Shivirs and expansion of the Ni-kshay Mitra network to ensure sustained community support, including nutrition, counselling, and welfare-linkage for individuals undergoing TB treatment. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava briefed MPs on emerging policy directions such as community-centred screening, enhanced tech-enabled surveillance, and the critical importance of nutritional support. Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Aradhana Patnaik, presented progress updates under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and highlighted the pivotal role of strengthened parliamentary engagement in accelerating the State's contribution to a TB-free India. Gujarat's MPs expressed their commitment to advancing constituency-driven TB elimination efforts and reaffirmed their support for a coordinated, outcome-focused, and community-centred approach towards achieving a TB-Mukt Bharat. (ANI) The accused, identified as Rahul Sharma (40), was arrested by a joint team of DCC and PS-26 officials under the supervision of the SSP, UT Chandigarh. Rahul Sharma played an essential role in providing logistical support for the commission of the crime, police said. The accused was produced before the court, where four days of police remand were granted. Inderpreet Singh Perri was shot dead in Chandigarh's Sector 26 Timber Meket on December 1, triggering a high-level police investigation. According to the police, 10 rounds were fired in total during the attack, with the victim sustaining seven bullet injuries. The case was registered under Sections 103, 3(5) of the BNS 2023, with additional charges under Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act and Section 341(2) of the BNS 2023 at Police Station 26, UT Chandigarh. Further investigation is currently underway. (ANI) Former Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister and Guntur YSRCP District President Ambati Rambabu condemned Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, stating that Pawan's only guiding principle today is 'blindly obeying' Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday. Addressing the media at his Guntur camp office, Ambati said Pawan Kalyan has "switched off his brain" for Chandrababu's benefit and attacks YS Jagan Mohan Reddy only when Naidu instructs him. He criticised Pawan for becoming politically immature, 'even more immature than Lokesh', and falling into severe political bankruptcy, where he cannot question Chandrababu's misdeeds because he is busy taking favours from him. Ambati said, "For 18 months, the coalition government has pursued only one agenda, which is hounding YS Jagan and suppressing the YSRCP's movement against the privatisation of government medical colleges. Instead of addressing people's issues and election promises, the TDP-JSP-BJP coalition is engaging in diversionary politics through coordinated media attacks. Unable to digest the massive public support Jagan continues to receive, even during court appearances, the coalition resorts to character assassination and malicious propaganda, even dragging temples into politics." Ambati said every attempt to weaken YS Jagan's image has only backfired. He slammed Pawan Kalyan for abandoning the people who voted for him and for reducing his own party to a mere appendage of Chandrababu. He said, "While Jagan raised key public issues in his detailed press meet, coalition leaders, including Pawan, focused only on twisting the Parakamani case into propaganda." Ambati reminded Pawan that YS Jagan had built and inaugurated the highly secure Parakamani building, and that comparing a Rs. 70,000 theft to the Rs. 14 crore worth of assets safeguarded was shameful. Pawan's contradictory statements on faith and ideology, Ambati said, have left the public questioning what religion, principles, or beliefs he truly follows. In each election, Pawan changes his stand only to serve Chandrababu, ultimately reducing himself to a political puppet. Ambati questioned why Pawan never speaks about real temple-related scandals under Chandrababu: the 2003 demolition of the thousand-pillar mandapam at Tirumala, the destruction of over 40 temples in Vijayawada, the deaths of 29 pilgrims in the Godavari Pushkar stampede, attempts to sell 50 TTD properties, the Simhachalam hundi theft, the Ahobilam hundi case, the Ramatheertham idol desecration and Chandrababu giving 5 lakh to the accused, or the silk vastrams scam in TTD. Pawan, he said, remains silent because he is dependent on Chandrababu. But when it comes to blaming YS Jagan, he wastes no time and repeats whatever Naidu tells him. Ambati emphasised that " Under YS Jagan's rule, hundreds of temples were renovated, reconstructed and revived, and Hindu dharma flourished with dignity. Unlike Pawan, who changes his religious and political stance for convenience, YS Jagan has always upheld integrity in thought, word, and action." Ambati concluded that no amount of mudslinging by Chandrababu or Pawan can diminish YS Jagan's character or the trust people have in him. (ANI) Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended the closing ceremony of the 4th National Barpeta Book and Science Fair held at the Municipal playground in Barpeta town on Wednesday. Upon reaching the fair venue, Governor Acharya paid rich tributes to Barpeta's cultural and historical legacy, recalling the sacrifice of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the Assam Movement, on the occasion of Martyr's Day today. On the occasion, he paid his rich homage to the martyrs of the Assam Movement. He observed that Barpeta has long stood as a fulcrum of Assam's socio-cultural, literary and intellectual evolution. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Governor highlighted Barpeta's enduring role in nurturing Assamese culture, literature, art and socio-intellectual development. He commended the Barpeta Book Fair Committee for successfully organising the fair for four consecutive years, calling it a noteworthy initiative to preserve Assam's literary and cultural consciousness. Quoting the Sanskrit verse, "There is no friend like knowledge, no wealth like knowledge, and no joy greater than knowledge," the Governor emphasised India's age-old tradition of valuing learning. He recalled Barpeta's deep literary legacy, enriched by towering figures such as Srimanta Sankardeva, Shri Shri Madhavdeva, Mathura Das Burha Ata, Dr Banikanta Kakati, Ambikagiri Raychoudhury, Chandraprabha Saikiani and many other renowned personalities in literature, science and social reform. Governor Acharya praised the book fair for its special activities for children, science exhibitions and creative programmes, stating that fostering a love for books among children builds character, sensitivity and a strong foundation for the nation's future. Citing Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the Governor remarked that "books build bridges between cultures" and stated that literature and knowledge unite humanity beyond language and geography. He further noted that India's knowledge heritage, shaped by ancient universities like Takshashila and Nalanda, is being revitalised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Governor also highlighted initiatives in Assam under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, including the development of Bordowa Than, global recognition of the Charaideo Maidams, inauguration of Swahid Smarak Kshetra and the conferment of Classical Language status to Assamese. The Governor, on the occasion, urged the people to contribute wholeheartedly toward India's goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047. He expressed hope that Assam and its people continue progressing on the path of unity, peace, development and prosperity. The programme was attended by Minister Panchayat and Rural Development, who is also the Chairman of the Granthamela Committee Ranjeet Kumar Dass, District Commissioner Barpeta Rohan Kumar Jha, Scientist, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat Dr Bipul Das, Executive Director, Bongaigaon Refinery Nayan Kumar Baruah along with a host of other dignitaries. (ANI) Tripura is currently celebrating major milestones of the NIPUN Bharat and NIPUN Tripura Missions through a series of awareness programmes and innovative outreach activities. Officials from the Directorate of Elementary Education, including Director of Elementary Education Rajib Dutta and State NIPUN Nodal Officer Abhijit Samajpati, are visiting remote island hamlets where boats are the only mode of transport. They are conducting special boat rallies to sensitise parents and community members on the importance of foundational learning under NIPUN. The state is observing the 3rd anniversary of the NIPUN Tripura Mission by continuing a 3+ month Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiative to improve reading comprehension, writing skills, oral language development, and hygiene practices among early-grade students. Across Tripura, inspecting officers are conducting more than 7,500 school inspections, while teachers are using TLMs, puppets, workbooks, and activity-based materials to make classrooms more joyful and interactive. Students' progress is monitored through ongoing informal assessments, and DEOs, OSDs, ISs, and other inspecting officers conduct spot evaluations. Language and mathematics teachers from nearby schools are providing additional academic support. Sharing the experience of the programme, School Student Ridhima Chakraborty, said, "My name is Ridhima Chakraborty. I study in Class Two. I really enjoy coming to school. I feel very good in the NIPUN class, and I am able to learn many things in a very nice way. I enjoy attending the NIPUN class a lot." Principal of Umakanta School, Dulal CH DebNath, said, "Keeping in view the 4th anniversary of NIPUN Bharat, NIPUN Tripura has undertaken various programs over the last three months. Our school has also participated in different activities, including rallies, to enhance awareness among parents, students, and other stakeholders. We have organised Parents-Teachers Meetings, drama programs, and other initiatives to promote activity-based teaching and learning in the classroom." He further said, "I believe that these three months of programs have significantly improved learning outcomes and helped us move closer to achieving the objectives of NIPUN Bharat and NIPUN Tripura. According to our assessment, more than 30% of the students who were previously below the expected level have now achieved the required competencies due to the initiatives taken in the last three months. This has been very helpful for the school. The District NIPUN Tripura team has supported us greatly. The VCR also visited our school and advised us to take further initiatives accordingly. Overall, our school has shown remarkable improvement during these three months." Principal of Shishu Bihar HS Eng Med School, Anumaya Rana, highlighted the achievements of the NIPUN initiative, observing its four-year milestone at the state level and three years within Tripura, said, "Our State Department of Education is completing four years of the NIPUN initiative, and NIPUN Tripura is completing three years. To mark this, various programs are being organised in our school. With this in view, we are conducting different activities. A Parents-Teachers' Meeting is being held, and many rallies are being organised. Through these, we are able to understand how strong the children's foundation has become. The government's NIPUN initiative is a very significant effort. From time to time, officials visit our school to observe the progress and development of our students." She added, "Our children have participated in rallies and taken part in various activities by wearing costumes representing different letters of the alphabet. In our school, children are performing actions like rhymes, storytelling, and other educational activities. Based on their learning, we can see that students in Class 1 and Class 2 participated in a reading competition and were rewarded with various prizes for their performance." Community involvement is growing, with 4,107 awareness rallies and 2,768 street plays in Bengali and Kokborok being organised, featuring active participation from students, teachers, and parents. Parent-Teacher Meetings are being held in all 4,209 schools to explain NIPUN Lakshyas and the parents' role in improving foundational learning. The Ministry of Education, Government of India, appreciates Tripura for undertaking one of the country's largest FLN drives, noting that Tripura is the only state implementing such an intensive 3-month initiative. During this period, 33 per cent of FLN-grade students are moving from beginner to NIPUN level. The West Tripura District Education Office is currently organising NIPUN Fest to showcase the mission's innovations and achievements, while the other seven districts have already completed similar celebrations. In view of the programme's success, the state is continuing classroom practices and frequent inspections until 31 December 2025. (ANI) PORVOO, Finland, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SEATOM (seatomtech.com) today announced its selection in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) 2026 Challenge Programme Cohort. SEATOM's solution, an affordable modular micro nuclear reactor system for marine and extreme environments, was chosen under NATO DIANA's Operations in Extreme Environments Challenge program, reflecting the company's commitment to developing dual-use technologies for critical defence and security challenges especially in harsh environments like the Arctic. SEATOM Technologies is building nuclear propulsion systems for dual-use and the maritime industry. Over the next six months, SEATOM will participate in DIANA's Core Programme, working with the DualTech Accelerator in Turin, Italy and engaging with DIANA's extensive network of experts, mentors, and test centres across the Alliance. The programme provides access to world-class testing infrastructure, defence market expertise, and direct engagement with NATO end-users. "This is the right time for nuclear, as national and international regulations are being reformed and public perception now favors maritime nuclear more than any other viable option out there", said Roope Marttila, cofounder & co-CEO As part of the programme, SEATOM will receive an initial 100,000 in contractual funding, with potential access to additional funding for testing, evaluation, validation and verification (TEVV) activities. The company will also have opportunities to participate in operational experiments and exercises alongside Allied forces. The DIANA Challenge Programme serves as a pathway for emerging technology innovators enter the defence and security sector across NATO's 32 member nations. Through the programme, SEATOM will deepen its technological readiness and strengthen its defence and dual-use offering. SEATOM joins a cohort of innovative companies working on cutting-edge solutions in areas critical to Western defence and security. The programme kicks off on January 19, 2026, with an International Demo Day in Paris in June 2026. For more information about the 2026 NATO DIANA cohort, visit: https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2026-cohort-of-companies.html About SEATOM SEATOM is a Finland-headquartered startup building civilian / dual-use nuclear propulsion systems for the maritime industry. Media Contact: Apoorva Prasad, SEATOM Advisor & Communications Director. Email: [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842550/SEATOM_Technologies.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2842500/Seatom_Logo.jpg SOURCE SEATOM Technologies Oy Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday accused the Opposition parties of "appeasement" politics, criticising their move to impeach Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madras High Court's Madurai Bench. Amit Shah, who made the remarks during the reply to the debate in Lok Sabha on electoral reforms, said that this has never happened in all the years after independence that a judge is facing impeachment for a judgment. "This has never happened in all the years after independence that a judge is facing impeachment for delivering a judgment. They brought the impeachment to appease thier vote bank," he said. He expressed surprise that Shiv Sena (UBT) had also signed the petition. The Home Minister said the judgment is that there's a custom to light a lamp at the hilltop. Over 100 INDIA bloc MPs from the Lok Sabha submitted a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding an impeachment motion against Justice Swaminathan, who ordered Subramaniya Swamy temple authorities to light a traditional lamp at a stone pillar near a dargah, atop a hillock in Tamil Nadu. Justice Swaminathan's move drew criticism from the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, which accused the judge of being "biased." Earlier, DMK MP Kanomozhi justified the INDIA bloc's move to impeach Madras High Court Judge alleging "biased judgements on lines of religion" and "partiality towards certain lawyers." "We've seen that his judgments have been biased on the lines of religion and creating differences in people and also been partial towards certain lawyers. It's a secular country, and the constitution says that everybody is equal, whatever religion they belong to; they are equal before the law. I think the judicial system, the judiciary too, has to ensure that the people get justice, and there's no difference in that," the DMK leader told ANI. An unrest broke out during the Hindu festival of Karthigai Deepam last week, when activists from right-wing groups clashed with police. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had earlier directed that the lamp be lit at the hilltop temple. Acting on a petition filed by a right-wing activist, Justice GR Swaminathan had instructed state authorities to ensure that the sacred lamp was lit atop the hill. However, government officials maintained that this violated the longstanding practice of lighting the lamp at the nearby Deepa Mandapam, a ritual observed for several years. (ANI) The Bharatiya Janata Party on Wednesday welcomed the renaming of the official residence and workplace of the Governor of Himachal Pradesh to Lok Bhavan, replacing the colonial-era title Raj Bhavan. A formal notification to this effect was issued by the Governor's Secretariat in Shimla on December 9, following a communication from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Welcoming the renaming decision, Himachal Pradesh BJP spokesperson and Nachan MLA Vinod Kumar said the move embodies the central government's commitment to democratic values. "Narendra Modi has renamed the Raj Bhavan as Lok Bhavan. I believe not only in Himachal Pradesh but across the country, Raj Bhavans should be renamed to Lok Bhavans," he said. He further added that the decision reflects the Prime Minister's mission of 'governance for all'. "This decision strengthens the idea that governance belongs to the people. The name Lok Bhavan clearly indicates that it is the centre of people's power, not of the 'Raj'. It symbolises service to the citizens," he said. Kumar also highlighted other renaming decisions by the Prime Minister. "PM Modi has changed the name of the Prime Minister's Office to 'Seva Teerth'. The President's retreat in Shimla, earlier known as 'The Retreat', has also been renamed as 'Rashtrapati Nivas'," he added. Emphasising national pride, Kumar termed the renaming as a step toward cultural and constitutional empowerment. "This is a historic step that strengthens democratic values and reduces the distance between constitutional institutions and the common people. It enhances national self-respect and Swabhiman and projects India's identity strongly at the global stage," he said. Calling it a reflection of the Prime Minister's "nation first" vision, the BJP spokesperson reiterated, "Every institution must represent national service and welfare. The people of Himachal Pradesh and the Devbhoomi support this decision wholeheartedly, and we welcome it strongly." The renaming initiative is part of a nationwide proposal to change the names of all Raj Bhavans in the country to Lok Bhavans a recommendation that emerged during the National Conference of Governors. The intent behind the move is to replace colonial terminology and reinforce the ideals of democratic governance and public participation. According to an official circular issued by the Central government, "It is hereby notified that the name of 'Raj Bhavan' in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is hereby modified to 'Lok Bhavan'. This notification comes into force with immediate effect." (ANI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's call for a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, addressing the issue during his remarks at Tel Aviv University's Cyber Week 2025 conference. Bar had argued that only a full state commission could thoroughly investigate the intelligence and security lapses that enabled the Hamas-led attack, warning that avoiding such an inquiry would leave Israel exposed to "another catastrophe" in the future. His remarks set the stage for Netanyahu's response, which reflected ongoing debates over how the country should examine the events of that day. Netanyahu reiterated his long-standing position that a traditional state inquiry would not yield conclusions accepted by the broader public. He countered Bar's call by insisting that a government-backed national review offered a more credible and broadly supported path forward. "There was a failure here, a huge failure," Netanyahu told the conference. "This failure must be thoroughly examined; it must examine the political echelon, the military echelon, the security echelon, everyone." He stressed that such a wide-ranging examination would only be possible under the framework his government had endorsed. "And this is only possible if we do it as a broad national review," he asserted, framing the chosen mechanism as the most practical and unifying approach. Although described as "independent", the proposed review will have its mandate defined by cabinet ministers, who have said they will seek "as broad public approval as possible" when shaping the panel. This positioning underscores the government's argument that its model will enjoy wider legitimacy than a traditional commission. To strengthen his case, Netanyahu referenced the bipartisan commission established in the United States after the September 11, 2001, attacks. He said the model ensured that "nobody had any advantage, anyone could put forward any question." He added, "This is what will happen here, too. Everyone will come and everyone will be questioned, and only then will we reach the truth." Netanyahu's stance comes after years of resisting a state commission of inquiry into October 7. He initially argued that such a process could not take place during wartime and later expressed distrust in the High Court president's ability to appoint an impartial figure to lead the probe. Netanyahu and his government have also maintained that any findings issued by a state commission would not be accepted by a significant portion of the public. (ANI) Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud held a phone call with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss ongoing regional and international developments, according to a statement posted on X by the Saudi Foreign Ministry. The ministry noted that Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Rubio exchanged views on emerging geopolitical issues and the joint efforts being undertaken by both countries. The post stated that the leaders "discussed the latest regional and international developments and the efforts being addressed in this regard." https://x.com/KSAmofaEN/status/1998484812886409306?s=20 The phone call came amid a broader phase of intensified US-Saudi engagement, marked most prominently by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first visit to the United States in seven years. His 18 November meeting with US President Donald Trump set the tone for renewed cooperation, producing a series of announcements with potential implications for regional security and bilateral ties. The crown prince received one of the most elaborate welcomes accorded to a foreign leader this year, including an Army mounted honour guard, a flyover by six planes and cannon salutes on the White House South Lawn. Trump escorted him along the newly established "Presidential Walk of Fame" before they entered the Oval Office for discussions. During the meeting, Trump praised the Saudi leader, telling reporters, "We have an extremely respected man in the Oval Office today, and a friend of mine for a long time." Inside the Oval Office, the crown prince signalled Saudi Arabia's willingness to join the Abraham Accords, while stressing that doing so would depend on meaningful progress toward Palestinian statehood. "We want to be part of the accord, but we also want to be sure that we secure a clear path of a two-state solution," he said. "We want them to coexist peacefully in the region, and we will do our best to reach a deal." The talks also saw Trump announce plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, ending Israel's long-standing exclusivity in the region. The move could shift military dynamics in the Middle East, though the US reiterated its commitment to Israel's qualitative military edge. Alongside defence cooperation, the crown prince unveiled plans to scale up Saudi investment in the US from USD 600 billion to nearly USD 1 trillion. The investments will target sectors such as artificial intelligence, data centres, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. "Today and tomorrow, we are going to announce that we are going to increase that $600bn to almost $1tn of investment," he said. At a black-tie state dinner hosted by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, high-profile guests including Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Cristiano Ronaldo attended. Senior US officials, among them Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were also present. Trump further announced that the US would designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a status that enables closer military cooperation and expanded access to American defence equipment. "A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries, and it will serve the highest interests of peace," he said. The sequence of developments--from the diplomatic phone call to the high-level Washington visit--signals a deepening alignment between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with economic, defence and geopolitical cooperation taking centre stage. (ANI) The Ministry of Defence said the talks centred on expanding military-to-military exchanges and joint training, strengthening maritime security cooperation with a focus on sea lane safety and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and identifying opportunities for industry partnerships and technology cooperation. The discussions laid the foundation for a more structured defence partnership. The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Poh Kui Choon, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Brunei's Ministry of Defence. Before the deliberations began, both sides signed the Terms of Reference (ToR), formally establishing the JWG on Defence Cooperation. According to the Ministry, the signing of the ToR marks the start of a coordinated and institutionalised phase of defence engagement. The JWG will function as the official platform to assess ongoing initiatives and identify new areas of collaboration. Both delegations noted the increasing momentum in defence cooperation and agreed to pursue a structured roadmap under the JWG mechanism. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. During her two-day visit, Choon also met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, adding a diplomatic dimension to the technical discussions held under the JWG. She later visited the newly inaugurated DPSU Bhawan, a central facility showcasing the capabilities of all 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings and aimed at strengthening collaboration and innovation in India's defence manufacturing ecosystem. (ANI) US President Donald Trump began his address on affordability on Tuesday by underscoring his tariff strategy, arguing that it has delivered significant economic benefits to Pennsylvania, where he spoke at the Mount Airy Casino Resort. Trump highlighted the scale of revenue he believes tariffs have generated, saying, "We've taken in hundreds of billions of dollars, really trillions." He further claimed that the policy had encouraged major investment across several states, adding, "If you add to that all of the companies that are pouring their money into building plants in Pennsylvania and many other states. Auto plants, AI plants, plants of every type, which we would have never had if we didn't put the tariffs on." Maintaining an upbeat tone on the economy, he told the audience, "You're going to see what happens over the next two years. It's like a miracle is taking place." His remarks came as the Supreme Court has yet to rule on his broader use of tariff authority, a power typically reserved for emergencies. Trump opened with a political aside, asserting he had won Pennsylvania "three times in a row, as you know." While Biden secured the state in 2020, Trump won it in 2016 and again in 2024. Emphasising Pennsylvania's role in his most recent victory, he described it as "the most important election victory, possibly in the history of our country." His return to the state comes as concerns over the rising cost of living dominate the national discussion. Tuesday's appearance marked the first in a series of domestic trips organised by the White House to place Trump at the forefront of economic messaging ahead of next year's midterm elections. Mount Pocono, where he delivered his remarks, is located in a closely contested swing district in eastern Pennsylvania. "Affordability" has become a key theme for leaders across the political spectrum, with both parties attempting to shape the narrative as Americans continue to face financial pressures. For Trump, who campaigned on promises of renewed economic prosperity, the speech serves as an early test of his ability to address voter concerns as Republicans prepare to defend their House and Senate majorities. The White House billed the address as a major economic speech delivered in a critical battleground state, where Trump aims to consolidate support ahead of the midterms. (ANI) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday that the social media ban for children under the age of 16 is now in place in Australia, making it the first country in the world to "give it a crack". Highlighting the challenges faced by both parents and children from the impact of social media, Albanese said it was a step towards peace of mind for parents and children, allowing them to experience childhood. In a message, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said, "Across Australia, those under 16 are starting their day a little differently- without social media. It's a big change and we're the first country in the world to give it a crack. But it really matters." "Algorithms, endless feeds, and pressures no generation before has had to deal with. Today's change is about supporting you to keep your children safe online. Putting the responsibility right where it belongs- on the social media giants, not on parents", he said. "By banning social media for those under 16, we're giving children a childhood and parents more peace of mind", the Australian PM added. https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1998500896859443506?s=20 In another video message, he said, "This is the day when Australian families are taking back power from these big tech companies and they are asserting the right of kids to be kids and for parents to have greater peace of mind." https://x.com/AlboMP/status/1998501026048229751?s=20 According to UNICEF Australia, as of December 10, "anyone under 16 in Australia won't be able to keep or make accounts on social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and more." While the rule does not punish young people or their families, it places the onus on social media companies to prevent under-16s from creating accounts or risk serious fines (up to about $50 million). The decision follows after the Australian Government passed a new law called the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2024 on November 28 last year. The law introduces a mandatory minimum age of 16 for accounts on certain social media platforms and parents cannot give their consent to let under-16s use these platforms. Citing the government, UNICEF Australia highlighted that the social media ban is needed to protect the mental health and well-being of Australian children and teens from the risks posed by social media, such as cyberbullying, harmful content, and online predators, which outweigh the positives. UNICEF Australia further noted that applications such as Messenger Kids, WhatsApp, Kids Helpline, Google Classroom and YouTube Kids are not expected to be a part of the ban. (ANI) China executed Bai Tianhui, former general manager of China Huarong International Holdings Limited, after being convicted of bribery, Xinhua reported. The execution was carried out on Tuesday by a court in north China's Tianjin Municipality, following the approval of the Supreme People's Court, as per Xinhua. Bai was lawfully executed by the Tianjin No.2 Intermediate People's Court, following approval by the Supreme People's Court, according to a statement released on the official WeChat account of the Tianjin High People's Court, as per Global Times. On May 28, 2024, the Tianjin No.2 Intermediate People's Court sentenced defendant Bai to death for accepting bribes, deprived him of political rights for life, and ordered the confiscation of all his personal property. After Bai appealed, the Tianjin High People's Court, following a trial, rejected the appeal and upheld the original sentence on February 24, 2025, subsequently submitting the case to the Supreme People's Court for review and approval in accordance with the law, Global Times reported. Following its review, the Supreme People's Court confirmed that from 2014 to 2018, the defendant Bai exploited his positions of authority -- including as head of the third business development department, general manager, and managing director of the investment banking department of Huarong (Hong Kong) International Holdings Co, Ltd, as well as capital operations director, assistant general manager, deputy general manager, and general manager of China Huarong International Holdings Co, Ltd--to seek benefits for relevant entities in matters such as project acquisitions and corporate financing. In return, he illegally accepted money and property, with the total value amounting to over 1.108 billion yuan ($152.8 million), as per Global Times. The Supreme People's Court determined that the defendant Bai's actions constituted the crime of bribery. The amount of bribes involved was particularly huge, the circumstances of the crime were especially severe, the social impact was particularly egregious, and it caused especially significant losses to the interests of the state and the people. The crime was deemed extremely serious, warranting severe punishment in accordance with the law. (ANI) During the visit of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to Brazil, a landmark tripartite MoU was signed between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on Exchange of Information related to maintenance of Scorpne-class submarines & other naval vessels, as per the spokesperson of the Indian Navy. According to the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics & training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies & industry of both nations. The MoU will further boost Defence R&D collaboration and drive technological innovation in sustaining Scorpne-class submarines and other naval platforms. The visit of CNS Tripathi to Brazil comes shortly after a 40-member delegation from Brazil's Naval War College was hosted at the Naval Headquarters here in the national capital in November this year. The visit of the delegation saw discussions on enhancing the bilateral training cooperation in the maritime domain. Earlier, a Brazilian defence delegation headed by Admiral Guilherme Da Silva Coasta, Head of Culture and Education of Joint Staff of Brazilian Armed Forces, visited the College of Defence Management, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS). In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil. He and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap to strengthen further bilateral ties over the next decade around five priority pillars, which included defence and security. The Joint statement issued by the MEA on his visit noted that the countries recognised convergent views and strategic complementarities in defence and security matters between Brazil and India. "The leaders welcomed the growing defence cooperation, including participation in joint military exercises and the exchange of high-level defence delegations. They expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, which will enable deeper cooperation in various strategic areas. They also welcome the establishment of a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue as a platform to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and national perspectives on cybersecurity issues". (ANI) With the theme- Bharat Parv: Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries', the event took place on December 9 at the Courthouse Hotel. The event saw cultural performances from various parts of India. In a series of posts on X, the Indian High Commission about WAVES Bazaar and India Cine Hub at FOCUS 2025., which sparked conversations on the theme of future of screen storytelling. "India at FOCUS 2025! WAVES Bazaar and the India Cine Hub lit up London with India's creative energy--sparking fresh conversations, connections, and collaborations for the future of screen storytelling." https://x.com/HCI_London/status/1998404710609346639?s=20 "A full house at the WAVES India Reception at FOCUS 2025! The gathering brought together industry leaders for an afternoon of collaboration and celebration of India's rising influence in global storytelling." https://x.com/HCI_London/status/1998406707660165519?s=20 "A vibrant #IndiaUK Collaboration Roundtable at #FOCUS2025, with insightful perspectives from industry experts. DHC Kartik Pande visited the India Pavilion and state pavilions exhibiting content on India as a global filming destination." https://x.com/HCI_London/status/1998424785831780478?s=20 India-UK historical ties, over the years have transformed into a robust, multi-faceted, mutually beneficial relationship. Earlier in October while speaking at the UK National Day celebrations at the UK Embassy in New Delhi, EAM S Jaishankar had highlighted how 2025 was exceptional year for India-UK cooperation. " Over the years, our ties have evolved from a complicated historic association to a dynamic and forward-looking partnership. This year has been an exceptional year for our modern relationship. We welcomed PM Kier Starmer in Mumbai, accompanied by the largest every trade delegation from the UK. PM Modi himself visited the UK 3 months ago, when the historic comprehensive economic and trade agreement was signed. During that visit, he also adopted Vision 2035, to guide our ties across 5 pillars - growth, technology and innovation; defence and security; climate change and clean energy; education," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar welcomed the approval of nine leading UK universities to establish campuses in India, marking a significant development in education cooperation. (ANI) Global research shows 9 in 10 shoppers now rely on digital sources, with social, creators and AR reshaping how cars are discovered and bought LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New global research from Snap, Havas Media Network and market research consultancy Alter Agents shows the auto purchase journey has shifted online, with social as a key driver. Younger shoppers are driving rapid change in how vehicles are discovered, evaluated, and bought. The study surveyed more than 5,000 social media users who recently bought a car or are currently looking to purchase across five key markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Norway and Saudi Arabia. How Car-Buying Is Shifting Online The findings show that 9 in 10 shoppers use digital sources during their shopping journey, and Gen Z buyers are increasingly willing to purchase a vehicle entirely online. Half of Gen Z respondents reported that their most recent car purchase took place online, signaling a major break from traditional dealership-first experiences. Michelle LeFevere, Vertical Lead, Auto and Travel at Snapchat said, "These findings matched the broad trends I am seeing regarding how advertisers are leaning into Snapchat. But, it's the scale at which these trends are accelerating that really surprised me. I think this speaks to how far digital innovation has gone to provide customers with the information they need." Additional findings from the study: Social platforms now shape core decisions. Sixty-seven percent of car buyers use social media during their vehicle search, rising to 74 percent among Gen Z. Snapchatters are 1.7 times more likely than non-Snapchatters to purchase a vehicle after seeing it on social. Sixty-seven percent of car buyers use social media during their vehicle search, rising to 74 percent among Gen Z. Snapchatters are 1.7 times more likely than non-Snapchatters to purchase a vehicle after seeing it on social. Creators influence awareness and consideration. Sixty-nine percent of younger shoppers who use social media say creators make them more aware of vehicle brands, and 63 percent say creators make them more likely to consider a specific model. Sixty-nine percent of younger shoppers who use social media say creators make them more aware of vehicle brands, and 63 percent say creators make them more likely to consider a specific model. Younger buyers are redefining preferences. Eighty-five percent of Gen Z shoppers are considering luxury brands, and 81 percent of Gen Z and Millennials are considering electric or hybrid options. Their interest is driven by saving money on fuel, new technology, and smoother driving experiences. Eighty-five percent of Gen Z shoppers are considering luxury brands, and 81 percent of Gen Z and Millennials are considering electric or hybrid options. Their interest is driven by saving money on fuel, new technology, and smoother driving experiences. AR is becoming a key evaluation tool. Two in five shoppers have used AR while researching vehicles, and 43 percent of non-users say they would like to. Snapchatters are 2.3 times more likely than non-Snapchatters to use AR during vehicle exploration. "Our findings reveal a marked generational shift in how vehicles are researched and evaluated," said Heather O'Shea, Chief Research Officer at Alter Agents. "Digital channels are now the primary source of information, and social platforms play an outsized role in shaping consideration. The study highlights how these behaviors are accelerating across markets." More information available here: https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/road-to-purchase About Alter Agents Alter Agents is a full-service strategic market research consultancy reimagining research in an era of shifting decision making. Deep creative thinking and innovative solutions help Alter Agents' clients understand consumer needs. The Alter Agents team believes that research must adapt to help brands overcome challenges brought by trends like shopper promiscuity and brand narcissism. The company's immersive approach and unique methodology has helped brands such Snapchat, YouTube, Audacy, Viking Cruises, Pinterest, and more gain powerful, actionable insights. More at www.alteragents.com. Media contact: Marie Melsheimer, [email protected], +1-541-815-3951 SOURCE Alter Agents Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, during his ongoing visit to Brazil, met Adm Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy and held discussions on expanding cooperation in areas of defence industry, technology development, innovation, exchange of best practices and capacity building between the two navies. Sharing the details of his meeting in a post on X, the Indian Navy Spokesperson said, "Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS, during the ongoing visit to Brazil, met Adm Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy, @marmilbr. Discussions aimed at strengthening the growing India-Brazil naval cooperation focused on operational engagements, training exchanges, hydrographic collaboration, information sharing, and avenues for enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness. The scope of expanding cooperation in areas of defence industry, technology development, innovation, exchange of best practices, and #capacity building between the two navies was also deliberated." The Navy spokesperson highlighted that the apex-level engagement reaffirms the mutual resolve of both navies to strengthen strategic convergence and deepen the India-Brazil maritime partnership, thereby contributing to stability in the global maritime commons, particularly in the Global South. https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1998587023419228635?s=20 During the visit of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi to Brazil, a landmark tripartite MoU was also signed between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited on Exchange of Information related to maintenance of Scorpne-class submarines & other naval vessels, as per the spokesperson of the Indian Navy. According to the Indian Navy, the MoU will enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics & training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies & industry of both nations. The MoU will further strengthen Defence R&D collaboration and drive technological innovation to sustain the Scorpne-class submarines and other naval platforms. The visit of CNS Tripathi to Brazil comes shortly after a 40-member delegation from Brazil's Naval War College was hosted at the Naval Headquarters here in the national capital in November this year. The visit of the delegation saw discussions on enhancing the bilateral training cooperation in the maritime domain. Earlier, a Brazilian defence delegation led by Admiral Guilherme Da Silva Coasta, Head of Culture and Education of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, visited the College of Defence Management, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS). In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil. He and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap to strengthen further bilateral ties over the next decade around five priority pillars, which included defence and security. The Joint statement issued by the MEA on his visit noted that the countries recognised convergent views and strategic complementarities in defence and security matters between Brazil and India. "The leaders welcomed the growing defence cooperation, including participation in joint military exercises and the exchange of high-level defence delegations. They expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, which will enable deeper cooperation in various strategic areas. They also welcome the establishment of a Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue as a platform to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and national perspectives on cybersecurity issues". (ANI) Clashes intensify between southeast Asian neighbours as Thai F16s bomb Cambodian villages while Cambodia fired rockets on a Thai hospital according to Khmer Times and the Bangkok Post. Sharing details of the clashes, Khmer Times reported that on Wednesday, Thai military used F-16 fighter jets to drop two bombs on the village of Slor Kram, Slor Kram commune, Svay Chek district, Banteay Meanchey province. As per Khmer Times, Thai military used several fighter jets to attack places which included Thi Mom Thi, An Ses, Phnom Khak, and Preah Vihear Temple- a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It further mentioned that the Thai military used 1 artillery shell on the Cheyy area, Thma Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province and 2 DK rifles and used drones to drop bombs in the Cheyy area, Thma Da commune, Veal Veng district, Pursat province. Citing the Second Army Region, Bangkok Post reported that the rockets fired from Cambodia struck Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province on Wednesday morning. It said that the health facility had been rocket-hit in July. It mentioned that Cambodia fired six rockets at the hospital and its vicinity in Phanom Dong Rak district at 8.40am (local time), necessitating the evacuation of medical personnel and patients for their safety. As per Bangkok Post, the Second Army, which supervises the Northeast, said that clashes persisted on Wednesday morning across 12 locations. The Thai army added that Cambodian forces on Tuesday fired 5,000 rockets and attacked with suicide drones in multiple border areas, especially in Chong An Ma and Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani, Thiang Ta Mok area in Si Sa Ket and Chong Khana and Prasat Ta Khwai in Surin, Bangkok Post reported. Citing the Second Army, it reported that four Thai soldiers were killed and 68 others were injured, while 61 Cambodian soldiers were also reported dead. The regional army had yet to estimate the number of injured Cambodian soldiers. It further reported that the First Army Region, said its soldiers retrieved an area previously encroached upon by Cambodians in Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo. Soldiers found Cambodia's anti-personnel landmines and improvised explosive devices prepared for use in that area. According to Bangkok Post, the First Army also tried to reclaim another encroached area in Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo but faced resistance. Five Thai soldiers sustained injuries during the operation. Amid the clashes, US President Donald Trump, while delivering remarks on economy at Pennsylvania, said, "I hate to say this, Cambodia and Thailand started up today. Tomorrow I have to make a phone call...I'm going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia. They're going at it again. But I'll do it. So we're making peace through strength," he said. The fresh clashes come only weeks after Thailand suspended a peace agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur in late October. The pact, witnessed by US President Donald Trump, was presented as a major diplomatic breakthrough. Thailand paused its commitments to the agreement in November after a landmine blast injured two of its soldiers. The latest escalation also follows Trump's recent comments in Washington, where he claimed to have settled 8 wars in 10 months because of the rights clearly given to the president of the United States." Cambodia and Thailand were among them. Border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia stretch back decades, rooted in disputes over colonial-era maps. The frontier has seen repeated clashes, most recently in July, when fighting involving jets, missiles and ground troops killed dozens and displaced nearly 200,000 people. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar paid homage to freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari on his birth anniversary on Wednesday. Highlighting Rajaji as one of India's most influential public figures, Jaishankar noted that the freedom fighter's life and ideals continue to serve as a guiding light. EAM wrote on X, "Pay homage to Shri C. Rajagopalachari ji on his birth anniversary. A freedom fighter and one of India's most influential public minds, his life, thoughts and ideals continue to guide us." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1998607378649067620?s=20 Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to freedom fighter C Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, on his 147th birth anniversary. "Freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesman...these are some descriptions that come to the mind when one recalls C Rajagopalachari. Tributes to him on his birth anniversary. He remains one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century, who believed in creating value and upholding human dignity. Our nation remembers his enduring contributions with gratitude," PM Modi posted on X. The PM shared a photograph of the revered freedom fighter Rajaji and the 1922 edition of Young India, an English-language journal edited by Rajaji while Mahatma Gandhi was in jail. "On Rajaji's birth anniversary, sharing some interesting material from the archives, which includes a picture of a young Rajaji, the notification on his appointment as a Cabinet Minister, a picture with volunteers from the 1920s and a Young India edition from 1922 edited by Rajaji because Gandhi Ji was in jail," PM Modi said. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, born on December 10, 1878, in Madras Presidency, was a lawyer and intellectual among many other things. He is regarded as an early political comrade of Mahatma Gandhi, who left his legal practice to join the Indian National Congress and later participated in various protests against the British Crown. Most popularly, Rajagopalachari agitated against the Rowlatt Act, non-cooperation, and the Civil Disobedience movement. He was the last Governor-General of India. The office was abolished after India became a republic in 1950. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Madras on a Congress ticket. He was part of the sub-committee on minorities. He was conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 1954. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday hailed the inscription of Diwali to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In a post on X, he highlighted that this serves as recognition of the festival's immense cultural, religious, and spiritual significance and its role in bringing people together. "Glad to learn of the inscription of 'Deepavali' in the @UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a recognition of the festival's immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1998644582708568224?s=20 UNESCO has inscribed the festival of Deepavali in its list of intangible cultural heritage, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on Wednesday. In a post on X, he said, "A joyous moment as Deepavali, the festival of lights, marking the triumph of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, Ayodhya, which is celebrated globally, is added to the @UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1998634613099606442?s=20 Describing the festival, UNESCO said on its official website, "Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a light festival celebrated annually by diverse individuals and communities across India, that marks the last harvest of the year and the start of a new year and new season. Based on the lunar calendar, it falls on the new moon in October or November and lasts several days. It is a joyous occasion that symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During this time, people clean and decorate their homes and public spaces, light lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and offer prayers for prosperity and new beginnings". In 2008, Ramlila- the traditional performance of Ramayana was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the festival of Navroz from India was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Garba from Gujarat (2023), Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Yoga (2016), and the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014) are some of the other Indian elements on the list. Intangible cultural heritage, as UNESCO defines it, includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity. Passed down over generations, this heritage evolves, strengthening cultural identity and appreciation of diversity. For the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on October 17, 2003, during its 32nd General Conference in Paris. The Convention responded to global concerns that living cultural traditions, oral practices, performing arts, social customs, rituals, knowledge systems, and craftsmanship were increasingly threatened by globalisation, social change, and limited resources. India is hosting UNESCO's 20th Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee session here for the first time from December 8 to December 13. The historic Red Fort complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been chosen as the venue, symbolising the convergence of India's tangible and intangible heritage under one roof. India's permanent delegate to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma, will chair the meeting, and the event will coincide with the twentieth anniversary of India's ratification of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005, underscoring India's sustained commitment to preserving living cultural traditions. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the inscription of the festival of Diwali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. Highlighting how the festival stands closely linked to India's culture and ethos, PM Modi said that the addition would contribute to the festival's global popularity. In a post on X he said, "People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival's global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1998642499200643262?s=20 Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday hailed the inscription of Diwali to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In a post on X, he highlighted how this serves as a recognition of the festival's immense cultural, religious and spiritual significance and of its role in bringing people together. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1998644582708568224?s=20 UNESCO has inscribed the festival of Deepavali in its list of intangible cultural heritage, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared on Wednesday. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1998634613099606442?s=20 Describing the festival, UNESCO said on its official website, "Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is a light festival celebrated annually by diverse individuals and communities across India, that marks the last harvest of the year and the start of a new year and new season. Based on the lunar calendar, it falls on the new moon in October or November and lasts several days. It is a joyous occasion that symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. During this time, people clean and decorate their homes and public spaces, light lamps and candles, set off fireworks, and offer prayers for prosperity and new beginnings". In 2008, Ramlila- the traditional performance of Ramayana was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the festival of Navroz from India was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Garba from Gujarat (2023), Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Yoga (2016), and the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014) are some of the other Indian elements on the list. Intangible cultural heritage, as UNESCO defines it, includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity. Passed down over generations, this heritage evolves, strengthening cultural identity and appreciation of diversity. For the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention on October 17, 2003, during its 32nd General Conference in Paris. The Convention responded to global concerns that living cultural traditions, oral practices, performing arts, social customs, rituals, knowledge systems, and craftsmanship were increasingly threatened by globalisation, social change, and limited resources. (ANI) Under the directives of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has announced a substantial pledge of US$550 million to support the UN's Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO), which aims to raise US$33 billion in 2026 to support approximately 135 million people across 23 humanitarian operations worldwide, including programs supporting refugees and migrants. The immediate focus of the appeal is to help protect the lives of up to 87 million people in need of urgent support with US$23 billion in funding. The initiative reaffirms the UAE's unwavering commitment to advancing international efforts to save lives and respond to disasters and crises affecting the most vulnerable populations globally. This support underscores the vital role of the UAE in promoting multilateral humanitarian action and the nation's close cooperation with UN agencies, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as well as with relief and development programs operating on the ground, to ensure timely access to aid for those most in need, in line with His Highness's directives emphasisng a rapid and effective response. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, said, "The UAE continues its steadfast commitment to supporting global humanitarian efforts and working with our UN partners to ensure access to aid for those most impacted. This pledge embodies the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reflects our profound belief in the necessity of international solidarity in responding to urgent humanitarian appeals in an effective and sustainable manner that preserves human dignity and protects lives." Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at OCHA, welcomed the announcement, stating, "Our global appeal is about saving lives where shocks have hit hardest - and turning plans into real protection. The UAE's rapid and generous backing of our 2026 plan sends a strong signal, focused on people who need it most. We must deliver an effective, innovative response that meets the moment." Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, stated, "Warning signs of health system collapse manifest long before it occurs - outbreaks spread, malnutrition increases, and preventable deaths rise. However, when we come together, services can be restored and lives saved. I thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE for their support, which will provide crucial humanitarian health care to millions in need." UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated, "UNICEF appreciates the UAE's generous support, which will go a long way to save and improve the lives of children caught in humanitarian crises. Children are always the most vulnerable when a crisis strikes. As needs outpace funding, this is an especially critical time, building on UNICEF's strategic partnership with the UAE." Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), welcomed the announcement, stating, "We value UAE's strong commitment to humanitarian efforts." He added: "While severe funding shortfalls present a significant challenge for millions of vulnerable forcibly displaced people, contributions from governments like the UAE allow UNHCR to enhance its response efforts and provide a glimmer of hope for those in need." Cindy McCain, World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director, stated, "As humanitarian needs soar and resources lag dangerously behind, the United Arab Emirates' generous pledge is a lifeline that will help ensure urgent assistance reaches the people in greatest need. We thank the UAE for its humanitarian leadership in these unprecedented times. WFP stands ready to work with the UAE to ensure this desperately needed support reaches the millions facing acute hunger across the globe." This support builds on the strong strategic partnership between the UAE and the United Nations humanitarian system and reaffirms the UAE's central role in addressing the most pressing humanitarian challenges, enhancing the international community's ability to protect lives, and supporting stability in crisis-affected areas, in line with His Highness's directives that reinforce the UAE's leading approach to global humanitarian action. (ANI/WAM) Pakistan continues to face an alarming water crisis, with over 80 per cent of its population still deprived of access to clean drinking water, despite minor improvements in the last decade, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has cautioned in its latest Asian Water Development Outlook (AWDO) report, as reported by Dawn. According to Dawn, the ADB, in what is considered Asia's most comprehensive study on water security, observed that Pakistan's water resources are under extreme stress due to unchecked population growth, climate change, and poor governance. The report cited widespread waterborne diseases caused by unsafe water and the overuse of groundwater in agriculture, which has triggered depletion and arsenic contamination. Erratic monsoon patterns, melting glaciers, and repeated floods such as the devastating 2022 deluge that displaced millions, have further strained the country's fragile water system. Pakistan's per capita water availability has collapsed from 3,500 cubic metres in 1972 to just 1,100 cubic metres in 2020, placing it dangerously close to the threshold of absolute scarcity. The ADB noted that rural households continue to face unsafe water and poor sanitation despite some progress in hygiene through WASH programmes and pandemic-era health campaigns. The report found that while urban water security and disaster preparedness have shown modest gains, water governance remains riddled with inefficiency, institutional fragmentation, and underfunding. The ADB said Pakistan's water governance score rose from 50 per cent in 2017 to 63 per cent in 2023, reflecting improved policy frameworks, but stated that weak enforcement continues to derail real progress, as highlighted by Dawn. The ADB stated that Pakistan's 2018 National Water Policy, though ambitious, has suffered from a serious gap between planning and implementation. The report urged the government to activate the long-delayed National Water Council, promote volumetric pricing, empower local authorities, and enforce stronger environmental protections. The ADB warned that unless Pakistan strengthens its institutions, ensures sustainable financing, and integrates climate resilience into its policies, "the gains in water security will remain uneven and fragile," as reported by Dawn. (ANI) NASA astronaut Jonny Kim returned to Earth on Tuesday (local time) alongside Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, wrapping up an eight-month science mission aboard the International Space Station to benefit life on Earth and future space exploration, a statement by NASA said. They made a safe, parachute-assisted landing at 10:03am (local time), southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, after departing the space station at 8:41pm on December 8, aboard the Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. Over the course of 245 days in space, the crew orbited Earth 3,920 times, traveling nearly 104 million miles. They launched to the space station on April 8. This mission marked the first spaceflight for both Kim and Zubritsky, while Ryzhikov completed his third journey to space, logging a total of 603 days in space, as per the statement. While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Kim contributed to a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations. He studied the behavior of bioprinted tissues containing blood vessels in microgravity for an experiment helping advance space-based tissue production to treat patients on Earth. He also evaluated the remote command of multiple robots in space for the Surface Avatar study, which could support the development of robotic assistants for future exploration missions. Additionally, Kim worked on developing in-space manufacturing of DNA-mimicking nanomaterials, which could improve drug delivery technologies and support emerging therapeutics and regenerative medicine, the statement added. Following post-landing medical checks, the crew will return to the recovery staging area in Karaganda, Kazakhstan. Kim will then board a NASA aircraft bound for the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston. For more than 25 years, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies concentrate on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy, NASA is focusing its resources on deep space missions to the Moon as part of the Artemis campaign in preparation for future human missions to Mars, NASA stated. (ANI) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Human Rights are a philosophical and political breakthrough which every person must thrive for. Guterres' message on the occasion of Indian Human Rights Day, was read by Areti Saianni, UN Resident Coordinator, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu and NHRC Chairman Justice B Ramasubramanian an event held at Bharat Mandapam. Nearly 80 years ago, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights defined what every person needs to survive and thrive. It was a philosophical and political breakthrough - and it has been the bedrock of our global community ever since, the message read. Human rights - civil, political, economic, social and cultural - are inalienable, indivisible and interdependent. But recent years have brought a shrinking of civic space. We have grave violations that signal a flagrant disregard for rights, and a callous indifference to human suffering, it added. Together, we have the power to confront these injustices: By protecting the institutions that make human rights a lived reality, as per the message. Every day, the United Nations helps people around the world realize their most basic rights. Together with civil society and Governments, we deliver food and provide shelter; support education and elections; clear mines; defend the environment; empower women; and strive for peace, as per the message. But, we cannot do it alone. This work depends on all people, everywhere, taking a stand. When we protect the most vulnerable, when we refuse to look away, when we speak up for the institutions that speak up for us, we keep human rights alive, the message stated further. Our rights should never take second place to profit or power. Let us unite to protect them, for the dignity and freedom of all, the message stated in conclusion. https://x.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1998673590842175596?s=20 President Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the Human Rights Day celebration, organised by the National Human Rights Commission, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, the President said that Human Rights Day is an occasion to remind us that the universal human rights are inalienable and they form the bedrock of a just, equitable, and compassionate society. "Seventy-seven years ago, the world came together to articulate a simple yet revolutionary truth: that every human being is born free and equal in dignity and rights. India played an important role in shaping a global framework of human rights. Our freedom fighters envisioned a world rooted in human dignity, equality, and justice." Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. (ANI) Former Assembly candidate Liaquat Qayyum Abbasi has called on the Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to prioritise the neglected needs of Jhelum Valley residents, highlighting the dire state of healthcare and education in the region. Abbasi emphasised that Hattian Bala's District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital is ill-equipped to handle the growing number of patients suffering from chronic illnesses, particularly kidney disease. He noted that while a local philanthropist had donated dialysis machines, the hospital lacks the space and infrastructure to operate a proper dialysis centre, forcing patients to travel to Muzaffarabad, Abbottabad, or even Islamabad for treatment. "There are currently dozens of patients in the Hattian Bala district of Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) awaiting dialysis," Abbasi said, lamenting that the absence of local facilities has led to needless suffering. "The government must immediately establish a dedicated dialysis centre at DHQ Hattian Bala so that poor patients are not forced to travel long distances for basic medical care." Abbasi also drew attention to the severe educational crisis in the Jhelum Valley, noting that many schools destroyed in the October 8, 2005, earthquake remain in ruins. He said thousands of children still study "under the open sky" in makeshift classrooms, years after promises of reconstruction were made. During his visit to one such school, Abbasi observed that nearly 1,000 students continue to attend classes without proper buildings or facilities, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention. He further demanded that land be acquired for a university campus in the area and that funds be allocated for constructing a permanent building to serve the valley's growing student population. "The people of Jhelum Valley have been waiting for years for basic facilities that others take for granted," Abbasi said. "It is time the new Prime Minister visited Hattian Bala personally and took concrete measures to improve healthcare, education, and infrastructure." (ANI) In his inaugural address, LMU's 17th president envisions a future for the university filled with purpose, possibility, and hope LOS ANGELES, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Loyola Marymount University President Thomas Poon, Ph.D., shared his hopeful vision for LMU and the future of higher education at his inauguration before nearly 1,200 community members, delegates, and invited guests on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Loyola Marymount University President Thomas Poon, Ph.D., shared his vision for LMU and the future of higher education at his installation ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. The inauguration theme, "Hope, Made Here," reflected the values LMU brings to life through community, academic excellence, and service. "Honoring our legacy begins with hope," said Poon, LMU's 17th president, during the ceremony steeped in tradition, drawing higher education leaders from across the country. "Hope isn't passive. It is, as the Jesuits say, 'contemplatives in action.' Hope rolls up its sleeves and asks, 'What's the work we need to do to make things happen?'" The ceremony on LMU's Westchester campus celebrated the university's enduring ties to the city of Los Angeles and LMU as a hub for knowledge, human potential, and global opportunities rooted in its Catholic, Jesuit, and Marymount traditions. See the press kit with images and view the inauguration speech HERE. At a moment when higher education remains an essential engine for innovation, social mobility, and civic leadership, yet is being reshaped by demographic shifts, technological disruption, and evolving global challenges, Poon championed a theme of "Hope, Made Here." Through his three shared hopes for the future of LMU, he affirmed the university's core responsibility of creating service-minded leaders able to engage a complex world and redefined how universities can serve their communities by converting mission to impact through new partnerships. "My first hope: to expand access and open doors. We must make an LMU education attainable for every talented student called to our mission. And once they're here, ensure they have every opportunity to thrive," he said. Nearly 90% of LMU students receive some sort of financial aid, supported by LMU's 338 various scholarships. At the close of the last academic year, LMU awarded over $183.3 million in grants and scholarships to students. Poon's commitments to accessibility echoed recent partnerships with the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, creating new pathways for local students through guaranteed admissions. "My second hope is that LMU will build bridges between our campuses and our communities," Poon said, highlighting LMU's positioning in Los Angeles as a hub of connectivity and center of culture, creativity, and ideas. LMU has three campuses spanning Los Angeles LMU main campus in Westchester, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and located ten minutes from LAX; LMU Loyola Law School downtown; and LMU Playa Vista Campus, home to graduate programs in the top-ranked LMU School of Film & Television. LMU generates more than $1.4 billion in economic impact, supporting more than 10,200 jobs across the U.S. Locally, the university has deepened its civic, business, and nonprofit partnerships in the Los Angeles region, including through the L.A. Area Chamber Business and Education Innovation Summit, the Social Impact Filmmaking Lab, LMU Innovation Symposium, and partnership with the L.A. Rams. Poon announced two new partnerships in his address. The first is with Homeboy Industries, founded by LMU alumnus Reverend Greg Boyle, which has become the model for engagement of at-risk youth and operates the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. The new partnership ties mission to impact, launching a credit-bearing certificate program in business management and social services, creating pathways to higher education for those who have been historically excluded. The second is with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, designating LMU as a high-performance center for Team USA and positioning LMU as an important convener with Los Angeles, a frequent host to world-class sporting events. Poon's third and final hope is the formation of LMU leaders through "Ignatian excellence." Reflecting on the life and conversion of St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, Poon intoned, "out of his own conversion came a new way of seeing God in all things, a new way of discerning purpose, and a new way of forming leaders, one that unites intellect with reflection and hope with action." The inauguration's installation ceremony was the centerpiece of a season of events, welcoming higher education delegates from around the country, and guests including Jesuits West Provincial Sean Carroll, S.J.; former Democratic congressman and disability rights icon Tony Coelho '64; and past LMU presidents David W. Burcham, Timothy Law Snyder, and Robert Lawton, S.J. Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez presided over the morning Missioning Mass. Poon was unanimously elected as LMU president in April by the Board of Trustees and began his term in June. In his previous role as LMU's executive vice president and provost, he shaped nearly every aspect of academic life, leading efforts to achieve Carnegie R2 status, expand tenure-line faculty diversity, launch new academic programs, and advance major strategic goals. His leadership ushered in the introduction of 21 new academic programs in fields such as business analytics and computer science, alongside a more than 80% increase in support for research and creative endeavors. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from Fairfield University and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Los Angeles. Poon concluded with a call to collective action: "This next chapter will be written by all of us. Each of you holds the pen. Each of you is part of the story. And together, we will write the next chapter of Loyola Marymount University: one filled with purpose, possibility, and hope, made here." SOURCE Loyola Marymount University Chinese authorities have detained Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, a highly respected Tibetan educationist and head of Minthang Monastery, Osel Thegchog Ling and the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School in Golog, on December 4. The report stated that his current location remains unknown, and officials have not provided any explanation regarding his arrest, as reported by Phayul. According to Phayul, it remains uncertain whether regular police, secret police, or state security officers carried out the detention. Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin's growing influence as both a Buddhist teacher and a cultural educator has long drawn the attention of Chinese authorities, who are increasingly intolerant of independent Tibetan educational initiatives. The Minthang Ethnic Vocational School, established in 2007 with approval from the Golog Prefecture People's Government, was one of the few institutions in the region offering comprehensive Tibetan-language education alongside vocational training. Construction was completed in 2010, and classes officially began in August that year with over a hundred students. The school's curriculum balanced national-level subjects such as Chinese, English, and mathematics with traditional disciplines, including Tibetan language, medicine, tailoring, thangka painting, and cultural performance arts. The institution earned widespread respect between 2015 and 2018 for nurturing Tibetan youth while preserving their linguistic and cultural identity. Following his detention, Chinese officials ordered the immediate closure of both the school and its training centre, sending students home. Authorities have allegedly been coercing students to transfer to state-run boarding schools, consistent with China's broader assimilation drive that seeks to replace local cultural education with a uniform, Mandarin-based curriculum, as highlighted by Phayul. Critics argue this policy represents an ongoing attempt to erode Tibet's distinct heritage and religious traditions. Born in 1967 in Minthang, Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin was a disciple of several prominent Buddhist masters, including His Holiness the 7th Choje Dhampa Yeshin Norbu. He received the title of Khenpo (Doctor of Buddhist Studies) from the Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy in Sertar, where he specialised in the canonical Buddhist teachings, as reported by Phayul. (ANI) The United States on Wednesday announced a significant investment aimed at boosting mining activity in Pakistan's Balochistan province, with the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) approving USD 1.25 billion in financing to support the development of the Reko Diq critical minerals project. Sharing a video on X, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Islamabad, Natalie A. Baker said that the US administration has made such deals central to American diplomacy. "I'm pleased to highlight that the US Export-Import Bank recently approved financing of USD 1.25 billion to support the mining of critical minerals at Reko Diq in Pakistan," said Natalie Baker. She added that EXIM's financing, over the coming years, will enable "up to $2 billion in high-quality US mining equipment and services needed to build and operate the Reko Diq mine, along with creating an estimated 6,000 jobs in the US and 7,500 jobs in Balochistan, Pakistan." Calling Reko Diq a model for mining projects, Baker said the project will benefit "US exporters, as well as local Pakistani communities and partners, by bringing employment and prosperity to both our nations." She further underlined that "the Trump administration has made the forging of deals exactly like this one central to American diplomacy." "We look forward to seeing further agreements between US companies and their Pakistani counterparts in the critical minerals and mining sector," she added. The US Embassy in Islamabad also released a brief message on X, noting that the fresh commitment "will drive economic growth in Balochistan." "With a new commitment of USD 1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the US-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan," the Embassy wrote, urging viewers to watch Baker's message describing the project as a "game-changer for US businesses and local Pakistani communities." The latest mining partnership comes as Washington deepens its economic outreach to Islamabad. Earlier in July, US President Donald Trump announced a separate trade initiative with Pakistan focused on developing the country's oil reserves. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said both countries were "in the process of choosing the oil company that will lead this partnership," and even suggested that Pakistan might "sell oil to India someday." The oil announcement came just hours after Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs, along with additional penalties, on India. "We have just concluded a Deal with the Country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive Oil Reserves. We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership. Who knows, maybe they'll be selling Oil to India someday!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. (ANI) Speaking at a press conference in London, Isa recalled the tense moments of December 9, 2021, when the independent Uyghur Tribunal, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice, declared that the Chinese government had committed genocide, torture, and crimes against humanity against Uyghur and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan. "That judgment changed our history," Isa said. "It did not erase the suffering, but it broke the silence and ensured our pain was no longer ignored." Isa explained that the WUC established the People's Tribunal in 2020 after traditional international legal mechanisms, such as the ICC and the ICJ, proved inaccessible. Despite limited funding, reliance on volunteers, and intimidation of witnesses by Chinese authorities, the Tribunal's findings held firm. He accused China of attempting to discredit the process through smear campaigns targeting witnesses, researchers, and the WUC itself. The Tribunal's verdict, Isa said, became a foundation for legal and political momentum. Ten parliaments, including Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and the European Parliament, have officially recognised the Uyghur genocide. Its conclusions also helped influence the UN Human Rights Office's 2022 report, which stated that China's actions "may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity." Isa highlighted a series of ongoing international legal actions inspired by the Tribunal's findings. The WUC and the Global Legal Action Network won an appeal in the United Kingdom against government inaction on imports linked to forced labour. Additional cases have been filed in Argentina, France, and Spain against Chinese companies Huawei, Dahua, and Hikvision, while the Australian Uyghur Tenghritagh Women's Association has sued Hmart for importing goods tied to forced labour. "The Uyghur Tribunal did more than expose China's crimes; it changed the global conversation," Isa concluded. (ANI) Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan resigned from their positions as advisers to the interim government of Bangladesh to maintain the neutrality of the cabinet, Chief Adviser's Press Wing said on Wednesday. It is expected that these two advisers will contest the upcoming parliamentary elections. The Chief Election Commissioner will announce the schedule for the parliamentary elections on Thursday. Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud served as advisers to the interim government, representing the students who led the July 2024 uprising against Sheikh Hasina. Mahfuz was serving as an adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Asif Mahmud was serving as an adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, as well as the Ministry of Youth and Sports. After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, a mass uprising, an interim government was formed on August 8 under the leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus. So far, the Advisory Council has 23 members, including the Chief Adviser. Two of them, student representatives, resigned. Student representative, Md. Nahid Islam was on the advisory council when the government was formed. He later resigned on February 25 and became the convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP). The NCP was formed by the youth who led the July mass uprising. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held bilateral talks with Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, describing Italy as "one of India's closest partners" and reaffirming the two countries' joint commitment to countering terror financing. In his opening remarks in New Delhi, Jaishankar also thanked Italy for its support after last month's terror incident in the capital. He highlighted the progress made by both sides in strengthening security cooperation. "I want to thank you also for the message of solidarity from the government of Italy when we had this terror incident last month in New Delhi," Jaishankar said. The two countries are working together to counter financing of terrorism, leveraging their partnership in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). "Recently, when our Prime Ministers met in the G20 in Johannesburg, we announced the joint initiative to counter financing on terrorism. That was a very positive step. We work with Italy. We regard you as one of our closest partners in that, including in the FATF, the Financial Action Task Force, " Jaishankar added. Jaishankar also underlined the growing momentum in India-Italy ties, noting Tajani's frequent visits as a sign of deepening partnership. "The fact that you come here so often is very welcome for us. It shows a very strong commitment. It has led to a very good relationship between us personally, between our governments," he said. "Our partnership is built on democratic values, it is on respect for civilisation, for culture, for heritage, and our commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous world." Further in the meeting, Jaishankar also highlighted his Italian counterpart's meeting with Indian industry leaders scheduled for tomorrow in Mumbai. He expressed hope for productive discussions as both countries advance the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29. He added that Tajani will also meet Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai tomorrow. "You have come with a business delegation. I'm very happy, tomorrow you'll be meeting Commerce and Industry Minister Goyal in Mumbai. We are really moving forward on the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29; a big part of it was the economic collaboration. You have taken leadership in moving that. I'm sure you will have very, very good discussions.'" He also detailed the subjects India hopes to advance under the strategic partnership, emphasising political, defence and regional cooperation. "Today, I would like to discuss with you political cooperation, defence, maritime security, space - in which you have great interest, culture, critical technologies; see how we can take our strategic action plan forward, how to promote people-to-people ties. I would, of course, also like to discuss a number of regional and global issues - what is happening in the Indo-Pacific. We both have an interest in what we call West Asia, Middle East for you. I would also like to get your assessment on the Ukraine conflict and the diplomacy, which is taking place in that regard. We cooperate very closely in the United Nations and in other formats. So I'm sure we'll have a very good discussion...'" Tajani arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day for his second visit to India this year, signalling deepening diplomatic engagement between the two nations. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him in a post on X, noting that Tajani's programmes in Delhi and Mumbai would further bolster the India-Italy Strategic Partnership. "Warm welcome to Italy's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, on his arrival in New Delhi. This is his second visit to India this year. His engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will further strengthen the India-Italy Strategic Partnership, Jaiswal wrote on X. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1998523181469250035 The visit comes amid a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries. On November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where both leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. After completing his engagements in Delhi, Tajani will travel to Mumbai on Thursday for meetings aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday underlined India's support for the early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as the two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia and reviewed broader strategic cooperation. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi and Netanyahu "exchanged views on the situation in West Asia," with the Indian leader reaffirming support for efforts "towards a just and durable peace in the region, including early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan." The two leaders "expressed satisfaction at the continued momentum in India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these ties for mutual benefit." They also strongly "condemned terrorism, reiterating their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism "in all its forms and manifestations." Both leaders agreed to remain in touch. The conversation comes at a time when both nations continue to underscore their strong relationship. Israel and India share a deep strategic bond spanning defence, technology, agriculture, and intelligence cooperation. Meanwhile, Netanyahu was considering a visit to India by the end of the year, but the trip was postponed over security concerns. His office has since clarified that teams from both sides are already working to "coordinate a new visit date," stressing that the Israeli leader has "full confidence in India's security under PM Modi." The post explained, "Israel's bond with India", and the relationship between the prime ministers of both nations is "very strong." Netanyahu's last visit to India was in January 2018, marking only the second tour by an Israeli Prime Minister to the country. In recent months, he has repeatedly emphasised the closeness between the two nations. After the Red Fort blast, the Israeli leader offered heartfelt condolences to India, calling both countries ancient civilisations rooted in "eternal truths." "To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time," his office posted on X. "India and Israel are ancient civilisations that stand on eternal truths. Terror may strike our cities, but it will never shake our souls. The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies," it added. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], December 10 (ANI/TPS): Israel's top anti-corruption police chief is under investigation for an alleged conflict of interest tied to a sweeping criminal probe in Nazareth, after a gag order was lifted on Wednesday. Assistant-Chief Meni Benjamin, commander of the elite Lahav 433 crime-fighting unit, is suspected of maintaining undisclosed ties with a former Nazareth mayor while that official was under investigation for alleged financial entanglements with the Bakri crime organisation. Lahav 433, sometimes described as "Israel's FBI," handles the country's highest-level investigations into organised crime, corruption, cybercrime, and sensitive national matters. The PID probe into its commander adds a dramatic and politically sensitive layer to an already far-reaching municipal corruption case that officials say is still unfolding. The case, known as the "Maze of Money," centres on accusations that the Bakri network infiltrated Nazareth's municipal financial system, diverted large sums through shell businesses, and coerced officials into illicit fund transfers. Israeli Police said that overnight raids resulted in the arrest of senior members of the Bakri organisation, an Israeli-Arab crime family. Also arrested were current and former municipal officials -- including a former mayor -- and several businessmen. Officers also operated inside the Nazareth municipality compound as part of the operation. According to investigators, Benjamin allegedly kept personal contact with the former mayor -- a relationship dating back to Benjamin's earlier posting as Nazareth station commander -- and failed to report the ongoing ties to oversight authorities. Police say he is suspected of sharing sensitive investigative information with the former official and later working with northern district personnel to move case files into a unit under his command once he realised evidence had been collected that could implicate him. Benjamin was questioned under caution about a month ago by the Police Investigation Department (PID), though details were kept sealed until Wednesday. The PID has restricted him from contacting others involved in the case, but Israel Police said he has returned to his post at Lahav 433 with the backing of national police chief Danny Levy. He is being investigated on suspicion of breach of trust and abuse of office. In a video statement, Northern District Commander Commissioner Meir Eliyahu said the overnight operation marked another step in dismantling organised crime in the region. "Today we are settling accounts with another crime organisation operating in the Northern District," he said. Eliyahu noted that it followed major recent actions against two other networks, adding: "Today, we are breaking open the Maze of Money case and settling accounts with the Bakri organisation." Eliyahu described the Bakri group as "a group that engaged in extortion of businesses, in murder incidents, and inserted its hands into a municipal authority with the intention of toppling the authority and squeezing it to its last drop of blood." He also warned the criminal networks to stay away from civilians. "We have many more actions we still need to take, but we are determined to bring security to the residents of the Northern District. We said, and I repeat, we are warning you, take your filthy claws off innocent civilians," Eliyahu warned. Police say early evidence indicates the Bakri organisation "took over the financial management of the municipality," pushing senior municipal employees to participate in money transfers and laundering operations. Nazareth, a major Arab city in northern Israel, carries an estimated debt of roughly NIS 300 million ($92.9 million) -- a burden investigators believe was worsened by criminal interference. Attorney Uri Korev, representing Benjamin, rejected the allegations outright. "The allegations of a conflict of interest by the head of Lahav are unfounded and embarrassing," he said. The relationship with the former mayor, Korev argued, "was professional and open to all," adding that Benjamin "did not provide information about the investigation," and that investigative decisions were made for "professional reasons." (ANI/TPS) Deepavali, one of India''s most widely celebrated festivals, has been officially inscribed on UNESCO''s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The festival has been recognised under the "Social practices, rituals and festive events" domain, becoming the sixteenth element from India to feature on UNESCO''s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Deepavali is celebrated annually as one of the most popular festivals, uniting communities, families, and individuals across India and the diaspora. Within communities, elders - of all genders - play a vital role as custodians of Deepavali and conduits of intergenerational transmission, while young adults and children inherit this living heritage, according to an official UNESCO release. This living heritage supports the livelihoods of creative communities and cultural practitioners, who continue to enrich it through their diverse artistic expressions. "Deepavali commemorates the victory of good over evil, the triumph of light, and the unity and diversity of the Indian diaspora around the world, as well as all those who appreciate Indian culture. In the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the Indian belief that the whole world is one family, this festival celebrates our shared identity as a global family," the press release noted. Vivek Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, said, "Deepavali is more than just a festival - it is deeply rooted in Indian culture, and celebrated across India and all around the world. It unites people across India and the global diaspora. This inscription is a recognition for all people who keep this heritage alive - the elders who safeguard and pass on this knowledge and young people who carry it forward with creativity and pride." The twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee is being held from December 8 to 13 at the Red Fort in New Delhi, and is chaired by Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO. The event includes exhibitions and side events on safeguarding living heritage. To enrich and complement the twentieth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a series of exhibitions and side events on the theme of safeguarding living heritage is being organised at the Red Fort (Lal Qila), the official venue of the intergovernmental meeting. To safeguard the living heritage transmitted across generations by communities, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2003, the release stated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the inscription of the festival of Diwali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. In a post on X, he said, "People in India and around the world are thrilled. For us, Deepavali is very closely linked to our culture and ethos. It is the soul of our civilisation. It personifies illumination and righteousness. The addition of Deepavali to the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List will contribute to the festival''s global popularity even further. May the ideals of Prabhu Shri Ram keep guiding us for eternity. @UNESCO" Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the announcement, saying, "This signifies the importance of our ancient cultural ethos even in the modern era." "Proud moment for India as Deepavali enters the UNESCO''s intangible heritage list. This signifies the importance of our ancient cultural ethos even in the modern era. The festival of lights has inspired us since antiquity to believe in the victory of the good and the righteous. It is now profoundly heartening that it will encourage global well-being. @UNESCO," Amit Shah wrote on X. In 2008, Ramlila- the traditional performance of Ramayana was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. In 2024, the festival of Navroz from India was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Garba from Gujarat (2023), Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021), Kumbh Mela (2017), Yoga (2016), and the traditional brass and copper craft of utensil-making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab (2014) are some of the other Indian elements on the list. (ANI) India and Malaysia on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and transnational crime during the 3rd meeting of the India-Malaysia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism and Combating Transnational Crime, held in New Delhi, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a Joint statement. The meeting was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism), Ministry of External Affairs, and Mohd. Azlan bin Razali, Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs of Malaysia. According to the MEA, both sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, stressing the need for stronger and sustained international cooperation to tackle global terror threats. They also reiterated their resolve to work closely in multilateral platforms, including the United Nations, FATF, APG and ARF. Officials from both countries exchanged assessments on the evolving regional and global terrorism landscape. Discussions covered key challenges such as the use of emerging technologies by terror groups, terror financing networks, and linkages between organised crime and terrorism. Both sides emphasised the importance of timely information sharing, enhanced law enforcement cooperation, and continued capacity building to counter these threats. "The two sides exchanged views on the regional and global terrorism landscape. They discussed the challenges in combating terrorism, including the use of new and emerging technologies by terrorists, terror financing and the linkages between transnational organised crime and terrorism. In this regard, they underlined the importance of strengthening cooperation through timely sharing of information, law enforcement training and capacity building, MEA said in its statement. As part of the engagement, the Malaysian delegation will visit the National Security Guard (NSG) headquarters on December 11 to explore avenues for deeper bilateral cooperation in capacity-building and specialised training. India and Malaysia agreed to convene the next round of JWG discussions in Kuala Lumpur at a mutually convenient date, building on momentum in security and counterterrorism cooperation. (ANI) Joint quantum lab takes root in Bangkok, boosting China-Thailand tech ties Xinhua) 09:51, December 10, 2025 BANGKOK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Sino-Thai Symposium on Quantum Science and Technology was held in Bangkok on Monday, witnessing the official inauguration of a joint laboratory for quantum science and technology. About 100 experts and scholars from over a dozen Chinese and ASEAN universities attended the event, including the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Thailand's Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University. Organized jointly by the Chinese Embassy in Thailand and Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, the symposium was co-hosted by USTC, Chulalongkorn University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok). On the same day, the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Networks (USTC) and the Faculty of Science of Chulalongkorn University signed an agreement to formally establish the USTC-Chula Joint Laboratory for Quantum Science and Technology. USTC and Chulalongkorn University also inked a memorandum of understanding, reaching a consensus on advancing cooperation in quantum science and technology and other fields. Zhang Jianwei, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, said that strengthening Sino-Thai cooperation in quantum science and technology is an important measure to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and enrich the connotation of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. He noted that China is willing to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Thailand under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, jointly promote the development of quantum science, technology and industry, and better benefit the people of both countries. Supachai Pathumnakul, permanent secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, said in his speech that Thailand-China quantum cooperation is a key step in boosting the development of deep technology capabilities of both countries, which is in line with Thailand's economic development strategy centered on innovation-driven growth. In an interview with Xinhua at the event, Professor Prabhas Chongstitvatana from the Department of Computer Engineering at Chulalongkorn University said China is a global leader in quantum science and technology and that Thai scholars are eager to engage in more discussions and learn from Chinese scholars in this field. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Scholars from both countries emphasized that the friendship characterized as "China and Thailand are as close as one family" serves as an emotional link for scientific and technological cooperation between the two nations. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. (Innovent) (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major disease areas, announced that the first participant has been successfully dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial of IBI3011, an anti-human Interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAP) monoclonal antibody developed by Innovent. This study is a single ascending dose (SAD) study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of IBI3011 for the first-in-human administration, so as to support the subsequent clinical development of IBI3011. A total of 40 healthy volunteers and 24 patients with gout flares are planned to be enrolled. With economic development and rising living standards, the number of gout patients in China is increasing. By 2019, the estimated number of patients had exceeded 3 million.[1],[2] When serum uric acid rises above its saturation point, urate crystals can deposit in joints, triggering local inflammation and tissue damage and causing gout flares.[3] Recurrent flares can lead to joint destruction and functional impairment, limiting patients' social roles and seriously reducing quality of life. At present, first-line pharmacologic treatments for gout flare mainly consist of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine, to which certain patients have contraindications or cannot tolerate, lacking targeted therapies. Second-line therapies as glucocorticoids are also associated with numerous adverse effects. In addition, only one IL1targeted agent has been approved in China for the treatment of gout flare, and there remains a large unmet need in clinical practice. IL-1RAP, a member of the IL-1 family, serves as a co-receptor that forms receptor complexes with IL-1R1, ST2, and IL-36R and mediates downstream signaling pathways triggered by IL1/, IL33 and IL36, respectively. These cytokines are implicated in a broad spectrum of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including acute gouty arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, etc. Compared with antiIL1 antibodies, targeting IL1RAP can simultaneously block multiple IL1 family inflammatory pathways, with the potential to rapidly control inflammation, relieve gout symptoms, and enable earlier initiation of uratelowering therapy. IBI3011 is the first anti-IL1RAP monoclonal antibody in China aimed to address inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Preclinical data show that IBI3011 can significantly suppress gout flares in models of acute gouty arthritis, highlighting its clinical potential for the treatment of gout flares. In this therapeutic area, Innovent plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial of IBI128 (tigulixostat) in gout patients with hyperuricemia. Previously, the Phase 2 clinical results of IBI128 were presented at APLAR 2025 showing strong efficacy in reducing serum uric acid in patients with gout. On top of that, IBI3011 has the potential to further suppress gout flares, complementing tigulixostat's uric acid-lowering effect to provide a more comprehensive treatment approach for patients with hyperuricemia and gout. Additionally, Mazdutide could also provide the benefit of reducing blood uric acid in the obesity population. Together, these assets provide more personalized treatment options for patients with gout and hyperuricemia. With IBI3011 now entering the clinical stage, Innovent will further strengthen its pipeline in metabolic and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Lei Qian, Chief R&D Officer of General Biomedicine of Innovent Biologics, stated, "I am very pleased that the first participant has been dosed in the Phase 1 clinical study of IBI3011, and I look forward to its result supporting the development of treatments for gout flares and other indications. Innovent Biologics' general biomedicine pipeline reflects a well-structured, echeloned and matrix-like strategy across the fields of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CVM), autoimmune diseases, and ophthalmology. For gout, a metabolic and immune-related condition, IB3011 complements the promising Phase 2 clinical results of IBI128 (tigulixostat), which demonstrated excellent efficacy in targeting XOI and is now advancing to Phase 3. By focusing on next-generation global innovations, Innovent is accelerating the development of high-potential molecules and the synergy of these products is expected to bring more innovative therapies that improve the quality of life to patients around the world." About IBI3011 IBI3011 is a monoclonal antibody targeting IL1RAP. As a coreceptor, IL1RAP forms receptor complex with IL1R1, ST2, and IL36R, hence mediating activation of the IL1/, IL33, and IL36// signaling pathways and contributing to the development of multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Consequently, targeting IL1RAP can simultaneously block several IL1 family inflammatory pathways, with the potential to rapidly control inflammation, alleviate gout symptoms, and allow earlier initiation of uratelowering therapy. Preclinical data indicate that IBI3011 can significantly suppress gout flares in models of acute gouty arthritis, underscoring the clinical potential of IBI3011. About Innovent Biologics Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 17 products in the market. It has 1 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Takeda, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action" Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Statement: Innovent Biologics does not recommend the use of unapproved drugs/indications. Forward-Looking Statement This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. References [1]. J Transl Int Med. 2022;10(2):134-145 [2]. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):3310. [3]. Sun M, Lyu Z, Wang C, et al. 2024 Update of Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperuricemia and Gout Part I: Recommendations for General Patients. Int J Rheum Dis. 2025;28(7):e70375. SOURCE Innovent Biologics The Retreat brought together the five winning companies of the UAE-India Start-Up Series to explore opportunities for collaboration, market expansion, and long-term engagement within the UAE's innovation ecosystem, according to an official release by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi. This year's Retreat follows the conclusion of the UAE-India Start-Up Series, which attracted more than 10,000 applications from start-ups across India, the largest initiative of its kind held in the country and a tangible demonstration of the depth of the bilateral economic and investment partnership. These applications spanned a wide range of innovation and technology disciplines, including AI, climatetech, advanced manufacturing, fintech, mobility, and healthcare. From these applications, five high-potential ventures were selected for a fully funded UAE soft landing based on their innovation, market traction, and readiness for international expansion, the release stated. The selected companies include Bioreform, which develops biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics; Data Sutram, a provider of real-time regtech intelligence; DocketRun, which delivers AI-based industrial safety solutions; Endimension, which offers AI-driven radiology analysis; and SBNRI, a unified digital platform that enables NRIs to manage banking, investments, and taxation globally. As part of the Retreat, the five winning founders were hosted in the UAE for a structured programme of targeted meetings with UAE-India Start-Up Series Pitch Partners, Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and RAKEZ; Logistics Partner, DP World; and Cross-Border Partner, Hub71. These engagements included ecosystem briefings, onboarding consultations, and innovation tours, the embassy added. The Retreat underscored how the UAE complements India's start-up success story by providing a platform for Indian innovation to scale globally. The UAE-India Start-Up Series, the UAE-India CEPA Council's flagship programme delivered in partnership with the UAE Embassy in New Delhi, has further strengthened this collaboration by providing Indian companies with structured, commercially meaningful pathways into the UAE's fast-growing innovation ecosystem. (ANI) After meeting Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the two sides reviewed progress across key sectors under the India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 and appreciated their joint efforts to counter terror financing. Sharing an update on X after the talks, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleasure to meet DPM & FM @Antonio_Tajani of Italy today evening in New Delhi. Reviewed progress under the political, defence, tech & innovation, maritime, mobility, space, trade & investment domains outlined under our Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29. Also appreciated the joint efforts to counter terror financing. Dwelt on our cooperation with the EU, other regional, global & multilateral developments." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1998772460385349866?s=20 Earlier in the meeting, Jaishankar described Italy as "one of India's closest partners" and thanked Tajani for Italy's support following last month's terror incident in New Delhi. "I want to thank you also for the message of solidarity from the government of Italy when we had this terror incident last month in New Delhi," he said. He highlighted that both countries are working closely to counter the financing of terrorism, particularly through their cooperation at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). "Recently, when our Prime Ministers met in the G20 in Johannesburg, we announced the joint initiative to counter financing on terrorism. That was a very positive step. We work with Italy. We regard you as one of our closest partners in that, including in the FATF, the Financial Action Task Force," Jaishankar said. The minister noted the growing momentum in India-Italy ties and said Tajani's frequent visits reflect the strength of the partnership. "The fact that you come here so often is very welcome for us. It shows a very strong commitment. It has led to a very good relationship between us personally, between our governments," he said. "Our partnership is built on democratic values, it is on respect for civilisation, for culture, for heritage, and our commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous world." Jaishankar said Italy's business delegation will meet Indian industry leaders in Mumbai on Thursday as part of efforts to advance the strategic plan. "We are really moving forward on the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-29; a big part of it was the economic collaboration. You have taken leadership in moving that. I'm sure you will have very, very good discussions," he said. He also outlined areas India hopes to take forward, including political, defence, maritime, space, cultural and critical technology cooperation, along with discussions on developments in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomacy. Tajani arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day for his second visit to India this year, signalling deepening engagement between the two sides. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him on X, writing, "Warm welcome to Italy's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, on his arrival in New Delhi. This is his second visit to India this year. His engagements in Delhi and Mumbai will further strengthen the India-Italy Strategic Partnership." The visit comes amid a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries. On November 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where both leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education. (ANI) Representatives of the Gen-Z People's Movement and the Interim Government of Nepal on Wednesday evening signed a 10-point agreement amid a rising rift within the group. The agreement was sealed at the Prime Minister's Office between the Gen-Z Movement Alliance, the Council of Gen-Z (led by Sudan Gurung), the Gen-Z Front (led by Rakshya Bom), and other splinter groups. However, the deepening rift within the Gen-Z groups surfaced during the meeting, with members objecting to the rationality of the agreement, which was made in the absence of the President. One of the opposing Gen-Z groups also tore the draft of the agreement that was floated to them, protesting against the deal after it was signed. The agreement includes provisions for honouring martyr families, providing relief to the injured, and forming commissions to strengthen anti-corruption efforts. The government has committed to forming a high-level commission to investigate violent incidents that occurred during the recent protests. "The struggle has continued to date from September 8 and 9. Today we have completed a step of this struggle by reaching the agreement. I had constantly been encouraged by Gen-Z stating that following the agreement, it would be a record for history; the Gen-Z martyrs and the injured would get identification of their struggle. At other times there were conflicts in Nepal, and this would give identity, which we also had felt," Sushila Karki, the Interim Prime Minister of Nepal, said. The agreement states that individuals who lost their lives during the Gen-Z protests of September 8 and 9 will be declared martyrs, and their families will receive relief and support. The government will provide free medical treatment, education, employment opportunities, and social security to those injured during the movement. A Martyrs' Memorial Foundation will be established to honour their contributions. Gen-Z leaders have welcomed this provision, calling it a step towards justice. The agreement also includes commitments to investigate any human rights violations during the protests and ensure action against those responsible, a move that has encouraged many protest participants. The government and the Gen-Z movement have agreed to form a high-level commission to propose improvements to Nepal's constitution. Areas of focus will include proportional representation, youth participation, and reforms in the electoral system. Provisions such as introducing a "None of the Above" (NOTA) voting option, conducting primary elections, and setting 21 as the minimum age for candidacy are included in the agreement. The document also emphasises ending partisan influence in state institutions and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms. A Gen-Z Council will be established to advise the government and reinforce democratic processes in Nepal. The Gen-Z uprising of September 8 and 9, which brought a wave of change in the Himalayan nation buffered between India and China, has left the nation looking for a safe landing through the election. The two-day protest resulted in the deaths of at least 76 people, forcing then-communist leader KP Sharma Oli to resign from the post. An interim government was formed after the dissolution of parliament. The post-mortem report of those killed in police firing in Kathmandu Valley states death due to bullet injuries to the head and chest. During protests, police are only allowed to fire below the knee to control the situation. The police had also used some lethal weapons to crack down on the protestors, following which former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak stepped down from the post. But Oli remained adamant about not resigning despite rising pressure. With parliament already dissolved and elections called for next year in March, Nepal is traversing a bumpy road towards the hope of stability. After five days of deliberation and debate, the Himalayan nation appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the Interim Prime Minister, who recommended dissolving parliament and is mandated to conduct the election on March 5, 2026. (ANI) French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a call with US President Donald Trump to discuss the latest developments in the US-led mediation efforts on Ukraine, a French official said. According to the official, the leaders welcomed the efforts undertaken to achieve a robust and lasting peace in Ukraine and to put an end to the killings. The official added that the intensive work is ongoing and will continue in the coming days as mediation efforts move forward. The leaders agreed that this is a critical moment for Ukraine, for its people, and for the shared security of the Euro-Atlantic region, underscoring the importance of continued coordination among key partners. As European officials work closely with Washington on Ukraine, Trump's interview published Tuesday revealed widening strains in transatlantic ties. US President Donald Trump criticised Europe's handling of immigration and the war in Ukraine, describing the region as "decaying" and "weak", comments that come amid growing unease between Washington and several long-standing allies. In the Politico interview, Trump renewed pressure on Ukraine, urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to move ahead with elections despite the ongoing conflict and claiming Moscow currently had the "upper hand". His remarks followed the release of the administration's national security strategy, which drew sharp reactions from several European capitals. Trump argued that migration policies had left European nations vulnerable, saying, "They want to be politically correct, and it makes them weak," adding that there were "some real stupid ones" among Europe's leaders. He also voiced frustration with Europe's role in Ukraine as discussions continue on a US-backed proposal to end the conflict. Recalling a past exchange at a NATO summit, Trump said, "NATO calls me daddy," while criticising defence contributions, stating, "They talk, but they don't produce. And the war just keeps going on and on." European governments, despite these tensions, have intensified efforts to maintain alignment with Washington since Trump's return to office--particularly on Ukraine. A French minister described the US strategy as an "extremely brutal clarification" of Washington's current stance. In his interview, Trump said countries including Britain, France, Germany, Poland and Sweden were being "destroyed" by migration. He also criticised London Mayor Sadiq Khan, calling him "horrible, vicious, disgusting", prompting Khan to respond that Trump was "obsessed" with him. On Ukraine, Trump reiterated calls for elections, saying, "I think it's an important time to hold an election. They're using war not to hold an election... It gets to a point where it's not a democracy anymore." Ukraine postponed its 2024 elections due to martial law following Russia's 2022 invasion. He added it "would be nice" if Zelensky read the US proposal, noting that "a lot of people are dying." US negotiators held talks in Moscow last week and continued discussions with Ukrainian officials, though no breakthrough has been announced. Zelensky, responding Tuesday, said he was "ready for the elections" if security could be ensured and indicated that Ukraine planned to send an updated version of its position on the US plan. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received a phone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed their shared stance of zero tolerance towards terrorism. According to an official statement, PM Modi and Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the steady advancement of bilateral cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration across key areas for mutual benefit. PM Modi reiterated India's support for efforts aimed at achieving a lasting and just peace in the Middle East, including the early implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan. Both leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all forms and agreed to remain in close contact. Providing details of the discussion, PM Modi wrote on X, "Spoke with my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu. We reviewed progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and agreed to further strengthen our cooperation. Also reaffirmed our shared commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism. India supports all efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the region." The call came at a time when Netanyahu indicated that the second phase of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire plan could begin "very shortly". Hamas, however, claimed Israeli "violations" and urged mediators to press Israel to comply with the agreement. Netanyahu's office also said it is working with Indian authorities to arrange a new date for his postponed visit to India. The visit, initially planned for December, was deferred without a formal explanation, though his office stressed that bilateral ties remain strong and that he has "full confidence" in India's security under PM Modi's leadership. A statement posted on X added, "Israel's bond with India and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister @narendramodi is very strong... teams are already coordinating a new visit date." Netanyahu had earlier been considering a visit later this year before security concerns led to the postponement. His most recent trip to India was in January 2018, the second time an Israeli Prime Minister had visited the country. In recent months, Netanyahu has repeatedly highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two nations. After the Red Fort blast, he conveyed condolences to India, with his office posting on X, "To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time." The message continued, "India and Israel are ancient civilisations that stand on eternal truths. Terror may strike our cities, but it will never shake our souls. The light of our nations will outshine the darkness of our enemies." (ANI) Tajani, currently on a three-day visit to India, called on PM Modi as part of a wider series of engagements aimed at reinforcing the bilateral partnership across multiple sectors. His visit, which includes a sizeable business delegation, reflects Italy's growing focus on expanding economic cooperation with India. Sharing details of their meeting, PM Modi wrote on X, "Delighted to meet Italy's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, today." He added that he "conveyed appreciation for the proactive steps being taken by both sides towards implementation of the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 across key sectors such as trade, investment, research, innovation, defence, space, connectivity, counter-terrorism, education and people-to-people ties." He also noted that "India-Italy friendship continues to get stronger, greatly benefiting our people and the global community." During his visit, Tajani also held meetings with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, further deepening the ongoing strategic dialogue between the two nations. Jaishankar wrote on X that he and Tajani reviewed progress under the Joint Strategic Action Plan across "politics, defence, technology, innovation, maritime issues, mobility, space, trade, and investment." He added, "Also appreciated joint efforts to counter terror financing. Dwelt on our cooperation with the EU, other regional, global and multilateral developments." Setting the tone for the discussions, Jaishankar emphasised that India-Italy relations are grounded in shared democratic values and a mutual commitment to global peace and stability. He also conveyed India's gratitude for Italy's message of solidarity following the recent terror incident in New Delhi. The conversation built on earlier momentum, including a joint initiative to counter terror financing announced during PM Modi's meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Summit. Jaishankar reiterated that Italy remains one of India's closest partners in counterterrorism efforts, including within the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Beyond security cooperation, both sides exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscoring the growing geopolitical dimension of the partnership. Tajani is set to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai on Thursday, with economic engagement expected to remain a central focus. Jaishankar highlighted this during their discussions, telling Tajani, "You have taken leadership in moving that," in reference to advancing the 2025-2029 economic roadmap. (ANI) Brooklyn, NY As technology driven upgrades become more common across New York City, property owners in Brooklyn are increasingly adopting innovative ways to manage interior lighting, privacy, and energy use. One of the solutions gaining momentum this season is smart window tinting in Brooklyn, NY, a film technology designed to adjust its tint level based on light conditions or user control. This trend reflects a broader movement toward practical improvements that support comfort in both residential and commercial spaces. Why Smart Window Tinting Is Growing in Popularity Brooklyns varied building styles, from renovated industrial lofts to historic brownstones and modern mid rises, make lighting control an ongoing challenge. Large windows invite natural light but can also lead to excessive glare, uneven temperatures, and increased energy demand. Smart window tinting provides a way to maintain bright, comfortable interiors while reducing the impact of harsh sunlight. Smart tint technologies allow windows to shift opacity with the touch of a button or through automated light sensors. For offices, this can help maintain consistent work environments throughout the day. For homes, especially those with south or west facing windows, it offers a convenient way to reduce heat and preserve indoor comfort. A representative from New York Window Tinting explained, Smart tint technology has become appealing to Brooklyn residents because it gives them more control over their environment. It offers flexibility without requiring physical shades or blinds, and it supports both comfort and energy awareness. Support for Energy Efficiency and Sunlight Management Brooklyn neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn, and Boerum Hill experience strong sun exposure throughout the year. As more residents seek ways to reduce energy consumption, smart window tinting has become a practical option. By limiting heat gain during the day, smart films can help reduce cooling needs and support long term energy efficiency. This benefit is particularly relevant for commercial buildings that rely heavily on climate control systems. Smart tint can help moderate indoor temperatures and reduce the strain on HVAC equipment, especially during warm seasons. Property owners also value how the technology filters ultraviolet light, protecting flooring, furniture, and artwork from fading. Adapting Technology to Urban Living Conditions Brooklyns density means buildings often sit close together, increasing the need for flexible privacy solutions. Smart tint can shift from transparent to tinted, allowing occupants to maintain visibility while reducing outside views when needed. This adaptability is helpful for both multi family residences and commercial spaces located near busy streets or open public areas. Smart tinting also supports buildings with open layouts or large glass sections. Instead of relying on traditional window treatments, property owners can use automated tinting to achieve a clean, unobstructed look that aligns with modern design preferences. Applications Across Brooklyn Properties Brooklyns wide range of property types makes smart tinting suitable for many uses: Offices and coworking spaces benefit from reduced glare and better screen visibility. Retail storefronts use smart tinting to manage sunlight without losing natural brightness. Loft style residences apply smart films to maintain privacy while preserving open interiors. Brownstones and row houses use tinting to reduce heat on upper floors exposed to direct light. Its ability to adapt to seasonal and daily conditions makes it a versatile option for improving comfort in urban environments. Related Technology Trends in Light Control Smart tinting is part of a growing category of window improvements that support energy awareness and customization. As Brooklyn residents explore solutions that balance sustainability with convenience, smart films provide a modern alternative to heavier window coverings. Their automated functionality is especially helpful in buildings where lighting conditions change rapidly due to shifting shadows from neighboring structures. Local Expansion and Broader Regional Service Availability As interest continues to grow throughout Brooklyn, smart tinting has become a key part of property improvement across the borough. Residents and businesses seeking cleaner design, energy savings, or automated lighting control are exploring this technology as an accessible upgrade. New York Window Tinting provides smart window tinting services throughout New York and the surrounding Boroughs. Robert Kraft Takes Yeshiva U. Over The Goal Line of its $613 Million Campaign NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yeshiva University's 101st annual Hanukkah Dinner brought together Jewish leaders and allies to honor Israeli President Isaac Herzog with an honorary doctorate degree. As the evening paid tribute to President Herzog's steadfast leadership, it also highlighted the University's remarkable growth and enduring mission. The evening concluded with a milestone moment, as Robert Kraft announced a $5 million gift to bring the University to its $613 million campaign goal. This achievement reflects a wave of major philanthropic support and bold strategic initiatives that are shaping Yeshiva University's next century of excellence and impact. President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, being presented with an honorary doctorate by Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of Yeshiva University, at the university's 101st annual Hannukah Dinner on Dec. 7, 2025. In what some are calling the New York City pro-Israel event of the year, the evening brought together the leadership of the American and Jewish communities including Senator John Fetterman, Miriam Adelson, Daniel Loeb, Chella Safra, Douglas Murray as well as Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of fallen American Israeli hostage Omer Neutra. In a testament to the University's expanding leadership across higher education and on the world stage, the sold-out celebration highlighted the ambitious vision shaping Yeshiva University's future. From breakthroughs in health sciences to the continued elevation of Torah scholarship, leadership development and student support, the University is building its next century on academic excellence and values-based education. In his keynote address, President Herzog underscored the shared values and historic bonds uniting the Jewish State and Yeshiva University, the premier Jewish university in the country. He also voiced concern about Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and the rising antagonism toward Israel and the Jewish community. "Recent developments in New York City have raised a red flag," President Herzog said. "Here, we see the rise of a new mayor-elect who makes no effort to conceal his contempt for the Jewish democratic State of Israel." Referring to a recent protest outside a Manhattan synagogue and the incoming mayor's response to it, President Herzog added: "This rhetoric is outrageous. Delegitimizing the Jewish people's right to their ancient homeland and their age-old dream of Jerusalem legitimizes violence and undermines freedom of religion. This is both anti-Jewish and anti-American." In bestowing the honorary doctorate on President Herzog, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, praised him as "a leader who not only carries the conviction to defend Israel at every turn, but who has the character to build a state who is a light to all." Against this backdrop, Rabbi Berman asserted the centrality of Zionism to the University's identity. "We gather tonight at a pivotal time in our history," he said. "Recently, we have found the very legitimacy of Zionism has been called into question. So tonight, I am proud to say that Yeshiva University, the nation's flagship Jewish university, drawing its nourishment from our Torah, standing for academic excellence, serving as a cultural repository of the great books of the Western tradition and the foundational values of America, spurring scientific discovery and innovation, is at our core proudly and unabashedly Zionist. Transformational Gifts, Transformational Momentum In the months leading up to the Hanukkah Dinner, a wave of major philanthropic commitments helped carry Yeshiva University's Campaign to its historic $613 million goal, including: a landmark $37 million bequest from Ethel and Ronald Gruen investing in the future of Jewish education, a $10 million gift from Ann and Jeremy Pava establishing the Pava Center for Women's Torah Scholarship, and a $13 million foundational gift from Alex and Diana Tsigutkin to launch an engineering program. These gifts build on other remarkable contributions to the campaign, including the $36 million gift towards scholarships by the Wilf family and the $15 million commitment from the Morris Bailey and Joseph Jerome families to support Yeshiva University's new Health Sciences Campus. The evening also celebrated the extraordinary generosity of the Katz familyvisionary partners whose leadership established the Katz School of Science and Health. The enormous success of the school which now, after only eight years, has close to 1,500 students, has laid the groundwork at Yeshiva University for innovation across science, technology and the health professions. The University also awarded alum Wendy Fisher, President of the Guggenheim Foundation, with an honorary doctorate for her philanthropy and leadership which is shaping the global cultural and educational landscape. "Our university is experiencing unprecedented momentum," said Rabbi Berman. "Our undergraduate and graduate programs are thriving with record enrollment, distinguished scholars are joining our faculty in pursuit of an institution whose values they actually trust, and our philanthropic achievements have surpassed every benchmark. In a time when many universities are struggling, Yeshiva University is thrivingwith clarity and purpose." Donations to the campaign have supported the creation of new Honors tracks for top-tier students and expanded scholarship opportunities for students across the University, ensuring that more young people can access a Yeshiva University education regardless of financial circumstance. They have also supported significant capital and academic expansions, including the forthcoming Midtown campus dedicated to the health sciences, a 200,000-square-foot facility that will shape the next generation of researchers and health professionals. The 101st Hanukkah Dinner marked far more than reaching the campaign goal two years ahead of scheduleit marked the beginning of a new era. As Yeshiva University enters its second century, this moment signals a renaissance of ambitious ideas, far-reaching collaborations and an unshakeable commitment to educating leaders who will elevate and strengthen the Jewish people and the world. SOURCE Yeshiva University The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), on Tuesday, 9 December, has issued a stark warning that its humanitarian operations in Sudan are critically underfunded, jeopardizing essential services for women and girls. Speaking virtually to reporters in Geneva, UNFPAs country representative, Fabrizia Falcione, revealed that only 42% of the agencys 2025 response plan was financed, forcing the closure of safe spaces, interruption of supplies, and the suspension of key reproductive health services. UNFPA is appealing for 116 million dollars for 2026 to sustain maternal healthcare, reproductive services, and protection programs across the country, stressing that full funding is vital to avert further gaps in lifesaving assistance. Falcione highlighted the severe and ongoing impact of Sudans civil war, which has raged since April 2023 and continues to endanger millions. She noted that 12.1 million people face the risk of gender-based violence, underscoring the conflicts devastating assault on the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls. Despite the challenges, UNFPA continues to deliver maternal and obstetric care, along with psychosocial support and case management for survivors of gender-based violence. Falcione warned that these services remain a lifeline but only if the international community acts with urgency to prevent further atrocities. Mauritania hosted, Dec.8-9, its National Insurance Conference in Nouakchott, aimed at modernizing a sector that currently contributes only 0.33% of GDP, far below the African average of 2%. The conference, organized by the Central Bank of Mauritania (BCM) following the adoption of new legislation in September 2025, brought together hundreds of insurance professionals, experts, investors, and members of the security forces. The Mauritanian insurance market remains heavily concentrated in auto insurance, which accounts for 74% of all policies, despite growing steadily since 2020 in the non-life segment. Sector analysts from Finactu Consulting and Corporate Finance highlighted the markets strong growth potential, projecting that reforms could triple or even increase the market ninefold. BCM officials emphasized the strategic role of insurance in protecting individuals, businesses, and property, while supporting employment and consolidating the economy. The upcoming Nouakchott Stock Exchange is expected to see insurance companies act as major institutional investors, following an agreement signed in April 2025 between the BCM and the Casablanca Stock Exchange for capacity building and knowledge sharing. The conference aims to culminate in a program contract between the BCM and insurance companies and to set the groundwork for substantial sector reforms and modernization in Mauritania. The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has granted final practice permits to 91 companies and foreign exchange bureaux, as the Libyan dinar fell to 8.17 against the US dollar on the black market, amid ongoing cash shortages. The decision was announced on Tuesday, December 9. The CBL said the latest licensing forms part of its strategy to strengthen the role of exchange companies and bureaux. This follows previous approvals for 187 companies and bureaux, bringing the total number of fully licensed operators across Libya to 278. However, the central bank has not specified when the newly licensed FX Bureaux will be allowed to commence trading. CBL Governor Naji Issa had previously pledged in August that the dinar would stabilize to below LD 7 per dollar and that cash shortages would end by October 1, targets that have yet to be realized. The introduction of the FX Bureaux is part of broader reform measures aimed at improving Libyas economic, monetary, fiscal, and financial systems, curbing money laundering, reducing the grey economy and tax evasion, lowering demand for the US dollar in the black market, and strengthening the national currency. The government of Burkina-Faso has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Moroccos territorial integrity and commended UN Security Council resolution 2797 endorsing Moroccan autonomy plan in the Sahara under the Kingdoms sovereignty This supportive stand comes in a joint statement issued Wednesday following the 5th Session of the Morocco-Burkina Faso Joint Cooperation Commission held in Ouagadougou under co-chairmanship of foreign ministers of the two countries, Karamoko Jean Marie Traore and Nasser Bourita. In the joint statement, Mr. Traore hailed the growing international support for Moroccan autonomy plan recognized by the UN Security Council as the only serious, credible, and lasting basis for achieving a political solution to the Sahara issue within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty. For his part, Bourita thanked Burkina Faso for its unconditional support for Moroccos territorial integrity within regional and international fora. He also praised the opening by Burkina Faso of a Consulate in Moroccan Saharan city of Dakhla in 2020. Bourita also reaffirmed Moroccos support to the tireless efforts made by this African country in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism, affirming that the Kingdom stands as a reliable partner committed to promoting and backing Ouagadougou initiatives seeking stability and development. The two officials voiced commitment to strengthen further economic cooperation between the two countries, stressing the need to diversify partnership especially in security, defense, transport, training, agriculture, food security, water, and health. The FM of Burkina Faso has on this occasion paid tribute to the leadership and strong commitment of King Mohammed VI in favor of peace, stability, and development in Africa. The U.S. 60-day peace initiative between Morocco and Algeria announced lately by Trumps advisor for the Middle East Steve Witkoff places Algeria and the Polisario in an unprecedented strategic bind, says a report issued by German Konrad Adnauer Stiftung Foundation and Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation. Anyhow, it is highly unlikely that a peace deal will occur by mid-December, says the report of the two German Foundations. But President Trump has publicly declared his intention to resolve as many conflicts as possible during his term, making this case a presidential priority with personal investment from his closest advisers, underlines the research paper. This transforms what was previously a technical UN process into high-stakes American diplomacy, where refusing to engage carries direct consequences for bilateral relations with Washington, warns the report. Thus, Algeria cannot simply dismiss the initiative as it did previous UN efforts, nor can it afford to alienate an administration that controls critical economic partnerships, security cooperation, and international financial institution support, says the document. The Polisario, dependent on Algerian backing, has even less room to manoeuvre considering a pending US designation as a terrorist entity. Their only viable path involves participating in American-hosted discussions while attempting to redefine what is being negotiated, claiming they are engaging in good faith dialogue rather than accepting the autonomy framework. However, this tactical ambiguity will progressively erode as Washington, having invested presidential credibility, will demand concrete movement rather than procedural gestures, says the report. Morocco holds the strongest position precisely because it can engage with the American initiative on substance, presenting its updated autonomy proposal as the constructive response to Trumps peace push, while the other parties are eventually isolating themselves as the principal obstacles to the regional stability and economic integration that the Trump administration seeks to achieve, underline the research paper. It also cites UN Security Council resolution 2797 endorsing Moroccos autonomy initiative under the Kingdoms sovereignty as the sole basis for negotiations, mentioning it six times within a single-page text, without mentioning referendum. The UNSC resolution consolidates international legal recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, by making Moroccos Autonomy Plan under Moroccan sovereignty the sole internationally endorsed framework for resolution. According to Konrad Adnauer Stiftung Foundation and Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation, this historic shift irreversibly moves the entire conflict resolution process onto Moroccos terms, depriving adversaries of any remaining credible alternative narrative. This creates unprecedented momentum toward a final, definitive settlement. The Moroccan-French Joint Military Commission, which held its 23rd meeting in Paris December 9 10, assessed the results of cooperation in 2025 and agreed on the activities to be included in the 2026 cooperation program. During the meeting, co-chaired by the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, and the Chief of Frances Defense Staff, Air Force General Fabien Mandon, both sides commended the excellence of Moroccan-French military cooperation and its positive results, particularly in 2025, while underscoring the importance of expanding the exchange of experience and expertise to other areas of common interest, the FAR General Staff said in a statement. The meeting also provided an opportunity for both parties to agree on the activities to be included in the 2026 cooperation program. The meeting of the Moroccan-French Joint Military Commission, an important milestone in the strategic dialogue between the two armies, aims to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and align strategic approaches to security and technological challenges. It also seeks to strengthen bilateral military cooperation in various fields, notably joint training and capacity-building, the statement said. The meeting took place in a context marked by renewed momentum between the two countries and reflects the shared ambition expressed by King Mohammed VI and President Emmanuel Macron during the historic visit he paid to Rabat in 2024, the statement added. On the sidelines of the meeting, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid received the insignia of Commander of the Legion of Honor. This insignia was presented on behalf of the President of France by Air Force General Fabien Mandon, during an official ceremony attended by senior civilian and military figures. During the ceremony, Major General Mohamed Abbar, Inspector of the FAR Military Health Service, and Air Force Major General Fouad Moumen, Chief of the 4th Office of the FAR General Staff, were awarded the National Order of Merit Medal (Officer Grade). These decorations are in recognition of their efforts to develop bilateral military relations under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces. 65 items in this article 23 items on sale! Photo-Illustration: Courtesy of the retailers I get more delight out of buying gifts for my mom than for anyone else (sorry, Dad). Part of that comes down to the challenge. What do you get someone when youve exhausted every obvious gift option? After all, this is the same woman who displayed my preschool scribbles on the fridge for years and still wears the slippers I gave her nearly a decade ago. My fail-safe philosophy is to get her a replacement, like brand-new socks. You can also never go wrong with getting her something she needs (but hasnt gotten around to buying) or something she would never, ever buy for herself. If youre looking for the best gifts for moms, youve come to the right place: Many of the gift ideas here have been vetted by the Strategist team from a magnesium oil spray that helps one contributor sleep to a blind-box mushroom key chain that our toy writer has. Of course, I made sure to search through our archives for the other things that are delightful (like a hammock for fruit!) or useful (would you be interested in a suitcase that fits under an airplane seat?). Then, to round out this list, I clicked through hundreds of pages to find extra-giftable versions of everyday items, so youll see mezzelune-shaped oven mitts and a throw blanket that might feel like the inside of a pair UGGs, too. Everything below is available on Amazon for quick shipping (if you have a Prime membership) and organized by price so you can stay on budget. If youre looking for more gift ideas for the holidays, we have a gifting hub featuring every gift guide weve written this year and a Gift Scout for especially hard-to-shop-for types. Updated on December 17, 2025 We updated every gift on this list with the latest availability. Everything here should arrive before Christmas, if ordered on Amazon, as of publication time. Under $25 For the mom who calls margaritas margs Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. BruMate MargTini $25 $25 Importantly, the MargTini comes with a splashproof lid for when shes had maybe one too many. $25 at Amazon Buy For the mom whos a butter fiend For the mom whos a stationery nerd For the mom who knows the policies of every major airline For the mom who doesnt know where her keys went For the mom whos quick on her feet For the mom with a barely controlled screen addiction For the mom who still handwrites For the mom who still handwrites (and is left-handed) For the mom whos working on her core Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Gaiam Pilates Ring $15 $20 now 25% off $15 In her arsenal of home-stretching tools (that coax limbs into something close to alignment), comedy writer Caroline Goldfarb keeps this Pilates ring for her tight hamstrings and itll tone the core and strengthen muscles through different training positions, too. $15 at Amazon Buy $15 at Amazon Buy For the mom whos figuring out her color-analysis chart For the mom whos in desperate need of peace and quiet For the mom whose protein of choice is a soft-boiled egg For the mom whos cutting back on gum For the mom whose motto is store-bought is fine For the mom who pops melatonin gummies like candy For the mom who keeps the air conditioner out year-round For the mom who believes in bar soap over body wash For the mom who believes in body wash over bar soap For the mom who takes everything baths For the mom who spends every Sunday morning at the farmers market For the mom whod rather dine in than out For the mom whose backyard is a Japanese garden For the mom who gets the window seat Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. J-Pillow Travel Pillow - Black $60 $60 The updated J-Pillow is part of a new generation of post-Trtl travel pillows. It now comes with an adjustable neck strap to make it easier to lean against a window. $60 at J Pillow Buy Under $100 For the mom whos trying to cut back on her processed-sugar consumption For the mom who drinks her coffee cold For the mom who wakes up parched in the middle of the night For the mom with a budding green thumb For the mom who doesnt want another candle For the mom who (over)works from home For the mom who could use some uninterrupted shut-eye For the mom whose Crocs are on their last legs For the mom who runs a shoes off household For the mom who reapplies sunscreen hourly For the mom who really shouldnt be sleeping on her stomach For the mom whos a snuggler For the mom who has a stiff neck For the mom whose third child has a snout For the mom whos perfected the weekend getaway Under $200 For the mom who forgets to charge overnight For the mom who gets an even ten hours of sleep For the mom who doesnt get eight hours of sleep For the mom whose UGGs are on their last legs For the mom who stays in the tub until her fingers prune For the mom whos striving for a plastic-free countertop For the mom who cant sit down For the mom who cant wait to be a grandma Under $500 For the mom whos a waffle fiend For the mom whos feeling sore For the mom who never leaves the house without putting on her face For the mom who swears vinyl sounds better For the mom whos looking a little dry Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Carepod Cube Plus X50V $399 $450 now 11% off $399 This humidifiers mist has been likened to the flames of a medieval dragon. $399 at Amazon Buy For the mom whos got a lot on her mental load Saved View Want to be emailed about sales and other updates to your saved products? Success! You'll get an email when something you've saved goes on sale. Yes New! You can now save this product for later. Skylight The Skylight Calendar - 15" $300 $300 Think of it as a planner with a touchscreen. She can sync multiple online calendars, make a grocery list, or even start a chore chart. $300 at myskylight Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best hostess gifts, gifts for dads, baby-shower gifts, gifts for bosses, bar mitzvah gifts, and things on sale. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. If you buy something through our links, New York may earn an affiliate commission. Massachusetts Awards SafetyWorks Grants to 160 Organizations to Strengthen Workplace Safety The Healey-Driscoll Administration has launched the SafetyWorks Initiative, providing funding to help employers enhance training, improve hazard prevention, and reduce workplace injuries across the Commonwealth. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded funding to 160 organizations across Massachusetts as part of its new SafetyWorks Initiative, a statewide effort designed to strengthen workplace safety, expand hazard-prevention training and improve employer compliance with evolving regulatory standards. The program provides financial support to employers, unions, and safety-focused organizations seeking to improve injury prevention, enhance worker training, and modernize safety practices. The grants will help fund comprehensive safety audits, expanded training programs, ergonomic assessments, industrial hygiene monitoring, and other targeted hazard-reduction strategies. State safety officials emphasized the initiatives proactive focus on preventing injuries before they occur. These training grants help employers stay ahead of risks by equipping their teams with the skills to recognize hazards and prevent injuries, said Maryann Falvey, Director of the Office of Safety. According to the administration, the initiative aims not only to reduce injury rates but also to strengthen long-term workforce stability by building safer, more resilient workplace environments. The funding is expected to benefit thousands of workers across industries such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, maintenance and public service. Organizations selected under SafetyWorks are encouraged to use the resources to modernize their safety programs, expand employee training, and collaborate closely with safety professionals to ensure measurable improvement. Officials say employers who adopt strong prevention practices often see reductions in injuries, operational disruptions, and associated costs. Ever since President Trump ordered the first strike on a boat offshore Venezuela, speculation about a direct intervention in the South American country with a view to regime change has been rife. Much of that has focused on oil, for obvious reasons. For those very same reasons, a U.S. regime change in Venezuela would have far-reaching implications. Venezuela has the largest proven reserves of crude oil in the world. Most of those reserves are heavy crude, for which U.S. Gulf Coast refineries are calibrated. This fact made life temporarily harder for refiners during President Trumps first term, when he first started stepping up sanctions on Venezuelaoriginally in place since 2005. Canadian heavy replaced Venezuelan crude in greater volumes amid the sanctions, and now, the Canadian oil industry would be among those affected by the potential regime change in Caracas. The most immediate impact of such a move on the part of the Trump administration would, of course, be a price jump. Venezuela has seen its oil production and exports shrink considerably since the start of the U.S. sanction offensive, although in the past couple of years, there has been some recovery in both. The latest export figures, for November, showed a daily average of around 900,000 barrels, which Reuters said was the third-highest for this year. Related: Rosneft Oil Cargo Wanders for Weeks as Sanctions Mount Wood Mackenzie says Venezuelas total oil production stands at 900,000 barrels daily this year. That is down from as much as 3 million barrels around 20 years ago and 2 million barrels daily in 2017. Sanctions and years of mismanagement have both contributed to the current state of affairs, but some U.S. observers believe a change in government would also change Venezuelas oil fortunes with U.S. producers returning to its oilfields. This means that after the initial price shock, international benchmarks are set for a further slump, assuming that a regime change would also result in the lifting of sanctions once a friendlier government is installed in Caracas. This is a hypothetical development, but one that pretty much everyone acknowledges as likely. Wood Mackenzies Ed Crooks even cited Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as referring to such a development indirectly in the context of the Trump administrations efforts to keep oil affordable. I think theres a very good chance that if something happens with Russia-Ukraine, if something happens down in Venezuela, that we could really see oil prices go down even more, Bessent said on Fox News. Oil and gasoline prices are down substantially under President Trump. And really the key to affordability is lower energy [prices]. If that something happens, it will have repercussions for the Canadian oil industry as well. Energy analyst David Blackmon noted this in a recent podcast, saying the return of more Venezuelan crude to Gulf Coast refineries will affect demand for Canadian crude, and it would not affect it favorably. In such a hypothetical context, it would be a smart thing for the Canadian government to expand the access of Canadian crude to markets other than the United States, such as China. Venezuela has oil reserves of over 300 billion barrels. This is 20% of the global total and certainly a prize worth coveting. However, getting to that prize would involve an oil price shock that would be inconsistent with the key to affordability as expressed by Secretary Bessent. The situation certainly remains interesting, keeping analysts on their toes, unsure what the endgame of the Trump admininistration isand as a consequence what the U.S. president would ultimately choose to do with regard to Venezuela. All of this adds a new vector of uncertainty to oil markets. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The first edition of the new mentorship program features renowned artist Amoako Boafo serving as the inaugural mentor ARLINGTON, Va., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MAISON PERRIER proudly unveils the MAISON PERRIER Art Prize, an international initiative created to champion emerging artists and open new pathways for creativity. The first edition will unfold under the mentorship of Amoako Boafo, who is planned to include a six-week artist residency at dot.ateliers residency in Accra (Ghana), founded by the Ghanaian painter, to foster artistic exchange and creativity. MAISON PERRIER launches the MAISON PERRIER Art Prize, a new international mentorship program for emerging artists led by inaugural mentor Amoako Boafo. "It has always been a passion of mine to support artists," said Amoako Boafo. "Hopefully, a little assistance from us all can help grow their talents, add value to themselves and their works, and allow them to continue adding value to the world." The MAISON PERRIER Art Prize reflects the brand's long-term ambition to unlock new opportunities for emerging talents and to offer them the international exposure they deserve. It creates a space for collaboration, guidance and shared imagination. The jury, composed of leading international figures from the art world, includes Laurent Le Bon, President of the Centre Pompidou in Paris (France); Cathia Lawson-Hall, Co-founder of the Centre Pompidou's Africa Acquisitions Committee; Fabrice Bousteau, French art critic, journalist, curator and editor-in-chief of Beaux Arts Magazine and Le Quotidien de l'Art; Thomas E. Moore III, Executive Director of the American Friends of the Louvre; and Jimena Blazquez Abascal, Director of the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo (CAAC) in Seville (Spain). Together, they will assess the submissions and select a shortlist of finalists, from which Amoako Boafo will choose the overall winner. The rewards offered reflect the ambition and spirit of the prize. Subject to verification and compliance with all contest rules, the Winning Candidate may receive: A mentorship with Amoako Boafo A 6-week artist residency at dot.ateliers residency in Accra (Ghana) A total amount of up to forty thousand euros (40,000) as compensation A limited edition on MAISON PERRIER packaging Applications for the MAISON PERRIER Art Prize opened on December 1, 2025 through maisonperrier.fr, inviting emerging artists from around the world to take part in this first edition. Submissions will close on March 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CET. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to graphic artists worldwide, 25 years of age or older. Contest ends 3/31/26. Void where prohibited. For complete Rules, eligibility information, entry instructions, judging criteria and prize details, visit www.maisonperrier.fr/art-prize-rules. ABOUT MAISON PERRIER MAISON PERRIER beverages are pioneering a new chapter from the makers of Perrier. MAISON PERRIER is an uplifting range of sparkling beverages offering a pleasurable and intense taste to meet your varying needs and taste preferences throughout the day. Whether you're looking for an uplifting mid-afternoon treat or refined new flavors for mocktail drinks out with friends. Learn more at www.maisonperrier.us/ or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. ABOUT AMOAKO BOAFO Amoako Boafo (b. 1984; Accra, Ghana; lives and works in Ghana) is innovative in his approach: acclaimed for his enticing finger-painted portraits, his work has become landmarked in the pictorial subset of art history. Through striking, often monotone and direct portraits, Boafo engages in an intimate closeness with his subjects. The figures gaze with unwavering firmness as they look to the viewer with stern dispositions. Typically isolated on single color backgrounds, viewers have nowhere to look but at the subjects, leaving little room for misinterpretation. His tableaux vivants are placed at a high recognition, both physically regarding their size and spiritually in terms of their grandeur. Boafo studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna (Austria) and in 2017 was awarded with the jury prize, Walter Koschatzky Art Prize. His work has been widely collected by private and public collections, most recently by the Wooyang Art Museum (South Korea), Denver Art Museum (Colorado, USA), the Musee National d'Art Moderne, Centre Pompidou (Paris, France), the Leopold Museum (Vienna, Austria), Tate Modern (London, UK), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (California, USA), and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York, USA). His work has been exhibited in institutions such as the Belvedere Museum (Vienna, Austria), Kunsthalle Vienna (Vienna, Austria), Seattle Art Museum (Seattle, USA), Museum of the African Diaspora (San Francisco, USA) and The Bass Museum (Miami, USA), among others. Contacts: Erin Abney, Nestle USA [email protected] SOURCE Maison Perrier Geopolitically, the shift is marked by China's pivot from dominating solar panel manufacturing to cornering the green hydrogen market, and a return to "interventionist industrial strategy" in the West where governments are becoming energy shareholders. The transition is forcing a move away from simple Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) toward complex, flexible contracts and driving Big Tech to invest in on-site generation and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to ensure reliability. The rapid growth of AI is projected to push global data center power demand to 2,200 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2030, an "always-on" load that threatens to overwhelm the world's aging electrical grids. There is the economy you see on the screen. And then there is the economy that runs the screen. For the last few years, the screen has been winning. We have been living in a "Zero Marginal Cost" fantasy We convinced ourselves that adding another million users to ChatGPT was free. That scaling a startup was just a matter of writing better code. That "The Cloud" was an infinite, weightless place where business happened by magic. But today, S&P Global Energy dropped a bucket of ice water on that fever dream. Ive spent the morning reading through their new Horizons Top Trends 2026 forecast. Its dense. Its technical. Its written in the polite, measured language of analysts who don't like to shout. But if you translate the data into plain English, they are shouting. The bottleneck isn't the code anymore. Its the copper. Its the transformers. Its the sheer, raw wattage required to keep the simulation running. And right now? We don't have enough of it. Adding Another India to a Grid That Cant Handle It Lets look at the raw numbers, because they are wild. S&P projects that by 2030, global data center power demand could hit 2,200 terawatt-hours (TWh). It is easy to glaze over a number like that. We hear stats about "energy consumption" all the time. But context is everything. Last year, the IEA warned we might hit 1,000 TWh in 2026 S&P has looked at the trajectory of AI adoption and effectively doubled that forecast. To put that 2,200 TWh figure in perspective: that is roughly the total electricity consumption of India. But the "India" comparison actually undersells the severity of the problem. A countrys energy demand breathes. It fluctuates. People turn off lights factories shut down for the night. The load varies. AI demand is different. It is a flat line of maximum intensity. It is relentless, baseload hunger. Data centers don't sleep, they don't take holidays, and they don't throttle down. We are attempting to bolt a rigid, massive, always-on load onto a global grid that was designed for the variable rhythms of the 20th century. And we are trying to do it while 38% of the companies driving this demand have no credible plan to get to net zero. We are pouring $500 billion in capital expenditure into U.S. data centers for 2026 alone. That is half a trillion dollars going into the "engine" of the economy, while the "fuel lines" are rusted through. We are building the most advanced computing infrastructure in human history, and we are expecting it to run on transmission maps drawn up during the Nixon administration. Running the 21st Century Economy on Nixon-Era Maps For decades, the electrical grid was the "boring" part of the energy transition. It was wires and poles. It was a utility stock you bought for the dividend. That era is dead. The grid is now the single biggest bottleneck to the digital economy, and S&P has upgraded grid modernization from a "utility issue" to a "national competitiveness issue." The report paints a bleak picture of our current infrastructure: The EU: 40% of the grid is over 40 years old. It was built for a fossil fuel era of centralized, steady power. S&P estimates 584 billion is needed by 2030 just to keep the lights on. The US: The situation is described as potentially "obsolete," with explosive AI demand threatening capacity crunches and instability. But "modernization" doesn't just mean hanging more copper wire. The report hints at a massive technological overhaul required to manage this new load. To handle the chaotic influx of renewables and the massive, steady draw of AI, the grid needs a brain transplant. We are moving toward Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and Virtual Power Plants (VVPs)...systems that aggregate thousands of small batteries and solar panels to act like one giant power plant. We are seeing the necessity for Grid-Forming Inverters. In the old days, heavy spinning turbines (coal, gas, nuclear) provided the physical inertia to keep the grid frequency stable. Solar panels don't spin. As we retire the turbines, we lose that stability. We now need advanced inverters that can synthetically replicate that inertia. Without them, the grid becomes brittle, prone to blackouts the moment a cloud passes over a solar farm. And then there is the issue of cybersecurity. As we digitize the grid with smart meters and AI balancing, we expand the attack surface. A grid that runs on software is a grid that can be hacked. The report emphasizes "energy security," and in 2026, security means ensuring a rogue actor can't turn off the lights in Northern Virginia with a keystroke. The Death of the "Vanilla" PPA If the physical grid is changing, the financial plumbing is changing even faster. For the last decade, Big Tech bought clean energy through simple Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Google would sign a contract to buy wind power from a farm in Iowa for 10 years at a fixed price. Simple. Clean. S&P says that model is breaking. "Flexible Power Purchase Agreements become the new standard," the report notes. Why? Because the market is getting violent. As we flood the grid with solar, we are seeing more instances of negative pricingmoments where there is so much power at noon that generators literally pay the grid to take it. But at 8 PM? Prices spike. A simple "pay-as-produced" PPA doesn't work in a market where the price of power fluctuates between -$20 and +$500 in a single day. We are seeing the rise of Hybrid PPAs and 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) contracts. These are complex financial structures that bundle solar (for the day), wind (for the night), and storage (for the gaps) to guarantee a flat, steady profile. It is no longer enough to just "buy green." You have to buy reliability. Software is Becoming Big Techs Side Hustle This volatility is driving a massive boom in storage. You can't run a data center on intermittent power. You need a buffer. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here The report highlights a surge in battery energy storage systems (BESS). The U.S. is set to install almost 15 GW of new battery capacity in 2026 alone, with Germany and Australia following suit. But for the hyperscalersAmazon, Microsoft, Googlebatteries arent enough. They are starting to bypass the grid entirely. If the utility tells you it takes five years to get a hookupyou build your own power plant. We are talking about data centers colocating with existing nuclear plants (like the Three Mile Island deal) or exploring small modular reactors (SMRs) and solid oxide fuel cells on campus. Big Tech is becoming an electric utility with a side hustle in software. While We Debate Solar, China Is Cornering the Molecules While the West scrambles to upgrade its transformers and figure out PPAs, China is pivoting. And this might be the most critical geopolitical signal in the entire report. For the first time ever, S&P expects global solar installations to decline in 2026. Why? Because China is tapping the brakes. They are shifting from guaranteed pricing to competitive bidding. They are signaling that the "growth at all costs" phase for solar is over. They have won that war. They own the supply chain. Now, they are moving to the next battlefield: green hydrogen. The data here isstaggering. Chinese electrolyzer prices have crashed to under $100 per kilowatt (/kW). Western competitors are struggling to get below $250/kW. China plans to install 4.5 GW of electrolyzers in 2026. They are building the capacity to export energy molecules (ammonia/hydrogen), not just panels. They are already certifying green ammonia plants for export to the EU, eyeing prices as low as $600 per metric ton. The signal is clear China doesn't just want to sell us the infrastructure anymore. They want to sell us the fuel too. They are positioning themselves to be the Saudi Arabia of the green energy era. The Invisible Hand is Being Replaced by the Iron Fist Perhaps the most interesting trend in the report is the return of the state. For forty years, the western energy model was "deregulation." Let the market decide. Thats quietly disappearing. S&P highlights a move toward a "more interventionist industrial strategy" in the U.S. The report explicitly mentions "greater government involvement through equity stakes." This is the Sovereign Equity Model I talked about in a previous piece. The challenges of the transitiongrid modernization, nuclear power, critical mineralsare too capital-intensive and too risky for the private market to handle alone. We are moving into an era where the government is a regulatorand shareholder. The U.S.: Targeting support for nuclear and advanced geothermal. The EU: Implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2026. This is effectively a carbon tariff. It forces global trade to align with EU climate standards or pay a penalty. This is the weaponization of climate policy. Stop Reading Press Releases, Start Counting Electrons So, how do you navigate a world where the digital economy is writing checks the physical grid can't cash? The S&P report makes it clear: "Energy expansion and sustainability are not parallel ambitions, but intertwined imperatives." If you are looking at an energy project, a data center REIT, or a tech major, you cannot evaluate them based on their press releases. You need to audit their physical reality. Standard ESG metrics wont help you here; they measure intent. We need to measure capacity. Related: Labor Shortages Threaten to Derail Europe's Energy Security Pivot I use a simple "Reality Score" to filter through the noise. Its a way to measure whether a company is building for the world that is, or the world they wish existed. 1. The "Thermodynamics" Test Stop looking at "Net Zero by 2030" pledges and start looking at the electrons. We are moving from an era of "Paper Carbon" to "Real Power." The Red Flag: Companies relying on "Virtual Power Purchase Agreements" (VPPAs) and carbon offsets. These are financial instruments, not physical solutions. They make the accounting look good, but they don't keep the lights on during a blackout. The Green Flag: Companies securing 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE). This means they are buying baseload power (Nuclear, Geothermal, Hydro) that runs when the sun goes down. Are they obeying the laws of thermodynamics, or trying to accounting-trick their way around them? 2. The "Location" Test Real estate agents say "Location, Location, Location." Energy investors need to say "Queue, Queue, Queue." The Red Flag: Building in "hyperscale hubs" like Northern Virginia or Dublin. S&P warns of multi-year wait times in these regions. If a company is announcing a new gigawatt campus in Ashburn, VA, they are buying a place in a very long line. The Green Flag: Companies investing in Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs) or Solid State Transformers (SSTs). These are the technologies that squeeze more juice out of existing wires. Also, look for projects in regions with "stranded power"...places where generation exceeds demand, like parts of the Midwest or Quebec. 3. The "Statecraft" Test In an interventionist era, you do not want to fight the state. You want to be the state's partner. The Red Flag: Companies fighting regulators or ignoring the implications of CBAM. If their supply chain is dirty and they rely on exports to Europe, their margins are about to get crushed by carbon tariffs. The Green Flag: Projects aligned with national security. Think "Sovereign Cloud" for the Department of Defense or domestic critical mineral processing. If the government holds a "golden share" or an equity stake, that project is implicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the Treasury. It is not allowed to fail. Once you have filtered the market through this lensseparating the accounting tricks from the thermodynamic realitiesyoure left with a very short list of investable themes. And they fall into three specific portfolios. Three Ways to Play the Great Rewiring If you accept the thesis that 2026 is the year physics punches back, then your entire investment logic has to flip. You stop looking at the companies burning the energy (the tech giants) and you start looking at the companies building the fireplace. S&Ps data points to three specific areas where capital has no choice but to flow. The "Plumbing" Portfolio This is the unsexy stuff. This is the portfolio for the person who sees that 584 billion grid infrastructure gap in Europe and sees a massive, multi-year order book. For the last twenty years, we treated the grid like a static asset. We assumed the wires would just work. But now, we are trying to shove gigawatts of wind power from the North Sea down to the data centers in Frankfurt, and we are realizing the pipes are too small. We aren't just replacing old lines; we are building high-tech energy superhighways. The winners here are the industrial heavyweights. You have cable giants like Prysmian and Nexans, whose factories are reportedly booked out for years building the subsea interconnectors that tie nations together. You have the heavy electrical engineers like Siemens Energy and Hitachi Energythe only people on earth who can build the massive transformers and switchgear capable of handling these loads. And in the U.S., you have the builders. Companies like Quanta Services that literally dig the ditches and string the copper. It isn't glamorous. It won't get you a keynote at CES. But in a hardware-constrained world, it is the only work that matters. The "Flexibility" Portfolio If volatility is the new standardif electricity prices can swing from negative to sky-high in a single afternoonthen the market is going to pay a premium for flexibility. This portfolio bets on the "brain" and the "buffer" of the grid. We are flooding the system with dumb, weather-dependent power. Solar panels go dark when clouds roll in. Wind turbines stop when the air settles. To keep a data center running through that chaos, you need smart, responsive assets. The obvious play here is the integrators like Fluence and Tesla (Megapack), who are deploying utility-scale batteries at a frantic pace. But the real "alpha" might be in the software layer. Look at companies like Stem or the internal trading desks of utilities like NextEra. These players are running "Virtual Power Plants"...using AI to arbitrage the grid, discharging power exactly when the price spikes. They are effectively the market makers of the electron economy, profiting from the very instability the transition creates. The "Molecule" Portfolio While the West fights over electrons, China is betting that the future runs on liquid fuels. This portfolio is a hedge against the physical limits of the wire. S&P makes the situation stark: China effectively owns the electrolyzer hardware market. With costs driving under $100/kW, Western manufacturers simply cannot compete on price. So, if you believe hydrogen and green ammonia are the future, you have to look for the "moats." The opportunity likely splits into two camps. First, you have the "Midstream"...the shipping titans like Maersk or chemical handlers like Yara. They don't care who makes the machine; they get paid to move the product from the sunny deserts where it's made to the rainy cities where it's burned. Second, you have the "Protectionist" plays. As Western governments erect tariff walls to block Chinese tech, domestic manufacturers like Bloom Energy (solid oxide fuel cells) or Plug Power stand to benefit from "Buy American" or "Buy European" mandates. In this scenario, their value comes not just from their technology, but from their regulatory shield. Gravity Always Wins For the last fifteen years, Silicon Valley sold us a beautiful lie: that we could decouple growth from the physical world. We called it the "Zero Marginal Cost" era. In that world, scaling was frictionless. It cost Facebook nothing to add another user... It cost Netflix pennies to stream another movie... We convinced ourselves that the economy could float in the Cloud, untethered from the messy reality of atoms, borders, and thermodynamics. The S&P report is the wake-up call. We are entering the era of Marginal Cost Reality. Every new AI token generated requires a liter of water and a specific jolt of electricity. Every new data center requires a substation, a transmission line, and a government permit that takes five years to approve. The friction is back. And it is expensive. The winners of 2026 won't be the founders with the best pitch decks or the cleanest Python code. They will be the industrialists who secured the land, laid the copper, built the reactors, and shook hands with the state. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The European Commission is expected to launch a nearly $1.4 trillion (1.2 trillion euros) package to upgrade cross-border electric grids and accelerate planning and permitting as the EU looks to strengthen power links and accommodate a growing share of renewable electricity generation. The European Commission is set to unveil the trillion-dollar package to fast-track grid upgrades and renewable projects permits, and boost cross-border cooperation, a leaked document seen by Euronews showed this week. The Commission has identified eight key grid projects that will boost cross-border cooperation and strengthen links in the outdated European grid, which is not fit for absorbing the rising share of renewable electricitynot without solar and wind curtailments and losses for the EU taxpayer. The EC is expected to unveil this week a comprehensive EU plan for cross-border electricity infrastructure, according to a draft proposal seen by Reuters. The Commission will also work with grid operators to help the projects up and running, the proposal says. Huge Problem with Bottlenecks In Europe, its a huge problem and we lose billions every year in lost value because of curtailment and bottlenecks, European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jrgensen, told the Financial Times last week. Thats why the Commission will present an EU-wide plan to identify and help fund the most critical grid projects. The slow buildout and upgrade of the electric grids are the biggest danger to the EUs net-zero and energy security goals, Jrgensen told FT. It is a bit of a paradox that we have an internal market that works better for selling tomatoes or toothpaste than it does for energy, the EU official said. In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EC would address critical grid bottlenecks in European electricity infrastructure in a bid to avoid spiking power and energy costs. Let us be clear our energy prices remain still too high, too volatile, and too disparate across Europe. In some Member States, electricity costs three times more than in others. And many price spikes could be avoided, if energy could flow more freely to where it is needed, von der Leyen said at a conference to take stock of one year of work since the landmark report on Europes competitiveness published by former European Central Bank (ECB) president Mario Draghi. The national grids are not well integrated as Europe lacks the necessary interconnectors and is not using the ones it has efficiently, von der Leyen said. We will liberate these bottlenecks one by one. And we will step in with funding where necessary, the top EU official said in September. Trillions of Investment Needed In late April, the worst blackout Europe has ever seen in modern times, when Spain and Portugal were left without electricity for hours, was a wake-up call for the EU that, regardless of booming renewable energy capacity installations, power supply will not be secure unless grids are capable and flexible enough to accommodate clean energy and meet rising demand. For example, estimates have shown that some of Europes top economies where wind power plays a key role in electricity supply had to curtail a record amount of generation capacity between January and September as grids were unable to dispatch the surge in renewable energy output. The curtailment rates in Spain, Germany, France, and southern Sweden rose in the nine months of the year compared to the same period of 2024, according to estimates by data provider LSEG cited by Bloomberg. The European Commission has estimated that $2.3 trillion (2 trillion euros) to $2.7 trillion (2.3 trillion euros) is required to meet grid needs until 2050, a review of the EUs electricity grids by the European Court of Auditors showed earlier this year. The current pipeline of cross-border transmission projects in the EU falls short of its 2030 interconnection targets, clean energy think tank Ember said in a report last week. Countries representing nearly 80% of EU power generation are behind on their 2030 interconnection targets, according to Embers analysis. A total of 11 member states including the biggest economies Germany, France, and Italy, as well as Spain, Portugal, Poland, and Greece are projected to have import capacity equal to less than 15% of their domestic electricity generation by 2030. Moreover, optimizing the European power system will require nearly doubling cross-border transfer capacity over the next decade, Ember says. Eurelectric, the association of the European electricity industry, last month urged the European Commission to take bold action in the Grids Package. Without immediate grid upgrades and regulatory reform, Europe risks derailing its electrification and climate ambitions, Eurelectric said, adding that Europes ageing grids could slow down the energy transition. The message is clear: Europe needs grids that grow as fast as its ambitions or risk watching the energy transition stall at the connection point, the association noted. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com North America remains the dominant market for resilience applications, while the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market due to rapid urbanization and rural electrification needs. The primary driver for microgrid adoption has shifted from economic factors to the urgent need for energy security and infrastructure resilience against extreme weather and aging centralized grids. The global market for decentralized microgrid solutions is projected to nearly triple, reaching $17.16 billion by 2032, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.74%. The global energy landscape is undergoing a decisive structural shift, moving away from the century-old model of centralized utility dependence toward localized, autonomous power networks. According to a new industry report by Credence Research, the global market for decentralized microgrid solutions is projected to nearly triple in value over the next decade, reaching $17.16 billion by 2032. This trajectory represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.74%, driven by a confluence of geopolitical instability, accelerating renewable energy adoption, and the urgent need for infrastructure resilience in the face of increasingly volatile weather patterns. From Niche Pilot to Strategic Asset Once considered a niche solution for remote military bases or off-grid communities, microgrids have matured into essential strategic assets for the industrial and commercial sectors. The data indicates the market has already expanded significantly, growing from roughly $2.77 billion in 2018 to an estimated $5.71 billion in 2024. Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here This rapid adoption is fueled by the falling costs of distributed energy resources (DERs), particularly solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery storage systems. However, the primary catalyst has shifted from pure economics to energy security. With aging centralized grids in North America and Europe struggling to cope with peak demand and extreme weather, highlighted by recent hurricane-induced outages in the U.S. Southeast, businesses are increasingly viewing decentralized power not just as a sustainability goal, but as an operational necessity. North America Leads in Resilience North America remains the dominant region for decentralized microgrid technology, a trend supported by substantial federal investment in grid modernization. The regions market size is projected to climb from $2.5 billion in 2024 to over $7.6 billion by 2032. The drive for resilience is evident in recent policy moves. The U.S. Department of Energys "Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships" (GRIP) program, for instance, has earmarked billions to harden infrastructure against wildfires and storms. Consequently, industrial users, data centers, and healthcare campuses are bypassing traditional interconnection delays by installing behind-the-meter microgrids that ensure continuity during main grid failures. Asia Pacific: The Growth Engine While North America leads in technological sophistication and resilience applications, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market, with a projected CAGR of 15.0% through 2032. The dynamic here is different but equally potent. Rapid urbanization in India and China, coupled with rural electrification mandates in the Indonesian archipelago, is driving demand for hybrid microgrids. These systems often replace costly diesel generators with solar-plus-storage solutions, effectively leapfrogging traditional grid infrastructure in developing areas. The Role of Digitalization The hardware of microgrids, batteries and panels, is only half the story. The report highlights that the explosive growth is equally underpinned by software advancements. Modern microgrids rely on AI-driven controllers and real-time analytics to balance loads, manage "islanding" (disconnecting from the main grid), and optimize peer-to-peer energy trading. As industries race to decarbonize, the ability to digitally manage a mix of wind, solar, and hydrogen fuel cells locally is becoming a critical competitive advantage. Outlook The forecasted surge to $17 billion signals that decentralized energy is no longer an alternative to the grid, but a fundamental component of the future energy mix. As extreme weather events become more frequent and digital dependency grows, the premium on power reliability will likely keep the microgrid sector on a bullish trajectory well into the 2030s. By Michael Kern for Oilpice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The European Union (E.U.) of 27 member countries will never go back to our dangerous dependence on Russia, said Dan Jrgensen, European Commissioner (E.C.) for Energy last week. We will never go back to volatile supplies and market manipulation, and we will never go back to energy blackmail and economic exposure, he added. This followed the full agreement on 3 December of the E.U.s REPowerEU Roadmap, which E.C. President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted as enabling the continent to: Enter the era of Europes full energy independence from Russia [as] Today, we are stopping these imports permanently. She underlined: By depleting [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war chest, we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and set our sights on new energy partnerships and opportunities for the sector. The agreement contains deadlines with serious implications for Russias economy. Most important of all are the bans on E.U. gas imports from Russia, which long provided huge income for the country and gave it great political leverage over Europe. All liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports will end by 31 December 2026 and pipeline gas will cease by 30 September 2027. For short-term contracts concluded before 17 June 2025, the prohibition on Russian LNG applies from 25 April 2026 and for pipeline gas from 17 June 2026. For long-term LNG contracts concluded before 17 June 2025, the ban applies from 1 January 2027, in line with the 19th sanctions package. Pipeline gas imports under long-term contracts will only be allowed until 30 September 2027. Strong safeguards against circumvention are included. Provisions to enhance the transparency, monitoring, and traceability of Russian gas within E.U. markets will support the implementation of the import ban. During the transition period, prior authorisation will require detailed information to ensure imports are limited to volumes based on historical contracts. To prevent Russian gas from entering through other countries, importers must provide information on the country of production. These anti-circumvention measures will be run in tandem with the E.U. Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, the European Public Prosecutors Office, and the European Anti-Fraud Office. The same procedures will apply to E.U. imports of Russian oil all of which will end by 2027. Related: Rosneft Oil Cargo Wanders for Weeks as Sanctions Mount This marks a remarkable turnaround from the situation in the early aftermath of Russias 24 February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It was obvious to the U.S. and Great Britain that Moscows ability to fight the war over the long term would depend on its ability to finance it, and that a key source of this was revenue from Europes imports of gas and oil. Moreover, Washington and London believed that the E.U.s unwillingness to impose meaningful sanctions on Russia when it invaded independent sovereign country Georgia in 2008 was instrumental in encouraging it to invade Ukraine in 2014 and annex its Crimea region, as fully analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. And they believed the E.U.s failure to act again at this point in any meaningful way against Moscow at that point was instrumental in encouraging the full-blow invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Consequently, the U.S. and Great Britain knew they would need the support of Germany the E.U.s de facto economic and political leader. However, Germany had built much of its economic might since 1999 from cheap and abundant Russia energy supplies and from the effective devaluation of the mighty deutschmark to the softer euro. Germany had also long been opposed to what it regarded as interference from the U.S. in its affairs, exacerbated by Edward Snowdens revelations in 2013 of Washington spying on Germany. After that, Berlin had been at the forefront of several E.U. initiatives designed to circumvent the mainly US-led sanctions on Iran before 2018, specifically during the phase of heightened sanctions from 2011/2012. Shortly after the U.S. announcement of its withdrawal from the nuclear deal deal in May 2018, Germany had been instrumental in influencing the E.U. to impose its Blocking Statute that made it illegal for E.U. companies to follow US sanctions on Iran. At around the same time, Germanys then-Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, warned: We also have to tell the Americans that their behaviour on the Iran issue will drive us Europeans into a common position with Russia and China against the USA. Shortly after that, Germany was a key mover in the E.U.s introduction of a special purpose vehicle the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges that would act as a clearing house for payments made between Iran and E.U. companies. It was little wonder, then, that Berlins primary concern after Russias 2022 Ukraine invasion was to ensure that it and other E.U. countries could meet the 31 March 2022 demand from President Putin that required E.U. buyers to pay in roubles for Russian gas via a new currency conversion mechanism or risk having supplies suspended. It was only after the U.S. managed to secure alternative interim supplies of gas that Germany was gradually brought onto the side of increasing sanctions on Russia, as also detailed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. Despite this early reticence to sanction Russia for its move westwards into Europe which Washington and London believe is the prelude to the full reunification of Russias former Soviet empire, as President Putin has alluded to the E.U. has significantly stepped up its sanctions pressure on Russia in recent months, in line with the U.S. At the beginning of the Ukraine War, the E.U. was paying Russia over 12 billion a month for fossil fuel imports, according to E.U. data. This is now down to 1.5 billion. Its 19th sanctions package formally adopted on 23 October included additional measures targeting Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade current restrictions. And for the first time, the E.U. also targeted Russias crucial LNG sector. It also mirrored the U.S.s earlier direct sanctions on Russias number one and number two oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil. Between them, the two companies export approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, which the West sees as vital to Russias ability to keep funding its war in Ukraine. Targeting Russias top two oil firms was a huge step up from what the previous sets of sanctions that encompassed lower-tier firms such as Gazpromneft and Surgutneftegas, which were in turn part of Washingtons gradual tightening of the screws on Putin. These latest sanctions from the E.U. in tandem with the U.S. have not only hit Russias finances harder than before, but they have also significantly diminished its ability to project power across the Middle East, which is seen by Washington and London as the crucial geopolitical region for energy supplies in future conflicts with Russia and China. Specifically, Lukoil almost immediately announced its withdrawal from Iraqs huge West Qurna 2 oil field and Block 10 assets, marking a major turning point in the Wests fightback against increasingly aggressive Russia and Chinese moves against the allies in the country. Moreover, Lukoils exit from the major Iraq oil and gas sites opens new opportunities for Western firms to extend influence across Iraq. Rosneft then followed suit, announcing the downsizing of its operations in Iraqs strategically crucial Kurdistan region, as also fully analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The Russian oil giant reduced its stake in the Kurdistan Pipeline Company from the 60% it acquired in 2017 to 49%. The KPC is the key operator of the feeder pipeline network within the Iraqi Kurdistan region which connects oil fields (such as Taq Taq and Tawke) to the border metering station at Fishkhabur. At Fishkhabur, the pipeline links up with the main Iraq-Turkey Pipeline system. The E.U.s latest sanctions against Russia also now include the targeting of entities connected to its key superpower supporter, China, which also remains a major buyer of its energy. The 19th package of sanctions against Russia stated that: We propose further measures on Chinese actors supporting Russias military industry. It added: These new sanctions will also squeeze Russias access to technologies including AI [artificial intelligence] and geospatial data, as well as critical resources that feed weapons production [...] This includes those received from foreign suppliers including China [and India]. E.C. President von der Leyen also stated in the accompanying press conference to the Package announcement that: We target refineries, oil traders, petrochemical companies in third countries, including China. At the same time, E.U. foreign policy head Kaja Kallas, posted on social media that: Were adding more chemicals, metal components, salts, and ores to our export bans and tighter export controls on entities from Russia as well as China [and India]. As a senior source in the E.U.s security complex exclusively told OilPrice.com last week: We and Washington said wed keep tightening the screws on Putin and thats what weve done. More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The state of Victoria is tendering gas exploration licenses for the first time since 2018 in a bid to avoid a shortage, despite efforts to reduce the consumption of hydrocarbons. In an announcement on its website, the state government invited bids for permits in two areas, the Otway Basin and the Gippsland Basin. Applications for the offshore block VIC/25-1 that use existing seismic data and do not propose new seismic testing will be preferred, the Victorian government noted in its announcement, in tune with a broader government move to protect marine life against further seismic testing. That push has discouraged oil and gas exploration in recent years. Victoria is Australias biggest natural gas consumer. Last year, the state accounted for as much as 62% of the countrys total residential gas use, ABC reported last month. Because of surging LNG exports, however, domestic supply has thinned, prompting a number of warnings about the possibility of a shortage down the road. The warning spurred authorities into action, culminating in a mechanism that requires gas producers and exporters to set aside a certain amount of gas for the domestic market. According to official data, Victoria, which is also a major gas producer, makes enough of the fuel to cover its demand, not least because this demand has been on the decline. Victorian gas consumption has been decreasing, due to a combination of electrification of residential loads, cost of living pressures, and declining commercial and industrial gas use, the Australian Energy Market Operator said earlier this year. Yet it was the AEMO again that warned the balance between supply and demand was about to flip into a deficit by 2029 because of a natural decline in gas production, notably in the Gippsland Basin. The first step to tackle the problem was the state governments approval of a gas import terminal. The second, it appears, is the launch of a gas exploration tender to tap new resources. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX) is currently engaged in talks with the Trump administration over its Venezuelan operations, with Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth emphasizing that its continued presence there is beneficial to U.S. interests, while Washingtons military buildup in the Caribbean seeks to ramp up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Last week, Chevron flew its employees to its oil production sites in Venezuela, defying a warning by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regarding the dangers of air travel due to military satellite interference. The oil major has employed about 3,000 people in Venezuela, having operated in the Latin American country for more than a century. "Chevron's operations in Venezuela continue in full compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business, as well as the sanctions frameworks provided for by the U.S. government," Chevron said. Back in August, Chevron resumed shipments of Venezuelan oil to the U.S. after a 4-month hiatus, averaging just over 100,000 bpd. Whereas the oil giant is the only American energy company that has been authorized to operate in Venezuela, it can only export half of the estimated 240,000 barrels of crude it produces per day. The Treasury Department also banned payments in any currency to Maduros government. PDVSA, Venezuelas state-owned oil company and Chevron's key partner, controls the barrels delivered to comply with in-kind payments, export some and use the rest in the domestic market. Chevron produces and exports heavy crudes in Venezuela, primarily from the Orinoco Belt, upgrading extra-heavy crude into lighter, higher-value synthetic oil (like Hamaca) and also handling Boscan crude, sending these to U.S. refineries for processing. A potential shift in Venezuelas political trajectory adds another layer of uncertainty to Chevrons long-standing position in the country. Any transition away from Maduro could initially tighten global crude supply if instability disrupts output, before triggering a longer-term surge in volumes if a new government courts foreign investment and opens the sector to broader participation. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kazakhstan will reroute some of the oil from at its giant Kashagan oilfield toward China after a Ukrainian drone attack on an export terminal on Russias Black Sea reduced loadings of Kazakh crude. At the end of November, a Ukrainian attack damaged infrastructure at the loading terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) at the port of Novorossiysk on Russias Black Sea coast. CPC operates the pipeline from the Caspian coast in northwest Kazakhstan to the Novorossiysk port, which handles 80% of Kazakhstans crude exports from giant oilfields in Kazakhstan operated by international oil firms. Affiliates of Chevron and ExxonMobil are also minority shareholders in CPC, with the Russian Federation as its largest shareholder with a 24% stake. In view of urgent repairs at one of three single point moorings and deferred loadings, Kazakhstan works on rerouting part of its crude exports, Kazakhstans Energy Ministry told Reuters on Wednesday. Although the attack did not halt all shipments, Kazakhstan is working to reshuffle exports until the terminal is operating at normal capacity again. Currently, the Ministry, together with shippers, is carrying out urgent work to redistribute oil volumes, the Energy Ministry told Reuters. Measures have also been taken to redirect a certain volume of Kashagan oil to China, it added. Kazakhstan is also diverting more of its westbound exports to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to the Turkish Mediterranean coast after the attack at the CPC terminal on the Black Sea, multiple industry sources told Reuters last week. The Kashagan field is located in the North Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan and is one of the biggest oil discoveries globally of the past 50 years. The oilfield has approximately 35 billion barrels of oil in place, of which nearly half are estimated to be recoverable. The Kashagan oilfield is being developed by the North Caspian Project consortium of international majors and Kazakhstans state oil firm KazMunayGas. The shareholders in the consortium include KazMunayGas, Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Chinas CNPC, and Japans INPEX Ltd. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Solar and wind project approvals on federal lands have virtually stopped this year as the Trump Administration rolls back Biden-era clean energy laws and permitting regulations and shows openly hostile attitude toward green energy developments. Since President Donald Trump was sworn in in January, only one project, a solar development, has been approved on federal lands, according to a Reuters review of permitting data. No wind or solar project has cleared approval for development on federal lands since July, when a new order stipulated that all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters must be personally approved by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Back then, the Department of the Interior ended what it described as preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy. To compare, under former President Joe Biden the U.S. gave the go-ahead to 13 solar and two wind projects on federal lands, the Reuters review showed. The freeze in permitting threatens over 500 wind and solar energy projects, Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), told Reuters. SEIA and Wood Mackenzie said this week in their the latest quarterly report that solar capacity installations in the third quarter surged, as developers ramp up activity and construction to qualify for the last investment tax credits that are being phased out by the Trump Administration. But the report flagged that several uncertainties still hang over the industry following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Federal permitting actions remain unclear and Treasury guidance on Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) requirements is still months away, SEIA and Wood Mackenzie said. Last month, a SEIA analysis of EIA data showed that the political attacks on Americas solar and storage industry are threatening as many as 519 projects totaling 117 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. These projects represent half of all new planned power capacity in the United States, and 17 states could lose over half of all their planned capacity, SEIA said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Nigerias state oil firm NNPC and local producer Heirs Energies have signed a deal to capture and use the gas flared at their onshore OML 17 joint venture in a bid to monetize the resource and reduce flaring. Heirs Energies and NNPC have signed the so-called Gas Flare Commercialisation Agreements under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP). Under the deal, the companies will capture the gas flared across OML 17 and deploy it for use in power generation, industrial applications, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and compressed natural gas (CNG). The move is aligned with Nigerias gas development priorities and energy transition goals, Heirs Energies said in a statement. Gas flaring has been a major issue at Nigerias oilfieldsit is wasted instead of used for many industrial purposes, and holds back the countrys targets to reduce emissions. Nigeria saw flaring volumes jump by 12% in 2024, which was the second largest increase globally behind Iran, the World Bank said in a report earlier this year. In Nigeria, oil production rose by just 3%, but flaring intensity increased by 8% in 2024, World Bank estimates showed. Flaring at oil and gas facilities operated by the national oil company NNPC, and several smaller companies, likely with limited expertise or funding for gas utilization, accounted for 60% of Nigerias gas flaring and 75% of the increase in 2024, the report found. Commenting on the deal to monetize gas at OML 17, Heirs Energies CEO Osa Igiehon said that Through disciplined investment, partnership with regulators and credible offtakers, and a clear execution focus, we are converting waste into value, strengthening domestic energy supply and supporting responsible operations across OML 17. Nigeria will likely need additional deals and initiatives to reduce flaring gas volumes as it looks to boost its oil production in the coming years. Nigeria, the top oil producer in Africa, is auctioning 50 oil and gas blocks, eyeing $10 billion in new investments over the next ten years and 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) in additional production capacity. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Workers at Brazil's Oil & Gas giant Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (NYSE:PBR), aka Petrobras, have announced a nationwide strike starting December 15, terming the company's latest counteroffer for a labor agreement as "disrespectful. Petrobras workers have been pushing for changes to the employee compensation structure, claiming theres a deficit in the retirement fund. However, Reuters cited an unnamed source as saying that contingencies have been put in place, with the strike unlikely to affect operations or production. Petrobras has enjoyed a strong year in 2025, with production climbing throughout the year. The companys output hit a record 3.14 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boed) in the third quarter (3Q25), driven by new pre-salt platforms like FPSO Almirante Tamandare and Alexandre de Gusmao. The company posted third quarter adjusted EBITDA just shy of $12 billion and net income of around $6 billion, driven by record oil and gas production of 3.14 million boe/day (+17% YoY). The company has recorded robust operational performance despite weak oil prices, and accelerated CapEx execution thanks to strong free cash flow. Last year, Petrobras lowered capital expenditure (capex) for 2025 to $17 billion from an earlier estimate of $21 billion, saying the lower capex is more realistic and in-line with its financial wherewithal. In its latest strategic plan, Petrobras plans to invest $102 billion in the 2024-2028 period, good for a 31% increase over the previous plan amid pressure from Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the firm to ramp up investments in a bid to prop the country's economy and generate local jobs. Previously, global research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie predicted that Brazils private oil companies will increase oil production by 75% from 1.221Mb/d to 2.123Mb/d by 2030. According to WoodMac, international oil companies such as Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL), Equinor ASA, (NYSE:EQNR), TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE), Repsol Sinopec Brasil S.A. and Petrogal will be among the top producers thanks to their partnership with Petrobras in the pre-salt and fields under development. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Industry Veterans Bring Unmatched Expertise, Elevating Leadership Bench Strength to Support Franchisees Steve Kennedy to Drive Innovation in Brand Positioning, Technology, and Customer Experience as CMO Bill Schaffler to Provide Financial Strategy Oversight to Power U.S. and International Development TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza , one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, announces the appointment of Steve Kennedy as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Bill Schaffler as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). These key leadership additions enhance an already robust executive team, reinforcing the brand's commitment to disciplined financial leadership and innovative, insight-driven marketing as it continues to grow across the U.S. and internationally. Steve Kennedy, Chief Marketing Officer of Marcos Pizza. Bill Schaffler, Chief Financial Officer of Marco's Pizza. "Our achievements start with our franchisees, and delivering world-class leadership is one of the most important ways we support them," said Tony Libardi, Co-CEO & President of Marco's Pizza. "Steve and Bill are extraordinary additions whose experience and leadership will strengthen every area of our organization." Driving Next-Generation Brand Strategy & Guest Engagement With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, digital transformation, and consumer strategy, Kennedy joins Marco's Pizza as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing a proven record of elevating brands through modern, data-driven marketing engines. Throughout his career, Kennedy has led marketing and digital strategy at some of the industry's most recognized brands, including Domino's and Nestle USA, and most recently served as EVP & Head of Marketing at Noodles & Company, where he spearheaded brand strategy, digital modernization, and enhanced guest engagement. "The momentum behind Marco's is undeniable," said Kennedy. "Consistent operational excellence and a disciplined approach to growth have created an exceptional foundation. My goal is to accelerate Marco's growth by amplifying what makes us special - our quality, our people, our franchisees, and our authentic love for pizza - through bold, data-driven marketing that builds brand relevance, deepens guest connection and fuels unstoppable demand." Strengthening Financial Performance & Operational Excellence A seasoned financial and operations leader with deep experience in high-growth restaurant and hospitality brands, Schaffler joins Marco's Pizza as Chief Financial Officer, bringing a strong foundation in private-equity environments, multi-unit expansion, and enterprise-level financial performance. His background includes guiding financial strategy and technology modernization at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, leading brand and operational transformation as President & CEO of Ascension Coffee Company and driving systemwide efficiencies and growth in CFO roles at Nothing Bundt Cakes and La Madeleine. Schaffler was also a co-founding partner and President of Black Box Intelligence, the industry's insights platform for workforce, guest and financial performance. Schaffler replaces Jeff Rager, who is slated to retire at the end of 2025. "What excites me most about Marco's is the strength of the system, franchisees, operators, and leadership all moving in the same direction," said Schaffler. "It's a rare foundation for growth. I'm proud to join a brand that is committed to high performance and to building the financial and operational structure needed to support everyone across the organization." Franchise Opportunities Prospective franchisees are increasingly recognizing the strength of the Marco's Pizza opportunity, as Marco's Franchise Disclosure Document reports $1.3M AUV for the top 25% of franchised stores in 2024.* For more information Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or contact Brad Smith at [email protected] or 419-279-5795. ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Notably, Marco's was recognized as America's Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category by Nation's Restaurant News using Technomic Ignite Consumer 2024 data. Other recent accolades include being recognized by QSR as one of the "16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025", ranking No. 49 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2025 "Franchise 500" ranking, earning a coveted spot as the only top 5 pizza chain to rank on Newsweek's 2025 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, and being featured on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking. *Based on average sales volume of the top performing 25% (or 239 units) of Marco's Pizza Franchised Stores that were open during our 2024 fiscal year. Of the 955 Franchised Stores that were in operation for our entire 2024 fiscal year, 239 were included in the top 25% set and 40% obtained or surpassed the average sales volume. This information excludes (i) international locations (including Puerto Rico); (ii) Franchised Stores not open for the entire 52-week period in 2024; (iii) special venue and non-traditional franchised locations; and (iv) Franchised Stores that closed in 2024. See Item 19 of our 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document for additional information. Individual results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well. **The information provided in this article should not be construed as an offer to sell any Marco's Pizza franchises in, nor is any such communication directed to, the residents of any jurisdiction requiring registration of the franchise before it is offered and sold in that jurisdiction. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Marco's Pizza franchises will not be sold to any resident of such jurisdiction until the offering has been exempted from the requirements of, or duly registered in and declared effective by, such jurisdiction and the required franchise disclosure document (if applicable) has been delivered to the prospective franchisee before the sale in compliance with applicable law. Additionally, the participant must meet our financial, creditworthiness, and operational criteria to qualify for the incentive program and be approved by us to open each Store. If the franchisee is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other legal entity, the qualifying participant must maintain at least 50% ownership in the entity, as well as the qualifying existing Stores, to qualify for this program, and the franchisee must comply with program requirements. In the event the participant fails at any time to meet the timelines to qualify for the applicable incentive program while developing a Store, the Store being developed and any remaining unopened Stores to be developed will pay the then-current standard Royalty Fee rate. See Marco's Franchising's Franchise Disclosure Document for more information. To qualify for the incentive program, the participant must sign a development agreement and open the stores within the following timeframes: 1st Store within 365 days of signing; 2nd Store within 6 months of 1st store opening; 3rd Store within 6 months of 2nd store opening; 4th Store within 6 months of 3rd store opening; 5th Store within 6 months of 4th store opening. According to Technomic's 2024 America's Favorite Restaurants data, Marco's Pizza secured the top spot in the Limited-Service Pizza category with a 53.4% composite top-box rating, indicating the share of recent guests who gave the brand the highest possible rating for each of the guest experience attributes. Data for America's Favorite Chains comes from Technomic Ignite Consumer, which collects information about how brands impact consumers and how consumers interact with those brands, via online surveys. See here for more information: www.technomic.com/ignite-consumer . SOURCE Marco's Pizza By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Independent journalist and homeless advocate Kevin Dahlgren points out that among the homeless are full grocery bags of uneaten donated food. View the post below, then follow Dahlgren and financially support him. Much of the donated food, particularly anything exceeding single-serving portions for each homeless individual, often ends up being consumed by rats. Well-intentioned donors frequently leave large quantities of food that are quickly taken over by rodents. pic.twitter.com/gNeIjlca35 Kevin Dahlgren (@kevinvdahlgren) December 9, 2025 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 New research has given policymakers and aged care providers first-hand insights about how to uphold dignity and meet the unique needs of Forgotten Australians. Older care leavers, sometimes referred to as "Forgotten Australians," are individuals who have spent parts of their lives in out-of-home care, including orphanages, children's homes or foster care, up until the 1980s. The National Centre for Healthy Ageing-led research, in partnership with Monash University and Peninsula Health, drew on interviews with 24 care leavers and found one of the most pressing concerns for older care leavers is the fear of reinstitutionalization. The study recommends older care leavers must be formally recognized as a priority population in aged care planning, with policy frameworks that reflect the impact of early trauma on late-life well-being. This includes targeted workforce training to develop trauma literacy, especially regarding personal boundaries, communication sensitivities and common triggers that may otherwise go unrecognized or misinterpreted in routine care. Chief Investigator Professor Philip Mendes said the research identifies aging experiences that are distinctive to this vulnerable group. "Experiences such as premature aging linked to lifelong disadvantage, heightened sensitivity to institutional environments and deep mistrust of care systems distinguish their needs from those of other older Australians," he said. "The enduring impact of childhood institutionalization on the lives of care leavers can't be ignored as they navigate the challenges of aging and aged care services." Many participants expressed significant distress at the prospect of entering residential aged care facilities, which they perceived as mirroring the institutions in which they previously suffered maltreatment. Environmental triggers, such as shared dormitory style living, rigid routines and loss of autonomy, can retraumatize individuals with histories of institutional abuse. The team worked in close collaboration with the Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) and other key support services that provide crucial assistance to older care leavers, such as Lotus Place in Queensland. Published in the Australian Journal of Social Issues, and conducted by social work researchers, Professor Philip Mendes, Associate Professor Susan Baidawi, Sarah Morris and Lena Turnbull, the study stressed the importance of a trauma-informed care approach in aged care service delivery, to assist in fostering safety, trust and autonomy for residents through consistent, respectful interactions and trauma-aware training. With Australia's new Aged Care Act coming into effect, the new rights-based framework and Support at Home model of care may help change the futures of this vulnerable aging population. As the study noted, home care was seen as preferable, with participants valuing being able to stay in their familiar surroundings and retain some control over their daily life. "Participants called for specialized training for aged care workers to ensure they understand the triggers, anxieties and unique needs of care leavers. They also advocated for structural changes, such as access to private spaces, personal control over meals and daily routines, and ensuring aged care facilities don't replicate institutional settings. Addressing these needs is critical to preventing further harm and exclusion in later life," Professor Mendes said. "Workforce issues, including high staff turnover, inadequate training in trauma-informed care, and cultural and linguistic barriers, impact the ability of aged care providers to deliver sensitive and appropriate support. Without adequate policy responses and service adaptations, many older care leavers are left navigating an aged care system that fails to accommodate their specific histories and needs." The lead author, Morris, paid tribute to all those who took part in the study, through both interviews and surveys, acknowledging the deep emotional toll involved in reopening wounds from the past. "We thank the wonderful participants who shared their insights and their deeply personal wounds. It was an immense privilege to be welcomed into their homes and their lives, many of whom have been tireless advocates for those who continue to feel forgotten," she said. 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. Older care leaver case study: Allen Alleyway At 85 years old, Allen, a Forgotten Australian, recalls his childhood and asks himself "what did I ever do to deserve that treatment?" Allen was 6 months old when he was pulled from his mother's arms and made a Ward of the State. Allen was placed in institutional care in Queensland, experienced abuse and labeled as "slaves" by those who were meant to care for him. At 14 years old, Allen was sent out to work on farms and worked roughly 100 hour weeks for minimum wage, but was not told that a portion of their minimum wage was being taken by supervisors for their personal use but labeled as a board and lodging fee. Allen was made to sleep on a thin mattress with hessian bags sewn together for blankets and sheets. Recalling his time in institutional care, Allen was made to believe that he was an orphan and that his parents were dead; however, at 17 years old, Allen tried to join the Air Force, in the hope of getting an education and career. During the application process, a form needed to be signed by a guardian or parent, and Allen found out his mother was alive when they had to get his mother's signature on his application form. During his time in institutional care, Allen said, "I wasn't given an education, I wasn't taught English or math, we were only taught religion." Because of this, Allen thought the Air Force was going to give him the education that he never received but was ultimately blocked from joining because he was a ward of the state. "The anger is still there, it was wrong, it was wrong then and it is wrong now, but I paid the price. We never knew what was going to happen to us one day or the next," Allen said. "Growing up we had no hope, there are so many people's lives that have been destroyed by the rotten system. I want people to know that I won't walk away from having our voice heard, I will fight and continue to fight." Allen went looking for his mom and did find her, and when asked whether he ended up having a relationship with her, Allen simply said, "No, too much time had passed." Now at 85 years of age, Allen has recently moved into Aged Care following a bad fall. Despite being back in care, Allen remains determined to share his story and educate the public about Forgotten Australians and to remember and honor those who suffered. More information Sarah Morris et al, Beyond Survival: Enhancing the Aged Care Experience of Those Impacted by Trauma From Childhood Institutions, Australian Journal of Social Issues (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ajs4.70077 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 A pioneering national study, conducted by a Monash University expert in collaboration with consumer advocates, has shed light on the hidden toll of coerced business debt, revealing how business structures are being weaponized to perpetrate financial abuse, resulting in long-term economic hardship. The studyled by Associate Professor Vivien Chen of Monash Business School and Jasmine Opdam, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer at Redfern Legal Center's Financial Abuse Service NSW, and conducted in collaboration with the Economic Abuse Reference Groupis the first national study of its kind. It highlights how women in heterosexual relationships are disproportionately the targets of financial abuse, which can lead to lifelong consequences such as bankruptcy, poverty and homelessness. The study finds that victim-survivors are frequently left with huge debts, sometimes amounting to millions of dollars, after being unknowingly or forcibly trapped in their ex-partner's business affairs. The study calls for a series of reforms to prevent and mitigate harm from coerced business debt. Key recommendations include: Tightening safeguards in the director and ABN registration processes Extending consumer-style protections to small business lending Reforming corporation and tax laws to recognize that directors may be prevented from managing companies due to family violence Family violence policies modeled on the Australian Banking Association's guidelines to encourage business creditors to respond constructively. Monash Business School's Associate Professor Vivien Chen said the research exposes a significant policy blind spot. "While Australia has made progress in addressing financial abuse through consumer credit reforms, there has been little recognition of how company and tax systems can also be exploited to cause harm," Associate Professor Chen said. "We need to treat coerced business debt as a serious form of economic abuse and design safeguards to reflect that reality." Unlike consumer credit, business lending falls outside many of the legal protections designed to protect borrowers from unfair conduct. In many cases, victim-survivors only discovered the debts after being contacted by the Australian Tax Office or private debt collectors. Redfern Legal Center's Jasmine Opdam said victim-survivors of coerced business debt don't have access to free dispute resolution or hardship relief like they would with consumer debt. "Business creditors are not legally required to have hardship policies," Opdam said. "These victim-survivors often can't afford legal representation, and the business structures they're trapped in are costly and complex to unravel." The study draws on interviews with 18 frontline professionals from 10 community organizations across Australia who support victim-survivors of financial abuse. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Economic Abuse Reference Group, a network of over 60 Australian community organizations advocating to reduce the financial impacts of family violence. These professionals described a consistent but under-recognized pattern of coercive tactics, including forged signatures, digital impersonation, or secretly installing victim-survivors as company directors. The consequences are often life-altering: bankruptcy, homelessness, ruined credit histories, and barriers to accessing social security. Many are left unable to work or regain financial independence due to severe mental health impacts. "Family violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness among women," Opdam said. "Financial abuse traps victim-survivors in a cycle of poverty, and the psychological toll can be so devastating that some are unable to recover their independence." This compelling research highlights the urgent need for reform to ensure that victim-survivors are not left to carry the burden of debts they never chose to take on. More information Coerced Business Debts: Uncovering Hidden Harms from Economic Abuse. earg.org.au/wp-content/uploads m-economic-abuse.pdf This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The duration of a typical stellar collapse gamma-ray burst in seconds. The GRB 250702B was active at least 420 times longer. Credit: NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center A team of astronomers including George Washington University physics Ph.D. student Eliza Neights recorded an extraordinary cosmic outburst this July which likely heralds a new kind of stellar explosion. With a flood of data from sources including NASA satellites, the team observed a gamma-ray burst (GRB), the most powerful class of cosmic explosions. But while most GRBs are over in a minute, this one continued for days. Scientists say the best explanation for the outburst is that a black hole consumed a star, but they disagree on exactly how it happened. The possibilities include a black hole weighing a few thousand times the sun's mass shredding a star that passed too close or a much smaller black hole falling into and consuming its stellar companion. "The initial wave of gamma rays lasted at least seven hours, nearly twice the duration of the longest GRB seen previously, and we detected other unusual properties," said Neights, a student at the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences who partners with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "This is certainly an outburst unlike any other we've seen in the past 50 years." Neights and other astronomers shared their results in October at the American Astronomical Society's High Energy Astrophysics Division meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The work is also published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. GRB 250702Bs host galaxy as seen from the James Webb Space Telescope. It is so far away that its light takes about 8 billion years to reach us. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, H. Sears, Rutgers. Image processing: A. Pagan An exceptional burst Detected about once a day, GRBs can appear anywhere in the sky with no warning. They are very distant events, with the closest-known example erupting more than 100 million light-years away. The record-setting duration of the July burst, named GRB 250702B, places it in a class by itself. Of the roughly 15,000 GRBs observed since the phenomenon was first recognized in 1973, none are as long and only a half dozen even come close. Most bursts last from a few milliseconds to a few minutes and are known to form in two ways, either by a merger of two city-sized neutron stars or the collapse of a massive star once its core runs out of fuel. Each produces a new black hole. Some of the matter falling toward the black hole becomes channeled into tight jets of particles that stream out at almost the speed of light, creating gamma rays as they go. But neither of these types of bursts can readily create jets able to fire for days, which is why 250702B poses a unique puzzle. Left, the star field around the host galaxy of GRB 250702B. Right, a close-up of the host galaxy taken with the Gemini North telescope. Credit: International Gemini Observatory/CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA. Image processing: M. Zamani & D. de Martin, NSF NOIRLab Seeing the light The Gamma-ray Burst Monitor on NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope discovered the burst and triggered multiple times over the course of three hours. It was also detected by the Burst Alert Telescope on NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, the Russian Konus instrument on NASA's Wind mission, the Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer on Psychea NASA spacecraft currently en route to asteroid 16 Psycheand Japan's Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image instrument on the International Space Station. "The burst went on for so long that no high-energy monitor in space was equipped to fully observe it," said Eric Burns, an astrophysicist at Louisiana State University and a member of Neights' team studying the burst's gamma-ray glow. "Only through the combined power of instruments on multiple spacecraft could we understand this event." The Wide-field X-ray Telescope on China's Einstein Probe also detected the burst in X-rays and showed that a signal was present the previous day. The first precise location came early July 3 when Swift's X-Ray Telescope imaged the burst in the constellation Scutum, near the crowded, dusty plane of our Milky Way galaxy. Given this location and the previous X-ray detection, astronomers wondered if this event might be a different type of outburst from somewhere within our own galaxy. 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. Images from some of the largest telescopes on the planet, including those at the Keck and Gemini observatories on Hawaii and the European Southern Observatory's VLT (Very Large Telescope) in Chile, hinted that there was a galaxy at the spot, so astronomers turned to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope for a clearer view. "It's definitely a galaxy, proving it was a distant and powerful explosion, but it is a strange-looking one," said Andrew Levan, an astrophysics professor at Radboud University in the Netherlands who led the VLT and Hubble study. "The Hubble data could either show two galaxies merging or one galaxy with a dark band of dust splitting the core into two pieces." More recent images captured by the NIRcam instrument on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope strongly support Levan's interpretation. "The resolution of Webb is unbelievable. We can see so clearly that the burst shined through this dust lane spilling across the galaxy," said Huei Sears, a postdoctoral researcher at Rutgers University who led the NIRcam observations. "It's fantastic to see the GRB host in such detail." In late August, a team led by Benjamin Gompertz at the University of Birmingham in the U.K. used Webb and VLT to determine the galaxy's distance and other properties. "The burst was remarkably powerful, erupting with the equivalent energy emitted by a thousand suns shining for 10 billion years," Gompertz said. "Amazingly, the galaxy is so far away that light from this explosion began racing outward about 8 billion years ago, long before our sun and solar system had even begun to form." A comprehensive study of the X-ray light following the main burst used observations from Swift, NASA's Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the agency's NuSTAR (Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array) mission. Swift and NuSTAR data revealed rapid flares occurring up to two days after the burst's discovery. "The continued accretion of matter by the black hole powered an outflow that produced these flares, but the process continued far longer than is possible in standard GRB models," said study lead Brendan O'Connor, M.S. '20, M.Phil. '20, a McWilliams Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University. "The late X-ray flares show us that the blast's power source refused to shut off, which means the black hole kept feeding for at least a few days after the initial eruption." Conflicting evidence Fermi and Swift data indicate a typical, if unusually long, GRB. Spectroscopic Webb observations did not find a supernova explosion, which typically follows a stellar collapse GRB, although it may have been obscured by dust and distance. The Einstein Probe saw X-rays a day before the burst, while NuSTAR tracked X-ray flares up to two days after it. Neither is typical for GRBs. In addition, a detailed study led by Jonathan Carney, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, shows that the host galaxy is very different from the typically small galaxies that host most stellar collapse GRBs. "This galaxy turns out to be surprisingly large, with more than twice the mass of our own galaxy," he said. In either of the two most discussed scenarios, the black hole will have eaten the star in about a day. The first scenario invokes an intermediate-mass black hole, one with a few thousand solar masses and an event horizonthe point of no returna few times larger than Earth. A star wanders too close, becomes stretched along its orbit by gravitational forces and is rapidly consumed by the black hole. This describes what astronomers call a tidal disruption event, but one caused by a rarely observed "middleweight" black hole, with a mass much greater than those born in a stellar collapse and much smaller than the behemoths found in the centers of big galaxies. The gamma-ray team favors a different scenario because, if this burst is like others, the black hole's mass must be more similar to our sun's. Their model envisions a black hole weighing about three times the sunwith an event horizon just 11 miles acrossorbiting and merging with a companion star. The star is of similar mass to the black hole but is much smaller than the sun. That's because its hydrogen atmosphere has mostly been stripped away, down to its dense helium core, forming an object astronomers call a helium star. In both cases, matter from the star first flows toward the black hole and collects into a vast disk, from which the gas makes its final plunge. At some point in this process, the system begins to shine brightly in X-rays. Then, as the black hole rapidly consumes the star's matter, gamma-ray jets blast outward. Notably, the helium star merger model makes a unique prediction. At some point, the black hole is totally immersed within the main body of the star, feasting on it from within. The energy it releases explodes the star and powers a supernova. Unfortunately, this explosion occurred behind enormous amounts of dust, meaning even the Webb telescope is not powerful enough to see the expected supernova. While smoking-gun evidence to explain what happened in July will have to wait for future events, 250702B has already provided new insight into the longest GRBs, thanks in large part to the constant cosmic monitoring of NASA's observatories and instruments as part of the agency's quest to explore and understand the universe. Publication details Eliza Neights et al, GRB 250702B: Discovery of a Gamma-Ray Burst from a Black Hole Falling into a Star, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf2019 Journal information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 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: Current Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.018 Every clonal raider ant lives a nearly identical life. Each new generation of these blind, queenless ants is born at the same time, eats the same things, lives in the same environment, andas an asexually reproducing specieshas the exact same genes. It's hard to find a more textbook example of a society where the individual matters less than the collective. However, researchers from Rockefeller's Laboratory of Social Evolution and Behavior, headed by Daniel Kronauer, have discovered a surprising individuality of brain characteristics among clonal raider ants that may yield new insights into the neuroscience of individuality within animal societies, which range in variety and complexity from ants to us. Among other things, the scientists found a massive variation in brain size as well as a distinct "tilt" in a specific region of the brain associated with higher-order processing. The orientation of this tilt was evenly divided among the ants; half tilted left while the other half tilted right. This finding was made possible by their creation of the first reference brain of the clonal raider ant, a specialty of Kronauer's lab and an emerging model species for both ant researchers and the field of neuroscience. Inspired by techniques used to create reference brains for model organisms such as the ever-popular Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly), this version was meticulously assembled from data from 40 ant brains. The team's research is published in Current Biology. "We started the project with the goal of creating a reference brain that could serve as a technical tool for the ant neuroscience research community, but we very quickly started making unexpected biological discoveries," says co-first author Lindsey Lopes, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab. "Much of what we observed has never been reported before." "The clonal raider ant presents a very powerful model for all sorts of neuroscience questions, because you can completely control for genotype," says co-first author Dominic Frank, a research associate in the lab. "We've built something that not only gives us a better understanding of brain anatomy, but also provides the framework for investigating the neuronal and genetic underpinnings of the sorts of social behaviors that ants are well known for." Model systems Such references are valuable tools for studying the central nervous system, as both Frank and Lopes knew from their research on the fruit fly and nematode, respectively, before they joined Kronauer's ant-focused lab in 2019. Reference brains exist for just two other ant species: Cataglyphis nodus, also known as the desert ant, and Cardiocondyla obscurior, a kind of tramp ant. Each of those is drawn from a single ant. More technically challenging is creating a reference brain drawn from multiple individuals. Such reference brains have been created for the fruit fly, mouse, and zebrafish, among other common model organisms. "Those are comprised of many brains averaged together using computational tools, so they're more representative of the population," Lopes says. "That hadn't been done yet for any ant species, so we decided to see if we could do it." The researchers selected 40 clonal raider ants from a specific lineage called clonal line B, the most studied one in Kronauer's lab. They focused on 11 regions that are easy to identify and have been researched extensively in other insects. They then used a monoclonal antibody that recognizes a protein found at synapses to tag connections between nerve cells. By creating these labels at each synapse, they were able to visualize the anatomy of each ant's brainand then map them onto each other to create the reference brain. "Building this required a lot of technical chops," Frank says. "We had to stain and image each brain with the confocal microscope, which gave us very high-resolution data sets, and then we had to do the computational side to create the reference brain." 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. Surprising variations They also poured over the 40 exquisitely detailed individual brain maps. Most immediately, they observed that half of them had mushroom bodiesparts of the ant brain important for learning, memory, and other higher-order processingthat tilted to the left. But the other half had mushroom bodies that tilted to the right. "As far as we know, this has never been described before in any insect," Lopes says. They also found an unexpected variety of brain size. "When we were doing the imaging, we saw that sometimes we could fit the whole brain in a single camera image, and sometimes we needed four images," Lopes says. This too has never been described before. Previous research on ant brain size variation has found a correlation between body size and brain sizethat is, the bigger the body, the bigger the brain. But clonal raider ants are virtually all the same size. So what could account for the individual variation? The scientists suggest that the findings may reflect behavioral individuality and division of labor in the clonal raider antan unexpected discovery, considering the collectivist nature of ant societies. "One of the implications of our paper is that the clonal raider ant can actually be a very powerful model for studying things like individuality within eusocial insects like ants," Frank says. "We already know that some individuals prefer to take care of the young of the colony while others prefer to forage or raid, and some of this variation in behavior might be linked to the variation we observe at the level of the brain." A new model species The scientists hope ant-focused researchersof which there are manywill use the clonal raider ant reference brain for their own neuroscience projects. To that end, the reference brain was designed to be a virtual common space a la Virtual Fly Brain, an interactive tool for neurobiologists studying Drosophila melanogaster. As with the fly project, ant researchers can map their own data onto this reference brain, enabling the comparison of data collected across experiments and laboratories. Using the clonal raider ant as the model organism for studying how the ant brain generates social behavior could also help align findings across species, leading to broader conclusions about the neuroscience of sociality, Frank says. "Since I started my lab at Rockefeller, developing tools and resources for the clonal raider ant has gone hand in hand with making biological discoveries," Kronauer says. "One of the first things we did was to sequence the species' genome, which in turn allowed us to conduct experiments in behavioral genetics. "Going forward, we want to understand social behavior at the level of the brain and neural circuits, and this requires new tools. The clonal raider ant reference brain is an important step in that direction." Publication details Dominic D. Frank et al, A reference brain for the clonal raider ant, Current Biology (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.018 Journal information: Current Biology 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: Canada's Industry Minister Melanie Joly. Canada on Tuesday launched a CAN$1.7 billion ($1.2 billion) program to recruit leading global researchers, part of the effort to poach intellectual talent looking to leave the United States because of President Donald Trump's policies. Top Canadian institutionsincluding the country's largest hospital network and the University of Torontohave previously announced multimillion dollar strategies to recruit experts whose work has been impacted by Trump's broad cuts to scientific research. Canada's federal government has now joined this effort, in what it called "one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind globally." The plan is not strictly catered to US-based researchers impacted by Trump. A statement from the ministries of industry and health says the goal is "to attract and support more than 1,000 leading international and expatriate researchers," including French speakers. But asked by AFP at a press conference on Tuesday if scientists alienated by the president would be targeted for recruitment, industry minister Melanie Joly said, "some countries are turning their backs on academic freedom. We won't do that." The recruitment effort would be global, she said, but added, "We know that many people south of the border are raising their hands and are already showing interest. Our universities have already started having these conversations." Experts have warned that Trump's policies could trigger major shifts in the global competition to hire some of the world's brightest minds, which for decades has been dominated by deep-pocketed US universities backed by robust federal funding. Trump's funding cuts have impacted a range of research projects, and studies that involve climate change or diversity, equity and inclusion have been heavily affected. The European Union also made a push to draw US researchers, announcing an incentives package worth 500 million ($582 million) earlier this year to make the 27-nation bloc "a magnet for researchers." Joly said a priority would be to encourage leading Canadian researchers working abroad to return. "I think that for a long time in Canada, we've talked about brain drain," Joly said, voicing hope the country would now be able to "bring our people back home." 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: Affected Goniopora cluster in February. One Tree Island. With swimmer for scale. Credit: University of Sydney University of Sydney marine biologists have identified a devastating combination of coral bleaching and a rare necrotic wasting disease that wiped out large, long-lived corals on the Great Barrier Reef during the record 2024 marine heat wave. The study, led by Professor Maria Byrne and Sydney Horizon Fellow Dr. Shawna Foo, found that bleaching triggered by extreme ocean temperatures was followed by an unprecedented outbreak of black band disease that killed massive Goniopora corals, also known as flowerpot or daisy coral, at One Tree Reef on the southern Great Barrier Reef. "This research shows that the compounding impact of diseasewhich appeared after the onset of bleachingis what killed the Goniopora. These are very long-lived corals that would normally survive bleaching," said Professor Byrne, a professor of marine biology in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. Their study is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. How black band disease spread Black band disease is a bacterial necrotic infection that invades living coral, forming a black band that crosses the infected coral, usually killing the colony. Common in Caribbean reefs, it is rare in Australian waters. The 2024 El Nino brought the highest sea temperatures on record to the Great Barrier Reef, with marine heat wave conditions persisting for months. During this period, 75% of Goniopora colonies at One Tree Reef bleached. Initially only a few (4%) showed signs of black band disease. By April, however, the disease had spread aggressively, invading more than half the bleached colonies. Infected coral example, One Tree Island. Credit: Maria Byrne/University of Sydney Tracking 112 tagged Goniopora colonies over a year, the team found that three-quarters had died by October 2024, while only one-quarter showed partial recovery. Population surveys of more than 700 colonies revealed the same pattern: widespread bleaching, rapid disease progression and high mortality. Black band disease has been known for decades in the Caribbean, often linked to pollution or nutrient runoff, but it is extremely rare on the Great Barrier Reef. Its sudden appearance in One Tree Reef's pristine waters marks the first recorded epizootic (an animal epidemic) event of this kind on the Great Barrier Reef and demonstrates how heat stress can turn even resilient coral species into disease victims. "Normally these massive corals withstand environmental stress, but the combination of record heat and infection was catastrophic," said Dr. Shawna Foo, an ARC DECRA Fellow in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. "It's a stark example of how multiple stressors can act together to undermine reef resilience." Implications for reef survival The findings highlight the importance of long-term in-water monitoring made possible by the University's One Tree Island Research Station, which provides vital infrastructure for studying coral ecosystems under natural conditions. At the global level, the research sends an urgent warning. "The current trajectory of climate change is progressing too quickly for corals to adjust," the authors write. "Coral reefs are in danger, with recurrent anomalous heat waves and mass coral bleaching being the greatest threat to their survival." Professor Byrne said the loss of these large, structure-forming corals will have lasting effects on reef biodiversity, coastal protection and food security. "Coral reefs support more than a billion people worldwide. What we're witnessing is a collapse in the natural resilience of these ecosystems. Ambitious global action to reduce emissions is now the only path to their survival." Publication details Marine heatwave-driven mortality of bleached colonies of the massive coral Goniopora is exacerbated by a black band disease epizootic, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1912 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B 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: Manannan's Damhan Alla geomorphologic map. Credit: The Planetary Science Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/psj/ae18a0 Irish planetary scientists have christened a spider-like feature on Jupiter's icy moon Europa as "Damhan Alla," which translates to "spider" or "wall demon." First observed by NASA's Galileo spacecraft, a newly published study invoking commonly found features on Earth's frozen lakes explores how the feature may have formed from briny water eruptions beneath the ice, offering clues about subsurface liquid water and the potential for life on Europa. The scientists behind the researchand subsequent namingare led by University of Central Florida physics Professor Lauren Mc Keown, a Trinity College Dublin alumna, and include Dr. Jennifer Scully, another Trinity alumna, as well as others from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL), Brown University and the Planetary Science Institute. They have just published their findings in The Planetary Science Journal. How Earth's lake stars inform research Using Earth's lake stars as analogs, combined with field observations, lab experiments and modeling, the researchers hope to gain valuable insights into how this enigmatic icy feature formed, which could have implications for future missions that might land on Europa and other icy, airless worlds. Examples of lake stars on Earth. Photo sources: Ned Rozell, Tohru Saito, Jamie Hess, Joe Stock. Credit: The Planetary Science Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/psj/ae18a0 Prof. Mc Keown's interest in space began as a teenager when she first learned about the Cassini spacecraft, which explored Enceladus, a small icy moon of Saturn. "I was fascinated by animations in an RTE News story showing a water plume shooting miles above the moon's surface and the possibility that liquid water, or even an ocean, might exist there," said the Churchtown, Dublin, native. "It encouraged me to explore NASA's website to learn more about icy planetary surfaces and eventually pursue a career in planetary science at Trinity College Dublin." "During my Ph.D. with Dr. Mary Bourke, a professor at Trinity, I pursued a dream project, investigating the role of ice sublimation as a driver of surface change on Mars. I also got to intern at NASA and Mary connected me with NASA scientists, including her collaborator, Dr. Serina Diniega, who I eventually ended up working with for my postdoc at NASA JPL." "There are only a handful of Irish planetary scientistsand Jen had conducted some very prominent research on the Dawn mission and also went to Trinityso I knew of her, but we didn't meet until a conference in the U.S. It was so great to have a friend from home when I arrived at JPL and I was so excited to get to work together on this project to investigate whether Europa's Manannan crater 'spider' feature formed in a similar manner to Earth's lake stars. Jen conducted geomorphological analysis of the feature using images from Galileo and I ran analog experiments and field tests to examine our hypothesis." A small dendritic "lab star" developed by flowing liquid water through Europa granular ice simulant in a cold glove box at NASA JPL. Credit: Prof. Lauren Mc Keown Naming Europa's feature and its origins Prof. Mc Keown and team learned that the Europa community had informally dubbed the Manannan feature a "spider," so she wanted to give it a new name to differentiate it from similar spider-like features on Mars that form via very different gas flow processes, while also preserving the feel. "Because Jen and I are Irish, and because many landforms on Europa already have Irish and Celtic namesincluding the crater in which the feature is located, which refers to the Irish mythology 'Son of the Sea'we decided to call it the Irish word for spider; Damhan Alla. I love, miss and am so proud of my home, so I am delighted to acknowledge my Irish roots in this work." While the "spiders from Mars" form when dust and sand are eroded by gas escaping from below a seasonal dry ice layer, Prof. Mc Keown and colleagues believe Europa's "asterisk-shaped" feature may have formed after impact, when liquid brine within the icy shell extruded through broken-up ice from impact to form a pattern similar to Earth's lake stars. Lake stars are radial, branching patterns that form when snow falls on frozen lakes and holes form in the ice, allowing water to flow through the snow, melting it and spreading in a way that is energetically favorable. Dendritic patterns like these are common in nature, appearing in Lichtenberg figures created by lightning strikes, in beach rilles where tides flow through sand, and in many other systems where fluid flows through porous surfaces. 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. Future research and Irish inspiration Observations of Europa's icy feature have so far been limited to images from the Galileo spacecraft, but Prof. McKeown's team hopes to resolve this question with higher-resolution imagery from the Europa Clipper mission, a NASA spacecraft scheduled to arrive at the Jupiter system in April 2030. "The significance of our research is really exciting," she says. "Surface features like these can tell us a lot about what's happening beneath the ice. If we see more of them with Europa Clipper, they could point to local brine pools below the surface." Looking ahead, Prof. McKeown plans to investigate how low pressure affects the formation of these features and whether they could form beneath an icy crust, similar to how lava flows on Earth beneath an almost solid overlying crust. She is setting up a new lab at UCF, called the FROSTIE (Facility for Research Observing Simulated Topography of Icy Environments) Lab, where she is designing a low-pressure chamber specifically for these experiments. Working with students, she will create icy simulants while continuing to collaborate with teams at JPL. And Prof. McKeown hopes this tale of Damhan Alla and its wider implications will inspire more Irish researchers to jump into planetary science research. "I would love to see our small Irish planetary contingent grow even more and I would be excited to meet future early career Irish planetary scientists. I hope that this work captures the interest of Irish people and inspires them to look more closely at frozen lakes if it snows this year or next," she adds. "Lake stars are really beautiful, and they are pretty common on snow or slush-covered frozen lakes and ponds. It is wonderful to think that they may give us a glimpse into processes occurring on Europa and maybe even other icy ocean worlds in our solar system." Publication details Lauren E. Mc Keown et al, Lake Stars as an Earth Analog for Europa's Manannan Crater Spider Feature, The Planetary Science Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/psj/ae18a0 Journal information: The Planetary Science Journal Key concepts Solar system gas giant planets 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: Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Model (adapted for immigrant adolescents). Credit: Children and Youth Services Review (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108675 A new Monash University study has found that immigrant adolescents who feel connected to family, school and community experience lower depression and anxiety, better grades, and stronger social ties. Published in Children and Youth Services Review, the paper, titled "Examining factors influencing belonging amongst immigrant adolescents," analyzed 25 international studies to uncover what drives belonging for young people settling in new countries. Using Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model, researchers mapped influences from individual factors (like age, gender and language) to social environments (family dynamics, school culture, community diversity). Ph.D. candidate Rhea Jain, lead author from Monash University's Faculty of Education, said the review shows how belonging for immigrant adolescents is shaped by forces that extend far beyond the individual. She said heritage language proficiency strengthens ethnic identity and family connection, while language barriers can isolate students. "What stands out in this review is the consistency of the message across studies. Social relationships act as a steady anchor for immigrant adolescents," said Rhea Jain. "The evidence shows that adolescent belonging is strengthened when cultural identities are recognized rather than erased. Programs that honor heritage languages and provide room to navigate multiple identities are a part of helping young people feel settled and confident." Insights from the review showcased how schools can play a pivotal role by encouraging inclusive classrooms, hiring bilingual teachers and implementing anti-bullying policies to boost both belonging and student engagement. Multicultural neighborhoods and opportunities for participation within sport, arts and volunteering also foster inclusion and promote community diversity. Warm family relationships and supportive peer networks were also found to consistently enhance belonging. Belonging is linked to better mental health and student outcomes. Practical steps like school-based language programs, peer mentoring and community engagement initiatives can make a measurable difference for adolescents with immigrant backgrounds. Associate Professor Kelly-Ann Allen, co-author and a belonging expert from Monash University's Faculty of Education, said there is an urgent need to build a stronger Australian evidence base. "Australia has a responsibility to understand the belonging experiences of immigrant adolescents living here. Much of the evidence synthesized in this review comes from other nations," said Associate Professor Allen. "The review highlights that time spent in a new country does not automatically build belonging. Time alone is not the determining factor." Practical strategies like school-based language support, peer mentoring and community engagement programs can help reduce mental health risks and foster inclusion. More information Rhea Jain et al, Examining factors influencing belonging amongst immigrant adolescents: A scoping review, Children and Youth Services Review (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108675 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The snail Simpulopsis gomesae was described in 2006, based on specimens collected in Sao Francisco de Paula, in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Credit: Suzete Gomes Between the 16th and 19th centuries, when colonialism was the prevailing order, it is not surprising that scientific expeditions, specimen deposits in natural history museums, and descriptions of species from European colonies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America were carried out only by naturalists from the Old World. A study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B by Brazilian researchers shows that this practice continues, even though the former colonies are now independent countries, many of which have the structure and qualified personnel to study their own biodiversity. Using more than 3,200 descriptions of terrestrial mollusk species from around the world between 2003 and 2022 as a model, researchers from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), the Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), and the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Piaui (IFPI) demonstrated that local scientists were not listed as authors in nearly half of the descriptions. This exclusion was concentrated in descriptions of species from the Global South. This neocolonial practice is known as "helicopter science" or "parachute science." In this practice, foreigners travel to the research site, collect what they need, and return to their country of origin to complete the work, without involving local researchers or crediting the residents who helped them. Not surprisingly, when the authors analyzed the scope of published scientific works using objective criteria, they observed that descriptions were more robust when at least one researcher from the country where the described species occurred was involved. "'Helicopter' or 'parachute' science is a practice that harms not only local researchers, but also science in general. Less robust studies may have their results invalidated in the future. This may delay conservation efforts, which require accurate and stable information," says Mario Moura, coordinator of the study and a current professor at UFPB. Part of the work was carried out during Moura's time at the Institute of Biology at UNICAMP. The other authors of the study are Evandro Abreu from UFPB and Edson Lourenco da Silva from IFPI. Neocolonial science To arrive at their results, the researchers compiled a database of 3,272 descriptions of terrestrial mollusks (snails and slugs) published in scientific articles, book chapters, or books between 2003 and 2022. Of these, 2,216 (68%) were discovered in 78 countries in the Global South, while 1,056 (32%) were found in 26 countries in the Global North. The definitions of Global South and Global North are adapted from the United Nations' (UN) nomenclature and are given in geopolitical terms, differing in part from the purely geographical definition. For example, countries in the Southern Hemisphere, such as Australia and New Zealand, are considered part of the Global North. Conversely, nations in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Mexico, China, India, and countries in North Africa and Southeast Asia, are traditionally considered part of the Global South. Although most species have been discovered in the Global South, researchers from this region have only contributed 33.3% of the descriptions. This figure contrasts with researchers affiliated with research institutions in the Global North, who contributed 79.3% of descriptions. Comparing descriptions between the two geopolitical macroregions reveals that 51.4% of descriptions of species from the Global South excluded researchers from that region, whereas only 0.6% of descriptions of Global North species did not involve local scientists. 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. Publications relying solely on researchers from the species's locations accounted for 40.4% of the total, while publications involving both local and foreign scientists accounted for 14%. The remaining 1,493 species in the database (45.6%) were the result of "parachute science" and were described only by researchers from outside the species' country of origin. In this modality, 88.6% of the descriptions occurred in the Global South. "One of the expectations when including researchers from the Global North in research on species from the Global South would be to facilitate access to both collections in European and North American museums and to technologies that are costly for us, such as molecular biology and internal anatomy analysis. In theory, these tools would make the study more robust and comprehensive. However, what our analyses show is that this doesn't occur. In fact, the inclusion of local researchers has led to more robust work," says Moura. Moura points out that the neocolonial practices and geopolitical influence observed in the descriptions of terrestrial mollusks can also be seen in other animal groups, according to his team's ongoing research. The authors argue that to advance biodiversity science, inclusion strategies must consider not only authorship parity but also access to analytical tools and resources that ensure quality studies. These strategies should also value local knowledge and promote long-term data sharing. In turn, institutions must prioritize sustainable partnerships, transparent funding, and technology transfer. "The benefits of pluralistic and inclusive science can go beyond equitable collaborations, contributing to the quicker filling of knowledge gaps about global biodiversity, especially in tropical regions," they conclude. Publication details Evandro C. T. Abreu et al, Geopolitical impacts on the description of new terrestrial mollusc species, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1428 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Provided by FAPESP LONDON, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MOKE International, the owner of the British-founded heritage automotive brand MOKE, launches its "California Collection," inclusive of three new colorways inspired by the nostalgic hues of the Golden State: 'Sonoma Red', 'Laguna Blue' and 'Venice White.' Marking the first arrival to California since the 1960s origins of MOKE, the highway-legal, electric vehicle company, owner of the original 1964 trademark, has appointed its first California retail partner, Shaver Automotive. Laguna Blue, MOKE International California Collection Sonoma Red, MOKE International California Collection Venice White, MOKE International California Collection Meeting long-awaited demand, the partnership with Shaver Automotive, who was responsible for relaunching the Fiat 500 in North America, creates new opportunities for sales, deliveries, customer experience support, and test drives for California customers. This foray into the state follows MOKE's groundbreaking achievement as the first low-volume EV manufacturer to secure California Air Resources Board (CARB) approval. With unmatched quality, all genuine MOKEs are handcrafted in the UK, with over 70% of parts sourced from Europe. A limited quantity of 325 MOKEs will be available to purchase throughout the US in 2026. "Launching in California feels like a true homecoming for us at MOKE," said Lorne Vary, CEO of MOKE International. "California's love of sunshine, freedom, and outdoor adventure reflects everything our brand stands for. Partnering with Shaver Automotive means we can finally share that feeling with Californians who have been waiting for their MOKE moment." Calling back to the brand's heritage, the "California Collection" is inspired by the original 1972 "MOKE Californian," the first Mini MOKE sold in the US, reimagined to bring the classic model to a modern concept. Available exclusively in the USA, the made-to-order "California Collection" includes 'Sonoma Red,' reminiscent of the deep burgundies of wine country, 'Laguna Blue,' calling reference to the bright skies and vast coast along PCH, and 'Venice White,' a crisp, timeless white inspired the sea breeze. "We are honored to be bringing the genuine MOKE back to California as an electric vehicle." said Andrew Shaver, President at Shaver Automotive. "We will be opening various experiential retail outlets across the LA area before scaling further and are delighted to offer the MOKE for immediate delivery. Unlike other manufacturers, MOKE International has limited availability, and I am grateful for this opportunity to enter the consumer luxury segment." MOKE International is building out its retail and rental network across the US and welcomes interest from partners that believe they fit well with the MOKE brand. The Electric MOKE is available for order now in California, via Shaver Automotive, with prices starting from $49,500. The "California Collection" is made to order and exclusive to customers in the USA. Customers can book a test drive or join the waiting list and secure their Electric MOKE with a refundable $990 deposit via mokeinternational.com ABOUT MOKE INTERNATIONAL MOKE International is a British luxury motor brand, and the first heritage automaker of its kind to go 100% electric. Designed in the early 1960s, the Mini MOKE was originally conceived as a military utility vehicle, which quickly became popular in trend-setting resorts across the French Riviera and the Caribbean. In 2022, the heritage marque introduced the Electric MOKE - a 100% lithium-ion powered, road-legal vehicle, featuring a whisper-quiet powertrain, a top speed of 50 mph, and a range of up to 54 miles. To this day, each vehicle is meticulously engineered and lovingly handcrafted in Northamptonshire, England, just miles away from where the original MOKEs were built in the 1960s. MOKE International holds the original 1964 European 'MOKE' trademark along with over 100 related marks registered worldwide. www.mokeinternational.com | @moke PR Inquiries [email protected] SOURCE Moke International This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The disk-jet precession model. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady9068 The cosmos has served up a gift for a group of scientists who have been searching for one of the most elusive phenomena in the night sky. Their study, presented in Science Advances, reports on the very first observations of a swirling vortex in spacetime caused by a rapidly rotating black hole. The process, known as Lense-Thirring precession or frame-dragging, describes how black holes twist the spacetime that surrounds them, dragging nearby objects like stars and wobbling their orbits along the way. Discovery of the swirling vortex effect The team, led by the National Astronomical Observatories at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined AT2020afhd, a tidal disruption event (TDE) where a star was torn apart by a supermassive black hole. A swirling disk formed around the black hole made up of the star's leftovers, from which powerful jets of matter shot out at nearly the speed of light. Through rhythmic changes in both X-ray and radio signals coming from the event, the team observed the disk and the jet were wobbling in unison, repeating every 20 days. An artist's impression depicts the accretion disk surrounding a black hole, in which the inner region of the disk wobbles. In this context, the wobble refers to the orbit of material surrounding the black hole changing orientation around the central object. Credit: NASA Confirmation of Einstein's prediction First theorized by Einstein in 1913 and then mathematically defined by Lense and Thirring in 1918, the observation confirms a general relativity prediction, offering scientists new avenues for studying black hole spin, accretion physics, and jet formation. Dr. Cosimo Inserra, a Reader in the School of Physics and Astronomy at Cardiff University and one of the paper's co-authors, said, "Our study shows the most compelling evidence yet of Lense-Thirring precessiona black hole dragging space time along with it in much the same way that a spinning top might drag the water around it in a whirlpool. "This is a real gift for physicists as we confirm predictions made more than a century ago. Not only that, but these observations also tell us more about the nature of TDEswhen a star is shredded by the immense gravitational forces exerted by a black hole. "Unlike previous TDEs studied, which have steady radio signals, the signal for AT2020afhd showed short-term changes, which we were unable to attribute to the energy release from the black hole and its surrounding components. This further confirms the dragging effect in our minds and offers scientists a new method for probing black holes." How the team observed the phenomenon The team modeled X-ray data from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (Swift) and radio signal data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to identify the frame dragging effect. Further analysis of the composition, structure and properties of the cosmic matter with electromagnetic spectroscopy enabled them to describe and identify the process. "By showing that a black hole can drag space time and create this frame-dragging effect, we are also beginning to understand the mechanics of the process," explains Dr. Inserra. "So, in the same way a charged object creates a magnetic field when it rotates, we're seeing how a massive spinning objectin this case a black holegenerates a gravitomagnetic field that influences the motion of stars and other cosmic objects nearby. "It's a reminder to us, especially during the festive season as we gaze up at the night sky in wonder, that we have within our grasp the opportunity to identify ever more extraordinary objects in all the variations and flavors that nature has produced." Publication details Yanan Wang et al, Detection of disk-jet coprecession in a tidal disruption event, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ady9068 Journal information: Science Advances Key concepts Astronomical black holes 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: Analyses of resharing behavior reveal distinct temporal patterns in the online propagation of different emotions following tragedies. Credit: cottonbro studio, Pexels, CC0 (creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) Reshare cascades on X (formerly Twitter) show how different expressed emotions unfold in the aftermath of celebrity suicides, according to a study published in PLOS One by Ehsan Nouri of the University of Virginia, U.S., and colleagues. How emotions spread on social media Online social media enables the widespread dissemination of user-generated content on an unprecedented scale. It can act as a powerful channel for emotional transmission, and exposure to negative emotions on social media has been shown to adversely affect mental well-being. Research also indicates that negative discourse tends to grow to dominate social media platforms, particularly after shocks and crises. It's unclear exactly how negative social media content shapes users' feelings, opinions, and behavior, since a resharing decision does not necessarily indicate that individuals have adopted the underlying emotion. Nonetheless, patterns of resharing over time can reveal how different emotions circulate through an online network and can expose large audiences to forms of negativity such as fear or anger. Study methods and key findings To examine these circulation patterns, Nouri and colleagues used a language model to extract emotions from more than one million tweets in the aftermath of four celebrity suicides that occurred in 2012 or 2013. The results showed that 40% of reshare cascades signaled fear as their dominant emotion, followed by 33% as sadness. 11% were neutral, and the remaining 12% indicated either surprise, anger, joy, or disgust as their dominant emotion. Disgust appeared as the most contagious emotion, associated with rapid, widespread, and persistent patterns of resharing, while fear, despite its arousal, was linked to relatively weak diffusion. Anger and surprise were associated with fast but short-lived clusters of emotion cascades. Joy, while infrequent, endured longer than neutral and negative content when present. Overall, the findings underscore the various emotions expressed after tragic events and how they propagate in distinct ways. Limitations and implications for prevention The authors' analysis is limited by focusing solely on messages reshared on a single platform over a specific time period, and relied on the content of messages to infer their emotions rather than emotions being reported directly. Future research linking social media data with population-level suicide statistics might determine if online emotion propagation could contribute to self-harming copycat behavior. In the meantime, the study could offer insight into risks linked to emotional amplification in digital environments. For instance, as anger tends to spread rapidly, suicide prevention organizations might seek to act quickly when such content appears online. Sadness and fear, while less "viral," still expose vulnerable populations to prolonged negativity, while rare positive emotions might offer opportunities to amplify resilience-focused messaging. Together, the results emphasize the need for emotion-specific approaches to both theoretical modeling of and practical intervention in online environments. The authors add, "In the aftermath of public shocks and tragedies, negative emotions spread widely across social media, and our study shows that different emotions follow distinct pathways in how quickly they spread, how long they keep circulating, and how large they grow. Because this emotional exposure can be harmful for vulnerable users, especially in cases like suicide news, we show how digital platforms may unintentionally amplify risk during sensitive events." Publication details Nouri E, et al. Online propagation of emotions: A study of resharing dynamics on social media following celebrity suicides, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0336134 Journal information: PLoS ONE 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: Integrated water-energy-food nexus framework illustrating key enablers and resulting benefits for sustainable agriculture and food security. Credit: XIEG A comprehensive systems analysis reveals that Pakistan's agricultural sector is on an unsustainable trajectory. Current input-intensive practices cannot meet future food security needs without increasing ecological stress. A new study published in Agricultural Systems presents the first quantitative framework for transitioning to sustainable agriculture through integrated water-energy-food (WEF) nexus management. This framework has broad relevance for semi-arid regions worldwide. Led by Prof. Chen Yaning from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study addresses a critical issue for Pakistan and other water-stressed countries: how to increase agricultural productivity when essential natural resources are steadily diminishing. Key findings on resource use and productivity Pakistan's agriculture consumes nearly 90% of the country's freshwater resources, yet its wheat yields are half the global average. To better understand these imbalances, the researchers analyzed three decades of agricultural, hydrological, and energy data (19912021) using advanced econometric modeling and projected future trends through 2031. They found that achieving a 15.1% increase in productivity by 2031 would require a 82.25% increase in pesticide use, a 19% increase in fertilizer application, and continued land expansion by 5.42%. Meanwhile, agricultural water availability is projected to decrease by 4.22%, and energy availability is projected to decrease by 6.15%. The need for a WEF Nexus approach These results underscore the need to move beyond conventional input-intensive agriculture and toward a WEF Nexus perspective, where resource efficiency, renewable energy adoption, balanced agrochemical use, and institutional coordination are all integrated to achieve sustainable productivity gains. "Traditional approaches that rely on expanding cultivated areas or increasing chemical inputs are no longer viable," said Hassan Iqbal, first author of the study. "WEF Nexus-based strategies provide a sustainable alternative by addressing resource interdependencies and operating within ecological limits." Policy recommendations and future outlook A major insight from the study is the identification of resource-efficiency thresholds. Short-term gains can be achieved through intensive inputs, but the long-term analysis shows a significant negative correlation between water withdrawal and productivity (r = 0.31) and a minimal correlation for energy use (r = 0.06). These findings underscore the importance of precision irrigation, renewable energy-based farm operations, and optimized input management. The researchers proposed several practical policy interventions, including drip irrigation systems to reduce water use by 15%20%, solar-powered irrigation to ease energy constraints, and integrated pest management to lower chemical dependency by up to 40%. They also propose institutional reforms to improve cross-sectoral coordination. "As semi-arid agricultural systems face increasing resource pressures and climate variability, integrated solutions that optimize existing resources become essential," said Prof. Chen Yaning, corresponding author of the study. The WEF Nexus framework developed in this research provides a replicable model for Pakistan and other water-scarce regions. More information Hassan Iqbal et al, Optimizing the water-energy-food Nexus for sustainable agriculture in Pakistan: A systems analysis with global implications, Agricultural Systems (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104572 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Whatever else they may be, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives are very often an image-building exercise. Business leaders hope that by being seen to put ethical responsibilities over profits, they will reap profits anyway as a byproduct of reputational gains. It stands to reason, then, that no conversation about the "business case" for ESG would be complete without involving society's chief reputational brokersi.e., the media. New research from Saurabh Mishra, area chair and professor of marketing at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University, confirms the media's pivotal role in influencing ESG profitability. Published in the Journal of Business Research, the paper was co-authored by Shekhar Misra at University of Galway, Ireland. The researchers analyzed ESG performance from the Sustainalytics database, media sentiment from the RavenPack news analytics database, and financial data (including advertising budgets) for 452 firms over the period 20092018. This data-set allowed them to chart the triangular path by which "doing good" (for society and the planet) resulted in "doing well" for the firms in question. To start with, only the "E" in ESG had any direct positive impact on financial performanceand a muted one at that. Of the three metrics examinedidiosyncratic risk, abnormal returns and Tobin's Qonly idiosyncratic risk responded favorably to raw, unmediated environmental performance. The "S" and "G" had either no direct positive effect, or a negative effect upon financial performance. "You can imagine the E, S, and G would not have the same effect on all stakeholders," Mishra observes. "Governance, being a little more internal, might have more positive impact on employees, but not necessarily on the outside world. Social kind of falls in the middleit could be either internal or external." With media sentiment, there was a similar disparity. "Greening" efforts tended to drive more positive media coverage for the firm, which translated into higher financial performance. Social and governance initiatives made no significant difference to the media conversation. But not all eco-conscious firms benefited equally from this media-made halo effect. Those that spent more money on advertisingnot necessarily promoting their ESG activity, but advertising in generalsaw a greater improvement in media sentiment. Crucially, Mishra's data-set included neither specific examples of media coverage nor information about the recipients of advertising spend. The research, therefore, does not suggest the presence of an ethically problematic quid pro quo. "It's possible that media simply follow firms [with high advertising budgets] more closely," Mishra says. "They recognize their efforts more. Everything they do becomes more visible, which kind of magnifies the effect that we're seeing." For Mishra, the findings help clarify contradictions about ESG and its potential payoffs. "If you look at some of the meta-analyses that have been done, the consensus is that ESG's effect on shareholder wealth is not there, or it's weakly positive. At the same time, there is a lot of variation. Some firms see a lot of upside and some don't." 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. It's not, then, that there isn't a good "business case" for ESG activity. But that case may be more contingent on external factors (such as media sentiment) than many previous researchers believed. If so, ESG may be most financially successful as part of a diverse strategic portfolio that could encompass advertising spend and possibly other areas ostensibly unrelated to environmental sustainability. "Advertising researchers talk about a stock effect," Mishra explains. "Advertising stock builds over time. You have to continually advertise, otherwise that stock starts going down. So if you're advertising substantially, you get more bang for the buck from investing in the environment." But because so much remains unknown about the various factors that help determine ESG's profitability potential, Mishra cautions against dismissing the "S" and "G" too quickly, despite their apparent irrelevance in this particular study. "I would hate to say that firms should not invest in social and governance," Mishra says. "Maybe if you look at some other stakeholder measuresemployee productivity measures, for instancethey move the needle there. Because, after all, there is variation in the data, and no one paper can look at every relevant factor. But if your objective is to move media to be more positive towards you, environmental focus is your best bet." Publication details Shekhar Misra et al, Environmental, social, and governance performances, media sentiments, and shareholder wealth, Journal of Business Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115811 Journal information: Journal of Business Research 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: Environmental Protection Agency director Lee Zeldin speaks at a news conference Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Matthew Daly The Environmental Protection Agency has removed any mention of fossil fuelsthe main driver of global warmingfrom its popular online page explaining the causes of climate change. Now it only mentions natural phenomena, even though scientists calculate that nearly all of the warming is due to human activity. Sometime in the past few days or weeks, EPA altered some but not all of its climate change webpages, de-emphasizing and even deleting references to the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, which scientists say is the overwhelming cause of climate change. The website's causes of climate page mentions changes in Earth's orbit, solar activity, Earth's reflectivity, volcanoes and natural carbon dioxide changes, but not the burning of fossil fuels. Seven scientists and three former EPA officials tell The Associated Press that this is misleading and harmful. "Now it is completely wrong," said University of California climate scientist Daniel Swain, who also noted that impacts, risks and indicators of climate change on the EPA site are now broken links. "This was a tool that I know for a fact that a lot of educators used and a lot of people. It was actually one of the best designed easy access climate change information websites for the U.S." Earlier this year, the Trump Administration removed the national climate assessment from government websites. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin speaks during a cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, Aug. 26, 2025, at the White House in Washington. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File "It is outrageous that our government is hiding information and lying," said former Obama National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief and Oregon State oceanographer Jane Lubchenco. "People have a right to know the truth about the things that affect their health and safety, and the government has a responsibility to tell the truth." An October version of the same EPA page, saved by the internet Wayback Machine, said, "Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have released large amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which has changed the earth's climate. Natural processes, such as changes in the sun's energy and volcanic eruptions, also affect the Earth's climate. However, they do not explain the warming that we have observed over the last century." That now reads: "Natural processes are always influencing the earth's climate and can explain climate changes prior to the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s. However, recent climate changes cannot be explained by natural causes alone." "Unlike the previous administration, the Trump EPA is focused on protecting human health and the environment while Powering the Great American Comeback, not left-wing political agendas," said Brigit Hirsch, EPA spokesperson, in an email. "As such, this agency no longer takes marching orders from the climate cult. Plus, for all the pearl-clutchers out there, the website is archived and available to the public." 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. Clicking on "explore climate change resources" on the EPA archived website leads to an error message that says, "This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it." Former Republican Governor Christie Todd Whitman, who was EPA administrator under George W. Bush, said, "You can refuse to talk about it, but it doesn't make it go away. And we're seeing it. Everybody's seeing it." "We look ridiculous, quite frankly," Whitman told The Associated Press in an interview. "The rest of the world understands this is happening and they're taking steps... And we're just going backwards. We're knocking ourselves back into the Stone Age." Democratic EPA chief Gina McCarthy blasted current EPA chief Lee Zeldin, calling him "a wolf in sheep's clothing, actively spiking any attempt to protect our health, well-being and precious natural resources." Nearly 100% of the warming the world is now experiencing is from human activity, and without that, the Earth would be cooling and dropping in temperatures until the Industrial Revolution, Swain and other scientists said. The EPA listed natural causes "might be causing a very tiny amount of warming or cooling at the moment," he said. Marcia McNutt, a geophysicist and president of the National Academy of Sciences, said that there is consensus among experts from the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, or NASEM, on the causes of climate change. "Numerous NASEM reports from the nation's leading scientists confirm that the climate is changing as a result of human activities," McNutt said. "Even the EPA acknowledges that natural causes cannot explain the current changes in climate. It is important that the public be presented with all of the facts." Former EPA climate advisor Jeremy Symons, now a senior advisor for Environmental Protection Network of former EPA officials, said, "Ignoring fossil fuel pollution as the driving force behind the climate changes we have seen in our lifetime is like pretending cigarettes don't cause lung cancer." 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Mikhail Nilov from Pexels A new study led by the UvA suggests that even a fictional personality system, the Hogwarts houses from Harry Potter, can reveal meaningful patterns in real-world entrepreneurial mindsets. The research team, headed by Martin Obschonka, analyzed nearly 800,000 responses to the TIME Magazine Harry Potter Personality Quiz, discovering that regions with more "Gryffindors" and "Slytherins" tend to have higher start-up activity. The project involved collaborators from NEOMA Business School, the University of St. Gallen, and the University of British Columbia. The paper is published in the journal Small Business Economics. Using fiction to understand entrepreneurial personality Traditional entrepreneurship research often focuses on individual traits such as risk-taking or creativity. According to Obschonka, this narrow approach overlooks the broader character patterns that shape entrepreneurial thinking. "We do not have a real-world personality typology in research that captures the entrepreneurial mindset, especially its rule-breaking and norm-challenging nature," he explains. The well-known Hogwarts house system gives clear, easy-to-understand personality types that we can measure, making it a new way to study more complex patterns. A unique dataset from TIME magazine The Harry Potter Personality Quiz was developed through collaboration between TIME Magazine and members of the research team. Nearly 800,000 people across the United States completed the quiz, allowing the researchers to examine regional variation in character-related profiles. Participants were asked whether they agreed or disagreed on various topics, such as lying and facing fears. The study shows that U.S. regions with higher proportions of Gryffindor- and Slytherin-like personalities tend to exhibit higher levels of start-up activity. These links stay the same even when we account for known entrepreneurial traits and regional economic differences. The findings were also replicated in a separate two-wave survey of more than 1,000 individuals: Participants with stronger Gryffindor or Slytherin profiles reported higher entrepreneurial intentions and more positive attitudes toward entrepreneurship. "It is fascinating to see that even a purely fictional personality typology, like the Hogwarts houses, can still reveal useful information about real-world human behavior, including entrepreneurship," says Obschonka. Rule-challenging as the core link A central insight from the study is that both Gryffindor and Slytherin share a foundation in rule-challenging behavior. While their motives differ, both houses are associated with pushing boundaries and questioning norms and going against the status quo: attributes closely linked to entrepreneurial action, which often involves navigating uncertainty, challenging existing structures, and introducing new ideas. Gryffindor represents a prosocial form of rule-challenging, driven by moral conviction or a sense of justice. Slytherin represents a strategic form of rule-challenging, driven by ambition, competitiveness, and instrumental, goal-oriented motives. "These overlapping but distinct forms of deviance provided the framework for analyzing different entrepreneurial pathways," Obschonka states. The Harry Potter stories illustrate that pursuing something new often involves bending the rules, whether through courageous action or through calculated planning. "Many new ventures emerge when people question conventions, think outside the box, and push beyond accepted boundaries," Obschonka notes. "Entrepreneurs often rely on either moral courage or strategic ambition, tendencies that may stem from enduring personality patterns shaping how they pursue opportunities and innovation." More information Martin Obschonka et al, Entrepreneurial deviance as bright and dark character virtues: the Harry Potter study, Small Business Economics (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11187-025-01147-7 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The fossil horseshoe crab (Euproops danae) was found at the Mazon Creek Lagerstatte in Illinois, U.S.. Courtesy Lauer Foundation. Credit: Gregory Lewbart (North Carolina State University) A remarkably preserved horseshoe crab fossil from North America offers rare insight into some of the earliest known cases of animal disease in a Late Carboniferous swampsome 50 to 70 million years before the age of dinosaurs. The specimen, uncovered from the mass-burial fossil deposit at the famous Mazon Creek Lagerstatte in Illinois in the US, shows more than 100 small pits across the front of its shell, representing one of the earliest documented examples of microbial or algal infection killing groups of these ancient aquatic animals. Insights from fossil discovery "Ancient arthropods faced many of the same ecological pressures that modern species experience today, including microbial attacks and environmental stress," says Dr. Russell Bicknell, lead author of a new Biology Letters article, and recent appointee at Flinders University in South Australia. "This fossil links a specific biological eventlikely microbial or algal infestationto a broader evolutionary picture, showing that interactions between animals and microbes were already well established long before dinosaurs evolved," says Dr. Bicknell, who previously worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. "It also ties the specimen to the Late Carboniferous world, a time when Earth's ecosystems were undergoing significant changes that shaped the future of animal evolution. "From an evolutionary perspective, this discovery pushes back evidence of such infestations in horseshoe crabs by more than 300 million years." Environmental context and significance Dr. Bicknell, an Australian Research Council DECRA fellow at Flinders University, says the fossil horseshoe crabs (Euproops danae) regularly shed their shells while growing so the "heavy fouling" indicates the specimen had stopped molting and reached maturity. "The Late Carboniferous nutrient-rich environment at Mazon Creek, with its regular flooding and fluctuating salinity, would have promoted microbial growth and rapid burial. These conditions helped preserve organisms inside ironstone concretions with exceptional detail." At the time, vast forests covered the planet, oxygen levels were high, and land animalsincluding amphibians and reptile ancestors, were diversifying. "This fossil adds to a new piece of the ecological puzzle, highlighting the pressures shaping ancient marine arthropods and their evolutionary responses to infestation." Horseshoe crabs are related to spiders and scorpions today. Publication details Unique, dimple-like exoskeletal structures suggest syn-vivo infestations in Late Carboniferous horseshoe crabs, Biology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0565 Journal information: Biology Letters 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: Gondwana Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.08.020 Asier Madarieta, a researcher in the EHU's HGI (Water Environmental Processes) group, has analyzed how the Earth's crust is being compressed and deformed in the field where Eurasia and Africa meet in the Western Mediterranean. His work contributes towards understanding this complex contact field better as well as opening the door to identifying the faults and structures that could lead to earthquakes or deformations on the peninsula. Plate tectonics can be visualized like large moving parts on the Earth's crust. The constant movement of the plates causes major stresses, and, as a result, deformations or earthquakes occur on the plate boundaries. "Every year the Eurasian and African plates are moving 46 mm closer to each other. The boundary between the plates around the Atlantic Ocean and Algeria is very clear, whereas in the south of the Iberian Peninsula the boundary is much more blurred and complex," explained Asier Madarieta, a University of the Basque Country (EHU) researcher. In the western Mediterranean, the boundary between the Eurasia and Africa plates is totally determined by the Alboran domain. This field is moving westwards and is fostering the development of the active Gibraltar Arc by connecting the Betic Cordillera with the Rif Cordillera. "Until now, we didn't know exactly what that boundary was like in that environment, and what geodynamic processes are taking place is under discussion," added Madarieta. In research led by Madarieta and published in Gondwana Research, important dynamic processes taking place on that blurred boundary between the Eurasian and African plates were specified. "We saw how the crustal strain and the surface deformation in the Western Mediterranean are related on the boundary between the two plates located in the gap between the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa," explained the researcher in the Water Environmental Processes Group (HGI). Indeed, the stress and deformation fields in that environment were calculated "by using deformation data obtained via satellite and data on earthquakes that have occurred in recent years." Asier Madarieta, researcher at the University of the Basque Country (EHU), installing a GNSS network in the Betic Cordillera. Credit: EHU Fresh data to advance research Having compared these two aspects, the geodynamic and tectonic processes are now understood more comprehensively. In the research, they obtained a lot of new data on the boundary between the Eurasia and Africa plates, "we have specified it better." So, "we found out which sectors on the boundary are already under the dominance of the collision between Eurasia and Africa and which are still determined by the westward displacement of the Gibraltar Arc," Dr. Madarieta explained. He pointed out that the new data "confirm that the Iberian Peninsula is rotating clockwise. The data indicate that the Gibraltar Arc is playing a significant role on the Eurasia-Africa boundary. To the east of the Straits of Gibraltar the crust of the Gibraltar Arc is absorbing the deformation caused by the Eurasia-Africa collision, thus preventing the stresses being transmitted to Iberia. "On the other hand, to the west of the Straits of Gibraltar the direct collision between the Iberia (Eurasia) and Africa plates is taking place, and we believe that could affect the stresses being transmitted to the southwest of Iberia, by pushing Iberia from the southwest and making it rotate clockwise." The stress fields provide information on the geodynamic processes, whereas the deformation field shows how the Earth's surface is becoming deformed under the influence of these stresses. "But finding out which geological structure is causing the deformation is not at all easy," he said. With the new data it is possible to know, for example, where the faults (structures between the blocks that cause the earthquakes) are or where they could be. "As for Iberia, there are many places where there is a significant deformation or where earthquakes occur, but we don't know which tectonic structures are active there. These stress and deformation fields tell us where we have to go to look for these structures. And that way, we could find out what kind of folds and faults there may be, what their movement would be like, what kind of earthquakes they could cause and of what magnitude." On the Iberian Peninsula, "we and many other research groups are producing a database of active Iberian faults (QAFI-Quaternary Active Fault database of Iberia). Although we are working very hard, in some fields there is a lot to do, in the Western Pyrenees (Navarre) and in the west of the Gibraltar Arc (Cadiz-Seville), for example. So in these areas detailed geological and geophysical work has to be done to know which structures cause deformation, characterize them and specify their seismic potential," explained Madarieta. 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. A small window on geological evolution Geodynamic changes are obviously terribly slow, and satellite data and precise earthquake data do not go back a long way. "These data only provide a small window on geological evolution. Most of the precise earthquake data only go back to 1980, and accurate satellite data back to 1999, whereas geodynamic changes are measured in millions of years. So it is important to conduct unified analyses of the different data," he said. As the researcher pointed out, the database created in the research complements the databases used previously and that "increases the reliability of the results and conclusions." What is more, from now on, "the data will increase exponentially: among other things we will be able to calculate the deformations in more detail, even in the places where we have little information available." Publication details Asier Madarieta-Txurruka et al, New insights on active geodynamics of Iberia and Northwestern Africa from seismic stress and geodetic strain-rate fields, Gondwana Research (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.08.020 Journal information: Gondwana Research This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain A growing number of studies show that when investors pay close attention to individual stocks, it significantly impacts how they learn about and trade those stocks, which in turn drives stock price movements. In other words, what catches investors' eyes directly influences their decisions and shapes the stock market. However, not all investors watch the same things, and that variability creates very different outcomes in the market. New research from the University of Notre Dame looks at how investor buzz sways the stock market, revealing that attention on individual stocks might actually predict the entire market's short-term future performance, and noting an interesting split between retail and institutional investors. When everyday investors, known as retail investors, suddenly pay more attention to the market, returns over the next week tend to fall. But when professional investors such as mutual funds and hedge funds, known as institutional investors, start paying more attention, returns over the next week tend to riseespecially when big news is about to come out, according to a research team led by Zhi Da, the Howard J. and Geraldine F. Korth Professor of Finance at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business. The team's research, "Market returns and a tale of two types of attention," appears in Management Science. Da, with co-authors Jian Hua and Lin Peng from Baruch College and Tim Chih-Ching Hung from National Taiwan University, used Google's daily search volume index to measure retail investor attention and Bloomberg's "Daily Maximum Readership" score, which captures how often professional investors on Bloomberg are reading news about a particular stock, for institutional investor attention. Rather than looking at each stock separately, the researchers averaged the abnormal attention measures across all stocks, allowing them to create two daily, market-level attention indexes: Aggregate Retail Attention (ARA) and Aggregate Institutional Attention (AIA). They tested whether these market-level attention measures can predict future stock market returns by running regressions of market returns on ARA and AIA. "Investors have to notice a stock before they trade it, and trading is what moves prices," Da said. "So it's not surprising that attention can predict returns. What is surprising are two patterns we uncover." First, the study shows that different types of investors behave distinctly. Retail investors and institutional investors show opposite effects. Retail attention predicts lower future returns, the researchers found. In other words, when everyone's talking about a stock, it usually means it's about to underperform. Popular stocks with lots of buzz often disappoint later because individual investors are late to the party and push prices too high initially. Once the hype dies down, prices fall back to Earth, meaning lower returns for those who jumped on the bandwagon. On the other hand, the researchers saw that institutional attention often acts as an early signal for higher future returns. Institutional investors start digging into a stock before major news breaks. When their interest is piqued, it's often a signal that some uncertainty is on the horizon. This requires investors to demand a higher return for holding that stock around the time when the actual news comes out. Second, the study reveals that looking only at market-level attention, such as searches for "Dow," "S&P 500," etc., doesn't predict returns well. "The market is really just the sum of many individual stocks," Da said. "We measure attention at the stock level and then combine all that data into a bigger picture. This bottom-up attention measure works much better than the top-down approach." Da said identifying new factors that can forecast market ups and downs is valuable for two main reasons. "It helps us understand what actually pushes the market higher or lower, and there's the obvious practical perkbetter predictions mean better decisions when we're deciding where to put our money." Publication details Zhi Da et al, Market Returns and a Tale of Two Types of Attention, Management Science (2025). DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2023.01294 Journal information: Management Science 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 New Jersey is parched top to bottom. In some regions, rainfall has plunged as much as eight inches below average for the past year, straining reservoirs, streams, and aquifers enough that the state Department of Environmental Protection has issued a drought warninga notch shy of an emergency. As a result, officials are asking residents to voluntarily curtail water use. Should conditions deteriorate, officials may impose mandatory restrictions on certain uses of water, though such measures are rarely invoked. DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said in a statement in the Dec. 5 announcement that there is an "urgency of the need to conserve water." "The precipitation and water supply uncertainty we've experienced over the past year is a symptom of the impacts of climate change here in New Jersey," LaTourette said. It's the second year the state is looking at a drought. The last drought warning was issued in November 2024. That declaration came as firefighters had fought multiple simultaneous wildfires, one deadly, that broke out across the state amid dry, windy conditions. That warning was lifted in June following record rainfall for some parts of the state in May. Up to 8 inches below normal However, the state overall has experienced below-average precipitation for more than a year, officials said. New Jersey officials cited data from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center that's operated by the National Weather Service. That data shows that Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties are all running nearly four inches below average over the past 90 days. Burlington County is running more than seven inches below normal for the past 365 days, and Camden County is running more than 6 inches below normal for the same period. Northwestern New Jersey is running more than 8 inches below normal over the past year. Likewise, the U.S Drought Monitor, a partnership of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's National Drought Mitigation Center and multiple federal agencies, shows the South Jersey counties along the Delaware River in either a moderate or severe drought. About 3.5 million residents of New Jersey live in a drought-impacted area. Officials said recent rains have not made much difference considering the size of the gap. Ocean County is one of the few areas of the state with near normal precipitation levels. An update on rainfall and drought data is expected Wednesday. State officials use multiple sources to determine the impact of rainfall on water supplies. Those include reservoir levels, stream flows, and groundwater (aquifers). 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. South Jersey counties, such as Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem, rely primarily on groundwater but also use water from the Delaware River and other rivers and streams. Drought indicators for groundwater levels in South Jersey are designated as extremely dry while precipitation and stream flows are severely dry. Officials say the persistent dryness has resulted in "observable stress across all specific indicators." Nearly all regions of the state are classified as being severely or extremely dry. Pennsylvania is also dry. Last week, the Commonwealth Drought Task Force said 37 counties are under a drought watch, although none in Southeastern Pennsylvania. A drought watch means an area has received 25% less rain over three months than normal. It is the lowest of three levels of drought declarations in Pennsylvania. Key concepts droughts 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HAVERTOWN, Pa., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is open for the annual Reindeer Romp, a spirited community 5K run and 1-mile walk held in memory of Brandon Lake, a beloved young member of the Havertown community who passed away from cancer in 1999, and long-time Reindeer Romp committee member, Matt Aber, who passed away from cancer in 2021. Committed to the fight against cancer, 100% of the race proceeds are donated directly to the American Cancer Society. The annual Reindeer Romp, raising funds for the American Cancer Society, will be held December 13 in Havertown. "The American Cancer Society is thrilled to continue its partnership with the Reindeer Romp in 2025. This almost-three decade partnership has resulted in nearly $600,000 in support for our programs and initiatives, in particular, our Hope Lodge in Cheltenham, where those undergoing cancer treatments in the Philadelphia region can stay free of charge and not have to worry about meals or transportation. We share our sincere gratitude for all those who run the Reindeer Romp and help make a difference." said Greg Paone, Philadelphia Director of Regional Integrated Marketing at American Cancer Society. Nolan Painting has been the presenting sponsor of the Reindeer Romp since 2000, and the event now stands as the flagship effort of the company's Nolan in the Neighborhood initiative-its long-standing commitment to giving back to the communities where its employees live and work. Each year, more than 100 Nolan Painting team members line the course as race marshals, and the company contributes over $5,000 annually toward event expenses. Several staff members also serve on the race committee, and founder Kevin J. Nolan continues his long-time role as race director. Kevin has led the Reindeer Romp since 2000 and recently served as the volunteer race director for the inaugural Delco 10 Miler, a successful new event presented jointly in September by Delaware County and Visit Delco, which has also joined this year as a sponsor of the Reindeer Romp. The Reindeer Romp also has the sponsor support of Rothman Orthopaedics, Beatty Lumber, Sir Speedy of Havertown, Havertown Carpet Co., Sherwin Williams, Meridian Bank, Shreiner Tree Care, and Mid Penn Bank, as well as many other local businesses . Event sponsors help cover the expenses of the event, raise funds for the cause, and allow for every registration dollar from participants to go to the American Cancer Society. Race Details and Post-Race Festivities: The Reindeer Romp is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025. This festive event has become a staple of the holiday season in Delaware County. The 5K run will begin at 3:00 p.m., followed by the 1-mile walk at 3:05 p.m. The 5K, professionally timed by Bryn Mawr Racing and taking place on a USATF certified course , will start and finish at Haverford High School. Participants are invited to celebrate their finish at several Havertown establishments for a complimentary beverage or slice of pizza. This year's Pizza & Pub partners include Tony Roni's, JD McGillicuddy's, The Crossbar, and Paddy Rooney's Pub. Interested community members are encouraged to register as soon as possible to secure their spot since the race will be capping at 600 participants. All participants will receive a commemorative ornament sponsored by Beatty Lumber and long sleeve technical running shirts as available. Learn more, register, or donate at reindeerromp.org . SOURCE Nolan Painting 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: Research employing in-depth surveys and interviews used the experience of lobstermen to craft mental models of marine habitats in flux. Credit: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University As fishery management practices struggle to keep up with warming waters, the insights of local lobstermen provide an invaluable understanding of changing dynamics, new research shows. In Maine, lobstermen last year took home over a half-billion dollars in revenue. However, that fishery remains under threat as warming waters drive invasive species into lobsters' habitats, species that both compete for resources and hunt the native lobsters. Working lobstermen's ecological knowledge can be key in untangling these complicated dynamics, according to a Northeastern University professor of marine and environmental sciences. Using an in-depth survey and interview process of lobstermen in Maine and Massachusetts, Northeastern University professor Jonathan Grabowski and his intercollegiate team studied the innate knowledge that lobster fishermen have of complex food-web relationships and animal interactions within and across different habitats. Their findings, published in Fish and Fisheries, demonstrate that the insights of lobstermen, and local fishermen more broadly, provide an invaluable understanding of changing ecosystems as fishery management practices struggle to keep up. Life as a lobsterman Grabowski and his team study how marine ecosystems function and change, but also how management practices impact fisheries. Coastal waters, their paper notes, are warming at a speed faster than management strategies can keep up with. Cue the lobstermen, which, Grabowski notes, is the term the industry prefers for lobster fishermen of any gender. Most of those interviewed have decades of fishing experience. "More often than not, it's north of 25 years," Grabowski says, and it's common to encounter lobstermen with over 50 years of experience. When you've been out on the water that long, you start to notice a few things. For one, Grabowski notes, the lobstermen are highly aware of the movements of species new to the Gulf of Maine region, like black sea bass, which hunt lobsters. "We don't have adequate sampling in the system from the scientists alone, so we need the lobster industry to help fill in the gaps," he says. Additionally, Grabowski says that, over the years, a number of the lobstermen have pointed to habitat loss issues not yet on his radar. In this study, one lobsterman noted that green crabs can turn eelgrass, where young lobsters develop, into muddy bottom. You might not expect someone who doesn't dive to make that kind of observation, he says, but "their understanding of the system is really sharp." Grabowski and his team collect this community data through quantitative surveys, intensive, hourlong interviews and visual maps, where fishermen point out how populations of different species have shifted across the Gulf of Maine. In their most recent work, Grabowski's team employs "fuzzy cognitive mapping," Grabowski calls it, where a lobsterman is asked to build a mental model of how they think the ecosystem functions and then describe what they find important. "What's going to eat juvenile and adult lobsters?" Grabowski asks, who then talks through the repercussions with the fishermen. "As the system warms, who benefits and who loses? What species are going to be happier in a warming world?" This leads to quite a complex picture of the overall system, he continues. After combining individual mental models into a community model, Grabowski says that they can then interrogate what the lobster industry believes will happen when a variable in the system shifts. This aggregation of communal knowledge provides not only scientific insight but also displays how the industry views the waters it gets its livelihood from. 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. Scientific perspective is shifting "I grew up in a scientific world where some scientists would say, 'You know, we can't be leaning on the general public for their observations. We're the scientists, we're the ones who know,'" Grabowski says. But that division is fast degrading, with community science projects gaining traction every year. Grabowski says that lobstermen should be considered experts on their home surf, and the idea that they're not is "almost laughable. These guys are on the water hundreds of days a year," an amount of time basically no scientist can afford, given their other obligations. After two decades of working with Maine and Massachusetts lobstermen, Grabowski says that he's no longer surprised at how deeply they understand local ecosystems. The number of samples they pull out of the waterthat is, the number of lobsters or other animals they interact with every yearis of a size that simply cannot be replicated by scientists' efforts. "We don't have the scientific dollars to begin to do that," Grabowski says. The lobsterman "voice is an invaluable voice." Publication details Loren McClenachan et al, Fishers' Local Ecological Knowledge Reveals Complex Food Web Dynamics With Rapidly Warming Waters, Fish and Fisheries (2025). DOI: 10.1111/faf.70021 Journal information: Fish and Fisheries This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu. 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: Apollo 11 sample tray. Southwest Research Institute collaborated with UT San Antonio to analyze lunar soil samples and determine the effects of space weathering on their far-ultraviolet reflectance. SwRI measured the reflectance of the Apollo 11 soil sample in SwRI's Slater Crater ultra-high vacuum instrument suite. Weathering increases the abundance of nanophase iron inclusions on the grain rims shown in these TEM images, which is primarily responsible for its darker ultraviolet reflectance. Credit: Southwest Research Institute Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) scientists are collaborating with researchers at UT San Antonio to study how space weathering can alter the lunar surface materials to help interpret regional and global far-ultraviolet (FUV) maps of the moon. Their recent study looked at how such weathering influences the FUV spectral response. By analyzing just a few grains of returned samples from the Apollo missions, the team gained important insights into the evolution of the lunar surface shaped by solar wind and micrometeoroid impacts over eons, said SwRI's Dr. Ujjwal Raut. The paper is published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Using modern instruments and investigative techniques, the team gleaned new information from soil samples returned to Earth by NASA's Apollo missions in the late '60s and early '70s (Apollo 11, 16 and 17). "These Apollo-era samples continue to be a cornerstone of lunar science, providing the most direct link to the moon's surface processes and evolution, including space weathering," Raut said. The research was led by Caleb Gimar, who recently completed a doctoral degree in physics through the SwRI-UT San Antonio Joint Graduate Program, with support from NASA's Lunar Data Analysis Program. Raut served as principal investigator of the project. Apollo 11 grain rims. Credit: Southwest Research Institute "We are investigating how space weathering drives physical and chemical changes in lunar grains that largely control their far-ultraviolet reflectanceexplaining why soils with different degrees of weathering vary in brightness and the way they scatter light in this spectral region," Gimar said. This is important because it allows researchers to better interpret remote sensing data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Lyman-Alpha Mapping Project (LRO-LAMP), which has been orbiting the moon since 2009. "The SwRI-led LAMP instrument was designed to search for signs of water ice by peering into the permanently shadowed polar craters using far-ultraviolet light from stars instead of the sun," said Dr. Kurt D. Retherford, principal investigator of the LAMP instrument. "Accurately identifying that ice and estimating its abundance depends on understanding the far-ultraviolet reflectance of the dry lunar soilwhile accounting for any mineralogical differences caused by space weatheringto robustly isolate hydration signatures from the soil itself." This work highlights a close collaboration between SwRI's Center for Laboratory Astrophysics and Space Science Experiments (CLASSE) and UT San Antonio's Kleberg Advanced Microscopy Center (KAMC), which led the key nanoscale imaging of the lunar grains. "We used a state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopeone that can actually image individual atoms," said Dr. Ana Stevanovic, KAMC director. "This microscope allows us to look deep inside individual grains of lunar dust and identify tiny minerals and space-weathering features while also measuring their chemical makeup." The images revealed that the outer rims of the heavily weathered grains are studded with countless tiny particles of iron, known as nanophase iron, whose width is roughly one ten-thousandth that of a human hair, Stevanovic said. Less weathered grains contained far fewer of these nanophase iron inclusions, appearing brighter in the far-UV. Publication details C. J. Gimar et al, The Influence of Space Weathering on the FarUltraviolet Reflectance of ApolloEra Soils, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets (2025). DOI: 10.1029/2025je009304 Journal information: Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 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 "Inconvenience is the cost of community" has become somewhat of a social media mantra for people looking to rediscover what belonging and community actually require. For years, many have embraced the idea that people can have connections without coordination, community without commitment and relationships without the friction of difference. But belonging doesn't work that way because human interdependence has never been without friction. It asks us to show up when we'd rather stay home, stay in conversations we'd rather leave and to rely on people whose presence and beliefs grow our capacity to care beyond ourselves. This inconvenience is part of the social infrastructure that holds communities together. My recent research suggests that when five core "productive frictions" are eliminated from that infrastructure, we strip away the very forces that keep communities strong, productive and together. Three overlapping epidemics Three converging epidemics now demand our attention, each pointing to the collapse of community infrastructure. The first is loneliness. A World Health Organization report released in June found one in six people are affected by loneliness, with recent data from Canada and the United States showing increases since 2024. Loneliness is linked to roughly 100 deaths every hourabout 871,000 a yearrivaling smoking in its mortality risk. Contributing to this issue is the widespread uptick in familial estrangement. Up to 130 million North Americans are estranged from a close relative, with 35% involving immediate family members. Families often estrange members who are "inconvenient": those who are different or who challenge repetitive traumatic family dysfunction. The U.S. has approximately twice the rate of parent-child estrangement as Europe, a pattern researchers tie to a cultural emphasis on individual autonomy over family obligation. The second epidemic is workplace toxicity. This year, 80% of U.S. workers described their workplaces as toxic, up from 67% in 2024, and cited it as the primary driver of poor mental health. Gallup's global data also shows that stalled employee engagement has cost the global economy US$438 billion in lost productivity. This is happening despite employers investing billions in wellness apps, engagement programs and other strategies. Many organizations are pouring money into individual coping tools while systematically removing the very infrastructure needed for community. The third epidemic is an unprecedented global decline in civic and employer trust. These are not separate problems. They are all interconnected by a single root cause: the dismantling of social infrastructure that builds cohesion and belonging. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The cost of convenience A recent study examined emotional intelligence scores from 28,000 adults across 166 countries and uncovered an alarming trend: global emotional intelligence has dropped nearly six percent between 2019 and 2024. Researchers call this an "emotional recession" because our shared emotional resources are shrinking in a pattern similar to an economy in a downturn. The steepest declines occurred in intrinsic motivation, optimism and a sense of purpose; three capabilities that help us to keep moving forward, hopeful and willing to invest in relationships. Many blame "convenience culture." Convenience culture prioritizes comfort and efficiency over collective responsibility. It often reduces human interaction to what's easiest rather than what's meaningful. Digital platforms promise connection without commitment, comfort without consideration and belonging without mutual accountability. Algorithms reduce exposure to difference by curating belief-aligned feeds and allowing people to retreat from the discomfort that growth requires. The messy, time-consuming interactions that build trust and interdependencylike the tense moments when colleagues work through conflict rather than agree or look awayare disappearing. We have optimized away the inconveniences that create interdependence, then wonder why people feel so alone, emotionally raw and incapable of handling difference. As such, a fundamental distinction has been lost: belonging is not the same as fitting in. Fitting in is passive; it accommodates what meets the requirements, provides minimal access and enables you to stay as long as you comply. Fitting in is both conditional and transactional. Belonging, on the other hand, is active and reciprocal. It asks something of you and the community that receives you. Both parties must adjust, accommodate and be changed by the relationship. That mutual obligation is exactly what convenience culture does not tolerate and precisely what builds trust, respect, commitment and the emotional resilience we are losing. Five productive inconveniences My research on workplace belonging identifies five "productive inconveniences" that make real community possible. Here's how you can bring them into your own life: 1. Costly commitment: Real community is a two-way street. Be willing to put the group's needs ahead of what's easiest for you, but make sure this burden doesn't fall on the same people every time. When only some people have to invest, being part of the community doesn't mean much. 2. Coordinated time: Strong relationships need time to form. When calendars are full, try to make the effort to see people in person. Texts and emails are helpful, but they cannot replace real presence. 3. Navigating difference: Try to maintain relationships with people who see the world differently from you rather than retreating when your views are challenged. Learning to listen, respectfully disagree and stay curious in moments of conflict are what stretches you and makes your community stronger. 4. Conflict repair: Healthy relationships mean taking responsibility and accountability to work through conflict rather than just discounting or disengaging. Instead of unfollowing or walking away, have the hard conversations that allow relationships to survive and grow. 5. Mutual need: Belonging demands interdependence. Ask for help when you need it, and be willing to be needed in return. Doing everything alone is another form of isolation. Mutual reliance is what turns a group of people into a real community. Choosing people over convenience Leaders, whether in families, workplaces or communities, must learn to distinguish harmful barriers such as discrimination, exclusion and bureaucratic waste from essential inconveniences that build the muscle of belonging within a community. The "emotional recession" study emphasizes this: people with higher emotional intelligence were more than 10 times more likely to have strong relationships, be effective in what they do and experience well-being in their lives. The data suggests that investing in building emotional capacity and the productive inconveniences that develop it pays measurable dividends for individuals and organizations alike. Community is not built solely through connection. It is built through interdependence, and interdependence is a human infrastructure that is deliberately inconvenient. Every time we choose people over convenience, we invest in community. The real question in our homes, workplaces and democracies is whether we're willing to pay that price. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain For decades, the consensus has been that American education is not good enough, students are falling behind and society needs to do something to improve schools. But countless efforts at reform and millions in investments have not resulted in better education. In a new book, a University of Kansas scholar argues that is because leaders are trying to fix the problems of the past for all students instead of finding a new way forward for each individual. "Fix the Past or Invent the Future: Moving Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Education" by Yong Zhao, Foundation Distinguished Professor in the KU School of Education & Human Sciences, details the problems with reform efforts and how each individual has the power, not to mention technology, to help students find and solve problems for the betterment of the world. "The basic argument is this: Education has been trying to improve for a long time. People say education should be better. Everybody is complaining and we're investing so much in reform, but why haven't schools improved? "I said, 'I'm going to try to explain why improvement hasn't happened. First, any improvement hasn't been about meeting the needs of the individual student. Each classroom features a real child, not a probability. Our society seems to be intent on applying the same approach to all children." The book features two parts of five chapters each. In part one, "Fix the Past," Zhao focuses first on the issue of probability. Research in the field looks for ways to find solutions, interventions, approaches and methods to better reach students. The studies are widely accepted by educators, policymakers and others, who often fail to realize that probability is not certainty and that even if a given approach works for some students, it inevitably will not work for others. Further, Zhao provides detailed analysis of how efforts at improvement such as the growth mindset and socialemotional learning can result in stubbornness and fail to solve students' emotional problems at school. Finishing part one, Zhao points out how artificial intelligence is often viewed as either a threat or an opportunity for education. If applied to the current paradigm, AI would fail to solve any problems, as it would be applying new technology to the old educational paradigm, he wrote. In part two, "Invent the Future," Zhao illustrates how society is at a moment of opportunity to finally make real improvements to how young people are educated. While some may view AI as a shortcut or way for students to not do their own work, it can be a way for students and educators to customize education to each individual. "Personalized learning follows an individual's strengths and passions. I describe how that can be done with AI," Zhao said. "I also look at how you can use it to find and solve problems that are helpful to society. People cannot continue to compete with each other using the same set of outdated skills, but that is what our system is doing. We should focus on each person's strengths." In the following chapters, the author elaborates on how schools, teachers and individuals can move from teaching known answers to known problems to developing the future-facing skill of identifying new issues and how to solve them, one of the most necessary skills future citizens will need. Such an approach could grow beyond the classroom to help establish human interdependence and shift away from the myth of meritocracy, Zhao wrote. 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. Last, the book acknowledges that reform efforts have largely failed, which can understandably leave people feeling defeated, or that new attempts by those in power will also fail. But one needs not wait for the traditional methods of reform to catch up, and Zhao leaves readers with a message of inspiration on how each student, educator and community member can make changes without waiting for larger, societal shifts. Students, teachers and others willing to personalize learning can start by forming a "school within a school," wherein new approaches outside of the traditional approach are accepted. The final chapter points out how anyone interested, be it just a few educators, students or parents, can start the reform themselves. "The message of the book is, 'Can we imagine a new future for education?' Right now it's about curriculum, standards and assessment," Zhao said. "I think we should break out of that and ask about each child. What are you good at, or what do you want to be good at? Then look at resources like family, AI, community and what is unique to each setting to find and solve problems that matter." As a young man, Zhao would often get carsick on bus rides. Riding along while others steer where educational reform goes can leave teachers, students and families feeling unwell. The answer is to become the driver, he said. "I learned that the driver never gets carsick," Zhao said. "You want to be the driver of change. Change comes from you, and we can't encourage others to change without changing ourselves." 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: Concept of tethered resilience as future-making, useful in understanding (im)mobility under risk. This illustrates how sources of knowledge and information (blue) and sources of uncertainty and changes (in cream) intersect, with their interaction at the center explaining tetheredness. Credit: Nature Climate Change (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02506-8 As rising temperatures, intensifying storms, increased flooding, and land degradation impact communities, residents in vulnerable areas are navigating difficult questions: Do they stay and adapt, or should they leave? The issue may not just come down to those two rigid binaries. In a commentary in Nature Climate Change, co-authored by Brianna Castro, assistant professor of urban sustainability, an international team of scientists argues that many people affected by climate change don't fit neatly into the "move" or "stay" dichotomy. Instead, individuals and families are drawing on intergenerational ties, social networks, cultural roots and identity to navigate risks and plan for the future. They may relocate temporarily or seasonally, instead of a permanent move. The researchers identified this alternative as "tethered resilience," in which climate impacts are secondary in the decision to migrate compared to economic, social, cultural, and demographic factors. "This concept really flips the script and narrative on climate migration," Castro said. "People are complex. They have social forces, economic forces, ideas and goals for their future, and the decision to say or go is woven into all these factors. They are actively choosing to stay in a climate-impacted area, not because they are trapped, but because they are deeply tethered." The paper cited several examples: In Fiji, families voluntarily stay in climate-vulnerable coastal areas, but also actively plan for a generational retreat in which their children will move inland and build homes on higher ground. In Guatemala, where climate change is intensifying risks of drought and crop failure, younger residents view local economic initiatives as a strategy to improve the future so they can continue to reside there. In rural Bangladesh, women, who are tied to their location because of traditional gender roles, are engaging in resilience-building activities such as community farming, and home-based enterprises. The paper refutes the myth that people are moving in larger waves and that staying in place is a failure to adapt. Instead, the scientists point to four specific issues that shape decisions about the future. They are the presence (or absence) of opportunities for individuals and families to blend ancestral practices with innovation that can help advance climate adaptation efforts; cultural values that focus on sustaining heritage; whether governments and institutions are providing support for adaptation through infrastructure, land rights, and access to credit; and structural inequalities that present unique challenges to marginalized groups. "What the world needs to know is that many people don't just 'move away or give up.' Instead, they try to adapt in mixed ways," said Bishawjit Mallick, associate professor at the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning at the University of Utrect and the lead author on the paper. "Mobility plus rootedness becomes a third path, a strategy for future-making under risk. By framing resilience in this tethered way, the concept broadens what climate adaptation could mean and helps policymakers and researchers think about flexible, context-specific solutions." Tethered resilience reorients adaptation into a dynamic, proactive process that transcends limitations, the researchers note. "I hope that this information encourages institutions to invest in social infrastructure and networks that underscore the right to stay and adapt in place," Castro said. "People's attachment to land, identity, and community matters." Publication details Bishawjit Mallick et al, Future-making beyond (im)mobility through tethered resilience, Nature Climate Change (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02506-8 Journal information: Nature Climate Change 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: Co-author and geochemist Ali Pourmand, Ph.D., analyzes the lead (Pb) and strontium (Sr) isotopic signatures from burial-site soil samples, using a multi-collector mass spectrometer in the Neptune Isotope Lab at the Rosenstiel School. Credit: Joshua Prezant, University of Miami An interdisciplinary team of scientists has uncovered new evidence showing that the health impacts of the Industrial Revolution varied more widely across England than previously believed. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, challenge the longstanding narrative that industrial cities were uniformly polluted while rural communities remained comparatively untouched during the rise of polluting industries. How the study was conducted The key to the success of this investigation was combining a wealth of historical evidence such as sex, age and occupational data with bone geochemistry and isotopic analysis. This approach allowed the research team from the University of Miami, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, and the Smithsonian Institution to examine skeletal remains from 94 individuals from two 18th19th century townsindustrial South Shields and rural Barton-upon-Humberto trace how industrial pollution accumulated in the body over a lifetime. This direct physiological record offers an objective view of past health, bypassing the biases and gaps of written history and revealing how people experienced industrialization. The team sampled long bones (primarily femora) from adults and adolescents to measure concentrations of arsenic, barium, and leadheavy metal contaminants that accumulate in bone and provide a reliable marker of chronic exposure. This method allowed the researchers to reconstruct lifetime contact with key industrial pollutants and compare exposure patterns across communities, sexes, and social identities. Biosphere isotope domains for Great Britain. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1047 Key findings and implications A significant finding of this study is that exposure to toxic elements common in industrial goods did not follow a simple "urban vs. rural" divide, but instead formed a broad spectrum shaped by local industry, social context, and individual identity. Notably, pollution exposure varied significantly by sex and biosocial identity. In industrial South Shields, females had markedly higher concentrations of arsenic and barium than both males in their own community and females from the agrarian town of Barton-upon-Humber. "Examining the experiences of people in South Shields and Barton-upon-Humber not only allows us to uncover past injustices but also provides evidence to guide policy and protect vulnerable populations from similar exposures in the future," said the lead author Sara McGuire from Nashua Community College, Seton Hall University, and the Smithsonian Institution. "This historical pattern echoes challenges faced by marginalized communities today, such as the lead water crisis in Flint, Michigan." "This work is a rare collaboration between anthropologists and isotope geochemists to give a glimpse into the lives of individuals through the rising pollution of the Industrial era," said the study's corresponding author Ali Pourmand, a professor of geosciences at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science. 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. Addressing research challenges "One of our main challenges was to disentangle the signature of heavy metals that were accumulated during the lifetime of an individual from potential contamination caused after burial when the bones came into contact with the soil over centuries." The team accomplished this by contrasting the isotopic signature of Pb (lead) and Sr (strontium) in soil from the burial locations and for all 94 individuals using the multi-collector mass spectrometer at the Neptune Isotope Lab at the Rosenstiel School. "The isotopic composition of burial soil and the bone samples were significantly different. This provided the crucial evidence we needed to argue that the heavy metals measured in the bones were the result of the lived experiences of those individuals," Pourmand added. By revealing the complexity of pollution exposure during one of history's most transformative periods, the study offers a more nuanced understanding of how industrial change shaped healthand highlights the value of bioarchaeological data in reconstructing the lived past. Publication details Sara McGuire et al, Geochemical Tales of Individual Lives in the Industrial Revolution: Untangling the Impact of Pollutant Exposure in Two English Towns, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add1047. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add1047 Journal information: Science Advances 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: Christina Morillo from Pexels The Scottish government recently announced plans to pilot a four-day school week. The proposal comes amid growing concerns about teacher supply and well-being. Teaching remains one of the most stressful occupations in the UK, with stress, exhaustion and burnout consistently cited as major reasons for staff leaving the profession. Creating supportive cultures and cost-effective well-being strategies therefore remains a key challenge for school leaders. A "true" four-day work week, as advocated for by the Four-Day Week Foundation, involves the meaningful reduction of working time as well as days. This means that working time will typically be reduced to 28-32 hours per week worked over four days. Importantly, this change is made without a reduction in pay and with expectations that overall productivity levels are maintained. Trials across 61 UK organizations show that four-day work weeks, when implemented as genuine working-time reductions, can improve work-life balance, reduce stress and cut employee absence. Research from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the U.S. also report positive effects on well-being, job satisfaction and retention from adoption of the four-day work week. These studies also suggest that working-time reductions do not harm productivity. But teaching still lags behind the wider workforce on flexible working. Many schools struggle to accommodate it. Unlike many office-based roles, schools must maintain fixed timetables, ensure pupil supervision and meet staffing ratios, which limits flexibility. The proposal by the Scottish government differs from a "true" four-day week in that it does not reduce teachers' overall hours but redistributes them. Teachers would work part of their planning, preparation and assessment time off-site, with only four days used for teaching. Research by one of us (Daniel Wheatley, with colleagues at the University of Birmingham) from the Four-Day Work Week Project offers useful insights from work models that do not involve reductions in hours. We have found that models of the four-day work week where hours are not reduced, and ones where working on the fifth day remains in place, are linked to high work intensity and lesser practical benefits: employees are not able to disconnect from work fully. However, research by one of us (Beng Huat See, with colleagues at Durham University and the University of Birmingham) which has examined 18 countries, indicates that the key factor contributing to stress is not the statutory working hours, but the amount of classroom contact time. Countries where teachers have high overall hours but fewer teaching hours report fewer shortages. This suggests that the most exhausting element of teaching is the intensity of instructing and managing pupils, rather than administrative or preparatory tasks. 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. If reducing contact hours helps alleviate stress, then a four-day teaching week, or models that redistribute teaching time such as the proposal in Scotland, could potentially improve well-being and retention. Although four-day work weeks have been adopted in some international school systems, evidence of impacts on well-being, retention and pupil outcomes remains limited. Most existing research has been based on people's perceptions of the scheme rather than measurable outcomes. These could include comparing absentee rates, turnover rates of teachers and student outcomes before and after the introduction of flexible working. The Scottish pilot therefore offers an important opportunity to generate robust evidence. In England, the Education Endowment Foundation, a research charity funded by the government, is also trialing a nine-day working fortnight and an off-site planning, preparation and assessment model, but results are not yet available. Flexible working in practice Whether flexible working hours are feasible in practice depends on several factors. Large academy trusts often find it easier to implement this kind of working because they can deploy staff across multiple sites, allowing less rigid timetabling than a single school can manage. Primary schools also have more capacity for flexible models because they rely less on specialist subject teaching. Cultural change is as important as logistical change. Research from non-profit Timewise emphasizes that supportive leadership is crucial. Without it, flexible arrangements remain inconsistent or inaccessible. This means that implementing a four-day week is not a simple organizational tweak. A four-day week is not a quick fix, then, but it may be worth trying. The Scottish government's pilot is an ambitious step that reflects a growing recognition of the need to address teacher workload. But successful implementation will require sufficient staffing and resourcing, and a shift in leadership practice and school cultures. Reducing the intensity of classroom contact time may be crucial to tackling stress and preventing burnout. The existing evidence base does present a cautionary tale in that adoption of work models that do not involve a meaningful reduction in working time have so far been much less successful. Nevertheless, the Scottish pilot offers a rare opportunity to test whether rethinking working patterns can improve teacher well-being and retention. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Relief map of western Turkiye showing archaeological excavations (white dots), settlement sites (black dots), areas covered by archaeological surveys, and archaeologically attested ore deposits . Credit: Scientific Data (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41597-025-06241-9 To boost our understanding of a little-known civilization that thrived more than 3,000 years ago, scientists have built an easy-to-use digital catalog of 483 Bronze Age sites in western Anatolia. Missing pieces The Bronze Age (about 33001200 BCE) was an era of enormous change and major human advancement, marked by the rise of the first cities, the development of new technologies like metallurgy, and the establishment of expansive trade networks. At the heart of it all was western Anatolia, a crossroads between the Aegean world (Mycenaean Greece) and the Near East (the Hittite Empire) where Luwian-speaking people lived. Despite its importance, this region between two major powers has been overlooked in Bronze Age studies due to a number of factors. This includes fragmented archaeological records scattered across the world and studies that are often published in different languages. To fix this problem, researchers from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey and the Luwian Studies Foundation, Switzerland, embarked on a 10-year meta-analysis project to compile and digitize all the available information on settlements in the region. As detailed in a paper published in the journal Scientific Data, the team compiled an extensive body of information from western Anatolia from the Middle and Late Bronze Age (about 20001200 BCE). This included regional studies, historical maps, systematic surface surveys and satellite imagery. To be included in the database, sites had to have a minimum diameter of 100 meters and contain ceramics dating to the second millennium BCE. A searchable database The result is a comprehensive open-access digital catalog on Zenodo, a platform for hosting and sharing data. It includes a wealth of detailed information for each site, such as when it was occupied, its function (fort, cemetery, regional center), and the nearby mineral resources (gold, copper, tin mines). The database is also linked to other global databases, such as Wikidata and GeoNames, so researchers can easily combine this data with their own studies. "By combining standardized metadata with semantic linking, the resource facilitates reuse within broader digital infrastructures," commented the researchers in their paper. "It thereby provides a transparent, openly licensed foundation for analyzing regional settlement systems and encourages more comprehensive approaches to the study of Bronze Age Anatolia." The hope is that by making all the data easily accessible and digitally linked, scientists will be able to fill significant historical gaps and answer important questions about the region's economy, culture, and settlement systems. Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, edited by Lisa Lock, 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. Publication details Alper Asnmaz et al, An interoperable catalogue of Middle and Late Bronze Age settlements in western Anatolia (c. 20001200 BCE), Scientific Data (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41597-025-06241-9 Journal information: Scientific Data 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Open Facebook and the patterns are unmistakable. It can feel like almost every post that we see mirrors our own preferences. Friends and family sharing photos and stories echoing viewpoints you've heard countless times before. But is it our friends or is it social media that creates an echo chamber? A new Michigan State Universityled study explores how social media might strengthen or weaken echo chambersenvironments where individuals are exposed to people and information that confirm what they already believe. The study focused on social media use and the attitudes of young people who leave rural areas to attend university and the attitudes of their parents who stay behind. The study, published in Information, Communication & Society, compared 500 undergraduate students who had attended university for different lengths of time and one of their parents (500 studentparent pairs, 1,000 total participants). The study confirmed prior research that has found that one major outcome of attending university is getting to know a larger number of diverse acquaintances and friends, and that this diverse friendship network is related to being more socially tolerant (accepting people who are different from you). This study also found that social media use was generally associated with the same outcomes, knowing people from more diverse backgrounds and being more accepting of those people. However, students who use the same social media platforms as their parents introduced a more complex relationship. Students who have been at university longer and use the same social media platforms as parents tend to have less diverse networks and lower tolerance. Conversely, parents who are on the same social media platforms as their children had more racially and ethnically diverse networks and had greater tolerance. Their networks exhibited more diversity, while those who did not use shared social media platforms with their children had networks that gradually become less racially and ethnically diverse. "When young people leave for university, their parents' networks can become less racially and ethnically diverseperhaps reflecting the reduced opportunity for contact with children's friends and social mixing at high school activities. Yet sharing social media platforms with their children appears to partially offset this decline," said Keith Hampton, professor in the Department of Media and Information in the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences and lead author of the study. The study used egocentric network methods, which focus on an individual's social relationships and any connections between them. This network approach recognizes that major life events, such as going to university, have a great impact on the makeup of an individual's network. Residents of rural areas are more likely to know people who share the same backgrounds, beliefs and interestssimply because there are fewer people around from different backgroundsand this can resemble an echo chamber. For young people from rural areas, the transition to university can be an opportunity to experience greater diversity. The presence of social media may have changed this dynamic, as individuals can more easily maintain past relationships despite physical distance. 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. "As interconnected networks grow and influence each other, they can limit or broaden diversity, ultimately shaping attitudes and behaviors," said Hampton, who is also director of research at the MSU Quello Center, which focuses on the social and economic implications of communication, media and information technologies of the digital age, as well as the policy and management issues raised by these developments. The researchers focused on students enrolled at one large, public, Midwestern university. These students were selected and identified as rural students based on their ZIP code at the time of application. Students and their parents completed a survey to help the researchers understand their personal network diversity, social media use and social tolerance. "By examining social media use during the transition to university, we explore how digital platforms can shape connections with diverse individuals and influence the attitudes tied to network diversity," said Hampton. These findings suggest that shared social media use during this type of transition allows parents to form new connections and potentially break down echo chambers by having a window into their children's expanding social circles. This also implies that social media can link lives during major life changes and influence the composition of social networks. This might even mean adding new constraints to the potential for diversity in their children's networks. "In the past, when young people left for university, family and friends who stayed in their rural communities saw little change in the diversity of their own networks. But our findings suggest a different story for rural parents who now share social media platforms with their children who leave," said Hampton. While the longer-term effects are still unknown, the researchers anticipate the potential for a long-term impact on parents and rural communities. "We don't yet know how shared media use shapes other relationships during this transition, but if the effects are similar, the implications for network structures could be far-reaching," said Hampton. "Our findings suggest that shared social media use during significant life transitions can interrupt established echo chamber dynamics, challenging studies that examine only on-platform interactions that do not take into account how people interact offline and in their communities." More information Keith N. Hampton et al, Disrupting echo chambers? How social media is related to social tolerance through network diversity: linked lives over a major life course event, Information, Communication & Society (2025). DOI: 10.1080/1369118x.2025.2460556 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: Net primary production, i.e., the production of biomass, before the hurricanes and after the first and second hurricanes. Credit: David Nielsen For the first time, scientists have resolved extremely intense tropical cyclones and their effect on the ocean carbon cycle in a global Earth system model. Using two category-4 hurricanes in the North Atlantic as examples, the study reveals a cascade of physical-biogeochemical effects including uptake of carbon dioxide and regional-scale phytoplankton bloom. The results are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Tropical cyclones are enormously powerful: The destructive wind speeds, fierce gusts, and intense rainfall leave obvious marks wherever they pass. They also affect the ocean. Because the storms stir up the water surface, they trigger mixing of water masses as well as the exchange of heat and carbon with the atmosphere. For the first time, scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the University of Hamburg have represented these interactions in a global storm- and eddy-resolving Earth system model, revealing the cascade of physical-biogeochemical mechanisms that unfold in response to tropical cyclones. "Traditional Earth system models have a coarse grid spacing of 100 to 200 kilometers, which does not allow them to resolve very intense tropical cyclones realistically, especially category 4 and 5 cyclones," explained David Nielsen, first author of the study. "Using the ICON model with a horizontal resolution of 5 kilometers and including the ocean biogeochemistry component HAMOCC, we could see category-4 tropical cyclones in the simulation and study their impact on the carbon cycle." Specifically, the team investigated two hurricanes in the North Atlantic with wind speeds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour, which appeared in the one-year simulation in September 2020, about a week apart. Credit: Max Planck Society Effects on carbon and phytoplankton The scientists showed that the hurricanes triggered an immediate release of carbon dioxide from the ocean into the atmosphere that was 20 to 40 times stronger than under normal weather conditions. However, the hurricanes also cooled the ocean surface, increasing the uptake of carbon dioxide for several weeks after the storm had passed. In combination, these two opposing effectsimmediate release and long-term uptakeresulted in a small net uptake. Another striking effect of the hurricanes was how they induced mixing in the upper ocean, bringing nutrients to the surface. Phytoplankton growth increased tenfold in response. The bloom lasted for a few weeks after the passage of the hurricanes and was not restricted to their wake: Local currents, partially intensified by the storms, distributed the biomass across large parts of the western North Atlantic. "It was exciting to learn that as a consequence, the hurricanes also increased the amount of organic carbon sinking down in the ocean, contributing to the long-term storage of carbon in deeper ocean layers," said Tatiana Ilyina, group leader and co-author of the study. Previously, scientists had observations of some of these processes. "However, this simulation allows us to study them in detail and link them to the global scale, which is important if we want to understand how tropical cyclones might respond to and impact our climate under global warming," said Nielsen. As a next step, the team will also look at other km-scale processes and their impact on the ocean carbon cycle, such as interactions between storms and ocean eddies, not only in the tropics but also in polar regions. Publication details David M. Nielsen et al, Resolved tropical cyclones trigger CO 2 uptake and phytoplankton bloom in an Earth system model simulation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2506103122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Key concepts carbon cyclinghurricanes Key News Highlights: Mowilex's fourth consecutive recognition as Indonesia's Best Managed Companies elevated it as a Gold Standard winner, reinforcing its commitment to best-in-class management and performance, aligning strong leadership with innovation and long-term value creation. Mowilex views this recognition as a constant reminder to continue striving for excellence, and as an achievement to be shared with everyone who has been a part of Mowilex's journey. JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PT Mowilex Indonesia has once again been honored by Deloitte as one of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies, marking its fourth consecutive year receiving this recognition. This also means that Mowilex has now been elevated to a Gold Standard winner, underscoring its enduring commitment to best-in-class management and performance. In Indonesia, only three companies were conferred with the Gold Standard recognition this year, and Mowilex is proud to be among them. Mowilex CEO Niko Safavi (second left), accompanied by CMO Johanna Daunan (left), CSCO Yossy Tresinya Prameswari (second right), and CFO Rizal Iswara (right), receives Mowilex's fourth consecutive award as one of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies. (PRNewsfoto/PT Mowilex Indonesia) Niko Safavi, CEO of PT Mowilex Indonesia emphasized that Deloitte's recognition is not merely an affirmation of performance, but also a test that demands well-crafted strategies and business tactics. (PRNewsfoto/PT Mowilex Indonesia) The Best Managed Companies program is widely regarded as a benchmark of organizational excellence for leading companies around the world. "As a Best Managed Companies award winner, PT Mowilex Indonesia has demonstrated itself as a leading private enterprise in Indonesiadriving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and delivering meaningful impact for its customers and employees. This recognition is a testament to excellence, underscoring PT Mowilex Indonesia's leadership and strategic vision. We look forward to witnessing their continued success and growth in Indonesia and on the global stage," said DIONISIUS Damijanto, Best Managed Companies Leader, Deloitte Indonesia. Mowilex emphasized that this recognition serves as a reminder to stay grounded and continue striving for excellence. "We are an independent challenger in an industry dominated by large multinationals and a handful of very well-run local players. Each year, Deloitte's process challenges us with rigorous reviews and tough questions. Rather than taking this recognition as validation, we treat it as a test asking whether our strategies and tactics would still hold up under such scrutiny," said Mowilex CEO, Niko Safavi. Winners are assessed against a comprehensive framework with four pillars shaped by more than 30 years of Deloitte's global benchmarking, namely: strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities and innovation, governance and financials. This framework encourages companies to align strong leadership with innovation and long-term value creation. Mowilex also highlighted that the recognition is not about individual leadership alone. "This is a management award that belongs to our managers and employees. It's their discipline, innovation, and everyday decisions that shape PT Mowilex Indonesia into what it is today. We proudly share this Gold Standard achievement with everyone who has been part of our journey," said Niko Safavi. About PT Mowilex Indonesia PT Mowilex Indonesia , a subsidiary of Asia Coatings Enterprises, Pte. Ltd., is a leading producer of premium paints and coatings with a reputation for quality and strong brand loyalty. The company is Indonesia's only certified carbon neutral paint manufacturer, maintaining that status for six consecutive years, and offers a wide range of low- and zero-VOC products. In 2025, Mowilex was recognized by Deloitte as one of Indonesia's Best Managed Companies for the fourth consecutive year, becoming a Gold Standard winner. About Best Managed Companies Best Managed Companies is a global awards program that recognises privately held companies for their organisational excellence, business success, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program offers a robust framework for management teams to evaluate their strategies, strengthen operations, and benchmark themselves against the top-performing private companies worldwide. Established in Canada in 1993, Best Managed Companies has since expanded to more than 45 countries across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, with plans to launch in Africa. Today, its global network comprises over 1,700 outstanding companies that come together as a community to build alliances, exchange knowledge, and share best practices. In 2025, the Best Managed Companies awards program marks five years in Southeast Asia, with a community of winners in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. For more information on the awards program, visit the Indonesia's Best Managed Companies website. SOURCE PT Mowilex Indonesia 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 When you look across a field of miscanthus, it's "hypnotically beautiful," says Emily Heaton, whose family farm has for two decades grown the first commercial field of this grass in Illinois. Dense, sun-loving and often called "giant," it blooms in late summer to fall with a showy silver flower. Just like cornstalks across the Midwest, this crop grows several feet tall as it reaches up to the sky. And similar to soybean cultivation in the last century, annual production of miscanthusmostly grown on tens of thousands of acres in the eastern U.S.is projected to skyrocket to millions of acres by 2050. The versatile grass has a multitude of end products and uses, including compostable packaging, livestock bedding and erosion control. It can also be used as a solid fuel for electricity and heating, like coal, wood and municipal waste. Scientists are hoping it will open doors to new markets, such as renewable natural gas, sustainable aviation fuel, building materials, and chemicals for household and industrial products. One variety in particular, Miscanthus x giganteus, has demonstrated "unsurpassed productivity" in the Midwest, according to researchers. "Miscanthus is a really exciting crop that's just on the cusp of emerging as a force of the ag-biotech sector," said Heaton, a professor of crop sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "As someone who grew up in Illinois, in downstate Illinois, I'm very excited about the opportunities this brings for rural job creation, for rural technology development and community enhancement." And it has a smaller carbon footprint than the two row crops that have for decades dominated agriculture in Illinois. Researchers, growers and industry experts believe in the crop's potential to strengthen U.S. energy independence, a mission the Trump administration has, for the most part, used to roll back renewable and clean energy incentives, investment and research. It also presents an opportunity for farmers who, affected by tariffs, need additional revenue streams. "We're really excited about the prospect of creating domestic supply chains," said Andrew Leakey, professor of plant biology at the U. of I. and director of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, or CABBI, one of four bioenergy research centers studying the possibilities of miscanthus for the country's agricultural bioeconomy. For instance, part of the team is working on a new technology to break down miscanthus and convert some of its components into chemicals and oil products for paints, plastics, aerosols, and even into the materials needed for aircraft windows and the hyperabsorbent part of diapers. All of these are currently made out of petroleum, Leakey said, which is imported. Since the center's start eight years ago, Leakey said, scientists from the U. of I. and 19 partner institutions have leveraged and developed technologies to sequence the crop's genome, genetically engineer and edit it, and use artificial intelligence to more efficiently measure its traitsand turn miscanthus into "a true 21st-century crop." A complement, not competition Despite its growing popularity in the United States, the many benefits and uses of miscanthus are not recent discoveries: It's an ancient plant that hails from Asia. "It's been used for millennia for different bioproducts, everything from forages for animals, but also for roofing materials. And so that was intriguing for us," both scientists and farmers, Heaton said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The plant is nonnative throughout North America, where it arrived in the late 1800s, brought in as an ornamental plant. It spread aggressively in some areas as an invasive, but the commercial kind being grown in the country is a sterile hybrid of the original Chinese silver grass or Miscanthus sinensis and of the Amur silvergrass or Miscanthus sacchariflorus, meaning it doesn't have seeds and is thus not invasive. While miscanthus is being studied for use in biofuel, it likely won't compete with corn production, which has been finely tuned and profitable, for the country's ethanol market. A third of the corn grown in Illinois is used to make ethanol. "So we've targeted other markets that are more profitable, and they include the (solid) fuel markets," Heaton said, referring to fossil fuels like coal for energy generation and heating, as well as sustainable aviation fuel. Miscanthus not only requires little upkeep, but it can also be grown on less desirable farmland. In Minooka, Billy Murdoch's business partner, Al Kuda, bought some land five or six years ago that flooded easily and used to be corn and soybean fields without good yields. After meeting Travis Hedrick, CEO of North Carolina-based AGgrow Tech, the largest producer of miscanthus grass in the country, the pair decided to do a trial run of growing miscanthus on 4 acres. "We liked the idea of having something sustainable," Murdoch said. "We're going to try to give back a little bit, from an environmental point of view, because farm equipment does use a lot of diesel and gasoline." Now, the crop covers over 125 acres at their Minooka farm. As vice president of operations at AEC Supply, which sells building and landscaping materials, Murdoch began using the harvested grass encased in netting as an erosion control product to absorb water. If planted on the margins of food crops, miscanthus crops in Illinois also "can complement the corn and soy ecosystem, not compete with it," Heaton said. This means potential growers are not presented with an either-or choice; farmers are not forced to adapt to emerging markets at the expense of traditional crops. "Corn and soybean are very important to Illinois. I don't think we're gonna stop growing them anytime soon," Leakey said. "So we're viewing miscanthus as something that can complement existing cropping systems, in part, because it grows well on land that is relatively unproductive for our existing crops." Heaton said her family farm, where they raise cattle and poultry, has benefited from the presence of miscanthus. As a perennial, the crop keeps living roots in the ground for most of the year, which helps filter water into the ground instead of letting it flood or run off. It also uses nitrogen from fertilizer, and that is found naturally in rich Illinois soils. Ultimately, these moisture and nutrient retention qualities improve soil health and water quality, much like cover crops grown to protect soil and prevent erosion, among other things. "From a farm economy perspective and a rural welfare perspective, this crop is a really nice complement to the crops that we already depend on downstate, the corn and soybean production," Heaton said. "That opens new doors and new markets for us to innovate, which is really the strength of Illinois farmers, to solve problems and innovate for new domestic abundance." High productivity and low risk Miscanthus x giganteus, commonly called the "Freedom" or Illinois clone, is a hybrid developed at the U. of I. It is used today for solid fuel, animal bedding, packaging products and building materials. Heaton said it can produce up to four times more organic matter that can be used as a fuel than other similar crops like Bermuda grass, making it economically attractive. Bermuda grass can be used to produce ethanol, among other things. Also, since it is a perennial, miscanthus only needs to be planted once and can be harvested every year for two or three decades, adding to its cost-competitiveness. In the Midwest, once it is planted, miscanthus takes two to three years to reach full maturity. "You plant it once, it grows over the course of summer, and then it goes dormant over the winter, and then comes back naturally the following year," Leakey said. That means there is only an upfront planting cost for growers, said Hedrick. Since 2010, AGgrow Tech has planted over 12,000 acres across 17 states, including Illinois. "It's more profitable over time than traditional agricultural crops," said Hedrick, who is also on the research center's advisory board. "From a risk standpoint, with being a farmer, it's just a really resilient crop that is low-risk to grow." Because it has a branch-like structure underground, called the rhizome, it can also store energy and nutrients over the winterallowing it to start growing quickly again in the spring and producing leaves earlier. "That's a very efficient way for a crop to grow," Leakey said, "relative to an annual crop that you have to plant and then just grow for one season, and then you have to plant again the following year." The crop also carries out a special kind of photosynthesis that only 10% of plants do, including corn, sugar cane and sorghum. "You could think of it as being a sort of fuel-injected version of photosynthesis," Leakey said. "So it doesn't need to use as much water to make it grow, and it doesn't need as much nitrogen nutrition, and that's important in terms of how much it costs to fertilize." Hedrick emphasized that miscanthus's resilience to extreme weather has also made it a very low-risk crop to grow. "(In) North Carolina, we've had a couple hurricanes here that have gone over our farms, and the crop is still productive," he said. "Out in the Midwest, we went through that derecho that hit a couple years ago that knocked down like 8 million acres of corn (in Iowa). Our crop just made it right through it, no issues. Continues to come back every year." Almost 7 million acres of corn and almost 6 million acres of soybeans in Illinois were in the path of the 2020 derecho. The Tribune reported that initial estimates indicated 3.5 million acres of corn and 2.5 million acres of soybeans had been damaged or destroyed. Chicken and egg The strongest market in the United States for miscanthus is currently poultry beddingthe benefits of which Heaton can attest to; livestock at her family farm love it. "Animals are happier, gain weight better, so that they're more profitable," she said. Because it's harvested dry and it has absorbent properties, it's very clean and doesn't retain many germs. "We've learned over the years how to process the grass, chopping it to the right consistency that animals like for bedding," she said. "So it's been an evolution of our understanding. But, yes, it's a very popular bedding." She said existing miscanthus markets, such as animal bedding and compostable packaging, enable newer markets like sustainable aviation fuel. "Miscanthus has so many different opportunities. SiltZero only really serves one particular, small market," said Murdoch, referring to his erosion control business. "With our miscanthus fields, the yields increase every year, and so we never really run out. So, I mean, we're always looking for new things to do with miscanthus." Leakey said the big challenge for researchers is to help pair up potential producers and potential users of the biomass. He called it a chicken-and-egg situation. "As a farmer, you absolutely have to have someone to sell it to before you want to plant it," he said. "But equally, as somebody who might buy miscanthus to turn into high-value products, you don't want to invest money in a factory until you know you can get a supply." It's not a challenge unique to miscanthus, however. As new crops are grown, producers and buyers have dealt with the same uncertainties in emerging markets. "So I think that it's a real challenge, but one that can be overcome, and one that people have overcome on many occasions previously," Leakey said. Hedrick has experienced it firsthand at AGgrow Tech, which seeks to connect farmers and landowners to various renewable biomass markets. "For us, it's been a challenge, early on, to get markets established. I think that's the biggest barrier to more miscanthus production in the U.S., is just finding a customer that's willing to utilize it," Hedrick said. "I've always said farmers will grow anything if there's a market and it's profitable, and so for us, it's (about) getting a market established first, and then those farmers will come along." AGgrow Tech's primary market is poultry bedding, selling to companies like Mountaire Farms, Perdue Farms and Tyson Foods. They also supply to companies making pulp and paper products, as well as erosion control products. The University of Iowa has planted 15,000 acres, which it burns for electricity and heat. "Using crops that are not only perennial in nature, but they're also great for the environment, to help fuel our bioeconomythat's what we see is the future of miscanthus," Hedrick said. Growers like him and Murdoch, who have already bought into the crop's benefits, are excited to continue supporting new markets for miscanthus. "We want to see this crop succeed," Murdoch said. Key concepts Energy sourcesSustainability 2025 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. CJNG cartel island leader captured in group arrest after standoff with police Cozumel, Q.R. Miguel Alexander N, identified as the leader of the CJNG criminal cell on Cozumel, has been captured. He was arrested along with three other Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) gang members after a standoff with police. Local authorities announced the arrests of the four men Tuesday. The State Attorney General (FGE) reported that as a result of a coordinated operation with elements of the Secretariat of the Navy, Defense, State Police and Municipal Police, the four men were captured. All four allegedly belonging to the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). Police say Miguel Alexander N, alias Dumbo, has been connected to two island murders since his arrest. The other three, identified by police as Aaron N, Kevin Orlando N and Ever Eladio N, were found in possession of narcotics and loaded weapons. Police say all four were taken into custody during an operation carried out on 33rd Street South in the Colonos Cuzamil neighborhood of the island. In a Tuesday press briefing by the SSC (the Secretariat of Citizen Security), they said the operation was in response to an emergency 911 call reporting the presence of armed individuals. In response, authorities went to 33rd Street South and Pedro Joaquin Coldwell Avenue in the Colonos Cuzamil neighborhood. Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed four individuals exchanging small plastic bags containing a green, leafy substance resembling marijuana. During the exchange, one of the individuals was seen carrying a black rifle. Upon noticing the officers, the armed individual raised his weapon and pointed it at the officers while another man positioned himself behind him. Both began walking backward, continuing to point the weapon at the officers. The other two individuals ran across the street and attempted to enter a vacant lot. Given the real and imminent threat, the officers drew their service weapons and ordered the armed man to lower his weapon. He initially ignored the order, but eventually threw his weapon to the ground at which time the two men attempted to flee. All four were captured and searched. The arresting officers found narcotics, a loaded semi-automatic pistol and a black rifle between them. The FGE says since their arrests, the detainees are believed to be linked to two homicides, the first of which occurred on October 28 of this year on Felix Gonzalez Canto Avenue and the second, on December 5 in the Flores Magon I neighborhood. In the second murder, the victim was the father of the leader of a rival criminal group considered a priority target in the States Crime Atlas. In both murders, police say they have linked Miguel Alexander N as the alleged mastermind, who they added, is also in charge of distributing weapons, drugs and resources, as well as ordering attacks against members of rival gangs on the island. Earlier this week, police in Cancun also captured a CJNG cartel boss that ran the northern and Riviera Maya part of the state. The man they captured oversaw arms and drug trafficking in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Lazaro Cardenas, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Tulum. On Tuesday, Omar Garcia Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of the Government of Mexico, recognized the recent Cancun plaza boss capture of Emilio Alejandro N by local authorities. On social media, Garcia Harfuch posted in coordinated operations in Quintana Roo, authorities arrested individuals responsible for violence in the region and seized drugs, weapons, and tactical equipment. These operations are part of the fourth pillar of the National Security Strategy: coordination among the three levels of government. Convoy escorts detained hitmen from Othon P. Blanco highway operation to Chetumal facilities Othon P. Blanco, Q.R. A convoy of official police and military vehicles escorted two men to Chetumal Tuesday. The pair were arrested during a highway operation in the municipality of Othon P. Blanco. Authorities stopped a new-model pickup truck along a section of highway near Huay Pix, west of the city of Chetumal. Inside the truck were firearms, ammunition and narcotics. The two in custody, 38 year old Enrique J and 31 year old Neftaly R, are reported to be hitmen from a cartel. They were traveling in a pickup with out-of-state plates. They were arrested and taken to the State Preventive Police (PEP) facilities before being transferred to FGRs (Attorney General of the Republic) sub-delegation. Two men were taken into custody from inside the new-model pickup Tuesday. Simultaneously, ground and air operations were deployed in areas north of Chetumal following reports of other possible members of the same criminal group. No further arrests were made. On Wednesday, police say the two men they arrested Tuesday in Othon P. Blanco were found with loaded weapons and a silencer. The two men were also found in possession of hundreds of bags of street-ready narcotics. On Wednesday, the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) reported on the arrests of Enrique N and Eduardo Neftali N. Both men are facing charges of drug trafficking and violations of the Federal Law on Firearms and Explosives. The SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) said officers were at the Fixed Security Control Module on the Chetumal-Bacalar section of federal highway when a grey pickup was stopped at kilometer 12.5 in the municipality of Othon P. Blanco. Police said during questioning, both he and his passenger appeared nervous. A cursory inspection revealed multiple small plastic bags containing what appeared to be marijuana. During the full inspection, authorities said they seized over 300 street ready bags of various narcotics as well as 23 rolled joints. Also seized were an M&P15 .223/5.56 caliber rifle with a black silencer and a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of 5.56 caliber gold-colored ammunition, an additional 110 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition and a 40mm green and gold-colored grenade. Police found a black suitcase, three black magazines with 30 rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition each and two cell phones that were seized along with a gray Nissan Frontier pickup truck with license plates from the State of Mexico and the drivers license. Lowest since 2015: Intentional homicides around Mexico decrease 37 percent Mexico City, Mexico Mexican authorities say intentional homicides have decreased 37 percent from September 2024 to November 2025. It is the lowest figure since November of 2015. President Claudia Sheinbaum says the average number of intentional homicides around Mexico have decreased from 86.9 victims per day in September 2024 to 54.7 in November 2025, representing 32 fewer homicides per day. President Sheinbaum highlighted that thanks to the implementation of the National Security Strategy, a 37 percent reduction in the daily average of intentional homicides was achieved, placing November 2025 as the lowest month since 2015. The decrease in the number of daily homicides from September 2024 to November 2025 is 37 percent. That means that in September there were 86.9 homicides per day, and now we are at an average of 54.7 intentional homicides per day, a reduction of 37 percent. It is the lowest November since 2015, probably even lower, among other crimes that have also decreased. Marcela Figueroa Franco, the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, reported that intentional homicides have been trending downward for the past 14 months. Marcela Figueroa Franco December 9, 2025 The daily average per year has decreased by 35 percent compared to 2018, dropping from 100.5 to 65.1, making 2025 the year with the fewest homicides. She reported that from January 2025 to October 2025, seven states account for 51 percent of the total cases of intentional homicide in the country. Those states include Guanajuato, 11 percent, Chihuahua, 7.6 percent, Baja California, 7.3 percent, Sinaloa, 7.1 percent, State of Mexico, 6.5 percent, Guerrero, 5.7 percent and Michoacan with 5.5 percent. She explained that there is a downward trend in the daily average of high-impact crimes with a 47 percent reduction compared to 2018, the lowest level recorded in the last eight years. On a monthly basis, there has been a 25 percent decrease. Omar Garcia Harfuch, the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection for the Government of Mexico, reported that from October 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, 38,773 people were arrested for high-impact crimes, 20,169 firearms were seized, 311 tons of drugs were confiscated. Omar Garcia Harfuch December 9, 2025 Of those, more than 4 million fentanyl pills and 1,760 clandestine laboratories and concentration areas were dismantled. The Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez reported that as part of the Addressing the Root Causes initiative, 3,069,448 people in 15 states and 77 municipalities received assistance in one year. Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez Through the Yes to Disarmament, Yes to Peace program, from October 1st to the present, 8,700 firearms have been voluntarily exchanged: 2,519 long guns and 5,099 handguns, as well as 1,093 grenades. In addition, 7,296 toy weapons have been exchanged for educational toys. Mayor confirms dismissal of C2 Command Centre head after recent arrest Puerto Morelos, Q.R. The marine in charge of heading the C2 Command security centre of Puerto Morelos has been let go. The mayor confirmed the dismissal of Matias N after he was released from a recent arrest. Puerto Morelos Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz confirmed that Matias N, a member of the Mexican Navy who was recently taken into custody for resisting arrest, has been released from custody and is no longer in charge of the C2 Command Centre. Tziu Munoz explained she felt he could not continue in a strategic position after the incident that led to his arrest. She said that according to the reports she received, Matias N did not have any connection to a cartel member who was arrested in the same area at the same time. She explained that Matias N was in the area with his family during the police operation, carrying his licensed firearm, however, when authorities asked him to cooperate with a search, he refused which led to an argument. That ensuing argument ended in his arrest. Puerto Morelos Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Munoz December 9, 2025. Tziu Munoz said that while the participation of military personnel in municipal and state security tasks has been positive, personnel must act responsibly and follow protocol without exception. The dismissal of Matias N as the C2 coordinator of Puerto Morelos is a reminder for those who hold sensitive positions, she noted, adding that they must meet a standard of conduct. She said personnel carrying weapons need to be aware of the responsibility that comes with it. Mexico working to reach water delivery agreement with U.S. Mexico City, Mexico President Sheinbaum says she is convinced Mexico will reach an agreement with the United States on water deliveries. She said the federal government is holding talks with the governors of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila and Chihuahua. We stand united with the governors in this process to find the best agreement with the United States. Regarding the recent post by U.S. President Donald Trump, Sheinbaum stated that Mexico has delivered more water this year because it was possible, adding that Mexico will present proposals to continue deliveries for the remainder of 2025 and in the future without jeopardizing the population or agricultural production. I am convinced that we will reach an agreement, as on other occasions, that benefits both Mexico and the United States, she said Tuesday. We both defend our population, but the treaty must be fulfilled according to the amount of water that exists and that can be carried through the pipelines. President Sheinbaum noted that the 1944 Water Treaty establishes that water can be delivered during the following five years in case of drought, adding that there is indeed an amount that Mexico owes due to the situation in 2023 and 2024. Therefore, this years delivery was larger. Of course we are in a position to comply with the treaty, but we have to take into account how much water we can contribute between now and December 31 based on what is available and what can be physically transported. In any case, we have until 2026 to continue delivering. After stating that this is a good treaty for Mexico, she emphasized the importance of ensuring that populations do not run out of water and that Mexico is fully prepared to comply under the current conditions. Now there are other sources of water, therefore, it is very important that we sit down with the United States to review other issues in order to solve the problem in the future and not just the immediate one. Roberto Velasco Alvarez, the Undersecretary for North America and acting head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), said that 2022 and 2023 presented droughts that were outside the range since the measurement of runoff was established in 1953. Therefore, in the last year of the previous cycle and in 2025, Mexico was able to make up part of the debt, but the delivery of more than one billion cubic meters of water remains pending. Roberto Velasco Alvarez December 9, 2025. The Falcon and Amistad dams only have nine and four percent of their storage capacity, so the priority is to guarantee the supply to 13 Mexican border cities. He indicated that since April 23, authorities from both countries have held meetings to define extraordinary measures, assess the conditions of the basin, and determine the next steps. Are we to love all equally? Is that even possible? What should our priorities be in pursuing our various vocations and the good life? Understanding natural law provides some answers. Earlier this year, Vice President J.D. Vance triggered quite a firestorm when he mentioned the Christian concept of ordo amoris, also known as the order of charity. Theres this old-schooland I think its a very Christian concept, by the waythat you love your family, and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens in your own country, and then after that you can focus and prioritize the rest of the world, Vance told Fox News host Sean Hannity. In a flash, American journalists were researching the phrase and writing feature stories quoting experts critically dissecting Vances comments. Even Pope Francis seemed to reprimand Vance, writing in February: Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups. Whether or not Vance properly understands and articulates ordo amoris, theres little doubt regarding the concepts historically theological pedigree. For example, St. Augustine declared: Since, however, one cannot do good to all, we ought to consider those chiefly who by reason of place, time or any other circumstance, by a kind of chance, are more closely united to us. Consider also St. Thomas in his Summa Theologiae: Wherever there is a principle, there must necessarily also be order of some kind. Consequently there must necessarily be some order in things loved out of charity. And, as Notre Dame professor Melissa Moschella argues in her new book, Ethics, Politics, and Natural Law: Principles for Human Flourishing, it is also a concept that can be identified in natural law theory. Thats not to say that this is necessarily the overarching thesis of Moschellas book, which is a short, accessible articulation and defense of contemporary natural law theory, featuring chapters on first principles, moral principles, the social and political dimensions of human flourishing, and human flourishing as it relates to morality and God. Nevertheless, I could not help but notice, once Moschella had set the rhetorical stage, how frequently something akin to ordo amoris kept appearing. The first chapter is devoted to helping the reader understand foundational concepts that underlie natural law theory, such as free will, intelligible goods, and first principles. Intelligible goodsas opposed to instrumental goodsare those basic goods we choose for their own sake, rather than merely for the sake of or in relation to some other good. For example, we may pursue money but not for its own sake, as if thin bits of colored paper or metal are themselves what make us happy. Rather, money is an instrumental good acquired to help us possess such things as knowledge or beauty. First principles in turn are those self-evident, foundational tenets of thought that cannot be logically demonstrated but upon which all other thought depends. One of these, taken from Aquinas, is good is to-be-done-and-pursued and evil is to-be-avoided. Others include that the whole is greater than the parts and the law of noncontradiction, which holds that a proposition and its negation cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. Denying these leads to absurd conclusions or is performatively inconsistent, Moschella explains. Though we cannot conduct an experiment to prove the rules of logic, they are nonetheless just as objectively true (in their own way) as the laws of physics or the existence of the plant on my desk. These foundational points established, Moschella moves on to discussing moral principles, of which there must be a hierarchy in order to differentiate various goods. Underlying all these, consistently found across the diversity of human civilization, is the moral norm of the Golden Rule, which follows from the often-unstated master moral principle: Choose and act only in ways that are compatible with a will toward integral human fulfillment. Many familiar moral norms flow from this, such as prohibitions against lying, stealing, and cheating; as well as waiting ones turn, doing ones fair share, and keeping ones promises. That said, even if one wishes to live a life seeking the good and avoiding evil, how does one prioritize the many goods one could pursue? Here Moschella responds by explaining what she calls the Vocation principle, which is ordering ones priorities in line with ones vocational commitments, and the Unity of Life Principle, which is harmonizing and integrating ones pursuits and commitments by establishing order or hierarchy. This applies not only to such things as knowledge, health, and beauty but also relationships. The very nature of these goods requires a certain prioritization of the good of ones spouse, children, relatives, friends, and so on over others to whom one has no such relationship, writes Moschella. For example, if I prioritize time with the guys on my softball team over that with my wife and children, I will necessarily undermine both the vocation and unity of life principles. Moschella closes this section by noting the need for an overarching commitment, a single, ultimate choice that governs and integrates all ones choices, actions, and loyalties. Religion seems best suited to serve this function, it being the only good that can reasonably govern and relate to every choice we make. The person who takes harmony with God as her single ultimate end can therefore harmoniously subsume all of her morally upright pursuits and commitments under this overarching purpose, without treating them as merely instrumental. Perhaps the sections of the book most relevant to contemporary debates are those on sociology and politics. For example, Moschella argues that children need to be in a full-fledged community with their biological parents for several important reasons. For one, they need to develop an integrated understanding of their overall personal identity, including their bodies and how they fit in with their identity, which most beneficially happens in communion with ones biological parents, given that parents are jointly the source of a childs biological identity. From biological parents, children learn the potentialities and pitfalls of their unique biological constitution, how to be at peace with their physical appearance, and to be comforted that others with similar raw materials have successfully navigated the complexity of understanding ones identity. Peer-reviewed academic research validates this, as many children conceived through assisted reproductive technologies feel robbed of important insights into their identity, and a vast majority of children conceived through donors hoped to be in contact someday with their donor. There are also the relational benefits stemming from being loved and knowing oneself to be loved by biological parents. A person is permanently and intimately linked to biological parents, and the love of those parents matters to a child in a way that the love of a stranger or casual acquaintance does not. If a child is raised by biological parents in an intact family where he or she feels secure, the biological origin story will be continuous and harmonious with that childs current family situation. If not, difficult questions arise: Who are the childs biological parents, what are they like, what characteristics does the child share with them, and why are the biological parents not raising the child? Did they not want the child? Was the child not good enough? Did they not care for the child? Again, psychologists confirm that it is common for adopted children and those not raised by their biological parents to pose these sorts of questions, and research clearly demonstrates that family structure matters for children and decreases the likelihood of various negative emotional, psychological, or educational outcomes. All this also presumes the operation of the ordo amoris: Parents prioritize the needs of their children over other persons, such as their friends or even other relatives, as well as over other impersonal objective goods related to ones vocation or hobbies. How many children have been harmed by parents who demonstrate that their jobs or personal passions matter more to them than the relationship between father and son or mother and daughter? Turning to politics, Moschellas generally aligns with classical liberalism, in that she believes natural law affirms the defense of civil liberties (e.g., freedom of speech, association, religion) and other aspects of liberal government. The governments role in promoting human flourishing, she argues, should be indirect and subsidiary to the role of individuals, families, and other subpolitical communities. There are five broad sets of needs that subpolitical communities cannot justly and reliably attain on their own in the absence of an overarching political authority: public order, restorative justice and dispute and resolution, security, public goods, and social welfare. Thus the state through the organs of governance supplies the conditions for the flourishing of subpolitical communities by exercising authority over them. Moschella argues against the idea that consent of the governed is the foundation of the governments legitimacy, but rather that its legitimacy derives from its ability (albeit imperfectly) to justly and efficiently resolve coordination problems for the common good. Here I offer a minor quibble. While perhaps technically true, its hard to imagine a scenario in which the consent of the government is not a, if not the, determinant factor in the viability of a regime. When a government no longer enjoys popular support, it has only two choices to maintain its authority: Make changes to improve its standing in the eyes of the people (thus regaining their consent) or enforce more coercive measures to stifle dissent. Thus, even if a governments legitimacy in an abstract sense derives from its justness, in practice consent of the governedwhich is effectively how much of the citizenry determine a regime to be justmust ultimately play a role, if not the most consequential role, in the regimes fate. The authors general agreement with classical liberalism stems from one of the foundational principles of natural law: the difference between instrumental and basic goods. The political communitys value, she posits, is mostly instrumental rather than intrinsic, as people form political communities not for the end of civic friendship but to acquire other goods, such as security, restorative justice, and protection of property. The political community is thus subsidiary to the subpolitical communities that compose it, existing to assist them so that they are free to pursue their own good. (This is the concept of subsidiarity, in which larger communities exist to assist smaller communities and must respect their self-governance.) The ideal political community thus enables its members to realize their own happiness, rather than coercing them, though some coercion (say, in terms of policing fraud or protecting citizenry from the effects of dangerous vices) is necessary for the sake of safety and public order. Again, we see the ordo amoris: One has a more immediate obligation to ones family and ones community (say, a neighborhood, municipality, state, or nation) over those communities further afield. Its true, as Moschella notes, that many accounts of liberalism assert that government and law should be neutral about the good or take no interest in the moral welfare of its citizens. Yet this was certainly not the perspective of the framers of the U.S. Constitution, who constantly argued that their political experiment required a moral people, and at various local, state, and federal levels promoted a certain (read: Christian) conception of morality. Moreover, no liberal society in practice acts this waycurrent debates over such contentious topics as abortion, euthanasia, and surrogacy demonstrate that a philosophical framework on ethics informs the opinions of those who either favor or oppose them. And, as Moschella (briefly) argues in her final chapter, religion certainly brings further clarity and coherence to our conception of the good life, both by giving us greater confidence in the dependability of the factors that inform our reasoning and by giving us a sturdier motivation to pursue the good even in the face of evil. In effect, religion can establish a properly informed order of charity to help us govern not only ourselves but also our polis aright. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach that led to unauthorized access to the sensitive information of 200,000 patients and employees of Tri-Century Eye Care P.C. ("Tri-Century"), a Pennsylvania-based eye care service provider. On September 19, 2025, an unauthorized individual gained access to Tri-Century's network and acquired files containing sensitive data. DATA BREACH ALERT: Tri-Century Eye Care. If your data was impacted, you may be entitled to money damages. Post this Although the breach occurred in September 2025, Tri-Century did not begin notifying affected individuals until on or around October 31, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws. The following information may have been compromised in the breach: names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, medical or health information, health care treatment or diagnostic information, health insurance information, billing or payment information, or tax or financial information. If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Tri-Century's cybersecurity practices. If you received notification of this data breach or are a patient or employee of Tri-Century and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/tricenturyeyecare. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Sonum Dixit Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: 415-299-8207 SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP "All our inspiration was France, Italy, Morocco, Greecejust not England," says homeowner Leila DAngelo. "We deviated quickly from the idea of a renovated Victorian house and leaned into something much more Mediterranean, because thats what felt authentic to us." Hidden behind the conventional facade of a Victorian end-of-terrace home in South London is a surprising slice of Mediterranean magic. The family home of creative director Leila DAngelo, her partner, and their young son is inspired by the couples travels to far-flung destinationsfrom Morocco to Italy and Greece. When the couple first viewed the house, they were immediately drawn to it. "I love the sense of entrance you get in a Victorian propertythe big front door, the hallway, the staircase," says Leila. "When we first walked in, it immediately felt like a family home, a place where you can come together. We could already begin to see it coming to life." Leila D'Angelo, a brand consultant who enjoys sewing in her spare time, sits with her son in her homes new kitchen, which features bespoke banquet seating inspired by welcoming hospitality interiors. Photo by Chris Wharton To achieve their vision, they turned to London-based architect Benjamin and interior designer Joanna Wilkes. "We enjoy creating colorful projectsand this one was great because there were a lot of rich elements to the brief," recalls Benjamin. "In a way, it feels like going on holiday without having to go through the airport, because it holds those memories of places they love." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the beginning, the plan was to focus on the ground floor only. However, as soon as the project began to take shape, Leila and her partner realized there would be a complete disconnect with the upstairs level if it were left in the existing condition. Quickly, the decision was made to also transform the upper floor, including the primary bedroom suite, en suite bathroom, landing, and a sewing room that doubles as a guest room when needed. Before: Entrance Before: "Some of the things we really loved we lost," says Leila. "We realized, for example, the tiling wasnt original and didnt go all the way to the edges." Photo courtesy of Benjamin Wilkes The original entrance had the classic Victorian drama that the couple fell in love with, complete with a tiled floor and stained-glass front door. But, there was little built-in storage and the tiles turned out to not be originalthey stopped short of the walls once the existing joinery was removed. After: Entrance Interior designer Joanna Wilkes and architect Benjamin Wilkes carefully reinstated the original banister in the new fit-out. "Its a nice detail, as its something that has been touched by the hands of previous residents over hundreds of years," says Benjamin. "And, it doesnt feel out of place as the curvature works with the other curved, organic elements we introduced." Photo by Chris Wharton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the full story on Dwell.com: Before & After: How a Couple Brought Mediterranean Vibes to Their London Terrace House Related stories: At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Foreign Minister II of Brunei Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof will visit China from December 11 to 12. Beijing Youth Daily: We noted that yesterday Chinas Permanent Mission to the UN announced the inauguration of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the platform of the UN. Can you share more information on that? Guo Jiakun: President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Governance Initiative during the SCO Tianjin Summit, charting the course for the reform of the global governance system and providing invaluable stability and certainty for the turbulent world. The initiative received extensive recognition and positive response from the international community. China initiated the Group of Friends of Global Governance to bring parties together for closer exchanges and cooperation on major issues on global governance, and draw on collective wisdom and mobilize joint efforts for reforming and improving global governance. Chinas Permanent Mission to the UN held the inaugural meeting of the group at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday. Participating countries highly recognized and supported the Global Governance Initiative, commended Chinas leading role in global governance, warmly congratulated on the inauguration of the group, and expressed hopes that the group will provide new impetus for upholding multilateralism and reforming and improving the global governance system. After the meeting, the 43 founding members of the group issued a joint statement, stressing they will jointly uphold the legacy won by the Second World War, reinforce the role of the UN, address global challenges and respond to the yearns of the peoples. Global governance is a matter for all. It bears on the vital interests of every country and calls for everyone to participate, engage in decision-making and share the fruits. The group is open to all UN member states and welcomes the participation of all countries sharing the same vision. We also support the group in enhancing exchanges and cooperation with various countries, the UN Secretariat and relevant international organizations, building a more just and equitable global governance system, and making new contribution to world peace and development. CCTV: We noted that the international community is concerned over the accelerating remilitarization of Japan. The UK-based The Economist and the U.S. journal Eurasia Review commented that Japan is transforming from a constitutionally pacifist state to a modern military power. The commentary also said its alarming that Japans attempt to resurrect militarism can only threaten regional and global peace and stability. Whats Chinas comment? Guo Jiakun: China noted the observations of foreign media. Japan has in recent years been revamping its security and defense policies, accelerating the revision of its pacifist constitution, and breaching the exclusively defense-oriented principle. Japan has removed the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, eased restrictions on arms exports, attempted to alter its three non-nuclear principles, and developed the so-called enemy base strike capability. Japanese senior officials even claimed that Japan has not ruled out the possibility of possessing nuclear submarines. These moves have put Japans neighboring countries and the international community on high alert. We noted that after increasing its defense budget for 13 consecutive years, Japan now has the second-highest military budget among Western countries. According to a European think tank, the revenues of Japans top five defense firms surged by 40 percent year-on-year in 2024. For a country who styles itself as constitutionally pacifist, talks about reflecting on its wartime past and claims to follow the exclusively defense-oriented principle, how does Japan justify its military buildup? In fact, after WWII the Japanese government has never completely reflected on its wars of aggression. Many Japanese war criminals returned as active political figures and SDF members. Some prime ministers and political dignitaries have insisted on visiting and paying respect to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Class-A war criminals are honored. Historical facts have been soft-peddled and whitewashed in distorted textbooks. Japanese right-wing forces did reflect upon the wartime past. However, they reflected not on Japans war crimes, but on why Japan was defeated. The reckoning with Japanese militarism has never been completed. Instead, we see the rising trend of reviving militarism. It is imperative for the international community to remind the Japanese side that the Potsdam Proclamation in Article 6, 7, 9 and 11 stated that there must be eliminated for all time Japanese militarism and its breeding ground, for we insist that a new order of peace, security and justice will be impossible until there is convincing proof that Japans war-making power is destroyed politically and legally, and warlike ideas are fundamentally eliminated. The Potsdam Proclamation also requires Japan to be completely disarmed and not to maintain such industries as would enable her to re-arm for war. Its promised in the Japanese Instrument of Surrender that Japan will carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation in good faith. These instruments with legal effect under international law and recognized by the Japanese side clarified its international obligations as a defeated country, constitute the important cornerstone of the post-war international order, and serve as the political and legal prerequisite for Japans return to the international community. Japans attempt of remilitarizing itself through accelerated military buildup will only make the world once again question where Japan is headed and demand another reckoning with its war crimes. China calls on all peace-loving countries to guard against and thwart any dangerous moves of reviving Japanese militarism and jointly defend the hard-won victorious outcomes of WWII. Bloomberg: This is sort of a follow-up to what you just said. Weve seen a big decline in the number of Chinese tourists to Japan since the crisis, but on the other hand in terms of domestic consumption in China, Chinese consumers seem to continue to embrace Japanese brands, despite the tensions. Whats your comment? Guo Jiakun: Im not sure how that observation came about. China has stated its serious stance on the current China-Japan relations on multiple occasions. Xinhua News Agency: Today, December 10, marks the Human Rights Day. Whats Chinas progress in promoting and protecting human rights? What will China do to enhance international human rights cooperation? Guo Jiakun: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). The UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 77 years ago and established the Human Rights Day 75 years ago, which embody humanitys ambitious dreamthe full enjoyment of human rights by all people. The vision of promoting and protecting human rights is taking deeper roots. China always attaches great importance to respecting and protecting human rights and pursues a human rights development path that meets the trend of the times and suits its national conditions. Over the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China has made remarkable achievements in national development, advanced the whole-process peoples democracy, effectively and fully implemented the rule of law, enjoyed thriving cultural programs and industries, better ensured peoples well-being, consolidated gains in poverty elimination, steadily improved the ecological environment, and elevated the protection of various human rights to a new stage. As a constructive player, China actively participates in human rights affairs in the UN and has broad-based exchange and cooperation in human rights with other countries. The Second Workshop on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is being hosted by China in Beijing. Representatives from over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania, and officials and experts from the UN attended the workshop. They have had in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights. In October this year, the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. This has drawn a blueprint for Chinas economic and social development in the next five years and demonstrated Chinas vision of having mutually beneficial cooperation with the rest of the world. To advance Chinese modernization will also give a boost to all-around development of human rights in China. China will actively implement the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping and inject more force for good into human rights development in the world. Some countries politicize and weaponize human rights issues, which amount to a grave challenge to global human rights governance. Certain country refuses to repent for its past crimes, such as bacterial warfare, the forced recruitment of comfort women and the massacre of civilians during its war of aggression. Rather, they continue to infringe on the rights of indigenous people, such as the Ainu and indigenous Ryukyuans, and adopt policies that discriminate against foreigners. We urge the relevant country to face up to and resolve their own severe human rights issues, take a constructive part in the international cooperation in human rights, and stop interfering in other countries internal affairs under the pretext of so-called human rights issues. China News Service: It was reported that on December 9, the UK government announced sanctions on two China-based companies, alleging that they have carried out cyberattacks against the UK and its allies and that their activities are linked to the Chinese government. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment? Guo Jiakun: China stands against hacking and fights such activities in accordance with the law. That said, we firmly oppose spreading disinformation out of political agenda. China strongly deplores and firmly rejects the UKs political manipulation under the pretext of cybersecurity, and has lodged serious protests with the UK side both in Beijing and London. China is the biggest victim of cyberattacks. A few months ago, China exposed a case about the U.S. National Security Agency carrying out cyberattacks and infiltration against Chinas National Time Service Center. It needs to be noted that the UK was exactly one of the springboards the U.S. used to launch the above-mentioned cyberattacks on China. China has provided relevant information to the UK side. The UK and the U.S. are both members of the Five Eyes and NATO. We hope the UK will explain its role in the U.S.s cyberattacks against Chinas critical information infrastructure. The world faces common challenges in cybersecurity. We urge the UK to correct its wrongdoing at once, abandon double standards and attempts to politicize the issue, and work with China in a truly responsible and constructive manner to jointly uphold peace, stability and prosperity in the cyberspace. CCTV: It was reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit China from January 29 to 31 and he will travel to Shanghai apart from Beijing. Can you confirm this? Guo Jiakun: China attaches importance to improving and growing its relations with the UK and stands ready to enhance exchanges at various levels. To my knowledge, no discussions have been had on the dates or any other specifics regarding a visit by Prime Minister Starmer to China. NOS: Yesterday, Dutch media reported that Dutch and Taiwanese security officers activities were published online and this was done by the Chinese side. Could you please respond to these allegations? Guo Jiakun: Im not familiar with that. Asahi Shimbun: Regarding the issue of radar illumination, Japanese defense minister said today The essence of the problem is...the Chinese side conducted intermittent radar illumination. I want to ask whether the aircraft has locked radar on Japanese aircraft intermittently. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm it? Guo Jiakun: China has stated its serious position on that more than once. The facts are very clear. Yesterday, the Japanese side said they received no prior notification of Chinas flight drill. Today, they admitted that they did receive the information beforehand. In addition to that inconsistency, the Japanese side continues to beat around the bush without explaining why they sent warplanes into Chinas pre-announced exercise zones and repeatedly engaged in hostile surveillance and disruptive maneuvers to create a crisis situation and generate media hypes. Is the Japanese side trying to divert attention and mislead the international community? The Japanese side needs to face up to what actually caused the current difficulties facing China-Japan relations, do serious soul-searching and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichis erroneous remarks on Taiwan as it should. Reuters: This is also a follow-up on the radar incident. A U.S. State Department spokesperson has made comments saying that the actions by the Chinese fighter jets aiming their radars at Japanese aircraft on Saturday are not conducive to regional peace and stability. Does the Foreign Ministry have any response to the U.S. State Departments comment? Guo Jiakun: On the so-called radar illumination issue, the Chinese media have released audio data and relevant details which show that the facts are very clear. Chinas exercise and training in relevant waters and airspace fully complies with the international law and international practice. Our maneuvers are professional, standard, safe, restrained, and beyond reproach. It was the Japanese side who first deliberately made harassment and then spread disinformation. The Japanese side is the provocateur responsible for orchestrating this political stunt and must undertake all responsibilities. We hope the international community can be clear-eyed and not be deceived by the Japanese side. Japans allies in particular need to stay on high alert and not to be misguided by the Japanese side. NHK: Japans defense minister said today that Japanese SDF fighter jets did not direct radar at Chinese carrier-based aircraft and that Chinas notice lacked details on the drills and Japan did not receive sufficient information to avoid what was a dangerous situation. Whats your comment? Guo Jiakun: I just responded to relevant questions and Im sure you heard me clearly. Yesterday, the Japanese side said they received no prior notification of the flight drill from China. Today, they admitted that they did receive the information beforehand. Such inconsistency proves that it was Japan who first deliberately made harassment and then spread disinformation. The Japanese side is the provocateur responsible for orchestrating this political stunt. We urge the Japanese side to face up to what actually caused the current difficulties facing China-Japan relations, do serious soul-searching and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichis erroneous remarks on Taiwan as it should. Bloomberg: Can you confirm reports that Russian and Chinese bombers flew near Japan and South Korea on Tuesday? Guo Jiakun: Chinas Ministry of National Defense has released information on the China-Russia joint patrol. It needs to be stressed that the China-Russia joint strategic air patrol is an operation carried out under the annual cooperation plan, and showcases the two sides determination and capability in jointly responding to regional security challenges and keeping the region peaceful and stable. Reuters: I have a question about Nvidia chips. The Financial Times has reported that Beijing is looking at limiting access to Nvidias advanced H200 chips despite U.S. President Trumps decision to allow the export of the technology to China. What is your comment on this? Guo Jiakun: Weve made a response on this yesterday. For anything specific, Id refer you to competent authorities. AFP: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said yesterday that he was deeply concerned that Hong Kongs national security laws were being used to deal with residents there who called for an independent inquiry into the fire last month. Does the Ministry have a response to this? Guo Jiakun: Since their implementation, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have effectively protected the rights and freedoms Hong Kong residents are entitled to in accordance with the law, restored stability in Hong Kong, and set Hong Kong on a course of prosperity. The Hong Kong SAR government is handling matters related to the Tai Po fire in an orderly manner, properly settling affected people, and advancing the investigation process in accordance with the law. Relevant work is fully recognized by various sectors of the society. Election for the eighth Legislative Council of the SAR was held a few days ago. The election process was safe, smooth and successful, opening a new chapter of Hong Kongs high-quality democracy. Let me stress that the promulgation and implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance as well as the Legislative Council election are Hong Kongs internal affairs and Chinas internal affairs. They have nothing to do with human rights and brook no external interference. China has lodged protests regarding the erroneous remarks of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We urge the OHCHR to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect the sovereignty of member states, fulfill its duty in a just and objective manner, and avoid being used by ill-intentioned political forces. Reuters: Another question on Nvidia, Nvidia has built a location verification technology that could indicate which country its chips are operating in, according to sources. This feature, which is optional for its customers, could help prevent its chips from being smuggled into countries where the export of it is banned. Does the Ministry have any comment on this? Would China have any security concerns about taking Nvidia chips? Guo Jiakun: I am not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. Im not going to lie: 2025 was not a year thats easy to put a rosy spin on, even in the introductory blurb to a list of the years best movies. This has been a 12-month period of daily pummeling by the forces of history and fate, of waking up to an infinite scroll of dumbfoundingly terrible news chased by an overpriced cup of Trump-tariff coffee. During that stretch early in the year when movie pickings always tend to be slim, I clung to older films I already knew I loved as if they were flotsam from a sinking ship. But as winter made way for spring, unusual and beautiful new releases began to poke their heads up like crocuses through frozen ground. By fall, there was a virtual harvest table of substantial, satisfying, sometimes sublime new films to choose fromsuch a bounty of them that Ive appended a list of 10 runners-up rather than my usual five. Here, in alphabetical order, are the 2025 movies that helped me keep on keeping on. April The Georgian writer-director Dea Kulumbegashvilis second feature film is utterly sui generis: an unsettling work of psychological horror that doubles as a slice-of-life study of systemic misogyny and rape culture. The film was shot largely in secret because of Georgias strict anti-abortion laws; it follows the lonely daily existence of Nina (Ia Sukhitashvili), a committed OB-GYN who drives to remote villages in her off hours to deliver abortion care to young women who are too poor, and sometimes too mentally or physically disabled, to escape from the men who are sexually abusing them in their own communities and homes. The subject matter is bleak, yes, but Kulumbegashvilis patiently observant camera takes in more than just the landscape of human suffering. Theres one extraordinary crane shot in which the camera rises up to sail high above a field of wildflowers about to be battered by a gathering thunderstorm, an image of fragility and danger thats stayed with me ever since, well, April. Coming soon to streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue Moon Richard Linklaters autumnal portrait of the great 20th-century songwriter Lorenz Hart took two viewings to open up into one of my favorite movies of the year. While I enjoyed the film thoroughly the first time around, I came out thinking of it as a lovely but minor entry in the directors canon, on my mental shelf next to Hit Man or Bernie or Everybody Wants Some!!, rather than crammed in with Dazed and Confused and the Before trilogy and School of Rock and Boyhood and the shelf of great Linklater movies is pretty full, but as of my second viewing, Im making space on it for Blue Moon. Ethan Hawkes body-and-soul transformation into the witty, painfully insecure, self-evidently doomed Hart is a step into new territory for him as an actor. Working within parameters that could have made the movie feel stodgily theatrical (a single location, a three-act structure), he and Linklater quietly reinvent the artist biopic, custom-tailoring it to fit this one very specific and instantly unforgettable character. Read the review. Read whats fact and whats fiction in the film. Rent it for $19.99. Advertisement Advertisement Familiar Touch The best directorial debuts of any year are worth paying attention to. Where will our next crop of great filmmakers come from? In the case of writer-director Sarah Friedland, the question has a multipart answer: with a background as an eldercare worker, a choreographer, and a creator of documentaries about the dance world, Friedland brings a bracingly novel perspective to her unassuming but self-assured first narrative feature. The legendary stage actress Kathleen Chalfant plays Ruth Goldman, an octogenarian former chef with dementia whose conflicted son moves her into an assisted-living home. There have been some excellent movies about Alzheimers and late-life care in recent years, but none have had the keen eye and light, at times even humorous touch of this compassionate character study. Friedland never frames Ruths gradual loss of faculties as pitiable or tragic; rather, guided by her lead actresss profoundly intuitive and often wordless performance, she lets us see how letting go of the version of ourselves we once held on to can be accompanied by a deepening of spiritual and bodily self-knowledge. Stream it from Mubi or rent it for $5.99. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It Was Just an Accident Jafar Panahis Palme dOrwinning drama about a group of former Iranian political prisoners who capture a man they believe was once their torturer is not at all the dour, punishing experience that one might assume from that stark description of its plot. Instead, Panahi, who has himself served time in prison as well as under house arrest for defying Iranian censorship laws, delivers a taut, suspenseful, and at times unexpectedly funny revenge thriller. By the time this 104-minute masterwork arrives at its perfect final shot, both the characters and the audience have been made to confront difficult and ultimately unanswerable questions about the purpose, and the corrosive moral effects, of seeking an eye for an eye. Read the review. See it in theaters. Advertisement Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching Advertisement Every Top 10 list should have at least one cheeky choice, an out-of-left-field artifact that calls into question some aspect of what it meant that year to go to the movies. This documentary about two novice birders living out of their minivan on a quixotic yearlong road trip hails from an even less expected place than left field: After being made on a shoestring by Owen and Quentin Reiser, the St. Louisborn brothers who are also its main characters, it was released for free on YouTube, where it quickly gathered a word-of-mouth cult audience. Id run through a brick wall for that bird, murmurs the awed Quentin when they finally encounter a specimen of the intricately patterned, comically plumed Montezuma quail. Spend two hours with the Reiser brothers as they toke up and philosophize in their busted Kia, and you may end up feeling the same fierce loyalty toward Listers. Read the review. Watch it right here, on this page, via the YouTube video embedded below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My Undesirable Friends: Part 1Last Air in Moscow Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing presents a greater challenge or a greater opportunity to a documentarian than when the film they thought they were making is transformed into an entirely different project by the intervention of an unforeseeable event. When the Russian-born American director Julia Loktev went to Moscow in late 2021 to make a movie about the precarious lives of independent journalists under Vladimir Putin, she had no idea just how precarious the situation was about to get. Early in 2022, news broke of Russias invasion of Ukraine. This not only made the story of Putins crackdown on investigative reporting much more urgent; it also placed the reporters whose lives Loktev had been following in grave danger of arrest, detainment, or worse. As we watch Loktevs subjects scramble to decide whether to flee the countryitself a prospect fraught with perilor to stay and struggle against a regime whose overwhelming propaganda machine makes their truthful reporting all but impossible to get out to the public, theres a sense of history unfolding live before our eyes. The second part of this already-five-hour documentary, entitled Exile, is now in postproduction and is set to be released next year. Before it comes out, make the commitment to spend a couple of consecutive nights in the company of Anna, Olga, Irina, Ksenia, and the other brave, committed, righteously angry, and understandably terrified reporters and broadcasters whose homes and workplaces Loktev shows us in such affectionate day-to-day detail. By the time you reach the end of Part 1, you will care about all of them deeply enough to be anxious for an update on their well-being in the next chapter. Read our interview with the director. See it in theaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Battle After Another Advertisement I cant be the only one out there who needed an ever-refreshing fount of inspirational mantras to get through this cosmically shitty year. The arrival of Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another in September provided me not only with perhaps the most cinematically thrilling experience I had in a theater in 2025, but with a stockpile of handy new phrases. Benicio del Toros Sensei Sergio St. Carlos urging Leonardo DiCaprios flailing stoner Bob to breathe through his panic with the words ocean waves. Teyana Taylor, as the fugitive revolutionary Perfidia Beverly Hills, heard in voice-over as the daughter who never knew her (the marvelous newcomer Chase Infiniti) reads her tender, regretful letter in the films last scene: We failed. Maybe you will not. Maybe you will be the one who puts the world right. Bob waxing philosophical with the infuriating underground-resistance hotline operator whos a stickler for secret catchphrases: Life, man. LIFE! Then there are those days whenafter an especially brutal onslaught of fresh headlines about the forces of cruelty, stupidity, and racism once more winning out over all that is beautiful, just, and humanthe only advice that makes sense is Senseis much-memed line about having a few small beers. After three viewings, what sticks with me most about Andersons shaggy seriocomic epic, and what gives me hope not just for the future of movies but for the future in general, is One Battles relentless kinetic energy. This is a movie that, like the hapless but indomitable Bob, keeps moving forward no matter what. Read the review. Read our comparison with Thomas Pynchons novel. Rent it for $19.99. Advertisement The Secret Agent Advertisement In 2023, the Brazilian filmmaker Kleber Mendonca Filho, best known to American audiences for his 2019 weird Western Bacurau, made an autobiographical documentary called Pictures of Ghosts about his memories of growing up in the northeastern port city of Recife. That film, stitched together from the directors extensive home movies and scenes from his own feature films set in his hometown, might be thought of as a kind of sketchbook for The Secret Agent, a capacious political thriller set mainly in Recife during the oppressive military dictatorship of the 1970s. In a mesmerizing movie-star turn, Wagner Moura plays Marcelo (or is his name Armando?), a research scientist who is forced to go into hiding for reasons the film lets unfold in their own time. On top of being a clear-eyed examination of the way corrupt local governments and criminal gangs colluded with a murderous regime, The Secret Agent is both a heartfelt drama about a family separated by the threat of state violence and a deftly drawn group portrait of an underground resistance network finding ways to congregate and celebrate even in the worst of times. See it in theaters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentimental Value Advertisement Joachim Triers study of a troubled Oslo family across multiple generations is an expansion on, and deepening of, his exploration of one young womans search for her professional and romantic identity in his 2021 surprise hit The Worst Person in the World. That movies breakout star, the transfixing Renate Reinsve, returns as a successful but depressive stage actress who, along with her more stable younger sister (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), has grown up semi-estranged from their father (Stellan Skarsgard), an acclaimed filmmaker experiencing a creative slump. When this narcissistic patriarch sweeps back into his daughters lives with a plan to shoot an autobiographical movie in their longtime family home, what could have been a pat dysfunctional-family drama blossoms into a lyrical meditation on history, generational trauma, mental illness, and the potential healing power of art. Read our review. See it in theaters. Advertisement Sinners There was no greater explosion of joy on a movie screen this year than the dance-floor sceneyou know the onein Ryan Cooglers sprawling Southern Gothic action thriller. Or is Sinners more of a vampire movie, or a historical drama about life in a majority-Black community under Jim Crow, or a booty-shaking primer on the history of American roots music? Cooglers opus moves as freely among these genres as the dancers at the juke joint operated by enterprising twins Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan in a bravura double performance). The magic trick Coogler pulls off in Sinners, evidenced by but in no way limited to that moment on the dance floor, is to bring a whole towns worth of characters (even the undead ones!) to vivid life, while also engaging with big ideas about racialized violence, cultural appropriation, and the centrality of pleasuremusical, sexual, culinary, and otherwiseto any struggle worth fighting. Read our review. Read a breakdown of whether it will be too scary for you. Buy it for $4.99, or stream it on HBO Max. 10 Honorable Mentions 28 Years Later Caught by the Tides Eephus The Mastermind Peter Hujars Day Roofman Sound of Falling Superman The Testament of Ann Lee Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery Read more about the best of 2025. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Friday, in a suburb of Green Bay, Wisconsin, a Somali American couple was out shopping at an indoor mall when they decided to stop by Cinnabon. Its not completely clear how the interaction with the Cinnabon employee first became heated, but the TikTok user who uploaded the video said her cousin, the female customer in the video, had asked for more caramel on her cinnamon roll. The worker, a white woman, responded by insulting the womans hijab, according to the TikTok user, saying the customer could see her squeezing [the caramel] through that witchcraft bandana. The exchange that followed, as captured on video, turned uglier once the employee, Crystal Wilsey, noticed she was being filmed: I am racist, and you are a nr, Wilsey says, while leaning across the counter. I am racist, and Ill say that to the whole entire world. Dont be disrespectful. Wilsey then extended her middle fingers to the customers, told them to suck it, and called the female customer ugly. You know damn well youre fucking evil fucks, she said. Video of the incident went viral, and Cinnabon has since fired Wilsey. In a normal world (or even in the world of a couple years ago), that would be the end of the story, or at least pretty close to it. Wilseys story is not particularly remarkable: We know there are proudly racist individuals living in the U.S. Shes also not a powerful figureshe certainly cant set public policymeaning her firing from a Wisconsin Cinnabon would hardly be newsworthy. A different video of the incident, later published by TMZ, showed Wilsey making irrational claims, accusing the customer of having come up to her earlier in a white-face disguise. There also wouldnt be much to debate: There was recently a near-universal consensus that racial slurs were to be met with condemnation. People could still deploy all sorts of dog-whistles to hint at their views, but slursand certainly the self-proclaimed racismwere relegated to the fringes of the discourse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But these are not normal times, and that near-consensus is thoroughly broken: On GiveSendGo, the crowdfunding platform typically used for more conservative causes, Stand with Crystal has raised more than $113,000 in donations. A fundraiser for the Somali American couples legal fees, in contrast, has raised less than $5,000. And on social media, large accounts have rallied behind Wilsey, portraying her either as a hero standing up for white Americans or as a victim of Black aggression. Crystal, a hardworking White mom, was doing her job at @Cinnabon when a Somali couple decided to make her shift horrible with intimidation, read one typical X post with more than 2 million views. If there was any doubt about this new phenomenon, this isnt the first time this has happened. In May, a white woman named Shiloh Hendrix repeatedly called a Somali American child the N-word at a playground in Rochester, Minnesota. The woman, it appears, was set off on her racist tirade when the child took an applesauce pouch from Hendrixs diaper bag; the childs father later said his son was autistic and struggled to understand social norms. After the video went viral, portions of the online right rallied to Hendrixs defense, positioning her as a First Amendment hero. Others said she was a symbol of courage, a woman who finally had the guts to stand up against Somali Americans or against anti-white abuse. Eventually, Hendrix was charged with disorderly conduct misdemeanors, but only after she had already raised more than $800,000 on GiveSendGo. I called the kid out for what he was, she wrote on the website. We cannot, and will not live in fear! Advertisement Advertisement Hendrix and Wilsey, because of their gender, are particularly useful figures for the campaigns to shift the racial discourse rightward, as their white womanhood allows them to play the part of victims. Hendrix, as a mother, was described by her defenders as looking out for her own child. And many on social media claimed that Wilsey was justified in her outburst because she had been intimidated and sexually harassed. This argument was based on a moment in the video in which the man is heard asking Wilsey if sexualizing your body makes you a better personpresumably a response to her insulting his wifes hijab, though we dont know for sure. A right-wing influencer declared the moment proof of the incompatibility of third world cultures with modern American society. Advertisement But any pretense of this being about protecting vulnerable women is easily debunked by looking at the GiveSendGo for Wilsey, which has an explicitly racist tone: Meet Crystal: hardworking White mom doing her job at Cinnabon. Two Somali customers decide to make her shift hell with intimidation, it reads. No White person should lose their job for refusing to be harassed by Somalians. Advertisement Some of the comments from donors are even more explicit. Non-White citizenship was ratified by forcing states to accept it in 1868, one person wrote. Study the law. We conquered this land once before and well do it again, another wrote. The sleeping giant is awakening. Of the people who donated $1,000, more than one praised Wilseys honesty. Others were even more direct. If Somalians must be seen, until they are all removed by our Blessed Presidents law enforcement, they must never be heard, one of them wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, on social media, many of the top posts relate to race and immigrant entitlement. A lot of this country is DONE with the racism and Islamophobia hysteria, read one post with 4.4 million views from a conservative media figure. Put yourself in this womans shoes, another post with 1.1 million views read. Your community has been flooded with a HORDE of foreigners who scam welfare programs youre expected to pay for. A couple of those foreigners come in to where you are WORKING, to buy shit likely with YOUR tax dollars, and they give you shit for what youre wearing. Advertisement This kind of unapologetic racism is shocking to see on display, but it didnt appear without warning. For one, Elon Musk has fostered white nationalist talking points on his platform, where so much of this discourse takes place, with no repercussions. And, crucially, President Trumps anti-African racism appears to have become even more unfiltered in the second administration, without any kind of serious pushback; the public has become too accustomed to it to summon any real outrage. Advertisement Both the Hendrix and the Wilsey incidents targeted Somali Americans. The latter occurred just a few days after President Trump made some of the most baldly racist comments recorded by a U.S. president, directed at Somali immigrants. Advertisement On Dec. 2, during a Cabinet meeting, Trump referenced a fraud investigation involving some Somali Americans to disparage the entire immigrant population. They contribute nothing, he said. We can go one way or the other, and were going to go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage into our country. He also accused Somali Americans of being lazy. These are people that do nothing but complain, he said. When they come from hell and they complain and do nothing but bitch, we dont want them in our country. He also said Somalia stinks. Advertisement Somalians ripped off that state for billions of dollars, he said. And they contribute nothing. Unlike Wilsey, Trump is unlikely to face any professional consequences for such flagrant racism. But the presidents assertion that Somalians are destroying the country and that violent gangs are taking over Minnesota echoed white supremacist language meant to dehumanize Black immigrants and stir up white fears. It also reflectedin the lack of any real sense of scandal to followwhere we are, as a society, in this reactionary era. As Trumps comments have shown, we are now in a kind of bigotry free-for-all, with permission from the most powerful people in America. Saying the most vile racial slursomething that once made you an outcast from societyis now an act that, if captured on video at the right moment, can make you a hero in public discourse, beyond just the dark corners of the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, in this new era, a portion of the online right has ceded the conversation around race to white nationalists, allowing it to be framed as a matter of tribalism, in which all is fair to defend your own kind, including treating explicit anti-Black racism as a kind of public good worth financially rewarding. The taboo against the N-word used to be the last line of defense. With no barriers in civil discourse left to fall, its fair to wonder what it would take for politicians, influencers, tech oligarchs, and the United States president to reckon with the consequences of their recklessnessor if they will own this dark new trend in American hate. NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP announces that it is investigating Tilly's, Inc. (NYSE: TLYS) on behalf of the company's shareholders. The investigation seeks to determine whether Tilly's, Inc.'s directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with recent corporate actions. If you are a shareholder of Tilly's, Inc. and are interested in obtaining additional information about your rights and options, please visit us at: https://pjlfirm.com/tillys-inc/ You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation. Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit https://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP "Siyanda" Helps North American Travelers Plan Dream Trips to South Africa NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North American travelers considering a trip to South Africa can now get expert advice from "Siyanda," a cutting-edge AI travel assistant that provides instant answers to any travel or tourism-related questions about the country. Siyanda is built on Matador Network's industry-leading GuideGeek chat platform and is tailored to support travelers seeking authentic, vibrant, and joy-filled journeys across South Africa. Siyanda, the new AI travel genius from South African Tourism and GuideGeek, provides visitors custom itineraries. Siyanda, the new AI travel genius from South African Tourism and GuideGeek, can recommend additional activities to try around a safari trip. "South Africa has a ton of momentum as a destination," said Matador Network CEO Ross Borden. "With incredible wildlife experiences alongside world-class adventure travel and wine, as well as bustling, vibrant cities, it's no wonder it finds its way onto more 'best of' and bucket lists every year. Siyanda helps travelers quickly go from being curious about South Africa to planning and booking their ideal trip to a large country full of rich cultural experiences." Travelers can prompt Siyanda to plan a full itinerary or answer specific questions about safaris, hiking trails, local restaurants, historical landmarks and more. Responses are personalized and generated in real-time by AI trained on extensive data from South African Tourism. This is combined with over 1,000 travel information integrations from GuideGeek's award-winning technology. GuideGeek was named "Best Use of AI" in Skift's 2025 IDEA Awards and recognized as one of the Most Innovative Companies in travel by Fast Company. "The name Siyanda is from Xhosa, one of South Africa's 11 official languages, and means 'We are growing. We are increasing,'" explained Darryl Erasmus, Chief Operations Officer of South African Tourism. "The U.S. became South Africa's largest overseas market in 2024, and we've built a strong bond with American travelers. That momentum has continued into 2025 and Siyanda enables us to grow that connection by reaching travelers who are now using AI alongside traditional channels to research and book trips. We are incredibly proud of our New York-based team's innovation and dedication to keeping South Africa top-of-mind for North American travelers seeking immersive, authentic experiences." South Africa is the first African destination to launch a custom artificial intelligence trip planning tool with GuideGeek. It joins other nations around the world such as Greece and New Zealand in leveraging GuideGeek AI to help tech-savvy visitors plan trips and build a relationship with the destination before their plane takes off. In addition to serving curious travelers, Siyanda is also a valuable tool for travel advisors looking to deepen their South Africa expertise and better serve their clients. Available 24/7, the AI assistant can instantly answer destination-specific questions, suggest tailored itineraries, and provide real-time insights on everything from wildlife experiences to local cuisine, empowering advisors to save time, personalize recommendations, and stay ahead of client expectations. Siyanda enhances, rather than replaces, traditional planning, giving advisors a smart, always-on partner to support their work and inspire their clients throughout the travel journey. "South Africa is a very affordable destination for North American travelers," Erasmus added. "Through chatting with Siyanda, potential U.S. and Canadian visitors, and the travel advisors assisting them, can build a dream itinerary that fits their budget and discover just how far their dollar can stretchwhether they're diving with sharks, enjoying world-class wines in Cape Town, searching for lions on safari, or engaging with local communities. And with direct flights from major U.S. gateways like Atlanta, Washington D.C., and New York/Newark, the journey is easier than ever." Ready to #ComeFindYourJoy? For more information or to start planning your South African adventure with Siyanda, visit https://www.southafrica.net/us/en/travel About South African Tourism South African Tourism is the national agency responsible for marketing South Africa as a preferred leisure and business events destination. From breathtaking beauty to sun-soaked coasts; from wildlife to adventure; from vibrant urban energy to the incredible warmth and cultural diversity of its people South Africa is more than just a destinationit's an experience that awakens your spirit and fills your soul with joy. Destination South Africa offers a wide variety of experiences including safaris in 19 national parks, breathtaking diverse scenic outdoor spaces, vibrant modern designer cities, an amazing 2,500-kilometer coastline with Blue Flag beaches, inspiring heritage and cultural journeys as well as active adventure experiences that offer impressive value for time and money at any budget. https://www.southafrica.net/us/en/travel Media Contact Jason Simms +1.860.526.1555 [email protected] SOURCE Matador Network When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: CCTV Chinese astronauts just got an up-close look at the damage that space junk can cause. Two astronauts of the three-person Shenzhou 21 mission conducted an extravehicular activity (EVA) outside China's Tiangong space station on Tuesday (Dec. 9). They were very busy on the eight-hour spacewalk , which wrapped up around 5:45 a.m. EST (1045 GMT; 6:45 p.m. Beijing time). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duo "fully utilized their active role as first responders outside the spacecraft, successfully completing tasks including inspecting and photographing the Shenzhou 20 return capsule's windows, installing the space station's space debris protection system, and replacing the multi-layered cover of the temperature control adapter," officials with the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement on Tuesday (in Mandarin; translation by Google). A Shenzhou 21 astronaut conducts a spacewalk outside China's Tiangong space station on Dec. 9, 2025. | Credit: CCTV The Shenzhou 20 vehicle arrived at Tiangong in late April , carrying three astronauts for a regular six-month rotation aboard the station. That trio was supposed to head back to Earth on Nov. 5, but inspections revealed cracks in Shenzhou 20's windows the apparent result of a space junk strike, Chinese space officials said. After some deliberation, the Shenzhou 20 capsule was deemed unsafe to carry astronauts down through Earth's atmosphere . So the mission's three crewmembers ended up returning home on Nov. 14 aboard the Shenzhou 21 vehicle, which had just arrived at Tiangong on Halloween night . On Nov. 24, China launched the Shenzhou 22 spacecraft with nobody on board, to give the Shenzhou 21 taikonauts a safe ride back to Earth when their mission is over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chinese space officials have said that they plan to bring the Shenzhou 20 vehicle home , crewless, at some point in the future. And they likely now have a better understanding of its condition, thanks to Tuesday's spacewalk. The EVA was the first for the Shenzhou 21 mission, which consists of commander Zhang Lu, 48, who also flew on the Shenzhou 15 flight in 2022; rookie Wu Fei, 32, and rookie Zhang Hongzhang, 39. Wu Fei is the youngest member of China's astronaut corps, and on Tuesday he became the youngest person from his country ever to perform a spacewalk. Zhang Lu also ventured outside the three-module Tiangong, while Zhang Hongzhang assisted from inside the station. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX just launched a secret payload for the U.S. military. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off into cloudy skies from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station today (Dec. 9) at 2:16 p.m. EDT (1916 GMT) on a mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) called NROL-77. The NRO, which is part of the Department of Defense, operates the United States' fleet of spy satellites . The patch for the National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-77 mission. | Credit: NRO Those spacecraft and their missions tend to be classified, and NROL-77 is no exception. The NRO's press kit, which you can find here , says the mission "carries a national security payload designed, built and operated by NRO." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no details, though the kit does reveal that the mission patch features a flying squirrel, along with the words "Another One Gone Today, Tomorrow and Beyond'." "The flying squirrel is a symbol of hard work and endurance always active gathering foundational knowledge from the space domain for the nation and its allies," NRO officials wrote in the press kit. "Every mission counts, every decision matters, and every advancement propels us further. 'Another One Gone Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond' embodies the relentless pursuit of excellence." Previous Booster 1096 missions KF-01 | IMAP | 1 Starlink mission The Falcon 9's first stage comes down for a landing at Cape Canaveral on Dec. 9, 2025. | Credit: SpaceX NROL-77 was the third mission that SpaceX has launched this year for the NRO and U.S. Space Systems Command, according to the company . However, it was the seventh Falcon 9 flight of 2025 carrying the "NROL-" prefix. The others NROL-153, NROL-57, NROL-69, NROL-192, NROL-145 and NROL-48 launched between January and September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Falcon 9's first stage successfully landed back at Cape Canaveral 8.5 minutes after launch today as planned. It was the fourth mission for this particular booster, which is designated 1096. We don't know when and where the Falcon 9's upper stage will deploy the NROL-77 payload. SpaceX's mission description doesn't provide that information, and the company cut its webcast off shortly after booster landing at the request of the NRO. Editor's note: This story was updated at 2:28 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 with news of successful launch and booster landing. 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 A family builds an off-grid home in rural Wales. TV celebrates it as a blueprint for net-zero living. But what if this vision of sustainability simply doesn't scale up? Television shows such as Channel 4's Grand Designs have long celebrated ambitious one-off homebuilding projects. These programs often frame bespoke rural housing as a model of sustainable living. With large audiences, they wield real influence over what viewers imagine an environmentally sustainable lifestyle looks like. But the reality behind many of these supposedly "eco" homes is far more complicated. The BBC recently explored one such case in Wales, where a family secured planning permission under the Welsh government's One Planet Development policy. Introduced in 2012, the policy allows zero-carbon homes to be constructed on land where conventional buildings would not be permitted. In return, residents must demonstrate they can provide their own energy and water and derive a basic income from the surrounding land. At first glance, this all seems a laudable and well-meaning attempt to encourage net-zero living. Yet projects like these raise deeper questions about sustainability, fairness and what it means for a society as a whole to be environmentally responsible. We can't all live in rural eco-homes The first issue is scalability. Rural "eco-homestead" living can appear green at the level of a single household. But how many of these homes, each taking up considerable land, could be built in the Welsh countrysideor the UK more broadly? A few might operate as experimental demonstration sites in rural areas, but if that's the goal then a location in or near urban areas would reach far more people. These homes are not as self-sufficient as the image of rural idyll suggests. People living there would still own cars, commute to work, send children to school and make regular trips for food, health care and to socialize. Multiply these car trips over many such developments and their environmental footprint would undermine the very rationale used to approve the developments. This is the opposite of the 15-minute city ideal. Dispersed rural living simply cannot match the efficiency of compact urban living. Academic research in economics, geography and planning has long showed that cities generate "agglomeration economies": the practical benefits of living around lots of other people means schools, health care, public transport and other services tend to be more efficient than in the countryside. This makes urban living far more sustainable for large populations and is one reason rural eco-homes are completely unsustainable as a means of meeting genuine housing needs. Fair and inclusive The second issue concerns fairness and access. If permission for remote single household plots is to be restricted in number, then that cap should be explicit and justified. At present, it is neither. The result is that only the wealthypeople able to acquire attractive rural land, navigate the planning system and fund bespoke eco-buildscan pursue this lifestyle. This risks breeding resentment, especially if access to attractive countryside or forest locations becomes effectively privatized by those who can afford large, low-density housing. This has broader political implications. As the climate crisis intensifies, public support for environmental action depends on perceptions of fairness. If "sustainable living" is seen as something the wealthy perform in idyllic rural retreats while ultimately relying on urban services and infrastructure, that narrative becomes exclusionary and demotivating. It signals that meaningful environmental responsibility isn't possible for the majority living in towns and cities. That helps create a form of socio-environmental separation: green lifestyles for a wealthy minority, higher environmental costs for everyone else. Programs like Grand Designs play an important role in shaping expectations for green living and dream "forever home" residential building projects. Their enthusiasm for remote, self-built eco-homes gives viewers the impression that sustainability is achieved through architectural daring and a retreat from urban life. These stories generate a warm glow for the featured household, but they don't represent a realistic way to collectively tackle the climate and environment crises. The most effective solutions are more mundane, and far less televisual. For instance, better roof insulation or the replacement of old boilers could be rolled out for millions of homes and would have a far greater environmental impact. Such policies lack the drama of building a fancy off-grid smallholding, but they are scalable, accessible for all and genuinely aligned with climate goals. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: NASA engineer Hanbong Lee demonstrates capabilities to manage busy urban airspace traffic during a recent simulation at NASAs Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley. Credit: NASA/Brandon Torres-Navarrete NASA is helping shape the future of urban air travel with a new simulation that will manage how electric air taxis and drones can successfully operate within busy areas. The demonstration, held at NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley earlier this year, focused on a system called the Strategic Deconfliction Simulation, which helps coordinate flight plans before takeoff, reducing the risk of conflicts in busy urban environments. At the event, researchers demonstrated NASA's Situational Viewer and Demand-Capacity Balancing Monitor, which visualizes air traffic and adjusts flight plans in real time. The simulation demonstrated traffic scenarios involving drone operations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, testing how preplanned flights could improve congestion and manage the demand and capacity of the airspaceensuring that all aircraft can operate smoothly even in crowded conditions. Working with industry partners is critical to NASA's efforts to develop and refine technologies needed for future air mobility. During the simulation, the company, ANRA Technologies, demonstrated its fleet and vertiport management systems, which are designed to support the coordination of multiple aircraft and ground operations. "Simulating these complex environments supports broader efforts to ensure safe integration of drones and other advanced vehicles into the U.S. airspace," said Hanbong Lee, engineer at NASA Ames. "By showcasing these capabilities, we're delivering critical data and lessons learned to support efforts at NASA and industry." This demonstration is another step toward the NASA team's plan to hold a technical capability level simulation in 2026. This upcoming simulation would help shape the development of services aimed at managing aircraft flying in urban areas. The simulation was created through a NASA team from its Air Mobility Pathfinders project, part of the agency's continuing work to find solutions for safely integrating innovative new aircraft such as air taxis into U.S. cities and the national airspace. By developing advanced evaluations and simulations, the project supports safe, scalable, and publicly trusted air travel in urban areas, paving the way for a future where air taxis and drones are a safe and reliable part of everyday life. The project falls under NASA's Airspace Operations and Safety Program, which works to enable safe and efficient aviation transportation. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The OpenAI logo is seen displayed on a cell phone in front of an image on a computer screen generated by ChatGPT's Dall-E text-to-image model, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in Boston. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, file OpenAI said Tuesday it has picked Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief of revenue, a message to wary investors that the ChatGPT maker is serious about making a profit from its artificial intelligence technology. OpenAI said Dresser will oversee global revenue strategy and "help more businesses put AI to work in their day-to-day operations." Dresser had already spent more than a decade at Salesforce when the software pioneer announced in 2020 it was buying work-chatting service Slack for $27.7 billion. She helped integrate Slack into the software company before Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff picked her as CEO in 2023. Salesforce said in a statement that it was "grateful for Denise's leadership during her 14 years at Salesforce." Rob Seaman, Slack's chief product officer, will take over her responsibilities on an interim basis. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman earlier this month set off a "code red" alert in an internal email to employees to improve its flagship product, ChatGPT, and delay other product developments. OpenAI first released ChatGPT just over three years ago, sparking global fascination and a commercial boom in generative AI technology and giving the San Francisco-based startup an early lead. But the company faces increased competition with rivals, including Google, which last month unleashed Gemini 3, the latest version of its own AI assistant. Altman has said ChatGPT now has more than 800 million weekly users. But the company, valued at $500 billion, doesn't make a profit and has committed more than $1 trillion in financial obligations to the cloud computing providers and chipmakers it relies on to power its AI systems. The risk that OpenAI won't make enough money to fulfill the expectations of backers like Oracle and Nvidia has amplified investor concerns about an AI bubble. OpenAI makes revenue from premium subscriptions to ChatGPT, but most users get the free version. OpenAI introduced its own web browser, Atlas, in October, an attempt to compete with Google's Chrome as more internet users rely on AI to answer their questions. But OpenAI hasn't yet tried to sell ads on ChatGPT, which is how Google makes money from its dominant search business. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Chinese, Russian militaries conduct 10th joint strategic air patrol Xinhua) 10:41, December 10, 2025 This photo taken on Dec. 9, 2025 shows Chinese and Russian military aircraft taking part in a joint strategic air patrol. The Chinese and Russian militaries conducted a joint strategic air patrol in relevant airspace over the East China Sea and the western part of the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, in accordance with an annual cooperation plan between the two sides. This is the 10th joint strategic air patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019. (Photo by Du Yanpeng/Xinhua) BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and Russian militaries conducted a joint strategic air patrol in relevant airspace over the East China Sea and the western part of the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, in accordance with an annual cooperation plan between the two sides. This is the 10th joint strategic air patrol organized by the two militaries since 2019. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Punta Cana (PUJ) travelers can enjoy anniversary fares and earn up to 1,500 Free Spirit bonus points DANIA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Airlines is marking two decades of high-value service to the Dominican Republic's top tourist destination today. Punta Cana (PUJ) travelers can now take advantage of Spirit's limited-time anniversary fares starting at $107* one way, including taxes and fees, and enjoy an even greater value on their flights. The anniversary fare must be booked Dec. 10 through Dec. 21, 2025, for travel Jan. 13 through March 4, 2026. "We first landed in Punta Cana 20 years ago and have delivered a great value for travel between the Caribbean island and the United States ever since," said Andrea Lusso, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines. "Punta Cana's warm hospitality and beautiful beaches have been a long-time hot spot in our network, and we're thankful to our airport partners in the Dominican Republic for their continued support over the years." Spirit launched its Punta Cana service in 2005 and currently offers nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale (FLL). The airline will increase service between FLL and PUJ to daily from Dec. 18, 2025, through Jan. 12, 2026, just in time for the holiday travel season. Spirit Airlines Punta Cana (PUJ) Service Route Frequency Fort Lauderdale (FLL) 5 - 7x Weekly Additionally, the Free Spirit loyalty program is celebrating the anniversary by offering members 1,500 bonus points on round-trip flights and 750 bonus points on one-way flights to and from Punta Cana.** The Free Spirit loyalty program is free to join, and travelers who sign up for the loyalty program will receive 500 additional bonus points. Travel must be booked by Dec. 17, 2025, and flown by Jan. 15, 2026. To get a full overview of the Free Spirit program and the benefits of Free Spirit Status or to sign up for free, visit: spirit.com/free-spirit. Travelers looking to save on their entire Dominican Republic journey can receive up to 30 percent off when they bundle their flight and hotel with Spirit Vacations. Known for its beautiful resorts and white sandy beaches, Punta Cana attracts visitors to its island paradise year-round. *One-way fares subject to a 21-day advance purchase, valid for booking from Dec. 10, 2025, through Dec. 21, 2025, and travel from Jan. 13, 2026, through March 4, 2026. Blackout dates: Jan 19, 2026; and Feb 12. 2026, through Feb. 17, 2026. Subject to availability. **To qualify for the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) Free Spirit 1,500 (roundtrip) or 750 (one-way) bonus points promotion you must (i) be a Free Spirit member; (ii) book travel on a Qualifying Flight Segment. A "Qualifying Flight Segment" is a revenue trip originating from/to FLL/PUJ on a flight operated by Spirit Airlines and booked by 11:59 PM ET on Dec. 17, 2025, for travel between Dec. 10, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. Free Spirit Bonus Points will be automatically added to your account after completing a Qualifying Flight Segment. Bonus points earned through the Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ) Free Spirit bonus points promotion would offer standard Status Qualification Points (SQPs). Points Pooling, Points + Cash, complimentary upgrades, and reward travel do not qualify for this promotion. Offer is subject to change without notice. Other restrictions and conditions may apply and can be found at spirit.com/freespirit. About Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines is committed to safely delivering the best value in the sky by offering an enhanced travel experience with flexible, affordable options. Spirit serves destinations throughout the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean with its all-Airbus fleet, connecting travelers with the people and places that matter most. Discover elevated travel options with exceptional value at spirit.com. SOURCE Spirit Airlines The World Bank Group has officially opened its new, energy-efficient offices here, which will serve as the hub for its Caribbean operations. The building brings the Banks Caribbean team together in one physical space, which will strengthen the institutions presence and support in Jamaica and the wider region. Some music does not try to impress you. It takes care of you. That is the easiest way to explain what Freetown Collective has been doing for the last decade. Long before their new calypso label and the amassing of their large female following, the Belmont band has been focused on caring for people. While most music acts chase fame and visibility, Freetowns work has always been softer, more deliberate. Muhammad Muwakil and Lou Lyons believe the point of music is not only to mash up a fete, but to leave people feeling a little more human when they walk away. Unlocking Working Capital to Meet Expanding Customer Demand Luminit is experiencing increasing business momentum across its markets, driven by the industry's shift toward next-generation optical systems. As manufacturing commitments from key customers expand, Luminit sought a capital solution that would support rising production needs while preserving ownership and financial stability ahead of its upcoming Series A fundraising. After a detailed review of Luminit's accounts receivable and inventory, Hum Capital structured a revolving, asset-based line of credit of up to $2 million. This financing provides Luminit with: Flexible working capital that scales with production cycles that scales with production cycles Non-dilutive growth funding , enabling continued investment in core optical technologies , enabling continued investment in core optical technologies Enhanced ability to respond quickly to customer demand and delivery schedules A cost-efficient borrowing structure tied to real manufacturing activity With this facility, Luminit can confidently ramp production, accelerate deliveries, and expand capacity to support its rapidly growing customer base. A Partnership Built on Transparency and Strategic Alignment Throughout underwriting and structuring, Hum Capital worked closely with Luminit's leadership to ensure the financing matched the company's operational tempo, manufacturing economics, and long-term growth objectives. The result is a capital solution that strengthens Luminit's supply-chain resilience, improves working-capital efficiency, and enhances the company's position as it prepares for its Series A round. About Luminit Luminit is a US industry leader in advanced light-management solutions, developing proprietary light-shaping, holographic, and optical technologies used across Defense, Aerospace, Automotive and Industrial applications. With a commitment to advanced Roll to Roll holographic manufacturing, Luminit enables customers to harness light with unmatched precision and performance. Media Contact: Sean Mosley [email protected] SOURCE Luminit Inc. Bank profits are no longer a reflection of a healthy economy; they are extracted from the 1% while the country struggles with unemployment, foreign exchange shortages, and a collapse in new investment. These profits are driven largely by interest on essential imports, oil and gas, motor vehicles, food, while ordinary citizens absorb the pain. SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Korean grain snack producer THE HONEST FARMER Co. Ltd announced plans to expand its presence in Vietnam's fast-growing e-commerce sector with the launch of its Black Barley & Brown Rice Chips. As internet and mobile shopping penetration rises in Vietnam, demand for healthy snack options via online marketplaces is also increasing. THE HONEST FARMER Co. Ltd has completed applications to enter major Vietnamese online malls in partnership with a local distributor. The company is currently finalizing Vietnamese-language labeling for product packaging, while product detail pages will highlight key information such as raw ingredients, nutrition facts, zero-additive and low-calorie attributes, and HACCP-certified manufacturing processesaimed at reinforcing transparency and consumer trust. The move into online channels aligns with broader social trends in Vietnam, including the growth of single-person households, nuclear families, and the rising preference for convenient, ready-to-eat foods. Entering online marketplaces is viewed as an efficient route to deliver products directly to consumers without relying on traditional retail networks. THE HONEST FARMER Co. Ltd also plans to monitor consumer response and may consider developing localized flavorssuch as lightly salted or spiced versionstailored to Vietnamese tastes and consumption habits. A company representative stated, "Vietnamese consumers place strong emphasis on health and safety, even when choosing snacks. With zero trans fat, sodium, and sugar, our Black Barley & Brown Rice Chips are well-positioned to establish themselves as a trusted healthy snack in the Vietnamese market." SOURCE THE HONEST FARMER Co Ltd ABC signs MoU with Vietnam Television VTV Australian and Vietnam broadcasters sign a Memorandum of Understanding to commit to collaboration. ABC and Vietnams state broadcaster Vietnam Television VTV have exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding. Under the new agreement, ABC International and VTV will exchange content and collaborate. The MoU also provides for ABC International to explore opportunities to share technical information and training support with VTV. VTV Vice President Mr Do Duc Hoang visited ABCs Sydney headquarters to sign the agreement. ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said, We welcome this shared agreement in strengthening our relationship with VTV and providing a framework to support future exchanges in content, information and media capacity building. The MoU underpins our respective roles as national broadcasters to serve our audiences a rich slate of informative, educational and entertaining programming, and we look forward to working with VTV across these endeavours. Vice President of VTV Mr Do Duc Hoang said, VTV believes that todays agreement will generate tangible outcomes in content exchange, co-production, and capacity development, thereby contributing positively to strengthening mutual understanding and fostering closer ties between the peoples of Vietnam and Australia. Rated 0 out of 5 Rated 0 out of 5 AWGIE Awards sets 2026 date Alex Lee and Suren Jayemanne will again host event for the Australian Writers' Guild. The AWGIE Awards will be held next February in Sydney. The annual Australian Writers Guild event will take place Thursday 19 February at Parade Theatre at NIDA in Kensington. Alex Lee and Suren Jayemanne will again host proceedings which recognises writers across stage, screen, audio and interactive. Nominees are expected to be announced in the new year. Farewell to Neighbours: Jackie Woodburne recalls, Its either parity or I will leave. Neighbours matriarch Jackie Woodburne recalls the time she threatened to quit over salary, plus filming on Ramsay Street and favourite storylines as an era comes to an end. EXCLUSIVE: TV Tonight speaks to Jackie Woodburne Susan Kennedy 1994 2025 Jackie Woodburne still recalls the time she threatened to quit Neighbours. It was fairly early into her run as Susan Kennedy, mother of three and husband to Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher). Shed already had 15 years of credits to her name including Sons & Daughters, Cop Shop, Sara Dane, A Country Practice, Carsons Law, The Flying Doctors and a year on Prisoner. But there were rumblings behind the scenes. I was about three years in, and I was still being paid less than Alan. I asked for parity with contract negotiation. For obvious reasons, I felt my input was equal. I felt my body of previous work was equal. I felt my value to the show was equal, and so I asked for parity, she tells TV Tonight. But bosses rejected her demands, in what would prove to be typical of gender pay gaps in Australia at the time. That just pushed every feminist button in my body, she insists. I said to my agent, Look, I dont think I can go to work with a happy heart and do good work feeling resentful. So its either parity or I will leave. And fortunately, I got parity and Alan and I had parity from that day forward. Thankfully Susan Kennedy would live on, all told for 31 years on screen, becoming the matriarch of Ramsay Street and delighting viewers with a nuanced on-screen relationship with Alan Fletcher. That was just the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I think for both of us, that was why we could do it for so long, because we just got it. We got what was expected of us, what the job entailed, what was required, what we could do. We both have a very strong work ethic. We both like to have fun on set. And we just kind of fitted, she explains. We got into this rhythm pretty early on where we would do a scene, especially back in the day, when we had the three kids. We would say I reckon at this point weve got to go Ad Libby Overlappy and thats what we called it. They couldnt possibly cut into it in singles or even in two-shots. They had to keep it wide so that we could just tumble over each other. Some of the writers would try to write for it, which kind of told us when they felt that the scene should go Ad Libby Overlappy, but we often did it just instinctively. The Kennedy magic had its origins from the early days, arriving on the street with teenagers Malcolm (Benjamin McNair), Libby (Kym Valentine) and Billy (Jesse Spencer) although Woodburne recalls a little casting shellshock. I looked at these three kids and thought, Well, this is a dreadful mistake. I couldnt possibly have children this age.! But nobody else seemed to be bothered by that, funnily enough! I left from playing roles, where I had maybe a six year old to having an 18 year old. So that was a bit of a shock, but still, I managed. But even on that day with the three kids, we arrived, were unpacking the car. I remember Jesse Spencer walked past me, and he was carrying the base of a lamp. As I passed him, I just said, You sure you can manage that love? And it just kind of set up a little dynamic between us. Fortunately, the kids were just so great that they instantly responded to that, like Jesse and Kym Valentine just started calling each other names like suck head just brother sister stuff -all improvised in this unpacking car scene, and everybody went with it. The family chemistry is also a credit to long-term casting director Jan Russ, who was responsible for so many of the golden era talent discoveries, some of whom are now on the global stage. We tip our hats absolutely to Jan Russ in a huge way, not just for that, but, look at the, look at the casting decisions that she pushed people towards. She was absolutely wonderful. What was it like filming on the street, Pin Oak Court Vermont South, a quick 5 minute drive from the Nunawading studios? We were literally up the road. You know, youd swing into The Glen afterwards and do your shopping, no trouble at all. I mean, Ramsay Street was always great fun. In winter, not so much, because it was the coldest place on earth. And of course, in summer, standing on that road the tarmac got up to 50 degrees. That was pretty brutal, Ive got to say. But thats any location in extreme weather. Filming on the street was always great fun because generally, there were a lot of us there. So you had that nice, boisterous group energy, she continues. We had two big studios going Studio A and B, both running at Nunawading. They would shoot on sets in one studio, move all the crew to the next studio and shoot other sets. In the meantime various actors would go backward and forward to the locations, not just Ramsay Street, of course, but when they built all the exterior sets on the backlot it made it very streamlined. It was literally just a two minute walk up the hill and youre at Harolds, So it really was a brilliant location to shoot fast television. You would just hope that some production house, one of the big streamers, or someone, would make use of it. I mean, its old but its an incredible facility. She cites her two favourite storylines involving both Rob Mills and Natalie Bassingthwaighte. I always come back to the Karl, Susan, Izzy love triangle because it had such a long arc. It went on for such a long time, and it gave all of our characters the opportunity to play vastly different emotions, everything from high drama to comedy. For Susan, up until that point, shed never hated anybody. Shed never had an enemy. So for her to explore how she represented those emotions, that was a nice change for me as an actor, to get to play that with Nat. That was terrific, she recalls. Such scenes would go on to see her nominated for a prestigious Rose Dor Award. As school principal, Susan also hired Finn Kelly (Rob Mills), becoming opposing forces and culminating in a memorable episode. Jason Herbison wrote a two-handed episode and shooting that felt very different to Neighbours. .It was pretty intense, but I love Rob. I think hes terrific, and he worked so hard, and I think he did such a good job. We got to just really drill deeply into every possible moment of this story. I had so much fun doing that There were other storylines around multiple sclerosis, surrogacy, cyber-bullying, and even retrograde amnesia with Susan reverting to a 16 year old teen. I actually loved that story. After the initial shock of it and the Really? moment, I thought, Okay, come on, do your job. Who was she when she was 16? So that was my challenge. She met her husband and thought Who is this dreadful old man? So there was a lot of fun to be had in the story, and also a lot of pain to try and discover her way back to that life, she continues. But defrocking a Catholic priest was almost a bridge too far. But again, youve just got to try and find the truth in there. From time to time, youd hit a bit of a brick wall, or youd think, This is really tough, because the character is doing this simply to drive the plot. Its not a character-truthful moment. But I get that Ive got to do it, otherwise we cant get to the next bit of the story. You would do your best to try and find another way through those moments so that at least you could feel youd found a scrap of authenticity in it. But occasionally you just got to take one for the team, and just get on with it. Weve copped it over the years for being a soap, our heightened story lines, and, you know, we get it. It is what it is. But honestly, I have seen people give performances that are flawless. Theyre absolutely stunning on any stage, in any media. They are flawless, amazing performances. And I think a lot of that gets lost. We get kind of dismissed because were a heightened soap. I think thats a shame, because peoples work is not often given the credit that it deserves, says Woodburne. We were pushing diversity before it was even front of mind for most people and I think thats down to Jason. He wanted to tell stories that reflected our world. And our world is not a white bread world. Its just not. He was very, very instrumental in pushing those stories. A lot of people thought he was pushing it too hard. The first same sex marriage on television. We had all kinds of ethnicities in all kinds of roles. Blended families, Rainbow families. We told stories that that we were hoping to attract all kinds of people in our audience, but but also just to tell stories that we were all seeing in our everyday lives. Is that making up for lost time? Ramsay Street was long criticised for once being the whitest street in Australia? Now everybody is welcome. Back then I think it was just reflecting television at large, because if you had an ethnic character in a role, you had to give them a back story to explain their ethnicity. They couldnt just be the Sri Lankan person who works at the dry cleaners. They had to have a backstory as to why they were here. And they probably had a bit of a comic accent. I mea before my time, I think there was an Asian family that there was some storyline about them eating a dog. I mean, horrific, horrific. But I doubt that we were out of the ordinary at that time, she suggests. Now you have people of of different ethnicities and (diversities) just playing a character and you dont have to explain why because thats Australia. Change had impacted behind the scenes too. In contrast to her days of gender salary parity, Neighbours welcomed female camera operators, female sound technicians, as part of its mission to train emerging crew. Its a wonderful drama school and training ground for technicians. I dont know anywhere else where somebody could come in fresh, with a dream and a desire to work in production, and get that opportunity to be trained up through the ranks. I just dont know that that could happen anywhere else. Lastly her message for fans? The most overwhelming feeling is gratitude, she reveals. Gratitude that I got to work for so long on this iconic, incredible show. Gratitude for the life that its given me,. Gratitude that the audience was so loyal to us, so committed and so generous with their their love for the characters and for the show. Honestly, its just overwhelming gratitude. Neighbours finale 8:40pm Thursday on 10. Grand Designs Australia: Dec 11 James and Rita plan to self-build an off-grid family home using recycled plastic bags and milk cartons, and home made bricks. Grand Designs Australia tonight heads to the Hunter Valley, to meet James and Rita. Rita and James and their two kids, are committed to treading lightly on the earth. Shes a teacher from Ecuador, he works with a luxury chocolate maker. After living and working overseas for years, theyre looking to settle down in a community north of Newcastle, NSW, called Shepherds Ground. Its a farmland subdivision on which 29 buyers have built off-grid homes, and work together to create a sustainable, village life. Rita and James plan to build their own off-grid three-bedroom home on the meagre budget of just $230,000. To keep costs down, James has painstakingly researched cheap, recycled materials, in keeping with their eco-friendly philosophies. Despite having no building experience, James will selfbuild, but has enlisted the help of his father Steve, who is a builder, and Ritas father Italo, whos flown out from Ecuador to lend a hand as a labourer. James and Rita soon discover their scheduled 8-month build is going to take much, much longer. Every step of the way is a learning curve for James, and even with the help of their dads and volunteers from the local community, nothing happens quickly. Even so, James will not take short cuts on sustainability. Hes found building panels made from recycled plastic bags and milk cartons. He wants to minimize concrete, so an earthen floor is labouriously built by hand instead. Italo is hand pressing six thousand bricks from local soils. 8pm tonight on ABC. Hayu Fanfest coming to Sydney Reality stars will converge on Sydney in mid 2026 for panels, meet and greets and more, to mark 10 years of Hayu in Australia. A Hayu FanFest will be making its way Down Under in 2026. The fan event on August 15, 2026 will mark the 10-year anniversary year of Hayu in Australia. It will feature on-stage panels and interviews, meet-and-greet and photo opportunities with cast from top Hayu series, immersive brand activations and merchandise. Marking our tenth anniversary year at this unmissable immersive event is the ideal way to celebrate our fans, commented Hendrik McDermott, MD, Hayu, EMEA Networks & International Direct-To-Consumer, NBCUniversal. When Londons 2024 Hayu FanFest sold out in mere minutes, we knew it was only a matter of time before we would deliver the ultimate fan experience to our loyal subscribers Down Under. Were excited to undertake this must-attend event for reality fans in alignment with 7Bravo, NBCUniversals free-to-air channel in the market. Hayu is home to more than 10,000 episodes and over 350 of some of the worlds most popular reality series. First launched in the UK, Ireland and Australia in 2016, the service has expanded to 42 other markets. Further information including talent, location, ticketing and agenda will be shared in the coming months at fanfest.hayu.com. Returning: Christmas with Delta Nine unveils its lavish Christmas tradition, with a studio transformed into the North Pole Down Under and a cavalcade of stars. Now a festive tradition, Christmas with Delta returns to Nine. According to Nine, After taking viewers to Los Angeles last year, Delta is bringing the magic back to home soil transforming Channel 9 into a stylish, sparkling North Pole Down Under. Appearances and performances this year include Cody Simpson, Jon Bon Jovi, Jordin Sparks, Tinie Tempah, Morgan Evans, Amy Shark, David Campbell, Gregory Porter, Pete Murray, Danielle Spencer and more. There are also surprise drop-ins throughout the night, including 5SOS, Santa (in that order) and a cheeky festive treat as Samantha Jade, Sophie Monk, Amy Shark and Delta team up for a Jingle Bell Rock performance with a playful nod to Mean Girls. Theres also a 31-member Kids Choir, Winter Wonderland dancers, ballroom performers, and a show-stopping cameo from Marty and Doc from Back to the Future The Musical. Delta said: Im so excited to bring our Christmas special home this year. Weve created our own North Pole in Australia fun, festive and full of heart. Sharing the stage with so many incredible artists and friends makes this year feel extra special. I cant wait for everyone to see what weve put together. Christmas has this beautiful way of bringing people closer. Its a moment to reflect, to lift each other up and to celebrate the joy in the everyday through singing along to your favourite Christmas song. My hope is that this show brings a little sparkle and a lot of love into homes right across the country. This years special also features moving musical moments supporting The Delta Goodrem Foundation through a partnership with St Vincents Hospital. Sunday, December 21 at 7.00 pm on Nine. CHICAGO, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas will celebrate Christmas with Santa Claus and hundreds of their closest friends with a massive sing-along on the steps of St. Ben's on Irving Park Road in North Center. The first annual Christmas Caroling event begins at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday December 14, on the front steps of St. Benedict's Church located at 2215 W. Irving Park Road. Parking will be available for all attendees behind the church. "For more than a hundred years people have been flocking to St. Ben's for spiritual nourishment and healing. Caroling is one way to continue that tradition by lifting up the community in joyful waves of music and praise. It's going to be a blast, and I invite everyone to join me Sunday afternoon to get your Christmas groove on," said Pappas. In addition to the singing St. Ben's Maestro and Music Director Scott Arkenberg says there will free churros and hot cocoa at this free event which will even feature a mariachi band. "St. Benedict's has been a melting pot for generations, so featuring churros and mariachis fits in with the long welcoming tradition that's been a hallmark of this church since its founding after the first world war," said Arkenberg. The event will showcase an intergenerational choir made up of St. Benedict students and parish members who will join Treasurer Pappas in singing a variety of traditional American, Mexican and European carols performed acapella and with the backing of the 8-piece mariachi band. St. Benedicts has been an anchor in the North Center community for generations and continues to thrive as one of the largest parochial schools in the area with a student population of 650. "It's the first St. Ben's Sing-along but it can only be the biggest in Chicago if you and your family and friends show up. So, start your weekend right by getting off the couch and making your voices heard in North Center Sunday Afternoon. See you on the steps!!!" said Pappas. SOURCE Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas Life expectancy for females in the UK has returned to pre-pandemic levels but there's still a big difference in how long you live depending on where in the UK you are. New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that a baby girl born between 2022 and 2024 can expect to live for an average of 83.0 years. However, males have yet to show a similar recovery, with a baby boy born in the same period likely to live for 79.1 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Life expectancy in the UK improved steadily during the 1980s, 1990 and 2000s, due to advances in medicine, lifestyle improvements and reductions in smoking. However, the rate of improvement slowed in the 2010s and the figures started to plateau in the years immediately before the arrival of COVID. Among the four nations of the UK, England had the highest life expectancy for babies born in 2022-24, at 83.3 years for females and 79.4 for males. Scotland had the lowest estimates 81.1 years for females and 77.1 years for males. The figures for Wales are 82.2 years for females and 78.3 for males, while for Northern Ireland they are 82.6 years and 78.8 years respectively. Life expectancy took a dip during the COVID pandemic. (Alamy) (Maureen McLean) Life expectancy at birth for males was lower in all four nations in 2022-24 than 2017-19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More disparities appear when life expectancy is mapped by local area. The ONS data shows the longest expected lifespans are concentrated in wealthier areas in southern England. The shortest life expectancies tend to be found in poorer areas of the UK, including parts of northern England, Scotland, and some areas of Wales. The lowest life expectancy in England was in Blackpool (73.7 years for males and 79.1 years for females), while the highest was in Hart for males (83.7 years) and in Kensington and Chelsea (87.1 years) for females. Greg Ceely, head of population life events at the ONS, said the latest figures show encouraging signs of recovery but warned that significant gaps persist depending on where you live. Maps showing how long males and females live in the UK Top areas to live for males for living longest in the UK England (79.5 years) Northern Ireland (78.8 years) Wales (78.3 years) Scotland (77.2 years) Top areas to live for males for living longest in England South-east (80.7 years) London (80.5 years) South-west/east of England (80.3 years) East Midlands (79.0 years) West Midlands (78.7 years) Yorkshire and The Humber (78.3 years) North-west (77.9 years) North-east (77.7 years) Top areas to live for females for living longest in the UK England (83.3 years) Northern Ireland (82.6 years) Wales (82.2 years) Scotland (81.1 years) Top areas to live for females for living longest in England Minister of Home Affairs Do Thanh Binh (Photo: Nhat Bac). At the government's November regular monthly meeting on December 5 reviewing the new two-tier local government model, Minister of Home Affairs Do Thanh Binh stated that from June 1 to December 3 the government had issued more than 170 legal documents on the new government structure. In November, it issued Resolution 374 approving the budget of VND2,615 billion to support 27 localities (phase 2) in repairing and upgrading headquarters, purchasing equipment, and improving working facilities for commune-level administrative units. The government's steering committee and ministries have issued guidance, conducted training, and resolved issues in localities to ensure unified operation of the two tier local government model. Binh said most localities have completed leadership positions for the people's committee and people's council; only five localities still lack cadres and are urgently completing assignments. A total of 466 provincial level specialized agencies and 9,916 commune level professional offices have come into operation. Localities have assigned commune level officials and civil servants, achieving positive results. Several localities have implemented large scale transfers such as Hanoi, An Giang, Can Tho, Bac Ninh, and Phu Tho. Hanoi alone reassigned about 1,200 officials. Local authorities are also strengthening training to ensure the workforce meets practical needs and can promptly address arising issues. Regarding finance, budget, offices, and public assets, according to the Ministry of Finance, 178 commune level units across four provinces lacking equipment have now been fully supplied. All commune level units have opened treasury accounts and received necessary equipment. For public asset management, 17,496 housing and land facilities have been processed; 9,056 facilities are still under review. Only 89 communes (2.68 percent) in three provinces have no operational vehicles; localities have arranged budgets for procurement. Localities are also allocating public housing based on actual needs. Despite positive results, Binh noted that the two tier local government model still faces challenges. Regarding institutions and policies, 355 tasks require guidance documents, and 10 tasks need adjustments in authority. Some regulations remain inconsistent with the two tier model, such as: licensing of medical activities after restructuring, organization of industrial zone management boards; public service units under provincial people's committees; the authority to recruit education sector employees at commune level units; and administrative fines related to religious activities. Regarding administrative procedures, the government office reported that 29 citizen- related procedures and documents on population management, along with 42 procedures related to judicial record certificates, have not met requirements and must be simplified. Many procedures are not suitable for full online public services. Databases remain inconsistent, and telecommunications and electricity coverage, despite improvements, remain slow in some areas. Underperforming officers to be replaced To improve the effectiveness of the two tier local government model, the minister of home affairs requested ministries to resolve issues following conclusions from the central government and the steering committee. Ministries must urgently issue guidance for 355 tasks; propose adjustments in authority; and give orientations for amendments of related laws and regulations. The minister also called for stronger cuts in administrative procedures as mandated by resolution 66/NQ-CP; expansion of digital transformation; and data connectivity across national and local systems. Localities must quickly consolidate agricultural extension offices and land registration offices; arrange public employees at commune level; establish general service public units; complete organizational structures; and replace officials who are underperforming. Based on reports from 30 out of 34 localities and input from 12 ministries, the Ministry of Home Affairs has submitted its assessment to the PM on the feasibility of 949 delegated tasks. Of these, 584 tasks (61.54 percent) are feasible; 355 tasks (37.41 percent) need legal documents or guidance; and 10 tasks (1.05 percent) require adjustments in authority between central and local levels or between different levels of local government. From July 1 to November 30, 34 localities received 21.8 million administrative procedure applications, an increase of 5.9 million from the previous month, including 18.4 million online submissions. Commune level alone received 13.4 million online applications. The on-time or early processing rate reached 92.78 percent. As of December 1, 47 out of 129 remote villages without electricity have been connected with the national grid, an increase of 11 villages. However, 82 villages still lack electricity. Tran Thuong According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), seafood products were sold overseas for more than 10.5 billion USD in the first 11 months, up 14.6% year-on-year. Shrimp exports generated 4.31 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 21.2%, remaining the key growth driver; tra fish exports surpassed 2 billion USD, up 9%; tuna exports reached 855.7 million USD, while the figures for molluscs, marine fish and value-added products all maintained double-digit growth. In terms of markets, Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) member countries accounted for the largest share of Vietnams total seafood export revenue, at 27.2%, marking a strong growth of 24.3% year-on-year. Exports to China rose 30.6% and to the EU went up 11.9%, while shipments to the US were valued at 1.78 billion USD, up 8.1%. Le Hang, VASEPs Deputy General Secretary, noted that in a global market still marked by volatility, the above results reflect the proactive and flexible approach of exporters, particularly in accelerating shipments ahead of anticipated new US regulations on seafood imports and before the final ruling in the countrys anti-dumping case on shrimp. Seafood exports are expected to drop slightly in December compared to November due to seasonal factors and increased caution among exporters trading with the US. Many businesses have temporarily limited new seafood orders to the market pending official guidance on the USs Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). However, shrimp exports may hold steady or fall only marginally thanks to stable demand from Japan, the EU and CPTPP markets. According to Hang, based on 11-month performance and year-end prospects, Vietnams seafood exports are likely to set a new record in 2025, reaching around 11.2-11.3 billion USD the highest level to date. Shrimp exports alone are expected to exceed 4.6 billion USD, establishing a new record for the sector, tra fish exports are forecast to surpass 2.1 billion USD on the back of demand recovery in Asia, while tuna exports are projected to top 900 million USD./. VNA Local businesses meet municipal authorities in HCM City. At a dialogue between local businesses and the municipal authorities on December 5 in HCMC to address tax finalization and policy notes, the representative of Konoike Vina said the company is facing obstacles in completing tax obligations for its representative office in HCMC. While following procedures, the company was requested by tax officers to submit additional business-license tax declarations for each year from 2017 to 2025 (the company submitted the 2017 declaration late, so it must submit additional declarations for subsequent years up to 2025). The company submitted the additional license fee declaration for the 2017 tax period for the representative office using the tax code account of the parent company (Japan), and the tax authority accepted it on September 4. However, tax officers requested that the declaration must be submitted under the tax code of the representative office. The representative office has no legal entity status, no seal, and no digital signature, so it cannot submit declarations using its own tax code. On October 17, the company sent an official letter to the HCMC tax authority requesting detailed guidance. So far, the business has still not received any response. We hope to receive guidance from the tax authority so we can complete tax obligations and proceed with closing the representative office as required, the company representative said. Responding to the business, Do Le Mai Tram, Deputy Head of Enterprise Support and Management Division No3 (HCMC Tax Department), said Decree 139/2016 stipulates that branches and representative offices at business locations must pay license fees. Under Government Decree 126/2020, if a dependent branch or representative office is located in a different province/city from the headquarters, the license fee declaration must be submitted to the tax authority managing the dependent unit. On the other hand, if the dependent units are located in the same province/city as the headquarters, the license fee is submitted to the tax authority managing the headquarters. Regarding the specific file, we ak the business to contact the tax authority directly (Enterprise Support and Management Division No3) for resolution, Tram said. However, the company was not satisfied with the response and contacted the officer in charge many times but still received no resolution. So the company attended this dialogue for guidance. Before the concern, Giang Van Hien, Deputy Head of HCMC Tax Department, assigned Tram to directly receive information and coordinate with the business to handle related procedures. If necessary, the tax officer can go to leadership for resolution. Tax authority to specify deadlines Regarding administrative procedures, Nguyen Hai Yen, representative of Agest Vietnam Co., Ltd., noted that when implementing tax policies, businesses often face obstacles and need support. The Japanese invested company always requests official written responses from authorities. However, for each issue, the business must send multiple letters because they receive no reply from the HCMC Tax Department. Yen said the tax authoritys responses to businesses are not timely or accurate. Buinesses only want quick support to declare and pay taxes fully according to the law. I propose that when receiving documents, the tax authority must clearly state the response time so businesses do not waste time waiting and sending letters repeatedly, Yen said. Regarding difficulties in sending documents, the Deputy Head of HCMC Tax Department said: We understand this issue. According to Hien, in the past, businesses had to wait due to internal assignment processes across multiple functional divisions. As a result, tracking files and supporting businesses was not timely. But the problem has been resolved thanks to the changes in tax agencys management method. Companies can communicate directly with their tax officer or send documents to the tax authority to receive prompt replies, Hien said. HCMC Tax Department is managing over 500,000 businesses, of which private enterprises account for 96 percent, contributing nearly 60 percent of the city's state budget revenue. The estimated cumulative budget revenue in the first 11 months is VND555,939 billion, reaching 110.77 percent of the target assigned by the Government and 106 percent of the target assigned by the City People's Council. Revenue increased 20.49 percent year-on-year. After the mergers, the budget revenue also increased significantly compared to the same period. From July to November, revenue reached VND261,977 billion, equal to 137.6 percent compared to the same period of 2024. N. Huyen A solid foundation for dreams Y Run Knul, a final-year student at Tay Nguyen University, was previously honored at the 2022 national award ceremony for outstanding ethnic minority students. His mother, HBiat Knul, of the Mnong ethnic group in Dak Mil commune, Lam Dong province, shared that Y Run is the third of five siblings. The family relies primarily on three hectares of coffee for their livelihood. Y Run Knul at the 2022 ceremony honoring outstanding ethnic minority students. Though life remains difficult, they have always encouraged their children to pursue education. When we saw Y Run being honored on TV in 2022, the whole family was overwhelmed with pride, HBiat recalled. I still remember that moment clearly - I cried watching him on screen. His achievement was the result of his hard work and a huge source of encouragement for our family. Weve worked so hard to ensure none of our children have to drop out of school. A province-wide push for education Nay HNan, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in Dak Lak province, said the province is home to 45 ethnic groups, with ethnic minorities making up 25.4% of the population. In recent years, the Party and the State have implemented many education-focused policies for these regions - from upgrading infrastructure and teaching equipment to expanding support programs for students. Beyond improving access to education, these recognition programs have boosted motivation for young ethnic students. The annual award ceremony for outstanding ethnic minority students, hosted by the Committee for Ethnic Affairs (now the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs) in coordination with various ministries, is a key part of that. According to Nay HNan, honoring those who excel in academics, research and personal development has become a meaningful way to uplift and inspire ethnic youth. It encourages them to pursue knowledge, develop their skills, start businesses and contribute to both their communities and the broader nation - especially in remote and mountainous regions. Principal Ha Duyen Tung shares his pride in former student Le Thi Tuyet Nhung. Where ambition meets support In far-flung villages where educational conditions are limited, students who make it to university represent a remarkable success. Principal Ha Duyen Tung of the Thanh Hoa Provincial Ethnic Boarding High School still vividly remembers the pride he felt when former student Le Thi Tuyet Nhung was honored at the 2024 award ceremony. Nhung scored an impressive 29.37 in the national high school graduation exam and went on to enroll at Hanoi National University of Education. To see Nhungs name called was emotional, said Tung. These honors prove that ethnic students can absolutely achieve their goals when given the right support and when they set their minds to it. Her story now inspires many others in our school. Cultural pride and academic excellence Nguyen Thao Vy, born in 2004 and from the Dao ethnic group in Ba Che commune, Quang Ninh province, was honored in 2022. Both of her parents are elementary school teachers in a mountainous region, instilling in her from a young age a strong pride in the familys tradition of education and the cultural heritage of her people. Throughout her school years, Vy remained a top student and won a provincial third prize in literature. She was admitted to the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in 2022 with a total score of 27.25. Nguyen Thao Vy, a student honored at the 2022 ceremony for academic excellence. Commenting on her success, Ba Che Youth Union Secretary Hoang Thi Phuong Loan said: Nguyen Thao Vy is a role model for local students and youth. These recognition programs are not just about morale - they also drive support systems like scholarships, educational funds, and mentoring for ethnic minority students. This opens doors for more students and builds a network of young leaders who inspire others in their communities. Lighting the path for the future Thanks to the cooperation of families, schools and local governments, the annual award ceremony - now organized by the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front - has become a national symbol of the Vietnamese peoples passion for learning. Each year, hundreds of young people take to the stage, carrying the dreams of their villages and the strength of their culture. In the years to come, it will be these students - once growing up in remote hamlets and border towns - who drive change and contribute to the prosperity of the nation. My Dung - Quynh Tram - Le Huong Speaking at the 2025 Vietnam M&A Forum held on December 9 and organized by the Finance and Investment newspaper, Dang Nguyet Minh, Head of Research at Dragon Capital Vietnam, noted that many local businesses are undergoing restructuring under pressure from large debt repayments. While Vietnams corporate liquidity indicators have improved significantly over the past two years, the country still presents substantial room for distressed M&A linked to restructuring efforts. Minh posed a question to panelists during the forum: Has investor appetite for distressed assets changed, and which restructuring solutions are proving most effective? Lack of enthusiasm for rescue M&A Distressed M&A featured as a major discussion topic at the event. Photo: Organizing Committee Binh Le Vandekerckove, CEO and Head of M&A Advisory at ASART Deal Advisory, responded by stating that few investors are interested in such deals, as the segment is often perceived as unattractive. Only specialized consultants and funds focused exclusively on turnaround projects are drawn to this segment, she said. Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy CEO of GELEX Group, further emphasized that distressed M&A often involves problematic assets that cannot be salvaged. Many businesses suffer from not just temporary financial imbalances but also deeply rooted structural issues. For instance, Gamuda Land Vietnam, which has carried out six M&A transactions over the past three years, has not completed a single distressed deal. All six deals were based on fair market value and agreed upon by both buyers and sellers. When cheap doesnt mean attractive Nguyen Thi Van Khanh, CEO of Gamuda Land Vietnam, shared that many projects labeled as distressed were plagued by long-standing unresolved legal issues, pending land clearance, outdated zoning plans, or were collateral for bank loans exceeding the lands actual value. These factors represent both opportunity and significant risk for investors, she said. Khanh stressed that foreign investors dont prioritize price alone. Instead, they evaluate the timeline of legal milestones - such as when a project is eligible for construction and sales - as crucial factors. Any delays beyond expected timelines can disrupt cash flows back to the parent company. This is especially problematic for listed firms with obligations to shareholders. As a result, Gamuda Land carefully balances pricing proposals against the project's actual status. Sometimes, it is preferable to pay a premium for a project with clearer legal prospects and manageable risks. Key considerations for distressed M&A success Douglas Jackson, Managing Director of Alvarez & Marsal Vietnam, pointed out that it's critical to distinguish between bad companies and good companies in bad situations. He outlined several key criteria for evaluating distressed M&A targets. First is market position - whether the struggling company still has the ability to generate revenue, retains loyal customers, and has a recognizable brand. A company in financial distress but with strong brand equity may still be worth rescuing. Second is industry outlook. Investors must assess whether poor performance is due to company-specific issues or a declining industry. If the entire sector is in decline, turnaround chances are slim. Third, whether operational cost adjustments alone can solve the companys problems. Fourth is corporate governance, especially mid-level management, which Jackson emphasized as more critical than top leadership in a turnaround context. If these factors are ignored, distressed M&A deals can collapse and drive the company deeper into trouble, he warned. Distressed firms should act early From the perspective of distressed companies, Vandekerckove advised against waiting until the last moment before seeking M&A advisors. M&A is a mid- to long-term strategy, she explained. A six- to twelve-month window is rarely enough to create meaningful value. Late-stage deals are merely firefighting measures and are not recommended. Instead, companies should stay calm and consult with advisors and stakeholders to devise the best path forward, rather than rushing into deals that may be regrettable later. One quick way to regain investor appeal, she added, is to reassess the companys market positioning and sales strategy. If executed correctly, a business could bounce back in 612 months and become a viable investment target. Vietnams M&A market remains dynamic According to KPMG, Vietnam recorded 218 M&A deals in the first 10 months of 2025, worth a total of USD 2.3 billion. This reflects a trend of cautious due diligence and conservative valuations, particularly in industries with shrinking margins or sluggish demand. Large-scale transactions contributed nearly USD 1 billion to the total, mostly from international investors, showing strong interest in high-quality, well-performing assets. Following a record high in 2024, average deal size in 2025 returned to a balanced level of USD 29.4 million, signaling renewed momentum in the mid-market segment. Domestic capital remains a critical force, accounting for over 30% of total deal value. Foreign capital remains robust, especially from Singapore, Japan, the U.S., and South Korea - countries that led many of the years largest transactions. Major deals in 2025 focused on real estate, materials, finance, and healthcare. Several large transactions worth USD 11.5 billion are in final stages, expected to boost the market in 20262027. Tran Chung The move stirred controversy among residents, particularly when Hanois Peoples Council had just issued a resolution on a roadmap to restrict gasoline motorbikes in low-emission zones. The management board of HH Linh Dam - Dien Bien Construction No.1 Private Enterprise has issued a notice on temporarily stopping and then fully ceasing the reception and parking of electric motorbikes and electric bicycles in basement areas. From December 1, 2025, no new electric motorbikes or electric bicycles will be accepted in the basement. Complete termination of parking will begin on February 1, 2026. The stated reasons are basement overload and fire and explosion risks from unsafe batteries and chargers. The management board said: This decision is necessary to ensure the safety of lives and property for all residents, while helping maintain stable and sustainable building operations. The notice surprised many residents because numerous households have used and parked electric motorbikes and electric bicycles for years. Many families sold their gasoline bikes and switched to electric ones to align with green transport policies. Now they find themselves caught in a dilemma. Hoang Minh Hanh, a resident of HH2B, said: If there are fire and explosion concerns, the management board has to propose solutions instead of issuing such a notice. We switched to electric vehicles following the citys orientation, but now we are refused parking. It is very inconvenient. Do Van Tung said many families which have switched to electric vehicles are now stuck: continuing to use electric bikes is inconvenient without parking, but returning to gasoline bikes will soon be difficult when entering central zones. After receiving the notice, many residents searched for parking spaces. Some fear that during rainy or stormy days, they may have to park in makeshift lots hundreds of meters away, which wastes time and poses safety risks. Others say this pressures them to revert to gasoline motorbikes. However, some residents support the management board. With tens of thousands of residents and nearly as many vehicles, the basement at HH Linh Dam is already overloaded. Adding more electric vehicles with battery-charging risks has led to some residents supporting restrictions. They have reasons to make such a decision, because the basement lacks proper fire prevention systems; there is no separate area for electric and gasoline vehicles, and no maintenance budget to update charging systems. They will still comply if any agency issues an official document requiring mandatory acceptance, but they have managed to evade responsibility," said Vu Manh Hai, a resident. Infrastructure is the problem Some legal experts believe the management boards decision to ban the parking of vehicles in general, and electric vehicles in particular, is inconsistent with current legal regulations. Lawyer Duong Duc Thang, director of Duc Tri Tin Law Firm (Hanoi Bar Association) cited the 2025 Housing Law as stipulating that the parking area in apartment buildings includes motorbikes, electric motorbikes, electric bicycles, and other personal vehicles. Accordingly, residents have the right to use the parking infrastructure, unless there is a professional basis or a written document from a competent authority on fire prevention and fighting safety. If the infrastructure does not meet fire safety standards for storing or charging electric vehicles, the developer and management board must upgrade or create separate areas in a reasonable and lawful manner. Banning all electric vehicles lacks legal basis and directly affects residents legitimate rights, Thang said. Furthermore, the ban contradicts Hanois green mobility goals. Many recent documents mention gradually reducing gasoline vehicles and promoting electric vehicles. If apartment complexes cannot guarantee parking, the citys policy will become difficult to implement. Many older apartment complexes were built before the electric vehicle boom and lack design standards for charging zones, ventilation, or specialized fire suppression. But insufficient infrastructure cannot be grounds to deny residents rights, a transport expert explained. The situation at HH Linh Dam and many large apartment complexes in Hanoi reflects a major barrier in the green transition: incomplete infrastructure. In reality, the growing presence of electric vehicles in buildings is not temporary. Manufacturers continue expanding market share, prices are more affordable, and authorities are pushing pollution reduction by replacing gasoline vehicles. Dinh Hieu The total import-export turnover reached nearly 840 billion USD in the first 11 months of this year, up 17.2% year-on-year, with a trade surplus of over 20 billion USD. With this performance, the target of 900 billion USD in foreign trade is well within reach. In the period, exports reached over 430 billion USD, up 16.1%, while imports totalled 409.6 billion USD, up 18.4%. Despite global trade challenges, including tariff policies and protectionist measures, Vietnam's export growth has outpaced imports, ensuring a continued trade surplus of more than 20.5 billion USD. This surplus has supported the economys key balances, stabilising macroeconomic conditions and strengthening the country's international payments position. The year 2025 is not only a record year for exports but also a turning point for Vietnams entry into the ranks of the world's largest trading economies. With the 11-month trade volume, Vietnams trading pace has accelerated beyond typical cycles. Surpassing the 900 billion USD milestone will solidify the countrys place among the global trade superpowers, and the 1 trillion USD target is now within closer reach. The rapid expansion from only 500 billion USD in 2019 to the present level underscores the success of Vietnams integration into the global economy, supported by rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and robust domestic industries. The growth of FDI has been a significant factor, with FDI-related businesses reporting a 25.1% increase in total import-export turnover, reaching 579.11 billion USD by mid-November. Despite disruptions from storms and supply chain delays, production has continued to grow, with new order volumes increasing and the manufacturing sector showing strong performance, as reflected in the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI). With a dynamic economy, Vietnam continues to enhance its position in regional and global supply chains. Notably, international organisations have consistently raised their growth forecasts for Vietnam. Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) has upgraded the countrys GDP growth forecast for 2025 from 7.5% to 7.7%, driven by a vibrant international trade environment and strong production output. According to UOB, over the next decade, Vietnam will play an increasingly important role on the global stage. Sustainable growth will elevate its status as a key link in regional and global supply chains, particularly in manufacturing and emerging technologies. Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy, remarked that the manufacturing sector is growing, and foreign trade is expanding. Therefore, Vietnam can no longer compete solely on low-cost products but must shift towards creating value, innovating supply chains, and building a national brand. Looking ahead, the fundamental drivers of Vietnam's economy remain strong, supported by continuous growth in manufacturing, trade, and the shift of FDI flows into sectors like electronics and semiconductors. Signed free trade agreements will continue to open new opportunities for exports and imports. However, this comes with the challenge of shifting to deeper processing in agriculture and fisheries, investing in research and development, building brands, and meeting green standards for manufactured goods. As foreign trade expands, export industries will face more protective measures from importing markets. Therefore, businesses must proactively adapt to international fluctuations to leverage open trade advantages while minimising risks, he advised./. VNA The Communist Party of Uruguay (PCU) held a ceremony on December 9 by to introduce an anthology of President Ho Chi Minh, honouring his ideological legacy and the longstanding friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Uruguay. PCU Central Committee member Juan Bernassa, Secretary of the PCU's Communist Youth Union (UJC) Natalia Diaz, and numerous PCU members attended the event. The PCU noted that President Ho Chi Minh helped shape major historical developments of the 20th century through his intellect, courage, and efforts to promote the solidarity of global liberation movements. The nearly-260-page publication gathers his writings over nearly five decades of revolutionary activity, reflecting thoughts on national independence, the building of revolutionary forces, international solidarity, and the formation of new society. The PCU affirmed that these works retain their relevance amid current global challenges as they reflect his modesty, bravery, and profound respect for the people the core factors that constitutes a genuine revolutionary. In the current global context, the publication is a tribute to the prominent leader and also conveys a message of hope for stronger bonds between the two countries' peoples. PCU Central Committee member Juan Bernassa described Ho Chi Minh's legacy as a beacon for the forces fighting for social justice. Meanwhile, UJC Secretary Natalia Diaz highlighted Ho Chi Minhs special links with Uruguay, including his visit to Montevideo in 1920 when working aboard an overseas vessel. Many of his works, along with writings by late Party General Secretary Le Duan and General Vo Nguyen Giap, were used as secret study materials during Uruguays dictatorship period (19731984), inspiring generations of young communists. The anthologys final section features rare archival photos taken by reporters of the PCU's El Popular daily illustrating Uruguay Vietnam solidarity in the 1960s, including marches protesting the US war in Vietnam and the Vietnam Night solidarity event in Montevideo on March 26, 1968. It also reprints the PCU Central Committees September 5, 1969 tribute to President Ho Chi Minh following his passing. According to the PCU, the release of 500 copies of the anthology aims to honour the distinguished leader and reflects the warm solidarity between the peoples of Uruguay and Vietnam. The ceremony took place as the PCU prepares for its 33rd National Congress from December 12 to 14 which, the PCU said, aims to strengthen unity, promote peace, condemn imperialism, support the Palestinian people, and enhance the role of left-wing forces in a volatile world./. ARVADA, Colo., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of Colorado nonprofits are celebrating an outpouring of generosity from a record-breaking Colorado Gives Day when more than 102,835 people donated $56,533,062 for Colorado Gives Day. "Colorado Gives Day makes it so easy for people to support the causes they care about," said Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of Colorado Gives Foundation. "The event is truly a statewide movement and donors rallied together with a record-setting year when our communities needed it most." Colorado Gives Foundation's 2025 Colorado Gives Day team celebrates unprecedented Wave of Generosity for nonprofits with $56.5 million donated for Colorado Gives Day This year's Colorado Gives Day came to life when donors who made a donation uploaded a selfie to our Community of Givers, connecting people from around the state who supported their favorite Colorado nonprofits, added Dunkin. Every donation made for Colorado Gives Day was boosted by a $1 million+ incentive fund from Colorado Gives Foundation, presenting sponsor FirstBank and other supporters. "We are proud to be a part of Colorado Gives Day, especially during a time when our communities need it most," said Kelly Kaminskas, chief operating officer of FirstBank. "We're honored to champion a movement that fuels local nonprofits and unites Coloradans in generosity. This is about building stronger communities, together." "Colorado Gives Day was truly an incredible experience for Atomic Theater and it exceeded all our expectations," said Roselle Drahushak-Crow, President of the Board of Directors. "We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and thrilled to connect with so many new donors. This generosity energizes us to expand theater opportunities that celebrate culture, strengthen our community and inspire social awareness through the arts." Whether nonprofits are first-time participants or they've been part of Colorado Gives Day for 16 years, the fundraising is critical for local nonprofits to deliver much needed programs and services. More than 92% of participating nonprofits received a donation for Colorado Gives Day (4,618 nonprofits). In addition to one-time donations made for Colorado Gives Day, Colorado Gives Foundation matched $250,000 in monthly donations to support nonprofits year-round. "More than 7,000 new monthly donations were established, generating millions of dollars for nonprofits for months to come," added Dunkin. Colorado Gives Day 2025 Highlights: $56.5 million raised through 261,513 donations. Colorado Gives Day 2025 began Nov. 1 and ended with 24-hours of giving yesterday. 616 new nonprofits participated for the first time this year. 92.4% of participating nonprofits received a donation. 102,835 people donated an increase of 8% over 2024 People donated to more than one organization (average was 2.37 per donor). The largest donation was $250,000. The most common donation amount was $100. $3.6 million was raised through individual fundraising pages The top five nonprofit categories receiving donations were: Human Services - $10.8 million Arts, Culture & Humanities - $6.3 million Education - $6.2 million Animal-Related - $5.7 million Food, Agriculture & Nutrition - $4.5 million The first donation of the day came in at 12 a.m. to Youth on Record in the amount of $129.25. The last donation of the day came in at 11:59 p.m. to Homeward Alliance in the amount of $200. 99 businesses raised $496,988. "This year, the need was greater than ever, and Coloradans once again demonstrated why our state is one of the most philanthropic states in the nation," added Dunkin. "We're inspired by the generosity of our community and look forward to continuing this statewide movement in the years to come." (WalletHub ranked Colorado as the 6th most charitable state in 2025.) Since its inception in 2010, Colorado Gives Day has raised more than $581 million for nonprofits across the state, making it one of the most impactful giving movements in the nation. To learn more about Colorado Gives Day or to support your favorite nonprofit with year-end or year-round giving, including donations from IRAs and donor advised funds, visit ColoradoGives.org. Preliminary numbers as of 11:59:59 on Dec. 9, 2025. B-Roll/Photos About Colorado Gives Day Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving and is a 24-hour event that is changing the face of fundraising. To donate to a Colorado nonprofit, visit ColoradoGivesDay.org. Colorado Gives Day is made possible by Colorado Gives Foundation and presenting sponsor, FirstBank, with support from other sponsors including: FirstBank, Southwest Airlines, Delta Dental of Colorado, Gary Community Ventures, Graystone Consulting, The Denver Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, Martin / Martin Consulting Engineers, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), CBS Colorado, 5280 Magazine, Comcast, Colorado Parent, PBS12, OUTFRONT, Front, Rocky Mountain Public Media, Entravision, iHeartMedia, Montrose Business Times, Lamar, BizWest, Mile High Outdoor, and Colorado Public Radio. About Colorado Gives Foundation Colorado Gives Foundation connects people, ideas and Colorado nonprofits to make good happen. Colorado Gives Foundation is a Jefferson County grant maker, investing millions annually to Jeffco-serving nonprofits committed to ensuring that all of Jeffco is thriving. We also work statewide to build the capacity of nonprofits and donors via ColoradoGives.org, nonprofit endowments and donor services. Through ColoradoGives.org, we make it easy for people to donate to the causes they care about, enabling meaningful change to help our neighbors thrive. Colorado Gives Foundation is where donors find and discover the community impact that matters most to them, which is good for everyone. About FirstBank FirstBank began providing banking services in 1963. Today, it's known as an industry leader in digital banking. It has grown to be one of the top-performing and largest privately held banks in the United States. FirstBank offers a variety of consumer deposit accounts, home equity loans, mortgages, rental property loans, and a full range of commercial banking services, including business financing, commercial real estate loans, treasury management, and more. Since 2000, FirstBank has been recognized as a top corporate philanthropist, contributing more than $100 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. The company is also unique in that a large portion of its stock is owned by management and employees, giving employees a financial stake in the bank's success through its Employee Stock Ownership Program. For more information, visit www.efirstbank.com. Member FDIC. Cindy Matthews, 720.898.5909 Director of Communications & Community Outreach [email protected] SOURCE Colorado Gives Foundation On the afternoon of December 9, the citys leadership, led by Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang, met with members of the science, technology, and innovation community to explore concrete steps toward this ambitious goal. Seeking breakthroughs from Vietnams tech visionaries Mr. Tran Luu Quang exchanges ideas with the tech and startup community in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: T.N Opening the dialogue, Secretary Quang candidly shared his concerns and posed two fundamental questions to the community. First, how can HCMC truly become the nations center for science, technology, and digital innovation - and sustain that leadership role? Second, where should the city start, what should the priorities be, and how can it secure the necessary resources? In response, FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh presented insights from Japan, which is shifting strategic partnerships toward Southeast Asia - with Vietnam as the top priority, especially in the field of the low-altitude economy (LAE). However, Binh pointed out that Vietnam currently lacks an institutional framework. "We dont have regulations defining sandbox models, no standards or certificates of origin, and no permits - essentially, we lack everything," he said. Despite these limitations, Binh proposed a bold idea: turning HCMC into the drone capital of Vietnam with a $10 billion UAV industry that could create one million jobs over the next decade. Supporting this vision, Dr. Luong Viet Quoc, CEO of Real-time Robotics, shared how a Made in Vietnam drone stunned U.S. military officers at a Las Vegas tech exhibition - something even other tech powers had not achieved. He affirmed that Vietnamese engineers can compete globally, noting that his R&D costs are just one-twentieth and manufacturing costs 3040% lower than in the U.S. Theres no reason we cant compete fairly, Quoc asserted. FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh at the event. Photo: T.N On another front, Tran Kim Chung, Chairman of CT Group, proposed a new model of a for-profit innovation center powered by artificial intelligence, Web3, and blockchain. This concept departs from the conventional nonprofit startup incubator approach. All ideas, at every stage of development, could become digital assets. AI will help connect them with interested customers, automatically determine valuations, and facilitate transactions, Chung explained. He also suggested franchising this model to quickly scale it across the city, envisioning multiple profit-driven innovation centers throughout HCMC. Contributing to this ecosystem vision, CMC Corporation Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh emphasized the importance of data infrastructure. He shared that international partners are ready to increase investment in HCMC-based data centers from $1 billion to $5 billion - if the city commits to becoming an AI hub or digital hub for the region. To support this, he proposed appointing a chief architect for each specialized field to tackle pressing urban challenges such as flooding, traffic congestion, and pollution through AI solutions. Action plans grounded in practical needs Secretary Quang visits tech product showcases at the forum on December 9. Photo: Quoc Ngoc To realize these ambitions, human capital and intellectual collaboration will be key. Professor Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai, Vice President of Vietnam National University HCMC, suggested that the city assign the university the role of coordinating knowledge across local institutions and research centers. She emphasized the need for annual science and technology forums to convey the citys innovation message to the world. As an example of effective academic-business collaboration, she revealed that just days before the event, her university secured six research projects worth over VND 20 billion (USD 820,000) with Dr. Quocs firm. Listening intently and taking notes, Secretary Quang concluded by affirming that developing science and technology is not just vital for economic growth, but also crucial to solving urgent urban issues like traffic jams, flooding, pollution, and even the city's vision of a drug-free society. "If we succeed in science and technology, it will help us tackle our current challenges using scientific tools," he remarked. Specifically, Quang voiced strong support for the LAE sector and UAV production, calling them practical and achievable goals. On policy, he pledged strong backing for sandbox models and financial incentives. For instance, HCMC would offer tax breaks and waive fees for any entity establishing venture capital funds in priority tech sectors. To implement the plan, Quang assigned two agencies: the Department of Science and Technology will act as the lead coordinator, while the HCMC Institute for Development Studies will be in charge of policy proposals, incentives, timelines, and prioritization. Closing the event, he issued a powerful call to action: "Let us dream big. Let's dream of transforming Ho Chi Minh City into a true innovation hub. And to make that dream real, we must begin with the smallest, most concrete actions - starting tomorrow." What is the low-altitude economy (LAE)? LAE refers to a newly emerging economic ecosystem centered around activities in low-altitude airspace (typically under 1,0003,000 meters). It primarily leverages drone (UAV) technology, electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL), and related systems for applications in agriculture, logistics, transport, surveillance, rescue, healthcare, and entertainment. LAE is poised to drive a new wave of digital transformation and economic growth. Quoc Ngoc Suspect Doan Van Sang at the police station. Photo: Ministry of Public Security On December 9, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Long, Deputy Minister of Public Security, sent an official commendation to Lang Son police for their decisive and effective investigative efforts, which led to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect in a particularly brutal murder case. According to the letter, the Ministry was briefed on how Lang Son police, through online monitoring, promptly detected information about a serious murder case. They quickly coordinated with specialized units, launching a thorough investigation that resulted in the swift arrest and indictment of the suspect responsible for the gruesome crime in Huu Lung, Lang Son. Multiple pieces of evidence were recovered during the investigation. The case represents a major success, highlighting the determination, professionalism, and investigative acumen of Lang Son police. It also reflects their effective implementation of directives from the Party Committee of the Central Public Security and the Ministry of Public Security regarding the prevention and handling of serious crimes, particularly homicides. The swift resolution also demonstrated strong collaboration between local police, national investigative units, and other government agencies, contributing to public reassurance, social stability, and strengthened trust in the Peoples Public Security force. "On behalf of the Party Committee of the Central Public Security and the Ministry's leadership, I commend and recognize your achievements," the Deputy Minister wrote. He urged Lang Son police to continue cooperating with relevant agencies to broaden the investigation, consolidate evidence, and strictly prosecute all involved, expressing hope for further accomplishments in the future. Previously, on November 29, the Lang Son Provincial Police Department issued a decision to prosecute and detain Doan Van Sang (born 1968, residing in Lang Son province), former Deputy Head of Market Management Team No. 4, for the crime of murder under Article 123, Clause 1 of the 2015 Penal Code. On the same day, the Lang Son Provincial People's Procuracy approved the decisions, and the arrest and detention were carried out in accordance with legal procedures. The investigation identified the victim as Nguyen Xuan Dat (born 1989, from Hung Yen province), with Doan Van Sang confirmed as the perpetrator. In 2020, Sang met Dat through social media. On January 25, Sang called Dat and arranged a meeting at the Market Management Team No. 4 office, where Sang worked. At the location, Sang carried out the murder. After committing the crime, Sang made significant efforts to destroy evidence and conceal the victims body in an attempt to evade detection by authorities. Dinh Hieu The new law stipulates that diplomas within the national education system can be issued in either paper or digital format, granted to learners who graduate from high school or complete educational and training programs that meet required output standards at the corresponding levels of vocational or higher education. Under this revised legislation, recognized qualifications in Vietnams education system include the high school diploma, vocational secondary diploma, intermediate diploma, college diploma, bachelors degree, masters degree, doctoral degree, and specialized diplomas in specific professional fields. This marks a significant departure from previous regulations, as the revised law eliminates the issuance of lower secondary school (middle school) diplomas. Instead, students completing primary or lower secondary programs - who meet the criteria set by the Minister of Education and Training - will have their completion certified in their academic transcripts. Students completing upper secondary education (high school), upon meeting required conditions, may sit for the graduation exam. If they pass, they will be issued a high school diploma by the principal of their school. Those who do not take the exam or fail to meet graduation standards will receive a certificate of program completion instead. This certificate may be used to register for future high school graduation exams if desired, to enroll in vocational education, or for other purposes in accordance with legal provisions. The law also confirms that diplomas and certificates issued by educational institutions across all training formats within the national education system hold equal legal value. The Minister of Education and Training is tasked with setting detailed regulations on the management of diplomas and certificates, as well as the recognition of other certificates for use within the national education framework. Before the law was passed, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son explained that the government had agreed to discontinue lower secondary diplomas and replace the term with completion of the lower secondary program or equivalent throughout the draft law. Furthermore, the new law allows for diplomas and certificates to be issued in either paper or digital formats, in line with the governments broader agenda to promote digital transformation in education. The terminology has also been updated: specialized training program diploma is now used instead of equivalent diploma to better reflect the nature of degrees such as medical doctor, pharmacist, engineer, and architect - ensuring consistency with the draft amendments to the Law on Higher Education and aligning with international norms. The revised law also clearly designates the Minister of Education and Training as the authority overseeing the management of diplomas and certificates within the national system, ensuring flexibility, responsiveness to real-world demands, and systemic coherence, transparency, and transferability. For postgraduate professional training in healthcare - such as residency programs and specialist physician training - the Ministry of Health will manage implementation and oversight, in accordance with the revised Law on Higher Education. Regarding textbooks in general education, the new law states: The Government shall regulate free textbook provision for students. The Minister of Education and Training will designate a unified set of general education textbooks for nationwide use. The National Textbook Appraisal Council - established and guided by the Minister - will be formed separately for each subject or educational activity to assess textbooks. Council members will be responsible for the content and quality of their assessments. Textbooks approved by the National Council and rated as satisfactory will then be officially endorsed by the Minister of Education and Training for use in schools. The Minister is also responsible for setting standards and procedures for compiling and revising general education textbooks. Tran Thuong Old apartment buildings in central HCMC carry unique characteristics, reflecting the architecture and lifestyle of residents over many decades. Units in these buildings are often small, with basic living spaces suited for small families. The quality of these apartments has declined over time, with many places showing outdated electrical and water systems in need of renovation. Although they have such limitations and lack internal amenities, their prime locations and convenient commuting options keep them attractive to many buyers. At No8991 Nguyen Du street, Saigon ward, stands an apartment building constructed before 1975. It is only five floors tall with more than 100 units. According to a 2022 assessment, the building was rated grade B, meaning it did not meet normal usage requirements. Nguyen Van Hau, a local broker, said residents in old apartment buildings tend to live stably, so listings are extremely scarce. As a result, buyers do not have much data for price comparison. But due to its central location, the selling price of units at 8991 Nguyen Du has exceeded VND100 million per sqm in recent years. For example, a 26 sqm one-bedroom unit at 8991 Nguyen Du is currently listed at VND2.8 billion. Another unit of the same size but fully furnished is being offered at VND3.4 billion. According to Hau, rental prices here are also quite strong, up 20 percent compared to the end of last year. A one-bedroom unit can be rented for VND1215 million per month. In addition to traditional long-term leasing, some buyers still look for units in old apartment buildings to run short-term rentals or convert them into mini offices for lease, Hau said. The apartment building at No26 Ly Tu Trong street, Saigon ward, was also built before 1975 and shows signs of degradation. Most units here have been renovated and are now leased as business premises. Not only located in a prime area in central HCMC, this building also sits directly opposite the Vincom Dong Khoi shopping mall, so selling prices are not inferior to those of new apartment buildings. According to broker Truong Dieu Anh, the owner of a 53 sqm unit at 26 Ly Tu Trong has asked her to sell it for VND8.4 billion, equivalent to nearly VND160 million per sqm. The unit has been renovated and is fully furnished. Rental prices here are also high. Dieu Anh said a 68 sqm unit is currently rented for VND38 million per month. Located on Nguyen Hue walking street, the No42 Nguyen Hue apartment building was originally a residential block but has now become a complex of cafes and fashion stores. Selling prices of units at the building constructed before 1975 are VND300450 million per sqm. Anh Phuong On the morning of December 10, a representative of the Ha Tinh Border Guard Command confirmed that the fishing boat, registered as NA-98687-TS, sank on December 9 in the waters off Ha Tinh, putting all eight crew members at risk. By 4:30 p.m. on the same day, seven fishermen had been rescued, while one remained missing. This morning, eight fishing boats and one coast guard vessel were continuing the search for the remaining fisherman, the representative said. Previously, the fishing boat NA-98687-TS, with a capacity of around 1,000 horsepower, had departed with eight crew members. The vessel was captained by Ho Sy Hung, 34, a resident of Tan Mai Ward in Nghe An province. It was en route from Hoang Mai waters to Ha Tinh to fish when disaster struck. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on December 9, the boat reached waters around 50 nautical miles northeast of Vung Ang Port when it was hit by powerful waves and sank. As the vessel went down, the crew sent out a distress signal to the Border Guard and jumped into the sea. The fishermen clung to foam containers and life jackets while drifting at sea. By 4:30 p.m. that afternoon, seven of them were discovered and rescued by another fishing vessel, NA-93986, captained by Nguyen Thai Son. The rescued crew members were safely brought aboard. One person, however, is still unaccounted for. Thien Luong Chair of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai The National Assembly Standing Committee on December 4 discussed draft laws related to education and training. One notable point in the draft Law on Vocational Education is that qualified higher education institutions are allowed to register to provide training at the junior college level in certain majors, subject to government regulations. Explaining this, Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son said that under the junior college and university planning, pedagogical universities will admit pedagogical junior colleges. The universities will offer training of preschool teachers at junior college-level. "Regarding the possibility for universities to train at the junior college level in certain specialized, in-depth fields, and special majors according to the country's human resource needs, we need to introduce a principle into the law that universities are permitted to organize junior college-level training," the Minister stated. However, the Minister also clarified that separate regulations are necessary to govern how the training is conducted and what the requirements are, to prevent universities from "massively enrolling junior college-level students," which would neutralize and reduce the enrollment capacity of junior colleges. There is no need to regulate too much detail in the law. Therefore, he proposed that the law should establish the principle that it "can be opened," while the specifics of who is permitted and how it is opened should be assigned to the Government in regulations. Should the regional university model be abolished? The draft Law on Higher Education introduces the concept of higher education institutions including universities, multi-disciplinary universities, national universities, and regional universities. During the discussion session of the National Assembly and the NA Standing Committee, the regional university model received significant attention from delegates on whether it should be kept or abolished. NA Deputy Le Thi Thanh Lam, who supports abolishing the regional university model, said the model "becomes an intermediate level between MOET and the member universities, acting as both the governing body and an operational unit, which disperses the accountability mechanism and limits the autonomy of the member universities. Permanent Vice Chair of the National Assembly Do Van Chien said the policy of establishing and organizing the regional university model is correct, but there are still shortcomings in the implementation process. Currently we are implementing strong decentralization and devolution, but regional universities are not meeting the requirements, he said, suggesting an objective evaluation of the regional university model. Having served as Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Thai Nguyen, Chair of the Committee on Science, Technology and Environment Nguyen Thanh Hai noted that with a broad training scale, Thai Nguyen University has produced many officials, leaders, and a large human resource pool. Thanks to the regional university we were able to attract Samsung to operate here because they were interested in the workforce, Hai said, citing Thai Nguyen Universitys role in training human resources for the midland and northern mountainous regions. She urged the Government to carefully evaluate whether to keep or abolish regional universities, arguing the issue deserves thorough analysis because many National Assembly delegates are concerned. If the model is not reasonable or fails to be effective, is it because we did not invest enough or did not ensure conditions to fully realize its potential? Hai asked. Minister Nguyen Kim Son said the report of opinions and responses has mentioned regional universities 18 times. This is a major issue of interest to many delegates, mainly concerning Thai Nguyen University. According to the minister, there are currently three regional universities, in Thai Nguyen, Hue, and Da Nang. He noted that many reports from the Ministry of Education and Training over the years have also evaluated the development and contributions of regional universities. Despite limitations and shortcomings, their positive contributions remain significant. Under Politburo Resolution 71, a careful evaluation of intermediate-level structures is required. This is a major issue that needs review; it is not only about Thai Nguyen University or the regional model in general, the minister said, and called for detailed, cautious surveys and evaluations to determine appropriate measures. Decisions on establishing or dissolving regional universities fall under the Governments authority, with a trend toward delegation to the relevant ministry. Minister Nguyen Kim Son said that during the survey process any identified shortcomings can still be adjusted. Tran Thuong Hanoi (VNA) The Security Agency for Investigation under the Ministry of Public Security have issued conclusions on the probes into the cases of making, storing, distributing, or spreading information, documents, or items aimed at sabotaging the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam that involve Nguyen Van Dai and Le Trung Khoa. The ministry said on December 9 that the Security Agency for Investigation issued the investigation conclusion and gave a prosecution proposal regarding the case of Nguyen Van Dai on December 8. It transferred the dossier to the Supreme Peoples Procuracy and proposed Nguyen Van Dai (born on May 6, 1969 in Hung Yen province and residing in Bach Mai ward of Hanoi before exiting Vietnam) be prosecuted for making, storing, distributing, or spreading information, documents, or items aimed at sabotaging the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under Article 117 of the Penal Code. On December 7, the agency released the investigation conclusion for the case of Le Trung Khoa. The dossier was also submitted to the Supreme Peoples Procuracy to seek the prosecution of Le Trung Khoa (born on September 23, 1971 in Thanh Hoa province and residing in Dong Da ward of Hanoi before exiting Vietnam), Do Van Nga (born on August 15, 1977 in Gia Lai province and residing in Tuy Phuoc Dong commune of Gia Lai), Huynh Bao Duc (born on May 19, 1984 in Ho Chi Minh City and residing in Cau Ong Lanh ward of HCM City), and Pham Quang Thien (born on November 21, 1978 in Hung Yen province and residing in O Cho Dua ward of Hanoi) for the same charge. The agency recommended citizens stay alert and not support the suspects to commit wrongdoings or hide. Any act of assistance, encouragement, or cover-up, depending on its nature and extent, will be handled according to the law./. VNA According to the Drug Crime Investigation Department (C04) under the Ministry of Public Security, a 10ml vial seized from a drug raid has been confirmed as fentanyl - one of the worlds most potent and deadly narcotics. The 10ml vial seized during the raid was confirmed to contain fentanyl - one of the most dangerous narcotics in the world. Photo: C04 On December 10, a C04 representative reported that the sample sent to the Forensic Science Institute tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is lethal even in minute doses. Previously, on the night of November 23 and into the early hours of November 24, C04 cooperated with other law enforcement units to dismantle a large-scale drug trafficking ring operating out of a residence on Bach Dang Street in Hong Ha Ward, Hanoi. At the time, suspects barricaded themselves inside and opened fire on officers in an attempt to destroy evidence and delay their arrest. Police teams quickly breached three layers of doors, used smoke grenades to disorient the suspects, and stormed the building, successfully subduing and arresting them. During the operation, two suspects climbed onto neighboring rooftops in a desperate attempt to escape but were quickly tracked and captured using aerial flycam surveillance. At the scene, police seized three military-grade firearms, one grenade, numerous packets of liquid narcotics known as fun water, nitrous oxide canisters, and a variety of drugs - including six vials suspected to contain highly toxic substances. A search of another suspects residence revealed approximately 48,000 synthetic drug tablets and one kilogram of crystal meth. During interrogation, the ringleader, Nguyen Van Tuan (born 1994, residing in Hanoi), confessed that he had purchased ten vials of fentanyl for over USD 280 (approximately 7 million VND) to intensify the drugs euphoric effects. At the time of the police raid, Tuan had already consumed four vials, with six remaining. C04 is continuing its investigation and has pledged to prosecute all individuals involved to the fullest extent of the law. Authorities issue fentanyl warning amid rise in synthetic opioids Various synthetic drugs were found disguised in flashy packaging. Photo: C04 Nguyen Ngo Quang, director general of the Department of Science, Technology, and Training under the Ministry of Health, who spoke at the symposium Advances in disease detection, diagnosis and treatment on December 3, described the deep transformations facing the global healthcare landscape. The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, especially cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, continues to rise in many regions, while reemerging and newly emerging infectious diseases trigger unpredictable outbreaks. Climate change has accelerated the spread of diseases, adding strain to healthcare systems already under pressure after the pandemic. According to Quang, antimicrobial resistance is reaching a global alarm threshold, threatening to reverse decades of progress in medicine. As the population ages rapidly and the disease pattern changes, countries are compelled to seek advanced, effective, and sustainable solutions to enhance healthcare capacity. The development of digital technology, AI, gene technology, and biomaterials are leading medicine to shift from a traditional treatment model to a Precision Medicine model, based on data, genetic characteristics, and the pathological features of each individual. New medical therapies At the event, world-leading scientists presented several groundbreaking studies that are contributing to changing how humanity detects and treats diseases. Phage therapies against antimicrobial resistance, pioneering studies on cellular microbiology, 3D-printing applications in surgery, and advances in auditory science are all opening up new therapeutic pathways that are less invasive and deliver superior clinical outcomes. Professor Pascale Cossart, a pioneer in cellular microbiology, shared her research on how bacteria invade the human body and hide within host cells. Her work has not only created an entirely new approach to infectious diseases but also paved the way for targeted therapies, transforming future infectious disease prevention and treatment strategies. Professor Ana Belen Elgoyhen spoke about foundational discoveries in auditory physiology. Her research explains why many individuals are vulnerable to noise-induced hearing damage; it opens new avenues for treating tinnitus and hearing loss, conditions that are increasingly common. Professor Chuanbin Mao introduced a highly promising research field: bacteriophage-based biomaterials, which can be used in biosensors, nanomedicine, and tissue regeneration, offering potential breakthroughs in treating cancer, complex infections, and difficult-to-repair tissue damage. In the surgical field, Vietnam has made a strong mark thanks to the work of Professor Tran Trung Dung (Vinmec health system). With over 20 years of experience, he has pioneered the application of 3D printing technology in treating orthopedic trauma and bone cancer. This technology allows for the highly accurate reconstruction of complex bone structures, helping patients achieve better functional recovery and improve quality of life. The surgeries to replace pelvic and femur bones using 3D printed materials performed by Dun are considered a significant step forward, bringing Vietnam closer to international standards in this field. The convergence of many groundbreaking studies from world-leading scientists reaffirmed the seminar's direction: technology is the key to the future of medicine, especially across the three pillars of detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Vietnam prioritizes technology usage in healthcare In his remarks, Nguyen Ngo Quang emphasized that Vietnams Ministry of Health identifies science and technology as the most important pillars for improving healthcare quality and strengthening the national health system. This strategic priority is reflected in policy, from medical databases, electronic health records and information-sharing platforms to research on biotechnology and artificial intelligence applications. According to Quang, over the past five years, the VinFuture Prize has helped foster an open scientific environment and nurture a spirit of innovation in Vietnam. Award-winning scientists have not only produced globally impactful work but also contributed to guiding medical technologies in Vietnam, strengthening the countrys position in the international research community. He expressed hope that this years seminar will mark the beginning of deeper collaborations between Vietnam and leading global research institutes, universities, and hospitals. Such partnerships, he noted, will open doors to advanced technologies, joint research initiatives, and, most importantly, the practical application of scientific breakthroughs to benefit Vietnamese patients. I hope Vietnamese scientists and physicians will make the most of this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and co-create effective, sustainable and accessible healthcare solutions for the people, he said. Du Lam Decision No. 2618/QD-BKHCN, issued on September 11, 2025, outlines a prioritized list of shared digital platforms to support sector-specific digital transformation. The initiative marks a fundamental shift from fragmented IT projects to an integrated national digital infrastructure model. The new platforms are designed not only to address data silos but also to establish standardized structures, ensuring synchronous development across key sectors such as industry, agriculture, energy, logistics, and science and technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed a detailed roadmap for implementing these 55 platforms across ministries, sectors, and provinces, including usage at the local level where applicable. This approach aims to eliminate redundant investments and streamline digital efforts nationwide. Thirteen platforms fall under the Ministry of Public Security, including the national e-identification and authentication platform, the national data portal, cloud computing infrastructure, national blockchain and high-performance computing centers, and cybersecurity platforms. The Ministry of Finance oversees ten platforms, such as the national digital finance database, electronic tax and customs platforms, open budget transparency systems, and a national e-auction management system. From fragmented systems to unified digital infrastructure The platforms aim to standardize data and foster cross-sector integration. Photo: TK For years, digital transformation in Vietnam has been fragmented. Government agencies and businesses often built isolated applications and databases without interoperability in mind. This siloed approach created three major barriers to progress. First, it increased operational and investment costs as hundreds of entities developed similar systems in parallel. Second, fragmented data made it difficult to analyze, forecast, or make evidence-based decisions. Third, the lack of common technical standards prevented Vietnamese tech firms from developing scalable solutions, stifling innovation. Decision 2618 addresses these challenges through three core principles: One investment, multiple uses Platforms must serve multiple sectors and levels of government. Standardized data design From inception, platforms must enable integration and reuse across systems. Open ecosystems Platforms should be developed openly, allowing tech firms to build higher-value services atop them. This marks a shift from project-based thinking to ecosystem-based strategy, from standalone initiatives to long-term, unified digital infrastructure. Vietnam's new direction aligns with global leaders like Estonia, South Korea, and Singapore, where unified data systems are foundational to robust digital economies. Shared platforms function like electricity grids or transport networks - the more users they serve, the greater the economic efficiency. Core platform groups outlined in Decision 2618 1. Sectoral data platforms These form the foundational layer of digital infrastructure. Platforms for industry, agriculture, energy, logistics, and science and technology are designed using an interoperable architecture, ensuring real-time data flows and standardized storage. For regulators, this enables live monitoring of supply-demand trends. For businesses, it unlocks smart production planning, digital product creation, and AI-powered market forecasting - essential to forming a robust national data marketplace and ensuring a sustainable digital economy. 2. Smart manufacturing and supply chain platforms These platforms directly impact productivity, especially in manufacturing. IoT-based production monitoring allows real-time tracking of machinery and operational metrics. Digital supply chain systems connect suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in a single ecosystem, reducing delays and waste. Multi-sector traceability platforms also play a critical role in meeting international transparency requirements, especially for agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. 3. Standards and quality management platforms Though less visible, these platforms are vital for product quality and compliance. Standardization and digital testing systems help businesses shorten product certification times, cut costs, and enhance traceability. Digitalizing these processes strengthens global competitiveness - particularly critical as Vietnam integrates deeper into global value chains. 4. Innovation and IP platforms These include platforms for open innovation, intellectual property management, and technology trend analysis, enabling seamless collaboration among research institutes, startups, and enterprises. Centralized and transparent IP management facilitates commercialization of research outcomes - key to shifting Vietnam from a low-cost labor model to one driven by knowledge and technology. Nationwide impact: Cost savings, productivity, and policy intelligence The shared platform strategy promises benefits far beyond individual sectors. First, it reduces digital infrastructure costs. A unified system allows agencies to share core technologies and monitoring tools, avoiding the waste of fragmented, duplicate projects. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) gain affordable access to advanced tools without building their own infrastructure - narrowing the digital divide. Second, data standardization enables the emergence of sectoral data markets. Tech companies can build innovative services atop open datasets, creating a vibrant application ecosystem. This improves transparency, lowers business risks, and enhances responsive policymaking. Third, labor productivity will see significant gains. Smart production and supply chain platforms cut waste, optimize machinery, and reduce order processing errors. These efficiencies compound over time, potentially transforming sectors like textiles, footwear, electronics, and engineering. Finally, real-time data access improves state governance. Data-driven policymaking minimizes subjectivity, improves responsiveness, and elevates decision quality across all levels of government. Making shared digital platforms a true growth engine To maximize the value of shared platforms, four critical enablers must be addressed: Legal frameworks and data standards Vietnam must issue unified data standards for each sector - covering everything from product identification to supply chain and land-use data. Clear legal guidance on data sharing and protection is essential to safeguard privacy and cybersecurity. Unified technical architecture Platforms must comply with national digital government architecture, using open APIs, consistent data formats, and robust security standards. Without technical alignment, platforms risk reverting to isolated silos. Sustainable operating models The government should define standards and ensure system safety, while tech firms develop and manage services. This model reduces budget burdens and encourages private-sector innovation, creating healthy market dynamics for long-term development. Capacity building for effective use Platforms are only valuable when users can apply them. Government bodies and businesses need training in data analytics, digital supply chain management, and smart production operations. Improved digital skills are essential to unlocking economic value. Decision 2618 is more than a technical list of platforms - it is a strategic roadmap to building Vietnams soft infrastructure for digital economic transformation. When sectoral data platforms, smart production tools, quality governance systems, and innovation ecosystems are fully implemented, Vietnam will be positioned to boost productivity, reduce costs, and build a vibrant national data economy. Thai Khang Elevated daytime restaurant opens second Texas location Dec. 15 DENVER, Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Urban Egg, an elevated daytime restaurant, will open its doors in Plano, Texas, on Dec. 15 at 7 a.m., bringing its award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch to the North Texas community. The Plano restaurant, located in the Preston Towne Crossing district, will feature Urban Egg's signature all-scratch menu of innovative breakfast classics, including Billion $$$ Bourbon Bacon, Chicken & Waffle Benedict, house-made cinnamon rolls, gourmet pancakes with gluten-free options and creative egg dishes. The restaurant also partners with local suppliers to source fresh ingredients whenever possible, a cornerstone of the Urban Egg philosophy. The new restaurant marks the brand's 12th location and second in Texas, expanding the Colorado-based concept into one of the region's fastest-growing communities. "Plano is the perfect home for our second location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area," said Mark Augarten, Urban Egg CEO. "We're building something bigger than breakfast or lunch; we are creating gathering places where fresh, locally sourced food meets genuine hospitality. The Plano community values quality and connection, and we're here to deliver both. We can't wait to welcome our new guests into our restaurant and be an impactful member of the Plano community." As part of the brand's commitment to community, Urban Egg will donate proceeds from its mock run, an event where the community invites guests to experience Urban Egg before it officially opens to the public, to Minnie's Food Pantry, a Plano-based food pantry that is one of the largest in North Texas. This will help support the nonprofit's mission to provide healthy meals and resources to families, seniors and veterans through drive-thru services, school partnerships and mobile outreach. "When my family and I started this brand, it was about more than just serving breakfast," said Randy Price, founder of Urban Egg. "It was about creating a place where people slow down, connect over a great meal, whether dining with someone or alone, and leave feeling like they're part of something special. That's what we're bringing to Plano: scratch-made food, local ingredients and a table where everyone is welcome." From Dec. 15-17, the first 20 dine-in seated tables each day will receive a free Urban Egg travel mug and free coffee for a year.* Located at 2408 Preston Rd., Suite 704C, the 3,137-square-foot restaurant will also include a "wishing wall," where guests can write wishes, hopes or mantras on provided stationery. For more information about Urban Egg's new Plano location and to view the full menu, visit https://www.urbanegg.com/location/plano-preston-towne-crossing/. *One giveaway per table. Valid for house or decaf coffee (up to $4) when mug is presented, dine-in only at Preston Towne Crossing location. Not valid for takeout or online orders. Offer ends Dec. 31, 2026. No cash value. Non-transferable. About Urban Egg Urban Egg is an award-winning elevated daytime restaurant where locally sourced ingredients meet bold culinary creativity. Known for its vibrant, intentionally designed spaces and scratch-made menu, Urban Egg transforms breakfast, brunch and lunch into memorable experiences with its signature dishes like Billion $$$ Bourbon Bacon and Chicken & Waffle Benedict. With 12 locations across three states and growing, Urban Egg remains rooted in genuine hospitality and community connection. For more information, visit UrbanEgg.com or follow @UrbanEgg on social media. Media Contact Juliana Mitchell [email protected] 817-329-3257 SOURCE Urban Egg A Galaxy S26 Ultra concept image. Photo: SamTech Despite its strong launch, the S25 Ultra quickly lost momentum, while Apples iPhone 16 Pro Max continues to dominate the global market. A fading flagship amid rising competition The S25 Ultra, once a best-seller during Q1 and Q2, failed to maintain its presence into Q3. Instead, Samsung's top spots were taken over by the mid-range Galaxy A56 and other A-series models, reflecting a clear shift in consumer preference. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro Max held steady in third place globally, and the recently launched iPhone 17 Pro Max has begun outselling its predecessor. Even Apples more affordable iPhone 16e, released around the same time as the S25 Ultra, has maintained a solid position across two quarters. Samsung, once a fierce rival to Apple in the premium space, now finds its high-end devices struggling for relevance. Samsungs strengths shift to mid-range According to data from Counterpoint, all five of Samsungs best-selling models in Q3 were from the Galaxy A series. These devices have benefitted from inherited AI features, faster charging, and extended software support, offering better perceived value. This contrasts sharply with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which, despite meaningful upgrades - such as a unique privacy display, enhanced night photography, the promising Exynos 2600 chip, improved ergonomics, and better battery - couldnt maintain traction. Photos from Counterpoint show the top smartphones in Q1 and Q2 2025, with the S25 Ultra featured early on, only to be overtaken later by more affordable offerings and Apples consistent performers. A steep climb ahead for Galaxy S26 Ultra Looking ahead, the S26 Ultra will have to do more than minor upgrades to regain lost ground. While it is expected to include refinements such as faster charging, a slightly updated design, and a next-gen chip, these changes alone may not justify a higher price tag - especially as a price increase is anticipated. Samsung may be holding back some surprises - perhaps in AI optimization or a standout new feature - hoping to deliver a compelling reason for users to upgrade from the S25 Ultra. However, the true challenge lies not in the phones technical capabilities, but in its market appeal. iPhone 17 Pro Max is on track to outsell its predecessor, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra risks repeating the S25s fate: fading from the charts before making a meaningful impact. Samsung's identity crisis in the premium segment A concept video of the Galaxy S26 Ultra from SamTech illustrates what could be, but industry insiders like PhoneArena and The Verge note a broader concern: if Samsung accepts its reputation as a maker of excellent mid-range phones but lackluster flagships, it may never truly compete with Apple at the high end. Samsung still leads the foldable market, but that edge could disappear the moment Apple releases its first foldable iPhone. A similar shift occurred when the iPhone 12 - Apples first 5G model - swiftly dethroned Samsungs leadership in 5G smartphone sales. In conclusion, unless Samsung repositions its Ultra series with stronger value, bolder features, or disruptive pricing, the S26 Ultra could find itself battling obscurity in a market increasingly dominated by Apples finely tuned flagship lineup. Hai Phong Women who give birth to a second child will receive seven months of maternity leave. Financial incentives will be provided for women with two children before the age of 35, and families with two or more biological children will receive priority when applying for social housing. Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan presents the governments explanation and revisions. Photo: National Assembly On the morning of December 10, with 448 out of 450 delegates in favor, Vietnams National Assembly voted to pass the Population Law. The law includes eight chapters and 30 articles and will come into effect on July 1, 2026. The law covers population communication, education, and advocacy; maintaining replacement fertility; reducing gender imbalance at birth; adapting to an aging population; improving population quality; and defining the conditions necessary for implementing population work. To maintain replacement-level fertility, the law introduces several policies. When a woman gives birth to a second child, she will be entitled to seven months of maternity leave, while the father will receive 10 working days off. The law also provides financial support for childbirth in certain groups: ethnic minority women from underrepresented communities, women in provinces and cities with below-replacement fertility rates, and women who give birth to two children before turning 35. Notably, the law stipulates that individuals with two or more biological children will be given priority in purchasing, leasing, or lease-purchasing social housing, according to relevant housing legislation. Additional support measures may be determined by the government. Based on the countrys socio-economic conditions at any given time, the government will define benefit levels and the procedures for accessing these policies. Banning gender disclosure to prevent sex-selective abortion Before the law was passed, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan clarified that the legislation provides a strategic framework for long-term, comprehensive policies in areas such as employment, salaries, social insurance, healthcare, education, and housing - aimed at promoting sustainable fertility rates. Support measures for longer maternity leave, financial aid for childbirth, and social housing access are structured by target groups and localities. To address gender imbalance at birth, the law encourages communities to include anti-gender discrimination and anti-sex selection practices in their customary codes and regulations. The law explicitly prohibits healthcare professionals from revealing the sex of fetuses if doing so could lead to sex-selective abortion. Violations will result in suspension from medical practice, as defined by existing laws on medical examination and treatment. Proactive aging and lifelong preparation To address Vietnams rapidly aging population, the law promotes a proactive approach to aging. It outlines the roles of both the state and individuals in preparing for old age - starting from youth. This includes planning for health, finances, and psychological well-being; participating in social and health insurance; pursuing lifelong learning to maintain physical and mental capacity; and engaging in support services for the elderly. The law commits the state to supporting priority groups in preparing for aging. It also encourages institutions, businesses, and individuals to help others prepare for old age in ways tailored to specific needs. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to enroll in private health insurance, in line with current insurance legislation. Tran Thuong The error was immediately noticed by both TV viewers and attendees at the stadium, raising alarm due to the sensitivity surrounding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders of the Vietnamese delegation took swift action at the event, reaching out to the Vietnamese Embassy in Bangkok for support. An official response is expected to be released on December 10. This map controversy follows a series of surprising and troubling organizational errors by the SEA Games 33 host committee. At the same ceremony, the organizers mistakenly displayed Singapore's national flag for the 1997 SEA Games, which were actually held in Indonesia. Earlier, the same organizers had published the women's futsal schedule with incorrect national flags, mistakenly switching Vietnams flag with Thailands, and Laos with Indonesias. These repeated mistakes have cast a shadow over the host nation's preparations and stirred concern among participating countries. Dai Nam Thien Long, Vietnams leading stationery brand with over four decades of history and a presence in around 70 countries, is on the brink of a major strategic shift. Japanese conglomerate Kokuyo is preparing to acquire a majority stake, marking a pivotal milestone in Thien Longs journey from a small workshop to a national icon. TLG soon to be under Japanese ownership Thien Long Group JSC (ticker: TLG) has announced that its largest shareholder, Thien Long An Thinh Investment JSC (TLAT), which currently holds 46.82% of TLGs equity, is negotiating to sell its entire stake to Japan's Kokuyo Corporation. In addition, Kokuyo plans to launch a public tender offer for nearly 16 million TLG shares - equivalent to 18.19% - to bring its total ownership to over 65%, thereby turning TLG into a subsidiary. The Japanese firm is expected to spend approximately VND 4,700 billion (around USD 192 million) on this deal, valuing TLG at over VND 7,200 billion (approximately USD 294 million), or over VND 82,000 (USD 3.35) per share. Thien Long, a familiar brand among Vietnamese consumers. Photo: TLG As of the close of trading on December 9, TLG shares were priced at VND 64,800 (USD 2.65) per share, giving the company a market cap of about VND 5,690 billion (USD 232 million). Kokuyo is projected to complete its purchase of TLATs shares by August 2026, followed by the public tender process between October and November 2026. Kokuyo, with more than 100 years in the stationery and office solutions industry, is well-established in Vietnam through its Campus brand and previous partnerships with Thien Long. Following the acquisition, the Japanese firm plans to expand further in the ASEAN region, leveraging TLGs distribution network to turn the region into its fourth major market after Japan, China, and India. Thien Longs remarkable growth story Kokuyos ambition to take control of TLG is rooted in Thien Longs robust development over the past decade. Founded in 1981 by Co Gia Tho as a modest pen-making workshop, Thien Long has evolved into a leading manufacturer of pens and office supplies. It became a limited liability company in 1996, transitioned into a joint stock company in 2005 with a charter capital of VND 100 billion (USD 4 million), and was officially listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange in 2010. The brand is best known for its ballpoint pens under the Thien Long name and also owns FlexOffice (general stationery), Bizner (premium pens), and Colokit (art supplies). TLG operates a fully integrated supply chain from production to sales, with two highly automated factories in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai. Combined, these facilities produce around 800 million units annually. Thien Long currently holds about 60% of Vietnams pen market. Its distribution system spans roughly 3,800 retail points, including supermarkets, bookstores, and convenience stores nationwide. The company also partners closely with corporate clients including banks, factories, and hospitals, and has made significant inroads into e-commerce via its own platform and major online marketplaces. Thien Longs growth has been rapid. Since 2011, its revenue has consistently surpassed VND 1,000 billion (USD 40 million). From 2022 to 2024, annual revenues ranged between VND 3,5003,770 billion (USD 143154 million). In the first nine months of 2025, TLG recorded VND 3,240 billion (USD 132 million) in revenue, up from VND 2,921 billion (USD 119 million) in the same period last year. Profits have also shown strong performance, crossing VND 100 billion (USD 4 million) in 2012 and reaching VND 460 billion (USD 18.4 million) in 2024. However, the first three quarters of 2025 saw a dip, with after-tax profit at nearly VND 376 billion (USD 15 million), down from VND 421 billion (USD 16.8 million) year-on-year. In May 2025, Thien Long acquired Phuong Nam Bookstore (PNC), Vietnams second-largest book retailer. This acquisition further strengthened its retail reach in the office supply segment. Despite its dominance in the domestic market and broad international presence, Thien Long is now facing intensifying competition from both local players and low-cost imports from China. The recent profit decline suggests that pressure is mounting. The potential partnership with Kokuyo could offer Thien Long a new global springboard - particularly in research and design - as it seeks to scale up and compete on an international level. Manh Ha Vu Duc Giang, Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), attributed the 2-billion-USD gap to persistent global headwinds in 2025, including new US tariffs triggered by escalating US-China trade friction, subdued demand in the US and EU, and late-year typhoons that halted factories and snarled domestic logistics. Geopolitical fragmentation, the looming EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and stricter rules-of-origin requirements further disrupted supply chains, prompting brands to place smaller, fragmented orders while shifting some volume to lower-cost rivals. Cao Huu Hieu, CEO of State-owned giant Vinatex, warned that Vietnams near-total reliance on imported cotton (100%) and fibres (90-95%), plus dyes and chemicals, leaves the sector exposed if the US tightens tariffs on products with a high rate of origin from a third-country. Producers remain clustered in low-margin production stages with limited in-house design, branding or distribution capability, eroding the labour cost edge that once fueled growth. By 2030, the industry aims for 64.5 billion USD in exports, with an annual growth of 6.57%, a domestic market worth 89 billion USD, a localisation rate exceeding 60%, and the rise of well-known Vietnamese fashion brands following a green and digital roadmap. To meet these goals, Giang urged companies to diversify markets, products and customers, plug raw material gaps with new investment, and build a skilled workforce alongside technological upgrades. Several factories are finalising the last steps for 2026 launches of high-value, technical apparel for healthcare, industrial and aviation uses, which, he described as pivotal profit drivers. Industry leaders argued that the sector must simultaneously enhance domestic production, including boosting localisation, greening operations and upgrading technologies, while expanding strategic investments abroad to secure cost advantages, tariff incentives, efficient logistics and cross-border management capabilities. For 2026-2030, the industry will move on two parallel tracks: raising its competitiveness at home and enlarging its global footprint. Growth will no longer rely on low costs but on quality, sustainability and risk management. Winners will be companies that master technologies, secure green credentials, and balance local and offshore footprints. With a shift toward sustainability and circular economy practices, it is transitioning to FOB (free on board) and ODM (original design manufacturing), taking control of design, materials, logistics and inventory management in destination markets, a decisive step toward full production ownership./. Starting in 2026, all post-graduate clinical training programs in the health sector - such as residency and specialist doctor degrees - will fall under the management of the Ministry of Health, according to the newly amended Law on Higher Education passed by the National Assembly on December 10. The amended law outlines specific academic pathways that result in formal degrees: bachelor's degrees, masters degrees (including integrated bachelormaster programs), and doctoral degrees (including integrated masterdoctoral programs). These degrees are granted based on the level completed. However, for advanced clinical medical programs - specifically medical residency and specialist doctor training - the Ministry of Health will be responsible for issuing guidance, organizing programs, and overseeing administration. Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son presents the government's clarifications. Photo: National Assembly Clinical programs distinct from academic degrees Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son emphasized that specialist and residency doctors are highly capable professionals who make significant contributions to public health. They deserve recognition and adequate benefits. However, equating residency or specialist degrees with academic qualifications like masters or PhD degrees lacks both scientific foundation and international precedent. Globally, educational systems clearly differentiate academic qualifications from practice-based clinical training. Masters and doctoral degrees fall within the academic training system, each with its own curriculum, outcome standards, and regulations. In contrast, residency and specialist levels (Specialist I and II) are regarded as intensive professional practice programs specific to the medical field, but not part of the academic degree hierarchy. The medical sector in Vietnam will continue to offer master's and doctoral degrees and to appoint academic titles such as associate professor and professor in line with current regulations. As such, the government has agreed that: Post-graduate clinical programs in the health sector that award degrees such as medical residency or medical specialist shall be guided, organized, and managed by the Ministry of Health. This provision aims to strengthen the Health Ministrys responsibility for managing advanced post-graduate clinical training. Doctors at Hanoi Medical University select their residency specialties, September. Photo: HMU Clarifying the structure of higher education institutions Regarding institutional definitions, the amended law reaffirms that a higher education institution is part of the national education system, has legal status, and operates in accordance with this law and other relevant legal provisions. These institutions include universities, academies offering multi-disciplinary education at all levels of higher education, multi-disciplinary universities, and national or regional universities that span multiple fields. In doing so, the National Assembly has decided to retain the model of regional universities, contrary to earlier proposals by some lawmakers to eliminate them. The law defines the mission of regional universities as developing high-level human resources, cultivating talent, advancing scientific research, technological development, and innovation, and transferring knowledge to serve society, the nation, and humanity. Regional universities are also tasked with coordinating regional resources, supporting socio-economic development across provinces, and contributing to national strategic development. The government emphasized the continued strategic importance of regional universities and their role in developing scientific and innovation ecosystems. It aims to enhance their internal governance and clarify their strategic coordination roles, academic and financial autonomy for member universities, and define mechanisms for decentralization, accountability, personnel standards, and operational frameworks. Tuition transparency and support for disadvantaged students The amended law allows higher education institutions to set tuition fees based on the principle of cost recovery, with reasonable surplus to improve education quality. Public institutions, however, must comply with government-set fee frameworks. Universities are required to publicly disclose full training costs, tuition rates, enrollment fees, and other service charges - by education level, academic year, and full program. They must also allocate part of their revenue to provide tuition waivers, reductions, and support for students from disadvantaged or policy-priority backgrounds, in accordance with state policies and each institutions regulations. Enrollment and service charges must be calculated transparently and used for their stated purposes, based on actual costs. The government will issue detailed regulations on tuition and service fees to ensure consistent management across the higher education system. Tran Thuong During the National Dialogue between the Prime Minister and Vietnamese Farmers held on the morning of December 10, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered five key directives aimed at modernizing agriculture and empowering farmers. In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister praised the open and responsible nature of the dialogue. He noted the significant challenges in supporting farmers, particularly in the application of science and technology in agricultural production and product distribution. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the 2025 National Dialogue with Vietnamese Farmers. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac Emphasizing the importance of innovation, he declared that science, technology, and digital transformation are both strategic priorities and indispensable for Vietnam to achieve its goal of 100 billion USD in agricultural exports. However, he pointed out a persistent gap between research and practical application in farming. To accelerate digital transformation in agriculture and rural areas, he called for improved access to electricity and network coverage, especially in remote, border, island, and ethnic minority regions. He also stressed the need for mechanisms that support linkages between cooperatives and enterprises with green and digital transformation as well as scientific advancement. Improving income and risk management for farmers The Prime Minister acknowledged that most farmers still face low incomes and high risks from natural disasters, diseases, and market volatility. He called for breakthrough solutions to improve agricultural productivity, rural living standards, and the development of modern rural areas, including effective agricultural insurance systems. He urged ministries, sectors, and local governments to review and adopt more flexible policies regarding land, credit, science, technology, and digital transformation in agriculture. He also asked them to expand credit access and address obstacles to developing a robust agricultural insurance market. According to him, "Resources stem from vision and thinking, motivation comes from innovation and creativity, and strength lies in the people and businesses." He called on policy designers to value intelligence, save time, and be timely, decisive, flexible, and effective. "Three partnerships" and "five orders" for farmers The Prime Minister urges agencies to focus on eight priorities to transform agriculture. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac A team of information security students from the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) has won first prize at the international cybersecurity contest M*CTF-I hosted by Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics (MTUCI), Russia. The competition was a highlight of the Future Tech Winter School 2025, organized by MTUCI from December 7 to 14. MCTF-I is part of the annual MCTF series and gathers top cybersecurity teams from Russia and other countries. The winning team, ATTT.PTIT, included five students: Dao Xuan Manh, Nguyen Dinh Hai, Chu Duc Anh, Nguyen Van Long, and Mai Xuan Nhat - all currently studying in PTIT's Faculty of Information Security. Dr. Dinh Truong Duy, lecturer at PTITs Faculty of Information Security, with the winning student team "ATTT.PTIT". Speaking with VietNamNet, Dr. Dinh Truong Duy - team leader and faculty lecturer - said the competition featured nine teams representing leading universities from Russia, Vietnam, China, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. It was not only a technical competition but also an excellent opportunity for international academic exchange. Following our victory at the Vietnam Cybersecurity Student Contest 2025, the ATTT.PTIT team has once again delivered an outstanding performance by winning the M*CTF-I championship. The students showcased solid knowledge, sharp problem-solving skills, and exceptional teamwork in a global environment. This success is a testament to their persistent effort and also highlights the quality of education in PTITs Faculty of Information Security. It will undoubtedly serve as a major motivation for these students to grow further and tackle future challenges, said Dr. Dinh Truong Duy. PTIT students participate in a range of academic and hands-on experiences at Future Tech Winter School 2025. Entering the final event of the first competition day, the Vietnamese taekwondo team faced immense pressure. Earlier events had failed to bring home gold, and even sparked controversy due to questionable referee decisions. The five-member team - Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Tram Dang Khoa, Tran Ho Duy, Le Tran Kim Uyen, Nguyen Phan Khanh Han, and Nguyen Thi Y Binh - competed in the creative team category. With poise and confidence, the Vietnamese athletes delivered a high-level, tightly synchronized performance. Their display included an airborne scissor kick that drew gasps from the audience. This category demands precision, fluidity, and mastery of difficult movements - elements the Vietnamese team executed impeccably. Their performance prompted the entire arena to rise in applause. In the finals, Vietnam pushed the difficulty level to the maximum. Despite the complexity, the team executed without a single misstep. The Vietnamese athletes concluded their routine with a score of 8.060, edging out Thailand, who took silver with 7.940, and the Philippines, who claimed bronze with 7.580. This was Vietnam's first gold medal in taekwondo on December 10. Earlier in the day, the team had secured one silver and one bronze. The emotional celebration that followed spoke volumes about the athletes pride and resilience. The Vietnamese flag soared proudly inside the taekwondo venue. This gold was also the second medal of the day for Team Vietnam. Vietnamese taekwondo athletes erupt with joy after securing a gold medal on the opening day of SEA Games 33. The Vietnamese team entered the final event under intense pressure. Nguyen Xuan Thanh, Tram Dang Khoa, Tran Ho Duy, Le Tran Kim Uyen, Nguyen Phan Khanh Han, and Nguyen Thi Y Binh competed in the creative team event. Vietnamese athletes showed remarkable confidence in their performance. An eye-catching airborne scissor kick during the routine. This category demands advanced, high-difficulty techniques. The performance earned a standing ovation from the entire stadium. In the final, Vietnam performed at the highest level of difficulty. Despite the challenge, they executed without a single error. Vietnam finished with 8.060 points, ahead of Thailand and the Philippines. This was the first taekwondo gold medal for Vietnam on December 10. The athletes celebrated the victory with overwhelming emotion. The Vietnamese flag flew high at the taekwondo arena. This was also Team Vietnams second gold medal of the day. The moment of victory for the Vietnamese taekwondo team. Song Ngu (from Bangkok, Thailand) Ashburn Franchise Partners Recognized for Exceptional Membership Growth, Leadership, and Community Impact ASHBURN, Va., Dec. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Melanie and Aaron Skinner, owners of Burn Boot Camp Ashburn, have been recognized as 2025 recipients of the brand's prestigious Mark of Excellence award. This honor celebrates locations that maintain 600 or more active members throughout the qualifying period of June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025recognizing outstanding performance, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the Burn community. Mark of Excellence recognition ceremony Since acquiring the Ashburn location in December 2022, the Skinners have increased membership by an impressive 80%, propelling the gym into the top five Burn locations nationwide with more than 700 active members. Their hands-on leadership, operational excellence, and dedication to the member experience have positioned Burn Boot Camp Ashburn as a standout performer within the system. "The Mark of Excellence award is a tremendous honor, and we're incredibly proud of what our team has built in Ashburn," said Melanie Skinner. "Our focus has always been on our membersmaking sure they feel supported, empowered, and part of something bigger. This recognition reflects the passion and dedication of each trainer and member in our community." Burn Boot Camp Ashburn has become known for its energized, supportive environment where members find accountability, confidence, and connection. With Burn Boot Camp's concept now operating in 44 states with more than 385 locations, Ashburn stands as a shining example of how franchise partners can create meaningful community impact while driving strong growth. A celebration honoring the Skinners and their team was held at the Ashburn gym, with additional recognition taking place at Burn Boot Camp's national awards ceremony. "The Mark of Excellence award is how we recognize franchise partners who set the standard within our system, and Melanie and Aaron truly embody what it means to lead with heart, vision, and dedication," said Morgan Kline, CEO and co-founder of Burn Boot Camp. "Their commitment to empowering members, developing strong teams, and elevating the Burn Boot Camp experience makes them an incredible asset to our brand." Burn Boot Camp continues to attract mission-driven franchise partners like the Skinners who create powerful community impact while driving strong operational performance. Built around a franchise partnerfirst revenue model and supported by national leadership, the brand offers a proven path for entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and families. According to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Item 19, which reports 2024 unit performance, Burn Boot Camp delivers impressive results for its franchise partners80% of whom are women. With an average annual revenue of approximately $700K per location, top-performing gyms generating as much as $1.6M, and a systemwide average EBITDA of $114K (per Item 19 | 2025 FDD), Burn offers a proven model for success. Prime territories are available nationwide and Burn Boot Camp is seeking driven single- and multi-unit operators ready to join a high-growth brand that empowers confident women, strengthens families, and builds deeply connected communities. As International Franchise Association VetFran members, Burn Boot Camp offers veteran franchisees who join 15% off the initial franchise fee. Learn more at burnbootcampfranchise.com . About Burn Boot Camp: Founded in 2012 by husband-wife duo Devan and Morgan Kline, Burn Boot Camp is a national fitness concept that helps women and their families create healthy lifestyles by building strength and confidence. With unlimited 45-minute circuit-style Camps, complimentary Childwatch, and a unique Floating Floor to help protect joints and prevent injury, Burn Boot Camp offers hope to hundreds of thousands of people on a fitness journey also seeking a path to purpose, passion, and community in over 370 locations nationwide. The Burn Boot Camp App brings transformative workouts to Burn On Demand, providing users with access to expert fitness, recovery, and educational content across 18 categories. Devan and Morgan are also the best-selling authors of the bestseller Burn: The Burn Boot Camp 5-Step Strategy for Inner and Outer Strength. For more information, visit BurnBootCamp.com and follow Burn Boot Camp on Instagram , YouTube , TikTok , Facebook , Threads , LinkedIn and Podcast . SOURCE Burn Boot Camp BEIJING, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A conference leveraging Hainan's large reservoir of talents to better build its free trade port (FTP) was convened in Haikou, capital of the southern China island province from December 6 to 7. Seven years ago, Hainan launched its action plan for one million talents to enter Hainan and now, the tropical province has turned words into deeds, pooling in total 1.03 million talents there. Photo shows the opening ceremony of the event. (provided by the host) With a complete policy regime for talents across local industrial chains and related one-stop service platforms, a talent clustering effect is taking shape in Hainan, resulting in continuous improvements in local talent structure and ecology. To unleash more potential of the vibrant local talent reservoir, the province launched another campaign during the conference calling for the one million talents to vigorously develop Hainan. Under the campaign, Hainan will develop more competitive systems of talent policies and platforms to deepen integration of the local talent, innovation and industrial chains. During the conference, four thematic sessions focusing on young talent development, talent cooperation between Hainan and other Chinese localities including Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macao, industry-talent integration for seed industry and aviation talent cultivation by universities and businesses debuted to better match resources. Multiple cooperation programs were held during the event, such as seven international agricultural technology cooperation projects, the talent-cultivation partnership between the Department of Commerce of Hainan Province and the University of International Business and Economics, etc. At the main venue of the conference, a widely-lauded recruitment activity kicked off alongside the opening of the conference. 337 entities provided 10,018 available job positions, of which nearly a half are ones with 100,000-plus yuan of annual salaries. Through a "cloud recruitment" platform, online resume delivery and position-talent matching have been available around the clock, linking effectively talent demand with supply in the province. Exquisitely decorated exhibition zones were also set for 18 local cities and counties at the main venue, not to mention the 12 functional zones well presenting opportunities, policy dividends and characteristic resources there. As a high-end event, the Second China (Hainan) International Talent Exchange Conference drew many professionals such as Chan Un Tong, director of Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region government to share insights on embracing high-quality development of Hainan FTP with better talent policies and services. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348699.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road On December 9, Kim Long Motor JSC signed an agreement with Thailands Kijsetthi Mobility to supply 1,000 Kim Longbranded buses to the Thai market. The contract marks a significant milestone in the companys push to take Vietnamese-manufactured products global, underscoring its production capabilities and supporting Vietnams ambition to climb higher on the global automotive map. Kijsetthi Mobility is a major player in Thailands mobility services sector, with operations spanning commercial vehicle trading, spare-parts distribution, and truckbus repair and maintenance. The company is also expanding into sustainable transport solutions as Thailand accelerates its shift towards electric vehicles. Its established network and strong supply capabilities make it a well-aligned partner for Kim Long Motor in bringing Vietnamese-made buses closer to Thai customers. Under the agreement, Kim Long Motor will supply a range of key bus models, including 12-m internal combustion and fully electric buses, 7.8-m combustion engine units, and a 7.5-m electric model. All products are developed by the companys engineering team at its research and development centre, designed to meet Thailands operating conditions, terrain, and technical standards. The 7.5-m and 12-m electric buses are the standout products in the contract, offering modern design, smooth operation, and low-emission performance. Both models use BYDs latest battery systems, produced and assembled at the battery plant inside Kim Long Motor Automobile Industrial Park in Hue. The batteries deliver stable performance and energy efficiency, supporting Thailands push towards greener transportation. The Kim Long 99 bus line (12-m seating and sleeper versions) also stands out for its comfortable design and the latest Yuchai K11 engine, which delivers strong performance while consuming only 1922 litres per 100km. With more than 2,000 units already in operation, the engine has proven its stability and cost efficiency. Meanwhile, the 7.8-m Euro 5 bus, with its compact and agile design, is seen as well suited for Thailands high-traffic urban routes. All products in the contract are manufactured at Kim Long Industrial Park in Hue where automated production lines, digitalised management, and internationally standardised processes are applied. A representative of Kijsetthi Mobility said, We surveyed Kim Long Motors production facilities and were impressed by its ability to fulfil large orders within a short timeframe. After visiting the factory and seeing the modern production lines and finished products, we have strong confidence in this cooperation. We believe this agreement will open up long-term development opportunities. Kim Long buses will gain stronger recognition among customers and contribute to advancing sustainable mobility solutions in Thailand and across Southeast Asia," he said. "As we witness a fast-evolving shift towards green, smart, and sustainable transport, Thailand is regarded as a strategic market with demanding technical standards and strict quality requirements. The signing and execution of the 1,000-bus order confirms that Kim Long Motors products and manufacturing capacity meet Thailands rigorous benchmarks, while also reinforcing the growing role of Vietnamese enterprises in the regional commercial vehicle supply chain." This milestone provides strong momentum for Kim Long Motor to continue investing, expand production, reach new markets, and pursue its ambition of becoming one of Southeast Asias leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and exporters. The momentum is further strengthened by the inauguration of Kim Longs Engine Manufacturing and Assembly Plant at Chan May-Lang Co Economic Zone in Hue on December 5. Spanning 6.5 hectares with an initial investment of $260 million and an automation rate of up to 90 per cent, the facility enables the production of multiple engine models that meet international standards for buses, minibuses, and next-generation commercial vehicles. The launch marks a significant step in the companys development and represents a positive sign for domestic car-manufacturers, signalling a shift towards mastering core mechanical and manufacturing technologies rather than remaining concentrated at the assembly stage. Nguyen Si Dung, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Office, said, For years, Vietnams automobile industry has depended heavily on imported components, especially engines the most complex and value-defining part of any vehicle. With the Kim Long Engine Manufacturing and Assembly Plant now operational, equipped with over 90 per cent automation and full data traceability, we are seeing an important shift. Vietnam is finally moving closer to the core of the automotive value chain. He added, To maximise this opportunity, Vietnam needs to build a stronger supporting-industry ecosystem, develop a skilled workforce, upgrade technological capacity, and plan industrial zones strategically. If these elements come together, this new facility could mark the start of a new chapter for the countrys automobile industry. As more core components are produced domestically, localisation will rise, trade deficits will narrow, and added value will increase strengthening Vietnams precision engineering sector, a key pillar of modern industrialisation. This progress will also help Vietnam move up the global value chain, supported by a more capable mechanical industry geared towards a green, clean and sustainable future. Kim Long Motor signs landmark bus export deal Kim Long Motor has signed its first large-scale bus export contract with a strategic partner in Southeast Asia, underscoring the growing quality and production capabilities of Vietnamese manufacturers on the global stage. Kim Long Motor inks battery supply deal with LG Energy Solution Kim Long Motor Hue JSC and LG Energy Solution, the world's leading battery company, signed an MoU on for supply of battery cells on August 28. Photo: Masan Group On November 25, Masan Group reported third-quarter 2025 revenue of more than $833.6 million, up nearly 10 per cent on-year, with net profit rising 1.4-fold. For the first nine months, consolidated revenue reached $2.3 billion, an 8 per cent increase driven by solid contributions from WinCommerce, Masan Meat Life, and Phuc Long, according to the company. WinCommerce recorded third-quarter revenue of nearly $416 million, up 22.6 per cent on-year, and nine-month revenue of $1.12 billion, driven by its network expansion in the central region through the rollout of WinMart+ stores. Since the beginning of the year, WinCommerce has opened hundreds of stores, surpassing its base target and moving towards achieving the high-growth scenario by year-end. More than 80 per cent of the newly opened stores have reached the break-even point, reinforcing its position as Vietnam's most profitable modern retailer by store scale, with around 4,500 outlets expected nationally by the end of the year. Masan Meat Life posted third-quarter revenue of $93.9 million and nine-month revenue of $267.5 million, up 24.7 per cent, driven by higher sales volumes across its livestock, fresh meat, and processed meat segments, strengthened collaboration with WinCommerce, and optimised pork value. Meanwhile, Phuc Long reported third-quarter revenue of $20.3 million, up 21.2 per cent on-year, and nine-month revenue of $54.1 million, an increase of 14.1 per cent, with growth driven by its food segment, including pastries, ice cream, and yogurt. The third quarter results mark an important milestone in Masan's journey to comprehensively modernize Vietnam's consumer and retail sectors in a sustainable and profitable manner, said Nguyen Dang Quang, chairman of Masan Group. We expect to create strong synergies by developing a unified membership that connects WinCommerce's modern retail network with Masan Consumer's direct distribution model. Our goal is to link brands, retailers, and consumers, both online and offline, he added. Many other major retailers in the market, including Mobile World, FPT Retail, and Phu Nhuan Jewellery (PNJ), also reported strong business performance in the third quarter and the first nine months of this year. Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) achieved its highest-ever quarterly performance, with revenue reaching $1.57 billion and profit after tax totalling $70 million, up 24 per cent and 2.2 times on-year, respectively. For the first nine months of 2025, MWG recorded total revenue of $4.47 billion, representing a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. FPT Retail, which operates the FPT Shop and Long Chau chains, has also maintained strong growth momentum. The company reported $1.42 billion in revenue over the first nine months, up 26 per cent on-year, including $515 million in the third quarter alone, a 26.3 per cent increase from last year's figure. Meanwhile, jewellery retailer PNJ, one of the few major players outside the essential goods segment, delivered an impressive performance with third quarter revenue of $320 million, up 14.1 per cent, and after-tax profit of $19.5 million, marking a remarkable 130 per cent on-year surge. In line with this strong corporate performance, the government's approval of the retail market development strategy to 2030 lays the foundation for a more resilient, modern, and sustainable retail ecosystem in Vietnam. The strategy aims to develop a modern and sustainable retail market that effectively connects production with consumption, boosts domestic purchasing power, stimulates demand for Vietnamese products in international markets, and creates a foundation for Vietnamese retailers to integrate more deeply into the global retail landscape. In addition, policies for retail market development will be gradually refined, encouraging Vietnamese enterprises to innovate and evolve in line with modern global retail models. In this context, many international retail corporations are expanding their presence in Vietnam, viewing it as a strategic market within Southeast Asia. South Korea's Lotte Group has identified Vietnam as its third most important market, after South Korea and Japan. The group plans to open an additional 2-3 large-scale shopping malls in major Vietnamese cities by 2030. This move is part of its broader strategy to achieve approximately $2.2 billion in overseas revenue by 2030. Similarly, Central Retail from Thailand has reaffirmed its strong commitment to the Vietnamese market. In June, the company announced an investment plan of approximately $1.38 billion through 2027 to accelerate growth. The strategy includes expanding its food retail and shopping mall business models in Vietnam. Suthisarn Chirathivat, CEO of Central Retail, remarked that Vietnam is a highly dynamic country with a large population, a market that the company needs to closely monitor. Central Retail aims to become the top omnichannel retail platform in the food and commercial real estate sectors in Vietnam, targeting revenue of approximately $2.8 billion over the next five years, while doubling the share of omnichannel sales to 15 per cent, he said. 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The findings reveal that only 25 per cent of family businesses globally achieved double-digit growth in the past year, down from 43 per cent in 2023. However, those that embrace agility and purpose-driven strategies are outperforming their peers. In Vietnam, family businesses continue to play a critical role in the economy, but face mounting pressure to balance tradition with transformation. Vietnamese family businesses stand at a defining moment. In a global environment marked by economic turbulence and rapid technological disruption, resilience alone is not enough. To seize this opportunity, family businesses must move beyond traditional models and embrace bold, future-ready strategies. Embracing digital transformation, sustainability, and a clear sense of purpose will be key to unlocking growth and safeguarding legacy for future generations," Mai Viet Hung Tran, general director of PwC Vietnam, shared. Setting a clear example for transformation Vietnamese family businesses are signalling a strong appetite for growth. Three out of four reported sales growth in the last financial year, compared to 57 per cent globally, and 41 per cent achieved double-digit growth, far ahead of the global average of 25 per cent. Looking ahead, 31 per cent of Vietnamese leaders are targeting quick and aggressive growth over the next two years, nearly double the global figure of 16 per cent. However, this ambition is tempered by caution. While 69 per cent prioritise digital transformation, most efforts focus on optimising existing operations rather than radical reinvention. Technology is seen as both an engine and a brake: leaders identify AI as the greatest opportunity but also a major execution risk. This paradox underscores the need for bold, future-ready strategies to sustain momentum. Scaling purpose: from a private value statement to a public strategic tool Vietnamese family businesses have a strong foundation of purpose. 84 per cent have a clear company purpose compared to 64 per cent globally, and 91 per cent have codified family values and expectations for family members, yet only 22 per cent communicate purpose externally and 22 per cent link purpose to customer orientation (globally 45 per cent and 54 per cent). This gap turns purpose into a silent asset. To unlock its full potential, businesses must activate purpose externally: embedding it in marketing and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives and connect it internally to commercial decisions and talent strategies. Doing so transforms purpose from a statement into a strategic differentiator that drives trust and growth. Agility: closing the governance gap to unlock true flexibility Vietnamese family businesses recognise the importance of agility, with 72 per cent of leaders believing their business is agile. However, structural weaknesses undermine this confidence. Governance remains highly informal: 47 per cent of boards consist solely of family members (globally 33 per cent), and only 6 per cent have a family constitution, compared to 26 per cent globally. Furthermore, 22 per cent have a formal shareholders agreement (globally 48 per cent). This lack of diverse voices and external expertise limits strategic foresight and slows decision-making. To achieve true agility, businesses must formalise governance frameworks and professionalise leadership by appointing independent directors with industry experience. These steps will inject fresh perspectives, enable proactive responses to disruption, and transform agility from perception into reality. Turning patient capital into a strategic value creation Family businesses in Vietnam possess a unique advantage: patient capital, but often deploy it conservatively. While leaders prioritise long-term resilience (91 per cent) and innovation (72 per cent), investment strategies remain short-term and risk-averse, focused on incremental improvements rather than bold bets on technology and sustainability. This cautious approach threatens growth ambitions, especially as global competitors leverage capital for transformative change. To reclaim a strategic advantage, Vietnamese family businesses must move from capital preservation to value creation, channelling resources into high-impact areas such as digital transformation, ESG initiatives, and emerging technologies. Formalising investment philosophies and leveraging family offices as innovation engines can turn patient capital into a powerful differentiator in a volatile market. Protecting and activating reputation: from defensive asset to growth catalyst In Vietnam, reputation is not prioritised as highly as globally: 62 per cent see it as very important compared to 78 per cent worldwide. This cautious stance is compounded by operational anxieties: ethical concerns in supply chains are cited at more than double the global rate, revealing a vulnerability that can be turned into opportunity. To move reputation from a defensive asset to a growth catalyst, businesses must invest in transparency, sustainability, and proactive communication. Elevating ESG commitments and showcasing ethical practices can transform perceived risks into trust advantages. In a market where talent and customers increasingly value integrity, actively managing reputation is no longer optional, it is a strategic imperative for long-term resilience and brand leadership. Aligning generations for a new era Vietnamese family businesses demonstrate a strong commitment to continuity and family values, far exceeding global benchmarks. 94 per cent prioritise protecting the business as an asset (globally 78 per cent), and 81 per cent aim to preserve family legacy (globally 77 per cent), reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to safeguarding heritage. Additionally, 59 per cent favour family employment, more than double the global average of 27 per cent, underscoring a cultural preference for keeping leadership and operational roles within the family. While these priorities strengthen identity and trust, they also create structural challenges. Generational misalignment is a significant barrier: 38 per cent of Vietnamese family businesses cite differences in priorities between generations as a major obstacle to progress, compared to just 15 per cent globally. This disconnect is compounded by governance gaps: only 6 per cent have a family constitution (globally 26 per cent), and 81 per cent experience family conflict, with most disputes resolved informally. Such informal approaches leave businesses vulnerable during leadership transitions and hinder strategic agility. To bridge this divide, businesses must formalise governance through constitutions and shareholder agreements, and create structured pathways for Next Gen leadership. Treating generational alignment as a strategic priority, not a given, will turn potential friction into a source of competitive strength. Luong Thi Anh Tuyet, private leader of PwC Vietnam, shared, In todays pivotal moment, the long-term resilience of family enterprises depends on a strategic imperative: integrating their strengths of purpose, patient capital, and reputation with a modern focus on agility and governance. By mastering this combination, they will not only safeguard their legacy but also expand their influence in the Vietnamese economy and beyond. Vietnam tax and legal changes set to shape foreign investment landscape Nguyen Huong Giang, partner of Tax and Legal Services at PwC Vietnam, notes that upcoming tax reforms are expected to reshape the business environment and influence the attractiveness of Vietnam for foreign investors. VCCI and PwC Vietnam launch 'Doing Business in Vietnam' to empower investors In celebration of Vietnam Entrepreneurs' Day on October 13, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and PwC Vietnam have launched the 13th edition of Doing Business in Vietnam, a strategic guide for investors and entrepreneurs navigating Vietnam's evolving economic landscape. The Vietnam M&A Forum 2025, held by VIR in Ho Chi Minh CIty on December 9, attracted experts, business leaders, and advisory firms discussing the latest movements in Vietnam's M&A market. Hugo Virag, managing director and co-head of Southeast Asia at Astris Finance Speaking at the second panel discussion, Hugo Virag, managing director and co-head of Southeast Asia at Astris Finance, said, "Energy, water, and infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure, are expected to be among the most dynamic sectors for M&As. Among them, renewable energy remains one of Vietnams most important sectors. Demand for both renewable and conventional energy is expected to increase." To achieve its growth targets, Vietnam will require substantial capital. The country needs to mobilise capital, especially foreign capital. Some forecasts indicate that AI data alone could account for as much as 25 per cent of total energy demand, which is a huge figure. "In the water sector, countries such as Indonesia continue to face water shortages, creating strong demand for water treatment businesses," he said, adding that a clear and stable regulatory environment is essential for facilitating M&A and attracting international capital, especially in energy. In addition, companies must also choose advisory firms that understand the business of both buyer and seller. This is vital to fostering successful cooperation between the two parties. Douglas Jackson, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal Vietnam Douglas Jackson, managing director of Alvarez & Marsal Vietnam, said, "The rise of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam continues to shape upcoming M&A trends. Among them, real estate remains an attractive sector, especially the industrial park and data centre segments. Investment demand for technologies such as high-efficiency cooling systems in factories is also rising sharply." He added, "The finance and banking sector is drawing significant interest, but it requires high transparency and a strict legal framework. Investors need to be cautious, as the financial sector has more complex requirements for governance and risk management. Nevertheless, ongoing restructuring, shifts in business models, and rapid digitalisation are creating new opportunities for strategic deals." Healthcare is another highly sought-after sector. With an ageing population and rising demand for quality services, Vietnam offers ample room for foreign investors to invest in hospitals, clinics, and supporting healthcare services. Besides analysing M&A trends, he also gave recommendations for cross-border M&A deals. Accordingly, advisory firms should improve transparency standards and segment the right target investors. They should also customise documents and messages to each investor. Last but not least, it is important to choose capable and reputable advisors, especially in complicated deals involving foreign investors. Binh Le Vandekerckove, CEO and head of advisory at ASART Deal Advisory Commenting on whether businesses opt for an initial public offering (IPO) or an M&A deal, Binh Le Vandekerckove, CEO and head of advisory at ASART Deal Advisory, said, "It depends on whether companies prioritise privacy. It is true that businesses must have solid processes, compliance, and readiness given that an IPO is like a stage where the company becomes visible to and widely owned by the public." In Vietnam, however, some firms go public for short-term purposes and later find themselves unsure of what to do on the bourse. This has contributed to the subdued IPO market over the past years. "Another factor is whether businesses want 200 or 1,000 people owning their company, or whether they prefer only five or 10, or even just one or two," she said. "Many businesses do not anticipate that going public means sharing up to 90 per cent of their corporate information. By law, all information must be disclosed and explained to shareholders. As a result, companies must have teams capable of handling procedures for hundreds of shareholders." "Ultimately, the key lies in the level of privacy a company wants to maintain, as well as its willingness to meet post-IPO commitments, especially sharing with investors in both good and difficult times," she stated. Pham Duy Khuong, managing partner of ASL Law Pham Duy Khuong, managing partner of ASL Law, said, "Sectors including energy, real estate, infrastructure, industry, and technology share similar characteristics. Specifically, they involve large scale, technical complexity, and significant legal risk. Thus, foreign investors are concerned about whether the ventures in these sectors have full legality so they can disburse capital." "There are three groups of legal risks for transactions in these sectors to be viewed as high legal costs, Khuong said. "First is the consistency in implementing regulations across localities. In reality, some regulations are implemented differently depending on localities. This creates additional legal expenses and reduces market predictability for investors." Second is the prolonged and uncertain administrative procedures. Some projects have been delayed for five to 10 years because of a lack of guidance and consensus among authorities to resolve bottlenecks. Third is the legal issue of the assets and projects themselves in M&A deals. Several energy, industrial real estate, and infrastructure ventures have incomplete legal documents. Meanwhile, their old investors are facing financial difficulties as they are on the verge of bankruptcy, according to Khuong. Khanh Nguyen, general director of Gamuda Land Vietnam Khanh Nguyen, general director of Gamuda Land Vietnam, shared, "Real estate has been among the leading sectors, often ranking second or third following the manufacturing industry. In Vietnam, Gamuda Land has increasingly solidified its presence in Vietnam, injecting about $1 billion to expand the land at its disposal." "Over the past two to three years, positive developments in the market have significantly increased the asset value of investors," she said. "Gamuda Land sees Vietnam as a market with sustainable development and impressive GDP growth for many years. This is coupled with the expanding population and high housing demand. These indicators create an attractive foundation for foreign investors like Gamuda Land to continue expanding." For the past three to four years, Gamuda Land has completed six M&A deals through partnerships or project acquisitions from local companies. The company has also received numerous cooperation proposals from existing partners and new investors. This will be a key driver enabling Gamuda Land to maintain and further strengthen its M&A activities over the next three to five years, she emphasised. Nguyen Hoang Long, deputy CEO of GELEX With extensive M&A experience, GELEX still considers energy a high-risk, large-scale sector with low profit margins. Therefore, the group is focusing on segments with stable cash flows such as industrial real estate, infrastructure, and industrial manufacturing, while raising standards in infrastructure the new pillar of GELEX's growth. From GELEXs M&A journey, three key factors emerge. First, companies must build strategic capability and long-term thinking, as M&A is not a trading activity but a process of integrating new assets into an ecosystem. Second, strong deal-making skills are essential. This is particularly true when working with foreign partners whose negotiation styles and cooperation standards may differ greatly. Third, the post-M&A stage is crucial. Businesses must be prepared for governance, restructuring, and real development to create synergy of strength. In cross-border M&A, a win-win mindset is fundamental. Companies must understand their partners for mutual benefits towards long-term and sustainable collaboration. In every transaction, equality and a shared strategy after closing the deal remain decisive factors that determine overall success. Vietnam M&A Forum 2025: new position, new momentum The 17th Vietnam Mergers & Acquisitions Forum 2025 (M&A Vietnam Forum 2025), organised by Vietnam Investment Review under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 9. Vietnams M&A market opens new opportunities amid strong economic momentum The Vietnam Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Forum 2025, themed New Position, New Momentum, took place with the economy on track to complete the government's 2025 targets and the entire 2021-2025 socioeconomic plan. From 00:00 to 23:00 on December 12, (GMT+7), when booking an Eco ticket and applying the code THANKS, passengers will receive a discount of up to 100 per cent of the ticket price (excluding taxes and fees), applicable to all Vietjet flights. The travel period is flexible from January 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (**). The year-end spirit is rising across favourite destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia. Double day 12/12 is the ideal occasion to treat yourself to a fulfilling trip, with a complimentary 20 kg of free checked baggage (*) when booking Eco tickets on international direct flights from now until December 31. Vietjet continues to offer a range of flexible options for passengers to plan their travel and welcome the new year in their own way. Flying with Vietjet, customers can experience a fleet of new-generation fuel-efficient aircraft and professional flight crews, along with diverse hot meals and many unique cultural and artistic performances at an altitude of 10,000m. The 12/12 sale is coming soon with the biggest discounts of the year. Hurry up and book your flight tickets and get ready for an exciting New Year's journey with Vietjet. Thank yourself with festive flights, Lets Vietjet! (*) Terms and conditions. (**) Specific flight times vary depending on the route. Not applicable during peak periods. Fly to Con Dao from 0 VND with Vietjet mega promotion To celebrate the resumption of Vietjets services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Con Dao from December 3, Vietjet is offering an attractive Golden 3 Days promotion with fares starting from 0 VND (excluding taxes and fees). Vietjet launches daily Manila flights to celebrate year-end festive peak season Vietjet is launching daily flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila from December 19 to celebrate the year-end festive season. According to a policy brief released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on December 9, more than 25 per cent of the 75 million supply-chain-linked jobs in Southeast Asia are based in Vietnam, where supply chainrelated employment now accounts for over 35 per cent of the national workforce. The report sheds light on Vietnams expanding contribution to global trade networks and identifies priority policy actions to build greater resilience and inclusiveness. Photo: baodautu.vn According to the report, rising global trade uncertainty is pushing Vietnam to recalibrate its approach to supply chain resilience and ensure more inclusive employment outcomes. This includes promoting decent work and creating an enabling environment that support a just transition for both workers and businesses as the country pursues broader economic and social objectives. Employment linked to global supply chains in Vietnam has grown steadily since 2008, making the country the largest contributor to supply chain jobs in Southeast Asia in 2023. Manufacturing accounts for 49 per cent of Vietnams supply chain-related jobs, with textiles and garments alone representing nearly one-third. Labour-intensive supply chain sectors tend to employ greater shares of women and young workers and provide more wage-paying jobs, though the proportion of high-skilled employment remains limited. The report also notes that more than 76 per cent of supply chain-related jobs in 2023 were directly or indirectly dependent on external demand from markets including ASEAN, China, the EU, Japan, South Korea and the United States. To secure decent employment outcomes and enhance Vietnams position in regional and global supply chains, the ILO recommends coordinated policy action across several fronts. These include trade diversification and deeper domestic industrial linkages; comprehensive, demand-driven skills development; gender-responsive labour market policies; social protection systems capable of absorbing transition-related shocks; improved job quality and labour standards; and more inclusive social dialogue and institutional coordination. Strengthening supply chain resilience and capitalising on emerging growth sectors, the ILO concludes, present strategic opportunities to further advance Vietnams structural transformation. Clwyd Alyn becomes Endometriosis Friendly Employer A North Wales-based housing association has become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer (EFE) as part of efforts to better support colleagues who may be struggling with the chronic illness or other menstrual health conditions. Clwyd Alyn, which employs around 650 people across the region, got involved with the initiative after being approached by long-term employee Kayleigh Smith, who was keen to advocate for herself and others within the organisation who are living with the condition. Endometriosis is a long-term, chronic pain condition affecting around 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth. Symptoms can include pelvic pain, painful periods, pain when going to the toilet, fatigue, difficulty conceiving and more. It can take up to eight years for a diagnosis, with many women suffering the symptoms of endometriosis long before receiving the healthcare support that they need. Kayleigh, who spent many years as an undiagnosed endometriosis sufferer, was supported by her manager Nigel Blackwell, when her symptoms began impacting her ability to work. It can be hard trying to manage endo symptoms while still doing my best at work, but having a supportive team really makes a difference. Its important to raise awareness and break the stigma around conditions like endometriosis, said Kayleigh. A lot of people suffer in silence because they feel embarrassed or think no one will understand. This scheme helps create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up and get the support they need. Its about making small adjustments so that people can keep doing their jobs and living their lives, even on the tough days. The Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme works towards improving support for those with this chronic, long-term condition. It focuses on raising awareness of endometriosis, whilst encouraging support and dialogue around all menstrual health conditions. Participation in the scheme helps organisations create workplaces where staff are comfortable talking about the condition and encourages practical adjustments that can benefit people with endometriosis. At ClwydAlyn, Kayleigh and Nigel have taken on the role of Endometriosis Champions. This involves providing colleagues with guidance in relation to endo, and being a point of contact for information, signposting, and support. Many people have not heard of endometriosis and dont realise the serious effects it can have on everyday life, said Kayleigh. I am delighted that ClwydAlyn has taken the crucial step in signing up as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer. Nigel added: I knew a lot of the symptoms of endo due to my wife suffering from the condition since her teenage years. I recognised that Kayleigh was struggling with some of the same symptoms and from there Kayleigh was able to access the right medical support, and get a diagnosis. ClwydAlyns Executive Director of People, Culture and Communications, Sian Williams said: Were proud to be recognised as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer. Its an important part of our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive workplace for all our colleagues. Endometriosis affects many people. As an employer, we want to nurture understanding and awareness, and support those who are experiencing symptoms which affect their daily lives. North Wales health board faces biggest nurse shortfall The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has revealed that there are at least 1,481 registered nurse vacancies across NHS Wales, with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board holding the largest number. The figures come from the RCNs annual Nursing in Numbers 2025 report, which highlights growing pressure on the workforce and warns that vacancies are driving up costs and straining patient care. Data obtained by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) through Freedom of Information requests shows that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has the highest number of registered nurse vacancies in Wales, with 451.5 posts currently unfilled. This figure accounts for almost a third of the 1,480.8 vacancies recorded across NHS Wales. Despite the widespread shortage, the report says some health boards have introduced vacancy freezes, and even newly qualified nurses are finding it difficult to secure full-time posts. The shortage has forced NHS Wales to rely heavily on temporary agency staff. In 202425, health boards spent 88.7 million on agency nurses, an amount the RCN says could fund 2,815 full-time newly registered nurses. The RCN report also draws attention to ongoing discrimination faced by nurses from minority backgrounds, urging further action under the Welsh Governments Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan. Findings from the RCNs 2025 Employment Survey show that 88.4% of nursing staff in Wales work additional hours at least once a week. More than half said they work three or more extra hours, and nearly four in ten said the hours are unpaid. The survey also found that 38% of nursing staff in Wales are considering leaving or actively planning to leave their jobs. The report sets out 13 urgent recommendations to tackle the crisis, including protecting the registered nurse role, improving workforce data, halting hospital bed cuts and ensuring fair pay and progression. It also calls for more investment in social care staff and additional nursing student places with better support. RCN Wales Executive Director Helen Whyley said: These figures are a stark warning that our nursing workforce is still under intolerable strain and still not getting the respect it deserves. With at least 1,481 nurse vacancies, skyrocketing agency fees, and relentless unpaid overtime, this situation is unsustainable. Patients in Wales deserve safe, consistent care. Our brilliant nursing workforce deserves fair pay, safe staffing levels and protection from abuse. The Welsh Government and NHS Wales must take the recommendations weve set out in our report and act on them now to keep nursing staff in Wales and restore public confidence in our services. It is unacceptable that all health boards in Wales do not count the number of vacancies of registered nursing posts across all pay bands. Without knowing this information, it is impossible for it to ensure effective workforce planning and for members of the public and stakeholders to effectively scrutinise the health boards. The RCN said it remains ready to work with government, health boards and education partners to develop practical solutions that fill vacancies, reduce reliance on agency staff and promote fairness in the workplace. Police hunt man with lurcher after severe livestock attack in Bronwylfa area Police are looking to speak to the owner of a dog that left a ewe with severe injuries, with the full impact of the incident unknown until lambing season. Wrexham Rural Police said: At approximately 7.15pm on Monday 8 December 2025 a livestock attack has occurred in the Bronwylfa area of Wrexham. On checking his livestock a farmer has come across a male covered in mud and holding on to a lurcher type dog, the male stated that the dog had got loose but when asked to put it on a lead as the dog was in a field full of sheep the male couldnt produce one, he also denied that the dog had been chasing the sheep. On checking the livestock the farmer has found that one of the ewes had severe injuries to its throat and ear and was shaking with fright, the male has then run off with the dog towards Bronwylfa Reservoir. There were approximately 150 ewes in the field at the time of the incident and whilst thankfully only one has been found so far with injuries the livestock attack could have significant issues with all being currently pregnant, unfortunately the outcome wont be known until lambing season. Rural Crime Team officers are asking for anyone with knowledge of the attack or the male involved to get in touch quoting crime reference 25001002726. This incident whilst already serious in nature could have been even worse had the farmer not been in the area, every month we as a team put posts on FB regarding livestock attacks and yet they are still happening please, please keep dogs on leads when walking through field with livestock present. We would obviously like to speak with the owner of the dog , so if you can help please make contact. (Blurred top image from police showing the attack wounds one view of UK Governments online safety act means extreme violence/gore cant be shown online on non-age restricted sites. The images are public on Mark Zuckerbergs website, uploaded presumably by local police.) Welsh minister concerned by proposed jury trial restrictions Wales top lawyer has vowed to challenge Ministry of Justice proposals to limit appeal rights and scrap jury trials for crimes with a likely sentence of three years or less. Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Governments chief legal adviser, committed to raising concerns with UK counterparts because justice is largely non-devolved. Last week, the Ministry of Justice unveiled plans for judge-only swift courts in Wales and England to fast track cases to cut delays due to a backlog in the justice system. Answering questions in the Senedd today (December 9), Ms James agreed with her Labour colleague Mick Antoniw who described the plans as the wrong way to go. The former solicitor said she would raise the issue during a meeting of the inter-ministerial group (IMG) on justice, a UK-wide forum which she was due to chair later in the week. At our peril Mr Antoniw told the Senedd: I think this is the wrong way to go and will not solve the growing backlog problem. Jury trials have been a cornerstone of our justice system. Juries are a check and balance on judges, as well as a protection for the independence of the judiciary, and they give ownership to part of the judicial system into the hands of the people, so we restrict them at our peril. Mr Antoniw, a former trade union lawyer and counsel general, urged his successor to press for access to justice, investment in court infrastructure and the devolution of justice powers. Ms James responded: I personally am particularly concerned about the proposals to limit the rights of appeal from magistrates courts to points of law only at the same time as increasing magistrates sentencing powers. So, there are a number of things in the system that we will be raising at the IMG and more generally. Because although it is a reserved matter, of course it directly impacts on a number of things that are devolved. Outrage Rhys ab Owen, a former criminal barrister who sits as an independent, pointed to previous comments from David Lammy, the deputy prime minister and UK justice secretary. He said: Jury trials are a fundamental part of the democratic settlement, criminal trials without juries are a bad idea those arent my words thats a tweet written by David Lammy back in 2020. He argued the figures are skewed due to huge backlogs in big English cities. Mr ab Owen was similarly concerned by proposals to limit rights of appeal as he recalled some baffling decisions made by magistrates. He told Senedd members: The truth is if this was a proposal by a Conservative government, there would be outrage in this place. Mr ab Owen also raised comments from Karl Turner, a Labour MP, who described the proposals as the daftest idea that any justice secretary could have come up with. Hugely important Pressed on whether she agreed, Ms James said: I agree that there are serious questions to be asked about the UK Governments proposals. I also agree the right to trial by jury is a hugely important protection for defendants, I absolutely do. Victims need to be assured that justice is delivered effectively but in an unbiased way, and that the punishment fits the crime. She stressed that trial delays also impact victims, defendants and witnesses, so its absolutely right to look at ways of speeding up that process. Ms James told Senedd members there are no significant delays in magistrates courts and crown court performance in Wales has consistently been considered among the best. She explained trials in Wales are currently being listed into 2026 and 2027, compared with London where listings are currently well into 2030. Criticising a disappointing lack of consultation before the announcement, the counsel general said: These are proposals at the moment, theres a long way until they become law [but] we will be making our feelings known on it. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter